Disclaimer: I own no part of Harry Potter or its associated canon nor, any other already copyrighted material.

(A/N):

Chapter 24

No Longer a Home

Mr. Potter,

We have managed to trace Siona's movements for several years

after she left the dueling club. It appears she spent much time among

aarker members of our kind while hiding as a muggle. Katherine's

comrades have been able to trace her muggle activities as she crossed

back and forth across the country only staying for any length of time

in places well known for their historical magical significance. We've

only found a couple of people who admit to having known her. It seems

those she associates with are more than happy to forget her once she's gone.

What we have been able to follow disappears roughly three years ago,

six months before the first attack here in the states. Though

I am loathe to admit it, it would seem Siona is indeed behind these attacks.

Given that I thought it warranted to fill you in more completely on what I

Know about her. Siona is a cunning individual and an able duelist. Once

She sets her mind to something she is extremely difficult to stop.

However, she does have the weakness of pride and surpassing her, even

for a moment, can undo all of her careful planning causing he to resort

fo brute force. I believe you experienced that first hand in your defense

of Miss Vance.

You should also be aware that she is a master manipulator and is

capable of twisting even the best of intentions to her own ends. It was

partly for this reason she was eventually forced out of the Club.

There was a palpable pause in the writing as Harry read and he could almost feel that the man had wanted to say more. However, Keystone had instead addressed more practical matters.

We should be completing our investigations within a few days and

returning to London. I will write again before we arrive.

Alex

Harry glanced over the letter once more before folding it carefully and tucking it in his robes. It had arrived just as he was about to leave the house on the way to Hogsmeade and he ha decided to wait until now to glance over it. Rolling the information around in his head he began striding down the silent street in the first rays of a rising sun.

He had arrived early with the intent of speaking with Prfessor Drake before classes began. If he had a rough idea what the man had been teaching the students this year he could better figure out what to talk about.

Hogsmeade was just coming to like as he reached the edge of town. Though primarily there in support of and to profit from the school it was still a rural town and had all the concerns of such. Smiling at the thought Harry's gaze began sweeping the grounds around Hogwarts. Though he had been here just a week ago his eyes still sought any changes. Squinting at the clock tower as he approached he found he still had a few minutes to spare and decided on a whim to stop by Hagrid's. The man was always up early tending his ever growing array of strange and exotic animals for the Care of Magical Creatures classes. Waving his wand to clear a path Harry started down the hill.

As he approached the hut he saw no signs of Hagrid but there was some activity. A man, thickly built and slightly taller than average was moving between a pair of pens near the hut and handing out dead squirrels to the hippogriffs standing there. Somthign looked vaguely familiar about him but Harry couldn't quite place it. As he got closer he called out. "Hello?" The man turned and Harry once more had the tange sense of recognition. After looking him up and down the taller man's eyes lit up and he stepped forward.

"Mr. Potter! This is a surprise." Harry could only stare at him in confusion. The man seemed to sense it. "Don't recognize me? No, you might not. I was about this tall last you saw me." As he spoke his words flowed ever so slightly in a way that reminded Harry of Fleur. The man held his hand flat at about stomach height. So he would have been younger. About… All at once it clicked in Harry's mind and he stepped forward as well.

"Sean!" The man carfully accepted Harry's extended hand so as not to crush it. Not that he looked the similarity to his father was unmistakable. "I haven't seen you in…four years?" The man nodded slowly.

"That's correct. Dad wanted me to come to Hogwarts, mum said Beuxbaton. They reached a compromise. Four years there, last three here. I join in with the fifth year students this fall. I'm just visiting this week." Harry quickly revaluated his perceptions. Though he had the height and girth of a full grown man the giant blood in his veins had apparently come to the fore and Sean was already over six feet at 15 years old. While he would likely never reach the height of either of his parents, he would still stand a head taller than most. As Harry stepped back he looked around.

"Actually, how is you dad? I was hoping to see him this morning." Sean glanced up to the castle.

"He's already up with the other professors. Some sort of meeting about rearranging classes today." Harry colored slightly as he realized the reason for that. Allowing him to speak to all seven years would mean breaking up the day differently. Harry nodded up toward the castle.

"Then I'd better get going. Nice to see you. Ans say hi to you mother for me." The boy nodded firmly.

"I shall. You know, she still talks about how you won the Tri-Wizard cup. She means to hold another tournament I believe. Wants to win it back." Harry chuckled at the thought.

"As long as I don't have to compete." The boy nodded and turned back to his chores. Harry started the trek upto the gates with faint memories of the last Tri-Wizard Tournament floating though his head. Though forever tinged by the death of Cedric, the competiion had created many positive outcomes. The boy standin behind him was a living example of that.

"That's an excellent question Miss Williams. Yes, while it is true there are some spells and magical practices that are equal to or worse than the three we've labeled Unforgivables, they are also far more difficult to perform and in many cases only exist in forgotten tomes or locked in the head of the insane. Since these three are all relatively simple to perform and well known it is they that are given the label Unforgivable." Harry looked over the room full of first year students. For the first time today he saw a little awe in the faces of the children before him, with obvious exceptions. They alone hadn't been here when he was professor and as such, we're the only class that wasn't used to being in room with a celebrity.

"Yes, Miss…" Harry pointed to the raised hand belonging to one of three identical girls in three different colored sets of robes sitting close together in the corner.

"Creevey."

"Miss Creevey."

"When you're…fighting dark wizards…what's the most useful spell to know?" He saw several other students lean forward and cock an ear waiting for this piece of information. It was a quation he had been asked many times by friends, fellow Aurors, students, coworkers and even the occasional professor. Every time he gave the same answer and got the same disbelievein response. Harry made a practiced show of considering the answer for a moment before speaking.

"Expelliarmus." Yep. That was the look. Nearly every one in the room was staring at him with disbelief. He was somewhat satisfied to see Professor Drake was merely nodding thoughtfully.

"Really?" The girl sounded as if he had just said something strange about muffins. He nodded firmly in response.

"Yes. The disarming charm. Sounds simple doesn't it? But very few wizards know how to counter it and even fewer are capable of any substantial magic without their wands. So, in the end, one well placed Expelliarmus can end a fight as surely as a killing curse. I know it's saved me on numerous occasions. In fact, it's one of the primary spells I used to survive the many attempts on my life by Voldemort." Invoking the name of his former nemesis had the effect of silencing the class. Though it no longer held the same stigma it had in his youth there was still a sense of awe attached to it.

As they considered the answer Harry could hear the clock strike the hour in the distance. Professor Drake stepped up next to him. "And that is the end of class for the day. Normal Schedule tomorrow and I'll see some of your then. Good bye." With muttered replies the class rose and headed for the door. Harry carefully avoided looking for James. The boy would be under enough pressure and he didn't want to make it worse. Instead he focused on Drake as the man turned those intense eyes to him. "Thank you once more Mr. Potter. I believe the students learned quite a lot today." Harry shook the man's hand as he replied.

"Happy to help. I must say, you seem to be doing an excellent job as their instructor." The man managed a small smile.

"Thank you. But whatever I've been able to impart upon the older students this year is primarily thanks to the work you've put in over the last two." Harry lips rose into a grin. Though he had considered himself a competent teacher there was a bit of pride to be had from hearing it from someone else. "Yes Miss Williams?" Harry glanced to the side and could see Mary standing nearly alone in the classroom some feet away. Beyond her, near the door, Gideon and James were hovering. She gave a little jump as Drake spoke, apparently not realizing she had been seen. The professor finally turned his eyes toward her. She paused for a moment before finding her voice.

"I…I was wondering if Mr. Potter could demonstrate the disarming charm. I've never seen it in action." Harry met the other man's eyes, his eyebrow cocked in the unspoken question. After a moment Drake gave a small nod. Harry turned back to the girl.

"Certainly. Pay attention, I won't be repeating it." Stepping back several feet Harry drew his wand from his sleeve and waited until Drake had done the same. The man had a steely look about him and was clearly bracing for the spell. Mary had stepped somewhat closer and was watching Harry's every movement with interest. Taking a breath he cleared his mind, purposefully resticted the force he put into the charm and aimed.

"Expelliarmus." It had taken a moment's thought to make sure he spoke the name instead of automatically casting silently. The blue bolt shot out and took the man square in the chest just knocking the wind out of him. His wand was blasted lightly free and landed in Harry's outstretched hand a moment later. Returnign the pale wooden tool to its owner he glanced down at the girl who was staring intently. "Okay?" She nodded quickly.

"Thank you sir, Professor." Drake took a deep breath.

"Of course. Now, I believe your friends are waiting." Pausing only a moment longer she turned and rushed to meet them. Once more Harry avoided searching for James. As the trio started down the hall he could just hear his son questioning why she had done that. As the children left the man looked up at him. "I assume you held back? I barely lost my grip." Harry nodded slowly.

"All she wanted was a demonstration. At full force? I'm sure Madam Pomfrey has enough to do." The man actually laughed as he slid his wand into his robes.

"Quite." He looked around the now silent classroom. "So, may I quill you in for next year?" Harry nodded slowly.

"Sure. Assuming something dreadful hasn't happened by then." The man's eyes fell on him once more.

"If there is one thing I have confidence in, it is that you will survive. Now, I've taken enough of your time. Farewell."

'To yourself as well Professor." With a nod the man turned and strode off to his office. Taking a deep breath Harry turned and headed for the door. Pausing for a moment to make sure it was empty, he stepped out into the hall. He wlaked slower through the halls this time than his last couple visits to the castle. Something made him linger in school. As he walked he passed many students rushing this way and that happy at the end of another day.

Harry could see the ease with which event the first years moved around in the structure. He could rememeber it well in his own youth when the school had been more his home than anywhere else. To some extend every student at Hogwarts viewed the school as a home and place that they owned a little part of. As Harry looked around and carefully made his way around clumps of students rushing every which way though he couldn't help but feel somewhat a guest here. Home wasn't Hogwarts anymore. It was Number 12 and Ginny and the kids.

As he watched them something tugged at the back of his mind. There was something about them. The children. They were somehow important. Glancing around the lines between the blocks in the walls drew to his mind the chart the Hermione had created detaioling magical geneology. Lines…and children. There was an important connection he felt he was missing. Something was missing. Something to do with lines and children. He frowned as he paced down the hall trying to figure out what it was.

Before he could however he became aware of a strange noise from a corridor ahead. It was a series of noises alternating between sharp klacks and longer whirrs. There seemed to be an orginzed rhtyum to is and the sound repeated many times growing slightly stronger each time. Harry paused near the top of a staircase and tried to figure out what it was. Wheels maybe? Wheels on the stone?

As he stood there the sound grew steadily louder until it was right on top of him. From around the corner ahead two students, a girl of perhaps fifteen and a younger boy, appeared in a burst of speed. Their feet beat the steady rythum against he the floor an in an instat Harry's seeker eyes had figured out why. Each of them wore a pair of hard plastic boots laced tightly up their ankles. On the bottom of the boots a series of wheels were attached one behind the last and it was their striking the pavement and riding over it that was making the sounds he had heard.

Before he could respond they had reached the top of the stairs at which point the girl lept into the air followed by the boy. One after the other they landed lightly on the edge of the railing, using the wheels of the boots to slide down to the lower floor. Just before they hit the banister they once more leapt off and landed lightly back on the florr before shooting off in a different direction.

Harry was unable to do anything but stare after them fro several minutes. He did manage to vaguely point when Filtch arrived several moments later in hot, if slow, pursuit. It had finally happened. After seven years as a student, two as a professor and countless visits, he had at last seen the absolute strangest thing Hogwarts had to offer. When he finally broke out his stupor he found himself laughing quietly. It was reassuring that even after all these years the old castle could still surprise him.

Finally managing to shake himself to some sort of order he once more continued toward the front door. He glanced back once or twice as he went still not entirely sure he had actually seen what he knew he had. He was still in his slightly disbelieving reverie when he arrived at the front door and to his great surprise found Ron waiting for him. The flat look on the other man's face wiped his mind clear instantly. As he reached his partner Harry's brow furrowed with the unasked quation. Ron responded in a quiet voice.

"Crookly's dead." Harry's eyes shot wide open. "Three of ours are at St. Mungo's and it's even odds whether they'll walk out again. Vance has been wiped and half the Auror corps is screaming bloody murder. The other half is trying to figure out who gave away the address to the safehouse." The information hit Harry like rapid fire slaps to the face. He had been here talking to the children and now at least one person was dead, another victim had been attacked and the he hadn't stopped it. Sudden sharp focus lodges itself in his mind and he knew at once what he had to do.

"Let's go." Ron merely nodded before turning to follow his partner at a walk, a trot and then a dead run across the courtyard ad through the outer gates of the school. They waited for almost a full second once they passed the apparition bariier before turning in place and disappearing.

Harry appeared on a line of windswept rocks that formed the shattered coastline of northern Scotland. Ron appeared several yards to his left on somewhat safer ground. Before them was a small open space an hour's walk from the nearest town where a small house stood. Its battered siding and faded paint were a testament to the weather just as the many charms and repelling wards on it were a testament to its purpose. The ministry had chosen this spot to build one of its safehouses.

Though the structure looked ready to fall down at any moment it was perfectly structurally sound. Its existence and location, and that of its many brothers, was a secret of the Auror corps kept almost as close as that of Azkaban's location. Harry had reviewed the file on each of the people the Ministry had placed into protective custody and was vaguely aware Vance had been placed here. But despite the charms and wards it hadn't worked.

As they drew closer the exact level to shich their protective measures had failed became apparent in the missing corner of the second floor. They were a dozen feet from the building when someone in grey robes stepped out the door, wand drawn and looked them over. "There you are." Seamus raised his wand and indicated the inside of the building with a jerk of his head. Harry felt some need to explain himself.

"Yeah. Came as soon as I heard. I was at Hogwarts talking to the Defense classes." Seamus nodded werily as he gestured further in.

"You needn't have hurried. It was all over hours ago. They missed their lunch check in so Dean and I came up to investigate. When we got here…" he pointed to several places on walls, cupboards, furniture and the ceiling. Years of training and experience let Harry read the tell tale signs of a magical battle. Ron was leaning down to investigate some scorch marks on what was left of a chair.

"Looks like a hell of a fight." Dean nodded as he entered from the hallway.

"It was. At least two hundred spells cast. They didn't go down easy." Beyond him Harry could make out several other Aurors carefully investigating the building. Ron rose from his inspection.

"And yet, even with a four to one advantage, they were crushed." Seamus nodded slowly.

"Yeah. So, have you two figured out what we're up against? Cause it damn sure isn't just some random Dementors. And the thought this is just the one person you encountered is terrifying." Harry cocked his head slightly to the side.

"We think so. It looks like a former American Duelist Club Member who went bad. Though so far we've found now explanation for her incredible strength." The pair stared back at him for a long moment before Seamus let out a low whistle.

"Let's hope you find something soon. Judging by this it'll take half the Auror Corps to stop her." As he finished footsteps could be heard descending the stairs. Harry was surprised to see Martin Turner coming down from the second floor with fear in his eyes.

"Sirs? There's something you'll want to see up here." As eh turned and led the way the four of them followed up the narrow staircase. Emerging on the second floor Harry could see clear out over the sea through the hole that had been blasted in the wall. What Martin directed their attention to however was a section of wall to the right. Though damaged as well the most prominent feature was a message burned into the plaster with a deft hand.

Hide as you will. I will find them all.

And claim them for my own.

Below these lines was a third, this one struck more erratically and cut deeper into the wall going so far as to burn the studs within.

All shall be bound in one

Harry stared at the message for a long time trying to discern any hidden meaning that might be found there. Magically scribing it onto a piece of parchement he stuck the note in his pocket to show to Hermione later. While he considered it Ron turned to Martin.

"Contact the Ministry. Tell them to move the others and their guards. Don't stay anywhere more than a few days and be extra careful not to be seen. Understand?" The man quickly jotted down the message before nodding. "Good. Hurry." Harry could hear Dean speaking behind him.

"Think that will help." Ron shrugged in response.

"Hopefully. At the very least it might keep them safe long enough for us to track her down." Harry turned form the wall and looked over the scene of ruin that lay before him. Four aurors, good ones too, and Siona had managed to walk in and take exactly what she wanted. This had to stop. Soon.

"There's nothing you could do. It was all over long before you could have intervened." Harry half yelled his response.

"That doesn't make it any easier!" He slashed powerfully with the sword of Godric Gryffindor while driving toward Keystone, his blows trying to find an opening in the man's steel defense. Once more the blows were turned aside and pulled the blade back to a defensive angle while striking out with his wand.

Stepping deftly across the broken island of stone bore down on man in white once more trying everything he could think of to break through his shield of spell and blade. Keystone gave no inch easily and battered on Harry as hard as he received. They had been at it nearly an hour with Harry's recounting of events in fragments and half sentences while they fought.

"Crookly's still dead, the other three may not make it and at least some part of the reason is that I couldn't beat her when we fought!" He drove forward even harder, his blows becoming fast and furious as he switched from sword to wand and back. Some small part of his mind was ringing in warning. It was anger driving his assult now, rage at his own failure. He wanted to win, wanted to hurt Alex, drive him to his knees and crush him. His blows grew more forceful and the former professor was forced to retreat at ever increasing speed.

"And most of it is because she's a vindicitive, murderous bitch who will kill and destroy whatever and whoever is necessary to get what she wants." The man was attacking less and concentrating on defense. This only incensed Harry as it made getting through even more difficult.

"Fight back!" The man smiled an infuriating grin and responded.

"No need. You're getting sloppy. It would be too easy."

"Easy? You…!" Harry increased the power of his spells, struck harderd with the sword, his anger fueling a devestaing attack. Though the man continued to retreat his defnse refused to buckle. Harry could see a calmness in his face and it only caused his rage to increase. He was trying to fight someone and they wouldn't fight back. And yet, he couldn't beat them either.

"Focus Potter. You need to focus." Harry was shaking now and it had nothing to do with the wind and waves battering them. He didn't want to focus, he wanted to fight. He could see the battle with Siona replay itself in his mind and he battered on Keystone as if he was the overpowered witch. The man's voice was serene as she spoke from behind whirling steel and a blurring wand. "Focus Potter. Your hero complex needs focus. Rage will just-"

"SHUT UP!" Harry roared. Focus? Fine. Focus on this! Feeling a wave rise behind him he jabbed out his wand and collected the water. Sending it toward his opponent he waited until it had begun to break around the shield Jeystone had raised before transmuting it all into an avalance of granite. The sudden change smashed through the shield and battered the man with fragments of stone. Weakly jumping clear of the onslougth the man rolled to his knees and tried to raise the sword. But it was too late. Harry was there and already dropping a killing stroke toward the man's shoulder.

Time seemed to slow as Harry stared down at Siona's kneeling form. Finally. He could end it. Stop this madness and protect everyone. He could protect…

'Daddy?' It was Lily, terror in her eyes. That was how she had looked the night…Hedwig had died. In a heartbeat his vision cleared and he saw Keystone kneeling on the stone, eyebrows raised in surprise. Harry threw everything he had left into deflecting the blow and managed to miss the man. The blade arced to the side and cut a deep grove in the stone.

Harry stumbled backward and shook violently, the adrenaline leaving his system in an instant. He dropped the blade and nearly dropped his wand and he stared at nothing and realized what he had almost done. Exhastion filled him and he found himself on his knees, staring at the stone. He didn't know how long it was before he heard Keystone pick up Godric's sword and step closer.

"And that's why you need to learn focus. I knew you were upset and just looking for a fight. The one you didn't have at the safehouse. But I didn't realize how much it was eating at you. I shouldn't have pushed that hard. Here." As Harry strugledled to his feet the man extended the sword toward him. Instead Haryr undid his belt and handed the sheath over.

"Keep it. I can't trust myself with it right now." Keystone nodded slowly before accepting the sheah.

"As you say. I'll keep it safe until you need it."

"Thanks." Harry let out a long breath that drained what little energy he had left. "I'm sorry. I nearly killed you. I don't know what I was thinking."

"I doubt you were. And don't worry. It would take more than that to finish me off." Keystone paused as he glanced around. "You need rest Potter. Go home. Have something to eat. I think you've worked out your agressiong for the moment. Now that you're free of it you can get back to work." Harry nodded firmly.

"Right. Still got to solve this case. Got to track down Siona and put a stop to her."

'Right. Now…" He glanced at the sky and somehow discerned the time. "I've got other things to attend to. Until next time Mr. Potter."

"Until then." Harry disapparated a moment after Alex. Arriving back at Grimmauld he felt lighter despite the fact he was nearly exhausted. He had needed to work out that rage and now his mind felt clearer. Carefully slinging his cloak onto a hook he headed for the staircase. Perhaps there was some food to be had.

(A/N): If you feel it is warranted go ahead and review. I welcome any and all opinions.