Chapter 65: The Night Hogwarts Shone.

Author's Note:

Let me know what you thought of this chapter! I really enjoyed writing it and feel proud about the result, but I'd love to hear your feedback. I want to make sure I'm not just being biased here, lol.

Celestial Ascendancy

Chapter 65: The Night Hogwarts Shone.

Hogwarts.

Elias Black.

"Why so serious, love?" Iris murmured, resting her head on my shoulder as we sat in silence, both watching the shimmering time bubble in front of us.

It was completely transparent, yet somehow still managed to conceal what was going on inside. A truly fascinating piece of magic. Even after all this time, this world still surprised me, and I was excited knowing it was not the last time this would happen.

Dumbledore, the Hogwarts professors, Fleur and Hermione, had been inside the slowed-time ward for the last three days. It had been just over a week since the call with Seekvaira. The setup took a while, but once Lord Agares found the time, he kept his word.

Things had been tense since Azkaban. There'd been a few skirmishes scattered across the country. Mainly small attacks and quick retreats, but nothing that really needed me yet. And that, in itself, was making me uneasy.

Neither Voldemort nor Walburga had shown their faces since that day. And that silence? It itched beneath my skin.

"Everything," I sighed, running my fingers through Iris's unruly hair.

She smiled cutely, and I couldn't help but grin. "Merlin, Iris, why are you so adorable?" I said, pinching her cheek.

"Hey!" she protested, half-pouting, half-snuggling even closer. "I'm not adorable. I'm a deadly witch."

"Oh, God," I chuckled, shaking my head.

"If you want to see something actually adorable," she said, tilting her chin toward the enchanted window behind us, "look over there."

I groaned but turned to look anyway.

She was right.

Luna and Ginny were out on the lawn, flying low on brooms and trying to teach Asia the basics. The nun looked terrified, but also excited. Her knuckles were white on the broomstick, but the spark in her eyes was unmistakable.

I scanned the area and laughed under my breath when I saw two Aurors nearby, watching the scene like anxious babysitters. One of them was Tonks, who looked two seconds away from either stepping in or grabbing a camera.

Asia had become something precious to everyone here, not just to me and the girls. Once Croaker and Bones figured out what she was capable of, she was marked as a high-value priority. She didn't quite understand it, but she liked helping, and I was making damn sure they didn't overwork her.

"She's having fun," Iris said sleepily. "That's nice. She deserves it."

"That she does," I murmured, leaning back into the bench. Iris returned to her spot on my shoulder, perfectly at home there.

"Do you regret it, Eli?" she asked quietly.

I didn't need her to clarify.

"Not a single bit," I replied, shaking my head. "Even with the headaches it brought. Even with the suspicion. I'd do it again."

We sat in silence for a few more seconds, letting that hang in the air.

Then, a silvery Patronus shimmered into the room. A badger this time. Its voice was urgent, "Possible sighting of Walburga near Cairngorms. Confirmed by multiple sources. Proceed immediately."

I groaned and threw my head back.

"That's the fourth time," I muttered. "No... I'm done. I'm not chasing shadows again."

Iris responded by pinching my side with zero hesitation.

"Ow! Really? You know the last five times were false alarms," I grumbled.

"Yes, but what if this one isn't?" she said, looking up at me. "No one else in Britain can face her, Eli. You know that."

I sighed, already calling for Ash with a mental tug.

A burst of golden fire erupted a few feet away, and my phoenix appeared with a soft cry, flapping her wings gently as she landed beside me.

"Alright, alright," I muttered. "I'll go check-"

But just as I reached toward her, the air around us shifted. There was a pulse and the massive bubble of slowed time collapsed like a balloon being popped.

The magic dissipated with a soft hum, and the people inside emerged—Dumbledore, Flitwick, Vector, Babbling, Hermione, Fleur and Seekvaira. All of them looking drained but proud.

I stood slowly, the hope in my chest rising as I watched them. The weight of the past few days didn't vanish, but it finally felt like, for once, things were advancing.

Dumbledore looked at me with a conflicted expression, and I couldn't help but remember that particularly tense meeting.

Flashback start.

Everyone of importance was inside the Hollow, something I was a bit disgruntled about, but it was for the best. I ignored most of their questions about where it came from.

Sirius, Remus, Dumbledore, Croaker, and my girls were seated at the dining table, waiting.

"Why the cloak and dagger, my boy?" Dumbledore asked softly, enjoying some of the pastries Dobby had prepared for the meeting.

"Because I know some of you won't approve, and I'd rather have this conversation here... in what you can all consider a neutral place. Please don't throw spells in my house, or I'm putting you all in time-out," I warned half-seriously, earning a deep bark of laughter from my uncle.

"You'll make us stare at the wall for an hour, pup?" he grinned.

I just deadpanned. "Try me, Padfoot. I will probably stick your forehead to the wall if needed. We need their help, and there's no other way than to be civil and polite."

He nodded with a small snort, and I stood up just as Seek's magic circle lit up the room. I saw Dumbledore's eyes widen, as well as Croaker's, but I shot them both a small glare.

Dumbledore looked quite cross with me but kept silent, and thankfully, he kept his wand down. Small mercies.

"Seekvaira. Lord Agares," I greeted with a slight bow. Respectful but not deferential. "A pleasure to finally meet you. I hope the accommodations I prepared are acceptable."

Seek smiled a little before giving her father a subtle push on the back. They had come alone, and the table had enough seats left open.

"Elias Black," Lord Agares nodded, taking a seat with effortless grace.

He looked young, maybe even younger than Amelia, who was eyeing him with a frown. Probably around his thirties, if I had to guess. Same green hair as Seek, but a darker shade, like Ajuka's.

"My daughter has spoken a little about you," he said, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Though I do wonder why she's been so tight-lipped about the rest."

Seekvaira glared at him, and I chuckled softly.

"I suppose she wanted to show you herself how capable she is," I replied. "You have a wonderful daughter, Lord Agares. I'm proud to call her my friend."

"Please. My name is Vaelen. You may use it in personal meetings, young man," he said firmly. "I've seen the change you've brought to my daughter. You've earned that much."

"Right, Lord Vaelen," I said, smirking slightly as I noticed both his and Seek's eyebrows twitch. "Allow me to introduce the rest of my companions."

I went one by one, introducing Croaker as a Ministry worker, Amelia as the Head of Law Enforcement, Dumbledore as the Supreme Warlock, then my girls, Remus, and Sirius as the current head of the Black family.

"A pleasure," Vaelen said simply, then turned to Sirius. "I see the resemblance to Altair Black in both of you. It's been centuries since the deal I made with him, but it is in our blood to honor our promises. Now, explain what you want."

Sirius only smiled politely before patting me on the back.

"You handle this, pup. I'm just keeping the seat warm until you take it from me," he smirked.

Rolling my eyes, I glanced at the devils before taking a breath.

"Wizarding Britain is at war," I began seriously. "I won't bore you with the details, but let's just say the terrorist we're fighting has considerable power, and he's being helped by the Witch of the Purple Flames."

I met Vaelen's surprised gaze.

"As you've probably noticed, most witches and wizards here aren't ready to face foes like them. Especially not Walburga. That's why we've decided to turn our school into a sanctuary for those who don't wish to take part in the war. To protect them, we're planning a ward powerful enough to hold off an assault."

"Creating a ward scheme of that scale would take significant time," Vaelen mused. "I see why you sought Seekvaira's assistance. The issue is clear."

"Does that mean you accept, Lord Agares?" Iris asked, hopeful.

"The debt is real, child, and I will honor it. But I don't believe in wasting opportunities," he said absently. "I'll create the time bubble. It will last three days in real-time. Inside, time will flow ten times slower. But my condition is this... Seekvaira will assist in the process."

He looked at me calmly, "That way, she'll gain insight into your warding methods, and the result will be sufficient to delay, if not stop, a few attacks from someone like Walburga. Is that acceptable?"

"What do you think, Headmaster? Croaker?" I asked the two men, who were both deep in thought.

"We'll be pressed for time… but we might finish if we work fast," Dumbledore replied grudgingly.

"Father," Seekvaira said, speaking for the first time, "what if I assist you by channeling my demonic energy into the construct? Could we extend the duration that way?"

I couldn't help but shoot her a grateful smile.

Vaelen looked at her in surprise, but then a proud smile spread across his face.

"Fine," he said at last. "Do we agree? That will fully repay my family's debt."

I stood and offered him a firm handshake.

"There won't be any need for debts between us going forward," I said sincerely. "Seek is our friend. We'll help her in any way we can."

Flashback end.

Yeah… Dumbledore was not happy with me, and he quickly expressed his vast array of concerns about me being friendly with devils. Still, I stopped his tirade with four simple words.

Words that made him understand and even accept the situation… For the greater good.

He was not happy about it at all, but he understood the situation.

"I need to leave," I addressed the sleepy group, "It's good to see you all, and I hope you all finished with everything you need. Rest for a bit; I will return later to power it up; another Walburga sighting," I explained with a sigh.

I quickly hugged Mione and Fleur deeply while giving a brief but thankful hug to Seek, earning a small smile, "I hope to see you once I return and believe me, we won't forget your help, Seek."

"It was my pleasure, Eli… and don't worry, what I learned in the bubble was enough payment," she said eagerly, her eyes as bright as Mione's.

With a last nod, I prodded Ash, and we disappeared in a flash of gold.

Cairngorms, Scotland.

The Cairngorms were dead silent.

Gray clouds hung low over the remains of what used to be a green path. The trees were blackened and broken. Pure destruction, clearly caused by fire. Magical fire.

But something felt wrong. Different.

In the distance, I could see a group of people guarded by what I guessed were at least twenty Dementors. And there, at the center of them all, stood her.

Walburga.

The bitch was missing her right hand, and I took a great deal of satisfaction in seeing that.

"What do you think, Ash?" I murmured to my phoenix, earning an eager pulse through our bond.

I didn't hesitate. The place felt completely deserted, aside from us and the bastards.

The Gate to the Aetherius opened as my magic flared up from my core, spilling from my hands like heavy air. So golden, so bright it turned the horizon white. I launched the strike, a pulse of pure, concentrated magic that obliterated everything in sight.

I smiled sharply as the Dementors disintegrated until not even Ash remained.

The impact lit up the forest, the wind whipping my hair back even from this distance. The earth cracked and charred in a fifty-foot radius.

Then… complete silence.

As the dust settled, Ash flashed us to the center of the blast. I gripped Durindana tightly, keeping the Aetherius flowing, just in case.

The wizards lay collapsed on the ground. Not a single one is standing. I could still feel the remnants of shielding spells, but they had done absolutely nothing to save them.

And Walburga, too.

I frowned.

I stepped cautiously toward the only woman missing a hand, and frowned deeper as I felt her presence up close.

She was weak. Weaker than Iris.

"Where is she?!" I shouted at the person wearing Walburga's face.

No answer. She was already dead.

A laugh came from the distance, pained and broken.

A Death Eater lay on the ground, twitching, smoke rising from his robes.

"She… she said you'd come…" he croaked between laughs and wheezing gasps of pain.

Then he fell apart. Literally, his face melted as the rest of his body turned to Ash and scattered into the wind.

I stared down at the destruction, scowling. "I'm getting tired of these bastards…"

Before I could finish cursing them for wasting my time, a new Patronus burst into view. This time a jackrabbit.

My heart skipped a beat.

I knew who that belonged to… Tonks.

Her panicked voice echoed through the clearing, "Elias! Attack on the Ottery, Voldemort himself is leading the charge! Civilians down! Charlie Weasley sent the message before going dark, we're all going!"

My blood went cold.

A lot of wizarding families lived there. And there were Muggles nearby, too.

I didn't waste a second.

"Ash," I barked.

And the world burned away

Ottery St. Catchpole.

This… this looked like hell. And that was saying something, considering I'd been to the Underworld.

The Ottery was in ruins.

Homes burned. People screamed... children too. There were bodies everywhere. Aurors. Civilians. A couple of Death Eaters lay dead as well, but they were the minority. The air stank of blood, shit, and fear.

Flashes of spells cracked across the smoky sky. Chaos, everywhere.

And then I saw him.

Voldemort.

My magic surged the moment our eyes met. I sent a spear of light that impacted against his shield, breaking it in the process. He glared at me, and I scowled. I couldn't block the Apparition yet. Not until everyone arrived. I was fast, faster than anyone here, but not fast enough to save everyone by myself.

That fact pissed me off more than anything.

More of our people began Apparating. From Order members, to Aurors, and the girls. My wand was already in my hand, locked on him. Voldemort met my gaze with a smug grin.

I began chanting, my voice steady even through the rage.

His eyes narrowed. He realized what I was doing.

And then the bastard vanished.

"Coward," I spat.

But I didn't stop.

I finished the spell, and slammed my hand into the earth.

A golden pulse erupted outward, sweeping through the village. A massive dome of translucent light expanded from my location, humming as it formed. The anti-apparition ward... basic in theory but overloaded with so much raw magic it shined like sunlight against the smoke.

Too late, since some cowards scaped, but not everyone was fast enough.

The remaining Death Eaters paled.

They were trapped.

I turned, scanning the battlefield again, and my scowl deepened.

According to Bones and Croaker, Voldemort now had over a thousand under his command. Death Eaters, mercenaries, vampires, werewolves. What I saw in front of me was just a piece of it, but it was enough. Enough to send a message and hurt him.

A hundred enemy wizards remained. A couple of dozen beasts.

Hundreds of Dementors hovered above the rooftops like ravens.

And there were Inferi. At least three hundred of them.

Iris and the others arrived behind me, their expressions grim.

"Where is he?" Iris asked sharply.

"Gone," I growled. "I had to wait before sealing the area."

She cursed under her breath. I swept my hand forward and golden spears of magic launched across the field, impaling several enemies in one fluid strike.

"What's the plan, Eli?" she asked, already bracing for battle.

I closed my eyes. The screams, the flames, the stench... it was all burned into my memory. A child's voice cried out nearby.

I clenched my jaw.

"Save who you can," I said quietly. "I'll take care of the Dementors… and anything else I can."

Then I let go.

Magic roared out of me, cracking the ground beneath my feet. Iris reached for me to steady herself, her hand tightening on my arm. I didn't look at her.

Wings of glowing magic erupted from my back, ethereal like magic. They unfolded slowly, casting sharp shadows over the broken village.

Everything went quiet.

Even the fighting paused as eyes turned toward me.

And in the distance, lying motionless in the street, I saw the small body of a child.

I looked away, just for a second.

"Make them pay," I whispered.

My wings snapped wide, and I soared into the sky.

Iris Potter.

I looked up at the sky, my heart pounding.

Eli… he looked bad.

He was in pain, I could feel it even now. The image of his face before he vanished still haunted me. Even now, he flashed through the sky, spear in hand.

Wherever he passed, destruction followed. Bodies turned to Ash. Some just… vanished.

But there were too many of them, even for him.

And I knew that made it worse. He was probably blaming himself again for not being strong enough.

A scream tore through the chaos.

I turned.

A vampire was chasing a child, laughing as he closed in. I surged forward, touki flaring, ready to intercept... but Eli got there first.

He appeared in a flash, grabbing the vampire by the neck and lifting him into the sky. The child scrambled to safety behind me.

Eli's face was cold.

Not furious. Not angry.

Just… blank.

"Do you like preying on kids?" he asked, voice low. Dead. Somehow, his voice managed to reach us even through the chaos.

The vampire said something... I couldn't hear it. But Eli nodded once.

And then he began to glow.

Light poured from his skin, turning him gold. Even his hair shimmered. The vampire screamed as his flesh bubbled and smoked. He kicked, thrashed with all his might... but Eli didn't even blink.

Then, the melting began.

The body fell apart slowly, piece by piece until it was barely held together. Eli dropped him.

And in that same instant, he moved. A blur of light. Then fire.

The vampire was gone.

"Your boyfriend is scary," Tonks muttered with wide eyes.

"He's not the only one," I snapped, forcing myself to move. "We'll look for Charlie first, then sweep the Ottery for survivors. This is the new safe zone. Ten Aurors stay here at all times."

None of them moved. They were still staring in shock at the sky.

BANG.

A firework spell exploded overhead.

Tonks scowled. "You heard her. Move it, you cunts. Ward this place and we'll send every survivor you find here."

We moved as a group, which was comforting. The weight of my armor felt nice as I continued forward, taking in the destruction everywhere we passed.

Eli kept sniping Dementors whenever he could, but he couldn't destroy them all at once... not without killing everyone else here. He couldn't target hundreds of enemies without hitting the good ones.

The streets were crowded with Inferi and Death Eaters.

"Bombarda!" Tonks shouted at a group of Inferi circling some Aurors. The Aurors shielded themselves as the rotting bodies were launched upward.

A wave of my wand sent a stream of fire after them, burning them to ashes.

"Regroup. There's a safe zone in that direction," Bones commanded firmly, her eyes sharp as she looked at the injured group. "Good work, boys. Keep it up. If you see any survivors, take them with you."

"Ma'am!" they saluted, beginning to limp toward the safe zone.

"Shacklebolt, with them," she said, and the Auror nodded.

"Let's go," Dumbledore said sadly.

We kept moving, everyone casting spells nonstop. There were just too many enemies everywhere.

Dumbledore mumbled under his breath, and the terrain shifted. Houses were sliced to pieces as he animated the very ruins into soldiers that ran in every direction.

McGonagall followed suit, crafting weapons for each construct.

"Marvelous work, my dear," Dumbledore praised, and I almost snorted at the sight of the usually stern professor puffing out her chest.

"Keep moving," Bones barked, earning a bashful look from McGonagall.

A group of Death Eaters appeared ahead, and I dashed toward them.

My speed, while not on Kiba's level, was high... especially when I used touki to coat my muscles.

I jumped, slamming into the ground and creating a small crater that sent them flying. They tried to right themselves, but the rest of the group struck before they could recover.

Fleur sent a torrent of water that froze on contact, encasing her target in ice.

And I didn't even want to ask what Mione did... Her target just shriveled up, leaving only a husk on the floor.

Dumbledore glanced at her sharply, but she turned her face away, expression cold.

Before the last one could drop, I grabbed his leg and yanked. A crack followed, and then I willed fire into existence in my empty hand, compressing it into a tight ball that burned him to ashes.

"We're almost there," Tonks murmured.

"How do you know? I can't recognize this place with all this destruction," I asked.

Bill Weasley snorted, "Charlie and her dated during school."

"Heh," I snorted, and did it again when I saw Remus's expression fall. It was funny how he still didn't realize how much Tonks really liked him.

"Let's hurry, then," I said firmly. "We need to look for Luna's dad."

The Burrow was in flames.

We all froze for a second as we caught sight of it... engulfed in fire, the warm, cozy home I'd visited a handful of times now reduced to a crackling pyre.

"No…" Bill breathed out worriedly.

Dozens of Inferi surrounded the area, clawing at the burning wreckage, dragging half-burned bodies from the nearby fields, searching for prey.

"Take them out!" Bones barked.

Remus and Sirius didn't need the order.

Sirius stepped forward, his wand already drawn, and with a vicious flick, muttered, "Incendio Umbra."

Black fire burst from the tip like a living beast. It didn't just burn them, it devoured them, their bodies crumbling into dust before they could even shriek.

"Damn…" Tonks muttered beside me, stunned by the sheer brutality of it.

Remus, on the other hand, moved in with calculated grace. His wand danced through the air, conjuring controlled shockwaves and barriers that crushed Inferi or flung them into Sirius's black fire.

The two of them moved in sync.

We cleared the yard in minutes.

"Inside!" I shouted.

The front door had already collapsed, so we pushed in through what was left of the wall. The interior of the Burrow was nearly unrecognizable. Walls were cracked and scorched, furniture overturned and shattered. Blood stained the floors.

Then we heard a scream. Pained and male.

"Charlie!" Bill yelled, already running inside.

We bolted after him, pushing through the rubble until we reached what used to be the living room.

There, surrounded by collapsed furniture and the scorched frame of the fireplace, stood four Death Eaters. Charlie was bound, half-conscious, covered in blood, his body twitching as one of the bastards cast another Crucio.

"No one is coming," one of them sneered. "So let's just finish the job."

"Wrong," I snarled and stepped forward.

My armor pulsed, and the moment it did, tendrils of flame snaked from my shoulders, sliding across the floor and walls, unnoticed by most.

Except Mione. Her eyes flicked toward me for a second, then she nodded once.

She moved fast. One Glacius Maxima, and the room dropped in temperature instantly. The Death Eaters froze in place.

That was all I needed.

The tendrils struck. Piercing through eyes, foreheads, throats, each flame searing clean through skulls in a heartbeat. The ice cracked a second later, their bodies collapsing like puppets with the strings cut.

Charlie gasped, trying to sit up and move, but his injuries betrayed him.

"Easy," Sirius said as he rushed over.

I walked forward, releasing a shaky breath.

"We got here in time," Mione murmured beside me, her voice low.

I looked at her sadly. "No. We weren't fast enough."

Bill was the second to notice, right after me... and his anguished scream echoed through the house, alerting everyone else.

Near the stairs, blackened and still, lay a charred body. Percy Weasley.

Iris Potter.

We split up not long after.

Sirius, Remus, Charlie, Tonks, and Bill all headed toward the safe zone, taking the surviving Weasleys and a few rescued families with them. We needed them there. They'd done more than enough.

But still… I couldn't get Percy's face out of my head. I hadn't known him well—just the awkward older brother from school, the one who clashed with his family but still tried to make something of himself.

He didn't deserve that.

None of them did.

We kept moving. The girls and I. Morale was low, and the silence between us hurt. Every alley had something... either a huddled group of survivors or bodies left behind in the wake of fire and spellwork.

I hated it.

Dumbledore, Bones, and the rest of the professors had split off down the east road to cover more ground. That left us alone.

"Are we close?" Mione asked as we turned a street that had already caved in.

The Rookery wasn't supposed to be far now.

I swallowed hard, thinking of Luna and her tear-filled eyes. The way she clung to my arm, begging to come with us. I had to be the one to force her to stay behind at Hogwarts, shielded under the wards.

Please let her dad be okay.

"We're almost there," I muttered tightly.

We arrived at the Rookery to find the door blasted open, scorch marks all along the porch.

I didn't hesitate. Magic flowed around me as I stepped in first with my wand raised.

Inside was chaos. The walls of the odd, round home were cracked. Books burned slowly across the shelves. Potions shattered. The odd paintings were still twitching faintly.

And in the middle of it all stood Dolohov.

He turned to face us, a sneer on his gaunt face.

"Well, well," Dolohov drawled smoothly, his voice filled with malice. "The girl who lived. I was hoping I'd run into you."

His wand spun once in his fingers.

"Careful," Fleur whispered, shifting beside me. Her fingers twitched at her side, already clenching her wand. "He's strong."

"So are we" Hermione growled.

The floor cracked beneath her as she launched forward like a missile, wand outstretched. Her first three spells hit his shield in rapid succession, blasts of compressed air, searing fire, and a curse that turned the floor into to razors.

Dolohov moved with unnatural speed, deflecting all of them in one breath, the shield rippling violet as he snarled and flicked his wand.

A sickly purple arc of light slammed into the ceiling, shattering wood and stone. I ducked low, sparks raining over me, and sent a stream of fire spiraling forward like a whip.

Dolohov caught it mid-air with his own curse, one that turned the flames pitch black and reversed their path. My eyes widened, and I dove to the side as my own fire roared past.

He was laughing, "Come on, little heroes."

Hermione reappeared behind him in a flicker of movement, her palm glowing faintly. Soul magic. She clapped her hand forward, and Dolohov's body stiffened just enough to falter, an echo of his magical signature ripped loose from his form.

He spun faster than I thought possible and stabbed forward with a curse.

It caught Hermione's bicep, blood spraying, but she didn't cry out. Instead, she pressed her palm to the wound, muttered an incantation and threads of healing magic stitched the flesh back together mid-fight.

"Sloppy," he taunted, just before Hermione's wand flared again, and a concussive blast knocked him backward into a burning bookshelf.

Fleur took her chance.

She whispered softly. Her allure burst forth, not as beauty, but as dominance.

The kind that made you hesitate, made your instincts scream submit. Dolohov blinked rapidly, sweat forming on his brow. His grip on his wand faltered.

I didn't wait.

Flame swirled around me, and armor burst across my limbs. I surged forward, fire tendrils twirling behind me. Dolohov roared and shot a cutting curse, one that carved a trench in the floor, but I leaped over it and landed hard.

He formed a triple-layered barrier, all dark magic. The tendrils struck, one blocked, two deflected. And the last pierced through a weak spot and stabbed into his leg.

He screamed.

But even wounded, he retaliated. He ripped the tendril free with raw strength and hurled a pulse of corrosive black light that Fleur barely managed to shield us from. It exploded against her barrier, stench feeling the room.

From the mist, he came charging. The wand aimed straight at my chest.

A flash of violet from Hermione's side shined through the smoke.

Dolohov's eyes snapped to it too late. The illusion vanished, and I was already moving.

The real tendrils, now six, shot up from the floor, each one glowing red-hot, slithering around his defenses like snakes.

One pierced his shoulder.

Another coiled around his waist.

Two more stabbed into his thighs.

And then the last pair drove upward into his chest and temple.

His body convulsed as his shield collapsed.

He fell, twitching, smoke rising from the holes in his body.

We stood there, panting. I didn't even realize I was shaking until Hermione touched my arm.

"I'm fine," she said softly, the gash on her arm now just a faint pink line. "Thanks for the cover."

I nodded numbly.

Fleur was already at the back of the room, kneeling beside someone slumped against the wall.

I ran to him immediately. Hermione was already kneeling beside someone, casting diagnostic spells.

"Xeno…" she muttered. "He's alive."

I got closer and winced.

Xenophilius Lovegood lay slumped against the far wall, face pale and fingers... Merlin, two of them were missing.

He was shaking, his eyes unfocused, but he was breathing.

"We got him," I said softly.

I didn't mention the smell of cooked flesh behind us.

Elias Black.

Hogwarts.

It took a little over two hours to clean up the Ottery, and I couldn't help but feel empty by the end of it.

There was just too much death. Too much destruction and suffering. It felt like it was crushing my chest.

I was… probably the one who saw the most.

All those bodies... too many to count. Some were people who didn't even understand what was happening.

I hated it. So, so much.

"Eli, are you okay?" Fleur asked softly, brushing her hand over my back. Honestly, everyone seemed different after that scene.

Some were calling it a victory... and logically, I knew it was.

But all I felt was hollow.

"No… no, I'm not," I muttered, glancing ahead at the Weasleys waiting for our return.

Arthur, Molly, and the younger ones had stayed behind. And they saw us.

I watched the moment they realized something was wrong. The happy tears on their faces when they saw Charlie alive but injured... and then Bill started walking toward them, tears falling freely.

His mouth opened and closed, trying to speak but failing to do so.

"Poor family," Hermione sniffled, wiping her eyes.

Molly's anguished scream filled the courtyard as she collapsed. Arthur stood frozen like a statue. Ron sobbed quietly.

But Ginny… Ginny looked dead inside.

"Why was he there?!" Molly screamed, her eyes red and wild.

"He wanted to ask for advice," Charlie choked out, his voice cracking. "He wanted to know how to make things right with all of you."

And then he broke down sobbing.

We reached them and pulled everyone into a group hug. Ginny flung herself into her parents' arms, crying silently. But her eyes…

That look in her eyes.

I could see it clearly... hatred. Pure, cold hatred being born.

I rested a hand on her head. "They'll pay, Gin-Gin. I promise you that. I didn't know him well… but I'm sorry for your loss."

Iris and the girls did the same, offering what comfort they could, hugging whoever was within reach.

After a while, I walked away, lost in thought.

The battle replayed in my head on a loop.

My hands were clean… but I felt filthy.

I... I had more blood on my hands than anyone here.

I'd killed every single Dementor at Ottery. That was a win, at least. I knew it would hurt Voldemort more than anyone else.

I doubted he even knew I could kill those abominations.

But I could. And I wouldn't stop until every last one was gone.

But humans…

I'd killed plenty of them, too.

What scared me most was how little I felt about it.

People looked at me as if I were some kind of savior.

But I didn't feel like one.

If I was… none of this would've happened.

"Do you have the ward scheme, Headmaster?" I asked the old man. He looked more worn down with every attack, and I was starting to wonder if he'd make it through all this unchanged.

"We created a wardstone for you to charge, Elias," he said absently, his eyes on the courtyard where survivors were pouring in.

More and more families had joined us, seeking safety after news of the attack spread.

There were thousands now.

Aurors. Ministry officials. Civilians.

It felt like the entire country had moved here overnight.

"Good. Give it to me," I sighed. "The sooner we activate it, the sooner we can rest. How potent is it?"

"I've never seen anything like it," Professor Vector said with a small smile. Professor Babbling stood beside her, nodding in awe.

"It's never been done before," Babbling added, eyes flicking toward me with curiosity. "Because, frankly, it's impossible to activate. That being said… Professor Dumbledore seems to believe you can."

"Then let's make history," I said with a faint wink, but it was an empty gesture. My mind was elsewhere.

She chuckled as Dumbledore handed me the stone.

It was small. Smaller than what I expected.

"How's this supposed to work? Are you sure this little thing will do what we need?" I asked. "And what exactly am I activating, old man?"

Dumbledore's lips twitched, barely holding in his laughter as the others looked at me like I was an idiot.

"Elias, my boy… do you even know the average size of a wardstone?" he asked amusedly.

"Eli," Hermione chimed in between laughs, "the castle wards are powered by a stone a tenth the size of what you're holding… and they pull from three ley lines, constantly straining them."

She was wheezing now, not bothering to hide her laughter.

It was fine.

At least they were having fun… even if it was at my expense.

"So… what does it do?" I asked once they calmed down.

"Everything!" Hermione grinned proudly.

"It's a total barrier enforcement, a full ward around the school and its grounds. It reacts to everything, be it brute force, elemental attacks, curses… everything!" She continued, "Curses above a certain strength get nullified, and it can mark the caster and counter-curse him."

"Not only that, but it also nullifies the unforgivables," Dumbledore added proudly, "Depending on which one is cast, the school itself will protect the victim before it can do any harm. If it's the imperious curse, both the victim and caster will be stunned, and we will be alerted. If it's cruciatus or the killing curse, the castle will shape itself to protect the victim, creating physical shields before apprehending the caster."

"It also has a mapping system that will be monitored by a team," Vector added, "It will track the location and their intent at all times; that way, we'll know if someone plans something before they act."

"That's impressive. And good enough for me," I nodded at them.

I exhaled slowly, raising the wardstone in one hand. It pulsed faintly.

"All right," I muttered. "Let's do this."

And then I opened the Gate.

The world shuddered.

Magic poured out of me like a tide breaking through a dam.. Just raw, unbound power. It pressed against the walls of the castle, flooding the courtyard with an impossible weight.

People gasped. Some fell to their knees. Others collapsed outright.

A few, Dumbledore, my girls, some Aurors and adults, reacted instantly, throwing up translucent shields of reinforced magic around the crowd. Their expressions were pale as they held the line against my presence alone.

I walked slowly forward, toward the center of the courtyard. With each step, the world seemed to hold its breath.

The stone in my palm pulsed brighter.

Magic bloomed from my skin, brighter and brighter, turning gold… then pale… then almost white. The night sky above dimmed in comparison.

A hush fell over the world.

Then, my wings appeared.

It's not ethereal this time. Not made from pure magic.

These were real.

They burst out from my back like blades laced with metallic edges that shined like the sun. Each feather looked forged by the best blacksmith on the goblins had to offer.

I rose slowly into the sky, the ward stone held high. The golden aura around me expanded until the darkness of night no longer mattered. There was no sun... Just me.

I was the light. I was its vessel.

The earth beneath trembled as golden veins carved themselves across the castle walls and ground, racing outward from where I floated.

Runes ignited along the paths.

Then it happened.

I felt another source of light coming from my head, so white that it even hurt me, and I knew deep inside that I was ready.

It started as a ripple in the air. Then, a barrier so vast and radiant it looked like a golden aurora made solid. It rippled above and covered the whole school and its grounds.

And it healed.

Every being inside the forming barrier was touched by the light. Their pain eased.

In the far right of the courtyard, Pomfrey stumbled back with a cry as Xenophilius Lovegood sat upright, color returning to his cheeks. His hands trembled, but the tremor was gone. The madness in his eyes cleared.

He breathed.

Whole.

In the courtyard, near the edge of the hall, Bill fell to his knees as the wrapped, blackened body beside him shimmered in the light.

Skin returned, then hair, then the Weasley's gasped in unison.

Percy's body lay whole again. Restored. No longer proof of fire and destruction... just a boy, still cold and silent, but ready to be laid to rest appropriately.

And still, the light soared higher.

The dome expanded fully, locking into place with a golden pulse.

I landed softly, wings folding behind me with a metallic hum. The shine of my forehead dimmed, the power flowing back inside.

I heard a whisper, "He's not one of us."

And they were right.

Because for that one short moment... I was something more.

......

If you enjoyed this chapter and want to support my work and get early access to new content, you can find me on Patr* on at pat*e* n.c om (slash) Infinityreads99.

Every bit of support helps me write more!