Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for the plot and anything you don't recognise.
The Light at the End of the Tunnel.
Chapter 25: So It Begins.
Harry woke the next morning feeling incredibly sick and with a pounding headache. He groaned and rubbed his face as he lifted his head and sat up. He looked around blearily. Somehow he had ended up on the floor next to his bed, his glasses lying a few feet away and his t-shirt on the other side of the room. He groaned again as another wave of nausea flooded through him. He saw Ron kneeling against his bed, seemingly still passed out, Seamus had managed to make it into bed and Neville and Dean were collapsed in a heap in front of the bathroom.
He tried to remember what happened at the end of last night, he remembered giving the speech, then speaking to McGonagall then getting very drunk with his friends. He remembered coming up here with Cho, they didn't have sex though, he knew that, then it became very bleary. The last thing he remembered was falling asleep with her in his arms. She wasn't here now though, he tried to remember when she had left but couldn't. It was all too confusing…
He shook his head in an attempt to clear it, and then winced immediately as the pounding doubled. He sat up and fought down the urge to vomit. He saw Ron begin to stir.
"Alright, mate?" He said, his voice hoarse. Ron looked over at him.
"Please. Kill me." He croaked.
"Me first." Groaned Dean as he climbed off Neville who remained passed out on the floor. Harry sat up properly. Just then the door opened and Ginny and Hermione stepped in.
"Morning boys!" Hermione said brightly.
"What the bloody hell are you two so bloody cheerful about?" Ron said before he turned over, looking like he was fighting the urge to vomit.
"We're dying, leave us in peace." Dean said.
"What they said." Added Harry, too hungover to say any more. Sitting up seemed to make him feel worse so he lay back down again.
"Oh," Hermione's expression took on that of sadness. "So you won't be wanting these then?" They all looked up groggily. She was holding up several small vials with a green liquid in them.
"What are they then?" Harry asked. She smiled at him.
"Hangover cures."
"Hermione," said Seamus weakly, "I think I love you." Harry raised a finger into the air.
"That's Ron's line." He pointed out. Ginny burst out laughing. Even Hermione smiled. Ron groaned and scrabbled around weakly for his pillow, which he grabbed and attempted to throw at Harry, but failed miserably and the pillow ended up a mere foot away from Ron. Harry back to laugh but stopped right away when it made him feel worse. Ginny laughed harder.
"Hermione…potion…now." Said Ron. He attempted to crawl over there but collapsed before he had gotten two metres.
"You know," said Ginny wickedly, "I don't think we should give them the potions. They're hilarious when they're hungover as hell."
"No," said Hermione, "We need to have mercy on them." Ginny looked at Hermione.
"Just because you can't get off with Ron when he's hungover." She said waspishly, Hermione shot her a look of haughty disdain before throwing each of them a bottle. They looked at them as if they contained liquid gold. Harry uncorked the bottle and drank the potion. He felt instantly better. The headache and nausea disappeared and he felt refreshed, like he had just taken a hot shower.
"Thanks Hermione, I owe you one."
"You bet you do, Potter. I'm going to remember this." Harry laughed and grabbed his towel.
"Now if you don't mind I'm going to take a shower." The two girls took the hint and left the room.
Harry came out of the shower fifteen minutes later to see a very smug looking Ron sitting on his bed.
"Yep, that would be my girlfriend. You know? The one who cured all our hangovers?" Harry laughed and threw his pillow at him. It hit Ron square in the face.
"Shame you couldn't have done it yourself. Have to get your girlfriend to do everything for you, do you?" Ron shrugged dismissively.
"Yeah well, I could've done it myself; just…wasn't…you know…" Seamus, Dean and Neville laughed at him.
"Wonderful, Ron, that's certainly got us convinced." Seamus said. Ron glared at him.
"Sod off, Finnegan; you couldn't have come up with anything better."
"How about 'I was too hungover'."
"Bugger." Harry burst out laughing.
"Well played, Ron." Harry threw on his robes and walked downstairs, ignoring the wildly flung textbook that followed his retreating back.
Cho was lying on a couch talking animatedly to a bunch of Gryffindor girls. The Gryffindor girls smirked at Harry as he approached, obviously no one had been drunk enough to miss the point when Harry and Cho disappeared upstairs.
Cho shot him a smirk and Harry smirked back, both of them obviously remembering the very pleasant two hours they had spent in Harry's dorm.
"And how are you this morning, beautiful?"
"Wonderful." She murmured, pulling him down into a kiss. She moved over slightly on the couch so he could lie down. He did so and wrapped his arms around her. He looked around the room in surprise, apart from the people still passed out on the floor and draped over the couches you couldn't tell that there had been a party there the night before.
"What happened to this place?" Cho raised her eyebrows.
"Saying that a bit late now. You're meant to say that before it's clean."
"No, I mean, why's it clean?" Cho laughed.
"We got Dobby and a couple of other house elves to do it for us. Dobby couldn't get over the fact that he was doing something for Harry Potter. He was ecstatic."
"Like having an orgasm." He teased. Cho blushed and looked around nervously; Harry knew that she was remembering the night before.
"Shh." She said urgently, giggling slightly. Harry nuzzled his face into her neck and she began to stroke his hair. He kissed her neck and then just laid his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes.
It was difficult to forget that today was the day. This was what it all came down to and this was when it would all end. He had about nine hours before Voldemort was meant to attack. The worst thing was that he didn't know what to do with those nine hours. Should he prepare or should he relax. The girl in his arms persuaded him of what to do. There was nothing else he could do that could make a difference. Not with so little time left.
He snapped out of his thinking when he felt Cho bite his neck gently.
"Stop thinking about it." She said in mild reproof. He nodded.
"I just want you to know that, whatever happens, I will always love you. Always."
"I know, Harry, and I will always love you. Now stop thinking about it." He nodded. He watched Hermione going around the room administering hangover potions. He watched the reactions of the DA as they came out of their stupor. Most of them went immediately pale before swallowing determinedly a couple of times.
Gradually the common room emptied. Very few people knew that the attack was coming today and so they had no need to be worried. The DA knew, and it was them who stayed in the common room, occasionally shooting worried looks at Harry, who would grin at them reassuringly. Even though it was killing him he made sure he was showing no fear. He held Cho tightly, drawing some comfort and strength from her.
The hours passed slowly. The DA sat around in groups, talking nervously, their faces taut and pale. However, no matter how scared they looked, not one of them looked like they were going to run, and that, that alone, forgave everything.
…………
Harry, Ron, Ginny, Cho and Hermione were sitting around in front of the fire when the Portrait Hole was flung open and McGonagall burst in. Harry felt a rush of cold dread at her expression. It could only mean one thing.
"Potter, Headmaster's study now!" Before turning and running from the room. Harry leapt to his feet and turned to the DA.
"DA, in the Entrance Hall." He turned and ran after McGonagall, aware of the twenty people running out after him.
Harry felt physically sick as he sprinted after McGonagall. He was still struggling to come to terms with the fact that this was it. The end. Yet he still had no idea what this 'power' was or how he was even meant to kill Voldemort. He shook his head and pushed those thoughts away as he approached Dumbledore's study. There would be time enough to worry about them later.
McGonagall was waiting for him by the stone gargoyle as he approached. She gave the password and Harry ran up the steps.
He flung open the door and ran through.
"He's attacked hasn't he?" He gasped before pausing for breath. Inside were the leading members of the Order and some of the teachers. Dumbledore nodded sadly.
"Yes. His vanguard is arriving outside Hogsmeade as we speak." Harry slumped against the wall as this sunk in.
"How big is the vanguard?"
"Seven hundred men."
"He's seven hours too early." Harry said in a tone of disbelief.
"It looks like it." Harry felt the strength leave him.
"Where are the Aurors?"
"They're gathering." Dumbledore's answers were short and his tone empty. By the sounds of it, he felt the same as Harry.
"The Order?"
"Same."
"Shit." No one rebuked him for his profanity. He slid down the wall into a sitting position putting his head in his hands. He looked up a few moments later. "How long until they arrive?"
"Several hours." That was it. Harry put his head back in his hands and closed. They had been caught completely by surprise and now they were going to suffer for it. There would be nothing to stop Voldemort. Not for several hours at least.
"So what do we do?" Asked Lupin. Dumbledore didn't answer at first. He looked exhausted.
"I don't know." Lupin tried again.
"Is there anything we can do?" This time Dumbledore was silent for a long time before answering.
"I don't know." The room broke out in terrified whispers.
"We've lost, haven't we?" Molly Weasley asked in a fearful voice. It certainly seemed that way. Dumbledore didn't answer at all. Suddenly Harry looked up.
"No." He whispered. He felt determination flood through him once more. Heads jerked round to look at him. He jumped to his feet and ran over to Dumbledore's desk. He banged his fist down on it.
"I have men. One hundred and twenty of them. Let me take them and we'll hold for you." Dumbledore's head shot up, his face beginning to crack into a smile.
"How long can you give me?"
"As long as you need." The determination was flooding through him, fuelling him. Dumbledore's face spilt into a smile and he nodded.
"Go." Harry nodded.
"Yes, sir." He turned and began running from the room.
"Harry?" Harry turned back.
"Sir?"
"Hold for me." Harry nodded.
"We'll hold, sir. We'll hold for you." Harry paused for a minute before turning and running from the room.
He sprinted down the corridor until he came to a group of six Guardians. He stopped in front of them, breathless.
"Sir?" questioned on nervously. Harry looked up.
"Voldemort's attacking. Right now it's only us that are available to hold him off. Half of you go and get Danny and the rest of them and the other half go and get the rest of the Guardians stationed around the castle. You have all of four minutes. Meet us in the grounds." They stood there, left stunned at Harry's words. "GO!" They jumped and sprinted away.
Harry turned and ran down towards the Entrance Hall. The DA were waiting for him there. He sprinted past them shouting "Come on!"
They ran after him following him into the grounds. When they were all out Harry turned to them.
"Form up!' They formed up. Ron and Hermione stepped forwards and walked over to Harry.
"This is really it, then." Ron said. Harry nodded. He turned to them.
"Listen, guys, I just want to say…if things go bad and well…I just want you to know…just want to say thanks. Thanks for standing by me all the time." Hermione looked as though she wanted to interrupt but Harry held up his hand. "No, I want to say this. Thanks for standing by me right from the start. Thanks for getting me through this. I doubt I could have done it without you. So thanks. Thanks for being such good friends." Hermione threw her arms around him and sobbed into his shoulder.
"Oh Harry, there is no way we would ever have deserted you and we won't now, and don't talk like it is the end because it isn't. But we wouldn't have had it any other way, so thank you for being our friend." She let go of him and Ron pulled him into a rough hug which Harry returned.
"Yeah mate, we wouldn't have had it any other way. You'll kill him. I know you will." Harry struggled to hold back the tears.
"Thanks guys. You don't know how much that means to me." They grinned at each other before engaging in a three way hug. Harry heard boots crunching on the gravel and looked up to see the Guardians arriving. He nodded.
"Let's do this." He turned towards the Guardians. "Form up behind the DA!" They did so and Harry, Ron and Hermione walked over to join the five lieutenants.
"Is he really attacking, sir?" Samia asked. Harry nodded.
"I'm afraid so. He's outside Hogsmeade as we speak. Now listen. We don't have much time. It's only us to hold him off for several hours, until reinforcements arrive. There isn't much else we can do. We'll be outnumbered around seven to one so when we get down there, form up as we have done in training, with the DA on the right hand flank." Harry caught the momentary fear that flashed through their eyes. "Don't worry, we're trained, they're not. Just remember your training, look after the man standing next to you and you'll be fine. Just remember who you are and what you're fighting for and we can't go wrong. Understand?" They nodded. "Good. Form a column, DA at the front, four abreast and we'll double time it down to Hogsmeade. Right let's go." He heard the Guardian lieutenants shouting orders and turned to walk over to the DA when he heard someone call his name. He looked over. Dumbledore, the teachers and the main Order members were standing there. He walked over.
"We won't keep you long, Harry, but we just want to wish you luck." Dumbledore said. Harry smiled.
"Thanks." At that point Mrs Weasley could restrain herself no longer. She pulled him into a hug.
"Look after yourself, dear, we'll be along soon."
"I will. Thanks, Mrs Weasley." Mr Weasley stepped up and clapped him on the shoulder before giving him a fatherly hug.
"Stay safe, Harry." Harry smiled and nodded. Other people wished him luck, and Harry swore that he saw McGonagall wipe away a tear after she had wished him luck. Finally he came to Lupin. Lupin looked at him for a moment before grabbing him into a hug.
"Take care, Harry, fight hard and we'll be along as soon as we can." Harry nodded, not trusting his voice. He hugged Lupin one more time before turning to Dumbledore. The old man smiled at him and pulled him into a gentle hug.
"Thank you, Harry. Thank you for everything." Harry looked at him.
"Thank you for everything, sir. We'll hold for you. While there is one of us who still draws breath, we'll hold." He turned away and ran back to the waiting Guardians and DA. After a quick turn back and wave at the watching people he turned to his men.
"Let's go! Let's go and fight for what we believe in! Let's go and fight for those who can't fight for themselves! We are the Guardians and the DA and we will fight until the last man. We are the last line of defence and we shall not fall! FOR WE ARE HEROES!" Harry turned and drew his sword and, at the head of the column with Ron and Hermione and the DA behind him, he led them to battle.
To fight for those who can't fight for themselves.
A/N I am so sorry for the late update, one week after the proposed deadline is unacceptable in my opinion and I cannot apologise enough. This last two weeks have been hell for me but I will not bore you with the reasons, which will only sound like excuses. Once again I apologise.
This was only a filler chapter. Next chapter will be the beginning of the final battle.
Thanks to all those who reviewed.
Aizan19 – Thanks for the review. Thanks, glad you liked that chapter. Yep, those scores are good, A is the top grade, usually about 85. A is usually about 70. Glad you liked the speech, it didn't come out exactly how I wanted to, but that doesn't matter if people liked it.
Phoenixlover5 - Thanks for the review. I'm really glad you liked the speech. I'd had that speech and chapter planned for quite a while and the fact that it was well received is really good. No, A is a grade higher than an A, A is the top grade, starting around 85 whereas and A is about 70.
Goddess Usagi - Thanks for the review. Thanks, I'm glad my GCSE results were as good as they were, it was such a relief! Not too many more chapters left, around four I think, but don't hold me to that, it could be more or, less likely, less.
Hockeyman - Thanks for the review. You won't have to wait long for the outcome, only a couple more chapters. Don't feel sorry for my brother! He loved it! It gave us a couple more days in Malaysia with our parents! But thanks anyway, it's cool of you.
Hit0- - Thanks for the review.
Dark Phoenix Mortal - Thanks for the review. Hermione wanted to relax, she knew what was coming and she wanted to have one last good time with her friends.
J or the Blind - Thanks for the review. I hate school too…they're really killing us with the amount of work they're giving us! Ah well, battle next chapter.
FSI - Thanks for the review.
Dragon Sword Master - Thanks for the review. Battle next chapter, I hope it lives up to your expectations!
The Phoenix King - Thanks for the review. Thanks, my brother is fine now, he just had tonsillitis for a couple of days. As to my H/G fic there will be no Cho bashing, I feel the same way as you, it is a pointless and petty thing to do. Cho is not a bad person, she was just distraught with grief at the death of Cedric. So there will be none of that. Hope to see you at that fic. Cool, I'll drop you an email some time, likewise feel free to drop me an email whenever.
Keep reading and reviewing 'cos I'll keep writing.
Fireboy.