Y/N apparated to the couples bedroom. It was nearly 4am. He was still covered in blood and sweat and ash but he didn't care. He had to make sure she was alright.

He silently appeared inside their bedroom, the two of them asleep in their bed and he banged loudly on the inside of their bedroom door to wake them up. The woman shot up shocked, the man waking slower.

"Y/N?" The woman said loudly, shooting up in joy as she rushed over before stopping in shock. He was filthy, bloody, topless and shoeless.

"Merlin, are you ok?"

"I'm fine Penny. It's great to see you" Y/N smiled sadly.

She broke into tears as they hugged, Penny delivering a crushing Penny hug tighter than anything Y/N remembered.

"You're so big now! I haven't seen you in so long" Penny sobbed.

"I've missed you-"

"The fuck are you doing here! You're not welcome in this house!" Dean snapped, cutting Y/N off. Y/N glared at his elder brother.

"You know what Dean. In the last few weeks I've lost four friends. Two of them in the last two hours. I'm not here for you so shut the fuck up before I shut you up!"

Dean glared at him furious.

"Listen to me you-"

Dean stopped suddenly. His mouth was gone.

"I don't have time for your shit. Now stand there and be quiet!"

He gently led Penny to her bed and sat her down, kneeling in front of her.

"You lost friends, tonight? They... died?" She asked with tears in her eyes. Y/N fought back tears of his own and nodded.

"Cutie pie I am so sorry!"

She squeezed him tight again. He melted into the hug and responded. God he missed his big sister.

"Thank you Penny but listen..."

He returned Dean's mouth with a wave of his hand.

"...I don't want you to be scared. Do you remember when I got out of Azkaban I mentioned the Knights of Merlin?"

Penny nodded. "They killed your dad. Hurt you" she said immensely sad.

"They did. I've been at war with them most of the year. Their leader Lilith. She's put a hit out on you, your sister and your parents. Hermione and the Grangers too."

Penny gasped in shock.

"Now don't panic. I need you to trust me here. You are safe and protected. I have a lot of people watching you right now. You will be followed everywhere you go, and if anyone remotely suspicious comes near you I will be notified and be here instantly. I will keep you protected. But I need you to take some precautions. It's important you don't apparate anywhere, travel by car if you can, make it easier for my people to tail you. You are safe. You are protected. Don't go out by yourself. Don't apparate to random locations, if you're going to Floo only go to work and back. I'll have eyes on you in Mungoes as well."

Penny took in his words. She was terrified but she trusted Y/N implicitly.

"What have you dragged my wife into you bastard!" Dean snapped.

"If anyone dragged her in it was you Dean!" Y/N snapped back, having had enough of his brother's shit.

"The fuck are you talking about?"

"These arseholes have been in a war with our family for centuries, millennia, Dean. Penny came on their radar as soon as you two got close."

"What are you even talking about?" Dean asked in bewilderment.

"Look it doesn't matter right now. Penny you are being guarded even if you can't see them. Your parents and sister are being guarded, ok?"

Penny smiled and nodded before Dean roared:

"Who's doing the guarding?"

"My people Dean. I can't say more than that."

"People like you you mean?"

Y/N sighed and looked down. All he wanted to do was reassure Penny and his arsewipe of a brother was determined to pick a fight.

"I don't know what you mean by like me Dean but-"

"Killers!"

Y/N fought the urge to punch his brother in the mouth as he snapped:

"Oh for fuck- yes they are killers Dean. Kind of good considering who is after YOUR WIFE!"

Y/N pulled himself back and breathed deeply, desperately trying to control his temper. Penny squeezed his hands, sensing his frustration.

"We don't want killers watching us Y/N!"

"What?" Penny turned and yelled horrified.

She was terrified of this Knight threat. What was Dean talking about?

"Fortunately I couldn't give a flying fuck what you want Dean. My only concern is keeping Penny safe. You don't come into this equation. I have to go Penny, I haven't seen Hermione since before the fight and she would be beside herself. But here..."

He handed her a golden snitch and she looked at it puzzled.

"See the little button on top? If you're worried or scared or uneasy just press that button, say what you need then hold the button and say my name. It will fly straight to me and I will be wherever you are instantly."

He cupped her face and kissed her forehead.

"I will keep you safe. I promise. I love you Pens."

Penny wiped her eyes.

"I love you too cutie pie."

Y/N glared at his brother and apparated.

—~—

Y/N appeared to the door in front of the Room of Requirement. He entered but Hermione wasn't there. He apparated to the medical ward. She wasn't there either but Poppy gasped at his appearance and fussed over his wounds.

"I'm fine Poppy. Do you know where 'Mione or Albus is?"

"The Headmaster took Hermione to the Gryffindor common room Y/N" she answered sympathetically.

"Did they.... is....?"

Y/N's eyes grew wet. Poppy understood his meaning instantly and rubbed his arm.

"Yes. I'm so sorry for your friend. She's over there in a cubicle"

"I'll be back to collect her Poppy. I need to see Hermione, then I need to bury Rub-"

He broke down as Poppy pulled him into a tight hug.

"Go for a shower Y/N. I'll contact Albus and Hermione, get them to bring you some clothes. I'll heal your wounds and then we can look after your friend."

The matron spoke to the young Lord with a warmth and a kindness. She genuinely cared for her best friend's son, she hated seeing him in pain like this.

He nodded and went to the showers in the back of the infirmary. He stripped his pants and stood under the hot water. He leant his hands on the wall, the water running over his head.

He cried.

—~—

Hermione was beside herself with grief and worry. Ruby was gone. She had done so much for them in such a short time. Hermione knew how much Y/N cared for her, she could see how much Ruby cared for him.

Now she was gone.

McGonagall had sat with Hermione and Albus, trying to reassure the girl. They were shocked when a flying note entered the common room and landed in the Headmaster's hand.

"Y/N is in the medical wing. He is ok Ms Granger. Apparently we need to bring him a change of clothes."

The Headmaster waved his wand and a folded pair of boxers, shorts, a t-shirt and some shoes flew down from the boys' dorms and into his hands.

"Let us go!"

—~—

Y/N was sat on a change table, wrapped in only a towel. He was pulled from his thoughts by a loving embrace.

"Thank god you're ok baby" Hermione whispered to him softly. "Let's get you dressed and we can talk with the Headmaster. You're freezing."

Y/N nodded as Hermione fussed and dressed him like he was a toddler. She kissed him as they were done and they exited the change room.

Minerva, Albus and Poppy looked at Y/N sympathetically as he walked slowly to Ruby's body with Hermione. He removed the sheet and looked down at her. She looked peaceful.

"If I have to storm the gates of Hell myself I will get you out of there Ruby. I swear it!"

He closed his eyes as he fought back tears and kissed her forehead.

"Poppy can I please use a sheet to wrap her? I'll replace it"

"Of course you can Y/N. Don't think twice about it" Poppy smiled sadly.

Y/N took his time, carefully pulling the sheet under her up from the corners, wrapping Ruby in a death shroud with care.

"Dobby" Y/N spoke tearfully.

"Yes Lord Y/N?" The elf appeared cheerfully but his mood quickly changed when he saw    Y/N with Ruby's body.

"Can you please bring Sam Winchester and Bobby Singer to the manor? We need to have a funeral."

The elf nodded and disappeared.

"You'll need to take my arm Albus. You won't be able to apparate into the manor without me."

Albus took hold of Y/N's left arm. Hermione took his right and Y/N gently lifted Ruby's body. The four of them apparated.

—~—

They arrived at the manor waiting room where Ellen, Jo, Jodie and her daughters were sat with Benny, Sam and Bobby.

"I had two graves dug, as you asked, My Lord" Benny said to Y/N sadly, tapping his temple.

Y/N nodded.

"Aren't we gonna-?" Sam started to speak before Y/N cut him off.

"I thought we could have a traditional burial. Give them a place to rest. Ash will be at peace in heaven and Ruby..."

Y/N lowered his head. His eyes watered. Ruby had sold her soul. There was only one destination for her after death.

The others nodded as Sam lifted Ash and Y/N carried Ruby. The group slowly walked past a number of Bearers, who all stood with their heads bowed in respect.

They entered a small plot of land next to the manor. It was peaceful- there were trees, birds chirping and it looked lovely as the sun rose.

Y/N carefully lowered Ruby into her grave as Sam did the same for Ash. Y/N picked up a shovel and started filling Ruby's grave, as did Sam again for Ash.

Dumbledore said a few kind words, each of the Hunting family saying their goodbyes. Finally when the graves were filled Y/N unsheathed his wands and two large slabs came into existence. They were circular and had Ash and Ruby's names engraved on them, on the top were purple semi-circular orbs that each showed Ruby and Ash's smiling faces.

"They are beautiful baby" Hermione smiled as she kissed Y/N and hugged him tight.

—~—

Hermione had returned to Hogwarts following the ceremony with Albus, Y/N having 'business' to discuss with the Hunters.

She knew he needed time with his friends so simply hugged and kissed him and said she would be waiting for him in the library when he returned.

Y/N took the Hunters to a reception room of the manor, breaking out a bottle of fire whiskey and shot glasses.

"So what happens now?" Jo asked.

"Now we drink" Y/N said mournfully.

"With us Y/N!" Ellen replied downing a shot.
"Our home is gone, Ash and Ruby are gone, we were still mourning Pam."

"I'll pay for the Roadhouse rebuild Ellen. That's no-"

"Don't worry about that. The Roadhouse is gone. I don't want that hole back. I want revenge!" Ellen snapped angrily.

"Benny told us what's going on here Y/N. We want in!" Jodie replied.

"Mum?" Claire asked shocked.

"You girls will be able to stay here. There's a lot of families here. It's safe. Isn't that right, Y/N?" Ellen asked the young Lord.

"If you're sure. It's not easy. No favours are given for friendship are they Benny?"

"Certainly aren't my Lord" the vampire chuckled.

The three women- Ellen, Jo and Jodie stood, ready.

"Do you swear fealty to me as your Lord? Do you promise to give your lives if required for the Phoenix Bearers? Do you vow to do whatever it takes in our fight for freedom?"

They women all nodded and said they do. Y/N raised his left hand- a blue fireball emanating that transformed into a Phoenix and flew into the three women, each felt a tingle in their chest as it passed through them.

"You have taken my mark. It is done. Welcome to the Phoenix Bearers!"