Ch.198 Death Toll Rings the Beginning

Harry's acceptance of becoming the 'Master of Death' was truly fascinating.

First off, his body was being constantly nourished by the three artifacts, resulting in him truly undergoing a proper third maturity, officially reaching the levels of Albus and Tom, even if just the beginnings of it and not matching them in experience or knowledge. It was truly a nice boon, even if it resulted in a Spartan training camp inside the Room of Requirement while using Time-Turners to regain proper control of his magic.

Next was that Harry gained some new affinities due to magical energy being related to 'Death' influencing his system. It was somewhat a double edged sword due to what exactly influenced him, resulting in curses and the likes relating to Death becoming easier for Harry to cast and learn, especially with Tom's knowledge and experience helping in the background thanks to absorbing everything when he was cleansed. On the up side, illusions, apparition, poisons and even enchantments have shown noticeable improvements. The only thing which stopped the teen from actually receiving real downsides was that his magic was leaning heavily towards things like 'Life' and 'Light' before thanks to his mother's sacrifice, training, wand and natural affinities in regards to magic in general, hence why the Patroneus Charm was something he could excel in originally and why he wasn't too affected by the possible negative repercussions of his childhood, the semi-Horcrux and dark magic being used on him.

Now the real annoyance was that the Elder Wand really wasn't a fan of my White Magic. Like when Dumbledore tried to use it when fighting Tom, the results were underpowered and even somewhat harmful to the wand itself due to just how incompatible the magic was with the core and 'Death'. So to counter this, we had to get creative.

Thus, while Harry was undergoing his Spartan Boot Camp, he was being taught a whole new way of dueling: Dual Wielding.

With Harry as he was and due to his age and lack of experience and knowledge, no matter what kind of edge he gained to help him catch up, he was still behind Tom and Albus, with White Magic being his only absolute advantage against the former. But the Elder Wand was not working with him on this, so we decided to have him keep his Phoenix core wand for his main while using the Elder as support. Mainly for incredibly powerful shields, support spells and off-handed attacks. A difficult feat, but it wasn't like Harry hadn't received training to use a wand with his left hand before, it being stupid to think one's main arm would never be indisposed since it is a fantastic tactic to use against others, he just needed to get used to alternating where his magic would flow and find a proper combat rhythm.

Now, this wasn't the first time someone attempted the feat of dual wielding wands.

Many duelists, lords, dark or otherwise, academics and Unspeakables, or their counterparts, have tried to do so in the past. Hell, wandmakers were also very curious as more than one wand can match a person, so why can't they use two at once?

The main reason lies in the semi-sentient nature of wands.

Essentially, they don't like to share, even if they can 'tolerate' someone having backups.

From what we could tell, a Peverell bounded Elder Wand seemed to be the only exception simply due to its ephemeral nature. It doesn't care about other wands as long as it is used by its bounded wielder, so it can act as both main or side wand while Harry's original wand basically acts as the 'Alpha' even if it is technically 'weaker'.

Fascinating stuff which we even brought Ollivander in for his expertise, after a series of oaths which he was almost begging to take as the man looked like he gained the energy of an 8 year old when he understood what was going on.

Overall, a very productive time for the often severely beaten teen as he was unknowingly a true terror to face on the battlefield due to his unique style which allowed him to be both aggressive and defensive, especially once he gained more experience. I dare say that once Harry matured some more, he may become the deadliest wand combatant to ever live.

Although I wasn't sure if his bonding with the Hallows would reduce or increase his chances at reaching my current level, but I did know that Harry didn't care for such. Harry only cares for his loved ones and craves to have and protect his family, never having truly cared for power beyond being able to stand against those who would do them harm. It's only a horrible coincidence that Tom just so happens to be so powerful and targeting said loved ones, requiring Harry's growth.

But now? I would say Harry was almost ready to properly put Tom in his place.

His bag of tricks fully tipped the scale in his favor and grew the longer we had.

Unfortunately, Tom wouldn't wait much longer.

-Headmistress's office, June 11th

"The Dark Lord has ordered me to act tomorrow." Snape reported as the staff and some Order members had gathered for this report, knowing it would be time to fight.

The timing however, was annoying to say the least.

Busiest time of the year for all teachers and students, a perfect time for someone to move unseen inside the school and while most had strained nerves and fatigue building up from either giving, taking or grading exams. The Ministry was usually in a bit of a rush due to many parents wanting time off with the children they could not see during the school year, and lots of preparations for the upsurge of less than responsible magic users unleashed on the UK.

Less of a problem for them, but very annoying for us at Hogwarts. Smart though.

"I see." Dumbledore sighed as he stroke his beard, many looked with saddened eyes as they realized what it meant for Dumbledore himself. "And everything is in place?"

"Yes. The Draughts of Living Death are ready, alongside the antidotes and the elves. All children will be portkeyed away once unconscious while the rest will be given their choice." Snape responded stiffly.

It would have been hard for him to conceal the fact that we had prepared for all those who hadn't taken their OWLs to be taken away from Hogwarts, even if they were in suspended animation. They would be awakened at a separate site for their own safety.

"Good, then it seems we must all ready ourselves for our roles." Albus peacefully nodded. "I must say, it has been a privilege to have served together with all of you at this fine institution and that I hope everything ends well without anyone here joining me on the next great adventure too early."

That made the atmosphere all too solemn.

"I've still got a good 200 years minimum of researching and rediscovery, it'll be a while until you see me." I grinned at the old man, who jovially smiled at someone being less gloomy.

"As it should be. The future is for the young after all." He agreed while taking a lemon drop from his robes.

"Albus… are you sure you want to do things like this? We can still change the plans." McGonagall hopefully asked.

"No Minerva, this is how I wish it to be." He rejected, causing her expression to soften before picking herself up.

"Fine. Then I'll make sure to send plenty o' those bastards with ye." She stated as her Scottish side came out with her fierceness, lighting a fire into the eyes of the more combattive professors.

"No need to worry on an old man's account, but it is appreciated nonetheless." Dumbledore gratefully told everyone as he did feel touched to see how emotional they were for their goodbye.

With the revelation of the coming battle being set, the meeting was adjourned.

We all knew far in advance what we had to do, it was just annoying that it was happening now.

I simply contacted my forces and our wonderful Minister to ready themselves.

They were all ready to put the Mad Dog, Tom Riddle, down for good alongside the rabid animals he calls supporters. All Ministries had been warned long ago that any force joining him, Pureblood or otherwise, would be put down with lethal force, meaning they had no grounds to pursue Britain for any families suddenly becoming extinct during the coming conflict as the ICW certified 'Dark Lord Voldemort' as an international terrorist and danger to the Statute of Secrecy, making anyone assisting him guilty of treason on top of the crimes they would commit, removing any sort of legal protections.

And with what I had planned, they will realize all too late that they should have stayed in their own countries.

-The Next Day, Great Hall, Dinner Hours

"You know Aedan, I must say that I am quite pleased with my final day." Dumbledore said as he enthusiastically continued eating every single one of his favorite deserts and sweets. "I even managed to say goodbye to Gellert this morning and apologize to Aberforth about everything, making some level of peace with my only family.

A good day to die."

"Better than most get." I agreed as too few get to resolve the many regrets they can build up in life.

"My last hope is that Severus doesn't make my death too painful or disfiguring. I'm hoping to leave behind a pretty corpse you know." He jested while enjoying some sorbet. "Or maybe ghost if the situation somehow occurs.

I did wear my favorite constellation robes today just in case."

Morbid joke, but amusing nonetheless.

*Thunk*

*Thunk clatter*

"Ah, there goes the first few." I noted as students started passing out, much to the confusion and worry of those around them as more and more joined the unconscious.

"Then I must hurry. I still want to know what card I will get from my Chocolate Frog." He muttered under my amused gaze and McGonagall's baffled one as she heard his words.

The man was going to die soon and he wanted to get a trading card.

Priorities.

He was doing it too.

"Huh. To think of all days, today I would find the last card missing for my collection." Dumbledore revealed with a pleased smile as he passed it over to me. "Would you please head to my office later and place it in my collection book? It'll be the only remaining slot available."

"Sure." I shrugged as I looked down at the card out of curiosity.

'Albus Perceval Wulfric Brian Dumbledore'

"Avada Kedavra." Snape suddenly called out, striking Dumbledore with the green light before shooting the Dark Mark at the Great Hall's sky and flying out of the window dramatically before the staff could 'react' and the conscious students began to scream.

_______________________________________

Author Notes:

I'm making the Deathly Hallows story more metaphorical, but still with some actual facts in regards to 'conquering death' having a different meaning than the literal due to making the Peverells essentially being centuries ahead of their time in researching the concept of Death in enchantment, alchemy and crafting.

Kind of how the Unspeakables research broader concepts, and the three brothers just so happened to create something unique and powerful, possibly un-recreatable, somewhat in the same vain as the Philosopher Stone really.

The synergetic aspect + Peverell bloodline is mostly something I threw in for fun and to make the whole 'Master of Death' thing have actual weight in a world of magic, plus the fact that 3 brothers created 3 incredibly powerful artifacts around the same time had to have had some correlation to each other, so not too far fetched. Not adding bloodline protections or benefits would be stupid too, especially in earlier days, with its 'creator' being a prime example as to why.

It was just a convenient way of giving Harry a last power boost in the 'Power he knows not' category, then I just went all out by making him a duel wielding wizard of life and death.

Might as well have some fun.