Disclaimer – I do not own Harry Potter
Three days later, Harry and Hermione arrive by floo into the Ministry atrium, dressed in clothes that were a gift from Padfoot (in other words, ridiculously fancy that they both denied ever having a use for. He was rather smug that they had, though they neglected to tell him what, exactly, they are attending the conference for.) Hermione's arm links with Harry's as they move forth to greet the Minister, the conference not set to start for another few minutes. Both know they cannot begin until that starts and as such must play the part.
"Ah, Harry, wonderful to see you again," Fudge greets. Naturally clasping Harry's hand in direct view of the cameras.
Harry smiles charmingly, "And you, Minister. I'm honoured to be here."
"Mr Potter!" various members of the press begin calling, Harry hones in on one voice in particular. He meets the eyes of Rita Skeeter who seems smug at the recognition until she sees and remembers Hermione.
"Miss Skeeter, long time no see," Harry comments lightly.
Rita swallows nervously, "Likewise, Mr Potter. Tell me, how do you feel about the Ministry's new stance on Werewolves?"
Harry smiles, "I'm glad for it. The Ministry is taking an important step into helping protect those who need it."
"Excuse me, Mr Potter. But how are we being protected if the restrictions on these monsters are being lifted?" A journalist that Harry doesn't recognise asks.
Harry's expression becomes significantly less friendly, "I didn't mean us. The Werewolves are the people who have been persecuted without reason, forced to live in fear and poverty. They deserve help and the Ministry has my full support in doing so," he replies calmly.
Fudge soon calls attention to himself by announcing the beginning of the conference. Harry surreptitiously nods at Hermione who nods back before slipping away from the crowd.
"Today the Ministry takes the Wizarding World along on a new path, a path in which we accept all people rather than fear what we do not understand," Fudge begins, "For some months, Lord Sirius Black has been undertaking the founding of a new organization, The Moony Sanctuary. The Sanctuary will be a place Werewolves can go during the full moon, somewhere they will be protected and contained without being forced into a cage. It will also be a place where Werewolves, members of their family, and interested members of the public can go to learn more about Lycanthropy in order to better understand. There will be housing open to all non-humans who have been put into a position in which they lack a place to live until they can get back on their feet," He continues. Harry thinks its impressive how he doesn't even blink because of the flashes. He wonders how Hermione is going, "To show our support of the Sanctuary, the old laws on Werewolves are, as of this moment, voided. A new law put in place that prevents employers from firing or refusing a worker for the sole reason of their species. In time, it is my hope that we can all learn to live together in harmony with all species. I will now take questions."
Harry sends Fudge a nod and a pleased smile when the Minister looks his way. Harry sees something scurrying in the edge of his peripheral vision. He looks over quickly and sees the tail of a rat before it sounds a corner, coming back moments later in the form of Peter Pettigrew, disguised with a suit. Harry looks away quickly but begins slowly making his way towards the Minister.
Fudge stands, unaware, as he answers the questions posed to him. Unaware, that is, until he sees Harry heading towards him. He tries to appear outwardly calm, though he is now beginning to suspect Harry had an ulterior motive for attending this conference. Harry keeps an eye on Voldemort who locks eyes with Harry. Seeing his window closing, Voldemort rushes over, wand drawn. Harry runs and leaps to be between the Minister and the devil in carnate.
"You'll have to kill me, Tom," Harry tells Voldemort strongly, staring into the eyes of what was once his Uncle Wormy, now a mere vessel for evil. Harry refuses to step aside.
"So be it," Voldemort replies with a snarl, "AVADA KEDAVRA!"
"NO!" Remus screams. Hermione runs into the room, successfully having brought down the wards, and sees Harry on the ground. She, Remus, and the rest of the Order reach him at the same time. Remus kneels beside him, hand on his cold, dead face, "Prongslet?" He asks quietly.
The room is silent, all know.
The Boy Who Lived is dead.
Harry blinks awake, vision blurry but clearing by the second.
"Hello Harry," Someone says, Harrys sees red-hair and thinks it must be Ginny. But his eyes come into focus, only to blur again from tears as he recognises the person in front of him.
"Mum," He says breathlessly. He turns his head to the side, "Dad," he says with a smile. His parents smile back, hugging him, "I never forgot you," He tells them.
"We know, Sweetheart," Lily tells her Son.
"We never forgot you, either," James adds. Harry smiles, snuggled between his parents.
He's safe, for once, and he's home.
It's four am that Sirius is woken by the floo going off repeatedly and sounds of apparating. He heads downstairs to find the old Order of the Phoenix, surviving members anyway, along with Tonks and Lucius. Moments later Dumbledore appears with the Weasleys, all of them, Snape, Draco, Cedric, and Lily.
"What's going on?" Sirius asks.
Remus limps forward, something laying slumped in his arms. Remus kneels, the body leaning limply against him.
Sirius shakes his head, "N-No, no dammit, NO!" Sirius screams, dropping to his knees beside them. Sirius grabs Harry's shirt, shaking him a bit before he drops his head onto his God-Son's chest, sobbing and screaming. Remus tries to keep it together, but tears still run freely down his face as they do down many others.
"There was a battle, Sirius. Fudge is dead, Hermione's been arrested…Voldemort won." Sirius looks up slowly, rage etched onto his face.
"Then now he will lose. He will lose everything."
NOTE:
And that's a wrap folks!
Sorry those last few chapters were rushed, I got excited.
Anyways, hope everyone enjoyed this! And thanks for everyone's support.