Disclaimer: If I owned the Harry Potter books...I strongly believe that Draco Malfoy would have a much bigger role in them. So...I own nothing but the story.
A/N: Thank you all for your reviews. I hope you like this chapter as well. Up next, a bit of planning and the battle starts. A few surprises on the battlefield, but hey that's the way I see the end of this story. I'm working on a few stories, but I don't know yet which one I'll post. I just hope you'll like it. Please R&R. Thanks again. :D :P:)
Love always conquers.
Chapter 14.
'For the second time in two years, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, aka Dark Lord, aka Lord Voldemort, has made an appearance. First time it was about two years ago in the ministry's atrium, battling professor and headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Braian Wolfric Percival Dumbledore and yesterday at Askaban Prison conducting the escape of known Death Eaters. The structure itself was almost completely destroyed afterwards. Minister Rufus Scrimgeour refuses to relate to the public any of the measures that will be taken to hunt and catch the escapees. Another blow to the wizarding world came the when the Dementors that were protecting said prison abandoned their posts and joined the Dark Lord. The Ministry has…'
''Oh, for Merlin's sake, this is insane. When Dumbledore told them that the Dementors would leave and join that bastard no one believed him. Now we're in a lot more danger than ever.'' Harry said, tossing the paper in the flames of the fireplace.
''Potter, calm down. We're fully trained, we have numbers, we will be able to hold our own. Yes, the Dementors would be a bit of a problem, but Hermione is already working on that.'' Draco said.
''A bit? A bit? Do you even know how many Dementors are there? And what do you mean Hermione is working on it?''
''You'll see.'' Draco answered.
Harry narrowed his eyes at the smirking boy, but said nothing more. They were there to think, and that was all. The Room of Requirement was once more set for their personal use. The only people present were Neville, Luna, Harry, Draco, Parvati, Blaise and Hannah.
Each pair was concentrating on a different idea. Neville and Hannah were trying to put together some of the ones who didn't want to fight, for them to be of help in the Hospital Wing, Blaise and Parvati were in charge of the flying team, and Luna, Harry and Draco were waiting for Hermione so they could start planning the ground combat.
Moments later Hermione came practically skipping trough the door with several pieces of parchment in her hands, almost singing 'I found them' over and over again.
''What exactly did you find?'' Harry asked.
Grinning, Hermione gave Draco a kiss and sat in his lap. ''Do you remember our conversation about the Horcruxes? We never finisher our research, nor did we talk to Dumbledore. Well, I did. And guess what…''
''You were right?'' Draco said amused.
''Yup. I spent all night yesterday in Dumbledore's office, trying to figure them out. And we did. He showed me some memories and we were able to find them. We don't know exactly how many there are, but we have a good guess that there are seven. So…there was the diary, there is the Gaunt family ring, Hufflepuf cup, a locket that belonged to Slytherin, Ravenklaw's diadem, I have a guess that his snake is one of them, but the seventh is the one that gives me a headache, I just can't figure out what it could be, I have a theory, but…''
''I think I know what it is.'' Harry said.
The room went instantly silent.
''After Sirius died, I started researching. I just couldn't understand this connection that I have with Voldemort.''
Hermione closed her eyes and breathed heavily. This was exactly what she had thought about.
''I think that he did want to make seven. Up until the night he killed my parents he must have had about five or six, he made the seventh involuntary. Hell, I think he doesn't even know about the seventh.''
''Where exactly are you going with this? You say you know what the seventh Horcrux is. Well then?'' Parvati said.
''The seventh Horcrux is…me!'' Harry sighed.
Every eye in the room was on him. They showed horror, surprise, concern, fear..
Hermione sighed again. ''We now know what they are and were they are…and we have the means to destroy them.''
''What about this one?'' Harry asked pointing to his head.
''Actually, I figured that out too. You see, when Voldemort created that one he hit you with the killing curse…another killing curse would destroy it.'' Hermione whispered.
''What? NO! What if it doesn't work? You could kill HARRY! I won't allow it.'' Luna screamed. Harry pulled her in his arms and started petting her hair.
''Is that the only way?'' Harry asked.
''It's the only reasonable way. The killing curse is the only one we can use, any other idea is excluded.''
''What are the other options?'' Draco asked.
''First we have the Basilisk fang. It destroyed the diary. And there's the Sword of Gryffindor. It destroyed the Gaunt ring. If there is any other way, we don't know it.'' Hermione answered.
The next days were dedicated to finding and destroying the Horcruxes. Harry wasn't allowed to go with them, in fear that Voldemort could penetrate his mind and see their plans. Hermione Draco and Dumbledore had managed to find them all, Snape had managed, somehow to get the cup from Lerstrange's vault, and now the only ones remaining were the snake, that Voldemort kept at his side at all times …and Harry.
It was a difficult decision for Harry to take. He had talked it with Luna, of course she was totally against the 'procedure', but they both came to the conclusion that with the Horcrux still living in Harry, it would be impossible to kill him. Without any Horcrux available, Voldemort would be as human and vulnerable as anyone. So, it was a Sunday evening that Harry stepped in the headmaster's office. Dumbledore, Snape, Hermione and Draco were there waiting for him. He hadn't allowed Luna to come. It was difficult enough for her to know Harry's decision, she didn't need to know when it would happen, and she didn't need to see him die, if that was the outcome.
Harry sighed and pulled a crying Hermione in his arms.
''Don't worry Harry, it will work. I'm sure it will. I know it will. It has to…''
''Hermione, don't worry. Whatever happens I've accepted it. Either I die or live. If I die…well, Merlin knows how much I'll miss you. You've helped me always. You've given me everything I needed from friend and a sister. And if I die, do me a favor and kill the bastard.''
Hermione nodded, still clinging to his shirt. Draco had to forcefully pull her away from him.
''Take care of her mate.'' Harry said, extending his hand for Draco to shake.
''No…I won't. You said she's your sister…you have to take care of her. So do good and come back.'' Draco smiled and patted his back.
''I'll try.'' Harry nodded and looked at Dumbledore.
''No need to say Good bye Harry. I trust Miss Granger's judgment. You will come back.''
Harry positioned himself in front of Snape and nodded. Snape closed his eyes and breathed deeply. He couldn't look Harry in the eye and know that he was about to kill him. It was as if throwing the curse at Lilly. 'Lilly' he thought, 'I'm sorry.' In one sharp move he pointed his wand and shouted ''AVADA KEDAVRA!''
As if in slow motion, they all watched the curse hitting Harry just above his right brow. The moment the curse hit his target, a piercing scream filled every corner of the office.
Harry slowly opened his eyes. He wasn't in the headmaster's office anymore, but in the Gryffindor common room, laying on the couch in front of the fireplace. He stood up slowly and looked around. He was alone. Thinking that it may not have worked, Harry sighed and started pacing in front of the fireplace. But if the curse didn't work…that meant…
''Hi there pup.''
Harry froze in his pacing and closed his eyes. He was afraid to turn around, but he knew he had to. If that voice was from who he thought it was…that meant…
Harry opened his eyes and slowly turned around.
Leaning on the wall that lead to the dormitories, was none other than Sirius Black with a wide grin on his face.
''I'm dead, aren't I?'' Harry asked.
''Well…I'm just peachy, thanks for asking. Glad to see you too.'' Sirius said sarcastically.
''Sirius.'' Harry sighed and embraced his godfather. ''It is good to see you.''
''Don't worry pup, I was just teasing.''
''So…am I dead?''
''King of. But you have a choice.''
''What do you mean?'' Harry asked puzzled.
''Well, you could stay here…or you could go back and finish that son of a bitch.''
''So Hermione's idea worked?'' Harry asked enthusiastically.
''Well, she isn't the smartest witch since Rowena for nothing. You know, I always thought you two will end up together, I can see the love you share, but it isn't the love you need to have a relationship. You two have a bond, but it isn't the bond that you share with Luna, or the one she shares with Draco. He turned out ok didn't he?''
''Yeah, he's ok. We have Hermione to thank for that too. She's just brilliant, she saved me so many times, she helped me save you, she was always there. And I knoe for sure she will always be there.'' Harry smiled.
''We're proud of you pup. James and Lilly too. Today you've made the toughest decision of all. You decided to sacrifice yourself for the light. You went in that room, and you knew what you had to do. There's one more step to pass, and you'll be free. Free to do whatever you want.'' Sirius said.
''It sounds good…but somehow strange at the same time. As long as I can remember learning about magic, I've been fighting Voldemort. It's going to be weird, but good at the same time. Not thinking of when he'll attack next, or if I'll be alive next year would be very nice.''
''You decide what to do pup. But remember, there's a certain witch waiting for you.'' Sirius said and started climbing the stairs towards the boys dormitories. ''Take care of her and Hermione. They love you. We love you, but it's not your time yet.''
''What do I do now?'' Harry asked.
''I believe the exit is that way.'' Sirius pointed towards the portrait hole. ''Be careful pup. And good luck.''
Harry nodded and opened the portrait. The light was blinding, but he breathed deeply and stepped outside.
Draco and Hermione leaped immediately and caught Harry before he hit the floor. Hermione did her best to control her emotions, but failed miserably. Tears were cascading down her cheeks. With one sharp move of her wrist, her Elder wand was in her hand and she concentrated all her power in the spell. ''Enervare'' she whispered.
Nothing.
''Enervare.'' she said again.
Nothing. She started panicking.
''Enervare…Enervare…ENERVARE!'' She shouted.
When the final spell hit his heart, Harry's body started glowing brightly and he jerked up as if electrocuted. His eyes opened at once and he drew a sharp, deep breath.
''Hi there Mione.'' He said huskily.
Hermione started sobbing harder and pulled him in her arms. ''I thought I lost you. I thought I'd never see you again. You're my only family Harry, I can't loose you.''
''I'm here sis.'' Harry said hugging her back. ''I'm not going anywhere. I promise.''