Chapter 67 – The End of Tom Riddle

(from Chapter 66:

A rift of guitar chords hit the air and some of the Death Eaters started and jumped around in nervousness although Voldemort never moved his eyes from where Harryarry stood. The singing voices when they came seemed to originate from at least three different places. "Now I've got those steadily depressing, low-down mind-messing waiting on the Daft Lord blues.'"

"What is that? What trickery is this?"

"Sorry Tom; I didn't think you'd catch the reference. An American singer by the name of Jim Croce sang the original song in 1974. Its about a guy dreaming he ought to be doing something else more important with his life. Something you probably thought about a lot as you went through Hogwarts. The original verse goes like this:

"Now I've got those steadily depressing, low-down mind-messing working at the car wash blues."

Klumq! Whoosh! Shlock! Aaaargh!

Absolute chaos erupted in the cemetery because of the password (carwash blues) that Harry uttered to activate the anti-portkey and anti-apparition wards. Those wards were generated by the score of goblin runestones that had been buried around the resting place of the dead. The last sound heard was the sound Voldemort screaming as the ring finger of his hand exploded, knocking him to the ground. The Slytherin ring promptly floated across the intervening meters to settle gently on Harry's hand as he held it out to reclaim the founder's symbol.)

Portable swamps and quicksand pits appeared at a couple of places around the cemetery catching a few of the startled Death Eaters by surprise and had them either falling over or suddenly finding themselves up to their knees in unstable ground and being pulled downward.

"It's a trap!", Jyndrik yelled out. "Somebody take those wards down!"

Three Death Eaters desperately started throwing spells at the transparent glittering walls that surrounded them and Harry almost threw a sigh of relief as he saw the spells hit the barrier and disappear. The wards were constructed with a combination of goblin magic and Parseltongue so it would be a long time until the trapped Death Eaters found the power or key to removing them.

Battle cries came out of the darkness and Voldemort's jaw dropped as he saw new opponents appear from different directions. The 16 red and white uniforms of the French Legion Magique were the first to announce their presence to the Death Eaters. Turning his head another way, Voldemort saw Ministry Aurors led by Madame Bones race up through the headstones. The Death Eaters that chose to run in any other direction soon found goblins facing them with pikes, wands and bak'leths. Spells and curses started flashing around the cemetery as the forces started fighting.

"POTTER!" yelled Voldemort as he turned back toward the person he now thought responsible for the sudden trouble he and his Death Eaters were in.

"Bombardo Quattro!'" was the reply Harry sent across the cemetery. The spell sped through the air but did not impact the shields that Voldemort and a few of his more aware followers threw up in defense. Instead of one impact, the spell split in four directions hitting the ground directly before Voldemort and three of the largest clusters of startled Death Eaters. Dirt, rocks and pieces of headstones were launched into the air keeping the targeted people from seeing around them. Harry moved 6 steps to his left to avoid the two spells that came out of the dirt and debris from where he had last seen Voldemort. Both were wide of their intended target.

Harry send a barrage of stunners to the place where he estimated Voldemort to be. He heard nothing else but the shouts of spells being launched throughout the cemetery! What Harry could see encouraged him; Some of the bat'leths the goblins were using deflected or reflected some of the spells generated by the Death Eaters. The Death Eaters didn't fight together at all; something that both Sirius and Dumbledore had confirmed during the planning stages. They were more used to inflicting damage and having the upper hand at any encounter so there was no need or plan to work together. The purebloods were also so cocky that they didn't feel the need to depend on or to cooperate with anything else.

Harry's quick thoughts were cut off as Voldemort reappeared through the settling dirt and debris. He flew through the air and diverted course when he saw where Harry had moved to. Voldemort had barely landed when Harry suddenly vanished. Voldemort landed in a crouched position searching for his enemy to pop up again.

Harry, hidden around the corner in the shadow of one of the few mausoleums in the cemetery, noticed that Voldemort was still bleeding from his ruined finger even though he had torn off part of his robe to wrap his hand up.

"Still wanting to take a piece out of me Tom?" The leader of the Death Eaters swirled around in panic as the voice came from behind him. He drew in a surprised gasp when he saw 5 identicalHarry Potters arranged in an arc facing him. "What? … how? … Curse you Potter!"

"I thought that was the purpose of our duel Tom. You curse me, I curse you until there's only one left standing. Which one of me are you going to strike at now? Because if you choose the wrong one of us, the others will strike back at you I think that's the…"

"DEFODIO!" A wide angle gouging spell erupted from Voldemort's wand with the intention of striking all five of the targets in front of him. Voldemort also threw up a defensive shield should the real Potter avoid the attack and launch a spell back at him.

Voldemort smiled as the spell hit all the targets and … went right through all of them! The spell struck a couple of headstones and, unfortunately, caught the fleeing Titus van Raubescu at the knees, blowing off his lower legs in the process. The French Legionnaire and goblin who had been trailing him looked around and struck off towards the next fight after binding the man wounds, tying him up and destroying his wand.

"Confringo!" The blasting curse struck Voldemort suddenly from the rear (which was ironically where it hit the Dark Lord) and threw him forward to crash into his own father's headstone. Harry allowed himself a moment of gloating as Voldemort struggled to his regain his footing. "That kick to your rear was in the name all my mothers- and fathers-in-law. They all requested that I deliver that in the name of all the wounded and disadvantaged people you struck down without mercy. Feeling a little taken advantage of Tom?"

"Potter, I will destroy you! Avada Kedavra! Avada Kedavra!"

Two headstones rose from the ground to intercept the killing curses and Harry just frowned from where he stood. "You're slipping Tom. You have been out of circulation for too long and have lost your touch. Try to keep up if you can." Harry turned and ran away from the Riddle plot in the graveyard, throwing a couple of cutting curses over his shoulder as he retreated.

Harry noticed the other clashes that were going on in passing and some of the results thereof. He stumbled over the disemboweled body of Jyndrik van Raubescu and noted a dead French legionnaire and a wounded goblin that was leaning on another of his race. Harry threw a general healing spell at the ally and made a mental call to Ginny to let her know where her services were needed. He ran away with Voldemort following him.

Another ongoing battle Harry witnessed as he fled from the Dark Lord. Harry almost stopped to help in the melee involving the vampire but a purple curse from Tom blew up the nearby headstones of Gil Egan and a William Riker, destroying the flowers that had been recently lain at those graves.

While Harry was busy leading Voldemort around the cemetery and exchanging curses with him, other duels were continuing or reaching their conclusion. Sinica van Raubescu had been dueling against a pair of the French legionnaires when one got hit in the leg with a stray cutting curse and dropped his defensive shields in shock. Sinica's cutting curse caught the falling Frenchman in the neck and the man suddenly fell dead upon the ground with his head rolling a short distance from the body! His partner doubled his spellcasting against Sinica before an 'Impedimenta' and a tripping curse caught the other one and knocked him to the ground. Sinica hit the surprised legionnaire with the binding spell and casually strode over to him.

"You learned a lesson too late about fighting against one of the premiere pureblood families in the world. You will now die knowing you weren't even close to being capable." Sinica raised his wand menacingly. "Avada Ked.. iiieeech …!"

The fallen Frenchman was able to see a knife suddenly impale the wand hand of the Death Eater. Sinica dropped his wand in pain as he turned to look at who had dared to attack him! Facing him were three enraged witches glowing with both power and fury.

"You've made a number of mistakes but your biggest one was attacking our defenseless husband" the brunette with the slightly bushy hairdo said.

Sinica didn't know where these three had come from but they were only females. And young ones at that. His gaze went to his hand and he drew out the sharp knife and threw it back toward the one girl that wasn't holding a sharp knife. He made a move toward his fallen wand but his wand was blown to pieces before he was even halfway to it.

"You know what the penalty here in England is for attacking the Head of a Most Ancient and Most Noble House? 40 years in Azkaban. Per house!" said the redhead as she wandlessly summoned the knife he had thrown.

"And as Harry is the head of multiple houses you are facing at least…oh….300 years or so at Azkaban with the Dementors" the last of the trio, a blonde, said flatly.

Sinica bowed his head in hopelessness. "Then I surrender. I surrender! Lead me to Azkaban, I'll tell you anything you want to know. Just don't let Lord Voldemort get anywhere near me."

The brunette turned to look at the other two. "I just knew he wouldn't make this easy for us. Stun and bind him?"

As the other two women thought about his fate Sinica dived for and found the dead Legionnaires wand. He aimed the wand while trying to regain his feet. But before he could issue the first syllable of the killing curse, he was struck three times. Looking down in surprise he saw two knife handles sticking out of him. One in his chest and one in his stomach, but Sinica's eyesight could only focus on the spray of red that was issuing from his neck! Before he could reach up to confirm that the third knife was lodged in his jugular, Sinica felt weak and the last thing he saw was the ground reaching up to grab him in a final embrace.

The three ladies were careful approaching the body but a slight nudge with a discarded goblin halberd let them know that this opponent wouldn't try any tricks ever again.

"So, do we tell Harry?" Ginny asked as she levitated the three knives out of the unmoving corpse.

"Scourgify" said Daphne as she pointed her wand at the three crystal knives their husband had given them. "Do we have to tell him we personally took care of that… that…"

Hermione closed her eyes as she finished the blonde's comment. "…waste of space and oxygen? We probably should but, for now, Sinica von Rausbescu is just another casualty of the battle. We probably shouldn't be standing still here. It's only inviting trouble."

"Okay Nonnie, I'm going to check for the injured on our side."

"I'll go with you to watch your back, Gin."

"Daphne?"

"Guess I'd better go check on our husband to make sure nobody else attacks him from the rear. Riddle's word about fighting him one on one probably isn't valid anymore."

The three young ladies met for a very brief hug and some whispered cautions before they disappeared silently.

Xxxx xxx

Auror Morthen Nervish was trying unsuccessfully to reach his wand or summon it back to his grasp. It had been his luck to trail one of the fleeing Death Eaters by himself when they had spread out and fled. He followed the sound of the footsteps through the woods and isolated gravestones. The sounds of the Death Eater suddenly stopped as the auror came upon a small open section of the cemetery. Morthen had stopped suddenly at the absence of sound but his own gasps of catching his breath sounded abnormally loud in the clearing he was in. A sudden sound of a stone being turned had the auror ducking behind the nearest cover and looking for its source. Looking at who he had caught up with, Morthen grimaced as he saw the man unmask. He gulped when he saw Walden Macnair – the Ministry's executioner! The huge wizard was holding his trademark giant axe easily in one hand and his wand in the other.

"Nervish" said Macnair chuckling, "you think you might take me on by yourself? Retreat now and I might let you live. Decide otherwise and you will certainly feel the kiss of death from my blade or wand."

Morthen took a step back and Macnair took a step forward. Another step from the auror just repeated the action of the Death Eater. If Morthen had any doubts about retreating, he shook off that idea quickly. Macnair was reputed to love killing. Morthen knew he was the big wizard's newest target and that there was no mercy to be found in the wizard.

Taking another step back, Morthen watch his adversary carefully. Macnair took another step forward, never taking his eyes from the auror. Morthen suddenly dived sideways and a cutting curse was aimed at Macnair's belt but a shield came into existence and turned the curse aside. Before Macnair could launch his own attack, another cutting curse was launched by Nervish and neatly cut the axe off a few inches below the head! Macnair bellowed in anger and outrage! He threw the now useless handle down with a curse.

A flurry of spells from the Death Eater caused the auror to retreat and the battle between the two escalated in earnest. The two danced around the headstones until the auror found shelter behind a small obelisk. It was then that Macnair took advantage. He cast an explosive curse at the obelisk causing it to fall on Morthen. Morthen, in his scramble to avoid being killed, lost his wand and was struck and had his leg pinned and broken as the heavy parts of the stonework fell on him.

Morthen couldn't see his wand anywhere and his wandless magic was sorely lacking to summon it. He thought briefly of his wife waiting patiently at home and he was sure he would never see her alive again. Macnair step slowly around the fallen stones until he saw that his opponent was down and helpless. "Your time and life are at an end auror. Give my regards to all your comrades that have also fallen tonight and know that the Dark Lord will always triumph in the end." Morthen made a sudden rude gesture in return and tried to find a piece of stone to throw at the wizard.

Macnair raised his wand to cast the killing curse but was suddenly struck by a white and black blur that came diving out of the sky with four sets of taloned claws extended. The Death Eater was struck high in the chest and across his throat. Morthen was amazed at how quickly Macnair was thrown backwards to impact a thick headstone and then slump downward. Morthen wasn't sure if Macnair had broken his neck by the attack but the pumping of his life's blood from the slashed throat would almost guarantee that the evil wizard would not rise again. Morthen stared at his rescuer in amazement as the winged creature returned to carefully check the downed Death Eater.

Morthen knew this timely defender. He had seen her in person once or twice and had kept the Prophet that had described her creation. It was Hedwig - Harry Potter's familiar! Hedwig sniffed at the body and cautiously poked at Macnair's corpse with one clawed foot before turning around to stare back at him.

Morthen whispered out his thanks, the pain from his leg and the shock of his sudden deliverance numbing his voice. Incredibly, Hedwig bobbed her head up and down as in in thanks and then cleaned her claws on Macnair's clothing. After doing that, Hedwig hopped to the remains of the obelisk and settled down but kept watching the immediate area around where the auror lay.

It seemed forever but could only have been a couple of minutes when the auror was surprised by the silent appearance of two people who he hadn't expected to see in this battle. Lady Ginny and Lady Hermione Potter!

Ginny immediately rushed to Morten's side to check on his injuries while Hermione replaced Hedwig in standing guard. The auror watched Hedwig disappear (even if she didn't fly off) while Ginny carefully levitated the fallen stones off his leg.

"This is not how I imagined seeing you again Lady Potter" Morthen said through clenched teeth.

"Ease up there Morthen, I really don't expect the niceties out here tonight. Does anything hurt other than your leg?"

Morthen shook his head and then smiled as some sort of pain numbing spell went through his body. "My back got a wrench or two and there are some various cuts I caught in the fight. Other than my ego, I think I'll be okay."

"Don't short yourself Auror, I think you have nothing to be ashamed of." This comment came from the small brunette and Morten hung his head in slight embarrassment. That movement of his head gave him the opportunity to see a yellow glow spread from Lady Ginny hands to his injured limb and the sharp pain from the break stop. Morthen knew his mouth had dropped open in surprise but he didn't know what to say to the young woman.

He eventually looked up to her eyes and asked the question that had first popped into his head. "Am I in good enough shape to rejoin the fight against the Death Eaters, Lady Potter?"

"Yes…. and no. Your leg is unbroken now but you shouldn't put any more stress upon it for a few days."

"Could I at least go over and stand guard over any prisoners that our side may have been taken? That shouldn't be too strenuous."

"If I run into Madame Bones sooner or later, I shall tell her of your devotion to duty. But for now, you've done enough for this battle. Rettus!"

A house elf wearing the Potter family crest on his clothes popped into the cemetery at Ginny's side. "Auror Nervish has been injured in the battle but is not in serious enough shape to warrant a trip to St. Mungo's. Please take him to the Hogwarts infirmary and instruct Madame Pomphrey that it's bed rest for a couple of days."

"Lady Ginny! I do protest this… this… forced intrusion into my duties!"

Lady Ginny threw back her head and laughed but Morthen was flummoxed as it was Lady Turrah Loxley (Gryffindor) that was suddenly grinning back down at him. "Robb and I would consider it a favor if you did what I suggested. You wouldn't want to upset the owner of Hogwarts now, would you?"

"I… I.. yes, no…I don't know… HOW did…"

"Don't bother saying anything at all then Morthen. We shall explain it to you and a few others soon. Rettus."

The house elf placed his hand on the Auror's shoulder and the two disappeared from the place with a small whoosh. Ginny looked up and saw the smile that graced Hermione's face. "That will keep his head spinning for a while trying to figure that out."

"You're certainly a trickster Gin. Let's go see if any of the prisoners need attention."

"Painfully slow attention?"

"Well, maybe."

The two disappeared leaving the fallen monument to Lady Chantilly Lace in silence.

Xxxx xxx

One individual had not panicked and fled when the French, auror and goblin attackers had come up on the Death Eaters. The one in the long dark duster had retreated to a clearer area and made a stand. He soon faced the threesome of Madame Bones, Remus Lupin and Capitaine Christophe Mercator of the French forces.

Those three were strained in fighting the whirling dervish who fought the trio with both wand and sword. For a few seconds it was chaos until the attackers settled into a pattern of one or two defending while the other(s) launched spells at the dark aggressor.

"Who are you?" yelled out Mercator during one of the split second breaks between offensive and defensive spells.

"Emile Thierry" came the flat response. "My name will grace your own headstones soon."

"Vampire!" "Vampire!" The warnings came from both Bones and Mercator and the threesome redoubled their efforts in taking down the dark soulless one. Mercator soon had a long gash on his arm as the result of a disemboweling sword thrust he had luckily turned aside. Madame Bones had a long mark on her cheek as she neatly evaded a cutting curse and Remus had been thrown into a headstone with a Depulso curse but climbed back into action before the vampire could take advantage of the two left fighting him.

The four were still engaged in battle when Thierry's hat slowly floated off his head to disappear into the nearby trees. He seemed to pay no attention to that happening but Amelia could see his expression change to wondering if another opponent was around that he wasn't aware off. Silently, slowly a sort of grey dust started floating down out of the sky to surround the vampire. He tried running to a few different places while still firing curses and setting up shields for protection. But the flakes and motes followed him around and he suddenly started sneezing. And Sneezing…

AND SNEEZING! While still behind a very strong defensive shield. Madame Bones was looking around for who was behind this sort of harmless attack when a sudden light sprang up from the ground behind Thierry. Circling and climbing up the man's torso, Madame Bones held up her hand to stop the others from launching any more offensive spells.

Madam Bones was amazed to see a little faery circle around the vampire's head holding something round in her little hands. The sprite finally got the timing right and when the vampire drew in a breath to start another sneeze, something round and hot pink went into Thierry's mouth!

The light (or sprite or faery) immediately disappeared and suddenly a voice was shouting in her right ear: "You may want to cover your eyes for this."

"Take cover and shield your eyes!" Madame Bones yelled and then dived behind the nearest headstone. She had no idea why she was trusting the voice when they had the vampire at a disadvantage but she had a sudden gut reaction she couldn't ignore.

'Exoculatus' (*1)

There was a blinding flash that Amelia's eyes registered even through her closed eyelids. Then there was a startling silence except for the distant sound of the other battles still ongoing. When she cautiously peered around the side of the headstone she had taken cover behind, there was no sign of the vampire Thierry. The only thing she could see was a waist high cone of smoking material – was it cloth? Or metal?

Remus walked forward to scout out the situation. She saw him walk carefully around the pile of material and then called out the all clear signal. Remus then plucked a little business card that was floating near the cone that marked the place that Thierry had been. She saw him read the writing on the note and then he just shook his head and started laughing. When she and the French Capitaine got to Remus's side, he silently offered up the note for the both them to read.

It was a business card, outlined in orange with silver sparkles and held a simple message:

Extermination of Pests of All Sizes

Guarantee by

Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes

Totally gobsmacked, Madame Bonesstood in shock. She stared at the card, she turned to look at the cone of what could be melted lead and then looked back at Remus. It took a lot of explaining for Capitaine Mercator to understand why the two of them couldn't stop laughing! The threesome soon started running toward the other sounds of fighting.

Xxxx xxx

Harry couldn't tell anyone a week later whether it was just ten minutes or an hour that he fought and eluded Riddle (Voldemort) in the cemetery. It went by so fast with the exchanges of powerful spells, snippy dialogues and changing locations via running or apparating that he lost track of time. There were a very few opposite times where Harry got the drop, surprised his opponent and caused Tom to make a strategic retreat. The duo eventually came back to their starting point of Riddle father's headstone and the big cauldron in which Voldemort regained his somewhat human form. The cauldron had been quickly overturned in the initial pandemonium caused by the forces on the side of the Light.

Lord Voldemort was surprised to see Harry standing in front of the monument that held the rest of his father's remains. He shot a 'Reducto' curse at Harry but was surprised when a shield materialized to block his shot. He tried again with 'Avada Kedavra' but the young wizard just ducked quickly and the spell destroyed the stonework he was previously bound to.

"How can you keep avoiding me Potter? I am the most powerful wizard since Merlin himself. Even Dumbledore is hesitant to stand against me."

"I don't know Tom, I.."

"Do not ever call me that muggle name ever again! You shall not have much longer to live." The misshapen wizard raised his wand to cast another life-ending spell but three quick cries of pain came from a far corner of the cemetery and Voldemort and Harry turned their heads quickly.

Harry was frowning when he spoke next. "That probably is three of your followers giving up the last of their magic to feed you Tom. The question nobody knows the answer to is whether Dark Mark on your followers will transfer their life's energy also or just make them a squib."

"What are you blathering on about Potter?" Riddle sent an Entrail-Expelling curse across the ground but gasped when Potter just deflected the spell aside by using his shield.

"The Dark Mark you use to mark, trail and siphon off knowledge, magical power and energy is taking a horrid toll on your followers there. Since our side doesn't condone or use pain spells on prisoners, I can only guess that you are the one causing them pain. Professor Dumbledore and I didn't venture a guess as to whether the spells you built into making the Dark Mark would just cause your followers to just lose their magic or continue to drain their life force also. I guess we'll get to see when your reach your end!"

"CRUCIO!" Voldemort yelled out as he cast another Unforgiveable at his enemy. Both dropped their mouths open in shock as the curse flickered in the air and disappeared before travelling half the space between the combatants.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, POTTER?"

"I didn't do anything Tom. By the way, how's your hand?"

Tom Riddle glanced down at where the Slytherin ring had exploded and stared in disbelieve. His blood was still dripping out of the crude wrapping he had made but the appearance of the hand itself had changed. At the start of the duel the hand was mostly off-white with pulses of that grey, green blotches moving about slowly. Now the opposite was the rule. His hand, arm, face and body were a dark slate grey with only tiny pulses of the cream color flashing quickly through his body where arteries and veins supposedly still existed.

"What manner of …Merlin's Blood?..."

Tom stared as the sight of his opponent startled him. He was not facing a skinny youngster with a scar but a fully grown young adult that had eyes that twinkled in the wavering light. In a split second Tom Riddle's confidence was shaken. But he continued.

"…what unknown curse did you cast on me?" Riddle thundered out his accusation as he drew himself up to his full height. Harry tried not to smirk as he saw that the robe Voldemort had put on after his resurrection was now dragging on the ground. 'He must have shrunk down during the battle' Harry thought.

"I cast no curse on you Riddle. You followed the three parts of the ritual exactly."

"What do you know of the Dark Arts halfblood?"

"Everybody can do research Tom. Even on forbidden rituals! I found a number of ancient texts written in Parseltongue and the Black family library."

"Black is mixed up in this Potter? How dare he? He will suffer next after I finish you!"

"Funny thing about rituals Tom…"

"Do not call me by that common mudblood name my father and mother gave me!"

"Speaking about your father… that was the first ingredient in your resurrection, right? Professor Dumbledore and I argued about whether you could actually use his bones in your little scheme since he was non-magical."

"It mattered not since he was my father. The ritual clearly explained that. BOMBARDO!"

The spell went harmlessly over Harry's head to disappear into the darkness of the night. Harry hadn't bothered watching where the spell went to as he saw it was going to be very wide.

Harry continued talking as if nothing had happened. "Yes, but DID the ritual you read about mention what the usefulness would be if you murdered your own father or publicly disavowed his existence? Numerous times I might add, from listening to your bragging over the years. How you must have gloated over overcoming your humble beginnings to become Lord Voldemort! There's an intent to magic as you well know Tom. I think you cancelled the usefulness of your father's bones by your own actions and words. Magic concerns intent and you never wanted anyone to know about your real father. How ironic!"

"I am still the most power…cough, cough…powerful wizard in the world!"

Harry watched as the wand held on him dropped a bit and Riddle leaned wearily on a nearby headstone shaped like a wooden tree stump. Riddle seemed to search for something mentally or physically and then smiled as if he had found what he was seeking.

More screams came from around the cemetery and Harry watched as Riddle's face slowly turned back to the abnormal off-white he had started with. "I can call on all my followers for support Potter. You have none besides you this night!"

"You can call on them even to the point of Death?"

"They are mine to command and use as I see fit." The screams stopped suddenly as if a curtain has been closed over them and Riddle smiled as he stood upright and appeared powerful once more.

"Are you ready to finish our duel now Potter?" Riddle jeered as he waved his wand quickly, anticipating his opponent to dive or disappear again.

Harry extended his senses, magical and otherwise to encompass the area around where Tom Riddle stood. Feeling familiar mental presences, Harry gave Daphne, Hermione and Ginny mental kisses and then took one step forward. "I shall not avoid this anymore. Do your best Tom and I will try to do better."

"Avada Kedavra!"

Tom raised his wand high and made the gesture for the killing curse…. But nothing happened. Tom stared at his wand in shock!

"Another shot perhaps, Mr. Riddle?"

There was horror and disbelief on his face when Tom tried the spell again… and again… and again. With no results! No signature spell, no magical power – nothing…

"Expelliarmus!" Harry said softly.

The wand in Riddle's limp hand was wrenched from his hands to fly across the distance between he and his enemy. Harry deftly caught the infamous wand and tucked it into his back pocket. There were three distinct sounds or whooshes and Riddle raised his distraught face to see three young ladies appear suddenly at Potter's side. Riddle never noticed that his body was now totally the dark grey-green color again.

"If you'll allow me a brief social convention Tom, I would like to introduce you to the others that contributed to your downfall today. Lady Hermione Granger Potter, Lady Ginevra Weasley Potter, Lady Daphne Greengrass Potter – meet Tom Riddle – former Dark Lord, all around psychopath and defeated enemy."

All three ladies glared at the now gobsmacked being with more than a little
contempt. Tom was silent as he was still wrapping his mind around his sudden un-natural condition. Before he could form a proper retort, it was the redhead that opened her mouth first. "Harry, the dark mark on all the prisoners we captured went from black to red, to white and then burst into flames. We tried all manners of saving them - water, stasis spells but nothing could stop it. The bodies of everyone marked went up in flames as if they were consumed with Fiendfyre!"

Riddle laughed as if this was nothing important. Harry took a step forward in anger. "You think nothing of the lives of your followers Riddle?"

"Their lives do not matter to me. Neither will the others I gather to me when I return to conquer you all. I am the closest thing to Immortal you shall ever witness! And the power I hold will wipe you from the face of the earth like the loathsome insects you are."

That statement evidently was more than one of the Ladies present could stand for. The blonde stepped three paces forward and shot a spell that bound Riddle's arms tightly to his side.

"My husband doesn't like to brag TOM, but I will not hesitate to tell you how you find yourself wandless and powerless now after just being resurrected."

"He's not worth the trouble explaining things to Daphne!" The male of the group received such a glare from that wife at his interruption that he held up his hands in surrender and let himself be hugged by the other two females.

Daphne started pacing back and forth working on or working to control her absolute anger. "You killed Harry's parents in the process of attempting to kill a 15 month old child. To rid yourself a so-called "prophecy" that was overheard – not the whole prophecy mind you but just a couple of lines. Did you fear a 15 month old child that much Riddle? To kill his parents and try to kill him? You made another big mistake then. By attacking my future husband then, you caused the prophecy you heard about to become true. To enable him to have the 'power he knows not'!"

"That is untrue", a shaken Tom protested, "I was … I AM the smartest, most powerful wizard of all time."

Daphne snarled but Harry came forward to encase the blonde in a hug from the rear. A few words whispered in her ear caused her to lower her wand. Daphne stomped her foot once in frustration but walked away toward the other two young ladies that were still holding wands carefully on the Dark Lord.

The brunette gathered the Greengrass heir in a tight hug and then the redhead stepped forward to hold hands her husband. She smiled up at him and then turned her attention toward the defeated foe. "My name was originally Ginny Weasley before Harry and the rest of us got married. It may or not mean anything to you but the diary you created from Myrtle Beechwood's death possessed me in my second year at Hogwarts."

"I was told Lucius Malfoy tried to get the mudbloods and half-bloods to leave Hogwarts. Too bad Slytherin's guardian didn't do its job properly!"

"And will never have a chance to do that again" Ginny said with a smile. "Your former self was almost back to a physical body when Harry defeated the basilisk and then you – um, former you."

"Thanks Vixen" Harry called out. "But Tom doesn't like hearing about defeats – or Horcruxes."

"HORCRUXES! WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HORCRUXES?" was screamed out by Tom Riddle. He looked at the quartet with some nervousness and perhaps… was that fear?

"A little more than what you originally told me Tom when we fought in the Chamber of Secrets. Yes you, a former part of you I mean, was the one to tell me about the memory held in the diary that would rise and continue Salazar Slytherin's noble work'.

Tom lurched forwards to charge at Harry but only took a few steps before he tripped on his robe and fell on his face. He struggled to stand but with his arms bound, he was reduced to sitting on the ground. Harry sighed a little sadly but used his wand to levitate the wizard back to the headstone he had been leaning on. The sneer reappeared on Tom's face when he was steady again. "You and your so-called wives will grovel at my feet when I return to take my revenge!"

Harry almost took a half step forward at that insult but he was held totally in place by Ginny. The redhead shook her head again and spoke out again. "Other factors today that were your choice have led to your present helplessness."

"This is only a TEMPORARY condition Potter."

"So which Potter are you talking about Tom? There's four of here now."

Hermione stepped forward and tapped her younger sister wife on the shoulder. The two looked into each other's eyes for about a half minutes before Ginny giggled and leaned down to give the brunette a kiss on the cheek. She watched as Ginny turned around and gave Harry a high five on her way back to Daphne's side.

Harry winked at Hermione and waggled his eyebrows at her. Hermione turned around and lost the small smile that she had. "We've already talked about how using your father's bones probably wasn't the smartest thing to do for the ritual you wanted. Did you see or know that Bellatrix cut off her own Dark Mark as part of your resurrection ritual? Because she didn't have your cursed branding on her, she wasn't technically 'your servant' when her flesh fell into the cauldron."

"Bellatrix is my most loyal servant!"

Harry shook his head. "Then explain why nobody has seen her since before my friends showed up to ruin your little reunion party."

"She must have gone for reinforcements."

"You might believe that but it's been a long time since you took my blood Tom."

"Don't call me by that horrid…."

Hermione spoke. "Actually Riddle, I'm not going to call you by your first name because I never want to get that familiar with you, it's blood that was the last part of your ritual. 'Blood of the enemy- forcibly taken- you will revive your foe.'

"And I suppose, little mudblood, that you are going to tell me what was wrong with that" Riddle sneered.

Hermione placed her arm on Harry's to force down the wand that had suddenly appeared at Riddle's name calling. She leaned up and kissed Harry on the cheek and he lowered his weapon. Hermione turned her attention back to the bound wizard. ('Or is it a squib now?' she thought.)

"You could have chosen any enemy for your ritual. Dumbledore, Sirius Black, Madam Bones, anybody in the Wizengamot that fought against you in the first war, etc…. But you didn't because you are obsessed with Harry Potter; the person most standing in your way. Was it thoughts of the prophecy that directed you to him or was it your pride that had to strike back at the person that had beat you so soundly?"

"Or so many times?" came from the blonde behind Harry.

Tom Riddle opened his mouth to answer but found a Silencing charm cast at him. Hermione continued. "Nobody wants to hear you any more Riddle. Not me, not my family, not your followers… if any still survive. Threats and promises that you've failed at. That stops today. Whatever the reason, you chose my husband for being reborn. He may even have agreed to give you some blood voluntarily. That would ruin the intent of the ritual."

Riddle glared at the redhead but his struggles to escape the binding and the silencing spell had stopped. He still looked defiant and evil mind you, but he at least grudgingly had to admit to himself that he was caught at least temporarily. Harry wandlessly removed the Silencing spell.

"My brilliant husband knew something you didn't Riddle. When you took his blood, you took more than what he was born with."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" Riddles eyes were wide open and he looked very confused at what he had just heard.

Hermione held up her hand and began counting on her fingers. "When Harry fought the 'Lord Voldemort' that was contained in your diary he ended up being bitten by the basilisk..."

"He should be dead!"

"It's very impolite to interrupt people when they are talking Riddle. As I was saying, Harry was bitten by the basilisk but luckily Fawkes… you remember Dumbledore's phoenix… was nearby and wept in Harry's wound, healing it. So there is some basilisk venom and phoenix tears in my husband's blood."

Harry put his arm around Hermione's shoulders. "I also inadvertently got poisoned with an acromantula fang."

"But… But.." Tom Riddle just didn't seem to understand why his enemy was still standing.

"Don't forget the house elf disease Harry."

Harry glanced over his shoulder and winked. "I was getting to that Daphne."

Turning his attention back to Riddle Harry continued. "Not a common occurrence; getting an infection from a house elf. But the cure that was attempted for that was a blood transference between one of the Potter House elves and me. A very loyal and brave house elf. So, I've got some of that mixed in my blood; actually, two house elves have mixed blood with me. That might explain why you've lost a little of your vertical advantage."

"You sullied your blood with these… these.. lower life forms?" Tom Riddle was aghast at what Harry had done.

"These lower life forms, as you call them, were and are pledged to me and the House of Potter with their lives and everything else they possess. A loyalty and commitment you could not understand or ever inspire in your followers. I can't say friends because you never had an friends Tom. Just people and circumstances you intimidated by fear or rewards of glory, money and power."

"And my loving husband hasn't mentioned the last factor that was in his blood that has fought and destroyed your magic. I have exchanged my blood with that of Harry's…"

"As have I…" said Daphne.

"Me too" said Ginny.

Tom Riddle was overcome with confusion, hatred and loathing. It was a very ghastly look and Harry had to momentarily close his eyes against the absolute disgust that was aimed at him and his wives.

"He doesn't understand Hermione. He just doesn't get it."

Hermione nodded but spoke quietly to the formerly powerful wizard. "Our blood exchanges were initially made to let all of us view the family grimoires that all four of us had. That seemed a simple workaround that gained us all knowledge. But we shared our individual blood magic with each other. That made the soul bond all the stronger."

"Soul bond?" said Riddle a little unbelievably.

"Magic married us together. Partly due to your actions Mr. Riddle."

"NO!"

"YES! Two of us also went through regular weddings with Harry. The vows exchanged were for love and support. When you took Harry's blood, you had at least five other bloods committed and loyal to Harry. Both magically and physically. To defend Harry Potter with everything we had – with our compassion and with our hearts and spirits. And more importantly – all our desires and LOVE for the one wizard who was much better and stronger than you could ever dream about being."

Harry gathered up Hermione in a fierce hug after her impassioned speech and Ginny and Daphne were quick to join the family hug. After what seemed like a minute, Harry released his wives after a long number of seconds and dried his eyes. "My blood fought against your magic and consumed it Tom. Totally!"

"You have been defeated Tom and your followers sound like they are also destroyed. We are going to turn you over to the Ministry for a very public trial and, very likely, a trip through the Veil. Are you going to try and keep some dignity about you and walk out of here on your own two legs or do we have to tie you up like a Christmas goose for the oven?"

"I will kill you Harry Potter! I will return and wreck this soul bond. I will get my revenge on all of your personally and will eventually rule all of magical England!"

"NO! You will NOT return!"

The voice that spoke seemed to fill the very air around the vanquished and the victors. Slowly they all turned toward the chilling and powerful voice that spoke with such surety. Harry's eye widened at who or what(?) that stood on the tracks of the narrow pathway that wound through this section of the cemetery. An imposing figure, totally cloaked in black, was sitting easily upon a whitish horse that either glowed slightly in the dark was partly translucent. Harry thought it looked more like a Friesian but he had never seen such a color on a living horse. The mere thought of a 'living' horse caused the hairs on the wizard's neck to stand up straight. The sudden voice behind him caused him almost to choke on his own spit.

"And I looked and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him."

Harry spared a glance over his shoulder and saw that Daphne stood tall and proud, gazing at her husband with a certain bit of determination. "Hermione isn't the only one of us that reads books you know."

Harry acknowledged the statement with a barely perceptible nod but held his hand out backwards to let Daphne know that he wanted to hold her hand. She took the necessary steps to join him but was still facing the latest visitor to the cemetery. "Revelations, Chapter 6, Verse 8."

"Your wives are very loyal… and intelligent Lord Gryffindor. Or would your rather be addressed as the Duke of Hogwarts?"

"My name is Harry Potter and my egotism is confined to boasting that these three beautiful witches chose me as their husband."

"Well said… Harry. But you have been a bit neglectful with Mr. Tom Riddle."

The figure, who had a name that Harry wasn't going to say, reached over his shoulder to grasp something. A very impressive and scary looking scythe that was waved around in a scooping motion but was then lowered to a clip on the saddle that was designed to hold it. The three Mrs. Potters gasped at the sight of the implement but Harry felt them relax a little (a very miniscule little) as the scythe was placed down. Harry's mouth felt like a bowl of dry sand but he drew a deep breath. "Have I done something to incur your attention or ire? I am not prepared to pass along this day. But I will leave with you if it means my three ladies will survive."

"Have no fear from me this day Harry Potter. I shall not gather either you or your wives for many decades. There are other matters that need to be discussed to let Riddle know exactly where he precariously stands What you started to discuss before Tom Riddle made another idle threat."

"I….I…Idle? What do you mean by that statement?" Harry could see Tom's chin (such as it was) trembling just a little bit as he demanded an answer from either the horseman or Harry.

"Harry, will you do the honors?"

The three young ladies each embraced their husband separately and looked into his eyes for long moments before retreating to a few feet behind him. Harry looked at the horseman for a couple of seconds and then started speaking to speak to Riddle. His expression was flat but everyone present could hear the emotion in his voice.

"The desire to be immortal; through any means possible. That is what growing up in an orphanage gave you. You never knew any good thoughts or deeds through your young life but you found something that brought you some satisfaction or contentment. Your magic. Dumbledore probably made a mistake in offering you a Hogwarts education without also finding you a proper home where you learn about compassion and love. But he didn't or there wasn't anyone that wanted to step forward and care for you."

"I don't and have never needed anyone else Potter!"

"So, you chose to learn magic with the goal of being more powerful than anyone on the planet. To lead and punish the ones that you felt had cast you aside. The muggles because your own father turned his back on you. The magicals for allowing your mother to die. You wanted everyone either punished or dead for their transgressions against you. 'There is no wrong or right, only power and those that choose to use it' was your exact words as I remember."

"Are you going to bore me some more then?"

"Okay, I'll get to the point. You sought immortality to guarantee you would have a long time to rule or to avoid the afterlife you couldn't imagine."

Riddle's eyes couldn't possibly get any wider but they continued to show shock at what Harry was saying.

"You found the darkest of magics somewhere in your wanderings and found out how to avoid death. Transferring part of your soul to other objects; you had some respect for the Founders of Hogwarts as you chose some of their artifacts to help you make horcruxes. Are you following along Tom?"

Tom Riddle was still listening but he was torn between listening to his enemy and anxiously watching the horseman who remained immobile on his horse.

"I'm not saying I would choose the same things because I would never partition my immortal soul like that. But your list to create your immortality seems to contain as lot of a little girl's wish list. A ring, a diadem, a diary, a locket, a golden cup…"

"YOU can't possibly know about those! YOU! CAN'T!"

"But I can and I do… I even know of one you don't know about."

"That's totally impossible! I would sense it, I would find it!"

"No Tom, you didn't. When you tried to kill me as a baby, the backlash destroyed your body and spun off a little bit of your soul. It settled on the nearest living object. Me!"

"No, No, No… NO!"

"My encounter with one of your horcruxes at Hogwarts in the Chamber of Secrets led to the destruction of the diary and the horcrux in my head. Also, Slytherin's protector – the basilisk."

"And since that was the third time Harry defeated you, he became Lord Slytherin by rite of conquest" Ginny yelled out,

"That's.. that's …"

"Tell him what you've done to Riddle's plan Harry."

Harry bowed briefly in the horseman's direction. "I'm cutting the story short but all the horcruxes you've made have been destroyed; along with the pieces of your sou…"

"NO! YOU CANNOT! I HID MY TREASURES!"

"In Bellatrix's vault, at the Gaunt House, at Hogwarts… Shall I continue Tom?"

"How did you find them? Who betrayed me?"

The pale horse scooted a few steps sideways as the figure in the saddle chuckled. It was a frightening sound Harry never wanted to hear again.

The hooded figure settled his mount back down and turned him (her? it?) to face Riddle again. "I will answer that question if you don't mind Harry Potter. The information that you so closely guarded was left … by YOU.. in Harry's memory after residing in him for over a decade."

Tom Riddle broke down sobbing as he slid to his knees against the headstone. Harry was not puzzled by this as he had expected Tom to collapse from the unfavorable blood. Ginny, Hermione and Daphne took a few steps forward to stand besides their husband. Harry had no happiness nor pity on his face gazing at the formerly all-powerful Dark Lord. There was abject terror on Tom's face before he lowered it to face the ground. Hermione whispered to Harry that Riddle might have been crying.

Riddle turned his face back toward his conqueror. "Potter… help me.. help me, please… I'm begging you to save me!"

Harry shook his head. "I don't have the power to help you now. I also don't have the inclination after all your sins."

Then the horseman spoke up again. "There was another horcrux but Tom Riddle destroyed his familiar Nagini himself a week or two ago to stabilize that hideous magical form you saw earlier. Ironically, he willingly destroyed the last of the horcruxes himself. But his final act was made by your hand tonight Harry Potter. You will finally die in a few short moments Tom Riddle. No coming back this time. The prophecy is fulfilled."

The kneeling figure struggle to compose himself as he finally lifted his head up "So you… you are…" was whispered so softly that it might have gone unheard if the cemetery wasn't done with battle. The Potters heard Tom panicky question and the horseman certainly did.

"I am called many names in different places on this globe. Thanatos, Dis Pater, Hel, Charon, Baron Samedi. But you know who I am Tom Marvelo Riddle. You have been trying to avoid me ever since you learned the Dark Arts and murdered your own father's family – the Riddles. I am Death! And I have come for you!"

The horseman reached up and threw back his cowl to let everyone present see his face. Harry grabbed his wives and they all took a step backward in shock. The face of Death was that of a skeleton's mask but the face of a young Tom Riddle came forward and back to overlay over the skull that was ever present. Riddle finally collapsed with something between a moan and a gasp and lay silent on the ground. Death raised his scythe and made two passes in the direction of the motionless body.

"A simple preservation spell in case anyone doubts your word Lord… Harry."

Harry nodded his head in acknowledgement and his three wives gathered their selves together enough to dip in respectful curtsies. Death lowered his scythe back to the saddle clip and pulled the horse up into standing on his back two legs. He wheeled the horse around and started galloping back down the path. As he passed Riddle's body, he leaned down off the saddle and yanked the spirit of Tom Marvelo Riddle out of the body and flung that behind him to ride on the rump of the horse as it left the cemetery.

The four Potters watched the horse and riders as they drew further and further away from them. Harry swore later that the mystical sight left the pathway to claim the sky. Hermione on the other hand, insisted that Death (et all) just faded away into nothing. The other two wives weren't watching the departure at all. They were watching their husband for his exact reaction to the battle now that it was over.

When there was nothing else to see down the pathway, Harry turned and held his arms open wide. His three Gems jumped into them. They couldn't properly laugh, cry or celebrate for a time and just enjoyed the feeling of being all together again.

It was Ginny that finally broke the group hug and stepped back a few paces. "We'll reward you properly later, our magnificent Lord and husband. But for now…"

"Yes?" said Harry with a big grin.

"This!" Ginny licked her lips and then threw every firework charm and spell she knew up into the sky as she began hooting and hollering, Daphne, Hermione and Harry soon joined Ginny in celebrating.

Other fireworks were soon shot up from the survivors of the battle and the foursome saw various lights headed in their direction. One of the brighter lights did a loop de loop over their heads and came to land at Harry's feet as his wives gave Flutter some landing room.

Half a second later there was a flash and Harry found himself having the stuffing hugged out of him by the third year Ravenclaw. Harry returned the hug but he began blushing and looking over Luna's shoulder at his wives who we're all laughing.

Coming over to save her husband some public embarrassment, Ginny tapped her friend on the shoulder. "You didn't get into any scrapes, did you?"

"Nothing I couldn't get out of. Lots of action here and there though. Sorry I missed the last bit of action here. I was hoping to see Blinkie."

"Blinkie?"

"Yes, Death's horse is named Blinkie. I thought everyone knew that."

Harry blinked (ha,ha) and shut his eyes. Luna looked at him strangely. "I'm done hugging you Harry."

It was Hermione that pointed out the reason for Harry's lack of action for the girl with the silvery eyes. "Harry's probably not going to let you go until you find some clothes to put on Luna."

"Did I forget again?"

Harry tried to speak normally. "Yes, you did and I don't want Ron to ever find out about it."

"But he was okay when I did it around him."

"I'm sure he was." Daphne waved her wand and a light blue dress appeared on Luna. Harry let the slim girl go and stepped back with a sigh of relief.

Luna went over to give brief hugs to Ginny and Hermine and thanked Daphne for her new frock. She came back to Harry with a serious look on her face.

"I have news - good and bad."

Harry looked at his wives and got nods in return. "Okay Luna. What's happened?"

"The worst of the news is that 4 goblins, 3 of the Legion Magique and 3 of the Ministry's Aurors died in the fighting."

Hanging his head, Harry took a moment to compose himself. When he looked up again his eyes were glistening with unshed tears. "If nobody minds, the Potters will show up for the funeral services for the Aurors and send appropriate condolences for our allies in France. The goblins will celebrate their losses with celebrations for the glorious deaths of their kin. I will be going to that but I don't expect any of you to come along.

"There's going to be Knife's Blood to drink, isn't there?"

"Yes Ginny, but I'll stick next to Wrotkill. He'll help me get through the commemorations."

"I may come with you anyway. Hopefully we can transfigure that vileness to cider or something."

"Thanks Ginny." A nudge from Daphne had Harry looking back to Luna.

"There's a mixed bit of news next."

Hermione came over and tucked herself under Harry's left arm. "Go ahead."

"There were 118 Death Eaters that had the Dark Mark still on them. That's counting the ones still in Azkaban."

"And they should all be dead right?"

"One would hope so but all those followers pledged everything they had to get the Dark Mark. Their lives, their vaults, all their property… sometimes their own families.

Harry's eyes got wider and wider. "No!" he whispered.

"By defeating Moldieshorts in combat, you win everything he possessed by Right of Conquest."

"No, No.."

"Harry, you are the head of at least another 60 Houses. You'll have to go to Gringotts to verify that though."

Harry covered up his face with his hands as his wives gathered around him. "No, no, no, no, no.." he kept repeating.

Luna watched the approaching lights for about a minute and then looked back to Harry as he slowly got over his shock. When he cautiously lowered his hands, Luna was still standing in front of him.

"So, what else?"

"Harry?"

"I'll be okay Daphne. It's just going to take a while to process."

"Well you don't have to do much training for a while" Ginny stated optimistically.

"What else do you have to tell Harry, Luna?"

Luna seemed a little nervous all of a sudden. "We brought that recorder flying thing with us when we took the portkey."

"Yes, but it tumbled into the bushes as I made my usual graceless landing."

"I should have asked your permission first but…"

"LUNA, what did you do?"

The blonde fidgeted and scuffed her toe in the dirt of the pathway. "I… I turned it back on as I thought you might want to show Sirius, Dumbledore and the others what happened tonight."

"That's okay Luna. I'm not upset you did that."

"Harry… I don't remember if I set it on record or record and… transmit."

The Duke of Gryffindor's jaw fell open and he felt the blood rushing trough his ears. With barely a sound, the Boy-Who-Lived (and Wizard-That-Won) fainted dead away to be carefully laid down by his wives.

[ Finally (?): That is it folks. An unbelievable finish to the International Challenge. Five Champions! Let's recap for those who somehow missed the ending.

While Cedric Diggory and Miss Fleur Delacour reached the clearing with the cup at almost the same time, neither went forward to claim it. Mr. Diggory had his arm in a sling from the unfortunate landing he had made jumping clear of that last fire pit. Miss Delacour seemed to have a problem with her knee although we didn't exactly see where that had happened.

The representatives from Beauxbatons and the Hogwarts limped toward each other to congratulate each other on finishing the obstacles. It was at that point that Viktor Krum entered the last clearing. As you remember Mr. Krum had a very close encounter with an acromantula and received a number of cuts to his back and unfortunately his head. The two Champions that had already arrived rushed to his aid and cast a number of healing spells and he hugged the competitors and thanked them for the assistance.

All three turned toward the International Cup but began a very heated conversation that the crowds here in the stands began shouting encouragement at their particular choice. Mr. Diggory stepped out of that meeting and cast a Point-Me spell. It pointed to one pf the entrances and Diggory and Krum both reentered the maze to the shock of all of us. Ten minutes later they and the other two Champions (Miss Ganem and Mr. Dorantes) emerged from the maze with puzzlement on their faces. A small discussion with the last two finishers happened and then all five Champions approached the Cup.

All five touched the cup at the same time ladies and gentlemen and were transported back to the starting line! When asked about their decision during the award ceremony it was Cedric Diggory that spoke up and declared that none of the Champions wanted to see any of their close friends to lose. So, they decided to get the prize together. What a finish!

The maze still hasn't released Lord Potter from the dead end he was trapped in but Headmaster Dumbledore declared that he would be freed shortly and there was no concern about his safety.

LONN, LONN! Potter's screens have finally lit up again!

You heard my partners words and it appears we are finally going to see what has been going on with the youngest Champion. The crowds that were exiting the stands have paused and some are finding seats.

Oh for Merlin's sake, Potter isn't in the maze at all! Folks something strange is happening. Oh, look out there! Harry Potter has received two stunning spells from where he was crouching and hiding. ARE THOSE DEATH EATERS? Ladies and gentlemen there is unchecked panic happening at Hogwarts right now with the view we are getting about Lord Potter. People are rushing back to their seats and the tournament officials are trying to figure out what to do!

As we speak Harry Potter has been hit with a body bind spell and it being floated toward. ..hey are at a CEMETARY! What is going on here?

Folks we will be monitoring this unprecedented drama. Do not go away! We will be describing everything that is happening to Harry Potter…..]

Harry came to slowly with a number of voices occurring both in his mind and hearing. He slowly opened his eye and saw a much too familiar site. Ginny was sitting on her heels next to him and holding his left hand. Hermione was similarly kneeling by his right side. Harry glanced around and found Daphne straddling his knees. He groaned and was about to try and get up but his wives told him to stay put for another couple of seconds.

"I did it again didn't I?"

Ginny chuckled but the two others just nodded their heads at him.

"Honestly Harry…" Hermione began. "… if you're going to panic at every little, insignificant thing that happens to you…"Ginny continued. ".. then we'll have to take you away on a long vacation until you regain your composure."

Harry looked around at the grins from his lovely wives. "Okay Daphne you've convinced me that a long trip is in our future. Except for…."

"Yes!" "What?" "What exception?"

"As long as it doesn't interfere with Hermione's revision schedule."

Hermione sputtered in indignation and embarrassment while her three mates laughed. She stared at Harry for a minute and then started laughing herself.

The four regained their feet shortly after and began responding to the shouts that were coming at them. Life was good!

(*1 - The Nova Burst lozenge was explained in Chapter 25 of 'Honestly Harry: Greengrass Days and Paradise Nights')

Finis!

This is the end of the Honestly Harry series. Write or imagine the Potter's further adventures if you will. I've got stories left in me and possibly another series. Thanks for traveling along with me. And I appreciate and call of you that wrote reviews as my friends.

Captain Compass