Without even thinking, Harry plunged the cup into the dark waters. He smiled in triumph as he pulled his hand out of the water untouched but soon realized that he had reacted too soon. A slimy hand flew out of the water and grabbed Harry's wrist. The cup clattered to the ground as Harry tries to pry the hand away. More and more bodies emerged from the water and try to pull Harry in. Their blank, emotionless eyes stare at him and their cold hands grabbed at his shaking limbs.
"Let go!" Harry yelled, cursing under his breath. "Diffindo! Stupefy! Reducto!"
The corpses merely glanced at the colored blasts.
Harry was positive that he was done for. The dead hands were surprisingly strong and they soon had him lying on his back, prepared to be dragged into the murky waters.
Then, a blinding light suddenly engulfed the dark cave. Harry felt the hands loosening and immediately jumped up and raised his wand. Harry turned to see Dumbledore standing against the podium and muttering spells under his breath. Harry practically sprinted towards him once he was released from the hands of the corpses.
"Sir! I'm sorry I tried to get your water-"
"It's alright Harry." Dumbledore rasped. "It's my fault for not informing you about the inferni properly. Now I believe it's about time we get home don't you agree?"
"Yes, sir. Did you grab the horcrux?" Harry asked.
"It's in my pocket. Although I do fear that I will require quite a bit of assistance to return home,"
"Don't worry sir. I'll get us home,"
"Oh, I am not worried, Harry. I know you are very capable,"
Harry gave him a small, unsteady smile as he pulled dumbledore's arm to drape over his shoulders. The pair approached the exit to the cave and Harry realized that the blood door had sealed them in. Dumbledore started to reach for his knife but Harry shook his head.
"It's alright sir, I cut my hand on the rocks back there." He explained, pressing his palm to the cave wall.
The wall shook before opening up once again allowing the pair through. They made their way to the edge of the cave where Harry immediately turned to Dumbledore as he realized that they would have to swim to get out of the anti-apparation wards.
"Sir-" Harry said, looking worriedly at his professor.
"I'll be ok Harry," Dumbledore said.
"Are you sure sir?"
"Harry! Just swim please."
"Yes sir."
They lowered themselves into the cold waters and made their way to the rocks. Harry got there first and reached down to pull Dumbledore from the waves.
"Good sir?" Harry asked once both he and Dumbledore were standing on the rocks.
Dumbledore nodded sluggishly.
"Alright sir, I'm going to try and apparate us home if that's ok."
Another nod.
"Ok, here goes," Harry mumbled.
The world spun for a moment and then Harry felt the familiar sensation of being squeezed through a tube. Soon enough, he felt the ground forming underneath him and tightened his hold on Dumbledore's weak form.
"Are you alright sir? I didn't splinch you did I?" Harry asked as soon as they landed.
"You did wonderful Harry," Dumbledore said quietly. "We're in Hogsmeade correct?"
"Yes, sir. I'm going to start heading towards the castle alright? Madame Pomfrey will fix you up in no time."
"Severus," Dumbledore said. "Bring me to Severus."
"Are you sure sir? I think Madame-"
"Please Harry. Severus will know what kind of potion this was."
Harry started moving them toward the castle when suddenly, the silhouette of a woman emerged from the shadows. Harry paused and pulled out his wand as she quickly approached them.
"Your cloak Harry," Dumbledore said. "Put it on."
Harry quickly nodded and swiftly pulled the magical fabric over himself. He reluctantly released his hold on Dumbledore and moved even more into the shadows.
"Rosemerta! My dear is everything alright?" Dumbledore asked.
"Albus! Thank goodness you're back. Have you not seen?" The woman, who Harry could now recognize as Madame Rosmerta, said.
"Seen what?" Dumbledore asked worriedly.
"The dark mark. Above the astronomy tower."
Harry felt his neck snap as he hurriedly turned towards the school that he called home. Sure enough, the deathly green glow was floating above the tallest tower.
"Ginny," Harry whispered under his breath.
"I need brooms Rosmerta." Dumbledore said.
"Multiple?" Rosemerta asked.
"Accio Rosmerta's brooms!" Harry shouted from his spot in the shadows.
He pulled the cloak over his head just in time to grab the two brooms that came flying towards him. Had he not been in such an unsettling predicament, Harry would've laughed at the shocked look on Rosemerta's face.
"Thank you for that Harry," Dumbledore said, his tone surprisingly not at all negative.
Harry swung his leg over the broom and tossed Dumbledore the spare one. They took off into the night with Harry pushing his broom as fast as it could possibly go. He pushed his broom through the window and immediately hopped off.
He could hear the sounds of a fight from below him. Screams of students, spells being shouted across the room and the distant laughter of Bellatrix Lestrange.
He spun around quickly with his wand already raised when he heard a heavy thud on the ground near him but quickly relaxed when he realized it was only Dumbledore.
"Are you ok sir?" Harry asked, turning towards him.
"I'm fine Harry but I need you to go and get Severus."
"Sir, I can't leave you here, come with me-"
Harry was cut off by the sound of footsteps running up the nearby staircase. He turned to Dumbledore with questioning eyes.
"Hide," Dumbledore said.
Harry tried to protest but suddenly, he found himself unable to move. Dumbledore quickly took the cloak from Harry's bag and threw it over Harry's body with a sad smile.
Dumbledore returned to the center of the tower and waited as the footsteps came closer and closer. And when the platinum blond head of hair entered his view, all Harry could think about is what he would do if he wasn't spelled to the spot.
"Draco? What are you doing up here?" Dumbledore asked in a tone that was as light as if he were talking about the weather.
"Expelliaramus!" Draco bellowed.
Harry watched in shock as Dumbledore's wand zoomed over to Draco's outstretched hand.
"And they said I couldn't do. Look at me now old man! You're disarmed and death eaters are taking out your army."
"Impressive if I do say so myself. Although I am still wondering what you are doing up here tonight." Dumbledore mused.
"Are you blind old man?" Draco asked his wand twitching as he stalked closer. "The Dark Lord gave me a mission that he's wanted to be done for a long time and tonight, it gets done."
That was when it clicked in Harry's brain. Draco had been tasked to kill Dumbledore. The necklace was never meant for Katie. Draco had never been stressed about his schoolwork. He had been planning to kill Dumbledore this whole time and no one knew.
"I see," Dumbledore said.
A scream and a growl pierced the quiet tower and made Harry's stomach turn. Draco visibly tensed and his eyes wandered towards the stairs for the briefest moment.
"Your backup seems to be fighting rather hard down there," Dumbledore said.
"They met some of your guards." Draco replied. "They'll join me up here soon."
"Why did you bring them here tonight Draco? There are children here. Your friends are here!"
"They won't hurt the Slytherins. I made sure of that." Draco said quietly.
"I see. But do you not worry about the safety of your other classmates?"
"I didn't want it to be like this. They weren't supposed to come. This is my job." Draco said.
"The necklace wasn't meant for Katie Bell was it?"
Draco stayed silent.
"You don't have to do this Draco. I can give you protection. I can give your mother protection."
Draco laughed bitterly.
"You think that you can hide us from the Dark Lord? You're wrong, old man. You got me into this and now I've got a way to keep them safe so there is no way I'm giving up now."
"He's ruthless Draco. I can help you-"
"No, you can't!" Draco yelled storming closer to him. "No one can help me. I have to do this. Don't you see? I have to do this or he'll kill them. He'll kill all of them."
"Draco-"
"Shut up old man! You're going to die tonight and there's nothing you can do."
"You're not a killer Draco."
"You don't know that. You don't know anything about me. All you ever cared about was your Gryffindor golden boy. Well, guess what headmaster. Slytherin's have lives too and we have families and friends and we care about them. And I for one would like mine to stay alive even for a little bit longer and for that to happen I need to do this."
And Harry couldn't find it in him to truly hate him anymore.
"Then, by all means, Draco. Kill me." Dumbledore said quietly.
And then, from the shadows, Harry saw a shadow emerge. As he came closer, Harry realized just who it was. His mop of greasy hair and hooked nose were unmistakable.
Snape had joined the fight.
"Severus?" Dumbledore asked.
And then the beam of green came. It seemed to move in slow motion has it passed Draco's ear and went straight to Dumbledore's heart. As soon as it hit, Harry could feel his feet begin to loosen their hold on the ground. He rushed over to the body of his fallen mentor with tear blurring his vision.
"Sir?" He whispered quietly no longer caring if Draco knew of his presence.
The headmaster's eyes were closed and his mouth relaxed as if he were simply sleeping but Harry knew better. Tears were spilling down his cheeks as he placed Dumbledore's hands on his torso instead of the awkward position that they were currently in.
"I'm so sorry sir. I should've done better. I should've brought you straight to Snape. Snape!" Harry suddenly realized.
Dumbledore had trusted him. He had told Harry it was nothing to worry about. He had convinced everyone that Snape was on their side.
Harry stood up and looked around. The traitor was nowhere to be found. He stood up and ran down the stairs, past death eaters, professors and even some of the DA who tried calling out to him. He barely spared them a glance. All he could think was that Snape had killed Dumbledore. He had killed the indestructible professor and he wasn't going to get away with it.
He sprinted outside into the warm summer air, where it was remarkably silent. Harry could hear nothing other than the dull thumping of blood pumping in his ear. The trees around him swayed peacefully, unaware that the leader of the light had been slain just moments before. Hagrid's hut stood silently guarding the forest as it always did and the black lake was still minus the occasional ripple caused by the tentacles of something beneath the surface.
But, as Harry looked around in desperation, the serene scene faded into the background for Harry had finally found his target.
"YOU KILLED HIM!" Harry screamed as he ran towards the retreating figures of Draco and Snape. "HE TRUSTED YOU AND YOU MURDERED HIM! YOU KILLED HIM YOU BASTARD!"
Harry whipped out his wand and started casting every spell he could think of at his potions professor. Snape easily blocked the spells and shielded Draco. Then, he skillfully swung his wand around him and cast a wall of fire between him and Harry.
"YOU COWARD! YOU CAN'T EVEN FIGHT ME? YOU CAN'T BEAR TO LOOK INTO MY EYES CAN YOU? You broke your promise, Snape. And don't think she will forgive you for this one!" Harry screamed into the fire, not even sure if the cause of his anger was still listening.
And with that, Harry collapsed on the ground in tears. The fire raged around him and the once peaceful grounds erupted in chaos. One minute Harry was alone, kneeling on the ground pounding his fist into the hot dirt and the next a soothing voice was whispering in his ear.
"Shhhhhhh. Harry, it's ok. You're ok. We're all ok," Ginny's voice said.
She pulled his body next to hers and placed a soft kiss on his cheek, the fire still raging right in front of them. They sat there for a few minutes watching the fire rise and fall steadily before getting up.
"Come one. I don't want to get burned alive because of you and I believe you have a story to tell the guard." Ginny said keeping her voice quiet.
They silently walked towards the castle hand in hand until they got to the infirmary. Harry could hear a commotion from inside and suddenly realized that he knew nothing of the condition of the people that hadn't been in the astronomy tower. He looked towards Ginny with a slight panic in his eye.
"Your parents were home with Dudley and Sophie. Sirius and Remus were fine last I heard and the couple DA members only got minor injuries. But, Harry, that felix felicis you gave us saved our lives." Ginny said.
"What about the professors? The students? The rest of the Order?" Harry asked.
"Everyone's ok. The only person that was seriously hurt was, was Bill." Ginny finished quietly.
"What?" Harry asked, spinning around to fully face Ginny.
"Greyback got him. Luckily he couldn't do too much damage because another death eater pulled him away."
"I'm so sorry Ginny-"
"Stop. None of this was your fault, Harry."
"But Gin, I could've stopped him! I should've been here. I never should've gone with Dumbledore-"
"Harry, calm down. Bill's tough, he's going to be fine. You did what Dumbledore told you to do. Where is he anyway? I'm sure the Order needs to talk to him about this."
"Ginny, I, you don't know?" Harry asked carefully.
"Know what Harry? What happened?"
"Dumbledore, he's, he's dead Gin. That was Draco's plan. He was sent to kill him."
"What?" Ginny said, shaking her head at Harry. "No. No that can't be."
"I was standing right there Ginny. I should've done more. I should've killed Snape-"
"Wait, what does Snape have to-"
"He killed him, Ginny. That's why I was chasing after him. Snape killed Dumbledore."
"Oh, Merlin. That right bastard!" Ginny screamed.
Harry winced as his girlfriend yelled profanities about their old professor. And then grimaced as the door to the infirmary opened and revealed a very confused Remus Lupin.
"Harry? Ginny?" Lupin asked opening the door even more. "Harry, what happened? Have you two seen Dumbledore yet?"
Ginny calmed down enough to look at Harry.
"He's gone, Lupin," Harry said softly.
"What do you mean Harry? Did they take him?"
Harry shook his head.
"Well, where is he? Did he follow them?"
"He's dead Lupin. I'm sorry."
Remus just shook his head.
"Harry. Harry that's not funny! Where is he?" Lupin yelled.
"I told you he's dead!" Harry yelled back. "Snape killed him. His body is in the astronomy tower. Go look if you don't believe me."
Lupin looked dumbfounded for a moment before his face seemed to drop.
"Come on. We've got to go tell the others."
After everyone was informed, things seemed to pass ten times quicker usual. Lily and James, of course, came as soon as they could and tried in vain to get Harry to return home with them. Lily seemed especially teary-eyed when he declined but Harry suspected it was more over the fact that the final strand that was holding her and Snape together had finally broken. Ron and Hermione apologized for not believing Harry sooner and then told him all about the battle that had taken place while he was gone.
Apparently, after Dumbledore died, all the death eaters disappeared within seconds. Neville and Luna were the only other members of the DA to show up and fight and luckily they only suffered minor cuts and bruises. Bill made a full recovery save some scars and an odd craving for raw meat. Sirius had almost destroyed the entire castle when he found out who killed Dumbledore but was restrained by Meg who instead shoved him into a broom closet for what Harry could only assume was a post-battle celebration.
Dumbledore's funeral was held the next week and all students attended even though they weren't required to. He was buried on school grounds. And while Harry was watching the burial with the up most sadness, he felt a spark of happiness as he watched Remus and Tonks sitting together with their fingers intertwined.
Before the funeral, Harry had also gotten the chance to swipe the locket from Dumbledore's pocket. But it seemed to be in vain because the locket was only a fake placed by someone called R.A.B. When Harry told Hermione and Ron, they vowed to find the real one, even if that meant going on the run, so as not to let Dumbledore's death be for nothing. No one else knew what the trio was going to do.
Harry approached Ginny after the funeral and not for the reason she initially thought. Harry asked her to do the one thing that he wouldn't be able to do while he was gone, protect his siblings. Ginny agreed quickly.
So looking out at the scene in front of him, everything seemed to be falling into place but, Harry knew that nothing would be the same.
~The End~
A/N-I am actually almost crying right now guys. I can't believe that my story is finally finished. I mean of course there will be a sequel but this is my first full-length novel and it's done. I'm just at a loss for words. Thank you guys so much for all of the continued support even through the tough times. I wouldn't have been able to finish or even start this project if it wasn't for you guys. I mean it's been almost two years and for some reason, you guys are still here! I don't know what I would do if I didn't have such amazing fans and supporters and even critics. Thank you so so much.
I am also so so excited to finally announce the real reason that I haven't been as active on this account recently. Of course, it was no lie that my school work always comes first but I was also working on a new project for you guys. I am excited to announce that I am currently 10,000 words into an original romance that I will be publishing on Wattpad! It's not nearly done yet and I won't be publishing the first chapter until it is but I would love if you guys would give me just as much support over there as you did on here! My username on Wattpad is ThatMatchie and I give a bit more information about myself away on that site if you guys want to check it out.
And for the news that everyone is waiting for. The sequel to this will happen I promise. I just think I have to take a break and work on something different for a while. How would you like to see a little short story (like less than 10 chapters) about another fandom? I'm thinking either Now You See Me, High School Musical or Riverdale, however, I am open to other suggestions as well! Let me know in a review. And of course I will be working on rewriting this and writing WBCHB when I do feel nspired enough. Anyway, I love you guys so so much and I promise to get that sequel going right after my little Harry Potter detox.
Thanks again and see you soon,
-Marauderette24
