Chapter Sixteen

"Arrest him!"

But before the Aurors could even do as told, several Order members trained their wands upon the Minister. And Harry Potter was the one to speak against the Minister, "Don't even try it, Fudge. He was given back to me. He is also innocent. If you even bother to look, or even try to look, you'll see that one of the Inner Circle members include a supposedlydead Peter Pettigrew."

"Impossible! The dead cannot come back to life."

Harry yanked aside the white mask, revealing a very familiar figure, "And just how do you explain who this is?"

"As I said, the dead cannot come back to life."

"Then you will display his body to the public and give Sirius Black a trial to prove his innocence. I will expect it or the entire Wizarding world will hear about an innocent man in Azkaban. As well as how you tried to hide Voldemort's return."

"You can't prove a thing, Potter." Fudge was desperately trying to regain control.

But someone wouldn't let him have it, "I think they will, Minister. I do plan on returning to the magical world and telling them everything. Everything Voldemort has everdone, everything I have ever done as Voldemort. Especially everything that has ever happened to me as Tom Riddle and how you tried to cover it all up, even when I showed you proof. I showed you all proof of my life and you ignored it. And that is how Voldemort came to be."

Fudge wanted nothing more than to arrest anyone daring to interferewith his plans to remain Minister. But he could only gape as several shadowy figures slithered into view, just behind the Potter boy. Stuttering, "I..I.."

"Headmaster, I leave his care in your hands." The Order watched as their Head Phoenix member, Albus Dumbledore, nodded. The older wizard swore to care for the unconsciousmale, knowing Harry Potter would willingly destroyanything and anyone daring to harm Sirius Black.

"He shall remain in Madame Pomfrey's capablehands."

Emerald eyes narrowed, seemingly searching for something, "I will return for him." Then turned back to Fudge, "I do believe we have unfinished business. Or should I say, I have unfinished business to attend. I believe someone else is awaiting you."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Sir, are you all right?" Dolores Umbridge frowned as she stared at a very nervous and pale Cornelius Fudge.

"Yes, Dolores, yes. Just fine."

"Did you finally catch that horrid Potter boy? He can't remain free to continue telling lies!" She had done her absolute best to quiet the boy. But it seemed he liked pain and she enjoyed delivering it.

"Ah, another to the price of one. How dreadful you madeour child become. And how easilyyour begging should please me." Both figures whirled at the feminine sound, facing a very smug female. Dark gold locks piled upon her head, a few tendrils escaping, made her appear younger than her actual age. Blazing hazel eyes forced fear into their hearts as full pink lips spread into a slow smile. Her lithe figure, draped in soft cotton of lavender, slid forward with predatory grace. "I promised you, didn't I?"

"Who in the Ministry's name are you!" Dolores tried to stretch to her tallest stance, seemingly to appear foreboding. But the stranger didn't even seem impressed.

"I am the Queen of the Underworld. I am the Goddess of Spring. I am Persephone, wife to Lord Hades, daughter to Lady Demeter. And I am here on payment granted by my promise. I meant it when I said we gave you mortals magic, gave you life."

"Yes, she did. And no one tries to touch my daughter without my say so." Lady Demeter literally separatedherself from the shadows in the Minister's office. She also willingly refused to mention someone once touched her daughter, her son-in-law. "And because of that, I will make you pay. By Zeus' honor and power, you are hereby stripped of your precious magic!"

Thunder roared through the airy office, echoing throughout the Ministry. But no one could enter the door, nor did they want to, not after catching sight of a gigantic, three-headed, snarling dog. All they could do was listen to the agonizing screams of their Minister and his close confidante as their magic was painfully ripped from their very physical form.

A deeper voice spoke the next promise, "For daring to think of harming my wife, you shall pay in blood. By my honor and power as Lord Hades, God of the Underworld, you are hereby stripped of your precious essence."

Slash after deep slash flared across their pale skin as something whistled through the air, shredding every article of clothing. Blood, thick and red, poured from the gaping wounds. Try as they might, neither could stop the flow and both had a feeling that not even thick bandages could sway the flow. Finally, it grew too much. They fell to their knees, trying to beg for mercy, for life, for anything. But the blood refused to quit flowing. Instead it poured from their throats, cutting off any air and sound.

The three Gods smirked as the pleas refused to sound. "Yes, I did ask for pleading but it's so much prettier now. And now, as Queen to my Lord Hades, you are hereby stripped of your precious life. Your souls belong to us!"

Hands stretched out, a silveryglow appeared about their palms. The same glow shimmered about the suddenly collapsing bodies as two struggling, whitish forms were dragged from their housing shells. "You will be judged and placed now. Come, Cerberus, come. We have what we need."

"Ah, but husband, there are still more. A group of three that have wronged our child. They must pay the penalty as these two have done. It is only right to fulfill our child's complete and utter happiness."

Lady Demeter frowned at her only child, "Three? Three of what?"

"They were family. Given a precious bundle to love and care for. But theythrew it away beneath the stairs in a tiny cupboard. Healways remembers the pain and loneliness. They gave it all to their precocious son and nothing to him but the barest of bare."

Hades slowly grinned. He would do anything to keep his bride happy, even give in toher every whim. "As my Lady deems, so shall it be. Takes us to your newest gifts, my dear."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"By Zeus' honor and power, you are hereby stripped of your precious normality!"

The Dursleys were having a quiet Sunday dinner when it was interrupted with a bright flash. Petunia screamed, dropping her fork and splattering her good Sunday dress with creamy pasta sauce. "Vernon!"

The purple-faced, heavy-setman struggled to stand, "Now see here! We were promised no more freaks since the boy ran away!"

And the 'freaks' response was a complete surprise. But it got the expected reaction as everything that made the Dursleys proud, or as normal as others believed, suddenly began changing. Their portraits began jabbering to one another, leaving the frames to visit another. Their silverware began dancing with the tupperware, even the stove began cooking on its own or burning what little food sat upon it. The cupboard doors began slamming open and shut as any reflecting surface began criticizing their wardrobe. Even their clothing turned into thehideous robes of wizards.

Petunia shrieked shrilly, Vernon began roaring in anger, and Dudley simply stared at the talking television, not realizing what was happening. "By my honor and power as Lord Hades, God of the Underworld, you are hereby stripped of your precious essence."

This time Dudley did react as a spray of warm liquid was spewed into his face. For a few mere seconds, he could only stare, mouth agape, as his parents began writhing in pain, throwing up blood and pouring out more from mysteriously appearing wounds. But his turn had arrived as something whipped against his skin. His pathetic screams filled the large house, amusing the three standing figures. His chubby fingers tried to peel away his shredding skin, hoping to free himself from pain.

"And now, as Queen to my Lord Hades, you are hereby stripped of your precious life. Your souls belong to us!"

Once again they duplicated the same soul removing process as they had done within the Minister's office. And Lady Persephone squealed in delight. Finally, we may go home! She then skipped away, delighting in cascading her magic around, destroyingmore of the home she had rudely entered.

Shall we, my mother?

Lady Demeter glared at the smirking God, You may love my daughter and she you. But don't ever think for one moment I will call you son. You tricked her. She was an innocent and should have remained so. You are in my life because of the love I have for my daughter. That is all. And with that she deliberately vanished, showering Lord Hades with sparkling flowers.

He too vanished with darkly colored sparkles, leaving behind his booming laughter and destroyedwards. Within moments of their departure, several Aurors had arrived, as well as Muggle police, to view a horrible crime scene. The Dursleys had been murdered.