Chapter 25: He That Sheds His Blood Today

Author: Hafthand (Ally)

Rating: R

Summary: And so it begins…

A/N: Ya'll I know it has been ages! Horrible of me I know. YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ CHAPTER 24 AGAIN! It is short after all. Anyways, this is short as well but full of so much. This is the build-up for the next chapter so enjoy!

BETA THANKS! Lorett you gem, you doll, you heavenly creature! You are more than a beta. I love you!

3 Keys ladies! Love you all to death and don't know where I would be without you!

On to the fic……

The battle was hot. Battles were always hot. Blood dripped slowly down Fred's arm as he looked frantically around trying to gather his thoughts and regain his balance. There were screams and flashes of light everywhere. The world spun in a swirl of green and red; pain and blood; roaring and screaming.

Fred drew a deep, gasping breath and the spinning stopped. The world came sharply into focus and his eyes fell upon Neville and a masked Deatheater dueling. He watched as Luna tripped into view barely dodging a spell sent her way from a cackling Deatheater. He'd recognize that maniacal laughter anywhere; it was Bellatrix.

Fred had just enough time to see Neville and Bellatrix turn to each other before he was pushed roughly to the ground.

He struggled to fight free from the figure on top of him only to pull his wand free and come face to face with Bill. 'Damnit, Bill,' he snapped harshly. Bill's eyes opened in surprise and apology but neither had time for explanations as they were both hit hard by a spell and thrown apart from each other.

Fred tumbled along the grassy, bumpy ground and just barely registered the gravestone in front of him before his body slammed full force into it. He heard the sickening crack but had no time to gauge whether it was the stone or his own bones breaking. He was on his feet before the pain in his body could force him into unconsciousness. He spared a swift glance around for Bill but did not see him. Fred didn't have time to search for him, he had to keep moving. Reluctantly, he moved on; he would worry about Bill later.

This morning they had all emerged from their rooms at Remus', solemn and weary. They apparated to Grimmauld Place with almost no conversation, it would seem there were no more words left – the time for action was now upon them. The somber group met up with the rest of the Order who would be joining them. With little ceremony Harry had given them quick, terse commands and then, all too quickly they were here – in this cold, desolate cemetery where many of their friends and colleagues would meet their end. Fred tried not to think about how long ago that had been; he tried not to think about who was already dead.

Fred's face was grave as he crept carefully among the anonymous bodies, steeling his emotions and forcing his eyes onward, not daring to glance down at any of the faces of the lost least he lose his nerve. He allowed a brief moment of worry for the others, his friends and family, hoping they were fairing well as he moved past dueling wizards and witches. He had one target in mind and it was taking far longer than he'd like to make it there. He wondered briefly if he was unconsciously delaying himself; knowing what awaited him on the other side.

No, no, Fred Weasley was no coward, and the three Deatheaters who lay lifeless on the blood-soaked battlefield were grisly testimony to that.

It had never been his intention to kill any of them, and he would never utter the killing curse. Never. The first Deatheater had fallen and broken his neck against a grave; the second he had stunned and the poor sod had caught the end of a killing curse from somewhere to their left; the third Fred had cast Septum Sempra knowing full well the man would bleed to death should he not find help. Three dead and still there were a dozen or more running around hunting the Order's small numbers.

His thoughts were again interrupted by a flash of yellow light to his left. He watched in horror as his sister crawled from the forest, her leg at an odd angle, her wand nowhere in sight. Ginny's eyes met his for an instant and he tried to scream out as he saw a Deatheater emerge from the woods behind her, the dark wizard's wand slowly raising to fix on his sister. Ginny's eyes grew wide and Fred could not tear his gaze from hers. He would never make it to her in time.

Suddenly a primal scream ripped through the night and Fred watched, amazed, as a blur streaked past him and hit the Deatheater square in the back with a sickening crunch. He watched as the figure sat upon the fallen wizard and repeatedly punched the man in the face. Ginny had turned to see her saviour but her eyes flew to Fred's, a sort of pleading in them to help her. Fred started to run towards them. He dodged a spell that took out the tree to his right, knocked over a Deatheater who had aimed his wand at Oliver Wood's back, and finally reached his fallen sister.

'Stop him,' she croaked out, her eyes beginning to glaze over in pain.

Fred turned and approached the enraged wizard still beating an already lifeless body. 'Remus,' Fred said softly, 'Remus, leave off. He's already dead.' But Remus Lupin did not appear to hear him. Fred took a deep breath and ignored the sound of screaming that suddenly came from somewhere off to his left. 'Remus, Ginny needs you.'

Suddenly Remus stopped and turned to face Fred. Fred stepped back at the feral look the older wizard fastened upon him. The beast within seemed to be about to break free. 'Ginny?' Remus growled before his eyes fell to his lover. He scrambled off the bloody corpse and threw himself at the youngest Weasley. 'I saw him hurt you, I saw him try to kill you,' he whispered as he gathered her in his arms and buried his head in her hair.

'Shh, I'm still here, Remus,' she soothed him, wincing at the pain in her leg as he drew her closer to him. Her eyes met Fred's over the top of his head and he could see the clear look of determination there. 'Go,' she mouthed silently to him. Fred hesitated for only a second, his eyes trying to convey his love for her in a single moment. He watched a single tear slip down her face and he forced himself to tear his gaze from her and turn his back on his baby sister. His brain screamed at him to go to her and to take her back to their family, but he couldn't.

He had no time for good-byes.

Fred left them hoping they would survive. He left them alone on the edge of the wood, a battle raging hotly around them. He turned away and ran through the graveyard making his way once more towards the house on the hill. He was coming up upon a small cottage that must have been the groundskeeper's residence before Voldemort had done away with him. As he reached the back of the house a body came flying around the corner and Fred raised his wand, a stunning spell already forming on his lips. He wrenched his arm away violently as he saw who was before him.

'Draco?' he practically screamed. Fred hadn't seen Draco, Hermione or Harry since they had all arrived here in this hell. He had watched them slip to the sides and make their way towards their goal. That was their battle. The battle in the graveyard belonged to the others. They were simply here to buy the three time. He was surprised to see Draco here so close the rest of them.

Draco stood before him, his eyes hard and taking in the dark night around them. 'Fred? That you? Merlin,' Draco said heavily, his wand-tip illuminating suddenly and casting the surrounding area in an eerie glow.

'What the hell are you doing down here, Malfoy? Where are the others?' Fred asked quickly.

'Was hoping you would know. We got separated near the house. Voldemort has it guarded, surprise, surprise. I got side swiped by MacNair and had to double back to avoid getting split in two by the fucking troll they have guarding the back door,' Draco explained hurriedly as they both crept along the side of the small cottage. The bigger house upon the hill came into sight and Fred could just make out flashes of spells somewhere near the front door.

'Well, looks like someone is still up there,' Fred said, praying to whatever gods were still listened that it was Hermione and Harry.

A sudden crash to their left caused them to turn in unison and shoot off stunning spells into the bushes. A high-pitched squeak was followed by a familiar voice. 'Merlin, are you trying to get me killed!' Hermione hissed quietly. Fred let out a sigh of relief at seeing Hermione alive and well as Draco flew to her side, drawing her to him tightly and crushing his mouth down upon hers.

'I feared the worst,' Malfoy whispered, caressing her face gently. His voice trembled and was thick with emotion and Hermione pulled him back to her for another brief, tender kiss. Fred turned away from them then, feeling like an intruder upon their intensely intimate reunion. He moved a few steps away giving the couple privacy and watching the paths warily around them for foes. 'After Potter ran blindly into those Deatheaters I lost track of you. I thought…' his voice trailed off as he buried his face into the softness of her neck and shaking slightly with relief at her being back in his arms.

'Shh, Draco, I'm here. Time for worry later. Fred, oh Merlin Fred, I am so happy to see you,' she said as she pulled away from Draco's embrace and ran to him throwing her petite body into his long arms. With her body pressed against him Fred felt the life and energy from her tiny form flow into his tired soul. He wound his arms tighter around her and inhaled her scent.

'Hermione,' he whispered. He had not realized till he saw her how worried he had been for her, for everyone. He had not allowed himself to think such thoughts.

She pulled from his embrace slowly and he was reluctant to let her go. Hermione was so alive, so vibrant and full of life mid this sea of death. She made things better, gave him hope. He saw her eyes looking up into his soul and he thought that if they were anywhere else she would be crying.

'I hoped you were still…I saw…so many bodies, Fred. So many dead. I tripped over Seamus' body. I saw Lavender fall; I don't know if she is alive or dead. I killed someone, some faceless Deatheater,' she said in a rush as though the reality of her words were too much to handle.

'Hermione,' Draco whispered from behind her. 'Hermione, not now. Remember? Think about it later,' he said soothingly, stroking her shoulder. Fred thought that Malfoy looked as if he wanted to take her and run from this place. He didn't blame him one bit. He certainly wanted to be anywhere but here.

'Where's Harry?' she suddenly asked, as though the past minute had not occurred. Fred envied her strength.

Draco shook his head. 'I thought he was with you.'

'He must still be up there. A pack of trolls wouldn't be able to drive him off,' Fred muttered as he saw a few more spells streaking the night sky, closer to the house than ever now.

'We have to get back up there,' Hermione said. She took two steps towards the path when suddenly a blue flash hit her and she was thrown against the side of the cottage. Fred and Malfoy turned as one toward the source and were met by the sight of Bellatrix.

'Pretty little Mudblood,' she cackled, her wand trained on the two of men. Fred had never been faced with a completely insane person until now. Her eyes were mad. There was no other explanation. He was faced with someone who was utterly and completely mad. A very dangerous person, he decided quickly. As if killing Sirius hadn't already labeled her that. 'Well, well if it isn't Draco Malfoy, my wayward nephew. Such company you keep these days. Cissy would not be pleased if she knew.'

'Don't you dare speak about my mother,' Draco snarled.

'Don't you take that tone with me, boy!' Bellatrix shrieked, her eyes blazing, her wand hand shaking in rage.

'Careful,' Fred muttered to Draco, barely moving his lips, hoping she would not hear.

'My Master is itching to get his hands on you, dear nephew. Almost as much as that Potter boy. Almost,' she said calmly. Fred wondered at her moods. Lightening quick.

'If you don't kill me now, Aunty, I will kill you. Either way, one of us does not walk away from this,' Draco said just as calmly, though Fred could feel the tension in his fellow wizard's body.

'NO!' came the command from behind Bellatrix. Fred's eyes widened as he watched Neville emerge from the black night, his wand and eyes focused solely on Bellatrix. 'No, she doesn't deserve death. It is too good for the likes of her.'

'Neville, she tortured your parents,' Fred said incredulously.

'Longbottom, she deserves nothing but death,' Draco growled, and Fred noticed tiny sparks emitting from the end of his wand. Malfoy was not as calm as he appeared. His eyes kept darting over towards where Hermione had fallen.

'Death is too easy for her, too quick. She deserves an eternity of pain and despair,' Neville growled back. He muttered a spell and Bellatrix's wand was ripped from her hand and ropes sprang from Neville's wand, wrapping tightly around her body.

Her eyes glittered madly and she snarled at the approaching wizard. 'You should kill me, boy; make me scream and squirm like your dear old mummy!'

'Silence!' Neville roared before backhanding her across the face. He leaned forward menacingly and said coldly, 'You don't get to talk about her.' Bellatrix opened her mouth to retort but Neville drew his hand back once more and knocked her into unconsciousness.

Fred was no longer shocked by the actions of those around him but it was apparent from Malfoy's 'humph' of surprise that he was impressed by Neville's ruthlessness.

'Leave her with me. I'll take her back to Hogwarts,' Neville said, rising above the woman. He fixed his eyes on Fred. Draco had already run to Hermione's now stirring body and carried her over to lay her gently next to them. 'Listen, the battle here is winding down.

Most are dead and the remaining Deatheaters are fleeing toward the house.'

'Thanks for the update,' Fred muttered and nodded distractedly as he watched Draco

tend to Hermione. Her eyes fluttered opened and he let out a breath he had not realized he was holding. Suddenly a thought occurred to him and his eyes found Neville's once more. 'Ginny?' he asked.

Neville shrugged and bent back down to make sure Bellatrix was secured. 'Saw Remus carrying her away form the fighting and she seemed to be arguing with him about it, so she seemed all right at the time. Saw Remus a while later though, on his own,' he said, looking at Fred carefully. 'She looked injured so it's more than likely he was taking her to safety.'

Before they could say anymore Bill, Luna, Charlie, Tonks, Mundungus, and Kingsley Shacklebot came running out of the woods towards them.

'Neville, you got her secured tightly?' Kingsley asked as he ran over to the pair.

Fred let his eyes travel over those who had joined them.

'It's done here,' Bill said, gasping for breath. Fred ignored the blood dripping from his brother's left arm. 'The rest have returned to the house.'

'Are you all that's left?' came Hermione's quiet voice. Fred turned to look at her and saw the disbelief in her eyes.

'Yes,' Tonks answered. 'There are a few others who were injured; we brought them back to safety, but we are all that is left,' she said, her voice cracking slightly. A heavy silence fell upon them and the sound of tears hitting the dirt could be hear.

Fred raised his eyes and saw a flash of green up at the house. He looked at those left around him and braced himself. 'We mourn later,' he stated harshly before turning and walking away from them, not daring to see if they followed.

There was no dignity in death, decided Harry. Your cold, lifeless corpse lying bare and open to the cruel world around it. No dignity. None. No shame, no more mysteries. Just a body. Just a body without a soul. If he were to be honest with himself, he would admit that until learning about the wizarding world, and ghosts, he had never actually believed in souls, never really gave it much thought.

Now, however, as he stood alone above a lifeless corpse free of its black soul, he had to wonder what would happen to his when all was said and done. He shook his head at the thought and wiped his dirty hands against his jeans. Standing up slowly, shakily, he glanced once more at the body before him and turned away, back towards the front door of the house.

His whole life had been a prelude to this moment; this point in time when he reached to open the door before him. Choices made before he was born by people who wanted nothing more than for him to die had brought him to this point. He looked around him slowly, noting the eerie silence that echoed through the darkness. He noted the absence of life around him and wondered how he had ended up here alone. He wondered if anyone beside himself was even alive. It had been a long time since he had heard or seen any activity from down at the battlefront. He had heard the screams from the graveyard and had clamped down hard at the memories of other screams from this graveyard, years before when he had held his first dead body in his arms.

'No!' Harry growled, focusing his mind and body back on the task before him. It didn't matter that he was alone. He had always known that in the end it would come to this. He would not feel bitter about a truth he had accepted long ago. He took a stabilizing breath and prepared to cross the threshold when he heard the distinct sound of feet coming his way.

He dropped down to a crouch and pointed his wand. He no longer feared killing. He had doled out more death tonight than he had ever thought possible.

As his prey burst into the clearing he choked on a spell and felt a wave of utter relief wash over him. Before him stood what he assumed to be the last of those who had followed him faithfully to battle. He felt his heart seize as he realized he wasn't going to be alone in the end after all. Even if they all died today, his friends, his staunch supporters would follow him faithfully into death as well.

'Harry?' Hermione asked softly as she approached his motionless, crouching figure. He couldn't move, his body was frozen with the absolute elation at seeing Hermione, his eyes wide and drinking her in. He wanted to breathe, to smile, to scream, to reach out and touch her, anything, but the sheer joy of having her alive and there right in front of him kept him still and silent. 'Harry,' she repeated, kneeling beside him and reaching out her fingers to wrap gently around his wrist as she lowered his wand arm and looked into his eyes. 'Harry, are you all right?'

He turned his head slightly and returned her searching gaze letting out the breath he had been holding as his eyes traveled past Hermione over to the others. A measured smile began to form on his blood stained face. Fred stood closest to him beside Hermione, looking him over as though to reassure himself Harry was intact. Malfoy was on Hermione's other side looking tired and beat up, but his eyes were full of fire and life. Bill and Charlie were watching Harry too, their brotherly concern for him shining strong. Tonks looked as though she had been rolled in mud and Harry ignored the other spots of colour on her tattered robes. Shacklebolt and Mundugus were alert and observing their surroundings, their eyes passing over Harry to make sure he was indeed okay. Luna and Neville were on guard at the back of the group and as Harry saw them all and realized they were alive he really could not control the smile that broke out on his face. They were still alive. All of them. So few, yet enough.

He breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look back at Hermione. 'I won't be alone when I die?' he asked shakily, tears of relief falling from his tired eyes.

He heard Hermione choke on a sob and watched Fred take an involuntary step forward, his hand reaching out as if to grab Harry.

But it was Draco who put an arm to his shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly and said with a gentleness that surprised even himself, 'No, mate. No one dies alone tonight.'

Harry nodded and glanced at the door behind him. The time had come then. No more waiting.

No more being afraid.

A feeling of serene calm stole over him as he stood up and squared his shoulders. Harry Potter was ready to meet his fate with a resolve he'd not had mere moments ago. He turned and smiled a genuine, warm smile, his eyes locking with each one of the people in front of him; these men and women that he loved so dearly; friends that he had grown to respect and warriors that he admired. He could not think of any others he would rather have at his side, nor could he ever begin to put to words how grateful he was to have them here with him now, when he needed their support so wholly.

So, he voiced the only thing he thought he could say that would mean anything, speaking in a hushed tone just two words before he turned and marched forward to face Destiny.

His friends all smiled back at the simple, yet profoundly moving words – 'Thank you.'

Nodding slowly,Harry turned and met his fate.

A/N: Well? Its really heating up now. Next chapter is a major one for plot! Secrets revealed…bad guys fought…more death…more battle….oh can't wait! Lol

Love, Ally

'There's no dignity in death
To sell the world your last breath'
-Robbie Williams 'Advertising Space'