A.N.- Thank you for all the reviews, the Horntail being killed by Harry's Fire Golem was probably too much and many people have said that Harry's ability to own everyone is unrealistic…there's a reason for this, it's all a part of the story that is to come. All Eleanor lovers, enjoy it while you can.

Chapter 8: An Unexpected Event

His messenger had not disappointed and brought back exactly what he had expected to hear, "So Ian…your plan did work after all." Zathras silently pondered as he glanced down at the chessboard that was hovering motionlessly in the air in front of him. He couldn't help but lose himself in his memories as he looked at the projection of Earth in front of him.

The sun had just begun to set, bathing the crystal clear blue pond in a heartwarming, orange glow. A lone figure stood idly at the edge of the pond as he simply gazed at his own reflection. Although the man had a head full of graying white hair, his stature was still straight and alert, like that of a disciplined soldier. He was dressed in an expensive muggle silk suit, a finely crafted cane with the figure of a dragon's head near the top of the staff.

He had barely noticed a figure appearing out of the shadowy mist, "It's been a long time, has it not?" Ian Potter said, breaking the peaceful silence.

A dark brown haired man that seemed to be in his late-early 30's, dressed in long black pants, a black button up shirt and a long black trench coat slowly materialized out from the dark shadows.

"It has. I suppose you have not arranged this meeting for a sympathetic shoulder to cry on…how long do you have left?" Zathras said uncaringly as he now stood next to his longtime 'friend'.

"Days, months or maybe even a year…" Ian replied and then turned his head sideways. "And you look as well as the day you took that accursed elixir."

Zathras smirked contently at this; he raised his eyebrows and responded with a voice filled with sarcasm, "You should have really taken up on Nick's offer…but you rejected it...foolish."

"I've had a rewarding long life with no regrets, I dare say I've made the right decision. The way you're living, its not natural…" Ian replied and coughed into his handkerchief and wiped the blood away from the edges of his mouth.

To his surprise, Zathras emitted a chilling, cold laughter that seemed to suck out the warmth from the air.

"After all these years, still sprouting words of Albus…I have to admit, you disappointed me greatly, Ian. All those talk about forgiveness, how can you even live with yourself." Zathras said with a half sneer.

"We nearly had the entire world in our grasp, we could have reshaped it for the better but you just had to back out due to that old, crazed man's delirious delusions."

"It was wrong of us to play gods, Zathras! What gave us the right to do what we did?" Ian exclaimed angrily, meeting his friend's disgusted look.

"Our power did! Look around you! Tens of years have passed and NOTHING has changed! The government still corrupt and inequality everywhere! Need I recount the things dear Grindelwald did? The pureblood traditions are going to be the death of us all!"

"And what would you suggest we do?" Ian asked tiredly, coughing as he did. "Wipe out all the purebloods and destroy the Ministry and rebuild it?"

One look on Zathras' face and his cold silver eyes told Ian that the thought had crossed his mind. "

You left out the pathetic Wizegamot… If that's what it takes to finally have peace, then yes." Zathras said quietly. "If we allow things to continue as they are now...how can you be absolutely sure that people won't make another mistake again? The purebloods are the ones who are unable to accept the change around them…they are afraid that the world no longer revolves around them, which it doesn't."

Ian had no answer to Zathras' question nor did he want to talk anymore on this subject, if Zathras really did decide to wipe out all the purebloods on the planet, he feared that not even Albus Dumbledore would be able to stop him.

Zathras smirked coldly as he felt waves of fear emanating from his long time friend, being born with the ability to feel what others around him were feeling was a very useful tool.

"Enough talk on this, what is the real reason you have for asking me to come here?" The top Unspeakable agent demanded with folded arms.

"It has to do with my grandson's future…if he's to survive the upcoming storm, he'll need to be more powerful." Ian said tiredly.

Zathras' silver eyes narrowed as he quietly murmured. "Don't tell me you're planning to…"

A nod from Ian answered his half-spoken question. "As I have said, I do not fear death but my grandson, Harry is only five years old. He has his whole life ahead of him, what an mature child he already is…" Ian drifted off as both men turned around and saw an elderly yet still elegant woman walking towards them with long snow white hair and warm chocolate brown eyes.

Clutching her hand was a small boy with black, untamable black hair and glowing green eyes.

"Ian, dearest, the doctor said you shouldn't be exerting yourself." Dorea Potter said as she touched her husband of nearly fifty years on the cheek.

"How is walking around in my backyard exerting myself?" Ian replied moodily, Dorea immediately casted a look at Zathras, who merely raised an eyebrow in acknowledgement.

"It's not but discussing anything with Zathras always heightens your blood pressure." Dorea chided her husband as if he were a child. Zathras actually laughed out loud at his friend being taken down a notch by his wife. He stopped when he felt the woman's glare on him, immortal he may be but Dorea Potter was a Charms mistress as well as being an incredibly powerful witch, not a person he would want to get on the bad side of.

"It's been a long time Dorea, you're looking rather nicely for a lady of your age." Zathras said truthfully, bowing low. Dorea merely rolled her eyes, Zathras then surveyed the little boy who was clutching his grandmother's hand and staring at him with a mixture of curiosity and confusion.

"And who are you suppose to be?" He asked as he looked down at the child.

"Harry, Harry Potter, sir." Harry Potter replied politely.

"Please to meet you Harry, my name is Zathras…"

Zathras curled his hand into a fist as he snapped from the memory; the boy had survived the power transfer ritual with Ian that he had conducted himself and grew up with more power than he could have imagined.

"It seems you have gotten your wish, my friend…" He thought silently as he saw out of the corners of his eyes of the projected memory of Harry chanting an incantation that raised a terrible beast made entirely from lava out from the ground.

Harry woke up with the worst headache he had ever experienced as sunlight pierced the drapes, fumbling his hands on his bedside table, he located a phial of purple liquid and downed it one go, gasping deeply as he did. He felt as if the world was tilting right and left as he tried to get his eyes to work. Madam Pomfrey had warned him privately about the backlash of magical exhaustion but no word could describe the pain that he was experiencing.

Breathing slowly, his headache disappeared as he got out of his bed. After brushing his teeth attentively and washing his face with ice-cold water, he stared at his own reflection from the clean, shiny mirror.

His skin was gaunter than it was usually and his face had the word exhausted written all over it. Then he changed into his day-to-day school attire, taking his time as he tied his bronze colored stripped blue tie around his neck. Harry felt eyes and constant, annoying whispering surrounding him as he entered the Great Hall, he could clearly see the fear in their eyes of him. He couldn't help but feel disgusted towards the reactions his peers had against him and in particular, the recently instated Care of Magical Creatures Professor, Rubeus Hagrid, the man was literally in tears at the head table as he ate his breakfast.

Personally, he felt that the part-Giant professor isn't a suitable teacher at all and he wondered if Albus Dumbledore had finally lost all touches with reality when he made that decision. Harry, had of course heard when Edward's brother, Draco had been severely mauled by a Hippogriff while trying to protect one Ms. Granger due to one Ronald Weasley's stupidity of berating the animal.

Back to the dragon, it could have easily killed him, and in such a situation, it is to kill or be killed. So no, he wasn't sorry that the Horntail had to die by his hand. Dragons were intelligent and magically powerful creatures that posed a great danger to the growing human population.

"In fact, I'm just doing them a favor." Harry thought to himself as he buttered a toast, there were other ways to get the egg without harming the dragon, that he knew of course but why not do a little bit of vermin exterminating in the process. He certainly wouldn't shed a tear if he heard that all the dragons were wiped off from the face of the planet. And according to the muggle evolutionist, Charles Darwin, and his statement regarding to the survival of the fittest, only the strongest and those who can adapt will survive. It was a sad and true fact but reality is seldom kind.

"Guess who?" A feminine voice said rather mischievously as a pair of hands covered Harry's eyes from behind. He only smiled as he recognized Eleanor's melodic voice.

"Hmm…is that you Cho?" He asked wonderingly, earning a punch to his arm. He smirked when he saw Eleanor huff indignantly, glaring slightly at him.

"Only kidding, Ellie…I'm sorry. How can I make it up to you?" Harry apologized and asked but immediately regretted his apology when he saw Eleanor's notorious mysterious smirk slowly appearing on her face.

"How bout taking me out on a date." She requested and smiled when she saw her long time childhood friend stiffen.

"Fine…but don't expect too much from me." Harry replied in an icy tone. Eleanor flashed him a beautiful smile and lovingly stroked his cheek, causing Harry to widen his eyes in surprise and the nearby Ravenclaws to whistle and wolf howl at them. Needless to say, Harry had his Occlumency shields up during the remainder of breakfast.

After their Charms lesson before lunch, Professor Flitwick had gathered all Ravenclaw students from fourth year to seventh years in his classroom.

"What's this about, you reckon?" Roger asked Harry, who was sitting next to him, observing his unicorn haired wand. Harry merely answered with a shrug and returned to twirling his wand between his long fingers. When everyone was present, the tiny charms master began his announcement on top of a high pile of pillows in a squeaky tone.

"Thank you all for your patience, I have called this house meeting to announce that Hogwarts will be hosting the Yule Ball, it is a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. The ball will be open only to fourth years and above – although you may invite a younger student if you wish-" All the girls in the classroom began to chatter and giggle incessantly. What annoyed Harry was that many were staring at his direction.

"Hormonal teenage girls…how I hate them." He thought bitterly as he coldly returned the stares with a truly hateful glare before focusing his attention back towards his Head of House.

"Ladies, please settle down…" Flitwick squeaked as he tried to get the situation under control. "Dress robes will be worn," He continued after the commotion had settled. "And the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall."

With that, the Ravenclaw Head of House dismissed his very excited students, to be put mildly save Harry, which he signaled to stay behind. After complimenting him on a job well done on the first task, as well as suggesting that there were better alternatives than killing the Horntail, to which Harry remained silent at. Harry wanted the world to totally engulf him when he heard that the champions would be opening the dance. He now started to regret entering his name into the Goblet of Fire. Exiting the Flitwick's classroom, Harry cleared his mind and went down to the Great Hall for lunch.

Eleanor's heart was beating so fast with excitement that she thought that it was going to pop out of her chest when she had heard that a dance would take place this year, there was only one man that she would allow to take her. She sat quietly and straightly amongst her friends in the courtyard as they chattered about boys, dresses and giggling.

"Who are you going with, Eleanor?" Marietta Edgecombe, a fellow Ravenclaw two years below her asked.

"Do you even need to ask that? Harry's going to take her for sure…she's his woman." Cho replied for Eleanor with a face-splitting smile causing the beautiful blonde to blush. However, deep down, Eleanor was afraid that Harry might not ask her because he hated balls and other such social events, even when they were children, often opting to stay in his room to read or play his violin. But her fears soon dissipated as she felt Cho nudging her side, looking up, she saw Harry walking towards them, his emotionless, cold green eyes staring straight into hers.

Eleanor inwardly sighed, she hated that Harry always had to be so emotionless in public; the cheerful and carefree Harry had disappeared forever ever since his grandfather died but she had always hoped that he would drop the façade. He was the only one in their class that was able to see the Thestrals that pulled the carriages up towards the castle each year.

"Eleanor Zabini…" Harry said in a clear, composed voice, Eleanor was staring at him with blinking eyes and was filled with confusion when she saw Harry reach behind her ear.

"What is he doing?" She thought amusingly.

"Would you, do me the honor…" Her blue eyes widened when she saw Harry's hand retracting with a white rose that was not present before, in his hand and offered to her, "of being my partner for the Yule Ball." Harry felt himself sweating as he stared into the blue eyes of the girl he had deep affections for, his father had told him that there was nothing easier than asking a girl out however for him, it was the farthest thing from easy.

Eleanor took the rose, inhaled the flowery scent and flashed him a beautiful smile, it was rather sweet of Harry to attempt a try at being romantic. "I would love to go with you, Harry." Before Harry could react, Eleanor threw herself into his arms, wrapping her own arms around his neck forcing Harry to place his hands on her waist to keep her from losing her balance and his entire body stiffened when he felt Eleanor's lips on the edge of his own.

Next to Eleanor, Cho and Marietta were squealing and covering their mouths with their hands, which caused Harry's hand to twitch lightly with irritation. Noticing his obvious discomfort, Eleanor rolled her eyes before locking her elbow around Harry's and promptly dragged him off.

Meanwhile Fleur Delacour was having the most infuriating day of her life, since the announcement of the Yule Ball, there had been many boys that have tried to ask her to accompany them but they either stared at her chest or at the ground, needless to say, she rejected them all. What's worse was that it made her appetite go away and she spent the rest of lunch behind her icy façade and complaining about the smallest of things. As she walked slowly through the corridors of Hogwart's castle towards the Beauxbatons Carriage to rest and get ready for her afternoon classes, she was at the entrance to the courtyard and came upon one of the funniest things she would ever see in her life.

Harry was glaring menacingly at his younger brother, "Remind me why I must accompany you to ask a girl out?" Harry replied through gritted teeth.

"Because you're my brother and you might actually learn something about women." Ryan replied. Harry glared harder at the younger copy of himself but said nothing as Ryan sauntered off. He folded his arms across his chest and leaned backwards against a tree as he watched with as immense amusement as his brother go down on one knee and asked Blaise unashamedly with her friends present.

Harry couldn't help but snigger as he saw Ryan punch the air with joy and sending a wink his way. Then he closed his eyes as he felt a familiar mind tugging feeling, "Enjoying the show, Ms. Delacour?" Fleur's eyes widened as Harry turned his head around, his eyes meeting hers.

"Oui, it iz very funny non?" Fleur replied as she walked and stood next to her fellow champion.

"It is." Harry replied as he watched his brother high-fiving his fellow Gryffindors.

"How time flies by…" He silently thought to himself, it felt just like yesterday when he had fought off the bullies that were shoving his little brother around.

" 'ave you gotten a date for ze Ball? It would seem zat as champions, we would start off ze dance." Fleur feebly tried to ask Harry regarding his availability status. God, how did he hate having to say this, considering that Fleur was not like the other girls and was someone he could call a friend, he really hated to be the one to reject her.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Ms. Delacour…but I have already asked another." Harry stated as brief as possible and looked away, he always hated this part the most. Fleur felt her chest aching but did her best to smile, she didn't want Harry to think she was weak for crying over such trivial matters and also to let him know that she wasn't interested in him.

"Don't be sorry, I'm glad." Fleur said painfully and quietly, with that she began to walk off towards the direction of the Beauxbatons Carriage alone.

"Ms. Delacour?...Fleur?" Fleur immediately stopped in her tracks as she could barely believe her ears, Harry had just called her by her name. She turned to face him and saw that he had a mixture of a concerned and pained expression etched on his face.

"Perhaps…if you would like, I could, maybe save you a dance?" Harry asked out loud before he could process his unfurnished proposal. Fleur's heart skipped a beat, and she found herself smiling happily at him.

"I would love to." She replied and with a radiant smile plastered on her face, the Beauxbatons champion walked off.

"You have never acted like this around another female?" Fenris echoed loudly in Harry's mind as the eagle swooped down from the clear sky and onto Harry's shoulder.

"I know." Harry replied, "and it worries me."

Over the next few days, snow began to pour down from the sky and despite the fact that a ball will be hosted, the workload didn't stop piling; Harry stretched his arms as he finished the last sentence of his Transfiguration essay regarding to Gamp's Laws of Elemental Transfiguration.

McGonagall certainly didn't make it easy, even for Harry. Out of all the teachers, only Flitwick and Professor Vector-Black had been allowing free time for their students during their classes, knowing that they probably wouldn't learn anything with Christmas and the ball nearing. Harry was deeply concentrated as he looked at his father's most prided possession, the Marauder's Map alone up in his dormitory in Ravenclaw Tower. Specifically keeping an eye on the tag that had the name Alastor Moody on it. Several times, the name had changed into Barty Crouch and he had even caught the name appearing in Snape's potion ingredient storage.

"No doubt to make more Polyjuice." Harry thought as he muttered "Mischief Managed." And the map's ink dissolved, leaving the parchment blank. After locking the map securely in his trunk, Harry left Ravenclaw Tower and towards the direction of the Headmaster's Office.

"Strange for the Headmaster to not voice the reasons of this meeting…" Harry thought to himself as he ascended upwards leaning on the Phoenix gargoyle behind him. He didn't bother to knock as the door to the Headmaster's office opened just as he was about to run into it.

"Ah, good evening Harry…" Dumbledore greeted, his eyes twinkling brightly.

"Same to you Headmaster." Harry replied curtly as he took the seat in front of Dumbledore's desk.

"I'm sure you have been wondering why I have required your presence?" Dumbledore said tiredly as he stood up and began pacing around his office.

"I have." Harry said.

"Your performance against the dragon in the first task was commendable but there are other ways more efficient than destroying the foe in front of you." Dumbledore said quietly and turned to face his most promising student.

"Indeed there is, but can you blame me in a such a perilous situation." Harry asked.

"I suppose your reasons have remain unchanged still in becoming an Unspeakable."

"They have."

"…Killing and annihilating everything that supports the Dark Lord is not the answer."

"Spare me the lecture!" Dumbledore eyes widened at the sudden outburst, Harry's eyes had darkened and it didn't take a fool to see that he was furious.

"Murder, genocide, suffering and inequality are happening because a certain part of the Wizard World refuses to admit that the time of change has arrived and have continued to stupidly hold on their laid back traditions and prejudices. Everything horrible that has happened was THEIR fault! And if destroying them all means the end of this never ending war and drenching my hands with blood, so be it!" Harry yelled with rage.

Then, composing himself and hardening his face Harry said quietly, "I believe this is where we part, headmaster. It is clear that our beliefs are obviously not in agreement with each others."

With a look of immense dislike on his face, the Potter heir abruptly stood up and left the office, leaving a bewildered Dumbledore at his wake. The Headmaster of Hogwarts slowly sat down in his chair, the expression Harry had just now matched the one he had years ago when he had lost control of himself in the duel with Alastor, one filled with only hatred and the desire to crush anything that stood in his way.

Albus was saddened by the fact that his star pupil was no longer the same boy that came into the Great Hall for the first time. Fawkes could only trill sadly, as it shared the sentiments of his companion.

Harry was staring at the vastness of the Forbidden Forest on the Astronomy Tower, it was often a safe haven for him whenever he was in a foul mood. "The ends justify the means..." A voice in his mind whispered. Harry's hands curled into fists as he closed his eyes.

Ever since his heated outburst with the Headmaster, Harry had become more secluded than usual. Only appearing for his daily meals, classes and spent the rest of the time alone in his favorite patch of clearing near the Black Lake strumming his guitar and meditating. Fenris had often accompanied him, the eagle had understood his companion's reasons for desiring to tear down and rebuild wizard society as he patiently listened to his companion talk.

"I can't believe I'm actually going to dance in front of everyone in the castle, this is madness." Harry thought to himself as he stared at his own reflection in the mirror. His mother had insisted on sending him a new brand new black shiny Armani tuxedo even though he had one in his trunk already. Harry grimaced as he saw the dress robes his fellow peers were wearing…speak of being archaic. Checking his bowtie one last time, the messy haired Ravenclaw left Ravenclaw Tower, he hadn't seen Eleanor all day and when he asked Blaise, the Slytherin version of her sister just smiled slyly.

"Women…" Harry thought as he walked down the stairs, he would never understand why they had to take so long in such matters though he never dared voice the thought aloud, for fearing the repercussions. As he neared the entrance of the Great Hall, his eyes narrowed in irritation as he heard and saw passing girls, Hogwarts or not, giggling. Apart from him, only Neville Longbottom and Viktor Krum were present. Neville was fidgeting nervously with the sleeves of his dress robes while Krum merely acknowledged him with a nod of respect.

Harry was lost in his own little world as he examined his loyal, unwavering wand. Recently, the wand seemed to have lost some of its powers, he'd have to make a trip to Diagon Alley and ask Ollivander about it. His focus snapped when he heard a gasp, pocketing his wand back into his tuxedo pants pocket, the green eyed wizard looked up.