J K Rowling owns all the rights to the books and the amazing characters she created. I write only to satisfy my imagination and use my creativity and make no money from my writings.

Chapter 13 – The Deluge Arrives

The news of the potential British invasion not only angered the world but lives in Europe and Scandinavia were not only put at personal risk and stress, but it was feared that the other countries' work would be lessened. Therefore, it was decided by the Deluge Committee and unanimously passed by the other nations that all wizards of British descent would concentrate their magic from the five lands participating in the attempt to save Britain.

If their magic wasn't enough to save their foolish land, well too bad. There was also the possibility that there wouldn't be enough people who would be participating and not only was the British Isles in danger from some of the destruction predicted, but it might magically exhaust the saviors and in the worst case scenario, use up all of their magic and left as a permanent Squib and/or die.

When Zeigler announced the decision he also added "Due to the danger to such a small amount of people, no one will fault you if you decide to join the rest of us in fighting the Deluge and not assist in trying to save the countries of your birth. Due to the circumstances, you must decide NOW as even without the sufficient training needed, in order to pace yourself you must start no later than tomorrow to save Britain. Please choose NOW."

"What if we still have our magic but are totally exhausted and the Ministry attacks us to destroy the dark wizards that just saved their mangy hides" Hermione asked. Most of those participating had the same worry.

"It has been decided" Ziegler stated "That when that happens, those of us who aren't magically exhausted will volunteer to help prevent the invasion as it is a clear and present danger to our land also. The 'triumphant British' might decide to loot our homes, businesses and Ministries. The volunteers will try their very best but since we won't know until the Deluge is over…nothing can be guaranteed."

There was complete silence while the Brits tried to decide what to do. Then Ziegler added "I forgot to ask. Can any of you cast a decent Patronus? There is a good possibility that Dementors might be sent over first and as this is a difficult spell to cast we need to have volunteers ready who still have enough magic to fight the creatures."

Roddy/Harry hadn't tried to cast a Patronus since…well he couldn't remember the last time he did. But he had to try and hope no one would notice the proud stag that would identify him as Harry Potter. When he showed up later that night to where the Patronus testing was to be performed, not only Susan and Neville were present but Hermione Granger and her poor husband Justin and a few others Harry remembered were two or three years behind him in school. It wasn't enough but it would have to do.

Hermione went first (naturally) and produced her otter. She expected applause but no one clapped. Then Justin cast his and a majestic Great Dane appeared, snarling and snapping. He did receive applause begun by Roddy, Susan and Neville. A rather miffed Hermione just had to rain on Justin's parade.

"I learned my Patronus in fifth year along with Harry Potter. I taught my husband the spell but it took him years to learn it" she said smugly.

"No wonder his dog is snarling and snapping" Susan remarked to Roddy and Neville "He probably wants it to eat her."

Then the others went, performed their spell and the only one left was 'that Roddy person' as Hermione referred to him. They had been introduced by Susan as one of her co-workers. Roddy shook Hermione's hand then Justin's but did not make a fuss about meeting the famous Hermione Granger, one of THE Golden Trio. Of course, she had fled from Britain and never looked back, making a new life for herself, got married and now had twin boys, age three.

It would have been nice to finally be recognized for the sacrifices and contributions she had made, but after she and Harry had fled (but not together) and with that ridiculous, inaccurate book Ron the Pure-blood had written, he was believed over the hero Half-blood and heroine Muggleborn. She was fortunate she had met Justin while attending law school and they got along wonderfully well – a lot better than with Ron – and they had a good marriage, careers, were respected in their fields and had two wonderful boys.

However, ever since the news of the Deluge had been announced two years ago, something just snapped inside Hermione. Although this was her chance to really save the world, Justin's contacts had sent word of exactly how things were in Britain. If they went to Britain, they might be magically exhausted to such an extent as to become Squibs and in any event, for using such dark and evil magic to save the world, it would be Azkaban, especially for Hermione who was now on the most wanted list with Harry.

Starting in January 2012, the British volunteers were given instructions for the magic and rituals needed to stop world destruction. The plan for casting the magic on the coasts of countries nearest Britain was formed and the stress of trying to save the land of her birth, had seen the witch return to her old habits. Justin still loved her despite her attitude but if they survived he sincerely hoped she would return back to being the witch he fell in love with. His mantra was "After the Deluge, everything will be fine and like it was before and we'll try for a girl this time." At the moment it was the only that kept him going.

Now that they were actually in France, Hermione seem to "lose it – big time" and Justin knew it was due to her nerves, the stress of the Deluge itself and the long-buried need to prove, if only to herself, that she was still the brightest witch of her age and just as powerful – if not more – than the "Pure" of Magical Britain. He sincerely hoped they would both survive.

Just as 'that Roddy person' was about to cast his Patronus, he turned to the others and said "I haven't done this in years so please bear with me."

Immediately, Hermione informed him that "If you fail, I will help you practice until you get it right" not noticing the looks everybody was giving her. As Harry knew, she was really trying to help but in a very annoying way. So he thought up some very happy thoughts and decided his Patronus would be the largest, scariest stag anyone had ever seen. He might also have it chase her making her run for her life. He knew he shouldn't do that to his REAL first friend, but what the hell, why not.

Roddy cast his Patronus. People oohed and aahed as the biggest, meanest, most incredible SNAKE appeared, which started chasing a now screaming Hermione who was running for her life. Roddy received applause but Justin just looked at him with mixed emotions.

Susan saved the day as she spoke directly to Justin saying "Well Roddy is a physician, wears the caduceus so that is probably why his Patronus is a snake."

That made sense, even to a very surprised Harry. However, he hoped that Justin would remember the dueling club in their second year when the snake conjured by Malfoy looked as if Harry, speaking parsel, was sending it at Justin when he was really telling the snake to leave him alone.

The tester came over to Roddy, shook his hand and said "That is a really impressive Patronus…but could you stop it from chasing Ms. Granger?" So Roddy did and then made a very quick getaway before Hermione could give him a tongue-lashing.

The next day the British volunteers began the rituals to save the Earth. They were pacing themselves so as not to tire out or strain their Magic. They started on December 8th stopping only for food, drink, a loo break and the least amount of sleep they could get away with. It was exhausting, stressful work and by the morning of the 12th they were all in a weakened, almost catatonic state, but they had to keep doing the strength-sapping magic until midnight.

One elderly witch had collapsed on the 11th, totally exhausted but still would have the use of her magic in a few days, but she had done her part to the best of her ability. Besides, she would now have a 'mini-vacation' in a comfortable infirmary for at least a week, resting, eating and drinking well and chatting with others. For someone who is old and alone, that was the best thing ever. When the clock struck midnight, it was over and the others collapsed where they stood.

The Muggle news media had been covering the "possibilities" of what could happen on the 21st. Everything from a rogue planet crashing into the earth, gigantic tsunamis, earthquakes off the scale of everything ever recorded, volcanoes erupting all over the planet, a plague worse than the Black Death that killed within hours and for which there was no cure or treatment and, in some cases, symptoms so you just dropped dead, and anything else of dire consequences the most fanatical end-of-days one could imagine.

Now one may ask, if Doomsday was on the 21st, why all of the hurrying to start and finish the rituals as early as the non-British wizards and others did. I will tell you. It had to start early because it had to be finished before the 21st. If it wasn't over and done with at the very least 7 days before the 21st, Magic wouldn't have time to heal Mother Earth and give her the protection she needed to survive.

Despite the exhaustion of the Magicals who had participating in saving the Mother, they were still on alert for the "British invasion." Squibs volunteered to guard the coasts and were armed with many Muggle weapons from guns to anti-aircraft weapons, which wizards had no defense against. Also the various navies had unscheduled war games "to test preparedness" so ships and aircraft were seen "playing their games" but in reality were on the lookout for wizards. Since anti-apparation wards were being put in place, the only way the Brits could invade was by air (brooms), boats or by Muggle transportation.

It took several days for the non-British wizards to recover from their magical exhaustion and much to everyone's relief, there wasn't a sign of the invasion force. People were wondering why. Had the Brits changed their minds, finally realizing the error of their ways? The Continentals were hoping they had but the British expatriates unanimously agreed "Something must have happened because it is a well-known fact that British wizards have no logic or common sense but do have an over-abundance of hubris and greed."

After much debate, it was opined that they were waiting for the 21st or even the 22nd to invade, because perhaps "They wanted first to pick up their children from Hogwarts for the holidays." Whatever the reason, it was with great relief that things were peaceful enough to return to their homes to celebrate the Solstice and Yuletide.

However, Roddy/Harry would prefer to single-handedly face an invasion than have the discussion with Susan which had been delayed due to the emergency. He had always wanted a family and now he had four children whose existence he hadn't known about until a few weeks ago. Although he liked Susan, he barely knew her. Would she and the children even want him in their lives? Was he ready to take on the responsibility of the children, if only by paying for their support?

Since Susan had said nothing, probably because she was magically, physical and mentally exhausted (Roddy/Harry hoped), he didn't either. He spent his recovery chatting with Neville, Justin and a few other Magicals he was acquainted with while Susan did the same. However, she was chatting up Hermione a lot asking questions about their mutual acquaintances and, of course, Harry Potter.

Hermione had "given it her all" no doubt to prove she was the greatest witch of her age. She had lasted until the midnight deadline and then promptly fainted. She was unconscious for three days before she awoke and then was very, very weak. She would have to stay in the infirmary for at least another week but as the healers, Justin, Neville and Susan constantly told her, her exhaustion was not a sign of weakness or lack of magical power, just that she had over-fueled her magic, hence her current predicament.

"She just needs a lot more praise and healing than your average witch" Justin told Neville and Susan. "Also, I think she is still worried about the 21st and the safety of Britain. If anything bad happens, she will probably blame herself."

"Or take credit if everyone is safe?" Susan sweetly asked. Justin didn't say a thing but just nodded.

On the 19th all but Hermione and a few others were released. Both Susan and Neville wanted to get home to their families before the 21st…just in case things didn't turn out well. People with families did the same so that on the 21st only those who were still in the infirmary or waiting for others to be released, like Justin was, remained. Healer Owens also remained in his capacity of a healer and because like Justin, his patronus was strong and there was that possible nasty invasion to worry about.

And yes, he was delaying the…confrontation…with Susan and the children but reasoned that his Gryffindor courage left when he stopped being Harry Potter, just as his patronus had changed.

At least that was what he told himself while he awaited another battle with British wizards. But this time would be different as ALL British Magicals would be starting the conflict and not just the Pure-bloods. As a respected and powerful Japanese Mage once told him "War will always be with us as it is in the nature of human beings. Some people manage to conquer the urge, but most don't, so we must all seek peace if the earth is to survive."

Well at least he had the excuse of staying to fight a war and once again save the world. He just hoped Susan and the kiddies would accept his self-sacrifice or – well he just had to hope for a good end.

NOTE: One more chapter left. Peeves has been doing "weird things" - more than usual - and I fear he might be on his last legs. Plus as usual, life had gotten in the way and it is HOT and HUMID where I live. Please see my revised profile regarding why I haven't posted any work on some stories. Thank you for reading my stuff.