Disclaimer I don't own Harry Potter. All rights to the characters and universe the story belongs in belong to JK Rowling

Chapter 15 - The Raid

Harry was sat in the stands of the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch next to Ron and Hermione in eager excitement of the days game. Gryffindor vs Slytherin was always highly anticipated and as much as he wanted to be out there playing Harry was looking forward to watching Ginny fly without worrying about a bludger hitting him for not concentrating.

'What do you reckon then Harry?' asked Ron.

'From what Ginny's told me Gryffindor should win, the only part she wasn't sure of was the seeker. I think his name's Riley Cooper, but I don't remember him. He was quite a few years below us I think.'

'Yeah, I don't remember him either, what's the problem?'

'He's a bit shy of the bludgers. Ginny's worried about him pulling out of a catch to avoid them.'

'What's her plan then?'

'Get one hundred and fifty points in front. By then in won't matter.' Said Harry matter-of-factly. 'Here they come.'

The commentator's voice surrounded the ground 'Here come the two teams. Weasley has put together a strong team this year with many experienced faces in the fold. The only unknown is their young seeker, but Cooper wouldn't be here if he wasn't good enough.'

'Who is that commentating?' Asked Ron.

'Chris Asherwood, he's a Hufflepuff prefect.' Answered Hermione knowledgably.

'Perry on the Slytherin side has changed the team greatly and many Slytherins have been calling for change now that it has been over five years since their last cup win. The usual ruggedness has been left out with some true technical quality being introduced. This should be a very good game.

'The teams are in position and the bludgers are released, followed by the golden snitch. For those of you new to Quidditch, the game only ends when the snitch is caught and catching it gets you one hundred and fifty points for your team. Usually if you catch the snitch you win the game. Madam Hooch releases the quaffle and the game begins.'

The game began at a frightening pace and Harry was impressed with the quality of both teams' chasers. The commentator was right, Slytherin hadn't come to bully Gryffindor, they had come to outplay them. Not that that was an easy thing to do.

'Weasley beats one and plays a quick give and go with Robins to fool another. She races away to the hoops, the keeper prepares and goes for her near hoop as Weasley throws SHE'S GIVEN THE KEEPER THE EYES WITH A FANTASTIC BLIND PASS TO THOMAS WHO HAS THE EASIEST GOAL OF HIS LIFE 50-40 TO GRYFFINDOR.'

Harry cheered loudly 'Ginny's playing brilliantly!' he shouted.

'Both sets of beaters are having great games here and are stopping both teams from getting away in this match. The experience of the Gryffindor chasers is starting to tell though as the game wears on. WAIT WHAT'S THAT, YES I THINK HE'S SEEN THE SNITCH, COOPER IS DIVING FOR THE SNITCH OHHHH that was close some nice play by Beaumont the Slytherin beater. The bludger didn't make its mark but it did scare the seeker off and the snitch has disappeared.'

'That's what Ginny was worried about.' Grumbled Harry in frustration.

'He'll get another go.' Said Ron obviously not as worried.

'I wouldn't be so sure he was lucky to be so close to the snitch when he saw it. If he hadn't of been the Slytherin Seeker would have been all over that after he pulled out.'

'That's a great interception by Weasley, who drops the quaffle to Robins, Robins then launches the quaffle forwards and Thomas wins it after some great battling with Rinder. He squares to Weasley who dodges a bludger and rolls out the way of a charging Greenhill.

'Weasley fly's towards goal, SHE'S ALL ON HER OWN WITH THE KEEPER TO BEAT, CAN SHE KEEP HER HEAD? THERE'S YOUR ANSWER, COOL AS YOU LIKE, SHE FEINTS AND SLOTS IT INTO THE MIDDLE HOOP. What a game Weasley is having that's five goals now and three assists. 110-60 to Gryffindor.

'PERRY'S MAKING A MOVE I THINK SHE'S SEEN THE SNITCH SHE'S SHOT UPWARDS AND HAS VEERED TO HER RIGHT. COOPER'S CLOSING IN, WILL HE GET THERE IN TIME? PERRY'S SWERVED TO HER LEFT HAND OUTSTRETCHED' There was an almighty crack 'OW THAT HAS GOT TO HURT AS PEAKES HITS HER IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH A BLUDGER. I THINK SHE'S OUT FOLKS.

'THAT HASN'T STOPPED COOPER THOUGH HE'S CAUGHT UP TO THE SNITCH AND FOLLOWED INTO A DIVE HAND OUTSTRETCHED. HE'S MADE A GRAB! HAS HE GOT IT? YES, HE HAS, COOPER HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH after some fantastic beater work from Peakes to remove Perry from equation.

'Gryffindor win 260-60 so congratulations to them and commiserations to Slytherin, they were close to winning this game. We do hope Perry is OK.'

The Gryffindor team flew down in a huddle as Harry and the rest of their supporters cheered. Once they were out of the huddle, they started to make their way to the changing rooms and Harry made his way down to meet the captain.

He waited outside and was talking to Riley Cooper about the game when she finally emerged last of the team. When he saw her, he said bye to Riley and walked over to meet her at the door. 'You were brilliant' was all he managed to say before she unceremoniously dragged him inside.

She shoved him onto one of the benches and straddled his lap kissing him fiercely 'How was it?' she finally asked when she came up for air.

'Amazing, it was a great game to watch.'

'I'm surprised the Slytherins played the way they did.'

'Yeah well they've had no success bullying their opposition recently, why not be entertaining? Next year they'll be better.'

'Well next year I won't be here, so they'll have an easier job of it.' She said sticking her nose in the air without a hint of modesty, before chuckling, ruining the effect.

'Well you're full of confidence.'

'Yeah I really enjoyed that.' She laughed 'It's great to be playing again and the teams playing really well.'

'Yeah they are. You need to work on Cooper though.' Harry said seriously.

'Was he that bad?'

'He's a good flyer but he was lucky Perry got taken out of the game. He needs to lose the fear of getting hurt, it should have been over the first time he dived for the snitch.'

'I'll work with him.' Despite the small criticism of her team she couldn't keep the grin off her face. Basking in her joy Harry kissed her again, Ginny deepened it eliciting a groan from him. After a while Harry moved to the spot on her neck just underneath her ear she liked so much.

'Oh Harry' She moaned blissfully.

He pulled back slightly, 'We best not go too far in case we get caught.'

'Spoil sport.' She chastised playfully and resumed kissing him. Sometime later they left the changing rooms and headed, hand in hand, towards the school gates.

'You'll be careful on the raid won't you?' Ginny asked him worriedly.

'I'll be as careful as possible. I don't plan on letting anything happen to me, I've got to much going for me at the minute.' He told her nudging her arm gently.

'Make sure you contact me once it's over so that I know you're OK.'

'I will.'

'This time don't go to breakfast before the hospital if you need to go.'

'I won't.'

'Get some sleep, make sure you're well rested.' He smiled fondly at her 'What are you smiling at?' Ginny demanded.

'Nothing, it's comforting to know you worry about me.'

'Well you are rich and a top shag.' She said with a wicked gleam in her eye.

'Oh, are they the only reasons you're worried?' He teased, with a feigned hurt expression.

'Actually, they are the last reasons why I'm worried about you.' She said returning to seriousness 'Please don't get hurt.' The worry was etched on her face.

They stopped at the gate and Harry cupped her cheek. 'I'll be OK Gin and it'll be over before you know it OK? Make sure you get some sleep as well.' She just nodded. 'I'll call you on your mirror as soon as it's safe to do so. I've told Leanne and Dave about the mirror too so if something does happen, they can tell you.'

'Don't talk like that.' She said, harsher than she intended.

'I just don't want you left in the dark. I promise you will know.'

She stood on her toes to reach up and kiss him again. 'Good luck, I love you and I'll speak to you when your back safe and sound.'

'Sounds good to me. I love you too. Now go and enjoy the party.'

'I will.'

Harry walked out of the gate and gave Ginny one last wave before apparating away. Ginny just watched the spot where he had vanished hoping he would come back safely.

It was raining when Harry and the rest of the Aurors arrived at the entrance to the Underworld Society headquarters on Monday night. Some of them went immediately to deal with the muggles in the area. They then added security wards to stop any unwanted visitors while the raid was being held.

Harry was nervous with anticipation, it wasn't the fearful kind of nervousness, they were excited nerves. Similar to what he used to get when playing in big Quidditch games at Hogwarts, he knew the danger, yet that didn't stop him thriving on the adrenaline rush.

That's how he knew he was meant to be an Auror, he saw the same excitement in his colleagues, for the most part anyway. Knowing there was little point in stealth due to the alarms on the entrance, Harry strolled confidently to the mural on the wall, tapped his wand on the tip of the wolfs tail and with a determined smile confidently said 'Wolfblood.'

The effect was instantaneous the wolf lay down and yawned, Harry led the other Aurors through the entrance, pointed his wand at the stairs and shouted 'Glisseo' the stairs turned in a chute and Harry slid down it like riding a helter-skelter.

For the short ride, he was partly reminded of his journey through the sewage pipes to the Chamber of Secrets. He instantly put those thoughts to the back of his mind though, he didn't need the distraction today. He shot out the bottom knocking over two men who had got to the stairs first but obviously didn't expect him to be at the bottom so quickly.

It was chaos. A loud caterwauling charm was going and there were twenty witches and wizards in the main room with more on the way. Harry was instantly under fire with very little cover, his quickly erected shield saved him from being stunned immediately. He moved to his left and pointed his wand at the floor near five of his combatants yelling 'Confringo!'

They were instantly blasted of their feet, blooded from the explosion it caused. Harry didn't have time to worry about whether they were dead, there would be time for that later. As the Aurors started arriving thick and fast behind him.

Heart pumping, Harry started trading curses with three opponents, before they could bog him down two of them were hit with stunners from Aurors. The reprieve was all he needed to stun the other. That's when he saw two masks figures run down the corridor towards Younis Priory's office.

Harry took off after them, with the group of Aurors he was working with in hot pursuit. As soon as he entered the corridor though there was an almighty slamming noise from behind. He spun around and too his dismay saw a huge door now blocking the path leaving him alone. He didn't stop to think about it, he knew the others would catch up when they could, so he carried on down the corridor.

He rounded the corner and his quick reflexes saved him as he threw himself at the far wall to avoid the two jets of green light that sailed to the side of him. Harry launched his counterattack immediately firing a stunning spell at the figure to the right, hitting them in the chest, and pushing himself of the wall to avoid the retaliation curse from their associate.

He whipped his wand around and sent a cutting curse back which missed and meant he had to throw his shield up to block the stunner that was sent his way. He then sidestepped another killing curse and with a twirl of his wand disarmed his opponent and immediately stunned them.

He bound the two but before he could remove their masks there was a loud hiss and the sound of hinges squealing. The large silver door at the end of the corridor opened and a tall man wearing blood red robes stepped out. He was even more intimidating in person, his stride was commanding and his dark eyes burned with hate.

Harry levelled his wand at the man 'Younis Priory, I assume.'

'You assume correctly Mr Potter,' Priory's voice was like treacle and his tone excited 'I have been waiting for this moment for so long now.' Before Harry could respond he took a swig from a vial he was holding.

The effect was instantaneous, Harry watched in horror, backing away as Younis Priory began to transform. His muscles grew and shredded the clothes he was wearing, his face elongated, a thick layer of fur coated his body, his hands and feet became claw like, and his incisors grew into fangs while his other teeth became sharp and pointed.

'Merlin, that's new.' Harry muttered to himself appalled. The werewolf gave a menacing growl, flashing his teeth, and pounced. Harry spun out of the way just in time, Priory was much more in control than the werewolves Harry fought in Hogsmeade though, he instantly pivoted and followed Harry with series of deadly blows.

In similar fashion to sword fighting Harry blocked each swipe of the werewolve's claws with a shield charm. He was being forced backwards quickly though and he fell over the legs of one of the men he had stunned earlier.

He landed hard on his back and just avoided banging his head on the stone floor. Priory jumped on him going straight for the jugular. Kicking hard, Harry sent him over his head and sprawling to the floor.

Harry brought himself up and slashed hard with his wand 'Sectumsempra' blood poured out of the chest of the werewolf, this only seemed to enrage him and with a howl of pain he was straight on the offensive. The ferocity of his attack was enough to send Harry flying into the wall despite his hastily implemented shield.

Upon impact with the ground, Harry rolled away from the next onslaught, firing instinctively as he went. This time his curse caught Priory in the eye and streaked down the side of his face. Disorientated from the pain and half-blindness, Priory stumbled, Harry was about to stun him when a curse struck him, lifting him into the air and slamming him against the wall causing him to drop his wand.

Sliding down the wall and landing on his arse with his legs out in front of him Harry looked up at his attacker, whilst fumbling for his wand. He was average height, had short brown hair and bright blue eyes. His face was contorted in fury 'Get out of here, we're leaving.' He shouted at Priory, kicking the werewolf in the ribs as he went past.

He pointed his wand at Harry 'Avada Kedavra!'

Harry got to his wand just in time and raised it with a spell forming on his lips, an image of Ginny at the forefront of his mind 'EXPECTO PATRONUM' the silver Stallion burst from his wand and met the killing curse head on. Both wizards had sweat on their brow as they fought to overpower the other.

The attacker broke the connection and fled towards the door that he came from. Harry was hot on his heels, the room was some kind of laboratory. There were Cauldrons on the worktops with steam billowing out of them. Sensing he was being pursued the wizard started waving his wand causing the cauldrons to spill their contents in which Harry unfortunately slipped.

Cursing Harry got back to his feet and continued his pursuit, barrelling out of a door at the back of the laboratory. He found himself on an old abandoned trainline. The roof had collapsed to his right so he ran following the tracks to the left. After sprinting down the line for a couple of minutes he came to an old station and climbed off the tracks.

He was at the bottom of some stairs that he assumed led to the surface when he was on the receiving end of a barrage of spells from two masked assailants. He blocked their attacks and backed into the station to find cover behind a stone pillar.

'So, Potty's come to play has he?' Asked a woman venomously.

'I do believe so sister yes.'

Hatred spread through Harry's veins like an ice-cold fire, he would recognise those voices anywhere. Harry stepped out from behind the pillar, emerald eyes ablaze. 'You two really shouldn't have come here. You'll pay for the suffering you caused.' Promised Harry, letting his anger seep through his voice.

The Carrow's paled at the look in Harry's eyes, they hadn't seen such cruel eyes since they witnessed the Dark Lord punish those who had failed him. Shaking they barely raised their wands to defend themselves when Harry began his attack.

Wielding his wand with the precision of butcher with knife, Harry pushed the Carrow's back. He quickly gained the upper hand and sliced through Alecto's side causing her to double over in pain, his next spell broke the leg of Amycus who dropped his wand as he collapsed to the floor.

He ruthlessly brought his wand back down on Alecto like a whip causing her to drop her wand as a cut rose from her knuckles up to her elbow, he then cast the leg locker curse on Alecto causing his broken leg to straighten painfully. The two Carrow's retreated, pushing themselves along the floor away from the advancing Harry until their backs hit the wall.

'Go on Potty, you haven't got it in you.' Taunted Amycus, though his voice betrayed any confidence in the statement.

Harry pointed his wand between the man's eyes.

'HARRY DON'T!' It was Trott. Harry didn't move 'Please Harry, don't do this.'

'They tortured her, and countless others.' His voice still carried the same hate as earlier and caused Trott to wince. She could guess who "her" was, Trott was fairly certain it was a rather pretty redhead.

'I know Harry and we'll make sure they pay for what they've done. We can't do that if you kill them.' She said pleadingly. She cautiously walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder 'Ginny wouldn't want you to do this.'

Her name seemed to do the trick his shoulders slumped and he stunned the two Death Eaters. Trott smiled and bound them with ropes. 'Come on let's get back to the others.' They levitated the Carrow's back through to where the raid was taking place.

'How is the raid going?' Asked Harry, Trott was pleased to hear his voice was going back to normal, however, the topic wasn't as welcome.

'It's pretty much over now. It was chaos, there were more than we were expecting and some got locked in the other corridor like you did. We managed to open the door after clearing the initial room and that's when the trouble started. I don't know how but they've developed something that allows them to transform outside of a full moon.'

Harry merely grunted in response.

'You don't look surprised.' Said Trott.

'I met Younis Priory, he used the same trick.'

'Ah, anyway that caught us off guard. It's lucky the vampire isn't here. We'd have been in even more trouble.'

'Is everyone going to be OK?' He asked hopefully.

Trott closed her eyes momentarily 'We have seven going to St Mungo's with injuries, one of which has been bitten'

'Shit'

'It gets worse. We have two dead.'

Harry messaged his forehead and croakily asked the inevitable 'Who?'

'Leroy Kellerhan and Jaun Truada, I'm not sure you knew him he was one of the foreign support Aurors.'

'I didn't know him and I didn't know Kellerhan well but he seemed like a good man.'

'Yeah he was.'

'Who was bitten?'

'Matteus Garcia. He was another of the foreign supports.'

'Will he be a full werewolf?'

'I don't know' she answered truthfully 'I suppose it's most likely, we'll have to wait for the healer's opinion.'

'Are there any dead on their side?'

'No, but they do have wounded.'

They walked back in silence after that and when they reached the main room of the headquarters Harry took in the aftermath of the raid. He stopped by the two dead bodies to close their eyes then took a look at the remaining Aurors. They were all sporting injuries of some kind and the on-field medics were tending to those who needed immediate attention.

As he calmed down and started handing out various pain killing potions he started to realize how close he came to crossing a line he never thought he would. He could justify it, saying he was caught up in battle, unfortunately he knew that wasn't the case. He would have killed the Carrow's willingly if Trott hadn't interfered.

The thought sickened him, he'd obviously killed before, there was little choice though with Voldemort. Here he did have a choice, he was at the point of no return and was close to jumping in head first.

What would Ginny have thought if I had done it? What would any of my friends thought? I was closer to being Voldemort today than I ever was as a horcurux. As that thought struck him his legs started shaking, causing him to sit down hugging his legs towards his chest tightly. He was disgusted with himself, it didn't matter that he didn't actually kill them, he would of done. Of that he was certain.

'We need someone to take these Aurors to St Mungo's and guard them until morning. Any volunteers?' Asked Trott.

Keen for something to do to take his mind off his almost disastrous actions. Harry stood up and walked over 'I'll take them.'

She looked at him sceptically 'Are you sure Potter? You look like you need a break.' She continued in a whisper 'This has been tough on you take a break and go home.' Her concern was palpable.

He shook his head 'I need something to do. I can't sleep now anyway.' His voice was shaky. Trott didn't argue and simply helped him organise everyone he was taking.

He had been on guard for over four hours when the relief team finally turned up, he thanked them and stepped through the floo to his flat. He was surprised to see Trott and O'Manda waiting for him, both had been served a cup of coffee by Kreacher.

'Hi guys, what are you doing here?' he asked tiredly, he just wanted to sleep. He hadn't even spoke to Ginny yet, he was unsure he could face her.

'We're worried about you.' Said O'Manda. 'Do you want to talk about it?'

'There's not much to say.' Said Harry bitterly 'I was about to cross a line that I wouldn't have been able to come back from.'

'Would master Harry like a drink?' Asked Kreacher from the kitchen.

'Sorry Kreacher, I didn't see you there. Could I have a hot chocolate please?'

'Certainly.' Kreacher busied himself boiling some more water and Harry sat down in a comfy armchair next to the sofa Trott and O'Manda were sitting on. He just sat staring blankly at the floor, he didn't notice the worried glance that his two colleagues threw at each other.

Trott leaned over and placed her hand over his own 'We've all been there Harry. I know you don't believe me, and you think I'm trying to make you feel better but it's true.'

'Aye,' agreed O'Manda 'I remember, it was a couple of years after I became a fully-fledged Auror back home, we were on a case of a rapist. He had raped four women we knew of in Belfast, and as we closed in on him he seemed to realise which Aurors were after him.

'Suffice to say he went after my partner. She was a fair looking girl called Shana, one day she was walking home from the pub when he jumped her. Luckily, she hadn't had quite as much as normal and manged to hold them off until I got there. The whole department was in uproar, we look after our own you see.

'I found the fucker first, I cut his hand off duelling him and I was about to kill him when Shana stopped me. She knew I would never have forgiven myself if I went through with it. In the end he got sent down for life and I think he got the Dementor's kiss.

'So, I know what you're going through Harry. None of us think any worse of you for it, don't beat yourself up about it. Get some sleep you'll feel better when you wake up.'

'I'm not so sure. I've only felt fury like that a couple of times before and those times they weren't my emotions.' Harry said bitterly sipping his Hot Chocolate, still not looking up from the floor.

'What do you mean Harry? How can you feel someone else's emotions?' Asked Trott gently.

Harry shivered and not from the cold. 'I could feel his emotions, I could feel Voldemort's as if they were my own.' O'Manda and Trott both looked physically repulsed, they didn't recoil though.

'That must have been some piece of legilimency to break into his mind Harry. Why would you even want to?' Asked Trott, her voice full of the revulsion.

'I didn't have a choice. We shared' he hesitated, he trusted his colleagues but only a few knew of the horcruxes. For now, he decided on a partial truth 'We shared a connection. We could see into each other's minds.'

He knew they saw his cover up for what it was, fortunately they didn't press the issue. 'That must have been horrible.' Muttered O'Manda 'Look Harry just because you have only ever felt true anger before through Voldemort doesn't make you a bad person. You and Voldemort are nothing alike, nothing.'

Harry had to bite back a laugh 'Aren't we? As far as I can see I am very much like Voldemort.' When he saw the horror struck faces of his colleagues he continued 'We are both smart and work tirelessly to get what we want, we were both orphans and never knew we were wizards until we turned eleven – despite coming from old wizarding families – we even felt the same way about Hogwarts.

'It was the first place either of us were at home. The only real difference is our choices, for the most part he chose to lash out at the world. Striving for power so he could make us all feel the same fear he had. I like to think I made better ones.'

'Exactly, it's your choices that count.' Said Trott kindly 'You chose not to kill today.'

'I would have done if you hadn't stopped me.'

'I didn't stop you, I asked you to stop. You had a wand didn't you? You still could have killed them.'

'Maybe.' He said quietly, really wanting to believe what she was saying.

'Get some sleep Harry, we'll see you on Thursday morning. Write out your report from home tomorrow OK?' With that Trott and O'Manda rose to leave. Harry embraced the pair thanking them.