As Always, I don't own the HP characters, they belong to JKR, yada yada yada, you know the drill.
Chapter 24: Power of the Cross
An expression of realization suddenly came over Hermione; she now realized that she had only a few moments.
"Harry," she began, speaking to the baby. "I'm your mum, and I'm so sorry that I won't get to be with you as you grow into the incredible man and wizard I know you're going to be. But you have an amazing dad, and an amazing uncle who will be there for you whenever you need them. Know this, that I love you with all of my heart, and I will always be with you. Your dad will remind you of what I told you here today, when your old enough to understand. I love you Harry, and God loves you too."
Hermione suddenly looked to the ceiling, her body began to shake. Ron suddenly took hold of the baby for fear of Hermione dropping it. Hermione's tears suddenly disappeared, she smiled.
"Oh my God," she said in a shaky voice. "I go to you with all of the joy that is in my heart."
Amidst her smiling, she suddenly stopped shaking, exhaled for the last time, and relaxed. Her baby, as if realizing that his mother had just died, started to cry loudly. Ron's tears fell freely from his eyes.
"Hermione?" he asked to the body. "Hermione? No! God no!"
Ron broke down into an uncontrollable fit of tears, Harry knelt beside him, holding his shoulders, crying as well. Father Bates took the child from Ron and handed it to the healer who took it from the room. Reverend Ewls took his hand to Hermione's eyes, which were still opened, and closed them.
"Go with God Hermione," he said.
She was dead! Ron sat next to her bed, clutching her lifeless hand with his own, as if doing so kept the last remnants of life from escaping her. All Harry could do was to kneel there next to him with his arm around Ron's shoulder. Ron's tears turned to anger as he let go of Hermione's hand and slammed his fist into the soft bed upon which her body rested.
"Reverend, why did we do it?" he shouted. "Why did we come so far, why did God allow her to make it so far just for this to happen, just for her to die now."
"Ron," Ewls began as he stood next to the bed. "God's plan…"
"Don't give me that rubbish about God's plan!" Ron shouted in interruption as he looked into the apparently lifeless face of his fiancé. "God allowed her to die, and he allowed me, and Harry, and her son to be hurt like this."
"He also allowed her to find Christ, and salvation before she died, you saw the smile on her face when she passed on," Ewls said. None of this made any difference to the hysterical Ron. "She is in Paradise Ron, her pain is over, her sorrows and toils are over, and her joy and happiness will never end. She is with Jesus now. You should be happy for her."
Ron shook his head still looking into Hermione's closed eyes, which only seconds earlier were alive, radiant, and beautiful.
"I'm sorry Reverend, none of those places are with me, I want her with me," Ron said. His eyes assumed a look of sarcastic shame. "Pretty selfish of me, huh?"
"Not at all," said Harry. "That means that you love her, which you should."
Ron noticed something in Hermione's face, what it was, he could not tell, but his eyes focused on Hermione's eyes, her once beautiful, now forever closed chocolate brown eyes. Something had caught his attention, he did not know what.
"I feel so empty without her," he said, as his concentration intensified.
"And to some degree you always will," said Ewls. "Because you miss her and you'll always miss her, but she'll always be with you, in a way you are closer to her now than you ever were, or ever could have been."
Ron noticed it again, something instantaneously different about Hermione's face, her eyes. He could not pinpoint what it was, nor did he rationally believe it to be anything of significance. He proceeded with his crying.
"I want her back, so much," he said.
"One day Ron," said Harry. "One day we will go to be with God too, and we will see her again, and you will be happy together, worshiping God in Abraham's bosom. All will be well again Ron. We have an obligation now to Harry Ronald, to raise him, to be there for him."
It happened again, this time Ron saw it in full. It was a twitch in her eyes. Ron's rationality caught on, a sign of life. He took Hermione's hand which had still been warm when he let it go, he had originally thought that her warmth had simply not fully left her yet, however now he felt something within her, an essence, a life. Hermione was still alive, she was still fighting. Ron stopped crying, his face appeared curious and hopeful. Harry caught this in him…
"Ron, you have to let her go…" he said.
"Harry I saw it too," said Ewls, whose facial expression joined Ron's in curious hope.
Ewls knelt down beside Hermione at the other side of the bed. Harry took Hermione's other hand from across her body, all three of them stared intently into Hermione's face, something was definitely happening, a flickering, as if not unlike a fluorescent light trying to come on. Her body began to shake, Reverend Ewls touched her forehead…
"My God," he said. "Ron, I believe that we are about to witness a miracle."
The shaking became almost violent, a life struggling to return. Her mouth suddenly opened and inhaled deeply, her eyes opened wide, her lips smiled, tears filled her eyes. She looked around at her three friends, Ron's face moved closer to her own, tears of intense joy flooded all four of their faces, even Reverend Ewls sobbed, all were speechless. Ron's free hand stroked Hermione's face.
"Welcome back," said Harry with a nervous laugh.
All four of them gave a nervous chuckle at this.
"I thought (sniff) I'd lost you!" said Ron.
"I was…" Hermione began, an incredibly huge smile grazed her lips, her tears flowed freely from her eyes. "It was indescribable, I saw Jesus, I met him, I hugged him, I talked with him." She began to cry openly as she continued. "I know you probably don't believe me but he was there, he told me he loved me so much."
She broke down sobbing, Reverend Ewls smiled.
"Why on earth wouldn't I believe that?" he asked. "You're not the only one Hermione."
"I didn't see the father though," Hermione continued after she had regained control. "They told me that I was going back, that I couldn't see the father until after I was to be there permanently."
Ron's and Hermione's eyes connected, their joyful expressions unbreakable.
"So, I guess the wedding's still on," said Ron.
Hermione smiled and nodded through her tears.
"That's right, I love you," she sobbed.
"I love you."
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At the ministry of magic, Rufus Scrimgeour's faith in Voldemort had failed, he met in secret with several of his closest Aurors, who all agreed that Voldemort must be ousted. Voldemort's greatest mistake, it seemed to them, was that he had finally come to the ministry of magic, where, thanks to the destruction of the last horcrux, killing him would be easier than it would were they to have to try and find him. The anti-apparition fields in place should prevent his quick escape, and none of what they had discussed was known to Voldemort or his Death Eaters.
Voldemort meditated quietly in his office as he often did, engaging in Legilemency on whomever he pleased. Bellatrix Lestrange entered the office from the room adjacent.
"My lord, we have failed," she said distressed. "Harry Potter, Thomas Ewls, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley have escaped."
"It is of no concern," said Voldemort, his eyes still closed. "Are our people in place to carry out the arrests?"
"Yes my lord."
"Then the time has come to make our move," Voldemort said.
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Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Reverend Ewls had been at the temple for three days, none of them had ever been in a place where the spirit was so strong. Even Hermione had taken to praying every morning in the huge, beautiful chapel located in the temple. The chapel was decorated with 2-dimensional icons representing various biblical scenes. At the front was an altar, behind which hung a crucifix.
When not praying, Hermione and Ron would be found with their newborn child, playing with him, taking turns holding him. Harry Ronald Granger was definitely not a quiet baby. At only three days old, he recognized his Mother's and (surrogate) Father's arms, and made it quite clear through his screaming that he did not recognize anyone else. Harry Potter, remembering what Tom Marvolo Riddle looked like, could not see any resemblance to him in Harry Ronald, in fact Harry Ronald looked more like his maternal Grandfather than anyone else, his infant-blue eyes, however, resembled Ron's.
Harry often found himself retreating to the chapel to pray, wondering when he would begin his training as a Nasserite. Reverend Ewls and Father Bates had left the temple to find and rescue straggling Nasserites from the governments which now wanted to kill them. One day, however, as Harry prayed alone in the chapel, the doors opened. He did not see who it was that joined him as he knelt with his eyes closed in prayer. The man, however, knelt down beside him, in an instant, Harry recognized his presence as Reverend Ewls. After finishing his prayers, Harry opened his eyes.
"This place is amazing," said Harry. "The kind of spirit that I feel, I've never felt anything like it."
Ewls had stopped praying as well. His expression was much more grave than that of Harry's.
"The truth about Hermione's child has yet to have been published by the Ministry of Magic. Hogwarts has been fortified," said Ewls. "And Lord Voldemort is still the head of the Department of Secret Investigations. It's too dangerous for you to return to Britain, so you will be remaining here for some time perhaps. Hermione and Ron have decided to marry when they can return to England and have the Weasley Family present.
Harry's expression, still fixed upon the crucifix at the front of the chapel. His face was contemplative.
"I've been praying Reverend, about my future," said Harry. "About what God wants for me, and I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be a Nasserite."
"Are you willing Harry, to do whatever the Lord asks of you?"
"Of course."
"Then its time we found out," said Ewls. "Come with me."
After leaving the chapel, the two entered the great hall, which was not unlike the atrium of the ministry of magic, only it included a statue of Jesus with the wounds visible in his hands and feet. From there, they ascended a staircase into a small, cramped hallway lighted only by torches with stained glass icons of the stations of the cross and the crucifixion.
At the end of the hallway was an ominous wooden door. As they approached the door, the spirit, which Harry had felt since he had arrived at the temple, burned stronger in his bosom. He knew that his destination was through the wooden door, he also had a guess as to what they would find once they opened the door, he also knew that the spirit would burn to where it was almost unbearable once he entered the room. The two approached the door, before opening it, Reverend Ewls turned to Harry.
"Have you forgiven all of those who have wronged you Harry?" he asked.
"Yes, I think so."
"I want you to clear your head of all potential negative emotions," Ewls instructed. "Anger, Hatred, pride, they can torment you as you enter into this room."
"Reverend, what's in there," Harry asked, he knew but he wanted to hear it confirmed.
"The Holy Cross, and…" Ewls said before pausing. "…whatever you take with you."
Harry suddenly appeared nervous, he searched throughout his soul, looking for any negative thought or emotion, or anything which might condemn him before he entered the room. His hands started to shake after hearing Ewls' proclamation.
"Reverend, there are two negative emotions that I cannot get rid of."
"Oh?"
"Fear," he said. "I know that my destiny is to face Voldemort, but I am afraid of doing so."
Ewls nodded in understanding.
"And sadness," he continued. "I still miss my parents…"
Ewls smiled. "Those aren't what I meant by negative emotions Harry, and in the presence of the Cross you can find peace, when faced with those emotions; often times Nasserites will retreat to this sanctuary. All I can tell you is to be humble, penitent, and reverent as you go before the great icon of our redemption."
"Yes reverend."
"One more thing," Ewls' voice became stern, serious. "Above all, we do not worship the cross, we honor the cross, we worship God who died upon the cross and rose again on the third day. Understand?"
"Yes Reverend."
Ewls then opened the door which swung into a small room with no icons, lit only by torches, only a single row of pews led up to a cross made of clearly rotted wood. Three Nasserites already inhabited the room and were praying. Harry could hear chants coming from some unknown source, and incense burned around the room. Once Harry entered the room, the spirit, as he expected, was overpowering, tears formed in his eyes as he was nearly forced to remember the narrative of the passion and his redemption.
He followed Ewls into the sanctuary. Both of them made the sign of the cross before sitting in a pew near the front of the sanctuary. Harry's eyes could not fix upon the cross, he felt unworthy, ashamed to look upon it.
"The spirit is…" he paused as he said through his tears. "…overwhelming."
"It is time to ascertain your purpose," said Ewls through his own tears
"How?"
"You must go…" he said before pausing. "…and touch the cross."
Harry definitely did not want to do this, he almost utterly refused. He felt unworthy to even look at it, and yet Reverend Ewls was asking him to touch it. He could not, he dare not do that.
"I fear that would be irreverent…"
"You must, God commands it, now go."
Reluctantly, Harry stood and walked slowly to the front of the sanctuary. He beheld the rotting wood of the actual instrument of his redemption, as he drew nearer, his experience was otherworldly. The spirit was so strong that he could not hold back his tears, he was not tormented, rather the feeling that overwhelmed him was peace, joy, he was so happy it was almost overwhelming. It was truly peace that surpassed all understanding.
As Harry approached the cross, the eyes of all Nasserites in the sanctuary who were praying now fixed upon him. He reached his hand forth to touch the cross. He did so hesitantly, thinking himself unworthy, a voice in his head told him not to proceed, he tried to stop himself, the conflict in his heart was almost, ironically, as overwhelming as his peace. He slowly brought his hand forward, he inched it closer and closer to the rotted wood until….
When he felt the soft mass touch his hand, immediately, a great white light surrounded him, the cross disappeared. He looked around him, not knowing where he was. The cross was certainly not a port-key, was that the case it would still be with him. The place where he stood was characterized simply by pure whiteness, there were no physical details to speak of, until the whiteness began to fade slowly. The shapes that came into view as the whiteness slowly sank away were not, however, those of the sanctuary in which he had previously found himself.
Several trees came into view, emerging from the whiteness. He found himself standing upon soft grass. A single, majestic building stood in the distance, and people… Several people traversed the luscious landscape in which he now stood, adorned with white robes, their faces were upon him, smiling. He looked around and beheld what he considered to be the most glorious place in which he had ever been, even more so than the temple, the incense, and chanting had disappeared, the feeling of the spirit was now more overwhelming than he had ever felt it.
As he stood beholding this place, he felt a hand come upon his shoulder, a hand that he recognized as strangely familiar. Before turning to see who stood behind him, out of instinct, he raised his hand slowly to take the mysterious hand in his own, after which, while keeping the two hands connected, he turned and beheld, as if staring through the mirror of erised all over again, his parents, the hand belonging to his mother.
Both of their faces beamed at the sight of him, tears filled their eyes, they were real, Harry was sure of it, this was no illusion. His mother's teeth were visible through her giant smile, his father gave a look of pride in his son. Harry began to cry openly, he could not hold back his tears, neither could his mother as she slowly took him into her arms wherein he broke down, crying into her shoulders. He felt his father's familiar hand come upon his shoulder as his mother stroked his face.
He did not ever want to leave this experience of pure bliss, he did not ever want this feeling to cease. He cried for what seemed like minutes in the embrace of his mother before feeling another, still familiar arm come upon his shoulder. His mother's embrace loosened allowing him to turn around and behold the smiling, teary-eyed face of his Godfather.
Sirius and Harry embraced without hesitation, when another, still familiar hand came upon his face. He spun to find Cedric Diggory greeting him with a handshake, an expression of thanks upon his face. Yet another familiar hand upon his shoulder from behind, when he turned around he beheld the man to whom he had given all respect, the man who had been the closest thing to a father he had ever known, smiling down upon him with a look of immense pride was Albus Dumbledore.
"Welcome Harry," said Dumbledore. "I take it you know where we are."
Harry nodded. The two embraced before yet another hand rested upon his shoulder, this one he did not recognize by physical touch, only the presence of the spirit burning even more gave him the knowledge of who this was. He thought that he would be afraid, but he wasn't, instead his sense of peace and joy increased exponentially. He turned around slowly and beheld a short, thin, normal-looking man with a beard and short hair. Upon the hand which held his shoulder was a small imprint, this was also visible in his other hand. Upon his face was a radiant smile, an expression of pure, undefiled love, the likes of which Harry had never beheld.
Upon beholding him, Harry immediately recognized him and fell to his knees.
"My Lord and my God!" Harry said in tears as he crossed himself.
The man's smile increased, with the hand not resting upon Harry's shoulder, he stroked Harry's hair gently.
"I am sorry that…" Harry began.
"Your sins are forgiven you," the man said in a very gentle, soft voice. "You are here because I have called you to a great purpose."
"I will go and do the things which you command, Lord."
"And so you shall," The man continued. "You are called to bear my Gospel to all nations, kindreds, and Tongues, to defend the defenseless, to liberate the captives, to heal the broken-hearted, and to, in midst of war, bring hope and freedom to the world, you are called to wield my sword in battle against those who seek to oppress my people, and to above all to go and love the people as yourself; as I have loved them, so shall you love them."
"Lord, with all of my heart, I accept your call."
"Then rise an apprentice of the Order of the Holy Cross."
Harry then rose, his face could not bear to look at this man in the face. The man's hand took Harry's chin and gently forced his face upward to look him in the eye. The man's smile beamed at Harry, the look of love radiated strongly from him. Harry's tears continued, stronger than ever before. The man took Harry into his arms, embracing him tightly.
"I love you my son, my precious child," the man said. "And we shall meet again, many years from now, you shall join us to be forever with me and your father which is in heaven. Now go and love the people."
The man disappeared, as did his parents, Cedric, Sirius, and Dumbledore. He once again found himself surrounded in whiteness. Through which came the sight of the cross and the sanctuary. He once again found himself touching the cross. Everything appeared as it had, though his tears had not stopped flowing. He let go of the soft wooden mass, his expression became resolved, he knew now what he was called to do, it all made sense, why he was constantly in danger, why he was not normal, his whole life made sense. He turned to Reverend Ewls.
"We must know, did he say to you, 'rise an apprentice?'" asked Ewls.
"Yes he did, I saw my parents, professor Dumbledore, my godfath…"
"All Nasserites do," Ewls interrupted. "It always occurs in the presence of your loved ones who have passed through the veil. But say no more, exactly what happened, and what you saw is between you and God. In addition to your call, you have been endowed with power from on high to work great magic, to perform great acts of love, but you are not a Nasserite yet." Ewls stood, the two of them began to walk toward the door leading into the dark corridor. "Come, we will now begin training you to harness this power."
Harry was taken into a large, empty room wherein some thirty men and women, most of whom were only slightly older than he, stood. After depositing Harry there, Reverend Ewls left. The men and women with whom Harry stood all bore looks of nervous expectation. The door to the room opened again, and in came Father Robert Bates who made the men and women with whom Harry stood to stand in a shoulder-to-shoulder line facing him. After this he made to address them.
"Welcome apprentices," he began. "You are here because you have been called to be here by a power outside your own. You have beheld the risen Lord, and have accepted the awesome responsibility of that of a Nasserite Christian Wizard of the Order of the Holy Cross, you have been endowed with power from on high, you now stand as the most powerful wizards of your age, but before you can take upon yourselves this awesome responsibility you must learn to harness your spiritual gifts to perform the service of love. You must learn to immerse yourself in the Holy Spirit, in the power of God's love, to where it communicates to you clearly, and directs your action. This takes time, even years, many of you will spend as much as twenty years before you are ever made full-fledged Nasserites, some of you may be ready in a month, for each of you, this will be difficult. Welcome to your training, I pray that God keep you strong as you face these trials."
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As Harry began his training at the Temple, Rufus Scrimgeour, joined by Cacius Ewing, Arius Day, and two Aurors with wands drawn walked down the corridor that lead to the door to the department of mysteries. When they arrived…
"Heir of Slytherin," said the minister, the door opened revealing Voldemort alone in his usual Meditative state. Scrimgeour and the Aurors entered the room aiming their wands at the Dark Lord.
"Ah Minister, what can I do for you?" asked Voldemort calmly, his voice unconcerned.
Scrimgeour's face was resolved, in his heart he felt only a trickle of fear. He did not know why he was so overwhelmed, so willing to accept Voldemort's offer at their first meeting as now he was much more resolved.
"In the name of the Ministry of Magic for Great Britain and Northern Ireland," Scrimgeour began. "you are under arrest on the charge of treason, conspiracy to commit armed insurrection against all of wizardry, for the murder of Artemis Gray, and untold hundreds more."
"I am most surprised Minister, you have no proof."
"A message came to us by owl today, not only so but I have been to Hogwarts and seen the proof from Healer Ewls herself, you impregnated Hermione Granger, and used this opportunity to gain power within the very ministry itself. You will not succeed."
Voldemort opened his eyes, he looked resolved, he stood and threw back his cloak revealing a sheathed sword similar to Lucius Malfoy's and Reverend Ewls'.
"You cannot stop me," said Voldemort as he drew his sword and held it in defensive posture. "I'm going to enjoy killing you."
"AVADA KEDAVRA!" came the voice of the four Aurors, who aimed their wands at Voldemort.
With his sword, Voldemort caught the four killing curses and sent them hurling back at their originators, killing them all. Voldemort then sheathed his sword as Scrimgeour still stood aiming his wand at him.
"Come on Minister," Voldemort taunted. "Just try it."
"AVADA KEDAVRA!" shouted Scrimgeour, the killing curse had no effect. A look of fear came upon the minister's face as another shout came from behind.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!"
A green light came, the minister fell dead.
Behind the Minister's corpse stood Bellatrix Lestrange and Wormtail with wands drawn.
"My friends," Voldemort said. "The world is ours, the time has come. Begin the arrests."
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The Weasleys' house at the burrow stood as peacefully and quietly in the night as ever. Approaching it however, were several wizards in Auror Uniforms led by a younger Death Eater who did not wear his mask. When they arrived at the door, they knocked upon it. Molly Weasley, not recognizing the Death Eater without his mask, believing that officers of the ministry had come to see Arthur, went to the door and opened it.
"Yes?" asked Molly Weasley.
"Is this the residence of Arthur Weasley?" asked the young Death Eater.
At this, Molly understood that something was wrong, if the young man standing at the lead was with the ministry, he would not have needed to ask.
"Why?" she asked.
"You will tell us," said the Death Eater. "Or we will arrest you as well."
An expression of fear came upon Molly's face, she knew immediately what was going on. She nodded and turned around walking slowly forward as if to allow them access. When her apron was out of view, she reached into its pocket, donning her wand. When her wand was firmly in her grasp she spun around quickly and took aim at the young Death Eater.
"Stupefy!"
The Young Death Eater fell Unconscious. As the other Aurors drew their wands, she realized she only had a few seconds. As they were members of the ministry, she knew they would stun her, knowing therefore that her life was not in danger, she decided to take her last few seconds of consciousness to warn her husband to escape. She turned to face the stairs.
"ARTHUR!"
Beckoned by her voice, Arthur Weasley who was already awake, writing something at his desk, grabbed his wand and made his way toward the stairs, before he fully left the room, he heard another voice, a fainter male voice.
"Avada Kedavra!"
His heart sank, his mouth fell opened. It was not possible, he shook his head as he could not bring himself to believe the truth of what had just happened. Tears of sadness anger and lust for vengeance filled his eyes as he breathed more heavily and walked toward the bottom of the stairs with an enraged expression. When he arrived at the bottom of the stairs, his worse fears were confirmed, his wife lay dead on the floor, one of the four Aurors' wand was drawn at the lifeless body.
Arthur immediately knew that he had no chance to survive, he had never used any unforgivable curses before, but he resolved to now; not the killing curse, he did not want to just kill the man who had taken his wife from him. He aimed his wand at the Auror.
"Crucio!" he shouted in anger through his tears.
The man fell to the ground in spasms as if being electrocuted. As he held the man, torturing him, another one of the Aurors raised his wand at him.
"Avada Kedavra!"
A green light filled the room; a thump was heard as Arthur Weasley's lifeless body hit the floor.