JK Rowling owns Harry Potter.

FASA Owns Earthdawn

This chapter picks up immediately after the events at Gringotts. I apologise for the delay between chapters. I did something reckless and stupid and ignored a resulting injury long enough to require emergency surgery. Rather than make you all wait another week or two, I am splitting chapter 49 and accepting that this story will have 51 chapters. It's not what I wanted, but it is what it is.

This is also the chapter that most strongly links the HP world to the Earthdawn setting. It deals with Ancient Horrors and cycles of magic. The term Horror Stalker, Nethermancer, and Lightbearer are all part of the Earthdawn setting. If none of that appeals to you, just ignore it and focus on the characters. Next chapter will get back to kicking arse and taking names.

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

—DoD—

CH 49 Coming Out Party

Grimmauld Place

Shortly after the trip to Gringotts:

Remus and Bill were sitting with Tonks in the study. Most of the other occupants were upstairs waiting on Harry as Andromeda treated him. No one in the study was talking, but the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Fleur entered the room and Bill rose up to greet her.

She had that intense avian look about her as she said, "Bill, you have to snap out of this. Harry views the mission as a success, you just have to accept it." She turned his face to meet his eyes, "Everyone came back!"

Bill gave her a quick kiss and a gentle smile. "You're right… But…"

"But nothing!" She flashed angry for a moment. "Harry will be fine, and the enemy has lost more followers! 'He' suffered another defeat and you brought everyone home!" She was now clearly talking to both Bill and Remus.

Remus added, "You're right. We all survived." After a quiet moment, he added, "We had to watch him torture Harry… Waiting for our window. It was awful."

Tonks squeezed his hand. "I should have been there!" Clearly, she was feeling guilt over being a non-participant.

Bill turned to Tonks. "What would you have done? It was a trap and we walked right into it. We should have aborted when I saw the protections on the cup. I still can't believe Harry broke through that defence…"

"Stop mourning your victory." A cool voice said.

Everyone turned to see Narcissa walking into the room, closely followed by Andromeda. No one said anything, but it was clear her words were not openly received. Draco had managed to blend in with the other house guests, but Narcissa kept everyone except her son, Harry, and Andromeda at arm's length.

Bill ignored Narcissa and asked Andromeda, "How's Harry?"

"He's well enough to argue with Draco over Quidditch…" Andromeda shook her head and Narcissa seemed smug. Andromeda smirked and added, "Of course Ginny out talks both of them. Unfortunately, Harry refused the Dreamless Sleep Draught… He said it was too early."

Remus shook his head remembering the way Harry was tortured. "Is that wise?"

Andromeda held up her hands. "He has an unusual resistance to pain… Personally I think he was enjoying the Quidditch discussion too much to want rest. For a group of teenagers that get along rather well, they all seemed to be at each other's throats where Quidditch is concerned. I left Ted to referee." She then added with a raised eyebrow, "Hopefully the Runespoor doesn't bite anyone. She seems to enjoy all forms of conflict."

Remus was visibly relieved as he changed the topic and asked, "How did Harry manage the trick with his wands? I didn't know that was possible." Seeing the confused faces, he added, "When You-know-who was holding Harry's wands, Harry somehow summoned lightning through them. I'm certain at least three Death Eaters were taken out in the explosion. Possibly more."

Bill wryly added, "Your Blasting curses made an impact as well, Remus." He then addressed the topic, "Harry has an unusual connection to his wands, and he can cast through them as long as they are nearby. It's stronger than wandless magic, but not as strong as when he is holding them."

Narcissa raised an eyebrow and said, "Impressive. He also seems to cope unusually well with the Cruciatus. So many surprises with the new Lord Black."

Andromeda agreed. "His time with the thorns has helped him to cope with pain. He still needs time to heal the nerve damage… Three or four days and he should be fine, but he was enjoying himself, so I'll start the treatment later tonight." The concern was evident on her face, but she added, "And Cissy is right, focus on the victory. And for the love of Maeve, when the youths are present, please don't compare the Hornets with the Magpies… or the Harpies. I've had all the Quidditch I can handle."

Remus chuckled for a moment, then asked a troubling question, "Lady Malfoy, what can you tell us about Bellatrix's interest in Harry?" When she just looked oddly at him, he added, "During the battle, she just stood back and watched. When Harry summoned the lightning and escaped, she looked… happy. She actually started dancing."

Narcissa looked at Andromeda briefly, then shook her head. "I don't… she's insane. That makes no sense."

Tonks asked, "Why is Harry so freaked out by her? He doesn't seem to… fear her, but he won't discuss her at all."

Bill grimaced. "When Harry was studying divination, he somehow got stuck in her head… It was bad. He thinks she's infatuated with him. From what I've been told, she has an unhealthy interest in him. It's a… less than wholesome interest." The last sentence was said in a revealingly awkward manner and there was no mistaking the meaning. Bellatrix lusted after Harry.

Andromeda looked pale and horrified. "That can't be good." The room was suddenly noticeably quiet.

Fleur broke the silence. "I will kill zat bitch before I let 'er touch 'Arry!" Her English slipping with her anger.

Tonks growled. "Not if I get her first." Over the last two years, Tonks had become very protective of Harry. So close that she considered him a sibling and, with Remus' blessing, asked him to be the godfather to their child.

Bill attempted to cut the tension with a bit of humour. "We should start a pool… take bets. Whoever gets her first…"

"No!" Everyone turned to look at a visibly shaken Andromeda. "Bella wasn't always the monster he turned her into. She was once funny, witty, and brilliant. She was artistic and… beautiful. That madman destroyed her. He took something he could never hope to compare to and crushed it." Andromeda was now quietly weeping, her pain apparent to everyone. "Yes, she has to be… put down… but don't make a joke of it. She's still family."

Narcissa put her arm around her sister. "He'll pay for what he did. There will be a reckoning."

Andromeda wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and recovered. "As will Rodolphus." Her voice was low, but there was no mistaking the pure malice in the statement.

Tonks watched Remus glance subtly at Bill. It was clear to her that both of the men were less charitable of Bellatrix's choices. Tonks had long known that Bellatrix had been driven insane by Voldemort, but she was always a bigoted monster. Madness only brought out even more terrible traits. She knew Bellatrix had openly sworn to kill her dad and her. But for her mother's sake, she stayed quiet.

—DoD—

The next few weeks were spent with Harry engaging in his Nethermancy training during his sleeping hours and physical training during the day. The wireless had proclaimed Harry the winner of the battle at Hogwarts, but Harry knew how close it had really been. According to his journal contact, seven Death Eaters were killed when he had battled outside Gringotts. Two had fallen from parried spells and four from either the lightning bolt or Remus and Bills Blasting curses. One had been killed by Voldemort himself in what can only be described as a temper tantrum.

Ginny, Hermione, and Draco studied during the day and much of the evening leaving Harry alone for hours. The twins mostly kept to themselves and frequently moved between the Burrow, Shell Cottage, and Grimmauld place. This left Harry to practicing magic alone and perusing the Black family library. He was still growing magically, with his practical work inside his Dreamscape. This was becoming the new norm. Between study sessions, he would play checkers and poker with Dobby.

The only time Harry studied with any of his friends was during 'Etiquette Instruction' led by Andromeda and Narcissa. Hermione was all but forgotten in the training and opted out after the first two weeks. Draco already knew enough to abstain and ended up leaving as well. Harry had been getting similar lessons from Andromeda for over a year, so this was fine tuning. He especially enjoyed practicing his manners on 'Ginevra'. It was funny watching her scowl as he used her full name during Etiquette training.

Harry noted that Andromeda seemed especially focused on Ginny. She would frequently work with Ginny alone while Narcissa worked with him. Ginny seemed to have developed a deep respect for Andromeda as their private lessons progressed. Harry also noticed that Narcissa didn't seem to approve of Andromeda giving Ginny so much time. It was subtle and nothing he could call her on, but there were 'tells'. Selene and Artemis were certain Narcissa didn't like Ginny and they thought Andromeda was determined to prove her sister wrong. Hecate didn't care one way or the other. Harry was just glad someone else was looking out for his girlfriend.

But Harry's favourite time of day was early in the morning. Ginny had started getting up early to work out with him in the small gym. The space had been expanded a bit and they enjoyed having private time together as no one else in the house wanted to get up so early. Unfortunately, that also meant Harry had to work out twice a day as his morning work outs with Ginny were slowly becoming make out sessions. Still, in a house full of other people, an hour and a half of private time was wonderful.

Harry's journal contact kept him appraised of what was happening in Magical Britain and it was getting worse by the day. Politically, there were proposals in the works regarding mandatory betrothal agreements between key families and loyal Death Eaters. Harry suspected this is how the new ministry was planning to control the Wizengamot… they would simply absorb the last of the dissidents into the new government and 'Imperious' rebellious spouses. The neutral families were resistant to the proposal, saying 'choice' should be the first option. This had delayed the proposal, but it was only a matter of time. The Longbottom and Bones seats were especially coveted. Additionally, Wizengamot seats once belonging to extinct lines, like the McKinnon's, were being permanently transitioned to new families. Within two years, the Wizengamot would be redefined.

Most disturbing was the rumours of Muggleborn holding camps. Harry's informant was certain there were three such camps, but he or she didn't know where they were located. Apparently, the ministry had managed to track down scores of Muggleborn Wizards and Witches, many of which actually came voluntarily to register. Additionally, over a dozen others showed up at Platform 9 ¾ on September first. That meant Harry and his team had been less successful in tracking down Muggleborns than the ministry. Finding and liberating the Muggleborn camps became a high priority.

—DoD—

Grimmauld Place

Harry's Dreamscape

October 31, 1997

Harry was in a clearing underneath Oak Heart. The sun was setting in his dreamscape as the Samhain was approaching. So many events happened in his life on the Samhain… on Halloween. His parent's death, the solidification of his friendship with Ron and Hermione via a troll. The Chamber of Secrets opening. Sirius Black 'visiting' Hogwarts. The Goblet of Fire spitting out his name. Sirius's eventual exoneration. And finally, the close ties he formed with 'Rose'. Ties which aided in rapidly healing his magic.

On Samhain, Oak Heart would slumber, and Rose would ascend as the Unseelie Wyld side of his magic gained prominence over the Ordered Seelie side. Harry's magic had been rebuilt jointly by Oak Heart and Rose and this was a prolific date for him. Now he was watching the change from his Dreamscape with the spirit of Elianar Messias, his ancestor and the original Master of Death.

Elianar quietly said, "Can you feel that apprentice? The way the astral plane is darkening, and your own magic is keeping in step? This is a time when Nethermancy rises and makes itself known. Tonight, is the night you will become a Master Nethermancer. It can only happen on this night and I will walk you through the process."

Harry sat cross legged as the shadows began to lengthen. He was in the centre of a circle composed of Eldritch sigils and runes of power. He cleared his mind of all distractions… He tasted his own magic as well. Alpine forest… Fir and frost… Rose and Oak… His magic was so like Yggdrasil, the great tree. But in this meditative state, he was more spirit than wood. The barriers between the worlds and the planes of reality were at their weakest and his roots now extended to all the planes at once.

Harry felt the power come with is perceptions.

Elianar Messias guided and encouraged him. "Good, very good my Apprentice. Now, focus on the Astral planes. The near… The Far… The Upper and the Lower… Feel them. Taste and smell them…" Harry slowly expanded his senses. Eventually he was able to sense the different levels of the Astral plane… He knew instinctively how they were perceived. How they 'felt' and 'tasted'.

Elianar continued to softly speak. "Now feel your own magic without retreating from the Astral. Align yourself… Eliminate any doubts or questions… Yes, that's it. Fully aligned…."

With alignment came power. Not raw power, but a purity of his own mystical presence that would allow him to cast with minimal ethereal resistance. It was akin to driving a car that had zero wind resistance. Very little to slow it down… A year ago, he couldn't have managed this, but Elianar's teachings had shown him the way. The material plane and the Astral planes were inverted versions of each other. One was the 'negative' image of the other. Light was dark and Dark was bright. It all slowly made sense.

Elianar Messias now proclaimed, "You are now a Master Nethermancer. This is your Astral Face, and you may summon it when you need the adjacent power of the astral plane. Know this, when you summon it forth, you will gain power and perspective, but for every hour you maintain this, you will feel exhaustion for an equal amount of time after it ends… Use it wisely."

Harry listened and nodded. He looked deeper into his own magic and noticed a blockage placed on a tiny element of his magic. The deeper he looked, the greater his perception of this foreign element. He recognised the magical signature on the blockage. It was exceedingly small and extremely specific. Slowly, he withdrew and turned to Elianar Messias, his teacher.

"Master Messias… why did you block my Oneiromancy*?"

Elianar Messias gently smiled. "I'm glad you have progressed enough to find the obstruction. To put it simply, you weren't ready to reach out to your enemy. Riddle is the Avatar of a Horror and as such he could affect you terribly." Seeing Harry prepare to argue, he held up a hand. "No, Apprentice… think on your contact with Bellatrix Lestrange. She was 'Horror touched' and you still have nightmares about that experience. Imagine how much worse it could be if you merged your mind with a true Avatar…"

Harry considered this, then asked, "I was told that her insanity was what made the ordeal so terrible."

"Most certainly. Are you suggesting that your enemy… Tom Riddle… 'Flight from Death'… is sane?" Harry grimaced, realising there was more than a grain of truth in that statement. "When you linked yourself to Bellatrix Lestrange, you also called attention to yourself. I would wager you were mentally recoiling and perhaps psychically screaming… instead of quietly watching and stealthily observing."

Harry nodded, "I was… Yes, sir. I was struggling and trying to make it stop."

Elianar slowly nodded. "As would any moral and decent soul. But your struggling is most likely what alerted her to your presence. You are correct in that the insane are hard to link up with, but being Horror touched gave a few her other abilities. Consider how she placed you in the mirror. Until you have more psychic and emotional control, it is wise to leave the blockage in place. In time, you will be able to resist and even influence your dreaming states, but not yet."

Harry grimly nodded. "I see." His Psychometric abilities were still in place. He still had his other divinatory abilities he'd developed with Fritz. But most of those skills were backward facing or hard to interpret. "When will the blockage be removed?"

Elianar placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Soon. We'll begin training in a carefully controlled environment that will not be directed toward your enemy. Trust me when I tell you it is best not to alert the Horror of either of our presence just yet. Once you understand how to be a Horror Stalker, in addition to a Nethermancer, you will be able to separate your pattern from any influence a Horror may have on you."

Harry considered the words and asked questions he had danced around in the past but never pressed. "Please tell me about the Horror Stalker discipline. When and why was it created and what are these Horrors I'm being trained to battle? You've also spoken of a Scourge… But I'm not sure what that was."

Elianar nodded. "Your inquiries are well timed. As a newly promoted Master Nethermancer, you are ready for the knowledge you seek." Collecting himself, he began softly speaking as the sun disappeared from the Dreamscape. "As you know, Nethermancers deal with the Nether-planes – Astral, Ethereal, Umbra, Elemental… So many names for realms that are frequently the same. However, to date we have only touched on the Deep Astral due to its remoteness and difficulty reaching. The Horrors we have discussed come from far beyond even the Deep Astral plane. They have no business on our reality, and they bring only pain and suffering.

Elianar paused briefly before continuing. "A Scourge is where a large number of Horrors come to our realms… to mother earth. Once here, the begin extinguishing nearly all life. This can only happen when the level of magic surrounding our world is raised to unnaturally high levels. There have been two such events in the earth's history. In the last Scourge, the Horror Stalker discipline was created to resist the Horrors. They formed a group known as the Lightbearers and made it their mission to actively prevent future Scourges. Over time, they have developed ways to resist and combat the Horrors which I will be teaching you. Some methods are subtle, like pattern separation… Others are overt and aid in combat. It was the Lightbearer organization that began the use of incarnations."

Some of this, Harry had pieced together, "What caused the Scourge?"

Elianar shifted more into his 'teaching' mode. "Long ago, an ancient race of powerful and immortal beings once ruled over our world. Their control was absolute, and their power was beyond description. The earth has always had a natural magical cycle with high and low periods. Being mystical in nature, these beings entered a deep sleep in the lowest periods of the magical cycle. Hibernation. During one of these periods of hibernation, there was a rebellion, and they were overthrown. Many of these beings were destroyed, but not all. The survivors of this ancient race vowed to never again leave themselves so vulnerable and raised the level of magic. With the increase in the world's magic, they no longer were forced into hibernation."

"So, no down cycle?"

Elianar shook his head. "There's always a down cycle, but with the raising of the overall level of magic, they made the down cycle magical enough that they could avoid hibernation. This way they could regain their strength without the fear of future rebellions." Elianar then looked saddened. "Unfortunately, they made a critical error. You see, the peak of the magic level was now raised to a point that beings from outside our realms took notice. That was unexpected. These 'Visitors' came to the earth and wiped out 99% of the population. They feed on strong emotions and Earth is like a bountiful paradise for them."

Harry considered this, then wondered, "All emotions or just the worst? Why wipe us all out?"

"You are asking all the right questions!" Elianar was clearly proud of his pupil. "Ancient scholars had many theories, but I'll share my favorite. When the level of magic rose high enough to create the first breach between our dimensions, the early arrivals were merely curious. They came and, either by accident or design, they performed great favours for mankind. Perhaps it was the gift of fire or healing… who can say… As they aided mankind, they felt something they had never felt before. Human emotion. Some of these earlier arrivals are theorised to have fed on love and adoration… freely given emotions… They performed wondrous acts to gain our love."

Harry could tell where this was going. "But it didn't last."

"No, unfortunately it did not. Over time, ancient humans came to be less impressed with what was so freely given. Yes, love and adulation were powerful, but it slowly began to take greater amounts of time for the 'Visitors' to cultivate. It slowly became harder to continuously earn these feelings of love and adoration as what was once looked upon by mankind as miraculous slowly became common place. After a few generations, no one remembered what it was like before the 'Visitors' arrived. Mankind couldn't remember what it was like to have been without. While these primitive humans no doubt appreciated the gifts, appreciation is not the same as love and adoration. Appreciation lacks the emotional element that the 'Visitors' so desired to feed upon. That's when this theory hypothesises the 'Visitors' became less enamoured with the sentient beings of our world and believed they were now being denied that which they were due.

Harry asked, "So, why didn't they just leave?"

"This theory suggests that after years of feasting on our emotions, the idea of going without was unthinkable for them. You see, Apprentice, once they tasted human emotion, it became an addiction beyond human understanding. They had to have more! Once tasted and feasted on for so many years, the 'Visitors' were now starving for human emotion. Unfortunately, just as mankind had become desensitised to the gifts of the 'Visitors', they came to require more and more emotions. What once was enough to appease their hunger, eventually became nothing but a tiny morsel."

Harry ran his hand through his hair. "All of this occurring while the people of our world became less enamoured by them."

Elianar continued, "Correct. It is theorised that one of these 'Visitors' lashed out in anger or frustration… possibly both. In doing so, they learned that pain and suffering had a near immediate emotional reaction. It was not as fortifying as the emotions of love and adoration, but it was infinitely faster, and it quenched their hunger. As you well know, making people fear you is far easier than getting them to love you."

Harry huffed a moment. "Isn't that the truth?"

"So, these Visitors eventually took the easy route and turned to pain and suffering over love and adoration. Why toil in the fields to grow a bountiful harvest when you can simply devour lard and gristle? It's not as 'nutritious', but it is far, far easier. Consider how many people in your time prefer 'fast food' to a nutritious meal prepared at home. Now imagine if it took days to prepare a healthy meal at home..."

Harry nodded as understanding easily dawned. Everyone would eat fast food.

Elianar knew he had made his point. "Tell me, what would happen to someone that feasts on unhealthy food day in and day out? Consuming as much as they wish to feast upon?"

Harry thought a moment. "Obesity, diabetes, probably other stuff. Their health would suffer."

"Right you are, Apprentice. Now imagine how these mystical 'Visitors' changed when they switched from feasting on love and adoration to pain and suffering. These once-benevolent Visitors became warped and twisted. They became Horrors. Horrors who scourged our world killing and inflicting pain on all they encountered. This was the first scourge. The second was even worse as they were warped and twisted before they arrived. Of course, there are other theories, but this one is my favorite."

"Wait, are we heading for another Scourge? If the level of magic is slowly rising…"

"Ah, now that's the question…" Messias began tapping his index fingers together while he focused on Harry. "My original followers, the Therans, found a way after the second Scourge to suspend the level of magic at a point that was unusually high, but not high enough to form a 'bridge' or a 'breach' allowing the Horrors to reach us. The most powerful Horrors were forced back to their nightmare realm as the cycle of magic dropped. Without a 'bridge', they have no way to return."

Seeing Harry's confusion, he continued. "Think of magic as oxygen. Without sufficient ambient magic, the greatest Horrors were forced to leave. Only the lesser Horrors remained. The Therans maintained that fixed magical level for an extended period of time until 3600 years ago. That's when the earth's magic level broke free of its stasis and forced itself back to a level that was low enough it could recover and reset itself."

"The cost to Thera was enormous. The great kingdom was destroyed in a huge cataclysmic explosion as the orichalcum towers, which were used to forestall the cycle, finally gave way. In this massive explosion, the earth broke out of its stasis and resettled itself to a level of magic that was lower than had existed in any previous cycle. Think of it as a deep healing slumber for the earth. During this period, magic all but disappeared for a period of nearly a thousand years. Any remaining Horrors still roaming about were forced to leave or die… A few remained in hidden magical places, but they were trapped. Additionally, the ancient beings that once raised the magic level were forced to hibernate for far longer than they could have prepared for… They certainly would not have had time to prepare for a thousand-year sleep. Hopefully, they are gone."

After another pause, Elianar continued. "After a millennium, mother earth awoke, and her magical levels were reset. With her awakening, the cycle of magic began once more at the levels and pace that was normal for this world. We are currently halfway to the peak. In another 1500 or so years the level of magic should begin cresting. After another five hundred or so years, the level of magic will slowly begin descending again. It is generally a five-thousand-year cycle that, when healthy, will never drop to a level low enough to extinguish magic nor so high the ancient Horrors can break through unaided to our realms. Without interference, the magic level should never be high enough to allow another mass breach."

"So, it's over? No more scourges?" Harry's voice betrayed his nervousness.

Elianar Messias shrugged. "We can only hope… Unfortunately, the Horrors still hunger for the taste of our suffering. They cannot reach us on their own, but they can corrupt, poison, and influence others to do their bidding. This is where you come in my Apprentice. By accepting the Legacy, I have given, you are being trained in Nethermancy and to be a Horror Stalker. You are now a guardian for this world… A protector. A Lightbearer."

"Has anyone ever managed to let the Horrors back in?" Harry suspected there had been breaches…

"Yes. But fortunately, only on a small scale. None of the major Horrors have managed to cross over, but there have been near misses. The Aztec Empire was ruled by corrupt mages that were performing massive blood magic rituals to open gateways and raise Earth's magic level. They were stopped, but many perished in the effort." Grimly he added, "Others will try."

Harry couldn't help but wonder, "Why would anyone want that? I mean, this is the fate of the human race we're talking about."

Messias rubbed his chin a moment before explaining. "Horrors have dealt with humans for thousands of years and they know how to sway us. They find what we want, and they dangle it before us… Consider: As a child, Tom Riddle wanted to be loved and protected… He wanted to punish those who demeaned and hurt him. To this end, he accepted the aid of a named Horror and became its Avatar. Now he creates fear and pain that feeds his 'mentor'. Those muggle-born camps you seek to liberate? They are likely being used as holding grounds for human sacrifices. With enough human sacrifices, at locations of power and on key dates, it is feasible that the level of magic can be raised and a breach between our realities opened. This was the goal of the Aztecs as they used to perform sacrificial magic."

Harry was seeing the scope of the battle clearer now. The cost of defeat. "This is worse than I could have ever imagined. How many other "Tom Riddles" are out there?"

"It's hard to say. There have been many… But for the last few millennia, their effectiveness would have been limited by the lower level of ambient magic. Even now, none of the greater Horrors could survive on our earth without increasing the natural level of magic. But even the minor Horrors are terrible… especially the named ones. They know how to exist here, and they enlist and corrupt others to do their bidding.

Harry wondered, "Like Grindelwald?"

Messias shook his head, "No. He was not corrupted by Horrors. I suspect he learned of what I've shared and became obsessed with preventing another Scourge… The knowledge of this would have driven him to commit terrible atrocities. If he believed the non-magical population was out of control and would release the Horrors still on this planet, possibly resulting in another Scourge, it could have served as a catalyst. I suspect he wanted Wizards to rule the world and prevent this, for the Greater Good. It would explain his obsession with the Hallows. It has happened before. War and desperation bring out the worst in people and his methods were brutal. He may not have been Horror touched, but there have been others."

Messias let that sink in and then continued. "Ekrizdis was an avatar of a named Horror and his sacrifices created a corruption point you call Azkaban. He summoned and tied other minor Horrors to it, the ones you call Dementors. Then there was Emeric, Herpo, and others. One particularly vile Horror was released in France and instigated what became known as the Reign of Terror. There have been Non-Magical individuals that may have been Horror touched as well. I suspect Robert Mugabe, Mengistu Haile Mariam, Pol Pot, and Caligula… Of course, they may just be insane and evil humans without morals or principles. Adolf Hitler qualifies as a non-horror touched but a quite evil man. Or perhaps he was just manipulated by a very subtle Horror. Who can say? Eventually all were stopped, but always at great cost.

"Master Messias, how do you know all this?"

"You are not the first apprentice I've taken on. Others have researched and found signs. Although my knowledge of your modern times is limited and much of the conclusions, I've drawn are pure speculation… I have also been kept appraised by objects I've left behind... All my Hallows store and relays information to me in the Lower Astral plane for my perusal upon my return. All my Hallows do this, but the wand was especially informative." Seeing Harry's confusion, he added, "I learned much of your current time period from your old Headmaster, though he knew it not. Before him was Gellert Grindelwald. Both passed on much information regarding the last millennium."

"Wait, your wand was spying on Dumbledore? And Grindelwald?" That was news. "What about the Horror touched who came in contact with the wand?"

Messias took a deep breath, "The wand picked up much from Albus Dumbledore and from Gellert Grindelwald. Even Gregorovitch had much to share as the quality of focus creation has improved tremendously. There were others… But no information ever comes from the Horror touched. I want nothing from the enemy, it's simply too great a risk. For those who are Horror touched or weak of will, the wand is a trap. The lure of easy power attracts, then the wand betrays them."

Harry wondered, "Did the wand trap Albus? The curse…?"

Elianar Messias gave a small shake of his head. "No, Apprentice. For all its power, it's still just a wand… The ramifications of your headmaster's mistake was noted, but the wand couldn't prevent it or detect it. For all his faults, Albus Dumbledore was a good Wizard who stood against the Darkness. The wand was loyal to him. He would have made an excellent Light Bearer. But he could never have been my Apprentice."

"Master Messias, how many other apprentices have you had? How many Masters of Death have there been?"

"Since the last Scourge, I've taken on three other Nethermantic apprentices. But none in the last few centuries. Perhaps longer… the passing of time can be exceptionally difficult to measure from the Lower Astral plane."

"Will you tell me about them? Your past Apprentices?"

The ancient spirit seemed to light up with excitement. "Certainly! They have all been exceptional. The first existed before the fall of Thera in a region called Barsaive. Her trials and tests were especially heroic and brought her into direct combat with many Horrors. Her power levels were remarkably similar to your own, but the ambient level of magic was significantly higher than it is now. Much of what she was able to accomplish would seem impossible by current magical standards." It was clear to Harry that that first Apprentice held a special place in his master's heart.

"The next apprentice came at a point where the magic cycle was at its lowest… He was quite resourceful." Messias let his last statement hang in the air to emphasize the point. "His accomplishments were amazing, but few know of his greatest victories. He was known as Alexander III of Macedonia. He did much to eradicate knowledge in the Western world regarding Horrors and how to contact and summon them. He also desecrated and destroyed many ancient kaers that held minor Horrors… magically isolated locations where the Horrors had been imprisoned."

"Wouldn't destroying their prisons have freed the Horrors?"

"Ah, time to learn… Yes, and that was the goal. As you breathe air, Horrors need magic. In the lowest period of magic, freeing the Horrors was the equivalent of suffocating them… Of bursting their 'magical bubble' during their hibernation. With the lower levels of ambient magic, they were forced back to their own foul realms. They could not survive here during the low point on the magical cycle. It was hypothesized that they were simply waiting until the level of magic rose enough for them to walk freely in our world. To that point, their prisons became their sanctuary."

"How many of these 'Sanctuaries' are still out there?"

"I suspect there are many. But with the magic level on the rise, it's best to let them fester until you are ready to fight them." Messias saw Harry's determination and added, "You're not ready for that yet. In time… And you will not be alone. There are other forces just as dedicated as you. But I digress…"

"My last apprentice was a gifted wizard from Europe named Peverell. He helped stabilise the new world and prevented the Aztecs from opening a breach and creating another Scourge. He had a flair for the dramatic and created the moniker 'Master of Death'. He didn't care for the titles 'Horror Stalker' or 'Master of Nethermancy'." Holding up his index finger and grinning, Messias chuckled. "Quite a flare for the dramatic in that one."

Harry recognised the name. "Peverell. My ancestor."

Elianar Messias gave him a curious look. "Apprentice, technically speaking, they were all your ancestors. I keep my blessing and training to my own bloodline. They all had trials and tests, and this is yours. If Riddle has his way, he will expand across Europe and beyond. The blood sacrifices will likely begin again soon, affecting the overall levels of magic in Europe. If not stopped, within three years, the sacrifices will create a breach and the earth will suffer another Scourge."

Harry snarled, "I'll stop him! You can count on that."

Elianar drew Harry's attention and held up his index finger. "The first call to arms is frequently the one that defines an emerging Horror Stalker, but it won't be the last."

Harry reflected intently on the last statement. "So, this is my 'coming out' party. My 'Dance of Death'."

Elianar slowly nodded. "That has a morbid tone to it, but if that's how you want to look at it… The Dance of Death… Hmmm." He looked amused. "I'll admit, it does has a nice ring to it. Perhaps you take after Peverell more than I had thought. Do young men have a coming out party?"

Harry simply smiled. "No... I dont think so. I just couldn't think of a better name on the fly."

Elianar laughed softly and shook his head. "You, my Apprentice and Descendant, are funny. know this, you were chosen for a reason and I have faith in you." Messias straightened and focused on Harry intently. "First things first. I can teach you how to sense power flares in the astral plane… areas where the levels of magic are increased. With this knowledge, you will be able to track the camps you are looking for. Regrettably, you will only be able to track them after they begin the sacrifices…"

—DoD—

*Oneiromancy – Dream divination.

Winding the story down. Three more chapters and I go back to Casting Shadows. I miss Casting Shadows and I am very eager to continue that story. Thank you all for your patience.