The Binding Of Fates: Metus Obscuritatis

Chapter Thirty Nine

Kill the Spare

Barty Crouch closed the door behind him, hung up his overcoat on the rack and pocketed his gloves. He greeted the two women with a psychotic grin. "Thank you for contacting me Narcissa."

Narcissa remained silent. She felt like a prisoner in her own home. Barty Crouch raised his eyebrow then scrutinized the both of them.

"The prodigal daughter returns! How are you, dear girl?" Barty said with a smile, hands on hips, the perfect favourite uncle.

"So you're the one behind this," Bellatrix Black said, unimpressed.

"If you are referring to your escape, yes. What are you doing here?" Barty asked politely.

"Oh, just catching up, you know," Bellatrix said, scowling at him. "Girl talk."

"I see," Barty said. "Do you ... remember anything?"

"Some," Bellatrix lied. She remembered everything. Harry trying to mind rape her fixed that.

"Hm..." Barty said. "The next Black scion should be fresh out the oven. How about you two take a nice trip to Marseille and pay your respects?"

"Sirius?" Narcissa asked softly.

"No, I'm joking," Barty said with a straight face. "I have your ICOP documents ready to go. I'm sure he'll be ecstatic to have a family reunion. Oh, and take this- a bit of Andromeda polyjuice," Barty gave Bellatrix a vial. "And your old wand. Just in case."

"Was thinking of visiting, actually," Bellatrix replied, pocketing both.

"Good girl. Give Sirius and his boy, my sincerest regards," Barty said with a charming smile, turning to go.

Bellatrix frowned. Narcissa stood rigid as a board. The faster he left, the better.

"Oh and Narcissa," Barty said, spinning around just as he put his hand on the door. "Please owl me when you return. I have another job for her. We have a wand to acquire. A very special wand. Ta!" Barty Crouch Jr saluted, took his coat and left.

The next few weeks were routine for Harry. He woke up early and exercised in the Room of Requirement with Katsumi. He attended classes, did revision for OWL exams, and attended Quidditch practice.

Hogwarts students were paranoid about who would be the next transfer student to 'disappear' into thin air. Alexandria, Jon, Valerian, and now Durmstrang's Marcus Flint and Lexcilla Krabbt cut school; and apparently fell off the face of the planet. It was a toss up between Maximilian Du Plessis, Fleur Delacour, and Hanzo Katsumi, with Katsumi as the most prime suspect to be stricken by this mysterious enigma plaguing the Tri School Tournament.

Since the bedroom incident, Katsumi was opening up to Harry. Smiling, touching, and joking with him more frequently than before. However, she kept her distance when they had dinner late at night. Harry was perplexed about that, but didn't press the issue. She usually gave him a hug, smiled, and bade him goodnight.

At the end of the week of OWL exams (which were brought closer due to the Tri School Tournament); Katsumi and Harry were in the Room of Requirement training.

"I know you are comfortable with tapping into Rin, to bring forth the Lightning meld," Katsumi said after sparring.

"Yeah, feels almost second nature now," Harry agreed, taking deep breaths. Katsumi didn't go easy on him at all. She could still kick his arse easily. "Meditation time?"

"Not yet," Katsumi said. "I want to instruct you in another technique. It is easier after a rigorous workout."

"What technique?" Harry said eagerly.

"It is a technique used to store weapons- well, more like objects aligned with your inner nature," Katsumi said. "For you, it is obvious to me what your nature is. Sha Jin Zai." Katsumi clasped her hands and fingers in three different combinations with each chant.

"The what?" Harry asked, mimicking and failing to copy her hand movements.

"Sit with me," Katsumi said, changing the interior of the Room into a Japanese dojo, complete with a sword rack and Katsumi's traditional Samurai armor on a mannequin. She knelt then leaned back on her heels, palms on her lap.

Harry did the same, so that they faced each other.

"To make it easier for you to understand, think of this Room as a physical manifestation of where I store my possessions. Or you can compare it to your ringbox. However, not everything can come inside. These items are not random, they are treasures," Katsumi explained. "Tö Retsu." She performed her technique to summon her Diablo sword out of thin air. The sword on the rack disappeared.

"Ah, now I understand, I think," Harry said, recalling that she did do that all the time.

"Roughly translated, my technique allows me access to link my prized possessions to my inner place. Seal of The Outer Lion 'Tö' in combination with the Seal of Inner Wisdom, 'Retsu'," Katsumi explained. "My armor, my knife, my Shinobi pouch, and my herbs case are the things I keep in here. Also this-"

Katsumi demonstrated the technique and a wizarding camera popped out of thin air.

"That's the camera I gave you for Christmas," Harry said.

"It is," Katsumi said. "I love to take pictures of my new garden on the clan property. I planted my medicinal herbs with special care. My armor was gifted by my brother, and the camera was a gift from you. They all mean a lot to me."

"So you're saying only things that have personal value can be stored?" Harry asked.

"Yes. I noticed you have two spare wands that you lock away alongside Gungnir and the Hallow Blade."

"Yeah," Harry admitted. Those were Valerian's weapons, but he did have an attachment to them.

Was he truly over her?

"I think the sword cannot be stored in your inner space. The others should work. Say after me. Sha Jin Zai," Katsumi said, demonstrating the seals slowly. "Seal of the Inner Lion, Seal of the Inner Bonds and finally, Seal of the Ring Of the Sun. You try. Close your eyes."

Harry closed his eyes and performed the technique. Similarly to when he activated his Lightning Meld, something did happen, but he didn't know what, exactly.

"I feel something," Harry said, eyes still shut.

"Good. Bring the Spear inside," Katsumi said.

"How?" Harry asked.

"Open your hands as wide as the oceans, and draw in the spear with the rise and fall of the tides," Katsumi said.

Harry was about to argue that did not make any sense, but then came to the realization that her instructions were spot on. He visualized it, and it came to pass using magic. The spear floated into his magical ocean, and he drew it to his shore. "I think I did it..." Harry said uncertainly.

"You are a quick learner. Does the 'space' feel full?"

"Kinda," Harry admitted, opening his eyes.

"That is all for now," Katsumi said. "As you grow familiar with these techniques, the more items you can store. Lord Shogun is very strong in this power. He can summon nearly anything he owns, and even certain things he does not."

"How do I get it back?" Harry asked.

"Usually, it is linked with need, but seeing as you have a knack for magic, I believe we can skip that step," Katsumi said with a solemn nod.

"Is that need the reason you summon a black cloth to hide your legs? With Sanguni and his playboy bunny armor?" Harry interrupted, pointing at her bare thighs under her keikogi.

"Yes," Katsumi admitted, blushing.

"You don't when we're alone," Harry noted.

"Observant," Katsumi muttered with a slight smile.

I knew it. She was teasing me all this while.

"As you mention him, Sanguini uses a similar technique to hide our clothes when we activate the armor," Katsumi added. "That magic is set in the glove itself, a permanent element of his design. What I have shown you, is your personal space, your own magical space. To bring out the Spear, it is the same mantra, except you need to... have a desperation? Is that the word?"

"Sort of like the Patronus charm?" Harry said.

"Sort of, yes," Katsumi said. "Everyone is slightly different. But it isn't like the sea. It's like reaching underneath a bed for an object that is just out of reach. Try," Katsumi indicated.

Harry performed the technique. Instead of popping out of midair at a comfortable spot, Gungnir shot down from the ceiling like a bolt of lightning. Harry dived across and grabbed Katsumi before it killed her.

The spear pierced the floor of the dojo, sending shards of wood and mat material flying.

"You alright!?" Harry said, holding her close on top of him.

Katsumi's eyes were wide with panic. "Thanks..." she breathed. They stared into each other's eyes, then regarded the weapon like a bomb about to go off.

"That's bloody dangerous," Harry said. Katsumi did not try to escape his protective embrace.

"Maybe you don't need desperation," Katsumi said, touching his face. "It wants to be in your possession."

"I upgraded it... so maybe that's why," Harry noted.

Katsumi smiled at Harry. He was clueless to the dual meaning of her statement.

"Maybe," Katsumi said softly, spreading her knees so she settled closer on him. "I think there is something you need to know."

"What's this?"

"I am officially no longer Lord Shogun's ward," Katsumi said.

"Did something happen?"

"Today is my birthday," Katsumi said. "I'm nineteen."

"Happy birthday, Kat," Harry said, their lips inches away from each other.

"Thank you," she said, glancing down at his mouth.

Harry kissed her, rubbing his hands on the small of her back underneath her training gear. Katsumi returned the kiss with fervor. It was their first make out session since the incident in his dorm. Harry caressed her bum. She rotated her hips against his, moaning into the kiss.

"Tonight, will you have dinner with me at the clan mansion?" she asked breathlessly.

"Of course," Harry agreed. She felt like heaven in his arms.

They never really talked about being a couple. Maybe tonight we'll talk about it.

Katsumi pecked him on his lips with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "We have to leave. It is time for breakfast." She stood up and extended her hand. Harry clasped it and she hefted him up. The room reverted into their regular training arena.

Harry sent the spear back into his magical space. However the spot where it pierced was damaged permanently; frozen in time.

"Blimey," Harry said, looking down at the hole.

"It is one of the eternal weapons. Along with your wand, now you have two," Katsumi shrugged. "Thank you, again." She gave him a tight hug.

"No problem," Harry said, resting his chin on top her hair.

"Did you study for your exams today?" Katsumi asked in his arms.

"Nah," Harry shrugged.

Katsumi tilted her head back so she could scold him. "You said you would."

"I'll be fine," Harry said confidently. "I aced it before."

"And will you be careful walking alone today?" Katsumi asked quietly.

"Always," Harry said.

Katsumi raised one eyebrow at him. "It is not safe. Please be vigilant."

"Constantly," Harry placated her. Katsumi really took her duties seriously. Maybe a bit too seriously. He wasn't helpless, far from it.

Katsumi scowled. "Come on." They walked out of the Room of Requirement hand in hand.

That evening Harry met up with her after exams. Katsumi wore a beautiful short dress with a fur jacket. Harry wore a white v neck sweater, a leather jacket over that, and black jeans.

As they were walking out the castle's front door, a voice called out and startled them.

"Wotcha Harry," Tonks said, leaning against the wall, arms folded, wand in her right hand.

"Hey," Harry pressed his lips together in mild annoyance. It was obvious she was waiting for them to emerge. Tonks looked good. He always liked the way her Warmage kit fitted her. Maybe it had to do with his previous infatuation with becoming an Auror?

Tonks eyed Katsumi's dress, makeup and her hair. "You two look nice," Tonks complimented them. "What's the occasion?"

"It's her birthday. Going to the house to have dinner," Harry said.

"Happy birthday luv," Tonks nodded to her.

"Thank you, Auror Tonks," Katsumi bowed politely.

Harry and Tonks squared off without actually squaring off. Harry knew she didn't want him to leave the castle, and Harry also knew that Tonks knew that she couldn't stop him.

Tonks sighed dramatically as she approached. She put her hands on her hips and stared him down. "You told McGonagall?"

"No," Harry said. Was she trying to intimidate them? Harry wanted to smirk, but that would be uncalled for.

Tonks opened her mouth to object, then decided against it. "You two have your armor gloves?"

"Yes," Harry said. He didn't have his, but telling her that was a bad idea.

"Yes, Auror Tonks," Katsumi replied.

"Please check in when you're done," Tonks sighed. "All right?"

"We will," Harry nodded.

"Enjoy," Tonks saluted with a smile. "Be safe."

"Right-o," Harry nodded to her. "Later."

"Don't let me have to come looking for you," Tonks warned as she re-entered the castle.

"Yeah don't worry about it mum," Harry said.

Tonks shook her head with a rueful smile and closed the doors behind her.

Dinner was a much more formal affair than Harry thought it would be. Rosie prepared a grand spread in the clan hall for all of them.

"Harry," Royston Fairweather greeted him with a firm handshake.

"Sir," Harry responded formally. For some reason he thought that it would have been a more private affair. Maybe just Kat and himself.

Royston Fairweather and his date Melody Knights were here and dressed in formal robes. Reagan Fairweather, Masahiko and Paula Otamendi were also present. Paula Otamendi was Reagan's younger sister, a sixth year in Beauxbatons. Harry recognized her as a visitor during the past two Tri Wizard competition weeks. She was very pretty. It was obvious she took after her mother, while Reagan was the splitting image of his father.

Tokugawa Hashimomo, Japan's top brass Military commander was also present and dressed in an elegant business suit.

"This is Tokugawa Hashimomo-san," Royston Fairweather introduced her to Harry.

"Hello, Ser Harry Potter," Tokugawa said in a cultured English accent, extending her hand.

"Hello Miss Tokugawa," Harry said, shaking hers. "No need for such formalities. Just Harry is fine. I hope you enjoy the meal."

"Thank you," Tokugawa nodded.

The conversation during the meal was light, but Harry could feel that there was a bit of a forced element to it. When dessert was finished, Harry asked Katsumi to join him in the sitting room for a quick word.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" Harry asked Katsumi.

"Um," Katsumi bit her lip.

"Hm?" Harry prodded.

"Sit with me," Katsumi said, taking a seat on the couch and patting the space next to her. Harry obliged. "I like you. Very, very much. I would like us to be a couple."

Harry knew this, but actually hearing the words felt much more... serious. Especially from Kat. "Yes, okay," Harry agreed. He knew there was more to this conversation than she was letting on. Katsumi appeared to be gathering her thoughts. He waited patiently for her to continue.

"It is custom for a... retainer to dine with their master, especially when they have been recently promoted. As a way to socialize in an informal setting, without ... grim matters as the topic of discussion," Katsumi said.

"I'm being screened, aren't I?" Harry said, filtering through the fluff.

"Yes," Katsumi said. "I am sorry. I have protocol to follow, even in this."

"Sounds a bit heavy for a nineteen year old," Harry whispered. "I mean, boyfriend and girlfriend isn't an event."

"It is for Misutosamurai," Katsumi said softly. "I am being groomed to become the next Shogun, the first woman to do so."

Wow. He never took on his Chosen One status as serious as all this. The Japanese don't play. "Wow. Okay but... Tokugawa's female," Harry blurted, lost.

"She is different. Think of her as ... like your Muggle Minister of Defense. She has authority, but the actual fighting, she does not engage," Katsumi folded her hands on her lap. "It is a very high position linked to her family."

"Ah, I see," Harry said.

"This dinner is ... more like a ceremonial formality," Katsumi said. "There is something else you should know. There has been discussions between Lord Fairweather and the Iga Province nobility, the Nobunaga family. About an alliance that can be formed between the two political divides in our magical society. The Nobunaga faction prefer that an Empire State be reformed, while the Tokugawa faction are in support of a Democracy, where there is a Ministry, an impartial Military, and a truce where the various families do not fight to rule over each other."

An alliance? Does she mean a fixed marriage?

"Some guy waiting on you in Japan?" Harry asked.

"Sort of. But not really. He is a year younger than me. I have never met him," Katsumi said. "One of his cousins is the Samurai of the Moon, and his sister is the Samurai of the Night. We have trained together since we were small."

"And what about him?" Harry said. This was getting convoluted.

"He is shinobi. Nobody knows with who, or where he trains. The Iga clan have their ancient ninjutsu methods that are shrouded in secrecy."

"And... anything else you need to tell me?" Harry said.

"Lord Shogun believes that the Iga clan secretly wants to start a revolution to destabilize our system, insert their people into the Ministry and the Army to push for Japan to become an Empire once again," she said. "And from there, retake the Asian continent in a long term campaign."

"That sounds serious. Like a magical World War," Harry said, leaning in closely.

Katsumi wrung her fingers, dipping her eyes momentarily. "I... there were plans for me to be involved in such negotiations."

"As a prize bride?" Harry sighed. There. He said it.

"Yes," Katsumi said. "To keep diplomacy between all those involved. To quell matters of war."

"Well, us getting together might be an issue, right?" Harry said.

"Actually, it fixes everything," Katsumi said.

"What?" Harry said. "I don't understand."

"Our culture holds a lot of respect to titles and mystique," Katsumi said softly. "I am regarded as ...special in my homeland. But the Boy Who Lived is regarded as special worldwide. Also, you are Roderick Hallow, the Dragonslayer."

"I see," Harry said.

"But I do not care about titles and mystique. I used to, but not anymore. I like you... because I like you, not for your fame," Katsumi said, taking his hand.

Harry grinned. "I like you a lot too," he said.

But what she was talking about sounded like... marriage. He wasn't sure if he was ready for that. Not as yet.

Time was running out for her. NEWT and OWL exams were finished. In one week, school will be out, with the third Tri School Task as the grand finale.

He was planning to win the bloody thing and take out Voldemort at the grave site. Fate was showing a trend of keeping certain events close enough to how it was before. This would be the best time to get rid of Voldemort's true body, Nagini, the Locket and the Diary all in one swoop.

"Do not overthink it," Katsumi said. "We shall take it one day at a time, and enjoy life as it comes."

Harry chuckled. How could I not over think it, after all that she said?

"What about the Demons in the temple?" Harry said. "Aren't you going back home soon?"

"Lord Shogun is training his son," Katsumi said calmly. "The temples have waited for hundreds of years. I... do not see the urgency where they cannot be put off for a little longer."

"Right," Harry muttered.

"It is nothing to worry about. This dinner is just a custom. Lord Shogun and Tokugawa-sama know you already. It'll be fine," Katsumi grinned and took both of his hands in hers.

Harry thought her deflection technique was improving by the day. This whole situation was heavy. Extremely heavy. "Okay, could do with a shot of something hard."

"Let's get something hard, then," Katsumi grinned.

Later that night, when the guests had left, Katsumi invited Harry up to her assigned room in the Clan Mansion. She lit the candles with a matchbox and closed the door behind them.

"You can't cast fire?" Harry asked.

Katsumi smiled, shaking her head. "We are almost opposites. Where you are strong, I am weak. Masahiko was blessed with the gift of Fire. Very few magicals in Japan have an affinity to it."

"I don't know anyone who could make it rain, or control the water like you do," Harry said.

"There are a few in Misutosamurai who can do this," Katsumi said, sitting down on her bed to remove her heels. "I augment their skills when we cast together."

"That is really cool," Harry said. He stood just inside the room, rooted to the spot. Katsumi was taking off her earrings and her necklace and placing them in the bedside drawer with a calm elegance he was now getting used to.

Should he take off his shoes too?

He took off his jacket and shrugged off his shoes. When in Rome..

"Please, sit," Katsumi said, beckoning him to the bed. "I wanted to show you this." She unfurled a scroll. "It is the memoir of our adventures together. In English."

"Nice," Harry said. He read the beginning paragraph. It was written in the first person, starting the day she left Japan to come to England.

Katsumi interrupted him by gently turning his face to hers and kissing him. When the heavy petting started Katsumi did not shy away.

"I... think I am ready," Katsumi said softly.

"Yeah?" Harry said softly.

"Yeah," Katsumi said- in a spot on imitation of probably his most used word.

Harry laughed. Katsumi began lifting his sweater over his head. He raised his arms so that she could take it off completely. Katsumi stood up, then turned around.

"Can you?" she asked softly.

Harry stood up behind her and gently unzipped her dress. Memories of Valerian, Shea, and Penelope ran through his brain. Taking a deep breath, he pushed those aside and helped her undress.

She wore a matching black set of underwear, functional and modest. He unhooked her bra and she shrugged it loose off her shoulders. She turned slowly to face him.

Katsumi was beautiful in the candlelight, with lovely skin and long straight black hair. Her breasts were much larger than he thought they would be.

Must be because I'm accustomed to her wearing an exercise bra when they trained in the Room of Requirement.

She came close and wrapped her arms around his neck, looking into his eyes.

"I want to be with you tonight," Katsumi said and then kissed him. "I want to make you happy."

Harry was gentle and extremely patient. He took his time to make her orgasm with his hands and mouth.

"Are you on potion?" Harry asked as he pushed her knees up and knelt between her legs.

"No, but I am not in my fertile time," Katsumi said, her skin flushed after her climax.

"Understood," Harry hesitated a moment, then entered. Katsumi was tight, but slick with dampness.

"Ow," Katsumi said, clamping her mouth closed as he pushed deeper.

Harry spoke to her in low tones, asking her to tell him when she was ready for him to move. She nodded, her hands gripping the back of his neck tightly. When she relaxed, she began to move, trying to match his slow rhythm. Katsumi began to moan as Harry picked up the pace.

Rain began to fall, along with howling winds and rumbling thunder to accompany their lovemaking.

It didn't take long for Harry to finish with a low, long grunt.

"Yes," Katsumi said, bringing him down for a passionate kiss. She used her legs to squeeze his body into hers. "Yes."

Harry fell face first into the pillow, partially covering her body. He felt like he emptied a bucket inside her.

"God," he whispered as he rolled over. He smiled at her, then gave her an affectionate pat on her thigh.

There was no post-sex pillow talk. He fell asleep immediately.

It was the best sleep he had in months.

Hours later Harry woke up with a start. "Kat!" he shook her gently.

"Yes?" Katsumi mumbled, tucked under her covers.

"Is Masahiko going to kill me?" Harry asked. He wanted it to sound like a joke, but in truth and in fact he was worried.

"I don't think so," Katsumi murmured. She turned into him and snuggled next to his warmth.

"Will he find out?" Harry asked.

"He knows you did not leave last night," Katsumi said, eyes still closed.

"He does?" Harry said, beginning to panic. Oh shite!

"Yes. He is on guard," Katsumi said casually. She finally opened his eyes. "He likes you. Which is rare for him."

"Okay," Harry said, dropping back into the pillow. "Thought I would have to leg it from my own place."

Katsumi smiled at his paltry attempt at humour. "Of course not. I love you," Katsumi said softly, kissing his lips.

Harry knew from experience that in a situation like this, there was only one answer, even if it wasn't totally one hundred percent. "I love you too."

Katsumi smiled and closed her eyes, falling back into a deep asleep.

The next morning was Saturday. Students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were coming in to Hogsmeade for Tri School Tournament Week. Harry and Katsumi had a quick breakfast at the mansion then Harry flew her back to Gryffindor Tower. He landed outside the flag access room and went down the spiral stairs to the attic storage area.

"Double header Quidditch match later," Harry said as they lowered the drop step to the seventh year girls corridor. "I'm playing Durmstrang first; Ravenclaw is playing Beauxbatons after."

"I will cheer for you," Katsumi said. She was glowing with happiness. Harry always liked her exotic features but she never used to smile much before. When her face lit up she was even more beautiful. He was getting addicted to seeing her smile.

"Thanks. You have a gorgeous smile. I never really noticed until recently," Harry said, holding her close.

"I was unhappy. Never had reason to," Katsumi said solemnly, looking at his shirt pocket. "I used to put on an act." She turned her face up to him, memorizing his features as if she never saw him before. "Now, I feel free."

"That's good," Harry said with a shy smile of his own.

That afternoon, Durmstrang beat Gryffindor 170 -30. Krum was just that much better than Ginny and caught the snitch easily. Even though they lost, Gryffindor was still top of the points table by a massive margin. Unless Ravenclaw beat Beauxbatons by over 800 points, Gryffindor would be the Tri School Quidditch Tournament champions.

Maybe I should thank Krum personally for ending the game quickly, Harry thought as he showered in the locker room. He dressed and joined Katsumi in the stands to watch the second match. As soon as he sat down Tonks came down from her lofty perch on the top row.

"We need to talk," Tonks said softly in his ear and walked off.

Harry frowned as she went down the stairs leading to the pitch exit. "Wait here for me, be right back." He caught up with Tonks in the trophy hall. Harry noticed that Tonks had been crying.

It couldn't be over him, could it?

"You never had on the armor, did you?" Tonks accused. "Last night."

"I... er... sorry," Harry said. Now that he was close to her, he realized that she was in the same clothes as yesterday.

"I tried calling you. Sirius... There was an attack. Sirius was murdered last night," Tonks said softly.

Harry felt like someone ripped the breath out of his lungs. "Oh fuck."

"He, Eleanor and the butler put up a hell of a fight, according to Alexandria's statement. She escaped with Rigel. We have the both of them in a safe location right now," Tonks said.

"Wha- how?" Harry stammered. "Weren't they in France?"

"Yes," Tonks said. "It's all fucked up... the crystal ball that records visitors... picked up my mother and Narcissa Malfoy paying them a visit... But Bellatrix Black was the only one to leave. Narcissa is dead. Bellatrix impersonated my mother ... walked in there, had a couple drinks... and then things turned deadly. Sectumsempra and Bombarda. She had two wands- one was her old one, the other... we did a spell feedback trace. It was the one you made for Lexcilla Krabbt."

"No," Harry said, holding his hair. This couldn't be happening.

"Triple murder," Tonks said. "From what it looks like, she used Narcissa as a human shield. The French Aurors can't believe it. Alexandria grabbed her baby brother, jumped on a broom and got out of there as soon as she heard the commotion. She contacted me using the old Crow's glove."

Harry cursed. "She did well. Where is she now?"

"A safehouse," Tonks said. "I'm the first one in my department who knows, since I was on the ground last night. The French are keeping it quiet until they complete their investigations. I'm thinking to let only Bethselzder know. Because once word gets out, it will cause a panic with all the students here. That witch could keep a secret to her grave, I'll give her that."

"And what about Bellatrix?" Harry snarled.

"I... am in the market for Hit Wizard services. I want you to put together a team for me," Tonks said. "Masahiko, Falcon De Souza, and Aloysius Harding. Hush hush. Off the books. I'll pay them whatever they want after. I still have a hefty sum in my account. I'll work out the rest if I don't have enough. Yeah?"

"Yeah," Harry nodded. "I'll pay. Don't worry about it."

"I have some samples of Bellatrix's hair," Tonks said. "It seems Narcissa put up a fight as well, she had some of Bellatrix's in her hands. It's a great lead for the Bloodseeker," Tonks said. "Tell them meet me at Sanguini's cave as soon as possible for details."

"Yeah," Harry nodded, feeling a cold void opening in his stomach. "How's the baby?"

"Missing his mother," Tonks said. "Alexandria ... she... she's going to need some time."

"She said something that has you worried?" Harry asked.

"She blames Valerian," Tonks shrugged.

"What?" Harry said.

"I tried to explain to her that she's cured- but she doesn't want to listen. Did you know she had a miscarriage after Christmas?" Tonks asked.

"Sorta, I wasn't certain," Harry said.

"I'm feeling it for that girl. Lost everyone. All she has is Rigel. Rigel Roderick Black is his name by the way. Sirius thought it would be funny when he told you. That's what he said in his letter. He couldn't wait for school to be out to invite you to see him."

Harry felt a bit woozy now that the initial shock was gone. He could not believe this was happening.

"You alright?" Tonks asked.

"Not really," Harry said. He was getting short of breath.

Sirius, Eleanor, gone. Just like that. I'm losing all over again. Everything. Everyone.

"Hey, hey... we're going to get her, I promise," Tonks said, taking him in a hug.

"It's my fault," Harry sobbed, tears coming now.

"No," Tonks said, rubbing his back, trying to be strong. She cried enough these past few hours. She was assigned to Bellatrix's case since she escaped. She knew exactly how Harry felt. "It's not. She's a monster, Harry. You never knew her. You couldn't have known."

"I did know her!" Harry snapped, breaking away from her and beginning to pace. "I should have... I literally had her by her neck! But I play the fucking hero and let her get away!"

"You helped Hermione. I think that was the better choice," Tonks consoled him. "No one, not even you... could have predicted this... what she was going to do."

"Better choice? And let this happen? Are you fucking crazy?"

"You did the right thing. The legal thing. That is what is important," Tonks said.

Harry came up in her face and smashed his palm against a wooden plaque of the list of Quidditch Cup winners behind her. Tonks didn't even flinch. "The right what?" Harry screamed. "I rather be the fucking villain if it meant Sirius would still be around innit?"

Tonks frowned, watching him with arms folded. His chest was heaving against her forearms. Tonks hoped he didn't mean that. He was just being emotional.

Harry was breathing hard while she just stood there, unfazed, calm and collected. For some reason her lack of a reaction made him want to strangle her.

For a fleeting second Harry thought that Tonks wanted him to dominate her- mad as he was.

How did that happen? Was it my mind reading ability spiking out of control?

"Why didn't you come find me as soon as you found out!?" Harry said, now mad at himself, and Tonks, to a lesser degree.

Tonks looked away, refusing to answer. "You're in my space."

Harry cursed as he paced, running his hands through his hair.

"So what happens now?" Harry said after trying to calm himself down.

"We protect Alexandria, we protect my folks, and we send Masahiko," Tonks stated, her voice all business once again. "I'm going to stay here, pretend that nothing is wrong, keep up appearances. Bellatrix isn't public knowledge. Not as yet."

"And what about me?" Harry spat.

"You're staying put. Manhunts are long winded things. I'll feel better if you were closer to the kids here as an added layer of protection," Tonks said. "Not a word to Dumbledore. Neither Katsumi. Between us."

"Yeah," Harry sighed, rubbing his nose from mucus.

"Sorry to be the bringer of bad news. I would have spared you but my gut told me telling you was the right call. Keep your head straight, finish this last week, and we'll reevaluate the plan when you're free. Yeah?" Tonks patted his shoulder.

"Yeah," Harry said, defeated.

Sunday night the last Quidditch game was finished. Gryffindor won the Tri School Quidditch Tournament and Oliver Wood was in his glee at the afterparty.

"Could not have done this without you mate," Oliver greeted Harry with the mind numbing Gryffindor handshake. Harry completed the complicated maneuver without a smile on his face. "What's the matter?"

"Pressure," Harry said, looking at the Ministry employees prepping the Quidditch pitch from out the Gryffindor Tower window. Now that Quidditch was done, there were about twenty wizards on the field, planting the seeds along magical lines for the Maze. Hagrid, Professor Sprout, Snape and Professor Karkaroff were there as well. "Thinking about the last task."

How he hoped Bellatrix would be there at the graveyard. It was all he could think about.

I will be merciless. I am going to finish this. No mistakes.

Katsumi was somewhere nearby with the other graduating seventh years. He could feel her watching him. Too bad. The full moon and the last task could not come fast enough.

"This is going to look bloody brilliant in the Trophy Cabinet," Oliver Wood continued. "You're a good one for letting me play half of the games."

"No problem," Harry nodded, eyeing the pitch.

Who's going to make the Cup into a portkey? Mad Eye isn't here. Barty Crouch was still laying low.

"Lighten up Harry. This is a celebration, not a death sentence. You're going to win, I think even the other school champions have already accepted defeat!" Oliver said, putting on a party lion hat on Harry's head.

"Hmm," Harry said, eyes still glued out the window. They were putting up a massive tarpaulin over the stadium to hide the work being done. Harry blocked out Oliver's 'once in a lifetime trophy' prattle.

Ollie is wrong. It is a death sentence. Once the cup brings me close to him, that's all I need.

Monday came and went without Harry sleeping a wink. He had dinner with Katsumi but his mind was somewhere else completely.

Tuesday was Penelope's captain meeting. Harry avoided looking at her. Cedric and Gabrielle were bickering, as usual. Penelope made the decision that the maze participants should be Cedric, Harry, and herself. Harry agreed with curt answers to all the possible obstacles and tactics to overcome them.

Once I get in the maze, nothing in there can stop me. I don't need them. I don't give a flying fu-

"Oy," Penelope snapped her fingers at him. "Gabrielle's talking to you."

"What?" Harry snapped.

"I said: I think Cedric and I should duel to determine who gets in," Gabrielle repeated to him.

"Whatever," Harry shrugged.

"She's a first year, you cannot be serious!" Cedric complained.

"Are you scared?" Harry asked.

"Of course not! But I'm a sixth year-" Cedric argued.

"Easy win then. Right?" Harry muttered.

Cedric threw his hands up in the air.

Penelope squared them off, and they marched twenty paces away from each other along the deserted hallway outside Harry's workshop.

Cedric had her wrapped up in bandages, disarmed and stunned within a few seconds. Penelope waved her wand to catch Gabrielle from falling face first.

Cedric looked like he was the one defeated. "I can't believe I had to do this."

"It was her idea," Harry said. He cancelled the mummification curse and helped Ennervate her. "You're in. It's what you wanted, innit?"

"Yeah but... not like this," Cedric sighed.

Harry stared at Cedric. How the fuck could he forget that Cedric died in that graveyard? That allowing him into the maze was too close to sentencing him to an early death?

Fate is a fucking ugly beast. I can't do that to Cedric. I'll figure something out on the night to prevent him from taking such a risk.

"Two out of three?" Gabrielle insisted.

"NO," Cedric said.

Fuck it. Cedric has no chance of even touching the portkey to the graveyard. I'm reaching it way before he comes close. He can do whatever the fuck he wants.

"I'm off," Harry said to the team leaving them to quarrel.

Penelope frowned as he walked away. She could not sense his emotions anymore. What was going on?

Wednesday Harry skipped all of his meals. All he was focused on was getting in that maze. Getting the Cup was a one way ticket to Voldemort.

No mistakes. All of them, every last one, was going to die.

Thursday Katsumi was very concerned. Harry barely spoke a word, even while they trained nor had anything to eat. He didn't even kiss her, or try to kiss since the Quidditch match. While everyone else was reconnecting with new friends, Harry sat at the window overlooking the Quidditch Pitch when he was not training in the Room of Requirement.

Gryffindor was getting amped up more each day leading up to the Third Task. During the entire Tri School Tournament Harry seemed relaxed, joking around, and sometimes even flippant about the whole thing. Now, everyone could tell that he was determined, and focused.

Friday, the day of the third task; there was another media circus.

Mysterious circumstances surrounding the disappearance of three champions was the hot topic of discussion since Marcus Flint, Jon Black and Lexcilla Krabbt were no longer participating. Rita Skeeter tried to use that as the central talking point, rather than the current school rankings leading up to the last task.

Krum and the two remaining Durmstrang champions were ridiculed by Hogwarts and Beauxbations's supporters because their interviews on the Wizard Wireless were boring and lacking even the slightest bit of charisma.

Beauxbatons' team was confident. Their ultras were spreading propaganda that Jon Black was having a sordid affair with Valerian, Alexandria and Lexcilla (all at the same time) and Harry was the poor bloke who got dumped.

Some of the more enraged Gryffindors retaliated by saying that James Travers tried to kill his own blood and Harry The Boy Who Lived Potter- but didn't live to gloat about it.

The main star of the whole tournament, Harry Potter, refused to participate in any interview, disappointing Wizard Wireless' eager listeners. Penelope, Cedric and Gabrielle effectively handled sensitive issues about the death of James Travers and Jon's absence with various renditions of 'that is Auror business' responses.

At dusk, the champions were brought out to the quidditch pitch. The seats were full to the brim with witches and wizards eager for the task to begin.

Ludo Bagman was in the quidditch commentary tower, the Sonorous charm amplifying his voice. "Welcome to Hogwarts, the only place to be on this beautiful Summer Solstice night!" he greeted.

A polite round of applause rang around the Quidditch stadium.

"Tonight, under the watchful eye of the full moon, our Champions must face their sternest test yet, their innermost, deepest fears! Monsters, riddles, and yes, even each other, in the Labyrinth!" Ludo shouted, gesticulating at the maze sprawled below them, a subtly shifting monster that randomly interchanged its passageways nearer to its core.

"But first- here are the scores! In third place, with a total score of twenty seven points, our neighbours across the channel, Beauxbatons!" Ludo pointed up, and an image of their three chosen participants was projected in the sky. Fleur smiled and waved confidently alongside Daniel Charmeuse and Melisse Payet.

A loud cheer went up from the Beauxbaton's supporters section.

"In second place, with a total score of thirty six points, our lads from the cold- Durmstrang!" Ludo said. The magical image transformed into Krum and his friends wearing heavy furs and leathers. They pumped their right fists with gusto. Harry wished Lexcilla was brave enough to come back for this Task.

I will put a hole in her face. And deal with the consequences after.

"With near perfect scores from the previous two challenges, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are the leaders with forty four points out of a possible fifty!" Ludo screamed.

The image on the screen showed Penelope and Cedric waving and smiling on either side of Harry. Harry stood motionless, arms folded, with only the lower half of his face visible under the shadows casted by the cowl of his robes.

"Oooh Potter looks ready to fight!" Ludo shouted. "This is going to be good, I can smell it!"

All of the competitors were escorted to nine different entrances to the Labyrinth. It just so happened that Snape was the one to take Harry to his starting point. The two men were silent as they waited for the signal.

Against his better judgment, Harry broke the weird impasse first.

"Aren't you going to wish me good luck, sir?" Harry said in a condescending tone.

"You're going to need more than luck tonight," Snape said, looking him in the eye.

"You'll see," Harry said confidently.

"I don't think I will," Snape said with a grin. "Goodbye, Harry." He turned on his heel, his cloak billowing as he walked away.

Harry was now on alert. Snape never grinned, and he never called him by his first name. There was a strange silence as Harry tried to figure this out.

Goodbye? Was Snape in on this plot? What the fuck was Snape doing the last time around?

"The first two tasks were out of twenty five, but don't give up hope for your school as yet! This grande finale is worth fifty, giving everyone a chance to come out on top!" Ludo Bagman said. "All right, each of our contestants has been escorted to their entry point of the maze. If it is too much for our young heroes, they have been instructed to cast a flare spell so that they can be rescued!" Ludo said.

He paused for dramatic effect, allowing the crowd to settle.

"Champions, eternal glory awaits! Let the final task, begin!" Ludo shouted, accompanied by the loud retort of a magical cannon.

Harry could sense Penelope was on the far side of the maze. Their team never formed plans with the condition that they would be isolated. Now, it was basically every man for themselves until they got closer to the centre. Apart from them, Harry spent days planning for this night. Tweaking, improving, squashing and starting over from scratch a few times to get it just right. The fact that they were not together did not deter him.

"Protect everyone. Finish first. Let's go," Harry said to himself. "Homenium Revelio majoris!"

The wide range eavesdropper spell highlighted the eight other students as red figures along the maze's circular edge. They were all moving cautiously into the Labyrinth.

Katsumi thought that the Hallow Blade could not be stored away. He didn't correct her at the time, but he experimented on his own. Gungnir, Mageslayer, the Hallow Blade and Valerian's wands were stored away in his personal locker. He was also armed with his phoenix wand in his right, and his bracer on the left.

Harry used the point me spell to find the centre of the maze. There was no time to waste.

"Reducto!" Harry cast, sprinting directly to the hedge blocking his direct path to the Cup. A large hole was created in the thick green vines. Like a hurdler, Harry ran and jumped through the opening, blasted the next hedge and repeated the pattern.

After his sixth jump, an orange mist descended and turned his world upside down. He didn't even blink- he sprinted forward without breaking stride, defeating the illusion and maintaining the dash-cast-jump rhythm.

He heard a woman's terrified scream. Fleur, or Melisse Payet from Beauxbatons was in a bit of trouble. Diverting off course, he cast Reducto twice in succession to create a shortcut. He found Fleur being attacked by a ten foot long Blast Ended Skrewt, its scorpion tail and front tentacle sucker piercing and biting at her.

Fleur was trying to scramble away on all fours, blood spraying everywhere. That thing was mauling her to death.

Another well placed Reducto turned the shelled monster into dust. Fleur dragged herself away, panting heavily on her side.

"Where?" Harry asked, crouching over her.

"Back... legs..all over," Fleur said, blood seeping out of her mouth. "I .. didn't see it until it was on me."

Harry carefully cut away her clothes to see the injuries. Her back including her butt, hamstrings and legs were the worst. Chunks of skin and flesh were missing, and a large hole was in her back, most likely from the main stinger.

What the fuck? This thing wanted to rip her into bloody pieces!

"This is going to help the poison," Harry said, using the paper cut spell on his finger. "Suck this." He offered her his blood.

Fleur sucked his finger reluctantly, grimacing as she did.

"Right. This is going to sting." Harry cut his forearm and allowed the blood to drip on her open wounds. They began to sizzle. Fleur screamed. "Purification. Now healing and sealing." Harry used a plucking hex to remove any foreign material, then Vulnera Salentur, the counter for shallow Sectumsepra injuries.

Harry did his best trying to administer first aid, but he knew it was a bang up job. Replacing skin and tissue was a job for the professionals.

I really should learn how to do this properly.

"You'll be fine by tomorrow," Harry said, face hard as stone. Hopefully.

"Merci," Fleur breathed, using her wand to conjure bandages. "Help me get up?"

"Don't be a hero," Harry shook his head. "You're done."

"What? Non!" Fleur shouted.

He cast the flare spell to call for rescue and took off towards the centre once again.

Something slithered out of the ground to face him. A silvery, ghostly shape of a human. It was Sirius as a wraith, a haunted spirit seeking vengeance on the living.

Harry almost fell for it. With a quick cast of Riddickulous, the Boggart was sent back from whence it came. Harry continued his sprint towards the centre until he heard another scream. This time he recognized Cedric's voice.

Once again he diverted off course and blasted his way through the hedge. Cedric was fighting off a Hippogryff, Buckbeak of all creatures, who was leaping into the air and diving at Cedric with vicious attacks.

The nimble hippogryff was dodging Cedric's attempts at blasting it out the sky. Cedric's left arm looked like it was almost severed in two from the awkward angle it dangled and the blood soaking his sleeve.

Without hesitation Harry used the Bird conjuring charm together with Oppugno, the rabid attack jinx. A flock of Crows swooped down on the poor hippogryff; pecking, clawing, then eventually bringing it down. The Crows plucked Buckbeak's eyes, ripped at his flesh and within seconds he was dead.

"Fuck me," Cedric said, looking at his mangled left arm. "Can you do something?"

"Episkey," Harry said, ignoring the ferocious feathered feasting going on behind him. "The bone should be fixed. I don't have any muscle knit or stitching charms." Harry reopened his own wound and let it drip blood on Cedric's mangled arm and fingers. Cedric screamed then sunk to his knees in pain, cradling his arm tenderly. "Bandage that. You're lucky it didn't take it right off."

"I bowed and shit," Cedric hissed, clearly in pain. "It jumped me on sight! Are they supposed to do that?"

Buckbeak attacked Malfoy before and scratched his arm. Now, he almost cut Cedric's in two! Why is everything so much more high stakes?

"I don't know," Harry said. I can't dwell on this. I'm wasting time here. "I think you should send up the signal."

Harry turned and left, blasting a hole in the hedge blocking the way to the cup and forging on.

"I'm coming!" Cedric said, getting to his feet and following him while gingerly casting bandages and a sling. Harry ignored him and continued his dash cast jump pattern.

A great Acromantula was waiting behind the next wall. As soon as Harry burst through, it pounced high with its attack, eight shining black eyes behind foot long pincers and legs hurtling towards him. Another well placed Reducto in combination with Expulso decimated its soft underbelly in one epic explosion of blood and spider legs. Harry ditched his Hogwarts over robe as it was covered in spider guts. By the time Cedric jumped through the previous hole into a nightmare of body parts, Harry was already two corridors ahead.

"Fucking hell," Cedric said, stepping over the dangerous looking puddles of blood, white pus and venom as he followed his teammate.

The next challenge for Harry was another wraith version of Sirius, except that this time it was truly a dementor. Harry stopped in his tracks and pointed.

"Expecto Patronum!"

Nothing happened. Harry dug deep for a happy memory, but he couldn't find one. Terrified, he began backing away as the wraith-Sirius approached.

"You knew this would happen, yet look at me. Look at me!" Sirius shouted at him. "Look at what you have done!"

With impossible speed Sirius was upon him, holding him down to administer the dementor's kiss.

"Harry!" Cedric screamed as the spectre pinned Harry to the ground.

An invisible figure melded into sight. A mountain lion sprinted towards Harry, then amazingly, turned into a woman clad in all black. She drew her sword and it began to glow.

The night lit up when the weapon cleaved the wraith in two. Cedric blocked his eyes momentarily at the blinding flash.

The masked woman crouched over Harry's form, fed him a tablet then clasped her hands in different positions. She put both her palms on Harry's chest and bowed her head in prayer.

"You will not say a word about this," Katsumi ordered Cedric. "You saved him. Understood?"

"Um, yeah, sure," Cedric said.

Katsumi waited until Harry was stirring awake, then performed the invisibility mantra to meld into the night.

"Get up," Cedric said, helping Harry to his feet.

"Thanks," Harry grumbled, watching his Phoenix wand with a scowl. "I don't know what happened."

Cedric scrubbed his hair with both hands. "Don't worry about it. Well, I suppose we better get on," Cedric said.

"Well.. yeah.. all right," Harry muttered.

The two young men continued with the direct approach through the maze. A sphinx gracefully alighted in front of the open area where the TriWizard Cup sat on its pedestal. It had the body of an over-large lion: great clawed paws and a long yellowish tail ending in a brown tuft. Its head, however, was that of a woman. She turned her long, almond-shaped eyes upon Harry and Cedric as they approached.

"You are near to your goal. The quickest way is past me," The sphinx said.

"You're not going to let me through?" Harry said, irritated now.

"Not unless you answer my riddle. What is the -"

Harry drew the Hallow Blade out of nowhere and flew directly towards the creature. The sphinx reared on her hind legs in shock, which made it easier for Harry to impale its chest. The beast howled then toppled on top of him, dead. The entire weight falling on him took his breath away. Everywhere hurt like hell.

Harry pointed his wand and cast the strongest levitation spell he could, fueled by his pain and anger. The sphinx' body shot off into the sky and probably into orbit, for all he cared.

"Whoa," Cedric said, dumbstruck. "Was that a sphinx?"

"Yes," Harry said, doing a personal injury diagnostic. His back flared red, then orange, then deep red. A shocking pain stopped any hope of movement. "Penelope!"

Within seconds Penelope was forcefully summoned to his side.

"Ow!" Penelope shrieked as she popped into existence. "I was coming to you! You didn't have to rush me!"

"My back," Harry snarled.

"Again?" Penelope crouched, putting her hands on him.

"Yeah... I think... I fucked it up again," Harry wheezed. It was getting harder for him to breathe by the second.

Penelope put her hands on him and his pain began to fade. Penelope's face contorted in pain as the healing went on. With a soft gasp she fell over, unconscious.

Harry wasn't fully one hundred percent. He looked across at her. "Peenie? Peenie?"

Katsumi melded back into view. "She is past her limit. Let me try," Katsumi said.

"What are you doing here?" Harry said. He was relieved to see her, but also deathly afraid. He knew Crouch was secretly helping him before as Alastor Moody, but for Katsumi to take up that role...

Katsumi offered him a bone mending pill and a painkiller soldier pill. "It will temporarily heal the injury for an hour. After that, you will need proper healing techniques to fix the bones and nervous system."

After Harry was treated Katsumi used an energy transfer technique to help Penelope regain consciousness. Penelope struggled to sit up, dizzy from the ordeal. She felt like she didn't get sleep for an entire week. She frowned at Harry.

Harry got up and surveyed his Hogwarts mates. "Thanks everyone. I'm taking that cup." He sent up the Flare evacuation spell then kissed Katsumi. "Goodbye, Kat."

"Goodbye? Where are you going?" Penelope asked suddenly as Harry approached the cup.

"Little Hangleton. To do what I must," Harry said. Just before he touched the prize the Labyrinth's vines writhed, large black flowers with tiny snakes as the stigma hissing and spewing poison spores into the air. Harry activated Sanguini's armor just as he felt the world twist around him. Cedric, Penelope and Katsumi collapsed immediately, fast asleep.

Harry slumped to the ground, drugged with a surgery level potion-induced sleep.

Snape. Fucking Snape. And Sprout. This has to be them.

The crowd gasped as the maze reconfigured itself into a portal diagram and activated.

Everyone in the maze was portkeyed into the graveyard at Little Hangleton. Death Eaters in full ceremonial robes cast binding spells and retrieved their captives' wands.

Harry vaguely knew that he was being chained and levitated towards the Riddle family plot tombstone.

"We have them all, My Lord," a deep voice announced. Harry recognized the voice belonging to Walden Macnair. "But this girl, I don't know who she is."

Harry forced his eyes to open, either through sheer grit, or through his persistent insomnia; he didn't know which, but he watched on through bleary, heavy eyes as a large masked man levitated Katsumi in front of them.

"Wake her up," Voldemort said in Alexis Stormcloud's body. He was holding a wrapped bundle in his arms. Katsumi was awakened, her arms and legs bound as she was presented to Voldemort. She looked around wildly, struggling against Auror level chains.

"Harry?" Katsumi screamed when she saw him strung up against the Angel of Death statue overlooking the grave.

"The Japanese girl," Voldemort's high voice said from his baby form. "Ludo. Is the Sky vision working?"

"Yes My Lord," came Bagman's voice from behind a mask. "They are seeing this in Hogwarts, as you commanded, My Lord."

"My fellow wizards, I am Lord Voldemort," Voldemort said, bowing regally with the child version in his arms. "I am here to set things right, as it used to be."

No. Not again. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Wake the fuck up Harry! Harry's chains binding him began to smoke.

"We have who we need. Kill the spare," said baby Voldemort from the bundle of robes.

Harry screamed as Alexis Stormcloud took aim. "Don't!"

Alexis Stormcloud's red-eyed face smiled at him. "Avada Kedavra!"

A green flash of light connected with Katsumi and she was gone.

A hollow feeling gripped Harry's heart, even worse than when he heard of Sirius and his wife's murder. It made everything inside... disappear.

"Witness my rebirth, and know that I am immortal," Alexis announced, holding the baby high. The red scaly-black form of Voldemort's fetus was presented to the onlooking viewers far away in Scotland. It was lowered into the waiting cauldron full of sparkling potion.

"Bone of father, unknowingly given, you will renew your son." A dirty bone was dropped in the potion. "Flesh of the servant, you will renew your master." Alexis cut off his left forearm (that appeared to be covered by snake skin and bone) and let it fall in. "Blood of the enemy, forcibly taken, you will renew your foe."

Finally, a vial of blood was poured into the cauldron.

Harry waited patiently for the ritual to be completed.

Whose blood was that? Does it really matter?

He couldn't let anything else distract him from his sole purpose here.

Voldemort believed he had him captured, harmless.

The last time he was here, he didn't want this ritual to work. The last time he was here, he was disgusted, afraid and wanting to be anywhere else but in this very spot -

Not this time.

This time, he was right where he wanted to be.

"Come on out, you ugly motherfucker," Harry whispered to himself. He blocked out everything else except what he had to do. Now was the time to be patient.

Slowly, Voldemort's head, pale and slimy; broke the surface of the water.

The Death Eaters took to one knee as their reincarnated master stood to his full height.

"The Dark Lord lives again," they chanted as one.

"Glad you could make it," Harry said in welcome.

He summoned Gungnir from his personal space. It lanced down from the dark sky and skewered Voldemort's body back into the cauldron, making the liquid inside explode in blood and guts.

All the Death Eaters shouted, raising their hands to protect themselves from the bloody rain.

Harry activated his bracer's magic, casting phoenix fire into the magical chains biting painfully into his body. The chains broke and as soon as he was released, he summoned Mageslayer, Tonks' custom wand rifle and began firing Reducto spells like a gun into the nearest group.

Three fell before the others caught on to what was happening. Multiple shields went up and spells of all colors lanced back towards him.

Harry's new Nundu hybrid armor did its job masterfully, blocking the spells he couldn't dodge. Alexis Stormcloud himself was rooted to the spot, shocked that the lance had obliterated his true form.

"Kill him!" Alexis commanded, pointing his bloody snake stub at Harry.

Mageslayer decimated six more before the crystal pommel spell reservoir was drained.

Nine down. Seven more to go. No mistakes.

"Sha Jin Zai," Harry said, throwing down Mageslayer and performing the hand mantras to summon the Hallow Blade. Death Eater spells splashed against his armor; hampering his vision. It was annoying.

As if the armor heard him, the clear face protection of his armor darkened to protect his eyes.

Cheers, Sanguini.

Harry flew into the crowd, skewering Macnair easily with the Hallow Blade. In close quarters, the Death Eaters had no chance to effectively use their shields. After running through Macnair, he pounced on the nearest enemy, using the few forms he learned from both Jon and Katsumi to inflict mortal strikes.

Robed figures began popping out of the graveyard. Harry spun around, eyes red as blood, and sped towards Alexis Stormcloud.

"I will be back, Harry," Alexis grinned, spreading his arms wide and watching the sky, welcoming the impending death blow like a long lost friend.

Harry rammed the blade into his chest, then forced him down into the earth with a savage follow through. Harry smiled.

"I will be waiting, as usual."

Purification fire burnt through the Hallow Blade, igniting whatever this hybrid version of Alexis, Voldemort and Nagini was. Harry left the sword to burn the corpse and turned towards the cauldron with the bloody spear sticking out of it.

The liquid was still bubbling, angry magical sparks shooting off the surface. This thing was still active.

He did not have a good feeling about this. But first, the others.

Harry crouched over Katsumi's slack face and open eyes. He gently closed her eyes. "I should have told you what I was going to do. I am sorry. You were a true friend to me. My best friend, right to the end," Harry said solemnly. "I'm taking you home Kat. You deserve more than this."

Harry performed the mantras and sent Katsumi into his personal space. The Diablo Core wand he made for her clattered at his feet. He picked it up and cast Accio Harry Potter's wand.

His Phoenix core on snakewood wand zoomed into his palm from a random corpse's robes. Determined to deal with the bloody, bubbling, man sized cauldron sitting there like an elephant in the room, he freed Penelope first.

"Hey," he said. Penelope fished in her pockets for her wand.

"What happened?" Penelope said. "Where's my wand?"

"Somewhere around here. You are about five miles outside of York, a graveyard in Little Hangleton. Find your wand and help me wake everyone else. You need to get them out of here," Harry commanded.

"On it," Penelope said, getting up. "What the fuck, Harry? Are those bodies?"

"Yes. Get your wand, wake up everyone and get out of here," Harry repeated, walking towards the bloody cauldron filled with body parts.

Harry folded his arms, watching the spear standing upright in the cauldron like a strange, vertical version of a stirrer in his potions class. Some of the Death Eaters had escaped. They may be back to pick up the pieces sooner or later.

Penelope was searching the bodies for her wand, pocketing the spares she found in their robes. "Shambolic. This is not happening. I am not corpse robbing in a cemetery, am I? Do I want to know why the sword is burning that one?"

"Not really. A horcrux host," Harry explained. "Hurry it up. They might be back."

"Who?"

"The rest of these blokes. Enough talk, get on your bike. You need to get everyone out of here."

"Some help would be nice," Penelope grumbled.

"I'm trying to figure out what to do with Cream of Tom soup here," Harry said, circling the cauldron. "This is some dangerous shit innit."

"Taking out that stick might be a good idea," Penelope said. "Found mine. Nice," she said as she found her wand.

"No. I think if I take it out, something terrible is going to happen. It's stuck in time right now," Harry said.

"All right. I got everyone else's wands, I hope. Waking them up now," Penelope said.

"You do that," Harry grunted.

"I'm missing one, where's Katsumi?" Penelope asked.

Harry shook his head solemnly.

"I'm so so sorry, Harry," Penelope said, rubbing his back. Harry shrugged her off.

"Let me be. You have work to do," Harry said curtly.

Penelope frowned. She still wasn't able to sense Harry. She returned to her task, woke up everyone and ushered them out of the graveyard.

"No questions keep moving," Penelope commanded as they ran away.

When they were gone Harry cursed. "I could use your fucking advice right about now Ezra," Harry sighed. The potion was active, and he knew it.

Purification by magic- Hufflepuff's cup.

Priori Incantem - Ravenclaw's Diadem.

Real Lightning - The Gaunt Ring.

Purification by Basilisk Venom - Nagini and Alexis Stormcloud.

"Where the fuck is the Diary and locket?" Harry said aloud. He inspected the ashen remains of Alexis around the Hallow Blade. The Locket was there on the grass, gleaming in the full moon's light. Harry opened his trusty ringbox and took out one of the onyx boxes he purchased at the Cursebreaker's Guild. "Bob's your fucking uncle..."

He used the tip of the sword to put the locket into the onyx box. Now, only the Diary was missing.

The question is, how am I going to destroy this bloody mess?

Wait. This isn't a Horcrux. It is his real body with real guts.

"Fire it is, then." Harry snatched the Immortal's spear and flew high over the cauldron. As predicted, the cauldron's contents began to firm up, coalesce into a pudding monster, or something close to it.

"Enflamare!"

Harry's white hot beam of magic poured down into the cauldron, like a phoenix casting fire from on high; right out of its mouth. The cauldron's contents bubbled faster and faster, then the super-heated metal rim folded inwards, forming an iron lump on the concrete slab beneath.

Harry was expecting an explosion; this was anti-climatic to say the least. Instead of a grand finale he got a red-hot, steaming pile of bloody shit.

At least the crazy itch at the back of his neck was gone. A heavy pressure, like the weight of the full moon itself, was lifted off his shoulders. Harry sighed and made sure to get a roll call of the servants that would be feeding the maggots scattered about the place.

Karkaroff. Nott. Crabbe. Goyle. Bagman.

Shit. He was a Death Eater?

Yaxley. Thicknesse. Doholov. Barty Crouch Jr.

Finally.

Runcorn. A couple newer faces he did not or could not recognize thanks to Mageslayer. Bertha Jorkins was the only woman here.

But at least five escaped. Where was Bellatrix Black? And Snape?

Albus Dumbledore was making his way towards his office to contact the Ministry of Magic using the floo fire. The images in the sky were cut off abruptly when Harry set upon the Death Eaters surrounding the cauldron.

He found Severus Snape sitting in the headmaster chair of his office. "Severus? What are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry, old friend," Snape said, getting up.

"Severus, please," Albus said, drawing his wand. "Don't make me do this."

"Do what?" Snape said, hands empty, palms raised. "I'm unarmed."

"Why are you here?" Dumbledore asked, loosely pointing the Elder wand at Snape's midsection.

"I came to say goodbye Albus," Snape said.

Bellatrix was stuck unto the ceiling right above the office door, her wand trained on Albus Dumbledore. "Avada kedavra!"

A green light struck Albus on top of his head. The headmaster slumped to the carpet, his glasses and wand falling at Snape's feet.

"Let's take him up, Bella," Snape said, levitating the corpse out of the office. He took up the Elder Wand and put it in his robe pocket.

"Why did he specify up there, you reckon?" the seventeen year old version of Bellatrix asked.

"Lord Voldemort painted a specific vision when he was a student," Snape said. "We must follow his orders."

Snape and Bellatrix took Dumbledore's corpse to the Astronomy Tower. On the highest level Snape tossed his body out of the northern window. Both of them looked out as it plummeted fifteen stories down into the courtyard and landed with a soft thud.

"Master will be pleased," Bellatrix said. "Do you think he spared Potter as I requested?"

"I doubt. But you never know," Snape said as he watched a passerby spot the body. The passerby raised an alarm, calling others to the scene. "Take this and give it to him." Snape gave Dumbledore's wand to Bellatrix. "Tell him I have been loyal all this time."

"Of course," Bellatrix laughed her crazy cackle. "Strange wand."

"Make sure he gets it," Snape snapped. "Or it will be both of our heads."

"Yes, yes," Bellatrix shrugged and went down the steps. "See you soon. Ta."

Snape nodded but said nothing. I sincerely hope not.

"I'm back!" Bellatrix announced in the Crouch residence an hour later. The place was strangely quiet. "Helloooo?"

"Keep your voice down," Dolores Umbridge said, peeking out a door leading to the dining room. "It was a failure. We didn't know what the boy could do."

"What do you mean, failure?" Bellatrix said. "He's a softy."

"No he isn't. Lord Voldemort is dead. Do you still have the Diary?"

"Right here," Bellatrix said.

"Good. Keep it. Use it. He trusted you with it. And the wand?" Dolores said. Bellatrix took it out of her pocket and showed it to her. Umbridge's eyes opened wide with greed. "Give it here, young lady."

"Nope," Bellatrix said. "Mine now."

"You cannot keep it," Dolores said. "You are not high ranking enough."

"I earned it," Bellatrix said. "Wanna fight for it?" she smiled.

Dolores Umbridge glared at her, then stormed out the house. "We're done here. I have to get back and maintain appearances."

"Sure," Bellatrix said, sitting down in the head seat and kicking up her boots with the slightly curled toes. She surveyed the large, empty dining room. Lord Voldemort finalized the plan last night in front of many of his servants. Now only she remained.

Well, that wasn't true, exactly. She flicked her wand at the trunk in the corner. The lid opened up. "Crouch? You all right there?"

"Help me.. please... it's been so long-" came a weak voice. "I won't tell anyone-" Bellatrix cut it off by slamming the lid closed.

"God that box smells," Bellatrix said. She emptied her pockets and put six wands on the table. Her original wand from school, her custom wand Harry built, Sirius', Narcissa's, the frenchie and her butler's wands were lined up neatly side by side on the dark wooden table.

Finally, she added Albus Dumbledore's weird wand. It stood out with the knots of bulbous wood evenly spaced down the shaft.

She angled her head just so, inspecting her new acquisitions. She was fascinated by what she saw. "I need a new hobby. I think I'm going to start a collection."

Tonks' instincts were right. "He's here."

Harry landed at Lord Fairweather's home in Newport a half an hour after the graveyard battle. Tonks, Royston Fairweather, Masahiko and Reagan Fairweather were waiting in the main living room, keeping an eye out on the front lawn.

Lord Fairweather brought him in. Harry nodded at everyone, then approached Masahiko. He activated Katsumi's diablo core wand into her Katana, and offered it up to her brother with upturned palms.

"Gomen-nasai, Masahiko-san," Harry said bowing.

Masahiko approached Harry, his jaw tensing, his eyes locked on the sword. He reached for it, then retracted his hand.

"Honour her well, Harry," Masahiko said, clasping his hands to his sides and bowing deeply. "Keep it, Dragonslayer. The wand chooses the wizard."

Alexandria came out from another room, holding a baby in her hands. "Sirius wanted you to meet him," she said sadly. "His name is Rigel, he's your godson."

Harry approached and looked at Sirius' baby boy. He dare not touch him, not with what he did tonight. "I'm so sorry Alexandria, for your loss."

"I am too," Alexandria said. After a few seconds of rocking him, Alexandria motioned for Harry to take him. "Aren't you going to hold him?"

"I... can't," Harry shook his head. "Not after-" What I've done... "Not yet."

"And Katsumi's body?" Tonks whispered.

"She's with me."

Tonks wanted to question his choice of words. She's with him? What does that mean? She wisely kept her mouth shut though. Harry was going through a lot.

"I'm taking her home Tonks. I have a promise to keep," Harry said solemnly.

"Do you ... want to give a statement?" Tonks asked.

"Here," Harry said, giving her a piece of parchment he wrote earlier. "Names. And basically what happened."

Tonks pocketed it. She looked into Harry's eyes. Something was very different about him. Maybe it was his lack of emotion, or something deeper. "I'm coming too."

Harry nodded. "The diary is still out there. But that could wait," he said to her. He turned his attention to Lord Fairweather. "When can we leave?"

"What are you talking about?" Lord Fairweather asked. The shogun was trying his best, but Harry could see the tears forming in his eyes. "The funeral?"

"Yes. I need the Wand of Life. I'll clear the demons for you, and then we're going to find it. Deal?" Harry said. He couldn't go back and risk seeing Dumbledore. He didn't know what he would do if he did. For the greater good, it was imperative he gave the headmaster a lot of space right now.

Lord Fairweather studied Harry closely. "We can leave tomorrow."

AN: This is the end of this year, and the end of the second fic of this trilogy. Let me know what you thought!

Thanks for reading.