So I wanted to update a few days ago, but Fanfiction wouldn't upload my new chapter. I took a few days, but finally it gave in.

I know that the end of that last chapter was kind of sudden, but really, I didn't want to bore you with a few chapters of the crew living a couple of boring years. The main points that had happened in those years will be highlighted in this chapter later. Things I don't speak of will be revealed as the story goes. You may see something odd here in the beginning since I don't explain right away, but just go with it.

Also, I received a review asking why I'm keeping the story going and not starting a sequel instead. They seemed to think the "second chance" is over. While I can see your point, I respectfully disagree. This whole new thing happened because they didn't fully use their second chance to their advantage, and now they must make sure their chance wasn't in vain. Ian was a part of the first timeline. While not a big part, if left alone, he would have been.

I would like to thank everyone who voted on my poll. If you haven't, please do! Thanks again, and here is the next chapter.

Chapter 24: The New War

1 Week Ago…

It was odd really. He looked at the old house, wondering how this dilapidated old building could have once looked so majestic. Riddle Manor. The home of his ancestors. He had nothing against them of course, they were upstanding citizens, quite wealthy as well. Then came the Gaunts. What idiots they truly were. The whole idea of pure-blood supremacy, it made him sick. It wasn't true, any of it really. Magic was magic, you were either born with it or not. You were either born with strong magic or weak magic, this talent or that talent. It was more a luck of the draw really. Sure, the more potent your parents or lineage were, the more likely you were to be as strong if not stronger, but in the whole scope of things, muggleborns or half-bloods could be just as strong, if not stronger.

Ian Velmordom, or Lord Venom as he called himself now, walked up to the front door, studying it before flicking his wand, causing it to open with a small groan. He looked behind him to see two of his Charms experts working on a Fidelius Charm around the house. It wouldn't do for the enemy to find this place. He walked into the house, seeing the dust and cobwebs all over. He sneered in disgust. He knew his father had been here for months, why he didn't order a minion to clean it up was beyond him. He would have some of his men clean it later.

Yes, he knew of his father. Tom Marvolo Riddle, or Lord Voldemort. It was only fitting that he turn his name into an anagram as well. He was surprised how nicely his name worked out. He had received it from his muggle mother. He had to use some Veritiserum and a few curses, but he finally got the whole story out of her. She had lived in Britain as a child. When she was eighteen, she had been raped by none other than Tom Riddle. His father had been bored one night on a muggle raid, and having seen her, decided to… entertain himself. He left her alive, putting her under a compulsion charm to never reveal what truly happen. Another charm was used to make her relive the horror three or four times a week in her dreams. She had never told a soul about that night, claiming to her mother, who happened to be out of town the day of the raid, that it was her boyfriend of the time that had done it. One thing happened that his father did not expect. She was pregnant. Wishing for a new life, she moved to America, where he had been born. His talent for magic had quickly become known and he began his schooling at the Chicago Institute of Magic. It was there he discovered his extensive abilities, where he excelled in magic. He was quite the gifted child, not only in academics, but in sports and social events as well. He was a quiet but powerful force on the Quidditch pitch, as well as a young man wealthy in loyal friends. He had always had a dark streak however.

His thirst for knowledge never lessened. He constantly learned, constantly improved himself. Nothing was too much for him to handle. He eventually delved deeper into magic, immersing himself in the darkest and foulest to the lightest and purest magic. He was addicted. After discovering his father, he planned to eventually align with him, to meet the man who so easily manipulated and defeated the world, until he met his end at the hands of Harry Potter. He had learned of his father's death through Igor Karkaroff. He had tracked the coward down and forced all the information out of his mind before disposing of him. He had learned how Voldemort had called for his Death Eaters, only to have been defeated not minutes afterwards. He read between the lines of the little information he was given. He knew exactly what had happened in that graveyard.

He knew that his father spoke of pure-bloods and how they were so great, but he also knew that his father didn't believe a word of it either. No, he couldn't have. His father was all about power. He used the old pure-blood family ideals as a means to get to the top. Once he defeated all the mudblood loving scum, he would have destroyed them as well. No, his father didn't want to rule. He wanted revenge. Revenge on a world that was so cruel to him as a child. On a world that left him alone. He had the same ideas. He too wanted revenge on this world. He of course wasn't alone, nor was the world cruel to him, but he saw the disease that was the human race. It was weak, deficient, uncaring, too arrogant to truly advance into an age of greatness. It disgusted him. He was out for revenge against the masses, revenge for what should have been.

This world would burn before his feat.

ooOooOoo

"Follow me," Harry commanded to the other five time travelers while quickly standing. Many in the Great Hall were watching with rapt attention. "Susan, Draco, you're with us," he announced, sweeping out of the Great Hall. He was followed by the other seven. Before he left the hall, he nodded to Albus, who merely nodded back in understanding. He walked out of the Entrance Hall and out onto the grounds, steadily making his way to the gates.

"Ginny, take Susan to Bones' Manor, Fidelius Charm. Hermione and Ron, the Granger's. Luna and Draco, the Lovegood's. Neville, your parents are home right now, so go alone. Percy and Bill should be at the Burrow, so I'll go alone there as well." As he finished, they just passed the wards and they all disappeared at the same time.

Harry appeared at the Burrow's apparation point with a duck and roll, coming up, a shield sprouting around him, deflecting several nasty looking curses. He quickly scanned the property, noticing there were a dozen men in blood red robes attacking the house. Percy and Bill were a few feet from the main door, fighting eight of them at once to a standstill. Fleur, Molly, and Arthur had the backdoor covered, defending it from three separate attackers. One had been watching the apparation point for reinforcements when Harry had come. Harry couldn't see his attacker's face; they were all wearing their hoods, no doubt charmed to stop people from seeing them. Harry ran forward, slapping several more curses away before sweeping his wand in front of him, a hail of cutting curses swallowing the man, cutting him down. Harry then blurred into shadows, appearing behind the men facing Percy and Bill. He grabbed the heads of two of them, smashing them together, knocking them both unconscious with a sickening crack. Seeing Harry, Bill bolted back into the house, intent on going to help his wife and parents. Harry and Percy quickly began to take the advantage, cutting down two more.

"Retreat!" one man yelled, before they all disappeared. Harry scanned the lawn, noticing the two he killed and the two he knocked out disappeared as well.

"Connected Portkeys," Harry murmured as he turned to Percy. "Good work mate." Percy scowled as he healed a small cut on his arm.

"Who were they?" he asked. "I've never seen robes like that. They were better trained as well, not like Death Eaters," he continued as they made their way back into the house. "If it wasn't for the hidden alarm around the apparation point announcing the arrival of unknown people, they would have killed us quite easily."

"Did you see the Daily Prophet?" Harry asked. Percy shook his head as they walked into the family room to see Fleur healing a long gash on Arthur's leg. "There is a new Dark Lord," Harry stated, getting gasps from the others. "I came to put the Fidelius Charm up. I know who the man is and I knew he would come for the Burrow. I just didn't think he would come so quickly," Harry muttered. Fleur had just finished, allowing Arthur to stand.

"Well, shall we begin?" Bill asked, fingering his wand. "I haven't put the charm up in a while, but I think I can handle it," he said with a smirk. Harry nodded, turning to the other Weasley brother.

"Percy, go to the Ministry, get the Aurors on high alert. Get word to the twins and Charlie." Percy nodded, quickly disappearing. "Fleur, Molly, Arthur, go to Potter Manor. You can't be in the house while we do this," he continued. They nodded and quickly flooed. "Let's go Bill."

ooOooOoo

Hermione and Ron appeared in the living room of the Grangers, startling her parents.

"Hermione? What are you doing here?" Robin Granger said, standing from her spot on the sofa. Ron quickly raced out of the room, much to their surprise.

"Mom, Dad, no time to explain," she said, grabbing their hands and apparating to Potter Manor. "Dobby!" The house elf in question appeared. "Keep my parents comfortable. Others should be here any moment," she finished, disappearing again before her parents could get another word out. She appeared just inside her front door. Looking out, she found Ron behind several conjured stone walls, defending the house from six men in blood red robes. She quickly stepped out, shadows appearing around her, quickly forming into small demons that began to fly at the intruders. She could almost feel the fear of the men as she ran forward, a swarm of stunners flying from her wand, accompanied by Ron's spells. They six quickly fell, not ready for the fear-inspiring illusions Hermione had unleashed. She knew they only sent six as they didn't expect magical resistance at a muggle home.

"Fidelius Charm Ron, go!" Ron quickly ran to the edge of the property, slowly tracing it while waving his wand slowly at the house, chanting long spells under his breath. She was about to conjure chains around her captives when they disappeared with a small pop. She cursed under her breath. "Damn Portkeys," she muttered as she put up illusions to stop any muggles from seeing them.

ooOooOoo

Ginny and Susan appeared at the Bones Manor, ready for a fight, but there was none. They quickly entered the house, Ginny thanking Merlin that it was a Sunday and that Amelia and Sirius were home. If there was an attack, they could use the help.

"Sirius Black, get your arse down here!" Ginny yelled as they stepped into the foyer. Sirius quickly came running down the staircase off to the left of the hall, his pants having obviously been hastily put on as they were backwards.

"Great Merlin Ginny you scared the hell out of me," he said. "What do you need?"

"I need for you, Amelia, and Serena to come with me and Susan," she said quickly. "We need to put the house under the Fidelius Charm…" was all she said before several explosions rocked the house. "Shit, get everyone out of here," she yelled, shoving Susan toward him. She knew they didn't have the time to save the house, so she was going to make sure it went down with a bang. She felt those explosions come from different parts of the house. She was sure they were surrounded. She turned back to the main doors, taking a deep breath and raising her wand over her head. She didn't hear the footsteps of Sirius and Susan or the roar of the floo as they left. She was chanting under her breath, quietly but steadily getting louder. She saw the doors getting ready to buckle under the strain of the spells hitting them.

"Ex divum adveho flamma!" she roared, waving her wand in a circle over her head before slashing it forward. It was only a couple seconds later she heard the screams as the spell took effect. She burst into shadows, disappearing from the home and appearing off the property. Turning around, she gazed at the once large home that was getting slammed with large fireballs that seemed to be raining from the sky. She saw a dozen men in blood red robes jumping away from the flames. Several were on fire while several were already dead. The house was ablaze and she thought at least another dozen were inside. The last remaining few outside disappeared, causing the dead to as well. Bones Manor would have been lost anyways as four against twenty-four wasn't very good odds. With a tired sigh, she gave a complicated twist of her wand while muttering under her breath for a minute, stopping the spell. It was immensely draining, and she barely had enough energy to apparate to Potter Manor, where she promptly collapsed in exhaustion.

ooOooOoo

Percy sprinted into Auror Headquarters. He ran quickly through the door to Scrimgeour's office. The weekend had a rotation of Aurors on Saturday and Sunday, while Scrimgeour was one of the few there every day of the week.

"Sir, set all Aurors on high alert!" Percy said quickly, surprising the older man, who was working on paperwork revolving around Fudge's death. "There have been attacks," he explained, giving a quick version of the attack on the Burrow. Scrimgeour nodded, quickly exiting his office.

"Shacklebolt! Take a team to Diagon Alley, reinforce the security there," he ordered. Kingsley nodded, pointing out ten Aurors and leaving the office. "Dawlish, take a team to St. Mungos." Eleven more Aurors left the room. There were about one hundred active Aurors on the force right now, fifty on duty that day. He only had eight more left in the office at the moment. "Weasley, take the remaining eight to the Atrium." Percy nodded, leading the others out. Scrimgeour quickly made his way back to his office, intent on calling in the Aurors off duty to reinforce other key areas.

ooOooOoo

Luna and Draco appeared on the outskirts of Ottery St. Catchpole only to receive a horrifying sight. The large chess rook shaped house was now a smoldering ruin. Luna and Draco ran forward, seeing a dozen men in blood red cloaks standing around the house. Hearing the footsteps, the men turned. Luna looked at what they were surrounding, finding the crumpled form of her father.

"What have you done?" she hissed in anger, magic starting to sway around her. Draco had his wand out as well, off to the side of Luna. The tall man in the center turned fully toward her, lowering his hood. Luna and Draco were momentarily surprised at the young man standing before them. His curly dark brown hair fell around his young face, his dark brown eyes taking the two of them in with boredom. He couldn't have been more than twenty five years old.

"Luna Lovegood," he murmured. "I am glad you came, just in time to see your father breathe his last breath," he said quietly, a green light shooting from his wand and hitting Xenophilius Lovegood in the chest. With a small grin, the twelve disappeared. Luna gave a strangled sob before racing to her father, tears beginning to stream down her face.

"No, not again," she whispered in anguish, hugging her father's body to her. Draco scanned the area, making sure there was no one else around. In doing so, he missed the whispered sentence from Luna.

"Luna, we need to leave," he said quietly. "No telling if they will come back."

ooOooOoo

Neville appeared at Longbottom Manor's apparation point, swiftly moving toward the house. He could hear the sounds of spellfire already. He entered the entrance hall to see that his mother, father, and grandmother had barricaded themselves behind hastily conjured walls, alternately shielding and attacking their two dozen opponents. The enemy had yet to notice Neville's entrance, which Neville quickly took advantage of. The men were split into three groups of eight, one defending while the other two were launching curses. Neville turned to one of the attacking groups, sending two silent but very potent exploding curses, blowing a hole in the wall but also tearing apart all eight of the men. He spun and shot two more at another group, only one getting through but it was still enough to kill three and injure the other five. He threw up some hasty shields and rolled away as curses flew at him. He knew his family was beginning to attack more ferociously now that he was there. He got up and began to duel when he heard the dreaded words.

"Avada Kedavra!" the leader of the group yelled in a surprisingly young yet harsh voice. A sickly green bolt shot from the man's wand, crossing the long distance with near impossible accuracy and slamming into his grandmother's chest.

"NO!" Frank yelled as the men disappeared with a pop. Neville slowly walked up to his parents, his father holding his grandmother in his arms.

"Dad, take Gran to Potter Manor," he said quietly, holding in his own grief. His father nodded through his tears, disappearing. He turned to his mother. "Mum, come with me, we need to put the house under the Fidelius."

ooOooOoo

"Mister and Missus Grangers, you be coming with me," Dobby said, grabbing their hands and leading them into one of the sitting rooms.

"Erm, Dobby was it?" Mrs. Granger asked timidly. She had of course heard of house elves enough from Hermione to notice one when she saw it, but it was still a bit weird for her. "Do you know why we are here?" Dobby nodded, his ears flapping around his head.

"Bad wizards be attacking your home. You stay here while Harry Potter sir and his friends make it safe." He then snapped his fingers, causing tea to appear in front of them. Another snap and he was gone. Robin turned to her husband as she hesitantly took the cup of tea.

"What do you think is going on Eric?" she asked him. He just shrugged, taking a sip of his tea. It was only a minute later when Arthur, Molly, and Fleur entered the room, being led by Dobby. Robin sighed in relief at seeing a familiar face.

"Hello Molly," she said, standing up to greet the other woman. "Do you have any idea what is happening? One minute we are watching the telly and the next, Hermione brings us here in a blink of an eye."

"Oh don't worry dear, it will all be explained when they get back," she said, concern laced in her voice. "Safe to say, you will be fine here." She turned to introduce Fleur when she noticed Eric staring at the younger girl in a daze. "Fleur dear," she said with a hint of a smile, pointing at the man.

"Oh, sorry Mister Granger," she said in much better English than years past while pulling in her charm. She hadn't been paying attention and her aura had gotten away from her. A muggle would stand no chance seeing through it. The man shook his head as if to clear it. "I am what wizards call a Veela. We have a natural charm that can put men under an almost slavish control," she explained sheepishly. Robin was watching her husband with amusement as he blushed in embarrassment. "I am Fleur, Bill's wife," she said, shaking their hands. Robin smiled at the girl. She had met all of the Weasleys before and knew who Bill was. It was then that Molly heard voices in the hall. Sirius, Amelia, and Susan came into the room, little Serena in Amelia's arms.

"Ginny can handle herself," Amelia voiced again, her voice daring Sirius to even challenge her decision. Sirius looked mutinous but sat down in a vacant chair. Dobby was now popping in with more tea and cookies as they all sat down.

"I need to go back to the school, Professor Dumbledore will probably want to know what happened," Susan said, quickly leaving the room and disapparating. She had been told of the time-travelers shortly after Voldemort's defeat. There were several more pops and they turned to the doorway to see a very downtrodden Luna walk by, a body with a white sheet over it floating behind her. Draco walked into the room, his face grim.

"We were too late," he said quietly, getting several gasps in response. "I'll head back to the school. Dumbledore can probably use all the authority he can get," he murmured, turning and walking back out of the room. Soon there was another pop. Frank walked past the room, the form of his mother lying limp in his arms. He stopped at the doorway, shook his head, and kept walking to find a room for her. There was another pop, followed by a thump. Confused, Sirius pulled out his wand and walked out of the room.

"Ginny!" he said loudly, running up to the girl. Several others were right behind him. He checked her over quickly, running a few basic charms over her he learned from Auror training. "She's alright, just exhausted," Sirius announced, getting several sighs of relief. "Whatever she did, it's going to keep her out for a while." He gently picked her up, intent on bringing her to the master bedroom.

It was an hour later that there were several cracks in the entrance hall. Harry walked in the room, leading Bill, Neville, Alice, Ron, and Hermione. Harry's eyes scanned over everyone there.

"Where is Luna?" Neville asked quietly.

"In your room here at the Manor," Sirius answered. "She lost her father." Neville nodded, quickly leaving the room. Harry closed his eyes for a minute before opening them, looking to Sirius, who seemed to be the one answering questions.

"Did we lose anyone else?" he asked.

"Augusta," Alice said in a whisper. She quickly left the room as well, planning on finding Frank. Harry felt through his connection, noticing Ginny was in the house asleep. He sighed and sat down next to Sirius. Ron and Hermione walked to Eric and Robin, while Bill made his way to stand by Fleur. Harry gazed at the group before him. So much had happened so quickly. He doubted as well that they were the only targets. He thought back to all that had happened since Voldemort.

They had brought Fudge as well as several other important Ministry officials and press members to the graveyard, showing the defeat of Voldemort and his Death Eaters. The group had decided earlier to change a few of the details of the fight. They told how Harry had been kidnapped, and if it had not been for the few Unspeakables who had been in the area and noticed the fighting, Harry most likely would not have lived the night. With the Unspeakables' help and the timely arrival of Dumbledore, they were able to win. Needless to say the press was practically drooling with the information. They managed to keep it relatively correct, although the praise was heaped a little more on Harry than anyone else. Fudge had barely been able to keep his job after the public learned of his error.

The next year of school had been a joyous occasion for the time-travelers. It had been boring, just the way they wanted it to be. There were no great adventures, no dark lords, no minions, no giant creatures. Remus was once again the DADA teacher, and even Severus managed to be less harsh in his lessons, surprising them by the depth he began to teach at. Albus had been surprisingly helpful to the six, explaining that since they changed so much, why not something else? Hermione and Ron had become prefects once again, although at the urging of Harry. Susan had been told of their past timeline and had become one of their most trusted friends, even coming down to the Chamber of Secrets from time to time. The biggest surprise had been Draco Malfoy. He had shown up to the first morning session the six hosted. Since that morning, he had become much less uptight and snobbish, even having several friends outside Slytherin. He still wasn't what you would call a friend, but he would follow Harry if Harry asked. Ron had blown away the competition for the spot at Keeper as well. OWLs had been quite easy for the group, and they were sure they passed with flying colors. Outside the school had changed as well. Sirius had finally asked Amelia to marry him, much to the happiness of all their friends. Susan was ecstatic, having already come to see Sirius as a goofy uncle. It wasn't long after their marriage that they announce the coming of their first child. Bill and Fleur had met at Gringotts and had become quite the pair. Bill was constantly teased about his 'English lessons' with the beautiful French girl. Remus and Tonks also got together, the fun-loving Auror bringing the Marauder back out of Remus. He seemed to grow younger by the day.

Sixth year was another year of happiness. Ginny, Hermione, and Luna had walked into the school with engagement rings on their fingers, much to the astonishment of the other students. Harry, Ron, and Neville merely grinned and answered that they were quite sane and loved their respected fiancé very much. Madam Hooch had decided to retire, opening the position for Flying Instructor. To Susan's happiness, Victor had claimed it. He had been welcomed by the whole school, not only as a Quidditch star but as a friend to many. Harry had once again been announced Quidditch Captain, and much to everyone's surprise, moved to play chaser. Ginny became a chaser as well, while Hermione beat the competition for the open Seeker spot. She didn't plan on trying out at first, but was quickly persuaded by everyone else. Amelia had given birth to a beautiful baby girl in October, naming her Serena. She had her father's black hair but her mother's soft hazel eyes. Percy had passed out of Auror training with flying colors, quickly being put on active duty. Bill and Fleur had also become engaged toward the end of the school year.

The summer leading up to their seventh year had been short and a little worrisome. The United States had been plagued with several high profile deaths and the loss of several national relics. They had ignored the warning signs, although now Harry knew they should have prepared. Besides Bill and Fleur's marriage, it had been a quiet summer vacation for Britain. Harry and Ginny, as Head Boy and Girl, had taken control of the train and safely saw it to Hogsmeade, where soon after they received the news of Fudge's death. Harry stood there now, looking over the others, wondering how things went wrong so quickly.

"Did all the houses get the Fidelius Charm put up?" he asked.

"Bones Manor and Luna's home are gone," Amelia told him. At seeing the guilty look on Harry's face, she continued, "They were only material possessions. We can easily get them back." Harry put his face in his hands, anger swelling in him. This wasn't supposed to happen. The whole point of the second chance was to stop this. He lifted his hands, slamming his fists into the coffee table in front of him. It buckled and broke to pieces against his fury.

"Venom picked the wrong person to piss off," he growled. "If he wants war, we'll give him war."

ooOooOoo

"Damn it this hurts," one of the men growled as he sat on one of the beds in the room. It had once been a large parlor; however they had changed it into an infirmary. There were many beds and most of them were full of injured fighters. Several Healers were running around, checking on patients and healing where they could. As a healer began to treat the large burns on his right side, three men walked up to the bed.

"What happened to you Nick?" the tallest asked, a frown on his face.

"When we began our attack on Bones Manor, the sky began to rain fire," Nick explained, pain laced in his voice. "Someone inside used the Hellfire Tempest Curse." The three men raised eyebrows at that, surprise evident in their faces.

"That curse is a pain in the ass to use," the shortest and youngest of them said. "Assuming that person survived using it, they will be tough to beat," he said, obviously liking the idea of a challenge. The oldest just smirked at him.

"And you think that you will be the one to take this person on?" he asked. "Ian will be first in line to take them on."

"Did I hear my name?" a silky voice asked behind them. They turned to see Lord Venom walk up to them. The tallest of the four just smiled at the man and shook his hand.

"Ah, hello my lord," the tallest said mockingly. "It is a pleasure to serve." Venom just smirked, smacking him in the back of the head. "You know, sometimes I wonder why we are friends," the tallest muttered, rubbing the back of his head.

"Shut it Matt," Venom said. He looked at the group of four, some of his most trusted friends. They were the Saple Brothers, some of the best to ever go through the Chicago Institute of Magic. They had power and skill in spades, one of them almost equal to himself. All four were very charismatic in their own ways, both magically and physically. The eldest was Chris. He was of a medium height with a well built and stocky frame, short brown hair and brown eyes. A few years older than himself, he liked to use physical attacks while fighting, giving him an edge over wizards who use magic only.

Matt was the next in line. Matt was the same age as himself, as well as being his oldest friend. He was the tallest of the four, his curly dark brown hair falling around his face, a sparkle of knowledge in his brown eyes. His thin athletic frame made him quick and agile. He was an expert in Transfiguration and Charms, allowing him to be a very powerful duelist. Matt's magical power nearly rivaled his own.

Nick, who was lying in the bed, was similar in body type as Matt. He was just an inch shorter, his athletic frame allowing for quick movement. He had short, buzzed brown hair, his brown eyes normally twinkling with excitement. A strong duelist, he was very fond of explosive spells.

Zack was the youngest, having just graduated from the Institute the previous school year. With his long brown hair, the few freckles on his face, and the cool glint in his brown eyes, he practically radiated that sense of 'being cool'. Short and athletic, he possessed quick reflexes and speed. He had a talent for long distance spell casting as well.

"How did all your attacks go?" Venom asked curiously. He himself had just gotten back from killing the Heads of Magical Transportation and Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. He had only planned on the Head of Transportation, but they were together at the time, which made it easier. Matt turned to him with a smirk.

"Xenophilius Lovegood is dead. His daughter had come just in time to see it happen too," he explained. "It was too easy, although that Luna girl has some power, I could sense it. Cute too," Matt said with a smirk. Venom rolled his eyes and nodded, turning to Chris, who grimaced.

"The Weasleys were much more defended than I thought. There must have been an alarm system we missed because they knew we were there. That one Auror in the family sure knows how to duel as well," he said in annoyance. "Potter himself showed up during it and we had to back out. Potter has power, and a lot of it." Venom's eyes narrowed. He knew Potter would be his biggest challenge. Even if he was just seventeen, he was more than anyone had ever expected.

"The Longbottoms were home when I got there," Zack piped in. "The two Auror parents managed to barricade themselves pretty well. The Longbottom kid came in behind us in the middle of it, sent a few blasters into our groups," Zack said. "I managed to drop a shield to block the worst of the effects for my group before sniping out the old lady." Venom turned to where Nick was lying, allowing the healer to spread a thick orange paste on his burns.

"I take it Amelia Bones got away?" he asked.

"We got there and I sent a few exploding hexes at various weak spots of the house. Only one team got in before the air and sky began to swirl with fire," he explained. "Someone used the Hellfire Tempest." Venom's face took a look of interest.

"That's a difficult spell," he murmured. "I tried it once and it knocked me out for a day afterwards." He wasn't mad at the two for missing their targets. He knew that these were most likely some of the most difficult targets. Two for four isn't that bad. "Very well. Brandon, Holly, and Jasmine have some targets for the night. Matt, I want you to take out the Head of Magical Games and Sports tonight as well," he ordered, getting a sharp nod from Matt. Venom smirked in satisfaction. The fight had just begun, and he already held a distinct advantage.

ooOooOoo

Ginny groggily rolled over, feeling exhausted and sore all over. Her eyes fluttered open to find concerned green ones looking right back. She smiled at Harry, although she knew he wouldn't be too happy with her. He had yet to figure out what she had done to earn herself a long stay in bed. When he saw her smile, he gave one of relief in return.

"Welcome back to the realm of the living," he teased gently as he kissed her forehead. "You have been out for two days. I would take a peek at what you did to be this magically exhausted, but I have a feeling I'm not going to like what I see," he said quietly, a frown appearing over his face. Seeing her eyes look away, he continued. "What spell did you use Gin?"

"Hellfire Tempest," she whispered, preparing herself for his verbal tongue lashing. To her surprise, it never came. She felt his hand gently grab her chin, forcing her to turn and look back into his eyes. She was just able feel his anger and disappointment before he squashed it down. He gave her a soft kiss, before getting into the bed and wrapping his arms around her.

"You know that I hate that spell," he murmured. The Hellfire Tempest Curse caused immense strain on the body. Most couldn't even cast the spell, let alone control it. They had all learned it with the Unspeakables, however only Harry had ever used it before now. People had died performing it, usually as a last ditch effort to bring as much damage to the enemy as possible. He had done it in a controlled environment with expert healers standing by. He was in a coma for three days before he awoke from it. "It is far too draining and too wild. You were lucky today Ginny. However, I trust your judgment. Promise me you will only ever use that spell in the most dire of circumstances? It wasn't needed today."

"I promise," she whispered. Harry smiled again, giving her waist a squeeze.

"Go to sleep Ginny. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow."