Chapter 22

Harry gasped and sat up, startling Lugh and Argante.

"Harry!" Argante said rushing to his side. "Are you alright?"

"Fine," Harry said. "Where's Voldemort?"

"Here," Voldemort said with a groan. "We did it."

Everyone turned to see Voldemort's ghostly form floating in the doorway. "Thank you," he said nodding at Harry.

Harry nodded back. "So, what will you do now?"

"We find a way to exorcise him," Lugh said. "He has to pay for what he's done."

"You're right," Voldemort said. "I've done some terrible things. Fighting my soul shard really put things into perspective."

"What do you mean," Autumn said walking over to him.

"I've murdered because I thought it was the only way to protect our people. I started a war because I thought the muggles would surely try and start one with us. After seeing what my soul shard became, I realized I wasn't much different. I don't deserve a second chance, but I'd like a chance to redeem myself."

"Voldemort," Autumn began.

"No," Voldemort said. "Tom was the name my biological mother gave me before she died. I think it's time I honored her by accepting that name." He gazed at Autumn. "Thank you, mother. You showed me the love I needed."

Autumn sniffed and tears ran down her cheeks. "I used you," she wailed. "I adopted you to be a disciple for Zeus."

Tom nodded. "I know you did. Still, you tried to protect me. You showed me more love than I ever received in the earlier timeline."

"How touching," a voice said from the doorway.

Everyone turned to see Zeus standing there, smiling widely.

"How did you get in here?" Merlin asked.

Zeus smirked. "I am a god. Slipping through your wards was child's play to me."

Lugh stepped in front of the group. "What do you want Zeus?"

"I'm here to finish what I started. All of you have interfered with my plans for the last time. I can't allow you to stand in my way. And don't expect Thanatos to help you. I've already dealt with him."

Harry felt his stomach drop. "What have you done with Luna and Lily? They aren't here, so you must've done something with them."

"Your friends?" Zeus asked. "I've done nothing with them. Maybe you just aren't as close as you thought. If you were going to live passed today, I'd say let this be a lesson to you. Don't rely on anyone but yourself. You'll always be disappointed If you do."

Dumbledore stepped into the room, his wand drawn. "I can't allow you to harm my students."

"This does not concern you old man. Leave before you get hurt."

"If it concerns my student, it concerns me."

"Really," Zeus said drawing out the word. "So, the old mortal has enough backbone to defy a god. Do you know who I am?"

"No," Dumbledore said calmly, "And I can't say I really care. I won't allow you to harm Harry, Lugh, or anyone else here."

"I am Zeus," Zeus thundered, his voice shaking dust from the ceiling. "I am the god of the sky and the king of the Olympians."

"Good for you," Dumbledore said glancing over at Lugh, "but you're not the first supposed god I've met."

Harry didn't even see Zeus move. The lightning bolt struck Dumbledore's shield with enough force to send the old man flying backwards.

A shadowy hand caught Dumbledore before he could hit the ground and set him gently on his feet.

"Brother," Hades said. "I won't let you do this."

"Let me," Zeus snapped firing a stream of electricity from his palm. "You can't stop me."

Lugh blocked the electricity with a shield of light and hurled his spear at Zeus's back.

Zeus twisted, catching the spear and snapping the shaft between his hands. He grunted as a sphere of air smashed into his chest, causing him to stumble into a wall.

"Fools," he hissed. "You can't stop me."

Auberon lifted a hand, sending Zeus smashing into the ceiling hard enough to crack the stone.

Merlin whirled a hand through the air, conjuring snakes that wrapped around Zeus's limbs, binding him tight.

Zeus let out a roar, incinerating the snakes with a burst of lightning and leaping to his feet. "Enough," he thundered.

A wave of force sent Lugh, Merlin, and Auberon smashing into the walls. The trio slid down to the floor and lay still.

Harry leapt out of bed to stand beside his mother. Seeing him, Zeus chuckled. "Gonna die in your pajamas?"

"Better than dying naked."

Autumn walked over and took Harry's other hand.

"Autumn?" Zeus asked. "What are you doing?"

"What I should've done a long time ago. You are mad and I can't allow you to harm anyone else ever again."

"Right," Tom said from the ceiling. There was a flicker of movement and Matilda appeared beside Tom.

"I never knew you," the old woman said quietly, "but I'd like to think we'd have gotten along if we did. I may never be able to forgive you for murdering me, but I can help you stop this wannabe god."

As one, Harry, Argante, and Autumn released their combined magic at Zeus. At the same time, Tom and Matilda flew down into the thunder god.

There was a flash of light as a column of white fire enveloped Zeus. Veins of purple and black energy pressed against his skin and Zeus began to scream. He writhed, struggling against the assault from without and within, but found himself unable to break free.

**ACC**

"So," Hecate said. "We need an answer. There isn't much time. Zeus is attacking Hogwarts as we speak."

"Will we still be us?" Lily asked.

"Does it matter?" Luna asked. "Harry's in trouble."

Hecate smiled. "You will still be you. Think of this as a power boost. You won't become copies of us."

"Luna's right," Lily said. "It doesn't matter. We have to help Harry."

Two more women appeared on either side of Hera.

The first woman looked to be barely out of her teens with long blond hair and amber colored eyes.

The other had long green hair and eyes the color of autumn leaves.

"Hestia, Demeter," Hera said. "Are you ready?"

The two nodded without speaking.

"Wait," Luna said. "What will happen to you?"

"We may be reborn," Hera said. "We may end up on earth as mortals. I'm not sure. What I do know is that we will have done all we can to stop Zeus."

"Thank you," Lily said.

"No," Hecate said. "Thank you for taking on this responsibility. Good luck."

Lily was ingulfed in green fire.

Luna barely had time to gasp before she was bathed in golden light.

**ACC**

The white fire blinked off as if a switch had been flipped. Harry swayed on his feet, but Argante and Autumn steadied him. Harry felt moisture on his shirt. Looking down, Harry saw blood staining his shirt.

"Damn," he whispered. "My wound must've reopened."

Seeing his wound, Autumn placed a hand on his chest. As Harry watched, his wound healed, and the blood faded from his shirt.

"Thank you," Harry said turning back to Zeus. "That's not good."

Argante and Autumn turned back to Zeus, there eyes widening.

Slowly, the veins of purple and black energy faded from Zeus skin, leaving streaks of charred and blackened flesh.

Tom and Matilda appeared, but they appeared blurred, flickering in and out like a faulty lightbulb.

"He's not dead," Tom gasped.

As if he'd heard him, Zeus slowly sat up. Pieces of skin cracked and pealed away, exposing raw pink muscle.

"That hurt," he growled as he tried to stand.

Merlin and Auberon struck next. Streams of fire and arcane energy struck Zeus in the chest, slamming him back to the floor. Zeus screamed, the energy outlining his bones beneath his skin.

"You… can't… stop… me," Zeus ground out.

Lugh raised his hand, golden flames rained down upon Zeus causing him to scream even louder. Merlin and Auberon clasped hands. Arcane energy struck Zeus, knocking him back and pinning him to the floor.

Harry turned to Hades. "You could help. All we're doing is pissing him off. None of these wounds are fatal."

Hades shook his head. "He's, my brother. I don't want him dead."

Merlin, Lugh, and Auberon ended their assault, panting heavily.

Zeus slowly painfully climbed to his feet. Skin cracked and fell away with every movement.

All of the god's hair had been burned away. Most of his skin was gone, revealing white bone underneath. Harry almost vomited when he saw Zeus's exposed heart beating inside his chest. As they watched, all the damage they'd done slowly began to heal

New skin began to grow back. Zeus's hair sprouted from his head, like grass growing from fertile soil. Bone and muscle regenerated, covering Zeus's exposed heart.

"Well, you gave it your best shot," Zeus wheezed. "Is it my turn?"

Before they could answer, Zeus struck. The next thing Harry knew, he was on his back, blinking up at the ceiling.

Rolling over, he looked around at the others. Lugh helped Argante back to her feet. Auberon was helping Autumn and Merlin was already standing.

"Avada Kedavra," Philip said, swiping his staff at Zeus.

A bolt of green light struck Zeus in the chest. Zeus blinked at Philip.

"Really?" he asked. "Did you honestly think that would work?"

Zeus closed his fist, causing Philip's head to explode like an overripe melon. Philip's body fell to the floor, arms and legs twitching.

"Father!" Siofra cried.

Harry let his hand drop to his side, his fingers closing around a wooden handle. His eyes widened as he lifted Ares' gladius.

As Zeus raised his hand to attack Siofra, Harry lunged, plunging the gladius into Zeus's unprotected back.

Zeus grunted, golden blood coursing down his back. Harry twisted the blade before jerking it free.

"Fool," Zeus hissed, releasing a bolt of lightning at Harry.

Lugh shoved Harry out of the way, taking the bolt of electricity full in the chest. Lugh flew across the room, crashing into the wall. He slowly slid down the wall and lay on the floor, unmoving.

"Dad," Harry called rushing to Lugh's side.

"No," Lugh croaked opening his eyes. "Don't turn your back on an enemy.

Harry spun back around to see Zeus glaring at him.

"One down," Zeus taunted.

Two figures appeared behind Zeus. There was a flash of light and Zeus was slammed face first into the floor.

"Luna? Lily?" Harry blinked at his best friends.

"We're here to help," Lily said.

"Foolish girls," Zeus roared. "I'll see you dead for that."

As he lifted his hand, Harry threw himself between Zeus and the girls. The lightning bolt hit Harry in the forehead, sending him sprawling. The last thing he saw was Zeus glaring down at him and then everything went black.

**ACC**

Harry stared around Kings cross station. He looked down at the long black robes he was wearing and sighed in relief.

"At least I'm not naked this time."

"No," a familiar voice said. "I didn't want to see you naked, so I made sure you were fully clothed."

Harry turned and his eyes widened as he saw Thanatos sitting on one of the benches.

"Thanatos," he gasped. "You… you're…"

"Dead," Thanatos said gently. "It's alright. You can say it. I'm dead. I'd have liked to see you grow up, get married, and start your own family, but that wasn't in the cards."

"I'm sorry," Harry blinked back tears. "I should've been there. I should've…"

"Shh," Thanatos stood and drew him into a hug. Holding him tight, the former god of death rubbed his back.

"None of this is your fault. I challenged Zeus to try and stop him. He was just too strong for me. Listen, you aren't quite dead yet. I can send you back and heal your wound. Hades has a plan, but you need to wound Zeus in such a way that it takes him time to recover."

"Hades said he wasn't gonna interfere."

"Yes," Thanatos said patiently. "He said he wasn't gonna interfere. He didn't say anything about anyone else."

Harry took one last look at Thanatos as he drew away from him. His ebony skin gleamed in the muted light of limbo and his shadowy wings fluttered as if blown by an unfelt breeze.

"What will you do? Where will you go?"

Thanatos chuckled. "I'm finally going to see my family again." He held up the wand, cloak, and ring. "Think I'll take these with me. They've caused enough trouble."

"I'll miss you."

Thanatos smiled. "I'll miss you to, but remember death is not the end."

Before Harry could say anything, he felt his body dissolving into mist.

**ACC**

Harry blinked his eyes open and stared into Luna's tear filled eyes.

"You're alive?" she hissed.

"Yeah, I had a little help."

Zeus chuckled. "Talking to him won't bring him back girl."

"No need," Harry said. "I'm just fine. Thanks for your concern."

Zeus gaped. "That lightning bolt hit you in the chest."

Harry shrugged. "Maybe you aren't as powerful as you think."

Lily walked over to stand beside Harry. "It's over Zeus," she said staring directly into the Olympian's eyes. "You can't win. You may kill everyone in this room, but someone else will rise up against you."

Zeus glared. "Silence," he hissed. Lightning fell from the sky blasting a hole in the roof.

Lily gestured. A shield of green fire blocked the lightning.

"You're getting weaker," she said conversationally. "A few moments ago, I wouldn't have been able to block that. It looks like the nectar is wearing off. Who knew you needed it to keep your strength? I wonder if you'll become mortal when it's all out of your system."

Harry saw a flash of fear in Zeus's eyes. With a wave of his hand, Ares' gladius flew across the room. Harry caught it and stepped towards Zeus.

"It's time to end this."

Zeus raised his hand but jerked as three long gashes opened in his back. Dark red blood flew in the air, and he stumbled.

Everyone turned towards the doorway. Their eyes widened when they Saw Severus Snape standing there.

"I helped save the dark lord's portrait when it was damaged," he said quietly. "I don't know if that was a mistake, but I do know that you need to be stopped. I've thought long and hard about who I would serve, and I've decided I'm done serving people. I want a life of my own. If I'm gonna have that, I can't let you take over the world, whoever you are."

"You won't get any kind of life you traitorous worm," Zeus raged.

"Avada Kedavra," Snape said casually.

A bolt of green light blasted Zeus off his feet, sending him crashing into the wall.

Harry seized the opportunity and lunged, plunging the gladius through Zeus's heart.

Zeus stiffened and collapsed back against the wall. "I'll heal from this," he croaked. "I am immortal."

"I don't reckon you'll be for much longer," Taranis said stepping into the destroyed hospital wing.

"Taranis," Lugh said sitting up with a grown. "What are you doing here?"

Taranis shrugged. "I'm here to finish this for good."

The Celtic god of thunder strode over to Zeus and laid his hand on his forehead. Lightning flowed from Zeus and into Taranis.

Zeus screamed in agony and writhed around the sword in his chest. His eyes rolled in their sockets and bloody foam covered his lips.

The lightning cut off just as suddenly as it began. Taranis jerked the sword out of Zeus's chest. In a crackling burst of electricity, the wound was healed. There was another flash of lightning and Zeus was wearing a T-shirt and jeans.

"What… what did you do to me?" Zeus said as he tried and failed to sit up.

"Stripped you of all your power," Taranis said. "You are what you always feared. You're mortal."

Zeus's eyes widened. "No," he whispered.

"Yes," Taranis said. "Let's see, you are middle-aged, so you may have forty fifty years left at most. You've murdered and schemed to cling to what little power you've had. Hades and I thought this would be a fitting punishment."

"Hades," Zeus turned to stare at his brother.

"I said I wouldn't raise a hand against you. I never said I wouldn't plan for your defeat. Our time has passed, brother. You should've accepted that."

"You've sentenced me to death," Zeus said his voice shaking.

"We all will die no matter how long we live. You'll just die sooner than the rest of us."

"Where will I go? What will I do?"

"I don't care," Hades said coldly. "You can't restore your powers and once you leave Hogwarts, you won't be able to access any magical settlements ever again. You will also never be able to return to Mount Olympus again. You will work for money, buy your food, and sleep where ever you can. I hope you find a way to redeem yourself."

Zeus stumbled to his feet, reaching out his hands pleadingly. "Brother," he nearly wailed. "Please."

Hades snapped his fingers. Zeus vanished in a swirl of shadow.

"Where'd you send him?" Taranis asked.

"Far away from here," Hades said smiling grimly.

A groan drew all their attention. They turned to see Philip Stephenson sitting up wiping blood from his restored face.

"What'd I miss?" he asked curiously.

Everyone stared at him.

"What?" he said. "I'm immortal."

Everyone burst into relieved laughter. As everyone gathered around Philip, Lily leaned close to Harry.

"What do we do with Voldemort?"

Harry shrugged. "We'll figure something out."

Epilogue

Three weeks later

A lot had changed over the passed few weeks. Magic came to Lily so easily now that there were talks of her moving up to fifth year.

"What do you guys think?" she asked as they sat in the Ravenclaw common room under a privacy charm.

Harry shrugged. "Whatever you girls want to do. With Zeus gone, something tells me things are gonna be a lot quieter."

Luna nodded. "I only came back to Hogwarts to be with you and Harry. We could stay and have a normal education. It may be nice just to be able to relax for a few years."

Lily nodded. "I really don't fancy trying to explain skipping years in magical education to my parents."

Harry looked at his two friends. "How do you two like being immortals?"

Luna shook her head. "I don't think it's really sunk in yet. I doubt it will until everyone around us starts to grow old."

Lily smiled at Harry. "This means you're never getting rid of us."

"I can't think of anyone else I'd want to spend eternity with."

Lily blushed and grinned. "Is that a proposal?"

Harry felt his cheeks warm. "I think we're a little too young for that."

Luna grinned. "I wouldn't mind sharing you with Lily."

"We can talk about that later," Harry said.

Lily kissed his cheek. "Yeah," she whispered. "Later."

Harry was saved from answering when Professor Flitwick walked into the common room. Harry dispelled the privacy charm as the tiny professor walked over.

"Emry's," he called. "Professor Dumbledore would like a word."

"About?" Harry asked.

"I don't know," Flitwick said. "Come with me please."

**ACC**

The trio entered Dumbledore's office. To their surprise, Tom and Matilda Riddle waited on them along with Autumn, Auberon, Argante, Lugh, and Merlin.

"Mum, Dad," Harry said hugging his parents. He turned to Merlin and his eyes widened at what his grandfather was holding.

"What is that?"

Merlin looked down at the large egg he was holding and grinned sheepishly. "So, turns out if you give a dragon a humanoid form, you can breed with it. Who knew?"

"Deviant," Autumn muttered.

Merlin shot her a grin. "Once you go scales everything else pales."

"Really?" Harry asked curiously.

Merlin shook his head. "No idea. I haven't got the opportunity. Turns out dragons are very territorial. She's been waiting in my cave when I get home. I'm kind of scared to bring anyone else over."

"Putting Merlin's exploits aside," Dumbledore said his blue eyes twinkling madly. "I called you here to discuss what happens with Voldemort and Matilda."

"Tom," Tom said.

"What will you do?" Autumn asked stepping closer to her adopted son's ghost.

Tom shrugged. "Every avenue that would give me a body is dark magic and I think I've stained my soul enough as it is. I don't want to pass on though. I want a chance to redeem myself."

Matilda snorted. "You've got a lot to make up for."

Tom nodded. "I know."

Auberon shifted, pulling a bronze statue of a baby out of the cloak he wore.

"Hades gave me this. He said it was created by Hephaestus to give you a second chance. We can add a little blood to this, and it will become real. Once your soul enters this vessel, your memories will be erased, and you will not have any knowledge or experiences from this life."

Tom looked at the bronze statue before shaking his head. "No, I don't deserve this. Matilda can have it. We took her life from her, and she deserves a second chance."

Matilda was shaking her head before Tom had finished speaking. "I appreciate the offer, but I think I'd like to move on. I'd like to see our father again."

Tom gazed at his half-sister sadly. "I am sorry. If I could take it back, I would."

"You've changed a lot. Don't waist your second life." Slowly, Matilda faded away.

Tom watched until she was gone before turning back to Auberon. "How do we do this?"

"Someone must place blood on the statue. When they do, they will assume guardianship of you. Ideally, we need two people. A male and a female."

Philip and Autumn stepped forward. "I'll do it," they said together before looking at each other.

"Are you sure?" Autumn asked.

"I don't think we could ever be together again," Philip said, "but I would like to help with this. Tom seems truly sorry for what he did. We wouldn't be the first to co-parent."

"Thank you," Tom said as his ghostly form sank into the statue.

Both Philip and Autumn held their hands over the statue. Auberon drew a silver knife from his pocket and pricked their fingers. As their blood fell onto the bronze, the metal took on the color of living skin. Dark hair sprouted from the statues head and the statue blinked large grey eyes up at Philip and Autumn. The high wail of an infant filled the office.

Harry turned to Lily and Luna. "A new beginning."

"And not just for Tom," Lily said taking his hand.

The trio watched as Autumn cradled the baby in her arms.

Only time would tell what the future held, but for the first time in a long time, Harry felt as if he could truly relax.

"All is well," he murmured.

Lily snorted. "That's corny."

"Alright then, what would you say? the end?"

"How about the beginning," Luna said smiling at her friends.

"Yeah," Harry said, his lips twitching. "I guess that'll do."

A/N

I hope this wasn't too abrupt. I tried to set this up over the last few chapters, but I can't say I'm entirely happy with it. I think I made a mistake focusing on Harry's childhood so much. I'd like constructive criticism. Anything than can help improve my writing is greatly appreciated.

I hope you will read my next story. I'm gonna take a break and then start something new in August.

Till next time:

Herne