Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 13

"Lord Harry Gryffindor-Slytherin-Peverell, Regent of House Potter, calls Tom Riddle, the self-named Lord Voldemort to face him in mortal combat three days from now at Stonehenge."

Voldemort slammed the paper down in rage. How dare he! This upstart would soon learn why he was feared. He'd kill the boy's family but all searches had come up empty, except for the wife and Potter's children who were kept safely behind the wards of Gryffindor Manor. He would utterly destroy this child and show the world no one could stand against him. Perhaps he'd even kill his 'guests' and display their bodies somewhere afterwards, just to really drive the message home. Yes, he would destroy all hope of resistance in two simple acts. He would go to Stonehenge and make sure there was a large following to watch him end this so-called Lord.

Albus read the article, a feeling of dread settling in. With young Harry long dead theoretically the prophecy no longer held any say in matters which meant anyone could kill Tom. But it had never been proven that it was Tom who killed the boy so perhaps it was still relevant which meant the young Lord was going to die. Should he try and intervene or just wait and see? After all, with that interfering boy gone he could take his place as Headmaster again, even if the power of the position had lessened since Tom's ascendance.

Reactions the article challenge the Dark Lord received very different reactions depending on who read it, to some it gave hope and others reacted in anger. But it did ensure there would be a large crow watching.

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Harry tightened his boots and stood to stare into the mirror. He'd never worn full battle robes before and it was an interesting sight. Dragon hide boots and trousers, black shirt with a dragon hide vest with open, spelled, robes that were also split high up the sides for ease of movement. His wand was in a holster on his right wrist and he had several blades hidden upon his body. Gryffindor's sword was in a sheath on his hip as well. Claiming the blade had been easy and then he'd gone into the chamber to confront the basilisk. It had been under Riddle's thrall so he'd killed it, again, allowing the blade to absorb the poison. A leather tie pulled his longer hair back off his face to keep it from getting in his eyes. He wondered what Jim or the Winchester's would think if they could see him now.

Daphne saw him standing there and moved to wrap her arms around his waist. She was dressed in battle robes as well for protection but there was no intention for her to fight. She smiled and kissed his cheek. "You look brilliant. You will beat him Harry Potter, you know how I know?"

"How?" He asked and she grasped his hand, pulling it to rest low on her abdomen.

"Because you have a family to come home too." She smiled as his eyes went wide. The potion had been intended to increase her chances of falling pregnant but it hadn't been a definite thing. But she'd seen the medi-witch that morning and she had confirmed that Daphne was pregnant.

Harry swallowed, hand still resting in place. A baby, Daphne was pregnant. He was going to be a Father! Riddle was going to die; his child would grow up in a safe world.

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Wards were up to keep mundanes' away, leaving the area around Stonehenge deserted. As the sun rose people began appearing, singularly and in groups. Albus arrived after a while and took a front row position. And as noon approached there was a double crack as Lord and Lady Gryffindor appeared together. He gently kissed her and then Lady Gryffindor retreated from the stone circle to stand with the staff of Hogwarts. Thankfully with school in session there were no children present although it meant some of the staff had to remain at the school. Finally, as the sun came overhead Voldemort appeared, looking nothing like Harry had expected. This was a Voldemort who had never been disembodied and so looked like an older version of the diary Tom he had fought in second year.

The two stared at each other in silence and then Voldemort attacked without observing the rules of a duel. Thankfully Harry had expected it and was simply not there by the time the curse that matched his eye colour reached where he had been standing. They both ignored the gasps and calls from those watching as they circled, probing each other's defences. Soon magic was flying as they fought furiously.

Daphne watched from the sidelines, heart in her throat as the two threw spells at each other and their surrounds, using everything to gain the upper hand. But she wasn't so absorbed that she missed the person sneaking up on her. She slipped to the side and drove her knife sideways, getting a gasp of pain. She turned to fine Bellatrix Lestrange standing there, her robes darkening with blood and her wand dropping from her hand. Someone screamed as the feared, not entirely sane, witch collapsed to the ground dead. Daphne simply wiped of the blade and turned back to watching her husband fight.

Albus watched the two fight until Daphne's actions caught his attention and he was horrified by what she did. Killing was never the answer.

Harry breathed deeply, ignoring the pain of a broken left wrist and the shallow gasp across his ribs, never taking his eyes from his opponent. Riddle was actually worse off, Harry had the advantage of youth and speed after all. But Riddle's spells were incredibly powerful and not nice to get hit by. He couldn't let the fight drag out. It felt like the fight had lasted hours already though he doubted that was true. He gathered his magic and waited for the next opening before attacking as quickly as possible, lunging in close, wand in one hand and knife in the other.

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The Dark Lord is Dead!

Lord Gryffindor Defeats the Ex-Lord Slytherin!

Where is Lord Gryffindor? How Badly Was He Wounded?

Daphne tossed the papers down and then breathed deeply, trying to ignore the morning sickness. She looked down at the bed where her husband lay even three days' post battle. She was scared, she knew technically he couldn't 'die' but he could do so here and be moved onto another universe without ever meeting their child. She'd been tempted to bring the children home with all the unrest but they should be safe in the castle and Harry wouldn't want them to see him like this. So she had sent them a letter assuring them Harry still lived. She stroked his forehead and then smiled in relief as she felt him move slightly beneath her touch. "Wake up Harry, please." She called softly and to her relief green eyes fluttered open. She leant down and kissed him tenderly. She reached for the water glass and let him sip some.

"Tom?" he asked groggily.

"Dead. So's Bellatrix."

"Kay." He drifted off and she let him, he'd woken once so he would be okay.

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Silence fell as Harry stepped onto the stage before cameras flashed. He shook hands with the Minister and accepted the Order of Merlin, First Class for not only defeated Voldemort but for giving the Ministry back its ability to govern. It was his first public appearance since the duel just over a month ago and while they'd been told he was alright it was a relief to many to see the young Lord in person.

Croaker watched the young man, smirking slightly. The prophecy orb had darkened again when he beat Voldemort. He had several theories on who the boy actually was but he would never tell, after all, keeping quiet was his job.

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Harry followed the medi-witch into the high security ward and then froze as he saw the two lying on the beds. He hadn't suspected this at all when he'd received the summons. He knew the Ministry was raiding the properties of ever supporter and suspected supporter of Riddle but he had thought they were probably dead. And yet lying before him were James and Lily Potter. "What is their condition?" he managed to ask so she began listing the tortures they had been exposed to. Hearing what had happened, especially to his mother had him struggling to control his magic. "Who?" He growled and the witch swallowed nervously before giving him the name the tests had revealed. "Spare no expense in treating them." He snapped before leaving. He had a greasy bat to hunt down.

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Harry wished Amelia Bones were here, or Kinsley, they had done the job to do the right thing. Scrigemour was nothing like them and was beginning to really annoy him. "Enough. You are the Head Auror, do your job because that is what you are paid for. Stop trying to suck up to me like a toad. You have the evidence, find Snape or I will." Harry snarled at him and the man actually backed away slightly, able to feel his magic swirling in the air.

"OF course M 'Lord." He finally said and Harry left the department still in a foul mood.

"Ah, Lord Gryffindor. I was hoping to find you."

"What do you want Dumbledore?" this was the last thing he needed now.

"Is it true? The Potters"

"Are alive." Harry cut in. "Please excuse me."

"I shall inform the children then."

"No, you won't go near them or Hogwarts. It is up to me and my wife to inform them before it reaches the press. Just go enjoy your retirement."

"Was killing him really necessary my boy?"

Harry spun around, green eyes almost glowing. "You stupid, arrogant old fool! What did you think would happen? He'd surrender and say sorry? Killing him was the only way to stop him and send a message to his followers that the world would no longer sit back and let them get away with murder."

"And yet isn't that what you and your wife did?"

"I killed an opponent in a legal duel and Daphne killed a deranged psychopath in self-defence. Good day!" He vanished into the Floo and Dumbledore was left to face those who had seen and heard them, all staring at him in disgust.

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Hazel eyes slowly opened to stare upwards and he frowned in confusion. This wasn't his cell. Where? Lily! He struggled to sit up, needing to find her but hands restrained him.

"Mr Potter. You're in St Mungo's, you're safe!" He finally registered the voice and what it was saying and slumped on the bed, panting for air.

"Safe?" He coughed and finally managed to focus on the blurry figure.

"Safe sir." The young man agreed. "My name is Simon, I'm a medi-wizard. Your wife is on the bed next to you. I understand you wear glasses, a pair is being found for you."

"K…kids?"

"Your children are safe and well looked after by a distant relative of yours. They are currently at Hogwarts." Simon explained and then moved away as he passed out again, going to record it on his chart. It was a good sign, unfortunately Mrs Potter wasn't showing such promising signs.

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Harry walked into Hogwarts, feeling the castle welcome him inside. He made his way up to the Headmaster's office and the gargoyle leapt aside without a word. He knocked on the wooden door and then entered when called. "Lord Gryffindor, how may I help you?"

"I need to talk to the Potter's."

"During term?"

"I am sorry for the interruption but they need to be told in person before the papers find out."

"About?" Robert asked, yes this man owned the school but parents and guardians were only allowed to speak with the children under certain circumstances.

Harry sighed and sat down in front of the desk. "This needs to remain quiet for as long as possible. The Ministry raids have not just caught Death Eaters but also some of their captives."

Robert stared in shock. "The Potters?"

"James is recovery well but Lily is less certain. She hasn't woken since being rescued. Apparently…." Harry took a deep breath. "Snape knew where they were the whole time and was involved in…. harming her." He couldn't bring himself to say that the bastard had raped his mother but he could see the understanding on the other man's face.

"Do you want to pull the children out? We could arrange something for their lessons."

"I think routine and their friends is something they will need. But I also think seeing at least their father will help which is why I came this afternoon. I'd like to bring them home for the weekend to deal with this. If it proves too much then I will come collect their things, otherwise they will be back for Sunday dinner."

"Agreed."

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Harry gently lead to the children into the room to find James sitting up against some pillows in his bed. The children practically clung to Harry, unsure and James just stared at them with tears in his eyes.

"Daddy?" Luke whispered and James smiled.

"Come here." He reached out and both children ran to the bed, scrambling up to be hugged and kissed by their father. Harry smiled sadly and retreated from the room. It hurt so much seeing his father in the flesh but having the man not know him. But Rose and Luke had their father back.

TBC…..