Disclaimer: I do not own anything other than the story line . All rights belong to J.K. Rowling

Chapter Thirty Six: Faith of the Heart

Victor reached for his wand as he swooped around the whomping willow. He blasted yet another troll out of existence, taking out his frustrations on Voldemort's followers.

He let out a cry of triumph as he finished his turn and headed back toward the forest. As he came closer he could make out movement within. He looked around frantically to try and find any of his squadron, but there were none to be found.

Resigning himself to the idea that he was alone, he practically tore a hole in the sky as he bore down on the trees. He had just about gotten there when the first creatures strode out of the tree line. He did a double take upon seeing them. At first he thought they were mounted archers, but upon closer examination he could see that their lower bodies were those of horses, not men on horses.

Realization struck him then, and he let out a whoop of glee as more and more centaurs came striding out of the forest. They immediately started to gallop towards the struggle, bows out and arrows knocked. They moved with complete precision, every step falling together. He envied them their confidence and detail. To be able to coordinate such a large herd to such precise movements truly showed their ability.

He flew off feeling happier than he had for a long time. Maybe it was the fact that the dementors had turned on their masters, but he felt for the first time that not only might he survive, he might just be on the winning side. Things might just turn out alright.

*0*0*

Lupin moved with confidence now. The killing sickened him, but he also found himself reveling in it. That part of him that was held in check by the potion sang to him with every bite. He was sickened to his core, but deep down inside he found that he was loving every minute.

He had found a familiar scent. One that up until a couple of years ago, he had thought no longer existed. Somewhere nearby was his quarry. Somewhere, here on the battlefield, was Wormtail. Oh, how he was going to pay, and he was going to hurt, and hurt badly before he died.

He sped off through the night, not noticing the young witch with bubblegum hair following along at a distance.

*0*0*

Ron looked down at Hermione's face as she slept in the hospital ward. She was so angelic when she slept. She looked like she hadn't a care in the world.

But even so, he would give anything to have her wake up. He missed her so right now. He knew that he should be out there, leading the troops and all, but his heart cried out for this woman so hard that it simply could not be denied.

So he sat there, just watching her sleep. It was all he could do to keep from crawling into the bed with her, right here in the hospital ward.

As he sat there, someone came running in. He looked up, curiosity getting the better of him. He looked straight into the eyes of Lavender Brown.

"Ron," she panted, catching her breath. He gave her a moment to recover. "You-Know-Who's army, it's retreating. The dementors turned on them. Then the centaurs came and started kicking them all over."

Ron absorbed all this information. "Tell the troops that they are to give no quarter to any Death Eaters, but they may, at their discretion, allow any other creatures to leave unmolested."

Lavender nodded once and ran back out of the room. Ron sighed and wished that he could find the strength to continue the fight; but that would take him away from her, and he couldn't find it in himself to do that right now.

*0*0*

Cassandra McNair woke with a start. She was still on the North Tower, but there was a medi-witch working on her. She didn't recognize her, but maybe it was one of the foreigners.

But that didn't matter now. She had to see someone in charge. They had to stop him. He wouldn't stand a chance, and it was all a trap. She cast her head around frantically, causing the medi-witch to try to push her back down.

"No!" she screamed, "I must see someone in charge! I have to tell them!"

Neville came running up to her. "Cassandra, what's wrong?"

"It's Lupin, he's moving into a trap. He's after Peter, and Peter's got a silver hand. I've got to tell someone in charge. They've got to stop him before it's too late."

"Don't worry, we'll get word to Ron." He waved his hands desperately. In short order Willomena Weasley came down and landed on the roof. Cassandra was happy to see that her friend hadn't been hurt when the dragon crashed into them. Apparently others hadn't been so well fortuned.

Willomena took off, swooping down and around towards the medical ward to deliver her terrible message.

*0*0*

Harry was floating there, looking at her with contempt. He disappeared from her view. She sighed and matched him.

He was standing there, outside Voldemort's hiding place. He looked towards where the Dark Lord was hidden and laughed maniacally. Behind him, Ginny started to sing.

She felt the power start to flow through her. It was building to a fever pitch within her. She let it flow into her song, her song for Harry's soul.

It was a wordless song, singing of journeys made together, of her love for him protecting him when he hurt.

Harry paused, a puzzled expression on his face.

She sang of changes in the wind, of nothing being able to stand before them, if they stood together.

He pictured Ginny by his side.

Her song, wordless yet filled with faith, spoke to him as no other could. Her faith was in him, as his faith needed to be in her.

Ginny was there, telling him it wasn't his fault, he had saved her father.

She sang of the search for light shining through the darkness, of a beacon of hope and faith.

Ginny's light shining through, guiding him.

She lifted her voice even higher, reminding him of their dreams of a life together, doing all the things they hoped for.

He and Ginny together watching their children playing in the yard.

Her song wrapped him in gossamer light, to reach and wish upon a star, to be fulfilled together.

Ginny with him, his dreams fulfilled.

She sang of the cold and bitter wind, yet she was there to wrap him in warmth, her faith in him protecting him as a blanket from the cold.

Ginny by his side, giving him hope.

The lilting voice, raising up ever so high, touched the bond on his soul, reminding him of his faith in her. She had never abandoned him, never turned away, even now in the blackest of hours...

His heart beating only for her. His life lived only for her.

She sang at last to remind him to have faith, faith of the heart...

He realized in that moment what he had in her, someone to share his life and his dreams, his hurts and his pains, his world and his everything. In that moment he came back to her, wrapping his arms around her and holding her as the power poured out of her and into him, infusing him in the pure power of love.

As she steadied herself in his arms, he looked down at her. "Are you ready to face our destiny, my love?"

"Yes, Harry, let's."

They strode purposefully into the snake's den.

Author's Note: I made a change to Ginny's song, making it more of an essence than lyrics. I wanted it to be more ethereal, marking her link with Fawkes. I hope that I succeeded. I rather like the way it turned out. I hope you see it too.