Disclaimer: I do not own any of the people or places that belong to the wonderful world of Harry Potter, as they belong to J.K. Rowling. The OC (Katherine) is entirely my own.
Chapter 52: There was a Light
"The Boy Who Lived is finished!"
If Katherine hadn't known the truth, those words would have haunted her until her dying days. She watched as the Dark Lord strode back and forth in front of the castle; the snake arranged around his shoulders, free of her enchanted bubble. Katherine briefly wondered if Severus could hear Voldemort's speech from the shack.
Voldemort began moving forward again, beckoning the followers to continue on with him. Hagrid continued to sob over the boy he held in his arms. The Dark Lord lead them into the courtyard and raised a hand for them to stop just inside the square. The front doors to the school were open and the reddish light of the lanterns spilt out from the entrance hall.
"My Death Eaters outnumber you. Anyone who continues to resist, will be slaughtered, as well as every member of their family. Come out and kneel before me, and you will be forgiven. Join me and you will be spared!"
They waited, silently. The followers had become so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Katherine felt a hand grab a hold of her left hand, making her flinch involuntarily. And as she glanced to the left, she saw Narcissa looking back at her.
"Do you think he's alright Katherine?" Narcissa whispered. "Do you think we'll find him in time?"
"Draco will be fine Cissy," Katherine said, squeezing the elder's hand. "We'll find him."
Suddenly bodies began appearing at the door. Minerva came out first, glaring daggers at the group before noticing Harry's limp body.
"NO!" Minerva's scream was so terrifying that it pierced Katherine's ears, and made her heart fill with pain for the elder witch. Bellatrix cackled gleefully to the Dark Lord's right, relishing in Minerva's despair. At the sound of the professor's scream, more bodies filled the courtyard.
"NO!"
"HARRY!"
Shouts from the remaining golden trio, the Weasley family and the crowd of others echoed out over the sqaure. They screamed and yelled insults and abuse at the Death Eaters.
"Death Eater scum!"
"Filthy bloody murderers!"
"Rot in hell!"
"SILENCE!" Voldemort cried, as he fired a spell out over the crowd, forcing silence upon them. "You see! Harry Potter is dead!" The Death Eaters laughed at the desperate looks on the faces of the staff, students and their families.
"He was nothing, but a boy who relied on others to sacrifice themselves for him!"
"He beat you!" Ron Weasley's voice yelled out. Somehow the charm had broken, and the crowd began screaming again, until a powerful bang extinguished their voices once more. Katherine knew what was happening, the Dark Lord's magic was faltering; he was, to some extent, dying. Hagrid knelt down, and placed the boy's body at the Dark Lord's feet.
"He was killed trying to sneak out of the castle's grounds," Voldemort laughed coldly. "Killed while trying to save himself..."
A body broke away from the crowd and charged towards the Dark Lord, who quickly waved his wand and sent the boy crashing to the ground. The Death Eaters snickered and spat at the boy for his stupidity.
"And who is this student? Katherine?" the Dark Lord hissed, glancing back at the said witch.
"Neville Longbottom, my Lord," Katherine sneered, turning her nose up a little as though she was disgusted by the sight of the boy. "He is the one who has been giving us so much trouble this year."
"He is the son of the Aurors, remember, my Lord?" Bellatrix said, with a delighted laugh.
"I do remember Bella," the Dark Lord smirked down at the youth. "A pureblood, are you not?"
"So what if I am?" Neville shouted boldly, as he struggled to his feet, curling his fist at his sides once standing.
"You show bravery, and come of noble stock. You would make a valuable Death Eater."
"I'll join you when hell freezes over!" Neville shouted. "DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY!" Once again, the Dark Lord's silencing charm broke, and the crowd of survivors cheered loudly from behind the boy.
Voldemort let our an aggravated yell and waved his wand forcefully. Neville became stiff as a board. With another wave, a window shattered and a brown looking sack flew through the air and into Voldemort's hand.
"No more sorting!" the Dark Lord cried. "No more Houses. The shield and colors will be those of my noble ancestor, Salazar Slytherin!" And with that, the Dark Lord forced the Sorting Hat onto Neville's head, slipping it down below his eyes.
"Mr. Longbottom will demonstrate what happens to anyone foolish enough to continue to oppose me," Voldemort shouted, and with a small flick of his wand, the Sorting Hat burst into flames upon the boy's head.
Katherine thought her heart had stopped; she knew that she had to remain rooted, but the screams that the crowd emitted, pierced her heart and soul even more. She couldn't move, or she would give herself away.
Suddenly, an uproar came from beyond the school's boundaries. Several turned to glance out at the grounds, including Lucius, Narcissa and Katherine. What they found caused their eyes to widened in shock. Hundreds of people swarmed the ground, uttering war cries, as they bombarded the castle.
Both groups before shuffling around to prepare for battle. Katherine glanced back to the spot where Harry had been laid, but he wasn't there. His limp body had disappeared.
"Good boy," Katherine muttered softly to herself, as she prepared herself for the oncoming final battle; she hoped.
A glinted of metal caught her eye, and she turned just in time to see Neville slash the silver sword of Gryffindor through the air; and with one single stroke, sliced off the head of the giant snake.
At that moment chaos took over. Centaurs and giants stormed the castle, scattering the Death Eaters just enough for Katherine to make her move.
"GO!" Katherine screamed to Narcissa and Lucius. "GO! Find your son!" She shouted again, as she pushed Narcissa in the direction of the Great Hall. Once the two were gone, Katherine headed off towards the opposite side of the hall. Her main goal, to keep Voldemort occupied until Harry reappeared.
Spells shot all around her. The giants smashed walls and windows, sending debris flying in every direction. Centaurs, lead by Bane, Ronan and Magorian, stampeded through the corridors, their swords and spears blazing.
She moved as quickly as she could, only cursing and hexing down the Dark Lord's followers as she went. A Centaur, with a sword, laid dead before her, and to her right Macnair dueled Professor Sprout.
Macnair's back was to her as he dueled. Quickly, Katherine grabbed the sword of the fallen Centaur, gripping it tightly in her right hand, while her wand was in her left.
She stealthily walked up behind him, and raised the sword. Pomona's eyes widened, and Macnair took noticed, turning just in time to see the sword being swiped through the air. The Death Eater had no chance, as the edge of the blade made contact with his neck, ultimately executing the executioner. Pomona backed away slightly, thinking that she was next, but Katherine only nodded at her and continued on her way into the Great Hall.
The house-elves of Hogwarts swarmed into the hall, waving knives and cleavers, that they used to hack and stab at the ankles and shins of the Death Eaters. Katherine continued firing and blocking spells left and right, all the while scanning the hall for Potter.
She saw Yaxley being taken down by one of the George Weasley and Mr. Jordan, while Dolohov fell with a scream at tiny Filius' hands. Ron and Neville brought down Fenrir to the left of her; while her father stunned Rookwood. Thicknesse was being sent to the floor by Arthur Weasley and one of his sons; and then she saw Lucius and Narcissa running through the crowd, screaming for Draco.
The closer she got to the center of the hall, she found Voldemort dueling Minerva, Horace and Kingsley all at once. The Dark Lord's face warped with hatred as the three dueled him from different points around him.
"NOT MY DAUGHTER YOU BITCH," Katherine heard Molly Weasley scream at Bellatrix. The two flung curse after curse at one another, but Molly wasn't as strong as the dark witch, even with a mother's rage.
"Expelliarmus!" Katherine yelled, waving her wand at Bellatrix. The dark witch was pushed forward as the spell hit her, then turned around in a flash of fury.
"I knew it. TRAITOR!" Bellatrix hissed, as she cast a silent spell towards Katherine, who easily blocked it and threw one back of her own. The duel continued for several more minutes, with Molly throwing in as many spells as she could. But Katherine soon opened a hole to Bellatrix's weakness.
"MOLLY NOW!" Katherine shouted, as she directed her wand towards Bella's chest, as Molly did the same towards the dark witch's back. Bella had been cackling during the whole duel, but froze at the sight of two brilliant green lights coming towards her person; one hitting her chest and the other from behind. The dark witch's eyes rolled back in her head and her body collapsed to the stone floor. The Dark Lord's first lieutenant was no more.
Voldemort let out a ear piercing scream, before sending Minerva, Horace and Kingsley flying backwards, into the crowd. He turned in a flash and pointed his wand at Katherine's person.
"TRAITOR!" he screamed. Katherine threw down the sword, and held the Dark Lord's gaze, as he drew his wand up high.
"Protego!" a voice roared, and a Shield Charm expanded in the middle of the hall. Suddenly out of nowhere, Harry appeared before her.
"Harry?"
"He's alive!"
The yell of shock, the cheers, and screams echoed through the hall around her. The monster and the boy held each other's gaze as they began to circle one another. Katherine stood rooted in her spot, her chin raised, watching Voldemort's every move. A movement to her left, broke her gaze, and she found Narcissa and Draco standing alongside her, with Lucius slightly behind them.
"Cissy, take Draco's and my hand. Don't leave my side," Katherine whispered, as she grasped the elder's hand tightly, while Narcissa took Draco's in her other. Silently and wandlessly cast a large shield charm around them, hoping that it would hold out until the end.
"I don't want anyone else to try to help," Harry shouted. "It's got to be like this. It's got to be me."
"The boy doesn't mean that," Voldemort hissed. "Who are you going to use as a shield today, Potter?"
"No one," Harry sneered. "Your Horcruxes have been destroyed. It's just you and me. Neither can live while the other survives, and one of us is about to leave for good."
"You think it will be you, do you, the boy who has survived by accident, by mistake, and because Dumbledore was pulling the strings?" the Dark Lord jeered.
"Mistake!" Harry said. "It wasn't Dumbledore who made a mistake. I know things you don't know, Tom Riddle. It was you who made a mistake, one from which you didn't learn from."
"You dare..."
"Yes, I dare," Harry continued. "I know lots of important things that you don't. Want to hear some, before you make another mistake?" The two continued to circle each other.
"Is it love, again?" Voldemort hissed. "If it isn't, what will stop you from dying now when I strike? Do you believe that you have magic that I do not?"
"I believe it to be both," said Harry. Suddenly, the Dark Lord began to laugh, a sound that was far more frightening than his screams; almost insane. Katherine quietly tuned out their argument, and focused her mind on Severus. She could feel his mind and she reached hers out to him, but only long enough to make sure he was still at the Shrieking Shack.
"Severus Snape and Katherine Dumbledore were never yours," Harry said, bring Katherine out of her connection and back to the conservation at hand. "Snape was Dumbledore's from the moment you started hunting down my mother. Katherine belonged to her uncle from the very beginning. She took a vow to enter your forces and spy on you from inside the inner circle.
"Snape's Patronus was a doe," said Harry. "The same as my mother's, because he loved her for nearly all of his life, from the time they were children. He had asked you to spare her life, didn't he?"
"He desired her, that was all," Voldemort sneered. "He desired another as well. Didn't he, Katherine. Severus asked for Katherine Dumbledore earlier this year; he asked for her to be his."
"Of course he did," Harry said. "He loved Katherine as well. They married not long after that. Do you know that Tom? Do you know that Snape could also produce a fox patronus, like Katherine." Harry saw Voldemort's nostrils flare, as he glanced at the said witch.
"They were Albus Dumbledore's spies, but Snape didn't know of Katherine's true allegiance. But she knew his. When it came to the Headmaster, Dumbledore was already dying when Snape finished him on the tower," Harry said.
"It matters not!" Voldemort hissed. "I crushed them as I crushed your mother! Oh, it all makes sense Potter. Dumbledore was trying to keep the Elder Wand from me! He intended that Snape should be the true master of the wand! But I got there ahead of you, Potter, didn't I Katherine?" The Dark Lord smirked at the blonde witch. Katherine felt the anger and hatred build up inside her, ready to explode at Voldemort's slightest movement.
"I killed Severus Snape three hours ago, and the Elder Wand is now truly mine! Dumbledore's last plan went wrong!" the Dark Lord sneered.
"Your half right Riddle," Harry said. "But before you try to kill me, I'd advise you to think about what you've done. Try and find some remorse. It's your last chance."
"What do you mean half right?"
"The true master of the wand wasn't Severus Snape. Draco Malfoy was. He disarmed Dumbledore on the tower that night, before Snape finished his order of killing him. Dumbledore was wandless when Snape finished him," Harry explained.
Blank shock showed in Voldemort's face for a moment, but then it was gone.
"Even if you are right Potter," the Dark Lord hissed. "You no longer have the phoenix wand; we duel on skill alone, and after I have killed you, I can attend to Draco Malfoy..."
"You're too late Riddle," Harry said, twitching Draco's hawthorn wand in his hand. "I got there first. I overpowered Draco weeks ago and won his wand."
A bright burst of light suddenly filled the Great Hall, as the sun appeared over the sill of the nearest window. The light temporarily blinded both Voldemort and Harry's faces, as well as Katherine. She heard a high voice shriek then the sound of Harry's yell as well.
"Avada Kedavra!"
"Expelliarmus!"
Golden flames erupted in the circle, blinding the crowd evening more. The spells from both the Dark Lord and Harry collided in the center, then there was pain.
Dropping her wand, Katherine hissed and clutched her left arm. A searing pain shot through her body, one that would put the Crucitus Curse to shame. She fell to her knees and closed her eyes. Her right hand clenched down on her arm; piercing it with her nails.
After a long minute, the pain ceased, and all went silent. Katherine looked up at the spot where Voldemort once stood. His frame lay prone on the floor of the Great Hall. Dead.
The hall erupted in cheers and shouts of joy. People were hugging, laughing and congratulating the 'boy who lived.' But for Katherine, time went into slow motion. She released the grip she had on her left forearm and her eyes widened to what she saw.
Bare skin. Innocent, white, unblemished skin. The Dark Mark was no longer there. It had burned away with the death of the one who had produced it. Katherine closed her eyes to relish in the moment.
She was free.
a/n: YEAH! She's free! There are now only five more chapters to go. It's hard to believe that it is almost over with. Chapter 53 will be up either Wednesday or Thursday night!
A big thank you to sandradee27, gone down, brandon279, Savysnape7, ILuvOdie, Sailor Dreamer95, PresidentTheAwesome, Laurette94, LemonDropsWoolSocks (x2), Furionknight (2x), Dreamer Naos and RequiemWolfenstein87 for their wonderful reviews!
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