Disclaimer: There is none.
Wasn't it funny how life turned out for most in this wretched world? It didn't matter if one was a muggle or a witch and wizard, society clawed them all the same.
How even the most pure canvases were dyed in corruption and ripped to shreds just to fuel the ambitions of others?
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow is our doubts of today. A famous quote from a muggle he did not care to remember.
When he was small he had bright ambitions about his future. He wasn't unique in that regard at all. All children wished the exact same.
The Minister of Magic perhaps? It certainly was a position that allowed a rather cushy life, provided you weren't someone else's puppet to dance to their whims. It would surprise you how many qualified for that even without their notice-
Hogwarts Headmaster, a prestigious post that allowed one the ability to influence young minds for ill or nill and most wouldn't have the ability to even stop you. Of course for some reason it seemed to attract a certain kind of attention from dark lords en masses.
Even a position in the department of mysteries was one worth noting. Good pay, access to even the most lauded arcane arts, distinguished status and you weren't beholden to your own government in most cases.
It was quite a well sought after job by most who fancied themselves stars of the Wizarding world. Sadly for them they would either find themselves dead for knowing too much by the very hands of those they worked for. Killed for playing with forces they didn't understand, hunted for their knowledge, tortured for the same-
Well you got where he was going with this-
Most didn't need to even worry about such petty things for they didn't even have the qualifications to step inside the door, let alone try to stay.
And that was why most normal folk found themselves in regular jobs. Cursebreakers, Veterinarians, runesmiths, potion makers, herbalists, liaisons, trainers, law enforcement, sports-
…
Where was he?
…
Ah yes. In society we all have our places. Criminals, normal folks, those in power they all had a weight in the balance to keep it stable. To keep it steady.
However the world wouldn't be complete without anomalies would it? Those things that couldn't be explained with either logic or reasoning. Those that broke the balance with their sheer presence. Those who forced the world to spin faster or stopped it from spinning at all-
In the muggle world they called these anomalies geniuses.
In the Wizarding world they called them-
Well they didn't really have a name. Not to the ones with sanity anyway. Some of his peers, the arrogant ones fancied themselves Lord, others had titles given to them due to their actions, others simply went nameless yet their actions no less insignificant-
Well Harry didn't care about that at all. That didn't matter, nothing did now. For there was nothing and in the absence of anything there was nothing.
However as he raised his hand, his tattered robe falling to the wayside, he observed his own long slender bones and where the joints connected, having had a rather ironic conclusion.
The fruit of his own making fell into his palm as he observed it like a child would to a new experience.
His voice came like a faint echo from a forgotten crypt, each word carrying an eerie, hollow undertone. A bone dry rustling sound reminiscent of a decaying body being laid to rest.
"Perhaps if any had lived to see this day I would be crowned the Lord of Ashes? Food for the thought." The jaw of his skull chartered as if in mocking laughter.
Mocking himself.
(Break)
Sharp, crisp, dry could describe the sound she heard as she glided through the halls with naught but a whisper.
'He knows of my arrival. You were always gifted in the extra sensory arts.' An invitation to chat or was it a fight to the death?
Her mouth curved up before falling back down.
Captivating was one word to describe her, a presence that commanded attention. Her fiery red hair cascades in rich, lustrous waves, each strand catching the light with a vibrant sheen that contrasts strikingly against her pale, flawless complexion.
Her face was sculpted with high, defined cheekbones and a delicate, pointed chin, giving her an air of both nobility and grace as she glided through the hall crushing bone under her feet without a second thought.
Her emerald green eyes became even more prominent framed by long, red lashes.
A profound intelligence her gaze seemed to pierce through any façade. Her lips, full and naturally tinted, curved in a small smile as if she was meeting an old friend.
Yet her attire that seemed fit for battle, dark green robes with slits at her hips that allowed easy movement, scale like armor underneath, a satchel over her shoulder and finally the sheathed sword on her hip told an entirely different story.
This was not a woman here for tea but for a battle.
'You have delved so deep into these abysmal arts…why? Was I not enough?' Her eyes flashed darkly when the sound of bones rattling came upon her as she turned the corridor.
She flicked her wand towards the dim torches on the walls as a grotesque assembly of animated bone, the rotten flesh and untouched Hogwarts robes made their disgusting arrival before her. Their eyes glowed in an eerie red as they sprinted their feet making an awful chorus while they made their way closer with the speed of a nundu.
Her eyes filled with complicated emotions took them in as she twisted her wand in the motions of a second year revealing charm needing to know why there were so little.
'98, 99, 100- so these were the last students who went to my alma mata? This is not even a third of my own from my time here. Megalomaniacs simply would not let our country rest in peace.' She closed her eyes remembering her studies telling her about thousands of kids attending Hogwarts at once.
What a joyous sight it would have been-
Alas…
Her eyes opened not showing a hint of reluctance as her wand raised above her head. For these children that had died due to the war of mad men and paranoid minds she would give them their send off as the pinnacle of what they could have been.
A hundred skeletal warriors no, children advanced in eerie unison, their bony forms clattering and creaking with each rapid stomp.
Each skeleton's hollow eye sockets pulsed with ominous explosive energy, hinting at the magic she knew lay within them. The ground quaked slightly not at their charge however but at the power she unveiled-
She began to chant an incantation softly under her breath, deciding to end them with something of her own creation as her wand glowed green and her intent to kill became prominent.
Ignis mortem gignit
A brilliant wave of emerald light bursted forth from the wand in a cone-like shape around her, scorching through the first, second and third line of skeletons. The magical fire disintegrated bones, sending shards flying in all directions at high speeds, taking care of the rest as well, yet all of sudden those that had been scattered began glowing-
She swiftly raised her wand, conjuring a shimmering shield of protective magic. Protego Maxima, the barrier, a translucent dome of light, pulsed with a vibrant glow as it absorbed the impact of the suddenly exploding skeletons. Those that had not yet been incinerated in her first mercy killing.
The force of the blasts caused the shield to ripple and shimmer, but it held firm against the onslaught as her eyes took in the destruction of the halls of her old school.
The chamber's walls and floor were littered with debris, the wall behind melted never to be mended with this fire and the roof caved in at the sheer heat, the wards that once held up the impregnable school no longer at its beck and call.
A tinge of regret held in her eyes but she otherwise washed it away as she resolved that it would all be alright in the end.
With a final, decisive spell, she manipulated the swirling green flames into a vortex that engulfed the remaining skeletons' pieces. The inferno swept through the chamber, consuming everything in a blaze leaving only the smoldering ashes of the children and the lingering scent of scorched flesh.
Children should never be involved in these messes. If there is a God on this miserable ball of dirt he forsaked may he be merciful for once in his life and you all find peace. You tykes deserve it.
She closed her eyes feeling a bit emotional at the burden, almost feeling like she herself killed them before she shook it off taking another step forward. Just as she always did. She never stopped even once in her life because being stagnant meant death for her. Literally.
As a result she was never far away from him, no matter how fast he ran she was always right there. Like the pathetic leach she was.
Right behind her big brother.
Her idiot failure of a big brother who she simply could not stop loving.
(Break)
Her heartbeat picked up as her boots carried her closer to the door of the great hall. She hadn't met any more residents so she could only assume that was all. However the closer she came to the door the more she frowned.
The temperature plummeted around her, and she could almost feel the icy fingers of death gripping her heart.
The chill intensified, seeming to penetrate through her very bones. Her skin, pale and tinged with goosebumps, tightens as an oppressive presence envelops her.
She clutched her cloak tighter around her, seeking warmth that the cold cannot provide. The unsettling feeling that she is not alone gnaws at her, and she can almost sense an unseen force watching her every move. The air grew heavier, charged with a dark energy like a-
"Territory." The hushed whisper left her mouth.
"Is this how you overcame your weakness to the mind arts?" She deduced where the attack was coming from and realized she had somehow entered an expansion of his mind.
This cheater. How did he get the mind arts to affect such a wide area without any effort? That cold that penetrated her felt like it was so real-
Still it was death to face him with something like this affecting her so she centered herself with a single calm breath. If he wanted to give her time to prepare she would take it all. He better not cry when she beat his arse though.
She recited what she learned from her master on casting out intrusive attacks.
"The mind arts are special for each and every person. This is what makes us unique and distinct, what makes us human. No two minds think the same, and yet, how would we advance if we were all different, my dear?"
It was simple. Create something so easy, so basic and straightforward that anyone with the ability to think could grasp it.
Begin with yourself. Who are you? Who do you aspire to be? What morals or rules do you live by?
Finished? Now close your eyes and focus. Focus! Sift through your thoughts silently analyzing them and evaluate. The threat you face will always take time to fully disguise itself, to mold into something that blends with your thoughts. Use these precious moments to recall everything you can remember.
Look for what aligns with your sense of self. Whether you see yourself as a noble person or the opposite, it doesn't matter. Use this guide to find the anomaly—the thing that seems in place but doesn't belong.
"There you are, you little bugger." She smirked, spotting the tiny scarab beetle exuding malevolence, clinging to a cherished memory of hers. It was as revolting as it was disturbing.
"Once you identify it, you've won the battle. To expel this deadly thought, simply maintain your focus on it. Your mind will soon recognize the irregularity and—"
The cold receded, the frostbite on her fingers vanished, her shivering ceased, and her breath came more steadily.
"I wonder how everyone who perished at this point would feel knowing I defeated it with something so simple..." She bit her lip at the grim thought. Though she wouldn't deny the satisfaction that welled up inside her.
Despite her deep understanding and appreciation of the basic technique, which had sped up the process tenfold, it didn't change the fact that she had outmaneuvered her brother using nothing more than a lesson meant for children.
She took her wins where she could get them. The little she had to take.
Less than 3 seconds had passed for her to deal with the ordeal and she found herself staring up at the doors of the great hall. Massive, dark oak, with intricate carvings and delicate craftsmanship.
Her heart began to race, thudding with an exhilarating mix of thrill and excitement. She could feel that this was the precipice of their adventure as she began opening the doors the traditional way.
'Hagrid must've had a lot of fun doing this.' Was her last thought on the door as she took a deep breath in, her eyes running across the vastly different hall.
'You always had the talent for flair between us. Not that anyone knew it.' Her astonished eyes took in her final challenge.
The Great Hall had been transformed into something awful, something bereft of life, its usual welcoming grandeur now cloaked in an oppressive dimness. The enchanted candles that once illuminated the hall were now reduced to black embers, casting eerie shadows across the walls.
The enchanted ceiling now mirrored a dark, roiling storm with pitch black clouds that added to the oppressive setting a violent strike of lightning punctuating her point clearly.
The many banners that usually stayed hidden and hung brightly now dropped heavily, their colors muted and dark.
The long tables, usually brimming with food and laughter, were now cleared and covered in a thick layer of dust along with the decrepit walls, their surfaces cold and uninviting with the cutlery now scattered.
She squeezed her wand as the sight burned into her mind that everything was gone before she raised her gaze towards him.
At the head of the room where the staff table once stood, a robed figure sat calmly, the sound of the dry thud of his finger ending as he finally acknowledged her presence.
The face was obscured by the hood of the dark robe, leaving only a vague, menacing silhouette visible. However what she could see caused a wave in her heart as she made eye contact with an unnatural light, a cold spectral blue that burned brightly under the tattered robe.
The atmosphere was thick with anticipation and dread, setting the stage for their confrontation as she took hesitant steps forward.
How much of her brother was still here? She wanted to know.
"Harry? Is this how you greet your sister after years apart? Don't be an utter arse. Mom would tan your hide!" She shouted, her voice reverberating down the long hall.
Her eyes, sharp and alert from years of training, quickly noticed the subtle shift of the chair as the figure's body moved slightly but she went unanswered all the same.
Her shoulders dropped a bit but she didn't lose steam.
"My brother may have been a loner and a bit of a loser geek but he always had time for his baby sister. I'd like to imagine even if you've gone straight loony you still think the same. Am I wrong Harry?" She stared at him head on daring him to deny her as those ghostly orbs remained composed.
'No- he looked away slightly.' With unnatural sight she was able to see the eyes shifting away from her form just a bit before they returned back.
She didn't know what it meant. Whatever he had done to his eyes made it impossible to read what he felt and strangely his body language was hard to read as well.
'Then let's try a different approach. If appealing to his caring side won't work then-'
She fixed her wand defensively knowing it may get a bit hairy if she went too far.
"Though I suppose it's somewhat understandable why you would go running off to be a dark lord and stuff." Merlin she hoped she didn't regret this-
"Harry…I know you were mad when she embarrassed you that day in front of everyone but my goodness! No need to go raising the dead, she was off her rockers!" Her eyes widened hearing the rattle of bones as her cloaked brother got up, his voice coming out in a raspy hoarse whisper. The sound was so eerie and chilling she couldn't help but place her offhand on the sheathed sword palming the pommel.
"Stop."
Those blue flaming orbs of his sparked in a venomous green causing her heart to palpitate as her eyes darted to the rattling cutlery and dishes on the floor ringing ominously, hinting at what would happen should she continue.
She bit her lips feeling some fear knowing she was about to hit his reverse bone but she couldn't falter after coming so far already.
"-and mom…you know she was sick after that sacrifice she made to protect us right? It wasn't her fault, not truly that she couldn't muster up the love for you. She got better after I was able to convince her she was sick, which is why she took her own-" The woman looked down after remembering the sight of the limp body which showed all the signs of a killing curse. Which meant none at all. She had been the first to find her like that.
The woman had taken her own life after realizing what she did to her own child when she was able to reverse the effects of the sacrificial magic. Had she known it would be so bad she wouldn't have ever left her.
"...you seem to be mistaken about something." She looked up, wiping the sheen from her eyes as she saw him shifting on his lofty perch. His hand covered in the baggy sleeve glided off the chair as she heard the rattle of his feet crossing.
'Wait rattle?' She glanced down confused but was unable to see what he was wearing underneath.
"I longer have the capacity to care about such trivial antics." He said, his tone coming out like an adult lecturing a child as he cupped his hands in front of him.
Rose frowned.
"I don't think the death of our mother and the way she treated you is trivial at all. Don't dehumanize yourself Harry. It's okay to feel. I'm here for you. Isn't that why you let me through so easily?" Her tone sounded self assured as she knew that was the reason she wasn't met by a horde of undead.
His head tilted downwards.
"No. The reason I did so was to figure out why you of all people lived when the muggles dropped their weapons wantonly killing themselves in the process. You like everyone else should have been annihilated being in the epicenter and yet you live like me-"
Her heart sank by the minute with each word he spoke.
"-why?"
'I refuse to believe you only care about that! Not you who went above and beyond to cure me!' she bit her lip but still answered his question as it truly didn't matter now.
"Horcrux."
"..." She could tell he was genuinely surprised by the way he paused in his entirety. That was the most emotion she got out of him yet.
"It was Voldemort's. Well actually I'm not sure it was a horcrux maybe it was something else but it allowed me a single scrap out of the wreck and apparate away in time. I was able to keep up with the news and time my escape just in time everytime they went bomb happy."
She looked at him, seeing the curiosity as his eyes turned back to a calm blue glancing down at the floor as he sat back.
"The radiation?"
"The book you left for me- what was left of it had a solution that is now weaved in my robes." She ran her wand down her chest showing the golden lined enchantments briefly before stopping.
"With it I was able to secure my position with the little amount of witches and wizards globally who survived the onslaught." She smiled feeling like she was finally breaking through to him wondering if she really didn't need to go through with her plan-
"I see. Then you can leave, my curiosity has been sated." He sat back picking up a wine glass swirling the contents around.
Her eyes widened at the sheer audacity as she replayed what he just said. What happened next wasn't uncalled for in her opinion.
A speeding hex glowing in dark purple raced towards his hand hitting the glass directly as it shattered into finely mulched dust, the sound ringing sharply on the walls.
The liquid spilled on his robes, his eyes went back to a sickly green and he stood upright, his socket boring holes into her.
The blood pumping in her ears certainly didn't stop her cheekiness as she spoke.
"Oh I'm sorry brother dearest. I thought we were both playing 'Who can be the more annoying little shit.' Just like the good old days!"
(Break)
"Shit shit shit shit!" The woman verified that it was in fact her brother who still held the title of most annoying as she dashed through the halls like a bat out of hell.
Bam
She flinched while digging inside her satchel as the massive body of flesh collided into the wall caving it in as she lamented. Who fought a wizard on his terms in a space he had time to prepare!
'And what the bloody hell is that Harry?! Are you satisfied with your final boss fetsih?!' She grit her teeth as she turned the corner quickly avoiding the gust of flames as she ducked into a roll before popping back up no worse for wear though perhaps a bit singed.
Pulling out a vial of golden liquid she quickly popped the cap before downing the entire thing, understanding it was an awful idea but knowing she wouldn't get out alive otherwise.
Hearing the meaty thuds of flesh pouncing after her she quickly spun on her heel the tip of her wand glowed then she bursted into motion as soon as the heads of the beast poked out the corner in a rush.
Its eyes were sunken, hollow sockets glowing with a sickly, malevolent green light. Flaps of rotting flesh draped grotesquely from the exposed, cracked skull. The nundu's mane a tangled mess of matted fur and necrotic tissue, with patches of bone visible underneath.
The dragon's horns twisted and cracked, partially covered in a slimy, blackened residue as its mouth closed with smoke pouring from it. The serpent's fangs protruded from a gaping, putrid maw, dripping with a vile, greenish ichor.
All together, completely revolving and she felt no hesitation as she performed commutatio, the switching spell exchanging her vial in her hand with her sword, a silver blade adorned with rubies bearing the emblem of a lion.
Soon after it was sent forward with a skilful flipendo, then a engorgio to enlarge it to a massive size and the result-
The main body that she had predicted was coming, was now impaled sharply into the ground with a sickening squelch of pierced flesh, the massive beast unable to feel pain not even realizing it as it was pinned down to the ground as it struggled mightily to get the sword out.
"Accio, wingardium leviosa, flipendo." She summoned the blade out levitating it in front of her before sending it forth again this time to its heads, stabbing them as she repeated the process 3 times.
It didn't fall yet however as its rotten heads fell with a wet thump and its torso contorted nastily, clearly trying to regenerate them again.
She put an end to that as she stabbed her wand forth once more, sending a jet of cursed fire on its animated corpse, unable to be lifted without a counter curse.
Breathing a sigh out at the thrashing she heard knowing it was done with she glanced up at the great halls doors again having made a full circle around and back.
"The liquid luck is at work and I'm sure he has more of these beasts roaming around…." She thought on her solution as she dug inside her satchel again this time bringing out 5 vials all in different colors as she idly summoned the sword back cleaning it with a scourgify before shrinking it.
Her brother, if he really wanted to try his best to kill her, could have sent them all at once. Not that it would have mattered. No matter how many mindless beasts he sent they could never take her down.
However this confirmed her hypothesis. Whatever her stupid brother did that allowed him to survive the bombing like her messed with his mind.
'That's where I come in. Luckily his arrogant arse hasn't made any more enchantments against portkeys and apparition. I just need to touch him and my mission will be complete. We can finally be a family again!'
A bitter smile shone as she looked down at the vials. With those concentrated dosage amounts she would die if she took it without a doubt but this was the gamble she wanted to take.
If she went back alone maybe she could keep her family safe but it wasn't a sure thing. However with him by her side there was no doubt they could get through any obstacle together.
That was why after a quick moment of hesitation at the blatant suicide she uncorked the vials, as a sharp, bitter odor wafted up, making her wince. With a deep breath, she raises the potions to her lips and drank all at once.
She chugged them down one by one, her throat pulsing in fear, its instinctive response at swallowing what it knew was poison.
Her hands trembled slightly, but her resolve was unwavering.
The liquid was cold and thick, like molten metal coursing down her throat due to taking them all at once. Instantly, her face contorted with pain.
Her eyes squeeze shut, and her body arched as if gripped by invisible hands. Her muscles twitch and spasm, and beads of sweat form on her forehead.
Her breathing was ragged, her knuckles white. The pain was excruciating, she knew that enduring this torment was the only path to the future she wanted.
The future she could control.
As time dragged on, the pain began to subside, replaced by a tingling sensation that spreaded through her limbs.
She straightened up, her breath coming in controlled, steady bursts. Though her body was still trembling from the recent ordeal, a newfound strength coursed through her veins. The effects only known to her.
Slowly she bent, picking up the sword as she knew it was time. Time to make sure this nightmare never came into fruition.
The door to the great hall unlike last time slammed open with the might of a giant. Dashing inside she glimpsed his blue flame like orbs raising up as they looked at her before she felt the intrusive thought-
She batted it away.
"Well, that's some impressive determination. What on earth is your goal in coming back? You won't be able to lay a single finger on-"
She ignored his foolish monologue as she made a mad dash towards his ugly mug. She swore when they got out of this she would give him what for!
"-depulso."
"Hah! You've got to be kidding?!"
Her eyes widened up seeing the result of the single spell from the raging banishing charm he casted on the entire great hall. Chairs, tables, dust, candles all were sent towards her in a frenzy as she aimed her wand forwards never once stopping her momentum.
She flicked her wand to the side and the items posed to harm her transfigured into a harmless group of butterflies that scattered immediately as she heard the sonorous crash behind her from the rest she couldn't change in time, shaking the entire hall.
"You've got to do better than-eep!" She hiccuped kicking herself to the side into a barrel roll as the wide curse that encompassed a quarter of the hall flew over her head, she aimed her wand at his hand that was glowing with a purplish color.
She heard the bubbling of the wall behind her as it bolied when she sent an array of charms and charms poised to maim back towards him hoping to stall his advance. However that was put on hold as his boney hand that held his wand raised and batted them away in his stationary position before he gave it a sharp jerk.
'Wait, his hand is bone?!' She gasped as she kicked forward avoiding the sudden mud that was bubbling up under her quickly spreading into a quagmire.
"Harry what did you do?!" Gripping the sword she flung it forward not even needing to banish it as the speed it went immediately found its way in front of him, poised to kill.
"What I had to do." For the first time in the fight he moved, stepping away from the sword as he aimed his wand at it, banishing it away and sticking it to the wall with a permanent sticking charm.
"Grrr-" She wanted to speak more but was unable to as again she flicked her wand pulling the mud from behind her to the front into a high wall before freezing it with glacius and hunkering down.
Soon after, a half second flash of light occurred and a loud explosion rocked the stalwart shield as it smoked from the electricity it was being subjected to.
Pulvis Maximus!
She closed her eyes as a tidal wave of dust poured out from her wand. She couldn't get closer if she didn't get rid of that pesky line of sight he had on her.
As the hill grew larger her heart stilled with panic, feeling the wall she was leaning on heating up, slowly reddened in the middle heralding what was coming next in an unexpected surprise.
Buggering shite!
Boom
She didn't even hesitate in pushing herself away from the massive stream of electricity and in the cloud of dust to get away twisting her wand in a circle as she manipulated it around her in a storm reminiscent of those found in the desert.
She closed her eyes as she underwent her change adding power to the storm to spread it throughout the great hall.
"I'm tired of these games, Rose. Can you not see I'm having mercy in allowing you the chance to retreat? Simply leave and we will never cross paths."
Feeling a rush of warmth her form began to shift. Feathers emerged, covering her skin as her limbs elongated into powerful wings. Her fingers fused into sharp talons, and her body streamlined into a sleek, majestic eagle. With a final surge, she launched into the air, soaring above as she made a straight line towards him!
"The parlor tricks…are meant to be in a circus not a battle." Her eyes closed from the dust widened seeing the particles be compressed quickly into a tiny ball as her form that had blended in was quickly discovered.
'Shit-' She thought as she was nearly shot out of the sky via a massively compressed ball of dust that exploded on impact punching a hole in the roof ripping her out of the sky.
'Wait I'm not diving, I'm falling?! Shit the pain relieving potion backfired!' She didn't even realize her own wing was broken as she landed with a harsh thump right back on it.
"That sounded painful. Perhaps you should leave and take care of-" though he said that the speeding curse he flung told differently-
She threw up a well practiced protego maxima, as the curse splattered against it harmlessly as she quickly righted herself on her feet.
"Shut up you bloody wanker!" Gritting her teeth on the floor feeling blood cake her vision with her thankfully main arm unbroken she went through the motions of a rather dangerous spell for them both not even casting it properly as she didn't have the time-
Pestis Incendium
Soon the flames appeared, cursed in nature as the faces of magical creatures, serpents, dragons, chimeras that looked in pain showed in the vibrant light twisting and warping.
Struggling just a tad at the wildness of the spell she engulfed his rapid fire spells destroying them before she sent the uncompleted fiendfyre directly towards him incinerating everything inside the great hall easily.
"Tsk." She got up marching forward as she healed her arm, unable to attack him as her own spell would destroy her retaliation.
'I'm soon there. You'll regret not trying to kill me Harry or maybe you won't!' She pointed her wand down conjuring water as she gazed at the open hole in the roof seeing him sending the fiendfyre away.
Not using the counter curse.
Looking at the flames licking on his robe she smiled sadly seeing the bone being revealed as he cut it off.
"I'm surprised. Never learned the counter curse for something that could kill you without a doubt? My stupid skeleton brother?"
He didn't answer. Instead his wand raised towards her and she pulled up the water into a semi circle orb feeling the sharp blade of wind impact against it causing it to crack and buckle before shattering.
She had felt it sifting in the air due to her enhanced avian senses.
However her eyes narrowed seeing a formless mist wrapping around him before taking on the form of an arm as it shot towards her with deadly intent.
Soon she sent her own gust of conjured air, Ventus Maxima as she dispersed the cloud of black gasses that ejected from his wand. No doubt something he used to kill en masse.
"You seem hesitant Harry. Why not use those curses I know you have?"
She walked forward looking him in the eye as his wand arm stayed paused as if indecisive.
10 feet away.
This was the moment of truth.
She dropped her wand to the floor getting him to flinch as she felt her own body shutting down at the expenditure.
She was not magically enhanced like him. His curses were sent at blistering speeds and there was no way she could dodge without enhancements. Even her sight only gave her a warning of death as her body wouldn't be able to keep up.
That and her own body had been weak ever since she was a child.
Still she looked up into his eyes, well the eyes less sockets as she could now see under the robe.
"Man you're ugly bro. What were you thinking? Do you even have a dick anymore-" She glanced down snorting seeing the floating flames for eyes narrow in annoyance.
She was hyper aware of the green glow of his wand and the connection to the sword she felt as the basilisk venom melted away his spell without his notice.
Walking up the steps she slowly took off her satchel in full view of him disarming herself as the green glow receded slowly.
Standing up her heart aching in pain she looked up inside those soulless sockets.
"Are you done with your tantrum? There is no one else to punish anymore, no one else to kill or talk to." She paused seeing his wand lowering as his skilled jaw shut.
"And you've beaten your sister's arse for no reason other than because you can. I won't talk about those kids since I know you didn't kill them but I'm not cool with that either bro." She stepped forward slowly poking him in the chest.
Erm well in the bone.
"So can we please go home now? I'm tired-" With a sigh she snaked her arms around him pulling his head into her neck as she slumped.
"Rose…your life force is-"
"Shhh. I know you can't feel anything in that chest of yours. I read this magic in the book you left for me. You're in a constant state of reamination, unable to feel anymore right?" She mumbled sadly as she closed her eyes, too tired to open them anymore.
She could feel the sword slowly shifting without making noise as it floated down and behind him.
"You've been keeping up. Congrats. Too bad it will all go to waste now."
"Are you saying you care? How sweet bro. I'll blush!"
"..."
"That said, do you want to go home now?" She asked one more time knowing she needed to get this perfect.
"Home? There is no-
"Just agree, Harry." She acted like she was fading rapidly just needing him to say the magic words.
"...yes Rose. I want to go home." It was clear however that he was only saying it out of some poor idea of sentiment.
That didn't matter right now however.
…
A scheming grin formed on her face as the necklace on her chest began growing warmer and she impaled them both with the venom enhanced sword.
In the heart.
Guhkk
"Youu-?!" She hugged him with as much strength as she could with a sword inside her heart anyway as the portkey took them and whisked them away.
Leaving behind fiendfyre to rampage in the background burning the entire castle to the ground.
(Break)
Harry gasped as he held his chest shooting up in the bed with wild eyes as he huffed holding in chest, his heart in pain, his mind a discombobulated mess of emotions and scrambled memories.
It was like electricity as he felt the cotton threads underneath his hand. The abyss he once found himself in with no end sight was gone as he blinked adjusting to the bright morning light filtering through his window.
Yet that was impossible.
His eyes were among the first things to go, when he finished the ritual - such delicate things they were. Merlin given.
It had to be a lie.
He cannot feel. Not in the way he could. His flesh was dead, his skin clinged to his bones like leather before leaving entirely. He couldn't feel the warmth of another person or the softness of cotton.
'What? What was that?!' He could have sworn he felt the prinprick of something sharp sifting through his chest slicing open his organ and-
He felt his heart and his lungs constrained at the realization, nearly choking him.
His heart! He could feel it! Not the empty, dead phylactery he housed-
Tick tick tick tick-
He hurriedly shot his head towards the sound flinching as he felt the long forgotten sensations of sound echoing in his head as he gazed at it in shock. As he gazed at it in color.
He could see the world in something that wasn't black and white.
He didn't even understand what was going on, his senses were alive, each overloading his perception shattering the composure he once worked hard to gain.
He shouldn't be able to breathe yet here he was taking greedy gulps of air.
He couldn't eat but his mind still convinced him that he should torture himself every second for a morsel of sustenance.
However his stomach rumbling hungrily told him differently.
He couldn't laugh or cry either yet-
He looked down at his fingers seeing the clear liquid run down them. His fleshy fingers as he squeezed them not focusing on anything else other than the feel and the texture.
He wiggled his toes as he looked down at his knees.
Oh God. He had normal knees! He was a normal boy with normal knees.
He was alive!
"Pfttt-" He couldn't help it. He couldn't remember being this giddy in years as his face screwed up happily.
Damn he couldn't even remember feeling anything in years! Ever since that one horrible decision.
"Hahaha-" He dropped inside his bed admiring the complete softness of it as he made a snow angel made out of blankets.
Blankets!
Thoroughly enjoying whatever the hell was happening his new overloaded senses were unable to take in the sound of his door opening and the disbelieving gasp along with the impish giggle as two pairs of feet stopped at his door.
However he did stop seizing up in tension as he felt the small body jumping in his bed.
Looking up quickly his hair ruffled, his glasses askew and his mind boggled, he could only gaze into the point of the wand as his now smaller sister said two words that nearly caused him to explode in fear-
"Avada Kedavra!"
He paused stiffly, unable to even react as he looked at the point of the wand waiting for his grim fate.
And he waited.
He waited.
….
"Pffft! Gahahaha! You should have seen the look on your face dumbass! You look like a constipated old man- gahahaa!" Harry finally heard his heartbeat as he looked up, breathing deeply.
Getting up on his elbows he glanced at bushy hair and brown eyes peeking inside the door with disbelief before he ignored that over to his cheeky sister.
He couldn't even find it in himself to be angry as he used his new found sight to gaze at the vibrant colors on his sister.
As usual green was her favorite color as he saw her in full pajamas with a figure-flattering design.
Her long-sleeve top hugged her curves softly, accentuating her shape without being overly tight. The fabric, perhaps silk, traced the contours of her body.
The pants skimmed her hips and legs, creating an elegant silhouette. A slight V-neck and delicate waistband enhanced her allure as he glanced up into embarrassed green eyes.
'Such vibrant red hair. How have I never noticed?' Unable to keep his thoughts to himself for the first time in years he found himself speaking without prompting-
"Ro-se." He coughed feeling a weird dissonance from using magic to speak and using his real body as he gazed deeply into her eyes feeling like he was on a high.
"Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?" He posed the question lightly with a smile appearing on his face. Even his voice was different!
He ignored the scandalized gasp from the door.
The girl's face gazed at him in a deadpan but he could still see the vivid shade of red on her cheeks.
"Wow. Good job on making things weird. Maybe I should have left your sorry mug!"
He felt nothing at the aggressive reply, simply staring at her as she stared back looking at him like a crazy person.
In fact he felt nothing but complete and utter happiness. Damn he went crazy didn't he?
This was like a fever dream to me. Move on.