A/N: I don't own Harry Potter. Many thanks to Nauze and Meneldur for their assistance. Please leave a review whether you love or hate it.

Chapter 7: The Dark Lord's Fury

Bellatrix felt just one thing when Harry revived her after their latest duel: a seething frustration. It took all her will to take that frustration and release it before it turned to anger, like her Uncle Alphard had taught her. While she was used to Uncle Arcturus thrashing her in their duels whenever he taught her, she had become used to defeating most people in her age range.

She pushed herself up from the ground, firmly ignoring Harry's proffered hand. Things had been tense when he came over for the duel. He'd been on the receiving end of quite a few glares, including some from her. He had weathered them all, and despite the way the last duel ended, he had been cordial, if slightly aloof.

She did, however, shake hands with Harry when he offered her wand back. She was grateful to feel the chill that spread through her when she had the wand in her grasp once more. It was a sensation she craved ever since she first held the wand when she was eleven.

Nothing quite made her feel as good as using magic did, in whatever form it took. It made her feel like a goddess controlling the tide. When she commanded magic, she was nature unbound.

She felt, more than saw, Uncle Arcturus come up onto the piste and congratulate them on a well-fought duel.

Harry was watching her carefully before he thanked Arcturus and offered his own words of praise. "You're very quick with your wand and creative with your use of transfiguration."

"Not quick enough."

Harry conceded with a nod of his head. "A lesson born of painful experience, unfortunately."

Arcturus gave her a quick glare, and she remembered the promise from last week when he told her he had managed to procure another duel with Harry.

She cleared her throat and Harry's gaze focused on her. "I wanted to apologize for storming out last week after our duel," she swallowed. "It was unprofessional and unbecoming of one such as myself."

Harry looked at her intently, his gaze taking in every inch of her face. She felt a blush creeping across her skin and felt relieved when he nodded.

After the nod, Uncle Alphard, who had come up onto the piste as well, elbowed Harry softly and whispered something to him. Harry blushed, even as he grimaced at her uncle's words.

He stood straighter. "I also owe you an apology. My words last week were thoughtless and unbecoming of a member of the Potter family."

Beside her, Arcturus looked absolutely giddy. He wasn't smiling, but Bella knew her teacher; he was really happy that they were not likely to go at each other's throats again.

"Apology accepted, Harry," Bellatrix responded, a soft smile on her face.

Harry's face broke in a tight, crooked grin that made his eyes seem lighter than usual, and he offered his hand again. "Let's do this again next week?"

Bellatrix took his hand, her own grin much more real than any of her previous offerings. "Deal."

The next day...

Harry felt slightly aimless as he walked through the halls of Hogwarts towards the Room of Requirement. He had beaten Bellatrix in another duel and had been reinvited for yet another match. Alphard later impressed upon him that his words to Bellatrix in the aftermath of the first duel had not been couth and made him apologize. He had been pleasantly surprised when it was Bellatrix who offered the first apology, even though Harry was more at fault.

Arcturus had been pleased and informed him of such afterwards when everyone cleared out. In fact, it seemed that Bellatrix had spoken with some family members afterwards, because the glares had died down by the time he left.

Harry was not an idiot and he knew that Arcturus was likely trying to teach her through their duels, but Harry would allow it. It also helped keep him on Alphard's good side, which was always useful.

He let his thoughts scatter themselves for a bit.

Dolohov had received a sentence for life in Azkaban, though Albus doubted that Voldemort would allow one of his best duelists to stay in that prison for long.

Harry had also heard back on the family that had been attacked. The father, Matt Sable, had died at the scene, but the mother had been saved and she had undergone treatment at St. Mungo's. She would have terrible scars, but she would live. Her son, a young Mark Sable, had undergone extended exposure to the Cruciatus Curse and would be fine after he was able to go home. They were both still at St. Mungo's for the time being.

A problem had come forth from the raid, however. Alphard let it slip to Charlus that Mark Sable was a muggle-born. Someone with access to the Hogwarts list of incoming students had leaked it to a Death Eater. The problem was, there was a pretty long list of possibilities. There was the administrative staff at Hogwarts, the Board of Governors, their staff, and the Department of Magical Education. According to Arcturus, Alphard was thinking of combing through the Department of Magical Education to narrow down the list.

Harry, however, had narrowed down the list to one likely suspect, a Mr. Abraxas Malfoy, a known Voldemort sympathizer and a member of the Board of Governors. Of course, there was no proof to his theory, and Alphard was unlikely to pursue the thought to avoid angering Arcturus.

Harry nodded his head as he passed a pair of second year Hufflepuffs. They murmured a greeting, which Harry returned. In his first two weeks, he had already become known as the "fun professor". It was a title that, for once, Harry felt was not only earned, but one he liked. The students had taken to his teaching style like flies to honey.

The story of him beating the Prewett twins had spread through the school like wildfire. Most of the Gryffindors looked at him a bit awestruck after Sirius had transmitted to them Regulus's description of Harry's duel with Bellatrix in the common room.

When Harry asked Remus why all the Gryffindors were acting that way, Remus shook his head. "According to Sirius, Bellatrix is scary with a wand," he looked up at Harry, his eyes wide. "That makes you scarier."

Harry had laughed and sent the werewolf off to his next class.

Now, as he came close to the Room of Requirement, he forced himself to focus. He'd learned the Protean charm from Hermione after the war and had used them in the Auror department with their badges. He was working on putting some together for the Potter family and their friends and allies. If he could start a network of items connected by the Protean charms, then maybe there would be a way to prevent the Death Eaters from getting at so many members of Albus's eventual Order of the Phoenix.

It was only a matter of time before the Headmaster convened the Order, and Harry was sure that he would likely get an invitation, along with other members of his family and possibly the Blacks, though he was unsure if any of them would actually join.

He waved his wand at the false coin he had created, casting the transfigurations to make the necessary changes. He was frustrated when, for the umpteenth time, they failed yet again.

It wasn't that the Protean charms didn't work. They did. But they didn't transfer the changes he made to the surface unless he just used the numbers. He couldn't use this as a method of communication without a proper alphabet.

An option that he would have to consider more practical was to teach all of them the Patronus Charm. It would be simple enough, but getting enough time to teach all of them would be difficult. He'd shown Warren McKinnon and Harfang Longbottom, but there were still quite a few people to go through.

He conjured a chair and sat down, looking frustratedly at the coins, as if they were the cause of all of his stress.

They weren't. The horcruxes that were left, however, troubled him.

He had taken care of the diadem. It was too early for Bellatrix and Lucius to have their horcruxes, though it was technically possible for Abraxas to be in possession of one of them, most likely the diary.

Riddle had not turned Nagini into one until 1994, so there were only five of those abominations left. Unfortunately, he did not know where the ring, diary, locket, and cup were. He had a good guess about the ring. It was likely that Riddle was keeping it at the Gaunt shack if the disappearance of the Resurrection Stone hadn't alerted him.

So many things to accomplish and so little time. Harry wanted this war to end as quickly as possible, as unlikely as he knew that was. But that meant that he needed to finish hunting down those blasted things.

Harry sighed, flicking his wand and banishing away the coins. He wasn't going to be able to use them the way he liked.

After disposing of his conjured chair, Harry walked out of the Room of Requirement and went back towards his room. He could use a nap, but first, he needed to finish grading essays.

As he approached his office, he was surprised to see Barty Crouch Sr. and a team of aurors under Alastor Moody waiting for him. Harry sighed. He'd been told that Alphard would take care of the problem with Thaddeus Nott's death, but he had long expected for Director Crouch to take him in for questioning.

The Headmaster and Deputy Headmaster were there as well, and Albus clasped his hands together when he saw Harry walking towards them.

"Professor Potter, these men wish to have a word with you concerning the death of Mr. Nott. They've made some pretty serious accusations," said Albus.

Harry winced; he had not told Albus about his role in Thaddeus's death and he could hear how displeased Albus was at the moment.

"Thank you Headmaster, I will go with them willingly to answer any questions they might have," responded Harry with a tight smile. "I apologize that this had to take up some of your time, sir."

"Yes," Albus's voice was frigid. "We will be having words upon your return. I've recently been into blood pops."

Harry nodded his head and Alastor stepped forward, a pair of charmed cuffs in his hand. "Henry James Potter, you're under arrest for the murder of Thaddeus Nott. Please surrender your wand for examination."

Harry knew the procedure, he drew his wand and offered it to one of the other aurors, handle first.

The man took it and Moody slapped the cuffs around his wrists. They grouped around him and led him towards the entrance of the school. There were students gathered to watch, though many of the teachers tried to shoo them off.

Harry could see James Potter staring at him wide-eyed, and Harry offered him a small wink. He felt bad that James had seen him like this, but Harry was confident that everything would be fine. He did note that Alphard had not tried to bring him in himself, so Harry was pretty sure that it wasn't being done on the man's orders.

As they walked past the courtyard, Harry couldn't help but ask, "All of these aurors just for me? Isn't the Magical Law Enforcement Patrol the sub-department responsible for making arrests for murderers?"

It was Barty that answered, "Right, well, considering your prowess against the basilisk, it was felt that you might be more dangerous than a common criminal, so we took proper precautions."

"Speaking of that, when will I be receiving the Order of Merlin for that?" asked Harry.

One of the Aurors, a middle aged woman, snorted, "You'll be lucky if you ever see outside of Azkaban again."

Harry turned his head to the woman who spoke. "I know my rights. I still have a right to a trial. I will have the right to an attorney."

"Enough!" barked Crouch Sr.

They had gone past the extent of the enchantments covering Hogwarts. Alastor grabbed a hold of Harry's arm and together, they disapparated to the Ministry.

They arrived at the entrance to the holding cells.

Two of the aurors led him into a cell, while another took his wand to the evidence room.

They locked the door behind them and Harry sat with his back against the wall. He rested his head against the wall and was about to shut his eyes when a rap along the bars caught his attention. He turned and saw Alastor Moody looking at him.

"Is there anyone you'd like us to contact for you?"

"Charlus Potter, please, my uncle will be most displeased to hear of the arrest and will want to know the story from my own mouth, not whatever drivel the Daily Prophet decides to come up with," answered Harry.

Moody's face grimaced distastefully when Harry mentioned the newspaper, and Harry was sure that the Auror had not had many pleasant experiences with them either.

He walked away from the cell and Harry rested his head against the wall. He figured he wouldn't have to wait long.

It was only a few minutes. He heard shouting and he opened his eyes to see Alphard Black and Charlus Potter storming into the holding area.

They both looked incensed and even Moody looked a bit hesitant as his superior laid into him for something.

Charlus managed to step. "Can we please get the cell opened? My nephew is needed back at Hogwarts."

Moody stepped forward, grumbling under his breath as he unlocked Harry's cell.

Harry stood, lightly stretched and walked out of the cell. He presented his cuffed wrists to Moody.

"Are you okay?" demanded Charlus, "They treated you well?"

Moody unlocked the cuffs and Harry rubbed his wrists, "Yeah, they were great. It's not their fault."

Charlus glared at Moody who stared back, resolutely. "Good, I still can't believe they actually arrested you."

Harry gave a dry laugh. "I'm surprised it took Crouch so long. He must have had trouble getting the paperwork filled out."

He turned to Moody, "Thanks for your work, Auror Moody. Hopefully, we'll be able to see eye to eye on this matter eventually."

Moody just nodded his head and stalked off.

Alphard was still seething when he turned to Harry. "I'm sorry about all the hubbub, Professor Potter."

Harry shrugged. "I was expecting him to come after me. I'm guessing I'm being let out on bail?"

Charlus shook his head. "Unfortunately, we're not completely sure how they were able to arrest you. There wasn't enough evidence and Dolohov isn't talking. We think it was Moody that convinced Crouch to come after you."

Harry shrugged. "They think I used the Dark Arts, not exactly surprising that they're coming after me."

"That might be," acknowledged Charlus, "But it doesn't change that Dolohov was actually using the torture curse and the Defense Act of 1952 allows lethal force against those participating in Muggle hunting. You had more than a right to defend them with lethal measures."

Harry grasped the older man's shoulder. "I'm okay. I need to get back to Hogwarts though and talk to the Headmaster."

Alphard lifted up his hand, revealing Harry's wand. He grasped it firmly, enjoying the warmth he received from having it in his hand.

"You can't leave the country, and you'll be having a trial starting next week, but otherwise you're free to go," said Alphard.

"Many thanks. I need to get to Hogwarts."

When Harry got back to Hogwarts, it was already the late afternoon. He immediately made his way to the Headmaster's office.

"Blood pops," Harry called out to the gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's office. It moved out of his way and Harry didn't stop until he was standing in front of Albus's desk.

The Headmaster had been waiting for him. He was sitting resolutely and his desk was clean.

"Sit."

The one-worded command was cold, and Harry just took his seat.

"I would like an accounting for the events that led to your arrest today."

Harry shifted in his seat. "About a week ago, while walking through Godric's Hollow, I came across a group of Death Eaters. They'd set a muggle's house on fire and were torturing a child with the Cruciatus Curse. I stepped in."

He took a deep breath. "My first attack immediately killed Thaddeus Nott, and my subsequent thrashing of Antonin Dolohov allowed the Aurors to take him in for questioning. I don't regret my actions."

Albus took a second, thinking about the information presented before speaking in a much warmer tone than he had been greeted with. "As your actions were in the defense of others and against Voldemort's current attempts at overthrowing our government, I will not hold this against you."

"Thank you, sir," said Harry, honestly. He did enjoy teaching the students here.

"However," Albus continued, "I do expect that any actions that may lead to such an event as what happened earlier today will be related to me immediately."

"Yes, sir," responded Harry.

"I am proud that you chose to save those muggles, Professor. It would have been much easier to ignore them."

"Not for me sir," denied Harry, "I couldn't allow them to continue suffering like they were."

"Spoken like a true Gryffindor," said the Headmaster, now sporting a smile.

"From you, sir, that's a true honor."

"Yes," Albus leaned back, "Well, I am sure there are a few first-years that will be happy to see your return. You've become quite popular among the students here."

"And I enjoy teaching them," Harry said with a grin.

Exactly one week later...

It was nearly sundown at the McKinnon house in Stinchcombe. Warren was currently tending to a few of the family's cattle. This was a job he'd been doing since he left Hogwarts. Their family provided meat and dairy products to all of the magical areas in the region of Cornwall and Wessex. They also provided for some of the local markets in Gloucestershire. Their rather extensive ranch had kept the family afloat during the Grindelwald war, when most of the country was hit hard by the lack of foreign imports.

Now, their country was looking to be in trouble, only the trouble came from within. Warren had no problem with muggles and Muggle-borns, but he couldn't help but feel slightly offended that the up-and-coming Dark Lord was a halfblood born to a muggle father. It was a smack in the face. But it really only further proved what the Potters thought about the whole matter.

Tom Riddle didn't care for the pureblood cause. It was a convenient excuse for him to try and seize power.

That thought always made Warren mad. While their country was not the most democratic country, Wizarding Britain had a proud history of electing its leaders and the majority of their lawmakers. They held lawful elections every six years since 1708 and Warren could remember how proud he had been to cast his vote for Nobby Leach in the 1966 election, helping keep the first muggle-born in the Minister's office after his emergency appointment to the position in 1962. They had made remarkable progress since the formation of the Ministry, and it irked Warren that an upstart like Riddle would try and seek power outside of the process.

He felt a jarring in his thoughts when he heard pops of apparition. He already had his wand at the ready as he ran out of the barn. He saw many hooded figures approaching the house, and he felt his heart drop.

For some reason, his family had drawn Lord Voldemort's ire. He cast the Patronus charm, and as Harry had shown him a few weeks ago, ordered it to take a message.

"Go to Potter Manor, tell Charlus that Tom Riddle and his Death Eaters have attacked us and that we need help."

As the mouse took off into the night, Warren drew his wits about him. He needed to defend his family.

Arcturus was reading through his documents in his office. Alphard had just left after ranting about Crouch and Moody and their insufferable desire to meddle in everything. It would have been amusing if it was not also a source of frustration for himself.

The Floo in his office activated and Charlus's head popped through. "Arcturus! Get your barmy arse over here! We need your help!"

Arcturus's eyebrow rose on his own, but he set down his quill and stepped through the flames after calling out, "Potter Manor!"

On the other side, he was slightly surprised to see the Longbottoms, the Bones, Septimus Weasley and his sons, Alphard, and nearly two dozen aurors waiting, along with all of the Potters.

Harry was speaking, "Voldemort will have set up anti apparition enchantments around the property. We'll need to apparate to the line of the property and walk from that point."

Moody spoke, "And why exactly are we following your lead, again?"

Potter looked frustrated, "Because I've fought Voldemort and his followers before. I know how they fight and the best way of countering them."

Alphard stepped forward when Moody moved to respond, "Enough! The longer we deliberate, the less likely we will be to save the McKinnons. I am deputizing everyone here tonight to act in the name of the Ministry."

Arcturus couldn't exactly help the surprise he felt. The McKinnons certainly weren't the wealthiest of families, but they were one of the oldest pureblood families. And they were pureblooded, no matter what that louse, Cantankerous, had to say.

There was hope in the fact that they were a large family, but there was not much time.

"I agree with Alphard, we should get moving."

Edgar Bones nodded, "Aye. Time to make the bastards pay."

Charlus led them all to the courtyard. Arcturus trailed at the back of the group casting a Patronus Charm and watching the familiar badger come forth.

"Go tell Melania that I'm going to help out with a raid at the McKinnon Ranch."

The badger lopped off and Arcturus watched it for a moment before rejoining the group, leaving the Manor.

Dorea and Lucille were all grouped with Charlus and Harry. Fleamont was standing a bit away, Euphemia was whispering something to him.

Arcturus walked up to the latter couple, imagining that Lucille wished to make her goodbyes to the two men in private.

"Will you be coming with us, Fleamont?" asked Arcturus.

Fleamont shook his head. "I will stay behind and help my mother with taking care of any non-emergency medical care. We've already sent word to St. Mungo's. They'll be sending several mediwizards to set up a triage."

Bones walked up to them. "After this, we'll have enough evidence to put forth a war bill in the Wizengamot. Our government needs to stop pretending as if they aren't an issue."

"Aye," came Alphard's voice, "We'll make sure any such bills go through. I'd like to mobilize the war powers of the Ministry to begin drafting hit wizards."

Before the conversation continued, Harry spoke up. "Let's go. The aurors have set up portkeys to get us there. They will begin to travel in two minutes."

Beside him, there were several conjured muggle objects. Groups of four or so each took an object.

Moody stepped forward, "I've apparated ahead and scouted the area. We'll be five hundred meters away from the house. The fighting is ongoing, but I doubt we have much time left."

Arcturus felt the familiar hook behind his navel as his selected portkey, a metal ruler, activated.

The first thing he heard when he arrived was the shouting and yelling as spells flew around, resulting in an evening sky lit up by the spells of many wands.

To his right, he heard Alphard shout, "For the Ministry!"

As one, the aurors surged forward behind their leader. The other families took the rear, both the elder and younger Potters leading them.

The group ran forward and Arcturus was already flinging curses like a man possessed. He was seventy years old, but he had never felt more alive as he flung spells at Voldemort's followers.

Voldemort had brought several dozen followers with him. They had wanted to make sure that the McKinnons couldn't get away. And Arcturus could tell that there had been quite a bit of damage done. The house was on fire and crumbling, while a few members of the McKinnons defended other fallen members viciously. He could see Noah McKinnon standing over his wife's body, conjuring lions and bears by the dozens and directing them to attack any Death Eater that got close.

"Artie! What are you doing here?"

Arcturus felt a chill go down his spine as he heard the voice of his old friend.

He turned and saw Abraxas, dressed in resplendent robes, as he removed his mask. His face was filled with exhilaration and confusion. In any other context, Arcturus might have found it amusing.

"Why are you fighting for him, Abraxas?"

"Because it is long past time since we got what we deserved!" snarled Malfoy

Arcturus raised his wand and cast a Stunning charm which Malfoy dodged, "And what is that? A future where those we love die off? What happens to the Wizarding World when so many of our brethren are gone?"

Abraxas let his mask fall back into place, and flicked his wand, launching a volley of curses at Arcturus. Arcturus dodged the first few and conjured a slab of stone to take the last few. He immediately turned the remnants of the slab into projectiles and sent them towards Abraxas.

Abraxas stopped the projectiles and through the eyes in the mask, Arcturus could see the man's rage, "Avada Kedavra!"

Arcturus nearly didn't move quickly enough, but he was thankful when the green light of the spell moved past his head.

He locked his leg and mustered all the anger and sadness that he felt towards Abraxas and used it to cast his next spell, "Corim Impetum!"

A beam of white light left his wand and struck Abraxas's hastily conjured shield. For a moment, it looked like the shield would hold.

But Arcturus had not been one of the most renowned fighters of his time for nothing. He pushed more of his energy into the spell. Even as he was forced to go down to a knee, he did not let the spell drop.

And then it cracked, and the spell struck Abraxas in the chest.

As designed, the spell forced Abraxas to keel over, and even though Arcturus went over to check, he already knew that his old friend was dead.

He dipped to a knee once more and let his fingers check for a pulse.

There was none.

Arcturus sighed deeply and removed Abraxas's mask to close the man's eyelids. He shut his own eyes and let a tear fall freely.

After the tear left his face, falling on the grass beneath him, he stood and turned to the still raging battle. It was time to send Tom Riddle running with his legs between his legs.

From the moment of their arrival on the battlefield, Harry had been trying to find Warren McKinnon. For all he tried, however, the patriarch of the McKinnon family was nowhere to be seen.

He did spot one of the McKinnons defending himself with conjured animals and using them to attack various Death Eaters.

It seemed that Riddle had brought as large a force of wizards as he dared.

Harry tried not to think of the implications of that as he sent multiple Death Eaters to their graves with the use of Sectumsempra. The spell had no current defense, meaning people on the receiving end of the spell couldn't protect or heal themselves from it. And Harry's aim never missed its target.

He saw several McKinnons dead already.

Their deaths had not been swift. From what he saw, they had been flayed alive. Their underlying flesh, exposed to the elements. It was a ghastly sight and Harry wanted to weep for the tortures they must have undergone.

"H-help."

It was a voice to his right. Harry saw the lump of flesh that was covered in the debris of what used to be a barn house.

He stepped forward, lighting the end of his wand.

Lying there, the skin below his neck completely gone, was Warren McKinnon. He was taking in deep, shuddering breaths, but Harry already knew it was too late. The man's eyes cleared as he saw Harry approach.

"You came. Thank the gods," he said.

"Too late, I am so sorry, Warren," responded Harry, his chest feeling tight.

"Watch over Marlene," begged the man.

"I will," vowed Harry.

"The Dark Lord left a message for you." Warren rasped.

"It's not important," protested Harry.

"He said," Warren continued, struggling now to breathe. "That more will follow if you do not surrender yourself to him."

"I can't surrender to him."

Warren managed to smile, "Good. He has left already, but I hope you kill the bastard. Please, watch over whoever is left."

"I will."

Warren seemed to be pleased by Harry's promise and whispered, "I am ready to go with you, Grace."

Harry shut his eyes as tears poured down his face. As within his own timeline, the McKinnons were gone.

Marlene and Noah would survive, but all the rest were gone.

He left Warren's body behind and trudged back to the now quiet battlefield. Alphard and Moody were waiting for him.

"What news?" Harry asked.

"Nothing good," scowled Alphard. "We lost six aurors, and Noah McKinnon is the only survivor so far unless you found anyone?"

Harry shook his head. "Warren died in front of me. Poor Marlene. What about Riddle's forces, did they lose anyone?"

Moody answered now, his somber face contrasting with the snarl in his voice, "Aye, we captured about a dozen. And Abraxas Malfoy and a good fifteen others are dead."

Harry's eyes hardened. "Good. I'll need to speak to Noah about speaking with his niece and I can talk to the Headmaster so that he can inform Lucius Malfoy."

"Right, not a bad idea. I can go with you," said Alphard.

Harry nodded and turned to Moody. "Hopefully you can understand now why I took out Thaddeus Nott so quickly. The monsters like him would like to do this act on every muggle and muggle-born out there."

"I may not like it," Moody said, looking out over the battlefield, where ten McKinnons and even more Death Eaters lay dead, "But I can't believe this happened."

He turned to Alphard. "How did we let this happen?"

A new voice joined the conversation, "We got complacent."

Charlus stepped forward, an angry gleam in his eyes. His eyes narrowed in on Arcturus. "You see what they did? They attacked a Pureblood family that did nothing to them or their cause. This isn't about beliefs and ideologies. This was about power, and who could use it."

"I know," Arcturus said, looking defeated, "Trust me, I know."

Alphard looked at the older man with empathy. "Maybe it's time we all headed to our homes. More members from the DMLE will come to take care of the bodies. Alastor, I'll leave you in charge of the scene."

When Moody nodded, Alphard turned to Harry, "Let's go talk to Noah and head over to Hogwarts."

The pair of them went to where Noah was now kneeling on the ground, covered with blood that was not his own, and cradling his dead wife.

He looked up with tears in his pain-filled eyes, "We'd just found out she was pregnant. We couldn't wait to tell Marlene she was going to have a cousin."

His voice broke as sobs overtook him, "And now she's gone."

"I am truly sorry for your loss," said Alphard, "But we need you to come with us to Hogwarts and tell Marlene. She is going to be your ward now."

Noah nodded shakily, but did not let go of his wife's corpse.

Harry stepped forward, placing his hand on his shoulder.

"Noah, I am so sorry for your loss," Harry felt his voice crack as tears ran down his cheek once more, "More sorry than you can ever know, but we need you to be there for Marlene now."

Alphard spoke again, "The DMLE will make sure all of their bodies are prepared for burials according to any family rites you may wish to use."

Noah nodded and gently settled his wife's body on the ground. He placed a final, tear filled kiss on her lips and stood up from the ground.

He looked at Harry. "My brother believed you could kill the Dark Lord. Was he right?"

Harry swallowed, but straightened his back. "When the time comes, I will kill him. You have my word."

Noah smiled a feral grin, "Good."

He turned to the Head Auror, "Will there be a drafting of some sort to fight Voldemort's forces?"

Alphard sighed. "We're trying to get something through the Wizengamot. We're hoping that tonight is enough to convince them of that necessity."

"I'm also hoping," Harry added, "To convene with Albus Dumbledore and see if he has any ideas for the creation of a fighting force."

"Whatever comes, count me in. I want them to pay for taking my family away," said Noah.

"So, you'll come with us to Hogwarts?" asked Alphard.

"Aye, Marlene should hear the news from me, not the morning post."

"Right then," said Harry, "We should apparate to Hogsmeade, and then floo into the castle from Aberforth's inn."

Noah used his wand to clean the blood off and held out his hands to the other two wizards.

With a pop, they appeared outside of the inn. It was still open and Harry dropped off the sickles for the Floo powder and they went over to the fireplace.

"Headmaster's office!" shouted Harry before stepping through the green flames.

He cleared the soot out of the way as he stepped forward.

Albus was already waiting for him, "Were you able to save the McKinnon family?"

His question was answered when Noah stepped in, tears still on his cheeks, "I need to speak with Marlene, Headmaster."

Albus's face fell. "Of course."

He quickly penned a note and looked up, "Fawkes, to Professor McGonagall, if you please."

The phoenix flew over and grabbed the note before flashing out of the office in a burst of flame.

Albus turned to them, "If you could tell me what happened, please?"

Noah began the tale, telling them all of Riddle's appearance and what they had put the family through. By the time he finished telling the story, the other three men in the room had faces white as snow.

"I am so sorry for your loss," said the Headmaster, "If there is anything you need from us at Hogwarts, let me know."

Noah nodded, "Thank you, until I get us a place to live. It would probably be best for Marlene to-"

"For me to what?" asked a young girl's voice.

They all turned to see Marlene come into the room, Fawkes on her shoulder, and Minerva coming in behind her.

"Hello, Marlene," greeted Noah. His voice was soft, and he looked like he might break down in tears once more.

Marlene was a smart girl, and she knew something was wrong. "What's wrong, Uncle Noah?"

Noah dropped to one knee. "Come here, Marlene. Something happened today."

Marlene walked forward slowly. "Where's Momma and Poppa? Where's Earl?"

Tears started flowing from Noah's eyes again. "They're not with us anymore."

Marlene halted her steps so quickly that she was bumped into by Minerva's legs.

"What do you mean?" asked the little girl.

Harry felt tears prick the corners of his eyes. This was heart wrenching.

"A very bad man came to our house today," said Noah.

Tears pooled at the corner of Marlene's eyes. Harry had to restrain himself from wrapping the young girl up in a hug.

"What did he do?" her voice was small now.

"He killed your momma and poppa," Noah's voice cracked. "An-and everyone else–it's just us now, honey.."

Marlene's eyes widened. "No, no, no."

Minerva placed a hand on the girl's shoulder but she shook it off and ran into her uncle's outstretched arms. "No! No! No!"

She was sobbing now, heaving sobs as she buried her face into his shoulder. Fawkes sang a sad tune, rubbing against Marlene one last time before leaving for his perch.

"Why?!"

Noah merely rocked the girl as she sobbed and wept, "I'm so sorry, baby girl."

He was crying, "I'm so sorry."

Harry looked on helplessly. Alphard stood from where he had taken a seat earlier and knelt next to the grieving family members.

Marlene looked at the man with blurry eyes, "I promise you, Ms. McKinnon, the people that killed your family will pay for this."

She merely put her head back on her uncle's shoulder and sobbed harder. Alphard patted Noah's shoulder and stood.

Albus came forward, "You can take Marlene to Potter Manor". He paused, looking at Harry for confirmation, which he gave, "for the next few days. She won't be able to focus on school for now. Her professors can prepare the work for her and have it sent by owl."

Noah nodded and pulled back from his niece, "Let's go see the Potters, okay?"

Marlene nodded. "What will happen to me now?"

Noah ran a hand through her hair and caressed her cheek, "I can never replace your parents, but I promised your father I would take care of you if anything happened to him. I will take care of you. I promise."

Marlene nodded and hugged him again. Noah picked her up and cradled her as he walked to the fire. Alphard helped by throwing in the Floo powder and Noah called out, "Potter Manor!"

And then they were gone.

"Oh, Headmaster, what happened?" asked Minerva.

"It seems that Tom Riddle has begun his war in earnest," said Albus with a sigh, "Tom Riddle and his followers attacked and brutally killed the McKinnons."

Alphard stepped forward. "We can continue this discussion later, but we need to speak to one more student. Lucius Malfoy's father was killed during the battle, fighting for the Dark Lord."

"That is grave, indeed," said Albus.

He penned another note and looked at his phoenix. "This one is for Professor Slughorn, please."

The phoenix once again took the note and flamed away.

Harry stepped forward. "If it's all the same to you, Headmaster, I'd also like to return to Potter Manor for the evening. I would like to check on my family members."

Albus nodded. "Of course, Harry. Safe travels, and I will see you at breakfast on Monday."

Harry turned to the flames and Flooed to Potter Manor.

He was greeted by Lucille, who was drinking firewhiskey, tears on her face as well. She had a lit cigarette in her other hand. She managed to smile when she saw Harry arrive.

"I'm so glad you're okay." She looked over at him for any possible wounds. "You are uninjured, correct."

"Yes, grandmother," answered Harry fondly.

"Thank the gods." Lucille took a drag from her cigarette. "Charlus told us everything that happened at the McKinnons and Dorea has prepared rooms for Noah and Marlene. Poor girl."

"Their whole family," said Harry, "It happened ten years later in my timeline. But they all died then as well. There weren't any survivors that time, though."

Lucille took another drag, "Then we are blessed that Noah and Marlene are still here with us."

She peered at him over her glass. "What will you do now?"

Harry sighed and took a seat across from her. He poured a glass for himself before answering, "I will rest, regroup. And then I'm going to win this war."

Lucille knocked back the rest of her drink. "Good."

A/N: Thanks for reading this far. Please leave a review. I have a Discord that I share with Sectumus Prince for my stories! The invite code is discord . gg / ZaPCTAtkZ4 (just remove any spaces; or alternatively, copy the last section and paste it into the invite section of Discord). Until the next chapter!