"I've got to leave also. I need to get over to the Ministry and set some things up with Fudge. That idiot's going to lead me right into power and never have a clue. When your mum and Bill come back, ask him to get some goblin warders over here this evening. I want protective measures on this house pronto. I'm going to be counting on you a lot more from now on, you know."

"Right, mate. See you later."

"Get some rest, Ron. You really do look like death warmed over."

Ron only grunted his affirmation. Harry knew that he was sulking over what was likely the death knell of his relationship with the lovely but equally exasperating Miss Granger. It was for the best, he thought. She would never understand Ron's obsession with vengeance, and perhaps he would find somebody with whom he'd be more compatible. As he left, Harry vaguely recalled that it was in this very room that he had talked a drunken Ron Weasley into supporting him in the first place. And now he had convinced his friend to become his personal attack dog. He chuckled to himself as he started upstairs to shower and dress up for his little charade as a loyal subject to the Ministry of Magic. He would draw his little flute and dance Cornelius Fudge ultimately into his grave, and then his own empire would be born. Zharrghast laughed alongside him from deep within his mind.

Chapter Twenty-Seven: A Feminine Conspiracy – Left Hook, Right Cross

Disclaimer: If you've seen it before, it belongs to J.K. Rowling. Otherwise, it's mine. Naturally, I'm making no money off this.

The Ministry building was in complete chaos, as Harry observed upon using his Portkey to appear directly beyond the main atrium. He had no desire to submit his wand to a perfunctory check at the entrance due to the multitudes of dark curses that would invariably register. Wizards and witches scurried about like ants panicking over the chaos caused by the combined losses of Azkaban and Hogsmeade overnight. Some Aurors attempted to keep order but their efforts proved mostly futile. None of the known bigwigs were present, and were all likely cowering alongside Fudge up in the Minister's office. Harry glanced back at the Fountain of Magical Brethren that stood at the center of the entrance hall. Less than half a year ago, Dumbledore and Voldemort had dueled on that spot. Harry had attempted his first Unforgivable mere yards away. The marble statues that had been animated and destroyed in the fighting last term had been replaced. Harry had no substantial idea as to where he might find Fudge's office and decided to give himself a short tour of the government building as he searched, stepping into an unoccupied lift as owls soared overhead. As the elevator slowly ground into action, Harry decided to seek the answer to a question that had been plaguing his mind.

"Zharrghast. I require a word with you."

The fallen god remained silent for a long moment, as if impressing upon Harry that he was not at the young warlord's beck and call. Harry was annoyed with his unwanted symbiote's smug superiority but could do little about it.

"Ask and you shall receive, mortal, for I am listening."

"My vocal patterns are changing, as are yours. I come searching for an explanation."

Zharrghast chuckled within Harry's mind, amused with his feigned ignorance.

"But you know the answer even now, my fallen angel. Your voice becomes mine even as mine becomes yours. We are becoming one. You have become ever more vicious in recent weeks, thirsting for the slaughter of battle and obliterating all that stands in your path regardless of any semblance of mercy or compassion. Your powers have augmented themselves exponentially and continue to grow now. As time and our fusion progress you shall likewise gain access to yet more of my strength and resolve."

Harry accepted the truth with a nonverbal sigh. He was becoming stronger. He fought against the Dark Lord and survived when he was having nearly equal difficulty against Bellatrix two months prior and had ultimately forced Riddle to flee, albeit with a huge assist from the old man. A victory that the fallen god had promised prior to the fight. Despite the grievous wounds incurred during that battle he had been physically and magically able to fight again mere hours later in the dungeons. For some reason, he didn't particularly mind the fact that Zharrghast was able to openly influence his actions. The path that the fallen god's passive suggestions had cajoled Harry into taking was ultimately to his benefit. He was now free from Dumbledore and Hogwarts, and thus able to devote himself entirely to his own machinations.

Or to theirs, as now seemed to be the case. The obvious fact that at Zharrghast was quietly manipulating him more than the old coot ever had preyed at the back of Harry's subconscious. Still he seemed unable to shake the being from his soul and was thus capable only of walking upon the road to which his own feet brought him. And besides, he required his symbiote's power in order to defeat Voldemort. Zharrghast represented the power that the Dark Lord knew not, of that Harry was now certain. Chaotic energy had not been the answer, and surely it couldn't be something as hokey and clichéd as the "power of love" or some similar load of tripe.

"I understand now. I can't get rid of you, but you'd better give me more power as rent."

"Accepting the inevitable shall bring about the end so much sooner. You do well not to resist the power that I can grant you. Continue to fight at your utmost and our enemies shall fall at our feet pleading for mercy that shall not come."

Harry sneered broadly as his lift came to a halt at the Level Six of the Ministry of Magic.

"Sounds good to me. I'll take my leave of you now. I've reached my stop."

Zharrghast left the forefront of Harry's mind with a snort. He young warlord stepped out into the hallway, his burgundy formal robes splaying majestically about him. Su had sweetly wrapped his artificial arm in black satin after his shower, effectively concealing the gruesome appendage from plain sight. He wore his right bracer as well as his leg guards and had an ornate ritual dagger that he had found in the master bedroom back at Grimmauld Place girded at his right wrist. Harry noticed several Ministry workers glancing at him with slight smiles as they went about their work. He then decided that he might also take steps to procure the loyalties of the rank and file bureaucracy while playing his manipulation with the Minister. His eventual transition into power would prove much smoother were he to grease the wheels of the political machine beforehand. After all, a throne built upon a shaky foundation was doomed to collapse. As he rounded a corner the lead to the Department of Magical Sports and Games, he collided with a witch carrying an armful of papers. They fell haphazardly to the floor as the girl stifled a curse. Harry smiled apologetically.

"I'm so dreadfully sorry. Here, let me give you a hand with those."

Harry fluidly dropped to a knee and began gathering up the files. He stole a long glance at the girl in the meantime. She was very pretty, though not exactly in a glamorous way, with wavy black hair that hung just below her shoulders and sharp, shining deep blue eyes. Her work robes clung to her figure, highlighting her generous bust and curvy hips. She carried herself with a sort of graceful, chaste Victorian bearing that attracted him just as much as her features. He had seen her at the Ministry Ball the previous night. She was Percy's girlfriend, the former Ravenclaw. The witch smiled wanly as Harry scooped up the last few papers of her load.

"Not your fault. I should have watched where I was going."

"You're Percy's girlfriend. I seem to recall you asking to glimpse my broomstick once."

She smiled and cast her eyes downward with a gentle blush. If Harry hadn't known better, he would have sworn that they went directly to his crotch.

"It's true that I have always been a bit of a Quidditch buff, but I rather doubt that your broomstick's keeper would appreciate my taking a look now. The two of you looked great together at yesterday evening's formal. I'm Penelope Clearwater, by the way. Or Percy Weasley's girlfriend, as you seem to know me."

Penelope, that was her name. Harry briefly wondered how he could have forgotten. Regardless, it wasn't as if he had actually spoken with her at length. She obviously knew Cho given how casually she had dropped a reference to the Chinese girl. That fact made it all the more entertaining to tease her, though his real motive was to enrage Percy. He unleashed his dakaathi thrall just enough to enrapture her before continuing. Miss Clearwater's pretty blue eyes misting over and her breathing deepening indicated that it had worked. He took her hand and rubbed circles on the back with his thumb.

"Well met, Miss Clearwater. Now that we've been properly introduced, perhaps I might prevail upon you to escort me to the Minister's Office. I have some important business to attend to this afternoon."

Penelope nodded and did a slight curtsey, still keeping Harry's hand.

"No problem at all. Madam Marchbanks can wait a minute or two for these, especially for your sake. Minister Fudge's office is on Level Eleven. The stairs leading up are just past the Wizengamot's assembly hall in old Courtroom Nine. Follow me."

Harry followed Clearwater into the nearest available lift. The only other occupant was a middle-aged wizard who he didn't recognize, but who still bowed to him as though he were some sort of deity. Harry smirked to himself. He really could get used to this sort of treatment. The man got off at Level Seven, while Harry and his companion continued as far as the lift would take them to Level Nine. The entire Ministry was in chaos, but the Auror Department was in a state of absolute pandemonium. Owls were landing and soaring away in and around just about every cubicle and every wizard or witch that Harry could see sported injuries of some form or another. He and Penelope passed the entire department without even being noticed as he shook his head at the lack of security. He wrinkled his nose in disgust upon seeing Courtroom Nine and its large iron doors.

"Now that brings back some unpleasant memories…"

He felt Penelope's warm hand moving up to his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Many employees around here were disgusted with that smear campaign the Minister and Madam Umbridge ran against you last year. Only that we were afraid to speak out against them for fear of losing our jobs and getting blacklisted, or worse, being hauled before the Wizengamot and sentenced to Azkaban on some trumped up charge of sedition."

Harry felt such cowardice to be at the heart of the wizarding world's problems. He could hardly have expected complete strangers to risk their own careers and very freedom for his sake, though. He certainly would not have done so for any of them.

"That's understandable. I wasn't aware that there was so much discontent around here."

"The Minister can fool the public with his new laws and through finally giving you the respect you deserve, but around here we're exposed to him every day to the point that most employees can see through him. It's all propaganda, nothing more. The bigwigs are talking a new line, but the underlying motivations are forever the same. All they're interested in doing is remaining in power, and now they're using your name and the war to do so. Maybe not everybody sees it, but I do."

"You're obviously a very clever woman, Penelope, a real credit to Ravenclaw House."

"Thank you. It's nice to be noticed on occasion, and here we are."

Harry raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. He wasn't surprised that his temporary companion received little attention or respect in her personal life. Percy's head was terminally wedged so deep into Fudge's bloated arse that the redhead could hardly notice the beautiful and intelligent creature that was wasting the best years of her life for his sake. Harry found it wholly disgusting. The only relationship that Percy cared for was his professional sycophancy regarding his boss. He couldn't even be bothered to comfort his bereaved mother in the wake of his father's death, so much less for Penelope. Harry took a glance at Fudge's secretary. The woman was very much what Lavender Brown might have become in a decade's time, blonde and visibly airheaded and painted like an expensive slum whore with gobs of overpriced and gaudy makeup. She was shamelessly dressed in clothing that quite happily showcased her enormous breasts and toned legs.

"Excuse me, miss, but I would like to meet with the Minister as soon as possible. Please inform him that Harry Potter is here."

The woman attempted to smile apologetically, but ended up looking like a gushing fool.

"Wow, the real Harry Potter. I'm Alanna, Minister Fudge's personal secretary. He's taking a late lunch today. This morning has been so hectic, you know. If you'd like, I'll let him know that you're waiting. Perhaps he'll be willing to meet with you early."

Harry shook his head in the negative.

"That won't be necessary. I'd rather not disturb the Minister's repose. I'm certain he's had a most trying day given yesterday evening's events. I'll just wander around for awhile and return when he's ready to receive me."

"His lunch hour will be up in about thirty minutes or so. Maybe I could give you a small personal executive wing tour in the meantime."

Harry was easily astute enough to garner the innuendo behind the woman's offer. Even had he not, the hint given off when she folded her arms and squeezed her breasts together was impossible to miss. Harry wasn't particularly aroused by the display.

"Perhaps some other time. Penelope, I think I'll burden you a bit longer. You can show me your workplace."

"That would be wonderful, Harry Potter."

Harry headed back towards the lifts with Penelope, waiting until they were a distance away before commenting.

"I somehow doubt Fudge hired that girl for her organizational skills."

"She's no less qualified than her predecessor was, and even I have to admit that she's easier on the eyes than Madam Umbridge."

Harry threw his head back and laughed softly, causing his long hair to swish gently.

"We really should have met sooner. Now, let's hear all about your job. I recall you mentioning Griselda Marchbanks earlier."

They had come to a stop in the corridor just outside Courtroom Nine. Harry still carrier her work papers from earlier bundled in his right arm.

"It's nothing special really. I mostly do clerical work with the Wizarding Examinations Authority. I processed your OWL scores, as a matter of fact. The examiners went on about your corporeal Patronus for almost a week solid following the exams. Anyhow, I'm hoping to start my graduate studies next fall. I want to get my degree in Ancient Runes and become a qualified test examiner. I had considered teaching at first, but…"

Whatever she was going to say was cut off by a nasally voice coming from the general direction of the lifts. Harry cracked his knuckles, premeditating his next move. Percy Weasley strode towards the pair, puffed up in his delusional self-importance as always.

"Penelope, there you are. I've been looking all over for…Potter."

Harry affixed his nastiest sneer onto his face.

"Weatherby. Here I was having a nice visit. Trust you to spoil it with your presence."

Percy sniffed and pushed his horn rimmed glasses down his nose.

"I demand to know what you are doing here and why you are accosting my girlfriend."

Harry chuckled, staring directly at Percy as he leaned over and kissed the obviously uncomfortable Penelope Clearwater on the corner of the mouth.

"I accost nobody, Percy. I'm merely giving her the attention that you seem unwilling to. Or perhaps you're simply incapable. That would be quite the interesting scenario, for your parents to have seven children and somehow produce an impotent for a son."

Percy glared, but dared not attack the terrible warrior prince that stood before him. Like the sniveling coward that he was, he instead turned the blame onto the weaker target, raising his hand at Penelope asthough she had somehow solicited Harry's actions. He had barely done so when the young warlord's artificial arm struck out. Harry slapped Percy in the face with all the force granted by his ruby appendage. The silken wrapping provided no cushioning. The redhead's jaw cracked and his teeth loosened as he fell backward to his hands and knees, visibly disoriented and with blood streaming from his mouth.

"That was from your brothers and sister, you worthless brown-noising cretin…"

Harry could have left him there, but it simply wasn't in his nature to leave something only partially done. He moved forward with feral grace, following up on the arrogant Ministry bureaucrat with a soccer ball kick to the ribcage and a savate kick to the head. Percy was left barely conscious on the ground from the assault.

"…Those were for your mum and dad, Weatherby. And this is simply because I despise you."

Harry reached down and grabbed the prostrate young man by the ankle. He slung Percy's body headfirst into a wooden cabinet filled with ink and parchment for the Wizengamot's use. The shelves and all of their contents spilled onto the redhead, covering him in black ink nearly from head to toe. The noise brought Aurors streaming into the hallway from their nearby department. Tonks was among them, and the young Metamorphmagus stared at Harry for a moment, visibly unsure as to what he was doing there. Nobody moved to help Percy, leading Harry to the conclusion that they hated the pompous little shite as much as he did. Percy was meanwhile attempting to get back onto his knees. Penelope walked over and kneeled next to him, but slapped him hard in his already bruised face.

"Percival Ignatius Weasley, you and I are through!"

Percy only fell unconscious in response. Penelope walked back over to Harry and kissed him full on the mouth. It was a chaste little peck but Harry desired nothing more from the girl. Seeing that annoying git humiliated further was reward enough.

"I should be going back upstairs now. The Minister should be about ready for me."

"Thank you for lending me the courage to finally do that. I've been unhappy with him for years. Do me a small favor and give my regards to Cho. We've sadly fallen out of touch since my Hogwarts days and I'd love to have lunch and catch up with her sometime."

"Will do, Miss Penelope Clearwater. I'll see you around again sometime, I hope."

Harry turned to leave without any further comment. He had originally just been planning to amuse himself with Clearwater a bit and perhaps make Percy jealous. Instead he had been able to give the pompous redhead the savage beating that he had been earning for nearly three years and completely destroy his pride and his relationship at the same time. Harry would be a pleased young man indeed should his meeting with Fudge go even half as well. He took especial care to step onto the prone stooge as he departed.

Meanwhile, a confrontation of a different sort was set to take place far to the north as Cho Chang materialized in the center of the ruined Hogsmeade square with a loud crack. She had learned to Apparate over the summer but had not yet bothered to get her official license. The Chinese beauty had little use for the skill at home as Liangshan Alley was blanketed with various Anti-Apparition wards. This was both to keep strangers away from their insular community and to ensure that the sanctity of any given resident's home would be protected at all times from uninvited visitors. She had found reason to travel today, however. She was determined to discover was exactly her betrothed's relationship was with a certain Japanese spy. She had seed the looks that the pair was prone to exchanging on occasion and had noticed Harry staring at this lone standing building as they departed from Hogwarts.

It was a cozy little place, much more inviting than her family's large compound. The interior décor was very Japanese. Her father would have hated it. Despite being far more progressive in his views than most Chinese wizards, the man still held some old-world racist views regarding certain peoples. She found it to be ridiculous. The lower floor interior shop was still in shambles from the previous evening's Death Eater attack. Blood stained the white matting in the room's center where somebody had obviously fallen during the fighting. So many ornate robes were ruined. Harry would be so distraught. A soft feminine voice rang out from upstairs as she took a moment to examine the large red tengu mask that hung from the wall behind the register.

"Please come on upstairs. There's nothing worth seeing down there."

Cho's dark eyes widened just a bit, though nobody was there to see it. She hadn't been making any noise. At least she now had an invitation to go about her business here and wouldn't be intruding upon her assumed rival's domicile. Some might find it odd that she would be concerned with showing proper respect towards a woman who was potentially sleeping with her fiancée, but propriety was an essential part of her upbringing. She had forgotten those lessons in her dealings with Harry immediately following Cedric's demise and had quite nearly lost him before even really finding him as a result. That had been a most sobering experience, and she had sworn not to ever let her emotions override her better judgment again, though she had already once broken that vow in regards to one Amos Diggory. At least it had all made Harry the least bit hesitant to rouse her temper.

The upstairs living area was somewhat sparsely furnished, but retained that same homelike atmosphere that she had felt outside the building. Cho opted to forego any further exploration and instead followed the scent of freshly brewed tea into the apartment's small dining area. The older girl was predictably there, looking over a scroll as she sat at the small table. She was dressed in a simple black robe that loosely clung to her figure, a stark contrast to the skin tight ninjutsu bodysuits that Cho had previously glimpsed the Japanese woman wearing on the few occasions the latter visited the grounds away from teaching. She turned and regarded the Chinese girl with an even gaze.

"I was wondering when I might expect a visit from you. Since you're here, do sit down and have some tea with me. Grandpa's out visiting some friends for the day and I could use the company."

Cho took a seat opposite the other woman, eyeing her distrustfully as she accepted a cuppa. Upon taking a dainty sip she admitted inwardly that the tea was most delicious. It contained a distinct sweet raspberry flavor and had been brewed to perfection, putting even the fanciest tea houses to shame. She decided to make small talk and size up her opponent before getting to the real reason behind her impromptu visit.

"If you don't mind, tell me how you were able to detect me downstairs so easily."

"I felt your aura when you Apparated into town. All the villagers are dead now, so you weren't exactly difficult to single out, and your signature is rather easy to recognize regardless because you have Harry's magic concentrated inside you. It's most likely a spillover from that bizarre knighthood ceremony he put you through."

Cho raised an eyebrow, less than pleased with how quickly Harry's name had come up.

"You must know Harry pretty well, to be able to notice his signature on sight."

"He spent a month living in our home over the summer, more than enough time for me to memorize his aura pattern. He also has something within his magic that other wizards don't. But that can't be what you came all the way here to discuss with me."

"True, but it does in fact concern Harry. I hope you'll forgive my forwardness, but I need to know exactly what your relationship with him amounts to."

Cho bristled inwardly as the other girl raised a delicate eyebrow and laughed softly while refilling her teacup.

"My, that is being rather forward. Here I was hoping for at least a couple veiled preliminary bouts. The art of subtlety is apparently lost on you. Still, an honest question merits an honest answer. He and I have been carrying on a relationship for some time."

She had not truly been prepared to hear that, despite having her suspicions upon coming. Harry had been seeing another woman behind her back from the very beginning. All that rot he had told her about loving her had been nothing but a lie in the end. Perhaps this was his ultimate revenge for her dating Cedric those years ago. She felt ashamed and humiliated at having been used by somebody she trusted so implicitly. But more than anything else, she was shaking with anger, directed towards both that unfaithful feathered lout she called a boyfriend and his little Okinawa fuck toy.

"That bastard…that utter bastard. And you…you had to have known what he was doing."

The Japanese girl was now looking at her with a serious expression.

"It's not entirely what you think it is. Harry really does love you very much."

"Don't even talk to me about him. I'm sure you both found all this quite hilarious."

"That's completely false. He never told you about me because he knew you would react in this manner and probably leave him on the spot, and that would have torn him apart. He loves us both completely. And you've wronged him as well."

Cho's eyebrows shot up at that last remark. She credited herself for not having stormed away in a fit already. She was both confused and indignant by this hussy claiming that Harry loved the Chinese girl despite his carrying on with other women, but would at least listen to everything before deciding whether to castrate him or just break off their engagement. She poured herself another cuppa and downed it with shaking hands. Her eyes flashed with obsidian lightning as she met her rival's gaze and responded sarcastically.

"No, I'm pretty sure that I've never been anything but completely faithful to him."

"I take it he's also never told you the full truth about his demonic origins, then…"

Cho forced herself to listen as the woman whose name she still couldn't remember explained what she had overheard about Harry from her grandfather and the head goblin immediately following her fiancée's initial transformation. His permanent sex drive was about on the same level of an incubus, and his body needed to procreate in the same fashion that a person needed oxygen and food. He could be driven insane or worse unless his needs were satisfied, and despite that he had never tried to pressure her into having relations with him. The reason had nothing to do with a lack of attraction. Harry wanted her and she knew it. He had fought down that desperate hunger so that their first time together could be something more special than some random act of demonic lust. Realizing that cheered her a bit, though she was still upset with him for deceiving her.

"…Really, you have no right to be angry with him for fulfilling his needs."

"I don't need you to tell me that. I can forgive the sex, but he still lied to me."

"He didn't do it to cause you pain, you know that. He was just afraid of losing you."

As nice and sweet as that sounded, the truth was that the only person capable of discerning Harry's true motivations was Harry himself. Cho was a bit saddened at being forced to adopt such a distrustful attitude regarding her betrothed, but his revealed deceit necessitated it. Perhaps with time she would again be able to trust him completely, but it wasn't going to be anything immediate. She decided that she wasn't going to leave him. His actions stung but she wasn't willing to just give up on him. Harry was a special person and she knew that no other man alive could make her even a fraction as happy as the young warlord did on a daily basis or understand her feelings as well.

"Don't be ridiculous, bitch…you almost sound as though you actually want Harry and me to work things through."

The kunoichi showed no reaction to the insult. Cho grudgingly admired the unwavering control she had over her emotions.

"That's exactly what I want to see happen. I never once intended to be a threat to you."

"Then he was never anything more to you than some thing for your amusement."

The pale-skinned female shook her head in disgust.

"Stop making base assumptions. It's quite beneath your intelligence. I can accept and acknowledge his feelings for you because I love him that much. It's really not an all or nothing concept, Chang. Harry loving you doesn't mean that he can't love me as well."

Cho started to understand things at that point. This woman had to be the other empress depicted in her uncle's prophetic inscription on Harry's breastplate. The Chinese girl had never forgotten about that afternoon by the lake, but had more recently come to assume that Su was destined to be the other girl. After all, the three were more or less involved in a ménage a trios. Listening to the Japanese woman's words, she couldn't help but imagine that Harry would be gagging at how much they were tossing the word 'love' about were he present. The warmonger avoided speaking those four letters as much as he could. The thought made her stifle a giggle, and her companion smiled in response.

"He would be disgusted to hear us talking about him like this."

"I prefer to think that he'd be pleased to see us not clawing at one another's throats."

Cho smirked slightly, a bit unsure as to the reason she why was lounging about and cracking jokes with her fiancée's secret lover, a woman who had all but declared that she was in love with the warrior prince and would continue sleeping with him. Perhaps fate really had brought the three of them together. She wasn't quite yet willing to accept the ethereal female into her relationship with Harry, but she would prefer to make that point clear with him in private.

"That's where you're mistaken. He would just lean right back and enjoy the show."

"Until he got too horny to continue watching and jumped right in, at least."

The two continued to make conversation for a while longer. The Japanese woman at last introduced herself as Hitomi, and Cho got to hear the unabridged story regarding Harry's summer in the secluded forest village. Hitomi explained that she had not initially approached the young aristocrat with any intention of falling in love. She had planned only to tease him a bit and then instruct him in how to appease a woman in the bedroom. His overbearing charm had soon enraptured her. It was quite the little fairy tale, though Cho might have been able to appreciate it more had the proverbial Prince Charming not been engaged to marry her in a matter of months. Once she had heard more than she could handle, she changed the subject to her and Harry's expulsion. She paid Hitomi back in spades by dramatically recounting Harry's killing another boy in her defense, making sure to emphasize that the two would be living together at Grimmauld Place. The story exchange ended abruptly when Hitomi looked seriously at Cho.

"I'm glad that you came here today, because I have a serious request for you."

"Rather galling of you, asking me for favors after carrying on with my boyfriend."

"I need your help in saving him."

Cho quirked a raven-colored eyebrow.

"I don't quite follow. He's not in any danger. He's just at the Ministry."

"I meant rescuing him from himself. The path he's walking is a destructive one. He's being possessed by something. The goblin chieftain called it 'Zharrghast' when speaking with my grandpa that night. They think it has something to do with that eerie energy sword he employs in battle. Some evil presence lives within it. I remember when he took up the weapon for the first time in the village. He almost eradicated shinobi and kunoichi in our clan that night. That creature, whatever it is, has now taken root inside Harry."

Cho started thinking about Harry's recent actions and came to a horrifying conclusion.

"It…makes sense, as terrible as that sounds. Harry's been changing lately. He's becoming more powerful and ruthless every day. I've seen it in his dueling practices with Su and the others, and with the manner in which he obliterated the Slytherins this morning. Everything about him is transforming, even his voice. I had thought the root lay in his losing to Voldemort last night. But…an evil presence growing inside his mind…"

She didn't mind his changes standing by themselves. She too was evolving along with him, after all. She found his recent demonic streak quite attractive, in all honesty. His newfound attitude made her believe that he actually could destroy all that stood in their path and make those idyllic dreams into reality. She had been the one to try and cajole him into killing the headmaster while the old man was weakened. Cho was just less than enamored with the prospect that some creature was controlling Harry's actions.

"His corruption becomes worse the more he abuses those demonic powers, and he now has that artificial arm which allows him to channel them almost limitlessly. I'm really and truly scared for him. His obsession with killing his enemies is going to destroy his soul. But there's more to it than just that. I believe the monster feeds on his anger and hatred and uses it to manipulate him into allowing it more freedom."

"I see your point, but I don't know how we can stop it. All we can do is support him."

"Yes, that's exactly right. We have to soothe him together and remind him that he has something worth preserving himself for. We can alleviate the pressures that he faces on a daily basis and safeguard his sanity in that way. To that end, I'm asking you to put aside your personal enmity and work with me. Constantly being at one another's throats is only going to add more problems to those that Harry already contends with. The added pressure will make the demon's work that much easier. So please, help me protect him."

Cho thought for a long moment before replying with a mock pout. She felt quite trapped. She couldn't refuse under the circumstances, lest she potentially lose her beloved. Accepting meant allowing this intruder into their life. The situation was right crummy.

"I'm supposed to be upset with that bugger and now you have me feeling sympathetic…"

"I never said that you had to let him off the hook entirely. Maybe I can ever help you in getting a little revenge on him. Call it a peace offering. Follow me. I have something interesting to show you."

Cho followed a step behind her Japanese counterpart. She couldn't help but notice the girl's soft, creamy pale skin and how the sunlight seemed to be swallowed by her inky black hair. She was tall enough that she looked almost natural with a man such as Harry. She made no noise when she walked. She was a perfect ethereal goddess. She led Cho into what was apparently her bedroom and opened the closet. Cho blushed crimson upon seeing the interior contents.

"Things of this sort are rather unsubtle for a ninja, I think."

"We all have to live a little. I chanced upon this stuff during a recent weekend excursion into Muggle London. I had planned to use it on Harry myself the next time he invariably did something to irritate me, but you surely have much better cause. See that he gets the punishment that he so richly deserves."

Cho reached into the closet and withdrew a black leather whip, eyeing the item with complete uncertainty.

A female conspiracy was the furthest thing from Harry's mind as he strode deftly into the Minister's Office. A harried Cornelius Fudge sat behind his desk nervously twirling his bowler hat as he practically yelled at an unknown man. Countless parchments were strewn about haphazardly on the ornate mahogany office piece. Harry stood in the doorway for a moment as the inept politician ranted.

"Hogsmeade destroyed! Azkaban captured! This is a disaster, a total catastrophe!"

"I understand that, Minister, but we cannot afford to panic."

Harry decided to make his move before Fudge began to see reason. He had no desire to allow this other man to usurp his intended role as the stabilizing force. He spoke from his place with a calm voice that contained an imperceptible hint of amusement.

"It would certainly appear that you've had better days, Minister."

Fudge glanced up and the mystery man whirled around as he drew his wand. He was obviously was or at some point in the past had been an Auror. The standard Ministry stooge didn't possess reflexes like those. He was a relatively powerful wizard as well. He man looked somewhat like an old lion, with graying tawny hair and bushy eyebrows. Harry immediately thought that his rangy caricature paralleled Fenrir Greyback, though this man most likely didn't share the alpha werewolf's taste for human flesh. Harry just stared blankly at him for a moment and then turned his attention towards Fudge.

"Potter, thank Merlin. Finally, somebody who can explain this mess."

Harry nodded slyly, having established his position with ease.

"That is why I've come here, sir. This place really is in an uproar."

"By the way, allow me to introduce Rufus Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror Office. He's now being promoted to lead the D.M.L.E. due to Madam Bones's untimely demise during last night's attack at Azkaban."

Harry nodded and took a seat in the armchair next to Scrimgeour. He doubted that Fudge was particularly upset about losing Amelia Bones, as the woman had been wholly incorruptible and in a position where she could gainsay the Minister on certain issues. He was now free to fill her seat with a loyal stooge, as Harry was convinced this Scrimgeour character was.

"Most saddening indeed, Madam Bones was a good witch. Her niece and I attended Hogwarts together."

Fudge noticed Harry's intentional usage of the past tense and raised an eyebrow but let it pass for the moment.

"I need to know anything that you can about this Hogsmeade fiasco. I've gotten nothing but secondhand information to this point. The Aurors were all tied up at Azkaban and didn't get over to Hogsmeade until it was too late."

Harry gave a much altered version of the actual events, knowing full well that there were no other witnesses alive to contest it. He had no desire to clue Fudge in on the fact that he had a private army at his disposal.

"I was the first one there. Our least favorite Dark Lord came up with the ridiculous idea to recruit me into his ranks. He brought six Death Eaters along with him and general battle ensued when I refused to join him. I dueled with the Dark Lord while some villagers tried their best to battle against his escort. They were quickly slaughtered, but still somehow managed to buy enough time to allow Dumbledore and his vigilantes to arrive on the scene. The Dark Lord signaled in his own reinforcements and blasted me out into the general melee before being engaged with the headmaster."

Harry abjectly refused to call Voldemort by the moniker 'You-Know-Who' and thus simply referred to him as the Dark Lord. He paused for a moment, watch with a victorious gleam in his eyes as Fudge purpled upon hearing about the old man's little vigilance group. Perhaps he had been mistaken in his assumption that Percy had squealed about the Order's existence already. The pompous redhead wasn't a member, but he had to know that his parents were, or had been in his father's case.

"Dumbledore…I knew he was up to something. Building a real army this time, I see. He won't get away with it on my watch."

Harry could have laughed out loud. Lucius Malfoy had found the perfect niche prior to his incarceration. This man was comically simple to manipulate. A skilled manipulator backed by money and reputation could rule the wizarding world from behind the ministerial throne. But that wasn't enough for the ambitious young warlord. He wasn't satisfied with being the kingmaker, but would occupy the place until his own moment came. And he had a scheme that would allow him to fulfill the role in grand fashion.

"I'll give you the full details about that in a moment. Once in the larger battle, I managed to kill a giant and some nameless Death Eater grunts, as well as two inner circle members. They appeared to be twins, two lumpy little maggots…"

Scrimgeour looked over and interrupted.

"The Carrows, Amycus and Alecto. They claimed Imperius after the first rising."

Fudge's expression darkened further upon hearing about released Voldemort supporters going back into his service after being shown previous 'clemency' by the Ministry. Harry would have thought that the man would be pleased to be presented with the opportunity to collect another round of freedom bribes.

"Rufus, I want the Aurors to go out and apprehend every acquitted Death Eater from the first war. Question them carefully under Veritaserum and incarcerate whatever traitors you reveal in the Ministry's detention cells to await trial."

"Yes, Minister. I'll get them on the job as soon as this meeting ends."

Harry was almost impressed. Fudge was able to act decisively on occasion. He would have simply executed them all on the spot, however. He just wished that he could be present when the Aurors stormed into Hogwarts and arrested Snape. Perhaps he would be able to persuade the Minister to let him sit in on the greaseball's questioning. He concluded his report without any more delay.

"…After several people had fallen, the Dark Lord raised them as Inferi. Remus Lupin was killed by a Death Eater from behind while battling them, causing Fenrir Greyback to sic his pack against the Dark Lord's supporters and abandon his service. He didn't take very kindly to his sireling being slain with a silver whip. I went back after the Dark Lord and struck him down while Dumbledore kept him occupied, and then the unthinkable happened. He instantly self-resurrected as some undead sorcerer. The headmaster referred to him as a 'lich' after the battle had ended. He then destroyed my left arm and vaporized into black gas."

Fudge was both worried and confused, but Scrimgeour appeared to be terrified.

"A lich…I don't know much about them, but this is very bad."

"Dumbledore said that the Dark Lord would now be able to control the living dead and create entire armies from the fallen. My guess is that it should take some weeks for him to become acclimated to his newfound powers, time that we have to use to the fullest in making preparations to counter them."

Fudge was shaking his head by this point.

"I'll have to report this before the Wizengamot first. I've already summoned them to an emergency meeting tomorrow morning."

Harry saw this as an opening to put his big plan into motion.

"I have a suggestion to make. It's a bold move, but it will streamline the war effort."

"Very well, my boy. Let's hear it. No scrimping on details."

"Have some trusted supporter within the legislature introduce a motion to declare martial law and grant emergency dictatorial powers to the Minister. This is a crisis time and we can ill afford to be hamstrung by having to place every policy initiative to a vote before the Wizengamot. The democratic process takes time that cannot be wasted. The ability to rule through executive decree would make us more efficient. I could give a statement strongly favoring the proposal to the Daily Prophet in order to secure popular support."

Harry's real motive was to use Fudge as his guinea pig. The people would first taste dictatorial rule under this bumbling idiot and would ideally accept the young warlord's regime that much easier when he decided to put the Minister aside. A populace acclimated to being subjects would be much simpler to control than one used to having full democratic privilege. Better still, Fudge would be the one absorbing the initial shock. The Minister himself looked something similar to the proverbial kid in the candy store.

"Absolutely brilliant, it's sure to be a complete success. I'll get somebody on it right away. But first let's hear all about Dumbledore's vigilantes. He's certainly plotting against the Ministry and he needs to be dealt with as soon as possible."

Harry almost felt a little bad for what he was about to do. He was the one plotting to destabilize the Ministry, not the old man. The bird club needed to be done away with in order to take away Dumbledore's only means through which to interfere with the winged champion's plans. Besides, the headmaster needed to be fully dedicated to protecting Hogwarts, not sticking his crooked nose into matters that weren't within his jurisdiction.

"He heads the Order of the Phoenix, a volunteer militia group opposed to the Dark Lord. The membership roster encompasses virtually the entire Hogwarts faculty as well as several Ministry employees, including a few Aurors. There are others as well, those with misplaced loyalties towards the old coot. I personally refused an offer to join the Order back in early September. I had no desire to submit to Dumbledore's command."

"I need to know which Aurors are involved."

Harry sent Scrimgeour a sidelong glance.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt and Nymphadora Tonks are the ones that I know for certain."

The Minister was shaking with anger again.

"I trusted Shacklebolt! I was planning to promote the man to Head of the Auror Office! Alanna, come in here!"

Harry twirled his wand in his hands as Fudge's secretary bounded into the office.

"I'm right here, Minister Fudge. Hey there, Harry Potter."

Harry sent her a smirk as Fudge rambled out his orders.

"Go down to the Auror Department and summon Aurors Shacklebolt and Tonks up to my office at once."

"Right away, sir. By the way, a Daily Prophet reporter has been asking for an interview."

"I don't have time for that right now. Get those Aurors up here."

The busty secretary left at that. Harry thought to play the devil's advocate and protect the two Order members from being terminated. He rather liked the thought of having two such skilled fighters owing him a favor. He also wanted to win himself a reputation for magnanimity around the Ministry, preferably at Fudge's expense. Scrimgeour apparently had similar ideas.

"Minister, instead of firing them, perhaps we should use them to root out this Order."

"I already have a plan, Rufus. Be prepared to lead a raid tonight."

Harry said nothing until the two exposed Aurors arrived. Both seemed to know exactly what had taken place upon entering the office. Harry's recent disaffection with the headmaster had not been any great secret within the Order. The veteran Kingsley was able to mask his reaction well, but Tonks sent the young wizard a withering glare. Scrimgeour opened up the attack before either could speak.

"Captain Shacklebolt, Auror Tonks. The Minister and I have summoned you here in hopes that you might be able to provide us with some information regarding a certain subversive organization currently operating contrary to Ministry law."

Kingsley glanced over at Harry for a long moment and then responded.

"Unless you're referring to the Death Eaters, I'm afraid I don't follow, Rufus."

Fudge jumped from his seat and slammed his palms onto his mahogany desk.

"You know full well what we mean, Shacklebolt. We know that you both are card carrying membersin Dumbledore's secret little Order of the Phoenix. Mister Potter here has done his civic duty by informing me all about that crackpot's meddling ways, and Commander Scrimgeour and I have decided upon a special assignment for you. Explain, Rufus."

The old Auror rose from his seat and limped towards his two dumbstruck subordinates. Harry decided to just sit back and watch the show. He wasn't particularly pleased about Fudge directly pointing out his role in selling the Order out, even though the young wizard was guilty as sin.

"Your actions merit being fired on the spot. A Ministry Auror's duties do not include memberships in illegal vigilante groups. But since you're so knowledgeable about the Order of the Phoenix, the Minister and I have chosen to assign you both to conduct a raid upon the group's next meeting. Select a dozen wands from the department and break up Dumbledore's little militia, arrest that old crackpot and his lieutenants and haul the lot of them into the Ministry to be questioned. Make clear to the rest that we know who they are, and that they are to cease operations at once or risk being charged with conspiracy against the government. Dawlish and Williamson will serve as your backup. Consider this an opportunity to prove to us that your loyalties lie with the Ministry. Dismissed."

Both nodded and made to leave without a single word, though the look on the Metamorphmagus's face betrayed her intention to ream out Harry as soon as the opportunity arose. He was far from intimidated. Compared to wizards such as Voldemort and Dumbledore, a junior Auror was laughable. Fudge took a parting shot at their backs.

"I hardly think that I should need to emphasize the fact that your jobs depend upon your performance in this mission."

The two Order members glanced and one another and nodded before turning back to Fudge.

"We understand, sir. Allow us to take our leave and make preparations."

Harry waited until Tonks and Kingsley had been gone several minutes before rising to leave as well. He couldn't stomach any more exposure to Fudge and his D.M.L.E. crony. He had accomplished his aims for the day and had no desire to make small talk.

"A splendid scheme, Minister. I have some matters to attend to in London, so I'll take my leave now. I'll explain my sudden departure from Hogwarts in full detail later. Please don't hesitate to avail yourself to whatever services I can provide regarding the war."

"Thank you for your assistance, Mister Potter. I'll certainly be in touch."

Harry shook the Minister's hand, followed by Scrimgeour's and then strode from the office with as much nonchalance as he had brought coming in. He hadn't even crossed the threshold when a young woman flagged him down and practically ran to his position. She was an odd one, with a small frame, hot pink hair and an impish countenance with a cute little button nose. She held a large parchment scroll and an eagle quill in her hands. She couldn't have been much older than twenty. Harry sent her a lopsided grin that didn't seem to faze her much, aside from a demure smile.

"I'm with the Daily Prophet. I was just wondering whether or not the Minister was available for an interview."

Harry always knew an opportunity when he saw one, and decided to take this one.

"He's not, I'm afraid. Minister Fudge is very busy, but perhaps I could assist you."

He saw the girl's crystal blue eyes light up with restrained intelligence.

"I appreciate that, Mister Potter, but I don't want to impose…"

"It's no imposition at all, really. Two hours spent listening to rambling politicos causes a lovely lady's company to be most enticing. Let's find someplace private and I'll give you a story so scandalous that the Valentine's Day Quibbler exclusive will seem as boring as a cauldron bottom report by comparison."

"Well, you certainly seem to know the path to this girl's heart. We could Floo over to my apartment if you'd like."

Harry demurely placed an arm around the girl's petite waist and reveled in her blush.

"That sounds delightful. Allow me to regale you with the tragic tale of a young orphaned savior subjected to an abusive Muggle childhood by a
self-righteous old man…"

Harry couldn't imagine a more perfect ending to his day. He had sliced out Dumbledore's kneecaps by selling out his vigilance group and would now deal yet another crushing blow to the old man's image by telling the world about his poor upbringing with the Dursleys. The headmaster would be reeling from this one-two combination well into the future. And soon the wizarding world would be under martial law with him pulling all the strings. He was ascending into power even now.

(End Chapter Twenty-Seven)

Author's Note: No, I haven't fallen off the planet. There are several reasons for the late update, ranging from computer troubles to a torrential exam and paper deluge. I hope you all like this update. This marks the end of the Halloween arc, the major turning point in the story. Harry is no longer a student plotting a takeover, and has now become an independent entity staging one. The next chapter will likely open up at Arthur Weasley's funeral. His phantom animagus form might be making an appearance soon, but that remains to be decided. I might consider doing a short chapter detailing Harry's 'punishment' here directly, depending on the support the idea garners. Some loose ends will be tied up with the next major chapter, at any rate.

I liked the comment about Harry turning into an anime character. I don't particularly agree with it, but it was interesting nonetheless. I mean, it's not as though he can fire energy blasts from his hands or anything…wait a second. But seriously, whatever Harry does and looks like, it was never my intention to turn him into an anime character. I'll explain the reasoning behind his tendency to dress in Japanese robes soon. There was always a purpose for it, and I believe it fits in well with his character.

Hope everybody enjoys, please review, et cetera. Those of you who like the Naruto anime, I'm considering starting a story in that genre directly, so keep an eye out.