A/N: It's been a while, but I finally got myself around to typing this up. I would like to mention that I've been home maybe two weeks total since school ended, but hey—at least I'm getting it written. (and before I go away for 3 weeks, too! So yeah, there will be about a 3 week disappearance by me as I go visit grandparents and have little to no computer access.)

Everyone thank FalconMistress17, whose review got me up and made me decide to update this before I left for vacation. Thanks!

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine, unfortunately, or you wouldn't be waiting for my fanfiction, but for the books.

Parseltongue is italics unless obviously an emphasis or a spell.

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Previous:

"Mr. Malfoy, I have a very serious question to ask you. Please answer it truthfully; no matter what you say, I will not harm you. Mr. Malfoy," he leaned forward, "do you want to become a Death Eater?"

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The shock on the boy's face made it obvious that he was not expecting that question, and words fell forth before he could stop them.

"No! The Dark Lord's whole idea is stupid, and he's a raving lunatic who can be bested by a one year old babe!" His eyes widened and he clapped his hands over his mouth. Damien laughed.

"Mr. Malfoy, that's exactly what I hoped to hear. Now I need to ask you another question—does your father plan on initiating you anyway?" Draco looked down at his hands.

"I… I believe so."

"What would you say if I offered protection from both Voldemort and your father?" Draco stared at the man for a moment, his eyes flickering warily.

"Protection how?" Damien shrugged.

"You wouldn't have to go home over the break, Lucius Malfoy won't be allowed on the grounds, and Voldemort would be foolish to come here." Draco hesitated, then nodded.

"Yes. Thank you." With a smile, Damien picked up a piece of paper and handed it to the Malfoy heir.

"Tell your next teacher that I had a few questions for you. And Draco—" the blonde looked over from his place halfway out the door. "Thank you."

Slight grins on their faces, Draco Malfoy hurried to his next class and Damien Raven shuffled through the papers on his desk to find the essays he had yet to mark.

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Two months later, in the middle of November, Damien finally received permission from the Ministry to teach his seventh year class about the Unforgivables. The red and green houses entered, with only faint remnants of their old rivalry remaining. They had learned that he did not tolerate it in his class, and had acted accordingly. Eventually, that lack of hostility had become second nature to most. Today they sat down under the completely serious face of their Professor.

"In under a year, you will be leaving these halls and going out to continue your life. Voldemort is at large, as are his Death Eaters. Therefore, we must do as much as possible to prepare you. As you all know, we have spent the last two months stuffing your head full of what you should have learned up to your seventh year. Now you need to learn of the Unforgivables." He looked around the room.

"These three spells are some of the Death Eaters favorite curses to use. However, I must clarify something for you. These spells are not evil. There is no such thing as an evil spell. There is Light and Dark magic, yes, but this has nothing to do with 'good' or 'evil'. A spell is classified as Light or Dark depending on its most common use. Spells used in duels and wars are classed as Dark, offensive or defensive. Spells used around the home or for every day occurrences are classed as Light. The intention of a spell is what makes it good or evil.

For example, the Killing Curse. The Killing Curse can be used to give a seriously injured person a fast and painless death, when they might otherwise be in serious pain for an extended period of time. Can anyone give me an example of a Light spell that could be used in an evil way? Yes, Mr. Longbottom." The Gryffindor looked nervous.

"Wingardium Leviosa could lift a person out a high window or off a cliff so they dropped to their death…" Damien smiled.

"Correct; three points to Gryffindor. Now, I understand that you've had a lesson or two on the Unforgivables? Since that is the case, I will simply teach you better defense. First of all, for the Imperius curse—as soon as you begin to feel a pleasant feeling, you must tell yourself that it's not real. Focus on that thought, and the curse will snap. Under the Cruciatus, if you can retain your state of mind, you can discover a way to channel the pain out of your body—for example, through a fingertip or the top of your nose, by simply believing it is escaping through that body part. Finally, there is a chance to survive the Killing Curse. Speculation of how Harry Potter survived the curse is plentiful, but what seems to be the most plausible is that he 'dug' his spirit's fingers into his body. If this is managed, the curse will either dissipate or rebound upon the caster." He looked at the students with a weary smile.

"I'm not going to casting the curses on you. Tonight, while in your bed, try these methods without the curses cast. Dismissed." He turned away as they left, taking his seat. Once all the students had left, Siltivi slithered to the desk, hissing lightly.

That went well. Damien chuckled lightly.

I guess it did. It's going to be difficult, though. The snake merely twined her head around his upraised arm.

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During the Christmas break, Damien cleared an afternoon in his schedule and Jumped. He grinned at Salazar, who was waiting for him.

"How've you been, Sal?" The Slytherin founder grinned a little.

"Ah, just fine. You, scrap?" Damien's face darkened slightly.

"Voldemort hasn't been doing much lately—I'm getting worried. Just keep an eye out, ok Sal?" The ancestor nodded grimly. The moment, however, was ruined when Helga rushed in with a big hug for the younger man. Laughing, Damien hugged her back, doing the same for Rowena and a handshake for Godric when the two entered. Helga led Damien to a nearby couch and sat next to him.

"So how is little Draco coming along?" Damien smiled.

"He doesn't want to be a Death Eater." The others heaved a sigh of relief.

"Good; that's wonderful." They fell into quiet conversation, catching up with each other and making plans.

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February 18th dawned a chilly day. All morning and afternoon, students could be seen on the property wearing heavy cloaks over their robes. Damien was visibly on edge all day—and he wasn't alone. Dumbledore noted that the snake and raven seemed edgy, as well as the other familiars and animals in the castle. He couldn't figure out the reason until everything came to a head at dinner.

Damien was sitting next to Albus at dinner when he felt it—the wards around Hogwarts dissipated. Beside him, Dumbledore stiffened and reacted.

"Students! Hogwarts is being attacked. Please remain calm and follow these directions. First years through sixth years, to the back of the Hall! Seventh years, please stay right inside the door. Teachers, with me!" Everyone responded quickly, a massive flux of children running to the back. When the teachers reached the door, they found the seventh years waiting there—every single one. Several of the Gryffindors were staring in shock at the Slytherins, who ignored them and watched Draco as he approached the teachers. The blonde Slytherin leader nodded curtly to Dumbledore and the professors.

"Headmaster. Sirs. Madams." He then turned to Damien, who was smiling slightly while looking at the Slytherins.

"Professor Raven. You told me that Voldemort would be foolish to come here. We look forward to seeing that be the truth." A thin grin darted over the dark-haired man's face.

"I think we'll be able to. Draco—watch out for the little ones." Severus Snape stared at the man who had somehow known that Draco and the others were not going to be Death Eaters—something not even Severus himself had been sure of. Before he could do more then think that, however, Albus exited the Hall, all the teachers with him. Moments later, they were arranged in a half-circle outside, right in front of the closed doors. Albus stood in the middle, with Damien on one side and Minerva on the other.

Pops began to echo in the air as Death Eaters Apparated in. Immediately, the teachers began firing spells. The Death Eaters were momentarily surprised, but quickly gathered themselves together and returned the spells.

Some of Damien's attention shivered for a moment, which gave a few Death Eaters a chance to slip inside. As Voldemort appeared, something changed.

Everyone turned to look as a voice that was not Damien's, but older and wiser, boomed across the field from the forbidding form of Damien Raven.

"Tom Marvelo Riddle, thee of Slytherin blood. Hearken to what I, Salazar Slytherin, sayeth to thee. I hate thee and wouldn't picketh thou as my Heir even if thee were the only one left! I've been trying to get this across to thou for 37 years, at least! I disowneth thou from my bloodline. Damien Raven Slytherin, I release thee. Destroy that which hath staineth the family name!" Damien blinked suddenly, stance shifting to a defensive crouch. He stared at Voldemort for a minute before speaking, even as everyone else on the battleground froze and fell silent.

"Well Tom, you heard the ancestor. So how does it feel to be a disowned halfblood?" Voldemort's reptilian face twisted slightly in rage.

"How dare you take the title that should be mine! I'm fulfilling Salazar's dream, his hatred of Mudbloods!" Damien looked at Voldemort almost sadly as Siltivi appeared at his feet, fangs stained red, and Karal flew down to rest on his shoulder. The man's voice grew quieter, but still as clear.

"Salazar Slytherin didn't hate Muggleborns, Tom, he feared for the Muggleborns' lives if the Muggles ever found out about their magic. Times were different from now. Go face your dead innocents and discover just what Muggles can do when angry or fearful." The imposing figure took one step, launched at the other's body, and shoved a long dagger into Voldemort's heart. He stared impassively as the Dark Lord died, this time for good—there was no Slytherin blood left in him to help keep him alive.

Several shouts tore from the throats of fifty Death Eaters as they turned their wands upon Damien. Before a spell could be fired, pure chaos broke. Yells of pain started at the Forest's edge, moving outward as thestrals, snakes, centaurs, wolves, and hundreds of other creatures fought tooth and nail against those who had threatened their home and then the descendant of one of the Founders. A few unicorns, with brightly shining faeries clinging to their manes, trampled their way through the dark shapes until they reached the Slytherin Heir. The four faeries let go of the manes, flying over to Damien and flashing different colors in agitation. He smiled lightly.

"Thank you friends. I'm all right now. I assume you were waiting with the others?" One flashed bright green and he laughed.

"Salazar would have, wouldn't he? I'd better stop them before they kill them all, I suppose—we need to question some of the Death Eaters." One flashed deep yellow in amusement as Damien turned towards the Forest creatures. He took a deep breath and let out a series of trills, whistles, and hisses. Instantly the animals formed threatening circles around the Death Eaters.

Three thestrals separated from the group. Two began to methodically trample over those on the ground to make sure they were really dead. The third approached Damien and stood before him. One arm lifted silently, bare of sleeve. The thestral lowered its head and lightly closed its teeth over the faint scars of another thestral's bite.

Damien smiled and let out another series of sounds before turning to Dumbledore and the rest.

"Albus—I am sorry I cannot stay, but I will not be gawked at as a hero, like your precious Boy-Who-Lived. And if he ever returns, you would be wise not to try to manipulate him. He would not like it. As for a DADA teacher, find Remus Lupin. Werewolves are some of the best teachers in the subject, regardless of the prejudices." He glanced to the Death Eaters, then back to the Headmaster.

"The animals will move when you are ready to take custody of the Death Eaters. Hurt one creature, and all of them will turn on you. It would be in your best interests not to push them too far." Sharp green eyes caught onyx black.

"Severus. Tell Draco that I'm proud of him, and that I will be there if he needs me." With that, he swung up onto the back of the thestral and both disappeared, despite all on the field having seen death.

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Chapter End

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A/N: It's only about half as long as last chapter, but a lot happened in this one and we're almost done. One more chapter after this, maybe an epilogue, and that's it. So sad. Anyway, like I said at the top, this is it for 3 weeks while I'm on vacation. I've only got another hour or so before I have to get off, so that's also why it's shorter. --

Thank you everyone for your reviews and support!

Bloodless Ace, Eowyn23, shadow of the black abyss, HecateDeMort, bandgsecurtiyaw, Dragon Shadow, Alie26, methoslover, Sukera, andy-may, Lady-Slytherin-Warrior (for ch. 2 and 3!), tomboy101, Lyfe.exe, pinkharry, mspotter, Rkhiara, The Lady Reaper of the Shadows, C.F.Evangel, Bobboky, The Magic Bringer, Celestial Celestia, marietsy, Alex phoenix wing, Blue Werewolf Boy (for ch. 1, 2, and 3! Thanks!), Sarah R Potter, and Bunny Skywalker. Also:

s- Very proud of that cliffhanger. And thanks—I'll go back and fix the 'squip' and 'Damine's when I'm back from vaca. If you see any in this chapter, please let me know! (they're typos I missed when reading over it.)

Xblilyia- Glad you liked the basilisk! I thought so too.

Maria- …I guess he lived. Never really thought about it. I don't think he even ever shows up in the story, so it's up to you what happened to him! D

Lady Smoothie (Aerin)- Hmmm, I could get used to this worshipping thing… Bah. Yours is ten times better than mine! Mine's all clichés with a slight twist.

NephyRiddle- heh. Glad you liked it! And you should be ashamed. (j/k. It's alright, really.)

Concrete13rose- I'm glad you like the lessons; I was worried about them. The dealing could have been more subtle, but politics and stuff isn't my area of expertise and this is a very blunt fic. As seen above in the battle scene stuff. So…

FalconMistress17- I'm glad you like it! I find my not updating very often totally barbaric as well… unfortunately, it's only when hearing it from others that it actually registers. I'm a hypocrite as well—I keep telling others to update soon and then I don't. Oh well. I keep trying, even if I am very susceptible to writer's block and the bloody conversation in Picture A Pirate that won't write itself for me… gr… so anyway—I have an excuse to not update for 3 weeks, because I won't have computer access! Goes hide in a corner so does not get things thrown. Anyway, thanks for your review, it got me to type this up tonight.

And of course, we must thank Joko- I'm aware that I've only written 3 chapters in the last 7 (or so) months. However, I am very much committed to the story—there is no way I would leave it in the middle like this. While I'm slow at updating, I don't want to be like the authors that leave their stories in the middle of it. Thank you for your opinion, and for being my first 'flame' (though it was a kind of lousy flame… was disappointed, I didn't get to make fun of any spelling…) for this story, and for adding to my review count!

Thank you very much for your reviews! And thanks to those who just want to add to my hit counter instead of the review count! Every review you give me is welcomed with open arms.

Muchas gracias!

Kaaera