On the Offensive

The group gathered in the map room to plan out their attack. On one world map pins had been placed identifying every known hideout or hiding place, rumored or discovered by any of the Harrys in their own worlds. "At least one Voldemort is bound to be at the old Gaunt house, and I wouldn't be surprised to find another at the Malfoy mansion," Luna suggested.

"In your world Voldemort regained his first body by using the Philosopher's stone, but that one will likely be the least powerful, and consequently the best hidden," Ginny added. When she caught Harry the father staring at her she reflexively caught her own Harry's hand and pulled him into a closer embrace.

"We all know Voldemort's weaknesses now, agreed? Voldemort is bound to want to finish us off personally so we should be able to easily get into his presence. We'll attack on every front simultaneously so that none of the Voldemorts are able to warn the others. All of you have experience fighting Voldemort and know what he is capable of, and most of you will benefit from using wands made with Fawkes' tail feathers. All but Harry, Claire's daddy, who will be using his elder wand because he thinks it will work better than Priori Incantatem. If any of us are able to get within range we have Basilisk venom knives kindly provided by Hermione from the black estate, and Basilisk venom darts for longer range attacks."

"Are we all in agreement?" Hermione asked.

A chorus of "Voldemort dies!" greeted her question.

"If anyone runs into serious difficulties try to take your portkey back here. The manor elves have been readied to defend the manor should you be followed." Hermione concluded. "Good luck."

Harry attempted to apparate within the grounds of the Gaunt estate, but bounced off of something like a wall. Voldemort clearly was not going to be caught in a surprise attack as they had hoped. No, Voldemort was well-prepared, his defenses well established, and he seemed to know Harry's weaknesses better than Harry did.

Harry dove to the ground as two hexes crossed millimeters above his head. Auror reflexes asserted themselves as he sent a blindingly bright sectum semptra toward one source. In the other direction Harry sent fiendfyre hoping to divert future attack from that direction into an attempt to fight the semi-sentient blaze.

Dodging forward he bounce hard off the warding. "Since when are there ground wards around the Gaunt residence?" Harry wondered.

Ginny peeked into the map room. It was hard waiting for word of the battle, and Ginny was looking for something to distract herself with.

Within the room she found Hermione concentrating. In the center Hermione kneeled tracing over a lace work of interlocking runes with fresh chalk.

"Hermione, what in the world are you doing?" Ginny asked perplexed.

"Oh, hi Ginny. Didn't Harry take you with him?"

"My Harry got top marks on his Aurors practicals. I'm good, but at the rate he goes I'd be more hindrance than help, so I'm waiting for him here."

Hermione bit her lip. "It is a little unusual, but okay I guess. The only other Harry I know who leaves someone behind is the Harry who is a daddy. But then he has been with us almost since the beginning."

"Sorry", said Ginny, "could you explain what you mean a bit better?"

Hermione sighed. "I am preparing for the next summoning. This group really didn't look like it had what it takes to defeat the Voldemorts, but there is always hope. Our best run was our second. It was the first time that daddy Harry joined the group, and we got nearly all of the Voldemorts that time. Six out of seven I think."

"Every time I summon again I try to make my runes a little bit more precise, to get the very best Harrys I can to defeat the dark one. More willing to sacrifice themselves, stronger of mind and body." Hermione smiled up at Ginny. "Now that you are here I guess you can help me out. What am I missing? How do we get a group that will destroy Voldemort for once and all?"

Ginny was horrified. "Do you mean you've done all of this before? But how many times? How many Harrys have you killed," she wailed?

"Oh Ginny, don't be so morbid. If your Harry is that good he will be back for the next wave. My own Harry has been back three times," Hermione added proudly. "I miss him so when he isn't a part of the attack forces."

Ginny felt a hand on her back. She nearly jumped out of her skin as she turned to find Harry gazing at her. "Hello Ginny, my love." Then he turned to Hermione. "It was a rout, just as I predicted. This was not a good run through, Hermione. We need Harrys who are not afraid to go on the offensive, ones who are not afraid to take whatever they need to win. I can't be the only Harry in the multiverse who saw the potential uses for the elder wand. See to it that we have more next time."

Then he turned to Ginny. "Come my queen. Let me worship you as you deserve." Harry took Ginny's hand and turned to leave with her, even as Ginny's blood froze. "I can't. My Harry will be back for me, I know he will."

"Not a problem, I have all the time in the world." Harry replied.