Chapter Seventeen: The Greater Good

"Ok. You're all here because you're the greatest trainees in your fields of speciality. You all know the members of Bravo Team and Shadow Team, either from your training or from casual talk." Damon frowned at the map in front of him. "You've just became four new teams. Weasley, Finnegan, Thomas and Patil, you four are going to be Alpha Team. Your job is recon and scouting."

The four people nodded.

"Padma, the Weasley twins, Lovegood and Bones, you five are Omega Team. Your job will be planning and supplies." He sipped his coffee. "You'll also be the back-up strike team, behind Shadow and Bravo Teams."

Luna grinned. "We'll be the shadows of Shadow Team." She said in her dreamy voice.

Damon chuckled. "Fair enough. Potter, Davis, Greengrass, Pansy and Weasley girl. You're the undercover team. I've picked you all for your acting and your ability to keep calm under pressure."

Hermione nodded. "Girl power."

"Finally, myself and Harry will be the overall commanders. We'll be the ones overseeing most missions." He moved so Harry could talk.

"Ok. We're going to be attacking a lot of dangerous people. We can either attack full on or we can do it as stealthily as possible." Harry placed several pins into the map. "Ok, our undercover team will be placed in an apartment complex in Northern England to do a lot of reconnaissance for us. Pansy, you and Scorpius will be moving back to Malfoy Manor. You've got the hardest job out of all of us."

Pansy gulped a little. "I know." She whispered softly, closing her eyes. Her heart was beating rapidly and she was pretty sure she was going to piss herself if she continued to think about returning to that horrid place.

"Shadow Team will be there to protect you. Keep calling yourself Lady Malfoy. Bellatrix will try and kill you for insulting her sister's memory." Harry placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's a lot to ask and I'm sorry, but you're the only one who can do it."

Pansy nodded slowly. "I know."

He glanced at Damon. "And...well we'd like to talk to you in private once we're done here."

Pansy nodded again, frowning in confusion.

Harry gave everyone else their jobs. For now it'd be a series of quick smash and grab missions to stop Voldemort's operations while continuing their own. He brought Pansy into his office, pouring some tea for her. "I've been talking to my family about you, Pansy."

Pansy took the tea into her hands, staring at him wearily. "What..?"

Harry sipped his own tea, chuckling weakly. "There's a thing Prides have done since our creation." He placed his hand on hers. "We want you to join our family."

Pansy's eyes grew wide. "Are you proposing?"

Harry shook his head with a soft laugh. "No. I'm offering you a place in my family. To be my sister in all but blood. If you don't want to be part of our family it's ok, but the offer is there."

Pansy's mind went into overdrive as she thought about what he had said. Only one question was present in her mind. "What about Scorpius?"

Harry smiled. "He's your son. He's as welcome as you."

Pansy bit her lip. "You want me to join?"

Harry nodded. "You don't need another husband at the moment, Pansy. You need loving family around you. We're going to help you erase the bigotry your son has had ingrained in him since he was a baby. We could offer you the same as Daphne and I could marry you, but you deserve to find your own love."

Pansy thought about his offer. "How will it work? I mean your father isn't here to adopt anyone and I'm past that age."

Harry took out a small book. "This is the Family Grimore for the Potter Family. Most people think that just because I'm Alpha that I'm also the Head of House. I'm not. The deal between me and Damon is for you to become a Potter and I sign off on his marriage to Daphne."

Pansy smiled at him. "Does your family know about this?"

Harry nodded. "They all agree. Pansy, you have done more for us in three years than most of England has done in decades."

Pansy closed her eyes. "I-I don't know what to say."

Harry chuckled softly. "Take your time to think about it."

Pansy looked at him. "I accept. I love your family. You've all been so amazing to me and Scorpius. I would be honoured to call you my brother."

Harry handed the book to her. "Have Damon place your name in the book and you'll be a Potter, just like us."

Pansy's hands shook slightly as she took the book into them. She had practically sprinted to Damon's office.

-PA-

Akiko sat in the main study of the Farm, checking through all the scrolls that lay in front of her. The basic layout of a Merlinian spell were similar to the words written on the walls of the temple. Her reading glasses were hanging slightly from her nose as she fixed her hair into a messy bun. Lily sat on her lap, trying to write her name on any blank page she could reach.

She took the glasses off, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "There has to be some sort of a pattern that I'm not seeing." She kissed Lily's head, watching her scribble th that she had been able to write thanks to Daphne. She thought of something as Lily tried to write down a Y for the hundredth time. "Could it be that easy?"

Lily pouted as she failed at the last letter. "Mummy, why can't I make the shape right?"

Akiko put her hand over Lily's. "It's easy, just make a smiley face and then down to half a neck." She smiled, helping Lily write her name properly.

Lily grinned as she finally wrote her name. "I gotta show auntie Daphne!" She jumped off her mother's lap.

Akiko laughed. "Why don't you go show her?" Daphne basically moved in with them, as had Damon so they could help out with all the raids that were to come. She wrote down all the words that made no sense, shifting them with different letters until she finally decoded the bulk of the message.

To whom it may concern,

If you're reading this letter then it means I have passed on from this mortal plain of existence. My name is not of importance, only my message is.

The armour locked within this room belonged to the mighty Merlin, protector and founder of my Pride. The fact that you're reading this means that Merlin's power has been resurrected and has found the armour. If this is true then the two worlds are finally ready to merge into one.

The armour is the key to open the door.

Akiko sipped her tea as she re-read the words. The armour is the key was simple enough to understand, what door it opened was a different kind of story. The spell was still to be deciphered and she was starting to get pissed. "Could it Fourth Dynasty? The script seems like the Fourth Dynasty style..." She grabbed one of the older books from the shelf. Avalonian language and script was one of if not the best book about the evolution of ancient Avalonian language and culture.

Harry had entered the room silently, smiling as he watched Akiko try and decipher the words. "Have you tried using Third Dynasty language with Fourth Dynasty structure?" He asked. "It was common practice years ago."

Akiko wrote down the spell, altering it to fit the older style. "No. That didn't work either." She ran her hand through her hair. "What if it's encrypted?"

Harry thought for a moment. "Well, if it is encrypted...we're going to need the deciphering key."

Akiko's eyes widened. "Of course!" She shouted, ripping the bracelet off his arm. "The armour is the key! Whoever made the spell knew that Merlin's armour was the only decipherable way." She frowned slightly. "I need a magnifying glass."

Harry handed her one from the shelf. "What are those? Markings?"

Akiko examined them carefully, copying down the intricate designs. "I think it's an activation spell." She said softly. "You try it."

Harry tapped the markings, causing the bracelet to turn into a small monocle like eyepiece. He placed it over his eye, watching as the letters began to float in front of him and rearrange into the proper structure. He began chanting the words without a thought, glowing as he finished the final word.

He glanced around, confused at the sight that met his gaze. Akiko's study had been replaced with a large Ancient Greek inspired temple. A man stood at the top of the temple, staring at him. "Excuse me, could you tell me where I am?"

The man walked towards him, holding three blades of energy to his throat. "So you're the current incarnation of Merlin?"

Harry extended his own blades. "Who are you?"

The man chuckled. "You may call me Darius." He said simply. "I am the fourth incarnation of who would know as Merlin."

Harry frowned. "The prophecy referred to one person."

Darius laughed. "Actually, the exact wording is that a person carrying Merlin's power would end the darkness and reveal magic to the world." He gestured to the area around him. "This is the room the prophecy was foretold in. You are in Avalon, in the year 1275AD. You're from the Potter Bloodline, aren't you?"

Harry nodded. "Yes. How did you know that?"

Darius conjured two chairs for them to sit on. "I'm from the Bloodline of LeFey. My ancestor was Merlin's third wife, yours was the second. Only Merlinian descendants may access the power and make use of it."

Harry sat across from him. "Why me though? I'm not the firstborn child of my father."

"Nor was I. I was my father's sixth son. But I was the first to be born from his third wife's loins." Darius laughed. "Merlin's power was passed down to different children from the three bloodlines of Merlin. The first was Merlin's first child. Then his grandchild. His great grandchild and eventually me. You are the twentieth incarnation I believe."

"So I'm not supposed to fulfil the prophecy?" Harry asked curiously.

"You could be the one. The darkness you face is the greatest evil to descend on the world in centuries." Darius crossed his arms. "I'm here to lead you to the library, so you can control the power." He motioned to the large door to his right. "You're the first one to decipher my spell in I don't know how long. What year is it?"

Harry looked at the door. "It's 2002 now. Early January to be exact."

Darius nodded, standing from his seat. "In the library you will find the information you need to fully control the power you now contain. I warn you though, once you control it, you can never shut it off. For the rest of your life you will be hunted by those who want that power for themselves." He said solemnly. "If you choose not to, then simply walk towards the entrance to the temple, you'll be sent home."

Harry closed his eyes. "I've already began my work. The Prides have been unified under one banner. I have to control the power." He said softly.

Darius nodded. "Then be on your way, brave Alpha. Finish our ancestral duty so we may finally break the chain." He bowed his head to him, slowly vanishing as he looked up. "The fate of our people rests with you." Echoed throughout the room once he had vanished.

-PA-

Harry placed his hand on the door, feeling himself almost phase through it. His body began to walk of its own accord, leading his soul to a large stack of scrolls and manuscripts. He sat down at the desk, grabbing the first of the scrolls to study. As soon as he opened the scroll a large blinding light engulfed him, leaving him dazed.

Once the light receded into him, he found himself sitting on one of the cliffs of Avalon. "This is starting to get annoying." He commented.

A hooded figure approached him, taking the spot beside him. "Your journey will always be an annoyance, if it was easy then it wouldn't be worth doing."

Harry nodded. "I suppose that makes sense." He listened to the sound of the birds. "I never thought I'd miss this place so much." He whispered to himself.

"Your home never really leaves you." The figure commented lightly. "Although its physical form may not be around, its spiritual energy and meaning will never truly die."

He turned his head to the person. "If I may ask, who are you?"

"Avalon. The spirit of this now destroyed paradise. I was born under the power of the Three Pillars. When they left the mortal plain, so did I...but I live on thanks to you and your people. I brought you here to speak about your power." She gestured to the three shining pillars of energy above them. "You are the only one who can rebuild the Pillars. The power within you can harness the Earth itself to help. But it'll only work if you lose your fear."

Harry closed his eyes. "My fear is what drives me to succeed."

Avalon chuckled. "And it is what holds you back. Your family will always be in danger, that is just the way of the Prides. But if you continue to fear their safety then you'll block out that which will save them. For your sake and for theirs, let that fear go."

Harry ran his hands through his hair. "I'll try." He whispered, opening his eyes. He glanced around, noticing the study was back.

"Try what?" Akiko asked. "Are you ok? You blanked out on me a few minutes ago."

Harry nodded. "Yeah, just...had an out of body experience." He kissed her lightly. "I'm going to try let go of my fear of losing you, Mione and Lils."

Akiko kissed him back, stroking his cheek. "You'll never lose me." She promised him, smiling lovingly. "Now, what did the spell do?"

Harry frowned. "I don't know. But I know how to access Merlin's power now...at least I think I can."

Akiko kissed him again. "Come on, let's focus on the mission for now."

-PA-

Pansy paced around the parlour of Malfoy Manor, trying not to freak out from all the old memories threatening to bubble to the surface. Hermione and Ginny were staring at her, trying to calm her down.

"Calm down?!" She shouted. "I'm back in the one place I promised myself I'd never return to. I have my deceased scumbag of an ex-husband's aunt trying to kill me and on top of all that, I'm stuck with a person I barely know."

Ginny raised her eyebrow. "Look, I was the only one who actually volunteered for this mission. I've the best training when it comes to mimicking people. I'm sorry you and I don't know a lot about each other, but we have to focus on the mission first and personal problems second."

Hermione placed her hand on Pansy's shoulder. "Pans, I'm going to keep you safe." She promised. "And don't forget, I'm your servant. We have to maintain the charade for as long as we can. So, act snobbish and spoiled."

Pansy closed her eyes, nodding slowly. "Get me a drink, servant." She said as snobbishly as she could.

"Perfect." Hermione grinned.

"I wasn't joking, I do need a drink..." Pansy sat on one of the chairs, running her hand through her hair. "I hate this house." She whispered. "If these walls could talk, they'd vomit at the crimes committed here."

Hermione poured two whiskies, handing them to Ginny and Pansy. "When all of this is over, we can burn it down together, and all those memories with it."

Pansy downed her whiskey, resting her head against the cushion. "I'll gladly take that offer, Mione." She closed her eyes, feeling the whiskey heat her cheeks slightly.

-PA-

Harry read through the scrolls the old Avalonian library had kept about the subjects of Horcruxes and soul separation rituals. It had been a lucky break when the librarian had told him about the salvaged scrolls and several old journals written by past priests and Alphas chronicling several centuries of Horcrux evidence.

He wrote down several notes that supposedly worked on a way to contain a wraith within an object. He finished his fifth cup of coffee as he planned out the ritual he needed. "Seth. I want your team to find me one of his anchors. I'll need it in two days." He felt the air whoosh around him as Seth left.

-PA-

Monroe and Boot signalled to the rest of Bravo Team as they walked towards the entrance of one of the prison camps. It was Monroe's first mission as team leader and she was more than a little nervous. She threw two smoke bombs into the entrance.

"Liberate all the prisoners. Burn the place to the ground and kill anyone with a wand." She ordered, fixing her hood up. "Bravo Team, attack." She whispered through the earpieces.

"Roger." All members responded.

Monroe walked through the main courtyard, blasting spells at anyone with a wand. It wasn't her first mission, but it felt like it. She never really thought herself the kind of person to lead a team of spec ops wizards and witches. "Bravo Leader to all members of the team, progress report."

"Bravo 1 here, all prisoners freed. Ma'am, there's a fucking nursery here. All the babies are branded."

"Bravo 2, I've got reports saying they're all muggleborn servants to be." One voice called out.

Monroe closed her eyes. "Get them all and we'll bring them with us." She rubbed her forehead. "Bravo 3 and 4, report."

"Bravo 3, all the outer guards are dead. I've found a mass grave..." Kat said sadly. "All females, evidence of C-sections and recent births. I think all those kids are orphans..."

"Bravo 4, are any of the babies female?"

"Negatory Bravo 4, all of them are male." Moon responded.

"Shit. Allison, I've an order form here for fifteen female babies. It's signed by Lestrange." Sam sighed. "If they're not around...then..."

Monroe closed her eyes again. "Everyone fan out. Lilith, I want you to take care of the babes you've found. This is a search and rescue operation now." She clenched her fist. "If they're gone...find out where."

Sam walked around the shipping area. "I've got two manifests here. Ten of them are on their way to...they're going to a time chamber. Location unknown."

"The other five..?" Monroe asked.

"Dead ma'am. Deemed unfit for service..." He felt a tear slip down his cheek. "The ten were taken by carriage. We can catch up if we go like fucking crazy."

Monroe nodded. "Lilith, contact Akiko and Harry to extract the other babies. Then follow us. I'll leave a trail for you to follow."

"Understood. Ma'am?"

"Yeah Lilith?" She asked.

"Don't wait for me. Save those babies as fast as possible. And kill anyone who tries to stop you." Lilith said, her voice colder than ice.

"You got it soldier." Monroe disapparated with the rest of Bravo Team.

-PA-

Harry held the locket in his hand, running his thumb over the intricate design on the cover. He placed it within a warded box, locking it in his drawer. "Report."

Monroe threw back a large whiskey, wiping her eyes. "The carriage was jinxed. When Bravo 2 tried to save the babies...it was consumed by Fiendfyre. We lost Boots and the innocents..." She whispered. "I'm not supposed to be the Leader of Bravo Team, sir. I lost a member on my first mission."

Harry poured her another whiskey. "You did all you could. Terry was a good man. He died trying to save innocents." He closed his eyes. "Shadow Team and Bravo Team will work together to liberate all camps. I've got manifests of the highly female populated ones. Two days."

"Of course sir." She saluted him, downing the drink. "He just got married last month. Poor woman's a widow in her twenties."

Harry sighed. "Don't think about that stuff. You did all you could, Allison."

Monroe chuckled weakly. "You've never called me that before."

Harry looked at her. "Before today you were just a cadet. You're a leader now, Allison. My door is always open if you need to talk about things."

Monroe smirked. "I don't know if it's the alcohol or you, but if you weren't married I'd have some fun with you." She walked away, leaving a dazed Harry behind.

-PA-

Three days passed before Harry felt confidence enough to make the final assault against Voldemort and the separatist group he controlled. He had worked on the containment device perfectly, well as perfect as the designs allowed. He had Damon and the undercover team ready for action. They sat in the main dining area of Malfoy Manor, messing with their hands or silently praying. Harry sat with Akiko and Hermione, holding onto them as Damon chanted several prayers in Avalonian.

He fixed the armour on as the wards began to quake. "He's here..."

Damon cracked his neck and back, extending his blades. "We go in hard, Harry needs enough time to seal the soul within this container. Pansy, you and Scorpius will be sent back to the Farm until this is over."

"No! I can't keep running away from her." Pansy tried to keep her nerves in check, digging her nails into her arm. "I have to stop her...so we can live in peace."

Harry smiled widely. "Well said." He placed his hand on her shoulder. "But Damon's right, you need to take your son and go. Damon's the last Malfoy, we need him to be raised by you."

Pansy closed her eyes. "Promise me she'll suffer."

Hermione kissed her forehead. "As much as we can allow her to. Now bring him back to his cousin so they can play."

Pansy hugged them both, letting silent tears fall. "Thank you." She whispered. As soon as the hug ended she ran to Scorpius' room, grabbing him before exiting with a Portkey.

Harry ran at the first person to enter the house, slicing at their hands. "Show yourself, Voldemort!"

A cold chuckle met his call. Slowly a hooded man walked towards him. "Harry Potter. It's been a long time." He said in a calm manner. "1981, nearly twenty years since our first meeting, though from what your uncle told me, we never really parted." He grinned, removing his hood.

Harry gripped his fists tightly, extending the blades to their full potential. "Tom Marvolo Riddle. The bastard half-blood, it's a pleasure to finally meet you." He stared at the people in front of him. "It ends tonight, Riddle. You and I, a fight to the death."

Voldemort laughed coldly. "Even you must know that death shall never take me."

Harry placed his hand over a wooden box, throwing it towards him. "Open it."

Voldemort opened the small box, frowning at the contents. "Impossible!"

Harry chuckled. "I know where all of them are and I can end you in a moment. But I want to kill you man to man."

Voldemort tossed the box to one of his men. "I'm going to filet the meat from your bones." He snarled.

Harry extended his blades again. "I'd like to see you try."

"It may come as a shock to you, but I am more than capable of killing a mongrel like you." He tossed his cloak, extending the shadowy blades that once haunted Harry's life.

"I see my uncle taught you more than just our strategies." Harry replied calmly, closing his eyes. "Ancient Merlin, lend me your strength!" He shouted, causing a golden aura to envelop and penetrate him. He charged towards Voldemort, aiming for his head.

Voldemort raised both arms, deflecting the attack. He tossed Harry across the room. "You rely on the power of a dead man. Pathetic."

Harry picked himself up. "And you rely on the fear of others." He kicked Voldemort through the rain. "You shall pay for the crimes against the world that have been committed in your name. Lord Voldemort dies tonight, and his legend along with him."

Hermione and Damon instantly attacked Bellatrix as soon as her attention wavered from them.

"You filthy mongrels." She spat at them, reaching for her wand.

Hermione sent two cutting curses towards her arms. "The only mongrel here is you. A woman who bows to the very thing she claims to hate. You're pathetic."

Damon stabbed his blades into two men's chests, twirling to avoid two killing curses. "Cut the chitchat and kill the bitch. We haven't got all day." He reminded her, beheading the third man.

Harry and Voldemort continued their duel on the grounds of the Manor. "You shouldn't have killed her, Tom."

Voldemort sent two wandless killing curses towards him. "Why would you care? You've another two mothers. Your mongrel people are just like dogs."

Harry clenched his teeth, charging at him. "What would you know about love?" He sliced at his chest. "All you've ever cared about was power."

Voldemort felt blood pour from the wound. "Power is all that matters in life. There is no good, no evil. There is only power, and those who are too weak to use it." He swung his arm at Harry, connecting a blade into his shoulder.

Harry grit his teeth again as the blade pierced his shoulder. "That's a sad outlook on life. Not that it matters much, you will die tonight."

Voldemort chuckled at him. "You're a fool Harry. A boy who thinks himself to be king."

Harry closed his eyes, dissipating away from the blades. He reappeared behind Voldemort, thrusting a blade through his back. "That may be, but at least I don't have ideas about an immortal rule. I know that one day I will leave this plain and move on to the next." He tossed him to the ground. "You shall not be so lucky."

Voldemort felt the life fade from his body. Slowly his spirit raised from the dead shell. "I told you boy, I am immortal."

Harry allowed his blades to dissipate as he walked closer to the spirit. "And I told you, you will die tonight." He reached into his pocket, removing a small locket. "This isn't Salazar Slytherin's, but it'll do." He opened the locket, chanting the ancient spell he had researched for days. As his chants became faster the wraith form of Voldemort became sucked into a vortex of energy. Harry closed the locket once the energy dissipated.

Hermione and Damon walked over to him. "Is it over?" He asked his young brother.

Harry panted, falling to his knees. "I hope so. The spirit is trapped, but we still need all his vessels."

Hermione held his head on her lap. "Leave that to Seth. We need to get out of here, now."

"She's right." Damon held out the Portkey. The occupants of the Manor held onto it as they were whisked away to the Farm.

-Epilogue: Exodus-

HISTORICAL PEACE TALKS HELD!

Peace talks between the Northern English government and the Southern English government have been held at the I.C.W building in Sweden yesterday. The new administration of the Northern government has agreed to a full investigation into their practices and policies in exchange for recognition as a sovereign magical state.

These talks come only two days after the death of one Thomas Riddle aka Lord Voldemort. The death of the corrupt self crowned emperor came at the hands of a well trained Strike Team under the direction of the Southern English Auror Force. The head of the DMLE has released a statement saying the Northern government has shown that they are open to an investigation and wish to shed the stigma left behind by Tom Riddle and his Death Eaters.

Harry sat in Dumbledore's office, sipping on a glass of brandy. "That's my half of the agreement upheld." He placed his glass down, handing him a file. "Monroe, Moon and The youngest Weasley have all expressed permission to join. The elder Weasleys are currently speaking to their family about it. We leave in one week."

Dumbledore nodded. "As annoying as our alliance has been, I will miss our chats."

Harry chuckled slightly. "So will I. You've another chance to fix this country, Albus. Don't muck it up." He held out his hand. "May the rest of your life be fruitful."

"The same to you my boy." Albus shook his hand, smiling.

Harry left the office, heading towards the exit of the Ministry. When he walked out he found himself on a strange cliff. "Avalon?"

The hooded spirit nodded, gesturing toward the empty space beside it. "You did well, Vessel of Merlin."

Harry sat down beside it. "Thank you." He said softly. "What happens now?"

Avalon chuckled. "You bring his vessels to the area of Avalon and resurrect the Pillars of Merlin. Once you've done that then the island will rebuild itself. If you want to continue your work you'll need a proper base of operations to work from."

Harry nodded slightly. "Thank you Avalon. I promise, I'll bring you back to our plain. I'll bring you home."

Damon watched his brother walk out of the door. "You ready?"

Harry looked at him. "Tell Seth we need to get the vessels, our home shall be rebuilt."

Damon nodded. "Of course. I'm going to miss England."

Harry chuckled. "You know something, in a way so am I." He walked away with him. "And you're finally getting married."

"Fuck." Damon laughed, throwing his arm around him. "Suppose I am."

A/N: And so ends the journey of the Pride. I didn't want to do my usual epilogue where everyone gets a huge story to end their lives. As for his third wife, she's whoever you want her to be. She's the one who knew him when he finally found himself at peace. Goodbye for now.