The Eternal Wizard
Chapter 28
Eternity's Decision
A silent week. That was what Harry had as he paid close attention to both the wizarding and muggle realms. He had asked Silventa to watch over James and Lily Potter and she had agreed with a musical laugh.
The Wizarding world was torn between celebrating the death of Albus Dumbledore, and mourning. Lily and James were of two minds about his death. They were apprehensive because Albus had acted as a wall against Voldemort and now that he was dead, they were ever closer to being destroyed by the dark lord. Harry was certain that if there was a time to confront Voldemort it was within this window. Eternity also felt that Voldemort himself was feeling the same way. So Harry approached his parents.
"Mum, Dad?" Harry asked.
"What is it son?" James asked.
His parents were sitting at the head table with their advisers.
The ornate table held Sirius Black, Amelia Bones, Alicia Stellar: a United States Marine (she had an ornate engagement ring on her hand courtesy of one Sirius Black.), Remus Lupin, The Tonks family and to Harry's surprise; the Greengrass family was there as well. Arthur Weasley had entered the room at the same time as Harry.
"I need you to do me a favor." Harry requested.
"A favor?" James looked at him curiously.
Beside him Arthur shifted in some surprise.
"Keep Hermione distracted tomorrow."
"Why?" Lily asked.
"I have my reasons." Harry dodged.
"What are they?" Lily pressed.
Harry altered the blood flow in his face, making him appear as though he was blushing.
"Well...I figured that..." Harry intensified the blush.
Lily caught on to what Harry was suggesting and nodded at him with a wink.
"Sure thing. How long do you need Harry?" Lily asked.
"As long as you can give me. I have a lot I need to do." Harry replied.
"Why so long?" Lily asked curiously.
Harry smiled.
"You know how smart she is. If she figures out that I...well, was busy she'd probably be able to track me down in less than three minutes."
I...I've finally been able to admit that...I love her...I love her too much to let her be hurt. So...Just keep her safe for me while I finish this... Harry thought to himself as he turned from the table and headed away.
"So why is he trying to distract Hermione?" James asked in a clueless voice.
Lily was laughing as Harry left Arthur Weasley and headed out the door of the great hall of Potter Castle. A moment Later he saw Hermione.
"Oh. Hey Hermione." Harry greeted her.
"Good morning Harry." She kissed him in greeting.
Once she released him, and Harry felt the incredible sensations diminish enough for him to concentrate Eternity found himself being led through the corridors of Potter castle.
"Mr. and Mrs. Potter wanted to introduce you personally but since Dumbledore died they've been swamped in meetings and other duties." Hermione explained.
"Introduce me? To who?" Harry wondered curiously.
"You'll see." Hermione replied.
"Okay?" Harry blinked.
After they reached the eighth floor Hermione stopped and knocked on a door.
"Come in." An elderly voice urged.
Hermione opened the ornately carved door and it led to a nursery. There wasn't a crib but a toddler with shoulder length black hair, and mischievous emerald green eyes was riding a wooden horse. An older woman sat on a rocking chair watching the child fondly.
"Hello again Miss. Granger." The woman greeted.
"Miney!" The child squealed in delight, dropped off the white toy horse and rushed to Hermione.
Hermione lifted the child into her arms and cradled the toddler.
"Is this who you wanted to introduce me to?" Harry asked curiously.
Hermione nodded.
"Harry, I'd like to introduce you to your sister; Carissa Potter." Hermione passed the girl to Harry.
"'Beloved'?" Harry smiled at what Carissa's name meant.
"I suppose your parents felt pretty blessed with having your sister." Hermione grinned at the toddler holding teen.
"I guess." Harry replied; feeling guilty at abandoning them like he had.
"Big Brofwer?" Clarissa asked looking at Harry intently.
"Yeah, I'm Harry. I'm glad to meet you." Harry replied in as simple of words that he could form.
"I'm 'lessa! Love brofwer!" She said seriously.
Harry felt his heart flood with emotion at Clarissa's simple, yet adamant statement and an unthinking moment later he was hugging his little sister gently. She hugged him back with as much feeling as she could in her tiny arms and Harry felt a few tears slide down his face.
"I...I love you too." Harry whispered.
"She's charmed him too." The nanny whispered to Hermione.
She nodded at the scene with a faint smile.
"Brofwer crying? Why?" the two year old asked in a worried tone.
"I'm okay. I just got something in my eye." Harry replied, stealthily wiping away the tears.
"Oh. That hurts." She agreed.
"Play with me?" She asked several seconds later.
To Harry's internal amazement he found himself agreeing.
The rest of that day he, Hermione and Clarissa played together. Once the day had passed Hermione and Harry made their way up to the bedrooms. To Harry's shock she followed him into his room.
"Harry?" Hermione asked with a faint waver in her voice.
"What is it?" Harry asked as he sat down on his bed and he pulled her beside him at the same time.
"I love you." She whispered.
"Before I met you Hermione, I didn't understand the concept of love. I...I thought it was useless and distracting. Nothing more. I thought if I loved...If I did so...I could be destroyed...But you taught me...that if you live empty there's no reason to live. I might have taught you a few things but...you taught me the most important lesson of all. On top of that...I found myself falling for a woman. Something I thought I'd never do. Thank you." Harry pulled Hermione into his arms before he spoke again.
"I only love because you showed me how." He assured. "I love you too." He added a moment later.
Hermione's fingers rubbed his chest, and made random patterns. He found that he was quite enjoying her touch. Her roving hands were intoxicating to say the least. A few minutes later she stopped and kissed him gently.
A few moments later she pulled back.
"Harry...I...I'm nervous." She whispered.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked worriedly and pulled her back to him.
She laid her forehead on his shoulder before she spoke.
"I came in here to...to...But...I'm afraid you'll leave me as soon as..." She whispered.
"I don't understand. Hermione, what is it?" Harry whispered gently.
"You're the only one I've ever felt like this about." She whispered.
Harry just listened and rubbed her back in a show of support.
She kissed him again, this time more nervously.
Her face was flushed, and her eyes flickered with indecision. He caressed her back gently.
"I'm sorry...I...I know that I must be confusing you. I'll see you tomorrow okay?" She stood and quickly made her way out his door.
Once the door shut Harry stared at it, blinking confusedly.
"I don't get it." He admitted before he shrugged and laid down.
The next morning Harry awoke early and headed into the banquet Hall where Sirius was already eating breakfast with his parents. He sat beside them and a plate filled with food appeared .
"Good morning Harry." Lily and James greeted.
"I bet it was a better night." Sirius snickered.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked curiously.
"I have eyes." Sirius grinned at his godson.
"I'm not following." Harry admitted.
"Denial!" Sirius sung.
"What are you going on about?" James asked.
"Oh, not much I just saw Harry going into his room with a very attractive woman last night. I waited for a while to see if she came out, and low and behold...she didn't!" Sirius sung, for some odd reason he seemed proud.
"Harry James Potter!" Lily hissed.
"What?" Harry asked in a clueless tone.
"Are you having us on Harry?" James asked, he seemed to be trying to contain a grin.
"Would you explain yourselves before I get irritated?" Harry snapped; his patience coming to an end.
"You're not to sleep around!" Lily hissed, her emerald eyes were narrowed to thin slits.
"Sleep around?" A faint suspicion was starting to form.
"If she ends up pregnant you'll be taking care of her." James added in a stern voice.
Oh.
"I didn't..." Harry stuttered as he felt the blood begin to rush to his face.
"You didn't what?" Sirius asked.
Harry blushed furiously.
"I didn't...you know...I haven't..." Harry muttered.
Lily calmed at Harry's stuttering.
"So you didn't have sex last night?" Lily asked seriously.
"No!" Harry all but shouted in embarrassment.
Lily smiled at him widely. At the same time James sighed in 'relief' and Sirius shook his head in shame.
"The way you reacted to that...Have you had the talk?" James suddenly asked.
"Its somewhere on the to do list." Harry replied dryly.
"What else is on the to do list?" Lily asked.
"Oh, you know; clean a sock drawer, take care of today's...surprise...that sort of thing."
Sirius snickered behind a hand.
"I'll be dealing with you soon enough Sirius Orion Black!" Lily whispered in a dangerous tone.
Sirius blanched at the thought and apologized profusely.
James then casually mentioned something that made Sirius' pale face grow even whiter.
"What would your dear Marine have to say about your lewd comment?" James asked in a stricken tone.
"I was wrong!" Sirius barked out repentantly.
"What did my fiance do this time?" Alicia asked dryly as she sat down beside him.
Sirius whimpered.
"As entertaining as all of this is I have some things I need to do. Just keep Hermione busy for a while will you?" Harry asked.
"Certainly dear." Lily said warmly.
"Thanks." With that Harry spun on his heel and made his way out of the hall.
Once he had exited Potter Castle's confines he shifted through a secondary; overlapping plane and almost instantly appeared inside of the ministry of magic, which was held by Voldemort.
"Halt! Intruder!" A Death Eater roared.
"Silence." Harry ordered, binding his magic and voice.
The Death Eater waved his wand eccentrically and flapped his arms in a comical fashion for a few seconds before he realized that he couldn't use magic, or speak. Once the death eater had calmed down Harry spoke again.
"You will take me to the Dark Lord. He and I have a score to settle. Don't worry, your master is aware of this score." Harry forced his will upon the hapless Death Eater and Harry once again felt guilty for his actions.
It's the only way...It ends now. One way or the other.
The Death Eater nodded dully and began to guide Eternity to face Voldemort for the last time.
Several minutes later Eternity sensed Voldemort's presence. He was waiting in what had been the courtrooms of the Ministry.
"You may leave now." Harry ordered.
The Death Eater nodded dumbly once more and ambled away.
Then, Eternity dropped his human visage, took a deep breath, summoned his blade, and with a single thought destroyed the doors leading to Voldemort.
It's time.
With that Eternity casually entered the chamber. Several humans were shackled and a squadron of Death Eaters loomed over them. Everyone but Voldemort seemed shocked.
"Ah, Eternity, what excellent timing. You see, I was about to watch my faithful servants kill off some useless mudbloods." Voldemort said pleasantly as he leaned back on his darkened throne.
Eternity merely raised an eyebrow.
"So this is what kept you so distracted? Killing off some humans?" Eternity asked as he absentmindedly sent the Death Eaters sprawling.
"Well, they are rather enjoyable to kill. Such pitiful things." Voldemort mentioned.
Eternity shook his head in disgust.
"A mere decade ago I would have agreed that they were pitiful."
"Oh what could ten years change what countless eons couldn't?" Voldemort asked as he arched one nonexistent eyebrow.
"Just one thing." Eternity answered.
"What is that?"
"A woman."
"A woman?" Voldemort looked at Eternity baffled.
"I came to realize that this race...it's more precious than any other, and it's worth fighting for." Eternity replied.
Voldemort laughed mockingly, a cruel and ominous tone that filled the chambers.
"You have changed Eternity and not for the better! There is only power, and you've cast away the power that made you a challenge at one point." Voldemort laughed in wicked delight.
"Oh have I? Or have I found a greater power?"
Creator, please be with me in this...I can't fail. If I do...Hermione...I have to protect her...No matter what.
Voldemort shook his head in disgust.
"Oh how the mighty have fallen." He said as he levitated down to Eternity.
"Your shadows and manipulations will come to an end. Here and now." Eternity vowed.
"There you are Hermione." Lily smiled at her.
"Hello Mrs. Potter. Have you seen Harry?" Hermione asked.
Lily smiled gently.
"Oh, he's around here somewhere. I needed to ask you some things though." Lily replied.
"What kinds of things?" Hermione asked.
"Well, you've been with Harry for the last four years. I wanted to learn a little about him. What he likes, who his friends are, I think you get the idea."
"I think I do." Hermione replied flatly as her eyes hardened.
Lily looked at Hermione curiously.
"You're trying to hide the fact that Harry left." Hermione stated simply.
"I don't-"
"Don't lie to me." Hermione interrupted.
"He wanted to arrange a surprise for you." Lily admitted.
"You...You didn't honestly believe him?" Hermione asked in a stunned voice.
"What else would he be doing?"
Hermione's mouth flapped comically for a second. For once she had been stunned to silence.
"What else?" She whispered. "What else? He's got an obsession with crushing V-!" She almost shouted, and only at the last moment did she stop herself from saying the hated name.
Lily paled.
"What? Why would he-" Lily whispered.
"The wizard who warned you all those years ago? Remember him?" Hermione demanded.
Lily nodded dumbly.
"He's played a major part in Harry's life. They both want to see Vol-him dead."
Lily's pale face grew paler still.
"Where is his HQ?" Hermione demanded.
"Ministry of Magic." Lily replied without thinking.
Hermione nodded and a second later sprinted away.
"So which rules shall we play with for this final confrontation?" Voldemort asked lazily as he created a jet black sword.
"No forbidden magics. Void magics will not be used, conventional victory only."
"So trite." Voldemort shook his head. "Why limit ourselves to such a traditional end?"
"I want to ensure that this does come to an end and a Void end could delay this end for countless eons."
Voldemort considered the rules carefully.
"Slaves are usable as well." Voldemort added.
"Allies are acceptable." Eternity corrected with a half thought.
"Allies Eternity? Are you going senile in your old age?"
"You know what they say about old age?" Eternity asked pleasantly.
"What?"
"Old age and Trickery will overcome youth and energy."
"It's a good thing I'm not young then."
"Any other requirements?"
"Just one." Voldemort replied.
"What?"
"DIE!" Voldemort roared and a wave of darkness struck at Eternity.
Eternity jumped into the air and the simple wave passed under him. A second later Voldemort struck at Harry and Durandril almost instinctively blocked the dark wizards blow.
Once Hermione had left the confines of the castle she subverted time and space and instantly arrived inside of the former Ministry of Magic.
Harry, I told you I was going to fight beside you when it was time. Why did you try to leave me out of it? You need me. Hermione thought.
A few moments later she stealthily made her way to where she sensed two titans clashing.
Harry...I feel it. The end of your bitter struggles...it's here. But...you can't win without me.
Hermione knew what she had to do, and while she was apprehensive about the battle she wasn't going to hesitate. Harry needed her.
Well, We're getting close to the end of WOE. I'd say one...maybe two chapters remain. (And maybe an epilogue for good measure!) This has been a long road...
As a side note, some people might be concerned that I pull out another bitter ending like in LOH. I typically hate those kinds of endings to be frank, but LOH NEEDED to have that ending for the sequel to work properly. WOE has no planned side stories, or sequels, etc. This is probably going to be a stand alone. (Although it might get edited eventually...)
All in all, this was a tough but worthy journey and after looking back at my writings of the past I can see how poorly I really started. Partially because I didn't take it very seriously. (I just was using it originally to kill some plot bunnies.) But, as I got into it I started putting some effort into it. Then, something else happened. I started to improve. It wasn't overnight, and it wasn't quick, but gradually it happened. I'd have to say that compared to my beginning of LOH and my beginning in WOE there was a huge and dramatic improvement. Then, Radiant Chaos' intro well..kinda blew both WOE and LOH out of the water quality wise. I suppose that's what happens when you get better.
I hope you've enjoyed reading this as much (if not more) than I have writing it.
