A/N: he-he... sorry it has taken so long for me to update... there have been a variety of different things going on in my life the last few months. I have tendonitis in both wrists, as well as a milk intolerance that has just been discovered after over seventeen years of life. Other diseases have come into play, then I went to England, had to catch up on homework, then Cuba, then was sick, so had to catch up, then someone who is like a little brother was dying in the hospital... he can sit by himself now... SO HAPPYY!! So, very sorry, will try to update sooner! -Rock Lee pops up-YOSH!! THE FIRES OF YOUTH ARE BURNING BRIGHTER THEN EVER!! ARRGGG!! THE GLINT IS BLINDING MEEEE!! .

The Old Hunt

Chapter 3

Harry, Asmodieus and Arion left for the wand maker's after that, Asmodieus questioning Harry about Voldemort and Nagini. Finally, he asked a question that had been bothering Harry himself for quite some time.

Master, how do you feel about the Dark Snake? From what you have told me, you are not as eager to kill him as some would suppose, considering what he has done to you.

Harry sat back in the saddle. They were going cross-country in dereference to Harry's request to see his lands. He looked down at his hands.

It's complicated, and I am not even really sure about what I feel about Voldemort. It sounds really stupid when I try to express what I feel in words.

Asmodieus bumped Harry's cheek with his head. I promised not to judge, master. And I have a better grasp on human emotions than some humans do.

Harry tried to put the vague feelings he had into words. I...pity isn't the right word. I hate what he has done, and find it hard to forgive him the pain he has caused me through the death of my parents, but then I realize that he has no concept of what that is like, and I see a certain sort of innocence within him. Buried deep, for sure, but I see what I might have become in him. I am no more innately good then he is. I have just had different experiences that he has. He was most likely the kid in the orphanage who was the bullied, rather than being the bully. He was raised without any sort of family ties, and so had no compulsion to try and make his family love him. When he finally go to Hogwarts, he saw a chance to be the one with the control, rather then the one that was always picked on.I had those things, and I believe that is what makes us different. Love is what separates us, I know that I wish to be loved, he wants to be loved, but cannot put it into words. The closest he has ever come to that feeling is being regarded with awe at the orphanage. He tried to replicate that on a larger scale with his death eaters. I have noticed that almost everyone that has joined Death Eater ranks has some sort of abusive past. They are looking for the came thing. Love and affirmation as people. They just have no idea where to find it without killing or hurting someone.

Asmodieus hissed slightly. That statement of your's has shown me that you have much wisdom for one so young. From what I have heard of this man correlates with what you have told me here. he twined around Harry's neck, becoming a black, scaled chocker that made it look as thought Harry's head was floating. I take it you do not want to kill this Voldemort?

Harry shook his head. It's not that I don't want to kill him, I just wish that there was a way to give him a second chance, with all the advantages of a loving family. There is a chance that he would still be bad, but I don't think so.

Asmodieus gently squeezed Harry's neck. I will try my hardest to find a solution, young master.

They rode in silence until they reached the small cabin by the stream that coursed through the woods. Harry dismounted Arion with Asmodieus drapped around his shoulders and waited for Arion to change himself back.

A young woman came running out of the cabin. "Arion! You came!" She almost flew across the distance between the cabin and their location, her feet barely skimming the ground. "You haven't come to see me in days!" She hugged him then noticed that they had an audience. "Oh." Her pale face flushed, making her silver white hair appear even whiter. Harry tensed.

Asmodieus hissed in Harry's ear. Why do you tense, Master? It is just one of the swan folk. This one is still a maid, if I am to judge correctly.

Harry forced himself to relax. She resembles someone I know. His hair and face are much like hers, though his eyes are silver-blue instead of black.

Asmodieus hissed in recognition. The Malfoy's. They are descended from a swan maiden that was brutalized by one of their ancestors. Since then, all the descendants have had hair the color of spun starlight. They justly deserve the name Bad Faith.

Harry inclined his head. "Forgive me if I frightened you, maiden swan. May I ask what you are called?"

Arion answered, his arm around her waist. "This is Callia Horne. She is my betrothed, if we may have your blessing, Lord Herne."

Callia gasped, embarrassed by her reaction. "My lord, I am sorry, I had no idea! I apologize-"

Harry smiled shyly. "It is no problem, Lady Callia. And I will gladly give you my blessing in this match. But the business that we came here on is pressing. I am in need of a wand, and I hear from Arion that I can find a wand crafter here of no small skill. Would I be correct in guessing that you are whom he speaks?"

Callia seemed to calm at this, a professional demeanour overtaking her. "Yes, my lord. I am the finest wand crafter that has been seen in my family in many a year. Shall we go into the house so that we may create one for you?"

Asmodieus sniffed the air around her from his perch on Harry's shoulder. It is safe Master. There is nothing in there that can harm you.

Harry nodded. "I thank you. Shall we be going?" he offered his arm to her as she lead them into the cottage, Arion pouting behind them when Callia stuck her tongue out at him, causing Harry to laugh.

The cottage was typical of the wizarding world. It seemed to be much smaller on the outside then it actually was. The Swan Maid led them to a room that lead off the back of the hallway. "This is my work room. " She bustled them inside as she grabbed some things off a counter that ran along the wall of the room. He handed Harry a crystal. "This is only used to calculate the wands of the Lord of the Hunt. It is 

expected that you will have more then one core, so it might take a while to figure out what will be needed to be put inside your wand. "

Harry gazed into the crystal. It was clear, of not any particular beauty. As he stared into it, images seemed to drift from the depths which now seemed smokey rather then unremarkable clarity of before. He saw a red-haired woman with a small child, surrounded by a soft gold and green light. A small hand reached up as the picture changed. A stag ran past, through the Forbidden Forest, followed by a black dog and a werewolf, the same child carefully bundled up and placed in the rack of the stag's horns. Everything went black, and a hissing came, then a blast of green light. The darkness seemed to continue, until Harry heard a phoenix's song. A shining sword, reminding him of one that he had seen. Black eyes, always honest, even in their cruelty. Red eyes, the colour of chilled blood, with the same amount of expression, a soothing scaled weight around his throat, and a horse around his legs.

Harry yanked himself out of the crystal, and found himself to be breathing quite hard. He reached up to his neck, and felt the cool strength of his familiar. /Asmodieus? What is this thing? IT sucked me right into it's depths. I feel as if I have lived my entire life…or someone else's. /

Asmodieus huffed softly, as flat a sound as a snake can make./You did, in a way, lead your entire life, or, your life as Harry Potter. These were the moments that defined you most. And you had to relive them. But now, you ARE Lord Herne, there is no doubt. That is a release stone. It used to be a danburite sphere. Danburite facilitates deep change and the ability to leave things behind. It changed into a Green Serpentine with a Gold Pyrite covering. It is a stone of protection, and encourages the ability to solve conflicts peacefully./

Harry looked at the sphere. It had turned a deep green, almost black in some places, with shots of a lighter green running through it. A clear covering with gold in patches surrounded it. Harry looked at Callia and Arion, who were whispering quietly to each other. "I am finished."

Callia stopped her conversation and came over to take the orb. "Serpentine. And green at that. But that colour." She looked deeply into his eyes. "You will heal great wounds and evils, my lord. But be warned, it won't be an easy path, and in order to be peace, there must be war." She placed the orb in a small velvet cushion. "Now, let's see. It seems that you have a special affinity for the extremes, my lord. Phoenix and basilisk? Very unusual. But not impossible. Lets see… If we switch…" She mumbled under her breath as she sorted around on her desk occasionally pulling out and looking at a certain object. Finally, she held up two items. "Roc talon and silver venom, they seem to be the most fitting." She held out a vial and a large talon. When he took then in his hands, they glowed softly. Callia looked surprised, "Almost, but it needs something more…" She looked at her desk, and slowly reached out her hand to grab something. "But of course…it would be…" She held out a piece of sinew. "Daricorn's heart string. A direct path from the head to the heart." She placed it reverently in his hands and watched the glow magnify to a point where it was painful. "A Dark creature that heals through the spearing of it's horn. If you are deemed worthy, you will heal. But if you are not worthy, you die miserably. Classified as Dark when one healed Salazar Slytherin and killed the son of Godric Gryffindor. "

Harry chuckled softly. "Just as myself as a Gryffindor dies, while my Slytherin side is coming into play."

Callia smiled softly. "I think, my lord, that there is only one wood that will work for you, as it has been the wood of most of the wands of the Hernes. English yew." She placed a slender stick beside the core in Harry's hand. A sudden glow broke out, blinding them, and when the light faded, a beautiful wand was in it's place.

Harry gave Callia a slight bow. "It seems that you were correct, milady."

A/N. You see the pretty purple button? It says do not press... it might write more if you press it... (he-he, reverse psychology)