Chapter 11 – Time for coronation

SG-1 and SG-M decided to take the Horcrux to the Ministry of Magic. In case they needed assistance that was the best place to get it.

"Definitely!" Jack said. "The nerds in Area 51 would probably convince the nerds in IOA to research the damned thing."

Ron looked surprised.

"Even if they knew what a Horcrux is? It's a living piece of Anubis' soul."

"A Horcrux is the darkest object there is." Hermione added "It would destroy them."

"You said it will be dangerous to destroy it. Won't a pack of C4 do the trick?" Jack asked.

"No, it has to be destroyed beyond magical repair, making it unable to carry the Horcrux." Harry explained.

"And how do you do that?" Daniel asked.

"In this case... I think we must start with someone putting the crown on the head." Hermione guessed.

"For crying out loud, you just said it could be dangerous, and now you want to wear it?" Jack yelled.

"I don't want to. But I'm afraid it will be necessary." Hermione clarified.

They were transported to London and soon used the guest entrance to enter the Ministry of Magic. This was the first time SG-1 was in the Atrium. They immediately noticed the big gold statue. Much to Harry's, Ron's and perhaps most of all Hermione's joy the Statue of the Magical Brethren had been not been returned. Hermione, more than the other two, hadn't liked that statue, showing very bad and wrong ideals concerning centaurs, goblins and house-elves. The horrid statue the Death Eaters had placed in its place was also gone. But the new statue was something Harry, Ron and Hermione agreed on being the worst possible. A fifteen feet high gold statue of Harry was pointing his wand at some unknown danger. On his left hand he held a house-elf, standing in a protective pose, as an equal. Next to him was the fifteen feet gold version of Hermione. Her wand wasn't raised and she was looking in a book. On the Harry's right was Ron, holding his left hand on Harry's shoulder in support and his wand half raised in his right.

"Of all the motives..." Harry moaned.

"What does the plaque says?" Daniel asked and read it.

"In memory of the BATTLE OF HOGWATS, fought on May 2nd 1998. Led by HARRY POTTER, his loyal comrade RONALD WEASLEY and his wise and brilliant friend HERMIONE GRANGER, wizards and witches fought alongside HOUSE-ELVES and CENTAURS. They fought for freedom from the Dark Wizard Tom Riddle (a k a Voldemort). Freedom was won at a high cost."

A list of everyone killed followed. Jack was laughing over the lack of enthusiasm from SG-M and when they entered the elevator Ron had enough.

"Really, it's not that funny." Ron protested.

"No. I know. I just imagined General Hammond's reaction if something like that would we put at the SGC in honour of us saving the planet. Where are we going?"

"To the Auror office." Gawain told him. "To destroy the Horcrux."

Jack looked strained.

"I just wondered. What exactly will happen when we destroy that... thing?" he asked.

Silence.

"At least Abubis won't be tied to this world. He might finally be returned to physical form as a mortal..." Hermione speculated.

"Or?" Daniel asked.

"There's an or?" Jack commented.

"He might be able to ascend again?" Sam asked.

"He might." Hermione agreed.

"It doesn't seem to be a really good thing to destroy the Horcrux unless we know what happens to him." Ron said.

"That's true." Sam agreed "If he ascends the others will probably keep him from interfering, but if he returns to physical form he might be pretty pissed off."

Problem was, who could spy on Anubis?

"No!" Jack said when Sam seemed to have an idea "We're not bringing in the Tok'ra, no matter how many spies they claim to have among Anubis' ranks."

"Baal." Daniel sighed.

"Indeed" Teal'c agreed.

"Baal, why would we let him go?" Jack asked.

"He is the only one we know of, with a fleet big enough to challenge Anubis. With the Horcrux gone he might win."

"And that would be a good thing, why?" Jack asked.

That was a relevant question. Of course the all wanted to defeat Anubis, but what would be gained if Baal took control of the System Lords?

"Because all the other System Lords would challenge him to become the next goa'uld in power." Daniel suggested.

"They would." Teal'c said.

They agreed on a plan to send Baal away to his fleet and as the Horcrux was destroyed Baal would attack. Harry and Hermione would remain at the Ministry and destroy the Horcrux. Sam would assist them. Jack, Daniel, Ron, Gawain and Teal'c would go with Baal and board Anubis' mothership to finish him unless he wasn't destroyed.

"This plan is whacko." Jack concluded "It'll probably work."

***

The door clicked when it unlocked and Baal looked up. It was general Hammond himself entering.

"This is an honour, General..." Baal began.

"Skip the butt kissing." the general interrupted him "We have a proposition for you, one I think you will find most interesting."

"Please, let it be better than my assistance in Egypt." Baal sneered.

"Oh yes it is. We want you to return to your fleet and be prepare to engage Anubis."

Baal looked at Hammond and then laughed.

"Are you too scared to execute me yourselves. Why would I be interested in having my fleet destroyed and get killed myself? If you were Colonel O'Neill I'd say this was one of his jokes."

"I'm not joking Baal." General Hammond replied. "And the reason you'll find this proposal interesting is that you're probably aware of some rather unique talents among the team working with SG-1"

Baal looked at him, clearly taking the conversation a lot more seriously. He had seen one of them fight Anubis.

"I'm listening."

"They have powers that will make Anubis vulnerable, possibly even kill him. Once that happens his fleet will be open for an attack. My team will board Anubis mothership and destroy Anubis. Your fleet... do what it does best."

Baal looked at General Hammond.

"Of course you know I will take command of Anubis' fleet." Baal said.

General Hammond nodded.

"And the other System Lords would attack me instantly." he continued.

"With yours and Anubis fleet at your command we believe you'll have a fair chance to survive against the other System Lords. And to tell you the truth, we wouldn't mourn you if they defeated you."

"Of course not. So you'll put me in command of a powerful fleet and ask me to accept a mission that will start a civil war among the System Lords."

"Isn't there always one?"

Baal grunted.

"I'll do it."

***

"Be careful, all right?" Harry told Ron.

"You're probably the one in greatest danger." Ron answered. "I suppose your the mental one that will wear the crown."

"I'll have Hermione helping me. Be sure to finish this." Harry said.

"We will." Ron said and turned to Hermione to give her a proper farewell.

Moments later the team leaving with Baal were transported to the SGC. They would go with Baal to a planet controlled by him where his fleet was gathered. Once they were in place they would contact the SCG and after that the team at the Ministry would destroy the Horcrux. After a few hours Baal's fleet was in position ready to strike. Harry got the message and turned to the crown. He knew from his experiences with Riddle's Horcruxes that he was most likely in for something very unpleasant. He looked at Hermione and was glad she was there. Sam had rigged up some Asgard scanner, that apparently worked at the Ministry. She had explained it would measure various energy readings once Harry had put on the crown. She hoped she would be able to help Harry. Dampening fields, countering wavelengths... anything that could assist defeating the Horcrux. Hermione had her wand prepared.

"All right. We better get this over with." Harry sighed.

"Yes."

Harry took the crown and placed it on his head.

A/N I know this is a short chapter, but I rather have the final fight in its own chapter.