Harry Potter and the Birth of a New Sun

Harry Potter and the Birth of a New Sun

Chapter 43 - Diplopia

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Small flames flickered throughout the forest as she ran - lanterns and torches carried by ghosts in an unorganized procession that meandered in all directions. They were everywhere; hapless souls seemingly searching for something they knew was near but could not yet find. Gabriella had never seen so many before, each wandering as if just woken from a long slumber, the fog still clouding many of their minds. They used their ruddy lanterns to burn away the dimness with flames that burned in the night, casting a faded glow throughout the forest floor. It was a light she was thankful for. Unlike Harry, she could not see in the dark and, even though the moon shone bright, it would be difficult to find her way.

There was no path to the Centaur village of Terntalag; Centaurs never left tracks. There was no crushed grass, no broken branch, no twisted leaf to track where Centaurs travelled. They were invisible in the forest and, not knowing the exact way, her only chance was to stumble across one in hopes they would guide her. In so doing, she was forced to face her deepest fears, but she had no choice. Cho's life was at stake and, she sensed, perhaps more. In a way, the presence of the ghosts made the forest less unsettling, unlikely companions that they were. None spoke, but their faces were sanguine, confident that they would soon discover what they were looking for. Gabriella tried to hoist the same confidence upon her own brow.

"Ronan!" she cried out. "Ronan!"

She pressed forward through the trees, the occasional break in the canopy allowing the full moon to shine down upon her. In that light, her dark skin appeared white, white like the ghosts around her. Seeing her bleached hands, the way light played tricks in the dark, she cursed herself for not seeing the connection sooner. Soseh had taught her to look at life's gem from different angles, different perspectives, to hold it between thumb and forefinger examining every glint and every reflection. She paused against a tree and tried to catch her breath; perspiration wicked its way into her eye; the salt stung as she brusquely wiped it away. Maybe... maybe she was wrong. How could the very creatures Harry had entrusted to protect his son, and the mother of his son, turn and kill those he loved so dearly? Gabriella had given Cho the cloak to protect her, to keep her safe, but now she felt as if she had cursed her friend to a horrible death, a death meant for.... She couldn't let that happen. She pulled in a gulp of air, preparing to run again. The scent of the forest rushed upon her and, though she tried to fight it, the familiar smell cast her into the vision of her own death. Or was it?

Everything was right, the rustling of the leaves, the faint light, the musty smell of loam and pine. Only now there was no water and yet... the air dripped with energy. She took a step, unsure if this was real or a dream. The scene changed as if revealing a different facet in the jewel she was in. There, just a few paces ahead, she saw herself, face down in the soft sod. She was wearing white, Voldemort's cloak and, in her back, an arrow.

"Mama," she whispered to herself. "Mama, help me."

An unwilling voyeur of her own vision, tears began to flow down her cheeks. Was it...? Slowly, she bent down to turn over the body. She had to know. Her hands trembling, she grabbed the white cloth and pulled. Something grabbed her from behind.

"Gabriella Potter."

She spun, wand in hand, only to find herself face-to-face with a Centaur. His eyes narrowed as his hand moved toward the quiver of arrows hung over his back, but she quickly, wisely slipped the wand away.

"F-forgive me," she stuttered, realizing the vision had vanished. "I'm a bit jumpy."

"Many of the creatures in the forest are this evening," he replied, looking about the forest. "No thanks to your mate." She recognized him from Terntalag, but did not know his name. He had a dark black coat and eyes that were more severe than any Centaur she had met. Indeed, they looked almost angry.

"I have been told to guide you to Terntalag," he said in an irritated voice. "The enemy is at both our gates, these white wisps of smoke infest our woods, the world is about to end, and I must play escort to a wizard, the mate of the maker of this doom, as if I were some foal."

"What do you mean?"

"It is beyond you, witch" he said. "Follow me. It is not far."

He did not speak the rest of the way and made a point of being just fast enough that Gabriella had to run, passing through parts of the forest that were so dense that the brambles sliced at her arms and legs. She was beginning to worry that she might have been too trusting, when he said, "Through there."

She peered through the branches and saw a small fire burning in the distance. She turned to thank him, but he was gone. Walking about fifty metres, she came to a clearing - the main entrance to Terntalag. The memory of where she'd been, where she and Harry had joined, came rushing back and, for a moment, her heart lightened.

There, in front of the gate, was Macleta, the Centaur that had saved her life after Voldemort had left her body. Even by firelight, she was beautiful, bearing a silent grace that betrayed a great wisdom. Her head was turned toward the night sky, her eyes focussed on the coming comet.

"Hello, Gabriella Potter," she said in greeting and then her eyes left the sky and fell upon Gabriella. If the last Centaur was stern, Macleta was as placid as ever. A smile pursed her lips at the greeting, but it was more formality, Gabriella sensed, than true feeling of happiness. Gabriella could sense the emotions of most humans, but Centaurs were a mystery to her.

"I trust Shahan guided you safely through the forest?" asked Macleta.

"Yes, and with haste," added Gabriella, revealing the red welts upon her arms.

"My dear, you're injured."

"No matter," replied Gabriella as she stepped closer to Macleta. "I'm looking for Cho. Would you please show me to her?"

"She is not with us," Macleta replied.

"What? What happened?" called Gabriella. "Is something wrong?"

"She and the Chosen's child left some time ago."

"Left? But they were supposed to stay here, under your protection."

"It is no longer safe here."

"Not safe? Terntalag is impossible to find and, even if discovered, they could never penetrate the walls. Your city is a fortress! How could she not be safe here?"

"In a few hours Terntalag will be destroyed," replied Macleta. Her tone was even and her face expressionless. It was not a joke, but how could she possible know?

"Destroyed? How?

Macleta returned her glance toward the heavens. "Ours was a bright star in its day, a blue diamond among the heavens." She held a finger out, pointing high in the sky above. "There is red death. Soon, it will be gone altogether."

"But how does that--"

"Did you know," Macleta interrupted, "that Aries had two sons? Their names were Phobos and Deimos. They fought at their father's side, sewing fear and dread into the hearts of all those who would face him. Tonight, as does all the world, a great light challenges the would-be god. While at his side Deimos wanes, Phobos... Phobos stands bright in defiance of the intrusion.

"Last summer, as the fruit ripened in the trees, I watched as Ebyrth moved ever closer toward the red demon. Then... then I would have told you that one would be consumed by the other. Which would emerge victorious, I knew not." Macleta shifted her gaze, looking intently at Ebyrth as it neared Mars. "Tonight, I am not so sure. If Ebyrth misses, our eternal battle with the Dementors will continue. The darkness will be untouched and our homes destroyed. It will be a heavy price to pay."

"To pay? For what?" asked Gabriella.

"For the belief that Harry Potter is truly the Chosen. In my heart, I know it to be true, but there are others, equally wise, who see it as folly. Still, they will not turn against the ways of Magorian who, as I, has listened to the words of Ronan. Magorian knows the stars better than any and his eyes remain keen. He has seen us through dark times before and will do so again."

Just outside the clearing, a few feet into the trees, there was a rustling. A branch cracked and Gabriella swore she saw someone clad in black disappear into the darkness. She drew her wand.

"That won't be necessary, my child," said Macleta calmly and then she sighed. Gabriella lowered her wand, wondering if the sigh was directed towards her or the fleeting flash of black in the distant trees.

"Can you tell me where they are?" asked Gabriella, "I must find Cho and Jamie."

"Hidden."

"What do you mean, hidden? Where are they?"

"Now, child, if I told you, she wouldn't be hidden, would she?"

"But I need to see her; I need to warn her."

"She is quite aware of the danger now facing us all. That is why she's hidden, as hidden as she can be."

"Macleta, forgive me, but you don't understand. The danger she faces... it's not Voldemort's minions marching toward the forest. It's..." A gust of air blew ashes into Gabriella's eyes and she closed them shielding her face from the embers with her forearm. Instantly, dark turned to light, glimmering sparkles on a deep blue canvas. It was the ocean... the beach... a Centaur drawing back an arrow... a black Centaur...

"Shahan", Gabriella breathed, pulling down her arm to find the fire still burning calmly in the night air. Unceremoniously, she grabbed Macleta by the arm.

"Macleta, the danger is here." Gabriella pointed toward the trees where only moments before there had been a flash of black. "The danger is already within the forest, already beyond the gate. You must help me find Cho and Jamie! You must, before all is lost!"

~~~***~~~

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High above the entrance hall of Hogwarts, the flickering light of candles floating over head shone down on the battle-weary wizards below. The familiar, golden glow made Harry feel safe at once. Hogwarts had always been home and he felt its arms wrap around him the moment he entered.

The entrance hall, however, was anything but inviting. It wasn't so much what one could see, but rather feel. Harry took a step forward and, sensing the danger, stepped backward. Enchantments? He'd never really had that sort of sensation before. Not like this. He held out his hand. There was definitely an energy here, waiting to be released.

Hundreds had already passed through the front doors, making their way to positions throughout the castle and into the caverns below. There were a few remaining - the leaders of the various covens, each waiting for their final orders from the Headmaster, Sirius Black. Among them were a number of professors, including McGonagall and Flitwick. An apparent whirlwind was weaving its way through the crowd and it took a moment before Harry realized it was Madame Pomfrey, trying to treat the injured as best she could. She was having trouble with a witch suffering from a particularly bad burn to the side of her face and neck. Harry stepped over, drew power from the stone and healed her. Madame Pomfrey looked up in astonishment.

"Harry... Harry Potter? Is that you?" she asked.

"Yes, Ma'am," he replied with a nod.

"My goodness," she said with a mixture of gratitude and concern. "You... you're covered in soot. That'll create a rash if you don't let me-"

"That will have to wait, Poppy," a voice called from behind Harry. He turned to see Sirius entering the hall from outside, shutting the doors behind him. "Harry has other things to attend to right now. Please, let's get the remaining injured to the caverns below as quickly as possible. Mr. Zabini could use some help." With the assistance of another wizard, Madame Pomfrey escorted Blaise, now able to walk on his own, and a handful of other wizards down to the caverns. He cast one look back at Harry before disappearing behind the crowd.

"Sirius!" snapped Professor McGonagall. "Retreat is madness. They'll overrun the school in less than an hour. We have to go out and--"

"If Harry is right about the dragons," interrupted Sirius, "then going out would not be something that I would recommend. Not yet, at least."

"The enchantments will hold, Minerva," added Professor Flitwick. "Voldemort's minions will be lucky to reach the front door."

"But--"

"Professor!" called Harry, moving quickly toward his godfather until he could hold him by the front of his robes. "Sirius... Neville and Hermione... they're still out there. Neville might be hurt. We have to--"

"Harry," said George softly, stepping to his friend's side, "Neville was right in the centre of the explosion. We felt the blast from here. There's no way anyone on the ground could have survived. And, even if he did, by now Voldemort's men have regrouped and have him."

Harry couldn't process the possibility. He'd watched as Patrick died and now... now Neville and... and maybe Hermione. Why hadn't she come to the castle? She and Grawp were first over the outer wall. He clenched his hand, feeling anger ebbing just below the surface - anger he'd not felt since last year.

"We can't lock the doors!" snapped Harry. "Her... Hermione might still try to get in."

"The doors are not locked, Harry," said Sirius calmly. "At least, not locked for those who remain friends of Hogwarts. Hogwarts will always welcome those who come to its aid. Others will find a much different reception."

Sirius raised his hands and called out, interrupting the general murmur of activity. "Attack Covens! Make your way to your respective towers. Healers and assistants, tend to the injured in the caverns. If they do break our defences, we make our stand in the castle tonight! This I promise you - Hogwarts will not fall!"

There was a general cheer and Harry was surprised to see so many smiles. "The air", he thought. "There's an energy here that was absent from Hogsmeade. They're drinking it in like mead."

Even Harry was feeling the rush of power permeate his being. It was beating back the anger and sorrow he felt about Neville and the fear he felt for Hermione. Sirius was commanding the troops; it was a side of Sirius he'd never seen, but maybe had always known was there. For a moment he could see what had attracted his father to Sirius, why they were best friends."

"Light the floo," Sirius said to George, one hand upon his shoulder. "Send word to the Ministry, to your father, that the wall has been breached. Tell him," he paused, contemplating his next words, casting a glance toward Harry before continuing. "Tell him that the dragons are not our allies. They intend to attack all wizards tonight."

The groups began to disperse, each going to their appointed locations about the castle. Harry, however, couldn't pull himself from the front doors. Sirius stood at his side, answering the occasional question as the entrance hall thinned. When it had quieted, Harry placed his hands upon the front doors and turned to Sirius.

"I can't stay here," he said. "I have to go to the forest, to Terntalag. I have to find Jamie."

"Outside, you'll have no protection against the dragons, assuming they'll attack."

"They'll attack," Harry quickly responded. "But they'll be looking for large numbers of wizards." He turned the black ring upon his finger. "And I won't be defenceless. I could make my way through the caverns and--"

"Those ways will be watched, Harry."

"I could--"

"You could fly," said Sirius. Harry's eyes widened. Why hadn't he thought of it? "Sorry, no P2s, but there's an old Firebolt in my office. Take off from the window there."

"Will you watch for Neville?" Harry asked, resigned to his friend's fate. "Maybe George was wrong," he added, knowing that George was never wrong. He sighed. "The explosion was tremendous."

"Perhaps too tremendous," said Sirius stroking his beard. "I don't see how the Death Eaters could muster the magic. Perhaps the dragons have already started."

Harry reached down and tried to hold his mind open, listening for Singehorn, or some other sign that might lend insight to what was happening, but all was darkness. The dragon had cut off all communication. "Perhaps... if I can find Dakhil..." Harry muttered to himself. He sighed again. His mind was addled and he couldn't seem to hold everything together.

"Harry, don't worry about the school. We'll be fine. You find your boy; help Cho and Jamie. That's all you need to worry about. Not the ghosts, not the dragons, not the Centaurs, not Voldemort. Cho and Jamie. Do you understand?" Harry nodded and started to walk toward the Headmaster's office.

"You'll be safe?" he asked.

This time Sirius nodded with a smile, albeit grim. "Yes Harry we'll be--"

There was a tremendous pounding on the front doors to the castle. It startled both Harry and Sirius who simultaneously drew their wands. Again - another pounding, the doors creaking from the force, but holding steady.

"I thought you said it'd be an hour before they got to the doors!" hissed Harry under his breath.

"It could be Hagrid."

"If it's Hagrid, why doesn't he just come in?"

Sirius looked at Harry. "Like I said, it could be Hagrid." He stepped closer to the door motioning Harry to do the same. "Go ahead. Open it. It's not the wood protecting us."

"I'm glad you're so confident," said Harry sarcastically, tipping his head toward Sirius' wand. "And why am I the one that has to open the door? You're the headmaster!"

There was another sharp bang at the door, followed by what could only be described as the scratching of a claw against the wood. This was followed by a long, low, angry screech that pierced both their ears.

"Sounds like a friend of yours," said Sirius slyly.

"Riiiiight," Harry said with a smirk. "I'm not the only one here that has a furry friend with claws, you know."

Sirius nodded in agreement, but still motioned Harry to the door. Harry shrugged, wrapped his hand about the door's handle and, wand at the ready, swung it open.

If it had not been for the crumple of dark blue robes dangling from the creature's enormous mouth, Harry would have struck him down, or at least tried. Standing upon the stone steps of Hogwarts was a massive vampire. It was half again as tall as Harry with shoulders twice as wide. Its hands and feet were clawed and its bat-like wings rose up and over its pointed head with a single talon at the pinnacle of each. His body was covered in bluish-green scales that shimmered in the moonlight. As Harry stepped out, the creature's eyes narrowed and it growled, its mouth full of blue cloth.

The vampire spit the bundle out of from between its teeth and tossed it like a soiled rag into Harry's arms. The weight pushed Harry backward into the entrance hall. It was a man... a wizard. Neville?

His face was charred, his body limp, but he was breathing.

"Sirius?" gasped Harry. "It... I think it's..." He held out his hand to heal his friend, but realized at once that there was very little wrong. He was unconscious, burned slightly, but nothing more. "He's... fine. Unconscious, but fine."

"Let me have him, Harry," said Sirius, taking Neville from his arms. "That..." he pointed at the creature, "one of ours?... A friend of yours and Dakhil's?"

"Yeah," answered Harry, not really sure.

"Well, thank him and be on your way. We haven't much time." Levitating Neville, Sirius started toward the entrance to the caverns beneath the school. "And... Harry... be careful."

"Just as careful as you will be; I promise." Harry watched until his friend and godfather disappeared into Firenze's classroom, the secret entrance to the caverns, and then turned back to the vampire. The creature growled again, this time bearing two pearly white fangs. He lumbered toward Harry, placing his arms against the doorframe. It looked as if he was flexing his pecs. If he was trying to intimidate Harry, Harry wasn't having anything to do with it. He rubbed his onyx ring with his thumb and was about to say something when he looked more closely into the vampire's eyes. They were cold, grey and full of anger... and mischief.

"Draco? Draco, where's Dakhil?"

"I risk my neck saving that twit of a friend of yours from a half-dozen Chinese Fireballs and that's the thanks I get? That's all you can say? Where's Dakhil?" He growled and slammed his fist against the door frame. The whole wall shuddered. "I should crush you right now and fly you back to Voldemort."

"I should kill you where you stand for threatening my son!" snapped Harry, fiercely stepping forward. Draco's eyes flashed with grief and turned away. Perhaps he had learned something while with Dakhil. "Besides," Harry continued, "he doesn't want me anymore. I'm not as valuable to his plan as I once was."

"Are you sure?" snapped Draco, wrapping a massive, clawed hand about Harry's throat. Harry just glared, taking Draco by the wrist, his own hand barely able to take hold. At the touch, Draco released his grasp and pulled away. Again he growled.

"Dakhil has gone to find the dragons. He thinks you're wrong."

"I wish I was, but I'm not."

"Smug as ever. Would it be so terrible for the famous Harry Potter to make a mistake?"

"I've made too many to count. Are you one? Why are you here? Sewing fear into the hearts of all those who would face your true master?"

"Watching, Harry. Just watching. I watched the Inferi plunge through Hogsmeade, killing more to raise their number. I watched them be incinerated by the best wizards the Ministry has to offer, only to see the same wizards smashed by giants and sucked dry by Dementors. I watched you take down that giant and saw those house elves turn him to powder... stupid beast. And then I watched those... those things take Nott under the ground. I should have let Neville die for that. If he hadn't helped Blaise..."

"Draco," said Harry, awkwardly placing a hand on Draco's wing, "Neville wasn't in his right mind... he... well... war... it's turned him ugly... cruel. All the stories of gallantry and heroism, how war brings out the best in people.... They don't tell you the other half. Even if they did, I wonder if it would make a difference." Harry sighed, patting Draco's wing. "Thank you for saving him; and you're right - I am an idiot. I should have thanked you straight away. It was brave of you to risk your neck like that."

"Merlin, you babble on," drawled Draco. "I should have snuffed you out when I first saw it was you that opened the door."

"Good to see you still care, but I told you. It's not about me anymore, Draco."

The vampire scowled. It had always been about Harry. He was standing here now, a horrifically powerful vampire, all because of Harry Potter. Nott was being eaten alive because of Harry Potter. Voldemort was about to control the world because of--

"The cloak... where's the cloak?" demanded Draco suddenly. Here, in the end, was how it all started.

"Destroyed," answered Harry calmly. "It's nothing but ashes."

"No it's not."

"Yes it is."

"You smug son-of-a-bitch. The dragons... now this? You don't think that he could sense its absence?" Draco spun and faced the forest. "He'd know if it wasn't here. Why do you think he's moving his army here?" He spun back on Harry. "Where's the cloak?"

For a moment, Harry hesitated, unsure of the true motives behind the vampire mask.

"I told you, Draco," said Harry coolly, "It's destroyed. Voldemort... he doesn't want the cloak, he wants my son."

"Don't you get it, Harry? The air of Hogsmeade is lifeless, yet here... here near the forest there's power. If you'd open that empty shell of a brain of yours, you'd see; you'd sense... the cloak is near. We had a deal! Now tell me where it is!"

Draco's words were unsettling. The cloak was destroyed on Singehorn's mountain. Gabriella said that Talisan had incinerated it. He paused. No. Gabriella said that Talisan had done her best. A cold shiver weaved its way about Harry's spine. She was oh so much a Slytherin. Believing in his heart she wouldn't lie to him, he tried to recall her exact words.

"I've never seen Talisan's breath burn brighter."

"Damn," Harry cursed. "Damn it to Hades!" He turned toward the vampire. "Tell me, Draco," he said. "If you've been watching, have you seen her? Have you seen Gabriella?" The vampire roared and at the same moment the sky over Hogsmeade burst into a ball of fire. The dragons were attacking the town. Screams filled the air. Refusing to answer Harry's question, Draco turned to leave. Harry understood why, but had to know something more.

"Draco!" Harry called. "You say we had a deal. That goes both ways! For whom do you fight?"

Without turning Draco looked down at the ground and answered without hesitation. "Tonight? Tonight I fight for Dakhil and, though they still deny me, I fight for the Votary."

"Then you fight for me," Harry asserted. Draco turned, his eyes keen, but sad.

"Potter, you're as dense as Luna Lovegood. I've always fought for you."

Draco unfurled his wings. "Find the cloak, Harry, and destroy it before it's too late," he growled. "And keep an eye on Blaise. Make sure he stays safe." With a tremendous woosh, he leapt into the air and disappeared in the night sky.

Harry watched as Draco disappeared into the stars overhead and then his attention turned toward the castle grounds. So far, they were secure. The fires of Hogsmeade were dying down. Perhaps there was nothing left to burn. If so, then why weren't the Fireballs attacking the school? He closed the door and headed to the Headmaster's office. Harry had some flying of his own to do.