A/N:Hello again everyone. You guys are amazing. 88 favorites 156 follows 49 reviews and over 10000 views; Thank you all for your continued support. That being said, I want to give a big shout out to Kira-Chu-Alana for being my 150th follower; Cyber-cookie for you my dear. This was the first time I had to use the full two week deadline, and I still had to rush this, but I'll speak more about that at the end of the chapter. As usual, I apologize for any grammatical errors, that I may have missed.

Please Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Harry Potter or anything dealing with its franchise.

Chapter-9

End of Year, Setting the Board and the Beast Within

Dumbledore marched into his office. He had just came from delivering Harry, the young Granger, and the boy to the Hospital wing to receive the tender care of Poppy, after the ordeal that they went through. As he sat down in his chair behind his large desk, his face was the definition of calm, however internally he was fuming. While his plan was a success, and Harry as able to confront Tom; the stone was lost…or so the boy wanted him to think. The display he had put on would've fooled the less experienced, but Dumbledore had an inkling to his nature and how he reacts to stressful situations, and what he had done was far from it. The boy had the stone…and he could do nothing about it or even prove it. He couldn't access the boy's mind, not with his defenses, and if he forcing his way through, the boy would surely bring him up on charges given he would know of the illegality of using legilimency on a minor. That charge would give unneeded ammunition to the other factions which would be detrimental to his plan on the political field, especially when he had plans on pushing some legislation the next sitting in a few months. Harry was unconscious, so he would have to wait till he awoke to review his unaltered memories of what happened. The younger Granger was a blur of unfocused events due to trauma, based on what Poppy observed when he had 'enervated' the girl, so she would be unreliable when she recalled the events due to her subconsciously repressing them until she gained more control of her already impressive occlumency.

What he really wanted to know, however, was how the boy accomplished it. His attempt to summon the stone was fruitless; however, he had felt the pull on his magic, indicating that the spell was working, but the stone was a great distance away. It proved that the stone was nowhere near the boy, which would give him credibility to it being stuck in the pocket dimension within the mirror…but despite all the evidence thus far; he was certain that the stone was now in possession of the boy. Dumbledore sighed seeing that it would be an exercise in futility to continue to speculate how the boy did it; he got up and went to an alcove in the office. It was a direct connection to the ward stone at the heart of the castle, and was only visible and accessible by the current Head of the school. He would make an addition to the wards that will subtly affect those within the castle; after all, it was for the greater good that the events that happened within the castle this year, stayed in the castle.

While this was happening within the Headmaster' office, William was sitting on a bed within the hospital wing, watching as Madam Pomfrey gave Hermione a calming draught, if he remembered correctly from his studies. She was sitting up herself, across the room from him, with her back against the headboard and pillows, with Potter lying unconscious on the bed adjacent to her. They were both fine, but the matron would not allow them to leave for the night.

As he watched her leave to an office like area within the ward, after bidding them good night, he heard his sister speak to him, "W-william, c-could you come here for a second?". He looked over to her, and saw that she was sitting up with her pajama-covered legs pressed up to her chest, and her arms wrapped around them. He knew that the effects of the draught would be greatly diminished, and he acted without a second thought when she called him.

He went over to her, climbed onto the bed, and hugged her. The action shocked her, and he felt her become still, but he spoke before she reacted any further, "It's ok Hermione, you can let it out. We're all safe now. Just let it out." He said softly to her over and over, and he felt her gradually melting into his hug, and began to silent cry into his shoulder. As he felt each tear soaking into the shirt of his pajama and her barely audible 'Thank you's, it felt like another weight added on to the guilt already within him from endangering the life of his sister. He made a silent vow to himself to never allow his goals to come before her again if it meant endangering her like what he'd done on the third floor. He felt Hermione move slightly, so her eyes were pressed against his shoulder, and heard her speak.

"I messed up your shirt." She said in a whisper.

He chuckled softly and replied, "It's alright, Madam Pomfrey gave it to me like she did yours; must they always color code us? One can only take so much green and red before they find a bat in their belfry."

She giggled at the joke, "I've only heard my father ever using that. It's quite old William."

"It got you to laugh didn't it." he replied.

"Thanks…and thank you for saving me…again."

"Think nothing of it Hermione."

She leaned off him to look him directly in his eyes and spoke to him in a harsh whisper, "How can I not William! Throughout this year you've always been there: the Troll, Malfoy, Voldemort. Why?" she said and then suddenly looking down and continued nervously, "I-is it b-because you l-like me?"

He knew what she was asking him, so he was cautious with his words, that single question, Why, was loaded with too many truths for her to handle after the events of tonight, and not to mention that the walls had many ears; all leading to a man that he did not want knowing about the connection he had with the girl in front of him. "I care deeply for you Hermione, and you'll get the answers to your question over the summer…I promise." He watched as she bit her bottom lip and looked aross the room briefly in deep thought, before she turned back to him and nodded her answer. "Ok good. Well, it's best if we get some rest now, Good night Hermione" he said as he moved to get up, but then he felt a hand hold his arm in a vice and the frantic voice of his sister speaking.

"Wait!, I-I've r-read that occlumency-affects-the-efficiency-of-potions-that-effect-the-mind. And-Madam-Pomfrey-gave-us-Dreamless-Sleep-potions-which-won't-work-and-I-don't-want-to-wake-up-alone-after-seeing-that-face-against-and-I-feel-safest-with-you-please-stay." She said in one breath and tears filling her eyes. It took awhile for William to work out everything that she had said with his occlumency, but after he did, he hugged her close again and spoke.

"You can use your occlumency to ensure those memories don't pop up while you sleep…but I don't see anything wrong with staying just this once." He said with the usual smile he gave her, and lied back on the pillow on his side, facing her.

As she did the same, facing him, she spoke, "You must think I'm complete baby asking you to do this."

"Why would I think that? I'm not sure if you remember, but you were will to die just so Voldemort couldn't get his hands on the stone. That, took a huge pair of bollocks to do." He replied.

Hermione giggled and slapped his arm, "Language Liam."

"Liam now is it?"

She blushed visibly even in the dimly lit room, and looked down before saying weakly, "You don't mind do you?"

He chuckled and replied, "Not at all, as long as I can call you 'Mi'?"

She grinned still not looking at him and spoke, "Sure…" she then looked up at him with a fierce and hard look in her eyes, "but if you call me 'Hermy', I'm liable to hex your bollocks off."

"And if I hear any mentions of 'Willie'; you won't have to worry about your pretty lil' bushy hair any longer." He replied with the same tone and look. They continued to stare at each other, until they both broke out in hushed laughter which carried gently through the silent and dark room.

Harry was awoken by a stream of sunlight coming through a nearby window. He groaned as he sat up in his bed, and his mind registered the blurry stark looking room and the sterile smell present in the air. As he fumbled for his glasses, and placed them on, he realized that he was currently in the Hospital Wing, with cards, gifts, and flowers surrounding him, placed on several tables.

"Good morning Harry. The gifts are from your various well wishers; the events that transpired on the third floor were kept secret, so naturally...everyone is aware of it. I trust that you are feeling refreshed?"

Harry turned his head to the left, and noticed that the Headmaster as sitting in a very cozy looking armchair, with a twinkle gleaming in his blue eyes as he looked over his half-moon spectacles, and a grandfatherly smile present on his face. "Yes Professor, but what happened? The last thing I remember was William apologizing to me before I was launched at Professor Quirrell and seeing him burn before I blacked out." Said Harry.

He looked at Dumbledore as he seemed to be seeing through him, before he sighed and said, "It appears Mr. Cunningham was more involved than I first believed." Harry looked at the Headmaster curiously as he spoke seemingly to himself, before his eyes regain focus on him and he continued, "Well Harry, Professor Quirrell was…unable to abide your touch. You see, due to your mother's sacrifice on that fateful night, her pure love created a…protection…that still lingers this very day within your blood. That leftover mark from Voldemort's curse is proof of that. And her love continues to watch over you. Someone like Quirrell, whose heart was so evil and filled with hate and rage, enough to allow someone like Voldemort to possess him, was unable to with stand your touch. That is why your touch injured him so badly."

"So…I killed him…" Harry stated as he looked down at his hands.

He felt pressure on his arm, and looked to see that the professor had placed his hand there, " What happened to Quirrell was not your fault, my boy. He killed himself the moment he allowed Voldemort to possess him, and his body last not but a few moments when the wraith left it."

"So…he got away then" Harry stated.

"Yes. He abandoned Quirrell the moment he was no longer a viable host. Voldemort was known to treat is servants no better than he did his enemies." The professor replied.

Harry allowed that to sink in. His mind was racing with the thoughts, especially of his mother's willingness to die for him. Then he remembered the words the Dark Lord said to him. "Professor…The Dark Lord said-" he started to say, but was interrupted by the professor.

"Voldemort. Harry, Voldemort. Always use the proper name for things. Fear of the name increases fear of the thing itself" Dumbledore said in a sagely tone.

Harry nodded and continued, "Voldemort …He said that he offered her a chance to live…that he was only after me…was that true…do you know why he was after me?"

"Ah, The truth" Dumbledore sighed. "It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution…I do know why he decided to come after you, my boy, but I ask you to have patience for the answer until the time in which you are ready."

Harry wanted to argue that he was, but the grandfatherly look he was receiving from the Headmaster caused him to trust the professor's words. There was a short pause in the conversation, which was broken by Harry when he spoke again, "And the Stone, Sir? How did I get it out? What happened to it after?"

"Ah, so you were in possession of it." The Headmaster said, his eyes seemed to twinkle madly to Harry as he heard him continue, "A clever bit of enchantment if I do say so myself. Only someone who wished to find the stone, and not use it, could retrieve it. I daresay that many would not fit such a description, certainly not Quirrell or Voldemort."

"So what happened to the stone?" Harry asked curiously.

The professor sighed, "At last, I do not know my boy. I was led to believe it was destroy with the destruction of the Mirror of Erised by the hands of Mr. Cunningham, but your recollection states otherwise."

Harry thought on what the Headmaster was saying, then spoke cautiously, "Professor…Are you saying…that you believe William has the stone?"

"I'm not sure what to believe my boy. But, it wouldn't be the first time a Slytherin has placed their goals and ambitions before the welfare of those around them." Harry heard the Headmaster say in a grandfatherly tone; however he missed the twinkle in his eyes as he was focused on the memory of William throwing him towards the man that was trying to kill him.

"What will happen to Mr. Flamel, then?" Harry asked.

"I have not shared with Nicholas the potential lost and not destruction of the stone, but he did agree that the danger of another attempt was too great, and it should be destroyed. He and his wife however, do have enough elixir to set their affairs in order before the end." Came the reply.

"That doesn't seem fair." Harry frowned and thought to himself. If William really did have the stone, was he really that willing to allow people to die just so he could gain it?

"Life unfortunately, is very rarely fair, my boy." The professor said with a twinkle in his eyes as he continued, "But do not lament their death, my boy. After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure." Harry thought about those words, and then nodded his agreement. "Good. Is there anything else you would like to ask?"

Harry though for a moment, and then he recalled his conversation with Hermione, "Actually, there is professor. Hermione and I were talking, and my House came up. I was wondering…do you know how I can gain my role as Head of House?"

He looked at the Headmaster as he sighed, "I do my boy, however, I must advise you against it. Not only is it a huge responsibility for one so young, and I have placed protections over your current residence that keeps Voldemort and those that followed him, from attacking you. Should you take it up now, not only would you be vulnerable, but your family and friends would be also." Harry looked down at that, however he felt the hand of the Headmaster on his shoulder, and looked up into the twinkling eyes of the aged man. "The time will come when you show the world the strength of the name Potter, my boy. All ask is patience."

"Yes Professor." He answered.

"Good, now I believe it is time for me to leave…I do believe your friends are currently waiting outside for you." The professor said. Harry watched as he walked towards the door, and with a flick of his wand, opening the doors, causing him to see Hermione and Ron. He watched as Ron and Hermione sped past the Headmaster, with a brief good morning before they came towards him.

William looked through the window of the compartment in the Hogwarts Express as it sped its way towards the bustling metropolis of London, with six others present, talking among themselves, while he felt the one sitting across from him brush her leg against his as she also stared out the window in apparent deep thought. He had spent his time since waking up next to Hermione the day after the Third floor incident on a mental high. He had in his possession an artifact that would fuel so many projects…once he figured out how to use it. While he kept it close to him by way of Sashet and her abilities; he eventually got of his figurative high horse, and refocused on his next steps to achieve his goals.

"I still can't believe Gryffindor won the House Cup; we had a full a hundred and fifty-five point lead over them still Dumbledore pulled Merlin out of his arse." He heard Tracey grumble out from the other side of Daphne.

"I can't believe you didn't think Dumbledore wouldn't be biased when it came to his old house." He heard Blaise speak from his position next to Tracey and closet to the compartment's door.

"But he's Headmaster, he's suppose to be neutral." Padma spoke from her position in the seat across from Tracey.

"Well It doesn't really matter now does it Padma. What does though is summer, and what we you plan to do with it." Lisa said cheerfully.

"Well…my sister and I are planning on going back to India to spend time with our relatives there…not much planned besides that." Padma answered.

"I plan on doing the same in Italy." Blaise answered simply.

"I'll be spending mine annoying Daphne here." Tracey said while nudging said girl.

Daphne looked back at her friend slightly irritably. She knew what she was prompting her to do and she sighed; though this wasn't what she had in mind, it would have to do. "Well, I don't have much to do this year, so I plan on spending it relaxing." She turned to William and spoke, "I've been meaning to ask; Would you like to join Tracey and I at the Greengrass Manor? It'll give you the opportunity for what we agreed on and give Tracey someone else to annoy." Daphne noticed out the corner of her eye that Li had stopped her leg rubbing and was now looking at her with slightly narrowed eyes and her two friends were glancing at each other and watching intently at what would happen. Her annoying attempt of subtle flirting had started to irritate her as the journey progressed.

"Sure." Came the simple reply from him as he continued to look at the passing scenery, "However, I have prior engagements to fulfill. I won't be free till mid-August." Which was true; during the final few days of school, he had letter Nymeria on her setting up a meeting for him with Blacktooth in regards to the project of creating his Hold, and for her to set up a large on with all his magical employees. She had returned a reply to her success in getting the meeting, but it was with the Bank's Director. Now that he knew that Voldemort was really out there, he would take steps to prepare his House and those in his shadow.

William walked into the busy hall of the bank, and approached a goblin guard with Nymeria and Remus lagging slightly behind him. "Good day. I have an appointment with Account Manager Blacktooth, I was hoping you could escort me to his office."

The Goblin Guard nodded his head, and spoke, "We've been made aware of the appointment my Lord, please follow me."

It was a short walk down the hall, when they met Blacktooth walking the corridor heading towards them. He sent the guard away with a brief gesture of his hand as he spoke, "Lord Dagworth, It's has been awhile. My clan has been happy in seeing the gold once more flow in the coffers of your house."

"And they will continue to increase, Account Manager Blacktooth. Shall we head to our meeting?"

"Yes, My Lord." The goblin answered and started leading them down the corridor.

As they walked, he felt someone place their hand on his shoulder, and he turned his head slightly and saw that it was Remus, who then spoke with a grim expression when he had William's attention, "William, while it may not be my place, I feel I should warn you to be cautious with any deals made with goblins. While they are known to honor any agreement they enter once in writing, they are known to using any and all means to get the advantage in a deal and using means to get around anything stipulated in the agreement." He said.

"Thank you for showing your concern Mr. Lupin, if I ever gave the impression that I do not take the advice of others please forgive me, and do not be afraid to voice such concerns in the future. That being said, I'm well aware of how the goblins operate. They are warriors who can no longer fight on the battlefield, so they found another to carry out their wars." William answered cryptically, and internally amused at the confused expression on Remus face, and the amused look on Nymeria. With that, they continued their journey into the cavernous building.

Blacktooth finally led them to a large decorated double door that showed depictions of some sort of battle from what William could make out, and had two heavily armored goblins on either side of it. With a nod to the guards, they opened the doors for Blacktooth, showing an equally large and richly decorated room. As William stepped in, he could make see that while the room shared the same utility as Blacktooth's office, it lacked the game that hung on his wall, and instead had moving paints of goblins in various battles; some of them fighting amongst themselves, dwarves and wizards; 'A battlefield indeed' William thought. There was a large conference table in the center of the room which housed several luxurious looking chairs. As he quickly took in the appearance of the room, he heard another set of doors open from the other side of the room, and saw a large contingent of armed goblins enter and begin to line the walls around the room; a finely dressed goblin entered the room and stepped to the side by the door and spoke loudly addressing all in the room.

"Now presenting, His Highness, Ragnuk the fifth of his name; Director of Gringotts: Britain Branch; Heir Apparent to the Throne." The herald said. The goblin guards around the room stood at attention all at once, creating a single loud thud of metal hitting the ground. William watched a goblin in an intimidating looking armor walked into the room with a hard expression on his face, while he raced a hand on the pommel of a handaxe that looked to have runes craved into both the handle and the blade of the axe head from what he could make out. As Ragnuk took his seat, he addressed the still standing four.

"Take a seat" he ordered with a gruff voice. He watched as the goblin manager did so with a second prompting, while the woman held a quaint smile as she looked to the boy, who nodded at her, and she took the seat to the right, leaving the one directly across from him available for the boy. As the boy took the seat, he noticed that the man had stationed himself behind and to the right of the woman. "I was informed that you had a proposal for the bank of Grinsgotts." He said plainly, wanting to get straight to the point.

"Yes Director." William answered while Nymeria reached inside the small bag she carried and took out a large dossier and slid it across to Ragnuk. "I plan on developing a large Holding at the disclosed area. We've already carried out a preliminary survey of the area; geologically, the rock composition can sustain the development which I have in mind, however speaking it will require some clearing out given it is in a forested area, but that has been already calculated into the cost of the project. Magically, it position is close to two Ley-lines, so it will be able to sustain ward schemes and anything magically oriented without strain. All that and more is within the dossier you currently possess. The venture will cost an estimated ten million galleons, cost including the price of your ward schemes currently available. The reason I've brought this to the Goblin Nation is because I want to contract your people with the development of this Hold. This proposal will not only see the goblin nation profiting immensely, but I am also willing to give forty percent ownership over to the goblin nation. However, the labor expenses for the project will be set off against your partial ownership." He noticed out the corner of his eye that Nymeria had glanced quickly at him, while Remus gave an audible gasp.

Ragnuk had been reading through the summary within the dossier, and had to admit that he was interested in the project. It would bring in a large sum of galleons, something his father would take note off, however he bristled when he heard the boy say about setting off the charges they would put on the labor of the project. "You want us to work for you for free for only Forty percent of the land you plan on selling back to wizards. That is an insult to my nation; no, we will have the labor cost and fifty-five percent."

'And the battle begins' William thought as he stared intently at the Ragnuk who was doing the same, and he gave his reply, "As I said, Your Highness, this will be a holding. I do not plan on selling land itself but the houses that we will develop. However, each homeowner will be required to pay a small 'maintenance fee' for the upkeep of the community and security as a whole. I plan to only lease my land to those that want to create their own businesses there." William narrowed his eyes and continued, "The Goblin Nation, would not get Thirty-five percent ownership of the land, but of the profits rendered through the payments I would receive, profits that would over time surpass the labor cost during the life of the project. I offer this not because I'm unable or unwilling to pay such cost, but in respect to the long service of the Blacktooth Clan, and through them the Goblin Nation, has provided in the protection of my House. I have no problem with taking this venture elsewhere."

Ragnuk scowled at the boy and spoke, "The Goblin Nation as full monopoly of any and all financial transactions exceeding ten thousand galleons within Britain, as written in the Treaty. You cannot take this anywhere else without incurring additional cost which would possible bankrupt your house. No labor cost, Fifty percent and the Goblin Nation can build a branch within this hold."

William gave him a small smile and spoke, "You're right, as an account holder with Gringotts, I would fall under that stipulation. So I wonder how you would tell your father about the loss of over forty mil-" he spoke but was interrupted by an amused Nymeria, who turned to him and had her usual smile on her face, enjoying the performance immensely.

"Fifty million, my dear. I had our less savory ventures converted into your vault; less of a trail. Also the apothecaries have been doing marvelously."

He nodded at her, "Right, thank you mother." He then turned to Ragnuk and continued, "Over fifty million galleons and another ten million that the project would bring in to the Gnomes in Switzerland. As I've said, I'm only here due to the respect I have for the Blacktooth Clan. No labor cost, Thirty percent, the creation of the branch, but it shall be until the perpetual control of the Blacktooth Clan; Final offer."

Ragnuk was silent with that final offer, while Blacktooth was wide eyed. Such a possibility was never in the cards for his house with the shame they had suffered the pass few centuries. But with one stroke, the young world could possibly grant them something that was the equivalent of a Noble Status in wizard culture. It wasn't long until Ragnuk spoke again, "The terms stated will have to be approved by the King. When they have been approved, a contract will be created and the project started." With that, he got up, causing the goblin guards to once more salute him, and walked out of the chamber.

William and the others got up and walked out the other entrance and started working their way back to the surface. As they reached the lobby of the bank, Blacktooth spoke to him, "I would like to thank you on behalf of all of the Blacktooth Clan, for the generous opportunity that you have potential bestowed upon us, and I know I speak for all in my clan when I say, that the Blacktooth sword will always be ready to strike at your enemies, while we continue to ensure that gold forever flows in your vault"

"This was mean repaying the debt that House Dagworth owes the CIan Blacktooth for the suffering we have caused during our absence, and I will ensure that my foes are worthy of you blooding your weapons. I will await your owl about the proposal." William replied while giving a brief nod, and walking out with Nymeria and Remus behind him.

When they we far enough, William gave out a sigh of relief, "That went better than I expected."

"You did wonderful dear, though the creation of a bank and having Blacktooth run it was unexpected." Nymeria said, as she placed her arm around his shoulder, and pulled him into her as they walked.

"Yes, it was. Why did you agree to that?" Remus asked.

"As you said before, they're greedy. I didn't know how, but I wanted to use that against them. I accepted the bank because we need them. We the Dark Lord returns, the hold will be a target too large to ignore, especially when all those you want to kill are located in one place. I want to make the goblins our ally, and if not that at least continued neutrality. If they join Voldemort or worse, decide to revolt themselves, it's all over. I'm hoping that by seeing how lucrative we are to them, they'll decide to help us. Blacktooth offering his clan's aid was unexpected, but proves I'm correct in my assumptions so far in how they work."

"Well, let's hope they do accept it." Remus said optismistically.

"Oh they will" Nymeria said with her ever present smile, "Their greed won't allow them to do otherwise."

William had spent most of the next day relaxing. Though he hadn't showed it, the meeting with the goblin prince was completely nerve racking; he had never used his occlumency to control the level of anxiety and nervousness before. But now, he stood on a platform in the large auditorium within the building that was the Headquarters for the Legion, with all twenty of his hired contracted instructors for his employees sitting silently behind him and all of the four hundred and seventy of his magical employees sitting before him. Most were honest citizens, while others were morally ambiguous, but he didn't discriminate; as long as they were disciplined and caused no issues for his business. They varied between Squibs, Halfbloods and Muggleborns who had found it near impossible to get proper work, and worked for him either in the apothecaries or his security service; both the legal and illegal sides of them.

As he waited the last of them to sit down, he took a calming breath and focused his occlumency as he casted 'Sonorus' on himself. His voice boomed throughout the large room as he spoke, "Good morning to you all. For those of you who do not know, my name is Lord William Dagworth…your employer." He listened to the muttered whispers working its way throughout his people, and then continued causing it to come to an abrupt stop, "From the reports I've been receiving about the performance of you all, I'm glad that you all chose to work for me, and that you all have been loyal to me. It is due to that loyalty that I decide to speak to you all today, bring you news that I am sure that many of you would rather not want to hear…Dark Lord Voldemort" William ignored the collective flinch he saw before him,"is not dead." And with that, William watched as hell broke loose. There were screams of shock and disbelief, while others played it off as a joke, and a vast majority shouting that he was a lair. Having had enough of watching these people act like sheep, he decided to treat them as such.

William flooded the room with his magic; it was gradual, but he could see the shift in any of their demeanors as the biting cold reached them, and he could see the wide-eyed fear as some managed to two and two together as to where it was coming from. William heard whispers among them, but the word that caught his attention was 'like a dementor'; filing that away for future research, he spoke again, "While I understand the disbelief, and the fear; I will not suffer having those that work for me behave like childish fools…that being said, I, William Dagworth, swear upon my life and magic, that the Dark Lord Voldemort is alive. So mote it be." There was a brief flash of blue light, followed by William lighting his wand; causing the large gathering to become as silent as death. William sighed and took on a sad, but understanding expression, "Look, I get why you feel the way you do upon hearing this. I've done my research, and I've seen the things that have caused you to fear this man. I understand the fear of you uttering his very name due to his placing a taboo on it, and kill all who spoke it. You were alone, you were afraid, and you had the safety of your love ones to think about." William looked around the room before he continued," You all hid, with your tails between your legs, and waited. You waited until a Merlin-honest miracle happened, and the Dark Lord, was defeated by a one year." He listened to them mumble incoherently and then continued with his arms held wide, "Well, now you know that he isn't dead. And not only isn't he dead, but he is trying to find a way to gain body. We do not know when he will get, but I can assure you, given what I've read, he will keep trying. But what I want to ask you is what will you do when that time comes?"

"Harry Potter will defeat him like last time." William heard a voice shout out from among the gathering.

"Your right." William said simply, shocking those that were in the crowd, "Harry Potter could beat the Dark Lord again. You could beat him. But how long will it take? I mean, does anyone really know how he did it the first time? How long will it take him to figure it out? Five years? Ten? What do you think Voldemort will be doing with that time!? What do you think those that followed him, and will follow him, be doing during that time!?" William asked demandingly. "They will Rape! Murder! Kidnap and Sell! Your mother…father…you sisters and brothers…your children…and any hopes or dreams you had for the future. ALL THAT AND MORE, AS YOU HIDE AWAY, WATCHING AS FRIENDS AND FAMILY DIE AROUND YOU, WHILE YOU WAIT FOR A CHILD TO PERFORM ANOTHER MIRACLE!" he shouted with his amplified voice, causing the room to vibrate as he walked up and down the platform. "I cannot live like that nor will I let you live like that. When I learned of the Dark Lord's continued existence, I decide on a plan. I would use my own resources to ensure the survival of your futures, and they our way of life, and I would do everything in my power to protect it. Currently, I am in conversation with the goblins for the creation of a fortified magical village. All those employed to me will get free housing, along with their immediate family members." He listened to the excited mutters as he continued, "That is just one of my many plans in the works, not just for the eventuality of the Dark Lord's return, but so that those like us, the ones that the wizarding world has deemed to have no room for, can have a place of our own." William waited as they muttered incoherently. He stood back in the center of the platform and spoke, "So I ask you. What will you do? While I can promise you safety and support till the second coming of Merlin; I'm just one boy. I can open the room, but I can't make you walk; I can give everything you need to protect your families, but I can't make you fight. And you know what, I don't care if you wankers don't fight. But I man to! As loNG AS I CAN RAISE MY WAND, I WON'T LET THE DARK WANKER OR ANY OF HIS ARSE SNIFFING DEATH MUNCHERS TOUCH A SINGLE HAIR ON THE HEAD OF MY LOVE ONES!" William said while raising his wand, having it produce a strong light.

"NONE OF THEM WILL HARM MY DAUGHTER!" William saw a young woman stand up with her wand lit also.

"IF LITTLE POTTER COULD STOP THE DARK LORD, I SURE AS HELL CAN MAKE A COUPLE DEATH EATERS RUE THE DAY THEY ATTACK MY FAMILY!" A man shouted out as he also stood with his wand a blaze, followed by many more doing the same.

"I'D LIKE TO SEE THE DARK WANKER STOP CURSES FROM OVER FOUR HUNDRED WANDS!" someone else shouted.

William looked around the now barely visible room, due to the strong light of almost five hundred wands. He glanced behind him, and was surprised to see the hired mercenaries were also standing with their wands out. It was gave him a heady feeling, and his magic was rushing wildly through him, causing his light to pulse brightly.

Tthere were no more thought out words as he allowed himself to flow with his magic and go with his instinct as he shouted, "WE WILL PROTECT AND GUARD THOSE IN OUR SHADOW AS WE FACE AGAINST THE EVILS THAT WISH US GONE! WE WILL STAND UNITED! FOR WE ARE ONE! FOR WE ARE MANY! FOR WE! ARE! LEGION!" William stood there, eyes closed as he heard the gathering shouting.

"LEGION!LEGION!LEGION!"

William stood in the cleared out basement of the Cunningham Manor, looking at his handwork. The pass few days were busy for William, were he was all over the place. While he still hadn't heard from the goblins about the proposal, he was either training among his employees at the HQ, helping Nymeria with their expanding business interest or reaffirming loyalty within said businesses ; when he had free time, he had spent it in the meticulous creation of what was now before him. The Animagus Ritual.

It had been one of the rituals he had unlocked the last time he checked the grimoire in December, and could not do due to the limited time he had. While it was a simple ritualthat only required the use of a Binding ritual circle, what was of the shape of a circle surrounded by various runes, and the Revealing Potion. The potion itself was only meant to show the individual their inner animal, while the ritual circle would create a bond between the animal and the user's magic, forcing an imprint on the user's magic, and enabling the change. His ancestor's had noted that while it was much faster and created a deeper connection to one's inner animal; they warned about their being a 'bleeding over' of the animal's characteristics.

William had spent days creating and recreating both the potion and the circle, to ensure perfection, and now he was ready. He walked to center of the circle in newly bought black shorts and a white T-shirt, to ensure there was no possibility of any other magic but his own entering in the circle; He had even taken off his holster containing his wand, causing him to feel slightly naked without it. He sat down, and took up the potion from its position at the center of the circle and drank it, while pumping his magic into the ritual circle, and watch as everything started to fade.

He woke to the setting sun's rays streaming through the canopy above. He was hunger, and he could smell something new in his forest. He moved towards the scent, not making a single sound as he seemed to glide through the brush of the forest. It wasn't long until he found the source of the scent; it was a creature that was sitting down in a clearing with its eyes closed. This would be an easy kill; the creature's skin offer no camouflage with the surrounding forest, making it stick out, he saw no visible means for it to fight back, and it lacked awareness, even when he was this close. It was a easy prey, but he would wait, and strike when ready.

He had circled his prey still its back was to him. He had watched and waited, and he could confirm without doubt that his prey would offer no challenge. Deciding to go for the kill, he rushed from his hidden position and leap towards his prey. But as he neared the creature, he was enveloped in a blinding white light.

A/N: And there you have it. This was a rush to finish in order to get it out in time, so I wasn't happy with it. I cut most of the ideas I had planned for this chapter, and rushed parts within it. Between Hurricane Matthew, playing catch up at school and work, just didn't have the time to work on this story. Also I've been getting other ideas for stories that have been begging me to write them, but I don't want to split my already limited time.

- Don't really have anything else to comment on for this chapter lol. But a cyber-cookie to anyone who can guess correctly the animal I chose.

Please review and let me know what you thought about this chapter.

Till next time.