Chapter 5 – Meeting new friends

Standard disclaimer – don't own any of JK Rowling's works, nor am I profiting from them.

A/N: Thank you for all of the viewership to this story. It seemed to explode overnight and the extra follows, favs, and reviews are quite humbling to me as this is my first fic. That some of you like the story is quite an honor, so again I thank you all. Super thanks to DMacX whose review was something I wanted to post personally. I know this isn't the standard Ginny/Harry fare, but I hope you will stick with it because I have enjoyed writing it. Still looking for a beta, especially for the British slang and idioms, I am but a poor American and am unfamiliar with all but a few. This is the first magical fight scene I have written and it is pretty graphic, but hopefully awesome. Read, review, and enjoy!

"I gave up EVERYTHING to keep you safe, to keep all of you safe. I risked my life to save your family and you." Harry hissed incredulously through clenched teeth. "My cowardly love saved you", Harry gave a derisive laugh. "It won't happen again", his icy green stare struck Ginny's heart and her eyes couldn't contain the devastation it wrought. Hermione felt his furious eyes drift to hers and she had to look away, she knew those words weren't only meant for Ginny.

She felt a charge in the air, the hostility and power pressing on her lessened and an intense white light flared. The raven haired wizard was gone.

As the spots cleared from her vision, it was replaced by a furious George Weasley. Red with rage, he pointed at Ginny, "WHAT. HAVE. YOU. DONE?"

"I brought him here! To be loved by the only family he has left, to know that Fred wasn't his fault..." George was apoplectic, spit flying from his mouth. "He has no one, nothing to prop him up and keep him breathing until he learns how again. You stole that chance from him. I swear Ginevra ... if we find him dead..." George couldn't finish his rant; his voice failed him when he saw Ginny's face. There was nothing there but desolation and utter misery. She wanted Harry to fight, to tell her what she already knew, that he loved her, but she had pushed too hard and something in Harry had snapped and he had unleashed some of his darkest thoughts.

She felt a comforting hug around her and George's voice whisper in her ear, "I am so sorry Ginny, I didn't know, I thought … Dean..." She shook her head numbly, against her brother's chest. George glanced about and whispered something for her ears only, "You can't be with him now; no one can." George pulled her back into an embrace as she fought to get away.

"Listen. Ginny, listen, Harry is lost in every way possible; we just have to hope and pray that the Harry we love can come back to us." Silent tears ran down Ginny's face as she balled her fists into her brother's shirt. She shook so hard at the finality of Harry's words that she didn't notice her other brothers come to comfort her.

Everyone was so absorbed in their own thoughts; they didn't notice the two Ministry officials, cloaked in black, slowly holster their wands and apparate away. The light from the tracking spell faded into the late afternoon sun as the Weasleys consoled their baby sister.

Ron had spent the last two weeks since the funeral trying to keep Hermione and Ginny from killing each other. Arguments erupted over anything and everything, mercifully no hexing had occurred, but he wasn't sure how much longer that would last. When Kingsley mentioned he secured a portkey to Australia for Hermione, Ron jumped at the chance. It would do both of them some good to get away, though Ron was really anxious because he wasn't sure how to be around Hermione when she was in this much tumult. Ron, by Hermione's own admission, had the emotional range of a teaspoon, and that didn't afford him much experience in how to help his nervous girlfriend deal with the repercussions of erasing her parents' memories.

Hermione had been inconsolable for a few days after the funeral, the abrupt disappearance of Harry left her no way to talk to him and apologize for her own abrupt dismissal of him that victorious night. Adding to that misery was that Harry was the person she ran to when working through something like this; she needed his love, compassion, and steadfast loyalty. Ron tried to fill those shoes, but they were just two different people. In her alone time, she poured over the diaries she got from the Potter library, hoping for glimpses of Harry that could soothe her loss. The trip to Australia was also a boon to her, something to do, the beginnings of purpose.

The trip was open-ended, Australia was a large continent, and she wasn't sure if her parents would have moved. Planning for a two month trip, the pair decided to travel to Gringotts to exchange Galleons for some Australian dollars. Standing in the lobby of the venerable bank she was overwhelmed by memories of the last year. She ushered Ron ahead to the counter to exchange some of their money as she tugged her robes tightly around herself.

George had lent Ron some of the weekly investment from Harry, knowing that when the dividends from partial ownership in the Cannons arrived, Ron would easily cover that debt plus interest if needed. Hermione approached the counter behind Ron and slipped her hand into his and gave her note to the goblin. She had used some of her money from Harry to exchange, it was silly but it made her feel as if he were coming along in some small way, that he was helping make it possible. That they were still all together, as the Golden Trio, as absurd as that name was. While Ron moved to a different line to secure travelling and accommodations, she excused herself to head to the Potter vault to look for books on memory charms and useful spells.

Honestly, she just wanted to pack a new set of Potter diaries for the trip, something to read, that behavior her friends always rolled their eyes at. She knew the final two journals from James Potter were about his married life and the birth of Harry, it was all that was left of his life. That small glimpse was a cheap imitation of having him here, but it was something. Tears formed in her eyes, I miss him. She would never say it aloud, it would make everything too real and leave her with only Ron. It would be unfair considering her history with both boys, and comparing them was something she consciously avoided. Lost in her thoughts, she reached for the journals and found ... nothing. She blinked and looked again, the shelves were now empty, the clumps of dust looked freshly disturbed. She went back to the vault door and signaled the cart driver, "Excuse me, when was this vault last visited?"

"Lord Potter was here two days ago, as for the reason for his visit I am not at liberty to say. He left you a message though."

"What, what did he say?" Hermione was both hopeful and wary; Harry was definitely not himself that day and remembering his cold smoldering stare sent a chill down Hermione's spine.

"Dumbledore was wrong. Love wasn't enough." With that, the goblin turned and escorted the confused bushy haired witch back to the lobby.

Harry was exhausted; Dr. Saito's treatment regimen was insane. Beachside runs in the morning, careful constructed meals to maximize nutrient efficiency, training of the mind. He even had Harry practicing Kundalini and Tantric Yoga to direct his magical flow, but as Hideki said, "If nothing else, it'll help with your lady friends". Harry swore he was a shorter, less aristocratic Sirius, perhaps even more lewd, if that was even possible.

And that was just before lunch. The savage workout and training regimen was something of a blessing. It was work from sun up until dinner with no real time for reflection except for a small window before bed time. The Wizarding war and Ginny's piercing words were always hovering near his conscious mind waiting to overwhelm him with guilt. Who knew that someone you loved had the power to hurt you so badly? It had been two days after the funeral before Harry could bring himself to feel again. Her words cut him to the core, it was everything he was afraid of, being rejected, alone, feeling incapable of being loved, and so he latched on to reading his father's journals. The day to day living of his father provided some comfort and knowledge that he was indeed loved and cherished and every day since Harry collapsed into bed with dreams of his parents and family.

That he was so exhausted seemed unnatural because he wasn't using any magic, except for the bare amount used in training his mind and consciously locating his magic and bringing it into his mind. Surprisingly, there was no spell casting, learning new spells, or dueling. It was all theory of magic, and philosophy. Especially prominent was the Book of Five Rings. Saito made sure Harry read it over and over, specifically the book of Void. The iterations of moving and attacking without conscious mind seemed to coincide with the philosophy Saito was trying to drill into him. He was so drained at nights, it seemed that all his actions were without real thought, even eating became automatic.

After lunch it was a different regimen, weight training, more running, and talks with Hideki. They ranged everywhere, no topic was off limits, women, his feelings about Ginny, war, magic, honor, Americana, music. Those two hours were definitely the highlight of his day. Those talks weren't all study, but it was all important. They showed Dr. Saito not only as a therapist, but more of an adult figure who was willing to talk, to challenge when necessary, a bit like what Sirius meant. At first, Harry felt Dr. Saito was more like Remus, but damn that Japanese man's mind was filthy and he had a gift of pranking while training. When Harry was on autopilot especially at meals, Hideki would slip in a mountain of wasabi on his food. "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" Saito would roar in between howls of laughter as Harry's face collapsed into absolute pain. He had even once tried a numbing charm on his tongue, but the molten heat persisted throughout the night.

Harry collapsed into a hammock after four nutritive potions, every part of his body yearned for rest, that damn doctor is trying to run me into the ground. He groaned knowing that tomorrow would be another day of hell in paradise. His body was finished for the day, but his mind would not be quiet. He glanced at the clock, 8:00 pm, you can't be serious. Time for a bit of light journal reading. All this reading, Hermione would be jealous. Snorting out loud, he grabbed his father's diary almost reverently and skimmed through it until, with cold blood and shaking hands, the diary ensnared all of his senses.

September 7th 1980 –

There is a fear that is growing in my mind, as I look upon my son, I know that the Order will not be enough. My faith in Albus is failing, he has hidden the prophecy from us but I know of it. Lily, my sweet Lily, doesn't know about Japan, but Saito sensei and the Legion have given me hope. I can't keep her in the dark any longer, she HAS to come with me next time, she needs to know, to have hope. I will do anything and everything to protect my family, even accepting the burden of my birthright. Merlin forgive me.

Harry's whole body was shaking with a torrent of emotions after reading his father's testament. There was no doubt as to why Dumbledore sought magical guardianship over him, thereby voiding his ability to access his vault. This passage alone would have destroyed all the old man's attempts to mold him, hiding his complicity all for the Greater Good.

With calming breaths, Harry examined the passage again.

Saito sensei … that is not a coincidence, it couldn't be. Coincidence maybe about the names, but to be referred to him as the only option as doctor, after conveniently being pushed out of Britain. Coincidence and the Unspeakables did not happen, unless it was meant to. His mind flashed back to Dumbledore, the War, and here it was happening all over again. I am so sick of this bullshit. I am not a chess piece anymore. Another surge of anger pushed him out of bed, his lack of control fueling his body's recovery. Harry's rage demanded answers now, and as he dragged his weary body down to Hideki's room, his thoughts lingered on the last sentences. Birthright… forgive me?

Hideki Saito felt his patient approaching before the sounds of his sandals echoed down the hallway. He couldn't have discovered the truth yet, the reason why he was here, but if Harry has an inkling, I will let him in and give him the choice, something that Albus never gave him or his father. I will not betray his father's memory, the man's honor and oath demanded respect and loyalty. He is much more like James than even I realized.

The slight Japanese man sighed and prepared his body for the brunt of Harry's anger. It wasn't long before Harry flung open the door. He slammed his father's diary down on the desk, and with a long exhale to compose himself, "You knew of my father, tell me what you know. Now." The last demand came out low and promising agony. Harry's eyes were glowing green and flickered while piercing Hideki's almond brown eyes, he sat down across from Saito never dropping his gaze.

Hideki Saito measured the young Potter carefully, I owe him something, but he is in no place to listen, the harsh truth then, all of it "I did not know James, my father did. And because of it, he was murdered, now they are both dead, and you are here, alive." He lashed his retort out knowing that the anger and pain in it would still Harry's anger with guilt.

Whatever Harry expected to hear, this was not it. Blinking hard, he absorbed Saito's harsh words. Sagging into the chair, all the fight seemed to flee him. "It must be a Potter curse to have people dying all around us", Harry offered weakly, "I am sorry about your father.

"Indeed." He replied dispassionately. Saito was already combing through the passage that Harry had so ingloriously placed in front of him. "My father believed in your father, and gave his life to help him. It is no coincidence that we are here, the two of us, these years later. I cannot trust you in your current state with your father's legacy right now, but perhaps I can show you the beginning." I will need to access your mind, do you still trust me?" The doctor held up his wand, mockingly.

Harry nodded, "Show me".

Harry's eyes narrowed as the scene sharpened in his mind. It was the death of his parents, again. The same scene he saw when near Voldemort, Dementors, or when dreaming. Hideki noticed the impatience and quickly admonished him. "Harry you have to concentrate, this is important, this is the why of your parents' death."

"They died because of the killing curse, Saito." Harry sneered.

"That is the how" Hideki snapped back. "Just watch Harry, and be open to the why." Saito's disappointment was evident even in Harry's mind. It finally registered deep within Harry that this man's father was killed to protect his parents and because of it, him. He owed this man at least his attention. A bit shamed, Harry turned a laser like focus to the images taking in everything.

His father coalesced in his mind at the base of the stairs, and he watched as Voldemort advanced on him. Harry wanted to shut his eyes, shut away the pain, but Hideki's words rang harshly in his ears, this was important and he had to see.

"What do you see, Harry?"

"My … father"

"What else, be open to your surroundings"

"My father … he is at the base of the stairs, and he is … wandless?" The question lingered in his mind for a long pause. "Why is he wandless, if he knew the prophecy, if he knew Voldemort was coming?"

"What else is he doing?"

"He is muttering something, it can't be wandless magic, nothing is happening, I can't make out what he is saying."

"I can" Hideki's words cut across Harry's mind and the scene focused in sharper clarity. "Harry, your father is bringing his ancestry to bear; it is a technique my father must have showed him. This is the Binding, a ritual of olden times. He is binding his magic to you and your mother. The strain on him is immense. Especially for one so young." Harry had noticed quite early that his father wasn't baiting or confronting Voldemort, he was retreating to the stairs. To buy time. The face of his father was contorted so harshly, that Harry had trouble watching him in agony.

"No." A reverential whisper rang loudly over the scene, "He is drawing in the Fade."

"Wait, what, what does that mean?" Harry's bewilderment was overwhelming his impatience.

"He was dying or even dead before the killing curse touched him. Your father drew and bound all of his magic to you and your mother. He tapped into the raw ambient magic, the Fade, including even the Fidelius charm of this very house and passed it along. Doing so would have killed him." Saito's reverence was touched with an immense sadness for Harry, here he was almost 18 years old, and still unaware of his parents true love for him.

Moments before the green light pierced his father's chest, Harry saw the life flee his father's eyes and his anguished face relax. Harry held his breath, awed at his father's sacrifice, all of the stories of his parents' deaths, all of them always revolved around his mother's love, but here was proof that his father gave just as much if not more to protect him. Harry's tears ran freely down his face as the scene changed in his mind again.

Inside the nursery, Harry did not wait for Hideki's prompting, "My mother is wandless too, is she drawing from the Void also?"

"No Harry, the ancient and Arcane ways are from your father and him alone. However, Albus was correct, what your mother will do is also old magic, elemental. Your mother inherited all of your father's magic and all of the magical wards and charms in this house, and with her love gave it form and substance. A wand could not contain all of their combined magic. Your mother, she is channeling it, herself, through her." Hideki's voice was soft and laden with sorrow. "It is ancient magic, created through sheer desperation … she could not have survived for long."

"Is that why the house never recovered?" Harry watched as the nursery exploded all around his baby form.

"The magic released in that shield and charm placed upon you would have destroyed much of that home and infused it with an elemental kind of magic. One that is dangerous and volatile to disturb unless one understood what it truly was and how to harness and dispel it."

Harry gently pushed Hideki from his mind and asked the most pertinent question to his doctor, "Who was your father and why did he have to die?" His mind and body were exhausted but Harry would not leave until he knew of Hideki's father and honored him.

Hideki Saito sighed and leaned heavily back into his plush leather chair. He was tempted to tell young Potter about his father and legacy; it was his birthright after all. It wasn't that the doctor didn't think Harry up to the responsibility, couldn't handle the pressure, or any of that nonsense Albus would have convinced himself of, Saito wasn't sure if he could trust him with the Legion, itself. As he began to tell the tale of his father, Harry cocked his head and held up a warning hand. With his therapies and being free of Voldemort's insidious presence, Harry would on occasion feel magic, wards and runes in particular, like he was tied to the more ancient forms of magic.

"Anti-disapparition wards are in place." Harry's battle instincts, sharpened by reading the Five Rings, were taking over, he looked around Saito's suite and nodded to himself, "This room is a kill zone, we don't stand a chance here, we need to leave. Now." He slid an extendable ear under the door and backed away towards Saito's desk.

"Our contact at the ministry was right, he is here. He said he was weakened too, that the Dark Lord damaged him irrevocably." A raspy voiced giggled slightly. The voice was coming closer and the footsteps indicated a woman with high boots on and a heavier step echoing afterwards.

"Alecto, shouldn't we wait for the others? This is the Chosen One, after all." A thicker voice asked hesitantly. A resounding slap filtered down the hallway of the resort and a small hiss of pain quickly followed.

"Our source is correct and what better way to get the Dark Mark, Stevens? The other teams will be arriving shortly; there is no reason to … delay our fun." Alecto's maniacal giggling left little to the imagination.

Shit. Alecto meant trouble, Harry was exhausted and if they didn't get out of this room they would be dead in minutes, unless Alecto decided it was time to play. That option was far less appealing she liked to play in the same way as Greyback, from what he remembered from the Battle at Hogwarts. He glanced at Hideki who had a look of trepidation, not necessarily fear, but when Harry held up his wand and he shook his head no, a glint of panic rose in the doctor's eyes. Harry shut his eyes in frustration and took two calming breaths while motioning Hideki to take cover. Turning to the back wall, Harry shouted, "Bombarda". The back wall exploded outwards and the two began to run out to the resort grounds.

"Where are we going Harry?" The Japanese doctor was quite quick on his feet and was barely drawing hard breaths despite the all-out sprint.

"Convention Hall … most space … away from the wards", Harry's voice was ragged as the exhaustion threatened to overtake him. His mind gave way to instinct, they needed the open space of the hall, Hideki had no wand and seemingly little magical talent, he was exhausted, and more enemies were coming; meaning this battle needed to be quick and decisive. Anything and everything, his father's words brought a cold smile to Harry's face.

Crashing into the Convention Hall, Harry directed Saito to the far edge of the building to remain under a few tables. Chanting a quick Locking spell, Harry knocked over a few tables in the hall, scattering the wooden chairs. The cavernous room was set with multiple long tables with chairs all facing an enormous dais with two lecterns. Whether set up for a business meeting or a debate, Harry didn't care, he set about turning the tables over to provide more cover. He estimated another minute or so before Alecto and Stevens found them, so he banished the cloth draperies towards the entrances and levitated them over the doors. A few flicks later, the wood around the doorway was transfigured to metal. The silence was deafening, though even with the quiet, Harry could not locate Hideki. Then he saw the faint flash beyond the door and a reedy female voice call the obvious counter curse, "Alohomora".

George stood just inside Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes staring at all the products that he and his beloved brother, Fred, had designed. It was so empty and cold without him that George had wondered if he could even stand being in this store for another minute. As he began to pull all the plastic wraps off of all the counters, he thought about what Harry had said to him at the lake. Did he want revenge on those bastards that killed Fred, absolutely, but George had enough death and devastation for his lifetime. This joke shop was his home, what he was meant to do, but he would be lying if he didn't hope that Harry would make good on his promise to bring vengeance to those that took his twin. He recalled the first list of items that Harry needed and looked around the shop for a safe room to house his new inventions. They weren't exactly going to be dark artifacts, but to have them worked on in the open would certainly raise a few eyebrows. Absently, George picked up a self-writing quill and began to dictate the supplies he would need to furnish a back room laboratory. When he reached the back of the store, where the inventory lay, he noticed at the back of that room, there was a note pinned on the wall.

Don't think I left without giving you a secret lab. If it's too hard, I understand, the Oath is breakable by stating 'Mischief Managed' while touching this parchment inside. But maybe look inside first, it's top shelf. Needs just a bit of blood on the wall, don't go hacking off your arm. – Fellow Marauder

George could feel Harry's grin when writing the note because it matched the very same one that he had. Touching the wall with a pricked fingertip, it vanished and the inside left George gobsmacked. Cauldrons of every kind, crystal, stone, iron, shelves upon shelves of reagents even more than Snape's potion storeroom. There were mannequins with cloaks, rings of all metals, and along the near wall were shelves of books, runic books, enchanting books, Harry had given him a research and development laboratory. The room was enormous, beyond the normal wizarding enlarging charms, this looked to be goblin or house elf magic. George's answer came moments later when a quiet crack echoed in the space.

"Master George, Master Harry sends his regards", Kreacher stood at attention wearing a simple labcoat and custom goggles to fit over his protruding eyes looking like a rather bookish dragonfly.

George chuckled slightly at the house elf. He noticed the elf waiting for a response from him, and waved his arm at the room, "Okay Kreacher, we have three new projects for Harry, we'll need syringes, these reagents and two cauldrons. I need these three books, and that cloak there. And what do you know about ink, Kreacher?" The house elf was collecting all the ingredients on Fred's list as he took in the amazing room. He pinned the parchment next to the exit door, and turned to see all the work laid out on the crystal table tops.

George felt the faint stirrings of excitement deep inside his heart, the first since Fred's death, "Alright Kreacher, show me what this room can do."

Harry narrowed his focus to his breathing and to the door. He saw the hesitant push of the door and the tip of a dark wand moments later. The wand's owner was a thick meaty hand, so Harry assumed that meant Stevens, the new recruit. The shimmering around him also meant that he had a shield charm, but it seemed weak and would weaken yet, when he started to panic. He was counting on it. As Stevens eased into the room, Harry felt a little guilty that he was probably the same age. He didn't see Alecto, which meant she was waiting for this boy to absorb the first volley of spells and swoop in later. Harry decided not to keep her waiting.

Dropping the heavy drapery from above the door way, it molded itself to the magical shield, blocking the Death Eaters view. The surprised yell coming from the boy, masked Harry's initial spells, "Incendio, Flagrante," he also placed a sticking charm on the heavy cloth to the floor and doorway. With the cloth burning in a white hot flame all around his shield without the possibility of banishing it, Harry stalked quietly towards the flaming ball of cloth. Firing multiple stunners at the shield to weaken Stevens, Harry kept glancing around for the Carrow sister and Hideki.

Stevens was in a panic, he knew he was trapped in the searing hot capsule around his shield and it was taking almost his whole focus to maintain the magical barrier. When he tried to step back into the hallway, there was a white hot burning travelling up his feet. Gritting his teeth he stepped back to the flaming doorway, his scorched legs buckling under the Flagrante curse. He had to get out to the hallway, and a few more steps would do it. Mercifully, the drapery was beginning to fall away, burned to ash under the extreme heat, and he caught a glimpse of his target. There was a cold smile on his face, but Stevens could only see his eyes, they were glowing green and flickering in the light. He caught the last movements of Harry's wand and looked up, realizing too late that his inexperience cost him dearly. The Reductor curse crashed into the top of the ceiling above the doorway and the weight of the structure bore him into the ground. Prone and pinned to the enchanted metal, Stevens tortured screams continued for over a minute before he stilled, only the twitching of his arms and wand escaped the collapsed mortar and wood.

Alecto reveled in the screams and smells of torched flesh and death; the sound of suffering was delightful, even if it was her own recruit. It did not matter; Harry had revealed himself in dispatching Stevens and she saw how tired he was. There would be time to play, she shivered in delight at the prospect.

"Oh Harry", Alecto called out in a sing song voice, "Where are you? My brother says hello. He told me he had one of your Lions and how spirited she was, I hope you won't mind performing for me too. I feel like I deserve a taste, especially from the Chosen One." Harry's face felt the shame and guilt burning across his face; it was his fault that these monsters were at Hogwarts to do whatever they wanted. But now he had a chance for revenge. Alecto's smirk as Harry wheeled on her just fueled his overwhelming anger as he blasted away at her. Her taunts had touched something deep in Harry and as he wildly cursed at her, he knew too late how his spent anger mirrored his failing magic.

Gasping for air, he barely deflected the Sectumsempra curse away from his torso, and into his legs and arms. The biting cold from the wounds distracted him enough that the blasting curse caught him full in the chest, cracking his sternum. Harry coughed up blood as he backed away from Alecto, finally crumpling against a wayward chair. His life was pooling out of him onto the floor, and the witch bent down and drew her finger into a small stream, brought to her nose, then lovingly licked it clean. Her eyes almost fluttered close and returned her gaze to the broken boy before her.

Alecto's disdain splashed across her features, "Chosen One, you are pathetic, even Ms. Brown put up a better fight before Amycus had her." She lazily cast a Cruciatus curse and cackled as Harry stumbled away and collapsed behind a table. "Ah a little fight left in the Golden Boy, maybe when I am done here I can find that Granger bitch, I heard that Bellatrix found her screams to be … delicious. Of course, my brother would like another try at that blood traitor Weasley, he found her to be so … feisty." Alecto's voice rang in Harry's ears and guilt blossomed throughout his mind and suddenly Ginny's emotional tirade fit into place. He hadn't been there to protect them and they had paid dearly. Another cackle sparked something deep and elemental in his magical core, as the rage and fury surge to the surface, Harry's body felt like it was being torn in half, like something was desperately trying to claw its way from his stomach out his back. He looked wildly down, expecting to his organs spilling from the imagined gashes, but the skin was unbreached. Harry's breath returned to him, only to see Alecto cast another blasting curse catching him in the arm and sending him into a lectern smashing it to pieces, and separating his shoulder. Squeezing his eyes shut to the pain, he slid to the other end of the dais to the intact lectern. He heard a shuffling from the stage and saw Saito clambered to him, eyes wide with fear and panic. "Harry, you have to focus, I can see it around you, but you must focus your …." Whatever Hideki was saying was torn from his lips as he submitted to the Cruciatus curse, his agony rang out through the Hall.

"Seems that someone else will also have to pay for your weakness, boy" Alecto continued to press the curse onto Dr. Saito. Harry's eyes glazed over and let the pain in his core wash over him, let his soul drink in the anger he felt, and as Hideki's feeble screams ended, Harry's eyes snapped open and his mind went blank.

He felt his magic respond before he called for it, it leapt from his wand almost independent of his charm. He still heard himself call out, "Accio lectern" but by then the magic had manifested and hundreds of shards of wood slammed into Alecto's side, those that missed struck Harry's arms, but his magic was already responding again. Casting a simple Augamenti spell, causing Alecto to laugh in spite of the wood embedded in her flank, she cast a quick cutting curse, which struck Harry's calf opening another vicious wound that began trickling blood. Regarding a soaked Alecto in a pool of water, Harry flicked his wand sending an incendiary spell at her feet causing great clouds of steam to sear her legs to the bone, billowing around her body scalding the bare flesh. It provided enough time for Harry to cast a simple Engorgio on the wooden shards in the witch's side. Swelling in size, the splinters grew into sharpened spikes before some exploded outwards. As the wood tore and pushed into her organs, she screamed with bloody froth springing from her lips. Harry, with eyes glowing green, banished two tables into her chest smashing and pinning her to the intact lectern behind him.

He quickly checked Saito who was wobbling on his feet but recovering from the torture quickly. Harry struggled over to where Alecto's crushed body was held up to the lectern all the while eying her warily. Gurgling through the blood in her mouth, the witch tried to curse Harry again, but Harry was ready. Sidestepping the weak jet of purple light, Harry cast a quick Expelliarmus, pulverizing the fingers of her right hand, with Hideki plucking Alecto's wand out of the air, following Harry over to the mortally wounded witch.

Harry's adrenaline was ebbing, and exhaustion was quickly following. He looked over the suffering witch and silently made a decision, "Alecto is dying, Saito, we need to take her to a hosp …", Harry looked on in horror as a curved blade pierced her jugular and gouts of blood sprayed from her neck. He turned quickly and saw Saito standing there with a steely glare in his eyes, Alecto's blood staining his shirt. He fixed his cold glare at Harry, "Your father believed in anything and everything, Harry. No mercy" as he plunged the blade deeper into the rent flesh, pinning Alecto's savaged throat to the lectern. Harry turned away, afraid he might retch at the sight, his face showing revulsion and horror at the ghastly scene.

Giving his injured shoulder a gentle nudge hoping the pain would refocus his attention, Saito calmly asked him, "Remember the others, they are coming. We need a safe house, do you have one and can you take us there?"

Harry nodded and shifted them through the wards in a bright flash and had enough time to register 12 Grimmauld Place before collapsing to the living room floor.

A/N: This chapter is actually the genesis of this whole story about the Legion, ancient birthrights, and honestly a better story about the death of his parents. It always irked me as a father that James Potter was some sort of ancillary character in Harry's life. The idea that he had a similar role in protecting Harry's life made Harry seem more complex and interesting. Any reviews would be great about what you like and don't.