Chapter Nineteen – Consequences
"SOMEBODY FIND ME SERVEROUS SNAPE OR YOU WILL ALL DIE!" Came the very annoyed yell. Voldemort was not having a good day. First of all he had found out that his mortal enemy was not dead as he had been led to believe, and second, one of the pieces of shit that had fed him the false information was missing, leaving him no one to torture. Well no one anymore he thought as he glanced up at the hanging remains of the young Malfoy. His body was mostly only skeletal remains, with only shreds of flesh hanging on the bones. That was apart from a network of nerves that still encased the remains. That was not the worse however, his head was still intact and the eyes wide open in fear. They moved from side to side and the boy's mouth opened and closed in silent screams. Silent due to the fact he no longer had and lungs with which to move air around the remains of his vocal chords, nor any blood to circulate around the mouth. Normally this would of course not be a problem due to the victim been long dead, but Voldemort knew his curses well. This particular one kept the victims head alive, as well as the nervous system intact so that the unlucky victim could feel the enormous amount of pain from his ruined body. Nagini finished feeding on the last of the boys flesh and curled up to sleep, leaving Malfoy hanging from the wall, alive and dead at the same time. Voldemort had an even more grisly fate for the potions master planned but this had been thwarted by Snape's absence.
"WORMTAIL, BELLATRIX GET IN HERE!" he yelled as the two Deatheaters hurried into the room looking worried.
"Yes, my Lord?" Bella asked, whilst Peter just grovelled on the floor.
"Well? Where is he? I am most displeased with him and wish to make him aware of that."
"I am sorry my Lord but it seems that the traitor has fled and we ..." her sentence ended in a blood curdling scream as her master cast the torture curse on her. She felt her bladder open and the piss ran from her and down her legs.
"Not good enough Bella. Peter what other news?" he asked as he cancelled the curse on the fallen witch. Peter was shaking and refused to look at his master.
"M-m-my Lord, we have just received word from Bulgaria and..." he tailed off unsure on how to continue.
"What Peter? Tell your master."
"The V-v-vampires my lord...they are all gone – dead. It seems that Potter and his whore killed them all... Argh!" he fell to the floor twitching in agony as the vile curse hit him once more.
"AVEDA KEDAVERA!" Voldemort yelled, causing Peter to flinch as he felt the death curse fly over his head. Turning he saw it hit a new Death Eater who had just entered the room. The woman fell dead with a thump.
"ARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!" Yelled Voldemort. "FIND ME SNAPE AND GATHER ALL OUR TROOPS. WE ARE GOING TO KILL EVERYONE IN DIAGON ALLEY AND DESTROY THE FUCKING GOBLINS!"
I.Y. I.Y. I.Y.
With a quite 'pop' Harry, Hermione and the new vampire arrived at Potter Cottage late in the afternoon. The sun was setting, casting the room in a deep orange light, exaggerated by the flicker of the large fire that was burning in the fireplace. They all stood for a moment, savouring the warmth from the fire, and the beauty of the sunset before Dobby and Winky popped into the room.
"You is back Master Harry, and Mistress Hermione. It is good to see you both." Winky said. Dobby was just jumping up and down in excitement.
"You too Winky, who is around in the cottage?" Harry asked.
"There is Mr and Mrs Wheezy, the twin Wheezy's, Mr Lovegood is around as is Mr Charlie. Miss Wheezy is at school and Mr Bill and his Veela are at their home."
"Okay good, can you ask all the people in the house to come to the dining room please, then could you please ask Remus and Tonks, Kingsley and to come along. Dobby could you ask if Professor McGonagall is free and then go and see if Bill and Fleur are able to join us."
"Yes Master Harry sir!" Dobby said whilst Winky rolled her eyes at him. "Off course Harry" she said. As they 'popped' away Winky could be distinctly heard saying, "Honestly Dobby just call him 'Harry'..."
"Whilst they find our friends shall we find something to eat...Luna can you still eat normal food?"
"Merlin I hope so! Imagine life without pudding?" she replied with feeling.
"Let's go find out shall we" Hermione said with a smile.
They trooped into the large kitchen and raided the larder. Harry found some cold sausages and a slab of roast beef, which he shared with Hermione, whilst Luna found a large slab of chocolate cake. She placed it in plate and tentatively tasted it. He face screwed up into a grimace as the chocolate touched her tongue. "Euugh! Needs something extra! Harry can I have some...you know?" she asked. Harry sighed and waved his wand over his arm. He conjured a beaker and it slowly filled with deep red blood.
"That enough?" he asked. Luna nodded and took the beaker, her fangs slowly elongating as she looked at the viscous liquid. She poured it over the cake and took a spoon and began to eat. "Mmm! Blood and chocolate...lovely!" she sighed in contentment. Hermione and Harry were looking at her in amusement and disgust in equal measure.
"Not hungry any more Harry!" Hermione said pushing her plate away.
"Me neither!" Harry said. Luna looked at the two, a small dribble of blood running down her chin. "What?" she asked innocently.
"Nothing Luna, nothing at all." Harry sighed as he too pushed away his plate. Luna smiled at them and returned to her blood cake with relish.
Hermione looked at the young vampire with an amused eye before turning to her husband.
"What do we do next Love?" she asked in a quiet voice.
"We need to figure out the last Horcrux, then we kill Voldemort, then 'Ron' then we have loads of sex, kids and live happily ever after...forever! Easy!" he said.
Hermione laughed at his statement but before she could continue, Dobby popped into the room to announce that their guests had arrived.
"You finished Luna?" Harry asked her.
"Mmhuh, thanks for the blood Harry. I think chocolate cake and blood is my new favourite." She said, whilst picking the bits of cake from her fangs.
"Won't catch on Luna, won't catch on!" he told her as they all stood and walked towards the large dining room.
"Harry, what are we going to tell people about me? What if my dad rejects me?" she asked with large tears threatening to run down her perfect cheeks.
"Luna, Xeno Lovegood will no more reject you that I would dance a tango with Voldemort...in drag! He loves and adores you and will probably be over the moon about his little girl becoming very powerful." Luna looked at him with a hopeful smile as she considered his words.
"Thank you Harry, you're a good friend." She said with a happy smile on her face. She pulled up her hood on her dark cloak that Sophie had given her. It cast her face into shadows, not allowing anyone to see her altered eyes and face.
"Just in case." She said to Harry's unasked question.
"Never happen Luna!" he told her as he opened the door to the dining room. Inside sat all the Weasleys, including Ginny who had come with Professor McGonagall, as well as Remus, a very heavily pregnant Tonks, Fleur, Kingsley and Xeno Lovegood.
"Harry!" Ginny yelled and raced over to hug him before hugging Hermione, a little less enthusiastically; that was until she saw Hermione smile at her.
"Sorry, I sometimes forget Hermione." She whispered.
"It's okay, I know you still love him, but so long as you remember he IS mine." Hermione replied half in jest, half seriously.
"Lord Potter, Can I assume your mission was a success?" Minerva asked.
Harry smiled and didn't answer her, he just reached inside his bag and took out the two halves of Hufflepuff's cup and flung them onto the table, where they clattered and came to a halt. Everyone looked at the two halves for a few minutes in surprise before Minerva moved to pick up the two pieces.
"Is this the real cup?" she asked
"Yes, Professor, we now only have one left to find." Harry told her.
"So the mission was a total success?" Kingsley asked in his deep voice.
"Well, we destroyed the Vampires..."
"What all of them?" He interrupted.
"Well nearly all, there was one little problem." Harry told him.
"Problem?" Molly asked.
"Yeah...Luna?"
Luna looked at the assembled group and slowly removed her hood, exposing her altered features and cat like eyes. She allowed her fangs to descend leaving no one unsure of her nature. Kingsley immediately drew his wand, only to be wandlessly disarmed by Hermione. Most of the group had stood and was either trying to get there wands out or was backing away. Xeno was looking at his daughter in horror.
"STOP!" Harry yelled, causing everyone to freeze. "Yes, Luna is now a vampire, BUT, she still has her soul. We don't quite know why or how but she is still the girl you all know."
Luna had shrunk back as the group backed away from her, the tears in her eyes evident. Xeno gulped and looked at his daughter. Taking a hesitant step forward he looked deep into the cat like eyes.
"Luna? Is that still my little Luna?" he asked in a quiet voice.
"Yes Daddy, it's still me." She replied in a hesitant voice.
"Oh Luna, what happened to you?" he asked as he brought her into his arms and enveloped her in a big hug. Luna cried into her father's embrace. "Oh Daddy, I thought you would not want me anymore." She sniffled.
"Luna, as long as it's you, I don't care what you look like. But can you tell me what happened?" he asked.
"Yes, I think we would all want to know that" Professor McGonagall said. Everyone sat down once more and Hermione returned Kingsley's wand. He told them about the trip to the Ministry and how they defeated Thicknesse and Umbridge. He then told them about the journey to the Bulgarian ministry and there subsequent trip to Castle Dracule. They were all shocked when he told them that they had killed the Lord and Lady, although he did not tell them how. Only a few knew about their immortality and that was the way it was going to stay. Xeno was furious when it was explained how his daughter was turned but was mightily relieved when they explained that she was still warm and still had her soul.
"But how is that possible?" Bill asked. "When a person is turned the soul moves on, that is the way it had always been."
"We don't know Bill, but it has been confirmed by a Vampire specialist in Bulgaria that Luna is indeed still Luna." Harry told him.
"But what about feeding her?" Bill asked.
"Well she can drink donated blood, the specialist showed both Hermione and I how to donate some of ours. However if she offers to share some cake with you, my advice would be to refuse." He said prompting both Luna and Hermione to burst out laughing.
Everyone smiled at the trio in some confusion, Bill was still not happy with the reply though.
"Harry, the first meal that a new Vampire takes has to be live blood." Bill insisted. Harry glared at the curse-breaker.
"It was fine Bill, she fed of me the first time." Harry grated.
"But..." Bill began but Fleur put her arm on her husband's hand. "Bill, leave it!" she told him. Bill looked at the beautiful eyes of the Veela and then back at the now glowing eyes of Harry. Instinct and self preservation told him to leave the conversation. With a mumbles apology he dropped the point. Harry carried on telling them that as soon as the Lord and Lady died then all of the other Vampires died; all that is except Luna.
"Wow!" Fred said in awe.
"Awesome!" George echoed.
"Thank you boys!" Professor McGonagall told the twins with a small grin. "What's the next step Harry?"
"Well that's the problem Headmistress. We suspect that Tom has one more Horcrux but neither of us knows what it could be, or where to look." Harry said.
"What about Miss Lovegood's sight?" the headmistress asked.
Luna looked up with her new eyes. "Sorry Minerva, but when I was turned I lost my sight. I cannot help find the last one."
"Shit! Okay why don't you list the ones you have got, then maybe we can find a pattern."
"Okay, well first was Riddle's diary, destroyed that in the second year. Second was Marvolo Gaunts Ring, Professor Dumbledore destroyed that one. Third was Slytherin's locket, Hermione and I destroyed that the other day. Fourth was Ravenclaw's diadem, Hermione saw to that one you were there remember, and lastly the cup that is on the table."
"Harry I thought you said there were seven in total. You have mentioned five, and you say that there is one left but that only makes six. What is the seventh?" Molly Weasley asked in a subdued voice.
"That's simple Molly, the seventh was me!" Harry said.
"WHAT?" Molly yelled.
"Don't worry Molly, it's gone now, but when Tom killed my parents and tried to kill me part of his magic rebounded and created a Horcrux in my head. When the events in the tent occurred.." he said emphasising the use of the word tent, so that Mrs Weasley would understand what he was referring to. "... that allowed us to remove the Horcrux. So now there is only the one left we think. So has anyone any ideas of what it may be?" he asked.
Everyone sat in thought and after a while, Minerva stood and conjured a blackboard. She wrote the six Horcrux's that had been found far.
"Okay, it looks like Tom likes items of historical value, with the exception of the diary, which was personnel to him and off course Harry….although the way things are going you ARE of historical significance." She said with a wry smile, "Can I assume that you were an accident?"
Harry laughed out loud causing the elder witch to blush. "You know what I mean!"
"Yes Ma'am I think we can assume that I was an accident." He said with a warm smile.
"Yes well, so he likes historical items….."
"What about his familiar?" Tonks interrupted. "You know that sodding snake."
"Yeah we asked that, but it seems that only a moron would make a Horcrux out of a living creature, far too easy to kill or remove."
"Only a moron? Ok so the question still stands." Tonks replied with a cheeky grin.
"Who did you ask Harry?" Remus asked him curiously.
"Good question and he may be able to help…Fawkes? Where are you; you mangy bird?" he asked the sky. With a flash the phoenix appeared and flew around the room before landing on Harry's head heavily.
"Mangy bird? You cheeky bugger! I'll give you mangy bird!"
"Can it dick-wad." He told the phoenix, much to the astonishment of the gathered group.
"Harry! How can you call this magnificent creature such a crude name?" Molly asked him.
"See, the red haired strumpet thinks I'm magnificent!" Fawkes said in both Harry's and Hermione's head. Surprisingly Luna could also hear the phoenix, evident by her sudden laugh at the creature's address of Mrs Weasley.
Raising an eyebrow at the pretty vampire; Harry replied to Mrs Weasley. "Don't let his mystique fool you; the bloody bird is a nightmare, rude and irritating. And if you knew what he just called you, you wouldn't be so nice about him." Fawkes laughed in his head, the rest hearing a trilling song that spoke of laughter and humour.
"Enough of this, how may I be of help my Lord Hufflepuff-Griffindor-Slytherin-Emrys-Potter?" the phoenix asked in a sarcastic tone.
"Please help us oh mighty bird, we need help working out what the final Horcrux is?" Harry asked with a grin.
The phoenix was suddenly serious as he looked at the group. "Harry, Hermione and Luna I do believe. I'm very sorry but I do not know what the last one is. I had hoped that Luna's sight would survive the turning process, but I see that this is not the case."
"Bugger, what about your previous master, would he know?" Hermione asked, whilst Harry told the others what the phoenix had said.
"Yes he would know."
"Well can we speak to him?" Harry asked.
"Sorry, but he cannot come to this plane for a long while. Apparently it is your task." The phoenix told them.
"Well it was worth a shot, thanks anyway Fawkes."
"No problem…..knob-head!"
"Shit for brains!" Harry called out with a grin as the bird flames away. Looking at the group who had a mixture of grins (the twins, Remus and Tonks), shock (the rest of the Weasley's) and bemusement (everyone else) on their faces. "Sorry, he cannot help; apparently I'm on my own."
Dobby and Winky popped in with refreshments whilst everyone took in the information, and after a while Professor McGonagall returned to her board.
"Okay, so let's take the historical route, nearly all of them have something to do with the Founders, so what is left?"
"Godric's sword!" Ginny shouted out.
"Sorry Gin, but we already have that and it's defiantly not a Horcrux." Harry told her to her disappointment.
"What about Ravenclaw's wand, it's supposed to very powerful and Ollivander was supposed to have it." Bill asked.
Hermione withdrew her ultimate grandmothers wand and waved it around causing sparks to form at the end. "You mean this one? Sorry but it's also not a Horcrux."
"Wow, you have it, how come?" Bill asked.
"Ollivander left it to me, and before anyone asks we also know it's not Merlin's staff…." As she spoke Harry clicked his fingers causing the old staff to appear in his hand. "… cos Harry has that one."
There was a stunned silence as they looked at the staff in Harry hand.
"Is that?..." Minerva asked.
"Yeah, it's my great-great-great Grandfathers staff with a whole load more greats added; and no it's not a Horcrux." Harry said with a smile.
"OOOOkay – moving on. So it's not the sword, staff or wand. What else can we think of?"
"What about Godric's Helmet? It is supposed to be kept in the department of mysteries, but no one has seen it for years." Charlie asked.
"Good, that's a possibility." Minerva said, writing on the board. "Anything else?"
"Er sorry but I don't think it could be the helmet." Tonks said.
"Why do you say that Tonks?" she asked.
"Well, correct me if I'm wrong but the way to activate a Horcrux is to use it for its original purpose, such as wearing the diadem or writing in a diary?" she asked as Ginny shuddered at the memory of Tom's diary.
"Yes, that's what we think Tonks." Hermione told the purple haired witch.
"Well I'm sorry but according to folk-law in the Aurors department, Mad-eye found it one day when he was a young man and wore it around the department before the Unspeakables found him. There was hell to pay, but he didn't become a new Voldyshorts."
"Damm! So that's off." The headmistress said as she stuck of the item form the board. "So can anyone think of any other Founder's artefacts?" she asked the group. There was a long pause before she asked,
"Ok, what about other historical figures?"
"Merlin?" Fred mentioned.
"Well Harry has the staff, other than that I cannot think of anything else." Hermione said.
"Ok, what about King Arthur?" George said.
"Well the only think is…no! He wouldn't? Would he?" Hermione said in a whisper.
"What?" Harry asked her.
"It's been lost for centuries….surely not!" she said in a daze.
"What!?" Harry said again.
Hermione looked at him with a worried expression before she sent the image to his head. Harry paled and gulped.
Before she could explain there was a loud disturbance outside the room.
"I must see Lord Potter!" came the shout from a familiar voice.
"He is not to be disturbed!" they heard Dobby tell the visitor. There was the sound of a brief scuffle before the door burst open and Griphook came in dragging an annoyed Dobby who was holding onto his leg.
"Griphook? What's the matter? Dobby let go of Griphook!" Harry asked.
"Lord Potter, we are in need of your help. Deatheaters are attacking Diagon alley, and they have the audacity to attack Gringotts. We are holding them off for the moment, but Lord Ragnok has asked me to tell you that Tom is with them."
There was a long pause as this information was absorbed before Harry quickly stood and took charge.
"Okay, Minerva can you return to Hogwarts to inform Poppy to expect incoming injured, Mrs Weasley can you go with her to help with possible injured. Tonks you will have to stay here, you are too pregnant to fight. The rest prepare to fight, unless anyone cannot come with us?"
Fleur raised a hand. "Yes Fleur." Harry asked the blonde Veela.
"Sorry, we weren't going to mention it yet, but I cannot fight; I am pregnant. I will go with Professor McGonagall to help at the infirmary."
Mrs Weasley squealed at the news but the congratulations would have to wait, as Harry created a portkey for the others and within seconds they were all whisked away to the fight.
I.Y. I.Y. I.Y.
Earlier in Diagon Alley.
It was much busier in the alley than in recent days. It seemed that the lack of attacks had lulled the magical population into a false sense of security, and whilst it wasn't the usual happy place of yesteryear, the street was full of the noise of people shopping, talking and going about their business. All that was shattered when with a loud bag over forty Deatheaters appeared in the Alley accompanied by over a hundred Dementors. There was a short moment of silence as they masses eyed the intruders before the screaming started. The Deatheaters were casting killing curses like they were going out of fashion, and the Dementors were mopping up anyone that the curses missed. The carnage was terrible to behold, the only saving grace was that it was during term time, and with Hogwarts a much safer place now many children were away from the alley. However there were still younger children with their parents caught in the crossfire. Many were running for cover in the shops and trying to apparate away, but the wards that Voldemort had cast made this impossible, The Goblins at Gringotts had flung open the doors and were herding as many of the public into the bank as they could whilst fighting the Deatheaters. Goblins were not allowed to use wands, so they favoured swords; very sharp and long swords that inflicted terrible damage on whomever they cut. This however was a problem as they needed to get close to their prey and killing curses could be cast from a distance. Many Goblins died on this day in defence of the Wizarding word, and in years to come it would be remembered as the day the goblins and the humans fought as one. Some of the wizards had joined the Goblins in the defence as the public ran. In the middle of all of this Lord Voldemort stood and basked in the terror and death. He hadn't cast a single curse apart from the anti-apperation wards and was enjoying his minions work and watching the burning buildings within the street.
Suddenly another group appeared with Harry Potter at the head. With a loud cry Harry waved Merlin's staff and forcibly removed the wards that Voldemort had cast. This caused the evil wizard to cry out in pain before collapsing as his wards were cast away. Bellatrix rushed to his side and tried to help him up. Meanwhile Harry raised his voice and shouted.
"The wards are down, everyone get out of here now! Patronuses now!" and all the new defenders that could, cast powerful Patronus charms, with Harry's Stag and Hermione's Doe the largest and the most powerful. They made quick work of the Dementors; either killing them or driving the majority away until they fled into the sky. It all happened so quickly that the majority of the Deatheaters were still fighting the Goblins and failed to notice that their other defence had fled; however they soon noticed and turned to face the new threat. The fight was quick and intense with killing curses from the army of dark and cutting curses from the light. Luckily the Deatheaters were poorly trained and none of the killing curses hit home. One of the Deatheaters had crept up behind Luna and quickly pounced on her. He held his wand to her head.
"STOP or she's dead Potter." He yelled. Harry turned and smiled at Luna who had raised her eyebrows into her hairline. She reached up her hand and grabbed the man's arm, quickly breaking the bones with her new strength. He screamed in pain and them in terror as he saw her fangs elongate. This was the last thing he saw as he felt her plunge them into his exposed neck, drinking his blood.
Harry had to stop this quickly, they had been lucky so far but that was sure to run out once Voldemort regained his strength and whilst he was a lot more powerful than the last time he had faced the monster, until they had destroyed all of his Horcrux's he did not want to face the wizard and give away his advantage too soon.
"STOP! IF YOU THROW YOUR WANDS DOWN NOW YOU WILL NOT BE HARMED!" Harry yelled. The Deatheater's looked at each other before one on them laughed.
"There are still over thirty of us and less than a dozen of you. Why should we not kill you all now?" he asked in a brave voice.
"Good question..." before Harry had time to answer a killing curse was flung his way, causing him to duck and it flew harmlessly over his head, narrowly missing Kingsley.
"Well if that's your answer..." he held up the staff and felt Hermione's hand on his shoulder lending him her power as well as his own. Suddenly an intense bolt of yellow light flew out of it, impacting the Deatheater in the chest. It quickly spread creating tendrils of Yellow light that impacted on the chest of every Deatheater present. They all opened there mouths in a silent scream before they all glowed yellow and exploded in a shower of golden sparks. There was total silence as the after effects of the blast were felt. By now Voldemort had recovered and was on his feet. He too was astonished by the magic he had just witnessed and the only Deatheater left alive was Bella who was helping him to his feet. He shook of her hold and faced his immortal enemy.
"Hello Tom! You are not looking well, not getting enough sleep are you?" Harry drawled. As he looked at the evil wizard in the eyes he sent out a powerful Legilimency spell, entering Voldemort's mind with a violent wrench. He trawled through the memories of the wizard, trying his very best not to vomit at some of them, until he found the one he wanted. As soon as he had the information he withdrew and smiled at the man. All this had taken microseconds and he could tell that, whilst Voldemort knew something had occurred he was unsure as to what.
"Potter! It seems that the rumours of your death were exaggerated."
"Seems so Tom, do you want to do this now or later?" he asked raising the staff in his hand. Voldemort paled at the sight of the staff and for the first time in a very long while the evil wizard felt fear. He needed to regroup before he could finally teach this whelp and his whore the power of true magic. With a grimace he held Bella and both fled the alley. Harry looked around at the carnage, there must be over thirty dead, he thought to himself. As he surveyed the surroundings Hermione had sprung into action, creating a small triage area. Those seriously injured were port-keyed to Hogwarts, Hermione's heritage allowing her to bypass the castle impressive wards. Those less seriously injured were sent to Gringotts were a team of Goblin healers were treating them. Some of the Goblins had turned fire-fighters and were been aided by the group that Harry had brought in bringing the fires under control. The dead were sent also to Gringotts to lie in state until the funerals could be arranged. Luna finally dropped her lunch and wiped her mouth, before helping to carry the dead and injured. Finally Harry came out of his funk and approached his wife.
"What's the totals love?" he asked in a quiet voice.
"Thirty three dead, nine of which were children." She said in a pained voice. "Seventeen seriously injured, but expected to recover. Three were not sure about, and twenty three walking wounded. Of our group only Kingsley was hurt by a stray cutting curse, but it's nothing serious. Madam Malkins has been seriously damaged by fire, but no one was hurt as they all managed to get out of the back. The Goblins managed to get over a hundred into the bank and over two hundred fled once you brought down the wards. It could have been a lot worse Harry, we did good, you did good."
"But Thirty three dead!" he whispered, the tears present in his eyes.
"Harry we saved hundreds and seriously wounded Tom's army. Concentrate on that my love." She said kissing gently. He held her in his arms for a few minutes before he remembered what he had found out from Tom's mind.
"Oh and you were right about the last Horcrux Mione." He told her. "I managed to grab the memory from his mind before he fled. There is no doubt about its identity. The last Horcrux is the missing sword of King Arthur; Excalibur."
"Bugger!"
Chapter Twenty – Problems.
It was late into the night before they managed to get away from the alley. They had spent many hours helping to treat the wounded and trying to sort out the mess that the fight had created. A few Aurors had appeared well after the fighting had finished; but it turned out that the Ministry was in total disarray since the death of Thicknesse. It was apparent that the new Minister of Magic was a Death Eater; indeed he seemed pleased to flaunt it. However he had little power as most of the government had fled, leaving only a handful of toadies and boot-lickers to do his bidding. The few Aurors left were corrupt and were possible Death Eaters themselves and were quickly stunned by the members of Harry's group when they arrived and tried to arrest Harry and Hermione.
As they arrived back at Potter Cottage with a small 'pop' Harry looked at the group with him. Professor McGonagall, Madam Pomfrey, Ginny and Kingsley had returned to Hogwarts, but the rest had come back with him. They all looked shattered but proud of the work they had done.
"Well, it's late. Can I suggest that we try to get some sleep and we will continue our earlier discussion in the morning?" Harry said.
Everyone nodded and wearily left to get some sleep. Hermione was however still wired from the adrenaline that was still flooding her system.
"You - bed now!" she growled at him, dragging him up to their room. She practically ripped his clothes of and proceeded to ride him for all she was worth. The air was thick with the smell of sex and ozone as her magic played around the room. Eventually after their fifth coupling Hermione was sated and the two sweaty teens were cuddling in the ruined bed.
"I love you Harry!" she said simply.
"I know!" Harry replied before kissing her lower lip. "Now get some sleep, you animal!"
Touching one of her Animagus forms, she actually caused her eyes to become slitted like a cats and long fangs grew in her mouth.
"You better believe it Mister!" she growled at him before allowing her features return to normal. Soon the pair were fast asleep in each other's arms.
They woke the following morning feeling sticky and much happier that the night before, and after a long shower they made their way down to breakfast. Molly and Arthur were sat at the kitchen table drinking tea and the twins were making bacon sandwiches. Winky was trying to shoo everyone away from the cooker but was hindered by Crookshanks who seemed to of taken a shine to the diminutive elf and was constantly winding himself around her legs.
"Morning you two, How are you both this morning?" Molly asked as she poured them a cup each.
"Well thank you Molly. Where are the others?" Hermione asked, aware that she could sense the other magical signatures within the house but trying to make conversation.
"Well Bill and Fleur are still in bed, Fleur is feeling sick due to her pregnancy. Charlie is outside exercising. Luna and her father are chatting in the lounge. I don't think Luna slept last night, I'm not even sure if she needs to sleep anymore. Anyway Remus and Tonks are somewhere resting; Tonks went to Hogwarts to help treat the wounded and she and Fleur didn't get back from Hogwarts that long ago. The rest are still at Hogwarts."
"Okay, we have some news about the last Horcrux. I know what it is now, only problem is where." Harry said. "We could use some help with it."
"Okay, I'll round everyone up after breakfast and we can discuss it." Molly said excitedly.
Meanwhile Luna was trying to convince her father not to do something stupid.
"Dad, you cannot do it!" she said in an exasperated voice.
"Why not pumpkin, it would make a great front cover story. 'My Daughter, the Vampire with a soul!' Just imagine the headline with your picture on the front cover." Xeno said with a mad smile.
"Dad! You're not listening. People do not like Vampire, souls or otherwise. I am going to have enough problems in the future with people's petty prejudices as it is without my picture plastered all over the front of our newspaper. I have to drink blood for Merlin's sake; Human blood! When I was in Romania I said I would never drink from another human, but as soon as I was presented with that Death Eater, I couldn't help myself. Face it Dad, I am a killer, an evil killer and I will probably kill again." She said sadly.
Xenophilius looked at his sad daughter, her cat like eyes leaking tears as she spoke. Pulling his threads of sanity together he took a deep breath.
"Luna, are Harry and Hermione evil?" he asked.
"No Daddy, off course not, they are the best people I have ever met." She replied with some feeling.
"Well as far as I remember they killed over thirty Death Eaters yesterday using the talents that they had. You killed one using your talents. The very fact you're sat here with tears falling down your face tells me that you still have a good soul and you are a good person." He told her gently. "Do you feel the urge to drink my blood, or Molly's or Arthurs? Or any of your friends?" he asked her.
"No of course not!" she said indignantly.
"Well then, it's just the same as Harry and Hermione. They don't go around killing people just because the can; and you don't go around feeding off people. You used your talents to kill an enemy in a war that does not make you a bad person. And you are right about the paper, it was a silly idea. Your just getting used to been a Vampire, last thing you need is people pointing at you or been afraid."
Luna smiled at her father and hugged him close to her. "Thank you Daddy, for everything." She was silent for a while before asking. "Do you think Mummy would be happy for me?" she asked in a small voice.
"Luna darling, your mother is very proud of everything you have done, and the way in which you have lived your life, and the friends you have made." Xenophilius said with a sad smile.
"I love you Daddy!" she said in a little girl voice.
"And I love you too Luna! Now do you think Molly will have breakfast ready, I'm starving!" and almost as soon as he said, it, sensible Xenophilius disappeared and the slightly mad Xeno returned.
I.Y. I.Y. I.Y.
Voldemort was furious and if he was a little honest with himself, he was also afraid. Never before had he suffered such a humiliating defeat. He had lost over thirty of his Death Eaters; a substantial number that depleted his forces considerably when the loss of the Vampires was factored in. 'Where had the whelp got the staff of Merlin from?' He mused to himself, whilst he tortured another nameless Death Eater. 'And how come the staff seemed to work for him; does this mean that Potter is...No impossible!' he mused to himself.
"Er My Lord." A small voice said, breaking him from his thoughts.
"Yes Wormtail?"
"He's dead my lord."
"Who's dead you miserable rat?"
"The man you were torturing my Lord." Peter said in a frightened voice.
Voldemort looked up and was surprised to see the Death Eater had long since died. He broke the curse and body stopped twitching. How had he lost his train of thought so easily? What was happening to him? He had never felt so weak before as he did now and it frightened him.
"Wormtail, remove the carcass, feed it too Nagini. Leave me! Everyone out of here NOW!" he ordered. He needed to think and come up with a plan. Once he was alone he allowed himself to slump in his chair and pass a weary hand over his face. He knew that if all the evidence was correct that he only had one Horcrux left – the sword Excalibur. It took him years to find its resting place and once found he moved the item to a safe location, one where no one would think to look. That said that fact that Potter had the staff of Merlin worried him, only a direct descendant of Merlin himself could wield the staff and if he could do that could he find the sword. More to the point could Potter really have enough power to kill him. He needed to stop him and soon, but if he couldn't stop Potter directly, then maybe he could cause him so much emotional pain that he would become weak. He knew that Harry placed a huge importance on his friends and family, the death of Black was proof enough of that, so maybe the death of another friend of his would help. Maybe the death of the Mudblood whore would demoralise Harry so much that he would be easier to kill? His mind made up, he made his plans to kill Hermione Granger.
I.Y. I.Y. I.Y.
Serverus Snape was stood in line at Heathrow airport, a faked passport reading Stephen Prince and an economy ticket to Cancun in his hand. He thanked his Muggle father for the first time in his life for his knowledge of the Muggle world. As the line inched forward Serverus thought back over his life. He was a killer and he enjoyed killing. The feeling as he snuffed out the life of the young Hufflepuff was exquisite and he wanted more, but he was also a coward. He valued his own life above all others hence his fleeing. Once he got to Mexico however he intended the find the magical community there and rule it with a fist of iron. Tom Riddle had better watch out because Serverus Snape would be back. Now had he packed his suntan cream, he wondered?
I.Y. I.Y. I.Y.
Once more Harry and his wife were sat in the dining room surrounded by family and friends. It was only nine o'clock in the morning but even with classes at Hogwarts; the presence of Professor McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey, Filius Flitwick and Ginny Weasley was testament to the importance of the meeting. Breakfast had been a rowdy affair even with Luna's new meal of blood on cornflakes, this time the blood was supplied by Hermione and Luna had stated that hers was a little sweeter than Harry's, much to the amusement/disgust of the remainder of the group. "Mmm, I love blood and cornflakes!" she stated with a happy grin. Everyone looked at the purple eyed Vampire before Harry continued.
"Ok, first things first, how are the injured from yesterday's attack?" Harry asked.
Poppy Pomfrey looked up and smiled a sad smile, so like Harry to be concerned for others. "They are all doing well, the two of the three that we were really worried about are out of danger, although it will be a long recovery."
"And the other?" Harry asked, dreading the answer.
"Harry, I'm sorry but his injuries were just too severe. He passed last night." She said quietly.
Harry closed his eyes briefly and when he opened them he looked a lot older than his years allowed. "Who was it?" he asked.
"Gerald Abbott, Hannah's father." She replied in a weary voice. There was silence at the news. Everyone knew the pretty Hufflepuff girl, and their thoughts were with her and her mother at the moment. Hermione turned to Harry and took his hands.
"It wasn't your fault Harry. You didn't attack Diagon Alley and of hadn't of gone there many others would be missing loved ones today." She said in a determined voice. Harry held her close and briefly let his grief out before wiping his eyes and sitting back up in his chair.
"Yes Mrs Potter is correct Harry; Hannah's mother was one of the ones you saved. Hannah has asked to see you to express her thanks for saving her mother and trying to save her father. She was most insistent that you come to Hogwarts this afternoon to see her." Professor McGonagall said. "Will you come?" she asked in a desperate voice.
Harry looked at his wife and she nodded discreetly to him. "Yes we will come, we need to check some stuff in the library and talk to Cassie anyway. We will accompany you after the meeting."
"I need to go as well Harry." Luna spoke with a determined expression. Luna was sat next to her father and Ginny who was looking at her friend with a curious expression. They had not had much chance to chat since Luna's turning and Ginny was aware that the conversation was overdue. She had spoken to her mother about the situation and was determined for Luna to know that she was going to abandon her friend just because she was a Vampire now. Luna seemed to know that Ginny was thinking about her and looked over at her friends and smiled, her fangs peeking through her mouth as she did so.
"And the rest of the dead?" Harry asked.
"Mainly shoppers and the like although there was an ex-Auror killed. He was trying to stop the Death Eaters but no one was helping him."
"Sod it! We need to stop Voldemort and soon, the world is getting more fucked-up with every passing day. And with that in mind we now know what the last Horcrux is. That was the only good thing to come out of yesterday. I was able to grab the knowledge from Tom's head."
Everyone took as gasp, not only as the knowledge that Harry knew what the last Horcrux was, but that he had the power to get it from one of the most powerful dark wizards that there ever had lived.
"Well what is it Harry?"Remus asked.
"Oh yeah, the last Horcrux is the sword of Merlin, it's Excalibur!" Harry said
There was a moment of absolute silence before everyone started talking at once; shouting, exclaiming and talking to each other. Eventually everyone calmed down.
"Are you sure Harry?" Remus asked.
"Yeah 'fraid so."
"Please tell us you know where the item is because no one else knows where it is. It's been missing for centuries." He asked in a hopeful voice. Harry grimaced at this statement.
"Not exactly. I was able to see a large block of stone with the sword embedded in it. It was on a small island in the middle of a lake, but beyond that...nothing!"
"Bugger!" Tonks said. "So how we gonna find it Harry?" she asked.
Harry looked at Hermione with a grin. "We unleash our secret weapon...Hermione power! That's why we need to go to the library at Hogwarts." He said with a mischievous grin, earning himself a thump on the arm from Hermione. Everyone else laughed at their antics despite the seriousness of the situation.
"Ow! Hey don't bruise the hero!" he whined. Hermione laughed and kissed him briefly.
"Well, yes the library may help but we are also hoping that Cassie may remember some snippet of information from the times of the Founders. After all they were born near to Merlin's time. Plus there is a good chance that Godric is related to Arthur."
Minerva eyebrows raised at the news, if this was indeed true then that would mean that Harry was also related to King Arthur, he would have a double right to the sword of kings. Harry looked at her and gently shook his head. Even if it was true, he did not want that responsibility. The Headmistress glared at him, this 'conversation' was not over and Harry could expect a more in-depth one later.
"Ok, so if you find the sword, how the hell are you going to destroy it to remove the Horcrux? Legend has it that the sword is indestructible." Remus asked.
Harry looked at the group looking at him with expectant expression. He smiled and said – "Buggered if I know!" everyone groaned.
I.Y. I.Y. I.Y.
In a small clearing of ancient trees, a rough block of old granite stood. The clearing was in a small forest that made up the entirety of the little island that stood in the middle of a vast lake. However to the onlooker the island was invisible, both to the naked eye and to a magical scan. The wind rustled the leaves of the branches as they overlooked the large block of stone. Embedded into the stone, point first was a large sword, its silver blade totally untarnished, as was the golden handle complete with deep red rubies fixed to the pommel. Ancient writing could be seen on the shaft of the blade, written in a language that only two people in the whole world could read. However there was also an aura of darkness surrounding the blade, a dark shadow that tried to possess the ancient magic of the sword. The sword resisted the evil, but could not completely throw it off. As the sun moved across the sky the trees rustled and a figure moved into the clearing. The figure, clothed in a deep blue cloak pushed back the hood exposing the face of a beautiful woman. Her face was young and old at the same time, a timeless beauty that had witnessed many seasons come and go. She thought back to when her old lover and father of her two children had returned the blade to the lake, prompting her to catch the blade as it returned to the lake. She had moved it to the stone it now stood in and began her long vigil. She had seen the evil one come move the sword to a new location; she had moved with it, she had to for she was linked to the sword through ties of blood. So long as there was a lake she could exist and the evil one had moved the sword to this little island in the middle of a large lake. Once he had moved the sword he then cast his evil magic over the sword, killing a young girl that he had brought with him as he did so. She could have stopped him but knew that the event had to happen. She was not the one destined to destroy the evil one, so she had sadly let it happen. Before he left he then cast the invisibility spell that removed the island from view and also the Fidelius charm that stopped people from remembering the island. Once he had gone she had buried the body of the girl and grieved for her. Nimue knew that the time of redemption was fast approaching and knew her part that she had to play.
I.Y. I.Y. I.Y.
The small group appeared in Great Hall with an almost silent pop. Harry and Hermione had used their Founders magic to silently appear within the confines of the castle, the magical wards not affecting them.
"Well that was ...different." Professor McGonagall said with a grin, making her look years younger. Harry laughed at the look on her face before turning serious. He looked around the Hall, surprised to see that it had a few students studying. Minerva saw his confusion and smiled. "Well with myself and Filius with you some of the students were given a free period. We have been using the Hall as a study centre recently, it allows students from different houses to study together; plus they all feel safer here for some reason."
The few students were staring, open mouthed at the group apart from one girl who was currently running full speed towards them.
"HHHHAAAAAARRRRRRYYYYYY!" she yelled as Charlotte flung herself at her saviour, kissing him full on the lips as she did so.
"Sorry, Aunt Mione but ... well no but just sorry, and well I'm not even that sorry!" she giggled as she tried to kiss Harry again. Harry was laughing at the look on Hermione's face.
"Aunt Mione? Where did that one come from Charlotte? And stop kissing my husband, and Harry stop letting her."
Finally Charlotte stopped her assault on Harry and managed to look a little contrite, the effect totally spoilt by the grin playing around on her lips. "Well if Cassie is your daughter and I am her sister, then that would make you also my mother, but since I have one of those I made you my Aunt."
Harry was laughing as he looked at his wife trying to work her mind around the logic of the statement. Finally she looked at the girl. "If that is true then doesn't that make Harry your Uncle, and if that's the case then kissing him that way is just wrong."
"Nah, Harry's my Husband!" she said with a laugh before kissing him once more and running back to the Hufflepuff table, her hair streaming behind her as she ran and laughing as she went.
"Husband? Why the little minx!" Hermione said much to everyone's amusement. "Come on Harry, Luna we need to go to the library and look up Excalibur, but before that we had better go and see Hannah." She said with an annoyed but still amused look.
"Er Can you give me and Ginny a moment please." Luna said. "I'll catch you both up in the library."
Hermione and Harry nodded and looked at the headmistress.
"She is in the Infirmary" she told them.
Harry raised an eyebrow but said nothing, both turning to leave in the company of the healer.
Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick left to get back to work whilst Luna took hold of Ginny's hand, who flinched at first before allowing herself to be dragged to the end of the one of the tables.
"Ginny, talk to me. What's the problem?" Luna said.
"Luna, what do you want me to say?" she asked.
"Well I can tell you are uncomfortable with me now, is it because I am a Vampire?" she asked in a quiet voice.
"No not really. I mean at first I was scared but now that I have spent time with you no. I think my main problem is everything is changing and I don't where I fit in anymore. I mean I loved Harry, and I mean I really loved him, still do truth be told; I thought we could have a future together and everything. I then learn that he is immortal and married to Hermione and for one moment I really hated her. Really hated her for taking my future from me, but then I saw them together and well... who could hate what they have, they are perfect for each other. And now you, my first and best friend is an immortal Vampire, you will never grow old and I will age and wither away. What am I supposed to do with my life, I am a nothing, a no one with no role to play." Ginny said, the tears rolling down her face as she spoke.
Luna was shocked by the emotional outburst she was witnessing and took hold of her friend's hand.
"Ginny, you are not a no-one of a nothing, you are my best friend and Vampire or not I still need you. I cannot help the fact that I was turned, it was fated to happen, and there are dark days ahead of us, but you are a ray of light in the dark. Harry and Hermione love you as does your entire family, and I know for a fact that there is someone special out there for you. Someone we both know and he will love you and your children with a passion."
"Who Luna?" Ginny asked despite herself.
Luna grinned at her friend, her fangs showing slightly, but before they could say anything they both felt a number of people arrive at the table. Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Parvati Patil and Neville Longbottom all sat down with a thump at the table.
"Ginny, how you doing?" Dean asked, before looking up at Luna. "Bloody 'ell Luna what happened to you?" he asked.
Luna smiled at the group aware that fear may be a problem, but happy that the man Ginny would spend the rest of her life with was present. "Well, I am a world's first; I am the only Vampire with a soul." She said as she allowed her fangs to elongate. Parvati screamed a little whilst most of the others shield back from her. That was apart from one that only had eyes for the red-haired girl sat next to her. "Don't worry, I am still Luna, and I don't need to feed on humans, but I am a little different from the old Luna."
"Wow.. I mean wow!" Seamus said. "That's so cool!" he muttered.
"Hi Ginny, how are you?" a voice asked, unaware of the conversation around him.
Luna just smiled to herself. 'At last' she thought.
"Hi Neville" Ginny replied shyly.
I.Y. I.Y. I.Y.
Harry and Hermione followed the Healer up to the Infirmary in silence that was until Hermione thought to ask a question that had been bothering her.
"Er Madam Pomfrey, why is Hannah in the Infirmary? She wasn't hurt was she?"
"No Hermione, but she was very upset and collapsed when she heard the news. She banged her head and we felt that the privacy of the Infirmary would be appreciated. Her friend Susan is with her, keeping her company."
They all arrived at the Infirmary and Madam Pomfrey showed Harry and Hermione to the private room that Hannah had been using. Knocking gently on the door, Harry pushed it open and looked inside. Hannah was fast asleep on the bed with Susan Bones barely covered with a thin sheet, both girls were cuddling each other in a fairly intimate way.
"Er Mione, can you go in first." He said as he popped his head back out of the room, his face bright red. Hermione looked confused until she poked her head around the door. She looked back at the blushing wizard and grinned at him. "Oh Harry! Don't be such a prude!" she said in amusement as she entered the room. She walked over to the couple, it was clear that they were both naked under the covers that only covered there lower halves and the room smelt of sex. Whilst it wasn't common in the Wizarding world it wasn't unheard of for a couple of witches to get together, and it was clear that Susan and Hannah were very good friends.
"Suse, Hannah. It's Hermione, time to wake up now." She gently told the pair, whilst touching their shoulders. Hannah slowly began to wake but Susan quickly opened her eyes, a worried look in them. She relaxed a little when she saw Hermione stood in front of her, but quickly blushed as she realised her predicament.
"Oh Hermione thank Merlin it's you!" she said.
"Susan, don't worry. I'm sure that Poppy would be discreet, after all you are both old enough now and in a private room."
"Thanks Hermione, I've loved her for years and not said anything, but she looked so sad and vulnerable, and I just hugged her and well one thing led to another, and well you can see the rest."
"And she was brilliant!" Hannah said from the bed. "She was there for me when I needed her the most and I love her for it. Hermione is Harry with you?" she asked.
"Yeah Hannah, he outside been very embarrassed." Hermione told her with a grin.
"Embarrassed why? Because of us been together?" Susan asked.
"No I don't think so, I think it's because there was rather more skin showing that he was expecting." She said with a laugh as the pair looked down upon their ...pairs.
"Oh, how embarrassing. I wanted to thank Harry for saving my mum and trying to save my dad, not expose myself to him!" Hannah said, a deep blush spreading across her face and chest. She rummaged around in the bed and found two t-shirts that both the girls put on, and they were straightening themselves up when a tentative knock on the door was heard and a small voice said – "Can I come in yet?"
Hermione stifled a giggle, her hero was not scared of the most evil wizard in the world but two half naked girls terrified him.
"Yes Harry you can come in now." Hannah shouted.
Harry entered the room, his face bright red. "Er Hi!" he mumbled.
"Harry, come in. What's the matter, you don't have a problem with Sue and I been together do you?" Hannah asked in a small voice.
"Merlin no, you make a great couple. I just wasn't prepared to see so much of the pair of yours... I mean you." He stuttered.
"Well Harry you are honoured. You are the only wizard who has ever seen our 'pairs' and we aim to keep it that way. With us both been female we have no need to marry to continue our line, the Abbott line is safe with my cousin and Bones line will be carried on as we plan to adopt as soon as we are old enough. The baby will be a 'Bones' to carry on the name. Now I need to thank you for saving my mum and for trying to save my..." she broke off as the grief once more struck her and Susan pulled her into a hug. Harry moved across the room and also hugged the distraught girl.
"Hey Han, its okay. I'm sorry I couldn't get there quick enough to save your dad." Harry told her.
"H-h-harry" she hiccupped. "It's not your fault, it's was sodding V-v-v...oh this is ridiculous. It's was Voldemort's fault that dad died not yours. You saved many others including my mum and the Abbott family is in your debt; not that you would ever call that debt in would you? You do know that if I was attracted to blokes you would be the only one I would ever consider. When I marry Sue, would you do me the honour of giving me away?" she asked.
"Marry me?" Susan asked in a surprised voice.
"Goddess yeah Sue, you don't think I'm letting you go after last night do you?" she asked her lover.
Harry meanwhile was stunned. "Miss Abbott, I would be honoured to give you away, and I promise to be a brother to you for as long as you want me, so mote it be!" he declared, A sudden glow encased the pair as the magic took hold and suddenly Hannah had a brother.
"Thank you Bro, you have no idea what that means to me." She said hugging him even harder.
"Never a dull moment eh Potter" Hermione giggled.
"Hey I guess that makes you my sister Hermione." Hannah said, as she pulled the witch into the group hug.
"An Auntie and a sister all in a few hours, whatever next Mione?" Harry asked her.
"Shut up Potter and hug me!" came the reply.
I.Y. I.Y. I.Y.
"ARRGGGHHH SODDING BOOKS!" was the surprising shout from Hermione Potter. Harry, Hermione and Luna along with Ginny and Neville were all sat in the library surrounded by books. They had been at it for the last three hours and everyone was getting a little fraught.
"What's the matter Mione, it's not like you to get cross with books?" Harry asked his annoyed wife.
"Its bloody historians, they cannot seem to make up their minds. Look we know what happened to Excalibur when Arthur died, Merlin cast it back into the Lake and the Lady of the Lake caught it, presumably to return it to its block of stone. Problem is no one these days seems to know where the sodding lake it, I mean how can you lose an entire lake?"
"Okay what options do you have?" Ginny asked.
"Well so far historians think the lake could of been Dozmary Pool in Cornwall, near Bodmin; Llyn Llydaw or Llyn Ogwen, both in Wales near Snowden; The Loe also in Cornwall near Porthleven; a lake on the River Brue in Somerset called Pomparles Bridge; Llyn Du somewhere in Scotland, although no one is quite sure where in Scotland and sodding lake Aleines in bloody France!"*
"Great, any other idea as to where to start?" Harry asked in a resigned tone.
"Well I think we can dismiss the one in France for the moment, but all of the others have merit."
"Great so we have, what was it six? Yes six possible locations that we need to search. We really need to narrow it down. What else does history tell us?" Harry asked.
"Well according to the books, when Arthur died Merlin rode to the lake and cast the sword away, that would imply that the lake was within a short distance of where Camelot once stood. Problem with that is Merlin was a wizard and could just apparate to wherever the lake was. The one redeeming piece of information is that King Arthur as far as we know was not a wizard and he also visited the lake, so that does help. If we know the location of Camelot then we can narrow it down."
"So what do we know about the location of Camelot then?" Harry asked.
"Well a lot of people and books say that Camelot was located in Cornwall, in a place called Tintagel, however other reports have Camelot in Wales or Scotland."
"This is impossible! We need more help with this. Cassie!"
The seat across the table glowed and the young girl that represented the castle was suddenly sat there. Neville and Ginny gasped as they had not met the young girl yet.
"Daddy!" she yelled flinging herself at Harry.
"Whoa! What the hell?" Neville asked.
"Nev, sorry mate I forgot to warn you. This is Cassiopeia or Cassie for short, her other name is the Lady Hogwarts. The castle is alive and sentient due to generations of magical kids living and learning here. Cassie is the castle's representation of Hogwarts."
"Hi Lord Longbottom, what my esteemed Father is struggling to explain, is that whilst I am the castle, I am neither only a representation nor am I not real. I am alive and I am more or less human at the same time. I am also the 'daughter' of the Founders and since Harry and Hermione are the heirs to the Founders I am their daughter...sorta. I kinda adopted them." She said with a wry grin.
"Hello then Cassie, it's a pleasure to meet you. How come you are so young, I would of thought that Lady Hogwarts would be a little older, if you don't mind me asking." Neville asked.
"Ha, that's easy. When I first met these two I was an older person, timeless you may say, but since I adopted them and since they found me a sister, I find that I like this form better. It suits my needs better and it allows me to hug my 'parents'."
Harry and Hermione smiled at the young girl and she pulled Hermione into her embrace. All three smiled at each other as they hugged.
The three remained in the embrace for a little while before Ginny nervously cleared her throat.
"Oh sorry you two, just connecting with Mum and Dad. Ginny on behalf of Hogwarts I am sorry for what happened to you in your first year here. I tried so hard to help you, but the magic of the dark one was too strong for me. You were very brave and you resisted very hard. Hogwarts is proud of you."
Ginny looked surprised and nodded her thanks. Harry and Hermione retook their seats and Cassie looked at them with expectant eyes.
"Well, how can I help?" she finally asked.
"Cassie, we are trying to find the resting place of Merlin's sword, Excalibur. We have six possible locations for the lake, but they are spread all over the place. We figured that the lake would be near to the location of Camelot, but that also spreads us out thinly. We need some help."
"Hmm, from what I know Camelot was supposed to be in the Cornwall area, so I guess you should start with those first, but I may be wrong. Godric rarely spoke about his ancestors, don't forget King Arthur and Merlin was a long time before the Founders and even then Camelot had been missing for centuries."
"Ok, well I suppose we have to start there, I guess a visit to Cornwall is in order." Hermione stated. "Will you be able to tell if Excalibur is there or nor Harry?" she asked.
"I guess we will find out when we get there 'Mione"
"I think we should try Dozmary Pool first, it's the one that's closest to Tintagel" Hermione said.
"What can we be doing Harry?" Neville asked.
"Research and more research. You can contact us through Dobby if you find anything." He said to the pair.
"Well no time like the present is there?" Luna said with a wide grin.
A/N * All these lakes (with the exception of the one I have made up for the story) are real and all are supposed to have been the inspiration for the 'Lady of the Lake' story. Which one I have made up will be revealed later however, but you can work it out if you look online.