Hope
Harry sighed, he watched as two people were heading towards their camp. The wind blew again, the tent flaps went wild in the wind. It formed into the shape of the cloaked figure of Govad. "Hi Govad," he said quietly.
"Hello Harry," said Govad, "I asked Michael… there's not much you can do about it."
"Okay," responded Harry, he then concentrated again… the earth appeared, he found the camp again.
Govad stared out the door, "Someone is coming," he said quietly.
"Yes, two emissaries," replied Harry, "I watched them leave Ron's camp."
"I will get the others," said Govad, "We cannot be seen yet."
He left the tent, Harry followed him, "Gaia! Mayim! Joash!" Govad called.
Gaia, Mayim and Hermione came out of Harry and Hermione's tent, "What is it?" asked Gaia curiously.
"Travelers approach from the Shadows," replied Govad as a flaming pillar erupted from the ground.
"So?" asked Joash.
"We must not reveal ourselves yet," said Govad calmly. They all disappeared into their forms; Govad turned into a dust devil that began to run around the camp, some of the girls squealed as Joash disappeared into rushing flames that entered the fire that they were cooking on, Gaia turned into a sand dune and Mayim disappeared into some water…
The two soldiers who had been sent as emissaries walked right into the middle of their camp. Harry sighed, this was going to be difficult, this would test everyone's loyalty, Harry waited in his white cloak for them to approach.
"Well now, who's this?" asked the first one.
"I am…" replied Harry, "the one that will defeat you…"
Both of them laughed, "Yeah right, Harry Potter then right?" the same one asked.
"Yes, if you wish to call me that," came Harry's answer.
Hermione slipped her hand into his behind his back, 'I love you Harry,' she thought quietly. Harry squeezed her hand in reply.
"EVERYONE!" shouted the second one, "YOU HAVE TWO CHOICES; SURRENDER… OR DIE! THAT IS YOUR ULTIMATUM!"
Harry was silent a moment as he listened to the dead silence, then he turned around, "WHO HERE WOULD SURRENDER?" he asked, "I CALL UPON MEN AND WOMEN ALIKE; LET US PLEDGE UPON OUR LIVES AND SACRED HONOR TO REMOVE THEM FROM OUR WORLD! TO MAKE THE WORLD A SAFER PLACE, NOT FOR US, BUT FOR OUR POSTERITY."
Everyone knew already their answer, "WE WILL NEVER SURRENDER!" they replied in a shout.
"There," said Harry, "You have our reply." Harry turned around and walked into the crowd with Hermione. The emissaries walked away completely stunned, they had thought everyone would have given up, but not even one had joined them. Harry almost sighed with relief, everyone was loyal to him. Now he would have to tell them his plan…
"WHAT!?" shouted Ron, "NOT EVEN ONE?!"
"Not one! I couldn't believe it when they told me sir," replied his general.
"Prepare the men for an attack, we will swiftly execute them!" Ron said angrily.
"Yes sir!" the general said snapping to attention and left the room.
"Not one?" asked the Shadow from behind him.
"Not one," replied Ron, "I don't know why, we pulverized their defenses last time."
"This is very interesting, check to see what they are doing," said the Shadow quietly, "Perhaps they know something we don't, do not attack tonight. Understood?"
"Yes sir," said a bewildered Ron.
The Shadow considered him a moment, "We do not rush into things, we wait for the best time to attack," he said sensing Ron's bewilderment, "It will prevent us from failing. Never jump into a situation that you're not sure of."
Harry smiled at Hermione, she had done a good job of explaining his plan to everyone once she had read it over and had him explain several points. "Great job Herm…ione," he finished remembering that they weren't alone, "Thanks."
"Any time for you Harry," she answered.
Harry saw Tonks moving towards him from among the crowd, "Hi Tonks!" he called in a friendly voice, "How are things at the Ministry? Bad for Fudge, I hope."
"The Ministry is in an uproar, have you seen the Daily Prophet?" Tonks asked.
"Nope, haven't read anything since we left Hogwarts," replied Harry.
"They released a statement that you're trying to start a war in order to further your fame," Tonks told him cautiously.
Harry rolled his eyes, "Whom am I fighting then?" he asked irritable, "The Easter bunny? Idiots!"
"They say you've attacked two villages and trying to claim some shadow did it," replied Tonks.
"Why would I do that? Why…" Harry motioned behind him, "would they do that?"
"I don't agree with them Harry, I'm just telling you what I've read from the Ministry," Tonks responded.
"Thanks Tonks," said Harry, "It's just frustrating."
Hermione hugged him, "Don't worry about it Harry," she said, "Just ignore it."
"Hey Tonks, unless you want to join the fight, you'd better leave soon," Harry said.
"Why?" asked Tonks.
"I think they're going to attack within the next few days," replied Harry.
"I'll stay and help," said Tonks excitedly.
Harry sighed, "Tonks, war is not exciting, it's horrifying," he warned her.
"I know, but I'll be more than happy to help," replied Tonks.
"I really appreciate it Tonks, you can start by leading the girls, this fight is not for them," said Harry.
"HARRY…" started Hermione severely.
"Hermione, NO, this is not the time to argue about this," replied Harry.
"Good, we agree…" she started.
"You're going," said Harry firmly.
'Harry," responded Hermione, "If I left; both of us would be helpless. You know that!"
"Hermione, I would feel better if you were safe," replied Harry.
"Harry…" said Hermione as she gave him a smile… one Harry knew would win out, "That's so sweet, really I love it, I really do love it…" she kissed him lightly on his lips a couple times, almost teasingly, "but…" she kissed him again, "I want to be with you…" she kissed him again, "to stand by you…" she brushed her lips lightly against his and looked him in the eye with a loving, pleading, puppy dog look, "please." Harry sighed, he knew that no matter how brilliant a leader or strategist he was, there was one person he couldn't beat… his own girlfriend.
"Have a small recognizance group investigation them before we attack," snapped Ron.
"Yes sir, how many?" asked the general.
"Twelve," replied Ron, "Have them check in every half an hour."
"Yes sir," answered the general as he left. He wondered why, last time Harry had been easy to defeat. Why not just wipe them out?
'But what he wants he gets,' thought the general. But he still wondered why…
Harry watched as Gaia transformed back into a human form, followed by Govad, Mayim and Joash. Harry, now that the planning stages of his strategy had been worked out, he wondered suddenly why Mayim and Joash kept their hoods up, Gaia and Govad had taken theirs off, granted it had not been Govad's choice; however, why were the other two so insistent?
"Out of curiosity, why do you two keep your hoods up all the time?" asked Harry.
Hermione was about to rib him, but Joash answered, "That will not be necessary Hermione. We prefer to keep our faces hidden; then no one will recognize us when we are among the general populace."
"Then why don't Govad and Gaia do the same thing?" asked Harry.
"Because, it is their choice," replied Joash, "Although, I guess it doesn't really matter here." He lifted his hood, his eyes were flaming red, somehow the same as and different from Voldemort's. Mayim shrugged and lifted hers; she had deep blue eyes, color of the ocean.
Harry was amazed, "I would definitely recognize you guys as different, even if I didn't know what you looked like," he said.
Joash gave him a piercing look, "Be that as it may," he replied, "That is why we do not show our faces."
"What of the battle?" asked Harry, "How will you help us?"
"Only if we have to," replied Govad, "We would prefer you defeat them without our interference but we will advise you."
"Why?" asked Harry.
"That was explained to you; if we get directly involved, they may force us into a full blown war," replied Joash.
"Can't you defeat them?" asked Harry. All four Elementals glanced at each other and remained silent a few moments.
"Perhaps," replied Govad.
"Why not yes?" asked Harry.
All of them remained silent, "We have… other… things to contend with," replied Govad.
"Like what?" Harry continued, this time Hermione did rib him… hard.
'Shut up Harry,' she scolded, 'They've told you enough!'
"Okay," said Harry rubbing his side, "Sorry guys."
"No, it's okay," said Govad, "We just don't have a good way of explaining it."
"That's fine," said Harry, "How far can you help us?"
"Michael told us that you know quite a bit already," responded Govad, "So there isn't much we can help you with there. Thus, we are limited to advice."
Harry was slightly frustrated, "Well, any help will be appreciated," he said.
"Yes, although, we wish we could do more," said Gaia with an almost pained expression, "I've become quite fond of you two."
"Gaia! We are not allowed to get involved," said Mayim.
Gaia rolled her eyes, "Come on Mayim, just because we're not allowed to get involved doesn't mean that we don't have human emotions," she responded.
"The patrols indicate that they are as they appear; weak and vulnerable," said the general.
"Good," replied Ron, "Now prepare the men; we may attack soon, but only prepare 1000 volunteers, not all of them."
"Why not sir?" asked the general.
"Because, I suspect surprise would be better," replied Ron angry at being questioned, "Now snap to it Jack!"
A few minutes later Ron joined his troops, "Ready men?" Ron said loudly his voice magically amplified.
"YES SIR!" they all yelled back.
Ron gave the command, "Forward!" Dark creatures and wizards of every kind were marching, along with 24 Elementals of each; Fire, Water, Wind and Earth.
"Success is assured," said Jack who was riding next to Ron on another Troll.
"You did what I asked you too?" asked Ron.
"Yes, both requests were fulfilled," replied Jack.
"In secret I presume?" continued Ron.
"Yes, no one else knows of it," replied Jack.
"Good, but I must attend to those matters, continue to lead the men," said Ron as he broke off from the troops.
Harry was staring into the room lit only by a glowing sphere that filled the room, Hermione entered, the entire room was plunged into darkness.
The torches resumed normal lighting levels before, "Harry, what was that?" asked Hermione sharply.
"Nothing Hermione," Harry said but realized that was a mistake immediately after the words left his mouth.
"Harry James Potter…" she started, "you're keeping something from me… I know you are."
Harry winced, he knew he wasn't getting away with that one, "Nothing worth your attention… my love," said Harry with as charming a smile he could manage.
"Harry…" started Hermione in a sweet dangerous tone, "Did you want to sleep tonight?"
Harry sighed, "I don't want you to worry," he said quietly.
Hermione looked at his hands, they were dripping blood, "Harry…" she said in a concerned tone, "Are you okay?" She took his hands and saw they were not the only wounds, several had scabs and others were small, but still closing.
"Harry," she said quietly as she headed out the door, "Sit down."
Hermione came back a few seconds later with some bandages, "I'm not as skilled with magical healing, but this will do," she said as she gently cleaned his cuts and bandaged them, "Now what were you doing that caused this?" "
Harry didn't answer right away, "Harry…" she continued, "Tell me NOW."
"I was watching Ron and the Shadows," replied Harry.
"Why did it cause this?" she asked.
"It's because I concentrate so hard… I inadvertently cut my skin with my nails," replied Harry.
"Why didn't you tell me?" asked Hermione angrily.
"Because, I didn't want to worry you my love," he answered.
"How worried do you think I am now, you're keeping this stuff from me," Hermione snapped testily at him.
Harry winced, "Sorry," he answered, "It's that you have enough to worry about." He finished by pushing some light colored hair out of her eyes and saying, "You have beautiful brown hair, but you're losing it to this war."
"Harry, those are from worrying about secrets you're keeping from me," said Hermione scathingly. Harry hugged her, she looked up at him, he didn't see an 18 year old girl; he saw his heart and soul… a grown heart and soul… just as he was.
"I love you… Hermione Granger," he whispered kissing her.
"This is not going to get you out of the dog house Harry," replied a muffled Hermione.
"What dog house?" asked Harry sweetly.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "The one I'm going to put you in!" she answered.
"Come on Herm," said Harry as she held his hand, "I'm not trying to keep secrets, I just don't think some things are important (enough to worry you about)…"
"Important enough to worry me about Harry?" asked Hermione angrily, "If you're hurt, I do want to know about it. You know, relationships thrive on that."
Harry nodded and watched as Hermione tied off his bandages and winced as she did them a little tighter than necessary.
"Ouch," Harry hissed.
"Next time, you'd better not keep something like this from me Harry," Hermione said with an angry glance.
"Sorry," Harry said quietly. Hermione couldn't help but smile and hug him.
"I forgive you," she replied.
"Harry!" said Govad, "they're coming. We must go, remember, follow your plan!"
Harry nodded and exited the tent with Hermione beside him; a large army of Trolls, ogres, wizards and many other creatures came marching towards them…
Harry got on one knee and picked up some sand in his palm, "What are you going to do? Throw sand at them?" hissed Hermione.
"If you'd have planned this with Govad and I; you would know," replied Harry with a smile. Hermione gave him a patronizing look.
"Sorry, I didn't mean it that way," Harry said quickly.
Hermione glared at him a few seconds, then sighed, "Okay," she replied.
Harry waited for a moment, he watched as they stirred up a lot of sand as they marched. Harry smiled and held the handful of sand in front of his face and blew… The wind picked up, quietly at first, then a raging torment, a sandstorm flew across the desert and hit the caravan.
"ELEMENTALS!" yelled Jack, "STOP THE SANDSTORM!"
The Wind Elementals gathered their strength and tried to stop the storm, try as they might it would not stop. "WHAT'S GOING ON? STOP IT!" Jack shouted as loud as he could. The Shadows watched from the top of the mountain, "The Elementals are failing," commented Fourth Shadow.
"Yes," replied the Third Shadow, "They are, is it the Ancients?"
"I do not know, but the power behind it suggests the answer is 'yes'," suggested Fifth Shadow.
"Should we intervene?" asked Fourth Shadow.
"Yes," replied Fifth Shadow, "They will fail if we do not."
All ten raised their hands.
The wind died, but as Jack and the rest looked up, the camp was gone, only a white cloaked figure stood where the entire camp was before.
"Who are you?" asked Jack.
"I am… who I am," replied the figure.
"It's Harry Potter, kill him," snapped Jack.
The Fire Elementals stood far in front of the army, raised the staffs and fire shot out of them.
The figure didn't move, fire surrounded him and the Shadows watching from a distance smiled, the war had been won. The Elementals couldn't interfere, and no one could survive such a torment of fire.
The fire died and the figure still stood there, no mark or burn on him, "That is what you do not understand… you fight with merely illusion…" he raised his hand, "I am… Joash, Fire of Yahweh," said the figure, the fire shot out of his hand towards them. The Fire Elemental scattered and ran as some of them caught fire, "Your masters have interfered and thus we may."
Joash turned into a giant pillar of fire as Harry and Hermione stood in back of them. The Shadow army turned around as though one living thing, Fawkes flew over Harry's shoulder and burst into flames, a ring of fire surrounded the army. They began to shoot water spells as quickly as possible, the water Elementals pulled up water from the earth in giant waves, Harry and Hermione as one pulled out their Prabhakars and stuck the ground hard.
It caved in, the Shadow soldiers fell deep into the earth, but not far enough to kill them, "You have been captured," said Harry as his troops surrounded the pit and Joash hung as a pillar of fire over them, "Surrender… or die."
All the enemy troops dropped their wands. The earth Elementals raised the staffs and the earth beneath them began to rise, Harry muttered and it collapsed again, "You cannot escape, surrender now… or we open fire."