A/N: Sorry this took so long.
Chapter 11:
Running the Gauntlet
Harry spun around to find the source of the voice. Behind him stood Kreacher, an evil grin plastered on his face. Kreacher laughed maniacally as his body began to mutate and grow. His skin bubbled and became a cold granite gray. Jagged bones burst forth from his body covering his back and forearms. Finally, a large mouth full of jagged teeth appeared on Kreacher's stomach.
"Just when I thought my day couldn't get any better." Harry muttered.
Kreacher leapt forward, his massive arm striking the spot where Harry had stood only a moment before. Floorboards splintered and craked under the force of the blow. Harry wasted no time in charging toward Kreacher with a counter attack. Unfortunatley Kreacher was equally fast. The pair exchanged blows simultaneously sending a powerful shockwave rattling throughout the entire train. Harry staggered back and shook his head trying to clear the ringing. Before Harry could steady himself Kreacher grabbed him by the throat and swung him around like a rag doll. Harry was thrown thru three compartments, he coughed a bit of blood before throwing the debris off of him and standing back up.
"Your fate is sealed Freak." Kreacher cackled.
"You're callin me a freak? Look in the mirror lately." Harry growled as crimson bolts of lightning appeared around his body.
Harry charged forward and swung a sharp kick aimed towards Kreachers head. Kreacher threw up his arm easily blocking the blow. Before Harry could react Kreacher struck him three times in rapid sucession, a right hook to the face, a knee to the gut, and a elbow to the back slamming Harry hard into the floor. Kreacher reached out with both hands to grab Harry by the neck. Harry's hands shot out and locked with Kreachers hands. Red lightning crackled in the air as the two struggled to overcome the other. Kreacher laughed maniacally as his muscles bulged and began absorbing the lightning radiating from Harry's body.. Harry groaned in pain as black lighning shot out of Kreachers body violently shocking Harry.
"You're finished." Kreacher hissed. The mouth in his stomach opened up. The last thing Harry remembered was the white glow before the fireball shot out of Kreacher's stomach blasting Harry at point blank range. Harry skidded across the floor before hitting the far wall and falling unconscious.The mirror rolled out of his pocket and came to a stop at his feet. Hermione's voice began to call out from it.
"Harry? Harry are you there? What's going on? Please answer me. I-." Her voice was cut off as Kreacher's foot came down shattering the mirror.
***
Groggily Harry opened his eyes surveying his surroundings. He was in the stadium used for the Quidditch world cup two years ago. The stadium was full of Death Eaters and demons. His arms and legs were frozen in place on a large pillar in the center of the stadium. His jacket, wands, and sword were also missing leaving Harry's torrso covered only by his black sleaveless shirt.
"I see you're awake Potter." Hissed Voldemorts magically amplified voice from high above in the booth reserved for the minister. Beside him stood Arkham, Snape, and Bellatrix."Today you will meet your end Potter. My minions will tear you apart, and then the whole wizarding world will know what happens to those who defy Lord Voldemort!" Hissed Voldemort. The crowd roared in approval.
"Can we get on with this already? I haven't got all day you know." Harry called out.
"As you wish Potter." Just then a door at the end of the stadium opened and a large black cerberus standing 15 feet tall and covered in ice stepped out.
"It's gonna be a long day." Harry muttered.
The Cerberus roared as it charged Harry. The crowd roared in anticipation. The moment before it reached him Harry's eyes glowed brightly. He let out a animalistic growl as he shattered his bonds and leapt out of the way. The Cerberus bit the pillar in half missing Harry by mere inches. Harry threw a green fireball from his hand. It exploded on the Cerberus's left head melting away some of the ice, but otherwise giving no indication of any damage.
"Damn that ice is thick." Harry cursed. His gauntlet's flashed into existence on his arms. He narowly avoided the Cerberus's three sets of jaws. "You must be hungry. Ever heard of Jalapeno's?"
The cerberus tried to bite Harry again, but before it could get close enough Harry threw a larger fireball into it's mouth. The cerberus screamed before it's eyes exploded in green fire. The left and right heads wailed before withering away and dieing along with the center head. The crowd booed as Harry stepped away and wiped the blood and gore from his hand.
"Guess your mouth wasn't armoured huh. Wonder what Voldemort has in store for me now?" Harry whispered. As if to answer Dolohov apparated into the stadium. He flexed his mutated arm and drew Harry's sword The Rebellion.
"I'm going to kill you, and I'll use your own sword to do it!" Dolohov screamed. His form blurred as he darted forward aiming the sword right at Harry's heart.
"I'm getting sick and tired of you Dolohov." Harry twisted to the side missing the sword by a hair. He grabbed Dolohov by the wrist and twisted flipping him over. Harry's sword flipped into the air. Harry caught it and brought the blade down slicing Dolohov's mutated arm clean off. Before Dolohov could even scream Harry spun around and decapitated him. "That's for laying a hand on Hermione." Harry had only a moment before he felt another demonic aura appear behind him.
"Well well. It seems that ickle baby Potter has developed quite a taste for violence." Bellatrix said. Harry turned around and saw Bellatrix dressed in a black body suit. Bellatrix snapped her fingers and four gargoyles appeared behind her. "It's time we settled thingss Potter."
"You got that right Bellatrix. You won't escape this time, you're gonna pay for killing Sirius." Harry growled.
The four gargoyles tensed as Harry readied his sword. Bellatrix muttered an incantation under her breath and a transparent blade of energy formed around her arm. Bone blades grew from the gargoyles forearms. The four gargoyles disappeared for an instant and reappeared surrounding Harry. The four gargoyles charged as one, Harry brought his blade up blocking all four strikes, only to have Bellatrix's blade stab him in the back.
"No matter how fast you are Potter, you still don't have eyes in the back of your head." Laughed Bellatrix.
Harry elbowed Bellatrix in the face knocking her off him. He turned rapidly and began clashing blades with the gargoyles. However, after each attack Harry made he was forced to defend from three other attacks.
'Why do you continue to hold back?' Whispered Griever's voice inside Harry's head. 'Use your full power and you can crush these fools in an instant.'
'No. I can't risk it. The last time I barely regained control. If I lose it again I may never find my way back.' Thought Harry.
Harry dodged another blade and countered with a kick to the gargoyles head. Harry turned around just in time to block another attack from Bellatrix. Harry quickly brought his blade down slicing Bellatrix across the chest, but the wound instantly healed itself. Bellatrix laughed as Harry jumped back dodging two blades that crossed in the space he had been moments ago. Suddenly one of the gargoyles wrapped his tail around Harry's ankle slowing him down long enough for the other three to attack Harry. A whirl of blades and fists struck Harry sending him to the ground. His sword sunk into the ground a few feet away from him.
"Pathetic, just like your godfather." Spat Bellatrix. "I think after I send you to meet my dearly departed cousin, I'll make that mudblood of yours my personal pet. She'd probably enjoy being a concubine for the Death Eaters."
*BUMP-BUMP*
"You know Bellatrix, if you keep knocking on the devil's door someone's gonna answer." Harry whipered darkly.
*BUMP-BUMP*
Harry's eyes lit up brightly as the whole stadium shook from the demonic pulse. Harry's hair spiked up and fangs grew in his mouth. His muscles grew larger and more defined. Large black feathered wings grew from his back shredding the remains of his shirt. His gauntlets shifted in to claws and black tribal tatoos appeared on his body and face. Crimson lightning flickered back and forth across his body occasionally arcing out and scorching the ground around him.
Bellatrix involuntarily stepped back upon seeing Harry's devil form. She motioned her arm forward and the gargoyles charged. Harry waited patiently. When the first gargoyle reached him Harry feinted left and drove his fist thru the gargoyles chest turning it to dust. Another gargoyle attacked from behind. Harry turned immediatley and kicked it sharply in the throat killing it. Harry turned to the other two gargoyles. He made a slashing motion with his claws sending out red arcs of light that cut the gargoyles into several pieces.
"I tell you what Bella. I'll give you three chances to attack me before I kill you." Harry challenged.
Bellatrix charged forward and slashed with her blade. The blade was easily caught in Harry's claw. He then tossed her over his shoulder. "One." Harry counted. Bellatrix landed hard an then drew her wand.
"CRUCIO!!!" She screamed. The curse caught Harry in the chest and he screamed.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. Stop, it tickles." Harry said grinning devilishly. "That's two." Harry calmly walked over and picked up his sword. Red lightning danced acrosss the blade.
A demonic aura flared around Bellatrix and she rose into the air. She laughed maniacally as a massive ball of dark energy formed above her. "DIE POTTER!!!" She screamed as she threw the ball at Harry. A giant explosion rocked the stadium. Bellatrix breathed a sigh of relief. "I did it." She whispered.
"Three." Harry said from above her. Before Bellatrix could move Harry swung his sword and cut Bellatrix in two. He did'nt stop though, he slashed several more times. Pieces of Bellatrix floated in the air for an instant. Harry thrusted his palm forward. "This is for Sirius." A torrent of green flame erupted from Harry's hand incinerating all that remained of Bellatrix.
Harry heard a cry of anguish rise from the stands. Harry turned to see Kreacher leap from the crowd and land near the remains of Bellatrix. "Misstress no." Kreacher sobbed. He looked up at Harry and snarled. "Wretched half breed. I'll kill you for this."
Harry smiled darkly. He stabbed his sword into the ground and beckoned Kreacher forward with one finger. Kreacher swung a massive fist with astonishing speed only to hit nothing but air as Harry disappeared and reappeared behind Kreacher kicking him in the back of the head knocking him face first to the ground. Kreacher slammed his fists into the ground angrily. Harry bent at the knees slightly preparing for Kreachers next attack. Kreacher quickly got to his feet and leaped at Harry the bones on his forearm grew and sharpened. A bone like blade also grew from Harry's elbow. Both fighters glared at each other for a moment before in a blur of motion they passed each other. A loud crack sounded as blades met. Harry landed in a crouch and Kreachers bone blade landed just behind him. Kreacher howled in pain clutching his damaged forearm. Kreacher charged Harry once again. The two traded blows mercilessly, each one sending shockwaves throughout the stadium.
***
Up in the stadium box Snape and Arkham watched the battle unfold from behind Voldemort. Mini explosions rang out as Harry and Kreacher fought toe to toe. Snape looked on emotionlessly while Arkham wore an tiny smirk.
"He is stronger than I expected." Arkham said silkily. "The tougher the challenge put before him the stronger his resolve to crush his enemies becomes. He truly is the Son of Sparda."
"It appears as though grafting a demonic aura to a human is not enough. We may not have the power we need to complete our plan." Snape resonded.
"Perhaps. Or perhaps we merely need a stronger catalyst to provide the aura." Arkham said while staring at Harry. Voldemort looked away for the battle and stared at Snape.
"Severus, if Kreacher fails I want you to go down there. Finish the job." Hissed Voldemort.
"With pleasure master." Snape looked to Arkham and gave a tiny nod.
***
Kreacher struck Harry hard with enough force to cause Harry's head to snap back. Harry ducked another attack from Kreacher and countered with a quick kick to Kreacher's knee, then the side of his head. Harry squared his feet and drew his fist back at the same time Kreacher did. Both struck at the same time. Harry's fist connected with Kreachers face just as he was struck by Kreachers fist. Harry shook his head and steadied himself just as Kreacher locked hands with Harry grappling for an advantage.
"I have you now." Kreacher cackled as red lightning from Harry's body was absorbed and redirected back at Harry. "Now I will never let go!"
"Never can be a long time." Harry whispered. His eyes glowed brighter and he growled angrily. The red lightning around Harry intensified as Harry clasped his hands around Kreachers even tighter. Harry put his feet on Kreacher's chest and began to pull with all his might. Kreachers eyes began to widen in fear as the muscles began to tear from the strain. Kreacher screamed as his arms were ripped off.
"It's over." Harry whispered as he picked up his sword. The crimson lightning around his body grew in intensity. "DEVIL DRIVER." Harry shouted as he shot forward, his sword pointed in front of him spinning like a corkscrew covered in red lightning. Harry went straight thru Kreacher leaving an enourmous hole in Kreachers chest. Kreacher gave a final scream before his body was reduced to dust.
"I must say Potter, that despite myself I am inpressed." Sanpe said appearing behind Harry.
Snape was dressed in a matching set of black slacks and button up shirt, a long blue coat that nearly touched the ground, and long chain wrapped around his right arm. Any other day, and Harry would have thought Snapes attire out of place. But the number of fights was beggining to take it's toll on him. Thunder echoed in the distance as a downpour began quickly turning the soft dirt ground to slippery mud. The temperature seemed to drop a few degrees as Harry held his sword in a ready position and a stell ball formed at the end of Snape's chain creating a weapon called a Bodak that he began to twirl above his head. All the sound in the stadium drowned out except for Harry's own breathing and the whooshing sound from Snapes bodak.
A bolt of lightning flashed and the fight began. Snape hurled the ball forward fast as a speeding bullet missing Harry by centimeters. Harry closed the distance between him and Snape and slahed at Snape's neck. Snape leaned back just as the blade passed by him managing to cut a few errant strands of hair. Snape turned and swung his bodak aiming for the spot that Harry was about to land. Harry spread his wings just in time stopping himself in midair as the bodak passed underneath him. Harry swooped down striking with his sword. Snape jumped out of the way swingin his bodak back around. Harry ducked under the attack and closed the gap again. Harry slashed and Snape blocked with his chain covered arm. Snape shifted his wait suddenly causing Harry to lose his balance, he turned just in time to see rapidly approaching him. Without a moment to spare Harry blocked with his sword. A loud clang sounded as steel struck steel. Harry slid back under the force of the blow. Snape attacked again and Harry batted the ball away with his sword, his form blurred and reappeared beside Snape. Harry sliced his sword through Snapes gut.
"Got ya." Harry said. The words were barely out of his mouth when Snapes bodak struck Harry in the jaw. Harry stumbled and looked back to see Snapes wound already healed.
"You did'nt think it would be that easy did you Potter?" Snape drawled. "You're exhaustted and I'm at full strength."
Snape renewed his assualut relentlessly. Harry fought valiantly but for every three attacks he blocked one would hit, and Snape appeared to be getting faster. Snape drew his bodak back and twirled it around preparing for another series of attacks. Just as Snape began again Harry launched a volley of Hell feathers from his wings at the ground in front of him. The explosion clouded Snapes vision but did'nt stop his attack. Another clang rang out as Snape heard his attack hit the mark. His smile turned to a frown as the explosion quickly settled in the rain revealing Harry's sword stuck in the ground.
"Behind you." Harry whispered in Snapes ear. Snape turned and Harry let loose a flurry of blows. Harry ended the onslaught by driving his elbow into Snapes sternum and then simultaneously striking Snape's throat with his knee and the back of Snape's neck with his elbow. Snape fell to the ground and Harry over him preparing to finish the job. Snape quickly grabbed a handful of mud in his hand and threw it in Harrys eyes. Harry had no time to react as he was hit several times in rapid succesion by Snapes bodak which was now curving in the air to come back and hit Harry. Harry backed up until he felt his back hit the wall of the stadium. Quickly he dodged left and the bodak struck the wall becoming stuck in the wood. Harry jumped on the chain and ran the length of it, his elbow blade unsheathed itself. Harry reached Snape and twist flipped over him slashing Snapes face as he did so.
"Accio Rebellion!" Harry shouted wandlessly calling his sword to him. Crimson lightning charged around Harry's body and his eyes lit up once more. "DEVIL DRIVER!" Harry corkscrewed with blinding speed. Snape pulled his wand and pointed it at Harry.
"Sectussemptra." Purple arcs flew from his wand and struck Harry. There was a brilliant flash of light and Harry landed behind Snape, his left wing landed three feet behind him. Snape clutched the hole in his shoulder and tried to heal it. Harry stood and limped his eyes began to glow venomous yellow, and his fangs became more pronounced.
"Now we have you." Arkham said from behind Harry. He held out his palm forward and Harry froze in place. A hazy yellow aura was drained from his body and absorbed into an amulet that Arkham held in his other hand. Harry's eyes returned to their normal green color and seemed to ose their focus. "Finish him Severus."
"Gladly." Snape's bodak glowed a bright blue and he hurled it forward where it slammed into Harry's chest crushing his ribs. Harry fell on his back and weakly gasped for air. Snape stood over him triumphantly. Snape held Harry's sword above him in both hands and drove it down into Harry's chest. Harry felt his life drain from him for the second time. This time however it seemed his luck had run out.
"I'm sorry Mione. I failed you." Harry whispered weakly as his eyes went dead.
-->