A/N: Harry Potter and his world belongs to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.

A/N2: Another huge thank you to my beta reader Ravenclaw Midnight Blue.

-oOo-

Chapter 63

-oOo-

The Waterfall, Somewhere, Britain

December 28, 1995

Harry walked out of the portal. Luna had her arms around Eira, and he was just about carrying her. Astoria was before them, and Calla was fussing in her arms.

The sounds of a waterfall could be heard down a narrow passage to their right. They stood in the middle of a large cave. The floor was polished and covered in a tiled fresco of wizards with staffs and dragons fighting, as though the wizards were controlling them.

Chests, a few tables, a camp cooking area, and a dozen tents took up large portions of the chamber.

Several doors were set in the cave walls.

It was one of the safe houses that only a few of them knew about.

"Harry, what happened!? Your face!" Astoria sounded really scared as she ran up to them.

"In a moment. Willow," he called out. A second later, Willow appeared.

"Master Harry. Others have broken into Grimmauld Place," Willow told him.

"Activate the wards here, and then help my mum if she needs you."

Willow snapped her fingers and Harry felt the ancients magics here thrum in the cave for a few seconds. "Willow does as asked."

Harry was about to tell her to go, when Neville and Hermione suddenly appeared out of nowhere. An old chalice clanked to the floor. They both stumbled, and had their wands out. Harry pushed himself before the girls, his right hand up and his knife coming to his left hand. He had to let go of Luna, who sank to the floor.

"What did Remus tell us about bogarts?" Hermione questioned.

"They show what your true fear is, not what you think you fear." Harry answered before asking his own question. "What is the colour of Astoria's aura?"

"Lavender," Neville responded.

They all lowered their wands. "Harry, your face!" Hermione gasped and moved to him.

"I almost took a few arrows to the face," he told her as she moved to him and ran her wand over the scratches. It had been a near thing. He had only been able to deflect them at the last moment.

"Take care of Astoria and Luna first," he told her.

"Hold still," Hermione ordered as she put a hand on his chin and yanked his face to her. He winced as he felt his skin knit back together. "Healer Tonks or someone will have to check. I don't think you'll have any scarring."

There was a crack of apparition. Neville, Hermione, Astoria and him all spun to the sound, four wands trained on the spot. Uncle Remus had his wand facing towards them and supporting Lady Greengrass in his other arm.

"When did I first call you my son?" his uncle demanded.

"Hogsmeade weekend, last year in Honeydukes," Harry responded.

Neville spoke before he could. "What did you say to me when I had trouble with the Ridiculus spell?"

"You have to relax more and laugh," his uncle said.

"Remus, my arm," Lady Greengrass murmured.

His uncle lowered her to the floor and Astoria rushed to her side. Harry took a few large steps. "What happened?"

"I was in the lab when the fighting made it into the kitchen. The door burst open and spells were everywhere. I think Wendy was killed," Lady Greengrass stated.

Uncle Remus was already running his wand over her arm.

"Where is everyone else?" Harry asked.

"The wards were compromised. Not sure how they got past the Fidelius, but the Death Eaters managed to get an anti-apparition ward up. Illiana, I need to banish the glass and wood in your arm before I heal it," his uncle told Lady Greengrass. Astoria was clutching Calla as she looked at the blood dripping from her mother's fingers. Calla was reaching for her father. "Harry, get me a blood replenisher and pain relief potion."

"Sure," he told his uncle. One of the tents had a red cross on it. Just inside the flap was two cabinets. By the time he got back, Calla was in her father's arms. Astoria was hugging her mother.

"Why isn't anyone else here?" he asked his uncle, handing the potions to Lady Greengrass.

"We were just able to get outside the ward," his uncle said. "Lily and Sirius were trying to make sure everyone else got out. They are the only two that know of this place besides us."

"What about my father, Daphne and Viktor," Astoria asked.

"We got word to them not to come back. Your father said he was taking them to another of your family's places," his uncle answered.

There was another crack and five wands were pointed at his mother. Willow was standing next to his mother. Her wand went straight to his uncle. "What did I tell you is the most important thing?" she demanded.

"Protecting our children," he responded. "What did the Marauders do to you, in our fourth year?"

"You hit all of us with bloody freezing water with water balloons in our beds." When his uncle lowered his wand, so did the rest of them.

His mother rushed over to him, touching his face. "Who healed this?" she asked.

"Hermione. Where is Uncle Sirius and everyone else?"

"Sirius went with the rest of the Circle. He is going to try to find out who betrayed us and figure out who escaped. Is anyone else hurt?" she asked, holding his eyes for a few more seconds before looking around.

Hermione was at Luna's side while Neville stood next to him, his eyes darting around and looking ready to strike. His mum let his face go and started to move towards Luna. "How bad is she hurt?"

"It's not her blood," Harry told his mum.

She stopped. "Anyone else?"

After a few shakes of some heads and negative replies, his mum sighed. "Harry, get yourself and Luna cleaned up. Willow, please make us some tea or whatever," his mum asked their elf.

"Yes, Mistress Lily," Willow responded.

They all heard the light chime of a mirror. Astoria let go of her mother and fumbled for her pocket. They all looked at her as she tapped the mirror. "DAPHNE!" Astoria cried out in relief.

"Tori! Who else is with you?"

"Mother, Mrs. Potter, Mr. Lupin, Luna, Harry, Neville and Hermione."

Daphne let out a breath. "I am with Viktor. Father is at the Ministry. Aurors were arriving as we left. The whole house was going up in Fiendfyre and I think one of the Muggle apartments has also been burned," Daphne let out a small sob.

Astoria's eyes looked watery.

"Daph, get to a safe house," Astoria told her.

"We are. We are at our second place," Daphne told her.

His mum reached for Astoria and took her shoulder. "Don't tell her," his mum said.

Astoria nodded. "We are at a safe place too."

Daphne nodded in the mirror.

"Daphne, I'll be with you when I can," Lady Greengrass spoke up. "Don't leave unless you have too."

"Yes, mother," Daphne responded.

"I vill take care of her," Viktor spoke off screen.

"Thank you, Viktor." Lady Greengrass sighed her relief.

"Remus, I need you," his mum demanded, taking a mirror from her own pocket. "None of you are to leave."

Harry nodded and Uncle Remus walked off with Calla following his mum to the far-right tent.

They were trying to ignore what the Greengrasses were saying to each other, giving them some privacy.

"Harry, Luna should get out of these clothes," Hermione said gently.

He nodded and moved to Luna, who was rocking and just staring off. Eira was still in her arms, but jumped out as he helped the blonde pixie up. Astoria joined them as he walked to the tent next to his mum's. "I'll get a shower going. Grab us some clothes?" Harry asked Astoria.

She looked very shaken at the moment. "Just come into the shower. You have blood all over you."

Harry got Luna into the bathroom, got the shower going and then vanished her clothes. There was blood all over them. She let him put her under the hot water as he removed his. Astoria joined them. "You sit for the moment," Astoria ordered as she pulled her own shirt over her head.

Harry didn't question her. It was starting to catch up with him what he had done. He had killed again. The shocked look on Stubby Boardman's face as a thick ice lance leapt from Harry's open palm to impale the man's chest... there was blood and the man had fallen on Luna.

Astoria stepped into the shower with Luna, not closing the curtain, so water splashed on his bare legs. She washed Luna down. When she was done with her hair, Astoria turned to him. "Come here," she directed.

He got up and joined them in the shower, feeling numb. Twice now he had killed when his girls were in danger. Luna wrapped her arms around him, her wet hair clinging to him as she put her head against his chest. Astoria started to wash the blood off him. "I can do that," he told her, gently taking Astoria's hand with the sponge in it.

"Let me do this?" Astoria requested. "Luna needs you at the moment."

Luna tightened her grip on him. "I didn't see it. I didn't see them coming," Luna told him. "I didn't see it."

He wrapped his arms around her as Astoria washed his hair. "Your grandmother didn't see everything either. You are safe now. Astoria, does your mother need you?"

"She told me to take care of you two. What happened?"

Harry shook his head. "All I know is I suddenly felt Luna, like she was calling me. I ran and the door was magically locked to the roof. When I got through, it was the Boardmans trying to capture Luna."

He closed his eyes as the water fell over his face. When she was done, she moved in and he wrapped an arm around her too. They all just stood in the shower for a few moments.

"Harry fought them." Luna sounded shaken.

"Whose blood was that?" Astoria sounded frightened.

"Stubby Boardman's," Harry told her. "I killed him."

She hugged them tighter.

Sometime later they joined the others at the table closest to the kitchen area.

Hermione, Neville and Lady Greengrass were at the table. Astoria's mum had on new clothes and looked cleaned up. "Have mum and Uncle Remus come out?" Harry spoke up.

"No. Not yet." Neville was holding a steaming cup in his hand.

Astoria moved to sit next to her mother while Luna took the bench next to him and leaned her head on him. He wrapped an arm around her waist. "I can't see," Luna said.

For days, the visions had tormented her. Now she sounded even more lost by not seeing them.

Astoria felt for their Moonbeam.

"What do you mean you can't see?" Hermione asked.

"I can only see us," Luna responded.

Harry wasn't sure if this was a good thing or not. "Moonbeam, what do you see?"

"Us. Here."

He held her closer. "Everything will be alright," he tried to reassure her.

"Do you think it's like those times she says she just can't see things? Luna told us sometimes things go black for her," Astoria tried to find a reason.

"Maybe. Thank you, Willow," Harry responded as the house elf put a cup of tea before them.

Harry jumped when something suddenly rubbed against his legs.

"Eira," Luna exclaimed and the kneazle jumped up onto her lap. Luna hugged her tight. "Where did you go?"

"Does she need a bath?" Harry asked, remembering Luna had hugged her kneazle when covered in blood.

"She is damp," Luna told him, as though it explained everything.

They settled into an uneasy silence. Not long after, his mum came out of the tent with Calla. They all looked to her.

"Grimmauld Place is gone. As are three of the Muggle apartment buildings around it. The DMLE is working on clean up," his mum stated and sat next to Luna.

"How many, Lily?" Lady Greengrass asked.

His mum rubbed her face. "I'm not totally sure yet. Three of the others in the house are missing and five others haven't checked in. Moody is sure some of the muggles died. I just have no idea how they got in. I know that no one extra had the secret."

"I am sure Wendy is dead," Lady Greengrass told them.

"So is Stubby Boardman," Harry added.

His mum nodded. "I don't think he was the only one," she commented.

Luna shuffled to press into him, and he felt the vibrations from Eira.

Uncle Remus came to the table behind his mum in a set of robes that looked very much like an Auror's robes. He looked questioningly at his uncle. "I have to get going. I don't know when I will be back," Remus told them.

His mum leaned over to give him a kiss and he kissed Calla on the forehead.

"Where are you going?" Harry questioned.

"I have to do something. I may be gone a few days or a week," his uncle said.

"Harry, Remus will be back. Illiana, are you going to Daphne?"

"I should. It's only Viktor and her there," Lady Greengrass told them.

His mum nodded.

"Is it just us here?" Hermione asked.

"Augusta knows how to get here, but she thinks it's safer to stay away. She doesn't want to be tracked to Neville," his mum told them. "Sirius should be around later. We may need to leave you alone over the next few days. Will you watch over Calla?"

"Yes," he told his mum.

"I really need to be off," his uncle stated.

"Be careful," his mum said, giving Uncle Remus a longer kiss.

"I promise to come back," his uncle told them.

When his uncle walked to the center of the cave, he disapparated.

"I lost all my notes and books!" Hermione wailed.

"We will replace anything you need," his mum told them.

Astoria bit her lip. "All the necklaces and hair pieces and everything Harry made was there."

He looked to her. She had the choker with the star on it today. Luna reached for her neck. She had on the lunar moth necklace and hair piece. "It saved me."

"I will make you more," Harry promised her.

"The Black's Library," Hermione mourned.

"I only care that you are alright," Neville told her. Hermione leaned into him and he wrapped an arm around her.

Lady Greengrass got up. "Lily, can I take Viktor and Daphne here?"

"If you want, give me a call. I will come and give them the location. I am not writing it down. I don't understand how the Death Eaters got in," his mother mused.

"Animagus," Luna piped up next to Harry. "It was an owl and the big black dog with the white hair on the leg."

His mother looked to Luna. He saw the gears turning in her head. "That shouldn't be possible. Someone had to bring them in. Could they be brought in while transformed?"

"I believe so, Lily," Luna replied.

"Harry, what would you do for a rune change to keep Animagus in their changed form out?" his mum pressed.

He blinked. "I don't know. I never thought about that." His mind was already working. "You want gobbledygook or something else?"

"The most obscure language you know," she told him.

"I started to study something from India," he told her.

"When did you do that?" Astoria asked.

He shrugged. "Been a little bored with runes this year. You weren't interested when I showed you the book."

"I thought that was just a translation you were working on for Babbling," she commented.

"It was," he replied.

"I don't care where you learned it. Can you make up a chain for me?"

"Sure."

His mum nodded. "I will cast a few charms. I want that by the morning and we can try it."

Harry nodded. "I need some of my books from Hogwarts." Then he groaned. "My grimoire was on the writing desk."

"I have mine," Astoria told him.

He took her hand across the table, unable to kiss her at the moment.

"Willow, can you find Minerva McGonagall and ask to get into Harry's room? Then come right back."

"Willow will find McGonagall," Willow said, snapping her fingers.

"Harry, do you need to go with Willow - or can she retrieve what you need?" his mum asked.

"I should go. My trunk is only keyed to the three of us."

"Just have her bring your trunk. You shouldn't go off alone," Astoria told him.

Harry looked at her, concerned. "Willow won't be able to move it. I didn't trust Umbridge and put some nasty stuff on it if it wasn't one of us."

"Hogwarts should be safe enough. What about Luna's and Astoria's trunks?" she asked.

"The same. I gave Hermione and Neville a ward stone too."

His mum shook his head. "I should have known. Can you deactivate them?"

"Yes."

"Did you all make sure your stuff was packed in your trunks?"

"I did as you asked," Hermione told her. The others confirmed the same.

"Harry, grab all your trunks. I am unsure if you will be going back to Hogwarts."

"Sure," Harry replied.

-oOo-

January 1, 1996

The Waterfall, Britain

Astoria woke with a purring Eira above her head. The kneazle had slept with them the last few nights. Either at Luna's head or feet. Until now, the kneazle hadn't been as protective of her witch, but she was now.

Luna was curled up to her side, the girl's head on her chest.

Harry was out of bed. She heard him letting out breaths and the very top of his head could be seen as he did push-ups. The last week had seen them pass on their workouts as they traveled to Sweden and dealt with everything else.

Apparently, Harry was going to start again.

Luna shifted and she wrapped her arm around the blonde.

Harry finished with his push-ups and shifted to do curls.

A soft knock came on the wood post outside their room. Harry sat up, his wand coming to his hand and the hilt of his knife visible from the holster on his arm. "Who's there?"

"It's just me," the voice of Mrs. Potter came to them. "Are you decent?"

Harry stood up. She saw that he was only in a pair of shorts. Even in the cool cave, he had a small sheen of sweat on him. "Is Luna up?" he asked, looking at them.

"No," Luna said into Astoria's chest.

Harry smiled before going to the curtain. Luna and her were wearing large Muggle t-shirts. Well, large on them, not on Harry. He opened the flap and his mother stepped in. "I'm sorry if I'm interrupting anything, but I need to go to the other safe house for a while. There is a meeting to discuss Hogwarts."

"Are they going to delay the train?"

"Anders and the Department of Magical Education announced term will start next week. This is to talk about what the Circle wants to do," she told him.

"Are they going to overturn the blood law?" Harry asked.

"I don't know. Augusta and Anders can only confirm twenty-four votes. Only thirty-five members of the old blood have returned. We don't know why so many of the pure bloods, even those not marked, have not returned," his mum told them. "Can you watch Calla? Willow is with her right now."

"Sure. Let me just finish my workout and I'll head right over," Harry told her.

"I can go take care of her," Astoria offered.

"I was liking my pillow," Luna whinged.

His mum laughed. "Whenever you are ready. I'm sure Willow has her for a while."

"Are Neville and Hermione up?" Harry asked.

"Hermione's been up for almost an hour. She is concerned that all her homework was burned up."

Harry nodded. "We'll talk with her today. I think this is just her way of coping."

Harry had told them about what Healer Tonks had talked over with him in the past about getting over trauma.

"I think so too. How are you?"

"How do you want me to be? We are here safe because I killed another man. Four of the Circle are dead. At least two Death Eaters are dead. We are hiding. I am doing what Healer Tonks has taught me. Routine can help me heal. I have Luna and Astoria. Calla is safe. I have no clue where Uncle Remus is, and I lost weeks of research on those new ward stones. How am I supposed to feel?" Harry asked in a hard tone. Astoria realized he wasn't falling into the despair he so often did.

Luna moved, sitting up and grabbed his hand. "If you didn't stop Boardman I would be with You-Know-Who right now. I don't want that."

Harry's face softened. Astoria moved to wrap her arms around Luna's midsection. "I don't either," Harry assured her.

His mum walked up and took his chin. "Harry, look at me."

She watched their green-eyed boy meet his mother's eyes. "You did nothing wrong. They were duelling with you. It was clear from the damage on the roof that the Boardmans meant to kill you, and Luna has told us they wanted to kidnap her. I wish you had not had to deal with this at your age, but sometimes we have to do things that we don't agree with. I have never told you this, but I have had to kill too."

All three of them looked at Mrs. Potter, taken aback by her confession.

"I killed three people in the last war. I am pretty sure I killed a Death Eater the other day. There are some nights I still see them, but all four of those Death Eaters were trying to kill me or someone I love. I don't regret doing it. It was self-defence. That doesn't mean I wanted to do it." Mrs. Potter tensed her fists and closed her eyes as the memories came back. Then she refocused on them. "You did what you needed," his mum added in a soft voice.

Harry took in a deep breath and let it go. "What scares me is that I will do it again," Harry said. "I don't regret or even feel bad for killing him. If anything, I feel relieved."

His mum gave him a sad smile. "There is a different history there. Would you just kill anyone else?"

"No. Never," he said with certainty. "But if any of you are threatened, I don't think I will hold back."

Luna took his hand in both of hers. "You are not going bad, our Raven. Only use the force you need."

His mum took him into a hug. "I wish you never had to do this. Just don't hold it in. When I get back, we can talk."

Harry nodded.

Astoria felt her heart have a pang to it. Her Raven shouldn't have to deal with this, but she agreed, both people he had killed had deserved it. If he hadn't, he wouldn't be with them, nor would their Moonbeam.

"There is some porridge and sausages that just need to be reheated when you are hungry," she told him. "Sirius should be by in a little bit."

When she left, Luna tried to pull him down onto the bed. "Can I finish my workout first?" Harry grumbled.

Astoria felt Luna's shoulders slump against her. "We'll be here when you are ready."

He nodded and moved to some weights. They watched him for a bit before Luna sighed. "I am going to wash up," she told Astoria before pecking her on the cheek.

Luna crawled out of her arms and took some clothes out of a trunk. They had all kept a backup trunk here and now they had their school trunks as well. Thinking of that, she was thinking of all the items and knowledge that were lost. That got her back onto the loss of life. Wendy Wendyll, a girl Harry and Luna knew from their first year in Ravenclaw. Two people that were in the infirmary that she didn't really know. Then there was Diggle. Someone had seen him take a Killing Curse to the back as he tried to get out of the anti-apparition wards.

The other loss that few talked about was that Kreacher was nowhere to be found. If the elf was alive, he would come when his master called. Sirius had confirmed Kreacher had not.

When Harry did his handstands, she tingled to feel his magic expanding and contracting. He held it for a few minutes before lowering himself. A sweaty, smelly Harry wasn't her favourite, but she got up and moved to him. "I should go take a shower first," he told her.

She shook her head and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I really need a kiss now," she told him.

He gave her a smirk, but it wasn't as easy or crooked as usual. He met her lips. It was a soft, gentle kiss with a little bit of her tongue searching for his. It brought up a heat in her, but it wasn't the all-consuming heat she was getting used to with Luna and Harry. It was like her magic was reaching out to just feel his warmth. As though she needed to know he was the same Harry.

His magic responded and there was something comforting and warm in it. Harry didn't feel different. Not in the feel of his magic. The strength of his magic was different though. It was like he was loosening his control over what he really could do.

Her heart started to beat a little faster. This didn't feel like a time to really get heated though. When he pulled away, he put his forehead to hers. "I need a shower."

Luna poked her head in. "I have a bath drawn. Would you wash me again, Aster?"

Harry smiled. "You shouldn't keep her waiting."

She pulled his hand towards the door. "You can wash me once I wash you."

It was a lazy day. Daphne worked with them to redo their homework while they took turns to look after and play with Calla. Daphne looked concerned when Viktor had to leave for a bit, called away to do something for the Circle. Daphne didn't like it that no information was coming to them and Astoria didn't like this forced isolation.

Towards dinner, Willow was working in the kitchen area and suddenly there was a huge fireball and a half-dozen people stood before them. Astoria raised her hand, Harry and her putting shields up between them and the knot of people. There was a stretcher between them, with a phoenix on the edge of one pole and they looked tense.

"Use your portkeys," Neville called.

Someone pushed back their hood. "Neville, don't!" his mum cried out at them.

"What did you tell me the day before I went back to Hogwarts?" Harry questioned.

"It was your choice, and that I would support you either way," she responded.

Harry still didn't backdown. They all had their wands out and Luna had Calla in her arms and all had their other hands near their wrists with the emergency portkeys.

They heard a dark chuckle. "They might just survive this."

"Get him into the medical tent," his mum ordered. A few others lowered their hoods. He recognized Charlie Weasley, Moody, Viktor, Healer Tonks, Auror Tonks, and his Uncle Remus. Calla recognized him and started to struggle in Luna's arms.

"Mum, you said no one else would come here!" he called out.

"The Fidelius will be recast once the others have left. Healer Tonks, Healer Bell and their families will be added."

"Is that Dumbledore's body?" Neville asked.

"It's Dumbledore," his mum answered.

Hermione gasped. "He's still alive?"

"For now. We couldn't leave him at St. Mungo's so he was moved the night everyone thought he died."

Harry dropped his arm and she copied him, both their shields dropping. "Who is Healer Bell?" Harry asked.

"A Healer we trust, and who has been keeping an eye on Dumbledore. Her daughter, Katie, is a Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team," his mum replied, walking over to them.

Luna handed Calla to her mother.

"Why would the Prophet report his death and you all confirmed it?" Hermione put to Mrs. Potter again.

"Just as we want Voldemort dead, he wants Dumbledore dead. We had some word the Death Eaters were trying to get to him, and he had to be moved. Having everyone think he was dead is better for now," Mrs. Potter explained.

"Mrs. Potter?"

"Yes, Daphne?" Mrs. Potter sounded tired.

"What can I do to help? What can we do? I don't think any of us are happy to be just sitting here doing nothing," she inquired.

Mrs. Potter gave Daphne an intense look. "For now, nothing. It is too dangerous. None of you have your O.W.L.'s yet and none of you are of-age. If you need, there are training dummies in some of those crates, as well as some other stuff you could use. Go through them. You are here for at least the week, if not longer. We will organize some classes soon."

"How long?" Astoria asked.

"Maybe until the end of January. Everyone is in agreement no one is going back to Hogwarts until better protections can be set up, and at least four squads of Aurors are available. The Wizengamot was able to pass a test today. Everyone in the Ministry will need to subject themselves to check for the Dark Mark and other controlling substances or charms."

"Merlin, I didn't think that would happen," Neville stated.

"Anders and Augusta are far more deft at understanding the Wizengamot than I thought. It is also concerning almost one in four just are not showing up," his mum voiced her concern.

Charlie, Viktor and Moody came out of the tent. "We'll be heading back to Head Quarters," Charlie told them.

"Are you returning to Romania soon?" Harry's mum asked.

"Bill asked me to stay for the week. I should get back, especially if you want me to see if I can recruit anyone," Charlie told her.

"Vould it be best if I go back?" Viktor asked.

Daphne stiffened next to Viktor. She did not look please with her betrothed's offer.

"I appreciate your offer, but given what you told us about your family, I think many may think you are recruiting for the other side. What I wish is that the ICW actually act on its warning to us. I can't see the Death Eaters lasting long with a few hundred ICW Aurors around," Mrs. Potter replied, huffing her frustration.

"They may not be the only ones caught in the fray, Lily," Moody said in his scratchy voice. "It wasn't just the Death Eaters that perpetuated some of this."

"I don't care. If you are guilty, you are guilty," she responded with some heat.

Moody gave a gruff smile. "James used to say the same. I'm heading back to HQ, lass."

Mrs. Potter nodded.

Healer Tonks came out of the tent. "Harry and Lily. Can you come over here, please?" she called.

They all turned to the tent. "Why me?" Harry asked.

"Professor Dumbledore wants to talk with you. I think he wants to talk with Neville later, too," she said in a sombre tone.

He shared a look with his mother, and then Luna and Astoria. Luna nodded her head, as though saying he should. Astoria reached over and gave his hand a squeeze before letting go.

They watched the Potters go into the tent.

-oOo-

Harry heard the soft trills of the phoenix. It was mournful and comforting at the same time. Bandages covered half the man's face. His long hair and beard had been shaved or trimmed. He looked to be having issues breathing and only one blue eye looked towards them.

His left arm was over the sheets that covered his body. He didn't have a right.

"Come closer." Dumbledore requested.

Harry may never have liked the man, their magics never quite meshing, but he never wished this on him. Harry swallowed and moved to the left side of the bed. Dumbledore's wand and a book were by his hand.

The wizened wizard followed his eyes. "It won't respond to me anymore. I am afraid another commands its allegiance now," Dumbledore said, patting the wand. His voice sounded pained as he talked. "I must ask one of you to safeguard it. It must be destroyed once it's new Master is destroyed."

His mother looked at the wand. "That isn't what I think it is – is it?"

Dumbledore gave a wan smile. "James knew about them, didn't he?"

"Knew about what?" Harry looked between them.

"The inheritance of the Peverells," his mum answered. "That wand does not belong with you."

Harry was getting tired of being left out of things. "What is the inheritance of the Peverells? I am already a Parselmouth?"

"Your father's cloak. As far as I know, it was created by Ignotus Peverell over eight hundred years ago," she told him.

"There are references to him being a mage and possessing some formidable talents in rune weaving," Dumbledore added. "I should have listened to you, my boy. My fears of what Tom Riddle has become clouded my judgement."

Harry nodded. "So, what is the wand?"

"Antioch Peverell was a wand maker. One of the most renowned at the time. Rivalling even the Ollivanders," Dumbledore spoke. "He crafted this wand with the help of Ignotus. Both their marks can still be seen on the handle."

"How many other heirlooms do you have?" his mother asked.

"This is not an heirloom, Lily. This is the Wand of Destiny. Its allegiance is like its maker, Antioch. It is a combative weapon that only gives its loyalty to the one that claims it through conquest," Dumbledore said.

Harry's mouth dropped. "You can't be serious!"

Dumbledore chuckled at his expression before coughing. Harry didn't like seeing the Headmaster like this.

"Harry, he is not joking," his mum murmured.

"But these are just fairy tales," he responded, not wanting the tales to be true. What other fairy tales could be true then?

"You have found the stone," his mother asked.

"Antioch had no known children or heirs. Ignotus had three children. His middle son has passed down to you," Dumbledore indicated Harry.

"What of Cadmus?"

"James didn't tell you all of this?"

His mum pursed her lips. "There are certain books and family histories that can only be unlocked when Harry reaches seventeen. Anything related to Cadmus has been removed from the books I can read, and there doesn't seem to be much elsewhere. Cadmus made the resurrection stone, didn't he?"

Dumbledore nodded. It looked painful for him to move. "Yes. Cadmus delved deep into the darkest of arts. Arts that have now been lost to time and I hope to never see again."

His mum scrunched her brow.

"Mum, is both my cloak and that wand parts of the Deathly Hallows?"

"Yes," she said. "Can the stone really bring back the dead?"

"I am unsure, but there are rumours and some texts if you know what families the stone passed through," Dumbledore stated. "It will bring back at least a semblance of the one you want. It should be impossible to truly resurrect someone, but given what we know about Voldemort, I wouldn't put it aside that some of the legend is true."

"Who has the stone now?" His mother looked concerned.

"You asked me a few weeks ago where the other Horcrux was that I know about," Dumbledore started.

"Merlin," his mum said. "Is that why you wouldn't tell us where it was?"

"I have my fears. The line of Cadmus Peverell has passed to the Gaunts." Neither of them had any recognition pass their faces. "Tom Marvolo Riddle was named after his father, Thomas Riddle. He was also named after his grandfather, Marvolo Gaunt."

Harry balled his hand. His mother looked surprised. "We are related to that pile of shite," Harry spat.

"Many generations and different magical lines split you, but yes. Harry, you and Tom Marvolo Riddle are the only two I know that could truly claim the three artifacts most call the Deathly Hallows, but you each can only claim one as a blood heirloom." Dumbledore coughed and Fawkes' trill sounded pained for a moment.

"Neville is the child of the prophecy. It is said that neither can live while the other survives. I always thought it was his mother's love that would save him. I am now wondering if it will be the love of his friends that may," Dumbledore speculated.

"Are you suggesting that either Harry or Voldemort unite the three Peverell heirlooms? And then what? Have an insane wanker control death between the wand and the stone, or have Harry send him to Hell?" His mother bristled at the invalid man.

Dumbledore sighed. "I am not trying to suggest anything, Lily. I am done trying to lead you. It is apparent my ways have not led to the outcomes I desired. My goal was always to save as many as we could..."

His mum cut off Dumbledore with an angry tirade. "By using a child to fight your battles? Did you expect Neville to take on Voldemort and survive? What about last year? There was honestly no way to get them out of the tournament? Or this year? You just let the Ministry torment Neville, Harry and their escorts?"

Dumbledore closed his one good eye and looked so much older. "I thought I could lure Tom out and at least contain him until we could find all the Horcruxes. The best I could do is partially reverse his machinations."

Harry took in a sharp breath and looked at his mum. She shook her head. "So you used Neville as bait?"

Dumbledore sighed. "I was actually using Harry and Ms. Lovegood. Since last year, Severus has reported that Harry, Ms. Lovegood and Ms. Weasley are actually his top targets. Harry's display of power is a large concern. I do not know why he desires the Lovegood and Weasley girls. I had triple guards on all three."

Harry felt his power want to escape. It was one thing to use him. It was another to use Luna!

His mother's magic wasn't under control. "You used my son, Luna and Ginny! How? They have been as protected as we could make them, except while under your 'watchful' eyes. Do you know what that woman has done to him?"

"I never meant for Neville and him to be hurt that way."

"THEN WHAT DID YOU MEAN?" she yelled at him.

Dumbledore didn't wince or recoil from his mum. "As I recommended numerous times. Neville and Harry would go to the Halls of Prophecies, retrieve the three I knew to pertain to them. I doubt Tom would have passed on the opportunity to obtain them."

"That was why I kept them away. Voldemort would have gone after our children and the prophesies. What did the other two prophecies say?"

"It is seven actually."

His mum's magic pulsed and he fought it down. She wouldn't hurt the others here, as much as he wanted to let his own magic loose on the man.

Dumbledore looked at them, a small twinkle returning to his eye. "It is truly amazing to see two such powerful mages working together like this. It would be a curiosity to see Ms. Greengrass with you once she comes into her true power."

"Don't change the subject," she hissed at Dumbledore. "What do you mean seven?"

"It is my belief seven. Five were made many years ago. Before I was even born. They spoke of children of power and potential that would either defeat or be claimed by a dark lord. I believe it was Ms. Lovegood's Great-grandmother who made them. They all lead to one conclusion: It would either be the death of our world or rebirth it. The last two relate to Neville, and also, I believe Harry. I have the prophecies and my notes in this book, for you, Lily," Dumbledore stated, picking the book up and offering it to her.

She still looked beyond upset. Her green eyes looked to almost spark and her hair was full of static electricity. Harry was fighting to keep her power from escaping the tent.

"I am not hiding anything anymore. You, your son and his friends have proven yourself capable of countering any plans I might have and to find a better route at times. I don't have long and would like to offer you all I can to defeat Tom and save our world," the man said. He almost sounded like he was pleading.

"And what of the wand?" his mother asked tight lipped.

"It is Harry's."

"I don't want it," Harry said without thinking.

Dumbledore looked surprised and his mother's power receded somewhat. "It is yours, my boy."

Harry shook his head. "I have two wands. I don't want that one. You also said you don't have its allegiance. Who does?"

Dumbledore closed his eye. "I have been such a fool to misjudge your character."

"Voldemort," Lily responded.

"I rather think Bellatrix Lestrange. She was the one to disarm me before Tom did this to me. In the fray, my wand was tossed and Moody returned it. It won't work the same now."

Harry looked at the wand. It was supposedly the most powerful wand in existence. He curled up his lip, stepped to the side of the bed, snatched the wand and snapped it over his knee.

Red, black and gold sparked spit from the broken ends for a few second before it let out a small smoke trail. Dumbledore looked at Harry wild-eyed. He twisted the wood to ensure it was split in two. As he did, a long black hair came out of the centre. Once both ends were held apart he dropped the wand.

"Now no one can claim it," he told the man. "Are we done?"

Dumbledore just stared at Harry's hands. "That wasn't supposed to be possible," Dumbledore muttered.

"I have done many impossible things." Harry wasn't bragging. He was just stating the truth. He was well and truly done cowering, but he couldn't be arrogant. He had too many he cared for to be arrogant in his abilities.

"Where is the next Horcrux?" his mum asked.

"Mum, I need to go out."

She nodded.

Harry walked out. No one came near him. He felt like a small sun with the power he had been using to contain his mum and his own anger at the man. He walked over to a door. Opening it, he walked out the tunnel, past the wards and into the early evening on the side of a hill. He heard the waterfall not too far away.

Not able to contain it anymore he let out a throat hurting scream and punched a nearby rock. It shattered and a gouge a yard wide and deep and almost fifteen long blew out before the raw magic in him was spent enough for him to control it.

After a few moments, he felt the presence of his loves. "You should be inside," he told the two girls behind him.

"I think it safe enough to spend a little time in the nice air," Luna told him, walking to his side. She took his right hand and looked at it. "Next time remember to protect your hand first," she scolded him lightly as she took her wand out.

Astoria came up to his other side. "What did he say?"

Harry sighed but didn't wince as Luna healed his knuckles. "He wanted to use Luna, Ginny and Neville to get to Voldemort," Harry said, his voice feeling raw.

"He wanted to use Harry too," Luna added. She kissed his hand before weaving her fingers between his.

Astoria's eyes became just as stormy as his. "Over my dead body."

Harry felt his magic pulse. "Please don't say that right now."

Astoria didn't back down. "You and Luna… None of us will be used like that."

"My mum wouldn't let him," Harry assured her.

"Can we stay out here for a little bit?" Luna asked.

As she did, he noticed his uncle walk out and discretely leaned against a rock far enough away to not bother them.

"Yeah," he told Luna. He plopped down. Luna wrapped her arms around his and put her head on his shoulder. She shivered in the cold January air. He ran his hand over her, warming her up. None of them had winter clothing on.

Astoria sat and placed herself between his legs.

"You want to see the sunset?" he asked his girls.

"Maybe we will see some humdingers," Luna said looking towards the clouds.

Their girl needed to be outside more.