Chapter 10 – Return of the Chosen One
Standard disclaimer – don't own any of JK Rowling's works, nor am I profiting from them.
Summary: Ron and Hermione found her parents and reconciled with them mainly due to Ron's help. Hermione realized that Ron would never be Harry, but he could be something just as good. Ginny and Hermione cleared the air, with Ginny learning about the kiss. Mrs. Parker, one of the Sacred 28, assured Rookwood their plans for Diagon Alley were clear. Harry learned that the sohei are indolent werewolves, infected to ensure their survival despite their loss of magic. He and Kenji were returning to Britain. Ginny realized that Harry returned from death to be with her.
A/N: Thanks for all the feedback, most of it is pretty encouraging. A lot of you are wondering whether Ginny should also have a special power or characteristic and I never gave it much thought, so any suggestions I would definitely entertain, so far as it doesn't ruin the rest of the story that is planned out. Gabrielle makes a small cameo in a few chapters so to her fans, just hold on a bit longer.
Ginny woke up to a crisp mid-summer morning at the Burrow. She jumped out of bed she was so excited; today was Teddy's first parade. She ran through the mental checklist and first up was reviewing the household spells that would make it possible to care for Teddy. Once she was totally confident with her diaper cleaning and formula warming spells, she reviewed the parade route and which brand-new stores were opening. It was obvious the ice cream parlor replacing Florean Fortescue's would be the prime spot to watch all the festivities. She felt a real sense of loss because he was such a kind man and his store had so many memories for children.
Teddy would create none of those memories with his parents, but that thought only strengthened Ginny's resolve to provide what she could for him. Perhaps she was taking the unofficial godmother role a bit more seriously than she should have. Maybe I am just hoping that this will be practice for when I do become his godmother. Ginny snorted aloud, she wasn't a hopeless romantic anymore, war tended to make you a bit more pragmatic, but she felt that a happy ending with Harry was possible. She knew everyone else thought it was a pipe dream, which also was the reason for her early wake up and departure; it would kill her mood to see those pitying stares.
She wriggled her way into some jeans and a long shirt to combat the chilly morning and quickly made her way to the kitchen. Her eyes widened in surprise at seeing George already at the table eating and shuffling some papers. He was so immersed in whatever it was, he only noticed her when she plunked down beside him with her bowl of oatmeal.
"Shade Cloak?" Ginny asked puzzled. "Is that a new item for Auror help?"
George's eyes flashed dangerously and she dropped her questioning. George earned the right to keep his secrets, for a time at least.
"Why are you up so early, Ginny? Could it be to miss the morning rush for breakfast?" George was a bit miffed; he wanted solitude to work on the rune scheme that Kreacher suggested. "If you plan on going to the Alley for Harry's gift…" he shifted a large bag of Galleons to her. With a big smile, he added, "And if you are taking Teddy to the Alley…" he shifted four more Galleons to her. "I won't tell anyone if he manages to get a hold of some … chocolates or ice cream. Chocolate by the way." Ginny's eyebrows were knitted in confusion. "Harry's favorite flavor, Kreacher told me."
Ginny smiled and said patronizingly, "I know, I did date him for a little bit of time. And it's dark chocolate." George nodded with a smile that conceded defeat, "I'll be working at the store for the most part so if everyone wanted to meet back for lunch, I could take a break then."
"We'll meet up for lunch." Ginny was slowly getting excited, finally after almost three months, a happy event would grace Britain's wizarding world. What better way to remember all the good things than spending it with a little baby seeing his first parade, and maybe a touch of chocolate ice cream?
She arrived at Andromeda's house before mid-morning; she really wanted to stake out a great place at the ice cream parlor to watch. She was only half listening to Mrs. Tonks' warnings about Teddy's napping schedule, if he got ahold of some ice cream, he wouldn't be sleeping for quite some time. Besides she wanted him to stay up through the whole parade and hear about Harry from all of his friends when they went shopping.
As she heard Teddy stirring, she couldn't help but smile. This was Harry's godson and she made it her responsibility to take care of him; she hoped the symbolism would hold some truth in time. Her heart quickened when she saw the cute bundle presented to her; Teddy's eyes were a caramel brown but his hair was black. Black and untidy, Ginny blinked back tears, it was so easy to imagine Teddy as hers and Harry's. She knew she didn't want children right away, she had a Quidditch career to think of after all, but the awesome feeling of motherhood was hard to resist. Her joy was tempered knowing that the man she wanted as a father was broken both mentally and physically, but she wouldn't give in, at least not yet.
"Ginny, are you listening?" Andromeda slightly chastising tone echoed in her mind. She gave a sheepish grin and nodded quickly.
"Don't worry Mrs. Tonks, we'll have an army there, and my mom's a floo call away. She had seven of us, so I am sure she's seen it all, metamorph notwithstanding."
Andromeda nodded curtly, both Ginny and Harry were both awfully young to take up the mantle of even part time parents, but she saw how the crimson haired witch's eyes lit up seeing Teddy. To give them a bit of time together in such a safe location wouldn't hurt, and it would give her some time to relax and really grieve the loss of her daughter.
"Be careful with him Ginny, he's all I have left of my daughter." Ginny smiled bittersweet and softly replied, "I know Mrs. Tonks. He'll be safe; Harry would never forgive me if something happened."
Ginny arrived at Diagon Alley just before ten and set up her spot in the outside seating area of the ice cream parlor. It had a unfettered view of the street and as she heated up a bit of Teddy's formula with her wand, she began pointing out all the neat sights. As she fed him, she multitasked by broadcasting her position via DA Galleon to the others.
Luna responded immediately, saying she was with Hannah and Neville at the Leaky for breakfast; but afterwards they would meet at the parlor on the way to the joke shop. She burped Teddy and set him in his carrier for a quick nap. She wanted him alert and ready for when all the fun would start. She sat back letting the early sun bathe her face and let out a contented sigh. It was almost perfect.
She felt some roving eyes taking in her figure and it immediately triggered an uncomfortable memory of Hogwarts. Thankfully, she brought Harry's snitch with her and palmed it. It always brought a small sense of comfort to have something of Harry's that she could physically hold on to. As her breathing returned to normal, her eyes raked across the scenery; glaring out at the patrons, searching for the wandering eyes. She caught a fleeting glimpse of a black robe turning quickly and disappearing into the growing crowd. Before she had time to think on it, her least favorite reporter loudly interrupted the happy morning.
"Ginevra Weasley! I knew I would find some of the famous Hogwarts students here at Diagon Alley today. How are you doing?" Ginny snorted hard at being regarded as one of the 'famous Hogwarts students'. Rita Skeeter's annoyingly loud voice was causing Teddy to stir slightly in his carrier, and Ginny growled at the unfortunate spot she was in. She would have to suffer this bitch's questions and get her away from both of them before all of their plans could start. Ginny knew that mentioning Harry's name in any fashion would include extra questions, so she quickly palmed the snitch and turned sharply to the Daily Prophet reporter.
"I am doing as well as can be expected Rita." The youngest Weasley ground out between clenched teeth. "We are here to celebrate the hopeful return to normalcy, to begin to heal. Is that why you are here today?"
"Absolutely, I am here on assignment to get some choice words from the heroes of the final battle at Hogwarts and maybe find one Mr. Potter and have another wonderful interview with him." She finished expectantly, looking at Ginny.
So that was the angle, find the ex-girlfriend, find the hero. Ginny winced at her assessment; she didn't know what she and Harry were, but in title at least, it had to be better than that. "I am not sure if you have read your own paper, Rita, but I read that Harry was in America receiving some experimental treatment to recover from the war. I know you didn't write the article, but perhaps you should read your colleagues' work."
"And how do you feel about that? Him just leaving you like that, with a child no less!" Rita's eyes lit up as her gossiping quill went into overdrive at tying all of these details together.
Ginny's eyes were murderous, and if she didn't have a sleeping child next to her, Rita would have experienced a verbal and spell laden lashing that would have sent her to St. Mungo's. She slowly pointed her wand right in between Rita's glasses, "This is Teddy Lupin, his parents were killed defending the wizarding world from Voldemort. It is an honor to take him out for a fun day, to celebrate what his parents protected." Ginny's voice was fiery, she could handle Rita's jabs and gossip, but she would not stand for Teddy, his parents, or Harry's name to be dragged through the mud.
Rita, took note of the wand in her face, and the young redhead's mood and quickly dropped the single mother angle of her gossiping. As far as Harry Potter was concerned, she and her readers demanded more. "And you and the Chosen One, what is the status of your relationship?"
Ginny's wand never wavered, in fact the tip grew dangerously closer to Rita's forehead. It took every fiber of her being to quell her Gryffindor instincts that told her to blast this nosy bitch, but she grated out a "no comment" and followed it with a "our relationship is a private matter for right now". Rita looked tremendously disappointed and as she was pressing in for the kill, she noticed the contingent of Aurors begin to line the streets in preparation for the parade. Rita smirked at the obvious sigh of relief that came from Harry's ex-girlfriend and made a mental note to return to get the full story later. She swept up her notes and quill, bidding Ginny a sweet goodbye earning her yet another deathly stare.
A pair of bright eyes roamed the street watching for any targets that were deemed important. He knew there was going to be trouble, there always was when planning for something like this. The wizard had coordinated events like this many times before, and always had the same sense of foreboding. He was proven correct each time, the Ministry, at Hogwarts. Shaking his head to clear it of those dark thoughts, he remembered he had to stay focused. His objective was across the street, engaged in what was obviously an irritating experience. He chuckled under his breath; Rita Skeeter could annoy and exasperate anyone.
The redheaded witch seemed fit to explode on the reporter. Usually this would be at the very least entertaining, but with her so wound up there was no telling what she would do or how she would react to the inevitable. He sent a message to his colleagues that Ginevra had been spotted and waited for confirmation on Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. They were the most important people of the day and that's why his team was assigned to them. He felt a familiar tingle and learned that the two of the major heroes of the day were seen further down the Alley. They had eyes on all of them. With a heavy exhale of relief, he refocused his eyes on Ginevra Weasley, who had bundled up the baby she had brought and was facing the street directing Teddy's eyes to where the parade would be passing by.
He rolled down his sleeve, leveled his wand, whispering, "Bombarda."
Ron heard the dull thuds reverberating down the causeway and instinctively looked into the sky expecting the resulting splash of colors from George's newest creation. When a rush of hot air blew through his hair, Ron's instincts quickly took over. Scanning the distant shops, he saw faint, then billowing amounts of smoke rising in the air. He had barely enough time to usher a few people into the middle of the street when the storefronts on either side of him exploded. He covered Hermione with his body and pinned her while looking for anybody responsible. The aurors also looked stunned at the attack in broad daylight.
It took Ron screaming a few choice words including, "Hey you Ministry fucks, get your shit moving!" It was a testament to how scared Hermione was that she didn't correct his language until much later. As the aurors began to spread down the streets and alleyways, Ron stood slowly and pulled Hermione up with him. Hermione was practically yelling in Ron's ear so that he could hear her, "We need to get to George's, he and Harry paid some goblins to ward the structure. It should be safe, safer than here anyways."
Ron nodded, he knew that Harry had sunk a lot of money into the Wheezes and now it was becoming apparent what he spent some of it on. He pointed further up the Alley, thankfully away from the explosions, to the twin's storefront.
"Let's move." Ron's voice was raw from the dust raining down around them. Racing through the street; they made it to within a quidditch pitch distance to the store when Ron felt the curse before he saw it. He folded Hermione into his embrace and spun quickly on the spot, instinctively knowing where the curse was coming from. He took the full brunt of the red jet of light; crushing his left side and smashing the both of them into the street. The last thing he remembered was Hermione's high pitched screaming matching his own.
Kreacher heard Master Weasley's shouts of pain even in the hellacious din of the street. He was aware of exactly what was happening; the trails of Dark Magic flourished everywhere he looked. George was in a panic and Kreacher couldn't blame him; almost all of the British Weasleys were in London this morning. The twin stood transfixed watching the horror outside as if it were a nightmare waiting to dissolve as he woke up. The house elf had again felt that strangeness, the familiar restlessness that had accompanied his true Master's awakening for the past few days.
Now he wondered whether or not this event was what he felt the danger from. He cursed his lack of foresight and planning. His indecisiveness would not cost any of Master's friends even if it meant his own. His golden eyes raked along the street until he saw the familiar bushy brown hair covering a collapsed figure and without a sound he was gone.
Hermione felt a pair of impossibly strong hands grab her arms and pull her and Ron up, despite her boyfriend's nearly unconscious protests. She reached for Ron's wand as she spun quickly, an Unforgivable curse on her lips and she gasped when seeing those piercing golden eyes.
"Hold on, you are both safe" the faery folk replied and with a whisper they arrived back at the Wheezes. Kreacher lowered Ron into one makeshift bed that he transfigured from a shelf of Chocolate Frogs and conjured a chair for Hermione to sit in while he started his ministrations. "Master George, I believe this requires potion six if you would please."
George was snapped out of his reverie, "Absolutely Kreacher, and I think perhaps a pinch of the dittany as well." Kreacher smiled slightly, glad that his lab partner was responsive again.
Hermione's eyes became like saucers as she took in the house elf's new appearance. "Kreacher?" The little elf bowed slightly as he ran glowing hands over Ron's injured left side. "What happened, you look so … different."
"Master Harry … he is becoming a Peverell" Kreacher whispered so quietly that Hermione thought she had heard wrong.
"I know he has Peverell blood, but what do you mean becoming?" Hermione knew he held the surname of the extinct lineage, but you don't become a name, it's what you were.
Kreacher shook his head as George approached with the dittany and the special Harry edition potion six. The elf got Hermione to force Ron to drink the potion, and then place the dittany over the wounds as Kreacher finished healing each one on his side. As George retreated to ensure the goblin wards were still in place, his golden eyes sparked again. "Mistress Hermione, I am near the pure form of elf, from before we were bound to wizards with wands, from an ancient time. I am transforming because Master Harry is as well, though his journey will be considerably longer and … more painful." Kreacher's eyes were forlorn and saddened in voicing the plight of the Magi he served.
Hermione knew that the elves' well-being and power was tied to their Masters and often were subjected to possibly cruel treatment; it was the reason she was so adamant about house elf and creatures' rights. However, she never could have expected that the servile relationship could be so equal or powerful for the servant, and she had to admit, Kreacher was no servant anymore, he acted as if … as if he was Harry, a noble being with free will.
"Harry would be proud of you Kreacher." Hermione couldn't keep the waver out of her voice, nor keep the tears from slowly welling in her eyes. Her boyfriend was injured and unconscious on a cot during a terrorist attack and her best friend was gone; it seemed so unimaginably unfair. She grabbed Ron's hand whispering about how she needed him and how brave he was; she nodded her thanks to Kreacher as he stood to help George secure the store.
Ginny hissed in pain as she dragged herself down the street against the flow of screaming wizards and witches. The storefront glass and wood was no doubt imbedded in her back and she was sure she caught at least one cutting curse across her thigh. The pain was unbearable, but she would have to make it. She looked down and saw Teddy's frightened face and redoubled her efforts. She had checked him as soon as the explosion tore open the ice cream parlor and found him unharmed. Thank Merlin. Ginny felt cold and tired and though her motherly instincts were carrying her to where she needed to go, she saw with a sinking heart that she wouldn't make it in time.
Her strength waning she started to buckle under the weight of both Teddy and the knowledge that she had failed them both; that Harry's godson would likely be trampled or lost in this furious attack was just more weight bearing her down to her knees. She smiled resignedly as her vision began to tunnel and merciful darkness approached.
"Don't you dare go to sleep!" A loud insistent voice penetrated the fog. "Get up, Ginny, get up and fight." She blearily opened her eyes, ready to curse that shrill tone. It took a moment to focus her vision to the blood streaked dirty blond hair of her favorite Ravenclaw.
"Luna." Ginny's voice trailed off as a guttural moan escape her lips as her petite friend hauled her off her knees and began marching her against the masses. "We won't make it this way Luna, I can't walk." Ginny pleaded with her friend to take Teddy and just take him somewhere safe.
Luna looked back with amazing clarity in her usual dreamy eyes, "I haven't done this side-along before, but it will work. It has to." Whether she was trying to convince Ginny or herself, she focused her view at the store at the end of the Alley, remembering everything about it, the shelves, the smells, the layout of the shop. She squeezed her eyes shut and turned quickly on her heel, holding Ginny and Teddy tightly.
They arrived at the storefront and were ushered in by George. His faced paled when he saw his baby sister's back full of bleeding cuts and slashes, but he blanched when looking down at Luna's leg. A large scoopful of calf muscle had neatly been excised and it seemed Luna was finally noticing it herself. She collapsed into the twin's arms as he yelled for Kreacher.
Harry and Kenji were finishing their transactions with the associate director at Gringotts. Harry had taken his healer's explanation to heart about the extermination of the Arcane throughout history. It would not be enough to be more magically powerful than the usurpers; he needed political power and money with lots of both. This, plus not being complacent such as the sohei, would provide the best chance for a permanent return.
Political power can't be generated overnight and that was the fact that irritated Harry the most, but he understood that the pressure to crack the Pureblood stranglehold in Britain would take years to generate. At least he knew how to begin to gain that leverage; his healer gave him the idea the very first day they met in America. The seeds of movement were planted so innocuously that even the goblins were confused with his requests. Harry had exercised his dormant Slytherin qualities to put into place this long term plan. Money, political power created leverage; it was leverage that exiled him, now it would serve him.
Three corporations purchased, all Muggle. One in South Africa, one in France and the last in Japan, two technology startups and one asset management company. It cost a sizeable portion of his Potter fortune, but if these companies gave Harry what he hoped; they would be priceless. He carefully reviewed the blueprints for the safe house his father built in Japan to stay in while receiving his training decades ago. It was inevitable that the Ministry would trace him again, and he would not place his healer and his family in jeopardy.
Kenji looked questioningly at his kohai, bewildered at his aggressive business sense and his conviction. Harry's acquisitions made little sense, other than the places in which two were located. He knew why Harry chose France, but had no clue as to the company's value, the Japanese company was obvious. South Africa? It will require a bit of reading and researching if he won't tell me straight away.
He studied his young charge's face and found him to be staring back at him with a smirk. Little bastard knows I am wondering about his motives. Kenji laughed a bit at the marked change in Harry in just a few weeks; things were falling into place for him training wise and also seemingly for the incredible task at securing his safety in Britain.
His sarcastic quip was interrupted by a loud alarm. The goblin manager immediately addressed their concerns, "There is an attack occurring outside of the bank in Diagon Alley. Remain seated, there have been some anti-apparition and other protective wards automatically erected. You will be safe here."
Harry's eyes narrowed dangerously, "What sort of attack, and who are the targets?" Kenji coolly glanced at the goblin as well, it could be the Ministry searching for Harry and it would finally prove their suspicions and justify their visit.
The goblin shrugged his shoulders, "Seems to be a terrorist attack, explosions and destruction of storefronts and quite a few casualties given the grand reopening and parade route through the Alley. There are rumors of the Dark Mark being present." The goblin's callousness and indifference enflamed Harry's glare, but when he mentioned the Dark Mark, Harry's posture immediately tensed. Kenji felt and then smelled the difference in Harry; it was a change in pressure and the distinct odor of ozone, of electricity.
Harry stood abruptly and headed for the office door that led to the lobby. "Lord Potter, you cannot leave, the bank is on lockdown and the wards keep you from apparating." Kenji stood quickly as well, he knew that the mild precautions that the goblins thought adequate wouldn't stave Harry's wrath; he proved already that he was able to shift through any wards if he was focused enough. It was up to the sohei to make him see reason.
"Harry! You can't leave here. Defeating those men won't get rid of your guilt. It won't bring back those you lost." He grabbed the raven haired wizard and spun him around, "You owe the dead nothing more than you have given. It wasn't your fault they died."
Harry glowered at the shorter man, "I owe them vengeance Kenji, and I plan to deliver."
Kenji groaned internally as he changed tactics, "They died not just for you, Harry. You were the leader, but if it were anyone else, would they have fought for their freedom any less? Would your friends Hermione or Ginny fought any more or less?" He placed both hands on Harry's shoulders, "This is not your fight, you were exiled from this place and these troubles; it is their war to carry on." He exhaled when Harry seemed to mull over his words.
When Harry's face drew level with Kenji's, he saw determination and real anger. "Which is it then, Kenji? I fight to avenge the dead and ease my guilt, or fight to honor those who would have fought regardless? You can't have it both ways." He was practically yelling down his sempai.
"Kohai…" Kenji said softly, "It's not my place to judge your motives. It is my job to keep you safe from the Ministry. If that means preventing you from fighting, then so be it; but if this incident only deals with Death Eaters then it leaves only your wand as the trace. You are not yet skilled enough to fight without it, and I won't let you fight with it."
If Kenji was expecting that to placate Harry, he was sadly mistaken. Harry pulled his wand and jabbed it painfully into the older man's chest. "I will use whatever magic I have to stop them. It's not 'if', it's when. Either I use it to stop you and then use it out there, or I use it with your help to kill them. No compassion, no forgiveness. You taught me to show them no mercy for what they've done." His anger was mired in desperation.
Harry withdrew his wand and looked imploringly into black eyes, "Kenji, they are attacking my home." It almost came out as a whisper and before he was finished; Harry clamped his hand down on the monk's wrist and shifted them out onto the street.
The smell of burning flesh and blood assaulted Kenji's sensitive nose initially and he turned to take in the devastation behind him. It was worse than he could have imagined, and had he known this was what waited for them at the beginning, he would have murdered the Death Eaters already. His calculating eyes swept over the carnage of small children and adults alike, cut down by spells or explosive force. The corpses of children were burning in collapsed storefronts. Those dead children brought forth a recollection so vivid and deep within him, he knew it was a core memory of the end of their magical lineage. Those same burning children, whole families cut down, the same utter devastation.
Suddenly it didn't matter that he was supposedly Harry's conscience or that Britain wasn't his home; these were child killers and death would be too merciful a fate for them. The fury was overwhelming and only through years of meditative breathing could he reign it in enough to look at his kohai. I have to calm him, if I am this angry, then he will be enraged. This will be so much worse than at the clinic. He regarded Harry and was truly fearful of what he saw.
There was a cold ferocity that dulled his eyes, but otherwise seemed calm, too calm, like the eye of a typhoon or the receding tidal waters before a tsunami. The pressure, however, around Harry was suffocating and the static singed Kenji's hair. With a dangerously smooth and measured voice Harry pointed to a store and asked, "Do you see that store, meet me there in two minutes." Kenji nodded, grateful of his promise to meet and hopefully help Harry focus before poisoning himself with uncontrolled amounts of the Fade again.
As his sempai gracefully raced down the street at incredible speed, Harry let his tightly wound control relax and embraced his anger. His mind bathed in the righteous fury and began to harness it to fuel his magic. He would have to use his wand and that meant the Ministry would know he was here. He knew he would have a confrontation with the Unspeakables at least, perhaps even the Hit Wizards and maybe then his life would be forfeit. He imagined that realization would have scared him but witnessing the devastation of children and their families quelled that worry. These Death Eaters have earned their fate. He felt the familiar blistering pain radiating from his core, magical or otherwise, that signaled his channeling of the ambient Fade. He welcomed the pain, embraced it, and would be sharing it soon. All of the Death Easter will share in my pain. He thought of the Cauldron and shifted into the Void.
Hermione was watching the door and Ron as George and Kreacher tended to Luna and her ghastly splinching wound. Ginny was slumped exhausted with Teddy still clutched in her arms as she faced the back wall to the inventory room. The blood loss was lessened now that she was resting, but her wounds needed attention. Only Luna and Ron's more devastating injuries prevented Ginny from being treated by Kreacher and George at the moment. The bushy haired witch barely had enough time to shout a warning as the front door quickly opened and a stranger silently slipped through.
He held up his hands in a gesture of peace, but immediately two wands were trained on him. He spoke no words but looked them over as if assessing them as threats. Hermione clutched her wand fiercely; there was something abnormal about this man, besides his obsidian black eyes with golden flecks. He reeked of power and a slight arrogance, but it was the way he moved, like a predator among men that caused her to shiver. He was shorter than George and Ron but that did nothing to stem the anxiety Hermione felt at looking at him.
The stranger was Asian, having the same high cheekbones and delicate face features as Cho Chang, but had a maturity and fierceness that belied his age, whatever that may have been. She looked towards Kreacher, but he was giving the man a strange, appraising look and motioned for him to stay right where he was. The man nodded curtly, and glanced about the store casually, as if a paying customer. He seemed to be content to just wait. Exactly for what concerned Hermione greatly.
"Who are you?" Hermione called out, voicing that question instead of the one that needed to be answered. Are you a Death Eater? He certainly didn't seem so, his clothing was Muggle, had no visible wand, and most obviously was not attacking. The man began to speak but then his eyes flickered with a quick smirk to look at the back wall. The two wands and Kreacher's gaze snapped immediately to the wall in time to see a dark mist begin to coalesce in front of them. Hermione ran through her spells to find one that could put down any unknown enemy without risking all of their lives.
The mist formed into the shape of a man wearing a dark cloak. The air crackled with barely restrained magic and they all felt the pressure of it pushing against their bodies. Ginny gasped and shook her head back and forth whispering, "It can't be." Kreacher's response was one of complete shock, but Hermione was watching the man's hands for wands or quick movements. When none came, she began tracing her gaze upwards.
He was tall, around six feet, and had a strong, fluid build. His hands were weathered and tanned and in them he carried four small closed steel canisters in one hand, and two exquisite lacquered pieces of wood in the other. He wore Muggle clothes underneath his black cloak and she noticed that his face was angular and tanned with rakish jet black hair.
And green eyes. Beautiful, cold, emerald eyes that showed malice that Hermione had never seen in him.
Her wand clattered to the floor as the icy numbness of disbelief overwhelmed her. "Harry?" The Chosen One. Her best friend, had returned.