Chapter 20

Nothing was said as he approached however one Death Eater stepped forward, "Harry Potter. I find it my displeasure to be back in your company again."

Recognizing the voice Harry spat, "Lucius Malfoy I find it my displeasure to be among a coward in a mask, why don't you take it off, you aren't fooling anyone."

This caused a slightly chuckle, and the man moved his wand in front of his face removing his mask slowly, "Very good Potter. Now we need you to come with us. We need a little favor, and then we will take you to our lord."

Harry shook his head, "No I don't think so. If you want to retrieve the prophesy you are going to have to tell your half-blood master he will have to go retrieve it himself."

This caused the only unmasked death eater to step forward, "How dare you insult our master like that. CRUCIO!"

Harry quickly dodged the curse and flung one back at her, with rapid speed, however Lucius merely flicked his wand to absorb it, "Now now Bella, we were told to bring Potter to the Dark Lord unharmed. He wishes to do all the harming himself."

Harry laughed, "I've escaped him three times so far, you think I can't do it again."

Trying to buy as much time as possible, Harry hoped to keep them talking, but Lucius grinned, "You're stalling Potter, and there is really no longer a need for that. Come on or we are start killing people on the train."

Harry took a defensive step back as if he was prepared to defend the whole train by himself, but a voice from behind him said he wasn't going to do it alone, "If you want to take Harry you are going to have to kill us first!"

Susan Bones was standing with her wand out and a group of at least twenty other students, and a few adults that he did not recognized possibly undercover aurors. Among them were all DA members, Neville, Ron, Hermione, Colin, Hannah, most of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, Luna Lovegood, most of the fifth year Hufflepuffs, and of course Susan herself.

Bellatrix laughed, "These little ones know how to play, itty bitty babies."

Neville spoke with fire in his voice, "Bellatrix Lestrange."

Bella looked up, "Neville Longbottom right? Recognize the voice, though I am not used to hear a Longbottom not beg for their lives."

Neville quickly raised his wand shouting, "Reducto."

That was all it took, and the battle begun. Harry and Neville quickly paired off against Bellatrix Lestrange in hope of stopping her from going on a rampage, while Ron and Hermione began blasting at Lucius Malfoy. The others paired off against the Death Eaters and it was a fire fight. Harry was grateful that killing curses were not being chucked around, but had the feeling that if they lost to Bellatrix it would be shortly behind it.

Bellatrix was a demon. She fought with such speed, and returned her spells with such ferocity that Neville and Harry were struggling. Never had Harry felt his wand move so fast, and answer his commands so quickly, and he could tell his spells were wearing on the witch, but also knew they couldn't keep this up forever. They had to put her down.

Harry summoned it up inside of him and let his magic loose, "Bombarda Maxima!"

The spell was so powerful coming from his wand that he barely saw Bella's eyes widen as she threw up a shield, and Lucius Malfoy was not so lucky. The spell was so wide he caught most of the impact, and he screamed in pain as the spell hit him and chunked him backwards, while now four casters were pounding Bellatrix's shields breaking them quickly, and taking the women out.

Neville wanted to charge at the downed Death Eater, but Harry grabbed his arm, "We have to help the others come on!"

The rest of the DA wasn't doing so great. Several had been stunned and clearly injured, and it seemed that they had defeated Bella, and Lucius at the perfect time, because their main group were quickly engaging the others to balance the battle. It didn't go on for much longer though as sheer numbers overwhelmed the death eaters and a few more from the train had poured out to help.

Harry was dueling quickly with one Death Eater, and then found himself fighting another, and another until all were either stunned or otherwise knocked out of the fight. Neville was heaving for breath nearby with cuts all across his body, "I think we did it."

Harry looked around and surveyed the battlefield. They had done it. Twelve Death Eaters came in, and twelve Death Eaters were now stunned or otherwise out of commission."

Neville began marching forward, and Harry knew what he was going to do, and knew he had no business stopping him. He approached Bellatrix Lestrange and stood over her in what seemed like triumph. He pulled his wand back to blast the women, but suddenly Harry knew something bad was about to happen. He ran towards Neville, and summoned a nearby chunk of ground that had been uprooted during the duel and chunked it towards Neville. Some people were surprised, and shouting at Harry. Neville himself looked at Harry in surprise, but in perfect timing a green spell connected with that part of the ground creating an explosion that hit Neville dead on and threw him backwards into the ground clearly unconscious. He heard a screech, and saw Hannah try and run towards him, but he grabbed her, "No wait!"

He didn't want to stop the girl, but he now saw a lone man standing in the field among his unconscious death eaters, "Hello Tom, I wondered when I would be seeing you again."

Voldemort growled, "No portkey to run away with this time Potter, and I have reliable sources telling me you can't apparate just yet."

Harry nodded, "That's right. No running this time. The prophesy foretold this moment."

Voldemorts eyes flashed, "So the old man has finally told you the prophesy."

"I have learned of many things Tom."

Voldemort roared, "Stop calling me that."

With a flick of his wand a red burst of light sailed towards him, but remembering the pain it caused him last time he was quick to shove Hannah out of the way, and dive into a roll on the ground behind her pushing himself back to his feet, "What happened to the formalities of a duel Tom! Or have you been shaken by the rumors that the killing curse doesn't hurt me!"

Harry knew this was a lie of course, but he didn't have to tell the dark wizard that. Voldemort merely spat, "You want to duel Potter, is that what you want?"

Gulping Harry whispered to Susan who was standing nearby, "Get the others out of here…now. Go."

Susan looked at her boyfriend in fear as he stared down the Dark Lord. Knowing she had no other choice she started shouting to the others, "Get the others and get back!"

Harry raised his wand to his face, and Voldemort did the same. They walked towards each other, much more formally than last time. They were face to face and Harry said, "No tricks this time Tom. Just you and me."

The Dark Lord grinned manically, "Finally the day the boy who lived dies."

They put their wands at their sides, and began pacing backwards. Harry thought it quite honorable that the man did not curse him in the back, and was grateful everyone had been moved back safely with the train covering them now. This was it.

Once they reached the appropriate distance Harry spun around not letting formalities dictate shit anymore, "Reducto!"

Voldemort didn't even bother shielding this curse as he dodged it and a killing curse sailed towards him. Knowing that this spell would be the last he ever saw he tried to dive out of the way, but found that he didn't need to as something had intercepted the spell, and a man was standing between him and the Dark Lord.

Before Harry could say anything his savior spoke, "It is not his day to fight you Tom…It is mine."

Turning to face the voice Harry nearly collapsed with relief. The young man was running off adrenaline, and trying to stall the dark wizard, but now he had a chance, "The aurors are on their way Tom." Dumbledore said resolutely.

The students nearby shuffled anxiously sensing the Dark Wizards rage, and Voldemorts eyes merely seemed to turn a darker shade of red, and barked back, "By which time I shall be gone, and you shall be dead!"

With that the Dark Lord flung a killing curse at the two of them, but with agility that a much younger man ought to have possessed the headmaster twirled out of the way, and returned several quick jinxes. The battle quickly became one to the death, as stunning and lethal magic was being traded at speeds Harry never could have attempted.

He watched as charms he never could have even imagined were being thrown around. A basilisk made of fire, a conjuration of water that nearly drowned the Dark Lord, it was all so fast.

Harry knew that he could not let Dumbledore fight his battles forever, and thought if there was ever a time to buy the light some time it was now, "Bombarda! Reducto! Confrigno!"

No one was as shocked as Harry when his spells flew towards the man and connected. It was clear to the outside spectator such as Colin Creevy, whom had just made wizarding history by catching a picture of this feat, that the young wizard had cast his spell at the perfect time that Dumbledore had all of the Dark Lords attention. It was not due to any skill or power, it was just a miracle that he had fired his spell at the perfect moment.

Voldemort roared in pain as he felt several of his bones shatter, and he was thrown backwards. Dumbledore looked at Harry in surprise only for a moment, but a voice screamed behind him, "ATTACK NOW!"

This snapped both student and headmaster out of their shock, as dozens of spells flung towards the Dark Lord however; it was not to be today that he would be defeated because he quickly got back to his feet, and apparated back to the center of the field looking positively livid. However before he could cast a spell dozens of pops were heard from all around, and Dumbledore had been right, the aurors had arrived.

Roaring in anger that the Dark Lord threw a curse so fast Harry almost missed it by blinking, but Dumbledore was ready, and prepared to counter, but the man was gone. Only a second later multiple pops were heard, and the unconscious death eaters on the ground had followed undoubtedly by Portkey.

Dumbledore who looked very tired turned and patted Harry on the shoulder, and looked about ready to share the wisest words ever said, but before he could get them out two arms enveloped him, and red hair was all he could see, "That was the bravest thing I have ever seen you do."

Holding the girl tightly he laughed, "Brave? I was so scared."

Dumbledore nodded, "And that is what made it so brave Harry. Courage isn't about standing up to something you don't fear, it's about standing up to fear itself."

Amelia Bones ran her way to the front, "Dumbledore what the bloody hell happened here. We have injured students, and-"

Before the old wizard could say anything Harry spoke, "If not for the headmaster we would all be dead right now. He only arrived a few minutes before you Madame Bones. That was after the students and I had taken down a dozen Death Eaters, and dueled Voldemort."

Amelia paled, and when she looked to Susan she nodded her head quickly confirming everything Harry said, and she shouted behind her, "We need medics from Saint Mungos here now!" Turning back to Harry she said, "I am going to need your statement Harry."

Nodding slowly he said, "Of course, but perhaps after we get everyone back to platform 9 and three quarters. We have injured Voldemort he is done attacking for today."

Amelia looked once again sharply at Susan, and she said, "Yes Auntie he is telling the truth."

"Harry!" Another voice came from nearby.

The green eyed boy turned to see a medium sized man running towards him, and he took a few steps towards the man embracing him, "Can't you stay out of trouble for just a few hours!"

"But then I wouldn't be a Marauder, would I?" Harry asked cheekily.

This caused Dumbledore of all people to laugh, "He does have you there Sirius. Now I would like to inquire who yelled to attack, I believe that was you Ms. Bones?"

Harry turned back to the girl having completely forgotten that part of the battle, and she was blushing bright red, "Well were all just standing there and Harry had hit him, there was never such an opportunity to hit him. For a brief foolish moment I thought we had him."

Looking at the girl in awe he said, "You commanded my defense group to attack the most feared Dark Wizard, and even had the nerve to think you were going to kill him for me?"

The girl looked a bit abashed, but Harry grabbed her by the waste planting a smooth kiss on her lips surprising her, "I love you!"

This caused a smile to appear on the girls face that Harry had never seen before, and planned in his mind just how he would get it to appear more often, but Dumbledore interrupted, "While I am sure Mr. Potter's reward is most satisfying Ms. Bones just know I would have awarded you 100 house points if we were still in school. In fact I may still give you house points upon return. That was some astounding bravery and leadership. Madame Bones you have raised an incredible young woman."

Amelia stood a little taller, and gave her niece an approving smile, "Well she does have that Bones blood in her, but we need to get this train moving again. Students you can get back on the train we are only about an hour or two from Kings Cross, and I believe Harry is correct. If the Dark Lord has been hit, and they have taken out a dozen Death Eaters I think the chaos for today at least is over."

Harry nodded gratefully at the women still having looked forward to getting off the train to see his godfather he turned to Sirius, "See you in just a few hours. Madame Bones we will come by your office as soon as we get off the train. I will bring Susan with me."

She nodded, as a medi-witch came up telling her that no one needed immediate medical attention except Neville whom had several broken bones, and some cuts across his body. Harry cursed at himself having forgot Neville in all the chaos he surveyed the field and saw him being dragged off by two aurors that he recognized as Gawain Robards and Kingsley Shacklebolt, and knew he was in good hands, "I will need to visit Neville too as soon as our meeting is over to know he is going to be okay. He was so close to getting Bellatrix Lestrange."

Sirius yelped, "You took down Bella?"

Susan shook her head, "The four DA Gryffindor leaders did. Harry, Neville, Ron, and Hermione took her down after Harry probably killed Lucius Malfoy."

Harry grumbled, "I don't think we were that lucky."

Before anything else could be said Tonks came running out, "Madame Bones there was some trouble on the train, Savage is having to arrest a few kids who were trying to lead a revolt inside the train to apparently help the Death Eaters. They were being led by Draco Malfoy, but were crushed by the head girl, and the seventh year Hufflepuffs."

Dumbledore sighed, "What a mess."

It seemed he had half a mind to find a way to get everyone to platform 9 and 3/4s without the train, but merely said, "Do what you have to do Amelia, but as you said we need to get this train moving again."

With that Harry hugged his godfather, and Susan hugged her aunt, and followed whom had followed them out into battle back onto the train. Ron and Hermione appeared uninjured, but very tired, while the rest of the group still had their wands in their hands as if preparing for another attack.

When they reboarded the train as Harry and Susan were the last ones applause immediately broke out. It started with a few, and then even the defenders of the express were applauding with what had turned into a roar of approval. Everyone had seen Harry go forward, and risk his life to keep the Death Eaters off the train, and even saw him push everyone back as he went toe to toe to fight the Dark Lord. He was preparing to sacrifice himself, and they all knew it. They all saw it. People were applauding Susan as well for her bravery, and her defiance to attack the Dark Wizard, and Harry wouldn't let her shy away from the attention this time as he took her hand and held it in the air as a show of unity, and to show most students Hogwarts now had its new golden couple, and new champions.

(A/N) Hope you guys enjoyed that! I believe the next 4-5 chapters are the summer, cheers! Please review.