Beyond
Never Alone, Book III

Chapter Thirty-Eight – Love Conquers All

Harry felt himself lurch backward, knowing it was Voldemort's way of punishing him without removing himself from Harry's mind. Harry gnashed his teeth as he felt himself finally fall to the ground.

"You're weak."

Harry felt the darkness turn to a numb cold as his worst memories flooded his mind, all the terrible things that had happened to him tearing at him as Voldemort forced his way deep into Harry's thoughts.

Harry awaited the arrival of Pansy. They had now been together for several weeks, and it was somewhat of a tradition to meet one another at the doors for a morning kiss and escort.

But this morning, Pansy had not arrived with her Slytherin escort. Alone, Draco raced toward Harry, out of breath and panicky.

"Where's Pansy?" Harry asked, fear racing through him.

"That's what I've come to tell you! She's missing!" Draco's voice was strained. Not at all it's normal, irritated or hostile self.

"Missing? Has the staff been informed?"

Harry could feel himself tearing, but could do nothing about it. Fighting to prevent his teeth from shredding his tongue, he watched as another memory sped through his already weakened mind.

The trapdoor blew away, flying everywhere into tiny pieces. Pansy screamed.

Adrenaline and panic rippling through him, Harry raced down into the rubble and found Pansy.

Her body was limp and unresponsive. She had cuts and lacerations, some likely from the blast, others from torture.

Tears steamed down Harry's cheek. He couldn't lose her this way. He just couldn't.

"Pansy!" He cried, "Pansy! Speak to me!"

He could hear himself shouting, but he didn't care. He knew it would take so much more than her voice to save him from this...

Harry stood, or rather, floated against the gravestone and screamed his mind into oblivion as the pain wretched itself deeper and deeper into his forehead, Harry was sure he was going to explode when the form of Peter Pettigrew came into the little light that was available.

"Kill the spare!" said a high voice. Wormtail raised his wand toward Krum and shouted,

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

Death, it was the first time he'd remembered it completely. Sure, he'd seen his parents die, but he'd been graced with a lack of memory in that area. He continued to fight, hearing Voldemort scream on occasion, but the Dark Lord did not relent.

Harry felt his heart explode with emotion as he watched the girl who so loyally took the curse for him.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" the streak of green light shot right over the head of Nick Granger, through a small gap in several duelists, it headed straight for him, until a small body cast itself in its path, the spell hitting, crashing elegantly into the chest of...

He heard himself scream her name as he scrambled toward her, tears poured down his cheeks as he watched her fall to the floor in slow motion, her red hair lit against the bright colors of the spells still continuing to fly past them.

Crashing his thoughts into hers, he threw his arms around her to catch her before she hit the ground,

Harry could see her thoughts, a bright and pure light off in the near distance as Ginny stepped toward the veil, giving a small wave and weak smile as she turned away from him,

"I love you, Harry." she whispered as her ghostly form drifted slowly upward into the great Beyond. Harry could feel himself drawn to the very conclusion Ginny had experienced, his heart battling with his mind against the yearning to follow her, to follow her to see what lay on the other side.

As her consciousness concluded, Harry's mind found itself once again taking in the light from the spells flying in ever direction, the light streaking through the room, lighting up her features like the full moon in the darkest time of night. Her eyelids slid closed and her breathing stopped, Harry felt his own breathing cease until his body was racked with torturous sobs.

The warmth in Ginny's body faded away gradually as Harry's tears danced on the surface of her robes, each drop a reminder of her sacrifice.

"Ginny," Harry choked, "I forgive you."

If only he had told her sooner. If only he had told her at all... that it didn't matter...

Harry ran his hand along her soft cheek, crying bitterly as he bent over, kissed her forehead, and laid her down to peace.

He could see flashes of his own mangled body beside Ginny's, their faces both plain and pale, their eyes closed...

Harry looked into the mirror, watched as his reflection gradually morphed into that of Lord Voldemort.

His muscles tautened, he was becoming the very man he sought to destroy...

He felt cool fingers on his forehead, brushing the hair out of his eyes. His body still screamed with pain, but the small hands doing such a seemingly insignificant gesture brought just a little comfort to him.

"Listen to me, Harry." said Hermione faintly in his thoughts as he fought for control of his own mind. "It's not how you are alike, it is how you are not."

Harry held onto her voice with every ounce of remaining strength he had. He smiled, not all was wrong with the world. Though darkness and misery threatened to swallow the world, there was still the small shield of hope, friendship, and love.

Harry began leading Voldemort through his thoughts as Libra had taught him to do. He was far to weak to attempt shutting him out entirely, and realized that if he'd done that from the beginning, he'd not be in the pain he was in now, but he was so, so used to allowing others in that it closing his mind hadn't even occurred to him. A foolish mistake.

Whipping first through feelings and small catches, Harry remembered Ron's caring and lighthearted spirit, his unwavering loyalty as he fought beside his friend and gathered supporters for this doomed mission.

Harry heard Hermione's laugh, her sweet spirit echoing in his mind as he saw her face, the cute way she bit her bottom lip and smiled, the way her tears streamed down her cheeks as a nearly forgotten memory found its way to his forethought.

Hermione looked away briefly, then returned her eyes to Harry's, "I.. I think... I think I'm in love with you."

She lowered her eyes as the impact of what she had said hit her. She was blushing extremely brightly, a lurid shade of red, she couldn't look in his eyes or she'd melt.

Kindly, Harry placed his hand on her cheek and gently turned her head to face his.

"Not all love is unrequited."

Hermione's mouth shot open from the mere shock of his words. Closing the already small gap between them, Harry covered her mouth with his and wrapped his hands around her, feeling her soft hair and smooth back.

Their love for one another, however platonic or not, was a weapon he could sense working its magic on Voldemort as his hold on Harry began to weaken, allowing him to more fully drown himself in the memories he cherished.

Harry walked toward Umbridge's body and pulled their wands from her lose grasp, offering Hermione hers with an open hand.

"We did it." she breathed, tucking her wand behind her ear as he had known Luna to do. Without any thought she threw her arms around him and gave him a quick peck on the lips and smiled.

Her eyes widened, then she cleared her throat, backing away suddenly, nervously brushing herself off.

"As friends." she mumbled, realizing what she'd just done. He nodded as they Blinked back into their Defense teacher's office to see the room in total shambles.

He laughed softly at that occasion. Hermione had reacted instinctively, kissing him in a friendly fashion, forgetting his past discomfort with that sort of action. It was something he'd brushed off to the side, something she seemed to free her mind of instantly. It was something he could never forget, something he'd now be okay with having more of. He was more mature now and understood that not all kisses must be backed with lust.

"I SAID, WHERE IS SHE!?" his voice cracked, he was not about to lose Pansy to this... monster.

Lucius bared his teeth and shot a glowing white spell at Harry. Ginny, out of instinct, jumped in front of him and took the full blast of it.

He heard at least three ribs break. Ginny winced.

So loyal, so courageous. This was the Ginny he'd known. He hadn't known her as well as he now found himself wishing he had, because he'd distanced himself from her to prevent from developing any feelings for her when he was with Pansy.

She was so, so loyal. Her loyalty brought her death today, but, for the first time, rather than feel sad, Harry felt proud, proud that she could be so good a friend, when all he'd done was brush her aside.

"PANSY, WHERE ARE YOU?" Harry screeched.

There was no response. Harry was fast flying toward hysterics, crying and screaming her name repeatedly.

Ginny refused to let Harry wallow in his own sorrow. Taking a firm hand, she gave him a much-needed backhand slap, then took him into a hug.

"Be strong for her, Harry. She needs you."

Harry sobbed into Ginny's shoulder. For some reason, she was always there to comfort him when he needed it. He never understood why.

Of course, he hadn't then, but he knew now. She was in love with him, had always been in love with him till her dying breath.

Libra walked around her defeated opposition and smiled. Throwing herself on Harry, wrapping her legs around his waist for support, she brought herself up to his eye level, kissed his forehead and unstunned him as he fell backward onto an empty seat on the couch.

Harry grunted as his back smashed into the cushions, but allowed himself to kiss Libra's forehead.

"You're lucky you're light," Harry whined playfully, "you could have broken me."

"Well, Daddy, you're just getting to be an old man." she teased, pulling on his cheek affectionately.

"Old man?" he whined, "I'm fifteen! I'm only three years older than you are!"

She chuckled and got up off of him, sauntering over to Nick and taking his hand.

Harry knew Libra's personality was nothing she'd learned from her family at home. Her rough experiences where enough to drive anyone over the edge, to turn someone as bitter and hateful as Lord Voldemort himself, but something had saved her from casting herself over that edge.

Libra was kind and understanding, passionate, both when it came to love and when it came to hate, as she so eloquently exhibited as she'd thrown her brother from the stands for a snide comment he'd made against Pansy and Harry after the maze challenge.

He smiled internally at the hope that he could, perhaps soon, adopt her as his own daughter. And his heart spun wildly when he found her voice joining Hermione's in his thoughts, tearing in happiness despite his pains. Nearly laughing at how giddy this was making him, knowing that it was tearing Voldemort apart, and that'd he not hold on much longer.

On the way to breakfast that morning, Harry's thoughts stay thoroughly focused on their revelation. He had slowed bringing Ron and Hermione to breakfast just long enough to meet Pansy at the doors to the Great Hall.

Ron and Hermione glared ferociously at Pansy and her accompaniment. Harry smiled and walked toward her quietly.

"Need a reminder, Potter?" hissed Malfoy, popping his knuckles menacingly as he pulled his hand into a fist. Pansy walked to Harry in a seductive stroll.

"Watch yourself, Parkinson." shot Ron, drawing his wand.

Pansy looked up into Harry's eyes and wrapped her arm around his neck.

"Oh, I think he remembers." Harry followed suit and wrapped his arms around her, caressing her cheeks as they sneaked down her side and around her waist.

Ron gagged. Hermione's jaw shot open, exposing her abnormally large teeth.

"What the ruddy hell?" said Draco, his mind spinning in every direction.

As Pansy moved her free hand up to his cheek, she pulled Harry closer, ran her fingers through his hair and gave him the most sensual, heat-stopping, animated kiss she could muster.

Ron could barely speak, yet, somehow managed to, perhaps it was his outrage...

"You're kissing a Slytherin?" he fussed, his eyes open wide in terror more than surprise.

"You should try it some time." said Harry, cradling Pansy in his arms. "This one is quite tasty." he whispered into Pansy's ear. She blushed a lurid shade of red, but kept composure,

"I"m taken," she said lucidly, "But they're available." she added, pointing in turn to each of her Slytherin acquaintances. Crabbe, Goyle, and Malfoy's faces all contorted with disgust.

Harry heard himself laugh aloud. Her sense of humour was something he'd always adore. She was always there for him when he needed a smile, a kiss, a hug, things he'd never had the fortune to experience as a younger child, things he hoped to be able to give Libra as she continued her ascent to womanhood. Thoughts of his memory flooded his mind, he could sense Voldemort beginning to pull away, torn between trying to inflict more pain and letting go to relieve his own.

"Then I declare you man and wife." said Dumbledore happily, "You may kiss the bride."

"About time!" Pansy squeaked, earning a knowning smirk from Dumbledore as Harry lifted her veil greedily and crashed his lips upon hers.

She was now Pansy Marie Potter. His lawfully wedded wife and the one thing that mattered more to him than anything in the whole of the universe.

"Harry, we're here for you." the voices of Pansy, Libra, and Hermione all echoed in his mind. Trying as hard as he could to force Voldemort from his mind, Harry spoke calmly through his bloody teeth,

"I feel sorry for you, Tom." his heart soared, his mind filling with pity for the vile creature inside of him, "You will never know love or friendship. And for that, I feel sorry for you."

Speaking in step with him, Pansy and Libra joined in, continuing his words with him as he stood on shakily on his feet, his mind beginning to clear as he could almost make out his surroundings for the first time in what seemed like forever,

"Love is not a weakness, Tom. It is what keeps one going when there is nothing else left. It is the binding force that lets us all gather the courage to say yes we can. Amor omnia vincit. Love conquers all."

The shaking form of Lord Voldemort appeared beside the grates leading into the Ministry, his pained expression instantly replaced by one of loathing and disgust,

"You are a fool, Harry Potter." as he began his words, green flares shot up in several of the grates, Ministry witches and wizards arriving, first Percy Weasley, and several unfamiliar, then, the Minister himself, "And you will lose. Everything."

"He's back!" Fudge breathed as Voldemort vanished, the members of the Order racing into the room, the Death Eaters had clearly gone at the Dark Lord's command.

"No shit, sherlock." Hermione growled, folding her arms in an annoyed huff as Pansy wrapped her arms around her husband, kissing him passionately, desperately. His own love entering the kiss as he deepened it, those once unawares at the Minstry took realization that Harry, ring glistening on his hand as he embraced the love of his life, was happily married, and that the Prophet had missed out on some very, very big news.

A camera flash went off, and Harry knew it was time to break to get some air, turning toward the Minister, he shot him a fierce glare, mentally repeating the words, "You're fired. Get the hell out of your office." Pansy and Libra echoing silent giggles as the Minister stood dumbstruck in the wrecked atrium of the very headquarters of the Ministry of Magic itself.

A/N:
See the Chapter Release schedule on my profile (or in the Forums under "News", there you will also see new information regarding the sequel) to see when each new chapter will release! All remaining chapters to this story will release tonight (OCT 31). The SEQUEL to this story and final part in this series, "Apotheosis", will have its first chapter release at midnight PST, simultaneous with the release of chapter 40 of this story.

As always, I want to hear what you think, please review!