Rating:
PG-13
House:
Schnoogle
Ships:
Harry Potter/Luna Lovegood
Characters:
Harry Potter Hermione Granger Luna Lovegood
Genres:
Action Drama
Era:
The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years
Spoilers:
Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets Prizoner of Azkaban Goblet of Fire Order of the Phoenix Half-Blood Prince
Stats:
Published: 08/10/2005
Updated: 01/24/2006
Words: 106,949
Chapters: 33
Hits: 137,035

Companions of the White Warlock

DrT

Story Summary:
Year seven of the HBP-compliant story (on Dark Arts) 'Smoke'. Harry, Hermione, and Ron go after the remaining Horcruxes, aided by Luna, Ginny, Neville, Remus, Tonks, and Professor Russell.

Chapter 32 - First Endings

Chapter Summary:
Year 7 of the HBP-compliant story (on Dark Arts) 'Smoke'. Harry, Hermione, and Ron go after the remaining Horcruxes, aided by Luna, Ginny, Neville, Remus, Tonks, and Professor Russell.
Posted:
01/23/2006
Hits:
3,417
Author's Note:
The final pieces fall into place



Smoke Year VII - Companions of the White Warlock
Chapter XXXII
Sunday, March 8, 1998

Voldemort looked at the burnt remains of the Burrow with much less satisfaction than he had anticipated as the dawn approached. The lair of the annoying Weasleys was in total ruins, but the mother of the brood had managed to drag her husband away with a portkey that only Potter could have provided after he had struck down the balding wizard after a brief duel. Voldemort realized that instead of playing with the Weasleys, he should have simply killed them. Now their escape would become what people remembered, not their ineffectual defense of their home.

"Run away, Tom."

Voldemort turned in a flash and sent off a hex. . . .

Which went straight through the target.

"I already killed you once," Voldemort sneered.

"Well, I died during our confrontation at any rate," Russell agreed. "It hasn't accomplished much, from your point of view, has it?"

"Why should I run away?" Voldemort demanded.

"Actually, you shouldn't," Russell said.

Voldemort was not stupid, just egotistical. He threw himself on ground, and a hex flew over him. He instantly disapparated.

"The man has no balls," Harry said, walking over to the Prof.

"Well, Theseus told us that," Russell rejoined.

Harry's smile faded as he looked at the remains of the Burrow. "It was so wonderful here," he murmured sadly.

"I'm sure it was," the Prof agreed. "On the other hand, that was because of the people living here, not because of the house itself."

Harry didn't look entirely convinced. "I've never had a real home, a place where I had roots," Harry said. "I'm glad that the only casualty was the ghoul, but I am also sorry they lost their roots. That doesn't mean anything next to a life, but it still means something."

"That's true," Russell answered. He knew how much his own home had meant to him in life, after all. "Shall we go back and see how Arthur is?"

"We know he's alive," Harry answered. "I just hope it isn't serious." Harry sighed. "I'll start carrying the Horcrux shell around, just in case something like this comes up again. I'll be ready next time to do more than chase the bastard off."



Arthur was not severely injured, but he would be off his feet for a week. Harry made certain that Arthur's success in facing down Voldemort for the second time (the first being surviving the snake attack directed by Voldemort) made the news accounts. The Weasleys' survival boosted morale more than the destruction of their home depressed it.



Friday, March 13, 1998

It had not been easy for Harry to sit back and wait for news from Theseus. Still, he had done so. As darkness fell, he sat on the sofa in his cabin on the Hogwarts' grounds while Hermione and Luna puttered about his kitchen, trying to make little tidbits which might tempt Harry, almost always a diffident eater, to eat something.

This went on until just past midnight, when there was a soft knock on the door. As expected, it was a vampire, but this time it was 'Sanguini' -- the vampire Harry and Hermione had met at Slughorn's Christmas party, and who had also been the Minister's younger half-brother while alive.

"Marcia was busy?" Harry asked, curious. He had grown rather fond of the attractive ancient vampire.

"She is busy," Sanguini stated. "The Basileus has sent word of his victory early this morning over those who would attack his domain. They attacked with sixty wizards. Twenty-one were killed, twelve were captured, and the remaining escaped, most with serious injuries. I have been asked to attend the Basileus in five nights. I will convey the results of any interrogations to you on the sixth night, and leave similar information for my life-brother afterwards. It is up to him to disseminate any information to the other Ministries, but do feel free to encourage him to do what is right." Here the vampire nearly smiled.

"Was anyone injured in the Basileus' community?" Hermione asked.

"Not to my knowledge, and it is my understanding that all of the fighting was done well-away from the actual compound," Sanguini replied.

"H'mm," Harry mused. "I would have thought that at least some of the assault would have come from the sea."

"Ah. You would not know this, but the Walpurgis devils would. There was an assault on the compound from the sea some three hundred years ago. All who participated in that attack were either killed in the attack or captured and killed later."

"That would tend to discourage a repeat," Luna pointed out.

"True," Harry agreed.

The vampire's mask-like face nearly smiled at that exchange. "May I be of any further service to you, my lord?"

"No, and thank you," Harry said. "Please let Theseus know we're happy with his news."

"I shall." Sanguini bowed and walked back out the door, turning into a vampire bat as soon as he was clear of the threshold.

The trio smiled at each other. When Hermione went to shut the door, Harry asked her to open some of the windows. It was the first warmish evening, after all, and the warm spell was predicted to last a week before the cold spring rains lashed northern Scotland.



Thursday, March 19, 1998

It was the late afternoon, and Harry was behind his cabin watching Hedwig soaring in the sky over the nearby lake as she exercised. Harry was meditating, clearing his emotions so that he could process whatever information was brought to him that night.

"Good afternoon, young Harry."

Harry swung around, his wand already out. He was surprised to see that his visitor was, "Theseus! I didn't expect you."

"Sanguini will be taking a copy of the report to his brother a few hours before dawn," Theseus said, walking up to Harry. "I thought I should visit you, since you've paid me visits."

"You are welcome here, of course," Harry said.

Theseus handed Harry a pouch which was stuffed full of parchment. "Here is everything we have. I had everything marked which we also gave to the British Ministry. There really isn't much we held back."

"I believe I understand," Harry said.

"I do not believe there is much I need tell you. The European Ministries and the International can deal with these fools if they desire. I do not believe they need concern you, as they will have problems enough of their own without aiding Voldemort any further."

"That's good to know," Harry said. "How are all your . . . house guests?"

"They are fine," Theseus said with a small smile. "They did not know anything was happening until it was over."

"Are one of you the Good One Who Speaks?" came a small voice from near Harry's feet. Harry and Theseus looked down.

"I believe it's more likely she is talking to you," Theseus said.

"You're a Parselmouth?" Harry asked.

"I am. It was not an uncommon gift in my time."

"Oh," Harry said. He looked back down. "May I help you?"

"You are the One I have been sent to find!" the large grass snake said, excited. "In the Cave of the Stone Snake, many of our kind find a safe winter refuge. The Speaking Stone Snake sent out a message that any who saw you should ask that you visit immediately. The Speaking Stone Snake has something you want."

"Thank you," Harry said. Without paying attention, Harry grabbed a beetle from a nearby flower and fed it to the snake as a reward, accidentally ending the career of Rita Skeeter. "Be careful of the owls," Harry added as the happy snake slithered away.

"Do you know what the snake meant?" Theseus asked.

"Yes," Harry answered. "See that highest mountain? There is a cavern inside. That's where Salazar Slytherin hid the outside entrance to the Chamber he built under the school. The doorway to the passage is guarded by two stone snakes, one on either side. We had some brief conversations last year."

"Shall we go, or will you go tomorrow?" Theseus asked.

"Let me drop these off inside, and we can go now," Harry responded.



"Ah, my polite Parselmouth has arrived," the green-eyed guardian almost crowed. "Wake up, back there! He is here, and he brought another."

"Another what," Red asked.

"Another Speaker," Theseus suggested.

"How wonderful!" Green enthused. "The other Speaker came after the snakes had settled in. He came asking for something he had hidden."

Harry was puzzled. "I don't understand. I thought. . . ."

"You did not ask the right questions that first time," Green reproved. "We had never tested that nasty Parselmouth. This time, I did."

"Did what? Test him how?"

"He had no blood connection to our Creator," Green replied.

Harry thought about that, and smiled. The reconstituted Voldemort certainly did not have any blood connections to Slytherin. "That is true," Harry said.

"Therefore, what he hid need not be under our protection."

"Is what he hid a small gold cup with two handles?" Harry asked anxiously.

"It is."

Harry was glad but frowned. "I thought I had asked if he had been here, and you said he had not."

"You asked if he had been through the door. He had not," Green answered, "He had visited both sides at different times, however."

"I see. Can you, would you, reveal what he hid?"

"I cannot from this side," Green said. "Command me, and ask my counterpart."

"Open," Harry commanded. He and Theseus went through. "Hello again," Harry said to the red-eyed Guardian.

"I greet you," Red said.

"Will you reveal what the self-proclaimed Heir of Slytherin hid?"

"I may," Red said. "I must ask you something first."

"And what is that?" Harry asked, worried.

"My counterpart grows weary of his task, and I have grown even more weary of the long silences and the darkness. If you can replace us with a simple command, which will only open this door to a Parselmouth, we would consider our long duty to our Maker fulfilled."

'Well,' Harry thought, 'that's better than asking me to prove I'm an heir to Slytherin.' He looked at Theseus.

"I can do that," Theseus replied. "I can also offer you both employment and more snakes to speak with, all the year around."

"Do you trust this Speaker?" Red asked Harry.

"I do."

A stone panel at the base of the door fell onto the dirt floor. Inside the niche was Helga Hufflepuff's cup.

"Then let it be done," Red said.



Friday, March 20, 1998

"You mean . . . it's almost over?" George asked.

"Hardly," Hermione snapped.

"No, in some ways George is right," Harry said. "Voldemort is fully mortal again. He's still incredibly dangerous, but with all the Horcruxes destroyed I can't believe only I can kill the bastard. I think my part in the Prophecy might have been fulfilled."

Hermione sighed, drawing everyone's attention. "What?" Harry demanded.

"Luna and I have been going over the wreckage from the Burrow," Hermione answered. She pulled out a silver ladle from her robes and placed it on the table.

"That . . . that's ours," Percy said.

"It's a family heirloom," Ginny said simply. "According to tradition, Edgar, that's who is credited for founding what became the Weasley family, won it as a school prize back in the 900s."

"Voldemort had also cast the first two spells on it to turn it into a Horcrux," Luna said.

"Shit!" Harry spat.

"It's bad, but the real question is how is it bad," Luna said.

"Huh?" Harry was not the only one confused.

"According to Theseus," Hermione explained, "six should be the maximum number of Horcruxes any powerful wizard should be able to create. The few instances of those trying more either ended in disaster for the wizard, or were accomplished by those skilled in the mental disciplines and of great heart and soul. Those last certainly don't apply to Tom Riddle."

"What would happen to him if creating a seventh Horcrux backfires?" George asked.

"Most of his remaining soul will drain into the Horcrux and the remaining part in the body will be in a coma. How long the coma might last depends on many factors, but should last at least a month."

"So, if that happens we separate the Horcrux from the body, his lordship destroys it, and then we execute what's left?" Percy asked.

"If we're very very lucky," Hermione agreed.

"And the astral projection?" Neville asked.

"I can do the basics, but I just can't get a grip on the link between myself and Voldemort," Harry said. "If he doesn't activate the link, I can't follow it, at least not until I get more training."

"Which will be in late April," Hermione reminded the group.

"So, once again, the initiative is Voldemort's," Percy complained.

"Do you have any bright ideas about how to flush him out, without it being a trap?" Ginny snapped.

"No," Percy acknowledged. "I wasn't complaining about Lord Harry, I was complaining about the situation in general." Everyone rolled their eyes, as Percy insisted on using Harry's title, even though Harry tried to discourage it.

"Besides," Luna said, "Theseus told me before he left that he would see if he couldn't find someone to come and help out more quickly."

"The sooner it's over, the better," Harry muttered, and to that, no one would disagree.



Harry unexpectedly left Hogwarts in early April, only leaving word that his 'astral tutor' had shown up and had taken him away for solitude in his lessons. Harry left Remus, McGonagall, and Hermione in charge of various aspects of his command. At first, everyone was nervous, but they soon took their cue from Luna, who seemed to grow more serene by the day.



Tuesday, April 28, 1998

"Good morning, Harry," Theseus said.

"Where am I?"

"In the guest quarters of my villa, where you have spent time before."

Harry frowned. "How did I get here? That Tibetan you found to help me. . . ."

"Caused your body to be brought here over three weeks ago, while she took your mind, your soul, on a journey. My girls have tended your body, rather happily if it comes to that. I hope you have learned what you need to know?"

"No offense, but I hope they weren't too happy," Harry said. "I don't want any children running around that I don't know about."

"No, your body was not that responsive," Theseus answered. "Still, they fed and bathed you, and did isometric exercises with you. And, to be honest, I believe you were responsive enough to give them some pleasure, although not enough to get any pregnant."

Harry blushed. "I think it might be a while before I can visit here again," Harry grumbled.

"Don't worry, my boy. You were in good, kind hands, and have nothing to be ashamed of. Now, can I help you stand?"

"Yes, please." Harry's eyes glinted. "Let me see if I'm in shape to take care of an old problem."



"What is it?" Hermione asked Luna as she came back to her suite with lunch for the pair of them.

"Harry is back among us."

"He's at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked, frowning.

"No," Luna said, exploring what she was feeling. She had magically linked with Harry the previous summer, but that was often a tenuous connection. They did not share thoughts, but sometimes shared emotions when they were apart. "I hadn't realized, but while what little I've felt of Harry has assured him that he was feeling quite well, I believe most of that time might have involved his astral projection."

"Harry might have spent most of this month out of his body?"

"I could be wrong," Luna admitted. "In any event, he is feeling very empowered, and very determined."

"What do you think that means?"

"I think it means that Harry is going hunting," Luna answered.



Friday, May 1, 1998
Salazar Slytherin's Lair, the Pyrenees

Lord Voldemort glared at the piles of parchment which littered the large, run-down-but-elegant room he was in. To be reduced to such a state -- he, the greatest and most feared sorcerer in history! Reduced to writing out all the ideas he could come up with for drawing Potter into the trap. Well, the trap was relatively straight-forward, the problem was in grabbing the right bait. He needed to create the strongest Horcrux possible; and he knew he was gambling that he would succeed.

Voldemort was still not totally certain he believed that he had accidentally created a sixth Horcrux, but had to acknowledge that it was possible. If he hadn't, then he could create one at any time. If he had, then he was gambling in creating a seventh, and knew his short odds of success were improved if that final Horcrux was created over Harry Potter's dead body.

"Hello, Tom."

Voldemort leapt to his feet. "AVADA KEDAVRA!" he cried out in triumph, for Harry Potter was merely standing there, with a sword over his shoulder.

Nothing happened.

Voldemort tried again. "AVADA KEDAVRA!"

Nothing.

"What have you done!"

"Ah, just a little trick," Harry answered. "You know what today is, or have you lost track?"

Voldemort frowned.

"What happens on Halloween, Tom?"

"Dark magic is at its height," Voldemort declared.

"And on May Day?" Voldemort took a step back. "That's right," Harry said. "Light magic is at its height. And, thanks to a great of deal of help from an old friend of mine, all Dark magic and all magic done with Dark intent in this area has been suppressed from between dawn and noon." Harry raised the sword from his shoulder and brought the tip down until it pointed at Voldemort's neck. "I don't think you can even do magic anymore without Dark intent. In fact, I don't think you can do ANYTHING any more without Dark intent. Shall we test my theories, Tom?"

"Stop calling me that!" Voldemort tried to disapparate, but because his underlying motivation was to be able to kill Harry, it failed.

"Goodbye, Tom," Harry said. "It's been hell knowing you."