Disclaimer: No I do not own JKR's Harry Potter series. Though I would very much like to own parts of Voldiekins…-giggle-

Another Inspiration

Chapter 9

Raids

AN: The POVs change quite a bit in this chapter to show things happening around the scenes. I hope you don't get confused. I did put section breaks between the changes and labeled the sections with setting changes. Also, as for HBP spoilers, there will be none concerning the plot of the book. Only spells as far as I can see I will be using. Also, any new stuff in HBP that would interfere with my fanfic will be IGNORED. And gosh….my beta told me she would not be able to look it over till Saturday, so I got one of my friends to look it over, and then she told me that she was looking it over. So this is twice looked over! Neato! Thanks Smitty!

"Harry…how do I get out?" the shadow called out into his dreams before once again disappearing behind the tendrils.

It had been two more days of training with Bellatrix Black before he returned to Voldemort deeply worn down from emotional disaster and lack of sleep. Harry spent many hours a night reliving the screams of them and it was breaking him. Today was Sunday (the last day with Bellatrix being Monday) and Harry eagerly took another energy potion before meeting his master and burying his emotions deep within himself.

Voldemort did not know Harry had not been sleeping and had only heard from Bellatrix that he had learned them well and did not seem to have any problems. But under the surface of it all, Harry did have a problem; a very serious problem that could never be resolved by his solitary self. For Harry to be capable of murder, he would have to be silent and resign himself to evil. He would have to build a stone wall around the part of himself that held honour and morality above all else and while the rest of him boiled into a machine.

"Damn dreams…" Harry muttered as he arose from his sleep. His head buzzed with weariness and the darkness that still grappled at his mind. This was the second time he had had this voice calling out and it only added to the confusion of life. Strange thing was it just cut in his sleeping head, even in the middle of a nightmare.

Harry got out of bed and headed to the bath, but was interrupted by a knock on the door just as Harry's hand touched the handle to the bathroom door. Harry turned around and opened the door to find his master. Voldemort did not look like he had slept much and his clothes were not the normal 'perfect and pressed' that Harry was used to seeing.

"Is there something wrong sir?" Harry asked, concerned.

"I'm fine Harry, just letting you know that you are free from lessons today, but there will be a meeting later. Be prepared, for big things will soon happen." Voldemort said, a grin forming on his fatigued face.

"Alright, thanks Mr. Riddle. I will see you later then. Maybe you should rest?"

" I am fine Harry. Sleeping can be done later. You don't look so well rested yourself so maybe you should rest."

"Point taken…have a good morning sir."

Voldemort began to walk away but stopped.

"Harry." The older man called out.

"Yes sir?"

"Death is a part of life, do not fear it nor loathe it. In the end we will all be behind the veil."

Harry paused for a moment before replying, "Then why do we live?"

"To be ready for death. Of course then there is the leading of preparation. I cannot leave this world in such a state where all will become lost to the appreciation of death. I will let you in on a little secret. The whole pureblood thing is bullshit. They just happen to be the most easily manipulated people and the most akin to staying together. I only allow the reckless killing to keep them insane enough to follow, not to mention it's a good stress reliever. Taking over the world never was an easy task, but it can be done. With each chip of the structure, it will become perfect."

With that, Voldemort left and Harry decided the bed seemed much more comfortable at the moment, but not before he could find a bottle of Dreamless Sleep.

"Chanceux!" Harry called.

"Yes Mr. Potter?"

"Bring me a dose of Dreamless Sleep." Harry ordered.

"Yes Mr. Potter."

Surprisingly it took her a full five minutes to retrieve it so in the meantime Harry took a moment to reflect upon the Dark Lord's words. The man certainly thought he was in the right and probably meant to rid of the corrupted Ministry and replace it, but there was one flaw in his thinking, and it would grow and bring the man into disaster.

Using the analogy the man gave, Harry thought about the pieces that would be chipped off. Where would they go? Obviously they would remain in the background somewhere while the ideal perfection would be made in the eye of the beholder. Even if Voldemort did succeed in making this 'statue', it would fall due to all the chips and most likely Fate, since she never let power stay on Earth in one spot for too long. Like the Romans and the Greeks, he too would fall. Especially with the rash manner he took things.

Chanceux finally returned and she handed the vial to Harry without comment and disappeared. Harry took a dosage and collapsed back in his bed, glad for a chance to catch up on sleep.

0000000000000000000000

There was a knock followed by a series of poundings at Harry's door before it was forced open by a seething dark lord. Voldemort then proceeded to stalk to Harry's bedroom to find the teen still in bed undisturbed by his ravings.

"GET UP! IT'S LUNCH FOR MERLINS SAKE!"

There was no response or movement.

Voldemort ripped off the bedcovers and dragged Harry off the bed onto the floor. Harry shifted a bit to get himself comfortable and went promptly back to a deep sleep. Voldemort glared at the still form and summoned a pitcher of cold water and poured it on the teen's head. There still wasn't an inch of movement. Fully frustrated, Voldemort cast the Cruciatus Curse on the sleeping form. Harry twitched in his sleep slightly, but it could be due to his freezing skin.

"Damn…it's no fun if they don't scream." Voldemort said, exasperated.

Voldemort removed the curse from the boy and decided to leave him to starve and turned around to leave when sounds of waking finally occurred. He looked back at the form and watched him stretch, reach over to grasp at an imaginary object, stop in confusion, and stare back at the blurry black man standing over him. He continued to stare at the blur for a few moments until recognition finally hit.

"Hello Mr. Riddle!" Harry said, all substance of sleep vanished.

Voldemort only glared back at the chipper hello.

"Hmmm…would you happen to know how I ended up on the floor? And wet?" Harry asked, suspicion seeping in.

"Yes, I would Harry. Those would be my attempts to bring you back from the dead."

"Wow…didn't think Dreamless Sleep did that to me. Interesting."

"Dreamless Sleep...yes, I think I remember Chanceux babbling on about you wanting a dose. How odd that it would have such an effect on you."

Have gave a vague 'hmm' in response and attempted to pull himself off the floor. After stumbling a couple times he made it back to his bed and rolled over.

"Potter…lunch. Now."

"Damn…alright lemme at least get dressed. I will be down in a moment."

"You have five minutes; no more. I will be timing you."

Voldemort stalked off in a huff and only hoped that time would fly by faster so he could at least kill something, but even more exigent on his list of ways to expel frustration was good ole' torture. Trying to keep his temper under control, he quietly took a seat at the dinner table and ardently waited for his charge to appear.

Harry arrived in good time, only four minutes and twenty three seconds, and sat down in front of his master. Lunch quickly appeared and both dug in enthusiastically, leaving the conversation silent until both were sated. When the last bite of fish was swallowed, the plates disappeared, and Voldemort chose to elaborate on the day's events.

"Harry, tonight is of course a meeting, and you will be going to this one. I have also yet to teach you how to Apparate, but I am sure you will be able to learn quickly. I will explain it to you now, but I do suggest you put off practicing until I or someone else skilled enough is there to correct any mishaps that may occur.

"Alright."

"Its really quite simple. Just picture exactly where you want to be, concentrate on it, and let yourself go, or, as they would have taught you at Hogwarts, Destination, Determination, and Deliberation." Voldemort explained.

"Such a short explanation for a seemingly complicated thing."

"Students seem to be filled with distractions." Voldemort

"I see...guess it's a good thing I don't have anything to worry about except for getting myself killed, which is perfectly normal in this life."

Voldemort chuckled lightly at this and took a sip from his teacup.

"We will start either after the meeting, or more likely, in the morning. For now just prepare for the meeting that will take place in a few hours here. You will also remember I will not tolerate arguments or fights of any sort at meetings. I really do hate being interrupted with mindless squabble. As for everything else I am sure you have seen enough meetings in your head to know what to do."

Voldemort flashed a disturbing smirk and rose from the table.

"Well, I have thing's to get ready. When I call just use this portkey to get to the meeting. Password is 'Morsmordre'."

Voldemort set a small silver thimble on the table and left the room with a grace that only the most evil wizard of the ages could produce. Harry stared at the thimble a moment before pocketing it, pushing the symbolic thoughts out of his head. At this moment, Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, melded into the shell, a shell created purely out of necessity, and was forever changed into something much worse. Harry Potter was the Man-Who-Killed.

0000000000000000000

Harry sat on his bed patiently, already in his Death Eater costume, white mask on the bed next to him, waiting for what was inevitable. The strange fact of Harry's sitting was the absolute stillness of it. There were no nervous gestures, no signs of defeat, not even restlessness. All that showed on Harry was absolute serenity and the profound absence of emotion.

When his clock struck exactly 6:50 in the afternoon, his left arm sharply burned and without even a twitch he dug the thimble out of his pocket, placed his mask, stood calmly beside his bed, and spoke 'morsmordre'. Harry felt the all too familiar tug at his navel and was whisked away.

Harry appeared at the meeting place and took in the sight of his brethren apparating in rapidly around the room. Voldemort himself hadn't appeared yet and the ornate chair on the raised dais was empty. There was quiet chatter among the room between friends, but none seemed to seek out anyone special. Harry simply watched from afar and was paid no mind. After a few minutes the group began to filtrate into a semi-organized congealment of curved lines. When Voldemort finally appeared not a sound was made and the stillness of the bodies gave an eerie statue like appeal.

Voldemort grandly sat on his throne and, in unison, the sea of Death Eaters kneeled in respect of their lord.

"Rise my loyal Death Eaters for tonight I give news! The time has come to strike upon those that go against us. In six days time we will hit Hogwarts."

A cheer arose from the group and Harry cheered right along with them. As Voldemort began to speak again silence beckoned on them, and their attention strongly affixed on the pale lord.

"For those with children at Hogwarts, tell them to seek shelter inside the school. Take care not to kill any students unless they directly join the fight. They are our future after all. Kill the Aurors, Professors, and especially Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix. I suggest you all stay out of Dumbledore's way and leave the old man to me. There is a Quidditch match scheduled that day so all will be there in the open. Bring a broom to eliminate their advantage of the stands. We shall apparate onto the edge of the wards at precisely 11:30 AM. I will break the ground wards while a large formation approaches the game under an invisibility charm. The leader will make himself known and then the rest of you will appear. Attack the teachers stand first and keep attacking them until the Aurors arrive. Take as many as you can out. It is important they die. Once we get control, I shall give the signal to herd the students into the Great Hall. I will then rearrange the wards and take complete control of Hogwarts. I will contact you individually for positions in the raid and other special tasks. Meeting adjourned."

With that, everyone quickly disappeared and all that was left was Voldemort and Harry.

"Mr. Potter, you will lead the brooms onto the Quidditch Pitch during the game. As soon as the rest appear I want you to fall back and blend in with the rest. You shall not wear your mask during the raid."

"Yes my lord."

"Good, now portkey back—same password."

Harry took out the thimble from his pocket again and spoke the password and was immediately transported back to the manor.

Voldemort then called out to a few of his specific minions through their marks and they quickly appeared. Among the group were Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Black, Antonin Dolohov, Nott, Jugson, Rabastan Lestrange, Mulciber, and Augustus Rookwood.

"Bellatrix, I want you to keep an eye on Potter in the battle, I want him kept alive. He will be in the lead of the first strike, but will pull back when the rest appear."

"Yes my lord. I will keep him safe."

"You may go Bellatrix."

Bellatrix bowed her head in respect and apparated with a crack.

"As for the rest of you, I have a special mission for you. The attack on Hogwarts is a diversion and I won't be horribly disappointed if I don't take over it yet, I will in time though. As for you, you will be leading an attack on the Ministry. Fenrir and a large group of Day Walkers will give you support. This is an assassination mission. I want Cornelius Fudge, Amelia Bones, Amos Diggory, Mafalda Hopkirk, and Rufus Scrimgeour, providing he does not go to Hogwarts, dead. There will be no exceptions. I want each and every one of them deceased or I will be most displeased. Now, you will attack the Ministry at noon to give the Aurors enough time to all get to Hogwarts and leave the Ministry unprotected. Lucius, I appoint you leader, and as soon as you are finished I want you to apparate to me. The rest of you will get out of the Ministry and apparate to headquarters." Voldemort explained.

A chorus of "Yes my lord, it will be done." Rang out among them and they then proceeded with a bow.

"Dismissed."

00000000000000000000

The next few days flew by quickly and Harry did indeed learn how to apparate. Anytime Harry wasn't being taught, usually do to Voldemort's meetings with certain members, Harry read up on curses, hexes, and how to defend them. It wasn't that Harry didn't remember them, but it did put him more into the mindset of a dangerous wizard. Harry only splinched himself once during the practices and in four and a half days time he was successful in passing his mock apparation test.

It was early Saturday morning when the green orbs opened. He stared at the ceiling and studied the strange patterns that marred the surface. Thoughts of life drifted into his mind and he wondered who he even was anymore. He was certainly not the Hogwarts student, but was he a Death Eater? A killer, yes, but was he one of Voldemort's demons? Was he truly turning into the thing he had sworn to fight against? Yes, he had joined for only his own survival and to get a good chance to kill Voldemort for good, but what about who he was in-between the time of now and what he would be when once again he became the hero? Of course he could never be who he once was, but could a killer be anything other than a killer? What would Harry do for the rest of his life? What was there to really live for after all this?

Eh, what does it matter? As long the bastard dies I will be content. Though it seems my reasoning has changed. I can't really hate him for being a mass murderer. How do you blame someone for trying to change the world into something better? He really did believe it was the right way and he doesn't view it as necessarily wrong. I can even agree with some of his views, but he is going too far. One must accept that not everything can be perfect or fair. That's life. Perfection just can't be obtained and that is his downfall. I guess my only reasons to kill him is for my parents and to stop the bloodshed. At least he can die knowing he did cause a change and one hopefully for the better in the end of things.

Harry got out of bed and took a long relaxing bath to calm the slight nervousness he felt of the upcoming battle. Harry did not like being in the front so much, but it would not be long. It was also the fact that he would be seeing his friends again not to mention Dumbledore. It was just a bit much. Harry was used to the confinement to Riddle Manor and the change in routine was unsettling—much like lessons with Bellatrix.

Harry dressed in his battle gear, which consisted of a light, but strong leather-like armour under his Death Eater robes, wand holster, boot knife, and dragon hide boots spelled to make the wearer's footsteps absolutely silent. Harry ran down to breakfast at 8:30 and ate in silence. The Dark Lord wasn't present, but that did not worry Harry. Not having much to do, Harry went back to his room and waited.

Time passed quickly when finally, at 11 o'clock, Harry felt his mark burn. He grabbed his new firebolt and apparated to Lord Voldemort.

Harry, along with the rest of the Death Eaters in the Hogwarts group, appeared at the meeting place where they were arranged by their lord into formations for the fight. Further instructions of how to fly and little details of strategy were given. Voldemort then instructed everyone to charm themselves invisible and at exactly 11:30 am, everyone apparated simultaneously to their destination.

0000000000000000000000

-Hogwarts-

It was a typical Quidditch match at Hogwarts with the seas of red and green opposite of each other in the stands. It was a match between Gryffindor and Slytherin, Slytherin being the choice favorite for once. It seemed their loosing streak of the Quidditch Cup would finally end this year and they would take it home.

"Score again for Slytherin bringing it to 90:10 and look! Malfoy has spotted the snitch!" the commentator shouted as Malfoy made an upward streak towards the glittering ball of gold. Ginny was too far away to be able to catch him and it was sure to be a Slytherin win. Draco reached out towards the snitch and was about to take a swipe at it when it suddenly disappeared in front of his hand.

A dark figure emerged in the area where the snitch just lain and in his hand was the struggling snitch. The crowd became deathly silent as the figure flew around for a moment before speaking out loud and clear.

"Sorry Draco, but Voldemort wins, 150 to 90 to 10." Harry quipped and not a moment later the legion of Death Eaters appeared around him, the empty space became a sea of black shouting red and green spells towards the teacher's stand.

Dumbledore immediately began fighting back the spells while at the same time shouting for the students to get inside. Absolute chaos ensued as the students trickled down to the ground floor and the Quidditch teams fled to safety of the ground. The battle of the teachers went on for a good ten minutes before the Aurors arrived on the ground below. The Death Eaters quickly made a beeline for the ground and all out war was made. Many of the older students on the side of light stayed to fight while the rest moved towards the castle. Voldemort had already started on taking over the wards to castle and began to close off all the rooms besides the Great Hall, bringing any who entered into a stone prison.

0000000000000000000000000

-Ministry of Magic-

The clock chimed twelve times and a large group of menacing looking Daywalkers led by seven of Voldemort's best and the great werewolf, Fenrir Greyback, arrived at the Ministry of Magic. They stormed the gates and immediately started firing curses at officials. Groups split off to execute the less guarded wizards on the list while Lucius and Fenrir headed to the Minister's office. They arrived to a cowering Percy Weasley and stuttering Cornelius Fudge.

Lucius proudly strutted up to the desk and smirked at the Minister while Fenrir proceeded to rip out Percy's throat with his teeth, blood splattering on the front of their robes; screams echoing off the walls. Cornelius' eyes grew to an expanded range as he stared at the lifeless body in the arms of Fenrir Greyback. The werewolf's eyes were glowing a brilliant yellow from the pleasure of the kill, and the Minister only shook more, words unable to form in his constricted throat.

"Well, it seems your assistant has met an interesting end, though yours will be more tasteful in a sense." Lucius casually stated.

In the background a high pitched cackle could be heard from the werewolf as even in human form he was much more of a beast than something so mundane. Cornelius' eyes traveled to Lucius' face and then back to the scene behind him and then once more darted to the silver molted eyes.

"Lu-luci-us? Wh-why are-" the Minister stuttered.

Cornelius Fudge was stopped mid-sentence when the clear tone of 'Avada Kedavra' came from Lucius's lips and the green light extinguished his life.

Lucius and Fenrir then left the office and returned to the Atrium along with the Daywalkers that had accompanied them down.

0000000000000000000

In the office of Amelia Bones, a stifled scream escaped the mouth of the victim as fangs pierced her skin, a wash of surreal pleasure washing over until darkness claimed her. The Daywalker then licked his lips in satisfaction and took in his comrades' features as they glowed in youthful appreciation of the after-feed of the Aurors that had tried to stop them.

0000000000000000000

Rookwood, along with Jugson, Rabastan Lestrange, Mulciber, and Nott quickly made haste towards their target, Mafalda Hopkirk, killing any resistance that came upon their way. They took the stairs down to floor where her office was located and blasted the door down. A few other ministry workers were hiding in the room, wands held like lifelines, waiting for whatever impending doom would take them. The officials attempted to timidly fight back, but were easily extinguished by the highly experienced Death Eaters. All was left was the shaking woman who held her wand out sprouting idle threats and was taken down by Mulciber.

0000000000000000000

The last team finally arrived back up to the Atrium in the Ministry and reported an affirmative to the deaths of all on the list, but the mysterious Head of the Auror department.

"He must be at Hogwarts then, if he is not here. Either way, he will die soon. The Dark Lord will make sure of that. Death Eaters shall apparate to headquarters while everyone else goes back to wherever they came from. I will be reporting to the Dark Lord. Move out." Lucius explained.

Pops of apparation could be heard along with some simply choosing to walk out. The Ministry could be said to be under new management and the Dark Lord would make sure that it was his side that did. All the arrangements had already been made for replacing the killed officials and would be put into effect in the next twenty-four hours.

000000000000000000

-Hogwarts-

The way they moved could be considered a dance. This was dueling on a level beyond what most would expect. Magic was used to its fullest extent. Where most people just used curses and hexes, the two oldest men on the field used all aspects ranging widely from simple charms to high quality transfiguration. What was even more interesting was the conversation, though it was short and consisted of seemingly simple boasts and barbs.

In-between another attack Voldemort finally began the conversation due to, most likely at least, over-inflation of his ego.

"Harry is an excellent Death Eater you know. Has such finesse." Voldemort said while preparing for his return assault.

Deflecting the ice shard with a transfigured shield Dumbledore replied, "His arrogance will kill him, Tom. Just like every other one of your puppets."

Voldemort sent off the Killing Curse, which Dumbledore dodged, and shot back, "And arrogance is the same as old age. So I shall be hoping for an early Christmas present this year."

Dumbledore sent back a series of hexes and forced the Dark Lord to jump about, trying to wear his stamina down.

"And you shall receive it in the Veil."

At that moment Lucius popped a short ways away from Voldemort and called out, "It has been done my lord."

Not taking his eyes off the headmaster he gave a satisfied smirk as he blocked Dumbledore's next attack and went into a defensive position.

"Well, well, look at the time. Have fun with the owls old man." Voldemort quipped.

Dumbledore's eyes showed a clouded confusion as Voldemort apparated away, his Death Eaters quickly following suit.

000000000000000000000

Harry fell behind when the others appeared, like he had been told, and sent off curses towards the teacher's stands. Unfortunately Dumbledore does hire mostly competent people for the posts at Hogwarts and they were all working together to build shields. Harry shot back random spells, knowing that it was just the keep them busy until the Aurors came, the wizards that really needed to be exterminated.

Unknown to the young Death Eater, Bellatrix was indeed keeping a close eye on him, noticing that he wasn't wasting his energy on a useless effort, though the shields did flicker occasionally. The Death Eaters could break the shields in time, but to their ire they were ordered to focus on the Aurors once they arrived.

When the Aurors did arrive Harry immediately changed his focus to the militarily robed wizards and managed to take down two unprepared Aurors that were probably new to the true art of war. He whizzed down to the ground and quickly shrunk and pocketed his broom. The battle began in earnest and just like the wars of old; it was every man for himself.

Harry fought his way through Aurors with quick, but gruesome curses until the battles became more one on one in the large area. Harry noted that many of the students fighting alongside the teachers and Aurors used to be in the DA and he felt a small pang of elation towards them. The internal defenses enraged by the positive feeling defected against it, suddenly calling the students fools for getting involved, and a strange calm overcame Harry, even though his heartbeat quickened excitedly. Moving forward, he fired a killing curse in the back of an Auror (dear old Rufus) and the Death Eater who was attacking him moved on to another part of the field, choosing to ignore the black haired girl that had been fighting with him. The girl stared at Harry with wide eyes, recognition filing in. The dark teen predatorily came towards her, a vindictive smirk upon his face.

"Harry, why are you doing this?" Cho Chang called out, terror maiming her eyes.

"Sectumsempra!" he hissed at her, eyes glowing a deranged green.

A deep gash marred her chest, tilted precisely to puncture her right lung. She dropped her wand in shock and fell to her knees struggling to breathe. He glided closer to her form and stopped in front of her, wand held out steadily.

He did not speak the next curse outloud, but it did serve its purpose none-the-less. Harry slowly squeezed the punctured lung and watched as her breath hitched and her eyes bugged. Harry squeezed until the lung collapsed and her body hit the ground a not a moment later.

"NO!" a boy yelled out, bringing Harry out of his bloodlust.

Glancing his eyes toward the youngest Weasley boy, he simply smiled and without averting his eyes away from the redhead's he shot a green light at Cho Chang, ending her life.

Ronald Weasley was a brave child, just as his house describes him, and he of course foolishly ran towards Harry, also another trait his house was prone to, and was quickly met with a full body bind.

"Always not thinking I see. How you managed to survive so far eludes me, but don't worry, death will come for you soon enough." Harry said, and then wondered why he was wasting time making silly speeches when his opponent could already be dead.

Before Harry could further those thoughts his mark fiercely burned and he quickly sent a rather nasty and potentially lethal version of a Furnunculus hex in spite as he apparated to his master. Ron only stared at the spot where his old friend had stood and was painfully reminded that he was indeed, still alive.

00000000000000000000

AN: Ta da! I highly appreciate all the reviews I have gotten, good and bad, and I am sorry about the long wait. I totally meant to update Tuesday night, but I wanted my beta to look at it. Just how it is. Now, -marks off a few characters on her list to kill- Well, that will be all the death of actual somewhat major characters for a bit…its gonna be hard to write the big future one. -sniffles- Also the next chapter name will be held secret, its too revealing. Though do take note of the 2 dream instances.

Skuld's Sentaro4: Oh no, I MUST break his mind! Bwahahahaha! Hopefully you got the Lily reference. Evil I know…I really did hate to do it, but Bella felt like being vindictive (well, it was more due to her frustrations with herself)

Sekikage: Yup, it tis, Harry wont hate her so much after this next chapter, but I do admit it is a bit difficult to get them shipped up. As for Harry going back to the light…well, it ain't happening, at least not in the sense of going to Dumbles and playing spy. Wont say more on that.

hiro himoira: yes, he does quite hate it as we see in the HBP, but he only lets Harry call him that. Im not going to change it, and its just a title. Voldie is of course a bit different from the scenes we have seen him in, but I try not to over do it. I simply like to bring out that I think everyone has a bit of a humane side, even if its pins and needles to bring it out.

Raven: you reviewed chapter 5 saying I forgot to document my "Wicked" reference. Sorry to seem daft, but what are you talking about? A movie? Song? If it is indeed from a movie or something similar it was a complete coincidence.

Also big thanks to my other reviewers: Deadwilder, ApocSM, Zevrillion, Lady Jillyan Malfoy-Potter, CartmanLover, SUFERCHICK123876bliss4life, Sign Aurora Sciliitaigo, Cail Jol, Ferdia, and gabichicaloca

And of course my wonderful beta Modern Day Zarcon, and I call for everyone to read her fic Inner Strength (under her other ffn name A. Muggle). The ID is 2308516, which by the way dear would be nice if you updated. -grin-