Hermione Granger had been bullied in the past. She had been called know-it-all, swot, and smarty-pants. The last day though was much worse. The story of Harry Potter being declared the heir to House Black spread through Hogwarts like wildfire. For her, it was no surprise. The first day that they met, Harry had told her he was Lord Black's favorite. She remembered Lord Black's concern over her pensieve memories.
The purebloods treated the news like it was the return of the king, or at the very least, the royal prince. She heard the whispers. "Gold Digger —Tramp — Mudblood." There were the pointed fingers and girls who looked at her, and then flounced away. She could ignore the rabid pure blood snobs. It was the students that were supposedly friendly who crushed her self confidence.
"Don't worry, Gin-Gin. Harry just needs a practice girlfriend!"
"I don't understand why he is taking her. He could be with a hot veela babe!"
"Herms is okay, I guess. But she doesn't have baps like Lav Lav."
All these things came from Gryffindors, who loudly boasted that they were the most understanding house to the unfortunate muggleborns. They probably thought they were the most modest, Hermione snorted, and nobody could be humbler than them.
She wanted to bring this up with Harry, that she might not be good enough for him. He was after all the Heir to two great Houses. But the time they had together was too precious to waste. They had gone to Hogsmeade where Harry took her to Tomes and Scrolls. It was a specialist store that sold muggle books, animated by wizards. Some authors had been squibs or somehow managed to evade the Statue of Secrecy. As they sat in the Three Broomsticks with butter beers, Crookshanks and Hedwig, Hermione marveled over her new finds - The Winter's Tale by Shakespeare with a Queen bearing her name and a signed copy of Persuasion by Jane Austen. Her half kneazle kept trying to sit on the books though.
"Crookshanks!" she cried.
"He wants you to stop reading." Crookshanks had finished a large bowl of cream, and was now antsy to go. "He probably wants to go to the pet store to get toys." The half kneazle lazily patted Harry. At least one of his minions had common sense.
When they returned to the castle, hand in hand, Hermione ignored the frosty glares of witches as they walked back to the muggleborn quarters. Harry had duties as Heir Black, meetings requested by other pureblood heirs that Professor Slughorn had eagerly organized.
"Mostly shaking hands, and nodding like an idiot." He kissed her hand. "I had a lovely time, Hermione. See you tomorrow."
She stepped up, and kissed him on the lips. He held her tightly and she thought that when he left her for a pureblood princess, she would at least have the memory of this day.
Hermione decided to clear her mind by doing what all bibliophiles loved: she went to the library. With the Yule Ball only a day away, it was almost entirely empty on early Friday night. She had sneaked in a thermos of hot chocolate, and she planned a night of reading the Third Year Spell book, then Jane Austen, then watching Harry on a video. She had plopped her bag down when the noise alerted her neighbor - Lily Potter.
"Oh, hello. Professor. I hope I am not bothering you."
"Not at all. Oh is that Jane Austen!" Lily lovingly touched the book, and a picture of the heroine writing a letter appeared. "You went to Tomes and Scrolls. It is my favorite shop. James took me there on one of our first dates."
"Professor." Hermione said uncertainly. "How did you get together with Mr. Potter?"
"Mr. Potter? Oh you mean - James. James fell in love with me in first year. I spent 6 years telling him to bugger off before he grew up." Lily said fondly.
Hermione couldn't stifle a sob. She would never have a storybook romance like Harry's parents.
"Whatever is the matter, Hermione?" Lily asked.
Hermione told her about the whispers, the cutting remarks, and her sense that her relationship was doomed, and she was sure to be replaced imminently by some large breasted well connected princess. Lily looked at her incredulously.
"Have you talked to Harry about this?"
"No. I sound so miserable. You must think I am such an idiot."
Professor Potter patted Hermione's arm. "We are all fools in love, especially James Potter" She bit her lip before talking again. "Hermione, why would you think Harry is too good for you?"
Hermione was taken aback. "He is nobility - not just one house but two. And he saved the obscurials, faced down the dragon, saved the Hufflepuffs."
"And does he care about that? Does he ever brag about it and say "OI - I am so great"?"
"No, Professer Potter."
"Harry likes spending time with you. And you like to spend time with him. You are happy together. That is what matters. When I was Head Girl, people said I was a gold digger. And Dorea Potter told me, no one should care what idiots say. She certainly doesn't."
"Thank, you - Professor Potter."
"Call me Lily. Now let me see one of these spell tablets that I hear so much about."
Harry woke up from an odd dream. There had been an old man, bald with a long white beard, annoyed that Harry wasn't paying much attention. The petulant voice kept repeating these words. "New things trump old things."
Harry wondered if he was going a bit mad. Between sleeping in the Cloak and the obscurials, his memories were hazy, as if he was dream walking. He was certain he had never heard the old man before although he had no doubt the wizard, for who else wore long gray robes, was lecturing him on some subject. What were these new things? Spells? Robes?
Harry wrapped the Hallow closer around him. There was magic there - the knowledge of dead sorcerors, and the visions of his other life, the one that the obscurial had first shown him. The cloak whispered to him that magic and death were intimately connected, and the greatest magic required blood. Somehow, he doubted that they taught this at Hogwarts.
He dressed quickly and went down to breakfast with Neville. After the meeting at Black Manor, Neville had been determined to keep him company around Hogwarts. Harry suspected there was some sort of Viking custom that ran in the Longbottom family around the proper way to behave toward House allies.
"Who are you going to the Yule Ball with, Nev?"
"Luna Lovegood." Neville replied with a blush. "She asked me to wear this if I wanted to get lucky." It was a silver charm was orange radish like fruit, somehow suspended upside down.
"Are those dirigible plums?" Harry asked.
"OI! Who's getting lucky tonight?" Ron strutted about, with his chest puffed out.
"What's up with you, Ron?" Harry said bewildered. Ron was happier than the day a rumor spread that the Chudley Cannons had signed Viktor Krum. Krum's agent had denied the story immediately.
Ron swaggered about the room with his arms held up triumphantly like a boxer entering a ring. He then slapped hands with Seamus and Dean. He was certainly attracting a lot of attention, Harry thought. Several witches joined them at the breakfast table.
"Er, what is Ron doing?" Hermione said.
"Maybe he is an erumpent animagus doing a mating dance." Luna said.
"Harry, I have two dates to the Yule Ball." Ron yelled. "Two. Twins!"
"Are you going with Fred and George?" Luna asked.
"What? No. I am going with the Patils — both Patils." Ron smirked. He pulled out Twelve Fail Safe Ways to Charm a Witch. "It is Gold, Harry! Gold! I might even let you borrow it if you want to date a Weasley."
"I am perfectly happy with my Yule Ball Date." Harry said. He reached over to hold Hermione's hand.
"How did you do it? Share the magic!" asked an awestruck Seamus Finnegan.
"I turned on the Weasley charm. Red heads are known to be real wild cats in bed." Ron waggled his eyebrows and clawed the air like a drunk kneazle.
"Wow" Seamus said, his eyes bulging out of his sockets. He reached for Ron's precious book.
At that moment, Ginny Weasley walked over, She pointedly ignored Hermione, and said. "Seamus, where should we meet for the Ball?"
Ron had a look of horror on his face. "Oi!, Ginny you can't go with Seamus!"
Ginny screeched. "Ron, you are not the boss of me."
Seamus said "Ron, it says you need to flatter the witch until she gives it up. Ginny, has anyone told you how beautiful you look arguing with your brother?"
Harry put his head down, hoping that this would not escalate, His prayer was answered when Parvati came over, and told Ron to pick her up at 7 pm sharp. She then huffed off.
"At least Ginny did not use her bat bogey hex on Ron. I am trying to eat waffles here." Luna said.
"Luna, I have a question," Harry said. "What does New things trump old things mean to you?"
"Old things? Maybe it has to do with fantastic beasts. Like a new creature from Newt Scamander's suitcase instead of Blast ended Skrewts for the whole year."
Hermione mouthed "What is a Blast ended Skrewt?" to which Harry whispered "Don't ask."
"Could it be a broom, Harry? Maybe a Nimbus Tornado instead of an old Firebolt?" Neville added.
"What about a new book, Harry? A new book might have something an old book doesn't." Hermione said.
Harry shook his head. None of those suggestions sounded right.
At Little Hangleton, Voldemort met with Fenrir Greyback. Riddle wore a silver mask and was accompanied by Regulus and Lucius, also dressed in Death Eater regalia. . Greyback was there with 7 other scruffy individuals who looked down on their luck. They were dirty, shabbily dressed with some appearing not to have eaten for a few days. The 7 young and middle aged men were lined up in a Voldemort's inspection.
The Dark Lord sniffed. Greyback had promised him a pack of terrifying marauders. They looked like rejects from the county jail.
"My Lord, they will be far more terrifying tonight in the full moon." Fenrir said.
"Why do we need werewolves anyway?" asked Regulus.
"Had Lucius not gotten seven of our best Death Eaters arrested in the raid of Madame Bones, we might have attacked a different way. But these werewolves will terrify the students tonight." Voldemort answered.
"My Lord, what can werewolves do against wizards?" asked Regulus bluntly.
"What?" Greyback answered. "We are terrifying creatures of darkness. Hideous monsters to be feared."
"Please. The only thing you did famous, Greyback, was bite a 5 year old. Had you attacked Remus Lupin as an adult, you would have lost. The wizards at Hogwarts are not young children." Regulus turned to Voldemort. "My Lord, we live in a world of magic. Werewolves don't use magic. They are just another beast. An adult wizard who keeps his wits can defeat a werewolf easily. Dumbledore certainly can. The Yule ball will have teachers and aurors and the Hogwarts wards."
"If it was merely this pack, I would agree. But I, Lord Voldemort, have a plan that will overcome all that. The wolves are merely extra hands for the battle. The true threat will be revealed tonight. Greyback, meet us at Hogwarts this evening. Regulus, and Lucius - we must return to London."
The students finished lunch on Saturday. All around the castle, the only topic was the Yule Ball. The excitement of the teenagers had spread like a slow burning fire to the younger students, the teachers and even the auror guards who Lord Black insisted would function as additional security. Harry had already bought his robes, and with Neville's herbology expertise, conjured a white rose corsage.
"Hermione, do you want to take a walk around the Lake?" Harry asked.
"I can't, Harry. I have to get ready for the ball."
"But it is 1:00. The ball doesn't start for another six hours." Harry said.
A beautiful blond Slytherin witch swooped in. "You wizards have no idea what it takes for a witch to look her best." Daphne said. "Come on, we need to get makeovers."
"Wotcher." a young witch with purple hair came over. "Miss Greengrass, Miss Granger - I will escort you to make sure the witches are safe."
"Hi Tonks." Harry said. "Is Madame Bones also attending?"
"I might be Black now, Harry. But not Lady Black - So don't get any perverted ideas." Nymphadora said.
A puzzled Harry was left behind as Nympadora "possibly" Tonks escorted Hermione, Luna, and Daphne away from the Great Hall.
Hermione went to a brightly lit room where many other witches were chattering in different corners. A very stout woman with a shiny black bun and a very frilly pink dress was attending to a few of the Slytherin witches and her assistants were rushing back and forth, carrying jewelry, dresses, and fancy headwear. House elves, wearing white angel wings and empty quivers on their hunched over backs, offered cups of tea to waiting witches. They looked like demented Cupids, and Hermione thought it was a good thing they didn't carry weapons or arrows. Daphne found Tracey in the corner. Tonks stayed guard outside the room.
"We're in luck. Madame Puddifoot has agreed to do our makeover personally." Tracey said.
Hermione looked over at the famous tea ship owner. She realized that the frills on the dress were silver bells and that room was festooned with red and gold bows, hanging all over the walls. "Does her tea shop really look like this?" Hermione asked.
"It is much more crowded. And there is usually a lot of sugar." Luna answered. As if on request, a house elf dashed over with a three level tray, with six cupcakes, four biscuits, and five large caramel chocolates. Luna nibbled at a pink and red cupcake.
"Who are you going to the ball with, Daphne?"
"Viktor Krum. Tracey is going by herself. She turned down a few boys from Durmstrang." Daphne answered. The shy dark haired Slytherin witch nodded.
"The pickings at Hogwarts are quite slim." Luna added.
"Is that why Parvati and her sister are both going with Ron Weasley?" Hermione said.
"Yes, Hogwarts has a lot of intelligent and capable witches but the wizards - well there is a shortage of those." Luna said.
"And a lot of those think they are God's gift to witches like Malfoy." Daphne added. "He used to tell everyone that he was the heir to both House Black and Malfoy, so he needed two wives."
"What about Harry?' asked Hermione.
"He has never bragged about being the heir to House Black. That is why the news was so surprising." Daphne said.
"But does he need two wives?" asked Hermione.
"Need? No. He could simply designate a different child for each line." Daphne answered.
"Are you accepting applications for a co-wife, Hermione?" Luna asked in an interested tone.
"What? No. We only started dating last week." Hermione said.
"Well if you are, I can publish it in the Quibbler. That issue would be as popular as The Search for the Crumple Horned Snorkack." Luna said.
Daphne laughed brightly. "That it would, Luna."
The witches moved on to other topics, like hair, dress color, and shoes. Luna passed out silver charms with dirigible plums, telling the others it would be for good luck.
At the Ministry, Riddle had send the entire upper floor home. Madame Bones had been dispatched on some meaningless inquiry and he made sure the Privacy charms would insulate them from the Unspeakables. The three Black scions were with him. Since the meeting two days ago, he had forbidden any of his Death Eaters to have contact with Lord Black. It was quite important the plan be executed with speed and surprise.
Rodolphus entered the room. "My Lord, the dementors are prepared. But I do not understand — how will you overcome the wards?"
Riddle scoffed. "I have control of the wards - not Dumbledore. And with that control, I can strike at the wizards at Hogwarts, I will attack them with their own defenses." His Death Eaters were shocked. Victory was in their grasp. "At that moment, Lestrange, direct the dementors into the castle. They will administer their kiss to aurors and students alike. Greyback's werewolves will follow."
"My Lord." Lucius asked in horror. "What about the Slytherin students? Surely we will not unleash the dementors on them?"
"Bah - every war has a few casualties. However, we have a spy at Hogwarts." The door rang, and a dumpy woman in pink came in. Madame Umbridge simpered at the sight of all these powerful, well connected wizards.
"Hello, Madame Umbridge." Riddle said. "Tonight, we intend to root out all the traitors at Hogwarts. The castle is a hot bed of anti Ministry supporters. We will unleash the dementors. You will take the pureblood Slytherins away from the ball before the raid. After the purge, our forces will enter the castle, and these noble families will have no choice but to swear their loyalty. The dementors will feed on a few students but others will be hostages against their families!"
"A brilliant plan, Minister." simpered Umbridge.
"By tonight's end, I expect Dumbledore to be dead or imprisoned. And then, Madam Umbridge, you will be the new Headmistress of Hogwarts, free to enforce any discipline you wish."
Dolores Umbridge heart jumped in glee. She had many scores to settle, particularly with a Harry James Potter.
The Yule Ball had finally arrived. Harry and Neville were waiting for their dates by the staircase near the Great Hall. Luna came out in a bright shimmering dress of silver and her dirigible plums stood out against her long blond hair. She looked like Venus emerging from the waters, but clothed. Neville happily offered his arm for escort her.
A stunning brunette with beautiful brown eyes in a periwinkle dress walked down the hall. Her hair was curvy and fell to her shoulders, and she wore pink earrings that matched the ribbons in her hair. "Hi, Harry." she said shyly.
"I am sorry…. Hermione! Is that you?" The girl nodded. "Wow! You look amazing. Your hair is so different." Harry said.
"Sleakeazy's Potion. You look dashing too." Hermione said.
Harry gave her the corsage of a white rose, and brushed her cheek with his lips. He offered his arm and they went, hand in arm, to the Hall.
They walked to the Champion's Table with the other Champions. Krum was there with Daphne, Cedric with Cho Chang, and Fleur with Head Boy Roger Davies. Several witches and wizards waved at Harry, and the muggleborns cheered for Hermione. Harry didn't notice. Harry thought that even Fleur did not outshine Hermione. He only had eyes for his date.
They sat, and waited for the rest of the students to enter. Harry noticed that Ron wore a hideous orange and brown robes, that had gone out of fashion decades ago. Ron was alternating between leering at the Patils and glaring at Seamus. The teachers sat at a raised table overlooking the dance floor. Dumbledore sat in between Karkaroff and Madame Maxime. For once, Dumbledore wore understated clothes, not the glittery and star infested robes he usually preferred. Unlike the Goblet of Fire ceremony, neither Lord Black nor Minister Riddle had attended. The Ball was much lower profile and was a celebration of the students.
The Champions rose for the first Dance. Dinner would be served after that. Harry waltzed with Hermione around the floor. He whispered to her how glad he was that she accepted. They held each other closely. When the dance finished, Harry escorted Hermione back to the table. He noticed that Roger Davies already seemed to be affected by Fleur's allure. The elves started to bring the dinner meals, and Newt Scamander walked over.
"Hi, Newt - What are you doing at the Yule Ball?" Hermione asked.
"Escorting these two." Newt pointed to Gabrielle Delacour and Magnus Krum, who have come together to the ball. "I thought it would be good for the Durmstrang boys to enjoy themselves."
"'Arry, can I dance with you next?" Gabrielle said. He noticed that Magnus seemed quite intimidated by the energetic quarter veela. That was understandable.
"Sure, but why don't we all dance together. The Champions can all form a circle and Hermione and I would be happy to dance with you and Magnus!"
Gabrielle beamed out of joy and Fleur smiled in sympathy. Then Harry felt it. A Low thrum of energy, coursing through the hall, as if the magic was changing around him. He pictured it in his mind - runes unlocking, reshaping themselves to a new master. Harry felt a chill, as if his happiness is being sucked away. He can almost hear a hideous laugh, a rogue trickster about to reveal something terrible.
In the corner of a room, there was a commotion. A large group of Slytherins was being herded outside of the Great Hall, much to Horace Slughorn's disapproval. Harry ignored that though because the thrum of the magic strengthened. His Cloak, hidden under his dress robes, began to crackle. There was power here tonight.
"Newt, guys" Harry said urgently "Do you feel something?"
The other champions and their dates looked at him puzzled. "Harry, are you feeling ok?" Hermione asked.
The doors to the Hall slammed shut. Harry took off the jacket of his dress robe. He needed to feel the Cloak, to use the Hallow if things went wrong. He was upset that he had not brought the Marauder's Map with him. Harry cast a Protego around him. "Get down" he told the other champions. They might have thought him crazy but then, odd things happened around Harry Potter. The witches and wizards of the Champions Table took out their wands.
At the Head Table, Dumbledore was aware that something strange was happening. He was not ready for the pulse of dark energy that blasted the Headmasters and the teachers, shattering the dais, and throwing the teachers to the floor. The statues of armored knights began a cumbersome clanking walk to the doors, blocking any possible escape. Aurors drew their wands but the castle struck out against them, hurling dishes and plates, dropping chandeliers down and nearly impaling students. Then the windows shattered, and the dementors rushed in.
The foul demons swirled into the room, projecting their auras of misery and decay through the Great Hall. Harry cast an Expecto Patronum and his silvery stag appeared. There were however far too many dementors. In the First Task, he had defeated six obscurials with three powerful thestral patroni but he had received a boost from his Cloak. There were dozens of dementors now, possibly even hundreds. All around the room, Harry heard the cry of expecto patronum, but only a few corporeal animals appeared. The non corporal clouds helped a bit but they were being dispersed by the army of dementors. The creatures were so abundant that they blotted out the lights of the room. Dumbledore and the teachers were defending themselves but they were being attacked on all sides by inanimate objects.
Newt Scamander bought them some space with a powerful patronus. His ghostly niffler shot in the air and drove off a few dementors. There was a horrible shriek to the side as three dementors swooped on the Gryffindor Table. One kissed Seamus Finnegan, and the fourth year boy fell boneless to the ground. With that ghastly sight, several students broke and ran for the doors. Even the sight of statues armed with great swords and halberds did not deter them. An ear-splitting howl, a entire pack of wolves, rung from outside.
"Where are ze teachers and ze aurors?" Fleur cried.
"They are fighting against tables, plates, and statues!" Harry said.
Tonks and Vance were desperately casting shields for themselves. There was no way they could aid the students. The teachers were even worse shape, as magical bolts struck at them for all corners of the room. A few, like Lily Potter, held their ground but many more were forced to retreat under the constant barrage.
"The wards!" Hermione cried. "The wards must have been turned against Hogwarts."
"But zat is impossible.' Viktor said.
"The Hogwarts wards are supposed to be unbreakable." Cedric added.
Around them, the dementors attacked. Even if they couldn't administer the kiss, they drove the students into corners and prepared to swarm and suck their souls.
Then Harry realized what the cloak was saying. It wasn't a fantastic beast, a broom or a book. It was wards. New things trump old things. New wards could trump old wards.
"Newt, Hermione." The other Champions also turned to him. "I have an idea, but I need some time. Can you buy me time?" Harry asked.
"Of course.' Newt said. He took out a silver whistle and blew. Nothing happened. He blew again. Finally on the third whistle, a pouch on his coat began to shake. Newt ripped out the pocket and threw it on the floor. A gigantic elephant sized cat, with a striped body, fangs and claws, and an extremely long colorful tail rushed out of the magic space. The huge oddly Asiatic beast swiped at the dementors, driving them back.
Harry nodded gratefully. "I will be back soon." He jumped on Prongs, activated his cloak, and they rushed out of the room. He cast a bombarda, blowing a large hole into the doors, and then galloped past several surprised werewolves. He rushed to the Chamber of Secrets, and found Salazar Slytherin's notes on the Hogwarts wards, written in Parseltongue and Runes. There were several runes that he couldn't understand. He would need to ask someone. Harry took the collected papers, a silver knife, and four ward stones and rushed back to the Hall.
He had left the Great Hall for less than ten minutes but when he returned, that battle had taken a grim turn. Newt's zouwu was injured and the dementors had managed to bring it to the ground. Snarling werewolves threatened groups of students. Neville Chamberlain was bravely trying to defend his fellow Gryffindors against the lycanthropes. Several teachers had been knocked unconscious. There were pockets of resistance but it was a few witches here and there, Luna Lovegood and Susan Bones among them, trying to hold off the dementors with weak clouds of mist. The most horrifying were the bodies strewn around the floor. Seamus had fallen before he left, but he could also see that Lavender Brown, Katie Bell, Fred Weasley and students from every house and school had fallen to the ravenous dementors.
Harry turned visible again, his silvery cloak now fluttering in the wind.
"Harry" Hermione cried. The Champions Table had formed a circle, its members facing outwards and shielding themselves against dementors and werewolves alike.
Prongs dropped Harry off in the middle of the circle, before turning and beating back a dementor.
Harry pulled out the notes. Only he could read the scribbles in parseltongue, but the ward scheme had runes. "Hermione, what is this rune?"
"That means Blood." Hermione replied.
Harry studied the runes even as the battle around him raged. His theory was shaky but he knew that there were two ways to create powerful wards. A group of wizards could give a little part of their magic over a long time period to create a ward scheme. Or a few wizards could give a great deal in a short time. The first method was impossible now. The champions and their dates were fighting for their lives, barely able to hold off the dementors. Gabrielle and Magnus were cowering under the table along with a shaken Roger Davies. Newt was tending to his zouwu.
"Harry, a little help here?" shouted Cedric.
Harry steeled himself. A successful ward could drive away the dementors. It was worth the risk of failure. Magic required sacrifice, blood, and maybe even death. He tossed the four wardstones into the sky. They levitated around him, as he began to chant in parseltongue. His cloak flickered and served as an anchoring point for his magic. His wardstone came into contact with the Hogwarts wards. It felt weird and alien but the castle wards were too busy, continuing their assault on Dumbledore and his teachers.
Then Harry slashed his wrists with the silver knife.
His life blood flowed out, but instead of gravity, the blood pulsed to the four wardstones orbiting him. Magic poured into his cloak, as the third hallow summoned the ghosts of all the wizards who had given their magic to preserve Hogwarts. He saw a proud red haired green eyed man wearing a long sword. He was followed by beautiful but austere witch with dark hair and eyes wearing an electric blue. She wore a crown and carried a book. There was a handsome plump witch with red hair and brown eyes in a yellow gown. She held a small golden cup. The last was an old wizard, bald on top, but with a white beard all dressed in grey robes. Harry recognized him. He was the man who had lectured him in his dreams.
"Finally." Salazar Slytherin grumbled. "It took you long enough."
"Enough, Salazar." The smiling witch in yellow said. "His sacrifice will save Hogwarts."
The four founders pressed their hands on the wardstones and Harry felt power surge into him. The cloak glowed with energy and then he raised his eyes upward and the magic of the castle poured into him.
Outside the castle walls, Voldemort screamed in frustration. His connection with the wards sputtered and failed. The statues, the dishes, the plates, the tables — all returned to its past state of inanimation. He had lost control of the wards.
Inside, all eyes turned to the boy in the middle of the Champions Table. He wore a cloak of silver, and magic shone in his eyes. The other witches and wizards at the table had been shocked when he sliced his wrists. Then the ghosts of the founders came and they were even more stunned. The Champions, although not part of the ritual, could feel the power emanating from Harry Potter. The flow of blood from his wrists had slowed down, but the lines connecting him to the stones were still taut with energy.
Harry turned to the dementors. "You do not belong here." They tried to escape but the castle's magic sealed off the windows and the doors."These souls are not yours." The dementors shrieked and gibbered in fear. "I give you now the True Death, for all of time."
The air crackled like ozone and light flowed into the dementors. Their darkness and shadow were erased, as night had turned into day. The foul demons whimpered, as they died — and the souls of those they have kissed flowed back into the bodies. All over the Great Hall, bodies that were reunited with their souls awoke, as George hugged Fred and others staggered up in shock.
Fenrir Greyback snarled as he attempted to muster a charge. Harry called out to Neville. "Nevile, the charm." Neville blinked and threw him the silver charm. Harry crushed it with his magic, and the silver dust billowed out, along with several dirigible plums. He blew the dust and the cloud covered the werewolves as they choked and gasped for air. "All yours, Nev."
Neville Longbottom grabbed a silver tray, and whacked a convulsing Greyback in the head. Perhaps it was not the fairest battle, but he didn't care. He was a Viking. He fought dirty. The pack, seeing their leader fall, surrendered to the boy warrior.
Harry sat down heavily on the floor. He was very tired - the cloak had helped him again, but the loss of blood, the drain on his magic, the parseltongue ritual - the exhaustion caught up with him. Before he passed out, he saw in his mind, a young woman, all in black, dressed like a punk rocker, with a Zen smile on her pale face, catch him in his arms, and whisper "You did good, Harry. But today is not the day you die." He slept now, his cloak glowing with the power of the new wards, until the magic dispersed into the castle.
The room woke up like survivors of a crash. Witches and wizards searched for their friends, crying with joy at their discoveries. Viktor Krum gave Magnus a giant hug. Fleur would have done the same for Gabrielle but she was hovering anxiously over Harry. Luna Lovegood fed Neville some dirigible plums, which he discretely spat out.
Hermione took several napkins and attempted to staunch any more bleeding from Harry's wrists. He looked pale, and the wounds were far too large for an Episkey. Daphne came over and elevated Harry's head.
"Don't move his head too much, Daphne. It is best if he lies still." Hermione said.
"I don't see Tracey. In fact, I don't see most of the Slytherins in the room." Daphne said.
"That's very odd." Hermione said.
Several other students had come over. Hermione saw a tired Susan Bones, and Luna Lovegood hand in hand with Neville. Lily Potter came over with aurors. Lily and the teachers had sent many patronus spells out — to Lord Black, to Amelia Bones, to Saul Croaker, and many more. Nurse Dumbledore should be here very soon but the others would also follow. She was proud of her son but clearly worried.
"Professor Potter, where are the Slytherins?" Hermione asked.
"Umbridge took them away — just before the dementors attacked." Lily spat.
"Then she must have known of the ambush, and the change in the wards." Hermione said. The other witches nodded in agreement
"She will deny everything." Daphne said. "She will claim it was a coincidence."
"Maybe not." Hermione chewed her lip. "Luna, do you have a Dicta-quill."
The Ravenclaw nodded yes and handed over two Dicta-quills.
"Brilliant, here's what we will do."
A few minutes, Hermione went out to search for Umbridge. She was carrying the Dicta-quill, now equipped with a special spell, courtesy of Lily Potter. The High Inquisitor was simpering to a female auror - Emmeline Vance - that she had no idea what happened.
"Madame Umbridge, may I speak with you?" Hermione said.
Umbridge scowled. "Can't you see I am busy here, girl?"
Vance said. "That's okay - I need to do other interviews." She moved on to speak to some of the Slytherins who were rushed out of the chamber.
After the auror left, Hermione looked at Umbridge with disdain. "I know what you did. You left all of us to die. You knew the dementors would attack."
The toad like woman looked back at her. "So what? You are a filthy muggleborn. No one will believe what you say." she hissed.
"Who ordered you to do this? We all know you are not smart enough to plan this." Hermione goaded her.
Umbridge's face turned red in anger. She raised her wand. "You fool! I would have been the Headmistress of Hogwarts. After Dumbledore died, the Ministry would appoint me. And then, we will see about Harry Potter and your classes!" she sneered.
"You would run the school into the ground. What idiot would appoint you Head of anything?"
"Minister Riddle promised me myself." Umbridge spat out. "I have had enough of your cheek. Crucio!"
Hermione felt pain but the red curse lasted for only seconds. The door of the room sprang open. Amelia Bones and Lily Potter both hit Umbridge with a Stunning spell. Several other witches would have hexed her as well but they did not have a clean shot.
Madam Bones enervated the High Inquisitor before telling her that she would be arrested and put on trial.
"That witch attacked me." Umbridge simpered. "I was merely defending myself. You can't trust these muggleborns."
Lily Potter took out the second Dicta Quill. It played back the entire conversation that the first Quill had heard. Umbridge's confession that Riddle would have appointed her after the purge was clear.
"We heard everything. You will be going away for a very long time." Madame Bones said.
Hermione walked to the nursing wing. It was packed with the wounded. She was shaking from the cruciatus but she wanted to see Harry. There were adults and students by his bed, but they made space for her. Harry was sleeping, his silver cloak wrapped around his torso, his two hands clasped over each other on his chest. She gently held his right hand, only a few inches away from the large gash on both wrists.
"I got her, Harry. I got her. I will be here when you wake up."