Ch: 36-38 (End) - Cultivation/HP Fics

Chapter 36: The Inevitable Event

Now that they had knowledge of the Second Task, both Harry and Hermione mad sure to increase their training sessions with Sebastian and, at times, Sirius and Remus, all the while having Lily and Severus watch their health and ensure they stayed safe and strong. Harry had a sneaking suspicion that the Second Task was when he would meet with his Last Knight and he was more than prepared to bring his plans ahead for the sake of the completion of his Circle.

However, as January started to pass them by, Hermione asked Harry for a private meeting in the Lion's Wing one Saturday afternoon: everyone else was down at Hogsmeade for a post-holiday weekend so they were more or less alone; seated in the now commonly used Common Room of the Wing, Harry held Hermione in his arms as he asked her, "What's wrong Kitten? You're giving me a bit of a headache with your negative emotions: are you scared?"

"It's…it's just…I was worried," Hermione answered, her hands actually trembling in Harry's hands as he held onto her, "I…I don't know much about the Third Task, but, on a point, what if the mystery opponent is someone with a grudge against you?"

"You mean Dumbledore?" asked Harry, Hermione nodding as she tried not to show any weakness around her betrothed: they had spent the day after the Yule Ball in a real festive mood with their family and that had brought the kind of smile back to Harry's face that hadn't been seen since Hermione had kissed him after he'd sat on his throne in Camelot Castle. Hugging his girl close to his body, Harry tried to calm her nerves, "If he tries anything and I say if, then I have more than enough power to take him head-on: on the other hand," as he said this, he ran a soft hand through Hermione's dark hair as he continued. "I have nothing to fear because this little duelling competition will prove once and for all that my powers are as strong as I say they are; it doesn't matter what I have to do for the Tournament or for us Mione, I will emerge victorious through it all."

"Thank you Harry," sighed Hermione, now resting her head on his lap as she tried to get over her doubts, "But what about the maze? The prophecy that Artemis gave you said that you'd meet Tom when the four become one, but now there's five of us, how will it change things?"

"It won't," Harry answered her, "I will meet with Tom sooner or later and I will give him my blood willingly; if I have to, I'll add Excalibur's magic to whatever ritual brings him back to ensure that I come back as the leader of a completed Order of Knights. Trust in me Hermione and I will always come back to you."

"You know," Hermione smiled, now lifting her head so that she could kiss his lips, "You always sound so strong when you speak as the leader that you are: how do you know that you'll survive what the Tournament has ahead?"

"Because," Harry replied, guiding her aside so that he could stand up; turning back to her, Harry winked before he shed his robes, exposing his pale chest and body, "I'm not going to wait any longer; not with this change of plans."

"Y-You mean?" asked Hermione, gasping at the sight of her betrothed looking so strong and so healthy: it was like he was a whole new person again.

"I do," Harry told her, "If you want to Hermione; this way, we have time to explore our advanced power before the Second Task: but only if you…"

He didn't get to finish as Hermione wrapped her arms around him, placing a passionate kiss on his lips as she pushed him back, their magic meeting as their emotions heightened…

HPHG

Down in Hogsmeade, Neville and Luna suddenly stopped dead in their tracks, Luna gasping as she dropped the Butterbeer she was holding; the reason for their reaction was the wave of magic that had passed between the two soul-bonded Holy Knights; looking to his girl, Neville asked, "Harry?"

"And Hermione," Luna answered, before she giggled as she told him, "Oh well; it was inevitable, but what could…this mean?"

"Maybe it's our power," Neville suggested, "The Arch-Knight and Arch-Mage have been found so the Knights are formed together and become who we're meant to be: I mean," he lifted a hand and summoned a ball of white flames that seemed to waver like a candle flame in the breeze, "I can actually feel the fire inside me: it's like there's a dragon within me."

"I…I know what you mean," Luna gasped, "I…I can feel the very air around me: it seems to tingle with magic that I can see now that…well now that it's official. Why do you think they advanced their plans anyway Neville?"

"Why else?" asked Neville, "Now they'll be bonded in every way and Hermione will have access to the power of the elements as a whole: these bonuses give them an advantage in the Tournament and they can help one another without realising it."

"Isn't that…cheating?" asked Luna, ordering another drink as she listened to her bonded, "Helping one another like that."

"Luna," Neville sighed, moving around the table as he kissed his girl on her cheek; lowering his voice, the Knight of Fire told her, "Harry's King of Camelot and Lord and owner of Hogwarts: who cares?"

HPHG

Lily Evans was busy grading her newest assignments from her fourth-year class when she too suddenly stopped dead, a warm tingling magic rushing through her Light-Blessed body; looking around, the Holy Knight of Light just sighed before she shook her head.

"You and I are going to have words when this is done young man," she whispered, her voice trying and failing to carry to Harry.

It was a good thing that Sirius wasn't a Holy Knight because, if he could feel this, he would have a field day and Lily would have to put him back in the doghouse.

'Come out of this safe my son,' she thought, before returning to her work.

HPHG

Fleur and Gabrielle Delacour were busy researching methods for the next task when they felt the wave of magic pass over them; unlike the other Knights, they didn't panic: instead, Fleur held onto her younger sister before she whispered, /Our leaders have become their true forms./

/We are one,/ Gabrielle told her, both of them remaining together before the wave passed them, allowing the Knight of Terra and Thunder to return to their research.

Fleur, reading through several ways to harness the earth for her task, already knew who would emerge victorious in all of this…

HPHG

In a seemingly abandoned house in the south of England, a weakened, but very much alive corpse suddenly snapped his head up, a pair of dark brown eyes suddenly flashing blood red as a wave of magic passed through him, something inside him snapping from the life he'd so desperately held onto for all these years.

Rising with some difficulty from the chair he was seated in, the figure, a weaker, but still very much alive form of Tom Riddle, once known as the Dark Lord Voldemort, stared out over the graveyard near to his family home, a look of hope filling his eyes as he whispered, "See you soon Harry."

Even as he said the words, an aura of darkness rose from the earth and enveloped the body, its magic growing stronger, but Tom knew he wouldn't be truly alive until the part of him that was Voldemort was dead and buried.

And for that, he needed Harry James Potter; Arch-Knight of the Elemental Order…

HPHG

Indeed, just as the Holy Knights felt one surge of magic pass through their bodies, all around Hogwarts, the portraits, ghosts and even the suits of armour shuddered as magic flowed through the cores of their being, the suits of armour rattling as the magic seemed to clean their rusted and slightly damaged appearances.

In the Headmistress' office, Fawkes and the Sorting Hat seemed to glow with recognition of what was happening, both of them giving a cry of power and strength that flowed through all of Hogwarts.

In the Lion's Wing, a certain Founder's portrait joined in the crying song that echoed between him and his three counterparts;

Down in the Chamber of Secrets, a certain statue actually opened its eyes and joined in the cry;

Up in the Room of Requirement, a violet-coloured apparition rose from a diadem and, raising her head to the sky, let out her song of succession and empowerment;

Deep within the network of Hogwarts' House Elves, an ancient spirit awoke again, her eyes looking upon her descendants and her founding children and, watching them, she smiled before joining in the song.

HPHG

Harry snapped his eyes open as the sound of Hogwarts' song hit him hard, his magic spiking while next to him, her hair slightly dishevelled from the actions of their completing the bond between them, Hermione turned over in her sleep and, opening her mouth, seemed to let out a mournful, but power-induced tune that reminded Harry of the songs of the siren from mythology.

'What is happening?' he asked himself, looking all around, the school's song of power and succession making his blood rush with raw power, 'I don't regret what I did, but why…'

'Magic itself is singing our praise my love,' Hermione told him, her bright brown eyes now back to normal as she looked to Harry, who – though he wouldn't discover it until later – now bore a pair of strong, magically-transformed golden-coloured eyes that burned like the sun. 'We and the Knights are the only ones who hear her: I know you don't regret it and I thank you for it.'

'What do we do Kitten?' asked Harry, before his question seemed to be answered as a tendril of magic flowed through his body, his mind feeling like it had been blown up from the inside; falling back onto the bed – when had he been taken here? – Harry gasped as his mind became one with the song of magic, the tune making the very core of his magical being come alive. Soon, a glorious smile crossed Harry's face as he found both he and Hermione bathed in light, the magic of Hogwarts supporting them; looking to her, Harry asked, 'Hermione?'

'Yes Harry?' asked Hermione, her body tingling as the magic of their bond's aftermath washed over them.

'We may be bonded,' he told her, 'But don't expect me to hold back now that the deed is done and we are well and truly one.'

'What kind of King would go easy when he has all this power?' asked Hermione, before she pushed Harry onto the bed and kissed him again, both of them allowing the magic to fill them as Hermione added, 'Not to mention what kind of husband would you be if…'

'Shit,' Harry swore, earning a light tap from Hermione, 'I forgot completing the bond would mean that: oh Merlin, Uncle Dan's going to have my head when he puts two and two together.'

'Then he'll have to go through the Queen of Camelot to get to you,' Hermione told her husband, Harry sighing with contentment as she let herself be pulled into his embrace.

"And I wouldn't have it any other way my love," he whispered, both of them allowing their relaxing periods to be brought upon them as the song and magic of Hogwarts finally passed over them.

The biggest adventure of their lives was now over…and their destiny was all that lay ahead of them;

HPHG

When the adults found out about what Harry and Hermione had done – at least those who didn't know already – the King of Camelot was right when he said Dan would hit the roof: he was given a rather stern lecture and told not to try anything too big just yet. Harry put that down to Dan being a Father and translated it to mean he didn't want to be a Grandfather just yet; a fact that Harry agreed with him about wholeheartedly: he didn't really want to be a Dad until after he left Hogwarts.

Sirius, as Lily had predicted, made a joke about Harry becoming a man; a comment that had him chained to a cramped doghouse for the rest of the weekend when Lily was finished with him, though neither of them could deny how they felt for their wards and allies.

Sebastian and the Order saw fit to increase their training of the new, and officially-crowned King and Queen of Camelot, Harry and Hermione both discovering surprises in their power as the rest of January passed them by and February crept up on them, bringing with it the date of the Second Task. It seemed that, now he was officially, fully and completely in synch with Hermione and the powers of the elements, Harry had an easier time commanding their power and their strength: he also learned about the command of the creatures associated with each element and some rather unique skills, such as using fire to shroud him from an ice attack or vice versa – water with fire – as well as summoning dark-forged objects to help carve a way to his target.

Another ability that came easily to Harry and Hermione was the control and masteries that they possessed with Excalibur and Nimueh, the two blades now like a pair of extensions no matter who held them. Their duelling drills usually ended with two very tired, but very pleased Arch-Knight and Arch-Mage, both of them able to equal the other in power and, though no-one else knew it, both Harry and Hermione were more than ready for the second task and everything it would bring.

So, on February 24th, the date of the Second Task, while all the members of the three schools were gathered in a stadium-like seating area, in front of the massive maze where the five cups waited for their champions, Harry and Hermione both realised just what it would mean when the end came and the official champion was crowned.

Amelia Bones, acting as official judge and referee for the event, calmed the crowd before she spoke, "Ladies and gentlemen: welcome to the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament; now, hidden in that maze, contrary to past Tournaments and events, are five cups; each one is personally tuned to the magical signature of the associated Champion and inside the cup will be a name: that name is the Champion's opponent for the final task. As scores stand, we have Miss Hermione Potter in the lead with 93 points, followed by Viktor Krum with 84; then we have Sir Potter with 75: it would have been more, but due to Sir Potter's interference in the last task, he was deducted points."

'Told you that would happen,' Hermione commented dryly, 'Though Amelia did confide in me that, if that hadn't happened, you'd have gained 100 points out of 100.'

'It's not the points,' Harry sent back as Amelia announced Cedric and Fleur's points, 'I told you before Kitten; I would risk everything if it meant you were safe, but in here we'll be adversaries, so be careful.'

'I will,' Hermione told him, just as a cannon sounded and, like runners in a marathon, all five champions made their way into the maze, Harry more than aware of the entrance he had used closing behind him. Ever persistent to get to the point, the King of Camelot reached down to his belt and unsheathed Excalibur, before he poured a small amount of Light magic into the sword, turning it into a glowing magical weapon and guiding light.

The inside of the maze was almost like something out of a horror movie: when Harry tried to turn in one direction, he found he couldn't turn back as the entranceway closed behind him: at one point, he was completely cut off, but, calming his thoughts, the King of Camelot simply tapped into the power of Terra and carved a new path through the foliage.

Then, just a few pathways from the centre of the maze, Harry stopped dead, his eyes suddenly looking around, his hand flexing around Excalibur as he'd heard something: a twig or a foliage being pushed aside, a loud snapping echoing all around him: for a second, Harry considered the fact that it was just one of the champions, but something inside him told him different.

Then, just as Harry rounded another corner, he lifted Excalibur suddenly as a cry came from his left; whirling round, Harry was surprised when he parried the blow of another goblin-steel sword and, on the end of that sword was none other than Ronald 'Dead Man Walking' Weasley; facing his one-time friend, Harry asked, "Weasley, how the fuck did you get in here?"

"Shut your mouth Potter," snapped Ron, their blows deflecting one another as he asked, "What? Afraid to face the unexpected in a place you can't escape?"

"How did…" Harry gasped, looking to the sword, "How?"

"Professor Dumbledore," Ron laughed, going for a side-ways strike that would have broken a few ribs…if Harry wasn't the master that he had become; deflecting the blade again, Harry flicked his wrist once and parried the blow, sending his own sword against Ron's hand, the red-headed idiot crying out as the two old friends circled one another. "He forged this blade especially for me after you humiliated me: what? Did you think I'd let you walk away after you tricked me into being your slave?"

"Ron," Harry growled, Excalibur's blade reacting to his emotions as its steel-edged design started to glow and crackle with white lightning, "Don't challenge me: you won't like the outcome."

"I already know the outcome," Ron laughed, charging again and again Harry dodged the blow, but this time, Ron followed through by using the pommel of his sword and smashing Harry's teeth in; with a cry, Harry pushed his free hand outwards, a blast of wind sending Ron flying through the brush as Harry used the power of Light to heal his bloody teeth. Ron, however, was still grandstanding, "I beat you and you forfeit your powers and that Mudblood to me and then I decide to either let you live or leave you for You-Know-Who."

"What are you talking about?" asked Harry, now using his Terra abilities again: summoning thick vines from the foliage around them, Harry blocked Ron's path, knowing the red-head would have to cut his way through and Harry, in his heart of hearts, didn't have time to dance with this deadman. "How does he seem so confidant of that?"

Ron gave a laugh from the other side, Harry then gasping as, with one swipe of his own sword, Ron carved a path through the barrier, his eyes on Harry, "Haven't you figured it out yet? Dumbledore set you up Potter: like a lamb to the slaughter; he had Percy sneak in here with the Ministry members and put your name in the Goblet and then he cursed that Mudblood's dragon so you'd do what you did: but you had to sneak through it again didn't you?"

"And you're the last piece," Harry growled, summoning more tendrils from the maze, their thorn-lined embrace snaking around Ron's body, holding him in place like a worm on a hook. "What's this meant to be Ron? A distraction? Revenge? What? Just tell me because I'm confused."

"This?" asked Ron, "This is personal: he's been training me all summer and since you continued to humiliate me: when you cast him out, I snuck out of school and continued my training: well, now look; here you are. I'll slay you and claim everything you have by right of conquest and then I'll be the hero around here."

"You're still an idiot," Harry sighed, shaking his head as he stepped back and, sheathing Excalibur, turned on his heel, "You were always a fool Ron; do you actually think you'll beat my power?"

"Yes," Ron laughed, before he heard the slicing sound again and the delusional Weasley hiss, "Now die Potter!"

Harry, rounding on Ron, shook his head sadly: time seemed to slow down as the two long-time friends and companions faced one another; looking to the delusional boy, Harry whispered, "Don't do it: you can't beat me."

Ron charged, his sword pointed in front of him, but Harry, realising that the choice was inevitable, told him, "I'm sorry for this."

Then, lifting one hand, Harry unleashed a powerful bolt of white lightning, the elemental energy electrocuting Ron's body through the metal of the sword in his hand; Harry, being one of pure light and a king of goodness, held the effect for only a moment before he released it, Ron falling to the floor as Harry then summoned a mix of stone and ice trapping Weasley in the ground.

"Y-Y-You D-D-D-Dark W-W-W-W-Wizard," Ron gasped, Harry now approaching him as he faced Ron.

"No Ron," he told him, "I'm not a Dark Wizard: just different to your puppet-master and someone that has spared your life today: remember that because next time I won't hold back."

With that, Harry used his Terra abilities and carved a path through the foliage, moving off through the undergrowth and leaving his first friend and now his enemy behind.

However, had he looked back, he would have seen Ron look up, before he told the darkness, "I failed."

"Yes," hissed a voice, cold as death and filled with rage, "You did; and now you have outlived your usefulness: Avada Kedavra!"

The Killing Curse filled the maze and, in the afterglow, Albus Dumbledore emerged from the shadows, his eyes filled with fire as he looked to where Harry had vanished;

"You will bow to me you stupid boy," he hissed, "I am the one true saviour here and you will see that!"

HPHG

Cheers started to ring through the arena as three of the champions had already made their way out of the maze bearing their cups and the name of their final opponent in this extremely unique Tournament; however, inside the maze, Harry stood with Hermione, both of them looking to the podiums where their Cups were standing. Taking his Queen's hand, Harry explained, "Mine is enchanted Hermione: no doubt a Portkey from Dumbledore; listen, take yours and leave here; get back to Albion House or go to the Chamber and just wait for me. Don't let anyone enter or leave unless they're one of us and don't allow yourself to be trapped by any who are our enemies."

"You will be careful, won't you Harry?" asked Hermione, her eyes now on Harry as he approached his indicated cup. "What if…what if something goes wrong and he comes back?"

"I won't let that happen," Harry told her, before he turned and, pulling Hermione into his arms, kissed her for all she was worth, both of them lost in a moment of passion that seemed to last forever. When they parted, Harry added, "Wait for me…my Queen."

"I will," Hermione replied, watching as Harry took his cup; there was a flash of red light and Hermione reached out and grabbed her cup, its magic taking her back to the entrance of the maze where everyone else was waiting.

HPHG

Harry felt the word spin endlessly, his mind and body meeting somewhere in the middle as he crashed down onto solid stone, a sense of darkness all around him that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time: looking around, Harry gasped when he saw that he was standing in a graveyard, a large pewter cauldron set in the centre.

Keeping his eyes open for any sign of trouble, Harry tried the oldest trick in the book: he resorted to Parseltongue, {Tom? Where are you? I'm here: come out and face me.}

"Hello Harry Potter," a slick voice spoke up, Harry now turning to see a frail, but no doubt alive Tom Riddle standing against what appeared to be a stone angel: he reminded Harry of a starved and dehydrated man that was only standing on sheer willpower. "At the risk…of sounding cliché; I've been expecting you."

"I can bet you have," Harry told him, nodding to the cauldron as he asked, "So is that how we do this? Because I'm not here to bring Voldemort back: I'm here for Tom Riddle."

"Then…you do it?" asked Tom, watching as Harry approached him, before he nodded once, "I see it now: you truly are reborn aren't you my one-time enemy?"

"I am," Harry answered him, "And I willingly give my blood."

Even as he said the words, Harry pointed the tip of his wand at his arm and, with a quick hiss of Parseltongue, he seemed to draw a rather long and thick tendril of crimson blood from his arm in the same manner that someone would draw out a memory for a Pensieve; drawing out almost the equivalent of a half-pint of his blood, Harry used his water control to hover the crimson liquid over his hand before he asked, "What do you need Tom?"

"Put it in the cauldron," Tom explained, watching as Harry did so; when the blood hit the contents of the cauldron, Tom gave a weak smile before he asked, "Why do you do this? After what I did to you?"

"You're one of us," Harry explained, "Lord Emrys himself told me how Grindelwald anointed you and how you were lost to the darkness because you sought to equal the power of Lady Artemis: well, it's too late for any kind of mercy killing and I'm no murderer, so I chose to do this to help the both of us."

"And for that I thank you," Tom replied, before he stepped past Harry and, with a soft smile, told him, "You are the Arch-Knight: King of Camelot and my leader; I know I can never make up for what I did to you and your family, but, if I can, then rest assured that whatever you ask, I will serve."

"Thank you Tom," Harry nodded, now stepping back as he asked, "Is there anything else?"

"No," the ex-Dark Lord replied, before he shed his cloak, Harry turning his head slightly as the seemingly elderly man stepped into the cauldron, the contents already mixing around his body; as his body seemed to sink into the potion, or whatever it was, he explained, "I managed to acquire the other items I needed for my return: right now, your Majesty, you need to return to Hogwarts so you can protect your friends. At the end of term, I will be there for you and I will swear my fealty: until then, Sir Potter."

Harry, inclining his head, gave a firm answer, "Until then Sir Riddle."

Then, in a flash of red light, Harry grabbed the Portkey and left the graveyard, leaving Tom Riddle to be reborn into the world as the being that he was meant to be all this time;

The Holy Knight of Darkness…

Chapter 36 and again I apologise for the change in the return: I know it's not what the original challenge desired – I realised that when I found Sirius freed – but I hope that what I did in this chapter compensates for it.

So, Tom's back, Ron's DEAD, Dumbledore has shown his true colours and the King and Queen have become one: what's left for the two now that the Tournament is almost over?

Keep Reading to Find Out;

Next Chapter: Harry returns to Hogwarts where he finds an unwelcome surprise; the end of an era is brought about by a duel that is long overdue and it's the end of the adventure for Harry and Hermione; what lies ahead for them when all is said and done? (YES THIS MEANS THAT THE NEXT CHAPTER IS THE FINAL CHAPTER IN THE CHRONICLES)

Chapter 37: The Final Showdown

Harry's body spun through the emptiness of the air with centrifugal force, the Arch-Knight coming to a rather painful landing on the ground outside the maze; as soon as he landed, however, the schools had all cheered and Harry noticed Hermione running towards him: she barely got three inches from him, before a pair of strong arms pinned Harry to the ground again, his grunts of complaint being unheard as Excalibur was torn from his side.

"What?" asked the stunned voice of Amelia Bones, "What's going on here?"

"This is none of your concern Minister," a cold, but familiar voice hissed, Harry's rage suddenly growing again as he recognised the old fool. "We have had reports of the Avada Kedavra used in the maze and the source of that magic was none other than Harry here."

"Bullshit!" snapped Harry, trying to rise against the force of whoever or whatever was pinning him to the ground, "Amelia: check my wand; ask me for an oath; you know I have my rights!"

"I'm afraid not Harry," sneered another familiar voice, Harry then looking up into the face of Cornelius Fudge, who was close to laughing as he explained, "Witnessed use of the Unforgivables plus the death of an old family member warrants life in Azkaban!"

"Old fam…" Harry began, but stopped when, at the edge of his vision, he caught sight of a stretcher being rolled out of the maze, a familiar head of red hair lying still and unmoving upon it. "Oh you senile deluded old bastard," he snarled, "You actually think this will get me back on your side?"

"Of course not Harry," Dumbledore answered, now approaching Harry and, extending his hand, taking Excalibur from the guard that had stripped the blade from Harry's side. Turning it over, he sighed as he explained, "I just see that you are possessed by forces unknown and the only way to release you…" he trailed off, but Harry shivered as he felt Excalibur's steel against his neck, "Is to kill you."

"True words Dumbledore," Fudge grinned, but Harry, seething with rage as he put two and two together, finally snapped: summoning all of his elemental power, he released it in a torrential arc of fire, ice and lightning that sent Fudge, Dumbledore and their guardsmen flying back. Leaping to his feet, Harry extended his hand and Dumbledore gasped as Excalibur returned to the hand of its real master; as soon as Harry clasped the sword, he spun on the spot and summoned a ring of fire and darkness, his eyes narrow and filled with rage.

"You bastard Dumbledore," he snarled coldly, his golden-coloured eyes now burning like the fires of a phoenix. "You think some trumped-up charges and the word of the ex Minister of Magic are enough to take me down? You clearly forget who you are dealing with!"

Looking all around the circle, Harry lifted Excalibur and parted the flames, allowing the Holy Knights and his Queen to move to his side; as Hermione took his hand, she asked him, "What are you going to do Harry?"

"End this," Harry explained, addressing the crowd as a whole, "I am Harry James Potter, Arch-Knight and Commander of the Elemental Order; Lord and Master of Hogwarts School and the Founders and Crowned King of the magical realm of Camelot!"

"Lies!" snapped Fudge, but he was cut off by Harry's flames, "The realm of Camelot is non-existent: the so-called King is but a legend: there is only one ruler of the magical world and, once you're dealt with boy: he will be me!"

"Sadly Cornelius," Harry told him, "You won't get that chance."

Clicking his fingers, Harry summoned chains that appeared to be a mix of light, ice and steel that wrapped around the arms and legs of the former Minister, the Arch-Knight turning back to Dumbledore.

"Harry," Dumbledore gasped, "Why…why didn't you tell me? We could work together on this: it's not too late!"

"Oh," Harry sighed, "I'm afraid it is Dumbledore: you took my life from me by leaving me with Muggles; you allowed a traitor to cause the death of my Father and force my Mother to become a spirit of the ether and then you tried to bind my power and turn me against another Knight. I believe you've heard of him old man: Tom Riddle!"

"He…he's back?" asked Dumbledore, and that was when a plume of darkness rose into the circle and, from within the darkness came a man in his twenties with raven-black hair and cold, dark eyes; he was dressed in a midnight-blue robe with a crescent moon on his crest, a sword with a jet-black blade at his side. Lifting his hand, the figure dispersed the darkness and, turning to Harry, dropped to one knee, his blade held flat in his palm.

"My King," Tom Riddle spoke up, "I am reborn and now my powers are the allies and service of the Elemental Order: I, Tom Marvolo Riddle, Holy Knight of Darkness, pledge my allegiance."

"Thank you Tom," Harry replied, "You may rise."

When the ex-Dark Lord did so, he turned to Dumbledore before taking his place at Harry's side, the circle of Knights now glowing even brighter as Harry let his power extend outwards, allowing the powers that be to decide the Last Knight. While the decision was being made, Harry shook his head slowly as he explained, "I would have gladly worked with you Dumbledore, but you did so much to weaken and make me your slave that those options have gone out the window. Had you been the grandfatherly, warm and respectable wizard that I'd seen and known on my first day here then I would have willingly brought you into the Circle, but no more."

"You'll still die!" Dumbledore insisted, not really caring about the allies that were hearing his words, "Because you seal your fate allying with him Harry: how do you know he won't turn on you?"

"Because Voldemort is dead," Tom informed Dumbledore, "As are the Horcruxes that you allowed me to create Dumbledore: did you know that it was him who set me on that path?" he asked Harry, who shook his head as Tom continued, "I was introduced to this world by Dumbledore, but only after Grindelwald himself had anointed me as the Holy Knight of Darkness. He himself was the Holy Knight of Terra and wanted to unite the world using his moniker for the Greater Good, but then he met a man who trapped him, betrayed him and killed him: that man's name was Albus Dumbledore."

"Gellert was a fool," Dumbledore snarled, "As are you Tom: you cannot hope to defeat me now as you thought then; even your Horcruxes wouldn't save you."

"Weren't you listening?" asked Tom, "The Horcruxes are destroyed old man: the snake, the diadem, the cup, the locket, the diary, the ring and the one that was inside Harry: that one was destroyed when he became his birthright of the Holy Knight of Thunder. Which reminds me," he then reached into his pocket and, turning to Harry, held out his hand, "I believe you were looking for this."

Opening his palm, Tom revealed a small diamond-shaped black stone that seemed to hover in the air before Harry took the stone; as soon as he touched it, a black aura had spawned from within the stone, before it wrapped around Harry, making him glow with renewed power, his energy that had been used in the maze coming back to him in leaps and bounds. Looking to the stone, Harry actually chuckled before he whispered, "The Resurrection Stone."

"Yes," Tom replied, looking back to Dumbledore as he asked, "And you know what that means don't you Dumbledore?"

"Harry," Albus gasped, trying a last gasp, "If you let me help you…"

"No," Harry told him, "I've now fulfilled a long-overdue promise Dumbledore: I am the Master of Death as well as Lord of the Magical Realm, so I'll give you one chance: back off and never darken my life again or…"

He didn't get to finish as a curse was fired from Dumbledore; tapping into the darkness and the power of the skies, Harry banished his other Knights out of the circle, before sealing both the former Head and the Knights' Commander in the fire. Drawing Excalibur, Harry deflected the curse and faced Dumbledore head-on, "Don't challenge me Albus: I have more power than you and the means to do what I must."

"Then it looks like only one of us leaves here alive," Dumbledore returned, before he flicked his wrist and, as Harry watched, he summoned a sword that was almost like a Dark Excalibur: it was emerald-green hilted and had a blade that, like Tom's, was black as night. Lifting it high, Dumbledore commanded, "Face me Potter and face your destiny."

"If that is what I must do," Harry returned, before the sound of steel on steel filled the stadium, the former mentor now facing his former student in a battle that, for the Holy Knights, would decide everything.

HPHG

Outside the circle, Amelia ran down to where Lily was trying to keep a frightened Hermione calm; approaching the Knight of Light, she asked, "What can we do Lily? Even the Aurors can't get through the fire."

"We protect the students," Lily explained, looking now to Tom and, for a moment, a look of pure evil filled her eyes before she composed herself: if Harry could do this then so could she. "Riddle, find Severus and get the Slytherins: Hermione, go find Minerva and take care of the Gryffindors; Neville, Professor Sprout and the Hufflepuffs; Luna: the Ravens and Master Filius. I'll find Fleur and Gabrielle and we'll take care of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang and gather everyone in the Great Hall."

"But what about Harry?" asked Hermione, "He may have gained a power boost from the Hallows finally coming together, but what if it's not enough to take on Dumbledore?"

"If I know Harry Potter," Tom laughed, much to the bemusement of those who knew who he'd once been, "He'll find a way back to you Lady Hermione: Lady Lily is right though; with the magical clash going on here, we need to get the students to safety."

"I…guess you're right Riddle," Hermione scowled, before she gave her agreement to Lily's plan and, splitting up, the Holy Knights and the Arch-Mage began to make their way off in the directions of the four houses.

However, as they gathered everyone together, Hermione then counted one head missing; someone from one of the Hogwarts Houses was not among the students and, as she reached into the link with Hogwarts that Harry had told her about, she felt a familiar tingle of energy remaining down by Harry's side.

'I…don't…believe…it,' gasped Hermione, 'Right under our noses the whole time…'

HPHG

Excalibur met Dumbledore in a flurry of steel and magic that had both combatants equalising one another in skill, strength and finesse; countering every blow from the old man, Harry stepped back and faced his former mentor before he smiled as he asked, "Why did you do it anyway Dumbledore? Why did you choose me to be your pawn and your lamb to the slaughter?"

"Because of who you were," Dumbledore growled, his wand suddenly in hand as he fired off another curse; once again, Harry deflected it with Excalibur, before he countered with a stream of flames crafted from the circle around them. "Your powers would have been mine once you destroyed Tom and became the so-called Saviour: but then that stupid Mudblood got in the way and you were lost. If it wasn't for that buck-toothed, bossy know-it-all, I would have you right where I want you."

"You know," Harry snarled, flames now filling both hands, one of which covered Excalibur's blade as he hissed, "There's one lesson you need to remember Dumbledore and, for such a great man, you have a real problem doing so: Never." He threw the flames forwards, Dumbledore now going on the defensive against the full fury of the recently-crowned Master of Death. "Ever. Insult. Hermione. Granger. In. Front. Of. ME!"

"Crucio!" cried Dumbledore, Harry trying to deflect the curse again with Excalibur; however, as the torturous power of the Unforgivable came into contact with Excalibur, the sword seemed to be drawn into a magnetic flurry, forcing it out of Harry's hand and into the unknown. Standing exposed, Harry called on two balls of electrical energy, readying himself for whatever came next. Dumbledore, seeing the bravery, laughed as he explained, "The Boy Who Lived has finally come to die: such a shame Harry, you would have made such a good servant: Fiendfyre!"

A whirlwind of flames started to rise around Harry and Dumbledore, the eyes of the old man filled with rage as Harry started crafting what appeared to be a shield of ice; laughing coldly, Dumbledore slashed his wand downwards, the whirlwind moving to swallow Harry whole…just as a torrential wall of water rose from the ground.

"What?" gasped Harry and Dumbledore; looking through the fire, Harry saw a blue-edged sword channelling a torrent of magically-summoned water and, on the other end of that watery escapade was…

"Malfoy!" gasped Harry, seeing his recently redeemed friend now baring the crest of the Knights, his usually grey eyes now divided with an eye that looked to be a shade of sapphire.

"I don't know what's happening here," Draco explained, diverting the water into the heart of the whirlwind, "But I'm here for you now Sir Potter: I finally have the chance to redeem myself: now take down this senile bastard so you can get back to your Queen."

"Thank…thank you," Harry gasped, now flicking his own wrist, the Elder Wand leaping into his hand, his power only getting stronger as he faced Dumbledore, "Care to try that again?"

Dumbledore was a desperate man…and desperate men do desperate things, "Avada Kedavra!"

"Protego Maximus; Expelliarmus," commanding both spells took a toll on Harry's magical reserves, but the Elder Wand, in the hand of the Master of Death, seemed to hold onto it: both spells – Expelliarmus and Avada Kedavra – met in a linked battle of red and green sparks, the power of the Elder Wand easily overcoming Dumbledore's wand, slamming the old man back into the wall of flames, his usually cheerful robes now being incinerated by the fires. Summoning his own water, Harry dowsed the flames before he sealed Dumbledore in the same terra and ice mixed trap he'd used on the now deceased Ronald Weasley.

"H-Harry," Dumbledore gasped, "Y-You wouldn't…you w-w-wouldn't kill me, would you? I'm j-j-just an old m-m-man."

"No Albus," Harry snarled, "I'm not like you."

"Oh Harry," gasped Dumbledore, his face twisted into a smile, "Thank you; you are truly noble and I'll make this up to you I promise. Tell me what I can do; I'll do anything."

Harry's golden eyes seemed to glow as he faced the man that had destroyed his life only to have it rebuilt by Hermione, by the Knights; by a kiss. With that fire in his eyes, Harry snarled, "Run; run away Dumbledore…and never return!"

"Yes," Dumbledore sighed, watching as Harry turned his back on the old man, though his eyes never left the man as he walked away; however, Albus Dumbledore was always determined to win. "Of course; as you wish…your Majesty!"

With his last blast of magic, Albus summoned his Dark Excalibur and threw it forwards, the blade piercing Harry's chest with a cry from the Arch-Knight, Draco gasping as Dumbledore seemed content to just collapse, a smile of victory on his face, a part of him knowing the outcome before it would happen: yes he had lost.

But Harry would still die…

HPHG

"HARRY!"

Hermione's scream had every member of the three schools parting like the Red Sea as Draco walked into the Great Hall, Harry's blood-soaked body and still pierced heart bleeding over his robe. Seeing the Holy Knight of Water, Tom laughed as he exclaimed, "Now there's irony for you."

"It…it was Dumbledore," Draco explained, "Harry…Sir Potter; he wanted to show mercy, but Dumbledore…he pierced Harry's heart."

"Can…can it be removed?" asked Sirius, moving with Lily and Severus to Harry's side, the other Knights trying and failing to keep a stunned, shocked Hermione calm.

"Not…without…killing…me," gasped Harry, his golden eyes now on his completed team; it seemed cheesy that at the very end, the Holy Knights would be reunited. "I'm…sorry…I…couldn't…kill…him."

"You wouldn't have done it anyway," Tom informed him, Lily now sobbing on Severus' shoulder as the Potions Master stared with his usual stoic expression at the body of his student, Harry now being carefully put down by Draco so the others could gather around him.

"He…Herm…Hermione," gasped Harry, his breath getting weaker as he called for his betrothed and his magical wife; hearing his voice, Hermione ran through everyone and kneeled by his side.

"You…big idiot," she sobbed, trying to smile for him, "You knew you…you couldn't…trust him."

"Everyone…deserves…a sec…second chance," Harry told her, smiling through his pain as he seemed to indicate Tom with this fact. "Don't…don't be…sad; find…Amelia and…tell her…he's still…there."

"I'll tell her," Sirius explained, leaving Harry and Hermione; moments later, the hall emptied as Minerva ordered everyone to their dorms; some consoled for Harry's bravery and hoped he'd be okay while others just nodded their heads as if thanking him. This just left the Knights, the Order and a very weak Arch-Knight.

"I…love…you," Harry told Hermione, "And…I…always…will."

"There has to be something we can do," Lily insisted, her hand now clutching her son's; looking to Severus, she asked, "What about the sword?"

"It's a cursed blade," Draco explained, nodding to Harry as he spoke, "Harry…he said it was imbued with Basilisk Venom and the after-effects of Fiendfyre; if we remove it, we kill him."

"Damn it," Tom swore, "Even my powers won't do anything: I mean Harry's the Master of Death and…"

"And as Master," a new voice spoke up, the Knights all lifting their heads as a black aura filled the room; moments later, Artemis and Emrys emerged from the void and stood before the Knights, "There is something we can do for him."

"Tell us!" Hermione pleaded, "Please: he…he can't die; not now that we're…"

"Calm down Lady Hermione," Emrys told Hermione, "I will tell you, but it is a dangerous choice that only his Majesty can make."

"Tell…me," gasped Harry calmly, his eyes on Emrys as he spoke, "We're…all…here; what's…the…option?"

"In short," Artemis replied, her eyes actually sad as she looked at Harry, "The oldest law in magic: as Sir Malfoy put it, to remove the sword would kill you, so here's the option: we save your life…but at the cost of another."

"Who?" asked Hermione, before she gasped as Harry's hand suddenly clasped hers, his free hand moving to the sword that was through his chest. "What the hell?"

"I won't do that," Harry told her, "No-one should have to risk their life for me; not again."

"Damn it Harry," Draco exclaimed, "This isn't the time for one of your saving-people moments: you're going to die."

"And if I live then someone else must die," Harry told Draco, "I…I don't want that Malfoy; no matter what the cost."

"You always did have a brave soul my King," Artemis smiled, Emrys now kneeling with the Knights as he faced the others.

"The option is there, but we will not choose the soul to die: that choice is yours."

"No," Harry gasped, his voice suddenly stronger, though that may have been because he had the strength returning to him through his anger. "I refuse it; I…forbid it…no way Emrys…never in a…"

"I'll do it."

Every head in the room turned to the voice, the Holy Knight of Light Lily Evans smiling sadly as she faced her son and, taking his hand, told him, "No arguments young man: I gave my life for you once before and by Merlin, I'll do it again."

"Mum…" gasped Harry, "But…but we're finally together; I…I can't…lose you again."

"You won't," Lily told him, placing a soft hand on the spot where the sword was piercing his heart, "I'll always be here son as will your Dad: Emrys," she looked to the Lord of Light as she continued, "If I die; can my power be given to another?"

"It can," Emrys replied, "But the final choice must be Harry's: why? Do you have someone in mind?"

"Yes," Lily replied, reaching up and pulling Sebastian down, the Commander of the Order looking to her in shock as she explained, "Sebastian McDale: you have always been loyal to my family and, for that, I choose you to receive my power and continue to serve my son: you will become the new Holy Knight of Light."

"I…I would be…honoured my lady," Sebastian gasped, looking to Harry, who was still looking shocked and scared as he faced his Mother, "I will give my own life to protect him, but this is what you wish and I shall obey."

"Harry?" asked Artemis.

"NO!" Cried the Arch-Knight, "I…I can't…can't lose her again."

"You won't," Artemis explained, before she bent down and, reaching under Harry's robe, lifted out the Resurrection Stone; holding it in front of Harry, she explained, "Turn this three times and you will be able to see anyone you wish: now this would normally drive someone insane, but the dark effects of my three Hallows are no more thanks to your power bonding to them. You may see your parents any time you wish: as Death, even I will bow to your wishes as and when you desire, but they cannot stay in this world for any longer than 24 hours at any one time."

"I…I under…understand," Harry gasped, his eyes now filled with tears as he held onto Hermione, his free hand now being held by Lily as he added, "I'll never…never for…forget you; I…promise."

"So you say yes?" asked Lily.

"On…one…condition," Harry told them, looking to Artemis as he spoke, "Give…us one…day; you…did it…for Dad…please?"

"As you command, Master of Death," Artemis bowed, "But only one day: after that only the Stone can perform the wishes you seek."

"Be ready," Lily told Harry, now clasping the sword herself as she nodded to Artemis, "Because I am."

Then, without warning, Lily ripped the blade from Harry's heart, the Arch-Knight gasping as he felt the magic of the blade going to work; through his pain-induced state, he didn't notice Artemis speaking in an old tone of language that wasn't used any more, a band of black light flowing from her heart and linking with Lily while Emrys spoke the same tongue and watched as a white band of light flowed from his heart and linked with Harry's heart. When the lights hit the bodies of the two Knights, Lily bent her head and kissed her son on his forehead, before she whispered a soft message that, in a sense, had started it all;

"Harry, be safe, be strong and know that you are loved."

HPHG

When all of Hogwarts heard of the return from the beyond of Harry Potter, the Tournament's rules were severed by Amelia and the Tournament officially banned; Harry and Hermione, as soul and magical-bonded contestants, were offered the Triwizard Cup and named official champions, much to the delight of the three schools.

Dumbledore was sentenced to life in Azkaban while Fudge was tossed through the Veil: both were musical messages to Harry and Hermione's ears as they enjoyed the rest of their school year, a part of them wondering what would come next.

For now though, it was July 31st and Harry was standing in the throne room of Camelot, his eyes on Artemis while at his side sat Hermione Potter, the Queen of Camelot; nodding to the Lady of Darkness, he whispered, "Do it."

Artemis, knowing that Harry had waited through all this time, nodded in response before she began to chant in her ancient tongue once more; at her feet, a black cross was carved on the ground before it seemed to open like a gateway, the magic flowing through the room as Harry watched and waited. One day she had given them and this was the one day that Harry had chosen.

From within the gate emerged a figure dressed in white, a head of red hair flowing behind her as she stepped forwards, as if emerging from a pool, and, seeing Harry there, bowed to him, "Happy birthday my little King."

"Hi Mum," Harry smiled, "This is going to be my best birthday yet: shall we get started then?"

Offering his arm to his queen, Harry stepped down and stopped before Lily, his hand held out to the corporeal soul of his Mother as he smiled at her;

"We only have one day."

The End…is here!

Chapter 37 EXTENDED: The Final Showdown

AN: Extensions are the small sections here that are in bold;

"What?" asked the stunned voice of Amelia Bones, "What's going on here?"

"Bullshit!" snapped Harry, trying to rise against the force of whoever or whatever was pinning him to the ground, "Amelia: check my wand; ask me for an oath; you know I have my rights!"

"Sadly Cornelius," Harry told him, "You won't get that chance."

Clicking his fingers, Harry summoned chains that appeared to be a mix of light, ice and steel that wrapped around the arms and legs of the former Minister, the Arch-Knight turning back to Dumbledore.

"Harry," Dumbledore gasped, "Why…why didn't you tell me? We could work together on this: it's not too late!"

"My King," Tom Riddle spoke up, "I am reborn and now my powers are the allies and service of the Elemental Order: I, Tom Marvolo Riddle, Holy Knight of Darkness, pledge my allegiance."

"Thank you Tom," Harry replied, "You may rise."

"You'll still die!" Dumbledore insisted, not really caring about the allies that were hearing his words, "Because you seal your fate allying with him Harry."

"Oh really Dumbledore?" asked Harry, now looking back to the old man, "Let's do a little headcount with that theory shall we? I have the Elemental Order now at full strength; the Order of Pendragon ready to stand at my side; a werewolf who will eventually have the power to change at will, an ex-Azkaban inmate with one of the greatest families in history behind him; a former Dark Lord with extensive knowledge of the way the world works: quite possibly the most powerful student and wizard in the world and his equally-powerful wife, lover and queen; the greatest Elemental forces at my command; old sorcerers with the ultimate in unstoppable forces and, of course, Hogwarts…and you, Albus Dumbledork, have managed to piss each and every one of them off, including Voldemort."

"How do you know he won't turn on you?"

"Gellert was a fool," Dumbledore snarled, "As are you; I have an army of loyal followers at my command."

"We have Excalibur," Harry added, lifting the blade.

"Not to mention," added Tom, "All who followed me and I stand true to his side, Dumbledore: the Horcruxes are destroyed old man: the snake, the diadem, the cup, the locket, the diary, the ring and the one that was inside Harry: that one was destroyed when he became his birthright of the Holy Knight of Thunder. Which reminds me," he then reached into his pocket and, turning to Harry, held out his hand, "I believe you were looking for this."