Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter characters.

A/N: I know it's been a coon's age, though I'm not really sure just how long a raccoon lives? Anyway, it's time to get beck with this story and on with others, as well. Some of you may be disappointed with where Harry's romantic interests have wandered, but I felt it was the right way to go as I want the best for him. Hope you enjoy. MK-ONE

The end was only the beginning.

Chapter Sixteen: A right proper hoedown

The weeks after Harry's return to magical prominence had been difficult, albeit cleansing ones. He and Ginny had arrived at the difficult acknowledgement that they were perhaps better friends than they would ever be lovers. Oddly, for such strong Gryffindor genes in her family; Ginny was afraid of what all entailed loving a man like Harry. He was a legend, one that was rapidly eclipsing Merlin, himself. That, and Harry would die one day. That was what truly frightened her. He was a knight, but also a Battle Mage and consequently, the time could actually be approaching when Harry would eventually fall in pitched battle. The fact that he not only agreed with her on that, but that he actually embraced the knowledge had thrown her for a wobbly.

The argument that had ensued had been one for the record book in the Weasley household and with a house full of redheads- that was saying something.

If Ginny was totally honest with herself, that wasn't just it? The days proceeding Harry's battle at the Warren had entailed many visits by a plethora of Magical Knights. Initially they were in attendance for debriefing and planning, but now supposedly for added security. Interestingly enough; Mike Sanders had assumed the role of Harry's, and by proxy, the Wesley's guardian. Ginny had tried to ignore the man's presence initially, but eventually she succumbed to the notion that she was attracted to the man. He wasn't Harry she realized, but in this instance- she thought that a good thing as he didn't wear the overt size target on his back that Harry did and always would.

Mike was much lower key and totally devoted to Ginny's happiness- which to Ginny's way of thinking was an absolute plus in his favor. Harry was devoted to duty, anyone else would hold a secondary role in his life, even children, or so she thought. She wanted a wizard who could devote himself to her and any family they might have and with Harry she could never be sure that would be the case. Harry, Merlin bless him, always did what was right, for everyone else, never himself. There wasn't a selfish bone in the man's body.

What had infuriated her more is that Harry never so much as voiced a complaint when Mike flirted with and eventually made his move, which she told herself she accepted out of spite, but that wasn't the only reason. Mike looked at her the way that Harry once did, but hadn't in years.

Too much had happened between them. Granted, all of it was on her shoulders, but for all that, there was no going back.

Gabrielle would devote herself to Harry and his happiness, of that neither Ginny, nor Harry for that matter, had any doubt. Ginny told herself she was doing the right thing for Harry, but really, she was doing the easy thing for herself.

If she was wrong and Harry lived to a ripe old age, she would swallow her regret with career and family to assuage her guilt. If she were right and Harry died in battle; a part of her would die that day as well.

She had argued and he had agreed which only served to infuriate her as she wanted him to rail at her and thereby absolve her from all liability. But he hadn't he had instead understood. She, of course, had assumed it was Gabrielle's influence that had lessened the blow and in a jealous state she had hexed him- bad idea.

Without even so much as a gesture, a shield formed in front of him that deflected her infamous 'bat boogey' hex back on its castor at the precipice of their heated argument when Ginny had foolishly taken their disagreement to the next level.

She'd proven herself all too willing over the years to throw that particular nasty bit of work around with reckless abandon, but she's never been on the receiving end and found it decidedly not to her liking. This, of course, infuriated her more.

That, and her brother's laughing at her expense.

Ginny's temper had gotten the better of her and she started hurling hexes and curses that were of a decidedly unfriendly and dangerous variety. Gabrielle had been struck, supposedly accidently, by one of Ginny's errant curses.

Somewhere in the haze of jealousy, fury, hurt, and regret, she had lost track of a very important detail: Harry is a Battle Mage. Her brothers hadn't forgotten and in fear for their sister they had turned their wands, albeit benevolently, on Harry to try and defend their sister from harm, however much she may deserve just that. Not a one of them so much as cast anything but a shield charm or a mild stunner.

Great waves of magical energy poured off Harry, crashing into the others like a tidal wave, lifting them from their feet and throwing them across the Warren's lawns as if they were no more of an inconvenience than a cloud of gnats. Once the imminent threat was nullified, Harry had turned his attention, a split second later, to caring for Gabrielle.

She had already righted herself with wand in hand, though she greatly appreciated the attention as it took a great deal of effort on her part to reassure him that she was, in fact, alright.

Ginny, was not. She felt herself the utter, jealous fool that she was and even though it was in keeping with what she had eventually wanted; Harry was lost to her.

Mike Sanders had been a ready shoulder to cry upon, one that she didn't deserve, but was grateful for nonetheless. He understood. They all did, especially Harry, or at least he seemed to.

Hermione had tentatively asked him to walk with her that night, and despite his misgivings he agreed. Hermione's anxiety level had been palpable those first several minute, but surprisingly; he was the one who had put her at ease.

"It's alright, you know. I'm alright with.. things." he offered tentatively

She marveled at how they had come full circle over the years.

"I'm sorry." she apologized sheepishly.

He shot her a wan smile of tolerance. "Whatever for?"

"For throwing you two together. For blindly assuming I knew what you wanted and needed. But mostly I'm sorry that things didn't work out."

"Haven't they?" he asked incredulously.

"No, Ginny's with Mike and you're..oh?" Hermione paused catching on to the knowing grin he wore at her conclusions.

"How did you get so smart?" she asked affectionately, wrapping her arm around his proffered elbow and pulling him in close.

"My best friend is a genius." he answered of a certainty.

"I'm not feeling very intelligent, just now." she complained.

"I wasn't talking about you."

Hermione swatted at his arm as she scolded in embarrassment. "Oh, you, you're just..

Fleur supposedly happened by coincidently just then,(reinforcements no doubt). "Here's who I was talking about." Harry took the mickey to which Hermione huffed in annoyance.

"And what are you to talking about?" she asked in perfect English which further put the lie to her being here just now as a mere coincidence as she rarely spoke so succinctly unless nervous.

"I was just telling Hermione how deeply honored I am to accept Willie as my godchild along with little Harry, of course.

"You will?" Fleur nearly shrieked excitedly.

"You will?" Hermione echoes a half second behind with no less excitement.

"Of course, children need guidance and strong role models. How else will they stand a chance of turning out well-adjusted with only you two for reference?"

Strangely enough, it seemed the women of this particular family were prone to throwing hexes rather than graciously embracing their short comings.

The Weasley family arrived via port-key to an immense and boisterous gathering of revelers that were dancing and singing some intricate dance they would later learn was what the muggles call a "square dance".

The women wore checkered dresses or were decked out "cowboy" style like the gents complete with boots and Stetsons, (though many sported a variety of more feminine pastels).

The band was made up of banjos, guitars and fiddlers who were whooping along with all the rest. Surprisingly, their host was among the band picking away at a guitar, a bright smile lighting his face as he appeared to be completely at ease and truly enjoying himself. It had been some time since any of them could recall seeing Harry so comfortable in his own skin.

The "Ranch" as he called it was an endless sprawling estate of tall grass, dotted with trees and forests, with a river bordering one end and sandy, desert like conditions on the other. A large log sided ranch style home was nestled between the two that had a distinctly rustic quality to it that added to its charm.

They could hear the splashing and squealing of children who were obviously out back of the ranch house enjoying a swim in the pool that Harry had mentioned, both enjoying that and the carnival like set up with rides and games that would appeal to kids of all ages.

"Next dance is lady's choice!" the square dance barker called out to which a bevy of squealing women surged up to the stage to request a turn with the Knight's most eligible bachelor; who was surprising calm despite the rather amorous overtures of so many attractive women.

Ginny and Gabrielle growled and hissed as they elbowed their way through the crowd jockeying for position. The crowd parted, groaning in disappointment as Harry emerged escorting a mature woman with short brown hair who was beaming delightedly as she flaunted her prize, rubbing it in the faces of all the dejected others.

Music started up after the left overs beat a hasty retreat finding partners still available. Ginny found herself on the arm of a beaming Mike Sanders, who looked like he'd just won the lottery. Gabrielle was escorted by her brother in-law, Bill, who had taken pity on the disappointed girl.

Throughout the dance Harry and his partner ran across his commander-Bjorn Dykstra, who was dancing with a young lady that appeared to be the commander's daughter as the girl was beaming proudly at her father one minute and giggling at Harry and company's antics the next as the two were clearly chiding the man good naturedly.

At the end of the dance, Harry kissed the lady's hand reverently during which the lady shot Dykstra a smug look of appreciation that had the man rolling his eyes in annoyance as the woman giggled at his expense.

Taking the opportunity to beat a hasty retreat whilst the married couple regrouped, Harry made for a platinum blonde vision that was just turning his way- hopefully.

Gabrielle wore a soft blue striped, pale yellow dress that reached the top of her knees. The shoulder puffed gathering into a modest half round neckline. She wore ankle high tan leather boots and a wicker Stetson that crowned the outfit beautifully. Her hat was tilted up so that one could enjoy still enjoy her pert features whilst her satiny tresses cascaded from beneath. Her silvery blue eyes caught the blue stripping of her dress to perfection whilst the pale yellow of her dress captured the soft glow of her perfect skin.

She was a vision and he told her so. Gabrielle's breath caught as she twirled in place giving him a three hundred and sixty degree view and also more thigh to appreciate as the momentum lifted her skirt, which was undoubtedly a fortunate coincidence.

"You like it then?" Gabrielle gushed happily, enjoying the way his emerald eyes flashed as he captured her image to memory.

"Perfect." He returned simply with a smile of appreciation. "May I, please?" he offered his arm for the next dance,

Bill was already on the move, grumbling something about being "forgotten like an old shoe" as he went in search of his own lovely bride.

"With pleasure" Gabrielle agreed taking her escort's arm and thrilling to the feel of his hard-muscled bicep beneath her fingers. e

He'd be lying if he said he didn't notice and enjoy the way her fingers played appreciatively over his arm, not that he was intentionally flexing it or anything?

They danced a soft two-step that surprisingly she needed no tutoring to pick up as she flowed in his arms as if they had been dancing together all their lives. Their eyes held each other's and Gabrielle thrilled in the knowledge that his never strayed in the slightest seeking a certain redhead's location, not that Ginny noticed as she was captivated by her own escort who was appreciatively loathe to relinquish his partner to another interested party of which there were many.

The next dance's tempo picked up considerably and while Ginny and Mike Sanders cut a pretty good figure, they were nothing on Harry and Gabrielle who twirled around the floor seamlessly changing grips and altering positions.

The ended by one another and while Gabrielle ended cradled in Harry's arms off the floor, Ginny stumbled into the dip that Mike Sanders had guided her into.

Harry escorted Gabrielle past the two in which he snickered at Ginny's expense in passing.

"Shut-up" Ginny huffed back under her breath, before forgetting all about the jibe when Mike conjured a beautiful white rose for her in a show of affection that Ginny readily accepted, shooting the departing male a smug look.

Harry rolled his eyes and murmured, "Cheap carnival tricks," in passing to his fellow knight who shrugged indifferently as he was rewarded for his effort with a soft peck on the lips that clearly had the man wholly enamored if he wasn't already.

The Weasley family was watching the exchange with varying degrees of interest.

"What'd ya think about that?" Ron asked his wife in surprise of the two couple's display.

Hermione smiled warmly as she wiped at teary eyes that were brimming with joy for both. "I.. think.. that Harry and Ginny are going to be very, very happy…with someone else." she exclaimed.

She'd always thought it would be Ginny and Harry, but there was so much baggage there, so many hurt feeling. They loved each other, they always would, but it was beginning to appear that they were falling in-love with someone else and their choices couldn't have been any better, or healthier, as far as Hermione was concerned.

"So I guess Mike Sanders is gonna be my brother in-law then?" Ron grumbled disappointedly.

She knew he wasn't venting his displeasure in the man, but in the fact that it wasn't Harry as they had always fervently hoped, sealing him as part of the family.

In a moment of epiphany, Hermione offered a compromise that they hadn't considered but should have. She whacked her palm against her head cursing her own shortsightedness at the thought she'd finally arrived at.

"We could always adopt?" she happily suggested.

Ron's head snapped toward hers. "But we've only just starting having our own children….?"

"No silly, " she interrupted, giggling fondly as she kissed him on the nose. "We could adopt Harry."

"As our child?" Ron squawked, confused by idea.

This time, Hermione whacked him on the forehead. "As our brother you git." she huffed in exasperation.

"You can adopt someone as a sibling?" he asked in surprise. This time Hermione only deigned to answer by casting him a withering glare.

"Oh…, OH?" Ron finally cottoned on after stopping to think for a moment.

"Do ya think he'll go for it, really?" Ron asked hopefully.

"I think it'll surprise him, initially, but yeah,… I think he'll love the idea. He already is our brother in every way that counts, and your mom and dad truly consider him one of their own, so why not make it official?"

"Oh, M'ione!" Ron gushed, happily planting a searing kiss on his wife's mouth before pulling the stunned woman away that is; dragging her away, to present the idea to his parents.

Whilst Hermione and the rest were off planning a new edition to the family, Harry was of a like mind. He strolled happily along the carnival midway, arm and arm with Gabrielle. They played a few games, in which he won her a little black teddy bear, that interestingly enough had green plastic eyes.

They rode a few rides, ate some cotton candy and just when things were progressing to the point that they started to lean towards each other for a first kiss, Gabrielle pulled back to Harry obvious puzzled disappointment.

"What about, Ginnee?" He noticed her accent bleed through and realized it must be a symptom of her anxiety like the way Fluer's did. Harry sighed, smiling half-heartedly in regret as he answered truthfully.

"I… think she's in love." Gabrielle started to pull away from his contact. But he held her fast as he hastily explained…

"I.. won't lie and say there isn't feelings there, because there is." Gabrielle's beautiful eyes began to fill with tears as he continued.

"A part of me will always love Ginny,.. but I'm not currently in-love with Ginny. I think if she's honest with herself I'm sure she'll realize, if she hasn't already, that she's in-love with someone else and he's desperately in-love with her as well, the poor soul." Harry snickered at that.

Gabrielle scrunched up her face uncertainly, but he allayed her fears. "She'll make him crazy because she knows she can. I'm just glad it isn't me."

"What about you, are you not uncertain of zis too?" she winced, knowing that he'd caught the hint of her accent betraying her emotions despite her clam exterior.

Harry's thumb pads dried away the tears forming at the corners of her lovely eyes as she held her breath warily. "No." he answered softly. "I'm sure I know what I want for the first time in my life."

Despite his efforts, her tears flowed out happily as she threw herself into his arms and kissed him passionately with everything she had held within herself, for him, for so very long.

Eventually, Harry pulled back gasping for air as he goggled ecstatically. "Whoa-Whoa-Whoa! Ho man,.. you sure about this?"

Gabrielle nodded excitedly, preparing to launch herself at him again, but he stayed her off, reminding her…"I'm a knight, a battle mage, remember?"

Gabrielle nodded emphatically.

Harry warned further… "I could die tomorrow or a year from now or…?"

"or never." Gabrielle finished that thought.

"I could leave you with a bunch of kids to finish raising on your own?" he cautioned.

"Then we had better get started soon, oui?" She blushed coyly at that.

"Wei? OH…Oui,.. I mean y-yes… oh hell yes!" Harry pulled off his Stetson and held it to his chest as his other arm pulled her into a blazing kiss that had others pointing and exclaiming in happy surprise. As the kiss deepened, children were pulled out of the area and jeers and catcalls starting wafting through the party.

Harry finally pulled back and whooped in happiness, throwing his hat in the air. "WOOO-HOOO! That's what I'm talking about!" Gabrielle was gapping in a stupor, her vella allure swirling around her like a tempest, though she appeared the one affected by it, not Harry.

"You stay there…. Right there!" Harry directed pointing at the spot she was standing on.

He disappeared in a swirl of dust and reappeared a few minutes later with Gabrielle's parents in tow.

"Momma..Pappa?" Gabrielle gasped in consternation, leaping excitedly into her father's arms.

Harry bolted off without a word of warning, leaving the parents a moment to happily connect with their youngest daughter.

Harry returned about ten minutes later excitedly pulling Fleur and her Weasley in-laws with him along with Bjorn and Emma Dykstra, the latter of which wore a knowing look of absolute joy at Harry's exuberance.

"Harry, what iz…" Gabrielle began to ask, puzzled by his actions though it was impossible to stifle a grin as his excitement was contagious and spreading quickly throughout the hastily collected gathering.

"Shush Gabby." Her elder sister fanned her hands at the girl who still managed a scowl at the annoying abbreviation of her name.

She chanced a moment to twirl slowly around taking in the reactions of people as other knights and friends began to migrate into the area smiling and whispering excitedly. By the look on everyone else's faces she could tell that she was the only one who wasn't in the know as to what Harry was planning as some people were holding their breath in anticipation, while others were winking or nodding happily for her. She turned back toward a waiting Harry and paused with a wide eyed gasp.

Harry held an exquisitely crafted platinum ring that held a modest, yet stunning princess cut diamond. A smiling proudly, Harry Potter, turned to and fro giving everyone the chance to acknowledge the ring he held and the seriousness of his intentions. Gabrielle's gaze was riveted to the ring as if hypnotized.

Her already moistening eyes shifted toward Harry's face when he cleared his throat to try and get everyone's attention, not that everyone wasn't already waiting on pins and needles in nervous anticipation.

"Gabrielle Delacour,.." Harry dropped down onto one knee and Gabrielle's breath caught in her chest.

"I ask you now, with all our friends and families bearing witness and after already having obtained your parent's consent, to do me the honor of marrying me? I ask you to be my partner, my friend, lover, wife and mother of our future children? I promise to love you in any and all waysfor all time if you will please.. mmmph…!" Harry's words were cut off by Gabrielle's lips crushing against his own.

She finally pulled back amidst thunderous applause and cheers as the gathering around them surged forward to congratulate the happy couple. He barely managed, with trembling fingers, to get the ring on Gabrielle's hand before the crowd pressed in on them.

Emma grabbed up Harry in a rib cracking hug as she peppered his cheeks with kisses whilst Bjorn clapped him winningly on the shoulder.

"Oh, Harry, that was beautiful, simply beautiful." Emma gushed happily for him.

"Well done, Harry, well done." His commander and friend complimented right along with his wife.

Gabrielle's mother was next tearfully kissing him on both cheeks and welcoming him to the family, with her husband nodding along his endorsement of that sentiment as he added.

"No man looks forward to the day when he will have to share his daughter's love for the man she chooses to share her life with. When that day comes all one can hope for is that his daughter finds the man she truly deserves… I believe she has outdone herself." Jean Delacour complimented as Harry stammered his thanks proffering a hand which Jean ignored and gathered his future son in-law in a warm hug with another kiss to each cheek as on lookers murmured appreciatively around them and Gabrielle, her sister and mother all wiped at teary eyes.

Fleur peppered her future brother in-law's face with delighted kisses and Bill Weasley pumped his hand right after, greeting him with the same sentiment.

Harry had barely managed to collect himself before his ribs were engulfed by a red-headed grizzly bear intent on crushing him.

"Oh Harry that was wonderful. I'm so proud of you."

"T-Thanks Mrs. Weasley." Harry stammered gratefully. A pair of hands grasped his shoulders fondly from behind as Mr. Weasley's face came into view over his shoulder. "And here we were going to ask you to join the family and you've gone and beat us to it." He cajoled, surprising the young man.

"I..I'm sorry about, Ginny it, that is.. we… decided that…"Harry began to stutter and apology not understanding Mr. Weasley's intimation.

"We weren't hoping for a son in-law, but rather a son." Mr. Weasley suggested, trying to clarify things for the startled young man.

"A…son..?" Harry gasped in confusion.

"Oh, Arthur, you're just confusing him." Molly scolded her husband good-naturedly as she pulled Harry's chin down to face her more properly. "What Arthur is trying to say is that it's been brought to our attention, by our children, and I must say that we love the idea, that they'd like us to make an addition to the family." At seeing his still puzzled expression, she clarified further as her other children were now gathered around and chuckling at Harry's dumbfounded expression. "We're saying that the children want you for their brother and we, Arthur and I, want you for a son in every way, including name, if you'll have us?"

"Huh?"

"We want to adopt you, you great git." Ron chortled excitedly.

"Adopt me?" Harry asked dumbfounded. "Can you even do that?"

"Course you can, though it helps with the paperwork if your dad's the minister and all." Charlie snickered.

"Y-You mean it?" Harry gasped not daring to hope, though his eyes found and settled on Ginny worriedly.

Ginny just shook her head and hugged him alongside her mother as she added hopefully. "I've always wanted a proper brother."

"Here now?" Percy barked in outrage.

"No appreciation for all things red." George added distastefully.

"We could always dye his hair to make it official." Percy added, eyeing Harry's black hair dubiously.

"Don't you dare!" Gabrielle warned, to which the others all laughed.

"Really? Harry asked again only in a more hope filled tone as his eyes drifted from one Weasley to the next as each was nodding their head expectantly.

He settled his gaze on Ginny. "Are you sure about this? I.. I don't want you to be uncomfortable or.."

"I'm sure, in fact, I think it's the best idea ever." Ginny cut him off, reaching up and pulling his head down toward her so that she could plant an inviting kiss to his cheek.

"Thanks" Harry sighed gratefully.

"Hey everyone… We're gonna have another boy!" Arthur cheerfully announced amidst startled gasps of utter shock and a smattering of reluctant applause as most wondered how that was even still humanly possible for the elder couple, not that they were that old, but still- a baby?!

"That never gets old." Arthur chuckled enthusiastically, as his blushing wife slapped his arm.

The happiness was not meant to last as the party had just gone into full celebratory swing when the perimeter ward alerts went off and the Weasley family along with the Delacours and the rest of the visiting families were herded into the Harry's ranch house while the knights donned full battle armor and formed ranks. Gabrielle watched in wide eyed wonder as the reason Harry's estate was referred to as a ranch became obvious in that a formation of Drakes launched itself from the roof of his house joining others that launched up from the forest and desert area in small waves.

One such beautiful purple female winged down from the others and landed on Harry's out stretched arm. Gabrielle could just barely discern Harry hissing in parsel tongue to the female as she rubbed her head fondly against his before launching herself back into the sky to relay his orders to the multicolored others hovering overhead. All manner of color and shades there were and the display would have been gorgeous to behold in the setting sun if the reason for their being present in the first place wasn't so dire. She and the rest could not begin to fathom what event could possibly warrant such a display of force as that of an entire wing of dragon like creatures and a full legion of armored knights with sword and wands drawn at the ready.

The knights were forming ranks outside when Harry suddenly appeared within the foyer of his home, both startling and reassuring the tense crowd watching through the windows in varying states of excitement and dread. Harry raised his hands up and many questions and exclamations died on lips as they gathering quieted in a heartbeat.

He stood before them in the armor that had become famous the world over; a gleaming black breast plate with a blood red hand print over the heart and a larger such emblazoned on the back of his cape. Leggings and bracers adorned his appendages, polished to a high sheen with silver inlays depicting scenes of battle to which he'd distinguished himself, of which there were many. A gleaming silver sword hilt jetted up from his shoulder blade, worn warrior fashion. The only thing, other than the bloody hand print and the silver blade, which distinguished him from his fellows, was the noticeable absence of a wand on his person. No one doubted the man's magical ability, however, as he fairly glowed with magical power barely held in check and straining for release.

"I apologize for the disruption in our festivities, but an uninvited guest has made its presence known and we intend to evict such unwanted interruption to our celebrations with all due haste. You are well protected within the confines of my home and should be completely safe during our absence. Should, however, the worst occur and the wards of the home fail, my family elves will see you all safely to Magical Knight headquarters. I think that a highly unlikely occurrence as the wards on this home and the surrounding area are quite extensive."

His words were validated when, with a gesture allowing exploration, Bill Weasley cast several diagnostic charms checking the wards and whistled between his teeth in stunned disbelief at his findings.

Harry chuckled dryly, informing the crowd that: "Mr Weasley is a well noted ward and curse breaker for Gringott's International and he seems satisfied with my home's security, yes?" he prompted Bill.

"I'll say." Bill agreed, astounded by his findings.

"Please avail yourself of my home's entertainment. The elves will offer tours to those interested and all but my private bedroom and study are available for your perusal.

"We shall return forthwith and resume our festivities, including therein the planning for an even greater gathering to celebrate mine and my future bride's engagement."

Another outpouring of applause shook the windows as people forgot their trepidation and happily took up the excitement in the magical world's most eligible bachelor's engagement. He shot his glowing intended a wink and turned to leave, but was held back by Gabrielle's pointed reminder that…

"I look terrible in black, Harry."

Harry smirked, before returning confidently that: "I can't imagine you looking bad in anything luv, but dually noted." He winked and departed with a swirl of his infamous cape.

The ward alarms continued as armored knights marched toward the boundary of Harry's land, no light summer walk as Harry's property was many, even thousands of acres in size.

That is to say, he owned a significant amount of the state. His friends delighted in referring to his ranch as the "ponderosa", something he needed explained to him and more than once.

There were many names suggested for the estate some good some ridiculous like: Rancho Pottero! He simply called it: The Ranch and while some were disappointed, most felt it was the right name as Harry liked things simple and straightforward.

That was how he received his unwanted visitors- simple and straight forward. Ready and battle hardened knights gleamed across the landscape three lines deep as more and more port keyed in or arrived via apparition, stepping seamlessly alongside their brothers.

Though, he was their commander, Bjorn Dykstra let Harry take the lead as this was, after all, his land and his unfinished business to see to. Harry walked calmly to the edge of his ward line seemingly unconcerned by the host of hell spawn that was seething hatefully and spitting challenges and all manner of threats at the impassive knights waiting with baited breath for the signal to attack.

Black hair and armor met its opposite in pale blonde and gleaming silver plate.

"As you can plainly see, you've been expected, Draco. I'm sure it's perhaps the first time in memory that you can truly appreciate that you're attendance was not only expected, but hoped for." Harry greeted sarcastically, before adding. "Not that I'm not glad to see you and all, but shouldn't you defer to the puppet master who 's really pulling your strings?"

"I'm in charge here Potter, no one commands me." Draco spat back acidly.

Harry merely cocked an incredulous eyebrow. "I see you lie to yourself over your own self worth as much now as ever, but really, enough of this farce… Hiya Tom, long time no see and I could've went a bit longer for all of that."

Draco's eyes filmed over as he lost control and the soul he'd not attempted to raise held sway. The fool had attempted to return his father by use of the Merlin stone, but what he got instead was worse than Malfoy senior if one could conceive of such a thing after having known the man and what foul deeds he was capable of.

What Draco had inadvertently returned to a semblance of life… was Voldemort.

Red irises grew at the center of Draco dimming grey eyes as his face twisted in hatred as Voldemort's mockery of humanity came to the fore. "So you know who truly holds the power here-no matter." Voldemort scoffed, seemingly unconcerned that his presence was not only known, but expected.

"Draco is as much a fool and mindless sycophant as his inbred father before him. It was child's play to convince Lucius to allow me to return in his stead with the promise that I would then raise him to a position of power in the new world. Our fight for this world continues, Potter, at least until this moment when you will surely fall as you were meant to do long ago." Voldemort predicted his triumph as usual.

"Yet another fool deluding himself over his own self-worth, I see?" Harry answered with droll indifference. "You, Draco and Lucius all have delusions of grandeur. At least in your case infamy, villainy and wretchedness do tend to make you stand out from the rest of society's scum."

Voldemort was already seething, his hatred for Harry Potter a palpable thing in and of itself. That coupled with Harry intentionally insulting and belittling him was not something someone of his immense ego could tolerate, however, true and well deserved those insults were.

"I see, at least, that you've improved upon your Death Eaters." Harry chided brushing his hand across the breadth of Voldemort's legion of hell born monstrosities as he enraged the fallen Dark Lord further.

"Or are these what's become of your ill-fated minions?" Harry goaded further. "I suppose that particularly obscene one is undoubtedly Bellatrix and the preening one Malfoy senior?" snickers and outright guffaws erupted along the line of the waiting Knights at that.

"Oh, you will die Potter." The Dark Lord seethed, his eyes were slits of balefire as he continued to threaten. "How you will long for the release of death only to have me raise you back up again and again, with the Merlin stone, for all eternity. Your unending torment and death will become my sport, a hobby if you will. When I grow bored with you I will raise your friends and family. I'll make you watch as I strip the flesh from their bones and roast their souls. Their screams and pleas will echo in your ears for countless years." Voldemort promised, savoring the image of Harry's perceived future torments within his mind's eye.

"Say,.." Harry smirked triumphantly. "..it's funny you should mention roasting souls."

"Wha…?" the fallen Dark Lord began to question, but too late as Harry put his fingers to his lips and blew a shrill whistle.

"Skreeee…."

The hunting cries of eager predators filled the air as wave upon wave of Drakes, now enlarged to their full size, arced down from the rainbow colored skies overhead blasting streams of intense flame that decimated the Dark Lord's legion of damned monstrosities and demons.

Battle hardened knights that had proven themselves proof against all manner of horrors still stepped back in fearful trepidation as the screams and curses of the damned filled their ears to a deafening crescendo. They told themselves it was from the intense heat that they shied away, but none of them would ever believe it when they searched their own souls in the dead of night or were in their cups, emboldened by intoxication. The eyes of good and just men filled with the image of what befell the wicked as a scene right out of hell itself played before their terrified eyes. Impossibly mutated bodies melted into puddles of smoldering ichor. Gapping maws that had gnashed cruelly sharp teeth eager for the taste of flesh and blood now screamed in voices never meant for human ears as they wailed their pain and despair until naught but piteous moans and mewling wails heralded their end as they succumbed to the cleansing fire.

All save one, who stood transfixed glaring at the object of his eternal hatred. Voldemort paid little heed to the destruction of his legion. They were as nothing to him, mere cannon fodder to achieve his ends; He would sacrifice a million such legions if it would but rid him of Potter once and for all.

Undaunted by the former Dark Lord's venomous gaze, Harry stepped up to the edge of his ward's boundary, a mere hands breadth from Voldemort's hate filled person glaring back from within the body of his detested school yard nemesis. The irony of it all was not lost on Harry, he simply no longer cared. The fears of his youth were nowhere in evidence as Harry met and held a look of utter revulsion that even a hint such had sent grown men quaking in fear for their homes when Voldemort was at the height of his terrorism.

For long moments Harry held that intense gaze without the slightest falter on his part despite the sounds and stench of utter destruction that filled the senses to bursting from all around them. Neither of these hated foes showed the slightest distraction from the object of their intended vengeance.

Finally, Voldemort broke the stalemate, appearing that much angrier for having lost even this much of a concession to the object of his ire.

"These will not save you." He sneered, nodding Draco's chin across the line of armored knights. "None can save you from my wrath. You will die and the world will lament your passing for but a heartbeat before they can think of nothing but to serve or perish in your wake. Both such will be fortunate compared to those whom I will make an example of."

Harry smiled a cold, indifferent smile that clearly bespoke not the slightest trepidation over the hell spawned entity's threats.

"I assume hell wanted you no more than the world of the living did; that being the case, than this too will I promise you, Tom; when next we meet you will know that which you fear the most- oblivion. I will erase you from existence for all time. No resurrection awaits you nor an eternity in death, just nothing. I will destroy what little remains of your wretched soul for all time, regretfully so as oblivion is a solace you most assuredly don't deserve."

That said, Harry's hand pulled his gleaming blade from its scabbard and, like a bolt of lightning, swung it toward the throat of Draco Malfoy/Voldemort, but only served to cut through empty air as the Dark Lord had fled and took his unwitting vessel with him, maintaining his tether to the living world by proxy.

His commander stepped alongside him as he disappointedly returned his blade to its vacant scabbard.

"Did you really think it would be that easy?" he asked curiously.

"No, but one never knows." Harry sighed, shrugging noncommittally.

"So that was Voldemort, huh?" Bjorn asked.

"In spirit, yeah." Harry acknowledged.

"Can he even be killed? I mean, dead and gone, you know?" he struggled with the concept of killing someone already dead.

"I don't want him dead. I want him gone." Harry confirmed with dread certainty.

Bjorn shuddered at the promise of vengeance that Harry's voice held and just what that vengeance could entail from a man as powerful as Harry.

"Handsome devil." Bjorn murmured sarcastically, trying and failing to lighten the mood although Harry did snort appreciatively at the comment.

"You should have seen him back when he was in all his gruesome glory." Harry returned with a roll of his eyes that gave Bjorn reason to shudder in revulsion.

"What'd he say to you?" Bjorn asked worriedly.

"The usual. He said he'll destroy me and everyone I care about. We'll all suffer for an eternity, blah-blah-blah…."

"This was just a test you know. He was just prodding your defenses." Bjorn reminded his younger friend that things were only going to be more difficult the next time around.

"I know, not that it'll make any difference as the next time we meet will be the last time we meet. He's pissed now and he's gonna throw everything at me the next time cause he wants me gone so bad he can't stand it."

"What're you planning?" Bjorn asked, knowing his young friend only too well.

Harry smiled in such a way that Bjorn's hair stood on end

"I'm going to invite him to a special ceremony that I know he's just dying to attend."

Understanding almost immediately, Bjorn snorted at that until he broke out in all out guffaws, bending over and wheezing as he grabbed his knees for support.

The knights disbanded, many disappointed, but still overwhelmingly relieved as an easy victory was one to savor, especially so completely unscathed as they were whilst the opposition littered the field before them. The Drakes continued their run until naught but ash was left to float away in the wind.

Articles of armor were shrunk and placed strategically in hidden pockets as they walked along idly conversing or even joking among themselves to let off steam and soothe jangled nerves. They were well versed in decompressing; leaving the battle field discreetly behind and separate from their personal lives. Most among the civilian population would be hard pressed to contemplate what they did and just how one could even begin to comprehend what they'd seen today was nigh impossible. Horrors were best left to the imagination and even then only in fevered dreams.

A collective sigh greeted the knights, when they returned in their former western attire, seeming no worse for the wear.

Rather than try to explain, they had agreed upon the vague misdirection of…"False Alarm" when questioned. Many wouldn't believe that explanation, but most would never question it preferring blessed ignorance over long hours of anxious waiting and nights of fitful sleep. Harry was both worriedly anticipating his new fiancé's reaction to his putting himself so abruptly into potential peril. If she couldn't survive even this, they wouldn't survive as a couple.

Knights rarely married, let alone had families for a reason.

He was astonished by his fiancé's blasé reaction when he rejoined her, finding himself vaguely acknowledged whilst she and her mother discussed wedding plans in rapid fire French. Gabrielle merely gave him a peck on the cheek and absently held his hand while she and her mother, along with her sister and several others discussed locations, dresses and all things nuptial.

Though he was somewhat disappointed at the ease with which she ignored his hazardous profession, he was at least relieved that she hadn't been fretting in his absence, but still it would be nice to know one cared enough to worry, just a little?

His commander took a different, more pragmatic view point as he patted his younger friend on the shoulder reassuringly and whispered some advice. "It's her way of dealing with the stress.. All the best one's keep their selves distracted with something. She'll let you know how much she cares later, once she's had a chance to decompress, its how Emma and I got three kids."

Harry's head shot around to gap wide eyed at his grinning friend who was already moving off, scanning the crowd searching eagerly for his vacant wife.