Chapter 4 - Back to the Future

There are a few points that I would like to clarify from the reviews and comments I've received.

One, that the break in the point of view in the previous chapter comes when Harry's position shifts from being for the self to for the others as a matter of recognition. It was deliberately done.

Two, that I do agree that narration is a good method of providing background information but that it can be used injudiciously. To help prevent that, I'd like to ask lexisis to let me know if at any point I need to revise the material in any specific way. If it can be done, I will try.

Hope you like this next chapter. Do Read and Review!

Blood-spattered, rain-soaked, mud-caked, long dark plait still twitching with that lethal, dark, trident-like blade embedded in it, Harry Potter hovered high above the Black lake in a bubble of powerful magic, watching his once-dreaded foe choke into the waiting arms of Death before him.

Riddle's serpentine features were twisted into a grimace and a snarl and a faint hint of surprise, making him look oddly like a young dragon that was learning that it could do more than just rasp and hiss. On his knees before the young man who had fulfilled the prophecy he was born into, with his life-blood leaving his body, the Dark Lord still refused to look defeated. But even as he glared with an insistent defiance into those calm Avada-green eyes, he felt a new emotion arise within him.

Shame.

The Dark Lord felt shame.

And just a small bit of remorse.

And he knew, that his most hated enemy could read those feelings from his shattered mind, his once-fearsome Occlumency shields now long crushed.

And still his fingers grew red with the blood he had long ago taken from his enemy.

"Tom." A voice was calling him. . . . . "Tom."

He had not realised his head had fallen, as had he, now held up only by a single shoulder supported by this sphere of magic, a translucent shimmering orb of power . . . . . such beautiful magic.

His mind flashed back to a time when he had loved magic, his innate control over his power helping him to create such wonderful displays that were fascinating to his innocent wonder. Until there came those who feared him and hated his abilities and destroyed his innocence, until all he knew was to hurt those who had hurt him, and revenge took the place of joy.

"Tom..."

He wished he could have been called Thomas, so much more elegant than simple Tom. But he had been simple then. And now he was Voldemort. And soon he would be dead.

A sudden terror seized him and his head shot up just as a hand grasped his shoulder, and he focused long enough to see his enemy crouched before him, those green eyes searching his own with something like concern.

A laugh bubbled up through the blood in his throat. Spilling in bright crimson over his lips.

"Tom!"

On a whim, gasping to draw breath, he replied, "Yes?"

Green eyes flickered over his face for a long moment before pale lips moved, saying impossible things. "I forgive you, and wish you peace."

Shock flooded the dimming red eyes, giving way gradually to a gentle smile and then Tom Riddle closed his eyes.

"Go to your rest, Tom. Your mother is waiting for you there."

And those were the last words a broken, vengeful, man heard before Death took the last piece of his soul to his final abode.

And the armies that had formed the Defenders of Hogwarts burst into thankful, relived cheers at the passing of the most feared Dark Lord of their age.

Magical humans and creatures alike, watched the orb of magic descend as avidly as they had watched the projected images of the final moments of the Dark Lord Voldemort on this Earth, courtesy the house-elves of the castle. The little beings had combined their magic and abilities with the ideas and devices of the Weasley Twins and the Marauders, to create a sort of War Room or Command Room, within the castle. Key information was transmitted here by the elves and just as swiftly delivered to the troops on the battlefield by the same method.

Also, thanks to Parvati and Lavender's advice, a number of Seeing Crystals had been installed all over the grounds as well as within the castle proper, and strongly Disillusioned. These Crystals, linked with a variation of House-elf magic, relayed images with sound onto a few special viewing screens in the Command Room. When it became apparent that the War would only end decisively when Voldemort and Harry took the stage, those screens were transported out onto the ground and enlarged for everyone to watch the mind-numbing skill being displayed by the duo.

And so it was that the fiercest, most awe-inspiring, and magic-defying clash of unbridled power took place before the bastion of the Free Magical Species of Britain. Brought now to a final end by their young Champion, whom Death itself didn't seem to want to accept.

The centaurs, werewolves and house-elves took immediate steps to ensure that their enemies would not escape justice that day. Though a few did manage to disappear, a vast majority of the Death Eaters, giants, trolls, and hostile werewolves were captured, while the unicorns were keeping the few Dementors tightly corralled, away from the humans.

Friend and foe alike watched the progress of the descending orb. Within, unseen by all, the black sais morphed back into a familiar pair of blades so long ago gifted to the young boy who had now fulfilled his destiny. It had been ten long years since that day.

When the orb touched down on the shores of the Black Lake, those closest to Harry ran towards him. But the magic did not dissipate. Instead the orb unfolded, and flung itself out towards the farthest reaches of approachable space along the lake's shore, creating a wall of unbreachable energy between Harry and the body of Tom Riddle, and everyone else.

"Harry? Harry, what's the matter? You're safe now. Everyone's safe, thanks to you. You've done it!"

"Yes, Hermione. I know. But I also know that this peace is not for me."

Sirius came to a skidding stop before the barrier. "What are you talking about, kiddo? This is your time now. Everyone will want to thank you for ridding the world of Riddle. You're free of him forever."

Harry smiled sadly as he looked at his godfather. "Am I really, Sirius?"

His friends and family had gathered close to the barrier by now, each listening to his words in disbelief and a growing sense of uneasiness.

"All I want is peace. It's all I've ever wanted. But there's no way that the Ministry of Magic will just let me be, and neither will the rest of Magical Britain. I don't want to be celebrated; I just want to be left alone. Don't you see?"

Understanding dawned and his friends dropped their eyes in sorrow. The adults were not so accepting. "Harry please!" Remus pleaded, his voice rough and choked with tears. "You're all we have left."

"And you will never lose me, Remus. But you will have to let me go. At least for a while."

Harry smiled at them all, nodding at the Weasley Twins and a few others, before turning around and walking to the lake. Wading into the shallows, he raised his arms, moving just his hands in complicated patterns that not even Bill could completely understand. A ball of light formed, twisting in mid-air, until at a sharp gesture from the raven haired wizard, it shot deep into the waters below.

The crowd held its breath.

About five minutes later, the water in the center of the Lake began to bubble and froth, indicating the approach of something big. Seconds later, the surface of the water was breached by a phalanx of Warrior Mermen, who were swimming to shore in formation around something long and dark.

"Tom Riddle was a child of Hogwarts. A child who loved this school and all that it stands for. Who saw her walls as a place of memory and her warmth as a place of refuge. A refuge that was ultimately not granted to him. He was betrayed many times over by some whom he trusted, but in the end he repented. And for that, he has gained a chance to be near the one place that brought him true happiness."

Turning, Harry called Riddle's body to him, cleaning him of all blood and mud and the signs of battle. He clad him in Slytherin robes, and placed him into the long box that the Mermen had brought to the shore. Only now did everyone see that it was a sarcophagus. Harry covered it with the heavy lid and activated its enchantments.

"I know you will not accept this. And you should rightly be cautious. But be cautious of the right things and not what the bigotry of our society has taught you for so many years. Had the Wizarding World been a kinder place, neither I nor Tom would be the people we are now. Therefore, I offer Tom Riddle a chance for peace in Death. I have prepared this tomb for him, unbreachable, from both without and within. Bound with many spells and enchantments of my own making, and given to the care of the Warriors of the Black lake. They will keep watch over the Tomb of Tom Riddle until the end of days and peace will be kept by us all."

He ran a hand over the rough black stone one last time, then stepped back and nodded to the Merman Chieftain. They clasped hands once and then the Mermen drew their cargo out to the centre of the Lake before descending into its uncharted depths. And that was the last anyone would ever see of Tom Marvolo Riddle.

Harry waded out to dry land and dried himself with magic. "Please do warn future generations and treasure seekers not to go looking for Tom. It cannot be done by anyone except myself and the Mermen's tridents are quite sharp. Not to mention entering their territory would be trespassing. Hermione, Neville, Sirius, do make sure to have a law passed to that effect soon."

Magic shimmered around his left hand until it coalesced into a familiar dark blade. No-one knew how Harry had come by them, just that they could neither be touched nor wielded by anyone else. With a snap of his fingers, he conjured a host of lilies. Several bouquets went to Molly Weasley, Hermione, Luna, Neville, Sirius and Remus, Minerva McGonagall, Filius Flitwick, Susan Bones, Parvati and Lavender, Severus Snape, Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, the Greengrass sisters, and so many more of his friends.

The rest he blew away with a magical breeze, scattering the delicate white blooms across the grounds of Hogwarts. And those who were near where they fell, saw that the moment a single lily touched the ground, the land was cleansed. Across the place that Harry considered his home, the lilies spread the power of his magic, gently taking away the taint of war, leaving only the promise of renewal.

"So long as those lilies bloom, you will know I am alive and safe," the young wizard told his friends. "But now, its time for me to go."

"Harry!" Sirius called desperately. "Will we see you again?"

"Keep a weather eye open, Padfoot," replied a laughing Harry.

Then he raised his arm, swept the blade in a circle through the air above his head, and with a whistling sound drew it sharply down. With a tearing sound, the fabric of reality was rent by Death's gifts, and through that opening came a sweet song, lilting and uplifting, filled with a lasting peace. From across the barrier, his family caught a glimpse of a green land, fair and endless, covered by a blanket of star-like white flowers and tall golden trees. And they finally began to understand why Harry wanted to leave.

The man looked around at his family and smiled at the softness in their eyes. "Well, this is my stop. Though I'm not going alone."

With a loud CRACK! Dobby appeared with Fawkes and Hedwig balanced on either arm. "Master Harry not be going alone. Master Harry be going with Friends."

"Minerva, Filius, remake our Hogwarts as she should be. Remus, keep Sirius in line. Hermione, Neville, I wish you all the happiness in the world. Severus, Draco, help and guide the children. Molly, give your love to all those little ones who need it. Fred and George, keep making the world laugh. I leave you with my blessings, and good wishes and a letter and gifts which you will find in your rooms. And though I solemnly swear to be up to no good, for now, Mischief Managed."

With a nod, Harry, Dobby, Hedwig and Fawkes disappeared through the portal which closed seamlessly behind them.

I have a feeling that there is something missing in this chapter, but I can't figure out what it is. However, what I wanted for this chapter is here, so I am satisfied. Hope you all like it too. Thank you for reading.