Disclaimer: Harry and company belongs to JK...plot is mine...
Betaed by Morgan and Sandy.. Thanks Ladies..
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VIII: Into Battle...One Last Time...
Harry, Ron and Hermione vaulted from their horses. Ron drove his blade deep into an approaching Death Eater, opening a path to Tom Riddle...
Tom Riddle was once a man with bold ideas to bring the Wizarding World forward; somewhere during his rise to power, he lost his way. Darkness seeped into his soul, fueling the hate that festered there. Piece by piece, he slipped into the shadows and away from sanity. Evil penetrated his heart and he became the monster that stood before them now.
Even still, Morrigan could see the glimmer of hope. The small flame that was once a boy who craved love, who craved a mother's touch, still existed deep inside of Tom Riddle.
There might be hope for the man once known as Tom Riddle.
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Lucius and Dudley kept the bulk of the Death Eaters back, and watched Voldemort shouting out orders as a child would do during a temper tantrum. In between hurling orders, he was trading barbs with Dumbledore.
Severus and Minerva stood back-to-back shouting out curses and guarding the wounded that littered the ground around them.
It was patiently obvious by now that the Angels were winning. Slowly but surely, they were pushing back the Death Eaters. Some were on their knees begging for their lives. Others were insane enough to keep on fighting against the odds.
"Oh, my Goddess." Minerva whispered.
Severus turned his head, distracted by his old friend's distressed voice. His eyes widened as he breathed out, "Sirius Black?"
"In the flesh, Snape," said Black with a smirk as he jogged easily toward them, Remus behind him. Both men's clothes were covered in blood that did not appear to be theirs.
"What happened to you?" Minerva asked, still flabbergasted.
"Revenge."
"Bella."
A silver hand thrown on the ground. "And Wormtail."
Then all was quiet.
Severus turned his head towards where Dumbledore and Voldemort still stood trading insults and hexes. Running towards them was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen in his life.
His mate had his wings spread and his sword held high as he cut a swath towards them. Weasley and Granger were next to Harry as Severus knew they would be.
From nowhere, the Granger girl flew up and over a Death Eater that was torturing another figure lying on the ground. With one fell swoop of her sword, the Death Eater fell to the ground.
It was then Severus noticed who the figure was: Draco Malfoy.
"Minerva?"
"Yes, Severus," the woman answered after throwing a vicious curse towards a Death Eater.
"When this day is over, you and I going to share the finest bottle of scotch Galleons can buy."
"Severus, I'm holding you to that." A swish and flick, "And don't forget to bring along Harry."
Snort. As if he could, he thought, glancing once more towards the advancing man. He felt alive just looking at the fine specimen he had become overnight.
He was the epitome of a warrior. His sword gleamed in the early morning light. Cries of death and destruction surrounded them. His best friends were by his side: Weasley cutting down one dark robed man after another and Granger standing over young Malfoy's prone body, protecting against those that would do him more harm.
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"Hello, Tom," Harry spoke calmly as he stood in front of the man once know as Tom Riddle. He was a pale man with red eyes and slits for his nose. It was only a man who brought fear to mankind by his name alone.
After today, no more. Tom Riddle would be no more.
"Do NOT call me that filthy muggle name! I am Lord Voldemort. And you will bow down to me when all is said and done! You will beg me to end your pathetic life."
"I am Vasaio of the Angels. I serve the Queen of the Heavens, Morrigan. I am her loyal servant and protector of the innocent," Harry said as he stood tall and regal, his green eyes glowing, his power flowing around him. "I will beg nothing from you."
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Albus Dumbledore knew when to get on the right train and now was the time as he made his way slowly towards Harry Potter. What he was going to say, he had no idea.
The old bearded one didn't make it very far as a red stunner came from nowhere and hit the aging wizard in the back, dropping him where he stood.
Standing a few feet away was a smirking Minerva, her wand twirling in her fingers. "Showed you, you old Coot!"
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Harry watched Tom Riddle rant and rave about like a madman. Claiming he would rule the world and nothing would stand in his way, he let the madman grandstand. He glanced at his two friends, and with a simple nod, they moved to circle the Dark Lord.
As they moved slowly, each step precise, they chanted to the four winds. Power was rising within the circle they made with their steps. Stopping every so often to plow their swords into the earth, they called upon the gods and goddesses, speaking in a language as old as the earth herself.
Soon they were joined by other Angels, Lucius and Dudley, as the circle of power grew. The hum of pure magic flowed in the air and around the battlefield, cleansing away the evil and shadows as it gathered around the circle of Angels. A bright light pulsed from within the circle. Lightning lit up the gray sky and a clap thunder rolled through the heavens.
Another pulse of light covered the battlefield, cleansing as it moved.
The Angels stood tall and proud as the light faded away. Their magic left a clean and peaceful feeling about them. From above, a raven flew down and landed, changing into a beautiful woman. Morrigan walked to where the pile of dark robes laid. She kneeled down, brushing at the fabric; with a cry of surprise, she uncovered a most wondrous sight.
It was a baby. A gurgling, cooing baby.
She stood, speaking quietly but clearly enough for all to hear, "We have purified the soul of darkness. Filled the heart with love. Purged the mind of evil and given rebirth to the body of Tom Riddle. Blessed be."
"Blessed be," echoed the assembled Angels.
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TBC...
A/N: real life has been a real pain lately... but I'm still working on everything... never fear..