.

Balance Factor Chapter 45

Year Seven

Escape

A/N: Another Chapter for my faithful followers!

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"Would you like some tea, Prince?"

Bellatrix was, quite obviously, trying to regain Harry's favor before they called Voldemort. Harry wasn't stupid. They didn't want to be blamed if the alliance failed because of their lack of hospitality. Narcissia was sitting in a chair, looking at Harry curiously. Lucius had a strained smile on his face, his eyes cold.

"No thank you," Harry said, his ruby eyes flashing. Draco hovered in the back, looking unsure.

"Ah, you should meet my very accomplished nephew!" Bellatrix said, changing the subject quickly. Harry looked disinterested at her, his eyes narrowed. Bellatrix dragged Draco to her side and Draco let out a half smile, not wanting to face Harry right now, knowing what Harry really wanted from him.

"I do not have interest in children, woman," Harry said calmly, blinking very slowly, deliberately not saying much, trying to get off the impression he was angry.

"Aunt Bella," Draco said calmly. "May I go to my room? I wanted to check my Potions essay tonight."

"Oh, alright," Bellatrix cooed, letting him go. "Don't be too long now. I'll call you when the treaty between the Dark Lord and the Prince will be signed." She gave him a smile, which made Harry shudder mentally.

"I take it my presence is unwelcome here," Harry said, crossing his arms and legs. Lucius and Bellatrix exchanged looks. Draco slid out of the room, heading straight for the cellar.

"Of course not, of course not," Bellatrix said, her hair wild. Harry gave her an unimpressed look. She didn't seem to notice, or care, as she continued. "So, how much of the Wizarding world does your Father know of? Perhaps I can assist your knowledge of us to benefit our relationship in the future."

-0-

Draco walked towards the door to the cellar, knocking a little, trying to remain quiet. The voices on the other side stopped and then Ron's shaky voice responded.

"Who's there?"

"Forget me already, Weasley?" Draco drawled quietly. "Stand back. I'm going to open the door."

There was a shuffle and then Draco unlocked the door, pushing it open. Ron and Hermione's relieved faces looked back at him. Dean, Olivander, and Griphook, however, looked nervously at the wand in his hand.

Draco slid his hand into his pocket and pulled out three wands he had nabbed from the Snatchers. Ron's, Hermione's, and Dean's. Ron and Hermione reached for their wand, but Draco pulled back.

"First, I need to know if you have somewhere safe to go," Draco said calmly. "Then, I want you to swear to me you won't hex me when my back is turned." The last statement was directed towards Dean. Dean nodded quickly, wanting to get out.

"Yes. We do," Ron said quickly. "But how will you get us out?"

"It's not that hard," Draco said calmly, returning the wands. "I didn't see Potter's wand though. Tell him sorry for that."

Hermione shook her head. "No. His wand got…"

"Never mind that," Draco said dismissively. "I will relock the door and call our family house elf to help you when I get back upstairs. He will apparate you to your safety location. Potter… Can get out by himself, can he not?"

"Yes… I think so," Hermione said softly. "He needs… a wand though…!"

"I'll try to see if I can get him one," Draco promised, nodding slowly. "He's… safe as long as he resumes that disguise, I think. Aunt Bella's sucking up to him." He motioned for them to back up and re-locked the door. Hermione and Ron heard his footsteps leave.

"He really is a charming fellow, isn't he?" Luna asked, almost dreamily. Dean gave her a funny look.

"He's helping us?" Ollivander asked, standing up sharply. He swayed a little and leaned against the wall for support. "Why… now?"

"His loyalties… lie with Harry," Hermione said slowly. "It's because Harry's now in this mess."

A few minutes passed where Ron's pacing started to grate on Hermione's nerves. After what seemed like an hour, there was a sharp crack inside the cellar. Dean jumped, but relaxed a little as he saw that it was a dirty house elf with huge brown eyes.

"Rollie has come to help as ordered by Master Draco," the house elf squeaked. "Where be Master Draco's friends off to?"

"Shell Cottage," Ron said. The house elf nodded in acknowledgement, his large ears flapping.

"Then hold onto Rollie," the house elf said. There was a sharp crack and all the occupants of the cellar were gone.

-0-

"What is that noise?" Harry said as he heard two cracks. Bellatrix gave a small teetering laugh.

"Just our family house elf," she said quickly. "Draco calls upon his services all the time."

"…I see…" Harry said slowly. He saw Pettigrew scamper in the room and Bellatrix hiss at him to go check on the prisoners. Pettigrew gave him a timid look before running out of the room. Harry then stood up, seeing his chance.

"I must freshen up," he declared. "Before I meet the Dark Lord, anyway." He paused and walked out of the room, keenly aware of Bellatrix pulling up her sleeve to call Voldemort by pressing the Dark Mark.

Instead of heading to the bathroom though, Harry headed to the cellar, only a couple steps behind the rat. He watched as Pettigrew fumbled with the door and let his Darkness go, changing back to Harry Potter. His steps were silent as he strode up to the other man.

"Hello, Wormtail."

Pettigrew whipped out his wand, but Harry caught his wand arm, breaking it with a flourish. Pettigrew started to scream, but Harry snatched his wand, casting silencio quickly.

"Remember my words, Wormtail?" Harry's voice was all silk and honey, though his eyes burned with hate. From his hand, he allowed his ice to form, solidifying Pettigrew's silver arm. Pettigrew quivered in terror and Harry grinned.

"Want a reminder?" Harry asked, summoning a knife from Darkness. He flicked the wand, suspending Wormtail in the middle of the cellar, knowing he had to make this quick.

Harry grinned maliciously as he let his ice powers pool into the cellar, solidifying the blood that dripped out. Pettigrew was screaming, but the silencio was doing its job perfectly. Harry pulled out Wormtail's intestines, stringing them from the ceiling, encasing them in trails of ice to prevent Wormtail from dying too fast. Wormtail would have thrashed, but Harry had solidified both arms and legs in ice.

By the time he was done, Wormtail was sobbing silently, blood all over the floor, his whole body covered in ice with the exception of his head. The ice would melt eventually, causing Wormtail to bleed out fatally, or someone could take pity and release him by breaking the ice, killing him in the process. His body temperature had not dropped enough where he would pass out, and it wouldn't, holding him in a fragile state of stasis until the ice melted or someone released him.

His body had been hung up like a sick chandelier, his entrails holding him up to the beams of the ceiling. He was almost completely encased in ice. The light from the hall shined against the reflective surface perfectly.

Harry was covered from head to toe in blood, a pleased grin on his face. He scrawled a message on the floor for Voldemort and then stepped out of the cellar, bolting it shut behind him. Then he disapparated to Shell Cottage, as they had agreed earlier in the year that it would be their meeting point.

As soon as he got to Shell Cottage, Harry pulled out his mirror to Draco. "Draco Malfoy. Don't go into the cellar."

Draco's face appeared on the reflection. "What do you mean?" he asked, looking confused.

"Just don't. The Dark Lord is coming," Harry said, sliding the mirror away. Draco's muffled protests died out. Hermione and Ron ran up to him and then gaped at him, looking shocked.

"OH MERLIN, HARRY! You look like you've just murdered someone!" Hermione said, her eyes wide. Harry gave her a pleasant smile.

"I do? Well, I suppose it would be accurate to say, I did," Harry said, holding up Pettigrew's wand and cleaning himself off quickly. "How are the others? Dean and Griphook?"

"Mr. Ollivander and Luna are there too," Ron said, looking a little sickened. "Harry, is that flesh?" He pointed to a red blob on Harry's shoulder, where Pettigrew's initial struggle had sprayed him.

"Maybe," Harry said calmly, vanishing that too. He twirled the wand in his fingers and headed into the house. "Draco helped you out then, I see."

"Yes," Hermione said, nodding. "Are you… alright?"

"Bellatrix looked panicked when I mentioned that my Father had gone to Gringotts," Harry said. "She demanded to know what for. I told her to exchange money. She seemed relieved after that. She's hiding something in the bank." Harry looked between Hermione and Ron. "The way she was talking about Gringotts was like she trusted the goblins beyond all belief."

"So… you're saying," Hermione started.

"A Horcrux." Ron finished, looking awed.

"I need to talk with Griphook," Harry said, nodding at the two, glad they were catching on.

-0-

It wasn't too hard to find Hogwash. The saturation of magic in the air almost made him hurl though. But apparently, when he had landed, he had set off multiple charms and traps. Something was screaming loudly.

Which is how Homurabi found himself at wandpoint from sixteen wizards.

Homurabi sighed, ruffling his hair a little, wondering if he should just feed them to his kokuchi or if he should actually attempt to talk things out.

"I'm not here to fight," he started, deciding he should try before he sends out his kokuchi. "I'm here to look for Harry Potter, that's all." He watched the hooded figures exchange looks and then laugh to each other.

"If it was that easy catching Potter, then we would have done so already. You're coming with us!" The Death Eater shot out a spell. Homurabi dodged it, a sadistically crazy grin crossing his face.

Oh, so they wanted to play rough.

-0-

Harry looked at the goblin. Griphook returned the stare, his eyes flickering to Harry's scar and then back to his eyes.

"You're a legend among us Goblins, Balancer," Griphook finally said. Harry smiled charmingly, not minding the looks. As long as it got him what he wanted, what he needed at this point. Griphook continued. "Your Fathers, Dark and Light, are legends among us too. It is said that the first goblin crafter received their skill from the Light one."

"I have a request," Harry said calmly. Griphook paused, settling back in the pillows.

"Name it. If I can fulfill it, it would be my greatest honor," the goblin said.

"Even if it goes against your code as a goblin?" Harry asked.

Griphook paused. "…What is it you need?"

"I need to break into Gringotts."

There was a silence. Griphook stared at Harry, surprise written all over his face.

"Whatever for? The riches in the world are all yours. You hold powers we cannot even fathom," Griphook said, looking over Harry. Harry closed his eyes, letting his rei form wash over him like a blanket of warmth. He opened his sapphire blue eyes.

"It is not riches I seek, but balance," Kazuki said softly. Griphook paused.

"Balance?"

"That's right. There is something important in Gringotts that must be removed and destroyed," Kazuki said calmly. "To keep the balance in this world."

Griphook considered this. He leaned back and took a deep breath.

"I will think on it, Balancer."

"Thank you."

Harry exited the room, looking at Ron and Hermione. He had changed back to his human form, smiling at the two. "Mission accomplished."

Ron and Hermione beamed at him.

The next stop was Ollivander. Ollivander was awake, sitting up as Harry entered. Ron and Hermione followed, taking a seat when Harry gestured them to. The wandmaker looked very, very tired. Harry smiled at him, placing a hand on the old man's, sending a stream of Light to comfort the man. Ollivander looked up at him.

"Harry… Potter," he said softly. "You're… alive."

"Yes," Harry said. He reached in his sack with his free hand, pulling out his broken wand and offered it to Ollivander. "Is there any chance this can be repaired?"

Ollivander took it with shaking hands, looking at him and then the wand. "Eleven inches, holly, phoenix feather core. Nice and supple…" He looked at Harry and then slowly shook his head. "I'm sorry, Harry Potter… I cannot repair this wand. It has suffered far too much damage to be repaired."

"Then," Harry said slowly. "I wish for you to make me a new wand."

"Harry!" Hermione looked astonished. Ron looked alarmed.

"I… don't think he's in any state to do so, Harry," Ron said, his eyes wide. Harry shook his head.

"Please, Mr. Ollivander," he said softly. "I must have a new wand as soon as possible."

Ollivander took a deep breath. He looked into Harry's emerald green eyes and nodded slowly.

"The wood… I'll leave up to you. If it is the core you need, I can provide it," Harry said calmly. Ollivander gave a small start.

"You… provide the core?"

"Hairs can be used for wand cores, can they not?" Harry asked softly. Hermione's eyes widened, but Harry did not see it, too engrossed in his conversation with Ollivander.

"That is correct, Mr. Potter…" Ollivander said. "But… from a creature or being… where would you find one here?" He looked frail, skeleton-like, and very, very pale.

"If I obtain the hairs, will you attempt to create a wand for me?" Harry asked, looking at Ollivander's eyes. The wandmaker lowered his gaze.

"I can… try," he said finally. "But know that not all cores are compatible with you. Not all cores will draw out your power as sufficiently as the phoenix feather core."

"These will be," Harry said confidently. "Do not worry about that. Think about the wood and the characteristics." He took his broken wand back, slipping it in his sack.

"I am not sure you understand…" Ollivander began, but then stopped at the determined look on Harry's face. He slumped a little and nodded slowly. "When I see the hair… I will decide." He gave Harry a weak smile, which Harry returned.

"In addition… I would like you to tell me about the Elder Wand," Harry said softly.

Ollivander's head snapped up.

-0-

"Harry! How are you going to get hairs from Ryuuko and Shirogane?" Hermione squeaked when they left the room. Harry gave her a funny look, not understanding. "Hairs! Harry! Hairs! You provide the cores! I mean, if it's you, then I guess you can summon them or something, right?"

"What are you talking about, Hermione?" Harry asked, slightly amused. "I have no intention in summoning my Fathers for a strand of hair. Shirogane would murder me. Besides, it might not be compatible with me. Too pure." He gave a smile and looked at Ron. "I mean myself, of course."

"Yourself?" Ron asked. Harry nodded, smiling.

When Harry returned the next day, bearing both a strand of hair from his rei form and a strand of hair from his shin form, Ollivander looked a little depressed, apparently, not expecting Harry to be so quick. But as soon as he touched the hairs, his eyes lit up in surprise. He fumbled with the silky smooth hairs, one black as the night sky, absent of stars, one white as freshly fallen snow. Then he looked at Harry.

"Harry… These are very, very powerful hairs. May I ask where you go these?"

Harry didn't reply. Ollivander looked back down at the strands and blinked slowly.

"Not only are they powerful, but they are compatible with each other," Ollivander said softly. "I think that I should make the wand with this hair though." He held up the black strand of hair. Harry shook his head.

"It must be made with both, Mr. Ollivander. Do you understand?" Harry asked. Ollivander hesitated, but then nodded.

"Where did you obtain these magnificent strands of hair? From what creature? What being?" Ollivander asked. "How are you so certain these hairs will be compatible with you?" Harry paused, unsure how to answer the questions.

"When the war is over and done, I will tell you," Harry said finally. "So long as I have an Unbreakable Vow with you to never reveal this information."

Ollivander nodded. "For these… I think I'd like to try hazel or pine."

-0-

Entering Griphook's room softly was easy. Griphook was awake, looking out the window at the sea. He turned when Harry entered.

"I will do it," he said. Ron gave a small cheer in the background, but then the goblin continued.

"For a price."

Harry paused, curious. What price would Griphook ask of Harry that Harry could provide.

"If it's gold-" Hermione started, but Griphook waved her off.

"Gold! Goblins have gold!" He said testily. Harry sat down in the seat in front of Griphook's bed, looking at him curiously, a frown on his face.

"What is your price, Griphook?" Harry asked politely.

"I want a dagger made by you." Griphook's voice was stern. Hermione and Ron both froze, looking at Harry in surprise. Harry leaned back, thinking.

"I have never made a weapon before," Harry admitted. "I know the concept… but to do it… I have never done it personally." He paused, looking at Griphook's face. "It will take time. I hope you understand that. Time that we cannot waste right now."

"Yes," Griphook said. "As any weapon, the weapon maker is the weapon owner. I am merely borrowing it. When I die, it shall be returned to you."

Harry nodded slowly. "Then please plan with Hermione and Ron on how we will infiltrate the bank. I will forge a weapon for you." He sighed deeply and looked at Griphook. "However… I must insist you are the only one who uses the dagger. If anyone else attempts to use it… they will suffer consequences. Do you understand."

Griphook nodded. Harry bowed to the goblin and moved out the doors, heading back to his room.

He normally summoned weapons of either Light or Dark. They were pre-made daggers and swords, made by collecting Shadows or Light. It had the form, the deadliness of the weapon, but easily broken down by the opposing element. Ryuuko's scythe and Shirogane's katana were both forged, which is why they could not be broken down. They could dematerialize, be banished, sealed, or stored, but not broken down. His spear was similar in this aspect, as it was forged by Shirogane and Ryuuko.

Now, he would have to forge a dagger himself. For a goblin, none the less.

Harry sat on his bed and closed his eyes, sinking into his core. He surveyed the balance, his Factor, and then the inshi that were still forming. He reached for the Darkness portion of his Factor, pulling out thin strands of Darkness, so thin that they resembled spider silk, and getting to work.

-0-

"Okay, so we're going to help the kid," Nanaya said. Ryuuko had shown up in the human world to collect the rei and shin, getting ready for battle. Akira had been first to meet up with Ryuuko. Shirogane was next. From then on, it was a matter of finding all the other Children.

Ryuuko had stepped into Aging Bar calmly, his shoes making gentle tapping on the wooden floor. The Master of the bar had turned, but frozen very still when he recognized the rei King's breathing patterns and footsteps. Kou had launched himself off a stool, almost upsetting the entire row of bar stools, and hugged Ryuuko.

"Ryuuko-sama!"

Ryuuko placed a hand on Kou's hair. Then he looked at Master.

"It's been a while, Kou. Shisui," he had said.

It took a while to find everyone. Lulu and Sawaki were easy enough as Akira knew where Lulu was and Sawaki was in the Shadow Palace. Then there were the Children of Homurabi Ryuuko had never met. Shiki and Nanaya. Homurabi was missing and had been missing for many months now.

Shiki was found in late December. He had been out on a mission to monitor tears for Homurabi in Africa for a month. Nanaya had remained in the Human World with Sirius, therefore, hardest to track. It wasn't until Sirius used a spell in late January did Ryuuko find the pair. He asked them all to come to Aging Bar for a meeting to catch them up.

Then there was the matter of their training in the human world. Nanaya scoffed, but Ryuuko warned him about some of the things wizards could do. Sirius had demonstrated, under Ryuuko's request, some spells that may affect shin.

"We will train in the Human World until Kazuki calls us," Ryuuko said softly.

"Who is Kazuki, anyway?" Shiki asked. "The way you're talking about him… obviously he's very important."

There was a silence. Then Ryuuko spoke. "Kazuki is the Balancer to this world. He stabilizes the equilibrium." He gave a small smile, shaking his head a little. "Of course, only to a certain extent. He cannot work with what he doesn't have." He paused and sighed a little as Sirius gave him a funny look.

"He's our son," Shirogane said abruptly.

Everyone turned to stare at Shirogane. Including Ryuuko. Shirogane's eyes narrowed and he turned to face the group.

"So I would appreciate it if you didn't take this lightly. I would hate for my son to die," he looked between the occupants in the room before turning back to his drink. Shisui looked startled, his gold eyes wide with surprise.

"That's… the first time you've ever referred to Kazuki as your son, Shirogane," Ryuuko said softly. Shirogane snorted.

"He's finally living up to my expectations," Shirogane said. "He's become a key player in this... war for wizards. I don't agree meddling, but considering that the madman Voldemort won't give up until he's killed Kazuki, I'm not willing to let it go. Anyone who dares to target my son like he's a pig for slaughter…" His sapphire eyes narrowed, his mouth pressed into a thin line. There was a crack outside and Shriogane glared at the door as it opened.

"Hands up!" the Snatcher said. He took a look around the supposedly empty bar and opened his mouth. "Uh…"

"Oh for God's sake!" Nanaya said, drawing out his sai. "Must be a newbie."

Akira didn't even bother stopping the other from killing the poor, confused Snatcher.