Soldier

2690

Chapter 25: Judgment Day

The scene that Albus Dumbledore and his minion/Potions Master Severus Snape port-keyed into was surreal.

Albus had been very afraid he was going to find a bleeding Harry. Instead, ten death eaters were kneeling on the ground with chains of light wrapped around them. Four looked to be dead from the killing curse.

To one side stood Harry with the people that had appeared in the Forbidden Forest. Lord Voldemort was there as well, kneeling in front of the teen along with two small boxes of yellow light.

"Harry, my boy?" he asked, hopefully. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Good, everyone's here," a blonde-haired man said, grinning ear to ear.

Albus seemed to recall that Harry introduced him as Shinji. 'That handy spell Harry used, he would have to ask him about it later,' Dumbledore mused.

"Captain Kuchiki, we need everyone alive behind a barrier," Shinji requested.

"Everyone alive? Surely, everyone here is alive?"

The orange-haired teen shrugged. Albus thought his name was Ichi - something. "Everyone? What about. . . ?" He looked over at the down death eaters.

Harry nodded, from where he was standing with Tom and the small glowing barrier-box with something dark inside of it, and the other small wooden box beside him. "They're alright where they are. Besides, who knows. . .?"

Shinji grinned. "Twisted Harry, really twisted. We don't have the right to make that call."

"Excuse me? What is going on? Shouldn't the aurors be called?" Albus demanded of Madam Bones.

"They will be after we are through," Harry said, giving Madam Bones a pointed look as she moved to stand beside Dumbledore, Snape and Flintlock. "First things first. Hachigen, let's put all the soul fragments together."

Hachigen clapped his hands together as a dark globe of mist came forth from the barrier-box surrounded by a bright light and slammed into the small, glowing wooden box, exploding it and sinking into the ring within.

Riddle shouted, struggling against his bonds, "NO! This can't be happening! I, Lord Voldemort, won't allow it!"

Albus could feel the compulsion spell on the ring from where he was standing.

"Careful," Shinji cautioned Harry. "Use Muramasa on the ring to purify it of the spells. He won't let anything happen to you."

Harry gave a curt nod. Hachigen did a few hand gestures and chanted a few words. Suddenly, the three adult wizards and Flintlock found themselves standing behind a large, golden light barrier. Albus protested that the Death Eaters needed to be protected with them, but no one was paying any attention to him.

Albus watched as Harry elevated the ring wandlessly. With his other hand he called forth a strange looking sword. Albus was certain it was the same sword Harry'd used on Cornelius. Albus made a mental note to take it away from Harry when they got back to Hogwarts. Weapons like that were dangerous!

Harry struck the ring with the hilt of his sword. A black, tar-like mist issued from it, rising hesitantly before it slammed into the snake-like being known as Lord Voldemort.

"NOO! This can't be happening! I am Lord Voldemort! I am immortal, I defy death!" the frothing Dark Lord screamed, struggling harder against his bonds.

Albus paled at what he was seeing. It can't be! Harry couldn't possibly know about the horcruxes!? It just couldn't be, and yet, he'd just witnessed a horcrux being cleansed. That's impossible!

"Harry get on with it!" shouted the orange-haired teen. "I still have to study for an exam."

"Keep ya shirt on, Strawberry!" Shinji shouted as Harry walked over to the struggling Dark Lord.

"NO!" shouted Riddle, bringing Albus' attention back to the nose-less abomination and those captured with him.

There was Lucius Malfoy, Nott Senior, Avery, Crabbe Sr. and Goyle Sr and a very bloody Fenrir Greyback. How did these people take down Tom's inner circle?

The old wizard watched as Harry brought down his strange sword. He shouted. "Harry don't do this! They can be redeemed. Don't sink to their level!"

Harry paused to give the old man a cold look before tapping Tom Riddle's forehead with the end of his sword hilt.

Riddle began to glow as the wind picked up, sucking every thing loose on the ground into a vortex of wind and lightning.

As Riddle's struggling body rose into the air the golden Kido chains fell away, fading from existence. Tom's screams and threats were lost in the wind.

High in the evening sky, in the middle of the boiling dark clouds, two huge skulls started to emerge, along with their skeletal bodies, attached to a pair of blood-red doors that slowly started to open.

As the doors began to open smoke and fire bellowed forth in fury. All of the wind and debris swirling about was quickly sucked within.

"What in Merlin's name is that!?" screamed Madam Bones over the roaring wind.

"Those are the Gates of Hell, lady," Shinji told her. "Be thankful they aren't coming for you."

Albus shouted. "NO! Close them! They mustn't be opened!"

"Too late," Shinji smirked. "Riddle messed with The Balance. He must now pay the price."

"He can be redeemed! You must stop this!"

Shinji shook his head as chains shot out of the open doors, encircling the struggling Dark Lord. A gigantic sword slowly pushed its way out of the opening as the chains drew Riddle closer. A very muscular arm was holding the sword as it casually impaled the shrieking Dark Lord.

Once Riddle had been impaled his make-shift body started to fall apart and drift down to the ground.

Harry looked over at Ichigo. The orange-haired Visored looked back and gave a nod.

As everyone's eyes were glued to the horror happening above them, Harry grabbed Greyback. With the help of his cousin, they tossed the bloody beast man into Hell as the doors started to close.

The pair had discussed this beforehand. Harry had told his cousin about Greyback, and his love of turning children. Ichigo's strong need to protect the innocent was aroused, and it didn't take much for him to imagine that beast turning his two sisters. The world would be a better place without him.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Severus Snape could not tear his eyes off those opening doors and the fire and chains that lay beyond. He was now certain this would be his fate when it was time for him to die.

A hand slapped down onto his shoulder, startling him as he suddenly found himself looking into the very stern, cold brown eyes of the orange-haired teen.

"That is the fate of those that are true sinners. When you die, you go to the Soul Society to wait. If you are lucky, you can find yourself in the rebirth cycle quickly. If not, it's not such a bad place," the teen assured him as Severus' eyes widened.

"According to Harry, that werewolf loved to turn children. Both he and the dark one were always destined for there," Ichigo continued. "We wanted to throw that rat in too, but Harry said he was needed to clear his godfather first."

"No! We must do something, Harry is heading down a very dark path!" Albus roared frantically.

Ichigo shook his head. "Harry figured you would say that. Face it, kusojijii. If those Gates say they are not redeemable, they aren't. They deserved what they got!"

"No one deserves that!" Albus ranted back, only to be hit from behind by a stunner.

"While I may agree with Albus for the most part," said Madam Bones, putting her wand away. "You are correct about the two that disappeared into those doors. I do thank you for leaving me something to do." She looked over at the cowering, whimpering Death Eaters remaining.

"They are your's," came Captain Kuchiki as he took down the barrier. "We do not usually deal with the living. I do fear that the old man will cause more trouble for my young clansman though."

"Don't worry too much," Harry said as he came up to stand by the captain. "Professor Flitwick is helping me to take my OWLS during the Christmas hols. If I manage to stay out of trouble, and Azkaban, between now and then, I will be able to leave and not look back."

Madam Bones scowled. "What do you mean Lord Potter?"

"Just that, madam," Harry said. "The Wizarding World here has taken everything, and still expect me to give more. No. I am through. Once my OWLS are done, I am leaving. There is nothing, nobody, holding me here."

Severus Snape wanted to rage at the young wizard before him but. . . He lowered his eyes to the stunned Albus Dumbledore and knew Potter was right. Albus made too many mistakes in the brat's life, and now they were all coming home to roost.

"Wake him," Captain Kuchiki said, pointing to the unconscious Albus Dumbledore.

Madam Bones did so.

As Albus stood, he found himself standing in front of the stoic Captain of the Sixth Squad of the Gotei 13.

"Know this," the captain said. "We, the Soul Reapers of the Soul Society, deal with souls. All souls. Tom Riddle, when he split his soul to cheat death, became our problem as well.

"Harry Potter was destined by Fate to deal with him. He did so with our help.

"Riddle is now where he belongs, no one could have 'redeemed' him. He was long past the hope of any redemption. The werewolf, who followed his lord's dark path, dealt in death and the destruction of children. Both were not redeemable by any standard. They chose their path, and if you don't change your ways, you too will follow in their steps. Even now we can see the chains around your soul."

Albus paled at the man's speech.

The captain turned and stuck his zanpakuto out in front of him. A set of shoji doors opened. Several black butterflies drifted out. "Time to go."

Shinji grinned, gave an obscene salute, and stepped into the gate.

"Harry can end the Kido spell when you need him to," Hachigen assured Madam Bones, before he stepped through.

Ichigo gave his cousin a smirk. "Don't forget, Runt, Yuzu and Karin are looking forward to seeing you at Christmas. Oh, and don't forget this."

Harry caught the ring Ichigo threw him. He gave it a glance before tucking it into his robe. "I am too, I miss Yuzu's cooking."

Ichigo gave him a smile and a thumb's up before he left.

Byakuya looked at his young clansman and gave a slight nod. "You have brought honor to our clan."

"I could not have done it without Muramasa," Harry told him, giving him a deep bow of respect. At the sound of his name, the spirit appeared and bowed also.

Then Byakuya disappeared into the light behind the doors, which slid silently closed behind him.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Dawn was breaking through the trees when Harry and Professor Snape stepped out of the Forbidden Forest.

Before Flintlock had returned to Gringotts he'd bowed to Harry, "It has been my honor to stand beside you, Battle-Mage."

They had left Madam Bones behind to deal with Dumbledore and the captured Death Eaters. Harry'd been pleased to note the frightened and beaten-down looks the captured DE's were giving him.

"Madam Bones,the rat is an animagus known as Peter Pettigrew. He will be safe in that barrier box until I release him. Just don't lose him," he chided the head of the DMLE.

Aurors milled around in a panic when they were finally called. Dumbledore tried to counter Madam Bones' orders until she threatened to arrest him and chuck him into the deepest, darkest holding cell she had if he didn't shut up.

Of course, he gave her his patented 'I am very disappointed in you' grandfather look but he did step out of the way. Much to Harry's amusement.

"Perhaps I might see Lord Potter back to Hogwarts, Madam Bones?" Professor Snape suggested. She agreed, but Dumbledore objected.

"Harry needs to stay with me. And, for the safety of the students, he must yield his sword to me."

"I am afraid that will be impossible sir. As I said before, Muramasa is a part of me," Harry held up his hands to show that he no longer held the katana, "And unless you wish to split my soul. . ." Harry let his words trail off.

Giving Harry a disappointed look, Dumbledore said, "We will discuss this more later, Harry. We can't have you in possession of such a dangerous weapon among the rest of the students."

Harry shrugged as he turned to leave. "And I remind you Albus, that every student in your school carries a lethal weapon, and has since they were eleven years old. If that is all, I would like to return to Hogwarts."

"Lord Potter, one moment," Kingsley Shacklebolt stopped him. "Are you very sure that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is really gone? He won't be back this time?"

"Over the summer and into the autumn I, with the help of some friends and the Goblin nation, have dealt with all of Riddle's soul anchors. I took care of the last two anchors and Riddle's remaining soul tonight. I personally saw him being dragged to Hell, where he most assuredly belongs. The After Life takes a very dim view of those who try to cheat them of their due."

Albus paled as he listened in on the conversation. His eyes darted up to what was left of the teen's scar. "Harry how did you . . . "

"That's LORD POTTER to you, Albus Dumbledore!" Harry snarled at the old man. "Do not insult my honor again by failing to address me correctly!" The threat in his words hung coldly in the air.

"As for the scar, the goblins took care of the soul fragment in my forehead last July when I came to them before I left. They also discovered a soul fragment hidden in their bank.

I took care of the diary when I was twelve, that made three." Harry counted as he ticked them off his fingers. "Just after my duel with Fudge I discovered a fourth hidden at Grimmauld Place.

"The fifth was the lost diadem of Ravenclaw that lay hidden in your own school." Harry spat with a sneer at the old man. "After I took care of the fragment in it, I gave the cleansed diadem to Professor Flitwick. Tonight, was the ring and the snake, plus Riddle himself. Trust me, he isn't coming back."

Harry gave a cold glare at the headmaster. "Albus Dumbledore, I refuse to play your games any longer. You and Voldemort took everything away from me and gave nothing back, save danger and pain. In my opinion, you are just as dark as Riddle was, if not darker. Pray hard that the chains of Hell don't seek you out when you die."

The youth turned back to the tall black Auror, ignoring the headmaster's ashen face. "Tell Madam Bones I will stop by sometime today to release everyone from the spells. They aren't hard to deal with, but I'm just too tired to at the moment."

Shacklebolt gave a slight smile. "I will tell her."

Harry parted from Professor Snape when they entered the castle. He was planning on sleeping until noon, or until his hunger drove him from the comfort of his bed.

'And I'll make sure that you don't have nightmares, Harry," came Muramasa's voice as Harry pulled the curtains to his bed closed and spelled them shut.

'Thanks. You're brilliant!' came Harry's tired reply.

0o0o0o0o

Happy holidays. Sorry this is late. Frau was having harddrive issues.

Until next time. – GF and The Frau