"We have shared the incommunicable experience of war. We have felt, we still feel, the passion of life
to its top.... In our youths, our hearts were touched with fire."

--Oliver Wendell Holmes

November came and with it preparations. Victory never left Hogwarts in the entire month, not even for a day trip. Daily life at the school was getting disturbed by the occasional navy robed wizard who would patrol the halls, entering most of the classes without apology then leave without a word. At the Ministry Benjamin Laud had taken over the job of keeping Fudge out of the Auror affairs all together, a job he thoroughly enjoyed. Dumbledore had sent Arabella Figg, and Mundungus Fletcher to go to Godric's Hallow and keep an eye on things there but mostly to relax. Godric's Hallow had many secrets hidden there, which is why he had trusted the Potters there. Luckily, Severus didn't know anything about it. Sirius Black was coming to Hogwarts for Christmas and he had arrived in early December. Black who seemed to have a natural hatred for Kaiya patrolled the grounds with Hagrid and growled at Kaiya whenever she came into view.

She always growled back.

By the time Christmas came the total body count at Hogwarts was twelve: Kaiya, Remus, Albus, Victory, Harry, Pompfrey, McGonagall, Hagrid, and four rather tense looking Hit Wizards. Ron and Hermione had gone to spend Christmas with the Weasleys. Sirius had gone to the Hallow. The Grand Hall was empty except for the table holding twelve chairs for the guests and loads of presents under the tree. Forgetting for at least a moment what today signified the adults allowed Harry to enjoy himself.

After all, the boy had so little to be happy with.

"Everything's ready Albus," Hawke promised. "And if Severus is smart he'll call this off. He would know there are legions of Hit Wizards waiting at Hogsmeade for my word."

"I think, Ambrosia." Albus said softly. "He's counting on that."
"He's not omnipotent," She defended. "He couldn't have planned for everything."

"Not everything…just what he decided."

The day passed without hitch. Evening had already fallen on the busy day when the Dark Prince removed his pocket watch and checked the time. "Are we ready children?" He asked the people around him. "Good then lets begin."

45 minutes prior.

Sirius Black was leading the drunken chorus with him in an Irish rebel song. Arabella and Fletcher followed along singing just as loudly and just as proud. Godric's Hallow was easily the second largest gathering of the magic community but it had only been made that because of its Harry Potter fame. The pub they were all gathered under was called officially, "Dark Lord's Last Stand." But the people of Godric's simply called it, "Last Stand."

"And that's another reason why…I left ol Skibbereen." Sirius finished dramatically.

"Ah, one more time lads." Shouted someone as they jumped unto the bar. "But this time, with feeling." The Death Eater smiled as the people began to panic. He motioned with one hand to his partners to barricade the doors. "That's right boyos! Let me here you scream!"

"Stupefy!" Shouted Arabella pointing to the nearest Death Eater who in turn grabbed the nearest civilian and used him as a human shield. The Death Eater threw the body at her and then countered with a curse of his own. "Incendio!"

Sirius shouted a Impediment Curse at the two attackers that were charging his way. The head Death Eater narrowly escaped the curse sent his way by Fletcher. He countered, not by attacking Fletcher but by sending a Conjunctivitus Curse at a witch who had panicked and was randomly shouting out curses. Without the use of her eyes, she was cursing everyone and causing even more chaos. The leader got loads of laughter with this and began to use the Imperius Curse to give the witch a little more back up.

Sirius charged at him but the leader spun around and shouted into the air words that froze time.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

Behind him someone shouted. "MORSMORDRE!"

"STUPEFY!"

Sirius was aware of a bright green light that enveloped him before the world faded to black.