Disclaimer: Characters, places, and all manner of such things are property of J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I do not own anything, not even the computer I'm writing it on. This story is meant as a tribute to J.K. Rowling and her great stories. It is purely for the enjoyment of myself and others, and it is in no way meant to infringe on the copyrights and trademarks of the series' owner. Comments and such are welcome, but please not on here. If you wish to comment or review the story, only include constructive criticism or praise. If you don't like the story, too bad, read something else. I write mainly for myself, and if others happen to enjoy it, then that makes me happy. This story is rated R, and may include adult situations and language. I won't go too in depth when it comes to "steamy" scenes, but all the same be fore warned. If you have any qualms about reading such material, you are under the age of at least 16-17, or it is illegal to read such material where you live, then don't read it.
Chapter Two: My Sacrifice
The hours since his 'meeting' with Voldemort, had been hectic. Harry had been summoned to the Headmistress's Office, where a meeting of all the teachers had commenced. The Minister had been there as well, with a contingent of Aurors. They had been arguing furiously, ignoring Harry for the most part, after he gave them his recounting of the events. He'd had enough of the bickering.
"He's going to attack the school? To get at Potter? Absurd!" Cried Dolores Umbridge, the current Headmistress of Hogwarts. "He can't apparate through the wards, and we've already cut the school off from the Floo Network." All eyes looked at her disbelievingly.
Rufus Scrimgeour, the Minister for Magic, walked toward Dolores' desk and scowled down at her. "Woman, are you that blind? He doesn't have to apparate inside, or even Floor in here. You-Know-Who can Apparate outside of the school grounds, and walk in here like it was a Muggle parking lot. The wards only prevent him from Apparating INSIDE the school, not outside it." Dolores made a few mouth movements like she was going to protest, but thought better of it.
"Well what are our options?" That was from Professor Flitwick, the Charms instructor. "We need to evacuate all the children. They won't be safe here."
"He's right." Everyone turned to the tall, lanky figure of Remus Lupin, one of the members of the Order of the Phoenix, and a known werewolf. "I got Harry's message. I brought the entire Order with me."
Harry was glad to see Remus. He would help to keep things under control. Harry smiled at the older man, who had been a friend of Harry's parents before their deaths. Harry turned to the group of adults that were discussing what to do. "Excuse me. Can I make a suggestion?" All eyes turned to him. It made him slightly uncomfortable. "I agree that the students need to be sent home, but let the D.A. stay and fight."
Umbridge shot to her feet. "Young man, you can't possibly mean to tell me that you've continued to train those deluded children." She was quieted by the appearance of Harry's wand. She sat down at the look on his face. The Auror's all brought out their wands, afraid that Harry might turn on the Minister.
"I'd watch how you talk about my friends, Professor. I've survived more attacks by Voldemort than everyone in this room, combined." A few of the professor's gasped as Harry used the Dark Lord's name freely, other scowled at him. "I've trained them myself, and I trust them at my back in this fight before I'd trust you and the Mnister's Aurors."
Umbridge's face turned seven shades of red at Harry's remark. "You seem to be under the assumption that you'll be fighting. I forbid it. Now lower your wand. Let the real adults handle this."
Harry couldn't believe the woman's arrogance. "No, Professor. I am fighting. You need me. You all know that I'm the only one who can defeat Voldemort. If I don't fight, then he'll win." Harry's eyes narrowed, and he approached her desk, wand still leveled at her. "Or maybe that's what you were hoping for." More gasps from the assembled adults. They couldn't believe what he was insinuating.
Remus smirked at harry. He was proud of him. Harry reminded him more and more of James every time he saw him. "Harry's right. He has to fight in this battle. If he doesn't, the war could be dragged on for many more years. Voldemort won't be, can't be stopped until he faces Harry. This thing could be over tonight!"
Harry looked over at Lupin and smiled. His eyes said thank you, and Remus nodded to him. "I wont force the D.A. to fight. They've been trained for this, and they fought well in the Department of Mysteries. If any of them want to fight, then I'll gladly have them at my back. Whoever wants to go home," He sighed and lowered his wand, "can go home."
"When do you think he'll attack Harry?" That came from Minister Scrimgeour.
Harry turned toward the older man. "He's most powerful at night. He knows that the dark arts are at their peak during the night, so I doubt he'll attack during the day. He'll come tonight, most likely when it's darkest." Sometimes he was glad for the link he had with Voldemort. It was a window into the mind of a madman, and it got scary, but these little insights made it worth it.
"You can all argue about this all you want. I'm going to see who's willing to fight." Harry turned and walked to the statue that served as the stairway between the office, and the rest of the school.
Harry walked toward the Fat Lady portrait that led to the Gryffindor Dormitory. Before she even had a chance to ask, he spoke the password. "Weasley's Wizard Wheezes." The Fat Lady swung open and admitted him. Inside the common room, the students of Gryffindor house were all gathered. When Harry entered the common room, Hermione ran up to him and hugged him tightly. He returned the hug, and looked at the students staring at him.
"All right there Harry?" Dean asked. The students had been briefed about what had happened, but knew nothing about the meeting.
Harry pulled Hermione away form him for a second, so he could address the rest of them without talking over her shoulder. "The Minister and all the teachers just had a meeting." All eyes remained fixed on him. "Voldemort attacks tonight." Everyone started to whisper amongst themselves. A few girls, mainly first years, started to cry. "Everyone is being sent home before night fall. It's not safe for you here."
Ron stood up from where he was sitting and looked angry. "What do you mean sending us home? This school is home to most of us. We want to defend it." Students stood up and voiced their agreement with him.
Harry sighed, and ran a hand through his hair. "Those members of D.A. can stay and fight. But I wont force you to. If you want to go home, then you're more than welcome to. Remus brought the Order with him, and Scrimgeour's probably sending for more Auror's right now."
A second year boy smiled and pulled out his wand. "We're ready Harry."
Harry shook his head. "No, you're going home, Michael." The boy frowned, and looked about to protest, but was stopped when harry raised his hand. "The only students who can stay are members of D.A. I've trained them myself, and they know what to do. The rest of you aren't prepared. You'll only get in the way, or get yourselves killed. Remember, these are fully trained Death Eaters, and the Dark Lord himself, that we'll be fighting against."
Ron nodded. "I'm with you Harry." Ginny stood up too. One by one, the whole of the D.A. was on their feet. Ron looked at them all and then smiled back at Harry. "We won't abandon you now."
Hermione reached into her pocket and pulled out her wand. "I'm with you too Harry." Harry wanted to tell her no, but he didn't think he could. It would hurt her to make her stay behind. And he didn't want to do that. He nodded and let it be at that.
Harry turned to students. "Get your things ready, the Headmistress will probably call an assembly in the Great Hall." He looked at Hermione. "Call the rest of the D.A. who aren't in our house. They need to know." He turned back to the Gryffindor D.A. members. "Those staying, get your robes ready, we're gonna put a D.A. patch on your robes, so we can tell whose in the group. I don't want anyone not in D.A. trying to stay and fight."
They nodded as one and went to get their robes. "Hermione. Are you sure you want to fight? I trained, you, and I know you're capable, but--"
Her hand on his arm stopped him. "Don't you dare get protective now Harry. I just barely got you for myself. I'm not going to let some snake faced lunatic with a clique of psychotic friends take you away from me now." She kissed him gently on the lips and smiled at him.
"Alright, Love. Go call the others, and get your robes. We'll meet in the Room of Requirement." She rushed off to do so, and Harry walked up the stairs to his room. He opened the door and flopped down on the bed. Hedwig flapped her wings a couple times, and Harry reached into a drawer on the night stand, grabbing a small snack for his owl. He fed it to her, then got up. He moved to the window and opened it. Hedwig held out a leg, anticipating a letter, Harry hadn't even thought to send a letter to anyone. He stroked her head and sat down at his desk to write.
Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and Dudley,
Please don not be cruel to Hedwig for bringing you this letter. I felt compelled to speak with you all, and she is my only means of communication with you. When you've finished reading this, tell her to fly to the Burrow, where my friend Ron lives. His family will take care of her.
This morning, I suffered another attack with my scar. It linked me to Voldemort, the dark wizard who killed my parents. He's coming to the school tonight. He plans on killing me, and anyone who resists him. I have to fight him, only I can stop him, and only he can stop me. There's a good chance I won't live, and so I'm writing this to you.
I wanted to apologize to you. I'm sorry for the circumstances of my birth. I'm sorry for being thrust into your lives when you didn't want me. I'm sorry I wasn't the nephew you wanted me to be. And most importantly, I'm sorry I was ungrateful for the care you gave me. No matter how little you did for me, you still did for me. You took me in, and by doing so, gave me the protection that has made it so I would survive this long. I'm sorry.
I also wanted to say, that I forgive you for the harsh treatment you gave me. There were times when you treated me sub-human, but I understand why you did it. You were afraid that I would end up like my Mum and Dad. And you were right, I did end up like them. But none-the-less, I forgive you.
I'm sitting writing this letter, and preparing myself to stare down the Dark Lord one last time. One of us has to die tonight, maybe both of us. We wont know until it's all done with. I just hope I have the strength to give him a good fight, even if I don't come out alive. I hope this letter reaches you three in good health, and I hope that, even if you don't really care for me, you'll say a little prayer for me. I would appreciate it. Thank you.
Well, I have to go now. I need to get ready to fight. Maybe I'll see you around. Maybe I won't. Either way, I want you to know that I tried to do you proud, Uncle Vernon. You always told Dudley to never give up without a fight. And, even though you never gave me words of advice like that, I want you to know that I'll do just that. I won't go do without a fight. Voldemort may kill me, but I'll take a few of his followers with me, and hopefully a piece of him as well.
Good-Bye.
Harold James Potter
Harry looked over the letter and wiped a tear from his eye. He never thought in a million years that he'd be sad to have to say good bye to his abusive aunt and uncle. Maybe it was because this might be his final goodbye. Whatever it was, Harry was glad for it. It reminded him that he was more than just a weapon, he was human. He sealed the envelope with wax, and a signet ring bearing the dual seals of House Potter and House Black.
Harry walked back to Hewig and attached the letter to her leg. He then picked up the owl on his hand, and hugged her. Hedwig turned her head slightly, not understanding why he'd done that. Harry kissed her on the beak and held her out the window. "Good bye Hedwig. You've been good." As the owl spread her wings and took to the sky, Harry saw the sun starting to hit it's afternoon mark. His fixed his face with determination and walked to his closet, pulling out a set of robes that resembled the ones he'd worn in the Tri-Wizard tournament, except they looked more like regular wizards robes, than a work out suit. He quickly put them on, and conjured an emblem onto the back of the robes, it was the Coat of Arms for Dumbledore's family, which he'd seen once in the Headmaster's office.
Harry arrived at the hall-way to the Room of Requirement. The door was already open, showing that the other members were already there. As Harry entered, he noticed some faces from other houses were not there. Everyone turned to face Harry, each wearing a set of robes. At the sight of his robes, they all transfigured their own to match. That made Harry smile. He soon had everyonewho was going to fight, with a conjured House Dumbledore emblem on their back.
After everyone was situated Harry spoke. "Alright. We've trained for just this purpose. I know you're all scared." When Ron started to protest, Harry raised a hand, cutting him off. "Don't try and play macho, I'm scared too. You guys have done your best in training, and now it's time to put that to the test."
Harry turned to Ginny. "I want everyone to split up into three teams. Ginny, Dean, Seamus, I want you three in charge of one team each." He waited till everyone had sectioned themselves off into teams. "I chose you three because other Ron, Hermione, and myself, you three are the best I've got. I know I can trust you three to keep your cool when it gets tough." Harry looked at the gathered members of Dumbledore's Army. "Everyone stick to your teams, and do as your leaders say. You'll do fine."
Seamus came forward then. "Harry, what about Ron, Hermione, and yourself? I thought the three of you would take a team each." Every started to voice their agreement. Harry shook his head.
"No, Seamus. We're going to fight along side you all, but in the end we're going after Voldemort. I can't risk splitting up the 'Golden Trio' as you all seem to call us." Harry looked over at Ron, and then st Hermione, who took his hand. "You two ready?"
Ron clapped Harry on the back. "Of coarse, Mate. I'm always by your side."
Hermione looked at Harry with watery eyes. "I won't leave you, Harry." She smiled at him and wiped her eyes.
Harry nodded and then looked at everyone. "Alright. Umbridge will probably want us all in the Great Hall, I doubt she'll let everyone go without a speech trying to make it all seem like her idea. Remember listen to your team leaders. Team leaders, if the adults give you a command for your team, follow it. The more we co-operate, the better the outcome will be. Let's go."
With that, the Golden Trio led Dumbledore's Army out of the Room of Requirement, and into the Great Hall. Umbridge was in the middle of a speech, as Harry had predicted. As the group entered the Great Hall, all attention was diverted toward them. Umbrdige scowled at Harry. "Mr. Potter. How kind of you to join us."
"No problem, Professor. We're ready when you are." Harry smiled at the old bat as she practically ruffled up her feathers, if she had any. Harry almost laughed, it was like watching a hen get defensive.
Rather than try to berate Harry, Umbridge started having the teachers get the students situated to leave. After an hour, they started filing out by year, a teacher with each group. They were led out of the castle and down to the docks, where they loaded up on the boats, and made the trip to the Hogwarts Express station. From there, they would catch the train back to platform 9 3/4, where their parents and gaurdians would be waiting for them.
Harry watched as the first group started to file out. He turned to Ginny. "Ginny, take your team. Your going to go with them." She started to protest, but was shut up by a look from Harry. "I want you and your team on that train. If they get attacked, there will be few teachers on board to help defend it. They need protection. Please." Ginny finally nodded and departed with 1/3 of the members of Dumbledore's Army.
Ron looked over at harry. He looked ready to say something, but from the look in his eyes, Harry knew what it was. "You're welcome, Ron. I know you don't want her here for the fight. Besides, Mr. And Mrs. Weasley would kill me if I let anything happen to their daughter. Bad enough I'm involving their son." Ron didn't say anything to him, he merely placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, and squeezed a little.
The last of the students started to file out about 45 minutes later. Harry turned to the remainder of his group and sighed. "If anyone has changed their mind about this, now's the time to go. If you don't leave, you're stuck here." No one so much as glanced at the students who were leaving. "Thanks for being here guys. You have no idea how much this means to me." They all nodded at him.
Umbridge came forward to them as the last student left the great Hall. "Alright, Potter, the jokes over. You can stay, since the Minister buys into that prophecy mumbo-jumbo. The rest of these students needs to get on that train right now." They all turned to stare at her like she'd turned into Voldemort himself. "I'm not kidding. Get out of here, and on that train."
Lupin came up behind Umbridge and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Professor. I don't think you could force these men and women to leave if you used a banishing curse on them." He smiled at her with a rather toothy, showing his enlarged canine teeth. She inhaled sharply.
"These are not men and women. Other than the ones who have reached their seventeenth birthday, they are hardly older than children." She turned to Lupin, refusing to be intimidated.
"With all due respect Headmistress, they are men and women. Their demonstration of courage to stay here and defend this school, and Harry, is proof of that. He's given them a chance to leave, and they've chosen to stay." He nodded to all the members and smiled. "If facing the odds that we'll be facing tonight doesn't make them men and women, then I don't know what does."
A couple students gave out a "here-here." To Lupin's speech. He wrapped an arm around Umbridge, and started to lead her away. "Let's go make sure the wards and charms are in place, shall we.?
The students that remained laughed. As the ceiling spell began to darken, reflecting that night was settling in, Fred and George Weasley came running into the Great Hall. "It's time." They shouted as one. "Voldemort as his followers just Apparated outside the front gates." After they gave their impromptu report, they hurried over to Harry and the gang, trnasfiguring their robes to amtch Harry's. "Hello, Harry. Ron. Hermione." The freaky way they managed to say the same thing at the same time, always sent a chill down Harry's back.
Ron looked askance at his brothers, the twins. "Oi, What are you two doing here?" harry was actually wondering the same thing. They'd left school early and opened a joke shop, who'se name served as the new Gryffindor password. "You should be at home with mum and dad. We just sent Ginny on the train."
The two looked at each other and then started laughing. Fred wrapped his arm over Harry's shoulder and Ron's, while George wrapped his around Harry and Hermione. "That's funny, Ron." Said George. "Yeah, We can't let our little brother have all the fun." That came from Fred.
They both looked down to see Harry and Hermione holding hands. "Oi, about time this happened. We were wondering when you two would finally see the obvious." Hermione turned six shades of red. Harry merely shrugged off the twins.
"We can talk about it later. Right now, we have more important things to do." Harry started to walk toward where the teachers were gathering by the large Oak double doors that led out to the entrance hall. Dumbledore's Army followed close on his heels. "Remus, what's the plan?"
Lupin turned to Harry and smiled. "Fight. That's the plan. Try and keep them out of the castle, and away from the train. After that, we'll try and clear you a path to Voldemort." Harry nodded, as well as the rest of the group. "Keep alert, and remember what you've been taught. Most of you weren't at the battle at the Ministry, but those that were can tell those who weren't. It's going to get very hectic, and very ugly, very fast. The best laid plan will last about 2 minutes before people start fall from injury, and some death. When that happens, you'll panic. Try to keep a clear head and you'll be fine." He patted Harry on the shoulder. "Harry. I just wanted to tell you, before we go out there. You're parents, would be proud of you. You're exactly like your father. I know, no matter what happens out there, you'll do them proud. They're smiling down on you right now. And Sirius is right there by them. He's proud of you too. None of could have asked you to turn out any better than you did."
Harry had to fight back the tears. He had been told that before, by both Remus, and Sirius, but for some reason, tonight, it had more impact. He quickly hugged the older man, and then let him go. "Thanks Remus." That was all he could say. After that, the doors opened, and they all ran outside to meet Voldemort.
Number Four Privet Drive was quite that night. The lights were inside, as the Dursley's were enjoying a meal. Uncle Vernon had just started to cut a rather hearty piece of steak, when he heard the screech of Hedwig from the window. He stopped in mid-cut and set down his knife and fork as the owl started pecking the window. "That damned bird is here, Petunia. It better not be here saying the boy is coming back. I won't have it this time. I won't."
Petunia patted Vernon's arm as he got up to see what Hedwig wanted. "I know dear. I know. None of us want that Potter boy back." Dudley nodded his agreement as he stuffed his mouth with a fat piece of steak, gravy dripping down his portly chin.
Vernon opened the window and Hedwig held out her leg with the letter on it. "Well, what have you got here? If it's not from the Boy saying we can go to the bank and collect money for all the things we provided for him, then I don't want it." Hedwig bit him on the finger for he said about her master. Vernon yelped rather like a dog, and sucked his finger into his mouth. "Ungrateful bird."
He opened the letter and sat down at the table to read it. His angry scowl started to diminish as he read it. He looked, for the first time in years, like he was almost sad. Petunia looked at her husband with worry. He hadn't looked like this since Dudley had come home with a broken arm from football. "What is it, Dear?" She placed a hand on Vernon's arm and leaned over. When Vernon finished reading it, he handed it to her.
Petunia started to read the letter as Vernon looked down at his plate of food. As she read on, her hand crept up to her mouth. It brought back memories of when she learned her sister Lily had died. She looked to Vernon as she finished the letter, and set it down.
Vernon looked at Petunia, and then got up. He walked to Hedwig and gave her a small snack. "The boy says you should go to some place called the Burrow." Hedwig took the snack and then screeched as she flapped her wings. In a matter of seconds she was air born and heading toward the Weasley residence.
Vernon watched the owl fly off through the darkening sky. It had been dark for about an hour. He narrowed his eyes and grabbed the window, preparing to close it. Just before he did, he looked at Petunia, then Dudley (who had started to read the letter his parent's had left on the table), and then back outside. "God speed, Boy. Good luck." With that, he closed the window.
Harry's skin itched from all the sweat. He was breathing extremely heavily. Some where along the way, he'd lost track of the others. His head turned from side to side, taking in the destruction all around.
Everywhere he looked he could see wizards and witches locked in wizard's duels with Voldemort's Death Eaters. He could make out a few people here and there, but he couldn't find Hermione anywhere, nor Ron. He'd lost them after particularly nasty Expelliarmus hit him in the chest and caused him to fly backwards rather than lose his wand. A scream from off to his right caused Harry's heart to quicken and he took off toward it.
About 50 feet off, Harry could see Hermione on the ground, some masked Death Eater on top of her. From the looks of it, Harry could tell what he wanted, and it wasn't to kill Hermione. "You're pretty for a mudblood. I wonder if you're a good fuck too. Let's find out, shall w--" The voice Harry recognized as belonging to Dolohov, the bastard who'd scarred Hermione in the Department of Mysteries.
Harry's wand came up and leveled at Dolohov. "Crucio!" A shot of light fired from harry's wand and hit Dolohov right in the head. His body was thrown to the side as he began to scream and writhe in pain. The look on Harry's face scared Hermione when she looked over at her approaching boyfriend. He looked like he wanted to kill Dolohov, after torturing him of coarse.
"Harry. I'm alright now. He didn't get to do anything to me." She got up off the ground and retrieved her wand form where it lay a few feet to the side. "You came in time, Harry." She placed an arm on Harry's wand arm and looked up at him. Harry looked into her eyes and then back at Dolohov.
He stopped the curse and then, "Incarcerous." Thick ropes appeared out of no where and wrapped around Dolohov's body. It didn't matter, he was unconcious anyway. Harry turned to Hermione and cupped her face in his hands. "Are you sure you're alright?" She nodded and then looked around.
"Harry, where's Ron?" Harry shook his head, he didn't know. "We'll find him." A flash from the left caused harry to reach out and push Hermione away with Seeker reflexes. She thumped on the ground as the red light of a curse tore through the space harry had pushed her from. He turned to see a ring of Deah Eaters around Voldemort.
"Come, Potter. Leave your pathetic Mudblood girlfriend there. Time to die." The snake faced Dark Lord stepped out of the ring of Death Eaters as he spoke. All around explosions and spells flew wildly. Death Eaters and followers of the light succumbed to spells, death, injury, or fatigue. Voldemort raised his wand in a salute, like he'd done when Harry fought him in the graveyard during fourth year.
Harry turned to face him and saluted as well. Hermione stood up frantic. "No, Harry. We're too outnumbered. He'll over take us." She was worried by the look on both combatant's faces. "Wait until the others arrive to help." Harry looked at her and then started toward Voldemort. Hermione rushed at him, but a flick of the Dark Lord's wand sent up an invisible barrier, keeping everyone but Harry and the Death Eaters out. "HARRY! Don't, it's suicide!"
Harry looked bakc at her. "I have to Hermione. I'm the only one who can."
Voldemort glared at Harry, he was growing impatient. "Enough, Potter. Come and face me."
Harry smield at Hermione. "It's my sacrifice. I love you."
Hermione pounded a fist against the invisible wall that kept her out. "No, harry. I love you. Don't you do this. Do not fight them alone." Her eyes started watering as Harry turned back to Voldemort.
"Very touching, Potter. In honor of your courage in facing me, I will make her death quick and painless after I kill you." He sneered at Harry. "Although, it was foolish of you to come against me alone. You can not win, Potter. I will cut you down like I did you're father and his mudblood wife."
Harry's face twisted in rage. "Sectumsempra!" With a slash Harry's wand the death Eaters to Voldemort's right grabbed their chests in pain, as a shallow gash appeared. "I'm not as weak as I was before Voldemort. You caught my parents by surprise. But I'm fully aware you're here. I won't go down as easily as you might think."
Voldemort thrust his wand out, "Crucio!" Harry lunged to the side barely avoiding the curse. "You've become faster Potter, I like a challenge." The Death Eaters with Voldemort staretd to spread out.
Soon curses and hexes were flying everywhere at Harry. He dodged and rolled out of the way of some, and started casting "Protego" to block others. One of Voldemort's followers made vines spring form the ground and latch onto Harry's legs. It was followed by the Imperious Curse. Harry laughed it off. He'd learned from Barty Crouch Jr., when he'd been masquerading as Mad-Eye Moody, how to resist it.
Harry cut himself loose from the vines and pointed his wand at the offending Death Eater. "Expelliarmus!" The blast sent the Death Eater flying back. He landed out side the far end of the invisible wall, no longer able to attack Harry. By now, they fighting had died down as Death Eaters and harry's allies began to gather just outside the wall to watch the fight. They all knew that the fate of the world depended on the outcome of this battle. What they did on the outside didn't matter.
It began anew then, curses and hexes coming at Harry from all angles. He kept moving, trying to stay hard to target for as long as he could. Ron came up behind Hermione and placed and arm on her shoulder. "He'll be alright, 'Mione. He's Harry bloody Potter. He's always alright." She smiled at his statement.
Off in the bushes, a certain reporter with a knack for a story, sat with her Quick Quotes Quill. Rita Skeeter was taking it all down, this would be the work that got her an award. The story of the battle between Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort. She secretly hoped that Harry won.
Two hours. He'd been at it for two hours. Harry's muscles felt like jelly. He'd managed to reduce the Death Eaters inside the wall with him and Voldemort to three. He couldn't do it anymore. They'd kept him on his toes, constantly moving, while they stood there and threw spells at him. They'd worn him out. He looked back over his shoulder as he dove to the side. Hermione was crying again on Ron's shoulder, but facing him. She had to see the out come. No matter how horrible.
Harry slowly rose from his place on the ground, where he'd landed after that last dodge. Sweat dripped off his hair, his glasses were fogged up, and he had a multitude of cuts all over. Voldemort stepped forward. "It's no use fighting, Potter. You've lost."
Remus punched the invisible wall and growled at Voldemort. "Fight me, Voldemort. Let me take Harry's place!" Voldemort laughed at him.
"You, werewolf? You aren't worth my time. You're a mixed breed, a mistake. You wouldn't last two minutes." He turned to face harry again. "No, I will end his suffering now." Voldemort's wand pointed at Harry, as he slowly got to his feet. "Avada Kedavra."
Harry's wand come up at almost the exact same time. "Avada Kedavra." The two green beams of deadly energy fired right into each other. Voices from outside the wall screamed as they thought Harry was about to die. A dome of white energy spread out from where the two curses met. The Priori Incantatem had started.
Hermione turned to Lupin. "Remus what is that? I've never seen it before." They could see ghost images of various objects and people start to show inside the dome. Cedric, James, and Lily seemed to materialize out of no-where. Screams form faceless victims tore through the night air, sending chills down the spines of even the Death Eaters.
Lupin stood wide eyed staring at James and Lily. They looked so real, but at the same time, they seeme to be mere ghosts of themselves. "I've only read about it. Priori Incantatem. It can only occure when two wands that have cores from the same source are forced to lock in combat. Normally the spell that's strongest, or from the stronger caster would just tear straight through, but with this, they are forced to lock." James' image turned to Remus and nodded to him. It brought tears to Lupin's eyes. "Now it's a battle of wills, not strength. Which ever one, Harry or Voldemort, wants to live the most, is the one who's spell will win. Until then, the losing wizard's wand is forced to spew forth images of all the spells it's ever cast, in reverse order."
Hermione turned back to watch Harry. "But that's Harry's parents. So, he's winning?" Lupin could only nod.
Harry struggled with all his might. He willed himself to win this. Voldemort wanted to win so he could take over the world. Harry wanted to save it. He wanted a family, he wanted to stop the pain. He could feel himself starting to over take Voldemort's spell. His father and mother came over toward him. "You're doing great son. Don't give up." Harry's eyes turned to his father. "We love you."
Cedric smiled at him. "Thanks, Harry. For taking my body back to my dad."
Harry's eyes turned back to Voldemort. He grit his teeth and took a step forward, forcing the beams to back toward Voldemort a little. The Dark Lord's eyes widened as his mind started to entertain the thought that he could lose. He struggled, but his selfish reasons for fighting were not strong enough to over take Harry's. He had to watch as the beams moved slowly closer and closer. He looked, with fear in his eyes, toward the three Death Eaters with him. They looked to their master, and then back at Harry. Two stepped forward, raising their wands. "Crucio!"
Hermione pounded against the invisible wall, tears streaming down her eyes. "NOOOO!!!"
Everyone watched as Harry's body was struck with two Cruciatus Curses at the same time. The scream that erupted from his throat sounded like that of a man being crushed by a weight that would take ten years to kill him. His body started to convulse, and he dropped to one knee. The Avada Kedavra started to move back toward Harry. Cedric's spirit moved to Harry's side and placed it's hand on his arm. "Come on, Potter. Don't give in. Focus, you can push through the pain. Focus."
Harry's mother joined him on Harry's other side. "You're doing great, Harry. I know it hurts, but you can do it." Her words managed to come through the pain. Harry's mind latched onto them like they were water in a vast desert. To the astonishment of Voldemort and his two followers, Harry stood back up. His body still racked with pain, every now and then, it looked like he was being punched by an invisible fist. But, he pushed through it.
James turned to Remus again. "This is it Moony. Thank you, for taking care of Harry. Sirius says to thank you as well. We look forward to you joining us again, old friend. But don't let it be too soon." He smiled and then went to harry's side.
Tears flowed down Remus' face. "It was my pleasure, old friend. You're son is a fine young man."
Voldemort could feel the power turning back on him. The spark where the two spells met was mere inches from wand tip. The two Death Eaters who had harry in their spell looked over at the third. He stepped forward and pointed his wand at Harry. The dome erupted as the killing curses finally pushed into Voldemort's body. "THIS CAN'T BE! NOOO!!!" they were his last words before the spell touched him, and he started to fall.
An upward flick of the third Death Eaters wand caused an explosion beneath Harry's feet. The invisible wall dropped as Voldemort's life ended. The explosion sent a wave of energy out, knocking every one off their feet.
Hermione was the first to her feet. She looked frantically about as dust and smoke settled. Death Eaters dropped to their knees clutching their arms in pain as the Dark Mark began to eat at their flesh with the death of their master. The Order members rounded them all up.
Ron and Hermione ran into the settling cloud. "HARRY! Where are you?" Ron called out, placing his wand against his throat to make his voice carry farther. A gasp from Hermione made Ron turn. She was on her knees, hands covering her mouth as tears poured freely. On the ground in front of her was a pair of twisted and broken glasses.
Hermione picked up the glasses slowly and heard an angry sound form off to their right. She looked over to see Lupin holding the Death Eater, who'd caused the explosion, by the throat. He reached up and pulled off his mask. The face of Severus Snape look back at him. "Hello Moony."
Remus tossed Snape back. "You bastard. This whole time I defended you. I thought you were on our side, that you'd killed Dumbledore because he'd asked you to to save Malfoy's life." Snape stood up, smug as ever and dusted himself off.
"You killed Harry!" Snape turned to see Ron holding Hermione back.
"Oh please, Ms. Granger. Like you have it in you." He turned back toward Remus and came face to face with the wands of Lupin, McGonagall, and Scrimgeour. "I plead that I was under the Imperious." He smiled like he was un touchable.
Scrimgeour fumed. "As Minister of Magic, I declare you acted under your own control, not that of Voldemort." Snape's eyes widened. "And I sentence you to die. Right here on the spot."
Remus lifted his wand. "I'm going to enjoy this." His wand leveled at Snape, but a flash of green light hit Snape in the back. He dropped to the ground dead. All eyes turned to see Hermione with her wand pointed at Snape.
Hermione dropped her wand and collapsed to her knees again. "Come on, 'Mione, let's get you inside." Ron reached down and helped her back to her feet.
