Henry's wand swiftly made an intricate pattern in the air, projecting a Protego Diabolica around his himself, with dark flames destroying the wave of dark crimson magical energy that Rias had sent agaisnt him. He let himself a quick breath of air, while he mentally called upon Irene for the fourth time. And just like three times before, she didn't respond to his summon, making him groan and mentally curse her very name and existence in hearts. She was supposed to be the main protector of House Le Fay, and now the very House she was supposed to be protecting was in danger of being destroyed. And she wasn't here to protect it!
Less than half a minute after her initial attack failed, Rias' magic flowed out of her hand once more. The dark flames once more met with Rias' magic, but this time, Henry's most powerful shield had cracked under the sheer might of half-Devil Le Fay. Crimson energy rushed towards him, and had Henry's instincts not been honed through training with Irene prior, he wouldn't have been able to apparate out of the spot, before it got demolished by the destructive magic. Rias' eyes widened slightly when she saw that she hit nothing but dirt and ground, before she started to look for her prey.
"Fulgur Maxima!" Rias' ears heard a shout from behind her, followed the very next second by an immensely powerful blue lightning striking her.
Henry channeled his magical power through his wand, sending one his most powerful spells at Rias. He had wished that the Le Fay witch would fall from this attack, but he was wrong, as he saw a familiar crimson aura surround her form and protect her. He saw that she was channeling most of her power into the defense, and that Henry was actually straining her with his attack. Knowing that his own magical reserves may not be enough, Prince Le Fay called upon the magic of his land, letting it flow through his form and empower him. With a roar, he unleashed that stored up energy at Rias, enhancing his lightning and breaking her barrier. Her body was struck the next second, sending her flying away from him and into the ground.
Breaking off his magical spell, Henry nearly stumbled back, but had managed to stabilize him from falling down. Casting a quick glance at the lying form of Rias, he saw that she had lost conciseness, but wasn't too hurt, with only a few slight burns and burnt up clothing on her. Her barrier had managed to withstand the majority of power, and so it had saved her life, as she was only hit by minimal power from his Fulgur Maxima. Still, at least he had managed to knock her out, giving him the needed opportunity to collect his thoughts and take a breather.
Henry's mind immediately began to analyze what Rias had told him earlier, trying to figure out how was she here. She had claimed to be the daughter of Artorius Le Fay and Irene, with former being his predecessor as Prince Le Fay, according to the records of Le Fay House. Those same records did state that Artorius was married to a member of House Ravenclaw and had children with her, but all of them were killed, and there were no records about Rias and Irene being a wife of Artorius. That could mean that either record were tempered with, possibly by Irene herself, or that it wasn't common knowledge of Irene and Artorius' relationship, and that Rias was born out of wedlock and officially made Le Fay later.
Either way, Henry was completely certain that Rias had the magic of House Le Fay in her, as well as demonic powers of her mother, Irene Belserion. Thanks to a special training room, inside which time ran slower than in real life, Henry had the opportunity to train with Irene, to get more powerful and practice new and powerful ways of magic, and through those training sessions, he had memorized the magical signature of Irene. That same signature was present on Rias, which did confirm to Henry that Rias was indeed daughter of Irene. However there was still the elephant in the room that required solving:
How the hell was she alive, if she was supposed to have died ages ago?
Wiping off himself sweat, Harry spoke out loud.
"Irene, I don't know what you are doing, but if you don't get your demonic behind here the next second, I swear to God, I'll kill your daughter through Crucio right now!" Henry decided to play this card, and it worked, as Irene immediately appeared in front of him, obstructing his view from Rias.
"Milord, please, don't…" For the first time, Henry could hear genuine pleas and concern in Irene's voice, before he interrupted.
"I'm not into torturing people, and you know it well, but that doesn't excuse you not coming here earlier." Harry stated to her, with her looking truly ashamed. "Now, do you mind explaining to me, how is that the very day I find out that one of my loves is kidnapped, your daughter comes here, practically from the Dark Ages, and attacks me, rightful Prince Le Fay?!"
"I…I have no idea, milord. I was certain that my daughter had died in an ambush, set by House Le Fay's enemies, with no traces of her left." Irene told him genuinely, before turning to face her. "But… It is her. She looks j-just the same as I remember her, not a day older. It isn't some kind of Necromancy, or a trick like with Pollyjuice Potion, no… It really is my Rias, my daughter…"
"I've figured that one out, but why didn't you stop her when she attacked me? And don't give me the mother's excuse. You could've stopped either of us without harming us." Harry pointed out to her, with Irene sighing.
"The binding contract I have formed with Morgana ensures that I never turn my magic against any member of House Le Fay, and even if I did, I would simply reverse the magic done on you the very next moment, like I did with you in our first meeting." Irene informed Harry. "In essence, I can't use magic of any kind of offence, be it harmful or not. This prerogative is just as powerful as is my main duty to protect House Le Fay from destruction, a duty in which I had failed once." She looked sorrowfully at her daughter, who was starting to stir up and regain light in the eyes.
"Is there any way to work around that little prerogative?" Harry asked of her.
"The only way to do so would be to have Morgana Le Fay herself to change it, as she is the one who had made the contract with me, and therefore her word stands above anyone else's." Irene locked her eyes on her daughter starting to rise up from the ground. "Henry, please, I-I know that she wishes you harm, b-but please don't kill her. S-She is probably just confused and doesn't understand what is going in. Please, I beg you, let me reach out to her and speak with her."
"Do it then, and do it fast. I have far more important matters to attend to." Henry gave Irene the permission, to which she with a small smile nodded to him.
Rias rose up on her feet, magical energy exuding from her at an alarming rate, but it had calmed down a little, once she had laid her eyes upon Irene, who looked at her lovingly. Rias didn't return the notion though, instead quickly healing herself of any and all damage done to her, before she spoke up.
"Mother." She said in a cold, hostile voice, as she saw Irene standing between her and the pretender. "Why do you stand between me and the pretender? Do you not know that I am the rightful Princess Le Fay?"
"Rias, my little Angel… Please, I know that you are confused and angry, but things aren't how you may perceive them." Irene spoke in a loving tone, placating one, while Harry was trying to gather up his strength back. "Rias, it has been near 800 years since our time, and House Le Fay had ceased to exist after you disappeared. Even I thought you were gone, and so did family's magic. The House had only once more breathed alive when Morgana had chosen a new Prince, who now shares her and Arthur's blood. Please, my little Angel, stand down and let's…" But Irene wasn't allowed to speak any further, as Harry had pushed her away.
Irene may be a Devil, but she is also a mother, and parents often do not predict their children attacking them. Irene did the same, ignoring the gradual buildup of magical power coming from Rias, but Harry was prepared to respond to that one. Without any warning, he pushed Irene away from the incoming crimson red lightning, while simultaneously erecting a wall of earth in front of his form. The wall had stopped the attack from hitting him, but the resulting explosion saw Henry being sent flying backwards and landing upon his back. Groaning from pain, he looked up and saw Rias approach him with her arms already engulfed in a crimson energy. She raised her right hand and pointed at him, sending another bolt of energy at him.
However, instead of being disintegrated, Harry found himself being still alive, and that crimson energy had stopped in its tracks just a few centimeters away from his face. It was blocked by an invisible force, preventing it from striking Harry. After the energy faded away, Harry rose up, and saw that Irene now stood behind Rias, and that her right hand glowed with magic. Apparently, while Irene wasn't able to directly hurt members of House Le Fay through her magic, she was still very much capable of using it to protect them, just like she did just now with Harry. Rias also understood that her mother had just shielded her pretender, as she turned towards her and spoke up in an uncaring way.
"You are sworn to serve House Le Fay and its Ruler, yet when you see the true Princess, you choose to side with the false usurper?" Rias said with poison in her words. "For such a betrayal of House Le Fay, as well as your Princess, you shall pay dearly. I will make sure that you die alongside this usurper."
"Rias, listen to what you are saying right now! You of all people should know that I can never betray House Le Fay, even if I had desired to do so, and I would never betray you, my daughter!" She shouted at her. "Please, Rias, I beg of you to stand down and let me explain everything to you."
"I don't care what you have to say." Rias replied to her with anger. "You stand between me and that usurper. If that is so, then you shall die!" She charged up her magic once more and was ready to strike at Irene, before she was hit by a low powered Stupefy, making her growl. "You must be seeking death, if you think that such pitiful spell will even tickle me."
"No, but it did get your attention." Harry simply stated to her. "Look, Princess, I don't know what is going on with you, but do you really want to kill me this badly, that you would even attack your own mother? I don't know what's happened between you, but she's trying to help you here. She, as well as the rest of the world, believed you were dead, as did the magic, and so when I came, I was able to revive House Le Fay and it's magic. Like it or not, but I am no pretender, but a chosen of Morgana herself and Prince Le Fay."
"Chosen of Morgana or not, I do not care for who you are. You are a pretender and a usurper, and you will die for stealing what is mine!" She screamed in an almost mad manner at him, before charging up and sending her magic at them both.
"What in Morgana's…" Harry muttered to himself, while dodging magical bolts through apparition, until it suddenly had hit him. "Irene, try and read her mind! Make sure to look for the traces of magical rituals on her!" Harry casted silently several Expeliarmus at Rias, trying to get her attention, in which he succeeded.
As much as it may've seemed vile and bad to Irene, to probe and look into her own daughter's mind, she had no choice but to agree and obey the command. While she may've been bound not to use magic offensively in harm against members of House Le Fay, her magical telepathy wasn't a harmful one, as opposed to human Leggimence. Using the window of opportunity that Harry had provided to her, she entered her daughter's mind, trying to find out what was wrong with Rias.
She had raised and loved Rias, as any mother, human or demonic, would. She knew her little girl best, and this blatant aggression, this obsessive behavior and refusal to even listen to her… This was not Rias, not the daughter she birthed and groomed into a symbol of House Le Fay and into the future ruler of it. Rias was intelligent, compassionate, kind and even compromising when needed, but she could also be ruthless and decisive when required. She wasn't confrontational for sake of conflict, but she wasn't one to simply lie down and do nothing while her holdings were invaded. No, she was a leader and the queen, raised and groomed. She was not a single-minded beast like this thing that Irene saw before herself. Her heart trembled at the thought of something having been done to her daughter, while her blood was boiling at the thought of it.
It took her less than a second to discover that her child was indeed unwell. In fact, she was not even in the full control of her body and mind, as her true self was sealed away, while an installed new person, formed from Rias herself, was acting like this. Infuriated and relieved at the same time, Irene instantly recognized the handiwork of House Black with their dark control ritual, same one that had perverted Bellatrix's persona and turned her into a beast in service of Voldemort. And now, someone had used the very same ritual on her daughter, and she was able to easily see who it was.
"Milord, Rias isn't in full control of herself. She has been subjected to the same ritual as Bellatrix, performed by Sirius Black, your progenitor and Remus Lupin. It was their desire to see you and Rose destroyed by Rias' hand, before she would sign all of Le Fay's property to Potter, and let her be killed by them." Irene established a link with Henry and informed him of the situation at hand. "Milord, I can't break the ritual's magic without hurting her, and I can't stop her. I am truly sorry, Harry."
"Damn it… Alright, Irene, you are to go and get me Skadhi, Neriada and the strongest mages from both Elven people, and do it fast. I'll hold her off as long as I can." Harry informed her, barely blocking another blast from Rias, before Irene had put up a barrier around Harry and refused to leave.
"I am sorry, but I can't leave you alone as well. Protection of House Le Fay comes before everything, including the direct orders of Prince Le Fay, and you are in clear danger, milord." Irene informed him, with Rias turning to her.
"I have had enough of your meddling. Mother or not, any who stand in my way, shall for if they obstruct my way to power!" Rias began to charge up her magical power, drawing all she could from herself to strike Irene…
…Until she was sent flying into the dirt by a powerful blue magical pulse. Both Irene and Harry turned their eyes towards the source of that attack, and both had widened them at the sight walking towards them. It was clearly Rose, of all people, walking towards them, only she looked quite different from before. Her red long hair had changed to golden locks, supplemented by blue eyes, instead of her green ones. Her form was surrounded by blue magical aura, quite similar to the one utilized by Rias, but even more powerful and pressuring. The sheer might emitted by Rose at that moment made even Irene sweat a little. Harry had sensed out Rose's magic, and widened his eyes once more, as he recognized Rose's power being not her own.
Instead, he felt the power of Morgana Le Fay herself.
Rose stepped closed to the two of them, before stopping and looking first at Rias and then at her brother, before she spoke in a voice that combined both her own and Morgana's.
"Members of my House, actively trying to kill each other for power. This was most certainly not the sight I wish to see, when my daughter and your Heiress had summoned me back into the world of living, Henry." Rose-Morgana spoke at the same time to him, chiding tone clear in the combined voice.
"Morgana? Y-you… How are you…" Harry tried to ask of her, but failed, when she raised her hand to him and spoke up.
"Your sister had felt that you were in clear danger, and that my servant refused to follow her commands." Rose-Morgana looked at Irene accusingly, who only could look down in shame, before possessed body of Rose looked back at Rias. "Feeling that the fate of House Le Fay was at stake, she used my sphere and summoned my spirit into her body. And seeing what you face here, I commend her decisiveness and readiness to put herself in harm's way to save our House. Now, Irene, share with me all that is happening and details, surrounding her?" Rose-Morgana pointed towards Rias, with Irene obeying.
"Yes, my Queen." Irene transferred to her liege all the information through telepathy, with Morgana immediately processing it and speaking up.
"Ah, so my grandson has managed to produce a child with you? I was hoping that Morgraine would be able to do it first, but never the less…" She turned towards the rising form of Rias, who spoke up.
"Another pretender? Whatever, I shall just destroy you alongside this usurper." Rias once more started to gain more power, before Morgana commanded Irene.
"Irene, restrain your daughter and nullify her magic." Irene obeyed, with magical chains sprouting out of the ground and binding Rias, cutting off her magical power. "I most certainly never wanted to have my House fall to infighting, like many had done before, but to find a member of my House, especially one as promising and powerful such as her to be doing another's bidding… This is certainly the greatest form of humiliation for my House, although it does explain how come House Potter is still alive."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked of her, with Rose-Morgana smiling to him.
"In an event that if House Le Fay were to be destroyed by our enemies, I had created a last order for Irene to carry out, one that she doesn't know a thing about." Morgana spoke up again. "It was to be carried out when the last member of House Le Fay had crossed the line between life and death. And that order was to annihilate all those that had opposed House Le Fay in some form and capacity, leave nothing behind, not even ashes. If my House were to die, so would the Houses that had opposed us, and there were many of them, with House of Potter being one of them. I was surprised that you were of Potters, true, but I didn't give it to much thought at the moment, as I was simply content that a worthy Heir was found. Now, however, I can understand why Irene didn't carry out my order."
"Rias wasn't dead…" Irene muttered out loud. "B-But I had gone to the place of an ambush and there was no sign of her being alive. I had even felt her fade out of life, my Queen! How can…"
"Quite easy, when one knows how to properly use Draught of the Living Death, a powerful stasis charm and has the information about the order I had made." Morgana easily answered. "Rias was defeated the members of House Potter, but not killed. Instead, they've doused her with the Draught and put her into a state between life and death, before closing her in a stasis field. Quite clever and devious I might add. Although, that does beg the question: how were they able to learn of my order?"
"We can find out about it later. Can you break the ritual put on her now?" Harry asked of Morgana.
"Irene can, and will do so immediately." Irene nodded quite eagerly and went to her daughter, leaving Henry and Rose-Morgana alone. "And in the meantime, there is a matter which you and I need to address, immediately. I have checked the memories of Rose, and while you have handled the restoration of my House's power quite adequately, I am, however, sorely disappointed in you."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Harry asked of her, annoyed. "I have restored House Le Fay in these lands. We already have vassals among Wizards and magical races that reside in these lands all have joined me, and I've already made successful moves against my enemies… Yet you say that you are disappointed with me?!"
"I am, and quite frankly, after reviewing your sister's memories, I question my decision of making you Prince Le Fay." Morgana told him in a frank manner, enraging Henry a little. "Though the manner of your handling the internal affairs of my realm and the external threat of Acromantulas is worthy of some praise, the methods you employ against your enemies and your slothfulness towards eliminating them are unacceptable, not of Prince Le Fay. You have allowed them far too much room for maneuver. You let them come too close to you. You were sloppy enough to even let one of your closest lovers be snatched like that, not to mention losing a valuable ally as well. And now, they hold one of your brides a hostage, an action unforgivable in my eyes."
"As well as mine, and Dumbledore will not go unpunished for what he has done, but how was I to predict that he would act like this?!" Harry shouted at him. "This way of handling things… This isn't like he usually operates, no. This is something Voldemort would do…"
"And there it is- your arrogance blinding you and your mind." Morgana sternly told him, with Harry turning to her. "You have assumed that Dumbledore would not act in the way he did. You didn't know. You have allowed your assumptions to become your belief, and this has led to you losing your lover. As Prince Le Fay, this is an inexcusable trait to have, and one that must be removed at once."
"She isn't dead, and they won't get anything from her…" Harry growled at Morgana.
"Are you certain? You have underestimated Dumbledore and his cohorts once, and now you are doing so again. You have been acting out of too much assumptions and beliefs, instead of calculus and predictions made on facts. Not to mention that you have been acting quite petty and inconclusively, if your little scheme with Potters and Weasley to be remembered." Morgana pointed out to him. "Your assurance in your own and your allies' safety have compromised your thinking, and have led to this crisis you face. You have been so absorbed in your planning and scheming for the long game, that you have failed to review all that you knew and take into the account that the result of your actions may, and will, trigger a reaction from your enemies. Did you really think that after revealing your alliance to Blacks and that Rose was your Heiress, Dumbledore and his cronies wouldn't be able to determine that Nymphadora was working with you and could have potential information on you? Not only that, did you really think that Lucius Malfoy wouldn't inform Severus about Nym being at the meeting you had with that man, and that Severus wouldn't inform Dumbledore? An oversight of such important things is frankly something I can't abide, and find it to be more than enough of a reason to be concerned for House Le Fay's safety."
Henry growled out in anger and fury, but in his mind and soul, he couldn't help but agree with Morgana and assessment of the situation, as well as her complaints towards him and his handling of things. As much as he had hated to admit about himself, he was petty and arrogant, especially now that he realized it. He reveled in his manipulations of Potters and Dumbledore, while being undetected and unfound by them, as he had foolishly believed. Just as Nymphadora had told him, he did have a tunnel vision when it came down to him acting and planning. He really did assume that Dumbledore and Voldemort would act in a way that he had perceived, as he believed, and now it had backfired at him.
He should've predicted different and alternative outcomes, not relied on what he believed. Hell, he has made the very damn mistakes that his parents had made with him: they underestimated him and were led to believe him to be weak and worthless because of their assumptions. He thought his opponents to be predictable and not ready for actions, when it reality, he was the one being predictable, letting his enemies get far too close to him and his family. He didn't even make any contingencies in case something like that was to happen. And for that Harry had cursed himself, without trying to look for any excuse or whatsoever. No, this was really his fault and there was no going around it.
He had become arrogant, complacent and too assured in his powers after his first victories against Dumbledore, Potters, Death Eaters and Voldemort. He lost had lost the needed sense of fear and sense of danger, overestimated his own genius and capacity to outsmart his opponents… Morgana was correct in stating all of those complaints on him. He should've acted not petty and scheming, not in a way to stroke his ego and boost it, but instead he should've acted in way that should've hurt his enemies the most. His scheme with Gringotts' account of Potters was the prime example of his arrogance. He could've found a hundred different ways to deprive Potters of the needed money, without revealing his existence, but instead he had decided to play into their plans, while also stroking his pride. He should've cut Potters off the money when he had the chance from the start, and he should've protected Nymphadora and Kingsley with better care and precautions instead of playing his little schemes, like those pathetic wannabe Slytherins.
"You really should've done so, Henry, and without any fear that they could come close to you. In fact, the reveal of your true fate to the mass public is something that they should fear, not you. You are playing into their agenda by this attitude." Rose-Morgana stated to him, having predicted Harry's thoughts and said her opinion. "Truth, at times, can be the deadliest sword, but it is also a two-edged sword, not a single-edged. Now, seeing as the potential civil war within my House was averted, I shall leave you to deal with your mess. I may be displeased with how you have been handling yourself, but there are still bright spots in your work so far, bright enough to allow me the belief of you improving the ways you run House Le Fay and how you deal with your enemies. However, in case you find yourself forgetting this entire foolish endeavor, I shall leave you with a strong enough reminder of this mess. Now, go and take care of it all." With that being said, Rose's eyes rolled into the back of her head, and her body went rigid for a second, before falling down.
Harry was able to catch her form before she hit the ground, but the second he looked at her he understood what Morgana had meant about leaving a reminder to him. Rose's hair didn't revert back to red, instead becoming silver grey just like his, with a single lock remaining blond. Now Rose had fully looked much like him and did resemble his sibling, though safe for her eyes, as they now were blue as well. Morgana had left her message loud and clear, and every time Harry now looked at his sister, he will remember their talk and this day. Morgana may not have been too harsh on him in a physical sense, but she had quite a way of punishment and reminding those that have failed her. Rose regained the functions of her body and had stood up, with Harry helping her up, before she spoke up.
"I thought that she would simply be able to help, but… Harry, I…" Rose stammered, with Harry raising his hand and stopping her.
"No, she is right on all accounts… I have been complacent, arrogant, foolish… Time to start less than a Slytherin and more like a Le Fay." Harry sighed, turning to Rose. "I doubt we'll be able to reverse the change in colors, so sorry…"
"It's alright. I was planning to change the hair color anyway, and eyes are a welcome change too." Rose joked a little, with Harry not laughing at all. "Harry, about Nymphadora… You can't just go and barge in without a plan. Let Regulus get Amelia, or at least wait for the vassals…"
"I've been waiting far too long already. Once I know where Nym is, I'm going and I'm killing anything and anyone standing in my way." Harry sternly stated, with anger clear in his voice, before he remembered about Irene and Rias. "And we might just have a way of finding her now…" He said, with him and Rose moving towards the bound form of Rias.
Irene's incantations have been completed and she had stopped, pulling out of her daughter's mind and releasing a sigh. Bounds upon her form had weakened and dissipated, while Rias had sharply inhaled air into her lungs, before releasing them. Carefully, almost frightened, she rose up onto her feet, before locking her eyes with mother. A moment of uncertainty had passed between them, before tears welled up in their eyes, and Rias launched herself at Irene, embracing her mother once more, whimpering silently as she did. Irene didn't abstain from this affection, instead embracing her daughter once more, able to once more hold her in her arms. She whispered calming words and held her close, letting her little red Angel calm down, while Rias spoke to her.
"M-mother, I-I am so sorry… I-I can't believe I…" She rambled on.
"It is alright, my Angel, it is alright. That wasn't you, I know it." Irene told her, looking at her with tears and a smile. "For centuries, I had mourned you and your father, and now… I am the one who must ask your forgiveness, Rias. I should've been stronger, not let my own hubris blind me and…"
"I know, mother. Father also knew, and he didn't hold you in any ill. He only wished to be reunited with you in afterlife." Rias told her, as they've detached from each other, before she noticed the new Prince Le Fay and his sister come to them. "Henry Le Fay."
"Rias Le Fay." Harry greeted her with a reserved nod.
"I understand that the conditions of our meeting are less than ideal, and I will not deny that I am pleased with the fact of you being in control of House Le Fay." Rias spoke up in a sophisticated and polite manner, though one with strength in it. "However, I also recognize that even though I have been used as a tool agaisnt you, I do owe you a debt, for reviving House Le Fay and restoring its influence. As a way of repayment, I shall acknowledge you as the current leader of House Le Fay, but do not hope that my acknowledgement of your status warrants you the ability to command me in any way. As the direct descendant of Morgana Le Fay, I expect you to treat me with a degree of respect and in a cordial manner. For as long as your interests are primarily aligned with ones that benefit House Le Fay, I shall assist you. If not… Better you do not find out." The not so subtle threat was well received by Harry, who nodded to her.
"So long as we are not at each other's throats, I am content. However, there are some questions I would like to ask, and you may have the information I require at this immediate moment." Harry spoke up.
"If you ask me about your metamorphic lover, then I shall tell you that she is being held in a mansion, which stood on top of the mausoleum, in which I was held in stasis." Rias spoke up. "Your father and his friends disclosed not its name, but recall that in front of the mansion stood a statue of a stag, holding a sword in his mouth."
"Fleamont's main mansion." Rose, along with Harry, instantly recognized the place where they lived. "The stag with the sword is a symbol of House Fleamont, but why was Rias in there, instead of somewhere in Norfolk, where Potters' main lands are?"
"Those lands were once Potters' but gifted in 14th century to House Fleamont as a wedding gift. The Potters must've forgotten about the holding cell when they were gifting it, and James found out about it, somehow." Harry deduced, letting out a sharp exhale. "Anything else you may disclose?"
"Only that you may wish to hurry." Rias said with sympathy. "The methods the torturer used on her were… inhumane. And… I am sorry, for everything." Without wasting a breath, Harry apparated out sight, with Rose letting out a groan.
"There could be the whole damned Order by now for all we know, damn it!" She cursed to no one in particular, before deciding to take charge of things at last. "Irene, get me Elune, Hirandyl and Skadhi, and tell them to that I need their best warriors here yesterday! And inform them, along with elementals and everyone else to be on a look out for any spies, suspicious wizards and witches and just anyone who reeks Order of Phoenix or Death Eaters! Double time, now!" Without wasting a word, Irene simply nodded and disappeared.
This was truly a shitstorm, as Cassiopeia Black liked to say in moments of crisis.
Fleamont's main mansion. One minute later.
Harry's form reappeared right in front of the barrier that obstructed his way into the Fleamont's mansion. Sensing that the path was closed up for him, he whipped out his wand and instead quietly and safely weaving away the barrier, he blasted a hole in it with a fully charged Fulgur charm, clearing the path ahead. Losing none of his speed, he took out of a pocket a small vial with a rejuvenation potion, drinking it and starting to feel his magical power and stamina replenished, even as he moved quickly to the main doors of the mansion.
He wasn't waiting around for anyone, not now. Morgana had told him to take care of his mess, and he was going to do so, even if Rose and Cassiopeia may eat away his brains as a lunch for being this careless. He didn't care for that in the slightest. All of his thoughts were focused on Nymphadora and getting her out of there as soon as possible. He knew that he would be facing off resistance, and it could be a strong one, but he didn't care for it. He had spent months' worth of time training and building up his power, and quite frankly, he was itching to finally use it against his enemies. Time for schemes and plots was over, and time for pain and violence has come.
Passing by the stag, he once more whipped out his wand and blasted the doors off their hinges with a quick Reducto. Stepping through rubble inside the mansion, he heard slow clapping, coming from the second floor. Once he looked up there, he saw Sirius Black there, clapping with a smirk.
"Now that is what I call an entrance. Thank you, you've just won me 10 Galleons, my dear godson." Sirius said with smile, while Harry's eyes slightly widened, before returning back. "Although, I must admit, Harry, that I, as well as the rest of us, have not expected you to be able to cheat death, but then again, you were always so full of surprises. You would've made a perfect Marauder, had you not been such a… Well, disappointment."
"The feeling is mutual, mutt." Harry said with anger to him. "I'll assume that you've managed to bypass Cassiopeia's spell work and Nym's Occlumency shields."
"Oh yes, though it was a pain in arse to do so. Hell, Snivellus had been practically red with anger at not being able to break Nym, but once we've finished up with Le Fay girl, she did all the work for us." Sirius chuckled, as he came down to the first floor, while Hestia Jones and Remus emerged from the corridors. "Can you imagine our shock and surprise at finding out, that the man that had destroyed Potters' reputation in single stroke, was actually Potter himself! You should've seen the faces of James and Lily when they learned the truth. Shame you've just missed them, they were in a hurry to report back to Dumbledore all the findings."
"Yes, truly a shame. That I don't get to end them today." Harry said in a cold and angered manner, while his opponents drew out their wands. "I'll give you one chance to release Nym and walk away with your worthless lives, as a custom dictates."
"Perhaps it would be wise for you to walk away now, Harry." Remus spoke up, getting his wand up. "You are outnumbered and now that Dumbledore knows everything, this is the end of your little scheme. Surrender and we will be merciful to you, despite all the wrong you have done to us."
"The end? No, this just the beginning of war." Harry replied to them, before he quickly sent out an Expulsio at Remus.
Werewolf had dodged it, with the wall behind him exploding in pieces, while Sirius and Hestia began to cast up disarming and stupefying charms at Harry. He put up no resistance against them, allowing his enchanted garments take the hits and protect him from harm. Tanking through the first volley of attacks, Harry decided not to waste time with them, using the flames in the candles of chandelier as his weapon, conjuring them into a flaming whip and sending it around at them.
The trio was forced to move around as to not get burned to cinders, unable to coordinate their attacks, until the flames had forced Remus and Sirius to move deeper into the mansion through of the corridors, while Hestia remained in the reception, her paths obstructed by fires. Harry put out the firing whip, but not the fires that blocked Hestia's path, before he began to move towards her. The Auror had tried to send several cutting and exploding charms at Harry, but he simply blocked them with his Protego, before she spoke up.
"H-Harry, please, y-you have to understand that D-Dumbledore had o-ordered me to s-spy on Nym, 'c-cause he didn't trust her and s-she was back in Black's good graces." She tried to talk her way out of it all, but Harry simply moved closer towards her. "I-I wanted to warn her, b-but Dumbledore, h-he had helped me become A-Auror and I…" Suddenly, Hestia found herself unable to move, with Harry's left hand raised and holding her in place.
"And I don't give a damn. You betrayed Nym, and that's all I care about, bitch. Avada Kedavra." Green cloud of magical energy quickly found its target and struck Hestia, rendering her dead.
Caring nothing for her husk of a body, Harry left her there, before casting a quick Homenum Revelio and seeing four quick lights leaving his wand and flying right towards where Sirius and Remus had went. One of them was clearly Nym, it had to be, while the three others were enemies, with two being Marauders and the other a member of the Order. If he had to guess, then it would have to be Severus Snape, the residential torturer of Dumbledore. Henry suspected that the greasy bastard still wanted his revenge on Harry for what had happened in the Chambers of Secrets, and had foreseen Henry coming here for Nym. He wasn't going to disappoint them.
As he put out the fire, which had blocked his path, Harry moved forward, carefully and slowly, listening in on where his enemies may be. While he did so, his mind for a few moments dwelled on the fact that his secret was out, and that Potters had went to Dumbledore to inform him about it all. Surprisingly, even for him, Henry didn't even give a damn at the moment about the fact of him being alive, as Harry Potter. The only thing he did feel was the slightest relief at the fact that he could drop the act with these people and act as he wanted. Hell, he could now freely take revenge on them while being truthful. Somehow, this knowledge had made the desire for revenge even more insatiable. However, he was forced to comb it down, as he focused up on his immediate mission.
As he had exited the corridor, Henry found himself in a decorated hall, with weapons, armors, symbols of power and regalia displayed, along with furniture and fire place, along with another stairway onto the next floor. This was the guestroom, where the meetings of all kinds were conducted. As Harry moved slowly and carefully, he heard Sirius once more speak up.
"I'll give you credit, kid, you've definitely gotten stronger." Sirius' voice seemed to be everywhere, probably the work of a charm. "But, you should've stayed in Azkaban, rotting away in that damn cell of yours, because now we'll make sure you pay for being such pain in the ass to us all."
"If Azkaban and all of its Dementors not been able to kill me in 2 years' time, you and the rest of your posy don't stand a chance, Sirius. You should've taken the offer I gave, but at least now I'll have the pleasure of skinning you of your hide." Harry replied, sensing out with his magic magical signatures. "Although, I must say, that despite all that bragging about being better than the backstabbing Blacks, you actually fit the bill the best now, Sirius. Walburga must be elated in Hell with you, having killed Kingsley in such a brutal fashion. Truly, a murder worthy of name Black."
"Shut up, brat! You've forced my hand with Kingsley, as you've forced it with Nymphadora." Black defended himself. "Had you and Amelia not worked against us, there wouldn't be a need for any of it!"
"Keep telling yourself that, Sirius, but we both know that you've secretly enjoyed it. I'd even go as far as to say that you felt proud for yourself." Harry kept talking, finally picking up on the magical signatures near him, with one being right behind him, yet hidden in some way, "You've finally managed to live up to your parents' dreams and desires. You've killed a Light Wizard in an extremely brutal fashion, and one that was your friend no less. Only a Black would be able to do so, at least a Black in the eyes of those degenerates like Orion, Walburga, Cygnus and you especially." Harry casted a quick glance on an armor behind him, noticing a small ripple in the air behind him.
Smirking, he reached out with his telepathy towards the suit of armor and moved its shield towards the ripple in the air. The shield slammed into the invisible object, forcing a pained groan and the sound of falling. As Harry turned around, he saw Sirius Black, flat on his back, with the Cloak of Invisibility laying underneath him. A quick Expeliarmus had ensured that Black wasn't armed anymore, with the realization of his demise settling in with gripping fear within his eyes. He began to crawl away, but he was stopped by an invisible force, gripping him and holding him in place. Sirius realized that it was Harry using his power and pleaded to him.
"H-Harry, please! I-I am your Godfather, t-the closest thing you have to a-a parent after J-James and L-Lily! Please you can't just kill me! I-I know things, many things, about Dumbledore and James, especially James! I'll tell you everything! J-just let me go alive!" Sirius begged for his life.
"Tell me where Nym is, and I'll not kill you." Harry's tone of voice made it clear that he wasn't negotiating.
"D-Dorea's o-old lab, just under us." Sirius told him, with the magical force no longer holding him in place, letting him rise up. "S-So, I-I can g-go free?"
"No." Harry simply told the man, before swiftly raising up in the air as a shield agaisnt an incoming spell.
Sirius didn't even have a second to scream, before he felt his head explode in a hundred fleshy and bloody pieces. Harry's Protego had secured him from any debris incoming towards him and miring his look. Without a care, he let go of the decapitated form of Sirius Black, revealing in front of him Remus Lupin, shocked and shaking, with his wand pointed at him.
"SIRIUS!" He shouted out loud, as he had begun to aimlessly send spells at Harry. "You told him you wouldn't kill him, you worthless son of a whore!"
"And I didn't, you did all the killing for me." Harry simply replied, swiftly reflecting and blocking all the incoming spells. "As for that whoreson part, can't argue with that one. But if you wish to know, you've signed your damned death warrants right there in the Chambers, Remus." Growing tired with the pointless game they were playing, Harry captured Remus into his invisible hold, propelling him from the second floor and to fall right before his feet.
Remus groaned from pain, struggling to get up, yet failing. Whatever the spell or magic Henry had used, it had rendered him incapable of even moving a muscle. This was clearly some form of powerful Dark magic, something that only Voldemort, aside from Harry, would be able to do. Harry moved his hand and send Remus flying right into the wall, impacting him into it, before moving closer to him and speaking up.
"Brings back memories, doesn't it, Remus?" Harry asked of him, not waiting for an answer. "I see that they've reversed the effects of Caro Mortui and grew you a new arm. Impressive, Dumbledore and Pomfrey must have been quite proud of their work."
"Whatever your plans are, you will fail, Harry." Remus spat at him. "Now that Dumbledore knows who you really are, it's just the matter of days before you are back in Azkaban, or finally put out of your damn misery."
"You say it like the truth at this point even matters. Do you want to know what will happen next? Nothing, because the moment Dumbledore decides to reveal the truth about me, I'll reveal everything I know about him and your little merry band of vigilantes, and both Kingsley and Nym have told quite a great deal about you all. And Dumbledore must realize that my reveal will only hurt him, especially when ICW's Court decides to check the whole affair." Harry smirked at the look of despairing realization in Remus' eyes. "But you won't be around to witness it, fleabag."
The next move of Harry's hand, and Remus' eyes bulged with fear and dread, when he saw Remus be lifted off his place, before slammed with a full force right into the stone celling. The sheer force of impact had torn flesh apart, broke bones and released blood, yet Remus had been alive yet. Then Harry had released his grip on the werewolf, letting the gravity claim Remus, as he landed with screams of pain, plastering blood all over the floor and carpets. As he had groaned and tried to make a move, Remus's bloodied ears heard a distinct sound of a stone breaking right above him. Looking up, his single looking eye perceived, how a perfectly cut stone cross fell upon his form, crushing his body and smashing it to bits, with blood flowing out from underneath it.
Harry had summoned the Cloak to himself, cowering himself in it. However, before he had left the room, he decided to take extra precautions, and sent Incendio Diabolica at the stone cross, burning it and preferably dead Remus Lupin underneath it in black demonic flame. After he had done it, Harry moved into the attic from the hall, knowing his way towards it, having been there more times than he could remember. He knew that the place would the perfect spot for Severus to await for him, right near the bait. Harry knew it well, and he didn't care for it. It was simply easier in his mind to find the greasy scar faced bastard and kill him. At least he'll be able to pay up for all those years of humiliation, unjust treatment and just tormenting him.
Quietly opening up the door into the lab, Harry's heart skipped beat as he had laid his eyes upon Nym, who was strapped in a chair. For a second he had wished that his eyes had deceived him, but that was impossible, no matter how much he had wished for it. Right in the chair, illuminated by a lamp, sat unmoving form of Nym, her hair grey and dirty from the blood. All of her body was exposed, covered in black spots, lacerations, burns and more things than Harry had cared to know of. She missed a hand, along with all of her nails, was covered in blood, both fresh and dried. The sight of her was such that Harry would forever remember it.
Forgetting all about caution and even Severus, he dropped the cloak off his head and ran to Nym.
"Nym, Nym! Please, Morgana, I beg of you…" He desperately muttered more to himself, before he saw Nym stir up and open up one of her bloodied eyes.
"Har-ry…" She barely said, with Harry smiling to her, as he began to unstrap.
"Nym, don't worry, I'll get you out in no time!" He was through most of them.
"N-no… Bomb…" Nym muttered, right before Harry had untied the last of the holding restraints.
Harry didn't have the time to register what Nym had told him, as he heard a magical chain reaction go off, and saw Nym's body suddenly covered up in bright burning runes, running all over her flesh. Before he could do anything, a large flash of fire exploded out from the runes, sending Harry flying and landing onto his back, with left part of his face covered in nasty burns, with even his eye burned away.
Pain registered all through his brain and he just barely restrained himself from screaming out of it, before the realization came to him, as he saw with his single good eye the grinning face of Severus Snape, coming over to the burning blackened husk of flesh and bones, that once was Nymphadora Tonks. The realization of what had just transpired was far more painful than a measly burn all over his face. Nym, his love, his closest friend and companion… was just killed, because of him, because of his actions. And once that settled into his mind, Harry screamed out in pain, roaring as it surged out of him with his magic.
Severus Snape enjoyed the sight of it, the sight of the hated person suffering right in front of him. He had stayed behind just to witness it, to see how the bratty and prideful Harry Potter, the reason he lost Lily to James, writhed in pain both physical and emotional. The idea of the living bomb was something he had long contemplated, only for James and not his son, but when the realization of Potter's brat being in love with this now dead worthless Metamorph came to him, he recalled his more sinister and devious ideas. And just as Snape had predicted, the idiot walked in and did all as was planned. He laughed out loud as he spoke up.
"Ah, I have waited a long time for this. This sight, I have dreamt of it for decades, to see the prideful and up-starting Potter on his back, writhing in pain and suffering." Severus said, as he looked at the still burning husk of Nymphadora. "I admit that I had long wished I could put this arrogant, self-absorbed whore of a Black and muggleborn in to her place, but this… This is even better. To use her as a means to make you suffer, to finally exact my vengeance, to use your love as a tool, I have never felt more elated than that! And now…" He whipped out his wand walked to the growling form of burnt up Harry, with a sickening smile upon his face. "I shall savor every moment of my vindication. Cru…"
"CRUCIO!"The roar of an inhuman being sounded through all of mansion, followed by the screams of Severus Snape, as he writhed in pain.
Every word of Severus, every second, every moment and every breath he took… All of it had forced Henry's pain and suffering to manifest from agony into rage and fury. The loss of Nym, her torture, pain and suffering, at the hands of this maggot and scumbag… All of it, coupled with an inhumane rage and pain had empowered Harry and unleashed his darkest side. Channeling it all out into a single wish, a singular desire that took a form of primal instinct and determination: to make Severus Snape suffer. And with that, he unleashed the vilest and most detestable of spells known to men, the single curse that he wished never to use, but now…
Now he reveled in the suffering and pain of Severus Snape, as Harry rose up, letting the Cloak fall and revealing him to be fine and well, safe for his face. The Cloak, known to some as one of the Deathly Hollows, was near indestructible, and had safely withstood the powerful explosion and saved most of Harry, safe for his lost eye and left side of face. The pain of it now served as a fuel to his Crucio, but it had paled when compared to the unimaginable pain he had felt from loss of his beloved Nymphadora. The realization that she had suffered so much tortured and torment for information and pleasure, only to be used as a bomb… This was more than sufficient enough to fuel Harry's Crucio.
For full ten minutes, the deafening screams of Severus Snape escaped his mouth, his entire body feeling as if it were pierced, melted, burned, frozen and more all over. His nerves practically burst from pressure, his brain on the brink of melting, yet Harry didn't stop. No, he went well past the point when victims lose their mind, and he pressed on. He kept it up, fueling his curse and prolonging his vindication. He didn't know how much time had passed since he had casted the Crucio, but at one moment, Severus' bloodshot eyes exploded, blood and goo flowing out of his ears, nose and where his eyes were, before body had stopped moving and curse lost its effect.
Once it had happened, Harry, as if in stupor, had tried to cast Crucio several more times, before he finally settled in with the realization that it wasn't going to work. His weak hand had released his wand, and it hit the floor with a deafening like sound, crushing the silence that filled the room. The next second, Harry's knees gave way, all strength leaving him and forcing him onto his knees. The rush of anger, pain and agony was passed and now, after all was done… All that Harry was left with was void, sorrow and dumb, deaf pain in his heart. The insatiable thirst, the overwhelming desire and primordial need to destroy the one who had taken away from his love… It was all gone, and Harry was left with a deafening pressure of realization, that his beloved was gone.
Gone, because of him, because of his hubris and idiocy… His body and mind felt numb at that moment, ignoring the entire world that was now passed around him, as tears had fallen from his eye. He ignored everything around him, including the screams and shouts for his name. He had ignored the sounds of running feet towards, as he had ignored the forms of Regulus and Skadhi coming it.
"Harry! Oh my God…" Regulus and Skadhi stopped in their tracks, as they've observed the scene before them, while barely stopping themselves from hurling. "Nym, Mother of God, what had they done to you? Harry… I…"
"We… We need to get him out of here now! He is in shock of sorts." Skadhi said as she looked at virtually dead form of Harry. "This burn must be treated at once and we can't linger here before those bastards find us. Grab that Cloak, cover the body and take her with us." Skadhi commanded with a cool head, as she helped Harry up and led him.
With tears and grimace of pain, Regulus took up the Cloak of Invisibility and wrapped Nym in it, with a visible side on the outside. Carefully, he had taken her body up in his arms and they walked out of the damned place leaving it for good. It took them a few minutes, before they were outside of the mansion, greeted by the sight of small army of Elves' mages and warriors waiting, along with all of Blacks, Rose and Irene with Rias there. Rose and Arcturus were the first to come to them and he spoke up.
"What happened there and where is Nymphadora?!" He practically roared.
"Harry… He cleared the mansion, but…" Skadhi said simply, before looking at Regulus, carrying the covered dead form of Nymphadora.
Gasps escaped the lips of Rose, Cassiopeia, Faye and Bellatrix, but those were nothing when compared to the agonizing scream of Andromeda, as she saw her child, her baby's body covered in the Cloak. She tried to run to Regulus, but Ted had stopped her, holding her with all of his strength, not letting his wife go, while his eyes flowed with tears of agony and pain. He embraced Andromeda as she lashed out in agony and madness of loss, whimpering and crying out loud. Arcturus' stone cold face cracked, as shot a pained looked to his grandson, who looked away in shame and slowly walked away from the place, as did Skadhi, who led Harry to Irene and Rias, Cassiopeia joining them.
Rose had allowed her tears to flow freely, and was near whimpering, until an Elven Mage came to her and spoke up.
"Milady, you have all of our deepest sympathies, but… What will be your command?" He asked of her, with Rose turning to him, before nearly whispering.
"B-burn it…" She said in a dead voice.
"I am sorry…"
"I said burn it! Burn, demolish, annihilate, smash, eviscerate, DESTROY THIS DAMNED PLACE!" Rose screamed like a woman possessed at the Mage, who quickly nodded and commanded the Night and High Elves to start destroying it.
And as Rose had watched her once home collapse and burn away, she felt the sorrow and sadness settle in, but along with it, rage and fury she hadn't felt ever before come out. Before the mansion was but a pile of ashes and ruin, she had sworn in her heart and soul, that all those that have hurt Nym, all those that have been the cause of her death will die!
House Le Fay had suffered a defeat today, but this was not the end of them, no.
This was just the start of war.
This chapter… This was a pain to write to me, and I don't mean just physical. Nym is honestly my favorite character in Harry Potter, and to do this to her… I feel utterly disgusted with myself, but I did set out to do it and I did. I understand that all of you had expected this to be a happy ending, but no… Not this time. This is the arc of defeat for Harry, an arc in which he is defeated because of his hubris and arrogance.
This is the arc in which Harry Potter dies completely, and Henry Le Fay lives on.
I know this will be flamed to damnation, but let me ask you this: would you really be interested in Henry, if he was infallible, and incapable of defeat? No, I doubt you would be, and I wouldn't be all that interested in him too. And so, as much as this was cruel and savage, I decided to show you, that for all his power and intellect, Harry can be defeated, and that such defeats cost a great deal to him. This one in particular… This is the defining moment for him. And as for Rias... Well, Slash, all I can tell you is that I am over my phase of hating Rias.
Comment, review, suggest- you all know the gist. I'll just... I'll just go and cry a little.
Next time: Enemies meet; Declaration of war.