Chapter 26: Leaving for Battle
"Are you okay?" Bill asked Fleur as he lead her into their room and sat her onto the bed.
"Yes Bill," Fleur said, "I am well…considering ze circumstances."
Bill paused, he knew exactly what she meant, he was trying to keep a positive mindset, but he couldn't help thinking about the possibility that he would be dead in an hour or two.
"What is mom talking about Dad," Sean William said inquisitively.
"She means that it's difficult for me to go away and work right now son," Bill said, "she's going to need you to take care of her while I'm away…" Bill paused and a lump appeared in his throat, he knew that he might be away for the rest of his son's life. "Will you take care of your mother and your little brother or sister for however long I'm away?" Bill said with a slight tremble as he finished.
"Yes daddy," Sean William answered without the faintest hint that anything was wrong.
"Thanks son," Bill said before kneeling down so that he was at Sean William's level, "now give your dad a hug." Sean William walked forward and Bill held him in a tight loving embrace. Fleur was very emotional given her pregnancy, and seeing her husband and her firstborn child hugging like they were drove her to tears. Bill held his son for a little while longer, then kissed his cheek and said into his ear, "I love you son" before letting him go.
Bill then faced Fleur, "and I love you my darling."
"I love you my beautiful Bill," Fleur said the best she could fighting back her tears.
The two of them shared a chaste, but still passion-filled, kiss on the lips. Bill gently placed his hand on Fleur's cheek and just looked into the eyes of the woman he loved. Fleur gazed back, falling more and more in love with Bill every second.
"I will be back for the birth of this one," Bill said as he gently placed his other hand on Fleur's stomach, "you have my word."
"I will be 'ere waiting for you, dahling," Fleur said, "please 'urry back."
Bill simply nodded and kissed Fleur again, he then hugged his son one more time, then waved goodbye and left for the meeting place.
Sean entered the room he had been sharing with his family. He looked at the two items he had placed on top of the bed, a small duffel bag and a sheathed Ninjato sword, and got started with what he needed to do. He opened the bag and removed its contents, a suit of clothes for combat worn by Knights of St. George, and Sean stared at them for a moment remembering how he thought he had left all of this behind him years ago.
Sean removed the shoes, socks, shirt, and pants that he had been wearing and began to change into the clothes he had been given at the monastery with his sword. It only took him a few moments to complete the change, and his mind had been so absorbed with the magnitude of what he was about to do that he hadn't noticed Ginny standing in the doorway watching him change. Sean sat on the bed and slipped on his socks and then started putting on his tabi boots. After he was completely dressed, he stood on his feet and turned to face Ginny.
Neither one of them spoke, the two of them just stared at each other for what seemed like eons. They had been through a lot together since they had been married, particularly in the past few days, and neither one of them knew what to say now. Sean was thinking about how he never even expected to survive what had become known as the Great Battle of Hogwarts, much less to marry and start a family. Ginny was thinking about how now that she and Sean had clearly defined their relationship, she didn't want to lose him.
Ginny decided that actions spoke louder than words and walked up to Sean, she cradled the baby in one arm and wrapped her free arm around her husband.
"I don't want to lose you now," Ginny said quietly as she felt Sean's strong arms wrap around her body, "now that all my doubts have been removed…and I love you now more than ever." Ginny was on the verge of tears and began trembling against Sean. Sean gently took one step back so that Ginny could look into his eyes.
"I have to do this Ginerva," Sean said in his strong voice, "if I don't, I can't ever guarantee yours or the baby's safety." Ginny nodded to show her understanding, then Sean gently brought the baby into his own arms.
Ginny watched Sean interact with their son. Sean cradled the child against his body, and the child looked up at his father. He had a look of innocent and pure love on his face, and a toothless smile as he reached his little hands up toward Sean's face. Sean would have been smiling himself if he didn't have so much on his mind. Sean's lip started to quiver, and it was obvious that his emotions were struggling to express themselves. Sean lifted the baby closer to his face, and then began to speak to him.
"Son," he said quietly, "I know that you probably don't know who I am just yet, and that you won't remember this. But in case I don't come back from this I want you to have this somewhere in your memory." Ginny could hear what Sean was saying and was shedding tears at this point. "I'm your father son," Sean continued in the same whisper, "this is my voice. If you remember nothing else about me, I want you to remember that I love you and your mother more than I will ever be able to express…and if I don't come back, I want you to know that, I'm sorry I won't be around to see you grow up and become a man."
Sean himself was shedding a few tears at this point, he didn't want to leave his family, and he didn't want to die. He knew what it was like to grow up without a mother and father, and he didn't want that for Ginny and the baby.
"I love you s…" Sean was about to say, but Ginny cut him off.
"Sean darling," she said with a strong voice fighting back her tears, "I want you to know that even if you don't come back I am still going to have him blessed by the Priest. And that I am still going to have him named Kellen Michael."
A smile came to Sean's face, Ginny could still see the tracks of the tears on his face, and Sean said one last thing to the baby, "I love you Kellen Michael O'Sullivan, my son." Sean then carefully placed the baby into the crib that was in the room and turned around to face his wife.
"Ginerva," Sean said, "should the worst happen tonight. I want you to take Kellen and go to the monastery. The Priest and the men there will take care of the two of you, and I want Kellen to have a father figure in his life…" Sean's voice was a slight tremble at this point, "…and I can think of no one better than my adopted father. Will you do that for me?"
"Yes," Ginny said in a very low voice while nodding, "I will do that for you."
"I know," Sean said still with a tremble, "that I haven't been the best husband, and that you deserve much more, but I…" Ginny gently brought a finger to Sean's lips.
"You don't have to apologize for anything," she said gently as she took her finger away, "you are the only man I have ever truly loved, and you are the best husband I could have ever hoped for." She wrapped her arms around Sean's neck and looked deep into his Prussian blue eyes.
"Ta gra agham duit Ginerva," Sean said.
"What does that mean?" Ginerva asked.
Sean paused for a moment to examine the features of his beloved wife before answering, "I'll tell you when I come back."
Ginny breathed in deeply, "I love you Sean," she said in a very loving voice.
Then the two of them slowly came together in a very passionate and love-filled kiss. It was similar to the first kiss they had shared that December afternoon when Sean had come back into Ginny's life, it was full of longing and desire, and pure love. They would part for a second for air and then resume kissing, neither one of them wanting the moment to end.
After about two minutes, Ginny bowed her head down and rested it over Sean's chest, directly over his heart. Sean gently rested his head on top of Ginny's and the two of them held each other for a little while longer, Ginny enjoying the feel of Sean's muscular body pressed against her own and listening to the beating of his strong Celtic heart. She had never felt as safe as she did when she was being held by Sean, and for a few moments there before Sean was to leave for what would likely be his final battle, all was right in the world and neither he or Ginny could ask for anything more.
"I have to go," Sean said with a tremble in his voice, "if I don't leave now I don't think I will be able to."
"I understand," Ginny said quietly as she released her hold on Sean, "is there anything I can do?" she added.
"Look after Kellen," Sean said, "and pray for me and the other men."
"I will," Ginny said, "please come back to me."
"I'll always be with you," Sean said before kissing Ginny once again on the mouth.
He then went to the bed and picked up the sword, he put his arms through the straps at either side and then brought the belt-like strap over his chest and tightened and secured it. He gave Ginny one last kiss on the mouth, kissed Kellen goodbye, then quickly left for the meeting place.
Harry entered his room to find the sword and knife he leant to Sean placed on the bed. Hermione had told him to get ready without her, but Harry didn't have much he needed to do. He was dressed in the same clothes he had worn the night he and Bill had fought the LeStranges, he just needed to change his shoes and get his weapons. It only took him a moment to change into his own tabi boots and strap on his sword and knife, he then picked up his wand and was about to leave when he heard footsteps coming up the stairs.
Hermione came into the room, with Lily cradled in her right arm and James holding her left hand. Harry wished that he could freeze the moment he was seeing in time. He loved his family, and the picture he saw in front of him with his wife and children like they were, happy and together, was one he wished he could hold onto forever. James let go of Hermione's hand and ran up to Harry, who knelt down to receive his son in a strong embrace.
"Goodbye dad," James said as Harry continued to hold him tight. Harry didn't know what to say, and held his son even closer.
"I love you son," Harry said after a few moments, he then released James and looked him square in the eyes, "take care of your mother and your little sister while I'm gone." James nodded, "good boy," Harry said. He then stood on his feet to face Hermione.
Hermione had placed Lily in the crib and now stood facing Harry. Harry remembered what she had said about her worrying that every time she saw him would be the last time she would ever see him, and waited for her to make the first move.
Hermione let out a small sob and then rushed to Harry and hugged him close, just as she had several years previous before Harry had faced a dragon in the Triwizard Tournament. Harry held her close, and breathed in her sweet scent.
"I don't want you to go," Hermione whispered as she held Harry, "please don't go."
"I have to," Harry said quietly, "it's my job, and I have to do what I can for you and the children."
"I know why you're going," Hermione said almost sobbing, "I just don't want to be here waiting and wondering if you're still alive and coming back to me or if you're…" Hermione couldn't finish before breaking into dry sobs. Harry gently pushed Hermione back so that she could look into his eyes.
"Please Mi," Harry said softly, "be strong for James and Lily…be strong for me."
Hermione simply nodded, and then Harry pulled her in for a kiss. It was a long kiss and filled with passion, all the passion that two young people who had been in love as long as they had could muster. Their relationship had greatly grown and matured just as they had over the years, and both of them thanked the heavens that they had found each other.
After a while, Harry and Hermione broke their kiss. Harry brought a hand to Hermione's cheek, which Hermione brought her own hand over, and the two of them simply held each other's gaze for a few moments before Harry stepped back to leave. Hermione held Harry's hand as long as she could before it slid out, Harry then went to Lily's crib.
"Goodbye Lily," Harry said quietly before kissing his baby girl goodbye, "I hope that I will be around to watch you grow, but if not, know that your father loves you very much." Harry then turned around to face Hermione one last time, "I love you Hermione," he said.
"I love you too," Hermione said, "and I will be waiting here for you."
Harry nodded, and then turned and left for the meeting place. The path from the dormitory to the common room seemed longer this time. Harry had walked that path many times, but never to an end like this. He looked at his watch and saw that it was past the time of the meeting. Harry knew that Moody hated him being late, so he quickened his pace. It didn't take Harry long to get to Hagrid's cabin, the route had not changed since he went to school there, and he still remembered every shortcut and every pass leading to the cabin. In no time at all, Harry made it to the cabin and decided to slow down for the rest of the trip.
He could see that many men were gathered to the meeting place. There were at least five hundred fighters that Harry could see, and he could see Moody in front of all of them. Moody was obviously explaining something to them, Harry could tell by the hand gestures Moody was making, and Harry could also see Sean's Priest standing next to Moody in front of the men.
"Well, Mr. Potter," Moody barked out, "so nice of you to join us, we were about to leave without you."
Harry smirked, it was nice to see that at least someone wasn't getting bent out of shape about the whole situation. Harry made his way over to where Bill was standing.
"Where's Sean?" Harry asked.
"He's standing with some of the Knights," Bill said pointing to where Sean stood.
"What did I miss?" Harry asked again.
"Moody explained the battle strategy to us," Bill said quietly while still listening to Moody.
"What do I need to do?" Harry asked in a serious tone.
"Stick with me," Bill said, "I'll let you know when we get to the battlefield."
Harry nodded and then turned to face Moody. Moody was talking about what kind of opposition they would be facing, Death Eaters, Werewolves, Dementors, the Abominations, and to be prepared for just about anything they could possibly imagine. Harry's started to wander around, and he could see many wizards that he recognized from the Ministry and the Order of the Phoenix, notably Hagrid, Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and Jack Blighton, the Obliviator he and Bill had met at St. Mungo's at the start of the whole thing. Harry also saw many Knights of St. George, they were distinguished by their tank tops and crucifixes, but Harry was surprised to see some Knights wearing iron Stars of David with protruding red beams in that pattern, and others wearing symbols of other religions in the same style as the crucifixes.
"Now all of you," Moody barked out catching Harry's attention, "I want you to know that I am very grateful you have all come, and it is an honor to be counted among you." Moody then pointed to his right, "Priest Michael O'Connell wishes to say a few words before we set off." The Priest stepped forward and cleared his throat and began to speak in a strong and booming voice.
"My friends, for you are all my friends, we come from different places, we have different beliefs, we have different motives and desires. But we are all here united by one common purpose. The history of my people, the ones you call Muggles, has many tales of brave groups who stood up to tyrants and would be oppressors. These people have passed into legend, some into myth, but I see before me now a band of brothers who are rising up in one voice to say to the people who would enslave and destroy them the one word that they fear more than any other. NO."
Harry could feel the Priest's words penetrate to his soul. He looked over to see Sean nodding to the Priest, his adopted father, and could see that the Priest's words were having a similar effect on all who were listening.
"This day," the Priest continued, "will always be remembered as the day when those who believed in freedom stood up against incredible odds to protect that right."
The Priest then raised his hand into the air and made the sign of the cross as he spoke.
"May the blessings of God rest upon all of you, wizards, men," he looked at Hagrid, "and all those willing to sacrifice all so that those who come after us may enjoy all the blessings and privileges that we now do."
The Priest then stepped back, Moody then stepped forward and began to speak once again.
"Prepare to leave," Moody said, "we need to form a chain, Muggle fighters find a wizard and take hold of their arm…move!"
Harry and Bill went looking for Sean, to make sure that he would be transported. They saw him talking to Hagrid for a while and showing him the sword he had had made from the Manticore's metal Hagrid had given him. They smiled seeing Hagrid pleased with what Sean had done with Hagrid's gift. After Hagrid left, they saw the Priest approach Sean and decided to wait a short distance away.
"My son," the Priest said in Irish Gaelic as he approached Sean and the two embraced, "I am very glad to see you well."
"I am glad to see you as well Sagart," Sean responded in Irish Gaelic, "I always know that I will be coming back alive when I can leave with your blessing."
"I have something for you," the Priest said, "I don't want to delay your leaving, so here it is." The Priest handed Sean a shoulder holster with a Glock handgun inside a pouch on the left side and some extra ammunition clips on the right side. "This is the weapon I used back when I was a Police officer before I joined the Order. I took it with me into battle on every assignment I carried out as a Knight and it never failed me. Now I give it to you my son, it is loaded with pure silver bullets so that you can destroy any demons you will face."
"Thank you Priest," Sean said taking the holster and putting it on over the sheath for his sword. "I don't know if I'll use it, but I will take it with honor."
"Line up!" Moody yelled again.
"I have to go," Sean said.
"And may God go with you my son," the Priest said before the two again embraced. Harry and Bill walked up behind Sean and Bill tapped him on the shoulder.
"Let's go Sean," Bill said before turning to the Priest, "nice to see you again Priest."
The Priest simply nodded in response, then walked over to Moody and took a hold of his arm. The two of them disappeared for a moment, then Moody reappeared without the Priest, having taken him back to the Order monastery. After Harry, Bill, and Sean had taken their places with the rest of the group, Moody took hold of the arm of the nearest person to him, in this case Harry, and then he and the rest of the group vanished into the night air.