Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter characters.

Chapter Twenty-seven: Revelations

Boxing Day

"Headmistress McGonagal?"

Minerva McGonagal's head swiveled toward the floo call summons in her office. It wasn't the call itself that startled her, (she was use to receiving dozens of these each week), it was the source of the call that intrigued her.

"What can I do for you, Miss Weasley?" Minerva called politely into her fire.

"M-May I come through?" Ginny Weasley asked hesitantly. "It's rather important." she quickly added at seeing her former professor's reluctance to admit her.

"Alright, Ginevra." McGonagal agreed stepping back from the hearth.

A moment later, Ginny stepped out of the fireplace and dusted the soot she'd gathered off her jumper and jeans. She had not bothered donning robes this morning for expedience's sake.

"Would you care for some tea, Ginevra?" McGonagal offered politely, if a bit stiffly.

"N-No, thank you. I-I wonder if I can still take you up on your offer to view the memories of mine and Harry's past?" Ginny blurted out in a rush before she lost her nerve.

McGonagal quirked a curious expression. "Why now, Ginevra?" she asked skeptically.

Reluctantly, and with more courage than she would have given herself credit for, she confided in her former professor the substance of the reoccurring dreams she was experiencing, that and the night she'd shared in Harry's arms.

"I see." McGonagal returned rather dispassionately, schooling her features until she was able to turn away in the semblance of pondering Ginny's request.

It was when her back was turned that she allowed herself the luxury of crowing silently in triumph.

Schooling her features she turned back toward her former student.

"What you ask is possible, Ms. Weasley, however, the memories whose viewing you are requesting would take many hours, even days of careful viewing to completely digest the material. If you were to undertake such a venture, then I'm afraid that I must insist that you do so entirely. Once you start there can be no turning back." McGonagal cautioned.

"A-Alright" Ginny replied nervously, but with conviction.

"I require your witch's oath on it?" McGonagal pressed, her expression severe..

"I-I swear on my magic that I will view the entire contents of pensieve." Ginny vowed without hesitation.

A smile tugged at the corner of Minerva's lips as she swept her hand toward the alcove where the pensieve glowed beckoningly.

"The pensieve awaits, Ms. Weasley. I shall, of course, remain nearby if you should have any questions on the material you're about to see."

Ginny nodded her thanks and stepped toward the pensieve in resignation.

McGonagal offered up a silent prayer.

Merlin above, help her find her way back before it's too late.


Griphook shuffled nervously next to Harry. Normally he, like all goblins, felt peacefully content within the lower depths of Gringotts. The bowels of the earth had been the home of the goblins in ancient times.

It was within the earth that the goblins had harvested their enormous wealth in jewels and precious metals. Prosperity had arrived with the necessity to join the surface world. Business and finance became their new obsession, one that had proven more profitable than even mining the treasures of the earth.

Many still embraced the old ways. Many more still longed for the days when one sought his lively hood in the depths of the world. All goblins still longed for the peace and solitude that the ways afforded, but contented themselves with brief sojourns within deep caverns of exploration, beneath the streets of London. Even Raynock, the leader of the Goblin Nation, was known to take a brief respite now and again to connect with his Goblin roots, deep within the bowels of Gringotts.

Now the Goblins felt anything but contentment within the lowest tunnels beneath Gringotts. Sounds echoed from the unexplored depths; sounds of primal want and need. They were sounds that chilled the Goblins blood and raised their hackles in dread fear; sounds that drove the goblins from their beloved earthen roots, seeking refuge in the surface world.

The dwellers were coming.

Harry stood at the end of the Gringotts' rail system. A lonely tunnel stretched out into the darkness, its endless shadows held at bay by the sputtering torch clutched tightly in Griphook's hands.

Since the time of his first visit, Griphook had been his sole escort into the tunnels beneath Gringotts. He, like Harry, had always delighted in riding the rails at breakneck speed to the lower vaults beneath the Goblin bank. Today, Griphook looked as if he would rather be anywhere else in the world, than beneath his beloved bank.

Harry ignored the fidgeting of his companion and listened closely to the faint echoes that wafted up from the deepest bowels of the earth. Distant cries of endless hunger and rage drifted up to his ears. Harry's hand convulsively gripped the hilt of Gryffindor's sword at his side as he fought down his own primal instincts to flee in terror.

"Lord Knight?" Griphook reminded him nervously of the reason for their visit..

"Do Dragons still guard the lower vaults?" Harry mused as if thinking out loud.

"Many dragons, milord." Griphook returned with a hint of curiosity.

"How often are they fed? Are they like other reptiles and only eat occasionally, digesting their meals over several days?" Harry continued his vein of thought.

"Dragons have exceedingly high metabolisms, Lord Knight. Ravenous creatures they are. They're fed daily, sometimes even twice daily, lest they turn on their handlers."

Harry chanced a cunning grin in his companion's direction, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "They eat fresh meat, do they not?" He mused knowingly.

"The fresher the better, milord." Griphook acknowledged."Some even refuse that, preferring only live prey. The larger beasts consume between two and three cows a day, bones and all!"

"Wait two days and then release them, unfed. Then seal the tunnels to the surface behind them." Harry commanded.

"B-But sir?" Griphook stammered cautiously. "They become vicious; mad even, if they go wanting. In a week's time the larger beasts will prey on the younger ones, until naught but one remains. They are loath to feed on their own, but more so to go without." he warned ominously, not yet following the track of Harry's thoughts.

"So much the better., Griphook. If they crave fresh meat then they shall have to earn it. Within the week they will be able to eat their fill, and then some." Harry chortled.

Griphook's formerly gapping mouth curled into a wicked sneer of understanding.

"Milord is as cunning as he is brave. The magical brethren are well served by their chosen champion."

Harry nodded appreciatively. They returned to their waiting rail car for the journey to the surface, where Raynock awaited.

An hour later…

"A cunning idea, Harry." Raynock complimented. "The only downside in turning loose the dragons is that it will leave our more prominent vaults exposed to theft and destruction." he mused, cautiously considering Harry's suggestion.

Harry shrugged indifferently. "These creatures want blood, not treasure. Gold can be replaced, Goblin lives cannot." he returned humbly.

Raynock smiled appreciatively. "It shall be done, and gratefully so. It is a pleasure to associate with a wizard who values lives over all else. Would that the rest of the world saw the same wisdom?"

"Are you sure you won't change your mind and take a squad of Unspeakables to guard your halls against the coming storm?" Harry suggested worriedly.

Raynock waved him off with a gnarled hand. "Do not trouble yourself, young knight. An entire battalion of our finest goblin warriors are already on full alert, though I doubt any of the dwellers will survive an encounter with scores of ravenous dragons to contend with." he chuckled.

"Are you sure you won't reconsider my offer?" Raynock returned sincerely.

Harry shook his head. "You know as well as I that in the end the responsibility falls solely on my shoulders. Though I truly appreciate the offer of additional help; first and foremost protect our own. My destiny lies in the hands of fate. If I am to pass, I shall content myself with the knowledge that I can at last rejoin with those I have lost."

"See that you survive, young Harry. For I look forward to a long and profitable relationship and will not assume otherwise."

Harry shrugged incredulously as he vaguely outlined his plans. "To that end, I've whittled down our enemies and established a battleground that nullifies their numbers, along with a few other surprises that should put a dent or two in the opposition. I also arranged a welcoming committee for any that should foolishly venture to Hogwarts, whilst those inside remain safely protected within the castle's sheltering walls. A contingent of Unspeakables will be stationed in and around Hogsmeade. That leaves the Ministry, itself. If all goes according to plan, the majority of the ministry's key personal, along with those who's lives I value, will be in one place and at an opportune time when all can be readily defended."

"You've discussed your plans with the Ministry?" Raynock asked surprised.

Harry's jaw clenched grimly. "No. I serve the magical brethren now, not the confederation, or even the ministry. I no longer feel duty bound to justify my actions to a bunch of traitorous, manipulative, self serving bureaucrats, who seem unable or unwilling to learn from the mistakes of their past.

Fudge was a bungler, in love with himself and obsessed with maintaining his pompous self image at any cost. I don't know who paid the higher price for his ineptness, the public, the ministry, or myself.

Scrimegour was all bluster and no bite. He wasted the majority of his time trying to manipulate me as a poster boy to further his own ends whilst playing the 'dike boy' with the public's safety. He was so concerned with defense, that he never even considered going on the offensive. Fudge ignored the problem of Voldemort, and Srimegour fostered it."

"And Madam Bones?" Raynok asked incredulously, already knowing the answer but was interested in Harry's response, all the same.

Harry's eyes flashed dangerously, before cooling and taking on a distant, pained expression.

"I have no professional qualms against Madam Bones. My issues with her are of a more personal nature. Though she has done better for the public interest than many of her predecessors, she, more than all the others combined, has done me the most personal harm. I entrusted her with something precious to me and she betrayed that trust in the worst possible way, destroying any possibility to salvage anything of what I've lost. I suppose in some fashion it's my own fault for choosing once again to place my faith in someone of authority, let alone play Dumbledore and blindly believe that I know best for all concerned. Perhaps, ultimately… it's my own short comings I've chosen to project on someone else. I don't know? I only know that I'm sick of it. I'll never serve the Ministry again in any capacity, not for any reason." he retorted venomously.

Raynock eyed his young friend shrewdly. "And what of we Goblins?"

Harry's expression softened. "In all my dealings with goblin kind, I've never had any reason to complain. The wizarding world has libelously labeled the goblins as mistrustful, some even to the extreme of claiming thievery in their financial dealings. They mistake a shrewd mind and a calculating business sense as deception and trickery. They project the blame for their own short comings, wrongfully onto the goblins. The goblins are in the business of making money; to do so, one must give sound business advice to ones investors. If the wizard chooses ultimately to ignore said advice and invests his money in some impulsive scheme that does naught but lose his life savings, how are the Goblins to be held accountable for merely being the agents of said ill advised investment?" Harry shrugged incredulously and continued.

"A logical person would say not, but wizrading folk…? Wizarding folk are quite fond of avoiding the responsibility for the consequences of their own actions. They favor placing the blame on those they consider inferior species, ie… goblins, centaurs, house elves and the like. The same old prejudices and biases still run rampant in the wizarding world, cumulating ultimately with Purebloods falsely blaming any and all problems of their own device on those they see as inferior; half bloods, mud bloods and magical creatures. It's all quite wearisome, if not nauseating." he finished with a groan of contempt.

Raynock much agreed with Harry's views of the wizarding world's shortcomings, but knew it would take someone with an incredible amount of drawing power to effect any substantial reform. It would take someone quite unique. One who was not only respected and revered, but was also to a certain degree.. feared.

"How would you suggest we right these wrongful notions?" Raynock inquired, his mind long since alighting on a cunning plan for the future.

Harry eyed the Goblin leader suspiciously. He was not the gullible, unassuming boy he had been in his youth.

"Don't even think it?" he warned. "I am not interested in effecting any political reforms. Should I survive the coming battle, then my life is my own to do with as I want or don't want."

Raynock held his hands up in a placating manner. "Surely, you realize that it would take someone of considerable public respect and appeal to effectively illicit any substantial reforms in our obviously faltering political system. Whether you choose to accept it or no, you are such a person, Lord Knight. The people and creatures of the magical world would not only embrace you, but rally to your banner. Think of all the good you could accomplish?" Raynock pleaded.

Harry shook his head dolefully. "I'm a fighter, a warrior,… a relic from another age. Months ago, I stood before my parent's grave asking cold stone if this is all I was meant for? I received no answer. The truth be told, I already knew the answer, I just hoped differently. I'm only twenty-two years old and I've already seen more of battle and killing than most wizards have seen in several lifetimes. I guess what I'm trying to say is,.. I'm not fit to govern anyone."

Raynock shook his head, a skeptical expression on his wizened face.

"I think you are wrong, young knight. I believe the muggles have a saying that fits this discussion.. I believe it goes; 'Some men are born to greatness, others have it thrust upon them'. I believe whole heartedly that in your case; both apply."

Harry snorted in disdainfully. "It doesn't take a great person to kill and slaughter. Even if it's for the best of intentions; such as the defense of others, it's still killing. A man such as me has no business telling anyone else how to live their lives, nor would I presume to do so." Harry finished with a note of finality that spelled out quite plainly that the topic was no longer open for discussion.

Raynock nodded his unspoken assent. "As you said, you're only twenty-two. There is time, plenty of time in which you may one day change your mind. Till then, I am most content with the path you have chosen. The magical races of the world could not have found a better person to champion their defense. Know that we have faith in you and yours to see us through the coming night. No matter what end awaits you, we are grateful." Raynock finished proudly, patting Harry on his shoulder appreciatively.

Harry nodded and bowed respectfully to Raynock before departing his office. .

Raynock still marveled at the notion that any wizard would deign to bow to a goblin, even a goblin leader was never afforded this show of respect.

You are wrong, young knight… you are the leader the magical world has waited an age for. Raynock thought in earnest anticipation.


Minerva McGonagal watched silently as Ginny retched up the contents of her stomach for yet another instance over these past two days.

The truth can be a terrible thing, she thought grimly.

It was with no small amount of pride that she'd watched one of her Griffyndors, pick herself up and reenter the pensieve , continuing on after every horrifying scene that had caused this same sort of reaction over these past two days.

Ginny slumped wearily into a chair and mopped the cool seat from her brow.

"How long?"she rasped out through her traumatized throat.

"Two days." McGonagal answered off handily, continuing her paperwork.

Ginny shook her head, clarifying. "No, how long was he down in the caverns beneath Greystone? How long did Harry wander in darkness, alone, hurt,… starving?"

McGonagal paused, nodding her understanding. "The passage of time is difficult to assess in a pensieve, especially in all that darkness, but I believe it was at least many weeks, perhaps as long as two months.

Ginny stared wide eyed at the headmistress, her expression unreadable, till the appearance of a single tear running down her cheek, gave her away.

"Two months…? While we sat and consoled ourselves within the comfort of our homes." she admonished ashamedly.

"Two months?" she repeated disbelievingly.

"Do you remember anything of what you've witnessed?" McGonagal redirected her attention.

"Some things, just bit and pieces really." Ginny rasped regretfully. "Some things I'll now never forget." she added resolutely.

McGonagal nodded her agreement to this.

Ginny's face took on the pensive expression that she had worn several times over the past two days that they'd spent reviewing memories of Harry within the Dumbledore's old pensieve. Many times she'd looked on the verge of asking something, only to lose her courage and let it pass.

After several uncomfortable moments, Ginny finally got up the courage to ask what has been troubling her most over the past two days.

"How does he… why does he go on? I mean, what drives him? All that pain,.. And he doesn't give up? He suffers things that are beyond belief and he goes on?" Ginny gasped in awe, "He… He's…?" Ginny left off incredulously, unable to find the words to adequately describe Harry.

"He's magnificent, isn't he?" McGonagal asked knowingly.

Ginny nodded her head in agreement, a slight blush staining her cheek. "But,.. that doesn't even seem…?"

"Doesn't even seem enough to adequately describe a man like, Harry?"

Ginny nodded in answer to McGonagal's question.

"I agree wholeheartedly. A man like Harry comes along but once in an age. If you're lucky, truly lucky, then you just happen to be living in the age when someone like Harry comes along. Granted, such times are usually dark and dangerous, for if they weren't a man such as Harry would not be necessary to right the evils beset upon the world. Despite that, I count myself blessed to be living at such a time, doubly so to actually know him and to be counted amongst his friends. It is perhaps for this alone that I am most proud. Teachers aren't suppose to have favorites, but I would be lying if I didn't admit that Harry is mine."

Ginny's eyebrows shot up her hairline at this admission.

"And here I always thought Hermione was your favorite student?" Ginny blurted in shocked disbelief.

McGonagal smirked wistfully from behind her desk. "Ms. Granger's zeal for learning is quite contagious and she is in many ways my favorite student as she was many other professor's, despite our obvious professional detachment." she corrected demurely, sitting up a little straighter in her chair.

"But Harry? Harry is my most favorite person, let alone student. For what little time he spent with his parents, he carries the best of both James and Lily within himself. He has James's courage, stubbornness, and athletic prowess. Lily's compassion, intelligence and generosity are there as well. He's the image of his father, but with his mother's startling green eyes; eyes that have begun to twinkle like his former mentor's- Dumbledore. It's almost as if all the people I've known and cherished over the years,.. they're all right there, shinning through in Harry. It's as if some part of them has never left us." The wonder of this revelation was evident on the headmistress's face.

Ginny stared at McGonagal for the longest time, digesting the headmistress's words and finally accepting them.

"H-He could have anyone in the world, anyone. Why would he have ever wanted me?" Ginny asked doubtfully.

McGonagal shot Ginny a disapproving look over the top of her eyeglasses.

"Firstly; you're speaking in past tense, which I do not believe is entirely the case." McGonagal corrected, causing Ginny to blush furiously.

"Secondly; why not you? You're brave and fiercely loyal. Your parents have instilled in you many wonderful values that I'm sure someone like Harry finds very appealing. Lastly; you're a very attractive young lady, Ginevra. The fact that you're a red head, does not hurt matters either." McGonagal added with a knowing smirk.

"W-why should that matter?" Ginny stammered blushing under her praise.

"Potter men have always been attracted to red heads. Some even go as far as intimating it's a family curse. Myself personally, I 'm of the opinion that they just like feisty women, and let's face it, most red heads tend to have fierce tempers."

"Don't they, Ginevra?" McGonagal chided.

Ginny scowled at her insinuation.

"I'll take that as a 'yes'" McGonagal chuckled.

After a few moments of quiet contemplation, McGonagal broke the silence.

"I've a question for you, Ginevra?" She prompted.

"Yes?"

"Seeing what you have, and knowing what you do,.. Just what are you going to do about it?"

A pained expression ghosted through Ginny's eyes as she considered all that McGonagal's question entailed.

"Honestly? I don't know. I only know that on some level, some part of my heart remembers Harry; the real Harry, my Harry. Not the 'boy who lived', or the 'Champion of the light', but the boy I grew up with and a bit of the man he's become. I-I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I'm terrified of giving my heart to a man like Harry. He's bloody fantastic at everything he does, like quidditch and music, and that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. He's so much larger than life; a hero, a legend even. How can any witch live up to a man like Harry? How could he possibly see me or anyone else as his equal, someone who's earned the right to stand beside him in life? If falling in love is like igniting a flame within your soul, then loving someone like Harry would be akin to a raging inferno, one that could burn your heart to ash."

After several minutes of suffering McGonagal's condescending expression, Ginny's flagging patience forced her to ask: "What?"

McGonagal's raised her eyebrows and responded incredulously. "Are you a Gryffindor, or aren't you?"


December 30, 1999

Harry gulped down the second of three bottles of blood replenishing potion. He'd taken a terrible risk using so much blood, but the grace, (a drawn magical spell), was finished. Harry had drawn the largest magical spell in history, in his own blood.

He had gone almost daily over the past month; painstakingly drawing the magic ideogram over the rock strewn floor that led to the cavernous entrance of the gargoyle's main lair. Umbridge,(the cow), would have been proud of him. He'd found a productive use for her 'blood quill', having borrowed the infamous item from Minsitry's secure locker. A few minor alterations and the quill no longer gave pain nor etched scars into its users hand. Once the grace was completed, Harry destroyed the quill. It would never again be used to torment innocent children.

He could have drawn the grace in almost anything, but the use of blood gave the grace additional power. Blood magic was the most ancient and powerful of all spells. He was living proof of that as his mother's sacrifice had saved him from the un-savable- the killing curse. Besides making the spell more powerful, the use of blood magic provided an added bonus in that activation of the spell was now keyed to his own blood.

.

If all else failed, then a single drop of his blood would complete the grace and ignite its magical spell. Additional blood would feed the spell and augment its effects. Spilling the lot would be cataclysmic.

It was his insurance policy; a last resort.


December 31, 1999

Harry stared at the cool white marble of Dumbledore's tomb, watching in silent witness as each snowflake that drifted down to rest melted and disappeared before its brothers could multiple and cover the tomb over in a winter's carpet. Even in death, nature itself respected the last vestiges of the headmaster's magical presence.

He wondered if nature would remember him as fondly. Would it really matter? Did he even care? No, probably not. All he really cared about was whether tomorrow would see him rejoined with his departed friends and family, or would he be condemned to continue on alone and lonely.

Ron and Hermione had been his family, his surrogate brother and sister, they still were. Molly and Jane were like mothers to him. He was blessed, he knew, but... It just wasn't the same somehow. Strange that he should feel that way, what with never having parents and siblings that he could compare with.

He just instinctively knew what he wanted and if he couldn't have it, then he might just as well move onto the next 'grand adventure' as Dumbledore had so fondly referred to the afterlife.

Maybe he was being selfish and ungrateful, probably both.

Hadn't he said only yesterday that he was only twenty-two years old?

It felt longer than twenty-two years, a lot longer.

He didn't need to be alone,… he knew that. Merlin knows that Hermione has reminded him of that time and again, but, he could spend all the time in the world with his friends and would still feel the dull ache of loneliness in his heart. Ginny,…could he even dare to hope along that avenue. They were different now. Five years had passed since the time when they were in-love. Were they still? If not,… could they be again?"

He wanted someone to love and share his life with; to share his bed at night, filling him with passion instead of fear, comfort instead of despair. Even now, the nightmares of Cedric and Sirius's deaths still plagued his subconscious. More often than not he woke up with screams of denial on his lips.

He wanted a wife and children, a family of his own, one that could fill his days with happiness and contentment. Could that be with Ginny? Did he want it to be? It had been so easy to forget Ginny when Susan had crashed into his life. Susan had been so easy to love, perhaps too easy; if there was such a thing? He thought he'd been devastated by the loss of Susan, but then Ginny came into the picture again, courtesy of the twin's 'Cauldron'. How many times since had he resisted the urge to take the plunge? If Ginny was what he subconsciously desired, (according to the 'cauldron'), then what had Susan been? He was tempted to search Hogwarts for the 'Mirror of Erised' to see what it would show him, because hanged if he knew for sure with any certainty.

It was all so confusing, and yet it wasn't. If he followed his heart, he knew where it would lead him. He'd always known though he'd chosen to forget, doing to himself what Ron and Hermione had done to Ginny. Did all men think on what could be when faced with their own mortality? He used to think that he held the weight of the world on his shoulders when Voldemort was in the picture. Those had been fun and carefree days by comparison.

"How did you manage to live over a hundred and fifty years?" he asked Dumbledore's silent tomb.

It seemed unfathomable that his former mentor had managed to live so long through the stress of the first war and the first half of the second, whilst running the world's foremost school of witchcraft and wizardry, the Wizengamot and the Confederation of Wizards. And still find time to both guide and manipulate him. He had been both grandfather and mentor. Dumbledore had also been both jailor and general. It was easier now to see him as a mentor. Perhaps that was in keeping with the wisdom of growing up and walking in another man's shoes.

Harry quirked a half smile as he regarded the tomb; his mentor's wisdom foremost in his mind as he recalled Raynock's suggestion from the previous day.

"If I see you tomorrow you can lecture me all you want about what a selfish, ungrateful git I am. If not, then let's see if I was worth all the trouble in the first place." he vowed to the grave.

He couldn't know it, but somewhere a wizened face with twinkling eyes that belied their age, was smiling knowingly.


Harry strode through the halls of his beloved school, his first true home in the wizarding world.

For the first time since his childhood, he considered Dumbledore's suggestion that he might one day like to return here as a professor himself. Well, it was something to consider. He did, after all, enjoy instructing the D.A.

For the first time in years he actually lamented the death of one Severus Snape. The look on the former potion master's face would be priceless when Harry turned up as a professor.

The reasons for his visit to Hogwarts today were threefold. Though not necessarily listed in order of priority, they are;

1) Pay his respects to Dumbledore's grave.

2) Visit Minerva and Poppy

3) Collect one, Ginerva Weasley.

Ginny had been the only loose end in his carefully laid plans for this evening. Everyone else had returned owls saying they would attend the second annual Magical Night Ball at his home this evening, everyone except Ginny.

Upon further investigation, he learned that Ginny was away at Hogwarts, (for reasons unknown), for the past two plus days.

Normally he would be alarmed by such information, but right now it was more of a convenient distraction.

Though he could probably guess the reason for Ginny's being at Hogwarts, he could ill afford letting it distract him from this evenings plans, however much he might wish it to.

Harry ceased his pondering upon arrival at the statue of the Headmistress's Gargoyle sentinel.

The gargoyle statue sprang to life at his arrival and saluted him with a stone fist over it's heart, or where it's heart would probably be if it were alive.

"All is in readiness?" Harry inquired seriously.

"Yes, lord knight." The gargoyle's gravelly voice rasped his agreement.

"Awaken your brethren at dusk's first shadow. Remember…none but pebble and dust before harm breeches these walls."

"None, but pebble and dust." The gargoyle vowed in return and bowed Harry past.

Harry allowed himself the luxury of a few calming breaths before knocking on the headmistress's door.

"Come in, Harry." McGonagal called cheerfully, surprising him.

"You've been expecting me?" He asked incredulously upon entering her office.

"I always expect you." she returned coyly. "The fact that no one but you seems to be able to pass the gargoyle outside without a password, tends to give you away when you come knocking without flooing or owling to make an appointment; not that you require one." she amended grinning mischievously.

Harry nodded his acceptance of her explanation.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" McGonagal inquired.

"I merely wished to pay my respects and wish you and Poppy a Happy New Year." he returned, before adding, "It's my understanding that Miss Ginevra Weasley is a guest. I was wondering if I might have a word with Miss Weasley, as long as I'm here?" he asked to casually, not fooling her in the least.

The game is afoot.

McGonagal's eyes twinkled in a knowing way, reminiscent of her predecessor. It was rather offsetting.

"My, so formal, Mr. Potter?" she teased him. "Miss Weasley is indeed here, but I'm afraid she's rather indisposed at the moment." McGonagal swept her hand toward her study, indicating Ginny's presence there. It was a particular location that Harry was well acquainted with.

Harry's suspicions that Ginny was consulting Dumbledore's pensieve appeared well founded.

"I-I see. Might I inquire as to what particular memories, Miss Weasley is viewing this morning?" He played along, a tad apprehensively, McGonagal noted.

"Not ones that you would be unfamiliar with." McGonagal confirmed his obvious suspicions.

Harry's face paled slightly at her confirmation.

"May I?" He asked as he turned toward her adjoining study.

"Off course, but keep in mind that the content Ginevra's viewing is a bit, shall we say, traumatic." she warned.

Harry gulped and nodded his head in trepidation.

Harry moved to the pensieve that Ginny was hovering over so involved in the memory she was viewing that she was oblivious to his approach.

Silently he entered the pensieve.

Harry entered the memory from behind Ginny. She remained unaware of his intrusion as she watched the scene play out before her.

A younger Harry was sobbing uncontrollably in the rain.

Harry's face paled as he watched his younger self of only a scant few year ago. He knew this memory, knew it well. It was one that haunted his dreams and occasionally niggled at his conscious mind, when he let his guard down.

It was not a memory that was meant for Ginny, or anyone else for that matter.

"Pause" Harry stopped the memory before it could play out in its entirety.

Ginny spun on her heal. Her face pale and tear stained, hands trembling. His unexpected arrival not only startled, but embarrassed her. She felt like a guilty child having been caught up by its parents.

"H-Harry! I…" she struggled to explain.

"It's alright, Ginny." He soothed calmly, allying her fears. "I assume you've already witnessed the memories that preceded this one?" he remarked soberly, already guessing the answer.

Ginny nodded dumbly, not daring to trust her voice yet.

"As this is the last in the series, let's leave this one as is, shall we?" Harry asked in a voice that gave no hint of being a question, but rather a polite insistence to comply.

Ginny nodded and reluctantly left the pensieve along with Harry following in her wake.

Upon leaving the pensieve, Harry immediately retrieved the memory she was reviewing and returned its glowing strand to the safety of his own mind.

Noting her suspicious look, he explained vaguely. "I think it safer for all concerned if I return that particular memory to its home."

Harry motioned Ginny toward McGonagal's office and accompanied her without further comment.

McGonagal had Poppy Pomfrey with her. An inviting cup of tea was waiting for them as they joined the Hogwarts staff.

After several initially tense moments, everyone settled into a comfortable distraction of light, pleasant conversation to pass the time.

"It seems like only yesterday that you launched Bill Weasley down the headmistress's stairs." Poppy reminisced, earning herself a glare from Harry and a surprised look from Ginny.

"When did you…?" Ginny began.

"You can ask him yourself tonight." Harry recovered quickly deflecting Poppy's mischievous attempts to embarrass him.

"This evening?" Ginny returned confused.

"Of course,…at the Ball tonight." he replied incredulously. " I'm hosting a second annual Magical Night Ball, but, it shall be at my home this year. That's why I'm here, I wanted to make sure you were invited and didn't miss out on the festivities. You are coming aren't you?" he asked with a hint of wary uncertainty that she found touching.

"Of course." Ginny agreed quickly.

Too quickly she admonished herself

"Excellent" Harry acknowledged with a winning smile that didn't completely embrace his eyes.

"Hermione is no doubt fussing over what to wear already; perhaps the two of you could get together and brainstorm? Tell you what, why don't you two gals gather up Fleur and make a day of it; shopping, beauty salon, lunch,... The works! I'll pay for the whole thing, my treat." Harry offered charmingly.

Ginny goggled at him. "I don't know,… are you sure?" she hesitated breathlessly. He had her mind awhirl.

"Please" Harry all but begged. "It would give me great pleasure. It's not often that I get the chance to show my admiration for such lovely ladies."

"A-Alright, H-Harry" Ginny agreed still reeling from all the attention he was paying her.

"Great! Tonight then?" He reminded in a way that was a tad dismissive, though his tone was hopeful.

"Tonight " she agreed smiling coyly.

Ginny found herself unknowingly manipulated in her excitement over the attention he was paying her.

After a hurried goodbye, Ginny flooed from the Headmistress's office before she even thought to thank McGonagal for all the time she'd invested in Ginny over the past two days.

"Whew" Harry sighed in relief after Ginny spun out of sight in the floo.

"Planning a party this evening?" McGonagal inquired suspiciously after watching the interplay with a calculating eye.

Harry's eyes drifted toward his two elders, a mysterious smirk pulled at the corners of his mouth, his eyes twinkled merrily.

"Not especially, no. I invited a few friends and former colleagues over for an evening of, .er, entertainment. It seemed the best way to ensure them as being all in the same place at the same time."

McGonagal puzzled suspiciously over his answer, while Pomfrey took the obvious initiative to vent her disappointment.

"And how is it that Minnie and I don't merit such an invitation. Whilst Minnie is a tad old for dancing, my clock has yet to strike midnight?"

"Poppy!" Minnie hissed, scandalized.

Poppy Pomfrey smirked at her oldest friend. "I said you were a bit old for dancing the night away, Minnie, I never mentioned the other, er,.. more personal habits for which you seem to have retained ample energy."

"Yikes! Too much information." Harry complained clamping his hands over his ears.

Minerva just sat gapping, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks.

Heading off the impending explosion that was a surety once McGonagal's initial shock passed, Harry explained further. "I'm merely trying to get all my friends and a few significant others all in one place for the evening, somewhere that they can be more readily defended, rather than in their own homes or spread out around the country at other celebrations. You two and the few students still remaining over the holidays are well protected here; I've seen to your protection myself, personally. At sunset, this castle will be locked down for the night and won't reopen till dawn tomorrow."

McGonagal eyes snapped to his. "Only the headmaster can command the castle's defenses. By who's authority do you presume such a thing, Mr. Potter?" She squawked indignantly.

"I see we're back to Mr. Potter?" Harry called to her attention in a disappointed tone.

"But to answer your question,.. is it only the headmaster, or in this case, the headmistress's province to command the castle's defenses?" He returned smugly.

McGonagal pursed her lips, her irritation still evident in her eyes.

"er,.. No. One of the founders or their heirs could…?" her voice trailed off as she noticed the way his eyebrow arched knowingly.

"Are you saying…?" Poppy whispered in surprise.

"Gryffindor's heir, I presume?" McGonagal asked curiously.

Harry nodded. "That and I am the scion of Merlin."

"The scion of Merlin?" McGonagal shrieked like a school girl, blushing furiously by the look her friend shot at her after.

"I am." Harry acknowledged.

"That explains the gargoyle sentinel's curious behavior of late." McGonagal confirmed.

Once they had overcome their initial shock, Harry imparted to them the knowledge of the second prophesy, what it meant for him and what it meant for the world should he fail. He ignored their squawks of outrage and screeches of alarm as he told them his plans for this evening. He finished and waited politely while they digested the information he'd imparted to them.

Mcgonagal turned to Poppy and nudged her friend meaningfully. Getting no response, she waved her hand in front of Poppy's blank eyed face.

"Congratulations, Harry. I think you've finally broke her." she quipped.

"Nay" Harry disagreed. "She's a tough old bird; she'll come around- eventually." he predicted with a chuckle.

"What do you think of my plan?"

McGonagal took a long time before she answered him. When she did, she dabbed at her aging eyes, fighting off the tears that were threatening to fall.

"I think the whole thing is utter madness." she rasped. "I'm beginning to think that there's no justice in the world."

Harry shrugged. "Everything always seems to work out in the end. The sun will rise tomorrow. People will go on, have families, grow old and pass on, while the cycle renews itself."

"I'm not talking about justice for the world, Harry. I'm talking about you, dear boy." McGonagal snapped back irately. "Where is the justice for you, Harry? When will you have a family of your own? See your children grow and take their place in the world? I had so looked forward to having several young Potters here one day. Especially now…" she halted her lament, scrubbing furiously at her eyes with her handkerchief.

"Why especially now?" Harry immediately questioned, seizing on her previous statement.

"Ginny's begun to get her memories back, Harry."

McGonagal's and Harry's head swiveled toward Poppy who had obviously just rejoined them from her brief catatonia.

Harry rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he considered her words. "I had suspected as much. The fates do tend to seem a bit cruel at times." he remarked off handily.

Poppy snorted derisively at that. "That's like saying Voldemort was a public annoyance."

"Quite." McGonagal agreed with her friend. "What are you going to do?" she asked Harry.

Harry rubbed at his now stiffening neck, but Poppy soon came to his rescue and cast a few soothing charms over the area.

"Thanks." Harry said appreciatively. "I'm going to follow through with my plans. There's nothing else I can do." Harry replied emphatically, answering the previous question.

McGonagal exchanged a look with Poppy, hovering nearby. "You're going to sacrifice yourself, just like before, aren't you?" She accused.

"I'd rather not." Harry intimated his reluctance.

"But you will, wont you?" Poppy pressed hesitantly from behind his shoulder. Her wand was still in her hand as her eyes drifted to McGonagal's waiting for a signal.

McGonagal's head nodded so slightly it was almost imperceptible.

Without the slightest warning, Poppy shot a stunner at Harry's defenseless back.

Harry blurred to the side and the stunning spell missed and hit an unsuspecting, McGonagal, right in the chest before she had a chance to get out of the way.

Shortly after, a hand wrenched Poppy's wand from her hand with determined gentleness.

"Poppy, really?" Harry admonished her., pocketing her wand for safekeeping.

"What do you expect us to do, Harry? Let you run off and get yourself killed?" she scathed. "And what was that? How on earth did you move so fast? I know you're powerful and exceedingly well trained, but no one,.. and I mean no one, is that fast? Not unless,.. unless.." Poppy considered thoughtfully. "Unless they're augmenting their physical strength and speed with their own magic?" Poppy began to puzzle his unique abilities out.

"Oh,.. Harry. Harry you can't? It'll kill you. For all your physical prowess, your still just a man. The human body can't channel that kind power indefinitely. Muscles and sinew aren't equipped , the heart.. " she began to babble worriedly.

Harry pressed his fingers to her mouth halting her words. "I know."

"M-Minerva was right, wasn't she? You're going to,.. Y-You're going to…?" her voice broke in understanding. Tears welled in her eyes.

Harry smiled softly, reassuringly. "I'm going to do what I must. Merlin willing, I'll return. If not; then I'd like you and Minnie to see to a request I have?" Harry pulled a small envelope from his pocket and placed it in her trembling hands.

"There's no one I trust more than you two, to see that this thing is done properly." he complimented. Harry pulled the nurse into a hug and kissed her head gently before turning to leave.

He paused at the floo passage and spoke softly a last time.. "Remind her that I love you both,.. Very much."

Before Poppy could return the sentiment, Harry spun out of sight down the floo.


Ginny turned her back to the mirror. "I'm not sure…?" She mumbled uncertainly.

Hermione entered the room and gasped." Oh, Ginny! You look absolutely stunning in that." Her friend squealed in delight.

"Really?" Ginny blushed hopefully.

"Absolutely."

"Do you… do you think he'll..?" She continued nervously, trying to garner Hermione's support.

" 'Arry won't know what hit em." Fleur agreed entering the dressing room in time to catch their banter.

Hermione nodded her head enthusiastically.

"I'll take it." Ginny told the attendant.


William Hoag, senior most commander of the Unspeakables opened the note waiting for him on his desk.

Bill-

Tonight as we agreed.

H.P.

Commander Hoag tapped the com link on his desk.

"Sir?" his secretary's voice answered.

"Contact Lt. Malfoy. Have all special division personnel report in the great hall at seventeen hundred hours in full armor. This is not a drill. I repeat , NOT- A -DRILL."

"Sir, Yes, Sir."

Minutes later the Hall of the Unspeakables was a hive of activity.

He walked down the stairway of his home, resplendent in his goblin forged armor. Griffydor's sword gleamed at his hip over black trousers tucked into knee high, dragon hide boots, polished to a high sheen. His 'iron hide' crimson cloak billowed out behind him as if caught in a nonexistent breeze.

His elves were waiting vigilantly on bended knee, lining the foyer.

Harry raised a surprised eyebrow. "My friends bow to no one, least of all myself." he admonished them, but they refused to rise.

"We bid the Knight of the Magical Races good fortune in his coming task and asks him to please,.. Please return home to his elvsies when he's finished." Dobby sniffled from his kneeling position.

"No Tears." Harry chastised warmly. "This is a home of love and friendship. We have guests arriving soon and we shant have them think otherwise, now shall we?"

"N-No Lord Knight." His elves reluctantly agreed. All save one.

"Then please return to your preparations. I shall return to greet our guests at eight."

The Potter elves excitedly went about their tasks of preparing their home for a large party, of sorts.

All except Dobby.

Harry's stalwart friend was still sniffling on his knees by Harry's feet.

"Dobby?" Harry asked kneeling next to his friend.

"H-Harry Potter s-sir is not coming back, is he?" His elfin friend stammered out despondently.

"I don't know." Harry answered truthfully, squeezing his friend's small shoulder reassuringly. "I do know that I want to and if I do, I expect to find a happy home awaiting my return. To ensure that: I've named you as the recipient of this home in lieu of my demise. I charge you with my most precious responsibility; the continued care of our friends. If I should pass, then this shall remain yours and the others elves home forever, just as it is now. Make sure that it is a happy home filled with love,... and children."

Dobby goggled at his friend's generosity.

"Dobby will take care of the other elvsies." he vowed.

"Thank you." Harry smiled appreciatively. "You don't know what a relief it is to me to know that our family will be well cared for if I am unable to return. I'll always be grateful to you, for everything."

The elf launched himself into Harry arms proclaiming: "Harry Potter is the bestest friend and wizard in the whole wide world."

"Happy New Year, Dobby." Harry returned the embrace gently.


One Hundred Forty-Three brave souls stood in seven rows of twenty, with one command level and two ancillary officers waiting stoically at the fore. The Hall of the Unspeakables was filled to capacity with Basilisk armored warriors waiting silently for the one who would lead them into battle.

Thousands of everlasting candles reflected off of eyes that waited in stoic contemplation. No fear was reflected within, just dread determination.

Their children's heads had been kissed. Husbands and wives hugged goodbye before uniforms had been donned.

Now only Unspeakables stood strong in unity amongst their brothers and sisters.

Hollow boot falls echoed down the hall from outside, growing determinedly closer.

A lone figure swept into the great hall, a heroic figure that radiated power and respect. Two hundred and eighty six boot heels snapped like a thunder clap as every Unspeakable present snapped to attention.

Harry's raptor like gaze swept across the gathered ranks. A small smile grew on his face- he liked what he saw.

Stepping up to commander Hoag, he asked. "Everyone accounted for?"

"All present and accounted for, Lord Knight. We've even picked up an additional blade." Hoag nodded his head meaningfully to his right.

Harry's eyes shifted toward the officer to Hoag's right shoulder.

He stepped up to the officer standing at attention , his eyes glued forward.

"Are you sure about this?"

The officer gave a curt nod of confirmation.

"There's no glory to be had out there tonight. If we accomplish our mission, the world will never know that it was in mortal peril. The only ones who will know are standing beside you. What we do, we do for our own honor, our own conscious." Harry cautioned.

Pale grey eyes turned toward him. "You speak of something I've never before considered, but am now eager to embrace. I ask but one thing for myself personally?"

Harry cocked an intrigued eyebrow. "Yes?"

"I don't deserve it, but I ask the honor of fighting at your side. Let my sword guard your right flank?"

Harry rocked back slightly in consternation. "I will be at the vanguard." he warned.

"So much the better as we will be the first to raise our swords in victory." the officer returned.

"So mote it be." Harry turned his attention to Commander Hoag. "Lt. Malfoy will guard my right flank." he commanded.

"And your left?" Hoag questioned.

"My left is already spoken for."

Hoag nodded. "As you say, Lord Knight."

"Equipment?" Harry questioned.

"Each carries two wands, one in a wrist holster, one on the calf; three phials of our strongest healing potion, two strengthening potionsand an emergency evacuation port key that will go directly to 's."

"The port key activation code?"

"Light follows Knight" Hoag answered with a smirk.

Harry paused in embarrassment at his unexpected answer. After a moment he collected himself and cast a sonorus charm to his throat to address the assemblage.

"You all know the drill. Only cast the spells we've practiced specifically for this mission. No other magics will be effective against our foe, in fact, they may just increase their already not insubstantial strength and ferocity.

If you are wounded, use you healing potions immediately as any blood will draw unwanted attention.

If you tire- use the strengthening potions.

If you are wounded too severely for healing potions-get out of it and port key home.

If your armor fails-port key home.

Place sticking charms on your sword hilts, for bone and sinew can wrench blades from even the strongest grip.

If I or Commander Hoag orders a retreat, then RETREAT!

The valley floor and the surrounding mountains are a death trap, one that I will spring as a last resort. If a retreat is ordered, port key away like all hell's on you arse-for surely it is.

Look to your brothers and sisters to your right and left. They are your flanks. It is their responsibility to protect you and for you to protect them in return. No one else is your responsibility-no one.

It the Queen makes an appearance on the battlefield, do not attempt to engage her, not for any reason. She is my responsibility and mine alone. Once I have engaged the queen, evacuate the field immediately. Let no one interfere. If I fall,… I fall.

I shall fashion a port key that will transport you to a strategic location of mine own choosing at 11:00 pm. I expect the battle will be joined at approximately midnight

Your commanders are proud of you, all of you.

I am proud of you.

Be proud of yourselves, for you are already heroes.

May Merlin bless and watch over you, one and all.

Harry conjured a hundred meter rope and whispered, Portus Impermisso Metallus, so as not to be heard by ears nearby.

Harry handed the lengthy port key to Hoag and instructed: "Have them form close ranks, shoulder to shoulder in columns of fours, the group should be no larger than fifteen by twenty-five meters."

Hoag raised a questioning eyebrow at his instruction.

"You'll all be port keying into a rather small area that is readily defendable."

Satisfied, Hoag nodded his approval.

"See that everyone keeps both hands on the rope, we wouldn't want anyone getting splinched or left behind. Remember- both hands." Harry cautioned sternly.

Hoag nodded. "You hear that you lot, both hands on the rope port key!"

"Aye" The hall echoed in confirmation.

After attending to a few more details, Harry made his excuses and returned to Potter Manor to finalize his plans for the evening.