"The… Final Battle?" she asked softly, her eyes growing soft. Harry nodded in answer and sighed. "Do you want to talk about it?" she asked quietly.
"That's just it, Minerva, I've told my friends and it was hard enough," said Harry.
"I see…"
"So please, I really have to impose; importune you to stop asking questions," said Harry. She stared at him for few moments and nodded, heaving a sigh.
"Very well, I will stop badgering you, Mr. Potter—Harry," she said in an undertone of a voice. She left the room to their devices, Hermione sighed, almost of relief.
"Well, lets get to the Restricted Section," said Hermione, as Harry got up from his seat wearily. She walked to the end of the library and found the door leading into Restricted Section. After spelling the door unlock, the three entered. After ten minutes of searching the shelves, Ron quietly shouted.
"Here they are, Hermione, Harry!" Harry immediately went to the shelves dedicated to Necromancy and mentions of them.
"Good finding Ron," said Harry, grinning. "We'll have to move fast, since Minerva saw us, and will surely piece things together that we're destroying the books."
"You're right!" said Hermione, widening in realization. "We really have to move fast," Harry nodded, taking the books off the shelves that were either dedicated to Necromancy or contains a chapter or two on them. Then Harry set the book in the other aisle where it had bigger room. Hermione spelled the fire onto the books as Harry set the spell so that the flames won't spread.
"Let's go," said Harry, leading the other two out of the library. On their way out, to his dismay, found Severus Snape heading inside the castle. He grew suspicious of Harry, Hermione and Ron and walked over to where they were.
"What are you doing here?"
"None of your business Snevillius," growled Harry, walking past Snape.
"Potter! Stop right there, five po—damn, Potter, stop walking! Stupefy!" Harry snarled and dropped to the floor and rolled out of the way of Snape's spell and fired with his own.
"Petrificus totalis!" He missed as Snape stepped to the side to dodge. "Leave me the hell alone! We're busy, Snape."
"Busy doing what?" he sneered, "I can hardly comprehend you being busy after you have graduated."
"This is none of your business, Snape," he quietly said, growling.
"Why are you discomfiting me, Potter? As far as I can tell, you have large amount of hapless luck, that I daresay, is my business Potter," he said, wand still trained on Harry as he did on Snape, along with Hermione's and Ron's, who looked much braver than they had in school. Maybe it was because they won't be getting any detention. Even though, Hermione looked terrified. "You know I can easily conjecture what you three are up to, it was never hard," he drawled with a sneer.
"Then find out that way if you want, I much rather you to find out as everyone will," said Harry coolly, "than finding out right now, Snevillius."
"Expilliarmus!" roared Snape, as Harry was ready for him as he shouted.
"Protego!" He blocked the disarming spell with a resounding crack. "Please Snape, I don't have the time to be playing around," drawled Harry, walking away from him, his front facing him. He wasn't about to turn around on Snape. When he finally reached the Entrance Gates, he let out the last spell to distract Snape.
"Reducto!" he yelled, causing the door to Snape's left to reduce into shards, falling on Snape. Harry quickly pulled on the doors and led his friend out of there as Ron kept cover from Snape as they continue to run off the grounds. When they reached past the gates, Harry quickly said to apparate to Shrieking shack. As soon the three stepped off the threshold of anti-apparation grounds, the three disappeared with resounding cracks. The three had apparated on different floors so, it took Ron and Harry to get back to the first floor where Hermione was waiting.
"Damn that Snape," said Harry, panting. "You know, this place should be the refuge to take when we are being chased," he said, thinking.
"That's a great idea Harry," agreed Hermione and Ron nodded.
"Then it's settled."
"Okay," began Hermione, pulling the reference book out and jotted off the list they had gone through. "Next, the general libraries all over Europe…. I think we—" she hesitated, "we should split up and bring the books back here." Harry frowned, thinking.
"Just the libraries? What about the book stores?"
"Actually, you will be doing the stores, Ron and I can do the libraries," she said, thinking what the next course of action the trio should take.
"I hope that course will be impeccable enough not to trace back to us…." Said Ron quietly.
"I don't think that will be possible," said Harry quietly. "Minerva and Snape saw us at Hogwarts. No doubt they will piece things together. Though I don't think they would report to the Daily Prophet or anything of the sort…. After all, I had mentioned it was about the Final Battle…"
"You are really espoused about this Harry," said Hermione.
"What else do you expect?" asked Harry with a wry grin. "I can't wait for the time when Necromancy knowledge is defunct as the dead people," he murmured. "Anyway, which country should we do first?"
"Well, we've taken care of Scotland and England," began Hermione, looking over the books. "We should do France next; there are no bookstores in Norway, Netherlands or in Sweden, Finland, Albania, and Hungary. Nor are there in Luxembourg, Poland, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Portugal, Lithuania, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Vatican City," she paused as she ran her finger down the list. "In Belgium, Germany, Romania, Monaco, Serbia and Montenegro; Switzerland and Ireland are the countries with most bookstores and libraries, each have five bookstores and two libraries each... There is only one bookstore in each of the other countries and less than five bookstores as well. There are thirty-one different countries including all the nadir places, to go through."
"At least the books aren't as omnipresent as we thought," murmured Ron.
"Yes, according to this, England had the largest amount of Necromancy books until today…,"
"I wonder why," said Harry with sarcasm, but Hermione ignored the tone.
"I suppose it is because there are a lot more Death Eaters, they're condensed in this country after all," theorized Hermione, looking through the list. "Mm, there are twenty bookstores in Asia with forty-six libraries. Twelve bookstores and six libraries in Australia. No books on Necromancy in Africa, two bookstores in South America and one library. In North America, there are sixteen bookstores and eight libraries…" Suddenly Ron didn't look so languish as he had before.
"That's a lot better than I had thought there would be Hermione," said Ron, brightening. "Imagine, if each continent except for Africa has at least one hundred books, we'd be down by two thousand by tonight…" then he frowned. "The rest are in people's home…."
Harry realized the predicament that they are in and frowned. "That's not good, that must mean at least four thousand different homes have the books… But of course, Malfoy would help in take a lot more numbers down on them… Hmm, I wonder if I can…" he trailed off, thinking. "No… not now," he murmured.
"What is it Harry?"
"Well, I was thinking of using Malfoy as a scapegoat of sorts…" he said slowly.
"What, I can't believe you Harry! You mean to say to frame him?" asked Hermione in horror. "That's…. that's positively Slytherin of you Harry."
"Don't you remember that the hat wanted me in there in the first place?" asked Harry coolly. Hermione blinked her mouth in 'oh'.
"You're right, I remember you saying that last year," said Hermione, fidgeting. "Still that doesn't—"
"Please, I was only thinking Hermione," interrupted Harry with perfunctory. "If we do that, I'm sure the mess with Malfoy will get to the point where everything will be irreparable and I sure as don't want him in Azkaban… right now anyway."
"How do you know if Malfoy won't be mendacious to us in this… cause?" asked Ron.
"Believe me Ron, I'm sure he doesn't want to go to Azkaban and he knows I can send him to Azkaban with the snap of my fingers. As I had done with Fudge, and the other Death Eaters."
Ron slumped into a nearby seat, nodding, though with jerky movements. "Okay, so Hermione, according to you, we have to get to which country for Europe?"
Hermione looked through the list again, "The countries we will have to do, are: Monaco, Germany, Ireland, Serbia and Montenegro, Switzerland, Romania, Belgium, Austria, Spain, Croatia, Czech Republic, Malta, Denmark, France, Georgia, Latvia, Macedonia, Belarus, Moldova, Italy, Bulgaria, San Marino, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Greece, Iceland, Armenia, and Ukraine, from greatest to least amount of books." She said, catching her breath as she had spoken all in under one breath. Harry and Ron stared at her in awe.
"You never seem to catch your breath, do you?" asked Ron, dumbstruck. "You really need to be more laconic, Hermione."
"Why, I can't do that, saying less is just not as good," said Hermione, sounding insulted.
"Give it up Ron, she's not going to be regenerated anytime soon," said Harry. "Anyway, let's get going, I'll take care of the bookstores and you two, the libraries. To France, we come. So, can you tell me which town to go to, Hermione?"
"Paris and Nice," replied Hermione, looking over the book again. With a nod, Harry disapparated. For the rest of the afternoon, the trio went through most of Europe except for Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Iceland, Romania, Spain and Turkey. By nine in the evening, with numerous amounts of apparating and disapparating all over Europe, did they finally stop their errand for the night. To say that they were exhausted, is an understatement.
"I swear this is tantamount to fighting a Death Eater," said Ron, complaining as he sank down into a poor chair that broke under his weight. "ARUGH! That's it!" snapped Ron, getting up and kicked the broken chair out of the way, looking cranky and an odd mixture of plaintive.
"Calm down, Ron, we'll have a nice long bonfire right here," said Hermione, as Harry spelled over two thousand books on fire with the fire containment spell. "Anyway, Harry, I think you should requite the wizarding world for what we are doing. They deserve to know. Especially if we are to embark upon the next array of action after the countries we still need to do and of course, other continents," interpolated Hermione, nodding to herself.
"I don't want gregarious of people to be complaining or whatever the reaction they will have, I don't want to hear any of it," groused Harry.
"Don't be so petulant, Harry, you do need to be realistic, do you think everyone is just going to sit there and do nothing while we destroy all of the books? They will speculate that someone will want to do some serious Necromancy," said Hermione harshly, stepping away from the fire that was getting too hot.
"Hermione, believe me, I am cognizant about that," said Harry, feeling weary as he watched the fire blaze. "Um Hermione, don't you think people in Hogsmeade wonder about the smoke?" Then no one spoke as his words sunk in.
"Oh shit," said Hermione, widening eyes in shock, he wasn't sure if it was due to realization or the fact that she swore. "Let's get back to Grimmauld now before someone comes," the other two nodded in affirmation and they all disapparated back to Grimmauld, escaping any smell of soot or ashes.
"Let's go to my room so that we won't look so suspicious," said Harry, looking at Ron and Hermione's hot face, due to so much fire. When they went to Harry's room, the three sat down, either on the bed or in a chair. Harry spelled the door so no one can eavesdrop on them. "Well, it's been very productive, how many books were destroyed today Hermione?" he asked as Hermione pulled out the reference book and did a quick math, thanks to her Arithmancy lessons.
"Wow, we did more than we have predicted we would do," she said, grinning as she closed the book.
"Well?" asked Ron agitated.
"Three thousand, four hundred and twenty nine books have been taken cared of, today," she replied, smug that they have a great start, though hesitant because it was books, which she treasured dearly.
"Definitely a good start," said Harry, grinning and happy of their good start. "Though, tomorrow, when we get to the rest of the world, it will get harder to get. I suspect the news will report about the 'missing' and hard to get books to appear tomorrow. I'm sure it will contain some stupid canards facts but they will have the gist of things. It is deign to be difficult so, don't let today fool our senses," said Harry with contrite. "Plus, they're going to report that much of Europe have been… robbed of the books as well."
"Agreed Harry," said Hermione, nodding. Then someone knocked on the door, rather loudly which caused everyone to jump in fright.
"Hello? Anyone in there? Hey, let me in!" yelled the voice that belonged to Snape.
"Honestly Severus, you shouldn't knock that loudly!" reprimanded another voice, which Harry knew must be Minerva. There were other voices speaking as well. Harry, Ron and Hermione swallowed gulps nervously.
"I think we're caught," said Harry lamely. Ron nodded, paling as his freckles stood out even more.
"Should we let them know we're in here?" asked Ron nervously, but grew even more panic as another voice answered.
"You will bloody well let us in!" yelled one of the twins.
"Wha—" began Harry. "But I spelled the door from eavesdropping!" said Harry angrily, clenching his jaw. This was all becoming so abstruse; he didn't know what to think. He was seriously feeling very affronted about the people outside his door. He felt that they had been spewing out some machinations to find out the cold, hard truth from Harry James Potter himself. His rage seethed throughout him and his friends grew more alarmed.
"Harry! Calm down or you will hurt yourself or us!" exclaimed Hermione as one of the cups on the desk broke into shards, causing the two to panic. Harry ignored the two and walked to the door and threw the door open, catching all of them by surprise and began to panic when they saw the state Harry was in.
"Leave the bloody damn me alone!" roared Harry, his magic pouring out of him, causing all of the portraits, doors and vases in sight to explode. He didn't care about his façade anymore; all he wanted was some peace and quiet. Will he ever get that, at this rate? He knew he wouldn't and it had seriously pissed him off. He didn't care if his actions would cause any opprobrium in the near future.
"If you so as much as to try and find out what happened between me and Voldemort so badly, leave the damn me alone and you will find out eventually! LEAVE!" The people gathered at the door stared at him in fright, but did not move. Arthur spoke up meekly.
"Harry…" he began, "I—this isn't about that—"
"Of course it does! You just do not know it!" yelled Harry. Snape took the preempt and spoke up next.
"Potter, do shut up and listen to me," he growled. "This is about the books you destroyed at the library at Hogwarts."
"Oh-ho, now we're getting somewhere, leave the bleeding me alone," he snapped, repeating his harsh request to the people he considered family, and one he considered an archenemy. "Don't, just don't assume the thoughts on that right now," he said in a slightly calmer voice. "All will be explained: later."
"So you do know what is going on with the books at the Ministry," said Arthur, frowning.
"I said nothing of the sort about that," said Harry coolly.
"I'm sure you do perceive, considering that all of the books that are disappearing, are on Necromancy. Not to aver that the Shrieking Shack had an immense flames and large amount of ashes, along with smoke. I'm certain the three of you can discern of what has transpired within the Shrieking Shack, no?" drawled Snape, glaring daggers at the three newly-graduated students.
"So what if we have anything to do with that, sir?" asked Harry, glaring daggers straight back at the Potions Master.
"T-then, Harry, what's going on?" asked Arthur, frowning. "Why—?"
Harry growled at Arthur, glaring at him which caused him to shut up with fright. Harry sighed, "Sorry, but really—do you really want me to announce to the world what happened so I can get everyone to comply with me?" asked Harry with sarcasm. "No, I really don't," said Harry.
"Of course I—we don't!" said Tonks, "we don't want that, Harry."
"See, so please just bear with me here," said Harry, but something rammed him against the wall. "Augh!" yelped Harry, growling as he realized that Snape pushed him against the wall.
"Severus!" yelled Molly Weasley, "don't treat him like that!" Snape ignored her as he stared Harry in the eyes.
"Potter, you will enlighten other people or I will inform them," threatened Snape, eyes glowering at Harry who felt betrayed. Harry's lungs heaved angrily.
"How dare you, how dare you Snape, I don't believe this," said Harry. "Y-you're betraying my trust, and of all people. You're threatening to tell them!" Snape only glared at him, no sign of sneer or smirk. Harry spat his snot at Snape, causing everyone to catch off guard as Snape yelped in surprise and in disgust as he stepped ten paces away from Harry.
"POTTER!" roared Snape, using his wand to clean his face. "Expilliarmus!"
"Protego!" yelled Harry, deflecting the disarming charm.
"How dare you, no revere at all, no sense of decorum!" growled Snape. Harry put his wand down at his side slowly, eyes trained on Potions Master. He sighed, admitting defeat.
"Fine, I give up," said Harry quietly, his feelings damaged, soul wounded and in withering emotional pain. His pride was punctured and humiliated by the Potions Master. After this, no…he could still run away into the muggle world. No, he owned his only family an explanation, one he doesn't want to face. Yet, the prospect of just hiding in the muggle world sounds like a grand idea. Shaking himself out of reverie, he looked at the people he considered family. He really owed them a clarification of what's been going on.
In his quietest of voice, he spoke, "I'm destroying Necromancy books because the sheer branch of Necromancy is far more horrifying than the Unforgivables itself, in my opinion. My parents… they were raised from the dead, with the aid of Voldemort's power. Even when I defeated him, they were still walking without the aid of his magic. I…had to destroy them. There were no more bodies left of dead Death Eaters or my parents or any other corpses. Watching my parents turning into dust as I destroyed them…"
"Oh Harry…" murmured Molly, moving toward him, eyes glistening in tears. Harry moved away from her, shaking his head.
"Please, just keep your distance from me," requested Harry, his eyes more pronounced with haunted look.
"So, is that why you wanted to get rid of Necromancy, any form of the magical branch?" asked Arthur Weasley. Harry looked at him, and slowly nodded, his heart wrenching with pain and sorrow as he recalled the events. When will he ever move on? "You should have asked us Harry, we would have helped you…"
"Really, destroying any evidences of how to learn the branch of Necromancy?" asked Harry, quirking an eyebrow. Arthur hesitated and then he nodded in answer.
"You have a perfect reason Harry, besides, I don't see why we have to keep the branch. We could easily make Necromancy another one of the Unforgivables," said Arthur. Harry sighed, feeling slightly better, but his feelings were still betrayed by Snape. "Well, I suppose we can take a breather then, we don't have to worry about anyone becoming the next Dark Lord when the books started disappearin—"
"Arthur Weasley!" growled a voice from the end of the hall, coming toward the small group. "We have something of great importance. Most of Europe are claiming that Necromancy text books are disappearing," reported Mad-Eye Moody. Silence followed as they stared at Harry. "Potter, I see you're out and about… what's going on here?" gruffed Moody, glaring suspicious looks at Snape who had his wand trained on Harry as Harry had a strange haunted look in his eyes.
"Ahem, well, about that, Mad-Eye," began Arthur, clearing his throat uncomfortably. "We know why the books are disappearing."
"It has to do with the last battle with Voldemort," explained Harry wearily. "It was rather horrifying to say the least, I can't really begin to describe the abhorrence of necromancy. Sheer monstrosity of the magical branch far outweighs to even the Unforgivables, again, in my opinion."
"Even the Unforgivables, Potter?" exclaimed Moody, his electric blue eyes spinning in the socket. "What had happened between the two of you?"
"If you so badly want to know the exact details of my battle, why we all visit the Pensieve?" asked Harry hotly, glaring at everyone.
"N-no, not that Harry, we only—c—" began Hermione, fidgeting.
"Yes, why don't we do that?" sneered Snape as Harry stared at him in horror and disgust that Professor—no—Snape, Greasy git, Snivellius wanted to violate his privacy, of all things. His nostrils grew large in anger, his fists clenching. He could not stand the man before him, not anymore. The sheer stupidity that his old Professor wanted him to do, was definitely appalling. Harry whipped his wand back at Snape and before anyone could react.
"Crecia Memoria!" The spell hit Snape in the face straight on, sending him into the wall with loud crash as everyone yelped or screamed Harry's name. He kept his wand trained on Snape, to keep tormenting him with the worse memories he could experience. It was one of the spells he had learned while in self-exile for past few weeks. The spell had the same effect as the dementors themselves. Only they were not required to be in the presence of torturing the mind.
He enjoyed watching the horror on Snape's face, and some sorrow and plaintive. Snape's face showed full of trepidation, panic and terror. Harry vaguely felt hands trying to pull him away from Snape but he was far too strong. All of the years he spent training for the war had outran any of the duelist, even the Mad-Eye Moody himself. He didn't care what everyone else had thought about Harry. He vaguely heard Hermione screaming for him as she tugged at him. He ignored her, he was far excessively tired of Snape's insulting, impertinent words. Then he broke the spell after what seemed an hour, but in reality, only two minutes. Harry growled and went back into his room and closed the door with a loud slam. He went to his bed and buried into his pillow, muffling his screams that he was sure only Ron could hear as everyone else still stood in the hallway.
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