Chapter Seven: Revelation
A Discovery
"I'll meet you in class. I forgot my Transfiguration book."
Percy Weasley, current Prefect and Head Boy-Aspirant, castigated himself for his carelessness. Good Prefects do not forget their books. Good Prefects are not late to class. Good Prefects are always early for class. Good Prefects do not run back to the dormitory in the middle of the morning because they forgot their book.
Shaking his head, he spat, "Coeur de Lion," to the Gryffindor Dormitory Entry Guardian. He refused to call her something as tactless as 'the Fat Lady'. Good Prefects are not crass.
Sprinting through the echoing, empty Common Room, he glanced at the clock on the wall, satisfied that he'd not be late at this pace. Taking the steps two at a time, he quickly threw open the door to his dormitory room, only to stop and stare as it was currently occupied by a man he'd never seen before. There was a man who was short, stout, with sandy-blond hair, and who was currently ransacking Oliver Wood's trunk while holding Oliver's money pouch in a grubby hand.
"Who are you?" Percy blurted, causing the man to look up in shock. His beady eyes wide in surprise, the intruder fumbled with his pocket for what Percy could only assume was a wand. Being a good Prefect, Percy had his wand easy to hand. Drawing on the intruder, he quickly cast one of the only offensive charms he knew. "Stupefy!"
The intruder collapsed instantly. Continuing in the vein of being a good Prefect, Percy then bound the man in magical ropes. Hurrying to the Gryffindor Common Room to notify Professor McGonagall, he sighed to himself. At least now he had a good excuse for being late to class.
.oOo.
The six friends were studying at their table in the library when Hermione couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. "Harry, why did you forgive the Headmaster after all he put you through? The Dursleys were monsters and he left you there."
Harry sighed, for he knew this was coming from Hermione. Tracey and the guys would never ask such a personal question. Daphne already understood his reasoning. Laying down his quill, he told her, "I don't trust him. I don't like him. I will never forget what he did and it's not Ok what he did. I didn't forgive him so he could feel better." Shaking his head, he squinted as he looked out a nearby window while he turned his feelings over in his mind.
Shaking his head, he murmured, "But I was so angry at him for so long…I don't want to feel that way anymore. Everyone makes mistakes. His was pretty horrible, but I don't think he meant for me to be…well, you know." The words weren't quite right, but good enough. Whether he was correct wasn't the point.
Looking at his friends, he saw Justin and Neville nod simultaneously in understanding and concurrence. Tracey reached out to squeeze his hand while a small tear dripped out of her left eye. Sniffing a tear, Daphne wrapped her arm in his while Hermione muttered, "I understand. You're a good person, Harry Potter. A great wizard, indeed."
Smiling in embarrassment, he shrugged again as the friends wrapped their arms about each other forming a continuous circle of friendship, affection, loyalty, and love.
.oOo.
On the other side of the nearest stack of books, Nymphadora Tonks paused in her hunt for that bloody Potions text. As the pink haired Hufflepuff Prefect searched for the text in question, she grumped aloud, "If I didn't want to be an Auror so bloody bad, I'd tell that bloody arsehole Snape what to do with his last bloody essay about bloody Bone Healing potions." Voices nearby made her stop and listen. She knew eavesdropping was rude, but ever since her mum had told her that Harry Potter was her not-so-distant cousin, she'd taken a special interest in the lad.
The conversation on the other side of the stacks between her cousin and his friends made her frown. The way it sounded; young Harry was set up by the Headmaster to be abused by his muggle relatives. Frowning even deeper, she decided that her bloody essay could wait; she needed to write a letter to her mum straight away.
.oOo.
Pomona Sprout had an unpleasant task. Searching out the young Lord Harry, she found him and his friends wrapped in a circular embrace tucked away in the back corner of the library. Nodding to Nymphadora Tonks who was hurrying past her, Pomona paused to watch the six children for a moment before interrupting them. The boys' cheeks were red with emotion while the girls all had a tear or two in their eye. This time, she wasn't surprised at all when the bright yellow glow suffused the friends. Sighing, she trusted the magic she saw amongst the friends would carry them through their upcoming trials.
.oOo.
"Lord Harry, Lady Daphne, please come with me."
Harry looked up from their impromptu group hug to see Professor Sprout looking exceptionally grave. As he stuffed his books into his bag, he and Daphne traded a questioning look. Shrugging, it was evident that neither First Year knew the reason for the summoning.
"I'll put your books back," Tracey offered in her 'library-voice' while Hermione nodded her assistance, as well.
"Thanks," Daphne murmured as the two stood to follow their Head of House.
Five minutes later, they were all settling into the comfortable chairs of Professor Sprout's office. As Harry tucked his and Daphne's bags under his chair, their Head of House began, "Lord Harry, there have been some developments today that directly impact you. As this will, no doubt, be quite distressing, I asked Lady Daphne to be here for your support. Is that acceptable?"
Harry nodded his agreement. Never had a more useless question ever been asked.
"For the events of today to make sense, we must go back to your parents' time here as students. Your father, James, was best friends with three other boys: Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew…." She told the story of the four unlikely boys who became closer than brothers during their time as students at Hogwarts. Daphne's hand never slacked on Harry's. Her grip tightening when it was disclosed that Sirius Black was Harry's Godfather. "…and it was supposed that Sirius Black not only betrayed you and your parents, but also killed Peter Pettigrew along with the unfortunate muggle bystanders. He was taken to prison while Pettigrew was posthumously awarded an Order of Merlin."
She took a long drink of water to wet her throat. Harry mused aloud, "And this brings us to today?"
Professor Sprout nodded, causing Daphne to scoot her chair closer to Harry's.
"Peter Pettigrew was caught ransacking the Gryffindor Fifth Year Boys' Dormitory this morning. Based on what he'd taken at that point, the Aurors have concluded that he was preparing to abscond to parts unknown."
Daphne's face was screwed up in confusion, "But if Pettigrew is alive, then Sirius Black…?"
Nodding, the Professor concurred, "May very well be innocent. At the very least, his guilt is called into question."
Harry was emotionally overloaded instantly. Blinking, he tried to process all that he'd heard. Love, betrayal, unjust imprisonment; all things he thought were relegated to fairy tales were now real. At his side, Daphne asked, "What now, Professor?"
"There is an investigation ongoing at the Ministry. I have no doubt that Pettigrew has been interrogated with the strongest truth potion available. Your Godfather has been removed from Azkaban," Harry shuddered. The name of the prison itself was loathsome; from what Professor Sprout had said it reflected the prison quite well. "…and I expect that there will be a trial or inquisition into the matter." She leaned forward, placing her hand on Harry's shoulder, "Lord Harry, do you think you will want to attend the proceedings at the ministry? It might be good for you to see it all unfold. I have no doubt that you are mature enough to stand witness to justice being meted for the Betrayal of the Potters."
Without thought, he immediately replied, "If Daphne can go with me, I can do it."
The professor smiled, "I expected no less."
.oOo.
The next few days were a whirlwind. The trial of Peter Pettigrew was scheduled during the middle of exams – Potions to be exact. Daphne had mused that maybe they wouldn't have to take the exam for the hated class to no avail. The best friends submitted to taking the exam early on the condition they would not tell their friends the content of the exam ahead of time.
Harry was mildly offended at the notion that he'd tip off his friends. Hufflepuffs don't cheat.
He knew his friends had gathered together to formulate a plan to keep him occupied until the trial. He just wished that Hermione hadn't carried the day in their discussion. Now, he was studying ten hours a day for his exams. "Well, at least I'll pass all but potions," he mused to a grinning Daphne. She'd been teasing him about his grouching.
The exams came and were taken for Charms, Potions, Transfiguration and so on. Grudgingly, he admitted that all the studying had distracted him from worrying about the trial and any possible ramifications.
Straightening his Head of House robes as he dressed for the big day, Harry glanced in the mirror. He must have grown as the robes were almost too short; rising above his ankles instead of nearly brushing the floor. "You ready?" Turning to Daphne's voice, a flutter ran through his belly to see her wearing the dress robes he'd gifted her over Yule. Her hair in an elaborate braid, she was the prettiest girl he'd ever seen.
"Yeah. Let's go." Reaching for her hand was as natural as breathing.
Waiting in her office, Professor Sprout was wearing her dress robes signifying her has a Head of House at Hogwarts. While not nearly as embroidered as his own, she wore an elaborate patch on her chest bearing the crest of Helga Hufflepuff. "Are you ready, Little Badgers?" she asked in her kindly voice.
Unable to speak, he nodded his reply. Emotion was welling in him, threatening to have him drift off into the aether if Daphne released his hand. A quick Floo trip to the ministry, three cleansing spells and they squared their shoulders to head to the courtroom. Unfortunately, the press awaited them.
"Harry! What do you think about your Godfather's illegal imprisonment?"
"Is he going to take control of the Potter fortune?"
"Do you want Peter Pettigrew to be executed for your parents' murder?"
"Will Sirius Black arrange for your betrothal?" Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Daphne scowl mightily at that question.
Soon enough, they pushed through the scrum to enter the court room. Harry was forcibly reminded of the Old Bailey courtroom that he'd seen pictures of on the telly. This court room was panelled in the same lustrous wood panelling and had the same gravitas as the Old Bailey – just much bigger. When the doors closed behind the threesome, Harry sighed in relief to hear the incessant questions fade to nothing. He noticed that Daphne had a wild-eyed expression so he asked, "You alright?"
She nodded, "That was a bit much."
Professor Sprout patted both their shoulders, "Just keep doing what you're doing and you'll be fine. Don't answer their questions nor give any reaction." Dozens of witches and wizards wearing plum coloured robes milled about the courtroom that was lined with tiers of seats. Most ignored the children, but more than one looked on the two with an interested eye.
"Daphne!"
Turning, Harry saw that Lord Greengrass was approaching. He was wearing the same plum coloured robes as the other Wizengamot members while sporting a wide smile. Hugging his daughter, he clapped Harry on the shoulder. "Are you ready for all this, Harry?"
Nodding, he redoubled his grip on Daphne's hand, "I think so, sir."
Professor Sprout interrupted, "Lord Greengrass, it's good to see you, but we must be going." She indicated toward the front of the courtroom.
"Of course," he replied. Turning to the children, he said, "It's good to see you both. We look forward to you coming home in a week or so."
The duo nodded as they followed their professor to the front of the courtroom. Professor Sprout greeted a witch in a plum coloured robe while wearing a monocle, "Amelia, good to see you. Susan sends her love."
The witch, who must be the famous Amelia Bones, smiled and nodded at the greeting. "Good to see you too, Pomona." Looking over at the children, she asked, "Got young Potter and his friend with you?"
"Just so."
Indicating to three chairs bearing RESERVED signs, Amelia said, "Those are for you." Withdrawing a woman's pocket watch, she checked, "We'll be starting all this in about five minutes. You're just in time."
Daphne sat on the far end of the little row with Harry in the middle. Holding her hand to tether himself to the world amongst all the craziness, he waited.
It seemed that only moments later the sergeant at arms called, "All rise for the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and the Minister for Magic!"
Albus Dumbledore and a dumpy looking wizard sat next to each other on a dais before Dumbledore called out, "Please, be seated. We convene today for the trial of Peter Pettigrew. Scribe, please read the charges…."
.oOo.
A Reunion
Andromeda Tonks was a long-time friend of Rufus Scrimgeour. Her best friend at Hogwarts had been Rufus' younger sister Charlotte. The gruff Rufus had filled the older brother role for her ever since first year and her sorting into Slytherin with Charlotte. As such, he'd taken her Floo call the other night.
"Not only is Sirius my cousin, but so, too, is Harry Potter. He's been hidden away and we've not been able to take care of him after James and Lily were killed. I need to be there, Rufus," she pled her case to her old friend the Head Auror.
He nodded soberly, "One seat in the courtroom. Either you or Ted, but I recommend that it's you as you're blood relation to both Potter and Black. Don't approach anyone until after the trial is over. Amelia would have my hide nailed to a door if we screw this one up on procedure."
Her profuse thanks were waved away, "Not a problem, Drommie," he teased her with her childhood nickname that Charlotte had called her.
Now, she was sat in the row directly behind young Harry Potter as her favourite cousin was frog-marched into the courtroom. Her breath hitched as she saw the bedraggled Sirius glance bemusedly across the crowd. For a moment, their gazes met and recognition flared in his grey eyes. She smiled while raising her hand in greeting. His lips quirked in a facsimile of a smile before he froze in place. She knew that he'd seen Harry. The boy's resemblance to James was truly remarkable.
"C'mon, Black. In the chair," the grizzled Auror ordered as he moved the presumptive Lord of the House of Black towards a straight back wooden chair placed just off of centre next to where the usual witness chair stood empty.
Even as his body moved to sit, Sirius kept his gaze fixed on the young boy in front of her. She noticed that Harry was watching his Godfather with rapt interest in return. The blonde witch at the boy's side leaned over to whisper, "If what the Professor says is true, this should be quick and he'll be free."
She must have said something that resonated with the boy as he echoed, "Free.…"
It was quick.
Peter Pettigrew was brought out next and chained to the 'other' witness chair - the unpleasant one. Pertinent aspects of his interrogation were read aloud then confirmed with a redosing of the hostile witness with Veritaserum. All told, it took thirty minutes for Sirius to be exonerated and Peter Pettigrew to be sentenced to The Kiss.
As the Wizengamot members stood to leave and the reporters ran from the courtroom to file their stories, Sirius spun about, meeting her and Harry's gazes. She placed her hand on Harry's shoulder as she called out to her cousin, "Come to my place and we'll talk."
Sirius nodded and waved as he was led out another door.
Harry spun about when she touched him. Andromeda was surprised in that the blonde witch stood between them in an instant to shield the boy from her, if necessary.
"Andromeda, I've not seen you in years."
Looking to the children's escort, she saw a beaming Pomona Sprout revelling in the justice for the Potters, Sirius, and Pettigrew. Such a Hufflepuff. Smiling at the head of her daughter's house at school, she replied, "It has been years, hasn't it, Pomona. Is Nymphadora behaving?"
Professor Sprout laughed merrily, "I saw her today and she wasn't up to mischief."
"That you could see," Andromeda countered drily causing the children to snigger. She winked at the two as she smiled. "Harry, I'm your cousin Andromeda, and Nymphadora's mother. I was born a Black so we're related on your Grandmother's side." She gestured to the now departed Sirius, "Sirius and I are first cousins, as well."
The boy smiled at her and she was sure that she'd not seen such a joyful expression on a boy's face ever. "We're family?"
Somewhat puzzled, she replied, "Most definitely. Didn't Nymphadora introduce herself as such?"
He shrugged while trading a look with the blonde witch, "Yes, but that's Tonks. She's, well, more like a first year than a seventh."
More laughter from Pomona accompanied Andromeda's own while she shook her head. "I'm afraid that's all her father's fault." More laughter from all four.
"This is Daphne Greengrass," he introduced the blonde witch. "She's my best friend."
Nodding, Andromeda greeted, "It's very nice to meet you, Daphne." Readdressing Harry, she explained, "I'm sure you two need to get back to school, but Sirius is coming to my house today." Looking away toward where her cousin left, she added, "I'm sure he's getting a once over with the healers right now."
"Oh. I wondered where he was going."
"I'll send you a note tomorrow about setting up a time for us all to get together this weekend," she glanced to Pomona to see her nodding in agreement. "The family can have a good chat and a meal together."
She was stunned to see the boy begin to tear up. Daphne quickly wrapped him in a hug, while Andromeda's maternal instinct reared its head and roared. Wrapping the two in a motherly embrace, she whispered, "Daphne is welcome as well."
"Thank you, so much," Harry whispered.
Dreading that Nymphadora's letter was more accurate than she'd wanted to believe, Andromeda replied, "Of course, Harry. You're family."
.oOo.
Neville had never been happier in his entire life. Prior to coming to Hogwarts, he was always alone, a lone child amongst those nearly one hundred years his senior. Compounding the loss of his parents, his Grandmother was always cold, distant, and continuously disappointed in him. It all changed when he took the train to Hogwarts. His world turned in its orbit first with Hermione, Harry, and Daphne followed shortly by Justin and Tracey. He had friends that were closer than family. Never had he felt so loved and wanted by anyone.
He wouldn't tell Harry until the drunken revelry the night before Justin and Tracey's wedding that he not only loved his brother in all but blood, but he admired and respected him. "You're my hero, mate. Have been since First Year. You took me in and trusted me from the beginning." Hugging him, he murmured, "Love you, mate."
Harry wouldn't reply, but Neville felt the man's tears on his neck.
So, when Harry was vacillating from anxious to totally freaked out about having a dinner with his Godfather and Black cousins, Neville stood tall to support his friend as only an eleven-year old boy can do. "Harry, don't be an idiot. Of course, Sirius, Andromeda and the family want to meet you and bring you into the fold."
Hermione frowned at Neville's insensitivity, but picked up the thread. "Harry, despite Neville being uncouth, I'm sure you're what has been keeping Sirius sane. Didn't Andromeda seek you out at the trial? It was probably the first time she could introduce herself to you since you came back to magical society."
At his side, Daphne nodded on Harry's shoulder. "You've either been here or at home since the year started. Not much of a chance to meet up."
Harry sighed, "True. But what if it's like the Dursleys and they are just there because they have to be as we're blood related?"
Neville heard Daphne growl as Justin, Tracey and Hermione frowned at the mention of the child abusing relatives of Harry. Clapping Harry on the shoulder, he cajoled, "Mate, I have no doubt that our Daphne would disabuse them of the notion that they should act like your Aunt and Uncle."
Harry smiled softly as Daphne added in a prim tone, "Of that, you may be sure, Lord Neville."
Grinning, Neville faux-cowered, "Oh, no! She brought out titles!" The six friends broke into giggling laughter.
As they settled, Justin asked, "Since the Solstice is the week after next, do you think that Sirius and the Tonks' will come to the fire?"
Daphne snorted and rolled her eyes. "If what Tonks says is true, wild horses couldn't keep them away."
.oOo.
Professor Sprout had told the were to meet up for dinner, so in time to be there at six PM sharp, Harry and Daphne headed up to have "dinner with the family". Harry didn't realize that he was holding Daphne's hand in his own while her other arm reached across her body to wrap in his arm. They walked for nearly ten minutes in this half-hug. All he knew was that she gave him courage. Finding the correct door, Harry took a deep breath that was at once cleansing and shaky.
"I light my candle every night, Harry."
Turning to her, he saw the sombre expression and emotion in Daphne's eyes. Fear fled. So long as she was there, he'd be fine. Nodding to her with a smile, he knocked on the door.
The door snapped open revealing Harry's Godfather. Sirius looked much better. His hair was cut, clean and styled. The clothes he wore were new and of obvious worth. Harry took it all in peripherally, but what grabbed his attention was the expression of happiness that burst across the wizard's features like a sun rising. He was happy to see Harry.
All of the boy's doubts evaporated in that evident, undeniable, unguarded moment.
"Hello, I'm Harry."
With a wet chuckle, Sirius wiped his eyes, "It's so good to see you, Harry. I'm Sirius. I'm your Godfather. Come in. Please, come in."
.oOo.
A Stone
Justin was worried. It was the day of the Solstice and he'd not seen Tracey all day and none of their friends knew where she could be found. He asked Blaise Zabini if she was in the Slytherin Common Room or the dorms. Nope to both. Not the library, Great Hall, the Sett, the Quidditch Pitch nor the kitchens. He was hustling out to the Standing Stones in a last-ditch effort to find her. He was worried that they may be missing each other. While he was in the library, she was in the Great Hall and vice versa but continued on just the same. The other friends were searching the castle independently and were to meet up outside at the Stones.
They had had many wonderful memories here over the past year. The Stones had a magical importance for channelling magic for rituals, but there was a hugely symbolic meaning to Justin and his friends. Samhain, Beltane, the Equinoxes, and even their weather-aborted Imbolc celebration had all been celebrated or planned to be celebrated here. They'd forged their friendship in the fire of remembrance and celebration at Samhain. They'd all lain themselves bare by sharing their secret griefs. It was when Harry had accepted Tracey as part of their group; family, really. Justin was eternally grateful to Harry as Tracey had grown in importance to him. It was a bit intimidating to the twelve-year-old, as they'd become very close in a short period of time, but he couldn't really imagine his life without – well, any of his five friends – but Tracey in particular.
Winding through the copse that ringed the stones, Justin stopped to listen. If Tracey was upset and crying, he wanted to give her some privacy but he heard nothing. Emerging from the trees, he saw her sat in front of one of the larger stones. Sighing in relief, he walked over to her calling out softly, "Hey."
Tracey looked up and Justin saw that she'd been crying. Her eyes were read and puffy while a few tear tracks still decorated her face. Moving to her side, Justin sat as he asked, "What's wrong?"
She shrugged, peeling the bark off of a random twig. "My mum died two years ago today."
"Fuck," he observed eloquently.
"Yeah."
They sat in silence for a bit as Justin became more and more frustrated. Finally, he blurted, "I have no idea what to say to make you feel better. If I could, I'd fix all of this for you. You're a great person and my best friend, but I don't know what to do." His bewildered expression screwed up in even more confusion as he stared at the grass stones that surrounded them in the Stones. "I don't understand why your dickhead father did what he did, but you're amazing and don't deserve this mess. I'm sure your mum didn't either."
Mortified at the lack of filter in his babbling, he looked to Tracey to see her watching him wearing a strange expression. "Er, sorry?" he mumbled. Reaching for his own twig to peel, he hoped she wouldn't smack him for being unfeeling like his mum did to his dad every so often.
Just at that critical moment, the other four friends emerged from the copse. "Oh, thank God," Justin murmured at arrival of reinforcements.
Her hand on his bicep caused Justin to turn back to Tracey. "Thank you. It wasn't very elegant, but your…," she struggled for words. "I appreciate your intentions," she settled on in the end.
Relieved, Justin covered her hand with his. "Good." At that moment, Tracey was nearly tackled by Hermione in a hug to end all hugs. Justin couldn't help himself as he began to laugh at his muggleborn friend and her emotional antics.
Standing, he let Daphne crowd about Tracey so he moved to greet Harry and Neville. "Hey, guys."
Nodding toward the female scrum, Harry asked, "What's up?"
Cutting to the chase, Justin replied in a low tone so as to not be overheard, "Today's the day her dad killed her mum two years past."
Neville's scowl was truly impressive while Harry's expression hardened to flint. In that moment, Justin was fervently glad that these two wizards were his best friends. Trying to lighten the mood, he asked, "Should we mount an expedition to Azkaban to have a chat with him?"
Neville snorted a laugh, while Harry shook his head ruefully with a grim smile. "From what Sirius has told me, that bastard is suffering much more than we could ever inflict."
"I dunno, mate. Maybe you're right," Neville chimed in, "But I would sure feel better." It was Justin's turn to laugh.
At that moment, the girls came up, Daphne wrapping her arm in Harry's. "I'm hungry," the blonde told her raven-haired partner.
"We can't have that," Harry replied with a grin. "Allons-y to the Great Hall!"
In unison, the other five cheered, "Allons-y!"
.oOo.
It was a beautiful day in Northern Scotland. Therefore, after lunch, the six friends headed back outside. Since Harry and Daphne had a head start on their exams, they had no further responsibilities. Hermione was fretting their Potions exam the next day, but they all knew she'd get an Outstanding if not a perfect grade.
The friends were inexpressibly happy. They had formed a bond deeper than any thought possible. They'd had a successful year at school. They'd found freedom that they didn't know they needed. Dancing amidst the Stones, Daphne began to sing soon to be joined by Tracey. It was a song of a Hero.
"Suddenly a voice was heard
In a flash the brave young man appeared
The Dragon will cut him with his tail
Chased him to the stairway
Caught him halfway to the top
Sent him whirling down
Fireball, summer Solstice
Dragon Lord descended down on him
She turned to look but saw only darkness, silence…."
Moved by her words and dancing, Harry moved to the centre of the Stones to dance with his best friend. Moments stretched into eternity as they moved about each other. Neville and Hermione danced to the East while Justin and Tracey danced to the West.
The beautiful moment was broken by a snarling voice.
"Very pretty. Now come with me Potter. I need you to fetch something for me."
Harry frowned, the voice was familiar, but somehow it seemed altered.
Turning, he saw Professor Quirrell, but…not. Gone was the diffident expression and the meek receding chin. In its place was a snarling expression and glowing red eyes - the distinct mark of a Dark Magic user.
Pushing Daphne behind, him, Harry gritted, "What do you want, Professor?"
The professor-who-wasn't marched into the centre of the stones. "Don't you know, Potter? I thought you all were smart," he waved his hands at the students. "But my Master was correct; you are naught but an insect."
Harry narrowed his eyes. Only one person was referred to by that term. "Voldemort."
Smiling madly, Quirrell clapped while sporting a mocking sneer. "Very good, boy."
His lip curling, Harry suppressed his anger. He hated that word. Right at that moment, though, wasn't the time for little things. Standing face-to-face with each other, Harry was struck that here on the Solstice, Light and Dark stood in opposition. From the corner of his eye, he saw his other four friends spread out so that the five others were soon in a loose five-pointed star formation with Quirrell and Harry in the centre.
The silence that fell was complete. All of the world, all of magic, and his friends who were closer than family were standing witness to the confrontation in the Stones.
The bell tower slowly began to toll noon.
"No."
Quirrell's mocking, amused expression wavered. "What did you say, boy?"
"I said no. I will not go with you. I am not an insect. I love and am loved. I am not feared. I have everything I've ever wanted." Pointing at the obviously possessed wizard, Harry continued, "But you have nothing. You have no love. You have no family. You have no friends. You don't even have a body, do you Voldemort? You have to hide inside our most worthless professor. I am not an insect. You are."
Red eyes widening in rage, Quirrell/Voldemort spat, "You dare!"
"I do."
Quirrell/Voldemort made to move forward and slap the defiance from the boy's mouth, but froze. As Potter began his drivel about love, a yellow glow began to surround him. Building to the point where it was nearly painful to look at the boy, he cried out, "What is this magic?"
"I love and am loved, Voldemort. My parents loved me enough to die for me. My friends love me enough to stand by me despite their own fear. Love is the most powerful thing in the universe." Stepping forward, Harry took both of the teacher's hands in his own.
And Voldemort Screamed.
The yellow glow burst from each of the five friends, fuelling Harry. From afar, four red balls of magic screeched across the sky colliding with the writhing wizard, his screams redoubling.
"Never again," Harry declared in a forceful tone as he held on to the writing wizard. "You have ruined too many lives. You have twisted all that is good in magic. Darkness flees before the Light and today I say that you are finished, Voldemort. You will kill no more parents. No more children. No more loved ones. You are done, Voldemort."
The yellow glow of Magic grew to a nearly blinding luminance as Harry held tight to the screaming wizard. "NO MORE!" he shouted.
Voldemort/Quirrell burst into flame.
It seemed to last an eternity, but was in reality a moment. He was there and screaming in Harry's face as the tormented soul he truly was, then a heartbeat later, Voldemort/Quirrell turned to ash fluttering away in the breeze. The screaming continued for another heartbeat as the six friends saw what could only be Voldemort's wraith suspended in the same space that his possessed host had stood. Then the wraith exploded.
The bell tower chimed twelve.
.oOo.
"Harry!"
Daphne's worried face hovered over his own as he woke. He hadn't even realized that he'd passed out and was laying on the grass in the centre of the Standing Stones. Smiling, he reached for his best friend as she pulled him into her arms. "I'm really tired, Daph."
"Oh, God, Harry. I thought you were dead," she wept onto his shoulder.
"Nah. Just tired."
Hands picked him up. Justin and Neville held him upright while the white-faced Hermione and Tracey stood just over their shoulders. "Let's just get you to Madam Pomfrey, eh?" Justin prompted in a worried tone of voice.
"You're a great friend, mate," Harry happily observed. He was more than a bit punch-drunk.
"Er, thanks. Just this way, then." With Justin on his left, Neville on his right and the girls clearing the way, the six friends headed out.
.oOo.
With the pretence that Harry was overstressed by the trial of his Godfather and the subsequent events, Madam Pomfrey pronounced Harry fit, if overtired. After a Pepper-Up Potion, he was sent on his way.
The moment they were out of the infirmary, Daphne wrapped Harry in a hug, followed by the other five friends as they reassured themselves that all was well and they were safe.
.oOo.
Pomona Sprout turned to corner to the infirmary at that moment. She was stopping by to collect her friend Poppy for tea with Minerva and was surprised to see the Famous First Years, or Potter's Crew as called by some, huddled together in the hallway.
She was not surprised to see them suffused in yellow glow of magic.
Slowly approaching them, she asked, "Is all well, children?"
Daphne Greengrass sniffed as she wiped her face. It was Hermione Granger who replied, "Yes, Professor. We're just about to head out. Harry's family is visiting for the Solstice."
She smiled, "Good. Family is important. Have a grand day."
As they moved off, Pomona wondered if she'd missed something important just then. Shrugging, she turned into the infirmary. "Poppy, are you ready?"
.oOo.
1. I own nothing. Thanks for the encouraging reviews so far. I'm blown away by the enthusiastic response and truly appreciate the comments. Thanks, everyone.
2. Recommendation for this chapter is Sliding Doors by Petrificus Somewhatus. Great story. If you've read any of my stuff, you'll know that I'm a sucker for Jilly!Live stories.
3. Yes, I know that Percy called the Gryffindor Door Guardian 'the Fat Lady' in Prisoner of Azkaban. It doesn't fit my mental model, though. My story, my rules.
4. I tightened up the story line and it slimmed down to this point. One more chapter that's epilogue-esque and we'll be done. Thanks for sticking around.