Harry & Daphne

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Kassien - Runic Animagi
Chapter 33 - Overdue Justice

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AN: I do not own Harry Potter.

Rated M: Mature

Runic Animagi

Updated: 1/10/10

Chapter 33: Overdue Justice

I spent Friday night the 23rd of May hanging out with just Daphne in my suite after begging off to spend a night exploring the Forbidden Forest with all our friends in their animagus forms. They all needed a break from studying almost nonstop for their upcoming exams and had all decided on a night spent as animals to be the perfect distraction. Although Ron came back after twenty minutes when he realized a dragon was not the ideal form for playing with others combined with his inability to charge the difficult rune for any amount of time without my assistance, and asked if he could change his permanent runic animagi bracelet into the grim like dog. It only took another twenty minutes to make him the new bracelet and remove the old dragon one before sending him back out and returning to our cuddling and talking on the sofa.

We talked a bit about my morning duel and subsequent talk with Albus before the talk returned to our upcoming wedding and plans of the future. We were both worried about what Voldemort was up to and expected something to be happening soon since rarely did the school year end with the psychotic dark lord not doing something. The only real comforting thought was my growing dueling capabilities that we both hoped might be enough to let me survive our next encounter even though we didn't think I was yet capable of defeating or vanquishing him even with my recent success.

"Can I try to draw the runes of love and protection on you too?" asked Daphne thoughtfully as the night wore on and we had discussed how close we were to hers being fully charged and functional.

"Sure … that'd be great," I answered happily, not expecting that but thinking about what it could do to help ensure my survival as well. "Do you remember all the runes and steps?"

"Of course …I've been watching you do them long enough," she answered in challenge before I captured her lips in a searing and passionate kiss, showing her just how much I loved her and valued her help and returned love.

For the next hour I watched and talked her through the whole process, reveling in the feelings of love she showed me that filled my entire being. When she finished the last rune, I felt something buried very deep within me respond in a familiar but unknown way before my magic began humming loudly and protectively, and watched with wide fascinated eyes as a small golden aura spread out around me amplifying my magic and love for her. It was rather surprising after taking months and many successive casts on her to get to that stage, but figured it had something to do with the buried lingering protection from my mother as well as a growing passion and desire to be with her and reciprocate the feelings and actions.

Immediately turning around and beginning to again draw the same protections on her caused a brilliantly intense golden aura to surround us both that lasted far into the night. Our love making afterwards took us to a whole new level of shared love and strengthened and made our magic tingle and sing in joy and completeness, leaving us both panting and making the golden aura to unbelievably grow and strengthen as we fell asleep in each others arms. It was easily the greatest feeling I had ever experienced and the best night of sleep I ever had and owed it all to the perfect woman I shared my life and bed with.

We each performed the runes on one another the next morning as well as Sunday morning, and had to wait a long hour for the golden aura to subside until we could go down to the Great Hall for breakfast without everyone noticing our humming magic. We spent both evenings in the Room of Requirements practicing our dueling and getting comfortable with the growing strength of our magic, and were both pleasantly surprised with the progress we were both making. It was easily one of the best weekends we had spent together and were amazed at how much closer it brought our relationship together.

In Monday morning's Daily Prophet on the 26th of May, it was announced the outcomes of the many Death Eater trials that the Wizengamot had been conducting almost nonstop since the paper ousted Voldemort's supporters. Without the security of Azkaban, it was announced that all unmarked supporters and underage followers were sentenced to an undisclosed Ministry prison for the duration of their sentences depending on the severity of crimes they committed. Also, that all adult marked followers were sent through the Veil of Death deep within the Department of Mysteries for their numerous crimes against the Wizarding World, severely crippling the dark lord's followers and sending a hard message to all those under Voldemort's banner.

"It looks like the Ministry is finally taking a hard line stance against Voldemort," I spoke happily from my now practically permanent seat among the Slytherins as others around me read the article and names of those sentenced and put to death over the weekend.

"It's about time," agreed Daphne with a beautiful smirk.

"Yeah …most of them had already been broken out of prison at some point," added Blaise after he finished the article with a pleased look on his tanned face, garnering several agreeing nods from the rest of us around him. "Minister Bones really seems to know what she's doing."

"Yeah …the Wizengamot is getting ready to confirm her the permanent Minister soon," continued Daphne having heard the news from her father, one of the Wizarding Council's newest members.

"It's about time we had somebody competent," added Tracey who had finally finished studying the list of recently condemned and executed Death Eaters.

"Or someone who wasn't trying to kill me or discredit me all the time," I added as well, with a small smirk before everyone began gathering their things and heading to our first classes of the week which for most of us was DADA.

Unfortunately, Professor Snape taught that class today as Remus was still recovering from last night's transformation under the last full moon of the school year. At least he ignored me for which I was grateful, and only scowled and sneered at me as he reviewed a lot of the spells we had been learning throughout the year. In fact, he had hardly said two words to me ever since I told all of the Slytherins about his crush on my mom and affair with Narcissa Malfoy, something I took great pleasure in.

Later that night as Daphne and I were practicing in the Room of Requirements one of my alert wards was triggered between the old Shrieking Shack and the Whomping Willow, quickly bringing our nightly training to an end. Daphne insisted on coming with me as we headed towards the Headmaster's office to let him know and get his help since it was nearing midnight. Luckily we didn't meet anybody on the way since it was after curfew, and arrived within minutes outside the gargoyle. After a quick 'sour patch kids' password the pair of us went up the stairs and were called to enter finding both our Heads of House already with Dumbledore seemingly discussing Order or Voldemort news.

"Ah, the future Mr. and Mrs. Potter …what can I do for you?" spoke a twinkling eyed and amused Headmaster while McGonagall gave a strained smile and Snape simply scowled as usual.

"Someone just tripped my alert ward in the tunnel under the Whomping Willow," I responded quickly and seriously as Dumbledore's and McGonagall's eyes widened in surprise while Snape's dark eyes narrowed.

"What would you know about wards Potter?" snapped Snape with a menacing sneer.

"Now now Severus," chided Albus good naturedly, "Harry is actually quite well versed in wards …especially these ones since he designed and installed them."

"So, they're useless and weak," Snape mumbled accusingly, but loud enough for everyone to hear, "like Potter."

"Actually sir," responded Daphne with a hard voice she reserved usually for those who greatly upset her, "they're ten times better than the pathetic wards you used on Spinners End."

"How do you know about that?" challenged a now yelling and utterly pissed off Potions Master as his glare hardened on one of his own students who remained completely calm and un-phased despite returning the glare.

"We know everything about you up until you attacked my fiancé with your weak Legillimency, and he gave you a taste of your own medicine," she responded with a smirk on her beautiful face and in the tone of her voice as she glared back defiantly at her Head of House as I just smiled happily at my girl.

"How dare you!" he shouted angrily and almost made a grab for his wand but quickly found mine pointing at his chest and standing protectively between him and Daphne.

"You better think very carefully before drawing your wand on my fiancé Severus," I spoke with a cold tone and hard glare that promised severe pain and retribution that I knew he understood from the slight widening of his black eyes and the unconscious step back he took from me …or maybe it was my magic subconsciously pushing him back as it was visibly swirling around me, either way it worked well and added to my threat.

"I think that's enough everyone," spoke Albus authoritatively, and bringing an end to the stand off, "let's all go and find us an intruder?"

"I think it's Wormtail …because whoever it is made it through my animagus door …but is now stuck, and his rat ass is mine," I practically growled, still upset over Snape's actions, but now much more focused on the real situation of capturing my parents' and Sirius' betrayer so justice could finally be served.

The five of us quickly made it out to the grounds, with Professor McGonagall asking all about the wards I set up as Daphne and I answered her questions as we followed Albus and Severus towards the Whomping Willow. I was so busy explaining the animagus door concept to her that I didn't see Snape try countless times to dismantle the simple ward I put up at the base of the old tree to prevent all students from getting caught in the tunnel. It wasn't until a giggling Daphne pointed to a muttering and frazzled red faced Potion Master having no success on one of my easier wards that I ended the discussion with my Head of House to laugh at the greasy git's pathetic attempts at taking it down or overpowering it …as if he could.

"Do you need any help Professor?" I asked with a smug smirk and cheeky voice that I know pissed him off even more than he already was.

"Piss off Potter," growled the irritable and frustrated Head of Slytherin.

"Severus," scolded Albus tiredly, "perhaps we should let Harry lead the way …it's already getting quite late."

"Plus, you'd never figure out how to get through that," I added in a mocking tone further pissing off Snape as Albus in turn chastised me.

So, I quite trying to goad and upset Snape, and instead drew several runes at strategic places on the tree causing the ward to come down and the tunnel to open. I didn't waste any time and methodically began taking down the next set of wards of which our intruder was stuck on the other side in their animal form since the animagus ward door locked them into that form. Hopefully it was the rat Wormtail and not something larger because the chamber they are imprisoned in only had enough knock out gas in it for small to medium sized animals, since I couldn't afford for the traitorous rat to die before I get the opportunity to exonerate Sirius, After the last rune was drawn, I had to put three drops of my blood only onto a small ward stone allowing the small animal prison to be opened only from our side.

"Yes," I cheered when the wall separating the prisoner from us vanished, "you'll finally get what's coming to you Wormtail."

I stunned the already unconscious rat just for good measure, and transfigured a small stone into a metal cage that I then made unbreakable along with an anti-animagi transformation charm on it to ensure the rat wasn't getting away this time. Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall both looked on at my spell work with pride and appreciation, while Snape continued to glare and scoff although it wasn't nearly as acerbic as usual. Daphne gave me a truly brilliant smile and kiss knowing how happy I was to have finally caught the elusive traitor before taking the caged prisoner while I quickly re-setup the two separate wards I had to take down to ensure others couldn't through here either friend or foe.

Albus promised to take control of Peter, and would bring him to the DMLE offices tomorrow to be taken into custody and tried by the Wizengamot as soon as possible. With Madam Bones now the Minister, and Kingsley in charge of the DMLE and aurors, he assured me that everything would be taken care of properly and that Sirius' name would be cleared. We were also curious what Peter was doing here, either scouting for an upcoming attack or simply spying on things or people at Hogwarts, but Albus was determined to find out those answers shortly.

We finally got the answer Tuesday night after dinner when the Headmaster returned from a long day at the Ministry and had e meet him in his office. He explained about the Wizengamot session today and the testimony of Peter Pettigrew under the influence of veritaserum. They confirmed his role as my parents' secret keeper and betrayer, as well as his role in setting up Sirius to take the fall including the murder of the twelve muggles he was sent to Azkaban over. He was also convicted of Cedric Diggory's death and countless others including acting as scout and spy on almost every Death Eater attack of the past two years.

"What was he doing at Hogwarts …scouting?" I asked after hearing about all of his other crimes and wondering what Albus discovered.

"Yes …apparently Tom plans to attack the school itself," responded Albus with a sad and worried shake of his head. "He didn't know the exact date and details, but he did reveal a great deal of Tom's supporters and attacking forces."

"So, how many Death Eaters does he have left?" I asked out of curiosity, knowing that we've eliminated many of them but not all.

"He's recently recruited about two dozen more mostly from Eastern Europe giving him about fifty total," answered Albus, "but the real problem is the almost two dozen werewolves under Greyback, about ten giants, a few wraiths and trolls, and even a dozen Dwarves."

"Werewolves and Giants huh?" I asked in concern as my mind whirled about the possible ways to defeat the most difficult of the creatures that would be attacking us.

"On a positive note however, Minister Bones has authorized several auror squadrons to patrol Hogsmeade and one to be stationed here at the school," replied Albus hopefully, "they should be arriving tomorrow and will be here until the end of the school year."

"Do you think Tom will keep with his original plan once he realizes that Wormtail has been captured?" I asked thoughtfully.

"According to Peter, Tom is starting to get very worried about you Harry," started Albus sincerely, "I think he wants to come after you before you get any stronger."

"Yeah …I kind of figured that," I answered regretfully and still in deep thought about what would happen, "but still …an all out attack on Hogwarts isn't really his style."

"No, it isn't," responded Albus, "but I think he is starting to get desperate, both to kill you and to make a large strike against the Wizarding World."

"He's going to have a real hard time trying to kill me," I spoke with strong conviction now that I had so much to live for and knew I wouldn't go down without a serious fight.

"I don't doubt that Harry," smiled Albus proudly, "but we will need to deal with his army as well."

"I'll talk to the Weasley twins about ideas for taking out the werewolves …we'll just need to keep Remus away from that part of the battle," I supplied thoughtfully, "…and maybe my dragon form could deal with some of the giants?"

"Perhaps …but you'll need to be careful Harry," replied Albus somewhat fearfully, "you are our only hope for dealing with Tom for good."

"I know Albus," I sighed in acceptance before giving him a small smile and nod of my head as I stood to leave the office and return to Daphne's and my training in the Room of Requirements. "I'll be careful, and I'll see you tomorrow."

It was late when I finally arrived for training, and instead of joining in, I sat off to the side to watch my beautiful and powerful Daphne dismantle several training dummies with relative ease. I could hardly remember a time that she looked so hot as she was sweating and casting all kinds of magic, and it turned me on to no end. When she saw me sitting there staring at her with lust filled eyes she let out a small laugh and blushed a bit. She then dispelled the rest of the many training dummies, cast a drying spell on herself, and proceeded to drag me happily back to my suite where I got to see even more of her sexy body for several hours until we both settled for some well earned and needed sleep.

The Daily Prophet the next morning, Wednesday the 28th of May announced the capture, trial, and sentencing of Peter Pettigrew. The house elves reported everything accurately and efficiently about Peter's life, crimes, and subsequent death through the Veil leaving no stone unturned. They exonerated Sirius with a large glowing article about his life and unfortunate death fighting against the forces of Voldemort, and reported the Ministries rewarding of several hundred thousand galleons to his estate in reparations for his false imprisonment without a trial …namely 500,000 galleons, a quarter of which was donated to the Auror Department where he used to work while the rest started a magical orphanage for the most innocent victims of this war.

Several people came up to me and asked about my now deceased godfather since I was named repeatedly in the article as his heir and beneficiary, and the one responsible for the sizable donations. Both Neville and Terry Boot wanted to help in funding the orphanage, and several others were just as interested in the idea, or wanted to know more about the falsely accused and misguided Sirius Black. Many were surprised to learn about my meeting and rescuing of Sirius from the Dementors that patrolled Hogwarts during third year as well as me staying in touch with him right up to his death last June. Included in that article was also a short introduction to the Marauders, making Remus also a popular topic of conversation and questions about his best friends and yours truly.

The interest in Sirius Black didn't let up through the week and into the weekend, helped along by another Daily Prophet article on Friday with interviews and stories from fellow classmates and teachers about the pranking playboy. It truly was a great way to remember and memorialize him, and several of the stories were very good for my soul and filled with laughter and joy. Everyone's spirits in the castle were quite high with the exception of Professor Snape who scowled and yelled at just about everyone within his sight, despite the end of term exams only a week away and many of the NEWT and OWL tests this coming week.

The Ancient Runes NEWT exam wasn't until Saturday the 7th of June since the week was reserved for the core classes as they were often called, and then the following week would be the regular end of term tests in my other subjects. Thankfully I was not too worried about any of my tests, and instead spent most of my free time training for the inevitable fight coming up with Voldemort. Daphne and I still trained at night in the Room of Requirements followed by our nightly cardiovascular exercises, and had been waking up earlier in the morning to perform the runic seals of love and protection on each other and give time for the golden auras to recede before joining the rest of the school for breakfast.

Following that schedule, the first week of June passed by quickly and without much difference from the previous one except for the hectic and frazzled fifth and seventh years taking their OWL's and NEWT's. Few students even paid attention to the group of ten aurors that mostly just patrolled the grounds of the school since they rarely entered the castle except to talk with the Headmaster or eat in the kitchens. On Friday before my first exam, Albus and I met for our usual lesson, but didn't have the all out duels we were growing accustomed to since it would leave us too weak to defend our beloved Hogwarts from Voldemort's attack. Since we weren't sure when the attack would happen, we had to stay sharp but also fresh and rested wanting to be at our absolute best when the day inevitably came.

That night Daphne and I studied for a bit for the Ancient Runes NEWT written exam before getting into bed early hoping for a restful sleep despite the small bit of lovemaking and the early wake up for the runes of love and protection. When it finally came time for the exam, I blew right through it not having too much difficulty deciphering the different Egyptian based runes or even the few Sumerian and Mesopotamian ones they put in to throw us off, and was among the first finished with Daphne only minutes behind me. We spent the late afternoon going over our answers while the other seventh years took the practical portion of their NEWT, which we already completed with the making of the runic animagi bracelets before it was eventually time for dinner.

We spent a good portion of Sunday preparing for our regular sixth year exams of which we were both quite confident and ready for. The night was spent relaxing and cuddling since Daphne was starting her period and I wasn't really a fan of riding the crimson wave, but enjoyed having her next to me while we slept nonetheless. It was sure to be a long and exhausting week of exams and worries over Voldemort's attack, and was probably better to have the few days off from all the strenuous cardiovascular exercise …not that I didn't miss it terribly.

"So …when do you think Voldemort's coming?" asked Daphne as we laid next to each other in bed enjoying the closeness and warmth each other provided.

"Probably in a few days …Friday the 13th most likely," I answered slowly and sleepily, having thought a great deal about it over the last week, and knowing my luck or sometimes lack there of as well as Tom's superstitious nature …that seemed the most likely.

"Dobby is still planning to lead the house elves as field medics?" she asked after yawning noticeably.

"They are going to be a big help getting the injured to safety and looking out for all of us," I responded equally tired and with a yawn of my own as I felt sleep encroaching quickly.

"Have the twins finished the silver cloud grenades?" she continued a few minutes later after letting the possible date and information sink in and having to agree it was the most likely.

"Yeah …I got the first three this morning to show Albus, and should be getting more every day," I answered happily, knowing the twin pranksters really came through for us if we wanted to have any chance at stopping two dozen werewolves under Fenrir Greyback's command.

"Thank Merlin they figured those out," she sighed tiredly as she burrowed up to me further and was soon asleep, with me joining just a few minutes later still worrying about what was to come.

AN: Preparations have finally begun for the end of year battle …and hopefully the end! Three chapters left, you better slow down before the story is all done!

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