Chapter 17 ~ Destiny

The events of last night still reined heavily in Harry's mind. He had thought repeatedly about what Rose had told him. What did Ani see in his eyes? Did it scare her? In addition, what was it about her destiny to follow him wherever he went? He wanted to resolve this issue with her as soon as possible. He sat down to breakfast.

"Hey, Harry," Seri said, "You and your friends have some guts to have gone up to Dead Man's Tower."

"Is that what you all call the East Tower," Hermione asked.

"Yeah," Spike replied, "What is it like up there?"

"Dark…very dark," Harry mumbled as he stabbed through a stack of pancakes in the middle of the table.

Anistasia walked into breakfast a little while later and sat next to Harry. She helped herself to some pancakes and drowned them in pineapple syrup.

"Morning, Ani," Harry said, kissing her on the cheek, "I need to talk to you as soon as we can get a moment alone."

"Alright,' she answered.

Then, three owls flew in. Professor Wall was one of them, Pigwigeon was the other and Katrina Willow was the third.

"Oh no," Ani moaned, "She flew all the way out here. This cant be good."

Mrs. Willow walked over with Pigwigeon on her shoulder and up to Ron, "I believe this is yours."

Happy that there wasn't a howler in his talons, Ron took the roll of parchment and began to read as Mrs. Willow walked up to Anistasia.

"Anistasia Marie Willow, I need to have a word with you. In the hall, now!"

Harry gave Ani's hand a loving squeeze as she followed her mother out into the hall. Harry could hear Ron mumbling curses under his breath as he read his note from his mother.

"I am worse than dead," he said to Harry, "Mum is going to be at the school upon my arrival and dad is going to be here at the game today to give me a bashing. McGonagall's taken a hundred house points from each of the four of us which puts Gryffindor in the negative nineties. No house has ever gotten that low before. Mum also says that I should be grateful I am not expelled for my behavior; even though we are receiving detentions for the rest of the term…I cant go back to that school, Harry. I just cant!"

"I am sure McGonagall was acting on her first feelings. She'll probably cut back on the detentions and give back points for good behavior," Harry assured him.

Anistasia reentered the hall alone and sat again beside Harry.

"My mum is so angry," she told him, "I am going to be on restriction for the entire summer. No owl, no magic and no Quidditch. Can you believe that? This is going to be miserable. Oh, and did you hear about Professor McGonagall's punishments?"

"Yes, Anistasia. Ron told me. His mum sent him an owl. This is one time I am glad to have Muggle guardians that don't give a flying fuck what I do."

Anistasia sighed, "I think I am done with breakfast. Do you want to have that talk now?"

Harry nodded and they walked out to the courtyard and sat on a bench.

"Ani," he began, "Rose told me that you saw something in my eyes and that is why you got into this divination stuff. Tell me, what did you see?"

"Evil. Unimaginable evil. Things that I dare not speak – some things I cant even describe," she replied, "It wasn't just in your eyes – it was in your soul."

"But why? Why would you see that in me?"

"That I can't tell you, Harry."

Harry was silent for a moment, then spoke again, "she also said that you care for me and that you'd follow me no matter what path I chose – that it was your destiny."

Anistasia looked at him, "I do love you Harry. I guess what she meant was that I was destined to be with you forever."

"Do you mean that we are supposed to marry each other?"

"I don't know what that means, Harry."

"Anistasia, I think you are misunderstanding me," Harry began, "I know that you and I – we are young and, right now, I have nothing to offer you, but I would like to ask for your hand in marriage. You don't need to answer now. Just think long and hard about it ---"

"Yes," Ani exclaimed.

"I suppose that was long enough."

Anistasia laughed as Harry swept her into his arms and kissed her.


"Alright guys, this is it," Harry began, "We are going to let these Americans have it, do you hear me? Our Beaters are going to beat the hell out of them, our Chasers are going to chase them off the Pitch, our Keeper is going to keep them from scoring and our Seeker is going to seek out the Snitch and together, we are going to win this game!"

Harry was pumped and he was letting everyone know it. It was two in the afternoon. The game was going to start in an hour. He was giving the team and old pep talk. The locker room at that point was deafening with all of the cheers.

"We are going to squash those buggers," George yelled.

Cheers.

"These Americans wont know what hit 'em," Angelina screamed.

More cheers.

"Quidditch is a British sport and we are going to let them know it! We will take it and shove it right up their bloody asses," Marcus boomed.

The team was making so much noise at that point that the walls and floor were vibrating. Harry looked around at his team and smiled. They were ready. God, were they ready. Marcus led the team out for a warm up and Harry sat back in the locker room, thinking about what plays they were going to execute for the game. Just then, Sirius in his animagus form entered the room.

"No one is here but me, Sirius," Harry said.

Sirius morphed and hugged his Godson.

"It sounds like you guys have been having fun in here."

Harry shrugged, "Just a bit of pre game preparation."

Sirius smiled, "Look at how you've grown. You are a man, Harry. It is evident."

"I feel like one, Sirius. I have some good news. I just asked Anistasia to marry me this morning."

Sirius' smile grew broader, "Just like your father. He asked your mum to marry him in his fifth year, too. He wouldn't have been able to stand it if he lost her, so he had to be the first one to pop the question. Lilly was his everything."

"Ani is my everything. I don't know when I have ever felt this good or this right about something."

Sirius' face grew somber, "I am sorry I haven't been much of a Godfather to you, Harry. I should have been there for you. I know you have needed a father ---"

"Sirius, please don't apologize. It isn't your fault. Things have happened to you that you can't help," Harry said, "I am glad that I am able to know you. Even though you can't be here for me all the time, I know that you love me. I love you."

"I love you too, son," Sirius replied and hugged Harry, "I had best be off now. I will be watching. Good luck up there."

"Thank you."

Sirius morphed back and left. Harry grabbed his broom and walked out onto the field. Harry flew a few warm up laps around the Pitch and then called his team down to the ground.

"We have ten minutes until game time," Harry explained, looking up at the already filling bleachers, "I just want to tell you all good luck. This is a fine team. Gryffindors are the best, but Slytherins aren't too bad, either."

"I would like to argue that opinion," Marcus chuckled.

"Marcus, you can't argue facts. It is theoretically impossible," Ani said, smiling.

"Alright, alright. Enough you guys," Harry laughed, "On a serious note ---"

"Oooh, Potter's getting serious!"

"How did we see that coming, Angie?"

"Seriously," Harry continued, "I never, in a million years, would have believed that Gryffindors and Slytherins could work together until I saw it. In the past month, I have seen it and I like it. Right now, we aren't Gryffindors or Slytherins. We are Hogwarts students. So, who are we?"

"Hogwarts," the team roared.

"Who are we going to beat?"

"South Gravewitch!"

"Alright, guys. Hands in. Hogwarts on three. One, two three!"

"HOGWARTS!"

As they broke, Arthur Weasley walked up, "Just wanted to say good luck. I know you'll play a great game."

"Thanks Mr. Weasley," Harry said.

"Welcome to the first game of the Hogwarts verses South Gravewitch Quidditch Tournament! I am Josh Loyall, your commentator for this afternoon. At this time, I would like to introduce the teams, starting with Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Josh exclaimed, "Please welcome, the Captain and Seeker, riding a Thunderclap 2003, Harry Potter!"

Cheers rang out in the crowd as Harry waved up to them.

"Next, the Assistant Captain and Head Chaser, also riding a Thunderclap 2003, Marcus Flint! Angelina Johnson and Adrian Pucey are the second and third Chasers riding Thunderclap 2003's! In the Beater line up, we have George Weasley and Derrick Bole, riding Thunderclap 2003's! Last but not least, the Keeper, Anistasia Willow, riding a Thunderclap 2003! Wow, this team is definitely set."

Cheers rang out from the Hogwarts crowd as the team mounted their brooms and took a lap around the Pitch.

"Now, the starting line up for your South Gravewitch School of Magic!"

The South Gravewitch supporters roared.

"Riding a Nimbus 2000, the Seeker, Jayme Si! The Chasers Seri Abbott, Emi Clinton and Crystal Star are riding Nimbus 2001's! Lets hear it for our Beaters, Elizabeth Bowen on a Firebolt and Vincent Wickel on a Nimbus 2000! Last but not least, our noble leader, the captain and Keeper, who is riding a Firebolt, Ronald "Spike" McGuire! I will ask now that the two team captains meet in the middle of the Pitch for the Galleon toss."

Harry made has way to the middle of the Pitch, his team in a line behind him.

"Mr. Potter, if you would, call it in the air," the referee said.

"Heads," Harry exclaimed before it was caught.

"It is heads," he confirmed, "Would you like to have possession of the Quaffle first?"

"Yes."

"Very well then."

"Hogwarts has won the Galleon toss and will be receiving possession of the Quaffle first," Josh announced.

Both teams took to the air and got into position as the Bludgers and Quaffle were released. South Gravewitch looked determined. However, Harry knew they were no match for his team. The Quaffle was thrown up to Adrian Pucey and that game began.

"Hogwarts Chaser, Adrian Pucey, receives the Quaffle and begins flying it down the field. He passes it to Marcus Flint as Gravewitch Beater Elizabeth Bowen gets in his way. No faster than Flint catches it, does he pass it to Hogwarts Chaser Angelina Johnson. She takes it up the field, goes for the shot – and scores! Hogwarts is in the lead, ten to nothing."

"Go Angelina," Harry yelled.

"Spike recovers the quaffle and passes it to Chaser Crystal Star who passes it to Seri Abbott, then it is passes back to Star. Star takes it up the field, ducks under a Bludger that Hogwarts Beater George Weasley smacked, and passes it to Emi Clinton. Clinton goes for the shot, but misses. That was a beautiful save by Hogwarts Keeper Anistasia Willow."

The game was going wonderfully for Hogwarts. After an hour into the game, South Gravewitch had only scored once where Hogwarts scored eight times.

"My, my, what a game this has been," Josh was saying, "Exhausting to watch that is for sure. I am afraid to know what our players are feeling! Please, feel free to stop by our concession stand. There are refreshments of all sorts!"

Harry wasn't listening to any of the announcements. He couldn't. His scar was burning so harshly that he couldn't see straight. A couple of hours passed, but the game still hadn't ended. It was dark in no time at all.

"Well, this is going to be a challenge for our two Seekers, Harry Potter and Jayme Si. There is a full moon out, yes, but there is still not enough light to spot a Snitch. I hope these two have killer instincts because, at this point, they have a one in a million chance to catch the Snitch. Everyone here knows that a Quidditch match doesn't stop until the Snitch is caught. We are going to be here for a while. So, grab a Snickers! They are sold at our concession stand for only a sickle a piece."

Harry flew over to Anistasia, practically knocking her off her broom.

"Harry, are you okay," she asked once she regained her balance.

"Time…out…" He said, holding his head, "Quickly…"

"TIME OUT," Anistasia called.

"Hogwarts calls for a two and a half minute time out," Josh announced.

The team flew down to their benches. Anistasia practically carried Harry over when he landed short.

"Where is Madam Hooch," Ani asked.

"She went to get a drink," Fred answered.

"Get Madam Hooch and see if Headmaster Dumbledore is here, Fred," Anistasia ordered, "Draco, tell the referee that you are going in for Harry."

"No…I can…go in…"

"Harry, you can't hold yourself up, much less fly. I am not letting you back on that broom. You have had enough."

Fred arrived with Madam Hooch, "Dumbledore isn't here. He never showed up."

"Damn," Ani exclaimed.

Ron and Hermione ran up.

"What's the matter with Harry," Ron asked.

"His scar is burning so badly that he can't stay atop his broom," Ani replied, "Go find you know who and tell him what's going on."

"Oh, Ani, this isn't good," Hermione exclaimed, "This means that -----"

"I know what this means," she interrupted, "and Dumbledore isn't here."

"Harry has fought him before ----"

"Not at full power, he hasn't."

"Yes. Last year. The duel."

"That duel was nothing," Anistasia screamed, "Voldemort hadn't had his powers back for thirty minutes when he had challenged Harry to that duel. Hermione, get a grip! He is ----"

Screams interrupted Ani. She turned around in time to see the Dark Mark form in the night sky above them.

"He is here, Hermione," Anistasia finished with quivering fear in her voice, "We must take arms against him, Dumbledore or no Dumbledore."

"Children, to the locker rooms, now," Madam Hooch ordered.

Anistasia picked up Harry and was about to run to take him to the safety of the locker rooms when she heard Ron's voice.

"Sirius, no! You can't risk it!"

Sirius, in his human form, unguarded was his identity, ran up to Ani, Harry and Hermione.

"Sirius, what are you doing," Hermione hissed, "You are going to get caught! The ministry is still after you ---"

"Don't worry about me, Hermione," he told her, "I have regretted that, for the past couple of years when Harry needed me, I was in hiding, too afraid of my own destiny if the Dementors found me. I will hide no more. I will go down fighting for my Godson's life."

Harry looked up for the first time since the beginning of the time out, "Sirius, don't do this…"

"You cannot talk me out of it. You have no idea how special you are ---"

"I am special enough to need an Order to protect me. I am just an object. I am the object that keeps evil within its own borders and allows good to rein on. I am the Potter Child – the poor, helpless key to good and evil. I am the only thing keeping those two opposites from bleeding together. Let me tell you, Sirius, I don't need the Order of the Phoenix to protect me. I have fought Voldemort in the past and I can do so again."

"Harry, you don't understand ---"

"Oh, but I do Sirius, more than you can imagine."

This entire time, the five people standing in the middle of the Pitch were oblivious to the chaos taking place all around them. Death Eaters were emerging from all sides of the field, killing unmercifully as witches and wizards of all ages were fighting against them. Dozens of images of the Dark Mark had taken to the sky. Ron was about to speak when he was run into by no other than Draco Malfoy.

"Draco, what ---"

"We have to get out of here, quickly," Draco said, "Lord Voldemort is on his way and ----"

"There you guys are," Chris exclaimed casually, running up to them, "Madam Hooch has been in a frenzy looking for you! Come on! I have to get you to safety!"

Sirius placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, "You go with her. Be safe. Do not try to fight Voldemort yourself. Most of the Order is here. They will protect you."

Chris ran ahead of the bunch. They followed as quickly as possible.

"Was that Sirius Black," Draco asked as they ran."

"Yeah," Harry replied, "but don't tell anybody you saw him."

Chris led them out of the gates of the Pitch and into the woods behind it.

"Are you sure this is a good idea," Hermione called up to her as she tried to help Anistasia with Harry.

"Positive," she replied light heartedly.

Draco took out his wand, "Lumos."

"Nox," Anistasia said and the light at the end of Draco's wand went out, "Are you nuts Malfoy? Anyone will be able to find us if you do that!"

"Do you know where we are going, Chris," Ron asked.

"Of course I do, Weasley. Trust me."

Chris soon led them into a small clearing. The noise from the events at the Pitch could still be heard.

"Rest here for a moment. Then we will go on."

"No need to, my dear. I can take over from here," a bold voice hissed from behind the group.

The group turned and saw an un-hooded Voldemort standing behind them.

"Good work, daughter. You have done well."

"Thank you, father," Chris said and bowed.

"Father," Ron asked, "He is your father?"

"Don't act so surprised, Weasley," Chris said, "Didn't the name 'Riddle' ever ring a bell in your mind? Will, it doesn't matter now, does it?"

Voldemort grinned, "Weasley, eh? You father is a part of the Order, put together by Dumbledore to vanquish me and keep Harry from dying," he was silent for a moment as he pondered on this thought and then turned to Draco, "Draco Malfoy. I am finally meeting you. Your father is a loyal Death Eater to me. I hope that you are considering now following him in his footsteps," Draco looked up at him, but didn't say a word; Voldemort continued down the line and stood in front of Hermione, "Now, who are you?"

"Pudintane. Ask me again and I'll tell you the same."

Voldemort scowled, "Think you're cute, do you? Tell me who you are."

"John Brown. Ask me again and I'll knock you down."

"Feeling a bit brave in the face of danger, are we," Voldemort asked.

Hermione stood straight and tall, "Danger," she snickered, "I do not fear you."

"Are you afraid of dying, girl, because that is what is coming to you if you don't tell me your name."

"She isn't worth it, daddy," Chris said, "She is a mudblood."

"A mudblood? Well, why didn't you say so in the first place, Chris?"

Voldemort unshielded his wand and placed the tip over Hermione's heart. She didn't move. She didn't even wince.

"Any last words?"

Hermione didn't move a muscle.

"Avada Kedavra," Voldemort whispered.

"No," Ron screamed as he dived to free her from the path of the spell.

It was too late. Hermione was thrown back by the force of the spell and fell right into Ron's arms.

"Hermione," he whimpered as he held her.

Voldemort grinned in the face of Ron's sorrow and came upon Anistasia, "Surely you wont put up as much of a fight as your mudblood colleague did."

Anistasia was silent. She could feel Harry's eyes upon her, urging her to speak her name.

"Anistasia Willow," she spoke finally.

"Anistasia…I have heard of your parents. You live in the same house in Godric's Hollow as Harry did before I killed his parents."

"I did not know that," she said, "I believed that I lived in that house since birth and that it was built by my parents."

"You believed wrong, didn't you?"

Anistasia nodded and Voldemort walked to Harry, "Harry Potter – man of the hour. My, my, my – look at you," Voldemort placed his hand on Harry's shoulder and Harry fell to his knees, screaming in agony.

Anistasia bent down beside him and cradled Harry as the pain from his scar jolted throughout his entire body.

"Oh, I forgot," Voldemort exclaimed as she aimed his wand at Harry, "Destilious medatophus!"

Harry relaxed as his scar stopped burning.

"What did you just do," he asked.

"I reversed the stinging effect of the spell," Voldemort explained, "You should be thanking me."

"For what?"

"For keeping you alive so you can learn the truth about your parents."

"What truth," Harry asked, "You didn't mean to keep me alive. You cast the killing curse on me, wanting to kill me!"

 "On the contrary, Harry. I didn't want to kill you like I did so many others. If you seriously think that you survived Avada Kedavra, you have another thing coming. Don't you think if you really survived it, there would be other survivors, just like you? No, I cast a different spell on you, giving you that scar and cast a similar spell on me, draining me of my powers so it would look like that you survived an extremely powerful spell – like you survived Avada Kedavra," Voldemort replied.

"What are you trying to say?"

"Harry, I am your father."