Vengeance of Shadow
All the Elementals dropped their staffs, "Good," said Harry quietly, "Gaia."
The staffs and wands were sucked into the earth, "Thank you," muttered Harry.
A ramp of earth rose at an incline, "Okay, one at a time, up the ramp," Harry ordered. They obeyed not wanting to incite Harry's or the Light Within's wrath, especially unarmed. One by one they were bound and taken to a holding tent.
"Good job Harry, not even one died," said Govad.
"Thank you Govad, you helped me come up with it," replied Harry.
"Yes, that is true, but still, you executed it," replied Govad.
"Thanks Govad," Hermione interrupted before Harry could argue, "That was very nice of you to mention.
"They have defeated them," said the Third Shadow, "We must intervene directly."
"No," said the Fourth Shadow, "Let us wait, patience will bring us the opportunity we wish to rid ourselves of this nuisance."
"He is right," said the Fifth Shadow, "Let us wait, our time will come."
"Great job guys; but remember there are still more Shadow troops out there," Harry said to the crowd of Light Within members, "We have a plan, but first we have to get back to Hogwarts. I want to have you guys surround our prisoners, if any attempt to escape, use any means necessary to stop them. Everyone understand?"
The group nodded their assent and comprehension.
Harry turned to Hermione, as Fawkes screeched from his shoulder, "Hey, how you doing?" he asked with a smile.
"Great," replied Hermione as she gave Harry a hug, "That was great planning and implementation."
"Thanks my heart and soul," Harry smiled, then whispered into her ear as he hugged her back., "You're the one that makes it all worth it to me."
"Harry," said Hermione looking suspicious, "you won this very important battle for all wizards, didn't you?" Harry looked at the ground, remembering what he had told Sirius last year.
"Perhaps," he answered evasively.
"Harry," Hermione started looking serious.
"Yes, my gentle loving Herm?" replied Harry with a smile.
"Well?" Hermione said in a quiet dangerous voice, "Didn't you?" Harry squirmed under her gaze.
"Didn't I what?" asked Harry trying to look confused and failing miserably.
"Didn't you fight this war for everyone?" Hermione repeated. Harry paused, he couldn't lie to her.
"No," Harry replied refusing to look at her.
"Then why do you fight?" Hermione continued forcing him to look at her.
"Because, I want our…" Harry turned slightly red and paused, "children and…" he paused again turning redder, "you to live in a safer world," he finished still red.
"But what about everyone else?" she asked severely.
"When you rejected me and… when were lying there… dying from that dagger… I... lost the will to fight; I just didn't care anymore… I didn't want to make the world safer… I just wanted you safer…" Harry said trying to avoid Hermione's look, "I love you, and I fight for no one else, besides… our children."
"Oh Harry," said Hermione hugging him, "I'm glad you love me that much… but please, no matter what, continue this until the end… Promise me Harry." Harry didn't answer right away, he looked past her; he wasn't sure if he would and he didn't really want to promise something he wouldn't or couldn't do.
"Hermione, if anything happens to you, the war will end then and there," Harry replied cryptically.
"How will it end Harry?" asked Hermione severely. Harry didn't answer, Hermione repeated her question.
"How will it end Harry?" she asked in a very severe tone.
"Very badly, for everyone involved," he replied still not looking up.
"What do you mean?" continued Hermione.
"It will end badly, for everyone involved, that's what I mean Herm," Harry replied finally looking her in the eye.
"How so?" Hermione asked.
"Don't ask me, please," answered Harry looking down again.
"Harry Potter, how will it end?" Hermione asked in a don't-mess-with-me-tone. Harry continued to look at the ground.
"I will render judgment at that time," Harry replied. Hermione gave him a demeaning look.
"It depends on who hurts you Herm," Harry continued, "No matter whose side it is," Harry paused then whispering an echo of his words to Ron, "may God help them, because nothing else can."
"Hello," said a man walking into Ron's command tent under guard.
"I'm sorry sir, he insisted on seeing you," said a flustered soldier.
"Who are you?" snapped Ron, "and what do you want?" The man didn't answer right away, Ron tapped his foot impatiently.
"My name is Aden Malvina, and I can give you Hogwarts, but on one condition," said Malvina, "That I be appointed Headmaster."
Ron smiled coldly, "Then get that you shall," he replied.
"What happened?" asked Ahriman, "Harry Potter was not supposed to win."
"We don't know our Lord," said the Third Shadow, "We were surprised, the Ancient Elementals had intervened and ours were losing the battle."
"Are you sure they were intervening?" asked Ahriman sharply. The other Shadows looked at one another.
"Yes, positive," said the Third Shadow, "Our wind Elementals were losing the battle, they couldn't stop the sand storm; that would take the power of at least one Ancient Wind Elemental, if not Michael himself. We are certain they intervened." Ahriman had an indescribable look.
"I hope they did, if not, we've allowed them to intervene from now on," Ahriman snapped, "Now, go, continue the war."
"What is our next move?" asked the Tenth Shadow.
"Our next move is to prevent them from returning to Hogwarts," replied Ahriman, "or the Prophecy on the Headmaster's door might come true."
"Herm, wake up, it's time to get moving," whispered Harry.
"That's my line," Hermione said trying to sound serious, but failed as she broke out into giggles.
Harry kissed her lightly, "We have to get back to Hogwarts, maybe we can beat Ron to it," he said quietly. Hermione sat up slowly and ran her fingers along Harry's cheeks; he closed his eyes and just lay there. Hermione smiled, she knew she had this affect on Harry, she was glad… he deserved a little happiness, something that he gave her every time he locked eyes with her. She kissed him and got up, but Harry pulled her back down and kissed her back.
She choked back giggles, "Harry!" she pretended to scold in a muffled voice, "We've got to get going…"
"Yep, but 10 seconds won't make us or break us," replied Harry in the same muffled voice. Harry pulled back, Hermione couldn't stand it any more; she smiled and hugged him.
"Come on Harry," Hermione whispered in his ear, "We have a long way ahead of us."
"We could Apparate our entire group," replied Harry. Hermione punched him in the shoulder.
"HARRY!" she snapped, "What happened last time I did that?" Harry looked sheepish.
"I can do it Herm," replied Harry, "You don't have too." Hermione punched him again.
"Now you make me sound like a girl," she snapped. Harry raised his eyebrow and started laughing.
"Herm you are a girl, if you weren't I wouldn't kiss you," Harry said as he continued to laugh. Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed as Harry pulled her up and hugged her.
"That wasn't the point you know," Hermione commented.
"Yeah, I got the message," replied Harry hugging her tighter, "I hope you're not mad at me…" Hermione smiled slyly since Harry couldn't see her.
"I'm not mad… How could I be mad at you for being a normal… clueless… male?" she said trying not to giggle and keep a straight face. Harry pushed her back and gave her a hurt look. Then she burst out laughing. This time Harry rolled his eyes and Hermione kissed him.
"I was just joking," she said giggled. Harry sighed as their foreheads touched.
"You certainly keep life… interesting," he commented. Hermione gave him a stern look. Harry smiled and winked at her, "Not that way Herm."
Hermione smiled slyly, "Got ya," she said playfully as she pulled on her cloak and ran out the tent flaps. Harry laughed and pulled on his cloak as well, then ran after her.
A half an hour had passed; Harry sighed, they were now moving towards Hogwarts, but they still had a few hours before they would arrive at this pace. Hermione slipped under his arm and hugged him, "What is it?" she asked.
Harry didn't answer right away, "I have a bad feeling about this," he replied, "Something is missing. You stay here." Hermione was about to protest.
"Herm, just trust me, I'll be right back, I'm just Apparating ahead to check on Hogwarts," replied Harry quickly.
"You'd better hurry back," Hermione whispered giving him a quick kiss.
Harry winked, 'I will' he thought and disappeared with a swish of his cloak.
Hermione sighed, she looked back; the veterans were slowly plodding their way home, hoping beyond hope this was over at last.
Harry stood in the Headmaster's office, Fawkes on his shoulder; it had been locked ever since Harry had left. He glanced at Dumbledore's picture, it was watching him closely.
"I wish you were here Professor," Harry whispered. Dumbledore sighed.
"Harry, sometimes we don't get what we want, I wish you didn't have to shoulder this burden," replied Dumbledore,
"Professor, it is my responsibility, don't worry, we will win," Harry said confidently.
"Winning is not everything Harry, sometimes it is what affects the soul which we must be concerned with," responded Dumbledore critically, "Winning can be both good and bad, good for the majority of the wizarding world, but bad for you, Harry, you may end up doing things you will regret… In time we will find out."
"Professor, I regret having a war at all… that is not in question," replied Harry sadly, "But for now I must attend to other matters." Dumbledore nodded and remained silent. Harry sighed as he put Dumbledore's portrait on the wall; he was so frustrated with the way things were going. It seemed to Harry that the entire wizarding world had gone insane. Fudge had betrayed them and caused the death of numerous kids and adults. This caused Harry to doubt whether they would win the war before… but now he realized that The Light Within was strong on its own. He walked down the stairs and left the Headmaster office. He glanced at his watch; he walked down to the Transfiguration room. Professor McGonagall was teaching the second-year class.
"Professor, could I have a word?" asked Harry.
"Headmaster?" said Professor McGonagall looking surprised, "How did you get in?"
Harry gave her a strange look, "What do you mean?" he asked.
"We're surrounded, we've done the best we can to keep classes going and defend the castle," replied Professor McGonagall. Harry sighed and shook his head, "Okay, don't worry about it," he said heading back towards the Headmaster's office. Harry held his head a moment; the pain was starting to increase.
Harry Apparated back. "Well?" asked Hermione.
"They're surrounded; I want to split into three groups. We're going to ambush them," replied Harry, "We've got to gather them together first, I think this calls for a faster way home." After they stopped the group Harry announced, "Hogwarts has been surrounded, we're not large enough to mount a direct attack, but we can ambush them and cut off their supplies, any volunteers?" Immediately, a lot of hands were in the air, Harry sighed in relief, everyone was more than willing to help.
After instructing them, Harry Apparated them just outside Hogsmeade, Harry knew that if they were surrounding or attacking Hogwarts; they had definitely already taken Hogsmeade, to not would have been poor strategy. Harry lead them quickly to the edge of Hogsmeade; Harry went ahead to check out their defenses, it ended up being just a few guards on the roads, Harry wondered why, this wasn't an occupation force… what was going on? This wasn't a good strategy, unless there was some other plan… they continued to Hogsmeade.
In Hogsmeade everything seemed normal, business was as usual. This struck Harry as strange; an occupied town was normally much quieter, not to mention it was too normal for his liking. He cast his mind around, feeling around everyone's mind… There was nothing, no thought, only darkness and Shadow. He couldn't penetrate the veil of darkness set there… He wondered why he hadn't tried this sooner… then he remembered Hermione had stopped him; there was no way for him to do this against her objections. He felt that everything was off, he concentrated on his forehead, his scar glowed and disappeared, Harry let down his cloak and entered the Madam Rosetta's Three-broom sticks, it was full, but the conversation was missing… it seemed strange, no one was staring at him. He smiled, this was a very nice power, perhaps he would stay this way… but later, he didn't want anyone to realize he could hide his only distinguishing mark. It would help him with his Animagius transformations… Harry sat down and ordered a butterbeer, Harry continued to scan the room with his mind, but his eyes stayed straight ahead, but with a strangely blank look, his mind employed elsewhere. He searched for any emotions; anything that would indicate anything human.
Harry finished, he blinked, there hadn't been anything; this caused him to worry; what had happened to these people? He remembered this was how Mr. and Mrs. Granger had acted, he wondered if there was a correlation, but had no way to figure it out, not to mention trying to free these people. Since he couldn't get any information from his mental scanning, he waited a moment. Madam Rosetta set his butterbeer in front of him.
"Hello Madam Rosetta," Harry said quietly, "How are you doing today?"
"Fine, thank you, who are you?" asked Madam Rosetta.
"A stranger to this town, but I heard you're the best source of information," answered Harry.
"Not quite an answer… but I'm sure it's the best I'll get," replied Madam Rosetta, "What did you want to know?"
"I heard that Hogsmeade had been conquered by a force… yet I look around, nothing has changed at all, was I misinformed?"
"No, we weren't conquered, we were liberated from Hogwarts, I believe they got rid of them as well," replied Madam Rosetta. Harry gave her a piecing look, trying to shattered the darkness that covered them… But he failed, he couldn't…
Harry sighed and drank some butterbeer, "Okay thanks," said Harry as he downed the rest of his butterbeer and pulled his cloak up around his head. Harry headed for the door, obviously the Shadow had done something, this was the most perfectly conquered town… they believed they were liberated.
"In fact, if I understand correctly, they are still fighting the Light Within group that has been terrorizing us," called Madam Rosetta. Harry turned around instantly and gave her a nasty look she couldn't see.
"One man's terrorist is another man's liberator," replied Harry as he exited, "Darkness spreads… Light merely dispels it…" Harry headed back towards the Light Within. He and Hermione would have to discuss what was going on. Not to mention, what would they do. According to Madam Rosetta, Hogwarts had been conquered as well. But Harry scoffed, that was impossible… unless they had inside help. Someone, who knew how to drop the Shield. Harry sighed; this was a difficult war… Harry stopped his train of though as approached the clearing from which he had come.
Something was off, it was empty… Harry glanced around wearily, no one was present; he felt that in his mind.
'HERMIONE,' Harry called. There was no response, Harry cursed at himself for not having noticed earlier. He felt panic in his heart, he couldn't care less about anyone else… but Hermione was the most important thing in the world… no the universe to him. Nothing else mattered, just her. But he hadn't noticed that her mind had gone quiet. This was enough; he would have to break his promise to Hermione… He might have to show his true potential… but first he had to find them. Harry sat down. He would have to concentrate… hopefully Shadow wasn't powerful enough to block him.