A/N: As always, Chap 28 review responses are available in my forums. I would also like to comment that the business aspects of this story involving Phoenix Industries have been vastly accelerated for the purpose of this story. What Harry accomplished in months would take years in real life. However, since that would make for really, really boring stories, I've sped that aspect of the plot up a great deal.


Chapter Twenty-Nine: On a Midnight Clear

As soon as the Weasleys and Xeno were off, the Floo lit up again, and another man appeared. He was of medium height, with thinning, sandy blond hair, intense blue eyes and broad, powerful shoulders.

Moody greeted the man with a firm handshake before turning to introduce him to the others. "Potters, Potterlings," - this to the DA core group - "this is Thomas Derkins, CEO of Blackwand Security."

"Mr. Derkins," Harry said as he shook the man's hand, "this is my wife Hermione Potter. She is my partner at the company and serves as co-president with myself. This is our concubine, Luna Lovegood."

Derkins didn't bat an eye as he shook her hand. "The seer Moody told me about?"

"And a looker too," Harry said.

Luna smiled brilliantly. "Nice to meet you. I do believe you're the first mercenary I've ever met. How exciting."

"Mercenary?" Ron said, his stomach dropping.

"Let's go to the conference room," Harry said.

Conference room? Ron looked at the others, who shrugged. They followed Harry through a door underneath the stairwell into a brightly lit, white-walled room dominated by an oval teak table large enough to seat twenty. One wall was dominated by a black screen that Ron couldn't immediately identify, while other walls had white-boards. There was also a nice wet bar in the corner.

"Moody, help yourself," Harry said. "You as well, Mr. Derkins."

"Anything for you, lad?" Moody asked.

"No thank you," Harry said.

"Butterbeers for the rest of us, please," Hermione said.

Ron hid his shock when Alastor said, "Right you are, lass," rather than yelling at her to get it herself, like he would have last year.

Ron sat beside Terry Boot. Since Terry and Ginny started dating, Ron was trying to get to get know the Ravenclaw a little better, and had to admit despite his own feelings, found the young man to be acceptable, if just barely. The others filled in around them, while Harry sat at the end of the table facing the black screen with Hermione on his right and Luna on his left, while Derkins and Moody finally took their seats the other side of the table.

"Moody, what can you tell us? We all sensed a disturbance."

Moody snorted. "Disturbance my one nut. Bellatrix Lestrange waltzed into a heavily fortified, warded safe house, killed ten seasoned aurors, then killed Narcissa and Draco Malfoy."

"Why'd she do that?" Ron said.

"Draco was doing a runner," Harry said. "He realized he could not win, so he left. But not very far, it seems."

"Dumbledore and Snape both think Bellatrix has undergone some power-enhancing ritual," Moody said. "And I'm inclined to believe them. She went through every auror without a wand, from what the surveillance spell could capture. Closest thing I've seen to you, Potter. I daresay she may even give you a run for your money."

"She might," Harry allowed. "If nothing else it will at least make the contest more interesting. Now that we have real money rolling in through Phoenix Industries, with a lot more to come, it's time to talk hard policy and planning. First off, everyone here should know that Dumbledore is dying." He told them about Dumbledore's curse and the horcruxes. The tale ended when he tossed a blackened, split locket on the table.

"That's one of the last," Harry said. "We found it here, in this house believe it or not, where the old elf was hoarding personal mementos. I'll let Dumbledore check the cave he thinks holds another sometime, but that would be one too many. We'll check to be safe, but I believe this locket was the object originally in the cave."

"Amelia is having trouble getting to the one in Lestrange's vault," Moody said. "The goblins are refusing to cooperate."

Harry nodded grimly. "We'll deal with that one another time."

"Other than the cup, then, that leaves just the snake," Hermione said. "And then Voldemort is mortal."

"So that's what all this is about?" Ron asked. "You-Know-Who?"

"No, it's about much more," Harry said.

"We're thinking a benevolent dictatorship," Luna said, smiling. "Before I joined it was going to be a genocidal tyrrany, but it's amazing how you can mellow a man out through endless amounts of sex."

"Finally worked for Ron," Katie Bell laughed. "Nice to know Brown's good for something!"

Ron blushed brightly, but didn't say anything.

"I am also going to push for a break in the International Statute of Secrecy," Harry said. "I need control over both worlds, and it will take both worlds to accomplish my goal."

"Which is a dictatorship?" Justin asked with a slightly sickened expression.

"In a sense," Harry said. "I want one, unified world government from which to launch humanity into the stars. We are increasing out population by one billion people every ten years. There will soon be too many people on this planet for it to continue to support us all. Our race faces extinction through overpopulation. The only way we our species to thrive is to expand beyond the world of our birth. But for that to happen, we are going to have to bring the peoples of the world in line with a unified government, and it will take in some cases applied violence to do it. However, I don't see myself as a king, but rather as one of many voices on the stage."

"Or more likely the choir director," Hermione amended.

"Yeah, I could go with that," Harry said. To Justin, he said, "I have no intention of becoming a Hitler or Stalin. I want to be a Churchill, leading the world through a time of genuine crises. But we have to start here, and now. We think that Voldemort has infiltrated the Ministry more than Minister Bones realizes. And that's in part why Mr. Derkins is here. Mr. Derkins is, as Luna pointed out, a mercenary."

"I prefer the term Independent Security Contractor," Derkins said. "But yes, mercenary is a fair assessment. Aside from a five year stint in the United States military, I also trained with the American War Mage units and saw action, both magical and Muggle, in South America. I founded Blackwand to provide magical security to both sides of the Statutes, and I have Muggles and wizards working for me."

"We're in negotiations with Mr. Derkins to buy Blackwand wholesale," Harry said to his friends. "With the new funds rolling in, and a large deal with Boyoda on the horizon, we have the cash to do so. It is my intent to form a Quick Response tactical force to counter both Voldemort's forces, and to provide security to the interests of Phoenix Industries both here and abroad. Mr. Derkins, if he accepts, will assume a Vice President position within the company, since it is my intent that this force be an important part of the company."

Harry looked intently at those gathered DA members, focusing on Ron. "If you're interested, we would like you to be a part of that group as well."

"What'd you mean?" Ron asked.

"I want you to train with Derkins and Moody," Harry said. "I want you to be able to fight and defend yourself against all threats, and if you want, there will be an important place for you in Phoenix Industries."

"Sounds like you're building an army, Harry," Justin noted.

"I am," Harry said simply. "First to defend the magical UK from Voldemort, and then our interests as we take Phoenix Industries international. Rest assured, when the world at large truly understands that I am shifting the entire economy away from oil, there will be violence."

"When would all this start?" Ron asked.

"Main training would occur over the summer," Harry said. "Or as soon as Dumbledore dies, whichever comes first. Those in Sixth Year should not count on returning for seventh year. Your training will include all necessary core subjects so you can test for NEWTs when you're ready. You're training will also cover Muggle subjects so that you can function effectively in both worlds. And you would be placed on salary even during your training."

"I have quite a few witches in my employ," Derkins said, looking at Katie and Angelina. "Not many women on the muggle side, but magic is a great equalizer, if you're interested."

Katie grinned brilliantly. "I am."

"The Order of the Phoenix effectively ceased operations when term started," Harry said. "We strongly suspect the Ministry will fall soon as well. We'll do our best to save those we can, but I don't think we can save the Ministry as it currently exists. The whole structure is so archaic and rife with corruption that we can't keep Voldemort out. Destroying Voldemort will simply be another of our assignments, but not our ultimate goal. As powerful as he may be, the future is larger than just him. And I would very much like you to be a part of that future. Will you join me?"

Ron, for his part, shrugged. "Never could say no to you, Harry."

"Me neither," Katie said. She winked at Hermione. "Good thing for your girls that you never asked me out. Any room for a third?"

"Sorry," Harry said, though he did smile at his former Quidditch teammate. "Hermione and Luna are the balance I need. Any more women, and you pass a point of diminishing returns. Besides, you know you could never share."

"True enough," Katie said. "Well, I'm with you, Harry."

"I think Ginny would kill me if I weren't with you," Terry said. "Moment she turns seventeen she's signing on. I'm a half-blood myself—my mum would be targeted if You-Know-Who ever took over. Frankly I don't think you're going to take over the world, but I do believe you're going to go far, and I'd like an opportunity to go with you. So I'm in."

"Well said, Terry," Justin said. "Like him, I'm not sure about your plans of world conquest, but you will be great and successful, and it will be my honor to be a part of it all."

"I'm in," Lee said. "The twins will help too, but they put too much into their store to walk away."

"I'm in too," Angelina agreed.

"Then we're agreed," Harry said. "When term starts, Moody will continue with broad DA training. We'll think of them as the reserve. You six will train with Derkins."

"What about Hermione and Luna?" Ron asked.

"They train with me," Harry said. "Although we might test each other occasionally, to see where we are."

~~Broken~~

~~Broken~~

"The Force isn't the same thing as magic," Harry's voice told Hermione. Though she was thoroughly blindfolded, she could feel him five feet away to her left. "Magic responds to your desire and guidance; it cannot guide your movements or actions. But the Force can. The problems you're having now is the same problem you had the first time we tried the learning cantrips. You're refusing to let the Force flow through you. You have to surrender to it."

Hermione fought to keep the frustration out of her voice. "I'm trying, Harry. I can't just let go!"

She felt him move—not just in the Force, but through the rush of air announcing his arrival. She felt his hand on her chest, pushing through the sports bra. "But you can," he said huskily into her ear. The hands pushed hard against her, running down until with a quick pull he had her pants down around her knees. She barely had time to even breathe before he was in her from behind, filling her and blinding her with his power and touch.

She let go, as she always did when he loved her. She had to, because if she tried to hang onto herself, she would go mad. He wrapped one hand around her chest and another around her hips as he made love to her, and whispered into her ear, "Do you feel the Force flowing through you now?"

"I feel you pounding into me," she said.

"Not enough."

His love was like before Luna came and helped to blunt some of the anger in him. It hurt a little, but at the same time the touch of pain made the ecstasy that much more powerful. However, she also felt his mind in hers, flowing through her body. With each impact of his flesh against hers, the strange power he introduced to her seemed to wash through her like a wave, until in a strange sense it almost controlled her, forcing her to subtly shift her hips so that his pounding did not hurt, only felt wonderful.

With that subtle shifting, she came quickly and profoundly, gasping and falling to her knees from the power of it. She started to lift her blindfold, but Harry stopped her with a touch. "Not yet," he said.

She felt his power yank her to her feet—not painfully, but definitely ruling out resistance, and slip her pants back up. The power was still in her, lapping at the edge of her mind like the waves of the lake at Hogwarts. Suddenly the waves lapped higher, and she found herself lunging to the right. She felt something pass centimeters from her ear with a whoosh of air.

"Perfect," Harry said. "Again."

The waves rose again and she lunged to her left as another object passed near enough to her ear for her to feel it. Exhilarated and terrified of the guiding force, she next ducked, then jumped, and then found herself cartwheeling off to one side as a whole line of projectiles passed through the air she occupied a split second before. It was almost like when Harry was shagging her, the feeling she had of being at the will of this invisible power.

"You can take the blindfold off, Hermione," Harry said.

She did so, and found him smiling at her so brilliantly she thought her heart would melt. "I can see why you wanted someone else training the DA," she said. "I think your approach would offend the boys and leave the girls piles of jelly on the floor."

Luna laughed uproariously. Hermione didn't even realize she was there until she laughed.

"It makes me want to train!" the blonde girl said, enthused. "Will you fuck me to make me feel the Force, Harry?"

"You already feel it, Luna."

"Will you fuck me anyway?"

"Luna," Hermione said, "why do you and your father curse so much?"

Luna blinked and stared. "Who's cursing?"

Hermione shook her head, then looked down and realized she was leaking. "I'm going to go shower," she declared.

"And then you're coming back," Harry said, his voice serious. "You've had your breakthrough, Hermione. Now it's time to see if you can let the Force flow through you without me having to pound it into you first."

"Yes, sex might make fighting difficult and distracting," Luna pointed out wisely.

When Hermione returned a few minutes later after having cleaned up, she honestly expected to find Harry and Luna shagging like rabbits. What she was not expecting was to see them dancing with all the grace and power of ballet dancers.

Granted, they were dancing with wooden sticks held like swords. The air rang with the percussion of their sticks banging against each other. There was no real strength behind it, and yet their speed was breathtaking. Luna moved like a girl possessed, her eyes half closed and her face glowing with a serene, breath-taking smile as she spun, jumped and danced in perfect time to Harry.

After a moment, feeling the two in the Force and watching them intently, Hermione realized she was not moving against him so much as she was mirroring him. Not only that, she was matching his moves with such perfection she could have actually been a reflection. Finally, he came to a stop, and she did as well, breathing heavily but smiling.

"Luna, that was brilliant!" Hermione gushed.

"Thank you," she said, before plopping tiredly down onto the floor where she stood. "Why am I so tired?"

Harry made a sweeping motion, and Hermione could feel a surge of power as he summoned the smaller girl to his arms. Luna did not move at all, other than to adjust herself to fit into his arms better. He carried her over to a couch in a corner and laid her down on the cushions. "Meditate," he said. "Gather the Force into your body until you feel stronger."

"I was sort of hoping you would pound it into me, Harry," she said.

"I will, soon, but not right now."

"Promise?"

He leaned over and kissed her. When he straightened her eyes were closed and her smile back in place. Harry walked back to Hermione and grinned. "Are you ready?"

"I'm not sure I can do what you and Luna were doing," Hermione said.

Harry tossed the sticks—non-magical broomstick handles sawed in half—to the side. "We won't do that. Instead, I want you to dance with me."

Hermione quirked a brow. "Dance? Your new power and willingness to kill everything around you wasn't enough before, but now I'm truly convinced you're not the same Harry as before."

Still, she couldn't help but smile as he took her hands in his and slowly started to dance to music only he could hear. It felt awkward at first, until she realized there was no one there to see her embarrassment, so she started dancing. Her body swayed, her hips moved and her arms swung about. She felt sensual and sexy and beautiful, still glowing a little in post-coital bliss.

She felt more than saw Luna join them, moving in time with them, even though they were following no rhythm. Suddenly Harry had one of the sticks in his hands and he swung it at her. It was not a powerful swing, but it was fast.

Like before, she felt a wave moving inside her, and with a speed she could not believe she somersaulted backward away from the swing. He came at her, stomping as if still dancing and swinging the stick with each one; Hermione found herself bending at impossible angles to avoid the swings, and then cartwheeling away.

Luna swung at her with a stick too. "Luna!" Hermione said.

"It looked fun!" the other girl said.

Harry and Luna continued to move in time, swinging at Hermione with fast but light strikes. The waves that directed her movements came so quickly that it stopped feeling like a wave so more as a complete infusion in every part of her body, as if it were directing not just her muscles, but her magical core as well.

Even moving as fast as she was, the two managed to back her into a corner. The infusion of power surged upward, and with a startled, excited yelp Hermione found herself jumping higher than she had ever jumped, flipping over each of them and landing in a role she could never have managed on her own.

"Brilliant!" Harry declared, throwing his stick down on the lightly padded floor. "The last few minutes, Hermione, you let the Force flow freely through you. Could you feel the difference?"

"Oh yes!" Hermione said, feeling both exhausted and exhilarated. "Is that what you feel?"

"Yes," he said. He walked to her and hugged her, before kissing her with such intensity her knees buckled.

He turned then and did the same to Luna, who melted against him. "Will you fuck me now, Harry?" she begged.

"Oh, go ahead," Hermione said. "I'm still glowing from mine, plus I'm really hungry."

Luna jumped into Harry's arms and said, "Take me, Sith boy!"

Hermione smiled to herself as he carried her out of the basement training room. When she could no longer hear them, she considered the changes to the room from their last visit. Gone was the warded cage that held Shaddix captive—now they had a brightly lit, open room with a lightly padded floor room perfect for their exercised.

She trudged up the stairs and to the kitchen to find a plate of cucumbers sandwiches and tea waiting for her. "Thank you, Dobby," she called to the air.

"You is welcome, Missus Harry Potter sir!" a disembodied voice called back.

She ate nearly the whole plate until she heard a knock at the door. She reached out with her newly opened senses and felt anguish, fear and pain. Startled, she ran to the door and opened it. Remus Lupin fell across the threshold, bleeding profusely in torn, ripped clothes.

Given his connection to the wards and his own powers, Harry arrived a moment later without having to be summoned. Luna came a step behind, pulling on a robe over her still glistening body. "I'll contact Healer Westick," she said without being asked.

Westick was a young healer from St. Mungos recommended by Pomfrey for Hermione's personal healer. In the meantime, Harry levitated the beaten and bloodied Lupin to the couch. Moments later, Ann Westick arrived amid a billow of green flame with a bag in hand. "What happened?" she asked.

"A family friend," Harry said. "He just showed up."

"He looks like he was beaten and bitten," Hermione said.

Westick paused. "Werewolves?" she asked.

"He's already a werewolf," Harry said. "This is Remus Lupin."

"Right," Westick said. She removed a pair of charmed surgical gloves and a white mask over her mouth before she began her diagnostics. "Oh, he's been stabbed too," she said. "Can you get him on his stomach?"

Harry floated Lupin off the couch and rolled him until he faced down. Only then did Hermione see the three large blood stains. Westick banished the man's tatted shirt to expose the three stab wound. "It doesn't look like the blade or blades were cursed," she said. She muttered a series of Greek spells and the cuts began to close. "Over, please."

Harry complied, and Westick administered a blood-replenishing potion before she continued healing his cuts and bruises. "Well," she said, "ordinarily I'd be worried about the bites, but that's rather moot now. You can put him down."

When Lupin was down, Westick removed a few pain and blood replenishing potions. "They did a fair job trying to kill him, but I did not detect any overt magic, which is consistent with werewolf brawls. None of the attackers appeared to have been in their lupine form, so those bites are human. I've cleansed and sealed them, and healed the broken ribs. He'll need that pain potion tonight, but with his physiology he'll probably be back to normal by tomorrow. Give him those blood replenishing potions, though."

"We will," Hermione promised.

"Dobby, twenty galleons please," Harry said.

The elf appeared with a stack of gold coins. Harry gave it to Westick and said, "Thank you for coming so quickly."

"Well, I'd say it's my pleasure to help anyone opposed to You-Know-Who, but I'd be lying if the double-fee didn't help. Call me if he doesn't show improvement by tomorrow."

With that, Healer Westick disappeared, leaving three teens wondering what to do with their beaten werewolf.