I do not own anything from the harry potter universe, unfortunately.
"Normal Talking"
'Thoughts'
"Parseltongue"
White, that was all Harry could see. Or was he seeing? Did he have eyes still? A body? He honestly couldn't tell, it was a strange feeling like floating in a flowing river even though there was no river, no water and he wasn't sure if he was feeling that way or was it just supposed to be that way.
There were voices too, he could hear crying and screams. The chaos around him blasted through his mind, or at least whatever he had left. He knew those voices... didn't he? Why did he feel so sad when he heard them? What were they?
Wait, who was he again? He had a name, he swore he knew it just a moment ago. How strange, he felt free and yet contained at the same time. Floating aimlessly in this mass of white, or perhaps it was nothing and he could only perceive it as white.
Then something pierced the chaotic sound around him, a howl. Deep and guttural, it sounded supernatural in nature. It called to him, why did it call to him? Why would something that sounded so dangerous be so inviting to him?
He heard it again this time closer louder, now it was reaching for him overtaking the other sounds, the voices trying to become louder but they were nothing against this bestial call. When the third howl rang out everything came to a sudden stop as he felt like he had his eyes opened but his vision did not alter as everything remained white. He felt a body, a mind, a finger, and his feet. He felt he was laying down so he shot up and suddenly the white began to take form.
Around him, it was like seeing trees, tall trees that stretch up into nothingness he could only tell he was in some white forest because of the light that flowed around him. He couldn't tell its source or if it even had a source to begin with and his mind told him the light should be casting shadows, and yet he couldn't see any.
Then he saw something, a large wolf creature several times bigger than a horse and adorned with wicked-looking horns and red hot burning pits for eyes. Its form seemed to be in an in-between wispy shadow state and something more physical and its black visage was unmistakable against this white environment.
He should've been afraid but he wasn't, he instead felt relief at seeing the beast. Maybe he was mad and all this was a hallucination. Even still he knew the wolf, but how? He looked at it and it stared back and after a few moments all of the sudden it was like someone had thrown a brick at his head that was filled with memories. Everything came flooding back at once, his name, Harry James Potter. And the beast before him, his familiar the Hellhound Demona.
Daphne.
Hermione.
Susan.
Sirius.
Megan Jones.
Blaise, Neville, Tracey, Luna.
They all came flooding back to him, as well as the memories of what happened and where he might be. He remembered gripping the cup and he remembered getting hit with the killing curse. The voices he heard before must have been the last thing he heard before he died.
He died.
Harry felt his heart sink at that thought. After all, he had done, all the training he had done he had failed to do the one thing that it was meant to accomplish. Survive.
"Demona." He called out but it was strange like he was talking yet not talking at the same time. And it didn't feel like it was coming from his mouth but from his mind instead. Demona didn't care as her ears perked up and she bounded over to him. When they met he raised his hands to embrace her and again it was like he was in and out of his body at the same time. Viewing his actions from his own perspective and yet also from a third-person perspective.
"I'm sorry girl, I failed." Harry apologized and he could hear a low rumble whine emanate from her. He could still feel the bond he had with her which is probably why she was here with him in death. She sent him a warm feeling to let him know that she wasn't angry. Harry held her nuzzling against her fur for a few moments to find some comfort.
"This is a weird place right?" Harry said as he looked around, he could tell he was looking in different directions but yet it all looked the same.
"If this is heaven they need to add some color." Harry joked getting a bark from Demona. They then began to walk, as expected by now was strange as well. They moved but Harry couldn't honestly tell if he was moving or if somehow his desire to move made the realm around him move to imitate movement.
As they walked they suddenly heard something like a shudder-like moan. It was weak and raspy and piqued Harry's curiosity as there was nothing else to this place besides him. Walking over he saw a surprisingly sickly looking tree which was grey and dead, wilting and weak. At its base was Voldemort.
Or at least a weak ghoulish form of Voldemort. He was covered with what appeared to be dried blood and huddled against himself as if to fight off a chill that Harry couldn't feel. Demona growled at the pathetic sight and Harry could feel something stir in the back of his mind. He recognized it as his connection to the Purgatory Beast. He could feel it, like a monster banging on a door demanding entry.
Harry opened the door just a crack and not even a second later cracks began to form on the perfect white floor like jagged bolts of black lightning. The ghoulish Voldemort began to sob and scream as tongues of azure flames flicked out from the cracks and encroached upon his form.
Suddenly Voldemort made a choking sound as his mouth suddenly appeared to be wrenched open by an invisible force. From it, an albino snake slithered out with red eyes. It was long and from what Harry could see it was something like a cobra mixed with a spiny viper. Once the serpent had left Voldemort completely the blue flames engulfed him filling the area with screams before the familiar skull of Harry's beast burst through the ground and swallowed both Voldemort and the sickly tree in one bite and retreated back to the depths like a crocodile dragging down its prey.
There was a sudden suction of air as the floor began to mend itself the chunks coming back into place and the cracks healing until the silence of the realm returned and if Harry hadn't witnessed it he would never have known what had just occurred.
Harry tore his gaze from the now empty space to observe the albino serpent that had felt Voldemort's body.
"What are you?" Harry asked but blanched as he felt the English words instead of the parseltongue. He tried again but felt nothing just plain old English. He grasped his throat as if that would somehow help him find his ability again but nothing happened. Was it because he died? But if that was the case then how did he still have his connection to Demona and the Purgatory beast?
The snake stared at him before Harry heard something like a rattle emanating from the serpent. Its scales rattled and flared almost like bird feathers when they get ruffled. Its gaze met Harry's as the rattle became louder and then starting from the tip of the snout down its body the scales began to flip. The white scales turn black down its body with flecks of green here and there. Its eyes began to swim as from the pupil the red was being overtaken with emerald.
This all occurred in a few short moments as now the Cobra Viper coiled before him black as night with flecks of green and emerald shining eyes. It reared back hood flared as it seemed to examine Harry and quicker than what should have been possible the serpent lunged at Harry and he could feel the phantom feeling of fangs piercing his throat and his hands shot up to grip the snake but he touched nothing but air.
He looked down and saw that the snake was gone and then felt his throat and looked for any form of injury from the snake but felt nothing but his skin.
"What was that?" He asked out loud.
"At a guess, it would appear the power of Slytherin has found a more worthy successor." A feminine voice answered and Harry whirled around with Demona ready to defend him if necessary. Harry didn't know what to expect but he was shocked to his core at who the voice belonged.
Red hair, not like the Weasleys, it was a darker almost bloody red color that shined in the light. She had fair skin and was dressed in a lovely sundress with her eyes shining bright and emerald just like his own. Her face gave him an impression of a beautiful fox, enchanting yet also mischievous. It took Harry a few moments before his brain recognized the woman that stood before him.
He couldn't hold it back as he felt warm streaks flow from his eyes and trail down his cheeks. He was overwhelmed, so many emotions running through his mind and body that he couldn't describe them. He felt his throat and face get tight with emotion as he let out a choked gasp.
"Mum?" Harry asked his voice wobbly and the woman, Lily, smiled.
"Hi, baby boy." She said and Harry couldn't contain himself as he ran forward and engulfed her in an embrace, one which she returned. He cried, helplessly, without restraint as he held his mother tightly. She smiled and patted his back while raking her fingers through his hair. Harry didn't know how but eventually they found their way to a raised root from a tree and sat down. Harry did his best to get himself under control as he took deep breaths to calm himself. Lily was patient just smiling and drawing comforting circles on the back of his hands which she held.
Despite his growth, at the moment he felt like a blubbering child as he desperately tried to wipe his face and clear his sinuses. Demona did her best to soothe him herself, filling him with a feeling of comfort, and prodded him with her nose. It took several minutes, or at least however much time passed in this place. But eventually, he was able to gain his self-control back as he took calming breaths.
"Sorry."
"Don't be, I understand," Lily said gently the smile never leaving her face "You grew up so handsome, too bad you didn't get my hair, I think red hair like mine would be great." She said playfully ruffling Harry's hair. Harry laughed at that.
"Really? I'm not so sure, I like my hair."
"Nope, my red hair is better." Lily said firmly as the two shared a laugh.
"Everyone says I look so much like dad." Harry said Lily took on a thoughtful look.
"I suppose, I think you look similar but not that much. You have your own look. For one thing, James liked keeping his hair long, despite all I tried to do to get him to cut it, just once would've been nice."
"Yeah, I like it like this, less of a hassle." Harry said and Lily nodded despite her hair being fairly long herself.
"Yeah, I saw that. Those girls were a bit over-eager but they got better." Lily said and Harry smiled fondly with a small nod. That was until it registered what she said.
"Wait what? You saw that?" Harry asked.
"Oh yeah, I take peeks here and there." Lily said with a grin and Harry felt dread set in.
"How... often do you peek?" Harry asked and Lily laughed loudly.
"Sweetie I know when it's okay to look or not to look!" Lily exclaimed slapping his arm playfully and Harry could feel his face heat up. "I'm happy for you though, three girlfriends, you take after your mother." She praised him and herself at the same time.
"Really? I thought dad was the one that was all about wooing." Harry asked and Lily shook her head.
"Maybe at first, I won't lie to you. Your father was a complete arse at first, but he changed. He became better but it took some effort, after that I had him wrapped around my finger." Lily boasted.
"What do you mean about dad?" Harry asked.
"Well, your father was very rough around the edges, arrogant too. Not to mention that he was a bully. I'll be honest I hated him at first, it wasn't until around fourth year that he started to change. After I saw that I began to give him a chance and he mellowed out. That's when he became the man that everyone tells you about, he became kind, maybe even a bit noble." Lily said and looked wistful at the end.
"I didn't know that." Harry said.
"Well, I doubt that the first thing people would want to tell you about your father is Hey your dad was a complete shite" Lily joked making her voice deeper for effect and Harry's thoughts went to Snape. He surely didn't have a problem saying that and from what his mom said it was because his dad probably harrassed Snape.
"He was a good man, it just took him a while to figure it out." Lily assured rubbing his arm comfortingly.
"And what about you? I don't really hear much about you." Harry said with only Snape giving him some insight so far and that was months ago.
"Yes, be sure to give Sirius and Remus a kick in the balls for me. I was of course a brilliant witch! I loved potions and charms, I was a Slughorns and Flitwicks best student. I was pursuing a mastery in both before the war came into full effect. I had a good take on runes as well, you should study them they're fascinating." Harry smiled at that remembering the conversation he had with Daphne at the Ball. That thought sobered him up a bit as he remembered where he was.
"I wish I could mum, but I can't." Harry said regretfully.
"If you get a bit of studying over the summer you'll be fine. If your skill with charms is anything to go by you inherited my talents. Don't let Sirius take all your time up with that vacation he's got planned." Lily said and Harry looked at her confused.
"Mum, I can't... I died." Harry said and Lily just smirked.
"No, you didn't."
"But I was hit, I know I was," Harry said there was no way that Voldemort missed and he knew he didn't dodge.
"Oh you got hit but you didn't die, that's why I'm here." Lily said as she straightened up a bit. "Harry that night that your father and I were killed, Voldemort tried to do something, it was old twisted magic. Do you know what a Horcrux is?" Lily asked and Harry shook his head.
"It's vile magic, I know you like to think of magic being magic now, but if you had to admit that one act of magic was truly dark then it would be this. To create a Horcrux the caster has to split their soul and store it in an object. To do this Voldemort killed, innocent people. People that had nothing to do with him, the war. He created six, I don't know what they are or where. However that night he made a seventh, a Horcrux that he never intended to make." Lily explained as Harry's eyes widened as his hand went to his scar and Lily nodded.
"Yes, but like I said it was unintentional and even Voldemort didn't know about it. That's why you get those dreams and visions, that's where you got your Parselmouth ability. Of course, now it has truly become your own." Lily said and Harry rubbed his throat where the snake had bit him and disappeared. Harry took a second to digest the information and then he thought about how he didn't die.
"The killing curse expels the soul right?" Harry asked and Lily nodded. "So when Voldemort hit me with it, it destroyed his soul that was in my scar. So then why am I here then?" Harry asked gesturing around him.
"The curse might've been redirected because of the Horcrux but you still were hit with the killing curse. The best way I can explain it is like a car crash. When a car crashes it will take the brunt of the damage but you will still get injured somewhat with things like whiplash. So if you think about it like that then the Horcrux was the car and the killing curse was the crash and you were the passenger." Lily tried to explain and it made some sense to Harry.
"So then this isn't heaven?" Harry asked and Lily giggled and shook her head.
"No, it's more like a veil between life and the afterlife. It's very convoluted but I was allowed to come here to talk to you and to explain."
"Allowed? By who?" Harry asked and Lily shrugged.
"I have no idea, everyone sees them differently. To some they look like angels, others may see their ancient gods like Hades or Osiris. Maybe they just look like wise elders or eldritch beings. On the other side, we call them keepers, I can't explain much, ancient cosmic laws and all that."
"What's it like, over there?"
"I'm sorry sweetie but all I can say is that it's different for everyone. But the point is that the Keepers let me come here to tell you they have a request. Trust me this is a big deal, these guys never talk and never acknowledge us so when you were in the veil they came to find me and let me come here, it was a shock." Lily said and Harry nodded.
"They need you to defeat Voldemort, in his entirety. They do not like people cheating death like this."
"What about vampires? Or Flammel?" Harry asked and Lily shook her head.
"No Flammel simply delayed death and Vampires are not true immortals, they can be killed. That is not what Voldemort has done, he's avoided death entirely. I already told you about the Horcruxes he made, you destroyed one of them already. Remember the Diary?"
"Of course, I stabbed it with a basilisk fang."
"Right, that was a Horcrux harry. There are six more out there, I can't tell you where they are as I don't know but the Keepers are going to show you something that can help you. You can sense magic now, with the training you've been doing. The Keepers are going to show you what a Horcrux is going to feel like so that you can search for them more effectively." Lily explained and closed her eyes.
Harry waited and then something like a deep hum began to shake through the veil. It was strange, like a voice and yet not a voice at the same time and everything began to vibrate. Harry felt very small at the moment, like something he couldn't even comprehend was trying to speak to him in a language that was older than time.
Then he felt it, a wave of controlled cold, like a stab of ice in his brain. Yet it also had a sickly feeling to it, weak and not entirely whole. The feeling remained for a moment before both it and the sudden hum disappeared. Lily opened her eyes.
"Yeah, they're a little intense. But that is what you're looking for." Lily said with a bit of a playful smile on her lips.
"But, where would I even start? He could've hidden them anywhere!" Harry said worriedly.
"Luckily someone has already started investigating. Dumblearse." Lily said with a scowl. Harry groaned at that.
"Just when I thought I didn't have to worry about him anymore."
"Thankfully you don't, he didn't just keep that one journal from the trial. There in his office, here let me." Lily said bringing her hands up to the sides of his head and suddenly images flashed in his head of Dumbledore's old office and the private corridors found there. Then images of the wardrobe in the quarters being moved and a certain series of bricks had to be pressed showing a hidden alcove filled with papers and journals.
Harry committed the sequence of bricks to memory before Lily took her hands away.
"He hasn't cracked the clues just yet but with you and your lady friends, those notes will save you months of guesswork." Harry nodded at that. Anything to bring Voldemort down. Lily smiled and held his hands again.
"Harry, I can't tell you how proud I am of you, your dad too. We couldn't be happier with the young man you've grown to be." She then turned over his left hand to reveal the tattoo of Grindelwald that was on his palm.
"Even with this, you made a decision and you're sticking by it. Understand that no matter what people say they don't speak for us. We are proud of you and we love you. You have done amazing things and accomplished so much. She is a testament to that." Lily said indicating to Demona. "Don't stop, follow and trust your instincts and trust those you love. You can do this, your father and I both believe in you." She said and stood affectionately rubbing his head and placing a gentle kiss on the top of it. She then began to walk a bit away.
"Mum?" Harry said getting to his feet as well.
"Our times up, you have to go back now," Lily said a little warble to her voice as she turned with a watery smile.
"Mum!" Harry said again trying to go to her but he was held back like something was tugging him away. "Mum!" Harry cried out again but she just smiled.
"We'll see each other again Harry, but not for a long time if I see you back here too soon I'll kick you right back out." She said jokingly a sad laugh accompanying her words. "Just remember, only fools don't wrap their tools!" She finished with a wink and it took a second before Harry realized what that rhyme was for.
"Mum!" That was the last word he got out as he felt like a rope was wrapped around every part of his body and he was yanked out and everything swam in his vision and his mother faded from sight, the trees faded and He gripped onto Demona securing himself against her as the light suddenly blazed around him and he was blinded by white.
Back in the living world, a day had passed, somewhere between agonizingly slow and in a blur of chaotic motion. When Harry landed on the podium it was chaos. Everything happened in a blur and the girls couldn't even get in to check on him. He was rushed out and brought to the medical tent. They tried to get in Sirius even punched one of the Aurors to try to get in to see him. They had to be escorted away.
It was safe to say that no one slept that night, not the Champions who were worried about their brother in arms. Not the students who were just shocked at the events and not even sure what had happened. And definitely not Daphne, Hermione, Susan, or Sirius. They paced about all night in the room of requirement.
When morning did break Amelia was the first to greet them and as soon as she did Susan recognized that face. She had seen that same face whenever her aunt had to break the news of a death to a family member. She broke down right there and then, and when she did Daphne understood, and soon after Hermione did as well. They had huddled together for comfort knowing one simple yet horrible fact.
Harry Potter was dead.
Sirius was just numb he walked right past Amelia, he had everything he wanted. His freedom, his godson, and an opportunity to live his life finally. And in one night that had been ripped away. It didn't feel real. Amelia escorted them all down to the Hospital where Harry... his body was resting.
Every step felt like they had weights attached to their feet. As they approached the Hospital, every footfall seemed to create booms as they hit the ground. Hermione, Susan, and Daphne held each other as they walked and with every step, they took it felt like they were closer and closer to toppling over.
Hermione still was hoping this was a bad dream, they all were. After everything they had gone through this year not to mention everything that he has faced in the past years. This task was supposed to be safe, everything was fine! But it wasn't, Harry was dead. They had reached the door and Amelia put her hand against it.
"Are you sure, you don't have to see him like this?" Amelia said and slowly, hesitantly they nodded and Sirius did as well. Taking a breath she opened the door and the one thing she didn't expect was to see the Minister and his menagerie crawling around the room.
"What is this!?" Amelia exclaimed and Fudge turned.
"Ah, Amelia there you are." He said walking up to her and the group "We should do this quickly but delicately." He said and Umbridge tailed him standing at his side.
"Do what?"
"The procession, of course, our national hero was murdered the least we can do is give him a proper send-off from Hogwarts." Fudge said like he was talking about a quidditch game kick-off. That's when they noticed a fancy casket in the room and Fudge's people were already moving Harry into it.
"Put him down!" Sirius yelled a fury in his voice like nothing that Hermione had heard before coming from the usually jovial man. The men who came up to flank Fudge grabbed him before he could do anything.
"I am sorry for your loss, truly I am. But the Ministry can't be seen as weak at a time like this. We must show strength!" He proclaimed.
"His body hasn't even gone cold and you want to parade him around to make a statement!?" Hermione said furiously.
"Watch your tone girl, the Minister is right." Umbridge said disdain clear in her tone as she looked at Hermione. Hermione didn't care and ignored the fat toad and before anyone could make a move Hermione moved with blinding rage-fueled speed and her fist connected with the Minister's jaw with a satisfying pop.
In a second the Minister was on the floor clutching his mouth.
"How dare you! Arrest this Mudblood!" Umbridge screeched and a man from the group behind her broke off to hold Hermione.
"That won't be necessary." Amelia said.
"Yes it is, arrest her." Umbridge screeched again.
"No, it's not." Fudge said as he got to his feet.
"Minister." Umbridge said aghast.
"I am going to overlook this, you are distraught and I understand." The minister said as he looked at Hermione who looked like she was ready to throw another punch if not for the man holding her back. There was a sound of a click as their attention was returned to the casket that the other men had closed.
"We are doing this procession and it will not do to have you rampaging the whole way. So will you keep your heads or are you going to have to be kept here while we send off Harry Potter without his closest friends and family there with him?" Fudge said looking at the group, this is when Daphne came up to Hermione.
"Hermione, calm down."
"What!?" She hissed.
"This is not the time, Fudge will get what he deserves trust me but not yet." Daphne whispered and Hermione looked at her and took a breath to calm herself and relaxed. Susan then nodded towards Sirius who looked less than pleased but controlled himself.
"Good, now please, gently. As I said he was a Hero." Fudge instructed as he stepped out of the way allowing the men to levitate the Casket and begin to walk it out of the Hospital. As they passed their hearts just shattered and a fresh batch of tears flooded the girl's faces as Amelia came over to comfort the three. Sirius was doing his best to hold it in but failing and with little choice, they followed this Procession.
"We'll be heading for the main courtyard, there is a hearse waiting for him." Fudge said and Hermione had to hold back everything that told her to choke the Minister and Sirius had to as well. Using Harry's death as a way to curry some favor was sickening. Also, it wouldn't stand, if he thought he was going to get any advantage from this he was wrong. Sirius wouldn't allow it, and neither would Amelia.
But at the moment they had to bite their tongues this wasn't the time, nor the place. So they walked at an agonizingly slow pace, and as they did students took notice as they began to fill the corridor but made sure to stay out of the way. Most students couldn't believe what they were seeing, with most of them thinking it was far too soon for something like this to take place. But they too kept their mouths shut, in respect for the fallen champion.
The other champions caught wind and arrived with the other students each wrapped in bandages from the last task and when they saw the casket their fears were confirmed for them. They thought it was a little too soon for something like this to occur but after what they had heard of the British Ministry they certainly were not surprised. Still, they wanted to show respect and honor their fallen Champion so they kept their mouths shut and fell in step with the others.
Eventually, the Professors took notice as they looked at what was going on. A misty-eyed Minerva strode forward falling in step with the Minister.
"Cornelius, what is the meaning of this!?" She demanded but kept her voice low. Cornelius sighed keeping the annoyance off his face at having to answer this question again.
"A Hero of the nation was killed Minerva, I expect you can understand the gravity and frailty of such an event."
"Of course, I can he was one of my students. However, this is most inappropriate. He has not even been deceased a full day and you do this?" She said her eyes glinting with her anger.
"It is not your place to question the Minister, Minerva." Umbridge said an air of superiority ever-present in her tone.
"It is not your place to speak for him, Dolores." McGonagall shot back.
"This will have to wait, Headmistress. As I'm sure you can understand the last thing we would want is to disrespect Harry by ruining his procession." Fudge said and McGonagall scowled but relented. This might be a sick political move but she had more respect for Harry than to start screaming at the moment.
"You will regret this Cornelius." McGonagall said as she slowed down to walk beside Sirius. Umbridge looked like she wanted to start ranting but Fudge stopped her with a hard glare and a shake of his head. Students and the other Professors fell in with the procession following the black and silver casket that held Harry Potter a storm of emotions flaring in almost all of them.
Harry's friends had joined Hermione, Daphne, and Susan. None of them bothered to hide their despair at the loss. Jones looked like she was ready to commit murder as she glared at Fudges back with tears streaming down her face as she angrily wiped them when they blurred her vision.
She didn't want to believe it, running through every possibility from a faked death to a body double. But as she thought nothing in her theories or ideas made sense. Like everyone else, she didn't sleep a wink spending her night in a classroom. When she had emerged anyone who had looked at what she left behind would say that a hurricane-ravaged the room. The others were in varying states of grief. Neville was open about his while Blaise managed to compose himself well even if he still had tears stinging the corners of his eyes. Tracey did her best to comfort Neville but was in no better shape herself. Luna wasn't crying but she did look lost, almost like she wasn't entirely there mumbling to herself as they walked.
It felt like hours before they arrived at the main courtyard, and there waiting for Harry was a hearse pulled by Thestrals that only a few people could see. A sudden break in the heavy silence came as a familiar Snowy Owl came down screeching angrily. Hedwig fluttered around her usually gently wing strokes now a flurry of motion and panic as she landed on Harry's casket and clawed at it fruitlessly.
She screech out again and tried pecking at the clasps or clawing at them. Every time she was unsuccessful in her mission she would screech angrily and look around. As if she was confused about why no one was helping her.
"Get that bloody thing out of here." Dolores sneered as one of the men next to Fudge approached the bird. Hedwig's eyes locked onto the man and she puffed up, her wings spread and feathers rustled as she screeched out aggressively at the approaching man.
"Hedwig. Hedwig here girl." Hermione called her voice not as strong as it could've been. Hedwig noticed Hermione and flew to her and began to let out a sad trill as she bumped her beak into Hermione and constantly turned to look between her and the Casket. Hermione's heart if possible broke even more.
"I'm so sorry girl." Hermione apologized and Hedwig screeched out again and was going to take off to Harry's casket again but Hermione held her gently to keep her from going.
This is where Fudge took the moment as his people continued to levitate Harry towards the Hearse. The others fanned out to observe, all the students and the Professors. Fudge stepped forward a bit before turning to address the crowd.
"Today, we grieve. For today, we say farewell to a boy that stood as a Hero for our nation. He was taken from us far too soon but rest assured that the Ministry nor I will rest until his murderer is brought to justice!" Fudge claimed and Daphne scoffed.
"Unless they have deep pockets and are willing to payout." She snarled under her breath but Susan and Hermione heard her.
"We will not let this travesty stand, so know that your Ministry remains strong!" Fudge announced as he nodded to his people as they began to move Harry's casket to the hearse. But before they could it shook.
They looked at each other confused for a moment but they just shrugged not knowing what happened and they went to continue but it shook again. This time it was so violent that it startled the men enough that they dropped the casket with a bang as it hit the stone floor.
"What are you doing!?" Sirius raged coming forward but stopped as the casket continued to shake and suddenly black smoke began to pour out from the space between the lid and the body.
"What's happening!?" McGonagall yelled as the shaking became so intense that the casket had begun to rattle violently and nearly bounce off the ground. Fudge's people stood with their wands ready not knowing exactly what was going on but they were all blown back as the casket exploded in a swirl of black smoke and crimson tongues of flame.
The magical occurrence began to swirl around quickly the shadows staying in a near perfect sphere as jets of crimson flames shot out periodically. Then there was an ear-piercing soul-chilling howl released from the sphere as it threw itself back into the ground and when it did it seemed to blast out sending a gust of wind and magic pulse out. Not strong enough to hurt anyone but enough to cause most of if not all of them to stagger.
When the shadows and flames dissipated and before them stood the Familiar sight of Harry's Hellhound Demona and on her back was a very alive Harry Potter. Though he looked very tired as he sat on top of her taking in deep breaths. Looking around he saw that everyone was staring at him with wide eyes and was thoroughly shocked.
He couldn't blame them it's not every day that someone came back from the 'dead'. And Demona had turned it into a whole production. He turned and locked eyes with his girlfriends and smiled softly as he swung his leg around to slide off Demona. But when his feet touched the ground they felt like jelly as he fell to his rear. Seeing him fall shook the girls out of the shock and they rushed forward to help him.
Hedwig was the first to reach him flying in low and landing next to him as she trilled gently nipping his finger as he smiled softly at his loyal Owl. He rubbed her affectionately as his Girlfriends came to him next.
"Harry?" Susan asked as she came to a stop and knelt beside him. He nodded and she reached out to caress his cheek fearing that it would go straight through. He smiled and pulled all three of them in for a tight embrace.
"I'm so sorry," Harry said breathing in their familiar scent as the girls held him close fearing that if they let go he would somehow disappear.
"We thought we lost you." Hermione said her voice shakey as she buried her face in the crook of his neck.
"Harry!" Sirius yelled as Harry looked over to see his Godfather, friends, and Fudge with his people rushing over.
"H-how is this possible?" Sirius asked as he kneeled down to be at eye level with his godson. Harry smiled but was still breathing a bit laboredly.
"I'll tell you, but I'm starving and I'm parched plus I have one hell of a headache." Harry said and it was true he didn't know how long it had been out here but it felt like he hadn't eaten anything in weeks and his head, or more specifically, his scar throbbed something terrible.
"Of course my boy! Ben! Get the house elves to whip something up for mister Potter here." Fudge ordered as one of his men shakily nodded and was prepared to rush off before McGonagall called out.
"That is not necessary, we will take care of him, all of you please return to your houses." McGonagall instructed the rest of the gathered students as the professors began to herd the students out of the courtyard even if some protested or tried to crane their necks to see what was going on.
"Cornelius get that ghastly thing out of here." McGonagall demanded indicating to the hearse.
"Yes, yes, go on!" Fudge said waving the driver off who whipped the reins and the Thestral drawn hearse was off into the sky. It took a moment for the professors to clear everyone out except for Harry's closest friends.
"Do you think you can stand up?" Sirius asked and Harry nodded as he got to his feet with Hermione and Susan on either side supporting him.
"I'll get your glasses for you." Daphne said as she turned but stopped when Harry spoke.
"Glasses? I'm not wearing them?" Harry asked, he had become so accustomed to having the glasses on his face that he never thought about it. And the fact that his vision was crystal clear and sharper than it has ever been he thought he was already wearing them.
"No, you're not." Daphne said and Harry blinked a few times but his vision didn't degrade a bit.
"I don't think I need them anymore." Harry said as Daphne came up and cupped his face in her hands as she looked into his eyes.
"You can see?" She asked and looked behind her where the clock was. "What time does it say on the clock face right now?"
"eight-thirty." He answered after a quick glance and Daphne smiled widely at him.
"We can figure that out later, let's get Harry somewhere comfortable. We'll take this to my office." McGonagall said and Fudge nodded.
"An excellent suggestion." He agreed and the Headmistress scowled.
"Not you, seeing as Harry is alive and well I dare say that you are no longer needed." She claimed.
"McGonagall please, this boy has gone through something harrowing and we need to know what has happened. There could be a killer on the loose." Fudge said but McGonagall shook her head firmly.
"No Cornelius, I will speak with my student on the matter in private with whomever he deems needs to be there. After which I shall inform you of all the details you need to know."
"Now see here-" Umbridge began but was cut off.
"Get out of my school." McGonagall said with finality as she turned on her heel and the others followed her leaving Fudge and Umbridge with only the men they brought. Furious at being dismissed in such a way Fudge and Umbridge turned and began to make their exit from the school grounds.
Then before the main group could get very far as Jones pulled Harry into a hug.
"You scared the hell out of me!" She said holding him tightly as Hermione and Susan released his arms so he could return her hug.
"Sorry about that." Harry said as they held each other for a while before separating.
"What happened?" She asked and McGonagall shook her head.
"Not here let's wait until we are behind more private doors." She said and Jones nodded and the group continued on their way. Hedwig always stayed close not letting Harry out of her sight as she flew from perch to perch along the way.
Harry, with the help of Hermione and Susan, made his way to McGonagall's office with wobbly legs.
"Was this office always this far away?" Harry asked as the group couldn't help but smile at his use of humor. It took them a while before they made it to McGonagall's office as she spoke the password and the Gargoyle moved to let them through.
"Perhaps the rest of you should return to your houses as well." McGonagall suggested for Harry's friends. She knew that Harry trusted them but she had a feeling that whatever occurred with Harry was something of a sensitive issue. Blaise looked at the others and nodded.
"Okay, Professor." He said and nodded to Harry who nodded back after that Neville, Tracey, Luna, and Blaise all left each of them concerned for Harry but recognizing the desire of their Headmistress.
"I'm not going." Jones said adamantly and McGonagall nodded.
"I didn't expect you to." She said as she lead those who remained up to the office. Once in McGonagall went about altering the room, expanding it, and conjuring some couches for the group to sit on.
Hermione and Susan helped Harry down to one of the conjured couches as they sat next to him with Daphne joining them. Hedwig took up Fawkes's old perch and kept her eyes fixed on Harry. The others took seats and McGonagall took her place behind the desk in her office.
"Now Harry, what did happen? Where did you go?" McGonagall asked getting what would probably be a very long conversation going.
"I'm not quite sure where, I know I was in a graveyard. Where ever Tom's father is buried that's the graveyard I was in." Harry said.
"Tom... as in Riddle?" Sirius asked and Harry nodded.
"Right, when I touched the Cup it took me to the Graveyard but Voldemort coated it in venom, it paralyzed me so I couldn't fight back. Peter was there too."
"What?" Sirius growled.
"Yeah, he was helping Voldemort, what a surprise." Harry said matching his Godfather's distaste.
"And... Voldemort was there?" Amelia asked hesitating for only a moment with his name.
"Yes, he was weak though, that's why he needed me. He performed some sort of ritual. One that gave him a proper body." Harry said as every person in the room tensed up at that.
"So he is back?" McGonagall said doing her best to remain calm. Harry nodded.
"Was Crouch there?" Amelia asked and Harry nodded.
"He showed up a little later, minus one leg."
"Yeah, when the Aurors came to tell Aunty that you were missing he all of the sudden tried to grab Hermione. Luckily Demona sensed it and attacked from Daphne's shadow. He apparated away after that." Susan told him. Harry smiled down at his shadow which Demona had melted back into when they were walking.
"Good girl." He praised and he felt a rush of joy from their bond.
"Crouch was acting oddly during the preparation for the third task, but I never imagined he would be a traitor. He sent his own son to Azkaban for being a Deatheater." Amelia said rubbing her eyes.
"It wasn't Crouch, well not the one you know. It was his son, turns out that Crouch senior smuggled him out of Azkaban as his wife's dying wish. Crouch junior killed him when Voldemort called him and took on his identity." Harry explained.
"And that's how your name got into the Goblet in the first place, he's been a part of the organizing committee since the beginning." Daphne deduced and Harry nodded.
"So then how did you get out of there? How did you get away?" Jones asked from her spot.
"Voldemort gave me the antidote for the venom, he started talking and summoned his Deatheaters."
"Did you get a good look at their faces?" Amelia asked and Harry nodded. "Good, we'll get the memory later."
"Right, but he started to go on and on, and eventually Demona showed up. I was calling her to me the whole time while keeping Voldemort talking."
"How'd you manage that?" Hermione asked and Harry shifted uncomfortably.
"He just started talking about the past, my parents and he made an offer to me."
"A lie obviously." Amelia said and when Harry didn't immediately agree with her she turned with wide eyes.
"I didn't accept! But it was genuine, he made an oath. It just caught me by surprise. He was going to let Hermione take me away from the Graveyard given my weakened state from his ritual."
"That's why Crouch tried to grab me?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, but since I refused he would've tried to kill you, I wouldn't have let that happen." Harry said firmly grasping Hermione's hand in his own.
"So then Demona got you out?" Jones asked.
"Not right away, I had her attack the Deatheaters, Crabbe, and Goyle are dead. Lucious and Nott are wounded and Peter ran as soon as the fighting started. I dueled Voldemort but some of the venom was still in my system so it hampered me during the fight. When I saw an opening I went for the cup and called Demona back to me. But I was too slow, Voldemort hit me with a killing curse." He could feel Susan and Hermione on either side of him grip him tightly. Looking over to Daphne she looked like she expected this but was still horrified.
"How did you survive? That's twice now." Amelia asked and Harry looked around. McGonagall, Amelia, Sirius, Jones, Susan, Hermione, and Daphne. These were the people he could trust, even McGonagall. She might've been one of Dumbledore's yes women but she has more than proved that she has had her eyes opened and she genuinely was trying to make up for her mistake in following his every word.
Anyone who looked into Hogwarts could see the fruits of her efforts given the few months that she had been Headmistress. But what he was going to say had to be kept secret and he knew of only one way to do that.
"I can tell you, but only if you give an oath to not tell anyone outside of the people here unless I agree that someone else should know," Harry said and as expected everyone looked very surprised.
"Truly Harry? Is that necessary?" Amelia asked and Harry nodded and couldn't help but glance at McGonagall. The Headmistress sighed and brought out her wand. She knew that while Harry trusted he still needed to be sure.
"I'll take the oath." She said and Sirius went second.
"So will I."
"I trust you so yeah, I'll do it." Jones said.
"You know you can trust us but we'll still make one." Daphne said as Hermione and Susan nodded. Amelia looked at the others and sighed, she knew this was the best option. Perhaps if oaths like this were made more in the last war they would've had fewer moles like Pettigrew.
"Very well, if you think it's truly necessary." Amelia said and they each made their oaths, it was simply just to keep the information they learned to themselves and not share it. And if they felt that other people needed to know they would have to go to Harry first for his approval. With that out of the way Harry took a deep breath and began.
"I didn't die from the curse because I had a Horcrux in my scar from Voldemort."
"WHAT!?" McGonagall and Amelia screamed rising from their seats in shock. Sirius had wide eyes as his face went pale and Jones's mouth dropped open.
Hermione, Susan, and Daphne looked confused.
"What's a Horcrux?" Hermione asked.
"I think I've heard of that before, but I'm not sure what it is." Daphne said.
"It's a dark form of magic, the darkest and most foul there is. The magic takes a piece of the caster's soul and places it in an object. But to put it in a living thing. Harry, you should've been taken over from infancy!" McGonagall said.
"He didn't mean to make me, so it wasn't a true Horcrux. But it did leak some things to me, my Parselmouth ability for example." Harry explained, "But when I was hit with the killing curse, the soul piece in my scar was expelled and I suffered from something like backlash."
"So then it's gone? Does this mean you're no longer a Parselmouth?" Hermione asked doing her best to digest the fact that Harry had a piece Voldemort lodged in his head for all these years.
"No, I'm still a Parselmouth. The ability left Voldemort's soul piece and went to me." Harry said rubbing his throat remembering the event.
"How can you be sure? You just woke up." Sirius said and Harry smiled.
"I... well. I kinda went to a place between life and death. And I met someone." Harry said a fond smile on his lips.
"Who?" Sirius asked curiously and Harry's smile turned to a grin.
"I'll tell you but you need to do something for me first. Stand please." Harry said getting up finding the strength returning to his legs. Sirius was confused but stood non the less.
Harry walked to him and grabbed both his shoulders and looked him in the eye.
"Sorry about this." He apologized.
"Sorry for-ieee!" Sirus yelped as Harry's knee came up connecting with Sirius's groin as he fell back to his seat clutching his manhood.
"Mum, says Hi." Harry said as he sympathetically looked at his Godfather. McGonagall was taken by surprise by Harry's sudden action but didn't miss what he just said.
"Mum?... wait do you mean?" McGonagall asked and Harry nodded.
"Lily?" Amelia asked memories of the fiery redhead flashing in her mind from their time at Hogwarts.
"Yeah, she met me there, she told me about the Horcruxes." Harry said.
"How could she have known? She died years ago." Amelia asked.
"Well turns out that people on the other side can peak over here from time to time."
"How often does she peak?" Daphne asked knowing it probably wouldn't be good if she saw some of what Harry and his girls got up to. Even if she had passed on. Harry smiled at Daphne amused that she had the same thoughts he did when he met his mother.
"She knows when it's not the right time to look around." He assured, "She told me about the Horcrux and there are certain powers on the other side that want Voldemort to be put to death." Harry said.
"Certain powers?" McGonagall asked and Harry shrugged.
"She calls them the Keepers, but she didn't know what they are. They showed me how to sense for Voldemorts Horcrux's so we can find them, Mum also showed me where we can start." Harry said walking around McGonagall's desk and up the stairs that lead to her private quarters.
"Professor, if I may?" Harry said and McGonagall waved her wand to unlock the door and the others followed Harry Curious to see what he was doing. Harry led them to a wardrobe and felt around his person before remembering that he no longer had a wand anymore. A fact that filled him with a sense of loss. Hermione saw this and came forward.
"What do you need?" She asked as Harry smiled appreciatively at her.
"I need to move this to the side." He said indicating to the wardrobe. Harry nodded and she took her wand and moved the Wardrobe off to the side. Harry then went forward and began to press the sequence of bricks on the wall that his mother showed him. Just like he saw the bricks then began to fold out from the wall moving to reveal a space in the wall which held stacks of papers and journals.
"Dumbledore already knew about the Horcruxes, He started researching about what Voldemort could've used as his objects." Harry said stepping away as Amelia came forward to finger through some of the papers with a shake of her head.
"To have this knowledge, to know that Voldemort was going to inevitability return, and instead of sharing this and giving us time to prepare he kept it hidden." Amelia said a biting tone coming to her voice at the end.
"Do you think anyone would've believed him?" Harry asked, he didn't agree with Dumbledore's hoarding of information but he still wanted to know.
"That doesn't matter, Fudge would've shut him down but I take any threat seriously. I would've helped and looked into this matter. He helps no one by keeping this information hidden." Amelia seethed as she pulled out one of the journals and began to skim through it.
"These are detailed notes on Tom Riddle, what he kept close to him and what he could've used as Horcruxes. This goes as far back as when Dumbledore found him at an orphanage apparently." Amelia said flipping through the pages.
"Exactly we need to go through these, find out what Voldemort has used for his Horcruxes and destroy them." Harry said.
"No!" Susan suddenly said and Harry turned to her.
"What?"
"No Harry, they have to go through this," she said gesturing to her Aunt and the other adults in the room including Sirius who had gotten overcome the pain of Lily's message for him. "You can't." Susan said.
"Susan, I'm the only one that can sense the Horcruxes."
"Then show them how. Harry, you can't just..." She said and started to choke up as her eyes started to sting with tears. "Harry you came back to us dead! Dead! Not hurt, not knocked out, dead!" Susan.
"Susan, I didn't-"
"No! Maybe to you, you didn't die, but to us, to me, you did. You were dead, they put you in a casket! I can't... I can't..." She said her breaths becoming heavy as she placed her hands against her chest trying desperately to calm her breathing so she could talk. "Please, just let them take care of it. I can't see you like that again."
"Susan, you're not going to."
"Yes, you will! If you keep doing this, going after him then you will. Just like... like."
"Susan." Daphne said knowing that she was talking about her parents and their deaths. Amelia put down the journal in her hand and went over to comfort her niece and Harry couldn't help the guilty feeling settling in his stomach.
"I can't stop, I can't teach them how to sense the Horcruxes. I don't like it any better than you do." Harry said his hands balling into fists. "I wish I could just walk away from this and just learn magic, explore the world, and be with you. You, Hermione, and Daphne, I would love that but we can't do that. Not with Voldemort still out there."
"Why does it have to be you!" Susan said a noticeable shake to her voice.
"I agree, there has to be some other way, Harry." Daphne said as she hugged Susan close. "I've seen what he can do to people and I've seen the aftermath. I barely kept it together when it happened to my father if it happened to you, or Susan or Hermione. I wouldn't be able to stand it."
"He's going to come anyway." Amelia said as she came around in front of her niece. "I understand Susie, I do. But you can't hide from this, none of us can. I've seen what happens to those that try to hide, and I think Harry understands as well, and so does Sirius." Amelia said as Sirius closed his eyes his face tight with the memories in his head.
Harry understood as well, his parents had gone into hiding and that did nothing to save them. Pettigrew betrayed them and Voldemort found them. It didn't matter if you avoided it if he was left unchallenged then he would spread like cancer.
"Susan, Daphne, I get it. But I need to help. If I can take him down or at the very least help then I need to do it. Not just for my parents or myself. But for everyone, so that no one else has a story like yours, Daphne. Or a story like yours Megan." Harry said looking over to Jones who had her hands clasped but met his gaze.
"I understand, Harry." Jones said "And knowing that he's back, I guarantee you I'm not going to sit on my arse and let him run amok hurting and killing people again. But Harry you did die, at least for us you did. That scared us, that scared me. But I hope I know you well enough that you're not going to run off half-cocked without at least some form of plan and I'm not letting you go it alone. Whatever you decide I'm with you." Jones said with a firm nod.
"So am I, I'm terrified, but I'm with you. I've been with you since we went after the philosophers stone and I'm not leaving you now." Hermione said standing and grasping one of his hands. Harry smiled at her as he looked at Susan and Daphne.
"I won't ask you to go through with this." Harry began but Daphne shook her head.
"We may not have the same history as you and Hermione but after everything we've been through this year, I am not letting you go now. But you have to promise, you do nothing alone you get help and you do your damndest to make sure you come out of this." Daphne said firmly Harry nodded and she came forward with Susan followed her.
"I don't like it, I'm not going to pretend I do... but I'm not letting you do this alone either. But Harry after everything that has happened this year can't you just take a moment to breathe? You deserve at least a break." Susan said as Harry went to say otherwise but Sirius cut him off.
"She's right Pup. Whether you truly acknowledge it or not, you had a near-death experience at it was a stroke of ungodly luck that made it to where you didn't die. You need to take some time."
"But Voldemort-"
"Is not going to do anything right away, he still needs to gather his forces and recourses. Let me look into this," she said nodding towards the piles of papers. "And you take at least the summer to rest, you've more than earned at least that." Amelia said and Harry looked around seeing everyone agreed with what Amelia said and he conceded.
"Alright, maybe a few months away wouldn't hurt." Harry agreed, he trusted Amelia, and with her in his corner in the coming conflict-filled him with confidence.
"What about Fudge?"
"I'll take care of that, after all the only reason that Crouch was able to stay on the Organization committee was because Fudge insisted on it, at Lucious's behest. With your memory of that event in the Graveyard then I can ensure Fudge won't last the week."
"You'll need someone to replace him," Sirius said as all eyes turned to him and his eyes went wide. "Oh Bloody Hell no! I am just stating a fact not throwing in my name!" He said quickly with a shake of his head.
"Any recommendations?" Amelia asked looking to the other Adult in the room but before McGonagall could answer Jones spoke up.
"What about you?" Jones asked.
"Me? No, I need to stay the head of the DMLE and not deal with idiotic politicians who don't know their arses from a hole in the ground." Amelia said.
"But we need someone like you at the head of our Ministry, someone we trust and someone who won't be bought or coerced. Someone who will do what needs to be done to win and put that mad man back in the ground!" Jones said.
"It would still go down to a vote, even if we submit my name there's no guarantee."
"We can make it a guarantee, that if only you run there's no competition." Jones said with a mad glint in her eye.
"We're not murdering anyone."
"Except Death eaters, but that's not what I was thinking, everyone is hiding something. I bet you threaten to air their dirty laundry and they wouldn't even dare to dream about running." Jones explained and Daphne nodded.
"Right, my mum and dad can help with that. We have some experience with that." Daphne said and Amelia rubbed her eyes.
"I expect to be compensated for the inevitable headaches coming my way," Amelia said as she couldn't think of anyone outside of the people here that she could trust wholeheartedly with the coming fight. She trusted some people with her life but not the lives of everyone in Britains's magical world.
They had the beginning of a plan, something to work toward for when Voldemort makes his move. Unlike last time they wouldn't sit around waiting for fools and idiots to finally make a decision. No, they would fight with all they had, and this time they would win. No matter what.
Yes, that was their plan, but they were not the only ones to be making plans. In a heavily warded and hidden Gaunt manor, Voldemort sat at a long table looking around. Parkinson who was dead by his own hand, and so were Crabbe and Goyle killed by Harry's hound. Lucius was in the process of healing he got off rather lightly with only a jagged claw mark scar across his face.
Nott was not so fortunate as half of his face was burned away and missing an arm. Crouch Jr. was still missing a leg, Voldemort had rewarded him once already he would have to seek other avenues for replacing the limb. Peter was un-harmed as he had run but Voldemort made sure to teach him a very valuable lesson about running when he eventually returned.
This was not what he wanted, he needed more of his followers but his most loyal ones were trapped in Azkaban and the others were either still hiding like rats or turned away due to his blood status. They would be dealt with in due time.
However what troubled him greatly was Harry, you see as far as Voldemort was concerned he was dead but he had to assume that perhaps he had taught his magic to others and if that was the case Voldemort needed to find a game changer of his own.
"Wormtail!" Voldemort called and the pudgy man scurried to his feet.
"Y-yes my Lord!" He said shaking like a leaf.
"You will make your way to Romania, there is a clan that lives on the outskirts of the Hoia-Baciu Forest. Bumble around and they will find you, tell their leader that the riddle has been solved and an answer is demanded. He will know what it means, bring back what he gives you." Voldemort said and waited and when Peter didn't move he smashed his hand into the table.
"Now!" He roared and Peter jumped and practically ran out of the room.
"My lord is that wise? Wormtail is not the most reliable with important tasks such as this." Lucius said wincing a bit like the act of talking caused him pain.
"He is the only one that could make the trip relatively easily and undetected with his Animagus form. I need the rest of you for a different task, my most loyal has spent enough time rotting in that prison. They will suffer no longer."
Two forces, preparing unknowingly circling each other. But there will be an unavoidable clash and one shall rise and one shall die, permanently.
_SCENE_
Here it is Chapter 23, a bit of flair and heart break from the situation. And major motion in the fight against Voldemort is being taken and what oh what could be hidden in the worlds most haunted forest that Voldemort is going to require? We will see, now I thought I was just going to end it here and say that this story is complete but I am considering just going on for the long ride and making it just one long story instead of breaking it up into parts but if I post another chapter y'all now which option I am going for if I don't and I begin on the second part in a separate story then that will be that. That's all I got for right now stay tuned and I will let you know so until next time this has been you Average, Ordinary, Everyday Fallen Angel.