Chapter Seventeen

"Hello, Ron."

Ronald Weasley jumped a foot into the air as he turned to face the intruder. Wide blue eyes noticed he wasn't the only one to have a wand trained onto the strangely familiar figure. He had been visiting his family since he had the free time. He had become an Auror after leaving Hogwarts. He felt it was due to Harry to become something great. He tried very hard and finally succeeded. "H-harry?"

Emerald eyes glittered as they stared back at his first friend, "I'm back. And with good news."

Ron froze. He didn't like the sound of that. But his heart leaped at the thought. We could finally come out. No more hiding. Ron had spent most of his school years hiding his desired lover from the public. They all had roles to play and he knew his family would never accept his choice. And even now they still wouldn't, not after hearing the bad-mouthing his family murmured every time the Daily Prophet mentioned any Dark activity.

"Harry! Oh, Harry, it is good to see you again." Molly Weasley could barely hold back the rushing tears as she saw the same little boy inside the man that stood before her. She had missed Harry when he vanished. Despite Percy's beliefs in the Ministry, her family silently, and sometimes vocally, stood behind Harry. They were the first to know the shy, polite, neglected little boy, left to find his way to school at Kings Cross Station. And now she believed it was Harry that made her baby boy, her little Ron, shine before the eyes of the world that constantly put the Weasley family to shame.

"Hello, Mrs. Weasley."

Molly frowned slightly at his indecisivetone and then she realized that Harry probably had no idea about them, that they were still his family. "I've told you before, it's Molly."

Her bright, warm, caring smile caused his chest to tighten. Harry hadn't realized that he still had supporters ora family. The entire Weasley clan smiled warmly at him, assuring him without words that he was still welcome as their adoptedeighth Weasley. "Molly." And he was swept into a bearhug by an emotional Molly before beinghanded off to the rest of the clan.

Once set back on his feet and when his balance had returned, Arthur turned a curious gaze to his youngest son, "What good news could you have for our son, Harry?"

"The war's over."

Ron frowned. That wasn't what he expected but hewas happy none the less, "That's news for all."

"And Sirius has been returned, freed since Pettigrew is in custody." Harry forewentthe littlest detail that Pettigrew was also dead.

And the frown grew, echoing on the others' faces as their confusion grew. "News for you. Bet you were ecstatic. But how?"

"Later, Ron. Fudge has been removed from the office which leaves it open for the newest Minister to be sworn in tomorrow morning as planned."

This time blue eyes widened in delight, "He got the position!"

"Ron. Who got the position? And why would Minister Fudge be removed?"

Harry turned to his family, smirking. "The war ended today when I decided to trick Voldemort into entering the Ministry. Did you know the Veil in the Department of Mysteries was actually a gift from Hades to his wife?"

Arthur frowned. Of course. All purebloods know the stories of the Gods. They were the ones to gift us with magic as legends say. "Of course. Everyone knows this. It's a legendary tale told by onegeneration to the next."

"It's all true. I gave them Voldemort's soul, along with his top Death Eaters. It was a bargain. I rescued the world by giving the Veil something it always wants. Souls to survive. But there was a legend that said I could also have asked for Sirius back. But no guaranteethat he would be sane or safe among us. I gave him up for the sake of the world. And because I willingly sacrificed myself, again, for the Wizarding World, I got Sirius back as a gift from the Gods. They were also the ones to take away Fudge's position once they learned of his desire to do me possible harm. The Gods made me their child because of my willingness to leave Sirius in the afterlife when I truly wanted him back."

Arthur and Molly gasped in absolute shock, "No one has ever done this. Legends say it is the greatest honor one can have by becoming the favorite of the Gods. And that the favorite will always be protected by them, that they would heal all wrongs done their child. Oh, Harry, I'm so happy for you!" Molly had launched her sobbing form into the younger male's. He held her as tightly as she held him.

But Arthur was far from satisfied. "Who got the position of Minister?"

Here Ron became nervous. He fidgeted, dragging every gaze to his presence. Mumbling, "Lucius Malfoy."

"What?"

No one could believe that their Ron, well except Harry, would willingly accept a Malfoy in such a powerful position. "It's true. We helped Lucius Malfoy become the next Minister."

"Why, Ron? You hate the Malfoys. They've done us nothing but harm."

I can't keep lying to them. Taking a deep, calming breath, Ron prepared to talk, seeing the concerned and supportive glance of his best friend, here goes nothing. At least Harry will always support me. "Because I'm in love with his son. And I believed that Lucius would be the best wizard for the job. He is fair. He has the money, the respect, and the demeanor to become Minister. He knows what needs to be done, what needs to be fixed. And he's willing to do it all without prejudice. He has already begunthe campaigns to help every Dark creature to live healthy and free. He can do much for this world. He has the power and aura many would follow without cause."

"Excuse us, did you just say you were in love with the ferret?"

Molly glared at her gaping twin sons, turning a neutral look to her nervous Ron, "Ron, when did this happen?"

"When we were in school. The same year before Harry vanished. He was the only one, that I know of, that knew about us. He helped us to find time together. He even helped me win the Malfoys over to our side without any one knowing. It was simple. Lucius wanted to protect his family and keep his name respected. Harry gave him the power and wealthy position to do so. And Lucius gave him ideas on how to further train himself against Voldemort."

Seeing the disturbing looks upon the Weasleys' faces, Harry stepped in, "It's all true. I knew I couldn't win. Even if the prophecy said I would have the power to win against Voldemort, I wasn't ready. I got by because of pure luck every time I faced him. And I knew it wasn't enough should I had toface him one last time. Lucius suggested that I leave England for a place whereI could study magic without interferencefrom others. Dumbledore meant well, but I needed more than he gave me. And Draco said somewhere no Ministrycould force me to return. It turned out to be the Amazon. Both Malfoys said that no one had ever searched the entire Amazon and returned alive. It was the perfect place. They also said rumors stated that natives lived deep within those jungles and that they supposedlyknew more about magic and life. Lucius said all tales of natives mentioned powerful shamans. And it was worth the risk to find out if it was true."

Ron turned to his friend, curious, "Snape and Remus?"

"Were very helpful in teaching the Dark Arts. I needed to know what I was up against. I had to learn to defend myself. And I did. I learned the Dark Arts. And in the Amazon I learned the ways of Circe, long forgotten."

Gasps of surprise rose high, "C-circe! She was a legendary Sorceress! She was considered the most powerful woman alive! Even the Gods favored her, leaving her to her devices so long as she never outwardly defied them. She was dedicated to Selene, the Goddess of the Moon, one of the most influential Goddesses!"

"Yes, and Circe passed her knowledge to a very select few loyal followers. And Mama Rhea, the shaman I met, taught me. It was how I learned of the Veil and the world of magic. I learned more from her than I ever had before. I learned ways of magic never thought possible. And I plan on teaching it to those who are truly worthy. But I can only grant such a gift by acceptance of the Gods. They are the ones that allowed me to learn. And it is they that must allow me to teach. Not everyonecan taste the powers of Circe, for she decreed it so with the last of her very breath. And Lady Selene swore it would be so."

The Weasleys understood. The Gods could be fickle. Wonderful allies, but dangerous enemies. They had no worries about striking down their favoritesshould they feel betrayed. Many stories had proven that fact. "I'm so proud of you, Harry. I hate the fact you had to vanish like that without a word, but I'm glad you found a way to defend yourself and still come out alive."

"But I thought Ron said Malfoy was the one that betrayed you guys?" The twins were confused. Ron had mentioned that Draco Malfoy seemed quite smug about something. And the papers had mentioned that the blonde Slytherin had suspected Harry of doing something quite illegal.

"Because it was planned. We had to make sure no suspicion would fall upon Lucius. Severus was already suspected which cemented the Malfoys place as Voldemort's most trusted allies. It made iteasier to distract him and make him jump the gun, so to speak. I wanted to fight on my own terms, not his. For then I knew I could win. And we needed the help of those deep within Voldemort's trust, who better than his right hand and loyal subject, Lucius Malfoy? The same man attracted to power, wealth, and prestige. And that was exactly what he got for following me. For I am now the most powerful wizard, especially with knowledge of Circe's abilities. I am wealthy, the remaining heir to the Potter fortune. Not to mention fortunes given to me by most of my loyal fans whowilled me their possessions before I vanished, all in hopes it would help me defeat Voldemort. It did. It helped me to find more knowledge ofMinistry laws and laws unwritten but wisely followed by all Ministries. I also have the prestige and respect of the world for being The Boy Who Lived, and now the Man Who Defeated Voldemort once word gets out."

"How? The world still hates you."

"Ah, but someone owed me a favor. She lives for this kind of gossip. I just mentioned by owl that a certain boy and Dark Lord would be cavortingdeep within the Ministry. She arrived, in disguise of course, to capture the story infilm and words. I'm sure at this very moment the Daily Prophet is wringing out a special edition." And no sooner had he stopped speaking when Errol suddenly collapsedat the window, carrying a thick roll of papers.

Molly trembled as she slowly unrolled the bound Daily Prophet and promptly collapsed. 'Potter sacrifices to save the World by offering the Dark Lord's soul to the Gods!'