Chapter 27

Harry turned around not daring to hope he was recognizing that voice. When he was fully around, his eyes lay on a painting very unlike the ones around it.

It was a field, with wheat gently blowing in an invisible breeze. A greatly traveled dirt path cut through the side of the painting and next to it right off the center was a giant oak tree. It's huge branches swayed with the wind, and its leaves opened up to the sunlight above.

"I must say I always hated to have my portrait done, so when I died I decided this was the best one to inhabit." The tree said calmly.

"Sir?"

"Yes Harry, I may not look much like myself but I can assure you I am." The tree ruffled a few of its branches to show it was indeed alive. "Now what are you going to do with that sword in your hand?" Harry glanced down at the sword; he had no intention of leaving the office, now that he had found Dumbledore.

"I well, I guess I was going to take it." He knew the answer was lame, but he was unable to lie to a tree.

"Stealing is a very grievous crime, Harry, but I think since you were the original person who found it you may be able to bend the rules slightly. Although I think it best you brought the sword back when you are finished with it." The tree stayed silent, apparently enjoying the breeze.

"Sir, do you know, I mean if this is a Horcrux?"

"Yes, indeed Harry I do know." Again the breeze was the only thing on the tree's mind.

"Can you tell me if it is a Horcrux?" Harry was starting to get impatient.

"Only if you ask the right questions, I seem to have gotten much more finicky in my new form."

"Is the sword a Horcrux?"

"Ah finally a good question, unfortunately I cannot answer it seeing as how you are going to be late in meeting with your other companions. Oh and one more thing, that which you seek is hidden in a house you have visited in your mind. Farewell Harry and I do hope we meet again." With that the sun disappeared in the painting and the tree was plunged into darkness. Harry stared long enough and saw slight movement in the branches, almost as if the tree was breathing in and out.

Kagome grabbed Harry's arm, she sensed if he stayed there any longer he wouldn't be able to leave. Harry fought her for a few seconds, wanting to spend the rest of his days talking to a tree. He finally gave in and allowed Kagome to pull him out of the office.

Outside the door, Harry sank to his knees. He realized he would no longer be able to see his friend again. Harry had accepted Dumbledore's death months ago, but now seeing and speaking to his old headmaster was like being reminded of it all over again. With that Harry realized he hadn't fully accepted Dumbledore's death, nor had the deaths of Sirius and Cedric really sunk in.

It was at that moment Harry felt something run down the side of his face. Moving to swipe at it he realized they were tears.

Kagome didn't know what to do, she knew they were cutting it close on time, and she also knew she couldn't just pick up Harry and go. So she did the only thing she could do in a situation like this.

Harry felt a hard slap on the back of his head, it almost sent him flying forward but he was able to catch himself before he hit the moving staircase.

"Harry whatever your middle name is Potter, there is a time for crying and a time for going out and doing something. If you just sit and cry over not being able to be with a tree then you will be spending your entire life in a forest. I will allow you to compose yourself for three minutes and then we will be off." Kagome then turned her back and allowed the boy behind her some privacy.

Before she knew it, she was being pulled down to the ground. Harry had grabbed her wrist and was pulling her to sit next to him. When she looked over she saw he was laughing, there was still a remnant of water along his cheeks but his face was lit up with silent laughter.

"Boy, I would hate to get on your bad side!" He managed to get out between giggles, Kagome was less than amused, and she was about to get up when he grabbed her again.

Harry had stopped laughing and was gently kissing Kagome's cheek.

"Thanks." He whispered. He wiped his face with the back of his hand and then stood, "Shall we go then?"

Inuyasha was flexing his claws and swinging in the air, to keep himself active while waiting for Kagome. Sesshomaru was simply standing and staring at nothing in particular but casually turning in different directions now and then. Jaken was asleep at his master's feet and Koga was sitting holding his sword out and sharpening it.

Ron was simply trying not to show his complete and utter terror of being trapped in an underground tunnel with three very bored demons. When they heard a crash above them, Ron's heart leapt; finally he would not be stuck alone with four demons.

Harry and Kagome slid down the short decline into the tunnel with the four demons and Ron. Ron had conjured up a small fire and next to that did Harry bring the sword to.

He looked it over trying to see any sign of it holding a piece of Voldemort's soul. The thing looked the same as it did five years ago when Harry pulled it out of the Sorting Hat.

Inuyasha looked interested and walked over to Harry.

"This thing is too heavy." Inuyasha stated when he grabbed the sword out of Harry's hands, "It also has no balance, and its blunt." He brought the sword around his head and struck the rocks with it.

"Hey!" Harry called out, "That sword just happens to belong to one of the founders of this school!"

"It must have been purely ceremonial then." Sesshomaru called out surprising everyone. "Look at the way it sparkles, and," he grabbed the sword from his brother, "It has a crack next to one of these rubies." He pointed it out and Harry leaned in to get a closer look.

"It could be from when I stabbed the basilisk." The demons glanced at him, "a giant snake." Harry explained.

"I would like to see what it is like in combat." Sesshomaru said, in such a bored tone, Harry wondered if he really meant what he said.

Harry raised the sword and tried to get a feel of what the brothers meant when they said the sword was too heavy. Inuyasha thought Harry was challenging him to combat and drew his sword.

The thing grew until it almost tripled in length. Harry's eyes widened. Now he understood why Kagome was worried when she asked if Inuyasha still had his sword (A.N. Harry, Ron, and Hermione have never seen Inuyasha with his sword out since they weren't there for the last battle).

"Let's see what you're made of human." Inuyasha smirked and he started to charge at Harry. Harry closed his eyes but he felt the sword lift from his hands, and another hand pushing him back.

"I never expected you to be as stupid as you are, but then surprises happen every day don't they?" Sesshomaru sneered after the two swords clashed together.

Before Inuyasha started to yell back, Sesshomaru attacked. Sesshomaru grazed Inuyasha's face when he attacked and now blood was dripping onto Gryffindor's blade.

As if feeding on the blood sacrifice the liquid was sucked into the steel and then it vanished. In a split second Sesshomaru had dropped Gryffindor's sword and pulled out his own. A figure grew from the hilt of the blade; it was an older Voldemort, Harry could start to see the red glint in his eyes but his whip thin body was still hidden under black cloaks.

Voldemort picked up the blade and started to attack Inuyasha. The half-demon barely had time to respond the sudden out lash, but was able to block most of Voldemort's thrusts.

Voldemort started to smile but he didn't realize something until it was too late. Sesshomaru breaking from his usual calm lunged forward to the back of Inuyasha's enemy. Harry watched in amazement as the three fought, it was over soon though.

Voldemort, unable to hold off two attacks at once, was able to stop Inuyasha's blow but not Sesshomaru's. As the second the blade went through Voldemort's chest he vanished.

There was a sound above their heads and within seconds Hermione slid down to meet them. As if she didn't notice the two brothers swords raised and Inuyasha with a slash across his face, she simply walked past them.

"Time to go." Hermione said as everyone grabbed for their things.