Last time around Harry obtained the ashes of Cedric Diggory, for only Cedric's remains can weaken the Homunculus to the point where magic can destroy it. Meanwhile Ed and Hermione discover the journal of Nicolas Flamel, which says that whereas the Sorcerer's stone that Voldemort tried to steal was destroyed, Flamel had a second one hidden somewhere. On with the show!

Chapter 9: Worse Case Scenario

Parvarti and Lavender had determined that the Homunculus was in a series of tunnels that wend down farther than what Harry thought would be. Meaning that he didn't know there were tunnels extending to over 2,500 feet below the streets of London.

Our heroes, along with Ed, Al, twenty other Aurors and nearly 200 members of the Magical Law Enforcement agency had gathered at the entrance of the tunnels. "Remember," said Harry, "The Homunculus is extremely dangerous and will kill without provocation."

Everyone had been given a small sample of Cedric's ashes, so that when they came within proximity of the Homunculus, it should lose its strength and immunity to magic. After finishing the briefing, the searchers split into groups and entered the tunnels, with Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ed and Al in the lead team.

"These tunnels must predate the Roman Empire," said Hermione, "Whoever carved them did so well over two-thousand years ago."

"Well this is more than a good hiding place for a Homunculus," said Ed, "It doesn't look like anyone had been down here in over two-thousand years."

"Wait a second," said Ron as he held his illuminated wand to the ground. A fresh trail of blood headed off into the tunnel ahead. "Forgive me for stating the obvious," said Ron, "But I think we're going the right way."

Harry used a communication crystal to alert the other search teams to his location. The five searchers then proceeded cautiously through the tunnel. Eventually they came into another large chamber, much like the one where our three Aurors first encountered the Homunculus. Only this chamber had the look of one that had been lived in. Empty food containers were strewn about the rock floor, thousands of candles adorned the walls, and in one corner was a small pile of human hearts in various stages of desiccation and decay.

Suddenly the silence of the cavern was broken by the high cackle of the Homunculus. Harry could hear the creature but couldn't see where it was. "You three are more persistent than you look," taunted the Homunculus, "You must enjoy pain."

"Enough bloody games you bastard!" exclaimed Ron, "Just come out and we'll finish this!"

"Why should I come out?" asked the Homunculus, "I'm having way too much fun toying with you. I'll destroy you when I've had enough play time."

"It can't be," said Ed, his face full of shock and clarity, "It just can't be him, I saw that one die!"

"Edward Elric!" exclaimed the Homunculus, "I honestly thought I had seen the last of you. And is that your precious brother? The last time I saw him he was still a rusted pile of scrap."

"I know that voice," said Al, "Bit it's impossible, you said he was destroyed two years ago, brother."

"I know, Al," said Ed, "I saw him die when the Thule cultists opened the portal to our world," he glared into the shadows of the chamber, "Or so I thought it to be destroyed."

It was then that the Homunculus emerged from the shadows. "The last time we met, Edward Elric" said the creature, "I looked a lot different. I was stuck in the form of a huge, green dragon. The cultists used me to open the portal to your world. I returned to my world, only to be summoned to this one by the jealousy of one ignorant human."

"Harry, Ron, Hermione," said Ed, "Allow me to introduce you to Envy, one of seven Homunculi from my world."

"The other six Homunculi," said Al, "They also took names from the 7 deadly sins: Lust, Gluttony, Wrath, Sloth, Greed and Pride."

"True," said Envy, "When that stupid human tried to resurrect her beloved boyfriend, my comrades in sin vied for position to return to the physical world, especially the one who called herself Lust. But she only wanted to exist in this world to continue her search to be human, a complete waste of time if you ask me."

"Why would a Homunculus want to be human?" asked Ron, "When you're nearly immortal already."

"Lust wanted to be human," said Ed, "So she could truly live, and eventually truly die."

"She and the others like her are weak!" exclaimed Envy, "While I on the other hand am perfectly content to stay the way I am. I like this body, as well as the powers that come with it. With this form I can move about the human world and kill at leisure."

"Your killing days are over, you damn dirty abomination!" exclaimed Hermione.

"I'm just getting started," said Envy, "And you five are my next victims. But I'll save Edward for last. I want to see the look in his eyes as he watches his friends and brother die. I wonder if it'll be like the look he had when I killed his father?"

"What did you say!" exclaimed Al.

"I'm sorry, Al," said Ed, his hands clenched in frustration and anger, "I should have told you this before. Back when the cultists opened the portal, they transmutated Envy in order to do so. But just before they did they used the blood of a human to activate the Grand Arcadium circle needed for the portal, and that blood came from our dad. That's right, Envy killed our father!"

"He was my father first!" spat Envy, "It was my right to kill him after what he did to me!"

"What are you talking about?" asked Hermione.

"I'll tell you," said Envy, "400 years ago an Alchemist named Hohenheim of Light used Alchemy in attempt to resurrect his dead son. I was the end result. Back then I had the ability to assume the appearance of any person I desired. Hohenheim remained alive by transferring his soul from one body to another. Somehow he ran from his world to another. I followed. In the process I became trapped in the form of a dragon and remained as a dragon until I destroyed the pathetic man who created me. I must say I enjoyed the taste of his blood as I bit into his torso and ended his pathetic life."

"You bastard!" exclaimed Harry, "You vicious, heartless bastard! I'm gonna see that you never harm anyone again!"

"I thought you'd feel that way, Harry Potter," said Envy, "Which is why I took precautions should you and your pathetic friends came looking for me again."

"What sort of precautions?" asked Ron.

"I'm glad you asked," said Envy, "You see, in between killings I've researched you, Harry Potter, and I find myself impressed by your exploits. In my studies I've discovered your weakness; your disgusting compassion for those close to you. Which is why I've taken hostage the one most close to you; your wife, Ginny!"

"WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!" exclaimed both Harry and Ron at the same time.

"Oh yes," said Envy, his voice brimming with horrid glee, "Behold, behind curtain number one!" A shadowed area of the chamber was illuminated to reveal Ginny, gagged and bound to a chair, a mixed look of terror and rage on her face.

"You son-of-a-bitch!" raged Ron, "You let my sister go now!"

"I'm afraid you're in no position to order anything," said Envy, "So just sit back and relax as I slit this human's pretty neck and take her heart from her chest."

"Take one step towards Ginny and you die!" said Harry as he held out the small jar that held his share of Cedric's ashes, "I know your weakness as well."

"I don't know what's in that jar," said Envy, "But I don't feel any different. Now if you excuse me, I have a human to destroy." He started towards Ginny, his left hand gleaming like a knife in the light of the candles.

"I SAID LEAVE HER ALONE!" roared Harry as he threw the jar at the face of the Homunculus. The jar broke on contact, covering Envy's face with ashes.

While the Homunculus tried to clear the ashes from his face, Ron and Hermione hurried over to Ginny and untied her. She tried to say something yet the gag prevented her from speaking coherently.

"What are you trying to say?" asked Ron. Ginny ripped the gag away from her mouth and slapped Ron in the head. "I said 'Don't ever spend the night on the job without checking in with me!' That creature was gonna kill me!"

"I'm so sorry, Ginny," said Harry, "We were so caught up in all that has happened, I neglected to see if you were alright at home. Forgive me."

"I forgive you," said Ginny, "But understand that if this ever happens again, I'll castrate you."

"She'll do it," said Ron to Hermione, "And she'll do it to me for good measure."

Envy meanwhile was feeling worse for wear. Apparently some of Cedric's ashes had been inhaled into his lungs. "It makes sense now," said Ed, "Only by coming into close contact with Cedric's remains would the Homunculus be affected so, and this is as close as can be."

The Homunculus was sweating rivers, as if he barely had the strength to stand up. "You filthy humans!" spat Envy, "You'll pay for this!"

"Put it on my tab," said Ed as he tossed his share of the ashes into Envy's face. The Homunculus got a full blast from the ashes and collapsed from his own weight.

Meanwhile the other searchers had reached the chamber and stared at the fallen Homunculus.

"What now?" asked Ron.

"Now we finish it," said Al. He and Ed clapped their hands together and slammed their left palms onto the rock floor. The blue Alchemic lightning crackled as two spears were summoned from the rock.

"So this is how it ends," gasped Envy, "I killed Hohenheim of Light, his sons destroy me. Revenge has come full circle."

"This isn't just about avenging dad," said Ed as he and Al readied to finish the Homunculus off, "This is about all the innocent people you've destroyed to fulfill your sick desires."

"Then do it already!" spat the Homunculus, "Kill me! It doesn't really matter that much. As soon as someone driven by jealousy uses Alchemy to resurrect the dead, I'll be back. That's how it works, I always find a way back!"

"Perhaps," said Al, "But should that day ever come, my brother and I will be there to stop you again!" With that the two brothers stabbed Envy in his black heart, slaying him instantly.

Shortly later our heroes emerged onto the surface, breathing in the fresh air. "I have to say that this has been one of our more weird adventures," said Ron,

"Just how many people did that horrid creature kill?" asked Hermione.

"We haven't gotten an official body count yet," said Tonks as she and several Aurors came out of the tunnels, "But the estimate is seventeen muggles."

"And one witch," said Ron, "That thing is responsible for what happened to Marietta, along with taking Cho's hands."

"Well it's over now," said Harry, "Envy won't be killing anyone anytime soon."

"Since your job is finished for the minute," said Ginny to Harry, "I have something to tell you."

"I said I was sorry for not calling you," said Harry, "What more do you want?"

"I'm not talking about that," said Ginny, "I'm saying that the Homunculus abducted me while I was on my way back form St. Mungos."

"Why were you at St. Mungos?" asked Ron.

"To tell the truth," said Ginny, "It can wait. Right now I just want to go home."

"That's probably the smartest thing I've heard all day," said Harry.

The end of chapter 9. Didn't see that coming, did you? Next chapter it all comes together as Harry, Ron and Hermione say goodbye to Ed and Al, while Harry and Ginny look towards the future. Reviews will be rewarded with cake and pie. See you next time!