Chapter 7

Alex rolled out of the way of a blood boiling curse, sending a blasting curse back at the caster and watching in grim satisfaction as he was torn in a shower of blood and gore. It has been hours since the battle of Hogwarts started, perhaps even a whole day. He wouldn't know at this point. His limbs felt heavy, the blood burned in his veins, his vision impaired by the hot-cold sweat dripping down his face. He chuckled a bit. He probably looked like a mess.

He looked around himself. Alfred was battling Finrir Greyback, backed into a corner and surrounded by other werewolves. Alex moved to help him but Sasuke beat him to it, tearing into the pack with his katana and fire jutsu. Itachi was fighting a group of order members closest to Hogwarts. Naruto was going head to head with Albus Dumbledore. Suigetsu was somewhere within the castle running an errand for Harry with Aurors fighting deatheaters along with some order members.

Harry himself was nowhere to be found, and this worried Alex immensely. They had lost Harry to the dark arts over the years. The young boy who brought the inner eight together to make a family immersed himself into the dark arts so deeply he lost himself. He was not himself anymore, insanity had dug its dark spindly roots into his mind so he did not know who he was anymore. At first they did not realize; he still reasoned rationally after all. But then he started to change as he neared his last year of school; he walked differently as if he feared he would slip and fall at any time, he spoke of things they never understood at times which grew more frequent, his eyes grew more and more unfocused each passing day. It frightened Alex how smooth the transition had been yet no one recognized it for what it was because Harry hid it.

By the time they saw the madness for what it was Harry was too far gone, beyond saving. The ball was already rolling, war was upon them. Harry acted as if everything was okay, as if it was normal, but they saw it in his eyes. The fear and desperation he so valiantly kept from them. Yet they could do nothing. Nothing but be there for him and try to anchor him. Their dear friend who brought them so much peace.

Now they were fighting to end it all, to end his misery. Harry sat them down once and told them it was the only way. He apologized for dragging them into his problems, stating how regretful he was for putting all of them in this. For the first time ever he expressed how much he cared for them and how sorry he was. It brought tears to even Alex's eyes, to see how broken and helpless the child was. For all the maturity Harry held he was still just that; a child. A child who let himself get lost beyond his better judgment. It was a wonder the teen could still dance around Dumbledore as he did.

Harry went to fight Voldemort so he could acquire the elder wand and finally unite all three Hallows. Alex did not understand how that would help, but Harry never explained much. Just asked for their trust. He just hoped Harry knew what he was doing.

Suddenly, the death eaters collapsed to the ground like puppets with their strings cut. All of them one by one dropped like flies. The battleground went silent. Alex approached the closest death eater, removing his mask. Antonin Dolohov lay unconscious. Itachi came to stand next to the man. "Their marks; they're gone." He stated, sharingaan spinning. Alex looked at him searchingly. "Do you think…?" The raven nodded. "Voldemort is dead." Still, no joy entered his features. "How about Harry?" "I do not know." "We have to search for him." Itachi stared up into the sky, now the horizon gaining a dusting of pink. "He'll come to us."

Harry, now alone with a corpse in the middle of the Forbidden Forest, was on his knees. Unseeing eyes were focused on Voldemort's dead body. He had done it. He had killed the bastard. His unfocused mind made it more difficult than it should have been. The Elder Wand laid on the ground before him, the invisibility cloak heavy in his pocket and the ring which held the resurrection stone on his finger. He reached out and grasped the wand.

Power like nothing he had felt before rushed through him, sending tingles up his spine. The cloak shimmered and the ring hummed. Soon, Harry knew no more, passed out from the influx of power. When he came to he was in the middle of an empty white expanse. It took a moment to get rid of the disorientation, and when he did he was shocked. His mind felt clearer than it has in years. He was in full control of himself again.

"You have finally arrived." Harry whipped around to face the tall imposing figure, face hidden in the cowl of its dark robes, scythe held in long spindly fingers. Harry said. "You have been expecting me." "Of course." The deep guttural voice replied. Once he realized no clarification was coming Harry asked. "Why?" The reply was "You are my master. You were fated to meet me." "So I was right." He muttered, satisfaction settling on his features. Harry had the distinct feeling the being, Death, was smiling. "Yes. You were meant to be and will always be my master."

Harry felt relief at those words. He did not think he could part with the Hallows. "So what now?" Death shifted, the shadows moving with it. "Earth is losing her magic. Soon she will kneel to Death along with her inhabitants." Alarm made itself known. "Earth is dying?" "Yes." "Then wh…" "Then I cannot allow mine master to fall with it. You will be sent to an alternate dimension to this one. One which is still young and free of corruption. Where nature thrums and magic hums and the earth sings with joy still."

The teen thought about it. "I cannot. Not without my agents." "Then I will send them with you. This earth is different from this one; there are no magical beings, but creations of equal or much greater power roam the nine realms." Harry tilted his head to the side. "What creations?" "Heroes, gods and giants to name a few." Harry nodded "Alright. Anything else I need to know?" "You can bring whatever possessions you wish. I advice you not leave anything behind. Furthermore, there is a being after mine own heart in that dimension. Keep him away from me."

Harry tried his best not to laugh at the last grumbled instruction. "I will do my best to make sure you never cross paths but in death. Thank you." Death nodded. The world around him dissolved to show himself still kneeling on the ground. The Hallows were nowhere to be found but Harry knew they were within him.

He drug himself to his feet. With a groan he pressed his finger to his earpiece. "Naruto." "Harry!" Harry flinched, his ears ringing. "Shouting won't make me hear you any more than talking in a decent tone would." Naruto cleared his throat nervously. "Sorry. Take it you defeated him." "Yes, he's dead. How is the light faring?" "They are relieved and happy, predictably. We managed to get away before they rounded us up. We are in the Snake's Crest." "I'll be there in a moment."

After checking his power level he apparated home. Dizziness overtook him as the gash in his shoulder flared. Someone steadied him. "Harry, you look terrible." He said. Harry rolled his eyes, making the dizziness worse. "Way to point out the obvious, idiot." Someone else, likely Liam, said. So Naruto was the one holding him.

The inner eight were situated in the room, all a bit nervous but relieved. There was Naruto, Liam, Alex, Alfred, Samuel, Itachi, Suigetsu and Sasuke. The last three were drafted in by Naruto a year after the start of Shot Empire. Itachi and Sasuke were the Uchiha brothers who had a rather long winded history just between the two of them, and Suigetsu Hozuki was a sword master. Itachi was also a healer.

The eldest Uchiha came forward, palms already glowing a light green as he roamed them over Harry's body. "Severe magical exhaustion along with severed ligaments in the shoulder and a poison in his veins. With more time I'm sure I'll discover much worse, but these I can heal in no time." He concluded. Before unconsciousness took him Harry whispered. "Liquify all my assets and withdraw all money from the banks. We need to l-leave b-before…" and he knew no more. Itachi and Naruto stared between themselves in puzzlement. Liam peered in confusion. "What did he say?"