As soon as they arrived, Hermione was ushered to a side room as Adrian was rushed deeper into the bowels of the building they arrived in. The woman who drug her through the threshold was mousy, with dark honey hair, and dark rimmed glasses. Her face was unlined like most witches, and her eyes sparked with intelligence. She smiled at her young charge and held her at arm's length.

"I am so proud of you Hermione! Oh so proud." She gazed into Hermione's eyes and nodded firmly. "It looks as if the part of me that you channeled has settled in nicely. Perfect. Now, it should give you a head start in most of our combat training, but do not be slacking understand? Lord Grindelwald will not have a slacker as a General. And you have all the capabilities to be one." The woman paused and realized her error as Hermione looked at her in confusion. "Oh my mistake! You don't even know my name. I am Sonja Longfellow. And thanks to the potion that was doused on every one of my letters, affectively your magical progenitor." Hermione couldn't hide her shock even as Sonja hugged her again.

Adrian frowned as he ran his wand through dozens of motions towards his Lord. Grindelwald laid in his bed, covered in blankets and wheezing slightly with every breath. His skin was pale, his eyes bloodshot, but his magic still pulsed strongly. As a result appeared from the diagnosis charms, Adrian nodded and with a swift flick, cut his finger. A single drop of blood fell towards his lord before being levitated and cast at by Adrian's wand. In moments, the blood shone with a golden light as he directed Grindelwald's mouth to open. The drop fell into the man's mouth, and with a gentle motion, Adrian made him swallow.

Grindelwald's body arched as his face scrunched in untold agony. From his body, the sounds of bones snapping could be heard, even as his skin became peachy and healthy once more. In mere seconds it was over, and Grindelwald laid on his bed.

His skin was peachy, his eyes were now clear, and his breathing was easy. He looked younger, a mere seventy years instead of his hundred plus. He turned his head weakly towards Adrian and smiled.

"Welcome back my friend. Thank you."

Adrian smiled softly and nodded. "Think nothing of it. Though I do believe that you need to start a ration of my blood. You aren't getting younger my lord, and as your primarily physician it is my duty to state that the effects of the mixture will only continue if you take regular doses. " Grindelwald nodded as he sat up, showing a body that was thin, healthy and lean. The complete opposite of the body he sported in Nurmengard.

"I understand my friend. I am working on borrowed time. Thus it is evident that we must make haste. In two weeks, we shall be prepared to strike. It is time I got my allies back." The Dark Lord smiled in a way that made his top-most lieutenant to break out laughing.

Voldemort lounged on his throne as he absently listened to the report of his Death Eaters from the Ministry. His mind only was locked on his duel with the Potter brat. There were so few in the world who could challenge him, magically speaking, and Potter finally entered those ranks. He was more than a challenge at this point, but a threat. A threat to his power, his image, and his future. He would have to prepare for their next duel carefully. Idly he thought of the rituals he could preform as Bellatrix spoke about her duels against Adrian Frankenstein. While he could utilize a temporary ritual to increase his magical output, the risks were great for a body such as his. His golem based creation was based on the initial efforts of dark wizards to create life in Prague, with a few modifications to make use of his horcrux to avoid the soulless automaton that most golems were. This gave him a few key advantages, such as increased durability, stamina and reflexes. However it did mean that he was not alive in the sense of magicals definition of the term. This was unimportant for most magics, except for rituals.

As Bellatrix finished her report Voldemort was brought back to the present. "It was not a guarantee to succeed. While Frankenstein would be the perfect addition to our ranks, we can move forward with our acquisition from our French team. Can't we Rookwood?"

The bald death eater nodded, and smiled smugly as he snapped his fingers. From the darkened corridor two Death Eaters dragged a woman forward, her elderly body scraping against the flagstones. With a soft toss, she crumpled before the throne of the Dark Lord who met her appearance with a sinister smirk.

"Welcome Perenelle Flamel to my Keep. Imperio." In a flash, the Dark Lord's wand was pointed at the elderly witch who strained under the curse.

Stand up and walk to my chambers.

The witch refused to move even as the command became louder and louder in her mind. Voldemort lost the smile on his face. He lifted his wand, and the curse.

"Fine. The hard way. My Friends. Crucio at my command. You will cease when I command and apply if ordered. Now." Voldemort grinned as Flamel screamed in agony as six crucio curses slammed into her body. A little known fact of the curse was that it and the Imperius curse paired well, but only if cast separately. "Cease. Imperio." When Flamel continued to resist, he ordered the cycle repeated. It was only the fifteenth attempt, as Perenelle lay convulsing even after the the Crucios were lifted that the order seemed to do anything.

StAnd uP And WaLk TO mY CHAmbeRs

Voldemort's mental command came through the channel, easing the pain from the curse, while being distorted. Perenelle stood on her shaking limbs and started to hobble towards the door to the left of the throne.

The Death Eaters all cheered as Voldemort smiled.

"Bring me the tub. Bellatrix. Bring me my Cup."
Voldemort started to laugh as his thoughts were filled with the potential he could have from stealing the lifeforce of someone who had drank so much Elixir of Life.

Harry blinked as he slowly awoke. From the slightly scratchy sheets, he could immediately tell he was in the hospital wing, even if he couldn't hear Madam Pomfrey moving around the ward. With a groan he sat up, and the Mediwitch came bustling over.

"I swear Mr. Potter, if you do not learn to stay out of my wing I shall have to start charging you rent." She joked as she ran her wand over his form for several moments. "It appears all is in order. You will be weak, and I would prefer if you stayed the night, however the Headmaster and Master Flamel wish to see you as soon as you are capable." She perched her lips before continuing,"Will these wounds be classified as Familial?"

"I have to say yes Madam. I'm sorry, I just…" She shushed him with a simple motion before looking at him with softened eyes.

"It's fine Mr. Potter. You did a good thing, and it is because of you that I only had two residents instead of one. Thank you." Harry nodded, noting that Padma was sleeping silently three beds over at the far end of the ward. He looked back towards the mediwitch who shook her head.

"Poor girl got her knee crushed with a nasty curse. Likely, I can fix it. She won't be walking any time soon though." She idly sent a few spells as Padma's face scrunched up in pain; their effects seemingly to ease the witch's discomfort. "She will require a highly modified dose of Skelegrow, mixed with some very volatile potions. It is a godsend that we have Severus…" She noticed that Harry was listening intently and shook herself. "I apologize Mr. Potter. You have an appointment to keep. If healing interests you so much, you can of course come visit me. Off you trot."

At the dismissal, Harry exited the wing and rapidly made his way through the castle. He had a good feeling on where the two eldest men in the castle could be found, and when the gargoyle jumped out of his way before he spoke, his assumption was proven correct.

Nicolas Flamel paced the room as if he was a caged tiger, while Dumbledore stood by the fire with his wand out. "Nicolas. You know I cannot allow you to leave without a full understanding of what happened. Not only for my students' safety but that of yours as well."

"My wife was attacked at one of the premier schools of magic in the world by Death Eaters and you are refusing to allow me to leave! I don't care about-"Nicolas fumed until he found himself silenced by his own apprentice.

"I understand that you are upset Master. But you need to calm down. In fighting will only result in Voldemort winning." Harry spoke firmly as he settles into a chair, his wand still out. Nicolas nodded, though he looked as if he swallowed a lemon.

Cancelling the spell, Dumbledore moved to his desk and settled behind it. "I believe I know the brief timeline of events over the last twenty-four hours. Voldemort assembled two groups. According to the report from Madam Maxime, the Death Eaters that attacked her school were led by Augustus Rookwood. She stated that along with him were two Silver Masked Death Eaters, who according to the evidence has me convinced were Lucius Malfoy and Peter Pettigrew. They, along with a group of at least 24 Death Eaters, were enough to overwhelm the defenses of the school, and kidnap your wife along with several artifacts and texts of unknown value." He steepled his fingers. "Approximately three hours before the attack of Beauxbatons, the group led by Bellatrix Lestrange, Antonin Dolohov and Alvin Mulciber. Their members were approximately 30 Death Eaters, of which fourteen made it into the Department of Mysteries and were subsequently killed by Adrian Frankenstein; their desired target. We can only assume that Rookwood finally was able to give his master the information that he was there.

The oaths concerning Frankenstein's capture and holding location were criticized at the time of casting, and would only weaken over time." Nicolas Flamel looked at Albus as if he were insane.

"Let me get this straight Brian. Your government took one of the most dangerous men on the planet, a prior Apprentice of mine, a man who stole the Elixir of Life, modified it and made it permanent, albeit with major side effects, and kept him locked within your very own MINISTRY OF MAGIC?!" Nicolas Flamel paced through the office. Harry looked on in contemplation before turning to the Headmaster.

"The Ministry was experimenting on him. Likely to figure out his healing factor from the Elixir. Which from what I know, shouldn't be enough to make him so dangerous." Harry frowned as he racked his thoughts. "I don't even know how you could modify the Elixir to grant such a boon. You said there were side-effects?" He turned towards Nicolas who sighed as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Yes. Several side-effects that I theorize. One of the bonuses of the Elixir is how strong it makes your mental abilities. It has to in order to handle the plethora of memories eternal life would grant. However, I suspect that Adrian's modifications strengthened them even further creating a form of pseudo-sociopathy, as all emotion is locked along side memories. This is supported by all the research I know he participated in. The boy I apprenticed would have never engaged such in such terror." Nicolas got a slightly glazed look in his eye as he pictured the young Hungrian wizard that knocked on his door in Prague in the 18th century. The boy with bright eyes and an easy smile who devoured all the knowledge that he could. Shaking his head Nicolas continued. "Another issue I think of is that it does not cease aging as my elixir does, but merely slows it to a crawl. According to Harry, Adrian looked at most forty years old. I know for a fact he is over two hundred and fifty years old." Nicolas smirked slightly at the shock on the faces of his companions.

"He was my first apprentice. He was the perfect apprentice; absorbing all knowledge I gave him, learning new methods even as I discovered him. By the time he was twenty, I would say he was as strong as you were at that age Albus. I believe that Adrian sacrificed some of that in order for his elixir to be produced continuously in his veins. An aspect of himself that is constantly creating that would feed off some of his magical capability. A truly grueling and terrible process to undergo, possibly the whole reason he increased the mental fortitude portions in the first place as the pain would likely drive most mad."

Harry nodded as his mind raced through different scenarios, and his ancestors put forth further suggestions. "It is likely that the Ministry figured out that Adrian has a massive healing factor and his blood is the cause. If I am right, the ministry outlawed blood magic in the 60s, which coincides with the time they would have likely figured out that his blood had healing properties. They likely theorized that it was done via massive amounts of blood magic. That leads to the Purebloods being upset as their magical protections on their mansions and books and artifacts are now illegal. Blood adoption is now illegal as well, though that is swiftly overturned. This causes the pureblood movement to spark further, and since the Minister of Magic in the sixties was a muggleborn guess who gets the short end? This movement is capitalized on by Voldemort. He then uses it to create his Death Eaters after hearing from years from his Slytherin dorm mates that muggles and muggleborns are the cause of all the issues in magical Britain. Things they hear from their pureblooded family and friends. Of course, Voldemort likely had those bias as well…" As Harry spoke his theory on the timeline of how the two modern Wizarding Wars were connected, Albus frowned and blanched as he realized how right Harry was. Though his dates were incorrect, his general theory was. It was quickly discovered that Adrian's blood was what granted his healing factor, and that blood magic was the cause. It was outlawed in the late 1950s, causing the exact reaction that Harry spoke of. Of course, Voldemort would capitalize on it. It gave him a ready-made army! He merely needed to fan the flames and direct the blaze.

Harry thought of his interaction at the ministry and frowned. "I do have one question… How did they not get killed from the Goblet? I should still be under the protection, right?"

Nicolas looked at Albus who looked back in shock, each expressing that the other would have told him. Finally Flamel looked at his apprentice.

"The goblet functions with a lunar calendar, which is 354 days, verses the modern calendar of 365. It largely was done with magical objects in the 14th century." Harry's face fell and he sighed.

"You know, I am so thankful I refused to hesitate when Adrian failed to die with the first attempt to attack me." He shook his head and moved on from the fact that he was now touchable by anyone who wanted to do him harm. "We need to figure out how to move forward. Grindelwald is at essentially full power now, Voldemort has Lady Flamel, and we are currently on the backfoot dealing with the fact that two simultaneous attacks have crippled two of our main allies."

Dumbledore nodded and took out a sheet of parchment from his desk. "Luckily, we will be getting more manpower from the ICW. A full squad of ICW mages will be dispatched to us to," his eyes drifted down to the paper to quote it,"'Ensure the safety and security of the Statute while investigating possible international threats.' Essentially, they are here to help eliminate the threat of Voldemort and free me to deal with the issue with Magical Russia."

"Magical Russia? What are they doing that has the ICW in a frenzy?" Harry asked.

Albus sighed and thought how best to explain it. Settling on a simplistic approach he continued,"Magical Russia has started to rapidly expand past their borders with magical assaults and have taken key ICW safe houses. They are insisting that it is not happening, that they are being framed. Any evidence of their involvement is circumstantial. Not only that, but the ICW safe houses are largely unknown to the general public. It is obvious that they are hunting for ICW specific information. But there is nothing that the ICW can do without solid evidence."

Harry nodded. "Magical Russia is using guerrilla tactics to attack ICW safehouses, likely to gain information on possible protections for areas they want. They are covering their tracks enough that legally, the Conference can't do anything because it would spark a world dispute. Thus they are sending a squad here to support us, to free you as you can likely either force the Russians to stop, or figure out what they want."

Nicolas smiled slightly. "Perfect and concise my apprentice. However, there is another factor that the ICW will not consider. Grindelwald is likely the shadow leader of Magical Russia, which means that Brian already knows what he wants. Correct?"

Albus nodded and stood. Walking towards a random painting on the wall, he leaned in and whispered to the man inside. With a nod, the painting swung forward exposing a hidden shelf that housed a single book. An old styled leather journal that Albus held softly, and walked back to his desk. With a soft thump, the book fell onto the desk.

"This is the journal of Gellert Grindelwald. In it are rituals and spells that I do not believe runic experts could unravel in a century of study. Largely due to that the runes are his own design."

Harry's eyes widened. "You mean to tell me Grindelwald created his one runic language, and then formulated rituals with it? That is absolutely insane." Runic languages dug into the depths of magic itself, while also formulating a modified identity of its own using magic as a catalyst. It was why runes were permanent when carved; their conceptual ideas never shifted. To create a runic language meant looking a concept and twisting it slightly to create a rune that matched that description and then repeating the process until a language was formed. It was a process that normally took centuries of multiple magicals engaging in the work. Yet a single wizard did it according to Dumbledore.

"Why do you have that Albus?" Nicolas asked his former student, his eyes narrowed. He knew exactly what Grindelwald and Dumbledore once were, and that book was extremely dangerous in certain hands.

"It may contain the demonic summoning ritual. I know it contains other rituals and I know there are parts that describe spells he was developing. This likely held his plans for his entire war effort." Albus sighed. "I couldn't allow the knowledge to exist. But I couldn't bring myself to order its destruction. Not only that, but I can feel his magic imbued in the pages. It is possible that the secrets it holds are the key to his defeat."

Harry looked at the book and shook his head. "I don't know what is in that book, but Grindelwald isn't stupid enough to put the method to defeat him in it. Especially if he knew you were coming."

Nicolas nodded. "I agree. There is less than a ten percent chance that book contains anything that could defeat Grindelwald."

Albus smiled softly. "I know it contains nothing for Grindelwald. I was speaking of Voldemort's defeat. Grindelwald, even with his lieutenants, is of a lesser importance than Voldemort who is steadily gaining power."

Harry shook his head. "It doesn't matter. As it is, Voldemort and I are relatively equal."

Dumbledore sighed and moved towards the cabinet housing an intricately carved stone bowl. "According to your memory of the event… I would state that Voldemort was using at most three fourths of his full capabilities." Tapping his wand on the bowl, the Pensieve rose and hovered towards the desk.

Harry shut his eyes as he did mental calculations on his own abilities. With a frown, he responded. "That is… not good. I wasn't throwing everything I had into it, but…"

Nicolas interjected. "At this point, power is not the issue. Voldemort is the world leading expert on combat magic. To think that you are even in the same league as that monster is incredible. We will focus on creating a style that is best suited for your Crowned talents. I am just unsure how to do that, as you are currently on par with myself…" Nicolas frowned as he stroked his chin, his mind on multiple problems.

"While I would be able to duel you as you are crowned, I know I will be unavailable for the amount of time you need." Albus admitted. He looked towards his companion Fawkes as he cried a few notes. Albus' eyes widened before he shut them in focus. Snapping them open, Albus stood and flicked the book back at the hidden cabinet, easily having it placed back in its place. "Causius, shut please." With a faint click, the portrait locked, just as a knock on the Headmaster's door was heard.

Harry stood as Dumbledore commanded the newcomer to enter. In robes of blood red, hoods raised to cover their faces with blackened leatherlike breast plates, two Aurors entered the room. Glancing at his master, he noticed the stoic face Nicolas sported. Looking back at the Aurors he realized that on their left breast piece was a symbol. A symbol that made him smile widely even before he noticed who was wearing the robes.

"Supreme Mugwump. Active Hunter Agents 33 and 36 arriving to first post." The one on the left spoke harshly, in a voice that tickled Harry's memory.

"Ah, welcome to Hogwarts Agents. Or should I say welcome back?" Dumbledore smiled widely as his eyes twinkled. The pride the man had was obvious as he looked at the two men. Suddenly Harry exclaimed, "I know you! Ced you prick. Is this why you don't answer any mail?"

Cedric Diggory laughed as he lowered his hood, exposing his handsome face now sporting a small scar above his left eye. "Well Harry, I can't exactly answer any mail during training. I also have seen you improved. What gave me away?"

His partner interrupted; his voice as harsh as when he spoke to the Headmaster previously. "Likely your magic. I told you that you wouldn't be able to hide long here."

"Oh shut it Fred." Cedric mumbled even as his partner elbowed him at the nickname. Nicolas sighed and flicked his wand. The hunter's hood fell, exposing a beautiful face.

"Oh Fredrick! Welcome back to Brit-" Albus began before he was cut off with a growl from the furious ex-lover of Viktor Krum.

"Be Silent. We are here Supreme Mugwump to clean up the mess you seem incapable of. Twice now the Dark Lord Voldemort has been allowed to escape. The first was forgivable due to the Goblet. The second… less so. As such, it has been ordered that we are authorized to intercede." Harry coughed, causing Fredrick's eyes to snap towards him.

"I think that you are over stepping yourself." Harry's laughter, originally hidden behind his cough bubbled out of him.

"Oh? What do you mean Harry?" Cedric asked as he took a deliberate step forward.

Harry's laughter slowly eased as he caught his breath. "Sorry. Its just that you both walk into the Headmaster's office, with three of the strongest wizards in the country. And then you tell the man to his face that you think he is screwing up, and the wildest part… The ICW only sent you two." The laughter died in Harry's face as the air started to get heavy.

"I could defeat you both, simultaneously. Ced, you know that is true. You as well Fredrick. You felt it that day… and now you come in here and try to take control of a war you have no real intelligence about."

Fredrick flinched at the mention of that night. Cedric shared a glance with him and subtly shook his head. Fredrick frowned before reaching into his robes and pulling a missive from the ICW. "It is with the authori-"

"If the next words out of your mouth are "authority of the International Confederation of Wizards, you are taking control," I'd cease." Nicolas' voice cut through as he stared his apprentice down. "Harry. Cease now."

With a soft sigh, Harry obeyed his master before strolling to the window. Looking over the grounds he proceeded to ignore the conversation.

Nicolas frowned before snatching the missive from Fredrick. Reading over it swiftly, he snorted. "This does not state that you will be taking control of anything." Cedric's head snapped to his partner, who was glaring at the alchemist. "It states that you will 'preside over major operations to swiftly and safely eliminate the threat of the Dark Lord Voldemort while investigating the nature of the escape of Adrian Frankenstein.'" His eyes flicked up towards the agents. Cedric swiftly pulled Fredrick aside.

"What the hell are you doing man?" Cedric hissed. Gently he shook his partner before sighing. "Look I get it. Dumbledore fucked you over. But you can't exactly take control of something that we have no info on!"

Fredrick shook him off and muttered, "You have no idea what Dumbledore has done Ced…" Looking at the man made his blood boil. He remembered the command he was given after Viktor died.

"Join the ICW taskforce. There are fewer better trained magicals on the planet. If you were to cross wands with the Death Eaters now, you would be killed. Train and I shall contact you."

Those words drove him. Drove him to train harder than any other cadet for the Hunters baring his partner. He remembered those early sessions, as Dumbledore's voice rang in his ears.

Fredrick panted as he laid on the floor of a training hall in Geneva as three other trainers stood lax in the room; their wands pointed everywhere but at him. "Again" he groaned as he sat up.

He woke up often times in the infirmary, yet he was the most successful student the Hunters ever took. While the training normally took a year, he cut that time in half. Even his partner, a prodigy in his own right, could not hold a candle to that. However, for all his success, he still remembered the Letter.

The Letter that made him loathe the man who sat behind the desk. A man who took his dream of revenge against a monster who took his love, stoked it like a blacksmith to create the sword that was his current abilities and then threw him away with simple words. Claiming that he wasn't needed yet, that he needed to continue to grow. Claiming that Voldemort will be defeated, and that he should focus on being better. That he had to forgive the monster.

Fredrick quivered in rage even thinking about it. A fact that Cedric, in all his skill never missed.

"Calm yourself." His cool voice brought Fredrick back to earth. Cedric's cool tone was only used when he was serious; a fact that he learned fairly early in their partnership. While Fredrick crushed the Hunter Corps requirements and trainings, Cedric wasn't far behind and when it came to fighting, Cedric was the most dangerous Hunter in the ICW. It was why when it came to operations like this, where the hunting would be secondary to the combat recon aspects that Cedric was point.

Fredrick took several deep breaths as he started his mental gymnastics to bring up his Occlumency. "Fine, but I don't like him, I don't want to take orders from him."

"Agreed." Cedric's voice was low as his eyes flicked to Dumbledore who was politely ignoring them and doing paperwork. Cedric saw the flash of the Hogwarts crest on several pieces of parchment, and frowned. "He is compromised by his many duties. While we have no ability to take control based solely on the mandate, we do have another avenue." Gesturing for Fredrick to follow his lead he walked back towards the Headmaster.

"As Master Flamel stated, we have no ability to remove your oversight in the situation. However, we do have the ability, under article 33 of engagement for Hunter Corps Magicals, that we can pick our immediate supervisor in situations of isolated combat, due to lack of knowledge or suspected counter activity." Dumbledore's eyebrow rose as Cedric gestured towards Harry who was still looking out a window and deftly ignoring the proceedings.

"As Harry has the most experience with our target's modern actions, it shall be him who shall serve as point of the operation on the domestic side. While we Agents appreciate the Supreme Mugwump, we do feel that his previous actions regarding the situation are suspicious and at least lacking in shared communication." Cedric's voice was strong, and Albus looked for any signs of ill intent towards the youngest denizen of the room. Seeing only the intent to do his job, and a fairly strong occlumency barrier, Albus nodded.

"Harry." The headmaster began only to be cut off by the youth.

"I was listening." He turned towards the two and walked across the office. "I will meet with you in the coming days about the fine details. I take my OWLs in a few days, and my NEWTS over the next two weeks. Here is the general situation. Voldemort has taken an asset of knowledge in the form of Perenelle Flamel. Now, I shouldn't have to explain to you why that is not good, but generalization is that there are few things in the magical world that Perenelle has not encountered or at least heard of from her husband. Atop of that, we have another breach in the form of my former friend Hermione Granger, who has joined the forces of Grindelwald during the recent release of Adrian Frankenstein." Seeing the look of surprise on Fredrick's face Harry smiled a sharp and dangerous smile. "Regardless of if the ICW believes Grindelwald to be alive, we know for certain that at least three of his lieutenants are active. Best case scenario, we are dealing with Voldemort who has access to Lady Flamel and three lieutenants who will leave us alone. Reality is likely that we have two fully operational Dark Lords, both of which want something. We know what Voldemort wants, but Grindelwald…" Glancing at the headmaster, who sat serenely behind his desk, Harry continued. "That is a mystery. I need to prepare for my testing. Master, Headmaster." Bowing slightly towards both men, Harry left the room to the eruption that was coming from Cedric and Fredrick.

An eruption that never came as all the pieces clicked together for Cedric. "All the ICW hits. They are Grindelwald aren't they? He is searching for something…. Likely based in Magical Russia, but not for long if Frankenstein joins him. With Frankenstein's prowess in medicine, Grindelwald would not be holden to any one location due to health…"

Nicolas sighed taking control of the whole conversation. "Voldemort is the main concern at the moment. Grindelwald, while an issue is not one that is pressing. There is knowledge within my wife's mind that could lead to near limitless power for Voldemort should he decide he wants it. While immune to truth serums, enough torture and skilled application can loosen nearly any tongue, and Voldemort has the skills required. That is the main priority."

Cedric nodded. "How do we find Voldemort then?"

"Now, that is where I can join in my friends." Albus smiled as he pointed to a list of names on his parchment.

TWO WEEKS LATER

Ron sat staring vaguely at the parchment in front of him, his quill sitting unmoving after answering the first question. To most it looked like he was sitting there lost, and in a sense he was. In his head, there was not any Transfiguration theory, or any concept of even writing. He just mentally pictured the look on Hermione's face as she engaged Bellatrix with that monster Frankenstein. Her face of determination, so similar to the face she had when studying a particularly hard piece of magic or history. That thought only led to the depths of memories he thought he had forced aside during his studies. Those times in the common room with his head in her lap as she read a book; the times in the library where they studied until the late hours and she had to be helped up the stairs… the times practicing magic in rooms throughout the castle ending in stolen kisses and smiles that promised the world.

With a snap, the quill in Ron's hand broke, splattering ink all over his Transfiguration OWL. In a moment, the little instructor, Taffy if Ron remembered right, came up with a spare. "Quite alright. Happens all the time… all the time." He glanced at the test and looked back at the red headed wizard.

"Sorry." Ron whispered before he pushed his feelings to the side and focused. His mind flashed back to his father's words for him a week prior, two weeks since the incident.

The Weasleys all sat in a furnished sitting room somewhere on the first floor of Hogwarts. Ron remembered slightly the path and thought that he and Harry had once explored here in their first year after a Defense lesson. To his left sat his eldest brother Bill and to his right sat his father. His mother sat beside her husband, hands intertwined and holding in snuffles after the debriefing of what he had experienced in the Ministry of Magic. His brothers, Fred and George stood against the wall; their faces unusually serious as they looked at their gathered family. Ginny, still exhausted from the experience, sat curled on sofa next to Charlie; his hand gently petting her hair as his jaw rolled in anger. Professor Dumbledore had just exited after his father had asked for some time with his family.

Arthur cleared his throat slightly. He wasn't the most magically gifted in the room; that title would likely be contested between his eldest and his two twins, but he was still the Patriarch. "Today… today I could not be more proud and more disappointed of my sons and daughter." His face was strained as tears fell down his face. Molly looked at her husband and took a breath to start her tirade before being cut off by a shake of his head.

"My two rebels, decided that gathering help was better than jumping headfirst into danger, likely saving the lives of their sibling. Good job George. Good job Fred. I am so proud." Looking over his shoulder, he smiled at his twins, a smile that only a proud father could give his sons. With a nod the two accepted the praise, a rarity even in the Weasley household. Arthur turned back to the rest of his clan. "My other two youngest. They did something that I can only believe because I saw some of the aftermath. They, in protection of their friends, joined in an attack on the ministry of magic to break free an international criminal that was largely thought dead. They did not ask for assistance… they didn't hesitate to walk to what should have been their death. Their death again thwarted by our family's savior in Harry. Yet still… it was not a victory for us. Ron, you aren't the ignorant boy you were first year, running after a magical artifact. You weren't going to save your sister from certain death and betrayed by a teacher. You made the choice to break the law; oh yes, breaking into the ministry of magic, and the department of mysteries is a crime worthy of Azkaban. You also brought along your sister." Arthur glanced at his sleeping daughter and sighed. "I know that she is stubborn. I know that she is fiery. She gets it from her mother."A fond look at his wife took the heat from his statement. "But-" he paused as Bill stood from the circle and strode to Ginny. His face was stoic as he kneeled down.

With a gentle tap to her forehead with his forefinger, Bill cast rennervate."Wake up firecracker. Now." As her eyes groggily opened and she sat up, Bill walked back to his chair. "Before dad continues I am just going to say my piece right quick. Ron, you fucked up. But you fucked up for a reason I can't really be mad at you about. Sirius, Remus and Professor Dumbledore all said that if you weren't there, the group wouldn't have been able to cross the Atrium. You shouldn't have been there Ron. But you made it. Now Ginny… Firecracker." He looked to his sister, sitting beside her giant of a brother.

"The only reason Im even here is you. Dad and Mum can easily deal with Ron. They have done it before, and Ron is growing to be a fine young man. But you… you seemly have them wrapped around your fingers, and the worst that was going to be done about this was a talking to that you were going to sleep through." His face scrunched up in anger before he sighed. "I want you to understand this. You were just in a battle for your life. You were in a battle for your life that you shouldn't have been in at all."

Ginny's eyes flashed as she jumped up. "I shouldn't have been there?! Who the hell do you think you are?! 'Ron's growing to be a fine young man' but I was there too! And you think that I shouldn't have been! Why? Because I'm a gir-"

"BECAUSE YOU ARE A CHILD!" Bill finally exploded. Bill pointed to Ron, who looked at them with a lost expression. "You don't even understand what he has done. You don't even understand what YOU did. Ron has had years of this shit. First year he helped save the Philosopher's stone. Second, he helped to save you. Third he faced Sirius Black, who at the time he thought was a mass murderer. This year he helped train you and dozens of others in magic. I hate to say this Ginny, but it seems like you don't get how you and your brother are different. Ron made a mistake and do you know what it cost him? He watched his girlfriend defect to an international terrorist cell. And he still made sure every single one of you got out of that situation. You? You decided it would be fun, and it would be easy. Ron understood what was happening. He rushed to get help, got the best help he could think of, and then went with them to ensure that it was going to be okay. And do you know what he got? He watched you carry out his year mate of an elevator as he hid from Bellatrix Lestrange and Harry's duel. His mistake was not stopping you all from leaving, but he made up for it. Your mistake could land you in Azkaban if the Ministry wasn't in shambles at best and dead at worse!" Bill panted as he finally sat back down, and flicked his fingers at his sister. In flash she was sat back down, her arms locked to her sides. "The least you can do is listen to Dad when he yells at you for your bullshit."

Arthur looked between his children as the silence between them continued. "Are we all done? Have we all said what we needed to? Charlie, do you have anything you want to say?" His second eldest shook his head firmly. "Good. Now then. Ginny. Your brother is right. Out of each of your actions, I am the most disappointed in yours. After your first year, I had thought we had covered on how to think for ourselves, but it seems as if the lesson has been forgotten." When Ginny opened her mouth, Arthur hissed,"Stop. Talking. I don't care what reasons you had to go. They would not be worth the decades you would spend in Azkaban prison, if the ministry didn't feed you to ICW just to save would not be worth you dying just to save a monster. As far as Bill saying you have us wrapped around your finger, maybe that was true. But no more. No. If you want to have the privilege of doing anything other than study and help your mother, then you will earn every single one of them. You want the ability to choose to risk your life? Fine, earn it." Molly looked at her husband in shock as did the rest of the family.

"As off now, you will resign from any club, including Quidditch. You will cease seeing that Dean Thomas boy, and you will leave with us to engage in further learning on how to think about situations that may result in your death. If, by the time of the next school year you have thought enough to satisfy me, you may be able to return to Hogwarts." He looked to his youngest son and frowned at the expression he had worn the entire family meeting. "Ron… you are already punished enough. But I know your OWLs are coming up. If you do well. I will personally train with you this summer and we will see what we can do about Hermione. I promise you." Ron looked at his father and nodded.

Ron shook his head and started to quickly write. As he rushed through the test, the only thought in his head was of his girlfriend, thousands of miles away.

Harry cracked his back as he stretched upwards after his final practical NEWT. Defense was likely his best course, but even that test after several weeks of testing was a struggle. Normally the NEWTs only took five days, but taking them directly after his OWLs, which he took prematurely, was brutal beyond belief. He continued to walk down the hall towards the elevators that would take him back to the Ministry Atrium. Easily slipping through the crowds, and ignoring all the associated gasps of the citizens a he made it to the apparition point, he twisted mid-stride and instantly reappeared with a sharp crack at the gates of Hogwarts. Strolling through the gates, he headed to the hospital wing.

It wasn't long before he sat by the bed and smiled at the occupant studying. "Hey you. How did your OWLs go today?" A conversation the two had had every day for the last week began just the same. Harry waited patiently as Padma placed a bookmark in the text she was reading and looked at him with bright, yet tired eyes.

"I was able to do all the practical things, even if I had to have a stool to sit on. How were your tests?" The conversation was light as Harry made a joke about being exhausted, causing the Ravenclaw to roll her eyes. The two continued to talk as they did every night since the first night Harry woke up and found himself wandering back to the hospital wing.

As he stood to leave after being ordered by Madam Pomfrey, he smiled and asked "Same time tomorrow?"

Padma smiled back; in a moment the most beautiful thing Harry had ever seen. "Of course. I won't be anywhere else."

Voldemort frowned as he stood from the tub, covered in red ichor that was slowly being absorbed into his body. He looked at the smoldering cup that he knew once housed a piece of his soul. When he first researched the Horcux process he was certain it would not interfere with any latent magics in the item that was graced by his soul. Thus, it should have worked. The healing properties of Hufflepuff's cup should have ensured that his blood magic would have granted him a healing factor similar to the life force he was draining, so long as it was attuned with him. His soul anchored within it should have seen to that. He stepped out of the tub and walked towards where he threw the cup during the throes of his agonizing endeavor. However, before he even reached it, the cup shuddered and started to collapse into blackened sand. Waving his wand over the sand in an intricate fashion, Voldemort attempted to learn about what happened.

With a frown, he looked back to the tub, and its inhabitant. His mind raced as he processed the information that the diagnosis spell gave him.

"It seems Madam Flamel, we have a change in plan."

Perenelle' s agonizing moans as she sat in a tub of her own blood were his only answer.

AN: This chapter marks the end of Year 5 in this story. We see some returns of well known characters this chapter, and tie up some lose threads. Brute honesty time I am a little burnt out on Harry Potter writing, which is why it took so long to pull this chapter out. While I love my story, and I am finishing it, I think after I am done I will take a break from the HP Fandom for a hot minute at least a writer.

Speaking of this story, there are a few major things happening here. The first is likely what most are like "huh" about and that is Hermione's character. I promise, her arc is still ongoing. We will learn more about her view and why she did what she has over the last several chapters. I have also pushed a little bit of a side romance with Ron, giving him some much needed growth. In regards to canon, I will be the first to tell you that I hate Ron's jealousy. I find it annoying and there merely for drama. However, he has a ton of potential and I have been trying to write him as a guy from a family full of talent, who doesnt quite know what his gifts are while also being attached to some major adventures.

Speaking of the Weasleys, I know I am going to get a lot of comments about Ginny and Bill from this chapter. Bill I think explained himself fairly well. In his mind, Ron made a rational decision. Was the decision a bad one? Yes. He went to a known battle field. But he did it to save his friends. Ginny? She went into a situation with no clue what was really going on. Ginny risked not only her life, but the lives of everyone involved because she wanted to be included, at least in Bill's view. Ginny, being the youngest, has always gotten off lighter than her brothers for things. Part of that is because of her experiences First Year and with her being the only girl, but most of it is that she is the youngest. Bill sees that, sees that she may have sparked an international conflict while also being involved in a Death Eater attack, and understandably he is not happy. Arthur has seen war, and he knows that his children's involvement is inevitable, so he is just trying to ensure they survive. Ginny showed she is unable to think critically about a situation and thus needs that taught to her. Add on the consequences of being reckless and she is out of Hogwarts for the remainder of the year.