Chapter 8

Harry struggled with the bow, trying to line the arrow up for the shot. He ducked as an arrow zipped passed his left ear.

Reaching down, Harry grabbed a spear and hurled it at the troll. The bronze blade of the spear went straight through the troll's neck. Blood flew on the air as the massive creature crashed to the earth. Drawing a sword, he was just in time to cut another arrow out of the air.

Tossing the bow aside, he rolled, avoiding a third arrow. Harry raised his left hand. A gust of wind caused his spear to slide over him. Grabbing the spear, Harry spun, knocking a fourth arrow out of the air.

He screamed as the arrow plunged into his shoulder. As he fell, he reached up and pushed the arrow the rest of the way through his shoulder. Snapping off the top of the arrow, he pulled the shaft out and tossed it aside.

Lugh walked out of the shadows. As another arrow flew through the air, Lugh caught it by the shaft. With a flick of the wrist, he threw the arrow back at the archer. There was a thud, a grunt, then silence.

"Owe," Harry groaned.

Lugh touched the wound. Golden light covered the wound like a warm soothing salve. Harry groaned as his shoulder stung and throbbed.

"I'm not the best at healing, but it should do."

Harry looked down at his shoulder and sighed in relief. Only a thin scar remained where the arrow wound had been. Lugh held out a hand. "Come on."

Harry took his hand and allowed Lugh to pull him to his feet. Patting him on the back, Lugh grinned.

"Spear and sword seem to be your weapons. You suck as an archer."

"And you suck at peptalks."

Lugh laughed. "Your control of air is better than it was." Picking up the bow, Lugh waved a hand over it. The bow turned back into a bundle of sticks and grass.

"Not a bad transformation either."

Harry looked down at the ground.

"Harry?" Lugh said gently. "What is it son?"

"It's just…" Harry stopped. "I've killed before, in my former life. It was unavoidable, but those trolls… They were just here. I mean they did attack me, but somehow it feels different. This was the first time in all these months that I've actually killed something in here. Hell, it's the first time I've seen anyone here besides the two of us."

"You don't have to feel bad," Lugh said squeezing his shoulder. "Those trolls were an illusion. They were part of this pocket dimension to help with your training."

Harry still stared down at the ground. "You're the first father figure I've really had. Sirius was more like a combination of father and brother, and I never knew James. I don't want you to see me as weak."

Lugh put an arm around him. "You are my son. I will always be proud of you. I will always love you. I will never think you are weak. Coming back in time when your life was over is not something a weak person would do."

Harry leaned against his father for a moment. "So, you don't blame me for feeling bad about killing those trolls?"

Lugh shook his head. "Never. Killing is sometimes necessary, but it should never be something that is easy."

"Sometimes I wish there was a better way."

Lugh nodded. "Sometimes it is avoidable, but not in a fight for your life. No one truly knows how they'll react in that situation until they're there. In a fight for your life, you either freeze and die, fight and die, or kill and live."

"Why does it bother me now? I've killed plenty of Death Eaters and I imagine I'll do so again, but when I thought those trolls were real, I felt guilt, shame, and I wondered if they had families that would miss them."

"You are not the person you were," Lugh explained. "You are different. You may have the memories of your former life, but you don't have the emotional hardness that comes with fighting in a war."

"I'm going to need that hardness if I'm gonna stop Voldemort."

Lugh hugged him tighter. "Don't be in such a hurry to throw away the innocents you've regained. You know that once it's gone you can't get it back."

Harry nodded. "I know." He stood up.

"So, what do we work on next?"

Lugh stood, deciding to allow the change in subject. He stretched. "We're gonna work on runes next. I want to make sure you know how to create wards with runes."

Harry looked down at the earth below his feet. As if sensing what he was about to do, Lugh spoke.

"Remember, slow and steady. Earth magic can't be rushed."

The earth rumbled as a crevice large enough for someone to fall into began to open. A large boulder began to rise out of the ground. Sweat ran down Harry's face as more and more of the stone was revealed. His heart pounded and a sick pain throbbed behind his eyes. At last, the bottom of the stone appeared. The boulder hovered a few inches above the hole.

With a gasp, Harry allowed the earth to close. The bolder landed on the ground with a loud thud. He swayed on his feet and would've fallen, but Lugh caught him.

"You did good," he said steadying him. "Take a minute to rest while I get us a drink."

Harry waved his hand, conjuring a simple wooden bench. Sitting down, he relaxed as a cool breeze blew through his hair.

This little slice of reality wasn't very detailed. Like the Seelie lands, the sun stayed high in the sky, but the breeze was bland. There were no smells, no bird song, and no rustling of grass. It was like a realistic, but sterile picture.

Day and night would not fixed either. One moment it was a bright sunny day. The next, night would've fallen. Sometimes, it would snow or rain. Once or twice, it had even started to hail.

Lugh hadn't allowed them to make any type of shelter. Instead, he made Harry practice warming charms and shielding spells. Harry had never realized before now that a localized shielding spell could be used to keep you dry.

Glancing up at the sky, he wondered how much time had passed. He missed his friends. His father was fun to be around, but this place had begun messing with his mind. He slept when he was tired, not when it was night. They ate when they were hungry, but there was no fixed schedule.

Sometimes, the nights would last for what felt like days. There seemed to be no end to this pocket dimension. Harry had gotten lost several times. Once, he'd asked Lugh if there was a map.

"This place isn't that realistic. Don't worry, I can find you no matter where you are."

Harry was brought out of his thoughts when Lugh returned with two glasses of cold milk. He stretched as he took a long drink from the glass.

"Where'd you get this?" he asked, staring at the milk.

"I stocked this little pocket dimension before we came in here. We're out of food and drink, but that's okay, we're almost done with your training. I just need to see your rune work."

Harry reached out towards the bolder. Lugh touched his wrist.

"Wait, do you have a wand, knife, or anything to carve the runes?"

Harry shook his head. "Mum didn't want me to be reliant on a wand."

Lugh nodded. "That's a good idea for the most part, but you need something to carve runes." He reached into the leather tunic he wore and pulled out a long knife. "Here."

As Harry took the knife, He examined it closely. The blade looked like freshly cast bronze. The edge gleamed in the light of the midday son. The handle was bone, warn smooth from much handling.

"That knife is old. My father gave it to me when I was your age. I think it's time to pass it down. Can you tell me what you've learned about runes so far?"

"Runes have been used by both magical and mundane to correct letters and words in the past. Wizards and fae both use runes to create wards and enchantments as well as send messages to each other."

"Very good," Lugh said. "Now, I want you to create a simple protection ward on that stone."

Harry walked over to the bolder and began to carve the rune for protection. As he worked, he marveled at how easy the knife cut into the stone. When he was done, he looked at the runes. Hesitantly, he carved a shield above the runes.

Raising his hand, Harry sent power into the glyph, allowing the energy to charge the runes underneath it. A dome of white light incased the bolder.

"Not bad," Lugh said walking around the dome. "Reasonably strong, but why'd you use the glyph?"

"I like glyphs more than runes," Harry said. "They're more versatile."

"True," Lugh said, "but they are also easier to interpret. That makes them less useful when used to create wards." He poked the dome with one finger. "Remember, connect the wards to the closest ley line. Do not leave them bound to you…"

He struck the ward with the flat of his hand. The dome of light shattered. Harry reeled and would've fallen off the bench had Lugh not grabbed his arm.

"If that happens at the wrong time, you could die."

Harry rubbed his forehead. "You could've warned me."

"This makes a better lesson. You'll remember this, won't you."

Lugh handed him a leather sheath. "For the knife," he said.

Harry clipped the sheath fast to his belt and slid the knife into it. "I'll have to study runes a bit more when I'm out of here."

"Remember, runes are just another language. Once you associate the rune with a letter or word, it becomes a lot easier to remember them. Now come on, we need to get out of here before this place collapses."

Harry stood and followed Lugh towards a circle of light floating in the air. "This place is gonna collapse?"

"You didn't think I was going to make a permanent pocket dimension in my office, did you? It was hard enough to make sure it would last twenty-four hours." Lugh glanced up at the sky thoughtfully. "Come to think of it, I'm not sure if it's been twenty-four hours. Anyway, this place is beginning to feel a bit unstable. We better get out of here."

"So, it could've collapsed at any time?"

"Yeah, but it didn't, so nothing to worry about."

Harry stepped through the portal. He made a mental note never to follow his dad anywhere again until he made sure it was safe.

As they left the pocket dimension, there was a deafening boom. Harry looked back just before the portal closed. He was just in time to watch the pocket dimension collapse. As the artificial sunlight faded, Harry saw an impenetrable darkness behind it. He shuddered and turned away. He was so glad to be home.

**ACC**

Voldemort drifted through the wall of Hogwarts. His biological father's life had restored a lot of what he'd lost, but he still didn't have a physical form. Still, it was easy to hide himself from the humans and ghosts alike.

He needed to find a vessel. He couldn't do anything in his current condition. As he drifted through the halls, a voice spoke from an empty classroom.

"Son, it's about time you came here."

Voldemort glided into the room. If he could've sighed in relief, he would've. "Mother," he whispered. "Thank Merlin you're here."

The woman's lips twitched. "I do not believe Merlin has anything to do with this. I am glad that you have regained enough strength to manifest yourself."

"I'll need a body," Voldemort said. "There is a spell we can use with my biological father's bone, a hand from one of my servants, and blood from an enemy forcibly taken."

His mother glared. "Have you not studied the drawbacks to that ritual? That ritual will give you a homunculus, not a true living body. No, we need to restore you to life."

"How?" Voldemort asked. "That ritual is the only one I know of that could give me a body."

Voldemort's eyes widened as his mother stepped aside, revealing a pristine white skeleton.

"Is that mine?"

His mother nodded. "It took time to restore it to peak condition. There's a ritual I know of that will resurrect you, but we need to plan."

"What are we going to do?" Voldemort asked.

The woman smiled, a mere movement of lips. The smile didn't reach her cold eyes.

"Don't worry my son," she said reaching out to stroke his cheek.

Voldemort shivered as her cool fingers touched his face. It still amazed him that his mother could touch him in this spectral form.

Leaning closer, his mother spoke. "This is what we will do."

**ACC**

"Harry," Argante said wrapping him in a hug. "How was your training with your dad?"

"One question."

"Yes?"

"What time is it?"

"A little past three in the afternoon, why?"

Harry glared at Lugh. "That pocket dimension collapsed three hours early."

Lugh held up his hands. "Hey, it lasted as long as we needed, and I got us out of there in time."

Argante rolled her eyes. "You haven't changed a bit. Did this pocket dimension at least have sunlight?"

Lugh pouted. "Yes."

"No smells though."

It was Lugh's turn to glare. "I'm sorry Harry. Is your pocket dimension better than mine?"

"I can't make one, but the founders had this cool room on the seventh floor."

Lugh laughed. "There were four of them and I'm sure it took decades for them to make that room. That little training ground was just a little nook carved in reality."

"Can you teach me how to do that?"

"Yeah, but it'll take a few hundred years to even get the basics."

"Another time then."

Lugh nodded, turning to Argante. "Do you know who took my classes?"

"I did," Argante said.

"Well, that's just great," Lugh muttered.

"Excuse me?" Argante arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

"My students got to stare at a beautiful woman for a day. You have any idea how hard it's gonna be tomorrow when they have to look at my face?"

"I'm sure you'll survive," Argante said flushing slightly.

Lugh turned back towards his desk. "I need to check in with Dumbledore soon. I'll let you two catch up."

Argante led Harry out of the office. "See you later?" Harry asked his father.

"Of course," Lugh said. "You can't get rid of me that easily."

**ACC**

Out in the hall, Argante hugged him again. "I really missed you. So, seriously, how was your training?"

"I am okay with a spear and sword, but I'm never gonna be an archer."

Argante nodded. "No one can be good with everything. Did he teach you any magic?"

"He taught me the basics in runes and taught me earth magic."

Argante smiled. "Earth was never my strong suit. I'm better with air and water."

Harry leaned against his mother. "I can use earth magic, but I don't think I'm gonna be using it in battle. It takes me too long to manipulate the ground beneath me."

"Well, you're great with air and ice, proficient in fire, and can use earth if given enough time. That's a good start anyway. At least we know what we can work on this summer."

Harry started walking with Argante. "I've got homework to do. Four days' worth. That's gonna be loads of fun."

Argante chuckled. "Don't worry, I know you know the material. I had a brownie help out by gathering the assignments you need to complete."

"You could've had the brownie do the assignments."

"No, you freely admit you slacked off in your former life. I'm not giving you a reason to do so this time."

"It's gonna be a long night," Harry muttered.

**ACC**

Dumbledore jumped as Lugh opened his office door. He barely stopped himself from firing a spell at his defense professor.

"Jumpy?" Lugh asked.

"You'd be jumpy to if someone showed up in your office and stole your wand."

"Really?" Lugh arched an eyebrow. "Did he look familiar?"

"Tall, white hair, thin, and he had these blue eyes…"

"That is one of the forms Thanatos uses. It's about time the old man came for that stick. I wondered how long he was gonna leave it here."

"You knew?" Dumbledore gaped. "You knew what that wand was."

"Besides being a curse on all those that had it? Yes, I knew what it was."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

Lugh leaned back in his chair. "It was none of my business," he said with a yawn. "If you wanted to use a wand that was as loyal as a Nockturn Alley whore, it was your choice."

"Eloquent," Dumbledore said the twinkle beginning to return to his blue eyes. "So, will he be back?"

"Thanatos? No, not unless you have another one of his trinkets. If he came for the wand, he's probably gonna go after his cloak and ring next."

Dumbledore leaned forward. "James has the cloak."

"Relax," Lugh said waving a hand dismissively. "James is descended from the Peverell line. He's safer than anyone with Thanatos."

"But why now? The wand and stone have been passing from hand to hand for centuries."

Lugh shrugged. "I don't know. Could be he knows something we don't. I wonder if this has anything to do with…" he broke off.

"Anything to do with what?"

"Nothing," Lugh said distractedly. "I'm sure it's not important."

"Lugh, please," Dumbledore begged. "I need to know."

"Need to know?" Lugh asked. "You want to know. There is a major difference."

"Lugh, Voldemort was also of the Peverell line. What if Thanatos wants to help him."

"Thanatos would never help Voldemort. Voldemort stands for everything Thanatos hates."

"But…" Dumbledore began.

"Enough," Lugh said sharply. "I'm tired and I need to rest for classes tomorrow. I just came by to tell you that I'll be leaving Hogwarts at the end of the year."

Dumbledore blinked. "Leaving? why?"

"I did what I set out to do. I found my son. When we made our deal, I told you I'd stay for seven years. Well, I've stayed three years longer. I stayed to find Harry. I found him. Our deal is done."

"Harry? What does Harry Emry's have to do with anything?"

"Everything, good day Headmaster."

Dumbledore watched the door close behind Lugh. What was happening? If Harry was the son of Lugh, why was he at Hogwarts? Did this have anything to do with the theft of his wand? Perhaps he needed to have a word with Harry and see what he could learn.

"First," he murmured. "I'm gonna see if there's any record of him at the ministry. I might as well learn all I can before speaking to him."

**ACC**

"So, what did you learn?" Lily asked.

"Never walk into a pocket dimension that my Dad makes with out a way out," Harry said spooning some mashed potatoes onto his plate.

Luna snorted. "Lugh was a trickster in Celtic folklore."

"He was?"

"Didn't you look him up?"

"No, I've been a bit busy."

Luna smirked. "What kind of Ravenclaw are you? We're the house that's supposed to be all about books."

"No," Harry said. "We're the house of knowledge. Not all knowledge is contained in books."

"He's right," Lily said. "Some knowledge can only be learned through experience."

Luna grinned. "Like intimate knowledge."

"Luna!" Lily said flushing.

"What?" Luna said innocently. "I meant intimate knowledge of friends."

"That makes it worse."

"What about family?"

"Quit it."

As Harry listened to his friends bicker back and forth, he relaxed. It was good to be home.

**ACC**

Thanatos appeared in a forest in the middle of Wales. Looking around, he saw a crumbling cottage amongst the trees. This had been his home all those centuries ago. As he stood, tears ran down his cheeks.

"Arianwen," he whispered. "Antioch, Cadmus, Ignotus. My family."

Most immortals had many children over their long lives, but Thanatos was different. Seeing what the relationships between mortals and immortals had done to his fellow Olympians, he'd determined not to follow in their footsteps. That was until Arianwen had come along. She'd accepted him despite his role as God of death. She'd chosen to love him in spite of what he was and who he was.

Sitting down with his back against a large oak-tree, Thanatos allowed his mind to drift back.

**ACC**

June 1225 A.D.

Thanatos approached the wooden stake. The smell of charred flesh hung heavy in the air. He stared at the blackened skeleton tied to the stake. What had they done? Where were his boys?

Glancing to his left, he saw another stake with a blackened skeleton tied to it. "No," he whispered. "Lara," he murmured. The poor girl had been pregnant with his first Grandchild. He raised his hands and let them hover just above the skeletons. Slowly, two shadowy figures took shape. The shades of his wife and daughter-in-law appeared before him.

"Thanatos," Arianwen murmured.

"Father," Lara said cradling a tiny form in her arms. "It's a girl."

Thanatos fell to his knees, racking sobs shaking his entire body. "I'm sorry," he screamed. "I'm so so sorry. I should've been here."

Arianwen laid a hand on his shoulder. "My love," she whispered. "It wasn't your fault. Even the immortals aren't all-knowing. You can't fall apart now. Our boys need you. You have to save them before they're burned to."

"Please," Lara whispered. "Don't let Cadmus die."

Thanatos stood, wiping his eyes. Still sniffling, he looked at his wife. "Where are they?"

"They're being held in one of the townsfolks cabins. They don't have their wands and their hands are tied. If you don't get to them, they'll burn them by sunrise."

Thanatos allowed his shape to turn back to normal. The form of the fair-skinned old man fell away to reveal his true form. His golden eyes glowed in the night, like the eyes of a wolf stalking it's prey.

"I'll find them," he whispered. "Don't worry." With a wave of his hand, the shade's vanished. He could morn later. For now, he had to find his boys.

**ACC**

An hour later, Thanatos approached the cabin where his sons were being kept. As he heard the laughter of the villagers, he felt his blood boil. These animals had murdered his wife and slain his pregnant daughter-in-law. As he approached the door, he spoke two words.

"No mercy."

The wooden door turned to dust as he approached. The first villager turned and seeing him, he screamed. A whip of shadow shot from Thanatos's extended hand, severing the man's head from his shoulders. Another villager's flesh melted from his bones, leaving nothing but a screaming skeleton behind.

A third drew a knife, only to have his hand fall off. The man watched horrified as his hand turned to dust before the knife clattered to the floor harmlessly.

The remaining three men stared at Thanatos in horror. "Who-who are you?" one squeaked.

"I am death," Thanatos whispered, "and I have come for you."

The trio turned to dust before they could utter so much as a scream. Thanatos stepped on the living skeleton of the remaining soldier as he rushed to his sons.

"Father," Antioch said, his muscular arms bloody from where he'd struggled against the ropes.

"Father," Cadmus echoed, his blond hair sticking up in all directions. "Lara…"

"I know," Thanatos said.

"Get Ignotus first," Antioch said. "The lad has seen enough horrors this day."

Thanatos hurried to his youngest. "Ignotus," he said.

The boy didn't move, merely stared ahead as if he hadn't heard.

"Ignotus," he said louder.

With a touch, the ropes rotted away. Thanatos gathered Ignotus into his arms. A snap of his fingers turned the ropes binding his other two sons to dust.

"Can you walk?" he asked Antioch and Cadmus.

The men nodded.

"Good," Thanatos said. "Let's get out of here."

"But father," Cadmus pleaded. "Mother and Lara. Can't you do something?"

Thanatos bowed his head. "I'm sorry son. It's too late. Their souls have passed on."

Cadmus's face crumpled. A single tear ran down his cheek. His breath hitched and he stumbled forward.

Thanatos laid a hand on his shoulder. "I know son," he said his voice catching in his throat. "I know."

"Damn them," Antioch swore slamming his fist into the wall. "Damn them all. Bloody murdering muggles."

"Come on, we can mourn later. I want to get you three as far from here as possible."

As they left the cabin, Thanatos gestured over his shoulder. A wave of darkness rolled over the village. He could sense the grass, trees, and even the insects withering to nothing as the darkness washed over them. By morning, every living thing in that village would be dead.

**ACC**

Present day

Thanatos looked around the forest. The land had recovered nicely from what he'd done to it in his rage. He sighed. Nothing had ever been the same. Antioch was always angry, Cadmus was consumed with grief, and Ignotus just wanted to hide from the horrors he'd seen.

He'd hoped the Hallows would've made them feel safe, but all they'd done was lead to their deaths. True, Cadmus and Ignotus had married and had children, but neither had recovered from what they had seen.

He could've hated all muggles, hell, all humanity for what had been done to his family, but there was so many innocence that had been slain in that dark time. Besides, he'd killed those responsible. Why hate the entire race for what their ancestors had done. If he had chosen to hate, he would've become the monster they'd thought his family to be.

Thanatos began making his way out of the forest. He would not come here again. It was time to move on with his life. He would never forget his family, but he had to try and let go of the past.

"It's time to live," Thanatos murmured. He grinned. For the first time in centuries, Thanatos began to laugh.