One's True Nature

21

Harry surveyed the destoryed village with some adoration for the completeness of it. He thought bitterly that at least this was one of the rare times he hadn't just been called because a dark wizard made even the best of his men question their abilities. He was looking not at a huge pile of rubble, but a systematically destroyed place who's rubble had been strategically moved in some kind of specific order. He ignored the sensations of his continued exhaustion despite the fact that it was visible to his men that he wasn't exactly all here.

He swore bitterly, whoever did this was extremely strong and he began to realize he had no back up from those he trusted. He knew his men were good, but most of them had none of the specific battle expirences that Harry carried with him. Ron would be very very handy right now. He wasn't sure why Ron hadn't recieved his urgent call at his home, but when his daughter Lilly had told him his friend left with Draco, he had an odd suspicision that they would make their way here. Don't ask him why he felt that way, but he did.

One of the men from a small group he'd rounded up before heading here returned with a worn and bluish hue to his face. Harry knew that as a sign that his worst fears had been confirmed. There were no survivors here. He clenched his fists, he hated Dark wizards.

"Well, if that's the case...." Harry paused after he'd gotten the official word. "Then we need to sweep the area and find this son of a bitch fast, before he makes another move." Harry looked up at the sky and inhaled deepily. "Merlin help him when I do." Harry looked down at the grass, which was still vibrant and bright under his feet and felt very out of place among the destruction.


It wasn't a great situation for Ginny, no one was talking to her at all and they'd all left without filling her in to go do something dangerous, she could always tell. Now her youngest son, who had always confounded her with his sometimes meek personality and tendancy to be clingy was begging her to let him go. She couldn't say anything, she was too shocked and by the view of Scorpious hugging her son the way he was, she was going to have a lot more questions soon, but this was a very bad time for some conversation like that.

"Please, I have to go, you have to let me out." Albus Pleaded with her. "If I don't go, everyone will die."

"No they won't Albus, you're being weird. You need to go back to bed, please." Scorpious begged his friend, Still hugging him tightly. Ginny was still at a loss for words. It was going to be one of those days. She wanted to say anything, but just what the hell can you say to a panicked child when you don't understand them.


Ron was hoping against hope that he wouldn't have to apologize to Hermione after he got himself killed. The afterlife would be full of her angry words forever. The only thing he could pray for was just a few minutes reprive to get Harry away from the scene and meet up with Draco. After that, the stage could be set for a fight, which in all probability they were going to lose, but at least Draco understood the enemy somewhat. Ron felt totally unprepared and he knew Harry wouldn't stop to listen to a cautious approach. It was weird how Ron thought of his game of chess in their first year when he sacrificed himself to let Harry proceed. Merlin, he hoped it didn't come to that.

He flew unimpeded toward the place showing on a special magic reader. It was glowing brighter than ever. He was sure George would be proud to know another of his inventions had worked with some of Ron's personal adaptations. Ron had never excelled at Magical inventions the way Fred and George had, but he could take a basic idea and apply it to his work. Harry found him very useful and that actually made him smile to himself sometimes. He had the strangest thoughts as the red glow started to vibrate, he knew the battle was probably right up ahead, but for some reason, he wanted to make sure he contributed this time, something very useful. He saw Harry.

"Hey Ron!" Harry waived to his friend as the man set down. Harry watched as Ron surveyed the destruction. He could tell by the man's eyes that he was shocked to the core. Harry walked up to him and stood next to him, speaking in an official tone. "We haven't found anyone yet and there are no survivors here." Ron shook his head.

"Gods Harry, I have a lot to tell you." Ron's voice was flat. He looked pale to Harry. Ron watched Harry's expressions as he began to explain the events leading up to now and Harry seemed truly captivated by them. Ron noted that his friend still seemed edgey and a bit tired. As he finished talking, Harry nodded once and gave a thoughtful clasp of his hand behind his back. Ron wondered as he watched his friend, if Harry ever understood how strong he looked just in the way he carried himself. Ron was reminded of Dumbledore's seemingly ultra confident gate. Harry was his friend and perhaps that's why he didn't look at Harry as a superhero, but he began to understand why some people might.

"So he thinks Lucius is invovled?" Harry said evenly.

"Yeah, but he's not sure why his Dad would do that." Ron's words were just as even.

"I think it might be much more complicated than that Ron." Harry said after a brief moment.

"What do you mean Harry?" Ron said, his confusion and curiousity clashing.

"I think Narcissa is part of this." Harry looked at his friend, his stare serious. "This doesn't leave the two of us." Ron Nodded. "I've been watching her for over a year, she had contact with a highvalue target I'd been watching for two years. If I'm right, she could have put this all into motion and if Lucius is working with her, we have a load of trouble on our hands."

Ron paled and turned to face the village, getting no comfort in trying to disconnect his thoughts of the last few moments. This had just gotten much more complicated.

Draco was still seaching for a few weapons that might help him. He knew that he'd not be strong enough to battle this wizard on his own, but if somehow he and Potter combined their efforts he might be able to stop him or at least find a new way to trap this man again. He wasn't scared for his own life the more he thought about it. He was scared that he would arrive too late and that Harry, his love, might be harmed or worse. He tried to calm his panic as he searched his father's study for a few things. He was relieved when he found them. He wasn't too excited for his plan in truth, he knew he was going to hurt for weeks aftward if he survived. He wondered what it would be like to just step outside himself, to see himself fight this battle with rare magic.

"Draco, stop being so damn egotistical." He scolded himself, thinking Harry would do the same if he could have heard those thoughts. He made his exit and cursed himself again for not having brought these items along, but they were dark items and he doubted if he could have gotten them to St. Mungo's. He got on his broom and began to fly hoping he wouldn't be too late.

It seemed a half hour passed before Ron and Harry heard anything. It was the worse kind of news and they didn't even need the man to talk, judging from his massive injury, Harry wondered how a body that injured could move. When he was close to landing Ron made a move to catch him before he fell off his broom. If he wasn't sure of his wounds before, Ron was now. Ron felt the blood seeping into his shirt.

"...he was...so...strong...we." The man coughed up blood violently.

"What happened son, where is he?" Harry tried to calm his rage.

"....he ambushed...*cough*...us, we didn't even see him until..."

"Where, where is he?" Harry insisted.

"A..church...ten miles north of here....he has children there....lot's of them..." And with that, the young auror died in Ron's arms. He wasn't even concerned with that just now though. He was watching Harry's internal battle which was written all over his face.

"Dammit." Harry swore and looked like he would make a move to his broom.

"Wait Harry, we don't even know what we're dealing with and he just killed 7 of our men." Ron spoke distressed. He knew it was too late though. He let the body in his arms fall and made after Harry. 'Damn you Harry, if I die, I'll kill you.' Ron thought as he sped after his best friend.

Harry was in a blur of anger. This was his greatest asset against fear when he was younger, but perhaps it would get him killed as everyone kept insisting it would. It would serve him right he thought as he spotted the church in the distance. He wondered as he looked at it, why this wizard would stay here after a crime of this magnitude, perhaps he was tired from the large amount of magic he had to use. If he was newly released Harry was hoping that he wasn't too strong just yet.

When they landed just outside the church Harry nodded to Ron, who nodded in response that he would back Harry up. He didn't know why he did, but it would have been weird for him to tell Harry not to get them in over their heads. They had always been in over their heads since he'd known Harry, who's to say this had to end badly?

Harry walked calmly over to the double door entrance to the church and noted that from the ground it was in pretty bad shape than it had looked from the air and he suspected that was do to the unwelcome guest inside. He noted the wash of dread he got when he creaked the door open, Ron ten steps behind him wand drawn. Harry looked around, Children lined the walls all looking frightened. Harry's face turned furious. The Room was empty save for the children, a wizard in a grey cloak and some random torn banners barely hanging from places on the wall.

"Ron, I want you to get the Children out of here. I will hold him as long as I can." Harry whispered. Ron was about to respond when the Wizard in the Grey cloak spoke in a loud tone which echoed throughout the empty building his accent was deep and Russian.

"You mean these children?" His hands streched out from both sides of his body. "They aren't even real." An amazed Harry and Ron watched as every one of the children disappeared. The one thing that had not escape Harry's notice despite his surprise was the fact that this man, whoever he was, did that without a wand.

"Fuck." Harry swore.

"I could sense you friend, why did you send those men to die for you?" The wizard spoke, unmoved, arms still outward.

"I didn't send them to die for me, asshole!" Harry spoke.

"Asshole?" The man laughed. "Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Rasputin. And you are dead."

Harry moved with great speed shoving Ron hard out of the way while drawing his wand. He knew he was at a distinct disadvantage here, but the consequences be damned he would not fall without a fight. He sent a few spells at the man, they seemed to strike him, but Harry knew this battle was pointless.


Draco moved with lightning speed having sensed the battle erupting. It wasn't a normal talent that your average wizard had, but Draco's heart had always sensed things beyond the norm. Right now he was scared. He was almost there and it had begun.

"Please hang on Harry." And with a last burst of speed he saw the scotland border.

Harry felt the air leave his lungs so quickily he thought his chest exploded. He tried to get his breath, but before he could he was hurled against a wall. He hit his head and his vision became so blured he shut his eyes, his throbbing head stopping thought for a few seconds. He tried his best to regain himself, but his body wasn't responding. He felt the oddest sensation though, he started to laugh.

Ron was so overwhelmed by what he saw that he had frozen and oddly, Harry's laughing had temporarily freed him. He went to Harry as quickily as he could helping his friend to his feet. This didn't seem to bother Rasputin, who had now taken his hood back up and began to laugh.

"This was not the reaction I expected from you. My power is fear and yet you laugh." He grinned clearly geniunely pleased by this. Harry took this as an opening and threw the strongest bind spell he could think of at him. The next few moments would never register to Harry. In a split second, Rasputin had broken the bind and used his right hand to hold Harry in place as he used the other hand to begin breaking Harry's Ribs.

"Stop it." Ron said, panicked and unthinking. He drew his wand. He'd failed again to help Harry. He pointed his shaking hand at the man. "Stop it." Harry's body jerked involuntarily and blood spurted from his mouth. Ron was about to shout a spell when Rasputin laughed.

"Fool you cannot stop me!" His voice seemed angry.

"But I can you Psycho son of a bitch. Just like last time." Draco's voice echoed, powerful and angry. Ron didn't have the time to consider if Draco was actually there. The distraction had freed Harry, who fell and Ron caught him just before he had slammed into the ground. He was breathing, but blood continued to gurgle from his mouth. Ron used magic to pull the ribs away from his organs so that he wouldn't die drowning on his own blood. Assuming that none of the organs were punctured. He said a silent prayer as he held Harry.

Draco eyed his opponent, he wasn't able to check on Harry or Ron, but atleast the first part of his plan had worked with no complications. Rasputin thought he was his father and in his confusion haulted his attack. The man's eyes had changed from confusion to rage now. Not to be out done, Draco's Rage was twice as strong and equally as evident on his features. Draco was going to make him pay.

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End Chapter 21

A/N: We are nearing the end of the story soon. Please review and sometimes, we find that one's true nature makes him the best man for the job. Also, just so there is no confusion here. Harry is dying or will die if Ron doesn't stay like that with him. Draco will learn just how hard being a hero can be and one way or another Albus Potter will leave St. Mungo's.