Smaragdus arcanum Lunam

Cloud Sorano

13

Harry, Edward, Hermione, and Ron had managed to apparate on the outskirt of Hogsmeade. The small village seemed desolate, shrouded darkness of the night and fog rising from the ground. They had somehow tripped the alarm somewhere in the village, and Death Eaters started to prowl the street, searching for trespassers. They had managed to evade them and ushered into the dark, dingy bar.

They introduced themselves to the barkeep, Aberforth, who was none other than Albus Dumbledore's brother.

While Harry got into a passionate argument with Aberforth about giving up versus not giving up, Edward inspected a broken mirror hanging on the wall. He frowned as he traced the shape of the missing shard. It was familiar, and he was sure he had seen it before.

"Harry," Edward said, interrupting his lover mid-speech about trusting Albus Dumbledore. "The shard of mirror in your pouch."

Harry turned to Edward and pulled his pouch from under his shirt, and opened it, taking out the mirror shard. He held it up and saw Edward's muted gold eyes in them.

Edward saw Harry's face reflecting in the framed mirror. He smirked and turned to the older man. He jerked his thumb to the mirror behind him, "Keeping an eye on Harry? Doesn't seem like a person giving up."

Aberforth glowered at Edward and told directly to the portrait of a girl, "You know what to do."

The girl nodded and smiled, turning around and walking away into the distance of the background, disappearing.

Edward watched in fascination, for it was his first magical portrait. He noted the others did not seem fazed as he was and realized he was into a lot of exciting things. It was too bad that his first foray into the wizarding world other than that day in Seattle Magic District was headfirst into the battle.

"Where have you sent her?" Hermione asked.

Aberforth grumbled, "You'll see soon enough."

Hermione turned to the old man, "That's your sister, Ariana. Isn't it?" She asked.

Harry recalled the story about Ariana from Rita Skeeter's book he had read several months ago, remembering she had died in a crossfire between the brothers and Gellert Grindewald. He asked, "She died very young, didn't she?"

Aberforth looked angry. "My brother sacrificed many things, Mr. Potter. On his journey to find power. Including Ariana." He put down the mug he was cleaning and continued, "and she was devoted to him. He gave her everything, but time."

Harry stared at the older man, feeling pity. He had known Albus Dumbledore was a great man but not perfect. He never had that delusion.

"She's coming back." Edward commented; he had been watching the portrait. He frowned, his eyesight being better than anyone but Harry in the room. He could see a second person behind her and asked, "Who is he?"

Harry turned and smiled as he recognized the face as it came clearer. The portrait swung sideways to reveal a hole in the wall and the person kneeling there, looking for worse to wear. "Neville!"

Ron's eyes widened, "How you look..."

Neville smiled at them, "Like hell, I reckon." He had bruises on his face; one of his eyes circled in a black bruise and swollen. But he was happy to see his missed friends. "But this is nothing. Seamus is worse." He looked to the old wizard, "Hey, Ab! We've got a couple more coming through."

It wasn't long before Harry, Edward, Hermione, and Ron followed Neville through the long tunnel to Hogwarts. Harry mentioned not remembering the tunnel being on the Marauder's Map. Neville explained that it was a new development, and all the other passages were sealed off the prior year.

Finally, they reached the end, and Neville emerged from the tunnel into a wide-open space full of students. "Hey, you lots!" He announced, drawing attention to himself. "It's for your surprise."

Seamus grumbled, "No more about Aberforth's cook's gonna help," he stood up from below the platform that lined the wall to serve as a step for the hole in the wall.

Neville shook his head and stepped aside, allowing Harry to step out. He could see the majority of the DA group among many more students in the Room of Requirement. Hammocks were hanging and the floor lined with mattresses and books. It appears that they were hiding out in the room.

"Hey." The entire room cheered.

Edward watched from behind as the crowd gathered around the trio, happy to see them and cheer them on. Having seen Harry's memories in the past few days did not prepare him for the thoughts and looked on everyone else's faces as they saw Harry. Harry was their hope, their salvation, and their leader. They respected him, relied on him, and trusted him. He was taken aback by how much respect Harry had in this world. He frowned and slinked back into the shadow, watching on. A heavy feeling in his gut grew. He knew he could not ever take Harry away from this world. They needed him.

He saw a red-haired girl ran into the room and paused in front of Harry. The way they looked at each other, he knew who she was. She was the girl that Harry loved at one time, had thought of possibly having a future with. She ran up to him and hugged him but flinched and stepped back. But she did not mention how changed Harry was but warned that Headmaster Snape knew Harry was here and was calling for all students to go to the Great Hall.

"Who's that?" Cho asked as she looked up to the hole, spotting someone in the shadow.

Harry, who was standing close by, turned and saw Edward standing there. "That's Edward Cullen. You can trust him." He beckoned for Edward to come down.

Edward stepped out, and there were ripples of gasps. He looked to Harry concerned. He had heard their thoughts, and they were all the same. They thought he was Cedric Diggory, the boy who had died a few years ago.

"Harry," He softly murmured as he climbed down from the platform and went to him.

Harry nodded. "Everyone. This is Edward Cullen, he's a muggle and he is helping me."

Cho grasped Harry's arm, "But he looks so much…"

"I know," Harry interrupted her, giving her a look to drop it, "he is not Cedric."

"I see," Cho whispered and stepped back.

"Come on, let's get this show on the road." Ron bellowed. He turned to Harry. "Now what?"

"The diadem is here in this room, but everyone need to clear out. That can wait for a bit. Let's find out what Snape wants."

"Alright, let's go." Ron said, wrapping his arm around Hermione's waist.

The crowd started to move out of the room, donning their robes as they moved. Neville handed Harry a couple of robes and nodded to him, smiling before he left the room. Then it was just the four of them and Ginny.

Ginny stared up at Harry. "You've changed." She glanced over to Edward, who had stood close to Harry; their hands brushed each other. She wondered what their relationship was and felt a pang of jealousy rise in her belly.

Harry stared down at Ginny and gave a single nod, "We can talk about it later."

"Yes." Ginny softly said and turned, grabbing her robe and leaving.

Ron looked worriedly after his sister. "She noticed, didn't she?"

Harry sighed, "Yes. I am glad she didn't say anything."

Edward stepped up to Harry and grasped his hand. "What happens now?"

Harry turned to Edward and squeezed his hand. "We'll find out now. Come on." He pulled the robe over his head, and they followed the crowd behind them.

Lee dropped back and whispered, "The Order is here, waiting. They're up ahead." He gestured to an empty classroom near the Great Hall.

"Thank you, Lee."

Harry waved to Ron and Hermione to wait and made a detour to a room where Lee had pointed out. He smiled at Remus and turned to look at the Order. They were all there, all looking relieved to see Harry.

"Everyone. It's going to be tonight." Harry told them.

Kingsley stepped forward; he looked concerned, "You seems to be sure."

Remus turned to the dark-skinned wizard, "Trust Harry. He knows what he's doing." He nodded to Harry. "Albus told us so."

Kingsley nodded. "Then, what is the plan?"

Harry glanced around. "There is one thing I need to find and destroy. It will make Voldemort," He sighed as everyone grimaced, "weak. Right now, I need to see what Snape wants. He has heard that I am here." He turned to Ron and Hermione, "Stay here, but listen in. You'll know when I need you." The twin slid up to the two, grinning as they pulled out extendable ears from their pockets. Harry smirked at them, nodding his approval.

"Harry!" Molly pushed her way through the group. She paused and looked over Harry and bit her lip. She saw how much Harry had grown since she saw him last. "Be careful."

He smiled at her, "I know." Then he looked to everyone in the room. They were all special to him, having been with him since he was eleven, taking part in his journey. "Thank you, everyone." He turned and walked through the door. Edward followed close by silently. He had been given a robe and pulled the hood over his head. He noted the lining was yellow on the inside and shook his head in amusement.

They stopped at the doors to the Great Hall. Harry turned to Edward and noted the yellow lining, and softly whispered, "Of course. Hufflepuff. House of loyalty. If anything, that's the house you belong in."

Edward rolled his eyes. "Not because of this Cedric?"

Harry smiled. "No." He reached up and cupped Edward's cheek, becoming somber. "From here on, it's going to get… rough." He exhaled out of habit, "are you ready?"

Edward leaned his head into Harry's hand. "Where you go, I go." He glanced to the doors, "I am afraid. But I know I will be okay as long I am with you."

Harry leaned up and kissed Edward's lips, and stepped back. "Yeah. I feel the same, as long you're by my side, I can do this." He grasped Edward's hand, and they slipped into the Great Hall unnoticed and stood in the back.

Severus was in the front, looking down at the students standing before him. The Carrow twins were standing behind him, smirking and taking the enjoyment of the somber atmosphere.

"Many of you are surely wondering," Severus' deep voice was low but loud enough that everyone heard him in the Great Hall. He bore his black eyes across the room. He was an imposing figure, shrouded in black, "why I have summoned you at this hour." He swept another glance. "It's come to my attention that earlier this evening… Harry Potter was sighted in Hogsmeade. Now…" He paused as he stepped down to walk in between the students, "should anyone… student or staff attempt to aid Mr. Potter?" He swished his robe and held a hand to his chest with a closed fist. "They will be punished in a manner consistent with the severity of their transcription, furthermore…" He paused midway and turned, "Any person found to have knowledge of these events… who fails to come forward will be treated equally guilty."

Edward leaned over to Harry and whispered so softly that only Harry could hear with his enchanted vampire hearing, "Dramatic, isn't he?"

Harry nudged an elbow into Edward's rib and turned his head to meet the soft golden brown eyes, a tiny smirk on his lip. "That's Snape for you. I am not sure of his loyalty. He killed Dumbledore."

Edward nodded. "I can't read his mind. But everyone else here… they are afraid."

"He's a master at Occlumency and Legilimency. I am not surprised you can't read his mind."

Edward frowned, "Harry… I need to tell you something."

"Later?" Harry broke his gaze away from Edward and turned to the front.

Edward clenched his hands to his side. He knew he was cut away from Harry's mind and sighed. In a short time, he has witnessed enough how the people saw Harry and the feeling inside him was gnawing away at him. He didn't like it.

"If anyone in here has any knowledge of Mr. Potter's movements this evening. I invite them to step forward." Snape turned around and barked, "Now!"

Harry moved slowly through the crowd. Edward grasped the back of his robe, but the fabric slipped through his fingers. He held back and watched as Harry announced, "It seems, despite your exhaustive defensive strategies, you still have a security problem, Headmaster." Harry stood in the middle, threw back the hood, and stared down the dark headmaster. Behind him, the doors opened with a bang, and the Order filled in, backing Harry up. Edward moved to stand beside Ron and Hermione.

Kingsley said, "I'm afraid it's quite extensive."

Harry stared at Severus Snape, "How dare you stand where he stood? Tell them how it happened that night! Tell them how you looked him in the eyes… A man who trusted you, and killed him!"

Severus stepped back a half step; he looked as if he was hesitating but drew his wand and pointed it at Harry. Harry narrowed his eyes, his arms by his sides, his hands crackled with magic dancing on the surface, ready to strike. Professor McGonagall stepped in front of Harry, pointing her wand at Severus. Behind them, the Orders fell into stance, prepared to fight.

Professor McGonagall swished her wand, and the flame shot out, shooting toward Severus. He stepped back and slashed his arm up in the air, cutting the pillar of flame into two, directing it behind him instantly. The twin Carrows screamed as they were struck down. Then in a blink, Severus swirled into a black mist, twisting and bouncing backward, shattering the stained glass window, flying away.

Professor McGonagall screamed after Severus, "Coward!" She huffed and turned to the room, waving her wand to set fire to the scones that lined the wall. She smiled at Harry, relieved to see him again after so long. She opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted as Harry grimaced and stumbled down to his knees. "Potter?"

Then a high-pitched scream rent the air. Everyone gasped and looked around. Several girls screamed. A loud voice filled the air, "I know that many of you will want to fight." Voldemort's voice boomed through the castle. "Some of you may even think to fight is wise, but this is folly. Give me Harry Potter, and I shall leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you will be rewarded. You have one hour." His voice faded, leaving an echoing silence.

Edward hurried to Harry's side and knelt beside him. "Harry." He helped his lover up.

"What are you waiting for?" Pansy snapped and pointed to Harry. "Someone grab him!"

Ginny, Hermione, Ron, and few other students that Harry recognized from Dumbledore's Army stepped up, pointing their wands toward Pansy and the other Slytherin students crowded around her.

"Students out of bed!" Everyone turned to see Filch run in, clutching Mrs. Norris, his cat, to his chest. "Students out of bed! Students in the corridor!"

Professor McGonagall snapped at him, "They are supposed to be out of bed, you blithering idiot!"

The old caretaker stammered and glanced around, realizing the situation. "Oh. Sorry, ma'am."

"As it happens, Mr. Filch, your arrival is most opportune. If you would, I would like you, please, to lead Miss Parkinson an the rest of th Slytherin House from the hall." She flicked her wand to the Great Hall doors.

Filch glanced at the students to his side, "Exactly where it is I'll be leading them to, ma'am?"

"The dungeons will do." Professor McGonagall replied, and the Great Hall filled with cheering noise from three other houses. The Slytherin group scowled and followed the old caretaker and his cat.

Professor McGonagall turned to Harry and gave him a pointed look, "I presume you have a reason for returning, Potter. Just what is it you need?" She glanced to the young man beside Harry and had to take a double-take to realize it was not Cedric Diggory. "And who is this young man?"

Harry smiled as he held onto Edward's arm for support. "This is Edward Cullen, he's helping me. I need time, Professor, as much as you can get me."

The old transfiguration professor nodded, looking at the young man she has come to care very much in the past several years. "Do what you have to do. I'll secure the castle." She watched as Harry turned to leave with Edward. "Potter?" He paused, looking over his shoulder. "It's good to see you." He smiled back at her.

"It's good to see you too, Professor." Harry replied and went toward the grand doors; he paused by Neville, "Hold the fort, Neville."

Neville saluted and grinned, "Sure will, mate."


Forks, Washington; Swan's Property

James sniffed the air and frowned. The trail was old. The girl he had caught the smell from the other vampires, the one that made his thirst burn, was gone. Her father remains, but he did not care for the man. He jumped down from the tree and silently walked the property's perimeter around the Swan's house. The scent of the girl he wanted was few days old.

He'll wait.

He wanted her blood; it sings to him.

He turned and stalked into the forest to find a place to stake out. He will wait until she returns. He didn't go far and found a nice huge tree that he could get to make a hole to hide in for the time being. The tree's bark made a loud crunch as he started to tear the wood away with his bare hands. He worked his way through leisurely.

Unbeknown to him, several lupines eyes watched him as he gutted the tree. Eyes shifted from the vampire to the others and with a silent motion of the large furred heads in agreement. The paws padded the forest ground silently, stalking the unaware vampire.

James grinned as he admired his work for a moment. He frowned, sniffing the air; the heavy scent of wet fur filled his nose. He turned, and his eyes went wide as he met with the giant black head of a wolf.

SNARL! The black wolf's deep timber filled the air, and James backed up, only to hit the tree behind him.

It was only mere seconds that the sound of choked cut off scream filled the air, followed by the loud, violent crunch and ripping, mixed in with snarls and growls. Then the forest was silent again.

Several giant wolves looked down to the decimated pile of what was left of James. The biggest of them all, in black, snorted and turned, kicking dirt onto the pile with his back leg. He bopped his head and stalked off. He sent a message to others mentally; This one is too easy. He didn't expect us. We'll have more problems with the female one. Meeting at the rez.

The red one watched the big one slink off into the darkness and turned to two gray ones and snorted. He stretched his limbs, and his body shifted. A teen replaced the wolf, grabbing the shorts tied to his leg and slipped them on.

He looked to the other wolves that stood to his shoulder in height. "Go on, I'll see you back on the rez. I'm gonna burn this one. It's the only way they won't come back." He reached into his pocket, pulled out a lighter, and flicked it, throwing it to the pile of vampire body parts. The flame erupted, consuming the remain.

The young native man turned to the house that was a few hundred yards away and smirked. "One down. Two to go. Can't wait to see you again soon, Bella."


"Harry!" Hermione shouted as she grabbed Harry's sleeve to stop him. "The sword is gone." She held up her beaded bag.

Harry frowned, "Where did it go?"

Ron shrugged. "We figured to check before we went in the Great Hall but it's gone."

Edward watched the three. "Would it vanish on its own?"

Harry's eyes widened. "Of course. It will turn up when it is needed. Well, we can't have that."

Ron then snapped his finger, "Ah, the basilisk fang! We can use that. It's down in Chamber of Secret, innit?" Harry nodded. "Then, Hermione and I will go down there, you and Edward go to the Room of Requirement."

"Huh…" Hermione looked amazed at Ron. "Brilliant."

Harry laughed and clapped Ron on the shoulder. "Brill, go on then. Meet us up in Room of Requirement after you get the fang. I need to make a detour first."

Ron bopped his head and grasped Hermione's arm, and then they ran down toward the first level where they would get to the Chamber of Secret entrance. Harry turned to Edward, "Let's go."

"Where?" Edward asked.

"Luna!" Harry shouted as he spotted the pale blond-haired girl pass him by. She paused and turned to them. "Where will I find the ghost of Ravenclaw?"

"The Grey Lady?" Luna asked, her eyes wide, then she looked far away as in dreamy thought. She then smiled, "Come on." She turned and ran down the corridor.

"You're going need to fill me in." Edward muttered as he ran after Harry and Luna. He ducked as the explosion went overhead, and screaming filled his ears. He glanced to his left to the window and gaped in awe as the shimmering wall rose higher and higher. He spotted several professors below in the courtyard, holding up their wands, contributing to the wall with their magic. Shield, he thought. They were encompassing the entire ground of Hogwarts castle with a magical shield. It sat like a dome high above them and down to the earth. He could see shadows in the distance beyond the shield; there was a volley of magics exploding on the outside, trying to break it down. He turned his head and kept following Harry.

Harry said nothing but sent his thought back to Edward, "The Grey Lady is the ghost of Ravenclaw tower. I believe she deserve to know what I plan to do with the diadem. She is somehow related to Rowena Ravenclaw. I am not sure."

The crowd of people thinned out, and they slipped into the part of the castle where it was desolate and dark. Luna gestured toward the corridor that lined the side court. "She is there."

Harry nodded at Luna, giving her a silent thanks. She left in a whisper, her long blond hair shining silvery under the bright moonlight like a banner.

Edward followed Harry into the corridor that faced the side courtyard. He saw flashes of memories of different times Harry had been in the courtyard over the years, playing games with other students, doing homework in the sunlight. He was letting Hedwig, his white owl, fly in the wintertime. There were flashes of different happy scenes. But now, under the moonlight, it looked lonely. An ethereal ghost of a handsome woman floated; she had a sad look on her face. He could see she once was a beautiful woman in life, perhaps with long dark hair, pale but rosy complexion, and light blue gown. But she looked overall gray, as all ghosts do. He was mildly surprised he could see the ghost too. He supposed it was because he had some magic inside him, and he could sense it was growing stronger every minute.

"You're the Grey Lady." Harry said as he walked up to the ghost. "The ghost of Ravenclaw Tower."

The woman snarled, "I do not answer to that name!"

Harry held up his hands, "No, I'm sorry. It's Helena, isn't it?" He looked up at her, "Helena Ravenclaw. Rowena's daughter."

The woman floated around Harry and asked, "Are you a friend of Luna? You seem different."

Harry nodded. "Yes. I asked her to find you. I want to tell you something."

The woman settled before Harry and eyed him critically. "You have glamour. You're hiding something. I don't hear your heartbeats."

Harry held his hand to his chest. "No. I no longer have heartbeats. But I still live."

"Hm. What is it you want to tell me?"

"The diadem."

"My mother's diadem?"

"I know where it is." Harry told her. She looked surprised and then floated back. "Wait."

Then there was an explosion above them. Edward gasped as he looked up to see a volley of spells smattering against the shield high above them. He stared in awe as spells rained upon the magical shield; booming explosions echoed around them.

"I want to destroy it. But I also want you to know."

Helena looked away from the explosions above them. "Another promised to destroy it many years ago. A strange boy with a strange name?"

"Tom Riddle."

"But he lied. He lied to many people. I know what he's done!" She snapped and then screamed into his face, "I know who he is! He defiled it, with dark magic!"

Harry gave her a sad look, "I can destroy it. Once for all." He held up his hand, "But I want you to know that it will be done, tonight."

Helena looked to Harry's hand and reached out, laying her ghostly hand on top of his palm. Then she withdrew. "Then, do it."

Harry gave a smile, "Thank you." He grasped Edward's hand and pulled him along.

Edward stumbled and quickly adjusted to run with Harry, quickly through the castle corridor unseen by anyone, blurring past, dodging the fallen bricks and stones. More explosions shook the castle as they hurried along toward the seventh floor.


Forks, Washington; Cullen's House

"It started." Alice's eyes glazed over. The Cullen watched her as she fell deep into her vision. She saw things halfway around the world as if she was there.

She finally spoke, stoically, "It's dark, they've reached the castle." She waited a moment longer, "They needed to find a diadems and Harry knows where it is. But they have no mean to destroy it. Something about great evil presence in the diadem. Ah, the red-head friend came up with an idea and Harry approves."

Esme gripped Carlisle's hand as she watched her daughter worriedly and whispered to her mate, "Oh, I wish they were not involved."

"Why do they need to destroy a diadem?" Emmett asked quietly.

Alice responded, sitting stiffly on the couch, still deep in the vision, but she was able to be aware of what was happening around her in real-time. "It is essential to finish this Dark Lord they're fighting against. It has evil in it like it was in Harry."

"You mean, those black thing that came out of Harry and screamed?" Rosalie asked.

"Yes." Alice's eyes shifted back and forth as if she was looking around in a dream. "The Dark Lord made seven… no. Eight of this dark magic to be immortal. He intended to make seven but the eighth one was unintentional. There's only two left." She gasped as her eyes shifted to one side and grimaced, grabbing her head. "Oh!" Jasper, who had been sitting beside her, grasped her to support her. "The Dark Lord's angry. He's furious." She gripped her head tighter, nearly pulling at her hair. "He's very powerful!"

Carlisle looked worried. "Does this bode bad for Harry?"

Alice's eyes shifted to the other side as if hearing something else and calmed down enough to sit up and loosen her hands from her hair. "Oh my… The people at the castle are powerful combined and is putting the entire castle to action to shield the children there."

"There are children!?" Esme gasped.

"The castle is a school for wizard children." Alice responded.

"What kind of man would attack a school full of children?" Jasper asked, horrified. As an experienced soldier, it was one thing he would not do, put danger to children.

"He's not a man." Alice responded. "He's evil, that's that. He has long lost his mortality and all there is left is his evil soul fragments. Harry has to destroy him, it is his fate."

Carlisle rubbed his wife's arm as she curled into his embrace, comforting her. "It's never easy anywhere in the world." The others murmured their agreement.


Harry skidded to a stop before a bare wall. Edward noticed the strange tapestry of a man teaching trolls to dance in a tutu. He raised an eyebrow and turned to Harry to see an amused look on his lover's face. "Uh…" He gestured to the tapestry in confusion.

Harry chuckled. "There are stranger things. That's one of them." He shrugged and turned to the bare wall, walking back and forth. Edward could hear in Harry's mind, "I need the room where lost things are. A room with lost things. Room with lost things."

Then the door appeared. Harry lunged forward, pulling Edward along as they entered the door into a giant cavernous room filled to the brim with a mountain of things. He was amazed as he followed Harry along, glancing around to see odd sort of things. Pile of desks, chairs. Furniture. Broken statues, brooms, and many more. There were boxes of fabrics that he then realized was a pile of school uniforms from many generations. Screeches of tiny blue fairy-like creatures above their head in the rafters.

"It's somewhere there…" Harry muttered as he hurried, weaving through the maze of piles. Edward could see the cabinet's image in Harry's head and kept an eye out for it.

"There." Edward pointed over a small pile of books; the cabinet top was peeking over the top of the books. Harry smiled and hurried toward the cabinet and stopped, searching through the table that had things on the top. "It got to be here…" He stopped and stepped back, dropping his arms and closed his eyes and inhaling. "Alright… where are you?" He waited and listened.

He had learned that he could still sense the Horcrux, having been one himself, the connection, even dead, was still there, but a faint trace. It wasn't strong as it used to be, but it was still there, lingering, like an echo.

He tilted his head as if trying to hear something. There was a faint whispering of dark things, and it was so soft that not an average human could hear. But being a vampire with enhanced hearing, he heard it. He stepped forward, turning his head here and there, trying to discern where it was louder. He allowed the whispering to guide him, and he reached out with his hand, searching for something dark. His hand was hovering right over it; he could feel it drawing him toward it.

Then a loud voice shattered his concertation, and his eyes snapped open. "Well, well… What brings you here, Potter?" Draco Malfoy approached them, wand held high and sneering at him. His two burly lackeys stood behind him, looking malicious and wands at ready. "Who's this Diggory-lookalike?"

Edward snarled under his breath. He remembered seeing Malfoy in Harry's memories, and none of them were good. Now standing face to face, he found the young man pompous, pointed, and a worthless piece of meat.

Harry narrowed his eyes at Malfoy, "I could ask you the same."

"He wants you," Malfoy sneered. "So, I came to get you to bring to him."

Harry watched the wand shake slightly. It was just as it was in the tower before Dumbledore died. "You don't want to." He said calmly. "You know I can end this and your family will be free from him."

"You do not know that!" Malfoy snapped. "He will kill all of us!"

"Come on, Draco!" His friend goaded him.

"Don't be a prat." The other one said. "Do it!"

Harry vanished from where he stood and appeared right in front of Draco, shocking the three. The wind blew, ruffling their hairs.

Malfoy looked surprised, "What? How?" He asked.

Edward knew. Harry ran, just faster than a human can blink. He smirked as he moved quickly with his vampire speed toward the table and pushed something away, finding something shining and grabbed it. It was the diadem.

Harry smirked. "You really do not want to know." He grabbed the wand out of Draco's hand and then vanished, returning to Edward's side.

"Harry!" Hermione shouted. They all turned their heads to where Hermione appeared. Ron skidded to stop beside her and cursed. He held up his wand, pointing toward Crabbe.

Draco snarled and smacked Crabbed and Goyle beside him, "Get them!"

"Avada Kedavra!" A green light shot out of Goyle's wand toward Hermione. Ron pulled her aside, and the spell missed.

Edward's eyes widened as he heard the spell. He knew it was a dangerous spell and seeing it being cast with malicious intent in the burly trollish young man's mind.

"Stupefy!" Hermione snapped, but her spell missed.

"That's my girlfriend!" Ron shouted, running toward the two henchmen of the blonde, shooting spells at them. Draco stumbled backward and ran, disappearing around the pile and somewhere into the cavernous room.

Edward watched as Hermione run to Harry. Spells exploded here and there.

"Harry, do you have it?" Hermione asked.

Harry turned to Edward and saw him holding it up. He took it and admired the beautiful diadem in his hand. "Too bad, it's really nice looking." He looked to Hermione. "We got to get out of here."

Then they heard screaming and whipped their head to see Ron running toward them. "They've set the bloody place on fire!"


AN:

Well, that was quick for James. Bye-bye. Now there's Laurent and Victoria left to do. And Alice's watching the battle real-time.

I wanted to have this chapter posted last weekend but didn't finish it, and I didn't have time to finish it. I did write almost three chapters worth, but there were few areas that I needed to fill in. It is looking to be about a total of 4 chapters covering the final battle, including snippets of Forks, Washington, and each one of them will be reasonably long. I'm on my vacation in Florida for a week, so I am not sure when I will post the next chapter. But I plan to put in some time to work on the following few chapters on the plane (it's gonna be a bloody long flight). I return home on the 11th.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I can't wait to post the next few chapters. Thank you all for the likes, follow, and reviews!