A/N: Hello People, Here we are once again and this time I bring you the promised final chapter. I know I am a bit late but this chapter got big on me and I had to cut it down. Still I know excuses. But why let such things get in the way of celebrations it's a big celebration. I mean this story is finally ended and you readers are off the hook. It has been a long road. More than a year and I would like to thank all the readers who read this story and enjoyed it. I do hope you enjoyed it because I enjoyed writing it a lot.

Now I have one final request for you people. I know there are lot of loose plotlines, mistakes, and what not in here and I might not have realized all of them. So I would like to ask what was the thing that irked you. What did you think would make the story better. What did I do wrong? It would help me a lot and I would appreciate. This story is under constant revision as I work to get it better and better. So your feedback would really help.

Now for the final time. Here you go folk! Enjoy.

It looked like they had become permanent members of the Hogwarts infirmary, so much time had they been spending in there.

After their emotional reunion, they were ambushed by Madame Pomfrey, who at first proceeded to throw them out while giving them a lecture on proper response to a patient waking before she nagged poor Ginny almost back to coma. In the end, she received rest under the watchful eye of Madame Pomfrey with limited visitors allowed.

When she first regained consciousness, Ginny was quite weak as is expected from someone who had spent two months in a coma. But she had recovered rapidly, reaching full health in just a week. To say Madame Pomfrey was astounded by her progress would be an understatement, but then again she was always wrong when it came to them.

Ginny had been anxious to get out of Infirmary but Madame Pomfrey held true to her reputation. She gave her another week of bed rest. Not that she was going to listen to it. The very next day, she had sneaked out of the Infirmary and surprised Ginny, Luna and Astoria in the Room of Requirement.

Though sneaking out of Infirmary had its disadvantages, which included a full blown reprimand from The Professor McGonagall herself. Never a good thing for your ears. Perfect for giving you psychological trauma though.

It looked like things were once again back on track and more smoothly than ever. Harry had officially confessed to Ginny and it was a memory that could put a smile on their face any day of the week. Unless, one of your friends was lying on a hospital bed bleeding profusely from all over her body.

Astoria had mentioned that she needed to tell them something important. That it was related to Luna's peculiar behaviour during Ginny's coma. But on the mentioned day when she didn't show up at all, the three friends got worried. When they came to the place Marauder's Map was showing her to be, to their horror, they found her covered in blood from head to toe.

Immediately, she was taken to the Hospital Wing. Madame Pomfrey worked on her through the whole night. At one point a team of green robed healers entered the Infirmary. A few hours later, they could hear heated voices flew through the closed doors. Only when the weak rays of a winter noon sun were unsuccessfully trying to beat the cold both inside and outside did they hear any news.

The healer team had left the infirmary some time before and their faces didn't bode well for Harry, Ginny, and Luna. Madame Pomfrey had told them that they had stopped the bleeding for now. That Astoria was on a constant supply of Blood Replenishment Potion. That she was cursed by dark magic unknown to them, yet. that the bleeding could start again anytime.

"The only thing keeping her alive is Hogwarts' magic." That was what Madame Pomfrey had told them. "We are glad for the extended time that we have been offered. In the meantime, I have contacted St. Mungo's. They will look into what kind of magic this is. I have also asked a few healers that I know from other countries to help. But I must warn you, do not expect a recovery any time soon. Rather, you should be prepared for the worst."

Right now, Harry was burning holes in the soles of his shoes by angrily pacing from one wall of the infirmary to the other.

"I swear If I get my hands on him." Harry left his sentence unfinished. "First Ginny and now Tori. I am going to kill that bastard."

"Calm down Harry." It was Ginny who had spoken up. "Pacing to and fro won't help anything."

Begrudgingly Harry sat down.

"You still don't remember anything Luna?" Harry turned his head towards Luna.

Luna just shook her head.

"I bet whatever Tori wanted to tell us was related to Ginny's coma and the condition she is in."

"That's a given." Ginny agreed. "Whoever did this wanted to keep her shut."

"Well he is going to pay for it."

As soon as Harry finished his sentence, the door opened and Dumbledore strode into the infirmary.

"A very good evening to you Mr. Potter, Miss Weasley and Miss Lovegood." He smiled and inclined his head a bit.

Harry, Ginny and Luna just nodded their heads, their eyes fixed on their headmaster.

Dumbledore turned his attention towards Astoria. "My deepest sympathies for the state that your friend is in. It is always heart breaking to see your friend…..like this."

"What do you want, headmaster?" Harry's voice was cold and his stare had turned into a glare.

"Just a few minute with your young friend here. I wish to gather some knowledge as to how she reached this state."

"Is that all?"

"Harry!" Ginny admonished. "I am sorry Professor, but I think Harry is in shock. Seeing as how he had to deal with consecutive severe blow like this."

"Not to worry Miss Weasley." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled madly. "I perfectly understand what Mr. Potter is going through. Now if you will."

"We'll be leaving then Professor." Luna answered as she got up and grabbed the free hand of Harry before dragging him out of Infirmary with Ginny.

As soon as the three students had left the Infirmary Dumbledore turned his attention towards the unconscious Astoria Greengrass. There was not a single bit of kindness or humour in his eyes, only a sharp gleam as he inspected her wounds.

Madame Pomfrey had said that her situation most likely resulted from some kind of curse placed on her. Her wounds, though, looked like claws ripped into her body. So the conclusion should be an easy one. A magical creature.

Few things eluded the vast experience of Albus Dumbledore but this one did. He was truly stumped as to who did this and he didn't like it. He had scoured through books and came up empty. He had sorted through his century old memories and couldn't find anything remotely resembling this situation. And his instinct told him that he must unravel this mystery. Necessary sacrifices or not, he had failed his charges one times too many. These recent attacks felt like the beginning of a carnage that he wouldn't be able to stop.

Could it be? Dumbledore gasped. No it wasn't possible. But there was no other explanation. He must verify it.

On his way out, Dumbledore barely noticed the three teens standing outside. On his mind was the safety of the castle. If his guess was spot on, then a terrible beast had been unleashed.

So fast was Dumbledore walking that he reached his office in a few minutes. Quickly, he spoke the password and entered his office. Like a man possessed, he tapped the portrait behind his chair. A portrait of the four founders. The portrait melted away and in its place stood a doorway. He opened the door and entered this secret room.

The air was stale and full of dust. Dumbledore coughed as soon as he took a breath inside. He waved his hand and immediately the air was replaced by a fresh one with a faintly sweet fragrance. That's just how he liked it.

As far as Dumbledore knew, this room hadn't been opened in almost five centuries. There was never a need for it. This was the heart of Hogwarts. The place where all of its wards were connected. It was like a log book for the wards.

On each side of the room, there was a huge shelf reaching up to the ceiling. Each of these shelves were over flowing with books. So tightly were they placed that it looked like they would burst forth. These books were the physical manifestation of the wards. Each book held the history of a particular ward, like when it was disturbed, who passed through it etc. Understandably so, some books were thicker than others and some wards spanned volumes.

Dumbledore's eyes roamed over these gigantic shelves. Not just any person could read these books let alone know which book belong to which ward. Only the headmaster held that privilege. Even the presence of this room was a closely guarded secret passed down from headmaster to headmaster.

His eyes settled on a thin tattered book. The book was so lean that it could be called a pamphlet. Moving forward he grasped the book and gently pulled it out. Despite being bound by large books on both sides, it came out easily. The book was covered in a thick layer of dust. Dumbledore blew on it, revealing its plain unadorned cover. There was no name written on it, yet Dumbledore knew this was what he was seeking.

With care, Dumbledore opened the last page of the book. That's where the recent entries would be. He held his breath as his eyes skimmed over the few entries written on that page and settled on the last one.

Ward destroyed. Magical Signature unknown.

To say Dumbledore was shocked would be an understatement. The book fell from his hand as he turned towards the shelf on the opposite. This shelf held books much larger than other. None of the care and attention that he had shown to the thin book was present as Dumbledore nearly yanked out the last book on the shelf. The shelf groaned as if protesting the harsh treatment of the book but even if a banshee was screaming near his ears, Dumbledore wouldn't have heard it.

He slammed the large tome on the lone table in the centre and opened the book from the beginning. It detailed the entries of the student at the beginning of the term. Page after page he turned, a small hope ignited inside him when he didn't found what he was looking for. Maybe there was a mistake. Maybe the entry was wrong.

But soon all of his hopes were dashed as he came across the entry that he dreaded.

Unknown magical signature. Cannot be identified.

If that was not enough, right below it was another entry that he didn't think he would see again.

Magical Signature: Peter Pettigrew. Hogwarts graduate.

He could see it. His perfect world crumbling around him. It took him ten years to put every stone at the proper place and in a span of few months everything had gone to hell. Oh, he knew Sirius was innocent but that Peter Pettigrew survived, he didn't.

He slammed the table in frustration. The table buckled but held. For the first time in a decade, Dumbledore had a headache. He rubbed his temples as he swore. Quickly, he went through the book. Even in the flurry of pages, two entries in red stood out at almost every page.

Intruder. Magical Signature unknown.

Intruder. Creature Type: Demon. Caution advised.

His choices were limited. Right now wasn't the time for grand planning. His position as the headmaster came first. He must protect the students of Hogwarts.

He walked out of the room, leaving the books. Bringing out his wand, he almost sent a patronus to Minerva but at the last minute he stopped and lowered his wand. It wouldn't do to cause unnecessary ruckus.

He sat down on his plush chair, sending a message to the gargoyles to not let anyone in. Leaning back, he closed his eyes. Voldemort was the biggest threat that he would face. That's what he thought till yesterday. Now he had a demon to deal with. By not attuning himself deeper with the wards, he had sown the seed of this chaos himself. He was too arrogant back then, trusting in his ability to see past any disguise. Now he was regretting that decision.

There is no use crying over spilt milk. Thought Dumbledore. What happened in the past; had happened. Now he must do everything in his power to protect the future. He must focus and harmonize his magic. His self and soul should be in perfect sync. The foe he was going to battle was no ordinary one. To prepare himself, he needed time.

For the first time, since his final battle with Gellert Grindelwald, Dumbledore started gathering his magic.

…

"Is the coast cleared?" Ginny whispered.

"Uhuh." Harry whispered back. "Looks like no one's out on the route tonight."

"It's all your fault." Ginny glared at him. "Getting so angry at Dumbledore. What was the point of that?"

Harry gave a sheepish smile. "Sorry."

Ginny huffed. "Like that would cut it."

"Enough you too." Luna spoke up. "We are neither invisible nor mute."

Having silenced both of them, Luna started moving forward towards their tower.

Ginny too tried to follow but found that Harry was still standing there, fixed to the spot.

"What now?" Ginny asked, irritated.

Instead of answering, Harry pointed to the map. Curious, Ginny moved back to see what he was pointed at. When she saw it, she couldn't help but gasp.

"Pettigrew."

Harry nodded. "This seems like a golden chance to catch him. Who knows when he'll come out of that room again."

"You are right let's go."

From the map, it looked like Pettigrew was rushing towards the Entrance Hall. Knowing where he was going, made it easier for them to intercept him. They took a shortcut and soon they found themselves waiting in the Entrance Hall hidden behind a tapestry.

"How are we going to catch him?" Harry whispered. "It's dark and more than likely he is in his animagus form."

"We'll set a trap by the main doors." Luna answered. "As soon as he will try to sneak from below the door he'll get caught."

"A sticking charm, across the width of the door, right in front of it. Brilliant Luna!" Ginny clapped her hand in excitement.

"Sounds good." Harry answered.

Just as they were about to finish up Harry glanced at the map. "Hurry, he is almost here."

Quickly, they put a few finishing touches before moving behind the tapestry.

They had just settled behind the tapestry when they heard a minute tapering. Few seconds later, quiet squeaking could be heard. They rushed to the front doors and found themselves staring at a rat struggling to break the sticking charm.

"Hello Wormtail." Harry whispered with venom. His wand flicked and small ropes tied themselves around the rat. Pettigrew struggled even further but to no avail. Such fear was evident in his eyes that they were afraid he might die from heart attack.

Roughly grabbing the mouse, Harry disabled the sticking charm. Pettigrew tried to bit him off but Harry was too smart for him.

"Now what?" Harry asked, glaring at the struggling mouse.

"We could take him to Professor McGonagall, she will listen to us." Ginny suggested.

"And skewer us alive for being out so late." Harry added.

"Well, if you want to sleep with the rat." Ginny left the sentence unfinished.

"Fine, Fine. Let's go to Professor McGonagall."

From where they were, it took them some time to reach Professor McGonagall's quarter but eventually they reached there.

"After you." Ginny bowed and gave a mischievous smile.

Harry just glared at her and knocked at the door.

They had to knock a few times before the door was opened. A wait they expected since it was almost two in the morning.

"What in the merlin's name are you three doing?" The voice was stern enough to put cracks in rocks. Like seeing her out of her usual attire wouldn't have put them in shock already.

"Well speak. Or should I just give you a month of detention?"

"Ugh Sorry Professor." Harry shook his head. "We caught an intruder in the castle."

"An intruder?" Professor McGonagall almost shrieked. "Where is it?"

Harry lifted the hand with the struggling rat.

"A mouse? Mr. Potter I knew you were a troublemaker but this is crossing a line. How can a mouse be an intruder? Stop playing games and go to sleep. I'll deal with your punishment in the morning."

Professor McGonagall was about to close the door but Harry barred her way.

"Peter Pettigrew."

The name was enough to stop Professor McGonagall's movement.

"What?"

"Peter Pettigrew killed my parents." The rat started struggling even further. Trying to get out of its captor grasp.

"What nonsense are you babbling on about? Have you been drinking? Mr. Potter Merlin help me, no matter how distinguished a student you are, if I found out that you have been."

"He is an animagus."

"What?" Professor McGonagall seemed at a loss of word. "But he is not registered in the ministry."

"I know there's a spell to reveal an animagus. It can solve this problem very easily."

Professor McGonagall considered his offer for a moment. She moved out of the doorway indicating them to come in.

"Very well. But if this is a prank then." McGonagall left her sentenced unfinished.

Harry wished she had finished her sentence. It was bone chilling not knowing what she would do to them if this rat somehow didn't turn out to be Wormtail.

She picked up her wand lying on the table. "Put him on the desk, Mr. Potter."

"He will try to get away Professor."

"Don't worry. I'll make sure he won't get away."

As soon as Harry placed the rat on the desk, it tried to run away but the spell that came was much faster and the next moment a bound pressing was laying on the desk face down, whimpering.

"Oh Merlin!" Professor McGonagall gasped, her wand clattering to the floor. "It is Pettigrew."

For a whole minute there was silence, all of them stood waiting for the shocked professor to speak up.

"I'll have to inform Amelia."

What followed was a whirlwind of event. Professor McGonagall threw floo powder in her fireplace calling the Bones estate. A very haggard Amelia Bones answered. They discussed something hurriedly and in fifteen minutes she was here with a contingent of Aurors.

Needless to say, Peter Pettigrew was put under arrest. The man was so freaked out that he unknowingly confessed his own crimes without the aid of Veritaserum, keeping on repeating that the dark lord made him do it. That he didn't want to betray the Potters but the Dark Lord was too strong.

The next morning newspaper included a special edition. The headline read.

SIRIUS BLACK INNOCENT. PETER PETTIGREW FOUND ALIVE.

A trial was held in the next few days, the minister tried his best to postpone the trial but it was under too much scrutiny to not happen. And when it did happen, he threw his whole weight behind Sirius Black claiming that he always was suspicious of Sirius' role in the murder of Potters.

Needless to say, Sirius Black was freed. Not only freed, but as a remittance for unjust imprisonment the ministry had to pay him a hefty sum of One Million galleons. It wouldn't have been this much but Azkaban held its perks.

The first thing that Sirius did after being officially released was to pay Harry a visit in Hogwart. He also stopped by to check in their injured friend which he hadn't met yet.

While all this was going on, a certain person never made an appearance. A person whose name had appeared a lot of time during the trial of Peter Pettigrew. Albus Dumbledore was missing. His office was locked and no one seemed able to access it.

What had happened to the old headmaster soon became awfully clear. It was Hagrid who had discovered it first. The mauled and deformed body of the greatest wizard of Britain.

Albus Dumbledore was dead, killed by someone and no one seemed to know what had happened.

The atmosphere in Hogwarts had turned fearful. People grew mistrusting of each other. Hatred and suspicions flew like water spewing forth from a rock. Parents starting drawing out their children and those who remained constantly looked at each other with fear and distrust. The atmosphere had become suffocating.

A funeral was held for Albus Dumbledore a few days later on Hogwarts ground. A great many people came to pay their respect. They also included Harry, Ginny, Luna, and Sirius Black. No matter their personal differences, a great man had died. A man who had influenced the magical society of Great Britain for decades, for better or worse? they didn't know.

Amidst all this, Astoria's condition deteriorated. At first she was only unconscious, but now she would wake up only to scream herself to oblivion. Madame Pomfrey said that she was under extreme pain. That it was like someone was touching all of her nerve endings with hot knives at once.

And just like that, three months passed and April came. And that's when they found a note attached to Astoria's chest one morning when they came to pay her a visit. A note addressed to them in flowery handwriting.

If you wish to save your precious friend, then come to the forbidden forest. I shall be waiting.

The attacker.

….

The clearing felt ominous and reeked of terrible powers. Every breath that they took choked them, a strange chill made the hair on the back of their neck stand up. It was difficult to just move their muscle. And they were here to fight against the one who assaulted Astoria.

Their wands were ready, their eyes wide open, their ears listening to even the minute sounds.

"Ah, welcome, welcome." As focused as they were, they jumped as a voice came from behind them. Turning around they found themselves face to face with an unknown man leaning against the tree, smirking.

"Who are you?" Harry asked bewildered. He had never seen the man.

"Startled by my new appearance." The man smiled. "Perhaps you will remember this face." With that the man started morphing. His hair turned brown, his body became a bit chubby. His eyes turned blue.

"Neville?" Luna gasped.

"Correct. But not quite. I don't think poor Neville is even alive. I just took his place."

"You mean you killed him. Whatever you are."

The man sighed. "I guess it would better to lift my magic than to explain it to you." He snapped his fingers.

It was like a fog had lifted from their brains and the deception that they had been subjected to throughout the year became imminently clear.

"As to answer your question. You might know me as a demon. Quite a cool name. It just reeks of blood don't you think?"

Their only answer was to crane their neck and stare at the person.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?"

But before he could finish his sentence, Harry jabbed his wand and a curse flew towards the demon. A curse that he swatted away easily.

"No need to be so hasty. Believe me when I say this. I want to kill you more than I." His voice had turned menacing by the end. "I want to snap those pretty necks of yours, watch as life fades from your eyes, but no. I won't do that."

His human features started fading away, revealing a grotesque mass of twisted limbs and coarse dark fluids that left a trail on the ground as he circled around them.

"Doesn't feel good does it?" even his voice had changed, lower in pitch, soothing yet chilly. "This hellish air. It kills you every time you breath it in, doesn't it? Looks like I have the advantage of home pitch."

Ginny scoffed, though the fear was evident in her eyes. Their limbs were shaking. They felt like unseen shadows were stretching out to them, choking them. They were in no shape to fight. Their enemy had overpowered them wholly.

But in front of their eyes was the face of Astoria, in their heart the guilt that they felt for dragging her to her death, in their ears rung her painful screams when she was awake and their minds replayed that conversation that they had with Daphne.

"I hate you. All three of you." Daphne sat on the edge of the bed. Her sister's bruised hand she held to her chest. "But more than that I hate myself."

"Our parents, they don't like her much. You can say she doesn't hold to their beliefs. Questioning everything from why the elves should be treated like that to why she should wear frilly dresses." A small smile played on her lips even as her eyes held unshed tears, remembering the days past she cupped on her younger sister's cheek. "She's a brat. So cheeky and mischievous. She annoys me so much but she's my little sister."

She placed her other hand on her chest. "I don't know where this feeling comes from. I just want to protect her. I wanted her to never stop smiling, so I did what I could. If she failed at something I excelled at it enough to make up for both of us. If she didn't meet our parents' expectations, I exceeded them. Soon enough, they stopped paying her any attention and I thought it was okay. That I was more than enough for her. That I would be able to protect from anything and everything.

Her shoulder started shaking. "Do you know this feeling of helplessness? The one that you love more than your life is lying dying and you can't do anything. Even tears don't come easily for me. I lost them so that she could smile and now the only thing I hear from her mouth are those painful screams."

Slowly she laid down on top of Astoria, hiccups shaking her whole body. "I hate you three. It's because of you that she is like this. But she is dying." The tears had become unmistakeable in her voice. "I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO BEG GOD FOR HER LIFE." The scream was heart wrenching; her hands had curled into small fists. "I DON'T KNOW HOW TO BEG." The voice dropped in pitch. "I only know how to bargain, how to lick up, how to intimidate." Once again she screamed. "BUT WHAT SHOULD I BARGAIN FOR HER LIFE, WHO SHOULD I FLATTER? WHO CAN I THREATEN SO THEY CAN GIVE ME BACK MY SISTER?"

Harry's hand was clenched so tight that he could feel his fingernails digging into his flesh. This pain was the only thing that stopped him from breaking down. As his eyes darted to the side, he saw a figure in a darkened corner of the Infirmary. Madame Pomfrey. It was dark so he couldn't see properly but he thought she was crying, her teeth biting down on her lips so hard that it could have drawn blood. It was a scene he couldn't have tolerated so he turned his eyes back to Daphne.

She got up, wiping her eyes with the sleeves of her robe and turned towards them. "So I'll place my trust where she placed hers. You." She pointed towards them. "Made her livelier than ever. I haven't seen her this full of joy since she was this little." She placed her hand at bed height, indicating her age. "So I'll ask you. No, I beg of you. Save her."

Once again tears spilled forth from her eyes. With her trembling hands she reached out and grabbed Ginny's robe, the one closest to her, and placed her head against her body. "You are the Three Prodigies aren't you? The Geniuses of our generation. You can do anything. Please save her."

That was the first time Harry saw Ginny unable to comfort someone else. How could she when she was broken herself.

They didn't have a choice, even if they had to sacrifice their life. They had to save Astoria.

"Ginny, Luna you two are on defence. I'll attack."

They took their stance as the demon took a humanoid shape again.

"Fine. Have it your way."

A light blue shield snapped around the three as Harry jabbed his wand forward. A purple coloured hex flew towards the demon but once again he deflected it with ease.

"My turn."

The explosion was instantaneous, blowing their shield to smithereens. The shockwave threw them backwards and they slammed into the trees, sliding down like lifeless bags.

"Hopes that doesn't scare you away. Fun is only beginning."

With difficulty, Harry got up. Already his limbs were aching and pain was building up inside him. It was just now that he actually realized that their death was actually on the cards.

He looked to his side to see Ginny and Luna slowly getting. Luna wiped a bit of blood from her mouth while Ginny gently cradled her head. One attack. That's all it took him to put them in this shape.

His speed hadn't decreased though. Like Lightning he fired a spell towards the demon. The demon smiled and prepared to send it away once again but the spell never reached him. Instead it impacted on the ground sending razor sharp rocks flying faster than the speed of sound. Needless to say, the demon was taken by surprise.

When the dust from the spell had cleared, Harry and the girls saw the demon embedded with rocks all over with a few twigs mixed in between. A look of anger and contempt was on his face.

"Innovation huh? Not bad." The demon spat out. "It's my turn now."

A blue orb came towards them but it's path was intercepted by a large rock that Ginny had summoned. The rock was blown to tiny pieces which impacted the shield that Luna had erected. Even though the spell had been taken care of, the projectiles had enough energy left to leave cracks all over the shield.

"Much better." Harry whispered. "Now we must press."

He pulled his wand back but this time the demon was alert and he easily escaped the flying log that came from behind.

"Tsk, tsk." He clucked his tongue. "The same thing won't work twice."

But Harry just smiled as the earth erupted and a large blade ripped through the leg of the demon. The demon howled in agony before he angrily swiped his hand destroying the blade and the land around it.

The anger was palpable on the demon's face as he slowly healed his injuries. "Fucking bastard. Play time is over."

But they weren't patiently waiting for him to recover either. While Harry was busy riling up the demon, they knew this tactic would only anger him, Ginny and Luna had abandoned defence and focused on bringing their magic in harmony. If they had a shot at defeating the demon, it would be with this spell and nothing else.

As the demon prepared to attack on his own, they brought their wand down. Just like in the Room of Requirement, a large white orb came speeding down. It was much larger than the one that they had used back then, even without the aid of Room of Requirement.

The demon had no idea what was going on till the last second, as he felt the searing energy of the white orb. But by then it was too late. With a huge explosion and a heart stopping cry the orb crashed into the demon. The shockwave was strong enough to throw them backwards.

Slowly, Harry and the girls pulled themselves up from the ground, waiting for the dust to settle. If this hadn't destroyed the demon than they didn't know what would.

As the smog was cleared, to their shock and horror, they saw the demon still standing there. Half of his body was gone and the other half was twisted horribly. Blood was spurting from him in large arc and his remaining eye was blood red.

"You filthy humans." His voice showed his barely restrained fury. "How dare you! HOW DARE YOU!"

"Gotta keep going." Harry whispered, raising his wand and firing a blasting hex.

Ginny and Luna followed suit, albeit their spells were a lot slower, the previous spell having drained out all of their energy.

They exhausted their arsenal, throwing everything they has at the demon. The demon healed but they chipped away at him faster. His previous speed had been lost. In fact, he wasn't moving at all, standing at one place, screaming and yelling obscenities at them but they paid him no mind and slowly but surely reduced him to dust.

Only once that all that was left of the demon was the blood splattered everywhere did they stop. Harry's wand slipped out of his hand and he fell to his knees barely conscious. Ginny and Luna were faring even worse, having already fallen unconscious.

As he tried to regain his breath, he heard a cackling laughter that froze his blood. His heart almost jumped to his throat as he saw small little dots coalescing. Slowly, they took a gruesome shape.

"Have had your fill have you?" The demon had taken the shape of a deformed creature. To be honest, it was getting annoying keep up with all the shapeshifting that was going for Harry.

But the demon's shapeshifting was the least of his worries as he could almost see the magic building around the demon. The demon growled and three wispy tentacles like things come out of him.

Even if he wanted to, Harry had no strength left to resist. Like a bullet, the tentacles ripped through his shoulder and there was no way he could have muffled the screaming that ensued.

The tables had turned now and the demon took great delight in poking holes through their body while listening to their horrific screams.

The demon circled them, like a hunter stalking its prey. A maddening cackle would escape its lips while occasionally ripping their bodies.

Yet they continued to stand up, at least they tried. Their limbs flailing wildly all over as blood gurgled from their mouth. To say that they had never been this close to death wouldn't be wrong.

But the demon made sure that they didn't die, choosing to prolong their misery for his perverse pleasure.

"Fucking humans." The demon spat out. "Think you are so high and mighty. You seriously believe the world revolve around you." He kept on moving around them his eyes fixed on the three teens trying to get up once again. Loosely they held their wands in their hand having no strength to grip them even further. Blood poured from all over their body but they didn't stop struggling. "You thought you could hold a demon? You are my prey." His voice drop to a whisper. "Now be a nice little fodder and play along."

Once again the demon struck them down. As they fell he starting laughing again. "A thousand years. That's how long I have waited for this. In that accursed space, not even allowed a single coherent thought. The thought that humans had captured me, that mere tiny measly humans had wiped out our race was torture enough. YOU ARE NOTHING. NOTHING BUT A FUCKING BUG. A PLAYTOY FOR US." His whips reached out encircling them and choking them. Blood spluttered from their mouth and nose. They flailed around trying to get away from its deathly clutch. But the demon didn't let them go. His eyes had gone cross from madness.

"WHY WON'T YOU LIE DOWN." The demon roared and flung them across the clearing like they plastic dolls.

Bloodied and broken. The consciousness faded from their mind.

"Spending thousand years like that isn't easy, but I guess It is time to take some revenge."

The demon turned towards them ready to deal the finishing blow. But then he stopped, his head cocking to a side.

Blue spots started appearing on their skins. Spots that quickly changed to lines that were crisscrossing each other. Blood started flowing back and their wounds started healing.

"What Sorcery is this?"

As the flesh knit itself, they started to standing up. Their eyes were crossed and glowing red. The blue lines had started to make a pattern.

"No, No, NO, NO, NO." The demon screamed. "NOT THAT. ANYTHING BUT THAT."

He started stalking them. The lines had started moving their outstretched hand, merging.

"So be it. I am going to have my even if it's him interfering."

The demon moved fast but the attack was faster. A bright flash of light and it was sent flying backwards.

The lines faded from the bodies of Harry and the girls and they fell down. It was around half an hour later that they got up groaning. Their heads were ringing and they could feel the worst headache of their life coming.

"What's going on?" Harry grabbed his temple and asked slowly.

His question was followed by a weak laugh.

Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked forward. He couldn't believe what he saw. The demon was lying a few feet in front of them, covered in his own blood panting.

"That's unfair, you know. I never knew you had such…connections."

Harry stood up and approached the demon. His headache had started fading and he could feel his strength returning. Not just his old strength. It felt like he would implode from this much power. His hands were buzzing and his heart was beating fast.

"What happened?" He stared at his hand and cast a look over his body seeing none of the wounds that should be there. "What is this? How am I so strong?"

"You mean you don't know." The demon asked incredulously.

"Know what?" Harry demanded. "Tell me what happened. Did I. Did we do this to you?"

The demon started laughing. A laugh that got louder with time. He cackled till he started choking on his own blood.

"How could you not know? For a species with such fondness for the past you sure forget your nightmares easily."

"What nonsense are you spewing?" Harry screamed. "Tell me what happened."

"Harry?" Ginny and Luna too had woken up and now stood just a few yard away from them.

"I do not have the right to tell you what you do not know. At least in this case." The demon answered. "All that matter is that you defeated me fair and square."

He stood up on shaky legs. It took him a few minutes but he managed it in the end. He stared them in the eyes, his dimming red eyes glaring and then slowly he bowed his head.

"If I had known." That's all the demon managed before he collapsed coughing blood once again.

"Tell me." Harry asked hastily fearing the demon would die before telling them the cure. "How do we cure Astoria?"

"Your young friend?" The demon opened his eyes that had half closed. "It was my blood that tainted her and through my blood will she be cured."

"Your blood? Is that all?"

"Don't underestimate the power of a demon, you brat. We ruled a whole realm. After magic is different, powered by otherworldly forces. It is infused in us completely. The whole body of a demon is an invaluable resource of power for you human wizards. The death and destruction that one can unleash is terrible. But that's not all we are capable of. Our blood can cure anything."

The demon started coughing again. It seemed as the time passed he grew weaker.

"After I am gone my race would be extinct." The demon spoke once again. This time much slower. "But in a way I don't mind it. I think this death is befitting for my race. Death by his hand."

"Who is he?" Luna asked.

"Someone you would know very soon." The demon started cackling once again. "I think I actually pity you. You are just humans. I think I remember now. An ancient Prophecy that spoke of this. A Prophecy that heralded the awakening and the changing of the world. Is it that time already?" The demon seemed to be talking to himself. "A quest unfinished. Vengeance. Betrayal. Duty. Greed. Desperation." The demon's eyes started closing once again as he said broken words that they couldn't understand.

"Just tell us who are you talking about." Ginny asked slowly.

"Me?" The demon opened his eyes a bit. "Who could I be talking about? Just one of the few that us demon feared. He is the final guardian. The last protector of this Earth."

With his final breath the demon spoke his name. "Remember it. I am called Hi-La. The demon of fear."

And thus, the bright red eyes of the demon turned black completely. He was dead.

"Hi-La. The demon of fear." Harry muttered as he spoke. "I will never forget that name even if I wanted to."

"Neither will we. Now let's get back to the castle. We must get the cure to Astoria as soon as possible."

As they left the clearing, they couldn't help but take a look back at the rapidly rotting corpse of the demon. He was a foe that they could never hope to beat and yet someone did. Someone who dwarfed the terrible demon.

There was only one thought on their mind. Just how powerful was this guardian?

…..

The rocking of the cabin as the train sped forward was anything but soothing. The rapid changing scenery, instead to calm them down, made them feel nauseous. Never before had their compartment been so silent. Each of them was lost in their own thought. It had been a few months since the demon was defeated but even now the battle weighed heavily on their mind. And why not? Battles are eventful but not that eventful.

But that wasn't the only thing on their mind. On the berth that Harry sat, a few feet across from him laid The Daily Prophet. Its headline read.

HOGWARTS TO BE CLOSED AT THE YEAR'S END

In a rather unsurprising move, Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge announced yesterday that the Wizengamot has unanimously agreed to close down one of the most prodigious school in Europe, deeming it to be "unsafe and dangerous for the children."

Speaking to the press outside his office, The Minister also added that temporary measures had already been taken to ensure that none of the students miss out on any education beginning next academic year. In that regard, British Ministry for Magic had contacted several prestigious schools throughout Europe who had agreed to take in the students of Hogwarts. He further added that The Ministry has already started working on building a new school to provide the necessary magical training to young wizards and witches.

The move came after a recent string of attacks on The-Boy-Who-Lived and his friend was leaked to the media which led to a wide range protests among the parents. These type of attacks weren't unprecedented either. Last year, several of the students lost their lives to such attacks at the end of which the now deceased headmaster Albus Dumbledore announced that the problem had been taken care of.

In the recent days, Ministry had been under severe scrutiny after it was found out that Sirius Black had been wrongfully imprisoned for thirteen years in Azkaban. It is to be noted that the real culprit, Peter Pettigrew, hid himself in Hogwarts for ten years and remained unnoticed which also led several people to question the security around the prodigious school. It is the belief, that these events contributed largely to the hastened decision of closing down Hogwarts.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was built around 990 A.D. and had continued to serve the need of Great Britain by providing several Talented Wizards and Witches.

The compartment door opened but none of them spoke up. Ginny got up and moved towards Harry while Astoria took her place.

The silence continued for a few more minutes, none of them spoke up or even greeted the newcomer. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.

"So what now?" Astoria blurted out.

Harry sighed, he had noticed he had been doing this a lot recently, a small smile creeped on his face as he felt Ginny's hand on his. Overturning his hand, he grasped hers softly, giving it a small squeeze.

"Honestly, I don't know."

The demon hadn't lied, at least not with its dying breath. With its blood Astoria had recovered magnificently, all of her wounds healed in a day. Madame Pomfrey had no idea what had happened and it drove her crazy. They did feel a bit guilty keeping it a secret from her but they knew that a thing like this could be dangerous in the wrong hand. Even now, the vial was carefully stashed in Harry's trunk.

After she had woken up, they had apologized to her profusely but she had waved them away and told them to not pay any heed to such trivial matter and if they were really feeling guilty then just teach her everything they know.

It was a hard decision. They knew that it was because of them that she reached such a state and here she was asking to actively join them? In the end she worn them down and they agreed.

"You mean you won't teach me?"

"Wait what?" Harry looked up bewildered. "Is that what you were asking about?"

"Uhuh. Hogwarts has been closed now so how am I going to meet you people?" There was a note of disappointment in her voice.

Harry couldn't help but laugh. "Is that what have been worrying you? Don't worry you can come meet us where I am going to live."

"Really." Astoria sounded really excited. "You sure it's not going to be a problem."

"Nope. I talked to Sirius and he has already given permission to invite as many of my friends as I could. Ginny is going to live with us mostly, Mr. Weasley has already given her permission and Luna's going to spend most of the time with us too. I guess a few people will drop too occasionally. So yeah it is alright for you to come visit us. You can live with us too for a few weeks. From Sirius' description the house sounded pretty big."

"That sounds cool." Astoria said enthusiastically.

The mood had lightened considerably in the compartment and they had started chattering among themselves, starting to enjoy what they knew was their last train ride.

"Seriously though, what will happen now?" This time it was Ginny who had asked the question.

Once again silence descended on the compartment. It was a question they didn't want to face.

"We have been training as hard as we can for the last three years." Harry spoke up. "And I thought we were going pretty good. I thought we might even stand a chance against Voldemort by now." He gave a self-deprecating smile. "I guess I was wrong."

"The demon. He just toyed with us. Only making us think that we can win when in reality we stood no chance." He clenched his fists tightly. "If that's what three years of years get you then." He just shook his head.

"Isn't it still too early to give up." Astoria said.

"We aren't giving up. It's just heart breaking to see so much of your effort go down the gutter. And if what he said is true then."

"Then you need to work harder." Astoria spoke with determination. "And need to add a certain girl in your plans."

Harry chuckled. "Alright alright, we already decided to include you, didn't we?"

"That's good."

What Astoria said was true, Harry realized. He was focusing too much on what would be then what was now. True, the demon might have squandered them in combat and it was stupid to think they could stand a chance against Voldemort, but how many thirteen-year-old can boost going toe to toe with Voldemort, a basilisk, and a demon and still live. They may not have reached their goal but they were certainly on the right path.

Closing of Hogwarts didn't just spell the end of a prestigious institute, it also indicated the beginning of a new adventure for them. No longer bound by secrecy and rules, and with a supporting home they were free to pursue their interest however they like.

True it meant venturing into the unknown but as he took a look around he couldn't help but think that the unknown wasn't so bad. As long as he had such good friends.

"Hey." Ginny whispered, squeezing his hand. "A knut for you thought?"

Harry gave her a dazzling smile. "Nahh. I just realized how amazing you people are."

Soon they had reached Platform Nine and Three-quarters and all of them went on separate ways at least for now.

They could feel it. Their lives were at a turning point. And yet there was no fear in them. No longer were there Dursleys to contend. No longer would a crazy mother harass you. No longer would you find yourself subjected to disappointed gazes of your parents.

This new era, it felt good. At least it had a good beginning.

They knew Voldemort was still out there and they knew the hardships that they had faced till now were nothing to what was to come. The demon had told them that much.

But when your hearts are woven together like this, does it really matter how strong an obstacle stands in your way?

How strong, and big, and large your enemy is?

What difficulty you face?

The world will try to rip you apart, will try to discourage you, will try to destroy you, annihilate you and demotivate you but as long as you have friend that you cherish and friends that care about you. Does it really matter in end?

What matters is whether they will stand up again after they had been knocked. Whether they will take the flag once again and fight. Fight till there is nothing left in them.

That's what they had realized during that train ride. That's what the eleven-year-old had taught them.

They had gotten up once again, after the demon had knocked them down so hard.

And they will continue to do so, till they had died or achieved their goal.

It doesn't matter who knock them.

Voldemort, Dumbledore, World or the demon, it mattered not.

Because they will get up once again.

Because they loved each other.

…..

A/N: The demon name. I don't know whether they are the right spelling. It's an Arabic word which means Phobia.