Chapter 19 – Warding homes

Molly together with Hermione and Ron found Harry indeed in the next morning in the infirmary. He was still sleeping but as they entered, he woke up.

"Molly! What are you doing here?" he asked and feigned surprise.

"Well, there was an attack and even a counter attack yesterday. I'm sure, Ron and Hermione will fill you in. And you, are you alright?"

"Sure."

"The counter attack went better than we hoped and all believe that Christmas will be safe. So I wanted to invite you and your mysterious girlfriend to join us at the burrow." she asked hopefully.

Harry thought about that, "Alright. We are going to come if you are sure about that."

"Of course! Why shouldn't I? I mean the woman you love is surely a nice and wonderful person." Molly said with a smile while unseen of her, Hermione and Ron blanched.

"Nice?" Harry asked with a devilish grin, "Maybe while she is sleeping or she wants something. She is more the vicious type and adding to that, she could give the marauders a run for their money, at least, if we would have time for that and were living in peace."

Ron laughed at that and even Hermione snickered.

Molly became a little bit uncertain, "I'm sure, we will welcome her as we welcome you, Harry. Don't worry about that! Now, I have to be on my way."

Molly left and Hermione shook her head, "That will be a shock for her."

"I don't care. If she doesn't behave, we will leave instantly." Harry said coldly, "Now, you wanted to tell me something?" Harry asked.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Why? You know it better than us."

Harry grinned.

"What? How?" Ron asked.

"Ron! Do you remember a certain black owl?" Hermione groaned.

"So your girlfriend is helping that dark avenger type?" Ron asked astounded.

"Ron you prat!" Hermione said, "He IS the Dark Avenger!"

Ron's eyes widened, "What? You... you are that sickly black wizard?"

Harry groaned, "Hermione, you are too clever for your own good. Someday such a comment could cost you your beautiful head."

Hermione blanched.

"And you are simply thick headed and naive! Will you keep quiet about that or have I to obliviate you?" Harry asked in a voice of steel.

Ron blanched, "You wouldn't!"

"I have no qualms about even to kill you, if you would stand in my way." Harry said coldly, "Alas, I know you would never side with Voldemort so you aren't in that danger. But be sure, I'm now a cold hearted bastard and you are only a goody goody Gryffindor with a large mouth! So?"

Ron blanched even more. Harry's tone let no more doubts about his claims.

"I will say nothing, not even to Ginny or Hermione, so I won't slip."

"Alright then. You wouldn't like the consequences of your babbling." Harry said.

"But Hell! Harry, how could you sink so deeply into the blackest arts?" Ron asked.

"Simple. He has an army and I have exactly one, maybe two real friends and allies." Harry said, "So I had to find a way for my own support. And it was a good thing too, it allowed me to take care of the dementors and I forgot to tell you yesterday, Voldy is now partially demonic. It will help me to deal with him."

"Only one and MAYBE two allies?" Hermione asked disappointed.

"Hermione, do tell me honestly, were you supporting me during the last years wholeheartedly or did you support Dumbledore?"

"I... I understand. I'm sorry for that, Harry." Hermione whispered nearly in tears. Even Ron gulped and hugged her, "I'm sorry as well."

"It won't change anything now. Maybe we can start anew when this whole mess is over." Harry sighed, "Now, it is time to get up! But I will have to take a nap later." he grinned, "The night was much too short."

Hermione blushed, "How long have you even been in that bed?"

"An hour or so."

The school was happy and the same went for the wizarding world in general as they heard about the first real victory over the dark forces. Sure, they were shocked, that there had been an attack, but Dumbledore and Arthur had reported, that they had successfully fought the deatheaters and Voldemort and had kept them from overtaking the ministry. The loss of the minister himself was terrible, but that was war, Dumbledore reminded the wizards and he assured them, that Arthur Weasley was the right man to replace him.

The public was also shocked to hear, that a black wizard had supported the light forces during the fight as well as the well known dark witch Bellatrix Black.

As Arthur had taken over the ministry, he showed that he was no overly friendly and passive wizard at all. He showed his true colours, as he took instantly a hard reign. He divided the whole resources of the ministry anew... priority was now the magical law enforcement. He ordered them all, to go and look for the known Deatheaters and to capture them all by all means necessary. He also placed guards at the most important points, like Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, the Ministry itself and other important places. He also secured the wizards after an advise of Harry the support of other magical races, like the Goblins or the Centaurs. He promised them all a reworked law regarding all magical creatures and instantly revoked all the newer werewolf-laws. So he had gathered very valuable support for the war by very few means. He also contacted the other ministries from Europe, not directly to ask for help, but to warn them and ask them, not to support any Deatheaters or Voldemort in their country. He successfully made the life of the Deatheaters much more difficult. He also had no problems to call the more prominent families Deatheaters in public even if they were rich and famous. When they had evidence, he put them on a public wanted list... so the Deatheaters couldn't walk out in the public anymore. With the support of the Goblins, they froze even their vaults so the monetary support was cut off as well. In a matter of days, the whole war had taken a hard turn and the advantage was now with the light forces. More and more Deatheaters were captured until Christmas and Harry and Bella had for once nothing to do with it. They had now some peace to relax and enjoy their love.

But Harry and Bellatrix still helped the cause actively.

A week after the attack Harry was asked to come into Dumbledore's office.

"Mr. Potter, please sit down!" Dumbledore asked.

Snape, Moony, Flitwick and McGonagall were there.

Harry sat down and looked questioningly at the headmaster.

"What can I do for you?" he asked.

"Good that you ask. I have carefully thought about your latest developments and achievements. I wanted to ask you, if you think, that you can check our wards here. We have already checked them twice, but you have... another kind of view of that."

Harry thought about it, "Well, I could at least try it. We should ask Bella for help as well as she is now an expert about wards. But do tell me, do you want to keep them defensive or would you like to make them a more active defence mechanism?"

Dumbledore looked serious, "We have thought about that as well. Do you think, it would be possible to build offensive wards without disturbing the original wards? And more important, what do you think about it?"

Harry was surprised, that he was asked for an opinion, "Well, we pressed him hard during the last weeks and I kind of hoped he would attack Hogwarts."

The teachers gasped except Moony, Snape and Dumbledore.

"I thought something like that." Dumbledore said, "But why?"
"Because that would force you to do something against him." Harry said as a matter of fact, "Of course with a competent minister has already something been done but I couldn't have known that before. I still believe, it would be the best solution, if he would attack Hogwarts, as I'm prepared now to use my special abilities to their full extends here. It is also a powerful stronghold and a battle on our own territory is preferable, at least if we can protect the students."

"That sounds reasonable." Dumbledore agreed.

"Therefore it wouldn't be the best solution to keep them away with the offensive wards. I would suggest to let the wards be and only check them. But we could build an inner layer of wards directly around the castle. So they will surely break through the outer wards. Voldemort will be prepared, when he attacks. But if he reaches the castle, he will stand against the second layer and that I would make fatal. I firmly believe that I could form a ward which would kill every bearer of the dark mark, but you know that would include any students if there are some left, so think carefully! I would also need the help of some powerful wizards and of course of yourself as well, because the headmaster of the school holds a vital position for all wards. It would be the same with these wards." Harry explained.

Dumbledore looked gravely to his colleagues. Snape said, "Albus, this will be the final battle! We are at war and this will decide the fate of the whole wizarding world. I agree."

Remus nodded, "I do agree as well. It is now them or us and if Hogwarts falls, all hope is lost anyway and he will have no more resistance anymore. As Harry once said, they chose their side."

Flitwick thought some minutes and nodded, "We have to protect the students by all means possible, at least the innocents. I agree."

McGonagall sighed and looked worried to the dark haired teenager, "Well, if you think it is necessary, Mr. Potter, I trust your reasons. I agree as well."

Dumbledore sighed, "Well, I will ask Pomona Sprout as well, as she is the head of Hufflepuff, but she will agree as well if you deem it necessary. I will make a speech at the leaving feast before the Christmas holidays. I will warn them not to come back or be killed."

Harry contemplated that, "There is a way to be sure, but it will be difficult to accomplish. We could activate these special wards in two steps, the first step would activate automate stunners. We could take the students into custody and then activate the real thing."

Dumbledore's eyes lit up in a twinkle again, "If you can achieve that, that would be great. When would be the best time to do it and whom would you need?"

"Bella, Remus and the heads of the houses to built up the wards. I can check the original wards myself, but I would appreciate the presence of Bella to compare notes. I would take a week of absolutely free time for that." said Harry deeply in thoughts.

"But we have checked them already." Snape said.

"How would you check the wards? I mean, I can imagine that you could built more... offensive wards, but why do you think, you could check them in another way then us?" Flitwick asked curiously.

Harry smiled and turned towards the small wizard, "I know that you are a master of Charms and therefore predestined to deal with wards and the like, but answer me a question... Can you feel the flow of magic?"

The eyes of the small wizard widened in disbelieve, "No. But... do you want to tell me, that you can actually feel the flow of magic?"

Harry grinned, "Well it is necessary for my branch of magic."

"Now that you say it, I can faintly remember, that it is necessary for some of your... special acts." Dumbledore said and stroked his beard, "You have to be much more powerful than even I gave you credit for. That alone convinces me. Take the last week before Christmas off! You don't need to take the tests, Mr. Potter. You have already surpassed any standards we set here, at least in DADA." Dumbledore said with twinkling eyes.

"In Transfiguration as well, Albus." McGonagall said proudly, "His conjured goblet is still there... after weeks and not to forget, he has already mastered human transfiguration and animagus-transformation."

"He is also top of the class in Charms next to Miss Granger of course, but that may be because we mostly deal with silly charms, as he keeps telling me." Flitwick said with a laugh, "Also the building of wards and I understand, he has done so already, is the work of masters. There is nothing more to say about that!"

"Well, you could come and visit me some time in Hogsmeade, Professor and take a look at my house there."

Flitwick squealed with delight, "Sure thing, Mr. Potter."

Harry laughed at the antics of the tiny wizards, "Well, I will inform my love then."

"We are in agreement then." Dumbledore said, "Miss Black may come over in the week as well and she can sleep at the guest quarters."

"Well, I hope you are alright with me moving in with her." Harry said as a matter of fact. McGonagall gasped.

But Dumbledore intervened before she could say anything, "As far as I know, you don't sleep in the castle very often anyway. If you don't make it public knowledge, we will say nothing about it. But if someone says something, we will have to reprimand you."

"Fair deal." Harry said coolly, "Professor Flitwick, when can I expect your visit?"

"How about Friday afternoon?" the tiny professor asked.

Harry nodded and smiled, "I will ask Bella then. I will come back to you later."

They concluded the meeting shortly afterwards and Harry disappeared to his love.

She was actually very excited to be visited by the tiny wizard.

So the Friday came and Harry and Flitwick walked down the path to the small house in Hogsmeade. During the way Harry explained him, what he had done in general.

"So you have managed to combine pure white magic with pure black magic?" the tiny wizard asked stunned.

"Not black magic, Professor, but dark magic." Harry said with a smile as he opened the door.

Bella rushed down the stairs and greeted both.

"Professor! It is nice to see you again."

"Bellatrix Black." the wizard said with a smile, "That I can see you on our side again makes me happy indeed. You were once my most prized student and I was very disappointed to see you turning dark. But alas, the times are dark and it is new, to fight together with such ... well educated... practitioners of the dark ways. I'm very happy to see you again, Miss Black."

She smiled, "One wise man told me some time ago, there is no such thing as dark or light magic, there is only magic. If it is good or evil magic depends only on the intention of the caster."

"Indeed." the wizard said and nodded, "That was very wise, as you can surely kill with light magic as well. Who was this wise man?"

"Harry." she said and grinned.
Harry blushed, "I'm sure, something like that had been said before."

"Nevertheless was it a wise saying. Now, I'm here to take a look at your wards. Who did cast them?"

"I cast the anti-apparition ward. The rest is work of my boyfriend." Bella said with a proud smile and kissed Harry on the cheek.

"Well, that makes it only more exciting. May I?" Flitwick asked.

"Sure, you can sit down in the living room and relax, Professor." Harry said, "It is situated nearly in the centre of the house, so it is a good place. Can I give you something to drink or a snack?"

"A tea would be nice, Mr. Potter."

"Very well." Harry said and guided him to the living room. He conjured a cup of steaming Darjeeling tea.

"Minerva was right. You have a knack for conjuring."

"We will leave the room and stay on the terrace. So we won't disturb you." Bella said with one of her rare honest smiles at least when she was with other people than Harry.

He nodded excitedly, "Thank you. I can already tell you one thing though; your wards are very powerful. I could feel them, as I entered your nice house."

Harry only grinned and both left the living room and sat down on their terrace which was towards the small garden in the back of the house.

They both kissed and enjoyed some quiet together while Harry felt every time a tingle, when Flitwick cast some analysis spells.

"I'm looking forward to work with you together in Hogwarts." she said, "I was always interested to get to know more about the wards of Hogwarts. Do you think we can improve them?"

"Sure, they are ancient. At least we can enhance their power a bit. We will see. I'm looking forward to spend more time with you." he said and kissed her gently.

She seemed a bit nervous to him.
"What is it?" he asked.

"Harry... have you ever thought about kids?" she said uncertainly.

He grinned, "Are you pregnant? I thought we were safe."

"No, I'm not, Harry. If I say, I'm safe then I AM safe. I don't take such things lightly, Harry. I'm no teenager anymore." she said annoyed.

"And even if you were... Well, about childs... I don't know Bella. I'm very young and I wasn't well raised myself. I have doubts about my abilities as father."

She smiled, "Harry, if there is a loving and caring man who could be a father, then it is you."

"If you say so. What about the danger?" he mused.

She sighed, "Well, that is a valid reason to wait. You know, I'm very well aware of the fact, that you are very young." she became more nervous, "But on the opposite, I become older and ... I'm nearly thirty." she said silently. Harry hugged her and kissed her again.

"I understand." he said, "You know, that you are still very young for a witch. But I also know that witches in general get their children relatively young even if they live longer. The real question is, do you WANT a child and do you want it SOON?" He looked her deeply in her beautiful eyes.

She looked down to the floor but he lifted her chin, so that she had to look into his green loving eyes. Her eyes became moist as she nodded.

"I never wanted children with Rudolphus, Harry. But I love you... with all my heart. You are a nice man, caring and loving as I already said. With you, I do want children and... yes I do want them soon... if... if it would be alright with you."

Harry smiled, "Let's make a compromise for now, alright? I do love you too with all my heart and as the goblin said, we are soulmates and that means very much to me. If you want children, then we will make children. I have longed for a real family as long as I can remember... now I'm grown up and I still want a family but the meaning of that has changed. We will make a family of our own."

A small tear rolled down Bella's cheek and she wanted to hug him but he held his hand up.

"BUT..." he said and her eyes widened in disappointment, "... we will await at least the impending attack on Hogwarts and then talk again. I don't want our child to grow up in a war."

She relaxed and said determined "I can live with that. Then we should make sure that it is a victory for us AND the last battle."

"I hope so." he said uncertainly.

She hugged him fiercely and kissed him until they were interrupted by a cough of Professor Flitwick.

"Now, what did you find out?" Harry asked curiously.

"Your wards are incredible!" Flitwick squealed, "Sure, there are standard wards, like anti-portkey, anti-apparition and warning-wards... but still, even these are incredible. I have never seen such a tight knitted web of spells and they are powerful as well. But your offensive wards are spectacular! I don't want to bear the mark if I would ever come near your house. And the combination of the activator made of light spells and the offensive dark spells is truly ingenious. I would never have thought of something like that. Aside from Hogwarts or some truly ancient manors, I have never seen such a well protected house, Mr. Potter and Miss Black. I must congratulate you and I'm absolutely sure now, that you can help us to protect Hogwarts as well."

"You know, Hogwarts was my first real home and I'm happy to help with it's protection of course." Harry said with a smile.

"You know, before I got to know Harry, I thought of him as a spoiled and foolish brat with too much self-confidence. I thought his fame must have gotten to his head. But then I got to know his real self and I was floored to be honest. He is..." Bella said.

"...the exact opposite." finished Flitwick with a proud smile, "He is more powerful than everyone thinks but too modest for his own good. He was never spoiled and it is a wonder how such a fine and caring young man could come out of that muggle-house."

"Exactly." she said and hugged him proudly.

They chatted for a while, before Flitwick went back to Hogwarts. Harry stayed with Bella for the whole weekend and they imagined, how their children would turn out and they came to some very funny conclusions. But two things were sure, they would be powerful and they would put the Marauders to shame.

The time ran by towards Christmas. Harry's friends were surprised, as Bella moved into Hogwarts the last week before Christmas and when they had time, they watched stunned as he sat down on seemingly random places over the Hogwarts grounds and seemed to meditate. He would speak quietly with Bella who would take carefully notes about whatever they did.

Nobody was informed besides the heads of the houses, Remus and Dumbledore. But all knew it was important.

Two days before the end of the term, the involved people gathered in Dumbledore's office.

"Now, what are your findings, Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore asked.

Harry nodded towards Bella and she began the report.

"The wards are all intact but they are weakened and they have some holes." she said and the others gasped, "They are... weakened?" Dumbledore whispered.

Harry nodded, "Any analysis spells would show, that they are alright, but if you follow the strands and the knots of the magical web, you can see them and also the weaknesses. The wards are as old as Hogwarts itself and were very irregularly strengthened. It is clearly about time to do that again. Also the two still usable passages to Hogsmeade are not included in some of them."

"What do we have to do then?" Dumbledore asked shocked.

"We should strengthen them of course and we should make a schedule for all future headmasters when and how they should strengthen which wards." Harry said and grinned, "So that they actually have something to do with all their time."

Remus laughed and Dumbledore shook his head, "Do you know the word... 'Paperwork'."

Harry snickered, "Sure thing... paper... something that burns very well in fire."

Now Bella joined Remus in his laughter and even McGonagall had to hide her laughter in a cough.

"Alright. We will do that. How can we strengthen the wards in the most effective way?"

"We should do it together before the holidays. So we have some days to relax and are refreshed to place the new wards. Both tasks will be very draining. We could do it tomorrow in the evening." Harry explained, "Bella, would you be so kind?"

She smiled and nodded. She placed a parchment with the layout of Hogwarts and the grounds on Dumbledore's table. She pointed out some locations and explained who should do what spell at a certain time.

Dumbledore shook his head in amazement, "I would never have guessed to say that some day to you, Miss Black, but very well done. I appreciate your and Mr. Potters help. It is very well planned and analysed but it is a narrow time frame."

"Sure, but we all are competent enough to pull it off." she said.

The others nodded determined so he looked determined as well, "We will do it tomorrow directly after the dinner. Mr. Potter, I know, you don't care any more about house points, but how about that? The casting of warding charms of such a level needs a very thorough knowledge of defence against the darks arts as well as charms. We could make the strengthening and the casting of the offensive wards as NEWT-Projects and after an examination through a charms master... for instance professor Flitwick, we could take it as your NEWT's in both classes."

Harry grinned, "Nice idea."

"Any objections?" Dumbledore asked his staff.

"No, but we could give him the NEWT's instantly." Flitwick said with a grin, "The wards of his home are incredible."

"Professor, that isn't my home." Harry said with a grin, "It is a temporary flat for my love, so that she is near by. Actually we live in an even more protected manor."

"May I ask where you two live?" Flitwick asked with curious eyes.

"I do believe he said something about Gryffindor Manor." Dumbledore answered with twinkling eyes.

"Oh, well... the rumours say, it is even more protected than Hogwarts itself." Flitwick squealed.

"That may be, but I'm afraid I can't allow you to examine these wards." Harry said and chuckled.

Naturally Hermione found finally out what they were up to and got from Dumbledore the permission to watch them as they cast the spells. The night sky over the ancient castle was alight in many colours and the air whizzed with magical power. Hermione was more than surprised to see how calm and collected Harry was, as he stood beside Dumbledore and waved his wand in complex patterns and chanted even more complex spells... in fact, he looked as were it nothing. Dumbledore made a similar impression but the other teachers were more agitated and had a look of fierce concentration in their faces. Also the wand movements of Dumbledore, Harry and Bellatrix seemed to be much smoother than that of the others.

It was truly a show to watch and Hermione was happy, that she had the chance to do so, especially in a legendary place like Hogwarts.

She only wished that she would someday powerful enough to do something like that as well.

After that, the casters were visibly exhausted and called it an early night.

Hermione had been shocked as she heard, that he would get two NEWT's for that work but as she saw, how complicated and draining that was, she didn't envy him in the slightest. She had already realised, that Harry had left them all far behind in some aspects of the magical education. She knew of course, that he lacked in other fields, like potions, history, herbology or the curses, he hadn't even taken, like arithmancy.

But he wouldn't have any problem with that in his future.

AN: Thank you again for all your reviews and of course for your patience with me ;-) I do hope I didn't make Bella too soft in this chapter. But keep in mind, that she is still not very stable emotionally! And love is also a new concept for her and I think, she fears from time to time that she could lose her Drake ;-)

Novagod: Sorry, but no. This Bella doesn't share. It wouldn't be realistic for Bellatrix as she is truly a bitch as she does curse first and asks questions later and not only in canon but in this story as well, at least when she isn't alone with Harry.

dark high elf: Well, you have a point there. Until now I haven't written the events from the demons point of view and I haven't time at the moment to do that. But I will keep it in mind and if I come around to do that, I'll add it as an outtake or replace this chapter and move it towards number 20. We'll see. Thanks for the idea anyway!

Phoenix of Hogwarts: Thank you then for you review. I feel honored that you enjoy this story enough to leave a review for me.

Prophet of the waves: I agree, it IS a very powerful Harry, but it simply did evolve so during the writing. I didn't end the story earlier... where would the fun be in that? And no, he couldn't take out Voldemort this early. First he had to reduce Voldemort's supporters and as you saw, he wasn't able to finish Voldy during the fight at the ministry. It will take some help he discovered on the Hogwarts grounds to end this war and for that, Voldy has to come there. I do hope you will continue to read this story and no, it doesn't go on forever. In fact, there are exactly three chapters more and the last is more of an epilogue.