Disclaimer: I only own Thalia Potter and Alexandra Gray.
Chapter 10: I Reach The End Of The Line
I was fulfilling my promise to Harry today. The Order of The Phoenix had nearly fallen apart since Dumbledore's death. And because nobody knew who killed him, people were hopeless. If the great Albus Dumbledore could be killed, what chance did normal people stand? I had to scoff at their panic. Mindless sheep, the lot of them. If it were up to me, I'd take all those dear to me and leave the country. But I can't, because they all have to be so fucking noble. Goddamn their chivalry. So if I can't escape Voldemort and his lackeys, I'll kill them. I'd already killed several of them, leaving a calling sign. I carved the picture of a scythe in their chests and the Daily Prophet was already calling me the Grim Reaper. The Death Eaters were starting to fear me and I loved it. I was going to kill everyone who threatened me or the ones I cared about and I would feel no regret. It was going to be Biblical.
I Apparated to the Dursley's and I saw Mudungus was on guard duty. The idiot was sleeping on the job, making it more easy for me. I could enter the wards because I was blood related and I meant Harry no harm. I blasted the door open, stepped inside and I could see Dudley's head poking from the door that lead to the living room.
'Muuuuummmm.', the fat fuck yelled, 'Somebody's inside.'
'Come here Duddikins, quickly.', I heard her say and the tub of lard waddled as fast as he could. I walked in the living room and saw all three of them sitting on the couch.
'Why're you here, girl?', Vernon bellowed, his face colouring in anger.
'To get Harry.', I said quietly.
'First room on the right.', Petunia said, obviously wanting me out.
I nodded and made my way up the stairs. What I saw there, ignited my anger. The door had several deadbolts on it and all of them were locked.
'Reducto'
The door exploded and I walked through the hole I had made. Harry was sitting in the corner with his wand at the ready.
'How did you get the burn on your back?', he asked looking at me suspiciously.
'Vernon's college ring.', I answered and Harry lowered his wand.
'You came.', he said sounding relieved as he embraced me.
'I promised I would.', I murmured.
'Everything packed?', I asked him and he nodded.
'Good, come on.', and I started making my way back downstairs. I entered the living room and the three of them were still sitting on the couch.
'Harry won't be coming back.', I snarled and turned around.
What Vernon said next, brought back all of the memories of my torment and I snapped.
'Good, we'll finally be released of all of you freaks.'
Harry saw the look on my face and tried to stop me.
'Thalia don't-'
He didn't get any further because I had thrown the portkey to Potter Manor at him. As soon as it had made contact with my brother, it had transported him to the manor.
I turned back around.
'Well, what're you waiting for?', Petunia snootily said.
'I'm not finished yet. I still need something.', I said quietly.
'What do you need?', Dudley asked fearfully, being the only one who had seen the look in my eyes.
'My revenge.', I whispered.
I shifted and attacked.
Vernon was the first to fall, his head severed from his neck. Petunia followed, her body ripped into pieces. Dudley had backed away as I killed his parents and he stood with his back to the wall.
'Do you regret what you did?', I asked him, my Animagus form distorting my voice, making it sound very dark and evil.
'What? I did many bad things.', the fat boy said and he gained some of my respect. At least he was admitting he did wrong.
'What you did to your cousins?', I growled.
'I only have one cousin.', Dudley squeaked confused.
I chuckled and dived into his mind, restoring the memories that Dumbledore had hidden away.
'Are you Thalia?', the boy asked fearfully, when I had retreated from his mind.
I nodded my head and changed back.
'I truly am sorry.' , he said and the look in his eyes told of his sincerity.
'I believe you.', I said with a gentle smile.
Dudley sighed in relief.
'That's why your death will be painless.'
'Wha-?', the boy started.
'Avada Kedavra'
I did not want the Aurors trace this back to me, so I stepped outside and cast the Dark Mark.
Mudungus had slept through the entire thing. I snorted, shifted and flew into the air. After I was far enough, I shifted back in mid-air and Apparated to Potter Manor. When I appeared in the living room, my brother was waiting for me.
'Are they dead?', he asked quietly.
I nodded.
He just sighed. 'I'm not going to hold this against you, even though I disapprove of you killing them.'
'Okay,', I said shrugging, 'Come on, I'll take you to your room.'
It was about 8 at night and I knew Nym was coming home in a few minutes.
'Why don't you settle in?', I said as we reached his room, 'I've got something to do.'
Harry just nodded and started unpacking his trunk.
I Apparated to Nym's flat and it seemed she had just arrived herself.
'Hey babe.', she said and gave me kiss.
'Hey.'
'What're you thinking about?', she asked as I stood there pensively.
'Well I was kind of thinking of asking you to move in with me.', I answered her and she swiveled around to look at me.
'Are you serious?', she asked surprised.
'No, I'm Thalia.', I smirked and the Metamorph rolled her eyes.
'You're not joking?', she asked.
I shook my head.
'Why don't you move in with me?' she asked, her brow furrowed.
'Because I've got an entire manor to myself and I could use the company. If you want, we could keep the apartment as well.', I offered.
'Okay, I'll move in with you, but I'd like to keep the apartment. Maybe we need it someday, you never know.', she said after some thinking.
'Okay.'
I snapped my fingers and two Elves appeared.
'Yes, mistress?', Merril asked.
'Could you bring over all of Nym's clothes and necessities over to my bedroom, please?'
'Yes, Mistress.' Tibby answered and they both entered Nym's bedroom.
I held out my hand to the Auror, who took it, and I Apparated us to Potter Manor.
Harry was sitting in the kitchen when we returned.
'Hey Tonks.', he greeted her.
'Wotcher Harry.', she said confused, 'Shouldn't you be in Surrey?'
'You think I'd leave him there?', I snorted.
'No, I guess not.', the Metamorph frowned.
'Anybody hungry?', I asked and they both nodded.
'Tibby.'
'Yes?', the Elf asked as he appeared.
'Could you get us some Chinese food, please?'
'Yes, mistress Thalia.' And he popped away
He came back 10 minutes later with a bag filled with Chinese food. After dinner me and Nym christened the bed, after putting Silencing charms on the wall of course. We swiftly fell asleep after that.
The next day, I woke up to find Nym already gone. Must've had an early shift. Today, I would be destroying the Gaunt Ring. I had scoped out the place and it seemed filled with traps and protective wards. It was going to be tricky, but not impossible. After that, the only Horcrux that I didn't know the whereabouts of was the Diadem. After I had reviewed the evidence, I had discovered how he planted his Horcruxes. The objects he used were of great personal value and the places were important to him. He hid one in Gringott's because it was a symbol that you were a true wizard if you had a vault there. The Slytherin Locket served as a reminder that he was Slytherin's heir, which was supported by the Diary. The Diadem and the Cup were important Hogwarts artifacts, a place that was his first true home. The snake was to even further prove the fact that he was of the Slytherin line and Harry was the mistake. I still wasn't sure how I was getting that thing out of him, but I had begun researching Soul Magic. Soul Magic was used by the Dementor's to suck out your soul. If it could suck out your soul, then maybe it could suck out the soul fragment. But there were almost no books on that kind of magic, so I wasn't sure that it would work. It also made me wonder if Voldie hadn't hidden one of his Horcruxes in Hogwarts. It would make sense since it was his first and only home, a feeling I could relate to. But I would think about that later, after I destroyed the ring. Since I didn't want to expend too much of my energy, I was going to use a thestral. I had put two of them on the grounds. There was a small forest there and I threw in some meat every day. I was going to make my own herd. They were useful and they looked awesome, what more could you want? Anyway, I walked to the one I had used to fly to Dumbledore. I had named him Despair. After all what follows Death, but Despair? Very catchy. Anyways, he flew me to Little Hangleton. I arrived a few hours later and I dismounted. I could already feel the wards and traps Voldemort had set to protect the Horcrux. The bastard had actually combined Muggle ones with magical ones. I checked the door and a green light flared. If I touched the door, it would electrocute me. I simply conjured some rubber gloves and opened the door. I waved my wand, and several colours flared to life. The purple was an Anti-Apparition ward, the red would summon a Hellhound if I came to close, the orange would drown this place in lava if I tried to force any of the wards and the black would make this place implode if I stepped outside now. Like I said, very tricky. I checked the wards more thoroughly and saw that it was tuned to humans. Perhaps I could change into my Gargoyle form and try to circumvent the wards that way. I shifted and slowly began to walk to where I could feel the Horcrux' aura coming from. I released a breath that I didn't even know I was holding when there was no Hellhound. I then looked closely at the part of the floor where the aura was emitting from. It seemed solid and when I checked the wards, it was designed to be impenetrable. But Voldemort had made a single mistake. He only had protected the piece of floor over the Horcrux. I Blasted a hole in the floor next to the protected area. I then dug through the ground until I felt a box. I took it out and recoiled. Yes, this was it. While I was looking over the box, I noticed some rumbling. And was it me or was it getting hotter in here? I looked around and saw that the place was starting to fill with the lava.
'Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.', I said as the exit was blocked.I looked everywhere and saw a hole in the roof. I quickly flew to it, but it was warded. I couldn't get through it. I rammed it, but it didn't give. I rammed it again and again, my desperation rising as the lava did. On the fifth slam, tiny cracks were appearing in the ward. On the eighth, the cracks were much larger. The ward broke on the twelfth slam. I was out of there just in time, because the cottage went up in flames. I changed back and sat down. I wiped the sweat of my forehead and opened the box. In it was a beautiful ring, with a big black stone set in it. I was suddenly overcome with the desire to put it on. I stopped myself just in time.
'Fuck you, Voldie.', I said smirking.
'Ignis Atrox.'
The Fiendfyre streamed out of my wand and I could hear the soulfragment shrieking in agony. When I put it out however, it wasn't destroyed. Or at least, the stone wasn't. The ring had melted and I could no longer feel Voldemort's soul inside the stone, but the stone itself was completely unharmed. I picked up. I didn't even feel warm. I studied it closer and I could make out a symbol that was engraved in the stone. It was a stripe in a circle, which was in a triangle. I didn't recognize the symbol, so I simply put it away. I mounted Despair again, and I flew back home, to prepare for my next killing. My next target was Augustus Rookwood, Voldemort's informant within the Ministry. This would be one of my most difficult ones to kill. The guy was as paranoid as Moody, never eating without checking and always an Invisibility Cloak on him. But the man seemed to have acquired a taste for teenage girls. This was my way in. I could use a youth potion to turn my age back for a few hours and then kill him.
It was four days after I destroyed the Ring Horcrux. I had just taken the Youth Potion and I looked like 13 year old again. I was standing where I knew Rookwood would see me. And sure enough, a few minutes later, Rookwood approached me.
'You look hungry and tired, little girl.', he said, in what should pass for a sympathetic voice.
'I am, sir.', I said using my most innocent expression.
'Why don't you come with me?', he asked, 'I'll give you some food and a place to stay.'
'Really?', I asked, making my eyes as wide as possible.
'Well you do have to do something for me.', he said with what he thought was a benign smile, but seemed more like a lustful smirk.
'I'll do anything, sir.', I said.
'Good, very good.', he chuckled.
He took me by the arm and led me out of the dirty alley I had stationed myself in and made his way to the Apparition point. He Apparated us to his house.
'You said you would do anything, yes?', he said smiling malevolently
'Yes?' I said mock-confused.
'Follow me.', he said smirking and he made his way to the bedroom.
When his back was turned, I smirked and I silently Summoned one of the knives he kept in his kitchen. It flew into my hand and I kept it behind my back as I entered the bedroom.
He was standing behind the door, and he quickly threw me on the bed. He had already disrobed himself and he was quite excited. When he stepped closer, he faltered, because I had let the smirk cover my face.
'Wha-'
The knife I had thrown cut his sentence off. Sorry, bad pun. It had lodged itself in his chest and I apparently hit a lung, because Rookwood had trouble breathing.
'You little bitch.', he gurgled, choking on his own blood.
I chuckled.
'Who are you?', he asked weakly.
'Your kind knows me as the Grim Reaper.', I said.
Rookwood's eyes widened and then began laughing.
'The inner circle is being decimated by a little girl?', he gasped, still laughing.
I nodded, 'Death Eaters aren't the most powerful wands in the shop.'
Rookwood snorted, 'I won't argue you on that.', he then looked at me inquiring, ' Since I'm going to die, might I know your real name?'
I looked him over. He was pale from blood loss and with that punctured lung he wasn't going to get far.
'My name is Thalia Violet Potter.', I said.
Rookwood nodded and closed his eyes, 'And what is your purpose, Thalia Potter?'
'Revenge.'
Rookwood opened his eyes again, 'I can respect that. Not many more to go until it is complete.'
He coughed violently and then lay completely still. His eyes had glazed over, devoid of all life. I carved a scythe in his chest and left the house. The inner circle was almost completely wiped out. The only ones remaining, were Yaxley, Lucius, Snape and Gibbon. Lucius had disappeared, Snape was in his house, Yaxley had gone underground and Gibbon was hiding out in Ireland. Gibbon was my next target.
If Nym or Harry wondered where I went the didn't say. I had found Gibbon's hiding place and I was on surveillance. In the meanwhile, I was worried about the looks from Nym. Every time, one of my murders came in the newspaper. She would look at me, sigh and then shake her head. The only question was, when would she question me? I was grateful that it was nearly over. We already had a fight when she learned I had killed the Dursley's. I thought back to our argument that day.
Nym walked in looking upset.
'What's wrong?', I asked her concerned.
'Did you do it?', she asked.
'What?', I asked confused.
She threw the newspaper she was holding on the table.
The headline was 'Muggle Relatives Harry Potter Found Murdered'
'And don't lie to me, Thalia.', she said angrily.
I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms.
'So what if it was me?', I asked her.
'Goddammit Thalia!', she yelled, 'It's one thing if you kill Death Eaters, but why did you kill them?'
'YOU KNOW WHY I KILLED THEM!' I screamed.
'WHERE WILL IT STOP?!', she roared, 'YOU'RE GOING TO KILL EVERYONE WHO DOES YOU WRONG?'
'I will kill anyone and everything that threatens the people I love, Nym', I said quietly. 'I never experienced happiness until I met Sirius. I love you, Nym and I will destroy anything that threatens to harm you. And if I earn your hatred in doing so, then I will live with your hatred, smiling, because I'll know your safe.'
'Fuck.', Nym sighed and sat down. 'You're making it very hard for me to be angry with you, Thal.', she said with a slight smile.
I stood up, walked around the table and hugged her from behind.
'I'm sorry.', I murmured.
'No you're not.', she snorted.
'I am sorry I upset you.'
She put her hand on my arms. 'I know, babe.'
I knew she wasn't happy with my killing of the Death Eater. Despite all their mistakes, she still believed in the system. I thought that was foolish but I didn't say anything. If she was happy that way, I'd let her continue thinking the system worked.
After three days of scoping out Gibbon's hiding place, I decided the best way to kill the bastard was by leveling the place. I barricaded the house and set it on fire. I used Fiendyre, and since it could only be put out by the caster, Gibbon met his fiery end. Since I still had no idea where Yaxley or Lucius were, I decided to go to Hogwarts to look for the Diadem. I knew it wasn't in the Chamber of Secrets because I surely would've felt it. So it had to be somewhere else. I went to the exact center of the castle and focused my magic. I could feel my senses wander out, exploring the castle. I could feel the wards, the objects, everything. I scouted floor per floor and I hit the jackpot when I had reached the seventh floor. There it was, Voldemort's foul presence with which I had become very familiar. It was like a pulsing beacon and I followed it to its source. I came to a standstill when I reached a blank wall. I looked around me and the only thing in the hallway was a portrait of some bloke trying to teach trolls ballet. I started pacing while focusing on the Diadem and its location, when suddenly, after I passed for the third time, a door had formed in the wall.
'What the fuck?', I said in surprise.
I opened it and I stepped into a room that looked like a cathedral. Junk was everywhere. There were countless books, damaged furniture, old potions and even some medieval weapons. I followed the dark feeling that was being emitted from the Horcrux and I arrived at the Diadem. I wasn't going to destroy it here since it didn't look to safe to use Fiendfyre in a room like this. On my way back, I spotted some interesting. It was a book, but it was the title that drew my attention. A Manual On Soul Magic by Frederik Le Fay, Stewart of Azkaban. This book could be the answer I was looking for. If I could learn this type of magic, I could remove the Horcrux from my brother without killing him. I exited the room and made my way outside again. I threw the Diadem in the air and used Infernal Lightning to destroy it. Now there were only two of them left. I didn't know where the snake was and I still had to find a way to destroy the one in my brother. All in all, I figured my plans were coming along nicely. I wish I had known the cost.
In the next week, Death Eaters raided several villages, killing and raping the inhabitants, followed by the burning of the town. Muggles were starting to panic and the Ministry was helpless to stop them. They could maybe halt one or two of these raids, but at the same time, three others were being destroyed. In one of the villages they left a message that this was retaliation for the Grim Reapers actions. The people were crying for my execution and my only salvation was that nobody knew my true identity. I had to step up my plans. Yaxley had to die and I had to see if Snape was truly against Voldemort. Yaxley was the higher priority, since I knew where Snape was. I searched and searched everywhere and it was in Scotland that I finally caught a rumour of his location. I had interrogated a black market handler and he said that he sold some things to a man that matched the description I gave him. When I asked what he bought, the merchant had said that Yaxley had bought books on wards and other ways to protect himself. I then Obliviated him and left the village. I kept following the rumours, until they finally led me to Isle of Mann. The fucker had hidden away in the cliffs and he probably only came out on Voldemort's orders. I started breaking his wards, but after a few minutes curses started to fly out of the cave. I had to dodge them and abandon my work on his wards.
'Who're you?', I heard Yaxley yell.
'I'm the Reaper and I'm here for your soul.', I yelled back.
My answer was several cutting curses.
'Come out and face me like a man.', I shouted.
'Fuck you.' Was Yaxley's reply.
'Reducto,Bombarda,Confringo,Reducto,Bombarda,Confringo'
The six curses flew against the wards like sledgehammers against a brick wall. To my surprise, his wards hadn't collapsed yet, but they were holding on by a thread.
'Reducto Maxima Triplex'
The three curses struck the wards and they collapsed.
'Accio Yaxley'
I heard a scream and Yaxley came flying out of the cave.
'There's a good boy.', I crooned.
'Falcatae Noctis'
My wand shifted into a scythe with a black blade. Together with my cloak, its hood was up, it made me look like the Grim Reaper of legend.
'Your soul is mine.', I growled and I swung the scythe at the downed Death Eater.
Yaxley rolled out of the way, quickly stood up and assumed a dueling stance.
'I won't give up without a fight.', Yaxley cried.
'I wasn't expecting anything else.', I chuckled as I unfurled my Gargoyle wings.
Using the wings to propel myself, I sped to Yaxley, who ducked as I swung the scythe.
He fired several Killing curses, but I flew out of their path.
I thrust my hand forward, thinking Depulso, and Yaxley was knocked of his feet.
I then focused on Incendio and I had a hand filled with flames. I threw them at the Death Eater, who extinguished them with Aguamenti. I instantly froze the water and hit it with a Reducto followed by Depulso, which sent the shards of ice towards Yaxley. Yaxley dove to the side, but was hit with a shard in the shoulder. He shakily got to his feet and fired a Killing curse at me. I conjured a rock, which caught the curse and evaporated into dust.
'Terraemotus'
The earth began trembling underneath Yaxley, who fell to the ground. It didn't bother me because I was flying and I quickly flew forward. A joyful smile appeared on my face as I impaled the Death Eater with my scythe.
'Shit.', coughed Yaxley as he spit out blood.
'Indeed.', I chuckled darkly.
I pulled my weapon out of him and quickly decapitated him.
'And so they were two.', I whispered.
I changed the scythe back to my wand and quickly returned home.
'He's dead?', Nym asked frowning, when I entered the living room.
I fell down in the couch, and put my head in my hands.
'Yeah.', I said exhausted, 'He was a right bitch to put down though.'
'I'm going to be happy when all this shit's over.' She sighed as she started massaging my shoulders.
I groaned in pleasure, 'Me too, Nym.'
'Who's next?', she asked.
'Lucius Malfoy.', I said, 'But I don't know where he is.'
'It's rumoured that he's behind the recent raids.', the Auror said as she continued massaging me.
'Then maybe I should try to predict when one of them happens.', I said pensively.
'I'm going with you, if you're doing that.', the Metamorph said decisively.
'No you're not.'
'Yes, I will. If you're risking your life like that, I'm going to be there to make sure you still alive.', she said irritated.
'I'm not putting you at risk like that.' I said, getting angry myself.
'Thalia, either you let me go and you can keep an eye on me, or I'll go without your knowledge and there's a bigger chance I die.', she offered.
I flushed with rage. If I didn't love her as much as I did, I would've stunned her, tied her up and left her in a bunker.
The cold fury must've been visible in my eyes, because the Auror's determined attitude faltered.
'Fine', I spat.
'Thal, I-', she started.
I waved my hand, shutting her up.
'You've got what you want.', I said grimly, 'Now I've got to determine possible places where Lucius could attack.'
'But –'
I didn't give her a chance to finish. I was far too angry with her to think rationally and I needed to get the rage out of my system. I Apparated to the same place I apparated to when I had discovered Dumbledore was the executor of my parent's will. The damage from last time was still healing and if you smelled deep enough, there were still some hints of ozone and sulphur. I began releasing my magic in controlled bursts. Wave after wave of pure energy spouted out of my body. This way, I didn't harm the environment so much and I could lose the anger. Why did she have to put herself in danger?
'FUCK.', I screamed and an extra large wave erupted.
When my rage I was spent, I returned home to my study. On the wall was a map of the British Isles. Several pins where on it. The red was the people I've killed, the black ones were the Horcruxes and the blue ones were villages that were attacked by the Death Eater raids. It looked as if they went for isolated villages. I searched the map and found about three isolate villages that hadn't been attacked yet. Two of them were in Ireland and one in Wales. I wasn't sure how I was going to know if one of them was attacked. Then the idea came to me. I could use simple alarm wards, which would go off as soon as someone marked with the Dark Mark crossed them. And since I could feel them go off, no matter where I was, it didn't matter where I was. I first went to the villages in Ireland, followed by the one in Wales. I could feel the small pull on my magic, but it wasn't severe. Now that that was taken care of, I was going to read the book on Soul Magic. It described first what the soul was.
The Soul or the Animus is the lifeforce behind our bodies. The Body is the device, the Mind the controller and the Soul the power behind it all. Without any of these three, one cannot perform magic. One needs the Soul to fuel the magic, the Mind to give it form and substance and the Body to guide it. Without the Soul, the body becomes lifeless. It is but a husk and completely useless. Soul Magic is the art of manipulating the Soul. It can be transferred from one body to another, healed if it was damaged or even destroyed if one wishes it. However, to wield this magic, one must have utmost confidence in ones abilities. If you falter even once during the manipulating of a soul, it could be warped and twisted until it is no longer the same. In essence, one would be destroying the person, one might be trying to save. Therefore, it is heavily advised that this magic is only performed under supervision.
If I learned this, I could definitely save my brother. I then read further and found some surprising information.
This magic can be considered a more advanced form of Legilimency. Eye contact is required for it to work. If it is done involuntarily, it becomes a battle between wills. One must use extreme caution when manipulating the soul of someone else. The smallest mistake will result in unforeseen consequences.
I was very interested and I studied the entire afternoon. When Nym entered and saw me, she stood there uncertainly.
'Hi.', she said quietly.
'Hey,'
'I'm sorry.', she said.
I snorted, 'No you're not.'
'You know me, I can't sit still in times like these.', she explained.
'I know, Nym.', I sighed.
'What're you reading about?', she asked curiously.
'Soul Magic.', I answered.
'What's that?', she asked confused.
'It's what the Dementors use to suck out your soul.'
'Ew', she grimaced, 'What do you need it for?'
'I'm just interested, no need to worry.', I lied.
'Kay', she answered, 'You hungry?'
'Sure, I could eat.', I answered.
I put my troubles aside for one night and just enjoyed my time with my girlfriend.
The next day, I got three letters. They were from Daphne, Tracey and Blaise. They're families had been attacked and they were asking for my help. I left immediately and tried to Apparate to Daphne. The air felt solid which meant that the anti-Apparition wards were up at Daphne's manor. I quickly mounted Despair and flew towards Greengrass manor. When I arrived there, the manor had been destroyed. I could see people sitting in the garden, huddled together in a cluster. They screamed in fright when I landed.
'Thalia?', Daphne asked scared.
'Yeah, Daph.', I answered and the next moment, the stoic teen knocked the air out of me.
She had launched herself at me and the next thing I knew she was sobbing on my shoulder.
'What's wrong, Daph?', I asked, rubbing circles on her back.
'My father's dead and they did something to Alex.', she sobbed.
'Where is she?', I asked and Daphne lead me to her.
Alex was pale, had a fever and had a small cut on her forehead.
'What exactly happened?', I asked the crying teenager.
'Our family was just sitting down for lunch and I was just going to tell them about my relationship with Alex, when the Death Eaters attacked. Father told us to run and drew his wand. He kept them busy while we escaped. But before we fled into the maze under our house that father had designed if this ever happened, they hit Alex with an sickly yellow curse. We lost the Death Eaters in the maze and hid ourselves. After a while, they gave up and set the house on fire. We then made sure they were gone and I sent the letter to you.'
I nodded and cast every diagnosis charm I knew at Alex. They all turned out blank. She was physically in tiptop shape safe for the fever.
'It isn't physical.', I murmured pensively.
'Then what is it?', asked Daphne panicked.
'Whatever it is, it's attacking her mind.', I said.
'Can you do something?', she asked me.
I nodded, 'I could use Legilimency on her, then I can see what the curse is doing to her.'
Daphne agreed and I dived into Alex' mind. I looked around and I could see that she was being forced to relive memories. It appeared to be her worst ones. If she didn't get out of this soon, her mind would crack.
'Well?', Daphne asked as I retreated.
'She's being forced to relive all her worst memories.', I said grimly.
'Is there anything you can do?', she asked me hopeful.
I thought and grudgingly nodded.
'There is something I can do, but it will be dangerous.', I said.
'How dangerous?'
'She'd lose her sanity if I slip.'
Daphne worried her lip and then decisively nodded, 'Do it.'
I dived back into the quiet girl's mind.
I could see the mental form of Alex chained to a wall, being forced to watch her worst memories repeatedly. I couldn't break the chains without harming her mind, she had to break them herself. Then I got a crazy idea. She needed a boost of confidence or else she'd be to depressed to break them. The things I do for my friends. Since this was in Alex' mind, I could take on any form I wanted. I chose Daphne's form and walked to Alex. As I entered her field of vision she locked her gaze on me. 'Daphne?', Alex whimpered.
I simply nodded.
'Help me.', she said pathetically.
I leaned closer to her ear and whispered, 'Break your chains.'
'I can't.', Alex cried.
'Yes you can.', I encouraged her.
The quiet girl pulled her chains, but they didn't give.
'Come on, do it for me.', I said.
Alex pulled even harder and the chains were starting to give, but didn't break.
'I can't do it.', the girl sobbed.
I thought a bit and then came to a solution.
'She'd better be fucking grateful after this.', I muttered under my breath.
I leaned in and kissed her.
'Do it.', I whispered against her lips.
I could feel her pulling like a woman possessed and finally she tore free from her bindings. Her hands cupped my head as she deepened the kiss. I felt her hand go up my shirt and I quickly retreated from her mind.
I blinked and I looked down. Alex groaned and then came too.
'What happened?', she asked.
'You were hit with a spell that forced you to keep repeating your worst nightmares. Thalia freed you.'
'Thalia?', asked the girl confused. 'But I remember...'
She looked at me and her eyes widened. 'It was you that I..'
I blushed, 'Yes.'
'Oh Merlin.', Alex breathed, 'I had my hand up...'
'Yeah.', I shifted embarrassed.
'What happened in there?', Daphne asked, her eyes narrowed.
I and Alex glanced at each other and said simultaneously, 'Nothing.'
'Fine.', said Daphne.
'Here, take this to go to my manor', I said and I gave them a portkey.
Daphne nodded and got the rest of her family as I mounted Despair. Just before I took off, Daphne and her family disappeared in a flash of blue light.
My next destination was the Zabini mansion. When I got there, the battle was still raging and I quickly put up my hood.
'Falcatae Noctis'
I was holding the scythe again and I descended towards the battlefield.
'Shit, it's the Reaper.', I heard one Death Eater say and I let out a bellowing laugh.
The Death Eaters were now panicking and I began killing them.
'She's just a mortal, you idiots.' I heard one of them yell.
They had just bolstered their courage at those words, when I sliced the woman who had said it clean in half.
'You were saying?', I drawled.
'Face us honestly, Reaper.', a man spat.
'Very well.', I dismounted and Despair took off.
'Bring it on.', I said smirking.
And then it became chaos as curses were sent, explosions were caused and people were being sliced and diced. After twenty minutes of that, there were five people still standing. I, with some cuts and a broken hand, the Death Eater who had issued the challenge and three of his comrades.
'What are you?', he asked fearfully.
'The End.' Was all I said before I threw my scythe.
It cut through three of them before impaling itself on the fourth.
'Now you have no weapon, Reaper.', the last surviving Death Eater, a woman, smirked.
'I don't need one, I have magic.'
The smirk disappeared from her face.
'Oh fuck.', were her last words before my chain lightning impacted on her.
When they were all dead, I looked around. The field was littered with bodies, most of them killing each other in their panic. I looked like shit; I was covered in blood and guts .
A strict looking woman stepped outside and started marching towards us.
'Are you the one they call Grim Reaper?', she asked, looking me over.
I nodded tiredly.
'Why are you here?', she inquired.
'No need to thank me or anything.', I said sarcastically.
She glared at me.
'Hey, just saying.', I raised my hands in surrender, 'Blaise sent me a message.'
'You know him?', she asked, eyebrow raised.
I lowered my hood, 'I went to school with him. Thalia Potter, at your service'
'Thank you,.', she said.
'You're welcome.', I answered.
'I am Amelia Bones.', she introduced herself.
'Susan's aunt, yeah?'
She nodded.
We started making our way to the house and she caught me up to what happened. They too, had been eating lunch when the Death Eaters attacked, but none of them died because Blaise's mother had made the house as impenetrable as a fortress. As soon as she knew there was danger, she activated the defences. They were so thorough, it would take Voldemort days to get through them.
'Hey Blaise, Susan.', I greeted.
They were both looking at me in shock.
'Guys?', I asked, waving my hand in front of their eyes.
'They're all dead?', Blaise asked weakly.
'Yep.', I answered.
'Holy shit.'
'Susan, language!', Amelia reprimanded.
'Yes, auntie.', the redhead said, chastened.
'Take this Portkey.', I said, handing it to Amelia.
'Where does it take us?', she asked.
'My house.', I answered.
Amelia nodded and everybody stood together. A few moments later, they too disappeared in a blue flash.
I whistled and Despair landed before me. I mounted him and flew to my final destination. Davis manor. I arrived there a fifteen minutes later and their place was burning, but still in reasonable condition. I gave them a Portkey too and I headed back home. When I got home, Harry had already given everyone rooms and they were all settling in. I went to my study and continued reading about Soul Magic. A few hours later, dinner was ready and I headed to the dining room. We normally didn't use it, but because we were with so many, we needed it. As we all sat down, it was Amelia who began.
'I would like to thank you again, miss Potter.', she said.
'Me too.', said Lady Greengrass sadly.
'I as well.', said Lord Davis.
'It's okay. I would do anything for my friends.', I said smiling and they all smiled back.
'But why wouldn't they attack us here?', asked Susan fearfully.
I smirked, 'Because nobody knows where it is. It's protected by a Fidelius and I'm the Secret Keeper.'
They all sighed in relief. They probably all had wondered about that question.
'And how goes your war against the Dark Lord?', Amelia asked interested.
The rest looked questioningly at me, including my brother.
'War against Voldemort?', he asked, raising his eyebrow.
I sighed, 'His inner circle is nearly wiped out, with only two remaining.'
'That's what you were doing?', Harry asked in shock.
The rest just were slack-jawed.
'But you're just a girl.', Lord Davis stuttered.
'That's what they thought too.', I snorted, 'And then I killed them.'
'How can you be so cold about this?', asked Lady Greengrass sadly.
'Simple.', I answered grimly, 'They already took my parents, I'm not going to let them take anyone else. I will destroy them before they lay a hand on those I care about.'
'You're the Grim Reaper?', Alex squeaked.
I nodded.
'Children shouldn't be fighting in a war.', Lady Zabini said frowning.
Harry snorted, 'Me and my sister stopped being children very early, ma'am.'
'Still...' she said.
'I'd rather I killed them, than that Harry had to do so.', I said glumly.
'Why?', asked my brother confused.
'To preserve that last part of your innocence, mister Potter.', Amelia said quietly.
I inclined my head.
'I truly hope it passes quickly.' I said tiredly, 'I grow weary of fighting and killing.'
'Amen.', Nym said and drank her wine in one go.
'Regretting your decision?', I asked.
'Nope', was my answer.
'I can always hope.'
'What're you talking about?', asked Daphne curiously.
'Nym insisted that she joins me when I kill Lucius Malfoy.', I said shrugging.
'Somebody's got to watch your back.' She teased.
'I know you love staring at my arse, Nym, but I'll need you to focus on the battle.', I teased back and everybody began laughing.
The tension successfully broken, the night continued with light conversation and banter.
The next day, I was going to attempt to remove Harry's Horcrux. I called him into my study and told him to take a seat.
'What's the matter Thal?', he asked.
'I found out how Voldemort is staying alive and I've destroyed several of them.'
'Destroyed several of what, sis?', he asked confused.
'Horcruxes.'
'Hor-what?'
'Horcruxes. You could call them soul anchors. As long as they exist, Voldemort can't die.'
'Okay and how many are there still left?', he asked.
'Two. You have to know that they are hidden in objects.'
'What are the objects?', he inquired.
'Voldemort's snake and', I sighed, 'you.'
'ME?', he shouted.
'Yes, you.'
'So I have to die?', he asked shocked.
'Normally yes, but I found a way around it.', I said and my brother calmed down.
'How?'
'Soul Magic.', I answered.
'Okay, what do I have to do?'
'Just lay back and relax.'
He did as I asked and I made myself comfortable as well. I stared in his eyes and dived into his mind. And from there, I dived into his soul. His soul was very bright, but there was a dark presence. It's dark tendrils were latching onto my brother's soul. I went closer and Voldemort's presence nearly overwhelmed me. I began tearing the tendrils loose, but if I tore one loose another would latch back on. It appeared this wouldn't work so I tried something else. I started to strengthen Harry's soul, help it fight back. The white soul began extending tendrils of its own, that attacked the dark presence. The dark tendrils were starting to be torn apart by the white ones. I could hear the Horcrux shrieking in agony. I started tearing them apart too and the Horcrux grew smaller and smaller. I followed the black presence and I retreated from his soul. When I focused on my surroundings, I saw a shadow starting to raise from his scar. I guided the Horcux to another object. When it had entered the object, I burned it with Fiendfyre. Another Horcrux destroyed and only one left. Harry woke up dazedly.
'How're you feeling?', I asked him.
'I feel...lighter, as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.', he said, rubbing his eyes.
'Very good. I need to destroy one more and Voldemort is mortal again.', I said smiling.
'Let's hope it happens quickly then, eh?', Harry said grinning.
I nodded my agreement.
I was just about to say something, but I felt the wards on the village in Wales being tripped.
'Finally.'
I rushed downstairs, leaving my brother sitting confused in the study, and made my way to the kitchen. Nym looked up as I came running in.
'It's time.', I said.
Nym nodded and quickly put on her cloak. I raised my hood and took her by the hand. I then Apparated us to Wales.
As we entered the village, I could see it was in complete chaos. I looked around and I saw the blonde hair of Lucius Malfoy.
'MALFOY!', I screamed
The blonde head turned in my direction.
'YOUR SOUL IS MINE.', I shouted.
He began making his way towards me and when he was a short distance away, I started getting worried. Because I wasn't looking in grey eyes, but in blood red ones. Voldemort had found a new body it seems.
'I'm sorry, but his soul is gone, Reaper.' The silky voice of Voldemort drawled.
'Fine, I'll take yours then.', I spat.
'Oh no.' He said smirking, 'I don't believe you will.'
Instantly, all sounds died away. I looked around and saw every face looking in my direction.
'What the fuck?', I said confused.
'You should watch your language.', Lucymort reprimanded. 'This is a trap, in case you were wondering.'
'For me?', I asked.
'Indeed.', he agreed.
'But I think I'm going to take something better.', he said.
'What?', I asked warily
'Her.' And he gestured to the side.
My eyes darkened in rage at the sight. Nym was stunned and bound, lying at some Death Eaters feet.
'Let her go.', I growled.
'I don't believe I will, Thalia Potter.', Voldemort smiled malevolently.
'LET HER GO!', I roared.
'No.'
And then he took Nym and Apparated away. The rest of them obviously had orders to kill me.
I could hear Vesania screaming for vengeance. For Voldemort's blood. And I gave in. Vesania's primal rage furthered my own. I gave a roar and the Death Eaters flinched. Then the bloodbath began. Limbs flew everywhere, blood painted the ground and a savage smile was on my face. Lightning flew forth from my hands as well as fire. The earth began to tremble as I tore the Death Eaters apart. I gave an insane laugh. Too soon for my tastes, was it all over. I then heard multiple gasps. Bella, Remus, Sirius and Harry were standing there. They were all looking in shock at the carnage I had created.
'Thalia?', my brother asked weakly.
'Yes?', I growled, my voice gravellier than usual.
'What happened?'
'Voldemort is possessing Lucius Malfoy. And the fucker has Nym.'
'I know where he is.', Bella admitted.
Before she could blink, I was standing in front of her.
'Where?', I snarled.
'I'll take you there.', she offered.
I nodded and put my hand on her shoulder. Sirius, Remus and Harry quickly latched on.
'We're coming too.', Sirius said.
Bella just grinned and twisted.
We appeared and the first thing I saw was a castle. I looked at Bella questioningly and she nodded.
'Okay first of all: we need a way through the wards.', Sirius said.
I ignored him, popped my neck and simply charged at the wards.
'Or we could do it like that.', Sirius said drily.
As I charged again and again, the rest started destroying the wards too. It took us quite some time, but it finally succeeded. The words broke and I entered the castle. Some Death Eaters tried to stop us and I just charged through them. I left a trail of corpses as I made my way upstairs. The others killed of the ones I hadn't murdered yet. We worked our way up and when we got there, Lucymort was simply sitting on his throne, stroking Nagini.
'You work fast, Potter.', he said.
'You die tonight, fuckhead.', I growled.
'I am a god, Thalia Potter.', he boasted. 'What hope do you have?'
'You may be a god,', I admitted and he smirked.
'BUT I AM A TITAN.', I roared and I charged.
Harry yelled 'Aim for the snake.'
And as I battled the Dark Lord, they went snake hunting. And when they got him, I smirked.
'And so you die, Voldemort.', I said.
I charged him and we both flew through the window. I used my wings to slow my fall and Voldemort used 'Arresto Momentum'
Our duel was the stuff of legends, we threw fire, lightning, ice, blasts of energy and Killing curses at each other. We dodged, shielded and clashed repeatedly. The environment was levelled, and we both sustained multiple wounds.
'Vincula Umbras'
The same chains I had used against Dumbledore, wrapped themselves around Voldemort.
I rose in the air and rose my hand in the air.
'FULGUR TEMPESTATUM INFERNALIS'
Red lightning impacted on my hand, I guided it to my other one and I thrust them forward. The electricity streamed out of my hands and hit the Dark Lord. And so did Voldemort die.
I raise my head from the Pensieve, and across from me sits a scarred Thalia Potter. It has been a year since that fateful day that Lord Voldemort died. Thalia disappeared after the battle and no one was sure that she had survived the encounter. But then the rumours began. They spoke of a young woman with purple eyes and a scar on her face. I followed them and they led me straight to her. She led me to her apartment in London, the same where her girlfriend used to live. After the battle, she had fled to this place.
'Now you know the full story.', Thalia says.
'Why did you hide?', I ask the scarred woman.
'I could not guarantee their safety, so I hid myself away.'
I stand up and Thalia does the same. We shake hands and head for the door.
'Thank you.', I say sincerely.
'No problem.'
We both take the elevator down and exit the building. When we exit the building we hear a voice.
'Thalia?', someone asks, and I vaguely recognize the voice.
'Shit.', I hear Thalia mutter and she begins sprinting.
We both sprint down an alley and I Apparate on the roof of the building that stands next to it. I then feel an anti-Apparition ward come down. I see Thalia quickly pull on her hood and sprint towards the end of the alley. Sadly for her it is a dead-end.
Harry, Tonks, Bellatrix and Sirius came to a stop when they realise they have caught her.
'You done running?', Harry asks exhausted.
'No, in fact I'm not.', Thalia quipped.
Thalia then tries to Apparate, but can't.
'Apparition Ward.', Bellatrix smirks and Sirius nods his approval.
'FINE, what the fuck do you want?', Thalia says impatiently while throwing of her hood. .
'To talk to you, Thal', Harry rolls his eyes, 'You've been missing for months.'
'Yeah I have and you know why.', Thalia says bitingly while glancing at Tonks.
'That wasn't your fault, Thal', Sirius says.
'Me freaking out wasn't my fault?', Thalia asks sarcastically.
'No it wasn't.' ,Bellatrix sighs, 'I know what you've been through. You lost control, it happens to the best of us.'
'So it would've definitely happened to me?', Thalia says, smiling self-deprecatingly
'With what happened to you, I'm actually surprised you lasted this long.', Bellatrix replies with a grim smile.
'So forgive me?', Thalia asks everybody.
'Well, since you only killed Death Eaters, I can forgive you.', Harry assures her, 'But work on your control.'
Sirius nods, 'If you work on controlling yourself.'
Bellatrix just nods.
Thalia then looks at Tonks, who just looks back. When Thalia begins squirming in discomfort, Tonks walks to her and deeply kisses her. I think she's going to be allright.
THE END
This it people. The end, la fin, het einde, le finale and all that other shit. I was pretty happy about all the reviews I got from you guys. The funny thing was, I wasn't even serious about this story at first. My niece had jokingly suggested that I write my own story and Tadaaaaa, The Dark Protector was born. I had these ideas swirling around in the dark, dank abyss that is my mind for ages and I finally brought them out. And special creds go to my #1 fan Lightbabe. Thank you for your very kind reviews. I'm not sure if I'm going to write anything else but we'll see. Later guys.
DarkLadyNym