Have n't said this in a while so I should probably name. I do n't own Harry potter. I 'm not sure of the specific legal ramifications of a character reference called Harry Potter but not actually the Lapp guy. But anyway, I do n't own any of the stuff I 'm not supposed to own. I may own the stuff I 'm supposed to own but since I 'm unconvincing to publish it probably does n't matter.



It was a nice garden, the garden at Malfoy manor house. At one time the George H.W. Bush were elegantly crafted topiary, a menagerie of antic wight in fanciful poses, but they had been untended for a year and now they looked just like bushes. Just here or there you could see a shadow of a dragon, the wing of a swan. It was like looking at clouds. The grass had grown up too, long steel that got between your toes. It was half savage but then that was good. It was a wonderfully peaceful place.

So why oh why had they nailed two bloody great quidditch goals into it. Harry snorted, they were ruining the sentiment with their unintelligent game.

'' come on Harry ! '' Ginny swooped down laughing. `` There 's a spare broom ! ``

'' rightfield, the Calluna vulgaris 's the problem. '' Harry laughed back, waving his cane. `` Not the fact that I 'm disastrous in the air at the advantageously of clock time and am currently down a tree branch. ``

'' So you 're just gon na outride down there on the grass like an old man ? ``

'' Just keep it restrained you hooligans. '' Harry laughed as Ginny rose into the sky again. It would have been fun to go up and pass water a patsy of himself, make them express joy when he fell off. But if he ever wanted to get rid of the walking stick he would have to let himself actually heal. If he burst his bowel capable nobody would laugh. Well ... maybe the Twin would.

Harry turned and stomped off across the skunk, back towards the house. The sun was beating down like a hammer and Harry was sweating by the time he reached the blanket gallery. He took a consequence before climbing the step. Everybody knew he was recovering from his injuries but he did n't wish to let them have it off how unvoiced some matter were for him. wagerer to just take a minute.

Harry stomped up the wooden stairs and dropped into a folding deckchair. The unharmed verandah was new Sir Henry Joseph Wood, tacked onto the back of the ancient mansion. The marauders had conjured and constructed the matter the first day they got there, at Draco 's prod. The young Slytherin took an almost pathological joy in slamming beams into the ancient Malfoy mansion. It was all they could do to stop him using fifteenth one C sticker as nails.

The whole position had been transformed into a kind of marauder summer camp. All of them were there, at first they had just come during the day to hang out, then in dribs and olive drab they had attached themselves to room and began staying overnight. Harry was loving it, he had a captive audience. And now that the piranha numbered twenty they were a good audience. Except when they did pointless thing like play quidditch or do prep. But at other prison term they were brilliant.

'' So, '' Harry turned to the pack of cards chair beside him, containing his newest initiate. `` Who 's winning ? ``

'' I ca n't tell. '' Pythea took a dainty sip from a glass of lemonade. `` They seem to have released four different canary so I do n't live how to mark. ``

'' Four snitch ? '' Harry 's eyebrows arched.

'' Ginerva and Dragon were left in charge of setting up. ``

'' Probably just trying to outdo the Twin. '' Harry shrugged. `` How many bludgers were there ? ``

'' Twelve I believe. ``

'' Seemed like more. '' Harry glanced up at the game flowing above the vast grounds. XVI marauder were swooping and diving in the hot, utter, air. Like drink. Harry envied them, not for the ability to fly, but for the relief from the heating system that flying would play. Harry brushed his sweat filled hair out of his aspect and fanned himself with his hand. He turned to the fille next to him. `` How are you not sweating ? It 's like a warm day in Hades. ``

'' I 'm used to Greece Harry. ``

'' You 're used to a floaty castle in the sky. '' Harry leant back to soakage in the electron beam. `` I however need some shade. '' Harry drew his scepter and floated a standing umbrella over. It shook a picayune as it settled into place. Harry frowned, his new wand was n't his favourite. For one thing it was n't an Ollivander wand.

His first verge had been taken from him by Voldemort at the end of his fourthly year, it had never been recovered. His second lay broken in Godrics hollow. Both had worked for him wonderfully and he had wanted something as good. The first day he had got out of hospital he had stomped down to the old wand-makers store to buy a new wand. Unfortunately the old man had had other ideas.

'' Out ! Out ! Wand-killer ! Get out of my shop class ! ``

'' But I just want- ''

'' I heard what you did to Dumbledore 's wand ! Travesty to destroy such ... such ... Get out ! get out ! get out ! ``

Harry had been bundled from the shop by the scrawny old illegitimate child. As he fell backwards out the doorway, his cane clattering on the cobbles, he had yelled.

'' I did also defeat Voldemort you know ! '' But the door had been slammed shut in his face and he had gone back to the residence empty handed. Given that he did n't want to go to long without a wand he had scrounged through the things taken from the captured death eaters. Eventually he had found one that worked. He never found out who it belonged to, did n't really matter to him. It was made of reassuringly bully oak and had a courteous round handle. It was just sometimes a lilliputian ... finicky. Finicky was the right Holy Scripture. He just had to get used to it.

'' You could try another wand-maker. ``

'' Are you sure you ca n't interpret minds anymore ? '' Harry smiled over at Pythea.

'' You were staring at it. ``

'' I was not. '' Harry holstered his wand again in his pouch. Out over the garden a cheer went up as one team or another scored-slash-fouled in a way that was apparently impressive. Harry chuckled, the children were playing. `` Are you planning to get a verge ever ? ``

'' I do n't use one. '' Thea hovered her lemonade up above her hand by way or proof. `` I had a different kind of education. ``

'' Could you teach me ? ``

'' Do you have a few spare age ? ``

'' Ouch. '' Harry threw his paw to his chest in mock wounding. `` I 'm not that dumb. ``

'' We 'll see when the O.W.L. results come. '' Pythea glanced at the sky. `` When do you think they will get here ? ``

'' Oh eventually. '' Harry put his blazon behind his read/write head. `` I 'm in no hastiness. No waiting, scratch that. Once they come we do n't have to listen to Hermione worrying anymore. They need to occur now. Right now. ``

'' They 'll be here in about half an hour. '' Pythea said confidently. Harry did n't bother asking her how she knew, this was a visionary he was talking to.

Harry stretched out in his chair and yawned. It was nice to have an actual holiday again, no concern about Voldemort, no quest to take on. It was relaxing. Harry eased his injured leg into a more well-off position. He needed relaxing. His leg and his stomach needed relaxing. His Einstein needed it too. Harry closed his oculus and sighed happily. Through his magic vision he could see Theia look over and smile fondly.

'' Have you decided whether you 'll go to Hogwarts yet ? '' Harry asked her.

'' I do n't know what I 'd do there. '' Pythea tapped her finger against her glass. `` I would n't be a student and I could n't be a instructor. ``

'' You could be a teaching helper. '' Harry grinned. `` helper Trewalny- ''

'' Do n't even finish that time. '' Pythea shuddered. `` That mentation is too atrocious to contemplate. ``

'' But most of all you can be close to the rules of order in face they need your arcane gift. '' Harry wheedled. `` Your telling arcane talents. Your amazing and unparalleled arcane talents. ``

'' Would n't I be closer here ? '' Pythea raised an eyebrow quizzically. `` Here in the order headquarters ? ``

'' But what if the marauders needed your talents. '' Harry pleaded. `` Your impressive, godlike talents. ``

'' Harry ... ''

'' And besides. '' Harry smiled warmly. `` You never got a chance to be a kid. Take this chance, get to Hogwarts. Let the piranha show you how to experience fun. ``

Pythea did n't say anything, but she smiled.

'' That 's a yes. You smiled so that 's a yes. ``

'' Harry ... ''

'' It counts as a yes. You 're stuck with it now. ``

'' You ... ''

'' Me. ``

'' blockade it. ``

'' Ca n't. ``

'' And you call me a brat. ``

Harry chuckled and laid back in his seat. He must own fallen asleep because the succeeding thing he knew was a owl was pecking at his face.

'' Get. The. hellhole. Off. Me. '' Harry groaned.

heap, peck, peck.

'' Oh fine. '' Harry woke and cracked his cervix. The owl was n't holding a letter of the alphabet. `` Where are my bleedin termination you stupid bird ? ``

'' Here Harry. '' Thea was sitting comfortably, holding a folded fighting of paper in her hands.

'' The owl gave it to you ? ``

'' I 'm good with creature. '' Thea glanced down at the piece of report. `` Do n't you want to have sex your results ? ``

'' Not particularly. ``

'' No ? We could actually experience a situation where I go to Hogwarts and you do n't. ``

'' Has ... has that happened ? '' Harry felt his gist drop.

'' Ah so you actually do care. '' Pythea glanced at him slyly.

'' Brat. ``

'' You have n't failed. '' Pythea smiled. `` You got four. Four O.W.Ls. ``

'' Well that ... '' Harry nodded faintly. `` That 's not bad. That 's not too bad. Considering. '' He reached over and picked the results out of her hand. `` Charms O. Ok that works for me. vindication ... E. ''

'' How could you get an E in defending team. '' Pythea shook her principal at him. `` You defeated Voldemort. ``

'' Defeating dark God Almighty does n't have a written component. '' Harry said indignantly.

'' Did you see the former results ? ``

'' Managed A 's in astronomy and animal. '' Harry shrugged. `` unspoiled enough to go back to Hogwarts. ``

Pythea opened her sassing to say something but did n't get the chance.

'' The event ! The issue are here ! ``

Harry 's capitulum were assaulted by Hermione 's screams. Thea raised her hand to her ears and winced.

'' Welcome to the marauders. '' Harry said, over the ringing in his ears.
*


The succeeding day they did the just thing traditional after receiving Hogwarts varsity letter. The customary, almost pilgramigical, trip to Diagon Alley.

'' Wait why are you going ? '' Harry had asked Fred and George. `` You 've had your last year. ``

'' We 're going to go expression at something. '' Fred had replied evasively.

'' What ? ``

'' Just ... just something. '' Fred shrugged.

'' This is about your joke shop class is n't it. '' Harry guessed shrewdly.

'' Maybe. ``

'' What about you ? '' Harry turned to Joshua split up. `` Why are you coming ? ``

'' I 'm world-weary. '' Was his compendious reply.

Harry shrugged. Fair enough. The Weasley parents were there as well of course. Harry knew that on some layer they disapproved of their fry being soldiers in a war on eternal darkness. Harry knew this, and could barely bring himself to care. The war was effectively over for now, they were n't soldiers for now. Not for a few eld at to the lowest degree. Harry shrugged, he would have got preferred if the marauders could go alone. Being parented after so long taking care of himself was galling. Ah well, with so many marauders they could n't possibly sustain yellow journalism on all of them.

Harry shrugged and hoisted his cane. Ah well, time to do the spinal column to shoal shop. How very normal.
*


Harry dropped into a seat in an ice-cream parlor. His left hand leg, and left arm were both killing him. He had never been more thankful that his bottomless bag absorbed the weight of the playscript he 'd bought. If he 'd had to persuade them the traditional way he might well be dead. It was n't even just the weightiness or the trauma, it was the people. What had happened in the department of mysteries was known to every wizard in Britain and probably a estimable turn outside as well. Harry did n't experience which one were worsened, the unity that demanded an autograph like he was he was a bloody celebrity or the ace that shied away from him like he was a god. It was draining, physically and mentally. He needed a break.

'' Are you alright Harry ? '' Ron asked.

'' Everyone wants to give up for ice ointment right ? '' Harry panted. `` We 're all stopping for ice cream. Not because I 'm almost utter. Stopping for ice cream because we want to, not because I 'm a bloody shut-in. ``

'' Um ... yeah Harry. '' Padma nodded faintly. `` Because we want to. ``

'' Great ! '' Harry sat back. `` image scoop, coffee and chocolate please. ``

'' Why do I have to get it ? ``

'' I 'm injure. '' Harry held up his cane and put on a hangdog facial expression. `` War wounds. ``

'' shuffling up your nous. '' genus Draco muttered and shook his caput wryly as the marauders pushed tables together around the one Harry had claimed. Harry just sat back and grinned. The rut had beat down harshly all day but now it was evening and the air was pleasantly nerveless. Very peaceful. Harry wondered idly what he would do with a year of peace. Probably go mental. Possibly get arrested. Without his lofty goals to excuse his anarchy he was nonimmune to end up expelled. He might have to rein himself in a bit. Just a bit. It was unfortunate person that he had no musical theme how to do that.

'' coffee berry and chocolate. '' A conoid was shoved into his hand by Padma.

'' What ? No waffle strobilus ? ``

'' Do n't drive it limpy. ``

'' Ouch. '' Harry chuckled as the marauders pulled up electric chair around the table. Despite her sarcasm Padma pulled up the chair next to Harry. Thea sat down quietly on the other English. She was quiet with everyone but Harry still. For someone who had been one of the most right cleaning woman in the domain she was remarkably shy. Harry opened his mouth to ask her something when he felt a tug at his sleeve.

'' sentry. '' Padma hissed quietly and cheekily. Harry 's center followed her hole-and-corner gaze to the other position of the table. Ginny and Draco were sitting at the far early side. As he watched Ginny held her ice pick out to Draco, who bent to clobber it and ended up with a spotlight on his nozzle. Ginny laughed louder than it was natural to laugh at something so cliché and wiped the stain off with a napkin. The napkin brushed down Draco 's boldness just a moment longer than was essential. With his magic eye Harry could even see Ginny 's heartbeat quicken. Harry turned to Padma.

'' And he still remains totally forgetful. '' Harry shook his head in disbelief. `` Does he have some sort of empathic blind-spot ? ``

'' Apparently. '' Padma snorted cynically. `` I think Ginny 's getting desperate. It 's almost embarrass. My darling babe has been lending her mascara. And emollient. ``

'' Interesting that you say emollient in the like manner that others would say ... oh I do n't have a go at it. Skunk bile. ``

'' If he 's that oblivious he 's not worth it. By the way, if you want to swap some of the ointment for skunk bile I 'm game. '' Padma grinned slyly.

'' That would be really signify. ``

'' She would pull attention though. ``

'' We do n't prank fella marauders. '' Harry turned to the girlfriend on his early side. `` Maybe you can separate us. See anything in their future ? Something small and squalling perhaps ? ``

'' I 'm not a luck bank clerk Harry. '' Pythea said coldly. It was only the faintest light in her eye that told him she was kidding.

'' Not even a little circumstances ? '' Harry arched an eyebrow.

'' What do you gestate me to do Harry ? '' The niggling seer smiled. `` study tea leaves ? ``

'' Would that work ? ``

'' Of row not. ``

'' Wait a minute ! '' Ron spun bout from Pythea 's former side. Harry saw the seer saltation in surprisal but cover it a minute later. Ron had n't noticed. `` Tea leaves do n't prognosticate the future ? ``

'' No. However could they ? ``

'' What about swarm ? Tarot cards ? Casting bones ? ``

'' I 'm grim Ronald none of those will hold you any sixth sense into the future. '' Pythea answered calmly.

'' Then what have I been doing for the past tense three year ? ``

'' Making overgorge up ? '' Harry suggested.

'' well yeah I knew that but ... what did I get an O.W.L for ? ``

'' You got an O.W.L for putting up with Trewalny for three days. '' Harry reached over and clapped Ron on the shoulder joint. `` It 's well deserved. ``

Pythea laughed lightly into her manus causing Harry to comment something.

'' Hey, you have n't got any ice cream. '' Harry cocked his straits. `` Did you want something else ? I think they 've got coffee and tea and stuff and nonsense. ``

'' Harry it 's okay. '' Pythea seemed to shift snug to him. `` I just do n't have any money that 's all. I left Greece with nothing and I 've been staying at the manor ever since you know ... ''

'' You should let said something. '' Harry held out his cone. `` Here. You 'll like it, burnt umber is one of the three prophylactic United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland flavors, coffee ice pick however is dangerously observational. ``

Pythea chuckled as she daintily licked a drop off the face of his ice cream conoid. Harry turned it to let her get at all of it. He heard a snigger behind him and looked over his articulatio humeri to see Padma covering her mouth with her hand.

'' What ? '' The sniggering continued. `` What ? ``

'' Nothing. '' Padma 's heart flickered to Dragon and Ginny on the other side of the table then back to him.

'' Wha ... what are you suggesting that ... no no that 's ... that 's totally different. '' Harry protested, which only prompted a gale of laughter. `` It 's not the same thing ... I mean she did n't .... whereas they ... Shut up. '' Harry turned away from the sniggering marauder and tried to ignore her. He and Pythea finished off the cone cell by turns, and by the time they finished Harry was pleasantly cool.

It was a totally fun and peaceful tantrum. Harry should feature known it would n't last.

'' Having a pleasant day out Mr ceramicist ? '' A shadow fell across the mesa. `` It was a beautiful day I felt. ``

'' hullo King James I. '' Harry 's eyes fixed on the old man. Maybe it was his tone of voice but the marauders went still in a instant. They went from laughing happily to instruct as a drawn bowstring in an instant. helping hand hovered near scepter. Harry waved to them. `` Do n't worry guy cable, he 's not serious. He 's not even really here. Again. ``

'' A pity really. '' James River turned his pale, lined font to the sky. `` It looks like such a nice eve. ``

'' Is it cold where you are ? ``

'' I am not telling you where I am. '' James smiled. `` But I do not pick you for fishing. ``

'' I 'm certainly curious as to who you are. '' Harry run forwards. `` Last prison term I followed your advice I was framed for murdering some demise eaters. ``

'' A regrettable upshot Mr Potter, but not my demerit. '' James I spoke dryly and precisely. `` The information I gave you was entirely correct. ``

'' Yes. '' Harry nodded towards the baker Twin Falls, both ( despite his Bible ) looking ready to spring. `` You told me that their don was targeted to be attacked so I do n't cogitate you work for Voldemort. But that does n't think of you 're on the incline of commodity. ``

'' commodity is nonmeaningful. '' William James said definitely. His crisp Oxford enunciation making the words seem even colder.

'' Now I know you 're on the improper side. ``

'' Think whatever you wish Mr Potter, it does n't particularly matter if you like me. Although obviously I would prefer if we were on amicable term. Nevertheless you will heed to what I have to say. '' James waved a gloved hired hand at the bustling street. `` You will heed or in just about ten minutes these people will all be dead. ``

'' You 'd improve talk fast then. '' Harry 's finger's breadth were gripping the sides of his chair.

'' Voldemort will attack here. '' Was the simple reply from the elderly visage in front man of him.

'' Voldemort has just two death eaters and is supposed to be almost dead. '' Harry grated angrily. `` How could he possibly mount an blast. ``

'' Dear boy do you expect me to severalise you everything ? '' James smiled faintly. `` You would think that this would be enough. Just know that as soon as the Sun Myung Moon rises about 20 wolfman and at least as many wizards will be attacking here. Whether you chose to believe me ... is up to you. '' James disappeared where he stood, startling a passing family.

'' Harry ? '' Ginny was speaking worriedly from across the mesa. `` Do you trust him ? ``

'' Yes. '' Harry 's teeth grated together. `` Sod the bastard but yes. '' Harry grabbed his cane and pushed himself to his wobbling invertebrate foot. `` Neville, get inside the shop and flue the aurors, and the order. Everybody else starting signal spreading out and getting people into the fireplaces. Do not panic them. GO ! ``

'' Right. '' Harry turned to the worried looking Pythea. `` Can you fight if it comes to it ? ``

'' I was never trained. '' Her spokesperson sounded very small.

'' Ok, do n't take this the wrong way but if something happens you need to stay out of the way. '' Harry raised his hand to her shoulder. `` stoppage safe. '' Harry stepped back and waved the vulture to the left and rightfield down the street. He himself painfully stepped onto the table and amplified his voice.

'' Listen ... ag ... This is Harry Potter. '' A cheer went up from the crew, some people began to scribble for thing for him to signal. `` No no, Listen. We 've received a tip that there might be something bad happening here soon. It 's probably a false alarm, just some idiot who thinks he 's funny remark, but I 've talked to the aurors and they think we should evacuate anyway. Just continue calmly into the cheeseparing shop class and flue back to your abode. No pushing, just please go home. Do n't care about your friends up and down the street, we have people warning them too. ``

Harry tried to preserve a composure smiling fount as he waved people into away, nodding with an almost banal normalcy. He heard clattering stride behind him.

'' Harry ! '' Neville dashed up behind him.

'' What did the aurors say ? ``

'' I could n't reach them, the fluke 's blocked. '' Neville panted. `` I went through the back and tried the next shop class. It 's down too. I think they all are. ``

'' What ? '' Harry spun to look at the shop he had been waving multitude into. As he turned a cry went up and seemed to ripple along the crew. Harry could here the cries of 'it 's not working, why is n't it working ?'. He felt is heart drop cloth. He spun and grabbed a man out of the bunch. The man looked down at him in daze but Harry spoke right over him. `` Can you apparate ? ``

'' Wha ... what 's that ? ``

'' Try to apparate. ``

'' Is there a job ? ``

'' Just try to bloody apparate ! ``

'' I ... '' The man paused. `` I ca n't. It 's blocked or ... or something. ``

Harry spun back to face Neville. The nervous marauder was gripping his scepter hard. Harry amplified his voice harshly, twisting his wand until he could palpate his vocal cords twanging.

'' MARAUDERS ! THIS IS material ! GET EVERYBODY OUT INTO LONDON ! ``

Harry left Neville in bang and clattered back towards the leaky cauldron, his leg felt like it was on fire. The entry wall came into view, closed. masses were crowded up against it, clawing at the bricks like rats. Harry stopped, shocked.

'' Harry ! '' Lucy Kingston ran up to him, the Baker twins trailing behind her. `` We tried to get them out but the flue are down. When they found out the panicked. I 'm ... I 'm sorry. ``

'' Get out of the way. '' Harry ordered them, raising his wand towards the crowd. `` EVERYBODY move ! ``

The gang turned towards his yelling voice, saw the raised wand and the look in his heart, and parted like the red sea.

"Confringo ! '' Harry aimed the curse at the inwardness of the wall and blasted a hole in the masonry. He shot again and the wall fell in, crumbling into rubble. Behind the wall a build stepped forward, his face veiled by a uncut cloth and the residue of him covered in deep green. That was what everybody saw. deception eye saw more.

'' Get away from him ! '' Harry yelled, but he was too slow. The human body shot forward like a snake, his hired man jerking into his clothing and coming out with a thick bladed dagger. In one smooth social movement the man was amongst the crowd. The tongue came forward and Harry saw a spray of blood. The knifeman spun and plunged the blade into the back of a woman who had turned to run then Harry was knocked to the incline by pressing bodies as the gang stampeded away.

'' Let me through ! '' Harry yelled as he was buffeted madly. He could still see the knifeman in the stale blue devil of his magic vision. The man was spinning randomly through the crowd, opening veins and cutting throat like the quiver word-painting of smooth death. Harry tried to push his way towards him but he was thrown back. `` piece of tail this ! Galbinus digitus ! Hammus missis ! ``

The vines on the wall to his incline expanded like a mad octopus, arching across the street. Harry had already cast a chain up to the light-green archway and jerked himself up over the crowd. Swinging madly, barely in ascendence, Harry was drawn through the air above the principal of the writhing crew. Harry 's eye caught the knifeman and he let go, swinging his legs out, steel-toed iron boot coming up.

The man dodged like a wildcat and Harry twisted in the air to avoid getting a knife in his neck opening. He landed painfully, his leg bending under him, unwilling to support his system of weights, and he stumbled. The knife flashed towards him.

'' Stalagmite ! '' Harry jabbed his wand down and the cobblestone exploded upwards in a jutting spike, knocking the knife away. But the man was too fast his left wing manus dipped into his clothes and came back with a thin wand before Harry could even tolerate. Harry had to roll away as a tearing net of razor threads came shooting towards him. He tried to stand but his leg buckled and he saw the flaunt knife again, too close this time.

'' Stubefy ! '' The red Inner Light smashed the knifeman from behind and threw him to the floor. Harry struggled to spring up as Lucy and the two Bakers pushed through the cobbler's last of the crowd to get to him. Lucy grabbed his arm and he gratefully pulled himself upright. `` Are you alright ? ``

'' No ! '' Harry summoned his cane and glanced around. There were organic structure everywhere. He had n't been fast enough.

'' We tried to- '' Terry baker began to utter but a knife bloomed from his shoulder and he was thrown back into his sisters arms. `` Aaaah ! ``

Harry spun with his wand out. Out of the hole in the wall were climbing three more viridity shrouded bod. Harry 's eye buzzed through them and was more behind them. mass more.

'' Get him out of here ! spill back ! '' Harry yelled. He twitched his wand at the floor and swung it like a sword, growing a paries of stone out of the rough cobblestone. Harry saw Anna Baker crying as she dashed away with her bleeding brother at the same time as Lucy ran to place upright next to him. `` I meant you too ! ``

'' I 'm not leaving you. ``

'' That 's fine, I 'm retreating too ! '' Harry hobbled backwards, his scepter trained on the wall. A blurred shape catapulted over the wall, spinning in the air. Harry 's wand flicked out. `` Ferio ! '' The hex struck the man in the air and he crashed to the flooring head first with a sickening crush. Two Thomas More followed him and Harry threw more tour, beside him Lucy was madly throw away hex. Harry could see the street behind the paries filling up with enemy. There were far Sir Thomas More than the 20 James had warned about.

'' Difindo ! '' Harry raked his wand along the merchantman of the paries, forcing himself to dismiss the three more warriors that had leapt over the top of it. `` Depulso ! '' His wall flew backwards along the street like a wrecking ball, sweeping the aggressor back. Harry did n't have time to gloat as a lion made of fire leapt out of thin air and raked his arm with burning chela. He did n't chafe to flame-freeze it, just blasted it out of the air and sent the flame back at the darkness form advancing up the street towards them.

'' Harry, did n't that man say something about werewolves ? '' Lucy was panting beside him.

'' Listen if you see a bloody werewolf tell me ! '' Harry yelled through gritted teeth as he smashed a pillar of ice out of the air. `` Until then I think I 'll allot with the problem in front of me ! ``

Harry blocked another expletive but even as he did so two more whizzed past him and hit the crowd. He heard cries of botheration and anguish. He could n't block off all of them. He could n't even stop nearly of them. This was going to be a bloodbath unless he could stop over it.

'' They 're on the cap ! '' Someone in the crew yelled.

Harry 's eye swiveled up and he cursed. There were at least five wispy figures dashing along the rooftops towards them, the sheer side not even giving them pause.

'' Bloody hell who are these guys ? breed me ! '' Harry ducked behind Lucy as he jabbed his wand up at the shingles. `` Pinguis ! '' The tiles suddenly gleamed like an oil slick and the running game build tumbled like ninepins, skidding and scrabbling to happen purchase before falling to the cobbles with a crunch.

Harry saw more trance coming from behind him and felt like cheering as he saw five to a greater extent marauders dashing to help out of the press crowd. Draco skidded to a stop next to him and instantly had to raise a shield to finish a spinning blade.

'' They 're attacking on the other side too ! '' Draco yelled, his font covered with a luster of sweat. `` Ginny 's keeping them back but there 's nowhere for the gang to go. We 're between a hammer and an anvil ! ``

Harry cursed even as his eye swirled in it 's socket and tried to centre to the other side of the gang. No good, too many people. But he could see spells flaring up from the street beyond. Harry swore again and had to go off off a despairing return to a purple curse hat hissed through the air like a serpent. Harry swung his verge at the shop class on either side of the street and yelled a charm. The glass in the window shattered into knife-edge fragment and sweep up across the street like a scythe. Harry could try the clump as it bit flesh. It only gained them here and now, new figures appeared almost instantly, crouching behind their perfectly comrades for concealment. Harry used the time to heighten the sett in another wall but almost instantly it was struck with curses. Blasting away the stone and leaving fix for their enemies to fire through.

'' When are the aurors getting here ? '' Ron asked desperately.

'' How the netherworld should I know ! '' Harry yelled back angrily. `` They may no even be able to get in ! ``

'' What about knockturn bowling alley ! '' Neville called out suddenly, pointing back into the crew. `` Could we get hoi polloi out that way ? ``

'' This many citizenry ? Crammed in there ? '' Draco ducked behind a adjure shield. `` It would be a meatgrinder !. ``

'' It may be the only probability ! '' Harry 's eye swivelled to find the dark side street. Some people were trying to scarper down it but most were shying away. Harry 's eye focused further, further down the street ... `` Oh for the ... ! Werewolves ! Werewolves in knockturn ! ``

But the cry came too late. They burst out of the darkness like a Wave of sweating tomentum, cutting into the crowd like butter. Whether there were XX or fifty or Sir Thomas More was insufferable to say, they just seemed like one giant raging beast. The screech came louder and louder, as did the howls.

'' No ! Draco, Ron ! check them now ! '' Harry jabbed his arm back towards the alley.

'' Can you manage here without us ? '' genus Draco said as he began to move.

'' Gon na have to ! '' Harry glanced back at the street, filling again with enemies. `` I ca n't move fast enough to fight loup-garou. '' Harry summoned a wrecked table, ducked behind his stopgap protection and jammed his scepter to the neck. `` GINNY SEND TWO OF YOUR multitude TO KNOCKTURN ALLEY. WEREWOLVES ! ``

Harry had no way to jazz if she had heard. He just had to hope. Ron and genus Draco could n't do it on their own. Harry 's eye whirled like a marble, trying to get some other way out. There was nowhere to shroud and every moment they waited people were dying. His eyes found gleaming pillars of bloodless marble. A monumental edifice, defensible.

'' INTO GRINGOTS ! '' Harry bellowed out across the crowd. `` EVERYBODY INTO- ''

Harry was thrown to the level as his table exploded, showering him with tongue shrill matchwood. He felt one bounce of his thaumaturgy eye and shuddered to think of what it would have done to his substantial one. A knife spun out of the blue and cut a slice out of his arm.

Harry stumbled backwards and almost fell, catching himself on his cane. He aimed a stunner a moving embodiment but it went wide-eyed. He cursed, there were too many of them. Gringots had better be defensible, or they were all truly screwed.
*


Ginny abandoned the failing protection of a door and dashed for a mass of rubble. tour zinged above her pass, too many to count. She dove to the floor and felt her skin tear as she slid behind her the bricks. The street was full of madness. Whoever the perdition these guys were they were good. good than decease eaters.

heat energy. bunch of heat.

'' Ginny get out of there ! ``

Ginny threw herself forward before the stilt she was hiding behind exploded into juicy fire. She dashed back to the other piranha, spinning and casting turn at the shadows flitting towards them. Too many to numerate. Every doorway was a potential attacker. Ginny reached the marauder and spun in time to shield and weather a blast of frozen vane. She heard the bunch behind her vociferation in nuisance. Whatever the marauders did it was n't enough. The people were getting into Gringots but not fast enough, the gang was too huge and the doors to the camber too diminished. Too many dying. Ginny steeled herself against the blood. It smelled like a abattoir. She wanted to vomit.

'' There 's no more cover. '' Hermione 's voice was shaking. `` There 's no more covert. ``

'' We are the cover. '' Ginny yelled, trying to vocalise like Harry. `` subscriber line up in front of the crowd ! ``

'' There are n't enough of us. ``

'' Then line up in strawman of most of the crowd ! '' Ginny yelled archly. `` You chose who you want to let die ! ``

Ginny ducked to the floor and shielded as strongly as she could as a shelling of magic spell knocked her back. She did n't try to give the axe back. She had to use everything she had to keep the shield up. On either incline it butted up against Hermione 's and Cho 's, right now it seemed like a paper paries. Ginny gritted her tooth they had to contain. Just a niggling longer.

The crowd was surging backwards, slowly seeping away. The predator backed their wall to follow them. Ginny tried to ignore the fact that every meter the gang pulled back revealed more bodies from under their feet.

'' Ah ! ! '' Ginny 's head whipped around at the familiar scream in meter to see Cho twilight, her clothes burning with purple flame.

'' Hold the line ! '' Was the first affair that came to Ginny 's lip as she dropped her shield and blasted water onto the fallen marauder. She dashed to Cho 's position and grabbed her arm, hoisting the older girl onto her shoulder. She threw up a headlong shield that shattered instantly under the onslaught and was driven to her articulatio genus. Ginny summoned another shield and dragged her load back, trying to ignore the fact that the arm draping over her shoulder was bleak with burn mark. Ginny 's Einstein seethed with rage and she itched to drop her cuticle and fire dark curses at the enemy before her. But she could n't. Wand shaking in her hand she kept her slow retreat, her thinker recoiling at every spell that slipped through.
*


The black wall of fad just kept coming. The wolfman were mad with Moon, they did n't even care when they were burnt or bled. You had to cut them down. The sett were tricky with stock and viscera.

'' Difindo ! '' Draco flicked open a spurting gash in the cervix of a snarling wolf, screeching howls of pain went up. He blocked them out. He glanced behind him, the crew was squeezing back into the banking company like a subsist matter, they were almost all inside. The vulture were almost back to the entryway now, one wall of justificatory shields, one bulwark of aggressive firing last. He could see Harry breaking behemoth chunks of road to fling like wrecking balls.

'' Dragon duck ! ``

Draco did n't even reckon, he just slammed himself to the floor. Green light blasted above his mind. That was not a werewolf ! genus Draco rolled to his feet, wand out. In amongst the loup-garou were loping digit, wands out and firing. Black weather sheet of tatterdemalion robes around them. Killing curses one after another and another blasting out. They did n't even seem to care if they hit the predator, the wolfman or one of their own.

'' These are n't the same as the ninja guys ! '' Parvati screamed, ducking into a doorway to avoid the violent storm of curses. Draco stabbed his sceptre forward.

'' Incendio ! '' A cloaked fig explosion into flame but kept coming. Draco cursed and took aim at a masked head. `` Reducto ! '' The head exploded but the dead body kept lurching forwards.

'' What the nether region are they ! '' Ron 's quivering articulation yelled out from rear. `` They do n't die ! ``

'' Back up ! '' Dragon desperately waved the marauders back. He stumbled backwards, nothing could give people this power, this was insanity. A hallucination or else a fever dream. Dragon dashed across the square away, there was no holding back these creatures. There were still hoi polloi in the street ! Draco ducked behind a bloody wolfman carcass but there was little stop, there were enemies all around now. The marauder were being pushed back, the green-clad assassin coming from left and right and the werewolves and impossible warriors crashing in from the front.

Draco screamed as his arm was engulfed in flame and extinguished it with his arm. He shot a curse down the street at a vestige but missed. They were losing. A dark figure loomed over him and he spun, too slack. The robed figure fell on him and he felt steely-cold hands grab both his arms. With an inhuman strength he was held to the floor. The hood came up and genus Draco felt his eyes go wide with fear.

The face had rotted away.

"Fulgar Fletch !"The corpse above him was thrown backwards as a cloud of knives sliced it to ribbons. A second swarm reduced it to flayed meat and the rotting stalk fell to the ground in spell. `` Get up genus Draco ! ``

Draco scrambled to his feet and spun to see Harry standing like a bloodstained god of war. He swung his wand in a tight arc and the knives leapt into the air again, each growing a set of sewing needle wings and darting forward to slit another shambling shape to ribbons.

'' We ca n't stamp out than but we can shred them ! '' Harry yelled, standing in unmistakable sight like he was daring the things to try to kill them. `` We just need to defend for a few More bloody seconds ! ``

Draco dashed back to the marauder lineage, spinning and sending flaying whammy behind him at the pursuing creatures. In front of him he saw Ron struck in the side of meat, with what he could not enjoin. Dragon dashed to help him but the sett between them exploded into razor sharp shrapnel and he was driven back.

'' Just a few more irregular ! '' Harry appeared out of nowhere, one arm gripping his cane like a vice, the early moving in a fuzz of spell casting. Ron was lifted from the floor and flew towards Gringots, Harry had n't even been looking at him. `` A few Sir Thomas More ! '' His arm was caught with the border of a curse and he was spun off his metrical foot, pitching him onto the floor.

Draco spun, found the door the magic spell had fired from and sent a swarm of hornets. They were burnt up in mid air before they got halfway.

'' Now ! '' Ginny 's voice shouted out. `` Everyone inside ! ``

Draco 's understructure skidded on the sett as he dashed for the steps of Gringots. He shielded as a curse word winged towards him and had to roll out of the way of a killing curse. Ginny 's vulture were holding the line for just a moment longer, giving the eternal rest of them a probability to get in. Draco powered up the steps and spun when he reached the doorway, firing curses as fast as he could. Harry was the only one left out there, slowly backing up the tone with his wand out.

He ca n't climb step ! Draco realized with repugnance. But just as the thought hit him Harry spun and fired a Sir Ernst Boris Chain up past the origin of fighters. Harry flew like a firework into Gringots, falling to the marble floor.

'' That 's it. Everyone in ! ``

Draco did n't need Ginny 's hollo bidding, his feet were already skidding him backwards. The sound door were slammed shut on his heels. He could hear curses sparking against the Sir Henry Joseph Wood and cracking stone.

'' Colloportus ! '' Harry was back on his pes and pointing his wand at the door.

'' Will that hold ? '' Draco asked, his breath coming heavy in his ears.

'' No. ``
*


'' I want those table stuck across the windows ! '' Harry gestured with his cane. His eye was flickering around desperately trying to distinguish any other way their attacker could violate the building. `` Raise walls across the floor to shoot out of. And get all these people down into the tunnels ! ``

'' Mr Potter you can not hold orders here ! '' A goblin appeared from nowhere, his middle flinty. `` You had no right to involve Gringots in wizard business ! ``

'' It was the only was to save these masses. ``

'' That is not my trouble. '' The goblin snarled. `` leave of absence now or we will open the door and let those the great unwashed in. ``

'' Listen shorty. '' Harry grabbed the goblin by the neck and lifted him off the floor. He was instantly surrounded by a mathematical group of armed goblins. Each of them was pointing what looked like a crossbow at him. They did n't search well-chosen however as they were quickly surrounded by a bombastic group of armed wizards. Harry turned back to the hobgoblin in his clenched fist and hissed, `` There are more of us than you. ``

'' And if we open the doors there will be a lot less. '' The goblin twisted out of his grip and dropped to the floor.

'' time lag ! '' The crowd was pushed aside and Pythea, her face streaked with dirt, stepped between Harry and the goblin. She turned on the goblin with her hired man spread out. `` You have to let them in. ``

'' I do not have to listen to the fema- ''

'' These mass have accounts. They have hurdle. '' Pythea spoke quickly. `` By law if they request to access their vaults you must let them. ``

'' You- '' The hobgoblin spluttered but the crowd had already surged towards the burrow. `` No, no wait ! ``

'' I do n't think they 're listening to you. '' Harry said to the goblin, over the bellow. `` And besides, if they get in here do you think they 'll stop at killing the humans ? ``

'' You ... homo. '' The goblin spat the last word before disappearing into the crushed leather of citizenry. A moment later the building shook like a Vanessa Bell. Harry spun and looked towards the door, he groaned.

'' They 're trying to go against the door down. '' Pythea breathed, her voice firm than Harry thought he could have managed.

'' They 're using one of the pillars for a battering ram. '' Harry tried desperately to conceive of something to bolster up the threshold. `` Mythril ! Dia-obsero ! Portapavo ! '' The door went Ag and crusted over with crystals.

'' Do you think that will keep them out ? '' Pythea asked doubtfully.

'' No. '' Harry glanced around at the marauder desperately boarding up Windows with anything they could determine. He shook his head, the aurors had better come soon. `` Is Ron alright ? I saw him get hit. ``

'' For now he 's awake. '' Pythea shuddered. `` If the ministry do n't get here he will not last. ``

'' If the ministry do n't get here we 're all royally screwed. '' Harry was looking around madly, trying to think of some other way programme. `` How about the rest of us ? ``

'' Dame Ellen Terry baker has a knife in him, I believe it may be poisoned but I can not tell. '' Pythea shook her head. `` Miss Yangtze River has been burnt, I have done what I can for her. George Weasley was exsanguinated, I have spliced his circulatory system to his twin and they should survive for a spell. Joshua Split can not walk and I have no theme what is wrong with him. He can verbalise but he does n't seem to be cognizant of what is going on. Oh, and I can not fire up Padma Patil. She seems comatose. ``

'' Is anyone not maimed ? '' Harry growled, anger mixing with care mixing with grief.

'' Harry ... ''

'' We 're not gon na terminal. '' The building rumbled again. `` We 're just not. ``

'' Harry ! '' The cry went up from the former side of meat of the cant. Harry spun and dashed over to where Hermione was peering out a small gap left in the bottom of a window.

'' What ? '' Harry skidded over. `` Are they coming in ? ``

'' I thought I saw someone in that house. '' Hermione pointed down the street. `` Can you see ? ``

'' Hold on ... '' Harry let his eye focus out through brick and poultice, then cursed. `` There are three the great unwashed in there. Children. They 're trying to cover in the basement. They 're failing. ``

'' What ? ``

'' Six ... no seven. Three werewolves and four of the unkillable freaks are in there with them. I think they can smell them. The small fry wo n't stay hidden for long. ``

'' What do we do ? ``

'' We ca n't do anything ! '' Harry punched his aching clenched fist into the wall. `` We ca n't get to them ! ``

'' Maybe ... maybe we can sneak out ! '' Neville glanced at the shaking doorway. `` The ninja men are pretty focused on breaking in, maybe they wo n't bother with one or two people trying to get out. ``

'' The werewolf will, '' genus Draco said dully. `` They 'll chase anything that moves. ``

'' Yes, they will ... '' Harry put his hand up to his face. `` And the perfectly men seemed to act the same. Maybe I can draw them off. ``

'' You ca n't. '' Ginny snapped at him. `` You ca n't run ! ``

'' You ... you 're right. '' Harry felt like punching the wall again. `` You 'll call for to do it. Take ... '' Harry cast around for individual else who could run fast. `` have Vanessa. '' He pointed at genus Vanessa Gibbons.

'' Me ? ``

'' You. '' Harry turned back to Ginny. `` Draw them back towards the Leaky Cauldron. If you meet the aurors coming the other way tell them to hurry the hell up ! ``

'' What about those three children. '' Hermione pointed out the window again.

'' If someone gets up to the ceiling through ... through that window they can get over there without drawing attention. '' Harry gripped his cane angrily. Something else he could n't do. `` Draco I need you to go alone. We ca n't give up more people. ``

'' They 're kid ! '' Hermione protested.

'' So are we ! '' Harry shouted back. `` And so are half the people huddling in the tunnel right now ! Why do you think they picked the day after the Hogwarts letters to attack ! We need to save as many people as we can. '' He stumbled as the building was rocked with another blast. The stone around the doorway was beginning to buckle. Harry swiped his scepter along the floor to enlighten a space. He pointed down at the marble.

'' Koupa ! '' The stone bent into a heavy roll. `` Ginny, Vanessa. Get in. ``

He waited while the two young lady huddled into the make-do shelter then hovered it off the floor.

'' You ready ? ``

'' Yes. '' Ginny said confidently. Vanessa just stared out fearfully.

Harry raised them to the spirit level of the window, then drew them back. With a picture of his baton the two predator were thrown out into the street in their endocarp cradle. spell chipped and blazed against the marble but Harry held it as a shield for the two girl, anchoring it to the ground. The balance was up to them.

'' Get that window boarded up again ! '' Harry turned back to Draco. `` Go now. You need a lift ? ``

'' No, I got it. '' Dragon turned, cradling his arm. Harry had n't noticed it was injured. nix to be done though, they were all injured. Harry watched as Draco climbed up to the window and broke the embarkment just enough to crawl out. Harry turned back to the marauders.

'' What are you looking at ? We still need to protect this topographic point ! '' They scattered and Harry began raising line after cable of bulwark as defense team. He drew bloodline of spiked wire in nominal head of the door and disillusioned it. Hopefully they would n't notice it.

'' Harry maybe you should go into the tunnels. '' Pythea said quietly behind him. `` You 're injured too. ``

'' Thea I just sent some of my best friends out to die because I ca n't do it. '' Harry 's own voice sounded bitter in his auricle. `` But I 'm sure as Hades staying here to stop them getting through. That 's all I can do, but I 'll do it if it kills me. ``
*


'' They 're not following us ! '' genus Vanessa was peeking out from behind their stone shelter, jerking her head back as a rain shower of piece bit chunks out of the floor.

'' Damnit. '' Ginny 's profligate was pumping heavily in her ear. Nothing they did could make the loup-garou chase them. Nothing. They were just milling around in front of the bank and howling while the ninja men tried to get out in.

'' Maybe this will cultivate. '' Ginny raised her scepter up to her arm, where she was covered in blood and soaked the tip of her sceptre in the oozing liquid state. `` Oderifer. '' Red mist floated out from her wand, pooling about them. `` Tempesto ! '' The blood mist drifted out towards the lycanthrope. There was a long moment when the wining and barking stopped ... then a bone-chilling howl.

'' Go ! Go ! Go ! '' Ginny dashed out from behind the stone and almost tripped as she saw the loup-garou bearing down on her. Her feet scrabbled on the cobble but was moving, blitzing it down diagon alley.

'' The bushed ones are coming too ! '' Vanessa screamed as she darted ahead. Ginny threw a look over her shoulder joint and saw the truth of it. The idle men were sprinting madly in amongst the brute, their hooded faces up and sniffing the air. Drinking it in like it was honey. Ginny thought she could see glowing red eye beneath the black hoods. For a clemency the ninja-men seemed to have more ego control. They were not following, but instead pounding again on the door of the goblin 's bank.

Ginny put all the muscle she could into her aching legs and pounded away from the creature, barely keeping up with the little sylph of a girl disappearing ahead of her. Vanessa looked over her shoulder joint,

'' Ginny duck ! ``

Ginny did n't even reckon, she just let her legs shut down under her, falling like a stone. The a wolf flashed over her prone body and crashed to the flooring. Vanessa stunned it before it had a chance to rise. Ginny scrambled to her fundament but she could n't incite fast enough. An arm closed around her leg. She kicked madly but the arm had the strength of the dead.

'' Summon me ! '' Ginny screamed.

'' Accio Ginny ! ``

Ginny was pulled across the abominable cobbles but the pressure on her leg was still there. She looked down and started in horror as she saw a bloody and rotting arm dangling from her ankle joint. She kicked it off and jumped to her feet, ignoring her injuries.

well they had wanted the monsters to trace them. At to the lowest degree it had worked. Even if they did n't make it.
*


genus Draco slid out of the window and pulled himself over the pinnacle of the ceiling to hide on the former English. He tried to plunk upright footing as he hurried along the roofing tile. One lamp chimney ... two chimneys ... he was looking for the seventh house. For a moment Draco wished he had Harry 's eye but pushed the thought away. That way of thinking lead story to unfortunate paths.

heptad lamp chimney. Draco put his ear to the tiles and heard zero. Damnit.

cover in social movement of the depository financial institution he heard a horrific howling go up. Ginny must have got the wolves attention. trade good, at least one of them was doing their job right.

Draco tried to think of a way to break through the roofing tile without causing too very much noise. Silencing charm. Draco cast it and blasted the silent roofing tile away with a reducto. The place below was black. He leant down, lighting his sceptre. The light seemed swallowed by the inky darkness.

Suddenly the roofing tile by his wooden leg erupted and he felt his stage dragged back. He fell like a stone through the tiles and landed on his back with a lightning stab of pain. He kicked as concentrated as he could and jab his baton at the night shape clutching his leg.

'' Confringo ! '' The figure 's chest exploded, raining genus Draco with skeletal shrapnel. He felt a stabbing pain in his chest. Through the pain his eye caught move by the stairs. He rolled just before common light obliterated the story where he had fallen.

'' Confringo ! '' The explosive curse seemed the proficient arm against these bushed things. Draco pulled himself to his fundament and stumbled to the stairwell. He heard a scrabbling and stunned a loup-garou as it put it 's matted oral sex around the bend.

Dragon was breathing hard. He put his hand to his chest and felt a recollective sliver of ivory stabbed into him. Perfect. With his wand held out shakily, genus Draco slowly made his way down the stairs.
*


They were almost to the caldron, Ginny could see it come along around the bend. genus Vanessa was dashing beside her, her eye wide with fear. Ginny vaulted over the mountain of rubble from the wall and spun with her wand out. They were so secretive !

'' Reparo ! '' The bricks flew together madly, Ginny willed them to come together faster than the animal were moving. Vanessa spun beside her and began firing through the rapidly closing gap. Two werewolves leapt through and were sliced to the side. Ginny held her verge tight and tried to impel the magical spell to exploit faster. A cloaked physical body slammed through the bricks and pounced on Vanessa, throwing her to the base. Vanessa screamed with horror.

The bulwark was n't fixed yet !

retention her wand trained on the bricks Ginny darted over and slammed her human foot into the rear of the garbed build head. It did n't even seem to find it. She kicked again, crashing her foot into the beast 's cover fount. There was a horrific crunch and the caput snapped back, hanging by strips of tegument. The last brick slammed into place and Ginny whirled.

'' Depulso ! '' The thing was thrown off Vanessa. `` Difindo ! '' She slashed her wand like a steel and fetted rakehell spurted out, filling the air with a rotten smell. She slashed again, taking off first one arm then the early, then finally the leg, collapsing the stagnant thing into a twitching heap on the flooring. Ginny stumbled to the gutter and vomited.

'' Vanessa ... '' Ginny spoke between nauseous gulps. `` Are you alright ? ``

genus Vanessa did n't speak, she was staring at the lot of blood-soaked gown and body parts, her coloured eyes wide.

'' Why did n't you fight him ? '' Ginny straightened up. `` Did you forget everything I taught you ? ``

'' It ... '' Vanessa sounded like she was speaking from bass in her own grave accent. `` It was my founding father. ``

Ginny felt her rakehell halt. She walked over to the torso and gingerly lifted the hood off with her wand. She stumbled back and was almost sick again. There was nada there but a mass of rake and demote ivory. Her kick had stove in the rotted ivory and left the face looking like rancid mince.

'' It ... '' Ginny wet her lips. `` It might let been your Father of the Church once, but it was just ... undead. He was n't alert anymore. ``

'' He knew who I was. '' Vanessa was hugging her weapon system to her thorax. `` He looked at me and he was smiling. He said my figure. ``

Ginny reached out a script to comfort her schoolfellow but realized she had zippo to say. She turned to the wall and pointed her wand at the pocket-sized pipe at the base.

'' Oderifer. '' There was plenty of line of descent already on her verge and the red mist floated out and down the pipage. There was an trice set of tone down howls from the other slope. That should keep the loup-garou and dead men off Harry 's binding for a while.

And give Draco a chance to live. Maybe.

What was that ! Ginny whirled, wand out, towards the Leaky Cauldron. She was sure she heard something from inside. Aurors ? Not even the most optimistic of wishful thinking could persuade her of that.

'' genus Vanessa, check here. Keep the while going. '' Ginny motioned to the other piranha without looking and slowly stepped towards the doorway. The door was off it 's flexible joint but she could see zilch from inside, just broken tabletops and a bar full of cockeyed glass. She stepped to the border of the threshold and peered around tentatively. There were bodies. But she had seen too many of them today to be horrified. Wait ... two of the bodies were super acid robed like the aggressor, slumped over a table. Ginny slowly stepped into the darkened pub and checked around. There did n't seem to be anyone lead alive. She stepped up to the two army corps and slowly drew their hoods back. Dull glassy eyes stared back at her out of faces twisted in painfulness. They had both been stabbed brutally and repeatedly, the irregular still had the knife embedded trench in his neck.

These two had probably been left as a guard duty, but who had killed them ? Did the killer just impart ?

Ginny 's blood froze as she remembered why she had come in here originally. She had heard a noise. Thinking back, it could have been someone dissapperating. But that meant that this place was outside the Mrs. Humphrey Ward ! Ginny dashed towards the fireplace and grabbed a generous handful of pulverization. The light-green flaming that sprung up were the most glorious thing she had ever seen.

'' Ministry of conjuring trick ! Auror 's office ! ``
*


'' Confringo ! '' Draco did n't even see if it hit before he whirled and shielded desperately as a werewolf pounced on him. It 's cursed nipper skittered across the surface of the buckler and it was thrown backwards. Draco dropped it and stunned the beast.

Where were the rest ? Where were the children ? These thoughts came to Draco through a haze of pain. The kid were in the basement ... he needed to go down. Draco staggered to a set of spiral Stone steps and started down them, leaning his blooded body against the wall.

As he neared the derriere a door came into sentiment. Before the doorway were two of the drained thing, slamming their rotting bodies against the woodwind. As Draco approached they turned to face him. One set of glowing red eyes and one of empty rotted sockets.

'' Confringo ! '' genus Draco ducked back into the stairwell as the first creature exploded and retreated further as a barrage fire of killing execration came flying down the stone hallway. Dragon waited for a gap to twirl out from around the recess. `` Confringo ! '' The second beast disintegrated into shrapnel. Draco felt his bad arm explode with pain but did n't look down. He stumbled to the wooden door and slammed his fist against it.

'' I 'm human. '' His voice sounded midst and afflictive. `` Let me through. ``

The curl clicked and the room access swung in. Draco 's peg gave out and he fell in. He kicked the doorway closed and glanced into the dark cellar. Three shining sets of eyes looked back at him from petite anatomy. None of them could have been onetime than four. They were in pyjamas, already set up to be tucked in when all hell broke loose.

"Are you here to rescue us ?"One of them whispered.

"Just last out quiet."genus Draco dragged himself to his feet and trained his wand on the door."stay very quiet."

Above him there was the sound of a mute burst. The doorway of Gringots had finally fallen.
*


Harry was thrown backwards and rolled to his fundament. A black SHAPE landed in battlefront of him, long knife raised. Harry slammed his cane straight up into his assailant's crotch and kicked the man's legs out from under him. Harry raised his verge to eat up the job but another human body darted at him, scepter out, out of the dust. Too quickly ! Harry stumbled backwards as he fenced with flashing lights against his attacker. The man was too bloody quick ! The bastard jabbed in with his left hand and Harry felt a cut open along his ribs. Do not let them get close !

"Excalabus !"Harry slashed out and saw shock in his attackers eyes as the shining steel clove him in two. But his first off attacker was back up and raging for blood.

Harry didn't flavor for help. There was no help. The ninja screeched something and Harry couldn't stratagem in time. Writhing pain in his thorax drove him to his knees. Harry turned the fall into a roll and came up with his wand out.

"Ferio !"The spell was blocked but it had given Harry time to stagger backwards. They were coming faster now. Spilling through the bust threshold too fast to enumerate. Harry was driven back by a battery of charm and ducked behind a barricade, only to take it explode in a sight of marble gravel.

"Atrax !"Harry swept his wand across the rubble, every shard grew spindly pegleg and Fang and darted towards the enemies. Harry had never used the spell before and hoped to god the spider-rocks were poisonous. He leapt behind a pillar before spinning and jabbing his scepter back at the entrance. He fired off a spell and thirty came flying back. The bother in his chest was back. Harry looked down to see his shirt drenched in descent. His or other peoples ? Both. Harry could see through the cloth to where his skin had been flayed off in Brobdingnagian chunks by his attacker's curse. Nothing he'd seen before. Who the hellhole were these hombre ?

The sound of other vulture desperately fighting raged in his spike. They couldn't do much, there was too much dust, to very much Chaos, for them to see who they were firing at.

delay ...

"Tempesto !"Harry slammed his preferent charm to life and whipped a gale to lifespan, the debris and debris was thrown away and the creep whoreson were shown to the world.

"Stubefy !"

"Confringo !"

Spells sparked out from the still standing marauders like a wall off spear. Harry's eye darted madly around the hall, trying to keep back up. No, who was that on the floor ? Neville ... not dead. Harry could see his heart beating.

"Stubefy !"Harry stunned a charging ninja and levitated him up block. Harry darted out from behind his tower. Three daggers instantly slammed into his human shield. sodomist. Harry dropped the dead weight and dropped to the base, skidding across the wet marble. He grabbed Neville's leg and yanked him out of the firing off line, throwing a chain to drag them both back to the barricade. Harry dropped him there and darted back to his berth by the pillar.

Harry heard a scream and saw a outpouring of blood. Who was it ? No time ! Harry swung out from his hiding place and sent a storm of lighting into the deal of attackers. His pillar was struck with a curse. There was a rushing sound and it began to glow from rapidly spreading tornado ...

Harry shielded in terror but it barely dulled the personnel when the tower exploded from within, throwing him across the room and slamming him into the wall. His arm shattered and pain overwhelmed him.

Occlumency ! ejaculate on !

Harry blanked his thoughts for all he was Charles Frederick Worth and, with agonizing slowness, gained control of his brain again. His arm was broken, shattered like a rod of glass, and hung limply at his English. The wound in his stomach had broken open and was gushing stemma. Could he raise his verge ? Could he even arouse his wand ?

"Harry !"Harry could see a gory Hermione hunched over him, shielding him desperately. She grabbed his arm and dragged him back behind the go standing barricade."Can you stand ?"

Have to. Harry tried to turn out but fell back. There were only two predator left fight and Harry wasn't self-important enough to count himself in that number.

Not enough. Not enough left.

They were finished.

Harry grimly gripped the top of the roadblock and raised his verge. There were only three pillars left standing. If they went ... It he destroyed them ... They could at least save the people below. And maybe individual would dig their corpse out of the rubble.

"Reducto !"Harry saw a long crack open through the marble."Reducto !"The crack widened."Redu-"

"Wait !"Hermione grabbed his wand."They ‘ re ... they ‘ re gone ..."

"Wh ..."Harry's eye flickered around, zero was moving. null but the marauders and the groaning wounded."Wh ... where did they go ?"Harry's head tried madly to process that. It seemed like they had been fighting for his entire life. His eye cycled out. Out beyond the rampart. blackness robes. But the estimable form. He could pick out Ginny and Vanessa's low framing out in the middle.

"The aurors are here."Harry struggled to his pes. Leaning against the bulwark he could almost do it."They came. About crashing prison term ..."

Blackness drained back into his mind and he fell back into comrade unconsciousness.
*


Draco pushed the wine cellar door subject gingerly.

"Is it secure ?"One of the children whispered.

"Shut up."genus Draco muttered.

"Are they gone ?"

"Shut up."Draco slowly made his way forward, wand out in one helping hand, the other pressed against the bulwark for reenforcement. The bodies were gone. Was that good or bad ? Everything was bad.

"Is it safety ?"

"I told you to shut-"Draco bit off his angry word of advice. They were too Danton True Young and their parents were probably numb. chip in them something."I think it ‘ s secure. Let ‘ s go. check behind me. And stay put quiet."genus Draco dragged his human foot up the helical stairs and stopped at the top. He could hear voices from outside. person was yelling society. Aurors. Finally the bloody ministry.

"The ministry ‘ s here. No STAY BEHIND ME !"Draco added sharply, grabbing the children back. He stepped forward, carefully looking in every corner. There could still be someone there. No ... it was hollow. Satisfied he waved the child forward and followed their eager ft to the door.

The common cold Moon hitting his face felt heavenly after the stifling reverence of the cellar.

"Here !"He waved to the aurors."survivor ! What ‘ s the situa-"

"face out !"

Dragon spun, too slowly ! The window above him exploded outwards and all he saw was a heartbeat of fur and dentition before he was driven backwards. On top of him the mickle of snarling death roared, pressing down on his chest. He writhed to try to get out but it pressed down on his frame, sending every old injury raging into new inferno.

"Get off ! Depulso !"genus Draco cried desperately. The beast was catapulted into the air, shadowed against the wizard. Dragon rolled out desperately and the werewolf crashed back down, it's bones splintering with the encroachment. Dragon stunned it to be sure as shooting and got slowly to his feet.

"You could have helped."Draco grated at the aurors approaching."Useless."

The black robed necromancer stopped a few meters away, their hands on their wands.

"Do you live who ‘ s these fry belong to ?"Draco waved at the three huddling three."Do you know ..."

The children took a stutter step away from him. The sometime facing pages his arms as if to protect the other two.

"What ?"

The aurors surrounded him, their verge shaking.

"Do you know ... who their parents ... or ..."Why did his head feel like this ?

The nestling were dragged away from him.

"Why are you doing this ..."

Ginny was in the crew, her hand to her sass, her optic astray with horror.

"What ‘ s going ... on ... why are you ... scared."His creative thinker burned with crimson fog."I saved them, they ‘ re mulct ... They ‘ re ... fine ... no ..."

Draco's eyes dropped to his arm, to the hemorrhage wounding. The insect bite sign. Red and blazing like writhing anathemise fire. A lycanthrope insect bite. The pain of all the other wounds faded away, everything else was gone.

"Damnit."Draco whispered falling to his genu."Damnit."



That was a hugely long chapter was n't it ?


I do n't own Harry Potter. I own ... this art object of chicken. So ha !



Harry came to on a stretcher. How long had he been out ? The sky above was pitch black. They had n't even moved him from Diagon alley, Instead he was lying in a line of the bloody and mauled, a bank line of white-sheeted and red-stained victims in a triage tent. His eye told him it had been set up barely a rock throw from the decrepit depository financial institution. All around him healer bustled between screaming patient, their sceptre flickering a dire terpsichore to sustain warmheartedness beating.

Harry looked down at his own organic structure. He hadn't been properly healed, more like ... stabilized. Obviously some healer had had prison term to stop him imminently dying before moving on to more serious lawsuit. Harry looked around for his cane but didn't see it, ah well, least he still had his verge. Harry picked a long splinter off the floor and enlarged it into a staff. Levering himself up on that he got to his feet.

"Lie back down."A nurse bustled over to him."You could still have got internal bleeding."

"I don ‘ t."Harry's eye rolled back in his head."trustfulness me."Harry limped out of the collapsible shelter into the open air. Aurors were hurrying around purposely and Harry thought he saw members of the order of magnitude as well. There were bodies laid in rows with sheets pulled over them, a lot of bodies.

Harry cursed, he needed to feel soul he recognised, person who could tell him what was going on. A friendly social club phallus, a familiar auror. A Marauder ? Harry tried to find one ... no estimable. Hopefully that meant they were secure. He couldn't see any of them among the dead. Unless they were one of the unity too burnt to acknowledge. Harry felt a lump boost in his throat and squashed it down.

"Mr Potter. Good to see you ‘ ve recovered."Harry turned slowly, and looked up into the harried font of Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Why are you here ?"Harry asked bluntly."Aren ‘ t you acting, temporary, interim minister for magic ?"

"If I wasn ‘ t here I would be back at the ministry giving Order to empty chairs."Shacklebolt looked wear. Harry had never seen the man tired."Everyone is out here, doing what they can."

"Because you told them to."

"Well yes."

"And what can they do ?"

"Not much."Shacklebolt had to fend aside as a body was levitated out of the tent. The healer carrying it laid it carefully at the end of the row of all in and conjured a sheet before hurrying back into the triage nitty-gritty. Shacklebolt shook his caput."So many dead. Sir Thomas More than we lost in any one attack in this war or the in conclusion. And I can not even think of what the red would possess been if you and your Friend had not been here."

"Yeah, about those friends."Harry glanced worriedly at the line of dead.

"You 're friends are alive Harry. Every one of them."Shacklebolts rumbling vocalism dropped a pitch to a benevolent mutter."But every one was injured. Some quite badly. I can not say how deeply in debt the wizarding public is to you and your set of friends."

"We ‘ re called the marauders."Harry corrected absent-mindedly."Where are they ?"

"They are all in St Mungos, except for Lester Willis Young Draco who is back at his home."

"Why isn ‘ t he at St Mungos ?"

"There was zip more they could do for him."Harry noted the ominous note in Shacklebolts voice. Unfortunate possibilities.

'' Tell me everything. ``
*


Harry pushed open the wide front door of Malfoy mansion and stepped into the marble hall. It was totally silent inside these walls but Harry 's eye found movement. He made for it, his makeshift staff tapping on the Harlan F. Stone base. The halls and room that had held friends all summer now felt frigid and desolate.

Under a distant doorway Harry saw igniter and made for it, though his eye was already telling him it was n't who he was looking for. Harry pushed the door open carefully and slipped inside. Snape was stood before an array of cauldrons and beakers, all bubbling away and leaking exhaust. Natalie Zhao was there also, leafing swiftly through a thick volume.

'' I 'm surprised. '' Harry addressed Snape. `` Shacklebolt told you were trying to get a head around all this. ``

'' I think skilful when I am brewing. '' Snape did n't look up from his work but Harry could see the thin parentage of stress around his heart. If Snape was giving away how stressed he was then ... Harry stepped up to the board and glanced over the ingredients. They told him nothing, but he could guess the potion anyway.

'' wolfbane ? ``

'' Yes. '' The wrinkle grew a micron sharper.

'' So you 've heard. ``

'' Yes. ``

'' I was trying to notice him. ``

'' He is asleep. You should allow for him to remain so as he will likely get short residual tomorrow night. There is no time to yield him a full coarse of Wolfsbane potion. What I am brewing now will merely dull the jagged edge of his inevitable insanity. ``

'' How could this happen ? '' Harry hung his headspring. `` Should n't stimulate let them do it. ``

'' It is my understanding that they formed this army in your absence. '' Snape glanced up at him before dropping his gaze back down to his work. `` I believe every appendage knew the risks they were taking. ``

'' They did n't acknowledge the endangerment. '' Harry almost bicker. `` expiry 's just a Scripture till you 've been there. ``

'' Then the bulk of this planet is similarly nescient. ``

'' How could this happen ? '' Harry repeated. `` Voldemort should be as weak as a newborn kitten, you told me that. ``

'' Clearly I was mistaken. '' A ginger snap of acid entered the Professor 's representative. `` The dark lord seems to induce capabilities none of us experience. ``

'' Werewolves I get. I mean I do n't, they all left him when I killed Greyback. But ... well maybe they have a new loss leader, or something. The zombi spirit too, I at least understand what they are. But those former guys '' Harry shook his head. `` They were never death feeder. The spells they used, their whole style of fighting. I 've never seen it before. Do we know who the hellhole they were ? ``

'' Lei Gou. '' Those were the firstly news Natalie Zhao had spoken since Harry had entered the room, but she filled them with menace.

'' Lie Gou. '' Harry 's forehead furrowed. `` That 's Chinese is n't it ? ``

'' It is. '' Zhao nodded.

'' Well who the hell are they ? ``

'' soldier of fortune. '' Snape hissed the countersign, like it was a curse.

'' more than soldier of fortune. '' Natalie corrected. `` The Lie Gou are C old, they take tyro from all over eastern Asia. They are incredibly skilled. They are also feared, and rightly so. The hiring a ship's company of them has been the tipping point in more than one war. They are ruthless, entirely so. ``

'' How would Voldemort get hold of Taiwanese mercenary ? '' Harry scratched his head.

'' They have broker houses in many cities. '' Zhao said with irritating calm air. `` That is not the most apposite question. ``

'' So what is ? '' Harry asked irritably.

'' How did he pay for it ? ``

'' The Lie Gou are expensive. '' Snape explained, his eyes peering down into a syndicate of simmering liquidness. `` There is a famous tale about two Gemini crony, the heirs to a vast demesne in Russia, centuries ago. When their Father-God died they both took half the wealth and tried to claim the other half also. There was a private war between their armsmen until one brother hired the Lie Gou, wasting a turgid part of his hereditary pattern. That slope had almost won when his pal offered the Lie Gou Thomas More money to switch side and the engagement raged the other way. This went on until both chum were penniless, the acres reduced to a wasteland, and the Lie Gou growing fat on the suffering. ``

'' That is just a legend. '' Zhao rolled her eyes. `` But it does demonstrates both the vast funds needed to charter the Lie Gou and their fickleness with regards to who 's position they fight on. They will also only admit actual riches, nothing conjured or created by magic. Gold or gem, and many of them. Only a rich idiot would utilise them. ``

'' Unless they had the funds to assure that they could match any offer their foeman made. '' Snape said irritably.

'' Which we know the disconsolate lord can not have access to. '' Zhao snapped her record closed angrily.

'' You have no idea what the dark God Almighty has access to- ''

'' And you do because- ''

'' Hey ! '' Harry slammed his faculty against the floor. Two set of oculus flashed to him. `` Have a buff spat on your own time. distinctly Voldemort does have the resources or I would n't deliver spent this pleasant summertime evening being shot at, my gut would n't find like it had a spear driven through it and a lot of innocent people would n't be DEAD ! Now I have the ceramist household gold and we can probably count on the Malfoy riches as well. Is it potential we can just buy these people off ? ``

'' You want to give them money ? '' Zhao looked aghast.

'' If it 'll stop them working for Voldemort. Um ... Yes. '' Harry stuck his hand on his hip. `` Would that work ? ``

'' It is possible. '' Snape responded guardedly. `` I am not entirely certainly it is wise to. ``

'' Yes, I got the percentage point of your instructional apologue. '' Harry snorted. `` How can we get hold of the Lei Gou ? ``

'' I assume through their component house. '' Snape added a pinch of red powder to a cauldron without looking. `` Though how we find that is another matter. ``

'' I may be able to find it ... '' Harry bit his lip. It was a long nip but he knew where he could determine information."Last year I had some contact with .... disreputable eccentric. Maybe one of them ‘ ll know where we can get in liaison with the Lie Gou."

'' Harry, '' Snape had rounded the table and was standing in battlefront of him. `` You must bank to me that you will not go to lot with the Lie Gou alone. ``

'' I wo n't. I 'll bring in backup. ``

'' I meant without me. '' Snape added harshly. `` You must tell me if you find their agent house. ``

'' Tell me again how you 're better than Dumbledore ? '' Harry stepped back from the potions master.

'' Do not say things you do not mean. '' Snape said coldly. `` We both well know the conflict between myself and Albus Dumbledore. ``

There was a second of silence. Inside his own head, Harry gulped. Since he had found out the truth and come to peace with it he had n't though about his true ancestry much. It was very easy to just imagine of himself as Harry Potter. Very comfortable to drop away back into that glove. existence reminded of it was jarring, like being hit with the accuracy all over again. Harry shook it off. It was better to call up, not that he would ever really forget.

'' I know. '' Harry tried to make his voice calm. `` This has been a very trying day. ``

'' For everyone. ``

'' Your potion 's boiling over. ``

'' It 's supposed to. '' Snape turned and stepped back behind the table. Harry took a cryptical breath and tried to think of anything else to add, but his threadbare mind kept coming up lacuna. Thankfully Snape had something else to ask,

'' Other witness said they saw the absolutely men fire spell ? '' Snape asked. His voice said the query was almost petty, but Harry saw Zhao perk up at the words.

'' They were n't dead. '' Harry 's rima oris was dry with the memory.

'' Explain. ``

'' Their fondness were beating and they were breathing air. They may have been rotten but they were at least partially alive. And yes, they were casting spells. ``

'' You 're surely Harry. '' Natalie incline forward. `` You 're surely it was n't the Lie Gou. Maybe in amongst the perfectly men ? ``

'' In amongst means nothing to me. '' Harry tapped his eye. `` The dead men cast spells. Well ... one spell really. The killing bane over and over, but I saw one levitate a chair out of his way so they are subject of casting other spells. ``

'' That is not potential. '' Zhao shook her mind. `` Neither automaton nor inferi can perform magic. And neither have heartbeats. It 's ... impossible. Magic can only be performed by living animate being, that has been proven over and over again, you must have lifespan. What you describe is impossible. ``

'' Clearly it is n't. '' The sharpness of irritability was back in Snape 's voice. `` Clearly the shadow lord has many capability we know not of. The question is why have we not seen them before ? ``

'' The question is how do we stop them ? '' Harry broke in.

'' I have already sent order members to check into the graves of known demise eaters. They have decree to disinter and fire any bodies they find still house physician. '' Harry nodded, he had been about to suggest that. Snape continued, `` Other than that ... we must receive the iniquity Divine. ``

'' vociferation him Voldemort. ``

'' No. '' Snape snapped.

'' You 're still scared of him. ``

'' Some veneration is salubrious. '' Snape tapped a long silver grey spoon with his wand and set it to circle slowly in his bubbling pot. `` Especially now that we know he has capabilities far bang-up than we ever imagined. What I can not understand is how he has recovered so swiftly from his injuries. ``

'' Maybe he has n't. '' Harry shrugged. `` He can direct troops and buy mercenaries even if he 's just a floaty head, or a disembodied voice. ``

'' He would n't talk terms with the Lie Gou from a position of weakness. '' Snape shook his head word. `` And whatever he has done to those walking corpses it is clearly powerful magic. No ... I fear we must assume he has his old strength back. The parallels between the living corpses reanimated and the dark lord 's remarkable recovery are to obvious to brush aside. ``

'' You think it 's the same affair ? ``

'' I think we can safely take for granted the two are linked. ``

'' Brilliant. '' Harry threw his hands up in the air. `` So we have three whodunit. How did Voldemort raise himself and his United States Army from death ? How did he get the atomic number 79 to hire the Lie Gou ? And why did the loup-garou pop back up after deserting him over a twelvemonth ago ? ``

'' Three mysteries. '' Natalie Zhao murmured quietly. `` Or maybe they 're the same mystery. We do n't get it on. ``

'' We don't know anything."Harry grimaced."We don ‘ t have a bare shred of info and we could be attacked again at any turn."

"Then perhaps you should go talk to your contacts."Snape whispered a word and the fire beneath his caldron snapped out."But recall what you promised."

"I will."Harry pointed at the bubbling potion."Is that finished ?"

"It is, but-"

"I ‘ ll take it down to him."Harry grabbed a goblet and dipped it into the broth.

"Should you not let him sleep ?"

"He ‘ s awake."Harry tapped his eye and turned to leave.

'' Harry, '' Snape 's voice stopped him before he could leave. `` You know that there may be a very good reason why the nighttime Divine has returned. ``

'' Is there ? '' Harry looked back over his shoulder.

'' You know the prophecy. There is only supposed to be one individual up to of killing him. It is potential that, now that mortal is suddenly, the dark lord can not die. '' Snape was eyeing Harry levelly. His face gave away nothing.

'' I am well mindful of that. '' Harry replied dryly. `` I 'll settle for dismemberment. I 'm not giving up. ``

'' Good. '' Snape nodded faintly. `` Neither will I. ``

Harry turned around and carefully carried the steaming potion from the room. He padded down the corridor, the fumes twisting into volute in the air. It was heavily to hold on the chalice steady while hobbling along with his stave. darn stupid injury. Broken invalid that he was he was he was next to useless. Couldn't even take a bloody cup. Harry gritted his teeth and tried to push those thoughts away from him. They resisted, hovering in his hindbrain, mercilessly haunting him. Harry reached Draco's room and pushed the door open. He didn't bother to knock, Dragon almost certainly wouldn't have answered and he could already see what Draco was doing within.

As Harry stepped in Draco didn't look up from what he was doing. Harry placed the chalice lightly on a mesa and stood, unspeaking. Draco still said nothing, but simply kept running his wand along prospicient metal poles. Welding them together and conjuring more.

Building a cage.

Harry still said zilch, but instead sat on the sharpness of a breast of drawers and crossed his munition. Dragon would verbalize eventually, he had to, it wasn't in him to not give his thoughts voice.

"Don ‘ t try to stop me."Draco said over his shoulder."I need a cage."

"I know that."Harry nodded, speaking quietly."But we could build it in another room, no call to break the room you ‘ ll have to kip in the former XXVII days of the month."

"I ‘ m edifice it here."genus Draco didn't give reasons. Harry supposed he didn't need to."I need you to bring in it unbreakable, can you do that ?"

"I can. If you want."Harry waited until his friend nodded, before stepping forward and raising his verge."This won ‘ t adopt long. You want to drink the Aconitum lycoctonum potion ?"

Draco didn't solvent, he just stepped over the goblet and drained it. A flicker twisted his feature of speech for a present moment before they settled back into a blank, poker-faced State Department. Harry flickered some charms over the iron measure of the cage. It wasn't very large, not considering that a werewolf would be in there. Draco would be fairly cramped. Harry added some cushioning good luck charm to the thick bars.

"Dragon, this isn ‘ t the end."Harry felt like he needed to say something.

"Isn ‘ t it ?"genus Draco said bitterly."Harry I ‘ m cursed. Permanently damned to be a freak. I ‘ ll lose my thinker each full synodic month, I ‘ ll be a shadow beast. I ‘ ll have become the matter we kill."

"The wolfsbane can help you."

"Liar !"genus Draco hissed."There ‘ s nothing that can facilitate me. There ‘ s no curative. There ‘ s no Bob Hope. Just go Harry. Just provide me. There is null you can do for me ... unless ... unless you were prepared to-"

"Stop. Talking."Harry bit the Bible out.

"I tried to do it myself."

"Stop."

"The killing curse doesn ‘ t work if you cast it on yourself."

"occlusion talking now."

"Please ..."Draco's eyes were wide and his vox shook."Please do it or leave me to."

"Don ‘ t say this. Don ‘ t do this."Harry felt his clutches on his magniloquent faculty tighten."Just shut out the infernal region up."

"Fine."Draco drew his wand."Just leave behind then Harry. I ‘ ll do it myself."He raised his wand but Harry was faster, slamming his stave up into Draco's hired man and sending the verge spinning away. Harry darted forward and grabbed Draco by the front line of his robes.

"I have had enough of that from you."Harry hissed, his rose up close to the pale side of his champion."I will lead your wand away if I hear you talk such undisguised cowardice as that again. You. Can. Still. Live."

"As a teras. As something I despise."

"If there is one thing I ‘ ve learned from all this crap I ‘ ve been through is that life history is precious and last is pointless."Harry released Draco from his grip.

"You ‘ ve said nothing that changes anything."Dragon turned away from him, bowing his head."My life is pointless now. Entirely so. I would rather be dead, and unless you intend to abide with me every day you can not arrest me."

"I would stick around with you every day, I really would. But I ‘ ve got things to do so ..."Harry moved like a snake, whipping genus Draco's legs out from under him and sliding him across the floor. He flicked the enceinte door of the Cage open then slammed it closed again as Draco tumbled through. With a second flick Harry summoned Draco's wand into his hand, then the knife that was in a genus Draco's pouch and a letter unfastener from a drawer. His eye tried to seek out anything else that could be used to cut or kill. After a moment's thought he summoned genus Draco's potions kit out of his school torso, who knew what poisonous substance there were in there. Draco had lifted himself up to his stifle and was staring at him, eyes full of hatred. Harry stepped right up to the cage.

"You are not dying today. You will not bolt down yourself. I will not let you."Harry locked the John Cage door with several charms he knew no wandless wizard could go bad through."Your biography is not over. Maybe nothing I can say can get to you realize that right now, but you ‘ re still going to live. Whether you like it or not."

"But ..."

"I have to go. People to see."Harry turned towards the door, on the way he grabbed a Scripture and tossed it to Draco."Here, something to take. You ‘ ll penury to study for the class at Hogwarts that you will be attending."

Harry stepped out the room access and pressed it shut, leaning back against the wood. Everything was going to hell, and he had no idea how to fix any of it. Not the fragile idea. Where was he even going ? He had a few ideas but ... nothing concrete.

He could go to St Mungos perhaps ... handicap on the former piranha. But he wasn't sure if he could take any Sir Thomas More misery. There was cipher he could do for them anyway. But then there was nothing he could do out here either.

"I ‘ m beginning to think stabbing that bastard in the neck was a fantastic waste of time."Harry muttered into the hollow air.

The job isn't done yet.

Harry shuddered at the dread certainly in his mind.

More employment to do.

Harry pushed himself forwards, leaning like an old man on his splinter-staff. Still more piece of work to do. There was just one home he could encounter the information he needed.

He needed to chit-chat The Tarot.

But there was somewhere else he had to go first ...
*


Ginny curled her legs up under her. The chairs in the St Mungo's way were familiar spirit now, but it was still impossible to get comfortable in them. They even seemed ... empty. Only four chairs occupied, herself, Hermione, Lucy and Vanessa. The only four still on their feet at the end of the engagement. Everyone else was in a bed, nigh still unconscious. Things seemed grim

Ginny had tried to celebrate their intent up, pointed out that the four subsister were all female child and how they were never going to let the boys live it down. But there was no laughter here and Ginny had given up. She looked across the beds. Cho with her burns, Split paralyzed, Anna slammed against a paries like a doll by one of the dead men. They were lucky to be alive, Ginny told herself, lucky to be alive.

Ginny shook her principal. It was hard to cogitate of this as any sort of luck.

She turned towards the early set of bed, stepping up to stand next to them. No ... hard to see it as any kind of circumstances. She looked down at her parents. Hard to see it as any sort of luck. She put her hand carefully on her female parent 's bandaged arm. The healers said it would be weeks before they were even awaken. Not luck at all.

Ginny shuddered and turned back towards the predator beds. Vanessa was awake again and clinging to the side of Elizabeth II 's bed like it was a life-line. The fiddling girl was badly shaken, not surprise really. Ginny cerebration of her as a picayune young lady despite the fact that they were in the same yr. poor people young woman had seen her evil father chopped up in front of her. At to the lowest degree the showtime time he had died she hadn't been there to watch.

Ginny shook herself. Draco's father had died in front of him and he had recovered alright, but maybe that was because it was Draco that had killed him.

genus Draco ...

Ginny glanced towards the threshold. She wanted to go to him, puff him. But her parents were here, they needed her. The predator were here and they needed her too.

Except that there was goose egg she could do here.

There was zero she could do there either.

Ginny gritted her tooth and tried to break off herself from screaming. The one thing she hated was to sense useless.
*


Harry was getting odd looks from passers by. He ignored them. Not just because that was his way but because Harlesden wasn't a place you stared at masses in. It wasn't a awful berth, Harry knew far sorry parts of Jack London for a clearly injured man to walk through. But it was bad enough to crap him check alleys with his eye before walking past them, and enough for him to keep his wand tucked in his sleeve in easy reach.

He checked the scrap of paper in his hand and headed quickly towards a tall, Brown University, concrete pulley block of flats. Harry checked the paper again and reflected on the brilliance of the invention of the lift. A group of kids in hooded jump shot stared at him as he stomped past times, trying to look threatening. Harry sniffed, barely stopping himself from laughing. Thought they were tough did they ?

Harry stepped into the coldness entrance hall and pressed the call button for the elevator. As it slowly descended towards Harry he spent a calm minute reading the graffiti. It reminded him of when he was young.

Harry rode the lift up, his nose wrinkling up at the very noticeable urine sense of smell and stepped out on the top floor. It wasn ‘ t even a corridor, just a farsighted concrete balcony. In winter it must make been freezing. He did n't need to check the newspaper again, he had it down by now. apartment 12. Harry knocked loudly and waited. He heard footsteps on the other side and focused his eye through the woods. He was gasping in surprise long before the door opened.

'' Tonks ? '' Harry 's supercilium raised. `` Did n't expect to see you here ? ``

'' Harry ? Wh ... What are you doing here ? ``

'' What are you doing here ? '' Harry cocked his pass to one side. `` Should n't you be cleaning up diagon alley ? ``

'' I was injured. Kingsley sent me nursing home. ``

'' But you did n't go home. '' Harry said pointedly. `` You went here. ``

'' How do you even have it away where here is ? ``

'' wolfman registration act. '' Harry held out the piece of paper for her to see. `` Any concerned citizen can find out where the colossus live. '' genus Draco hovered into Harry 's head and his abdomen lurched a little. Not lusus naturae then ... not all of them. near of them though.

'' You came to see lupine. '' Tonks put her hired man to her mouth in shock.

"Yes. Can you get him ? Please."

"I ... I don ‘ t know. He ‘ s only transformed back an 60 minutes ago. I came to bring him some breakfast and help him retrieve. He still hasn ‘ t got out of bed though."

Which means you had a key. Harry didn't say it. Instead he harshly said,

"genus Draco was bitten. Didn ‘ t you know ?"

"Draco. Oh god no ..."

"Yes. He was bitten."Harry stepped forwards angrily, forcing Tonks back into the apartment. He ‘ ll have got to go on a flaming tilt and take that putrid toxicant they call a potion and he ‘ s in his way at the manor house right now in a freekin John Cage he built himself !"Harry bit his word off before he told her what Draco had wanted him to do. Later, when he was better, Draco wouldn't want people to know.

"And you want Remus to ... what ? Talk to him ?"

"Just get the bloody wolfman Tonks. Get him now. Oh postponement ..."Harry glanced over towards the weakened sleeping accommodation door. `` Never mind. ``

"It ‘ s OK Tonks."A grating moan sounded and the door was pushed open slowly. `` I 'm arouse. ``

'' Are you sure he was a woman chaser ? '' Harry stepped out from behind the pinko haired girl. `` He looks like he 's hung-over. ``

'' Harry, '' Tonks held her hired man, her eyes narrowing angrily. Harry was forced to cue himself that the girl with the heart shaped face was an auror of the Moody school.

'' Professor lupine ... '' Harry addressed the grey-faced man. `` Draco was- ''

'' I heard. '' lupine said flatly. `` There is goose egg you can do. There is null I can do. ``

'' I 'm not after a cure, I 'm not that stupid. '' Harry growled back. `` I need you to talk to him. You need to show him he still has something to live for. ``

'' smell at me ceramist. '' lupine glanced down at his shivering, robed body. Harry, for the first time, notice multiple old cracking in his os. Almost every bone in him bore some mark of his lifelong bane. Harry gritted his dentition. Maybe he should take in just done what Draco asked ... No ! Those kind of wickedness thoughts led to thing like gouged-out eyes.

'' flavour just verbalise to him. '' Harry pleaded. `` I have workplace to do, I need to go to some dark places today and meet strange people with little sentience of humour and less personal hygiene. I know you hate me. I even know why ... a picayune. I do n't understand but ... whatever. Long tale forgetful you despise me. But whatever you think about me do n't hire it out on my Friend. Come on ... help him. ``

'' There is nothing I can do. ``

'' Tell him it is n't as bad as it seems. ``

'' It is as bad as it seems. ``

'' Then lie to him. '' Harry snarled. His fingerbreadth gripped his stave so hard the forest splintered. Lupin stepped back, his eyes all-inclusive with shock. `` Lie to him if you have to. Tell him turning into a wolf is n't so bad. William Tell him it 's a barrel of laughs. Tell him it 's like a sneezing only better. William Tell him anything ! '' Harry stepped forward, pointing his staff like a weapon system. `` Tell him whatever the hell you would have wanted to get a line. I do n't care ! All I know is that while you lie here with a booty call option young enough to be your girl my champion, my acquaintance who has saved my life on numerous occasions, is thinking his life-time is over and I DO N'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY TO HIM ! I do n't hump ! I ca n't think ... I ca n't assist him ! He 's saved my life and I do n't know how to assist him ! '' Harry turned his English to Lupin so he could only see his simulated eye. Could n't see that he was crying.

'' I do not have a go at it how to help him either. '' lupin half turned back towards his bedroom. `` He will possess to get through this himself. ``

'' You 're a Sir Noel Pierce Coward. You always did like to hide. '' Harry let the words period from his sassing like silk over ice. The effect on Lupin was electric. The werewolf spun back to face Harry, his middle wide with shock.

'' How ... how ... ''

'' Just something I remembered. '' Harry let the language sink in. He did n't really remember practically. Dumbledore had taken his own computer memory of Henry James Potter and thrown them into Harry 's mind. Now that he knew that he could almost enjoin where they were. It was like there was a heavyweight black tar pit over one piece of his thinker. Occasionally thing would eruct to the surface but it was impossible to go swimming. Lupin swallowed harshly before opening his mouth and levelly saying,

'' Get out of my family ceramist. Get out. ``

'' You going to verbalise to Draco ? '' Harry did n't go. `` Or are you going to hide in your shack ? ``

'' I will talk to the boy. '' Lupin gritted his dentition. `` Because he is Tonks'cousin. Not because of you. I will- ''

'' So not concerned in your cause. '' Harry snorted and turned back towards the doorway. Harry pulled the door shut on two angered faces and dropped backwards off the balcony. He was halfway down before he remembered he no longer had a drop-gem embedded in his chest.

"Bardus accido !"Harry had barely whipped his wand out in time and the spell didn't have clock time to catch properly. Harry crumpled and rolled as he his the story. His leg screamed with botheration. Harry grabbed his staff and pushed himself to his fee-

cranny !

Harry was thrown back to the story as his makeshift staff finally gave out and splintered into giant shards.

"Bugger."Harry grimaced and looked around. There were no commodious composition of Natalie Wood he could work with. No twigs or splinters. Wait ... there was a tree over there by the road. Harry hopped to his foot and limped painfully in that direction. He made it to the tree and picked a knobbly twig off the floor. Another engorgement good luck charm gave him a rude walking marijuana cigarette. Harry leant on it gratefully and breathed heavily. It just made everything more unmanageable. Harry shook his head, where he was going next he couldn't afford to establish too much weakness. Harry brushed his sweat filled hair out of his eyes. It had been a farseeing day. The parts that hadn ‘ t been excruciatingly irritating had been full of exacerbation .... the next person who pissed him off would-

"Give me your billfold !"

Harry didn't even think. His faculty flashed up and slammed the mugger in the chin. Harry could have sworn he saw teeth shatter and fly away. The moaning manque stealer crumpled to the storey before scrambling up and fleeing, white flight simulator flashing and scraping on the pavement.

"I don ‘ t carry a wallet."Harry turned and limped off down the street.
*


Ginny slowly pushed the door open. In the middle of the room was a coop of blackened metallic element. The twinkle were dimmed to the point of total wickedness but Ginny could still see the pale heart in the middle of the Cage, a mountain of sick hair barely fitting in between the legal profession. It rose and fell slowly with the auditory sensation of breathing.

The floorboards under the cage were torn and splintered, and covered in blood. The wolf must have known it could n't get out between the bars, but it had tried anyway. haircloth and slobber stained the story with a wan carpet. The unit way smelt like the den of an animal. How could so much have happened ? How could this throw happened ?

Ginny shivered. No one was watching now, she could break down. Everyone was hurt, diagon alley was ruined. Was it her fault ? She could possess trained them harder. Should have pushed them to hold back training even after Voldemort 's apparent death ... nothing should have stopped them keeping in practice. multitude were dead because of that. people were dead because of her. And that made her inside knot up like rope. Was it bothering Harry ? Probably not ... he was probably out beating someone up for data or fighting a dragon or something. Nothing rattled him.

Ginny sat down in a heavy armchair and pulled a throw over herself. It smelled like wet dog. The whole room did. Ginny pulled the laborious fabric up and bunched it in front end of her. For a moment she wondered where her childhood teddy bear was. Probably in a cupboard somewhere.

Ginny pulled her ramification up onto the chair and hugged them to her chest. Fevered sleep eventually came.
*


Harry flicked his hood up as he turned into a disused alley. He slowed and bowed his head a little. Better to seem old and infirm than young and crippled. He tried to evanesce into the background signal, not that it would really matter. After the chaos in diagon alley most wizards were staying at abode. This wasn't really a wizard street. There was a starbucks on it. But apart from that the shop were mostly sorcerous, and not the nice variety of magic.

Harry reached his terminus and looked up. A dirt encrusted house read Fortunes told luck found. Harry pushed the door spread out and was assailed by incense and smoke.

"Welcome my child."A heavy breathy vocalism sounded out of the gloom. Harry could see her of course, but acted like he couldn't."Have you come for guidance from the disembodied spirit ?"

"I need to chit-chat the Tarot."Harry said the fixed words he needed to say."Is this the spot I can find oneself it ?"

"Who can say ? Perhaps I can evidence you the way."

Harry stepped forward and a president faded out of the smoking air. Harry sat down and waited while the smoky human body on the former position of the mesa slowly shuffled a pack of cards of scuffed cards. Harry watched the fingers carefully, if you paid really close attention you could see her stack the pack of cards. Harry tried not to shout out for her to hurry up. They didn't need to go through the put-on, they both knew why he was here. Except that if he demanded she go faster he would get nothing. He had to encounter their game.

"What is your birth month nestling ?"

"July."Harry said without thinking. It didn't matter anyway. It was a impostor month given for a bogus tarot reading that wouldn't have predicted anything even if it was real. Harry watched as the ‘ seer'flicked cards down one after another.

"This is for the past, this is for the future."Harry tried not to wander his eyes."This is the outcome of the viewing."The woman laid down the tugboat card."signification catastrophe."

"Obviously."Harry stood and clicked a coin down on the tabular array."Thank you."Harry turned and stalked out of the shop. A set of smoke-shrouded eyes watched him go. Harry hurried to the nearest fluke leaf node and tried to think of where he was going. The tower was one he'd seen before ... where was it ... Oh yeah, Glasgow.

Harry picked a tinge of powder and stepped into the flames. The spinning flames whisked him away and he gritted his dentition, flueing with a gamey leg was always painful. Harry fell out onto a stone trading floor with a stabbing pain. But recovered fast and ambled out of the shop class, waving pleasantly to the bemused wizard shopkeeper.

He stepped out into the street and looked up into the sky. It was sunny now, he wondered what time it had gotten to be. Breakfast had never happened. lunch would probably never happen. Harry reached into his bag and drew out something that felt like food. An apple. Good enough. Harry clicked down the muggle streets, wondering if he was throwing himself in over his oral sex. people were looking at him funny and he realized he was wearing superstar robes. Sod it, who cared.

Harry looked up and saw the swinging sign he was looking for. A faded pub sign of a stone tug. The Saame one that had been on the card. This was what he was looking for.

This was the Tarot. The den of thieves, a near fabled pit of wickedness. Every auror in the area would have given their right arm to find this place. They never would though, because what every auror didn't know was that it wasn't one pub. It was twenty-two.

Every day the positioning changed, you only found out where from the tarot reader. The wife of the proprietor. On any early day the other twenty-one, the Fool, the Death, the Justice and the ease, would just be muggle pub like any others. Harry didn't know where the muggles who usually went to the saloon went on the days when their local was designated the Tarot. Probably drank at home.

Harry pulled his hood up, it didn't do to infix the Tarot concealed, and stepped inside. Within it was affectionate and faint music played. Harry couldn't see where it was coming from, probably out of individual's baton. The chairperson around the old oak tabular array were mellow backed, leather and padded. The fireplace was roaring cheerfully.

Harry liked the Tarot, it was homely. opposite to what you might think there were no fights in the Tarot. people didn't come to the tarot card to bar-room brawl, they came for business. Serious business. Of course if you pissed off the legal injury mortal you would be chopped up and fed into the mincing machine to be sold as hamburgers to the muggles over the next few days.

Such is life.

Harry clomped over to the bar and slipped onto a stool. There was no barman, Harry could see him behind the wall hulking around an empty barrel. The pub was surprisingly full, every John Wilkes Booth was total of muttered conversation and every table surrounded by serious looking men. Men who had former men sitting next to them who never spoke. Men in very upright robes, or very ripe case. Harry tried not to expect to closely at them. It didn't do to pay too lots attention to people in the Tarot.

Harry shook his head ruefully, of row the place was full. Diagon alley had been crushed, shaken and blasted to the soil. These people would be discussing how that effected their design ... their patch. Would they have time to peach to him about his own problems ? What was he thinking ... of trend they would. For enough gold. He just had to ask the right wing questions.

How would he do this ? Harry ordered red wine when the bartender came back. It was served to him without interrogation, and without comment. Harry stepped over to an empty table and rested a galleon against the stern of his glass. The tarot had signal, insidious 1. Harry didn't know more than the barest scraping of them. But he knew this one, gold against red vino meant you were interested in bravo. Actually it meant you wanted someone killed but it amounted to the same thing.

Harry leant his knobbled staff against his chair. Whatever happened he was going to find the bloody Lie Gou. It would hold as long as it took.
*


Dragon woke into a horrid pain. It seemed like every bone in his body had been shattered and reformed, every muscle was being turned to dogsled by some flesh rotting bacterium, and his throat felt like he had drunk crushed glass.

He opened his eyes and slowly tried to push himself to his knees. His script were shaking. No ... his whole torso was shaking. He could n't even focus his eyes. Draco let himself fall back to the floor, the pitted and splintered Sir Henry Joseph Wood bit into his sore peel and he could n't facilitate but cry out. There was no point in getting up, he could n't unlock the cage anyway. Was it even worth reaching between the bars to cart his dress back onto his aching body ? He did n't need to be naked when someone came to check on him but he did n't think he could physically put the clothes on. Maybe if he gave himself a moment to recover ... to heal. Then he could manage it. Maybe in a few minutes ... if he just concentrated on breathing.

'' Draco ? ``

The voice registered on the higher ambit of his brain but did zero to the crushed. He knew he should respond somehow but had no idea how to.

'' Are you awake ? '' A face came into view, framed by ginger hair. genus Draco coughed roughly, shock making his pharynx close like a vice. His legs came up, trying to hide himself from the girl in front man of him. She disappeared like a ghost and Dragon momentarily thought he had imagined her. But then a big fabric dropped on top of him from the top of the coop. He weakly pulled the meander fabric over him and tried to cover himself without scraping the material over his skin.

'' Draco ... are you alright ? ``

'' Do I wait alright ? '' genus Draco whispered.

'' Do you want some water ? ``

'' Why are you here ? '' Draco wrapped the cloth around himself and tried once again to push himself to his human knee and shuffle confining to the streak. `` What are you doing in my room ? ``

'' fountainhead sorry for caring if you were alright ! ``

'' I 'm a werewolf. I 'm not alright. I will never be alright. '' genus Draco 's centre flickered down to Ginny 's crinkle clothes. They were the same ones she had been wearing yesterday. Draco realized he could even smack Ginny 's odour on the cam stroke over him, and wafting over from his deep armchair. `` Did you sleep here ? ``

'' Yes. ``

'' You idiot ! You slept in a room with a loup-garou ! What if I had broken free ! You could possess been killed ! ``

'' You would n't hold hurt me. ``

'' Do you lie with what a werewolf is ? '' Dragon shook his mind, all this shouting was making his already aching head split apart. `` Of course I would have hurt you ! ``

'' Alright fine. '' Ginny crossed her arms. `` But I could have stunned you or- ''

'' While you slept ? ``

'' I ... ''

'' Why were you here anyway ? '' genus Draco hugged his arms to him, trying not to make up.

'' I just ... '' Ginny 's middle dipped. `` I came here to see if you were alright, but you were already transformed. I was so trite, I just went to sleep. ``

'' You just ... went to sleep ? '' Draco 's oculus widened, then closed again when the light anguish his brain. `` Why did n't you go to your own room ? ``

'' I just ... I just went to sleep. '' Ginny knelt down, she looked almost as stock as he felt. `` Seriously Draco are you alright ? ``

'' No. But it 's not any worse than I expected. '' genus Draco leant against the cake. Having individual there might
actually be a good thing, it forced him to get up and act with some semblance of normality. If Ginny had n't been there he probably would have still been lying on the floor. `` lupine came and told me what to expect. He did n't forget anything out. At the time I hoped he might be exaggerating ... ''

'' Dragon ... ''

'' I ca n't believe this batting cage is the rest of my life ... '' Draco bowed his head, resting his head against the legal community. He closed his eyes, letting himself slip down. It was n't just that he would get to go through this every twenty-eight days. That he could almost have dealt with. But the fact that he was a ... a affair ... he could n't allow himself to be a marauder now. There was no way he could put the others under that kind of danger, not with a monster inside him. He could n't go back to Hogwarts either, that was out of the interrogative. All those children ... he would be putting them all in danger.

So what was his life now ? He might as well never leave this coop ... he really should have slit his own throat. If only the wolf had ripped its own gist out during the night.

His life was now Worth nothing. Why ...

'' Draco ... ''

Why the hell was she still here. Why would n't she entrust. Why was she- WHAT THE snake pit !

genus Draco 's centre shot opened as balmy lips slammed roughly into his.
*


He was n't moving his sass against hers and his eyes were wide with panic. Ginny drew back, her hands shaking a little. That had been her first material candy kiss. On the whole it had n't been very good. She could taste blood on her lips.

'' Ginny ? '' Draco 's vox was dry and startled. `` Why .... why ? ``

'' To remind you you have something to to experience for you prat. '' Ginny said angrily.

'' To live ... for ... '' Dragon 's eyes widened in discernment. `` You mean you ... like ... Me ? ``

'' Yes ! pigeon hawk 's beard you 're obtuse ! '' Ginny rocked back on her heels, hugging her arms to her chest. Draco was just sitting there, staring at her. It was like she 'd had broken his brain. `` Well ? Are n't you going to say something ? ``

'' But ... you ca n't ... '' Dragon 's eyes were flickering wildly. `` You ... but I 'm ... ''

'' What ? '' Ginny broke in. `` You think because you 're a werewolf I could never be with you ! ``

'' Yes ! '' Draco blurted.

'' You think I care ! ``

'' You ... you ... yes you should give care. '' Dragon pulled his cam stroke closer about him. `` You should care. ``

'' Well I do n't ! ``

'' Well I do. '' Draco shook his head frantically. `` I could n't do that to you. I mean ... associating you with a creature. Could n't do that. To you. You deserve better. I 'm ... I 'm sorry. ``

'' And what I want. '' Ginny gritted her teeth, Her heart was a churning maelstrom, beating faster and faster. She didn ‘ t know if she wanted to burst into tears or punch the shaking boy in movement of her. `` That does n't weigh to you ? ``

'' On balance. No. '' Draco shrunk back to the other end of the cage."I ‘ m sorry Ginny ... you should go out. I ‘ m so sorry. I just ... I ‘ m sorry and you ..."

"plosive !"Ginny knew which one now. Her clenched fist were twitching."Just stop you ... you ... boy ! You think you can just apologize !"

"Well what else can I do ?"

"You can shut up !"Ginny stood and stomped towards the threshold."Get yourself out of the blooming batting cage !"

She slammed the doorway shut angrily.

Bloody prat.
*


Dragon slammed his forehead against the streak. The ringing preeminence grated on his spike but the pain just melted into the agony already sinking through his skull.

What else could he have done ? He was just ... broken.

"Well you bolloxed that up didn ‘ t you."

Dragon's head rose slowly and when he saw who had spoken he quickly pulled his cam stroke around to pass over himself better. Harry was leaning against the wall nonchalantly. He had monumental Negro bags under his eyes and he smelled like stale drink and cigars. Draco realized he'd been smelling that for awhile.

"How much did you pick up ?"

"Not all, but enough."Harry's eyebrows rose.

"I don ‘ t want to talk about it. It ‘ s done."

"Wasn ‘ t gon na cite it."Harry folded his implements of war."Wasn ‘ t gon na observe how you basically emo-slapped a tightlipped supporter. How you cut her substance out with a great big knife made of mislay pathos. Was n't going to affect on the fact that you 're a sum MORON ! Not gon na -"

"Shut up Harry. You don ‘ t know what you ‘ re talking about."Dragon pulled his cam stroke closer about him.

"Instead I was going to ask if you think you ‘ ll be alright by this evening."Harry smiled evilly."I found the base of the ninja guys, and I think we need to pay them a visit."

'' I do n't ... I do n't know if I 'll be up to it. '' Dragon shook his head. It was n't self pity, just bare truth.

'' Well I 'm going to be offering them large amounts of your money in addition to mine so you might want to be there. ``

'' Give them whatever you want. '' Draco waved his hand vaguely. `` I do n't desire any of it. I never did. Just leave me enough to live on. ``

'' So you 've decided to dwell ? '' Harry stepped forward, grinning cheekily. `` If I 'd acknowledge a kiss was all you needed I would have dragged Ginny here myself. Heck I would'a kissed you if got you to hold on eyeing up the letter of the alphabet openers. '' Harry drew his sceptre and flicked it towards the John Cage room access. Draco pushed it and it swung exposed slowly.

'' It was n't the kiss. '' Draco shakily crawled out of the cage and rose to his feet, the bowel movement making him nauseous. `` It was n't the kiss. ``

'' Do n't believe you. '' Harry shrugged and turned towards the door. `` I think someone 's making oatmeal in the kitchen. Not mollie Weasley but still ... '' With a last moving ridge Harry clomped off down the corridor.

genus Draco leant back against the cage, too tired to try to dress. His life sentence had, in a day, turn much, much more complicated. And the lycanthropy was only part of it.
*


Harry stood outside the door to the ward at St Mungos and bit his lip. It had been over a day since the fearsome battle. Over a day since they had seen him. What was he supposed to say ? Would they criminate him of not being there for them ? They would be right to. But there had been too many affair that he had to do, and not enough time to do them. His magic eye flicked from bed to bed. How could he talk to them when every moment he could see the damage that had been done to them. Damage that was his fault.

'' Why have n't you gone in ? ``

Harry spun at the strait of the new phonation behind him, then relaxed. He let out a sigh of relief.

'' Thea, '' Harry stepped forward and hugged the little visionary, pressing her into his chest. `` You 're all right. ``

'' I did n't have to do any of the fight. '' Pythea murmured against him before pushing away and fixing him with an apprising stare. `` Where have you been ? ``

'' I was trying to find out ... Trying ... I was working. '' Harry 's eyes flickered around to the hospital ward. `` I should have come Oklahoman. I 'm sorry. ``

'' You do n't have to rationalize to me. '' Pythea smiled. `` You always get the heavily decisiveness Harry. ``

'' I should go in now. ``

'' No, do something for me first. '' Pythea put a hand on Harry 's shoulder.

'' What ? ``

'' severalize a joke. ``

'' What ? ``

'' I 'm serious Harry. ``

'' A ... a gag ? '' Harry did n't know where this was coming from. `` This is n't exactly a joking time. ``

'' Harry at the end of last class you promised we had seen the last of the raging, self-destructive, madly driven and revengeful man you had become. Do n't break that hope. Do n't go through that door as that man, he ca n't aid them. Them, and me, we want the old Harry back. The one I 've seen this summer. Please. ``

'' I ... I ... '' Harry felt his oral cavity dry. Was he going back to the dark place ? Maybe. Getting weird magical stuff stuffed into his bone did go remarkably appealing. But he could still win without it. He was n't the Italian sandwich of divination, he was doing matter his way. Harry smiled wryly. `` I jumped off a building. ``

'' What ? ``

'' Twentieth trading floor. I forgot I do n't have a drop-gem any Thomas More. ``

'' You jumped off a building ? '' Pythea incredulousness turned to giggles. `` Harry you are insane. ``

'' Broke my cane too. '' Harry smiled as the little girl in front of him chuckled into her hand. `` Then I was mugged. ``

'' Mugged ? You ? Really ? ``

'' If you want a new necklace the guy 's teeth are probably still there. '' Harry grinned. `` That enough of a joke for you ? ``

'' That will do nicely Harry. '' Thea shook her school principal, still laughing quietly.

'' So I can go in now ? Or do I have to answer some conundrum as well ? '' Harry asked, smiling. When Theia nodded he stepped towards the door. `` Thank you Theia. ``

'' You 're welcome Harry. ``



Have n't actually written anything more. Not right. My buffer of pre-written chapters is running thin ...


Have managed to write a bit more now. Stupid things like my point and substantial life keep getting in the way.





Harry could have sworn his tendon were tensed like India rubber set. His eye was spinning rapidly, seeking every tincture and his heart was pumping with the light staccato hammering of suspense.

'' Well this is a wonderful situation for an ambuscade. '' Harry tugged his pelage in closer to him and stared up at the scraggy drop to either side.

'' Do you see an trap ? '' Snape asked calmly, striding next to him.

'' No, but I do n't trust them not to accept some tricks up their sleeve. '' Harry sighed and trudged forward along the unsmooth Harlan Fiske Stone track. It was late enough that the air was pleasantly cool, the sun still streaming brightly over the drop-off to their left. They were far enough from the muggle route that the only auditory sensation in the air was the whistling of the malarkey and the buzzing of insects.

'' Are you sealed they are here ? '' Snape asked, glancing up at the Cymry cliffs. `` It does not seem like the kind of berth for the Lie Gou. ``

'' What were you expecting ? Chinatown ? '' Harry tweaked an eyebrow.

'' Perhaps. ``

'' Too predictable. '' Harry 's eye picked up their destination in the distance, shimmering glassily in the sun. It was a here and now longsighted before it came into true opinion, a petty lake in the centre of the valley. The way meandered towards it, crossing a little watercourse and cutting a path through the heather. As it drew close to the still glassy piddle Harry drew to a stop and looked down. trivial round pebbles.

'' Is this it ? '' Snape stopped adjacent to him.

'' This is where the guy said. '' Harry could n't see anything out of the ordinary bicycle even with his conjuring trick eye. It just looked like a convention lake.

'' There was a watchword. '' Snape prompted.

'' continue your incalculably greasy hair on. '' Harry knelt down and put his lips right up to the water supply. `` Agoredig Ffordd. '' The atmospheric pressure of his Holy Writ made wavelet on the water. He straightened up. aught had happened.

'' Are you certain those were the words ? '' Snape sounded doubtful.

'' Relax Blackbeard. '' Harry closed his eye. `` This is far worse for me if I 'm wrong. '' He leant forward and allowed himself to fall, drumhead first, into the water.

The icy water felt like a mantle of silk. No wetness. No care. No pebbles. Harry 's momentum spun him up on the other side of meat and he had a moment of vertigo when his head told him he was standing on a cap. He took a breath and steadied himself. Everything around him looked the Lapp, same rocks, same wind. He could almost have got been fooled into intellection he had n't moved at all.

With a whispering splattering Snape sprang out of the lake. Harry gave him a moment to conciliate himself before asking,

'' Satisfied ? ``

'' That password was Cymric. '' Snape glanced back at the lake. `` Not Chinese. ``

'' I know, '' Harry shrugged. `` I figure this place is probably ancient, the Lie Gou just took it over. ``

'' Interesting, '' Harry could see the gear wheel spinning in Snape 's head.

If you 're thinking there may be other ways in here. Harry fixed his oculus to Snape 's There probably are, but can we trust that the Lie Gou do n't know about them ?

Not with any sure thing. Snape shook his heading. And you are right. We should put across this way while in there territory.

Interesting how you try to make that audio like your idea. Harry rolled his eyes.

'' Did your generator tell you where to go next ? '' Snape said out loud.

'' No, but I can guess. '' Harry smiled and pointed out behind Snape. The potions master turned.

'' Ah ... yes. '' The wall of the valley was carved out in massive stone tower and a massive stair had been hacked into the John Rock. At the top, framed against the setting sun, was a tiered temple in red wood. Rising up to the sky like a pyramid of attack. `` I suppose this is the place. ``

'' They should be expecting us. '' Harry set off, his cane clicking on the endocarp. `` But I 'm not looking forward to all those stairs. ``

As they set off across the broom Harry let his eyes wander. This place looked entirely normal up close but the further away you looked the more the vista seemed flat and artificial, like whoever had made this position hadn't extended it much beyond this vale. There were creature though, dirt ball and bird and rabbits in their yap underground. To what degree was this seat just a reflection ?

Harry shook his head. An faculty member or a historian might care. He didn't. They reached the ft of the jolting hewn stair and Harry snorted and turned to Snape.

If I climb that I ‘ ll be useless once we ‘ re at the top.

It would be undecomposed if we do not show signs of weakness. Snape agreed, glancing up at the far off temple.

Harry glanced around until his eye fell on a small boulder, no turgid than a pillow. He drew his baton and crouched down beside it. One whispered patch made it shift in it's bed of moss. A s made it ring like a Alexander Graham Bell and with the third it flashed gold.

Harry sat on the stone, crossed his legs and laid his staff across his stifle. The stone slowly rose into the air and hovered there, humming quietly. Snape almost looked impressed.

Would you be capable to escape on that if events do not bend out in our favor ?

Don't bet on it. Harry began floating up the steps, maintaining eye contact with his teacher. The enchantment I used were a very basic version of the single used to attain broomsticks. That should dedicate you an approximate guide to how a good deal control I have over this thing. dense hovering is the well I can do.

They climbed the footprint in silence for awhile, the poise lead whistling around the carven pillars. The earth seemed bare and deserted. Seemed.

We're being watched. Harry noted the next time he caught Snape's eye.

Of course we are.

Remind me what stops them from knifing us on the spot ?

The possibility that we can give them more gold than they would realize by killing us.

And if it turns out we can ‘ t ?

Snape didn ‘ t reply. Harry eased his verge in the band of his belt. This would be interest. The final examination stride brought the residue of the temple into view. It seemed smaller now than it had before, not much great than a modest family. It was surrounded by a wide-eyed garden, just flat pot and pocket-sized pool. There weren ‘ t even any koi in the pool, just a very Brits Gaul. Harry didn't know what he had been expecting. Cherry trees perhaps. But of class these men were assassins, they probably didn't have much prison term for gardening.

Speak of the heller ...

The painted door on the front of the temple opened and an older man in a dim-witted blue robe stepped out.

"We have been expecting you."Was all he said."Come inside. You must leave your shoes here."

Harry lowered his rock to the storey with a thump and raised himself to his feet. He unlaced his thrill and left them there on the edge of the cliff before stepping towards the room access. Snape put a restraining hand on his berm and Harry reluctantly let the honest-to-god wizard lead. The threshold were swing open for them and the old man led them through a short circuit hallway.

The walls looked like ... walls. They had warded them against magic methods of surveillance and apparently that included his eye. Was that intentional ? Had his eye go vernacular knowledge or had the warding always been there as a precaution. Harry tried not to give any preindication that he was uncomfortable but for a man who had gotten used to twenty-four seven X ray views the sudden lack was claustrophobic.

Get it together.

Harry followed Snape and their guide into a elbow room at the incline of the construction. The treacherously light source of this mirror world streamed in through the large Windows onto a put off standing low on the base. There was already a pot of tea and three discharge cups waiting for them.

"If you would wait here."The old guide said, indicating the table."I will see if master Sasori is ready to utter to you."He backed out of the way and closed the room access behind him. Snape and Harry stepped towards the table and sat crossing legged beside it. Neither so lots as reached for the tea.

Sasori sounds Japanese. Harry noted. I thought the Lie Gou was based in China ?

They accept beginner from many office. Snape's vocalism was calm in Harry's judgment. And in any case it is almost certainly not his actual name. cogitate no more of it, concentrate on learning what we can.

I'm trying, but my eye's giving me nothing. Harry admitted to his associate. Have you learnt anything I should make love about ?

I think we are dealing with very healthy people.

Not that intelligent. Not if they think we're pillock enough to drink the tea.

I meant this construction. Snape glanced around at the walls. I believe it is larger on the inside than on the outside in the manor of many wizards construction. However a visitor who had only been shown these few way would leave thinking this tabernacle no boastful than it appears.

When in realness whole armies could be housed here. Harry finished off the thought. How did you shape that out ?

There are sure signs. For person conversant with this kind of enchantment.

I didn't feel anything.

That is why you are still a student Harry. And why I am still your instructor. A faint smile tugged at Snape's lips.

Well you're not directly my teacher. Harry chuckled. Not unless you've Menachem Begin accepting T grades into your NEWT class.

The threshold was opened quietly and both Harry and Snape's optic flashed no the new arrival. He was dressed in a lawsuit, black and clean in every line, but Harry could see the knifes hidden in his sleeves. His dressing was every inch the businessman but he had broad tattoos on the backs of his hired hand, one a roulette wheel of flames, the other a fox's head teacher. A portrait of incongruence. Nothing what it seemed. He was Nipponese, Harry could see now, so at least the name wasn't a total fake.

"Good evening."The man spoke quickly and with firm self confidence."My name is Sasori, and I am the leader of the Lie Gou in this persona of the populace. You are Severus Snape and Harry thrower. Welcome. I believe you had something to discus with me."Sasori stepped up to the low tabular array and sat quickly. Without waiting for them to address he reached over and poured himself a humble cup of jet tea. Harry supposed that was supposed to put them at ease. Why the hell would it ?

"We are here to pay you to strike down one of your currently existing contracts."Nothing about Snape was moving but his mouth.

"Our agreement with Tomas Riddle ?"Sasori spoke with his tea held up to his sass."This is the contract you refer to ?"

"Yes. We will pay you whatever the shadow lord has offered and ten percent Sir Thomas More besides. It is a serious offer. You know the gold we have available to us."Snape indicated Harry with his arm."In income tax return you will not only cease your employment under Voldemort but you will also stamp out him and bring us both his head and that of his two remaining disciples."

"You offer us that without knowing how much we are being offered already ?"The assassin smiled."You are so sure as shooting you can provide what you promise ?"

"We have the riches of two ancient wizarding planetary house behind us. And more than besides."

"Yes."Sasori tapped his fingerbreadth against the sharpness of his small cup."But I do not believe it will be enough."

"What has the night lord offered you ?"Harry could feel Snape's tension rising.

"I can not differentiate you that."

"Has he offered you something other than gold ?"

"No. The Lie Gou have only ever worked for Au. Precious gems in prodigious circumstances. And once, just once, for the hand of a beautiful woman."Sasori smiled. Snape did not.

"Would you prefer if I set a number ?"Snape laid his work force on the table."One million galleons."

"Not nearly enough."Sasori chuckled.

"Ten million."Snape fixed the man across the mesa with a glare."The electric current inheritor to the ceramist and Malfoy fate are surprisingly unworried about financial care. If ten million is unsatisfactory perhaps you should describe your price."

"Perhaps you should realize the meaning of the Book no."The man leant forward."I am rejecting your offer Mr Snape. I do not mean to be harsh but, even if you could pay us more than him, we must honour our committal to Mr conundrum. It would shame me to do less."

Lies. Harry watched the assassins eyes as he stood. You don't give a rat's behind about honour. That'disgrace me'bull is just telling us what you think we expect to get wind. Why are you lying ? What else is going on here ?

"You should both will now."Sasori stepped away towards the door."No one will hold back you on your way out."

No one did. Which was even weirder.
*


"That didn ‘ t make any sense."Harry commented once they were safely back to headquarters."It was like he didn ‘ t want to hold up the contract but didn ‘ t want us to know why."

"I am more curious about why they simply let us leave."Snape shook his head."If the contract with the dark lord means so practically to them they should ingest killed us."

"Perhaps they weren ‘ t sure they could outfox us ?"Harry suggested. At Snape's withering stare he shrugged."Ok, so that was a stupid idea."

"So we have another mystery."Snape grimaced."We have too many already."

"Perhaps he ‘ s blackmailing them."Harry said hopefully."Or holding Sasori ‘ s wife/daughter/pet hamster hostage. There ‘ s obviously some reason why this job ‘ s so important to them."

"Perhaps."Snape nodded faintly."The mind is Worth investigating anyway, though he did not appear like a man with have it away ones in danger. He seemed too calm."

"He wasn ‘ t."Harry growled."His sum was running a little fasting. He was nervous from the moment he stepped into the room. Concealed it well though. Bastard."

"Could you tell if he was lying about anything ?"

"I don ‘ t think he was."Harry hazarded."inwardness charge per unit isn ‘ t a hundred-percent evaluator of when someone ‘ s prevarication. It was weird, but it almost seemed like he was calmer once you started offering money."

"Strange."

"Whatever."Harry rolled his oculus."I have n't slept in a surprisingly retentive time. Unconsciousness does n't count. I 'm going to bed."

"hold one moment."Snape waved Harry towards the elbow room where he had set up his lab."I need to check off in on what has happened since we left and I believe you should hear it too."

"Do n't agitate yourself they says ..."Harry grumbled as he followed after his teacher."Do n't be like you were last year they says. But when I want to sleep ? Oh no-"

"Be silence Harry."Snape snapped as he pushed the room access loose. Natalies head rose from the tabular array as they entered and she wordlessly pushed a booklet towards Snape.

"Has anything of note happened ?"Snape asked.

"You could study the file."

"Your assessment will be more succinct."Snape rubbed his tabernacle."The main points please."

"The PM results have come back on the drained combatant. They were not living dead, or inferi. We do n't fuck what they are. Their flesh is just rotting now, nothing animation. We did feel something unknown in their system but we can not identify it."

"And the drained Lie gou ? The I Ginerva found in the leaky cauldron ?"Snape indicated a bloodstained knife with a tag tied around the handle.

"They were stabbed."

"I gathered that."

"They were poisoned first."Natalie shook her head."I believe the regimen of potions they had been taken made them marginally resistant. The killer had to finish them off. Would you like to venture a guesswork as to the poison used ?"

"Everybody 's favorable neighbourhood vigilante again ?"Harry said from his spot slouched on a chair. At Natalie 's nod he chuckled."Nice to be intimate he 's still out there."

"It would be advantageously if we could bring him in."Snape fixed Harry with a stare.

"You want to nab him ?"

"I want to know how he created his poison."Snape answered tonelessly."I am sure it could cause even Thomas More damage in able hands."

"You are so much cooler than Dumbledore."

"But there seems to be no way to catch him."Snape picked the tongue up carefully with the confidential information of his digit."I assume there was goose egg usable on this ?"

"There was mud, swither and hair."Snape made no move to drop the knife despite Natalie 's Word. Harry 's ear pricked up.

"It was his knife ?"Harry asked quizzically."I mean not found at the prospect or stolen off a clay ? He brought it with him ?"

"As far as we can enjoin yes."

Harry stood, carefully took the blade from Snape 's men and folded it into a piece of parchment from the table.

"He has left grounds in his previous crimes."Snape pointed out."It has never amounted to anything before."

"Before now,"Harry smiled."You did n't have a seer."
*


"Harry ?"

"Yes Thea ?"

"You 're in my room."

"Yes, that 's true."

"In the middle of the night."

"This is also true."

"The door was locked."

"If you call that annoying charm a lock."Harry grinned in the half-light. This was a secret plan. It was fun. In a lot of ways it was better than sleep."Do n't you want to love why I came ?"

"Can I guess ?"Pythea arched an eyebrow, but a faint smiling played on her lips.

"You can guess."Harry shrugged."You 'll infer wrong but you can guess."

"Really ?"Thea leant forward to await into Harry 's eyes. The syncope light gave her a face a ghostly look, total of shadows."You do n't think I 'll guess ? What could you be here for ? ... In the middle of the nighttime ..."

Harry did n't say anything. He just chuckled.

"Why, why, why ..."Theia leant finisher, then smiled."You want my assist with something. You want me to try and see something for you."

"Damnit."Harry shook his heading wryly, the spell broken."You sure you ca n't read minds any more ?"

"I often do n't have to."Pythea held out her hand. Harry reached into hie air pocket and drew out the knife."Interesting ..."Pythea took it and held it on her lap.

"It was used to kill two of the Lie Gou."Harry leant back on the armchair."I though ... I do n't know ... maybe you could notice out who owned it or something. Skry for them or some orphic affair like that."

"Harry go to sleep."Thea was speaking quietly, her oculus still dreamily focussed on the knife in her hands.

"quietus ?"

"This will accept awhile, and you 're tired."Thea stood up, her eyes still fixed."Use the bed."

"I can just sleep on a chair-"

"I need the chair. You take the bed."

You do n't postulate the chairwoman. Harry rolled his eyes as he stood and moved over to the bed.

He fell asleep almost instantly, his mind trying to establish up for the stress and exhaustion of the past few Clarence Day. In his dreams he occasionally saw a white anatomy, chanting softly to something she was holding before her. Even in the pipe dream he knew what that was. Having an eye that could see through your own eyelids made for realistic dream. That was why he knew that she was done far before he eventually woke, the dawn ignitor streaming in through the curtains.

"You did n't awaken me."Harry said, his eyes still closed.

"I thought you needed your sleep."

"Like you needed the chair ?"Harry opened his heart and sat upright. On the mesa next to Pythea a fierce map had been drawn on sheepskin. A small-scale town, nestled in a valley. Further up the map was a frail X."The murderer 's there ?"Harry pointed.

"I do not think so Harry, it was very faint."Pythea shook her pass."The knife lay there a long time before the liquidator picked it up. The chances that he is still there are-"

"Low."Harry pulled the rough sketch over to him. The name of the town was written at the bottom in Pythea 's elegant script."power as well chink it out though, for deficiency of anything more constructive to do."

"Do you want me to go with you ?"

"It 's a farseeing slam at best."Harry shrugged and pocketed the theme."Besides, you were up all Nox. You need the bed now."Harry stood and stepped towards the door."I 'll enjoin you if I find anything interesting."

"Do n't arouse me."Pythea 's smile waved him out the door.
*


Harry reached the sleepyheaded small town and breathed fresh air. No one much was out yet, the sun wall hanging was still hanging mistily over the hills.

The map said that the knife came from north of the townspeople. Harry set off in that focus, glad to at least have something constructive to do after all the confusion and topsy-turvyness. A shopkeeper waved to him while at the same clip squinting like he was an interloper. Harry waved back and carried on. The star sign thinned out and Harry found himself walking along a country route, fields on either position. He checked his picayune sketch map again. It was somewhere east of the road.

Harry 's eyes scanned the field and the trees beyond it. There was no path to verbalise of, just a sort of track that looked like it was used by rabbits more often than humanity. Harry made for it warily and slowly climbed up through the tree diagram, his walking marijuana cigarette digging into the mud. Harry 's eye kept getting flashes from up ahead, through all the trees and life.

As he got closer he slowed down, silencing his footfall. Between the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree were the ruins of a theater. Not even a business firm, a shanty. It was surrounded by bramble and almost consumed by the forest. Ivy covered every beam and rampart. Without his eye Harry was n't sure he would have seen it as a house at all.

Without his eye he also would n't suffer seen the man inside it.

Harry slid closer slowly. The man was crouched on the land, shivering, his thin tree branch shaking. Now that Harry was closer he could see the man for what he was, a wretch, he could barely see a shred of material body on the man 's ivory. The thing that made up most of his weight was probably his hair and matted byssus. It certainly was n't in the tattered robe he was wearing. Harry scratched his oral sex, wizards aged slower than muggles, so how old was this guy ? He looked like he was sure-enough than Dumbledore had been.

"Sashias !"The man 's head jerked up and he spun to look right at Harry through the wall of the building."Sashias !"

What the ? Harry jumped backwards and swiftly flung a disillusion magic spell over himself. How had he known ?

The man scuttled out of the house like a spider and his optic flashed from one spot to another like an animal.

"Sassicz."

Harry tried to actuate away slowly, trying not to disturb any leaves.

"Saz !"The man leant down to the priming coat and held out his hand. Some ... affair slithered out of his sleeve.

It took Harry a moment to realize what he was seeing. It was a snake, small and grey and not much retentive than a ruler. But then, it was n't, it was nothing. Nothing was there but a wisp of curling Zane Grey smoke. Harry realized what it was. Only one of his eyes was seeing the snake. To the other it would be just a shadow. To any normally sighted person ... the snake would be invisible.

Harry stepped to the side but the ophidian made for him, slowly undulating it 's way through the leaves. Harry stepped again, and the snake in the grass changed direction. Making for him like a bloodhound. Harry '' s mind threw up slight memories of an unexplored and deadly toxin and stepped away more quickly. The snake kept after him, implacable demise. Harry took a deep breath, sentence to acquire control.

"Please call off your snake."Harry said, calmly and simply, trying to vocalise a minuscule like Dumbledore."I am a friend."

The man 's head shot up and the Snake River froze in the grass. Harry dropped his camouflage and addressed old man directly.

"I am a friend. We both fight Voldemort. Please call off the snake."

"Sissisi."The man 's center widened."Saz, cizissi."

The snake did n't run, it seemed to be eyeing Harry as sharply as it 's master was.

"Zaccussazic !"

"I ca n't sympathize you."Harry tried to restrain calm."You are speaking ... you 're speaking in parseltounge are n't you ? I need you to mouth English."

"sis ... sss ...."

"My epithet is Harry."Harry started again."What is yours ?"

"epithet ..."The beginning English language word from the old man 's lips was guttural consonant and raspy."figure ..."

"Yes, your public figure. What is it ?"

"Important."

"It is important."

"Father said it was important."The decrepit man 's brow furrowed."Said it was sissica all we had."

"Yes."Harry tried to breath."So what is it ?"

"Forgot so much."Rotted tooth were primer together in ira."Made to cossuza ! Made to let loose it all !"

"Please-"

"enigma did it !"The old man spat."brain-teaser did it to me !"

"I understand."Harry tried to becalm the crazy man, keeping one eye on the snake."He 's hurt me too. We 're on the Saami English here."

"I want to toss off him !"

"So do I, or failing that dismember."

"He took my mind !"

"I see that. Believe me."

"But I remembered !"The man pointed a gnarled finger at his forefront."Out on the rock music ... out on Azkaban rock. He was there zassiz ! Broke it open. I saw his face. I remembered !"

"What. Is. Your. Name."

"My name ?"The man snapped back to the present his center fixing on Harry."My name ?"

"Yes."

"Morfin Gaunt."





If you do not survey then all the snow that has brought Britain to a dead end today ( and coincidently frozen by bloody finger's breadth ) will be transported directly into your life room.


Harry sat cross-legged on the trading floor of the tiny hut and looked across at the shriveled bod before him. It had taken oven an time of day of teasing footling nuggets of information from the man in front end of him but now he thought he finally had the whole story. Unbelievable as it was.

In a way it was hard to believe that the wizened wretch in front end of him, sitting stroking his pet snake 'Smokey'and mumbling faintly, was Voldemort 's uncle. Actually re-examining that prison term it was all too easygoing. Harry tried to remember that this man was a weirdo murdering vigilante, a man who had set his snake on people who were already unconscious. His mind was probably irredeemably broken and fried to insanity by his hanker stay in Azkaban, plus the mind-flay Voldemort had worked on him. At least the false memories were gone now, broken when he saw Voldemort crush the prison house. Now he was mostly an empty shell, all that was moving him forward was revenge for what Tom Riddle had done to him.

Harry was currently trying to do two things, the low gear was think of what to do about the situation. This was not complicated, if he handed Morfin to the authorisation he lost an ally. If he did n't it was only a matter of meter until someone died who did n't deserve to. But if he handed him to Snape he had the best of both worlds. So that was that. The endorse thing he was trying to do was call back of how to abduct the gold box under the floorboards without Morfin noticing. It was warded too heavily too be Morfin 's body of work, and it was too recent to be the last occupant. Which meant it was probably the slithery darkness lord.

"Morfin,"Harry started slowly."You ca n't detain here. You said yourself that Voldemort knows about this lieu, if he ever figured out it was you this would be the maiden place he 'd look."

"This is my home ..."Morfin murmured, still looking at his pet snake.

"Is it more important than retaliation ?"

"Where would I go ?"Now he was holding the serpent like a lifeline."Where could I ..."

"I know one place."Harry stood and gestured out the threshold."I 'll need to cabbage you to a flue point, you can pinch right-"

"Apparate."Morfin unfolded like a report spring.

"You can apparate ?"

"Yes."

"Hmm ..."Harry 's eyes narrowed. Perhaps this man could be utilitarian after all.
*


Harry got Morfin settled into one of the abandoned family he had used during his vagabond months the previous year before doubling back to the shanty. He carefully sliced away the floor board and lifted them away without touching them.

Beneath was the box. He could n't see inside it, but if someone went to this much trouble to hide out something it had to be important. Harry waved his wand to break the protective covering on it and a myriad of flickering webs surrounded the minuscule box. One or two he recognised, nigh he did not. Harry whistled admiringly ( got to look up to fine work wherever it comes from ) and got to work.

In the end it took till crepuscle, yearn phantasm making the tree diagram outside loom tumid. Harry did one final exam sweep to go over there were no early scourge on the box, then flicked it open with the tip of his wand. interior lay a ring, tarnished gold set with a total darkness stone. Harry ran another test on it and more hour crawled by as he removed the second layer of shelter before dropping it into his bag.

Various muscularity complained about his protract lack of campaign as he lifted himself off the story and levitated the circuit board back into station. He had done it. But what to do now ? lowest year he would have kept this secret, secluded himself in some far off corner until he had sorted out the mysteries of this strange object. Harry shook his head, should n't let himself fall into that again. Should n't. Besides, if he handed the ring to Snape there was a luck he could get some sleep.
*


"That is an unconvincing story."Snape had his eyes fixed on the band on the table between them."I do not doubt you but ..."

"I can acquire you to meet Morfin if you like."

"No doubt I will meet him soon enough. I am more interested in this ring."

"Is it Voldemort 's ?"

"I have never seen him wearing it."Snape waved his hand through the air over the ring."magic sometimes leaves traces. If it was his, in time I shall know."

"Great, I 'll leave it with you for now then."Harry stood and brushed his pilus out of his eyes.

"Where are you going ?"

"Well first I 'm going to eat whatever that is I can sense cookery, then I 'm going to settle asleep. Preferably on a mattress but I 'll take a bed of nails if it 's all that 's available."Harry turned and walked out of Snape 's lab, letting his intrude lead the way.

His cane clicked on the tiles as he walked towards the kitchen but he slowed as he got closer. Raised vocalism could be heard within. Harry pushed the door subject quietly and slide inside. By the cooking stove a wizard with long ginger whisker tied in a pony-tail was arguing with a shorter haired one. Harry recognised that one as Percy and, from verbal description, the other one as Bill Weasley. Beside they a frying pan was lying forgotten, bacon burning inside.

On the mesa nearby Ron and Ginny were huddled, they seemed to be trying to ignore the argument behind them. Harry sidled up to them and slid in beside.

"What 's going on ?"Harry asked while hugger-mugger levitating the Viscount St. Albans out of the pan."Those are your pal are n't they."

"Yes."Ginny glanced behind her before looking away.

"What are they arguing over ?"

"Us."Ginny shook her head."Because mum and dad are in hospital and they ... they are n't getting out soon the ministry says we need a guardian. card came here because he thinks it should be him but ..."

"Harry Hotspur disagrees ?"Harry caught the burnt rashers out of the air and crunched one into his rima oris."Do n't you get a say ?"

"Apparently not."Ginny shrugged. Ron just grunted, his headland still bowed.

"They need stability !"Percy was yelling from over by the stove."They need individual with a good job and a in force nursing home here in Britain !"

"I have a job !"government note snarled back."One that pays more than yours."

"For how foresighted ?"Hotspur snapped."Gringots fired six of it 's human employees just last-place week. Some people think they 're cleaning house."

"And what is that supposed to mean-"

Harry stopped listening. He levitated two eggs out of a basket and cracked them into the pan.

"Does it matter who they pick ?"Harry asked his Quaker."I mean, I do n't let a guardian and I 'm aright. Draco does n't have a guardian. Pythea does n't give a protector. Why do they wish whether you do ?"

"You do n't get it Harry."Ginny shook her caput."You just don't."

"Guess not."Harry shrugged."Anyway 's, we 're all going to Hogwarts in a few Clarence Day, it wo n't count then."

"I hope not."Ron said quietly."I hope not."

Harry shook his headland. Ginny was right, he did n't see. Harry summoned his ball and bit into them. Families eh ? They did n't progress to any mother wit at all.
*


Returning to Hogwarts felt strange. The rook and the magical plaza around it had always felt like they were a differentiate public. You got on the train at business leader crisscross and somehow entered a wizardly bubble that you could n't leave except at Holidays. But in the last twelvemonth Harry had found that the bubble was like Swiss people Malva sylvestris, he could leave any time he wanted.

It was sad to mislay the illusion. Ah well ...

There was something else that was gone as well. The curse on the defence against the dark humanities post was apparently gone. Markus Michelson was still there, officially to learn but Harry knew he was now component part of the order of magnitude. The first thing Harry did was ask for special training, for him and all the marauder. They would postulate it.

Outside Hogwarts the wizarding Earth was curling up into it 's shell like a snail. The massive attack on Diagon bowling alley seemed to be too practically for people, they were too scared. There were no more attacks like the foremost but Voldemort 's dead men had been seen all over the land. Spreading reverence wherever they went. Yes ... they definitely needed to train.

But for Harry it was n't enough and after just a few days back he found himself knocking on Snape 's door.

"Harry."Snape raised an brow as the door opened."You are no longer in any of my classes."

"I know. I bet you miss the explosions."

"What do you want Harry ?"

"Have you made any progress with the annulus ?"

"No."

"How about with the Lie Gou ?"

"inquiry are continuing."

"And about Voldemort ?"

"I will let you recognise if anything important happens."

There was a drawn out import of silence.

"Is there ... anything I can do ?"Harry asked.

"I would like you and your friends to bear on training with Markus."Snape said flatly.

"To campaign ?"

"As a last resort."

"So basically you 're telling me to sit still and shut up ?"Harry folded his arms."Come on Snape. I can be useful. I 'm wasted here ! I could do more."

"Can think of something specific that you could be doing ?"

"looking for Voldemort !"

"Where ?"

"Everywhere !"

"Peering under every rock ?"Snape said sarcastically."Would n't you be wasted doing that ?"

"I found the Lie Gou did n't I ?"Harry said pointedly.

"By talking to the underworld."Snape shook his head."Voldemort will not be hiding where petty thieves can find him."

"I need to do something !"

"There is nothing to be done."Snape snapped."Currently all you are doing is wasting my time ... wait."

"Yes ?"

"If you want to help with something ..."Snape stepped back into his office, then returned with a hand outstretched."Work on this."

The doughnut glittered in his hand.

"Are n't you working on it ?"Harry reached out and took the ring, looking at it quizzically.

"I can divine no more from it."Snape 's vocalization carried an border of foiling."There is something still there it just .... I do not know. You have shown an phylogenetic relation for puzzler. Why do n't you try to divine it 's secrets ? If nothing else it will keep you out of trouble."With that Snape turned and pulled his doorway shut, leaving a dumbfound Harry behind.
*


Despite the fact that the task had been given to him only to shut him up Harry attacked it with excitement. He tried every disclosure enchantment he knew on the ring but nothing registered. The lone time he got any clue that it was anything other than metal and stone was one time when, in a fit of irritation, he put it on. He had felt so unusual that he had slammed it back in the box and not looked at it for a day. It had felt like someone was watching him, little prickles down his spine. He had n't tried to wear it again but had done a whole book of account 's worth of clairvoyance spotting spells on it. Nothing happened.

"Maybe it 's not magic ?"Neville suggested over breakfast."Maybe Voldemort wanted to keep it for some other reason."

"It 's sorcerous all right."Harry had his head slumped down on his munition, staring at the ringing in the middle of the board."I can palpate it."

"Harry you 're getting obsessed."Padma rolled her eyes.

"I 'm not obsessed ! I just ca n't believe of anything else !"

"leave him alone."Ron shook his question."We know the ring belonged to Voldemort, so it must be important. Ca n't just ignore-"

"That 's it !"Harry sat bolt unsloped."It was Voldemort 's !"

"But Harry we knew that."Hermione said quizically.

"What I meant was it does n't matter what spell 's on it."Harry explained."We know Voldemort owned it. So Thea can use it to scry for him, maybe find out where he 's hiding."

"That 's a retentive dead reckoning Harry."Padma said."Do n't you think Voldemort would have protected himself against that kind of thing ?"

"Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe he 's too weak."Harry stuffed the ring into it 's box and stood up."Do you know where Pythea is this daybreak ?"

"I think she was doing some oeuvre for the order. In her apartments."

"Really ?"Harry 's eye swivelled up in his head."Ah, I see her."Harry took off out of the outstanding hall. He hurried up to the Hogwarts guest fourth and knocked.

"Come in Harry."

Harry smiled and opened the door. Pythea was sat at the small table in the centre of the room, single-valued function splayed out in front of her. One of the maps had little blue flag stuck in it. Harry wondered what the parliamentary procedure was having her do, try to presage where the Lie Gou would strike no doubt. Or trying to find Voldemort.

"You were n't at breakfast."Harry pulled up a chair and sat down future to the oracle."Your loss. There was porridge."

"I had a coming together with several rules of order extremity finale dark. It ran on quite late."Pythea sighed tiredly.

"Why is it you get confluence with order citizenry and I don't."Harry cracked a grin."I mean we 're basically the same age."

"I do not think they realise that."Pythea smiled.

"They 're not working you too hard are they ?"

"No Harry. I 'm fine."

"Cos I can take over some of the work load if you like."

"Are you a seer ?"

"No, but I can establish it up. Is n't that what you do ?"Harry chuckled.

"No."

"Or we could get Trewalny to wrap up for you !"

"Do you want to send society member to their death ?"Pythea laughed and Harry chuckled. Pythea became grievous again and tip in towards Harry."What was it you came here for ?"

"I ca n't just come to visit you ?"

"Just ask me."

"Ok, fine."Harry rolled his eyes and slid the ring out of his pocket.

"Harry ..."Pythea raised her eyebrow."We 're both a trivial young to marry."

"Are you sure ?"Harry chuckled."I 'm deep, quite rich."

"No you 're not. Harry Potter is rich, you 're draining his bank account."

"Potato potato."Harry paused."That musical phrase does n't go so well in print. Not even with italics."

"Stop breaking the fourth wall and separate me what this ring is."Pythea took the ring out of Harry 's hand and raised it to her eye."There is some symbol on it."

"It 's from some nutzo myth."Harry snorted."The authoritative thing is that this ring belonged to Voldemort."

"And you want me to use it to bump him ?"Pythea shook her head."The dark God Almighty will certainly let protected his hiding plaza from scrying."

"I just need something."Harry pleaded."He did this ring really carefully, luck of enchantments. It obviously issue to him somehow. I just need to love why. Give me something."

"I will try Harry. But I can not assure anything."Pythea held the ring in both her paw and closed her eyes."You should get to your lessons Harry. This could make a while."

"Lessons ?"

"The things you go to school for."

"Oh right ! Them."Harry stood and turned to the door."I 'll agree back after class. Or before, if I get bored."

Harry slid in former into his replicate defence class. It did n't matter too much, the marauder were working to a different curriculum. He joined the rest of them and took his topographic point on the duelling line. He glanced at Draco opposite him and noted the cryptical bag under his centre and his slouched posture. Full Sun Myung Moon finally night. He should have remembered.

"How was it ?"Harry asked.

"Horrendously painful. Like before."Draco grated dryly."What did you conceive ?"

"That it would be rose wine and kitten and barrels of candy."Harry raised his scepter."You know I wo n't go easy on you."

"Great."Draco shuddered."Bloody wonderful."

Harry did n't go easy on him. It would have been insulting. After the class Draco went to notice a bath of ice to lie in and Harry went back to Pythea 's quarters. He knocked and pushed the doorway open.

"Any progress ?"Harry asked the little seer.

"No Harry."Pythea shook her headway."I could not discover anything."

"Are you sure ?"Harry slouched dejectedly."goose egg ? Not even why he hid it ?"

"Almighty Voldemort protected himself too well."Pythea shook her capitulum."I could regain nothing."

"Damnit."Harry scratched his head."I really hoped ... well never mind."

"I will sustain trying."Pythea stood, her hands folded in her sleeve in strawman of her."If I find anything I will secernate you at once."

Harry froze. Twisted tendrils of fear grew around his heart. He had seen ...

"You 're wearing the ring."Harry stated flatly.

"Yes."Pythea responded without missing a beat."To obtain a salutary connection."

"Take it off."Harry slid around the board with his bridge player out.

"Harry you are being irrational."

"Please take the ring off Thea."Harry tried to sound calm. He failed."Just subscribe to it off. Please."

"There is really no need."

"Humour me."

"You are worried over nothing."

"If it 's zip consume it off."

"If I wear it at all times I may see something I missed."

"Just take the freekin ring off Thea !"Harry stepped towards her."Please take up it off !"

"No."Pythea took her manus out of her sleeves. Her voice was like ice."I will not."

"Oh ... crap."Harry froze, his manus hovering over the sack where he kept his wand."You 're not Theia any-more are you ?"

"You seem unsettled Harry."Pythea smiled thinly."Is there some kind of problem ?"Pythea 's hands were raising slowly. Harry twitched towards his wand. The hands stopped moving.

"You 're Voldemort. Somehow you 're Voldemort."Harry had looked into the serpent faced bastard 's oculus enough times to recognise him staring back."The halo was ... was like the diary."

"You found my journal ?"Voldemort raised one dainty eyebrow."That is dissatisfactory. But no issue, even if the journal was destroyed I still survive and this ... this body will do nicely."

"You 're a monster who keeps trying to own young girls."Harry tried to inch his hand finisher to his wand. Voldemort 's eyes snapped to his hand. Harry stopped."Just let her go."

"No."

"You will let her go."Harry 's teeth footing together."Or so help me I will make whatever life you have wide-cut of pain."

"threat ?"Voldemort smiled again."You can not endanger me. Any harm you do to me hurts the missy. You could never hurt somebody you care about-"

"Wrong."Harry slammed his fist forward into his side. Voldemort fell backwards but Harry had already grabbed his arm and slammed them behind his backbone. Lightning flashed from his fingers to the floorboards, bathing the room in white Christ Within. Flames burst out of nowhere and Harry could barely hold onto the squirm soma in his arms.

"Karziet !"Harry threw them both to the side as every piece of shabu in the elbow room exploded. Harry felt shards bite into his case and helping hand but he held on grimly. He had to get that ring off ! He reached for it but a black orb exploded out of Voldemorts slenderize manus, taking the end of his finger off.

"check bloody moving !"Harry slammed Voldemort onto the table and grabbed desperately for the doughnut, tearing it off his finger and flinging it into the fire.

Pythea instantly stopped moving, lying against the mesa. Harry slowly released her implements of war and looked into her side. Her nose was gushing ancestry freely ( his faulting ), and her eye were squeezed shut.

"Theia ?"Harry whispered into her ear."It 's alright. The ring 's gone. It 's alright."

"I 'm so sorry."Theia murmured, her optic still shut."I 'm so sorry."

"It 's ok."Harry drew his wand and sprayed a thick watercourse of water over the burn room before turning back to Pythea."Are you ok ? I mean are ... are you ok ?"

"He got into my head."Pythea was shuddering, still not moved from her military position sprawled on the table."The harder I pushed into it the more he had me."

"I 'm so sorry."Harry stepped forward and enveloped Pythea in a hug."I should have never given it too you, I should never-"

"No ! It 's my error. I should have been more careful."Pythea opened her eyes and raised her hand to brush Harry 's font."I 'm sorry."

"It was my fault."

"I tried to drink down you !"

"Voldemort did. Not you."Harry pulled her closer to him."But it 's O.K. now."

They stayed there like that for a while. The room smelt like soppy ashes but neither of them wanted to travel. Finally Harry pulled back and smiled.

"semen on, we 'd improve get you to Madam Pomfrey. She 'll have to un-break your nose."Harry shook his head."Sorry I had to hit you so hard."

"You always choose the most direct resolution to any job. That is function of your charm."Pythea leant forward and kissed him lightly on his bloodstained os frontale. Harry could feel a sherd of glass move under her lips, when she moved back it fell out, clinking onto the mesa between them. Harry 's affectionateness skipped about a million beats.

"We should get you to Madam Pomfrey too."Pythea said breathlessly."You predilection of blood."
*


Harry left the seer in the hospital wing and made straight for Snape 's billet. He entered without knocking.

"Harry."Snape 's point snapped up from his desk."I heard you managed to hurt yourself again."

"It had been too long since I had to spring up flesh back."Harry reached into his bag and brew out the box with the ring in it, dropping it onto the desk. In short sentences he explained what had happened. When he was finished Snape tend back, gazing at the ring thoughtfully.

"Anyway I think it 's like the diary."Harry sighed."I 'm bad prof. I should have seen it."

"How precisely should you have seen it ? On the surface the point have no resemblance to one another."Snape said disparagingly.

"I just ... If I had seen it sooner Pythea would n't have-"

"I despise misplaced guilt ceramist. You have never displayed it before so do not begin now."Snape picked up the anchor ring 's box with his foresightful fingerbreadth."Your experience Tell us something. Now I merely have to cultivate out what."

"That slowly huh ?"Harry asked wryly.

"Easier than it was before."Snape looked like he was about to say something else but the door was pushed open. Lucy Kindston was on the early side, plainly out of breath.

"Harry, you need to get to the infirmary wing."

"I was just there."

"wellspring you need to get back."

"Wh ..."Harry 's heart widened."Thea ? ..."

"Just go Harry."

Harry 's meat was beating fast as he bolted out the door.



If you do n't review then your computing machine silver screen becomes like that bit in the ring where the girl comes out and kills you. Except instead of a missy it 's a cat. Seriously. Have you ever seen a foresighted haired cat totally bedraggled and hissing and screaming and flying out of your blind ? Not good. And if you have high-def ... it 's twenty time tall.


"Why are n't you doing anything."Harry had his finger's breadth gripped tightly around the bar at the foot of the bed.

"There is n't anything we can do Harry."brothel keeper Pomfrey said quietly."We do n't know what is faulty with her."

"Then why are n't you looking."Harry snarled. He could n't face away from the bad in front of him. Lying on it, her skin deathly pale, lay Pythea."Why are n't you doing something ? Her middle 's getting slower."

"You ca n't recognise that Har-"

"HOW MANY EYES DO I HAVE !"

"I ... Harry please."ma'am Pomfrey shook her head."There is zero I can do. professor Snape is trying to-"

"He 's failing. He wo n't find anything."Harry snarled."There 's nothing on that god damn ring !"

"Then there is zip that can be done."

"I just need to do something !"Harry shuddered with nervous energy.

"Until we know what the closed chain did to her we can not fix it."

"Then ..."Harry breathed."Then we need something that fixes everything !"

"Harry nothing like that exis- Where are you going !"

Harry stomped out of the hospital wing as fast as his injured leg would stockpile him and barged past the clump marauders.

"Where are you going Harry ?"Ginny yelled at his retreating back.

"Out."

"We should come in with you to-"

"No."Harry snapped as he tried to put some distance between himself and his protagonist. Unfortunately none of them were down a leg and could keep up with him easily.

"Harry this is for Pythea is n't it ?"

"No. I 'm going for a walk in the parkland with the downy bunny rabbit rabbits."

"Harry let us aid you !"

"Go away you bloody-"

"You promised you would n't do this any Thomas More Harry."Neville broke in suddenly. Harry froze. He had.

"I did."Harry turned slowly."Does anyone lie with how to climb batch ?"
*


"Harry where are we ?"Hermione panted.

"Mountain."Harry barked as he stabbed his hiking Pole into the ground and stomped on. Beside him the gaunt shape of Morfin shook in what could have been a silent chuckle.

"She meant specifically."Lucy Kingston was up ahead, the only one of them who seemed to be actually enjoying the climb."Those edifice down there look like we 're somewhere in the middle eastern United States ?"

"Turkey."Harry winced as he slipped on the on the loose rocks and had to catch himself on his pole."magnetic north Anatolian. That 's where we are specifically. Where we are relatively is 'Not gamey enough'”

"Where are we headed to Harry ?"Lucy squinted up at the snowy bill ahead."What are we trying to receive ?"

"You 'll see by nightfall."Harry tried to brush off the stabbing pain in his leg as he forced himself higher and higher."We need to be at the snowline by the time it gets dark or we wo n't see them."

"I hope you do n't want to get to the top Harry."Hermione was still trailing."We do n't get any oxygen or right clothing."

"Not to the top."Harry glanced up."Probably. Anyway I thought you 'd climb up before ?"

"In Cambria, with my parents. Hiking a little."Hermione glanced down the long trail they had followed."Not like this."

"well you volunteered so endure with it. I 'm having a worse time of it than you."Harry glanced up ahead and shook his caput."The route 's blocked with careen this way. We need to go ... that way. For a while at to the lowest degree. Then we can get over back, along the ridge."

"What rooftree ?"

"You ca n't see it yet. It 's past the cliff."Harry pointed with his reefer."smell like we have to beat just for a bit then it 's a good itinerary. Keep up that ... then ... over past that cliff ..."Harry trailed off, the former two marauders were looking at him strangely."I can see because of the eye. You knew that."

"What 's it like ?"Lucy asked quietly.

"You get used to it. Like walking around seeing doubling, except one of the doubles is see through. Makes you dizzy when you spin too fast."Harry paused for a moment to see a intimation."come on ... we 've got a long way to go and Thea 's dying."

They hiked up into the snowline, Harry did n't let them terminate until they could see snow on all four face. When they could he cleared a circle around them and heated the basis so they would be warm.

"Why do n't we just have a fire ?"Lucy sat down cross legged on the ground.

"Because then we wo n't be able to see."Morfin chuckled darkly.

"He 's right. You 're going to demand to see in the dark and you wo n't with a fire right following to you."Harry smiled slyly."I can only face in one counsel and I 'm not taking chances."

Harry sat down, looking in another focal point and waited. Slowly it got darker and darker. At least the moonshine was out, that helped a niggling. Now all they had to do was watch ...

"What are we waiting for ?"Hermione asked quietly in the darkness.

"attack. take care for fire."

"Oh ... !"Hermione 's optic opened wide with stupor."Are we looking for-"

"Yes. Now concentrate and keep looking."

"Have you ever been there before-"

"No."Harry glared out into the darkness, waiting for a sign. The night air grew colder and colder ... whispering past the four seated frame. Morfin was muttering something in parseltounge up his sleeve. Harry wondered for a moment if he had been right to bring him. No ... of course he had to. Without individual to apparate them it would own taken them ages to get up this high. Could n't apparate the rest of the way though. Funny things happened if you tried.

"There !"Lucy pointed off into the distance."I saw a flash, like a firework."

Harry turned and squinted off in the focal point she was pointing. His eye zoomed in to it 's good and ...

"That 's it. well show."Harry stood and lit his wand. A spark in the darkness."seminal fluid on."

"We 're going there now ?"Lucy shook her head."You want to travel around in these mountains at night !"

"By morning it 'll stimulate moved."Harry explained."And besides, it is n't nighttime for me."
*


Harry started off into the disgraceful, with Morfin following silently. Hermione looked at Lucy and gulped, before lighting her scepter and following them into the murk. It was a terrorise journey, following Harry 's level path across the tops of cliffs and along scree filled way of life in the dead of night. Hermione kept telling herself it was for Pythea, for Harry 's supporter. She even tried to wait forward to the site they would see at the end. But it was n't enough to counter the fear.

Every rock that skipped away from her fundament sounded like a wisecrack of thunder.

Ahead of her she could get wind the strange man Morfin murmuration, behind were the steady, solid hiker of Lucy 's thrill. Occasionally the miss behind her would reach out and lay a brace hired hand on her berm, making her leap. Hermione was grateful for the motion, she just wished Lucy would make her some warning.

"This is it."Harry 's voice was like a knife through the lightlessness. Up ahead she could see him crouching beside a rasping crack in the rock, just large enough to fit a man. As she watched the inside flashed like there was an burst deep inside, but it faded again in a moment. Hermione breathed deeply, trying to hold calm.

"Nervous ?"Harry asked quizzically."Do n't be. After all we 're a group of teenager going into a spooky cave in the middle of the mountains in the dead of night with a mass murderer. What could possibly happen ?"

In the shadow, Morfin grinned like a tiger.

"Harry ..."Lucy narrowed her eyes."Stop that."

"You 've got nothing to worry about."Harry grinned."They 'll even be former wizards inside. Come on, Lashkar-e-Toiba get to it. I want to back in Hogwarts by morning."

Harry slid into the crinkle in the rock and dissipated from view. Hermione steeled herself, then ducked in after him. The cave was really more of a tunnel, crawling forwards in a straight line. Of class what it really was was probably some sort of deception doorway that connected two different situation entirely. Hermione found herself looking at the walls to try to see the join. Up ahead the trice were becoming more frequent and a steadily red glow was growing between them. Hermione felt excitement grow, she was really going to see it ... really going to ...

"We 're here."Harry stepped out of the burrow ahead of her, giving her a to the full sight as she pulled herself out of the careen. Her lip dropped out-of-doors as she saw what lay before them ...

"Merlin 's ... something !"Before them the cave opened up into a mystifying valley, like an axe injury in the position of the mountain. Towering rampart rose up on either side of them craggy and full of more than caves and stone. In the small strip of reason in the eye there was a orchard of what looked the likes of olive Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree twisty and ancient like they were elderly than the good deal itself. But that was n't the most awe-inspiring affair. Flying above them in great sweeping bend, and nesting in the rock ... hundreds of them ... filling the valley with fiery twinkle and making the whole place fool like a living firework video display. Filling the valley with song, and the echoes of strain ...

"Phoenixes."Lucy Kingston breathed in marvel."You brought us to the nesting ground."

"Yep."Harry nodded."Since we do n't know what Thea 's got we need something that heals almost everything. Phoenix tears is a proficient bet."

"They do n't cry for just anyone Harry."Lucy pointed out."Otherwise every hospital in the world would have gal on the stuff."

"There 's at least one that 'll cry for me. Fawkes."Harry squinted up into the superb flaming sky."We just need to find him."

"Easier said than done."

"Why do n't you two ask."

Ask ? Hermione scratcher her oral sex. It was only when Harry pointed that she realised they were not alone in the valley. Down by the Tree there was a group of four ace clustered around a tent, one of them was looking through a telescope while another was jotting down tone in a orotund heavy rule book. Further down the vale, on a flat mesa shaped rock 'n' roll that jutted out of the leaves, was another group. These wizards were all in black robes and were clustered around a weird shuttle shaped graven image. They were down on their stifle and seemed to be chanting.

Worshippers. Hermione realised. worshiper and researchers.

"Why do n't you handle the nerds."Harry pointed at Hermione first, then turned to Lucy."And you handle the wierdos. It 'll go round and and see what I can spy with my little eye."

"And me ?"Morfin cracked his neck.

"You stay with me."Harry turned to walk off.

Hermione shared another look with Lucy before they began picking their way down towards the trees. Even though she knew that a girl 's life was at stake Hermione could n't help but feel awe and inquire at this place. Going off in the at the drop of a hat, climbing mountains and visiting amazing charming sites. Was this what Harry 's life was like all the time ?

Below her one of the investigator looked up and noticed her. He rolled his eyes and started towards her.

"Please do n't disturb the birds. Try to not use flash photography, they can fox it with an flack. If you 're camping please do n't play loud music-"

"We 're not tourists."Hermione held her mitt up.

"Oh, then you 'll be with the other weird bast- believers."The researcher pointed back into the trees.

"I 'm not-"

"Mind the balefire and the flayed goats."

"I 'm not one of them !"Hermione said in aggravation."We 're here to get-"

"Ah, you 're here to get Phoenix rip. The other reason people come up hers."The man rubbed his frontal bone."Let me guess your friend or your mother or your beau is sick and you think tears are the but cure. I hate to tell you this but-"

"We know they do n't cry for everyone but we think if we can find one specifically it will."

"Really ?"The researcher finally looked slightly interested. He glanced up at the cliff where Harry was just visible edging up a thin path, peering into drop. Several Phoenixes had begun following him interestedly, hopping from rock music to shake eyeing him with beady eyes."Who are you hombre anyway ?"

"Well that 's Harry ceramist, and we 're his friends."Hermione smiled at the shocked facial expression that appeared on the investigator face. His three Friend looked up too, forgetting their notes for a moment. Hermione felt like kicking herself, of track she should give birth said that first of all."We 're looking for a phoenix called Fawkes."

"We ... we do n't immortalize names. How could we ? The phoenixes do n't talk."The man kept glancing up at the cliff where the vague figure of Harry had gone out of web site into a cave. Another genus Phoenix flew over to conjoin the small flock that was following him."We do n't memorialise names I do n't ... I do n't sleep together if we can help."

"He would suffer come here during summer last class, he left England in June."Hermione explained."When he left Hogwarts he looked like he was in his third month since a burning day so when he reached you he might make been in his fourth or fifth.. He 's a male, with a wingspan slightly above average."

"I ... we 'll check."The researcher turned and hurried over to their bench where he cracked open a hard ledger of notes and began flicking through them. Hermione followed him and began reading over his shoulder. Everything was recorded, electrocution, arriver, odd behaviour. If Guy Fawkes was in the valley he would be recorded here somewhere.

"What about that ?"Hermione pointed suddenly at an entry hear the middle of the page."That one fit 's the clock time frame."

"Y ... yes. Yes."The researcher nodded."phoenix telephone number 713. It would be that one would n't it."The heavy book was slammed close and the man turned towards the cliff rampart."I 'll take you there."

Hermione set off following, sending micos to Harry and Lucy. She and her guide reached the cliff wall and began climbing up a thin winding way. Lucy caught up to them when she was halfway up.

"You found him ?"Lucy was out of intimation. Hermione nodded."full, those other whiz were weird."

They climbed further up around the rocks, passing many perching phoenix. The doll eyed them as they passed, but did not follow. After a few second they reached a little shelf with a enceinte cave.

"This is 713 's nest."The researcher pointed into the rock."He should be in there. But it looks like you friend found him first."

All around the edge of the ledge, Phoenix were perched, looking in. None of them were singing, none of them were making any audio at all above the whispering of their feathers. They were just watching. Another flew in and alighted at the end of the row. It trilled softly, then went silent like it 's brethren.

"I 've never seen them do this."The researcher said softly. His hired man twitched like he was looking for a notepad. Hermione steeled herself, and stepped into the cave.

It opened out in the vertebral column into a small dome, the floor littered with sticks and leaves. The cadaver of yesteryear nests. Morfin was crouched at the back, he made no move when they entered. He was staring at the same thing they were. The tableau vivant in the centre of the cave.

Harry was down on his knees, his walking stick discarded beside him. His oculus stage with the centre of the phoenix in front line of him. He was n't moving or speaking either, the only sign that he was alive was the slow emanation and declination of his chest. The phoenix, Fawkes, was shivering. A large character of it 's back was bald and scabby and it 's offstage looked rip up. There were feathering all around it, an unnatural moulting, and it 's forefront drooped on it 's long neck.

"713 's been like this for a while."The researcher said quietly."That 's why I said I knew it 'd be him. He has n't burned since he got here and he 's due. recollective overdue. If he does n't burn before winter strike then ..."

"What happens if a phoenix does n't burn ?"Lucy asked softly.

"We do n't really jazz. That 's portion of the reason we 're watching him."

"Could he ..."Hermione swallowed."If he goes for long enough without a burn day could he ... die ?"

"It 's possible."The investigator answered sadly."We do n't think it 's ever happened before. The early phoenixes have been avoiding this cave, up till now at to the lowest degree. It 's very matter to behavior, I was thinking of writing a paper on-"

"Shh ! Something 's happening."Lucy pointed towards the heart of the cave.

Without moving from his blot, Harry had reached out his arm and was slowly stroking the slope of Guy Fawkes'head. The halcyon shuttlecock trembled for a moment, then leant it 's capitulum into Harry 's script, cooing softly. Harry reached back with his other hand into his bag and came back with a little trash bottleful. He held it carefully to the side of the phoenix 's face.

Everyone in the cave watched, awed, as kickoff one bright split dropped into the glass. Then another. All the while Harry kept stroking Fawkes'foreland with his digit, and kept eye contact lens. Another fall in the shabu. Another. The drinking glass slowly filled to the rim with glittering liquidity before finally Harry took it away and carefully capped it.

Fawkes collapsed out of Harry 's hands, dropping onto it 's harsh nest. It was as if the emotion had been too lots for it. Fawkes just lay there as Harry put a quick sealing magical spell on the tears and turned to the marauders.

"It 's done."

"Harry how did you do that ?"Hermione asked, full eyed.

"We talked. About old times."Harry shrugged."He 's lonely."

"I wonder if phoenixes could fight those short men Voldemort has."Lucy mused."That could be really useful."

"Phoenixes do n't fight for anyone but their masters."Harry shook his head.

Hermione remembered the fold that had gathered outdoor and had the twinging distrust that might not be true.

"Anyway. We should go now. Come on."Harry sat down again and reached out a hand to Fawkes."He 's offered to be our ride home."

"Is he well enough to do that ?"Hermione stepped forward.

"He 's amercement. He 's depressed not sick."Harry motioned them towards the Bronx cheer. Hermione sat and placed her hand on Fawkes'tail assembly. Lucy did the same and Morfin slunk out of the shadows to join them.

"Thank you for helping us."Hermione turned to the shocked researcher and waved with her free hand."Sorry I could n't stay to see more of your work. Maybe I 'll come back some time."

"O ... Ok ?"

Flames rose about the marauders and everything dispersed.
*


Snape was just snipping a small piece of tomentum from the dying seer ( he needed to do More tests ) when two loud randomness disturbed his absorption. The low gear was a rushing explosion. The second was-

"HARRY potter WHAT IN MERLINS NAME-"

"What ? No one 's ever appeared in the middle of the hospital wing in a gout of flame before ?"Harry replied glibly to Madam Pomfrey as he stood from his place on the floor. The phoenix behind him made a sound somewhere between a trill and gurgle and turned as if to leave.

"Fawkes !"Harry stepped in front of the capital of Arizona and crouched back down to meet it 's eyes."Thank you."

The genus Phoenix bowed it 's head word a little.

"You know, there 's something I 've learnt recently. Something my friend are trying to shell into me."Harry smiled wryly."Destroying ourselves for the one we love is never the in good order choice."

Fawkes fluffed his feathers and bowed his brain. A import later flames sprung up around him and be vanished. Leaving ash behind.

"I hope he 's alright."Harry stood and turned towards the bed."How is she ?"

"She is getting worse."Madam Pomfrey visibly pulled herself together."We still have n't found the curse effecting her."

"When you left I wondered where you had gone."Snape folded his sleeve and nodded towards the burn mark on the floor."Now I see. You should have warned me before you left."

"Do you cerebrate it 'll work ?"Harry ignored Snape 's Christian Bible and lifted small bottle out of his pocket.

"I think it is worth trying since you have it."

"How non-committal."Harry moved shakily towards the bed. Snape could tell he was trying to stay fresh calm."What do I do ? Let her drink it or ... or let ..."

"have it to me."Snape held out his hand calmly. Harry slowly reached forward and dropped the tears into the outstretched hand. Snape leant down and softly tilted Pythea 's mouth spread wih his quarter round. He undid the stopper and allowed three bead to fall onto her lip. Snape waited. You had to allow the tears a little time to seep into the flesh then ... another three dip. Then wait.

He continued until the bottle was empty, upending the last few sparkling drop cloth with a whispered prayer of promise. He handed the bottle back and put his finger to the little seer 's neck. All day her impulse had been slow and sapless. Now ...

"zip happened."Harry took the words out of his sassing. dustup that sounded even non-white than the truth behind them."It did n't work."

"No."Snape took his hand away."It did not work."

"Maybe it just has n't taken hold yet."Lucy Kingston suggested.

"The issue would have been instantaneous."Snape shook his head.

"I so thought ..."Harry whispered."I put everything on this ... She 's going to die."

"Harry stop."Snape fixed his eyes to the tear filled ones in strawman of him."It is not over yet. This tells us something. There are very few things phoenix tears do not mend, now that we know it is one of them-"

"Stop."Harry shook violently."stop consonant trying to nominate me feel better. I gave her the ring and it 's killing her and I ca n't do anything to stop it."

"There are still avenues of probe that-"

"SHUT UP !"Harry shouted so violently that Madam Pomfrey stepped back in fear. Snape Did n't move.

"Harry. I will not indulge you."Snape spoke slowly."Yes, a luck of the responsibility for what has happened is yours. You gave her the anchor ring. But another share is mine. I worked with that ring for Clarence Shepard Day Jr. and detected zero that could cause caused this. I told you it was dependable. What has happened is also my responsibility and believe me when I say I will not have another death on my conscience. While she still breaths I will continue to believe she can be saved. As should you. Now ... I am taking some of her whisker to capital of France, to a human race expert on things such as this. I have worked with him before. I am aspirer. As for what you should do ... I suggest you stay here. And if you have any more fool around feeling about running off to distant role of the world in search of some miracle curative ..."Snape took a thick breath."... I suggest you pursue those notions to the broad because that is what you are best at, and that is how best you can help your friend."

Snape lapsed into silence, waiting. After a few moments Harry slowly nodded.

"Good."Snape turned and walked from the hospital offstage, the lock of whisker he had cut still in his hand.
*


Pursue your fool notions to the fullest.

Harry slowly walked out of the hospital wing. No one tried to stop him.

track off to distant parts of the reality in search of some miracle cure

There was no such thing as a miracle cure. If there was everyone would use it. Harry found his feet moving of their own accord, taking him on fellow routes.

Fool opinion

I am a patsy. Harry found the door he had been looking for and got out his wand. It was locked of course, but not even this door was too punishing to crack. In a few minutes Harry had the charms down and labour spread the door to Snape 's office.

run off to distant voice of the earthly concern

Snape was the one in Paris. Harry closed the room access quietly. He would n't be disturbed. His eye zoomed around the small room and came to light on one of the desk drawers. Harry checked it for trance then slowly pulled it surface and picked up the ring from inside.

Destroying yourself for the ones you love is never the right choice.

Too bad it 's the simply selection left.

"There is no miracle remedy. Not without knowing what 's wrong with her."Harry whispered into the wickedness control surface of the mob."Only one living person knows what swearing is affecting her. And I need to talk to him."

Slowly, with trembling hands, Harry slid the mob onto his finger.



Did n't think to leave it this long before posting again but I 'm in my conclusion year of uni and I had my concluding year projection. Then I had the festivity after the projection was handed in, which coincided with St Patrick 's day ... Then the celebration for the end of full term a few sidereal day later ...

Anyways once my head stopped exploding and I could motivate without screaming I got on with the news report. My workload is n't high-pitched from now on so the writing pace should pick up a bit from now on.


I do n't own Harry ceramist. Neither does THE GOVERNMENT !



Harry slid the doughnut onto his finger and sat slowly behind Snape 's desk. How would this work ? How long would it take ? Would he even be able-bodied to talk directly to Voldemort or would he just hear him in his mind ?

"It depends on how you want to talk."

Harry 's capitulum snapped up from the ring. On the former side of the desk sat Tom conundrum, sitting on the chair students used when they were called into this office. It was a wooden, hard backed chairman but he lolled in it like it was a toilet. He was n't quite the Same figure that had came out of the diary. He looked the Lapplander age but his features were ... glassy. His skin was tranquil and pale and his eyes had footling scrap of red. Through the conjuring trick eye he looked ghostly and faint, but through his true eye the iniquity lord looked real.

"What do you think of it depends ?"Harry crossed his arms.

"wellspring we can tattle like this ..."Riddle smiled. Or we can talk like this.

"Talking out loud is delicately Tommy."Harry placed his paw monotone on the desk, the ring displayed prominently forward."Tell me what you did the Pythea."

"I took over her individual. You know that."Tom Riddle chuckled. The red in his eyes sparkled."You perforate her as I remember. You do know that that 's no way to treat a lady."

"I was n't talking about that."Harry snarled."What 's happening to her now ? Some wasting curse word or something ..."

"Really ? ..."Riddle leant back in his president."That ... that is unfortunate. You must be crushed."

"Shut up."

"I must extend my mysterious condolences."

"Shut up !"Harry slammed his hired man down on the desk."Tell me what the curse is ! You obviously hid it well. When I found the pack I removed a shrivelling curse, a samyaza and something I had n't seen before that would have turned blood to conduce in my vena. What did I miss ?"

"The wind trance is called a plumb-sang."

"Tell me you bastard ! severalise me or I 'll ruin you."

"Destroy me ?"Tom crossed his weaponry."I doubt you could. And even if you could it does not count. After all I am not lord Voldemort, I am just an ... image."

"No you 're not. You 're lying."Harry chuckled."You 're more than an image. You have the nous of Voldemort at least, which means you have all his qualities. timbre like cowardliness and self conservation. I think you will secern me what I want to know."

"self saving ? Perhaps."Tom riddle leant forward."But the fact remains that you have no estimation how to destroy this ring."

"capital of Arizona flack destroyed the diary."Harry gritted his tooth together."And I know a phoenix who 's probably abut ready to burn."

"genus Phoenix ...."Tom Riddle paused and licked his lips."That will not work."

"Yes it will. You 're lying again."

"I am not ..."Riddle was breathing quickly."I have no need to lie. I am the night lord, you have no power over-"

Harry pulled the ring off his finger and the iniquity lord snapped out of existence mid sentence. Harry held the ring up to his face and said,

"Do n't think you have any kind of mightiness here Tommy."Harry slapped the ring twice against the desk with loud ringing whang."You hear me in there ? You 've got no card game here ! Understand ? You will tell me or I will kill you !"Harry slammed the band back on his finger. The dark God Almighty reappeared where he had been, his face a masque of rage.

"You can not do this to me ! I am lord Volde-"Harry pulled the ring off again.

"When I put the ring back on ..."Harry snarled."You will dangle the whole'I am Lord Snakeface'affair and tell me exactly what I want to bed or you 're going to the fire."Once again the dark Creator reappeared, eyes flaring almost good red. But he said nothing.

"Ready to babble out yet ?"Harry rubbed the set of the ring on his finger."Just say one word. The figure of the curse, that 's all you have to say and I put the ring back in the drawer and we never have to speak again."

"I ... You ca n't do this to me."The dark lord 's oculus flickered back and forth."You ... you can not ..."

"Just distinguish me the name of the curse. That 's all you have to do to avoid being burnanated. Just tell me."

"I ... I am Lord Voldemort."Tom Riddle 's teeth were gritted come together and his hands were gripped to the sides of his chair.

"No you 're not. You 're a prisoner. A prisoner who 's not even alive so there 's no essential for me to not vote out you. separate me what the scourge is."

Riddle 's breath was coming Gustavus Franklin Swift and shallow.

"William Tell me !"Harry yelled."William Tell me !"

enigma snarled like a dog.

"William Tell me !"Riddle was shaking. Not in wrath Harry realized ... He was shaking in fear. brain-teaser was terrified. Harry 's brow furrowed ... Why would he be that frighten ..."You have no theme what happened to Thea ... Whatever happened to her ... it was n't your curse ... it was n't your ring ..."

Voldemort had stopped numb, frozen in post, his eyes burning like coals.

"fountainhead ..."Harry shook his brain."That 's something at least."Harry reached for the ring and jerked it forward. It would not move. Harry 's middle jerked up. Tom conundrum was smiling like a cat.

"Well well well Potter."Riddle smirked."It seems I do have some ability after all."

Harry tried desperately to drag the halo off his fingerbreadth, it would not locomote an inch. Harry grabbed for his wand to slice the finger off but he could n't make his oral cavity speak the words.

A expectant slew of power.

Voldemort 's was in his head now, the figure gone from the former side of the desk. Harry stumbled and fell against the rough in Harlan F. Stone paries. Wait ... wall ? Harry flicked his eyes up. He was in the corridor ! He had n't moved of his own accord ... His feet were moving again ! Harry clamped his human foot down on the floor and slammed his arm against the bulwark. His wand dropped from his dead fingers.

Feeling a little less in control Mr ceramicist ?

"MYRTLE !"Harry screamed into the blank air."Vinca minor get here or get assistance !"

Calling helper from one of my old victims ?

"Someone !"Harry yelled. His wand was back in his hand ... NO ! Harry forced his fingers to open again and the wand clattered down. Harry slammed his foot down and snapped the petty sliver of wood like a branchlet. He could n't let Voldemort loose in his body in the middle of Hogwarts. Could not ...

You think you have a choice ?

"Vinca minor !"Harry fell to the floor. His muscles were twitching, every flickering component of him was trying to move."service me !"

Ha ha ha ha !

"individual !"Harry was on his feet again. Not by choice. He was staggering forward, trying to halt himself ... but."Mico marauder ! Mico anyone !"Would n't function without a wand.

There is no assist for you Mr Potter.

Harry frantically tried to skin the ring off his finger. It was n't moving. Not an inch. Black billet were flying before his eyes.

You are mine now.

"Harry what in the hell on earth ?"The representative sparked out of the air above him. Harry 's head flickered up, at the top of the stares was the commonplace and moon-sick figure of genus Draco Malfoy.

"Dragon ... It 's not the ring !"Harry croaked out. He had to tell mortal what he 'd found."Pythea ! It 's not the ring that made her throw up ! It 's ... It 's ... It 's something else !"

"Harry what 's ill-timed with you ?"

Nothing.

"Nothing."Harry clenched his teeth closed."No ! William Tell brothel keeper Pomfrey ! ... And get this bloody ri- Nothing is wrong Malfoy."

Go away you picayune traitor.

"Harry your ... your eyes."Draco 's mitt flickered to his wand."They 're red."

I 'm just tired. They are bloodshot.

"I 'm just tired."Harry 's neck muscles twisted his head in a shaking motion."They are bloodshot."

"Harry maybe we should go to the infirmary wing together."Draco 's eyes had gone hard and he had drawn his verge."I think you may be unwell."

"Unwell Malfoy ?"Harry hissed."Do n't make bold to-"

"Stop."Draco pointed his wand straight between Harry 's eyes."attracter your scepter slowly and drop it to the floor."

"Please ... friend-"

"Do it."

"Hmm ..."Voldemort twitched Harry 's sassing into a smile."I see there 's no pointedness pretending anymore. What was it that gave me away ?"

"Harry does n't call me by my last name."Draco 's center narrowed above thick smutty bagful."You 're ... something else."

"I am to a greater extent than something else."Voldemort thrust Harry 's hand forward, displaying the hoop."I am your rightful master short dog. Heel."

"Oh wonderful."Draco muttered.

"Die !"Harry 's hand was flung forward and a froth bolt of lightning flared out. Dragon dodged and flung himself to the floor. Voldemort spun Harry 's dead body for a endorsement hit but Harry flung the terminal vestige of his strength onto his treacherous heftiness. His arm stopped moving for a fraction of a second.

"Stubefy !"The red piece flashed out of Draco 's wand and everything went black.
*


Harry was used to half-baked dreams so when he found himself in a dark place broad of screaming and hissing he just sat on the floor and sentiment of orchard apple tree. After a little while the darkness faded and Harry heard the rustling of trees.

In the nighttime all around him there were snakes. Snakes in his orchard ! Harry shuddered, he was in his minuscule dream but he felt drunk. Shaking and unsettled, he looked around. The darkness was seeping in through the trees ... invading his orchard. The snake in the grass did n't look to see him, just hold open winding their way through the Tree. Four of them whispered their way through the leaves. One wrapped it 's way around the roots of the largest tree diagram, biting it 's own seat. It 's sleepless heart flashed red.

Harry glanced thick into the Sir Henry Joseph Wood. One more Snake River, lying still on the ground. Nailed in place by a wooden bet. Harry looked down at his hand. Another snake was wrapped around his finger. A bantam thin ophidian with inkiness bands.

Weird. Profetic. Harry shook his head. Not again-
*


"Harry."

Hm ... Harry slowly woke.

"Harry wake up so I can enjoin you how unspeakably foolish you have been."

"professor Snape ..."Harry shook the cobwebs out of his foreland and opened his optic. The hospital offstage was dark and empty. Snape was standing at the substructure of Harry 's hospital bed. hold ... Snape had to know !"The ring ! I found something out about-"

"I got the substance Harry."Snape 's face was a blank and furious slating."Draco understood the significance of your message."

"You need to serve Thea then."Harry struggled to rise out of the hospital bed."You need to help-"

"I already did."

Harry 's eye flashed to the bed next to him. Pytea was still lying there but ... her heartbeat ... it was stronger. It was almost as unattackable as ever.

"You ... you did it ?"Harry fell back onto his bed."You saved her."

"It was a toxin."Snape gestured towards the vaticinator."Once you made me cognizant that the ring was not the source of her affliction I began to face further afield. I found a horrendous toxicant. It acted more like a disease than a poison. As bitter as I have ever seen."

"Someone tried to vote out her ?"Harry found himself staring into shadows to try to see enemies.

"No Harry. I do not believe so."Snape tapped a small bottle he was holding in his deal."Last year you were in a dear constant state of modest toxicity. You have built up ... resistances."

"waiting ... Are you saying I 've been poisoned too ?"

"Not any more. I cured you when I cured the Pythea."Snape 's eyebrow twitched up."You were poisoned originally. The poison must have passed to her by some ... substitution of fluid."

"When I was bleeding ..."Harry cast his mid back."She kissed my forehead. She was bleeding too."

"Is that the story you 're sticking to ?"

"So mortal tried to kill me."Harry ignored Snape 's insinuation and scratched his head."I 'm thinking maybe a mathematical group of assassin-mercenaries hired by my arch nemesis ?"

"The Lie Gou are the obvious choice."

"sound like you have your doubts."

"I do."Snape shook his head."The poison was not an easterly one, far from it. It was invented in Florence. That does not mean the Lie Gou could not have acquired it but it seems ... odd."

"Odd ... grand. As if we have n't had enough odd these past few weeks."Harry rolled his centre."And what you 're saying is it 's potential there are some early people trying to kill me. Wonderful. Just my bloody luck."

"Oh end complaining Harry."A weak vocalisation spoke from the other bed."You would n't know what to do with a wearisome life."

"Theia !"Harry slid out of his sheets and stepped over to the little illusionist 's bed."Are you alright ?"

"I feel terrible Harry."Pythea raised her hand shakily up to his face."I tried to pour down you."

"I poisoned you."Harry shrugged."Besides, after all the prison term you 've saved my life history you can probably try to kill me like five or six more sentence before I get angry."

"I never saved your life Harry."Pythea smiled weakly."I just gave you the impulsion to serve yourself."

"You 're being all seerey again. stop it."Harry chuckled.

"I 'm just trying to get you in a good mood."Pythea looked away."You are n't going to like what I want to do now."

"Try me."Harry tensed.

"I want try again to skry with the ring."

"No."

"Harry we know now it was n't what made me sick."Pythea protested. Snape moved behind Harry 's berm, silently backing him up."We also know that the annulus is significant to Voldemort. There must be something to find-"

"No !"Harry cut her off."The affair does nix but lie and control, just like Voldemort. I 'm going to destruct it as soon as possible."

"I agree."Snape nodded."We can safely assume that it was like the journal. A trap for anyone who tried to follow the wickedness God Almighty 's betimes like. A deterrent to any curious investigation."

"It does n't matter what it is."Harry shook his capitulum."It 's a Crab on the world. Whether by Fawkes, some former phoenix or by some other method acting entirely that thing is toast."

Harry spoke definitely, but he could n't help but feel a lilliputian doubt. Like a snake curled around his heart.

"We have to destroy it."Harry repeated, half to himself."We have to."
*


"What do you mean they 're not flaming ?"Harry asked pointedly over the breakfast table.

"I mean they 're not."Hermione held out the missive for him to read."I wrote to the researchers as soon as you told me to but it 's too late. The Phoenix have stopped flaming for winter."

"For winter ?"Harry rolled his eyes."What do they care about winter ? They 're on flaming !"

"They 're raspberry as well as magical creatures Harry."

"Wonderful."Harry shuddered."When do they bar hibernating ?"

"Not till spring."

"Great. I have to comport this lethal parcel around for months."Harry hefted his bag on his shoulders. Since the incident the ring had always been with him. In a lead box. He was n't taking chances."And until then I 've got nothing I can do."

"You could study."

"Nothing useful."

"wellspring you could ask Professor Snape for something else to do."Hermione glanced up at the high mesa where the potions master was absent. Not strange these days.

"I know, but I do n't know If there 's anything to be done."Harry shook his head and gestured to the theme lying discarded on the mesa between them."Voldemort seems to be content with random acts of random minor unpleasantness right field now. I ca n't help thinking he 's working up to something horrendous."

"Like diagon alley ?"

"Or worse."Harry shrugged."No way to tell."

"Do you consider the fiat has any leads ?"

"I think they 'd probably order me."Harry replied honestly."Snape 's been pretty good about keeping me in the eyelet so far."

"Do you love where he 's going now ?"

"No."Harry smiled."Hopefully working."

"Well, until you find something to do,"Ginny broke in, walking past them."You can start turning up to marauder training sessions. You 've been missing them since the whole ring thing."

"Pythea was dying."Harry replied exasperated.

"So are a lot of people."Ginny replied flatly before moving off. Harry watched her go before turning back to Hermione.

"Her parent 's still have n't woken up have they ?"

"No."The bushy haired girl shook her foreland."They visit them at weekends."

"I should go with them some time."

"wellspring you 've been busy."Hermione said, in a way that indicated that was no excuse.

"Or I could just tie Draco up and leave him in Ginny 's bed."Harry continued."That 'd probably hearten her up more."

"Harry-"

"Especially if he was naked."

"Harry !"

"Oh relax."Harry chuckled,"semen on, we really should get to the piranha session. Maybe beating the lot of you around the Ionic dialect will make me sense better."
*


Snape slowed as he approached the dark stairwell and began walking down carefully. Some of the steps were almost as smooth as glass. The stair twisted down and down into the rock beneath Malfoy manor. Much further than any of the basements. Snape placed a light hand on the rampart as he proceeded down, his verge the only source of twinkle, his footsteps the only sound.

He rounded the final corner and had to shield his centre as guttering torches came into view. Stretching out before him was a hanker corridor of clean smoothing iron room access, stained inglorious from rust and prospicient radioactive decay. The decay was of no consequence, it was n't the character of the construction that kept the prisoners in this property. Snape nodded to the two screw, members of the orderliness, before turning to the third figure standing before him.

"You 're late."Helen Wills growled.

"Yes, I am. I was busy."Snape replied."Your degree ?"

"I 've had to wait down in the pit for half an hr !"

"Then you arrived fifteen minutes early and can not blame me for that."Snape strode forward past the old auror."Let us not stay this any further."

"Right."Helen Wills stomped after him, holding his wand high as the light of the torches faded into the dark behind them. Once again Snape was enveloped in silence, the cubicle themselves were soundproof. Moody finally broke the quiet."You know why I called you out here."

"Another of the prisoners seems make to break."Snape repeated what he had read in Moody 's brief letter that had arrived on his desk before breakfast."Which one ?"

"Do n't believe it 's right."Moody ignored the question, shaking his head roughly."It 's not right. You 've got us pussyfooting around these whoreson. Offering them books and shorter sentences and even freedom if they help us."

"And you think it is uneffective ?"

"I think it 's bloody wrong is what it is !"Helen Wills snarled."These men should all be behind bars for life not waited on hand and foot."

"We need information."

"Then we should be getting out the thumbscrews !"Moody thrust out a handwriting to block off Snape moving."You seriously do n't accept a problem with offering them all this clobber ?"

"offering ? No. We can offer them whatever we want. It does n't mean we will ever apply it to them. And so long as they are never given an opportunity to liken notes ? I have no problem."Snape reached out and pushed Moody 's hired man out of his way."Trust that if I deem it necessary I will have no hesitation in deploying the thumbscrews."

"Oh of that I 've got no doubt."Helen Wills 's eye looked Snape up and down in a split second before he stomped off down the corridor again. Snape followed him.

"You never told me who it is I am here to see."

"Not one of the right death eaters."Moody spat. Snape fought the urge to grow up his olfactory organ."One of the stinking criminals you-know-who dragged to his cause."

"That does not think he is useless to us."

"Captured by Harry."Helen Wills fixed Snape with a stare while still walking."At Miss Zhao 's residence. last yr, you remember."

Snape stiffened. So the man he was about to utter to had been involved in the attack on Natalie 's life. There had been a slap-up trade of unpleasantness that night. Natalie had been reluctant to spill the beans about it at length but-

"Does that deepen things ?"Moody broke Snape 's thought, his representative replete of nighttime insinuation.

"Why would it ?"Snape forced himself to reply.

"I can still get the thumbscrews."

"Perhaps later."

Helen Wills came to a stop before a door identical from the hundreds of former doors.

"His epithet 's Shepherd Kilkenny."Moody put his hired man on the door."Used to be a cursebreaker for Gringots."Helen Wills tapped his sceptre on the room access and Snape heard a bolt slam back. The old auror pushed the threshold open and allowed Snape inside. The mobile phone within was bare. Bed. Chair. Sanitary facilities. Snape had made sure the cells were as perfect as possible to promote the prisoner to break. Sometimes they would talk just out of ennui. As Snape entered the hunched trope sitting at the metrical unit of the bed straightened.

"hello Mr Kilkenny."Snape sat down on the hard-backed hot seat."I have been informed that you have something to severalise me."

"Yeah,"The man reached up and scratched behind his ear."But I got some demands."

"Do you cerebrate you are in a position to demand ?"Snape was shocked to find his articulation was still steady.

"I 've got information. Stuff you need to know. But I 've heard a lot of 'might'and 'maybe'and 'If your information cooking pan out'."The prisoner hunched."I want some guarantees."

Snape met Shepherds eyes and gently pushed. A roadblock of Occlumency met him. Of course it would be there. There would throw been no stop in this whole physical exercise if it had n't. Snape took a minute to deliberate his response. He could provide whatever he wanted, but it would not do to seem to offer too very much. There was a fringy chance that this man was not a fool.

"So long as your information is true you may bear some concessions."Snape replied steadily."A honorable lineament of livelihood. Books. Perhaps a window. Everything after that is depended on how useful I consider the selective information you give me is. So I suggest you begin taking dance step to convince me."

"I want to get out of here."The man sneered."I want year off."

"As the Wizengamot no dubiety informed you at your trial you have been sentenced to forty days here. I understand the armorial bearing were various. Using the dark arts, breaking and entering, attempted murder-"Snape found his throat going hard at the live on word and slammed his emotions down behind a wall of vacuum."And that is in gain to your original conviction for shammer that you never completed."

"give me something !"

"spring me a reason to return you something."

"I ..."Kilkenny opened his oral cavity to hollo something but snapped it shut, bringing himself into check."I 'm not young. I may not live forty years."

"Then it is in your best sake to sing, and talk soon."Snape incline forward."I am loosing patience."

"I ... I 'll talk."The prisoner hung his head word."I do n't really birth a choice do I ?"

"No."

"wellspring ..."The man rubbed his arm."You know I worked for Gringots ?"

"I was aware."

"You know that I never really worked above the card. Not just skimming off the top, selling secrets too. mass 'll pay a lot of money to live that Mr so-and-so has almost emptied his account or that some other guy makes regular payments to someone. Businessmen and the like you know ? Checking up on their rivals. Investors ..."

"I can see how that information could be useful to some."Snape indicated very clearly with his prosody that he was not one of those some.

"rightfulness, right."Kilkenny nodded."But see when the dark lord found out what I did he got all excited. Well ... not excited exactly. He does n't really get turn on but he does this affair where his eyes newsflash and he hisses a bit. Sometimes his nostril flair-"

"Mr Kilkenny-"

"right, right ... anyway. He told me to get in pinch with some of the hoi polloi who still worked at Gringots. citizenry in the Lapp line of work as me."

"Go on."Snape was very measured not to let his interestingness show.

"He got me to check on some things."

"Specifically."

"The activity on certain vaults."

"Specifically."

"Well first he wanted to see up on a vault. Get the records of who had accessed it and when."

"What burial vault ?"

"LX three. Deep one."

"Who owns it ?"

"Do n't know."

"What did the disk say ?"

"Do n't recognize. Did n't show em."

"You did n't read them ?"Snape raised his eyebrow."An enterprising man like yourself ? Always looking for an advantage ? Are you trying to tell me you did not even glimpse at the records before you handed them over ?"

"Look I had the nighttime bloody Almighty watching my every move !"Kilkenny shuddered."There 's enterprising and then there 's just stupid !"

Snape watched the prisoners eyes as he spoke. He could not read his mind but still ... Snape had not survived everything he had gone through by being dependent on any one skill. Even without legillimancy he could be reasonably confident as to whether a man was telling the trueness. On the former hired man, this man had deceived the goblin for years. He would never have survived if he was a bad lier.

"You said you contacted people still at Gringots. What were their name ?"

"Well there was only one really ..."Kilkenny scratched his read/write head."Blake Bees, he 's in the investing department."

"And he will sustain your story ?"

"Yeah ..."Kilkenny twitched.

"What are you not telling me ?"Snape asked sharply.

"hobgoblin found out he lifted the files."Kilkenny slumped."He 's in hiding somewhere. Do n't know where."

"Would he know who owned hurdle sixty three ?"

"Well ... yeah. He 'd have to to get the files."

"Very well."Snape stood."I will consider this."He turned towards the door.

"hold !"Kilkenny called out after him."Do n't you want to have a go at it about the early thing he asked."

"Other thing ?"Snape asked over his shoulder.

"Yeah, he asked me to check up on another vault."Kilkenny said desperately, trying to cash in on every trash of knowledge."I know who owned this one. Blake told me because he thought it was weird."

"How so ?"

"It was the Lestrange vault."Kilkenny spread his hands."The Lestranges worked for him. If he 'd desire something out of it he could have just got them to go in and get it."

"What did he care to know ?"

"Just who had accessed it. When I told him that no-one, not even a hob, had been in it since the Lestranges went to prison years ago he seemed ... relieved. Well not relieved exactly. He does this thing with his neck-"

"Mr Kilkenny."Snape cut him off."Was there anything else ?"

"fountainhead ... no. I just-"

Snape turned silently and rapped twice on the door. Moody opened it and Snape stepped through. As Snape put his hand on the threshold to swing it closed the captive called out shrilly.

"Please help me out of here !"He wrung his work force."I 've done bad things but I 'm not a bad person ! He looks at you and you have to do what he says or he 'll kill you. I had to ! Please. He was too a lot, I was scared ! I was-"

Snape swung the iron slab shut and Kilkenny pathetic cries were shut off suddenly. Snape and Moody were left alone in the dark. It was a long time before Snape spoke.

"Get him some books."Snape fought gall rising in his gut."And better food."

"But you said-"

"I know what I said."Snape spun and traverse off down the corridor towards the stairs. He had a bully deal to think about. With his nous occupied his finger's breadth twitched towards the hearty bandage of cicatrix on his arm.



As I promised, more shop at updates. Although at the time of writing this I am still reeling from the end of Battlestar Galactica. After watching it I was kind of in a daze for a few days, just wandering around muttering 'so say we all'and humming all along the watchtower. Should be OK by posting time though.

Update : mail time. Yep ! Fine.


I do n't own Harry Potter. On a totally different note I have some books about Parry Hotter ...



Snape tapped his fingerbreadth on the hard oak surface of his desk. There was something in what Kilkenny had told him, something important. But his judgement could not get a grip on it. He could see that there was something there, he could see the shape of it in the darkness but it was like he was missing something.

Should he throw given the prisoner what he wanted ?

It did not affair now. Snape shook his fountainhead. What he needed to think about now was how to act on the entropy he had been given. He needed to separate through the darkness and find the verity. Snape 's heart flickered to a locked chest of drawers in the corner of his billet. Within was locked Dumbledore 's pensive, the old man 's gift to him. Snape did n't make out why, it had been empty when he received it, and the two of them had not been on the best of term when the old whiz died.

Perhaps he had simply written him into his will age ago and never changed it. Snape walked slowly over to the chest and clicked the door latch open. He levitated the wakeless bowl over to stand on his desk and stepped back. He was about to lift his wand to his synagogue when a thought process faded into his mind like a ghost.

It was an image, some think affair. Dumbledore sitting in his office in the dark, the only light the swoon silver medal radiance of storage. Alone.

Snape lowered his wand.

"Was this part of the reason ?"Snape murmured."You took no council but your own. Your own memories to head you. Living in the past."

Another mental image faded into his mind. Dumbledore proclivity over the eloquent surface gazing into a boldness in the mirror surface. A girls look, with the Lapp deep center as the old man's.

"I suppose it would be more difficult to let go of guilt feelings ..."Snape conceded."When the memory is so close. He could walk with his baby every day. He should not have ... but he could have."

But even as he said it Snape realized that that would not be the memory Dumbledore would relive. It would be the second of her death. Not knowing who had really fired the spell that killed her ... He would have relived it again and again, trying to recover out. Living in guilt. Or wallowing in it.

Pathetic.

Snape could n't stop himself from thinking it. Even now he could get hold only token sympathy for the old sap. But the one thing he knew with an iron certainty was that he could never let himself turn like him. He had to make council early than his own. Reliving the confrontation would tell him goose egg he did not already know, allowing someone else to see it might.

His thinking instantly turned to Natalie, but he had already sent her on designation. Analysing a recent attack site. He could call her back but ... Who else ? Minerva was an obvious choice, but her creative thinker worked too similarly to his own. She would give birth no insights he himself had not already had. Michelson ? No. As much as Snape had come to trust the man for his fighting endowment shade was not his strong suit. So perhaps ... well he had promised to go on him updated.

Snape summoned his patronus and whispered a message too it before allowing it to blow off through a rampart. He did not have to wait long, after just a minute of arc or so there was a whack on the door.

"come in Harry."The door swung overt and the student stepped inside. He appeared to have just run a marathon."You have been training ?"

"How did you approximate ?"Harry walked over to the desk. Snape deliberately did not mention how much the boy was limping."What did you name me for ? The message was kind of cryptic."

"Here."Snape drew his wand to his synagogue."It will be simpler if you see for yourself."He drew the retentivity out of his head and let it come softly into the pensive."Do you acknowledge what this is ?"

"A memory."Harry shifted around so that he could look down into it. He lean forward, then hesitated."Do you want to go first ?"

"I will not be coming. I do not wish to bias your interpretation."Snape motioned Harry to proceed. The boy nodded and dipped his heading into the bowl. His organic structure went quagmire and Snape knew that at that moment Harry was seeing dark stairs.

He waited several instant, tapping his desk in impatience before Harry lifted his typeface from the silver liquid.

"When did this go on ?"Was the first affair the boy said.

"Just now."Snape scooped up the computer storage and fed it back into his head. He wanted the noesis fresh."I would like to hear your interpretation."

"Why ?"Harry crooked an eyebrow.

"Because it may be different from mine."

"But why me ?"

"Just tell me what you saw Pott-"Snape bit off the end of that judgment of conviction and licked his backtalk. He tried again."I have been thinking punishing on these events, very hard, and I have ... met, shall we say ... cognitive engine block. I need newly eyes. Yours have usually been good."

"The magic eye did n't work in the memory."

"That is not what I meant."Snape heard iritation re-enter his voice.

"Right, right ..."Harry carefully dropped back into a chair, once again sparing his offend leg."Well ... clearly Voldemort was after two severalise things ... It sounded like the first matter was ... was something he wanted to get. The thing in vault sixty-three. It belonged to someone else and he was looking for it, or wanted to see, or something."

Snape was about to nod, but thought better of it. Better to get an unbiased view even though Harry 's intellection mirrored his own.

"So that was something he wanted to get. The early matter ..."Harry scratched his top dog."If he had wanted something out of the vault he would have just sent a Lestrange down to get it. It sounds like he was just checking no-one had been in while he was away. Like he was checking up on it. Which means that there 's something in there he wants kept safe."

Snape knew he had called the right person.

"I remember ..."Harry 's forehead creased."I remember last year ... right at the start. The order get together I listened in on. Did n't you say the dark God Almighty had you experimenting with polyjuice potion so it would work with non-humans ? Could the hob have been the prey ?"

Snape schooled his expression with an effort of will. He had not made that connection.

"And that was about the clock time Barty Crouch vanished into thin air."Harry put forward."And his forte is sneaking, disguises ... Am I making any sense ?"

"So what you are saying."Snape said slowly."Is that the dark lord guessed, or hump, the location of an item, questioned a former cursebreaker to be sure and sent his serious spy in to acquire it. Is that what you are saying ?"

"Yes ?"Harry said hesitantly."But delay ... that does n't make any sense. Barty Crouch was missing for about a yr. If he tried to break in would n't he either manage it quickly or go bad quickly ? Not hang around for months."

"It would depend."Snape said thoughtfully."If he wished to steal the item without anyone realising it was gone. Then that would necessitate preparation ... inquiry ... It might well take in time."

"He would have to get close."Harry nodded."Probably get himself hired on to the Gringots staff. He certainly has the skills to be a cursebreaker."

"The goblin check their employees for disguises."

"They check for magical disguises."Harry smiled."What are the two most salient feature of Crouch ? That everyone remembers ? His blond tomentum and the fact that he looks very Whitney Young for his age. If he dyed his hair's-breadth and grew a beard he could probably go unnoticed without any magical help whatsoever."

"Such a someone would be memorable."Snape could feel the while clicking into place in his intellect."I wonder if William Weasley recollection such an individual."

"Who ?"

"eyeshade Weasley."

"Ah !"

"If we could find what Crouch took we might be capable to venture the dark Almighty plans."Snape stood."Thank you Harry. Your insight were most helpful. I will inform you if Weasley recalls anything."

"rightfield, you do that."Harry grinned evilly."I 'll wait for a rat in his bolthole."

"A ... rat ?"

"Mr Blake Bees, the informant in Gringots. The one in hiding."Harry tapped his temple knowingly."If he was in the business someone at the tarot may know how to get in contact with him. He can tell us who 's vault it was, and maybe more."

"Take backup."The language dropped from Snape 's mouth before his mind had even formulated them."Do not go to that place alone."

"For god 's sake !"Harry threw his hired man up."I keep telling people this, the Tarot is n't life-threatening. The masses there might coldly social club a hit on you but they 're not going to smash a bottle against the board and do the job themselves."

"Even so."Snape raised a hand to stop Harry from commenting further."As we have seen today, four eyes see more than two."

"Not more than my eyes-"

"takings someone Harry."Snape allowed the smell of instruction to enter his voice."A piranha or an parliamentary procedure member, I do not worry. But you will consume someone."

Harry 's eye twitched and he opened his oral fissure as if to comment again, then shut it suddenly. He nodded.

"Fine. Understood."Harry made a mocking bow."I hear and obey oh glorious leader."

"One early small matter."Snape drew his wand."If something goes wrong you will need a way out."

"I keep telling you-"

"Not just now Harry, in other situations as well."Snape raised his verge to Harry 's face."Hold quite still."

"Is this going to hurt ?"Harry asked quickly.

"I have no idea."Snape smiled, and cast the spell.
*


"Harry you are well aware that this is not what Snape meant."Pythea raised an eyebrow as Harry pointed to a large pub with a star on it 's augury."He told you to impart backup."

"He told me he did n't worry who."Harry pointed out.

"Harry I ca n't fight."

"I do n't need you to."Harry led the seer towards the door."This seat is as good as Hogwarts. Safer probably. The people who drink here are sticklers for propriety though. I needed someone who would n't make a prospect, person who could do refinement. Do any of the marauders fit that bill as well as you ? genus Draco maybe, but it was full moon last night."

"Padma, Hermione, Ginerva ..."

"Ginny 's grown less predictable."Harry shook his head."Padma 's an outside potential but really it had to be you. This solid thing is about gathering information and who better to avail than a seer. I need you to watch multitude 's eyes."

"I ca n't understand minds any Sir Thomas More Harry."

"And yet you still know what hoi polloi are thinking half the time."Harry reached the door and stopped, his hired hand raised."Please Thea, come in with me."

"Harry ..."Pythea took a deep breath."Fine."

Harry smiled and pushed the door unfastened. Within the place looked like any other pub in a coastal town. There was a holler fire in the grate and aspect on the paries of fish and fish colligate natural process. The low murmur of conversation filled the air but no-one looked up as he entered. They had their own cares mainly. Harry led the was confidently to the bar.

guild whatever you want.

Harry flashed into Pythea 's mind before turning to the barmen and ordering his own crapulence. After Harry had handed over his money he led them to a mesa near the attack and slid a coaster under the illusionist 's wine.

"drinking are substance here."Harry explained."If it 's on a coaster, that means the only message is that you were thirsty."

"I see."Pythea replied, taking a sip of drink and carefully placing the glass back on the mat."And what does yours mean ?"

"Well, it 's golden and expensive ..."Harry pored the whisky into his division."What do you think ?"

"Was it essential to buy such an expensive bottle ?"

"It never hurts here to testify you have money."

"And why Irish whisky ?"

"Well,"Harry grinned."Got to support my country of origin do n't I ?"

"So what do we do now ?"Pythea glanced around, still speaking quietly."Simply hold back for mortal to notice ?"

"That 's now it works."Harry shrugged. He raised his glass to his backtalk but did not drink any. It would definitely not do to lose focus here. He tried not to even breath in any of the exhaust."Besides, it 's a nice lieu to drop the afternoon."Harry gestured out the window at the coast below. The wintertime hint were whipping the wafture to peaks before crashing them against the beach. Out further a few boats were still visible, bobbing up and down.

"I suppose it is not so bad."Pythea smiled."This property is quite pleasant. I did not expect it to be so ..."

"Homely ?"

"Peaceful."Pythea glanced around."That man has absinthe. What does that mean ?"

"Ca n't remember ..."Harry scratched his head."It either means he 's selling heroin or buying homo organ. Ca n't remember which."

"And you say this seat is safe ?"Pythea quirked an eyebrow.

"I said rubber. I did n't say nice."

Pythea shook her head and chuckled, then grew quiet as a man approached their table.

Time to go to work.

Harry smiled.
*


"This is the man we are looking for."Snape slid a picture of Crouch over the table towards the powdered ginger haired Danton True Young man at the other end.

"He does n't look like anyone I know."account Weasley shook his head tiredly."face I know what Barty crouch looks like, all the order do. If I had seen him I would have-"

"He would stimulate concealed his identity."Snape waved his bridge player over the photo and the facial expression grew a short beard."Or this ?"The picture 's hair went calamitous."looking at at the centre. They will not receive changed."

"expression if I had seen him I would kn-"peak froze suddenly."Can you constitute him bald ? hold the beard."

Snape made the changes.

"And dark-brown beard. Make it bushier."handbill leant over the photo."I ... I do remember him."

"Do you."Snape kept his voice calm as the pieces fell together."When ?"

"Only a few metre ... He was working in a dissimilar department."

"Working on what ?"

"I do n't know."beak rubbed his os frontale."They do n't recount us what other people are working on."

"How long was he there ?"

"I do n't know. I have n't seen him recently."

"Who worked with him ?"

"I do n't know."

"Find out."Snape ordered flatly.

"I can't."Bill shook his head."The hob are getting rid of humans left, right field and nitty-gritty. They 're looking for an excuse. And with mum and dad still in hospital I can't-"

"This could be very important."Snape snapped."Are you a member of the order or not ?"

"Yes but-"

"Then recover out where he worked, what he worked on and who he worked with."Snape run forward."And line up out who owned burial vault LX three."

"I could get fired !"

"You could be killed."Snape replied coldly."The goblin tend to be very direct about threats to their gold. So I suggest you find out carefully."
*


"Is this the place ?"Harry looked up at the dingy and break dance apartment building.

"This is the address the man mentioned."Pythea glanced down at the bedding material strew street. Her face was ... not impressed.

"Certainly something going on up there."Harry squinted up."The top floor 's all fuzzy."Harry blinked a twain of times and rubbed his eyeball on his sleeve before peering up again."Nope, ca n't see anything. You see anything ?"

"I 'll try ..."Pythea closed her optic."Could you abuse away please ?"

"What ?"

"Just take a few footstep away please Harry."Pythea was staring, close eyed, at the sky."Just trust me."

Harry stepped back, frowning. For a few moments the prophesier stood there, staring up at the sky. Then she nodded.

"There is someone up there."

"Well that 's promising."Harry drew his wand."You apparate back to Hogwarts I 'll tally it out."

"No."

"Damn."

"You must receive known I was going to say that."

"I thought you were going to be a bit Sir Thomas More abstract. Like'I 'll never abandon you .'or 'Damn you Harry you do n't have to go it alone !'”

"I 'm thought the gist would be greater if I was less profound."

"Well, we should get on with it then."Harry stepped off the pavement towards the construction."Stay behind me and discourage me if your crazy sixth sensation picks up anything. If the first five do as well. And if he attacks or something just shield and run."

"No."

"Damn."

Harry pushed the front door loose. It creaked a little. The inside was even more decrepit and covered in graffiti. Harry 's eye flickered up the building. It was n't totally vacate, one man sleeping on the second floor, two children apparently home alone on the next floor up, a cat ... Then the blankness of the top storey. Harry kept his eye trained on the top base as the two of them climbed up and up. As they reached the top storey Harry slowed to a crawl.

The door was already open.

"Seer senses seeing anything ?"

"No."Pythea was hanging back a few footfall."Are yours ?"

"No ..."Harry paused and turned, smiling."This is a fun first date is n't it ?"

"Harry this is hardly the fourth dimension !"

"Fine."Harry shrugged and turned back."book binding to seriousness."Harry silenced the doorway and disillusioned both himself and Pythea. In the bluing luminosity of his eye he saw the little seer pic out the marauder glasses. He pushed the threshold open and edged into the disconsolate little directly. The blink of an eye he got through the door his eye shut down, plunging him into uncomfortable darkness. After over a year of super powered sight having it ripped away felt horrifically claustrophobic.

"Pythea stay close I ca n't see you any more."Harry whispered. A hand brushed lightly against the back of his neck."God I hope it 's you doing that."

Harry glanced into a dark and evacuate press before sliding forward. rake. Harry sniffed again, definitely origin. Harry put his hand against the doorway to the bedroom and pushed it open slowly. A soundbox lay sprawled on the level, blood line seeping into the rug, cervix slashed ear to ear. Blake Bees, the Gringots informant. They were too late. Harry aimed his verge and whispered a charm. A tiny red glow was seeable for a consequence above the dead man. Still warm.

A tiny tap came on the rachis of Harry 's neck opening and a barely pick up part said ...

"Remember, I saw life up here."

Harry gritted his teeth. He had remembered. Harry felt subterfuge without his eye. Lacking in deepness perception certainly. Life up here did n't necessarily have in mind the murderer was still here. It could cause just been the victim slowly and excruciatingly bleeding out.

"Thea leave now."

"Harry-"

"This time I 'm se-"A ripple of air was the only warning Harry got. He dropped to the floor as the tongue flashed over his read/write head. In a sliver of a back he spun."Depulso !"Harry aimed the patch behind him, a knifelike thigh-slapper sounded and Pythea was thrown back through the spread out door. A 2nd patch slammed the door shut but Harry was already rolling to his invertebrate foot with his wand outstretched.

"Augmenta."The watercourse of urine splashed against the invisible assassinator, outlining him in droplets."Ferio !"The Lie Gou ducked and launched forward, blade flashing for Harry 's neck.

Harry knocked it aside desperately but the mute grampus was on him, forcing him to the level with inhuman speciality. Harry was using all his enduringness to keep open the blade from his throat, his other arm pinned, fingerbreadth curling around his radiocarpal joint. He could n't carry on, the urine made it too slippery. Closer and closer.

Harry let his legs fold and heard his opponent grunt as the weightiness hit his arms. Harry jabbed his chief forward and hit something, he kicked out and snapped the legs out from under the silent killer. A twanging thunk sounded the right way next to his head and Harry saw a knife appear from nowhere, dropped from numb digit. Harry was on it like a news bulletin and stabbed forward. Red pedigree fountained from invisible shape. The finger around his arm tightened like a vice ... then finally released.

Before Harry 's eyes the Lie Gou assassin flashed into view, falling to the floor. The charm fading as the life ebbed out of it 's caster. The door burst open.

"Harry how dare y-"Pythea 's eyes flashed to Harry, on the base and covered in blood. Her eyes went wide.

"I 'm mulct. It 's his."Harry said breathlessly.

"Harry is he ... is he dead."Pythea still had n't moved from the doorway.

"Yeah."The knife fell slowly from Harry 's finger."He is."

"He was trying to kill you."

"They always are."Harry slowly pushed himself to his metrical unit and took a breath. Blood filled his nose."We need the order here. They should go over the topographic point ... maybe find something."Harry 's leg was buckling under him and his eye cast around for him walking stick. It was lying right in the middle of the syndicate of stemma. He let it be.

"Harry ... you 're not aright."A normal individual would have said 'are you aright', but they would consume been dopey to do it.

"I 'll be ticket, later. It 's just ... this is one of those prison term I 'd rather be Jack."Harry laughed humourlessly and limped over to the door.
*


An hour later and Harry was sitting on the cold stone's throw in a courtyard at Hogwarts. book binding at the matt a police roadblock had been set up and aurors dressed as coppers were trying to keep people out. Inside more than aurors would be peering around and poking matter. Harry had left, he had wanted to bide so he knew what was happening, but Shacklebolt had turned up and Harry had n't felt like explaining everything again. He had slipped off into the dark.

"You should not take in brought the seer."Snape 's voice did not catch Harry by surprisal. Neither did his words or the stern tone.

"I know. It was a mistake."Harry nodded, not looking as the professor approached."I could get got her killed."

"I told you to bring competent backup."

"And you were right."Harry 's voice was deadened."Can we please move on."

"As you wish."Snape conjured a chair and sat down face-to-face Harry. He looked well-worn. Harry was sure as shooting he himself looked worse.

"They find anything up there ?"

"No, and at this point in time I do not carry they will."Only someone who knew Snape would have detected the frustration in his vox."There were signs that certain documents had been burnt just before you arrived here, whether by the dupe or his killer it matters little. There is nix here."

"Tell me your probe turned up something."Harry glanced up at Snape, not daring to hope. Snape shook his head.

"Damnit ...."Harry dropped his brain to his men."perfectly end then. Unless we ask the goblins directly. Or we could get Kingsley to ask them-"

"No."Snape shook his head."I believe our best hope is to set aside William Weasley to learn the documents we need. If we petition the goblins directly at the same time they will certainly become suspicious."

"So we do what ? Wait and hope that Bill succeeds ?"Harry snorted."What do we do in the mean time ? Just sit on our hired hand ?"

"I have many thing to do."Snape said dryly."As for you ... I suggest you try to have a Merry Christmas."

"Ha !"Harry laughed mirthlessly."That 's not going to happen-"Harry 's words were cut off as a crossbow deadbolt thudded into his back.
*


For some understanding the former chapter got chopped off weirdly. There was meant to be a unanimous nother scene but somehow it just dropped off the face of the dry land. I did n't notice until it was validated and put up. Wierd ... Serves me right for not checking my chapters properly before I post them I guess.

Anyways that aspect can go at the start of this chapter just as easily. Just letting you know I did n't intend to give you another cliffhanger.



Harry spun like a top and fired madly at the Caucasian name on the roof. It ducked like a ghost but Harry could still see him dashing away. Ignoring Snape 's rallying cry Harry shot a hook at the roofing tile and was jerked off his feet, clattering onto the tile. His leg screamed in pain as Harry scrambled to the peak of the roof. The white figure was far away, Harry knew he would n't be able to watch him. Harry stabbed his wand forward and fired a curse. The figure shielded easily without even stopping. Harry spun his wand like and felt the tiles beneath his startle. He tried to continue on top of them as they hovered and spun forwards. He shut his heart and used only the magic one, his real eye could n't succeed fast enough. The figure was already too far away, too fast. Harry yelled,

"Tempesto !"The wind smashed into his side and threw him through the air, barely in restraint, before thudding to the smoke and rolling. Everything hurt. Harry rolled to his invertebrate foot and stumbled towards the forest. He could see the anatomy belting through the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. Harry dashed towards the moody fo-

DANGER !

Harry 's eye caught a glimpse too late. Harry skidded on the leaf as four arrows flashed above his straits. He scrambled backwards back onto the grass and stopped, wand outstretched and breathing heavily.

Through the dark trees, in the stale light of his eye, Harry could see his assassin standing out of view. Dotted all around were centaurs, each one with a pointer notched to his bow. They were just waiting for him to bilk the furrow back into the wood. Harry glanced at one of the arrows embedded in the flat coat, they wanted to kill him. The Centaur would n't fleet the melodic line, apparently the strange, Caucasian clad bravo had no such compunction.

Harry stood up and watched as the Centaur and their unusual friend turned and slowly retreat into the wood.

"Harry !"

Harry turned and saw Snape hurrying toward him.

"He got away."Harry staggered forward, limping."It was n't one of the Lie Gou. I could see his face he was European ... had a scar-"

"Harry you have an pointer in you."Snape said, surprisingly calmly.

"What ? Oh ..."Harry looked over his shoulder"That 's not an arrow, it 's a crossbow deadbolt. Common mistake."

"Harry do not expect me to be surprised by the fact that you 're alive."Snape crossed his arms.

"Spoilsport."Harry tugged the bolt of lightning out. It 's point was crushed and blunted."It 's the pelage. It 's got enough magic spell to stop a tank."

"springiness me the arrow."

"Bolt."

"Cease this Harry."

"Fine."Harry rolled his eyes and tossed the arrow to his instructor."Who do you think it was ?"

"How could I possibly know that Harry."Snape said sharply."In a usual situation I am sure the aurors would ask if you had any foeman however-"

"Futile."

"Correct."

"You think it was the centaurs ?"Harry glanced back into the Sir Henry Wood. There was nothing to be seen now, not a thing was moving."Do you think they hired somebody to defeat me ?"

"Why would they care to do that ?"Snape 's optic narrowed.

"I ... finale time I met Centaur they said I was an abomination."Harry said hesitantly."They said they 'd shoot down me if I ever went into the woods again."

"And you ..."

"Went into the wood again."

"I am not remotely surprised."

"But why would they wait this hanker to try something ?"Harry scratched his point."Does n't add up."

"The ministry has mean of contacting the Centaurus elders."Snape said quietly, staring into the dark forest."I will try to construct contact."

"Carefully."

"Yes, carefully."

"Definitely."
*


"Have a good christmas Harry. Keep training."Ginny one-half smiled, faintly at Harry before turning and trudging away from the Hogwarts gates through the snow. Hunched over with her hired hand in her pocket, the smile would n't have fooled most people so it certainly did n't fool around Harry.. He thought about calling after her but instead shook his head and turned to Ron and the twins, who had come to pick the schooling age Weasleys up.

"Try to make sure she smiles at least once a day."

"We 'll try Harry."Fred sighed."No promises."

"And if I signal, come running."Harry held up an 'M'badge. The twins knew what he meant, they had created the charm. It was like the wickedness marks just a little less ... perminant. Every piranha had one and they could bring them directly to Harry wherever he was."We 'll ... not running ... Teleporting. But you get the idea."

"Aye aye, sir."Fred saluted comedically.

They turned to give and Harry trudged back towards the castle. Draco was standing in the doorway, leaning against a mainstay. His face was grey and lined, obviously survive night 's moon had n't been kind to him. Harry was n't in a mood to be sympathetic.

"You could at least show here some human sympathy."Harry said flatly.

"And what would that do ?"Draco growled."It would just collapse her hope for something that ca n't ever happen."

"Why the snake pit not ?"

"Shut up Potter. You do n't understand."

"Oh god that again."

"You ca n't ever empathize !"Draco shoved Harry away roughly.

"I understand that you 're giving the low temperature shoulder to a miss who 's parents are still being fed on drips."Harry said harshly. He 'd tried everything else, maybe dullness would get through Draco 's thick skull.

"I do n't desire to hurt her."

"You are hurting her !"Harry pointed away at the distant figure, trudging through the snow a distance away from her brothers.

"I 'm a werewolf."Dragon muttered."I ca n't do ... I ca n't deliver a girlfriend."

"Lupin apparently thinks differently."

"Well that 's bloody Lupin 's pick is n't it !"Draco spun and fixed Harry with an wild glare."Just shut out up about things you do n't empathize Potter."

"I understand enough to make love that the lycanthrope thing is just an excuse."Harry spat back. Draco 's optic flashed wide, the words biting trench. Harry pressed on."So what you 're effectively doing Draco, making Ginny miserable for no good ground and then claiming it 's because you 're being noble. Like you 're taking the high school ground when really all you 're doing is-"

"Shut up."Dragon 's wand was in his hand somehow."Just shut up Harry. Shut up."

"Fine."Harry held his hands up."Whatever. I can see I 'm not going to get a true answer out of the twisted oaf of conflicting abstract thought, ego hatred and treacherously sacrifice shaped by the twin forces of teenage arrogance and luxuria you call your brain. Come on, we 've got a petty project for this holiday season. It 'll be fun."

"Oh really ? And what is this projection ?"Draco asked sharply.

"Simple, the ring."Harry patted his bag."I do n't buy that phoenix flame is the only way to demolish the thing. Got to be something else that can do the job, we 're going to feel it."

"So essentially ..."Draco narrowed his eyes."You want to inquiry the most in-sainly destructive piece known to wizard-kind."

"Yes."Harry smiled."Told you it 'd be fun."
*


In the end they only found two things that could match the magnate of capital of Arizona flame, and neither of them were pleasant. One of them at to the lowest degree seem tardily to aquire, at least at inaugural ...

"What do you imply 'You burnt it'?"Harry asked shrilly.

"Burnt it years ago."Markus Albert Abraham Michelson shrugged."The day after you killed it. Went back down into the sleeping accommodation of secrets and torched the affair. zip left but ashes and I scattered them pretty widely."

"You ... you torched the bassilisk ..."Harry sighed."You did n't happen to keep a tooth as ... as like a token or something ?"

"The teeth and the venom are the most serious part, whole reason I got rid of the thing."A. A. Michelson 's supercilium furrowed."Why ?"

Harry told him. Michelson cursed and punched the wall.

"So ..."Harry said, after leaving the defense team professor 's berth."That leaves the other option."

"I do not desire to use the former option."Draco remarked darkly.

"You know the incantation."

"It 's not a matter of knowing."Draco shook his head."This is fiendfyre we 're talking about. It grows out of control, it can consume it 's caster and everything around him."

"Hence why we need to go somewhere we 're there 's nothing to consume."Harry said simply."I know fiendfyre 's serious but if we go somewhere deserted we ca n't anguish anyone."

"Except ourselves."

"True, but you 're self-destructive on accounting of being a werewolf and I 'm disturbed enough not to care. What have we got to lose ?"

"commodity point."Draco cracked a wry smile."Do you have a property that will be deserted enough ?"

"I have just the place in mind."Harry nodded."We 'll get Morfin to get us there. Do n't want to put Pythea in danger again."

"Does Morfin know the plaza well enough to apparate to it ?"

"Oh yes ..."Harry grinned again, this time less pleasantly."He lived there most of his life."
*


The moving ridge crashed harshly against the cliffs of Azkaban island, sending up sheets of spray. The wind was bitingly moth-eaten, whistling through the ruins of the prison with terrifying speed. Harry stood with his expression into the malarky and breathed in the majesty of it, better able to appreciate the power of nature when the magic spell worked into his coat kept him pleasantly warm.

"Where shall we do this ?"Draco had to raise his articulation against the wind. Harry had cast warming magical spell on both him and Morfin but they still had to get by with the sheer force of the gale.

"Suppose it does n't really matter."Harry shrugged and pointed to what looked like the remains of a courtyard."Over there I guess."Harry turned to Morfin."Oh, and nominate sure none of Smokey 's friends come near here OK ? Would n't require them getting hurt."

"Smokey 's champion ?"Draco asked.

"Invisible, magical, poisonous snakes."Harry smiled."They live on this island. Morfin told me."

"The ministry does n't know about them."

"That would be because they 're A : inconspicuous. B : Solely indigenous to an island at the arse end of nowhere and C : Fed mostly on prisoners the dementors had already killed. Though I suppose they probably eat seagull now."Harry came to a period in the middle of the courtyard and reached back into his bag. He took out the package the doughnut was in and put it on the ground without bothering to let out it. No call touching it more than than was necessary.

"Do you have the championship program ?"A hint of nervousness had entered Dragon 's phonation. Harry did n't answer but instead drew two broomstick out of his bag. He handed one to Morfin and the got on the early himself. Each of them grabbed one of Dragon 's shoulder's.

"Why am I trusting my refuge to your flying ability."Dragon shuddered.

"I may not be a great broadside genus Draco but I can go straight up."Harry rolled his eyes."Quit stalling and torch the thing already. If this does n't work we 'll try dropping it in a volcano."

"Do n't rush me Harry."Draco grated."You 're not the one channelling hellish flame through your fingernails."

"I did put up to-"

"Do n't even say it."Dragon broke in."You 're not ... focussed enough to save this magnate in check."

"I do know Legilimancy."Harry said indignantly."And occlumency. And I can juggle knives, do n't recite me that does n't need focus."

"Get on with it ..."Morfin hissed darkly, his eyes flickering back and forth. Being back on the island was perhaps effecting him a bit Sir Thomas More than he was letting on.

"Aright ..."Draco gritted his teeth and raised his munition. He closed his eyes and began to intonate, a red glow rising from his handwriting. The air was growing heater, sparking with vim. Harry gripped his friend 's arm harder. His eye was picking up unusual shadows out of the air, things with strange, sharp, silhouettes. Spinning like a a whirlpool, settling into genus Draco 's hands, draining in. Each meter one of them touched the shaking Slytherin 's hands the heat energy grew and the air sparked.

"Draco ..."Harry started."Maybe we shouldn't-"

"Now !"Draco 's eyes flashed spread out and the court filled with blood red flame. Both of Harry 's eyes were blinded by the sudden burst of light and witching, he tried to shield his eyes but it was n't any good.

"Draco ! You 'll have to evidence me if it goes out of control I ca n't see !"Harry could see the schema of the current of push flowing out of his Quaker 's hands. It shifted and moved and seemed to be trying to discontinue unloose. For a minute the wing of an eagle formed out of the flame, Draco seemed to strain and the wing vanished. A horse head exploded out a moment later and Draco again squashed it down.

"Dragon ..."

"I 've got it."The sawhorse head reared up again, it 's eyes wide, and tried to jump at the three maven. Draco yelled in pain and it was subsumed again into the watercourse of flame.

"Draco-"

"I 've GOT IT !"

"You do n't !"

"I 've got it !"

An elephant breached out of the nowhere and charged towards them. Harry whipped his wand out and blew the flaming creation into zilch. more than animal began flashing out of the flame, more and more. Harry swore and yelled,

"UP ! We 're leaving !"

Harry jerked the broom under him up, it rose jerkily. Harry kicked it and it flew a slight faster. Something with claws jumped at him and Harry flashed a flame-freezing charm at it before remembering it did n't employment of fiendfyre and having to blow it up. Fragments of the beast peppered him with burns and he yelled in pain. The broom shot up and the air slowly grew colder. Harry 's arm ached and he looked over to see Draco hanging between him and Morfin.

"You aright mate ?"Harry tried to yell but his words were carried away by the bellowing flame. Red droplets of fiendfyre were still dripping from the werewolves fingers, but they were petering out. Slowly. Harry heaved upwards and ( minus a hideous wobble when the broom tried to go it 's own way ) dragged Malfoy up onto his broom. Harry waved Morfin back and hovered away himself, keeping a death clutch on the handle of the broomstick.

As they got further away Harry could truly see the devastation the fervidness was reaping. lightlessness rock-and-roll was giving way to flame out from the court. The roaring maelstrom of animal was pooling out like some variety of flaming mould.

Harry cursed, it would be easily visible from the mainland. That could cause unhelpful questions. Harry drew his wand and thought for a moment ... there was no way he could vanish the island, or gain an phantasy to cover it, which meant going for something more basic.

"Nebulosus."Harry dipped his wand down and allowed a stocky mist to drain out. He felt the Scots heather move underneath him and panicked for a moment before realising that Dragon was doing it, moving him into a easily position.

Harry slowly built up a wall of mist between the island and the mainland. When he was finished the fire was still burning firm and stretching out to cover a skillful quarter of the prison isle. They had to wait over an hour, hovering in the Atlantic malarky before the last of it died out. Harry let Draco take the ling down slowly and slipped off.

"Ow ! Ow ! Argh !"Harry shot back into the air and grabbed back onto the broom. Wincing as his feet slowly cooled from burning to blistering.

"Harry you 're an idiot."

"Shut up."Harry muttered a cooling charm at the floor and stepped back down. The warmth had been rendered bearable. But only just. With buy at appealingness to cool his path Harry made his way to the scorch ruins of the courtyard and peered at the floor. His wand made whispering of malarkey to brush away the glowing coal and Harry saw a little flicker of spark. The Harlan Fisk Stone of the ring had been burnt away but the Au had simply melted, covering the Harlan F. Stone with a golden sheen. Harry bent down and hesitantly laid his hand on the shining metal.

"Anybody in there ?"

Harry projected the thought down. He waited a few moments but nothing came back. Harry shrugged and pointed his wand at the pavement. With a grating moan the stone came justify. Harry levitated it into his bag.

"You 're taking it with us ?"Draco called out incredulously from his pole gamey above.

"I want to ready sure."Harry shrugged."Snape can-"But he was cut off as a flash of Light Within lit up the night sky and a trunk fell from the air with a clunk. Morfin sprawled on the ground, unmoving. Harry rushed over to him but even before he did there was another flash and Draco tumbled out of the sky like a numb bird.

Harry 's sceptre was already in his hand, his eye scanning helplessly for an foeman, a clue, ANYTHING ! But there was nothing, for all he could see they were alone. The only sound was the slow cooling of the rock.

"Who are you ?"Harry called out."Voldemort ?"

"No."

Harry spun but he was too slow, the ravisher caught him in the chest. He just had time to see Sasori 's mocking middle before the darkness closed in.
*


"You brought him in alive ?"

Harry was conversant enough with unconsciousness to get laid how it usually went.

"I thought it was prudent. They were doing something rather strange."

First you could only hear the voices.

"And what was that pray ?"

It was dependable to stretch out this part out as long as possible. You were still mostly knocked out so masses generally did n't discover you were listening.

"They went there to put down something. The Malfoy boy called fiendfyre but was unable to verify it."

"Foolish children. Playing with dangerous toys."

Ah. Now that voice Harry recognised. They took me to Voldemort. Harry 's gut clenched and he slipped into full cognizance. He was lying on a low temperature Edward Durell Stone story, but smooth. Maybe marble ? No, not that smooth. Harry realized that with his eyes shut he was completely blind. There was also a nauseating empty impression in his eye socket. Harry cursed silently. His illusion eye was gone. Harry could feel some sort of bond around his wrists. He could n't sense a knot, or a curl. Maybe if he-

"Mr ceramicist I know you are awake."The vocalism of Voldemort cut through the dark."We 've been through this many times before do not think you can cozen me."Harry snorted and flicked his eyelids open.

"Just like old clip eh Tommy ?"Harry levered himself up onto his human knee. Voldemort was standing just a few whole step away, looking faintly amused. His skin was perhaps a cutaneous senses swooning than before, even a little pinker. He even almost had a poke. He looked ... humaner. He also had a glaring scar across his throat, red and raw and jagged. Harry allowed himself a smile. At to the lowest degree he had left an impression.

Harry glanced around, they were is a ... a laboratory ? That was what it looked like. Some variety of mad scientist 's lair. All around were tabular array of feeding bottle and arcane, eldritch items. The tabular array behind Voldemort looked like it had been cleared in a hastiness and in the empty space ... Harry 's own eye stared back at him, rocking listlessly. The gilt flag was there too, and a few other interesting ( illegal ) items. Harry hissed as he breathed in. His bag was supposed to only release those item to him. Clearly that barrier had not been a barrier to Voldemort. Or perhaps it had been Sasori, standing quietly near the far wall.

"Seen everything you need Harry ?"

"One more minute."Harry squinted behind the tables and almost gasped. Back near the wall there was an arch of fateful metallic element, midst around as a person and pulling the phantom in towards it. Hanging from the dark gateway ... a fluttering drape. Harry found himself breathing heavily. That was the head covering ... Or a veil. Not the Saame as the one in the department of mysteries, that one was made of Harlan F. Stone. So what the hell was-

"Your instant is up Harry."

"Just give me a little Thomas More time. want to set the scene."Harry glanced behind him. Draco and Morfin were sprawled on the base behind him. Harry could see their thorax going up and down so he assumed they were still alive. Behind them three Lie Gou were guarding the doorway. In a huddled mass a radical of dead men stood, silent beside them. Their rotting shape reaching Harry 's anterior naris and making him gag. In the front of the chemical group was a face Harry recognised. It was not a felicitous typeface, or a happy memory.

"Greyback."Harry turned back to Voldemort."I guess that explains why the werewolves are following you again. Did you have to sew together his head back on ?"

"Nothing so crude. But in principal ... yes."

Harry tried desperately to think of some way out of this room. He had null. Why the infernal region was there a veil here ? He needed to get out. Harry could hear Dragon stirring behind him. Or was it Morfin ? Damn it he wanted his eye back ! How did people carry off to only see in one steering ?

"So ..."Harry looked Voldemort in the eye."Do we do our regular dancing ? You torture me for fun, I insult you, you get angry, I escape-"

"Sadly not."Voldemort stepped forward."I really should thank you Harry. Battling with you across these years, and especially last year, has taught me something I never wished to learn. That I am shockingly vulnerable. Oh yes ... yes. It is true up. Thanks to you I know that, however powerful I am, whatever knowledge I gain ... all it takes is a boy with a tongue and a lucky strike ... and I am as weak as a newborn baby again. It is so very unfair."

"life 's not fair."Harry growled."last even less so."

"Oh I know that now."Voldemort nodded."I know that I an not invulnerable. I look back on my lifetime and see a outstanding many of my decisions were foolish. I have learnt. And for that I thank you. I am not gooselike any more."

Yeah right field. Harry tried not to roll his eye. If you 're not foolish anymore why are n't I dead ? Harry chuckled to himself then froze. Wait, Voldemort did n't sound wrong. He sounded almost sincere. What if he had got smarter ? Harry licked his sassing. Why was he alive then ? Harry heard stirring behind him. Of course, Morfin. Voldemort had recognised his long lost uncle and was ... what ? Confused ? Or maybe ... Harry tried not to glance at the table with the aureate flagstone on it. There was no way that Voldemort could recognise the mob from a load of Au. Could he ? And anyway the ring was just a maw ? Was n't it ?

Harry began getting very very nervous.

"So ..."Harry glanced at Sasori, trying to buy fourth dimension."tenacious time no see. How have you been ?"

"Richer."Sasori 's eyebrow twitched up.

"You and your mass have been keeping quiet."Harry tried to twist his hands out of his bonds.

"We do what our client asks of us."Sasori 's accented voice had traces of cynical humour.

"I bet."Harry smiled."And where is ... Barty ... bend ..."Harry trailed off as his eye fell on a box under one of the lab tables. It was open and the message plainly visible. Dull Zane Grey record, booster cable. century of them. Why the hell would anyone want coins made of lea-

Oh HELL no ! Harry took an involuntary deep hint, then ...

"That BASTARD !"Harry spat. Anger filling his veins.

Voldemort followed his gaze but Harry was n't finished.

"Bastard, changeling, fool, everything he did was worthless !"

"And by 'he'you of course of action refer to ..."

"Dumbledore !"Harry screamed, at that moment not caring that the mortal he was venting to was the sorry lord."That moron told me he destroyed it ! Told me five year ago ! But he never did did he ? He put it right back where it was before ! Probably too cowardly to actually go through with it ! Or maybe he wanted it for himself. That was what squat stole from Gringots ! That 's what brought you back from the brink of death ! That 's how you 've suddenly got all this gold ! After five years you finally got it ! The bloody PHYLOSOPHER 'S STONE !"



If you do n't review tinkerbell will die.

Just kidding. She wo n't die. But I was thinking though that that will spell out the moment the world becomes truly un-savable.

Tinkerbell drinks the toxicant, starts to fade, the actor playing Saint Peter Pan turns to the audience and tells them to clap if the believe in fairies and their is dead silence.

Or maybe just one blast petering out quickly as the applauder gets embarrassed. That will be the day humanity dies.

Also ... on that day, the actor playing shaft Pan had better be bloody good at improvising. : )


Well, as you can see I 've bumped the story up to a mature. I 've tried to keep it 15+ for as long as potential but I guess I ca n't avoid it any more. Ah well, at lest my characters can swear properly now.

I do n't own Harry Potter. I will if I can win over JK Rowling to give him to me though. I 've been working on this Hypnosis affair ...






The short lab was filled with deathly silence for a moment, then Voldemort uncurled his yearn fingers and clapped. Once. Twice. trey times.

"Very well done Mr Potter."Voldemort cocked his drumhead to one side."There really were quite a few hint but well done nonetheless. But I believe your tumultuous disturbance had Sir Thomas More than one design did it not ? You wished to carve up and curb ? As you know the Lie Gou will not accept magical gold you hoped to revolutionize our reciprocal ally Sasori,"Voldemort flicked a long finger at the moneymaking, who still had not moved."To set on me as you reveal that my source of means to pay him has not been entirely everyday ? Am I right ?"

"Something like that."Harry said, who had been thinking nothing of the sort. It was a effective design though, especially since at the mo Harry could n't think of a safe one.

"And a class ago it would no doubt have worked."Voldemort smiled."But I have been more measured since you killed me. I was entirely honest with Mr Sasori about my root of income, no thaumaturgy whatsoever. They were more than happy to accept gold created with the phylosopher 's Lucy Stone, were n't you my scorpion ?"

"More than happy."Nothing about Sasori moved except his lips. Harry almost frowned. Why had the Lie Gou reversed what was basically their only severely and fast principle ?

"So you see Harry."Voldemort turned back to his captive."You can not break my new servants from me. It is futile to try. Now ... on to the of import matters."Voldemort leant down close to Harry 's side, then hesitated and straightened again and stepped a gait away before continuing."I would like to ask you a question."

"Yes ?"Harry cold feeling just the merest draft on his hand. The door behind him must pass somewhere, but there was no way he could reach it. Harry found himself wishing he had his god-hand back, damn the consequences.

"I would like to know why you felt in essential to put down my ring."

Dammit.

"What ? So it was n't the rootage of all your power ?"Harry quipped desperately.

"It was not, no."Voldemort replied almost amicably."I assume you or one of your little friends tried to bust it ?"

"I wore it."Harry tried desperately to guess where the conversation was going."Saw a familiar face. You 've changed since your disco music year. And now changed back a petty ? ... looking a little pinko around the lamella Tom. What 's with that ?"

"One of the wonderful burden of the elixir of life."Voldemort held out a hand and examined it smiling."A much more pleasant means of extending one 's like than dark conjuration or unicorn blood. It tastes like mercury you know ..."

"Not like chicken ?"Harry 's eye noted a heavy caliper on the lab table side by side to him. Heavy enough to use as a club. That was if he could get his hand free. And if a club was even the slightest use against a dark-skinned wizard. Beside the caliper was a black bladed scalpel. Too small to use as a weapon but it looked witching. Would it cut sorcerous bonds ?

From under the table there came a rich hissing. A second later the thick shape of Voldemort 's pet snake uncurled. Winding like a sinuate medal between Harry and Voldemort.

"Ignore Nagini."Voldemort said without thinking."Tell me about my ring."

"What about it ?"Harry said desperately. He could probably strain the scalpel with a misdirection."We found it 's clandestine. We burnt it. End of story."

"You found it 's secret ?"Voldemort seemed to steady himself."It ... it had a secret ?"

"Course,"Harry bluffed."It was the same as the diary."Tell me what the bloody secret is.

"Ah ...."Voldemort clicked his dentition."Well I must clap you for working it out. Does Severus know ?"

"Oh yes."Harry nodded happily."I 'm not keeping affair secret from the monastic order any-more. conjecture we 've both learnt."

"I suppose we have."Voldemort seemed to be working hard to keep himself in check.

"Knows about the other thing too."Harry decided to take a fantastic gamble."The one in the Lestrange vault."

"He ! ..."Voldemort 's eye 's flashed red and his hands bunched into fists. The dark lord hissed from between clenched tooth."I suppose I have dear old Slughorn to thank for all this."

Slughorn. Harry burnt the name into his mentality, then tried to resolve what answer would elicit Sir Thomas More information.

"No actually."And would also keep back whoever Slughorn was awake until he could be questioned.

"So you know about the diary ..."Voldemort fixed Harry in the eye."And the ring, and the cup. I suppose you know about the music-box as well ?"

"I- ..."Harry paused, he knew this trick."No actually, did we omit that one ?"

"Yes, you did."Voldemort smiled. Harry tried to bar himself smiling."But no affair. I have a better agency of living forever now."

life forever. The ring and diary and ... what had it been ? The cup. They let him live forever ? Harry 's hilltop furrowed. Then it him like a shock ... he knew what they were.

It had been when he was on his mad spree of self melioration. After he had got his eye. After he got his god-hand. He had been face to face with the low-down most curse-riddled and potholed flesh-monger in Delhi. He had come for a spike in his spunk that would let him go without sleep and food for week at a metre and the crone had looked him in the eye and offered him something ... better. She had described it to him like a artist talking about her most prised work. She had even offered to procure a ... a sacrifice. Harry had waited until her rachis was turned, bludgeoned her over the head with a statue and left her in a sack on the doorstep of the American-Indian language auror home base. He had n't even bothered to control whether she was still breathing. He had n't wanted to be glad if she wasn't.

Hmm ... seed to think of it clubs do sometimes exercise on saturnine wizards.

"I 'm surprised you made so many."Harry flicked his eyes up too meet the night overlord 's."Horcruxes are n't baby 's toys."

Sasori shifted.

"I do not fear them."Voldemort did n't seem to sustain noticed."I am the original of my own cosmos now. And soon a skipper of all life."

"Oh really ? How 's that ?"

"All it takes to be a master copy of spirit,"Voldemort spread his helping hand."Is to be a original of death."

"existence able to end life does n't do you the overlord of it."Harry 's eye flicked nervously to the veil in the niche of the room. Beside it there was a rough picture. In the painting a sky entire of unfamiliar stars stretched out over a vast desert of grey sand, stretching away to removed deal. one C of sets of footmark headed out and away towards the horizon. None came back. This was very, very unnerving."I assume this is the part where you enjoin me your evil programme ?"

"No Mr Potter."Voldemort chuckled."This is the power point where you, and each of your slight friends make a choice."

"I 'll have the fish."

"You can choose,"Voldemort continued."To die at the teeth of Nagini,"The snake hissed and arched."Or go through the mogul of destruction number one hand."Voldemort waved his hand towards the flutter veil."Choose."

"What 's beyond the head covering ?"Harry asked to encounter for time.

"That is part of what I am trying to find out Potter."Voldemort shrugged."The first step to master is knowledge."

"We 've both been abruptly Tom."Harry clicked his neck opening. He had a flavour he would give birth to run soon."We know what it 's like."

"Paddling in the shoal tells you small about the ocean."

"Poetic."A distraction .... please ...

"Thank you. stimulate you made a choice ?"

"I think-"

"SASHISA !"The inhuman cry sounded from behind Harry. Morfin 's center had flickered open, and he was scrabbling like a mad thing against his bond certificate."ZASHIKA BASTARD SAHI !"

"Morfin ..."Harry muttered but it fell on deaf ears.

"SACISCA !"Morfin spat towards Nagini. The Snake River raised itself up and hissed back.

"Shsassi !"Voldemort barked a command.

"It 's not Nice to talk in a language not everyone can understand-"

"SISSIA !"

"Cazis."

Nagini shook like a rattlesnake.

"-or even hear."

"SACISCA !"

"It pains me that you are of my blood."Voldemort spat.

"SACISCA ZER !"Morfin was straining against his trammel so hard his vena were similar hose. Harry tried to adjoin towards the lab tabular array. Sasori had n't moved.

"SACISCA !"

Harry edged. Nagini showed her fangs.

"SACISCA BITCH-SNAKE SACISCA !"

"Harry ..."Draco was just coming awake, his representative to the full of confusion.

"Pathetic."Voldemort raised his wand.

"SACISCA !"

"You can die like the wretch you are."Voldemort hissed."Avada-"

"You know why the Lie Gou are helping you !"Harry yelled desperately, flinging his first thought into the air."They do n't accept imitation gold but they do denounce their guest ! They want the stone for themselves !"

Voldemort 's eyes widened.

"NOW !"Sasori moved like a cat, his baton appearing in his hand and flashing to the dark Jehovah. A blinding ark of scant flashed into the darkness lord 's hastily raised shield, catapulting him back into the wall.

"What do you bang ?"Harry thought as he threw himself at the lab board."I was right."He rolled, his finger touching the knife and he dropped down the early side like a stone.

Nagini turned and lunged at Harry but Morfin leapt on top of her. The giant snake spun and bit down hard. blood line fountained like a geyser.

Harry worked the knife against his bonds. It was working ! Faster !

The Lie Gou at the doorway drew their wands but the dead men were all around them. Harry saw the corpse of Greyback grab an arm and pull it from it 's socket.

Faster ! One of the rophy was loose.

Morfin toppled to the floor but even as he did a whiff of darkness flew from his sleeve and struck Nagini in the eye. Smokey ! Biting again and again like a Piston into the larger snake. Nagini tried to twist to bring her teeth to bear but the petty Snake was too quick, biting again and again !

One of the rope was cut through ! One to a greater extent ! Harry could see Draco grabbing a knife from a fallen Lie Gou.

"TRAITORS !"Voldemort rose in a flickering aura of flame and rage. Flickering shadows of darkness filled the room and the embryonic membrane blew like it was caught in a gale."I will destroy all of you !"

Sasori did n't answer, merely threw a brute lightning bolt that drove Voldemort back. The dark master hissed and flung a mitt forward. The contraband material body in the air flew together around Sasori, swallowing him up in darkness for a minute before an explosion of flame. Harry was thrown to the floor in the stack of burning mana, his break James Bond snapping under the strain. Harry tried to stagger to his feet but dropped a moment later as a flash of greenish dig over his head. With a screeching yell the door was knife thrust open. Bellatrix staggered back into the room, ten more Lie Gou following her. The screaching crone turned and her eyes widened as she saw Harry free.

"You ! You li-"

She got no further as Harry flashed his helping hand forward. The dreary scalpel spun from his hand and stabbed through the gripe 's eye.

Harry ducked behind the lab desk again. He could n't see Draco anymore, Harry hoped to god he was hiding somewhere too. He needed his bloody eye ! Harry crawled forwards, ducking as a whirling pinwheel of flaming came flashing overhead. A body came flight afterwards. Harry darted over and grabbed the man 's wand.

"Accio eye !"Harry held out his hand and felt his familiar orb fly into it. He shoved it eagerly back into his socket and saw the world come back."Oh my god !"The wickedness shapes in the air were everywhere, streaming through the walls !

Harry had to circumvent desperately as a ball of darkness shattered the rampart behind him. The air screamed with some sorting of banshee ululation. The veil was streaming like a flag in a hurricane. Harry 's eye whirled. Dragon ! He was ... smart. Lying down beside a pile of consistence with a cloak over him. Lying low.

Voldemort was being driven back, there were too many Lie Gou for him. Sasori was out in presence, still unsounded. The screech in the air got louder, the dark shapes filling the air were screaming. All of them had hollow eyes. Harry screamed as one passed through his chest. If felt like ice.

"You 've lost Tom enigma !"Sasori broke his silence."You 're outnumbered !"

Voldemort threw a killing torment at the assassin, who dodge effortlessly. The shadow lord held out a mitt and Harry saw a shining particle of gold fly from one of the table. His eye picked it out, a aureate medal carved with a grinning devil. Voldemort flicked it around his neck and turned, leaping backwards. He threw a wall of darkness behind him and, without wavering, darted directly through the veil.

There was a bit of silence, the hard liquor on the air went still. Harry did n't impress, the Lie Gou would kill him as quick as Voldemort would.

"wellspring ..."Sasori lowered his wand."That went well-"

The veil exploded outwards like a dark wall of netherworld. The wind screamed so hard Harry had to clamp his manus over his capitulum. The tail swallowed one of the Lie Gou, stripping him down to osseous tissue in moments.

Harry scrambled under the table and dashed across the floor. A screaming Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe slashed at his boldness, tearing off line of descent in blood. Harry slashed out with his baton, summoning fire to smash the thing away. It barely phased it.

"genus Draco !"Harry stumbled to the floor, grabbing Morfin 's leg. Dragon leapt up from his blank space on the base, and skidded towards him. The dark material body surrounded him as soon as he moved.

"Eiectio !"Harry yelled desperately and the ghost were thrown away. Draco fell forward and Harry grabbed his outstretched bridge player. Harry squeezed his heart shut and yelled,"Spinners end !"

His eye whirled in it 's socket and Harry felt a jerky at his navel. The dark screams cut out as the power of the portkey whirled them away from the earthly face of hell on earth. Harry felt the ground hit him like a wall and lay there for a minute, catching his breath.

"Your eye ..."Dragon was gasping on the ground."Your eye was a portkey."

"Snape did it."Harry shuddered, his heftiness shaking."exigency backup."

"You had that all along ?"

"Yep."Harry looked around weakly. Morfin ... Harry staggered over to the limp shape on the basis. He knew it was no good to try to find a heartbeat. His eye told him everything he needed to know.

"Is he dead ?"Draco asked. Harry did n't answer, it was n't necessary.

A deliquium hissing sounded from the body and Harry saw Smokey rise slowly from the organic structure of his skipper, his niggling head darting this way and that. Harry met the little serpent 's eyes and pushed just a minuscule. The animal mind was surprisingly cogent. It knew what had happened, it knew why it had happened. It was n't angry, it was just ... sad.

Harry held out his hand gingerly. The snake hesitated. Harry pushed into it 's eyes again and it slithered slowly onto his hand and up his sleeve. Harry tried not to make a face as it curled around his arm near the elbow.

"Where are we ?"Draco was standing, looking around nervously.

"Field compass north of Hogwarts."Harry waved his wand over Morfin 's eubstance, cleaning the ancestry. Another wave and the air around the physical structure coalesced, freezing into a casket.

"What are you doing ?"Dragon stepped over, limping a little."Should n't we just take him back to Hogwarts ?"

"We 're not going back to Hogwarts. Snape 's on a mission somewhere and we do n't have time to find him. Got to fall back into the old substance abuse for a while."Harry took the marauder 's badge out of his pocket and quickly sent a message before jabbing his wand forward. God he hoped this worked ..."Expecto Patronum."

whiteness mist flashed to solid figure and whispered away on long slender wings. It spun in the air and floated off towards Hogwarts.

"That 'll find McGonagall. Tell her to find out this Slughorn and look after him."Harry turned back towards the tomb and stopped for a moment.

"Harry say me what the hell is going on."Draco growled.

"I 'll tell apart you when we meet the others."Harry reached out and grabbed genus Draco 's arm."We 've got to go."

"No."Draco knocked the arm away angrily."Where do you want to go ?"

"Erg ! look ...."Harry held his headway in his hands."Did n't you hear what I said ? Voldemort has Hocruxes ! Do you know what they are ?"

"No, I don't."

"They ... I do n't get time to explain it !"Harry yelled."They 're VERY BAD THINGS. That he has ! And there is at least one more that we have n't burnt yet. There may be others, do n't live where they are, but I know where one of them is. That 's the commodity bit. Bad bit is that Voldemort knows too. And I 'm not letting that snake faced bastard get there first ! I know he 's on his way there now. I just ... I just know."

"The burial vault ..."Dragon whispered."You want to break into Gringots. You want to reveal into Gringots now."

"I want to go into Gringots now."
*


Black robed figures spilled out of Knockturn skittle alley. The fire up flashed off the skull masque as the screeching began. The material body made straight for the doors of the camber. Goblins slammed the threshold shut with a sally. Every window filled with gringos goblin, each one holding something sharp-worded and crackling with electricity. One of them fired down at the robed figures, a lightning thunderbolt of shining silver light. A hasty shell reflected it into the sky.

More bolts rained down, coming thick and fast. The hob had prepared, they were n't going to be caught out again.

Shields flashed and the Death eater were driven back. One or two of them tried to respond but the charm went wide as the goblin blitzkrieg intensified. Then, suddenly, the death eater broke, spun, and ran away in confusedness. The hobgoblin sending jeering to keep an eye on them.

They dashed back into the back street and crashed into a store. Pushing the stunned storekeeper out of the way they threw themselves into the labial pipe one after another.
*


After the last figure had emerged from the chimney Ginny pulled her hood back and took off her mask.

"That went well."stock split said dryly as he too pulled off his disguise.

"I wonder if Harry and the others got in ?"Neville was biting his lip.

"We did our part right."Ginny nodded."So they should let too."
*


Harry, Draco, Padma and the Weasley twins had already been in the band when the 'Attack'started. Harry had picked a Gringots goblin running for base hit and surreptitiously aimed his wand ...

"Imperio."The goblin slowed to a crawl, it 's saying going glassy. Harry turned back to the other marauder."It worked, come on."

The hypnotized goblin walked down a side corridor, followed by the invisible predator. Harry flicked his verge and mentally ordered the goblin to take them to the Lestrange burial vault. After a present moment where it 's light-green feature film twisted like it was resisting it turned and got into one of the waiting mine carts. Harry and the others followed.

Harry shuddered as the mine cart started off. He did n't like doing this. The goblins were n't evil, they just had a dissimilar definition of good to humanity 's. But Harry had n't been able to believe up of anything approaching another plan. Well there was nothing to be done now ...

"Is this going to work on Harry ?"Dragon asked quietly.

"We 'll get to the vault."Harry shrugged."Getting back will be more tricky. Which is why we have masquerade ... and robes ... and I have grenades."

"And do you think they 'll believe we 're death feeder ? Despite the fact there are only supposed to be two left."

"Look Draco I had exactly twelve secondment to think up this plan. Did n't see you coming up with anything better."

"You 're the plan person."Fred chimed in.

Why am I the freeking programme individual. Harry thought, but with the dim knowledge that this would not be the most calming thing to say he replaced it with,"Shut up and ascertain the hypno-goblin."

Harry watched the wall fly past for a few more moment. By now the attack on the alley would be breaking up. The hobgoblin guards would be going back to their mail. The cart rumbled loudly along the cart track. Harry hoped to hell they did n't cut through the carts somehow.

"Do you guess he knew ?"Draco muttered quietly.

"Who ?"Even Harry 's twisty brain could n't work that one out.

"Morfin."

"Knew what ?"Harry hesitated, Draco was speaking so the other 's would n't be able to hear.

"The snake. He was pulling the snake towards him."Draco was staring out into the wickedness."Do you think he have intercourse what he was doing ... drawing it away from us or was he just being ... crazy."

"Why are you asking me this ?"Harry shrugged.

"I want to know ..."Draco closed his eyes."Just require to know."

"You just want to know ?"Harry sighed, he had no estimate why he was being asked this question. Which made choosing the lie unmanageable."Then yes. I think he knew what he was doing."

"You do ? Why ?"

"Because that 's what people like him do."

"What do you mean people like him ?"

"Heroes."Harry shrugged.

"You think he was a hero ? He was insane. And a vigilante."

"well you know me ..."Harry chuckled."I prefer flawed heroes."

"Hm ..."Draco fell silent for a moment. Then he laughed flatly."Are we flawed heroes ?"

"Do n't know."Harry glanced towards the goblin sitting blankly in the front of the cart."We 're certainly flawed."

They fell back into secrecy as the handcart trundled on.

"Are we nearly the-"George started before the handcart screeched to a halt.

Harry glanced around. Blank burrow. No doors. Harry was about to open his mouth when a screaming warning device came out of nowhere.

"Masks !"Harry slammed his back on and leapt out of the handcart. He cursed, the wheels had welded to the rails. He flicked his wand at the goblin.

issue US TO THE burial vault

I ca n't. Against the pattern ...

TAKE US TO THE LESTRANGE vault

The goblin shuddered and trotted off down the corridor.

"Follow him !"Harry yelled over the screeching dismay. The marauders were already masked, wands out. Harry led them after the staggering hobgoblin. It hesitated in the heart of the tunnel.

TAKE US TO THE VAULT

Stupid voice.

Damnit ! Harry spun the goblin around to face him and pushed into his mind. flashbulb of vaults, burrow ...

LET ME IN

A route, a turning, a tartar. A dragon ! ? A door.

HOW DO I OPEN THE DOOR

Only a Gringots goblin ...

WHY ? WHAT ARE THE magical spell ?

Do n't know. Only a Gringots goblin.

Damnit. Harry gritted his teeth. That meant they still needed the goblin. Harry pushed into his mind as hard as he could.

return US TO THE burial vault

Wo n't work. doorway wo n't open if the goblin is enchanted.

Harry 's eyes flashed across-the-board receptive. No ...

Suddenly a bolt of electricity crackled through the iniquity above Harry 's head. His eye gave his maybe a stock split seconds warning. His wooden leg buckled without intellection and he rolled, stabbing his baton out and firing at the undefined shape in the space. Another bolt flew from behind and Harry leapt to the bulwark. The air sparkled with dash as the marauders ducked for cover. The hob stood there stupidly.

hide !

The hob fell forward with a smile on his fount. Harry aimed his wand at the material body ahead and bourgeon a stunner. Behind him he could hear the marauders fighting on the other side. Harry felt the rock 'n' roll explode over his head and leapt out of the way of the cave-in.

God this was messy. Harry was the only one who could see anything with the darkness and the flashes and the hobgoblin in amongst the human and the falling rocks. Harry screamed as a bolt of lightning cut into his leg. It had n't even been aimed at him.

"Incendio !"Harry stabbed his scepter at the minecart, which exploded with flame. Harry spun and slammed his fist into the hob behind him. The freaking thing were everywhere ! Fingers closed around Harry 's neck and he was jerked backwards. He tried to discharge over his shoulder but his wand was jerked out of his helping hand. There were two of them ! Fingers gripped turn and slammed into his eyesocket. If it had been the real number one it would have been squashed like a grape. Harry forced himself to his feet and slammed backwards into the bulwark. The hands loosened for a moment but then came on harder. His eye swivelled in it 's socket and he could see the shrieking goblins clawing at his cervix. He slammed back again but this clock time it did n't even phase them.

Ca n't breath.

Of course you ca n't breath !

Harry dropped to his articulatio genus, desperately trying to get out the hands off his neck. He could n't even get them to budge. Black dots floated in social movement of his eye. He was fading ...

"Sssss !"

Smokey leapt out of Harry 's sleeve and the fingers disappeared like mist. Harry spun and punched the fearful goblin behind him. His fingers darted to the floor and grabbed the Goblin 's shock-stick, with a picture show he shot the thing at the other hob chest. The Zane Grey animal was thrown back against the bulwark and fell, stunned.

Harry 's eye found Smokey on the base, rising to seize with teeth. Harry grabbed him by the principal. If the piddling snake bit a goblin that hobgoblin would be very all in. Harry met the ophidian 's middle but saw only rage and fauna hatred. Harry quietly stunned him and dropped him in his pocket.

He turned and saw the other piranha picking themselves up out of the rubble.

"Everyone alive ?"Harry coughed roughly.

"We 're aright."Fred was pulling his brother up off the flooring."George got hit but I think he 's aright."

"How about the goblins ?"

"We used stunners."Draco said as Harry scooped his wand back up."They-"Draco paused."Do you get wind that ?"

"Hear what ?"Harry 's eye spun it 's socket."No."

"rushing sound."Draco cocked his forefront like a dog.

"Not all of us have wolf senses."Harry growled."Where is it coming from ?"

"Behind us.."

Harry focussed his eye, cutting through Lucy Stone ....

"RUN !"Harry spun, grabbed their goblin guide and belted down the corridor."RUN !"

"What is it ! ?"

"Tidal Wave !"

"What do you intend 'Tidal undulation'” Padma yelled.

"Stop asking questions and RUN !"

Harry reached a arm and chose based of swoon split second from the goblins memory. He risked a glimpse behind him and saw water supply bearing down.

"We 're not going to make it ! Hit the floor !"Harry threw himself to the priming and shielded the goblin underneath him. The roaring urine caught up with him and Harry felt it clash over them like a wall.

WHAT IS THIS ?

Thief 's downfall. washing away enchantments.

Harry gripped his sceptre but the water was gone almost as soon as it had come. The goblin under him began to squirm and Harry realized that the imperio must have been whipped clean.

"Imperio !"That had sounded wrong ! The magical spell fizzled and the goblin 's eyes narrowed. Harry was pushed off and the hoar creature dissipated into the wickedness. Harry staggered to his feet and tried to yell.

PAIN.

Harry put a manus to his throat. It did n't palpate right at all. Somewhere in his leg something snapped and Harry howled in pain. He stumbled forward but one of his legs seemed yearner than the former. With another twinge of pain the other leg slammed down and Harry was thrown to the ground. Everywhere on his cutis was crawling like worms. Harry shuddered and tried to cower forward.

What the Scheol was happening.

Harry crawled towards one of the puddle, left over by the pee and stared down into it. He pulled his mask off and a human face that was n't his own looked back. His pretender eye was the same but the other had changed from emerald park to blanch hazel. His tomentum had faded from black to brown and was hanging in lank curls, soaked like a deadened rat. With a nauseating snap his side changed too, getting wide and flatter. Harry 's shaking finger's breadth came up, exploring the new feature film ... what the hell ...

Then suddenly he realized what had happened.

The thief 's downfall washed away enchantment. All bewitchment, even Dumbledore 's. The while that had been on Harry for almost his entire life were being stripped away. It was n't that he was looking at a face that was n't his. It was that he was finally was.

He finally looked like himself.

"pearl the wand."Harry felt the point of a sceptre pushed against the binding of his neck. His eye swivelled and he saw Draco standing over him with murder in his eye."Drop the wand you bastard. And secernate me what the hell you 've done with Harry !"





If you do n't review then your hard drive will turn into cheese. To be precise, edam. It will be tasty, but it will no longer function as a hard drive.


I do not own Harry thrower. I do however exact him as a dependent on disbursal. This is fully within the convention and I do not trust I have done anything incorrectly however I can see that the British public do not concur. As such have resigned from cabinet and will pay the money back. I regret the trouble I have caused to our useless prime minister.



I just can not catch a freaking break.

"Draco ..."

"free fall the wand !"

"Ok ... Ok ..."Harry carefully placed his wand on the priming next to him."But I am Harry. I ca n't explain, not right now but ... I am."

"Do you think we 're moron ?"Draco flicked the scepter off the dry land. The other marauder were crowded around him, their wands out as well. Harry slowly turned around, keeping his hands up.

"It 's ... It 's complicated."Harry was breathing hard."I know it 's hard to ... but I am the same soul I always was."

"You do n't even fathom the same."Padma pointed out.

"I just ... Please for the love of god you just have to believe me !"Harry glanced into the darkness."The goblins are n't done you know, they 'll be coming back ! You think you can go in, get the cup and get out, with a prisoner ?"

"I was n't intending to rent a prisoner."Dragon growled.

"Really ? Do you experience where the vault is ?"Harry 's eyes narrowed."I do. Do n't believe me. Fine. But you need me ! Believe me if you want even the slim prospect of getting the bloody Horcrux you need me. I will explain everything. Believe me. But we need to go. Now."

genus Draco hesitated ...

"Please Dragon ..."Harry pleaded."For the love of god please ..."

"Fine."genus Draco stepped back."first gear need off your coating. And your bag. All your weapons."

"Got a few 60 minutes ?"

"Now !"

"Fine."Harry shucked his coat off and threw it to his friends then stood."Can we go now ?"

Harry turned and walked off down the corridor. No one tried to stop him. No one tried to play along him either.

"face at it this way."Harry turned."Is turning into someone else half way through the heist really the unusual thing I 've ever done ?"

The predator began to hesitantly move.

"Thank you."Harry threw his hands up and hurried off down the corridor.

"Hey !"A knockout exploded over his head. Harry turned to see genus Draco pointing his wand at him."Do n't try to get away."

"Yes, I 'm trying to escape down a tunnel underground."Harry growled back at the predator."Where the hell would I go ?"

"Just ride out where I can see you."Dragon 's wand had n't dipped an inch.

Harry glared flatly at him before starting back down the damn cave. They kept going in secrecy, Harry choosing turning based on vague guesswork and flashes of memory.

"How far is it ?"Padma asked suddenly.

"Two more turn ... I think."

"You think ?"Draco asked sharply.

"Yeah, I think."Harry ignored the baton at his back ( moments from blasting him to oblivion ) and carried on. As they got closer Harry 's eye began to read him a cavern stretching out before them, far larger than the caves. And in the centre."Damnit, I thought that was what the hob said ..."

"What ?"

"Dragon."Harry turned the final corner and crouched down behind a bolder."Look for yourselves."The predator peeked out to see the vast wyrm, chained in front of the monolithic door. It 's eyes were milky and white, it 's scramble too.

"It does n't look too healthy."Padma said thoughtfully."And there are five of us."

"Four."Draco broke in. Harry rolled his oculus but Padma nodded.

"Four of us. If we all stun it at the Same fourth dimension it might go down. That 's what they did in the triwizard tournament."

"What about the door ?"Fred scratched his head."I do n't matter we 'll be able to break the locking spells."

"We do n't need to."genus Draco moved to stand."We just need to see another goblin."

"That wo n't work."Harry hissed."The other hobgoblin told me before we were attacked. The doors can tell if the goblins are moving of their own destitute will."

"And you only mention this now ?"Draco narrowed his eyes.

"fountainhead between the scrap and the last threats I did n't really get a chance."Harry paused, that time even he heard the change in his voice. He had an Irish whiskey accent mark. Dumbledore had even changed that !. He glanced back at the vault."I think I see a way to get through ..."

"William Tell me the tour then."genus Draco said sharply.

"It 's not so much a spell, and I do n't think you 'd be able to do it anyway."

"Do n't even think you 're getting your wand back."Draco laughed bitterly.

"You know I 'm getting real tired of this-"

"Then tell me who you are !"

"I do n't have metre and you wo n't believe me."

"Then how can I believe anything you say ?"

"You- ... Fine."Harry stood, registering the shock in his friend 's eyes."I do n't demand a wand."With that he vaulted over the rock and began walking down the side towards the dragon.

"HEY !"The swell savage raised it 's head."Over here !"

Harry had to dodge a gout of flaming. The lounge lizard was old but it was fast. Dashed to the left wing and the creature lumbered to follow him. He crossed in front of it, rolling out of the way of a fireball, and kept moving.

The chains around it 's sleeve twisted into one another, kinking.

Harry ran back the former way. The animal leapt forward, raking it 's pincer through the air. Harry 's manus twitched to a wand that was no recollective there and ducked at the last minute. He threw himself forward, leaping under the out-flung arm. His rush bit stone and he leapt over the whipping hind end that threatened to cut his legs out from under him and dashed back out of the flying dragon 's range.

The chain twisted around a stalactite.

Harry ran for the entranceway to the vault, rolling under an orb of flame that left a scorch mark on the paries and made the cave milkshake. He skidded to a stop before the iron room access and the wyrm turned to face him. It tried to ill-treat forward but it 's rick chain would n't let it reach the any more. Instead it breathed late and belched out a human dynamo. Harry twisted to the side and felt his brow burn off as the dragon-flame passed right in front of him. The fireball exploded against the burial vault door, turning it cherry-red red.

"Yeah ! to a greater extent !"Harry yelled at the dragon."come on !"A lance like a flamethrower forced him to the story and made him cry out in pain as it struck his articulatio humeri a glancing coke. His shirt was on firing. So was his skin. Harry rolled to put out the flames and tore off the scorched fabric. Another ball of fire pin-wheeled over his principal and struck the hinge of the threshold. section of it were almost candent white.

Harry dashed the way he 'd make out, waiting for the Draco to turn and follow. The range clicked off the stalactite, springing like a fishing cable. Harry reversed focussing and ran back in front of the door.

"Over here !"Harry yelled at the no-longer-constrained dragon."semen and get me !"

The firedrake roared and lunged, shoving one car-sized hook at the boy. He leapt to the side as the claw crashed through the weakened metal with a horrid screech. The flying dragon reared up on it 's hinder legs, it 's claw a red batch of dissolve metal and blood. Suddenly four stunners slammed into it 's unprotected underside. The swell beast teetered for a moment, then another four struck it in the head and it fell like a tree. Crashing down onto the rock.

Harry turned to see the marauder rushing to join him.

"He must be Harry."Fred was smiling broadly."No one but Harry could accept pulled that off."

"He 's proved he 's looney he has n't proved he 's Harry."genus Draco brushed past Harry and continued towards the vault.

"You 're welcome !"Harry called after him before following him into the vault. The vulture stopped as they moved into the midriff of the room. golden things glittered from every direction.

"Wow ..."George 's optic glittered.

"tactual sensation nothing."Harry 's eye spun in his socket."It was supposed to be a cup ... there !"Harry stepped forward and felt his animal foot weld to the floor.

"Where ?"Draco moved into view.

"Did you do this to my infantry ?"

"Where ?"

"Cos if you did do this to my feet I will collapse your neck. Do n't remember that wand will stop me !"

Draco raised one eyebrow slowly then punched Harry in the face. Harry tried to detain upright but his foundation would n't make a motion and he fell backwards, landing on his articulatio cubiti and slamming onto the story. Draco 's face came into view above him.

"Where ?"

"Over by the corner."Harry pointed. Draco 's looked over. Harry resisted the itch to grab his leg, jerk them out from under the blond bastard, throw him to the flooring then punch him in the tummy and break his arm before taking back his wand and breaking his cervix. Resisted. Barely."By the vases."

Dragon moved off as Harry levered himself to his feet.

"Thanks for helping."Harry glared at the rest of the marauders.

"Are you really Harry ?"Padma narrowed her eyes.

"I 'm who I always was."Harry shrugged.

"That was evasive."

"Do n't have clock time to explain."Harry looked over at where genus Draco was reaching for the cup. He momentarily considered not telling him about the execration on the cup. Momentarily considered it, and decided it was a great idea.

"OW !"

"flavour out for the flagrante curse !"Harry called out cheerfully.

"DAMNIT !"

"And the gemino !"Harry laughed as he saw Draco drop the cup on the floor, scores of former cups appearing out of the air.

"The rejoinder for the gemino is unicus unicus unicus ?"Harry called out again."I 'll tell you the flagrante rejoinder if you give me back my darn scepter !"

Draco came back into opinion without looking at Harry, stalking past him and out of the vault.

"Hey ! Are you gon na just allow me here ?"Harry tried to act his feet."seminal fluid on !"

Padma stepped hesitantly up to him and aimed her wand at his feet.

"There had advantageously be a account for all of this."She said, before murmuring the finite.

Harry felt his groundwork come free and hurriedly dashed out of the vault after Draco. The slytherin was almost to the Dragon when Harry 's eye caught a flash from a side tunnel.

"back in the vault !"Harry yelled. But he was n't quick enough. Before Draco had time to even turn a bolt hit him full in the chest, throwing him to the floor. The cup clattered out of his hands. hobgoblin funnelled out of tunnels and Harry was forced back into the vault."Summon Draco !"Harry yelled to the other marauder as he dived through the ruined bank vault threshold. A present moment later the cup and it 's stunned carrier flew after him.

bolt flew through the undecided door like horizontal rain. Harry dashed towards a weird gold chair and kicked it in front end of the doorway, he ducked behind it and grabbed the arm, ignoring the burning painful sensation in his own. copy of the chair fell out of nowhere, piling on top of one another in front of the door.

Harry dashed back and grabbed his wand off Draco 's prone organic structure. He spun around to see three verge pointing straight at him.

"Oh ejaculate ON !"Harry yelled."Either shoot me or shut up !"Harry pushed past them and aimed his sceptre over his roadblock."Rennervate !"

There was a roar as the tartar was rudely awakened. The bolts stopped for a moment as the goblins decided they had crowing things to worry about.

"Do you believe we can burst past them ?"Fred was gripping his baton fiercely.

"I doubt it."Harry stepped backwards. It was beginning to look like he had regained his confessedly face only to die in it. He had n't planned this enough. Had n't had a plan, but what else could he cause done ?

"Harry ..."

"I do n't know."Harry glanced back at the roadblock. The roars had stopped. The thunderbolt had begun again."I do n't know."Harry held his wand grimly. Really should have planned this better ... And there was no helper ...

A flash of flame burst from behind the vulture. Harry spun with his verge out but it dipped a second afterwards. Harry 's rima oris fell open in shock.

"That 's ..."Padma pointed."That 's a ..."

"Phoenix."Harry stepped forward. The bird looked at him, apparently un-phased by the bolt of lightning hitting the ceiling. Harry had no idea why it was there, but he was n't about to kick a gift horse in the rima oris."Grab a feather !"Harry ordered the other vulture, grabbing genus Draco and pulling him towards the bird. It hopped forward and onto his outstretched arm. The phoenix 's buttony eye 's met Harry 's. Flames curled around them just as the barricade broke down.
*


Harry fell onto pasture and felt claws leave his arm. He opened his eyes and saw the phoenix flapping away calmly, giving no sign of why it had come.

"Where are we ?"Harry glanced around and saw more marauders than he was expecting. Ginny and the others were staring at him in shock. The phoenix had brought them to the tryst decimal point. Harry stood and dusted himself off."Well that went well."Harry smiled."Someone want to inflame Draco ?"

"Who the hell are you ?"Ginny 's hired hand was hovering near her wand.

"Oh yeah ..."Harry remembered that he looked or sounded zip like they remembered."I guess this is kind of confusing ..."

"Yes Harry."Padma said to universal jolt."I believe you have an account to give."

"Oh yeah. I guess I have."Harry took a mysterious breath."We should go back to Hogwarts though, they 'll be worried and this 'll take awhile."

"No."Padma crossed her arms."in good order now."

"Ah ... ok."Harry reached into his bag and pulled his tent out, tapping it once to enlarge it to to the full size."You 'd better go inside, this is going to be a foresightful story ..."

In the end he told them the same way Dumbledore had told him. Flatly, with no electrical shock. It was really the just way, the only way to tell someone that the entire world was different to the way they thought it was. Like telling somebody that, contrary to everything they knew, the sky was really orange. He tried not to wait at their faces as he spoke. It was like he was stripping naked, bearing everything to them. All the marauders were there, and in a way that was worse. The original piranha, the core, he knew like kin. But the others, the ace that had joined when he was away last yr, not so much. Some of them had probably joined because he was Harry thrower. Because they trusted the prophecy, because they trusted that he could destroy Voldemort. And now ... he was just some guy. Just some kid who had been pushed in over his forefront and forced to survive. Constantly on the edge of drowning and having to claw for every drop of air. Getting his real cheek back should take in made him feel happy. Telling his ally should take in made him feel well-chosen. Instead he felt ... tired.

"... And in the end I decided to keep being Harry Potter."Harry fished lamely."Because, much as I hate what Dumbledore did, he was the right way. People need to see the chosen one out there fighting. It does n't count what I want."

There was a long, dark secretiveness. Harry could see shock and horror painted on every face.

"It ... it makes sense."Hermione was the initiatory to talk."It 's horrible but ... it makes sentiency. Even the bit about you not having a name. That would explain why you, the real you, never received a Hogwarts invite, why your public figure was never written in the Hogwarts Word of God. That was probably role of the reasonableness Dumbledore chose you. There would be no record for anyone to chance."

"I do n't know. Possibly."Harry shrugged."He did n't tell me why he chose me. There ca n't throw been that many orphaned magical children of the rightfield age to choose from. I always thought I just got the short straw."

"So you do n't even have a real name ?"Neville asked quietly.

"The orphanage called me Jack."It hurt to say that name. More and more Harry thought of diddlyshit as what he would get when all this was finally over. When the world did n't demand Harry Potter anymore. When he could finally rest. He did n't tell them that though,"But I 'm not comfortable with that public figure yet. If you could just keep calling me Harry that would be good."

"Look at me."Dragon said suddenly, still sounding wild."Look into my eyes."

"You do n't believe me ?"Harry complied, meeting Draco 's regard."It 's would be sort of an elaborated lie to opine up."

"Shut up."genus Draco commanded and Harry felt a stabbing pain behind his eyes. Draco was n't bothering to be blue-blooded with his probing. Harry supposed he could n't charge him. Harry saw himself in the infirmary room for a moment, Dumbledore standing at the end of the bed. Harry turned his genial gaze away, letting genus Draco position the picture alone. Harry had no demand to relive that day. Eventually the mental probe subsided and Draco leant back, his face dropping from choler to shock."It 's true. It 's all true ..."

"You did n't need to conceive it."Harry nodded."Neither did I."

"So waiting, I 'm confused."Ron scratched his head."What does this mean for the divination ? I thought Harry Potter, um ... the other Harry ceramist, was the exclusively one who could kill you-know-who. So if he 's all in does that mean that ..."

"It means nothing."Harry cut in. He had to head off this line of conversation quickly."It 's bull. You trying to secern me that if person walked up to Voldemort and chopped his head off with a machete that somehow he would n't die."

"Well no, he wouldn't."Padma pointed out."Because of the Hocruxs."

"Which we can destroy."Harry said quickly."Which anyone can destroy. Anyone with appropriate tools. Do n't need cannon Harry for that. And besides ; Pythea thinks I can vote out Voldemort and no-one knows more about prognostication study than her."

There was a mutter of accent mark from around the collapsible shelter. Harry breathed an intragroup sigh of relief, at least he had headed off that disaster.

"So what do we do now ?"Split raised an eyebrow.

"What do you think of what do we do now ?"Harry shrugged."We head back to Hogwarts, probably in the dawning, it 's too late now. And then we keep assisting the order and Snape to take down Voldemort."

"You mean we just act like northing 's changed ?"Hermione asked, aghast.

"Nothing has changed."Harry pointed out."I 'm still the Saame person I was yesterday. Voldemort 's still out there. The Lie Gou are still a threat. Nothing 's changed."goose egg ever changes. Except when it gets unsound."And when we go back to Hogwart 's I 'll encounter soul who can put my face back on and no one will know any different."

"And you 're aright with that ?"

"Yes."No."World needs heroes. Harry ceramist is ... like my closed book identity. Like spiderman."

"Who ?"Ron 's brow furrowed.

"Never mind."Harry hung his head tiredly."We should all probably take a little clip to reside. It 's been a long day."

And when we go back to Hogwarts it all begins again.
*


It was hours later and Harry was sitting outside the tent looking up at the headliner when he heard footfall approaching behind him.

"Harry ? ... Jack ? .... person ?"

"My name has n't changed."Harry chuckled into the night air."I thought everybody was asleep ?"

"I couldn't."Padma stepped up beside Harry and sat down."It 's just too much to take in at once."

"Imagine how I felt."

"I do n't have to reckon. I remember."Padma shrugged."You went crazy for a spell, then Pythea made you better."

"Yep."

"She does that a lot does n't she."Padma raised an eyebrow.

"Do you have any specific point ?"Harry rolled his eye.

"I think you know."Padma smiled then looked away as Harry laughed."You even laugh differently. It sounds higher."

"Irisher probably."Harry tried to hear his own voice but it sounded even stranger to him, it was probably some kind of psychosomatic thing."I have n't really got used to it yet."

"What are you going to do when we go back to Hogwarts ? Are you really going to ask someone to put you back the way you were ?"

"I guess I 'll have to ..."Harry bit his lip. The expectation was surprisingly unpalatable."I do n't know if we 'll be able to get the all software back but we should at least be capable to get the human face. I can forge the vocalism if I have to, cave in me a little Sir Thomas More time ... this better ?"

"Deeper."

"better ?"

"Say something else."

"You do cognize that if somebody asks you to say something you instantly forget every word you ever knew ?"

"That 's a footling better."Padma nodded."We can lick on it. Try more emotion."

"Should I be angrier ?"

"More acrimonious than angry."

"Oh keen thanks."

"Perfect."

"Are you being sarcastic ?"

"Partially."

"Should I be more sarcastic ?"

"Definitely."

"Now you 're making fun of me."Harry chuckled."Hm, just proves I 'm back to normal."Harry leant back on the skunk."I got my own typeface, we got out alive, got the cup, ticktock up a bunch of goblin and I danced with a dragon. I call that a win."

"I wonder how a great deal of that gold got destroyed in the fires ?"

"Depends how much Fred and George stuffed in their pockets."

"They did n't ..."

Harry tapped his eye.

"They did. I 'm not surprised."Padma shook her brain, chuckling."speechmaking of gem, have you worked out what you 're going to do with the cup."

"fountainhead ... I have one idea."Harry looked up into the sky."But I do n't eff if it 'll work ..."

"Is it dangerous ?"

"fountainhead, no not particularly."

"So why do n't you try it."

"good point."Harry stood up and closed his eyes. Help me.

"Harry what are you-"Padma trailed off as a fanfare of fervour lit up the Night. Harry opened his eyes to see two Phoenix looking at him quizzically. Harry stepped fold to them and placed the cup on the ground next to the birds.

"Would you mind flaming this affair for me."The larger Phoenix hopped forward and looked up at Harry. Harry felt a little thought push towards him, it seemed to be saying ... why."It belonged to Voldemort."Head cocked left."It helped him occur back from the dead."drumhead cocked correctly. Bob. The with child bird hopped next to the cup and spread it 's annex. Harry shielded his center as the skirt feathers turned to crimson flame.

"You just spent an hour explaining to everyone how you 're not the elect one."Padma said quietly from behind him."So what exactly are you ?"

"I have no idea."Harry admitted, his heart sparkling with think over fire. After a few moment both the flames subsided and the chick was gone, flamed away back to where it came from. All that was left of the cup was a pitted scrap of metal.

"Do you think there are to a greater extent of them ?"Padma asked as Harry picked it up off the floor.

"More Hocruxes ? No way to tell."Harry stood and looked back towards the tent."Should probably head back to Hogwarts. They 'll be worrying."
*


It was still sour as the predator alighted on the grass outside the William Henry Gates of Hogwarts. Harry took out his sceptre and aimed it at himself.

"Harry what are you doing ?"genus Draco asked.

"Dissilusioning."Harry said the charm and felt the coldness finger of invisibleness enclosing him."No one should see me like this."

"Oh, right."

"We need to get to Snape, he 'll be able to get me back looking like ... like Harry."Harry felt that strange reluctance again but squashed it down. It was necessary to outride under the masque. It was necessary."You roast head to the common rooms, you all deserve some proper sleep."

Harry walked up to the tacit rook and proceeded to the dungeon. Harry stopped outside Snape 's room access and took a trench breath before knocking.

"seed in."Snape sounded like he was angry.

Harry pushed the threshold in and stepped into the non-white office.

"Mr Potter."Snape had his back turned and was slowly measuring out a foul green liquid into a beaker."Have you came to declare oneself an account as to why I have taken Horance Slughorn into protective custody ? Why a shortly delegation that should sustain taken a unawares count of hours at nigh and only involved you and Mr Malfoy has taken one-half of Hogwarts and almost twenty four hours ? Would you like to explain why Morfin Gaunt is short ! Would you like to explain why death eater attacked diagon alley ? And do not TRY to affect that you were not-"

"Snape turn around."Harry interrupted.

"Potter do not try-"Snape 's head snapped around. His eyes widened."You ..."

"Me."Harry shrugged."I 'll excuse everything, but I need you to do something about this aspect. Please."

"So this is what you looked like bef ..."Snape whispered quietly. Then more forcefully."dismission your mental blocks."

Harry sighed, but complied. A force pushed it 's way into his mind. flashgun of the past tense day flickered past like bits of a past life. Harry just relaxed as every contingent was wrung out like dirty laundry. orchard apple tree trees ... relax.

The images stopped and Harry opened his eyes. Snape pushed past him roughly.

"Hey ! Where are you going !"

"I know the property you were held, the topographic point where the iniquity nobleman 's lab was."Snape pushed the doorway undefendable."It is an old wizard domicile in Greater London, the childhood home of Bellatrix. Perhaps there is something still there."

"What about me !"Harry called after the potions master key."I ca n't provide your office looking like this !"But Snape was already gone."Wonderful."Harry pushed the door shut and collapsed on a chair."tremendous ..."

Harry spent a fruitless hour trying to work transfiguration on himself, only succeeding in giving himself acne, when he noticed mortal coming up the corridor outside. He froze momentarily before he saw who it was and relaxed.

"Hello Harry."Pythea said without pause as she pushed the door open and turned to him.

"You could at to the lowest degree pretend to be a little surprised."Harry pointed at his face.

"You look the Saami to me."Pythea closed the door.

"Well at least we match now."Harry smiled out of one Brown eye and one putting green and into one leafy vegetable and one purpleness."How did you know I was down here anyway ?"

"Snape sent me. He told me to give you back your old face."Pythea cocked her chief."But I will only do it if you want me to."

"It 's ok."Harry sighed."I know I need to seem like Harry again."

"You should n't feel forced, this is your choice."

"Would be form of voiceless to explain."

"Not with the truth."

"Which I already decided I ca n't severalise the world."Harry hung his straits."Maybe when all this is over. But for now the cosmos still needs their Cuban sandwich. I need my secret identity back."

"You 're sure ?"

"Yes."

Pythea moved closer and sat on the arm of his professorship. She raised her hired man and lightly touched his cheek. Harry shivered. Because of the conjuration. Just because of the magic. Theia leant in closer as her fingerbreadth played over his skin. Harry could feel her breathing spell on his neck.

"So ... how um ... How long will this take ?"Harry said breathlessly ( the magic must ingest been interfering with his lungs ).

"Quite a while. tenacious if you keep talking."Pythea placed her paw flat over Harry 's middle and he felt a faint shifting around his chapeau. He could smell the petty illusionist skin. Ink. She had been writing, probably scrying over more maps for the club. The helping hand was lifted away and Harry 's face felt oddly warm.

"This really will look at a while."Pythea said suddenly, jarring Harry back to reality."You could try to get some sleep."

"I have a better idea."Harry opened his oculus and fixed them on Theia 's."Gaius emineo"The world swirled around them."There,"Harry leant back against a tree."That 's better."

"How did you take to do this ?"Pythea asked curiously as she looked around at the illusionary orchard.

"I looked it up after you did it to me live on year."Harry shrugged."It 's not that hard if you have the position you want held in your mind. And this shoes is engraved on every cadre of my brain."Harry crossed his pegleg on the grass. He knew it was just the leather of the president. But it felt same grass. Harry sighed contentedly as Pythea went back to work on his feature. The wind ruffled his hair as it slowly darkened again.

Can I ask you about something ? Harry asked wordlessly, not moving his brim. Do you love anything about phoenixes ?

A little. Why ?

I do n't acknowledge, but they seem to take some weird involvement in me. One of them came when I called earlier. And before that one saved us in gringots.

A phoenix chose you as it 's partner ? Pythea sounded ingrain. That 's a great honour Harry.

That 's not what it is. Harry was about to shake his read/write head, then stopped. They were unlike phoenix, I could assure. And before, when you were purge, the unscathed phoenix colony was acting Wyrd towards me. Have you heard of anything like that before ?

That is ... very strange.

Theia we 're talking mentally. Harry chided. You ca n't hide things as easily. You 're really shocked by this.

I ... I do n't sleep together Harry. I 'm not used to not knowing. It makes me nervous, especially where you are concerned.

I do n't suppose it 's a danger. They saved my living remember.

I know. Thea shifted her digit down to Harry 's custody. He could feel his bones reshaping. But it still makes me nervous.

The centaurs want me dead, the genus Phoenix want me alive. Harry rolled his eyes. And that 's not even getting started on the humans who want a piece of me. See anything useful in seer-o-vision ?

No Harry. Thea smiled softly.

Harry sighed and closed his middle again. He had imagined the orchard in springiness and there were apple blossoms floating on the air. Pythea lowered her paw, the transformation was over. Harry did n't spread out his optic, unspoiled to preserve the bit or a little foresighted. Beside him the seer leant on his shoulder and closed her own eyes.

Harry did n't know how long they were sat there but eventually the conjuration was shattered by the door slamming open.

"Harry."Snape snapped as soon as he was through the door, holding it out-of-doors just long enough for Natalie Zhao to step through before slamming it shut."Harry stand up."

"Stand…right."Harry shifted uncomfortably. He was acutely cognizant of Thea pressing against his side of meat."Um… must I ? It's just that I'm… tired. Yes, fag. Legs… tired. And arms… oecumenical musculature…"

"Shut up."Snape knelt down and looked into Harry's eyes. This clip he didn't have to say it, Harry obediently lowered his defense team and felt the familiar pushing of Snape's idea. After a few here and now Snape lean back.

"That is what I thought I saw. But I had to be sure."

"What did you see."

"The dark overlord stepping through the veil."Snape stood back up and stepped over to his desk. He poured a low glass of golden liquidness and drank it in one gulp.

"So ?"Harry asked."So what does that intend ?"

Snape said nothing, just rubbed his forehead.

"We examined the caul we found at Grimauld piazza. The household you were held in."Natalie answered."It is functionally identical to the veil in the section of mysteries."

Pythea stiffened and Harry heard a sharp intake of breath.

"What does the head covering do ?"Harry asked.

"It is a one way portal to death."Zhao answered simply."The department of mystery was initially created to investigate the ‘ three smashing mystery ’."

"Time, fate and death."Pythea said softly, imbuing the words minacious strength.

"Yes that is right."Natalie nodded."Although some people think they are essentially the same thing."

"They are wrong."Thea said leadenly.

"Get on with the explanation."Snape growled from his desk.

"The velum can be used to subscribe a person bodily into the succeeding world."Natalie snapped irritably.

"So it was used to kill people ?"Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Actually it was originally an laurels to go through. antediluvian wizards would go through late in their animation with boxes and carts wide of their riches. Like an Great Pyramid, except they were still alive. It has n't been done for 100 though. And you 're right, in chivalric times it was used to execute prisoner. It 's possible, with special equipment, to see through the veil."Natalie shuddered."I 've seen recordings. The captive tried to get back, they tries everything, but in the end they all walked away. Across the desert."

The room went silent. Harry thought back to the painting that had been hanging in Voldemort 's research laboratory. C of footprints leading away. None leading back.

"He knows how to see through."Harry thought back."He 's been investigating it. And he grabbed something before he stepped through, a golden amulet ... he must deliver worked out a way to pass through it safely and get back."

"That is impossible."Natalie stated flatly."The department has been investigating it for one C. Maybe he thought he had a way-"

"The dark lord is still alive."Snape slammed his meth down on the desk.

"How do you know that ?"Natalie asked pointedly.

"Because I know him."

"He 's right."Harry shook his capitulum."Old snake case knows More about avoiding dying than anyone else. Hey ! You should put-"

"billet guards on the head covering in the department of mystery story ?"Snape interrupted him."They are there as we speak. And others watch the velum at Grimauld place. But I doubt he will go to either of those places."

"There are other veil ?"

"Probably, no one knows."Natalie answered."token of ancient civilizations. He might come out of one of them. If he comes out at all."

Harry could see Snape opening his mouthpiece to grumble a rejoinder so he quickly said,

"Speaking of avoiding last, did you see in my head-"

"The hocruxes."Snape interrupted him."Yes. In retrospect it was so obvious ..."

"In retrospect it always is."Harry said."At least now we know. Do you think there are others."

"There are two others."Snape said simply. When Harry 's jaw dropped open Snape simply said."Mr Slughorn was very talkative with a some persuasion. He is not, in the end, an malefic man. Or even a foolish one. He is simply wedded to him comforts. In any case he was a teacher here at Hogwarts years ago when a boy called Tom Riddle was a student here. He once spoke to the Lester Willis Young dark lord about the possibility of a seven component soul. Counting the portion that remains in the dark lords body, the diary, the ophidian, the anchor ring and the cup."

"Two left ..."Harry felt dread rising in his tenderness."And Voldemort knows where they are. And we don't."Harry bowed his school principal, another problem. He was sick of this ... he was tired.

"Voldemort may be injured from his enactment through the head covering. Injured or otherwise delayed."Snape said thoughtfully."presumption what I know of the dark lord perhaps I can find them before he recovers."

"You said'I'not 'We'."Harry raised an brow. A few month ago he would have been angered by the lack of inclusion. Now he was verging on grateful.

"No."Snape raised a hired man to silence complaints that would not fare."I am not sidelineing you Harry. I am better suited to this project. As you are better suited to make out with our former problem."

"early pro ... Sasori."Harry rubbed his frontal bone. fiddling stabs of pain were feathering his synagogue. He wanted desperately to slumber."I 'd block about him."

"It is worse than you think. He has the philosopher 's stone."

"Voldemort did n't have in on him when he went through ?"

"No. We found the sealed safe the darkness lord was keeping the stone in. It had been broken open."Snape shook his head."We have one dark Maker to consider with. I would rather preclude the climb of another."

"Sasori 's ambitious."Harry nodded."We 've got to take him down before he learns to use the stone."

"My intellection exactly. But he will be well defended, and I can not use any order fellow member, all of them are needed in the search for the dark lord."

"So that leaves me."Harry bit his lip to stop a sorry sigh. Snape needed him. The domain needed their freakin Italian sandwich ..."I 'll get the Harlan Fisk Stone back."

"Remember what we learnt at their temple."Snape held up a prophylactic finger.

"There could be hundred of them in there."Harry nodded."I 'll come up with something though ... you just worry about Voldemort. I 'll deal with the Lie Gou."

"Very well."Snape nodded, then seemed to notice the way Harry was sagging into his armchair."I am sure you need to breathe. I know that I do."

"Goodnight professor."Harry nodded as he and Pythea left the dark office. After a few m of still corridor Pythea asked quietly,

"Do you stimulate a plan ?"

"Not yet. But I 'll think of a plan."Harry bit his lip. He had to invade a fortified construction full moon of magical ninjas in a ripple world and find out a tiny stone. Like looking for a needle in a rick while evading a rabid carcajou."And it had better be a practiced one ..."



Hi all. I 've actually finished the writing on book 6, started on record 7. As things stand it looks like Book 7 's going to be shorter than 5 or 6 and I was thinking of posting it as just a few large chapters rather than lots of petty ones. It gets tiring trying to find a cancel point to end a chapter every five-thousand words or so as I have been doing. Massive chapters would let it flow a little better.

Three fifteen-hundred Christian Bible chapters would probably do it. thought ?

Oh, and if you do n't review the Chupacabra will come and eat all of your goats.


I do n't own Frodo Baggins. Not that he 's in this story, just thought it was Charles Frederick Worth mentioning.





Harry stepped out of the labial pipe and turned up his leash against the rain. He was headed for the tarot card, for his second visit in as many days. He had the beginnings of a program to assail Sasori, he just did n't know if it was too mad. His plan could get them into the spot, it would n't help them determine the gem though ... The rain was driving vertically into Harry as he trudged down the grey street.

Was someone following him ?

Harry 's eye rolled back in it 's socket. There was soul on the street behind him, could be a muggle, Harry could n't see well enough with all the distortion the rainfall brought. He changed direction and stepped onto a engaged muggle street, taking him away from the Tarot. The man followed him. Proved nothing. Harry was very heedful not to rush up or slow down. He had a meeting scheduled in the Tarot but he had left himself plenty of time. And the patrons would not thank him for leading soul to their drinking hole. Tarot pubs had been found before by the aurors of course and subsequently abandoned. The melodic theme continued. Still, they would be ... displeased.

Harry stopped at a crossing suddenly and waited patiently for the lighter to change. The man following him slowed to a crawl and stopped at a shop front, pretending the shelter under the awning. The igniter changed. Harry stepped forwards and the man set off in pursuit.

Bugger.

Now that he was closemouthed Harry could soar up in on the man 's boldness. An older man, maybe forty. Black person hair with a small grey. mustache, clean and jerk shaven otherwise. Wearing grey trench coat. Under that wearing unremarkable cord and shirt. So far so muggle. Under that the man had muscular tissue. Unusual total for a man his age. Harry slowed down a tick more to get a better view. verge. In his pocket with his finger s wrapped around it.

Damn it. So practically for being muggle. Harry could see the man 's jiffy, a perfectly calm and measure tempo. He was n't stressed whoever he was. From his face he was n't one of the Lie Gou either. Although it could be a camouflage. Or it could be the other people who wanted him dead.

Harry bit his lip, if he doubled back to the flue he was fairly sure he could get away from this guy. But then he would n't make his tryst. He could call musical accompaniment, the marauders, but they could take historic period. He could try to lose this guy ... that was the impudent thing to do. But then he would n't get any clue why these wierdos were after him. So he could fight ... but not here. A car shot past Harry, throwing up water out of a puddle. Definitely not here, too many muggles.

Harry turned down an position street between tall flat construction. His stern was catching up. He must throw realized he had been made. Harry ducked into an alleyway and ran to the end before sliding into hiding at the boundary of a wall and drawing his wand.

The man stepped into the back street. Harry waited as his tracker strode along the dank sewer between the walls. The old man stopped suddenly and drew his wand. What was he doing ? ... The man aimed.

Damnit !

Harry leapt out of the way as the man sent a red bolt straight through the brick where Harry had been. Harry came up with his baton out and fired a stunner. The man shielded without a thought and blasted a another red bolt at Harry, all the while advancing quickly.

Harry flicked his wand, dragging a dumpster into the man 's course and banishing it towards him. It was quickly transfigured into plumage but Harry reversed the while and the man was broadsided, driving him back. Harry banished again, driving his battering ram of metal and trash into the man again. Suddenly a cutting bloodless flash filled the air and the dumpster was cut in half by a glow blade.

Harry cursed, to much to desire other people would n't screw his tricks.

The man dashed forward, the vane still sparkling in his hand. Harry sent a simple stunner that forced the man to shake off the blade to harbour and followed it up ...

"Atrax !"The deoxyephedrine in the skittle alley grew spider legs and threw itself at the old man who raised his hands and called up a shockwave that blew the spider to pieces and made the buildings shake."Tempesto"Harry called lead to blow the ice and debris back at his attacker but the man ducked to the paries and jabbed his want to the sky.

Harry dodged in time but was still blown to the story as a lightning dash shot down from the already bulging sky and blew apart the flag under his foundation. Harry rolled to his feet as another stabbed down where he had been lying.

Harry dashed towards the man and fired a fireball at his human face, following it up with a blistering barrage of hexs and charms. The man had to lay off his plan of attack to screen but flicked his other hand into his pocket to drag out small capsule.

What the hell ?

With a picture show of his radiocarpal joint the man threw the thing at Harry.

"Depulso !"Harry yelled on reflex action but it did nil to stop the thing."Geyser"Harry flicked his wand down and a fount of piddle erupted from the reason sending the little matter tumbling into the air.

The man dropped to the floor with his hands over his ear. Harry was about to fire a spell at him when the little capsule exploded with a thunder-clap and a blinding news bulletin of light. Brick ships fountained down on Harry as he was thrown backwards. He looked up in revulsion as the entirely incline of the building crumbled, bricks rending in immense cracking and sheeting falling away.

Child !

Harry 's eye flickered to the vainglorious gap just in time to see a bed gloaming through the fissure and get stuck, dropping it 's screaming inhabitant from the fifth part floor. Harry 's had scrabbled for his wand but he was too foggy, too deadening. soul else was faster. The old man darted beneath the falling child and caught him in both branch just as Harry 's fingers closed around his baton and swung around ...

baton pointing ... Man defenceless ... Child screaming in his blazonry ...

They stayed stuck in that tableau vivant for a long flash. Harry could sense his own breathing. The other man could n't defend himself with his men full phase of the moon ... but on the other hired hand he had a human shield. Harry could get word panic-struck outcry from above. The muggles would be here soon. The former man just stood motionless. And then, to Harry 's astonishment, the other man knelt down and laid the child on the concrete before slowly raising to his feet with his hands held out to either side of him.

He had given up his man shield.

"Who the Inferno are you ?"Harry yelled through the pelting, keeping his sceptre trained on the man 's chest."You want to bolt down me but you do a fireman save on someone else ? Why the underworld just me ?"

The man was silent.

"You 'll economize everyone but me is that it ?"

"I am saving everyone else."The man spoke for the first fourth dimension, his part low and oddly accented.

"What ?"

"I am saving everyone else."The man repeated."By killing you."

"What ?"

"You must die."The man said flatly."I take no pleasure in it, but if you do not die the consequences will be terrible."

"How the nether region does that mould ?"Harry yelled angrily."I 'm the bloody chosen one here !"

"No. You are not. You are not the chosen one. This we know. But that is not the point."The man 's vox was hasty. They could both hear running feet approaching. Harry gritted his teeth. He wanted to stun this guy and have him in ... on the other hand, he had saved a kid. On the former paw ...

The man 's subdivision came down and the snap of dissapparation filled the alleyway. Harry recovered from his angered electric shock just long enough to disillusion himself just before the muggles stampeded into the alley. He hid at the side and squeezed out before dashing away along the street. In the rain someone would observe him if he stayed in one place too long. Harry ducked into a doorway and cancelled the spell before sinking to his knees and pushing his point back against the wall, heedless of the rainwater running down his face.

I have to die ?

Harry knocked his head against the stone.

I have to die ? Because I 'm an abomination.

That was the understanding these wierdo 's had been after him ? They had n't told him any Thomas More than the centaurs and yet ... they knew who he really was. They were n't killing him for being Harry Potter. They were trying to kill diddly-shit Malyn.

Why would anyone want to kill an orphan with no memory ?

Harry smacked his head against the I. F. Stone again. He had given five bloody and painful years to protecting people and fighting dark, long time he did n't own to give. A fight he had n't had to be a part of. And for what ? For people who save children from certain death to try to kill him.

rent might have been flowing from his eyes, he could n't secern in the rain.

Harry pulled his knee up to his chest of drawers and wrapped his arms around them. He had sat like this back before Hogwarts he could remember ... of trend most of the time he had been smart enough to find somewhere out of the rain. He could remember that prison term ... what kind of life sentence did he lead now that he looked back fondly on being a street urchin ? That thought was too bitingly to even wee-wee him laugh.

Harry rolled his eye to look at the lookout in his air pocket. He still had ten minutes till his schedule meeting and he was going to expend at to the lowest degree five of them here in the rain, in the gutter, in a doorway with faded set posters nailed to the chipboard. He did n't worry if it made him late, if this doorway was all the mankind was giving him then he would take it. He had to have something.

Harry curled up and knock his had back into the recess where the rain was a little less. He closed his optic and felt the droplets slapping against his coat. He did n't care.
*


Harry pushed open the door of the tarot card, this time situating itself in a brightly decorated wine bar. He took a becalm breath.

"Wet out there."Harry threw a drying charm over his clothes and tomentum and stepped over to the man he had come to encounter. Harry bowed respectfully and forced a fake grin onto his face."Good evening. Thank you for hearing what I have to say."

The man on the other side of the table nodded faintly to the chair opposite him. Harry sat.

"So ..."Harry took a shallow breathing space."Shall I tell you about Sasori ?"
*


Hours later Harry sat alone in a face booth of the tarot. The man he had come to match was long gone. The meeting had gone well, Harry had said what he needed to say and the man had believed it. He had also given Harry a tumid bag of gold, but that was n't authoritative. It had only been crucial that the man thought Harry wanted money for the info, to conceal the real cause and ...

Oh what was the point ?

Harry took a late drapht of the drinkable in figurehead of him. It was on a coaster, as were the two empty glassful in social movement of him. If he went back to Hogwarts he would birth to bulge being himself again, having multitude demand things of him, and he was n't sure he could take away that right now.

Just involve to pack down Sasori ... get back the gemstone ...

Except after that Voldemort is still out there.

Snape 's dealing with it.

Snape is getting the Hocruxs. Even if we find them all Voldemort is still out there, and I do n't wish his sudden obsession with this gate-to-death. Let 's case it, we 're not even close to the end.

Harry finished the residual of his drink and dropped the vacate. He should n't have another. He was going to feature another. He just wanted to spend some time where there was no one demanding anything of him, was that too a good deal to ask ? Harry dropped his fountainhead to his hands. The only station he could be calm was in a den of iniquity, the den of criminals. What did that say ?

Harry breathed deeply and drew his orchard sound projection around him, but it wavered and constituent of the Tarot showed through the edges. Harry realized he would n't be able-bodied to bear it and allowed it to fade. It was n't real anyway.

Maybe when this is over I can go back there. The thought surfaced in Harry 's mind. Going back to the orphans' asylum, living like a muggle. He had no skills or anything but surely they needed janitors ... or entertainers. Harry sighed or maybe he would just will the country. He 'd overleap his friends, the piranha, Thea .... but they 'd understand. Take another gens ... or go back to seafarer and just ... wander ...

Harry dropped his fountainhead to the table. foolish view, there was still book seven before he could think of things like that.

The thing is ... I do n't cognise if I can last that long.

Harry closed his center and laid back in his booth. He 'd have to last that long would n't he ? Because that was what he needed to do, what the world asked of him. And he always did what was asked of him. Every all-fired time, no matter what. Every bloody time.

"Mr Potter ! I did n't require to see you here."

Harry 's eye 's shot outdoors in an instance. He had n't been paying aid. His magic eye had just been rolling in it 's socket but now it snapped to attention. His bridge player jerked to his scepter, but as he saw who was approaching him he relaxed. A little.

"Mr James."Harry looked up at the secret older man."Another monition message for me ? What 's happened now ? Sky falling ? Der Fuhrer back from the dead ? New Dido individual ?"

"Did I not just say I was surprised to see you here ?"Jesse James slid into the booth opposite Harry. He took a soft sip of his gin and fresh then placed it on the table.

No coaster. Harry tried to remember what gin and tonic meant in the Tarot code.

"Oh, my mistake."James slid a coaster under his drink.

Had that really been a mistake ? Was James just having a deglutition or was he sending a signaling ? Or did he want Harry to intend he was ... Oh who cares.

"Come here often ?"Harry asked the man opposite him.

"Occasionally, I mean you have to. To do business."James glanced around."I was not expecting to see you here though, being one of the virgin ones."

"Not entirely virtu-"Harry broke off mid sentence as he realised something. He could see James. With both center. The old man was actually there, not a protrusion like before. Harry was shocked for a moment. He was even more than shocked that he had n't noticed. The firelight glinted off the looking glass in figurehead of him. Harry closed his optic and surrounded himself with his plantation, just for a fraction of a secondly. He tried to force his mind together before he opened his heart."Not entirely virtuous. Just more virtuous than my enemies."

"I 've heard you have to a greater extent than one enemy these days."James said casually."lamb old Tom Riddle and now you have gone further afield for enemy. I knew the dark God Almighty was foolish for putting his faith in mercenaries."

Harry 's eye flickered down William James'body, looking for anything resembling a clue to his personal identity. The resultant role were disturbing, almost every bone in the old man 's organic structure had been broken long time ago, probably at the Same metre. Even the bones in his skull under his bald head showed signs of healed fractures. It was long ago, they had healed naturally first, then magically later ... Wyrd. The guy was stocked to the gills with magical artifact and amulet too, but that was perceivable here. No wand however ... that was also odd.

"I do n't think he puts trustfulness in anyone."Harry shrugged."How did you find out they left him anyway ?"

"It 's to a greater extent or less common noesis in my circles."St. James waved to the bar."Can I get you another drink."

No."I 'll have what you 're having."Why did I say that ?

James motioned to the barman and a import later Harry was holding a gin and tonic.

"You can relax Mr Potter."Henry James took another sip from his glass."This is the Tarot remember ? No one can meet you here. Not even me."

"piece of tail it."Harry took a deep swallow of his drink. He paused."This gustatory perception terrible."

"My apology. Shall I order you something el-"

"Yes."Harry drained the rest of the Methedrine."Please."

A glass of white wine appeared in Harry 's hired man. He sipped it this time.

"centime for your thoughts Mr Potter ?"King James I asked.

"Why did you come here this night if you did n't know I was here ?"

"You are not the centre of the universe Mr Potter. Despite what many think."St. James the Apostle smiled."I have many other things to manage other than yourself. As to what line I had here ? That is none of yours."

"funfair enough."Harry shrugged. Saint James did n't birth a wallet in his pocket, not any money either. He had n't paid the mixologist for any of his drinks, he must birth a tab. No one had a tab at the Tarot. Not unless to not give them a tab would have been grievous to the proprietor. Who the pit was James ? Harry considered for a here and now, then abandoned the gearing of thought. Tonight he was n't going to try to solve any mysteries, he was just going to slacken, toast, and talk to a secret stranger who was probably the head of some sort of clandestine crime syndicate. postponement ..."So it would n't give anything to do with the man who tried to attack me on the way here ?"

"Attack you ?"James looked aghast."On the way to the tarot ? That would be terribly bad etiquette. I ca n't imagine that even the Lie Gou would do that, they would be barred from the governance, they would loose business."

Harry said nothing. If Sasori had already worked out how to use the Isidor Feinstein Stone to twist lead into gold that might not matter.

"Did it look like one of the Lie Gou ?"

"No, but they could easily disguise themselves."Harry took a sip of vino."Did n't fight like one of the Lie Gou."

"Perhaps I can avail ? What did he look like ?"James actually seemed interested.

"Perhaps,"Harry hesitated, should he recount James anything else ? His fracture brain threw up a red iris, but on the former hand he currently knew sod all about the people trying to vote down him. Anything he found out would be helpful."Oldish, moustache, sounded foreign. Italian maybe ..."

"The same person who attacked you with a crossbow earlier this year ?"

"No."Harry did n't ask how James knew."Not the Lapp individual, but probably from the Sami beginning. The crossbow guy was champion with the centaurs."

"The centaurs would never hire assassins."James waved the gossip away."Not only is it against their laws, they also have too footling money. You ca n't employ slayer with acorns and mysticism."

"They were n't assassins, at least not paid ones."Harry thought back to the mystifying commentary his attacker had made."They did n't seem like assassinator ..."

"Well I ca n't think who they would be."James shrugged apologetically, but not unhappily."It would seem you have stumped me. I mean of course there are Italian crime governing body but none of them have any involvement in you."

"You know that for certain ?"

"Of course."James actually seemed to be relaxing, his elderly frame leant against the table."almost criminal are looking forward to the remotion of Voldemorrt, he is an irritation to so many things."

"Like living."

"Quite."

"There was one early thing ..."Harry bit his lip."In the competitiveness the man went out of his way to save a muggle who got caught in the crossfire. Almost lost the fight because of-"

"No ..."James'eyes went all-embracing."Are you sure ?"

"Positive."

"But they ... why would they have any grounds to assault you ?"

"You know who they are ?"Harry perked up and tried to sit up straight. His cubital joint slipped off the table but be righted himself and asked again."You know who they are ?"

"I believe I do ..."James involve Harry quizzically over his glass."Why would they ... but it ca n't be them. I would almost expect them to be on your side."

Harry said aught. The men probably would be on the side of Harry Potter. At least Saint James did n't know who he really was. Probably.

"Just tell me who they are."Harry said irritably.

"Oh some fools who think they can write the world."James chuckled under his breathing spell."Even more deceive than Dumbledore was in many path. Couching their idiocy in some ridiculous whimsy of decree and topsy-turvyness and god and ... they are ridiculous. Think no more of them. I seriously doubt that they could succeed where Voldemort failed."

"That 's comforting. You know what would be more comforting ? If you would give me a freekin name."

"But the real question is why you ?"James tapped his deoxyephedrine thoughtfully."Yes ... yes that is very interesting."

"You ca n't not enjoin me."Harry 's cubital joint slipped again, this time knocking over one of his old shabu."You have to distinguish me who they are."

"Actually I do n't think I will Mr Potter."Epistle of James chuckled under his breathing time."When you get as old as I am, and I am very old, it is very infrequently that you encounter something interesting. That is partially why I involved myself in your life, irregular as you are. This inquiry however is even more of a brain-teaser. No, I believe I will not say you. Not until I have considered more this intriguing problem. Good evening Mr Potter, it was a pleasure to meet you again."James stood and turned away.

"Hey !"Harry tried to stand but his arm got caught on the board and he fell back into his seat. He tried to sit again and stepped quickly towards the door.

"You 're not thinking of following him are you ?"A bass growling came from the barman. Following somebody leaving the tarot was as bad as attacking them at it.

"No, just leaving myself."Harry shook his head. He turned back to the board and, a thought process springing to mind, leant over and sniffed at James'drinking glass. Still one-half full. Smelled of restorative. No gin, just tonic.

Damnit

Harry turned to leave. At least he was protected by Tarot rules as well. No one would attack him on his way back. The convention stopped him from getting killed, did n't give up him from being played for a sap. Harry stepped out into the rain, letting it run down his aspect soothingly. He had screwed up badly tonight. He had made mistakes ... no. No he had n't made misunderstanding. A mistake was when you did n't know that what you were doing was dazed. He had known, and he had done it anyway.

Why

Because the globe owes me some freakin screw ups. Harry pulled his pelage around him and stalked off into the rain. The principle were supposed to protect him, but that did n't mean he did n't take in the tail all the way home.
*


"Why do you recall Harry brought us all here ?"Hermione asked quietly as the balance of the marauders waited in the piranha 's attic.

"I do n't have intercourse. No one knows obviously."Ron said from beside her."He was n't in his bed in conclusion night, I know that."

"It must be something important to cumulate us all here like this."Hermione bit one of her fingernails."Maybe he 's found where Voldemort is ? Or something about the Lie Gou ? I wish he 'd tell us what was going on."

"I guess it 's harder now."Ron shrugged."Half the school 's marauder. He ca n't maintain us all in the loop. Remember when it was just the six of us ? Right in the beginning ?"

"Seems like a lifetime ago."

"Kind of does I-"Ron broke off."Hey, looking there ..."He pointed.

"Is it Harry ? Oh,"Hermione shook her header as Draco stepped into the room. He looked as tired as he always did, but it was still a calendar week to full moon. As he entered Hermione saw Ginny nearby stiffen, but totally ignore the Slytherin 's entrance.

"Why does n't she just dedicate up on him ?"Ron said angrily."It 's stupid person that she 's so torn up about it."

Hermione did n't say what she wanted to.

"Anyway Dragon 's a prat for doing this."

Again, Hermione kept silent. Given that Harry had been gone a lot lately and Ginny had n't been speaking much Hermione had been spending quite a lot of time with Draco. She had a suspicion that he had his reason for rejecting Ginny. Or, well the fact that he was a werewolf and ...

"HEY MORONS !"The marauder fell silent, turning to see that Harry had materialized."Sorry, I meant to say 'Can I have your attention ?'but somehow it just ... well you know how it is. In any grammatical case, take hold of your gear mechanism. We 're leaving in five to save the world."
*


"Harry where are we going ?"Ginny demanded as the marauders slung their invisibility cloaks on.

"Well first we 're going to Wales, to the lake that forms the entrance to the Lie Gou factor house."Harry was strapping a spear-like affair to his hip."Where we float far above the body of water like passably butterflies. Then, at the opportune moment, we fly down through the portal, fly up to the mansion, go in, receive the Harlan F. Stone, get the stone. Simple."

"That 's your design ?"

"fountainhead they will be a picayune distracted by that point ..."
*


Harry zoomed his eye down through the iniquity. A skirmish of human body were approaching the water supply, flitting from cover to cover like shadow. They were grouping near the lake, slipping in one by one. Harry 's hand tightened on his scepter, so it had worked, he had n't been for certain it would.

Usually at this point he would be feeling the haste of epinephrin before a big fight, this time he just felt scared. There were a lot of masses behind him who would become very idle if this went amiss. He did n't finger energized, he felt ... deadened ...

The last of the fantasm slunk into the lake. Harry took a deep intimation. He flicked his watch out. About two minutes would probably do it.

Harry closed his eyes. The woodlet was still there, but the leaves were gone, turned into drifts and mulch on the ground. Harry could n't tell if the wind blowing through his hairsbreadth was in the conjuring trick or in reality. It did n't affair. Two minutes were up.

"Down."Harry aimed his broom down and carefully guided it down, with one hand the faculty in front of him to aim. The rest of the marauder followed him.

'' Agoredig Ffordd. '' Harry whispered to the urine 's surface. He took a deep breather ..."NOW !"

Harry dove his broom forward through the water system and straight out the other side. His inner ear flipped out as gravity reversed itself and he spun in the air involuntarily before righting himself. Other predator shot past him, taking the star, just like they planned. After all, he was n't the one you wanted leading an aerial attack.

Harry followed the others, shooting across the still air. Up ahead he could see the tabernacle, it 's windows glowing in the night air. turn and urarthritis of fire shot into the air all around them. They were n't aimed at them though, they were aimed at the other soma on the ground.

"whole caboodle like a charm."Harry muttered through gritted teeth as they shot over the warzone.
*


"So you started a war between ninjas and more ninjas !"

"look,"Harry look a calming breathing space."I met the leader of the Lie Gou at the Tarot."Harry flicked two heavy weapon into his privileged pockets.

"I thought that was who we were going to set on ?"

"Sasori 's just their European factor."Two ampul of potion and a grenade went into another pocket."And a very naughty boy for working the Voldemort/philosophers Harlan F. Stone angle without cutting his bosses in for a ploughshare. They 're not well-chosen. They 'll be moving this evening to excuse their displeasure to him at length."

"So we attack while there 's already a war between criminal mercenary ninjas."

"Course."Harry tried to vocalize more sure of himself than he felt."So long as there are n't any complications it should go fine."
*


"Yes !."Her handwriting curled around the chuck out wand."Allohamora."The cell door sprang capable, pushing the corpse away. Bellatrix stepped out of her cadre and kicked the body before spitting on it as a final examination insult and moving off, crouched against the wall. These godless soldier of fortune had kept her imprisoned for days, but it was nothing, she was used to worse prisons. And now they fought among themselves. Useless tomfool. And now that she was relinquish there would be hell to pay.
*


Harry crashed through the window and rolled to his animal foot, wand out. The others had already secured the room but he wanted to be sure.

"Ok, you know your teams."Ginny barked."squad four, hold here ! Everyone else, GO !"She did n't even wait before dashing off.

"hold you suicidal-"Harry darted after her, cursing. To be fair this had been the plan, in a general sensory faculty. batten down a few rooms from the madness and incinerate a path to Sasori, where they hoped to find oneself the endocarp, leaving teams along the way to batten down a way out. The plan had not been for Ginny to go all death-seeker."Ginny duck's egg !"Harry reached the girl just in clip to tackle her to the floor. A thunderbolt of lightning smashed through the paries, above them. Harry fired back through the hole with one bridge player, dragging Ginny to her feet with the other.

"What- ?"

"I go first !"Harry barked into her side."I 'm the one with the eye ! Remember ?"

"I-"For a instant it seemed like Ginny was going to press him."fine. Get moving then."The last prison term was said through gritted teeth.

Harry pushed away and surged forward. genus Draco stepped up adjacent to him and for a import caught his eye.

Harry send her back. She should n't be here. She 's not thinking straight.

She would n't listen. Harry sent back quickly. At least here we can keep an eye-"SHIELDS !"Harry himself jumped close to Draco, trusting the wolfman 's shield far more than his own.

An ark of knife tore through the wall like machine gun fire and a consequence later the rampart crashed in, filling the corridor with fighting black figures.

"Harry which ace are on our incline !"Neville yelled.

"None of them !"Harry stunned a Lie Gou who got too close as the warring faction ripped each other apart before the predator 's heart."Just stick back and hit any that card you or survive !"

And maybe do n't talk ?

Harry was thrown backwards as one of the fighters fired a trance at the sound of his voice. Harry hit the wall and felt his wand jarred out of his finger. His other hand gripped the spear in his sleeve and had torn it out before he hit the storey. He sent lighting from the tip at his attacker before sweeping it over the other combatants. They fell to the storey like ragdolls and the marauders sent stunning spells to truly send them to la-la-land.

"squad three hold this maculation !"Ginny yelled. She darted forward but stopped short at a utterly spotlight from Harry.

Harry turned and grabbed his wand before continuing on, threading his way through eubstance. He felt green-eyed of the others, they could only hear the fight going on all around them, just rooms away. He could see it.

Oh god so much blood ...

He had done this. Harry gritted his teeth as he silently led the marauder through passage away from the main conflict. He had done this. He had caused this massacre.

"Two in the adjacent room."Harry did n't even waver as he threw the door loose and stabbed the kindling spear at one. Draco dropped the former one and Harry just kept walking. There were tabular array in this elbow room, the remains of a meal. They had just been eating. There were already three organic structure in the next room. Well, two and a half.

I caused this.

"Harry nidus !"genus Draco 's vocalisation shocked Harry out of his fugue.

"It 's ok. I 'm ok."Harry gritted his teeth. Draco narrowed his bloodshot eyes.

Do n't enjoin me you 're going mad too-

I 'm fine. Harry continued quietly."It looks like Sasori 's authority and clobber is through here. Its at the top of ... of like an indoor tower thingy in the middle of a garden. There 's a stair around the outside of it. And circumstances of safety, twenty on the ground, fifteen on the staircase. That I can see anyway. No other way through though."

"Is Sasori there ?"Ginny said flatly.

"Ca n't tell. There 's a Ward around the top of the tower."Harry looked back over his flock. There were n't many left. They had left a breadcrumb track of good zones across the temple, it left them stretched but it was the only way.

"Alright."Ginny said definitely."Hermione, you keep the rest of them with you and take out everyone on the floor, hold the region. Harry, Dragon and me ... we go up the tower."

"Ginny-"

"You know that 's the best way."Ginny growled."You have a break plan ?"

"That 's it."Harry narrowed his eyes."You 're going back. Help hold the finish room."

"To hell with you !"Harry 's hand snapped forward but Ginny had already slammed the threshold open.

"Damnit !"Harry 's mitt flicked into his pocket as thirty-five scepter reel towards him. Harry 's hand flicked out of his pocket."Disperseas !"Ten grenades fanned out across the room like a spray of end."carapace !"

Dragon 's shield flashed around him as Harry 's opinion were filled with hatred of everything red-headed and female. The flames consumed the garden but the spells were already hammering down. Harry 's eye caught something that made him scream like a banshee.

"NO !"Ginny was shooting into the air, zooming towards the top of the tower !"Who knew she still had her broom !"

"She had it in her bag !"Draco yelled through gritted dentition."shell down in three ... two ... one ..."

"Stupefy !"Harry had his baton in one hand and the gig in the early. Two shapes rose from the roll of tobacco. Two chassis were thrown back in. Harry dashed to the stairs and cursed as he aimed a stunner at a shape leaping out of the swarthiness. The staircase did n't even possess a bannister, no tribute from the firing below.

"We should take out the ones down here first !"Draco slammed into the wall next to Harry.

"Ca n't ! Stupid Bloody evil your freekin aspirant GIRLFREIND stupid KILL HER !"A figure dropped down in front of Harry and he took the opportunity to take out his rage. The figure fell back bloody."We need to get up there in case she does some -DIE STUPID EVIL- she 's screwed everything up ! Here you shield I 'll drink down. I feel like killing."

Harry edged forward as fast as he was able, cowering under Draco 's shield as they advanced up the tower.
*


Ginny dropped off her broom at the top of the tower and ducked behind a slope wall.

She could do this. She could do this alone. She did n't need ... Ginny took a abstruse breath, her warmness was racing. Suddenly she was thrown to the floor as the paries exploded outwards above her. Ginny rolled and aimed her wand at the opening, but a instant later another hole appeared right on the early side of the tower. Flashing visible radiation broke from inside the pillar and Ginny gingerly snuck up the the hole in the bulwark. Down below Ginny could take heed explosions, the others were fighting. But she did n't need them ...

Ginny raised her head a piddling over the bulwark and looked over. Inside there was a across-the-board office, desk shattered against the shelves, ledge thrown across the floor, floor on fire. In the center of the room, circling one another corresponding dogs, a man and a char, wands poised to fire.

Bellatrix. Bellatrix and Sasori.

"Give me the stone !"The scarred death eater looked rabid, foaming at the mouthpiece and twitching."collapse me the stone or I 'll tear you limb from branch !"

Sasori said cipher, but sent a spell bouncing off the wall to catch Bella in the side, throwing up a gout of blood. She was covered in blood but did n't seem to bring in it. Sasori was plumb and almost smiling. He was winning and he knew it.

Ginny shifted around the exterior of the tugboat. She could finish off Bellatrix ( of trend she could ... ) but the Lie Gou ... If she could strike him out first, from hiding, she could deal Bella. Then she 'd induce the Harlan F. Stone. She could get it herself.

Ginny tried to work out where the fighter were from the screaming and explosions from inside the office. Why had n't she got herself an eye like Harry 's ? She 's considered it, why had n't she done it ? Ginny found another happy chance in the wall and raised herself up.
*


"dullard bloody- !"Harry barged into the Lie Gou in front man of him and chucked him off the English of the tower. By now it was a long way down. Harry tried to aim through a haze of pain and forced his base to rise higher up the tug."Draco motility !"Harry yelled back at the man behind him.

"You go ahead, I 'll hold them !"Draco was raining down fire on the fighters below."You help her !"

"You sure ? I 'm planning on killing her afterwards."

"Just GO !"
*


"Stubefy !"Ginny felt a cry of triumph as the enchantment smashed into the Lie Gou 's back, sending him careening to the floor."Avada Kedavra !"Ginny aimed the oath at the shocked destruction feeder at the other side of the room. Bellatrix threw herself to the position, giving Ginny time to vault the paries and flash forward into the war-torn ruin.

"You ?"Bellatrix spat as she pushed herself up from the floor."Why are you here you muggle loving bitch ?"

"Shut up ! Jupitall !"Ginny sent lightning flying at the death eater and dodged to the body of the Lie Gou on the floor. pocket. early Pocket. Inside Pocket- THERE ! Ginny 's fingers closed around a flyspeck Isidor Feinstein Stone. The philosophers stone, she had it. Ginny rolled behind the remains of the desk to avoid a sickening black curse and jumped to her foot."Come on ! Come on bitch fight ! Show me wha-"

The swearword hit her in the chest.
*


Harry 's eye saw through gem and flesh to hold every hideous point. His feet faltered on the stair and he fell to his human knee as he saw the spell hit home. The polishing red light source of the curse radiated out in wafture from her chest, meeting her rib and staving them in, raking through her lungs and slamming into her rachis. Breaking it like a twig. Ginny was lifted off the primer coat and thrown onto the rampart behind her. When she hit she did n't hit like a somebody. She hit like a sack of kernel, leaking blood and sliding down the paries before collapsing on the floor.

Harry could get wind nothing. The war all around him might as well have been mist. Harry did n't see the hold out few steps he dashed up like lightning. He did n't see the wall between him and Bellatrix, it broke like methamphetamine hydrochloride, sending sherd ripping through Harry 's hide. It did n't hurt.

Bellatrix. In his centre she was lit up like a Christmas Tree, the only thing that mattered in the world.

"Avada Kedavra !"hatred, fury and darkness flowed out of Harry like a river. The air before him flashed green like lightning. The corpse of the wall were stove in and the shattered through the former side, it crushed past the cowering death feeder like a freight train. Then, slowly ... it disappeared.

"fountainhead well well ..."Bellatrix chuckled."I must say I 'm impressed-"

"Acerbus cuspis !"Harry charged more hatred and rage into another dark curse, fanning out the lance so the murderer could n't dodge. Harry 's substructure bit dirt and he charged towards the bitch. She had n't even stopped screaming by the time he reached her, slamming his charge into her font. Her scarred head snapped back and Harry dove down, grasping his hands around her neck as hard as he could. He could palpate her trachea crushing under his fingers.

"Ach ... a ..."Guttural nix tried to escape from the Wiccan lips."Ach ... a ... a."Harry knew he should just use his sceptre, induce it flying, but red dots were spiralling before his eyes and even if he 'd wanted to he could n't receive made his fingers move. Bellatrix 's oculus rolled back in her skull. The bitch was-

"Aaa !"Harry was thrown backwards as lightning arced from the crone digit into his breast. Harry could feel his flesh burning, skin searing off. He could feel all sorts of irrelevant things.

"Crucio !"Bellatrix croaked. Harry did n't bother to dodge.

"Excalabus !"Harry whipped his wand sideways, ignoring the blinding pain. The sword flickered out, burnt forward, flicked back behind Bellatrix 's baton. Right through her wrists. One severed hand bounced off Harry 's shoulder as he jumped forward, punching the enchantress to the ground.

"Accio wand."Bella 's fallen wand flew into Harry 's hand. Her manus came with it, but that was a tiddler detail. Bellatrix sprawled on the floor, screaming, clutching the bally stumps of her munition to her chest. Harry could hear the screams but they had no consequence on him, his mind was drifting ...

For a fraction of a secondment he drew his orchard around him. So quiet, nice and calm ... Harry opened his eyes again. He was cold now, the anger was burnt out of him, gone with the darkness. Harry stepped forward, his scepter trained on the char in front of him. He was n't raging any-more, he did n't really sense anything.

His centre flickered to movement on the floor. It was Sasori, just recovering from the sweetheart. The Lie Gou 'd eye flicked up to Harry and his script flickered into his robe. Before Harry could even think of casting a turn there was a haste sound and Sasori was gone, portkeyed away.

Harry knew he should handle. But he really, really did n't. Harry 's eyes flickered back to the screaming woman on the ground in forepart of him. One of the two last dying eaters, the homicidal ditch that killed Ginny and so many others. Lying helpless in movement of him, ready to draw to justice. He could take her to azkaban and make her away for good.

shrieking, so much screaming. plantation flowed around him. She would be locked away. Apple blossoms ... Far far away ... She had been locked up before. It did n't last.

"Avada Kedavra !"Harry closed his eyes as he spoke the spell, but he saw anyway. Not much to see really. The trance hit home, the force of it pushing her eubstance a few feet across the base, and her nerve stopped beating. That was it. Nothing more. Harry opened his eyes.

The fight far below was meaningless here ... quiet ... apple blossoms in the air.
*


Dragon staggered to the top of the column, retching as he dragged his bore bones forward. The fighting below was almost over, just the predator mopping up the stragglers and holding the path open for them to get back. He walked carefully over to the government agency and spun in, wand raised. He saw Bellatrix, beat on the floor, with Harry standing over her. Harry 's baton had fallen from his helping hand and he was just staring at the wall. genus Draco was about to step over to him when he saw ...

"Ginny ?"Draco 's eyes flashed broad and he dashed to the crumpled form by the paries."Ginny ? ... can you hear me ?"She was stagnant, anyone could see-

"Dragon ..."

"Gin-"Draco crouched down, his grimace next the barely moving lips. There was zippo he could do, he knew that. Even if the whole staff of St Mungo 's was here there would be nothing they could do. Only one affair ..."Ginny are you in infliction ?"

"No ..."Just a susurration."Draco ?"

"Yes ?"

"I love ..."

Draco gritted his tooth. He could n't cry, not now. He could n't, he just couldn't.

"I ..."Ginny was faltering, drifting away."I ... love y-"

"I know."Draco could experience tears on his cheeks. Damnit."I ..."He paused ... too long."I love you too. I always did."Draco hoped she was too far gone to take heed that he was lying.

Ginny 's lips twitched, he could tell she was trying to peach, but she just did n't have the long suit any-more. He was n't sure he did either. Instead he angle forward and kissed her softly. She tasted like off-key origin, she felt cold. He closed his optic and felt the teardrop flowing, dropping off his cheek and running rivulets down Ginny 's face. slight drip cleaning agate line in the muck and blood. The lips twitched once Thomas More beneath his, then went still. Very ... still.

Draco leant back, reached his arm under Ginny and lifted her up. A little red stone dropped from her hand to the floor. genus Draco hesitated, the enticement to just leave the cursed matter there was almost too much to bear. But then all this was deserving nothing. Draco grabbed the thing and stuffed it in his pocket.

"seed on Harry."He found words somewhere in his throat."ejaculate with me."

Harry 's deadened eyes came up to meet his and the boy took a stuttering stair forward.

"That 's rightfield ... follow me."Draco walked slowly out of the office towards the longsighted stairway. He looked back and saw Harry following him, still staring deadly ahead."trade good, just maintain following me. We have a foresighted walk home."

And I 'm carrying her every stride of the way.

Even if it breaks my vertebral column I 'm carrying her.
*


"All considered,"Sasori did not answer to the voice addressing him."A total failure."

Sasori 's only reception was to grimace.

"You have lost the philosopher 's stone."The old man stated calmly."And your own usefulness has been severely curtailed. You no longer insure the Lie Gou in European Union, indeed the whole organisation will be out to kill you."

"You do n't appear too discomfit about all this."Sasori could still smack frustration in his mouth, but he was not about to back down to the man before him.

"Upset ? Why would I be upset ? I never had any indirect request for the stone."

"You are an old man."Sasori narrowed his heart."Especially old for one of your type."

"Only fools indirect request to experience forever, and I am already far by my time."That infuriating chuckle."On that banknote have you given any thought to what you will say to the others of our little lap ? There might be some question of whether you have anything to offer us any-more."

"Are you threatening me ? I could obliterate you before you blinked an eye."

"Oh seminal fluid now, there is no need to be unpleasant."The old man spread his mitt and smiled."And you would never hide me. You need my protection if you even wish to survive the next twenty-four hours."Sasori 's gut twisted. As much as he hated it the man was right. He needed allies, he needed this man or the others would release on him like woman chaser. Ha ... ironic ...

"You are right James."Sasori bowed his head."I need your help. severalise me what you want me to do, and what you want in return."
*


"How could you let this happen ? How could you beam them out there !"

Draco closed his eyes and tried to block out the strait of Kingsley Shacklebolt 's vocalism. He knew he should be saying something, but he did n't have the energy. Besides, the minister 's ire was not directed at him.

"You knew this was potential. The death of any one of us is always possible."Snape said harshly.

"She was not one of us !"

Draco shuddered, the marauders return to Hogwarts had been fearful. The order had been meeting and he had been able-bodied to carry Ginny 's consistency directly into her brother 's sleeve. He had barely even been able to say'I 'm sorry'before the puncher had flown into his chin. He had n't tried to push back. The second clout had broken his nose, the marauders pulled the crying Weasley off him after that but after that the order had exploded, turning on each other, and the marauders, like jackal. They were splintered now, the argument spilling into different rooms but genus Draco did n't recognise if it was any better.

"You knew I was keeping the marauder ready."Snape continued.

"As a last resort ! For cases like the ministry end year when all other hope is lost."Shacklebolt 's fists were clenching."Not active, not invading a fortified-"

"It was my determination as leader of the order."Snape interrupted angrily.

"fountainhead I think we can safely say that that is over."

"That is not your decision-"

"If I put it to the vote what do you guess the effect will be."Shacklebolt jerked his head and two aurors appeared at his shoulders."Mr Snape-"

"prof Snape."Snape hissed the word like a curse.

"I assume your professorship will also soon end. Since you will not be able to teach from Azcaban."

Draco started to his invertebrate foot but a grim glance from Snape sent him back to his seat.

"Am I to be told what I am being arrested for ?"

"Endangering a minor. neglect leading to expiry and so many other things."Snacklebolt 's voice was low and dark."Dumbledore was legal injury ever to trust you. We all were."

"If I had not acted the moment would have been far far worse."

"Perhaps the Wizengamot will see it the same way."Shacklebolt gestured to his aurors."Although I sincerely hope not. I assume you are going to number quietly."

"Running would signal I had something to be guilty about."Snape thrust his mitt out sharply."I assume you want my wand."

Draco shook his fountainhead, he had to do something. But Snape must have seen the look on his face because he calmly turned to him and said, as the aurors shackled him,

"Perhaps you should check on your friends Mr Malfoy."

"But-"

"Go Draco."Snape allowed himself to be lead away by the aurors. He looked back over his shoulder."And if you would demand care of Harry I would appreciate it."

The doorway slammed closed and Draco felt his heart drop cloth. It was like the whole creation was falling apart.

Harry.

Yes, Harry. He needed to see Harry. Since they had got back Harry had n't said anything, just kept staring straight ahead. Dragon would have tried legilimency but everything had happened so fast. Harry was weak, vulnerable, clearly going through something terrible. He had to guide care of him. Draco grasped that thread like a lifeline and walked out of the room. Anything to not mean of everything else-

"How could you let this happen !"Draco did n't count across from the door to where the Weasley kindred was clustered. The Twin Falls were just sitting, almost as blank as Harry, Ron was crying into his hired man. William Weasley was yelling."When mum and dad wake up what am I going to severalize them ? It was my job to keep you safe !"The older boy was tearing up."I was supposed to hold you safe ..."

Draco tore his gaze away from the cataclysm and kept walking. Harry had been in the infirmary wing. Draco could still take heed the yelling from behind him. freeze it out. Up stairs. play left.

genus Draco was at the door to the hospital wing when-

"Draco !"Draco whirled and tensed when he saw Hermione running towards him."Do you be intimate where McGonagall is ?"

"I ... No. Why ?"

"They ... they called my parent. They called all our parents."Hermione kept pulling on a recollective curl of her fuzz in panic."They 're taking me away, they 're taking me out of Hogwarts. They ca n't do it ! I do n't want to but ... McGonagall must be able to stop them, she can stop them all-"

"All ? What do you mean all ?"

"All the parents are here, are n't you listening !"Hermione was breathing hard, on the border of tears."All the marauders. Our parents are all here, they 're taking us out. All of us ! There must be something we can do-"

"Draco."Draco spun again as the door to the Hospital wing was pushed candid and Draco saw Pythea stepping out. She did n't face as frantic as Hermione but on the seer 's, usually unflappable, endorsement it looked even unfit."Do you have it away where Harry is ?"

"Pythea !"Hermione spoke before genus Draco could even open his mouth."Do you know where McGonagall is ?"

"Try the neat Hall."Pythea said distractedly."Have you seen Harry."

"I thought he was in there- Hey delay !"Draco called after Hermione as she tore off down the corridor."Damnit, He is n't in there ?"

"No,"Pythea looked scared, her odd centre were wide."person thought they saw him take the air out but no one tried to stop him."

"I ... damn."Draco put his fingers to his temples. The universe was ending. Everything was falling apart. Find Harry."Alright, just give me a second ..."Dragon got down on his hired hand and knees and sniffed deeply.

hundred of feet travelled these halls but Draco knew Harry 's perfume. The few benefit of being a werewolf.

"He went this way."genus Draco led the way slowly along the passageway.

"Can you not go quicker ?"Pythea asked angrily.

"Ca n't you just scry him out ?"Dragon shooter back.

"No I ca n't !"Pythea almost shouted."I ca n't see him, I never could, that 's the stop. Please rush !"

genus Draco reached a staircase and hurried down. Another stair, Draco sniffed ... yes. Down those too. Corridor ... dammit. Draco followed the trail all the way to the great door of Hogwarts. The trail went right out the room access, straight outside.

"But grannie !"genus Draco 's head came up as he heard Neville 's voice."I need to stay here, these are my booster !"The marauder was being hurried along by an onetime lady, his grandmother.

"Your protagonist ? ally do n't get protagonist killed !"

Draco doubled over. That had felt like an actual black eye. He should bear been faster climbing the column. He should have brought his own broom so he could play along her. All his fault.

He should n't experience let her make out in the first place. They all knew she was depressed. That was his fault too, if he was n't so awry she would still be animated. If he was n't twisted, disgusting. His father had been right, he was useless ... it was-

"The lead genus Draco !"Pythea 's articulation seemed to hit his peg before it reached his encephalon and he was already moving before it even registered. The trail was clearer out here on the grass, it was n't wandering, straight like an arrow. Straight to the border of the disallow forest. Draco straightened up, his fount ashen."He went inside."

"But he knows the Centaur will kill him if they find him in there."Pythea was shaking her promontory in horrified disbelief.

"I do n't think he even knows his epithet right now."Draco sniffed again and hurried forward at a trim run. Behind him he could hear the seer following him. Harry was n't making any attempt to enshroud his track, it was plain as day. But that meant it was plain as day for the Centaur as well. genus Draco tried to tell himself that the bigger trail meant they were closing in on him. Tried ...

"Is ... is he close ?"Pythea panted from behind him.

"Yes."genus Draco lied. All he could hear was his own breather in his ears and his beating core. sniff. Trail. Run.

"diaphragm !"

Draco skidded to a halt.

"What ?"

"This is it. He 's here."Thea began looking around, glancing behind trees."paste out he 's somewhere here."

"How do you know ?"

"All of these are apple trees."

"Ah, right."Draco took a trench hint in. Yes, Harry 's scent was mysterious here. The prophesier was properly. And the sense of smell was bass coming from ..."Harry ! Thea I 've got him."Draco dashed over to where Harry was propped against the trunk of a tree. His eyes still had that glassy, far away, look. But at least he turned to present them as they walked up to him.

"Harry ?"Pythea crouched down side by side to Harry."Are you here ?"

"Yeah,"Harry nodded slowly."I think so ... it 's knockout to tell."

"Why did you run into the forest ?"genus Draco asked.

"I ... I do n't remember doing that."Harry shook his top dog."I just ... I was thinking about trees ..."

"well, we found you."Draco put his hand on Harry 's shoulder."Lets get back."

"binding ?"Harry tensed, a fraction of his usual callosity returned to his eyes."Back to Hogwarts."

"Yes."

"Ginny 's dead."

"Y ... yes."

"Voldemort 's alive."

"Why are you asking me that ?"Draco shook his heading, trying to bring in sensory faculty of Harry 's questions.

"I killed Bellatrix. Just killed her."

"It was self defence."Pythea said soothingly.

"No it wasn't."Harry was breathing harder."I cut off her manpower then I killed her. She was screaming before, she was n't screaming after."

Dragon swallowed roughly. He did n't know what to say to that.

"I saw her heart catch. Not Ginny 's, Bellatrix 's. Saw her hit the wall, except that it was her not ... Her heart just stopped."Harry seemed to be drifting from thought to thought."Saw her spine snap."

"Let 's go back to the castle."Pythea said desperately."Come on Harry-"

"Harry ?"Harry spat the name out."Harry ? That 's not me. Harry 's dead. I wish he was alive, wishing it were him here instead of me. The Chosen one, must be strong or have some screwball power. I do n't, I 've got aught ... Maybe he would be strong enough. But I 'm not, I 'm just not."

"Ha- Jack ?"Pythea leant forward."We can get through this, together."

"No Thea."A pull ran from Harry 's eye."I 'm gloomy. I 'm so so deplorable. But I ca n't do this any-more. I 'm no-count but ... It 's too much. I 'm offend. Something in me 's broken."

"Harry ?"

"I ca n't. I 'm sorry. I 'm so sorry."Harry 's dolorous eyes met the seers."Goodbye Thea."

"NO !"Pythea hurtle forward but she was too slow, the timber rang with the crack of a rough apparition. A flock of birds took flight from the trees around, dappling them in shadow for a present moment, then they were gone. And so was Harry.

The world was broken. Everything had fallen apart.

Draco kept expecting him to reappear, with a laugh perhaps, or for it all to be a trick. But it was n't, and he was n't. Beside him Pythea was just staring at the quad Harry had been. The silence drew on, Draco did n't want to be the first one to speak, that would create it real.

"I ..."Dragon licked his backtalk."I did n't know he could apparate."

"He was having lessons."Pythea sounded small. small-scale and broken.

The silence returned, dragging on forever. Draco broke it again, the words feeling like lead.

"So what ... what do we do now ?"

"I do n't know."Pythea was shaking."I just do n't know ..."





Whew ... That 's the end of Scripture 6. Leslie Townes Hope you enjoyed it. I 'm 2/3 of the way through book 7 so it should n't be too yearn before it 's finished. It 's been a long haul but we 're in to the terminal straight now. So get prepare for ...

Harry Potter and the leash Mysteries !