A/N: I'm sorry to the one person who thought I was dragging this out. I was trying to be creative. Some people! (Sniffs dramatically) Just kidding. I'm glad you like it and want me to update as soon as possible. Thank you everyone else who reviewed. You know, I've realized that the reviews are very important to me. I don't live for them, but they make typing so much easier. Oh well, whatever, here's the next chapter. Enjoy.
Chapter 32
Harry, Alanna, Severus, Xander, James and Draco stood in the basement of the Department of Mysteries, their faces set. They dressed similarly and for war- from the comfortable yet durable black canvas fatigue pants and lightweight jackets, comfortable tee shirts underneath, their weapons strapped to their bodies either across their backs or, in the case of James and his fourteen knives, all around his body, standard weighted throwing daggers at the wrists, and rugged, durable yet comfortable black knee high boots. Ginny stood apart from them, weaving complex magic patters and spells, warding their clothing, weapons of choice, and skin against detection and making them invisible to the naked eye. She wove in strengthening spells, anti fatigue spell, speed spells and protection charms as well. Harry stiffened as he felt the slightly foreign, yet familiar feel of his sister's demonic magic bind around him. No offense, Gin, but have I ever told you how weird your magic feels? Harry asked, feeling as if his skin had a mildly itchy rash all over it.
Yours feels the same to me, bro, Ginny shot back good naturedly. Hold still. I'm almost done.
"The armies are in place, right?" Draco asked, scratching his lower back.
"Yes," Alanna said softly. She stared Gaila and Olivia straight in the eyes. "As soon as we go, one of you has to monitor our progress, you know. How are you going to do that?"
Olivia grinned. "Ginny took care of that. You'll get visitors," she said mysteriously.
"Besides, I'll have my head through the portal and stay there!" Gabby chirped. She demonstrated, sticking her head through the Veil and pulled back out. "Just like that!"
"You better," Alanna said.
Harry shivered. "I still have a bad feeling," he muttered. Draco squeezed his hand and stared, bemused as Harry's whole hand disappeared slowly, the rest of him following.
"This is so weird," Draco said softly.
A minute later, Ginny stepped forward, the spells done. She kissed empty air, connecting with Harry's completely invisible cheek. "Good Luck." Moving slightly to the left, she kissed Draco's cheek, wishing him well as well. She squeezed Severus's hand, hugging him tightly, hugged James, and shyly hugged and kissed Alanna and Xander. "Godspeed," she whispered as they stepped through the portal.
They appeared on the other side to an obviously different world. The sky was a light red, with angry, bruise colored clouds in the distance. The trees looked bluish in the distance, and the grass was a mustard yellow color under their feet.
Gaila poked her head through, a disembodied head floating in a small rip in space. "Good luck," she called softly.
"Thanks," Harry said in reply, kissing her cheek.
Alanna, James and Xander linked completely, feeling their magic, disguised under the demon spells, charge through them, adding to their hyperawareness and energy. Draco, Harry and Severus did the same, the awesome powers Draco and Harry harnessed on a daily basis surging through Severus unexpectedly, almost sending him reeling, drunk on power.
Wow... how do you put up with this much power all the time? he asked giddily.
Focus! Draco snapped.
Severus snapped out of it and shook his head. Right. Focus. Gaila giggled in their heads as they took off.
The six of them started running, loping over already familiar terrain. They really mapped these out well, Draco said in wonder, passing trees in exactly the same positions that they had been in the Forbidden Forest.
Don't get complacent, Harry warned. Keep your eyes peeled for demons. We take them out. He pulled out his short crescent swords and kept them in hand, just in case.
Spoken like a true leader, Alanna smirked from somewhere to their left.
Shut it. Let's get in and get out. Every second we waste is one more that they're being hurt, snapped Harry, sobering everyone immediately.
Right, let's move, James growled, picking up the pace. They ran over the next hill crest and almost ran head on into a demon patrol camped on the other side. Twenty demons were sitting around a magical camp fire, roasting whole animals over a spit. Six of them were the smaller, humanoid Fire demons, and the rest were the enormous demons they had faced over the summer in Diagon Alley.
Acting instinctively, they slaughtered the entire camp, sweeping in like Death's Angels. The fourteen demons didn't even have time to react as, in less than a minute, their throats were slashed wide open, ebony blood spurting from arteries and veins.
The six demigods moved on, barely pausing to wipe the blood from their blades before they were running again, aware that every second lost was another second that the people they loved spent in pain.
Ten minutes later, they ran into the outskirts of a forest and quickly scaled the trees, resting briefly in the lower branches before moving higher and across the forest. Five minutes into the forest, they came across their second band of demons, of varying size and type.
Who wants to do the honors? Draco asked curiously from his vantage point ten feet above the ground. The head of the demon standing next to his branch came nearly to his thigh.
I have an idea. Unlace your boots halfway and knot the four laces together around the tree branch, Harry instructed, tying his together below the branch. Moving as quietly as possible, he swung himself upside down, right over the demon sitting below him. With practiced ease, he slit the demon's throat and swung back up, untied the laces and slid further up into the trees. Everyone followed his example, and within seconds there were six dead demons on the ground, the other seven completely clueless and panicking about what had just happened. Harry leapt lightly to the ground, taking out two more while they milled around. Severus, getting into the swing of things, threw his daggers, impaling two into tree trunks before he dispatched them without remorse and retrieved his daggers.
Alanna and Xander took out the rest and stared up at the tree where Draco was still sitting. So, Your Highness, would you care to join us mortals down here? Alanna mocked slightly.
Nope, you look like you're doing fine, Draco said cheerfully, sliding to the ground with a much muffled thump. Hang on, I still have to lace up my boots. Everyone else sat down and did the same, flushing slightly as they had forgotten and would have fallen flat on their faces if they had tried to move.
We have ten miles, two of which are covered already, and in the right direction. We'll be there in less than two hours if we keep going the way we are, Harry mused.
Well what are we waiting for? James remarked.
Let's go then. They took off running again, covering several miles without incident. They finally reached the crest of the last hill they had to cover and looked down. There, in the distance, were twelve tiny portals, each leading to a different world. However, there was a sea of red, black and various shades of gray in front of them.
What happened there? Did they have a battle? Harry wondered.
Never mind that, It's just like in the Forest, Draco thought with relief. Are they in the same order?
We'll see when we get there, Alanna rolled her eyes. They jogged down the hill, covering the remaining miles as if they were nothing.
These charms really help! Severus exclaimed. I don't even feel winded!
They stopped short a mile before the portals. Oh shit, James moaned softly. What do we do now? As far as they could see, a demon army had been assembled, blocking the way for miles around the portals.
Where did they come from? Xander asked incredulously. There must be millions!
Well, Clautius gave them reproductive systems, obviously, so do I really need to explain the birds and the bees to you? Severus asked sarcastically.
Xander groaned and punched where he thought Severus's arm would be. He missed and fell over, cursing vividly in his mind.
Dork, Alanna teased gently.
I have an idea, Harry said quietly, but it'll expose us for a second.
They already know we're here, Severus said dourly. I don't see why we're trying to be quiet still.
Because Clautius could kill all of us, Alanna snapped.
What's the idea? Xander asked.
We use Ginny's residual magic and the magic ties she gave us when we bonded to lift us over the encampment, and then we blow the shit out of the demons with our super godly powers, Harry said with a smirk.
Are you nuts?? James snapped.
Not really, Draco defended him. Do you really want to have to deal with them when you get back with a probably insane Black?
No, but you're going to blow them up! They'll know where we are! Xander yelled.
And no one will know where we are once we stop using our magic, Harry said quite reasonably.
It's suicide, Alanna mused. I like it. I might just work.
I hope you two know what you're doing, Severus warned.
Uncle Sev, we're going to wind up fighting Clautius anyway. What difference does now or a year from now really make? Draco asked privately.
A year of training, he grumped. And, my soul mate's life.
We're going to get her out of there, Draco promised him.
Let's do this, Alanna said with enthusiasm.
Harry and Draco, using the spells woven around their bodies, lifted the magic gently, infusing it with their own. They felt the demon blood in them, courtesy of their sister, come rushing forth. Scratch that, we can disguise our magic! Harry gasped, letting his magic transform. He and Draco lifted them high into the air, safely over the forces on the ground. They don't even have wards, Harry muttered in disgust.
They landed right next to the portals, directly in the center of the massive army. Alanna, James and Xander, read over the inscriptions and ducked through the fourth portal from the left, which led to the Dementor world. Draco shoved Severus through the one next to it, Clautius's portal. Ready? Draco asked Harry once Alanna, Xander, James and Severus were safely inside. They quickly expanded their powers, turning them into a destructive force reminiscent of a nuclear explosion slash earthquake slash act of God. Flesh was ripped from bones; bones were incinerated, all in an instant. Remarkably, the portals were still standing, even though nothing remained of the army except for dust blowing in the wind.
Harry and Draco quickly put their powers under wraps and slid through the correct portal, landing on the other side with a thump. They stood up and looked around, flabbergasted. What happened? Harry asked. Who blew the place to hell? The lush vegetation had been incinerated for at least one hundred yards, leaving a charred tract six feet wide the entire distance.
That would be you two, Severus replied, walking out from behind his hiding place behind the portal over thirty yards away. Your little explosion came through the portal after me. I never knew I could move that fast.
Draco muffled a snicker. It isn't funny! Severus protested. I thought I was going to die!
Hello, our magic is joined, Harry said sarcastically. You couldn't be harmed by anything we do.
I know that now! It was amazing! One minute I was running and the next I was over here! Severus babbled, his mouth on overdrive.
Uncle Sev. Chill. We've got to go. Draco led the way down the mountain and into the still sizzling rainforest.
Right. they moved quickly, taking to the trees like they had done in practice.
Far in the distance, evil radiated from a black spot in the sea of green. Harry shuddered involuntarily and rubbed his arms. Draco's eyes went out of focus for a second, and he shivered. Severus just stared at the black spot. That place really doesn't feel right, he muttered.
Alanna, James and Xander found themselves on a desolate, black, rocky world, the sky a dismal gray. The quickly ducked around the back of the portal, feeling Harry and Draco power up. This is going to be big, Xander warned.
They feel like demons, James said slightly stupidly, his mind still processing the amount of power Harry and Draco possessed.
Well, duh, they are blood bound to a demoness, a powerful one at that, Alanna said slowly. Don't you get it? You KNEW they were the most powerful out of any of us, and they took Ginny as their sister. That changes their magic considerably.
I'm not stupid, it's just different to know it and then actually see it. They- OH MY GOD!!!!! He screamed as a jet of white hot flame roared out of the portal. It didn't do any damage, simply because there wasn't anything TO damage.
Once the flames subsided, Alanna pulled the two of them to their feet. Come on, she insisted. We have a heroic fool to save.
Sirius is not a fool! James protested.
He fell through the VEIL, Alanna reminded him.
Yeah, there's that, James admitted. Come on, let's run. They took off at a dead run, looking for the Dementor Lords and Sirius.
They didn't have far to go before they found them. Over a slight rise in the otherwise level ground, they came to a skidding halt. Oh my God, I'm gonna be sick, Alanna gagged, the smell of putrid, rotting, burning flesh clouding the air. James and Xander gagged, unable to speak or think coherently.
They staggered another ten feet and the ground ended abruptly. They peered over the edge and Alanna did throw up, running away from the edge so she wouldn't be detected.
You didn't need to run. It's not like anyone would hear you above the screams, Xander said, joining her in throwing up violently. James nodded, feeling the bile rise in the back of his throat. He fell to his knees, the world spinning around him. Almost a thousand meters below, gray cloaks prowled around screaming, writhing people chained spread eagled to shiny black and gray rocks. Rivers of orange and red fiery lava ran in between each outcropping, the Dementors gliding over them with ease. They could see something enormous rising from the center of the pit, almost like a giant statue. They watched, terrified as the statue moved, raising hideous skeletal arms high into the sky.
We have to go down there, James said grimly once the nausea passed and he could move without feeling dizzy. We have to find him and we need to end their suffering. All of their suffering. He stood up resolutely and started to climb down, Alanna and Xander following him.
All right, Harry though from his position as point. The castle is almost five miles away. We're half way there, let's keep it up. They froze as they heard a slight rustling in the vegetation, drawing their blades in anticipation of a battle.
A lone ebony demon the size of a three year old child skipped through the undergrowth, making a series of musical hisses and growls and flapping its shiny bat wings playfully. It stopped and sniffed the air, looking straight at Draco with what could only be an enormous grin on its face and joy in its enormous purple eyes.
Ummm, Harry, what do I do? It's too cute to kill!! Draco protested, staring at it with bemusement. Abruptly it launched itself into the air and landed next to the blond demigod, snuggling against Draco's side and purring. HARRY!!! HELP!!!! He screeched, panicking.
Stay still, Harry ordered. Abruptly, Harry jumped and landed on Draco's branch, slightly shaking the tree. He picked up the miniature demon and yelped in shock as it turned and snuggled into his arms, it's purring only getting louder. They dropped to the ground, still cradling the impossibly cute demon with the utmost care.
Severus held his arms out, and the demon flew into them, snuggling into his chest. Well, well, little one, can we assume you don't mean us any harm? the mini-demon purred and nodded.
Ginny Mistress sent me to make sure you are all right, a hissing voice resonated in their heads. Severus almost dropped the demon in shock.
You- you- you talk??? he asked incredulously.
Yes, Severus, Draco, Harry, family of my Mistress. I talk quite well. And there aren't any demons until the Castle, but there you have worse than demons to deal with. Your prize is in the south tower at the very top. I must go and talk with my demon kin and make sure that they are helping James, Alanna and Xander, friends of my Mistress. The little demon quickly dropped out of Severus's arms and disappeared into the undergrowth.
Well, that was strange, Harry said, staring into the bush where the mini demon had disappeared.
I concur. Let's go. Just in case it's not friendly and was lying to us, keep your eyes peeled, Severus said as they took to the trees again, making good time.
The demon stepped back into the spot they had just left. Mistress Gaila? it called softly.
Yes? What do you have to report, little one?
They are safe, unharmed, and almost to the castle.
Do they require help? Gaila asked worriedly.
Not yet.
Good. Keep watch and report if you see anything or if fifteen minutes have passed.
Yes, Mistress. It followed them at a safe distance, watching their progress.
Less than an hour later, they stopped at the edge of the trees, fifty yards from an enormous ebony castle. Evil radiated off of it in waves and no plants whatsoever would grow in the ground around it. Harry sagged to his knees, his face a mask of pain. Stop it, stop it Sweet Merlin I can't take it the evil and the pain and the whole place is screaming and screaming he's evil and it hurts the ground and it hurts the trees and the animals, that's why nothing grows because he's poison, pure poison and I'm not going to scream I'm not going to scream, he panted, trying to fight the urge to shriek at the top of his lungs.
Beside him, Draco was fighting the urge to curl up into a little ball and stay like that forever. He fell to his hands and knees, murmuring over and over,We might as well give up because we're never going to win, he's evil and too strong and we can't fight that, we'll never win, no I'm not going to give up, just give up curl up into a ball and never look up again because we're not going to win, no I'm not going to, no I'm not, NO I'M NOT.
Only Severus appeared to be visibly unaffected, his years of spying allowing him to remain stoic on the outside. On the inside, however, he was trying not to pass out. This is horrifying, this is bad, bad, bad, and I don't ever want to go in there but Laurel, oh my God I don't want to go in there, you have to for Laurel, go get Laurel, but it's horrifying and bad and I don't want to go it's evil, it's evil, it's evil. Evil has my soul mate and I have to go in after her! Get moving, Severus!
"Get moving, Severus," he murmured, his voice barely audible to the human ear. But it was enough. With a full body shudder, he sneered and walked over to his still hysterical Godson and nephew. Draco! Harry! he snapped. Pull yourself together!
They staggered to their feet, holding their temples. Oh, my head, Harry and Draco moaned in unison. They touched each other's temples, their hands glowing briefly. A few seconds later, they straightened up resolutely, still wincing with every step.
Let's go, we have to find Laurel, Severus said impatiently. They stumbled forward, searching for an entrance.
James led the way down the rocky, crumbling cliffs, cursing vividly in his mind every time he caught an ankle or wrist in the sharp crags of the immensely strong obsidian like stone. By the time the three of them had managed to slide, climb, trip and fall down the steep incline, Alanna and Xander had joined him in the litany of profanity.
Unknown to the three of them, another tiny demon, identical tot he one Severus, Harry and Draco had seen, was watching them from the cliff they had just descended. Are they all right? Gaila asked the mini demon.
Yes, Mistress Gaila, the demon said softly. They are in the Dementor Pits. The Dementors don't seem to be affecting them.
Good. Keep watching and reporting every fifteen minutes. The demon went back to watching them closely.
OW Mother Fucking two balled bitch!!!! Alanna snapped, landing flat on her face after tripping and barking her shins on a low outcropping.
Lana are you all right? Xander asked while helping her to her feet. James stopped and turned around.
Yes, but, hang on I'm bleeding. She tore the hem off of her tee shirt and wrapped it around her left shin, trying to stem the blood flow. Xander quickly helped her bandage the other leg as well and they stood back up, staring past James's shoulder with revulsion, terror and agony. Oh my God, Mother, Alanna murmured. Xander was suddenly nauseous again.
James turned back around and a lone tear trickled down his face. That's what Sirius is going through, we have to find him, he muttered resolutely as he strode around the poor, faceless, nameless, emaciated scarecrow that hung, shackled, from the rocky outcropping. Two Dementors hovered around him, feeding ravenously on his agonized screams.
"PLEASE GOD HELP ME!!!" shrieked the nameless person. He continued screaming continuously, pleading for death, for mercy, for the torment to be over. Alanna and Xander stiffened and looked around surreptitiously. Other than the two Dementors hovering over the person, none were around.
Xander caught her arm. Lana, you can't! he hissed.
She wrenched her arm away. I can and I will. He's one of ours, one of the Lost ones. Clautius stole them and we can't just leave all of them here. We have to do something. We're their Gods, their protectors. I want to give him peace. An unearthly glow surrounded her still invisible body, until she looked like a shimmering orb.
Lana, you're giving us away!!! Xander screamed as the Dementors stopped their feeding and turned on her hungrily.
James, Xander, you need to go find Sirius. Don't worry about caution any more. We have to destroy this place. It's an abomination and I refuse to let my people become these perversions. Alanna glided forward, the glow expanding. The Dementors paused, almost uncertain. That's right, come to Mama. I won't hurt you... much, she growled.
James and Xander stood there, wracked with indecision. Do we help her? James asked quietly.
Xander, James, GO! she snapped over her shoulder.
They made up their minds immediately. James focused on Sirius's mind and found it almost immediately. He was the only one who had any degree of sanity left. Sirius, hang on. We're here. Where are you? I need to see through your eyes.
Jamie? Is that you? Sirius asked, half delirious.
Yeah, it's me. Where are you? Open your eyes. James focused and felt Sirius's eyes open. He looked through them, trying to focus on familiar landmarks. There weren't any.
Xander, I can't pinpoint him, he said worriedly.
Here. They linked together, and Apparated, using Sirius as the destination. They appeared next to a bruised and bloody Sirius Black.
Lana, we found him, Xander said, relieved.
Umm, Xander, what's that? James asked, suddenly terrified. He stared behind Xander, his eyes wide and sheen of sour sweat covering his face.
Xander turned around slowly, dreading what he would see. He stared up at an enormous black shadow with just a gaping, red mouth where the face should have been.
It can see us, James said softly. It doesn't have any eyes but it can see us. What is it?
A Dementor Lord, Xander groaned. He powered up, scarlet beams shooting from his hands. Well, there goes our cover.
The Demon watched, shaking its tiny head. This is not good. Alanna has broken cover and is destroying the Dementor world, it sent Gaila.
WHAT??? She screeched.
Yes, Mistress. She can't leave the Lost ones there.
Oh shit. Keep watch, I have to leave for a minute.
Gaila pulled her head out of the portal. "Send in the troops," she ordered tersely. Olivia nodded, her face white, as she contacted the leaders of the 2800 soldiers they had ready to fight.
It's time. GO!!! She called, biting her lip almost bloody from worry. Gaila started pulling on a beaded bracelet on her wrist. She, Ginny, Lily and Olivia quickly strode through the Veil, the Troops appearing from their own Portals over a half mile diameter circle.
"ALANNA IS CURRENTLY DESTROYING THE DEMENTOR WORLD!!!!" she said, her voice magically enhanced. "WE ARE TO PROVIDE DIVERSIONS, AND GET THE SIX OF THEM OUT SAFELY AND THEN LEAVE, TAKING AS MANY PORTALS TO OUR DIMENSION WITH US AS POSSIBLE!!! ALL SPIES ARE RECALLED!!! WE ARE NOT TO COME HERE AGAIN BEFORE THE FINAL BATTLE!!!!"
The companies of soldiers split into platoons of twenty with a commander of each. Lily and Ginny Apparated first and sent back an all clear. The platoons quickly began Apparating to the 12 portals. Gaila and Olivia, both of equal power and second most powerful of the Demigoddesses and Demigods, waited until everyone had left before Apparating as well.
Alanna glided over to the rocky outcroppings, her face set in a savage grin. "Oh, come to Mommy," she crooned aloud. The Dementors edges away from her and she sent out several hundred Patronuses." Kill the perversions, my loves," she hissed, raising her arms with glee. Silver phoenixes swooped over the fleeing grey robed monstrosities, shredding them from behind.
James, Xander, duck, she thought savagely. Protect Sirius.
Alanna, we have a problem!!! James yelled. There's a Dementor Lord!!!!
James, put a shield around yourself and Sirius. Xander, blow him to Hell- wait, we're all ready there! She felt James throw up the strongest shield he had ever created. She drew as much power as she could muster, and felt Xander do the same. They exploded, the world glowing white before being obliterated under their feet. A scream of agony slammed through her mind, sending Alanna reeling. What the hell??
That was the Dementor Lord, Xander said wryly. We'd better Apparate.
They tried, and a wave of pure evil slammed into them, knocking them breathless. No can do, Alanna thought worriedly. James, are you still with us?
We're here, James said faintly.
I have them, Xander said, his confidence belied by the undercurrent of fear. What do we do? Alanna thought for a minute and flew over.
Flying works, Alanna said as she merged her shields with her soul mate's. "Let's get rid of this invisibility," she said aloud softly.
They blinked and were visible again. "Now what?" Sirius asked his face haggard and drawn. Blood ran from his many lacerations and abrasions.
James's hand glowed a soft blue and he grasped Sirius by the shoulder firmly. Sirius's mouth opened in a silent scream as his cuts and bruises vanished. His face filled out slightly, and he collapsed tot he ground, panting. He looked up after a minute and stared at James, his eyes sparkling. "Thanks, Prongs," he gasped, stretching his arms experimentally.
"Well, now what?" Xander asked quietly.
"Now, we wait," Alanna said grimly. "We don't know where we are and where the Portal world is in comparison to us."
"Sounds good to me," James said, sitting in midair and conjuring a soft drink. He conjured several more and passed them out to the other three. "Now if we could get cable," he muttered, conjuring a plate of hot wings and passing them around.
"What's cable?" Sirius asked curiously.
Alanna and Xander rolled their eyes.
Harry, Draco and Severus snuck through the castle, leaving a trail of demon bodies in their wake. Harry and Draco had figured out a way to mask their energy by having it echo Clautius's personal magic signature, which let them blend in with the walls. As they rounded a corner, they heard voices up ahead and coming towards them. They flattened into a shadowy doorway and waited, ready. They watched, furious as the miniature demon that had helped them scampered into view, holding Adrian's hand.
That little bastard!! hissed Severus angrily.
"Yes, My Lord, we have had reports of problems on the Dementor world. There were unexplained nondemon power surges just two minutes ago" the tiny demon hissed. It turned enormous red eyes up at Clautius's favorite son. They stopped in the hallway three feet from the hiding demigods.
Wait, our demon had purple eyes, Harry thought in confusion.
Draco narrowed his eyes. You're right. That isn't our demon. They look identical, though. Wait- power surges??
Alanna, James and Xander have been discovered. We have to move quickly. Severus clenched his fists. Now if the Evil Brat would move out of our way...
"Move the prisoner to the west tower," Adrian snarled. "Those bastards are here somewhere!"
"Begging your pardon, My Lord, but your father is with the prisoner, at least, that's where he was headed." Adrian scratched the demon behind its scaly ears. It purred affectionately, craning its neck for more.
Screw this, we're moving, Harry thought savagely. He powered up and sent the energy down the hall, attracting Adrian's attention.
"What the- there they are!!!" he yelled, giving chase, the demon following obediently. Harry, Draco and Severus quickly turned and sprinted in the opposite direction, heading for the south tower at full speed. They skidded through hallway after hallway, ignoring demon sentries who cowered when they heard thundering footsteps but saw nothing pass by them.
After almost five minutes of winding their way through the castle's many corridors, they came to the stairs leading to the south tower. Severus, throwing caution to the wind, sprinted up the stairs. Harry and Draco shrugged and sprinted after him.
They skidded into and burst through the only door at the top of the tower. A very naked Clautius whipped his head around, rearing up and exposing the limp, comotose body of Laurel lying underneath him. "What the- " he snapped. "I told you not to disturb me!"
Severus saw red. With a roar, he became visible and tackled Clautius, pounding him relentlessly with his fists and feet. "MY- SOULMATE- MY- LOVE," he panted, slamming Satan across the jaw.
Harry and Draco quickly grabbed the manacle around Laurel's neck and, with a thought, shattered it, their fury making their power roll off of them in roiling waves. They too became visible as they conjured a cloak and soft fleece blanket, wrapping her in it as quickly as possible. Draco turned around and stared as Clautius went sailing through the stone wall. Severus grabbed Laurel and pulled her onto his lap, cradling her as he slid into her empty mind, searching for her hiding place.
"Hey, deja vu!" he said happily. "Oh shit," he muttered as Clautius floated back through the wall, clothed in the black electricity crackling around him.
Harry and Draco touched each other's temples, bonding completely. Ready? Harry asked teasingly.
Prat. Let's do this. They threw a shield around Severus and Laurel before slamming their power straight into Clautius. Clautius sailed through the air again, hitting the wall. He rebounded and threw an energy bolt at them, which they deflected.
"I can't find her," Severus ground out. Abruptly, Laurel's breathing stopped. "Oh, HELL no, Laurel," he snapped, forcing almost all of his powers into her body, trying to keep her from killing herself.
On the portal world, Ginny's eyes turned black. Abruptly, she transformed into her demon self. "Something is wrong," she hissed. "I'm going." She Apparated.
Olivia and Gaila stared as the portals began spewing demons. "ATTACK!!!!" Gaila screamed, drawing power and obliterating scores of Clautius's creations. Where she had killed one hundred, a thousand immediately took their place.
The Earth forces immediately jumped into the fray, using their heightened and honed powers to decimate the demons.
Dragons swooped in, carrying the Navy SEALS on their backs, torching everything in their paths. Werewolves shifted back and forth, rending their adversaries limb from limb. Vampires feasted on spicy Demon blood, shredding throats as well as using Wandless magic. Veela transformed into harpies, fighting tooth and nail and magic. Elves, Drow and Faerie worked in unison, burying, torching, drowning and crushing the demons that dare oppose them.
Through it all, Gaila, Lily and Olivia kept a light touch on everyone's minds, directing troops telepathically as well as taking out vast numbers of demon and demon spawn. The battle raged on, minute after bloody minute.
Ginny appeared next to Severus and Laurel, scarlet, ebony and gold whipping around her. She screamed a raw, primal sound and blades erupted from her wrists, growing straight out of her bones. Clautius, about to throw another fire bolt, just stopped and stared.
"Ginny!" Draco yelled. "Take them and get out of here!!!" she hissed and turned, staring at the door. Adrian stood in the doorway, his eyes wide.
"Hello, Adrian," she purred.
"My- my- soul mate," he managed to say, his mouth agape and dry as the Sahara. Nervously he licked his lips.
"True, but my family comes first," she hissed, her claws dripping with poison. "I advise you to leave," she snarled.
"Adrian!" Clautius commanded. "Get in here!" he gestured, his face set.
Adrian stared back and forth.
"Enough," Draco growled. Harry slammed a fire bolt into Adrian, sending him shooting through the walls and out of the castle. "Let's finish this, you sick fuck."
Ginny snarled and swiped an envenomed claw at Clautius, snapping him from his incredulousness. She wrapped her arms around Severus and Laurel and Apparated
Clautius screamed in rage and threw himself at the two demigods, furious. Harry threw him back, sending him over ten kilometers and stared at Draco, calculating. Without warning, he kissed him deeply.
Harry, what are you doing???? Draco screamed. This is no time to screw around!!! We have to get out of here and we can't blow this place...oh.
Exactly. Harry kissed him again, with incredible force.
If you leave bruises, I swear I'll-
Reciprocate? Harry teased. Draco growled. Their powers whipped around them, forming an impenetrable sphere as their clothes were discarded in their haste, their frenzy to bond.
Clautius came rushing back in, terrified and furious and incredulous all at once. "They're- oh shit, they're going to- FUCK!!!!!" he screamed and threw up a personal shield, Apparating.
Alanna, Xander, James and Sirius felt the wards keeping them from Apparating fall, and a building power. "Are they-" James asked, grinning.
Alanna and Xander nodded, grinning. Sirius caught on.
"You mean they're but, you and Lily blew up Jupiter!!!" He exclaimed, incredulous.
"They're over a thousand times more powerful than Lily and I," James murmured. "They're going to blow up his realm."
The four of them Apparated straight into the fighting.
"Gaila!!!" Alanna yelled, Apparating to her sister's side. "WE have to leave!!!"
"Why? You're safe, oh, we were so worried, and what's that I feel?" she asked, hugging Alanna and checking her over for any injuries. She frowned and healed the bruised and bleeding shins with a wave of her hand.
"Harry and Draco are bonding," Alanna said with a grin.
"What??" Olivia asked, coming up behind them. She shot off another lightning bolt that hit the ground in the midst of hundreds of demons, killing them all instantly.
"They're blowing this place. We have to leave," Xander said urgently.
TROOPS FALL BACK AND APPARATE. ALL WHO CAN APPARATE DO SO NOW!!!! GET OUT OF HERE!!! BACK THROUGH THE PORTALS!!!! Gaila snapped mentally. Immediately, the Earth forces still fighting disappeared. Dragons disappeared in midair, as well as their human passengers. Gaila gathered the wounded, almost 800 unable to Apparate on their own. She and Olivia Apparated four hundred back to the portals and shoved them through. Lily and James brought the rest and Sirius, shoving them through as well.
How do we destroy the portals? Lily asked Alanna.
Alanna just shoved her and James back through. Don't worry about it. Just go!!! They tumbled through the portal and came shooting out the other side in a heap, landing in the Department of Mysteries. They were alone, the wounded having been taken to Hogwarts and the healers.
Harry and Draco! Lily snapped.
They're fine, Alanna promised.
Ginny levitated the comatose Laurel and nearly comatose Severus into the magically expanded Infirmary. She carefully placed them on a bed, expanded the mattress to accommodate the two bodies.
Ginny, could you get me a linking potion? Severus asked distantly. She summoned one and handed it to him. He opened his eyes and grabbed it, downing it in one gulp. Thanks, he said, closing his eyes and pressing his fingers against Laurel's temples.
She smirked and Apparated straight back to the Department of Mysteries and hurtled through the Veil, shooting past Alanna, Xander, Lily and James.
GINNY!!! WAIT!!! Alanna called before being cut off by the Veil.
Ginny Apparated straight to Adrian's side and shielded his unconscious body. I don't know why I'm doing this, she muttered mentally to Adrian's sluggish mind, but I can't let my brothers kill you.
They're your brothers? Adrian slowly asked, his mind fuzzy.
The world exploded into white. Ginny held onto Adrian tightly as they shot through the air, finally skidding to a fiery halt on a stone floor.
They cautiously opened their eyes, and Ginny let her shields down millimeter by millimeter. "Ummm, where are we?" she asked softly.
"No clue," Adrian said, standing up and helping her to her feet. She flushed slightly and leaned against him, feeling slightly dizzy from the effort it took to keep the shields up during the blast. She turned around and stared.
Harry and Draco were sitting cross-legged on the stone floor behind them, wearing only hastily thrown on pairs of pants.
"That was fun," Draco said softly, resting his head on Harry's shoulder.
"Mmm, race you to the mansion?" Harry asked impishly. He turned and jumped slightly. "Ginny! Didn't see you there! Who's with you?" he asked, staring at Adrian suspiciously. "Is that him?"
"Yes," Adrian said softly. "Her soul mate."
"I'm Harry," Harry said conversationally with a shrug.
"I'm Draco," Draco said with a grin and a wave.
"You're being nice," Ginny said suspiciously. "Why?"
"Well, if he's going to be in the family, we'd better start sometime," Draco said with a shrug.
"Excuse me," came another voice. They all whipped around and stared at the doorway. A young man stood there, his arms crossed. Ginny recognized him slightly.
"Hey, do we know you?" she asked curiously. Then it hit her. "You're Darius!!! You look different without the makeup," she said, looking him over critically.
Their eyes locked and Adrian snarled. "My soul mate," he snapped, his voice trailing off. His eyes glazed and all three of them smiled softly.
"What the hell?" Draco wondered.
Harry stared at the three of them. "Hello? Hellooo," he called waving a hand in front of their faces. No response. "Well, this is weird," he muttered.
ALANNA!!! Draco yelled, incredibly creeped out by the vacant stares and silly smiles.
Alanna appeared right next to him, Xander in tow. "I need you two for healing duty," she growled. She stopped short and stared. "All THREE of them are soul mates???" she snapped, her jaw brushing the floor.
"WHAT???" the three guys yelled. Alanna sighed and set out to try to get Ginny's, Darius's and Adrian's attention.
A/N: Well, this would have been finished yesterday, if I had decided not to go to Six Flags last night and the night before. I LUV MY SEASON PASS!!! Let's see, write another chapter or ride roller coasters till I hurl. Write another chapter or ride coasters till I hurl. Hmmm, you see the dilemma? Anyway, read and review! This chapter was so much fun to write!!!!!! Three or four more chapters left until the end of school!!!!!! And then the sequel!!!!!! WHOOO HOOO!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!! I'm high on sugar!!!!!!!!!!!!! And end of book euphoria!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, read and review!!!!! (I already said that, didn't I?)