Luna/Fay screeched in fear and pain as they continued to fall down towards the cliffs surrounding Hogwarts.
"Portkey, Fay," Luna urged her friend.
But, the cuts were too deep and Fay's pain was too great to heed what Luna was saying. The cliffs were getting closer, and if they didn't do something soon they would not survive.
"Se…pa…rate," Fay groaned as they continued to fall.
"I won't leave you," Luna said firmly.
"Mu…st," Fay urged weakly. "Li…ve…f-for…Ne-Neville."
"Give me control," Luna said suddenly. "I'll take most of the pain."
Though weak, Fay was firmly against the idea. "You're too important," she said. With sudden strength, she pushed Luna back out of her mind, until there was a 'crack' and there were two bodies falling.
Luna screamed as she fell faster, but her mind was clear from the pain. She quickly looked up and saw that Fay was still falling and appeared to be unconscious.
"Fay!" she cried as she reached for her.
She created a ball of light in her hand using her limited fairy magic, and threw it over to Fay. When it made contact, Fay got suspended in midair and started gliding towards the ground at a much slower pace.
Neville, Luna thought with tears in her eyes as the rocks got closer. I'm so sorry. I love you.
When the rocks were within thirty feet, she closed her eyes and waited for the brief moment of pain followed by nothing.
There was a sound of wings beating followed by a screech. Luna felt the wind blow around her as something came at her at incredible speeds before she felt something grab onto her shoulders with sharp talons.
She winced as the talons cut into her skin and opened her eyes and looked up at her savior.
"Goldengaze," she gasped. "Save Fay!"
The great griffin turned his golden eyes further up and quickly sped forward to catch the unconscious falcon in his other paw.
"She is gravely injured," he said in his deep voice. He hoisted Luna on his back before handing her, her beloved familiar and flew towards some even ground. When he landed, he knelt down on the ground and helped Luna get down. "Tell me what happened to you," he ordered.
Luna sat down on the ground shakily and began applying basic healing spells to Fay, in hopes of stopping the bleeding. "Dumbledore came back to his office," she sniffed. "He saw Fay and sent Fawkes after us to kill us. I don't know where Fawkes is now."
Goldengaze looked very troubled at this. "For a phoenix to be ordered to kill, then their wizard's influence must be very great. Did Fawkes show remorse?"
"Yes," Luna answered. Fay stopped bleeding, but her breaths were too quick and shallow and she still hadn't regained consciousness.
"Then Dumbledore's influence hasn't completely overcome him," Goldengaze said with a sigh. "Dumbledore honestly thinks that everything he does is for the Light. And soon, Fawkes will think that murder for the 'Light' will be acceptable too."
Luna was only partially hearing what Goldengaze was saying, she was too busy tending to her familiar. "She needs to go back to Potter Manor," she said. "Winky can tend to her better than I can."
"Go quickly then and then return," Goldengaze instructed gently. "I will take you somewhere safe for your planning."
"Thank you," Luna said softly. She touched her portkey and arrived back at Potter Manor. After giving Fay a comforting hug and a few words of love, she passed her to Winky and used her portkey to arrive back where Goldengaze was waiting. "Let's go," she said as she wiped her eyes free of tears.
Goldengaze crouched down so Luna could climb onto his back again before beating his massive wings and flew over the castle.
"How did you find me?" Luna asked over the wind.
"I am your keeper," Goldengaze answered. "I sensed that Ravenclaw's magic was in danger and I went to aid you. Unfortunately, I had to reveal my true form to the Order and Death Eaters in order to get to you in time. But, it was a price that I was happy to pay."
Luna hugged him gratefully. "What are the casualties so far?" she asked.
Goldengaze turned and began flying between the towers of Hogwarts. "I saw a young man with red hair get attacked by a werewolf in human form. And I saw many stunned Death Eaters vanish so I am assuming that Hermione secretly sent them to Black prison before they could be revived."
They landed on the Dark Tower which was outside of the vicinity of the battle and secure enough so Luna would be safe.
Luna got off of Goldengaze's back and gave him another hug. "Thank you, Goldengaze. Give me a moment to see where you're needed the most."
Digging into the bag which Fay had miraculously held onto, she pulled out the Map and quickly activated it. It took her a few moments to assess the battle and decide where to send him to.
"Harry and Neville need more help," she decided. "Most of the goblin force has been taken out and now Harry and Neville are outnumbered."
Goldengaze nodded and shook out his wings. "Well, since I have already been seen as a griffin, I may as well fight to the best of my abilities."
Luna nodded. "Will you be able to maneuver in the corridor?" she asked.
"It will be challenging," Goldengaze admitted. "But, that's what life is. Now, will you be alright on your own, dear Luna?"
"I may be more of a strategist than a fighter, but I can still take care of myself," Luna said with a smile.
Goldengaze laughed and nuzzled Luna affectionately. "You are more of a warrior than you give yourself credit for. Be safe, dear one. Don't tell the others this, but you are my favorite Heir. Your kindness and ability to believe make me feel young again. I have expressed this with Willowsong, and she agrees that when our daughter is of age, she will be named Robinsky. Because your heart knows no bounds, and is as free as the sky."
"Goldengaze," Luna said, touched.
"Farewell," he said with one last nuzzle.
The griffin then spread his powerful wings and leapt off of the tower. Luna watched him fly away towards the battle before setting up protective wards and setting up her station. She could only pray that the battle would end soon.
Hermione clung to the sides of the Great Hall, disillusioned, as she shot stunners at any Death Eaters who were overpowering the teachers or the Order members. Whenever one fell, their opponent would simply move onto the next Death Eater without too much thought, allowing Hermione time to put a portkey around the fallen Death Eater, sending them to the Black prison.
The Order members and teachers only stunned the Death Eaters and it made Hermione roll her eyes in annoyance. Every time one was stunned, they were revived within twenty seconds.
Dumbledore tries very hard to make sure that the Order has a good reputation as warriors of the 'Light', Hermione thought dryly. But, in war, it's impossible to remain Light. The best that you can do is stay Gray.
She watched as Mr. Weasley stunned a Death Eater and turned his back. While his back was turned, another Death Eater revived him. Before he could kill Mr. Weasley, Hermione shot a silent, bone-breaking curse. The Death Eater screamed in pain, and Hermione quickly stunned him mostly to shut him up.
When Hermione had arrived at the Great Hall, she had seen Goldengaze fighting in his human form. For a griffin that was imposing as a man, he was a very good duelist and he quickly took down a few Death Eaters with bone-breaking curses.
What had worried Hermione was when Goldengaze had suddenly stiffened in the middle of a duel. His golden eyes had gotten a far-off look before they narrowed dangerously. Then, before everyone, he changed into his true form and quickly flew out of the Great Hall and away from the battle. Hermione could only guess where he had gone in such a hurry.
When the last Death Eater was taken down, Hermione canceled her disillusion charm and quickly went to heal any injured Order members. She was healing Remus's wounded leg when Dumbledore entered the Great Hall.
"Well done my friends," he said in a voice that carried over the hall. "You have won this battle, and you have won it for the Light. We are victorious."
The Order members cheered in victory and Hermione had to bite her lip to keep herself from shouting that the biggest battle was still happening.
Professor McGonagall limped over to Dumbledore with a smile on her face. "Many of the Death Eaters fled when we overwhelmed them, Albus. You were right that we could defeat them without injuring them."
They didn't flee, I sent them to prison, Hermione thought coldly. She couldn't believe that her favorite professor would be so blind to Dumbledore's orders.
Dumbledore looked around the Great Hall and frowned when he saw the injured Death Eaters. "Who cast to injure?" he asked.
"Griffin did," Mr. Weasley gasped. "He fled the battle after shifting into his real shape. He's an actual griffin, Albus."
"A real griffin?" Dumbledore gasped in shock. "He must be brought to me; a griffin could be invaluable during the war."
Unable to take it, Hermione stood up and walked over to Dumbledore. "His name is Goldengaze and he's not a pawn for you to sacrifice," she snapped.
"Miss Granger!" McGonagall gasped in shock.
"No, Professor," Hermione said harshly. "Dumbledore gives orders to merely stun Death Eaters, but as soon as they're stunned they're revived and they kill you while your back is turned. I can understand not using the killing curse because that curse requires the true desire to kill. But, we're in a war, and we can't afford to simply use a fourth-year spell on our enemies. If we continue to do that, then we might as well pick out our tombstones now."
Dumbledore looked at her with cold, blue eyes. "Miss Granger, you are too young and inexperienced to understand what is needed in war. If we kill our opponents, then we are no better than they are."
Hermione smiled just as coolly. "You're wrong, Dumbledore. There is death in war, it's inevitable. But, killing in battle doesn't make you evil. What makes the Death Eaters evil is that they kill anyone and they enjoy it. So long as we don't kill for fun, then we are not on their level."
Some of the Order members nodded in agreement, but Dumbledore was not about to let a bookworm like her make him seem inferior.
"That attitude leads to becoming Dark," he said dangerously. "The way of books is not the way that life actually is. You know nothing outside of your books."
A few years ago, the insult would have made Hermione cry, but now it just brought a smile to her face. "I know more than you will ever know," she said happily.
Before she unintentionally taunted Dumbledore to act on something, Hermione ran out of the Great Hall. When she was out of earshot, she pressed her galleon.
"Are Harry and Neville still fighting?" she asked Luna.
"Yes," Luna answered, albeit a bit shakily.
"Are you alright?" Hermione asked in concern.
"Dumbledore had Fawkes try to kill Fay when we were merged," Luna said. "Fay got hurt and Goldengaze saved us from falling to our deaths."
Hermione took in a sharp breath. "So that's why he left so abruptly. Are there any straggling Death Eaters in the halls?"
"No," Luna replied. "The only remaining Death Eaters are fighting Neville and Harry."
"I'll come get you and we'll join them," Hermione said. "Where are you?"
"Dark Tower."
Hermione concentrated and apparated to the top of Dark Tower. She waited while Luna deactivated her protective spells before she grabbed her best friend's hand and apparated them to where their beloveds were still fighting.
Harry wiped the sweat from his brow in a quick second before he brought his sword up to intercept a spell before retaliating with one of his own.
The Death Eaters had now lost about half of their senses, but now they were firing curses like mad, taking out both enemies and comrades. There were now about fifteen Death Eaters left alive, and they had lost most of their goblin force. Beside him, Neville was firing powerful curses of his own, aiming to seriously injure and incapacitate their opponents.
Neville had returned from his duel looking shaken and with a bit of blood on his robes, but the grim satisfaction on his face had told Harry all that he needed to know, that Bellatrix Lestrange was taken out.
"Expelliarmus!" Harry shouted at a Death Eater who got too close to Neville. When the Death Eater's wand went flying, Neville cut him down with a swing from his sword. The Death Eater screamed in pain before dropping to the floor with a 'thud'.
"Thanks mate," Neville panted.
Harry nodded in acknowledgement and went to duel the next Death Eater.
"Aresto Momemtum!" he shouted with his wand pointed right in front of him. The Death Eater's movements started slowing and before he could retaliate, Harry shouted, "Carpe Retractum!"
A long piece of rope was conjured from his wand and wrapped its way around the advancing Death Eater. Harry then pulled the Death Eater towards him and used his other hand to stab the Death Eater in the gut with his sword.
Not wasting time to feel guilt over killing, Harry tossed the now dead, Death Eater to the side and shot a stunner at another Death Eater. When the Death Eater fell, the closest goblin finished him off.
The Death Eaters, who were still either alive or able to fight, gathered together and started making a slashing motion with their wands. Harry's eyes narrowed in anger when they all simultaneously cast the same curse that had nearly killed Hermione at the Department of Mysteries.
"Behind me!" Harry ordered. When Neville and the remaining goblins were out of harm's way, Harry put his wand in its holster and thrust his sword into the ground. He then quickly wiped his finger on one of his cuts before he rubbed it over one of the protective runes on the sword.
The sword glowed white and threw out a white, protective barrier to intercept the onslaught of curses. Under the weight of all the curses, the sword trembled, but the ancient magic of the goblins prevailed and the curses vanished.
"Goblins, fire!" Harry shouted.
Simultaneously, the goblins held out their palms and launched a barrage of fire balls. Hastily, the Death Eaters threw up shields, but not every Death Eater moved fast enough and they were consumed by flames.
"Colloshoo!" Harry shouted with his wand pointed at the floor. A sticky substance shot out of his wand and covered the floor in front of the Death Eaters. When one Death Eater stepped on it, his shoes became stuck and no matter what he tried, he wasn't going anywhere. While the Death Eaters struggled to get rid of the sticky substance, Harry fought to regain his breath.
Harry felt a tug at his waist and looked down to see a wounded goblin staring up at him.
"Lightscar," he croaked. "We do not have enough magic to launch another simultaneous attack. What are your orders?"
Harry quickly assessed the battle. There were still ten Death Eaters left standing, and they were down to only five goblins. As much as it pained Harry to admit it, the goblins were no match for the Death Eaters' ability to fire off rapid killing curses.
"Get the rest of the goblins out of here," Harry said after a moment. "There is no reason for all of you to die."
"You ask us to flee like cowards," the goblin snapped.
Harry shook his head. "I ask you to live. You and the other survivors will be crucial to the next battle. You've fought wizards and survived, we'll need your knowledge and experience. Get the others and return to your base. Neville and I will take care of the rest."
The goblin hesitated a moment before nodding. "Very well, Master Lightscar," he said respectfully. "But, you have better survive, lest Master Zux skin us alive."
Harry laughed and nodded. "I'll do my best. Now go."
The goblin nodded and quickly got the rest of his comrades together before they apparated away. Neville nodded in support when the goblins left and moved closer to Harry. Out of the shadows of the corridor where they had silently been taking down Death Eaters, Kex and Sage ran over to their wizards.
"Let's merge," Harry said confidently. "I want to take out the rest of these jokers with a couple more spells."
"That's all that I have left in me," Kex panted. "A couple spells." Beside him, Sage nodded in agreement.
"Then they'll have to be pretty effective spells," Neville said cheerfully.
The familiars body-merged and Harry could immediately tell that they had a very limited time to take out their enemies.
"Altogether," Harry instructed. "Blasting curses full power above and on."
"We'll take above," Neville/Sage said.
"Then we've got on," Harry/Kex said.
The two wizards pointed their wands at their respective targets and shouted, "Confringo!"
Neville and Sage's curse blasted the roof over the Death Eater's heads, causing hundreds of pounds of stones to fall on them, and Harry's and Kex's curse collided with the falling stone, causing the remaining Death Eaters to explode along with the rubble. A few agonized screams came from the Death Eaters, but they soon ended.
As soon as the screams ended, both wizards separated from their familiars and fell to their knees in exhaustion.
"I'm ready for a nap," Neville coughed.
Harry laughed dryly. "I'm ready to sleep for a week. We've taken down, what, forty Death Eaters?"
"Give or take a few," Neville chuckled before he stopped suddenly. "I never thought that I would be this calm after killing," he added softly.
"Either them or us," Harry said instantly. "I find it easier thinking that every Death Eater that I kill is one less that will hunt down Hermione based off of her heritage."
Neville thought about it for a moment before nodding. "That does help."
The two best friends shared a laugh and didn't notice the moving rubble in front of them. Harry wasn't aware of the green light heading right towards him until he heard a shout, "Harry!"
A gray body came from out of nowhere and shielded Harry from the killing curse. Harry's eyes widened in horror and a strangled cry came out of his throat as his savior fell to the floor, dead.
"Goldengaze!"
chapter 34
"Goldengaze!" Harry cried as the powerful griffin fell to the ground, dead.
Without thinking, Harry ran over to the griffin while Neville made quick work of the Death Eater who had fired the curse before running to join Harry.
"Goldengaze, wake up," Harry pleaded as he shook the griffin's shoulder. "You can't be dead; you're the Founder's chosen one. You're supposed to help us unlock Hogwarts's magic. You can't be dead."
Behind him, Sage let out a long howl of mourning, causing tears to leak from Harry's eyes. He gripped Goldengaze's feathers in his hand before pulling the limp griffin into a hug.
"I'll make sure that Willowsong and Robin are protected," he promised through the tears.
Harry moved on the floor so he could look Goldengaze straight on. The griffin's eyes were still opened and his face was frozen in a determined gaze. With trembling fingers, Harry closed his friend's eyes.
"We should take his body to Potter Manor," Neville said quietly. "Griffin feathers are very valuable and I don't want anyone to ravage his body."
Harry nodded in agreement, but his body felt frozen. Lying in front of him was yet another life that was lost because of him.
"Harry," Hermione's soft voice said behind him.
Turning around, he saw through his teary vision Hermione and Luna standing twenty feet away from them with tears running down their faces. The girls let out a sob and ran towards their beloved's arms. Luna was sobbing uncontrollably as she looked at the dead griffin.
"H-he s-s-saved me," she sobbed into Neville's chest. "I-I s-sent him h-here. It-it's m-my fault!"
"Shh," Neville said soothingly. "It's not your fault, Love. Goldengaze chose to save Harry."
That bit of news caused Hermione's head to shoot up. "He saved you?" she asked Harry gently.
Harry nodded numbly and pulled Hermione into a hug where she rested her head in the crook of his neck. "We didn't notice that a Death Eater survived. He shot a killing curse at me that Goldengaze intercepted. I'm such an idiot. If I was paying attention then Goldengaze wouldn't have had to interfere."
Hermione shook her head and clung to Harry. "You can't torture yourself over Goldengaze's death," she sniffed. "He knew what he was doing. Don't insult his death by tormenting yourself, Love. He wouldn't have wanted that."
"It just hurts," Harry said quietly.
"I know," Hermione responded just as softly. "But, our mission isn't over. We need to take care of the dead. I'll help you tend to the fallen goblins."
"Where's Ivy and Fay?" Kex asked in an anxious tone.
Harry looked down at Hermione who took in a deep breath. "Ivy was hurt by Dumbledore," she responded. "I took her back home."
"Dumbledore sent Fawkes after Fay and she was hurt pretty bad," Luna sniffed. "She's at home too."
"Will they be okay?" Sage asked in concern. It was obvious that the wolf couldn't take losing another member of his pack so soon.
Luna gave Sage a watery smile. "I hope so," she cried.
Neville kissed Luna on the top of her head. "Why don't you go and check in on her?" he gently suggested. "You can tell Winky and Dobby what has happened."
"I'll come right back," Luna sniffed. She gave Neville a deep kiss before she activated her portkey and disappeared.
As soon as Luna disappeared, Harry gave Goldengaze one last mournful gaze before he activated the griffin's portkey. The gray griffin disappeared, and Harry felt emptier than before.
"We'll need to contact Willowsong," Neville said sadly. "But I don't know how."
"How about you go to Goldengaze's office and look for anything that can be useful?" Hermione suggested. "Before Dumbledore gets to it."
Neville nodded and left the bloody corridor at a weary walk with Sage following loyally behind him.
With a weary heart, Harry and Hermione started tending to their fallen comrades. Harry instructed Hermione on the proper ways to tend to a warrior's body on the field. Their eyes were to be closed and their weapons put on their chest with their hands around the hilt. Each body was lined up against the wall and when every single body was present, Harry chanted in Gobbledegook (A/N- no joke, that's the language) and held out his palms. Out of his palms, white fire shot and quickly consumed the bodies. With his arm around Hermione and Kex on his shoulder, Harry watched while he unashamedly had tears running down his cheeks.
Within a few minutes, the bodies were reduced to ashes and the blades remained, albeit blackened. As per goblin tradition, the blades would be put in the Field of Honor in the goblin kingdom and the ashes would be scattered to the winds.
Harry quickly blasted the remainder of the wall away, revealing the beautiful countryside. He then cast a simple wind charm and bowed respectfully as the wind took the ashes of his fallen comrades farther and farther away. When the ashes were gone, then the blades glowed white before vanishing.
Only when the hall was clear of the honorable warriors' ashes did Harry and Hermione start rounding up the Death Eater bodies. Hermione did a spell on each one to check that they were really dead. They didn't treat their enemies' bodies respectfully at all. They didn't even touch them. Using their wands' gems stored power they simply levitated the bodies in a line. Hermione had to levitate Lucius back up to the corridor and she had to conjure a sign with Lucius' name on it to put on his chest because his face had been smashed in from the fall to the point where it was almost unrecognizable.
They were almost done rounding up the remainder of the bodies when Dumbledore and the Order showed up. When they saw the forty-plus dead Death Eaters, they froze in shock.
"Harry," Dumbledore gasped. "You had the goblins murder like savages? I am very disappointed in you."
Harry had had enough. He was not in the mood to deal with Dumbledore. "Those goblins were some of the finest men that I have had the pleasure to fight beside," he said coldly. "They knew what had to be done. You preach about not hurting Death Eaters, but then when the Death Eaters eventually escape and kill again you don't take the blame. We're in a war, and in a war it's sometimes necessary to take lives."
Remus stepped forward. "Harry, you didn't cast the killing curse did you?"
"No, Remus," Harry said with a shake of his head. "But, I did take down my fair share of Death Eaters. I aim to survive, and that means that I will kill if I have to."
Dumbledore shook his head disappointedly. "That is the path to the Dark my boy," he said sadly.
Harry scoffed and rolled his eyes. "I'm not part of the Dark, but I'm also not part of the Light. I'm simply Gray. I'll fight for what's right, but I won't hesitate to kill if necessary. Now if you excuse me," he said, grabbing Hermione's hand. "I'm going home."
"Mister Potter," McGonagall said harshly. "You will do no such thing at this moment. You have killed and you need to accept the consequences."
"I will accept the consequences of fighting to survive," Harry said with a sigh. "But, I think that you'll find that in accordance to the law, I was simply defending myself and I cannot be charged with murder. It's not like I went after the Death Eaters to kill them and that makes all the difference."
"Let's go to my office," Dumbledore said firmly. "There is much for us to discuss."
For a second, Harry was tempted to object, but with a heavy sigh he agreed. He started following Dumbledore with Hermione right behind him.
"Miss Granger," Dumbledore said when he noticed her presence. "This is a discussion for Mister Potter and myself."
"Where Harry goes, I go," Hermione said defiantly with Harry nodding in agreement.
"I must insist," Dumbledore began.
"And I insist that my fiancé be present," Harry interrupted.
Without waiting for Dumbledore's response, Harry took Hermione's hand in his own and they continued walking towards Dumbledore's office. They waited for the angry wizard at the entrance and they both got some satisfaction at the anger that Dumbledore was barely managing to suppress. When they were in the office, Harry and Hermione saw down with their wands hidden in their sleeves. They weren't taking any chances.
"I do not care for the blood that you have shed in my school, Harry," Dumbledore began. "The way of the Light requires that we do not kill."
"And that's bloody stupid," Harry interrupted. "We're in a war, there's bound to be deaths."
"That is the same opinion that Tom Riddle expressed too," Dumbledore said with a smirk.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Being realistic does not make me evil. Now, is there anything useful that you wanted to tell me?"
Dumbledore's eyes flashed and Harry felt an attack on his mind. He threw up his Occlumency shields, but his shields weren't as impressive as Hermione's and they nearly cracked under the pressure. Hermione swiftly grabbed Harry's hand and used her own shield to protect Harry and Dumbledore was thrown back into his seat in surprise.
"I would appreciate it if you didn't try to mind-rape my fiancé again," Hermione said icily. "Now, say what you want so we can leave."
"I merely wanted to make sure that you weren't being possessed," Dumbledore said with a false smile.
"Speak or we leave," Harry said angrily. "I have places to be and deaths to honor."
"I want to give you lessons," Dumbledore began. "On the life of Tom Riddle so that you can better understand your enemy. If you kill him now then he will come back."
Harry sighed and stood up with Hermione following suit. "We already know about the horcruxes. We don't need your help."
"What? How?" Dumbledore gasped.
Taking Hermione's hand, they began walking back towards the stairs. "You aren't as brilliant as you think you are," Harry said, and then they were gone.
When they arrived back home, they were immediately engulfed in a hug by Winky who threw her arms around their legs.
"Master and Misses is okay," she sobbed.
Harry and Hermione both knelt down and hugged the little elf. "We're okay," Harry whispered.
"How are Ivy and Fay?" Hermione asked.
Winky sniffed a couple times before stepping back. "Ivy is fine, but Fay is still really hurt. I did all that I can Misses."
Hermione stood up and ignored the sting coming from her wounded side. "Where is she? I'll try and help her."
"In the dining room," Winky answered. She studied Hermione for a moment before adding firmly, "And I is expecting to see you too when you're done. Winky can see that you are injured."
"You're hurt?" Harry immediately demanded. Before Hermione could stop him, he put a hand on her side causing her to hiss in pain. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Hermione smiled and kissed Harry on the cheek. "It's not that bad. I got caught with a gauging curse, but I healed most of it. Worry about me later."
Before Harry could protest, she made her way to the dining room. All of the medical supplies that they had were currently in there as the room was turned into their temporary sick bay. Although the remainder goblins were back at their base, the room was still occupied.
Ivy was sitting on the table with a worried expression on her face. Her back was covered with a burn salve and her back leg was heavily wrapped. When Hermione entered, she turned to her and smiled.
"I almost apparated to you ten times," she said. "I can tell that you're hurt."
"I'm alright." Hermione gave Ivy a quick kiss on the head before continuing further down to where Luna was sitting in a chair with her head bowed.
On the table, Fay was sprawled out with her stomach covered in bandages. The falcon's breath was uneasy and when Hermione touched her she was hot with fever.
"Winky has done everything," Luna cried. "Please save her, Hermione."
Hermione was already working. She took out her illegal wand and frowned when she noticed that the gem was almost out of power. And she didn't have much left herself.
"Is your gem still full?" she asked Luna. When Luna nodded yes Hermione continued, "I need more power. Transfer your gem's power to mine."
Luna took out her wand and tapped it against the gem on Hermione's. The glow from Luna's wand flowed into Hermione's and Hermione went to work.
She gently took the bandages off of Fay and winced in sympathy at the damage. The talon marks were easily half an inch thick and Hermione could tell that infection was already sitting in.
"Winky said that the wounds are resistant to her magic," Luna said miserably. "Something about phoenix wounds. And when I tried to heal her I could only stop the bleeding."
"Luna," Hermione began gently. "Maybe you should leave. What I have to do is going to hurt her…"
Luna shook her head stubbornly. "I'm not leaving her."
With a heavy sigh, Hermione nodded. The first thing she did was do some gentle cleaning spells on the wound. With all the dirt clean from the wound, she cast a spell to get rid of infection. It wouldn't get rid of it completely, but it was a start. She then took a bottle of essence of dittany and added a couple drops to it. Fay started thrashing in her feverish state as the wound began burning, but quickly exhausted herself and lied still as the dittany did its work.
When the wound healed up more, Hermione took a damp rag and gently wiped the wound clean. She then took a magically strengthened antibiotic cream and rubbed a layer on Fay before putting fresh bandages on the wound. She gave Fay a few drops of blood-replenishing potion, fever-reducer potion, and pain potion.
"I can't give her any more than that, it would cause more harm than good," Hermione explained to an anxious Luna. "I'll give her more every couple hours. If you want to stay with her, I'm sure that she would be comforted by that. I don't want to move her a lot."
Luna nodded and gave Hermione a tight hug. "Thank you," she cried. "I couldn't bear to lose her too right after losing Goldengaze."
Hermione returned the hug. "Do you know where his body is?"
"Outside," Luna answered with a soft sob. "He always loved the Potter Grounds. I wanted him to be at peace."
"That's a great idea. Would you do me a favor and help me tend to my side?"
Luna quickly agreed and helped a hurting Hermione take off her top so she was only wearing a bra. Originally, the gouging spell had taken off quite a bit of flesh and Hermione's spell had only healed the basic damage, it hadn't restored her side. The gouge wound was no longer bleeding and it looked as if it was days old, but the wound was still red and inflamed and it would take a while for it to heal completely.
"Bloody hell Hermione," Luna gasped. "That looks like it hurts."
"It does sting a bit," Hermione admitted. "I need you to put some essence of dittany on it, two drops should do, and then add a little bit of that antibiotic cream."
"You're sounding like a healer," Luna remarked as she started doing what Hermione instructed.
Hermione hissed as the dittany made contact with her skin. "I've made a vow to become a healer after the war. In an attempt to make up for the lives that I've taken and will take."
Luna nodded supportively. "That's a wonderful idea, Hermione. You'll make a wonderful healer. I don't know what I'll do, but I'll do something good. Life is too precious to waste."
When Hermione's side was completely wrapped up and her shirt back on, she gave Luna another hug and went to pick up Ivy. They then went outside where Harry was sitting on the grass next to Goldengaze's body.
"You're alright? And Fay?" he asked her when she sat down. Ivy carefully limped out of Hermione's arms and cuddled up next to Kex.
"Little sore, but I'm fine. Fay will hopefully be alright, but I've done everything that I could," Hermione replied as she leaned into Harry. "What are you doing?"
Harry took in a deep breath as he forced himself not to cry. "I'm waiting for Willowsong. Something tells me that she knows that Goldengaze is dead and that she'll come to us. I wanted to be the one to tell her why her mate is dead."
Hermione pulled Harry's head down so that he was lying in her lap. There she lovingly stroked his hair. "She won't resent you," she said. "I'm sure that Willowsong knew that Goldengaze would be in danger during the war. It's our responsibility to take care of Willowsong and Robin as best we can."
"Goldengaze should be the one taking care of them," Harry whispered. "I don't want to lose anyone else."
"I don't either," Hermione said just as softly.
They waited with each other on the grounds for a few hours without bothering to change and wash up. Neville had checked in to report that he hadn't found anything of use and Hermione had left to check on Fay, but other than that they stayed still and quiet.
They were about to call it a night and go back inside when Harry stiffened.
"What is it?" Hermione asked sleepily.
Harry sat up and wiped his eyes. "Willowsong and Robin are almost here. I can feel their grief."
He was right. Five minutes later, a large shape was seen flying over the grounds and landed right in front of them. It was a beautiful, light-brown griffin and on her back was a dark-brown griffin that was the size of a medium dog.
"Willowsong," Harry choked out. "I'm Harry Potter."
Willowsong gazed at Harry tiredly. "I know who you are," she said in a song-like voice. She walked past Harry and sobbed as she buried her head in Goldengaze's cold feathers.
The little griffin jumped off of her mother's back and cuddled against Goldengaze's body. When she looked at Harry, Harry had to take a step back. While Robin's body looked more like her mother, her eyes were gold, just like her father's.
"Robin," Harry sniffed. "Your father was a brave warrior and it was an honor to know him. He gave up his life to save mine, and I will never forget that."
Robin looked from her father to Harry. Her gold eyes were dull with grief, but they still had the spark that Goldengaze's always had. "Daddy must have liked you then," she said simply. "And if Daddy liked you, then I will like you."
That was too much for Harry. He fell to his knees and began sobbing uncontrollably whilst repeating apologies over and over. Willowsong looked from her dead mate and observed Harry with emotionless eyes while Robin tilted her head curiously. She then walked over to Harry and cuddled next to him. For a moment, they were kin, out of their grief for the honorable griffin who had departed from the world far too soon.
chapter 35
It had been a week since the battle and the school year was over. Students were getting ready to return home for the summer and the castle was going to be repaired while the students were gone. The battle was talked about with excitement by everyone except the teachers, Slytherins, and the Heirs.
Harry had willingly offered to help restore the castle with Neville not far behind him. It was only fair because they had destroyed their fair share of it. Harry wouldn't let Hermione help because her side was still sore so she opted to making Willowsong and Robin comfortable on Potter Grounds.
After they buried Goldengaze in the grounds, Willowsong had announced that she wished to live on Potter Grounds with Robin so that they would still be close to Goldengaze. Harry was more than happy to oblige. The mother and daughter were now working on making their new home in the nearby cliffs.
Fay had pulled through her injuries and was currently taking it easy as Hermione advised her against flying for a couple more weeks. The falcon was still very sore, but grateful to be alive. She had grown very close to Robin as both of them were unable to fly. The young griffin had named herself as Fay's personal caregiver when Luna wasn't nearby.
There had been quite the uproar over all of the pureblood deaths. Ten of the killed Death Eaters, Lucius included, were on the Wizengamot and the remaining purebloods on the court had demanded that the Heirs be incarcerated for murdering those of higher status.
"They have no case," Hermione had pointed out. "They attacked us."
As always, Hermione had been right. The evidence that the dead purebloods were Death Eaters was so concrete that the charges didn't make it past Amelia Bones' desk.
At the Black prison, they had secured twenty Death Eaters. Hermione had interrogated every one of them and had found out some useful information.
Apparently Voldemort had been planning on murdering Fudge's replacement as Minister, Rufus Scrimgeour, and then effectively take over the Ministry. However, that plan wouldn't be happening so long as Dumbledore was alive which was not supposed to happen.
Hermione searched every Death Eater's mind carefully, looking for any information on where the remaining horcruxes might be. She had found a lead in one unimportant Death Eater that lead to a gross little shack. While Harry and Neville were at Hogwarts, Hermione and Luna along with a few goblin specialists had gone to the shack and recovered the next horcrux, a ring.
After Harry and Neville angrily berated their loves for going on such a dangerous mission without them, they destroyed the horcrux and put the ring in a secure spot in Potter Manor where the other former horcruxes were kept.
Luna and Neville continued their respective training while Hermione anxiously waited for the true elves to come to her. Something inside of her told her that she shouldn't tell Harry about the true elves coming for her, and though she absolutely hated keeping something from Harry, she felt that it was necessary. Because, she had no way of knowing where the true elves would take her and how long she would be gone.
Harry wiped his forehead free of sweat before levitating another stone in place. It was the day that all the students went home, and he wanted to finish the wall that he had started that day. Kex lazily sat on the floor, telling Harry where to put the stone.
"You could help you know," Harry panted as he took a deep drink from his water bottle.
Kex scratched his pelt. "I know. But those stones are bigger than I am, and I would hate to have another familiar get hurt. People might start thinking that you're abusing us."
"Ha ha," Harry said sarcastically.
He finished the wall and picked up Kex before they started heading towards Dumbledore's office where he was going to meet with the Minister of Magic and the head of the DMLE, Amelia Bones. They were finally going to put the "Pureblood Massacre" as some called it, to rest.
When they entered the office, Harry frowned as he noticed that his friends were not present. Dumbledore sat behind his desk with his patronizing smile on his face with Scrimgeour and Amelia Bones sitting on the chairs while they awaited his arrival.
"Hello Mister Potter," Dumbledore said pleasantly. "I'm glad that you were able to come so quickly."
"What do you want?" Harry asked crudely. "I've got more work to do."
Scrimgeour scowled at Harry's apparent disrespect. "I am here to follow up on all of the Wizengamot Members that were murdered by your goblins. Those savages murdered good people and we need to take action."
"They can't take action against you so they're taking action against the goblins," Kex said angrily. "I really hate your government."
"Ditto," Harry mumbled. "Those brave goblins gave their lives protecting the school and its students from being hurt or worse," he said to the Minister coldly. "Trying to put the blame on others is not what it means to be a good leader. Those purebloods were Death Eaters and they were taken care of more effectively than you would have been able to do."
Scrimgeour glared daggers at Harry. "I am your Minister," he snapped.
Harry shrugged. "If it weren't for us, you would have been Voldemort's next target."
Dumbledore frowned. "And how do you know that my boy?"
"It's common sense," he snapped back. "Voldemort is exactly the type to kill the Minister of Magic and take over the Ministry from behind the curtain. Is there anything worth my time that you wanted to tell me? I won't testify against the goblins if that's the only reason you're here."
Scrimgeour grunted. "Action needs to be taken," he said. "The Ministry can't look incapable of defending its people. If we can hold the goblins accountable for this then things will be better for our world."
Harry rolled his eyes. "God forbid that a politician actually be truthful. The goblins saved your arse. The Death Eaters who the goblins killed were dangerous and had to be taken care of. It's plain and simple."
Taking great pleasure in it, Harry turned his back on the Minister of Magic and his Headmaster and promptly left the office. Behind him he could hear the Minister shouting, "Potter!" but he ignored it. As a Lord of two Houses, there was little that Scrimgeour could do to him.
He returned to the Great Hall to assist with the rebuilding. Surprisingly, most of the damage had been done there caused by the Order even though they had fewer Death Eaters to fight.
When he arrived at the Great Hall he saw Neville, McGonagall, Flitwick and Hagrid were doing most of the grunt work for fixing the damages while some students did their best to try and assist. He immediately walked up to Neville who was easily doing the most work.
"Hey mate," Neville panted as he placed yet another stone firmly in place in the floor. "How was the Headmaster's?"
Harry rolled his eyes and sat down heavily. "Scrimgeour wanted to put the blame on the goblins. I told him off and walked out."
Neville frowned at this. "I don't think we need another enemy, Harry."
Harry shrugged. "We already have Voldemort and Dumbledore. What's one more?"
That brought a dry chuckle out of him.
"Where's Sage?" Kex asked, noticing the wolf's absence.
Neville sat down across from Harry. "He went with Hermione to the grounds. Hermione said something about wanting a tracker."
"Hermione has been acting somewhat off," Harry noted. "I think she's more grieved than she's letting on."
"Maybe," Neville said, unsure. "Anyway, let's keep working; I'd like to be home before dinner for a change."
The two Heirs continued working while Kex "supervised" their progress. Between Harry and Neville's raw power, they accomplished more within the hour than the teachers did all day.
They finished repairing the ceiling when there was a flash of red hair coming their way. Harry groaned, it was apparently too much to ask that Ginny leave him alone.
"Ginny," Harry said curtly without pausing his work. "Do you need something?"
Ginny kept her flirtatious smile on her face and ran her hands down Harry's back, causing him to stiffen. "I just wanted to thank you for saving us all again," she purred. "Will you come to the Burrow this summer? I would love to spend the summer with you."
Harry shrugged off Ginny's touch. He could feel her lust for him using his empathy and it made him feel sick. "I won't be coming to your home," he said coolly. "I'm going to be staying at my home with my fiancé all summer."
"Why are you with that bookworm?" Ginny demanded. "I am much more worthy to be the Lady Potter-Black!"
"No you aren't," Harry snapped back. "You don't love me; you lust for my money and fame. Why could I want you when I could live with Hermione by my side for the rest of my life?"
Ginny's face flushed red in fury. "We are betrothed," she insisted. "You have no right to promise yourself to that loser."
"That contract was done without my consent and only applied to Lord Potter, not Lord Potter-Black," Harry said through clenched teeth. "And even if I weren't Lord Potter-Black, I'd sooner give up my birthright to the Potter House than be your husband."
"You don't mean that," Ginny fumed. She grabbed onto Harry's wrist and pulled him towards her. Before Harry knew what she was doing, she brought her lips to his and began kissing him lustfully.
Harry felt his body freeze in horror and disgust as Ginny continued to kiss him and began jamming her tongue in his mouth. It was nothing like kissing Hermione who was gentle and loving. Kissing Ginny was like kissing someone who was clearly marking their territory. It didn't feel good at all.
The sheer shock of Ginny kissing him in the Great Hall in front of everyone was enough to make him freeze and not pull away. It wasn't until he felt an overwhelming sense of hurt and betrayal that he finally shook himself out of it and push the Weasley away. He turned to the door of the Great Hall and felt his heart clench at the sight.
Leaning against the door for support was Hermione. Her mouth was open in shock and tears were running freely down her cheeks. She had obviously just walked in to see her fiancée kissing another woman; she didn't see him being forced to. By her side Sage was snarling profanities at Ginny and Ivy's tail was bristling so much in anger that it was nearly twice its normal size.
"Don't stop my love," Ginny said, loudly enough to be carried back to Hermione. She started to move back to kiss Harry once more. The motion was too much for Hermione to bear and she turned tail and sprinted away from the Great Hall with Ivy right behind her.
"Hermione! Wait!" Harry called. He ungraciously ripped his arm away from Ginny, making her fall on the floor in the process, and started sprinting after her, leaving a stunned Kex and Neville behind. He was shocked when Sage started running with him.
"She's leaving Harry!" Sage barked urgently. "They came for her. She was coming to tell you, but now she'll leave and I don't know when we'll see her again!"
Harry started running faster. "Who's coming for her?" he demanded.
Sage was built for running long distances at a quick pace and kept up with Harry effortlessly. "She asked me to come with her to the edge of the Forbidden Forest to help her look around. Apparently she was contacted by the true elves during her duel with Malfoy and they said that they would come for her when the time came. They contacted her by the woods and she was coming to tell you when she saw you."
"Bugger," Harry cursed.
Sage took the lead and led Harry down towards the edge of the Forbidden Forest. In the distance, they could see Hermione running down the hill towards the edge of the forest.
"Hermione, please wait!" Harry begged. "Let me explain!"
Whether it was his pleas or her running out of steam, Hermione began to slow down. During that time Harry caught up to her and grabbed her arm.
"Let me go," Hermione cried as she punched Harry in the chest. "I saw you! In the Great Hall in front of everyone!"
"She forced me!" Harry objected desperately. "Hermione, I love you!"
Hermione scoffed and pulled her arm back. "You didn't seem to mind the kiss from where I was standing."
Harry shook his head desperately. "Neville will tell you! Ginny forced me! Please Hermione, don't go. Don't leave me."
The sheer desperation in his voice made some of Hermione's anger melt, Harry could feel it. But the hurt was too deep for it to go away all at once.
"I want to marry you," he whispered as he gently pulled her into a hug. "It has always been you, Hermione. You're my whole world and I can't bear to lose you."
Hermione didn't return the hug. Her rationalizing mind was trying to tell her that Harry would never cheat on her, but her heart wouldn't hear it. It only felt the pain and betrayal of her love kissing another woman.
Stifling a sob, Hermione pushed Harry away. Her eyes were full of tears but she was refusing to let them fall. "I need to go," she said simply.
"No," Harry said desperately as he grabbed Hermione's hands. "Sage told me that the true elves came for you, but please don't leave me. Not like this."
Hermione turned her head towards the forest as if listening to someone talking to her. It lasted for a few seconds then Hermione turned back to Harry and kissed him softly on the lips.
"I've got to go," she said softly. "They're waiting for me."
Harry tightened his grip on her. "Why can't they come to you?"
Hermione sighed and leaned into Harry's chest. "They won't reveal themselves to humans other than me."
"How long will you be gone?" Harry asked, fearing the answer.
"I don't know," Hermione answered honestly. She took in a shuddering breath and stepped away from Harry. "I'm going to go," she whispered. She walked over to Sage and put a gentle hand on his head. "Will you tell everyone that I'm sorry that I left without a goodbye? And that I love them all very much?"
Sage nodded and touched his cold nose to Hermione's hand in a wolf kiss. "I'll tell them," he promised. "Just be careful."
"I will," Hermione promised in return.
She walked back to Harry and gave him another small kiss on the lips. Then, to Harry's absolute horror, she began taking off her engagement ring.
"No," he gasped in pain as she put the ring in his hand and closed it.
"I am not to bring any personal items with me," she explained softly. "Will you hold onto that for me?"
"You still want to marry me?" Harry asked hopefully.
Hermione chuckled and nodded. "Of course I do you prat," she said playfully. "I'll use this time to think about what happened and when I return I will expect that ring to be put back on my finger."
Harry kissed the ring and put it in his pocket. "It's yours, now and forever," he promised. "I'll wait for you. Just please, don't leave angry with me."
"I could never stay angry at you," Hermione answered with a teary smile. She then took off her wand holsters, portkey, and all other personal items on her and gave them to Harry.
"You can't bring your wands?" Harry asked worriedly.
"All I can bring are the robes on my back," Hermione answered. "Ivy is coming as is her right as my familiar, but other than that I am not to bring anything. Not even my books," she added with a scowl.
That brought a laugh out of Harry. He put the items in his pockets and pulled Hermione in a tight hug before kissing her passionately. That was the right way to kiss someone. A kiss that was so full of love and tenderness that he felt that his heart would explode from beating so fast. No matter how hard Ginny tried, she would never take Hermione's place. For now and forever, Hermione was his love.
After a minute of kissing, they came up for air. Hermione looked at Harry tenderly and cupped his cheek. "I love you," she said lovingly.
"I love you too," Harry whispered just as lovingly. "Please come back soon."
"I've always been a quick study," Hermione joked.
They shared one last kiss then Hermione picked Ivy up off of the ground and began walking to the edge of the Forest. She looked back and gave Harry a loving smile and stepped over the border. Harry watched in amazement as she disappeared seemingly into thin air.
Harry stood there in silence for a while with Sage waiting patiently beside him.
"She'll come back to you," Sage said confidently. "Hermione is a smart girl, she'll come to realize that you would never cheat on her."
"You think so?" Harry asked hopefully.
The wolf nodded and began walking back towards the castle. "Of course I do. If there's something that I've learned, it's that Gryffindor's and Slytherin's destinies are always intertwined just like Hufflepuff's and Ravenclaw's. You and Hermione need each other, just like Neville and Luna need each other. She'll be back and you'll both be just as happy as before, if not more so."
The two walked back to the castle where they met up with Kex and Neville. After explaining what happened, they went back to Potter Manor. While Sage went to fulfill his promise to pass on Hermione's message with Neville and Kex, Harry went to Goldengaze's grave alone.
The honorable griffin had been buried on top of the tallest hill where the view was the most beautiful and the breeze was constant. When he got up there he blinked in surprise to see that he wasn't the only one there.
"Hello, Willowsong," Harry said hesitantly, not wanting to disturb Goldengaze's mate.
The beautiful griffin raised her weary head from the fresh mound of dirt and gave Harry a kind look. "Hello, Harry," she answered. She used her tail to gesture Harry to sit down next to her. "You seem troubled," she observed.
"Hermione went to join the true elves," Harry said sadly.
Willowsong nodded understandingly. "She told me that she would be joining them to finish training," she admitted.
Harry sighed and looked longingly at the sky. "Do you think Goldengaze is at peace?" he asked softly.
Willowsong looked up at the sky with a hint of a smile. "I really do. Undoubtedly I miss him. But he did what was right. It just shows that even immortals are susceptible to death."
"I'm sorry," Harry whispered. "You lost your mate, Robin lost her father, and Hogwarts lost its protector. And all because of me."
"It wasn't your fault," Willowsong said softly. She stood up and shook out her graceful wings and looked at Harry with serious eyes. "And Harry, Hogwarts has not lost its protector. A week before he died, Goldengaze passed the Founder's Blessing on."
Harry gaped at her. "To who?"
Willowsong spread her wings and prepared to take off. "He passed it onto our daughter," she answered. Without waiting for Harry's response, she took off and flew towards the cliffs.
Harry stared after Willowsong, completely shocked. He sat next to Goldengaze's grave for an hour, just contemplating what Willowsong had just told him. Then, to his shock, he started to laugh.
"Goldengaze, you clever bastard!" Harry laughed, tears running down his face. "You knew that you were likely to die so you took steps to make sure that the Founder's Blessing would not be lost. That's why Robin's eyes have the same spark that yours did. I promise, Goldengaze, that I will do everything in my power to protect your daughter just like you protected me."
Above Potter Manor, a gentle breeze blew across the land. The battle may have been won, at terrible cost, but the war had just begun. The Spiritual Heirs of Hogwarts had yet to complete their destiny, but when they did they would take the whole magical world by storm.
A/N- Finite! Thank you all for sticking with me through this story. I have loved writing it and I do intend to start a sequel. I just don't know when I'll get it started; I'll probably focus a little on my other stories for a while. Keep an eye out for the sequel! -Phoenix