*Warning-mention of possible rape*

Sirius and Ginny raced downstairs. They got to the second floor when a spell came towards them. Sirius pushed Ginny away, and turned to face Rodolphus. Ginny hesitated. "Go, Harry needs you."

Ginny hesitated again, then nodded and took off.

Rodolphus and Sirius duelled, throwing snide comments at each other. Rodolphus was a good dueller, unsurprising. Duelling was taught from an early age in families of wealth and prominence.

Sirius cut his upper arm. Rodolphus hissed, clutching it. He glared at Sirius, holding his wand up in his other hand. "Reducto," he yelled.

"Protego." Both Sirius and Rodolphus turned to see Snape had cast a protective spell over Sirius. Rodolphus' spell bounced off, hitting a nearby suit of armour. "So," he sneered at Snape. "After all this time, you show your true colours. Wait till the Dark Lord finds out the truth."

Snape gestured for Sirius to leave. Sirius hesitated, but Harry needed him more than Snape did, so he ran.

"At least my colour isn't yellow. How many years have you hid behind your wife? Even when she was in Azkaban, her name gave you protection, of a sort, "taunted Snape.

This only made Rodolphus more angry. "My wife will be second only to the Dark Lord when he finishes off Potter. Don't forget that, Snape," he growled.

"If the Dark Lord succeeds, Bella will forget YOU in an instant. She would spread her legs for him, or any he asked of her, and you know it," said Snape, as the two traded curses.

"Crucio," yelled Rodolphus with hatred. Snape fell to the ground, twitching in agony. "Don't talk about my wife like that!"

"She's a psychotic whore," cried Snape, feeling the daggers of the Crucio hit his whole body.

"You'll pay for that, Snape," growled Rodolphus. He slashed a Cutting curse across Snape's chest, making him cry out. He desperately hoped that Rodolphus Lestrange wasn't his last sight on this hell on earth he'd found himself in.

His body jerked as a Stinging hex hit his face.

Sirius raced away from Rodolphus Lestrange and Snape, scarcely able to believe that Snape had saved him. Him! After everything, with James, Sirus and Snape, all the years of taunts and pranks, Snape had saved him.

He rounded the corner and froze. Ginny was duelling with Bellatrix. The older witch was stronger, and was getting on top of Ginny who had done well to keep up with her thus far. Bellatrix was crazy, her eyes wide as she mouthed off to Ginny, trying to put her off.

"Going to find Potter. He's probably dead by now," she shrieked.

"Fuck you," cried Ginny, managing to hit her with a Stinging hex. Bellatrix cried out, then laughed manically.

"I've felt pain a lot worse than that, and so will you. Crucio!" cried Bellatrix.

Ginny collapsed on the floor. She had never felt such excrucuating pain.

"No!" yelled Sirius. "Not my daughter, you crazy ass bitch!" He duelled with Bellatrix, which seemed to make Bellatrix even more manic. She shot off spell after spell, not even aiming properly.

Sirius was desperate to end this. Harry needed him, Ginny needed him. He wanted to see Emmy. With those thoughts, he duelled Bellatrix into a corner. Her eyes widened when she realised she was trapped.

"Draconifers," yelled a voice behind him.

Sirius just managed to get out of the way before a huge dragon statue came to life before his very eyes. It flew around above him before swooping down and picking Bellatrix up in it's mouth. She cried out as it flew back up near the roof. It then opened it's large mouth and snappd her in half, eating the top half first. It swooped down and ate the bottom half before it hit the ground.

Neville waved his wand, and it again turned into a statue, although one with a fuller tummy.

"Thanks, that was amazing," gasped Sirius.

Neville stared at him. "She's gone, right. Bellatrix. I just toppled a statue on her husband back there," he turned and pointed, "and now she's gone too. Right?" He asked it almost desperately.

Sirius hugged him, knowing what Bellatrix had done to his parents. "Yeah mate, they're gone. You did it."

Neville almost wept in relief. Only a moan from Ginny roused them. They ran over to her. She was still shaking from the effects of the Cruciatus curse.

"Gin? Gin, love, you all right?" asked Sirius, stroking her cheek and pulling her hair away from her face.

"Need... to get to Harry...it hurts," she said painfully.

They helped her to stand. "Maybe you should go to the hospital wing. Maybe your Mum could fix you up." He misinterpreted the look on her face. "Or Andi, she's there with Poppy. Say, have you seen Tonks?"

Ginny just shook her head. She was about to tell him about Tonks when Voldemort's voice boomed out.

"THE BOY WHO LIVED, HAS COME TO DIE."

Sirius and Ginny looked at each other before he took her hand and they ran to get to Harry before it was too late.

Fenrir Greyback strutted down the halls of Hogwarts. He'd just fed on some old Professor, high up in the North Towers. He'd smelled her fear, ironically drawing him to her. Although he preferred younger meat these days, she'd do for an initial feed. Professor Trelawney stood no chance, and he took his time to devour her. She was almost unrecognisable by the time he'd finished.

He had no idea how long he was up in the tower with her. By the looks of the damage, he'd missed a lot of fighting, a fact that didn't bother him. With any luck, the fighting would have left many weakened, and may be easy pickings for him. His werewolf senses were on high alert, sniffing out any prey, preferably young girls. Now that he'd fed, he was looking for more. Sexual gratification was next on his list, and while he craved a young female, any one would do.

Suddenly a shiver went down his spine. He recognised the scent of another werewolf. Even more, it was one he had sired. A scent he hadn't smelled for many years.

Remus Lupin was close.

Greyback closed his eyes, inhaling again. Lupin was close, bleeding, his adrenaline high. Greyback could almost feel the fast beating of heart. He still remembered the night he'd taken Lupin, as revenge against his father. The boy's cries and fears aroused him, as did most children's cries. Sinking his teeth into Lupin was one of the most satisfying moments in all ways. He'd nearly drunk from him too long, nearly drained him. He'd only just managed to drag himself away, leaving the boy half dead, and his life changed for ever.

Greyback licked his lips, his eyes turning feral. He'd heard Lupin had married; some relation to Malfoy's stuck-up bitch of a wife. He wondered how she'd feel, when her husband returned to her, with Greyback's own semen dripping down his legs.

Greyback picked up his pace. He was fully aroused now, his yellowish fangs clearly visible. His stretched his claws, eager to feel them as they ripped open Lupin's flesh. With any luck, Lupin would submit, accept him because he was his maker. There would be less damage that way. Still, Greyback was so aroused that if Lupin were to fight him, he couldn't guarantee the old werewolf would survive.

Lupin's heart was pumping. Greyback picked up speed. Close, he was so close. He ran around a corner, expecting to find Lupin there, almost waiting for him. Had he too felt the pull between them?

He felt a burning. A feeling he hadn't experienced in many years, ever since he was a newborn werewolf, still learning the rules. Like the silver metal that he must avoid. He stumbled, his vision blurry.

He looked down at his chest. A silver dagger rested in it, and with every breath he inhaled, the silver seeped further into his body. It was agony. He looked up, frowning. He was face to face with Abe Dumbledore, who still had his hand on the hilt of the dagger.

"You'll never hurt another human again, you filthy beast," snarled Abe, and he drove the dagger all the way in.

Greyback grunted, falling back against the wall. With his vision fading, he saw Lupin watching, could even still feel his heart pounding, as his was fading.

Lupin had never felt such fear or anger as the night he'd been bitten. He'd also sensed Greyback's presense ealier and it filled him with disgust. He thought of his unborn child. The feelings of love and the need to protect were all he could think of. His hand twitched and tingled, and then it felt heavy. Remus knew what he had to do.

"Welcome to hell,"snarled Remus, and with the Sword of Gryffindor, he cut Greyback's head off.

Greyback's body jerked, then slid down the wall. Remus wanted to weep with relief, but just then Voldemort's voice boomed out.

"THE BOY WHO LIVED, HAS COME TO DIE!"

"I need to go. Harry and Sirius need me," he rasped.

"Go," nodded Abe. "I'll clean up this mess." He looked down at the dismembered body. "The children of our world will sleep a little bit better tonight." He looked down where Remus had ran. "Now, if only Harry Potter can finish off Voldemort...

Ginny and Sirius arrived just as Voldemort sent his curse toward Harry. Mcgonagall, Emmy and Neville were close behind them. Hestia Jones and Kingsley Shacklebolt ran out too, but it was too late.

Harry fell. So did Voldemort.

"No," screamed Ginny. It was a cry that Neville would never forget. He stopped running, unable to believe Harry was gone.

Ginny ran to Harry's side. "No. No, no, no, no, no. You can' t be gone. Baby, please. Wake up. Harry, don't you leave me. Harry please, don't do this. Harry, please," she begged, leaning over him. She placed her hands on his face, smoothing his hair, crying.

Sirius had stopped running. He watched Ginny run to Harry's side, sobbing. "My boy," he said softly. "I failed you." Slowly he walked over to where Ginny sat on her knees.

Ginny looked up at him, shaking. "Help him. Please," she begged unashamedly.

With tears in his eyes, Sirius slowly shook his head. Ginny bent over Harry's body, rocking as she wept.

Bill and Fleur arrived, as did Charlie and Hermione, who had been notified by Arthur that the battle had begun. Fred and George came down, eyes red. Moody, Dedalus and Elphias Doge walked down the steps of the damaged castle. They stared in horror at the scene in front of them.

Remus came bursting out the front entrance. He pushed past the others, coming to stand next to Emmy. "What is it? What's happened?"

She shook her head in tears. "Harry," was all she could say.

Remus looked over at Sirius standing beside Ginny, who was kneeling over Harry's body. "No," breathed Remus in disbelief. "No!" Emmy turned to him, and they held each other.

Ginny sobbing slowed. She pulled away from him slightly. Never again would he look at her with lust, with fun and mischief. With love. Never again would she feel his touch. She felt like a part of herself had been ripped away.

She stroked his cheek, and adjusted his glasses with shaky hands. "There you go, sweetie."

Sirius knelt down next to her. He put his arm around her and she leaned against him, needing his strength. "He did it for us."

Tears unashamedly ran down Sirius' face. "I know."

They sat there for minutes, Harry's head resting in Ginny's lap as she leaned against Sirius. The only sound in the courtyard was their weeping.

Voldemort stirred. He had no idea what had happened. Where were his minions? Bellatrix, her pathetic excuse for a hushand, Rodolphus and his even weaker brother, Rebastan? Where was Lucius, Greyback? Unreliable, the lot of them. The only one he could rely on was himself.

He pushed himself to his feet. The Potter boy still lay there, with the Weasley girl and his godfather weeping like babies. He smirked. He had done it! He had defeated Harry Potter! He should feel victorious. Instead he felt-empty. Like something was missing.

Harry felt like he was in a fog. He could hear Ginny speaking to him, but it was like she was far away. He needed to be near her, see her, hold her. She was the key. Ginny could guide him back.

He tried to open his eyes. All he saw was red. It took him a minute to realise it was a veil of Ginny's red hair as she leaned over him, crying. She was crying for him. No, he didn't want that. He never wanted to be the reason she cried.

"D-don't c-cry," he stammered, finding it hard to speak. It came out as a rasp.

Ginny shakily drew back. She looked at Harry, wondering if she was hearing things. Had Harry just spoken to her. "H-Harry?" she asked softly.

Harry tried to smile but it came out as a grimace. "Baby."

Ginny sobbed, gathering his head in her arms and hugging him. Her hair almost smothered him, and he coughed, trying to breathe.

"Harry?" asked Sirius, dumbfounded.

Ginny sat up, letting Sirius see Harry for himself. Sirius lay his hand on Harry's cheek, feeling it's warmth. Harry was alive!

The assembled crowd had no idea what was happening. It soon became obvious that Voldemort had survived somehow, yet they had no idea that Harry had too.

Kingsley spoke under his breath. "We need to kill him. It's our only chance."

The word spread. At any opportunity, someone needed to use the Killing Curse on Voldemort. They couldn't help Harry, but they could honour him in this way, by finishing what he had started.

Voldemort soom became aware that Harry had survived too. He became angry. How was this possible? He had taken the necessary steps to ensure his immortality. He had realised that some of them had been discovered and destroyed. But surely not all of them?

He walked over to where Harry lay. Sirius and Ginny looked up fearfully. Harry lay there, staring up at him.

"Maybe you need an incentive to stay dead. Maybe I should kill your love, your godfather, hmm?" mused Voldemort, mockingly.

"Fuck you, Tom," spat Harry. He struggled to get up. "You're mortal now. We've destroyed all your Horcruxes. You may kill me, but you still have to get past all the other wizards and witches here. You won't make it out of here alive," said Harry.

"Oh, I intend to kill you, Potter. Once and for all." He whipped his wand out, pointing it over Harry, Ginny and Sirius.

Harry met Ginny's eyes. She looked at him, eyes blazing with love. She leaned forward, laying her body over his. "As easy as going to sleep," she whispered, laying her head on his heart. He brought his hand up to caress her hair one last time.

Sirius was pissed. Where the bloody hell was Dumbledore? Listening to Harry and Ginny drew the anger from him. He looked over to Emmy, as he lay his body over Ginny and Harry's.

A golden shield erupted over Sirius, Harry and Ginny. Harry and Ginny had their eyes locked on each other, so they didn't see it. Sirius was watching Emmy, and saw her hand come up to cover her mouth in shock. He saw Remus call out something, possibly his name. He waited for the spell to hit.

Voldemort saw the golden shield, a shield of love, of protection. Fools, his dark magic was much more powerful than love. He raised his wand hand.

"AVEDA KEDAVRA," he yelled, putting all his power into it.

The green light left his wand. It hit the shield, riccocheting off and back to Voldemort. It hit him right between the eyes. He fell backwards.

Tom Riddle was no more. Voldemort was dead, killed by his own spell.

The golden shield held for another minute. Slowly, Sirius sat up, followed by Ginny, then Harry. Only then did the shield disappear.

"He did it. Harry did it. He's dead," yelled Neville.

"It's all over," cried Hermione, hugging Charlie.

Kingsley and Moody ran to Voldemort's body. They performed spells on it, confirming death.

"Voldemort is dead!" confirmed Kingsley.

Emmy shrieked and ran to Sirius. Remus did too. Harry and Ginny kissed, before Harry was pulled away. "You did it! You saved us all," they cried.

Harry was pulled away from Sirius and Ginny to celebrate. He looked desperately for them, but the people crowded him, wanting to thank him. He was carried back to the castle.

Remus and Emmy gathered Sirius up. He tried to thank them, but he couldn't speak. He held Emmy tightly, brushing a kiss on her forehead. "Thank you," he said shakily.

"For what?" she asked gently.

"Loving me," he said simply.

Remus clapped him on the shoulder, and they followed everyone back to the castle.

Ginny sat there, still shocked by what had happened. Neville came over to her. "Ginny? All right?" he asked softly.

Ginny sat there as if in a daze. She looked up at Neville, and he helped her stand. "I-I..." She felt herself tear up. "I need to..." She didn't know, and if was too hard to think right now.

"Come on, everyone's going to the Great Hall," said Neville.

Ginny felt ill at everyone celebrating. Her mother and brother had died. Harry had died. She was having a hard time getting over that fact.

"You go. I'll be along soon," she said.

"You sure? Harry will be looking for you," said Neville.

Ginny was numb. Harry had died. He'd walked to face Tom, to die. She'd asked him to wait for her to get back from Hogsmeade, or to take Sirius. He'd done it alone, faced Tom alone.

"I need to be alone," she whispered.

"Not here," said Neville, looking at Tom Riddle's body.

Ginny followed his gaze. "No. Not here. You go, Neville, I'll be fine." She was desperate for him to go. They walked together back to the castle.

They parted ways in the Entrance Hall. "Don't be long," warned Neville, "or I'll come and find you."

Ginny half smiled, but her mind was in a daze. She wandered unseeing through the castle. She hadn't seen her father; didn't know if she was ready to. Her mum, Ron. The guilt was too much.

She found herself on the second is where it had all started for her. To her surprise, the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets was open. Moaning Myrtle was nowhere to be seen. Without giving it another thought, Ginny jumped down the pipe, slipping and sliding. She shot out the end, landing with a thud.

She stood, and convered her mouth and nose with her shirt. The smell was disgusting. The closer she got to the entrance to the Chamber, the stronger it got. Again, the entrance was open, and she clamoured through.

It looked smaller than she remembered. She cautiously made her way through, finally coming to the place she last remembered. She saw the skeleton of the dead Basilisk. Why hadn't Dumbledore had it removed? The place she had spoken to her friend, Tom, who soon revealed his true reason for befriending her. The place where she had woken with Harry kneeling over her. Just like she had knelt over his body just before.

Ginny fell to her knees, exhausted. She curled her body into the fetal position and cried. Cried until she fell asleep.

The word had got out. The wizarding world was celebrating the end of Voldemort. The Weasley's were mourning on the fourth floor. Sirius and Emmy sat watch over Harry, who was in bed in the hospital wing, under the watchful eye of Madame Pomfrey. Remus had returned home to Tonks. Andromeda was busy attending to cuts, bruises and spell damage. Some of the Aurors had arrived and were moving the dead bodies into a unused classroom. There was already talk of the best way to repair the castle.

"Gin...Ginny," moaned Harry, despite having a Calming Draught and Sleepless Potion minutes earlier.

"I'm sure she's with the Weasley's," said Sirius, rubbing his arm. "Go to sleep, son. We'll all be here when you wake up."

Harry nodded. He was dead tired. He was sure there were things he needed to think about, to follow up, but his body and mind were pulling him into the dark abyss of sleep. With a last thought that now he was free to be with Ginny, he let the abyss take him away.