Wild Magic - Chapter 37

Harry found the exit easily enough. He grabbed the only other wand from the clump of dead bodies. There wasn't much of a selection, it should work enough to call the Knight Bus. The one he found wouldn't hold up to dueling, or even normal wand-work, but it could potentially last long enough to cast a single Lumos.

The area outside of the mansion was a nice little estate. It wasn't an estate, more of a large house in a nice part of a town. That meant there was a street nearby. The entire area had a slight Muggle flair to it with paved streets, sidewalks, and non-magical plant décor.

Harry stepped up to the edge of the street and cast the spell. Nothing happened. He didn't know the working details for the Knight Bus, but they were rather prompt. Either he was out of the range, or there was something he was missing in the process. It probably would have helped if the wand hadn't melted after providing a moment of light.

He tried to think of some sort of way he could get back to Hogwarts. To be honest, he'd settle for some random town. At least then he could find a phonebook to figure out where he was. The mansion might have had a Floo connection, but he still wasn't sure he wanted to try it. He had no idea how his magic would react and didn't want to end up trapped on an endless journey, or for it to stop half-way through and only send his legs.

Then he remembered Apparation. Tonks had taken him on a side-along a couple of times. Technically, he had done it accidentally when he was being chased. He had no idea why they couldn't just call it Teleportation.

Harry cleared his mind and pictured Hogsmeade. He focused on the street outside of Honeydukes. In his mind's eye he focused on every detail he could recall. Once the image was solid in his mind, he took a deep breath, let it out, and willed himself appear there.

The usual sensation of being forcefully yanked through a hose never came. He was about to try again when he realized that the sounds around him had changed. Voices. Someone was approaching. Considering he had just escaped a Death Eater hide-out; it wasn't a good sign.

Harry opened his eyes, ready to scan the area for threats, and potentially somewhere to take cover. Instead, he found himself standing in front of Honeydukes. The voices around him were normal witches and wizards moving along about their day. No one gave him a second look. People Apparated into Hogsmeade all the time. He turned toward Hogwarts and started to walk.

Now that he was in a magic rich area he could feel the energy flowing into him. For the first time since this entire thing started it didn't make him worry. The rate that he absorbed the magical energy was much faster, so much so that there was barely a hitch in the flow. He could literally feel the power increase as he got closer to the school. The aches and pains of the day faded with each step.

Harry felt Hogwarts reach out as he approached the gates. The tall, ornate iron swung open for him. He paused and placed a hand on the gate in a show of gratitude. A warmth enveloped him like a loving hug as he stepped onto the grounds. His foot stumbled a moment at the influx of magic pouring into him. The world wobbled and something hard hit his face.

When his vision cleared he found he was flat on the ground. His face was pressed into the ground. It was similar to the feeling when Voldemort hit him with multiple spell-chains. Only this was to a much greater magnitude. Magical energy sparked along his skin. He could see it swirling in the air and rushing through the earth.

Hogwarts sat on the convergence of three rivers of magic. The phrase Ley Lines came to mind, though he couldn't recall hearing the term before.

"Harry," a soft voice he recognized as Rowena Ravenclaw. "I'm sorry, but I need you to leave."

He scanned the area for her, but he was alone. What he did notice was rather alarming. One of the Ley Lines had slowed considerably. It was flowing into him rather than continuing on to Hogwarts.

"For how long?" Harry asked.

The pain in his chest wasn't from the influx of magic.

"Until you have filled your reserves," Rowena/Hogwarts said, there was a profound pain in her voice.

"Is there somewhere else I could go?" He asked as he got back to his feet.

"It will need to be somewhere with a convergence close to my own," she explained as her voice began to fade.

Harry ran back through the gates which also removed him from the Ley Line. The magical energy picked up speed once he was out of the way. He took in the vision of Hogwarts from a distance. Her voice could no longer reach him, but he knew she was hurting just as much. She was his home, practically a piece of him, and he didn't know when he'd be able to return.

He needed to send a message to someone inside; that he was safe and that he was here. People would probably want to know that he had killed Voldemort too. In the grand scheme of things, he should lead with that piece of news.

Harry turned back toward Hogsmeade. There was an owl post office that he could use. Hopefully, he could send a letter C.O.D.

~

Professor Dumbledore, Nym, and Amelia Bones met him at The Three Broomsticks a few minutes later. He had asked for a private room, which Madam Rosemerta happily provided. Nym rushed him, wrapping him in a hug, and kissing him hard enough to spin his head.

"Thank you, Miss Tonks," Dumbledore cleared his throat when it was clear Nym wasn't going to stop.

"Right," Nym took a step back then straightened Harry's shirt before she gave him one more quick peck on the lips. "I was worried about you. We all were."

"Mister Potter," Dumbledore continued. "Would you be able to tell us what has happened?"

"Fought some Death Eaters, got kidnapped by Voldemort, woke up in a dungeon, killed Voldemort, and escaped," Harry said easily. "You know, the usual Tuesday."

The trio stared at him, their faces blank. Silence stretched out for a moment before Dumbledore spoke.

"It was a serious question, Harry," the Headmaster said in his best grandfather voice.

"It was a serious answer," Harry replied. "Voldemort kidnapped me. I woke up in a dungeon. There were a bunch of Death Eaters gathered, like in the graveyard, but I didn't recognize them. Voldemort showed up, we fought, he died, and then I escaped."

"And why aren't we having this conversation in Hogwarts?" Dumbledore asked.

"I can't go back," Harry sighed. "It's too much for her."

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows in question.

"I'm absorbing magic faster now," he continued in a softer voice. "The Ley Lines focus on trying to fill my magical reserves instead of going to Hogwarts. It was hurting her."

"Mister Potter," Amelia Bones said. "Could you elaborate on the claim of killing Voldemort?"

"Sure," Harry replied with a bit of levity returning to his voice. "I was captured and chained in the dungeon. It was more of a basement really. The chains must have been magical, because they vanished once I was awake. I didn't have my wand." He paused. "Did you find it?"

"Yes," Madam Bones removed in from her robes and set it on the table.

"Thank you," Harry smiled at her.

He closed his eyes and enjoyed the familiar thrum of the connection.

"Anyway," Harry said after a moment. "There was a group of them upstairs. I was outnumbered and had no idea where I was, so I went with the plan that made the most sense."

"And that was?" Madam Bones prompted.

"Act like I knew what I was doing," Harry replied with a firm nod. "I went upstairs and found a bunch of Death Eaters standing around talking about whatever evil bastards talk about."

Dumbledore cleared his throat. Nym flashed a quick grin.

"They had a nice spread of food out, so I decided to check it out," Harry said. "They stopped talking once they saw me. Voldie must have ordered them to leave me alone, or they were too braindead to think that someone would actually escape." He shrugged. "Either way, once Voldie showed up I froze them in place, and tested for a wand that would work for me. I knew this was going to be another duel for him to show off to his minions, so I played it cool. Eventually, I got a wand that worked well enough, and we started."

"Every spell he sent my way helped my ability to absorb magic. By the time the duel was really picking up his spells weren't even making contact. Naturally, this pissed him off. Every spell he sent was meant to kill me in various ways. The ones I was able to deflect hit his minions and they did not die gently. He threw a tantrum. I was able to get close enough to grab his wand, I broke it in half, and used cast Confringo with it pressed against his throat. Pretty sure he's dead, unless he can survive without a head."

"Where was this?" Madam Bones asked.

"I don’t know," Harry shrugged. "I tried the Knight Bus, but it didn't show up. I'd guess a place that belonged to a Half-Blood. The decorations and landscaping didn't show off enough to be Pureblood."

"How did you get to Hogsmeade?" Bones asked.

"Teleported," Harry rolled his eyes. "Apparated, I mean."

"That's advanced magic, it's dangerous to do without training," Dumbledore cautioned.

"I didn't have a choice," Harry shrugged. "I thought you'd be happier about Voldemort being dead."

"Alas," Dumbledore sighed. "This isn't the end of things."

"Explain yourself," Madam Bones said with iron in her voice. "I have had enough of this. We are working toward the same goal and yet I constantly find my efforts undermined by your plans."

"Amelia," Dumbledore tried to sound calm.

"It is Director Bones," Amelia corrected. "Now, tell me what you know."

"It's not what I know," Dumbledore said trying to regain control. "They are theories."

Dumbledore let out a sigh. It was almost like a glamour had worn off. The powerful wizard looked ever one of his years. He set his hands on the table and leaned forward, almost like it held him up. After a long moment, he began to tell them about his investigation into the Horcruxes.

Madam Bones went through a string of emotions. Shock, anger, worry, and finally resolve. She didn't say anything once Dumbledore had finished. Instead, she stood and left the room.

"Auror Tonks," Madam Bones called from the hallway. "Come along."

Nym gave Harry a quick kiss and followed her boss. Harry didn't realize the two witches had left until the door closed. He jumped at the sound. Slowly, he turned his attention to the Headmaster. He didn't know what to say to the man. Dumbledore had suspected the diary was a horcrux, which put him on the path to search for more. He didn't know how many more there were out there. The few who had made one in the past were never documented to have more than one. The Dementors managed to remove the one in his cursed scar by chance.

"Read any good books lately?" Harry asked lamely.

"Yes, actually," Dumbledore said. "The Lost World, it's the sequel to Jurassic Park. Rather amusing idea about returning dinosaurs to life using their science. Honestly, it sounds more akin to magic."

"I think they made the first one a movie," Harry said.

His mind was still reeling. Actual higher thought was beyond him at this point.

"I'm going to lie down," Harry trudged out of the room leaving the Headmaster alone.