Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognize. This story is being written purely for entertainment and no money is being made. No trademark infringement is intended.

Warning: This will be slash, DM/HP pairing as well as other secondary characters, if this offends you in any way please do not read.

Summery: In another universe, where Harry Potter never existed, things are getting desperate. Voldemort rules all with Lucius at his right hand and Draco, a vampire/veela hybrid, as his dark heir. Those who would rebel against him have been placed in the Shadow Camps. A last group of radicals desperately seek the help of one who can defeat the Dark Lord. They use a long forgotten ritual to bring them someone with the power to destroy this evil… Harry Potter never can get a break.

…………………………

Light in the Shadows

…………………………

Chapter One

……Our World……

Nineteen-year-old Harry Potter looked straight ahead of him. He didn't want to look left and see Molly Weasley crying, while Bill and George tried to comfort her, holding back their own tears at the same time. The last of the once large Weasley family. Everyone else was gone, fallen, departed, deceased…dead. He didn't want to see the face that was once filled with joy, motherly love, and barely controlled irritation, suddenly twisted with grief. It had only been three weeks; the sorrow was still too fresh, like an open wound.

Harry didn't want to look right. He didn't want to see those left behind, like Mrs. Weasley, staring back at him in denial, sadness, devastation… maybe even anger. Would any of them blame him for not being able to save their loved ones? For not killing the bastard fast enough? He didn't think he could take it. He would break and shatter into a thousand pieces. Sometimes Harry wondered if the drive to defeat Voldemort was the only thing keeping him alive. Now that he had completed his goal, what was there left for him?

He sometimes, in the deep hours of the night when all else was shadows and silence, wished that he had died in battle as well. He wished that he could have been one of the many martyrs, perhaps dying right after he dealt the final blow to the self-acclaimed Dark Lord Voldemort. He was a weapon born for war, not a tool made for restoration. Now was not his time, picking up the pieces, he was simply made to pave the road for the new era. He never planned on being here afterward. He wouldn't take his life though, oh no couldn't have that. It was cowardly and selfish, two things he would never be. No, there was no respect in suicide, and if anything, Harry was determined to keep the respect he had finally earned all on his own, not The-Boy-Who-Lived, just Harry Potter.

Harry was at the back of the crowd when he was called to come forward to say a few words. At his first step forward, the crowd parted for him like the Red Sea. He still looked forward, determinedly staring at the monument that was the reason for their presence this day. Harry briefly looked at the sky as it began to drizzle. It seemed even the weather was sharing in their loss. Hogwarts' grounds were a mere shade of their former glory, dark and lonesome even while full of people. Considering their current state though, they could never compare to the horror that they were a few weeks before.

Harry almost stumbled in his stride, but he managed to catch himself. Blood… so much blood. It overflowed, turning the grass a grisly brown and the lake crimson red… so much blood that should have been his. Why had they left him behind? Why had they gone when he needed them most? He knew it wasn't their fault. He was sure they would have preferred to be alive had they been given the option, but he felt so lost. This was all Voldemort's doing! If he were alive Harry would kill him again, only very slowly to make sure he felt every bit of Harry's pain before he breathed his last.

Harry snapped back to the present when he reached the front. He stopped to just stare at the memorial for a second. It was a statue of all the house mascots standing together; united. Inscribed on the base was 'The Battle of Hogwarts – October 31 – November 1'. Harry had struck the final blow at 12:01 on November 1, 1999. Along with the date was the name of every person to fall during Voldemort's Second Reign of Terror. There were so many names, so many lives. He could stand there all day and never read them all.

Harry slowly turned to the crowd, a sea of black drifting in the rain. Vaguely Harry noted that he was getting soaked, but he didn't care. Many people were casting impervious charms on themselves, but still he didn't care. This way no one would see the tears that made trails slowly down his face, mixing with the rainwater as they went. 'Tears… just when I think that I have no more to give, I am once again reminded of my humanity…'

Harry turned his face to the sky and let the water take him, crush him, devour him. He let it wash away the fear, and feed his determination. He looked once more at the crowd, searching out each person to look them in the eye in turn. Finally he spoke:

"We come here today united, in pain and grief, but united all the same, to remember. We remember those that valiantly fought so that we could breathe free air. Those who died so that we may live free lives. Those we lost so that so much could be gained. It is those that we remember, our comrades, our families, our lovers, our friends. We remember them not only at their last, but also through their lives, their triumphs known by all, their tragedies known by few, and their spirits through it all.

"We have buried too many, lost so much, owe even more, and we are here to pay but a small fraction back. We will always remember their sacrifices, but we are here to make sure that everyone knows them for years to come. They gave their lives so now let us be silent in a moment of tribute to them."

Everyone bowed their heads, showing respect for the dead. The only sound heard was the crying of those mourning their losses. Harry looked at the statue and seeing the house symbols grouped together just made him feel even more alone. He had lost everyone, 'Albus, Remus, Minerva,' every person he had ever cared about, 'Luna, Neville, Ginny' every person he had ever loved, 'Ron, Hermione… Seamus.'

'Seamus... why did you leave me? You promised we would always be together. We were supposed to get married as soon as the war was over. We had been planning it since seventh year. Why have you left me behind, my love?'

Harry raised his head back up, looking into the faces of the people around him, strangers that were so like him: lost and alone, trying to redefine themselves in a world that had just been violently reshaped. What was it that kept them going? Why did they get up every morning and continue their lives? Duty? Experience? Hope?

'Hope…'

"Never forget them. Never forget what they have given. Never forget why they gave it. Thank you for coming today, I will let Minister Bones continue."

With that Harry walked through the center of the crowd once again, not looking left or right, and simply left the ceremony. He could not stay any longer and expect to keep even the last remaining shards of his composure. He had to get out of there as soon as possible.

That was the last time anyone ever saw Harry Potter, Leader of the Light, Savior of the World, The-Man-Who-Never-Dies.

…………………………

Harry apparated from Hogsmeade to his flat in Muggle London. It was strange how the Muggle world seemed so unaffected, like the four-year war had absolutely no effect on their lives whatsoever. In a way Harry guessed it didn't. Every time Voldemort would try to make an open move on the Muggle world the Obliviaters came in and changed all the Muggle's memories so that they were none the wiser. They always seemed to blame it on a group of Muggles called Terrorists. Whatever kept them happily unaware was for the best. Truly, ignorance is bliss.

Harry walked through the living room and into his bedroom. The flat wasn't that large but it had suited Seamus and him just fine. They had been living there since just after they graduated from Hogwarts; it was the first place other than school that Harry had really ever considered home. It almost felt too big now, without Seamus there with him.

Harry walked across the room, toeing off his shoes as he went, and sat on the large four-poster bed. The room was done in red and gold, but could you really expect any less from a pair of Gryffindors. Harry picked up a picture from the nightstand next to the bed. There they were, Seamus and him, waving happily out of the photo. It was taken the night Seamus proposed.

Harry and Seamus had started dating halfway through their sixth year at Hogwarts. It had started out as simple flirting and had just escalated from there. One day after D.A. Seamus had stayed behind to help Harry put away the trunk that they were using for the Patronus Charm. The trunk had a boggart in it so it was the perfect thing next to a real Dementor.

They had just finished when Seamus, out of the blue, asked if Harry would go to the next Hogsmeade weekend with him. Harry hadn't been too sure; heck, he wasn't even sure if he was interested in guys, but Seamus begged that Harry at least give him a chance and who was he to say no.

So Harry went with him. It was kind of awkward at first since Harry didn't know how to act, but Seamus got him to loosen up and he ended up having a great time. Harry realized how much easier it was to talk to Seamus than it had been with Cho, and he had readily agreed to go to the next Hogsmeade weekend with him as well.

Their relationship built slowly, they did not rush anything; and Seamus was very patient with Harry, never forcing him to move faster than he was ready to. They didn't even have their first kiss as a couple until over a month after they were going out, but when they did… wow.

Kissing Seamus was so different than kissing Cho had ever been and a whole lot better. For one thing Seamus wasn't crying. Seamus' lips weren't covered in any gloss or lipstick, they were rougher and not as smooth, but in Harry's opinion they were perfect. And when Seamus introduced Harry to the wonderful art of French kissing, Harry was in heaven. Seamus tasted of chocolate and Harry couldn't get enough of it. They had lost many house points for being up after curfew snogging. Still Seamus made sure never to push Harry any further.

It was near the end of seventh year that Seamus and Harry took the final step in their physical relationship. It was spring holidays and Harry and Seamus had spent half of them at Seamus' house so Harry could meet his family. Harry thought that Mrs. Finnigan would hate him, but as soon as he met her, they hit it off. She had already been talking about fertility potions and grandchildren, making Harry turn a red that would make the Weasley's proud. Mrs. Finnigan, or Jennifer as she insisted that Harry call her, was very excited that Seamus had a steady boyfriend, so when they ran the idea of living together by Seamus' parents they were all for it.

When Harry and Seamus returned to Hogwarts they still had three days before the other students were due to come back. On their last night alone, Seamus set up a beautiful candlelit dinner for them in the room of requirements. To Harry, it was like a dream. After dinner they sat in front of the fire and talked for a long time, but slowly starting with snogging and letting the snogging lead even further.

Seamus was ready to stop, not wanting to push Harry, but Harry told him it was alright and that they could continue. Seamus made sure to be gentle and made it the most amazing night of Harry's life. That is… until the night he proposed.

Seamus had decided to surprise him with a weekend trip to Hawai'i. The war was in a lull at the time as each side gathered their remaining strength, so they had been able to go. It was supposed to be a nice relaxing weekend – no worries, no cares – but things went sour when Death Eaters attacked the magical hotel.

Someone had leaked the information about Harry and Seamus' trip, and the Dark Lord took advantage of the situation by sending ten of his most faithful followers to lay siege to the village they were in.

Harry and Seamus had been relaxing by the water, cuddling together in a hammock, and just soaking up the sun. It was the last day of their trip and they were simply biding their time until they had to check out of their hotel, after that they were heading home.

Seamus seemed terribly restless, tossing and turning, looking like he was going to stand up, but then just laying back down. Finally Harry had had enough and decided to just ask Seamus what the problem was.

"Seamus, are you alright? You look like you have something on your mind."

Seamus looked at Harry for a second and seemed to come to a decision with himself. "Harry there is something on my mind; something I need to tell you…" Seamus stood up and took a hold of Harry's hands. Harry turned to face him, still sitting on the hammock, with a worried expression on his face.

"What is it Seam? You know you can tell me anything." Harry gave Seamus a searching look.

Seamus dropped down to one knee in front of Harry and took a deep breath, "I have been meaning to ask you this for so long my love, Harry will you mar –"

He never even got to finish his sentence because at that moment a great explosion sounded behind them. It felt like the whole island shook and Harry was thrown to the ground on top of Seamus.

"What was that!" Seamus called, his voice a pitch high than usual.

"I don't know…" Harry trailed off as they both heard movement in the forest near them.

"He wasn't at the hotel!" someone yelled.

"The receptionist said Potter went for a walk on the beach around midday!" called back another.

Harry scrambled to his feet, dragging Seamus behind him. "We have to go," he hissed in Seamus' ear, "I don't know what the explosion was, or who is coming this way, but it doesn't take much to venture a guess."

Seamus nodded mutely as he and Harry took off running down the beach. They drew their wands as they went. Whoever was looking for them broke through the trees and walked onto the beach. Now in clear view Harry could see the trademark black cloaks and white masks of the Death Eaters.

"There they are!" one shouted, the first voice from before.

A volley of spells was sent speeding after them. Harry quickly erected a strong shield that would block just about everything save the Unforgivables; it would let spells out but not in. While Harry concentrated on their defense Seamus went on offence sending curse after curse at the pursuing Death Eaters. From the exclamations of shock and pain it was a safe bet that he got quite a few.

Harry could sense the anti-apparation wards that the Death Eaters had put in place. They had to get back to their hotel were they left their Portkey for the return trip home.

"Come on!" Seamus said, cutting through a group of bushes to take a short cut to the hotel.

They were running for about ten minutes, Harry still concentrating on their shield and Seamus still firing spells, when they finally emerged from the forest surrounding their hotel they stopped dead in their tracks. Their hotel was… gone. All that was left was the burning ruins of what had once been a fourteen-story building. They stood there in shock. How many people had been in that building when it was destroyed? Did they make it out in time? Were they alright?

That moment of hesitation cost them though. It was just enough time for the Death Eaters to catch up behind them and cast a curse that penetrated Harry's shield. Harry felt a jolt as it passed his barriers and looked up expecting yet fearing to see that horrible green light, but nothing seemed to happen. Harry looked at Seamus to see if he was alright also, but he was just standing next to him, rigid.

The Death Eaters stopped as well. They were just standing in front of Harry and Seamus, not even pointing their wands at them anymore. One of the Death Eaters stepped forward and removed his mask. Harry pointed his wand threateningly and his grip tightened when the Death Eater was revealed to be Lucius Malfoy.

Lucius just smirked at Harry and turned in Seamus' direction. "Walk over here." Lucius demanded calmly.

Harry was about to laugh outright and expected Seamus to spit in Lucius' face, but instead Seamus started to take a step forward. "Seam! What are you doing?" Harry called, dividing his attention between keeping up his shield and stopping Seamus from walking forward. Harry jumped in front of him to stop him and looked up into his eyes. He gasped when he saw them; they were glazed over and staring unseen. 'Oh Merlin, he's under the Imperius!' Harry thought in horror.

"That's far enough Finnigan." Lucius drawled. He then pulled out an ornately carved dagger, "Summon this." Lucius held the knife in front of him.

None of the Death Eaters were able to get in but Seamus could summon an outside object to him. "Accio dagger." Seamus said in a monotone. The knife flew to his out stretched hand.

Lucius licked his lips, grinning manically, "Now, kill Potter with it… slowly." All the Death Eaters seemed almost giddy as Seamus turned to face Harry.

"Seamus, love, you can fight it. Please, for me, try to overcome it." Harry stood his ground, shield still raised, begging with Seamus as he stalked closer. "I know you can break it Seam because you told me that you would never hurt me, that you would protect me."

Seamus slashed the knife across Harry's cheek, drawing a thin line of blood. Harry didn't make a sound; he just kept staring into Seamus' eyes. Seamus made an identical slash on the other cheek but Harry didn't stop him; he could never hurt Seamus. Tears started to drip down Harry's face, mixing with the blood. Seamus brought the dagger up to Harry's neck.

"I love you Seamus…" Harry said, closing his eyes and kissing Seamus for what he thought was the last time. But the blade didn't move; it just sat poised at Harry's throat. Harry pulled back to look at Seamus dark brown eyes again. They were still glazed over, but they would flash once in a while. The dagger began to shake in Seamus' hand and lowered away from Harry. With one last flash in his eyes Seamus wrenched his hand away throwing the knife at Lucius instead, were it found purchase imbedded in his chest. Lucius looked down in shock as the other Death Eaters looked at him, then he coughed once, blood dripping down his chin, and fell over, dead.

Seamus seemed almost as shocked as the Death Eaters but recovered from it quickly as Harry dropped the shield and started firing off spells in quick succession. The last nine Death Eaters were in a panic at having the leader of their mission dead and couldn't organize themselves fast enough to stop Harry and Seamus. With a final spell all ten lay on the ground dead or unconscious.

Harry turned to the ruins of the hotel as the Aurors finally showed up. One Auror did a spell to see how many people were in the hotel when it was destroyed. Everyone one let out a breath when they found the security Portkey that were given to the wizards staying there had activated in time. No one had been hurt… that time. Harry could have collapsed with relief; he didn't need any more deaths on his soul.

After healing the cuts on Harry's face they had one of the Aurors authorize them a new Portkey home. They arrived at Hogwarts, in the middle of the Great Hall, where there seemed to be preparations for a party going on.

"Oh no, they're early!" someone yelled, Harry turned to see Hermione standing behind him with her head in her hands, "This ruins everything!"

Everyone else – which consisted of the entire Order of the Phoenix and all Harry and Seamus' friends from Hogwarts – turned to see what Hermione was moaning about.

"Well, I guess it wont be a surprise party then, that's all." Said Ron as he walked up behind Hermione and put an arm around her waist.

"What is all this for?" Harry asked looking around at the colorful red and gold streamers and all the food set out.

"What do you mean? This is your en…" Ron trailed off as he looked over Harry's shoulder at something.

Harry whirled around to see Seamus running his hand across in front of his neck with a grimace, as if to say shut up.

Hermione gasped, "You mean you haven't told him! Or… wait… you didn't say no, did you Harry?" Hermione looked worriedly between Harry and Seamus.

"Haven't told me what? Say no to what?" Harry said obliviously, now getting somewhat irritated at being left out of the loop, "Would someone mind clueing me in?"

Seamus shot Hermione a look and then turned to Harry. "You know how I was going to ask you something earlier before we were… er… interrupted?"

Harry nodded his head, still not understanding.

Seamus took a deep breath and got down on one knee in front of Harry, taking Harry's hands in his, and drawing a deep breath before beginning, "Harry, you are the love of my life and I don't want to spend one moment without you. I have loved you since the first time I saw you and I keep falling even more in love with you every day. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, whether it is a year or a thousand years. Will you make me the happiest man on earth and agree to marry me? Agree to be my husband?" Seamus then pulled out a small box and opened it. Inside was a delicately made platinum band that looked as though it was braided, set in the front was a flawless diamond with an emerald on either side.

The ring took Harry's breath away and he could only stare and nod his head as Seamus slipped it on his left hand.

Everyone cheered and the engagement party began.

The picture was of Seamus and him holding each other close right after Harry accepted Seamus' proposal. The day might not have started out that great but it was still one of Harry's fondest memories. He couldn't remember being happier and he just knew he would never be that happy again.

After the war, they had planned on getting married and having enough children to rival the Weasley's. Then Harry would get a nice boring desk job at the Ministry or maybe even become a teacher. Seamus was already working in the Department for Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry. It was going to be a wonderful life, the kind of normal life that Harry had always dreamed of; one with a loving family.

Then half a year later, the war was over and Harry was all alone in the world. Hell, even Snape and Malfoy were dead; they were in fact some of the first to go, in Harry's sixth year, killed when Voldemort got word of their betrayal. Lucius Malfoy was even the one to cast the killing curse on his son after hours of torture in which he had already lost his mind.

Harry looked down at the picture he was holding and saw tears drop onto the glass. 'What is there left for me here? I have nothing, I am nothing.' He wished that he could go to sleep and never wake up again. That or go to sleep and wake up somewhere else.

With that thought Harry changed out of his clothes until he was only wearing his boxers and his ring, and lay down to go to sleep. He had one hand under his pillow, closed around his wand, an old habit from the war. He spent some time just staring into the shadows waiting to drift off, and when he finally did he never even felt himself disappear, his wish coming true.

…………………………

…… Other World……

An old castle stood dark and foreboding on the edge of a large lake. It had once been a wondrous place filled with happy children thirsting for knowledge; it had been a place of learning. But those days were long gone and people barely even remembered the name Hogwarts, let alone its relevance. For now, it was the Shadow Citadel, stronghold to the Dark Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. No one but the most influential and trusted among the Dark Lord's ranks were allowed to step foot on its grounds. Voldemort found it a great irony that he resided in what was once the greatest beacon for the Light.

It was strange then that two uninvited guests were sneaking out of its sacred grounds. Their cloaks were a deep muddy brown, drab and threadbare, but still serving as some protection against the late autumn air. One of the two was tall with wide shoulders with a few wisps of barely visible long flame-red hair peaking out the front of the drawn hood. It was most definitely a male body that resided under the tattered cloak. The other was shorter and more petite, a woman. Her face and hair were not visible but her bright verdant eyes seemed to glow in the dark like a cat's.

The man and woman were walking carefully yet quickly through the forest that surrounded the castle to one side. They did not hear anyone following them so they made sure to take their time and be cautious. They kept a steady pace, avoiding the loose rocks and twigs that covered the ground. They moved silently as the shadows themselves.

Suddenly the man stopped, holding up his hand to stop his companion as well. They both strained their ears to listen for any noise.

A twig snapped behind them…

A bush was brushed aside…

Heavy breathing…

Footsteps…

Voices…

"They went this way! The Master says that they are to be brought back alive and don't fire any spells! They have taken one of his rarest books and he does not want it damaged!"

The two companions shared a look, the man securing a flat bundle into the pack over his shoulder, and then they took off. No longer quiet, they ran full out, racing to the anti-apparation line were their freedom awaited them.

"There they are! Don't let them escape!"

A look back showed them a legion of Death Eaters right behind them and closing in fast. Their breathing became erratic but still they did not stop, they could not stop, their mission was too important; it may have even been their last chance to overthrow the current tyrant.

Their muscles ached from the strain, their feet rapidly padding on the ground, but they were so close!

100 feet…

They could see the clearing.

50 feet…

Their pursuers were closing in.

25 feet…

They could feel them breathing down their necks.

10 feet…

A hand tried to find purchase against the woman's cloak.

5 feet…

A hand reached out…

…but closed on nothing but air.

They were gone.

…………………………

The two cloaked figures appeared outside the entrance to what used to be the London Underground. It was boarded up with seemingly flimsy wooden planks that did not cover the entire entrance. They slipped through one of the larger holes. Once inside they went to a space of blank wall, nothing extraordinary about it. It looked exactly the same as every other piece of dilapidated wall. What could not be seen was the aura of magic that surrounded it, the Fidelius Charm to be precise.

The man walked up to the wall and set his right hand against it. The woman soon followed suit. "Phoenix fire shall burn the shadows." The man spoke in a clear yet low voice.

Taking their hands away the wall glowed red and where their hands had been there were black indentions. The woman stepped forward and spoke into the imprint, "Phoenix Flower", and the handprint glowed red. Then the man stepped forward and spoke, "Phoenix Rah", and his handprint glowed red as well.

Soon the wall seemed to melt and revealed a passageway for the two to enter. They hurried in and the wall reshaped itself after them. Once inside, they walked quickly down the passage and when they got to the end they entered a large room with dull stone walls. There were many more hallways leading off of the room in all directions, but in the center was a group of chairs around a large round table. At the table were seated somewhere around twenty people, all looking at them with a mixture of relief, concern, and excitement.

A man with pure white hair and indefinable age stood up to greet them. "Good to see both of you back in one piece. Did you have any trouble?"

The man took off his cloak to show a tall and well-defined build, though somewhat thin from malnourishment. He had long red hair and soft hazel eyes. A dragon's tooth earring adorned his left ear. "We made it in just fine, but they almost caught us on the way out. We are unhurt and have what we searched for."

At this the old man's face lit with hope but he still turned to the woman as well to make sure she was alright. She was revealed to have deep auburn hair down to the middle of her back and very light skin. Her emerald eyes contrasted with the dark bags under them. "I'm fine." was all she said in a weary voice.

The old mad looked uncertain but still turned back to the redheaded man expectantly. The redhead took the pack off his shoulder and dug into it. He pulled out a black leather-bound book with yellowing pages. The title of which was written in Anglo Saxon and when translated read, The Scrolls of Merlin.

"Dear Lord…" the man breathed, looking upon the book with awe, "This may just save us all." He moved back to the table and everyone cleared a space. The table had been laden with maps and diagrams of all shapes and sizes, as well as a variety of letters, books, and coded manuscripts. Everything was shoved away hurriedly so the ancient leather volume could be spread out.

The other people in the room gave the older man space to look at the tomb but they leaned in as best they could to catch a glimpse anyway. "Bill!" the old man called to the redhead, not looking up from the book, "Tell me this is correct! Tell me we have found the spell!"

Everyone held their breath as Bill walked forward with shaking hands to confirm the man's assumption. He leaned over it and looked closely, going through each word and translating it as he read. His eyes got larger as he went through and when he finished he looked up at everyone, "We've found it…" he said breathlessly as everyone in the room cheered, hugging one another.

"Silence!" the old man shouted over the noise, "Yes, we have found the ritual, but our work is not done yet. We must perform it before we can celebrate, and even then there are innumerable liabilities that could occur."

Everyone quieted but then the woman with the emerald eyes spoke up, "But Albus, what if we are wrong? What if we do not bring ourselves a savior, but bring the Dark Lord a powerful ally?"

Albus seemed to grow twice his age as he let his worry show, "My dear Lily, that is one of the chances we must take. We discussed this before you were even sent on the mission to retrieve The Scrolls of Merlin. This is our only hope."

Lily nodded her head, "What must we do?"

Bill, who was still leaning over the book, picked it up. "We need to move the table, we need the space to make the pentagram." The men in the group moved quickly, taking the table to the other side on the room. "Now we need to draw the pentagram and place the runes at each point." They measured out the correct distance to create the five-pointed star and place a rune at each of the points and one in the exact center.

When they were done everyone turned to face Albus and Bill, waiting diligently to be told the next step. Albus spoke, "We need five people to perform the spell. Bill and I shall be two and I would like Gideon, Frank, and Lily to assist as well."

Gideon Prewett and Frank Longbottom stepped forward to meet Bill Weasley, Albus Dumbledore, and Lily Potter in the center of the room. Albus waved his hand over the page and made five copies. He reverently laid the book back on the table and handed out the papers to each person. He gave them each a moment to look over the spell and memorize it. When they were each confident that they knew how to speak it correctly he gave them further instructions.

"Now, everyone needs to stand on their rune," Albus directed them each to their correct runes, "Bill will start and then he will pass it to Frank, then to Gideon, then to Lily, and then I will finish it. As soon as I am done, Bill will start and then so on. Each of you must aim your wands at the center rune. I know we try to limit the use of magic here so as not to be discovered, but this is our only chance and we have agreed that the risk is worth it. I am confident that our wards will hold."

Albus looked at Bill and gave him a nod. Bill took a deep breath and then began to recite his part of the incantation:

Luz de dias antigos atrás.

Mostre-nos a força e os trajetos assim verdadeiros.

A escuridão de maio cower, ligamento puro.

E do pântano evil atual.

Emita-nos um com o que nós necessitamos.

Poders da marca a mais elevada.

Um escolhido assim para nossa ação.

Para conduzir à luz e para conquistar a obscuridade.

Light shot from his wand and the rune in the middle glowed bright red. When he finished Frank started:

Licht der alten Tage,

Zeig uns die Stärke und die wahren Pfade.

Möge die Dunkelheit sich verstecken, die Reinheit binden

Und von dem gegenwärtigen Übel befreien.

Sende uns einen mit dem, was wir brauchen.

Ihr allerhöchsten Kräfte.

Einen, der gewählt ist für unsere Tat,

Um das Licht zu führen und die Dunkelheit zu besiegen.

The rune turned a crystal blue and then it was Gideon's turn:

Luce dei giorni antichi dietro.

Mostrici la resistenza ed i percorsi così allineare.

La nerezza di maggio cower, legatura pura.

E del pantano diabolico corrente.

Trasmettaci uno con di che cosa abbiamo bisogno.

Alimentazioni di più alto contrassegno.

Uno così scelto per il nostro atto.

Per condurre la luce e conquistare oscurità.

The center rune turned a startling violet before Lily soon followed:

Lumière des jours antiques derrière.

Montrez-nous la force et les chemins si vrais.

L'obscurité de mai se recroquevillent, grippage pur.

Et du groupe mauvais courant.

Envoyez-nous un avec de ce que nous avons besoin.

Puissances de la marque la plus élevée.

Un ainsi choisi pour notre contrat.

Pour mener la lumière et conquérir l'obscurité.

The rune turned vivid green and everyone held their breath as Albus spoke:

Light of ancient days behind

Show us strength and paths so true.

May darkness cower, pure bind

And of the current evil slew.

Send us one with what we need.

Powers of the highest mark.

One so chosen for our deed

To lead the light and conquer dark.

The rune turned a brilliant gold before it died down. Everyone waited, looking at the rune expectantly, but nothing happened. There was a disappointed sigh around the room before everything lit up from a blinding white light emitted from the center rune. They had to shield their eyes and turn away because the light was too bright. In a final flash the light was gone, leaving everyone blinking, trying to get their eyes to readjust. When they could see again they all looked to the middle of the pentagram where a young man was lying asleep, wearing nothing but his boxers and holding a wand.

…………………………

To Be Continued…

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