Everyone knows I did not create this world...Thank you JKR
Lord Belial sat in the Great Hall of Hogwarts. He remembered the laughter that once run in the halls. Faces were clearer now of those that he once attended classes with. He remembered that Hogwarts was one of the few places that he felt loved and safe. It was his sanctuary. He also remembered how it became a battle ground. Once he fought against the Ministry but then he remembered he always fought against the Ministry. It was either fighting them to force them to realize the truth or as its enemy. The walls held the past. It was hard to believe what the walls would say if one could hear their whispers.
Now it was a battle zone again. The Order had mustered its remaining strength and launched a full scale attack. It had been two years since Snape escaped with the prisoners and Ginny killed herself and Percy. That was the small spark that started a wildfire. So Belial sat at his grand table alone. He knew the castle was lost and then his regime would quickly fall. Deep down, he knew he was weakening. For once, time was not on his side. He and Voldemort tried to keep the façade going but it was harder every day to sustain the lie. So he listened to the music of the battle over some ice cream.
There were footsteps coming towards him. It was a single set. He knew it would be him. He always knew it would be him.
"It's vanilla," Belial said. "It is such a simple elegance that melts lustfully in the mouth."
Ron stood in front of him about 10 paces away. "So, two years without her has caused you to resign to eating ice cream. This has been a harsh war," Ron jested.
Belial looked up at him with dark, green eyes. "I was never able to completely kill your friend," he admitted. "I could always feel this nagging yearn to jump off a cliff or something. I needed your sister. I never understood what it was but with her at my side I could tuck Harry away. He was slipped neatly amongst everything else up here." He tapped his forehead thoughtfully three times to drive his point across.
"I think it was the night that Lily Potter died," Belial continued. "Her love will always protect Harry. That is why he was left with only a scar and why I cannot be rid of him."
"We all bear our own scars," Ron said. Ron stared into the once ebony eyes. He could see Harry fighting to the surface. Belial was not lying. Ron had lost faith yet there was a small light of hoping shining in the eyes of his enemy.
"How does it feel?" Ron asked.
"How does what feel?"
"To have your body and your conscious consumed, I would have mentioned soul but I think you understand."
"I can't put it into words," Belial replied in a thoughtful voice. "How would you describe it?"
"Liberating."
"I would consider it heartbreaking," a familiar voice said.
They looked in the direction of the voice. Hermione Granger floated in her silver magnificence. She was calm and looked to be at peace although they knew she was sad. She was dead and she knew at least on of them would be joining her soon.
"Join me for some ice cream please," Belial said cordially like he was hosting a party.
"Don't think I'll take you up on that," Ron replied.
"Thanks but no thanks," Hermione said in her usual matter-of-fact tone. She did look insulted at the invite to eat.
Ron looked at his former love. He compared her ghost to his memory of her when they were young and innocent. No one was innocent any more and the girl that he loved died long before this one did. Neither of them wanted to admit it as they waged war on Voldemort's forces and on their own emotions. Now she was before him once again. This was the closest he would get to her ever again but there was no joy. She was dead and so was their love.
"I thought you passed over," Ron said almost choking on his words.
"I had to see this through. I couldn't leave my guys. I had to tell both of my best friends that it will be alright."
"We know," Ron said.
"Good bye," Harry said as she faded away.
The two men, two friends, two enemies looked into each others eyes. They both saw strangers. Green eyes lit the face of a tyrant and faded, steel-like eyes look out from a freedom fighter.
"She was wrong. Neither of us will ever be free of our curses," Ron said gravely.
Harry nodded. "What do we do now?"
We end it."
"Is this Ron or Balin?"
"Ron would never be able to do what must be done."
"Are you calling my friend weak?"
"I would never call him weak considering how long he kept me at bay. I will have to thank you for giving me the opportunity to emerge. After you were killed Ron knew that he needed me."
"I remember hearing of your defeats once," Harry said.
"I had many," Balin admitted. "But I always found a way to ride again. It was very fortunate for my head to make its way back to England from the East. That was a near disaster but not as bad as it could have been obviously. Come to think of it, I have a lot to owe to you. I would still be stuck in that bloody tank if you hadn't decided to be so rash."
"I don't like flattery. Just send me a thank you card," Harry said trying to see if his friend was still there.
"What a force we could have been as Belial and Balin together."
"Balin may never die but we both know it is too late for him."
"As it is for Harry Potter."
Balin thrust a knife into Harry's heart. There was an empty gasp as Harry fell to the floor.
"Forgive him," Balin ordered him.
Balin stood over Harry as he breathed his last breath. Harry's death was quick as Balin had promised Ron. Somewhere deep in the dungeons, Lord Voldemort shrieked in pain just before he succumbed to his mortality and being reduced to nothing but a lifeless corpse. It was over.
Balin felt Severus' presence in the doorway. He turned to him and grinned.
"It's finished," Snape said almost as a question.
He examined the body of his rival's son. No one really wanted it to end this way. However, a happily ever after was too far from reality even though they lived in a world of dragons and trolls.
"So falls the Dark Lords Voldemort and Belial," Balin said. "And so rised Balin in their place." Balin looked pleased in his triumph. "We all fall but another will always rise. Without the darkness there can be no light."
Severus raised his arm holding not his wand but a pistol. "Not yet," he said and shot him in the chest.
Balin fell back like a sack of potatoes. The shot was still echoing when he hit ground and Snape knelt at his side. Snape watched the eyes brighten back to blue but the shine was still gone. He thought he saw them begin to shine again but it was a tear. Ron started to cry for the first time in years.
"I had to…there was no other way," Ron choked.
"I know," Snape replied solemnly.
"Is he dead?"
Snape paused for a moment. "Balin did as-"
Not Harry," Ron gasped. I know his fate. That was a favor to him. I hope he understands and can forgive me."
"Yes," Snape answered. "He's dead."
Ron smiled. "At last," he muttered. "I can take him to hell with me."
Cheers sang out victory in the halls of the castle. Peace and hope for a new world came at a very high price. Nothing came cheap. Some sold their souls and some watched the innocent die. The sounds of victory came closer with the rhythm of dancing feet. Bill, George, and Neville fell into the Great Hall drunk with elation to only be sobered by the familiar agony that they desired to leave behind.
"Ron," George pleaded. He ran to his brother's side followed by the others. "You have to fight Ron, fight to stay alive. We need some help! Please! Someone help us!"
"Shh," Ro soothed his brother like hew as a child. "Let me rest."
"No," George ordered him. "You know what they say. There's no rest for the wicked."
Ron sighed and grinned. "I am so tired."
Bill reluctantly understood his brother's pain. He had seen too many half-formed babies come from his wife's body to ignore it. He had to recognize the wish in Ron's pleading eyes and the whisper on his heavy breath. "Say hi to everyone for us."
Ron violently choked up blood. "I am a monster. Demons do not reside with angels."
Snape grabbed Ron's hand. "We're not-" but it was too late. Ron surrendered and Balin went with him. Neville blew the table up to nothing but scraps of wood as George let out a banshee's cry.
"He'll be fine," a whisper on the wind said.
Everyone looked up to see Hermione floating above them. She was as Snape remembered her when he escaped. Neville smiled up at her and she smiled back.
"I'll make sure he doesn't lose his way," she said.
"You're not a ghost," Snape said.
"No," Hermione answered. "Just have a bit of faith," she said fading away.
Snape closed his eyes and felt a gentle breeze put its hand on his face. The uncertain future was upon them but they were still marching forward. He knew everyone around him was remembering the fallen and forgotten. His wife and daughter were fresh in his memory; frailty was not their name. He slowly sat down in a chair and let every bit of himself relax for the first time in his troubled life. It was time to rest as he listened to the lullaby whispered by the wind and remembered his daughter.
That's the end folks. This will probably be the only story that I ever finish in my life. Sorry for the harsh read and I apologize if it is not up to par in writing...I'm an accountant not a writer. I do hope that you enjoyed it. Thank you for reading.
The small things that bring a smile to my face. This was published on Halloween and finished on Friday the 13th. A small smirk forms as I think of this.
