Harry Potter and the Dance of Death

by Wakefan

Harry is destined to stop Voldemort and his followers from corrupting and overrunning the wizarding world. Unfortunately, the Horcrux in his head is working against him. His friends and family are heavily impacted by its influence. Harry is on a long path of power and mastery. Powerful!Harry, Lily finds a way to live on, Casting Shadows Prequel.

32. Chapter 32 Wyld Dreams

—Dance of Death 32—

Harry slowly recovered from his Familiar being murdered, but he was still struggling with the loss. It was a painful lesson that made him question his natural tendency to lead with action and think later. Before leaving Hogwarts, Harry sabotaged a potion Snape was brewing resulting in the destruction of the Potion Master's office. He stole a Runespoor egg from Snape's office and had grown overly attached to it. Additionally, he perfected the use of Occlumency to hide his emotions.

Andromeda reminded Dolores Umbridge that she was a Carp swimming with exotic fish. Dolores realised how badly she had screwed up and was now considering her options. None of her options ended with Harry seeing seventeen years old.

Draco and Harry returned to Grimmauld Place and pick up on their training. Two weeks had passed.

Parseltongue = "§Parseltongue§"

—DoD—

Special thanks to my Beta Reader, 'Just William' for the excellent feedback and diligent work in making the story better.

— Dance of Death 32—

Tragedy - "An event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress, such as a serious accident, crime, or natural catastrophe."

~online dictionary

Chapter 32: Wyld Dreams

Grimmauld Place

February 29, 1996

Friday

Harry sat quietly in his room, reflecting on his plans. After returning from Hogwarts, he buried his beloved owl and gave a silent vow to make Umbridge pay for what she had done. To do that, he needed to survive the coming war and decisively beat his enemies. He needed to become even better than great. He needed to be the next Dumbledore or Grindelwald. He needed to cross the threshold between great wizards and legendary wizards. Harry considered his training and realised he still had room to increase the intensity.

Survival was his drive, not OWLs or academic pursuits. Hobbies were something Harry no longer had time for. Remus was teaching him the way criminals and low life scum thought. Tonks took the other side and was showing him how law enforcement operated. She seemed to get as much from Remus' training as Harry. Narcissa was teaching him how the elite thought and behaved… but it was her knowledge of his future enemies that really interested him. Who would care if he held a spoon correctly if he got killed the next day? But knowing where Avery or Nott Sr. liked to eat breakfast could be useful.

Bill was teaching him about curses, but his training with sensing and understanding magic was pure survival. Tonks was now incorporating that into surprise attacks and dodging exercises. He had this magic sensing gift before his injuries, but it was more sensitive now. He was learning to tell the nature of different spells and curses as well as their general patterns. When his magic returned fully, it would pair very well with his curse-breaker training. Allowing him to better understand the lingering magical patterns and to 'un-weave' even the darkest of curses.

Hedwig's death was a real wakeup call. It marked the true end of his childhood and a change in his focus. Who would be next if he was weak? Ginny? Hermione? Neville? No, that can't happen. He'd tighten up. Learn all he could and ignore anything that slowed him down. He looked at his Black Heir ring and noted the part that designated him the 'knight' was glowing softly.

— Dance of Death 32—

Dreamscape

March 1, 1996

Harry instinctively knew he was asleep. He was on that path he so frequently took in his sleep. The path that always led to his parent's house. He had a toddler on his shoulders, playing with his hair. She seemed to just love everything about his messed-up mop of hair. She was babbling a little song that only she knew the words to. Holding his left hand was a very intense and focused toddler. She seemed to be ready to act on a moment's notice. Very much like Tonks. Holding his right hand was a toddler that was just absorbing everything. Harry instinctively knew she was an intellectual. Like Hermione.

The only thing that surprised him was the fact that he wasn't surprised at all. These were his girls. He loved them and they loved him. End of story… Or was it? Where had they come from and who were they? How could he love them so much if he didn't even know them?

A familiar voice behind him said, "They're your Familiars, Harry."

Harry turned and saw exactly who he expected. She was just as beautiful as ever, covered in thorns and perfect in every way. Teeth like razors and blood red lips. The very person he was looking for.

Harry smiled. "Rose."

She walked over to him on that little path through the forest. Through his tangled mind and his damaged magic. How could anyone covered in thorns be so graceful? He was about to accept her offer when she placed her finger over his mouth. A small thorn pierced his lower lip and drew blood.

"No, Harry. You're in no state of mind to accept my offer. Even your girls think you need to stop."

Harry noticed the toddlers were trying their hardest to pull him back. The one on his shoulders was yanking his hair so hard he thought she might pull it all out. They looked determined; they were trying to protect him.

Harry whispered to them, "§Shhhhhhh. It's Ok little ones. Come here, now. That's right§."

They slithered up into his arms. Now he was holding all three. The two girls on his arms were wrapped around tightly, while the one in his hair was coiled around his neck, tight, but not too tight to breathe. It was exactly the way he needed it to be. Perfect. But something was missing… His Owl.

"Hedwig." He said her name so faintly he could barely hear himself.

Rose smiled at him, but it was a sad smile, "Yes, Harry. Hedwig has moved on. Her loss caused… an upheaval. But your girls helped calm the storm."

Harry was beginning to gain focus and understanding. He cradled the egg in his hand and watched the shape within twist and turn. So full of life. How he wished he could hold her. Hadn't he been holding her? Holding them? Just a moment ago… Weren't they little girls?

"You need to focus, Harry. Find your centre and focus. The damage done was more emotional than physical… Your core will heal. Perhaps an additional month will be needed, but you are still healing."

Harry looked at her. "Can I see my parents?"

"No, Harry. They're repairing your core. Come back in a month." She smiled and placed her hand on his cheek. "Soon." The thorns cut him but helped with his focus.

"The egg… When did I bond with it?"

Rose tilted her head and looked at the egg. "They bonded with you the minute you entered your former Potion Professor's office. I'm glad you put the other egg back and picked up your new Familiar. It would have been a shame to have lost them so soon after losing your owl."

Harry felt a pang of guilt at replacing Hedwig. She was so precious to him.

Rose placed her other thorny hand on his other cheek. Piercing even more of his face. "Hedwig will always be with you, but now she's watching from the spirit world. She would be proud of your choice."

Harry looked down at his egg, then back up at the night sky. Looming overhead was a rich full moon. The fact that it was all in his head didn't really matter.

"Artemis, Selene and Hecate… Three moon goddesses." He then kissed the egg and slowly woke up. He was still cradling his egg.

"§Good morning beautiful§." It pulsed slightly in his hand. No one would harm his girls. Never again. He would kill or die to protect her. To protect them.

…Umbridge…

— Dance of Death 32—

March 29, 1996

Harry's Dreamscape

Friday

Harry was sitting on his parent's sofa in his dreamscape. He was putting the finishing touches on a new spell matrix. This brought his count to three. Over the next few weeks, he would begin strengthening them and enhancing them to be 'pre-charged' like they were before his magic was damaged. He had a dozen matrixes last year, but three would be a tolerable number until he was fully healed. One offensive spell, one defensive spell, and a general counter charm to dispel anything he couldn't dodge. Yes, the more powerful and complex spells would require a wand, but the basics were still the best. Disarming, shielding, and 'Finite Incantatem' were a good mix. With the matrix, he could theoretically cast any spell he placed in them through meditation wandlessly. A wand made it the spells more powerful and faster, but it was still effective.

His father's incarnation looked over at him. "So, the girls… what do we know about them?

Harry realised that he had all three beside him. Well, one on either side and one draped over his back. Sometimes they looked like little toddlers, other times like small snakes. They tended to get into everything, but they were nearly in a deep sleep now. Once they fell deeper asleep, they would look like an egg.

"According to Rose, I've bonded with a Runespoor as a Familiar and these girls are her projections. Funny that Hedwig was never in my dreamscape before." Harry had been wondering about that since Rose told him who the little girls were. Had Hedwig ever been in his dreams?

His mother's incarnation came over and began stroking one of the little girl's backs. "I have a theory on that. Hedwig was fully grown when you bonded to her and you were an eleven-year-old in need of a little mothering. Magic tends to give us what it wants. I suspect these girls will be a handful. But once they hatch, the dream access should end." She considered something for a moment, then added, "You should give Divination a real shot, Harry. You may have a gift."

Harry laughed, thinking she was joking. "Hardly. You never met Trelawney." He then added, "She always talked about her third eye and how insightful she was… she's just crazy as a loon!"

Harry suddenly realised he had heard that said about one of his friends. Luna Lovegood. Suddenly it wasn't so funny. Had people picked on Sybil Trelawney as a child?

Harry looked at his mum, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. But I don't plan to go back to Hogwarts, so there's no real point."

James shifted and said, "Well, about that… You should reconsider." Seeing Harry tense up, James added, "By June you should be able to use a wand for simple charms. By September, you will be at least as powerful and capable as the other sixth years. By the Yule Break you could even be fully healed. You'll definitely be fully healed by end of term."

Harry shrugged, "What's that got to do with going back. I can learn more here than I can there."

Lily shook her head, "No. Harry, with the knowledge we've transferred to you, your instructors are struggling to find challenges. Most of your day-to-day work is just reinforcing what you already know and improving your writing style. There are a few new elements, and the survival skills are impressive, but not new magic. Bill will have finished training you within a year. Tonks and Remus don't even bother with magic anymore. Good survival skills for certain, but not magic. And there really is only so much they can pass on regarding survival awareness. Hogwarts has some of the best NEWT level training in the magical world. You'd be foolish to pass it up."

Harry scoffed, "Like what?" He was irritated and it came out rude and disrespectful.

James spoke up, "Oi! Don't get like that. Professor Flitwick is more than a charms master. As a duelling prodigy, he can really help sharpen your combat skills. Despite his horrific taste in robes and his grandfatherly demeanour, Albus Dumbledore is the best Battle Wizard alive today. He'd tutor you, I'm sure. Anything to keep you from going to Beauxbatons."

Lily added, "The library is amazing and maybe Trelawney could help you unlock… something. Having your Familiar here in your dreamscape is truly special, even if it does end when she hatches." Lily thought for a minute, She… Them… It's confusing. Is it one Familiar with three heads or three Familiars with one body?

James then picked up with, "You would have become an owl Animagus long ago if not for the Horcrux. Minerva can help you complete that." After a moment, James added. "But don't take the potion. You don't need it and it'll lock you in to one specific form."

Harry considered this, then said, "I'll think about it. But not McGonagall. She let me down way too many times. I'll figure it out on my own."

— Dance of Death 32—

Hogwarts

Room of Requirement

Defence Association

April 1, 1996

Hermione walked around the other students as they practiced casting the Shield charm. This was not an easy spell, but the entire class was now reliably casting it. Cedric was working with a few of the younger students on their tempo, but it was really fine tuning at this point. All the students in the DA would easily pass their OWLs.

Ginny caught Hermione's attention. "Hermione, something's up." She's looking at the map. They had become far more cautious since Hedwig had been killed. Always travelled in pairs and when they met, there was always someone on 'map duty.'

Hermione looked down and saw Umbridge's Inquisitor squad congregating at the bottom of the sixth-floor stairs. They must have approached from different directions. This was not good.

Hermione raised her wand and it made a loud 'BANG', getting everyone's attention.

"Everyone out of the room! The Goon squad is coming up the main staircase." She focused her concentration and three doorways appeared. Today she had control of the room.

Cedric took command while she was focusing. "Remember – only walk in pairs. If asked, you are simply out for a stroll. Avoid the primary staircase if you can help it but stay away from empty rooms and narrow hallways. You are safer where everyone can see you. Whatever you do, don't run, or act guilty. Just taking a walk."

As the students quickly departed, Hermione watched the map. Umbridge and her team were apparently stuck on a staircase that decided to go to the eight floor. While they were on it. That had happened to Harry, Ron, and her in their first year when they found the room with the Cerberus. That would buy them the time they needed. In the future, they would have to start watching more closely. Umbridge was obviously looking for them and today she chose the seventh floor. Thank goodness for the crazy staircases. Otherwise, it would have been close.

—DoD—

Albus Dumbledore gently smiled. He took a deep, satisfying breath and glanced over at one of his portraits hanging on his wall. The man in the portrait nodded his head, confirming that the students he was watching out for had slipped past the Inquisitors. He closed his eyes and directed two staircases to bridge the gap between the seventh and the fifth floors. For the next fifteen minutes, no staircase would lead from the eight or the sixth. The Inquisitors would be forced to remain on those floors, or they'd have to take the old servants' stairs at the back of the castle.

Having the map James and his friends created helped, but Umbridge was very persistent. Originally, the Inquisitors had gathered at her office and proceeded in their search for the study group from there. She obviously suspected an early warning of some sort or she wouldn't have had her followers meet up so close to where they intended to search. Hopefully, she wouldn't know about the Room of Requirement, but you couldn't be too sure. Albus realised he was going to have to step up his own monitoring.

He hoped he could keep this up until the end of term. The curse Tom put on the Defence position should take care of the Umbridge problem by then. In the meantime, he just needed to have 'Constant Vigilance.' After what happened to Hedwig, Albus knew Dolores was dangerous. He couldn't let her harm any more of his students.

— Dance of Death 32—

Grimmauld Place

April 3, 1996

11:00 PM

Friday

Bill, Fleur, Andromeda, Remus, Narcissa and Tonks were gathered around the dining room table, discussing the progress of their two home-schooled students. Kreacher brought out tea and scones while the group settled in. Fleur had recently joined the group and was assisting with Draco's knowledge of Charms. When she found out about Harry's Familiar, she reached out to Bill and asked to help. Unfortunately, she couldn't help Harry with very much, so she began assisting Draco. Fortunately, he was somewhat resistant to her passive Allure. If she held it back.

Bill kicked off the discussion, "I'm struggling to find challenges for Harry. The only thing I can teach him beyond what he already knows is Curse-Breaking, and without access to his magic, it's all theoretical. I have him writing everything in Demotic and Akkadian* to keep that skill sharp, but it's not really adding to his knowledge."

Andromeda saw his frustration and stressed his contribution, "You stabilise him, William. He needs a stable presence to keep him grounded." She then added, "Especially after what happened to Hedwig." She privately wondered how a muggle raised fifteen-year-old understood Demotic or Akkadian.

Fleur took his hand and smiled at him. "She's right, Bill. Your presence is extremely helpful to Harry. Did you know he talks about you to Gabrielle? You are a positive role model and one of the only people who he trusts completely."

Bill looked surprised and asked, "He talks to Gabrielle?"

Fleur smiled and said, "Gabrielle sent him a sympathy card over the loss of his Familiar. They are pen pals now. She is quite smitten." Realising no one else really cared and she was about to be interrupted, she added, "Draco is doing well at charms. He is a particularly good student. I expect he will have no problem with is OWLs in June.

Andromeda added, "Draco has a natural affinity for healing charms. I've considered offering him an apprenticeship… but I don't want to alienate Hadrian. He used to seem irritated with me and bristle at my training, but he seems more tolerant now. I don't want to ruin that."

Narcissa agreed, "Draco and Hadrian need to find better way of interacting before you reach out to Draco. Given their antagonistic history, it's likely your ward would pull away. And he still does not enjoy etiquette training."

Andromeda had asked Narcissa to replace her, thinking it might help. "I'm sorry to hear that. He knows the basics but seems to resist the more refined aspects of Wizarding Culture."

Tonks laughed. "That's what you used to say about me. Harry doesn't mind the training; he just would rather be in training for survival. He'll be more receptive after the war." Seeing her mother's inquisitive look, she added, "He told me yesterday he can't focus on ballroom dancing when he knows he's more likely to be fighting for his life."

Narcissa raise one eyebrow, "He soaked up everything I could teach him regarding the other Death Eater families… I really don't see a point in continuing with etiquette training until he is ready to commit."

Bill chimed in, "Agreed. Remus, he seems to be learning the most from you and Tonks. Maybe you two can combine your 'survival and situational awareness training'. Tonks don't go easy on him. Harry won't mind a few stinging hexes in training if it helps him avoid a lethal curse. I'll continue working on his ability to sense enchantments and curses. It fits nicely into your training." Looking at Narcissa he added, "And don't worry about Harry and Draco, since the god-awful trip to Hogwarts, they appear to have found their groove. I say this as the oldest child in a family with seven children. They may snipe at each other, but they seem to enjoy it. Neither of them really avoids the other and that's saying a lot." He enjoyed watching the pair. It was like watching his brothers interact.

Tonks added, "Draco was really nice after Hedwig was killed." Then she added the topic no one wanted to address, "What's with the Runespoor egg? Harry always has it and he hides it whenever he thinks I'm looking his way."

Bill groaned. "I think it's a souvenir he took from Snape. Harry snuck into his office and sabotaged a potion Snape was giving to his students to help them in class. Baruffio's Brain Elixir. He replaced a Runespoor egg with a chicken egg. I guess he kept the Runespoor egg." Seeing Andromeda's reaction, he asked, "You don't think it'll hatch, do you?"

Andromeda put her head in her hand. "For that potion, the eggs must be in the final stage of incubation and are always kept in stasis. Yes, William, it's going to hatch. Unless he did something to kill it or somehow kept it in stasis… but that's not likely." Doing the math in her head, she added, "It's been nearly a month and a half. I'm surprised it hasn't hatched yet."

Remus was shocked, "Well, something has to be done. Those are some of the most lethal creatures alive. They're more dangerous than an Acromantula."

Bill held up his hand, "I'll talk to him. Hopefully, he isn't planning to raise it as a pet." Seeing most of the people staring dumbly at him, he added, "He had a pet snake last year. It used to warn him of what people were doing around him. It was an alarm against ambushes. I think the name was Freddy or something."

Fleur chimed in, "Franklin. They seemed to get along and Harry cared a great deal about him."

Tonks asked, "What happened to it?"

Remus practically growled, "Snape tuned it into potion ingredients." He had wanted to tear the greasy git apart when he heard. It still made him angry.

Andromeda paled, "You have got to be kidding me." After a deep breath she realized it made sense. "Well, I suppose to Harry it's all justified. He's trying to replace his snake friend and stealing a new snake from the man who killed his last snake would be poetic justice. Not to mention the damage done to Professor Snape's office."

Tonks laughed outright. "No kidding! Snape lost a bundle on ingredients and Dawlish really went after him, too. He made a big show of asking why a Professor would be brewing an illegal potion like that… Brain Elixir at a school. He flat out asked if Snape was helping students cheat."

Remus smirked, "We all know he was. He's been helping some of his students for years. I know of three or four that should have never been admitted to Hogwarts. Dumb as rocks."

Tonks mirthfully added, "Well, he was apparently brewing two other mixtures that had been simmering for at least a week. He wouldn't say what they were, but the Aurors seemed to think one was a Polyjuice potion and the other was intense nerve healing draught." She smiled brightly knowing who had probably ordered Snape to brew them.

Narcissa looked down at the table. "Severus used to supply a powerful healing draught to the spouses and children of the Death Eaters when they had been put under the Cruciatus curse." That brought the mood down considerably. "The Polyjuice potion was likely intended for infiltration and assassination purposes." Back to reality.

Andromeda didn't want to dwell on either of those points. "William, talk to Hadrian about the egg. Preferably when he's in a calm mood." With a worried looks she said, "He can't have that in the house."

Bill agreed, "I'm taking him by Godric's Hollow to visit his parent's graves tomorrow. He wants to see them before everyone comes home for break. I'll talk to him while we're there."

The meeting continued as they reviewed next month's lesson plans for Draco and Harry.

— Dance of Death 32—

Godric's Hollow

April 4, 1996

Bill and Harry were eating breakfast in a small café in Godric's Hollow. It was calm and quiet. A few people recognised Harry, but they respected his privacy. Apparently, Godric's Hollow was a mixed community and most people were very respectful. Harry liked it here. He might even want to live there one day.

Bill wondered where Harry put all the food. He ate almost as much as Ron but managed to burn it in the gym. He, on the other hand, just had fruit and a cup of coffee. Fleur had succeeded in changing his eating habits.

"So, Harry. When did you start following amateur vs professional rules in Quidditch?" Seeing Harry smile, he suspected he knew what was up, "You don't even follow Amateur rules, do you?"

Harry laughed. "Nope. But Draco seems to really like them. So, I had to take the other side. Honestly, I thought I made a few good points." He was still grinning while he bit into his toast.

Bill laughed. "Just like me and Charlie" After a minute he asked, "Are you two getting along alright? After Gringotts I thought you really hated him."

Harry calmed a bit and swallowed. "I did. Beating the stuffing out of him felt soooo good. But we're getting along alright now. Funny how things work out." He hastily added, "He's still a GIT, but he's not anything like he was at Hogwarts."

Bill smiled, "I'm proud of you, Harry. It takes courage to let go and move past your animosity."

Harry groaned, "Don't go all Dumbledore on me now. I let it go because I can tell his dad… well, my Aunt and Uncle were rough on me for years before things were good. I can see the signs. It's not easy to walk away and try to be your own person." Seeing Bill's mind at work, Harry added, "And before you say anything, it's different. The Horcrux was affecting the Dursley's in their sleep. Every night for over a decade. Without magic, they had no real defence. They really feel bad about it. Especially Draco. I mean Dudley."

Bill wanted to point out the obvious, but why have an argument? Harry had traded one ex-bully brother for another. One day they would have a long talk. But not today. Maybe he'd just let Dr. Gaines work this out.

"Harry, put it on the table."

Harry looked at Bill like he missed something, then realised what was up.

Harry stubbornly said, "No."

"Why not, Harry."

"Because I don't want you to try and take her away from me. Take them away."

"Harry, I promise I won't take it away."

"Please don't call them that. They're not an 'it', Bill. Either refer to the egg as 'her', 'she' or… 'The girls."

Bill just watched Harry, trying to decide what was up.

"I'm serious, Bill. She may be a Runespoor, but to me she's three beautiful little girls. Hecate, Artemis and Selene." After a quiet moment, Harry asked, "So, who knows?"

Bill smirked, "Everyone. Runespoors are extremely dangerous, Harry. They make Acromantula's seem passive."

Harry laughed. "Not this one." He lifted the egg from under his napkin, "I've already bonded with her. She's loving and beautiful." He then kissed the egg. "§Sleep tight little one §." The egg gently pulsed.

Bill didn't know what to do. Andromeda would flip out if she knew he was talking to it. "Can you… manage it? I mean her?"

Harry smiled, "Of course. They've been sneaking into my dreams at night. I'm sure they've been affected by my magic. It's like with Hedwig, I can just tell what they're thinking. Being a Parselmouth might be making it easier." Harry added, "They're no different than any other set of toddlers." Except for the fangs and lethal venom…

"Alright, Harry. If you're sure." Bill still had reservations, but if Harry had bonded already… well, what's done is done. He'd still watch his young apprentice closely. Looking for changes. But, for now Harry needed his support. Still, he'd have to think about how to deal with this.

Harry took a cleansing breath. "I think I'll head over now. Do you mind if I go alone?"

Bill considered it a moment and said, "I'll stay close, but you can go in the cemetery alone." Seeing Harry tense up, he added, "Come on Harry, it's just until you heal up and can use a wand."

"Alright."

Bill paid the tab and walked Harry to the edge of the cemetery. A quick scan told him there were no people in the area. "I'll wait here. Take your time."

Harry proceeded into the cemetery with a flower Bill had conjured. Bill watched him go and wondered how Andromeda and the others would handle living with a Runespoor. He was glad Harry had recovered so well from Hedwig's death. Most wizards refused to ever consider even another Familiar after losing one. Harry still had depression from time to time, but between visits to Dr. Gaines and apparently that egg, he had made real progress.

Bill knew he had let Harry down. The same way he let everyone down… He would let Fleur down soon as well. He should have done more. It was so depressing when he… wait. Where was this coming from? And when did it get so cold? It was cool in early April, but not like this. He knew this feeling; he knew it too well.

"Harry! Dementors!" Bill then saw two Dementors move into the cemetery while two more came toward him from different directions. He had to get to Harry.

"Expecto Patronum!" He summoned a misty shield and the Dementors were deflected away from him. Casting a corporeal Patronus in a practice room was one thing, in the presence of a Dementor, it was altogether different. He heard Harry cry out. The two Dementors were circling around to make another pass. A Silver Mist wasn't going to cut it if he wanted to help Harry.

One more time, with feeling. He thought of Fleur. How wonderful she was… "Expecto Patronum!" A silvery Eagle Owl appeared and began driving off the Dementors. He directed the Patronus to hold the Dementors back while he charged into the cemetery. Was he in time? He spent precious seconds fighting off the Dementors that attacked him, hopefully he broke away in time. He began sprinting into the cemetery.

—DoD—

Harry had just finished placing the flowers between the tombstones of his parents. It suddenly started to get extremely cold and he sensed deep corruption in the air. Like a foul garbage dumpster behind a spicy restaurant in August. He knew exactly what this was. He suddenly heard Bill shout 'Dementors!' Harry turned to run toward Bill but was cut off by two Dementors. He began sprinting to the side. He heard Bill yell out 'Expecto Patronum'. Thank god, Bill had a fighting chance. Harry doubted he could outrun them, but he wasn't about to give up.

Out of nowhere, a flurry of decaying black robes flew in front of him, he felt the brutally painful feeding begin. The other came behind him and fed as well. Soon they were circling, pulling, and feeding on his happiest memories. Far off, Harry heard, "…No, not Harry…" he knew he was hearing his mum's last words. Then he heard another voice.

"Take my gift Harry. Time is short."

One of the Dementors flew by him with and took a passing 'nibble' on Harry's soul.

"What…? Rose?" Harry was dimly aware that he was now lying on his back.

"Yes Harry, now merge with me. Merge with the Wyld." Harry relented control and let Rose guide him. It felt natural and beautiful. And Terrible. He was suddenly in his dreamscape, surrounded by briars and thorny roses. Standing in front of him was Rose, completely naked and covered in thorns. Sharp teeth and green eyes. He was naked too and so very cold. She launched herself forward and embraced him, pressing her entire body up against him. Her lips against his. Her thorns piercing him wherever they touched. He suddenly realized they were no longer two separate people. He then woke up.

Suddenly, his world was pierced with thousands of white-hot thorns. Every inch of his body screamed in brutal agony. Thorns erupted all over him, ripping and piercing his skin and muscle as they fought to emerge. No, not emerge - they fought to merge.

—DoD—

Bill rushed toward the two Dementors he saw floating in the cemetery and the sound of Harry's screams. His Eagle Owl Patronus still fighting off the two Dementors that had attacked him and were now in pursuit. It was almost unbearable hearing Harry screaming in pain. He saw Harry laying on his back while the Dementors closed in. Something in his mouth was glowing… Suddenly, Harry yelled even louder than before. Thorny and vines began erupting from him in all directions.

The Dementors were pushed back by the vines and seemed to lose their focus. Bill watched in awe as the thorny vines pulsed with power and life, pressing the Dementors back and they expanded. Soon they covered a quarter of the cemetery and were easily twelve feet high. Suddenly, Bill realized he had lost focus and his Patronus had dissolved. Shite!

As the Dementors became fixed on him, he heard another voice yell out "Expecto Patronum!" A powerful Patronus exploded out and the Dementors were flung backward. It was a silver phoenix and it struck the nearest Dementor like a shockwave. The Dementor it impacted crumbled to dust while the others fled. Bill turned and saw a crowd had gathered. Standing in the centre was none other than Albus Dumbledore. Leader of the light. Man, with a dozen names and titles. The Wizard who just saved him.

— Dance of Death 32—

Note: This chapter marks the third Tragedy Harry will Suffer before returning to Hogwarts. A tragedy is not necessarily a death. It is an event causing great suffering. now that thats out of the way, you will begin seeing traits from Casting Shadows Harry. Expect violence. Rating was adjusted to M for a reason.

Countdown: In two chapters, he will have his next confrontation with Umbridge. It will be decisive. I have loathed Umbridge for years and I look forward to writing the chapter after the next.

*Demotic and Akkadian are both ancient languages he learned from his brilliant mother's incarnation. Demotic was an ancient Egyptian script from 400-30BC and Akkadian was in Mesopotamia from 2500 – 600BC.