I'm struggling to come up with ideas on how to finish the story. I didn't plan much further ahead than the end of blood feud so the rest I'm pretty much making up as I go along

This chapter is all about speeding up the storyline. It's likely going to divide people too

edited. I made a glaring mistake at the end regarding the unforgivables. hopefully I corrected it in time

Thank you all for our reviews

I own nothing

Voldemort

It had been a very trying time lately for the self-proclaimed Dark Lord. After his defeat at the ministry at the hands of Potter and Dumbledore he had been scared for the first time in his life. He was well on his way to being beaten by Potter, they were seemingly matched in power, and it was only the spell repertoire he had that was stopping his defeat. Dumbledore interfering was a ready-made excuse to leave. Unfortunately, by the time he had created an opening to do so the entire ministry had arrived to witness him being there. Finding out that Thirty-Nine of his forty Death Eaters he'd sent to the ministry had been captured or killed by Potter and the Order left him incensed. It was clear he would have to personally oversee the training of his followers in future. Clearly his Inner Circle were not fit for the job.

For the next few months all his original plans had been put on the back burner because of this. He had appointed several other purebloods to the Inner Circle but very few held the power or influence of his previous ones. Discovering that his previous Inner Circle were all killed a few months later by the purges Scrimgeour had commenced left him perpetually angry. That was a lot of gold and influence he was now without. He still had his power, but even that was seemingly waning. He had still not found out just what was causing the issues. He had tasked Severus to find out, but he never had the chance to discover what was wrong with him before he was killed at Godric's Hollow. Luckily, he now had a new potions master as a live-in guest. Thinking of Slughorn made his lips curl. The man was a weasel, but he was also a skilled potioneer. And he needed just such a person for the ritual that was due to take place on Hallowe'en. He had given Horace all of Severus' research notes and tasked him with creating the 'Heirship Potion' along with all the substitute ingredients that he had coerced out of his followers. They didn't need to know why he asked for certain ingredients as far as he was concerned. They just needed to obey. Which they did after the threat of death was issued.

He had deliberately kept Bellatrix in his mansion after Death appeared and stole Draco's soul. She needed to be around him for at least ten days, performing no magic and taking care of herself for the ritual to work. The threat of the cruciatus was not needed for Bellatrix to agree due to her infatuation with him. He had actively used this over the decades to get Bella to do whatever he wanted. While she was incredibly mentally unstable, she was still the most useful tool at his disposal. Point her at an enemy, make up some nonsense and she was like a shark that smelled blood.

Death appearing had terrified him. He had hoped keeping Draco with him he'd be able to keep him alive, the Malfoy money was essential for his future plans given the letter he had received a few days ago. He was furious with the Goblins, but he had to build up his army again before he could wipe the filthy creatures off the face of the planet. Apparently, he had been found to have breached Goblin law by having one of his followers store an 'item of abhorrence' in their vault. As such all monies in the Slytherin vault or the Riddle vault would be held in perpetuity for his heir, should he have one as a result. He was barred from stepping foot on any Goblin soil worldwide. They didn't care if he murdered his own kind but breaching Goblin Law was unforgivable. He was still clueless what follower of his had done such a thing or even what the object was but he would make sure to ask their King just before he killed him personally for the affront

The only upside of Draco's death would be that he inherited the Malfoy money. The Goblins were not allowed to interfere in inheritances and as long as he didn't keep the money in Gringotts he could do what he wanted with it. Given his banned status he had sent a minion in his place to collect what he was owed and was now awaiting their return

Hearing a ward go off he sat up in his chair and waited for the Death Eater to enter. When he did, he noticed they were nervous, usually this would be a good thing, but this man was terrified. Unsure why he held his hand out and silently asked for his inheritance. Pulling out a small pouch he handed it to Voldemort along with two scrolls. Putting down the pouch he looked one of the scrolls. It was a letter and immediately his magic flared in anger upon reading it. Looking at his minion he asked angrily "where is the rest? Speak!"

"My lord" came the reply "that was all I was given. I swear it"

Picking up the pouch he emptied into his hand and a single bronze Knut fell into his open hand. Roaring in anger he cast the Killing Curse at the death eater, picked up the second scroll and apparated away.

Pettigrew who had heard the roar of anger from outside the door waited until he was sure the coast was clear before entering. Looking at the now dead body of the death eater he ignored it and picked up the discarded letter

Tom Marvolo Riddle

We are writing to you following the release of the Malfoy family will. As there are no heirs left alive you are the only beneficiary in the will, we at Gringotts are writing to inform you that the Malfoy estate has been released to you in its entirety. Given your status as an enemy of the Goblin Nation we are loathe to do so but laws need to be upheld and so we are willing to agree to your proxy collecting what is owed to you

Attached to this letter we are sending all monies left to you along with the deed to Malfoy Manor. You should be aware that during Blood Feud between families Potter-Black and Malfoy, the then Lady Malfoy had her dowry taken back due to being granted her requested divorce. This has been deducted from all monies left. Along with that Narcissa Black gave away a percentage of the Malfoy fortune to the newly commissioned Marauders Orphans fund set up by Lord Potter-Black to help orphaned children who had been casualties of the war. Due to this the total monies owed to yourself is One Knut

We at Gringotts advise you not to spend it all at once

Lord Gringott

King of the Goblin Nation

Well Peter thought, he could understand why his master had left in a rage. Quickly leaving he fled to the part of the manor where Bellatrix was living and informed her of what had happened. She too was furious that Cissy had done something like this. It cemented her Blood Traitor status as far as she was concerned, to insult her master like this was unforgivable and the next time she saw her she would not hesitate to kill her.

Tom arrived at the place where he knew Malfoy Manor was. He couldn't directly apparate into the manor until he claimed his property. The magic of the wards let him through the gates after he had placed his hands on the Malfoy crest adorned on them and claimed ownership. Walking down the path shaded by trees on either side he suddenly stopped when it came to an end. Where was the manor? What lay in front of him was nothing but a burned-out ruin. Extending his magic out he received his answer. Cursed fire. That was what had gutted the former Malfoy Manor. Making his way through the ruin he stopped when in front of him he found a pedestal with an orb floating just above it. Removing his wand, he checked for traps and found none. Walking up to the orb he walked around it, contemplating just what to do about it. He concluded that he would just have to activate it. Preparing himself for an attack he tapped the orb with his wand and jumped back when an ethereal voice floated out from it

The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not… The past will help him as Death calls to him, he will find strength from the most unlikely of sources as the Light Lord perishes… Wizard kind stands on the very brink and a choice must be made at the utter end… The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches

Was this it Tom thought? Was this the prophecy Severus had heard the first part to? It didn't tell him anything! Thirteen years he had been disembodied, for this? Severus was lucky he was dead, or he'd kill him himself. He had placed his plans of domination on hold while he sought out information on his prophesied downfall, having his spies placed in every department of St Mungos waiting on news of witches due to give birth at the end of July. Ultimately, he had narrowed it down to two families. The Potters and the Longbottoms. Both were part of the old fools Order, both had actively fought him and his Death Eaters back and both were equally as persistent in defying him. And both had sons born at the very end of July

It was his last duel with the mudblood that confirmed to him who the likely candidate was during a raid. No one had got a hit in on him other than Dumbledore for the last fifty years and yet she had knocked him into a building before fleeing with a lucky shot. He had been enraged and then fortune seemingly smiled on him just a few weeks later. Pettigrew, the most unlikely of people had given him the news he was after. The Potters were located at Godric's Hollow. He was desperate to act fast and eliminate them but decided to wait until Hallowe'en. It seemed fitting that the one prophesied to be his downfall would be the final victim chosen to power his last horcrux on Samhain night thus making him truly invincible.

It hadn't. It had gone spectacularly wrong. The mudblood had done something that disembodied him for thirteen long years. And his downfall had grown up into a very powerful young man. Fate, it seemed was a bitch and hadn't liked Tom trying to circumvent a prophecy. Harry had defied him and nearly beaten him every time they had fought. He suspected a higher power was interfering as Tom had been more powerful than anyone else in over a thousand years when his body was destroyed. No baby could be that powerful. But he had returned to a body that was identical to one he had previously. He suspected that Pettigrew had messed up the potion that brought him back and had done something to cause his magic to regress to what it was before his power enhancing rituals. And unfortunately, they could only be done once due to the sacrifices needed.

Deciding on a course of action Tom destroyed the orb and apparated away. Striding into his main hall he saw Peter there hauling the body away. Usually, he'd let Nagini have it, but she had been killed. Stopping dead in his tracks he recalled his power draining immediately after she was killed. Was that what it was? Had his anchors been attacked? No, surely not. No one knew about them. But Dumbledore may have found out about his grandfather. After all he knew what family he was from and Marvolo wasn't a common name. And Severus had said he was dying because of a curse to his hand. Had Dumbledore found the ring and the withering curse activated? His mind went back to not twenty minutes ago. Hadn't the prophecy stated that the Light Lord would die? Fear swept through him. Calling for an eager Death Eater and grabbing onto him, he forcibly apparated them to the shack where he discovered it in ruins. Making the boy clear away the debris he strode forward to where the ring was left and found nothing. Just an empty box. His mind reeled. The Horcruxes were under attack!

He still hadn't told the boy why he had been apparated them forcefully and had no intention to either. Grabbing hold of the snivelling Death Eater he apparated them away to the cave where he placed the Imperius curse on the poor man and forced him to drink all the potion. Grabbing the locket, he immediately knew something was wrong. This was not his ancestor's locket! Opening it he read the note and his magic exploded sending the man flying into the water where his body was immediately ripped apart by the Inferi. That was four confirmed to have gone! He had tortured Lucius for hours after finding out what he had done to the diary. Nagini died by Gellert's hand and now the ring and the locket were also gone! And he was unable to check on the tiara until he captured Hogwarts and the cup until he captured Gringotts. Gringotts! That must be what the item was that had him banned from Goblin Territory. He suspected the goblins had destroyed the cup so at most he had one left! Five gone! That was unacceptable. And he was unable to create any more due the instability of his fractured soul. He had tried to see if he could create more not long before the showdown at the ministry and found he couldn't. He didn't have enough left to shear off another piece.

Anger ripped through him again. He knew that no one would be able to find the Tiara as he had hidden that in a place no one else knew about. He was certain about that. But therein lay a problem. If no one could find it, then how could they resurrect him should he be killed again. It would need to be moved, as soon as possible. Making a decision he called for Peter

"I have another task for you Wormtail" he said menacingly "you are going to Hogwarts. I shall give you a list of directions to an item that belongs to me. I need it retrieved as soon as possible. You will not deviate from what I tell you, I shall know if you do. The item I need is in a hidden room only I have found. Do not fail me on this" giving him the directions and a mild crucio he ordered Wormtail to go. When he left, he called for Bellatrix. As she arrived his anger flared again

"Bella" he said quietly "dear sweet Bella. I believe you have something to tell me Bella" seeing her confused look he continued his voice rising until he was shouting "no? no news of any kind? Nothing about how you have let those filthy goblins take your vault and destroy the item I trusted you with?"

Seeing her face pale Tom was tempted to crucio her until her eyes bled but he knew he couldn't "you are very lucky that I need you magic free until Hallowe'en Bella but know this, as soon as you have given birth to my heir, I will punish you extremely severely for this"

"My Lord!" she said "I had nothing to do with it! It was Potter! Potter disowned me from the Black family, and he gave my vault to the Longbottoms as reparations for what we did to them! I had no control over it."

"I do not want to hear your snivelling excuses!" Tom screamed standing up "why did you not hide it at your family mansion? I know for a fact that Lucius had a secret room that only he and I knew about at his manor house, and he hid the artifact I gave him successfully from the Aurors for twenty years until he foolishly tried to use it to discredit a rival and that too was destroyed. You have no excuse, Bella. You're very lucky right now that I cannot punish you. Get out of my sight!" seeing her scamper away in tears left him feeling somewhat satisfied. It wasn't enough. He apparated to a small muggle village on the outskirts of Huddersfield and set about destroying it. His rage knew no bounds and within an hour the place was levelled with masses of muggle bodies lying on the ground. Hearing a pop behind him he span around and saw ten aurors appear with their wands out. Smiling sinisterly, he opened fire on them all and gave no quarter, he saw one manage to send off a messenger patronus somewhere and laughed. He was vicious, he was brutal and within five minutes all but one was dead. Walking over to the last one he cruciod her repeatedly until he knew her mind was about to give in when he suddenly stopped as he felt a presence behind him. Turning around he saw his arch-nemesis standing there with two wands in his hands ready for a fight

"Hello Potter. Come to die?" he asked smiling

"Not today, Tom, you're welcome to drop dead at any point though if you like" Harry answered

"Our time has not yet come Harry" he said putting his wand away "but it will be very soon" and with that Tom apparated away. He plans to put in place, starting with those filthy animals at Gringotts

Sighing Harry put his own wands away and walked to the only surviving auror. Tapping the auror badge on the woman's chest he made it into a portkey and watched as she disappeared to St Mungo's. Hopefully she would be ok, he didn't hold out much hope though. Looking around he saw the devastation. He remembered seeing this place on a TV show in his youth that his uncle watched. Something about Summer Wine he thought. The place was now utterly destroyed. There was no way the ministry could cover this one up. Hearing pops behind him he saw several more aurors appear. Walking over to them he saw their faces of disbelief. Focusing on him the one in charge asked him what happened here. The reply of "Voldemort" sent a shudder through the assembled parties. Giving them his statement, he was about to leave when he was stopped by a moan off to the side. Rushing over he levitated the debris off a small child. Calling an auror over he asked him to call a healer

"We can't potter, she's a muggle. She will have to be obliviated and then go to a muggle hospital. I'm sorry Potter but that's the law"

Ignoring the Auror Harry bent down and scooped up the small child and apparated away to Hogwarts. He didn't trust the healers at St Mungos but he did trust Madame Pomphrey. Gently placing her down outside the gates he sent a patronus to Albus requesting aid at the gates. Not even a minute later Albus appeared with Fawkes. Explaining the situation Fawkes flashed her away to the hospital wing while Harry walked there at Albus' side and explained what had happened

"I was with Tonks in Diagon Alley when she got a call about Voldemort going on a rampage in a small village somewhere outside Leeds. I told her to go and get backup and I'd see if I could head him off. I got there just as he was about to finish off the last Auror of the team that originally took the call. Tom said a few words about how 'it was not yet our time' before he left. The village is gone Albus, everyone there was dead. There was rubble and bodies everywhere. I have no idea what set him off, but he was clearly pissed off. As I gave my statement to the next Aurors who showed up I heard the muggle girl moan. The auror told me St Mungos wouldn't take her, so I brought her here. I apologise Albus but I couldn't leave her to be obliviated and shipped off to a muggle hospital without knowing what had happened"

"Alas Harry, we are bound by the laws" Albus said sadly "it will be what happens to her should she survive"

"But she has no family Albus" Harry protested as he was about to start on a rant

"I am aware Harry" Albus said pre-empting it "I am not saying it is right, I am saying it's the law. I don't like it either, I have repeatedly over the years tried to get a department put in place to deal with this very issue so that orphans, particularly muggle ones that have suffered at the hands of wizards are cared for. Sadly, I have been blocked at every turn Harry. If you want to try and put forth a bill, I will be fully behind you, but be prepared to be shouted down by the purebloods in charge. Now, let's go see about our mysterious ward, shall we?"

Walking to the Hospital wing in a furious silence he saw many of the students milling around. Clearly, he was pissed off, so everyone avoided him except for Luna who appeared and jumped on his back. Luna had the remarkable ability to calm anyone down at any given moment. Carrying on as if this was normal Luna listened to what had happened and as they arrived at the Hospital wing doors she simply said "everything will work out for the best Harry" before she skipped away. Opening the doors, he walked over to see Madam Pomphrey sat in a chair at the side of the young girl crying. Looking up she simply shook her head at the unanswered question. The girl hadn't made it. Harry collapsed into a chair at her side and gave her a hug and said it wasn't her fault. She knew this anyway; she had always tried her best with every one of her charges. But it was nice to be told so sometimes. Looking at the young girl, she could have passed as someone asleep. She had a small button nose, jet black hair and cute little dimples on her cheeks. She was adorable, and he was sure her family would have adored her too. Harry didn't know why but he felt a strange connection with her. Deciding he looked at Albus who had tears running down his face too and spoke

"She will need to be buried Albus, I will go back to the nearest village to the one that was destroyed and make some enquiries. She deserves to be buried with her family" looking at Poppy he asked gently "can you please prepare her body while I go and purchase a coffin. I will keep her at my home for now until I find out where her family are to be rested and I will take her to the hospital myself" receiving a nod Harry left to do just that

It was an exhausting few days for Harry but finally he received the news he was after. All the funerals were due to take place later that week and he silently snuck into the hospital that house all the bodies and placed her coffin there as well. Modifying the documents was easy and as no one was around to ask questions the hospital staff went along with it when they saw that the girls' parents were also in the morgue too.

On the day of the funeral Harry sat at the back as he listened to the undertaker give a mass eulogy. It made him incredibly angry that Tom had done this. Sixty-eight dead, all from ages two months to ninety-six. Harry decided that he was going to take the fight to Tom. He knew roughly where Little Hangleton graveyard was. Toms father was from near there and had a house on the hillside. He would start there. Standing up he noticed a figure off to the side, walking over he immediately recognised her. It was Dee

"Why?" was all Harry asked angrily

Sighing Dee answered "I'm not responsible for the actions of mortals Harry..."

"Then who is?" Harry interrupted angrily "who decides to create a species and then brutally cuts that species life short before they have even had a chance of living?"

"You're asking the most difficult question ever there Harry. I'm afraid I have no answer to that" Dee responded

"Then point me to them Dee" Harry growled "Because believe me, when I see them, I will kill them. What kind of sick mind thinks it's acceptable to let someone they created die before they've even had the chance to grow up?

"Again, Harry I have no answer that will satisfy you" Dee said

After a minute of silence harry asked her "why are you so keen to get your hands on Voldemort's soul? Why do you keep the pieces in a jar in your bedroom?"

"He should have been one of the good ones Harry. And he tried to run from me. He split his soul. He violated the one rule I gave out when magical mankind was created, you do not violate your soul. In any way" grabbing Harry's hand she implored him "you must get me that last piece Harry"

Shaking his hand out of hers in disgust he walked a few feet away from her. "You know Dee, I found a rather interesting spell the other day in the Black library. The spell is 'perdere animam'" seeing her face contort in horror he continued "oh you know of that spell, do you? I was considering using it on Tom when I next see him"

"Harry you mustn't!" Dee said horrified running up to him and grabbing his arm "that spell should never have been created. You cannot use that spell Harry"

"You lost any right to ask a single thing of me four days ago when you collected the soul of an innocent seven-year-old girl Dee" Harry said viciously shaking her off "all she wanted was to be able to go to the tea-rooms with her mum and dad and have a jam scone. Instead, she was murdered by a psychopath whose soul you should have collected the minute you knew he'd found information on how to split it. I know full well that you can have more interaction with the mortal world than you let on. You told me yourself you could have collected the Three Brothers' souls without them even being aware. Your fascination with Tom will end the next time I see him. Because when I do, that last piece of his soul, will be destroyed and never make it to you" with that Harry apparated away leaving a very worried Dee in the graveyard. A loud Toll of a bell echoed through the graveyard. Another soul needed helping on to the afterlife. Appearing at The Gateway she was very surprised to see who it was

Hogsmeade

Ron made his way to the Three Broomsticks to his meeting with Hermione. He was incredibly nervous. The last time he saw Hermione he was lying on a hospital bed after Harry had nearly killed him. He'd never seen Harry that angry before and he was certain that if the professors or Hermione hadn't interfered, he would no longer be living. His mother had made things worse the next day in Dumbledores office. He was convinced her actions had gone a long way to making Harry think he hated him. He hadn't lied really when he woke up after the attack, he just never told the whole truth about why he hit Hermione. The fact that not longer after he told the white lie the truth came out likely compounded the issue. The suspension probably also saved his life because he knew Harry wouldn't hold back the next time he saw him. Especially after his mother's actions

In a way the suspension from Hogwarts had helped Ron immensely. He had taken a few days sitting in the Weasleys orchard to think about what he had done and found he didn't like himself. He had hurt the two people that meant the most in the world to him. He had never meant to hurt Hermione; he knew he loved her and was hopeful that she'd become his girlfriend very soon. That was now very likely nothing more than a pipe dream. Reading what happened over the last week with Harry had been a wake-up call. Harry was clearly destined for greatness and Ron could have been along for the ride if he could have controlled his temper and jealousy better.

He had written letters of apology to them both but Harrys had returned unopened with a letter attached to it. It wasn't long but it was to the point. Pulling it out as he walked past The Hogs Head down the lane, he read it again

Ron

I am returning your letter unopened. I have no desire to listen to or read a single thing you say. Hermione might be thinking with her private parts but I am certainly not. I already gave you a second chance after the situation with the Goblet of Fire at Hermione's request. You will not get a third

I have no control over what Hermione does or does not do. If she becomes your friend again then I won't abandon her, but I will keep a very close eye on you. Once a woman beater- always a woman beater as far as I'm concerned. You have been warned

Do not contact me again.

Lord Potter-Black

Head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter and Black

Harry had gone full title on him. Ron knew what that meant, growing up in the wizarding world it meant that Harry was now on the top rung of the ladder and Ron wasn't even on the first step. Every-time he read the letter he felt a wave of sadness hit him. Well hopefully he could get at least one of his friends back. And given what Harry intimated in his letter Hermione liked him back! As he was about to open the doors to the Three Broomsticks, he felt a wave of peace come over him as he heard a voice in his head call him over. Following the voice in his head he made his way to the back room of Honeydukes and down the passageway that led to Hogwarts. As they reached the One-Eyed witch statue the voice gave him an instruction and left him to follow it.

Ron walked at a steady pace making his way to the great hall. He passed a few people on the way but gave no indication that he had seen them. He had a mission to do and he wouldn't let anyone stop him. Walking into the hall he noticed that the teachers were all there. Quickly walking to the middle, he saw his target sitting down eating. His target looked up and asked "Mr Weasley?", quicker than anticipated Ron raised his wand and shouted "Avada Kedavra" and a green light sped out of his wand and hit his surprised target before he turned his wand on himself and cast the same curse. Alarms went off everywhere immediately as the students panicked to leave the hall

Hermione sat in the Three Broomsticks waiting for Ron to appear. Going through her mind was the conversation she was going to have with him. She had several important issues to talk to him about. She was incredibly irritated with Harry at the moment. She knew her first letter was timed badly and she felt really bad about that. Harry didn't need that before he was about to finish Blood Feud and she had apologised profusely in her follow up letter. She was not impressed with his reply. How dare he accuse her of thinking with her private parts rather than her brain. The attraction to Ron had ended when he hit her. Plain and simple. Sitting at the booth she was beginning to get angry. Ron was now half an hour late. She abhorred tardiness with a passion. She was about to get up and leave when alarms rang out through the Village. Wondering what was going on she quickly left and found everyone racing towards Hogwarts. It seemed that's where they were emanating from and she followed the crowd

At the same time Alarms raced through the ministry of Magic. It had been a rough few days for the Aurors but at least they now knew the newly implemented Taboo on the Unforgivable curses worked, they hadn't quite got it right for the Imperius yet but they were nearly there. Two out of three was still pretty good given the timespan in which they'd been created. It was what drew the Auror squadron to where Voldemort was, unfortunately at the time they didn't know who they were going to be facing. This time though the alarm was originating from Hogwarts. The minister of Magic was waiting at the reception hall for them. It seemed like he would be going with them. Apparating to the school they made their way to the hall where they saw multiple people crying and panicking along the way. Making their way inside they stopped short when the head table came into view

Pettigrew knew he only had a limited time to succeed in his masters' mission. Transforming into a rat gave him more speed and he raced up to the seventh-floor corridor and followed the instructions his master gave him. Opening the door to the cavernous room he ran to the place his master had hidden his treasure and found it wasn't there. Searching around the area in case it had been moved he came up empty. Knowing his master would read his mind he made a show of looking around before he left. As soon as the door closed behind him alarms rang through the school as shutters appeared on every window. Transforming he raced down to the statue but found it locked. His best chance of escape was in the dungeons and out through the sewers. Avoiding panicking people was difficult but he managed to make it to the bottom floor and hid in the corner. He panicked when he saw aurors come streaming in the door but took his chance to escape. In the melee nobody noticed a rat with a silver paw streak his way to the Whomping Willow. He knew he'd be punished for returning empty handed but hopefully he would be spared given what he knew had happened. Albus Dumbledore was dead