Chapter Thirty Six The Final Horcrux
When Harry and Sirius arrived in Gringotts, they were led directly to Ragnok's office. They apparently were the first to arrive and greeted Ragnok, Barkaxe, Swiftdeath and the other goblin who's name Harry found out was Snapjaw. Harry still didn't know what he did. Over the next few minutes all the other participants of the raid along with Ted arrived in Ragnok's office and the meeting started. "Welcome everyone to this most auspicious day. If fate decides it, today will see the last of one of the darkest wizards in recent history. The goblin nation wishes you all luck." All the wizards gave polite thank you's and the goblins gave a head nod but kept silent. Ragnok continued, "I have gone over the plan with Swiftdeath and agree that it is a good one. I would like to make one recommendation though." Nobody said anything and Ragnok went on. "I think it would be better if you capture Voldemort and bring him here to finish him off."
Harry spoke up at this. "Wouldn't it be better to just destroy him as soon as possible? "
"Normally I would agree, but because of the Horcrux's, there might be some unforeseen consequences. I will have our ritual chamber set up for the disposal of the body. It should prevent any disruptions. I will even provide the chamber free of charge,"
Harry and several of the wizards present understood that for a goblin to offer anything for free was a big deal. They understood that the goblins really wanted Voldemort's destruction. Harry said, "I will try my best." Harry also didn't want to take any chances with Voldemort's destruction.
Ragnok nodded and Barkaxe said. "Mr. Black and Mr. Tonks will stay here to watch the proceedings on the map and mirror that Mr. Potter provided. The rest of you will be joining Swiftdeath and Mr. Platt at the location. Let us go over the plan one more time." For the next twenty minutes everyone went over the plan again before Swiftdeath, Josh, Harry, Andromeda, Dora, and Remus made their way to the Portkey room to depart. Right before the Portkey took off, Harry was handed a cage with a drowsy rabbit.
When they arrived outside Riddle manor, Swiftdeath and Josh got started on the wards and Harry searched out Nagini on the map. Over the last few days Harry had been watching the map and discovered that Nagini had an apparent pattern to her hunting so Harry left to leave the rabbit in her path. It took half an hour to bring down the wards. It would've been done much faster, but they didn't want to alert the residence of the manor. During the time that they were bringing down the wards, Nagini had returned to the manor and was now in the same room as Voldemort. Peter had relocated to another room on the second floor and Crouch Jr. was on the first.
They broke up into the three groups when the wards came down and one from each group put on the mirror buttons and the other took the map. Remus took the map and Nymphadora took the button. The other group had Andromeda take the button and Josh the map. Harry put on the button also and everyone checked that they were working. They heard from Sirius through the buttons that everything was working fine. The plan was that when everyone was outside the room that their target was in, Swiftdeath would raise the anti- apparition and anti-Portkey ward and everyone would strike. Also if there was the first sign of trouble Swiftdeath would raise the wards. Each team member had an emergency Portkey that would let them bypass the wards if they were hurt.
"Ok everyone, you know what to do. I want to thank you all for being here." Harry said.
No place I'd rather be." Said Remus.
"OK everybody, disillusionment and silencing spells on." Said Swiftdeath.
It took ten minutes of sneaking around before everyone was in position. At a signal from Swiftdeath through the button mirrors, everyone struck. Since Crouch Jr. was still sleeping, Andromeda and Josh just entered his room and stunned him. They then vanished his clothes and conjured a plain grey robe reminiscent of the one's that Azkaban prisoners wore, and put it on him and bound him in ropes and a body bind just to be safe. While this was going on, Remus and Tonks decided to use the Stun stones since Pettigrew was awake. Looking on the map, they each tossed a Stun Stone into the room where Peter was located. He never had a time to react and was knocked out immediately. They also vanished his clothes and replaced it with a grey robe. They also did the ropes and the body bind, and added a pair of magic suppressing handcuff that Tonks had brought along. One person from each team also attached their Portkey to the prisoner and went along with them back to Gringotts. The other person was going to stay behind to help Harry out if he needed it. The people that stayed behind were Remus and Josh.
Harry snuck in under his invisibility cloak and when the signal went off to attack, he decided to play it safe as he charged a Stun Stone in each hand and tossed them into the room. After they went off he entered the room and saw that Nagini and the body that Tom was using lay on the floor stunned. The body that Tom was using disgusted Harry. It was the size of a one year old baby and looked like a ninety year old man. It was covered with wrinkles and had dark and red spots covering the whole body. It was dressed in a robe that looked to be made for a child and Harry vanished them and replaced it with the same grey robes that the other Death Eaters had been. Harry then collected the wand that was in Tom's hand and bound him, he also sent another Stupify to make sure that he was out. Next Harry went to Nagini and put her in a unbreakable cage that he had unshrunk from one of his pouches. It was the same one that the rabbit was in and had to be enlarged because Nagini was much larger than the rabbit. After Nagini was in the cage, Remus and Josh entered the room with their wands drawn. "You alright Harry?" asked Remus.
"Yeah, I'm fine. There were no problems. Everything go good for you two?"
"It went smoothly. The Stun Stones did all the work." Said Remus.
"Crouch Jr. was asleep so we just entered his room and stunned him." Said Josh.
Sirius's voice from the buttons said, "Andromeda and Dora arrived with the prisoners a few minutes ago. They are fine and the prisoners have been secured. Come home so we can get rid of Tommy and I can give you a hug."
Remus responded, "Do I get a hug too?"
"I'm so happy that everyone is OK that I would hug Snape at this moment." Said Sirius.
"If you do, make sure to wash up before hugging me." Teased Harry.
"Just get back here." Said Sirius and the connection ended.
Harry went to Tom's unconscious body and activated his Portkey. Remus took Nagini with him as he activated his Portkey. Josh was going to stay at the manor and search it thoroughly. When Harry arrived at Gringotts, he was escorted along with Remus to the ritual room by a squad of goblin warriors, levitating Toms body in front of him and Remus carrying the cage Nagini was in.
Swiftdeath was waiting for them outside the ritual room and greeted Harry. "Well done Mr. Potter. Place the body on the alter and the cage next to it. You will be the one do destroy the Horcrux and then you will destroy Voldemort. I, along with the other goblins will activate the protections on the ritual room, but you will be the one responsible for the termination of Voldemort and his last Horcrux."
"OK. Do I need any protection? I recognize some of the runes on the goblins robes. They protect from possession, right?" said Harry.
Swiftdeath gave Harry a disappointed look, "I am surprised with you Mr. Potter. Did you not thoroughly examine your Basilisk skin coat?"
"I did, why?" responded Harry.
"Apparently you didn't do a thorough job. There are runes sewn in that provide protection from possession. If you wear your coat, you will be safe." Said Swiftdeath.
"I must have missed them." Said Harry sheepishly.
"That does not bode well on your career as a cursebreaker." Said Swiftdeath. "We will discuss that later, during your training this summer."
Harry knew that his training just got harder. "Yes sir." He replied. "Shall we get started?"
"Yes." was Swiftdeath's only reply.
Remus wished Harry luck and then left to join Sirius in Ragnok's office. When the ritual room's door closed, the goblins started to chant. Harry secured Toms body and Nagini's cage to the alter in the center of the room and pulled out one of the goblin daggers. This was a special dagger that had been exposed to Basilisk venom. All goblin silver weapons had the unique feature of absorbing anything that would make them stronger, that is why they were so valuable. This particular dagger had been exposed to Basilisk venom, just like the sword of Gryffindor in Harry's second year, and had to have a special scabbard made of Basilisk skin. Harry carefully removed the dagger from the scabbard and waited for the protection runes all along the chamber to glow, signifying that they had activated. After a few minutes and a nod from Swiftdeath, Harry plunged the dagger into Nagini. A terrible scream filled the chamber and a cloud of black smoke left the dead body of the snake. Harry had only been present during the destruction if the diary Horcrux and was expecting the scream. What he wasn't expecting was the black smoke, and it made him take a few steps back.
The backlash of the destruction of the Horcrux had awoken Voldemort who luckily was still bound. "What is going on? Where am I? Wormtail! What is going on?" he said.
"Harry approached and said, "The rat can't help you Tom."
"Potter!" Voldemort spat. "How did you find me?"
"It wasn't that hard, and I had help." Harry said and indicated the goblins who were still chanting.
Voldemort cursed and said, "Filthy creatures. I'll wipe them all out when I regain my power. I'm going to make your and their death extremely long and painful. You will be begging me for death before I'm through."
"I don't think so Tom." Said Harry calmly.
DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Shouted the baby Voldemort.
"Why not? That's your name right? Tom Morvolo Riddle. Son of Tom Riddle, a muggle." Said Harry in a curious tone of voice.
Never mention that filthy muggle's name again!? Said Voldemort. "I destroyed him and I'll destroy you."
"I don't think so Tom. You see, you are about to die." Harry said back.
"I am immortal, I can't die." Said Voldemort with a triumphant tone to his voice.
"You mean because of your Horcrux's?" asked Harry in his calm tone of voice.
The triumphant gleam to Voldemort's eye's vanished to be replaced by fear. "How do you know of them?" he got out. 'There was no way that the brat could have found all of them.' He thought.
Harry saw some of Voldemort's confidence returning so he said, "The diary, the ring, the locket, the diadem, the cup, and if you look behind you, the snake." Harry left out the Horcrux in his scar.
The confident gleam in Voldemort's eyes completely vanished and he said, "How?"
"I would tell you, but there's no point." At that moment Harry struck with the goblin dagger, plunging it deep into Voldemort's chest. The scream that was similar to the destruction of the other Horcrux's, escaped from the now lifeless body and a black mist started to seep out. Instead of dissipating right away, it took on the appearance of two red eyes and tried to escape the ritual room. When that failed, it tried to possess Harry and then the goblins but the protection runes did their job and prevented that. It took about five minutes for the mist to completely disappear and another twenty for the chanting to stop, the goblins wanted to make sure that there was no chance that the shade of Voldemort was still around. The goblins then started to examine Harry, The room and each other before Swiftdeath said that everything was clear and that Voldemort was destroyed. Harry was glad that Ragnok had insisted that he destroy the Horcrux and Voldemort in the ritual chamber. It would have been terrible if Voldemort would have escaped.
Swiftdeath led Harry to Ragnok's office where he was greeted by everyone. Like he said over the mirror, Sirius engulfed him in a hug the moment Harry entered the office. After Sirius let him go, Ragnok said. "Congratulations Mr. Potter. It appears that you have defeated the Dark Lord. I believe that you found a way to confirm his death?"
"I did. I will have to go to the Ministry though, it is in the Department of Mysteries. I'll go after we are finished here." Replied Harry.
"Good, good. If I remember right, the Ministry placed a five hundred thousand galleon bounty on the capture or death of Voldemort that has gone unclaimed. I would suggest that you claim it. Everybody believes that you destroyed Voldemort when you were a baby, so it shouldn't be a problem. If he is really gone you can claim the reward with a clean conscience."
"I don't really need the money, but I'm sure that I can put it to good use. I just might, if nothing else I can use it as a bargaining chip to get Sirius a trial." Said Harry.
"Excellent, now what are you going to do about the prisoners?" asked Ragnok.
If you could hold them until I get back from the Ministry, I would appreciate it. I wanted to check something with the Unspeakable's and maybe they can take them and get the ball rolling on Sirius's trial. I will be back soon, I hope. If not, Sirius will take them with him before the end of the day." Turning to the others in the room he asked, "You'll help him watch them if I don't make it back in time?"
"Sure thing Harry." said Remus, and the Tonks's nodded their agreement.
"Thank you." Turning back to Ragnok, Harry asked, "When do you think Josh will get back from the Riddle manor?"
Swiftdeath answered, "I will be going to join him shortly. It shouldn't take too long after that. We should be back well before you return from the Ministry."
Excellent!" said Ragnok. "Barkaxe you escort Mr. Potter's friends to the prisoners while he goes to the Ministry." The goblins all stood up and Harry recognized the dismissal.
As they were walking the halls, Harry asked Ted to join him when he went to the Ministry and he agreed. Harry forwent any glamour since he would be passing through security at the Ministry, but felt OK about it. Now that Voldemort was gone and Fudge was no longer the Minister, Harry didn't mind being seen. He still didn't like when people gawked at him and he still had to watch out for Dumbledore, but none of that was going to bother him today.
When they reached the Ministry it as in chaos. Ted asked a passing Ministry employee what happened and they found out that several Ministry employees had a section of their arms explode an hour ago. St. Mungos had been able to stabilize them and a number of other patients that arrived, but each person would have a chunk missing from their arm that wouldn't grow back magically. Apparently the same had happened in Azkaban, but since there were no healers on the island and they refused to move the prisoners, many had blead to death. Harry would find out later that Bellatrix and the Lestrange brothers were among the ones that died. This was another thing that Harry took as confirmation that Voldemort was really dead. When he got to the Department of Mysteries, hopefully the other means would confirm it.
They passed through security quickly and an elevator ride later found Ted and Harry outside the D O M's door, Harry knocked and called out for Lassiter. A minute later a familiar grey robed figure opened the door, almost like he was waiting for him.
Come in Mr. Potter, I was expecting you. You will have to wait outside Mr. Tonks." Said the Unspeakable.
"That's OK, I'll go back up and see what else I can find about what's going on." Said Ted.
I'll see you soon." Said Harry and he turned and followed the Unspeakable through the door. The journey to the prophecy room was like Harry remembered from his last visit. When he got to the orb it was dark. The prophecy had been fulfilled. The unspeakable then led Harry in an unfamiliar path to a room that had a tapestry along the wall. The unspeakable let Harry in and said, "This is the Slytherin family tapestry. Here," He pointed to a spot on the tapestry the was by the bottom, "Is where Tom Riddle shows up. A little over an hour ago it showed another death and then the name appeared again. About fifteen minutes later another death was recorded, but no name appeared after that. This along with the prophecy orb going dark leaves us to conclude that Voldemort is truly dead. This also co-insides with the injuries befalling several suspected Death Eaters."
'Yes! I did it!' Harry thought. He looked closer at the tapestry and said, "That sounds about right. I destroyed the last Horcrux and then I destroyed the last piece of Voldemort's soul at that time."
"Well done Mr. Potter. Fortunately, no one from our department was affected. I will show you out now." Said the Unspeakable, and he turned to lead Harry out.
"I actually have a possible favor to ask." Said Harry.
The Unspeakable turned and after a moment said, "Follow me." He led Harry to the drab office that they had their meeting in the first time Harry was in the D O M. "Please sit Mr. Potter. I can't guarantee I can help, but ask away."
"OK, well when we went to capture Voldemort, we found him with two Death Eaters. We captured them and they are both people that the Ministry believe to be dead. The first is Barty Crouch Jr. I believe that he is the one that entered me in the Tri Wizard Tournament. The other is Peter Pettigrew who was the actual Secret Keeper and the one to betray my parents to Voldemort, not Sirius Black."
The Unspeakable was quiet for a moment and then said, "I can understand why you would want some help with the both of them, but what can th do?"
I was hoping that you could possibly smooth things over when I bring them in. I have an Auror friend that will take them in, but she is a new recruit and doesn't have a lot of sway in the department. Maybe you can give her some cover and say that she was helping you guy's out or something?"
"Normally we wouldn't even consider your request, but if you turn over one of Voldemort's Horcrux's for us to study, I will escort her when she turns in the prisoners and say that I used her metamorphmagus abilities to help capture them." Said the Unspeakable.
"Ok, I can do that…wait, how did you know that she was a metamorphmagus?" asked Harry.
"Your connection to the Tonks's. Their daughter is a new Auror and the only Auror that you are on speaking terms with." Answered the Unspeakable.
"Oh, OK. How do you want to do this?"