Ye Old Disclaimer:Harry Potter and associated milieu, characters, and situations are owned by J.K. Rowling and her licensees. This is a work of fan fiction, produced solely for enjoyment. No infringement of rights is intended. J.K. Rowling owns it all, I am just playing with the Story. No money is being made by me in any way shape or form.

Beta's:

Unfortunately, Tigerman has been too busy to beta this for me. However, I have done what I can.

Chapter 14, Blood for Blood

The blood red moon was still full he noticed. It had been that way ever since he did the ritual to summon Legion. The astronomical anomaly had not gone unnoticed by the muggles either. Those who weren't focused on all of the murders Legion committed, the disappearances, or the empty graves from all over the country were speculating on what was causing it. Merlin only knew what the magical community thought of it. Well, those who weren't involved in the war. The lone figure lowered his head from the clear sky above him to the scene playing out before him. The moon bathed the landscape in its rich red touch as far as the eye could see.

From where Cloud stood he could see Hagrids hut not far from him and he had a prefect view of the Voldemort's assault on Hogwarts. He missed Hagrid. The Assassin sighed wistfully. Even his inedible rock cakes. Those tasty bits of stone cunningly disguised as muffins had been a weekly delicacy during the years he use to attend here. It's a good thing this is a school of Wizardry because he'd lost several teeth to the evil little confections. He broke himself from his musing and brought it back to the business at hand. Hagrid was part of a life he no longer held any claim too.

Currently it was a standstill with Voldemort standing before his army and Dumbledore before the defenders. Cloud snorted. Voldemort sure loved his dramatics. He never seemed to be able to do anything without preaching what a great Wizard he is or how right his Pureblood propaganda garbage was.

On Voldemort's side Harry could easily see the six Giants standing tall wielding great tree trunks for clubs. Before the ranked Death Eaters stood quite a few Werewolves, Vampires, and Inferius. Voldemort easily out numbered the defenders twenty to one. On Dumbledore's side stood the Order of the Phoenix and Castle staff from Hogwarts mixed with a few of age students who Cloud assumed took up arms to defend the Castle. They stood before the great doors, literally between the preverbal rock and hard place. Things did not look too good for the light.

Cloud himself stood ready. Hedwig's guns rested easily at his sides, his M4 assault rifle on his back while he looked down the scope of his fifty-caliber rifle. He wore no shirt or cloak tonight. Instead his torso was sheathed in the smoky shadows that seemed to emanate and roll off of his lean frame. The runes from the ritual burned through his skin showing momentarily through the black smoke showing hints of blackish green flame. As always, his mask rested on his head and his claws upon his arms.

Through the scope he could tell his plan had worked. Voldemort had committed most if not all of his forces here. When he unleashed Legion he could destroy damn near every one of his supporters and Voldemort himself. The war would then be over in one great gout of blood. It was Perfect.

While these thoughts flowed through his mind all about him the ground seemed to stir. Slowly but surely a thousand heads began rising from the forest litter. It didn't take long for Legion to rise from the earth about him, ready for their part. Cloud continued to look through the scope of his rifle overlooking Voldemort's forces while going over his plan again, anything to keep his mind off…her.

The worst part was the more he tried to put her out of his mind the more she rose to the surface. The young assassin sighed. When Legion first rose Cloud could feel its power course through him and all their minds waited for his command. However he was not interested in commanding any of them. Instead he called those reborn who died by Death Eaters or Voldemort himself to him, minus her. Those he chose to not call to him he released from his control to seek their vengeance. That night hundreds of muggles and wizards died when Legion sought their marks. The papers over the next few days, both Muggle and Magical were filled with brutal stories and eyewitness accounts of Legions deeds.

Cloud was thankful that she was giving him this time to make things right. Giving him this chance to make the world a better place before she came for him. He knew she would, he was responsible for her death. When she came, when she decided it was time and she found him, he wouldn't fight her. He could use his connection with Legion to stop her if he really wanted to, but he wouldn't. It was the price he knew he had to pay, and pay it he would, willingly. After all, evil had to be punished and over the last few months Cloud had earned death. He just hoped she waited until he put Voldemort in the ground. So far it looked like she would.

"I sure miss this place. Its good to be back." Cedric spoke from slightly behind him with a hint of nostalgia. Cloud nodded in agreement. Despite how hard this place had tired to kill him over the years, it still felt like home.

From his right he heard his father and mother talking about their favorite haunts on the grounds. Various antidotes of his pranks crept in from time to time. Other former wizard and witches about him were doing the same. Those who use to be Muggles marveled at the great structure before them. Cloud sighted down his scope taking in the defenders while Legion conversed, reminisced, and waited.

Through his scope he could see fear etched into most of the defenders faces. Fear and in some cases resolve. They knew this was the final battle and none truly expected to survive it. Despite this knowledge they stood tall before the doors of Hogwarts. He could read the determination in their faces. If Voldemort wanted access to the castle and its young defenseless inhabitance it would be over their dead bodies. No one was going into that good night quietly. Each was prepared to go only after they gave their all and showed the Dark forces railed against them what they were made of. Like all things in life, nothing was free. The defenders would not sell their lives easily or cheaply.

While Cloud was scanning the crowd of defenders he noticed a pack of students who stood slightly to the side of the main group. At their front was his former classmate Neville Longbottom. His jaw was set with a fierce expression on his face. Cloud liked the look of the young Longbottom. The look was mirrored by all of those around him. He vaguely remembered Luna mentioning he continued the D.A. with select students. Neville had about ten of them at his back keeping one eye on the enemy and one eye on Neville waiting for his direction.

He lowered the rifle. Clouds eyes began burning the same as Legions as he taped his connection with them. They immediately quieted and looked to him. "Legion. When you rend any of the Lestranges take them before Longbottom. He too has a score to settle with them. Let him see Justice be done to those who took so much from him. They may not have killed his parent's bodies but they killed their minds. I think Neville would appreciate seeing them met their end."

A thousand voices of Legion responded to his request. "As you will it, let it be done." Cloud nodded. He once again raised his scope back to his eye to scan the scene before him again.

"Of the enemy kill outright any of the unclaimed on your way toward your marks. Break their necks, rip out their hearts, slash their throats, whatever it takes. If the defenders have them stunned or bound, even better. None of the guilty leaves the field of battle with their lives intact. Kill them all. Ignore only those who the others have claim to. Protect the defenders where you can. Protect them from the enemies' curses. Unbind them as you pass. Shield them with your bodies if you have to and remake yourselves from the grounds where you fall. Remove as quickly as you can from the field any wounded of the defenders to inside the Great Doors. Whatever it takes to protect the innocent.

Remember, the Defenders will not understand we are on their side and most likely will attack us. Ignore them. Even after they see we are with them they may still attack us because they do not approve of our methods. Ignore them. We are not here to harm the innocent, we are here to bring Justice to the guilty and make them pay for their crimes."

"As you will it, let it be done." A thousand voices of Legion coursed.

The brightness of the flames burning from Clouds eyes dimmed slightly as he directed these words to those who were apart of tackling Voldemort. "We shall do the same as we make our way to Voldemort. Does everyone know what they are to do?"

His mother spoke for the collective members assembled around him. "Yes Harry. We have the staffs you crafted for us. We understand what we need to do. End this for us love, do not let him escape Justice. We wont be able to rest if you do."

"I won't Mum."

Harry watched as a streak of green raced from the attackers into the sky. The Dark Mark took form directly over the gates of the ancient castle. Its skull like visage stared down to all below adding its green luminescence to the crimson from the moon. The skull was a promise of death to all who looked upon it. It proclaimed to all that someone died here in this place. The snake like tongue that slithered from its mouth foretold to all that Voldemort, the poison of the Wizarding world, had been here and taken that life. It was also Clouds signal to attack. Already the defenders were throwing everything they had into Voldemort's army while they did the same to them. Even from where he stood he could feel the ground tremble from the battle that just began.

Cloud looked on dispassionately while he sighted one of the giants through the scope of his rifle. He whispered but one phrase to the lost souls who had come back to this world in the name of Vengeance. Slowly Cloud tightened his finger on the trigger. His words lost to the loud report of the rifle and the banshee wail that was the reborns battle cry. Yet Legion heard him regardless as they rushed forward to their promised feast.

"Kill them all."

xxxxxx

Professor McGonagall stood tall while transfiguring clumps of earth and rocks into various forms while her diminutive companion laid upon them a complicated series of animation charms. Together they stood before a small area where the wounded were being dragged before the house elves took them to the infirmary. Sadly both noticed the constant flow of wounded moving into their direction.

Between her transfigurations and Filius's charms they had managed to create a grate many demi-golems that was proving to be a great annoyance to the enemy while buying valuable time for he wounded to get through. It has been a long time since either of them had to strain themselves so but they valiantly gave it everything they had. The two of them alone had made quite a dent in the He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named forces. Still, she could see it was clearly not going to be enough.

A great bellowing yell of pain sounded from a giant a few dozen yards away. She wished she knew who was doing it or how they were doing it but someone was hurting and dropping them quickly. Great holes tore through the beast's chest, arms and legs. The thirty foot tall humanoid teetered under the unknown onslaught before it became too much. The giant fell to the ground crushing a few of its smaller ally's under its great bulk. Still, it wasn't enough. The battle had only been going for a few moments and they already had to many coming through their area. They were out numbered too greatly. The chance she would not see the morning light and the new regime was high. Her heart weighed low with that knowledge. There was no chance of victory here but she knew that before the battle started. There was only saving as many as she could before her time came to join her husband and family whom were lost so long ago. When she saw them again, she would at least have that.

McGonagall was broken from her thoughts by the panting voice of the Charms Professor. "Voldemort's reinforcements from the forest are almost here. I don't think we are going to be able to hold them Minnie. I think… I think this is it…"

A great explosion rocked the area sending both of them to the ground before she could reply. The aged scotts woman shook her head to clear the ringing and tried to focus her vision while sluggishly looking about for wherever her wand landed. When her vision cleared enough to see properly she saw a masked Death Eater standing before her with his wand pointed directly at her heart. She never had time to brace herself before the situation became even more confused. Someone else entered her vision flying into the man before he could utter a word sending both of them sprawling to the ground. Wasting no time the aged professor took this moment to locate her wand. She rose quickly to assist her savior but when she turned around what she saw would be something that would stay with her until the end of days.

The Death Eaters screams of panic lasted only a moment before her savior punched his fist into prone figures chest. A still beating heart was ripped out along with a fountain of blood. The figure raised his itself from the body of their foe casualy discarding the still beating organ. It turned to face her for just a moment; it was enough to see his face clearly. She immediately recognized him from the many detentions he had under her eye. It was Jason Biggs, a graduate from last year. Rumor had it he was killed along with his muggle family earlier this summer. Even with his face looking as if it was made of dirt and grass she recognized him easily. His burning green eyes sent chills down her spine but it was his voice that almost caused her to faint when he spoke.

"Professor McGonagall… Innocent…" With that cryptic statement he turned from her and rushed into the battle leaping onto a Werewolf dispatching it just as cleanly and quickly as he did the Death Eater before her. This time by snapping the mans neck.

Before she could regain her senses another figure rushed toward them. She watched Flitwick cast a great many spells at the man but none of them seemed to do much to slow his charge. Completely stunned she watched in wide eye horror as he approached. However, just like before this one didn't reach them either. Instead he seemed to trip falling face first into the ground. A figure seemed to materialize out of thin air close by before it stepped forward. It placed its boot on the prone man unleashing the muggle weapon it carried. The silver polished mask it wore reflected the fire from the tip of the weapon. Her ears rang with the sound it made while blood seemed to explode heavenward from the fresh corpse. As quickly as it began the figured stopped raising the weapon. A part of it fell bouncing of the corpse the figure still had his booted foot resting on. A similar part was pulled from the belt on the figures waist by its metal braced hands and injected into the weapon by the strange faceless figure before her. She took a step back from it taking in the casual way it stood looking around. Green flames danced through the black smoke that seemed to waif from his form.

"Professor McGonagall. Professor Flitwick. Lovely party. I see you've invited all the finest people." He raised the weapon to his shoulder and fired a quick burst dropping another cloaked figure that was about to finish Tonks. "Not to be rude but I see a few people I've yet to introduce myself too. I'm sure well see each other later." With that the man moved forward into the den of battle. Both professors watched stunned for a moment while he 'introduced' himself to the enemy while his minions tore the opposition's forces to shreds.

"Minnie… Merlin do you know who that sounded like?" The charms professor whispered.

Tears of shame, guilt, and sadness trekked down her face as the import hit her. She couldn't even find the words to express how much she preyed he was wrong.

xxxxxxx

Cloud lined up the last of the 30mm grenade from the under-barrel of the M4 in his hands. With a now familiar 'thunk' it flew toward its target, the back of the last Giants knee. Giants were tough to kill what with their magical resistance, thicken hides, and unbelievable strength. However like all other mammalilian life on the planet, magical or mundane, they all shared a similar weakness. Mammals couldn't walk or run if the backs of their knees were armored or the skin was too thick. In addition to that tidbit if you cut that particular joint, no matter the species, you could hobble them greatly. Not only hobble them but with the great veins that run through that region of the body if you cut deep enough they would bleed out within moments. The Assassin had fell a few of them in this fashion already.

The explosion from the round floored almost a dozen people who happened to be close by. Cloud watched the giant teeter before falling backwards landing upon at least half of them crushing them instantly. One of the lucky ones who didn't get crushed rose shakingly to his feet only to be rewarded with the last round from the rifle. Cloud frowned looking down at the offending weapon before he cast it to he side pulling Hedwig's pistols. He continued on his way toward where he was sure Voldemort was.

Cloud surveyed the battlefield. Despite his efforts the Defenders were still struggling. There were great wizards and witches on that side but few with real battlefield experience. Even fewer who could perform well at top levels for this length of time without exhausting themselves. One thing about Voldemort's forces, they may not have been gifted as greatly as the defenders; but they did have experience fighting and killing. They were use to using their magic at maximum capacity for quite a while.

Voldemort's minions were faring rather well against Legion. From where he was standing he could see that most of them had finally figured out the killing curse had no effect on them. They had started using mostly explosion hexes. Sounds and debris rained down onto all those who still moved. It did quite the trick in slowing Legion down but little else. Cloud watched as one of his Legion began to pull itself from the ground remaking its lost body from terrain in which it fell. All over the battlefield this scene was repeated endlessly. Part of Legions power. They were unyielding, unkillable, and relentless in their quest for Vengeance.

Cloud continued to stride through the battle taking shots with the handguns killing the unclaimed or maiming those whom Legion hunted. All the while he made his way toward where Voldemort was unknowingly making his last stand. He still had about a half dozen of his best around him but they were hard pressed to keep the tides at bay.

"Legion, prepare for the Ritual."

A thousand voices immediately rang out into the battle all about them. "As you will it, let it be done!"

He picked up his pace while at the same time Legion abandoned the stalling tactic they had been using. Quickly Voldemort's forces became overwhelmed by the undead tide that swept their ranks. Those of Legion whom had a personal score to settle with Voldemort himself rushed him putting him entirely on the defensive while the last of his people were swept away. Bellatrix looked like an unhappy crowd surfer. Cloud took the time to see Legion throw her down before Longbottom. Neville's face could only be described as righteous when Legion started feasting on her. At Trixie's inhuman scream of pain from within the mob of Legion surrounding her Voldemort lost it.

A great magical concussion wave erupted around him sending everyone and everything standing into the air or rolling them across the ground clearing a thirty-foot clearing around him. He was tickled to no end to see even Dumbledore was rag doll tossed across the field. In to the aftermath of his rage Cloud stepped out instantly drawing Voldemort's attention.

A moment ago the sounds of living and dieing blanked the field of battle but now a pin could fall into the blood soaked grass and be heard by all. All eyes stood stunned at the drama being played out upon this macabre stage. Two men held center slightly circling each other. The Dark Lord Voldemort and the mysterious Cloud measured each other primed to unleash their might.

"My my my. You've got quite the temper. What's the matter? Lose something?"

Riddle was quietly sizing him up. Cloud couldn't help himself, this was the first time he had the upper hand over Voldemort and he intended to make the most of it. Besides Legion needed time to prime the Ritual. He could hear his inner circle chanting within his mind. "So quite… Where's the melodrama? The posturing? Where's the speeches we all know and expect from the greatest Wizard of all time?"

He couldn't help it. Cloud laughed at him with the crowd of on lookers gasping counterpoint. "Come on Tommy boy. Tell me about how you can't be defeated. How about how great you are? That one's a classic. Can't really go wrong there…"

Unable to resist the bait Voldemort hissed at him. "Who are you?"

"That's the million galleon question isn't it? I'm a weapon. I suppose you could call me the weapon for the light." Cloud replied cryptically.

Voldemort snorted. "You are no light Wizard. Light Wizards do not kill."

"I never said I was a Light Wizard. I said I was their weapon. Big difference Tommy. Nonetheless I am their weapon. Forged by Albus Dumbledore himself from a young age. Unfortunately for him, I grew a mind of my own. When I'm done with you, I'll kill him next."

It was silent a moment apart from the shuffling of people around them. They both knew his forces had been defeated. Voldemort stood alone in a sea of enemies. Cloud noted he was so confident in his own superiority even this did not rattle him. He knew what would though. A few of those gathered started whispering mixing in a few startled gasps.

Cloud chuckled humorlessly. "I see a few in the peanut gallery have figured it out. I've been a poor host and this has gone on long enough." Slowly Cloud reached up splaying his clawed fingers over the mask that covered his face. He drew out the moment by slowly raising the mask from himself before tossing it aside. The look of surprise on Voldemort's face was priceless when he realized who stood before him.

"Impossible! Your Dead!" He bellowed.

Harry's face contorted into a knowing smirk. Those closest to him jumped back from the frigid look in his jade eyes. "I got better."

The circling stopped as the two of them stared each other down. "Look around Voldemort. I'm not the only one who's come back."

When the crowd had moved away from the unholy specter that was Harry Potter among them, Harry's inner circle stepped forward carrying the staffs he made not long ago. They formed the outer boundary of the Ritual that was labeled so dark that all records of it were hunted and destroyed by all wizards and witches since its creation. The Ritual didn't even have a name. To even speak of it would get a wizard or witch sent to Azkaban for at least a year.

"I'm sure you recognize Madam Bones. She sure remembers you. Next to her is Frank Bryce. I doubt you know his name but he was the Muggle you killed a year before you were reborn. He was also blamed for the murder of your father and Grandparents. Speaking of parents, Next to him you might recognize your Father. Tomas Riddle Sr."

The undead man before him spat onto the ground. His voice was highly cultured when he cursed Voldemort. "You are no son of mine, just the bastard offspring of a desperate girl."

By this time Voldemort's eyes were wide in fear. Legion was right, Voldemort feared death in any form. Harry remembered the terror in his eyes when the spirits attacked him after he broke the connection. His old victims standing before him apparently alive again was seriously rattling the Dark Lord. Harry continued enjoying every moment. "Speaking of the desperate girl, next to him is your Mother, Merope Gaunt."

Merope hissed. "If I had known what you would become I would have killed us both back then." She too spat on to the ground.

"Dorcas Meadowes. You remember her don't you? She had caused all kinds of problems for you by using her contacts in Gringotts and the Ministry to put a serious stopper into your funding during the first war. She definitely remembers your several hour-long visit. Finally the last two are James Potter and his wife Lily Potter."

Voldemort spun to look at Harry. "That is how you turned him from me…"

Harry's cold laugh was easily a match for his own. "It was so easy. I had Draco and Snape for quite a while. Took them from this very school. Snape was easy to turn to my cause. Neither Dumbledore nor you could give Snape what I could..."

"Where is he?" Voldemort shouted.

Harry raised one eyebrow simply enjoying how rattled he made Voldemort. "I feed him to Legion after I was done with him."

Voldemort surprised everyone by his laughter. It rang clear and loud across the stunned silence of those watching. "What an ally you would have made Potter. Together we could have ruled all of Europe! Such a waste of magic…"

Perfect. Legions' chanting was reaching its crescendo for the ritual. The entire time he had been taunting Riddle they had been summoning the magic's necessary. All it needed now was a powerful spark of power to ignite it. Ever accommodating Harry watched Voldemort raise his wand. Many people gasped, some screamed when he yelled his curse.

"Avada Kedavra!" The killing curse streaked toward him. Harry stood tall and still making no move to avoid the deadly magic's heading his way. Once it struck him he felt the spears trying to cut the invisible ties that held his soul within this body. He grunted from the impact but did not fall nor die as everyone expected. Instead all the runes along his body flared.

He didn't know how Voldemort achieved his immortality but Harry managed his own version of it by summoning Legion. He could reconstitute any part of his body by taking the essence of any living creature in addition to keeping his soul anchored. He was the focal point and the anchor for Legion to be in this world. Likewise, Legion anchored him here. A lesson Voldemort just learned.

Legion timed the their chanting perfectly to reach its peak at the same time as when the curse struck him. The blacken night which before was only lit from the blood red moon, the chilling green Dark Mark or the various lit wands now shone with the radiance coming from him. It lasted only a moment before it went out. Both Voldemort and Harry collapsed to the ground as if they were mere puppets whose strings were cut.

Harry was the first to move. He was so weak now but he chuckled at the success of his plan. When he opened his eye he could see Legion holding back the crowd around them. They knew what he had done, but the crowd didn't yet. A painful moan came from Voldemort's direction. He was more than pleased to see Voldemort was in worse shape than he was. Everything had hinged on this part of the plan.

"What's the matter Riddle? You're looking rather… pasty…" Harry quipped from the ground were he lay.

"What the hell have you done Potter?" His weakened voice attempted to shout.

Harry could hear the panic in his voice. It was sweet music to his ears. He slowly began to raise himself to his feet. The claws on his arms and hands were so heavy. He was barley able to hold up his own weight while he tried to stagger over to where Voldemort was. "I found a way around your Immortality Tom. I found a way to kill you."

By this time Voldemort finally found the strength to roll over. Judging by the way he was panting that took a great deal of what strength he had. He shakingly raised his arm pointing with an unsteady hand the wand he held at Harry's wobbling form. "Impossible… I… I am Immortal! I would know if you destroyed any of my Anchors…"

Harry's labored voice replied. "I didn't have to… Feel that tightening in your chest? The weakness in all your limbs? All your speed, Reflexes, all the rituals you used to strengthen that body making you unbeatable in a duel. It's all gone now. You see, all of that was made by and maintained by magic. There's no magic here. Not anymore…"

Riddle waived the useless stick a few times before he tried to weakly shout out incantations. None of it worked. His eyes grew even wider as the implications struck him. Harry continued to drunkenly stagger closer to him pausing only long enough to pull the ritual knife at his back free.

"That's right Riddle. All the magic you know, all that power you have is worthless now. I've taken your Immortality. I've taken your followers. I've taken your Magic. Now, now I'm going to take your life. How does it feel Tom? To know I have taken everything you have ever held dear? Tell me Tom… How does it feel to face the very thing you have strove your entire life to avoid? How does it feel to know you are going to die weak and powerless at the hands of a boy not even seventeen?"

Voldemort struggled to his own feet pulling a knife of his own while Harry taunted him. "You're one to talk Potter. You're in just as bad a condition as I am. Your Legion cannot save you in here. No Mudblood mother to save you. When I kill you there will be no one to stand in my way."

The two men staggered around each other swaying back in forth from the strain of keeping their bodies upright. The stalemate didn't last long before Voldemort lunged forward. Harry knew he would have to make the first move. It was just what made Voldemort what he was. They both knew it was taking everything he had to push his body this far.

The end was anticlimactic. Voldemort stepped forward far faster than Harry thought he would be able too. The wild unpracticed stab would have gutted him from navel to rib had he not been expecting it.

With a well-practiced ease that even his weakened state couldn't diminish Harry jerked to the side thrusting his own knife into his opponents lung as hard as he could. The sound of Voldemort's dieing grunt was lost to the gasping from the crowd.

Harry looked deep into the blood red eyes of the man who took so much from him relishing this moment. His mouth opened and closed gasping for breath. The only thing holding him upright was Harry. Harry slowly lowered the dieing villain to the ground never breaking eye contact nor taking his hand off the knife.

"Breathe. Breathe Tom." Harry whispered. His own weakness was forgotten as he knelt over his foe watching Voldemort struggle to draw breath. Harry was almost giddy. It showed in his voice while he mockingly encouraged Voldemort to struggle for each breath.

"That's it… keep breathing. Can you feel it Tom? Can you feel death hovering over you?" He pulled the knife burying it again into his enemy's flesh. This time into the other lung. Tom Riddle's scream of pain echoed hollowly in the still night. Harry tilted his head back in pleasure at the sound before he returned to watching the light leave Voldemort's eyes.

"Time for you to pay for your crimes Tom Riddle." Harry pulled the knife free again only to repeatedly plunge it into Voldemort's chest. Even after he was truly dead Harry continued to stab the blade into him. Tears trekked down his face as he screamed animalisticly with each savage thrust. He poured every ounce of hate, every injustice ever done to him and to others into each and every strike. Eventually even this was not enough for him. Harry slashed the blood soaked blade across the corpse throat. Placing his foot on its chest he griped each side of Voldemort's skull pulling upward with everything his rage-fuelled body could manage. Bone broke joining the sounds of tearing flesh when Harry pulled free from the body the disembodied head of the man who murdered his parents and caused so much strife.

When it finally came free Harry fell backward onto the ground. He lay there for several moments before he once again regained his feet to start walking out of the null magic area he and Legion created. The crowd whom had pressed close to watch matched him step for step. Just in the other direction.

All burning runes on his body burst into life once he stepped free of the circle once again fuelling him with Legions power. It was staggering how much there was after having nothing at all. Still holding the severed head of his kill he leaned his head back to relish it. With Riddle dead he only had one other person to kill. Legion had taken care of the others.

The voice of his mother broke into his mind. Its done love. We are avenged.

I shouldn't be much longer. She'll find me soon. I wont see you again…Thank you…For everything.

Don't be so sure Harry dear. Know we always will love you. No matter the choices you make.

I love you too Mum…

Harry could hear Legion moving into the null magic area he created. Without Voldemort to feast on there was only one way to send them back. Legion was impervious to everything except that field. A safe guard to prevent any of Legion from being stuck in this world. He listened as they walked through. He kept his eyes closed until he heard the last body return to their base components. After he felt the last of the reborn walk through Harry slowly lowered his head. When he opened his eyes he saw the person he was looking for.

"Albus Dumbledore…"

He had aged a great deal since he had last seen him. His once bright colorful robes were caked in mud and damaged from the battle. Tears trekked down his aged face.

"Harry…" His eyes shown with sadness, pity, and regret. Harry didn't care. He started making his way toward him. He gave Dumbledore credit. Everyone else backed away from him but he held his ground.

Harry opened his arms wide "The Prophecy is fulfilled. How proud you must feel Dumbledore. Am I not the perfect weapon? Where is the craftsman's Pride in his work?"

"I did not want this for you Harry…"

Harry shouted walking over his words. "LIKE HELL! You left me with the Dursleys who have been nothing but abusive to me all my life. ANY chance I had to be normal you TOOK from me so you could preserve your weapon. My existence became more important than my LIFE! YOU allowed me to be thrown into Azkaban! For three months they physically tortured me! Dementors were POSTED outside my cell every moment of each day. They raped my mind when guards weren't beating me!"

"A student died because of you Harry…" Dumbledore tried to reason.

"Don't you think I know THAT? You have no Idea how much losing Sirius and…" Harry gulped still unable to say her name. "Her did to me? We were trying to help. We were fighting because the adults whom were supposed to be watching over us were doing NOTHING! In the end the only thing you HAVE done right is forge me into the monster you see before you…"

"Harry, see reason…"

Harry ignored the mans words lost to his rage. "Look at what you have wrought, Dumbledore. You and your manipulations caused all of this to happen! You may not have any blood directly on your hands but because of you and your meddling countless people have died! You are just as guilty as Voldemort was for everything that has happened! I'll have your blood just like I had his…"

Harry strode the last step forward simultaneously raising his clawed hand to strike the old man down when he heard a voice that froze him cold.

"Harry STOP!"

All the muscles in his body froze an inch from killing Dumbledore. For his part Dumbledore did not shy from the strike. Either because he thought Harry wouldn't do it or from his own guilt he was never sure. Harry slowly turned to see for himself the truth of what his ears were telling him.

She stood ten feet away from him. Harry's eyes never left her soft brown ones. He never noticed Luna who was half supporting her. Nor did he see Susan or Hannah flanking them.

"Hermione…" he whispered.

The crowd parted wide giving them a clear lane to him. Harry walked away from Dumbledore as if he was living a dream. He knew she would find him eventually and here she was. He was guilty; it was time for him to pay for his own crimes.

He staggered closer before falling to his knees before her. He held up Voldemort's severed head to her. He had already made his decision to not run when she found him. He waited for Hermione to extract her revenge.

"I did it Hermione, I got him." Harry swallowed thickly. "I killed Voldemort. See…" He held up the severed head to her not noting the queasy look on her face from the close proximity to it. "I'm so sorry… I tried… I tried everything before Legion… I wasn't strong enough… Please forgive me?"

Hermione's brown eyes looked into Harry's watery green. "Forgive you for what Harry?"

"Because of me you died… I didn't even know about it until after I was released from Azkaban. I got Dolohov for you… It took him months before he finally died…" Harry nervously licked his dry lips. "I knew… I knew you would come for me. I don't ask for mercy. I've done horrible things. Things I know you would not approve of. I've tortured, killed and enslaved the souls, magic, and minds of many. I am more than willing to pay the price for my deeds… but please, if you can, please forgive me…"

All Harry saw was his Hermione standing before him. He never noticed that her face was pale flesh. It was not the dirt or vegetation that marked a member of Legion. Nor did he notice the painful look on her face from transverseing that great distance that separated Hogsmeade from Hogwarts.

Hermione stood before her ex-boyfriend in despair. In the months since they had last seen each other he'd changed a great deal. Oh Harry…

She moved away from Luna whom she was leaning on. Voldemort's head fell from Harry's grasp while the rest of his body froze up. Hermione looked down onto haggard face of her best friend who looked as if he expected her to strike him or something. Slowly she lowered herself before him taking him into her arms.

She tenderly spoke to him. "It's going to be okay Harry… I forgive you. It's going to be okay…"

The floodgates within Harry broke. Suddenly he began bawling like a small child in her arms. Hermione continued to hold the blood-splattered murder in her arms. He's so broken. Dumbledore, Azkaban, the war. Its pretty much destroyed his mind. She looked up at the girls who brought her to Harry. Luna looked around dreamily but Hermione could see the steel in her eyes. Susan stood unsure of what to do but just as ready to defend them if she had to while Hannah stood frowning at everyone who looked at them.

We've all lost so much. They've lost their entire families. I most likely wont live another year. Harry's become a murdering lunatic. Luna turned to look at Hermione. As if she knew what she was thinking the odd Ravenclaw nodded her head.

Hermione continued to rock Harry back and forth while he sobbed into her shoulder begging for her forgiveness. Okay then… I know what I have to do. Anything is better than this…

"Don't worry Harry. I have you now. I have you…"

Fin.

Authors Note:

I have Beta'ed this story to the best of my limited ability.

This story contains a Dark but not evil Harry. Will Feature torture, blood, gore, and other nasty deeds. Like I said, Dark Harry but not evil. Definitely twisted though.

Here you go, this story is apart of the Eight Shades Universe and is considered to be the Fourth Shade. This is it folks. When I first started this fic I had no idea it would take me almost a year to finish but I am very happy that I finally did. I hope everyone enjoyed the fic. For those of you who feel the ending is leaves you hanging, there is a reason for it. All will be explained in the final fic of this series. Please feel free to read and review as I enjoy the feedback.

Thank you all for reading.