83. Embrace
It was time. Harry could no longer stay with the specters of his loved ones. He rose with a certainty of a man taking his final walk. Smiling at each of his dearly departed, he deactivated the power of the stone. Filled with wistfulness he pocketed the stone. Now wasn't a time for comfort. There was madman to defeat and destiny had decided he was fit for the role.
When Harry reached the agreed location, he found himself in the company of a fair many more wizards and witches than he had expected. A collection of the Order's forces were preparing for combat. There was solemnity thick in the air. This was building to be a possible tipping point or even end to the conflict with Tom.
Harry felt his gathered nerves flay more than he would've liked.
"You're standing tall. That is good to see," Luna said as she and the rest of his friends made their way towards him. Her eyes focused on his and he realized that they were dimmer than he was used to, even scanning over his headdress failed to wrestle any joy within her.
If Luna was resigned, then the others were devastated. Under some silent agreement, none spoke of the upcoming affairs.
Harry smiled and nodded his head towards Luna. The pieces of his headdress rang softly against each other. At this juncture it was a fond piece of stability. It reminded him of Teleute, ever so mysterious but reliable. Even now he longed for just one more conversation with her.
His heart was far too fickle and weak. In some ways he felt like that child stuck underneath he cupboards.
"Guys, I need something of you," he said. His eyes bored seriously into each of their own. "Tom has a snake he often cares for. One of you have to kill it, it'll be the last Horcrux."
Neville, Luna, Ron, and Hermione shuddered at the thought, but Ron stepped up, "You got it. That bloody snake isn't going anywhere, we swear."
Harry smiled in relief, "Thank you."
Hermione gripped the bottom of her blouse, "I'm sorry that's… all we can do."
He gripped her shoulder in comfort, "It's more than enough."
The conversation came to an end as Snape had all present gather in the center of the room. Magic swirled dimly and expanded over the whole of the group. Snape tapped the port key with a finality that everyone felt.
Mere seconds after appearing at Tom's castle, everything exploded into lights as violent spells were exchanged by the two forces. Tom had the might of werewolves, giants, vampires, and all manner of other creatures racing towards them.
More magic than Harry ever had seen before was on full display. A part of him languished at the lost opportunity to observe and absorb all the spells at work. Scant minutes since the battle started and already causalities were mounting.
Harry placed all his focus on the compass. It spun rapidly before coming to a stop. It was pointing at the castle, "To the castle!"
The group ran right into the midst of the battle. Ron and Harry shot increasing powerful hexes at incoming enemies from the front. Bodies shook against the hard stone of the castle as they were launched away from the group. Hermione rose shield charms one after another to rebuff spells that came their way. Sweat ran down her brow as she struggled to keep up with the spells coming their way. Luna and Neville worked on easing the burden by assaulting enemies that were behind the group. A mistake in cohesion would have the group entangled in stationary combat. They had to keep moving.
It was like a bloody nightmare. Limbs were torn and reshaped into twisted forms as cries of all different sorts rang into their ears. Still, they had to move on; even as they watched some of their allies fall to never stand up again.
Harry spells grew grander and grander still. By the time they reached the entry of the door, he was levitating near boulder sized rocks at giants and wizards alike. Ron blasted the door wide open as they entered. To buy some time, Luna unleashed a surprisingly lethal stream of flames that left their pursuers in screams. Her countenance was grim and a touch remorseful.
The inside of the castle felt liked a warped version to Hogwarts to Harry's senses. Where Hogwarts felt teasing and mysterious, this places felt hallow, cold and malicious.
Given a bit of reprieve, the group tried to catch their breaths. They didn't come unscathed from their mad dash. Some had limps and others were applying pressures to wounds that were seeping into their clothing.
Harry didn't much mind his wounds, all things considered. They wouldn't hinder him for much longer. The break was cut short when the sounds of battle started converging on the castle. The others heard it and rushed to their feet and began following Harry again. Just like Hogwarts, the whole castle began to shake from the battle raging on.
As they ran up stairs and zipped through corridors, they could make out giants crashing into the sides. Harry was beginning to worry about the foundations of the castle falling through.
The compass' directions led them to a rather nice door in comparison to the other room they passed by. It had the engravings of the Slytherin house, snakes and all. If the situation hadn't been so serious, he would've questioned Tom's obsession with the house motif.
Ron tackled the door open while everyone got their wands ready. The sight inside was unnerving to say the least. Tom's snake was in the process of devouring a man whole. Even with all they had seen that day, the group grew visible ill at the sight.
"You guys take care of this. I'll do my part," Harry said with a grimace.
Hermione turned away and began to wipe her eyes. Ron went to comfort her while Luna hugged herself and Neville nodded in all seriousness.
Harry backed away and briskly left. Harry dipped into his very senses and felt the source of his enemy's magic. Following the trail was of little effort. Tom's magic was stained by his very self-assurance. The magical trail led him to a throne room.
Tom sat at ease on his throne of dark stone, intricately carved with snakes. He wore a self satisfied smile as he inspected the wand he had taken from Dumbledore. It was the closest thing to giddiness ever seen on the man.
"Tom," Harry said.
Tom stopped his inspection and glared at Harry, unpleased from Harry's refusal to use his given name. It reminded him far too much of Dumbledore. "I see you wish you to die."
"You are just like a child," Harry said cutting off his tirade. "Poor little Tom just wanted a place to belong. Is that why you made this poor imitation of Hogwarts? Are you trying to relive the good days? I find it hilarious how utterly alone you are."
Tom slammed his fists on the throne as he jumped to his feet, "You dare, boy! I have a mighty army."
"They are no more your allies than the students and staff of Hogwarts are mine. It's awfully conditional. When you're gone, they may pay lip service, but you'll be brushed aside. People are a fickle lot. Your hollowness won't go away. That's why you feared Dumbledore so much, he saw you for the pitiful child you were."
Tom was visibly restraining his trembling. Never before had the Dark Lord felt so slighted. The light of his eyes swore death upon Harry. It was then that Harry felt the destruction of the snake Horcrux. It brought a vicious smile to his lips, "Thanks to your tantrum, I lost the only family I had left. But don't worry, I'm not angry. Anger is such a hideous thing. I decided to be much more productive, I got even. I killed your precious snake before I came here."
Tom froze and squeezed Dumbledore's wand with such strength that it was a small miracle that it hadn't snapped in two. Harry could briefly see pain flash through Tom's eyes at the news. Some small part of him that could still be called human had cared for that snake as much as he valued its use as a Horcrux. Perhaps he had chosen the snake as a vessel of his Horcrux due to some twisted sense of love.
"You will pay for that, Potter," Tom whispered with deathly intent. He raised the wand in Harry's direction, "Your death will have a special place in my heart."
Harry spread his arms out wide and flashed the same mocking smile that he had seen within Snape's memories, "Do it! Strike me down, Tom Riddle!"
The Killing Curse struck him down.
