The week passed quickly. Harry was charged with training some of the Younglings. There were kids only old enough to have just learnt about magic, and others who were far older. It was in these sessions that Harry realised what Tom and Alderan had seen as such a disadvantage to their side. Being forced to hide their natural had made many of their abilities dormant, or at least not honed enough to be reliable in battle. He took over his old training chamber, the one connected to Tom's rooms. Some days Lysander and Blaise would help, but due to Lysander's ability to see the connections one shared with others, he was mainly busy analysing main players of the Light and finding the weakest links that could be picked off first.
There was one day left, the tension was palpable. It was almost thrumming, and Luna had been complaining of a headache at the amount of anxious auras floating about. She probably would have fainted if she was in this room.
There were two lines. The younger ones were at the front, the elders at the back. Including him there were eleven in the room. Harry motioned to a young blonde Vampyre to step forward. His name was Fritz and he was of German and Irish descent. He was quick, in fact Harry wouldn't have been surprised if it was one of his talents.
Stepping up, Harry ran through a quick demonstration of a drop kick. Fritz felled him with a little more difficulty due to his size, but Harry was impressed nonetheless. The rest of the class looked on, some of their eyes were weary from the intensive training, others just looked anxious to get out onto the battlefield.
None of them looked resigned though. Despite being worried there was a certain hope about them all. They were certainly all better than they had been initially, and Harry felt a strange pride swell inside his chest. He wasn't just training Vampyres. He had a couple of Banshees, a Veela - many found it hard not to stare at her - and three Elves. Whilst their abilities weren't his speciality, he was training them in hand to hand combat, and externally they were all pretty much the same.
He was halfway through the lesson when Blaise poked his head around the door, ducking moments later when one of the Elves - Dresilda, a Fire Elf - threw a ball of flame where he had been seconds before. Harry grinned at her, and she contorted her hands in the form of a gun, blowing imaginary smoke off what would be the barrel before getting back to work.
"Getting better I see," said Blaise weakily, entering the room a little more cautiously.
"There isn't much else to do actually. All of them can hold me off for up to twenty minutes," Harry smiled again with pride.
"Well if they can beat you…" said Blaise, in a voice that clearly said he felt it wasn't much of a challenge.
"Shut up!" laughed Harry, "What are you here for?"
"Tom wants to see you. He's with Alderan," said Blaise.
"What's it about?" Harry's eyebrows knitted together, wondering why he would be asked to see them.
"A threesome?" suggested Blaise, earning a smack on the arm. "Anyway, I'm meant to take over here."
"We're working on a dropkick, but I think they have it," said Harry, wincing when Fritz dropped one of the Banshees, helping the elder man up seconds later. "Just have them sparring for now."
"Yes, Sir," Blaise mock saluted.
Rolling his eyes, Harry left the room, the pride he felt at his charges swiftly replaced by confusion. Tom had been planning strategy with Alderan for most of the week. The upcoming battle wasn't going to be a messy skirmish. Both sides meant business, and they had been trying to utilise their resources to be able to hold off the Light adequately. Everyone knew that if they failed here then the balance would never be restored.
If his chess matches with Ron taught him anything, then he was shit at strategy. That's why he had been staying out of Tom's way and focusing on the Younglings so much, so why did they want to see him now?
Approaching the door of Alderan's meeting chamber, he knocked, the sound echoing in the cold corridor, before going into the room.
Alderan was sitting on his throne-like chair with Tom standing opposite him. This was usual, and was not what was attracting his attention.
The only question in his mind was:
What the fuck was Snape doing in the room?
Snape evidently saw his confusion for he sneered, "Close your mouth Potter, you're looking more gormless than usual."
"Ah, Harry," greeted Alderan, his young face looking older than Harry had ever seen it.
"You asked to see me?" managed Harry, trying to get over his shock at seeing his Potions Professor in their realm. His hair was still greasy though, the bat could have at least made an effort.
"Harry, we felt there were some things you needed to be made aware of before the battle. Severus is one of them," said Tom, obviously hearing the question Harry's mind was shouting out.
"We used to joke that Snape was a Vampyre…" Harry trailed off at the withering glare Snape shot at him.
"It was not just Demeter we had stationed at Hogwarts. Before you, we needed someone to infiltrate the castle. Snape, for several reasons was the best person for the job," cut in Tom, feeling the tension rising between Professor and pupil.
"But Dumbledore always told me he trusted you despite being a Death Eater. How can we trust you?" Snape's face contorted with rage at this.
"You're just as ignorant as your snivelling father," spat Snape, moving to look out of one of the massive windows that looked out onto the courtyard, his robes sweeping behind him.
"Harry!" Alderan's voice boomed out, and he could hear the scolding tone a mile away.
"Harry, you trust my judgement, no?" asked Tom, raising his eyebrows challengingly.
"Yes, Tom," said Harry quietly. With Tom's talent, he would know instantly if someone was being untruthful. It was childish to question Snape's loyalty in light of this, but knowing the Potions Master, he couldn't see him not being with Dumbledore. It was like seeing Hermione without a book!
"What are you anyway?" asked Harry. He knew he was being rude, but even if the greasy git was on his side, he would never like him.
"As you childishly pointed out, I am a Vampyre," replied Snape curtly.
"Why was I not told about you sooner?" asked Harry, feeling slightly hurt that Tom hadn't confided this in him.
"I've been in seventeen years of deep cover. I would not trust you with my secret for you to blurt it out to the first Light supporter you saw," sneered Snape.
"I wouldn't do that!" yelled Harry indignantly.
"We still couldn't risk it. Only Alderan and I knew where Severus's true loyalty lay." Looking into Tom's eyes he could see the sadness resting in the blue orbs. This was only backed up by the regret that was being sent through their bond. Harry nodded, and Tom smiled slightly sensing the forgiveness.
"I take it you never told me so I wouldn't kill him in battle?" asked Harry nonchalantly, hearing Snape mutter "As if you could," moments after.
"Well that, and Snape has news that you need to hear from him," said Alderan, and Harry's ears engaged a little more at this.
"Whatever you said to the Weasel, his family have withdrawn from the fight," Snape acted as if he couldn't care less, but Harry was too busy fighting a grin to care.
The thought of facing his almost adopted family in battle was repugnant. He knew he wouldn't be able to fight them, and so at this news he felt as if a burden had been lifted.
However, a niggling thought hit him just there.
What about everyone else?
"Has anyone else withdrawn?" he asked anxiously.
"No," came Snape's short reply.
Images of teachers who had supported him, peers who had been his friends swam before his eyes. He wouldn't kill them. From what he had seen over the week, many of the Dark creatures were out for blood. Oppression had made them grow angry, and finally the time had come where they could shake off the shackles. They were not going to go easy.
"I can't kill them, Tom," whispered Harry. Tom, having followed Harry's thought process placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"You won't have to. Lysander has been working on mapping out the major players. It is just them we need to destroy, the rest can merely be stunned," said Tom gently.
"Yes, Harry. Whilst the battle is raging, another faction will be going to the Ministry. It is that we need to conquer. Once we are in control of that, the rest will fall into place," reinforced Alderan, a grave smile forming on his face.
As usual, Snape looked unaffected.
"We do not seek to destroy the Light, remember that," said Tom, his eyes boring into Harry's, "We just need to subdue it a little."
"I can do that," said Harry confidently.
However, later that night he wasn't so sure. Supper had been a quiet affair. The impending battle had everyone on edge. Even Lysander had been quiet, and that alone was nothing short of a miracle!
All the while he kept telling himself the same thing. It became a mantra of sorts. They had done all they could. He had trained his Younglings to the best of his ability... But there was one thing missing.
Fate's words kept ringing in his ears:
"You know there are higher forces are at work, but General's can only act if their troops do, and you are one important soldier if I do say so myself. Now son, this will be the only time we meet, I will aid the best I can, but it all hangs on your decision."
Had he already made it? Were they doomed to fail or succeed?
These questions tumbled around in his mind, crashing off each other and only creating more confusion. Tom knew something was wrong, but he had refrained from reading his thoughts. Harry appreciated this small gesture, and as they got ready for bed, he cuddled into him, the elder realising immediately that Harry needed to be reassured.
It was strange. The process of getting ready for bed was normal, but the idea that they might never return to it again kept piercing him like a knife. Tom, however, acted as if he never had a care in the world. The only thing that showed his concern was the way he was look at Harry. It was as if he was drinking him in, savouring what could potentially be the last time he saw him in an ordinary setting.
Tomorrow there would be blood spilt on both sides. Despite Alderan's plan to cut off the Ministry, he knew that the concept of no casualties was ridiculous. Until they took control, there would be death. Potentially afterwards there would also be death. They wanted to do this the most peaceful way possible, but there was no way to create the situation for peace without violence. It was an undeniable fact of this situation.
Harry wondered idly what Ron and Hermione would be doing. Would they worry about him? Would they even want him to win? There were so many factors to consider...
"Harry, your rapid thoughts are giving me a headache," mumbled Tom into Harry's hair.
Tom was on his back and Harry was nestled into his side. They had been lying like that for almost an hour now, and still there hadn't been a word spoken between them until that moment.
"Sorry," whispered Harry, feeling Tom press a kiss into his hair.
"What's bothering you? I've been respecting your privacy until now, but we need to be rested," asked Tom, concern colouring his voice.
Breathing in the musky scent of Tom, Harry knew he couldn't give a truthful reply. Fate had entrusted the information to him alone, and to burden Tom with it now would be cruel. Instead he replied:
"What made Snape give that big a sacrifice?"
"Love," replied Tom simply, and if he knew Harry was lying he never pressed the matter.
"For who?" The concept of Snape being in love was baffling. He had always been so bitter. But then Harry realised, that might be why.
"Your mother, Harry," said Tom, feeling Harry go still.
"M-My mother?" It was ridiculous that that one revelation would shock him. Out of everything he had been told this was the least surprising. In the pensive when Snape had tried to teach him Occlumency, the hurt look that flashed across the boy's as he realised he had lost his best friend because of one slip of the tongue went beyond friendship. He could see that now.
"Is it really that hard to believe?" asked Tom, "When Severus discovered what Dumbledore had done, he in a sense became a double agent. Pretending to shun the Dark and support the Light when in fact supporting the Dark all along. I don't think Severus will ever forgive him for it."
Harry imagined it if he were in Snape's position. Tom torn away from him by Dumbledore. He would never be able to forgive him, and he knew deep down he would do anything for revenge.
"If I were in his position I would never forgive him for it," said Harry, holding Tom tighter. "Are you not worried he will kill Dumbledore?"
"No, he knows we need him alive to forge a new treaty. Severus is old enough to know that death is not the ultimate revenge. Speaking as a Slytherin, it is far more satisfying to leave enemies alive, knowing they have lost everything." For such cold words Harry just nodded into Tom's chest.
No more words were spoken by them after this. They just held each other, their emotions too strong for words to convey. They were both nervous, but not for themselves, only for the other. And it was with these fears that they eventually fell asleep, and uneasy slumber taking them for a few hours.
It all seemed to go by so quickly. A week ago he was saying goodbye to Ron and Hermione, now he was staring at the army of the Light.
Their forces were vast, but not as large as those on the side of the Dark. The sun brought with it a clear day. A day too beautiful for battle, but battle was inevitable.
Tom was leading the faction that would go to the Ministry, and Alderan was leading the charge. They were in a clearing near Hogwarts. According to Alderan this was where the battles had taken place centuries ago. Hogwarts being built nearby as a show of superiority by the Light.
Alderan looked magnificent. His raven hair shone in the morning sun. It was tied back to the nape of his neck, showing the pale skin of his throat. His attire was simple. Boots that went up to the calf with trousers tucked in, and a white shirt and red waistcoat adding a little colour to the ensemble apart from black.
He looked like a nobleman about to court a princess, not a Vampyre riding to war.
Harry was wearing something similar, except his waistcoat was emerald green, a gift from Tom since he loved his eye colour so much. Tom was wearing the blue one he had gotten him for the same reason. Wearing it, it was almost like he was there instead on the other side of the Wizarding World fighting Ministry Officials.
Every now and then he would tap into their bond. They were still waiting to storm the complex apparently, and his lover's impatience was taking the edge off his nerves a little.
Both armies stared at each other. Dumbledore was wearing magenta robes with silver moons and stars covering it. McGonagall stood next to him in her standard black robes. She looked stern, and Harry prayed he wouldn't come up against her. Searching the crowd, he was glad not to see the Weasley's, but when his eyes landed on Remus he felt his stomach plummet.
Would his Dad approve of him fighting his best friend?
He really didn't want to know the answer.
Lysander stood next to him, looking slightly pale, clasping Blaise's hand reassuringly. Draco was beside them looking sombre, his parents behind him looking cold and proud. Harry knew this was a lie, however. Apart from Luna - she was staring dreamily at an eagle flying overhead - they were all nervous, and it took a few moments for him to realise the signal had been given.
It had begun.
Giving each other encouraging looks they ran. Spells were fired from all directions, and the lights lit up the clearing better than the sun could. He could hear the screams as creatures and wizards from both sides were felled, the anger of both sides was unimaginable in it's intensity, and it was only a matter of time until it reached boiling point.
He was in the thick of it now. All he could see was Dumbledore fighting Alderan, the Vampyre seeming to be more than a match for the aged Headmaster. It was almost as if they were in some sort of dance, and Harry could fully believe they had been opponents for centuries. They were in synch with each other in a way only lovers or enemies could be. Harry watched as Dumbledore summoned a snake of fire, wrapping it around Alderan who produced a cocoon of water. If was wasn't in danger himself he would have stopped to watch the stunning display of magic they were giving.
Lysander and Blaise had taken on McGonagall. The Transfiguration Professor was tough, but it was easy to see she was finding it hard to battle two of her pupils. Proof that there were those in the Light who saw the violence was appalling. Then there was Draco and his parents fighting off what appeared to be a quarter of the Order.
Checking his bond, he realised that Tom had now began the strike on the Ministry, it was going well and he felt his heart soar despite the conditions.
Then he found himself face to face with Remus.
"Harry, why?" asked Remus sadly, his grey eyes filled with tears.
"It's not what you think, Remus," yelled Harry, dodging a stray stunner.
"I see you've sided with the Dark, what am I supposed to think?" shouted the last connection Harry had to his parents.
"We don't want bloodshed, Dumbledore made it inevitable," replied Harry, shooting a stunner at the shaken man. He never wanted to fight him, but now was not the time for reason. Remus returned with a body bind which Harry easily deflected.
It was clear they never had the heart to fight each other.
"Please, just get out of here?" begged Harry, shooting another stunner.
"I can't. Dumbledore gave me a chance when no other would," said Remus sadly.
"I'm sorry," whispered Harry, not heard above the din of battle, but the Werewolf understood and nodded sadly.
Then they were duelling.
It wasn't vicious. They never wanted to fight, it was only circumstance that had brought them to this moment. Harry remembered him teaching him the Patronus. The defeated look on his face when his Lycanthropy was discovered and he was sacked. He was doing this for him. Remus just never had the full scope of the situation.
In the end Harry thought his friend let him stun him. They had been dancing around each other. No spell made its mark either through deflection of deliberately bad aim. Remus seemed to sigh, and Harry took this opportunity. The Werewolf fell into the dirt, and Harry cast a deflection charm on him so no one would trample him.
Turning his attention elsewhere, he searched his bond for a moment. Tom was there in an instant and he was struggling. Harry could feel the strain, but at the same moment he saw Alderan was losing to Dumbledore. The Headmaster had a golden glow around him, and Harry could see the Light shining through him. He truly was a puppet.
Save the Dark, or save Tom?
It was an impossible choice, but he had to make it.
Decision made, he ran over to Alderan, the aged Vampyre looking up gladly to have Harry there. Dumbledore merely looked more upset, but Harry could see the anger simmering beneath the surface.
He could feel the power in the spells both he and Alderan were deflecting. Dumbledore was powerful, but so were they.
Sending a ball of fire towards to Headmaster, Harry tapped into his talent, feeling the magic spring from his fingertips. Dumbledore's eyes widened at this display, and looking at his hands, he saw a purple glow surrounded him. A wind blew up around them, and Harry shot spell after spell, his magic searching for a weakness. He could feel the magic of Dumbledore, but his was more than a match for it, his core more stable than the old fool's. All the while he was aware of Tom fading, and he knew his lover was losing.
Making a split second decision, Harry sectioned off some of his magic, sending it through their bond to Tom. He could feel his lover strengthening, and the burst of gratitude he felt explode through their link made a grin form on his face.
Harry Potter, grinning like a madman in the most carnage the Wizarding World had seen in centuries. He could imagine how it would look, and quickly reined in his emotions.
He and Alderan were side by side now. Their magic mingled, not as violently as his and Tom's, but recognising the Darkness in both their users they melded, and pointing his palms towards Dumbledore he unleashed a magical storm. You could not see it, but you could hear the crackles of the magic, feel the power that had been released into the space. Harry had tapped directly into his magical core, siphoning into it's raw power. Had he not helped contain his magic he would never have been able to do this, and through controlled bursts he set it free.
Everyone seemed to stop. Time was suspended, and all eyes turned towards the brilliant lights coming from Alderan, Harry and Dumbledore. Harry and Alderan's magic surrounded them all, the purple glow from before mingled with hints of red and black.
However, Dumbledore conjured a shield, the golden hue wrapping around him like a Guardian, and with a start Harry realised he was seeing his magic.
Everything was still for a moment, like the calm before the storm, and then everything seemed to happen at once. Dumbledore's magic reached out and attacked Harry and Alderan's. Harry could feel the raw force powering it, but it was not as stable as theirs. He could also feel Tom's elation, and moments later his lover appeared by his side, his own magic reaching out instinctively and melding with the others.
"Albus," called Tom, "Stop this. This Ministry has fallen, there is nothing you can do. End this now, we will not destroy you."
Indeed Dumbledore looked as if the strain of fending off three Vampyre's magic as getting too much. The golden light receded back, as did the lights of Harry and Alderan. Slowly tendrills of Darkness reached out, binding Dumbledore. The elderly wizard in question was slumped in defeat. A sorry sight, even to someone who helped create it.
"Sonorus," muttered Alderan before addressing the battlefiend, "Cease the fighting at once!"
It took a few minutes for everyone to hear, but eventually all had stopped. The stillness was eerie compared to the activity of before, and Harry felt a wave of tiredness sweep him up, and he forced his eyes to remain open to witness this.
"The Ministry has fallen, there will be no more fighting. All who chose to continue will be stunned and delivered to Azkaban. Enough blood has been spilled this day. Together we shall build a new world, one that embraces everyone and every type of magic as long as it complies with common ethics. The deaths today will not be in vain for both sides, and we shall rise from the ashes a stronger society. Those who wish to stand in the way of progress, make yourselves known now," Alderan's tone had taken on a slightly mystic quality, and Harry felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
Not a single person moved.
Moments later cheers rose from the battlefield, some of the Light still to stunned to realise what had happened, and others too confused and just going along with it.
Smiling, Harry saw Tom turn to him. His eyes were lit up in a way he had never seen before. The blue orbs sparkled with happiness, and Harry wanted to kiss him. They had survived. Whatever decision out of the many he had made that day which had been the deciding factor was the right one.
The battle was over, and the relief coupled with the sheer fatigue slammed into him all at once. The next thing he was falling.
The last thing he saw was Tom's eyes changing from happiness, to confusion before finally settling on horror.
A/N: Thank you for the feedback! Just the Epilogue to go now! I hope this wasn't a disappointment, I really hate writing battles, and this is the third draft! I would really appreciate a review! The Epilogue should be up later tonight. :)
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.