Twenty-six

Dumbledore waited patiently outside the maize. The castle wards had alerted him as soon as Harry had left the school grounds. 'Soon, Voldemort will return and the war will begin again.'

"Headmaster?" James asked as he walked up.

Dumbledore jumped, not having heard him approach. "James," he said, his Grandfatherly smile in place. "What can I do for you?"

"Do we know who has won the task yet?"

"No, we are still waiting for one of the champions to come out of the maize."

"How's Harry doing?"

Dumbledore frowned. He'd not expected that question. Why was James asking about Harry? "I don't know that either, James," he answered slowly. "I cannot see into the maize. Why do you ask?"

James shrugged. "Just curious," he said offhandedly.

"All we can do now is wait," Dumbledore continued. "I am certain that they will arrive back soon."

HPC

The pit where Riddle manor once stood seemed to be bottomless. It fell away into nothing as far as the eye could see. Nevertheless, something was rising out of it. It flew upward at great speed, clearing the pit and soaring into the sky with a burst of flame.

Fawkes circled the pit once before landing on the ground a few feet away. In his claws, he clutched Voldemort's portrait. The edges of the frame were blackened, but the portrait itself was intact. Voldemort stared at the phoenix, his jaw hanging in shock.

"You saved me," he croaked finally. "Another few seconds, and I would've fallen into the fire."

Fawkes nodded and then spoke into Voldemort's mind. 'Had that happened, you would've been beyond my reach. Only one man has ever returned from the pits of hell.'

"But why," Voldemort asked. "Why did you save me? I am evil; you know I am, so why did you grab my portrait before it passed through the gates?"

'I have been given permission to offer you a chance. Keep in mind, if you refuse, you will face the fire again and this time, I will not be there to save you.'

"What sort of chance and why offer it to me? I am dead. Surely, you are aware that my soul cannot be redeemed now."

'You are dead and yet not dead. In essence, you are between life and death, not truly dead, and also not truly alive. In instances such as this, it is left up the higher powers than I to decide your fate.'

Voldemort snorted. "Why would these so-called powers take an interest in me now?"

Fawkes stared at the former sorcerer. 'Because they know that the greatest good can come from the blackest evil. You are not the greatest evil, far from it. You did everything that you did because you believed you were saving the magical world. Yes, you did some terrible things, some inexcusable things, but no one is beyond redemption if they so choose.'

"I did nothing I didn't have to," Voldemort snapped. "Everything I did was for the greater good of the magical world."

'And that is your problem,' Fawkes said calmly. 'You refuse to believe that you did anything wrong. You never really grew past that scared little boy in the orphanage, did you? Now that I think of it, your entire reign was based on your fear of death. In that respect, you are no different from everyone else.'

"What are you talking about?"

'Everyone fears death at least a little,' Fawkes explained. It is the road that every living thing must travel? Your name, Voldemort, means flight from death. That means that you fear death more than most don't you.'

"Only the weak die," Voldemort snarled.

Fawkes just stared at him in silence. 'If you continue to have that attitude, then there is nothing I can do to help you.'

"I never asked for your help, did I?"

'No, I suppose you did not, but I was instructed to make the offer and I have made it. Now consider your options, son of Riddle. Think carefully, for once your choice has been made, it cannot be changed.'

HPC

Harry appeared on Hogwarts grounds in a flash of blue light. He lay face down in the grass, unmoving. He rolled over onto his back as he heard footsteps approaching. He looked up into twinkling blue eyes.

"Ah, Harry," Dumbledore said softly. "I see you've had a very trying experience in the maize. Care to come to my office and tell me about it?"

Before Harry could respond, Lily pushed her way through the crowd to reach him, followed closely by Ginny. "Harry," she called as she approached.

HPC

Dumbledore began running as soon as he saw the flash of blue light. He needed to get to Harry first. He had to get the boy to his office and find out what'd happened in his meeting with Voldemort. He reached the boy just as he rolled over onto his back. He smiled down into his golden green eyes. "Ah, Harry, I see you've had a very trying experience in the maize. Care to come to my office and tell me about it?"

He saw a flash of something in the boy's eyes. Was it fear? If it was, so much the better, if the boy was afraid of him, he would be more likely to answer his questions. His musings were interrupted when he heard Lily's voice. "Harry."

He turned, scowling, and saw Lily and Ginny Weasley hurrying up. "What happened?" Lily asked as she helped Harry to his feet. "Are you alright?"

"Lily," Dumbledore interjected. "I believe Harry was taken off the school grounds. I need to know what happened while he was away."

Lily looked up at him, frowning. "What are you talking about? What do you mean 'what happened?'"

Dumbledore looked around at the cheering crowd converging on them. "Not here," he whispered. "Please, will you bring Harry to my office? It is of the upmost importance. What happened in that graveyard tonight could mean the difference between life and death."

For just a second, Lily's emerald green eyes turned an icy blue. Dumbledore blinked and Lily's eyes were their normal green again. It must have just been a trick of the light. "Very well," she said, "but only if Harry agrees."

Harry looked up at her and nodded. "Let's just get this over with."

Dumbledore smiled. "Excellent," He turned to Ginny. "Run along Ms. Weasley," he said kindly. "I'm sure Harry will tell you what he feels comfortable with later."

"I have no problem with her coming with us if she likes," Harry said quietly.

"Nor I," Lily agreed.

Dumbledore winced internally. 'I don't want any more people involved in this than necessary, but it appears that I have no choice.' "Very well," he said agreeably. "Come along then, Ms. Weasley."

As they started across the grounds, James fell into step beside them. "What happened?" he asked quietly.

Lily looked up at him. "I don't know," she said shortly.

The rest of the walk to the castle passed in silence.

HPC

Lily shifted in her chair and looked over at Morgana. She stared around the sitting room of her quarters, seeming nothing. Her Father was dead? She hadn't even known him a year, and he was dead. How was she supposed to deal with this? She needed something to take her mind off things. "I should be with Harry,' she said for the fourth time. "I'm his mother. It is my responsibility to be there for him in times like this.'

Morgana looked up at Lily, tears still rolling down her cheeks. "Vivienne can handle it. She is a master at glamour. No one will know it isn't you unless she allows it." So saying, she went back to staring at the wall.

Lily scowled. What was she doing here? She had no clue how to comfort her Mother. How did you comfort a Mother about the death of a Father you barely knew? "How are you feeling," she asked finally.

"I don't know," Morgana said softly. "I don't how to feel. I hadn't seen him for twenty years. I was so looking forward to working on our relationship and now that will never happen."

Lily stood and made her way over to Morgana. Wrapping her in a hug, she dropped her head onto her Mothers. "It'll be alright. We'll get through this, somehow."

HPC

Dumbledore sank into the chair behind his desk with a sigh of relief. It'd been a long day and showed no signs of being over. He gestured at the chairs across from his desk and watched as Lily, Harry, James, and Ginny sat.

"Now, Harry," Dumbledore began. "Tell me…"

"Wait," Lily interrupted. "How did you know?"

"Pardon?" Dumbledore asked confused.

"How did you know that Harry was taken to a graveyard? I didn't know that until you told me."

Dumbledore couldn't hide a wince. "I," he began.

"Did you know what Voldemort was going to do tonight?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore winced again. "Is he back?"

"No," Harry growled. "He's dead."

"You did know?" James snapped. "You deliberately put my son in danger?"

Dumbledore stared at James. "James, my boy," he began. "It was all for the greater…"

"I am so sick of hearing about the greater good," James roared. "I've helped you all these years and no good has come from it."

Dumbledore turned back to Harry, ignoring James for the moment. "I'm afraid you must be mistaken dear boy," he said patronizingly. "Voldemort has performed many dark rituals to insure that his soul can survive the death of his physical body."

"Snape is dead isn't he?"

Dumbledore stared at the boy. "What?"

"You heard me, or do you not know? Snape is dead along with every other marked Death Eater."

Dumbledore stared at Harry aghast. "You, you killed them?" he whispered.

"No," Harry said shortly. "The mark had a failsafe that killed them." He decided to stop there. Explaining the full cause of the Death Eaters demise would be too complicated.

"But," Dumbledore spluttered. "Now they cannot be redeemed."

"Their souls are not my problem," Harry snapped. "I'm not God."

Dumbledore stared at Harry. "You do not deny that Voldemort is still alive then?"

"In spirit, perhaps," Harry answered. "However, with no followers, he won't be able to return."

"Voldemort has an uncanny ability to find followers," Dumbledore said gravely.

"Well," Harry said. "Now you have plenty of time to hunt down whatever it is that anchors him to life, don't you?"

Dumbledore nodded absently. Things had not gone to plan at all. He'd planned for Voldemort to return and start a war with the wizards. Dumbledore would then have proposed an alliance to destroy the Fae to get Harry back under his control. After the Fae had been dealt with, he would imprison Voldemort for his many crimes. Now that was impossible. He only had one trump card to play. Harry had to stay in the wizarding world. It was for the greater good. He stared straight into Harry's eyes as he spoke. "I know that you are Fae."

"James who had been silent up to this point, leapt to his feet. "What?"

Dumbledore smiled grimly. "Yes," he said. "Harry here is half-Fae, which means Lily broke more rules than we thought, didn't you Lily?"

There was no mistaking it this time. Lily's eyes definitely flashed an icy blue. "I am no adulteress," she hissed. "How dare you call me that and imply that my son is a bastard."

Dumbledore smiled thinly. "The facts are right in front of us. Do you deny that Harry has Fae blood?"

HPC

Lily had just made her sixth circuit of the room when Puck appeared. "Lily, you need to come now."

Morgana looked up. "What has happened?"

"Dumbledore knows about Harry's Fae blood. He is currently calling you an adulteress and questioning Harry's paternity."

Without a word, Lily vanished, appearing outside the door to Dumbledore's office. She threw open the door and was just in time to hear Dumbledore say; "Do you deny that Harry has Fae blood?"

"He gets it from me," she said icily.

HPC

The occupants of the office stared from the Lily in the doorway to the Lily sitting in the chair in front of Dumbledore's desk. "Well," said the Lily in the chair. "The cats out of the bag now, isn't it?"

In the next second, Vivienne sat calmly in the chair, her blue eyes fixed on Dumbledore. She spoke to Lily without turning her head. "I told you I could handle this."

"No one calls me an adulteress whore."

Dumbledore stared at Vivienne in shock. "You," he spluttered. "I banished you."

"Not permanently," Puck said appearing beside Lily in the doorway.

"Oh great another one," James snapped.

Puck tilted his head. "I don't remember you being this big of a racist bigot when we went to school together."

James blinked at the trickster. "What are you talking about? We never went to school together."

Puck put a hand to his chest as if wounded. "Don't you remember your best friend?" With those words, Puck was gone and Sirius Black stood in his place.

James stared at him, shocked. "S-Sirius?"

"Bingo," Sirius said calmly. "How have you been, James?"

"You're Fae?"

"Yep, the black family mated with the Seelie and Unseelie court over the centuries. Most of the members of my family were at least part Fae. Me, I'm mostly Fae. The black family agreed to a changeling trade for both My Mother and Father. An adoption ritual later, and I'm a Black."

"But," James sputtered. "Your family was the biggest bunch of pureblood supremacists I ever heard of."

"Yes and no," Sirius said smiling. "They were pureblood magical supremacist's not pureblood wizard supremacists."

"But I saw you every day. You were with Brian and me."

"Very complicated and cleverly made fetch," Sirius said grinning. "Took Vivienne and I ages to get the enchantments right."

"But," James said again. "Dumbledore said it takes centuries for a Fae to master their powers. You've only had thirty-four years at most."

Sirius shrugged. "Vivienne sent me back in time so I could master my powers. The only condition was that I couldn't leave Elphame. She sent me about three hundred years back into the past. That's how I acquired the name Puck."

James sank back into his chair, defeated. "What about Remus," he asked tiredly. "Did he lie to me to?"

Sirius narrowed his eyes. "I never lied to you James," he said softly. "I insured that you still had your best friend. I didn't have to do that. I could have just left without a word, but I didn't."

"Why did you leave?" James burst out.

"Harry is my Godson," Sirius said softly. "I needed to be there for him. He didn't know who I was until now. He just thought I was a lovable uncle figure. I didn't tell him who I was because I didn't want to remind him of you and Lily. I wanted him to have as happy a life as possible."

"That is quite enough," Dumbledore said sharply. "Sirius, I am afraid I will have to place you under arrest."

"You don't have the authority," Harry said quietly.

"I am the chief of the wizarding court in Britain," Dumbledore said firmly.

"Which means you could issue an arrest warrant," Harry interrupted. "However, you cannot make the arrest yourself. Besides, what grounds would you arrest him?"

"Why, for consorting with the Fae, of course," Dumbledore said as if it were obvious.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "That was his family's crime, not his."

"He has been consorting with the Fae for three hundred years by his own admission."

Harry stood slowly. "That's kind of like telling a human not to consort with other humans. It's kind of hard not to when you live with them."

Dumbledore stood as well. "Stand aside, boy, I don't want you to get hurt. He chose to live with the Fae. It is no one's fault but his own."

Harry took a defensive stance. "If you want my Godfather, you're going to have to go through me."

"Harry, no," Sirius began. "I don't need you to fight my battles for me.'"

Harry spoke without taking his eyes off Dumbledore. "All year you, Mum, and Vivienne have helped me. You've all protected me. Hell, you saved my life tonight. Now, it's my turn. Let me do this for you."

Sirius looked at Lily and Vivienne for help. "Guys, a little help here?"

Vivienne raised an eyebrow. "That's girls, thank you." She looked at Harry. "Do you really have to do this?"

Harry nodded. "I've been protected all year. I need to do this I need to fight one battle by myself. I need to know that I can win on my own."

Lily nodded this time. "Alright, but remember, we will be there if you need us."

Harry twitched his shoulders. Stepping forward, he bowed to Dumbledore. "Are you ready to begin?"

"Do we really have to do this?" Dumbledore asked sadly. "I do not want to harm you."

"And I don't want to hurt you, but I will if it means protecting my family."

"I assure you that Sirius will have a fair trial."

"From a world that hates his entire race, I don't think so."

Dumbledore drew his wand. "I will not hold back."

"I don't expect you to."

"There's just one last thing."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

Quick as a flash, Dumbledore banished an object from one of his shelves at him. Reflexively, Harry caught the small silver ball and vanished in a flash of light.

Calmly, Dumbledore turned on his heal, and vanished from his office.

"Where'd they go?" Lily asked leaping to her feet.

"I don't know," Sirius said. He turned to James. "Do you know?"

James shrugged. "Don't know," he said looking tired.

HPC

Harry blinked as he reappeared in a small field. As he looked around, he saw a small cottage sitting on a hill. "Where am I?"

"You are in the field behind my house. I didn't want to wreck my office."

Harry raised a hand, pointing his fingers at Dumbledore. With a thought, he unleashed a jet of blue lightning at the elderly wizard.

Dumbledore casually deflected the lightning. "A bit quick on the draw, aren't you?"

Harry waved a hand, transmuting a rock into a snarling wolf. The wolf leapt at Dumbledore, teeth bared.

Dumbledore waved his wand, and the wolf exploded into bloody chunks. The chunks became pebbles before they hit the ground.

"Boy, if this is all you've got, this won't be a long fight." As he spoke, a fire whip left his wand, arcing through the air to strike Harry in the face.

Harry ducked, but smelled burning hair. Turning his palm out ward, Harry began drawing the heat out of the air around Dumbledore. Ice began forming on the edges of Dumbledore's cloak. It spread rapidly, covering his legs in a few seconds.

Frowning, the old wizard twitched his wand, melting the ice with a burst of flame. However, as fast as the ice melted, it reformed thicker than before. His frown deepening, he performed a complicated movement with his wand, and sunlight blazed in the night sky. The ice on his legs immediately began melting, unable to stand up to the intense heat of the artificial sunlight. "If this is what the mighty Fae have to offer, I am very disappointed." He swished his wand through the air. Six silver spikes left his wand. Two went for Harry's eyes, two went for his heart, and two went for his knees.

Harry was forced to throw himself backwards to avoid the spikes. He landed hard on the ground and rolled. He cried out at a sharp pain in his calf. He looked down at the spike sticking out of his leg just below the knee. Hurriedly, Harry reached down, and pulled the spike out of his leg, crying out as he did so. Without looking, he fired a shadowy blade at where he thought Dumbledore was standing. A grunt of pain let him know he'd at least made contact. He climbed painfully to his feet; his injured leg shook violently, but held. He looked over at the headmaster.

Blood dripped from Dumbledore's right arm and the fingers on that hand twitched spasmodically. "Lucky shot," he said mildly. Switching his wand to his left hand, he waved it over his injured arm. The bleeding slowly stopped, and the wound closed. "It's not a permanent fix, but it'll do for now."

Harry meanwhile was examining his leg. Like Dumbledore's arm, there was no permanent damage. However, the bone was cracked, and he thought the muscle might be torn as well. 'It's definitely going to impair me the rest of this fight, but there's no help for it.'

"Give up boy," Dumbledore said softly. "Your leg is in worse shape than my arm. You cannot win."

"I can't do that," Harry said quietly. "I have to beat you."

"Very well," Dumbledore said indifferently. "I will end this fight quickly." With that, the real fight began.

Dumbledore sent a chain of spells flying at Harry. Six more spikes, followed by a black bolt of lightning, and ended by a hailstorm of spinning razorblades.

Thinking fast, Harry reached for a ley line, and stepped into it. He watched as the spells passed him, striking the ground where he'd been standing. The explosion as the arcane energy struck was deafening. Had Harry not had his feet firmly planted in the ley line, he may have fallen. As it was, he was merely rocked by the blast. He watched as the ground where he'd stood shattered, leaving a crater deep enough to qualify as a grave.

Dumbledore hadn't been as lucky as Harry. As Harry stepped out of the line, he saw Dumbledore just picking himself up from the ground. "Not bad," the old man panted, "but it's not over yet."

"No," Harry said calmly. "It's not. Reaching out, he gathered energy from the ley line. Molding the energy in his hand, he formed a ball of eldritch lightning. He threw the ball of electricity at the elderly wizard.

Dumbledore was too slow to dodge the attack and took the lightning full in the chest. He screamed as the electricity flowed through his body. It felt as if every nerve had been set alight. He fell to the ground, his arms and legs jerking uncontrollably.

Harry approached the downed wizard hesitantly. When he was a few feet away, he reached out with a tendril of shadow to take Dumbledore's wand.

Dumbledore's eyes snapped open as he felt the tug on his wand. "No," he snarled. "You've taken one wand from me, you will not take another. He thrust his free hand at Harry, sending him flying backwards. He landed hard on his back, winded. Dumbledore stood over him, teeth bared in a hideous grin.

"I went easy on you too long," he growled, "but no more. It's time I wiped your stain from the world, once and for all."

Harry ignored him. Rolling away from the wizard, he finally gained his feet again and stared at Dumbledore.

The old wizard looked decidedly worse for wear. His face and hands were charred, one eye had swollen shut, and part of his robes appeared to have been fused to his skin. "It's over, Dumbledore," he panted. "You can't win now. You're in far worse condition than I am."

Dumbledore jabbed his wand at him. An unknown spell shot towards Harry, causing the air to ripple as it came. Harry hastily conjured a wall of solid stone to block the spell.

There was a crack as the spell hit the stone wall. Harry watched in awe as the wall split from top to bottom, falling to either side of him in two neat halves. He pulled back his thumb and pointed his index finger at Dumbledore like a gun. Curving his index finger as if pulling a trigger, he fired a silvery blue ball of light about the size of a marble from the tip of his finger. The silvery ball flew at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore waved his wand and a translucent golden shield appeared before him. There was a loud 'gong,' as the ball of light struck the shield, and Dumbledore winced. He slashed his wand at Harry, firing a jet of neon green flames.

Harry leaned to the side, just managing to dodge the fire. "What is it with you and fire," he called.

Dumbledore ignored him, twirling his wand over his head; he brought it swishing down to point at him. A blue ball of flame left the tip, expanding in size as it flew towards the young Fae.

Harry attempted to deflect the fireball, but it wouldn't be moved. His eyes widened as the fireball got closer. He attempted to dive to the ground to allow the fireball to pass over him, but the fireball followed him. He rolled left then right, trying to get out of the path of the flames, but no matter which way he moved, the fire was right behind him.

"You can't dodge that, boy," Dumbledore called. "Soul spells lock on to the magical signature of their target. They won't stop until they've struck home."

Harry's eyes widened. How did Dumbledore know how to construct soul spells? That magic had been lost for a thousand years. Leaping to his feet, he ran one way, then the other. He could feel the heat of the flames on his neck. It had almost caught him. 'It's no good,' he realized. 'I'm going to be burned alive. Wait a second, that's it.' Throwing all caution to the wind, he ran straight at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore's eyes widened. "What are you doing?"

Harry grinned. "You want fire? Here, have it. He put on an extra burst of speed and at the last minute, he leapt over Dumbledore, landing behind him. Dumbledore screamed as he was engulfed by his own fire.

HPC

Back in the office, Vivienne stared into a bowl of water on Dumbledore's desk. "Come on," she said standing up.

"What happened," said Lily and Sirius together.

"The battle is over. Harry's won."

HPC

Vivienne, Sirius, Ginny, and Lily appeared in the field behind Dumbledore's home. "Harry," Ginny called as soon as she saw him. She hurried to him, beginning to examine him for wounds. "Are you alright?"

"He's dead," Harry said dully. "I think I killed him."

Vivienne knelt beside Dumbledore. He looked truly horrible now. She touched his forehead, about the only place on his body not horribly burned. "He's alive," she said shortly, "but only just. What happened?"

Harry flinched. "He used soulfire on me. I was able to arrange it so the fire hit him instead of me."

Sirius frowned as he approached Dumbledore. "I thought a wizards magic could not harm him or her."

"It can't," Vivienne said shortly, "But soul spells are different. They are energy, but not magic. Once they're unleashed they can harm anyone, including the caster."

"So what do we do with him," Lily asked. "We can't just leave him here."

"No," Vivienne said. "He is too well known. We'll have to heal him."

"Won't he just come after us?" Harry asked.

"Maybe," Vivienne said, "but I see no other option."

"There is another way," Sirius said thoughtfully.

"Do tell," Vivienne said. "We're all ears."

HPC

Fawkes fluttered his wings. "What is your decision, Tom? I don't have all night."

Voldemort had been thinking. He didn't want to lose his identity, but he also didn't want to go to hell. "I'll do it," he said reluctantly. "How does this work?"

Fawkes lifted into the air and flew down in front of Voldemort's portrait. "Like this," he said wrapping his wings around the portrait. There was a flash of light and Fawkes burst into flames. In a matter of seconds, the portrait was blazing. Voldemort had time for his eyes to widen before his portrait, and Fawkes, was reduced to ash.

HPC

France, Unknown date, 1330.

The young woman held a baby in her arms. She looked up at her husband. "What should we name him?"

"Nicholas," her husband said. "Nicholas Flamel."

HPC

Present day.

Dumbledore groaned. He was so tired. What'd happened? Why did he feel so week?

"You're lucky we healed you," Sirius said coldly. "We could have just left you there to die."

"What happened?" Dumbledore asked. "What did you do to me?"

"Nothing," Vivienne said coming into the room. "You did this to yourself."

"Did what?" Dumbledore said trying to sit up.

Sirius pushed him roughly back onto the bed. "I prefer you to stay right where you are."

"Here is how this will work," Vivienne said stonily. "You now owe us a life debt." At Dumbledore's horrified look, she smiled grimly. "Don't worry; we aren't going to ask anything too difficult. We just want you to leave us alone while we close the gates of Elphame."

"You're leaving?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes," Vivienne said. "We will be leaving in a few weeks. We just have a few loose ends to tie up."

"What makes you think I would try and stop you? I only want Harry to stay. The wizarding bloodlines need an infusion of fresh blood."

"Seek out your muggleborns," Sirius said sharply. "The Fae will not be helping you anymore."

"You don't seem to realize that you have no choice," Vivienne said. "We or more specifically, I saved your life. That means by the law of magic, you owe me a debt. I am not asking what should happen. I am telling you what will happen."

Dumbledore glared up at her. "And if I refuse?"

"Then you lose your magic, and at your age, you would die."

"Death is naught but the next great adventure," Dumbledore said wisely. "I do not fear it."

"That may be true, but are you willing to die for a pointless cause? If you die, we can leave the wizarding world unmolested. If you live, you get to enjoy corrupting the minds of students for a few more years."

Dumbledore stared up at her, a sinking feeling in his stomach. There was no way to circumvent a life debt. He had lost. There was nothing he could do to keep Harry in the wizarding world. He dared not even ask someone to do it for him. The magic of the debt might see that as interference and kill him. "I will acquiesce to your demands," he said lowering his head.

"Thank you," Vivienne said softly. She touched his shoulder gently. "Look at it this way, at least this way, no one gets hurt."

Dumbledore nodded, but did not look at her. Sirius stepped forward. "Come on," he said helping the old man off the bed. "I'll take you back to Hogwarts."

HPC

Remus stared at Sirius. "You are serious, no jokes. Puck was you the whole time? Why didn't you say anything?"

"I couldn't. I was afraid you would turn me in to Dumbledore. While I could defeat him, it would have caused more trouble than it solved."

"So what do you want with me now?"

"We are rounding up all the Fae and magical creatures that want to leave the wizarding world. The Fae have decided to close the gates of Elphame forever. Apparently, having contact with wizards is too much trouble."

"And you want me to come with you?" Remus asked incredulously. "Aren't they worried about my condition?"

"No, they're not. The magic of Elphame will make you part Fae. That will neutralize your lycanthropy. Who knows, you may even find a wife."

"What about James?"

"He is getting the same offer. Lily doesn't trust him anymore, but she doesn't want to make the same mistake she made with Harry. She also doesn't want to deprive Brian of his Father, so she is giving James the opportunity of migrating to Elphame."

"Won't we be persecuted as wizards?"

"The no Fae/wizard contact was a policy created by wizards. The Fae didn't abide by it. Avalon has wizards? They've lived on Avalon for centuries. Granted, most of them are some kind of shapeshifter, but they're still wizards."

"Okay," Remus said. "When do we leave?"

Sirius smiled and clapped Remus on the back. "In about a week or two. Argante wants to make sure that there are no more Fae in the Wizarding or muggle world and Ginny wants to ask her parents if they want to come."

"Ginny Weasley is going with you?"

"Yeah, her parents treated her appallingly, so she decided to come to Elphame."

"Let me know when we leave, and I'll meet you wherever the gate to Elphame is."

Sirius nodded. "We'll do."

With his work there done, Sirius vanished. He had some people to talk to, and some people to collect.

HPC

Sirius reappeared outside a large colorfully decorated house. No sooner had he fully materialized, than a petite blond was skipping towards him.

"Is it time to go," she asked cheerfully.

Sirius smiled at her. "Yes, it's time. We won't be closing the gates for another week or so, but I thought I'd come and collect you and your Father. Are you ready to go?"

"Yup," Luna said. "I'll go get my Daddy."

A few moments later, Luna returned with a tall scrawny, white haired man about sixty years of age. The man looked at Sirius with silvery blue eyes and remarked, "That's a nice glamour, and blood magic isn't it?"

Sirius blinked. "Y-yes," he stammered. "How did you…"

"Know?" the man asked. "My friend I know a lot of things. Now," he said rubbing his wrinkled hands together. "Shall we get going?"

"S-sure, I'll be taking you to Avalon. They'll set you up with a new home. Do you have everything? I don't think you'll be able to come back once the gates are shut?"

Luna and her Father looked back at their house, their expressions turning sad. "My wife died in that house," Mr. Lovegood said finally. "If I never see that house again it'll be too soon."

Sirius nodded. Taking their hands, he vanished.

HPC

"No Sirius," Nicholas said looking over the top of his spectacles at the man. "Perenelle and I are going to stay here. We've talked about it, and kind as your offer is, we do not want to move to Elphame."

Sirius frowned at Nicholas. It had taken him over a week to track him down, and here he was refusing his offer. "But the stone," he said desperately "It has ingredients from Elphame in it. If its magic fails when the gates close, you'll die."

Nicholas smiled at him. "We're ready to go if it does," he said kindly. "We have lived a long life for mortals. I can't speak for Perenelle, but I am tired. I could use a long rest."

Sirius leaned back in his chair and took a sip of his fire whisky. "You are sure?" he asked. "We would love to have you. Avalon's magic would restore your youth without need of the stone.

"Yes," Nicholas said, "We are. Besides, someone has to keep an eye on Dumbledore. We'll use the stone to restore our life one last time, just to keep an eye on him. When that life's over, if the stone fails, we will die."

Sirius looked at the old man. He watched his white hair blowing in the breeze coming through the open window. "There's nothing I can say to change your mind?"

Nicholas shook his head. "Then I wish you good luck."

"Thank you, my boy, you to." Nicholas said as he stood up to lead Sirius out.

After he'd gone, Nicholas returned to his study and sat down. He had told Sirius the truth as far as it went. He was tired and he was ready for a rest, but he was also afraid. He was afraid what would have happened if he'd gone to Elphame. He may have been tempted. Better to avoid temptation all together. He'd lived a long, long life and he was content. His final work would be to make sure Dumbledore never found a way into Elphame. He smiled to himself. That should be enough work for what remained of his life.

HPC

Ginny reappeared in Avalon, tears rolling down her cheeks. She'd just come from talking to her parents and it hadn't gone well. They had absolutely refused to come with her to Elphame and had attempted to stop her from leaving. Luckily, Vivienne had been with her and had managed to spirit her away.

"They both refused," she said mournfully.

Vivienne wrapped her in a hug. "I am so sorry," she whispered into her hair.

Ginny pulled back, wiping tears off her cheeks. "How can I choose? They have been truly awful to me, but how can I leave them behind?"

Vivienne was silent for a moment. "You shouldn't have to," she said finally. "Look, we'll be closing the gates, but I'll create a portal on Avalon. Only you, or a member of your bloodline, will be able to use it. You can use that portal to visit your parents, if you like."

Ginny looked up at her hopefully. "You would do that for me?"

Vivienne smiled and nodded, kissing her forehead. "The closing of the gates was never meant to break apart families. I see no reason that it should break apart yours. We will not make you choose between your family and us."

"What about Lily?"

"She is still talking to James. If he refuses to see reason, I will make her the same offer. I will not make her choose between Brian and Harry."

Argante entered the room and smiled at Ginny. "I see Vivienne told you about the portal."

Ginny stared up at her Grandmother. "You knew?"

"Yes," Argante said simply. Vivienne checked with Puck and me before beginning work on the portals construction. She wished to make sure that we would not mind such a portal being constructed."

"And you don't," Ginny asked, "mind that is."

Argante shook her head. "No, I don't. I am a member of your bloodline, so I may be able to use this portal to get to know my son. Maybe one day I can convince him to come home."

Ginny nodded and hugged Argante.

Argante hugged her back before looking over at Vivienne. "It is done," she said simply. "I have checked the mortal world thoroughly. The only Fae left in the mortal world are the Veela, and Harry is talking to them now. Lily is having one last talk with James, so when they both get back with their parties respective answers, we can close the gates."

Vivienne nodded. "All we can do now is wait."

HPC

James looked up at Lily. "You would take my son?" he asked brokenly.

Lily stared back, a pleading expression on her beautiful face. "Only if he wants to come. Please James, come with us."

James looked over at Brian. "What do you think, son?"

Brian shrugged. "I've been pretty rotten my whole life. I'd like a chance at a new start."

James looked over at Lily. "What about us? Can you forgive me for everything that I've done?"

Lily didn't answer right away. "I don't know," she said finally, "but if you don't come with us, then there is no chance for reconciliation."

James stood up. "If Brian's going then there is no reason for me to stay. If you will allow it, I'd like to come."

Lily smiled. "Come along then," she said offering her hand to Brian. She led them out of the room, James following.

HPC

Morgana stood before Puck in the throne room of the Unseelie court. She bowed to him. "Will you accede to my request?"

Puck looked at her. "Why?" he asked. "Why do you want to stay here?"

"I need some space," Morgana said. "I need time to get over my husband's death. I can't do that on Avalon. Every time I look at Lily, I seem him."

Puck sighed. "Grief should be handled with family. You should really be with Lily during this time."

"She didn't really know him," Morgana said. "She didn't really remember him. I know she is having difficulty comforting me. She's going to have a lot on her plate, dealing with James and Brian. Please, Puck, will you help me?"

Puck was silent for a while, stroking his chin with one long finger. "Alright," he said finally. "I'll give you sanctuary here for a year. After that year, you must return to Avalon, agreed?"

Morgana sighed in relief. "Thank you, Puck," she said. "Thank you for everything."

HPC

Harry walked into the throne room of Avalon a few hours later. He was tired. He'd pleaded with the Veela to reconsider, but they'd been adamant.

"We do not need to leave the wizarding world," the Veela leader had said. "Unlike most other Fae, we breed true.'"

"But the wizards persecute you," Harry had argued. "They call you dark creatures. They may turn on you some day and attempt to wipe you out."

"We are not interested in what may happen," the Veela leader said firmly. "We only know what will happen."

In the end, only Fleur and her family had agreed to come to Elphame. As Harry entered the throne room, he heard gasps behind him.

"Wow," Fleuur said. "This is Elphame?"

"Yes," Harry answered without turning. He walked straight towards his Godmother. She must have heard him approach, for she turned around and smiled.

"I assume that this is the Veela's that agreed to come?"

Harry nodded. "Only one family."

"That is enough," Vivienne said. She turned to Puck and Argante. "Is this everyone?"

Puck nodded. "Yes, Remus is safe in one of the guest quarters in the Unseelie court."

"Then let us begin," Vivienne said. The three rulers joined hands and began chanting in unison.

"Gates of Elphame hear our call, close off this land once and for all."

Harry raised an eyebrow as a gate of shadows and light appeared in the throne room. As they all watched, the gate swung slowly shut. Lightning flashed across the skies of Elphame, and there was the sound of ringing metal throughout the realm. There was a concussion that was felt, rather than heard then silence.

"Is it over?" Harry asked.

"Yes," Vivienne said. "There is now only one portal out of Elphame."

"So what do we do now?" Harry asked.

Ginny walked up to him and kissed him thoroughly. When she pulled back, she was smiling.

"We live," she said, leaning her forehead against his.

Harry wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tight. "Sounds good to me."

A/N Well it's done.

I hope you all enjoyed reading this story. If you did, will you please take a moment to review? I'd like to hear what you think.

Till next time, this is Wizmage, signing off.