Out Of The Darkness

Chapter 30

Thank you Aquamarina for helping me to get my muse together for this story :D you see all it takes is one little inspiring reivew to turn it into a full blown muse and tada! another chapter for you to enjoy im rather excited at ideas ive come up with for the stoy...and it was Aquamarina that got me thinking about it! she told me about the god/ess of the sun and moon - Selene and Helios so Apollo and Artemis haven't always been the gods/ess of the moon and sun...I think I knew that Apollo and Atermis hadn't always been the gods of the moon and sun but I didn't know or even think about who could have been the ones before them! now I know a new muse has sprung forth :D yay! ok on to the story!

The Shit Hit's the Fan

"Harry!" breathed Hermione, staring straight at him, she knew it was him, he might have a glamour on - but she knew him well enough. His stance, his awkwardness, his caught in the headlight looks as well. She'd seen it often enough, hell she'd grown up with it. Seven years she had known Harry, and her friend, it seemed hadn't changed a bit. She could scarcely believe he was right here in front of her, after all this time. Oh, how she'd been praying for this moment for years. Now that it was here, she felt so very frightened and terrified of the outcome. Harry had always been very forgiving, too forgiving, but how could he forgive them for their stupid folly? He had obviously seen Ginny for what she was before any of them had.

Ash stood next to Harry, silently giving him the support he needed. He kept quiet though, as memories circulated his mind. Most notably they were all from the past, and in the newcomer's points of view. They had not been there most of the time, for the worst of his adventures. Something always held them back. He then saw different versions of how this meeting could go. Most of them weren't really pretty, Harry it seemed would unleash twenty years of suppressed feelings in one go. Simi was as always, right next to him, he wanted to summon her to him, but he knew that was strange - to Wizarding standards anyway.

"Who?" asked Harry, staring blankly at Hermione and Ron, a curious look on his face. Nobody would ever doubt his acting skills, unfortunately he had been caught of guard and it had given him away. Who could blame him? He had not expected to end up confronted by them.

"I know its you, Harry," said Hermione some smugness showing through, infuriating Harry even further. "I just want to apologise, please, I'm so sorry for what we did." she said her brown eyes beseeching Harry's changed ones. She prayed he forgave her; she had lived with the guilt since she was seventeen, and it was awful. She finally caught sight of the man with Harry, and gaped, her entire face slowly going red. Which in turn caused Ron to glare and turn red in not quite suppressed anger.

Harry growled, angry by the fact that Granger thought he'd just idly forgive her and for the fact she was eyeing his man. It was different when he didn't know people, but the people he knew eyeing him was making him quite frankly furious. His eyes flashed in his anger, temporarily going green; if one had looked closer they would have noticed his eyes were rimmed red along with the green. "You have a nerve to approach me and ask for forgiveness!" snarled Harry, panting in fury, unable to articulate how pissed off he was. Last time this had happened, Harry had blown up his aunt.

Both his Ex-best friends seemed to realize that too, knowing all too well Harry's legendary anger took a few steps back. Everyone was watching it, but also giving a wide berth. Harry's magic was leaking off him in waves, and intimidating everyone. It was at the height of irony, this was the same spot Arthur Weasley and Lucius Malfoy had gotten into an altercation all those years go. It was little wonder the shop assistant, Daphne and the shop keeper were watching with worry.

"Harry, we only wanted what was best for you," said Hermione her brown eyes widening, tears slowly filling but not falling. It had always made Harry calm down, seeing how distraught his friends were. She wasn't purposely manipulating him into forgiving them, but rather, to calm down enough to hear them out without blowing a fuse. Harry had always been hot tempered; it hadn't changed, and then again neither had Ron.

"Ha! No you just believe you always knew best!" snarled Harry viciously; all his suppressed feelings for these two were spewing forth. He had tried to forget them, how stupid had he been? He hadn't forgotten them just suppressed all his feelings and tried to lead a normal life. "Like always. Snape was right, you are an insufferable know it all!"

"Hey! That's enough Harry, there's no need to be like that. Especially for something we did when we were seventeen." said Ron aggressively, how dare he insult his wife? Merlin both he and Harry had once upon a time been furious with Snape for his words. "We were kids."

"No Ron, you've always been an immature arsehole, and jealous as fuck! I wish I had never been your friend. Who the hell gave you the right to forge my fucking signature and allow Ginny into MY fucking vaults?" hissed Harry, but his words had been heard by everyone and they all gasped in horrified disgust. "You do know I could have pressed charges? But I didn't I left to live a normal life away from manipulative, idiots like you." he'd never been a hundred percent it had been Ron, perhaps ninety five percent sure, but he had the confirmation staring him in the face. His face which had gone white in anger had gone cherry red, to match his hair again when Harry spoke.

"Is that really the Harry Potter?" gaped a five year old staring at the scene before him, listening to everyone gossip. He had heard all about him, how he'd defeated you know who twice! When nobody else could saving their world from darkness. His mum had told him the story, still told him the story occasionally. She had told him he'd disappeared when he was seventeen just after the battle.

Ash was observing everyone, getting far too much information for his liking, about everyone's futures and thoughts. It was rather overwhelming, nothing more shocking than realizing just HOW famous Harry was. Everyone was staring at him in awe, love, shock, jealousy and amazement. Sure Harry had said he was famous, but nothing like this. They were all dying to clamour him with their attention, get his autograph and most disturbingly (and infuriatingly) they wanted to marry him. He made a mental note to himself - Harry understates the truth - A LOT. Part of him wanted to just take Harry away, but deep down he knew his lover needed this. He had to move on. Also his friends needed to know it wasn't forgivable.

"Yo…You aren't going to are you?" asked Ron his own eyes wide now, fearing the worst. He felt as if he was transported back to the age of seventeen, not the Auror he was. He had just let everyone know that Harry was telling the truth.

"You aren't worth the fucking trouble," said snapped Harry, "I can't believe you thought for a second I'd forgive you. You tired to force me to marry Ginny! Even after I told you I'd never love her anything more than a sister!"

"We were young and stupid Harry," said Hermione tears falling down her face, biting her lip unsurely, she moved forward, she had to say her piece. "I guess forgiveness is too much to ask for. I just hope that you are happy, and have people in your life that will treat you as you've always wanted." and she meant it with all her heart, and she prayed Harry realized this.

"Young and stupid isn't an acceptable answer Hermione! Why, WHY didn't you listen to me? I told you more than once! Why?" asked Harry, his hands stretched out as if he wanted to shake her, get an acceptable answer from her. He had wanted answers from them for so long. Yet when the time came, all he got was excuses of stupid-ness and being young. He had been young too, but he would never have tired to force someone to marry another. He was suddenly transported back to when he was in his fifth year. Harry stiffened as he made the connection, they'd never change, and that would always be their excuse. The same one Sirius had used, for bullying someone to such a degree. His shoulders slumped, swallowing thickly, feeling rather saddened that they would never be able to give an answer. An appropriate, understanding answer. "You will never be able to give one will you?" he sighed sadly, his voice blunt.

Everyone was whispering, realizing from the argument why their precious hero had left the wizarding world. Needless to say the Weasley's were going to find themselves mighty unpopular in the coming years.

"Harry," said Hermione strained she just wanted to hug him, bully him into forgiving her. Yet she realized it wasn't going to work, she had truly lost him. She shouldn't have been surprised really, but she was. Harry had changed, evidently a lot. She rather hoped she hadn't made him cold and unforgiving. She hoped he was happy, with someone he loved and being cared for. She was curious about the two he had with him. He had a new life, one that didn't involve those who had betrayed him. She once again blushed to the roots of her hair when she caught sight of the man. He truly was the most gorgeous looking man she'd ever seen. Harry she realized was very similarly dressed. She stared at the floor before looking back up, "I truly hope you are happy, we won't bother you again." she stepped back, before adding "Look after him won't you? He's been hurt too many times. Been through more than most could go through in their entire lifetime."

Ash observed her, she truly was repentant for what she did, if she could go back in time she would have done things differently. She also wanted Harry to be friends with her again, even if she had to manipulate him into it. In the long run, she had not really paid for what she did. Or even learned from it, he was rather glad Harry hadn't accepted her apology. He wouldn't have looked forward to letting Harry know she hadn't learned from it. She however, did want Harry to be happy. He raised an eyebrow at her, watching her go red yet again; he was unfortunately used to this. "I do not need you telling me how to behave. I've been around long before you were born little girl. I cherish those who come into my life." he stated coolly. Yes he cherished them, which was different altogether from trusting them. Nobody knew his past apart from Harry, and that's the way it was going to stay. Amanda, the one female who seemed impervious to his aunts curse, Kyrian, Zarek, Talon, Sunshine, Ias or rather Alexion as he was called now so many people who had put their life on the line…for him and Harry. Despite the fact he could have smote their ruin where they stood.

"Let's go Hermione," said Ron jealousy and anger written across his face. Not only at the way the man (who looked to be their own age) was speaking to them, but the way Hermione kept looking at him. She was his wife damn it, he loved her more than anything else in the world. Grabbing her he Apparated them away from Harry and the strangers.

"It's about time! Where on earth did you go?" asked Molly Weasley, her hands on her hips staring at them demandingly. Hugo and Rose were sitting at the table eating their breakfast. They were eating cornflakes staring at their granny, they were used to the way she was. She hadn't changed a bit even after all those years, only gotten older.

"We saw Harry," sighed Hermione, sitting down on her sofa, feeling drained and saddened. She felt two feet tall after the way the man had spoken to her.

"Harry?" gaped Molly, "How is he?" she asked hopefully, she had missed her 'adopted' son. She had never been told the full story; she was oblivious to why he'd truly left. All the demanding in the world had never worked; they'd never broken down and told her. The guilt had always been too strong, plus Ron had been in the wrong. She had wrongfully assumed it was because of Ginny.

"He's happy," said Hermione quietly, "He's moved on."

Ron remained stubbornly quiet.

"Oh, is he not coming to see us?" asked Molly.

"No." said Ron subdued, realizing he had come close to being arrested, if that had happened he'd never have been an Auror. It was a harrowing thought; he'd wanted to be an Auror all his life. He stared at the floor when he realized he owed it all to Harry, he could have had him charged. Yet he hadn't, he'd taken mercy on an old friend, even if he had betrayed him. Swallowing thickly, he became ashamed of himself again. It hadn't gone the way he'd hoped, his jealously, fear and anger had gotten the better of him once again.

"But why?" asked Molly staring at them suspiciously.

Just then a pop alerted them to someone coming to the house. The wards told Ron and Hermione who it was. "Ginny." said Ron confirming what Molly thought. All thoughts of Harry were wiped, temporarily from their mind as they steeled themselves for the upcoming confrontation.

"Rose, Hugo please go up the stairs, stay there until we call you down." said Hermione immediately, she quickly ushered them out, taking the Moses basket, which still held a sleeping Molly within it and took her up with them.

"What's wrong Mummy?" asked Rose, she was just as smart as Hermione.

"Nothings wrong, we just have to deal with your Aunt Ginny." said Hermione grimly. "Go play."

"Where's my daughter?" met Hermione's ears as she came back down into the kitchen.

"Now you care do you?" asked Hermione as she entered, closing the door so the children couldn't hear anything up the stairs. "You are completely drunk! Yet you want to take Molly with you? You Apparated the last time! I'm surprised you didn't splinch yourself or your daughter!" she was finally letting out the anger towards everything.

"You can't stop me!" shrieked Ginny wobbling unable to keep her equilibrium.

"Yes I can. You either sign these or I go to the Ministry and report you. I have enough evidence to have Molly removed from your care. Take your pick, she stays with family or she ends up raised by another Wizarding family. Either way you won't lay another drunken finger on her." said Hermione crossing her arms adamantly. She wasn't implying Ginny abused her, but she did handle her daughter drunk.

"I'll stop drinking," said Ginny her eyes widening, shock displayed for all to see, before tears began rolling down her eyes.

"You will sign these, or I go to the Ministry." said Hermione adamantly; they'd seen her acts all too often to believe them. "You can have supervised visits when you get your act together. Molly cannot grow up with you as her main caretaker, or you'll kill her."

Ginny flinched as if she'd been stuck, "I wouldn't harm her, she's my daughter!" said Ginny.

"Only when it suits you." said Hermione. "What's it to be?"

"Mum! Tell her she can't do this," said Ginny, slurring her words.

"I'm sorry Ginny," said Molly looking away from her daughter, "I've tried to be a good mother to you, forgiving you when I shouldn't. I cannot let you continue on as you are…I can't let you destroy Molly's life. She deserves a stable family. She sees more of her aunts and uncles than she sees of you." Molly's voice wobbled, it was hurting her to speak to her only daughter this way.

"MUM," choked Ginny falling to the floor, sobbing her heart out, "Please, I need her, she's my baby girl."

"No Ginny, do as Hermione says, sign the papers, that way at least you will be able to see her - and won't loose her to another wizarding family that won't give you visitation rights." said Molly still refusing to look at her, she knew if she did she'd loose the determination within her.

"I can't loose her! Ron how can you let this happen? Would you sign Rose away?" cried Ginny staring at her brother, hoping for any sign of pity. There was none, they were going to take her daughter away.

"If I was anything like you then yes, I'd want Rose to have a family she deserves." said Ron honestly, no scorn to be heard despite the fact he felt it. Ginny was quite the actress when she wanted to be. He was never sure whether she was being genuine or lying through her teeth. What made it worse was the fact he'd lost his best friend by listening to her. He'd loved Ginny; despite the fact when he grew older he'd hardly paid any attention to her. It showed by the fact he'd gone down to the chamber to save her. They all had a strong bond, it was family for you. Ginny unfortunately couldn't be saved; she had been caught by her own foolishness.

"No you wouldn't," yelled Ginny angry. Groaning as her entire head span in all directions, she'd definitely had too much to drink.

"Yes I would." said Ron shaking his head, Merlin she'd fallen so far. Would this what Harry would have had to endure? Her going out drinking his fortune leaving any kid they had at the family? Merlin he was glad Harry had left, and hadn't given in to their urgings to marry Ginny. Harry deserved someone who loved him, not this girl before them. "You know what; I'm glad Harry left when he did. You aren't fit to lick his boots never mind marry him. You'd have just drunk the entire Potter fortune away!" he wasn't even fit to lick his boots after what he did, but he wasn't going to pretend he was.

"Sign in Ginny." said Hermione walking forward with a pen and the paperwork.

"Don't make me do it." said Ginny her voice filled with fear, she was staring at the paper as though they'd bite her.

"Sign the bloody papers!" snapped Ron getting irritated. What a day this had turned out to be! To think it was going to be a boring day, and then he'd been called home, found Harry in the magical world, now this.

"Please." cried Ginny as the quill was placed in her hand.

"Molly deserves a good life, away from you and your drinking, sign it Ginny." said Hermione feeling pity for the girl, but she refused to let it deter her.

Crying again, Ginny reluctantly signed the papers which gave Hermione and Ron full custody of her daughter. The paperwork was immediately snatched up, as if they feared she might rip it up. Hermione signed it then got Ron to do it, Molly signed as a witness. It immediately curled up and disappeared in a puff of smoke. A few minutes later another scroll appeared, it had been signed and sealed - it was official.

"I hate you all, I hate you." she said as she lay on the floor defeated and her eyes half mast.

"I'm taking her back to the burrow, she shouldn't be on her own." said Molly quietly, tears in her eyes. She knew she did the right thing, but it didn't make it any easier. "She needs a bath, and some decent food." she was so skinny and her hair well it was truly disgraceful.

"I think that's best." said Hermione staring at the girl; she actually feared she might do something incredibly stupid. She needed to tighten the wards on her home, and stop Ginny from being able to get in at all. She didn't want her taking Molly and running, which she might be inclined to do.

"I'll see you later," said Molly, "Give my love to the children."

"I will mum," said Ron sighing as he slumped back onto the couch defeated.

Molly crouched down, getting a tight grip on her comatose daughter and Apparated them away.

"What are you up to?" asked Ash curiously, they were back in his home; they would be leaving for training in less than fifteen minutes. Yet Harry was staring at the sword, which was on top of their bed.

"I'm copying it," said Harry, as he said that, another one just like it materialized on the bed beside it.

"Why?" enquired Ash, amused.

"This one has been imbued with Basilisk venom, one nick and you'd be dead within minutes." said Harry, rubbing at his inner elbow in remembrance. He knew the feeling all too well, if it hadn't been for Fawkes he would never have survived.

"I see," said Ash, making a mental note to avoid the sword in future, he wasn't sure if Basilisk venom could kill him, in fact he doubted it would…but it would still hurt no doubt. It was a good thing he was using a copy, he didn't think Takeshi would like to train Harry with such a lethal sword in his hands he thought wryly. "Ready to go?"

"Yes, hopefully they'll teach me how to use these god powers to teleport, its so weird how my magic is so different from god magic…yet they are both in my body." said Harry, "If you understand that you are really smart."

Ash chuckled, "Indeed," and before he knew it both of them were on a lovely sandy beech. Savitar was currently riding a wave, obvious to them it seemed. Fortunately both of them knew Savitar knew when anyone was nearby. This was his island, he had created it, and he could move it wherever he wanted.

One minute Savitar was on his board the next standing in front of them, tattoos and all on display. "Ready for round two?" asked Savitar, the sarcasm dripping of each word.

Harry just smirked, he was used to sarcasm, and was getting shockingly used to Savitar as well. "Yes, what's not to like?" said Harry in turn, getting a chuckle out of the ancient guy.

"Why did you have to bring that waste of space back from the dead?" snarled Apollo coming into his sister's temple. His entire body radiating rage, everyone was giving him a wide berth. The other gods and goddesses were treating them like lepers. Even the humans were disgusted with him; something had been done to him. He was starving, he couldn't feed every time he tried the blood disappeared as if it hadn't been there. He couldn't bite into anyone, he had no fangs.

"You know why," said Artemis blankly, she was in agony, and for the first time she understood how Ash felt when she'd starved him all those times. The only thing was, she didn't loose her humanity, she just felt as though her stomach was trying to climb out of her body to find food for itself. "We would have died eleven thousand years ago if I hadn't." Apollymi would have killed them, both of them, for something she had no part in. In fact she probably would have killed the entire Greek pantheon.

"Where are they?" he hissed, he was going to show the Atlantean why he should never have messed with him.

"You cannot hurt Ash," said Artemis, she still loved him and wanted no harm to befall him.

"Where is he?" he demanded grabbing his sister by the arms, causing her to cry out in pain. She hadn't been able to get rid of the harm the boy had done to her, nor the welts on her back. They were healing the normal way, and without blood, her main source of food, they weren't healing properly.

"Think about it brother," said Artemis, straightening her spine, her mind coming up with an ingenious idea. A way to get Ash back, to get him back in her bed, and the boy out of the way. "What better way to get revenge than split them up? Kill their love for one another…then the boy would be weak - ripe for the killing…"

"Then give the Atlantean the anti-dote and see for himself why he shouldn't have messed with me." said Apollo an insane gleam appearing on his face.

"No, at least not right away, that way it will be all the more devastating." said Artemis, she wasn't going to let Apollo give Ash the anti-dote. She wanted Ash all for herself. She would be the first person he saw when he was hit with the arrow, he would love her the way she loved him. "You can kill the boy whenever you want. He deserves it for all he's put us through." with a bit of luck the magic he'd used would be reversed. If not she would have quite a willing donor who'd gratefully bleed for her. Ash would love her for always.

"Make it slow, painful, I want him to pay." said Artemis, in fact she wouldn't mind watching or taking part.

"Do not worry sister, I have something in mind." said Apollo.

Artemis smirked sadistically, oh she had no doubt Apollo would make it painful. He was sadistic; he liked causing maximum pain, before letting them slowly die. Her heart lurched just thinking about what happened to Ash. She would always regret standing by, letting Apollo hurt him. Yet she was just too ashamed to admit she cared. Now everyone knew, so she might as well have the man she desired. The only one she'd truly loved the one whose daughter she'd bore and birthed. "Will Eros help?"

"He will, whether he likes it or not," said Apollo, he knew where the idiot kept his 'cupid bow'.

"You will need to bring Ash here, I have to be the first one he sees, or it won't work." said Artemis.

"Whatever," shrugged Apollo quickly leaving his sisters temple. Revenge was his, and he'd emerge triumphant.

Ooohooo what did you think of THAT then!? expecting it? hehe I cannot wait to see your reviews for this chapter! R&R please poor Harry and Ash...cupids arrow is one thing they cannot fight...so who will win the fight between Apollo and harry? will ash go back in time screwing fates over threatening them to keep the one he wants safe? or just unleash hell aka his mother on everyone wanting to join Harry in the afterlife? Harry is vulnerable now after all - Apollymi has seen to that - she removed his soul from his body and sent it back he's no longer master over death completely he can still be killed like all gods!