Title:Essence

Author name:Icy Manipulator
Author Category: Romance
Keywords:Power Harry Multi-Ship

Rating:PG-13

Summary:The very essence of the 'Power the Dark Lord knows not' as seen and felt by some of our favorite witches of Hogwarts. A musical (of sorts) in five acts.

DISCLAIMER:

The following work of Fan Fiction is based upon the Harry Potter Universe which is the work of J.K. Rowling. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

The Author owns nothing of the Known or Cannon Characters in this work. Except, perhaps, the idea for this story.

Authors notes:Chapter four. The battle… what more can I say? Oh, yes. The song featured is 'Prince's of the Universe' by Queen, Duel of the Fates by John Williams (although it is without lyrics, and until someone can imbed audio with these files just imagine it meshing in during the duel, or do as I did and play while reading.) then with a final reprise of 'This is the Moment', the song featured in the first chapter.

ACT IV – Prince's of the Universe.

"There's no honorable way to kill, no gentle way to destroy. There is nothing

good in war. Except its ending."

- Abraham Lincoln

A pulse of magic rippled all across the globe to herald the duel of the fates. All beings magical felt the pulse, an invitation, to a place and time they suddenly found they knew. They answered this summons with a thought, in which, their intentions, too, were weighed. Be they for light or dark or grey.

And on that time and day ordained, the combatants stood in that unassuming field of pristine grass and daffodils. As, one by one beings of Magik came to see the Lords that would determine the fate of their world.

Here we are. Born to be kings.
We're the princes of the universe.

'Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. Lord of the Light and Bearer of the Phoenix's Crest, Thou art called forth to as champion of Magic's Light. Choose thy second'.

Albus' eyes widened at the proclamation. He had thought Harry to be the Lord of Light. Yet here he was called.

"I shall be his second" A familiar voice called from behind him. Another puzzling piece for the aged wizard, for the voice he knew to be already in the grave.

'Nicholas Flamel, Immortal Brewer, Guardian of the Tree of Life. You are heard and are accepted as Lights' second.' The ethereal voice proclaimed.

'Stand guard, stand fast… bear thou arms…' the voice the said as a sudden gust and flash of white light enveloped the transported them unto one side of the field, the side where which the trees seemed suddenly greener and the air more fresh. Creatures too of the light flocked towards that side… Unicorns, Griffins… yet oddly enough, of the Phoenixes, only Dumbledore's familiar, Fawkes, moved to be with him.


Here we belong. Fighting to survive.
In a world with the darkest powers.

'Tom Marvolo Riddle. Lord of the Dark and Bearer of the Serpents Crest, Thou art called forth to as champion of Magic's Darkness. Choose thy second'. The Voice said again to the confusion of most of those there.

"I hear you.'" A tall robed man walked forward. "But I prefer to be called, Lord Voldemort and I shall have no need of a second." and as he said this he threw down his cloak and revealing his evil visage cause a few intakes of breath and shudders from the populace.

'I hear the Dark Lord and grant him to be known henceforth as Voldemort and the one known as Tom Riddle to not be him' The voice then said after a moments pause to consider.

Like before, the Dark Lord was transported to one side, opposite of the light and the known creatures of the dark flocked towards him. Like Dumbledore before him, only his pet snake, the young Basilisk Nagini went to his side. A frown showed on his face as to why the other kings of serpents did not join him.


And here we are. we're the princes of the universe.
Here we belong. fighting for survival.
We've come to be the rulers of your world.

The sky suddenly darkened and the earth began to rumble as the sky was filled with the bellowing of fire… the guardians have come…

And with them came, The Prince of Magic. Upon Goldenbone he sat regally, dressed in armor of grayish silver, a circlet of gold adorned his head, as over all this was a simple cloak of grey. But the power… Yes, the power that radiated of him precluded the need of the fine silk befitting his station. For it was enough.

And the people bowed regardless of their race.

And he spoke…

I am immortal. I have inside me blood of kings.
I have no rival. No man can be my equal.
Take me to the future of your world.

"Well met my brethren. Well met. Tis' time for the fighting to end and this is to be the only way. No more shall innocents die. No more shall people suffer as pawns in the games the more powerful play. Now, I claim all men and creatures not for light or for dark… to me. And I claim, both creatures for light and dark as they are what they are not of choice but of the breath of Magic." And as it happened a middle ground was formed to both the left and the right of the combatants.

"You have chosen your sides and all left shall be judged according to their worth." Harry declared to the combatants and as said, the dragon guardians of magic surrounded the field of battle, lest a stray curse injured an onlooker, and to be sure the battle went on only within that field.


Born to be kings. princes of the universe.
Fighting and free. got your world in my hand.

Everyone had been surprised by the turn of events.

Is it not that Harry Potter should have been the savior of the light?

Should not he be the one fighting Voldemort?

So why? Why was he there in the midst of battle doing little but watch and stay in between, shall we say, darkness and light?


I'm here for your love and I'll make my stand.

The few that were not so confused stood peacefully opposite him in their flowing white robes, now resplendent in the suns' morning light.

Each of them held a certain object that reflect on them and what not one but only all of them could share with the man they've now acknowledged to themselves and each other as their love.

Ginny knew from the instant her eyes fell on that scrawny little boy at King's Cross so many years ago, that he would be the one to always held her heart. So, in her cusp hands too she held the eternal flame. There was no doubt she was, too, loved.

Knowledge is power, so the saying goes. And this is what Hermione had brought with her since the beginning of her friendship with Harry. On the advent of this glorious day, is it such a wonder that she hold the Book of Laws?

Beside her, Cho stood, in her hand which was cusped like Ginny's, was like a black cloud. Rolling and boiling, like a miniature storm that flashes of lightning crawled along the back of her hand. In the middle of this turmoil though, was a golden scale that emitted its own internal light, as if to push away the threatening onslaught. Be it known, that even through the turmoil of war, justice is always there.

Parvati stood erect, unflinching to the whisper of how she had been chosen. In her hand was the answer. In a soft blue ethereal glow she held a small figurine whose naked and full bosom would make it familiar to those who worship the old gods. For she provides the symbol of fertility and renewal, of new beginnings in the circle of life.

Neither ahead nor behind, but equal to the other priestesses and, perhaps, the oddest due to her affiliation to Darkness, Blaise stood proud as she watched he new found love with half-lidded eyes.

For in her hand held two silver coins, nothing magical about them but they perhaps hold the most power of all. A symbol as they were for unlike ordinary coins, one held a face on both sides while the other was both tails. A simple reminder that it is neither luck nor fate that holds you, but rather, your choices.


We were born to be princes of the universe.
No man could understand. My power is in my own hand.

Duel of the Fates.

And so it was as the Titans clashed, matching blow for blow and parry for parry. Swirls and eddies of unheard of magic…

And the people watched as both sides pushed… dark enveloping, light burning through…

And so it went for what seemed like forever and a day… till the time when there was no more to give and all that was left is scorched earth and weary fighters…

None have won.

A silence ensued for none could speak. The tang of ozone, sour in the air…

And then the Prince spoke, "What have you learned, my brethren? What did you see?"

…silence…

"Watch and learn" Harry said.

The blackest form of magical mist emitted from his outstretched hand and a feeling of evil and decay permeated. This caught the scorched earth and ate up the withering grass… when it left, all was barren whenever the foul mist touched.

"The Black, the darkest of the most evil of magic, for it destroys what life remains… a power inside every soul"

As he said this the black mist receeded, only to be replaced by a smell like that of a fresh spring day…

This too came in, in the form of a light shower, and everything was suddenly renewed. Like a time lapse movie, blades of grass shoot forth and flowers suddenly bloomed. It was as if nothing happened, no battle had been joined.

"The lightest of the most light of magic, healing and renewal, for it brings forth life…"

Like sheep they were still silent, they could not still understand…

The Prince spoke again , "What have you learned, my brethren? What did you see?"

He then gestured towards the exhausted combatants. "What for is dark and light if each could not exist without the other? Which is more fearsome, the Phoenix or the Basilisk? Each a foil to the other. The phoenix's tear in itself could cure, but the most important ingredient to a most vile poison, so too are a Basilisk Venom, a mere drop is enough to fell a hundred men… but, like the tears, a potent part in the recent cure for cruciatus victims."

"Magic weeps at seeing her children destroy each other… for what? So I ask again, What have you learned, my brethren? What did you see?"

He shook his head in despair at the silence… they didn't understand.

"Magics' edict, none shall be able to wield her but those who understand… there shall be no more…" whatever he wanted to say was interrupted by a flash of green light that hit him square on the chest…

TBC

AN2 This is something I'd like to be done with… pronto!