It was the day of the opening feast as the two young warriors awoke with the sun. There was a long dark-green round bag in one corner of the room with the top tied off, it smelled of salt and was very rounded out.
They had been training as usual since they had returned from their excursion to find Snape and LeStrange. Most of their time was spent beating the dummy, perfecting their fighting moves, meditating, and sparring. Sean had also been in correspondence with the Scottish werewolf hunters and they knew their part in the attack. Harry had discovered that when he let his energy flow through him, the blade of the sword of Theseus would turn white hot and became indestructible.
That morning, both Harry and Sean knew it was the day that would change everything. They trained and took their meals, they ended early so that they could make their final plans and preparations; and there was something Sean needed to ask Harry.
Harry had been upset the other day because, despite all his best efforts, his plant had died. Sean explained to Harry that that was a part of having the plant. That Harry needed to realize that sometimes, after doing all that one could, bad things still happen and that we need to accept it and move on. They were about to leave to sharpen the blades, but Sean stopped.
"One moment," he said, "there's something I need to do." Harry paused and turned to look at Sean, and then he saw him reach toward the wall, toward the sheathed katana blade that Harry had noticed when he first arrived.
Sean took the sheathe off the wall and held it in his left hand. He then drew the sword and stared at it for a little while. Harry recognized it as the same sword from when he had glimpsed into Sean's mind, it was the sword he had used to kill his mother. Harry wasn't sure what to say or do at this point, but Sean spoke.
"I vowed that I would never use this sword again but for one purpose. To kill Raiganzi Adrian Bognar."
Harry and Sean then made their way to the smith wheel in the monastery, sharpening Sean's swords, including his katana, and knives until they could slice a piece of paper.
"How close can you apparate to Hogwarts?" Sean asked Harry as he ran a piece of parchment through his katana.
"I can get to about two miles from the school" Harry answered as he continued to sharpen the straight sword.
"We should go at about eight-thirty then, we will have time to reach the castle and then put the final plan in action." Sean paused and looked at Harry, "you understand the plan?"
Harry nodded with a grim resolution and ran a piece of scroll through the sword he had been sharpening.
Meanwhile back at 12 Grimmauld Place, Hermione and Ginny had woken up and made final preparations to set off for King's Cross Station and platform 9 ¾. Lupin held onto Crookshanks while Hermione said her goodbyes. When Ginny came down the stairs, everyone was surprised to see Regal perched on her arm.
"He wouldn't let me leave him," Ginny said simply, stifling a giggle.
Everyone gave a little smile at this, "looks like you have a new pet" Lupin remarked.
Hermione and Ginny's parents were very emotional as they said goodbye to their children, especially the Grangers who were saying goodbye to their only child.
"We will be looking forward to having you and Harry over at Christmas sweetie," Mrs. Granger said.
Mr. Granger hugged his daughter and kissed her cheek and pleaded with her, "Come home Hermione, please just come home."
Hermione went to platform 9 ¾ with Ginny and the Weasleys. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley bid an anxiety-laden and tearful goodbye to their only daughter as Ron joined them and boarded the train.
"You know we will be there in spirit," Mrs. Weasley began, "nothing will happen to you or the other students."
Mr. Weasley offered his own council, "Just stick to the plan and don't try anything drastic, and we will all be together again."
Hermione had been notified that she would be head girl, so she left Ginny in their compartment where Neville, Luna, Demelza Robins (the Gryffindor Chaser), and Ron had joined them and wondered at the animal with Ginny.
"Wow" Neville said immediately when he saw the majestic falcon perched on the armrest next to where Ginny was sitting. "Where did you get that?"
Ginny looked up and realized that they were obviously talking about Regal. "This belongs to a friend of my eldest brother," Ginny began with a wistful tone to her voice. "The bird was staying with my family and I and wouldn't let me leave him there. So, I guess the only thing for me to do is take him to Hogwarts."
Luna and Demelza were also in awe of the majestic bird there, "what's his name?" Luna asked.
"Regal" Ginny answered with a hint of pride in her voice. Just then, Regal jumped for the open window and swooped out.
"Oh my gosh!" Demelza exclaimed.
"I wouldn't worry about it" Ginny said "he knows to follow the train…he probably figures that it will take him back to his master."
Ginny thought of Sean and hoped that whatever he was planning, he would be okay and that he and Harry and the Order of the Phoenix could finally end the scourge of the Dark Lord.
Back at the monastery, Sean brought Harry into a room in the front part of the monastery where the Priest awaited them. The Priest stood at one end of the room, which was decorated with stained-glass windows depicting St. George defeating the dragon and other events from the history of the Order.
"Kneel," he instructed to Harry and Sean as they walked in.
Sean and Harry removed their robes, clad in their black pants and tank tops and black split-toe ninja tabi boots, they made their way in front of the Priest and were on their knees facing him. The Priest held a knife in his right hand and made his way first to Sean, whose hair had grown down to the base of his neck and was sporting a light colored array of facial hair.
"This" the Priest said as he grabbed a handful of Sean's hair with his left hand, "represents time spent in devotion to the training of another and teaching him to devote himself to a higher ideal."
The Priest began to raise the knife to cut Sean's long hair as he concluded, "Your mission has been accomplished, now shed the unnecessary and devote yourself to the mission at hand."
The Priest raised the knife dangerously close to Sean's skin on the back and sides of his head, and then lifted the hair on top, returning Sean's hair to how it had been when Harry first met him. The Priest then, with a skill that Harry had never seen before, brought the knife across Sean's face and cleanly took off all the facial hair without leaving a scratch on his face.
Sean never moved, and Harry anticipated that the same thing waited for him. Sure enough, the Priest approached him with the knife and began to speak.
"This," he said as he grabbed Harry's hair, it had reached his shoulder blades and Harry was sporting a gruff beard as well, "represents sacrifice and devotion to training and teaching."
The Priest brought the knife up to Harry, who did not move or flinch.
"You have completed your training and become a great warrior, now shed the unnecessary and do what must be done."
The Priest ran the knife around Harry's head and face in the same fashion and left him with a haircut identical to that of Sean.
"Now rise from your knees and bow no more to anyone but God. You are Knights of St. George and have completed your training…now fulfill your oaths to God, truth, justice, and to protect the otherwise defenseless. The two of you are now ready to go. You do not know pain, you do not know fear, and go knowing that you have the blessing of the Lord God, and all that is good in this world."
Harry and Sean performed the kneeling salute Sean always did for the Sagart, and then took their leave.
"Sean" the Priest said, "may I have a word?" Sean told Harry to wait for him outside while he talked to the Sagart.
"I just wanted to say that I have seen you at your best and worst, but I have never in my life felt pride as a father."
The Priest paused as Sean looked at him with a look that suggested that he was expecting something but wasn't sure what. The Priest put his hands on Sean's shoulders as he choked back tears and spoke.
"I feel that pride now, the pride a father must feel when he sees his son graduate or get married. You are my son, in every way except biologically, and I am so proud of you."
The two of them embraced there in that room for what seemed like an eternity before they came apart.
"Now go my son," the Priest said to Sean, "make this world safe for the good that live in it."
Sean performed his usual bow and salute then went out to get Harry.
They went to their room for the last time and discarded their robes for the Death Eater robes.
"It disgusts me to wear this," Harry said with regards to Snape's robe.
"At least you get to wear a man's robe," Sean retorted in his usual monotone, "since I'm shorter than you I have to wear the woman's robe."
They both smirked at this and made their final preparations. As they did, Sean noticed something in an inside pocket of Bella's robe.
"What's that?" Harry asked as Sean unraveled the note and began to read it.
"I found it in the robe just now," Sean answered, "it seems to be some kind of reminder for them."
Sean read the note and summed it up for Harry as he did.
"Says for them to come into Hogwarts at about eight thirty and to bring you. It says that the werewolves will be outside ten minutes later standing guard, and that vampires and Inferi will be inside the school to ensure Voldemort's domination of the interior."
"How can they get in with all the protective spells?" Harry asked confused.
"It says that someone will be inside and lower the defenses" Sean paused and then posed a question to Harry.
"There's a name here," Sean began, "it's a little faded, maybe you can make it out and tell me if it means anything."
Harry read the note as Sean strapped his weapons on and hung his crucifix around his neck.
"Son of a bitch!" Harry said as he read the note.
"What is it?" Sean asked.
"I'll explain later" Harry said with a hint of disbelief in his voice.
Harry took the sheath for the sword of Theseus and wrapped it around his waist. He then took his wand and placed it between the sheath and his waist. Sean had his usual weapons strapped to his body, but this time he also had his katana, which he had tied around his waist by the rope on the sheathe, with the sheath itself resting at about his hip with the curve part facing up and the hilt of the sword sticking up.
Harry paused for a moment to look around the room, and at the bed he had occupied for the past several weeks. A myriad of images raced through his mind, his first meeting Sean, their journey to Godric's Hollow and cleaning the area around his parent's graves, Sean telling him about the stars, his first set of push-ups, the first time he did a full split on his own, learning to fight without magic, the first time he held his own against Sean, defeating Snape.
"Harry" Sean said breaking him out of his revelry.
Harry immediately reacted to this because it was the first time Sean had ever called him by his name. When Sean saw that he had his attention, he continued.
"Before we leave," they would be leaving in a few minutes, "I want to say that I am very proud of you and that whatever happens…you'll always be a true Knight of the Order of St. George to me."
"Thank you master" Harry responded.
Harry picked up the green bag and the two of them headed out. When they got a short distance from the monastery, Sean grabbed Harry's arm and they were whisked away to a space next to the Hogwarts grounds.
"We're here early enough to where we can walk and save our energy" Sean said to Harry who nodded in response. "God go with you Harry" Sean said to Harry.
"And with you" Harry responded to Sean who kissed his crucifix and then moved on.
"You'd better explain to me about the name on the note" Sean said to Harry.
"Right" he answered. Harry explained about the name as he and Sean made their way to Hogwarts…and their destinies.
Hermione and Ginny had insisted on getting a coach to themselves so that they could go over the evacuation plan to themselves. Hermione found Ginny after they got off the train.
"Where's Regal?" Hermione asked when they met.
"He flew out of the train as we were coming here," Ginny answered. "Hmm" she said after a moment having obviously thought of something.
Ginny stretched out her arm and said "Regal, tar!"
Sure enough, the majestic Lanner Falcon swooped down from the roof of a nearby shed and landed on Ginny's arm.
With both their animals in tow, the two young witches found a carriage and began to talk about the plan.
"So after the battle starts," Hermione reviewed to her friend as she stroked a purring Crookshanks nestled in her lap, "you move straight for the exit while I amplify my voice and tell them to follow you. Then, you take them to the stairways and instruct them to go to their common rooms…the first years can follow the older students."
She took a breath before continuing, "You need to be sure that all of them make their ways to their common room. You have the list of passwords that McGonagall gave us?"
"Of course" Ginny answered. The two friends faced each other as the school came into view.
"Well," Ginny started as she stroked Regal, "this is it."
"Yeah it is" Hermione added, "I just hope that Harry and Sean will find their way to the school."
"I know they will," Ginny began, "Sean could never fail."
Hermione smiled as the carriages came to a stop outside the school and the students were unloaded and began to file into the Great Hall area. Hermione put Crookshanks with the other animals, and Ginny did the same with Regal. The students then made for their way to the Great Hall and began to be seated and wait for the feast to begin.
The sorting ceremony had gone by without any event, Hermione and Ginny were careful to notice where the prefects for the different houses were sitting so that they could pick them out when they evacuated. Hermione and Ginny were trying to stay calm and not let on that they knew anything. The seat for the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was left vacant with the other seats filled at the head table. Hermione took in the familiar faces, smiling at Hagrid, and then noticed something that made her temporarily forget the looming battle and turn to Ginny.
"Isn't that Minister Scrimgeour up there next to McGonagall?" Hermione asked Ginny.
"Yeah" Ginny said, "I wonder what he's doing here" she added with curiosity in her voice but also with a hint of bitterness, still remembering the last time the Ministry tried to throw its weight around at the school. After a while, McGonagall stood up to speak.
"Welcome to the beginning of a new year here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We are all saddened at the loss of Dumbledore, but he would want us to continue and to not let fear or loss intimidate us into not continuing what the original founders envisioned for the school."
McGonagall's voice was noticeably choked up at the mention of Dumbledore, but she had gotten through her introduction quite well. The food appeared on the tables and plates, and the students began to enjoy themselves. Hermione and Ginny enjoyed conversing with Ron and the other Gryffindors. Ron was especially entertaining with his stories about working at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
After a little while, McGonagall called for attention and spoke again, "And now, the esteemed Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour, our honored guest, would like to share a few words."
There was a hush as Scrimgeour made his way to the center podium. He was dressed in a fine robe that reflected his status in the magical world. He wore a great ring on the third finger of his right hand that attracted many looks. He then cleared his throat, and began to speak.
"Thank you Headmistress McGonagall for the opportunity to be here. You young men and women are the future of our world, and I am glad to see that so many of you have bravely decided to return. For some of you, this is a thrilling beginning to your journey into the magical world. For others, it is a return and progression."
The students were engrossed in the minister's remarks, so much so that what he said next caught them completely by surprise.
"I am not one to say many words, so I would like to turn the time over to a friend of mine."
He then pointed to the great doors where a tall man in a robe made his way down the hall. None of the students recognized him because he moved quickly, but the faculty had enough time to recognize the regenerated face of Lord Voldemort.
He replaced Scrimgeour at the pulpit and gave the students time to recognize him, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, the Dark Lord whose face and name they had all learned to fear. He began to speak.
"Good evening children" he cackled to the horrified audience before him. "I have come here to announce the beginning of the glorious reign of Lord Voldemort, the heir of Slytherin has returned. Now let me introduce you to some of my friends."
Voldemort waved his hand and several Death Eaters, Inferi, and vampires made their way into the Great Hall. Screams of terror were mingled with gasps from the other students, even the Slytherins, as they looked around to see the worst-case scenario enfolding around them.
"Don't think about escaping either" Voldemort stated, "I have werewolves and Dementors patrolling the entrance. No one will be getting in or out without my saying so."
Voldemort paused before continuing, "It would seem that the only thing missing from this is Dumbledore's favorite student…Harry Potter. But, soon another familiar face here will be arriving with him."
There was a quiet air in the Great Hall as Voldemort paused for theatrical effect, Death Eaters had surrounded the staff table and disarmed the teachers as Luscious and Draco Malfoy covered McGonagall.
"When Severus arrives with Potter, all of you will bear witness to his death and my ascension to power. Before that, I believe I will help myself to some of this spread." Voldemort began to eat and he and Scrimgeour began to talk.
"How could you do this?" McGonagall blurted out to Scrimgeour.
"I have been in leagues with Voldemort since before I ever became an Auror…I have been alive for almost two thousand years."
"You're a vampire!" McGonagall exclaimed in alarm and horror.
"Guilty as charged," Scrimgeour replied, "and after Voldemort takes over, my children and I will never have a shortage of bodies to feed on."
Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Ron, and Demelza were sitting together at the Gryffindor table and even though Hermione and Ginny were expecting something from Voldemort, they could not have expected this.
"Luna said that the Quibbler reported Scrimgeour being a vampire," Hermione said in surprise, "but I didn't believe it."
They were all petrified, Hermione and Ginny were playing out in their minds what would happen if Sean and Harry had failed and Harry would be sacrificed.
Shortly before Voldemort had begun speaking, Sean and Harry were approaching the school.
"Let's do it" Harry said to Sean.
"Godspeed Harry Potter, it has been an honor training you."
Harry paused at this and faced his mentor, "It has been a privilege to learn from you Sean O'Sullivan…Erin go Braugh."
Sean smiled and repeated "Erin go Braugh" as the two of them gripped each others forearms with their hands, the first time they had ever done anything like that, then ran forward.
The outdoor security had not yet arrived, so they ran ahead, only to be faced with the snake Nagini. The great snake began to hiss and coiled, sure to give the two Knights a fight worthy of legend. Sean ran ahead of Harry and threw one of his knives into the ground, through the snake's head. Harry ran behind Sean and picked up Nagini with his free hand, taking the knife out and handing it to Sean as they entered the school, Harry then put the dead Nagini into the green bag he was carrying.
They stopped in the hall and slowed to a fast walk as Sean spoke, "you take the lead, I've never been here before."
"Right," Harry began as Sean took the bag from Harry so that he could move more freely, "it's funny though," Harry stated.
"What?" Sean asked.
"You said I was the first wizard to be trained at the monastery, and I think you're the first Muggle to come into Hogwarts." Sean smirked and the two of them continued. When they got to the doors of the Great Hall they found them closed, but they could hear what was going on.
They listened as Voldemort gave his speech, Harry wanted to burst in and end it all. Sean could sense Harry's desire and put his arm in front of him.
"Wait for it" Sean commanded in his monotone.
"Wait for what?" Harry asked.
"Wait for the opportune moment, if we act at an opportune moment we can evacuate the students." Harry nodded his agreement and the two of them waited.
Voldemort was contentedly eating sausages and enjoying the enormous power that he had at this moment. Then the doors opened and two figures wearing Death Eater robes with the hoods up walked through and proceeded to the front of the Hall. The taller one held a green bag in one hand and the shorter one had the robe they were wearing completely tied off.
"Allow me to introduce my two most loyal and effective minions, Severus Snape and Bellatrix LeStrange." Voldemort beamed after he had stood up to announce their arrival.
The two figures made their way to the front before Voldemort, and then threw off their masks and cloaks. Two figures stood before Voldemort and the others at the faculty table with matching haircuts, one jet black and the other dark blonde. Voldemort was confused at this, and then he saw the scar on the head of the black haired one.
"Potter" he said with venom in his voice, "and a spare we will have to kill."
The students tried to see who the figures were, but they were too far away for any of them to say for sure, and Voldemort's voice wasn't amplified so they couldn't hear what was being said.
Scrimgeour remained confident, but tensed up a bit when he saw the crucifix around Sean's neck, he recognized the symbol of a Knight of the Order of St. George and knew that this "spare" would be trouble.
"But he can't be a Knight of the Order" Scrimgeour thought to himself with confusion, "he's too young."
"I am surprised that Severus and Bella left your spare alive and let the two of you come in here on your free will" Voldemort cackled to them in his menacing voice.
"Why don't you congratulate them on their latest success?" Harry asked Voldemort. Then he opened the bag, reached in to grab two tufts of hair, and pulled two circular objects out of the bag as he let the bag drop to the ground and held up the heads.
There were several gasps from the faculty and the few students who could tell that the black haired figure held up two disembodied heads. After a few moments, Harry threw the heads to Voldemort.
"What…is…this?" Voldemort hissed between clenched breaths to the two figures before him.
"The beginning of the end Riddle" Harry said, "your end" Harry added pointing his finger at Voldemort.
As Harry said this, Sean returned to his side, drew the sword for his right hand, and opened the arrow case above his rear. Voldemort was infuriated at this point and shouted out orders to his followers.
"Beat Potter but leave him alive, and kill the spare!" Voldemort yelled to the Death Eaters, Inferi, and vampires that surrounded them.