Victory

Phoenix Hall was congested with people. The news of the destruction of Hogwarts Castle hit the world news in less than an hour. Dignitaries and close friends of the Order were constantly being transported to and from the Potter estate. Kyle could barely keep his eyes open when Tonks appeared next to him.

"If it's to open up the wards again, forget it."

Tonks shut her mouth. "But these people need to get back to their jobs."

Kyle glared at the young auror. "If their job is so important to them, then they can walk to where the wards end. I'm exhausted and I can't lift my arms above my head never mind surgically cut an opening in a complex ward system…."

"Young man, I'll have you know—"

Kyle stood up and stared down the Minster of Magic from Australia. "You do not want to pick a fight with me, sir. My cousin is lying in the hospital wing with God knows how many broken bones and ruptured organs. And you want me to sit here and open the damn wards just so you don't get your nice shoes dirty!"

Tonks tried to place a calming hand on his shoulder, but Kyle batted her hand away. "You can just get out."

A rush of air and the Minister got blasted out the closest window. Kyle took a calming breath and turned to the rest of the group. "Any of you have a problem with walking?" He waited as they hastily shook their heads. "I thought so. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go check up on Harry."

He walked down the hallway and around the corner leaving a flabbergasted Tonks to deal with the annoyed visitors. He walked right past Dumbledore without saying a word and even shoved Snape out of his way. He reached the expanded hospital wing to find Wyatt healing an Elf.

"You should be concentrating on Harry."

Wyatt looked up. "I would if he'd let me."

"He's awake?" Kyle's eyes brightened.

Wyatt nodded. "For about half an hour already…I thought McGonagall went to tell you."

Kyle left the whitelighter and found Harry's bed empty. He panicked.

"Relax, Kyle." Harry called from a few beds down. "I was just checking up with Osric."

"You shouldn't be out of bed!"

"And yet, here I am and completely healthy," Harry cynicallycountered. "Well, except for the concussion and the four broken ribs, but those aren't life-threatening."

Kyle sat down. "I hate this house."

"Oh? Why's that?"

Kyle gave Harry an evil look. "I've been opening and closing the wards for a day and a half now. I'm almost as weak as when we used that damn spell."

Harry laughed. "Well, you can go and take a break…. They just informed all of us that the wards are remaining up and to get out you have to walk."

"Who told you that?"

Harry pointed to the giant flashing banner. "Fred and George. They were down the passageway when you threw the Australian Minister of Magic out the second-story window."

"Served him right." Kyle growled unapologetically.

Wyatt joined the group. "Go take a nap, Kyle. I think we'll all be a lot safer with you in a good mood." Kyle glowered but walked out the hospital wing. "He hasn't slept since the battle."

Harry nodded. "He's noble and must play the hero."

"And that stress is not good for him," Leo stated. "I took a white blood cell count when he was checked over. It's pretty damned close to nonexistent."

"So, now what?" Harry asked.

"I've gotten in contact with his doctor and he's setting up a new cocktail for him; but if this war doesn't end soon, the stress of it will wear his immune system completely down." Leo signed a form an Elven nurse handed him. "You need to get back into bed, Harry. You're going to rip your stitches."

Harry could hear the argument all the way inside the castle or rather what was left of the castle. Hogwarts was a ruin. The grounds were pitch black with soot and parts were actually burnt. The Lake stunk from death; on the beach lie the carcass of the Giant Squid. The forest was still on fire; the fire had spread from the village. Harry continued toward the raised voices. He walked right through a couple of Death Eaters as they ran in the opposite direction. He was close enough now to distinguish words.

"…Idiot…not…castle. Crucio!" Voldemort's spell actually lit up the area.

The ground shook when Malarauko collapsed to his knees. "But I was ordered to destroy the castle!"

Voldemort's eyes gleamed with fury. "LIAR!"

The Balrogs were getting antsy, but Malarauko waved them back into formation. "Dark Lord, I was too informed to destroy the castle and particularly the ward stone."

Voldemort's wand let off sparks, "Who?" His cold voice demanded.

Malarauko pointed his giant finger at a silent Ash Goth. Voldemort turned to face the wraith. Ash Goth pulled out a potion and threw it at the closest balrog. The creature screamed in pain before dissolving into a pile of sludge. Malarauko growled and stood up.

Ash Goth spoke calmly. "Betrayal is unacceptable, Malarauko. We risked a great deal breaking into the Potter Mansion to release you."

Malarauko laughed. "I cannot believe I fell for your ploy. You're as wicked and manipulative as ever, Goth."

The wraith shook his head. "Perhaps the loss of your remaining army will bring you back into submission?"

Voldemort raised his hand. "Enough, Ash Goth. I will deal with his punishment. Return back to base and assemble the commanders."

Ash Goth bowed. "As you wish, Dark Lord. The rest of you, follow me."

The wraith disappeared into shadow and the balrogs did the same. Voldemort waved his hand and the demons and Death Eaters shimmered and Apparated off Hogwarts' grounds. Eyad flamed out after whispering something into Voldemort's ear.

"So you thought you could cause internal strife?" Voldemort glared at the giant fire demon.

"My lord, I only followed what Ash Goth commanded me to do."

"Liar." Voldemort flippantly gestured with his hand and the colossal balrog fell backwards. "Ash Goth knew the importance of the castle remaining intact. There were secrets that could have proven most valuable to our efforts hidden in the very bowels of the school!"

Malarauko's flames grew dim. "I offer my humble—"

"Do not beg!" Voldemort screamed, "I cannot stand when people beg! You are just lucky that I did not lose anything more than vital information."

Voldemort opened up his hand causing a fireball to appear in his palm. He threw the fireball at Malarauko. The demon blocked the attack with his wing. He stood up and thunder rumbled as the air superheated around his body. Voldemort smiled and fired a curse at Malarauko. The curse disappeared in a puff of shadow.

"You will not win this fight, Voldemort." Malarauko growled. "Ash Goth is plotting against you."
Voldemort laughed, "From where I am standing, you are the one betraying me."

The Dark Lord waved his hand in front of his face and black shadows engulfed the gigantic balrog. Voldemort purposely strodeto the edge of the shadow and whispered something Harry could not hear. Malarauko glowed white and trembled as the darkness enclosed his body. The balrog king tried to escape at the last second but Voldemort motioned with his head and brought the giant crashing to the ground.

"I do not take kindly to those who try to undo my plans." Voldemort hissed before flaming out.

Harry shielded his eyes as Malarauko was vanquished in a blinding white light.

Harry hastily blinked his eyes; he had blanked out reading a book in the library. He pushed himself off the table andrubbed his scar, but it did not tingle or send stabbing pains through his body. It was just itchy from being pressed against a rather hard table for a bit too long.

"You're still tired?" Wyatt asked.

"Huh? Oh. No, I had a vision…I think." Harry whispered for no apparent reason; no one else was in the library.

Wyatt raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean 'you think'?"

Harry touched his scar again and still it didn't act like it usually did after a vision. "Well, my scar isn't sore."

"And that surprises you?" Wyatt took a seat on the other side of the table. "Are you forgetting your little seizure before the attack?"

"No," Harry spoke slowly, "It's just…I wasn't expecting to still have visions."

Wyatt bit his lip. "That is weird, but from what you told me it's not unreasonable. I mean, you did say that Antonius didn't believe the connection was completely shut."

Antonius and Xtoperus had visited the night before and Harry had grilled them on everything they knew about the Suxen. They were pleased to hear that Harry had envisioned the death of the giant snake. They explained that the Suxen's presence had won out over Voldemort's in his mind. It was another step closer to unleashing his true potential they said. Harry was not so pleased about having another magical being in his mind strong enough to even overpower Voldemort's presence.

"Yeah, well," Wondered Harry aloud, "if it was a vision, then I'm in deep trouble."

Wyatt frowned, "Why?"

Harry lowered his voice. "Voldemort just vanquished Malarauko."

"HE WHAT?"

Harry waved his hand. "Shut it! He vanquished Malarauko for destroying the castle. He wanted something hidden in it—"

"The Horcruxes?" Wyatt interrupted.

"NO," Harry paused and wrinkled his forehead. "He seemed to know that those were no longer in the castle. He wanted some information about something. But my point is, he killed that demon with such ease, and Malarauko barely had to lift a finger to knock me unconscious."

Wyatt stood up. "Well then, let's go practice. You're going to have to hone your skills."

"You're kidding, right?" Harry stood up. "Madam Pomfrey threw a hissy fit when she saw me walking to breakfast this morning. And you want me to go and duel you?"

Wyatt waved his hand in annoyance. "I can heal you if your stitches rip."

"Oh!" Harry walked up to the whitelighter. "And why couldn't you just heal me now?"

Wyatt stood on his toes to be at eye level with Harry. "Because if you're healed too often, then your body stops fixing itself."

Harry smirked. "Or is it because you're frightened of our head nurse?"
Wyatt blushed, "You watch yourself, Potter."

Harry watched Snape walk past the family portrait of Harry's grandparents for the third time in the last half an hour. Behind the painting was the safe where Kyle and he had stashed the Horcruxes before rushing to return back to Hogwarts. Despite everything telling him that Snape could not possibly know that the safe was there or what was in the safe, he could not help but question why Snape was staying so close to the portrait.

"Harry, want to play some soccer?" Caleb inquired.

Harry looked away form the portrait. "Uh…not right now, Caleb. I'm still sore from having my stitches pulled out."

"Big whoop." Kyle called. "I had my stitches taken out after you and I'm just fine."

Harry rolled his eyes. "And you only had what, ten?"

Kyle smirked. "Ok fine, you win. Caleb, let's start the game before the girls lose interest."

Harry returned back to quietly guarding the painting. Snape walked past the picture again, but this time continued down the corridor rather than into the kitchen. Harry shrugged and opened up the Dan Brown novel Kyle had left for him in his room. Harry read a couple of chapters and then a few more and Snape still did not return. He got up and took a closer look at the portrait.

"You still have your father's hair." Wyatt stated causing Harry to nearly jump.

Harry glowered. "Aren't you supposed to be playing a soccer game?"

"I was," Wyatt came and looked at the painting, "But then I thought of you sitting in the house all by yourself…"

"Thanks for caring, but I don't need a babysitter."

Wyatt raised his eyebrow. "You're staring at a painting of your grandparents, Harry. I think you need a life."

"No," Harry walked over to the couch and sat down. "It's that just Snape has been walking past the painting a lot today."

"Umm, Harry, not to burst your bubble or anything but this is the only way into the kitchen."

Harry gave Wyatt a 'don't-be cocky' look. "No one goes to the kitchen ten times in one hour."

Wyatt nodded, "Ok, so what if Snape has taken a fancy to your grandmother?"

"There's a safe behind the painting." Harry muttered.

"Ok and…?" Wyatt trailed off.

"And the Horcruxes are in it!" Harry snapped.

"So?" Wyatt frowned. "Do you think Snape is going to steal the Horcruxes out of a locked safe without you knowing it?"

"Well, actually," Harry stammered, "Yes . . . . The picture's skewed."

He got up and pulled the painting off its nail. He froze at the sight. The door to the safe was melted and the contents of the safe were gone.

"When was the last time you saw Snape?" Wyatt questioned.

Harry shrugged. "About half-an-hour ago?"

Wyatt closed his eyes. "He's still in the house but he's cloaking himself."

Harry ran off down the corridor. Wyatt rolled his eyes and followed his friend. Harry took a left and pointed in the other direction. Wyatt turned right hoping Harry's plan would work. Harry headed straight for the only connected fireplace. It should not be working, but Harry doubted Snape would know that. He found the fireplace, empty. Cursing he headed for the front doors. The wards were up so Snape could not Apparate out of the house. He passed close to the headmaster's quarters and heard a loud bang. He raised his hand and the door flew open.

"I've waited a long time for this," Snape sneered. "I only wish you'd at least be able to put up a fight."

Harry motioned with his fingers and Snape's wand shot out of the potion master's hand and into his. Snape spun around and laughed.

"I was wondering when you'd realize I'd gotten the Horcruxes." Snape spoke with pure hatred in his voice. "I wanted to tell you in person that I was the one to help bring you to your knees. Just like I did to your father."

Harry's eyes turned red. Flames erupted out of his palms but Snape blew them out as if the infernos were simple candle flames. Snape held his hand out in front of him and a dagger appeared in a puff of smoke. The head of Slytherin house threw the dagger at the old headmaster who had been on the floor slowly inching toward Harry. Harry flicked his wrist and the dagger froze, mere inches from Dumbledore's back.

"So that wasn't just a dream," Harry's voice shook with fury. "You really did use Voldemort's wand to kill my father."

Snape laughed. "I tortured him first…made him live my life for a few seconds."

Harry took a deep breath. "And my mother?"

Snape smiled. "Voldemort took pleasure in teasing her…before finally getting annoyed at her bravery. She could have lived on in high honors if she had only listened to Voldemort. Both of you." He spat the last part out. "Voldemort wanted to raise you as his own. You, after all, were the next Slytherin heir, despite the Gryffindor blood surging through your veins."

Harry closed his eyes. He had to control his temper. He was not going to murder another human being. "And you? You've saved my life a number of times."
Snape gagged. "Part of Voldemort's plan. He needed someone he could trust close to you. Someone Dumbledore trusted enough to let him in on Order secrets such as how to deactivate the Potion lab's wards."

"You botched the potions?"

"You thought anyone else could?" Snape almost screamed. "Every year I made that damn potion so that Voldemort would know exactly who could break his little wards."

Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. "How did you know where the Horcruxes were?"

"I helped create these damn Horcruxes and then he placed Black in charge of them! I was furious, that is when I made the worst mistake of my life; I told you of Voldemort's plans to kill the Potters." Snape scowled. "Luckily, Voldemort turned that mistake into one of his most useful tools. A spy in the Order of the Phoenix, one of Dumbledore's most trusted members."

Harry pulled out his own wand. "Accio bag."

Snape was distracted and the spell pulled the bag of the Horcruxes out of his clutches. "No, damn you, Potter! Crucio!"
Harry caught the curse in his hand and threw into in the wall. "Stupefy!"

Snape ducked under the spell. Harry tried to stop Snape's escape. But the Slytherin punched him in the face and grabbed the bag out of his hands. Harry reeled backwards from the sudden blow. The Gryffindor steadied himself and rushed after his professor. Snape pointed his finger behind him and fired a curse. The spell hit the wall in front of Harry leaving a gaping hole. Harry raised his wand and aimed a Stunning Charm at the retreating Snape.

"Oh, no you don't!" yelled Wyatt, tackling Snape to the floor.

Harry's spell shattered a mirror. He came to a halt in front of the two men flailing on the floor. He pointed his wand at the two but could not get a clean shot. He focused his attention to the bag centimeters away from the fight.

"Accio!"

The bag flew up off the floor. Snape waved his hand and Wyatt flew off him.

"NO!" Snape shoved with his hand and Harry collided with the wall.

The bag landed on the floor. Snape bent down and picked the thing up. "Try that again, Potter, and I will kill you."

Harry rubbed the back of his head. "Impedimenta!"

Snape's eyes opened wide in anger. The spell returned back to its caster. Harry blinked out of its way. Snape had a wand in his hand and a jet of green jumped out of the end. Harry froze at seeing the Killing Curse hurtling toward him. The curse reached his skin and turned into a bunch of orbs. Harry saw Wyatt's eyes roll back into his head as he tried to orb the deadly curse away. Harry snapped back to reality and with a wave of his hand sent the orbs flying out the window. Snape stared at the Gryffindor, visiblyshaking.

"Give up, Snape." Harry stated coldly. "You've lost."

Snape leered, "In your dreams."

The Slytherin turned and ran down the corridor. Harry chased after him dodging the hasty curse Snape threw over his shoulder. Snape reached the front doors and yanked them open and continued running. Harry stopped at the front door and looked up into the sky. Clouds hid the sun from view and a violent wind started up. Snape continued down the path blasting back the pieces of earth that Harry threw at him. Finally, he was at the gate. Harry ceased the storm.

Snape took one step out of the wards and Apparated out. Blue orbs appeared in his spot and an Elder stood holding the bag.

Harry walked up to the gate and stared at the Elder. "What are you doing here?"

"We have revised our stance on the war." Noah handed Harry the bag. "We wish to speak to Dumbledore."

Harry remained silent. "The Headmaster is in his quarters, but he may not wish to see you at this very moment. Perhaps a talk with McGonagall or Leo would suffice?"

Noah shook his head. "They want me to talk directly to Dumbledore. We know about his condition…"

Harry bit his lip. "You may enter."

"I can't believe Dumbledore!" Wyatt threw an energy ball at the practice dummy.

Harry nodded but did not comment.

"They should be begging to rejoin us and Dumbledore just let's them back in."

Hermione placed her sword down. "We could use their help."

Wyatt glared at the witch. "You stay out of it! They're a bunch of cowards who want back in before we can truly excommunicate them!"

Harry bit his lip knowing that this argument was not going to end well. "You have some high hopes for us, then. We're losing this war if you haven't noticed, Wyatt."

"We aren't losing…we've just had some setbacks." Wyatt muttered.

Hermione dryly laughed. "Losing Hogwarts is more than just a setback. And then we almost lost the Horcruxes…and who knows how much information Snape has that Voldemort can use against us?"

Harry nodded. "We could use their help whether we like it or not, Wyatt. And I'd prefer to have them at our side now rather than later. Voldemort isn't going to just sit idly while we have his Horcruxes."

Wyatt blew up another dummy. "I still wish we could get back at the Elders."

Harry laughed. "Don't we all?"

Dumbledore sat the teens down in the living room. He remained somber as they waited patiently for the last few of their friends to arrive.

"As you all know, a number of the adults are returning back to Portland for a couple of days. We have business to discuss with foreign ministers who feel that American soil is safer at the moment." Dumbledore waved with his hand as Harry began to speak. "Whether or not they are right is a useless topic to discuss at the moment, Harry. I gathered you here because a couple of you have family in the United States that have contacted the Order. Your families wish you to spend the weekend with them. I have discussed this with those going to Portland and they have agreed to transport you to Southern California should you choose to go."

The older teens' eyes grew wide at the news. The younger remained in shock.

"You can't be serious Dumbledore," Wyatt spoke up. "Voldemort is just looking for a slip up on our part."

Dumbledore nodded. "I agree that it is risky, but Voldemort is more concerned with where his Horcruxes are than if the Power of Five is unprotected. And they will not be unprotected. The American Ministry has already assigned half a battalion of their best Aurors for the protection of your friends."

Brendin spoke wearily. "And if we decide not to go?"

"Then an Order member will tell your parents that we found it too risky to allow you out of hiding." Dumbledore declared.

Caleb stared at his brother. "I want to go."

"And I'm not sure if I want to," Brendin said evenly. "In case you've forgotten, they don't like the idea that we're wizards."

Caleb stood up. "They're still our parents! Don't you wish to see them?" His eyes were hard.

Brendin's cheeks darkened slightly. "Of course I do, but we're in the middle of a war, Caleb. We can't just take a holiday."

"Why the heck not?" Caleb shouted. "It's not like we're actually doing anything yet. We've got to wait on the dwarves and Elves and whoever else to figure out how to destroy the Horcruxes. I doubt it's all going to click in four days."

Dumbledore interrupted the argument. "I realize that this is a loaded decision but I need your answer now. I only got word of this at breakfast and the Order is ready to leave."

Caleb looked at the headmaster. "I'm going."

Daelan agreed with Caleb, as did Casey. Brendin finally nodded his head somewhat regretfully.

"Kyle and Ethan, what about you?" Dumbledore asked.

Kyle shook his head. "I'm helping Harry with research on the Horcruxes."

Harry nodded his head to support Kyle's claim. Wyatt frowned at the two Potters.

Ethan shrugged. "I've still got this flu and it hurts my ears to Apparate. Tell my parents I'll come see them the second school is over."

"Very well, those of you going, please pack your things now." Dumbledore stood up. "I am going to inform Professor McGonagall of your decisions. We will be leaving in fifteen minutes or so; do hasten yourselves."

"Why aren't you going?" Harry questioned Kyle as they climbed the stairs to the library.

Kyle shrugged. "I still not sure where I stand with my father. I'd preferably not have that hanging over my head until the war is over."

Harry accepted the excuse. They walked past the library and down the corridor heading to the showcase room. Harry entered first and walked up to the display case with all the Order of Merlin awards various Potters had received over the years. Harry pushed against the edge of the modified bookcase. It slid aside revealing a secret room. Around the room were various weapons both Muggle and magical. Harry walked over to the set of seats in the back of the room.

"Why do you think this room is hidden?" Kyle said still looking at the weapons.

Harry shrugged, picking up the diary of his great-grandmother. He found his page and continued to read. He and Kyle had found the room by accident a couple of days ago. They had been looking for another place to keep the Horcruxes. When they found the room they stopped looking. The Horcruxes blended in perfectly with the other items of the room. Harry placed the items around the room and had added extra wards and alarms to the room. Now the two of them used the room as a quiet place to read and talk without Hermione bugging them to study or Wyatt's constant comments about the Elders.

"You know that once we destroy the Horcruxes that Voldemort is going to be furious." Kyle stated wielding the sword used to kill some ancient dragon that had terrorized the British Isles a couple of centuries ago.

Harry nodded. "Well, the sooner this war is over, the better."

Kyle sighed. "Aren't you just a bit scared?"

"Yeah, a bit," Harry revealed. "But I've honed my control over the Suxen quite a bit over the past two weeks. And it's not like I haven't defeated Voldemort before."

"Yeah, but this time it's forever."

"We hope." Harry darklymuttered.

"What?" Kyle walked closer.

"Nothing," Harry said louder. "I was just commenting on what I was reading."

"Speaking to yourself is a sure sign of being mentally ill." Kyle joked.

Harry chuckled. "And mental diseases are heritable."

Kyle stuck his tongue out in a juvenile fashion.

Three weeks passed with the Resistance and Voldemort's forces clashing all over the globe. The war had finally reached a stalemate and both sides had stopped trying to advance into enemy territory. When the Order returned to the Phoenix Hall they had placed the teens on a rigorous training schedule. Everyone and everything was pointing to a major assault coming very soon. Dumbledore had informed Harry that the next time they entered into conflict with Voldemort himself would have to be the last time. The headmaster had then returned to the Elven Kingdoms to hurry up the research on the Horcruxes.

"…Perhaps this will change your mind." Harry raised his hand up and his palm began to glow and the air in front of him shimmered in the heat. He did this with aplomb. A burst of light blinded everyone in the chamber and once they could see again, three signs were burning on the curtain. The top one was a pentagram burning angry red; the next was a soothing blue flame in the shape of the triquetra; and finally burning in pure, blinding white was a heptagram. Harry lowered his hand and the symbols dwindled and died leaving the curtain unharmed . . . .

Harry woke with a gasp. He looked at the charmed digital clock on his bedside table and groaned at the time. It was too early to be up but just late enough to make falling back asleep a questionable option. He lay back on his pillow before sitting up and getting out of bed. Harry wandered over to his dresser and pulled out his work out clothes. He knew that once classes started he would regret getting up this early, but it had been a while since he had gone out for a run.

Harry got to the front door and laughed when he saw he was not alone.

"You must think I'm an idiot." Harry stated.

Brendin looked up from tying his shoelaces. "Hardly; just resilient."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"When it's coupled with stubbornness," Brendin paused, "yes."

Harry nodded. "Well, at least I know what you think of me."

Brendin nodded. "You're going to try and keep up this time, or are you going reveal another dark secret…you're a werewolf as well?"

"Hardly." Harry followed Brendin as they started the run, "I just couldn't sleep. Worrying dreams and all."

"About Voldemort?"

"No," Harry shook his head to emphasize that point. "It's something more personal."

Brendin acknowledged he had heard Harry. "So do you want to talk about it?"

"Err," Harry wasn't sure what to talk about. He had no idea why the dream bugged him so much. Sure it was about Sirius, but that wasn't the part that made his heart pound. It was the symbols burning on the curtain. "I would if I could express it in words."

"Whatever." Brendin sped up.

They got back to the doors with Harry only five minutes behind Brendin. The wizards got drinks from the kitchen before parting ways to get ready for the day. The run had been enlightening for Harry. Brendin had spent the majority of the time talking about the stupid things he and his friends had gotten up to back in the States. Despite knowing each other for two years, Harry still felt that Brendin was somewhat of a stranger to him. Harry aimlesslywandered down the hall, lost in his thoughts.

"Harry," Called out Dumbledore. "There you are."

Harry turned around, "You're back." His heart started to pound. "They figured it out."

Dumbledore was beaming. "Yes, they figured out the basic form of the ritual, but there are still kinks to knock out. They wish to meet you soon."

"Why?" Harry questioned, getting suspicious.

"Because," Dumbledore slowed down, "They need to study your magics…I do not understand the whole issue myself, but the ritual is very dangerous and everything must be fine-tuned. Since I am out of the question to be the one to destroy the Horcruxes, it is my speculation they deem you to be the next best candidate."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Harry drylymurmured.

Dumbledore frowned. "I did not mean it like that, my boy. Just shower and meet us in the library."

"Harry, this is Hame Sliverbattler. He is the chief weapon-smith and eldest of the southern dwarves." Dumbledore introduced Harry to the red bearded dark-eyed dwarf in full-blown armor.

"A pleasure to meet you." Harry bowed slightly.

The dwarf bowed as well. "Same to you, Harry."

Dumbledore then introduced the young lady in a white dress. "This is Luthien Nolatari. She is the great aunt of Uurande-tur and the royal alchemist for all three Elven kingdoms."

Harry kissed the Elf's hand. "Welcome to the Phoenix Hall."

"Nice to meet you, Harry Potter." Luthien flicked back her blonde hair. "And it should be welcome back…I remember when Merlin first invited me here."

"You knew Merlin?" Harry asked politely.

Luthien nodded. "His wife was always so annoyed when he invited me over. I think she believed we were having an affair."

Dumbledore shook his head slightly when Harry opened his mouth.

"Shall we proceed?" Dumbledore changed the subject.

Hame nodded. "My, Potter how much of your ancestry do you know?"

Harry frowned before answering. "Almost all of it. This house has a special gift."

"Merlin was a genius." Luthien dreamily stated.

Hame shook his head. "So you realize that you have Elven blood coursing through your veins. And while that makes you a powerful wizard, it makes you a poor choice to deal with the Horcruxes."

"What?" Harry almost shouted. "Why?"

Luthien answered the question. "Elven magic is hardly ever destructive. In order to destroy the Horcruxes the person must become as evil as the person who made the objects…your magic simply cannot do that."

Hame continued. "We've have come up with a way to maneuver around that bothersomefact, but it makes the ritual a great deal more dangerous."

Dumbledore spoke up. "Could we not just use another?"

Luthien shook her head. "The ritual also requires the person to have a tie to the creator. Harry is the next heir to Slytherin which makes him the only choice."

Harry nodded. "So how are we going to do this?"

"We have to create three groups," Hame began, "Each group must represent a different aspect of magic. The basic forms of magic, the elements, and the interconnection of all magic. That is why we have come to you. This ritual has only been performed once before in this manner and you are the only person able to talk to the one responsible for that ritual."

Luthien nodded. "We need you to talk to Merlin."

"You need me to talk to Merlin," Harry stared at the three adults. "Are you insane?"

Dumbledore placed a firm hand on Harry's shoulder. "You have done it before."

Harry nodded. "Yes, and only once before. I've tried since and failed. And with Voldemort on the rampage…there's no way I'll be able to open my mind."

Luthien's eyes grew cold. "Do not try and hide behind Voldemort. I know as well as you do that your scar will not be a problem."

Harry stood up. "I am not going to risk it."

"Harry," Dumbledore spoke quickly, "You have to. If you refuse, there is no way we will be able to figure out everything in time."

Harry breathed deeply. "This is too much, Dumbledore. Do you have any idea what you're asking me to do?"

"Yes," Dumbledore nodded gravely. "I understand the pain you will go through if you see your parents again, but what do you think they would do? Come now, Harry;you must see that this is the only way."

Harry nails dug into his palms. "Go to hell." He walked out of the library.

Dumbledore chased after him. "HARRY!"

Harry spun around. "Dumbledore, start looking though those history books. I am not going to do it."

Dumbledore grimlysighed. "Then you leave me no choice."

Hame appeared at Dumbledore's side. "IPNOSI!"

Harry found himself on the familiar cobbled street in front of the mansion. The voices in his head were blaring useless information. Harry was furious, but the voices made it impossible to concentrate on that. A cloaked person walked up to Harry.

"Harry, you should not have returned." The man pulled Harry around the mansion to an empty part of the grounds. "You risk too much."

Harry growled. "I told Dumbledore that."

The man pushed his hood off and revealed an aged face. Merlin spoke quickly. "Yes, but you also wanted to come back. That spell only works if the participant is willing."

Harry shook his head. "I don't want to be here."

Merlin rolled his eyes. "The young always think they know what's true. Harry, stop worrying about it. They sent you back here for a reason."

Harry nodded. "So?"

"So," Merlin pulled at his remaining hair. "What is it? You must get out of here before you meet your parents again. The last time you were here, you almost broke the ward separating this plane from the living one."

"And that is a bad thing?" Harry questioned, developing ideas.

"They will not come back to life, Harry." Merlin spoke more gently. "Breaking the ward would cause chaos and a possible collapse of reality. Now, why are you here?"

Harry sighed. "You destroyed a Horcrux once…"

"Yes," Merlin nodded. "The fool thought he could become immortal and overpower his own father. The one of the few Potters to become evil…"

"You killed your own son!"

Merlin laughed. "Not precisely. I destroyed my son's Horcrux and shook some sense back into him. Not that he knew I was his father."

"Huh?"

Merlin waved his hand. "It is unimportant. The ritual took three separate groups. You are lucky as the powers I had to assemble still exist in your time and two of the groups you already know the members of…"

"The dream!"

Merlin nodded. "That curtain is the ward and it is unlocked with the three symbols of magic: the triquetra, the pentagram, and the heptagram. One is good, one evil, and one neutral."

"But who is in the Power of Seven?"

Merlin shrugged. "That is your call, but choose wisely; that group must remain neutral. It cannot sway either way."

Harry frowned. "But the Power of Five is good."

"Wrong." Merlin stated harshly. "They're evil. They represent the five powers of evil, although most mistake them as the five elements. Fire balls, energy balls, shimmering, temptation, and emotionless heart. Fire, spirit, air, earth, and water, the five elements." Merlin looked at the approaching crowd. "Our time is up, Harry. Perhaps one day you will be able to talk to your parents without risking everything."

Harry suddenlyawoke in cold sweat. "You're a fool, Dumbledore."

Dumbledore remained quiet.

Harry stood up and walked up to the headmaster. "Thank you."

Luthien walked out of the library. "Are we ready?"

Harry appeared in the center of the courtyard carrying a duffle bag. He placed the bag on the engraved heptagram. He walked over to the south side of the rock and knelt down. He pulled out the piece of parchment the dwarf had handed him when he left the library. On it was written something in Elvish script. Harry pulled out his wand and started to engrave the spell into the stone. He finished the spell just as the first people arrived.

"What's going on?" Draco asked.

Harry got of the rock. "We're putting an end to this war. I'll explain everything once everyone is here."

Once Piper arrived in the courtyard, Harry's nerves were acting up.

"All right, for those of you who do not already know," Dumbledore spoke up. He was the only one in the courtyard that was not part of the ritual. "Voldemort created Horcruxes during his first reign. You are here today to destroy those objects."

Harry cast a magnifying charm on his voice so he did not have to yell. "Thank you, Dumbledore." Harry waited until Dumbledore shut the door. All the doors to the courtyard were sealed shut in unison. The griffins took off and a ward sprang up to keep them from returning. "We are going to perform a very dangerous and powerful ritual. You don't need to know all the details, just that once I place you in your spot to not move from it. I will give you the incantation once everyone is in place."

Harry started with the Power of Five. He placed them at the five corners of the courtyard. In the exact order Merlin had mentioned them. Brendin took the south, then Kyle in the next corner going clockwise. Ethan was followed by Casey, and finally, Daelan. Harry walked to the center and clapped his hands together once; what looked like transparent thin black strings connected the five teens forming a pentagram. Harry nodded his approval and snapped his finger causing the strings to disappear.

"Ok, don't move." Harry stated. "Piper, Phoebe, and Paige come with me."

Harry positioned the three adult witches half way between the edge of the courtyard and the edge of the center rock. He placed Piper in between Ethan and Casey. Paige stood in her place between Daelan and Brendin. Phoebe stood between Brendin and Kyle. The three were in descending chronological order in a counterclockwise fashion. Harry walked back to the center and clapped his hands together twice. The black pentagram reappeared along with a white triquetra in the middle of it with the three points connecting to the three members of the Charmed Ones.

"Good and evil, elements and the basic powers of good magic." Harry muttered to himself. "All right, don't move."

The two shapes disappeared as Harry started to move the last seven humans into their spots. He placed Chris at the northernmost part closest to his mother. Then Osric was placed going in a clockwise direction around the rock. Ginny was next, followed by Wyatt. Harry jumped a spot and placed Cho opposite Ginny and finally, Draco. Harry took his spot between Cho and Wyatt. The surge of magic washed over everyone in the courtyard. The pentagram reappeared and burnt itself into the ground. The triquetra formed as a glowing halo of sorts and floated just below the ward keeping the griffins out. Harry held his right hand out in front of him and everyone else around the rock, followed suit. Purple strands of magic connected the members of the Power of Seven. Each member had two strands coming out of his or her hand; one a very light lilac and the other a dark royal purple becoming colorless at their hands. The heptagram fell from their hands and engraved itself into the stone.

Harry looked at the bag and it caught on fire burning away to reveal the five Horcruxes. The center one was a silver ring with a snake biting its tail outlined in red rubies, Slytherin's ring. The one closest to Harry was a green emerald shaped into a leaf and placed in a gold broach, Gryffindor's Elven broach. The next one up was a beautifully crafted bow with unicorn hair forming the bowstring, Ravenclaw's bow. The one closer to Osric was a highly decorated golden goblet, Hufflepuff's goblet. Finally, closer to Ginny lie a slightly glowing sword with its hilt forming a snake, Slytherin's sword. The Horcruxes all lay inside the heptagon at the center of the heptagram.

The spell Harry had inscribed on the rock glowed next to Harry. He looked down and concentrated on his power to translate written languages. The spell remained in Elvish but Harry understood what it said. He closed his eyes hoping that everyone would hear his mental communication.

"The incantation is 'Shards of the soul once whole, return to your master. Make the soul whole again, leave the tombs and soar.'"

Harry opened his eyes and looked at Wyatt who nodded. He took a deep breath and started to say the spell. He spoke in English but the words came out in Elvish. Slowly everyone caught on and they said the spell in unison. The first time everyone completed the spell, the ground shook. The second time, flames sprang up around the Horcruxes hiding them from view. The third time, the fire vibrantly glowed white and everyone closed his or her eyes. The fourth time around, the smell of sulfur reached their noses and half way through saying the spell for the fifth time, a wave of magic smashed into everyone. Harry fought to stay conscious but his mind refused to obey and shut down.

Harry awoke to Luthien leaning over him. "Good, you are awake. Get up."

Harry blinked his eyes and struggled to sit up. "What happened?"

"The magical backlash was greater than we expected. You have some restoration to do once you have regained your strength."

"And the Horcruxes?" Harry did not care how damaged the Phoenix Hall was, just as long as those things were destroyed and everyone was ok.

Luthien noncommittallyshrugged. "They are no longer here. As far as I and Hame can tell, the Horcruxes are destroyed."

Harry stood up. "And…everyone else?"

Dumbledore unexpectedlyanswered. "They are all fine…Ginny, Draco, and Osric are still unconscious, but they are uninjured. A few others have a few scratches and scrapes from being thrown across the ground by the explosion."

Harry looked at the rock he was standing on. The incantation was no longer there; otherwise, it was unchanged. The heptagram, triquetra and pentagram were still visible although they were fading. Harry waved his hand and the ward disappeared.

"Be careful," Hame appeared at Dumbledore's side, "to not exert too much energy. You are dangerously low on power and too much pressure or stress could send you into coma."

"Thanks for the update," Harry stated sarcastically. He had sensed that he was very weak, but the Suxen was untapped by the ritual. He was safe from collapsing into coma.

"Harry," Dumbledore stated slowly. "Let us get you to bed. We will discuss the next steps tomorrow."

Harry nodded and followed the three adults to his home.

Voldemort purposely strode into the small village of helpless Muggles. "You want to screw with my property, Potter. Then these are the poor innocent people to suffer for your stupidity."

Voldemort waved his hand and every house in sight burst into flames. Voldemort laughed coldlyand Apparated out. Harry stood rooted to the spot listening to the Muggles desperately trying to get out of their houses. He did not bother to help them; he knew it was useless.

"I WILL KILL YOU FOR THIS!" Harry shouted into the sky.

AN: So is this the turning point for the Light or is Voldemort's power too great for them to defeat? Thanks to every one who reads its means a lot. Again a big applause for my beta who has kept me on task this entire fic.

Next Chapter:

The final battle against Voldemort. A number of beloved characters to die; this is war after all.