The Prophecy of Ramashka

When Lord Voldemort was defeated, the last thing Harry Potter expected was to be grasping for his life. He felt he had nothing to hold onto, that he was an illusion and didn't exist. Sure, he was a powerful wizard, but the thing after him paid no never mind to this. Harry longed to use magic to bring an end to this torment. He thought of his friends only a few feet away and no the wiser about his situation.

He should be happy. He had defeated one of the greatest Dark Wizards at the beginning of the summer. The rest of it was normal: the Dursleys ignored him or made him work. Then there was that one moment, one time...

With a sigh of unhappiness he exited the compartment on the train, in search of somewhere quiet. Could this be the beginning of a new year with a new terror? A fantastic revelation fell over him as he crossed a compartment filled with Hufflepuffs and kept on walking. His friends, his teachers, his schoolmates -- they could all be in danger just because he was too foolish. Too foolish not to contact anyone for help. Too foolish to realize that the end of Voldemort would bring worse evils with it. The time was right for a comeback.

He entered the Gryffindor compartment with a sigh. He should be excited; his seventh and final year at Hogwarts was about to begin a matter of hours.

"Why so glum, Harry?" asked Hermione.

'I ...,' Harry tried to answer but his throat suddenly filled with flour and he just stood there, speechless.

"Come on, you should be happy; you're everyone's hero, Voldemort's gone, we have N.E.W.T.s, and we're going to graduate at last!" Hermione said, pushing Harry into a seat.

Harry's face didn't change. There was a long period of silence.

"I feel ill," Harry suddenly said; it was true.

No, he had to be always alert. He would not let a silly Muggle virus or sickness slow him down.

Ron looked at his friend with a worried expression.

"Didn't your cousin have the rooster pops this summer?" he asked.

"It's chicken pox, Ron," Hermione said as she glanced at Harry.

Harry squinted at them from watery eyes. He did feel kind of peculiar, now that they mention it.

But he didn't have the want or need to worry about how he was feeling. Harry wondered if he should tell his friends about the discovery he made, or rather came to him.

Something darker the Voldemort was coming.

He decided that he couldn't tell them. Not until he was sure...

He leaned his head back on the glass window and sighed, feeling the air outside cooling his head. His temperature constantly climbed despite the cool air, and by the time the lunch trolley came along he was spread out on one seat with his eyes shut, Hermione and Ron leaning near him, trying to control his temperature with a wet cloth.

They had both tried to magically heal him, but to no avail. Strange, healing charms usually worked to cure Muggle illnesses.

Hermione whispered over Harry's fevered head to Ron, "What are we going to do?"

"What can we do?" replied Ron, "I think we should get him to the hospital wing right away when we arrive."

"You're right," murmured Hermione.

That both sat back in silence for the rest of the journey.

When the train pulled into the station and emerged from their compartment, they were stared at--they were carrying the semi-conscious Harry between them.

"What's going on?" asked a brusque voice.

"Professor..." Mumbled a fevered Harry, just before his body finally went limp and he crumpled to the ground. Everyone around them gasped and Professor McGonagall quickly kneeled in front of him with the ever present Hermione and Ron. She looked up.

"Move along, students. Quickly now. And you, Spinner, go get Madame Pomfrey. Quickly." She then turned her attention to Harry, feeling his forehead as Ron and Hermione applied the wet cloth to his face again.

"How long has he been like this?" asked McGonagall.

"He boarded the train looking preoccupied. I think he was worried how people would react to him after what happened over the summer. The farther away from London we got, the worse he got," said Hermione.

"Right," added Ron, "We were worried about him. Then he just sort of ... deflated."

McGonagall covered her mouth with her hand. "I can't have imagined that this..." She broke off, "Mr. Weasley, go get the headmaster. I think he may have a better idea of what is causing this then I could ever know. but I believe it may be some thing to do with the charms that were cast on him when he went to his relatives. Hurry." Ron scooted away. "Miss Granger, keep up what you're doing, that will help Harry immensely."

Harry groaned in his slumber and McGonagall looked at him tenderly, placing a cool hand back on his cheeks. Hermione conjured a bowl of water, re-dipped the cloth, and reapplied it while they waited for the Headmaster and the Nurse.

Soon Dumbledore was kneeling by Harry's side on the platform at Hogsmeade, where Madame Pomfrey was bustling about setting up flasks, vials, bottles, and a mortar and pestle.

"We must get his temperature down," said Madame Pomfrey.

She handed Ron, who was kneeling by Harry's side a bottle of rubbing alcohol. He looked at it quizzically.

"If he doesn't respond to healing charms, we have no choice but use Muggle methods," she said softly handing him a cloth, too, "Rub it over him. As it evaporates it will cool him down."

Ron fiddled with the cloth for a moment and then looked down at Harry. He began to blush and handed the cloth and bottle off to Hermione. She rolled her eyes.

"Ron, help me get his sweater off, at least."

Ron struggled with even doing that, but finally accomplished it with much stares from those left standing around. Hermione uncapped the bottle, pouring a great deal onto the cloth, and then rubbed it on Harry's uncovered arm.

She wiped him down for several minutes until he became noticeably less flushed.

Dumbledore placed and hand on Harry's forehead and said, "Let's move him to the school. Mobilaris corpus!," He pointed his wand at Harry.

Harry floated up off the ground with a moan.

Slowly they made their way across the grounds, into the castle, and up into the hospital wing, where they placed Harry on a bed. Madame Pomfrey began to check him over physically, and then began to recite spells over his body. Ron, Hermione, you must be present at the sorting ceremony," said Dumbledore, "I'll have McGonagall give the welcoming speech this year. I feel I must stay with Harry."

"But Professor--" started Ron.

"No," interrupted Dumbledore, "You cannot stay with him Ron. The other students will be expecting you. I expect they will be wanting to thank you for your heroics over the summer."

Ron grumbled and went out the door. Hermione looked at Harry one last time and followed Ron with no protests down to the Great Hall where McGonagall was already starting the ceremony.

They slipped in through the door and sat at the end of the Gryffindor table watching the nervous first years get sorted into their houses.

Neville was the first Gryffindor to notice them. A murmur built up among the students. Finally, the whole Hall erupted into one great cheer, with one exception.

Draco and the Slytherin table were eerily quiet.

Both Hermione and Ron were blushing and Ron was trying to get under the table, but his legs were in the way. Hermione stood up and pulled Ron with her, smiling. McGonagall smiled widely and then and began clapping with the staff and students as well.

They sat back down and McGonagall finished the sorting quickly and began her speech.

"This summer, students, the fall of Voldemort was great and was felt far and wide with a great sigh of relief. Responsible for the downfall was three young students at our very school who were brave beyond belief and did what they knew was right."

She raised her glass.

"A toast to Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger! The defeaters of Voldemort!"

Everyone cheered again and began to eat as the meal appeared in front of them.

***

Harry's head snapped back and he rolled off the bed. He starred at the ground for a long time, trying to listen to the noises coming from it. He lifted himself and kneeled right over the spot where the noises came from. He pulled his fist back and hit the floor as hard as he could. The floor caved, taking him down with it.

***

"What's wrong with Harry?" asked Neville through a mouthful of pudding.

"They don't know, Neville," said Hermione.

"Blimey, he looks horrible. I blame his cousin. Those horrible Muggles he lives with," Ron grabbed the pitcher of pumpkin juice and poured himself a glass.

***

Harry lay unconscious on a pile of rubble, rocks and wood bits scattered around him. He ground and felt his head for cuts. Slowly he opened his eyes and propped himself up on his elbows.

"Mer..." He groaned and stared dazedly up through where he fell, only to find the darkness above.

***

As Ron, Hermione, and the other Gryffindors were leaving the Welcoming Feast, they heard a great rumble coming from the direction of the Hospital Wing.

Ron and Hermione looked at each other and dashed off towards the sound.

At the entrance to the Wing, they came to a sudden stop.

The floor was no longer there.

The walls and floors were no long there. Levitating on the other side were Dumbledore and Pomfrey, both looking quite scared.

"What happened!?" Hermione yelled across at them. They both stared at her wide eyed and shrugged.

"What about Harry?" Ron yelled. Madame Pomfrey pointed down at where the floor had been.

They looked down and saw Harry crumpled amongst the rubble.

"Can't you go get him? He may be hurt!" cried Hermione.

Ron placed a hand on her arm to restrain her. She looked like she wanted to jump down and rescue their friend herself.

But Dumbledore and Pomfrey were already making their way down to him.

Harry groaned as Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey touched the ground next to him. Conjuring a stretcher, they rolled him onto it and levitated back up into what was left of the hospital wing. He clutched his head to stop the throbbing and broke out into a sweat. He groaned and thought about how good it would be to be out on a beach in the sun where there was ample water around. He sunk back into the stretcher with this thought in mind.

...And sank into a dreaming oblivion.

He was at the final battle. He, Ron, and Hermione had prepared for this ever since Fifth year. Only this time, they were wandless. It's not supposed to be like this, thought Harry. We defeated Voldemort! The Dark Lord cut them down one by one; Harry watched his friends die.

Finally, Voldemort's eyes settled on him. The Dark Lord said those dreaded words and then Harry knew no more.

He let out a scream that echoed throughout the room.

Ron and Hermione--who had just joined Dumbledore and Pomfrey by Harry's side, covered their ears and winced.

Harry began to convulse. They held him down against the floor and covered his mouth, trying to settle him down. Soon he was quiet, though his fever was up higher than it had been and they had to place him in a tub of cool water. The still-unconscious Harry was hard to keep sitting up, so someone had to constantly stay by his side.

As the night bore on Hermione was sitting by his side keeping him. He shivered once and snapped his eyes open, staring at the wall opposite.

Harry was awake. "Where am I?"

Hermione leaned close to him and grabbed his hand softly, "It's alright Harry, you'll be okay." she said quietly to reassure him and her.

"Where am I?" he said again almost worried.

"You're in a tub of cold water, because we are trying to bring down the fever," Hermione glanced at Harry's flushed face.

"What room am I in? I realized I was in a tub," Harry added with a slight roll of his eyes.

Hermione glanced worriedly at him. "We're in..."

"...a special room off the hospital ward that Madam Pomfrey uses for patients who are in serious condition or can't get better in the presence of others." she finished sadly.

Harry stared at her, unknowing about anything that had happened, and how it was directly linked to himself.

"I'm in serious condition?" Harry asked weakly.

"Of course, don't you remember what happened?"

"Well, no, actually I only remember one thing..."

Harry paused and took a deep breath, his gaze unfocused. "And that was two eyes on the wall. They were staring at me."

Hermione blinked and said intelligently, "What?"

"Two red eyes," Harry continued, ignoring her. "They seemed," he shivered, "to burrow beneath my skin. My head hurt horribly," he continued, "and then I think I fell..."

"I think he could use a dreamless sleep," interrupted a voice.

Hermione turned to see that Dumbledore, Ron, and Pomfrey had entered the room.

Madame Pomfrey handed Harry a goblet, which he emptied with a gulp and a grimace.

Hermione glanced at Ron. "Let's go into the hall; we need to talk."

She and Ron left the room and headed for the hall.

"I hate to say this Ron, but I don't think Harry's illness has got anything to do with Dudley having chicken pox." Hermione said.

"What makes you say that?" Ron asked, looking worried.

"Well, when we were talking just there, he told me that, before he fell, he saw a pair of red eyes staring at him from the wall."

"What do you suppose it means?"

Hermione shrugged. "I really don't know."

"But I have an idea. I think Harry's having visions. I've read something in the Library about an immortal Dark Lord, greater and more terrible than the rest, who cannot die. I had thought... but he's dead, so obviously You-Know-Who wasn't him."

Ron cursed colorfully. "It isn't enough that George, Percy, and Bill had to be killed and that we nearly died is it?"

"No," Hermione said sadly. "C'mon, let's go to the Library, maybe we can find something there."

Ron nodded mutely and followed the bushy-haired girl out.

***

Meanwhile the teachers were all in conference, and it seemed they knew more than they had been letting on...

"It seems the time has come," Dumbledore started, placing a small old book on the table in front of him. "The time that we have dreaded for many years, now. Ramashka has returned."

Professors McGonagall and Trelawney gasped. Snape paled and Remus sank down into the nearest chair.

"How?" McGonagall whispered.

"You are all familiar with the prophecy he left, I believe?" Dumbledore asked.

" 'Through goodness, evil shall prevail' " Remus said weakly.

Dumbledore nodded. "This is something I hoped to prevent. Through Harry's killing Voldemort, that time has now come. And we have no choice but to deal with it the best we can. Does anyone know the story of how Ramashka came to power?"

Most of the teachers all nodded, but Dumbledore explained to the ones who didn't.

"In 685BC, a boy was born with powers beyond that of any normal wizard. Wonderfully bright, stronger than ten men, it was rumored. And a Parseltongue. It was after he had destroyed the Dark Lord, Leork, that Ramashka went bad. He killed his two best friends in his quest for immortality. He succeeded, but not in the way he hoped. You see, his mortal body died, but his dark soul would be reincarnated again and again, until he came back to his original body, and history repeated itself. Then he would be granted immortality."

"But all the history books said that he was immortal in the sense that he's still alive now. Why keep this hidden?" Snape asked.

"That is something that we'll never know, Severus. But we do know who Ramashka is now." Dumbledore said, opening the book and showing them a picture of a young man they recognize all too well.

"Harry!" Remus gasped. There was no mistaken the shock of black hair and emerald green eyes.

"It seems Ramashka has found his original body at last." Snape whispered.

"And history has repeated itself. Harry must not yet know. We may still be able o save him." Dumbledore said.

***

"I think something is wrong with Harry. I think he might be faking, or else something really terrible is happening that we won't be able to stop."

"What should we do?" Ron scratched his head.

"I think we should go to Dumbledore!"

"Well, of course you would think that Hermione, but I think we should do something else, if it's something like that, I don't think the teachers need to know."

Hermione got a shocked look on her face and replied like anyone would have expected her to. "The teachers always need to know Ron. They might be able to help us."

"I don't think they do." Ron argued, "I think this is personal."

"Fine." conceded Hermione. "Fine, we'll do it your way, but I'm blaming you if we get into trouble or anything worse."

"Well well well," said a new voice, cold as ice, with eyes the color to match the tone.

Draco Malfoy sauntered towards Ron and Hermione.

"Weasley's making Granger disobey rules now, is he? Should we start picking out wedding clothes?" he sneered at them.

Ron turned red and went to belt Draco, but Hermione held him off.

"We don't need to cause trouble now, Ron," she said, "There's enough on our plates at the moment, but if you want everything found out, then fine. Go ahead and beat him up, you know he'll tell the professors as much as possible."

"Yes, in fact, I heard most of your conversation." replied Draco, sounding cheery "And I will do just that if you do not let me join in on your escapade."

"We have no choice, do we?" muttered Hermione.

Ron looked like he was going to explode. "We have to let this . . .this betraying git know what we're doing? Why don't we all just shovel our graves now! With Malfoy in the know we're better off dead!"

"You know," Malfoy began with slitted eyes, "when you three conquered the Mas-- Voldemort during the summer after Fifth year, I thought maybe there could be something different in the world. Then you three came back and looked down your noses at me and the other Slytherins. Did it ever occur to you that we had no choice? Did it ever occur to you that could be an act?

"At the end of last year I wanted so badly to smash your faces in and hurt you. But I couldn't. The Boy Who Lived and his Faithful Companions would save us all. Even I realized that. Why would I have wanted to live in a world where death and destruction were the norm?" he stopped and glanced at Ron and Hermione.

Ron looked skeptical but Hermione looked almost pitying.

"Come on, Ron. It doesn't look as if we've got much of a choice anyway, so we'll have to trust him." She whispered.

Ron fumed for a few minutes then, sighing, nodded. "OK. But," he said, stepping up to Draco until he was only a few inches away from his face, "If you betray us or cause trouble for us in anyway, I will personally hurt you so badly that Avada Kedavra will seem like a walk in the park. Are we understood?"

Draco, looking paler than usual, nodded.

"Good. Now that that's settled, let's go." Hermione said.

The three of them were heading down the corridor towards the library, where Madam Pince showed them into a hidden room beside an inconspicuous shelf after Hermione whispered something to her under her breath.

As soon as they were inside the room lit with scores of candles floating in the air.

"What is this place?" asked Ron.

"Madam Pince let me use it during Third year when I using the Time Turner." Hermione explained, " McGonagall thought I would need a quiet, exclusive place to study and made Pince let me use it. I think she's annoyed that I know the secret of how to get the room."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "And the secret is....?" he questioned.

"Well," Hermione replied to Draco's question, "you must know a very advanced charm, that most only learn in their seventh year, and some never learn at all in their schooling, after that you must know where to perform this charm, and you must do it in exactly the right place or it will backfire horribly...."

"Wait, so you're telling me that Madam Pince had time to do all that in the 5 seconds we were waiting for her to open the door beside her?" scoffed Draco.

"Well, she's been using that charm for a while now, so it can't be that hard for her anymore." Hermione said.

"Ah." replied Draco unbelievingly "Or maybe it's just a hidden room and you only need to know where it is to open it? Hmm?"

Without waiting for an answer, Draco walked out the door, shut it firmly and tried to find and open it again, but failed miserably because it seemed to have disappeared.

"Er... help!" He called.

The door swung open on his left and he walked back in.

"Believe me now?" Hermione asked.

Draco merely grunted and threw himself into a chair.

"Ok, so down to business," began Hermione.

"Hey wait! Why do you get to do all the planning?" asked Draco snottishly.

"Believe me" advised Ron, "you will see why in a few seconds," he said.

Hermione glared at Ron for a moment.

"Right, Ron, you take Modern Magical History (I doubt it'll be in there, but it's worth a try), Malfoy, you take A History of Magic and I'll take Medieval Wizard History. We're looking for an immortal Dark Lord. I can't remember his name, but I think it begins with 'R', so just start with that, for now." She said, handing the books out.

"Could you try to be a little more vague?" Draco asked dryly and began to flip through the book Hermione handed him.

They paged through their volumes for a few minutes until Draco muttered under his breath.

"Malfoy, you demanded to be a part of this, what are you complaining about!" said Hermione.

"Well, pardon me Ms. Big Head, I was pronouncing a word. Not all of us were born with over large brains."

Ron snickered as Hermione glared at him.

"It was funny, Herm, overlarge brains ..."

"Never mind," Hermione interrupted, "What did you find, Draco?"

Draco went over to Hermione and placed the book so she could look at it.

"I found mention of a Ramashka and a prophecy. That's it."

"That's all?" Ron queried.

"That's it!" screeched Hermione happily. "Draco, I could kiss you! But I won't." She made a face.

He looked slightly crestfallen but replied, "So what's this prophecy they're talking about?"

Ron walked over and peered at the book.

"If it's not mentioned here I guess that means more--"

"Research!" Hermione finished with a smile on her face.

Draco blinked at Hermione and said to Ron: "She always like this?" he asked.

"Her-my-o-knee," Ron whined, "We've been in here for hours . Let's take a break and go see how Harry's getting on."

"Silly, it's only been a few minutes. Besides there's loads of prophecies in my book." She held up Medieval Wizard History, "I'm sure I'll find it in here."

They searched for many more hours, passing up lunch in favor of research. Draco, suddenly emit a yell that was quite uncharacteristic of him.

"What happened Malfoy?" asked Ron with exasperation.

"Err...nothing...except this book licked me!" He held up the new book he was reading: Cute Fluffy Creatures of the Magical World.

Ron sniggers, "Aw, Malfoy did the ickle book scare you?"

"Why are you looking in that?!" Hermione demanded. "There won't be anything about prophecies in there!"

"Now that we have been in here for hours , I wanted to read something that didn't have the end of the world predicted every five years. It was depressing me." Draco simpered and ran a hand through his hair.

Hermione felt her face heat up.

"You, a former Death Eater are depressed by that! We've had to fight that from happening practically every year we've been here! How dare you--"

"Wait!" Ron shouted, "I think I found something."

He held up A History of Dark Lords and Their Sidekicks.

Hermione and Draco peered over his shoulder at the passage he was pointing to.

"The Dark Lord Ramashka (born 685BC), who was rumored to have powers which surpassed those of normal wizards, be stronger than 10 men and was also a Parseltongue, sought out immortality in the year 702BC by killing his two closest friends in a ritualistic sacrifice to the God of the Underworld, Hades' - urg, look what he did." Ron said, pointing to an engraving of the sacrifice.

It depicted Ramashka eating the heart of a dead man lying at his feet. Hermione grimaced then read on where Ron had stopped.

"Ramashka claimed that Hades had given him a prophecy to deliver: 'through goodness, evil shall prevail'. He disappeared in the year 754BC. No one is sure what happened to him, only that he must still be alive somewhere today." She flipped over a page and came to a larger, and clearer picture of Ramashka.

She and Ron gasped.

"Looks like someone we know, doesn't he?" Draco said.

***

Meanwhile, the staff had adjourned their meeting and McGonagall and Dumbledore were on their way to the hospital wing to see Harry.

"Should we tell him?" McGonagall asked the Headmaster as she wrung her hands. "That poor boy..."

"No, but we will help him. Just because Harry looks like Ramashka does not mean he will become the new Ultimate Evil. The battle for souls is something we must prepare for." Dumbledore entered the now magically reconstructed hospital wing.

They entered the hospital wing to find Harry sitting up in bed.

"How are you feeling, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.

Harry shrugged. "OK, I guess. Professor, do you think you could get a hold of Sirius for me. I really need to speak to him."

"Certainly, Harry. I will see to that first thing tomorrow." Dumbledore said. At that moment, Madame Pomfrey bustled in.

"Ah, Albus, Minerva. Good news, Harry's temperature has dropped considerably. Another couple of days and he'll be ready to return to classes, all being well."

"That is good news, Poppy." Dumbledore said, smiling.

"Albus, we should let the boy get some rest." McGonagall said, placing her hand on Harry's head lightly.

McGonagall and Dumbledore stepped out of the hospital wing and began to walk up towards the Owlery.

"Albus," she said happily, "if his temperature has dropped maybe it isn't really happening. Maybe it was just a false alarm."

Dumbledore looked down at her, a frown on his face, "I really don't know Minerva, it's too soon to tell.

***

"So Potter's this Ramashka person?" Draco asked.

Hermione stared at the picture curiously, "I don't know, it looks just like him. Almost like he came back from the dead."

Ron stared at the picture and re-read, "He disappeared in the year 754BC. No one is sure what happened to him, only that he must still be alive somewhere today." he sighed, "That means Harry could be this evil Dark Lord."

"'Through goodness, evil shall prevail', what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Draco complained.

"What do you think?" Asked Hermione, having on her face a look that said she knew much more than him and that the answer was quite obvious. "Didn't Harry just do something very good a few months ago?" she asked pointedly.

"Good point."

"Ron, I really think we should mention this to the teachers, or tell Sirius or Professor Lupin, at least." Hermione implored.

"Why? Like you said, it only looks like him." Ron said.

Hermione stared at him beseechingly.

"No, Hermione. Not yet, anyway. We should try to find out a bit more about this 'Ramashka' person, first. O.K?"

Hermione sighed, but nodded. "Alright"

***

In the hospital wing, Harry was lost in dreams - nightmares, more like. Blood. People screaming. But he didn't want to help. They deserve it, he thought, not understanding why. Then he saw a man - he looked like Ron - lying unconscious on the floor. He walked over and knelt down beside him. He watched as his hand picked up a crude knife made of stone and (Oh my God!) plunged it into Ron's chest. He watched with a mixture of pleasure and revulsion as he lifted the heart out of Ron's chest and raised it above his head. He heard the words from his mouth that he couldn't understand as blood dripped onto his face. Then he lowered the heart to his moth and ate it.

The ground beneath his feet shook as a chasm opened before him and a figure rose up from it and looked down at him.

That's when Harry screamed.

***

Ron, Draco, and Hermione looked up. Then looked at each other.

"Harry." They said.

They raced out of the library and into the corridors where they saw other students milling about with puzzled looks on their faces.

A First year stopped Hermione, the Head Girl, and asked, "What's going on?"

"I'm going to find out!" She said, "First years," she muttered under her breath.

She entered the hospital wing with Ron and Draco by her side.

Harry was sitting up in bed and he had a puzzled look on his face.

They approached with trepidation.

"Hallo, Harry, how are you feeling?" asked Ron.

Harry's eyes rounded and filled with a look none of them could identify. His gaze shifted to Draco.

"What is he doing here!" he spat as his eyes flashed with lighting.

The three looked at each other.

Draco whispered to Hermione: "Did you see his eyes?"

Hermione nodded. "I know." She whispered back. "Harry, why did you scream?" She asked in a louder voice.

Harry shrugged. "Nightmare, I suppose." He said, avoiding meeting her eyes.

"Must've been some nightmare, then." Draco commented.

"No one was talking to you, Malfoy!" Harry snapped, his eyes flashing again. "I still don't know why you're here in the first place."

"He's just trying to help, Harry. Believe me, I'm not to chuffed with him tagging along, myself, but he is. Helping, that is." Ron said.

Harry gave Ron that look again and looked away. "Helping with what?"

The other three looked at each other and shuffled their feet nervously.

Harry looked at them suspiciously. "What. Is. He. Helping. With." He said slowly,

"What's going on?"

Hermione had opened her mouth to speak, but was saved from explaining by Professor Lupin sprinting though the door of the hospital wing, followed shortly by the majority of the teaching staff.

"Professors!" cried Hermione.

"Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Malfoy, and Harry," said Lupin, nodding at each in turn.

Them he addressed the group standing by the bed, "Visiting Harry, are we?" he questioned with a wary look in his eyes.

Harry glared at Professor Lupin for interrupting his interrogation.

"Yes, sir," said Draco. "The Slytherins were wondering if he was going to be able to play in the Quidditch match next week."

"You're a lair Malfoy," growled a flushed Harry, "and I find out what you dragged Ron and Hermione into, I'll see that you pay!"

"Oh dear, we can't have the patient getting upset," interrupted Madam Pomfrey.

"Why don't the students who are well, return to their dormitories," piped up Professor Flitwick as he shooed Ron, Hermione, and Draco out the door.

Lupin turned to Harry.

"Harry, how are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling quite well professor, except for the fact that I have been lazing around in bed all day and this witch won't let me out!" said Harry in a would-be nonchalant voice, while managing to spit out the word witch like it was some form of disgusting swearword.

"Don't worry Harry, you'll be let out soon enough, we think that there is something extremely wrong with you, and you are under strict orders not to leave this bed until we figure out what it is."

Harry looked childishly up into Professor Lupin's eyes. "But professor!" He started.

"Not now Harry. I told you, you are in serious danger!"

"But I feel just fine!" argued Harry.

Professor Lupin ignored this comment and strode out of the room with the rest of the teachers, leaving behind a very confused Harry.

He did feel a bit odd, he had to remind himself. He felt as if weren't quiet here. Like a part of him has gone missing and something not Harry had taken its place.

Part of him didn't care. But another part of him, a great part of him, was screaming inside.

***

"Who ever that was, it was not Harry." Hermione said as she, Ron and Draco made their way up the stairs.

"He looked like Harry to me." Draco said, panting from the effort to keep up with Ron and Hermione. "Are you two trying to shake me off or something?"

"Whatever gave you that idea?" Ron asked sarcastically.

Draco stopped dead in his tracks. "Hey, I'm trying to help, here! I know we've hardly been friends in the past, but something not right's going on and I want to help stop it before it gets out of control and people start getting hurt, OK!" He said.

Ron and Hermione stared at him in amazement. Ron sighed.

"You're right, we've got to put aside our differences if we're going to help Harry. I'm sorry." He said, holding out his hand. Draco took it and the three of them smiled at each other.

"We'll have to go back to the library tomorrow. See if we can find anything more about this Ramashka person. I doubt very much that he's Harry. I mean, he's immortal, right? So maybe Harry's some descendent or something who's being affected by Ramashka's return." Even as she said these words, Hermione knew just as well as Ron and Draco did that she didn't believe them for a second.

"You know, maybe... Maybe tomorrow one of us could speak to Lupin. Show him what we found in that book. Or something." Ron suggested.

Hermione and Draco nodded. "Ron, you do that. Draco, I'm thinking maybe you could check in the library? I could go talk to Harry, see what I can get out of him and see what we come up with, how's that sound?"

Ron and Draco nodded in agreement.

Hermione returned to the hospital wing and looked at the now sleeping Harry. She felt his head and his eyes popped open, squinting at her.

"Herm?" he questioned while reaching for his glasses.

She smiled at him.

"I've been having the strangest dreams, Hermione. And they are not like the one I had when Voldemort was around and they're not any ordinary dreams." Harry muttered sleepily at her.

"What happened over the summer, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"After the Fall, I returned to the Dursleys. I was secretly doing research, studying for the N.E.W.Ts," said Harry, "The Dursley's would've had kittens if they found anything magical in the house that was not locked in the cupboard...." He drifted off.

"Harry..." Hermione whispered, shaking him gently. "Harry, wake up. What dreams have you been having? What happened during the summer? Harry-"

She didn't get to say another word because, right then, Harry's hand shot up and grabbed hold of her wrist. his eyes were wide open, staring - but at what, Hermione couldn't see. "Usque bonitas maleficus arbitratus evalesco," he hissed.

Hermione stared at him, suddenly terrified for her life. "Harry, let go! You're hurting! Harry!" With her free hand, she slapped Harry across the face. Hard. It worked.

Harry's eyes suddenly focused on her and she was relieved to see recognition there.

"Hermione?"

Hermione sighed with relief. "Yeah, Harry. It's only me. Are you feeling any better?"

Much to Hermione's surprise, Harry started to cry.

"What's wrong with me? I feel as if I'm going on two different directions."

Hermione was about to answer when Ron arrived with Professor Lupin. Ron was carrying A History of Dark Lords and Their Sidekicks.

Lupin walked over to Harry's bedside, "Have a nice nap, Harry?"

"Yes, professor." Harry answered.

"Hullo, Harry!" Ron cheerily said.

Harry's eyes flashed again but he blinked and it was gone. Hermione looked to Lupin and saw that his eyes had grown wide.

Lupin cleared his throat: "Something has come to our attention. We need to tell you that something but we don't quite know what your reaction will be. Ron has decided on behalf of Hermione and himself that you should know." Ron opened the book to page 487 handed it to Professor Lupin.

"Look here Harry; maybe it will come clear to you." Lupin, in turn, handed the open book to his student.

Harry's eyes moved down the page and face was scrunched up in a quizzical expression. When he got to the picture, he paled.

"This is me! Without my scar!" He touched his forehead as if to make sure it was still there. His eyes rose to focus on his friends and favorite professor. "But it can't be me! I mean, this says that I - Ramashka is still alive."

Professor Lupin looked at him, pretending to ignore Harry's slip-up. "The history books have got it wrong, Harry. Ramashka did indeed perform a spell to make himself immortal, but it didn't quite work out the way he thought it would. You see, he was killed in battle 52 years later. Hades, you see, can be prone to play little jokes like that. The pact Ramashka made meant that he would become immortal when he found his mortal body on earth once again. Harry, you are Ramashka's mortal body."

Harry looked down at the book and brushed his fingers over the picture showing the sacrifice. "I did this..." He whispered. Ron and Hermione glanced at each other over Harry's head, concern for their friend apparent in both their faces.

"Do you recognize either of the people in this picture, Harry?" Lupin asked. Harry nodded and whispered something none of them heard.

"Who?" Ron asked, leaning closer to him. Harry looked up, directly into his eyes.

"You."

"I'm in the picture, too? Bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed.

Hermione squinted at it. "Oh, I see. The background, the design is made of faces!" She pointed to a corner. "There you are."

Ron looked and muttered under his breath.

Lupin put a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder. "Just because you look like Ramashka, does not mean you are him. You are Harry Potter and no one else."

They were interrupted by a noise at the door. Madame Pomfrey walked into the room and gave Harry a Dreamless Sleeping potion. He muttered something about "Hedwig" and "write Sirius" as he drifted off to sleep.

"Off to the dormitories, now, both of you," said Lupin. "Maybe things will look brighter tomorrow."

***

The next day dawned with watery sunlight.

Ron and Hermione were on their way to visit Harry before they went to Potions when they heard raised voices, one of which belonged to Harry.

"But I feel fine! I don't see why I can't go to classes." He was saying now.

Ron and Hermione stood outside the doors, not certain whether to go in or not.

"You know fine well why." Madame Pomfrey said, trying to get him to lie back down.

"Look, I'm not gonna suddenly turn into Ramashka and start eating people's hearts, am I?"

At that moment Dumbledore entered the room. "Ah, Harry, you're awake. How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Fine," Harry replied. "Well enough to go to classes, actually." He looked pointedly at Madame Pomfrey when he said this.

Dumbledore frowned. "Do you really think you are up to that, Harry?" he asked.

"YES!" Harry yelled. "Please. I feel fine but, to be honest with you, if I spend another second in this bed, I think I'm going to go mad."

Dumbledore studied him for a moment or two. "Very well." He said finally.

"But professor - " Madame Pomfrey began, but the headmaster cut her off, continuing. "But you must promise me that you will come back here once classes are over so Madame Pomfrey can check that your temperature hasn't gone back up and if, for any reason at all, you begin to feel unwell, you will back here immediately. Do I have your word?"

"Yes! Thank you." Harry said.

"We shall leave you to get dressed, then. Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger are waiting outside for you." Dumbledore said, standing up and pulling the curtain around Harry so that he could have a bit of privacy to get changed.

Outside, Ron stared at Hermione in amazement. "He's mad!" He whispered. "If I were him, I'd taking as many days off classes as I could!"

***

Fifteen minutes later the three of them burst into the Potions classroom, ten minutes late.

"Ten points from Gryffindor." Snape said as they sat down.

Ron grimaced. "Still hasn't changed much, has he?" He muttered.

"I think we can add another five for that remark, Mr. Weasley." Snape added, glaring at the three of them. "Now today, class, we will be looking at the Wolfsbane potion..."

As Snape droned on, Harry leaned over to Ron and whispered; "Nope. Hasn't changed at all."

***

After Potions the Gryffindors went to Advanced Herbology where they shared the greenhouses with the Slytherins.

The Gryffindors grumbled about this.

"Why are they even here?" mumbled Seamus as Ron, Harry, and Hermione passed by him.

As they entered the green house Madame Sprout immediately divided the class into Gryffindor/Slytherin pairs.

"To promote goodwill!" she chirped as she pruned a Dastardly Dragon Dandelion.

Harry, predictably as he saw it, was paired up with Draco.

They were to cut the blossoms off a Spitting Sprouting Silvia. Which was all well and good in theory, but the buds were deep in the branches and the "branches" spit acid at anyone who tried to touch it. As they donned they dragonhide aprons and gloves and put on their enchanted goggles, Draco approached Harry.

"Are you feeling better, Potter?"

"What, now you want to be an honorary Gryffindor after Dumbledore let you lot back into Hogwarts? I want to forget you exist. You and those you sided with made my life miserable for six years." Harry felt unexpected tears fill his eyes. He quickly blinked them away as his face twisted into a sneer.

He was angry but he had no one to vent to. Taking it out on Malfoy would only bring trouble. He viciously hacked at the Silvia as lightning began to flash in his eyes. The plant responded to his pain.

The branches twisted and spit. Draco was drenched in the plant's acid. Draco's mouth opened but no sound came out. Harry just stared at his nemesis.

Neville, who was paired with Goyle, saw what was happening and gave a screech.

Hermione came over, pointed her wand at Draco and cried "Haltus Totalus!" as Madame Sprout came to the table.

"Good work, Miss Granger! You have stopped the acid from further doing damage."

"Why did you help him!" shouted Harry. "I would've done anything for you!"

His face was growing flushed as Hermione looked at him with a puzzled expression and a reddened face.

Harry's breathing became erratic.

"Oh, dear. He must be having some reaction to the acid. Ron, accompany Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy to the hospital wing with Mr. Potter." Madame Sprout looked about.

"Everyone else back to your seats! You still have blossoms to cut!"

"Come on, Harry." Hermione said gently, placing her arm around his shoulder to guide him out of the classroom.

"Get your hands off me!" Harry hissed, his eyes flashing again. Hermione removed her arm, her eyes filling with tears.

Ron stared at him, unable to believe that this was the person he had been a friend with for the past six years. As soon as they were out of the way of the greenhouse, Ron stopped, grabbing Harry's arm as he did.

"Hermione, will you be alright taking Malfoy to the hospital wing by yourself? I want to have a word with Harry."

Hermione nodded and carried on walking with Draco across the grounds.

"Harry what, may I ask, is your problem? First you lose your rag with Draco for wanting to help you, then you cause a plant to attack him and just stand there and would've watched the poison kill him if Hermione hadn't done something. Then you get mad at her for it! What, would you have just let him die?" Ron asked, gripping Harry's shoulders and shaking him slightly.

"Why not?" Harry asked sullenly.

"Because, Harry, you can't do that! Letting the acid kill him would be nothing short of murder. Harry, letting Malfoy die would be lowering yourself to Voldemort's level-"

He was cut off by Harry's hand closing around his throat and lifting him off the ground.

"HOW DARE YOU COMPARE ME TO HIM! THAT MONSTER KILLED MY PARENTS!" Harry yelled.

"Harry - let go... I can't breathe!" Ron gasped, clawing at Harry's hand.

"I AM BETTER THAN HIM! I AM STRONGER AND MORE POWERFUL THAN HE COULD EVER HOPE TO BE! THAT'S WHY HE WANTED ME DEAD!" The lightning flashes in Harry's eyes had been replaced by a throbbing red light within his pupils. "I AM RAMASHKA! STRONGER THAN THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH! ALL SHALL KNOW ME AND DESPAIR!"

Ron's face had turned a horrible shade of purple by now. "Harry..." he gasped. "You're Harry! Please, let go!"

The light disappeared as Harry suddenly realized what he was doing. He dropped Ron and backed away, a look of abject terror written on his face. "Oh God..." He whispered.

He stared at Ron then turned and ran for the Forbidden Forest.

"HARRY!" Ron shouted hoarsely. But Harry ignored him.

***

Ron ran towards the big oak doors of the school and banged them open. And ran into Professor Snape.

"Why is it, Mr. Weasley, that I'm always running into you in the entryway?" said Snape.

"Do ...you ...know...about...Harry," Ron gasped.

"I am aware of Mr. Potter's recent troubles ,yes."

"Something's happened." Ron informed him.

Professor Snape took Ron up to Dumbledore's office ("Bluebeard's BerryBalls") where he met with Hermione and Draco.

Draco's face was smeared with a clear potion, but other than that he looked fine.

Hermione asked "Where's Harry?"

Ron told the headmaster and the rest what had transpired outside the greenhouse after Hermione had left with Draco.

"I didn't go after him," he said in a wavering voice, "I should've."

"You did the right thing Mr. Weasley. We cannot now predict what is going to happen with Harry." Dumbledore continued, "Right now students will return to their classes and Severus will stay with me to help inform the other Professors as to what is happening."

"You three," he said as he stood up from behind his desk to come around the front, "Will go on about as usual. If anyone asks, Harry's fever has returned and he is quarantined in the hospital wing where he can receive no visitors. Owls will be sent to you tonight informing of what is going to happen."

"But, sir, we want to go with you to look for Harry!" Hermione cried.

"I'd like to find him for another reason," muttered Draco.

Ron looked like he was going to punch Malfoy.

"If you two will stop behaving like children, you will realize that going into the Forbidden forest to find an unstable student is not a good idea for those who have yet to finish their magical education," Snape snapped at them.

Dumbledore nodded. "Well put, Severus."

Turning to Ron, Draco and Hermione, he said; "You three will return to classes immediately. I will contact Sirius first this afternoon and he will be here by tonight. If there is any more news of Harry then we will inform you. I believe you all have Transfiguration now?"

With that, Dumbledore shooed them out of the room. Once they'd left, he turned to Snape.

"Headmaster-" Snape started before Dumbledore cut him off.

"Severus, please go and inform Professors Lupin, Flitwick and Trelawney. Their assistance will be needed later. I have to inform McGonagall and warn Hagrid about Harry. It won't do to have Harry kill one of his Professors, would it?"

Snape sighed and left. Dumbledore sat down and pulled from a drawer hidden under his desk a very old, battered book.

***

"What have I done?" Harry moaned. He sat down on a fallen tree stump and held his head in his hands. "Who am I?"

"But I'm not him! I can't be. I'm a good person! I wouldn't harm anybody!"

"NO! No, no, no, no." Harry covered his ears and rocked himself back and forth.

"Ramashka."

Harry looked up. In front of him stood the ghostly apparition of a woman-child he knew all too well.

"Hermione?" Harry breathed.

The woman's eyes blinked languidly at him. "I am Helene, Harry Potter. I've come to warn you. Though the prophesy of the one you call Ramashka can hold true, it is you who must make a choice. I died by his hand many centuries ago, as did your brother-friend, Randall. And now we are curse to roam not as ghost but as feeble shades of light that can only be seen by a blood connection. I tell you now, Harry Potter, you must fight. Or all will end and you friends will face a much worse fate than this."

The woman's form crackled and began to fade.

"Wait!" cried Harry. "I don't understand any of this! Why me? What do you mean by a 'blood connection'? I don't understand..." he repeated in a whisper as the form of Helene vanished.

He was scared. The power he had felt back there, when he had held Ron by the throat...

He craved it. The power that came from killing. The urge to see blood spilt was overwhelming and Harry was tired from the struggle to fight it. His mind and body was exhausted. All he wanted to do was to sleep. Give in, as long as he could give up this fight. But he knew that if he did that, there was no telling what he might do. Hermione... Helene, she had said that Hermione and Ron would suffer a fate worse than their past lives had.

"I can't let them die." Harry whispered.

For the first time in his life, Harry wanted more than anything for his mum to be there. To make everything better. Because that's what mothers do. They take the pain away. The suffering, everything. There had never been a time when he hadn't wished his parents were alive, but never a time when he wanted - no, needed his parents to be there.

And Harry felt angry. Bitter that Voldemort had taken his parents away from him.

Resentful that people like Malfoy did have parents.

The voice was back. But where it had been indistinguishable before, Harry now recognized it as his own voice.

"No..." But how can you fight against yourself?

"No! I will not harm my friends! Voldemort is dead! That's it! It's over!" Harry shouted. He was vaguely aware of how ridiculous he must look, shouting at thin air.

"Who I am? I'm Harry Potter. I'm a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I'm seventeen years old..." Harry tailed off. He felt like he was drowning. He could suddenly see it.

His parents being killed.

Then Harry couldn't remember what he had been fighting for. He knew who he was, what his destiny was. He was Ramashka.

"I accept."

***

Meanwhile at the castle Dumbledore, a frantic Hagrid joined Snape, McGonagall Trelawney, Lupin, and Flitwick.

"Was' happenin' w' Harry, sir?" cried Hagrid as he help up Dumbledore's summons in his great hand.

"If you will take a seat, Hagrid, I was just about to begin," Dumbledore told them all what had transpired the previous day and this day. "And I have taken the liberty of sending Harry's owl, Hedwig, to Sirius Black with a letter letting him know what is happening here. Mr. Weasley said the poor thing has been frantic without her wizard to keep company. Tonight we go into the forest and we will bring Harry back, no matter what. "

"And we will help him come back to us, he cannot be lost." Dumbledore's blue eyes turned to steel as he said these words.

"I'll notify the centaurs to be on the lookout, professor Dumbledore," said Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid. And make sure they alert other creatures that Harry is not to be harmed unless he tries to harm them," the headmaster suddenly looked very old and very tired, "He needs to come back...."

McGonagall clapped her hands and announced the meeting over. They were to meet at Hagrid's hut in two hours time.

She went to the Gryffindor common room and spotted Ron and Hermione huddled together on a couch by the fire.

"Professor!" Hermione exclaimed as she jumped up and ran over to professor McGonagall, "Has there been any word?"

"No, Miss Granger, I'm afraid there has not been any new news. We are leaving tonight to go into the forest to search for Harry. Tomorrow you will find that classes has been cancelled until further notice. We can't risk other students getting hurt. Professors Sprout, Hooch, and Pomfrey will remain at the school until we return from the forest. Madame Hooch is in charge for the duration..." McGonagall looked sad.

Are sure we can't come along?" asked Hermione.

"I'm quite sure," she said with a small smile. "As head girl, your place is here and Mr. Weasley doesn't need to worry his family by disappearing into the forest." Ron had lost his brothers Charlie and Percy at on of the final battles in the Dark War.

McGonagall exited the portrait hole. Hermione turned to Ron, whose fists were clenched tightly at his sides.

"I feel like I'm doing nothing! What if he needs us? What if he left clues only we know anything about? What if he's just lost? We need to go find him!"

"Ron." said Hermione calmly and the with more force, "Ron! McGonagall's right to leave us here. I don't think I could face an evil Harry and I don't think you could, either. The professors are experts and they will tell us when everything is all right again."

"You're right 'Mione, I need to be here. Ginny will need me now that her hero's missing in action," Ron grinned but his eyes didn't share in the merriment.

They turned as they heard the portrait hole open.

Harry stepped into the common room.

"H-Harry! How are you?" Ron asked nervously. "You gave us all quite a shock there. We thought you'd gone all evil and stuff."

Harry smiled at them both. "I'm fine, Ron. Never felt better, in fact. You see, in the forest there, I had time to think. About who I am. I never really believed in reincarnation or old souls before, did I? Imagine, not believing in what you are." He laughed, slightly maniacally.

"What do you mean, Harry?" Hermione asked, surreptitiously sliding her wand from the sleeve of her robes into her hand.

"Harry. Yes, that's what they call me now, isn't it. It wasn't my first name, though. Ramashka, that was it." Harry walked towards them, talking half to himself, it seemed.

"Harry, listen. You have got to fight him!" Ron said. "This isn't you! You are a good person-"

"Fight him?" Harry laughed. "Fight myself. Now that would look interesting. Ron, I am Ramashka. I have been reincarnated. I'm back, and I don't plan on leaving anytime soon. In fact, I intend to stay around forever. There's only one thing stopping me."

"What's that?" Hermione asked, or began to ask. At that moment, Colin Creevey entered the common room.

"Harry! Where were you yesterday? I can't believe you killed Voldemort! You're a hero!" Colin started, grinning happily at Harry.

"You know something, Colin? You really piss me off." Harry said, and before Ron or Hermione could stop him, he had conjured up a dagger and sent it straight into Colin's chest.

Harry turned back to them. "Now where was I?" He asked. "Oh yes," he held his hand out to Ron. "Your heart, please."

Ron gasped at the sudden pain in his chest. He sank to his knees, gasping for breath.

"Accio dagger!" Hermione screamed.

The dagger flew from Colin's body into Hermione's hand that, in turn threw it at Harry. It hit him straight into his stomach. Hissing in pain, Harry pulled it out, giving Ron enough time to get to his feet. He and Hermione sprinted past Harry towards the portrait hole.

"Not so fast!" Harry shouted.

Ron and Hermione realized they couldn't move. Hermione whimpered slightly as they heard Harry walking over to them.

"Now that hurt." Harry said, gripping Hermione's face hard. He stared at her for a moment. "It's a shame you're such a bitch. You could have been my queen." He whispered, caressing her face.

"Harry... Please..." Hermione begged. Just then, a chair crashed down on Harry's head, rendering him unconscious.

Harry lay unconscious on the floor. Ron and Hermione looked up, and for the first time in their lives they were actually happy to see Peeves. "P-Peeves," Ron choked out, "You saved us!"

He smiled happily, not his evil little manic grin, but a real smile, and zoomed out of the room.

Hermione and Ron fell to their knees in complete shock. Ron looked over to see one of his best friends white as a sheet, "Hermione? Are you alright?"

She didn't remove her eyes from Harry's body. She tilted her head to the side, still staring at him, and said, "He really is Ramashka isn't he?" tears began flowing from her eyes, "I understand now," she turned her head to look at Ron, "Through goodness, evil shall prevail."

"What does it mean?"

"Well, when he killed Voldemort (she could say his name now that he was dead) that was good. And through that, Ramashka returned to his mortal body or something." She stood up quickly and headed back towards the portrait hole.

"Uh, 'Mione. . .what are you doing?"

"We have to got tell Dumbledore! Right now!"

They raced across the grounds, passed Hagrid's cabin, and caught the group of professors just as they were about to enter the forest.

Hermione couldn't keep the tears from running down her face.

"He's in the common room! He, he killed Colin!" she blurted out.

Dumbledore wasted no time. He opened his arms and murmured a few words. The whole group appeared in the Gryffindor common room and spied a white-faced sobbing Ginny being held by a puzzled Neville.

"W...we heard all this n...noise. We...we were studying and h...heard all this n..noise," stuttered Neville.

Ron rushed over to his sister and held her.

Questions flew out of Ginny's mouth: "What happened? Why is Colin dead? Is this another drill?"

During the Dark Wars there had been many practical drills at Hogwarts to see how students would react to invasion by Death Eaters. Ron shook his head and tried to soothe his sister by murmuring encouraging words.

"Oh no!" said Hermione as she looked to the center of the room. There was a pile of broken furniture there.

Harry was gone.

***

Dumbledore turned to Flitwick and said; "Flitwick, set up some protective charms around the Gryffindor common room. Severus, set up a search party. We cannot let him wander around the castle in this state. Remus, can you-"

At that moment, Draco rushed into the room through the open portrait holding a book.

"Ron, Hermione! I think I've found something! Oh, professors. What's happened?" he asked.

Then he saw Colin's body.

"Oh god... What...?"

"Harry - Ramashka, whoever he is now, killed him. He attacked us. He would have killed us if Peeves hadn't knocked him out." Ron explained. "It looks as if there's something else he has to do before he becomes immortal. Kill me and Hermione."

"Mr. Malfoy, what is it that you've found?" Dumbledore asked. Draco looked at him blankly. Then he remembered why he'd come up it the first place.

"Um... I was in the library, trying to find out a bit more about Ramashka, you know, see why he went evil in the first place. This book" - here, he gestured to the book in his hands - "said that Ramashka's parents were killed by the Dark Lord Leork, when he was just a child. Basically what happened to Harry. It was his hate that drove him to destroy Leork. But it wasn't enough. After that, he began resenting those who had families and started killing them. He got power hungry, decided he wanted to live forever, so he... well we know what happened after that. Anyway, it got me thinking, what if there was some way we could summon someone from Harry's past. The spirits of his parents, for example. Maybe they could bring him back. I mean, they were Ramashka's parents too, weren't they?"

Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "You know... That just might work. Remus, do you know any summoning spells?"

"No, but I could write one, if that would work." Remus answered.

"We can actually write our own spells?" Hermione asked.

"Later, Hermione!" Ron snapped. Turning back to the professor he asked; "Do you really think it could work?"

"I don't know. It might. But it's a very difficult spell to work. I could write it, but I need more than one person to help call the spirits from the other side. Someone close to the person in question."

"Which brings me to my next point. Mr. Weasley, Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger, please come with me. There is something that needs explained to you." Dumbledore said, gesturing for them to follow him. "Remus, start writing that spell immediately. We can not lose Harry." He, along with Ron, Hermione and Draco, were about to leave when a familiar voice stopped them.

"Sirius!"

"Albus! What is going on!" Sirius demanded as he eyed Draco suspiciously.

"Sirius, come with me and the students to my office. I'm sure they'll fill you in on the way," Dumbledore lead them to the statue and said "chocolate kisses."

When they were settled in the office, Dumbledore took out the ancient book he had looked at earlier.

"In here is a way to stop Ramashka once and for all time."

***

Harry walked through the castle, "What h-have I done?!" he gasped.

Images flitted in his head, the last five minutes had been chaotic, and he'd killed Colin Creevey. He didn't especially love the kid, but he couldn't just kill him.

The voice was back.

"No! Go away! I'm not Ramashka. . . i-it was an accident!"

"NO!"

He heard footsteps coming from in front of him.

The footsteps were coming closer. "Oh, no!" Harry whispered.

"Ah, Mr. Potter." Professor Snape came up to him, a certain relief in his eyes.

Professor," Harry said, conjuring a knife into his hand behind his back. "What a pleasant surprise." As Snape got within slashing distance, Harry lashed out.

Snape dodged the knife then:

"Expelliarmus!"

The knife flew to him and he caught it.

"HARRY!" Hagrid called, rushing down the hall towards them.

Snarling, Harry whirled around, searching for a way of escape. Spotting a window above him, he took a running leap at the wall and seemed to crawl the rest of the way up. Pausing on the windowsill, he glared down at the two professors. Then he jumped, landing silently on the ground below.

Harry didn't say a word. He couldn't be bothered to argue back.

I AM HARRY POTTER!

Harry stopped in his tracks, clutching his head in pain.

"What happened to Ramashka?" Harry asked, stalking across the grounds of Hogwarts.

"Hagrid is not an oaf!" Harry shouted, but his voice lacked the conviction of his words.

Harry looked down at his hand where a knife glimmered in the moonlight. A dangerous smile crept over his features as he turned and crept back to the castle, ignoring the voice within him screaming that this was wrong.

***

"I'm sorry, Sirius, I really am. We're doing everything we can to bring him back." Ron and Hermione had just finished explaining what had happened to Harry over the last couple of days.

Sirius shook his head in despair. "Harry. Why you? Haven't you suffered enough?" He murmured, his blue eyes clouded over with worry.

"Not to worry, Sirius, we've got a plan worked out. Now, Ron you do know about the squib in your family, is that correct?" When Ron nodded, he continued. "Well, Harry's mother, Lily, was in fact your mother's second cousin, which means that you and Harry are..."

"Related." Ron whispered.

"But sir," said Hermione, "why hasn't anyone told Ron or Harry? Surely the Weasleys must know."

"Miss Granger, after Voldemort attacked Harry's family, the Ministry felt it prudent that any knowledge of magical relatives be purged. Since the only ones who were aware of the relationship were the Arthur and Molly Weasley, and to a lesser extent, Ron's older siblings, they felt memory charms would be sufficient to protect them. And it has worked, much to my protests. Voldemort never suspected and in the end, I could not fault the Ministry for their interference."

Dumbledore sighed.

"Ron, you are the only hope we have to save Harry. Because Harry had the unfortunate accident to be born with an appearance that cried out to the soul of Ramashka, his soul is battling to save itself. And he appears to be losing."

"What can Hermione and I do?" asked Sirius.

"You two, along with Draco, will be the hearts of Harry. Ron is his soul anchor. We need to prepare for battle." With that said Dumbledore got up and was about to make his way out of the room when Hagrid burst in.

"Harry! He's barricaded himself in Astronomy Tower! He tried to kill Snape, but the professor defended himself."

"I'll go with Hagrid," said Dumbledore as he handed the book to Hermione, "There is a spell in here that must be made perfectly, the Soul Switch spell. It will make Ramashka leave Harry long enough to talk to only him. Only he can tell us what he wants.

Remember, everything is a choice; we can only choose to be who we are." He left with Hagrid.

Ron said, "I guess we go visit Moaning Myrtle."

Hermione nodded and they lead a puzzled Sirius down the stairs.

Once the four of them, Ron, Hermione, Draco and Sirius, were settled in the girl's toilets, pointedly ignoring Moaning Myrtle's sobs from the bottom cubicle, Hermione pulled the book out from underneath her robes and opened it at the relevant page.

"OK, so according to this we need five crystals to form a pentagram. We set four of them in the middle of a room and lure Harry into the middle of the pentagon. As soon as he is in place, someone must place the fifth crystal back straight away-"

"I'll do that." Sirius volunteered. Hermione nodded in agreement and carried on.

"This will form - oh wait! I forgot something. the lines of the pentagram must be formed with salt. This, along with the crystals, will become a protective force field around the person, therefore preventing him a means of escape."

"Won't that hurt him, though?" Draco asked. "If he runs into the force field, that is."

"Better have him hurt but alive and good, than have him die evil." Ron pointed out.

"After that, someone speaks the spell and we should be able to talk to Harry temporarily." Hermione finished. She flipped through a few pages until she found the aforementioned spell. "Oh dear."

"What?" The other three asked.

" 'Mind to mind, soul to soul, switch to me, I call you out.' It's a switching spell, I should've realized this when Dumbledore said the name. . . Someone needs to play host to Ramashka for a short time."

"I'll do that." Draco said.

Ron started to protest, but Draco cut him off.

"Think about it; if I'm Ramashka's host, then you can kill me and Ramashka will be gone."

Hermione shook her head. "It doesn't work like that. Your body will die, leaving Ramashka free to inhabit Harry's body again. And locking you away won't work, either. Ramashka's unstoppable, Draco. He would kill you and take back his body. You can play host to him long enough for us to speak to Harry, but he will go back to Harry after. It's the only way for us to destroy Ramashka's soul." Hermione said. "To end the spell, we just say 'finite incantem'. I think we should give the switching spell a go first. Make sure it works."

"I'll do it." Ron said.

"OK. When we do this for real, Draco will have to be in the pentagram with Harry, but for now the two of you could just touch hands and that'll work."

Ron and Draco sat opposite each other and gingerly placed their hands together as Hermione read the spell. There was a flash of light and Ron and Draco sprung apart, their faces twin masks of confusion.

"Christ, this is weird!" Draco/Ron said, staring at Ron/Draco.

"For once, I would find myself inclined to agree with you." Ron/Draco said.

"So I'm guessing it worked?" Hermione asked. When they nodded, she quickly said "finite incantem" and switched them back.

"OK. We'll try it a few more times then we'll go see Dumbledore."

***

"Professor, I've written the spell." Remus Lupin said. catching up with Hagrid and Dumbledore.

"That was quick." Dumbledore said, taking the sheet of parchment from Remus and reading over it.

"I wrote it from the heart, Professor." Remus said.

Dumbledore nodded. "I think this is going to work. If the Switching Spell works, then you, Ron,, Sirius and either Draco or Hermione must recite it immediately. If Harry sees his parents, it might help him make the right choice."

Just then, Ron, Hermione and Draco came running up them, followed closely by a slightly out of breathe Sirius.

"Sir, the spell works!" Hermione said happily.

"I know I wouldn't want to be a Weasley. All that red hair. Eeech." Draco made a face.

Ron glared at Draco, "At least I'm not all one color. You could get lost in a white fog!"

Sirius cleared his throat. "Perhaps you two can discuss physical appearances later? Hermione needs our help."

Hermione suggested that they go to the Arithmancy classroom as it was the bottom of the Astronomy Tower's stairs. They gathered there and Hermione took out the borrowed crystals. She handed one each to Ron, Draco, Sirius, Hagrid, and Dumbledore. Hermione herself would need to be free to keep repeating the incantation. Snape stood by her to keep watch on the proceedings. Lupin stood on her other side, ready to do his spell.

She poured salt in the shape of a pentagon on the classroom floor and directed those holding the crystals to stand at each corner.

"Now all we need is Harry," she said.

"He'll come. He won't be able to stand having us all here and not take the chance to kill us," Ron said with a bit of contempt in his voice.

He was right. No sooner were those words spoken when Draco gasped. They looked where he stared.

Ramashka was here.

***

"Everyone, get into your positions." Dumbledore whispered.

Following his instruction, Remus, Hermione and Sirius withdrew into the corner of the room, Sirius crouching down, ready to place the last crystal in the pentagram. Draco stood in the middle of the pentagram waiting for him. Ron stepped forward. He would use himself as bait.

"Hello Ramashka." He said coldly.

Ramashka didn't say a word. Never taking his eyes off Ron for a second, he walked into the room ever so slowly.

Ron started backing away, careful not to disturb the pentagram as he went. He stopped as soon as he was at the edge of the pentagram, ready to leap out as soon as Harry was in the center. "That's right. Come and get me."

Slowly, Ramashka raised his hand towards Ron, not slowing or quickening his pace as he did. Ron gasped in pain, almost falling to his knees. Now he knew what Ramashka was doing. He was summoning Ron's heart from within his chest.

"Come on, come on." Draco growled, looking worriedly at Ron.

Still Ramashka didn't quicken his pace. Ron could now feel his heart pressing against his ribcage, threatening to tear way from his chest.

Hermione looked up at Remus. "Where are his glasses?" She whispered. He shushed her and they turned back to the horror playing out before them.

"Come on, just a little bit closer..." Sirius muttered.

Then Ramashka stepped over the crystals and was in the pentagram.

"NOW!" Dumbledore shouted. Hermione pulled Ron out of the pentagram as Sirius placed the final crystal on the floor, completing the pentagram. There was a blinding white light and a strong gust of wind knocked Remus, Ron, Hermione and Sirius back into the wall behind them.

When they could see again, they saw Ramashka and Draco still standing where they had been before. Ramashka saw them and, giving a roar of anger, charged towards them. But something stopped him. As he came the edge of the pentagram, he ran into the force field and was sent flying across to the other side of his and Draco's confinements.

"Hermione, the spell! Now!" Dumbledore yelled.

Opening the book, Hermione screamed; "Mind to mind, soul to soul, come to me, I call you out!"

What looked like a thin bolt of lightening hit Draco and he fell to floor with a cry of pain. When he looked up, they saw that the pupils of his eyes were red, like the dying embers of a fire.

"What have you done?" He hissed. Everyone stared at him. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" He ran at them, but stopped suddenly when he reached the edge of the pentagram.

Behind him, Harry groaned.

"Harry!" Hermione shouted.

Harry looked up, his eyes filled with amazement. "Wha..? How?"

Hermione and Ron felt a hand on their shoulders. "Now." Remus whispered. He pulled out the piece of parchment and Ron, Hermione and Sirius gathered around him, reading it over his shoulder:

"Spirits of the earth and sky;

Cross the veil of the great divide;

Come to us, we call you near;

Come Speedily, conveniently and without delay!"

"Ron, read this, it's the only way we can get Lily and James to cross over." Remus said, handing Ron another bit of parchment.

Taking a deep breath, Ron said;

"Lily and James, blood of my blood, cross over and speak with us once more."

There was another blinding light, only this time it didn't disappear entirely. As it dimmed, they saw a misty light hovering within the pentagram. And in the center of it stood Lily and James Potter.

***

Ramashka/Draco glowered at them but made no move to stop them from appearing.

Harry grew confused. "What's happening? I can't see anything!" He squinted at the glowing figures of his parents.

Ron, huffing and puffing, said to Hermione, "He doesn't have his glasses on! Will this even work if he can't see anything?"

"Magic can get into the pentagram but nothing can come out," Hermione got out her wand and pointed it at Harry, "Occulus Veer."

Harry blinked quickly and gasped.

"Harry, listen to them. Time is short. Draco won't be able to hold Ramashka much longer," Dumbledore encouraged him.

Harry looked at the group around the pentagram; his friends--family really--and nodded.

"Mum, Dad?" Harry questioned querulously.

The apparitions gave huge smiles to their son.

Lily looked tranquil but was fighting tears.

"Harry, Ramashka is a child of Darkness born under a false moon and teaches false things. Nothing he says has any truth in it. Your soul is stronger that you think. Only one pure of soul and proud of heart could have defeated the Dark Lord. Your friends only magnified what is in by being by your side and staying with you through all your trials. Your time is not over," she looked to her husband.

"Harry, son, how lucky your mother was to have held you for one last time before the Dark Lord took us. As someone wise once said, 'Death is but the next great adventure;' it is too true. If you let Ramashka take over, you will no longer exist. Neither will you join us. He speaks falseness as if it were the truth and feels in his heart what he's saying is true. Sincerity does not mean honesty, remember that. We could not help him in our previous existence. Now it is your turn to fight." James smiled another, sadder, smile at his son.

The Potters joined hands and said, "We leave you now," and vanished.

Harry's face was covered with tears.

Ramashka/Draco ran up to him and knocked him to the ground, "I want what's mine! Let me back in!"

"NO!" shouted Harry, "I won't let you!"

His cries were in vain; as soon as they were uttered, a great flash of light passed between Draco and Harry. Dumbledore had ended the spell.

Then Harry smiled with pure malevolence.

Harry threw off his glasses and started towards Draco. "Oh God! They're locked in the pentagram! Harry's going to kill him!" Hermione shrieked.

Draco backed up against the invisible wall, and without looking away from Ramashka hissed," Get me out, now!"

A shiny silver dagger appeared in Ramashka's hand, as he was only inches away from Draco. He raised the dagger and threw it at Draco. Draco jumped away landing on the floor. When he looked up, he screamed," Help me!"

But he was cut short as the dagger was plunged into his side, spilling crimson blood everywhere. . .

Ramashka yanked the knife out and with a wave of his hand it disappeared. "You friend has strong blood, too bad he's dying."

Hermione grabbed Ron's hand. "I read somewhere that magic is intensified if two wizards work together. Do you know the Maleus Memoriam spell?"

Ron nodded, "Yes, DADA, Sixth year."

"Say it with me now!"

They both pointed their wands at Draco and shouted "Memoriam magnificat!"

Draco froze in a state of stasis as a golden glow enveloped him. It would have to do until they could get him to the hospital wing.

Ramashka approached the force field and ran his hands down the sides.

"Such a clever little spell." He said. "For a moment, I thought you might have gotten the better of me. Now. If we've had quite enough of playing these silly little games-" here, he glared at them all - "I'll take what's mine and be gone."

He reached our again, this time to both Ron and Hermione. But he didn't know magic couldn't leave the force field holding him and inside the pentagram. They saw his spell rebound off the invisible wall back towards him. Quick as lightning, Harry ducked the spell before putting a stop to it.

"Harry!" Ron shouted. "Listen to me. I am your cousin. We are blood related! Please, Harry. Fight him!"

Harry looked as if he was struggling in some kind of internal battle. "I can't." He whispered. "He's so strong."

"I know. But you're stronger. You've got to fight him, Harry! For me. For your family." Ron said, tears beginning to prick his eyes.

"I don't know how." Harry said.

Dumbledore stepped forward, pulling a metallic object out of his robes as he did. "Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, come here please." He said, gesturing for them to come closer to him.

"What's that for?" Hermione asked, looking at the object.

"This, Miss Granger, is a time turner. It's a bit more advanced than the one you used in the third year. It can be set to take you back to a completely different era of your choice. Given the circumstances, I think it is time it was used."

"You mean... send us back to Ramashka's time? When he did the sacrifice to Hades?" Hermione asked.

"Yes. But when you do, you shall be transported into the bodies of your former selves. There you must help Harry change the course of his past life. It's the only way to stop Ramashka."

"But what if we can't stop him? What'll happen to Harry?" Ron asked.

Dumbledore looked grim. "Then it will be your job to kill Ramashka, even if it means losing Harry."

Ron and Hermione nodded reluctantly. Dumbledore stepped up to the pentagram.

"Harry. Come to the edge of the pentagram. Sirius, get ready to remove the crystal."

Ramashka glared at Dumbledore but did as the professor said. "Your silly toys cannot stop me."

Dumbledore set the time turner and handed it to Ron and Hermione. "Turn it once as soon as you have a hold of Harry. Are you ready, Sirius? NOW!"

Sirius removed the crystal and Ron and Hermione rushed forward, Ron grabbed Harry's arm as Hermione turned the time turner. There was a gust of wind, stirring the dust on the floor around then. When it settled, Ron, Hermione and Harry were gone. When the wind stopped, the trio grasped at one another to avoid falling over into a heap. They had arrived on a plain with curious plants growing all about. A gentle breeze blew.

***

"Oh my god, I feel like my head's going to explode!" said Harry.

Older and slightly different versions of Ron and Hermione looked at each other.

"Harry?" asked Hermione.

Ron had picked up a sharp rock and held it Harry's throat. "Is it really you, mate?"

"What happened; why are you different?" He looked down at himself, at his hands which were covered in scrolling tattoos, "And when did I get tattoos? The Dursleys are gonna kill me."

"Harry!" Hermione squealed.

"Geesh, 'Mione act like you haven't seen me in ages," his now scar-free face and now hazel eyes grinned at her.

"You don't remember?" Ron asked the still puzzled Harry.

"The last thing I can clearly remember is the Express pulling into Hogsmeade. I do remember other things, but they are like a bad dream. Like I wasn't really there, only watching and being frightened at a distance. I mean, I could not have killed Colin Creevey no more than you guys--or anyone for that matter."

Hermione blanched. Ron bit his lip and looked up at the cloudy sky, as if for guidance.

"I think you had better sit down," Hermione stated.

She proceeded to tell him about the past few days. He grew paler the more she told him. When she got to the point where his parents were summoned, his eyes brightened as if a switch had been flicked.

"I remember now. I didn't get a chance to talk to them," he whispered.

Hermione continued and explained what they were doing here.

"We need to re-group. You need to fight this, Harry. You and Ramashka are not the same person, your magics are not the same! There has to be something in you that can fight him. You are so much stronger than he is! I know you're tired of fighting, but surrender is the coward's way out!" Hermione's cheeks grew red from her passionate speech.

Ron nodded in agreement, "Harry, Ramashka may be powerful, but he is arrogant, too. Everyone is in his way to become immortal. He killed us without remorse and will do it again if you let him. Blimey Harry, we've been through all this! When Voldemort as defeated, you said to us 'we've got the whole world now.' Well, we still do! Only one stupid, arrogant git is standing in our way!" He then switched gears, surprising both Harry and Hermione with his insight, "We need to know what happened over the summer. Did anything unusual happen?"

Harry, who was nodding in agreement with everything this older, wiser looking Ron was saying got up and began to pace, brow furrowed in concentration.

He spit out random questions: "I'm afraid to think. Why isn't he here? Where are the people these bodies belong to? The summer, it feels like ages ago..."

"Try to think, Harry." Hermione said. "I think I can explain what's happened here, though. The time turner sent us way back into the past, to when all this started so we could stop it. But because of the circumstances, we've been transported somehow into the bodies of out past lives - which will explain why you have tattoos, brown eyes and are missing your scar."

Harry wasn't really listening. He was beginning to remember what happened at the beginning of the summer after he, Ron and Hermione had defeated Voldemort.

"After Voldemort was defeated, later in the summer... I began having strange dreams that I didn't understand. It started with me killing some Dark Lord or other - Leork, that was it! God, what a name, eh? Anyway, after that, the dreams started getting really bad. I was killing people just like Voldemort had done. And I didn't care. In fact... I enjoyed it. Then I saw myself looking for a spell to make me immortal. I began hearing voices inside my head, even when I was awake. When I looked in the mirror, there were times when I saw his face... this face. Then one day I was in my bedroom doing my homework when I heard a voice from the mirror. 'That's odd,' I though. I mean, mirrors only talk in the wizarding world, right? So I went over to see what it was and -"

Harry broke off, covering his face with his hands. "Oh God, it was awful. There was a face. Its skin was grey and peeling, and covered in bloody scabs. His eyes were pure black, no white, no color, nothing. His hair was pure white and matted with dirty brown-colored blood."

Again, Harry had to stop. Turning his back on Ron and Hermione, he threw up, the very memory of that face making his stomach churn. Ron and Hermione rubbed and patted his back until he could stand upright again.

"Did you know who it was?" Ron asked.

Harry nodded, wiping his hand across his mouth. "Hades. He told me who I was, what I had to do to achieve immortality. I tried to forget about it, but..." He shook his head hopelessly.

"Oh Harry." Hermione whispered, putting her arms around him. "We're going to help you. You'll see, everything's going to be OK." They sat like that for a while, the three of them, holding onto each other for comfort.

Then, suddenly, Ron jumped up.

"That's it!" Harry and Hermione looked up at him in surprise. "Lupin's spell gave me the idea. 'Blood of my blood'. Harry, you will have to face Hades again here, Hades knows that. But he thinks you're going to sacrifice us again, but instead, you have to forsake that, take back the hearts you offered him in the first place, so to speak. That's Hades defeated - for us, anyway. This should leave weaken Ramashka considerably. Then, if you perform a binding spell, binding the three of us to each other, as Harry, Ron and Hermione, students of Hogwarts in the 21st century, then Ramashka will leave you. It's that simple!" Ron said, his face flushed with excitement.

"Not that simple." Harry said. "I'll still have to battle Ramashka for dominance of body."

"You can do it, Harry. I know you can!" Hermione said.

"Just think, Harry! You've got a family to go home to. Me and Fred and Ginny and Bill. Mum and dad! Sirius is waiting for you! Just think of everyone in your life who wants you to come back. Your life, Harry. You. Not Ramashka. Just be strong." Ron said, shaking Harry's arm to emphasize his point.

Harry nodded. "What's that?" He asked, pointing to a cave behind them.

"I don't know." Hermione said.

But Harry didn't hear her. He felt as if he was being drawn towards the cave. It had begun. The final battle. As the three of them entered the cave, the ground beneath their feet shook and a large crack appeared in front of them. Harry fell to his knees in fear as slowly, ever so slowly, a figure rose above them.

The figure larger than a thousand men, loomed above them.

"It's him," Harry whispered, "Hades."

Hermione quickly told them, "I don't think magic will work here. Besides, we haven't any wands." She pointed at a stone and said "wingardium leviosa." The stone did not move. "I was afraid of this."

The ground heaved like a bucking horse.

She shrieked and held onto Ron as the ground threatened to make them fall.

Pitch eyes glared down at them and a hundred voices hisses, "You do not belong here. Where is Ramashka? I have come as he bid for my sacrifices."

Instinct took over as Harry stepped in front of his friends.

"I AM RAMASHKA!" Harry bellowed at the god. "YOU ARE MINE TO COMMAND THIS DAY." He glared at the fearsome figure.

Ron and Hermione grasped each other's hands tightly.

Hermione was murmuring to herself. "He needs to do this on his own."

Hades eyes flared as he said, "Perhaps I was wrong. You are indeed my commander." He bowed to Harry. "I give you immortality and you give me the souls of you strongest companions; you take the heart of the male for it will make you stronger than any army that wishes to defeat you."

Ron and Hermione cowered. They truly were frightened and they both knew they had to play along.

Harry turned slightly and placed his trembling hands in back of him as he made a sweeping gesture. "These two are not worthy sacrifices. They would not forsake me and I would do no harm to them. Our pact is cancelled. I command you to go back from where you came!"

Hades roared in disbelief, but the power that called him could not keep him there. He sank back into the earth as it mended itself.

Harry, with trembling knees, sank down to the ground.

"I never thought that I would be saved by Aunt Petunia's favorite purple prose."

"What?" asked Ron.

When I would be locked in my room with the Dursley's junk, the only thing that kept me occupied were discarded books," he grinned, "It seems they were good for something."

A sobbing Hermione threw her arms around Ron and Harry as the wind whisked them back to their time to finish what they started.

As the wind died down once more, the three of them found themselves back in the Arithmancy classroom. Dumbledore, Sirius and Remus were waiting for them, as were Ron's family. As soon as they had broken apart, Ron was engulfed in a giant hug from his family.

"Fred, I love you and all that, but I need to breathe!" Harry heard Ron say as his older brother hugged him tight. He looked at Sirius who held his arms out to him and allowed himself to be drawn into a hug from him.

"So is that it, then?" Sirius asked. "Is Ramashka gone for good now?"

"Is he, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.

Harry thought for a moment. "Yes." He replied finally. "And no. He's given up; he's still there, only... he's forgiven everyone. I suppose it's because Ramashka is and was always a part of me. A part of who I am. I'll never forget what I've done - now or as Ramashka back then. But I'm Harry Potter now. This doesn't make sense, does it?" He said laughing slightly.

"I know what you mean. I remember everything now. My past life. Like you said, it's a part of us, you, me and Ron. I think everyone has it. A past life, I mean. It's just not everyone is aware of it," Hermione said.

"Very good, Miss Granger. You, Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley are what are known as Old Souls, meaning you can remember your past lives and learn from their mistakes. It is very rare that this happens. The three of you have been blessed." Dumbledore said.

"Harry?"

Harry turned around to face Mrs. Weasley.

"Harry, before the three of you got back, Professor Dumbledore filled us in on your connection to us and we have come to the agreement that, until Sirius' name is cleared by the Ministry, you are welcome to live us, if you want," she said.

Harry's eyes widened and she looked from her to Ron to the rest of the Weasley family disbelievingly. "Do... do you mean it?" He asked.

"Of course we do!" Ron said.

Harry didn't know what to say at first. "I-I... yes! I would love that!" He said finally. Then he found himself at the center of a many-armed hug.

"That reminds me. How's Draco?" Harry asked.

"He'll be fine." Remus said. "It looked a lot worse than it really was. He's in the hospital wing now. He'll be back in full health within a day or two."

"Pity." Fred muttered. It had been Draco's dad who had been responsible for George's death.

"Fred!" Ron exclaimed. "Draco has been helping us throughout all of this. If it hadn't been for him we might not have been able to save Harry."

"He's right." Harry said. "Don't hold a grudge against Draco for his father's actions. If you do then that hate will eat away at you and twist you into something not unlike Voldemort or Ramashka. I learned that the hard way."

Fred stared at the two wizards and the young witch in front of them, feeling slightly abashed. "Since when did the three of you get so smart?" he asked.

"About a couple of thousand years ago." Hermione replied, making them all laugh.

"Come on, now. Away to bed, the three of you." Dumbledore said. "Remember, you've got classes tomorrow."

The students looked at him, confused for a moment. They'd almost forgotten about the school year ahead of them. Then, bidding the Weasleys and the staff goodnight, they left the classroom and headed for the Gryffindor tower. As they left, their voices could be heard as they drifted further out of earshot.

"Well how was that for an adventure, Harry?"

"Not bad at all, Ron. Not bad at all."

"Yes, it's certainly been a strange couple of days, hasn't it? Oh well, it'll be back to studying tomorrow. We've got out N.E.W.T.S to focus on this year."

"Oh Hermione!"

THE END.