Chapter 26: Deeds and Detention

There was a polite knock on the door, and as the parents filtered inside, Albus considered that the dataslates had complicated issues. Now parents were in contact with their children, and surely the parents of the Slytherins along with Lucius Malfoy would be here soon.

"Ah Augusta, Arthur. Lord Snyde. Lord Oakwood!" Albus Dumbledore greeted the group.

"Hello, Headmaster. Percy informed us of the altercation and I decided to come and get this issue sorted out. The same can be said for Augusta I think?"

"I see. Good of you to visit Arthur."

"Hello, Headmaster. Daphne Greengrass knows our girls well. When she saw what happened, messages were passed along to us from Lord Greengrass. Although, from what I have heard so far, it seems that these young men acted favourably to us?" Lord Snyde suggested.

"Lord Snyde, Lord Oakwood I like to think about it as punishing the scum. And Ronald here got some boxing practice?" Neville remarked with his hands in a questioning expression.

"Neville is that wise? I don't think students should behave in such a manner?" Albus suggested.

"Depends on which students, Professor. I mean, you cant expect me, a glaring Gryffindor to look upon two damsels in distress, and to do nothing. That I would leave those young beautiful ladies to be besmirched by those benighted heathens. No good Englishman would do such a thing?"

Now Ismelda and Merula who had some tears in their eyes were blushing and giggling a little.

"And for me, I am very loyal to Mr Longbottom. I refuse to let him have the fun alone. Law and order were served. Mind you Law is the name of my right fist, and Order is the name of my left fist. Equal proportions Neville?" Ronald asked.

"I dunno? About 60 per cent to 40 per cent I think? Honestly, we lost count. That might have even been deliberate?" Neville explained, in a contemplative voice. Now the parents were sniggering and McGonagall softened. They very much reminded her of James and Sirius.

"Professor Dumbledore, do you mind if I have a word with the Sorting Hat? I would like to ask him something privately. I perhaps need some..counsel…."

"Sure my boy. Ask away…" Albus replied, hoping that Neville was querying the morality of his decision. He however, was up to other activities as he passed along the message from Hermione Granger. She was quite proud to be a claw. The Sorting Hat replied after looking over the other memories.

"My my Mister Longbottom, that is indeed a great deal of deception. Personal transporters? And you live in a flat in Hogsmeade. And Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis are in your circle. Oh, I cant wait to see Ms Weasley and young Ms Greengrass junior when they arrive later this year. I love the band. Not bad at all."

"Thanks. We are training hard and playing our cards right?" Neville replied.

"Hmmm….I do think this situation will get out of hand. Do you know that I keep the legendary sword of Godric Griffindor?"

"Oh? Neat!" Neville replied.

"It seems that Harry has built a new class of far more powerful war implements. But to keep your cover, might I suggest that it could be used to make a statement? I see that your fencing is coming along well."

"I think you are the most fantastic hat in the whole world." Neville laughed.

"Thank you, Mr Longbottom. Place me close by on the table…and then we can have a good time?" the Sorting Hat suggested.

"Deal!" Neville replied, in Harry's characteristic tone of voice.


Lucius Malfoy arrived with Lord Parkinson, and as soon as they entered the office the yelling began. Lucius had taken his wand out and pointed it at Neville and Ronald immediately. Soon enough all wands were drawn in the office, and the shouting continued for the next ten minutes. Neville and Ronald just ignored the conversation as it seemed to be a volume contest.

"Why you little…boy! You dare to ignore me! I will!..." Lucius roared.

"Careful Lucius. It happens to be four against two!" Augusta replied.

"Enough! There will be no wands drawn in my office!" Albus threatened.

"You! I will have the Ministry down your throat!" Lucius threatened. "I will….."

"Could you just shut the fuck up, Legally Blond!"

Suddenly the office was silent. Neville Longbottom had used an expletive?

"This is a waste of my time. Do you have a problem? Meet me in the courts. Send me a legal summons, and let us demand that the boys verify their claims under Veritaserum. And perhaps we should ask Draco if he was instructed to carry out the intimidation. And then we ask who instructed him. Findlay and Tonks is our retainer. Veritaserum will be a requirement."

Lucius and Lord Parkinson were now silent.

"Well, this is interesting. Actual silence from the both of you. If we can verify that parents ordered their children to carry out political plots on the compound, this just might involve Blood War. We have two ladies that were touched inappropriately, and I love how we act like that isn't a big deal. Not an inch of an inclination, that the issue needs addressing?" Ronald replied as McGonagall got angry.

"Ah. Neville Longbottom thinks he is brave! Like your parents, you will….." Lucius continued before he abruptly stopped.

During the entire sentence, Neville had grabbed the Sorting Hat and felt it become heavy. He grasped the hilt and suddenly the legendary blade of Godric Gryffindor was unveiled. It glinted against the shaft sunlight, that strayed away from the open window. Now the sword was on Lucius Malfoy's neck. Minerva and Albus were shocked but somewhat proud. He had to be a true Gryffindor to withdraw the sword. Suddenly Lord Snyde and Lord oakwood were pointing both their wands at Lord Parkinson.

"Oh, please finish the sentence?" Neville asked, with the tip of the blade on Malfoy's neck. Now his eyes were in a panic, as he became silent.

"It has been a long time since the sword of Godric Gryffindor drew blood. Droves of men fell upon this blade in the old days. Say one word, and I will draw blood. And maybe our houses should involve themselves in a blood war. If they are any other houses that have a vendetta with you, you never know who else might join in?" Neville suggested.

Lord Snyde and Lord Oakwood looked on appreciatively. Tiberius Longbottom, the great grand patriarch of House Longbottom was legendary with a blade. And it seemed the boy like his grandfather, was looking to recapture their power and influence. Lucius Malfoy backed away slowly and placed his wand in his walking staff. He and Lord Parkinson then exited the office, fuming mad but unable to do anything. The darker purebloods generally preferred not to get involved with Veritaserum or magical oaths, when it came to carrying out their agendas.

"Mr Longbottom! Twenty points from Gryffindor for threatening a student's parent! How could you draw a sword against a student's parent?" Albus asked.

"Simple Headmaster. Read Hogwarts history in the library, figure out that the Sorting Hat was Godric's hat and then ask him if he knew who safeguarded Godric's sword. The sword only comes to those who are righteous, in any case. Hogwarts provided me with what I needed? I can feel the vibe of the castle?"

Albus had an incredulous look on his face. Neville could sense the castle? That was something he only began to understand as an adult. Minerva was a witch, and never liked fistfights, and decided to strike a compromise:

"You and Mr Weasley will be given detention in the forbidden forest for bodily injuring your fellow students! We do not get involved in muggle brawls!"

Suddenly Neville and Ronald were laughing loudly, and Minerva became somewhat uncomfortable.

"You know Professor, I adore you but you need to re-examine what you know. It was muggle methodologies for carrying out warfare that forced our entire community into hiding with the International Wizarding Statute. We did not need to draw wands this evening, because we broke arms, legs and fingers. Brawl? What brawl?

It was a complete one-sided beatdown! Oh, Ronald boxed Draco's head in this afternoon and most of his intelligence probably left through his ear canal!"

"Let us hope the Storm-bringers shoot the rest of them. We just have to sit back, and enjoy the fireworks." Ronald added.

Minerva had now given up, as she rubbed her eyes.

"Ten points to both Gryffindor and Hufflepuff for protecting the decency of these two ladies, here!" Minerva said as she stared at Albus, daring him to say anything. She then continued to the two girls:

"Ladies you will speak to me in private later this week. I do not tolerate the assault of young women, regardless of if you are in my house..or not!" Minerva replied sharply, as she left the office.

"Excellent Neville. You will make a fine Lord Longbottom. Albus, you may disagree with my methods, but I thought it was important to let the boy take fencing and martial arts class. His grandfather was the best swordsman in England, and we make no apology for it. And let us not forget that Ronald has quite an arm on him. Good.

We are not apologising to known supporters of the Dark Lord. That is your job, headmaster!" Augusta replied as she and Neville left the office.

"Ronald, I am somewhat disappointed that you chose violence this afternoon. I did not see the need for an altercation. Augusta seems adamant about training Neville for all-out war, at a time when we should be looking to rebuild. Arthur, I don't understand why your son cannot convince Neville to be less warlike."

"Headmaster, we can see the signs. Something is coming. We do not know what it is. Augusta knows. I already lost two of my brother-in-laws. I am not suggesting that Ronald's actions were the best. Only that for those two young girls there, that it was necessary. No headmaster, my son practices his spells every single day, and Ronald made Bill, my eldest sweat last Christmas with his duelling capability. You are lucky that Ronald did not take out his wand….."

"This is why you could never get the neutrals to support you! These young men protected our only children. Our only daughters! And you would have them apologise to the likes of Lucius Malfoy? Perhaps Malfoy should indeed press for charges! I do not doubt the young men here. I want the public shame of it plastered on the Quibbler!" Lord Oakwood roared. Ronald stepped up to both men and shook their hands politely. The men were surprised by the strength of his grip.

"Pleasure meeting both of you. We will be on our way. Merula and Ismelda, if they harass you again, tell us. Perhaps Neville and I will use our wands this time. And if Luna is there with us, we promise you a one-way trip to St. Mungos for the lot of them.

Points be damned. I can afford a private education if I get expelled. I work for my own money." Ronald replied calmly, as he walked off.

Everyone cleared out of the office after Albus lectured Arthur Weasley. Little did the headmaster know that the entire fiasco was being broadcast and Molly, Cyrus and Reginald had an opportunity to observe Albus Dumbledore as the reformist – a man who hoped to change the mind of people who had already come to conclusions.

Molly then spoke to Harry:

"I see what you mean now, rather clearly. Those boys should have been punished. And to think Ronald and Neville still received detention."

"The Forbidden Forest is only a threat when you consider things can physically harm you there. As long as they have their shields and they can run, they will be fine. And they have access to directions, and they can cloak."

"Good. Stopping in for lunch?" Molly asked.

"Nah. Hermione and I are going to set up Hagrid, with the new glass and some beer, along with a small magical fridge and other conveniences?" Harry replied before he buzzed Neville and Ronald.

"Neville my man? Good touch with the sword. Ronald, nice punches. I watched the camera feed. Good hand to hand."

"Thanks. I was just dropping Hermione's message and the Hat decided to help me out!" Neville laughed.

"He might be small, but he has a big personality!" Hermione replied.


By the time the next morning had arrived, the rumours had gotten out of control. Neville and Ronald had beaten ten Slytherins almost to death and had hospitalised them. And Merula and Ismelda had no issue with describing how Neville and Ronald had laughed at the prospect of threats and had openly called the fight a "one-sided beatdown". Better yet, was when Neville drew the sword of Godric Gryffindor and placed the blade on the neck of Lucius Malfoy. Suddenly Draco was unpopular, as even his father had not been able to resist the Longbottom and Weasley wrath. There were small hushed conversations that were occurring and Blaise who was not present when the beatdown had occurred, was listening closely.

"After Malfoy yelled Lungbuttum and Weasel all night long, looks like they came for him!" a sixth-year girl snickered.

"I went to the hospital wing to get a pepper-up potion. All of them are on Skelegrow and Pomfrey had to regrow a lot of teeth. Ribs, hands and fingers were broken. Montague had a dislocated kneecap."

"Fucking hell mate, that is some brutal shite! And they are first years?"

"They didn't even use wands. Proper right fisting. The redhead named his fists…..Law and Order! Hey, they looked after two of our own and they don't bully anyone. They are decent people. Gryffindor has cut out most of the bullying in any case."

"That Hufflepuff has got teeth. Maybe the Sorting Hat placed him there to avoid Hogwarts murder rate from climbing sky-high. He would have killed Malfoy in less than a week if he got placed here?" a fourth-year boy suggested.

"While we may be Slytherins, it is in our best interest that Ronald is safe. He is our keeper for the World Cup. My uncle is the coach. Weasley is a raving psychopath when it comes to his practice and his fitness. He looks almost as big as a third year. He was a tiny firstie, remember. He is like the keeper version of Krum. Charlie is a possible candidate to replace our current seeker."

"Shit the Weasleys can fly then?"

"They were the next oldest house after the Greengrass. The rumour goes that Malfoys got one-up on them. The Neutrals demanded more investigations but Abraxas had bought the Minister of Magic at the time. As long as they pay the penality they will be a Most Ancient and Most Noble House. They are acquiring the resources. So no they are not exactly people who do not pose a threat. They just need to rebuild, and from the robes, the Weasleys are flexing? They are figuring it out…"

"He should have killed Draco. That would have been good riddance. His brother, Percy is dangerous with a wand. He can beat off squads of them, at once! Flint and Warrington had a go at him some weeks back. They got dropped in under ten seconds. And the redhead was taking on four of them at the same time!"

"The Death Eaters expect to control people with violence, and they are surprised that nobody ain't tolerating their shit no more. Why do we even attend Triumvirate meetings? Not like we neutrals have an opinion there. Same bullshit this evening."

"Maybe we should skive off and let them deal with their extinction by themselves. Lord Black is offering to let us fly under his banner. Why not?"

"The rumour is that Lucius sent assassins to take care of him. The Lord Black's pet manticore ate their hands."

"A pet manticore. What the flying fuck…."


Conversations continued when House Slytherin held their Triumvirate meeting to discuss Neville Longbottom and Ronald Weasley, later that night. At least sixty per cent of the house stayed in their common rooms. While the meeting was in progress, a random year six Slytherin had walked into the common room.

"How dare you! The Triumvirate is in progress. Protocols are…"

"Ethro, go and fuck your sex toys in your room. Or do you want to duel over it? You are jackshit at Charms and Defense in any case. People are tired of your garbage. Out of my fucking way….."

Later in the meeting, Daphne Greengrass made her contribution:

"Generally the tradition is for Ms Parkinson to call upon me. But today I will volunteer to contribute. Society is changing because of the Guild's innovation and what you fail to understand is that many of these items already exist in the muggle world…"

"We have heard such rumours. Could you elaborate as I believe your father does business in the Muggle world?" Marcella asked.

"The dataslate is a copycat of the Amazon Kindle. The Instant Messaging is a copy of Windows Live Messenger. The connectivity of the dataslates is like the beginning of a magical version of the Muggle Internet. The appliances are copies of the KitchenAid stand mixer. The Quidditch gear is using muggle plastic instead of wood."

"How are you so sure of this?" Cato asked.

"I own all of those muggle devices. I have the best luxuries in the entire of England. You can make all the comments you want, but we all know what our Slytherins have been buying recently. Some people like to drink. Some like to smoke, and I love to make Brownies and Pizza with my Kitchen Aid. If you think I am good at magic, you should try some of my bomb-ass brownies. It is a recent hobby."

Many in House Slytherin were impressed – Greengrass was a bit of a comedian lately, because of Hermione and Harry's influence.

"Are they possibly half-bloods? The Guild?" Darius asked.

"They could even be muggleborns. I think, and mind you this is my personal suspicion – the Guild has no interest in your origins. Whatever your name, it is erased when you prove competent. They are their talents. I would say they are true Slytherins. They do not need systems to vouch for their power. They are power personified. And that power is based on the ability to understand and craft with magic."

"Once again your insights are commended. The Greengrasses have always provided accurate intel. But what exactly is the source of their power, besides their capability? Do they have friends in high places?" Darius asked.

"Probably? Although it could be just hard galleons. Imagine if at least ten different Quiffitch Championships are being broadcasted. Spanish, French, English, Indian, whatever. Fifteen matches for each league and one hundred thousand customers every match. Three gallons a game. That is forty five million galleons yearly."

"That is a lot of money! " Cato explained, as he scratched his chin.

"Let me give you a joke since I understand international affairs. Muggle England has a population of seventy million. We magicals are sixteen thousand. That is less than three per cent of the population. What about China and India where these places have more than one and a half billion mundanes each? And therefore, at least thirty million magicals each?"

"Thirty million magicals, each?" asked Marcella.

"That is where the Guild will target next. The Guild is rather hilarious – they are aiming to be the first global corporation of the magical world, which in itself is a very Muggle thing. Hey, they are very ambitious. I like that. And please, do not assume that our culture applies everywhere else when you try to analyze them."

"Magical culture is different in those places?" asked Marcella, as she seemed genuinely curious.

"People live in communities and clans. There is often no central authority. Their magic might even be older than ours. In the days of the Romans and the Greeks, they often looked to the East to provide them with knowledge. India and China are not part of the I.C.W – they said it was a 'white people organisation, full of coloniser perspectives' and to a certain extent, they are right. Europeans think the world revolves around them.

India and China still have some of the old pagan practices alive and well – they are followed by both magicals and non-magicals. There were never any witch burnings or other issues. Sometimes Magicals live in muggle communities and nobody doesn't care, especially if they can get some magical help for their occasional problem. All that you know is a little bubble in magical England, and it does not apply everywhere. I hope to travel, and get some perspectives…."

Now the entire paltry gathering was silent.

"This was hilarious. I get accused of being indecisive as a Neutral. Can the darker houses pitch in on the intel collection? You might as well start the meeting with my contributions?" Daphne joked as the others seemed angered.

"Yor insights have been noted. We have much to think about…This session is now in exitus!" Cato announced as he knocked the hammer. When Daphne returned to her room with Tracey, as soon as they closed the door and they made a sweep for magical devices or unknown artefacts. When it was clean, they enabled the forcefield lock and they began to laugh.

"Harry loves to troll them. Doesn't he?" Tracey asked.

"He said that Lord Trollmaster was the best nickname he ever heard. Although, Fred and George just call him Warlord Peverell. Warlord Peverell, come to kick the Dork Lord up his poop tunnel!"

Now the girls were laughing.

"It was satisfying to see Nev and Ron beat down T.C.D.M. It was violent. I rewatched the footage at least five times!" Tracey explained.

"Hey Tracey, I got good moves too. One day some unlucky soul will confront me, and I will crumple him!" Daphne replied.


It was a Thursday evening. Ronald and Neville had been asked to report to Hagrid's hut to carry out their detention. Hagrid, on the other hand, was surprised to see the pair.

"Yer lot are servin' detention?" Hagrid asked.

"Draco and his goons had cornered two Slytherin girls. They were being groped inappropriately and were crying. So we gave them a beatdown?"

"He did not!" Hagrid exclaimed.

"We saw everything. We beat the snot out of all ten of them. We smashed in some teeth, broke some bones, left them in a pool of blood….." Neville replied, as Hagrid expressed suprise.

"Maybe tha isnt a bad thing at all, if yer can defend yerself. Something has been attackin tha unicorns. We are going to see if it is a wild beast, or the acromantulas?" Hagrid wondered.

"We might enjoy the stroll. Did our friend install a cabinet with supplies? I see the glass is here?" Ronald asked.

"Oh yes. Ms Neumann and her bother Hadrian, hes a nice chap! Had a cuppa with him! They gave me extras from the Dragon reserve!" Hagrid replied as he seemed excited about some of the small conveniences that were installed.

"Good. Let me show you how to work the flashlights. They are very bright and have far better coverage than the lamps?" Neville replied.

Fifteen minutes later, Hagrid was impressed with the magical flashlights. He found them to be far better than the oil lamps. Hagrid had agreed to take Fang, and Ronald and Neville would explore the forest as a pair. As soon as Hagrid was far enough, the pair enabled the privacy ward, before overlaping their cloaks. They took out their wands and began to explore deeper into the forest.

"Attacking unicorns? That is some dark shit, Neville."

"Normal day in our corner, Ron. Stay alert. You concerned about the Acromantulas?"

"Not so much. I hate spiders but I know I can defend myself."

"We can use the magnification charm. Maybe we should get magical binoculars. That could be handy since the ponce likes to use telescopes. Good thing we have the map."

Approximately one hour later Neville and Ronald were behind a tree and were looking at a cloaked figure that was at least thirty meters in the distance. The man was bent over a unicorn, and as the animal trashed about under great pain. The figure was... chewing on the unicorn's neck.

"Harry?"

"Neville?"

"Can you check if Quirellmort is in the castle? Because if he isn't, he is snacking on a unicorn. Our detention took us into the Forbidden Forest. The bracelet cannot pin the name out there, but the magical signature seems...weak?"

"Fall back silently. The tracking spray gave us a confirmation. Watch where you are putting your foot. Yes, I know the footwear is silenced, but be careful in any case. It is him. Backtrack twenty meters and go to the apartment. Tell everyone to stay on comms. I will handle this personally." Harry replied.

Neville and Ronald retreated slowly, and when they were far enough, they apparated into the apartment with the transporter. Charlie, Percy, the twins and Tonks had come across via tunnel, and all of them were seated as the video feed was being transmitted live. Daphne and Tracey joined the trio as Harry and Hermione got their armour on. Invictus had already deployed a drone and it was monitoring the situation. Hermione insisted that she was also coming, and she asked her dragon to keep her mother company.

ZAP!

Both of them had apparated some distance away, and everyone was listening. Even the parents were watching the feed now, as they listened to Harry and Hermione over their internal comm channel.

"Well, Harry, what do we do?" Hermione asked.

"We have to bait him. He is becoming fixated with Neville. We are the new bait. No, I want him to be afraid tonight. I will taunt him, and then you will set up on the other side and aim for his leg. Or more accurately, for his hamstring. We are going through the back of his leg."

Harry then set up the drones in a manner that would force Quirrellmort to leave his back facing the direction of their gun barrels.


"Well, well, well….who ever thought that the Dark Lord would have to slurp Unicorn blood?" Harry replied from a secondary drone, which was cloaked. He was in a different location, and his rifle was aimed at the back of Voldermort's leg.

The cloaked figure looked menacing and mysterious. It seemed that he preferred oversized clothing. In the pale moonlight, the blood was trickling down his chin, even though his eyes and face were covered. He slowly floated upwards and began to carefully approach the drone.

"Announce yourself!" Voldemort replied, in a tone that sounded like a hissing snake.

Now Harry had switched to another drone, and for Voldemort, it seemed like the voice came from many different places at once. For Voldemort, this was disconcerting. The apparition of his foe was silent and nothing had been observed by the possessed body of Quirrell. Harry decided to bring the sass.

"Funny you would say that. You go by a moniker. Very well, I am Mr Bugs Bunny!"

"You lie! And you lie poorly!"

"Well, you are indeed the master of that skill. You convinced everyone you were a pureblood, Riddle. Don't blame you, Wool's Orphanage was probably terrible. Yes, I do lie poorly in comparison to you."

There was an inhuman snarl, as Voldemort began to guess the identity of his opposition.

"So it is you….the Storm-Lord! Show yourself? Let me make this quick…."

"Sure, You take off the hood, and let me see who I am talking to? Although I don't think much of Mr Quirrell remains anymore. You are free to fire off whatever spells you want. You don't seem to be able to find me. How far the Dark Lord has fallen."

"What do you want?" Voldemort asked. Harry could sense that there was some compulsion in his voice. Perhaps this was how he had bent his followers? Harry decided to pull Voldemort's leg. He replied:

"The same thing as you. The purification of Wizarding society."

"Why not join me? We could rule them! Make a better society?"

''Oh, you silly donkey. It's the purebloods I plan to kill – and only those who are fans of you. Just the nutcases and the looney bins. The boring people who need a hobby. I think the neutrals are cool beans?"

"You will never succeed! My followers are pure and they will cleanse you! You have only managed to kill those who were weak. They deserved to be culled!"

"You believe the bullshit that comes out of your mouth. You were never a Dark Lord. You were a small-time domestic terrorist who managed a small engagement with about one thousand deaths. I already have a quarter of that number under my belt."

"You lie!"

"Oh, my sweet summer child! You must think I am working with limp cock Dumbledore. When you return and I know you will, look out for the changes. While the Guild and I want each other dead, surely you are aware of the contraband that house Slytherin buys? Seems like the purebloods looooove muuuuuggle stuff."

"It was you! You contaminated them! I am immortal! I will fix everything! And I will punish them for their actions! And they will be made to forget!"

"No, you won't punish them, because I will drown them in blood. I will kill all of your political supporters first, and I will make your body a corpse."

There was a cold laugh as the wraith of Lord Voldemort tried his best to scare the unknown voice.

"I mastered Death!"

"You stupid ignorant fool. Immortality is against the magic of the universe. Perhaps you extended your life, but that is a temporary measure. All objects animate or inanimate have a lifespan. Magic must recycle itself to bring life. Perhaps, you do not understand magic deeply"

Now Voldemort was silent. Harry had hinted that he knew just enough, not to fear him. And strangely the man under the cloak seemed to be a little nervous? He withdrew his wand and began firing off Advada Kedavras in random directions. All of them were anything far from Harry's location.

"Would love to stay. Grindelwald was far more powerful with you. But let me show…"

Harry had already lined up the shot, and he had buzzed Hermione over the battle link. Before the final phrase "you, my magic!" had arrived out of his mouth, Harry had put one fiendfyre bolt into the back of his leg while Hermione had handled the other. All the Dark Lord had seen was the energy bolts as they exited out of the front of his thighs. Now that the statement was made, they apparated home. Voldemort was suddenly fleeing to the castle, as he was in great pain. He became visible on the Marauder's map as he entered the castle's magical field. Harry and Hermione were now getting their armour off and the camera feed from their helmets ended.

"Well folks, that was his first round of pain. Sadly the unicorn is already dead. Invictus, monitor his room, and his whereabouts. Neville, you and the gang be prepared to mow down the obstacle course under the doggo. We have the memory modification ready for Goatmaster." Harry joked.


"Well, Warlord Peverell and Priestess Granger just shot Moldypants in his leg. Suddenly he does seem scary anymore?" Fred commented.

"When he gets a new body, he won't be so easy to deal with. And to think Dumbledore was planning to have the three of us confront that! Tonight was enough, thanks." Ronald complained.

"We will continue to prepare. The war will be very bloody. But not for us. We will make them pay, in blood." Neville replied as everybody went off to bed.

That was the night, the people who knew Harry Potter understood that he had the upper hand in the war that was coming soon. Seeing Voldemort flee under the rifle wounds had fundamentally changed something in the older wizards.

It was proof that ingenuity could triumph over terror.

The Dark Lord had not seen anything, that would give him a single hint of the new types of weapons and armour that had been developed. As far as he was concerned, he was fighting a wanded opponent who knew dark magic. He did not have any idea, that he was fighting a technological monster or that his clothes, comments and location was being monitored. As Cyrus and Reginald discussed the war that was on the horizon, Harry and Hermione were finishing their final weapons.

"Time to introduce Quirellmort to my new shiny halberd! Who thought that a simple temperature control circuit could do so much for the blade!" Harry exclaimed as he rubbed his palms.

"You have been practising with it a lot. I do want to see it in action. I think the dispellable blade is the best bit about this? I still have to finish mine. I think I found a combination of ideas that will work for me."

"We do our best work right before the mission. Time to tinker then?" Harry replied.


Firenze the centaur had sensed the great darkness in the forest, and was aware of the injured unicorns. While he was on the way to confront the issue, suddenly the snakelike voice filled the forest. While Firenze suspected that it was the Dark Lord, he felt somewhat relieved that somebody else knew. As he stayed within the bushes he listened to the distorted voice as it taunted the Dark Lord. As he considered that the Philosopher's Stone was currently at Hogwarts, he also wondered who had challenged the Dark Lord. And this opponent knew about the Dark Lord's identity before he had assumed the mantle of Lord Voldemort.

Riddle. Suddenly, a memory as clear as the daylight came to him.

Harry Potter visited the forbidden Forest and destroyed an implement that belonged to the Dark Lord. But the news had said that he was dead. Perhaps he wasn't dead? Even the spell that had been sent off tonight looked exactly like the weapon the boy had brought. As he looked upon the stars, it seemed that Mars was destined to rule the skies in six years. And the minor conjunction indicated that tomorrow, a battle would occur. Perhaps the Dark Lord would make his move, and Harry Potter would defeat him? Little did Firenze know that Harry Potter's heartbeat sensor had tagged him, and Harry was planning to visit the forbidden forest to have a chat with the centaur.