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Balance Factor Chapter 41

Year Seven

Fleeting

A/N: Thanks for reviewing! This chapter is mainly setting up the stage!

Ryuuko arrived at the Burrow, smiling. His clothes had no blood on it, though he had killed many. His face was clean and calm, his scythe still in his hand as he walked in. Harry stood up sharply, running over and embracing Ryuuko. Ryuuko laughed as he let his weapon vanish into particles of Light.

"I trust things went well on your end?" Ryuuko asked, looking Harry over for injuries. Harry nodded slowly and then looked at his snowy owl. "Oh…"

"I'm alive… But Hedwig… she didn't make it," Harry said softly. Ryuuko put a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder and looked at the owl sadly.

"She's not the only one," Hermione said, looking upset. "Alastor Moody didn't make it either. Bill and Fleur told us. They saw it happen."

Harry bowed his head. Ryuuko did the same. They held up their hands as if in prayer.

"I hope he finds peace, wherever he is," Ryuuko murmured.

Harry quirked a lip. "Yeah right. I think Moody is the last person who wants peace. He'd much rather be chasing more Death Eaters and stuff than sitting in a field of flowers with nothing to do."

Ron laughed at that, walking in as well. He and Hermione both looked shaken, but alive.

"When will we leave for our journey?" Harry asked. Molly Weasley instantly flocked over.

"Journey? What about school?!" She demanded. "Aren't you going back to Hogwarts?"

Harry shook his head. "Mrs. Weasley, I cannot. Seeing as Voldemort will search for me there first, I cannot enter there. I think he cares more for killing me than my education." He gave a small bitter smile and then looked at Ron and Hermione. "And seeing as Voldemort knows they are my best friends, I'm pretty sure it would lead to a hostage situation if they went back. Now that Dumbledore is gone, we have to go on the run too."

"Oh Harry!" Molly Weasley embraced him, looking deeply worried. Harry pat her on the back calmly.

"There is something I need to do though. Something dangerous," Harry said. "I do not wish to involve you or the rest of your family. Dumbledore instructed me to do it."

"If Dumbledore wanted it done, he would have asked the whole Order," Molly said softly, looking at him in the eyes. Harry shook his head.

"No. Voldemort's weakness has always been that he underestimates his opponents. It's far too dangerous for the whole Order to partake in this mission. If Voldemort found out, then he would likely be far more active," Harry said gently. Molly nodded and then stood up fully.

"You'll stay for Fleur and Bill's wedding though?"

"Of course. But afterwards… We have to go," Harry said. "We must have time to prepare. I do not wish for your house to become a warzone, Mrs. Weasley."

"Dear… you're always thinking of others aren't you?" Molly looked immensely pleased. "I don't believe you've introduced your friend though. Is he…?"

"Ah, Molly Weasley, this is Ryuuko. Ryuuko, Molly Weasley," Harry said, stepping aside. Ryuuko turned his gaze to her and smiled warmly. Molly smiled back and offered a hand.

"Well, you're the one that battled You-Know-Who and forced him to flee," Molly said. Ryuuko took her hand and bent down to kiss the back of it. Molly flushed.

"I am," Ryuuko said, letting Molly's hand go. "It's obvious you've raised a wonderful family based on the state of your home. I'm a bit relieved." He smiled charmingly and Molly looked flustered, her face pink.

"Let's go to the living room so I don't have to keep introducing you to new members of the house," Harry said, taking Ryuuko's hand and leading him into the living room. The entire room hushed when he entered and Arthur looked up from talking with Fred and George.

"Everyone, this is Ryuuko. Ryuuko, that's Bill, Fred, George, Kingsley, Tonks, Arthur, Fleur and Remus," Harry said, pointing them out. "Hagrid is over there in the next room."

"You're the man from the Ministry," Tonks said, hopping up from her seat. "Hi! It's nice to meet you."

"And to you," Ryuuko said.

"Were you with Harry all through the summer?" Lupin asked, wary, looking exhausted.

"Yes."

"That's dangerous though. What if muggles had seen you?" Lupin asked.

"Normal people cannot see me," Ryuuko said calmly. "I have to be filtered in via the magic in the air, or if you've seen me before and acknowledged my existence. Only those with high enough spiritual awareness can see me." He took a seat and looked down at George, blinking at his missing ear, studying it closely.

"If we find his ear, I could potentially reattach it," Ryuuko said finally. Most of the room stared at him.

"You… can't be serious?" Fred asked, looking gleeful. Ryuuko shrugged.

"In healing, I am not as good as Shisui. As my pupil, he's surpassed my level," Ryuuko said calmly. "My methods aren't as painful as his though." He smiled lightly, thinking about the options.

"Mum, can you duplicate my ear?" Fred asked, looking at Molly Weasley. Molly gave a small start, but slowly did so. Ryuuko removed his gloves.

Harry vanished back into the hall, looking at his friends. He ignored the eruption of cheers though the living room and slid out the fake locket.

"R.A.B. took the locket. I have a locket that looks a lot like this one though. Remember Kreacher? And how he couldn't destroy the locket so he gave it to me to get rid of? I really haven't had time. To be honest, it kind of blew my mind," Harry said quietly. Fred and George were giving each other high fives, Fred's duplicate ear put on George.

"Harry, are you saying you think that's a…" Hermione started, trailing off.

"Yeah. A Horcrux. Remember in my fifth year when I was getting possessed? Ryuuko said there had to be a cursed object or something like it nearby. Plus, it leads to Voldemort. I'm guessing that it's a Horcrux," Harry said.

"But then… How do we get rid of it?" Ron asked.

"I think we should wait until we start the actual hunt… Not do it here in case destroying it causes damage," Harry said finally, after a moment's debate. "Ryuuko's coming with us on our journey though."

"But he stands out too much," Ron said. "I mean, he's recognized everywhere he goes because of what he did…"

"True. But Ryuuko has ways of concealing himself that I don't even know," Harry said. "He's strong enough to do so now by himself. I only have to supply him through our link for him to maintain full form, and very rarely."

"Okay," Hermione said. "Then let's prepare for our journey. Give me your extendable sack for a minute."

Harry passed over the item, calmly watching Hermione wave her wand around it. Then he tucked it away again.

"I think I'll be using the mirror more this year," Harry said calmly. Ryuuko walked out of the living room, having had enough of the admirations and embarrassment. His face was faintly pink and he walked over to Ron, sighing.

"Your family is very eccentric," Ryuuko said, looking exhausted. "I can't keep up…"

"Tell me about it," Ron said. "You haven't lived with them for seventeen years."

-0-

Harry's birthday was celebrated with a very cheerful atmosphere. Ryuuko looked around, unsure about the commotion was about, but seemed understanding when Harry told him that it was customary to celebrate their day of birth.

"Would Shirogane and I be considered twins then, since we have the same date of birth," Ryuuko asked himself, musing. "I mean… We are the same age and have never physically aged beyond it…"

"The amount of candles needed on your birthday cake would exceed the amount of space on the cake," Harry told him calmly. Ryuuko had laughed about that and agreed that it would be quite interesting to see.

Still, Harry swore that when he got together with Shirogane and Ryuuko again, he would find a good day to celebrate a makeshift birthday. Perhaps on a clear spring day…

He was jerked out of his thoughts as he spotted the ice cream cake. Molly Weasley took a knife and started to cut the cake. Ryuuko looked hesitant to try it, but his face lit up when he took a bite.

"Wow…! This is amazing!" He exclaimed before devouring the cake. Harry laughed, amused.

"Sweet and icy… Harry, what's this called?" Ryuuko asked, looking at Harry. Most of the table had fallen silent, watching Ryuuko in some amazement. Harry recalled that in the Great Hall, there had been ice cream on the table, but he had never offered Ryuuko any as it would have been too messy to eat in his lap.

"Ice cream," Harry said, watching Ryuuko fawn over the treat in some amusement. "If you eat too much, you might get fat."

"I will not!" Ryuuko looked affronted, the fork halfway into his mouth. "It might help with my powers."

"Using ice cream to boost your powers?" Harry looked very amused. "I'm sure Shirogane will approve."

Ryuuko laughed and stood up to ask for more ice cream.

Harry looked at his cake, sighing deeply. He paused as he saw Arthur Weasley approach him.

"Harry… The Minister is here to see you," he said. Ryuuko looked up and turned, following Harry back into the house. He spotted Scrimgeour leaning on the wall. Ron and Hermione were already there.

"In accordance to Albus Dumbledore's will," Scrimgeour said, his eyes narrowing on Ryuuko, who looked disinterested at the subject. "You are Ryuuko, are you not?"

Ryuuko glanced at him, his ruby eyes dazed, not really paying attention. Then he looked away without replying to his question.

"To Ron Weasley, the deluminator," Scrimgeour said, handing over the object. Ron took it carefully, unsure about it.

"To Hermione Granger, my copy of The Tales of Beetle the Bard, I hope you find it as engaging as I do." He passed over the book and Hermione took it, a look of absolute wonder on her face. It was written in runes. Harry paused, looking at Hermione's eager face and her shining eyes.

"And to Harry Potter, I bestow the very first golden snitch he caught in a Quidditch match." Scrimgeour paused in giving him the item. "Why did Dumbledore want to give you this, Potter?"

"For memory's sake, I assume," Harry said calmly. "He saved my life that match since I was falling over a hundred feet. I caught that snitch along the way." He reached over and plucked the item out of Scrimgeour's hand, examining it before pocketing it.

"Snitches are hollow. They can be used to hold very small items," Scrimgeour said, his eyes narrowed, but seemingly unsatisfied with the snitch not opening when Harry touched it. Harry shrugged.

"You've searched it. You should know if there's anything in the snitch," Harry said. Scimgeour's face twisted into a sneer and he looked up at Ryuuko.

"And to Ryuuko, I give my Gringotts vault key," Scrimgeour said, holding up the small golden key. "The riches in the world you shall have, as well as all the possessions in my vault." He scowled when he passed it over, Ryuuko looking very confused as he received it.

"Very well, Minister," Harry said, standing up. "There is no more that we need to discuss, is there?" He frowned a little, looking at the guests gathered outside. "We must help prepare for a wedding. You understand, don't you?"

Scrimgeour sighed, standing up. "I do not know why he bestowed these things to you… Especially you, Ryuuko. You who, magical in all means, but not wizard or muggle. Nor being or beast."

"…I assume you tested my blood for this," Ryuuko said, not at all pleased, but seemingly unbothered by the revelation. Scrimgeour flushed.

"We had to know," Scrimgeour protested. Ryuuko gave him a strained look that said, very clearly, that he did not appreciate the probing. "These are dark times! Dark times! We had to know what you were."

"To install some protective measures against him or to fashion a spell against him, no doubt," Harry accused, shaking his head. "I hope you've given up by now."

"The sample disappeared soon after he left the Ministry," Scrimgeour reluctantly admitted. "We got nothing down on him."

"Good," Ryuuko said. "There is no point in trying to find out what I am. You are not the first, nor the last to attempt." He placed his hand on Harry's shoulder and hummed a little, thinking about the classifications humans have given him. The most popular ones he could remember were "God" and "Divine Being".

Harry smiled a little, pulling Ryuuko along. "Hermione? When we leave, can you make sure we stock up on ice cream?" He grinned a little as he spotted the brief look of absolute glee on Ryuuko's face.

"Ice cream? Harry?" Hermione looked confused, but Harry merely went back outside to rejoin is birthday party.

-0-

Harry stood behind during the Celebration. Ryuuko looked only a little interested in the wedding, not having seen one for many, many years. He had read about them, but seeing them made it more exciting and interactive.

It lasted until a silvery white lynx appeared. Harry sat up instantly, his eyes wide.

"The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."

Harry's eyes traveled over the crowd as the commotion began. Hermione grabbed his arm and Ron's. Ryuuko grabbed onto Harry's shirt and they apparated.

Harry recognized it as muggle London, Ryuuko walking briskly behind them. Hermione hurried in an all-night café and Ryuuko snapped his fingers, vanishing. Harry jerked a little, feeling Ryuuko settle back inside of him, the Light in his Factor welcoming Ryuuko back warmly.

"Whoa! He's gone," Ron said softly. Hermione pulled out a change of clothes for them. Harry grabbed it and slipped into the bathroom to change. They had expected something like this to happen soon, so they were prepared.

"He's hidden himself, that's all. Believe me, he can still hear and understand everything, even if he can't reply," Harry said, coming out. Ron and Hermione were faster than him.

"Alright. So, where to?" Hermione asked, looking around the table. The waitress served them foamy, greyish coffee that Harry did not touch.

"Well… We all know what's happened. Voldemort's taken over the Ministry." Hermione threw the Invisibility Cloak at Harry, who covered himself up. The door chimed again, and Harry's eyes followed the two newcomers. They were dressed as muggle workmen, but their movements were not casual.

Harry sensed it before they even drew their wand. He stunned one of the two, recognizing the face to be Rowle and Ron jumped up to start dueling with the other. The waitress screamed and ran for the door, but a stunner from Dolohov hit her in the back and she crumpled. Dolohov summoned ropes that trapped Ron, but luckily Hermione hit him in the face with a Full Body-Bind. Dolohov crumpled.

Harry breathed for the first time in the three minute duel, throwing off the cloak. He glanced at his cup, scowling as he realized it gave him away and looked at Hermione and Ron, who were debating on what to do to them.

"Wipe their memories," Harry said tiredly, watching Ron click the deluminator and Hermione lock the door to prevent anyone else from coming in. "Ron, you help me clean up. Hermione, you're more talented with a wand then I am. You wipe their memories."

They disapparated soon after, not wanting to linger with the two knocked out Death Eaters.

-0-

Harry smiled gratefully at Kreacher who seemed to enjoy the company. They were in Grimmauld place, relaxing after their little fight in the café. He sipped the tea and took a cookie off the spread that Kreacher had laid out for them. Kreacher bustled about, preparing rooms for the three of them. Ryuuko had separated from Harry and Harry was sure that the other was a little nervous from the fight in the café.

"How do you think they found us?" Harry asked, looking at Hermione and Ron.

"I think… we should stop saying his name," Ron said.

"Voldemort?" Harry asked.

"Yeah… It… gives me a bad feeling," Ron said. Harry and Hermione both exchanged looks and nodded slowly.

"Okay, what do we call him?" Harry asked.

"You-Know-Who?" Hermione offered. Harry gave her a blank look.

"Why not refer to him as 'Flight from Death'? That's what Voldemort means anyway…" Ryuuko put in his offer. Harry sighed a little.

"That just means he's a coward." Harry paused as he looked at the faces of his friends. Ryuuko was looking at him in complete and utter astonishment. "What?!"

"The way you said that is exactly the way Shirogane would have said it," Ryuuko said, laughing into his hand, turning his head away. "You truly are his son, Kazuki."

"I don't think calling him 'Coward' is a very good idea," Hermione said, sighing. Ron snickered.

"Dark Lord, then," Harry said, raising his eyebrows at Ryuuko. Ryuuko was still laughing into his hand. Ron nodded and Hermione sighed.

"Right then. The Dark Lord," Harry said. "Now… Horcruxes. We need to find the rest of them. The ring, the diary… The locket. I need to destroy the Locket." He fished in his sack and pulled it out, putting it on the table. Kreacher paused at the sight of it and then looked at Harry.

"Master Harry has not destroyed the Locket yet?" he asked. Harry paused.

"I haven't had a chance to," Harry said. "Especially since I need a very powerfully warded room to do so. Do you think you can manage to get me one, Kreacher? In this house? I don't want to blow up the house."

Kreacher paused and nodded slowly. Before he could disappear, however, Harry stopped him.

"Kreacher…? Do you recognize this copy of the locket?" Harry was holding up the fake. Kreacher gasped and nodded frantically.

"Yes, Master Harry. It belonged to Master Regulus," Kreacher said, frantic. Harry paused and slipped the real locket in the sack again. Ryuuko sat down.

"Tell us the story, will you, Kreacher?" Ryuuko requested. Kreacher immediately fell into the tale of Regulus Black and how he betrayed the Dark Lord. By the end of it, Harry was cringing with disgust about how Voldemort treated House Elves. He offered the fake locket to Kreacher.

"I think… Regulus would like it if you had this," Harry said. Kreacher looked like Christmas had come early. "By the way, Kreacher, is Winky here?"

"Winky is making supper for Master and guests," Kreacher said, nodding frantically, taking the locket and putting it around his neck, looking at it in absolute wonder. "Winky will be serving dinner soon."

"Thank you, Kreacher," Harry said, nodding slowly. "You may go."

"So… our next target… Hufflepuff's cup, something of Ravenclaw, the Dark Lord himself, or Nagini?" Harry listed off. Hermione paused.

"I think… we should save Vol-The Dark Lord for later. Nagini too, since I think Nagini will be close to him," Hermione said nodding slowly. Ryuuko looked thoughtful.

"If you're going to look for something of Ravenclaw's… then maybe you should go back to Hogwarts to ask. Otherwise, I think Hufflepuff's cup should be next," Ryuuko said. He seemed unsure, but his eyes were steady, thinking of a strategy. "Where do you suppose the Dark Lord would have hidden such an item?"

"Somewhere safe," Ron said. "Somewhere that meant something to him."

The four pondered at the fire. But the troubling thoughts were soon forgotten when supper arrived.

-0-

Homurabi was pacing again. Shisui looked at the direction his footsteps went and sighed.

"Homurabi…? Why are you so restless?" Shisui asked, opening his unseeing gold eyes. Homurabi looked at him and then spoke.

"You remember one and a half years ago when Shirogane finally talked to me civilly for the first time since Ryuuko died, right?" Homurabi asked. Shisui paused, recalling the meeting in the summer of 1996. It was true that Shirogane finally talked to Homurabi, stiffly, but civil.

"Yes…?" Shisui said slowly, unsure where this conversation was headed.

"And you remember that Shirogane disappeared two weeks before that for a week to god-knows-where, right?"

"That's right. I remember you ranting about him dropping everything. It was soon after Nanaya came back with a Child, right?" Shisui said softly.

"Yes! That Child was Kazuki's Child."

Shisui's eyes widened, surprise flickering on his face. Then he relaxed and his smile came back. "Oh… Oh, really?"

"You know who Kazuki is," Homurabi concluded, watching Shisui's expression. Shisui smiled, but didn't elaborate. "Who is he?! I asked Shirogane about it but he just closed up and refused to tell me anything! Sirius Black said something about Light and Dark magic. Who the hell is Kazuki?!"

Shisui shook his head. "It isn't my place to say," he said calmly. "It's between Shirogane and Ryuuko. I only knew because I can… 'see' people."

Homurabi growled in frustration but then resumed pacing. "I met Ryuuko."

Shisui's eyes widened again. "Oh…! You did?" He could tell that Homurabi wasn't lying, so… where did this come from? Had Homurabi been drinking too much again? Was it that… Firewhisky that Kou had given him a taste of? Had he gotten more and shoved it on Homurabi? He couldn't really imagine that Kou, with an unbelievable level of loathing for Homurabi, would share something like alcohol. The burning sensation was strong, but it was a lovely burning sensation.

"Yes! I saw him. In the Human World. In England. Fighting against these men with sticks," Homurabi said. "Wizards! They were honest to god, targeting him! And he was just casually killing them!"

Shisui blinked, surprised. Ryuuko killing humans was rare, even in Shisui's time. There had to be a reason for Ryuuko's strange reaction. Perhaps it had something to do with Kazuki. Or perhaps it wasn't Ryuuko at all. Shisui was beginning to think Homurabi was simply drunk.

"It was definitely him! He was holding that scythe and with that infuriating smile on his face and he forgave me for plotting his murder," Homurabi ranted. Shisui took out a handkerchief and pat his own face on it, slightly apprehensive, wiping off the sweat on his face before it formed.

"Ah… Um… I see…" Shisui didn't seem too sure, but since Homurabi seemed sure, he wasn't going to argue with him.

"He… told me to take care of you," Homurabi said, collapsing in a seat. Shisui blinked, closing his eyes and placing his hand with the handkerchief on the table.

"He did…?" Shisui asked faintly. Homurabi gave a frustrated growl and ruffled his hair into a mess, almost hissing with indignation.

"He's so ANNOYING!"