(a/n): My first duty as always is to thank my readers and especially --Reviewers--

Ever since I introduced Harnevra, there's been one major theme in reviews. The answer to the Frequently Asked Question is contained herein.

Sorry about Dennis, but not only warriors die in war. Colin's reaction is understandable, his natural target for anger isn't around which would be Ginny. Interesting that people were more upset when Umbridge killed Hedwig. Fascinatingly twisted plot there BJH! For a moment, I considered exploring it.

Amelia bonking Frank with her wand was just a bit of playfulness before the fight.

So here's the final fight. Felt the need to not use the well-used Final Battle title. Lots of FF (including mine) does. Besides, this one will keep you guessing who til it happens.

Pixel's review offered a different take on Susan that no one else (including me) took. But, I'd say you should read it even if you might not agree with it. Before starting, I wish to declare my neutrality in the Miz/Pixel feud. Work it out guys! HAHA


52 – Only One Death

"Infrared, that's what it's called?" said Sharpe "Brilliant! I can see everything."

Moody slapped his underling on the head and scolded him "Silence is as important as vigilance!"

"Piff!" Frank's weapon spoke.

"That's one!" Sharpe announced, much more quietly.


Inside Malfoy Manor the situation went from concern to panic in seconds. Death Eaters felt the loss of Apparation ability as quickly as their enemies outside did. Then, in spite of the most powerful wards known, a window shattered and three voices yelled "AVERY!" as the man who suddenly had two extra, and bloody, holes in his head fell.

"ROWLE!" Fenrir Greyback screamed seconds later as his longtime associate fell in a completely different room. It was precisely the same mortal wound.

The scene was repeated again and again, different rooms. Main floor, second floor, third floor. Male, female all the same. Front of the house, back of the house, didn't matter. Wood, glass, stone, none of it presented a barrier. There was a crack, or a crunch then a dead body hit the floor. As all Death Eaters were fanatical Purebloods, none of them had the slightest clue what was killing them.


Frank's high-powered rifle, with its armor piercing shells (they were too large to be called mere bullets) would go through the front wall, or window in some cases. Then through whatever wall, door, chair, table, or anything else they needed to. Then through one side of a human skull and out the other. Then the shell would more likely than not continue on out the back of the house. And, thanks to his Muggle infrared goggles, Frank could see every inhabitant of the house.

"That one's mine, Frank." Remus half-snarled as his personal nemesis crashed, half transformed, through a side door. The mild, former professor took off at three times the speed of an Olympic athlete. He gave himself to his lycanthropy eagerly, forcing his own partial transformation. His roar, a challenge, which was answered. The werewolves squared off and collided in an animalistic struggle.

Frank's military training enabled him to ignore what he'd never before seen. He returned to ruthlessly shooting Death Eaters. He didn't quite live up to the one shot, one kill motto. He was a marksman, not a professional sniper. But, he did not miss often. In under an hour, he got off forty shots that killed or wounded twenty-eight.


Sirius transformed into Padfoot and charged out after his friend. The canine struggle was fierce and brutal. At first it see-sawed wildly. Remus mistakenly lashed out at the newcomer, catching Padfoot across the jaw. This left his side exposed which got slashed by Greyback.

Remus howled in pain. But, Padfoot recovered and seized Greyback's arm in his jaws. The evil werewolf tossed the Grim off, and not liking the odds, started running. The pair set off in pursuit and ran him down. Padfoot got there first and jumped on Greyback's back. Remus's half-transformed teeth clamped down on his enemy's left ankle. From there, the fight turned into a slaughter and finally, a dismemberment.

When it was done, the pair licked each other's wounds. Any human who dared approach was growled at.


Harnevra entered Malfoy Manor without opposition. Panic reigned as none of Voldemort's followers knew who would be targeted for death next. Or where the blow would fall from. Further, the blended being simply entered their minds and blocked their awareness of the presence of an intruder. It took much less mental energy to do that than to kill and the primary battle lay ahead.


"MASTER!" a terrified Vincent Crabbe Sr. rushed into his Lord's chambers at the top of Malfoy Manor. He bowed and waited nervously for a reply.

When he so deigned, Voldemort asked, contemptuously "What do you want?"

"My Lord! Something is killing us!" he whimpered "We do not know what! Or how! One minute we were carrying out your orders! The next Goyle's head just exploded!" You could almost feel sorry for the man who had just lost someone who was as close to him as his wife.

Voldemort had no such sense of compassion "If you cannot solve it yourself, then you will die." He sneered "And your loss will be small. Why can I not have truly competent servants? Well! What are you still here for? Get out of my sight!"

"MY LORD!" a grievously wounded Lucius Malfoy staggered in cradling a shattered and bloody left arm.


A displeased Amelia scolded her nephew "What did I tell you!"

"You only said I couldn't kill him." Frank countered, in a reasonable tone "Or his little waste of sperm. You didn't say anything about a wound, or two! He'll live --- heh --- maybe."

Amelia's retort was cut off by Auror Sharpe's cry of "MINISTER!" The man tackled his boss and they both crashed to the ground as a green light flashed past.

"This way." Kingsley ordered them in the direction the spell came from. Then he and three Aurors moved off in that direction. A few minutes later two of them returned and Kingsley reported "Alecto Carrow and some unknown. He's dead. I sent Legano and Carter back with Carrow."

Frank, in the meantime had killed two more Death Eaters. "Ten, maybe fifteen left." He commented "Which one's that?"

"Rudolphus Lestrange." answered Sharpe "You might like to know Bella was his wife, Frank."

Frank's smile was one he would never show his wife. The main reason for the head shots was a quick, virtually instant, death. Not for any thought of mercy. But because wizards recovered faster from injury, naturally. And more, were the rapid healing treatments that were available. This one, he could get back to again, later, if time allowed. He aimed fractionally lower and pulled the trigger.

"Did he move?" asked Amelia. She saw the wizard's belly erupt in blood.

Frank was aiming at another target "How 'bout her? Rob?"

"No one I know." Sharpe replied. "Definitely not an Inner Circle."

Frank took a breath, held it, and squeezed the trigger again. This time, a pretty, young black woman died.


Lucius Malfoy lay in his own master bedroom, which was no longer his, too weak to stand even in his lord's presence. He was tended to by his son. Draco was inexpertly, but correctly, using the Episky charm repeatedly to speed his father's healing. It wasn't the best method by any means, but it was all there was at the moment. The MediWitch and two Healers among the remaining Death Eaters were already dead.

"My Lord!" a listless, and largely useless, Crabbe yelled in warning "Potter! AVADA KEDAVRA!"

The spell splashed against Harnevra's body to no effect.

Crabbe had never seen someone survive the killing Curse before. The only thing he could think to do is physically attack his enemy. He charged with both meaty fists raised. He got almost eye to eye, and was in mid-swing, when he just stopped. His body hit the floor.

"Potter?" demanded Voldemort "I cannot believe a mere child could wipe out all my followers. Pathetic as some of them are."

Harnevra's expression matched the Dark Lord's "You face more than Harry Potter." The blended being said "You have stolen his blood and part of Ginny Weasley's soul. We are here to reclaim both. We honor a promise, Malfoy if you want to live – Leave --- NOW!"

"Av--" came from Draco as his wand came around.

Lucius reacted instantly, and cried out the instant he realized he'd used his wounded arm. He slapped his son's hand and the wand clattered across the floor.

"Traitor!" shouted Voldemort "Crucio!"

Harnevra made no direct effort to protect the Malfoys, but a sudden mental blast staggered the Dark Lord and the spell ended before it hardly begun. The Malfoy men abandoned all pretense of dignity and fled.

"Mercy to an enemy, Potter?" asked Voldemort "I would be lying if I said you would live to regret your decision."

Harnevra ignored the taunt and simply lashed out. This time it wasn't a mental jab like the one that saved Lucius and Draco. This one was like what had happened in the Ministry Prison Wing. Even the rebound from Voldemort's shield would have damaged any mind in range. A more Ginny voice said "We did not come to talk, Tom. We came to claim what is mine!"

"You are much more powerful than I gave you credit for." Voldemort replied. Outwardly, he appeared strong. But his shields were rattled and something was wrong internally. His heart had begun pounding in his ears.

Harnevra, of course remembered the talk with Snape. "Problem breathing, Tom." The Ginnyish voice taunted.

"Can't trust anyone with your way of doing things." A Harryish voice added. Then another bolt struck the Dark Lord's mind again.

This time, he shrieked in pain. "Die, then, Potter!" he snarled, pointed his wand and yelled "AVADA KEDAVRA!"

"Nice try, Tom." This time, it was a completely mixed voice "Just not good enough."

Seeing Goyle's curse fail didn't overly alarm Voldemort. But, seeing his own, stopped cold inches before his enemy's skin was another matter. The Dark Lord's ego quailed. And, in a microsecond, his mind wasn't just being struck by single shots. But a continuous stream. It was like the difference between a single gunshot and a machine gun on automatic fire.

"Harry's blood and Ginny's innocence." Harnevra demanded "That is what we came for."

The mental voice was soft in Voldemort's consciousness, but it made itself heard over the massive flood. And, the Dark Lord was not defenseless either. He learned, fast. Though under the circumstances, he had to. He found that the assault was focused at a single point and set his defense to meet it. He was, however, strictly on the defensive. "Some new form of Legilimency." He decided. "Teach me this, Potter and I will give you a place at my side!"

"GINNY WANTS TO BE A LITTLE GIRL AGAIN!" Harnevra roared down the mental connection between them.

And another wave of force slammed into Voldemort's Occlumency shields.

"HARRY WANTS HIS PARENTS BACK!!"

This time Voldemort's defenses nearly crumbled. In the last moments of his life, the Dark Lord found a weakness in the surprisingly powerful assault. He didn't know why he never saw the division in Potter's own shield before, but suddenly it was there like a crack running right down the middle. "If I die, you will go with me!" he gritted out.

"That's fine by us." Harnevra countered, and sent yet another barrage of mental energy.

Voldemort had thought he had expended the last of his strength, but suddenly there was more. He didn't take the time to wonder where it had come from. He just gathered every bit that he had and hurled it against his enemy. Right into the conveniently, almost glowing, crack.

If anyone had been alive in that room, they would have seen and heard both combatants scream and collapse.


"That's just scary, Aunt Ami." said Frank. His heat-sensing telescope was focused on the top floor of Malfoy Manor "The human body isn't made to handle temps like that. Normal appears as high orange or low red. At purple, we're looking at 110." He suddenly jumped away from his rifle as the telescope lens shattered, then the metal melted.

Amelia pulled her nephew to his feet and asked "Are you alright?"

"Yeah" he replied "think so. Well that probably does it for my sharpshooting. Sorry."

Moody slapped his back and guffawed "A thing none of us imagined doing! HAHA! And this one apologizes for it! Well done laddie!"

"I agree, Frank." said Amelia "You saved a lot of lives, today. A lot of lives. HAHAHA! Didn't think you could still blush! HAHAHAHA!"

Kingsley rubbed his chin, thoughtfully then said "I don't think there is any choice. At this point we need to go in."

"Then I'll lead it." Moody said.

Frank nodded "I'm ready."

"And face your mother." Amelia said "Not a chance. Besides, you have done your part, and more. You'll stay out here. Under guard. Sharpe, pick out half a dozen to stay here. The rest of us are going in."

The Senior Auror nodded, and smirked at Frank, "Aye, Minister. Don't worry. I'll make sure to read him a bedtime story and tuck him in with his bot-bot. He's such an angel!"

"Wanna test your wand against my weapon." Frank growled.

Sharpe paled and shook his head, then called out several names.

"You should not be going in like this, Minister." whispered Shacklebolt as they approached the house.

Amelia argued "No, Kingsley. Clearly something dramatic has happened. I must be able to say I was on hand and saw the outcome with my own eyes. For both personal, and political, reasons. Don't worry, I won't go in first."

"Or last." Moody added "I will bring up the rear."

The front door had been penetrated by several of Frank's killing rounds. Two Aurors in the lead crashed through it bodily and entered. Shouts of "CLEAR!" came from the first entrants. There were several bodies, but no one alive in the foyer. The formal dining room was where Draco and Lucius were found. They were taken into custody, without resistance, and removed from the house by three of the invaders.

"You! There!" Moody ordered, then "You three! There!" thus securing the staircase to the second floor.

Other than leaving five more Aurors on each side of the second floor hallway, the invaders made no effort to explore it.

There were still a dozen Aurors each in front and behind Amelia as they entered the third floor. The Minister pointed them in the direction of the master bedroom. The door was open, but no one could be seen from the hall. Wands drawn, two Aurors rushed in, back to back. Then two more. One of the second pair suddenly screamed. A split second later, the woman's head was engulfed by the expanded jaws of a giant snake.

"PETRIFICUS TOTALIS!" Amelia herself yelled.

Snake and victim fell to the floor, unmoving. An Auror with Healer training rushed forward and quickly directed several of them in separating snake from victim.

"This would be Nagini." Moody commented "An Avada might work." Kingsley nodded in agreement.

But, Amelia shook her head "No. I want the body destroyed. I'll Finite. Then I want the both of you to Fiendfyre the thing. And after we leave I want this house burned to the ground. Reduce it to ashes. Then have the ashes collected, and scattered out over the ocean. And I mean scattered. I want a trail from here to The Falklands."

"No pulse." The Auror/Healer announced, examining the closest form.

Amelia sighed "Well, I would say that is indisputably, that!"

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See my cheekie grin? Little joke for Lensmen fans

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"Two others." The Auror/Healer reported "Unconscious. Breathing a little shallow. Heartbeats somewhat erratic. Neither in immediate danger. But we should get them to Hogwarts for proper care as fast as possible.

Amelia nodded her approval to the obvious request and everyone muttered several removal spells. The hundreds of Anti-Apparation and –Portkey spells fell one by one.

"You know, Minister?" Kingsley said "Mr. Malfoy is not going to appreciate the destruction of his 'finest home in the Wizarding World?"

Amelia shrugged and replied "Make sure a reporter or two document its last days. But, regrettably, it was necessary to ensure …blahblahblah. And I suppose this solves the Harnevra issue, doesn't it?"

"One thing, Minister" said Moody "How can we be one hundred percent sure of who won?"

Laughing sourly, she only observed "I think Miss Granger would make a fair Auror, don't you? Time to go. I'll want guards around Hogwarts Hospital Wing around the clock. Bring our ex-Dark Lord's body back … intact … And I want it guarded as well. No one to spend more than a half hour at any one time."


"Wizards and Witches of the press." The Ministry spokesman said "Thank you for coming. I have some information to share at this time. As I am sure all of you know, the great majority of Aurors stationed here at Hogwarts departed at approximately 4:30 this morning. The mission was an unqualified success."

What had become the Hogwarts Press Corps cheered for several minutes. Xenophilis Lovegood managed to speak first "Very good news, sir! Outstanding! Can we get your name for the record?"

"Percival Weasley." He replied, importantly "I am Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, here at Hogwarts and the Special Advisor to the Minister."

There was a scratching of quills against parchment "Seems to me you Weasleys are having an undo influence on our government." One reporter offered "Have you a comment on that?"

"Minister Bones, who led the mission personally, has returned well and unharmed." Percy continued, ignoring the questioner "Our Aurors captured, or killed, essentially every Death Eater at Who-Know-Who's hideout."

Xeno asked "And where was that?"

"I apologize, but at this time that must remain classified." Replied Percy

"You mentioned casualties" another reporter said "What of those to our side?"

"Before this conference, the Minister personally assured me that not one member of our force died." Percy answered "One is in very critical condition. Five others received wounds of varying severity, but are being treated and will recover. And, if my may inject a personal note, here. My sister, Ginevra, who should go down in history as THE hero of the day is currently unconscious. The precise nature of her injury is unclear and her recovery is in doubt."

Luna, standing with her father, spoke up "And what of Harry Potter?"

"It has been a long morning." Percy didn't answer "While uninjured, Minister Bones is rather fatigued. Healers have recommended some rest. If other details are de-classified I will be your source. The Minister will speak, in The Great Hall, to the entire populace at 4PM."

Not one to be ignored, Luna called out again "Many of us are Harry's friends! What of him?"

"Don't ask questions about things that do not concern you, girl." Percy said, coldly "And that will be five points from Ravenclaw."

This time, Mr. Lovegood got into it "My daughter asks a logical question. And if this is your normal classroom behavior, then, sir, I do not believe you to be an acceptable Professor. The Headmistress will be receiving a complaint concerning you."

"Daddy, why don't we just attribute all our information to 'A Ministry Spokeman' Luna suggested "No need to name names."

Xeno gave his daughter an affectionate pat on the back of her neck.

Percy glared at her and walked out of the pressroom.


Awareness came slowly. First, just some vague knowledge of existence. Some timeless period later, a deep sense of loneliness grew. That was joined by a sense of loss. But there was nothing to indicate what had been lost. A dim light appeared far in the distance. And, so began a journey to reach it.


"Good afternoon everyone, thank you for coming!" said Amelia. She stood at a podium in front of the Head Table where the professors sat. Standing beside her were Kingsley Shacklebolt, Arthur Weasley and Sirius Black. "The long siege we have endured is almost at an end. Though I imagine to some it has seemed more like a vacation. We've eaten well, some perhaps too well."

There was a ripple of laughter. Definitely, no one was hungry. They were too curious about the battle.

"But, even the best of food doesn't really make up for the crowded conditions here." She continued "And, we all have lives to get on with. I will go into that later. Right now, let me report on events of the last twelve hours. At 2AM everyone capable of throwing out a Patronus Charm surrounded Malfoy Manor. At 4AM volunteers rushed the Manor and made escape or communication by any magical means impossible. The next stage of the plan was for Aurors under my command to attack the Manor. Accompanying us was my nephew, Frank. His unique combination of awareness of the Wizarding World and Muggle military training enabled us to assault the Manor with no loss of life on our side. While I cannot disclose those details, I would like to acknowledge his bravery."

Frank pecked Paula on the cheek, stood, and waved. He was dressed in purely non-Wizarding attire.

"For those of you who do not know of him, Frank is the son of Joan, who has been teaching Potions to all of your children for this past year." She said "And my brother-in-law, Neil, of Kinnison Butterbeer, which has been one of our most generous suppliers. Some of you might be inclined to disparage Frank because he is a Squib. In my eyes that only makes his contribution all the more heroic."

Frank's ears reddened and he sat down bashfully.

"He's a bit shy." Amelia joked "And, sorry witches, a bit married too. After about an hour of attacking Malfoy Manor from a distance, two people with very personal reasons for wanting Voldemort --- Come on! He's dead! --- Two very special young people. Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley. Under cover of our external assault, were able to enter the Manor and confront Voldemort himself."

"Where are they!" someone yelled out.

Another countered "Why send kids?!"

"At the moment, both are receiving the best of care." Amelia answered "As anyone under the age of forty can testify to! As to why – simply put – it was their job. Perhaps more to the point they felt it was. Harry has been looked upon by all of us as a hero from before he even came to Hogwarts. Where he, himself, would deny having done anything to deserve it. Ginny, on the other hand, felt considerable guilt about her unintentional role in numerous students being petrified five years ago."

One bitter voice bellowed "Maybe if she'd done more I wouldn't've been petrified and my brother wouldn't be dead!"

"Mr. Creevey, all of us grieve with you in your brother's death." Amelia said, carefully "And, of course, you are entirely free to express your opinion. In fact, I encourage you to seek out reporters from all of our publications. With all due respect to your loss, however, you are not the only one to have suffered. I could, surely, point to anyone here and he or she could tell of losing someone they know. Truthfully, there is plenty of blame to go around. That is a discussion for the future. The next task, as I see it, is reestablishing our legitimate government. And then, get our economy moving again. Beyond that, we'll see."


While plans were drawn up and considered, one much-visited corner of the Hospital Wing remained quiet.

For what was the middle of January, it was a very pleasant day. Nearly spring-like. Windows were open, even, for fresh air. Everyone who had been wounded in the raid on Malfoy Manor had been discharged days earlier.

"Think he'll like today's selection?" Tina Bones asked her companion. She handed him a book, and gave a twisted grin.

Fred Weasley looked at the over-large, made for kids, book and shook his head. He lowered it to his side, then used it to slap her on the rear "If that don't wake him, nothing will. HORRORS!" he laughed "You, my dear, are truly wicked."

"EEEP!" she squealed in response to the playful attack. And, just as she entered the Hospital Wing, asked "Do you think it helps?"

Madam Pomfrey overheard them enter, greeted them, and asked "Reading? Healers, Muggle and Magical, have argued about it for centuries. My firm belief is -- absolutely. Personally, I don't think it matters if you are reading Shakespeare, Lockhart, or the Encyclopedia of Potion Ingredients---"

"EWW!!" Fred overacted, and pulled a disgusted expression, causing Tina to giggle.

The Healer slapped him on the shoulder and said "OH! Hush! My point is it's the voice of someone familiar that the patient hears. And will, in most recoveries, respond to. At worst, there is nothing to lose. In this particular case --- well…. We're still in uncharted waters."

"Explain to me why you need to associate with that family, Frederick." Molly Weasley demanded as she saw him enter the privacy screen.

He rolled his eyes and asked "You're gonna carry this onto a kid?"

"Do not backtalk me Frederick Gideon Weasley." She snapped. "You did not answer my question."

Fred shrugged sullenly and countered, in exactly the same way "You did not answer my question, either, Mother. And speaking of Grandpa Gideon, you know he inched Ginny and Hannah Abbott to a bit of a friendship before he died. We get it, you don't like Harry. We got that a long time ago. FINE! But, that has nothing at all to do with Tina. Who'll probably join me and George in The Wheezes someday, probably soon."

"I forbid it!" Molly almost shouted.

"Not your decision, Mother." He shot back.

At the same moment, Tina, behind another privacy screen, was greeting her favorite patient with a hug and a kiss on the cheek "I can't believe you made me do this." She said, sighing dramatically "I told you yesterday I was gonna. It's been two weeks and you've slept quite long enough. But, did you believe me?? NOoooooo! So it comes to this. Your least favorite author, and what's almost definitely your least favorite book. Harry Potter the Boy-Who-Lived by none other than Rita Skeeter."

"I have warned them no arguments!" Madam Pomfrey was complaining. Privacy wards had one hole in them. They were keyed to the Healer on duty. So, while someone in the very next bed wouldn't hear anything, Madam Pomfrey knew immediately that Fred and Molly were quarrelling. She didn't care about who was right or wrong. To her, they both were, mere for arguing.

With not even an eyeblink separating the sound, or the movement, two long-unmoving patients bolted upright in bed and screamed. As one, they looked around the room, uncomprehendingly. Locked eyes. Then laid back down again. An immediate casualty of the outburst was Madam Pomfrey's privacy wards.

"Bloody hell!" Tina cursed "If I'd'a known he was gonna react like that--"

Molly cut her off "Silence child!"

"Bugger yourself!" Tina snapped back angrily.

Fred sniggered at the sight of his mother being told off by someone half her size.

"Miss Bones, go get Mr. Black, your Aunt, and sister." The Head Healer ordered "Mrs. Weasley, go get the members of your family."

Molly refused "I will stay with my daughter. Fred you go."

"You have more than once disrupted my Hospital, woman." Poppy declared "Now, you are definitely leaving. Whether your son stays depends on whether he can keep his mouth shut and let me work. Don't make me call in Aurors. I think Sharpe's on now, and you know how he loves this kind of thing."

The Weasley matriarch had run afoul of that Auror on a few occasions in the past. She complied.

"Actually, Madam Pomfrey, I saw Rob having breakfast with Aunt Ami and Sirius." Tina commented, after the woman had departed.

Poppy shrugged and blandly asked "Don't you have somewhere to be?" That was when Ginny moaned weakly.


"Hey mate!" Ron was first on the scene "Good to have you back. And as you, yet. How ya doing?"

Harry clasped the proffered hand and grinned "Alive….weird, but alive."

"Yeah, well, you never did normal." The redhead replied "Don't wanna be rude or nothing, but, Ginny?"

Harry flicked his head in the direction of the nearby bed "Madam Pomfrey pulled that screen around as soon as she moaned. I dunno. Fred's with them."

"Ron, are you alright?" asked Amelia, as she, Sirius and the rest of the Bones clan entered, accompanied by a dozen Aurors. All armed

Ron nodded "Sure. It's Harry."

"I want to believe so, as well." She replied, distantly, wand out and trained on the young man in the bed "We had an agreement."

Harry nodded and said "I… remember…Sure, come in."

"Legilimens!" Amelia cast. No one else could perceive anything. But, after a minute, she said "There's no trace of Voldemort."

"Probably not totally true." Harry admitted "I can remember things. Things neither me nor Ginny did. They must be his memories, but a lot of it is fuzzy. My brain feels like a jigsaw puzzle in a million pieces."

Susan nodded at her father, who released her hand "What do you remember?"

"Enough, I'm sure the rest will come." He answered, softly "Including a lot of pain I caused someone pretty special."

Sirius had a pleased grin and told his Godson "Good to have you back, kiddo."

"Are Mum and Dad here?" an upset Ron appeared from behind the screen around Ginny's bed and asked.

Harry frowned in concentration, then gasped in pain "She's dying. Help me up!"

"How do you---" Ron began to ask, cut himself off and finished "---Stupid question. Do you think you can help? Please?"

Susan stomped her foot peevishly. She felt jealous and more than a little betrayed.

"You should be in bed, Potter." Madam Pomfrey ordered "And there's nothing you can do."

Harry stumbled around, dizzily, while managing a cold remark "More than you."

"We got him good, Harry." Ginny said, weakly. Her skin was so pale that her freckles stood out brightly. And she had a sickly green tinge.

He nodded and acknowledged "We sure did." He fell into the chair beside her bed and his hand brushed hers.

Everyone in the room saw a momentary clearing of Ginny's face and the deathly pallor appear on Harry.

"Do you think---?" asked Ginny

Harry replied "I'll try." And he clasped her hand, tightly.

They both whimpered in agony.

"Well pull them apart!" Arthur demanded of the dumbstruck group as he walked in, other Weasleys in his wake.

Molly was quite hysterical "HE'S HURTING MY BABY!!"

"Aw …shut up!" Joan ordered and slapped her across the face.

Finally, it was Ginny, with remarkable strength, who tore her hand from Harry's and shouted "NO MORE!!" Harry slumped over and rolled out of the chair onto the stone floor. "Well! Help him up!"

"Ginny, dear, are you alright?" asked Molly.

Somewhat suspiciously, and not quite reaching for her wand, Amelia said "I think I speak for everyone when I ask what just happened?"

"A prime case of Harry being Harry." Ginny replied, nodding at Susan, she added "You understand. Remember him taking a Crucio aimed for you?"

Still angry, the bright red-haired girl snapped "I don't need you to tell me about him!"

"No, you need me to tell you about you." Ginny countered "Right now you're all jealous because Harry rushed over to help me. And, no, I'm not reading your mind. Go back and read your own letter to The Prophet. What all of you just saw was Harry pouring his…uhh…I guess magic will have to do… into me."

"You seem better, Miss Weasley." Poppy offered "Let me examine you."

Ginny shook her head "No. And let me apologize for Harry. He didn't mean to imply you can't do your job. But, you can't help me. What he did was only temporary. Maybe an hour."

"Then you should not have stopped." Molly said.

Ginny's head spun around, and she said "Shut up, Mother. That would've made me no better than Tom! Now, I want to be alone with my family."

"I think I got to know you when I prosecuted Seamus Finnegan." said Amelia "If things had been different … well… If it is of any comfort I will be awarding you the Order of Merlin, First Class."

Ginny grinned, dreamily "I can picture the ceremony. Daddy, you'll accept it, with Mum by your side. Ron, you can have the money."

"Don't want the sodding money!" he growled "I want my sister!"

Ginny ignored the outburst "Get yourself the best goalie broom around." She continued "Too bad you can't play for the Harpies. I'd like to be buried alongside Grandpa Gideon. Oh, and I'd like to see Luna and Neville, too."

"I'll get them here if I have to arrest them, myself." Amelia promised.

Ginny laughed "Think you could anyway? I'd love to see their expressions."


Not long after, and unfortunately before Ginny's request could be met, her face was sickly green again and in minutes, she died. At least she had most of her family around her.


"Now how the hell am I supposed to keep hating her after that?" Susan wanted to know. She had asked to visit with Harry, alone, for a while. The fact he was sleeping wasn't important. She lightly slapped his shoulder and continued the solo conversation "It's your fault, y'know? That she knows me so well. No more running off with ex-girlfriends and killing Dark Lords! You get me? This is where you say 'yes dear' by the way."

Harry stirred, just then, emitted a faint moan and a single tear slid down his face.

Susan wasn't particularly concerned until his face lost all its color. She hadn't seen that since the Hogsmeade attack. It panicked her. She stuck her head out to look for Madam Pomfrey.

"Something, Bones?" asked an emotionless Daphne Greengrass.

Susan was a bit surprised, she didn't count the Slytherin girl among her best friends. A couple years ago, the tone probably would have scared her into meek silence. But there probably wasn't much that could intimidate her anymore. "Looking for Madam Pomfrey." She replied, coolly "Have you seen her?"

"With the Weasleys." answered Daphne. "She just died."

Looking for an excuse not to interrupt that, Susan glanced back at Harry, who was peaceful again. "Seems it can wait." She replied "But tell her to stop by here."

"Will do." was the curt response.

"I imagine there's quite a story to tell. For now, I'm just glad you're alright." She sat back down beside the bed and picked up Harry's hand – laced her fingers between his – then pressed it to her cheek. Harry didn't smile, exactly. But, to Susan, it seemed the suggestion of one. And it was enough for now.