And here we are at the conclusion of Book 6! R&R and enjoy! ~F

Epilogue

The Road Goes Ever On and On…

Draco watched as the Hogwarts Express disappeared out of view from the Hogsmeade Station, leaving puffs of white smoke as the only sign of its passing. He, Harry, and Faykan had once again remained in the village to see off the rest of the students before they were to apparate back to Orthanc.

"I feel that we need to tarry just a few moments more," Faykan said curiously. Draco was confused as to why Fay felt that way, but he followed without complaint as they strolled casually through the streets of the wizarding village. Many of the shops were boarding up, and Draco could feel the anxiety of the villagers at the events of so few days ago.

"...can't bear to stay, not without Dumbledore..." a shop owner was saying to a questioning passerby as the three Gryffindor boys walked near. "It's just not safe anymore."

As the other villager was nodding in agreement, a sharp cry rang out from overhead. Fawkes, the Phoenix that previous was Dumbledore's companion swooped down to land on Harry's shoulder, crooning in a sympathetic way that immediately caught the attention of the nearby people.

Slow murmurs started, especially after they realized that it was the Boy-Who-Lived who was companions with the marvelous bird. "Mr. Potter!" a wizard called as he stepped forward, "what should we do? Dumbledore dead, the village is all but defenseless, isn't there anything that you can do to protect us?"

Draco started to turn to Faykan, wondering himself what the Istari would respond, when Harry surprised even him, "Courage is your best defense now," he said firmly, "Voldemort would have you all cowering in fear at even the mention of him or his power. That power is so easily broken when not one, but many stand up to him and refuse to be cowed." the man looked somewhat deflated, and Draco inwardly frowned at the desperation in the man's eyes.

But Harry wasn't finished there, "As to what I plan to do? I will not stand idly by and wait for him to come out into the open again. I and those I fight alongside will seek out his strongholds and his other bastions of power and destroy them utterly!"

The people cheered, some with more excitement than others, and Draco caught Faykan's smile as he observed Harry's effective boost to the people's moral. Eyes locked, and Draco was confused when Faykan motioned silently for him to step forward and speak as well. Nerves started to creep up his spine, but the voice of Eldarion in his ear guided him.

The people hushed when he stepped forward, "I..." he started, gathering his fledgling Gryffindor courage, "I know what terror you are all going through, this darkness threatens us all equally. My own home and family were utterly ruined by the action of Voldemort. But I tell you now, that nothing will stop us if we band together to fight off his path of domination. Voldemort will answer for the burning of the lands of Germany! He will answer for the lives of the students slain at Hogwarts this year! And we will see peace and prosperity return to our lands, with his wickedness and evil utterly destroyed, and every one of his followers slain to the last man!"

The crowd cheered again, their fear turning toward courage and faith in their own abilities. "We go now, to rally our forces and combat this evil!" Draco continued, "Do what you must to protect your families, but remember that your fear of Voldemort is his power, give him none of it!"

From behind them, Faykan stepped up and whispered, "Well done." as he held out a small portkey for them to take. The cheers of the crowd of wizards rang in Draco's ears as they whirled through space back toward the stronghold of Isengard.

~~Sina tea kirma : This is a line break~~

Bellatrix was relieved to know that her Lord was pleased with the death of Dumbledore, despite the numbers they lost and the awakening of the Potter boy to his full power. The Dark Lord was not worried about the boy, regardless of however strong he may have become. The powerful wizard had overcome death itself, he could not be defeated, and Bellatrix would give her life before allowing harm to come to Lord Voldemort.

She was on her way to meet with him now, for training to prepare her for when she crossed wands with Alatar once again, which they both knew would happen eventually. Skipping through the halls toward the sub-levels of Malfoy Manor, Bellatrix hummed to herself some song she remembered from a long time ago, before the dementors.

When she arrived, the Dark Lord ushered her inside without a word of greeting. Such was his way now, cold and aloof to the majority of his followers, acting all the more as the Dark Lord of the earth ought to. But here, in private, his true feelings and intentions shone through. "Bellatrix..." he said in a near hiss.

"Yes my Lord," she responded, bowing to his magnificence.

"You have served me well, dear Bella, and have done much to aid me in my cause to unify the wizarding world and stamp out the muggle blight upon it."

"And I will yet do more my Lord," she said happily.

The Dark Lord stood silently for a moment, before beckoning her toward the far wall, where a massive basin of water-like liquid sat. "Come Bella, another of my plan is nearing fruition, and I'd care for you to witness it."

She obeyed, approaching and gazing down into the liquid, which rippled and swirled with magic of its own. A swish of the Dark Lord's wand, and the basin shimmered, becoming transparent, like a window pointing downward into a deep abyss. The view was that of a massive mountain, sitting alone in a valley near the edge of a massive lake.

"See the first of my massive engagements of this war," the Dark Lord said proudly, "the Dwarves of Erebor think themselves allies of the men of the west. They will learn the tragedy that will befall all those who stand against me..."

Bella couldn't help but cackle in glee as the army of orcs appeared in view, banners flying in the speed of their march as they surged forward on the mountain.

War had come to the north lands.

~~Sina tea kirma : This is a line break~~

Harry landed gracefully as the portkey deposited them before the main doors of Orthanc. He had not imagined that people would seek him out for reassurance against Voldemort, but it was an opportunity that he was most grateful to have had.

He turned to thank Faykan for that time to speak with the villagers of Hogsmeade, but stopped when he saw Faykan face turned upward with concern. Following his gaze, Harry's eyes widened when he saw the mass of black bird swarming toward them. They weren't Crebain, the birds were far too large, but similar in shape and coloring.

"What are they?" Draco whispered from next to them.

"Ravens of the Iron Hills," Faykan responded grimly. "They are the messengers of the Dwarves from the north, and they can only be baring one message..."

"What?" Draco pressed, but Harry had understood immediately by Faykan's mood.

"They are under attack..." he answered.

Potential Spoilers Ahead, You Have Been Warned

Not much to say here, rounded off conclusion to book 6, and a cliff hanger into book 7. Until next week! ~F