Chapter 14

The Last Enemy.

Recap–

Harry blasted the Portal off. A cry of pain followed by a bright flash of light came from the other end of the hundred-foot-long hallway. Harry glanced around wildly, hoping to find a way out, but he knew there were none. The short hallway had just become a killing ground. They were trapped.

"Pappenforth! Mike! Bones!" he shouted, gesturing quickly to the three Aurors closest to the ceiling. "The wall to the right! Blast it now!"

"Why?" Mike shouted.

"Just do it!" Harry cried, pointing his wand at the rocky wall and letting loose the most destructive curse he could think of. His earlier attempt to collapse the walls into Rabastan had weakened it considerably, but Azkaban was a sturdy structure. The others followed his example, shooting spells straight up at the floor, and the floor began to shake once more—

Rumble

Harry had barely come around the corner when he was forced to dive for cover as a red light nearly took his head off. He saw Mike leaving a temporary Patronus and jumping down to their side with Bones and Pappenforth.

Harry caught a glimpse of at least a half dozen Death Eaters beyond the temporary barrier the Aurors had created out of rubble, rocks, and metal fragments. "How bad is it?"

"Bad!" Anthony shouted back, popping up to cast a Stunning Spell at an advancing Death Eater. He dodged to the right, and he missed, and then both Aurors ducked their heads back below the barrier. "We can't hold much longer!"

"Who can you spare?" Harry hated to ask, but he had to. They needed the help.

"Turpin!" Bones shouted immediately, reaching out to grab the other Auror's shoulder with her left hand. "Go back"

Nodding her a quick thanks, Harry met Lisa's eyes, and together they sprinted back to the wall where he had blasted the portal. Harry cast the feather light charm on every prisoner and helped Lisa with blasting off the wall. She let her elephant loose on the Dementors and conjured another for the prisoners. Ron at once ran forward and they started transporting the prisoners out. Mundungus Fletcher and Diggle were some of the prisoners who were still holding out in the rubble with the Aurors. Harry knew the Quick Heal wouldn't last much longer.

"Mundungus," Harry commanded. "Get yourself up here and leave."

Mundungus nodded faintly and ran back towards the blasted wall where Goldstein had left his tiger fighting with Dementors. Harry lent his stag to Mundungus. A cry of pain came from Elektra's direction, though, and Harry thought it sounded like Schuyler's voice. Those ahead in line doubled their efforts. Exhaustion started pressing in hard on Harry after a few moments, but he ignored it and saw the others doing the same. Finally, the last two prisoners-Diggle and someone else-were through the wall and out, and Harry turned to call his other team back.

"Rachel!" Harry cried. "Pull back!"

The reaction was immediate, and he was grateful to see four figures backing up, still firing spells as they came. Pappenforth looked like he was dragging his right leg, and Anthony's face was covered in blood, but they were all mobile. Harry and the others lent their support to the effort, sending spells flying over their companions' heads and trying to delay the enemy in any way possible. One Death Eater fell, but another's spell missed and struck Mike. The black Auror cried out in pain and staggered, but Bones, exhausted though she was, caught him and helped him regain his balance.

"Get to the wall!" Harry ordered. "Cast your Patronuses." And they did. The silvery guardians pushed those obscene black creatures far away and cleared a path to the yacht, which a weak dragon and two otters were guarding.

A spell narrowly missed Bones, but then the last five Aurors were grabbed by their compatriots' spells and were whisked out of danger.

Harry landed on the ground with a thud. It took him a long moment to get up, but he forced his mind to work through the pain and exhaustion and scrambled to his feet. His Aurors were already backing away from Azkaban's wall, and the prisoners were already at a safe distance. Elektra and Goldstein were with them, he noticed—spells were flying up blindly from the Death Eaters, but Bones and Mike both cast shield spells over the opening, allowing the Aurors to continue to back away. The Aurors spread out immediately, scanning the ground around Azkaban's prison complex and searching for threats. For the moment, everything seemed clear, but Harry knew that wouldn't last long. Soon enough, the Death Eaters would venture outside, and unless they could contact Ron before that happened, they would be finished. But even as that morbid thought occurred to him, a giant spray of water engulfed them all.

Harry looked up, grinning.

The yacht was descending from the sky, dripping seawater down on the assembled Aurors and prisoners, which, although cold, was one of the best feelings Harry had ever felt in his life. Slowly, the yacht floated down,and her boarding ramp shot out to allow them across.

"Yes!" Pappenforth cried in triumph, and the grin on his face told Harry that he had been the one to signal Ron Weasley.

Harry reached out to slap the Auror on the shoulder. "Good work!"

Bones was already sending prisoners across the ramp; those who could make it were jumping over the gap between the yacht's side and the roof. Harry turned his head slowly, taking one last look and ensuring that no one was approaching them—but there were no Death Eaters in sight. To his right, though, there was a sharp crack, and the roof of Azkaban rumbled and shook, knocking several prisoners off their feet. The shield spell over the opening had been broken, but Harry only laughed. It was too late.

He leapt over to the yacht, the last aboard, and headed to the bridge as the yacht eased away from the prison. As they gained altitude, Harry noticed several figures make it outside Azkaban—and he recognized the one in the lead.

"You might want to hurry," Harry remarked lightly, reaching Ron's side. "He's not too happy with us right now."

Ron grinned back. "Right."

As the yacht jumped higher into the sky, Ron, as a sudden impulse possessed him, left the yacht in Harry's hand and leaned over the bridge railing. He waved jauntily to Lestrange.

"YOU AND WHOSE ARMY, BITCHES."

Harry laughed, harder than ever.

14th December.

AZKABAN CONQUERED! by
Betty Braithwaite.

For the past few months the atmosphere in Wizarding Britain has remained almost Demented. For we had won the war but paid for it in larger proportions. There were people who were happy and people who had nothing to celebrate because, even if there were no more brothers, husbands, daughters, sons lost, their loved ones were not yet back.

The Ministry, not wanting to frighten Britain just after the war, was not keen on giving this information out to the public. There were of course suspicions but never an outright announcement.

For the last few months the Ministry, under the orders of the ex-head of DMLE and Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt, was working more openly and fiercely than under our previous Ministers, namely Cornelius Fudge (Pg. 4), Pius Thicknesse and Rufus Scrimgeour. As soon as Kingsley Shacklebolt took his place as minister he banned Dementors, which was a huge blow for Wizarding Britain, as Dementors were not kind creatures and were only kept in check by the minister. It proved to be a reckless decision, since later the Dementors joined You-know-Who's followers, the Death Eaters, on the run.

The Death Eaters were able to take over Azkaban once more, almost doubling their numbers and capturing people who should never have been in there.

For six months the Ministry hid the information that Azkaban was no longer under the control of the Ministry and nor were the Dementors. Yet we hardly experienced any change. Because with the help of Hermione Granger (Pg. 2), the Ministry was able to build another Prison but without the Dementors as guards. We should all applaud the Minister and Miss. Granger on such decisions. For they have reduced the risk of a breakout by ninety nine percent, which is a whole new level for the Wizarding Britain to reach.

Yesterday, Auror Harry Potter (pg. 2), with his teammates such as Ron Weasley (pg. 3), Neville Longbottom and several others, broke into Azkaban and were successful in freeing the prisoners with no loss of Aurors except minor injuries. Harry Potter himself led the group and held off a total of one thousand Dementors and twenty-nine Death Eaters.

"It was a team effort," the young Auror said, grinning, sitting behind his best friend–Ron Weasley–who cheekily informed us, "It was a team effort and successful because we had a leader like Harry." And indeed the whole Auror department cheered at this, making the young Auror blush scarlet.

A total of fifty one prisoners were freed from Azkaban. Such as–Dedalus Diggle (a honorary Order of the Phoenix member who was assumed dead until now), Alvin Jordan (Father of Lee Jordan of Potterwatch), Mundungus Fletcher (Order of the Phoenix) and Cornelius Fudge (Ex Minister) and these are just some famous names.

So, Wizards and Witches, do go and check with the Ministry first before rushing into St. Mungo's and unnecessarily disturbing patients. See if any of your own–even if they were once declared dead–are there. Because from the moment a seventeen-year-old defeated He-who-must-not-be-named I started believing everything was possible and you should too.

Hermione read the article loud and clear with a smile that made her eyes twinkle. Harry sighed heavily and Ron laughed a little. Hermione giggled.

"I feel like my glass should be full, don't you think so, Hermione?" Harry said thoughtfully, looking at his glass of firewhiskey. They were sitting on the top of Harry's house at Godric's Hollow. Mrs. Weasley had insisted on throwing a party to celebrate Harry's first mission as a leader and Ron's success. Of course Hermione had insisted on joining right after reading the Morning Prophet. The party was over by now and they, like everyone, were drunk enough to sleep through a earthquake. But of course Harry had insisted on some alone time. Ron had followed him, totally ignoring the use of the words 'alone time' and, well, Hermione had to go there and correct him. Thus, the three of them ending up on the roof of Harry's house with a bottle of firewhiskey. Hermione had insisted on reading the article.

Hermione coughed as she saw Ron hiding the bottle behind him then looked at Harry with a straight face. "Yeah...I think so too..."

Harry looked at her and squinted his eyes. Hermione leaned back against Ron. Ron pinched his lips together.

A split second later Hermione burst out laughing. Ron followed her lead and Harry shook his head. The laughter echoed around in the silent night making it hard to concentrate on anything else.

"You know...We wouldn't be here if not for that troll," Hermione said, gazing at the stars.

"Or the Wingardium LeviOsa," Ron laughed, mimicking the O'sa.

"Or that bogey he left on my wand..." Harry said absentmindedly and the other two cringed.

Ron made a face. "Only you would like to remember that."

"Whose bogey on whose wand?"

"Right."

Harry turned around to look at Ron, curious as why Ron had suddenly become so submissive, only to find him kissing Hermione.

Harry groaned and nearly fell off his spot. "Will you to mind it?" He turned around, dramatically covering his eyes.

He heard Ron chucking. "You know, I reckon there is still a piece of Voldemort left in you."

"I am gonna find Ginny. We haven't-"

"You little prick–"

Hermione laughed, making Ron shut it. "Stop it. One, Ginny is asleep. Two, he is just annoying you, Ronald. Three, you realize that they are going to have at it eventually?" Hermione reasoned one by one, nodding her head all along. Perhaps agreeing with herself, Harry thought.

Harry winced. He hadn't gone through any stage of his relationship, let alone that one. Ginny was busy getting herself to be noticed by the scouts, sending letters, networking and building a career. He was busy himself, with his new fame, with his new life, with the Auror business. Unlike Ron, he actually wanted to build a career in the Auror department and not only one that was based on his name.

He had been already granted a special case, without training and all that mentorship; he'd been allowed to join the Auror department and lead people. He still believed it was because of his influence. Neville had barely been allowed to lead a team, even though he was better than anyone else. He had led the DA through and all of them were more than better than the young Aurors. It was him and Ron who had suffered. He hardly had time to think about it or exchange more than letters with Ginny. Even today she hadn't been available because she was too exhausted to move a limb. Demelza had written a letter for her.

Harry was perfectly fine with going slow. Ginny seemed that way too. He just hoped she didn't find anyone else.

"As long as I don't get to hear about it. I have no problem," Ron said, with a sour face, slightly cringing at the thought of hearing about it.

"What if they have kids?"

Ron spluttered out the firewhiskey. "Whose side are you on, Hermione?"

Harry and Hermione laughed while Ron glared at them.

15th December.

"Trelawney made another prophecy."

"That evil old bat!"

"Ronald!"

Hermione looked scandalized as Ron let out a string of curses about their divination teacher. Harry assumed it was because of the hangover but then shrugged. Ron would do that even without a hangover. Although he was feeling like cursing everything too so...

"I swear that old bat is more evil than anyone else. Even Voldemort. All the prophecies she has made until now. Lead us anywhere but right into the lion's den." Ron was grumbling by now. Rolling on the couch, he had taken to sleeping in the corner of the room. Harry agreed with him on every aspect and tried to get the pillow off his face. It was proving to be slightly difficult as he was the one who was sprawled on the sofa and had thrust his head into the pillow. But then he flipped himself, and everything was right again. Except the earth was moving and Hermione and Ron's bickering in the background was giving him a headache.

"Ronald! You can't just go and–"

"I will do whatever the hell I want to–"

"Shut up," Harry said sharply, and they both turned around. He noticed Hermione was already dressed in school robes. Her bushy brown hair was still on her head and she seemed angry at Ron. Hermione was normal, yeah. Although his bed, where Hermione had slept last night (Harry hoped Ron hadn't accompanied her after Harry had slipped into a bizarre sleep on his couch), looked more clean than it had in ages.

"Right," she said.

Ron grumbled, "So who is gonna die?"

"Not me, I hope. Tell me, not me. Please?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and sat on the bed. "It's about Voldemort coming back to life."

"How can–"

Harry stood up panicked. "The Resurrection Stone. You think it can...?"

"No. I don't think it was about the Resurrection Stone..." Hermione said. "It was something like– 'When Spares are Spared, when time is turned, when unseen children murder their fathers...Then will the Dark Lord return'."

"Spares?" Harry asked.

"Why would a child murder their father?" Ron asked.

"Hello! Crouch Jr!" Hermione said, sarcastically.

"The Time Turners are all destroyed," Harry said, puzzled.

Hermione shook her head. "The Ministry is making new ones, remember?"

Ron frowned. "It's ridiculous. Why would the Ministry make such things in the first place? They know they are more than dangerous and a group of fifteen-year-olds were able to break into their security."

"They have to confirm history, Ron," Hermione reminded him gently. "Time Turners are used to see and check history. To make records. Because if we don't record it, hundreds of years from now when people will be talking about us being the Golden Trio and all, they might turn you into a girl because there was never a record that you were a guy. And if you were a girl it would change history in more ways than you can imagine."

"How would Ron being a girl change history?" Harry asked, clearly not getting anything while Ron made a face, probably imagining himself as a girl.

"Well, she wouldn't be your first friend. Girls like to find a girlfriend first rather than jump onto a boy on the first day of school. Who knows, if you hadn't made friends with Ron, you might have turned to Malfoy?" Hermione said and then continued. "Ginny wouldn't have been born. She wouldn't have found the diary. Dumbledore wouldn't have found out about the horcruxes. Voldemort would have become more influential than ever. And who knows? I might never have become your best friend because Ron didn't call me a nosy girl."

"I never said you were nosy," Ron pointed out.

Hermione nodded but she seem to be muttering something under her breath like, "Implications..." Which, Harry could see, was driving Ron up the wall.

"Okay so what do we dot?" Harry asked before they went at it again.

"Absolutely nothing." Surprisingly this came from Ron.

"So we are supposed to...?" asked Hermione, as if not believing him. "Just sit here?"

"We all know what happened when Voldemort tried to break the prophecy," Ron pointed out, earnestly. "Prophecies have a way of coming true, in one way or another. Trying to stop it will either result in some wacky circumstances or buy us time but it will come true."

"Wow," Hermione said, dubiously. "I never thought about it."

Ron rolled his eyes but grinned. "Always the tone of surprise."

Hermione smiled. "I think we should discuss this with Dumbledore first or at least his portrait."

Ron shook his head. "You know it's–"

"Will give us some assurance, wouldn't it?" Harry said as a matter of fact.

"Fine then," Ron agreed. "But if Snape talked any type of–"

"You will say something too." Hermione grinned.

"So it's settled." Harry sighed and the other two nodded.

Authors Note- and the year 1998 ends. I hope I haven't bored you much, eh? I have just noticed that I hardly do any user interaction and well I planned to do this in this note but well...I am not really good at this huh.

So please read and review :) Also, tell me what do you think about the story? Any criticism? Any suggestions? Anything?

Also, the users who are following this chapter to chapter. I am to inform you that I have done a major overhaul from chapter one till now. You will see some scenes removed, some deleted, some timelines changed. For ex–Nothing happened to Angelina or Draco didn't find a hate letter from Astoria (I liked that storyline really. I think I will continue it in a separate fic). For now it's the end of this year.

1999 is coming soon.

Thank you.