Chapter 25

Harry flew through the air in a fluid motion, knocking down curses left and right. He let his Buki fall delivering devastating damage to his enemies. Victory was within his grasp, he could feel it, but something troubled him. Where was Ressen, when would he show himself. Harry didn't dwell long on this thought; the battle was still raging fiercely all around him.

Harry heard a massive volley to his left and turned to see a cruel attack being levied against Hagrid, whose large frame couldn't be completely concealed behind their cover. Harry watched in horror as curse after curse struck his half giant friend, the last sending Hagrid hurdling to the ground. In fear and wrath Harry made his way over to where the attackers where striking and launched himself in their middle. Their number was around 50 but Harry made short work of them, turning in barely visible motion, letting his blade fall, severing wand arms, sending them flying in the air. He quickly dispatched most as the rest fled in terror, not wanting to stand against Harry's rage.

After they fled Harry made his way over to Hagrid, he was unconscious and bleeding badly from a wound on his forehead, Harry felt his chest; at least he's still breathing Harry thought. Then Harry lifted his large body up and placed him over his shoulder, it was a heavy load but Harry could handle it. He turned and apparated himself to the aid center that had been erected, with several tents lined up with healers tending the wounded. He placed Hagrid down on a cot which collapsed at once under his weight. Harry waved his Buki and caused the cot to mend itself and given it a stronger support. Harry motioned for madam Pomfrey who had just finished tending to what looked to be a very old man with a wounded arm.

"Madam Pomfrey, the tea, give him the tea quickly," said Harry sharply.

She nodded and poured the steaming beverage down Hagrid's throat. At once the wound on his head vanished as he begun to stir.

Harry turned to Madam Pomfrey, "Ginny, is she alright?"

"Yes she's fine, a little shaken up but other than that she's OK, I must say Mr. Potter the tea really is a wonder, I've never seen a substance that could heal wounds inflicted by such dark magic,"

Harry nodded, "Good, look after her and Hagrid, I have to return to the battle," he said as he turned and vanished.

Harry returned to the battle and found his lines were holding well. His rear, hidden behind the remaining rocks were having the worst time. They were being blasted apart by oncoming curses. Harry made his way to them with all speed. They were being led by Professor McGonagall, who had sustained a minor injury to her shoulder.

"Professor, when I say make for better cover, join Kingsley to the right and we'll settle in for the final push," Harry ordered. She nodded her understanding.

"NOW" he cried as he rose, sending a deafening blast to meet their pockets of fighters, causing them to be rent apart. Professor McGonagall stood up and with surprising speed roused her force. They made their way to the cover Harry had indicated.

Harry forced his way through the enemy's rear and incapacitated a large group who were now threatening his right line, rising above them in flight and sending what appeared to be boiling oil spewing from his Buki meeting his enemies below. They writhed in pain. He then noted the ministries numbers were dwindling. There were only a few pockets of resistance left, but they were fighting in madness for their lives.

He looked to his right flank and saw a few fall from the onslaught of Dwrift and his men. Harry quickly made his way behind their cover. He saw Neville, George and Kingsley standing in front, all sending curse after curse at the attackers. He signaled for them to move further to the right to gain a better vantage point. Hopefully then they'd be able flush their foes from their covered position. Harry looked around as they swiftly made their way to another thicket of trees when he noted Ron's absence. He had been here before; Harry wondered if he was injured. He quickly made his way over to Neville.

"Neville, where's Ron, have you seen him, is he hurt," Harry asked loudly.

Neville simply shrugged and Harry nodded. As soon as they were in position Harry sent a powerful blast from his Buki, sending the rocks in which Dwrift and his men were entrenched flying apart. They were exposed, now they had them. Curse after curse fell on the only remaining group of ministry fighters. They all began to flee in panic, the ones remaining cast their wands away and pleaded for mercy, Dwrift was one of them. Harry held up his hand, signaling his forces to cease fire. The curses stopped at once.

Harry stepped forward, his Buki facing Dwrift and his men. "Drop your wands and step forward and I promise you can keep your lives," Harry said in a loud clear voice that rang through the now silent battlefield.

They did as he said. Dwrift now knowing the futility of continuing their resistance, felling betrayed by his master. They stepped forward, hands raised in surrender, dropping their wands at his feet. Their was a deafening cheer from the lines behind the trees as Harry's forces ran from behind their cover to take their captives. They meet Harry in the center, all cheering, slapping his back, shouting words of praise and gratitude. Harry instructed the prisoners to be bound and taken away.

"Well Dwrift," said Harry walking up to the former Minister of Magic, "Perhaps this will serve to remind those who would try to take this world that their end will come the same as yours have, ponder this during you time at Azkaban."

Harry signaled for them to be taken away, as Kingsley, Neville, George and the rest of the Weasleys rushed forward engulf Harry. All hugging him and thanking him once again for what he's done.

Harry then saw him, Ron rushing forward, a look of terrible fear alive in his eyes; He stopped just as he reached them, and began speaking through his gasps for air.

"Harry, Harry, its him, Ressen, he has Hermione," stuttered Ron out of breath.

"What, What do you mean he has her, how, did he breach my barrier, how do you know he has," Harry then caught a glimpse of the truth in Ron's eyes.

"What have you done," Harry asked in cold fury, "Ron tell me what you've done" Harry demanded as he pulled Ron by the scurf of his neck, lifting him off the ground, his eyes a blaze in terrible anger. Ron was hesitant clearly frightened by seeing Harry in his the fullness of his wrath.

"Answer me," Harry screamed, shaking Ron roughly.

"Harry, I'm…I'm sorry I didn't know what I was doing, he said he wouldn't hurt her, he said he'd let her and the rest of us live if I helped him," Ron answered weakly.

"Helped him kill me," Harry said in a tone of disgust, "Ron how could you, how could you believe him and betray us all in the process, I knew our bond had strained to the point of breaking, but I never thought you could do this, what have you become, what happened to my friend?"

"Don't pretend Harry, don't pretend you didn't betray me first, I saw you, what you and her did, he showed me what really happened in that tent," Ron shouted in defiance.

Harry eased his grip a bit, letting Ron touch the ground, but not fully releasing him. "Ron I can't help what's in my heart, I never wanted to hurt you, why do you think I never attempted to win her before, it wasn't until you left and our friendship seemed over that I let my true feelings show, but we can't change the past, now tell me where has he taken her?"

"I don't know, he said something about a falling tree, he said you'd know where' answered Ron, looking away, now catching the sight of his family, who were all staring in anger and disbelief at his treachery.

Harry released Ron, he knew where they were, he knew where Ressen had taken her, the battle had been a diversion, so Ressen could take his leverage, his advantage over Harry. What he needed to win. Harry turned and caught the gazes of shock and horror from his comrades, and communicating his intent silently, turned and apparated away to meet his enemy.