Chapter 1 - The Final Battle

Disclaimer: I stake no claim to the Harry Potter franchise. I'd like to thank J.K. Rowling for allowing us to play around in her world.

A/N: This series follows canon – everything that occurs at the railway station in DH will occur. In the interim any number of things could and may happen. All I ask is that you keep an open mind when you read the story. I know that it is impractical to review every chapter but I will place a request at the end of chapters that I'm either currently editing or would especially like your feed back. It should be no more than four. Please help me by offering honest feed back on those or other chapters you feel strongly about.

ZZZZZZZ

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Harry shook himself awake. He wasn't quite sure where he was at first. Wherever it was, the soft overstuffed pillows and warm blankets were a welcome change to the makeshift cot he'd become accustomed to while hiding in the forest. He kept his eyes closed for just a few moments so he could enjoy the moment before crawling out of bed. Why not be surprised?

The young wizard marvelled at the quiet. This was the first time he could remember waking without someone else's thoughts rattling around in his head.

Curiosity got the better of the young Gryffindor. Despite the silence, Harry could of sworn he'd woke to a "bang." He opened his eyes. Ahhh, his old bed from school. Now it came to him. He slid apart the curtains to look around but couldn't see anything in the darkness. As if some unknown force was reading his mind, a spell was whispered from Ron's bed across the room and a faint light showed from a wand behind thick curtains. The light was just enough for him to confirm that he and Ron were the only ones in the room. Wait, no, the shadow of a second head popped up behind the curtain. The second head was either a squid-headed alien or a young witch with a mess of hair bouncing every which way.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

A heavy baritone called from the stairs, "Harry...Ron, are you in there?"

The rustling from the other side of the room picked up. It was obvious they were panicked. Harry called out, "Yes, we're in here but just a moment. Who is it?"

"Minister Shacklebolt. We're meeting in the Gryffindor Commons in ten minutes." The new Minister wasted no time. He could already be heard stomping down the steps.

As the 'CLACK Clack clack' of the Minister's boots grew fainter, Harry returned his attention to his mate. The rustling from inside the curtains had calmed but he could still hear an occasional curse from Ron followed by a quiet feminine giggle and the familiar whisper of "mind your language."

Harry pulled himself out of bed. His body ached horribly all over. He didn't know what time it was but he couldn't have slept long. He peered out a tower window and could see the first stars just beginning to glimmer. Below, parts of the forest still burned - though the burn seemed much slower and controlled than the evening before.

The previous morning began to come back to him. After he'd defeated Voldemort, he'd had dozens of hands and hugs forced upon him as the crowd yearned to be close to their hero. It wasn't until Luna had offered a welcome distraction that he was able to slip away.

Once he'd torn himself from the mob of well-wishers, he made his way to the Headmaster's Office where he gave a full report to the portraits of Dumbledore and the other Headmasters. In his heart he'd known it was unnecessary. Dumbledore's portrait was only a shade of himself and had no relation to the spirit he'd seen at King's Cross. The report was more for him than Dumbledore - announcing the victory to his mentor had given it a sense of finality.

Harry rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. The rest of the morning was a blur. He couldn't even remember how he'd made it to his familiar flat in Gryffindor Tower. Fortunately, the staff had never taken the time to remove his and Ron's beds. The other three beds were untouched. Likely, his flat mates, Neville and Seamus, had grown accustomed to the Room of Requirement.

Ron finally rustled out from behind his curtain. He asked loudly – nervously, "Oh. You're still here, mate? You ready to head down to the Commons?"

Harry caught his mate stealing a worried glance back at his bed behind him. That's how it will be? Ron was keeping secrets? Harry smiled, "Aye, let's go."

It wasn't until that first step on the stairwell that Harry felt the full ache. His legs threatened to seize up and when he grasped for the rail an awful pain shot through his shoulder. He took a moment to gather himself. His muscles were on fire and all of his joints felt weak.

Ron glanced down at his mate with pity, "You ok mate?"

Harry just needed one more moment, "Aye, you haven't seen Hermione have you?"

Ron shot a glance up the steps. "No, she's probably with Ginny." Harry should have been watching the steps instead of getting a rise out of his mate...he tripped.

"Whoa!" Ron said as he grabbed hold of Harry's shirt, "That would have been some fall. Let's get you down these steps." The much taller wizard took Harry's free arm and helped him limp the rest of the way down.

As Ron eased Harry through the crowd to a sofa, he asked, "You all right, Mate? That was a nasty slip."

"Let me have a look at him," called a familiar voice. The disapproving eyes of Madam Pomfrey bore down on the two wizards, "I was told you might be here. When Shacklebolt informed me why he was making rounds I decided I should come for you before you sneaked off on another adventure. Now let me look at that knee." Madam Pomfrey pulled out her wand and ran it up and down his leg, "Why didn't you come right to me this morning? I ought to hex you for taking such poor care of yourself."

"I tried to make him..." Hermione announced from the girls' stairs. She had her familiar 'I told you so' expression on her face, "...but he insisted you had others to look after in far worse shape than him. He insisted he'd get checked once the hospital wing calmed down." Harry mused that she must have slipped out of the boys' dorms when he was limping for the couch.

Harry's knee continued to revolt but Madam Pomfrey worked her magic and eventually the pain slipped away. Before he could argue she grabbed his other limbs to check for injuries. Harry quickly grew weary of the treatment.

Besides Mrs. Weasley, Madam Pomfrey was the closest thing Harry had to a mum and she was twice as embarrassing. It didn't help that the Commons was filled with curious eyes – all on him. Strangely, there were even Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs in the Gryffindor Commons.

Madam Pomfrey shook him from his trance, "Merlin's Beard, Harry! What happened. Did you lie down in Voldemort's lap and have him whittle on you? You are covered in cuts and scrapes!" He winced at the sniggers from around the room. He felt like a young boy who's mum was overly attentive.

Even so, he could feel the tingle in his extremities as her wand healed wound after wound. "Some of these won't heal Harry. Maybe if you'd come sooner. This one here on your arm..." she shook her head "...I might have done something with it this morning but it's too long, too deep and looks to be permanent."

Shacklebolt looked to be losing patience, "Are the two of you almost done? We need to get on with this!"

Madam Pomfrey waved her wand at the Minister menacingly, "Kingsley L. Shacklebolt, do I need to remind you what I did the last time you rushed me at my work?" She grumbled to Harry loudly enough for the minister to heal, "When he was a student, he once insisted I release Phineas MacDowell to finish a Quidditch Match after a nasty fall. The Headmaster nearly sacked me for turning him into..."

"Madam, this is important!" Shacklebolt's face was so grim that even Madam Pomfrey relented, "Sir, I'll just finish quietly while you begin."

The Minister nodded before addressing the crowd, "I gathered as many of you as I could. Some have already left with the Aurors and were briefed on the way." Shacklebolt paused. "We are under attack. Those Aurors that could be trusted and a few students of age have been cobbled together and are defending what they can but the Death Eaters have rallied and it appears they are attacking known Muggle Borns and those they've labelled Blood Traitors as vengeance for the death of Voldemort. As we speak, three houses have been set fire and Aurors are battling Death Eaters outside a fourth home."

Seamus seemed confused, "But I thought most of the Death Eaters were captured or killed this morning?"

"Yes, well. Many were. We had the Carrows and Fenrir and the Malfoys and dozens of others. Unfortunately we were not able to determine which Aurors were absolutely loyal to the new Regime. An Auror loyal to Voldemort slipped in, released his cronies and helped them escape."

Groans filled the Commons. The Minister raised a reassuring hand, "What we have here are all the students and adults that we are certain are loyal to the cause. We need everyone tonight and I will ask that each of you turns to face the back of the room." Shacklebolt gestured to the Common Room entrance, "We will separate into five groups. I will lead one group and Bill Weasley, Professor Flitwick, Arthur Weasley and Oliver Wood will lead the others. I want each of you to choose a leader and follow him. Do exactly what he says."

The Minister wasn't done, "Each group will be assigned a town and will keep an eye out. If trouble comes then you will send a Patronus to Percy here at the school and he and Hermione will send help. We have six groups of Aurors and several more groups made of students and adults patrolling possible targets. Four of the Auror groups are currently engaged with the enemy and two are being held in reserve at strategic targets. Do not engage your enemy unless you are sure you have a decisive advantage or you are attacked directly. None of you are prepared to take on the more powerful Death Eaters."

"One more thing, I have spoken to what remains of the Wizengamut. They have given us permission to use any spell necessary to bring down your attackers. An unforgivable curse is not a spell to be taken lightly but each of you must do what is necessary to protect the innocents and yourselves." With that Shacklebolt closed the meeting but called Hermione and Harry to him.

"Hermione, I want you to work with Percy here. For now all Ministry Correspondence will be handled out of the Great Hall. Ministry employees have been called in and will use the Hall to coordinate activities until the Ministry itself is secure." Shacklebolt gestured toward Percy, "He understands the workings and bureaucracy and can communicate with me or the other groups. He has maps that show the locations of all our allies in England and will show you how to use them when you get to the Hall. I want you to coordinate which groups respond where with Percy and if there is any disagreement between the two of you then your vote wins."

Percy was nearly as upset as Hermione. He opened his mouth in protest but the witch got the first word, "Why me? I have no experience. I've never-"

Shacklebolt shifted his weight impatiently, "Hermione, you will do fine. Would you just go and do as I ask?"

Percy glared at the Minister.

Shacklebolt decided an explanation was necessary, "I have every serviceable adult we can trust in the field. Percy understands the inner workings of the Ministry and I need him to concentrate on coordinating communications and giving reports. I can't have him bogged down with deciding who goes where. It's too much to do both jobs."

Shacklebolt continued, "Hermione, you've worked with many of the students and have seen many of our enemies. Who would be better able to judge an appropriate response based on the capabilities of both sides? Besides, there is not anyone that has shown Harry more loyalty these past seven years than you and I can't think of anyone I trust more for this job. Now, go, both of you. Percy, help her understand the maps."

Shacklebolt turned away in such a manner that said all discussion was final, "Harry, you and I have a special mission."

The young Gryffindor frowned, "Where are we going?"

"We need you Harry. The Aurors heard that you defeated Voldemort face to face in a duel and the Death Eaters were there to witness it. Many of the Death Eaters witnessed you survive a killing curse unarmed and then watched you strike Voldemort down with ease." Shacklebolt gestured for Harry to follow, "You should have heard the accounts as we gathered them up. There was genuine fear, Harry. The Aurors and the Death Eaters alike believe you are invincible."

"But I'm not. I only won the duel because the wand Voldemort used was loyal to me. It has to do with wand lore." Harry was worried that Shacklebolt had bought into the "Chosen One" myth like everyone else.

"Harry, you and I are about to rally the Aurors to attack the Death Eaters at their very heart. The Aurors need a hero to follow...which is why we are here. True or not, you and I are seen as the strongest wizards left in the eyes of our followers and our enemies. I'm aware of the realities. All you need to do is stay to my back once the fight begins and make sure that no-one gets behind me. Simply do the best you can and I will take care of the rest. I am no Dumbledore but I can hold my own against any Death Eater left alive. Now let's go and see if we can finish this."

Shacklebolt pulled two stars from a pocket in his robes. The star with five points he gave to Harry, "This is a port key. If at any time if you feel you are in mortal danger then take hold of it and say 'help.' It will send you to a secure location."

Next the Minister held up the star with six points, "Hold this with me."

The young wizard felt a familiar uneasiness as he grabbed a hold of the star. His insides twisted and he nearly tumbled when he reached the ground. Somehow, though, this time he kept his footing as he landed in an unfamiliar field full of people. As he regained his composure Harry noticed wizards and witches stare at him as if appraising a piece of jewellery.

Shacklebolt gathered the crowd, "Aurors, I have asked you here so we may finally take the offensive in this war. The Death Eaters are attacking innocent victims in response to this young man's heroic act. As has been rumoured, Harry Potter defeated the Dark Lord Voldemort early this morning!"

The Aurors cheered. Harry noticed the Rally had the feel of knights preparing for battle. All eyes were still on him even as Shacklebolt continued, "The Death Eaters seek vengeance and the houses of our families burn. But let us not fear. Tonight we shall take the battle to them. Who is with me?"

Cheers rang through the crowd as Shacklebolt handed out scraps of paper, "As you know, those Death Eaters that are most dangerous are also the most cowardly. I fully expect the Carrows and Greybeck will be out plundering but the others will be ripe for the taking. Once we succeed we will have taken the Death Eaters most fortified stronghold and left our remaining enemies without resources, leadership or a base of operations!"

Harry took a scrap of parchment and read the address. Immediately a large manor house complete with walls and gates took the place of the large field that had spread out before him. He could now see what the advanced guard had been doing. Curse breakers borrowed from Gringotts removed curses and hexes. Specialists within the Auror staff was busy judging and removing of complicated wards and traps. Some wards were unable to be removed without notice by those inside but they did what they could do in advance of the assault.

Other Aurors gathered into groups and took position. Each went over their game plan just like a Quidditch club might prepare before a big match. A captain ran through a moment by moment checklist of assignments and formations.

Shacklebolt tapped on Harry's shoulder, "Place this in your right ear. You will hear anything said by the Section Leaders and myself. If anyone yells 'Abort' you get out as quickly as you can – use the portkey. Don't worry about anyone but yourself. Otherwise I want you to keep your eyes behind me. Attack anyone behind me that does not carry a blue aura." Harry could now see a blue haze emanate from each of the members of their team. "Only those with ear signets will carry the blue aura. Any questions?"

"How did you know the address? There had to be three Secret Keepers at most."

"There were exactly three. Two are now dead which means that the third probably thinks he is the only one left. I was made a Secret Keeper by Snape with the understanding I'd only use the information after the death of Voldemort. We'd hoped to wait a few days after his death so we could give them time to gather here and take them all at once. Unfortunately, plans changed with the wholesale attacks on our people. We need to get their attention."

Shacklebolt grew silent as the Section Leaders began to confirm they were in position. He and Harry were at the front gate with the brunt of the force. There were Aurors prepared to climb walls to the sides and back of the property so that they could stop runners from reaching the edge of the Manor. Word was there was a disapparition charm which kept wizards from coming or going from inside the walls. Before the death of Voldemort, Malfoy Manor had been the best protected tract of land in all of England.

Harry waited in anticipation for the attack to begin.

Hermione, on the other hand, was busy studying the maps. They reminded her of the Marauder's Map that Harry constantly kept near but these were much bigger and the different colours made them easier to read. Mostly the dots clustered in various parts of England were green. A few were yellow. One or two was red. Red was bad – it meant the wizard or witch was either critically injured or dead.

Percy irked Hermione to no end. Mostly it was because she recognized her own flaws within him. He knew everything and he knew that he knew everything. Even so, he was useless in the field because he didn't know how to use the information in his head under duress. Instead he was doomed to a life of public servitude in the shadow of someone with more charisma and more understanding of the art of leading men. The true tragedy was that he was so full of himself he couldn't recognize the fate in front of him.

"Hermione, Dad's group just sent word that Greybeck was seen with a half dozen Death Eaters and a pack of werewolves in their area. So far Ron says they've gone unnoticed. I say we send the Aurors that just cleaned up near Bristol." Percy pointed at the map with his wand and the area in the vicinity of the dots expanded. Names now appeared in small print just above the dots. "Would you like me to confirm?"

"Yes, please." She was trying to work with Percy but she grew ever more annoyed. It bothered her that she might sound like Percy when she spoke to others.

It was obvious she was just as useless as Percy. She knew as much as any witch would know at her age but when it came to the moment of battle she froze. All she could do was watch a map and send groups of people to do what she should be doing. How could she know so much and be so useless?

Hermione noticed a group of dots go yellow near the Tonks' residence. That was Wood's team. Hermione knew that while this was not an important position to hold for the Ministry it served the dual purpose for killing blood traitors and the godson of Harry Potter. Percy nearly jumped when Hermione shouted, "Send the Auror Reserves E to the Tonks' now! And have the leader Duncan hurry! There's a large group of Death Eaters. Our whole group was surprised! Have them apparate in."

Percy messaged Auror Reserves E by Patronus. He then walked up the steps to the Head Table where Hermione was focused on the map of the Tonks' residence and he whispered, "Don't shout. It only makes the rest of the staff nervous."

"I'm nervous," Hermione confessed with a whimper. "I feel like I don't know what I'm doing. I feel useless here."

"So do I," admitted Percy quietly. He put his hands on her shoulders, "But your doing a brilliant job. You see the problems and respond. I'd be wondering which to send where and then I'd have to look at who was heading what so I could send the correct Patronus. See, look, the Aurors are already at the Tonks'. And no reds. They've all gone green."

Percy squeezed her shoulder before walking back down the steps. Before she was out of earshot he said quietly over his shoulder, "I can see why Ron fancies you."

Hermione grinned from ear to ear and rose to the tips of her toes as she returned to her maps.

A Silver Lynx appeared. Strutting around Percy, it announced that Auror Group A was about to attack.

Harry watched as the Aurors busily prepared for battle. While Madam Pomfrey had taken many of his aches away, he was still desperately short on sleep. He'd been up nearly 32 hours before his meagre nap. The adrenaline had helped when they arrived but now that he was sitting and waiting? As he gave in to his eyes and closed them a moment, each of the Section Leaders signalled ready.

"Stay near me Harry and follow," Shacklebolt reminded him before he announced the others, "Go on three everyone."

There was a short pause before the Minister counted off, "One. Two. Three. GO! GO! GO!" Each of the Aurors advanced on "Three" just as their training required. An explosion rocked the front gate as the lead Auror cast a powerful "Confringo!" The wards screamed and vines began to reach for arms and legs of Aurors who tried to climb the walls. Fortunately, the curse breakers had assessed the probable spells and had prepared those breaching the walls with ready counter-curses. Only a few were taken by surprise and the injuries were less severe than expected.

Shacklebolt didn't bother wait for the fire from the Confringro to die down. He jumped through the fire and didn't even bother to look if Harry was following. The young wizard wasn't about to disappoint the Minister. He, too, jumped through the fire. Shacklebolt must have cast some sort of cooling charm on him because he barely felt the heat. A cuff of his trousers caught fire, though, and he shook it as he ran.

The front door of the manor opened and a few windows shattered as Death Eaters began casting curses and hexes from the protections of the Manor. The windows, though ornate, had been designed with defence in mind and so the defenders were well protected. An Auror to Harry's left was struck down and began to go into seizures as Shacklebolt continued to dash forward. As Harry's eyes lingered on the fallen Auror, Shacklebolt yelled over the commotion, "Don't stop Harry! We have healers prepared behind us that will tend to the injured!"

Shacklebolt was fearless. Harry barely kept up as the Minister charged ahead. He passed directly in the path of spell after spell almost daring the enemy to strike him down. He cast a variety of shields and stunners without uttering a word. Only on occasion would Harry hear Shacklebolt actually utter a spell out loud and it was usually unfamiliar. Many times Harry saw a red flash come directly at Shacklebolt and it would merely ricochet to the left or right as the Minister flourished his wand.

Shacklebolt reached the door so quickly it took the Death Eaters by surprise. They tried to close it on him to bar entry but Kingsley kicked toward the handle and the door flew back open with a 'CRASH!' knocking two Death Eaters to the floor. These men were not dangerous. They were mere juniors meant to protect the Manor and serve those in charge. One was on his knees holding his head which was covered in blood. The other quickly got back to his feet and prepared to attack. Shacklebolt swung his massive fist and Harry heard the sickening crack of bones as the Minister connected with the young bloke's nose. The wizard crumpled to the floor.

"Bind them Harry," was all Shacklebolt said as he began to make his way through the foyer, "Then follow me and the others." Four other Aurors had already followed Harry and Kingsley in and were admiring the Minister's handiwork as they followed close behind him.

Harry began with "Petrificus Totallus!" and then followed with a body bind on the first victim. The second bloke was still howling in pain and holding his nose as he rolled around on the floor. Harry felt sorry for him at first but grabbed both wands as he repeated the spell combination. Just as he ran to follow Shacklebolt his earpiece chided him, "Where are you Harry? We need to be quick!" Harry had no way to respond to Shacklebolt so he simply continued on.

What he found was not pleasant. Just as he charged into the Sitting Room Harry saw a green flash pass just to his right. "Down Harry! Over here!" Harry lunged to his left to hide behind a short marble wall that Shacklebolt and four Aurors were using as protection. They were pinned down by nearly a dozen men who were casting a variety of spells their way. "Where are the others?" demanded Shacklebolt, as if to no-one.

An anonymous Auror responded in Harry's ear, "Brooms report that most of your men are still at the front gate. The Death Eaters at the windows struck a few down and the others ran back for cover. The wizards to the flanks have climbed the walls and are in position but the front is seeing heavy resistance."

"There are a dozen of our Aurors out there," demanded Shacklebolt, "Are you saying they can't charge a few young wizards?"

"Sir, you trained them. Not me," was the acid response. Harry imagined that the wizard on the other end of the conversation must be a very brave man if he was willing to respond in such a way to the Minister with the entire team as an audience.

Shacklebolt swore to himself and advised his team, "I am sending four back to attack the defences from the inside. We need help as soon as possible so hurry in." He turned to the four Aurors, "I am going to give you an opening. You two attack the rooms to the left of the entry and you two attack the the rooms to the right. All of you go on my mark!"

Harry watched as Shacklebolt began an incantation. The Minister closed his eyes and began to whisper a small chant. As he did Harry felt the air in the room swirl around them gently before picking up speed. As Shacklebolt's chant grew louder he stood higher and higher until he began to rise above the short marble wall that had served as their protection. The wind was now gusting around them and the Death Eaters had stopped casting spells as they tried to figure out what was happening. At this pause the four Aurors darted out from behind the wall and ran out of the room to complete their assignments. Harry watched in awe as gust after gust of air pounded the enemy. He could hear thunder as if a storm was brewing inside.

A shadow caught Harry's eye. He realised that he had not been watching the Minister's back as he promised he would. Too late.

He caught a wizard in black moving along the wall to their right. The other Death Eaters had been blown to the ground as they fought the gusts of wind from their backs but many still held their wands. Every bit of the Minister's attention was spent holding them at bay. Harry knew he was likely mismatched.

There was no time to disarm the attacker. Harry knew the Minister needed only seconds more. To buy time, he leaped between the Minister and the shrouded wizard's wand in hopes of blocking whatever curse had been cast. As he jumped he fired off a silent stunner hoping to get lucky.

Harry's opponent had not seen Harry crouched behind Shacklebolt and his eyes glassed over as he dropped to the ground. Harry didn't have time to relish the victory. A jolt of electricity passed through the young wizard flurry of purple light overtook him. The curse had struck him dead on.

Pain seared through Harry's abdomen as the young wizard collapsed to the ground in a heap. His skin burned as if he'd caught fire. Whatever had happened must have been awful because Shacklebolt's face filled with panic.

Harry was confused. The Minister's eyes filled with regret as he pointed the business end of his wand at the young wizard. The last thing Harry saw was blinding flash of green.