The Limbo
Harry Petrov
Harry looked at his reflection in the mirror and grimaced at the sight. His once near-perfect skin had turned an ashen gray. His eye color had started to turn a deep orange and his front teeth felt sharper than normal.
From behind Voldemort mocked him, "Tick tock, Potter. Time is running out. It's time for you to make your choice."
Harry snarled at him, "I would rather die than let you have the world, Tom."
A brief flash of annoyance passed in Voldemort's eyes at being referred to by his Muggle name before he covered it.
"How selfish of you, Potter. Is this what you learned under the great Albus Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel? Tut tut. They would be embarrassed and horrified at your selfishness."
Harry turned away but Voldemort didn't relent in his mockery. "Everything you know about the future. The threat Morrigan could pose in the future. The muggles. Grindelwald. Nexus. You would let it all ravage our world rather than help me?"
"You are poison. Your words are lies and even your own existence is a lie." Harry said. "You are nothing but a quarter of a soul, a leech holding onto a whole soul. A parasite!"
"A parasite that supersedes you in strength and knowledge by every possible metric," Voldemort said. "What does that make you, hmm? Less than a parasite, Potter."
Suddenly, the entire white sphere started shaking horribly. Harry glanced at Voldemort and screamed, "What the hell are you doing now?"
Voldemort sneered at him and gritted, "Not me, boy."
The sound of a large glass structure shattering echoed throughout the area and Harry felt a familiar magical signature he had never hoped to see again. A ball of violently crackling electricity surrounded him, and Harry couldn't help but question, "Morrigan?"
A Decade Ago
The Rooks
"It's amazing how much she looks like her. Truly, our little Helena has been blessed by her from beyond the realms." Her father said as he watched the little toddler, barely strong enough to levitate a playing cube.
"Of course she is, I made her. Did you expect anything but premium quality, dear husband?" The wife pouted and placed her hands on her hips in false protest. The husband and wife stared at each other before they burst out in laughter. The baby protested the lack of attention by babbling and reaching out with her arms. A loud clanging sound of metal hitting concrete reached them from outside. The wife rolled her eyes and took the toddler in her arms before turning to him,
"The beams are out loose again, darling. I did tell you to fasten them before evening." And pointed towards the outside.
"Yeah. Yeah. I will check it out." He said before placing one last kiss on the toddler and marching outside.
The man walked outside, and a chill hit him, and he shuddered. It was unusually dark outside, and he looked over to where light orbs should have been. They seem to have gone out and the man became a bit worried. He took out his wand just to be sure in case he was getting robbed. A spell raced from the right and he barely managed to dodge it.
"Lumos!" He yelled to gain light and scattered the light orbs all around him to get a better view. His morale immediately plummeted once he saw himself surrounded and a dozen wands pointed at him.
"It's been a while, Mr. Rook." One of the assailants said but he couldn't figure out who. It was as if the voice was coming from all directions.
"WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?! WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" He yelled back and the assailant tutted in response.
"Come now. Is this any way to greet family, cousin?" The man said and let the illusion fall revealing a heraldry embroidered on his chest.
"Shadows." He spat and the man laughed. "You are not welcome. Leave!"
"Oh, I will leave, once I pay my respects to the newest member of our family. I must pay tribute to our niece as is tradition." He said and the circle around him shortened as the attackers marched forward.
"Curious little thing, isn't she?" The man said. "So young yet all the IQ and mana tests administered to her show levels beyond normal. You have made a fine daughter cousin Rook. I wonder if she is finally the one?"
Cousin Rook didn't respond but discreetly made a circular motion with his wand. An alert was sent to his wife using the usual protocols.
"You shouldn't have done that, cousin." The Shadow said and before Rook could respond a dozen jinxes fell on him, tearing him to pieces. A magical flux was suddenly generated, and the man looked up.
"Inside quickly! Catch them before they leave!" He ordered and figures rushed towards the door only to have said door blow them back.
"No!" The lead Shadow roared and gave chase himself. He stumbled inside the house to find it happy. A few detection charms confirmed his suspicion that his targets had already fled. He swung his wand around violently and the furniture tore up in response. Soon the entire house buckled and weaned under magic's strain and came crashing down.
The Department of Mysteries
The Rooks
Helena's mother sobbed as she sat across a sympathetic-looking Croaker. Croaker placed a glass of water from across her and gently nudged her to drink. She took a deep sip and her sobbing was lowered in intensity.
"The entire department mourns with you Alice," Croaker said. "Rest assured, we will not sit idle while one of our own is attacked. Your husband was one of the best contributors to the department in living memory. His sacrifice will not be in vain."
She nodded through tears and accepted his condolences.
"However, I must confess, I am still at odds as to why Max hid his identity from us. Had he told us, we could have arranged better protections for his lot." Croaker said. "Merlin, we could have arranged for more of the Rooks to move to Britain."
"Max was traditional. The Rooks have always concealed their identity by hiding in plain sight." She said, taking a few deep breaths before continuing again, "He always believed in making a name for himself. He never wanted his surname to shadow his talent."
Croaker nodded in sympathy at Alice, not betraying a single emotion. He sighed before continuing,
"The day is young; you should probably rest now. Little Helena is way past her bedtime I think." He said and arranged for an aide to escort Alice and Helena to a safe house.
As soon as they left Croaker couldn't help but laugh at the entire situation. This had worked out far better than he had expected. Soon from the shadows, one of his masked men approached and whispered, "Sir the Shadows have been pestering us about an emergency meeting since the last hour."
"Coordinate the spot and arrange for an entourage. I will meet them there." He said and the guard turned back before Croaker called him again, "Oh, and while you are at it, arrange for the highest possible surveillance of the Rooks."
The Shadows
"They got away, Croaker!" Lord Felix Shadow roared at Croaker, "And you still expect payment."
"Lord Shadow, the scope of the task was to provide you a location of the Rooks. That's it. Arranging for capture, successful or not, was your duty." Croaker said, "The way I see it, we held up our part of the bargain, you failed. Your failures are of no consequence to the Unspeakable."
"Why you insolent little" Felix grabbed Croaker by his shadow before he felt wands pressed into his neck and ribs. Sweat dribbled his forehead and he glanced about to see why his own bodyguards weren't intercepting the Unspeakable. They all were incapacitated.
"It would behoove you to exercise restraint, Lord Shadow." He said and Felix let go of his collar.
"Good boy." Croaker purred. "Now the payment?"
Felix begrudgingly pulled out a parchment and handed it to Croaker.
"There." He said. "The last location of the Giovanni vampire clan's coven. Go do whatever you want to them. The two of you scumbags deserve each other." He muttered.
"How rude, Lord Felix. I can correct that." Croaker said and Felix roared in shock as a few dozen killing curses flung him back into a wall.
"Mages." Croaker spat. "They all think of themselves so high and mighty. Still, they bleed like the rest of them."
"Clean this up." He ordered and the guards dragged away the corpse.
The Giovanni Vampire Clan
The depravity of ancient Babylon still lives on Croaker's thought as he glanced about. Loud depraved music played in the background without abandon as naked bodies ground against each other to rhythm. Meanwhile, hypnotized human fools walked around in their birthday suits as blood packs for any vampire wishing to partake.
One could almost lose himself in this depraved paradise Croaker thought before he restrained himself. He needed to be 100% for this or he would be the one the Vampires used a portable blood pack. This wasn't a meeting with overweight, inbred purebloods or hopelessly stupid, weak, and naïve Muggleborns – this was a meeting in which the Unspeakables were not the dominant form.
Kendra Dumbledore smirked at him as if sensing his inner turmoil and Croaker couldn't help but recoil internally. There was rarely a mage, goblin, spider, or centaur that made him afraid, Kendra came pretty close to making him feel fear. She lounged in loose robes with a very revealing neckline and hair flowing about and passed him a drink. She glanced to where Croaker was staring and then looked back at him.
"Are you sure you don't wish to partake Master Croaker? It might release pent-up frustration, and help you focus more on the meeting." Kendra said.
"No, I don't wish to impose - " Croaker said but Kendra interrupted him
"Nonsense." She said and turned back and yelled, "Crystal! Get over here!"
A bubbly bouncy human girl who was clearly zoned out of her mind, raced up to her and asked, "Yes Mistress?"
"Master Croaker here wishes to relax. Help him" she said and slapped the girl's rear to propel her to Croaker. With a yelp and a giggle, she launched herself on Croaker's lap and started peppering him with kisses. Croaker gently but firmly pushed her away and turned to Kendra, "Lady Kendra, we really should be discussing business."
Kendra nodded at the girl who pulled her tongue at Croaker and said, "Spoilsport."
With a flick of her wrists, a soundproof barrier went all around their booth and Kendra leaned over, "Now then mage, what madness takes you to brave a vampire coven all on your own without hunters at your heel?"
"I believe the Department and The Giovannis have a lot to offer each other, my lady." Croaker said and waved a document at her, "Our intelligence believes that your clan has been looking for a certain object."
Kendra smiled at him sarcastically, "My my, the night's not even a minute old and you have already committed a dozen treasons against the British government."
"The Ministry fools don't even know half of what we do. The department was purged of any and all idealistic fools a long time ago." Croaker said.
"And does the ministry know that their itty-bitty nerds are now all members of the Cult of Mysteries," Kendra said and smiled toothily revealing her fangs to Croaker.
"You know." He stated plainly.
"Of course. We Giovannis believe in thoroughly doing our homework." Kendra said, "So why don't you stop the pretense and tell us what you want."
"The same thing as you do, Lady Kendra – perfect immortality. Immortality without the constraints of vampirism, Horcruxes, or any other thing. A feat to rival the creator gods of ancient Sumer." He said and Kendra's expression deepened.
"For such a young organization, you seem to know a lot about the deep myths." She said.
"Like Giovannis, we too endeavor to do our homework," Croaker said and gave a picture to Kendra. She hissed in frustration as she looked at it.
"No ordinary coin, is it?" Croaker asked with a smug smile.
"Dangerous grounds, mage. State your case, now." She said.
"The seal of Azazel. One of the prophets of the Fallen long banished by the Atlanteans." Croaker said. "He is our best bet in securing immortality for ourselves. However, there is no guarantee that such a being will even heed our call, much less react rationally upon release. He has, after all, been in captivity for thousands of years."
Kendra nodded at that, and Croaker continued, "We have the sheer manpower and magic to break into his cage and extract him. What will be needed is a strong prison composed of highly powerful bloodwards to hold him once he is back in real space. The knowledge of such bloodwards is only possessed by the Giovani clan."
"And once he is restrained, we can channel his latent power to fuel our own magic." Kendra finished off and Croaker nodded.
"Surely you can see how beneficial an alliance between the Cult of The Mysteries and The Giovanni Clan can be?" He said and Kendra was in deep thought before nodding slightly.
"However, there are two major elements that can derail this plan entirely," Croaker said and pulled out two profiles for Kendra.
The pictures of Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald stared back at her. Kendra scowled at them before turning to Croaker, "These two won't be a problem rest assured."
"They are rivals, no?" Croaker said. "Even if these two were taken care of, we still have many hunters, mages, and aurors that could pose a problem. If Azazel's cage is tickled while there is peace, there can be a hundred true prophecies by seers all over."
However, Kendra waved dismissively at that,
"We can arrange for a distraction. A massive one. Gellert's new political party is already making waves in mainland Europe. Everyone can see the clouds of war gathering. All it needs is a spark to ignite it to a full-scale war." Kendra said. "Does such a large distraction work for you?"
"It will work perfectly, Lady Kendra. Then we are in agreement?" Croaker said.
"We are in agreement," Kendra said and the two clinked their wine glasses together to commemorate the event. The gears in their brain already working overtime to figure out how to best screw the other over before the final objective was achieved.
"As a gesture of goodwill from the department, we have a gift for you," Croaker said and Kendra raised an unexpected eyebrow at that. "Tell me, how much do you know about Perenelle Flamel?"
Egypt Expedition
Giovannis & Unspeakables
The tied-up Perenelle led them through the great pyramids of Giza. The pyramid recognized the Goddess's blood and let them into areas that were previously unknown to both cursebreakers and muggle archaeologists. They soon came up near a wall that refused to budge and Perenelle started to analyze it a bit closely. The Giovannis were bored and distracted. Seizing the opportunity, one of the Unspeakables tried to establish a mental link with Perenelle.
"Relax." He whispered in her mind, "We are ministry aurors, deep undercover."
"What?" Perenelle asked.
"We don't have much time; we cannot allow the Giovannis to get the key. When the door opens, rush inside and secure the key. We will take care of the rest."
"I don't trust you. How do I know you are telling the truth?" She asked.
"You don't have a choice, Lady Flamel." He said. Unfortunately, for both as soon as the Unspeakable turned their weapons upon their allies, Perenelle ran inside and sealed the pyramid shut. Neither the Unspeakables nor the now-dead Giovannis were able to secure the key.
Eldermoor | England
Croaker
Croaker watched with satisfaction as the AIB for once was useful. A series of massive explosions rocked the entirety of the Axis front. It decimated entire armies and laid waste to much of their infrastructure. Their earlier attempt at securing the key was unsuccessful. Neither side had been able to break down the door when Egypt was under occupation. Yet reports had reached him that the Giovannis were somehow in possession of Perenelle again. If they had Perenelle, chances are they had the key as well. If they analyzed the key, they would know that one of the prime gateways to Azazel's prison lay in Britain.
That's when their research department truly showcased their brilliance by coming up with a workaround. They would simply pour so much magic into the lock that it burst open. They had designed contingencies of their own to hold Azazel. While they were not up to par with what the Giovannis could do, they would work. Fortunately, the chaos that the AIB had masterfully sown between Giovannis and Grindelwald would work to their advantage.
Soon, the AIB special operations would assault one of the secret lairs of the Giovannis whose location they had oh so generously provided to Nicholas Flamel. They had even convinced him that one of his daughters might be in that villa. Once the dust settled, they would sneak in behind the AIB operatives and seize control of the key as well. His smile instantly vanished as an undead Dumbledore exited the villa and laid waste to both the Black Hand and AIB operatives.
He ordered his own operatives to retreat. There was simply no way they would be able to take on Dumbledore. He shook his wine glass and resolved himself to work towards the second option. They would forcibly break the lock. One of his aides gently entered the room and submitted a report containing a list of all the worthwhile contenders that could help in breaking open the lock.
Aberforth Breaks Free
Aberforth Dumbledore knocks on the door. A witch's eyes peer through and demands the password.
Aberforth whispers a series of phrases. The door creaks open.
"Who are you?" the witch demands, wand still raised. "Why have you come? You are not one of my usual wardens."
Aberforth bows his head. "I apologize, but I am a close friend of your late husband. I've come to warn you of a dire threat to your life."
The witch, Alice Rook, narrows her eyes. "Come in," she says, not lowering her wand.
Aberforth steps inside. He starts to speak, but Alice silences him with a finger to her lips. She leads him to a room and casts a series of spells to ward it from eavesdropping.
Aberforth nods. "Thank you. When did you start suspecting the Department?"
Alice sighs. "A lot of things the night my husband died didn't make sense."
Aberforth grimly hands her a dossier. "Read this."
Alice reads, eyes widening in shock. She closes her eyes, puts her head in her hands, and sobs. "Where were you when this happened? Why didn't you contact me sooner?"
Aberforth shakes his head. "The Department often obliviates or confounds their employees. I lost track of reality. It's hard to keep track of this stuff when you don't even know what date it is. They only lost control due to strains of war and I gave them a slip."
"What would Croaker want with us to merit such cruelty?" she asks, voice trembling.
Aberforth explains, "The Unspeakables believe the Rook family knows something about Rowena Ravenclaw's treasures. That's why your house has been under strict surveillance."
Alice nods, eyes filled with tears. "What should I do?"
"Take care. Don't approach anyone. Your daughter will be safe at Hogwarts under Albus Dumbledore's watch."
"Why haven't you told your brother?" she demands.
"It's complicated," Aberforth says. "I'm gathering evidence. It's hard when days are lost due to Obliviation. The ministry is useless and they would simply censor any news in the Daily Prophet. Any knowledge you have must be passed to Helena in strict secrecy, in codes."
Alice shakes her head. "We know nothing about Rowena Ravenclaw's treasures."
Before they can say more, a loud bang blows the door down. Both grip their wands, ready to defend.
"Naughty Naughty Aberforth. It's time to come home now." Croaker said as he stepped through the wreckage. A squad of wizards trailed behind him to seize the "traitors".
Hogwarts
The Resistance
Cassiopeia stood across Dorea as both cousins reigned in their familial rivalry and tried to put on a cooperative face.
"Cousin." Dorea greeted.
"Cousin." Cassie greeted back. And the two stared back at each other in silence.
"You have seen better days, cousin. Are you all, right?" Dorea asked as she looked over Cassie. The girl was wearing combat armor designed by their company. Whatever parts of the flesh were visible were covered in either bandages or scars.
"It's been a long war, Dorea," Cassie said surprising Dorea when she was addressed by her name instead of a mocking title. "What about you? Where have you been on the fronts?"
"I can't tell, Cassiopeia. But given your connections, I am sure you can figure it out." She said.
"Ah, the hidden world," Cassie said and Dorea nodded.
"In that case, I highly doubt this is a mere family reunion," Cassie said.
"Your guess is as good as ever," Dorea said. "We have a plan to awaken Morrigan and we need your help."
Cassie immediately tensed and guardedly asked, "What?"
"Relax cousin. We have no ill intentions towards her. Also, we are not asking much from you. We will do the heavy lifting here." She said. "All we need you to do is break into the infirmary and whisk Morrigan away to a safe location where we can work on her."
"Define Wehere," Cassie said.
"Charlus, Arcturus, Helena, and I." Dorea said.
"Arcturus would rather see her dead a thousand times over than save her." Cassie snorted at that, "All the people that deeply despise Morrigan and have good cause to murder her when she can't defend herself."
She looked at Dorea dead in the eyes, "Give me one good reason….."
"If my honor as your sister wasn't enough, all these people trusted Harry." Dorea said and to rub further salt in her wounds, "Morrigan trusted and valued Harry above all. Even you, dear cousin, weren't let into her inner world."
Cassie scowled at that, "Harry was a useful distraction for her to exercise some of her ….. human traits. Now that he is dead, there can be no more distractions."
"The clock's ticking. We are about to lose. Hogwarts is our last sanctuary; do you really want to waste time debating this? Because those healers aren't going to solve anything." She said.
The two witches stared down each other before Cassie relented, "Fine."
"Fine." Cassie said again, "Mortimer and I will raid the infirmary and take her to the Slytherin prefect's dormitory. You better pray this solution of yours worked."
"Thank you, Cassiopeia. You won't regret this." Dorea said and in a move that deeply surprised Cassie, Dorea embraced her wayward cousin.
"Despite all the politics and Arcturus being a moron, remember you are still a Black. I will always be there for you in the end, Cassie. Just say when." Dorea whispered and placed a kiss on her head before running away.
Cassie gently rubbed the area and whispered, "Thank you, sister" at her fleeing back.
The Diadem
"Helena." Helena greeted.
"Helena" The ghost greeted back, "You have returned."
"I have. To claim my inheritance. My mother's poems were clever but not enough to hide the truth from me." She said. "I demand the right of passage by birthright."
"You and every other Shadow and Rook." The ghost sneered back. "You who don't even wear her name proudly dare to presume it is your birthright? Please. Go back to hiding in shadows, Rook."
"We have worn the Rook name for centuries due to your follies Ravenclaw. We wore it to protect our lady from all harm and let her slumber peacefully." Helena shot back. "And unlike some, we have done a mighty fine job of it too."
"Helena…." Charlus warned but Sebastian placed a hand on his shoulder to silence him.
"Let her cook, brother," Sebastian said. "This has been a long time coming."
"She could anger the ghost, Sebastian." Dorea said but Sebastian mouthed the words "Trust" at her.
"You are hardly the first student to covet the diadem. Generations of students have badgered me —" The ghost said but Helena interrupted her.
"This isn't about trying to get better marks! It's about Voldemort — defeating Grindelwald — or aren't you interested in that?" Helena shouted at the ghost who turned away from her scolding.
"Demons of old are about to walk the Earth. Meanwhile, Grindelwald gathers at our borders with an army of immortals. Hundreds and thousands of innocents die every week while you are skulking here. Lamenting past grievances that nobody even remembers anymore! Get over yourself, woman!" Helena shouted again. "I don't even want the damn thing for myself! I need to save the life of a student. You either point me in the right direction or by the Gods I will -"
Suddenly a beam of light shot out of the grey lady and orbited near Helena.
"The key of light." Helena gasped. "The first puzzle."
The grey lady looked at her with sorrow and wept, "I am so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen. I just wanted to make my mother proud, match her in wits."
She said and crashed down onto the floor. The trio looked awkwardly at each other, but Helena was undeterred. She kneeled down in front of her and spoke, "You have redeemed yourself, grey lady. If I knew mothers, I would say she never cared about the diadem. All she wanted back was you."
The Grey Lady sobbed and spoke, "Make our name proud again, won't you young one?"
Helena nodded at her with determination. "I promise you, Helena. All will fear and revere the Ravenclaw name again. Shadows, Unspeakables, vampires, or Grindelwald, let them all come."
"Some girl you have got there, Sebastian," Dorea whispered at the scene.
"Only the best," Sebastian said as he went and wrapped his arm around Helena's shoulders and helped her up.
Ravenclaw Tower
"A roar?" Dorea questioned.
"Pfft, it's a dementor," Sebastian said.
"A quaffle?" Charlus asked.
The portrait shook her head in bewilderment at that and asked, "Are you sure you lot are all seventh-year students? Maybe Brightstar was right, Hogwarts standards have fallen low."
"Helena, a little help here?" Dore questioned but Helena didn't respond as she fiddled with the glowing orb.
"Helena!" Charlus said snapping his fingers in front of her.
"Oh? What's the question?" Helena asked, still distracted.
"I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have nobody, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?" Charlus repeated.
"Oh right. An Echo." Helena said.
"Finally, some brain cells." The portrait lady swung open. The orb flew inside of its own violation as they chased after it. They neared the empty Ravenclaw tower, thankfully the students had been sent home by order of the headmistress. The orb then flowed straight towards the common room fireplace.
"Great. Now we have lost it." Dorea said but soon a rumbling sound greeted the group. The fireplace opened and a series of complex mechanics jolted away from each other. Soon a wall opened up behind the fireplace and stairways formed out of nothingness to reveal a passageway.
"All these years" Helena muttered, "And to think this was all lying right beneath my nose."
"We can wait if you want, Helena," Charlus said and Dorea nodded but Helena stiffened.
"No, we can't wait. Morrigan and her friends are counting on us. Harry wouldn't have hesitated, and neither will I" she said and without a word ran down the stairs.
With trepidation, they entered the secret passageways occasionally using detection spells to check for traps or intruders. They didn't find any. Strangely enough, despite the untold time this space had spent hidden away from the world, it was immaculately clean. As soon as they entered the main chamber, a beam of light shot towards Helena. The team immediately assumed a defensive formation, but the light did nothing. It kept running all over Helena, soon Helena felt the mental equivalent of a door knock. She felt at ease inside the chamber as if returning home from a long turbulent voyage and against better instincts, opened her mind to the presence. At light speeds, the presence went over each and every memory she had, from the earliest days to the modern problems.
All of Helena's ambitions, desires, lusts, fears, and hopes were laid before it. A few more seconds passed with bated breath before the light and presence faded away.
"Helena?" Sebastian questioned but soon fell silent as a series of orbs floated into the roof of the chamber and bright but gentle light illuminated the room. It was like the sunlight on a cool spring afternoon.
"Welcome home, Helena Ravenclaw." A warm voice greeted them. "Do not tarry long, we have much to discuss."
"Y-yes." Helena stammered and the team nervously walked through the room.
The walls, stretching up to an impossibly high ceiling, were lined with row after row of ancient, leather-bound tomes. Each book radiated a faint, magical aura as if whispering secrets of the past. Some volumes floated gently off the shelves, rearranging themselves in mid-air before settling back into place, their pages rustling like whispers in a grand, enchanted library.
Much like the great hall, the roof reflected the weather outside.
Interspersed among the books were countless rare artifacts and items. Delicate glass spheres hovered, shimmering with swirling colors that hinted at worlds within. A golden astrolabe, intricate and ornate, spun slowly on a pedestal, its celestial maps aligning with the current position of the stars. Enchanted quills scribbled notes on parchments without any visible hand guiding them, capturing fleeting ideas and spells in elegant script.
At the center of the room stood a magnificent piece of machinery, a complex and awe-inspiring device that seemed part telescope, part orrery, and part something entirely otherworldly. The device was crafted from gleaming silver and gold, adorned with precious gemstones that pulsed with magical light. Its many arms and lenses moved with a life of their own, adjusting and realigning to focus on different points in the night sky. As Dorea ventured nearer to the device, she couldn't help but gasp.
"Merlin! This thing is mapping out the ether!" Helena exclaimed.
"If this isn't the most Ravenclaw room to have ever Ravenclaw'd, then I don't know what's real anymore," Sebastian muttered.
Soon they were face to face with a large clear mirror, and as if by muscle memory, Helena spoke, "My lady Ravenclaw. I am here."
Soon the mirror shimmered and a tall aristocratic-looking woman with long hair and spectacled piercing blue eyes shimmered in front of them. Everyone present at once recognized the woman by portrait, "Rowena Ravenclaw." Charlus whispered and the woman smiled and nodded.
Helena fell to one knee in reverence. Despite not being of the same house or perhaps it was the sheer reverence of the figure in front of them, the others too followed suit.
"Rise students, Hogwarts has no tolerance for such kinds of submissive displays." Rowena chided and the team immediately shot up to comply.
"Y- yes Ma'am. At once." Helena stammered and Rowena glanced at the entire team with parental pride and beamed.
"It pleases me to see that Hogwarts has survived thousands of years into the future despite our failures," Rowena said. "Not only has it survived, but it also seems to me it has grown beyond what we ever envisioned. A refuge for some. A sanctuary for others. A library for many. Home for all."
Charlus, more used to than others being in such awe-inspiring company spoke softly, "It pleases us, Lady Ravenclaw, that you are proud of our accomplishments. It's not every day you have elders admitted they are proud of the younger generation."
Rowena laughed at that, "Please. If I had a parchment for every time the elders of a society blamed the next generation for their woes, the parchment would stack high enough to reach the moon, young Gryffindor."
The team nervously laughed at that to fit in.
"Although I must confess my descendants, blood or house wise, have done a lackluster job of winning this, what do you call it? A Quidditch match?" Rowena said, "The lack of trophies irks me."
She turned towards Helena and asked, "Your memories state we haven't won this game's tournament in over 3 years. That is most shocking."
Helena's eyes widened incredulously at that before she pointed a finger at Charlus and exclaimed, "It's all his fault. He is too good at Quidditch and breaks balanced matchmaking! He enjoys breaking Ravenclaw hearts."
A few brief moments of tense silence passed as everyone stared at Charlus and he sweated under the founder's glare before Rowena laughed again and everyone joined in again.
"Most amusing my dear. Most amusing. It is good the passions of youth haven't faded away and the world remains as virile as it was in my day." Rowena said, "However not all has changed, has it? Monsters wearing the garb of men trample on the rights of the weak and the poor. And now, demons threaten to walk the mortal lands again."
The team nodded in agreement.
"And this is why you seek my diadem. To heal the malady irking your friend." Rowena said and Helena nodded at that.
"A noble cause," Rowena said and looked at Helena. "But even you must know Helena, you won't be able to wield it. Your friend would be better suited to wielding its power."
Helena stepped forward and spoke, "The diadem is merely a tool my lady. It does not define me as a Ravenclaw. If the crown would be better used by her in defeating evil, then I am all for it. I will find some other way to bring House Ravenclaw to glory."
Rowena looked at her in silence for a while before smiling again, "Truly the next generation has surpassed the older one. I commend you on your selflessness."
Rowena closed her eyes and a dais rose from the ground, a shining piece of jewelry atop it.
"The diadem." Helena gasped.
"Indeed, Helena. Use it. Cure your friend and strike evil without remorse, without mercy. Scatter it to the wind and burn it root and stem. As your founding mother, I command you." Rowena charged Helena who immediately brought herself to her attention to acknowledge it.
"When you are done, with the threat, come visit me again for the final time. I still have some secrets buried about that will help bring you our house out of obscurity." Rowena said. "Now go and fear no darkness!"
"Yes ma'am!" Helena acknowledged with a shout, grabbed the diadem, and ran outside with her companions.
Once the Piranhas had left the room, the image of Rowena spoke again. "I know you are there, Helena."
The grey lady appeared from the ground and looked at her mother with tears streaming down her eyes. "It's been a while, my dear Helena."
"Mother. I am so sorry." The grey lady lamented and reached out to touch the mirror.
"There was nothing to forgive silly child. Your happiness was more sacrosanct to me than any silly diadem or totem." Rowena said.
"Still, I have blood on my hands. If you had the real diadem with you during the battle, you might have won." Helena cried.
"Hush child. That grief is long dead and past. You have a new charge now. A Helena to nurture and guide to a name befitting Ravenclaw."
"I will do it, Mother. Whatever you ask!" Helena said.
Prefect's Retreat
"This wasn't a good idea" Mortimer whispered. "They have the entire school on lockdown. With the sheer soldiers here, it's only a matter of time before we are found and court-martialed."
"I couldn't just leave her in the hands of those incompetent morons, Mortimer," Cassie said. "She dies in a comma. Or we take a bold risk and save her."
"Where are those fools anyway?" Mortimer said and Cassie shrugged.
Soon there was a series of rapid knocks on their doors and Cassie peered outside to see it was Dorea and her gang.
"They are here," Cassie said, letting them all in.
"So, what was your secret magic to bringing her back. It better work, cousin." Cassie said as she stood next to Dorea. Meanwhile, Helena stood near Morrigan and with trembling hands placed a diadem on her hand. Helena winced as the crystal glowed brightly and she started writing on a scroll as fast as possible.
"Oh, nothing much, Cassie," Dorea said as she admired her nails. "Just found Ravenclaw's diadem to fix Harry's girlfriend."
"What?" Cassiopeia said.
Welcome Back, Miss Gaunt
The eddies of magic flowed lazily around her as it thundered heavily in the white sky. The rain never came. Beneath her, was a desert of black sand that was cold to touch. Another of the bizarre anomalies of the warp. She had been stuck here for who knows how long. All she could do was witness the echoes of past moments in history whose emotions stood the test of time.
Shifting shadows danced on the horizon, where the sky met the endless expanse of black sand. The shadows coalesced into scenes from different eras, each one a vivid, living memory. A battlefield appeared first; warriors clad in ancient armor clashing with brutal ferocity. The air buzzed with the raw emotions of fear, rage, and desperation. She could almost feel the clang of swords and the cries of the wounded echoing through the warp.
The landscape around her shifted again, this time to a serene forest glade. Tall, ancient trees stretched towards the sky, their leaves whispering secrets to the wind. A group of druids stood in a circle, chanting softly as they performed a ritual. The magic in their voices resonated with the warp, creating a harmonious blend of nature and sorcery that brought a rare sense of peace to the chaotic realm.
She debated mages of history. Surprising them with her deep knowledge of theory. She tried to rally them together in a bid to escape this hell, but soon realized they weren't a soul like her. They were merely echoes who were constrained to one act only. In a fit of petty rage, Morrigan absorbed their echoes in her ring.
But peace was fleeting in the warp. In the midst of this chaos, she found herself drawn to a solitary figure standing on a hilltop. The figure was cloaked in shadow, yet a profound sense of loss and longing radiated from them. She felt a deep connection to this soul as if their shared isolation bound them together across the vastness of the warp.
Suddenly, the sky above her split open with a deafening crack. Light poured through, illuminating the black sand desert and casting the bizarre anomalies into sharp relief. Time seemed to blur as the past, present, and future collided in a cascade of images and emotions.
She saw ancient civilizations rise and fall, their triumphs and tragedies playing out in an endless loop. She witnessed moments of profound beauty, like lovers reuniting after years apart, and instances of unspeakable horror, like cities consumed by war. Each scene was a fragment of history, a testament to the resilience and fragility of the human spirit.
She wondered how long she had been here. Centuries? Decades? An eon?
Did Earth even exist anymore outside of here?
The wise always advised when touring the warp, always have a north star. Something close to you that you could always follow back home to your own physical body. She tried to recall what it was she loved so much. Obsessed so much after. It was a boy. A young boy with blonde hair and vivid eyes. Her brain strained and she screamed in pain.
A distant shout of Morrigan made her turn. "Who is it?!" She shouted but the voice only shouted Morrigan again and again and again. Suddenly pulses of purple magic surrounded her and memories of her old life began flowing inside her.
There was a boy.
H-hardrain? Henry? Howard?
Harry! His name was Harry Petrov!
The purple magic around her grew even stronger and she felt even more memories flow through her. Hogwarts. Slytherin. Nargulith. Cassie. Mortimer. Abraxas. Gaunts. Riddle. Dumbledore.
Harry Petrov.
On the horizon, a bright red burning star emerged out of nowhere and Morrigan felt strong. Stronger than she had ever felt before. Her ring glowed green and she punched the air, taking all the echoes and raw aether in it. She took and took till she felt the emerald groan under pressure before relenting. The ring glowed brightly as if it were a roaring star in her hand. She glanced up towards the star again and manifested Harry. She would honor his memory in life.
A shadow, ugly and monstrous passed in front of the star as if a parasite leeching off the sun, draining its heavenly glory dry. She reached her senses towards it and recoiled as she felt his presence. She had never expected to feel his magical signature again. Yet here it was, glowing brightly.
"Harry's not dead?" Morrigan wondered. "If not, how is he in the warp? Did he too make a horcrux?"
Excitement flowed through her again, if Harry had the foresight to create a Horcrux, then she would be able to bring him back. They would be reunited!
Suddenly she felt a strong pull on her navel and was dragged back. She felt groggy as numerous voices urgently shouted around her.
"She is coming to." A female yelled. "Get me the painkillers now!"
Someone elevated her from the shoulders and forced a potion down her throat.
"Don't let her slip away! Morrigan focus! Do not go into the dark!" A male voice shouted.
"Oh, trust me, she won't slip away." A voice pointed a wand towards her. Morrigan felt an electric jolt go through her and immediately jolted awake and sat upright.
She glared at the wand's holder in front of her, and she looked back in shock and awe. It was one of Harry's friends, Helena, or something she tried to recall. Her memory was still scrambled.
Helena meanwhile stared at the upright sitting woman who glared at her with the fury of a thousand suns. In a coma, she looked so serene. Awake, she looked like the Morrigan of old. Mean, furious, lethal, and as friendly as an angry python. All her people's friendly social skills had faded away as she looked at the room with unrestrained magic.
Truly, she looked like a war goddess from the old mythos and sounded like one too.
"Rook. Get that wand out of my face." She whispered dangerously and Helena immediately complied and put her wand away. She looked up to see Mortimer approach her slowly before giving her own wand back. Strength flowed through her again and Morrigan felt warmth returned to her. She was now bursting with energy and felt like dancing.
Morrigan immediately lept out of the bed and even her body felt stronger. She was taller, more muscular, with better assets than she had before.
"Uh, Morrigan," Cassie said and pointed at her clothes. Or the hospital gown that flowed freely with the wind. She looked up to see a boy she didn't know blushing alongside Charlus Potter. With a snort, she transfigured the gown into robes of silk and cotton. The Rook girl, once again bracing herself with courage approached Morrigan with a diadem and presented it to her.
"Please, Morrigan, put this on." She whispered and Morrigan glanced towards Mortimer and Cassie who gently nodded in agreement. Morrigan placed the diadem on her forehead and immediately felt another rush of great energy as knowledge and memories of a lifetime flowed through her. She stumbled before Mortimer and Cassie caught her and held her upright.
"Do not fear, young Gaunt. You are in good hands." It said and Morrigan's eyes narrowed as she recognized the voice from Helena's perspective.
"Rowena Ravenclaw, I presume?" Morrigan sent and received a positive reply.
"Correct, Morrigan. I see you already have inherited the gift of my brother, Salazar. My, Nargulith has grown to a frightening size." Rowena said and Morrigan remained silent.
"Still for the challenge ahead, you will need the artifacts of the rest of the two," Rowena said and Morrigan nodded in acknowledgment.
"I think I know where to start," Morrigan said.
Morrigan Gaunt
She walked ahead with a purpose as the soldiers fortifying the castle looked at her in shock and awe. Till yesterday, she was in the sleep of living death. Now she walked with an aura of a warrior from myths and legends. Some spluttered, some saluted, while others looked away – not able to bear the sight of such might.
Soon she came face to face with an eagle who demanded the entrance password. Morrigan immediately considered blasting it apart before a password. Suddenly, the diadem pulsed and Morrigan uttered the phrase which was the founder's override. Headmistress Brightstar immediately looked up in shock as Morrigan burst into the room and walked straight to a bookshelf. She pulled out a series of books in a pattern and the display case rotated.
"Miss Gaunt!" Brightstar said. "M-my what is the meaning of this."
"Calm yourself, headmistress. All is going according to plan." She said and shot Brightstart a look as if daring to continue. Soon the bookshelf rotated to reveal a starry robe containing the essence of the night sky.
Morrigan touched it to feel the material. It was light as air and flowed with potent magic. A voice, different from Rowena said, "The robe of Helga Hufflepuff. A powerful armor robe meant to symbolize a badger's tough skin. For your deed of saving your troops from the Immortals, I present to you the Badger's hide."
"I am honored Lady Hufflepuff and I accept your gift," Morrigan said and replaced her robe with the Badger's hide. Brightstar's mouth went agape as she heard Morrigan's words and came to take a closer look.
Morrigan then turned to the final item remaining. The sword of Godric Gryffindor. She held it and gave a few practice swings.
"By Merlin! The sword of Godric!" Brightstar said as if feeling a religious mania.
The voice of a long-dead English knight showed her visions of how to wield such a blade. In appearance, it was a two-handed sword with a long elongated dual blade. Its hilt was covered in rubies and other stones and the blade gleamed with a burning white light.
The voice of a stern elderly patrician spoke in her mind, "A blade forged from the shards of the legendary Mjolnir and meteorites from deep umbra by Atlantean smiths. Presented to you for your steadfast courage in the face of certain death while facing Gellert Grindelwald. I bequeath you the sword of Godric Gryffindor. May you strike dead the darkness from whence it approaches."
"I am honored, Lord Gryffindor, and I accept your gifts." She said and Brightstar looked ready to faint. Morrigan soon left the building, determined to strike down the leeches once and for all.
She stepped out of the headmistress's office and went straight to the gathered group. Morrigan turned to Charles and Cassie, "Harry is still alive. I have seen it and I know where he is."
"Bullshit!" Charlus shouted, "He is dead! We saw him die!"
Morrigan glared at him till before the diadem urged empathy and she softened her tone, "You are partially true, Lord Potter. There is still I don't know much about, but his magical signature is still on Earth. We must investigate."
Charlus said nothing but balled his fists in fury and looked away.
"We can't leave England. The unspeakables enacted some sort of ritual that prevents anyone from entering or leaving Britain." Cassie said.
"Not if we use the teleportation measures in Rowena's retreat," Morrigan said and turned to Helena. "Miss Ravenclaw, we will need your services again to operate the Orrery. It is the only device capable of seeing through the storm."
"Yes! That will work!" Helena cheerfully exclaimed and Morrigan nodded at her.
"Get to it then. I have one last stop before I meet you again." Morrigan said.
"Cassie, Charlus, and Mortimer. This is the final assault and I want it to be an overkill. Approach Arcturus if you must but we need a small squad of the best fighters we have. The Giovannis shouldn't know what hit them after we attack." Morrigan said.
Charus now more determined than ever before nodded at that, "I will have the best teams from the special forces to support you."
"We will have the troops loyal to us for you in less than an hour," Mortimer said and Cassie nodded in agreement.
"Good. I will get the last of the pieces and meet you in the retreat." Morrigan said, "Oh, and one last thing, tell the troops to not panic because a basilisk will be joining the fight with us."
"Wait what?!" Dorea shouted but Morrigan turned about and ran towards the chamber of secrets.
The Giovanni Family Lair
Kendra stared at the coffin below her. It had been several months since her blood had been festering inside the boy, yet he still resisted.
Such inhuman will Kendra thought to herself. The boy would surely be a night lord amongst all the kindred that stalked the night. That is of course if she could only figure out a way for the virus to wholly take over his body. There was just something inside the boy. Some magic prevented the transformation from being complete. It confounded her to no end. It wasn't his damaged magical core. Her vampire blood had healed that completely on the first night of his dark rest.
She glanced down at her wrists and wondered if more blood needed to be pumped. That might speed up the process. However, before she could remove the voice a series of alarms blared all over their base. A vampire stumbled into the room and said, "Mistress, we are under attack!"
Kendra's blood ran cold, and she asked, "Grindelwald?" and the man shrugged.
"Whatever it is, they will die," Kendra said and pointed her hand toward Albus's coffin and the lid sprang up. Albus groaned miserably as his corpse stepped and Kendra commanded, "Kill all the attackers!"
Morrigan Gaunt
Morrigan watched in satisfaction as the curse breakers discreetly bought down the wards around the Giovanni citadel. She then replaced those wards with some of her own around the building to prevent the leeches from escaping via magical means. They were attacking right in the middle of the day so the vampires' movements would be sluggish, negating their preternatural might. Or at least that of the young ones.
"The troops are in place, major." Charlus said, "Give the word and we will storm the citadel."
"Negative Noble, we will do no such thing. Who knows what traps they have set underneath that den. No, we will draw these leeches out." Morrigan said.
"And what of Dumbledore?" Charlus asked.
Morrigan gripped her wand and her ring glowed ominously, "If he comes. I will break him."
With that, Charlus nodded and went back in formation with the rest of the team Piranhas.
Morrigan stepped forward and stood directly in the line of sight of the castle. She raised her wand and grinned savagely. Soon those leeches will feel fire whose intensity was unlike any.
"Amaterasu" Morrigan said and a billowing bat the size of a skyscraper raced into the sky and roared. It glowed a hundred times hotter than fiendfyre but Morrigan firmly reigned it in to prevent it from damaging anything but the environment.
The flaming bat soon crashed down hard on the citadel. Their defensive runes glowed brightly before melting under the intense heat of the spell. Forming the image of a hammer battering a wall, Morrigan pressed harder, and the citadel's walls started crumbling and melting. Soon the blood mages inside started yelling counter curses or summoning blood words. However, none were used to fighting with such intensity against such heat.
The British soon cheered the display and even Morrigan couldn't help but smile proudly at that.
Many vampires simply felt the blood inside them evaporate and instantly turn to ash. However, the vampires soon rallied and finally managed to extinguish the fire. Unfortunately, this is merely the start of the ordeal. Waving her wand in a wide arc, Morrigan tore open the sky with many portals that rained firebolts on the estate. Once again encapsulating it in a bright flame.
"Major" Cassie said, "Our scout reports that the vampires are fleeing the castle now. Should we engage?"
"Do it," Morrigan replied. "Team Serpent and Piranhas, move to engage. I say again, move to engage."
"With pleasure" Charlus replied with a sadistic glee and soon several of the infantry joined him in hunting down the vampires. The vampires rushed towards their defenses but were pummeled with a series of "Fulgura" that ripped apart many in their charges. Suddenly the entire flames evaporated without a sound.
"They Giovannis have released the zombies and ghouls, Major. They are charging us at high speeds. Estimates suggest four hundred of them."
Nargulith. Feed! Morrigan shouted and the air shimmered as a massive bulk moved from the nearby forest and fell upon the attackers. The ghouls shrieked in horror and several of them died in an instant as they made eye contact with the basilisk. With a flick of its large tail, another dozen died. A volley of Winchester rifles fired at the basilisk but failed to penetrate its hide. This time around, the troops' cheers were less enthusiastic due to their proximity to the huge monster. However, Morrigan's mood soured as the next report came in.
"Albus Dumbledore spotted," Cassie said. "Awaiting orders, major."
"Fall back," Morrigan ordered and prepared to meet him head-on.
When Titans Collide
Several arks of electricity surrounded her as Dumbledore and Morrigan circled each other.
"You smell like death, old man." Morrigan sneered. "But then again, I suppose this is your true form, no?"
Dumbledore didn't reply but mourned pitifully.
"Avada Kadevra!" Morrigan shouted and Dumbledore summoned an earth wall to absorb the spell.
"Fulgura maxima!" A massive explosion tore through the thick defensive wall and Dumbledore was pushed back.
"Look at you." Morrigan mocked as Dumbledore got up from the ground, "You are not even half of the real thing. You pathetic leeches can't even get necromancy right."
Dumbledore in response transfigured several of the earthen objects near him into fighting machines. Huge earthen knights charged at Morrigan with breakneck speed. Meanwhile, Dumbledore conjured a massive flaming whip and sat in wait. Morrigan levitated into the air and shouted as massive arks of lightning tore apart the charging knights. However, Dumbledore retaliated with his whip and struck her down. Morrigan screamed as she was launched back into the ground, but the hide protected her from much of the damage.
Dumbledore fired a string of curses at her while she was down and the diadem identified them and whispered counter curses. She immediately dispelled the chain and even zombie Dumbledore was confused by that as it tilted its head in contemplation at that.
Morrigan fired back with a bone breaker and a skin layer. While Dumbledore conjured a shield and transfigured a dozen rocks into golems all around him. He sent the golems charging towards her and immediately conjured a flaming whip and lay waiting.
Nargulith! Morrigan chanted and the massive basilisk immediately crushed three of the golems under its massive bulk. Dumbledore retaliated by repeatedly striking the basilisk with his whip. Even the basilisk hide couldn't protect him from those blows. Suddenly, Morrigan teleported behind Dumbledore and shouted, "Imperio"
Dumbledore's psyche was a disjointed mess before Riddle took over and forced him to look the basilisk in the eyes. Dumbledore's remaining nerves flatlined and he stumbled onto one knee. However, Morrigan was violently pushed away from his mind as the ground around her rumbled. A massive creature of interlocking limbs and flesh, the size of a giant tore open from the ground and charged at Nargulith.
By Merlin that's a Szlachta Rowena's voice worriedly whispered but Morrigan was undeterred.
"Guess I am not the one who came prepared." She chuckled and saw a pool of blood engulf Dumbledore. She fired many spells at it but couldn't get through. Soon, Dumbledore emerged from the pool blood looking whole. His limbs had been repaired, and even the left side of his face had been healed. If it wasn't for the fact he wasn't breathing, people would have thought him to be alive.
"Round 2 it is then," Morrigan said and held out her arm and the sword of Godric Gryffindor materialized in her hand. Dumbledore charmed multiple rocks and trees around him and flung them at her, breaking the sound barrier. They simply crashed against her shields and Dumbledore hammered it with a string of spells. Meanwhile, Nargulith fought a losing battle against Szlachta and Golems. She needed a decisive blow. It was now or never. Morrigan channeled energy from her ring and took energy from her ring. She looked toward the golem and whispered, "Imperio"
The Golem resisted as Dumbledore's will collided against her but she was successful in wrestling control. The Golems charged Dumbledore while Nargulith bit deeply into the fleshy monster who moaned pitifully as the venom burned its flesh.
Dumbledore summoned a massive gust of fire and launched it at the golems which instantly baked and broke them under the high temperatures.
"Oi, old man." A voice said from behind and Dumbledore immediately turned with wand in hand only to find nothing behind.
"Falx!" A spell tore at his side and removed a significant chunk of flesh. Dumbledore aimed his wand to where she was, but Morrigan swung the sword with one hand and chopped off his wand arm. The wand fell down with a clutter on the ground.
Dumbledore dashed to grab it, but Morrigan was faster and shouted "Bombarda!" and the old man was thrown into the air and landed with a thud. Morrigan looked down at the wand and whispered "Diffindo". It snapped in pieces. As if recognizing the futility of fighting anymore, Dumbledore simply stared at her. Morrigan looked him dead in the eyes and said, "Kendra, I knew you were controlling this meat puppet. I am coming for you next."
Next to her, Nargulith had completely wrapped itself around the monster in a painful vice and choked life from it.
Good boy. Morrigan complimented.
With that, Morrigan brought her sword up and beheaded the ex-headmaster. The man's body went limp. Morrigan grabbed the head and walked towards where her camp was. The entirety of the camp went silent as she approached with Dumbledore's head and stared at her in shock. A few soldiers clapped briefly before others joined in and turned it into a mighty applause.
Morrigan looked towards Mortimer and ordered, "Begin the assault. Scale the walls. Tear everything down that stands."
Lovers Reunited
The special operations formed a protective barrier around her as Morrigan surveyed the charred remains of the citadel. The troops had scoured the entire place but found no sign of Kendra Dumbledore. Soon Morrigan stood in front of the casket where she could sense Harry was and shook her head. Even from here, she could sense the vampirism struggling against Harry. With a flick of her wand, the massive slab was tossed away. Helena gasped as she looked inside and Charlus cursed. Dorea simply turned and walked away.
Harry lay inside with his skin now jet black and eyes glowing red. The telltale signs of claws growing on his fingers were present. Morrigan cast her senses towards him and recoiled in shock. Harry had within him another piece of her. How was this possible?
What foul sorcery had Kendra done? Morrigan railed inside her mind. The diadem whispered a suggestion and Morrigan followed. She began waving her wand in intricate patterns in the air and the space responded by distorting itself around the casket. She had temporarily slowed the flow of time around it, but her hold was capricious at best. She needed to act fast and reclaim the part stuck in Harry.
Morrigan rubbed her ring and soon entered the warp and dove toward Harry's soul in a ball of crackling lightning.
This is bad. Morrigan thought as she saw the black mold creeping at the walls of Harry's soul, representing the corruption of vampirism. Just beyond the distance, she saw Harry locked in a struggle with a hairless albino creature who reeked of her soul.
Priori Incatatem. Rowena whispered and explained the phenomenon.
Morrigan rushed forward in a fury and the hairless creature recognized her and shrieked in terror. It was a minuscule creature in the grander scheme of things. Far lower on the totem pole than Albus Dumbledore.
"Morrigan?" Harry questioned but she ignored him and focused on the focus on the man threatening her love. She struck out with her ring and the man howled in agony as he was pulled towards it.
"Please! Anything but that! Please!" It screamed but Morrigan was unrelenting. Soon its screams died down and Morrigan absorbed the soul. Before she could turn to Harry again, a wave of memories collided against her, and she saw it all.
It was a mish-mash of memories of somebody called Harry Potter and she saw it all. The abuse and neglect by his muggle relatives. The joy of getting the Hogwarts letter. The train ride and the euphoria of visiting Hogwarts for the first time. The conflict for the stone, the treacheries, and the friends. The late-night adventures. She saw how his parents fell to this Lord Voldemort. She saw the Patronus charm. The invasion by the muggles and the scraggy man tossing a time turner at him as nuclear explosions went off near Hogwarts. She then saw the memories of Tom Riddle.
Even the diadem remained silent. It had no advice to offer in such circumstances. Rowena too was stunned to the core.
Morrigan, she whispered. I know this is a lot, but we need to do something here. The soul is collapsing now that vampirism is spreading unchecked. His body is too weak to survive the transformation. Either save him or let him die.
Morrigan stared off into the space for a few moments before asking, how do we save him?
You must first condemn him. Rowena replied.
Hogwarts One Day Later
Forbidden Forest
A large snake slithered into the forest. Stars seemed to dance across its scales, creating a mesmerizing vista that mirrored the night sky. The snake moved with purpose towards an area where animals were fleeing in terror, the forest falling into a dead, eerie silence.
The snake knew this silence well; it only occurred when an apex predator stalked the land. The creatures of the forest held their breath, hoping to go unnoticed. Yet the snake, undeterred and driven by an ancient instinct, pressed on.
Soon, it reached a small clearing where the moonlight spilled through the canopy, casting an ethereal glow. There, sitting on the forest floor, was its quarry—a nearly eight-foot-tall creature with gaunt, elongated limbs and powerful muscles that hinted at immense strength. The creature's skin was ashen and taut, pulled over its frame in a way that made it seem both ghostly and skeletal. Sharp, jagged claws extended from its fingers, and atop its head were a pair of imposing antlers, gnarled and twisted like the roots of an ancient tree.
The creature glanced up as the snake approached, its eyes hollow and filled with an ancient sorrow. Recognizing no threat from the serpent, it returned to its mourning, a deep, haunting sound that resonated through the silent forest. The snake, sensing the creature's pain, slithered gently around it, encircling the creature in a manner reminiscent of a human embrace.
The creature, initially tense, gradually relaxed under the snake's gentle touch. It rested its weary head on the snake's bulk, its antlers framing the snake's starlit scales in a strange but beautiful contrast. The snake began to emit soft, soothing hissing sounds, a lullaby carried on the night breeze.
I love you, Harry. Morrigan sent.
It took a while for the creature to form his words, it struggled against his newfound form before replying, I love you Morrigan.
As the creature's breathing slowed and deepened, the forest seemed to breathe with it, the oppressive silence lifting slightly. The snake tightened its coils protectively around the creature, offering comfort and warmth. The creature, now at peace, closed its eyes and succumbed to sleep, its monstrous form softened in repose.
Above them, the galaxies wheeled in a perfect starry night, their light bathing the forest in a celestial glow. The stars moved in their eternal dance, indifferent to the pain and solace found below. Yet, for a moment, beneath that vast cosmic expanse.
Author Notes: I am replaying skyrim for the 100th time and just can't stop writing about night skies after playing it.
Anyhow, read and review. Also, let me know what you think of ol' Harry's new form. Bonus points if you guess what it is.
Read & Review. Read & Review. Read & Review.