To Vanquish the Dark

by Kyria of Delphi

Three years after Dumbledore's death, the Order of the Phoenix has relocated all Muggle-born families and regrouped in France.Old friends are now enemies and old enemies are now allies.

5. The Return of the Founders

Hermione and Mary found everyone outside the chateau, watching Alastor create another Healing Circle and pentagram. Minerva was holding the toddler, Emrys.

Snape was standing in the centre of the pentagram when Mary took up her place at the topmost point of the star. Harry stood to her left with Luna next to him; Draco took up a position between his wife and Hermione. Hermione gave Mary the Felix Felicis and the instructions on what to do. Draco handed Snape the phial with the Phoenix ashes, told him the words he must say, and that he would need to shed tears to make the Dark Mark go away. Snape repeated the words back to Draco as if in a dream. Mary and Hermione began the wall of protection, which would enclose them in the Healing Circle. When it was complete, Mary poured a drop of the golden potion onto Snape's Dark Mark and spoke the words to begin freeing him. He was repeating the words Draco had told him, mechanically. They could see that Snape was in much more pain than Draco had been. He was not crying, though.

Draco, called out to him as Harry poured one drop onto the Dark Mark, "Uncle, it's okay. You need to shed three tears for the potion to work. Please, Severus, let go. Cry, dammit!"

Snape flinched at Draco's tone and the tears began to fall. Clumsily, he caught three tears in the phial with the ashes as he faced Hermione. She took the phial and shook it for him, then handed it back for him to pour over the mark. Everyone was singing the Spell of Redemption, now. The Dark Mark was not leaving his arm as Draco's had. In desperation, Hermione poured the rest of the phial of Felix Felicis over it and the Mark finally vaporised. Snape fell to his knees. Everyone whispered, "Blessed be. Blessed be."

Mary stumbled to his side, crying. Hermione and Harry dismantled the wall of protection and Alastor dismantled the Healing Circle. Viktor and Draco helped Snape into the chateau and sat him in a chair in the salon. Viktor Transfigured the desk into a bed while Harry, Draco, and Hermione were busy readying potions and ordering food for the Snape family. A house-elf popped in with a fully laden tray, moments later. Soup and bread were fed to an almost catatonic Snape, as well as tea. Mary watched him eat the soup and then take the potions. He fell into a peaceful sleep before their eyes.

Harry motioned for them to go on, that he would sit with Snape for a bit.

Mary was almost at the end of her tether now. Exhausted from the ritual and tired from living in fear for so long, she could barely eat the food put before her. The little boy, however, had no such problem. Molly assured Mary that she would take good care of young Emrys, before Mary would consent to going to bed.

Poppy Pomfrey was examining Snape when Mary came back into the room. Harry smiled at the woman who had been his mother's best friend and said, "He'll be fine. Don't worry. We know everything he has done for the Order. You are all safe now."

Poppy made her report when she left the salon. "They are both malnourished and run down. Apparently, they have been giving most of the food to Rolanda and the boy. Severus is sleeping deeply and it is probably best if we leave him that way for a while. Mary is all nervous energy, but she'll calm down when she realises there is enough food and no danger. Good job getting them out of there."

Hermione hugged Harry, Luna, and Draco in turn. She whispered to Luna, "I'm glad we got them safely back for you."

Luna hugged her back and said, "You were brilliant. I thought we had failed, and then you emptied that phial on his Dark Mark and it was gone in a flash. Thank you, thank you both."

Hermione just squeezed Luna's hands and said, "He is a hero, Luna. We could do no less. You need to get some sleep. You may have to sit with him tomorrow. I think the rest of us have another job to finish."

"Take care, Hermione. I feel like we are sisters now. You healed my Draco and gave me back my parents. I owe you more than you'll ever know." Luna kissed Hermione's cheek.

Viktor watched quietly as the Malfoys made their way upstairs, then he turned to his wife and drew her close. "You have done remarkable things, love. We only have one more task to finish. Let's talk to Harry and see how he wants to proceed."

They found Harry outside with Ginny. He had apparently been telling her about Luna and Snape, and asking her an important question. He turned to Viktor and Hermione with a huge smile on his face.

"Wish us happy, you two. She'll marry me on the solstice. I've explained about Snape and Mary." He was happy finally, happier than Hermione had ever seen him.

"Of course we wish you happy, don't we, Viktor? The morning of the solstice will be perfect for a wedding. Molly will be able to fuss all she wants. We need to talk to you about something else right now, though." Hermione hugged both Harry and Ginny as she spoke.

Harry knew at once what she was talking about. He and Ginny sat on one of the benches under the trees. Viktor and Hermione took another bench.

Viktor began the discussion. "When do we want to confront the Dark Lord, Harry? I think we need to work out a way to join our magic to form a shield. Do you have any ideas?"

Harry looked thoughtful for a minute and then said, "Dumbledore said that he didn't understand love, that love was the way to defeat him. But I don't fully understand that. I'm sure, if the potion works the way you think it will, that Snape could give us a hint or two. Maybe it would be best if we wait until he wakes up. However, we need to plan how to bring the Dark Lord out into the open. Draco will know if there are any followers left. We'll ask him in the morning."

Viktor looked at Harry and smiled. "Congratulations, Harry. You also, Ginny. We wish you all happiness. This year has forged a bond between those of us left fighting. I feel like we have all become family."

Ginny spoke up just then asking, "Is it going to matter, him having the Elder Wand? I know that when Harry disarmed Draco at Malfoy Manor, that should have transferred the wand's allegiance to Harry, but what if it didn't?"

Harry, Viktor, and Hermione looked at each other and shrugged. Hermione answered the only way she could. "I just don't know, Gin. I know what Ollivander said, but more than that I can't say."

The four walked back into the chateau to find Lavender Brown and Ron Weasley sitting at the tables on the first floor. Ron stood up awkwardly and spoke, "I just wanted you all to know I am going to try to make up for whatever I did when I was under the Imperius. In addition, I want to marry Lavender, as soon as I can convince everyone that I am not a bad person. Thanks for listening. I really am sorry, truthfully." Ron blushed as he looked at Hermione and Viktor together.

Harry replied first, "Ron, we never wanted to believe it until we found where you had hidden the letters Viktor wrote to Hermione and her letters back to him. All of that took place long before you were put under the Imperius. What about those? Why did you do that?"

Ron had the grace to look very ashamed. "I thought he was bad for her. We had a job to do and those letters were distracting her. And... and... I thought that maybe she'd fall in love with me back then. I realised later that it would never have happened, but it was too late to give her the letters. I just kind of forgot about them. I'm sorry, 'Mione. And you too, Viktor. I was an idiot. I never meant to hurt you both. But it worked out, didn't it? I already apologised to your parents. They seemed to understand that I wasn't myself. I'd never try to kill anyone."

Hermione just looked at him, shaking her head. She finally found the words to tell him how she felt. "Ron, you nearly ruined our lives by keeping those letters from us. I thought Viktor had moved on and he thought I had chosen you. It is going to take a while before I can forgive you entirely, but I do understand why you did it. I think maybe Viktor has something to say to you."

Viktor frowned at Ron before speaking, "Weasley, the letters I can ignore, but when she got here to the chateau, her heart was broken. Her parents were dead; you had killed them. She was crying, as I never want to see her cry again. If anything you do ever hurts her like that again, I will tear you apart, limb from limb."

He took her hand and led her away from Ron and Lavender.

Ginny had the last word. "Ronald Bilius Weasley, if you think you're going to slide past this, you are sorely mistaken. You have a long road of amends to make. We still have the Dark Lord to defeat and you had best not get in the way."

The look of absolute horror on her brother's face mollified Ginny a bit. She told Lavender, "Take him upstairs. Make sure he gets some sleep. I just don't want to see him until we get this sussed out."

Lavender led Ron up the stairs and locked him into his room again. Viktor and Hermione had gone into their room a few minutes before. Harry knocked on the door and Viktor answered.

Immediately, Harry spoke up, "He really isn't a bad person, Viktor. He is just spoiled and a bit dim. I know he would never have hurt her if he had been in his right mind. I understand you want to protect Hermione from being hurt; I'd do the same. He is sorry and he'll do whatever it takes to recoup some of his dignity. I'll talk to him in the morning."

Viktor just shrugged and said, "It is up to her. She has to forgive him. I could care less either way unless he hurts her again." He looked at his silent wife standing at the windows. When he shut the door, he walked over and put his arms around her.

"Don't shut me out, love. I hate to tell you that I understand perfectly why he took the letters. I would probably have done the same thing at his age. He thought he loved you and was deathly afraid that I would hurt you. He reacted the way a scared young boy would. Hermione, I love you. I always have. We still have the biggest battle ahead; don't let him drive a wedge between us."

She turned and laid her head against his chest.

"He could never do that, Viktor. He isn't important enough. I was thinking how nearly we came to losing each other. After Harry has defeated the Dark Lord, I want... I want to start a family with you. We can wait, if you aren't ready for that. Talk to me Viktor." She raised fearful eyes to him, her lower lip quivering in uncertainty.

"Beloved, I am more than ready for that family. I have seen my classmates marry and start families and been jealous. I have had to bury a few of those friends as well. Our children will grow up in a world without war, without fear, hopefully without prejudice. Nothing would please me more than to see you swelling with my child, Hermione. Does that answer your question?" He laughed as he kissed her.

She was almost falling asleep as they showered. He tucked her into bed and let her fall asleep while he made notes for the morrow. He hoped Snape would be awake and able to offer some insight into how to lure the Dark Lord from his lair. Viktor also knew there were still a few of the Slytherin ex-students still unaccounted. He crawled into bed and cradled Hermione next to him. Her purr of happiness as she cuddled next to his warmth made him smile. He fell asleep holding her.

Morning brought Alastor Moody to their door.

"Wake up you two. Snape is awake and wants to talk to you both. I've woken Harry and Draco, too," he called through the door.

They dressed hurriedly and ran down the stairs. The fact that Severus Snape was sitting up at a table with Harry, Draco, Luna, Ginny, and Minerva was startling to say the least. Luna and Ginny left so that Viktor and Hermione could sit down.

Snape smiled at them. Hermione's mouth fell open until Viktor nudged her.

Snape's voice was less scratchy this morning. "I understand I have you to thank for our rescue and the removal of my Dark Mark, Madam Krum. I must also thank you for the safety of my family. How may I help you now?"

Hermione was still having trouble with the idea of Snape thanking anyone. Viktor answered for her.

"Professor, we need to know the best way to go about setting up an ambush on the Dark Lord. We have raided Lestrange Castle and taken the Death Eaters that were present that night. Young Goyle and Nott are in Azkaban. The others we executed. How many of the Slytherin students are left?"

"Blaise Zabini, Millicent Bulstrode, and Tracey Davis are all that remain. Zabini and Davis are under the Imperius. They did not want to follow him. Millicent is another Dolores Umbridge, quite rabidly fanatic and completely mad. He will stay at his father's home until the solstice. The night before the solstice, all of his followers are supposed to gather at Riddle Manor. He has not yet figured out that most of his followers are never going to return. He supposes that Bellatrix is off recruiting. Luna and Draco have updated me on the recent happenings." Talking appeared to tire Snape a bit, but he continued. "What I did while you were students may have been reprehensible, but was necessary. I could not let the slightest leniency be reported to Draco's father. Bellatrix was quite accurate in her suppositions and I had to appear as cold and disdainful as possible."

Viktor asked him a question. "Are there Death Eater robes and masks at Lestrange Castle? Could we use those to fool him?"

A spark of something lit Snape's eyes at Viktor's question. A minute later, Snape replied. "Better yet, in my room at Lestrange Castle there is a box holding personal items of some of the Death Eaters. A few tufts of hair from Lucius, Narcissa, Bellatrix, and Rodolphus, and others. If I know Alastor, he has a ready supply of Polyjuice Potion available. If you mean to confront the Dark Lord in his lair, it would be the perfect disguise."

Draco immediately called the old house-elf, Toddy, and instructed him to retrieve the box and set the bodies of the dead Death Eaters adrift in the boats from the dock below the castle. Within minutes, the box was sitting on the table in front of Snape. He opened it and drew out small phials of hair; each carefully marked as to its owner. He handed them to Hermione, who smiled at him.

"Thank you, Professor. This should make everything much easier."

"Madam Krum... Hermione... please, I am no longer your teacher, merely another Order member. My name is Severus; I make you free of it, all of you. Mary had thought all of the Order had perished until you appeared at our door. Draco had successfully hidden his altered loyalties, but I suspected he was going to defect after Narcissa died. The potion I had been working on was not effective enough to keep her alive. You deduced the ingredients necessary to make it viable. I knew there were only two of my students who could accomplish that. You and Draco proved me correct. If you will excuse me, I must see to my wife. I fear she is in worse shape than I was, since she had been carrying most of the burden of our survival these past few months." He rose to his feet and walked slowly to the small salon where Mary still slept.

When he was gone, Viktor and Hermione looked to Harry for his thoughts.

"The hair would make Polyjuice a much better option, but I don't think it is the right choice. I think we need to have Draco and Snape go back and tell him I'll fight him at Lestrange Castle, unless you two have a better idea?" Harry had come to a decision.

Hermione shook her head. "No, I think you must fight him at the school. It is where it all began, it should also be where it ends, don't you think? Minerva would never have left the school unprotected. She and Alastor would have renewed or altered the existing protections. We need to talk to them."

Viktor looked at both of them and went off to find Alastor. He returned, shortly, with both Alastor and Minerva.

When the questions about the school's protections came up, Minerva answered.

"The protections were originally put in place by the founders. After Riddle opened the Chamber of Secrets, Albus found a way to remove the ones set by Slytherin and re-enforce the Gryffindor ones. Alastor and I added new ones specifically to keep out anyone with a Dark Mark before we evacuated. The house-elves were told to guard the school and keep themselves out of harm's way. Hogsmeade is still a burned out ruin. The only building standing close to the village is the Shack."

Alastor added in a thought. "But the basements were stone, Min. Most of the shops had stone undercrofts; those will have survived. A house-elf from the school could check out Hogsmeade, pretty much unseen."

Harry answered abruptly, "There are seven passages from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade. One has collapsed and a couple of the others are not viable, but there are four still usable. One comes out in the basement of Honeydukes. The Marauders Map showed where they all were. Let me run up and get it."

When Harry came back down the stairs, he seemed bemused. He handed the map to Hermione, saying, "Am I seeing things, Hermione? Does it say what I think it does?"

She looked at the map and saw immediately what Harry had referenced.

There were four names walking the halls of Hogwarts.

i G. Gryffindor, R. Ravenclaw, H. Hufflepuff, and S. Slytherin./i

Her eyes wide, she handed the map to Viktor, who handed it on to Moody.

"Hell's bells! Min, the ghosts of the founders are walking the halls!"

Harry suddenly grinned and spoke. "I think it is a good sign. They want to know why no one is there; I'm sure. If we go back, they will want answers. We might as well give them the answers. Look, Slytherin is going down to the Chamber of Secrets. He won't be happy his Basilisk is dead. I wonder what he will think of his 'heir'. I am going to go talk to them. Any of you want to come?"

Viktor and Hermione immediately agreed to go. Minerva, Alastor, Draco, Neville, Remus, Kingsley, Tonks, and Ginny all added their names.

Another voice spoke up from behind the group. "I think I should go as well, Harry. I can, perhaps, explain things the founders may not understand." It was Snape. He appeared much improved now. He added a comment as the others were preparing to leave. "There is another way in; a tunnel runs from the kitchens to the edge of Hogsmeade. Created during my time as Headmaster to facilitate getting students out, it comes out in the storage shed behind Zonko's. Minerva, could you ask one of the house-elves to see if there are any signs of activity in Hogsmeade?"

Winky was sent on a reconnaissance mission to the village. Within minutes, she reported that the village was still deserted. The decision that everyone would Disapparate to the front gates of the school was unanimous.

Minerva and Alastor led the way from the gates to the front doors. Harry checked the map before they entered and reported the ghosts were in the Room of Requirement.

Neville lead the way to the seventh floor and found the door to the Room of Requirement already open.

As the group entered the Room of Requirement, the four founders were waiting for them. A large table sat in the middle of the room. Helga Hufflepuff indicated seats for them to take after greeting each by name.

The ghosts had taken seats at the four points of the clock, as it were. Gryffindor sat at the 12 o'clock position with Harry and Minerva on either side of him. Names cards appeared on the table and each person sat where their name appeared.

Godric Gryffindor was tall, with brown hair and piercing blue eyes. He smiled at all the newcomers. Helga Hufflepuff was a short, matronly lady with kind eyes of grey-blue and silver hair. Rowena Ravenclaw was somewhat taller with light blonde hair and blue eyes. Salazar Slytherin was not quite as tall as Gryffindor, but was much sterner looking. He had a luxurious beard and dark brown eyes. His hair was greyish brown and receding.

They all deferred to Gryffindor, letting him begin the talking.

"We are aware of the current situation. There has been much discussion between us as to the way we left things, long ago. When we realised you were all coming to talk to us, we made a decision. The school should never be this empty. We were wrong in what we wanted. Basing the four houses on such narrow ideals as bravery, intellect, and pureblood was wrong. Even Salazar agrees, now that he has seen what the self-appointed 'heir' of Slytherin has done to our world. You need to speak now, Salazar." Gryffindor nodded to his comrade and sat down.

Slytherin rose to his feet and faced Harry. "I am most sorry for what has come to be the ruling tenet of Slytherin House. The words about blood purity were spoken in anger, because the woman I loved was Muggleborn, and refused to marry me. I lashed out at her and those words haunt me to this day. The school was to teach all young of our world about magic and the ways to help the Muggles. We never thought, in our arrogance, that someone would take and twist the teachings to their own ends. Parseltongue was the language of the snakes I learned from my Uncle Padraig before he went off to drive the snakes from his adopted land. It was meant to be a way to ask for and give aid to the snakes. There has never been any evil intent in the language, only misunderstanding. You have shown yourself to be brave and loyal beyond your years, young man. We want to offer you our assistance in ridding this world of the abomination who dares call himself my heir." The old ghost shook his head as if to distance himself from the Dark Lord.

Rowena Ravenclaw spoke up next, as the members of the Order were still trying to grasp what they had just heard. "We have studied his history and feel that a visit from the founders of Hogwarts would appeal to his vanity and insure that we could bring him here for your confrontation with him. He will be convinced that we agree with his ideas and methods. In that, he is incorrect. We will deliver him to you and your friends for his final comeuppance. All of you here are of our blood, pure bloods, half bloods, and Muggleborn alike. Even you, young Viktor, are related. This is the last time Dark Magic will attempt to take over. Even the teachings of Durmstrang will undergo a radical shift."

Helga Hufflepuff spoke last. She looked at her fellow founders and bowed her head. "All of this, unfortunately, is to be laid at my door. I refused Salazar's proposal and have regretted that we constructed the school to remember what we said verbatim. It was not until we left the school that he and I reconciled. However, the words had become part of the fabric of the school. We could not undo them. It led to much anguish over what might befall future generations of students. We were right to worry. The Riddle boy was unstable, even before he came here. We hoped he would learn right from wrong, but it was not to be. We were even more concerned when one of our first graduates went on to found another school in the vast, cold reaches of northern Russia.

"Dragomir Durmstrang had also embraced the pureblood philosophy that the Dark Arts were to be taught and nurtured, to control the Muggles. It took another man to convince Dragomir that those teachings were wrong. Igor Karkaroff began to lay out the case for using the Dark Arts only as a way to fight evil, not promote it. He won the argument with the Directors of the school when he took over as Headmaster. When he died, he came to us and made the same argument. He even convinced Dragomir of the wisdom of this new doctrine. He has been a stirring advocate for change in the teaching world."

Godric Gryffindor stood up to speak again. "We will flatter the upstart and bring him here, to this room. He will see only the Great Hall, convinced that young Potter will fall to him. However, each of you will have a part in his defeat. Riddle will be powerless when he arrives here."

Salazar Slytherin added a comment, sarcastically. "He was never the heir. He missed the point entirely. Severus Snape is much more the heir of Slytherin, because he worked tirelessly to protect the students and the school. He showed much more honour and integrity that Riddle ever thought of having."

Severus said nothing, only bowed to Slytherin. Harry, however, had questions.

"Why haven't you come forth before now? Is it because the school is empty? Or have you decided that it was time you acted?" He addressed his questions to Gryffindor.

The four founders looked ashamed, but Gryffindor answered resolutely. "The school has never been empty since we built it. We noticed immediately when people were leaving hurriedly. We listened in on the conversation Alastor had with Minerva. For the last adherents of the Light to flee to the continent was more than we could stand. We decided that we would defend the school, if necessary. We hoped that, somehow, you would come here and meet with us to discuss strategy."

Viktor asked a question of the founders. "You said Karkaroff had come to you to urge a new direction for the teaching at Durmstrang. Why has not he appeared to us? Or Dragomir Durmstrang either?"

"Because we were waiting to see what you would do, Viktor. I have been waiting for you to speak up. I saw you made use of the things I left for you. And there is someone here who also wishes to speak to you." Igor Karkaroff's ghost had stepped forward into the light of the room as he spoke to Viktor. Another ghost, that of Dragomir Durmstrang himself stepped forward as well.

"You have made me ashamed of myself. I was raised to believe in pureblood superiority. Your championing of the Muggleborns surprised me, but when I saw the strength of character of your young bride, I knew the old ways are dying. It is good that a son of Durmstrang stands with Potter."

Rowena Ravenclaw stood and spoke. "It is time. We four go to bring back the upstart that calls himself a Dark Lord. This room shall take on the likeness of the Great Hall. We will keep him occupied for the next three days. He will not know any time has passed. The eve of the solstice, you twelve must return an hour before dark. The room will admit you and conceal your presence from him."

Godric Gryffindor continued. "We will not interfere. Our mission is to lull him into believing he can defeat Harry. That will not happen. All those he has caused to die will reappear to him as he prepares to fight."

Karkaroff spoke up, quietly. "It is then that you should all appear as the images of his followers. He will believe himself invincible and think Harry is alone."

The four founders took leave of the Order members and simply walked through the walls to retrieve Tom Riddle.

Out in the hallway once more, the Order members came to a decision. Families would be sent for, Hogwarts would be populated again from this night forward. Minerva assigned quarters to everyone who was planning to stay. Draco volunteered to take the lists of things people wanted back with him. The rest of the day and evening there was a steady stream of people arriving from the Continent.

The house elves were overjoyed to have the opportunity to decorate for the season. The castle seemed to take on a festive mood as well. The Weasley clan took over the Gryffindor tower, the rooms usually assigned to the Defence teacher were given to the two generations of Krums. Draco and Luna were occupying the rooms that Trelawney had vacated. Christmas trees appeared everywhere there was a child to be delighted. Even Ron and Lavender were occupying rooms in Slytherin. Snape had charmed the locks to admit no one except him.

Lupin, Tonks, and Teddy took the Transfiguration teacher's rooms. The members of Dumbledore's Army were scattered throughout the castle, doubling up as more people arrived.

Harry had opted to sleep in the Defence classroom. He was just transfiguring a table into a bed when Hermione came running into the room.

"We have to do something about your scar right now! Viktor reminded me how you were always connected to Riddle. I think it must be a Horcrux. I am going to try the same ritual that we used to remove the Dark Mark. Viktor will be here in a minute, he has gone to get Minerva and Alastor. You are not going to have to renounce the Dark because you never were part of it. You just have to renounce the connection to Riddle's mind. We'll do the rest. You had best lay down. We are going to rub the Felix Felicis and the ashes mixture into the scar. Oh, no! I need the Phoenix tears as well. Be back in a minute!" She dashed out of the room again before Harry had a chance to speak.

Harry chuckled at her actions. She had always been a whirling dervish when she was onto something. It pleased him that she hadn't lost that endearing trait. He had seen how she and Viktor were together. He hoped he and Ginny could find that same happiness. On that thought, Viktor, Alastor and Minerva arrived in the room. Hermione was two steps behind them with Snape in tow. She handed a small phial to Harry and directed him to drink it.

"Dreamless Sleep potion, Harry. We don't want Riddle to know what we are doing. You need to be unconscious for this to work. Go on, drink it. We don't have all night," Hermione snapped.

"Sure, goodnight all. See you in the morning. I hereby renounce my connection to the mind of Tom Riddle," he quipped, downing the contents of the phial quickly.

Once Harry had fallen asleep, Hermione proceeded to pour two drops of Veritaserum, and two drops of Phoenix tears into the phial of Phoenix ashes.

"Everyone, please get your wands out and at the ready. When the piece of Riddle's soul emerges from Harry's scar, I want everyone to cast the strongest banishing spell you know at it. The Veritaserum will make it impossible for the piece of soul to stay embedded in Harry's scar. In combination with the Phoenix tears and ashes, it will cleanse Harry's mind of the taint. He will be completely free of the connection to Riddle's mind. Viktor, put the first drop of Felix Felicis on his scar," she said.

Each person poured a single drop of Felix Felicis on the scar. Once that was accomplished, Hermione shook the second phial and poured a bit of the mixture onto the scar. She handed the phial to the next person who did exactly the same. All five were still touching Harry's forehead when a dark, smoky substance rose out of the scar. It was trying to form into a human shape when it was hit with banishing spells in five different languages. It fragmented into dust and evaporated with a distinct popping sound. Minerva smoothed the hair back on Harry's forehead and remarked that his scar seemed much smaller and lighter now. Viktor offered to take the first watch over Harry that night, but Snape overruled him.

"I'll take the first watch, Viktor. I owe it to Harry. The rest of you go on to bed. I feel sure that Alastor will relieve me in about four hours."

"Aye, I will do just that, Severus. Mind you, put some wards up, though." Moody cautioned.

Snape spent the greatest part of his watch telling the sleeping Harry about Lily, and their friendship. He would never have done so if Harry had been awake.

Alastor showed up exactly on time. The wards were reset and Moody did several diagnostic spells on Harry as a precaution. All was normal. Minerva replaced her husband after his shift ended. Viktor and Hermione showed up as Minerva was finishing her shift. Harry began to rouse almost immediately afterwards. Hermione was desperate to know if Harry felt any different, but Viktor kept hold of her hand to keep her from badgering him.

Minerva had requested tea for Harry. When the house-elf arrived with the tea, Harry sat up and grinned at them.

He looked directly at Hermione and said, "I can tell you are dying to know. I had none of the old dreams. I have always had those dreams, Hermione, ones where people die and Riddle is laughing hysterically. There. Wasn't. A. Single. Dream. Like. That. Nothing. Just a nice enough dream about snogging Ginny when this is over. You did it. He's out of my head. You're brilliant."

She squealed and dragged her hand free of Viktor's to grab Harry in a hug.

Harry hugged her back, saying, "It is such a strange feeling, being the only one in my own head. I like it, but it is strange. It is also bloody, effing wonderful to be free of him. Vik, you are one lucky man, she would have chewed Ron up and spat him out, but you hold your own with her. You two make a hell of a couple."

Minerva was pretending to be shocked at Harry's language, but had to laugh at his last comment.

"I do heartily agree with you on that, Harry. They make a lovely couple. We will leave you alone to get up and shower. I think everyone would like to hear from you today. I know Alastor would."

"You can tell them that, this time, it is only Harry speaking. They no longer have to second guess me. I know some people were worried that I had a connection to Riddle's mind."

Minerva shooed Viktor and Hermione out of the room, admonishing Harry. "Don't be overly long. We still have lots to do."

She turned to Hermione and Viktor, saying, "You two have done more for that boy than all of us can ever repay. I am so very thankful for you both." Someone called from a lower floor and Minerva rushed off to see what the problem was.

Viktor leaned back against the wall and pulled his wife close. "Do you think Fleur knows an antidote for that potion she gave you? You might ask her." He was nuzzling her neck as he spoke.

"What potion, Viktor? Oh! The contraceptive potion, you mean. Yes, there is an antidote. I brewed it the same day Draco and I worked on the palliative for the Cruciatus. The minute Riddle is dead, I'll take it, I promise."

"Da, that is good, love. A child would be a wonderful thing. My parents, and yours I think, would be delighted. The Quidditch leagues could start back up again. I might play for a bit longer, if you do not mind. We would have time and peace to raise our children. I know there are still things to be worked out; you will want to work and have a hand in reshaping our world. I will have to find something to do after Quidditch, but that is for the future. Shall we go down to breakfast?" His voice was warm with love and the promise of a shared future.

7