Bane 27

This is a very long chapter.

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Chapter 27

Those that witnessed the events the night before will never forget it. Well, it wasn't every day that a true goddess appeared and pronounced judgment on a dark lord.

As dawn broke through the tree tops of the Forbidden Forest, those that witnessed the demise of the Dark Lord and his followers had staggered back into Hogwarts Great Hall, hours before. They were too stunned to clearly put into words on what they witnessed.

Waiting for them, of course, were people that had chosen to ignore Firefox's warnings about staying clear – the press.

Firefox finally, with dawn's early light shining down on him from the ceiling of the Great Hall, strolled tiredly up to the head table and with a wave of his hand prevented any one from coming near him. He was too tired and wanting to sleep, at least for a week, to deal with anyone at the moment.

Thankfully, he was able to pull enough magic into his core to keep him standing, and spent most of the night walking the moonpaths to calm his magic and spirit. His father had been waiting for him. The distinguished kestra'chern had been notified that his son had performed the oath-breaker ritual and that the Star-eyed had answered.

As time had no meaning in the Void between worlds, Firefox had no idea how much time had passed. All he really knew was he was now safe in his father's arms. They had been joined by the spirits of his birth parents before the Star-eyed sent them to the Undying Lands and their reward.

Again, with no frame of references for time, things were said, information and news were exchanged. When the Shadow Lover came to take his parents away, Harry Potter aka Firefox knew he was loved and wanted, and that the evil that plagued his life was finally over.

Now he just had to go back and live.

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Firefox hopped up onto the Head Table, allowing his white leather clad legs to dangle over the end. All he really wanted was a long soak in hot water. He, also, wanted one of Winky's breakfasts and back rubs.

The noise within the Great Hall as the press and others clambered grew, demanding his attention. There was fear in the eyes of a few. Determination for answers in others. Then there were those that wanted another light show. Well, who was he to disappoint?

So, he shot off a shot lightning crackle. Screams and a panic dash away from him. Another crack of lightning, then he spoke:

"I refuse to answer any questions. I'm tired and want a nice long soak before sleeping for a week. So, I'm going to show you the true history of Hogwarts and how it came into being. This is from the memory of one of the founders of Hogwarts – Salazaar Slytherin. And no, I do not think it was biased. It happened a very long time ago. A time before Myrdd Emrys walked these lands. Also, what I show you is the truth, so mote be. What you make of it – I really do NOT care!"

Murmurs ran rampant as Firefox started his tale.

"If you all look up, I'll sort everything out." Firefox called up the magic and focused on the ceiling of the Great Hall. A silvery cloud started to fog up the ceiling.

A gasp of amazement erupted as everyone did as they were told.

"Long ago, in a distant land and a distant time, lived two very great mages. Both were Creative Sorcerers in their own right, rulers of their own people and lands. Both were at war with each other. . . "

The ceiling began to show the towers of Urtho and Ma'ar and the lands around them. Firefox's voice narrated the tale to the awe-struck audience.

It took most of the day for the story to unfold. House elves filled the tables with food and drinks. Firefox had moved to sit in the Headmaster's chair with his own repast, thanks to Winky, as he spoke.

The tale ended with the true reasons why Salazaar Slytherin left Hogwarts.

"Now, you have to decide," Firefox was wrapping up the tale, stepping once more onto the Table Head to stand with all eyes on him. "With Riddle and his followers gone, do you want to continue to alienate three quarters of your populace? Magic's a tool, nothing more, nothing less, and magic does not care if you are pure blood, half, or new blood. Magic is just magic, nothing more. You have it or you don't. Decide before magic has died out through your own carelessness.

"But know this: I'm not a wizard. I'm a Healer Adept mage. I don't need a wand; I can use wild magic as did Merlin and the four founders. I am above your current laws. I follow the Star-eyed's will and Her commands and no others. Cross me at your peril. Your Dark Lord is dead. His remaining followers are your problem, not mine. If you let them go without any type of punishment, it will be on your heads, and again your problem. I have my own problems to deal with. Now! I am going to bed. Do not bother me! You won't like what I would do."

In eerie silence following in his wake, he walked purposefully out of the Hall. Once the doors closed behind him, chaos erupted once more.

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The press didn't know what to make of it all. The leaders didn't know what had happened. Their world had been tipped on its side.

The Unspeakable quickly took over the presentation and confirmed that they had known all along. They had been refugees. Merlin had greeted them as friends. Magic was different here from what they had known.

The intermarrying between the two peoples created a new type of magic. However, the pure-blood laws caused magic to slowly die out. This last Dark Lord had caused the extinction of many powerful lines, speeding the death of the Wizarding World.

"There's one more thing," they told the crowd. "He said it himself – Harry Potter no longer exists as a wizard. He has become the most powerful magic user on this planet. That young and highly powerful mage has access to magic that we can only dream of.

"We, the Unspeakables, are informing you, here and now, that the laws and traditions of the Wizarding World do not apply to him. He will claim Hogwarts as his home and will monitor the pool of magic that the founders created under the castle. I will also tell you now, if that young Adept Mage hadn't intervened, that boiling cauldron of raw magic was about to explode through mis-managment. He said it was only a matter of days. We believe him.

"Hogwarts, with all of its history, staff and students would've been nothing but big hole in the ground, as we speak. We, the Unspeakables, have been monitoring him and say: anger him at your own peril. We will stand behind him, as he can and will bring back the knowledge we have long lost through time and poor planning."

The Unspeakables left with these parting words, "Leave Healer Adept Firefox alone. As he said, he is no wizard – he has become an Adept Mage along the same path as Merlin. He will bring back the magic we have lost. We will not protect you from his wrath if you fail to heed our words."

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Rufus Scrimgeour, once he had returned to his office, had always prided himself on being a fair man, a man of action, but he was also a political animal. He had plans of arresting Potter, because the boy was out of anyone's control, especially the Ministry's. Then he intended to force him to comply to the Ministry's edicts. However, the laws that govern the Wizarding World were no match to divine intervention.

After Riddle, also known as 'He Who Must Not be Named,' had been dealt with and those who lives have been shortened by his reign of terror had returned from where ever they came from, there was little he could do. He still wanted to arrest Potter.

That was now impossible.

With the Unspeakables warning, he couldn't touch them, plus the boy was beyond powerful. Unless he was willing to throw the boy through the Veil, he didn't think anywhere would contain him.

Plus, he has divine protection – the Moon Lady had returned! She had become nothing more than a myth. It was known but not spoken. Stories of Her were still told in secret among the older pure-bloods. Many no longer believed in Her, and hell, even Hogwarts no longer taught about Her.

Then, She had looked into his eyes – Rufus Scrimgeour, the Minister for Magic - and he was found wanting. She seemed very disappointed in him.

Then there was that presentation. It had been a shock that Slytherin wasn't about blood purity, but on protecting his students from the unwashed, uneducated masses.

Blood status didn't matter, magic did. Of course, today's witches and wizards had forgotten that. Mother Moon wasn't pleased on how they were treating Her Gifts.

After that presentation in the Great Hall, Rufus ordered Pius Thickness, his head auror, and the aurors they had brought with them, to arrest those Death Eaters that were still alive in those egg-shaped thingies. How to free them was still a mystery to him. Personally, he was in favor of chucking them all, alive or dead, into the Veil and save him from the political nightmare that was to come.

There was a knock on his office door.

A grey-cloaked Unspeakable stepped. "The Adept has given the password to us to undo the egg domes. He told us that these were once used as a teaching tool to correct wayward magical students and apprentices and could be modified in a more dangerous dueling situation. He also said any spell fired within the dome will bounce around inside, reflecting back to the caster. So if they fired dark or Unforgivables, well… Be prepared."

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Albus Dumbledore sat in his office, alone with a bottle of Fire Whiskey and an empty glass in front of him. He always prided himself to be the Leader of the Light, willing to give out second chances in hopes of redeeming someone, but tonight, he discovered just what he had done to the victims who those he gave second chances to.

Many of those souls that had been slain by Tom had turned towards him and glared at the old wizard. One even had stepped closer and spoke to him, "If not for you giving that cretin and his followers a second chance, third, and even fourth, I would still be alive."

Another spoke: "Where were you? Oh, that's right – it is always the victims who pay for your 'slaps on the wrist' attitude. For Your Greater Good! Hogwash! What about justice for the innocent?"

"Was my life so worthless that you couldn't punish my murderer?"

"Where was my justice? Oh, that's right. It was for the Greater Good that I died so you can sleep with a clear conscious!"

Even Sirius, James and Lily glared angrily at him before turning their backs to him, without saying a word. That hurt.

Picking up his glass of whiskey and studied it for a moment, Albus sighed as his sins reflected in the reflections in the amber liquid. Where did he go wrong? Why did everyone fight against his Greater Good? All he wanted to protect the Wizarding World from itself, to keep it from imploding on itself. Why wouldn't they just listen to him?

That magical presentation was surprising and eye opening. So the refugees were on the losing side of a war between two insanely powerful mages. He still wasn't sure how he felt it. Was it all true?

He might never know; he was running out of time.

Looking down at his blackened arm, Albus considered: was he wrong to keep this hidden from everyone? He hadn't realized just how powerful Harry had become. To have been so desperate to call on the Moon Lady. Of all people. Someone he had no longer believed in; someone who no longer had any business in the Wizarding World and was an enemy to his Greater Good.

One of things he had done when he had become headmaster was eliminate all references to the myths and legends to the gods from Hogwarts. He had always seen them as a crutch – a determent to their world.

Was he that wrong?

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Winter had set in at Hogwarts. The students were returning to the castle after having a very long Christmas holiday. Many were excited, but many were grieving.

The duel of the Pitch had been on the news and tongues of the Wizarding World for most of the holiday.

News of how Harry Potter took out the Dark Lord and many of his Inner Circle without help sent a shock way throughout the British Wizarding World. He had used magic never seen before. Many had lost their fathers and family members that night. It hadn't been pretty, and yet, Harry didn't show any remorse.

Arthur had been there that night. He told Molly he met his brothers and they had a message for her.

They are so proud of most of their nephews. They told him to stop their sister from ruining the two youngest. Ginny was a fan-girl and she will never be happy pining after a phantom. Ronald was a greedy glutton and will never hold a job, the way he was going. However, the twins were shaping up to be great business men.

Arthur knew Molly would never change and didn't know what to about his two youngest.

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Ron, Ginny, and the twins had been in the stands along with Hemione when their former friend faced Voldemort. Ron was now convinced that his friend was too powerful to be friends with. His friend had turned dark. Look at how all the Death Eaters died in those egg thingies. He wanted nothing to do with that type of magic.

Ginny had eyed Firefox as he stood in the fading sunlight as a hungry lion eyeing a fat cow. She wanted him as did half of the women and girls sitting in the stands.

The twins, for once, were silent on their thoughts. Although they both came to realize their silent investor was definitely off limits for pranking.

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The train ride back to Hogwarts was long and tiring. The Christmas hols was finally over, and the new term was ready to start. Hemione was bombarded with questions and not so subtle demands for information. She finally had to use a strong locking spell on her door so she could get some reading done. Ron and Ginny were no help whatsoever.

She finally found Harry sitting at the Gryffindor table when she entered the Great Hall. He was sitting with his rust and cream colored familiar – Sal. Harry was dressed with winter festive robes with fur trimmings. His white hair has been braided with white crystals and feathers from Hedwig and Godric. He looked just as unapproachable as ever.

She had been at the Pitch watching the duel and she was more determined than ever not to lose her first friend, but wasn't quite sure on how to keep up with him and this new magic.

"Harry! Mom loved my hair. She wants Winky to come home and show her how to do it," Hermione gushed as she hugged her best friend.

Ginny came to sit with him. Ron went to sit with Dean and Seamus with Lavender Brown sitting on the other side, and as far from Harry as possible. In fact, except for Hermione and Ginny, there was a huge vacant space around Harry.

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Firefox found he didn't much care about losing his first friend. Ron was a boyhood friend who refused to grow up. Truthfully, he had been worried about Ron and his jealously. So far, what he found was that Ron was afraid of him. The teen wasn't sure if he was relieved or not. He knew he couldn't take Ron as a student, as the red-head had all the ear-marks of taking the easy way out and becoming a blood-path.

After the Welcoming Feast, the young mage excused himself from his friends and their many invasive questions. He had an announcement to make.

Standing, Firefox drew all eyes on him as he walked towards Head Table. The last time he did, he had demanded the school to be evacuated.

"Harry, my boy? I thought all trouble was over with," Albus asked, as he stood.

"Oh, it is quite over, sir," Firefox assured him. "However, I have an announcement to make."

Firefox turned to face the students, ignoring the staff behind him. "I wish to start classes on wild magic. There are certain criteria that I am willing to teach. First, the student must take a test to see if they have the potential. Second, they must be willing to let go of their wands. And lastly, they must follow my instructions to the letter. What I am willing to teach is quite dangerous. And not all here can learn to yield the wild magic of the lands."

"I see. Can adults also learn?" Albus asked, intrigued.

"Adults can learn, but I have found wizards can be a bit too attached to their wands. Age really isn't the issue," he answered before continuing. "Yes, there are several I can tell already might have the talent to handle wild magic. Meet me Saturday morning, here in the Great Hall. I will perform the test on those that are interested.

"The professors and instructors may monitor it, but they are not allowed to interfere. My tests can be dangerous to the students as well as spectators."

He frowned and raised his hands, allowing lightning to arc between his fingers. "I am Firefox, Healer Adept, elder of Hogwarts. What I say goes. I will lock down anyone's magic if they are not willing listen to me. Magic is a tool, a talent, and can be very dangerous to the untrained. I will require a magical vow before I even start teaching. Think long and hard."

He left the Great Hall.

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A/N:

First let me say there are only 2 chapters left of this story. Sorry folks.

Second: Hedwig and Godric are still around. Harry hasn't forgotten them. I just couldn't find a way to work them into the story. Sorry.

Third, I forgot that the twins left Hogwarts in Harry's fifth year. I am bad.

Lastly: For those that are familiar with M. Lackey's Oathbreaker series, then you would know that she did not write the scene of what happened during the final scene of the ritual. She wrote that Idra shows up and greets her brother and that's it. The next page was a new chapter and a new day. That was it. So I followed her lead. Sorry if you wanted the scene. It wasn't going to happen.

That's it, folks. Until next time. – GF