Chapter 53 - Diversions, Illusions and a Very Harry Situation

The hours of flight southward gave Harry lots of time for thought and ideas for the upcoming encounter. About every ten minutes one of the three would 'talk' to Daphne. Harry had blushed the first time he had turned and listened to the somewhat biased tale of his life as she related it to Crimarron. He jokingly asked her not to embellish the facts too much and to mention his failures. He was promptly told that today was not a day to be thinking of anything but success.

After a rather nervous launch, Sirius finally looked as comfortable as he might get on the back of Taulso. Ginny suggested that the griffin do a few 'dives and rolls' to see if he was holding on properly but the griffon said he wouldn't be responsible for 'scaring the old man any grayer than he already was'.Dulari was acting as the mental go between for Sirius, the Potters and the griffins. When she related her cubs answer, Sirius shook his fist at Ginny threateningly and then bopped Taulso softly on top of his head. The griffin screamed wildly and slipped sideways in the air to the surprised laughter of Sirius.

The preliminary plan that the four had agreed on was that Sirius would follow the Potters into the Myre either under the invisibility cloak or as Padfoot. That would make a surprise for Malfoy and his associates when they got to the exchange point. Neither Harry nor Sirius had any doubt that the confrontation would take place directly at the mouth of the Cavern. Minerva had brought out Dumbledore's notes about the place and the Dementors and Harry hoped it might be enough information to at least have an equal footing with the kidnappers. Sirius had a special sensitivity to the effects of the Dementors but hoped his animagus form of a grim would give him some protection.

Although he talked about it before, Sirius went over the Auror hand signals again so that they might coordinate silent moves between the four of them. Harry and his wives already had set up a set of hand signals when they first started bonding together but it was no longer necessary when they developed the ability to mind speak to each other.

An hour south of Hogwarts (as the griffins fly), Daphne informed the three Potters that Dumbledore had returned to Hogwarts by way of Fawkes to check on things. He was quite upset to learn about the ransom letter and the course of action that the three had taken in attempting to rescue their family members. Daphne tried explaining as best she could to the Headmaster that the three couldn't wait around for anyone to try to talk them out of the course of action they had taken. Dumbledore acknowledged the impossible situation they had been placed in and hoped that between having the griffins and Sirius along that it would turn the odds in their favor. Daphne said that Dumbledore seemed sad that he couldn't be with them but she passed along his well wishes.

Harry told Daphne that he, his wives and Dulari had discussed the situation at the Ministry building. They had all come to the conclusion that the Dementors were either on some sort of time schedule to harass and prevent anyone from entering the building or that there was someone already inside the building or nearby giving the foul creatures actual commands. He made sure that Daphne told the Headmaster their opinions.

Daphne relayed the message back that Dumbledore would go back to investigate those possibilities and have the aurors start searching the nearby buildings and rooftops to see if there was anyone suspicious there. Fawkes was going to apparate the Headmaster into the building to see if the problems had an internal source. Every one flying hoped that Dumbledore could find out the source of the problems and get the floo network up so that control of the ministry could be reestablished. There was a small hope amongst the Potters that once the Aurors had solved the problem with the Ministry that they could possibly come and help out with the rescue effort.

Lost in thought and absently watching the landscape pass below them, Harry suddenly realized that Daphne had been mentally calling out for him for a while. "Sorry Daphne. There's just so much going on even though we're not actually doing anything right now. I didn't mean to ignore you."

"It's okay Harry; I understand you're distracted by the unknown condition of Mrs. Weasley, Mrs. Granger and Gracie. I do hope they are alright. Would it help to run the rescue plan by me again as another objective evaluator before you actually land on the ground?"

"There's not much to the plan. We walk in, give ourselves up, get the three released and out of there and try to fight our own way out."

"That sounds so simple but you realize that everything is probably going to change once you meet up with Lucius Malfoy and the others? At least you should be able to hold off the Dementors with your patronuses."

"The main hope about that is that the Death Eaters will be too close to us to risk totally releasing the Dementors to attack us."

"Yes, you don't need to be splitting your defensive firepower in two different directions. Harry, I don't mean to sound callous or anything but…"

"Yes Daphne?"

"If the women have been… killed already, please don't think about anything else other than getting far away from there instead of trying to get revenge for your loved ones. Even with the bond magic, you three… four are probably outnumbered and the other side already knows every dirty trick and spell in the book."

"I understand what you're saying love but it's real hard to stay unemotional about Molly, Dee or Gracie."

"I won't try to distract you or discourage you anymore Harry. I have faith in you, Ginny and Hermione. Let me know if there are any other messages you might want to pass along."

Harry felt Daphne get a little emotional about their separation and felt her willingly close out the conversation. Responding to the mental questions from Hermione and Ginny, Harry just told them that Daphne was worried and more than a little scared for them.

Sirius asked Dulari if they could land for a few minutes to stretch out their legs and take care of some other necessary human functions. Dulari agreed but asked Harry privately to get a good grip. Dulari sped up briefly and then somehow did a backwards loop so that she and Harry were temporarily flying upside down as they passed over Taulso and a very surprised Sirius Black. Harry resisted the urge to conjure up a water balloon to drop on his father but did yell loud enough to cause Sirius to duck down quickly to press himself flat into Taulso's back.

Ginny and Hermione laughed with delight at the expression on Sirius' face but Hermione's laughter changed quickly into a sudden scream as Ivis folded her wings and dropped a couple hundred feet straight down before recovering and settling into a long glide with her wings spread. Ivis laughingly apologized and Hermione bent forward and grudgingly gave the griffiness a hug around her neck and just commented that she would appreciate 'just a little warning' the next time.

Ivis landed a few feet away from her mother but Harry had already fixed his face into just a small smile as he greeted Hermione with a hug. Sirius got down a little shakingly from Taulso and Ginny hopped off Jaunee a few seconds later. The griffins wandered down to a nearby stream to drink some water while Harry and his wives settled down on the grass and stretched out their muscles. Sirius didn't respond to anybody as he headed for the nearest cluster of trees.

"Harry, Ginny, Hermione?"

"Yes Daphne?"

"I seem to feel you aren't too far away from where you have to leave the griffins behind and walk into the Myre. I promise this is the last time I'll bother you, until you contact me and tell me you're coming back. I just wanted to let you know again that as much as everyone wants Molly, Dee and Gracie back – they also really want you to come back to."

"I promised I'd be careful" Harry said a little too casually.

"Harry!"

"Ginny and Hermione will protect my back. So will Sirius."

"I just wish I was good enough to go with you. Never mind, the choice has been made and I understand it. There used to be this old Norse custom of the family, friends and loved ones singing farewell songs of heroism and valor to the departing Vikings. I unfortunately don't know any songs like that. You'll have to settle for a muggle song that we three Potter females listened to a couple of weeks ago while you were at Quidditch practice. My regular voice is pretty bad but I hope my mental voice is a lot better. This song seems right from me now. Feel free to join in if you remember it girls. I'm aiming this at all three of you but hope Harry especially thinks this might be inspirational. "

Sirius was a little puzzled when he returned from nature's call to find Harry holding Ginny and Hermione with a thoughtful look on all their faces. Dulari 'informed' him it was a private message from Daphne and Sirius nodded and headed off to the stream to get a drink for himself. Harry smiled with the others when a slow rock ballad came across the miles from a cute blond-haired young lady.

People need their reasons

Reasons to live and reasons to die

Just something to believe in

Whatever it takes to get through the night

When the road just leads to nowhere

And your faith can't follow through

I'll be there for you, I'll be there for you.

Black is black and white is white

And the blues are sometimes gray

When you hurt and you don't know why

And your tears won't go away

There's a rainbow out there somewhere

And one thing is always true (Ginny joined in singing at this point.)

I'll be there for you, I'll be there for you

I'll be there for you, when hope seems thin and your chances are few

I'll be there for you, I'll share the pain and be someone to hold

And there's so much more I can do, I'll be there for you

(Daphne went back to singing solo.)

We could talk forever

There's reasons to stay and reasons to go

But while we're here together

I might as well make my intentions known

There's a light that shines in my window

It's a place you can run back to (Ginny and Hermione joined Daphne)

And I'll be there for you, I'll be there for you.

I'll be there for you, when hope seems thin and your chances are few

I'll be there for you, when the outside world turns your inside cold

And no one will tell you the truth, I'll be there for you

(Daphne broke down a bit mentally crying at this point but Hermione and Ginny carried on singing with Ginny providing the matching echoes.)

And if the day should come in this lifetime (I will be there)

I hope one mornin' you'll wake up to find

Anyone with half a heart could see, we might cross this great divide

When the road just leads to nowhere

And faith can't follow through

I'll be there for you, I'll be there for you

(All three girls finished singing to Harry who gave Daphne a mental hug and the two with him real ones.)

I'll be there for you, when hope seems thin and your chances are few

I'll be there for you, I'll share the pain and be someone to hold

There's so much more I can do, so much more

Baby I'll be there for you, yes I will, you know that

I will be there for you, yes I will, I will be there (I'll be there for you)

I will be there (I'll be there for you)

(I'll be there for you) Don't you worry baby

(I'll be there for you) I will, I will... (1989, Mickey Thomas, Starship)

Ginny 'told' Daphne that Harry had a few tears in his eyes from the song.

"That does it; second thing I'm doing when I get back is spend some time snogging you Daphne."

"So what's the first thing Jamie?"

"Promising you that we'll never do anything this crazy ever again."

"Like you have a choice in avoiding things like this!"

"The heck with Harry's intentions. If he's not going to take you to bed Daphne, Hermione and I will."

"Ginny?" Ginny!"

"I'll let you three work that out. I may just watch and take notes – owww!"

"Hermione slapped him for you Sweets."

"Thanks, but unnecessary. I am leaving you alone now so just let me know mentally when it's over and whether Madame Pomfrey should be standing by when you all return. Good luck and I love you all."

"We love you too."

Harry hung his head briefly as he felt Daphne shut herself off from their minds. She knew enough about tactics and surprises to know when she would be a distraction rather than a help. Harry knew his wives appreciated the cunning and brains that came in the attractive package as much as he did. She had provided some insightful observations and suggestions when everyone was trying to put the rescue plan together.

"So are we ready to go again?" Sirius asked.

"As much as we'll ever be" Hermione said as she walked over and got on Ivis.

Sirius walked back with Harry to Dulari and rubbed the female's beak after Harry did. "I've got to go back on the esteemed Taulso; I never knew griffins had a sense of humor."

"You should come up to Griffin's Lair and stay with us a while this summer."

"If that's an invitation Dulari, I accept. It's been way too many years since I've been there."

Harry turned around to face him and Sirius just knew that he had an important question.

"Is it always harder for the ones that have to stay behind and wait? For the people out doing things to return?"

"It depends on what the people out are doing. Lily always seemed to know when James and I were off on a particularly hazardous mission. She worried all the time but seemed to know when it might be really bad even when we tried to keep it from her."

"Thanks. Some things never change it seems. I hope…"

"Don't say it cub. We have a good plan and everybody should get out of their safely. Don't dwell on the possibilities of everything that could wrong. We're depending on you to do your part."

Harry nodded and then lept up onto Dulari's back. Sirius moved over to get on Taulso and the griffin gave him a gentle nudge and a wink as he got close. "I know Taulso; he takes a lot upon himself. I think he's scared that he might mess things up for all of us."

"It is a wise being that admits he has fears."

"Is that something that Dulari has told you?"

"No, but could you explain what a fortune cookie is to me though? Ginny said you knew."

Sirius heard a giggle as Jaunee sped by him and Taulso. Ginny was waving madly from the back of the griffiness and blew him a kiss. Sirius rolled his eyes but held on tight as Taulso began his run to get airborne himself. Sirius wondered briefly if it was fate or luck that put the Potters and the Griffins together. Either way, it didn't bode very well for either of their enemies.

Xxxx xxxx

It was only another 35 minutes before Dulari started slowing down and told everyone that she could begin to feel the 'vileness' ahead. They found a small clearing in the forest below and the griffins landed and the humans got down from their rides. Harry bowed to Dulari and the cubs again and thanked them for their assistance in getting as far as they had gotten.

"It's probably about a twenty minute walk until you reach the edge of this Myre. I wish we could take you farther but there might be watchers scanning the skies and trails for your arrival. Remember we are only a thought away from rising up and flying into the center of the evil."

"Thank you Dulari but your appearance might scare them into doing something fatal to the hostages. We'll take it on by foot from here on; I'll take point for now until we get to the path to the Cavern."

Sirius held up a hand. "I'd better do the scouting starting now Harry. Who knows how many Death Eaters may be watching to escort us in? If we find the path, I'll be around but won't contact you."

Sirius handed his wand to Hermione and the invisibility cloak back to Harry. There was a slight shimmer in the air and a large scruffy looking black dog stood in the place where Sirius had previously been. Hermione bent down and ruffled Padfoot's head and tucked his wand into the special container in his collar where he wouldn't lose it. Padfoot gave the girl a sloppy lick to her cheek and ran through Harry's legs knocking him over. Padfoot disappeared into the underbrush without a sound as the others came over to help Harry off the ground.

"I guess we head downhill from here. The Myre is supposed to sit at the bottom between all these little hills. So we follow the water."

"The minute it starts going uphill we know we've made a wrong turn." Ginny smiled. "I suppose Draco is going to be following us in?"

"As long as there is even a remote possibility that we are being watched, yes. I'm putting Draco between you two girls for now, just in case. We'll rearrange the order when we enter the Myre. Draco will be rear guard then."

The Potters (plus one) took off in an unhurried pace, trying to avoid the occasional downed tree or brambles whenever they could. Only an occasional glimpse of Padfoot who was guiding them was the only reason they wandered away from their direct downhill trek.

It was twenty minutes when they came through a copse of trees and saw a bleak, broken waterscape before them. They had hit the edge of Mithril's Myre. They only paused for a couple of seconds to get a few pebbles out of their shoes before a small growl to their left caused them to turn and skirt along the edge of the seeking the path to the center.

Another twenty minutes of almost slipping into the muck and backtracking around wet patches, found the four at the little used path into the center of the morass. No one saw any Dementors flying around but all agreed that it was definitely not a cheery spot to spend a holiday. Harry and Draco took a few minutes on the right side of the trailhead while the girls took care of some private business behind some bushes to the left side of the trail.

Harry checked his pockets when everyone returned. "Do you all the diversions the twins provided?" (Patchum had been waiting with a bag of Fred and George's latest tricks along with their instructions before the Potters left Hogwarts.)

"Wands out! Look around for anything dangerous but don't forget about your footing. Sirius said there's lots of quicksand pits."

Harry led the way, followed by Hermione, Ginny and then Draco. A large grim followed their path about two minutes later and seemed to looking for other routes that might lead toward the center. The journey along the pathway was not without its own perils. Hermione threw a fire spell at the first Acromantula web that intersected the pathway and burnt away the trap and scared away the giant spider-beast. "Ginny, tell Ron he owes me some cinnamon sugar quills for that."

"Consider it done. He really would have liked to see the spider run away for once."

"Let's come back and give him a tour if we get out of here."

Ginny stuck her tongue out at Draco for his remark but the four quickly continued on. A few minutes later a River Troll tried to reach out from a pond and grab Harry but he jumped out of the way. It was a particularly efficient combination of three "Wingardium Leviosa" spells that lifted the 12 foot high bluish monster out from the muck and sent him flying high over the trees back to where the Acromantula was trying to rebuild its web.

"That should keep them both busy for a while" Ginny said. The others nodded and started scanning the broken path ahead. A few other minor obstacles were avoided and dealt with by the troop. Thirty minutes after they originally set foot on the path, they came upon a very dangerous obstacle blocking their progress. The huge sphinx smiled a little greedily as it saw the youngsters. "A party of four adventurers. You must solve three riddles then or else we will battle to your deaths."

Knowing the ferocity of the beast with a person's head and its ability to resist magical spells, the Potters decided to try their luck with the riddles.

"Riddle Number 1: I pass before the sun but I cast no shadows. What am I?"

There was a period of silence as they all thought about what the answer might be. It was Hermione that finally smiled and responded. "You are the wind."

"Correct young witch. You are a third of the way past me. Riddle Number 2: I always run but never walk, often murmur, never talk, have a bed but never sleep, have a mouth but never eat. Who am I?"

It was Ginny that quickly answered this query. "I know this. My brothers used to ask me lots of riddles. You are a river."

The sphinx nodded gravely. "One more answer and you will survive to pass through. Failure will be met be sorrow and blood. Riddle Number 3:

If you break me
I do not stop working,
If you touch me
I may be snared,
If you lose me
Nothing will matter. Who or what am I?"

This query led to a long period of silence and Harry noticed that while he and the girls looked sadder the longer they remained silent, the sphinx seemed happier and happier. Harry really didn't want to waste his energy or his magic battling the beast and he wondered if Padfoot might be able to slip by them all while they were battling. The thought of Sirius having to go on possibly alone was…

Harry yelled and jumped up in celebration. "A heart! The answer is your heart."

The sphinx bowed his head in acknowledgement of the correct answer. "You have the wisdom and bravery to continue your quest young humans. I will not bother any of you either coming or returning."

The sphinx move aside and settled along the side of the pathway to await the next persons or persons to challenge. It closed its eyes as if in sleep and Harry and the others gave it as wide a berth as best they could in the narrow path of the trail. Padfoot slinked by the sphinx a minute later but the monster did not even crack an eye as the Grim followed the party. Whether it was because the sphinx was the last of the obstacles or merely the worst, the rescue party did not encounter any other beasts or magical traps the rest of the way into the center of the Myre. Ginny was the one to comment that they must be getting closer to the Cavern as all sound had faded away and the vegetation around them had died.

Two turns later everyone stopped. Just a little ways ahead, they could see three Dementors flying over the top of the small hill that the Cavern was located in. Ginny and Hermione took in a quick breath but just continued on after Harry. Draco looked nervously around to see if there were any other Dementors flying nearby. They were all starting to experience the effects of being near the Dementors. Harry picked up the pace at the head of the line. It was time to see if the hostages were still alive or if a battle for all their survival was about to begin.

Xxxx xxxx

The three Dementors flew to attack the four youngsters that entered the space before the Cavern as they had been instructed to. Lucius Malfoy was going to enjoy watching the suffering the Potters and his lousy excuse for a son were going to experience. He was startled however when he heard "Expecto Patronum" yelled from three voices and three giant black panthers appeared in front of the Dementors and actually chased them back into the mouth of the Cavern. The impossible patronuses disappeared into mist and the three visible Death Eaters gaped in silence at the display of power.

"That wasn't part of any deal you sent to us in your letter, Mr. Malfoy." The mudblood witch actually dared to speak to him in a condescending voice. That enraged Lucius Malfoy and he shot a stunner at the brown-haired girl. It impossibly impacted against a shield with no results.

"We're here for the exchange, not a battle of wills. Where are our mothers?"

Lucius pointed to a space behind hm. When he moved aside the girls gasped as they saw a small pile of bodies only a few feet from the mouth of the Cavern of Doomed Souls.

"Are they even still alive… father?" Lucius spun around and as he turned he saw that the four children had their wands pointed at him and the two other Death Eaters that were visible. Both Peter Pettigrew and Antonin Dolohov stood just beyond the corners of the cavern mouth and away from any area that the Dementors might emerge from.

Draco smiled. "Surprised to see me here? I wager you thought I would keep far away from this impossible meeting. You seemed to have underestimated me. Again."

"Shut up Draco." That came from the blood traitor Weasley, no Potter. She looked furious that Draco would even think of talking to him.

Lucius frowned." I am surprised; a little. Considering how much pleasure you know I am going to take out of punishing your mind and body after I deal with these blasted Potters."

Hermione raised her voice. "Not that we care much about the Malfoy family reunion but we have one of our own to see to. We're here. The agreement was that once we came you would release Molly, Dee and Gracie."

Malfoy and Dolohov laughed just a little cruelly. "You actually thought we would honor your sacrifice? You are truly hopelessly honorable fools."

"You seem to forget that the odds aren't exactly in your favor here. There's four of us and only three of you."

"You are outclassed and outnumbered mudblood. Have you met the Lestrange brothers yet?" Lucius smiled and both Rabastan and Rodolphus stood from where they had concealed themselves. Rabastan stood up atop the hill that held the Cavern and Rodolphus cast aside the disillusion spell from a few feet behind Draco at the termination point of the path. He only cleared his throat but all three Potters jumped and nervously took in the news that they were surrounded.

Draco moved a few feet sideways so he could directly look at his father. "So where's Aunt Bella? Surely she wouldn't miss a party of this importance?"

"She's taking care of some important business at the Ministry of Magic" Rabastan yelled down smugly.

Lucius scowled at the Death Eater. "You simply can't keep your mouth shut can you? I will deal with your loose mouth after we finish here today."

"If we didn't think this plan of yours would work to get us pardoned, we would have dealt with you properly a long time ago Lucius."

An unexpected laugh from Draco stopped the two wizards from glaring at each other. "Is this how you've spent your freedom? Arguing and fighting against each other like dragonets over a pile of carcasses? No wonder the Dark Lord hasn't returned; why would he think to lead such unfocussed and squabbling troops?"

"Shut up Draco. You can be the first to die today without much more provocation." Lucius swung his wand arm from aiming at Harry to his disgrace of a son.

"That would be unfortunate then; I would hate to miss the conclusion of this little standoff. Aunt Bella would have enjoyed torturing the boy-who-lived."

"Some things could not be avoided. Someone had to control the Dementors at the Ministry and deliver our ransom demands. When they all find out that we've disposed of the Potters, the Ministry will have no choice but to grant our pardons in return for releasing control of the Dementors. Too bad you will be an unfortunate casualty of the fight."

"I had so hoped Aunt Bella would be here."

"Draco be quiet!" Harry Potter turned his head briefly to yell at the fourth member of his party.

"Who's fighting who now Harry?" came from Wormtail.

Ginny aimed her wand a little sideways. "Shut up Pettigrew. Harry said you would receive what you deserved if he happened to run into you."

"This is so boring" Draco said slowly. "Should we get to the negotiation part now? The exchange so that the hostages can go and I can leave also."

"What do you mean, you leave?" Hermione shouted.

"Nothing much; just a little wordplay. I thought Aunt Bella would remind you father of our old family motto. 'Survivez toujours'."

"Always survive… what do you...?"

"Just this." Draco dived to the right to avoid a bludgeoning curse cast by Dolohov and came up casting his own hexes. "Petrificus Totalis! Stupefy! "

Everyone paused in shock as the blue and grey beams of light hit Harry Potter directly in the middle of his back, spinning him half around and causing him to lock up and fall stiffly to hit the ground. He was unconscious and paralyzed!

"Draco, you coward!" Draco held his wand up so that it directly lined up with Ginny Potter's face.

"Shut it blood traitor. You can't do your bond magic without Dumbledore's golden boy there. The odds are now six against two. Does this little act get me a pass out of this stink hole now Father? I really don't want to die!"

. . . . .

. . .

. .

.

If the silence at the Caverns of Doomed Souls was absolute, it suddenly became even more so. Ginny and Hermione had moved so they were back to back with their wands wavering slightly as they faced five escaped Death Eaters. And now Draco Malfoy!

"I'm sorry for my betrayal at your trial Father. Mother slipped me something that morning and I seemed to have found myself unable say anything to defend you. She is very proficient at potions."

Lucius scowled. "Curse that woman. She will get her punishment someday soon."

"I hope you can find her. I certainly don't know where she is. So are we letting the 'relatives' free to spread the truth about your actions and to induce fear?"

"That's a possibility I hadn't considered."

"Draco, you vile betrayer!"

"Shut it Granger. Oh excuse me, Mrs. Potter. You shouldn't have to worry about that title much longer. Why don't you drop your wands and go check on your precious mothers?"

Hermione and Ginny stared at where their husband lay helpless on the ground. They lowered their wands and dropped them with numbness in their eyes.

"Second wands too."

"Draco?"

"It took me months to lie and worm my way into their confidences. Now is where we part ways. You'll not trust me again Father but I want to get out of here. Maybe Dumbledore will buy my story of mutual annihilation for this rescue mission. I intend to survive and wait for He-who-Shall-Not-Be-Named to judge my actions."

Lucius Malfoy took three steps forward and pointed his wand at the pair of girls. "If you want the hostages to get out of here, you will do as my disreputable son says. Surrender your second wands and you can wake up your loved ones."

Hermione gulped and reached into a pocket for another wand. She dropped it and ran to where Dee, Molly and Gracie slumped. Ginny held her wand up and backed carefully over to where Hermione was applying "Enervate" spells to the three females. She finally glanced down to see Molly come around and look at her. With a cry she flung her second wand into the nearby pond and ran to Molly's embrace.

"Harry, how are you doing?"

"It's getting to a strain not to call up the bond magic; I'm sure that would attract those Dementors. How are…?"

"Molly and Gracie have had been stunned and need just some rest and food. Dee's had the Crutiatus curse thrown at her more than four times from what I can tell."

"I am going to kill them. Can you get the three out of here?"

"It's a little chancy with the wards and other spells around here."

"Then each of you just take your mom. Sirius or I will grab Gracie on the way out."

"If you're sure Harry. We can come back."

"No. Wait for the distraction."

Lucius Malfoy laughed at the actions of the five females. "Dolohov, go guard the two Mrs. Potters. Make sure you don't hurt them too much if they try anything. Those five are about to witness something truly historic."

Draco had moved sideways along the edge of the space and much closer to Pettigrew. Peter looked both hopeful and scared as Lucius went to stand over the fallen Harry.

"You've been a thorn in my side for far too long Potter. It's only been bad luck and the protection of Dumbledore that's allowed you to survive this long. But not after today."

"Harry, get up!"

Lucius sneered. "How touching. A last second appeal for heroics. Not today Potter. Avada Kedavra!"

The green light issued from Malfoy's wand and hit Harry Potter directly into the chest! And went through it to explode harmlessly on the ground!

"Now!" came a cry from the edge of the clearing.

Lucius whirled around to run where the hostages were. They were four explosions about head height off of the ground and four miniature sandstorms appeared. One around the five females and Dolohov, one around Draco and Peter, a third around Rodolphus atop the cavern and a last around Lucius Malfoy. The sand obscured any bit of sight for the Death Eaters and they couldn't see to fire on the hostages without fear of hitting one another.

Peter Pettigrew threw an arm across his face to save his eyes. "Master Draco, what is going on? What happened to Potter?"

A dark figure walked through the swirling sand to Peter's side and tugged on his shoulder. "I'm right here Wormtail." Before Peter could react to the face that he suddenly identified, Harry stunned the animagus, bound him and placed a portkey on his stomach and activated it. Peter Pettigrew disappeared without a sound.

'Minerva is going to kill me' Harry thought as he moved away. The deputy headmistress had created special emergency portkeys to bring the four back through the Hogwarts wards and to her office if things went horribly wrong. Harry didn't want to give up his last way out but having Peter in custody to clear Sirius' name was also important.

The mini-sandstorms (courtesy of Fred and George) evaporated after ten seconds and the space before the Cavern was clear once more. Lucius looked around and felt a tiny edge of panic. Harry Potter had disappeared while Draco and Pettigrew were nowhere to be seen either. Lucius yelled in anger when he saw that there was only one hostage left where the five females had been seconds ago. He didn't understand it; he heard no sound of apparation during the confusion. It simply wasn't possible that those two girls had escaped with their mothers. Dolohov was wiping his eyes frantically to clear his vision but he still stood close to the one that had identified herself as Gracie.

There was a yell from atop the hill and Lucius saw a blasting spell hit Rabastan and he flew forward to land on the ground a few feet from Dolohov. Antonin fired at the sound in panic but luckily missed his fellow escapee. Lucius yelled at the man to guard the girl and swung around when he heard a very unwelcomed voice.

"Over here; you missed me. Maybe some extra target practice before we meet again would help." Harry was holding up a stunned and bound Rodolphus as a shield so that Malfoy couldn't shoot at him.

"You.. You detestable smudge of a wizard! How did you not get killed? Where is Draco?"

Harry waited for a few seconds before responding. As all the remaining eyes were turned on him, Harry didn't react as he saw Sirius sneaking closer to where Dolohov and Gracie were. Harry made the small hand signal that he would continue to distract everyone.

"Questions, questions questions. Okay, since we seem to be at a standoff here, I'll answer a few questions for you. Don't go blaming Draco for what's happened, he was never here to start with."

"I know what my son looks and talks like" a puzzled Lucius stated.

"Sorry but did you know that the goblins have a very expensive Polyjuice potion that lasts for hours?" (Harry wasn't about to tell Lucius that he used his metamorphmagus powers to impersonate Draco and that the Harry Potter that entered the path was an illusion that he and the girls had created using his Parseltongue abilities. He had a 'Draco' flying with them in case someone was actually observing them get off the griffins.)

"The rest is a trade secret I'm afraid. Something that I learned from muggles and house elves."

That statement seemed to really enrage Lucius. "You lie and you'll pay for this Potter." He turned and yelled at Dolohov. "Kill the girl!"

Dolohov had raised his wand to the screaming girl when a black blur sped across the clearing, jump over Gracie and pushed at Dolohov's chest. The dangerous wizard was unprepared for the sudden attack and windmilled his arms in an effort to regain his balance. He fell over backward and his screaming was cut off as he tumbled through the mouth of the Cavern of Doomed Souls and disappeared. He never reemerged.

Gracie looked up in shock but then hugged the dog around the neck very tightly. Harry smiled when Sirius changed and wrapped his arms around his daughter.

"Black! I should have known you would be involved with this."

Sirius straightened up with one arm around Gracie and the other pointing his wand at Lucius. "You mess with my family – you deal with me. Surrender now and I'll try talking the Wizengamot into just increasing your life sentence instead of sending you through the Veil."

Lucius appeared to calm down for some reason. "So be it; live to fight another day." Malfoy screamed and spun around. "NO! Avada Kedavra!"

The spell was aimed at Harry and he had no choice but to dive out of the way. The spell hit Lestrange who dropped dead across Harry's body. Harry struggled to push the weight off of him while Malfoy aimed another spell at the Cavern mouth.

"Ilya! Ndingena!" (Attack! Kill!)

As Harry finally pushed the body of Rodolphus Lestrange off him he saw two things. One was Lucius Malfoy running for his life up the pathway they had entered by. The second caused his heart to almost stop; a large mass of Dementors were rocketing out of the Cavern mouth and began circling the area.

"Harry!" Harry looked to see Sirius half-dragging Gracie away from the mouth before they attracted the attention of the Dementors.

"Get out of here Sirius! Now."

"Come with us Harry!"

"GO NOW!" Harry breathed a sigh of relief as he saw Sirius bring out his portkey and grabbed Gracie close to him as he activated it. They disappeared and Harry cast a glance back to the path to see if he could follow Malfoy. It was too late for that now. The Dementors had cut off the path and were swarming closer with every passing heartbeat. Harry didn't have his portkey and he had spent so much magic that he couldn't feel Ginny or Hermione to 'pull' himself to them.

Harry closed his eyes to gather his magic and his memories for a final effort. Raising his wand at the direction of the swirling Dementors Harry yelled out the only spell that he thought might save him.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

Harry expected the Rapa they had produced before but he was knocked to his knees at what emerged from his wand. It was almost life sized and Harry would know that from riding one for the last couple of hours. A shining golden griffin tore through the closest Dementors like a hot knife though butter and whipped around to attack again. It was brilliant; it was wonderful. Harry almost couldn't believe it was happening!

Harry's distraction caused the magical construct to fade a little and the Dementors to start closing again. Harry focused his thoughts on the memories of Ginny, Hermione and Daphne and the phantom protector renewed its form and attack. Harry didn't know how long he maintained the spell. He was captivated by the beauty and ferocity of the creature but eventually he felt himself flagging as his magic seemed to start fading. Just as he felt he couldn't maintain the spell any longer, he felt and heard the reinforcements arriving. "Just a few seconds more Harry. We're almost there!"

Harry saw the cloud of Dementors suddenly retreat and start heading back toward the mouth of the Cavern. Just as his griffin dissolved into a golden mist, Harry saw Dulari and two of the cubs come crashing through the swarm of Dementors, shredding a handful in their passage.

Ginny was riding on Dulari's neck while Hermione was urging Jaunee forward. Taulso circled back after one pass and came in to a sudden landing beside Harry. Harry wasted no time in patting the griffin's neck as he climbed wearily aboard.

"Where's Sirius and Gracie? They aren't…?" asked Hermione.

"No, they used his portkey together to get out of here once the Dementors were released. Moms?"

"Back where we got off the Griffins earlier, Ivis is standing guard and explaining things."

"Thank Merlin. Let's get the hell out of here."

With Dulari and Jaunee providing a harassing distraction, Taulso was soon airborne with Harry. The three griffins finished attacking the Dementors and only stopped when the last were lying in tatters or had gone back to the shelter of the Cavern. Dulari made one last lap around the Cavern of Doomed Souls. Seeing nothing but remains the three griffins and their riders wheeled over and began the few minutes' flight back to where Ivis was standing guard over the two very confused and awestruck mothers-in-law to Harry Potter.

It was over an hour later when two Dementors slowly emerged from the mouth of the Cavern to begin investigating the remains that littered the ground before their home.

xxxx (A.N. I've corrected the version I inadvertently posted earlier. I had four different versions that I actually wrote out to see which of the nine different endings I thought of made the most sense. This one now is correct to the best of my abilities. So many options and decisions.)