Retaliation

"Brendin, wait up!" Harry called.

Brendin started to jog in place as Harry caught up to him. Harry had decided to join Brendin on his morning run. Caleb was too sick to join them and he was also complaining about a headache, which worried Leo. The air was chilly but the snow was thinning out and patches of dead grass could bee seen. The melting snow did not help Harry; despite his best efforts to not slip, he had fallen twice. This was the fourth time Brendin had come to a halt because of him.

"You can go back Harry," Brendin said almost pleadingly. "I really don't mind running on my own."

Harry reached Brendin and leaned over trying to catch his breath. He was realizing that he was not cut out for endurance running; this was their fourth mile. "No, I'm fine…I…just…need…to catch my breath."

Brendin sighed in defeat. "Let's walk for a bit."

"If you say so..." Harry inwardly rejoiced.

"Why did you join me today?" Brendin questioned as they walked slowly up the hill at the edge of the property.

Harry shrugged. "Just thought you'd like some company and I needed to get some exercise."

Brendin turned back to stare at Harry. "You really shouldn't lie, Harry. You're terrible at it."

Harry laughed. "I wanted to talk to you…we haven't really spoken at all this year."

"Ok, what about?" Brendin stopped under a snow-covered tree near the top of the hill.

Harry shook his head slowly. "Anything."

"Ok. Well, I passed all my exams and had a wonderful Christmas break except for that incident at Christmas…I'm struggling in Potions at the moment…I'm running out of ideas," Brendin joked.

"How's your leg?" Harry said referring to Brendin's knees. They had been problematic before the injury at Christmas.

Brendin shrugged. "Sore, they always are after I run. Wyatt did a good job reversing Voldemort's curse."

Harry nodded. "What about your chest?"

"I still can't breathe too deeply but Leo said that was normal," Brendin stated matter-of-factly. "I'm used to my body being a bit beaten up, Harry."

"Spoke to your parents?" Harry asked after a while.

Brendin froze; his eyes flashed with pain and sadness. "No."

Harry smiled helpfully. "And your friends, did they have good Christmases?"

They started to walk down the knoll and toward the forest; Harry had decided to keep it on the grounds. "They went down to Florida to check out colleges."

Harry frowned. "Aren't they only sophomores?"

"Yeah," Brendin walked faster. "It's never too early to start scouting…speaking to coaches…"

"Oh." Harry paused uneasily. "What are you planning to do after this war is over?"

Brendin shrugged. "I had planned for a long time to go into the business sector but I don't see that happening now."

"Why not?"

"I'm not about to get into a college without a high school diploma…and I'm too far behind to catch up in two years…"

"You've got a major excuse for not being in high school and I doubt Dumbledore does not have helpful connections…you should talk to him when he is here." Harry tried to be comforting without angering the teen.

Brendin smiled, "I'll do that—WHAT WAS THAT!"

Harry had also frozen. They were right by the forest and Harry realized just how close they were. The howling grew louder and Harry could feel the snapping of branches as something ran through the thick underbrush directly at them. Harry closed his eyes and tried to push the creature off course by cutting off its path. He fell back when the creature broke through the vine fence he had constructed. Brendin pulled him back up.

"Let's go!"

They turned and ran as fast as they could toward the safety of the Hall. Brendin pulled ahead of Harry and Harry quietly urged him onward. But Brendin slowed down and Harry suddenlyknew that the creature was going to catch them. He turned around and caught the creature by the jaws, bringing the werewolf to a dead stop.

"A WEREWOLF!" Brendin exclaimed. "It's not even night!"

Harry grunted and pushed back and the werewolf stumbled backwards. Harry felt the yearning of his vampire form to break free and fight its immortal enemy. Harry pushed the form aside and instead pulled out his wand. He cast a charm to capture the werewolf and was surprised when the werewolf used its own wand to counter the spell. Harry froze.

"Wasn't expecting that?" The werewolf mocked in a deep, hoarse voice.

Harry frowned, "Greyback?"

Greyback laughed. "You catch on quick, Potter."

"I thought…I thoughtyou were dead."

Greyback howled in amusement. "It takes more than a strange cloaked wizard to kill me!"

Harry stared at the transformed version of the hunchbacked old man he had battled months earlier. He could see now why he was the alpha male of the werewolves. He was huge and had tawny brown fur that made him look more like a male lion than a wolf. His eyes were a cold grey and his pupils were almost nonexistent; the little bit of whitethat was visiblewas covered in veins. The area around his mouth was caked in dried blood, probably from a recent meal. Harry wasn't sure whether he wanted to know if the meal was alive and animal, or alive and human.

"How—? How are you—?" Harry faltered.

"A werewolf…with no moon?" Greyback chuckled. "I thought Dumbledore would have taught you better than that. I'm a lycan, the elders of the werewolves. I can transform by will and kill for pleasure rather than out of instinct." Greyback licked his lips. "You and that brat will make a nice change from those disgusting lizards you have in that forest."

Greyback pounced and he moved with lightning speed. Harry barely had time to cover his face before he felt the full weight of the man push him to the floor. Harry reached out with his free hand—the other pinned by a massive paw—and caught Greyback by the throat. He struggled to keep the mouth away from his face. Greyback fought back hard but eventually rose up to try again. Harry used that split second to call his form out from slumber. The world glistened purple and the weight of the werewolf felt more like that of a human. He heard Brendin's gasp but ignored him.

"So you have some tricks of your own, Potter."

Harry smiled showing off his fangs. "Always!"

Harry pushed against the ground with his fragile wings and threw the werewolf off himself. He spread his wings out and soared into the sky grabbing the werewolf by the scruff of its neck. "Why shouldn't I just drop you?"

Greyback had stopped struggling and was whimpering. "You're too good to kill me."

"Oh! Maybe my human half is," Harry lied.

Greyback whined louder. Harry, feeling the lesson was learned, let himself drop out of the sky. He landed softly but Greyback hit the ground hard. Harry placed a hand on the werewolf and the creature burst into purple flames. Harry turned back into his normal self and made a portkey. He picked up the unconscious man and smiled sadly. He placed the portkey in the hand of Greyback and the man disappeared in an array of colors.

"Hope he enjoys jail." Harry muttered to himself.

Brendin stood rigid as Harry approached him. "You…you…"

"I'm not a vampire," Harry said softly. "I'm just an Animagus."

"But…b-b-b-b-b-b-bu…."

Harry sighed. "I lied."

"Oooh," Brendin stared fearfully at the Gryffindor.

Harry bit his lip. "I'll explain it to you, but I want it kept a secret. If the rest find out it will just cause more problems…" He wrapped his arm around Brendin's shoulder and led the wary teen away from the Hall as he explained his transformation.

The white countryside turned green in a week and while the temperature remained cool, everyone knew that spring had come. With the change of seasons came another wave of schoolwork. This semester was mostly individual study and the occasional private session with a professor. This allowed the teachers to remain concentrated on the war while loading their students down with homework that most likely will never be graded. Everyone could by weeks end walk to the library from anywhere in the Hall blindfolded and backwards.

Brendin and Harry had been on sketchy terms ever since that morning run. While Brendin remained true to his promise that he would remain silent, he just could not bring himself to just act normal around Harry. Harry avoided Brendin as much as possible in order to not make things any worse than they already were. They had settled into an informal schedule and had stuck to it until Brendin received a letter delivered by a crazed raven.

"Harry!" Brendin burst into Harry's bedroom.

Harry, still getting dressed, replied in an annoyed tone, "Ever heard of knocking?"

"Never mind that," Brendin shut the door.

Harry pulled his black jeans the rest of the way up his legs and buttoned them. "What brings you up here so early?"

"This," Brendin held out the brown piece of paper.

Harry took the letter and sat down on his bed, his forgotten t-shirt lying in a heap. "Who sent this to you?"

"No idea," Brendin got up and passed back and forth. "It arrived by raven, which is weird enough as it is. My friends only use my owl when they send me replies and my parents would have sent their mail via a Ministry owl."

Harry reread the letter

By the time this gets to you, your friends will be in grave danger. Last night, a cloaked man was repelled away from your American residence and his screams of anger froze my blood with fear. He then took off on his flying beast. I have a hunch that he will not give up trying to cause you pain. Be quick to act!

Harry frowned. "What do you want to do?"

Brendin stopped his pacing and looked at Harry like he was insane. "Go protect them!"

"And what if it's all just a trap?" Harry bent down and picked up his t-shirt.

Brendin waited until Harry had his t-shirt on. "That is why I came up here…"

"You want me to come with you?" Harry asked bemused.

"Please," Brendin half pleaded.

Harry cocked his head. "Why aren't you asking Casey or Kyle or Daelan to help you?"

Brendin flexed his fingers in annoyance. "Because they won't be much help alone and if five of us disappeared…the professors will start asking questions."

Harry pushed himself off his bed. "And you'd ask Wyatt if he were here?"

"Not before you," Brendin admitted.

"How sweet!" Harry joked. He took Brendin's arm and the floor suddenly engulfed them.

Brendin coughed out the pieces of dirt and stones when they reappeared above ground on a quiet street. "Warn me next time!"

"Sorry," Harry said indifferently. "Where are we?"

Brendin looked around and smiled. "Malibu."

Harry nodded. "Ok, whose house?"

"Lucus's," Brendin said immediately as he started to walk down the street to the large house on the corner.

Harry hurried after him a bit more cautiously. He was not so sure this was a good idea now that they were actually here. Everything was too quiet and it just felt like a trap. The air was chilly and it was still dark which disconcerted Harry until he realized that they were in a different time zone. They reached the gate to the house when the sound of flapping wings reached their ears. Brendin pushed the gate open and broke out into a sprint. Harry looked up in the sky but he saw nothing but the blanket of grey clouds.

"Lucus!" Brendin shouted into the cell phone.

Harry looked at the phone and mouthed a question. Brendin held up his wand and Harry nodded in comprehension. Harry heard a groggy voice answer the phone and he motioned with his hand for Brendin to speed things up. Brendin spoke quickly and softly into the phone and the voice sounded confused to which Brendin raised his voice as he explained everything again.

"…Just open the door!"

Harry spotted and black shadow in the distance and the sound of flapping grew louder. "You know any powerful cage rituals?"

Brendin shook his head. "I was hoping to just get them and run."

Harry looked back up at the approaching shadow. "I don't think we'll have time."

"What about the other two?" Brendin asked.

Harry shrugged. "One problem at a time."

"Brendin?" a sleepy voice issued from the cracked open sliding door.

Brendin sighed with questioned relief. "Lucus, get inside!"

"But—" Lucus started to say but Brendin pushed the teen back into the house.

"I'll wait out here and fight." Harry summoned his sword and wand. "You go in and protect Lucus if he gets through."

"Harry?" Brendin did not move.

Harry waved his hand behind himself and the telekinetic wave shoved the reluctant teen into the house and shut the sliding door. Harry never took his eyes off the descending shadow. Harry waited patiently as Ash Goth clambered off the dragonic steed, which took off the moment it was free from its master's weight. Harry licked his lips, his muscles tense.

"Harry," the echoing hiss of a voice issued out of the black cloak that covered the wraith, "step aside."

Harry smiled and his eyes glowed light green. The earth underneath Ash Goth divided and swallowed the demon. Ash Goth burst out of the ground sending pieces of semi-muddy soil everywhere. Harry blocked the assault with a single hand and threw a punch of his own. His hand hit painfully cold air that resisted his punch just like a giant boulder would with bone crushing force. Harry grimaced as he felt each metatarsal crack under the pressure. He withdrew his hand and saw just how pale blue it was and wanted to jump in fright. It reminded him of the color dead corpses became.

"I am not here for you." Ash Goth stated dully. "Step aside."

Harry pulled his sword out of the ground; it had been ripped from his hand when Ash Goth landed. He aimed a swipe at Ash Goth's head and his enemy blocked his attack with a morning star mace. Harry ducked the oncoming swing and dove out from the next one. He somersaulted back onto his feet with his back to Ash Goth but enough of a distance away for that not to pose an immediate danger. He turned around to see the Dementor-cloaked wraith gliding toward the glass sliding door. He took one step and found himself in front of Ash Goth.

Ash Goth tilted his head slightly. "Interesting…"

Ash Goth struck out with much more speed and his metal glove hit Harry square in the face. Harry went with the blow and rebounded right back, unscathed. Ash Goth rose up to his full height and screamed in his unearthly way. Harry grabbed his now deaf ears to drown out the noise. Ash Goth attacked the distracted teen, stabbing Harry in the back with a rusty dagger before knocking him to the floor.

"I asked you to step aside." He hissed angrily.

Harry heard the sliding door open and Ash Goth's footsteps died into silence. He could not stop the swirling blackness from blocking out his blurry vision. He heard the yells of Brendin and felt a surge of power. The dagger slowly emerged from its temporary home in between his shoulder blades and clattered on the brick stoop. Harry stood erect, fully transformed. He wrapped his cramped wings tightly around his body and ducked through the door. He followed the small passage to a closed door. He raised his hand out in front of him and caught Brendin the next instant. Brendin crashed threw the door head first and into Harry's waiting arms. Harry lay his body down and stepped through the shattered wooden door.

"Oh, God!" Lucus shouted.

Harry caught the sword by the blade, which caused the sword to snap in two. He backslapped Ash Goth in the face. The wraith stumbled backwards and fell to the floor. Harry turned around to face Lucus.

"Get your family and run!"

Lucus sprinted out the door. Harry felt the coolness of metal slice into his arm. He turned around and awkwardly ducked Ash Goth's next swipe. He made a sweeping motion with his right hand and a gust of wind slammed Ash Goth into the far wall. Harry turned and ran picking up the unconscious Brendin on his way out. He got out of the house to see Ash Goth's steed blocking his escape route. The beast, however, was preoccupied with trying to bite Lucus's head off.

"What happened?" asked a drowsy voice.

Harry looked down and set Brendin down. "We're running."

Brendin looked around and spotted the dragon. "No! STOP!"

The dragon paused in its search for a meal. Its quizzical gaze focused on Brendin and it took a step toward the two new comers, growling. Brendin waved his hand and a flame burst out of his palm and smacked right into the dragon's face. The creature pulled back and tried to scratch its wounded nose with the claw of its wing.

"Get away," Brendin commanded, more confident of his plan's success.

The dragon rose up and stretched out its wings and with a roar took off. Harry stretched out his own wings and grabbed Brendin's shoulder. Brendin shrugged the hand off.

"I'm staying to protect Lucus."

Harry folded his wings and bared his fangs in annoyance. "You're no match for Ash Goth."

"Well, we have to get them someplace safe!"
Harry looked at the family of four. "I can make them a portkey to the Ministry Headquarters in Portland."

Brendin bit his lip but the sounds of Ash Goth crashing down the stairs cut into his musing. "Quickly."

Harry picked up and stone and it glowed a soft red. "Tell them you need protection."

Harry held out the stone and the family of Muggles hesitantly touched the stone. Once all four were touching it, Harry let go and the family disappeared in a rainbow of swirling color.

"Two more to go…"

Harry landed heavily in front of the apartment complex. He transformed back into a human and conjured a shirt, which he put on. Brendin was already walking up to the first grey-brown door. Harry closed his eyes trying to sense where Ash Goth was. He knew that the wraith was not far behind and even the temporary loss of his steed would not hold him up.

"Brendin?"

Harry clasped his hand to his ears. He was still overly sensitive to auditory stimuli. "Brendin, we have like, two minutes," he hissed. He heard the door close and the footsteps of people approaching him.

"Harry," Brendin whispered, "Shawn's mom is still at work."

Harry looked down at the half-asleep teen carrying a baby wrapped up in a light blue blanket. "Where?"

"I don't know," Shawn answered softly. "She kind of moves around a lot depending on who her client is."

Harry sighed. "Let's test your scrying abilities then."

"Mine!" Brendin took a step back.

"Yes, yours," Harry repeated, "I can't scry."

Brendin pulled out his wand and conjured a map of the city. He also conjured a dagger, string, and a quartz crystal. He gave Harry the string and crystal while he laid out the map. He stood up and looked at Shawn, holding the dagger.

"I need some of your blood." Brendin stated awkwardly not looking his friend in the eyes.

Shawn nodded and held out his palm. Brendin gabbed Shawn's wrist a pricked Shawn's finger. He placed a drop of the blood on the crystal and dangled the crystal over the map. He slowly moved the crystal over the map concentrating on finding his friend's mother, ignoring the slight flaps of giant wings. The crystal landed down on a place on the map. Harry looked down and nodded.

"This may be a bit unpleasant," Harry warned.

He wrapped his arms around the two teens and wrapped them in fire. The flames covered them up and melted the ice javelin that the still mounted Ash Goth threw at the retreating teens. They arrived outside a dingy motel with the baby screaming.

"Have you met Shawn's mother?"

Brendin nodded in Harry's direction.

"Then let's go get her while Shawn calms his brother down."

"Half-brother…" Shawn commented pointlessly.

Harry and Brendin walked briskly through the lobby to the receptionist desk. The receptionist laughed at them when Brendin asked if they could have the room number of Shawn's mother. Harry ran his hand through his hair trying to think of another way to figure out where Shawn's mother was.

"There she is..." Brendin pulled Harry into the bar and up to a woman in her late thirties dressed in the least amount of clothes possible. She was forcing a smile as the greasy haired man spoke abusively to her.

Brendin walked right up to the table and moved his fingers a fraction of an inch. The glass of beer in the man's hand shattered and the man jumped out of his seat in fright.

"Looks like you need to go clean up," Brendin said coldly, "bathrooms are that way."

The man stared at Brendin. "Who the hell are you?"

Brendin ignored the man and started to whisper in Shawn's mom's ear. The man made to grab Brendin but Harry caught man's wrist in an iron grip. Brendin looked up.

"Go clean yourself up and then go home to your wife." Harry whispered dangerously.

"And what if I don't want to leave?"

Harry allowed his eyes to glow purple and bared his fangs. "You don't want to anger me, sir."

The alarmed man turned and ran out of the motel.

Harry looked at his watch. "We need to hurry. Ash Goth will be at Zuriel's house in three minutes or so."

Brendin nodded, "Sophia you're just going to have to trust us." He grabbed the lady's arm and led the way outside. Harry cast a Forgetful Charm on the occupants of the bar and followed Brendin outside.

"They'll have to just come with us."

Brendin frowned. "Can you transport so many people?"

Harry nodded. "I'll use air."

Harry's eyes turned pure white and the air around the small group shimmered as if it was a hot day. There was a suction sound and all their ears popped and they were in front of a small house. Harry cursed under his breath and transformed.

"You have less than a minute."

Harry threw a fireball into the air and there was a deafening howl. Ash Goth's steed crashed to the ground, throwing its master a few meters away from the house. Harry shoved with both arms and Ash Goth's body was picked up and thrown across the street into the opposite house. Harry motioned with his hand and giant vines wrapped around the dragon immobilizing the great beast. He returned his attention to Ash Goth and caught a fist in the face. He landed hard on the tar, skidding to a stop. He cringed as he forced his wings back into his back; they were too damaged to be much help.

"You've become a nuisance," Ash Goth hissed.

Ash Goth plunged his sword down at Harry's head. Harry absorbed his body into the earth and appeared, standing, behind Ash Goth. He blew a burst of flames into the demon. Harry felt the air grow unnaturally cold and the flames sputtered into nonexistence. Harry apparated into the house.

"Ok, less than a minute!"

Brendin already had everyone in a single room. Harry conjured up another rock and transformed it into a portkey. He handed it to the group and said the final spell to activate the transportation device. The door of the room burst open.

"Time to go." Harry grabbed Brendin's arm and they dove into the wooden floor.

"What happened to you?" Kyle asked when Harry arrived at the lunch table.

Harry had been thankful that the majority of the professors were too busy to notice him. He smiled and pressed his finger to his lips. "Nothing."

"You look like you've been to Hell and back…" Kyle shifted to a closer seat, "Brendin's not talking about it either but I know you two went somewhere."

Harry laughed. "Whatever gave you that idea?"

"For one you came back from running, which took an extra two hours, with one nasty black eye and you are favoring you left hand." Kyle pointed at Harry's spoon, which he indeed held in his left hand.

"I sprained it when I tripped, that's all." Harry lied with a smile plastered on his face.

Kyle rolled his eyes and nodded cynically, "And you got your black eye when you landed on a rock, right?"

"If you'll buy that…" Harry joked.

Kyle stood up. "If you don't want to say, all you have to do is say so Harry. Brendin has the guts to do exactly that."

"Yes," Harry agreed, "but I know you'll carry on nagging me while Brendin's temper protects him from that little fact of life."

"Funny, Harry." Kyle left the dinning room.

Harry got up to follow him but McGonagall pulled him back to the staff table.

"Potter, a word."

"Can it wait Professor?" Harry dodged her and carried on to the door.

Lupin blocked his path. "Unfortunately, no."

"The Order has come upon some information that is very time sensitive," McGonagall continued when she was certain Harry was listening, however annoyed. "There is going to be a massive revolt in London by week's end and the planners have requested our assistance."

"Wait," Harry looked at his Head of House quizzically, "you're taking this seriously?"

"You know about this?" Lupin questioned.

Harry waved him off, "Dumbledore mentioned it…how do you know this isn't a trap?"

"Dumbledore let you in on secretive information?" Molly asked.

Harry nodded getting aggravated. "I am of age and besides, he wanted to give me a heads up before he left."

"For where?" McGonagall asked.

"I don't know!" Harry snapped, "He's searching for some magical artifact I think…wait, is this what Wyatt and Ron were sent out to inspect?"

"Absolutely not!" Molly almost shouted.

"They were sent back to America to assess the well being of the Hogwarts students." Lupin stated calmly. "We would have asked you but then this came up and we could not risk you being out of the Hall."

"Because I deserve more protection than them?"

"No," McGonagall replied almost too quickly, "We just were not sure if they would be back in time for the battle and we could not have both you and Wyatt incognito…. We are going to strike at the heart of Voldemort's empire."

Harry sat down and sunk deeply into the chair. "What have you decided to do?"

"We are going to support the uprising once it starts," Moody growled walking into the room. "I've rounded up the remaining members, Minerva."

"Albus?" asked McGonagall hopefully.

Moody shook his head. McGonagall put on a resolute face. "Then we go into battle without him."

"The first time in almost a century," Harry commented. "He was also against us striking out too soon."

"The Order is no longer his problem," McGonagall stated regretfully. "He obviously has more important things to do than lead it."

Harry stood up glaring. "He is doing more than you know!" With that he waved his hand and the closest doors burst open and he walked out, seething.

"They're all struggling with school," Hermione explained emphatically. Her voice became more emotional. "Seamus, Dean, and Pavarti, they've all had to be hospitalized because they tried to commit suicide. Harry," She turned to look Harry in the eyes, "if we don't take this shot I doubt they will be the only ones."

Harry sighed. "It just doesn't feel right. If we fail, there isn't going to be an escape," he paused and fingered his ring. "We battle on our own turf and we stand more of a chance of surviving a defeat."

Ron stood up from the counter top. "We may, but the rest of the world won't. Morale is nonexistent, Harry. Voldemort can sit back on his arse and the last nations will fall around him."

Wyatt walked around the table staring at the world map they had filled out. "If we win England back then where do we strike next? If we start to move we have to keep on moving…"

"I agree," Osric spoke up. "A single victory will do little to boost confidence…we need the major countries back in our hand. France, England, Germany, Japan, and America. We get those and Voldemort will be sore put to claim he's winning the war."

Harry looked at the map. "Guys,there's no way we'll be able to hold onto the countries. We have the upper-hand that Voldemort could boast during his first rise…we don't have anything to protect."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Guerilla warfare is not something the Light is used to…that is evident already. We can't put them through much more of this. We're as ready as we'll ever be."

Harry sighed again and looked around at all his friends. "So it's agreed that we'll help the Order when the day comes?"

There was a unanimous, "yes."

"I don't think the adults realize just how grown-up you are, Harry." Wyatt half joked. They were walking around the courtyard.

Harry smiled. "Thinking ahead?"

"Teenagers are supposed to act without thinking."

Harry closed his eyes for a moment. "I can't be impulsive…I'm no longer a child, Wyatt."

"Neither am I," Wyatt stated sadly. "Something I hide fairly well from my parents…or at least that is how they treat me."

Harry sighed. "Brendin knows…"

"So we finally find out why you're so hesitant," Wyatt said with a smile. "You're going to have to tell them sooner or later."

Harry rolled his eyes, "You're a fat lot of help. I know that, but I'm not sure if now is the best time. Hermione is still peeved that I trust vampires; imagine how angry she'll be when she finds out I am one. And Ron certainly won't be happy about it; he'll either be jealous or be chauvinistic."

Wyatt laughed. "They'll come around, Harry. You need to realize that what your friends think is not as important as everyone makes it…I hate hiding the fact that I'm a witch."

"Wyatt, you don't understand the repercussions of this little fact. I'm not going to live through another Chamber of Secrets or worse, Triwizard Championship." Harry grimaced at the memories flooded back.

"So then don't tell them," Wyatt said sincerely, "They'll find out eventually."

"But not yet." Harry mindlessly caused a blossom to bloom and wilt before blooming again. "This isn't the final battle."

"How can you be so sure?" Wyatt asked.

Harry shrugged, "I just have a hunch. Even if we win, Voldemort won't be defeated; at least not yet…"

The dark mark lit the battlefield of downtown London with an eerie green. The sparks of curses, hexes, and shields lit up the parts that hid from the skull. Up Main Street, huge craters interrupted the swarm of cloaks and dead bodies. Cries of pain or anger echoed in the early morning mist. The sun slowly rose above the horizon to witness a bloodbath.

"Harry!" Wyatt shouted throwing a green potion at the demon.

The demon froze when the potion crashed open and burned deep open in his bare red skin. It screamed out in anger and burst into a puff of ashes. Wyatt coughed as he ran through the ashes to find Harry in a heated battle with a pale blue skinned woman. The woman's kick caught Harry in the face and the Gryffindor fell to the ground. Harry slammed his hand against the ground and the Earth shook; the woman stumbled.

"Solorus!" Wyatt cried and the vampire burst into flames.

Harry got up and spat out a mouthful of blood. "Damn vampires."

Wyatt blew up a nearby scavenger demon. "You're trying faster than normal."

Harry nodded and pulled off his engagement ring. "I don't think I can last much longer…I've exhausted both of my back-ups."

Wyatt frowned. "You sure you don't just want to transform?"

"They're not ready for that!" Harry snapped.

"Ok then you better get yourself off of the frontlines…" Wyatt looked down at his watch. "Breakfast should be ready."

"I can't eat," Harry said biting his lip, "You haven't taken a break since the battle began."

"So?" Wyatt waved his hand and four lower level demons wasted their last lungful of air with screaming. "I'm not the one who's used double their energy in a day!"

"No, but you need to get some rest!" Harry argued. "I took a break twelve hours ago, just after that balrog was vanquished."

Wyatt froze. "I don't think either of us will be getting much rest."

They were in front of the Ministry of Magic and the scene was not pretty. Two balrogs were batting back the wizards trying to enter with devastating results. Death Eaters fired off Killing Curses and other more painful killing spells with an accuracy Harry had never seen. Harry started forward but Wyatt pulled him back.

"There is no way you're going to help them if you don't get some rest."

Harry shrugged Wyatt's hand off his shoulder. "And just let them die…?"

Wyatt glanced at the battle. "And you'd rather go in there and just be another casualty?"

"Not if I transform…"

Wyatt took a deep breath, "I thought you weren't going to show off."

"No one will know it's me…" Harry paused as Wyatt looked at him quizzically. "I'll become a complete necromancer."

"What about the sun?"

"You'll have to cover it up…"

Wyatt shook his head, "You're insane!"

Harry started to transform ignoring Wyatt's complaints. Wyatt pulled out his wand and started the complex ritual. A burst of blue shadowed Harry's final part of the agonizing transformation and the sky turned black with clouds. Wyatt followed the blue, bat-like creature that he hoped was still Harry into the battle. Wyatt waved his hand and the Killing Curse changed direction. He heard the explosion and the screams from the caster. He returned his attention to Harry but the Gryffindor had disappeared. Cursing, Wyatt pushed his way closer to one of the balrogs.

The whip came down like a strike of lightning; Wyatt dove out of its way. He pulled out a potion and threw it in the direction of the demon. He scrambled to his feet ready with another potion but he saw it wasn't necessary. The balrog was turning into a grayish pile of goop; its fiery sword shattered when it hit the ground and the pieces dissolved into the toxic liquid. Two Elves appeared next to Wyatt and they muttered words in a language Wyatt had never heard. The vanquished balrog disappeared and in its place was a hole that stank of God knows what.

The second balrog was putting up more of a fight. Harry had exhausted his supply of potion and the demon was still going strong. He had, however, gotten hold of its sword and was forcing it into a corner. Harry struck once more and the demon screamed out as molten rock poured out of the wound. Harry waved his free hand and the lava formed into a ball. He threw the lava at the balrog. It blocked the attack with its whip and the two burst into a blinding ball of light. Harry dropped the sword and stumbled slightly but in that moment the balrog roared and Harry winced as his skin melted in the heat. The balrog started forward, stumbled and crashed to the ground. Wyatt appeared next to Harry with the hilt of what used to be an elven long sword.

"Now will you go and rest?" Wyatt questioned as he healed the wounds.

Harry nodded. "Let's get out of here before anyone puts two and two together."

Harry was back in human form and covered in black soot. Wyatt took hold of Harry's shoulder and the two turned into blue orbs that swirled into the blue sky. They reappeared in the med tent on the outskirts of London. Two Elven healers rushed Harry away and a young whitelighter came to look at Wyatt.

"I'm fine," Wyatt said firmly. The whitelighter ignored him and continued to look the annoyed boy over. Satisfied that Wyatt was uninjured, the whitelighter handed Wyatt a blue pass and directed him to the showers.

The two teens met again the next day after a long rest. They were both called into the planning tent. Inside the tent an Elven general was busy talking to a tired looking Dumbledore and a drained McGonagall. Sitting quietly but very attentive were Brendin and Uur. Harry and Wyatt walked briskly to their friends and took their seats on either side of the teens.

"Where have you guys been?" Wyatt asked softly.

Uur turned his attention away from the general. "I've been fighting near Parliament and Brendin's been helping to evacuate Muggle bystanders closer to the Ministry. I heard a rumor that you took down two balrogs single-handedly at the entrance to the Ministry…We lost that little skirmish soon after you defeated the balrogs... something about Nihilus appearing on the scene. What about you, Harry?"

Harry shrugged, "I've been running around everywhere."

"Excuse me for interrupting General, but let's change the discussion to the reason we have these fine young gentleman here for a few minutes. I'm sure they are all starving," Dumbledore's calm voice interrupted the general's monologue.

"Alright, Albus."

Dumbledore came and sat down across from the teens. "We have made another push at the Ministry and we've recently gotten word that the task force has made it into the Atrium. Now it's been a major debate whether or not you should be privy to this information. I, however, overruled Molly's protectiveness and am now asking you to gather the rest of you friends—most should still be in this camp—and head over to the Ministry. I want you to find your way down to what used to be the Auror offices and clear that floor of demons and Death Eaters."

"What of Voldemort and Ash Goth?" Wyatt asked. "Surely we should be going after them."

Dumbledore shook his head, "They are not our concern yet… They have already fled the Ministry so I doubt we will have to deal with them for the remainder of this battle."

"They…fled?" Harry frowned.

Dumbledore nodded. "Voldemort and Ash Goth were spotted on the back of a two-legged dragon heading toward continental Europe."

McGonagall spoke up. "There was an even larger up rising in Germany and it is believed they have gone to deal with it."

"That doesn't make sense…" Harry declared.

Dumbledore looked at Harry over his spectacles. Harry shut his mouth knowing that Dumbledore had his reasons for Voldemort's abrupt departure. "Once the Ministry is cleared out, we will leave the rest of London to the militia. The Order will move to free Hogwarts."

"And us?" Uur questioned.

McGonagall stood up, "The teens will not participate in the battle outside of the clearing of the Ministry. We have already placed you in too much danger."

"WHAT?" The four cried in indignation.

Dumbledore raised his hand. "You are to go back to Phoenix Hall and rest. We may need you at a later date, but as of now I would prefer to keep you out of danger."

"Absolutely not!" Uur exclaimed.

Dumbledore looked at his watch. "This is an order from the Council…you cannot disobey it." He got up and walked out of the tent followed by the general. McGonagall looked at the teens sternly before following Dumbledore.

"What does he mean?" Brendin looked at the three furious and flabbergasted teens.

Uur spoke softly. "We have to obey…"

"Why?"

Wyatt took a deep breath. "Because we all signed a magical contract that we will obey the decision of the Council as long as we are in school."

"So?"

"If you break a magical contract…" Harry breathed out heavily. "…you die."

Brendin paled. "Oh…"

AN: I hope this didn't feel like it was too much out of the story line. For those of you who wanted a huge battle scene I'm saving that for later on and for those who are wondering what is going on with Harry's love life that shows up later again.

Next Chapter: The new minister makes an appearance and Dumbledore gives Harry his last lesson.