"Good shot Mum."
''A thousand Galleons in kick-box lessons finally pay off," she said running back to them.
"Hermione, help us up, we've got to get these bonds off before he comes to. We'll have to use the sword," said Harry.
"How?" Hermione asked as she pulled each of them up on their feet and they made their way toward the light-filled chamber.
"We'll connect and use our link to help us to melt the bonds."
As they entered the cavern Ben. gasped. "What is this thing anyway?" he said as he gazed at the huge pulsing green light-filled tunnel.
"Ben, face your back to mine and intertwine your fingers with mine. Good. Hermione, put one hand on top of our joined hands and touch the link within ourselves with the other. We're going to concentrate to channel the energy to break these ties. Ready?"
Hermione and her son looked at each other and nodded. She reached her arm toward the light and she could feel the energy pulling her toward the cavern face. As her hand made contact a loud humming could be heard, and the three of them felt the intense surge of energy pass through them. Suddenly the clamps around their wrists began to glow and then dissipated into thin air.
As soon as their hands were free Hermione threw her arms around her son, and looking over his shoulder said to his father "please get us out of here now."
From the far side of the room a snarling voice was heard. "Not so fast mudblood."
Harry shoved Hermione and his son behind him as Dunlin stalked his way toward them.
They turned to find a fuming, Dimitri Dunlin in the opening. "What is that saying Potter? Oh yes- the family that plays together, dies together." With a poisonous look on his face he seethed, "you're going down first Potter."
As the words left his lips the Cavern began to hum & shake again. They all jerked back away from it as bright coloured lights swarmed around the room and the air crackled with magic. Suddenly a form began to take shape inside.
Hermione was the first to speak.
"Dumbledore."
The brilliant light was emanating from the cavern walls was nearly blinding but the person inside was clearly visible. Clad in an ornate robe that obviously denoted higher l status, hair impeccably done and decorated with jewelled clasps, fingers displaying a different precious gemstone, it was Dumbledore in all his glory. As he spotted Dunlin his face tightened and his eyes blazed fire. Hermione thought briefly that he looked to be the epitome of the title 'Most powerfull wizard''
Dumbledore continued to stare at Dunlin and didn't notice Harry, Hermione and Ben, who were behind his back, so he was slightly startled when Hermione 's voice echoed through the cavern. "Hermione stay put. Dunlin can't touch you as long as you're in the inner chambers. He seemed to be floating on air as he turned, and upon seeing Harry his face broke out in a relieved smile. "Thank God Harry I was so worried…" His words trailed off and her smile grew wide when she saw Hermione behind him. "Oh Hermione." His excited words abruptly ended when he saw the young man standing behind Hermione. There was no mistaking who he could be; he was the spitting image of his father with Hermione's sleek brown hair and huge emerald eyes. "You have a son?"
"Dumbledore." Dunlin's' thin, acrid voice prevented any answer to his question. "So you didn't know about the heir apparent either. Seems your adopted grandson ,the new Lord Gryffindor, kept a few things from all of us, hmm?" He took a few steps toward the as he continued. "So, grandfather,come to defend your grandson from little 'ol me. I'm honoured, that you view me as so important that you would be summoned in this way."
"Don't be honoured Dimitri," Dumbledore ground out. "I came to warn him about your escape." He turned and said, "I'm sorry Harry, I came as soon as I could."
"Don't be sorry Albus, it's not your fault."
"He's right Dumbledore, it's not your fault. It's his." Dunlin glared at Harry as he continued. "He should have had me executed, but his bleeding liberal heart couldn't bare any more capital punishment. It is among the many bad decisions you've made Potter. Always concerned with fairness, equality, peace- your conscience is your greatest weakness Potter. You were too weak to kill me because you'd have a guilty conscience. 'Murder is never justified. Not even as a punishment for committing murder'. Do you remember uttering those words at my sentencing? Ironic now, really, as they served to seal your own fate. Because I won't make the same mistake you did Potter. I don't have a conscience."
Harry quickly connected to Hermione, his son and Dumbledore. // Albus, if I get hit, blind him with a power surge to the retina. Hermione, Ben, when he does that RUN for the cave entrance. Ben can open the door Mione, just show him where to lay his hand. Albus will detain him here as long as possible. Get as far away from here as possible but don't go back to Oxford or Annan ; he will look for you there first. He will come back here though, to go back to Hogwarts. Albus when you get back assemble the order and have as many aurors stationed at the Caverns to intercept him when if returns." //
Then in a clear steely voice he said, "I won't make that mistake again Dunlin."
Dunlin sneered as Harry began to raise his arm against him. "You don't have the balls Potter."
"The one who isn't going to have balls is you, you twisted excuse for a wizard."
Dumbledore's voice boomed around the chamber. "Harry, wait."
"I have to Albus. I won't allow him to remain a threat to everyone I love."
"No Harry; I meant I agree. I don't want you to bear this alone." Albus raised his hand and laid it on the stone . It began to shimmer as she said, "take my hand Harry. Let me help you."
He looked up into his mentors's eyes and saw the love and trust he hoped was reflected in his own. As he reached for his hand Hermione brought her own up and laid it over his. With tear filled eyes she said, "you're not alone anymore Harry. Never again."
Her son stood in awe as the scene played out before him. His father was a good man, a fair ruler- Dunlin' s words had confirmed what his mother had told him. The appearance of his adopted Great Grandfather and his desire to shoulder his grandsons's burden, as well as his mother's display of her love and commitment to him moved him deeply. He reached out his hand and covered both Hermione's and his fathers. They looked at him with wide eyes as he said with a slight smirk on his face, "may the force be with you."
His father moved their three joined hands into the shimmering liquid that had replaced the stone where Dumbledores's hand lay. When he felt him grasp their hands he raised his free arm up and pointed directly at Dunlins' face. In a stately voice he pronounced "as Lord Gryffindor of the house of Gryffindor, I hereby condemn you to death for your treacherous crimes." As the conjoined hands began to glow he added, "enjoy hell, Dunlin."
The power that burst forth from harry's outstretched hand was so immense it threw Dunlin across the chamber into the cavern wall. It only took a short time before his body was completely incinerated and only a pile of ash remained as a testament to his presence.
The deafening silence was broken by Ben.'s shocked "oh my dear Merlin." Hermione turned an upon seeing her son's pallid complexion and shaking body, she threw her arms around him and said, "it's all right baby. It's going to be all right now."
The entire cavern began to shimmer as Dumbledore passed through it and materialized before them. Throwing her arms around her mentorss neck he said "oh Harry, I came as soon as I found out he'd escaped. I was so afraid he'd have found you and…and…"
Harry clasped his hands in his own as he said "it's OK Albus, it's over. He's never going to hurt anyone again."
As these words were spoken he pulled away from him and turned. "Miss Granger," he said as he reached out. The two embraced and sobbed together. "Hermione it's so good to see you. I'm so glad Harry found his way back to you." Stepping back he cocked her head toward her fiance. Smiling he said, "he's been a real grouch for the past 10 years, you know. I think it may have had something to do with you." She then looked past Hermione to the young man staring at him. "Hello young man. I'm your Great Grandfather"
"I'm Benedict," he said, holding out his hand to shake his.
Running his eyes over him he said "My dear lord Merlin, you are a perfect combination of the two of them." His eyes began to tear as he ran hisands over his beard. "I have a great grandson."
"He's a good boy, Albus," his father said. "Actually he reminds me of you Harry, '' . Except he doesn't have your temper," he added with a laugh.
" I hope you're happy now that you have found your Lady again."
"Ecstatic," he said as he gazed lovingly at Hermione.
"So you two are together again?"
"For as long as she'll have me," he replied, not moving his gaze.
"For eternity, Harry," Hermione whispered.
"So, where will you live?" interrupted Dumbledore.
"We live in Annan, grandafther," said Harry.
Dumbldore smiled at him calling him 'Grandfather'.
It was silent for a moment before Harry took Hermione's hand. "I don't care where I am Hermione, as long as I'm with you. It's your call."
Hermione stared down at the ground before taking a deep breath. "Our lives are in Scotland, Harry." Taking her son's hand in hers, she saw him nod in silent agreement. "This is the only thing I'll ever ask of you. I want to stay here."
"Then so do I," he said beaming at her.
"Well, I hate to bring this up Harry," said Albus. "Dunlin was one of the the worst of your enemies but he wasn't the only one. Eventually one or more will come here to look for you."
Harry sighed deeply. He knew he was right; at some point an enemy of the house of Gryffindor was bound to come searching for him. If it were just him he had to worry about it would not be of any concern. But it was not just him now. "Then I have to make sure there is no way for them to get here."
Dumbledore looked confused for a moment. "The only way you could do that would be to…oh Harry''.
"Now I'm confused," Hermione said; "what are you two talking about?"
Harry looked at her and then at their son. "The only way to ensure that no one else comes here is to destroy the caverns."
His son looked up at the massive chambers and then back to Dumbledore and Harry. . "Is that what you really want Harry?"
He placed both his hands on his shoulders and choked up at the emotion he saw raging in his large blue eyes. "Grandfather, I don't have a choice. I wouldn't survive if something happened to them because of me. This is the only way."
"Oh Harry," he cried as he threw his arms around him. They held each other tightly as they both cried.
Albus pulled away first. "I love you Harry. You have been the best grandson I could ever have hoped for. And a
great friend. I will miss you more than I can ever express in words."
His words caused tears to flow from all four of them.
As he took his face in his hands he croaked out, "I love you to Grandfather''. There has not been a moment in my life that I haven't known that you were the most amazing man in the universe. You have been my strength for the past 17 years. Without you to keep me sane I would have never made it.,. Thank you. For everything." Dumbledore paused for a moment to let Harry's words sink in, then said "You are going to make a great Minister for Magic, Lord Gryffindor."
"What?"
"You heard me. As chief of the wizardgamot, I hereby pronounce you, Harry James Potter, Lord Gryffindor,' the new Minister for Magic''… It has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"
"No Albus, no, I couldn't."
"Yes you can. You will. Our people need- no deserve- a strong minister Harry. There is no one I trust more than you . I know you will be fair and compassionate. You have the experience; And you couldn't have a better advisor by your side than your future wife. Our people will be lucky to have you and Hermione as their leaders. Come here. Kneel down."
Harry slowly sank to his knees, then raised his head to meet his gaze.
"Harry James Potter also known as Lord Gryffindor,Heir to the house of Gryffindor I hereby bequeath upon you the title of Minister for Magic & Minister of all inhabitants of the country of Great Britain. May Merlin himself (if he was here) grant you the wisdom, the heart, and the strength you will need to rule justly, compassionately, and courageously." He laid his hands on his head and they began to glow. "There. I've transferred his seal to you. It's how they'll know you're Lord Gryffindor now." He pulled him to his feet as tears continued to stream down all of their faces. "
"Hermione, I hope you know how lucky you are. Please take care of him for me."
"I do, and I will Albus. Good luck to you. I will never forget you." They cried some more as they hugged each other. Albusl then turned to his Great Grandson.
"Well, I'm really sorry that we're not going to get to know each other really. Good luck to you Benedict. I wish you a bright, happy future."
As they embraced Ben said "and may Merlin be with you Grandfather''
"Thank you Benedict. I'll pray for you too. That way we'll remain in contact, in a way."
Albus turned back to Harry. "So now for a technical question. How are we going to do this? Destroy it, I mean."
"Well, you'll have to do it from your end. The seal I conveyed to you has the magical stream embedded in it to activate the implosion process. Lay your hand on the seal in the wall there and say 'CARSICO.' The magical signatures in there will take care of the rest. The caverns will, well, it will be like being sucked into a black hole. It will disappear."
"Then I guess this is it then, isn't it. "I love you Harry. Have a good life. All of you." I will be watching over you all''
He turned and moved through the shimmering walls of the caverns. After he entered, the ledge reappeared and the light once again became brilliant inside the chamber. He looked upon them all for a final time. "I love you all. May Merlin himself bring us together again in the next life." With a final wave his form began to fade until the cavern was empty once again.
Hermione placed her arm on Harry's shoulder. "Are you OK?"
He pulled her into his arms. "As long as I have you I'm OK." He looked over at his son. "Hi. I guess we have a lot to talk about, huh."
Ben gave him a half-grin as he replied "Yes. But do you mind if we get out of here first?"
"Good idea. Let's go." He led them out of the caverns into the bright sunshine.
"So what do we do now?" his son asked.
Standing between them, Hermione took each of them by the hand.
"We go home Ben." ''We go home''
Were nearing the end of this story, book one in the *open your eyes* series…
stay tuned and as always, your thoughts/musings are always appreciated
Prongs……..