The week leading up to the supposed date of Voldemort's ambush Harry had an increase in visions pushed into him by the dark lord. Desiree even noticed he wasn't sleeping as soundly as he used to be. After the first night of him waking up in a cold sweat with a look of pure fear Desiree had a plan.
After a particularly rough night of sleep two days after her rebirth as a human Desiree waited in bed. She just laid in bed with Harry until everyone from their dorm had gone to breakfast. Most girls gave him winks and sexy jealous looks on their way out. They all knew what was going to happen when they left and that Desiree wanted privacy.
Once the coast was clear and everyone had gone to breakfast Desiree made Harry sit cross legged in the center of the room. With her doing the same a few inches away. Now the two lovers were just sitting on the floor waiting for the next step.
Desiree took the next step by saying, "When I was in your mind I locked Voldemort's dark piece in you, away. I know you will meet him soon, but to stop him from ruining your sleep you have to learn how to protect your mind. Since I have spent the last year inside there I think I can help you with that. As of right now he can't look at your memories but he can push his visions without fail."
It was true Desiree had gone over every inch of his memories and part of the reason she fell in love with him. He was a perfect master despite his torturous upbringing that would have turned most into a monster. Instead it just kept him sweet and searching for the love he deserved. But those same memories could be exploited to hurt him.
Harry closed his eyes, "Okay what do I do now?"
"Do you feel that dark presence in your mind?" Desiree asked. Harry nodded because he had always felt that feeling growing up. Sometimes it even told him to hurt people. Desiree started again, "When I was in your mind I set it up so everything was a little more organized. So now I want you to try and trap the asshole in your childhood memories. You have to create a loop by showing him the worst of your memories. If you can confine him there then it will be harder for Voldemort to bombard you with visions. He would need to spend a lot of energy to break free of that which might work in our favor later. But don't worry even if he breaks out of that your other memories should be protected. He is just trying to chip away at your sanity."
Desiree made it sound so easy and Harry did his best to try and push the dark presence to his childhood. His mind was no longer a jumble of memories and darkness. Desiree had made sections filled with memories all of a certain kind. So his bad childhood was in one and that was the one where he used all of his will power to push the dark presence to push him to live inside his nightmares.
Once that was done Harry left the mental room and locked it behind him before taking another look around the sex memory sections she made him which was different from the magical knowledge or school memory rooms. Inside the sex room it had almost marble statues of all the women he has had sex with. Walking down the line he saw Desiree herself in a variety of forms but there was also Rita, Madam Rosmerta, Apolline, Fleur, Daphne, Hermione the list just went on and on. Every statue was beautiful and he was stuck with a great idea for his future house. He wanted a garden filled with statues of all the beautiful women he had shagged over the last year or so.
Desiree could still see Harry was in deep thought. It shouldn't be taking this long. Bringing a hand to his face she loudly snapped her fingers making his eyes shoot open. "Hello Harry you there?"
Harry smacked Desiree's hand out of his face playfully and said, "I was checking out the sex memory room. You gave me a few ideas on how I want to decorate my future house."
Desiree didn't know what that exactly meant, "You mean the artwork on the walls?"
Harry shook his head, "No I liked the statues. I plan to make all of them and put them somewhere on my future property." Harry would have loved a garden area that he could just walk through and see all of his conquests laid out in their most beautiful state.
Desiree didn't mind the idea as long as hers was the focal point of all this. "Sounds wonderful mas-" Desiree cut herself off from saying master. She was still having trouble half the time. While she tried to stop it just slipped off the tongue so easily.
Harry heard the slip, "When we are alone you can call me master if you would like Desiree." Harry loved Desiree and if she wanted to still call him master he didn't mind.
Desiree nodded, "Thank you Harry. I will try to get better and only use it when we are in bed together. Because that's when I really like it." Desiree was then thinking of all the times she used it. "I love it when I use it as you take what you want from me in whatever way you choose."
Harry growled at that because he could think of a few things to do right now. "What would you say if I wanted another blowjob before we went down for breakfast?" He was never opposed to a blowjob.
Desiree smiled and leaned forward to push Harry on his back on the floor before getting to work on his trousers. Even though she had already done this when he woke up she would never turn down another chance to suck his wonderful cock. "Cum quick master because I know I am really hungry for more than just cum this morning." Damn her new human body because she needed more food for actual energy.
Harry nodded and as soon as Desiree's mouth was close enough to his rigidly strong cock he grabbed her hair and pushed her down on it. Even in her new human form she was able to deepthroat just the same. Pushing her head all the way down he watched as her lips touched the base of his massive cock. "That's a good cocksucker. Fuck you are so good at that."
Desiree loved being complimented in the most vulgar sexual terms. She didn't mind being called anything in bed because that's where she excelled. Pulling back her head she sucked the tip of his pulsing cock tasting the slightly salty sweaty taste before pushing her head back down all over again. Once she reached the base she started to hum. The vibrations tickled the tip of his cock as he pummeled the back of her throat. The taste of cock was one she could always get behind at least in the modern era. Back in her day personal hygiene was atrocious and would almost make you throw up. Now with a light taste of sweat and the clean taste of bare cock and balls was a pleasure.
Harry was bringing his hips off the floor as he kept using Desiree's hair as a handle to keep fucking her mouth as he tried to cum as soon as possible. "I can start to feel it. Can you feel it?"
Desiree nodded as she looked up into her master's green eyes. She knew all of the signs and could feel his balls tighten and his cock twitch. This was just the start and it was still going to be a while. Bringing up her hand she lightly massaged his balls while she surrendered to his hands. The same hands that was fucking her face.
Harry didn't know how she still had this talent after the ritual to bring her back but this must have just been a natural talent. While she was now a human he had to be careful not to black her out with his cock. They had worked out a system where if she pushed against his thighs or tapped his legs then she needed to breathe.
Desiree didn't mind her mouth being used as her master's personal pleasure hole. While the other girls gave Harry blowjobs she liked it when he or she would use her mouth as a quick pleasure tool. She could count on one hand the amount of times she gave him a loving and almost normal blowjob. At least not one where she didn't deepthroat all ten inches. Everything else was a face fucking that was sure to make every other girl feel inferior.
Harry had finally reached his limit and gripped Desiree's dark black hair with everything he had as he pumped his load down her throat to the feeling of her moans around his cock. "Fuck Desiree that felt so good." He really could have spent all day doing this. Even with two amazing blowjobs he wanted to go again.
Desiree let the first few bursts slide down her throat before she slapped his thighs to let her up. Once his grip loosened she took the chance to get a few sweet ropes in her mouth. She sucked every drop of sweet spunk from his balls which would hopefully keep him focused for the rest of the day. Two blowjobs before breakfast was a rare treat.
Once the two lovebirds were done they resumed their journey to breakfast, all cleaned up and focused on the rest of the day. It was a good thing because today was going to be the first day Tonks wanted to see everyone to start planning for the ambush. Some had yet to find out what the meeting was about but Neville already knew.
When talking to Neville, Harry had stressed how important it was that he was ready. Neville had a new look of determination and spent all of his free time in the Room of Requirement practicing. He would spend multiple hours blasting dummies and coming up with the most dangerous spell combinations. He was sure Neville was even practicing the killing curse. Harry was actually a little worried for Bellatrix because Neville was a new person. This year has changed him and not just his confidence. He has seen the injustice of Umbridge torturing students and what the Ministry is capable of up close. He didn't plan to let Bellatrix Lestrange to live another day so she could just be sent to Azkaban then broke out later.
Harry understood his rage because he felt the same thing for Voldemort. He was still refining his plan but in the atrium he would be backed up by Dumbledore and Amelia. Harry also realized that they might have to keep him alive until he reveals all the locations to his soul anchors. That meant they had to incapacitate him. Harry already had a few scenarios for that and one plan was cutting off his hands and feet so he couldn't run or pick up a wand again. That was the first plan and the second was torturing him in the center of the Ministry until he told him where all of his anchors were before throwing him through the veil. 'Three years ago I wouldn't believe how ruthless I have become but at the same time younger me couldn't believe how much one man changed the world for the worse.'
Tonks's Classroom
After classes a group of F.C students had walked into the Defense classroom for a special meeting. It was the twins, Neville, Hermione and Daphne along with Harry and Desiree. Amelia had put an end to the thought of Susan joining them so Harry had put forth Daphne and after making her swear an oath she was ready to join them. Besides Harry, Desiree and Neville no one knew what this was about. The twins were the first ones to break the silence, "Oh my dear brother, what do you think this meeting is about?"
The other twin laughed, "We might be in trouble for our last dung bombing of the dungeons. Smoked those snakes out for a few good hours." It was always safe to say the twins did something to deserve a talking to from a professor.
Tonks was in no mood for games and needed everyone to be serious. In fact she spent the last few days with Amelia crafting floor plans to show the students where and how to move through the Ministry. Some of this was classified information but this was a dire situation to break that confidentiality. "George, Fred shut up. This is deadly serious and I need you all to be focused and take this seriously. Your lives are possibly on the line here."
That shut the twins up as they looked around to see Neville standing tall with Harry looking deathly serious as well. "So what are we doing here?" The twins were always ready for a good fight.
Harry cut Tonks off before she was about to explain. "Something has come up and I need your help. I won't lie and say it's not dangerous because it is but I promise that if the plan goes well we can end the war by the end of the week."
Hermione knew Harry and Desiree were keeping something from her again but she had learned to give them a little more space. "You know where Voldemort is?" Hermione figured out.
Tonks cut in over Harry, "No, we know where he is going to be." With that said Tonks broke out the floor plans and schematics of the Ministry. "Harry has a spy that has let us know Voldemort's plan and if we properly act on it we can stop Voldemort here and now."
Daphne was dying to flex her newfound dueling skills. She was also ready to fight these assholes who wanted to kill her best friend for something she had no control over. The dungeons have gotten really nasty towards half bloods like Tracey this year. You shouldn't be hunted and killed for something you have no control over. "So what do you need from us?" Daphne asked seriously.
Tonks had a map spread over her desk and as students crowded around it she pointed at an entrance. "Okay here is the plan. Once Harry gets the vision he will alert me and I will run to put our own ambush in place while you guys hop on brooms and fly to London. It is a long ride but it will give us time to get in place. Now, there is a secret phone box entrance to the Ministry here." Tonks pointed to a real map of London with an X where the phone box was.
Harry nodded, "Okay sounds simple so far. What are we looking for when we get inside?" So far it sounded easy and he hoped it stayed that way.
Tonks continued, "No one should be working or anybody, since the death eaters would have mopped them up. The Auror's will be there but in a different area and we will not be making a move until Voldemort makes his." She tried to impart them with the knowledge and danger that they would be on their own for a while.
No one loudly gulped or gasped at the fact they would be on their own. Tonks then continued, "From the atrium you take this elevator to the third floor. From there you walk down this hallway until you find the Room of Prophecy. Inside are going to be giant rows and rows of crystal balls with prophecies stored inside them. Yours should be easy to find. Thankfully it isn't on the top row or anything. Now once you have it the death eaters will start to surround you. You can bet Lucius and Bellatrix will be there and you would be a fool to underestimate them or the others."
Harry looked around and saw the wheels turning inside the twins' heads. No doubt they were going to have some radical new ideas on how to deal with them. "So if they are on all sides we need to go back to back with each other. Everyone has to lock onto one of the death eaters. We can't let them break our line or formation."
Tonks was happy to see Harry had the right idea about not being separated. "Yes Harry is right. You have to stay together and put on a really good fight and do whatever it takes. I have talked with Amelia about it and if you kill any death eaters there will be no charges and probably a medal in your future." Tonks and the order were probably going to get a medal themselves if this plan worked.
Neville was clenching his fists so hard thinking about killing Bellatrix Lestrange himself. He had been spending every free moment training for this. All of his lethal spells were quick and almost non verbal for some. While Bellatrix had a reputation for being the best dueller in Voldemort's inner circle, Neville had wanted this badly. He had wanted it since he was first told the story after visiting his mother and father in the hospital when he was five. "So what then?" Neville knew that couldn't be it.
Tonks dragged her finger down the room to another door, "This door leads to the Death Chamber which is a very dangerous room. It is the best stage for an ambush and has plenty of open space but also has boulders for cover. Once inside under no circumstances should you approach the large arch in the middle of the room. If you get pushed through it you will die. So stay away but this is where the Order of the Phoenix will join you. Moody, Sirius, Remus, Fleur and I will be joining you to help clean up the remaining death eaters. By then we should have the numbers." From the early estimates Voldemort wouldn't risk bringing too many death eaters with him. They thought they were going against children so they wouldn't need more than a few people. Voldemort's over confidence would be his downfall.
"Then Harry will run to the atrium where Voldemort will be waiting. It is at that point the Aurors will lock everything down. He will be trapped like a rat with Harry and Dumbledore. Everything from there will be anyone's guess. Anyway, any questions?" Tonks finished the plan and hoped everyone got it the first time.
Hermione's brain was working a mile a minute and couldn't find any flaws with the plan at least right away. "So we are the bait." While Hermione understood she didn't like being the bait.
Harry nodded, "We are but we aren't defenseless. Thanks to our training I think we have a real chance. Now Tonks is going to help us for the rest of the week and help us run drills. She knows how they fight and what they fight like. If we follow her guidance and stay safe this is our chance to end the war. Everyone in?"
Daphne felt that she was pure nerves because she never imagined she was going to be fighting on the front lines. Harry had picked her personally and knew she had this in her. She was always a top member of the F.C so it was to be expected but this was different. She has never been in a fight like this to the death. She had to take all this new training seriously so she didn't slow the team down.
The twins had a few ideas to get the upper hand in the closed tight spaces of the prophecy room. "How angry would the Ministry be if we break a few other prophecies?" Fred asked.
Tonks knew they weren't joking. "If Voldemort is dead or captured we can just blame any damage on the death eaters. As long as none of them live." Tonks had talked to Mad Eye Moody and Sirius and they all agreed no death eater was going to leave the Ministry alive. Fleur was also involved in that conversation and agreed. She wanted this war over just as much as Harry did.
There were also a few fireworks when Tonks met Fleur at Grimmauld because Fleur could smell Harry on her. That then invited Fleur to get too close for comfort and imply they were all going to end up in bed together when this was all over. It actually scared Tonks a little because Fleur was an intimidating witch. Her allure also worried Tonks thinking about sharing a bed with a pure sexual creature like her. Desiree was hard enough but a Veela was another story.
Once everyone in the room had the plan Tonks pushed the desks out of the way and planned to really test everyone. No more holding back. She would be throwing spells no teacher should throw at a student. There could be no mistakes and everyone had to play their part. Tonks didn't want herself or Harry to live with the death of one of his friends.
Over the next three hours Tonks had tested each F.C member tirelessly until by the end even she was exhausted and everyone was sporting a few scratches and knicks. Some from dodging or throwing themselves out of the way.
The first lesson was all about defense and the next one was going to be all offense but that one was going to be in the Room of Requirement.
At the end of the lesson everyone walked out sore and tender from the lesson. Knowing they had to do it all again tomorrow they went to the Hospital Wing for some potions to make themselves feel better.
Next Day
After classes Tonks met everyone in the Room of Requirement and they practiced all their offensive magic. Tonks pointed out a few minor things they were doing wrong like their spell chains weren't tight enough or to switch up their attack to break shields. All and all she was very happy with their progress so far. Harry had been an excellent teacher and did most of the workload for her. Now it was refining their impressive skills.
She also didn't expect the level of viciousness coming from Neville who was clearly focused on Bellatrix. Tonks could see from the look in his eyes that she was his prize and he didn't care what he had to do to get it. Tonks was even a little worried because he hesitated a few times and she knew that he was ready to cast the killing curse. At that point she stopped and tried to calm him down. "Neville Neville calm down. It's just a sparring session." Tonks still had her wand up just in case he was still lost in the fog of rage.
Neville dropped his wand and took a deep breath before answering. "Sorry Professor Tonks. I...I just got carried away. It won't happen again."
Tonks crossed the distance between her and Neville to put her hands on his shoulders, "It's okay. Just save it for Bellatrix. I know you want it. I know you want her to pay for what she did to your parents. You have to pay attention so she doesn't catch you while you are too angry to see what is coming next."
Neville nodded and promised to try and not be so rage blind. He only had a few days left and he needed to try and get in control so the nerves and rage didn't get in his way on the day.
For the others Tonks had no notes. The twins fought together seamlessly and we're a force to be reckoned with and Hermione with Desiree were also a very good combo. Daphne was smart and had enough grace to dodge while also countering with a dangerous spell.
Harry though was already like a trained Auror. His fighting was perfect and he had a new repertoire of spells that were sure to catch people off guard. There was also the added bonus that everyone knew the killing curse just in case.
Friday
The end of the term was wrapping up and Friday was the final testing day and it was also the time Narcissa said Voldemort was going to try to invade his mind. He just hoped he was able to finish his tests. He needed the O.W.L.S if he wanted to possibly leave school. Something he was thinking about more and more about lately.
There were no classes today with each year group taking their tests in their allotted time. For the fifth year students they were in the afternoon testing block. Every spare moment was spent on last minute studying by even Desiree who was trying to cram some more knowledge inside her brain to make up for all the time she skipped by jumping into bed instead.
Hermione was more than happy to help Desiree and Harry to get ready for the test. It was a little bit of a blessing in disguise because it took their minds off of tonight which was going to be a life changing event all on its own.
Walking into the Great Hall all the students sat down in front of a ministry official who was going to invigilate the exam. All the students sat down in their assigned seats and when the time started everyone turned over their tests to start writing their answers.
Courtyard Two Hours Later
All the students rushed out of the Great Hall joyus the tests were over and to see the Weasley twins had lit up the sky with a giant dragon firework. A split second later he fell back as he felt the dark presence in his mind break out and start pushing images into his head of Sirius being tortured in the Hall of Prophecy.
Desiree was standing next to Harry and noticed him drop to the ground. In a flash she was at his side, "It's happening?"
Harry nodded with a pained look on his face, "Get the others it's time." As he said this he wobbly made it to his feet as Hermione helped him to the dorm. Desiree quickly rounded up the others and told everyone to get dressed in the battle robes he had bought them for Christmas. Everyone was soon studded out in dragonhide vests. That would stop some of the lighter spells but not an unforgivable or some of the darker spells.
By the time everyone was dressed and ready to go they had also retrieved all of their brooms. Desiree had no choice but to ride with Harry since she had never been on a broom alone before. It was something he should have taught her if he had more time. Hermione rode with Neville and Daphne rode by herself like the twins.
Desiree had also alerted Tonks who floo'd the Order and told them to get ready and get into position. The only thing she had to do now was tell Dumbledore who they kept in the dark up and till now.
Dumbledore's Office
Tonks watched from the window as Harry and the others took off before she walked to the Headmaster's office. Saying the candy password to the gargoyle she walked inside to see Dumbledore looking out the window. "Dumbledore, I have something I need to tell you." Tonks sounded quiet because this was a big secret she had been keeping.
Dumbledore watched the students on brooms go past the wards and felt them leave. "I take it has something to do with Harry and his friends leaving somewhere." He said as he turned around to look directly at Tonks. To say he was disappointed was an understatement. He understood why Harry didn't trust him and was keeping him at arm's length.
Tonks nodded, "I'm sorry for keeping you in the dark but we have a plan to take down Voldemort."
Dumbledore was shocked it was something so drastic. He half expected it to be something childish, not a group of six students going to fight Voldemort. "Nymphadora Tonks shame on you for not coming to me with this sooner."
Tonks hair turned red at the mention of her full name. "Listen here, Dumbledore. Harry thinks you are hiding stuff from him and I don't blame him. He wasn't working alone when he came up with this plan. He has the backing of the Order and Amelia Bones. We can't let Voldemort get a foothold like he did in the last war. We can't afford to be weak any longer. Harry is the chosen one and it's his choice on how he wants to fight his battles."
That made Dumbledore's eyebrows shoot up, "What is this plan?" He wanted to argue more about not being included but knew when he was beaten. Things were already put into motion and there were plans bigger than him. While he thought Voldemort needed to live until they take care of his soul anchors, maybe if they take him off the board they would have more time to find and destroy them. Dumbledore already had a pretty good idea where some were hidden.
Tonks took a deep breath and explained the plan and by the end she could see Dumbledore was a little huffy and puffy. "It's a good plan and we would have Voldemort trapped. All we need is you, Harry and anyone else to keep him trapped in the atrium." Tonks had left out the part where they would be executing all the remaining death eaters.
Dumbledore walked around his desk and paced. He wanted to hate this plan but it was very well thought out. He could see the hallmarks of Harry's new found ruthlessness along with Amelia's confidence as the head of the D.M.L.E. "So we keep him alive until we find these soul pieces? Or does Harry want to kill him?"
Tonks nodded, "Yes and we can make him tell us where they are. Harry knows they exist and that we need to rid the world of them before we kill him. Once they are destroyed we can throw him through the veil. There is zero chance of him escaping this time. But if Harry needs to he won't hesitate ending him if it saves lives and he hopes you feel the same way." Tonks hated being the one to break the news to Dumbledore.
Dumbledore hated he wasn't consulted with this plan but sighed and pulled the elder wand from his robes. The power he was able to pull from it was waning year by year so this might very well be the last chance he has to help beat Voldemort. Dumbledore didn't know if Harry was fully ready but together maybe they stood a chance. "What do I do?" Dumbledore resigned to just go along with the plan.
Tonks sighed in relief that he was going to help, "Floo to Amelia Bones's office at the Ministry the order will meet you there but you will stay with Amelia to help lock down the atrium when the time comes."
Dumbledore just nodded and walked to the floo with Tonks. Together they soon found themselves in Amelia's office with the order and a few handpicked Auror's. He just hoped Harry knew what he was doing and it didn't cost him any of his friends' lives.
London Skies
The group of students were speeding through the skies all in a chevron formation with Harry leading the way. Most of them were thanking their lucky stars winter was over because the summer air was chilly enough and making it hard to speed through the air. Looking over at Daphne he saw that she brought a scarf to cover her face not just from the cold but also hide her identity during the fight. She was a pureblood afterall and if she was helping Harry then she was going to be at the top of the kill list if this went wrong. She doesn't want anyone else in her family hurt at the same time she had to do the right thing.
Desiree was glad she wasn't controlling the broom and instead could just hold onto Harry and enjoy his warm strong body against hers. If this wasn't such a serious moment she would have even reached her hand lower to grab his other broomstick. If she was in Harry's head still she imagined he would chastise her for thinking about sex at a time like this. 'Come on Desiree get your head on straight. We could die tonight. We have to be ready for the worst.' She kept forgetting she was fully human again and she needed to be extra careful.
That was a similar thought going through everyone's heads as everyone was mentally going through their own plans. The twins were tasked with using their inventions to cut off the sides so they couldn't be surrounded. They also had the tough job of making sure the enemy was down for good. Harry wanted there to be no chances any of the enemy was going to get back up by any means necessary.
Hermione never expected her year to end like this but nothing surprised her anymore. Thanks to Harry he had created a plan that had a good chance of success. He had grown so much in the last year it was hard to believe it was the same Harry. Most of that growth had to be because of Desiree guiding him. She knew where her own weaknesses were and it was in all the areas where Desiree excelled. Hermione would have never thought of taking the fight to Voldemort. She wanted to let the authorities and the order handle it but if Harry didn't take charge that could take years and cost who knows how many deaths. Seeing the Ministry's true colors this year she no longer trusted the government to do what was right.
Neville was flying next to Harry and he couldn't thank Harry enough for the opportunity. He would do anything for a chance against Bellatrix Lestrange. She was the reason his mum and dad weren't there raising him. Everyday of visiting the hospital and seeing them in bed with no chance of waking up, his need for revenge glowed brighter. With Harry teaching them how to properly fight this year and all the lethal spells possible he would have zero hesitation using it all on Bellatrix.
The flight from Scotland to London was over an hour but when they finally arrived the streets were quiet. There was a calmness seeing as it was close to ten at night. Everyone shrunk down their brooms and put them in their pockets before huddling in the phone box. It was a tight fit for everyone to squeeze in but they managed it before the phone box started to lower into the ground.
The elevator ride was less than a minute before it opened and they were standing at the entrance to the Ministry. Everyone gasped at the beauty of the dark tile and classy atmosphere. Harry knew this is where the final battle was going to take place so he turned to the others, "Okay heads up and be ready for anything we are here to save Sirius." Harry said the last part in case anyone was listening. He couldn't afford to let them know about their secret plan.
Getting into another elevator they rode it to an upper floor to get to the Department of Mystery, Hall of Prophecy. Everyone had their wands drawn and a possible spell on their lips in case someone was waiting. Harry was confident they were going to wait until he grabbed the prophecy first before they made themselves known.
Opening the door to the Hall of Prophecy it was much larger than he was expecting. They also had to cast a Lumos so they could see because the room was nearly pitch black with the only light coming from the dim crystal balls. There were walls of shelves as high and deep as the eye could see. "Shit how does anyone find anything in here?"
Hermione spoke up, "Alphabetically." She answered smartly.
Harry rolled his eyes, "Okay everyone look for H or P and keep an eye out for Sirius." While Harry knew a spell to find hidden people he would have to wait to spring the trap.
Everyone in the group stayed on the main path but everyone was looking at the swirling crystal balls with the labels attached. Everyone rattled off names as they kept going until they found it.
"Pearson. We are getting close." George said.
Harry just groaned, "I hope it's not on the top shelf." Tonks said it wasn't but he didn't know for sure with his luck he didn't doubt it.
In a few more minutes of narrowing down the search Harry had found his prophecy. It was smaller than some of the other balls. Picking it up off the shelf he heard a voice say.
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…."
Once it was done they heard footsteps and everyone turned their attention to a masked death eater walking towards them. Gripping the smaller crystal ball in his hand Harry moved to the front of the group with his wand pointed at the masked individual. "Where is Sirius?" Harry asked.
"You know, you really should learn to tell the difference between dreams-" The man then pulled his wand from a familiar cane before flicking away his mask revealing he was in fact Lucius Malfoy, "-and reality. You saw what the Dark Lord wanted you to see. Now hand me the prophecy."
"That's cute." Harry said mockingly, referring to Lucius pulling his wand from his cane. Harry couldn't wait to wipe that confident evil smirk off Malfoy's face thinking he had the upper hand here. "Oh this prophecy, you want this." Harry held up the ball ready to drop it. "If Voldemort was so powerful why didn't he come down to get it. Is he too lazy to pick something off a shelf?"
Lucius took a threatening step forward only to make Harry motion like he was about to drop it. "Take another step and I'll drop it."
That was when a psychotic laugh filled the room and made everyone's hair stand up on the back of their neck. The newly revealed Bellatrix Lestrange walked forward out of the shadows. "He knows how to play. Itty, bitty baby. Potter." Bellatrix taunted, in a high pitched baby voice that was infuriating to say the least.
Neville saw the evil form of the woman who robbed him of his childhood and stepped forward, "Bellatrix Lestrange." His voice wasn't even shaky and the others could tell it was filled with contempt.
"Neville Longbottom, is it? How's mum and dad?" Bellatrix taunted hoping to anger the boy. Clearly showing no remorse for torturing his parents into insanity.
Neville shot back, "Better, now they are going to be avenged." Harry knew Neville was itching for this fight and had been since he started the F.C. Putting his hand up he tried to hold Neville back telling him not to kick it off so soon.
Lucius himself took a step forward between the two parties and put his hands up in a fake peaceful manner. "Now let's everybody just calm down. Shall we? All we want is that prophecy." Lucius said as he pointed to the glowing prophecy.
Harry still wanted to keep the banter going knowing they were slowly being surrounded. He was trying to lure all the death eaters out of their corners so they knew who they were fighting. "Why did Voldemort need me to come and get this?"
Bellatrix gasped, "You dare speak his name." She then raised her voice as she screamed, "You filthy half-blood!"
Lucius once again tried to be the politician, "It's all right. He's just a curious lad, aren't you? Prophecies can only be retrieved by those about whom they are made. Which is lucky for you really. Haven't you always wondered what was the reason for the connection between you and the dark lord?" As he spoke the other death eaters started to tighten the circle ready to strike. "Why was he unable to kill you when you were just an infant? Don't you want to know the secret behind your scar? All the answers are there, Potter, in your hand. All you have to do is give it to me. Then I can show you everything."
Everyone was now in position and out in the open. "I have waited fourteen years. I guess I can wait a little longer. Now!" With his command the twins threw their palmed portable swamps down the aisles on the left and right while Daphne and Desiree started throwing blood boiling spells on the people trying to box them in behind the group.
Harry had thrown a bone breaker at Lucius which he blocked while Neville didn't waste any time and sent a sickly green killing curse right at Bellatrix. She had to fly away in a dark plume of smoke to avoid the killing curse from a very angry Neville.
On the left and right there was one death eater out of two on either side stuck in the swamp and the twins followed it up with a deep severing charm. "Diffindo!" The twins shouted before two large gashes appeared on the chests and necks of the death eaters before they fell face first into the swamp to bleed out. The death eaters were trapped in the magically appearing muddy bog.
All the death eaters were now trying to regroup away from Harry and his friends as Harry and the others tried to move towards the door Tonks told them about. Everyone stayed in a group with their eyes down every aisle keeping their awareness at the maximum.
After a few seconds death eaters appeared back on either side of them and tried to shoot spells at them to incapacitate them. One particular death eater shot an unknown purple spell at Hermione that would have hit her if Desiree hadn't pushed her out of the way. The spell whizzed past the both of them before Desiree threw back a large stream of fire down the row of shelves no doubt nearly cooking the man in retaliation. The man had quickly flown away now with some severe burns and singed robes.
Harry and the others were a little jumpy, throwing spells on any shadow moving in their vision as they tried to lure the death eaters to their doom. The closer they inched towards the door to the real ambush the more confident they got in the plan.
Fred was tired of not being able to see where some of these spells were coming from so as everyone was fighting he pulled out a large dragon firework like the one they set off in celebration after the tests. Fred then set it off in the room. Bright light and loud bangs filled the room as the dragon started to form shooting right at the death eaters.
Harry didn't see what Fred did but then suddenly noticed the entire room lit up as a dragon went racing around the room. The force of the explosions of the fireworks had also started to knock over some of the crystal balls from their mounts on the shelves and before they knew it the entire Hall of Prophecy was falling apart. There was no escaping the damage they were doing to the room. "Run!" Harry said as everyone stopped moving slowly around the room and instead booked it to the nearest door which was the door to the Death Chamber.
The entire room went white from thousands upon thousands of crystal balls hitting the ground and shattering. Harry felt pity for whoever had to clean all this up.
When opening the door and walking through they didn't expect there to be no floor. Suddenly everyone was falling three stories until they were just a few inches off the ground. Once it was a harmless height they were then dropped the last few inches into the dirt floor. Harry promised to get Tonks back for not telling him about this. The sudden small couple inch drop didn't hurt them at all compared to what the three story drop from the door would have done. In reality they should all be dead.
Everyone soon scrambled to their feet and at the ready when the death eaters returned. Harry on the other hand was hearing voices coming from the archway in the center of the room. The voices somehow felt familiar and it took him out of his battle ready focus.
Hermione and Desiree both noticed Harry's lack of attention. Desiree tried to shake Harry out of it as Daphne also ran up the base of the veil. "What's wrong Harry?"
Before Harry could answer they were swarmed with dark clouds and a whirlwind of chaos. Harry knew this was the death eaters trying to confuse and scare them. After about a minute of Harry and his friends cowering on the ground it let up and Harry looked up to see some of his friends were being held at wand point. The only two that weren't were Daphne and Desiree who were still by his side. The death eaters were still down two people thanks to Fred and George.
Hermione was trying to struggle to reach her wan in her pocket but her captor had her wrist in his hand with his wand at her neck. Looking around the room he saw Neville was being held by Bellatrix and he wanted to make her pay. 'Come on Sirius where are you?' Bellatrix looked crazy enough to just kill Neville anyway, just for the fun of it.
Just as Harry, Daphne and Desiree were taking stock of the situation they heard laughing as Lucius Malfoy walked up the slope of the little rock hill leading to the archway. "Did you actually believe or were you actually naive enough to think that children stood a chance against us?" Lucius mocked.
Harry just let Lucius keep talking hoping it would be enough time for the order to get here. Lucius then continued, "I'll make this simple for you, Potter. Give me the prophecy now or watch your friends die." Lucius threatened bloodshed.
Harry cautiously looked around and knew there was no way around this in their current situation. With only three of them free with their wands they couldn't hope to free the others before the death eaters killed a few. Neville cut off his thinking by yelling, "Don't give it to them Harry." All before Bellatrix jammed her wand harder into his neck. Harry tried not to crack a smile at his friend being the most loyal and courageous friend he had. Even in the face of death Neville didn't care about himself all he cared about was that the death eaters and Voldemort lost.
With no choice Harry handed the prophecy in Lucius's outstretched hand. 'I hope I can finish this for you Narcissa.' Harry thought, hoping Lucius wouldn't try to slink away once the order arrived.
Just then the crystal ball became dark and cloudy as a bright light flashed behind Lucius. Suddenly Lucius looked confused as he heard footsteps coming up behind him. Quickly turning around he found Sirius Black. "Get away from my godson." Sirius said before he threw a punch and knocked Lucius to the ground.
Just as Sirius's fist connected bright lights started shooting around the room and soon the death eaters holding his friends were pushed back.
Neville felt Bellatrix let go of him before an order member could free him. As soon as he was free he grabbed his wand and turned to fire off some spells at her smoke cloud.
Desiree watched Lucius roll down the small stone hill before the prophecy flew out of his hand and shattered on the ground. It was then the light flying clouds revealed themselves to be Tonks, Remus, Moody and Fleur Delacour. Desiree was happy to see Fleur and she was pretty sure Harry was too.
Harry took this chance to tell Daphne and Desiree to help the others, "Go help Hermione, and the others Sirius and I have this." Desiree didn't like leaving her old master but didn't want to fight him at this stress filled moment. With just a nod Daphne and Desiree ran off wand in hand to help wrangle and eliminate the last of the death eaters.
After Harry's quick commands Sirius dragged Harry behind a rock for cover. "Stick with me." A glow of pride washed over Sirius. "You have done beautifully but let us take control." Sirius could tell much like Harry's father James he was the leader of his group. Even now the order needed control to take down the rest of these death eaters.
"Black!" Lucius said as he pulled his wand from his cane once again. He was able to get back to his feet and was now very angry he had failed his mission. With the prophecy shattered he was going to have to deal with the crucio that was no doubt his punishment for failure.
Sirius gave Harry a smile as they returned to their feet ready to strike. While Harry was already confident in winning a duel against Malfoy with Sirius by his side it was a guaranteed victory. Suddenly that changed when another death eater joined Lucius and it was suddenly two on two.
Sirius didn't need to tell Harry that he would be taking Lucius as Harry focused his attention on this no name death eater.
The first spell thrown was by Lucius who threw a non verbal towards Harry which Sirius reached over to shield. Harry was so focused on his opponent he didn't see it coming but thankfully Sirius did.
The other death eater threw another spell but this one aimed at Sirius which he shielded again just as Harry was firing off a bone breaker at his opponent. All while trying to advance forward so they would walk back and lose their footing on the stone hill.
Some of the other F.C members were watching Harry as the Order quickly took over. Besides the twins and Neville no one else was fighting and more liable to get in the way. Neville didn't want to sit still so he was launching spells into the air as Bellatrix flew around the Death Chamber as someone from the order chased her.
The twins were helping Fleur take on a particularly slippery death eater that could dodge everything they threw at him. Even with the three of them they were struggling to land a hit. Thankfully that all changed as George aimed at the ground and threw a bombarda spell and launched him off his feet before hitting the wall.
Fleur quickly followed that up with a reducto to the head which caused the death eater's head to literally explode into a fine mist. The twins saw this and gave each other a high five before running with Fleur to find another opponent.
Moody was battling two death eaters at once with a little more effort than he wanted to. Each enemy was on either side of him firing curses as he blocked with his wand and his staff. All he could do was block until these two showed a crack in their defense. Suddenly that happened at the Veela lass and the twins ran in to take one of his opponents so he could then face the more dangerous one on his own.
The duel was over quickly but that was thanks to Moody catching him off guard with a quick slam of his staff that batted the death eater hard into the brick wall with a sickening crunch. Turning around he saw the Veela and the twins surrounded the death eater and we're slowly breaking the fucker down. Hit with multiple bone breakers it wasn't until George hit the death eater with a final flame spell did he go down.
The purple flame engulfed the death eaters' robes and no matter how much the death eater rolled the flame slowly ate him alive. The screams echoed off the walls as the other fights raged on and Moody just thought that the twins held more promise than he thought. 'Potter makes a good teacher.' Moody thought as they tried to regroup.
Sirius and Harry were still dueling Lucius and his friend near the archway when Sirius pulled a page out of Lucius's playbook and the two of them started attacking the other's opponent. Sirius hit the nameless death eater with a bone breaker to the chest shattering all of his ribs before being launched off the hill. All the while Harry threw everything he had at Lucius.
Harry saw his chance and after a few hard hitting but blocked Bombardas he hit Lucius with an Expelliarmus but the spell only disarmed him of his empty cane. Sirius was so lost in the fight and feeling like he was in his twenties all over again called out, "Nice one, James."
Being called his father's name didn't throw him off but instead filled him with a little pride. Sirius quickly advanced and cut Harry off as he focused all of his energy and pent up aggression on Lucius. He threw everything he had at the blonde prick, even swirling his wand before hitting Lucius with an unknown spell that just blew Lucius's wand out of his hand with a gale force wind.
Just as Sirius was about to put the finishing touches on finishing Lucius, Harry stepped out behind Sirius's shadow and said, "Avada Kedavra!"
Lucius wasn't expecting to have the killing curse thrown at him because he had his hands up in surrender but the killing curse quickly struck him in the chest and his world went black.
Sirius turned to Harry in shock watching his godson take a life. He wasn't all surprised but seeing it in person was a shock for someone so young. Just as Sirius's shock was etched on his face another killing curse was heard across the room from a distinct female voice, "Avada Kedavra!"
Harry was not in shock and saw the green curse heading towards Sirius and without thinking put his body in-between Bellatrix and Sirius. 'Desiree forgive me.' He knew she wasn't in his head anymore but if she was he wanted the last thing he heard to be her voice.
Suddenly the spell struck Harry as he felt a coldness wash over him. Harry dropped like a puppet with his strings cut as he just crumpled to the stone floor. Sirius tried to wrap his arms around him and pull him to his chest as he let out a wail. Remus was quickly by his side to help defend against any surprise attack. Desiree let out a shriek at seeing her old master but love of her life being struck down.
Tonks, Hermione, Daphne and Fleur all let out a pained noise as they made their way to Harry's downed body hoping it wasn't real.
Neville on the other hand had seen Bellatrix kill Harry and the satisfied look on her face. Jumping on a rock Neville started to run with everything he had to make it to Bellatrix. Before Bellatrix was able to follow her spell with another aimed at her mudblood lover cousin, Neville jumped over the gap between the two large boulders and tackled Bellatrix from her boulder to the hard dirt ground.
Bellatrix almost had the second word of the killing curse out of her mouth before she felt her body jerk and all the air pushed out of her lungs when she hit the hard ground.
Neville landed on top of Bellatrix, forgetting his wand. All he wanted to do was beat Bellatrix to death with his bare hands. Balling up his fists he brought them down on Bellatrix's face. One after another he tried his best to beat Bellatrix to death with everything he had.
Bellatrix wasn't expecting the physical assault and it had caught her off guard to the point she took a few punches before she used her wand to blast the Longbottom boy off of her. Her head was even a little fuzzy after getting hit with a few heavy fists to the face.
Neville's rage cooled when he felt a blast hit his chest and the position was reversed. Neville landed with a thud on the dirt filled hard floor. Neville was seeing spots in his vision from the force of the slam on the floor as Bellatrix got to her feet before standing over him.
Bellatrix didn't expect this boy to put up such a fight. Letting out a cackle Bellatrix put her feet on either side of Neville's downed body with her wand pointed down between his eyes. "Your blood traitor parents would have been proud. I wish they were here so they could watch me end their pathetic bloodline once and for all. If I had time I might even turn you mad like them so you can all be together in Saint Mungo's but alas you are going to die here."
Neville knew it was over but he couldn't help but have a smile on his face from the sight of Bellatrix's nose pouring blood from his punches. His vision had cleared enough he quickly looked to his right to see if his wand was within arms reach. He didn't know where his wand was but he hoped it landed near them.
"Die blood traitor Avada-" Bellatrix said as the tip of her wand glowed pale green. Within a second Neville saw a flash of silver near his right hand and instinctively he reached out to grab it. Not knowing what it was he just felt his hand grip a handle and with a quick pull he realized it was a sword. Bringing his new sword across his body it easily cleaved Bellatrix's wand arm in two. Before he knew it he felt a spray of warm blood as he saw the sword pass through her forearm. His whole front was covered with a warm spray of blood.
Bellatrix was in shock as she lost all feeling in her right arm. A second ago she was about to finish casting the killing curse and now she was clutching a bloody stump as blinding pain struck her body. Unable to think of anything besides the pain she just kept stumbling back until her back was against one of the big boulders. 'How could this happen?' She just kept thinking in shock.
Neville loved seeing that look of fear in the witch's eyes. She had tortured his parents and now she was on the other end. Feeling the terror and the fear that came with being at someone else's mercy. Not that there would be any mercy from him. Getting to his feet with the sword in his hand Neville smiled as he stalked closer to his prey.
Bellatrix wanted to flee but she couldn't apparate here. She didn't have her wand on her so there was nothing she could do to flee. There was also a burning going from her bloody stump to her chest. "The dark lord will avenge me." Bellatrix madly proclaimed.
Neville saw Harry die so that might have very well been a probability but this made everything worth it. "This is for my mum and dad." Gripping the handle of the sword in both hands at a downward angle Neville brought his hands as high as they would go before bringing the sword down. With a deep plunge Neville sheathed the sword right through the chest of Bellatrix Lestrange ending her reign of terror forever.
Bellatrix let out one last pain filled scream as she felt the blade puncture her lung. She then felt the blood start to fill her lungs as she felt like she was drowning. With pained gasps she tried to catch her breath to no avail. The burning pain coursing through her veins was now too strong and she felt life leave her body quicker as the pain took over.
Neville watched the light leave her eyes as the witch drew her last painfilled breath. When he knew she was dead he finally breathed a sigh of relief. With a groan pulled the sword from Bellatrix's body before just crumpling to knees with tears streaming down his face. He didn't know why he was crying because he had never felt so happy about anything before. All he knew was that his tears wouldn't stop. Letting the sword fall from his hands he nearly just curled up in a ball but he felt a hand on his back. Looking up he saw that it was Moody. "Get up lad. You did good."
Neville took a few stumbled tries to get to his feet with all of his energy being sapped from him. He had trained hard in the F.C but it was nothing like the real thing. The stakes were very different when your life was on the line and you were doing everything to stay alive. 'Thank you Harry for giving me the strength to do this.' Neville thought.
Looking down on the ground he picked up the sword and Bellatrix's severed arm. With a little struggle he managed to pry her curved rigid wand from her cold dead hand. He wanted it as a trophy to present to his grandmother. She had always told him he was weak and wasn't half the man his father was. This was going to be his way to show her she was wrong.
Moody patted Neville on the back in praise. When he came over to help the boy out he was too far away to see anything but heard the scream from Bellatrix. When he came upon the scene he saw that the boy had driven the sword through her chest. Moody couldn't be happier the bitch was dead. She had given him more than a few scars and had killed many of his friends.
Now here was a fifth year student who did what no one else could, which was finally ending her life. It was better for the world Bellatrix Lestrange was no more. Moody only regretted he couldn't have done it himself.
Back with Harry
The world went black for Harry but suddenly it was filled with light as he was brought to a blinding white replica of some house. It was a place he had vague memories of like he had been here before but he didn't know when. Looking around he was about to call out before two forms started to take shape. If he had his wand he would have got into a defensive stance but now that he was dead there was nothing he could do.
The forms had taken the shape of his long lost parents who were smiling and near tears seeing their son again after all these years. Harry felt his heart break seeing his mum and dad. They looked just like they did in the Mirror of Erised. "Mum, dad!"
Lily Potter extended her arms as Harry ran into them as a child would. Lily took the moment to just hold her teenage son and take in her only chance to do so. "My baby boy."
James was smiling seeing his son and wife embrace each other. "Hey son. Funny seeing you here." The Marauder jokes.
Harry pulled away from his mum who sadly didn't have any motherly warmth in the afterlife. "I tried to save Sirius. I just couldn't watch him die. He is all I have left." Harry wouldn't have been able to take his godfather's death. While this wasn't any better it was just sinking in that he left Desiree and all of his girlfriends behind.
James smiled, "All you have left. From what we see you aren't that lonely." James said with obvious pride in his voice.
Harry would have been scarlet if he could blush at the moment. "You see that?" That was the most embarrassing thing he could think of. His parents were watching him shag from behind the grave.
Lily decided to cut in, "We try not to but it's a big part of your life apparently. We would be having an entirely different conversation if we were still alive or if we had the time." There were many things she wanted to comment on but they were running short on time.
Harry dropped his head feeling a little embarrassed. If they saw everything then they would have maybe seen the things he wasn't entirely proud of. Unable to help himself Harry asked, "Are you two proud of me?" Harry asked.
James was very proud of his son despite some of his wife's misgivings about the situation he was in finding that genie bottle. "Of course we are, son. At least I am if not a little jealous, you sure know how to enjoy life, that's for sure." That earned him a smack on the arm from his wife. "Ow!"
Lily didn't want her son to feel bad despite her objections to a few choices he has made over the last year. "Harry...I am proud of you but I won't lie and tell you that was the life I envisioned for you. As much as I would love to smack around this Desiree for this harem idea...if it makes you happy then do it. We gave our lives for you to be happy. That's all we have ever wanted." Having her son be happy was all she could ask for now. While she didn't agree with the harem it looked like she was going to get many grandchildren out of it.
While it was sad they weren't there to enjoy it she could watch from afar. That was more than she could ever hope for. Lily just wanted the best for her son and on the bright side multiple women might be the firm hand he needed to keep him in line. By in line she meant not so reckless with his life in his attempt to throw it away.
Harry looked up and smiled at his parents hearing them be okay with his possible harem. "Wait, if I'm dead then what does it matter about my harem?" Harry asked.
James stepped in, "You aren't dead yet. You are currently in between worlds as you make your choice on whether or not you want to go back." James thought that option was an obvious one.
Harry was shocked he got a say in what happened to him. "So I can go back?"
Lily nodded, "Yes. There were two souls inside you, one was a soul piece from Voldemort. You can stay with us but I think you know what you have to do." Lily wanted nothing more than to be with her son but she knew if he chose them the wizarding world would be doomed. He was the only one to finish Voldemort for good. There was also the fact she wanted him to have plenty of babies and live a very fulfilling life.
Harry nodded, "I know I have to go back. I want to finish Voldemort once and for all. I need to do that for my girls." Harry couldn't bear the thought of failing Desiree, Daphne, Fleur, Astoria, Narcissa, Tonks, Hermione or any of the other girls counting on him.
James gave his son a hug, "Give this to Padfoot and Moony for me. And tell them to stop blaming themselves for my death. Oh and don't forget to tell them to track down the rat and feed him to Hermione's cat."
Lily then took her moment to give her son another hug. "Be a good man, be a good husband and be a good father. I hope you find your true happiness but don't forget that. Don't fail your wives and children. And you better marry all those girls before they start having babies."
Harry let out a small unexpected laugh as his mum patted him on the back. As they broke the hug he gave his parents one last look before he made the decision to live. Soon his parents faded back to black before his eyes shot open and he was back in the Death Chamber.
Sirius was sobbing when in the span of a minute Harry came gasping back to life. "Pup! Pup! You are alive!" It was a relief seeing his godson's eyes open when he thought he was gone for good.
Nobody could believe that Harry was still alive even Desiree who was by his side thought that was the end. "Master." Unable to hold back she wrapped her arms around Harry and tackled him back to the ground as she kissed his cheeks and neck, shocking everyone around Harry who didn't know.
Sirius and Moony we're both shocked and confused as to why Desiree would call him master. As for Daphne, Fleur, Tonks and Hermione they just kept silent. They were all happy Harry was alive but Desiree had a deeper connection than anyone could have imagined.
Harry pat Desiree on the back as she started to cry now that he was breathing again, "It's okay I'm not going anywhere. I love you." Well that was partly a lie because he still had to confront Voldemort. But now that he knew there were no do overs and that this was everything he was going to give it his all.
Without Voldemort's soul piece in his head Harry was renewed with a new energy. He felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders for the first time in his life, his head felt clear. "Let me up."
Everyone crowding Harry soon spread out a little more so he could get to his feet. Harry grabbed his wand off the floor and looked at all of his loved ones. "Just one more to go." Harry wished he could enjoy not being dead for two minutes before facing Voldemort but he had no time to rest.
Sirius and Remus knew he had to finish the plan but after watching him nearly die they didn't want him to go it alone. But they also knew Dumbledore was going to join him which was better than either of them. "Go get him pup." Sirius said.
Desiree kissed Harry on the lips before saying, "Don't you dare die and leave me alone here without you." For the minute she felt alone was the worst pain her heart had ever felt. She couldn't imagine going through it again.