.

Balance Factor Chapter 44

Year Seven

Malfoy Manor

A/N: Thanks for reviewing! It really means a lot to me!

They were getting smarter, apparently.

"It's been three months since we've seen the masked crazies and Voldy-mold," Nanaya said, lounging over his couch.

"Voldemort," Sirius corrected, grinning. "That must mean that they've chosen to ignore the taboo being broken here, or they've limited the range. They must have realized that those who apparated to Japan don't really survive to come back and report." He had learned about the Taboo from Potterwatch.

"Good. I was getting tired of seeing the little twitchy bastards," Nanaya said. Granted, he had also moved his hideout, as his old one had gotten blown to pieces by Shirogane, then roped off by human police.

"Or the fact that Shirogane holds absolutely no respect for him," Sirius said. He paused and added, "By the way, why did you attack Harry back in the Ministry?"

Nanaya scowled. "I was mad, okay? I was looking forward to that bath and you ruined it." He pointed his finger at Sirius. Sirius gave a bark of laughter. "Plus, he was there and had 'guilty' written all over his face." He paused as Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Natural enemy instincts and all. He's a rei, I'm a shin. By nature, we repel each other."

"So you're like a magnet?"

"Shut up!"

Sirius laughed and tapped his wand at the radio, waiting for another broadcast of Potterwatch.

-0-

Homurabi scoured England for Ryuuko. He traveled back to the area where he had first seen the Royal Rei King, but found it abandoned, not a trace of evidence from their meeting.

The problem was, he had no solid way of tracing Kings. He was Shirogane's first Child, therefore, reasonably limited in finding the Royals. Still, he sent out a few kokuchi to investigate, looking for evidence of Ryuuko's presence. Ryuuko would know about Kazuki, Homurabi was sure.

Homurabi dashed from rooftop to rooftop, looking around for a trace of powerful Light Factors or rei. There was definitely evidence of a war going on. Wizards weren't very good at cleaning up. But then again, they didn't really know that they left magical residue everywhere, did they?

Homurabi passed by a shop, feeling the ripple of magic in the air. He stopped thinking about how Sirius Black had mentioned that his godson, also known as Kazuki, was a wizard. Harry Potter had a long history that Sirius had shared with them. How hard could it be to find a child that had their face planted on every newspaper in the magical community?

-0-

Apparently, harder than Homurabi first thought.

Homurabi growled in frustration as he glared at the papers. He had been searching a solid three weeks with absolutely nothing. The papers were useless. His kokuchi had attacked these beings called dementors, eaten them for a snack, gotten sick as a result, and were making groaning noises. And to top it off, Kazuki had not been spotted at all.

Since finding out the existence of Kazuki, Homurabi had been a little hesitant to call him a rei, like Nanaya. According to Nanaya's description, he did seem like a rei. The ability to decompose Shadows was one only known to rei. And the gathering of Light to form a spear was definitely a rei ability. But the formation of a shin Child… as well as the fact that Ryuuko had helped the child out…

Well, he supposed Ryuuko would have helped out anyone who asked. So that wasn't too unusual. Ryuuko was a softie. A powerful softie, but a softie.

Homurabi looked at the papers and articles. He picked up some old articles about Harry Potter, wanting to study Kazuki from all angles. Unfortunately, he wasn't sure how much was bogus and how much was actually real. Homurabi remembered with a shudder that there was an article about Ryuuko that painted him a shape-shifting scorpion. The picture that accompanied the article had a caption that said Blast-Ended Skrewts. Homurabi gave a mental shudder when he looked at the disgusting creature, trying to picture how they got the idea that Ryuuko was a scorpion that exploded in their heads.

From liar to Chosen One. From attention seeking brat to hero. Homurabi was confused. Just where did these wizards with their so called Harry Potter? Now they were hunting him like rats according to the latest editions calling him Undesirable Number One?

Homurabi paused, recalling Sirius had mentioned that wizards had school. Perhaps… he'd be able to find the boy there? Homurabi kind of doubted it, but it was better than running around and tearing his hair out in frustration. Which would happen really soon.

Now, all he had to do was find the school. If he remembered correctly, it was called Hogwash.

-0-

Harry looked at Ryuuko, who was making tea. He was only half interested in Hermione and Ron's bickering about Dumbledore, not particularly caring about the dead's life. He knew people weren't at all what they seemed; why would Dumbledore be any different? Harry knew that Dumbledore was wise, but he was no less senile. Keeping the truth from Harry was stupid and a waste of time.

"Ryuuko?" Harry spoke, finally fed up from listening to Ron and Hermione. Ryuuko looked up and paused in his tea making. Harry paused, looking at the tealeaves in the steaming water. "Ryuuko, I think you should go to prepare Akira and the others for the battle that will be coming up."

"Harry!" Ron looked shocked. Hermione froze in her argument to stare at Harry.

"…You do understand that to summon me will be far more difficult when I'm in the Light Palace, if not impossible?" Ryuuko asked, looking at Harry. Harry nodded.

"Stay in the human world then," Harry said. "But I want you to warn them. Prepare them for battle."

Ryuuko took a deep breath, searching for hesitation in Harry's eyes. Harry's emerald orbs gazed back at him, steady, calm. Ryuuko slowly smiled and let out the breath from relief.

"If that's what you feel is necessary," he said finally. "I will go prepare them for battle. When you summon me or Akira, I will take them to the battlefield." He stood up, his white cape flaring a little.

"Harry! What about the other Horcruxes?" Hermione asked, panicking.

"We'll find a way," Harry said confidently. "To minimize deaths, we should call all of our allies to the final battle. I killed Nagini with my spear, remember?"

Ryuuko held out his hand, summoning a portal back to the Light Palace and vanished through it. Ron gaped at them.

"But he was such a good fighter! What happens if we run into Death Eaters?" Ron asked, a little panicked. Harry gave him an exasperated look.

"Ron, you're a wizard. We've been training for a reason, you know," Harry reminded. "Tomorrow, we shall head out to Mr. Lovegood's. I believe his name is Xenophillius Lovegood."

"I know where they live," Ron said. "Not too far from the Burrow, actually."

"We shall avoid apparating too close to the Burrow. Is there a place nearby where we can apparate and not be potentially seen? Like a forest or the like?" Harry asked, pouring out the tea and serving it to Hermione and Ron.

"I know just the place!" Ron said, grinning widely.

-0-

Harry listened to Xenophillius' explanation with rapt attention. For some reason, Xenophillius kept glancing out the window and his eyes darted between the three. As if he was waiting, watching for something.

A flash of realization hit Harry. He paused and stood up, walking up the stairs when Xenophillius went to set the table for dinner. He came back down, his face very stony, his eyes glinting with knowledge.

"Mr. Lovegood, where's Luna?" Harry asked. Xenophillius jerked a little.

"She's… outside fishing for Freshwater Plimpies," Xenophillius said hastily. Harry tilted his head, his instincts flaring.

"You shouldn't lie, Mr. Lovegood," Harry said calmly. There was an explosion from the printing press and Hermione picked one of the papers up. Harry didn't even turn at her gasp. "If that were true, her room would not have a layer of dust and you would not have set the table for four. Where is Luna, Mr. Lovegood?"

Xenophillius' lip trembled. "They've got her. They've got… my Luna. Because of the things I-"

"I know, Mr. Lovegood. Where is she being held? I can break her out," Harry clarified.

"Harry…!" Hermione said, holding the paper to his face. Harry pushed it away gently.

"No doubt, Hermione," Harry said. His face was on the cover with "Undesirable Number One". "He's worried about his daughter. You would do the same if your daughter was held hostage." He glanced at the window and added. "You're expecting company, I take it? Death Eaters?"

"I… I thought…" Xenophillius stammered. Harry smiled kindly at him.

"That if you gave them me, they would give your daughter back? How naïve, Mr. Lovegood," Harry said calmly.

"No deal," Ron said, standing. Xenophillius grabbed his arm.

"You must not leave!" He said desperately. "You mustn't! They'll give me my Luna back!"

"No. They won't. They might not even let you see her ever again," Harry said, standing. "Ron, Hermione, use the Cloak. Grab onto me and get ready to apparate on my call." He gave a cool look to Xenophillius' terrified face and then took a look out the window again.

That's when the two Death Eaters showed up. Xenophillius stammered about how he found Harry Potter, his grip on Ron's sleeve dropping, and Harry stood there stiff as a board, as if he was body-bound, raising an eyebrow at the two Death Eaters that were arguing with glee about who would get to turn him in while Xenophillius was crying about Luna. He tugged on the cloak and the trio apparated with a loud CRACK. Apparently, Death Eaters were slow and stupid.

It was already dark when they entered the tent. The sun had set, leaving nothing but deep navy blue streaks of light in the sky and the promise of twinkling stars.

"Deathly Hallows," Harry repeated. "Master of Death, huh?" He leaned back and looked at Hermione and Ron. He was leaning on his bed in the tent, relaxing on the pillows. Hermione was breathing quickly, looking elated and Ron was a bit jittery.

"Why didn't you tell us to apparate right away, Harry?" Ron asked.

"Because we had to make sure the Death Eaters saw me to prove Xenophillius wasn't lying and Xenophillius to let his guard down," Harry said calmly. "If we apparated with him…"

"Luna would get killed or tortured," Hermione said softly, nodding. Harry smiled.

"A problem, you see," Harry said calmly. "Ron, what are you doing?"

Ron was messing with a radio he had apparently stolen from the Lovegood residence. Harry looked at him as if he was nuts until the sound of someone talking filled their tent. He grinned, leaning back and holding up a sheet of paper.

"There are instructions on this," Ron said gleefully. "To that thing your dad was talking about. Potterwatch."

Harry leaned forward, listening to the radio. He pulled out the mirror shard that connected with Shirogane and looked at its reflective surface, pondering as he listened. By the end of it, he was struggling to contain his laughter, a smile wide on his face.

"So he's overseas, isn't he?" Harry asked, yawning a little. "He's likely looking for the wand."

"You mean Voldemort?" Ron asked, raising an eyebrow. Instantly, there were CRACKs outside. Harry leapt off his bed and was on his guard. He slipped the mirror away and backed away, his eyes narrowed on the entrance of the tent. He wasn't the only one to react. Hermione jumped to her feet as well, wand out and trying to re-ward the tent. It was too late.

"Come out of there with your hands up! We know you're in there! We've got half a dozen wands pointing at you and we don't care who we curse!"

"Shit," Harry said. He grasped for ideas, trying to think of a way out of this before letting a burst of darkness out from his body. His hair became white as snow, his robes flashing to his shin outfit, but his eyes changing to a ruby red color. He opened his eyes and glanced at the two, just as a group barged into the tent. Hermione squeaked a little as someone grabbed her.

"Get off her!" Ron growled, but there was a sound of a fist hitting flesh and Ron grunted in pain. Harry was grabbed by another wizard, unable to make out exactly who it was, but not resisting. He was keenly aware that, though he had the appearance of his shin form, he did not materialize it completely. He did not feel the Darkness running through his veins.

"Now let's see who we got," Greyback's gloating voice said. Harry hesitated, looking at Greyback as Greyback turned to him. "Name?" The werewolf's putrid breath could be felt on his face.

"I-Kazuki," Harry said, using his real name as his alias.

"Last name?" Greyback asked, his eyes glazing over just a little. Even in the darkness, Harry could tell that Greyback was subconsciously responding to his voice.

Interesting.

"Shiro," Harry said. Greyback squinted at him before nodding slowly.

"A foreigner," Greyback said stiffly. "Not from around here, are you?"

"No," Harry said, completely truthful.

"No point in checking him on the list then," another voice said. "I wager if we give him over to the Ministry though, we can haul a pretty penny from his parents."

Harry didn't respond to that. He kind of doubted it, but he wasn't about to say so. Ryuuko would more likely show up with a pen and paper to negotiate his safe return and Shirogane would show up, katana in hand, ready to kill anyone who got in his way. Greyback turned to Ron and Hermione, questioning them as well while another Snatcher searched their tent. Soon they tied them up, back to back with each other.

"Hermione? Ron?" came a soft voice to their left. It was a very familiar voice.

"Dean?"

"They're Snatchers! They're looking for truants to sell for gold. Who's that next to you?"

"That's, uh…" Ron started, but fell silent when Greyback walked over. The moon was out, illuminating the scene. Harry could feel the Darkness in him turning, begging to be let out. He resisted it, not wanting to alert Greyback, as the werewolf was more attuned with his wolf side than Remus Lupin.

"Hermione Granger. Mudblood. Known to be traveling with Harry Potter," Greyback said, reading off the Prophet. He turned to Hermione and said. "It looks an awful lot like you, doesn't it, girly?"

"It isn't! It isn't me!"

Harry deduced that Hermione wasn't very good under pressure. Ironic, since she did very well in tests. But her terrified squeak was a dead giveaway.

"So then, where is Potter?" Greyback's voice asked, looking between the prisoners. "You know what? Nevermind. Let's bring them to Malfoy's. The Dark Lord has been using it as a base."

Harry's stomach did a little flip. Malfoy!

They were grabbed and dragged to Malfoy Manor. Harry would have been impressed any other time, but instead, he felt the dread pooling in his stomach. He was fairly certain he was safe. That was, until…

There was a loud gasp. Lucius Malfoy jumped back, pointing a finger at Harry, his blue eyes wide with surprise. Draco peered over his father's shoulder, confusion reflecting in his eyes. Harry looked up, meeting Draco's blue eyes with his ruby red ones. Draco staggered a little.

"That boy! He looks just like-" Lucius said, his eyes wide.

"What?! This kid?! We brought the Granger Mudblood and a Weasley as bait for Harry Potter!" Greyback snarled, looking offended. "Not the white haired brat."

"You fool! You don't know how important this child can be!" Lucius snapped. Draco's mother, Narcissia paused, looking bewildered, but then spoke to her husband.

"Surely… the others are more of a-"

"He looks exactly like the King of Dark!" Lucius snapped.

There was a pause. A tense one at that. Greyback was looking at Harry, then at Lucius, unsure what they meant. Harry's lips curled to a small smirk, though he remained silent, unwilling to break the tense atmosphere. Draco's mouth opened and he whipped his head around to stare at who he knew was Harry Potter now. He had seen Shirogane before at Hogwarts, but he had never seen Kazuki's shin form. And now that he looked closely, Harry did resemble Shirogane quite a bit.

"Cissy? Cissy, what's the matter? What's happened?"

Bellatrix entered the sitting room. She looked at Lucius' stunned face, Greyback's confused one, and then at Narcissia.

"I… don't really understand," Narcissia said slowly.

Bellatrix looked at the prisoners. Her face instantly formed into a gleeful smile as she spotted Hermione and Ron, but then it settled on Harry. She let out a shriek of surprise as well, jumping back.

"YOU!"

"Bella! It's not the King! It's his son, or something!" Lucius said. "His eyes are different colored. The King of Dark has blue eyes! He has red!"

"But then…" Bellatrix cackled. "We have him then! We can finally get the King of Dark to our side!" She looked every bit as gleeful as Greyback had been not ten minutes ago. "We shall call the Dark Lord!" She whipped up her sleeve, revealing her Dark Mark and raised her hand.

"No! This is my house! I have authority here," Lucius said, pulling up his sleeve as well.

"I'll be sure to tell my Father and the Dark Lord just how terrible hosts you all are," Harry said coolly. Bellatrix froze. Lucius flattered, his hand frozen on his upper arm. "To have been manhandled by these… filthy creatures and then dragged like a dog to the base of the so called Dark Lord. And when my Father sent me to deliver a message personally too."

Harry recalled that Shirogane had mentioned something about Voldemort coming to visit him. He was improvising from what he knew. Lucius had obviously seen Shirogane. Bellatrix had too. Narcissia had not. But this worked to his advantage right now, as they had obviously guessed, quite correctly, that he was the son of Shirogane.

Greyback and the Snatchers snapped up at that. There was a tremendous BANG as Bellatrix sent them flying, all of them unconscious except Greyback. The ropes around Harry were cut swiftly with a silver knife and Bellatrix instantly flocked to his side.

"Are you hurt?" she asked, almost cooing. Her sleeve fell back into place, fake concern plastered all over her face. "I… apologize for the lack of hospitality. We are currently quite high-strung." She gave a sickening little laugh. "I'm sure you understand, Prince of Dark."

Harry regarded her with a cool look. Bellatrix glanced at the other captives and said, "Take them to the cellar, Greyback, while I entertain our guest!"

Hermione and Ron were staring at Harry with wide eyes, disbelief on their faces. They were shoved out of the room roughly, pushed down a flight of stairs.

"What do we do now?" Ron asked in a hurry when the cellar door closed.

"I don't know!" Hermione moaned, looking desperate.

"Ron? Hermione? Is that you?"

"Luna?!" Ron asked.

"Luna, can you help us get these ropes off?" Hermione asked. There was a scuffle and they could hear Luna's voice.

"Mr. Ollivander? Have you got the nail?" She was saying. It was deathly quiet upstairs, which made Hermione think that Harry was successfully playing his way through charming the Malfoy family. She knew, at least, that they had one ally in the house. Draco!

When Luna had cut both Ron and Hermione free, Ron's fingers dug into his pocket, pulling out the Deluminator. He opened it, letting out the light trapped within, causing the underground room to be lit up brilliantly.

"Ron? Hermione? Where is… Harry?" Dean spoke softly. Hermione hesitated, but then reached into her sack where there were still leftovers from their last meal. She pulled it out and offered it to the occupants in the room. Ollivander looked up. Dean blinked in surprise. Luna looked ecstatic.

"Currently attempting to play his way around the Malfoys. We need to get out of here soon," Hermione said desperately. She was dishing out medical supplies from her pouch, offering them to the prisoners. "Harry can escape by himself, but us…!"

"We've tried everything," Luna said softly. "Mr. Olivander has been here a while."

Ollivander looked up from eating the cherry pie, his hands dirty, but hardly caring. He swallowed and said, "…Harry Potter is here? Upstairs?"

"That white haired guy with you?" Dean asked, a little shocked. Hermione swallowed.

"Uh…. Yeah… polyjuice," she stammered, a little apprehensive. "Harry swallowed it just before they found us. We need to get out of here."

"But how?!" Ron asked, desperate, amazed at Hermione's quick thinking. Hermione bit her lip and shook her head, shaking a little.