Out Of The Darkness

Okay guys I know the sword of Gryffindor in the original only came to those who needed it - well in this story Harry's going to cancel the spell Godric put on it to make it happen okay? I know it's probably stupid but I need to explain how it stays with him.

Chapter 28

Tokyo Tensai - I'm missing your reviews buddy :) i hope to see more of them one day ;) and that you are still enjoying the story!

The Sword Of Gryffindor And Hogwarts

It was an ironic sight indeed to see Ash needing transported anywhere, for the first time Harry was able to use his normal magic to take them to Hogwarts. They landed just outside the wards, nearby the gates, which were closed. Hogwarts wasn't in session, so it didn't surprise Harry at all. He stood smiling at the sight before him; he had missed this place more than he'd ever admit. It had been his only home, at least until he got himself his house as he attended college and university. Admittedly towards the end he'd not been living in it much. Spending the majority of his time in Greece, only coming back for the presentation. Which Ash had royally screwed up, but hey, he'd do it all over again to get the man he loved.

"Pretty," said Simi gazing around in wonder, her expression was the same any eleven year old supported upon seeing the beautiful castle upon joining Hogwarts. Although the view was more magnificent at night, and on the boat towards the school. Harry though still had the same look he always did. To many it was just a school, to a select few it had always been home.

"Let's go," said Harry finally bringing himself out of his thoughts, it was in the past. He had a new home now, one with Ash and Simi. One he wouldn't give up to come back here, that was for sure. Although both words were just as prejudice and it wasn't something Harry could change. At least he wasn't considered strange in his new world, he fit in and that was what Harry had always wanted.

Ash stared at the castle, aware that this had been Harry's first home. The first place he'd ever been happy, and it was no wonder. The castle was beautiful, even he - who had seen many things, had to agree with that. It wasn't often you saw buildings so old beautiful preserved as this was. The memories he had gotten from Harry let him identify places, such as the Forbidden forest and of course the lake. He also knew the place held just as many bad memories too. The final battle had taken place here.

Harry pressed his hand against the gate, and it opened for him - welcoming him home after so long. Even if Harry had been barred from entering Hogwarts, he would still have been able to enter. He was the heir of Godric Gryffindor, and through magic he was the heir of Slytherin. The only heir of Slytherin left in the world actually. Instead of going straight to the school, Harry went to the Shrieking Shack, his magic freezing the tree before it could start flapping around. Ducking down, he entered the tree, he sniggered seeing Simi and Ash following, which great difficulty. Then again it wasn't that easy for him, he wasn't the small seventeen years old he had been before.

Harry wandered over to the exact spot Severus had died, the blood was gone but the memories remained. He made a note to himself to go to his grave before leaving, because Severus hadn't had family he would have been burnt by the Ministry where his body had been lying. Harry had claimed it before it could happen, burying him in Godric's Hollow next to his parents. They had never gotten on, and probably never would have, but for what Severus had done during the war - he had his eternal gratitude and respect.

"Are you okay?" asked Ash quietly, the 'Shack' was disgusting, and not somewhere someone deserved to die.

"He nearly died when he was sixteen years old here, or at least turned into a werewolf, it's at the height of irony that he'd die here many years later." said Harry sadly, "I thought really badly of him for seven years and he didn't deserve it."

"He never showed you any other facet of his character, it wasn't your fault." said Ash, "I doubt he's worrying about it."

"Perhaps, but I hope he's happy now, and I also hope my mother has forgiven him." said Harry wistfully.

Simi just watched bored, despite her appearance she was actually only a child in human emotion and mind. "Is Akri Harry missing his family?" asked Simi quietly.

"Well…he wasn't exactly family," said Harry wondering if he could ever get Simi to understand his and Snape's relationship. Hell he didn't really understand it himself, but that was only because Snape still confused him to this very day. Some part of Harry liked to think Severus had liked him, his strong defence said as much. He'd been furious with Dumbledore for raising Harry for a pig to the slaughter.

"Listen and I'll tell you what Akri once told me. We have three kinds of family. Those we are born to, those who are born to us and those we let into our hearts. I have let you into my heart so the Simi is your family and she won't give you up. If you are sad right now, then I'm thinking your family is still in your heart too, and they are taking up so much room that you have no room for anyone else." said Simi.

"I wouldn't give them up, they've made me who I am." said Harry smiling softly at Simi, it sounded like something Ash would say.

"And you shouldn't. Ever. No one should ever forget those they love. But it's like with QVC – whenever I fill up my room with too much stuff, Akri builds me another room. Somehow there's always space for more. Your heart can always expand to take in as many people as you need it to. The people who live there, they don't go away. You just make room for one more person and then another and another and another." said Simi.

Harry nodded; it reminded him of the speech Sirius had given him when he was thirteen. That his parents weren't truly gone, they were in his heart, and would always be as long as he lived. Since he was going to live forever, his parents were always going to be around. Even if it was just in his heart, perhaps it was time to let certain things go. "I couldn't agree more." said Harry quietly, he magically created a wreath filled with Lily's and placed it upon the floor where Severus Snape had breathed his last. "Let's go." he said with finality, he wouldn't be back here he was saying his last goodbye to a…mentor in many ways.

Ash for the first time was able to see what had happened here, he had touched the shack wall and immediately events began overwhelming him. The fear he felt, from Severus was overwhelming. He had feared he wouldn't be able to tell Harry about Dumbledore's message. Despite what Dumbledore had wanted Severus had still been loyal to his dying breath to the old fool. He had accepted his end; he knew he would die before the end of the war. He was also extremely grateful it was by Voldemort's hands and not someone he regarded as an acquaintance or friend. He also felt Harry's terror and wanted desperately to comfort him. He had to remind himself that it was over, Harry no longer needed help, he was strong and powerful. Powerful enough to free him from Artemis completely. Never in a million years would he have thought that possible.

"Ash?" asked Harry his voice curious.

Ash's head snapped up, and he shook off his lingering thoughts and the memories just presented to him. It was the first time that had happened, since he'd met Harry anyway. He'd never seen anything that resolved around Harry, shouldn't it be like that now especially since he loved Harry and he couldn't see the past or present of those he did indeed cherish. "I saw it," said Ash, "It's the first time I've seen anything relating to you or your world."

"Maybe it's because you have some of my magic?" guessed Harry, as the three crawled back through the tree trunk.

"Is Hogwarts empty usually empty during the summer?" asked Acheron, staring at a figure far off in the distance.

Harry followed his gaze, a wistful smile slipping onto his face, "I wouldn't know I've never been at Hogwarts during the summer." every other holiday was different altogether, and he ever left Hogwarts unless he had to. The figure in the distance was Neville Longbottom, tending to the plants in the greenhouse; obviously he had become the school's Herbology teacher. "Is he happy?"

"Very happy," said Ash, he normally didn't reveal people's lives but this was Harry. "He's married to a one Hannah Abbott, who is the landlady of the Leaky Cauldron. They have two children, a girl and a boy, Frank and Alice Longbottom they are named."

"The hat might have wanted to put him in Huffelpuff but he's a true Gryffindor." said Harry proudly, "He was the one who protected everyone when we left to hunt Horcruxes. He even had the guts to openly defy Voldemort. He told him he'd join him when hell froze over. If that was impressive what's more impressive was he actually destroyed the last one, he killed Nagini, Voldemort's snake. I am surprised he didn't marry Luna, I thought they would have gotten together."

"They are still very good friends," said Ash quietly, he was learning quite a bit about Harry now that he was here. If he thought that's all it would have taken he'd have brought him here ages ago.

"They are the ones I miss, Nev and Luna…Sunshine reminds me of her." said Harry smiling sadly.

"Go and speak to him, he has missed you also," said Ash, he had no fear that Harry would leave him. That he would remain in this world, Harry loved magic but didn't miss the hypocrisy of it all. If he did have such fears he would never have suggested it. Ash for once in his life was being greedy.

"No, there's no point to it. I will only just leave again, it's not fair on them." said Harry shaking his head, he had written to Neville an of course Luna before leaving. So Neville would know he had thought of him before going. It wasn't a decision he'd reached lightly, but damn it they were pushing things on him he didn't want. It was either leave or go insane, or kill everyone and be sent to Azkaban because either one would have happened. "Let's just get what I came here for."

"Do you know its here?" asked Ash as he Harry and Simi walked up the steps, Simi was rather quiet which did concern Ash but sometimes Simi was like that in new places.

"It probably is a place of honour on the Headmistress' office." said Harry wryly. It was after all the instrument in the downfall of Lord Voldemort - whether the world knew it or not. Nobody knew about the Horcrux's bar a few order members, and of course himself, Hermione and Ron.

"Whoa," said Ash as they got onto a moving staircase, not expecting it to start moving. He did eventually relax as it moved them to another platform so they could get off. Simi though had immediately grabbed on to her Akri, knowing he'd keep her safe.

"It was a nightmare getting used to them, as an eleven year old attending classes. Sometimes it even went in the direction you didn't want and refused to move." said Harry his voice filled with amusement.

"How?" asked Simi frowning.

"Magic," said Harry as if it explained it all - and it did.

After a few more stops they finally got to the Gargoyle that protected the Headmaster/mistress' office. Harry would never be able to guess whatever it is now, so he pressed his palm to the gargoyle. Hoping it would do as he commanded it - and open up. Thankfully it did as Harry bid, and they were going up the spiralling staircase. Ash and Simi once again amused and a little amazed. Considering all they'd seen, it was hard pressed for them to be completely gobsmacked.

Unfortunately Harry was when he entered the office, if he didn't know any better he'd say Dumbledore was still alive. He shuddered inwardly; whoever was in charge was really creepy keeping it like this. There was a multicoloured cloak hanging on the chair, one that only Dumbledore was mad enough to wear. Then there was royal blue hat, with stars on it sitting on top of the desk. It was impossible, Dumbledore couldn't be alive! He felt as though he'd gone back in time.

"What's wrong?" asked Ash quietly, as he stared around in awe at the talking, gossiping portraits. That was something he had never seen before in his life, he wondered how on earth it was possible. He was blown away; it wasn't just really cool but also slightly creepy.

"Nothing, its fine." said Harry shaking his head, not possible, without dwelling on it anymore he opened the glass cabinet that held the sword of Gryffindor. Destroying all the spells keeping it in the case. Once he held the sword in his hand, he removed the spell that made the sword transport itself to anyone 'brave' in need of help. He wanted the sword for himself; he didn't want others getting their hands on it.

"What are you doing? That's a Hogwarts heirloom! I demand you put it down at once!" yelled one of the Headmaster portraits.

"Ooo sparklies!" said Simi gazing at the rubies on top of the sword.

"No, Simi," said Harry shaking his head.

"Put it down!" cried another portrait.

"Oh shut up," said Harry rolling his eyes, as they all made their way out of the Headmaster's office. The Black portrait though was laughing in amusement, as if he had suspected such a thing would happen all along.

"No Simi, No Simi, I don't like to be told No, bad Akri's," said Simi pouting at the fact she couldn't get the pretty jewels on the sword.

Harry laughed in amusement as they reached the steps and began descending again. "Tell you what Simi, I'll take you to Gringotts and let you choose five jewels - they are much bigger and sparkler than this one." said Harry gesturing to the sword.

"Ooo the Simi likes this!" said Simi suddenly happy, almost jumping up and down on the spot. The only reason she wasn't was because she was currently on a moving staircase.

Ash and Harry shared a secret amused smile as they made their down the steps.

"Nobody is allowed in Hogwarts during the summer," said the bloody Baron scaring the living daylights out of Ash, Harry and Simi.

"Don't worry we aren't staying," said Harry, all the students often wondered about the blood on the Baron, and how he'd come to be here. None of the students were brave enough to ask, but Harry knew. He had committed suicide, not the adventurous death many thought he'd died. Most people though he'd lost a duel back in the days they used swords or something as absurd at that.

The Bloody baron stared at them for a few minutes more, especially at the sword before he moved on. To wherever the ghosts like to spend time, no doubt all the ghosts will know what happened within five minutes.

"Impressive," said Ash in wonder as he watched the ghost retreat, Talon would love it here. Talon was the one who had the gift of seeing ghosts; evidently it wasn't needed in this world. It was a first for him, well other than Ryssa when he used the stone but he hadn't seen her without it.

"Yeah," said Harry before they got outside Hogwarts again, as soon as they were outside the wards he Apparated them to the graveyard. He knew the exact location, so he was able to apparate straight to Severus' tomb. He was furious to see it had been destroyed, the headstone he'd paid a fortune for. His nostrils flared and his magic crackled around him. Harry pressed his hand to the remaining stone and before long it was repairing itself. He added more magic to it, making it indestructible; nobody would ever desecrate the grave again.

The tombstone was onyx marble, with silver words etched into it. A Slytherin badge at the side, Severus had always been proud to be a Slytherin.

Herein lies Severus Snape

January 9th 1960 - May 1st 1998

I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even stopper death

A beloved son

A beloved friend

A war hero and Headmaster

A mentor

A guardian standing guard from the shadows

The youngest Potions Master in the world

May he find peace that he never had in this world

Blessed be

Harry knew Severus' father hadn't loved him or his wife, but he liked to think that Severus' mother had loved him some. Severus was a war hero, and he didn't care what anyone else thought. He had been a mentor in a strange way, always guarding him as he had put down - guarding him from the shadows, never seen but never faltering in trying to keep him alive in memory of his mother.

"I hope you're happy," said Harry quietly, with a flourish another bouquet of flowers, lilies appeared in his arms. He placed them down, smug in the knowledge that nobody would ever be able to vandalise it again.

"He was only thirty eight years old," said Ash, the man he'd seen in the shack seemed so much older.

"Yes, he lived through two wars," said Harry simply. "He saw more than people usually have to. I hope when he is reincarnated he has a good life, he deserves it."

"I want sparklies Akri Harry," said Simi bored.

"Just a few more minutes Simi I promise," Said Harry smiling at her, "I'm just saying goodbye to my family."

"Then the Simi will wait," said Simi sombrely.

"Thank you," said Harry quietly, shifting along to his parents grave, the last time he'd been here when he was seventeen. Hermione had been the one to magically create the flowers, it had been Christmas time.

"Quite fitting," said Ash quietly, wrapping his arms around his lover, comforting him in his time of need.

"The last enemy that shall be destroyed in death," said Harry, "I didn't understand it back then; it was Dumbledore that wrote it. No doubt about it, only he could come up with something like that."

Ash just remained quiet letting Harry do what he needed to; since it was evident he didn't plan on coming back here ever.

"I've only ever visited them twice, its wrong isn't it?" said Harry, his voice impossibly young and innocent. Something Harry wasn't, and probably never had been.

"No, if you had lived in the magical world then I'm sure you would have been taken to visit them often. I think it's just a constant reminder of what you lost, what you never had." said Ash subdued.

'Like Neville' thought Harry as he nodded his head. He created another bouquet of lilies mixed with roses and placed it down. "I'm sorry we will never meet again, but I like to think you are okay with that." said Harry smiling sadly, before he got up again. "Goodbye…mum…dad." it was so weird saying those names; he'd never in his life that he could remember uttered them. Unless he counted the few times he'd had the guts to ask about his parents to Petunia.

"I'll take care of him," said Ash respectfully, aware that the dead could in fact hear you through the veil and watch everything that was happening. It was obvious to him Ryssa had been around to see him after she'd died. She had wanted to come to him after he died himself…how he wished she'd been able to. With her there he would never have been tricked by Artemis. No he couldn't think like that anymore, he had Harry, living all those years had been worth it in the end.

"Let's go." said Harry, he didn't want to remain here any longer; he could feel the death and darkness sounding the graveyard. It wasn't a pleasant place to be when one was Master of Death.

"Sparkles!" said Simi grabbing a hold of Harry, aware he would be transporting them. She wasn't very fond of his transportation means; they made the Simi feel sick. The fact she was getting new jewellery suppressed that! She couldn't wait.

To Gringotts it was.

Harry Apparated them away, just as two people ran up the street one had bushy brown hair and one had bright red hair.

hehe there we go! first sign of ron and hermione and of course ash's reaction to hogwarts and its residence! :D hehe hope it was how ash really would have reacted! i like to keep them in character! oh well i suppose one cannot do that when exploring a different territory altogether! simi is easy to keep in character though :D hehe she just loves her sparklies! as long as they are mentioned its simi alright! lol you all want teddy in it ...but im not sure if its possible! maybe after he's finished with hogwarts and comes looking for him (after his training) perhaps harry could speak to him while he's there fueling teddy's need to see his godfather again after his gran dies? or perhaps i should have him giving teddy a xmas and bd pressies all along? along with letters? how about it? R&R PLEASE