Smaragdus arcanum Lunam

Cloud Sorano

15

They walked through the hall to the end, where a great griffin statue stood.

As Harry opened his mouth to start guessing the password, it moved aside, revealing the staircase. He turned to Edward, "Stay with me, always?"

"Forever," Edward replied with a small smile. He followed Harry up the staircase and into the Headmaster's office. He looked around in awe. Many portraits hung on the wall to the ceilings. The people in them watched them with interest. He saw the newer one near the end of the room behind the grand ornate desk. The wizened man with a long beard and half-moon glasses watched them with a twinkle in his eyes.

Harry moved toward the cabinet that held the Pensieve bowl and opened it. He took out the shallow bowl and gently cast it aside to spin and float in the air. He uncorked the vial in his hand and poured the silver liquid into the swirling light in the bowl. Edward watched in fascination.

Harry smiled at Edward, noting the questions on his face. "It's called Pensieve bowl, don't ask me how it work." He laughed a bit and sighed, fingering the bowl, turning it around in the midair, and held up the bottle, "This is a memory, taken from a person. You pour it in this bowl and then put your head in, you can see the memory play out as if you were there."

"Fascinating," Edward murmured in awe. "Do the person lose the memory when it is taken out?" He gestured to his head.

Harry shook his head. "No, more of a copy. It can be altered, if the person knows how to alter his memory. I've seen those before, it's hard to tell but there's signs." He glanced at the silver liquid in the glass vial. "I think… I'd like to go in alone." Harry told his lover. Edward nodded and watched as Harry dipped his head toward the bowl and vanished.

Edward turned around, taking in the grand office of the school's Headmaster. It looked very much like it belonged to a wizard. There were doodads everywhere, books and fascinating things. He moved toward the glass cases that lined the wall, inspecting different stuff in them. He paused at the old hat on top of the shelf and tilted his head; it looked strange.

"I don't believe I've ever sorted you, boy," The hat spoke, making Edward jump back in surprise, and the hat laughed.

"What are you?"

"I'm the Sorting Hat. At one time I was Godric Gryffindor's hat. He and the other three cast their magics in me, bringing me to life and set me to an important job for Hogwarts School of Wizardry. I sort students as they come in for their first year to the houses that they most belong to."

"Oh, I remember that from Harry's memories. You tried to sort him into Slytherin." Edward said.

"That's right. But he asked not to go in that house, but rather Gryffindor. I'm never wrong."

Edward frowned, "So, he a Slytherin?"

"No."

"The Hat take in account for the traits the person has," Another voice spoke, and Edward turned to see the wizened old wizard in a frame near the desk. He stepped up to the frame and saw the nameplate underneath, 'Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.'

"You're Headmaster Dumbledore."

"Yes. I do not have the fancy of knowing you, young man. Though, you look familiar."

"Oh, I am Edward Cullen."

"Pleased to meet you," Dumbledore said, smiling down at Edward. "I once told Harry this; It is our choices, that shows what truly are, far more than our abilities. Harry shows many qualities from all houses here in Hogwarts. But in the end, he is true to himself and to those around him."

"I see. He said I would have been sorted into Hufflepuff. Would that be true?" Edward asked.

"Put the hat on and see," Dumbledore gestured to the hat and chortled.

Edward looked to the hat, and he could see the feature of a face in the fold; it looked down at him expectedly. He reached up and took down the old leather hat and held it up. He was hesitant but lowered it on his head.

Then he heard the hat's voice inside his head. "Let's see… Edward Cullen. You would've been great if you came to Hogwarts a hundred years ago. There's magic in you, but you never got to develop them… But it is strong. A vampire… Hmm. Ah yes, your Harry is right, I sense strong loyalty in your heart. You have a sense of moral code, which makes you a unique vampire with control. You do divide what's right and wrong and strive to do right, using your powers to help others. Hufflepuff it is!"

Edward took the hat off, amused. He placed it upon the shelf and turned to Dumbledore. "Sir, why did you set Harry out to do such a dangerous job?"

"Ah. Yes," Dumbledore murmured as he stroked his long beard. "Harry is the only one who can end Voldemort. He can only find the Horcruxes by sensing them out."

Edward frowned up at the old man, turned his head to Harry, and glanced at the bowl. "What will Harry see in Snape's memories?"

Dumbledore tilted his head up as if to peer into the bowl himself from his portrait. "The truth. Truth that he has to know in order to stop Voldemort." He looked sad and sat back, "I believe he will tell you when he returns, if he has brought you here instead of his two other friends. He must find you special."

Edward frowned, not liking how cryptic the old man was. "One more question."

"Yes?"

"Can Avada Kedavra kill vampire?"

Dumbledore looked confused as he adjusted his glasses and peered down at Edward as if trying to get a better look. "That would be a curious question. I do not believe it has ever been tried," Dumbledore replied and went silent.

Harry emerged from the Pensieve, looking troubled. Edward moved to his side and clutched his arm, "Harry?" He pulled him to the steps that divided the room in half, and they sat down. "What did you find out?"

Harry looked to Edward, the memories fresh in his mind. He allowed Edward to view them as he spoke, "Snape and my mother were best friends for a long time. It was him that revealed part of the prophecy to Voldemort, which in turn killed my parents. He was so upset and Dumbledore only took him in as long he would spy for him." He snarled and turned to Dumbledore's portrait. "You! You made Snape do all the dirty work! Now he's dead! He doesn't deserve that!" Dumbledore didn't reply but kept on sleeping. Edward frowned at the portrait, wondering why the old man wasn't responding to Harry.

"Harry… what else?"

Harry could not speak, but he allowed Edward to see it in his mind.

Severus stood before Dumbledore in the same office. The old wizard told him, "You must be the one to kill me, Severus. It's the only way." Severus looked aghast. "Only then, will the Dark Lord trust you completely. There will come a time, when Harry Potter, must be told something." Dumbledore said and sat down in his chair. "But you must wait, until Voldemort is at his most vulnerable."

"Must be told what?" Severus asked.

"On the night Lord Voldemort went to Godric's Hollow to kill Harry… Then Lily Potter cast herself between them, the curse rebounded. When that happened, a part of Voldemort's soul latched itself onto the only living thing it could find, Harry himself. There's a reason Harry can speak with snakes… that he could look into Lord Voldemort's mind. A part of Voldemort lives inside him. So, when the time comes…"

Severus inhaled, "the boy must die?"

"Yes… yes." Dumbledore looked every year of his age. "He must die."

Severus looked as if his heart was torn out of his chest. "You've kept him alive, so he can die at the proper moment?" He saw the old wizard close his eyes and snarled, "You've been raising him like a pig for slaughter."

Dumbledore opened his eyes and stared at the potion master, "Don't tell me now, that you've grown to care for the boy."

Severus waved his ebony wand, "Expecto Patronum." The silver mist emerged and twirled, becoming a doe as it pranced around the office and vanished out of the window.

Dumbledore looked surprised as he watched the silver doe vanish. "Lily!" he turned back to Severus, "After all this time!"

Severus replied, "Always." He turned his head away. "So, when the time comes… the boy must die?"

"Yes. And Voldemort himself must do it. That is essential."

If the vampire can pale in horror, Edward would've gone several sheets paler as he gripped Harry's arm. "No. No… You can't."

Harry dropped his head down almost in between his legs, "I must."

"But, Harry!"

"I know." Harry replied; he looked up to Edward and caressed his face, "I am so sorry. I don't know any other way to stop Voldemort. He has to kill me."

"But it's the Horcrux that Voldemort has to kill, not you!" Edward stood up and turned to Dumbledore's portrait and shouted, "You meddling old man! It's not going to work anymore! The horcrux in Harry's head is gone! You hear me! Harry can't die now! He's a vampire!"

Dumbledore's eyes snapped open, and he leaned forward in his chair, "Say what?!"

"You heard me!"

Harry looked up to Edward in surprise at his lover's outburst and turned to Dumbledore.

"Harry, is this true?"

Harry stared up at the old man. "But you knew… wait… you and your real self don't share same knowledge after death, do you?"

"No. I am just a portrait with copies of memories and enhancement from the real person, it does not make me the real Albus Dumbledore." Dumbledore explained. "My knowledge is up to some point before he died. So, tell me, now! Are you a vampire?"

Harry and Edward had moved closer to the portrait. "Yes." Harry waved his hand over himself and Edward, removing the glamour to show their actual appearance, pale skin, golden eyes (Edward), and ethereal beauty. "I was wounded severely few months ago on the run while hunting for the horcrux. Edward gave me option to live, but as a vampire. I wasn't ready to die, so I took it. When I changed, the horcrux in me could not survive the change and died. So, that changed things."

"Yes, it did." Dumbledore turned to Edward, "So that's why you asked if the curse would kill a vampire."

Harry turned to Edward. "You talked to him?"

"While you were in the memory, yes." Edward said. "He said that it's not known if the killing curse would work on vampire." Harry rubbed his face in exasperation.

Dumbledore rubbed his beard. "Hmm. Tonight, Severus was visited by Remus, here in the office. But he had used Muffliato charm as he spoke with Remus and then to himself, in the mirror there." He gestured to the mirror across the room. Harry turned and saw the Mirror of Eresid in the corner, and he had not noticed it before until now. He went over and touched the glass.

Edward went to his side, "What is it?"

Harry looked up and gestured to the script on the top. "Mirror of Eresid. It shows you your deepest desire."

Edward glanced in the mirror. "I don't see anything but you and me."

Harry smirked a bit and stepped away from the mirror. "And now?"

"Just you and me. Oh," Edward's eyes widened as he understood. "You're my deepest desire."

Harry returned to his side and kissed his cheek. "Move along, I think Snape left a message for me." Edward moved aside and waited. Harry looked at his reflection and waited. Then suddenly, Severus appeared behind him in the reflection. He watched as Severus spoke, and surprisingly he could hear the man's voice as if he was behind him.

"Harry, if you have learned the truth tonight of what you must do. I am very sorry that you have to learn about it. Remus informed me that you have changed, and now is a vampire. That changes everything. The only thing that can truly destroy you is fire other than being torn apart. If his horcrux is still in you, you know what to do." Then he faded away.

Harry frowned and stood there for a long minute, trying to comprehend the message. He turned to Edward. "He knew what I am and said the only way I can die is by fire."

"What does that mean?" Edward asked.

Turning to face his lover, Harry replied, "Avada Kedavra won't kill me. I think Snape is trying to tell me that the only way for me to die is by fire and that would destroy the Horcrux."

"That didn't help either." Edward deadpanned, gesturing to Harry's forehead where the scar was no longer red but a thin line of a bolt. "The Horcrux is gone. You do not need to die."

Harry rubbed his forehead, "I still need to go and face him. I have to."

"Why?" Edward asked desperation laced his voice. "I can understand if the Horcrux was in you and he would have to kill that. You have no more reasons to face him."

Harry shook his head, "I can't explain it." He clutched his abdomen, "I feel it in me that I need to. I have to."

Edward grabbed Harry's hand and shook his head. "No. You can't."

"The prophecy says I am the one to stop him. He still has Nagini."

"Harry," Edward implored.

Harry shook his head. "Edward. Even the short time we had, I do not regret it. Please, for me, if I die, live for me."

"Harry… no. You know we are mates, soul-mates."

"I don't want you to die. I want you to live."

Edward closed his eyes and nodded in defeat. He knew Harry would not change his mind. "Then, I'll stand by you to the end."

"That's all I ask, Edward." Harry softly said, cupping Edward's face and kissing his lips.

Edward grasped Harry around the waist and pulled him closer, kissing deeper. They shared their love for one another for few minutes, hands tracing where they could go, through each other's hair, down their necks, over shoulders, around the back, and down their arms. Finally, they broke apart.

"When we get there, use the cloak to hide yourself." Harry said.

"All right." Edward whispered, still holding onto Harry's hand. They turned and headed to the door; Edward gave one last look over his shoulder and saw Dumbledore watching them, with concerns on his face. He narrowed his eyes to the old man, and then the door closed.

Harry and Edward made their way through the hallway, moving around the debris of stones and broken walls. They found Ron and Hermione sitting at the edge of the stairs. They looked morose. They stood as they spotted them.

"I thought you went to the forest." Hermione said panic laced her voice.

"I'm going there now."

"Are you mad?" Ron asked.

"No."

"You can't give yourself up to him," Hermione whispered; tears started to flow down her cheeks.

Ron shook his head, "Harry, no."

"You know I must," Harry told them. They turned to Edward, hoping that he would side with them to prevent Harry from facing death. Edward shook his head and held onto Harry's hand. They gasped, and Hermione grabbed Harry once again, hugging him tightly.

Then she let him go. Harry told them, "Kill the snake. Then it's just him." They watched as Harry turned and left through the front entrance.

"I am getting tired of seeing him vanish like that," Ron softly said into Hermione's head. Tears fell from his eyes, disappearing into her curls.


Edward stared ahead to the dark forest. He curled his hand around Harry's. He could feel his love shaking slightly and could not blame him for being afraid. He was afraid too. He inhaled unnecessary breath.

They walked into the forest silently. They never broke apart. The sky was thick with clouds overhead, mixing in with the smoke and the acrid scent from the battle. The forest was also musty and ancient.

Edward missed the life and the bright greenness of the Olympic forest. The trees were tall, mysterious, full of life. But this Forbidden Forest, as the name said, was forbidding. Dark, ominous, and some things bump in the night hidden in the shadows. He had to smirk at the irony, he was one of those things, but he felt so out of place in the forest.

They ducked a thick rotting cobweb hanging down the trees and came to a small clearing. Dead leaves crunched underfoot. Harry stopped, and Edward looked at him, curious.

Harry pulled out a golden ball from his pocket. Edward curiously watched as the ball sprouted tiny wings, and they beat faster than hummingbird's wings, hovering in front of Harry's face. He could make out the tiny details on the surface of the ball and the words, 'I open at the close.'

His eyes shifted to Harry's face. He tried to listen in his lover's mind but found it silent. He frowned, realizing Harry was not occupying the occlumency, but his mind was blank except for an echo of resignation.

Harry grasped the ball gently, with fondness. He brought it to his lips and whispered, "I'm ready to die."

Edward tightened his hand on Harry's hand. He hated it, but he knew it had to be done. Harry wouldn't have it any other way. He trusted Harry implicitly.

The ball shifted, and the surface slid open, revealing a small compartment inside. A stone floated out. The golden snitch whizzed away as if it knew it no longer was needed. Harry grasped the tiny triangular stone into his palm. It rested there, hovering a mere inch.

Edward inhaled sharply, whispering for Harry. "The Resurrection Stone." It was real. The finality of knowing the Deathly Hallow was real sat heavy with him. He recalled Carlisle's words, Harry was the true Master of Death, and he shuddered.

"You've been so brave, sweetheart." Harry looked up, and his bottom lip quivered slightly. The shade of his mother stood before him, young, beautiful as she was before she died. She held up her hand to Harry.

Harry let go of Edward's hand and reached out. His hand passed through his mother's hand and withdrew, sorrow filling him. He glanced around, seeing his father, Sirius, and Remus beside them.

Edward looked around, taking in the shades of Harry's family. He recognized Remus first, then the other man, James, because Harry looked so much like him. Then the woman, he could see she once had brilliant red hair. It was her eyes that gave her away; she was Harry's mother. Then the rakish man in his 40s next to Remus, whom he figured was Sirius Black, Harry's beloved godfather.

"Why are you here?" Harry asked them. "All of you."

Lily replied, "We never left."

Harry nodded. He turned to Sirius and asked, "Does it hurt?"

Sirius cocked his head, a manner like a dog, "Dying?" He laughed, "you of all people asking us this?"

Harry smiled weakly. "I mean, passing on."

"Quicker than falling asleep," Sirius then replied.

James spoke, "You're nearly there, son." His voice held reverence and pride.

Harry clenched his hands by his sides. "I'm sorry. I never wanted any of you to die for me." He looked up to Remus, "And, Remus, your son?"

Remus smiled. "Others will tell him what his mother and father died for. One day, he'll understand."

Harry tilted his head in a single nod. He understood. He was the same, having lost his parents so young too. He looked up to them once again, taking in the sight of them. "You'll stay with me?"

Lily dipped her head, "Until the end."

Harry glanced to Edward, knowing he could see them. He turned back to them, "And he won't be able to see you?" He was referring to Voldemort.

James replied, "No."

Sirius raised his hand, pointing to Harry's heart, "We're here, you see."

"Stay close to me," Harry said.

"Always," Lily replied softly but soundly.

Then they faded away.

Harry glanced down to the stone in his hand. Edward stepped up to his side, pressing his chest close to his arm. He looked down at the black stone with the familiar symbol of Deathly Hallow etched inside.

Harry closed his hand, and there was a soft crunch. He opened his hand again; black powder sparkled and spilled down to the forest floor. "It will never be used again."

He looked at his lover's golden eyes. "When we get close, cover yourself and do not interfere."

Edward nodded and slipped his hand into Harry's hand, and they walked on deeper into the forest.


"No sign of him, My Lord." A Death Eater said.

Voldemort kept watching. He was disappointed. "I thought he'd come." He turned away, looking at the few Death Eaters that had accompanied him in the forest. Hagrid was tied up and, on his knees, two Death Eaters holding ropes, keeping him down.

Suddenly Hagrid cried out, "Harry, no!"

Voldemort turned to see Harry emerge through the forest, approaching the clearing. He held his hands to his side. He could see that the boy wasn't wielding his wand. He smirked.

"What're yeh doin' 'ere?" Hagrid cried, struggling against the chains that bound him.

Voldemort snapped, "Quiet!" and the half-giant silenced, slumping down in resignation.

The pale Dark Lord stepped forward, watching Harry, smiling. "Harry Potter... the Boy Who Lived... come to die." He swished his wand, shouting, "Avada Kedavra!"

Brilliant light exploded in the darkened forest, lighting up like a sun for a mere second before it became dark once again.

Harry collapsed and was still. Voldemort has thrown clear across the clearing back in the shockwave.


Harry opened his eyes and looked about. He was standing before a wide river. A bridge of twines, roots, and packed with dirt spanning across the river.

He looked around; he did not recognize the place, but he felt as if he should know it. He then looked back to the bridge to see an ominous figure appear, tall and gangly. He was shrouded in black, one bony hand holding a wicked-looking scythe.

"Death," Harry greeted the shrouded figure.

"Indeed. You evaded your time a few weeks ago."

Harry nodded. "Yes, I wasn't ready to die then."

"And now?" Death asked.

Harry looked down at his hands. Blood started to appear on them, staining them. He softly gasped as pain bloomed in his chest and saw the familiar gash from neck to hip, blood pouring down his front. He looked up at Death again.

He replied, "If I must, then yes."

"Yet, you have all the hallows." Death's gravelly voice rattled as he leaned forward, hanging heavily on his scythe. He towered over Harry at ten feet tall, ominous and foreboding. "I cannot touch you."

"I destroyed one of them," Harry said.

"It's a mere stone." Death told him. "The power had always been in you."

"Oh," Harry said, mildly surprised. Then he blinked, "But I do not possess the Elder Wand."

Death chuckled a rattling laugh. "You obtained the power not too long ago." He gestured to Harry's pocket by his side.

Harry looked down and pulled out a straight hawthorn wand, realization dawned in his eyes, and he looked up to Death. "It was him. By taking the wand from him, the power of the Elder Wand belongs to me?"

"Yes." Death held out a bony finger, and the whiteness was bright against the black swirly mist that made up the robe. "Undead you are, yet you hold your soul. Only you must be destroyed for me to take... but you,"

Harry was intrigued; he understood what Death was referring to. Vampires were the only undead creatures that still retained their souls. It has long been known that the only way they die was to be destroyed, yet, "But me?" he asked.

Death, despite having no face, Harry could sense, smiled. "Must be willingly to release your soul to me."

"So, it's possible?"

"You are here now." He moved to the edge of the bridge, raising his arm to the other side. "Choose to cross or go back. The power is yours."

Harry stood there as he processed what Death was telling him. "So, I can choose to go back."

"Thrice you faced me, will you choose third time to go back?"

Harry looked over his shoulder and blinked. The forest laid out before him. He could see the clearing where he had met up with Voldemort. His body was on the ground. Opposite of the clearing was Voldemort, blasted back from the curse. Bellatrix was hovering over him. The other Death Eaters crowded around them, looking surprised. And Hagrid, kneeling with his head bowed, tears down his face.

Everything was still, like a scene frozen in time.

Then he saw a slight distortion near his body; it was Edward under the cloak.

He turned back to Death. "I destroyed one hallow, I will destroy the others. No one should have that much power. It ends with me. I will come to you when it is time."

"So be it," Death replied. "I shall wait for you."


Edward's eyes widened in shock as the green beam of light shot toward Harry. He jolted as Harry was struck and crumbled to the ground. He clenched his chest; he had felt the spell hit. The bright light exploded, sending a small shockwave in the area. He saw Voldemort thrown back several yards and fell to the ground, groaning. He wondered if the spell could kill vampires. After all, they were considered undead, and the spell meant to kill a living being.

His eyes went to his lover, and he bit his lips. He promised Harry he would not interfere. He stared at the prone figure, so many things reeling in his mind.

"My Lord!" Bellatrix shrieked. "My Lord... are you hurt?"

Voldemort snarled and sat up. He rubbed his head. "I don't need your help." He snapped at her, and she cowered away. He glanced to where Harry laid prone. "The boy... is he dead?"

Narcissa swallowed and strode forward.

Edward watched as Narcissa approach. He could hear her mind, questioning if Harry still lives or not, if her son was safe and alive.

Edward blinked as he heard a mind among the many and felt shudder of relief fill him. "Edward, I'm okay. Just be quiet."

He was close enough to touch Harry. He reached out to the hand that was closest to him and squeezed a finger to let Harry know he heard him.

Narcissa knelt beside Harry; she reached out and touched his chest and softly gasped. In her mind, all she could think that Harry was dead; there was no heartbeat.

"Oh..." she murmured. She leaned forward, her head close to Harry's ear, and whispered. "I am so sorry. Forgive us. I had hoped you would still survive the curse again. There is no hope for us."

"There still is hope," Harry replied ever softly, not betraying his pseudo-death.

Narcissa's eyes widened. New questions rolled through her mind. Then she settled for one, "Draco, is he alive?"

Harry tilted his head in a tiny movement.

Narcissa stood up, squaring her shoulders, and turned back to Voldemort and announced, "Dead."

Hagrid wailed.


AN:

I decided to release this earlier than this weekend. It was already long enough and finished.

Another encounter with Death… so that's why he had to face Voldemort after all.

Up next: Conclusion of the Battle. But not quite finished. There are still few things left to deal with.

Your reviews, favoriting, and following the story are very encouraging! Love to you all!