Visions of an Empath

Chapter 23

“So when should we do this?” asked Draco nervously. Merlin, he wanted to nothing more than hide away from this. He didn’t want to be master of the Elder Wand. It was too much... too big to even contemplate.

Harry felt a twinge of sympathy for the other teen. He could tell just how overwhelmed and terrified Draco felt, and he was rather proud of the blond for facing and overcoming those fears. Draco had come a long way from the petty, vindictive wizard he’d been at school.

“Right now,” said Harry. He pulled out his wand and smacked Draco on top of the head with it, smirking at the heated glare he got before the blond faded from sight. “There’s the Disillusion spell. Now you just need to cast the spell to hide your scent and transform into your animagus form.”

“You could have warned me. That hurt,” muttered Draco petulantly, rubbing the top of his head. He grabbed his wand and cast the Scent Removal spell on himself and transformed. He then flew to Harry, landing on the brunet’s shoulder.

“You can’t stay around my shoulders, Draco. Severus or Lucius will definitely find you there,” said Harry. He gently lifted the mini-wyve off of his shoulder and tucked him into an inner pocket of his robe. “There should be fine. Just stay quiet.”

The mini-wyve huffed softly and curled up in Harry’s pocket. The things he did for his family. They better appreciate this, or else.

Feeling the blond’s petulance and indignation, Harry smiled fondly. Draco might pout and sulk, but he would do anything he could to protect his family. He couldn’t ask for a better person to watch his back in the upcoming battle.

“Now I just need to grab a few things before we leave. We have to grab Voldie’s attention, and I know just the way to do it,” said Harry with a smirk.

Harry hurried up to his room and threw open his trunk. He knew they were in there somewhere. Yes! There they were! He grabbed an armful of the products the Weasley twins had sent him and tucked them in various pockets.

As he hid the last product away, Luna peeked into the room. “Hello, Harry. Off to see the wizard, I see.”

Harry snickered at the image Luna’s statement conjured in his head. He could just see him, Lucius, and Severus skipping down the yellow brick road to find Voldemort. It was absolutely hilarious.

Luna smiled at Harry and stepped further into the room. “I know Draco told you what I told him, but there’s something else you should know. I’m afraid it may be too late for the wolf. Deadly silver seeks to end his life, and the chance for survival is ever decreasing. There is only one thing that can save him, but it comes at a price.”

“What kind of a price?” asked Harry softly.

“Your humanity,” said Luna solemnly. “To use the Breath of Life, you would truly become an Earth Drake. It would no longer just be an animagus form for you. And with that change comes many others. Are you willing to accept that, Harry?”

“Will this hurt my child in any way?” asked Harry, biting his lip nervously.

Luna shook her head. “No. In fact, it would actually make things easier for you. Earth Drakes are the child bearers of the drake species, after all. You would even be able to shift between forms without harming the baby.”

Harry sighed and asked his next question. “Will it affect my bond with Lucius and Severus?”

“I don’t know,” said Luna regretfully. She stepped toward the brunet and hugged Harry tight. “Just trust in your mates, Harry. I truly believe they love you more than anything else in the world.” She slowly released Harry and smiled reassuringly. “Take care of Draco, will you?”

“Of course, Luna,” said Harry with a sad smile.

As the blonde walked out of the room, Draco flew from his pocket and transformed back to normal, cancelling the Disillusionment charm. “You can’t seriously be considering this, Harry. Is the wolf’s life really worth losing my father and Severus?”

“It’s not that simple, Draco. He has a son... my godson. I don’t want Teddy to grow up without his father like I did, but I... I don’t know how this will affect Lucius and Severus,” said Harry softly.

“If this destroys the bond you have with them, it will be your child that will be affected the most,” said Draco. It was a dirty move, but Harry had to realise just what was at stake if he did this.

“I know, Draco,” snapped Harry. Before he could say anything else, he heard footsteps coming down the hallway. “They’re coming. Hurry up and change back.” He pulled his wand out to recast the Disillusionment charm, but Draco quickly shook his head and grabbed his own wand.

“I’ll cast it. My poor head can’t stand for you to cast it again.” Draco hurriedly cast the spell and transformed back into his wyvern form.

Harry settled the mini-wyve back into his pocket and patted his other pockets to make sure his Weasley products were still hidden. A moment later, the bedroom door opened, and Lucius stepped into the room. He looked at Harry and frowned slightly.

“What’s wrong, Harry? And don’t even bother saying nothing because I can tell that there’s something bothering you. Besides, I just saw that Lovegood chit coming from this direction. What did that girl say to you?”

Harry’s face fell, and he suddenly threw himself into Lucius’ arms, burrowing his face in the blond’s chest. “Remus is dying. Apparently, Voldie decided not to wait for us and poisoned him with silver. She said there was a way to save him, but...” He just couldn’t voice his fears out loud. He didn’t want to even contemplate the idea of losing this closeness with Lucius.

“What did she say, Harry?” asked Lucius gently.

Harry took a shuddery breath and held onto Lucius even tighter. “I can save him by using the Breath of Life, but if I do, I become an actual Earth Drake.”

“Is that really so bad?” asked Lucius.

Harry shook his head. “It’s not that, Lucius. She said that it might affect the mating bond between me, you, and Severus. I would love to be a drake like you, but not if it means losing you and Severus.”

Lucius kissed the top of Harry’s head. “Harry, nothing will ever sever the bond between us. If anything, becoming an Earth Drake would actually reinforce our bond. As for Severus, he chose you as his mate. Once bonded, the only way to sever it is through death. Trust us, Harry. We will always be there for you no matter what.”

Lucius tilted Harry’s face up and pressed a gentle to kiss to the brunet’s lips. “I love you, Harry.”

Harry smiled and threw his arms around Lucius’ neck, pulling the blond down into a deep, passionate kiss. When he finally drew back, Harry was flushed and out of breath and so very happy. “I love you, too, Lucius.”

Severus suddenly stepped out of the shadows, ending the tender moment. “We should go now. Are you both ready?” Lucius and Harry nodded, so Severus grabbed them by the arm and pulled them into the shadows, transporting them to the shadows outside Hagrid’s hut.

Lucius kissed Harry once more and transformed into his mini-drake form before flying up to the roof of Hagrid’s hut. Severus leaned down and covered Harry’s lips in a deep, consuming kiss before reluctantly releasing him. “Stay by Lucius at all times, Harry. Be careful.”

“I will,” Harry promised solemnly. He watched as Severus faded back into the shadows and took a deep breath, straightening his shoulders in determination. He carefully lifted Draco out of his pocket and draped him around his neck. “Well, this is it. Are you ready, Draco?”

A soft hiss was Harry’s reply. It was now or never.

With that thought in mind, Harry stepped away from the hut and started up the path toward the castle, knowing that Lucius was near even if he couldn’t see him. Once he was within view of the castle, he reached into another pocket and pulled out a box of Weasley’s Wildfire Whiz-bangs.

Tossing a handful of them up into the air, Harry quickly cast several Stunning and Vanishing spells. Within seconds, the courtyard was alight with the colourful fireworks. He could see students gathering around the windows as a huge flaming, dragon flew toward the castle.

“That should get their attention, don’t you think?” asked Harry proudly.

“Indeed,” said Severus from behind him. “Any other tricks up your sleeve that I should know about?”

Harry smirked at the vampire. “Oh, this was just the beginning, Severus. I have much more planned for Voldie and his minions. They will regret ever messing with me and mine.”

***

Neville grinned as he stared down at Harry. It was time to take back the castle. “Ginny, let’s go. Harry will keep them busy out there. It’s up to us to secure the castle from within. Find as many of the D.A. as you can. Stun and bind anyone who stands in your way.”

Ginny nodded and ran out the door. As she ran down the corridor, she saw Crabbe and Goyle hiding behind a statue, lying in wait for Lavender Brown. She stunned and bound them both before casting a Disillusionment charm on them to keep them hidden.

“Come on, Lavender. We have to secure the castle. Stun and bind anyone who’s been helping the Death Eaters.”

Lavender nodded and chased after Ginny. She would do what ever she could to help Harry, and she knew the rest of the D.A. felt the same. They would take back this castle if it was the last thing they did.

***

Harry saw the first wave of Death Eaters coming toward him and smiled. When they got close enough to begin shooting spells, Harry activated the first trap. Beneath the Death Eaters’ feet, a swamp began to grow, pulling them into the murky water.

Harry Stunned the trapped Death Eaters and activated the second trap. His grin widened in malicious pleasure when he saw Greyback in that particular group. Oh, this was perfect. Dung bombs exploded all around the Death Eaters, making their eyes water from the smell. Greyback was even worse off due to his werewolf senses.

Now it was time for the last trap. Harry threw a bag toward the Death Eaters. One of the Death Eaters cast a spell, making the bag explode, covering them in Instant Darkness Powder.

“They’re all yours, Severus. Have fun,” said Harry, nodding in satisfaction when the vampire disappeared into the darkness with a confident smirk. As a vampire, Severus would be able to see as though it was daylight.

Draco watched from his perch around Harry’s neck in total awe. Harry had single-handedly taken down about thirty Death Eaters with a bag of tricks. How Slytherin of the golden boy. Draco heard panicked screams from within the darkness and wanted to smile. Severus was quite ruthless to those who tried to hurt his precious little mate.

When the powder finally dispersed, Severus was gone and the Death Eaters were gone. Harry idly wondered where Severus had taken them, but his attention was caught once again by Greyback. The damn werewolf had obviously recovered from the dungbomb attack and was absolutely furious.

“I’ll kill you!” he roared and barrelled toward Harry.

“I’m afraid not,” said Harry softly.

A burst of freezing air surrounded the irate werewolf, covering him in ice within seconds. Harry calmly raised his wand and cast the Reducto curse, shattering the werewolf into tiny pieces. “That was for Remus and Bill and the countless others you hurt.”

Draco suddenly hissed and uncurled himself from around Harry’s shoulders. The Dark Lord was coming. His accursed Dark Mark burned even in his animagus form when that bastard was near. Draco flew to the ground in front of Harry and transformed back, shielding the brunet’s body with his own.

“Stay behind me, Harry. He’s coming.”

“Draco...”

Draco shook his head, cutting off Harry’s protest with a glare. “I am the Master of the Elder Wand. The spells will be weaker if he tries to use it against me.”

“Weaker, but not ineffective,” snapped Harry.

“Harry, just trust me,” said Draco heatedly. “All I have to do is hold him off long enough for Severus to kill the snake, and then Father can freeze his arse.”

Before Harry could argue any more, Voldemort stepped into the clearing with ten more Death Eaters. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t Harry Potter cowering behind a traitorous Malfoy.”

Harry raised an unimpressed brow. “You’re one to talk, Tom. After all, you’re the one who sent out most of your Death Eaters to wear me down before you got here. By the way, have you found them yet?”

Tom smirked and snapped his fingers. Two Death Eaters stepped forward, dragging the limp body of Remus Lupin between them. “Is this what you’re after? I’m afraid you’re too late, Potter. Wormtail got a little enthusiastic with him.”

Harry barely glanced at Remus, knowing he would break down completely if he did. “You just can’t do anything for yourself these days, can you? Do you make your Death Eaters wipe your arse, as well?”

Voldemort snarled in rage at the Gryffindor’s continued insolence. Raising his wand, he cast the Killing Curse at the two teens. Draco dodged one way, and Harry dodged the other. Voldemort smirked and hit Draco with the Imperious curse before he even hit the ground.

“Bring Potter to me, Draco.”

He tried to fight the compulsion, but his connection to the Dark Lord weakened his resolve, and he lost the battle of wills. With glazed eyes, Draco raised his wand and cast a stunning spell toward Harry’s unprotected back as the brunet tried to stay on his feet. Harry turned around just as the spell hit the baby’s shield. The spell was deflected into the crowd of Death Eaters, hitting one of them in the chest.

Voldemort glared at the brunet and shouted, “Bring that brat to me now!” How the hell had Potter deflected that spell like that? What kind of magic was it?

A loud roar, however, stopped them in their tracks, and Lucius returned to his original size, towering menacingly over the wizards. As the Death Eaters turned their attention toward the enraged drake, Voldemort kept his attention focussed on Harry and Draco. He noticed that all of the magical attacks directed at Harry were immediately deflected, so he would have to try a physical attack. He transfigured a twig into a dagger and tossed it on the ground at Draco’s feet.

“Take the dagger, Draco. Cut out his heart and give it to me.”

Draco frantically tried to resist the command as his body leaned down to pick up the dagger. He was vaguely aware of Harry just a few feet away, fending off several Death Eaters, and automatically turned in that direction. His brain was screaming at him to stop. He didn’t want to hurt Harry. Harry was his best friend, and his father’s mate.

Despite all that, though, Draco slowly crept up behind Harry and raised the dagger high, a mere puppet in Voldemort’s twisted game. Then Harry twisted just a little bit, but the movement pulled his clothing tight over his belly, revealing the gentle swell of his stomach created by Draco’s growing little brother. The dagger fell from his nerveless fingers, and he staggered back as the spell controlling him shattered. He couldn’t believe he’d come so close to hurting... killing Harry.

With a snarl of rage, Draco grabbed his wand and turned to face Voldemort. He would make that bastard pay for doing that to him. He took a step toward the serpentine wizard, a curse ready on his lips, but a Stunning spell hit him in the back, knocking him out completely.

“Sorry, Draco, but it’s my turn now,” said Harry regretfully.

In the shadows behind Voldemort, Severus stepped into view with Gryffindor’s sword in hand. With focussed determination, he brought the sword down, decapitating Nagini and destroying Voldemort’s last remaining Horcrux.

“No! You’re supposed to be dead, you traitor!” Voldemort screamed at Severus. How had things gotten so far out of his control? That Malfoy brat shouldn’t have been able to break free from his spell, and now he had to deal with a man who was supposed to be dead. “I’ll fix that now, though.”

“Now, Lucius!” Harry commanded.

Severus smirked at Voldemort and faded back into the shadows.

Lucius roared and a blast of freezing air shot toward Voldemort, freezing him instantly. However, before Harry could cast the Reducto spell to shatter the evil wizard, Severus stepped back into view and cast it for him, grinning maliciously as his former master exploded into tiny shards of ice, and then he stomped on the pieces for good measure.

Harry immediately ran to Remus’ side and gently rolled the werewolf onto his back. He gasped in horror when he saw the other man’s damaged chest. Remus was barely breathing, and his body continuously convulsed as the silver raced through his veins. There was no way Harry could just watch him suffer like this, not when he could actually do something about it.

Harry stepped away from Remus and transformed into his drake form. The emerald green drake lowered its head toward the werewolf and gently breathed. A light green mist covered Remus from head to toe, repairing the damage done to him.

Weak and weary, Harry transformed back to normal and collapsed to the ground beside Remus. He could already feel the changes in his body. He truly was an Earth Drake now.

Severus gently lifted Harry into his arms and looked at Lucius. “I’ll take him home, Lucius. You take care of the wolf and Draco.”

Before he could leave, however, there was a loud cry from the castle. “HARRY! HARRY!”

Harry looked toward the castle and saw the D.A. and the professors cheering. He smiled softly, glad to see that everyone was all right. “It’s finally over,” he whispered.

“Yes, it is,” Severus agreed. “Let’s go home.”

Harry nodded. That sounded absolutely perfect.