The end

Stupefy! shouted Fred towards the guard when it became clear that he was not going to believe their story. He collapsed, his face contorted with anger and incomprehension following this betrayal.

And damn it. Hurry down. We have a maximum of 15 minutes before someone notices his absence.

The troupe composed of Fred Weasley, Theodore Nott, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Blaise Zabini, Ginny Weasley, Petunia, and Vernon Dursley hurriedly descended the stairs leading to the dungeon where a chorus of screams and insults greeted them. Fred had participated in the capture of many prisoners, and even though Percy had always refused to let his little brother take part in the interrogations, Fred knew they had good reasons to scream.

They ignored them and quickly arrived at the cell specially enchanted to prevent transformations into animagi where Malfoy and Peter had been imprisoned. The latter was holding his arm, uttering plaintive murmurs.

The Lord of Darkness is angry with me. A spy must have informed him of my betrayal.

Or maybe he's just upset that you stood him up. In either case, it's a good thing we're getting out of here. Said Fred as he began the long spell to unlock the prisoners' cell.

Pardon?

Percy refuses to implement your plan. So, we will manage on our own.

You are crazy! If we go there alone, we'll never reach it. Protested Peter.

Once there, we'll find a way. Fred assured.

If even he thinks we have no chance... Vernon began.

If you don't want to come then there is no shame in staying here. Even if it kills me to admit it, Percy might be right to hole up like a rat. No offense, added Fred to Peter.

Vernon glanced at Petunia then declared:

I prefer to die up there than to live without my wife and son.

Even if we succeed, there's little chance we'll get out alive, you know? Fred insisted.

I am starting to understand why it's Percy who takes care of motivating the troops, replied Ginny.

The only thing that kept Fred from giving her a sharp reply was the still vivid memory of the bat-bogey hex she had inflicted on him when he had tried to force her to stay safe in the fortress. When she was angry, his little sister was more frightening than many Death Eaters.

Once the cell was opened, they all grabbed Peter. Under the watchful eye of Malfoy, who simply stared at them silently with a dark look, waiting for his moment. Fred then said to Peter, handing him his wand that he had retrieved earlier from the storage:

I removed the anti-apparition spells. Take us to the meeting place. Ordered Fred.

To find ourselves in the middle of an army of Death Eaters? Protested Peter.

To come face to face with You-Know-Who. Do you see another way to reach him?

By now, he must no longer be at the meeting place. We need to find something else. I thought the lead tongues had found the meeting place? Peter asked.

Their technique is still experimental. For the moment, they can only determine the region. Percy asked them to work on it as a priority so that we can locate their meeting places and launch lightning attacks with the house-elves. Fred explained.

Dobby? Shouted Petunia.

Until now, she had let their protector attend to his duties with the other house-elves of the fortress, knowing that he would not appreciate them putting themselves in danger (Since the attack on the Hogwarts enclave, the elf took his mission to protect those he now considered his masters a little too seriously).

As soon as Dobby apparated at their side. For the first time since their arrival, Malfoy could not hide a look of interest.

Mistress Petunia called.

I am not your mistress. Petunia couldn't help but remind despite the urgency of the situation.

The elf began to cry.

Master Harry also kept reminding Dobby all the time that he was a free elf. Said the elf while blowing his nose into one of his shirts.

Why did you call him? Make him be quiet, he's going to get us noticed. Fred reproached him.

Dobby, could you make us apparate right next to the place indicated by the Dark Mark?

Yes, Dobby can, but why would Dobby do that? Replied the elf with a suspicious tone.

Because it's an order. The Malfoy invective.

Shut up, Malfoy. Justin shouted at him reflexively.

Dobby is a free elf. He no longer receives orders. And certainly not from the nasty little master. He said defiantly before banging his head against the floor, saying bad Dobby.

Do not punish yourself. Intervened Petunia, you have done nothing wrong. Listen Dobby, we don't have time to explain, but we may have found a way to save Harry. I know it's dangerous, but there is no other way. I know you think your mission is to protect us, but he is my son.

Dobby understands. Dobby will do what maste.. What Madam Petunia orders him.

Take me with you. Malfoy suddenly shouted at them.

Hmm! Let me think. No. Justin replied curtly, taking Dobby's arm.

You need all the help available, the scarred man killed my father and raped my mother. I want to kill him as much as you do!

Justin ignored Petunia's startle and replied in an icy tone:

We don't want to kill him, but to save him. And in any case, we can't trust you.

ALERT!!! THE PRISONERS ARE ESCAPING. HELP. Malfoy began to shout.

But what’s gotten into you, you triple idiot? Asked Fred.

Take me with you or I'll report you. ALERT, THE WEASLEYS ARE HELPING THEM!

Silence. You wouldn't happen to know a way to launch a definitive one? Asked Justin while Malfoy started banging on the iron bars of his cell to raise the alarm.

In his case, I think only a castration spell would allow us to curtail the disease. Fred threatened humorously. It had the merit of stopping Malfoy's racket.

But it was too late and already, they heard the sound of a cavalcade on the stairs leading to the dungeons.

Dobby, it's now or never.

There are many of you and the place is far. Dobby needs to concentrate his magic. Dobby doesn't know if he will survive this spell.

What!? Dobby, I order you to stop. It's not worth it. Vernon then shouted.

Dobby is a free elf, sir.

Then the world around them became blurry. None of them noticed that Drago had managed to cling at the last moment to the stack of shirts far too large for the elf, which formed a long trail behind him.

oOoOoOoOo

Gloups! Was the sound that escaped from Drago's mouth when, in a panic, he tried to catch his breath. He then felt the water painfully enter his lungs and immediately spat it out. Then he began to struggle to move straight ahead.

A second earlier, he had felt the elf's magic give way. Or was it he who had let go too soon of the thin piece of fabric that connected him to the rest of the group? But it didn't matter. The only important thing was that he was surrounded by muddy water and had no idea where the surface was. He struggled, but without any point of reference, he felt like he was treading water and gradually, his strength left him. Slowly, he resigned himself to everything ending here. He became still and began to cry, softly calling his mother's name.

Then, through the kind of lump his mind had become, he felt something brush against his back. Without thinking, he started to kick with all his meager strength, but despite all his efforts, the thing grabbed him from behind and dragged him away. All of a sudden, immense pain seized him and he became blind.

Stop moving, you idiot, or I'll smack you one. Reasoned Justin's voice.

His eyes and lungs stopped hurting, and he could see that he was on the surface of a stinking swamp and that Justin was dragging him. Once he had regained enough strength, he violently pushed Justin away, shouting:

Don't touch me, mudblood.

You're welcome. It's always a pleasure to save your life.

I didn't ask you for anything.

But despite his warnings, the mudblood dared to wrap his arms around him again.

Stay by my side. If you relapse, I'm warning you, this time, I'll let you sink.

Drago tried to break free, but his lungs were still too traumatized by the experience he had just gone through to provide him with enough breath to be effective. And when his eyes finally adjusted to the sudden brightness and he saw the distance separating them from the nearest shore (whichwas in the opposite direction from where he had started swimming), he resolved to float on his back and let himself be carried.

Once on the shore, Justin hoisted him with his last strength onto the shore where he was left like a log of wood, while Theodore and Blaise rushed to help Justin get himself ashore and use their magic to dry him off. Drago, motionless, alone, frozen and reeking of mud, watched them while trying to regain his strength. Theodore gave a lecture to a now clean and dry Justin on the danger of what he had just done, while Blaise gave him small manly pats on the back.

Okay boys, give each other a hug once and for all and stop your drama. We have to go. Yelled Ginny.

Are you crazy!? Don't you think there are already enough rumors about those two? Blaise protested.

But Justin took advantage of this moment of distraction to take them both in his arms. Blaise immediately pulled away with a falsely outraged look, while Theodore briefly returned the embrace before ending it when Fred, Peter, Petunia, and Vernon (holding Dobby's lifeless body in his arms) approached. Among them, Draco was the only one still soaked. No one seemed to care that he didn't have a wand and was shivering to the point of chattering teeth.

Is he okay? Justin asked

Draco started, believing the question was addressed to him, but realized that all attention was directed toward that cursed elf. Had they all gone mad? He was Draco Malfoy. How could they lose interest in his fate in favor of a miserable half-crazy elf?

A priori, yes. In any case, he's breathing. He just completely exhausted his magical reserves to bring us here. With a bit of luck and a lot of rest, he should fully recover. Explained Peter.

Speaking of that, where are we? asked Vernon.

With a bit of luck, not far from the meeting place. Peter replied.

I'm not sure that 'luck' is the right word. What is he doing here, that one? Fred asked, pointing at Malfoy.

A minimum of respect wouldn't be superfluous, Weasley. Replied Draco in a haughty tone with his drawling voice.

I'm going to teach you some respect, you dirty little snake. You're going to tell me right now why you followed us. Fred advanced menacingly with his wand.

Stop! I dream as much as you of smashing his face, but Justin almost drowned saving his life. Who knows what stupid thing Justin will do again if you go after him?

On that note, Malfoy owes a life debt to Justin. Announced Theodore.

Drago nearly choked at such an outrage but remained silent. He found nothing to retort to contest Theodore's words, so for once in his life, he tried to make himself forgotten.

I don't want to have any connection with that dirty snake. Protested Justin in his place.

These words, instead of relieving, shocked Draco even more. How dared he refuse such an honor? A vermin like him should have jumped at the chance to be linked to such pure and ancient blood.

You should have thought about that before jumping in. Drago formalizes the life debt. Ordered Nott.

I don't have a wand. Against Drago in bad faith.

And I don't want them to owe me anything. Justin tried to protest once again.

Ignoring Justin's remark, Fred threw his spare wand at Malfoy's feet (it was Percy's instruction to always carry a spare wand, a first aid kit, and a dagger concealed in his boot).

Reluctantly, Draco seized it, and because four wands were now pointed at him, he performed the ritual gesture his father had taught him. Immediately, he felt a bond form between Justin and his magical core. From now on, Justin could demand a service in exchange for this life debt. Whatever the nature of said service, if Draco refused, he would lose his powers. And until his debt was paid, he was forbidden from attacking Justin or a member of his family without also losing his powers.

Well, now that the dragon has lost its fangs, what do we do? Asked Blaise

I think we should tie him up anyway. Just in case. Peter asserted.

No. Now that he's here, he might as well make himself useful. First step is to know where we are and where You-Know-Who is. After that, we'll see. Ordered Fred, who had immediately taken the lead of their small group (Ginny reflected that during the few weeks they had been apart, Fred had matured a lot).

After an argument, Malfoy returned the wand he had borrowed to Fred, and their group set off in the direction that Peter's mark indicated as the meeting place.

oOoOoOoOo

After an exhausting walk, they arrived in front of a long wire fence with a sign indicating that they were on U.S. Army property. By mutual agreement, they crossed the barrier after Fred and Peter cast a disillusionment charm on each of them. They advanced cautiously, wands in hand, but encountered no one. After a while, they heard a loud noise coming from behind a hill.

Under Fred's orders, they climbed the hill on their knees (paying attention to what Malfoy was doing). Once at the top, they saw the entrance to a military base located under a mountain guarded by a dozen Death Eaters who spent their time searching the endless parade of trucks pouring inside. On the gigantic reinforced concrete arch that served as the entrance, they could read: "Cheyenne Mountain Base, Colorado." Fred took out from his magically enchanted pocket, which increased its capacity and remained light, the pair of omnioculars that hadn't left him since the day of the World Cup and tried to understand what was happening. After a while, he realized that the trucks contained all sorts of plants and animals, both magical and non-magical. Others, rarer, contained families of wizards who didn't seem to know what they were doing there but obeyed the Death Eaters' orders while visibly terrified.

What is he up to? Fred asked in the direction of Peter and Malfoy.

Malfoy merely sniffed disdainfully.

We know nothing about it. You-Know-Who didn't let anything slip about his plan. Even to me, he said nothing. He simply entrusted us with tasks, most of the time without the other Death Eaters knowing, with the mission of speaking to no one. Before following Malfoy, I tried to understand, but he didSo compartmentalized the information that I had to give up on it. However, I pen... Peter began to explain.

Silence. Théo ordered, while Peter began to hold the mark. Suddenly the air became heavy and the sky darkened. Fred did not need to use his multiplettes to understand what was happening. They wanted to find You-Know-Who. Well, they had succeeded. The Death Eaters and various people on the site ceased all activity and knelt down while Potter descended from the sky where he was floating without the help of any visible support, the Potters' invisibility cloak fluttering in the wind behind him as the famous ring gleamed on his finger.

Behind him, framing him like an escort, three wizards on brooms were riding. Thanks to the multiplettes, Fred could recognize Bellatrix Lestrange, Narcissa Malfoy, and... Bill Clinton. How was that possible? From what he had read in Percy's documents, he was the leader of a Muggle country allied with the International Confederation of Wizards.

Her magically enchanted voice then resonated throughout the valley.

My faithful servants, you have worked well and your master is proud of you. Thanks to your diligence, we will be able to advance our plans. Be proud, for you will soon witness the birth of a new era. Starting tonight, all your sacrifices will end and you will be able to reign by my side over a new world.

One of the Death Eaters guarding the entrance then knelt before him and pleaded:

My lord, my children are not arriving until tomorrow, I v...

Endoloris. Bellatrix creates. You will learn not to challenge the orders of our lord.

My dearest Bella, I appreciate your impulsiveness, but stop immediately.

But... Very well, master.

Voldemort approached the man who was now trembling in pain lying against the rough ground.

I understand the value of your sacrifice, but in the coming years, you will have plenty of time to make others. You will then be able to know the joy of raising them in the worship of Lord Voldemort. Unless you prefer to wait for them outside. He sneered before stepping onto the tarmac of the base.

Leave everything on the forecourt and go inside. We will start in a few hours. Ordered Voldemort.

All the men outside hurried to obey. Very quickly, only Voldemort and the 3 wizards who had accompanied him remained. Bellatrix stepped forward in turn, but with a gesture, the Dark Lord stopped her.

Bella, let's see. Someone has to stay outside to guard the entrance. We cannot risk being attacked during this critical moment.

But, my lord... Bella began to plead with him.

It is a heartbreak for me too, Bella. Every time I dreamed of this day, you were by my side. But we all have to make sacrifices. Know that I will never forget yours and I will ensure it is honored for dozens of generations after your death.

Very well, my master. I will do as you wish, she said with visible sadness.

Do not be sad. To lighten your sorrow, I have arranged for you to share your final moments with the rest of your dear family. Thus, your name will no longer be tarnished by the stain of their betrayal.

Then, without waiting for their response, he went back inside the reinforced concrete complex under the mountain, laughing heartily.

Belle then gave an order to the other two. Under Fred's astonished gaze, Bill Clinton's face began to melt and gradually transformed into that of a young woman barely older than him. Zooming in on her face with the multiplettes, he understood that she was probably under the imperium. Theodore then asked:

Nymphadora Blacks? What is she doing here?

Didn't you understand? It's a punishment against my mother. He wants her to die seeing what's left of her family disappear. Drago explained.

Didn't you also have an aunt? I mean another aunt? Nott asked.

Andromeda must have died protecting her daughter. Or You-Know-Who killed her in front of Nymphadora to break her. What do I know? replied Draco.

Your family stories are all well and good, but they don't tell us what they did? Fred intervened.

It's obvious. We'll free my family and cover your backs while you go in there to pursue your suicide mission. Malfoy announced in a matter-of-fact tone as he began to get up.

Fred grabbed his arm with authority.

Duck down, you idiot. And we're the ones going on a suicide mission?

My mother would never harm me. And I have a score to settle with Bellatrix.

Precisely, I saw him in action in combat. Believe me, he is not someone you can beat.

She's just a poor fool, retorted Draco.

Like He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. That doesn't stop me from killing anyone who dares to challenge him to a duel. Is that clear, Fred threatened.

Yes, chef. Shouted Ginny while making a parody of a military salute.

Sorry. I think I spent too much time with Percy. All I'm saying is that none of us can stand up to Bellatrix, we need a better plan.

That's because you haven't seen Terminanor in action. Suggested Justin, giving Justin a slap on the back.

End what? It doesn't matter. I don't want to dash your hopes, but Fred is right. Even my father admitted that she was better than him in a duel. Even attacking her together, we have no chance.

So that's it, the famous courage of the Weasleys. Those paragons of Gryffindor. Backing away from an old woman who spent half her life in Azkaban?

Half of McGonagall's job is trying to teach her students the difference between bravery and recklessness. Of course, with us, she completely failed, but that's no reason to do just anything. Fred replied.

What do you suggest, smart guy? Justin asked irritably.

Your blood may be too degenerate for you to dare to mingle with the still pure blood of the Blacks, but that's not the case with my mother. If she threatens me, she will make short work of that codfish. Malfoy replied.

In fact, it's not such a stupid plan. If we could also free Nymphadora, I'm sure we would get the upper hand on her before she could raise the alarm. Peter intervened.

And how do we approach it closely enough for that? Asked Blaise.

At that moment, to great surprise, Peter transformed into a rat. A rat that Ginny had known very well. She refrained from giving him a violent slap, remembering the number of times she had undressed in front of the animal.

oOoOoOo

After Fred ordered the Dursleys to stay back and they agreed on the signal to coordinate and communicate remotely, Peter approached the three witches as discreetly as possible while the teenagers crawled to the cover of the trees.

Peter managed to slip by unnoticed until a biting cold seized him. He then looked up at the sky and saw a hundred Dementors gathering around the entrance of the building, in front of a laughing Bellatrix who seemed unaffected by their effects. Apparently, You-Know-Who wasn't relying solely on the three witches to guard his hideout while they implemented his infamous secret plan.

After a few seconds, Narcissa summoned a Patronus which took the form of a dragon and Peter felt the cold diminish, but not his terror, as the creatures were now leaving Bellatrix to approach the place where he knew the teenagers were hiding. Peter forgot all caution and started to run. He realized his mistake when an excruciating pain seized him and forced him to transform back in front of a cruelly smiling Bellatrix.

A nasty rat running in the grass, I catch it by the tail. Dip it in oil, dip it in water, it will make a very warm traitor. Bellatrix hummed softly as she approached him with a threatening air.

Belatrix, let me pass. I must see the master, I need to warn him...

Tututu, it is too late, I fear. Your absence has finally made the master understand that you were not worthy to stand by his side and I will not give you the opportunity to change his mind.

I was delayed by our adversaries, but I risked everything to answer his call. Let me pass so I can explain to him. I have information that could change the course of the war.

Ha ha ha ha! You know nothing. Apparently, you are not that close to the master. This war no longer matters. Taunted Bellatrix.

What are you talking about, you crazy fool?

Endoloris! Shouted Bellatrix in response to his cheekiness.

Peter screamed in pain.

To reward you for bringing our master back among the living, I will grant you the favor of satisfying your curiosity before killing you. Our master has decided to use his great powers to create an immense cloud of his 'radiations' that will cover the earth for millennia. Nothing will survive it except the exceptional beings he himself has selected for their loyalty and the purity of their blood. They and their descendants will thus have the chance to know a life entirely devoted to the devotion towards our master until the surface becomes livable again and they can live a new golden age free from the defilement and degeneration of the old world. Avada...

Before she could finish the terrible incantation, Bellatrix had to turn around to invoke a shield to block a red spell rushing at her back. Peter transformed back to flee and saw that the teenagers had been forced out of their hiding place to defend themselves against the Dementors. While the best fighters (Fred and Nott) struggled to maintain their corporeal Patronuses against the hundred Dementors attacking them, the battle raged against a Nymphadora Tonks whose inner fight against You-Know-Who's Imperius was evident, as her movements were jerky and seemed like iron in a sea of molasses.

Despite everything, she clearly had the upper hand and was now focusing her attacks on the weakest of the group: young Ginny, who was dodging as best she could.How bad her attacks until she tripped over a root and collapsed to the ground. Peter began to urgently transform back, but it would soon be too late. Fred abandoned his post and his Patronus disappeared, causing the cold to reappear, but he too was too far away to intervene in time. Nymphadora finished her incantation and a dark spell rushed toward her, and Justin threw himself in front of Ginny to take the spell in her place and painfully collapsed to the ground. For 5 minutes, Justin felt his body without understanding to check that he had nothing, then understood upon seeing Draco's body panting beside him.

Justin leaned over him and with a wave of his wand made the blood-soaked clothes of the Slytherin disappear. Then he summoned bandages and various healing spells to try to stop the bleeding. In his haste, he neither noticed that the fighting had ceased, nor that he was now protected from the Dementors by a dragon-shaped Patronus. Nymphadora was rubbing her head, trying to recover from the possession that Peter had freed her from, while Bellatrix's body lay lifeless where Narcissa had left it when she had tried to get between her and her son in danger.

Stupid... mudblood, at least summon a shield before stupidly throwing yourself in front of the enemy. Drago murmured weakly.

For once in your life Malfoy shut your fucking mouth. Responded Justin, half-panicked, seeing the blood continue to leave Draco's body through every inch of his skin.

But Justin was brutally pushed away from his son by a Narcissa Malfoy also on the verge of hysteria, who began casting a series of spells that did not seem very, very white.

Mother. Said Draco, raising his hand to Narcissa's face.

Hush, my dragon.

I have failed. I have dishonored our family.

Then despite Narcissa's care, Draco's eyes closed. She then stood up, radiating anger and power, and without anyone being able to stop her, she grabbed Justin by the neck and lifted him until he was suffocated against a tree.

Explanation!? Why did my son sacrifice his life for that of a miserable mudblood? Narcissa screamed.

He owed me a life debt. Justin managed to murmur, despite the hand that was suffocating him, certain that Narcissa couldn't hear his response in the midst of the shouts and spells his friends were casting to try to free him. However, she proved him wrong by releasing him and bowing before him.

The Malfoys died honoring their debt and their name. It will not be said otherwise of the Blacks. You allowed me to see my son one last time. My debt is eternal. Alas, I fear that for us, eternity is but a short moment to pass. What can my house do to ease your final moments?

Oh. If we could talk about it again in 60 years, that would suit me. Justin replied with confusion.

Is it impertinence or ignorance? We only have a few hours left before the lord of darkness unleashes his ultimate cataclysm.

What are you talking about? asked Blaise incredulously.

She tells the truth. Said Tonks and Peter at the same time.

Peter, who had not fully understood what Bellatrix had told him, let Tonks explain in her still trembling voice.

Voldemort wants to trigger a nuclear war between the USA and the rest of the world. As soon as he manages to disable the American anti-missile defense systems, he will launch all American nuclear missiles against the rest of the world. And he has ensured that the Russian and Chinese counterattacks will encounter no obstacles. Almost all the missiles will explode and create a gigantic radioactive cloud that will make the surface uninhabitable for thousands of years.

What is an atomic bomb? Blaise asked timidly, but his remark was masked by Justin's cry, whose face had just turned considerably pale.

But this is madness!

I fear that the master is beyond madness. From a certain point of view, it is a matter of genius. Commented Narcissa.

No, but that's nonsense, why would you have helped him destroy the world? asked Justin.

He had assured me that our blood, with its unparalleled purity, was necessary for him to build his ideal world.

In front of the questioning gaze of her lay audience, she resolved to speak in a more rustic language:

He told me that Drago was inside the shelter. That it was there he had sent him.

In fact, he sent him to carry out... Peter began.

I understood the moment I saw my son fall at your side that the dark lord had perjured himself once more. Enough explanations, our time, alas, is precious to us. Narcissa interrupted.

Help us get in! We're going to try to stop him. Peter asked.

I understand your desire to make a last attempt, but I assure you that you do not want to perish at the hands of our master.

We will not perish. Well, maybe not. Fred conceded.

May I know what your plan consists of? asked Narcissa.

We don't have time. Are you going to help us or not? Ginny intervened, suspecting that if she knew their plan, this icy woman would never let them through.

A redhead and second-hand clothes. You must be a Weasley. Lower your wand, young lady, before I strongly remind you who is currently repelling the Dementors.

In response, the other teenagers raised their wands against Narcissa in turn.

Fine, I would yield to your demands. But only to honor my debt.

Narcissa turned around and led them to the entrance of the bunker. Fred sent red stars into the air to alert the Dursleys to join them (their arrival made Narcissa frown, but she refrained from commenting). Once they reached the imposing door, she cut her hand with a knife and placed a few drops of her blood on it before shouting a password in Latin, and the red barrier surrounding the door briefly appeared before disappearing. Then Tonks transformed again into Bill Clinton, placed her hand on a fingerprint reader, and finally entered a code into the computer. Once she finished, in a terrible clatter, the door finally opened.

Cross the door quickly before the alarm is raised. As soon as you have crossed the door, we will close it again.

After assuring a Tonks who absolutely wanted to come with them that in her condition she would be more useful outside pretending to be Bellatrix andattempting to convince the Death Eaters inside not to raise the alarm after the door opened, they entered the long black tunnel leading to an elevator that seemed to descend to the bowels of the earth. Just before the military elevator doors closed, Narcissa shouted to them:

In the unlikely event that you achieve your goals, know that I will owe you another eternal debt.

oOoOoOoOo

They had been wandering through the maze of corridors for an hour now, their faces masked by the Death Eater masks they had quickly summoned. To their great pleasure, no one seemed to pay them any attention. In these long concrete corridors decorated only by a few military signs, no one spoke, no one paid attention to their neighbor. The families wandering aimlessly kept their heads down and their eyes sad, seeking some comfort by huddling together. The atmosphere was gloomy, and it owed nothing to the austerity of the place. Their small group had no trouble slipping through, but they wondered if the luckiest ones were really those destined to survive for several generations in these places under the rule of a megalomaniac and sadistic psychopath.

At the beginning, they had tried to head towards the command center of the base by following the military maps regularly posted on the wall. But they only managed to get lost. The place had been magically transformed so that it no longer resembled the map directions at all. Former broom closets had been magically enlarged to hold several cathedrals, dead ends had become long access ways to rooms that were not supposed to exist. The more time passed, the more the fear of arriving too late to stop Armageddon became pressing. Only the certainty of being spotted kept them from running or asking for directions.

Finally, during a wandering that put their nerves to the test, they emerged into a vast hall whose false ceiling imitating the sky reminded them of the Great Hall of Hogwarts. Except that the sun had been replaced by a gigantic red eye that randomly fixed its gaze on one of the wizards present in the gigantic place where dozens of others were pouring, with the help of their wands, gigantic shovelfuls of earth black as night contained in a gigantic bin, onto the bare concrete floor. After a few minutes of wondering whether or not to attempt to cross the place, a Death Eater who must have been barely 20 years old addressed them.

What are you doing standing there? Get your wands out and help us. The master wants the first crops planted before tonight!

Peter then decided to take the risk of revealing himself and addressed the young Death Eater:

Poor fool, don't you recognize me? Of all of you, miserable creatures who abandoned him at the most critical moment, I am his favorite. How dare you give me orders?

Pardon, Mr. Pettigrow, please excuse my mistake, but we were expecting reinforcements, so I had thought...

Well, you think poorly. Your stupidity could cost you your life. You're lucky I'm in a hurry. Tell me immediately where I can find the lord of darkness. I have an urgent message to deliver to him. Ordered Peter.

Well, he is in the communications room, but I doubt he would appreciate being disturbed. A note informed us that he would launch his attack in 15 minutes. If I were you, I would wait until he is finished.

Thank you for your warning. Where is the communications room? I admit I still have trouble finding my way around. Peter asked more civilly.

The Death Eater showed them the direction to take and as soon as they were out of sight, they abandoned all caution and began to run with all their might.

After 10 minutes of a frantic run, they forced open a door marked with a large sign as the communications room, and in front of about ten men in Muggle military clothing who were busy at computers, they formed a circle around the Dursleys and drew their wands. But before they could ask any questions, an alarm went off and a cold voice interrupted them.

Who dares to disturb Lord Voldemort like this? From the shadow in the middle of the room, a child emerged and stared at them with a look of pure hatred.

Petunia Dursley rushed out of the circle, quickly followed by Vernon.

Harry, it's mom. We came...

Voldemort then recoiled as if he had been punched in the abdomen, but said, his face panting.

You came to kill me? I'm afraid it's too late for that. The missiles have already been launched.

No, to save you. Said Nott after removing his mask.

Following this, everyone lost interest in the milestones that remained motionless like disjointed puppets and removed their masks to fix their gaze on Harry, reflecting on that scene which now seemed so distant, yet had taken place yesterday in a peaceful forest in the south of France.

« Do you remember the prophecy?

Yes. They all answered in unison.

Before his death, Dumbledore insisted on telling me that love was the key. For months, while spying on he-who-must-not-be-named, I mulled over his last words and the exchange I had with him... And eventually, a completely crazy theory came to mind. But the more I thought about it, the more I told myself that it explained so many things. The reason why Dumbledore asked me to tell him in detail how you escaped from You-Know-Who. Why he hid you in the same place as the Dursleys….

Get to the point. Justin interrupted sharply.

The power that the lord ignores is love. By taking possession of him, he marked him as his equal, but thanks to his ability to love, Harry can defeat the dark lord and free himself from his grasp.

Love!? What, you want us to go hug You-Know-Who in the hope that suddenly, he'll discover he has a heart? Blaise said sarcastically.

Almost. I want you to do it with the Dursleys. I would have also wanted to include Cedric Diggory, but everything suggests that he and his family died during the Quidditch World Cup final. Peter replied with the utmost seriousness.

Are you sure you haven't received one or two too many doloris?

I received just enough doloris to be as crazy as Dumbledore. But I am convinced that it's our only chance, Peter stated.

Everyone looked at him silently with an incredulous expression that worried Peter. Obviously, he hadn't convinced them, and he didn't see how to defend his case. Dumbledore or James, they were leaders of men. He, hewas only good at hiding in their shadows. It was then, to everyone's surprise, that Théodore explained:

Petunia is convinced that Harry briefly regained control when they crossed paths. She was convinced that if she had had more time, she could have saved him.»

They then advanced silently towards Voldemort, who began to scream in pain.

Do not come near me, please! I am in so much pain!

My dear, we are here to help you. I know it's hard, but please, fight it.

Voldemort then let out a terrible cry of anger that resonated so loudly it triggered the alarm for a few seconds, and a wave of raw magic took their breath away and forced them to kneel, breaking eye contact. Voldemort seemed to regain his composure.

Death is still too gentle a fate for you. Did you really think a mere teenager could defeat the most powerful dark wizard of all time? He raised his wand to kill them, starting with that Nott who had challenged him so much, but Vernon threw himself in front of him in a gesture that terribly reminded him of his mother's sacrifice. No, his mother had never sacrificed herself for him. He lowered his wand, confused, and began to cry. After a few moments, he felt his mother's arms embrace him. Realizing he only had a few seconds of respite, he gently pushed her away and said:

Sorry mom. I love you.

Harry then raised his wand and said:

Plague Fire

In front of a horrified Petunia, flames whose heat exceeded what Peter had felt in the stadium appeared around Harry and engulfed him and the last Horcrux that stood proudly in his fingers. The heat was so intense that everyone in the room felt as if they were burning.

After a few minutes, the Feudeymon went out and his wand, which was no longer attached to anything, fell onto a pile of ashes, a curiously intact invisibility cloak, and a split ring.

The remaining soldiers rubbed their eyes as if they had just woken from a bad dream while Death Eaters began to invade the room in search of explanations. Everything had ended so abruptly that they barely dared to believe it and remained motionless, stunned by what had just happened and the conflicting emotions battling within them.

Finally, a soldier came to his senses and asked:

Sergeant, what do we do now?

The last orders were clear: eliminate the wizards. And you deactivate the missiles before they reach their target.

Everyone immediately snapped out of their stupor and a battle ensued between the soldiers armed with machine guns, the Death Eaters, and their group, which was being targeted by all sides. After a few exhausting minutes where it became clear they would not survive, Peter cast an explosive spell that caused a violent landslide, isolating the teenagers and the Dursleys from their opponents. Dobby would retrieve them in a day or two when he had regained his strength. Meanwhile, he cut off a second finger to fake his death and escape in his rat form. It was starting to become a bad habit, but his war was over. He would leave it to others to build the peace.

oOoOoOo

Author's note: For those who don't know, Cheyenne Mountain Colorado is a famous American location that appears in many series. In real life, it seems this base is nothing special, but in fiction, it is often the command center of American nuclear weapons or the place where they hide top secret programs.Editor's note: If you want a visual, try any episode of Stargate SG1. A series that I highly recommend!