Chapter 28 – The End-Part I
The silence was deafening. If one were to walk the corridors at Hogwarts during this time of year, they would see students hustling toward classes and the Quiddich pitch for practice. Students would be preparing for Christmas and the time they spent with their families. Instead, this holiday season brought about doom and black skies. Thunder crashed while lightning lit up the sky. It was mid-afternoon but seemed as though it was midnight. The only light that illuminated anything at Hogwarts were the torches that lined the walls and the lightning that occasionally flashed. Fear could be felt running ramped through the corridors. No one was safe at Hogwarts any longer. No one was safe anywhere.
Voldemort had slowly made his return throughout the day. First there had been the senseless attack at the Ministry leaving over fifty dead and the building in flames. Death Eaters and Dementors could be seen leaving behind rubble, evilly smiling at the death and destruction they had left behind in their wake. Diagon Alley was now barely recognizable. Anything that the Death Eaters had left intact was because they needed it. Borgin and Burkes had remained upright as per Voldemort's request. Although Voldemort felt no need to keep anything and just wished to begin anew, there were quite a few memories that he remembered and some valuable items stored in the back room that he would later crave. If he didn't have everything, then he would have nothing. Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes had been left in ruin – being one of the first buildings to go. Fireworks blazed in the night sky, giving some light to the Wizarding World, although not much hope. The Dark Mark flew high above Diagon Alley just as it had over the Ministry.
The news had traveled quickly to Hogwarts. All of the students had been returned home, allowing them to be with their parents during the darkest of times. Whatever wizards remained knew that the last stand was to be at the greatest Wizarding School known throughout the world. Voldemort was slowly creeping his way there, through the mountains and the Forbidden Forest. Very few students remained. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny were some of the brave. Other members of the DA remained as well, not wanting to miss the fight and afraid to go home to see if their families were still there. Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan, and a few others stood steadfast by Harry's side. They were afraid of what was going to happen and could just imagine the Death Eaters and other Voldemort followers storming through the doors of Hogwarts. No one could help them cast their fears aside, for the professors and Order members were also fearful of what could happen.
Nymphadora Tonks came hobbling through the doorway and into the waiting arms of Remus. Her stomach had expanded and none of the Order members wanted her to be apart of the war that was about to erupt. She wouldn't take no for an answer and said that the child that was to be born would want her mother standing by her father's side. Remus and Tonks had taken time to themselves, discussing about what was going to happen. No one had ever see Tonks more afraid in her life – her snow white hair only proving the point. Usually she was overly cheerful and her hair a vibrant color. Now it was dull and her eyes almost lifeless. She grasped Remus's hand, making sure their contact would be the last she would remember if she was to go out fighting. Remus knew they were all in danger and didn't want to leave her side. Both knew the risks and wouldn't leave Hogwarts to defend itself although there was much left to live for.
Many of the other Order members felt the same way. Mad-Eye Moody stood stoically by the front door, not wanting to be around anyone if he didn't have to be. He twisted his wand in his hand nervously. Although the old man was one to bark orders in a time of crisis, no one had ever braved a war that meant so much. The sensations were new to him and he was unaccustomed to dealing with them.
Molly and Arthur Weasley had come to Hogwarts, not only to help in the fight, but to show much support to their children. George, Fred, Ginny, and Ron had remained behind to support Harry as much as they could. Seeing as Molly and Arthur practically saw Harry as one of their own, they found that their duty was to be there for him. Being a part of the Order gave them access to a fight no one wanted to truly be a part of. They knew that they couldn't let down their family and it was a time to give back to the Weasley name. They had accepted Ron's fate rather well and supported him being the Wind Element. Fearing Ron had to be near the front lines had caused Molly to break down in Arthur's arms. Poseidon and Dumbledore had quickly taken to her and explained how some of the events would unfold. She felt much better after a brief talk and a strong acknowledgement from Ron. For the first time, Ron's parents were seeing him strong and almost unafraid of what he was about to do. It gave them a glimmer of hope for the war and made them stronger for what they would have to do.
Other Order members came to give their support to Hogwarts. Prisoners of the Veil had come at the request of Dumbledore, hoping that they could lend a hand where they could. Although the numbers would not match that of Voldemort's, they would suffice. Charlie and Bill Weasley had come from various locations, bringing help with them as well. While many couldn't control dragons, Charlie had found a few that were willing to cooperate to join in the fight. He had recruited others along with Bill bringing the goblins in to give whatever help they could. Hagrid had managed to come up with a few new members and some Giants that remained loyal to the cause. Dedalus Diggle, Elphias Doge, Hestia Jones, and Kingsley Shacklebolt had arrived just after Dumbledore had sent out the owls.
Hogwarts was more protected than it ever had been. While the Order and many other allies had joined in the fight, Voldemort lacked something that only Hogwarts could claim it had: the Elements. Their colors were still swirling high above in the Great Hall, doing what it could to lighten the mood within the walls of the school. But the colors' rapid movement only indicated the feelings of the Element hosts. They, too, were fearful of the time ahead. While Poseidon, Ron, and Dumbledore had been in constant contact, Isis had remained far from the group – unable, at times, to contain what was inside of her. While three of the Elements were fearful of what was to come, Isis was afraid of what she would do. It had been her choice and her choice alone to remain as far away from the group as possible. She had wanted to talk to Harry more than ever, but couldn't find the strength to see anyone.
The time was drawing near when the Dark would collide with the Light. Much like the thunder crashing all around, magic would echo throughout the corridors of Hogwarts. There was no doubting that wizards would die and others would fall for the sake of good. All that mattered was what side wouldn't fall when the end came.
Harry sat by himself at one of the Gryffindor tables in the Great Hall. He allowed the colors above to sooth his fears and doubts. The time had come for him to face the one man that he had been waiting seven years to face. Although there had been many years he doubted that he would ever meet the man who killed his parents, now there was no denying it. Voldemort was coming with his army and he would make sure he was the one to kill the Boy-Who-Lived. No Death Eater would touch him. The Dementor's kiss wouldn't be the one to stop him. It would be Voldemort, and him alone, that would be his destroyer.
However, Harry knew that he wouldn't go down without a fight.
"It is unwise to be alone with your thoughts on an eve such as this."
For a moment, he shut out what had just been said to him. He had never been able to ignore the man that had become like a father to him over the years he had attended Hogwarts. But right now, he didn't want to know that there were people there to help him. He wanted to feel alone and not want to worry about loved ones and their fate.
Harry slowly peered over his shoulder to see Dumbledore standing a few feet from him. The Headmaster of Hogwarts looked more alive and with better strength than almost a week prior to when he had just awoken from a very deep slumber. Dumbledore's eyes held no fear, but Harry knew that he didn't lack it. The weight of the world was on Dumbledore's shoulders much like it was Harry's. While he held the fate of the Wizarding World in his hands, Dumbledore held the fate of everyone within the corridors of Hogwarts. They were his responsibility – much like Isis had been.
"I just didn't want to be around anyone," Harry said solemnly. "I didn't want to think about who might live and who might die."
Dumbledore stood in his place, not wanting to invade Harry's space. "You shouldn't worry about that. What you need to worry about is your own life. The wizards that roam these halls know what is asked of them. Fate is a tricky element. It cannot bend to anyone's will, much like Wind or Fire. Fate is already set in stone and will play out as it has been written. Whatever happens tonight is because of what has already been deemed necessary."
"No one should have to die because of me."
"They are not dying because of you. They are dying to protect the world they have come to know and love." Dumbledore took a seat near Harry. He didn't seem as old as he was, but appeared to be youthful in a way. "They stay here out of loyalty to you, but are doing what is necessary to see a brighter future. No one foresaw Voldemort's return. However, they will fight to make sure the lives they have lived for so long will continue to be happy. Wizards do not want to suffer under Voldemort's rule. The destruction at Diagon Alley and at the Ministry is just the beginning if Voldemort wins. We cannot allow this to happen."
Harry was silent for a few moments, digesting everything Dumbledore had just stated. He had been selfish to think that the Order and many of the other allies were there for him. They wanted a home, a life to return to. Harry wanted freedom – a life away from the prophecy that had been told that night. He wanted to repay Voldemort for stealing his parents away from him Halloween Eve. There were so many more that had died because Voldemort wanted nothing more than to kill the Boy-Who-Lived. There would be many more to add to the list because they didn't want to live under Voldemort's rule. They wanted to be happy, to raise children and lead normal lives. For once, they wouldn't have to fear of Voldemort's return. This would be it – the end.
"I haven't seen Isis," he commented. As he turned to look at Dumbledore, Dumbledore's gaze had turned from him to the sky above. "Where is she?"
"The Weasley twins are keeping a keen eye on her," he said, trying to reassure Harry as much as he could. "She, as of late, has been pacing the dungeons – unwilling to come into the light. Sirius has been unable to talk to her. She won't allow anyone to see her in the state she's in. She fears of what she will do and she figures that being away from everyone will allow her to fight the Darkness that is stirring inside. I have not seen her in this state since she had first arrived at Hogwarts."
The sorrow couldn't fill him. He needed to be strong. So instead of letting grief overtake him, Dumbledore focused back on Harry. "But don't fear. You have too much to worry about without having to worry about her. Isis is strong and can take care of herself. I have no doubts about her loyalty although she does. In the end she would prove to be everything I have ever believed her to be. She will be just like you – strong. I know you to be that, Harry. Through dozens of trials and tribulations, you have overcome obstacles that no other has ever done. You have friends that will not leave your side and loved ones who want to see you do what they know you can do. Harry Potter will show the Dark that there is nothing else but Light in the world. Do not give in and you will win."
Before Harry could reply to Dumbledore's encouraging words, the Great Hall doors slammed open. Harry and Dumbledore stood to see Poseidon and Professor McGonagall standing in the doorway. Their grave expressions only showed what Harry feared had come.
"He's here, Professor Dumbledore," McGonagall stated, her voice quivering with nervousness.
Poseidon nodded solemnly. "His followers are slowly breaking through the front doors. We have no more time."
Dumbledore looked back at Harry and smiled. "Then it is time, Harry."
Harry didn't wait for any other instruction and walked from the safety of the Great Hall and into the corridor. Standing there, waiting patiently, were Ginny, Ron, and Hermione. Other faces he hardly recognized. Several he placed from being inside of the Department of Mysteries when he had gone after Sirius the night he had fallen behind the Veil. There were many more that were complete strangers to him. It didn't matter to him any more. His task was his task alone. Although his friends were there for him, he would have to face Voldemort on his own. Poseidon had been right: there was no more time. Fate had finally caught up with him. The time for games was over. It was time he proved to himself that he was the man his parents wanted him to be.
"We'll be right here along side of you, Harry," Hermione said, brushing away her tears.
Ron nodded. He had kept a hold of Hermione's hand but shook Harry's hand with the other. "You're never alone, Harry. We might not be physically there with you, but we are beside you."
Harry nodded and smiled at the both of them. Slowly, he turned to Ginny. She had no tears running down her cheeks as he had thought she would. Instead she stood proud and strong. He loved her more in that moment than any other he had ever known her. He wrapped his arms around her and felt her do the same. The warmth radiated from her. He felt her silky hair brush against his cheek and he pushed it away so that he could kiss her on the cheek.
"Be strong, Harry Potter," she sweetly whispered in his ear. "I'll be waiting for you at the end." She ignored the sounds of the front door splintering. "You are the greatest wizard alive."
He pulled back from her and saw her smile warmly at him. Her eyes held more love for him than he could ever think possible. He didn't want to die, but wanted to live to see what the future had in store for him and for Ginny. Gently placing a kiss on her forehead, he slowly moved from her embrace and toward a patiently waiting Sirius. He couldn't glance over his shoulder to look at Ginny, but knew she watched him proudly. Ron and Hermione would keep a close eye on her as would her parents. He would have to push away all thoughts of his friends in order to focus on what he needed to. Although he wanted to worry about their well-being, he knew he couldn't. The destruction of Voldemort required him to focus solely on that and he would do the best he could before turning his attention elsewhere.
"I'm not leaving your side this time," Sirius said as Harry approached him. "There is no Veil for me to fall behind. Until you are ready to do what you must, I will fight along side of you. It's what James and Lily would want me to do. It's what I want to do."
"Thanks, Sirius," Harry said, truly meaning it. "Thank you for everything."
The large blast echoed throughout the corridor, disrupting the touching moment. Dust and debris was sent flying everywhere, knocking Order members, that were standing too closely near the door, skidding across the floor. Harry and Sirius quickly ducked out of the way from anything coming their way. As they both stood, they watched as Death Eaters, Dementors, and giants loyal to Voldemort pour into the greatest Wizarding School in the world. Wands at the ready, Sirius and Harry looked at one another and nodded. They turned and charged toward the Darkness that was only beginning of the end.
"I wish I could say that it was our fireworks making that racket," Fred said, keeping his lit wand directly in front of him.
George was doing the same thing, walking directly along side of his brother. "I'm sure mum and dad are up there with Ron and Ginny, and not in the dungeons like us."
"Personally I'd rather be down here," Fred commented. "Dumbledore entrusted us to watch over Isis until she decided to join in the fight. Nothing is going to happen to us down here. While I'd like to get my hands dirty, I'm thinking no Death Eaters are going to venture this far down into Hogwarts. They'll have too much to occupy their time on the upper levels."
The dripping of water were the only sounds the Weasley twins could hear besides the commotion coming from the floors above. There was hardly any light except that from their wands. Dumbledore had given them specific instructions on how to follow Isis and not be seen. They hated the thought of just watching over Isis instead of helping her, but Dumbledore had told them nothing could be done. They weren't sure of what was going to happen. It had been a pretty interesting year, and their crush on Isis had blossomed into a full-fledged friendship. She didn't mind their company and they didn't mind hers. They found out quite a bit about her and learned quite a lot more about things they never expected to. There were so many things that they wanted to try that no one else would allow, but she let them spread their wings and fly. They wanted to repay the favor but wasn't quite sure how they could.
The song of the phoenix echoed down the corridor. Fred and George both looked around the darkness only to see Fawkes quickly flying towards them. Its song didn't stop as it flew directly over top their heads. Isis had been lost to the darkness during the commotion and quickly sent Fred and George running down the corridor after her.
A loud hiss reached their ears and they stopped short. Fred and George looked at one another as Fawkes flew back to them. He perched himself on Fred's shoulder. George held out his wand towards the darkness and saw a large shadow playing on the wall. Looking down at his feet, Fred saw blood blending in with the pooled water beneath his shoes.
"George?" Fred began to ask. "George, where did this blood come from?"
George's hand covered Fred's mouth and stopped him from speaking. Another loud hiss echoed throughout the corridor. Fawkes had remained silent unlike only moments before. The appearance of long white fangs all but made Fred cower in fear. The image that they had seen at the beginning of the year in DADA was not something they wished to relive. The basilisk from the Chamber of Secrets had been killed by Harry, but was alive right before their eyes. Fred and George were just about to turn away from its deadly gaze when they noticed that the infamous yellow eyes had been pecked out. Fawkes had already taken a step to save their life. Now all the basilisk had to rely on was its intuitive sense of hearing. It would give them a vantage point, but not a large one.
Remembering the purpose of that class so many months ago, Fred and George looked at one another and smiled. It was time for their fear to be controlled and to take charge of the situation. The basilisk would be killed with teamwork and the wild ways only the Weasley twins could pull off. It was time to put their skills to the test and come out on top.
The air was frigid and the windows already covered in an eerie frost. The Elements classroom had become a battlefield instead of a safe haven. Luna, Neville, and Seamus were joined by Ginny, Hermione, and Ron – the last of the DA left. The Elements' colors had all but disappeared, leaving the dark sky above. The torches that had been left lit illuminated the room in a golden glow. Ron felt slightly relieved that Isis had given the room her mark before she abandoned it. The happy thought quickly left him after glancing in front of him.
Over a dozen Dementors had joined them and were becoming agitated. The Patronus Charm was working for a time, but none of the DA were strong enough to cast one to send all of them from the room. Hermione's had been the greatest one, an otter that was seen for only a few seconds at a time. The more agitated the Dementors became, the greater their attack. Ron knew it wouldn't be long before they broke through the barriers that they were casting. It was time to truly test his power to see how well the Creator had done by choosing him.
"Ron, do something!" Ginny shouted.
Ron saw Hermione looking at him from the corner of her eye. The brief flash gave him enough strength to find the courage to do what he had to do.
"Find something to hold onto!" he instructed.
Hermione and Ginny quickly fled to the corner of the room where the sword in the stone was sitting and grabbed onto it. Seamus, Neville, and Luna ran to the opposite corner, clinging to anything that seemed to be bolted to the floor. Ron rubbed his hands together and waited patiently as the Dementors crept closer to where he was standing. He was alone now, but the moment was his.
"Don't fail me now," he muttered to himself.
Hermione shouted 'Expecto Patronum' one last time before Ron extended his arms. Ginny and Hermione huddled together as the temperature in the room grew colder. The Dementors didn't stop their advances and continued to move toward Ron. The wind fiercely whipped around him. It was a force he had never expected. Something was stirring inside of him, unlike when they were behind the Veil. As the force of the wind grew, the feeling did as well.
"Hermione!" Ron yelled nervously. "I don't know if I can do this!"
Hermione moved Ginny's hands from her to around the stone. She smiled warmly at the youngest Weasley before stepping from behind the only protection she had. Ron flinched as one of the Dementors 'kissed' him. The strength of the wind faltered the slightest bit, giving her enough time to reach Ron.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned in close. "It's always been inside of you, Ron. I believe in you."
And with those words spoken, the wind turned from a slight breeze to hurricane force. The Dementors weren't quite sure what to do. Their black robes were quickly caught in a gust of wind. They swirled together and spun until even Ron was beginning to get dizzy. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and lifted his arms to the sky. The Dementors followed suit, breaking through the glass that sealed them in from the world outside. Rain poured into the room as the Dementors were lost to the darkness that shrouded the castle. The wind abruptly stopped, letting Ginny, Seamus, Luna, and Neville to come out from the corners. The four of them were speechless and in utter shock of what had just happened.
"I think that was the coolest thing I have ever seen," Seamus commented.
Ron smirked and gently touched Hermione's arms that were still wrapped around his waist.
She just leaned her head against his back in relief. "I told you that you could do it."
Poseidon slouched against the wall, his chest heaving. The Death Eaters had grown stronger than he remembered them to be. The tricks that they had come up with were coming fiercer and faster. The counter-spells that he tried to recall were coming slower, but still helped none-the-less. His heart felt heavy as he saw several Order members already fall at the hands of Voldemort's followers. He refused to bring out the Water Element until he truly needed to. His wand had become apart of his arsenal long before he ever garnered the power that he was becoming used to.
The first wave of the attack had been brutal and fierce – much like he expected it to be. Voldemort's absence was typical and Poseidon had no doubt that he would turn up just as the tide was turning. Voldemort was biding his time, patiently waiting for Harry to be drained and weak, completely open for attack. If Poseidon had his way, there would be no time for that. He would hunt down and kill the wizard that always haunted him and never allowed him to be happy. For so long it had been Voldemort that made him hide in the Dark. Isis had been right – the Darkness could have been turned away so long ago. Poseidon's form was just that, a form. Snape knew that he was just in costume until the Polyjuice Potion had run its course. He would no longer drink from the flask that he had in his pocket. It had been discarded long before the battle had even begun. He would finish the battle as he should have been. But for now, Poseidon's image would have to remain and he would continue to fight against the Death Eaters who had thought for so long that he was on their side. It felt good to be doing something for the right side for once. There was a part of him that was already in the Light. Snape just hoped that the rest would follow.
"You must be the Water Element," said a husky voice from the shadows.
Snape turned to look toward the darkness, no longer wanting to think of himself as Poseidon. Stepping from the shadows was a man about his height. It had been years since he had set eyes on the figure before him. The figure's mahogany-colored hair was almost shoulder length and had been tied tightly back with a black ribbon. It was his nearly black eyes that had given him away. Rodolphus Lestrange smiled evilly at him, his wand nowhere in sight.
"How I have longed to meet you," he said, bowing before Snape. "You're not as infamous as the Fire Element, but I hear just as strong. I was more than hoping that I would be able to put your powers to the test."
Without warning, Rodolphus pulled his wand and threw a curse at Snape. Snape quickly dove out of the way, putting his hand up and casting a wall of water to block the spell. He fell to the ground with a sickening thud and felt his shoulder pop out of place. Groaning, he slowly stood to Rodolphus's snickering. He had been bested by a wizard that had nothing more than his name to be feared by. It wouldn't stand for very long. The power he wanted to hold inside would be unleashed with a force that no one could match, except for Isis.
"You have made a grave mistake," he warned.
As his arms rose, water began to trickle down the stones on the walls. Soon it no longer looked like the trickle in the dungeons but a dam that couldn't be controlled. Two walls of water blocked the corridor, leaving Rodolphus no means of escape. Snape knew that Rodolphus saw Poseidon, but he would let his old classmate know who exactly was going to kill him.
"Do you remember a man by the name of Severus Snape?" he asked.
Rodolphus was slow to answer but replied, "He was a greasy git that was to get nowhere in life. Although the Dark Lord respected him, most of the Death Eaters knew he was a traitor. No one ever believed that he was loyal to the Dark Lord. His loyalty lied with Dumbledore. I only allowed him in my presence because he was good with Potions. I used him and bent him to my will." There was a slight pause before he continued, "Why? Why would you care about someone like him? He fled after he killed Dumbledore. He's a coward."
Snape smirked and shook his head. "Because, Rodolphus, he's the Water Element and no longer the coward you believed him to be."
Rodolphus's eyes went wide with fright as a gush of water swept him up. His body hit the stone wall with such a force that stones fell and crumbled beneath him. Rodolphus's body slid to the floor, his eyes still open with shock.
Snape slowly bent down to Rodolphus's lifeless body as the walls of water disappeared. The war raged on around them, but Snape allowed himself time to mull over what had just happened. He would rise above everything that he was and become the man that no one ever thought he would be. There would be a time and place during the war that he would prove himself worthy of the Light. He just wasn't quite sure how or when.
Sirius flicked his wand and stood back-to-back with Harry. He was fighting along side of his godson – the son of James and Lily. There was never a prouder time for him. He had failed at the Ministry, just before he had fallen through the Veil. He wanted nothing more than to protect the boy that he knew so very little about. Memories had come to the surface about how he and James had fought along side of one another, not fearing anything. Now it was James's son that pushed fear aside and did what he had to do. Harry would protect the people that he had come to know and love.
"Sirius, where's Isis?" Harry asked, still dueling with a Death Eater.
"I don't know," he replied.
Sirius didn't know where Isis was and feared what would happen to her. She had been in so much pain before she finally pushed him away. The Isis that had stood before him was not the Isis he had fallen in love with. She was a Horcrux and carried a piece of Voldemort deep within her. As much as she tried to bury it, she couldn't. The evil that she had fought so long to contain was slowly rising to the surface. The reason she had been absent from the war was because she didn't want to help the wrong side. She feared, more than anything, she would help Voldemort.
"Oh, dearest cousin, what sadness I see in your eyes."
His eyes flickered from the Death Eater standing before him to the one standing just off to the side. Bellatrix stood there, sneering at the sight before her. She had always enjoyed seeing him in pain and knew that she was reveling at the fact that he was suffering. With one last spell, Sirius sent the Death Eater flying and away from the scene. It gave Bellatrix a chance to saunter over and point her wand directly at his heart.
"Your dearest Isis is nowhere to be found," she said laughing. "Do tell me, Sirius, how it is you became involved with her? She is evil after all."
Not wasting any time, Sirius began the attack. He took several steps away from Harry, making Bellatrix retreat. Spells and counter-spells were thrown. Bellatrix and Sirius were merely repeating the scene at the Ministry. But this time, Sirius smiled to himself, she couldn't push him behind the Veil to win. She would have to complete the dirty work she had been sent to do.
A large explosion erupted throughout the corridor and sent both Sirius and Bellatrix to the floor. Dust and debris covered him as he squinted to see what had happened. Through the cloud of smoke Sirius saw him. The black hood hid his reptilian face. His sneer could still be seen as he gazed at the death and destruction before him. With each step he took, Voldemort grew more powerful. The Darkness was slowly casting itself over Hogwarts just as it had the Ministry and Diagon Alley. Sirius knew they were losing the fight. Voldemort already knew it before he had stepped through the once grand doors of Hogwarts.
Voldemort's black robes flowed around him as he climbed the ever-changing staircases. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and the rest of the DA had come rushing into the corridor at the sound of the explosion. They noticed Voldemort's presence just as Harry had after sending a Death Eater across the corridor.
Sirius was slowly getting to his feet, but noticed Bellatrix's wand off to the side. Bellatrix noticed it as well and scrambled to retrieve it. Sirius dove and plucked it from the rubble it had sat in. Sirius stood once again, both his and her wand pointed at Bellatrix.
"Your master might have just arrived," Sirius began to say, "But the war isn't over yet, Bellatrix."
Bellatrix just smiled and gestured to the sight behind him. "I might beg to differ, Sirius."
Sirius peered over his shoulder to see Harry racing after Voldemort. Hermione and Ginny were both holding back Ron from pursuing their friend. Sirius nearly dropped the wands at the sight, but quickly recovered seeing Bellatrix try to move from his view out of the corner of his eye.
"Harry!" he yelled after him.
Harry was oblivious to everything around him and continued after Voldemort. Sirius knew there would be no reaching him. Harry would be bound and determined to destroy Voldemort, no matter what the cost. His godson was on his own now. The prophecy was about to come true.
"Let me go, Hermione!" Ron shouted, trying to struggle from Hermione's grasp. "I promised Harry that I would be with him!"
"We all did!" Hermione countered. "But it's his fight. Harry knows we're here. He knows we'll do what we can to help him."
Hermione was losing the grip on Ron. There was no way she could let him go after Harry. Harry knew what he had to do in order to defeat Voldemort. It was his fight and his alone. She quickly lost her grip but it was replaced by a strong arm from Remus. Tonks and Remus had moved along side of them, protecting them from the approaching Death Eaters and giants. They had been standing in open sight of their enemies.
There was nothing left. The army that had been prepared for anything at Hogwarts was dwindling down to a very few. Many had already been lost and Hermione grimaced at the sight of death all around them. It was all up to Harry now. There was no one else left.
"Hermione," said a familiar voice.
Hermione glanced up to see Isis walking over the rubble and through the lingering dust. Isis's eyes were nothing like she remembered them to be. She had heard stories of what Voldemort had looked like and she slightly remembered that his eyes were the same color that Isis's were now. It sent shivers up her spine. She wasn't quite sure if she wanted Isis to approach her. Fear filled her but stopped once Isis stepped in front of her. There was something behind the crimson-colored eyes that made Hermione's fears disappear. There was love behind them.
"Hermione," Isis repeated. "It's time to do what you have to do. Retrieve the Heart. You must destroy the final Horcrux."
