The Rise of Chaos

Chapter Six: A Silent Tear

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I stood on the gentle slopes of the Hogwarts grounds. The green grass lay everywhere, waving gently in the wind. A few flowers bloomed here and there, yellow and red petals flourishing in the light of the sun. I laughed as I ran across the plains; the pure joy of running, free from everything, was exuberant. The sweet smell of the air and the warmth of the day energized me, a wide grin splitting my face.

The air rushed across my face as I ran, a dull roar of the wind in my ears. I reached the Great Lake of Hogwarts; I slowed to a jog as I stared at the lake. Faint wisps of white air gathered around a spot a little above the waters. The streams of white fog whirled around impressively, still more gathering in a spiral column of white wisps.

A figure writhed in the wisps of air above the water -- the air visibly swirled around him. I stood gaping, dumbstruck, at the apparition before me.

"W-who are you?" I asked hesitantly. This spirit, or ghost, or figment of my imagination scared me -- not in a frightening Voldemort-is-here scare, but a more struck-in-awe scare. The figure wreathed in a mass of white air, peered at me, though I could not see the eyes.

This figure was cloaked in silver silk, the hood of the cloak shadowed the face, and was robed in another layer of silver. Nothing else was visible for the robes and cloak hung well below the boots, and the sleeves of the robes extended past the hands. The hood covered the face, and the figure wore no accessories.

"Come," the figure whispered, "Follow me." I jumped, startled; the sound did not come from under the hood, but instead whispered from every direction, like a disembodied voice. A slight shiver traveled across my body. The figure turned and glided across the water to the other side of the lake.

Should I follow him?

The figure, whatever or whoever it was did not seem dangerous -- yet, that was what the most dangerous sort were like, seemingly not dangerous. Should I follow? A sudden sense of tugging, a need to follow rose within me. With a firm nod of my head, I decided to follow before realizing that I had no way of following the gliding figure across the water. I waited, not knowing how to follow. The figure was already half way across the lake, before it turned to peer at me from under the hood.

Knowing I had to try something, I flicked my right hand, summoning my wand -- but it did not come. With a start I realized that I wore nothing but a single robe, I did not have my belts, my holsters, or any sort of weapon. A sudden sense of vulnerability plagued me.

The figure waited across the lake, peering at an intensity that made me uncomfortable. I don't know how to cross, I wanted to yell at it, but deep inside I had a feeling that I should know. Anger boiled in me, how was I supposed to know that? The power of the emotions began to change into a physical manifestation.

It had begun to do that more and more easily of late. Before, my anger or hate had to reach to a point of intensity that was enormous before it began to change, but since I figured out that it must have something to do with that fabled Core Magic, the physical manifestation -- the change between emotion to power -- had been easier. Now, with a simple annoyance at tripping on a stair, or forgetting the page number of a book, it began the process of turning my emotions to power.

Maybe this power could get me across?

I didn't experiment much with it, since it was so out of control. I had tried -- truly I had. But the power just did not like being under control; of course, it also had to do with the fact that it took my anger to keep the fire going. And as Moody always said, anger clouds the mind. The only real wandless magic I had ever controlled was Apparating, and even that did not take my anger. So was it really anger that triggered Core Magic? Or is it something else? Did Apparating use something different, other than Core Magic? But didn't Moody say that wandless magic was part of Core Magic? But controlling Core Magic was, oh so terribly hard, and the only actual thing I had managed wandlessly was Apparition. Merlin!

But, I wondered, could I get in control this time?

Why not, another side of me answered, this is a dream, right? What can go wrong?

With this firmly in mind, I carefully began to replay memories which would spark my anger and hate. The emotions transfigured itself into a physical force, and with it tightly engulfed in my will, I carefully whispered, "Terrideo Allomo." I cringed, a part of me expecting the power to spin out of control and destroy everything around me for nearly ten feet.

But my will held firmly onto the Core Power.

A mist of silvery air gathered around and solidified to make a silver plate, four feet in diameter, hovering two feet above the water. I gasped, surprised, my anger giving way to shock. In the absence of anger, the power in me faded away. The plate, however, was still hovering in front of me. With a hesitant look at the figure, I stepped gently onto the plate, which sank an inch under my weight. Now I needed to activate it.

"Sirius," I whispered to summon my anger, and it returned with glee, the power roared, "Caneth."

Gently the plate moved forward, and with my will I controlled its speed; I quickly caught up to the figure. We made it across the lake, and past the wards and barriers on the school before the figure reached over for me. I visibly flinched as the figure reached for me, but held my ground.

Pop.

We Apparated. I felt the familiar feelings and sensations, as we Apparated to -- who knows? The figure wreathed in white masses of air was the one in control of the Apparition. Pop. We appeared at the destination.

I gasped.

In front of me was Diagon Alley, except for the fact that it was completely destroyed; the shops, which once stood there, were now only piles of rubble. I stared in horror at the sight; I looked up at the sky and saw the Dark Mark floating above. I clenched my teeth in rage, and tried to tame the roaring flames of power that also grew within me.

Beyond the piles of magical rubble, I looked and saw holes in the barrier that had stood between the muggle world and the Wizarding world. Muggle London was also destroyed just as surely as Diagon Alley. It wasn't as bad as Diagon Alley however, and in the far distance I could see a building or two still standing.

I couldn't believe it; I gaped with horror.

This is a dream! I wanted to scream, but a part of me knew, knew that this was the future -- a very near future.

"Why did you bring me here?" I whispered hoarsely, "Why?"

The figure stood beside me; he, too, peered at the mess. "Because you must know," his whisper once more seemed to thunder across the place, coming from all directions, "Because this is what will happen if you don't."

A sudden hope grew in me, "So I can stop it?"

A slight pause.

"No," he replied, "You cannot."

I glared in anger. "But you said --"

"I never said it will not happen if you do know," was the answer.

"Then what must I do?" I asked, so very confused.

"Nothing. You can do nothing," he continued, "nothing but be prepared...."

---

A hand gently shook me awake, and with startling reflexes I jumped out of my bed, my wand pointing at the intruder. It was Remus.

"Harry," he greeted, his eyes were twinkling in amusement. He was used to my reactions by now. His expression sobered, "We're going to leave for the trial in an hour and half, and well, I thought you might want to take a bath and relax."

"Thanks," I breathed absentmindedly; the dream still held most of my attention, "I'll be fine."

Remus looked concerned. "Are you sure you're all right?" He reached up to touch my forehead, "You seem sick -- tired."

I tried to smile, but all I got was a faint tightening of my lips; I tried to pull myself together, "'m fine, really." I waved to Remus before stepping into the bathroom. I looked into the mirror; Merlin, could it have been just my apprehension about the trial that brought the dream on me? I had shielded my mind from exterior penetration the night before, so how could the figure have gotten through the shields to warn me? Was it really a warning? Or just some imagination my mind pulled on me?

Are you okay, Harry? asked my snake. She lounged on the heated stones that were embedded around the pool. The bathtub was always kept warm, encouraged of course by a few handy spells, and it warmed the area around the pool. Gonri loved sleeping on the stones, and whenever she wasn't hunting for mice and rats, and when she wasn't helping me in the Art of Snake Magic, she would come to the pool and sleep. It was a good thing she liked it here, really. It kept her out of the way, out of sight from the others who were not aware of her presence.

I sighed; I'm fine, just a dream that sort of shook me up. Gonri looked up at me with her eyes, and I swear if she had eyebrows, they would be raised like Moody's would have. She obviously didn't believe me.

I relaxed in the tub. I felt like I was about to explode with questions. Who was the figure? How did he -- or it -- know? Would that really happen, or did my worry over the trial bring it on me? And what was it that I did? Did I really do Wandless Magic -- Core Magic? Could I do it again?

I pulled on my muggle clothes, all of which were charmed as the Dueling robes were. Maybe it was just my imagination. Maybe it was nothing but a nightmare brought on myself from my mind. Maybe, maybe... Merlin, I don't know.

I stepped out of the bathroom, back into the sixth year's boys' room. I walked over to my trunk and opened it to reveal my robes. I reached over the Dueling robes I had picked to wear the day before, but a prickling sense of warning, like the feeling I had at the Battle of the Plains, itched in me. Hesitantly, I opened another compartment in my trunk and reached for the Battle robes.

I shrugged; it wouldn't hurt to be prepared. The figure's whisper was recalled in me, "nothing but be prepared...." Well, nothing bad ever happened because you were prepared, and if -- if, I say -- something does happen, I would be ready. I would be prepared.

With that in mind, I strapped all of my belts of knives, as well as my secondary wand holster. I reached for another compartment and pulled on the Anti-Transfiguration bracelet given to me by Professor McGonagall, the earring I made as well as the necklace and the other bracelet. I reluctantly reached for the fake glasses, before wearing my battle robes over them all.

A sensation of power filled my bones as I wore the battle robes; a feeling of protection much greater than the feeling mere dueling robes had given me. The robes were bottled green, to reflect my eyes. An intricate design in silver thread made the robes so much more stunning and beautiful. I felt so sure of myself as I wore those robes, and I felt very safe. My muggle clothes were charmed as the dueling robes, and the battle robes were even more heavily charmed. Together, they would protect me against nearly all the offensive spells and curses, other than the three Unforgivables. And the fact that I also wore many gems that would help me in battle, and the Anti-Transfiguration bracelet against offensive transfiguration against me, I would be nearly invincible in battle.

Nearly.

I grimaced -- wouldn't it be nice to be invincible?

My mind went back to the dream. Could I do it again? Wandless magic, I mean?

I sat on my bed, deciding I would try. I closed my eyes, before opening them once more -- I had forgotten to cast the protection charms. I had done this several times, and I had never actually gotten it under control. The first time, the magic had spun out of my control and completely destroyed Moody's office. Moody was livid for a time, before he drilled me in barriers and wards that would stop that from happening again. Quickly I cast the spells, knowing I didn't have much time until the trial -- and I still didn't have any breakfast.

Closing my eyes once more, I breathed deeply, before reaching for my darkest memories, and replayed them slowly, my will trying to gather the charging power under control. A small flame sparked, and it grew larger and larger, and I kept it tightly under control. I still built on it, all the while keeping it in control -- but as it grew; my control over it began to diminish. Quickly I tried to get rid of it, I knew that I wouldn't be able to control it, but it grew. It grew more and more, until I was only holding on by a few threads.

Merlin, help me!

I cried out in my mind before I loosed a hurricane of power, too large for me to control. Slowly the power faded away, the excess energy soaked up by my barriers. My breathing was harsh and irregular, as I peered at the little damage. Thankfully, the shields and barriers I had placed toned down the damage, but my blankets were still scorched. My breathing calmed down within a few seconds, and I balanced myself once more, banishing my anger.

So, this just proved that the dream was false. I mean, if it was true, and I managed to control it in my dream, wouldn't that mean that I would be able to control it here? I shook my head; it was just a nightmare after all. But there was still something about it that made me doubt, a nagging sensation in the corner of my mind.

Can you warn me the next time you try something like that? hissed an annoyed snake.

I looked over at her as she slithered over from the bathroom. Sorry, I apologized; I'm going to the Ministry today, you wanna come?

She seemed to think it over, but she decided to stay. I didn't really complain, not much. If something did happen, I would be much freer to act. I wasn't skilled enough in Snake Arts to successfully use her in battle. At the moment, the best I could do with her was to create a strong barrier that only allowed spells to travels inwards, but not outwards. It was a barrier to trap an opponent. Hardly useful in a full-out battle, and even then, I could simply use "Serpensortia" instead of risking Gonri.

I fastened a black cloak; it came with the Battle Robes, having the same amount of spells to protect it from offensive spells. One last look at my room, and with a quick spell to get rid of the scorch marks on my bed, I undid all the wards and spells, only to reweave the security wards as I left to protect my possessions from theft. Not that I thought someone would snoop around in my things, but one can never be too sure. Constant vigilance, Moody had said.

I jumped down the stairs two at a time to reach the Gryffindor Common Room in record time, and with a last leap, four stairs from the floor, I landed softly in the Common Room. I smiled, my stamina was increased from one of the gems and because of that I didn't break a sweat or even breath the slightest bit harder.

"I'm done," I called to Remus, Tonks, Moody, and Hermione. All of them were dressed in their best robes, ready to go eat breakfast before we went to the trial. A feeling of unease stirred in me as I realized for the first time that if the dream was true, then it was more than likely that it would be today. With a rising horror I realized that if it was today, my friends could get hurt.

And Hermione.

Hermione.

"You know," I started, a little hesitant, "maybe we shouldn't all go." I had their attention, I saw Hermione look at me with an eyebrow raised. I flushed inwardly, but kept my face composed. "I mean," I continued, "it's not like anything bad will happen," I cringed inwardly, "you don't need to come just to protect me. I'm sure you all have a lot of things to do, right?" No one responded. I squashed a blush that was starting to stain my cheeks. I finished, "I'm sure Dumbledore and I will be fine, alone."

"Potter," Moody said wryly, "what makes you think we're going because of you?"

I flushed. "I didn't mean it like that --"

Remus cut in, "We know you didn't." He glared at Moody, who simply shrugged his shoulders.

"Besides," teased Tonks, "I also want to watch Malfoy be condemned to Lazarus."

Hermione simply cocked her head at me, with a look of puzzlement on her features, before she realized that I was watching her, and she smoothed her face. She smiled at me, "Don't think you can get rid of me so easily."

Oh, if you only knew how much I did, I sighed silently.

"But I don't think I'm going to go anywhere until I've had my breakfast," Remus said cheerily, before he set off to the kitchen. The others looked at each other, before shrugging and going after Remus.

Moody and I hung back, going at a slower pace. "Did you have a Dream or a Vision?"

I blinked at the abruptness of the question. I began cautiously, my eyes flicking around to make sure there was no one to overhear, "What makes you think that?"

Moody chuckled, "I've been training you for nearly a month now, I can read you pretty easily." I glowered at him, but I knew what he was taking about. In our time together we had grown to know each other well, to be able to communicate with simple exchanges of looks, read each other's thoughts with ease. Moody had even told me once that the two of us worked so well together that he may ask the Head of the Aurors to assign me as his partner when I graduated from Hogwarts. As by that time, if the war was still going, he would be back to working as an Auror full time, leaving retirement behind until we won, or he died, whichever came first.

Yes, we had gotten to know each other pretty well.

"Well," I began, "it wasn't a real vision of Voldemort. But, well, you decide." I told him my dream from beginning to end. I hid nothing from him, for I knew that I could trust Moody with my life. I told him about the running on the plains before reaching the lake. I told him about the gathering of mists before the figure appeared. I told him about my theory of Core Magic and how I manipulated my emotions and did Wandless Magic.

At that point, Moody asked me if I would try to do it once more. I shook my head firmly, I told him of my try in my room. I told him how that just proved that it was only a nightmare, but I also told him I had a feeling that there was something special about that dream.

"You know, Potter," Moody told me, "some things are easier to do in a dream. That may be the reason why your having trouble doing it again here, in reality."

I nodded in understanding -- it made sense. I continued with the dream -- of Diagon Alley, of the destruction, of the Dark Mark. Finally, I finished with the figure's last words.

Moody cocked his head in thought, before he shook his head, "I don't know, Potter. But it may just be your imagination, your apprehension." He scratched his head, "Don't think too much on it. I bet it's just your anxiety that brought it up."

I smiled at him, "Yeah, I'm not that worried about it." I made sure I was completely cloaked, shielded against Moody's Legilimency. I was quite worried about it, but I didn't need to show Moody my fear. After all, it might be just a silly dream. "How are we going to get there, anyway? And where're we going to meet up with Dumbledore?"

"He'll meet us up in his office. The Weasleys will floo in from the Burrow, and together we can all floo to the Ministry," Moody replied easily.

I covered my shock with a grimace, "I hate floo-travel." The Weasleys were coming?

Moody chuckled, "Yes, I know, Potter. But it's better than Portkeys, eh?"

I shrugged, before hurrying to catch up with the rest of the group. We reached the kitchen easily with a lot of time to spare. My stomach wasn't really interested, but I knew that if something happened, I would need my strength. So I forcefully ate my food, listening to the useless chatter from the rest of them. When we were finished, we headed up to Dumbledore's office. As we reached the stone gargoyle, Remus whispered the password, opening the gateway. I heard loud noises in the office above, and knew that the Weasleys had arrived.

"Harry!" cried Ron. I smiled faintly at him; he seemed to figure that I wasn't into much talk at the moment. But I regretted not speaking to him as he immediately pulled Hermione into a corner, where they were plainly catching up on each other. I hid a grimace, and covered a glare. I ripped my eyes away from the two, pushing away my jealousy, instead studying Dumbledore.

He was a scholar at Core Magic -- that, I knew. But whether he was a master was a different matter. I had rarely seen the old man, even though I stayed at the school. He was too busy to see me, but I had a suspicion that he was avoiding me. Though I had no reason why. I had so many questions to ask him. Mainly about Core Magic, but other things as well -- such as the Prophecy. I knew from Moody that the Order members only knew as much as Voldemort did, but the full Prophecy was one only Dumbledore and I knew.

In which I was more than happy in keeping it that way.

"Harry," Dumbledore greeted.

I smiled forcefully, "Hello, sir."

Dumbledore shook his head firmly, "Albus, Harry, call me Albus."

I raised my eyebrow at him before I smoothed my features. I spoke calmly, my voice unruffled, "Hello, Albus." The name tasted weird in my mouth, but I was quite ecstatic. By allowing me to call him by his first and private name, he was acknowledging me.

Dumbledore nodded, "Well," his voice turned all of our attention back on him, "I suggest we head to the Ministry." As if in answer to his summons, a small pot appeared before the fireplace, filled with what I knew was Floo Powder. We left, one by one until only Dumbledore and I were left. I smiled tightly at him, hiding a grimace as I reached for the pot.

"Bye, Fawkes," I said gently to the phoenix. Fawkes had just been reborn a few days back, and was just starting to get his feathers back one more. The phoenix sang wondrously in return. The trill from the phoenix released the tension in me. I smiled.

"Harry," Dumbledore's voice stopped me, I turned to face him. His weathered and old face was filled with seriousness. I looked at him, puzzled. "Be careful." He paused, "I have a bad feeling. A feeling that," he paused, "that something will happen." He nodded at me.

Those words replayed over and over again in my ears as I told him I would be. It seemed not only I picked up on the warnings that something would happen today. It encouraged me that I was not the only one who noticed it. "The Ministry of Magic."

The green flames flared up, and with a rush of wind I was gone, whirling through. My gems helped me a bit from the dizziness, but not much as I landed heavily before the courtyard at the Ministry. I froze, staring at the courtyard. The incident at this place before the end of my fifth year played over in my mind. As a result, Dumbledore's feet crashed into my back with no warning, and I stumbled forward, surprised.

Remus and Tonks helped me up, before I managed to do it myself and shook off all the ash from my robes. The charms on my robes managed to keep the ash from rubbing into it, and the black ash fell as I shook my robes. With a wave of my wand I banished the ash back into the fireplace. We headed down the halls, to the courtroom. Up ahead, I heard Moody and Albus speaking to each other -- too quietly for me to hear. I quickly enhanced my senses, and listened in.

"...never heard of the courtroom before, are you certain it's Courtroom 13?" asked Moody.

Albus nodded, but he too looked confused, "Yes, I received a letter from the Minister himself. The trial is to be held in Courtroom Number Thirteen." Albus shook his head, "But I have never heard of this courtroom either...."

I released my enhanced hearing, pondering over what I had overheard. Well, I thought sheepishly, I had actually snooped in on their conversation. Courtroom 13? Both Moody and Albus have never heard of it? I shook my head in wonder. Yes, Albus didn't know everything, but surely he would have known if a courtroom existed. And if not, well, at least Moody should have known, but obviously not even Moody known of it.

Another flash of warning and danger flashed through my body, but I ignored it. Everything will be all right; I assured myself everything would be all right. But deep inside, I knew different.

Sure enough, Courtroom Number Thirteen loomed in front of us, and with a deep breath we entered. It was quite small, which confused me. By what I knew of the dimensions of the Ministry building, the room should be three or four times larger -- and with magically enlarging the room as they tended to do, the room should be at least eight times larger. Just magic that made the room smaller than it really should be, I affirmed myself, and after all, if there were a fake wall, Moody would be able to see through it, right?

...Right?....

The courtroom could only fit thirty people; six jury members -- Fudge was one of them, I saw -- Albus, Moody, Remus, Tonks, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, the twins, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Charlie, eight Aurors, Malfoy senior, the judge, and me. I wondered where Madam Bones was, usually she presided over these things. As soon as I sat the court started, Albus summarized everything, of how the capture occurred. I barely listened as I frowned. My scar was starting to twitch. It hadn't reached the point where it was painful, but it was tickling me, twitching.

If Voldemort were here, the scar would have warned me by shooting more pain, near Cruciatus-level. But I was baffled at this gentle twitching. What was happening?

"We call on Harry James Potter to testify. He is willing to be questioned under the influence of Veritaserum."

I stood confidently; this was not a time to show my nervousness. With a projection of confidence, I approached the witness seat, which was on a platform raised two feet, so that everyone may see the witness and hear the answer. I looked around, everyone I knew sat on the first two rows, and the last row was for the Aurors. Two Aurors held Malfoy off to the right, while the six jury members sat on the left. It was just like a normal courtroom I had seen on the muggle TV, except for the fact that it was scaled down by quite a lot.

The clerk approached, both his hands held a vile, a vile holding clear liquid in his right, the other held a murky yellow. The clear liquid was held out to me, and recalling everything Albus had told me about the trial, I took it and with the clerk's help, I dropped two drops into my awaiting mouth. The yellow one was the antidote.

"What is your name?"

"Harry James Potter."

"What --"

"Voldemort!"

The door crashed open.

"Hello, Potter."

---

"Tom," greeted Albus, his voice calm but grim.

The corners of Voldemort's mouth tightened ever so slightly before it smoothed back into that cold mask. My body attempted to shiver but the Veritaserum in my veins refused to allow that action. "Old man," he replied back, calm, yet the voice had an edge that would have made the hair on the back of my head stand on end -- if I wasn't under the influence of the serum.

Merlin! I bet he waited for me to be under the serum's affects before he attacked.

Why, though?

To get the Prophecy.

My blood ran cold, my breathing harsh. If he found out about the Prophecy....

Move, you fool!

I struggled in my seat, in a vain attempt to move. My mind tried to claw away from the haze, but nothing worked. I tried to recall what I knew of the serum, "Veritaserum, unlike other truth serums, requires an antidote to dispel its effects. The victim will remain under its influence until the correct antidote can be distributed."

"Why have you come here?" asked Dumbledore. To anyone's eyes he seemed to be relaxed, arrogant almost, in his pose. But I knew that it was all a ruse to dull Voldemort's wariness, and if Voldemort did attack, he would be sorry indeed.

"To collect my servant," he whispered, Voldemort's voice hissed around the room -- many visibly cringed. He paused, then continued, "And to get my prophecy."

If I had been free from the serum, I might have run away screaming at that point. The fact that I had taken the truth serum did not help me -- in fact, because I was under Veritaserum, the situation was made all the worse. After all, Voldemort only had to ask me to recite it.

In the corner of my eyes I watched as the clerk stared at me, his eyes wanting to tell me something. I didn't understand, and I think he saw my puzzlement, before he pointed ever so slightly to the floor. I looked down, though it was hard because I could only move my eyes, and saw the antidote -- on the floor. Where I was so close, yet so far.

Moody silently tried to take out his wand, but he moved so slowly, trying to look innocent. The Aurors followed Moody's lead, as they moved to release their wands. The Death Eaters, a dozen of them, stood at attention on either side of the room, and stared rapturously at the Dark Lord -- not seeing what the others were up to. But it had to be done slowly, because even the Death Eaters would notice fast movement. I looked at the masks, and saw only white masks displayed.

So, I pondered, they were only regular Death Eaters.

Why would Voldemort only bring regulars?

"I'm afraid you can't, Tom," Albus began; he was, however, cut off when Voldemort laughed. His laughter filled the room; so chilly it would have made dry ice seem luke warm.

"Can't? I can't?" inquired the Dark Lord. He turned to face me, "Potter, what is the Prophecy?"

Did Albus just twinkle? I asked to myself, as I saw Dumbledore's eyes twinkle before they cleared. However, the thought cleared away along with the dread, as I realized what he asked.

Oh... oh... he, he!

"The Prophecy was made by Sibyll Trelawney, when she interviewed with Albus Dumbledore. It was a Prophecy that foretold the Dark Lord's defeat."

Everyone froze -- even my thoughts, as my suspicions were confirmed. The Dark Lord had asked what the Prophecy was, not what the Prophecy says. Voldemort's eyes blazed in rage. A smile curled on his face. "Recite the Prophecy."

"Silencio!" Moody cried, and my mouth sealed shut.

There was a moment of silence.

"So be it."

Voldemort raised his hand, motioning his servants to fight, but they didn't manage to say a single spell as the Aurors acted by disarming and stunning the Death Eaters. In moments, every Death Eater was stunned and bound. The Aurors raised their wands and pointed them at Voldemort. The clerk quickly gave me the antidote. I felt the haze drain away.

I stood slowly and deliberately, straightening to my fullest height, my cloak bellowing menacingly. With a flick I had my wand in my palm. I cleared my mind quickly, partly because I knew Voldemort was a Legilimencer, and also because I needed to prepare my mind for battle. I felt the same coolness enter my body as it did when I dueled Moody, I felt as if I were plunged into a cold stream in the far northwest, across the pond, in the colder parts of Canada. My face was calm, a projection of ice that cooled the air around me, my eyes were ablaze in a snowstorm, and melting in an explosion of lava.

A highly insincere smile curled my lips, a wintry smile that would make even Voldemort envious. Now, don't get me wrong here. I was terrified -- but I had trained so long for this moment, the terror was almost non-existent. Thankfully. I was still embarrassed over the Vision I had weeks before; I was still embarrassed over my childish acting. I didn't step off the platform, as it gave me a few extra feet in height, making me look more dark and dangerous.

Dumbledore smiled, "You were always good at chess, Tom. I'd say this is a check-mate."

Voldemort showed no outward emotions, but his eyes blazed with anger -- and something else? There was a flicker of -- triumph? What? My arm was relaxed, the wand lowered in an arrogant stance, but I was ready to lift it in an instant's notice. "A check-mate, old man?" He shook his head sadly, "Have you forgotten already? That I always have a second plan?" He raised his eyebrow, "No? Surely the great Albus Dumbledore would not forget that I always had a Plan B?" He laughed once more; I saw a couple of Aurors glance around uneasily. The Weasleys and Hermione all crowded together. Albus, however, remained calm and steady.

"Very well then," Tom purred, he raised his wand -- everyone tensed -- and waved it. "Plan B." The walls shook, flickering like a candle. They bent and extended, unwilling to leave, but leave they did, vaporizing and disappearing.

I gaped.

The walls were gone, and what was beyond was amazing. The walls were apparently placed there, as the real courtroom was eight or nine times larger than the small and tight space we were at just moments ago. However, beyond the fake wall, nearly two hundred Death Eaters were waiting.

Merlin.

We were doomed.

Time seemed to freeze for an instant that lasted an eternity for me. I raised my wand up in alarm at the sight of the Death Eaters. Fudge and the jury members crowded together, Moody joined the Weasleys and Hermione, and the Aurors formed lines to protect each other. That instant passed, however, and time seemed to want to make up for the loss by speeding itself, and the next eternity passed in an instant.

Dumbledore was the first to go on the offensive, and with unnatural speed for one so old, he threw himself against Voldemort, colliding with the Dark Lord. The movement seemed to snap everyone out of their trance. A women of the jury screamed, men and women both cursed everything in sight, creating more havoc as the spells that were meant for the foe, instead, hit each other. The Aurors desperately tried to group together -- a bare handful against the on pouring sea of Death Eaters.

Remus and Tonks plunged into the crowds fighting against the wave to reach Dumbledore. Voldemort had retreated to the back of the room, while Albus was in the middle of the Death Eaters. The courtroom was spaced, but it was still quite a bit crowded, allowing no proper dueling.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, working with Bill, Charlie, and Moody herded the twins, Ron, Ginny and Hermione into a corner, and dueled against the many Death Eaters. Ron and Hermione, with the twins, occasionally sent stunners at the enemies; their time spent at the DA was not wasted.

Minister Fudge was with the jury, waving his wand expertly against the attackers. He isn't bad at dueling, I confided to myself. Everything was in total chaos, and I still stood on the platform. It was a great advantage to be able to see above the ocean of enemies and friends, allowing me to work my magic with great efficiency. I had already woven several barriers to keep the offensive spells at bay, for example the Lothiel Charm, a charm that created a barrier that stopped virtually anything. It created a vacuum of nothingness around a certain point, and the black hole simply sucked up all the spells.

Except the Unforgivables, of course. One day, I will figure out some method of blocking those infernal curses.

But it was hopeless; even I could see that. The Aurors were doing slightly better than the rest, and yet even they were being forced into a corner. Remus and Tonks reached Albus, yet it took all they had just to defend themselves -- they had no chance to attack. Even Dumbledore was hard pressed, he not only had to protect himself from the Unforgivables, but now he had to protect Remus and Tonks as well.

"Avada Kedavra!" shouts of the curse rang everywhere. The Aurors would jump out of its way, sending one of their own in the midst of the Death Eaters. Both sides were beginning to use them. I too used Dark Spells, but not the Unforgivables, not yet anyway. Fudge, much too confident in his skill, stupidly ventured away from the rest, pushing into the crowd of Death Eaters. The six jury members, the judge, and the clerk fought viciously to keep in stride with the Minister of Magic, but had no way getting to him. I watched with dismay as a Cruciatus Curse enveloped the clerk. I watched as the jury members were either tortured or killed, one by one.

"Protego. Flamera," I muttered, as a lucky spell managed to get past my defense. Flames burned one of the enemies.

Merlin! Please, please, please keep my friends safe. Please!

Fudge was flinging curses left and right, but I saw out of the corner of my eyes, as he began to falter from using too much magic. The green flare of the Killing Curse rushed with the sound of a whip, effectively killing the Minister of Magic. His body fell, joining the many corpses that littered the floor. Anger flashed in me. I watched as a fellow Death Eater freed Lucius Malfoy and handed him a wand.

The anger built further when Lucius approached the corner where the Weasleys, Moody, and Hermione were trapped. It boiled as I watched him send a Cruciatus, and grew tenfold when Hermione fell under the pain spell. My anger was at a breaking point, the feeling of power returned. My anger started to manifest itself into power, into magic. This time, instead of suppressing it, I allowed -- no, pleaded -- for it to grow.

"Avada Kedavra," I said grimly, as the power of death erupted from my wand. Like the Cruciatus, you have to mean it, have to want it for it to work. You must truly want to kill someone to use the Killing Curse, and at the moment, I dearly wanted to kill the man. Malfoy fell, and the pain curse ended, freeing Hermione. Ron rushed to where she lay, she was shuddering and tears were streaming from her eyes. I watched as they embraced, and a stab of jealousy welled in me.

I fought, as the Death Eaters concentrated on me. However I didn't give them a chance to attack as I sent volley after volley of spells at them, keeping them busy. The only survivors now were five Aurors, Albus, Remus, Tonks, Moody, the Weasleys, Hermione, and me -- nineteen against the Death Eaters who counted at almost 150. It was over eight to one odds -- at least a lot of the Death Eaters, primarily those with red masks, stood by to laugh at us. Dumbledore, Remus, and Tonks were fighting to reach me, while the Aurors tried to reach Moody. I looked over the heads, Death Eater or not, and saw Voldemort stare, not at the battle, but at me.

I shivered inwardly, but I sneered at the Dark Lord. I glared into those red eyes; he was no longer smiling. His face was ice steel, it frightened me to no end; his eyes glinted with murder. He made sure he had my attention, before I saw him weave four Killing Curses together. My eyes tried to widen as I saw him point at Dumbledore. "Avada Kedavra," I begged, releasing the Killing Curse at Voldemort with a flick of my wand, but Voldemort simply moved. The distance between us was so great that it took nearly three to four seconds for my spells to reach him, allowing him to easily avoid them.

He released the Layered Avada Kedavra.

I wanted to scream, I wanted to jump in front of the spiral of death, but the Death Eaters took advantage of my distraction, and attacked me with fury. I barely managed to deflect the spells. "Dumbledore! Move!"

I cried loud, but my voice could not carry that far, and I could only spare a breath, before I had to mutter again and again for counter curses and spells. My rage was so great, the power of my anger -- the manifestation -- roared in my bones. Merlin! Albus! The rage kept building up to a point, a point -- the very peak -- I could not seem to pass. I knew instinctively that once I tipped the peak, the power would be great enough that the anger would no longer control it, and instead the great power of Core Magic would be mine to use, to be controlled with my will -- mine to control without any challenge. But I could not seem to get over that peak.

I watched as the green blaze shot forward. I watched as Dumbledore turned to see the beam. I watched as he realized it was too late. I watched as Remus jumped in front of Albus.

Wait.

Remus?

NO!

The green beam engulfed the werewolf, the life sucked out of him -- Remus screamed as his soul was pulled away from his body. Except it didn't stop there. The Killing Curse was much too powerful, and I watched, as everyone did as well, as Remus' body disintegrated into thin air. He vaporized before our eyes, until he was no more.

My anger was great. My hate was unimaginable. The last of the true Marauders was dead. Voldemort had once again destroyed another person important to me. Again, because of the Dark Lord, I had to bury an empty casket.

Remus J. Lupin.

Remus.

No. No! No! NO!

The power built, and it suddenly tipped the Peak. A sensation unlike any I had ever known spread across my body. My anger and hate was still there, but it was dulled as a sense of wonder and amazement erupted. An ocean of power was at my disposal.

I released the defensive spells that protected me. I stood there, the power -- Core Magic -- roaring within me. My battle robes glittered with malice, my eyes were filled with rage. My face was iron; a wintry smile masked my fury.

They would pay.

They would all pay.

"Avada Kedavra!" shouted a Death Eater.

I calmly reached behind me for my chair, and flung it at the spell; the Killing Curse destroyed the chair. "Incendio." The Death Eater screamed as a white-hot fire engulfed him, and two others around him. I was shocked, the spell wasn't supposed to be that powerful. Then I realized that the Core Magic must have something to do with it. I was thrilled. My mask was still there, it allowed nothing of my shock to leak through. The Death Eaters around the burned bodies gaped at me. My eyes flickered to Voldemort's. I glared at him. Then I returned my gaze to the Death Eaters. My smile spread larger. It didn't seem to help their gaping.

"Safeco," I whispered, I summoned a Safe. However, a Safe was not those muggle tools to hide jewelry -- it was a tool to hold a lot of spells and send them at once. It was different from the Layering Charm because it enabled you to send spells in multiple directions at once. However, just like the Layering Charm, each spell needed to be concentrated upon. "nil Explerandae." I entered a simple explosion charm, "Mulisahir." The spell multiplied until there were a dozen of them within the Safe. I released them.

Each Explosion Charm took out four Death Eaters, and a dozen of them took out forty-eight Death Eaters in a single blow. The organs of these Death Eaters littered the floor; blood splattered everywhere, drenching the room in a crimson light. I grinned. I stepped off the platform, my dragon hide boots managing to grip firmly on the ground, not slipping in the pool of blood. "Kholor." I said calmly, the ground exploded beneath their feet. I waved my wand, deflecting curses with ease.

"Avada Kedavra!"

"Accio." I countered, and a Death Eater was summoned my way, colliding with the spell. I released the dead Death Eater. I fought without a care for my own safety, making my way to Dumbledore and Tonks. "Ebola Nara." It was a spell that drew the enemy's blood out of their body -- from the pores of their skin, the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. A large floating mass of blood from two Death Eaters was above me. "Aretha Sinclair."

The blood turned into poison acid that would melt anything it came in contact with. The spell was a Necromancy class spell -- as any spell that used blood was. "Expande." The blood thinned and spread in midair, floating above nearly fifteen Death Eaters, "Finite Incantatem." The spell holding the blood in the air was canceled, and the blood/acid/poison fell on the Death Eaters. They screamed as they melted into a sickening glob on the floor.

I used everything I knew; I didn't care whether it was a Dark spell or a Light spell, other than the fact that I changed wands for them -- my primary wand for the Light, my secondary for the Dark. In barely ten minutes, though to me it was a whole lifetime, I met up with Albus. He asked me silently with his eyes if I was okay, and I nodded back at him.

"Incendio," I cast at another opponent, and this time the enemy became ash within seconds. I was getting better at managing Core Power.

Dumbledore raised his eyebrow: I shrugged at him.

"Linith!" cried a Death Eater. I recognized the nasty Dark Spell.

"Possio," I countered. "Florene." Three Death Eaters drowned in the water. "Linoaras." Lightning flashed and killed another four Death Eaters. I was killing now; forget about stunning. Albus reached over and grabbed my shoulder. This time it was I that raised my eyebrow.

"Pool," he said. I understood right away. Dumbledore wanted to Pool our powers. I waited, not knowing what to do, but I heard Dumbledore whisper a spell, "Bindo Corath Magi."

I worked to defend us both, as well as watch out for Tonks. Her eyes were red with suppressed grief; there was also a glint of madness -- the need to take revenge on Remus burned in her eyes. "Caenar." A Death Eater doubled over in pain. "Cuttori Severo." The head lolled off as a well placed Severing Charm sliced his neck.

I gasped suddenly as an incredible sensation grew within me. It was so startling that I barely managed to block another enemy curse sent to Dumbledore and retaliate with my own. "Stupefy."

Because of the Core Magic I was wielding, I was used to the power that exploded from my wand. It was the same power as when I wove four or five of the same spells normally. But what I did not anticipate this time was the power of it. A beam thicker than the width of a large person shot out of my wand, it imploded against the enemies. I knew instinctively that the Death Eaters would never wake up. Ever. The Stunner was much too powerful. Unlike what I had done to Percy, snap his mind, this time I had done worse. I had put the people to eternal sleep until they died.

From the corner of my eyes I saw Dumbledore open his eyes and nod, and I realized that the Stunner must have been so powerful because we had Pooled Powers. I smiled in delight at the power between us; it was a whole planet full of resources. The three of us made our way to the corner of the room where the Weasleys, Moody and Hermione were.

A shriek filled the room. I whipped my head around to see a lone Auror being attacked by a vampire. It bit the Auror in the neck, and the screaming became mute. I groaned as more and more vampires entered the courtroom -- the number of Death Eaters was reduced to seventy or so, but the now coming vampires would bring that number back up. Faintly over the noise I could hear Voldemort cackle in delight. My stomach heaved but I refused to spew my breakfast. I would need my strength.

"Cuttori Severo," I spat at a vampire, severing the neck. Another knife flew from my left hand and plunged into another vampire. It gave a shriek before it crumbled to dust. I smirked, victorious, but it was short lived as three took its place. Vampires were hard to kill; they were immune to magic, except for magic that was placed on their necks. For example, you couldn't cast Incendio at them, but you could send a severing charm on their necks -- if the charm missed the target and hit the arm of the vampire, the vampire would simply soak up the magic. The doors to the courtroom opened once more, this time to reveal Dementors.

A fog started to fill the room; I felt my knees weaken. I gathered my will and formed a block of Occlumency to keep the Dementors at bay, at least for a while as I searched for a powerful happy memory. "Expecto Patronum."

Prongs flew from my wand, a powerful stag that ripped through the Dementors. "Incendio Expande!" I shouted, cursing myself for not doing it sooner. A mass of red, a wall of heat so intense, appeared across the doors. A sheet of hotter-than-lava heat spread and covered the doors. The retreating Dementors were destroyed from the heat as they tried to escape Prongs. I tied the spell on the doorway, and firmly linked it to me. Now Voldemort had no way to bring in more reinforcements.

Our group met up with the dozen Aurors. We formed a ring, protecting each other's backs. But there were just too many enemies. Moody led his group out to meet with us, and along the left wall we did meet up. I gave Hermione a quick hug before I flicked at a body organ on the ground, and transfigured it to a plastic ball, the size of a quaffle.

"Ellisana t'Guerra Portnus," I muttered extremely low, to the point I doubt even a werewolf would have heard, tapping the ball quickly, I said out loud, "Portus," turning it into a Portkey. "Flamera." A vampire that tried to come up behind my back was scorched for its efforts. "Cuttori Severo." The scorched vampire's head fell off as I sliced its neck. I turned back to Hermione, handing her the ball, "Portkey. Protego!" I shielded us from an enemy spell. "To Hogwarts. Take it."

I sensed another spell coming my way, and deflected it with a flick of my wand. Hermione looked into my eyes, before nodding. I turned to the rest, who were also listening. "Everyone take it, you too Mrs. Weasley." Ron, Ginny, the twins, Hermione, and Mrs. Weasley reached for the Portkey. With a flick of my wand I sent them away.

Now we could concentrate fully on attacking, not defending.

I paired up with Moody; we knew each other very well now. We could almost read each other's mind. We were a perfect team. It would have helped a lot if we were able to Apparate, but that was out of the question. The Apparition Wards were still up. Another thing I plan on learning how to get around without tearing down.

"Cuttori Severo. Stupefy. Protego. Novaclor alei Avada Kedavra!" A severing charm killed a vampire; I took out a Death Eater and hastily protected myself from an enemy stunner. I quickly wove two spells and released a torrent of bullets that would kill the enemy -- even with the smallest graze. But no matter how hard we fought; we just did not seem to be doing much. The red masked Death Eaters also joined the fight, and both sides were too good to be killed so easily. The battle was being drawn out too long, and even I started to feel fatigue, even with the gems I wore.

And all the while, Voldemort stood in the back, with that damned triumphant smirk on his face. Merlin, how I wished I could kill him. My rage was still within me. I would make him pay. I looked around, seeing the tired faces of the Aurors, and seeing Albus expertly stun and bind six Death Eaters. He was much more experienced at managing Core Power, and he could use it much more efficiently than I did. But even when our powers were Pooled, we could not seem to be able to break away from the circle the Death Eaters had placed around us.

We have to get out of here!

But how? I asked the voice. The door was covered with the Incendio Expande, and I could bet my whole Gringotts vault that Voldemort had more troops ready out there.

Make your way out! Like you did at the Third Task!

Yes, of course. I turned to Moody, "Moody, which wall is the outside wall that leads to the courtyard?"

Moody turned from deflecting a curse, his eyes whizzed around. "I can't see past the walls, there coated with the some form of magic."

I frowned, yes -- that would explain why Moody didn't see the fake walls. I looked desperately. "Point me!" I muttered, concentrating to the courtyard. My wand spun, and landed at the wall on behind us. I smiled; the wall was nearest to us. Only a couple of Death Eaters stood in the way. "Cover me," I told Moody, and he stepped up to cover me as I turned to the back.

"Reducto alei Reducto alei Incendio alei Reducto alei Explerandae alei Kholor alei Naratho," I concentrated hard, trying to add one more. It had to be powerful enough to completely make a hole through the wall. "alei Linoaras." The Layered Spells wavered, my mind rocked on end, before it stabilized. I pointed to the wall -- and released.

The Layered Spell exploded -- and I mean exploded -- away from me, powered by the Core Magic. It slammed against the wall, and there was a moment of silence when everyone froze. A deep gong resonated in our bones before the wall exploded, bits of rocks and pieces killing those nearby. The dust cleared to reveal the courtyard. "Everyone get out!" I shouted, turning back to stop the Death Eaters from following. Everyone trickled out; the hole was nearly ten feet wide, and reached all the way to the roof, twelve feet in height.

Everyone was out, and Moody, Albus, and I were right at the opening. I glared at Voldemort. I can't leave him here, this needs to end -- right here, right now! I took a step forward, before I realized that both Moody and Tonks were gripping my arms. I tried to shake them off, "Let go!"

"No, Potter!" snarled Moody, "you're not ready to face him yet!"

"I've trained all summer for this," I replied icily, still trying to make them let go of me.

"Please, Harry," cried Tonks, tears escaping her eyes. "Please, don't do this!"

Together they pulled me out of the courtroom, stumbling a little on the piles of debris from the wall. Dumbledore threw a Wall-of-Air Charm at the Death Eaters, momentarily stopping them from advancing, while he wove wards and barriers to keep them in. I closed my eyes in rage and humiliation at being pulled back by Tonks and Moody. I closed my eyes as tears tried to make their way out of my eyes.

Remus.

Oh, Remus.

Abruptly I heard the sounds of curses and spells being cast, and turned to see that the battle wasn't over. The courtyard was quite large, and nearly a hundred vampires and werewolves fought the Aurors. There was a group of fifty Aurors off to the far side of the courtyard, while our group attacked their flanks. From the doorway into the courtrooms more and more Death Eaters started to pile out. The spells that kept the Voldemort in the courtroom, the spells that warded the hole I made started to quiver as Voldemort attacked it.

The battle was far from over, I realized.

I pulled myself together, once more clearing my mind, pushing away the weariness, and helped attack. "Cuttori Severo!" Albus and I were still Pooled together, and our small group of twelve members crept along the outer walls in an effort to reach the other Aurors. I threw my wand left and right, destroying the vampires in groups. I saw flashes of the gray immunity stones, and I summoned them to me, the stones ripped away from six vampires, and they quickly melted from the sun.

The werewolves all wore necklaces that held a silver colored gem, and those I would banish away, and the werewolves would be changed back into the humans they were. However, they were still Death Eaters and attacked us, but it was much easier handling humans than magic-proof werewolves. The others, seeing what I did, followed my lead and started to summon and banish the immunity stones and the silver gems.

The very air seemed to crackle with static as the wards and barriers placed on the hole in the wall fell, revealing a very disgruntled Voldemort. More Death Eaters and vampires poured out, as they fought with a vengeance to kill us. We finally met up with the fifty or so Aurors, and together we fought for our lives. But once more it was hundreds verses fifty, and it was nearly four to one odds. I looked around, trying to see if we could escape. Voldemort had placed Anti-Apparition Wards around the courtyard, obviously making sure Dumbledore couldn't fight as well as last time they fought here, so I decided to try the same trick I did at the courtroom. "Point me." I concentrated on Diagon Alley. Once more my wand pointed to the wall directly behind us.

"Cover me," I told Moody once more. I wove the same spells together, except this time I added a Protego to stop the stones from killing the Aurors who were near the wall. I focused more power into this spell because it also had to tear through the magic that sealed Diagon Alley from the Ministry of Magic. I released.

The wall fell, as well as the barriers, and a hole appeared to Diagon Alley. "Get out!" I yelled once more, but what I saw as I stepped out of the air devastated me. The Dark Mark was in the air, dozens of Death Eaters attacked the civilians, as the shopkeepers tried in vain to stop the advance. The dream I had the night before flashed in my mind.

No.

No!

The Aurors split into two groups, one to face the Death Eaters from the courtyard, the other smaller group to kill the Death Eaters already in Diagon Alley. I was part of the group that led the advance, while Albus led the group to attack the Death Eaters pouring out from the hole in the air that connected the Ministry of Magic to Diagon Alley.

Moody and I quickly ran ahead of the Aurors, easily getting rid of the unaware Death Eaters. Most of them retreated down Knockturn Alley at the sight of us, and the rest of the Aurors attacked Knockturn Alley. Quickly deciding whether to join the Aurors or warn the rest of the people, I decide to try and help the shopkeepers move to the safe point in Diagon Alley, which was Gringotts.

The Aurors that were meant to stop the Death Eaters from the Ministry could not hold their ground, and slowly they gave ground. Many shops were already burned, so Moody and I split, I went into the shops on the left side of the street, while he went to the right. I helped families shrink their clothes, told them to quickly head to Gringotts. I quickly told them of the attack, before rushing on to the next street. I saw children crying everywhere, women who tried to pull themselves together. Men were pulling out their wands to join the Aurors, while others cried. It was all heart wrenching; it tore at me so greatly.

Up ahead, Gringotts loomed, a dome of blue air that protected the bank. Two goblins stood at the entrance, and every time a group would near, the goblins would wave, and the protection spells would give way and open a small bubble for them to get through. I hurried children along, pushing them as the Aurors that attacked Knockturn Alley were forced back. The two groups of Aurors joined, and so too did the two groups of Death Eaters.

Dark Marks flew high in the sky, as the smoke from the fire darkened it. The Aurors fought bravely, but they were no match for the battle-trained Death Eaters. Many of them were unused to the level of fighting that was put to test; many were newer recruits that had no experience under their belts. Dozens fell under the onslaught of the enemy. The aid of the men who fought for their children's lives, shopkeepers who joined the Aurors helped greatly, but even then, they managed to only hinder the enemy.

I watched grimly as Weasley's Wizard Wheezes burned to the ground, I watched as Ollivander tried to levitate his shop. I ran for the wand maker. "Ollivander! You need to get out of here! Get to Gringotts!"

But Ollivander would not leave his shop. I groaned, frustrated to no end. I bit my lower lip, before shoving him away. "Salanvei Surinam!" I screamed, drawing on the Core Power, trying with all my might to shrink the shop. If it was any shop other than this, I would've stunned Ollivander and levitated him to Gringotts, but I knew the importance of this shop. Wands were essential to the wizard-kind. The shop shuddered, it resisted before with a large crack! it shrunk down to the size of a trunk.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" cried Ollivander, and the shop levitated, "Thank you. Thank you!" He told me, his eyes shinning with gratitude.

I smiled, "You need to go now, Ollivander."

Moody and I met up once more -- all the shops had been evacuated. We caught each other's eyes, and together we raced back to join the fight between the Aurors and Death Eaters. We didn't have to run far as the battle had been brought up, only fifty feet from the entrance to Gringotts. The number of Aurors had been around forty when we left the Ministry, and with the shopkeepers that joined, the numbers had swelled to around seventy. But the casualties left the group back down to fifty, and yet still more and more were losing their lives.

"Santei Linoaras!" I cried, pointing my wand into the midst of the enemy, and lightning fell from the sky, instead of shooting from the tip of my wand. I cried that over and over again, as the thunder roared. But even that did not do much damage. All the forces of Dark had joined together -- a hundred from the courtroom, seventy from the courtyard, fifty from Diagon Alley, and the sixty that had waited just outside the courtroom. All of the teams grouped together to launched their final attack. An ocean of Death Eaters and Dark Creatures -- two hundred eighty -- collapsed down on us, and we were finally pressed against the blue dome of Gringotts.

"Get inside!" shouted a Goblin, I glanced over at the entrance and saw a dozen goblins, all of their hands spread in an effort to keep the dome going. A small opening formed at the back of the Aurors, and the goblins pulled them in.

Moody and I met up with Albus, and together we stood. I suddenly felt my mind being under attack. I glanced up to see Voldemort, his eyes glaring rapturously at me. I sneered at him, strengthening my mind's shields. But never the less my mind was tiring from both the use of spells as well as holding out against the mental attack. Core Power as well as the gems had nullified my weariness to an extent, but I could still feel the weakness of my body.

All the Aurors made it into the dome, before Moody, then me and finally Albus passed through -- before the goblins sealed the entrance. I entered the building, only to see the crowds that had survived the attack on Diagon Alley. The Entrance Hall had been enlarged -- greatly so -- and everyone fit comfortably within the hall. I made my way, with Moody and Albus to the Head Goblin.

He was with a dozen others, all having their hands stretched out at a glowing orb of greenish silvery substance. I realized at once that this was the Uralic Crystal Giphon had told me about. They were mumbling something over and over again before the sounds of the enemy assaulting the dome quieted, and became mute. They opened their eyes, to find us waiting for them. The Head Goblin waved the rest away, as he turned to face us.

I smiled, "Hello."

The Head Goblin nodded, "Mr. Potter. Mr. Moody. And, ah -- Albus. How do you do?"

Moody nodded at the goblin, before turning to face the crowds. Albus bowed to the Head Goblin, "Grynnoth, it has been a long time since we have met. How are you old friend?"

I frowned -- I did not know that Albus and the Head Goblin -- Grynnoth, was it? -- were friends. The Head Goblin shrugged, "We are trapped, Albus. How do you think I am?"

Albus frowned, "The Apparition Wards are already placed around the bank?"

The Head Goblin nodded, "We had our own in place to stop the Death Eaters from Apparating in, but He has put his own Anti-Apparition Wards in place. We are trapped."

I let that information sink. We were trapped, with no way out. I turned to look at the crowds. Many were dirty with black soot covering their faces, as well as having tears leaking from nearly everyone's eyes. The sounds from the enemy were muted, but the tremors that shook the bank did not go unnoticed. The Uralic Crystal quivered whenever the bank trembled. I wondered how long the Crystal would hold out. I looked at the entrance to the tunnels. Could the children escape on the trolleys? Do the tunnels connect to the outside world somewhere?

"Mr. Grynnoth, do the tunnels connect to the other branches? Could not the children escape through the tunnels?"

Both Albus and Grynnoth turned to face me. The goblin's face looked thoughtful. "Well, yes, it does connect." The goblin smiled, "Yes, it does."

My thoughts began to come together, forming a plan. I looked at them both intensely, "I suggest we send those who cannot Apparate on the carts, and off to the branch in Hogsmeade, that's the safest place for now. Then the goblins will need to escape with the Uralic, and I'm guessing that once the Crystal is removed, the dome will collapse?" Grynnoth nodded. "So, then when it does, Voldemort will probably get rid of his Apparition Barrier, and the Death Eaters will rain down on us. I will seal the tunnels once the goblins have left, then we fight for a bit to give the goblins time, before we Apparate away to Hogsmeade."

Moody frowned, "But what if Voldemort does not take down his barrier?"

I cocked my head at him, "Albus and I have Pooled our powers, and surely together we could destroy the barrier?" I looked at Albus with my eyebrow raised. Albus nodded -- Moody shrugged.

"Well, then, what are we waiting for?" asked Grynnoth.

I turned to them, "Who'll make the announcement?"

Moody shrugged once more, Albus looked thoughtful, "I believe it should be you," I opened my mouth to argue but Albus overrode me, "it will give them hope if the Boy Who Lives speaks to them. And right now," he waved to the crowds, "they will need all the hope they can get, Harry." I frowned at him, not bothering to mask my emotions, but I sighed.

He had better be correct, I grumbled.

"Sonorus," I pointed at my throat, "If I could have your attention?" My voice boomed and thundered. Everyone froze, I smiled as I continued, "Here's the plan. All those who cannot Apparate will escape through the tunnels with the goblins. The Head Goblin here will then remove the Uralic Crystal. Once that happens, the protection dome will collapse and Voldemort," everyone flinched, some women shrieked, "will most likely attack.

"When this happens, Voldemort will most likely take down the Anti-Apparition Barrier. I want everyone to keep the Death Eaters at bay for a few minutes to give the children and the goblins some time to escape, before all of us Apparate to Hogsmeade. If Voldemort does not remove the Barrier, Dumbledore will take it down manually. Any questions? No? Good. Now move!"

There was a moment of silence, before it became havoc as parents said their good-byes to children, and the goblins herded them along to the tunnels. I sighed, and jumped when a hand tapped my shoulders. I looked up at Albus, he spoke, "Can you Apparate?" I nodded at him, hoping he wouldn't ask how. He simply nodded.

The Head Goblin looked in my direction, and I spoke to the crowds once more, "Okay now, the dome is about to fall. On three -- one, two, three! Quietus."

The goblin removed the Crystal, and the lights visibly flickered and died. But I moved quickly, pushing the Goblins to the tunnels. "Move!" I snapped. The dome collapsed, and I could hear the noise outside, before there were pops and cracks that resounded as the Death Eaters Apparated in. The Head Goblin made it to the tunnel, and I quickly slammed a barrier on the mouth of the tunnels, and I worked hard and sealed each one.

I fell to my knees in exhaustion, sweat soaking my clothes. I had used too much magic in the past hour or two, and now it was catching up. Deciding that it was time enough, I cast, "Sonorus." I took a deep breath, "Apparate! Now! Quietus." A fury of cracks resounded everywhere as every innocent Apparated. I stood slowly; I was the last one at Gringotts.

I looked past the Death Eaters at Voldemort. He smiled at me, and waved cheerfully, mocking me. His eyes were cold as ice, but they flared in triumph. A smiled curled his lips, exuberant and mocking. Beside him was Bellatrix Lestrange. She, too, laughed at me. I read her lips, "Wee little Potter."

Anger boiled in me, I took a step forward, before I realized that it was exactly what they wanted me to do. I glared, a glare that would make Snape envious, before I Apparated to Hogsmeade.

Pop.

I appeared a little outside the perimeter of the town, on the gentle slopes that bordered Hogsmeade. The world in front of my eyes was a miserable sight. Moans and groans of the injured people rang in my ears. The small town of Hogsmeade was crowded as everyone was evacuated here. I stood, stunned, as the pain that had been kept away during the battle rushed within me. I stood there, as the painful memories of the hours that had passed, clouded my mind.

Remus. Fudge. The clerk. The jury. The Aurors. The shopkeepers.

Dead....

No.

A silent tear leaked form my eyes as I peered in horror at the sight. A mass of charred and dirtied bodies was piled outside the town. A child cried piteously for her mother, while the father scooped her up in his arms, tears being held back.

Diagon Alley. The Ministry of Magic. Gringotts. Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.

Destroyed....

No.

A silent tear trekked down my cheek as the weariness beat into my body. Nurses and doctors were Apparating in from St. Mungo's to help the Hogwarts nurse.

Everyone would soon be brought up to the castle, it was the safest place, and had the best medical facilities in the area, not to mention ample space to house the ones who wanted to stay near their loved ones that were injured.

The battle. Voldemort. Bellatrix. Wee little Potter.

Mocking me....

No.

A silent tear slowed as it passed my lips. Clouds that seemed like ash came upon the town, lightning flared in the far distance. The faint sound of thunder resounded in an effort to make itself known.

The coursing power that ripped the enemy apart.

Roared....

No.

A silent tear hung from my chin. A light drizzle of rain sprinkled on the town. Close by, lightning flashed, illuminating the place in a harsh light -- the harsh light of reality. I blinked to clear my eyes.

A silent tear....

Dripped....

Splashed....

Thunder drummed....

A silent tear....

Darkness reached for me....

Deaths....

Lightning flared....

Sirius....

Remus....

Darkness embraced me....

A silent tear....

Thunder rolled.

---

A Devil's Peace

Is there ever peace,
In this piece of mind?
Is there only struggle,
Or is there yet to find?

I can hear the ghosts,
Screaming to the sky.
Broken hearted children,
Who never live, yet die.

How can heaven look down,
Without breaking into tears?
Are angels so very cruel,
With nothing held so dear?

If only I could fade,
Away into the night.
Another foolish soul,
In search of what is right.

For there is no such right,
But only what is wrong.
For they're only masked devils,
Singing the angel's song.

---