AN- I'm thankful as ever for all your reviews, favourites and follows. Here's…

Chapter 44 – 100 000 words here we come!

A full moon shone brightly into the windows of Azkaban

"Today we start a new chapter in the history books" Draco said to all the people in the prison

"Yes my lord" various voices said

"You have all been healed and fed, you have had two weeks to get your strength back and you will have another two as we sail to our new base. Once we dock the real work will begin"

"Yes my lord" the echoed again

"Dawlish and Dolohov, you have proven yourselves to be true agents of change. You will be rewarded when we're back ashore" Draco said to applause from the rest of the group

"Thank you my lord" Both men said

"The following people are to leave the room and make preparations for our journey across the ocean" Draco said serious "Dolohov, Dawlish, Lucius, Bellatrix, Rudolphus, Rabastian, Fenrir and Barty"

After the eight members left Draco turned to those remaining

"The remaining thirteen of you have a different task" Draco said "Bring in the guards and their warden" he said

Draco made his way to the middle of the room as the guards were brought into the room

"A grand purpose" Draco said to the twenty one people standing in the room "Not many people are destined for such a life" he said and waved his wand

"We can move my lord" Macnair said

"Good" Draco smirked and saw the horrified look on Ronald Weasley's face "Did you really think I'd let you join my ranks?"

"You promised I'd be useful in winning the fight" Ronald sneered

"And you will, you all will be" Draco said solemnly "But I cannot see any use for those who used excuses and bribery to stay out of Azkaban all those years ago. I do not have any use for children who can't cast a killing curse and make sure it hits"

"Your father should be here as well then" Crabbe senior grunted

"Oh he will have his moment, this is too simple for him. Beside my numbers are already correct, if Weasley wasn't here perhaps he would be joining you" Draco said and moved around the room levitating each body to their designated spot

"What are you doing?" Ronald asked as his body was levitated to his spot

"Performing a ritual" Draco said simply "Why did you try and kill Potter?"

"He killed Colin and Ginny" Ronald roared "He deserved to die, him and those filthy snakes"

Draco looked at the boy for a moment and then started laughing

"You are a fool Weasley. I killed your sister and that filthy muggleborn" Draco explained "You see Slytherin left a monster in the castle, a basilisk actually and I made my way into his chamber. Your entire family should be wiped from existence for being traitor's to the cause so I didn't hesitate when I saw her"

"I'll kill you!" the redhead struggled

"No you're not going to, you see Weasley you and the other twenty wizards here have one use to me. I'm going to use you" Draco said smiling and pulled out a book from his back pocket checking that he had done the ritual correctly "Perfect, now we wait for the moon to reach its peak"

"What will happen to us when you're done?" Mulciber asked

"There won't be a 'you' left for anything to happen to Mulciber, besides you've received a lot more than any of these other traitors" Draco explained "I shall explain the ritual while we wait. This ritual circle and its runes allow for a transfer of power from one object to another; it was used by many wizards when enchanting was more expensive, they would transfer enchantments from one object to another. Your previous leader figured out that by adding an additional rune it would allow the ritual performer to substitute one or both objects with a person"

"So you're going to steal our power?" one of the captives asked

"Yes, if you must phrase it so crudely" Draco sighed "I prefer to think of it differently, I'm putting that power to better use"

"You spoke of numbers earlier" one of the Death Eaters said

"Ah leave it to the unspeakable to pick up on the most important part of the process" Draco clapped his hands "Well done Rookwood"

"Seven and three?" the man asked

"Yes but you see it is so much more than that. The original ritual only allowed for transfer of power from one object to another and the adapted ritual only allowed for a one to one transfer whether or not a person or object. I was faced with a dilemma, how would I create a ritual with multiple subjects to one?"

"Clearly you've figured it out" Rookwood spat

"You're impressed though" Draco laughed "You're about to die and you can't help but be impressed"

"It is impressive" the man admitted

"You're all in groups of three which feeds power into seven circles which each feed into one which feeds power into me" Draco explained "But that is enough teaching, the moon has reached its peak and I have reached the first step in achieving my goals. Thank you for your service and power"

He cast aside the chair and stood at the centre of the ritual

"Begin"

Harry walked into his apartment at the top of the Continental; the place was massive, it had three bedrooms, a study, a training room and an open living area. Harry sat down in the chair by the record player and put the needle onto the vinyl

Ella Fitzgerald's voice came softly and sweetly, he loved the fact that he had all these records to listen to. He had not spent much time listening to music in the Dursley home or with John

There was a knock at the door; it was probably MJ wanting to know how his contract had gone. He stood and made his way to the door

"Ms Watson" he said politely

"Harry, how did it go?" she asked coming into the apartment

"As well as expected" Harry said "Or are you here for a full report?"

"I'd like a full report if you don't mind, I love hearing about your kills" she said pouring herself a drink

"Alright. Stephan Crawford, fourth contract since we bought the Continental. He was just a stock broker to most people but it seemed that he facilitated many insider trading deals at a commission" Harry explained "But you know that; he had an apartment registered to him but he hardly spent time there, instead he spent most of his time at a loft belonging to the corporation he worked for. It had better security and I think he was expecting me; since we were instructed not to harm anyone else I made my way into the buildings ventilation system which runs up the middle of the building and branches out from there"

"How did you climb vertically?" she asked

"I learned a new spell" he said simply

"So no equipment other than the wands?" she asked

"Yes. Finding the apartment was easy enough, he had company though and I had to wait till she left" Harry said "Happened rather quickly and then I dropped into the room while he was in the shower"

"How did you do it this time?" she asked excitedly

"I tried out a new spell I've been wanting to see the effects of. The flaying curse" he said

"What happened? Flaying could be beating or stripping the skin off someone" she asked

"Stripped the skin right off him; I think he passed out after a minute or so and then he died from blood loss there in the shower" Harry explained as the record came to its end

"Wow, what a kill" she smiled "I still owe you a thank you"

"I thought that was what all these 'impossible' kills were" Harry said

"Only you would think that work could be a gift, no they weren't" she said and walked over to where he sat, she seemed to debate with herself internally before she sat on his lap "I know I'm not pretty like your blonde girlfriend but…"

"Ms Watson, you're gorgeous" Harry said truthfully "But I don't want this as a thank you. Like I said I thought the challenges were that, so you can consider the debt settled"

"You don't want me?" she asked embarrassed

"Not like this" he answered slowly "And preferably not when I'm involved"

"You continue to surprise Harry" she said and got off his lap "Any other teenager would have kept quiet and let me have my way and then blamed it on hormones"

"I've been told I'm not like any other teenager" Harry responded "If that makes you feel better"

"It doesn't. Rejection is never fun" she said "Doesn't mean that I'm giving up" she winked

"Alright Mary Jane" Harry said using her name

"So will you return to school tomorrow with your friends? I know you've been hiding away here using work and your girlfriend as a distraction"

"I will, I need to face them sometime" Harry said

"I'm sure they've missed you" she said "I'll miss having you one floor up"

"I'll be back for urgent work" he said "I have gotten the fireplace connected to the Floo system"

"Are you supposed to tell me about these things?" she asked

"I don't care about that rule" Harry said

"If I have any kills for you I will send it via your bird?"

"Only magical or urgent please" he said

"Good night Harry" she smiled and placed a kiss on his cheek

"Good night Ms Watson" Harry said and walked the woman to the door

He climbed into his own shower and let the hot water pour over his head and down his body; he had been avoiding everyone but Gabrielle and Fleur, both girls being mistaken for one another by MJ but he decided not to mention it. He had been getting closer with Fleur as they continued practising her control with her allure and Gabrielle had convinced him to show them both his new place.

Gabrielle also gave him a lecture about his disappearance from the wizarding world; it had only been two weeks but she told him that it ended once school started. He was frustrated to tell the truth, Theo acted as if Harry needed to be reminded that they were allowing their enemy time to get stronger, as if Hermione's injuries meant nothing to him and as if watching her memory didn't affect him. It was another reason he had grown closer with Fleur in recent weeks; she understood his reluctance to act and his feelings of failure to protect those dear to him.

He had to face Theo and Hermione and tell them that it was not their faults that he disappeared but rather that he needed the time to process how to move forward as far as Draco was concerned. He had to welcome Hermione to the family as she was adopted by Sirius and tell her that he would make sure she was never attacked again

But how could he promise that? They would be attacked and he might not be there again

When he got out of the shower the water was cold and he had a plan; it would hurt and it would cost him but it might save his friends and allies pain

Gabrielle sat next to her sister on the train; Fleur had decided to join them at Hogwarts for her final year, Gabrielle knew why. Her sister felt safer when Harry was around, just like Gabrielle herself did. They didn't need Harry to protect them; they were skilled and powerful enough to do that themselves but his presence was comforting.

"Fleur" Gabrielle spoke her sister's name softly

"Yes Gabby?"

"Papa warned me about something and I think I'm okay with it because it is you" she said in French

"Papa and mama have been talking to me as well" the older Veela admitted "I do not want to steal him Gabby"

"You are not, not if we share" Gabrielle said

"You do not mind?" Fleur asked. She knew how Gabrielle was when she was a child; she was very possessive and struggled to share anything and now she was offering to share the love of her life

"No I do not. But only with you not with them" Gabrielle said as Daphne and Astoria opened the door to the compartment

"We will have to speak to Harry first, he might not want to" Fleur said quickly before the Greengrass sisters could take their seats

"I will speak to him" Gabrielle said

The subject of their conversation came into the compartment minutes later followed by Hermione and Theo; he sat between the sisters and gave Gabrielle a kiss on the cheek

"Did you speak to them?" she asked quietly

"Yes" he whispered

"Quit snogging already" Blaise said taking a seat beside Daphne

"Just because Lavender left you doesn't mean the rest of us shouldn't be romantic with our partners" Theo said and gave Hermione a peck on the lips

The compartment filled with everyone except the four girls who were on the train to Beauxbatons

"So I have changed our tattoos" Harry announced to the compartment

"How did you get that right?" Daphne asked

"A little Latin and staying up all night" he answered leaving out the conversation and deal with Death

"How have they changed?" Astoria asked

"You can use the tattoo to contact me, I'll feel a 'call' from you, all you have to do is think about me and send magic to your tattoo. It will allow me to get to you if you're in trouble"

"So we have some extra safety?" Hannah asked

"Not as much as I wanted but yes you do" Harry admitted "I'm having portkeys made as well; I spoke to Theo's father about it. The goblins assure that they can make them but because the order is so large it will take some time and gold"

"They'll be able to rip through any wards" Theo added

Theo caught Harry's eye and motioned for them to leave the compartment; Harry followed Theo out into the hall

"What's the matter Theo?" Harry asked

"What did you give up Harry?" he asked his friend "You didn't tell Hermione and I about the tattoo which mean that you didn't want me to ask you anything in front of the group"

"Maybe I just wanted to tell everyone together?" Harry said

"No chance" Theo said looking at his friend

"I had to destroy my new wand in the process" Harry admitted, he traded his wand and the Deathly hallows for the new power

"And you drained your core again" Theo said as if it was obvious

"I might have but it was necessary and I was desperate. I want to protect all of you" Harry said. Theo stepped forward and gave Harry a hug

"You're doing enough and I'm sorry that I made it seem like you weren't" He said honestly "Knowing what she went through just rattled me"

"Me too. We'll find some time once we're back at the castle, I have somethings I'd like to share with you" Harry said

"Do you mind letting go of my boyfriend?" Gabrielle said smiling

"He is all yours" Theo said and went back to the compartment

"Can we talk?" Gabrielle asked

"Will it be another heavy discussion or will you be threatening me once more?" Harry grinned

"Neither" she said and took him by the hand and walked till they found an empty compartment

"You have me all to yourself now Ms Delacour" Harry smirked but saw that Gabrielle was looking serious "The last time my girlfriend had me in a compartment to herself I ended up single"

"I'm trying to handle things better than she did Harry James" she said "I want you to date my sister… as well"

"As well as you?" Harry asked "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, actually you did everything exactly right. I want you forever and I am willing to let the relationship between you and Fleur develop further because I believe you need her and she needs you just as much as I need you." She rattled off in part French and part English

"Come here" Harry said and pulled her into his lap "You seem torn my Gabrielle"

"I'm not. I'm just scared that I'll lose you the same way Padma did by forcing it onto you" Gabrielle explained

"You won't. You have already done more than she has as far as my heart is concerned and in this case you decided to talk to me before offering me up like an object"

"How do you feel about it then?" she asked

"Since I've been helping her with her allure and in these last few weeks I have grown closer with your sister. If I'm honest I could see something more develop there if you weren't in the picture" Harry answered truthfully

"So will you do it?" she asked

"Only if you can tell me that you're truly okay with it" Harry answered

"I am. I promise" she said smiling

"This year is going to be truly challenging isn't it?" he said

"You'll have two capable witches to help you through it" she promised

"I'm going to tell Theo everything" Harry said "So I'll have him too"

"Good"

When the train slowed everyone changed into their Hogwarts uniforms; Fleur and Gabrielle in uniforms without any house colours. Disembarking the train in Hogsmead Harry took both Gabrielle and Fleur's hands and walked to the carriages

"We'll talk about it some more but for now let's just go with it?" Harry said to Fleur who gave him a smile

"Miss Delacour your sister is doing that thing with her face again" he teased and Fleur just kept smiling

When they entered the school gates they were searched for any illegal items by Aurors and Goblins; a growing pile was forming beside those doing the searches.

"This year is really going to be different" Blaise said handing over a few items

"Hopefully that means better" Harry said

"With no Weasley's it should be" Pansy said

All the returning students were comforted by the familiar sight of the great hall and the routine of the sorting and then the changes began

"Now we have a few students who will be sorted for the first time even though they aren't first years" Dumbledore announced "Gabrielle and Fleur Delacour and Luna Lovegood. The Delacour sister's join us from Beauxbatons and Miss Lovegood has been home-schooled by our new History of Magic teacher Professor Xenophilius Lovegood"

All three girls were sorted into Hufflepuff and took their seats by Hannah and Neville

"Now as many of you know the school was closed last year to address concerns the ministry and your parents had, as you have already seen Aurors now patrol the halls and will become a permanent feature in our school, please make sure to respect them as they as here for our safety and protection. Unfortunately I will take up some more time to explain the changes before we can have our meal" Dumbledore said from his podium

"Professor Snape will no longer teach potions as he will be handling one of our new electives; the Dark Arts and he will be in charge of the duelling tournaments held throughout the year. Professor Moody will be teaching defence against the dark arts and will also be assisting Professor Snape with the tournaments. Professor Xenophilius Lovegood will be teaching History of Magic as I mentioned and Professor Greengrass will be teaching potions. Professor Scamander will be teach Care of Magical creatures"

The student body buzzed with chatter about these new developments

"Silence please?" Dumbledore said politely as ever "Professor Flitwick will continue teaching Charms and Professor McGonagall will be teaching Transfiguration. Divination, Herbology, Astronomy and Runes will continue to be taught by Professors Trelawney, Sprout, Sinistra and Babbling respectively. The moving staircases have been replaced with ordinary staircases and the classrooms have all been standardised which means that Divination has been moved to the Fourth floor"

Each Professor seemed to nod as their subject was mentioned except for Trelawney who seemed genuinely upset by the announcement of her classroom

"Hogsmead visits will be escorted and will take placed on the last Saturday of each month starting in October and ending in April. The Village itself has been through some changes to ensure safety for all but has also expanded, with this in mind I can announce that all students are now permitted to leave the castle for Hogsmead visits" Dumbledore said happily watching the excited faces of many of the first and second years

"Now lastly we will not be having a Quidditch cup this year" the headmaster announced to an uproar "Now now, we will be having something more exciting this year to celebrate the reopening of Hogwarts"

The hall fell quiet once more

"What could be more exciting than Quidditch?" a student shouted

"Hogwarts will be hosting the Tri-Wizard tournament and our colleagues from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be joining us a week before Halloween. Your first lesson in History of Magic will cover the tournament" he announced "Now time to fill our stomachs"

Food appeared on the table and the hall filled with the usual sounds of the opening feast

"Have you heard of this tournament before?" Harry asked Theo

"No, Father may have but I think we might as well just wait for History of Magic and see what information we can get from that class" Theo said dishing himself some food

"I suppose. Professor Snape has managed to get us a room close to the dungeons to practice in which is connected to his office. With the Aurors on patrol he prefers us being close"

"Makes sense but do we have to enter through his office?" Blaise asked

"I don't know, we'll have to wait and see" Harry shrugged "I'd like to find out more about the wards from Professor Snape before we start practising"

"In case there are new monitoring ones that have been added in?" Blaise asked

"Exactly, I don't want to fire off something dark and minutes later have all Aurors on premises in the room" Harry said "We have to be more careful"

"We always were" Blaise said "Besides we don't have Weasley's to worry about this year"

"Thank Merlin for that" Astoria said and slid in between Theo and Blaise "Harry when do we have our first meeting?"

"We have to find out where the new room is first, but I'll let everyone know" Harry said to her "Now I'm going to walk to the Hufflepuff common room before I come to ours"

"I don't think the Headmaster is going to like that" Theo said "He hasn't made his 'Suppertime has ended and we should retire' speech"

"He is about to" Harry said shaking his head at Theo's impression.

As if on cue Dumbledore did make his speech and all the students left the great hall; Harry held out his arms for his two ladies and followed the Hufflepuff prefect to their common room

"This is good night my ladies" he said and kissed their hands

"Harry James we expect you to walk us to breakfast" Gabrielle said seriously

"Anything for you Ms Delacour" he smiled at her serious face and kissed her cheek

"And you too Ms Delacour" he said and kissed Fleur on her cheek as well causing

He watched both girls walk into the common room and then spun around and crashed into Luna Lovegood

"I'm sorry Ms Lovegood" he said and helped her gather the pages she had

"It's okay Mr Potter" she said "Are we always supposed to be this formal?" she leaned forward and whispered causing Harry to laugh

"Not at all, I just wanted to make a good impression" he said

"You should try not bumping into people then" she smiled

"Alright I will, I knew I was doing something wrong" he chuckled

"See you around Harry Potter" Luna said and went into the common room

Severus sat in his new office; he preferred the one in the dungeons but this was the only office with a backroom which Harry and his friends could use. He had scanned the room for monitoring charms and then put up ward within the room to prevent detection spells from working; he was about to set up a ritual circle but there was a knock at the door.

"Harry, come in" Severus said in a tone reserved for his favourite student

"What are you doing Severus?" Harry asked

"I just set a few wards to keep the Headmaster and Aurors unaware about the nature of the spells you perform here. I also advise that these books never leave this room; it makes sense for me to have such dark books but now a fourth year student"

"We actually were concerned about the wards" Harry said "What else are you going to do in the room?"

"I am going to draw a ritual circle for the new power ritual" Severus said

"When do we do it for the first time?" Harry asked

"On the next full moon, we just missed the last one" Severus said "So you have just under three weeks"

"See you in class tomorrow then Professor" Harry smiled

"Good night Harry" the older man smiled

AN – I hope everyone has enjoyed it. So please review and please favourite and follow if you haven't already.

This one took longer to write because of its length and it has a lot of exposition I know but the world is changing and I needed to address this before moving forward.

I'd just like to say a massive thank you to everyone reading this. Your reviews make me smile and force me to rethink certain things while confirming others. This story has challenged me more than any other and I hope that you'll stay on board until the end.

SO now for a question;

How will Harry kill Dumbledore? Will it be a duel to the death? Will he secretly poison him? Or will it be some other way?

I'm interested in hearing you theories and the person who gets closest to what I have in mind will get a special mention and a character named after them