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Balance Factor Chapter 39

Year Six

King of Dark

A/N: Thanks for reviewing! I really appreciate it!

"Akira-nii?" Harry asked. Akira looked up from his game of wizard's chess with Ryuuko. They were pretty evenly matched, with Ryuuko currently in the lead.

"I'm going out next week," Harry said calmly. "But during that time… I want you to protect the students. Can you do that for me?" He glanced at Ron and Hermione, who were also playing a game of chess. Ron looked up.

"What? You're leaving?" Ron asked, surprised.

"I'm going on a mission to kill one of Voldemort's soul fragments," Harry said calmly. "He had made eight total. One being me, one being the diary, one being the Gaunt ring. Those have been disposed of. There's something of Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff's cup, Voldemort's snake, Slytherin's Locket, and Voldemort himself left. We're off to get the locket. Dumbledore's coming with me."

"Oh… Okay," Hermione said, relaxing. "If Dumbledore's going…"

"Here…" Harry threw the bottle of Felix Felicis at Hermione, who caught it. "Use it if you're in trouble."

Akira gave a small wave. Ryuuko paused, looking at the pieces from the top of the stack of books.

"Harry…?" Ryuuko asked.

"Akira… keep Ryuuko with you," Harry said softly. "It… would be better for him to be here… to protect the students." He smiled a little at Ryuuko. Ryuuko hesitated, but slowly nodded, seeing the logic. There would be far more innocents here than where Harry was going. "And… after I go back for the summer holidays… Akira-nii, please make up with Shirogane, okay? You two fighting isn't a good thing. And he must be missing you dearly."

Akira paused and looked up as well.

"Don't you have that mirror thing that lets us talk?" Akira asked. Harry nodded.

"I have not used it this year, actually. To prevent Shirogane from finding out where you were. I will keep it open for you to contact me over the summer, though," Harry said calmly. "I didn't think you'd appreciate him coming to fetch you like a dog, so I refrained." He smiled lightly and sat down next to Akira. "Plus, I enjoyed our private time together. You're a good person, Akira-nii." He rested on Akira's arm, comfortable with the warmth. "I didn't wish to break your trust by telling him where you were."

Akira allowed this and gave a soft sigh.

"He probably knows, the sneaky bastard," Akira said softly, looking at Harry. Harry laughed, shaking his head.

"Shirogane isn't all knowing. He hates not knowing so he'll likely badger kokuchi or someone to find you."

-0-

"Back again, you sons of bitches?"

Nanaya's single eye glared, his whole body tense, ready for battle. The men with sticks were back, and again, only three of the fifty were pointing their wands at him. The rest were chattering to themselves.

"You didn't tell me you were having guests." Homurabi glanced at them with his cat-like green eyes. Nanaya scowled a little and Homurabi ran a long clawed hand through his long, crimson hair.

"They are rather uninvited. They're holding sticks! STICKS!" Nanaya said, frustrated. "Why would I personally let these weirdos enter my territory?! You saw them! They just popped right in. Totally uninvited!"

"You're coming with us!" One of the masked men said. Nanaya rolled his eyes.

"Not going to happen this time! I've got Boss with me," Nanaya growled, summoning his sais.

"What in the world is with all this ruckus?"

Shirogane landed on the open roof, looking down at his Child and his Child's Child. Wands were now pointed towards him and he gave a small sneer.

"Ah. King!" Nanaya looked a little shocked. Shirogane didn't usually show up to visit him, after all. He usually stayed in the palace, waiting for Akira to show up to visit him or maintaining the balance. Or paperwork. But most of the time, Shirogane threw the paperwork to Sawaki to do while he went to his room to absorb more Darkness. He had recovered mostly over the past year. Nanaya had avoided going to the palace because Shirogane would give him dirty looks the entire time, as if it was his fault that Sirius Black was in his palace-never mind the fact that it actually was.

Homurabi bowed his head a little to the Direct King. "Brother…"

Suddenly, one of the masked men grabbed Nanaya and held his wand to his throat. Nanaya gave him the deepest glare he could muster, his hand twitching on his sai, wanting to stab the man with it.

"Come with us or your subordinate gets it, King of Dark!" The man demanded. Homurabi gave the man a blank look and Shirogane turned his cold blue eyes to the man, a pleasantly deadly smile crossing his pale pink lips.

"Bye, brat," he said, waving at Nanaya. Nanaya gave a very angry start, stabbing the man in the stomach hard.

This guy! He makes me angry! Nanaya thought, fuming at Shirogane. Homurabi gave a snort of laughter in his hand, not noticing that one of the hooded figures had pulled up their sleeves and pressed the odd skull with a snake emerging from it. Shirogane's eyes narrowed and he felt another presence appear among the masked men.

"AH! You're that ugly snake-faced man!" Nanaya roared, pointing. "The one who hit me in the back!"

"A wizard hit you in the back with a spell?" Homurabi asked, his expression clearly not amused. "It seems you need more training."

"Huh? I wasn't expecting it," Nanaya crossed his arms, looking grumpy. "Not like anyone told me-Wait, did you say wizard?!" Shirogane looked coolly down at the new comer, his ice blue eyes narrowed.

"Ah, the King of Dark," the snake faced man said, giving a mocking bow. "I am Lord Voldemort. The strongest-"

"I don't care," Shirogane said, cutting coldly across Voldemort's speech. "You send your followers to harass my Children and you're asking for death."

Voldemort flattered. But then a very ugly, snakey grin crossed his lips. "I'm terribly sorry for my followers lack of hospitality. But you see, I'm in a war right now."

"I don't care," Shirogane repeated, turning away, judging Voldemort not even close to a threat. His silvery white hair brushed through the night air, almost glowing in the moon.

"We wish to recruit you," Voldemort said, his face becoming more serious. Shirogane stopped and glared at him, half insulted at the things he was spouting off. Voldemort continued, apparently oblivious to the glare he was receiving. "In our army. To fight. My soldiers will be yours to command, King of Dark. All I ask for in return is for your cooperation."

"Why would I need a bunch of spineless, weak, wand-waving humans?" Shirogane sneered. "Your pitiful war is not any of my business."

"Even if it concerns the King of Light, Ryuuko?" Voldemort asked, expecting a response. He wasn't disappointed, although the response he received was less than pleasurable.

The tip of a black blade rested against Voldemort's throat. It didn't quite pierce the skin, but it was millimeters away. The Death Eaters all gasped, as none of them saw the movement of Shirogane jumping down into the warehouse and draw his weapon. Voldemort was stunned silent, his snake-like eyes wide in surprise. Fear flickered across his face briefly.

"What do you know about Ryuuko?" Shirogane growled softly, his eyes dangerously narrow. Homurabi gave a small groan and placed his head in one of his hands. Nanaya blinked.

"That's the most violent reaction I've seen from Shirogane," Nanaya said thoughtfully.

Voldemort swallowed, judging how fast he could draw his wand and blast Shirogane away before he sliced his throat open. He gave a strained smile when he realized he would never be fast enough.

"He is your enemy is he not? The King of Light and the King of Dark. Forever trapped in a battle of equilibrium," Voldemort said smoothly. Shirogane's eyes narrowed and Homurabi groaned again with a soft 'This can't be happening…' Voldemort apparently didn't hear him, or didn't care, as he continued. "I can give you the upper hand in your battle with him. When you kill him, you'll be the most powerful being alive, without the need to share the power with the King of Light, Ryuuko."

Nanaya's jaw dropped. His single gold eye was wide in surprise. To his knowledge, wasn't the King of Light, Akira? And who the hell was Ryuuko?! Was Shirogane going to kill Akira?!

Shirogane's face contorted in fury and he swung his blade at Voldemort. Voldemort was ready.

Launching himself backwards, Voldemort shot Fiendfyre at Shirogane. Shirogane simply raised his sword and sliced through it. He raised his blade up, the fire collecting around his body and exploding from his emotions. He swung.

Voldemort saw what he was about to do and instantly disapparated. The quick ones of his followers followed suit, but most were too slow. The warehouse was blown to pieces.

Nanaya gave a gaping stare at Shirogane. Shirogane gave a soft "Che, I missed. Must be getting out of practice against wizards." Charred bodies dropped from the sky like some sick rain, body parts, and blood staining the stone floor. There was no sign of snake-face or the rest of his crew.

"Uh… brother?" Homurabi asked, looking a little wary. Shirogane glanced at him before looking at the mess.

"What?" Shirogane asked. Homurabi's mouth opened to continue, but Nanaya cut through.

"You're not planning on killing Akira, are you?!" Nanaya asked. Shirogane gave him a flat look and didn't bother to answer.

"What did he mean when he said there was a war and… Ryuuko-sama was concerned in it?" Homurabi asked. Shirogane snorted.

"Who knows," he said, turning away, opening a portal back into the Shadow World. "…And clean up this mess. It's an eyesore." He disappeared in it, the portal closing behind him. Nanaya turned to Homurabi.

"What the hell was that about?"

Homurabi started pacing, muttering to himself.

"Ryuuko… He definitely said Ryuuko… It could be because he met Akira, but didn't know it wasn't Ryuuko," Homurabi murmured. "Akira has been missing for a couple months…"

"Oi! Explain this to me!" Nanaya demanded, looking shocked. Homurabi looked at Nanaya and spoke again.

"Ask Sawaki," he said before opening a second portal. He paused and looked at the mess and added, "You heard the Direct King. Clean this up." He vanished.

Nanaya let out a very loud scream of frustration.

-0-

Harry smiled at Draco a little. Draco had come to inform him that he was setting his plan into motion tonight and to be ready. It was perfect timing, since Harry was going to be leaving with Dumbledore that night and the potion that limited Ryuuko's powers would wear off that afternoon, before the battle. Akira had been polishing his transparent blade for the battle, his ruby eyes itching for some action. Draco had to appear faithful after all, so he certainly couldn't lead the Death Eaters in when Dumbledore was in the castle. No one else but Hermione and Ron knew of the plan.

"Then we're set," Harry said, nodding to Draco. Draco smiled, outlining what he hoped would happen. He would be searching out the missing Dumbledore, waiting for his return, disarm him, and then try to kill him. If he failed, he would call Snape to back him up and they would flee the grounds together after Dumbledore died, with or without other Death Eaters. The priority would be to save their own skin. Anyone who fell to Akira, Ryuuko, or other Professors in the castle was free game.

Clearing out students was another problem. Draco insisted it be done after curfew with the less chance that students would be wandering around. To his surprise, Voldemort had agreed to this plan, as killing children and spilling magical blood was unnecessary. Draco had told Voldemort that Dumbledore had hired extra security after hours. Voldemort had asked about it, but Draco simply said he didn't know because he had never met them. Which wasn't a complete lie. He had met Ryuuko, but not Akira. He just said they were in white robes all the time.

"Here's to a success tonight," Draco said, offering his hand for a shake. Harry took it.

"After today, I'll see you sparingly," Harry said. "But try to keep in touch when you feel safe. If you never feel safe, I understand that too. I'll do my best to keep up."

"If you're in trouble," Draco said calmly. "Let me know okay?"

Harry smiled, dropping his hand. "After this is over, I'll treat you and your family to a nice dinner and invite my entire family. Fathers, brothers, and their Children alike. Your choice where, I'll pay. Something to look forward to." His eyes glinted a little, nodding for him to get going.

"I'll hold you to that, Potter," Draco said, leaving. Harry turned and walked the other way, heading towards Dumbledore's office.

Dumbledore was waiting for him. His blue eyes were clear, but his mouth was set in a serious expression. Harry entered, calmly heading towards the older man.

"Are you ready, Harry?" Dumbledore asked. Harry nodded.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Harry said, sighing deeply. He placed his hands in his pockets, almost regretting leaving Ryuuko behind.

"You are far greater in power than me," Dumbledore said softly. "I trust you will trust your instincts if you are faced with a situation. Even if it means leaving me behind?"

"Don't flatter yourself, Dumbledore," Harry said calmly. "If I had a choice between saving you and saving myself, of course I would save myself. What good would it do to save a dying man to condemn him to a few months more of torture from the curse?"

Dumbledore smiled and nodded, confident. He took Harry's arm and walked towards the grounds, apparating when they got to the edge of the boundaries. Harry spotted a black lake and a cave. They would have to swim across to reach it.

"You'd think that Voldemort would be a little smarter about this," Harry said. He looked at Dumbledore and said, "I hate getting wet."

They waded across the water, Harry's movements quick and impatient, wanting to get this over with. He really wanted to get back to see if Draco had survived and if he had succeeded. This little mission looked time consuming.

"Harry…?"

"I can only go as far as my human body allows," Harry said dismissively, "I will not waste energy to transform into my rei form here." He smiled a little, feeling the Light in his Factor pulse, signaling that Akira was fighting. Harry turned to Dumbledore and said, "Shall we?"

-0-

Draco ushered the Death Eaters quickly to the Astronomy Tower, waiting for Dumbledore's return. The Death Eaters were loud though and right before they turned the corner to the tower, Akira showed up.

"Well, lookie here," he jeered. "Little Eaters of Death wandering around a children's school?" He held up his blade, his eyes glinting. "Someone's looking for a bit of punishment."

"Akira-kun, you have a rather evil look on your face," Ryuuko said, leaning against the wall, his scythe in his hands.

"Shut it!"

"Run!" Draco bellowed in panic, sprinting towards the tower. Curses started flying. Hermione and Ron joined the battle soon after, shouting and screaming. Blood stained the ground as Hermione fired off a vicious cutting hex at a leaping Fernir Greyback. Greyback howled and scrambled back.

Akira had engaged three Death Eaters in battle, a forth getting knocked out rather quickly with a kick that sent him through a wall. Draco escaped and so did three other Death Eaters.

Ryuuko brought his scythe down and sent a wave of light cutting across his opponents. Six Death Eaters had tried to engage him in battle to distract him, but only three consciously survived the initial blow. Ryuuko didn't attempt to follow Draco, as he knew Harry would be back soon. He had promised Kazuki not to interfere with Draco's mission to avoid the blond from getting killed.

-0-

Harry gazed into the potion, recognizing it. He placed his hand on Dumbledore's and spoke. "I think I've drunk this potion before. Years before, in Snape's office. It is safe for me, but will drive you mad. Are you sure you want to attempt to drink this?"

Dumbledore nodded slowly. "We need your strength to be preserved, Harry. Please feed me this potion, even if you have to force feed it to me."

Gazing at Dumbledore, Harry smirked. "Ever the hero. Alright."

The first two goblets were fine, but on the third, Dumbledore had curled over, his mouth open, gasping from pain. Harry scooped out the forth gobletful of potion and poured it down Dumbledore's throat, ignoring the screams and pleads rather well. It wasn't like he had never heard any of it before, after all. Right after he finished the potion, Dumbledore fainted.

Harry plunged the goblet into the water quickly, splashing it on Dumbledore's face and pouring it down his throat. Dumbledore awoke with a sputter, but not before something ice cold grabbed his arm.

Jerking up in surprise, Harry stared into the eyes of the Inferi. More were climbing out of the lake, looking like a sea of disgusting little ants. Harry raised his free hand that wasn't supporting Dumbledore.

The Darkness in his Factor pulsed. Fire erupted from his palm, making the Inferi retreat. Harry didn't give it a chance to run though. He placed Dumbledore on the ground before standing, fire erupting from his hands. Harry summoned his spear and fire engulfed that as well.

The Inferi panicked, scrambling back into the water. Harry's eyes narrowed and he shot a stream of fire into the lake. The Inferi screamed as the water caught fire, sizzling, turning the icy black waters into vapor. Harry gave a small smirk in satisfaction and turned away, grabbing the locket, and picking up Dumbledore, who looked very weak.

"We better hurry back," Harry said.

-0-

The Order had showed up.

Apparently, the Order also had very bad aim though.

Ryuuko ducked a spell and brought the sash of his weapon, wrapping around Death Eater Gibbon, throwing him into the path of a green curse that was fired by Death Eater Rowle. Gibbon died instantly.

The Dark Mark over the castle flickered and Harry arrived just in time to see Madam Rosmerta talk about the Dark Mark on the Astronomy tower. Harry and Dumbledore hurried there.

The Body-Bind Curse shot by Dumbledore's wand was a little unexpected. Harry had not expected Dumbledore to attack him. The effects didn't last long, though Harry pretended they did so that he could watch safely. Draco disarmed Dumbledore and raised his wand to kill him, his blue eyes narrowed.

"The barrier is up," one of the Death Eaters said. "Oh! Well done Draco. Quickly, now."

"Shut up, Yaxley," Draco said, his wand hand shaking. Harry gave a small encouraging grin, hidden in the shadows, watching.

"Draco has to be the one to do it. Come on, Draco. He's weak and powerless anyway," Yaxley encouraged.

Snape stepped into the light. Dumbledore turned to him.

"Severus… Please…"

Snape raised his wand.

"Avada Kedavra!"

As Dumbledore's body fell, Harry tilted his head and watched Snape encourage people to flee. He waited a full minute before joining the battle, firing a curse against Greyback to stop him from killing Bill Weasley and tying up as many Death Eaters as he could. Ryuuko looked relieved to see him and Akira clapped him on the shoulders.

He spotted the Carrow siblings and hit them in the back, one after another. Both crumpled against the wall before trying to escape. Harry let them go to see Dumbledore's body.

He landed on the ground, taking a deep breath and placing his hand on Dumbledore's face, closing his unseeing blue eyes. Ron and Hermione soon joined him and gasped, shocked. Death affected Harry very little. Ryuuko knew this and stood behind, watching him.

Pulling out the locket, Harry opened it. He read the note and took a deep breath. So, this one had been a fake. The real locket… was it the one in his extendable sack? This wasn't the time to talk about that though, as people obviously wanted to pay respects to their fallen Headmaster.

Harry watched the funeral pass with impartial eyes. Akira had a small frown on his face and approached Harry when they were in private.

"Don't you… feel sorry he died? I mean, he was great and all," Akira asked. Harry turned to him.

"I have seen many great men die," he said softly. "Dumbledore is not the first, nor the last I will see perish. In Dumbledore's case, it was a mercy killing. He was dying anyway. And he died the way he wanted to. I'm not upset about that."

He watched as Dumbledore's body was entombed and closed his eyes, bidding farewell to the wizard. He stood up after it was all over and looked at Ryuuko and Akira.

"You should get back, Akira," he said quietly. "I will conclude my business here and find you in Japan. Though I may summon you for the battle. Is this acceptable?"

Akira paused, but then nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, it is."

Harry smiled and bowed lightly to him, making Akira laugh and ruffle Harry's hair with one hand.

Hermione and Ron both ran up to him as Akira opened a Portal to the Light Palace and went through to it. Harry glanced it with a brief look of longing, but then turned to Hermione and Ron.

"I won't be coming back to the school," he declared. "I'll be out there, looking for the Horcrux."

"We'll come too," Hermione said. Harry smiled, nodding at Ron and Hermione.

"Thanks guys."