Hello, Dear Readers. Please enjoy my newest update, this is one of my longer chapters. Read and review in great numbers, please. You are the best audience I could possibly ask for!

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Karldin.

CHAPTER 29

A beautiful scene, admitted Harry as he appeared amidst the Stonehenge monument. A clean, green lawn surrounded the monument and the sky was bright with sunlight. To his Sharingan however, the place was bathed with vibrant hues of colours he could not even begin to name. Merlin Emrys' magic was still seeped into the earth…this place was of enormous historical significance to Harry. This was where it had all changed one thousand years ago, this was the place where Evolette had defeated Quintus for the last time. Here the Wand users and Raw Wizards had parted ways for the last time.

Stop thinking about Quintus, Harry, for me. I want to put him back safely in the past, Evolette told him. Harry assented, reaching behind his back to grasp the war fan and unstrapped it smoothly. Evolette had been subdued since the duel with Voldemort three days ago….he understood very well the demons of betrayal. So he did for her what she had done for him; he had been there for her as a constant source of solace.

And I appreciate it. Though I feel ashamed; it is my job to look after you, she said to him as he walked to the center of the Stonehenge. Ivy, it seemed, had not given up her predisposition for choosing epic spots for his lessons. Seeing no sense in wasting time waiting for their arrival, he spoke to Evolette: Can you teach me how to use the Fan? You said you would.

In response to his request, foreign memories flooded his mind. Closing his eyes, he better focused upon the slew of images Evolette was sharing with him.

"Father, this thing looks like some tavern instrument. Why are you teaching me how to use this? I want to learn the sword, like you taught Maximus!", said a young woman in a form-fitting tunic and hose. Her blonde hair fell down to her waist in curls, and her face was enchantingly beautiful. Her eyes had morphed into the Sharingan, but she stood petulantly with hands on hips as she stared at the man opposite her.

Arcturus Peverell laughed heartily, throwing back his head in his mirth. He was a tall man, well-proportioned and dressed. His eyes too were Sharingan, and his face was all hard planes and cuts. "My dear, this", he said as he hefted the War Fan in his hand, "is no tavern instrument. It is the culmination of the last two years of effort on my part! Young Gryffindor's rented goblin sword is good, but this is better!", he said earnestly. His shoulder-length mane of silvery hair shook as he dissolved into further chuckles.

"Father, you are slipping into senility", said Evolette flatly. Arcturus shot her an injured look and lifted his War Fan with one hand, staring at it with steadily darkening expression. Evolette seemed to sense something was wrong, and made to speak. But Arcturus raised his free hand.

"My dear, you know I do not have much longer to live. My Mangekyo is deteriorating rapidly, and already my vision is blurring. The illness is setting in. I will probably be dead within three months, give or take some weeks", he said gently. Evolette's expression seemed to waver, and suddenly tears streamed down her cheeks. She threw herself into her father's arms, and Arcturus hugged her with his free arm.

"Father, you can't die! Why do you keep refusing to take my eyes? Or Maximus' eyes? Your Sharingan will be eternal then, father! You can't leave me like this!", she wept in his arms. Arcturus soothed her gently, and stepped back with a kiss on her brow.

"Evolette, I have already made my peace with death. I am not so despicable a man as to blind my own children in an effort to live", he told her. He held up the Fan once more, and looked solemnly at his daughter. "This weapon is my legacy to you, my beloved daughter. It is imbued with extremely powerful wards, woven into it from the first piece of wood that constituted it. My body will be disabled within the next few weeks, and I cannot teach you then. So, will you accept my personal weapon and the techniques of its use from me today?", he asked her with a hint of formality.

Evolette nodded with a tearful expression, her face suddenly drawn with misery. Arcturus moved away from her and raised the fan high with his right hand, and looked at her. "You inherited my nimbleness and dexterity in battle, my dear, which is why this weapon belongs with you. How you can manipulate magic with it is something you will have to unravel for yourself…to teach you that will only hasten my death. I can only teach you how to use it and the magic naturally imbued into it. Watch closely with your Sharingan", he said as he grounded the War Fan with a thud.

And then it could only be described as a graceful dance. Using the Fan for support, Arcturus pivoted into the air at an angle, landing like a cat on two feet. The Fan followed in a blur and Arcturus continued with a complex series of moves that would mesmerize anything but the Sharingan. For so ungainly looking a weapon, he was twirling and using it with such subtlety and concealed power that Evolette watched with jaw hanging open.

The wind picked up around the form of Arcturus in a small whirlwind as he went through flowing moves, spinning the Fan from one hand to another behind his back and further in dizzying patterns. Arcturus spun into the air with his body parallel to the ground, the Fan pointed directly at the ground. This time when he landed on the ground, the winds around him were exacerbated into a violent whirlwind. Evolette threw an arm around her face to protect herself against the raging winds.

With one hand on the long handle and the other on the Fan's body, Arcturus stood amidst the gale that was tearing up the huge clearing thoroughly.

"Hawyr Amsugnasem!" he said in his deep voice and the tearing winds subsided slowly, and the War Fan shone white as it seemed to absorb the destructive gale it had helped create. Within moments, the Fan was glowing slightly and the environment was tranquil. Arcturus walked up to Evolette with a smile, and queried, "What do you see within the Fan, daughter?"

Evolette observed the Fan closely with her Sharingan, and a few moments later shook her head disappointedly. "Nothing, Father. It seems to be an ordinary War Fan. Did you create that wind?"

"The Wind came thanks to the weapon. My magic is weakened due to illness, and I refuse to use it in such quantities", said Arcturus as he held it out horizontally in front of him with his right hand. "Can you defend yourself from its attack, dear? After all it is but some tavern instrument as you put it. Throw up a powerful shield", he added with a twinkle. Evolette's face tightened with determination, and held out her hands firmly. The challenge on her face was clear.

"Done?", asked Arcturus and the Fan seemed to glow with anticipation. "Very well. Your shielding spell is well-formed and firm, this I can see. Now, get ready for your first lesson of my last teaching to you. Hawyr Chysgodion!", he proclaimed firmly.

The ground was torn up into bits in front of Arcturus as an extremely destructive column of wind issued forth from the War Fan, but stopped dead in front of Evolette's outstretched hands. The ground between Father and daughter was ripped up completely, and pieces of the earth were blown far away by the gale as it dissipated itself furiously on Evolette's shielding charm. A few moments later the gale died out, leaving long gouges upon the earth between them.

"It is a pity I am at the end of my lifespan. If I had created this weapon at the height of my powers, perhaps I could have lived longer by preserving my Mangekyo in so many battles", he pondered quietly. Evolette was gasping slightly opposite him, looking wide eyed at the destruction caused by the technique. Then her face lit up in a beautiful smile as she threw herself into her father's arms, peppering his face with kisses.

"Now, Evolette, you are almost a grown woman as you keep reminding me. Perhaps you should stop acting like the little girl I-"

"Father I love you. I love you!", said Evolette happily as she smiled with all the innocence and eagerness of a child offered sweets. "Wait until I show Maximus what you are giving me!"

"Amazing", whispered Harry as the memory receded from his mind. Opening his eyes, he gazed around at the ground upon which one thousand years ago his ancestor had wielded the selfsame weapon he now held in his hands. He was literally holding the history of his family in his hand, and he began to appreciate the worth of the heirloom. That was Arcturus two months away from his deathbed?, he asked Evolette incredulously.

It was father, said Evolette as if that explained everything. She seemed to be somewhat uplifted by the memory, it certainly seemed that way to Harry. I myself learned and used a little more than what I just showed you. I died before I could unravel more of its mysteries, she said as he went to stand in the middle of Stonehenge just like Arcturus had a millennium ago. With great eagerness he raised the War Fan straight and high just like Arcturus had done in the memory, and brought it down to the ground with a thud. Before he could vault using the Fan, Kincaid's sarcastic voice sounded behind him.

"Potter, what is that ridiculous thing you are carrying? Put it away and let us get started with the serious stuff!"

Harry turned with an annoyed look to see Kincaid staring at him with equal irritation. Ivy was there as well, and he grimaced as he saw her chasing butterflies and ignoring him completely. So much for the Archive's wisdom, he thought glumly as he sadly strapped the War Fan to his back. Kincaid had slipped into deceptively simple stance, and Harry sighed as he almost involuntarily slipped into the same stance.

I can't say I am looking forward to this.

"A very apt place for this meeting", said Albus Dumbledore merrily as he stepped out of secret passage into the room of requirement. "Ah, it feels good to be home again. The Raw Wizards of the United States, shall I say Croaker…have an overwhelming sense of superiority when it concerns us. Not unlike how the purebloods view the muggleborn", he said as he settled himself into a comfortable cushioned chair and picked up the teacup his old friend had set for him. He glanced around at the Room of Requirement that had taken the shape of his old office of the Headmaster.

"You heard of the trap Professors Flamel set for Voldemort?", asked Croaker as he lowered his hood and faced his longtime friend. Dumbledore nodded, a hint of appreciation in his eyes. "There was a disturbance in the magical flux in the Nevernever, and I learned of their enterprise a little later. Clever Nicholas, bringing Voldemort in like that…I heard they threw him into the Nevernever somewhere."

"That they did. The War will begin in earnest once he returns, he is not someone who can stomach even a hint of defeat", concurred Croaker as they lapsed into silence. Then he spoke suddenly, "Augusta is deviating from her role, Albus. She is giving Neville to the Flamels…I had half a mind to simply take Neville away by force; He is our failsafe, Albus. You know of the strength and potency of his magic…the sheer lifeforce it contains. Already he is beginning to manifest astounding control over nature. We cannot let him run amok like Potter!"

"Harry was always lost to us, Croaker", Dumbledore said sadly. "I put my faith in his ability to see past the pain towards the higher cause, but he was weaker than I thought. As you say, Neville is our failsafe. If what you say is true, the power within him is already beginning to show. Do the Flamels know of its origins?"

Croaker croaked out a scratchy laugh. "They suspect, I think. Any wizard worth his salt can feel the blazing lifeforce in Neville's magic, and the other day I saw him subdue three Devil's snares by calling up a huge tree root out of the earth. The boy is just too shy and unassuming to find out what is happening to him…but I think Nicholas will kill me if he knew of the bargain we struck with the Queen of the Summer Fae, Titania. The people at the Department are already wetting themselves with excitement with all that is going on: Potter has the Eternal Mangekyo, the legendary eyes of unknown power. Neville has reached into the sliver of Titania's power sitting within his soul, and that is sending everyone into frenzy."

"That was a close one we pulled with Queen Titania fifteen years ago, wasn't it Croaker?", reminisced Dumbledore after he sipped his tea. "I thought she would erase us from the face of the earth after we asked her for that little bargain. But her power is beyond comprehension…who knows why she agreed to our ridiculous terms? Why would the Lady of Light and Life part with a fraction of her power with no strings attached, and that too to a babe? I have studied the matter, and I know that Neville or we do not owe her in anyway. But as we know, she must also be playing some game"

"Perhaps it is to counter some move of Mab. The Sidhe queens can see a decade into the future just by considering millions of possible paths of fate", offered Croaker, and Albus got a pensive look on his face. They drifted off into their own trains of thought, comforted by the familiar environment of the pseudo-office the Room had created. Croaker suddenly shook his head and chuckled, and Dumbledore raised his brow in question.

"They have come up with a name for Neville's special brand of magic, Albus, my team of researchers at the department. I asked them to keep a close eye on Neville's development, but not to make contact with him in anyway. They were skipping around like little kids once my grandson called up that enormous tree root to stop those devil's snares…you should have been there", said Croaker remembered with a smile.

"Oh, what are they calling it?", asked Dumbledore curiously.

"Wood Release", said Croaker and Dumbledore smiled as well.

"An excellent name. Neville has not even scratched the surface of what he is capable of. It is a sad thing that we could not hide him from Professor Flamel's attention", mused Dumbledore. "How fares the Professor after his fight with Voldemort?", asked the former Headmaster.

"You know him. He is alright, and ecstatic at finding Neville. I have no doubt he will eventually trace the thread of events back to you and me…his contacts with the Raw Magical world are extensive", said Croaker. "The Department is so happy you would think it was Christmas. Their faith with the Flamels is restored after they drove Voldemort away, and they can't seem to decide who they want to drool on: Neville or Potter."

"You lay low for a while, Croaker", Dumbledore advised seriously. "We must once again assemble the Order of the Phoenix in London…perhaps we can hold off the depredations of Death Eaters with them while simultaneously focusing on the larger game. Let us leave Nicholas and Perenelle to teach Neville…the dedication to the greater good cannot be taught. It is an ideal that has to come from within-"

"Albus, don't be delusional. If we let the Flamels sink their claws into Neville, we are done for. Potter is getting so skilled that he passed six core NEWTS as if they were kids' rhymes. Neville's magic is getting stronger as well…if those two are hostile to our goals, we cannot possibly control them. Facing them both at once is not my idea of a well-executed plan. I do not think even you can stop them with the aid of Armaros", said Croaker anxiously.

"That is open to debate", said Dumbledore as he stood up and looked gravely at his friend. "Do not disturb events, Croaker. Do not move against the Flamels, it is not yet time for that. The boys are only now beginning to grow…the seeds we sowed fifteen years ago will grow into mighty trees with or without our aid. I have a feeling Harry will find his path eventually, and the Flamels will teach Neville better than we ever could. Our role for the moment will be to make sure they are not subverted in any manner…a choice is no choice if it is forced, and therein lies the essence of prophecy."

Croaker shook his head as Dumbledore disappeared with a puff of smoke. His old friend was as enigmatic as ever, and his speech left even his more than average mind spinning for answers. He sighed, and made for the door to the passage out of Hogwarts- there was a great deal for him to do if Albus wanted the Order resumed. The Order was always meant to be a counter to the Death Eaters, he thought as he descended the passage towards Hog's Head inn. Perhaps I should start with the Weasleys…they always did stick to Albus' ideals without even bothering to know what those ideals were, he thought with a dry amusement as he walked into the Hog's head, nodded to Aberforth and disappeared coolly.

….

Harry stumbled slightly as he appeared in the Main Hall of Chateau Potter, still feeling slightly disoriented as he had downed several Potions of healing. Not too bad Harry. You actually bruised Kincaid this time!, Evolette praised him effusively. Yeah, and got my arm broken and three teeth knocked out in return, he grimaced as he worked his jaw and arm. Though healed he could feel a remnant of the pain in them, but the satisfaction was greater.

What is that din in the Kitchen?, he mused as he looked towards the Kitchen and heard the noise. Intrigued, he made towards the rather well-stocked kitchen of his parents' house. Despite himself, he could appreciate the place. Molly Weasley's horrible dump of a kitchen was a place of chaos, and Aunt Petunia's unhealthy obsession made the Dursley kitchen feel unlived in. The Potter Kitchen however was pleasantly in between those two extremes, he thought as he opened the door and froze with surprise. It only took him a moment to recover and he sneered at his parents.

"Isn't this domestic? Well, mother and father, don't let me interrupt your fun with your newest experiment", he said politely as he saw his parents go stiff with surprise. Lily recovered first, and replied with surprising coldness, "You were no experiment to us, Harry. Do not say such things in our presence. Neville is practically our godson and at least with him every conversation is not a barb pointed at our failures!"

"Hmm. You do have a backbone", he said unruffled as he sat himself opposite a nonplussed Neville. So the Flamels had gone ahead and collected Neville as they had said they would. "Well hello, Neville. How are you? Do you like it here?", he asked with an extremely fake attempt at conversation. Neville looked uncomfortable as he nodded his head in the affirmative. Stop expending this much energy on them, Harry. It is an utter waste; anger and emotion do nothing but cloud your thinking…you need to be cold and clear in mind, Evolette admonished him. Harry took a deep breath, and tried to center himself with occlumency.

"Thank you", he said mildly to his mother as she slammed a plate of treacle tart on his table so hard that it shook. "So, Neville. Are you yet in the circle of trust?", he asked with mouth full of treacle tart. Neville just looked confused and James asked him what he was talking about. Harry could not help but feel satisfied at the sheer anger his mother was showing…he had gotten tired of all their sniveling and whining.

"You, your wife, Dumbledore and Croaker, that's who I am talking about my dear father", Harry stated. "Did you tell Neville here everything that we have been upto? The tearful reunions, the heart-warming sacrifices I made for you, my sojourn at Azkaban…things like that. Minor things you should know Neville", he pointed out with false diffidence. There was silence again in the Kitchen but for the knife that was chopping vegetables by itself.

"We told him everything, yes", said Lily quietly. "Everything as it happened. Elliott managed to convince Nicholas to let Neville make his decision with the greatest information", she informed him. Harry's Sharingan glowed with hidden menace but his reply was quite level. The anger was resurrected again at their blatant and disgusting hypocrisy.

"A courtesy I was never given, mother. Tell me, is Neville more special than your own flesh and blood?", he inquired calmly. Neville fidgeted, looking as if he wanted to be anywhere but here. But Lily looked determined as she met Harry's eyes with a blazing look. She's reached the end of her rope, he concluded grimly as he observed the blind anger and frustration his mother's reactions betrayed.

"Harry, get it through your head that betrayal is an implicit part of awakening the Sharingan. Your father and I have gone through hell comparable to yours! When you have children of your own you will understand how far a mother will go to save her child from death. This way you would hate us, yes, but you are alive and you have a good chance of defeating your enemies! We are not asking for reconciliation with you…we are not even asking for you to stop punishing us. Just don't poison Neville against us", she finished with a pleading voice.

"She is right", James joined in looking sternly at Harry. "We owe Alice and Frank to help Neville. He will stay with us from now on, and attend his lessons with the Flamels four days a week."

Harry had stopped listening to them, instead examining Neville with his Sharingan. How could he have missed this with Neville? Evolette answered drily, two words that had almost been the death of him: Self Absorption. He smiled slightly as he glanced at his parents, "You both are beginning to irritate me. Fortius", he said carelessly as he used the evocation. Both Potters were thrown hard against the whitewashed wall, sliding unconscious to the ground.

"Harry!", exclaimed Neville, backing away with apprehension.

"Take it easy and sit down. Now we can talk without their interference", he said to the pale Longbottom, watching as his ex-classmate sat himself opposite Harry warily. "There is something different about your magic, Neville. You are as strong as me in sheer magical power, which is strange in itself…in fact, to my eyes you are literally blazing with energy. What did they do to you?", he asked intently.

"No one did anything to me-"

"Don't lie!", snarled Harry with pure fury blotting out his control as he leaned forward with both hands on the table. "No other student is even close to my magical capacity! Do you think you can deceive these eyes of mine? You know what I had to go through to acquire even the paltry power I possess today? What price did you pay, Longbottom?", he asked icily. Neville already seemed scared into submission, and in some corner of his mind Harry felt bad for frightening the clueless boy like this.

"I have no idea what you're talking about", said Neville quickly. "I am just the same bloke I always was!"

"Fine, let's do this the hard way you useless idiot. Your parents are probably happy they don't have to see their son turn into a waste of space like you. Even I am considering Cruciating myself and joining them at that insanity ward when I see you", said Harry snidely and he saw Neville's face go blank at the taunt. Pure, sharp anger twisted Neville's face as he stared at Harry with no trace of his previous awkwardness.

Yeah. Stop talking and start attacking. Works like a charm, he thought with satisfaction as Neville leapt at him with flailing fists. "I can finish you in my sleep, you moron", he said calmly as he batted aside two overextended punches with one hand and delivered a kick that sent Neville crashing to the ground. He saw Lily and James stirring from their unconsciousness but he did not pause as he stared down at a gasping Neville.

"You do your parents an injustice. I would kill to have parents like yours…parents who got tortured to keep their son safe, unlike my paradoxical parents who let me get tortured to keep them safe. Stop whining on the ground and show me what makes you so special", he goaded Neville. That's right. Show me what you can do with all that magic, he thought as Neville stood shakily, wiping blood from his lips.

"Stupefy!", roared Neville suddenly and thrust out his hand at Harry. Show off, murmured Evolette as he unraveled the spell into its components just like Vector had shown him. Wandless magic? Not surprising with the amount of magic his body contains, thought Harry as he tutted at Neville.

"Impedimenta! Reducto! CRUCIO!", shouted Neville in quick succession, stumbling slightly on the last curse. Harry sighed, batting away each and every curse with the back of his palm. Uncaring of what the stray curses destroyed, he turned back to Neville who was glaring angrily at him. Do you really want to go that far just to find out his capabilities, Harry? He will hate you for it, said Evolette as he looked up to meet Neville's rage filled eyes with his Sharingan.

I need to be sure with the kind of strength I am seeing in him, and this is the only way I can be. He must hit me with everything he has, said Harry as his eyes gleamed a malicious red. Neville started shivering at the sight of the legendary eyes, and Harry remembered how Alice and Frank Longbottom had looked in those pictures, and projected the illusion with his eyes. Neville suddenly screamed terribly as Harry fed constructed visions of the Longbottoms being tortured by a cackling Bellatrix, convulsing in the grip of the illusion.

You are being too harsh, Harry, said Evolette sadly but Harry did not reply. He did not want this, but it was necessary. If Neville was noticed like this by everyone, he could possibly be a rival. Neville's screams were drowning everything out and he saw his parents come fully into consciousness. He waved a hand at the kitchen knives, and a dozen of them floated into the air and flashed at James Potter who was rushing at them with wand held aloft. Then it happened.

Even as James Potter transfigured the knives into floating pieces of paper, the air around Neville shimmered and Harry felt a sharp ache in his eyes as his illusion was broken into smithereens. He fought to clear the double vision created by the backlash, and he saw Neville slam his palms together. The tiles cracked and split as thick branches of wood sprouted out with unnerving force, and rushed towards him in a blur. He made to dodge them, but the floor beneath him spat out large wooden bars that caught his hands and legs firmly.

The world seemed to slow down as Harry considered the phenomenon. Not transfiguration, these are very real tree branches grown naturally. This is truly extraordinary magic. He is converting magic into a source of life, said Evolette as Harry interestedly observed the branches hurtling towards his chest. "Kamui", he said unconcernedly and disappeared out of his restraints with a spiral of air. The wooden branches missed him by a sliver and crashed into the wall and door with stunning force, tearing through them with a great deal of noise.

Red light washed around the kitchen as Harry appeared behind Neville and stunned him smoothly. "If you fight me I will not spare you", Harry warned James Potter as Neville fell to the ground with a thud. Lily had gotten up, and had run straight to Neville without even looking at Harry.

"Why did you do that?", James bit out with no little anger.

"He'll be alright. I wanted to know what he was capable of, and what made him special enough to be handpicked just like that. Without being given pain like I was given, I mean", he clarified as he saw Lily drown Neville with a deluge of healing spells. He glanced around the kitchen which had been torn apart somewhat by tree branches, and sighed. He has great potential. I have never seen anyone of your age with the kind of sheer magical power you possess. It seems too much of a coincidence for two extraordinary young Wizards to coexist like this; I smell a rat said Evolette solemnly.

"If only I could trade parents with him", remarked Harry to Lily as he passed her by, not seeing her deeply stricken look directed at him as he disappeared with his trademark spiral. Appearing in his room, he threw himself on to the bed and picked up the glass ball Elliott had given him at the Hall of Prophecies. He had not yet made any headway with the three prophecies that were in it, but he would not stop trying.

…..

"The Wardens are unnecessary, Langtry. There is such a thing as impolitely cautious", said Nicholas Flamel mildly as he looked around the roof of the Sydney Opera House. Since their last meeting, the Merlin seemed to have found a liking for the spot, and had insisted meeting there again. Arthur Langtry stood calmly opposite Nicholas, with the confidence of a Wizard who knew he was the strongest. Brushing away a nonexistent speck of dust from the sleeve of his pristine blue robes, the Merlin looked up sternly at Nicholas.

"Impoliteness is the least of my concerns here, Flamel. The White Council is already mired in a worldwide war…the interference from your side of the fence could not have come at a worse time. We know what Albus Dumbledore has done; I have half a mind to simply tear up our covenants and finish him myself", he said emotionlessly. Nicholas could see faint shimmers as a dozen Wardens patrolled around the vast roof, veiling themselves expertly with Raw Magic.

"You must do as you see fit. But this is not really about Albus, is it?", Nicholas asked quietly.

"Not fully", acknowledged the Merlin with a slight tip of his head. "Truth be told, Flamel, I am beginning to fear another resumption of hostilities betwixt our two sides. I told you the last time; we were wary of Arcturus Potter, and now out comes his heir wielding eyes far more powerful than that of his forefather. But Harry Potter we have handled for the time being; No, what concerns me is the one you are choosing as your new apprentice. Do not be surprised…word travels fast when such momentous things occur."

Nicholas managed to subdue his surprise, and then that surprise turned to understanding. "Queen Titania is the only one who could possibly give you such information. What did she tell you?", he asked calmly. The Merlin seemed unfazed by the Alchemist's deductions.

"Our envoy at the Summer Court was imparted this knowledge, Flamel. Eternal Mangekyo is power which is uncharted, and now this…Neville Longbottom has a thimble of Titania's oneness with nature, which is also extremely dangerous. A small part of a nearly incalculable whole is still extremely threatening; the name is spreading slowly, Flamel. Wood Release…", he said slowly.

Nicholas smiled slightly at the Merlin's frown…this century was promising great things. Harry Potter was showing astonishing talent and such growing mastery over his ocular technique that the researchers were certain he was going to eclipse Arcturus within a few years. And now Neville Longbottom had dropped out of the metaphorical sky like a gift from the heavens…Nicholas could not help but feel hope at the thought of the future. He did not need Elliott to tell him that those two were going to shape the Wizarding world far more than Albus ever did.

"I am free to choose my apprentice, Merlin", Nicholas said spreading his hands wide. "I confess Albus has been a great disappointment. The boy has his heart in the right place, but he never grasped that the ends do not justify the means. I give you full authorities to do with him as you please...his actions are frankly indicative of delusional behavior."

Arthur Langtry shook his head and shot Nicholas a dirty glance. "Still the same, Flamel? I knew you would pawn Dumbledore off on us to deal with. You can't even deal with that upstart Voldemort, why ever did I expect you to deal with Dumbledore? I remember you throwing a hissy-fit every time something from our side crossed into yours. Your ideas of fairness are despicable", he spat. Nicholas waved away the rebuke carelessly.

"I heard Albus was messing around somewhere near Los Angeles and a bit at Missouri. Don't let him get in contact with Ebenezar", he warned. "They both hate each other. I know Ebenezar is seventh strongest in the Council after you, but I think Albus is no longer what he once was. That Fallen Angel within him will be continuously giving him powerful knowledge, and his already prodigious magic will be enhanced by Hellfire. If I were to fight him right now, I can honestly say it would not be easy."

Langtry sighed, grasping the tall, unmarked white staff tightly as he spoke, "Know this, Flamel. I will not hesitate to end Dumbledore if he meddles in the affairs of the Council. You know the agreements you drew up with my predecessor. You know I will neutralize Dumbledore if he tries to plant chaos when we are already being tried. The war is going to a stalemate, the scale is slightly tipping over to the Red Court. This is not a time to test us."

Nicholas nodded agreeably, his face lightening up as he moved on with the conference, "How is the team I sent to help you out at Mexico, Langtry? I know they are still a bit inexperienced, but Rostov personally certified them as passable", he said. The Merlin's cold blue eyes flashed with pure contempt as he considered Nicholas.

"Flamel, you are gaining a reputation for callousness. You sent two little girls to that slaughterfield, and they are adapting frighteningly well to the fight, especially the younger one. Captain of the Wardens Anastasia Luccio wants to destroy you for doing that to a young girl of fourteen…as well as every other Warden fighting alongside that team of yours. It is just like you to use that Granger girl's connections to further her training safely", said the Merlin as a hint of anger broke through his contempt. "You know we need the help badly, but at the same time we cannot afford to have Harry Potter against us."

"That's what I figured. Your Wardens have to protect both and Isabelle properly as you can't have Harry against you. I look out for my people, Merlin", said Nicholas blandly, enjoying getting one over the Merlin of the White Council himself. Arthur Langtry was a keen judge of situations but this time events were not under his control…they were not under Nicholas' either but he understood them better than others. "You will deal with Albus?", he asked politely.

"If he becomes a problem to our interests, yes. And Flamel, don't even think about manipulating Dumbledore so he really does become a problem to the White Council. If I even get the slightest drift of such a thing, you will pay. This is your only warning", said Langtry with blazing eyes. The two Wizards stared at each other, and the Wardens seemed to freeze behind their Veils as magic seemed to permeate the air and press down on the earth. Bits of the roof seemed to break away and float into the air all around them.

"We both know I am not as strong as you, Langtry, so stop showing off", said Nicholas irritably, and then he smirked as if at a private joke. "I won't do anything to Albus, you know. He manages to complicate things without my help. In truth, I will be far too busy training my apprentice…he shows enormous potential. Both Perenelle and I have used the Soulgaze upon him, and I confess myself amazed. That boy is pure and idealistic unlike anyone I have ever seen before, and his magic shines all the brighter for it. You will have no problems with him like you do with Harry, I think. Neville is a different breed, an extraordinary boy in his own way."

"What is your point, Flamel?", asked the Merlin with narrowed eyes as the bits of roof fell back to its source even as the sense of indomitable magic faded.

"Only this: Neville Longbottom is under my protection now. I have helped Harry Potter as much as I could, but it was too little and too late. Do not interfere with Neville even if you know him to possess a bit of Titania's power. I think the Wood Release is as wonderful as the Sharingan in its own way, and they belong to our world. The lines are drawn firmly, Merlin. Those two boys belong to the Confederate Wizards, not the Raw Wizards", said Nicholas and the Wardens began to close in at the amount of magic he was now giving off.

"What makes you think we want them?", asked Langtry curiously. Nicholas shrugged.

"Everyone wants Harry Potter; he is a wild card whose potential is frightening. Neville is already beginning to create waves in both sides…I have already had a dozen outrageous overtures from the Summer Sidhe to hand him over. I just want to make this clear to you now to avoid later confusions. You cannot have them. They are ours", Nicholas said solemnly. The Merlin stared at him for a moment longer and rapped the butt of his staff on the floor. He and his wardens disappeared in a flash of searing white light, and Nicholas blinked slightly as his eyes watered. Petty bastard, he could have been gentler with that light show he grumbled to himself as he too disapparated.

…..

That damn verse about the Rinnegan is popping up everywhere. Now it turns out it is a prophecy!, said Harry with frustration as he put away the glass ball that contained the prophecies about him. Evolette seemed to be lost in thought, and thus did not reply to his frustrated meanderings. A knock on the door distracted him, and the next moment the door opened letting in Vector. Harry took one look at her, and cut in before she could speak.

"I know you are angry about how I treated Neville, but don't bother. It was the only way to be sure and you know it", he said firmly. Vector shook her head as she walked to sit on the edge of his bed. She seemed to gather her resolve for a few moments as she stared up at Harry.

"How long do you intend to carry on like this?", she asked him intently. "Two months ago coming here was a good idea, Harry. We were vulnerable, and we needed a safe place to stay. This house has served its purpose now…I think we are strong enough to move openly now."

"We?", asked Harry with a raised brow.

"Yes, we. I will be coming with you a while longer, I hope you don't mind?", she asked him in a voice that was a mite too sweet. At his negative reaction she patted his cheek, "Great! Now, After what you told me about the duel at the Department, I am no longer sure staying this close to Britain is a very good idea. Voldemort's pride was hurt and that is a very bad thing. He will start the war slowly again, and this time the hostilities will be extremely dangerous", she continued. Harry snorted disbelievingly.

"I am not afraid of Voldemort. And close? We're in France Septima!", he said. Vector waved that away dismissively.

"Not geographically. France and Britain have ministries that are in good communication, which means the Death Eaters have influence here. We need to go to a place where the English Ministry has no reach-"

"I'm not afraid of Voldemort, so why should I run? Those dipshit Death Eaters are just jokes and you know it, Septima. Perhaps Lucius I could take seriously, but the others are morons", he said with pure derision. Sometimes I forget you are still a pure child beneath all the hurt, sighed Evolette sadly even as Vector grimaced. Your enemies will not come at you fairly, my dear Harry. They have done so till now because they underestimated you. Voldemort will not make that mistake again, and you are not ready to fight that kind of war yet.

What kind of war?, he demanded.

A war where they will break you mentally. Not like Azkaban, Harry. They will exploit your weaknesses in ways you cannot imagine…they will send assassins. They will try to take you, and break you. They will attack you when you sleep- believe me, you are not ready for that yet. You must continue as the girl tells you. Travel, Harry. Keep moving, and learning and get experience. Build your contacts amongst both sides of the fence…the world of Wizards is vaster than you can imagine. You will enjoy your time out in the world, we both will.

And Voldemort?

Deal with him as it comes. If you force another confrontation with him, you may have to reveal the Divine Treasures. After that you wouldn't know a moment's peace…that is all I am trying to avoid, she told him softly. Harry's face tightened, not liking the fact that he would have to run away from Voldemort; but he had seen the Dark Lord in action, and he knew there was a good chance he would lose a duel with Voldemort. And the Dark Lord would stop playing the next time- he would just come at Harry with intent to kill.

"Very well. When do we leave?", asked Harry disappointedly as he looked at a very surprised looking Vector.

"Um…does ten minutes later sound good to you?", Vector asked brightly, causing him to frown. She seems too vivacious. She is hiding something, he thought with rising suspicion as he walked closer to examine her reactions. She fidgeted slightly under his unrelenting gaze, and he tilted his head as he looked examined the slightly higher beat of her heart, dilation of her pupils…things that his Sharingan instantly identified as indicators of falsehood.

"Harry, why are you looking at me like that? Can't we just go?", she asked a bit nervously. Before he could reply, the door to his room opened once more with a slamming sound and his parents walked in with no hint of their previous meekness. In fact, both of them seemed ready to attack him at once and that notion was further strengthened by the wands that they held tightly in their hands. Vector's eyes widened and she came to stand beside Harry, her hand coming to rest in his as they stared at the very irate looking Potters. A subdued seeming Neville entered the room after a few moments, looking away determinedly from Harry.

Harry for his part looked at Septima who seemed sad, and then he understood what was going to happen. "Is there a problem?", he asked them mildly. Lily raised her wand with a blur, but James caught her hand mid-motion. Harry did not expect that at all; he was so used to them being diffident and meek after their treachery that he could not react at this sudden reversal of behavior.

"We were just told what you did in the kitchen. How could you torment Neville with visions of his parents being tortured?" Lily whispered quietly, revulsion openly displayed as she stared at him. "He is innocent in all this, why hurt him? Hurt us all you want and we will take it. But he is as much a son to me as you are and I will not let you harm him! You filthy monster!", she spat at him viciously. James' wand had slipped from nerveless fingers as the room went dead silent at Lily's tirade. Neville seemed shocked and rooted to the spot, and he actually had the courtesy to look apologetically at Harry.

Lily's enraged expression suddenly shattered as she saw Harry's face, and she her hand went to her mouth; James seemed frozen in his spot as he stared at the face of his son. Vector was not even looking at them, but had was tightly holding Harry's hand as if to lend him strength.

This time Harry did not feel anger at all, nor did he feel the comforting coldness of Occlumency. This time, he simply hurt. Something broke to pieces within him, and the feeling was unlike any he had ever felt previously. Despite the enormous loathing he held for his parents, it hurt to have his own mother call him a monster. He raised a hand to his face, and knew by its wetness that his eyes were continuously shedding tears. Harry do not listen to her, Evolette told him firmly but he was of no mind to care. He let the tears flow for a few more moments, certain that this was the one and only time he would cry for what could have been.

An epiphany was beginning to dawn on him in its entirety, and he welcomed it.

He began to understand just what Evolette meant when she told him to stop letting himself be defined by his past betrayals. Why should he feel for people who did not feel for him? Why did he have to weigh himself down with these burdens when he could choose to fly free? In a burst of clarity almost like fate, he knew exactly what to do next.

"You wanted to avoid this, didn't you? That was why you rushed me", he stated to Vector who nodded slightly, her eyes glistening with tears. "I heard them call you those names and I knew I could not let you hear them", she replied quietly and tightened her grip on his arm.

"Harry-", started James, but Harry raised his hand to cut him off.

He looked at Neville. "I am sorry for what I did to you, but I truly needed to know what made you so important a factor. Pain often brings out the best in us, isn't that right mother?", he asked Lily coolly. She sniffled, looking away from him hurriedly. "Anyway, Neville, you are far from weak. Your power is very strange to me, but you have potential", he told his old classmate quietly, and Neville nodded stiffly. Harry thought he saw a lessening of the animosity in the Longbottom's countenance.

Neville had always been far too forgiving of his friends, but Harry had a feeling he and Neville would always be staring at each other over this gulf that separated them. He knew one thing with all certainty now- making himself harder and harder and cutting himself off from emotions was useless. He was suffering, and he wanted to stop suffering because of people who did not give a damn about him. He owed himself far more than suffering due to the thankless vermin in front of him. It was time to let go…time to free himself.

You understand at last. I wish you did not have to go through all this pain for it, but it's over, Harry. Close this now; you know what to do, Evolette told him softly. "Monster I may be, but if I am one it will be by my choice. We are over, mother. Our obligations to each other apparently ended the moment I exited your womb and entered this world", he told her calmly while paying no heed to how she began shaking violently within her husband's grasp, paler than a ghost.

"Harry, this is just-", started James Potter again while Neville just looked defeated and depressed at the scene playing out in front of him.

"What I needed", Harry completed the sentence. "Your home was useful for these months, but I do not need you or it anymore. Let us part ways, mother and father", he said. He raised his hand and flicked his fingers to create a brilliant tongue of golden flame to wind around his arm, and stared up directly at the flabbergasted Potters.

"I bear the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. I am Arcturus' true heir, therefore it is fitting that I take his name. Harry Potter is no more, father. Henceforth I am Harry Peverell", he proclaimed, and the fire of the Unbreakable oath settled into his body. Already he could feel the subtle changes in his consciousness at forsaking the Potter name…the Peverells were all but forgotten, yes, and it suited him. It was the clean slate he had always been seeking.

Lily had fainted in James' arms, and James himself seemed extremely shaken. Vector was looking at him with absolute relief and no small amount of appreciation, holding on tightly to his side now. Harry adjusted summoned the War Fan wandlessly from the corner where it rested, and strapped it to his back.

"Are you leaving?", asked James pensively. Harry nodded, and drew forth his Phoenix wand and looked at Neville. "Consider this as reparation for what I did to you. I know your wand does not function properly for you, it being your father's old wand. I have always felt a certain connection between us, and I know our paths will cross in the future. I have no doubt this wand will function excellently in your hand", he said and tossed the Phoenix wand to a stunned Neville who caught it reflexively out of the air.

"Lily will probably kill herself when she wakes up", James murmured as he looked down at his unconscious wife. "They were words said in the heat of the moment. Harry can't you possibly-"

"Killing herself would be quite futile. Tell her not to beat herself up about me; I choose to erase you from my life, and I will eventually erase you from my heart. Tell her she set me free", Harry told his father as he extended a hand to Vector. Good thing your name in the Unseelie Accords is listed as the Heir of Arcturus, or you would be in a world of trouble by now, Evolette commented as he readied the Kamui. Harry smiled faintly as the spiral of air began to swallow up both him and an ecstatic looking Vector- he felt lighter than ever now. Freer somehow, like a more mature, a new and improved version of how he used to be in his third year. Talk about unintended consequences.

"Goodbye, Father and Neville", he said with a sort of joyous finality as they were swallowed up into the Void. He would eventually come to terms with the sheer change that had happened to him here, and he knew he needed this epiphany. As he and his companion flashed through the Void towards Ivy's location, he shelved those feelings aside. He would go with the flow this time, and let no illusion blind him ever again.

He would be free.

…..