Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

-oOo-

Chapter 15

01 June 2024

-oOo-

A/N: This chapter earns more of the M rating for violence.

-oOo-

September 24, 1996

Kodahada O'odhim Nation, Arizona, MACUSA

Daphne held Harry's hand as they were led towards a towering cliff. A woman of obvious native decent was leading the group. Soyala had the traditional bronzed skin and dark hair she had been led to expect of First Nation people. Her hair was tied back with a colourful beaded bangle holding it up and was more of a traditional garb from what Daphne had seen in some of the books they had been given to look at the last few days.

Behind them were the two Unspeakables that they had been assigned. Much like their British counterparts, they wore grey robes, but in more modern cut to look like a trench coat. The hood was down, letting her see the blue-eyed dark hair woman with the codename Tinkerbell and the dark-eyed, sandy haired man who called himself Madmax.

She didn't understand their names. Harry had said Tinkerbell was a fairy from a Muggle children's story, but she knew fairies were not nice, couldn't talk and were only good for lights, keeping pests from gardens and fruit trees and potion ingredients.

Unlike the Congress of the America's, the MACUSA was more inclusive of the native tribes and nations. Apparently, a hard learned lesson from their past when wars nearly decimated both the new Americans and the First Nations.

"You will remain silent and let me talk with the elders," the woman before them said as they approached a ladder that went up the shear face of the cliff. Daphne swallowed. She didn't mind heights, but the latter didn't look that safe. Looking up, she could see it was a series of ladders to get them the hundred feet or more to the buildings built into the cliff.

"I won't let you fall," Harry said, as though reading her thoughts.

She nodded. "I trust you."

He squeezed her hand before letting it go. He made sure his ruck sack was secured to his back. She did the same. Since getting all their things back, neither of them had let their bags out of their sight, or even further than they could grab. She was still weary of the MACUSA, but since their meeting with the president, things had gotten better.

Harry rubbed his scar before following her up. The ladder was a single log, perhaps twenty feet long, with cross branches attached with a fibrous rope. She thought it be wobbly or insecure, but it didn't move or creak, even when there were three or four of them on it. Harry stayed just a rung behind her, looking ready to catch her.

When they finally climbed up under the eve of the massive cliff cave, she looked around in amazement. Dozens of houses were built from floor to ceiling on two levels. Dozens of people were stopping what they were doing to look at them. They had been told this was a great honour to be able to visit a major holding of the Kodahada O'odhim. She wouldn't be surprised if more than two hundred people lived here.

A few pulled wands or rods, while a few others reached for spears or bows. She swallowed.

"They knew we were coming," she whispered.

The woman that had escorted them here gave them a look to remain quiet. Harry moved in close. She could tell he was ready to act but had kept his wand in his holster. Looking around, she saw that most of the men were in leather trousers, while the woman had a leather parker or shirt with the trousers.

Two men looking older than even Dumbledore approached. She stepped back so that she was standing against Harry. She felt uncomfortable not because of the magic of the place but the way the people here didn't seem to like strangers. Given the history she had read of the First Nations and their issues with both the MACUSA and the American governments, she probably shouldn't feel surprised.

Soyala started to talk with the elders. The conversation seemed to get rather heated as the sun began to set at their backs. It was a little bit before everyone settled. Most dispersed, but a hand full remained, looking like guards.

Their guide turned to them then looked at the Unspeakables. "The elders are upset at the evil you have brought here. That was not what you promised."

"We made a deal that the Kodahada O'odhim would perform a cleansing ritual and we will get back more of your lands," the woman said behind them. Daphne wished she knew her name besides Tinkerbell.

"That is the only reason the elders have agreed to go through with this. The moon rises soon. The boy must be prepared," she told them. Soyala turned to her. "You will come with me."

Daphne glared at the woman. "I am not leaving my husband."

"This is not a ritual for women," the woman told her.

Harry put a hand on her shoulder. "Daphne stays with me."

Soyala frowned, then had another lengthy conversation with the elders. The sun light on the top of the cave disappeared when she turned back to them. "If anything happens, the elders are not responsible."

Daphne stood tall, unafraid to face whatever was coming their way. If something were to happen to Harry, she wasn't sure she would want to go on without him.

"Follow the elders. You will both need to remove any clothes, magical items and metals before entering the chamber. Both of you," Soyala said as she stepped to the side.

Daphne swallowed. No one had said that.

"Daph, you don't need to," Harry said.

She straightened her back. "We said we would do this together."

He got her resolve and took her hand. They followed the elders with Soyala and the Unspeakables staying behind.

-oOo-

The same night…

Wiltshire, England

Moody was looking at the empty fields below. His team had been scouting this property for days, planting apparition points, anti-portkey and anti-apparitions runes and mapping out where the wards of the large estate ended. His twenty man team had been surprised at how lax the security was around the estate, but he was hoping that was because they were working a half mile or more out, except when they had to get close to place the new ward stones.

Somehow, they had gotten lucky enough to not be caught. Looking at his watch, he was getting anxious for the time to come. Bill had gotten word that the shaman he knew would do the job and it would be done tonight. Arizona was a long ways away though, and if they were to start about nine their time, it would be close to three in the morning here.

It was two-twenty-two. The portkeys should bring in the main host directly at two-thirty. Four hundred Aurors from around the continent should be more than enough to finally put an end to the Dark Wanker.

"Sir," one of the young Aurors assigned to him said. If the boy hadn't been such a good ward weaver, he would have already replaced him because the boy kept calling him that.

"It's Moody, lad. What is it, Austin?"

"There is a patrol nearing point Omega-2. Do you want us to capture them?" the young man asked.

Moody's eyes panned out to his right. The Omega landing zones were on the far side of the Malfoy estate. He had six of his over there. Moody scratched his chin. He didn't want anyone in the estate knowing what was going on until the last minute. Patrols were rather infrequent, so he thought it might be noticed if they didn't return. "Give them a few minutes. If they aren't clear by two-twenty-eight, take them down."

"Yes, sir… Moody," the lad said when he gave him a hard look.

When he didn't see anything on the far side of the valley, he figured that the patrol had passed his men. At two-twenty-nine he said, "Austin, power up the wards."

The young man nodded. The other four with him all tensed. The wards that would overlay the Malfoy wards were just building when a dozen men and woman suddenly flashed into existence just down the hill. Within thirty seconds, sixty had portkeyed in. Two other sights were receiving the rest, with the Omega sites getting the bulk of the force, along with the Cursebreakers and ward hammers.

It took the team below him less than three minutes to organize. Longer than he liked, but better than he expected. An Italian by the name of Alvera walked up the hill. "Beta team reporting in, Master Auror," the man said.

"Good to see you, Alvera. Your team ready?"

The man nodded. "We owe the bastards that killed some of us at the ministry."

Moody grinned. He liked this man. "Right you are, lad. Just be careful. We don't know what traps, tricks or total forces they have."

"Yes, Master Auror."

They all turned when the night lit up with a bright angry red and electric blue. Domes of light were shining like the midday sun as the Cursebreakers peddled their trade on the wards. Moody looked down at his watch. He was told that this was expected to take at least ten minutes. In that time, they were to keep as many from escaping as they could.

"You know what to do, captain."

The Italian nodded and walked back down the hill, barking orders in English, Italian and French. Teams of five or ten broke off to cover the perimeter.

Austin was standing next to him again, anxiously moving from foot to foot. "Shouldn't we move in too?"

Moody put a hand on the lad shoulder to calm him. "We are the spear tip. As soon as the wards are down, we apparate to the front steps and barge in."

He didn't remind the lad that once in they wouldn't be able to get back out until either their wards were taken down by their lot or broken by the enemy.

This is what they should have done all those years ago when the wanker fell to Potter.

-oOo-

About the same time…

Kodahada O'odhim Nation, Arizona, MACUSA

Daphne was feeling rather self-conscious as she sat on the floor in the rather hot and humid room. They had climbed down a ladder into a round room that was being used like a sauna. She had been instructed to sit with her legs up and crossed, her hand on her knees. This meant that she was exposed to the seven men in the room. They ranged in age from their early twenties to older than Dumbledore. The three eldest were around Harry, who was laying on a stone table.

The other four were sitting in what she deduced were the four cardinal coordinated: north, south, east and west. She was by Harry's head with the youngest man behind her.

If this wasn't for Harry, she would have run, never having exposed herself this way to anyone but Harry.

When they started to chant, she forgot about her uncomfortable situation. She could feel a magic that she hadn't before start to build. The three elders painted pictograms over Harry. The fine hair on her arms rose up as something primal and powerful permeated the air.

Harry started to move uncomfortably. She had been told she was to stay where she was, or it might kill them all. One of the elders leaned over Harry's forehead. He painted something there and Harry led out a blood curdling scream. Two of the elders grabbed his arms and legs to hold him down as he arched up.

She let out a whimper to hear the scream he was letting out. Harry never let anyone see he was in pain unless it really hurt. She couldn't keep still but stopped when the man behind her put a hand on her shoulder. She turned to glare at him. She had to get to her husband.

The man just shook his head.

The scream that was suddenly rent from Harry had her turning. She was about to scramble to her feet until her eyes widened. A pitch black cloud was pouring out of Harry's scar. It was screaming in an agony that she could never describe.

The elders looked to be straining to keep Harry from thrashing about. The chanting had risen to fever pitch. The elder over his head was funnelling the smoke up with his hands. After a few seconds, it stopped. Harry let out a whimper, then went limp.

The shamans of the tribe all turned their attention to the smoky cloud that was screaming in agony. When the hand left her shoulder, she scrambled to her feet, moving to Harry's head. Tears were streaming down his face and his eyes were closed.

"I'm here," she told him, unsure what else to say. Tears were coming down her face. She moved to shield him from the battle going on over their head.

Harry's eyes opened. They weren't the normal vibrant green she loved. Instead, they were dull. "Ow," he said.

She started to really cry, fear over taking her as she felt the primal magics fighting the malevolent spirit above them. As they did, the light in his eyes dimmed more. "You can't leave me," she told him.

"I love you," he said in a week voice.

Her face scrunched. "You can't leave me," she told him, leaning over to give his lips a light kiss.

The second her lips met his, it was an electrifying feeling like she had never felt before. Her body suddenly felt like it was burning as the primal magic around them channelled into her. It had latched onto her for some reason. She screamed in pain until Harry's hand took hers. The magic was like being struck by lightning. It danced over her skin, then across him. Harry let out a primal roar of defiance. A white light shot out from his chest to pierce the black cloud.

The cloud cried out in defiance before it started to turn white. Daphne channelled the magic as Harry shot it up to the ceiling. After what felt like an eternity, the magic suddenly retreated, leaving her spent, empty and panting. Unable to stand, she flopped to the floor.

Landing on her back, she watched as the light beam from Harry's chest sputtered out. The last of the black cloud was consumed by the light, and then dissipated. The men were staring at them with wide eyes.

Harry went completely limp with darkness quickly overtaking her.

-oOo-

About 3:30 AM…

Wiltshire, England

The assault had initially gone well. The wards had come down about ten of three. Moody and his five had apparated to the edge of the wards, got their bearings after the rest of the team had met and then began their assault on the front doors. They had gotten within a hundred yards before the defenders had come out.

He had been surprised that six giants came roaring around the side of the house. They weren't as surprised by the werewolves, expecting that with the full moon. What he hadn't anticipated was that the werewolves were following orders of the Death Eaters.

Jumping into a large gouge in the ground that was partially covered by the stinking corpse of a giant, he waited for the rest of his team to join him. Eight men and two woman joined him.

Looking at them, his eye swivelled. He quickly found Austin trying to defend Charmers, who was face down in the dirt. "Merlin's balls! Dagworth and Benson, go get Austin. We need all we can get for this final push."

A man with a dirty face and a slight woman with a cut across her cheek got up. "Sure, Moody," Dagworth said.

"Cover them," Moody ordered.

He flinched back as something hit the dirt nearby and exploded.

Tilling, a rather burly woman with blonde hair looked at a coin in her hand. "A team from Omega has finally entered the house," she told him.

Moody nodded. His wand came up and launched a large stone at a giant that was charging down Austin. The young man panicked, shooting a few cutting hexes at the behemoth, who didn't even notice them. It did notice the rock slab slamming into its head as it stumbled sideways before falling hard.

Dagworth and Benson made it as the giant shook off the hit. It moved to get up as Benson checked Charmers, shook her head, and then helped to drag Austin back. The others were keeping several werewolves and Death Eaters from killing them. When the three jumped into the gouge, he gruffed at the young man, "You alive?"

He looked shaken. "Uhm, yeah," he said.

"Good. Omega has broken in. We need to get around the north to join them," Moody told him.

"What about the main doors?" Tilling asked.

He shook his head. "We've been trying to get to them for a half hour now, lass. Do you see a straightforward way?"

She frowned and looked over the edge. A few second later, she popped back down. "I think most of their main force is here."

"I agree. So, we either go in to keep them busy and probably die or get around them, into the house, and try to take out the head Death Eater," Moody told them. He could see their resolve build.

"I say we distract those we can out here to give Omega a chance," Tilling said.

"I agree," Austin remarked. He was still shaken, but there was a certain fatalistic light in his eyes.

Moody growled, seeing his team would follow him, but knew they weren't about to leave the fight they were in. They already had nine of their number fall. "Fine. See if there are any reinforcements."

Tilling tapped her coin.

"What's the plan, Moody?" an older gentlemen asked in a thick accent Moody couldn't place.

He was trying to figure that out when a high-pitched scream echoed over the field.

The din of the battle lessened. They all risked a look over the edge of the gully. He hadn't seen Riddle come out of the house, but he was in the centre of nine Death Eaters. He was giving a blood curdling scream that was attracting everyone's attention. It was a sound that resonated to his bones. The huge snake they were to look for was writhing on the ground next to the bone white man.

Seeing that this could be an opportunity, he groused at his team, "What are you waiting for? Hit anything you can. Bombarda Maxima! Bombarda Maxima! Bombarda Maxima!" he got out in rapid succession, putting more power into the spells than usual. A group of turned werewolves were the unlucky recipients.

A few other Aurors around them started to cast their most destructive spells as well. The Death Eaters were a little slow to recover. Riddle fell to his knees, clutching at his chest as the Aurors finally got a hands up over the Death Wankers.

"Blast those stones," Moody ordered as the last giant was moving into a group of Aurors hitting it with everything short of the killing curse. They hit the wall that once made up the edge of the gardens. It shattered. Banishing them they made mincemeat of one of the things legs. It fell heavily before the other team finally dispatched it.

He moved in closer to Riddle. Others were moving to encircle the group. Riddle was now leaning over, his hands clutching his chest. He wasn't screaming anymore, but he wasn't moving either.

Moody clumped towards the group.

"Keep fighting," the crazed woman he knew to be Lestrange yelled at the few that were still fighting around Riddle. She was casting deathly green spells with acid yellow and organ expelling purple mixed in.

Most stopped fighting, their wands raised.

"FIGHT! YOU COWARDS! The Dark Lord will punish you all."

"Give up or die," Moody yelled out.

The woman whipped her head around to him. "Mad Eye," she spat.

He grinned maniacally at her. "Aye, lass. It's been a bit. Last time I remember seeing you I was dropping you off in a rather nice cell."

The woman screamed in fury. Her wand started a deadly dance of spells that he parried, side stepped and shielded. After a particularly bad looking black spell just missed him, he slashed his wand, before giving it a little twist when he brought it back up. A twirling blue stream left his wand before he snapped off a piercing hex then pulled up a slab of earth to stop a yellow acid spell.

He hadn't noticed that most of the fighting had stopped to watch this one last battle. Most of the remaining Death Eaters or their fighters were surrendering. His magical eye was keeping track of those around him, but he needed to concentrate on this battle.

The acid splashed off the dirt mound. He jabbed his wand. The mound exploded out. He caught her flying through the air from his twister spell. Taking the advantage, he took a few steps forward. He wasn't going to hold back on this one, so instead of stunner and ropes like the Aurors would normally do, he slashed, jabbed and twirled his wrist.

Lestrange was just starting to get up as the cutting hex ripped down her back. She let out a scream, which was stifled as the piercing hex went through her back and out her breast before the bone breaker hit her skull. Her head crumbled in as she fell to the ground.

Breathing hard, he looked at the woman that had caused his family and so much of the magical world, laying there, dead and broken. There were some moans and someone yelling for their mum around them.

He turned to see about twenty Aurors slowly approaching the downed form of the Dark Lord. He looked to a captain nearby. "Is he down?"

"Think so. A group took out his snake when it stopped writhing around and the bloody belland just fell," the man told him.

Moody rose his wand. A brave man had gotten close enough to use his boot to roll Riddle over. When he did, there was a stir in the crowd. Black ooze was coming from his eyes, nose, mouth and a hole in just above his right eye. There was no sign of life.

"Let me through," a man ordered from nearby. Moody looked to see two Unspeakables moving through the crowd. They parted for the men as others disarmed and bound any that had given up. Moody moved in closer as most moved back to let the Unspeakables at the body. One went to the decapitated snake while the other went to Riddle.

He tapped a few before him on the shoulder and they moved out his way after seeing who he was. He and two other Master Aurors stepped inside the circle.

"Is he dead?" an older woman asked.

The Unspeakables weren't saying anything. After a moment, one of them took a rope out of their robes, wrapped it around the head and body of the snake and tapped it. The dead snake disappeared.

"Is Riddle gone?" Moody asked, having a clever idea of the Unspeakables were.

After a few minutes of some fancy wand waving, runes drawn on the body and some odd incantations, the one over the body stood up. "The Dark Lord, Tom Marvolo Riddle, is dead."

There was a moment of shocked silence before a cheer rent the night.

Moody gave a satisfied nod. After a moment to wipe his forehead, he turned his back on the celebrating crowd. They could have their few minutes before they turned to find out the butchers bill.

-oOo-

September 25, 1996

Kodahada O'odhim Nation, Arizona, MACUSA

He groaned as he shifted. A warm mass was laying on his side with a head on his chest and her blonde hair in his mouth. As nice as it was to have the warm body there, his body bloody hurt, and his head felt like it was splitting open.

Light was creeping in around a curtain.

He shifted again.

"Stop moving. I'm not ready to get up," a tired voice came from his chest.

"Daph?" he asked.

The arm over his stomach curled up so that her hand was up his side. She held herself tight to him, as though afraid he was going to run or disappear. He doubted he could even sit up if he wanted too.

"I'm not letting you go," she replied.

With some effort he managed to curl his arm to wrap around her back. She was as bare as him. She didn't lessen her hold on him. "I'm alright, princess," he said.

Something wet hit his chest. "Will you stop with that! Harry, you were dying last night! I saw it. You were dying and you were going to leave me! You can't leave me! I don't know what I would do…" a sob cut off whatever she was going to say.

Stifling a groan, he pulled up his other arm to hold her tight as she cried. She had been so strong. He couldn't deny her accusation though. He had wanted to give up all the pain that was his life. He felt himself going, almost giving into the pleasant feel of nothing until he felt her lips on his. How could he have wanted that?

Daphne held him tighter. A groan of pain left his lips. She loosened her hold a little but kept crying.

"I wouldn't leave you. I promised," he whispered. She let out a wet laugh.

"Merlin, Harry, how can you be so stupid, serious and such a blasted Gryffindor and then pull something like that out?" she said, hitting his side.

He kissed the top of her head. "I'm just good that way, I guess."

She gave a watery laugh again, sniffling and trying to get her tears under control. "I was warned about stupid men."

He kissed the top of her head again. "I do my best."

"Bloody hell!" she exclaimed, hitting his side again.

He let out a small chuckle. "I love you."

After a moment, she kissed his chest. "I love you too."

A knock came at the door. Daphne pulled the blanket over them and buried her face into his chest. He looked for his wand and saw it on a table next to them. He reached for it before calling out, "Come in."

Tinkerbell opened the door. "Are you both up?"

"No. Go away," Daphne said from under the blanket.

The woman gave them a little smile. "I wanted to check on you again. Last night was a little rough on the both of you."

"I feel fine… ouch," he started, flinching away from the nails that dug into his left side. "Merlin, Daph!"

"Don't do that," she just about hissed at him.

The woman gave him an amused look. "How do you really feel, Mister Potter?"

He glared at Daphne's blond hair that was sticking out of the blanket before saying, "I feel like a lorry ran me over."

The woman rose an eyebrow. "Lorry?"

"Just say a hippogriff," Daphne's voice drifted from under the blanket.

There was a light of understanding in the woman's eyes. "I'm not surprised. If you would keep your wand down, I wanted to do a few scans."

"Sure," Harry agreed.

Her wand passed over both of them. After a few minutes, she nodded. He looked to her. "Are we going to be alright?"

Tinkerbell smiled. "I think you will be fine. Your cores are still recovering, and you should avoid any magical use for a few days. The aches are from the greater than normal magic you channelled and should be much better after another night of sleep. I can give you a pain relief potion once we leave here. The elders don't like outside medicines and magics," she said to his curious look.

"When do we leave?" he asked.

"As soon as you want. The tribe is anxious for us to be out of here. The magic they cleansed from you was particularly vile to them and they need to cleanse the whole village," she told them.

Harry groaned as he shifted. Daphne squawked as the blanket moved and threatened to expose her. "I need to get dressed," she yelled at him.

The Unspeakable chuckled. "Your clothes are on the stool over here. I'll be just outside the door when you are ready."

When the door closed, Daphne pushed up on her elbows. She winced, as though she was in the same pain. His eyes grew worried to see the pain and concern in her blue eyes. "Are you alright?"

She huffed. "No. I'm bloody sore." She was swearing the more she spent time with him. "I'll be alright in a bit. I love you, Harry, but if you ever try to leave me like that again, I'll follow you, pull you back and then do it myself to show you how angry I am with you."

Harry grinned stupidly at her. "I love you too."

She glared at him before her eyes grew softer. "You're a berk, but, Merlin, I love you."

Her hand came up and pushed his hair up. Her finger ran down his scar. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of her skin on his. "It's only a thin white line now."

"Really?" he asked, his hand moving to his head. The more he moved the less it hurt. She took his fingers and ran it over where the scar should be. He didn't feel anything. "It's gone."

She gave him a smile that was beautiful, even with the tear streaks on her face. "Only that thin line now." She moved to kiss him. It didn't last long, but long enough for them to show each other that they really needed the other.

It took them a little bit to get dressed. When they walked out of the small room in the mud brick village, the sun was already low in the sky. He must have slept most of the day. They leaned heavily on each other as their muscles were sore and felt as though they had been stretched to their breaking point.

Soyala was waiting for them with the two Unspeakables and the two elders that had greeted them yesterday. The older men gave them a nod of acceptance. "Qualetaqa and Len acknowledge that the tribes' part of the deal is complete. They ask you if you wish to return that you do so without any dark magic."

Harry bowed his head to them. "I never meant to cause any issues."

"The elders do not blame you, Harry of the Potters. The evil that was in you needed to go. It is your strong wife that saved you and the village. For that, the elders are thankful and will always extend an invitation should she wish to be a shaman, Daphne of the Potters" Soyala offered.

Daphne was a little shocked. "I… I thank you, but don't know what I will do."

Soyala translated and replied with what the elders told her, "You are of the right age to begin the training, if you wish. If you wish to return another time, the elders will wait."

Daphne bowed her head. "Thank you. I will think on it."

Soyala smiled at her before turning to the Unspeakables. "The elders remind you of your promise. Within three moons, we expect to have the lands to the running waters returned to us."

"President Carneau has promised. We will tell her things are done," Madmax replied.

Soyala nodded. "It is time for you to leave so the village can be cleansed."

"Thank you," Harry said to her.

The elders bowed their heads as they went to the ladders. Harry thought it would be interesting to study the magic of this place. It was so different from anything he had felt before.

-oOo-

September 26, 1996

London, England

Moody's peg leg thumped through the still destroyed atrium of the ministry. The maintenance crews and others were working hard to repair the damage. Moody was impressed at the organization and the fact that so many of the workers survived the assault ten days ago. Most of the deaths were Aurors and the Death Eaters.

He clumped up to the first checkpoint by the lifts. Ten Aurors were checking everyone entering the ministry proper, and another thirty could be seen nearby. They were pretty sure that they had captured or eliminated most of Riddles forces two nights ago, but now was not the time to let their guard down. "Constant Vigilance," he muttered as he showed his badge on his jacket. At least one of his students learned his lesson.

One of the young Aurors approached him. He waited patiently as his badge was tapped and confirmed. "Thank you, Senior Auror Moody. What is your business today?"

"Called to see Scrimgeour," he told the lad.

The young Auror checked a clipboard. "Very good, sir. You can go through."

The lad was doing things the right way.

He got into the lift with several others. His eye was checking them over for wrong magics or other signs. He didn't see anything, but it didn't mean that something mightn't happen like an imperious curse.

He got out on level two. The floor was still in a bad way, though the dog pen was already set up with dozens of temporary cubicles and the walls had been patched up. He had to go through another security check point before allowed to go up to the first floor. This change to the floor plan and lifts had probably been the largest reason the ministry hadn't fallen and Scrimgeour survived.

Once up the stairs, he had to go through a third checkpoint before finally making it to the outer office. An attractive middle aged woman with dark hair was at a desk just outside the minister's office. He looked curiously at Croaker and Bill, then to Minerva and Filius.

"Alastor, it's good to see you," Minerva greeted him.

"Minnie, hope things are well? Filius, haven't seen you in a while," he replied.

"Yes, leaving the school was thought to be dangerous for the children, but things have changed," the diminutive man told him.

"Aye, it is. Croaker, Weasley." He nodded at them.

"Alastor," Croaker replied. "This is Osirus."

Bill bowed his head a little. He had hoped the boy would land in a good spot. He grinned at the redhead. "Osirus."

"Moody."

The door opened. A few department heads walked out. Some of them still looked spooked about the events of the last ten days, while others thanked them before they were let into the minister's office.

Moody walked just inside the door before leaning on the wall next to the doors. Once the others had sat, the lion maned man behind the desk leaned back. "I have recently been made aware of a group led by the late Headmaster Dumbledore. Do any of you know about it?"

Moody just rose a brow, knowing full well that Scrimgeour knew all about it.

"I was not part of the Order of the Pheonix, but I know of them," Filius said.

"I think the others were part of it though," the minister said, eyeing them all. Moody just grinned.

"No Unspeakable was part of such a group, but we were aware of their activities," Croaker said.

Scrimgeour huffed when no one elaborated on anything. After a moment, the minister opened his draw and pulled out a smoke filled orb. The smoke was a misty grey. Bill shifted and Minerva said, "Is that the prophecy?"

Scrimgeour looked to her. "You know about this?"

"Albus mentioned it, but he never told anyone," she said.

"I wouldn't say that, Minerva," he spoke up.

Scrimgeour looked up to him. "I take it you knew?"

"Only towards the end," Moody told him, not seeing any need to keep this secret anymore.

"I was told this was why we needed Potter. Are you telling me that the boy didn't mean anything in all this and that we could have gone after the Dark Lord years ago?" Scrimgeour said angrily. "Two-hundred and forty aurors, sixty-two civilians, three-hundred and eight Muggles, three-hundred and eighteen Death Eaters all dead, not to mention more than a thousand injured in the last year and this could have all be avoided?"

Moody didn't have an answer but understood the man's anger. Minerva paled. "I don't understand," she said.

"I'm told once a prophecy orb goes dark, it no longer applies or has been fulfilled. I don't know when this happened, but from what I can tell, we never needed Potter and I spent useful resources to find a brat that has avoided all the best people we have out there," Scrimgeour said angrily. "People died because I was told this kid was the only one that could beat Voldemort."

"And he did," Croaker said in a calm voice.

Scrimgeour's eyes narrowed. He suddenly shot forward, slamming his hands on his desk. "The bloody fuck he did! I have twenty-three reports that said some snot nosed, just graduated recruit put a drilling hex through the forehead of Voldemort."

"That is true, but that only worked because of what Potter did," Croaker responded.

Scrimgeour glared at the man. "Explain."

Croaker's face didn't show any emotion. "Potter was able to make it to the MACUSA. They found a way to remove a piece of a soul that had latched onto him. That ritual is what incapacitated Riddle and his familiar, allowing the Aurors to make the kill. The prophecy fulfilled," the older man said, indicating the darkened prophecy ball.

Moody smirked to see the dumbfounded look on Scrimgeour, Minerva and Filius. He noticed that Croaker didn't mention the other efforts by the Unspeakables. It was probably better that way. No one needed to know how Riddle had survived Potter and was resurrected.

Scrimgeour sat back. He didn't say anything for a long moment. "You are certain the Dark Lord is dead?"

"The Unspeakables can confirm that all his soul has passed to the other side. No one can be resurrected without a soul," Croaker told the minister.

Scrimgeour gave the man a discerning look. Moody could tell he wanted to ask what that meant, but eventually decided not to. "Fine. And this prophecy is fulfilled?"

"It would still be a glowing white if it wasn't," Croaker affirmed.

"And there are no others?"

"The two others the Unspeakables know about are also fulfilled," Croaker told him.

Scrimgeour looked distinctly dissatisfied with that response. "What do you mean the other two you know about?"

"All prophesies made within our borders are recorded in the Hall of Prophecies. Three were marked to involve Potter. All three are now fulfilled," Croaker told the man.

Scrimgeour looked to decide he didn't want to know if there were more when he picked up the globe and threw it against the wall. As it was fulfilled, nothing came of it except the mist dissipating. "I want them all destroyed. Potter abandoned us. I want to celebrate the true heroes."

"But Potter is the one who saved us. His parents sacrificed themselves for him and he defeated the Dark Lord in nineteen eighty-one," Minerva protested.

"Potter isn't here, and I am not about to talk to the MACUSA or tell the public that the heroes we are already touting aren't as heroic as we are making this. From this point on, any prophecies involving Potter are state secrets. No more Boy-Who-Lived. He has withdrawn the Potter and Black seats. There are no more Potters in Britain, and it will stay that way. All ministry backed missions to find him, and his chit have been called back," Scrimgeour told them.

"Now, as you all know, Dumbledore died the same day as Voldemort. His part in this victory is going to be celebrated. He will be laid out in a State Funeral starting this weekend. Each of you will be giving a speech to acknowledge his accomplishments. From what I understand you need this to bring your enrolment back up, Headmistress," Scrimgeour said with a finality that threatened dreadful things for anyone that went against him.

Minerva pursed her lips.

Filius said it for them all, "Minister, Albus Dumbledore did many great things in his life, but in the last few years, he was very neglectful of his charges at Hogwarts and is probably the reason we have been losing students this year, and lost the ones we did over the summer."

"I don't care. I don't care that he is being accused by the goblins of stealing from people. The ministry is going to silently repay any misappropriated funds to hush the goblins. We need heroes to prop up this victory and to assure the public. I don't care if you need to get pissed to give a speech, but you will," Scrimgeour ordered.

"And if we don't?" Croaker enquired.

"Then I will find a way to get you fired and make sure you are banished from the country. We are still in a state of war until we can prove that all the Death Eaters are caught and tried. If we fail at this, I think we will all pay the price when the public finally stops being sheep," Scrimgeour stated.

Moody snorted. "I'm already retired and will do so again. I'll say a few pretty words about Albus because he did do many great things, but I won't tout he was any martyr in eliminating Riddle. It is what he should have done years ago," he told the minister. Scrimgeour eyes narrowed as he regarded him until he nodded.

"Acceptable. And the rest of you?"

After everyone agreed, they were dismissed.

As he left, Minerva stopped him just outside the outer office. "Alastor?"

"Aye, lass?"

She gave a small smile. "I've not been a lass for many decades."

He chuckled. "I still remember you when you were a looker."

Her brow rose. "And I'm not now?" she questioned drolly.

He gave her a gnarled grin. "A might sight better than I am."

"Not much of a compliment, but at my age I'll take it," she dryly retorted. "I know you found Potter. Do you think he might come back now that You-Know-Who is gone?"

He shook his head. "I don't think so, lass. His lass and him had that look to them. They fought like devils to stay free. In a few more years, they will even give me a true challenge when I don't hold back. No, they have run and want something we can't give them," Moody told her.

She sighed. "I was afraid of that. I failed him more than I like to admit."

"I think we all did," he agreed. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Anything else, Minnie?

"Yes. The Auror we had teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts died in the last battle. You wouldn't be interested in taking over the class or know of anyone that is?" she questioned.

He scratched his chin. He had wanted a quiet life when he retired a few years back. Since then, it had been anything but, and he found he hadn't cared much for the year he had been fully retired. "I won't go easy on the snot-nosed brats."

She gave a wry smile. "I think we have coddled them enough in the last decade or more. My only rule is no transfiguration for punishment."

He grinned. "Aye, I heard about my imposter doing that. Don't worry, there are much more creative ways of bringing a troubled recruit into line."

Her brow scrunched. "Alastor, we do not use any martial punishments."

He grinned, which was a horrible sight. "I have ways without hurting any of them. I have a week or so to finish up here, then I'll report."

"Alastor, I mean it," she said as he walked away. "Alastor, nothing that will cause parents to get angry. Alastor! ALASTOR!"

Merlin, he enjoyed riling her. Life's simple pleasures…

-oOo-

Next time on Dear Order: The epilogue.