Hi guys! I'm back again! I'm presently urging myself to write a new chapter as soon as possible.  But…(cough! cough!) I'm beginning a stupid, damn cold! At this time of year!...grrr…Anyway! Like always, I want to thank my faithful reviewers:

MFlower49: I never heard of the expression you mentioned in your last review.  That was weird…~_~

Heeros Bunny: You flatter me with your praises…And you're lucky you're not standing beside me right now, or you would be under major bear hug attack for disliking Malfoy as much as I do!!! ^.^

Moon Guardiun: Yep! You answered my dare!

Yadrianne: I'm happy you like Cosmos' attitude as well as Harry's.  I've always seen her this way.  Sometimes happy, other mysterious.  The weight of the world written in her eyes.

Baby Daydreamer Wiley: You took my dare too!  Hum…wow! Crickets in your head? Really? o_o;

Firelightz: I don't really like it when she uses a 'stick' as a weapon either.  I'm happy you understand this!

OrionTheHunter: At least wait to see what's going to happen before saying Harry's powers are ordinary!

Setsuna-3000: Yeah. Helios IS cool!!!

I wanna thank you guys again for reviewing! (hugs) Now, I'll stop being a pain and start writing my chapter…(sighs…)

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Fate has brought us together

Chapter 21: Evolving wand

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  The atmosphere at Hogwarts wasn't one of joy and happiness.  With the news of the arising threat of the dark Lord and his army of Death Eater and Dementors, the ministry had called to the population of the wizarding world for help.  The normally peaceful castle was now full of Aurors and anyone who could fight was present.

  Fear was in the heart of many, if not most of the people present at this important reunion.  Harry was preoccupied for the safety of his friends and 'family' but he also had a victory to plan.  He had been dragged back and forth by the members of the ministry to ensure everything was in order and Helios was trying his best to spy the enemy ranks.  The days passed at a surprising speed for everyone.  The sky was sombre and the atmosphere tense and frightening, proof that the Dementors were nearing Hogwarts' grounds.

  The entire Order of the Phoenix was present, small as it was, and Harry sensed that at least those people were decent wizards who knew what they were getting into.  Despite Snape's harsh words about letting him fight with the others being stupid and careless, Harry knew perfectly what to expect.  And anyway, his training with Sere hadn't been for nothing.  He was ready, and anyone he crossed in the halls who saw his determination were awed and reassured that their idol would not give up easily.  These thoughts lighten their spirit as they prepared for the worst day, or even days, of their life.

  "Are you sure you're ok Harry?"  Sirius was walking beside the green eyed boy, worried for his safety.  He normally enjoyed adventure but since the little incident in the department of mysteries, he began to carefully plan his battles.  They were going to Remus' rooms to be in a more calming area.  The hustle and bustle in Hogwarts' walls was getting to their nerves.  Harry knocked on the werewolf's door and got in after hearing a faint 'Enter!'

  "So professor, how are you doing?  Couldn't stand the noise anymore?"  "Yeah.  I was being called to so many meetings I couldn't keep up with anything anymore.  I told myself; what's the point of these meetings anyway?  It's still going to be total chaos when the enemy army arrives!"  Sirius gave an annoyed look at what Remus said.  Remus called him on it.

  "What plagues your mind, Siri?  You're not being your usual talkative self."  "Huh? Oh…Well, I was asking myself; Hogwarts is supposed to have the best defence shield against evil.  And then there are all the other members of the ministries who worked to strengthen it to its limits within the past days.  So how or where are we going to battle?  Why is everyone so scared about Hogwarts being invaded?"

  The DADA teacher gave him an incredulous look but remained silent, unable to answer.  Harry thought about it a little and came to a conclusion.

  I don't really think Hogwarts has had that much of a strong shield.  With all that happened in the past years, you know; professor Quirrell, the spirit of Tom Riddle, even Sirius being able to enter, though he's not evil, proves that almost anyone can penetrate its walls if the will to do so is strong enough."  He gave a sarcastic smirk and then continued, more seriously.

  "Anyway, as strong as Hogwarts might be protected now, I doubt the shields will hold against a massive attack concentrated on only one place.  Then, it'll be a breeze to enter the grounds and start their rampage.

  His godfather and the werewolf animagus looked at him like he was some kind of stranger.  He gave them a sheepish look.  "Sere taught me attack tactics and strategies in case of an invasion.  She had surely seen it coming."

   "Ohhh! Okay!  Right!  Well, I never saw it this way.  But I think Harry may have a point.  I was thinking more in the lines of; Dumbledore was going to put down the shield to let them enter, since the war was bound to happen anyway."  Sirius nodded at Remus' view of the problem and Harry retorted; "That's probably what's going to happen."

  Suddenly, there was a loud bang at the door.  Harry ran to it and opened, revealing a disturbed and panting Helios.  "They're here." 

  There was so many of them.  Even with the other ministries and some of the population from around the world, the enemy was looking stronger than the light army.  Remus had been right, Harry thought.  When he, Remus, Sirius and Helios finally showed up, Voldemort's army was already on the castle's grounds, lead by Voldemort himself.  The older students backed away in fright but Harry stood his ground, sneering back at Him.

  "The golden boy…"  A sinister voice hissed darkly.  "We finally meet face to face.  Are you prepared to die like your parentssss?  The Death Eaters laughed maniacally at their master's statement.  Sirius brandished his wand in cold fury but he was stopped by Harry, who gazed calmly at the dark leader.

  "My parents died honourably and courageously.  I won't say the same thing for you."  Voldemort sneered at him but didn't move further.  Minutes passed slowly, where nobody dared to move.  Then, the Dark Lord opened his snaky mouth; "Die."

  The army of dementors and Death Eaters ran forward in a massive herd, wands in attack position.  Dumbledore ordered their army to move as well.  Sirius and Remus joined the group as they attacked each other, dodging curses and hexes along the way.  Harry himself had troubles to fight.  It was total confusion.  He let his Patronus run free along the enemy ranks, making some dementors back away from the 6th year students who were trying to stand their ground.  He got thank yous in return but he was too busy to reply at the moment.

  He was fighting a particularly mean Death Eater.  He dodged a nasty Everte Statum hex and brandished his wand.  "CONFUNDUS!"  The charm hit the Death Eater square in the chest.  He staggered backwards and shook his head briskly.  Harry took the time when he was confounded and threw the Obliviate spell on him.  With the force of the spell, the man fell unconscious on the grass.  He wasn't going to remember a thing when he woke up.

  He turned to see how his friends were fairing.  Ron and Hermione had just cast an Expelliarmus spell simultaneously on a dementor, Remus; an Incedio charm on a Death Eater's robes and Sirius was stupefying every baddie he could find, helping the students.  The rest of the Order of the Phoenix was doing pretty good themselves.  Harry searched around but he couldn't seem to find Voldie anywhere.  The bastard was probably going to appear when he saw fit.  Harry snorted and threw a blasting curse at an another enemy.  His wand took the color of blood red once again, but he didn't seem to remark. 

  He suddenly felt the familiar sensation of being hit with the Imperio curse.  He immediately wished it away and it dispersed into the air.  His wand pulsed angrily and emitted red sparks.  He was too preoccupied to notice, once again.  The idiot who had dared to attack him was none other than Lucious Malfoy, the traitor.  Harry knew he had only been acting in the castle, pretending to be worried like anybody else.  He caused quite the commotion amongst the rank of aurors when he showed up his true intentions.  Harry sneered at him and Lucious smirked back.  "I'm going to enjoy this!"

  But Harry was prepared.  He ran to Malfoy at great speed, using the shield charm to deflect the Locomotor Mortis spell the surprised Death Eater used to try to stop him in his course.  Lucious was too stunned to see Harry running to him and didn't have the time to conjure anything else.  Using a high kick Sere had taught him, he knocked him down in one shot.  Pointing his wand down at the man, he used the stupefy charm to make him stay unconscious until the end of the fight.  He wasn't going to kill him.  No…  Azkaban was too much of an interesting vision for Lucious to let the opportunity pass.  Doing so, he finally took notice of his wand.  It was now completely red, pulsing with an angry aura.  Harry admired his wand curiously.  He somehow knew the upgrading process wasn't over but it had greatly evolved.  He waved his wand in the air in the direction of the enemy, giving it another push of power.  "LUMOS SOLARUM!!!"

  The gang of Dementors attacking Dumbledore and the Order screeched and stumbled backwards, unable to support the blinding light that emitted from Harry's wand.  Dumbledore, Tonks and Mad Eye Moody threw a shocked but grateful look at him. 

  Then, he felt a chill run up his scar and turned.  He already knew who was behind him.  "Voldemort."  He gave a mock bow.  "Potter."  He hissed and smirked.  His wand was already in the air before Harry had the time to comprehend anything.

  "PRIOR INCANTATUM!!!"  'Not again!'  Harry thought, mentally groaning.  He was still gripping it tightly when his wand lifted without his consent and linked again with Voldemort's wand.  Fawkes sang a sad song again, the real one this time.  He was up in the air and had heard both wands being used against one another.  The people near the battling duo gaped at the link joining the 2 and some had stopped fighting altogether. 

  The mist formed again.  Silvery shapes were forming again.  'No!  I don't want to see them!  It's in the past!  I don't want to!!!'  Voldemort was smirking maniacally again.  He knew the Prior Incantatem spell rendered the Potter boy unable to do anything.  He just had to wait until one of his servant came to hex the boy into oblivion.  But his smirk soon disappeared.  He hadn't planned to see a glowing red wand.  Said wand who was acting on Harry's feelings and trying to get rid of the binding spell he had cast. 

  The wand let out a massive wave of power and the silvery mist disappeared.  Harry could've sworn he had seen his parents smile proudly down to him before they too vanished.  He blinked and cleared his eyes.  Voldemort let out an angry hiss but the moment he tried to approach, the wand let another burst go.  Harry couldn't hold the wand anymore and let go of it.  He gave a surprised stare as it floated still, in front of him.

  The red aura finally enveloped the wand.  He had to close his eyes from the burst.  When he reopened them, he was looking down at Griffin, the sword of Godric Gryffindor himself.  It was still glowing angrily and its waves were unstable.  Minerva Mc Gonagall let out a surprised yelp and other several people stopped their activity to stare.  It was the final showdown.

  Harry stared at the small sword, still smeared in the blood of the Basilisk.  He extended his arms slowly, tracing the outline of the pulsing aura, and tentatively tried to touch it.  The moment he gripped the handle, the red gem in the middle of the small sword burst out.  A bright light filled the entire area and all activity finally stopped.

  When the light cleared a little, Harry had to contemplate on how the little sword seem to be heavier than before.  His thoughts were proved right when he almost dropped the still shimmering sword, because it became too heavy to handle.  'It's changing forms?'  Harry mused questionably.  When the light finally completely cleared, he had to gape.  The weapon from Gryffindor had disappeared.  In its place stood a noble and ancient looking sword, long and glowing of an unknown light.  He lift it and gave it a wave.

  The sword sang with the movement, making the dementors scream in agony.  Voldemort backed away from the positive magic emitting from it.  Dumbledore took a step in Harry's direction, almost staggering.  Harry's friends and family watched the new development completely in awe.  Snape gazed at the very pale looking headmaster.  "What's going on, Albus?!  What IS that thing?!"

  "By Merlin's beard!  Oh god!  Literally!!! It's…Could it be?..."  Sirius advanced to the troubled old man, worry etched in his face.  "Is something wrong with Harry?  What is it???"

   The headmaster faintly pointed at Harry and the sword in his hand and mouthed almost silently;

  "It's…Excalibur………………….."

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WOW!!!! I was primed!!!!  (Atchoo!!! Sniff. Sniff. Damn cold….-_-;) Well anyway!

That was one of my best chapters yet, I think! 

I want to know what you think of it!!! Or else….hum…no update!!! (Ok. I'm not THAT mean. ^_^;)

No flames allowed.

REVIEW!!!!  PUSH THE GO BUTTON!!!!!

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Love ya all, Eternal Cosmos XXX    ^_^