Hello lovely Readers,

Meh, If this isn't up to par I promise the next one will be. I officially think this is coming to a close. XD I hadn't even expected it to be as long as it is. Not to mention those of you who have been supportive have stayed and stuck this out. I thank you all for your comments and I hope that the last few chapters will be good enough for an ending to this story.

Also, please, stop about grammar we all know it's bad...until my beta can get around to it, you'll have to deal with the grammar.

Also at the guest who posted a review about no warning of rape, read the add-on content within the first chapter at the top. It was stated there. FF does not give enough room to type all the warnings. For goodness sakes, just read for once in your life the bold print I put in the firggin beginning it isn't all drivel you foolish person.

Any GUEST who doesn't read the first stupid chapter for the rest of the warnings I swear I will remove your stupid reviews. If it happens one more time I'm going to remove the guest review and only members will review this work.

Here's the next installment to A Shadowed Life!

Enjoy!

Things in the story you might want to know.

"Talking/ spells"

'Thinking/ sound affects/ Memories'

§Music Song/ Magic Song§

-Parseltongue-

.:Spells:.

~Dragon Telepathy~

*Dragon Language*

Chapter Thirty-Two- Storm On The Horizon

Harry had been in pain, he never knew women could be in this kind of pain. He'd been asked by his Ancestor to shift to Briar Rose to make it easier on him then to have his body adjust to it on its own. It had hurt like hell to him and there was so much pain. He wanted Tom there, but they had made him leave. The pulse of the magic around him told him his core was reacting to his pain. The first cry hadn't deterred him from still crying out in pain. He hadn't known how long it had been, but it felt like days of torture to him, it hurt worse than anything he'd felt before.

He felt delirious and couldn't take in the words being spoken around him. He knew he was crying and he couldn't help the flow of them, he was in so much pain. He felt a hand against his forehead, brushing his bangs out away from his eyes. Eventually, the pain subsided and another cry sounded into the air around him. He panted tiredly and he was coaxed back into his true form, but Harry was tired and he struggled with concentrating on doing so. He managed it somehow and once more was his true self. He didn't want to sleep, he wanted to see his children and that was all he cared about at the moment. He wanted to see if they were alive and healthy, having instantaneously thought of everything that could have gone wrong with them in his delirious state of mind.

"Where are they? How are they doing? Are they well?" Harry asked tiredly to Selene.

Selene smiled and gently passed one of his children to him, "Your first born was a boy, Orion."

He gently cradled his baby boy to his chest and placed a finger within his palm. Tiny fingers wrapped around his finger firmly as the young child tilted his head back to look up at him. The eyes that stared up at him were a dark vibrant red and the small strands of hair upon his head surprised him the most. They were a silvery-white color and he wondered just why his son had white hair. He looked over quizzically to Selene.

She chuckled, "He has the hair of his Ancestor. He has inherited the white color of Ryu. This means the gene is strong within him. He will possibly be more dragon than you when and if his inheritance comes about. As for your daughter," She said turning to one of the people who came to help, she scooped the child up out of her arms and gently passed his daughter to him.

He smiled down at his daughter that was now in his other arm, cradled against his chest. Her eyes were a vibrant green, like his own, like his mother's eyes. What more was, the shimmering red strands that stood out against pale skin. His smiled widened at the sight of her and looked up at Selene.

"She inherited my mother's hair," Harry said softly.

He glanced over and watched Gilde open the doors to the room. He saw Tom first before Tom saw him, the older male asking about their health causing harry to smile weakly at him when Tom caught sight of him and their kids. Tom glanced at Gilde before stepping around him and walking over to Harry slowly, where they had made up a temporary bed for him. He watched tom's reaction as his eyes narrowed, but he sat down next to Harry.

He gently stroked the top of their Daughter's head, "Why is their hair different?" Harry explained it to him and Tom had dawning understanding come across his features, "So genes from your side of the family."

"They have you to Tom… our little boy has your eyes. As for our little girl, I guess we will see," Tom chuckled at that and gently stroked their daughter's cheek.

Harry lifted her slightly and Tom looked at him before taking their daughter from his slightly trembling arms, "She's… so small."

Harry chuckled, "We need to give them names. How about you name her," He said to him.

Tom looked down at the small bundle in his arms in deep thought, "Lilian Marie Riddle."

As he said this Harry's eyes looked up and over at him with wide startled eyes, "Why?"

Tom sighed, "Because if it wasn't for her Harry. You wouldn't be here, and I would have succeeded in killing you that night long ago. I owe her this much, to name her Granddaughter after her."

Harry smiled widely before looking down at their son, "Now…what to name you, how about… Leon Slytherin Riddle?"

Tom chuckled, "It's a strong name for our son."

Harry chuckled but was slowly becoming very tired to the point he was struggling to keep his eyes open. Selene came over and gently took Leon from Harry as he slowly yet reluctantly fell asleep. Tom let him sleep as Selene handed his son off to one of the women there. She came over to Tom and gently took his daughter from him, he was about to raise a fuss, even going as far as growling harshly at her.

"It is alright Lord Voldemort, we will take extremely good care of them. You do not have to worry of their safety here. Right now your mate needs you," She said gently as he reluctantly gave up his daughter to her.

Ryu the whole while lay up within his nest watching them from his perch. Tom laid down next to his mate, pulling Harry to him. The younger male snuggled close murmuring in his sleep causing Tom to smile. As he lay down with his mate he watched his children being taken care of on the other side of the room away from them. His son and daughter would never see this war and they would never know pain like he and Harry had. If Dumbledore even attempted to lay a finger on them he would make the man suffer, by tearing out his insides and prolonging the man's agony by using a spell that would keep his heart pumping until the man was practically choking in his own blood and entrails.

{A Shadowed Life}

Tom was rather protective now more than he had been at first and Harry, though he found it completely hilarious, was starting to understand what Ryu had told him the morning he woke up after his giving birth to his kids. Tom would be less likely to think straight if something happened to him or their offspring. He would possibly become even feral to the point of rampaging if something ever happened to them. It worried him a bit, but he knew if he brought it up Tom probably wouldn't react well to it. He'd actually been surprised the older male hadn't snapped at him with some of the things he'd said to the older male when he'd been in pain.

"We need to return home," Tom said to him.

"What about our children? Tom, if we take them back home with us Dumbledore would eventually find out and do all he can to get to them. Where they are now is the safest place for them," Harry said standing over the crib, they'd gotten from Selene, as he held his daughter's hand with his finger.

Her brother was sound asleep next to her and held onto the sleeve of his sister's pajamas. He looked over at Tom who was watching him silently. He knew this would be hard for the both of them, leaving their children here to protect them from the dangers of their world. Tom looked like he was struggling with an internal fight and was possibly losing.

Harry gently removed his hand from Lilian's hand and walked over to Tom, before standing on his toes and kissing Tom gently, "They are safest here Tom, please trust my judgment for once? I know this will be had, I don't want to leave them either…I carried them for so long, even before I knew I was and it breaks my heart to have to leave them behind in order to protect them."

Tom sighed, "I know Harry... I just can't help it. I don't want any of you too far from where I can keep an eye on you."

Harry snorted making Tom glowered a bit, "Like keeping an eye on me ever helped before. No matter how many eyes are on me I seem to always find trouble, don't I?"

Tom couldn't dispute that "…yes, you do."

Harry smiled, "I want them to continue being happy and safe. Away from the war and away from any of the pain we endured. I want them to grow up knowing their parents, I want them to grow up never knowing that bastards name."

Tom tugged Harry close, "Fine, Harry… they'll stay here during the war, but no longer than that, and I expect them to keep us posted on how they are progressing."

Harry smiled at him and nodded, "I will talk to Selene. I trust her rather well with our children and I think you can agree with that too."

Tom sighed and nodded, "Yes," Harry sighed and reached up to stroke the side of his face which caused Tom to sigh, "I'm not used to this… I never thought I would be a father… let alone have a daughter and son so early into our lives. Just feel like I should be here to protect them and at any moment a threat could walk right in through those exact doors."

Harry understood and nodded, "I understand Tom…I feel the same way."

Tom sighed and nodded, Harry was glad he could talk Tom into leaving them here. Harry would feel better if they were here, but even though it hurt him to leave them here he knew he could not leave Tom's side. If anything happened to the older male while he was away from him, he knew he would not be able to live on without him. It was strange how they had changed over time to what they were now.

{A Shadowed Life}

It was time for them to leave, Tom had made his decision and the wizarding world would shake, at the foundations by the force of change that was to come. Selene and a few helping hands would be taking care of the children, who were staying with Ryu as their protector. He'd watched his children stare at him with wide eyes, but hadn't cried seemingly understand their situation without a fuss. Harry had given both of his baby's warm hugs and kissed before handing them off to their caretakers.

"We will be back when all is clear," Harry told them as he bit his lips, "Remember my little ones, I love you both and always will… no matter what."

Tom, who was silent, looked like he was fighting the urge to rip his offspring from the women's arms, "Come Harry… there is much to do before they will all be safe."

Harry nodded and they headed out, however they were pleasantly surprised by the people gathered around waiting upon their appearance, "What's this?"

"I'm not sure, Harry," Tom whispered to him.

Gilde walked over to the slowly with the help of a male they didn't recognize, "This is the group your ancestor asked to gather. He wants to help your cause, and everyone here can feel the calling so they came readily and without question. They will follow you even into battle if it came to it."

This surprised both Tom and Harry, these people owed them no allegiance yet they did so willingly and without any form of compromise. Then again they were more into with magic then most and trusted their leaders without another thought. If it was true that this was needed to happen then who were they to refute it?

"I do not have time to deal with anyone who will not follow orders," Tom said and many of the people there seemed offended, but said nothing.

Gilde chuckled, "They are here because they are willing to follow you. Not just because you are the Gate Keeper's blood because in actuality you are not while Orion here is, however, you are the Dark Guardian and they feel the pull to correct the balance that was long lost to the light long ago. The pull to you and to obey and be loyal, so please do not insult them, they will obey without question I promise you that."

Harry spoke up, "They must be prepared to face consequences if they are given missions and fail," he looked at them and they stared back, "Voldemort does not tolerate any failures, those who do are punished for it."

He watched them as they took that in before nodding accepting this as it was, before someone spoke up, "What is the punishment if one is to fail their mission or mess up?"

Tom spoke, "My favorite spell to use is the Cruciatus curse when my followers fail a mission or piss me off… and Avada Kedavra when they royally screw up."

Harry quickly explained the spells to them since many if not all looked confused on the terms, "The Cruciatus is a spell that make your, every nerve feel as though it is on fire, usually it has some very damaging effects depending on how long you're held under it. As for Avada Kedavra is a killing curse no one can survive it and both of them can only be used when you truly want to kill or hurt someone."

Many looked pale at this revelation, Harry thought for a moment they would bail after that. Neither of them was hiding the fact Tom had a very bad temper, one that he often took out on the very person for his ire. Then as they stood there waiting Harry watched determination flicker across their features, they would accept this even if it mean they would lose their life or be in great pain.

"We can live with that," someone said.

"Then we leave in ten minutes, if you're not ready by then we are leaving without you," Everyone nodded and dispersed to make sure they had all they needed.

Harry kept looking back at the Alder Tree every once in a while as everyone got ready but said nothing. Tom just silently hugged him close as he waited for their departure. It was during this wait that a roar filled the air around them and people scattered as a, rather, large obsidian Dragon Fire Drake landed in front of tom and Harry. Many others also landed upon buildings and where ever they could find purchase.

*We will come with you… our nests have been left to those who have been chosen to stay behind, should we perish they will take care of the young and raise them to replenish our people,* The Obsidian Dragon said to them.

Harry felt odd trying to talk in the dragon's tongue, though at the same time that it felt foreign to him it also felt natural, *What, is your name?*

*My name is Coethar, I am the leader of this clan of Flying Fire Drakes… and I will be yours and your mates winged mount. The other will choose those who are their riders when they meet your people who follow you, to discern if they are worthy or not to be their riders. I hope this is acceptable?* Tom nodded to his words, *Good… climb on.*

He crouched down low allowing Harry on first and Tom sitting just behind Harry before Coethar lifted himself up off the ground. When everything was in order and everyone had their own preferred mounts for the time being they started out. Gilde opened a large enough portal archway that could fit the Dragon fire Drakes and those who were riding them for easy transport.

Harry looked at the Drakes around them and took notice they were not like most dragons. They had no front legs. Well, they did, but they were more or less their wings. Kind of like a bat when they propped themselves up if they were not hanging upside down. Their necks were long and elegant and their tails longer. Their scales looked like they were rather strong, probably made like a tank and nothing could possibly penetrate the thick hide by natural means. Though he doubted they could take an explosive hit from a bomb or something.

Harry swallowed and took one last look at the Alder Tree, where his children were before Coethar took flight through the portal last, once everyone had made it through. Harry closed his eyes and turned back forward, feeling Tom's arms tight around his waist. He could tell the other was upset, just as much as he was. It was going against everything within them to leave their young behind and it tore at them like a savage beast in their heart.

Harry was surprised at just how close they were to home, all they had to do was cover a few miles, "We're lucky the portal dropped us here… Selene and Gilde said it might not, because of the great distance between their home and ours. I am glad that this is not the case," Tom whispered in his ear and Harry nodded.

Harry was deathly quiet through their journey back to the mansion, when they got there Harry realized many people in black robes were standing outside the Dark Lord's mansion seemingly lost in what to think as a swarm of Drakes and mounted riders came rushing towards them. Their wands were drawn, but none fired as Drakes started to land around the property. Harry realized at the moment that the mansion once again had wards up, but who'd done it was a loss on Harry.

"There are wards up," Harry mumbled to Tom.

"Probably Lucius's doing… I told him that if it ever happened to immediately erect temporary ones until I can get around to fixing them. If it had been raided many of the items within would have exploded to keep them out of people's hands that shouldn't have them. Since the house is not destroyed he must only assume that they were torn down, but nothing more happened and that I was getting rid of the problem."

When Coethar landed before the group Harry noticed them lifting their wands only to drop them when they spotted who was on the back of the Drake before them. Harry watched as eyes widened comically before they all swept low in a bow, with a chorus of 'My Lord'. Harry slid of Coethar and he gently ran a hand along his thick neck before gently stroking down his nose. Coethar hummed in appreciation as Harry softly said thank you to him, giving the drake his respect.

Harry watched as Tom, walked over to his death eaters at a rather lazy pace. He heard the bark words od Lucius's name and said blond rose and approached. There was a hushed murmur between the two and Lucius's face lit up in surprise. While Harry watched them he was suddenly tackled and pulled against a very feminine chest. He tensed and was about to blast whoever it was when he paused at the voice that spoke shortly after.

"Itty bitty baby Potter," Bella cooed, "Back home where he belongs. I was dismayed when my lords little one was whisked away by that vile order of burnt chickens."

Harry couldn't help it he laughed and Bellatrix cackled alongside him, not letting him go. She held him close, running her fingers over his hair slightly. It was odd this strange comradery he'd gained from the women after she'd found out he was Phoenix. It was strange having the women hanging on him often and watching him like a hawk, as though she was expecting him to vanish into thin air once more.

Harry relaxed against her, glad to be back with everything he was familiar with. Narcissa made her way over and Bella released him reluctantly and he chuckled again as his surrogate mother approached him. Narcissa pulled him into her and pulled away looking him over, her eyes showed worry when Harry didn't at all look as heavy with child as Severus had probably told her he was. He smiled warmly at her as she touched the side of his cheek about to ask the question, but he beat her to it.

"They are with friends… I couldn't have him knowing where they were. So I left them behind with people I trust… after all this is over I will get them back. Right now, however," Harry's visage shadowed and a growl left him, he was faintly aware that Bellatrix was cackling rather loudly and Narcissa had taken a step back in slight fear, "Dumbledore will wish he never knew me… that he never messed with Voldemort… and me."

Tom was watching him from where he was and a smirk was upon his lips as Death Eaters moved out of the younger male's path, having no desire to have the younger male's wrath upon them. After their guests settled in around the mansion since there was no room inside for them all, Tom allowed Harry to place wards up around the house and its vast grounds to cover and protect their growing army. The men and women they brought with them stared in awe as they watched Harry work as he engulfed the area with rather powerful wards, the same ones he'd used on his own private home when he was pretending to be Orion Black. When he was finished he let his eyes wander over the wards looking to see if there were any cracks or flaws. He was glad to not he had not lost his touch and they looked flawless.

Coethar nudged him, having approached him during his spell weaving and had waited patiently until he was done, "Impressive little dragon prince."

Harry raised a brow, "Dragon Prince?"

Coethar chuckled, "Are you not? To us Dragons, Drakes, and Reptiles the closest to a Royal bloodline we have it the Gate Keeper. He is our leader, our wise seer of all and since you hail from his bloodline it is only suitable for us to call you our Prince. As for your mate… since he shares in your blood he too is considered royalty now amongst our kind."

"Is this why you joined us?" Harry asked.

"Hmm, Yes and No…" He hummed.

Harry chuckled, "What does that mean?"

"Yes, because you need protecting and No because my own motives play a part…I have longed for battle. We Drakes are a violent lot and we love the thrill of battle if one were to present itself to us we will and shall not hesitate. Peace is all well and good, but in time we grow rather restless. This is what we have longed and waited for, for so long…I did not want to deny my clan that honor and a plus was we would be fighting alongside a royal blood," He stated as he laid down on the soft grass.

"To each their own I guess," Harry sighed, tired now.

"You look ragged, my prince," Coethar stated simply.

"I am fine… I am still recovering my core from the twins. They took a lot out of me, giving birth to them," He sighed, "I miss them."

Coethar hummed, "I can only imagine how hard it must be to be away from them even, brood mothers don't leave their young until they are at least a few weeks old. Considering Dragon and Drake offspring grow at a rapid pace," He paused and looked to Harry, "Your young will possibly grow quick as well…be prepared to possibly not come back to the same infants you left behind."

Harry knew he was showing sorrow and Coethar's visage seemed to soften greatly, "Come now little Orion. Dragon young are born intelligent, they will understand."

"It's not that Coethar," Harry gripped the place over his heart, his robes crumpling in his fingers, "I wanted to watch them grow and now this war has taken that from me…Dumbledore once again took something from me that shouldn't have happened."

Coethar hummed in agreement but said nothing. He watched Harry who sat down next to Coethar and leaned up against him. His eyes became heavy with sleep and before long Harry was asleep. Coethar wrapped around the young male and huffed softly. He was going to do everything in his power to protect this boy and his family. He turned his eyes to those who were watching them, even the boy's mate seemed to be relaxed that Coethar was watching over him. He knew that both males would feel the need to lean on a fellow dragon of any sort for support. Dragon's always supported one another, unless they were from rival clans and even then their battles never went too far.

His clan had been the only one left after they'd fled from the world with everyone else, as well as many of the royal or high dragons. They flourished where they currently live, but every, one of them wished to return to the world they once called home. That would never be unless they could help make a difference with the world now.

Time seemed to creep on by, and Harry found that Dumbledore had gotten a hold of the Minister saying who Orion was and saying he'd turned dark. The man hadn't at all believed the old fool and he was able to go to his job without anyone prodding him about if the rumors were true. He found it rather funny that the Ministry officials were all complete idiots. It saddened Harry greatly that there was no challenge in taking over the ministry from the inside out. Harry worked hard and when he wasn't he was posing as Briar Rose, who'd recovered from her 'traumatic experience' and he was always seen at Zane Thallorian's side.

The new elections that same week placed Zane in first and they celebrated in taking over the ministry successfully. Now they were working on the plans to take over Hogwarts and Harry was eager for the plans to finally be under way. Tom and Draco often found him either in the gardens staring at the sky or out on the training grounds testing spells he'd been working on before being kidnapped, not to mention training to the point most of the training grounds were destroyed. In which Tom promptly fixed after Harry was done.

Anyone who knew Harry could tell the boy was tense, like a lion waiting to corner and tear, apart its pray. The tense could be felt in the air as it seemed to rub off on everyone and the Dark Lord's, Death Eaters seemed to almost be high off the feeling of the tension building. Harry had taken to fighting with Avery any chance he got, the man still not liking Harry even after so long, or for the most part anyways since finding out he was Phoenix as well. He also found himself pranking Lestrange Sr. who seemed to take it rather oddly, considering their past conflicts when he'd been Phoenix in the past.

Harry chuckled at the memory of the prank he'd pulled on both of them once. He'd had fun at their expense and no one dared stop him as long as it kept Harry happy, then they didn't seem to want to stop it. No matter how angry Avery or Lestrange got and they got angry often, but it didn't seem to last and after a while they laughed about it.

The day came quick when Tom informed them all the day to attack Hogwarts was at hand. Harry's face split in a wide smile that seemed to eerily match Bella's as she screamed and cackled in glee. In a matter of moments, everyone was getting ready for the raid that was ahead of them. All children would be spared and if anyone hurt a magical child they would suffer the consequences of it. The Drakes would be the eyes in the sky and take out those who may be up high and out of reach of ground attacks. They would attack from the front gate and the back gate, they would do it without warning. They would not be getting away and by the end of this Harry hoped that the Order would fall and those within it that he didn't want to be killed survived, except Dumbledore and those who seemed to grow to hate him because he wasn't what they wanted him to be.

He smiled widely as he started out with a low chuckle that gradually got louder. Bella who heard him stopped and smiled widely at him. Everyone standing about stared at him with wide eyes and even Tom had stopped his discussion to star at his mate with a raised brow. Harry's eyes were alight with disturbing glee, the green glowing like the curse they represented. Bellatrix started to laugh along with him before she spun him around with her and Harry couldn't help the cackle that left his lips when she let him go, only for him to fall against Lucius who also had a raised brow.

"Dumbles will die…He and his order will fall to the lowest we can make them fall," Harry sing-song'd still, laughing every now and again.

"Yes, yes, we shall decimate them, dear Phoenix," Bella cackled out into the air.

The storm was on the horizon and nothing could stall its approach. The light lord, the greatest sorcerer would perish and Harry would make sure of that. His eyes met Tom's narrowed ones and Tom nodded to him. Tom was giving him the go ahead, Harry could have the old fool and Harry would enjoy every last moment of the man's demise.

Next Chapter- The Bloody Field

≷• ܫ•≶ -Nyan

Well everyone that is it for this chapter. Looking forward to your R&R's. See you all soon!