Author's Note:
The fact that the last chapter had a wonderful moment with Hagrid and Rolf in Newt's suitcase and it happened to be posted just after news of Robbie Coltrane's untimely passing as highly coincidental and I guess my way of saying goodbye to an amazing actor. He will be missed. RIP Robbie Coltrane RIP.
This last chapter had an insane amount of reviews and I am extremely grateful for every last one of them. Thank you! I love you all, 14,000!
THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who reached out to send me some kind words and thoughts. I really appreciate it. I'm really good at ignoring the haters (as there's usually one or two every chapter) but sometimes even the best of us aren't immune to harsh words. Thank you to everyone who took the time to send my a tumblr message or to leave a review on here thanking and supporting my writing of this world. Thank you!
Updating one day early since so many people have asked! Thank you!
Reviews and Comments: To BadWolfKris: Thank you! To TatiRena: Thank you so much! I agree, those Cobra Chickens are assholes and seeing them whack Tom over the head is an amazing image. Thank you for the kind words. Thank you. To Khanate: Thank you! To Hellpony: Thank you! I really loved showing it come back full circle with Ron and Harry facing a mountain troll together. Thanks for reading almost from the beginning. Thank you! To 19HuffleClaws: Thank you for the support and hello Australia! To AQuickRead91: Thank you! Only if I kill off Bas will there be emotional damage? Ha, we shall see. Thank you for all of the support! To briana_t: Thank you! I love that you're on the edge of the seat! That's a lot of people not to kill, but sorry, no promises! Thanks for loving Harry's Patronus expanding. It was so important to me and I've been trying to find the right time to emphasize that. I hope you like Voldemort's duel (I'm really proud of it). The bit with Hagrid and Rolf was oddly ironic the chapter lined up with Robbie's death. Thank you! To Arcanis: Thank you very much! I'm glad you're enjoying my take on the characters and I love how worried people are about who will survive! Thank you! To shuweet: Thank you! I'm glad you loved the part with Rossi and with Ginny's pride in Harry. As to Bas being dead, well you must wait to find out! Thank you for agreeing on Hinny being soulmates, I like to show how much they are clearly meant for each other. I really appreciate the love! Thank you! To abhinav_india_16: Thank you and quoting Twister Sister made me smile. I really appreciate the support. I don't plan on stopping posting, but I am losing motivation to write the next part of the story. I will do what I can to bring that motivation back. LMAO, "please don't stop posting and continued with the third part because it would kill half of the population of the world not to know the third part (other half will be comatose)" wow, that's a grossly over-exaggeration but thank you! Thank you very much!
To pottermum: Thanks for loving Ron's bit with the troll and for loving Harry's added Patronus. Showing Rolf in Newt's case was so much fun! Thank you! To Obsiidiian: Thank you for following this story for over two and half years, that means so much to me! Thank you very much! To free_bee: Thanks for squealing at the geese. It was so fun to write them in there! Rolf definitely still has no idea who Luna is, but he admires her. We'll see the Slytherin boys soon. Thank you! To AmericanDesi: Thank you for saying that words cannot describe how amazing everything is, that's a huge compliment! As to Auror Arsehole, I can't promise anything. I don't think they were stereotyped. I just used common phrases I use. I think it's very stereotypical with the whole "a boot" bit, but that's just me. Thank you! To Favestories: Thank you for your kind support and for loving my imagery and the way I've woven so many characters together. Thank you. To LadyRava: Please don't die from the tension. Thank you! To : It was recommended on a discord server? Very cool. Thank you for saying you couldn't put it down. Thank you for saying that original characters "are phenomenally written and do not feel at all pushed into a place they don't belong. I love them, I feel their pain, I cheer for them." Thank you so much! I'm glad you think the battle is fantastic so far and that I have you on the edge of your seat! Thank you! To PurpleLotus: Thank you!
To Endinium: Thank you for the support! I know there's a lot of people who love and support me, but sometimes the haters do get my attention more than I would like. I really appreciate the support. Thanks for loving how I'm taking my time with each character, I want to show what they are going through. You don't think I will kill Bas? No Rolf and Luna just yet. He is a bit in awe of her. Hinny are the power couple and their love transcends everything. Thank you! To Sabeth_Ravenwing: I agree, no two love stories are the same. There are no rules with soulmates. Thank you for loving my story because of "the different flavours of love. It keeps it spicy and interesting." Thank you! To hebuwu: Thank you! To GryffindorHealer: Thanks for liking the pacing, the timing, and shifting of POVS. It's fun to write. Yes, cobra chicken and yes, Umbitch! Thanks for liking my throwback to the Philosopher's Stone and for Ron remembering not every duelling spell needs to be a curse. Thank you! To AnaGPotter: Thank you! I'm glad you think the battle is turning out great! I hope you like the conclusion! To reginaphalange: Thank you! I'm sorry that you nearly cried in the Theobas scene. Harry and Ginny do perfectly understand each other. Thank you!
To wildstyle_101: Writing is hard to do so thank you! I'm glad I'm keeping you on the edge of your seats. I'm glad you're worried about Auror Arsehole, Remus, Tonks, Misha, Harry… I hope there are some surprises to come. Thank you very much! To AnAvidReader: Wow! Thanks for reading this story twice through! I hope you like how it ends! Thank you! To katelyn453: Thank you! Yes, Theo and Bas are soulmates. No, Finn called Theo his soul, but they were never soulmates. He knew the difference between what he saw with Harry and Ginny and what he had with Theo. Thank you! To kyciona: I can't believe it's almost over either, thank you! You're worried about Bas? Well, we'll have to see. Thank you! To AngelOfHisLove: Thank you for being angry for me. I agree, it seems a huge waste of someone's time to spread hate. Thank you for your support. Thank you for loving my story and I hope you do go and read The First Time Around when ASC is done. You will definitely have time before The Third Time's the Charm comes out as so far other than random scenes, only chapter one is officially complete. Thank you! To the Manadalorian terminator: Robbie Coltrane definitely embodied the character of Hagrid and he will be missed. Thanks for loving my use of Twisted Sister on repeat while the battle is taking place. I'm glad you enjoyed the Remus and Tonks scene. I really wanted to reveal Umbridge as a Death Eater and having her go up against Ginny, who is the one who tricked her which is what sent her to prison. Thank you!
To skyboundforlife: I understand that emotions can sometimes get the best of us. As to Hinny's Patronuses, they are not matching canon, but that does not deter me from believing they are soulmates in canon either. Thank you for loving ASC. To Spike's Number One Pet: I'm sorry that Bas had you sobbing and thanks for being so proud of all of our light characters for how they've pulled together. Thank you for saying that I'm an amazing writer. Thank you! To ThisIsMegz: Thank you for saying you didn't want the chapter to end! As to the timing of Harry's fourth Patronus, it will be discussed later on. Thank you for kind words. You have been part of this story from the beginning and I appreciate that more than I can possibly express. It's amazing to me that back in the beginning I was lucky enough to have two or three reviews a chapter and now, I'm over 14,000 reviews. That is amazing! Thank you very much for taking time to re-read it over the years. Thank you! To alix33: Thank you! To Sunny JS: Yes, the action is back! Thanks for loving the dream sequence with Sirius and enjoying seeing Harry kick some ass. Yes, we will have to see if Harry loses his magic or not. As to a dream sequence with Harry and his parents, no, sorry, I didn't write that. Thank you! To Redmatter91: Yes, so many armies and so many skirmishes in one huge battle. Thank you for saying the action is awesome. Thank you! To Bluerain22: Thank you for saying it's so "entertaining, nail-biting, edge of my seat." That's what I want to hear! Thanks for loving Ron's part. Writing the Canadian geese was just fun and yes, oh no, Bas. Thank you very much for saying this is an awesome fic! To Katie2001: I will gladly take "holy hell." Thank you!
To Guest: Thanks for not wanting the chapter to end and for enjoying the different perspectives of the battle. Thank you! To cath: Ha, once you regain your coherent thinking abilities lol. Thank you! To The Geordie bookworm: Theo is strong and if Bas dies, he will get through it. Thank you! To apham: Yes, more suspension! Thank you! To scrappy8: Thank you! Some chapter is definitely a compliment! Thank you! To Read and Fly: Thank you for saying this story is awesome. I'm completely honoured that I've inspired you to write! Thank you for saying I've created "a beautiful, exciting, and wicked AU of a wonderful story." Rolf having Newt's suitcase was so fun to write. I loved having Voldemort stumble over being able to pass the front door. Thank you! To A Huge Fan: Thank you! I love writing different couples and I love showing their different love stories. Theo and Sebastian, too. But Hinny will always be my number one. I love showing how they've grown and changed and how their love has deepened. Thank you for claiming my "character development is masterful." I'm glad you found the battle to be epic and that you're freaking out over Bas. I like leaving people on their toes. Thank you! To Nightwing2013: Thank you! That means it sounds like I'm writing it correctly if you can visualize it in that way. Thank you for noticing and liking King's reaction to Harry's Patronus, I felt it was important to call it back to the first time. Yes, is Baxter scouting his A1 partner? Good pick up (he might be 😉). It was fun to use the Amethyst Inferno again and I wouldn't say it was contained quickly, it did cover a large section of the castle. We will see more of the Slytherins in this chapter. Thank you!
To Cassiopeia Anastasia Black: I will 100% continue this story (as it's been complete for over a month now). It's the next story that's making me nervous (as I only have chapter one officially complete). Thank you for loving my Hinny and I agree, they do complete each other. Yes, having Remus react to Greyback threatening Teddy was fun to write and then having Volk take him out just felt right in my mind. I loved having Harry's Patronus reflect Ginny and showing Kingsley that it was him who destroyed the Dementors all of those years ago and not Sirius. Yes, Rossi and Bellarosa are definitely fun to write. You don't think Theo and Bas can end like that? Well, we will have to see. As to if Lavender is a vampire now? We will have to see what happens. I loved having Rolf show Hagrid the case because no one else would appreciate it more. Thanks for finding the geese terrifying. Using the dragons was fun, but I agree, controlling them is difficult and takes a certain hand. Having Umbridge return brings it back full circle. Thank you for saying my switching of POVs "manages to concisely and perfectly go between people to show all the aspects of battle and give everyone's thoughts about what is happening." I thought Ron and Baxter made a pretty good team. Thanks for finding the Twister Sister lyrics perfection. Thanks for loving my idea of the Dumbledore brothers building the tunnel (I thought it made more sense, too). I love the long review. Thank you so much for your kind words and support. I love reading the excitement of people reading my chapters. I am proud. Thank you very much! To zorica: Thank you very much! To the frozen flame: I love showing that Ron can be a badass. Yes, not knowing who is dead is what's fun for me lol. Yes, Bas was about to say I love you. Thanks for finding the moment heart-wrenching and well done. We will catch up with Draco and Blaise in this chapter. Thank you! To Padfoot777: Thanks for loving all of my characters and their relationships. I appreciate you. Thank you! To minerdude: Wow! Hard to believe I've written 2.5 million words more than the original lol. Thank you very much!
To Undead Gothic Princess: Thank you. I agree, soulmates have so many layers and every one is unique and different. I loved making Theo and Sebastian soulmates because I have been showing this connection from the moment Sebastian was introduced. Thank you very much! To BlueHen223: Thanks for loving the callback moment with the troll from the Philosopher's Stone, it was so iconic and I wanted to bring it back full circle, to show that seven years ago, Ron saved Harry and Hermione from a troll and now here he is, saving Harry again. Thanks for loving my introduction of the Canadian Geese. I agree, matching Patronuses are not the only sign of a soulmate. I'm glad you found me in the middle of the pandemic and that I was able to hook you in. Thank you so much and I love that you go back and reread some of your favourite chapters. That means so much to me! Thank you! To akshutalankar: It is kind of my style to do something with Theo and Bas in the middle of the battle, isn't it? Thank you! To Stilly24: Thank you! I really hope I do write the third part as I have been excited about it. Yes, a stallion. Thank you! To Slaidback: Thank you for saying it was epic and giving claps. Thank you! To saucyswimmer: I'm glad the matching penguins melted your heart, it was meant to. I agree, the bond between Hinny has been forged through years. Thank you. Yeah, no, for sure is an important part of my lingo too. I say it way more than I realize lol and same with the hockey lingo. Rossi is a badass. The rock music was from Sirius. Thank you for saying it's amazing how I'm "bringing all of the threads together." I'm trying my best. Thank you! To riddermark: Thank you for saying I've crafted an amazing story. I'm honoured that you would read anything I decide to write. Thanks for recommending me to others! Thank you!
To jlo: Thank you for loving all of the POVs in the chapter and the music. Knowing that people are reading it and seeing it like a movie is a huge compliment. I would never ask someone to stop reading if they want too. I post for free for all to read and for all to leave thoughts on. Criticism is welcomed, hate is not. I'm glad you think the story is beyond great but the thing about soulmates is that there is no definitive proof they exist and it's what we make them out to be. Thank you. To Sirenstrong0617: Thank you very much! I'm glad people love my side characters so much. I'm glad you cued up the soundtrack while reading! Thank you! To Derpdude32: I'm glad I kept your heart racing. Thank you very much! To Levs23: Thank you! I think the wait will be worth it, personally. I'm sorry I've ruined other fics for you, but I agree, Theo should never be the bad guy. I'm glad you love him and Bas. Thank you for being obsessed. Thank you! To GODMISHA: Thank you very much! I'm glad you love the Hagrid and Rolf scene. Yes, Bas. We'll have to see if he lives or dies. Thanks for three reviews! To : Thank you! To Stringnut: Thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying the action. I appreciate the kind words. Thank you. To Jimbo: Thanks for being part of ASC for over one hundred chapters. Thank you very much! To pix25: Nope, Nagini hasn't strayed too far from Voldemort since they've arrived. Thank you! To EnigmaticEmperor: Thank you! I wanted to showcase what each character was up to (to some degree, obviously I can't show everyone). I'm glad you found the Cobra Chickens both funny and lethal. I wanted them to just annoy Voldemort. Charlie riding a dragon was too awesome to pass up. Having Ron return with an oldie on the troll was perfect in my opinion. I love Harry and Ron fighting back to back. Yes, Ron and Baxter definitely got along. As to Colin, it does make sense. There's no where he would rather be. Thank you for saying the "Merman rising from the depths of the Black Lake and throwing spears is such a cinematic moment." Thank you for saying I paint scenes into your mind, what an amazing compliment. Rossi is strong and yes, he's willing to put the woman he loves behind bars if necessary. Yes, I wanted Greyback and Remus to face off but for Volk to kill him. Yes, Voldemort seeing the Dementors disintegrating, he was worried. Thank you!
To NixGray: Thank you for saying the battle has been everything you've waited for. Yes, people are doing to die and yes, Bas might be included in that. You'll have to keep reading to find out. Thank you for loving the world I've expanded. To samashhh: I hope the deaths are unexpected myself, but we'll have to wait and see. Thank you very much! Writing this has taken a lot of time, effort, and tears to do so. I can't believe it's almost over. Thank you! To Nuno Neves: Thank you! I'm glad you liked the teamwork between Ron and Baxter. Neville saving Lavender showed his strength. It was fun to check in with Hermione, Seamus, and Dean as well. I'm glad you loved the Remus and Tonks reunion. Harry and Ginny want to be by each other's sides no matter what happens. Theo has suffered a lot already. Thank you very much! To SunshineSazy: Thank you for saying this was brilliantly done! To Disney1098: I'm glad people are nervous, I really want to keep people on the edge of their seats. Thank you! To Sets: For the most part, I don't care what people think, but everyone has their low days and it only takes one person to say something to knock someone down. Thanks for loving the stallion addition. Thank you! To Cassie: Thank you for saying I'm an amazing author. I'm glad you're enjoying it so much. As to Bas, you will have to keep reading to find out. Thank you! To KingRajesh: Thank you very much! I love that you reread ASC and the second time around kept you more interested in the Bellarosa/Rossi/Blaise/Belladonna storyline, it's fun when that happens. Thank you! I agree, Greyback's death was deserved. Thank you!
To ellyann13: Thank you very much! Ron doesn't do wandless magic no, not more than the basics from class. Yes, Fiadh is there. Thank you! To Areaderfromindia: Thanks for reading and ha, yes it is bad luck to catch up just on the cliffhanger endings lol. Thanks for reading! To ascfan: Is Sebastian dead? You will have to wait and see. Thank you! To puttyman24: Thank you! I'm glad you loved the Hagrid and Rolf moment and yes, poor Bas. You will have to wait to see if he is dead or alive. Thank you! To Ember Darla: Thank you for being a fan of my work for so long. It sometimes amazes me that people have been reading since I first started posting on SIYE way back in 2006. That's amazing. Thank you for your support. To Everyonesgranny: Thank you and I do hope to continue with part three. As to Sebastian surviving, we will have to see. Theo is strong. No matter what happens, he will be all right. Thank you! To Cristina: Thanks for finding the chapter intense and I'm so glad you loved the action with the different POVs. I loved showing a united front to bring Voldemort down. Thanks for saying you visualized the whole battle. I'm glad I kept you on the edge of your seat. Did Bas just faint? You will have to wait and see. I'm happy to hear I've made you worry about Seamus and Dean as well. Thanks for finding the Remus and Tonks moment beautiful. Thanks for saying it's a "genius idea to play Twisted Sister." I agree, Voldemort is a conceited git. Thanks for loving the Canadian geese and Charlie on the dragon and Harry's new addition to his Patronus. Thank you so much for your kind words and I love knowing that my story can help someone. Thank you very much! To TripleTheCheese: Yes, it's all coming to a head! I'm glad you're worried about so many characters. Thanks for loving the Rolf and Hagrid scene, it was fun to write and extra special that it happened to post the week of Robbie's death. Thank you!
To PsychoSedona: Thank you very much for your thoughts. I agree, there is concrete proof of soulmates. I don't believe I have the biggest or most consistent fanbase, thank you. I really do want to write the third story and I appreciate the support. Thank you for saying that "people are so invested in ASC and you have made it so real in their minds that actually feel very real and very heavy emotions over it. Never in my life did I think a fanfiction could have such an impact. You are very impressive and you are doing awesome and you will be just fine." Thank you very much! To StarryNights: Ha, that's okay, I still read it lol. I do think the stallion is very Harry and I like the idea that he grows into it a little. As to Bas dying before he and Theo can confess their feelings, we will have to see. Thank you! To LeahJonesHP: Thank you for finding the stallion a beautiful addition. Well, they are not identical, but one is stallion and one is a mare. Thank you! To AnyayLilka-Torril: Thank you for giving me the honour of the first ever review you've left on a fanfiction. Thanks for liking the deeper look I've taken into the world of HP and the OC's I've created. I'm honoured that you crave more. Thank you! To Guest: Thank you very much! I'm glad the stallion addition made you a bit emotional. It was meant to. Thank you! To Lance Kumazuki: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the music and I agree, it is a quintessential song for this battle. As to Voldemort, I'm very happy with how he ends, so I hope others like it as well. Thank you very much! To The Booknerds: You are the first person to comment with "did you just kill off Bas without letting him profess his love?" so thank you for noticing that moment. I'm glad you love my writing style and depth of plot. I'm happy the geese made you laugh. Thank you! To Dtjordan: Wow! Thanks for starting this series back in May and for finally catching up! Thank you very much for your kind words and yes, there will be 360 chapters in total. I think it will end the second week of January unless I double post any time between then and now. Thank you very much!
To Nan001: Thank you! As to if I killed Sebastian Kane, you will have to wait. I promise if Bas is dead, you will survive it. Thank you! To vaulted sky: Thank you so much! I love that you've gone back to the beginning to revisit the story. Thanks for loving my original characters and my expansion of the potter verse. Thanks for saying "it's so exciting to have the story building to such a crescendo now." Thank you! To bananapancake: Thank you for liking the chapter. There is no definitive this is the only proof that makes people soulmates. Thank you. To marauders_mowopapr: Only breaking a few hearts and as to what Lily said to Harry, we will see. Thank you! To SweetPhrogJezus: Thank you! To Mackie919: Ha, I'm so glad the cobra chickens made you laugh so much! Thank you! To marauders_mowopapr: It is a very long HP fic, though I don't think it's the longest? Theo is strong and he can handle anything, including losing Bas. Yes, we will see Lockhart (but not yet). No, I will still be posting only once a week except for The First Time Around which is being posted three times a week so that it ends in twelve weeks time along with ASC. Thank you! To Mutt N Feathers: Thank you! Holy Toledo made me laugh! To Saz J: You caught up! What happened to Bas? Well, read on and find out. Thank you so much!
To Bellmel: Writing a whole action chapter is very difficult and takes me twenty times longer than writing anything else. Thank you for calling it masterful. I love showing the different POVs because it does add to the chaos an the enormity of the event and to me, makes it seem more real. Thank you for saying "the opening scene with the archers and the Canadian geese and the dragons was such a great scene to start the chapter and set the tone." It's exactly what I was going for. Harry is very focused. He's terrified for those he loves, but he knows that this is the moment he has to trust in them as much as they are trusting in him. He's focused and trying to stay that way which means he's not rushing out to protect his friends like he usually would and that level of trust between him and his friends is very important. I'm glad you're loving Rossi and his dedication to his job despite his feelings for Bellarosa. Ron definitely deserves kudos for handling the troll. Yes, the fourth Patronus shows the growth of Harry's power. I'm sorry this chapter caused you high anxiety levels whenever Fred, Remus, or Tonks were mentioned lol. As to Sebastian, well, we will have to wait and see. Thank you as always for such a beautifully written review!
To Gigi87: Thank you for confirming that "if anyone is second guessing the viciousness of Canadian geese they clearly haven't encountered one." This is very true! I don't know if Seamus understood the hockey reference or not lol. I'm glad the partnership between Harry and Ron has you excited to see them as Aurors. Yes, they are organized and putting the Death Eaters in cages and taking away their wands. As to the Quaffle Ginny has, wait and see 😉. Yes, Colin is recording the battle with his camera (as expected) but yes, he does have his wand with him as well. Yes, Mandy, Anthony and Tracy were getting the students there safely before joining the battle. Yes, Rossi is charmed by Bellarosa but not fooled by it. Voldemort is one hundred percent like an overgrown child throwing a tantrum. He can't believe he's being mocked and no, he doesn't care about who dies while he tries to get to Harry. As to Lavender and the bite, we will have to see. You think Sebastian is dead? Yes, Madam Pomfrey and her team are there to help where needed but no one can portkeyed to St Mungo's until the wards are removed. I love that you have anxiety over what is to come! Thanks for loving Ginny using the Bat Bogey hex on Umbitch. Yes, her ankle is broken, but she is fighting through the pain of it. She's not going to leave Harry's side. Thank you so much for saying my "battle so far has been written beautifully and has me on the edge of my seat." Thank you very much!
My posting schedule: Weekly.
Thanks to Dusk for her amazing editing skills.
As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!
Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!
CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY-EIGHT:
The One With Operation Kill the Sodding Bastard
Zee was working with her fellow magizoologists to hold back the army that was coming out of the Forbidden Forest. The sound of Twisted Sister still singing from every direction made her lips curve and she felt, with every lyric and beat of the drum, as if Sirius was standing beside her, fighting by her side.
No!
We're not gonna take it!
Oh no, we ain't gonna take it!
We're not gonna take it, anymore!
It really was the perfect addition to the battle they'd all been waiting for. This was what the last seven years of build up had finally come to.
The Canadian Magizoologists were using the so-called Cobra Chickens like a weapon. The geese used their beaks to peck and attack Death Eaters left and right. While the geese were doing their job, Ouellette and St Louis each had a wand in their hand, duelling quickly and efficiently on the ground.
Bura Visnjic and her two newest recruits, Anya and Roberta, had managed to get the Centaurs to join the fray as they attempted to stop the army from coming out of the Forbidden Forest. The giants were one thing to deal with, but when the Acromantulas had started to come out, Zee had felt fear tingle over her. She'd never actually seen one before and she had to admit, they were bloody terrifying.
She looked up when a huge Welsh Green landed next to her, making the ground tremble as she looked over at Charlie.
"We have the castle surrounded," he told her. "The only way out is through the Forbidden Forest and we both know that's not a trip most people will choose to take. We're guarding the entrance anyway."
Zee nodded, her eyes on the approaching Acromantulas. "Any clue on how to take out giant spiders?"
"Not unless you can get under them," Charlie said.
Zee shuddered. That's precisely what she was afraid of.
She watched Charlie take the dragon back up into the air and she brushed her hand over Lady Godiva's head.
"Come on, Lady G… we need to make sure those spiders don't get anywhere near the castle."
Lady Godiva looked like she wanted to be anywhere else, but she stayed beside Zee as they moved forward. The long pincers of the Acromantula scratched and stabbed as they fought back but with the help of Abioye and Zhang, they were able to incapacitate them and get them to the ground. When Hagrid appeared, he was more helpful than they expected in talking them down.
Between Hagrid and Oliphant, they not only talked them down but somehow convinced them to return to the forest. Zee was relieved to see them turn around and head into the trees. But that was only one creature down, they still had to deal with the mouth of hell that was happening on the castle grounds.
Purple fire sprang up from one of the courtyards, spiking out of the roof of the castle. Screams were heard from inside and the sound of something exploding shook the ground. A giant roared in the distance as a long tentacle from the Giant Squid wrapped around the leg of the giant and yanked him off of his feet. Merpeople used spears on trolls and flaming arrows flew through the air.
No!
We're not gonna take it!
No, we ain't gonna take it!
We're not gonna take it, anymore!
"Take that, you barmy git!" Fred yelled from over her head, dropping something on a nearby Death Eater that turned him bright pink and covered him in what looked like paralyzing volcanic ash.
Zee felt the cold of the Dementors before she saw them. She tried to make her own Patronus, but the overpowering sense of dread that washed over her, immobilized her. She wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly missing Sirius more than she could bear when without warning, the entire Black Lake was glowing in bright silver-blue light.
Zee blinked at the light and her eyes widened at the sight of Harry's Patronus galloping across the surface and through the fog. The large stag took the lead with the dog on its heels. The wolf soared after them, it's huge paws catching up in no time before a large stallion with a long mane joined them. She blinked in surprise as she watched the stallion stand alongside of Harry's three animals.
Her eyes scanned the shore until she saw Harry about thirty metres away, holding hands with Ginny. When a mare appeared from Ginny's wand to join Harry's animals, Zee suddenly knew that the stallion belonged to her son.
"Did he just make a fourth animal in his Patronus?" Misha demanded from nearby.
Zee turned her gaze to meet her father's. "I think he did. Papa, is that even possible?"
Misha scratched his chin. "His power has finally come together, Zahira. It's possible and it's extremely rare. On your left, dochka!"
Zee turned to greet the enemy, but Lady Godiva was faster, tearing into the man's leg and taking him down. He screamed and his mask fell off. Zee recognized him as one of the escaped prisoners from Azkaban.
Misha took care of him, putting him into a magical cage that vanished before her eyes. They turned to see a large thestral land next to them and Zee smiled as Luna sat atop of it.
"He's coming down from the castle," Luna said. "The snake is behind him and I think Ron is following."
Misha nodded. "That means a lot of his followers will be left alone in the castle. Dochka, will you be all right out here?"
"I'll be fine, Papa. Go! Help where you can."
Misha took off towards the castle as a second explosion shook the school.
Zee turned to where Harry was near the lake and started to make her way down towards her son. If Voldemort was heading towards Harry, she planned on making sure that she was there to help him.
There was no way that she was going to leave her boy alone.
~ ASC ~
Theo was pissed off.
No, he was ten degrees past pissed off.
He was livid.
Sebastian was bleeding out on the ground, dying if not already dead, and he'd been forced to jump away from him to fight off Rabastan Bloody Lestrange. He saw Emergency Healers run towards him and levitate his boyfriend onto a stretcher, but he wasn't able to know more because Lestrange was in his path.
"Come on, Nott, you're not crying over another dead boyfriend, are you?" Lestrange taunted. "Don't you know that we'll just keep taking them out. Anyone you dare to love, their blood will be on your hands."
"You son of a bitch!" Theo exclaimed, slashing his sword against the spell and sending it back towards Lestrange.
Rabastan laughed. "Your father was right. You are nothing but a worthless piece of shit not worthy of the Nott name. This is for him. Crucio!"
Theo screamed as the spell hit him and he hit the ground, his body bending and twisting in pain. When the spell let up, he took a second to gasp for breath before he gripped his sword in both hands and swung it at Rabastan's ankles, taking off a foot in one clean stroke.
Lestrange's scream echoed over the grounds.
No!
We're not gonna take it!
No, we ain't gonna take it!
We're not gonna take it, anymore!
"Take that!" Theo exclaimed as he jumped to his feet.
Lestrange bit his lip. "I hope he dies," he hissed.
Theo pressed his sword into Lestrange's shoulder. "I hope the same for you."
Someone huge tackled him to the ground and he grunted as his breath was stolen from him. His breath came out in a loud whoosh as he looked up into the face of Goyle in surprise.
"Goyle, what the fuck?"
Before Goyle could answer, a red spark hit the ground near Theo's head and he winced. Goyle rolled him before he pulled him to his feet. When Theo looked over, Lestrange was dead and part of the stone from the courtyard had collapsed where Theo had just been standing. His eyes widened.
"Wow!"
When he turned and came face to face with Selwyn Senior, he swallowed.
"There's the whiny brat," Wendall Selwyn declared. "I promised Thaddeus I would take care of you if he couldn't."
Theo raised his sword. "I'm not the one who killed my father."
"No," Selwyn said, his lips curving. "That was Malfoy, but you still played a part in ruining his life. If you want to suck cock, he wouldn't have stopped you, but a real man knows to keep that a secret if you're going to carry on the pureblood name. I told Thad I would teach you a lesson."
"Oh? And how are you going to do that?" Theo taunted.
Selwyn licked his lips. "I was going to start with killing your boyfriend, but it seems that's already been taken care of. So instead, I'll stop you from looking so pretty."
The first cut sliced down his cheek from the corner of his eye and Theo blinked back blood before he swung his sword to hit the spell that came at him.
Selwyn grimaced. "You think you're a big man, don't you, Nott? Too good for the likes of those you belong with? Too good to be a pureblood?"
"Not too good," Theo spat. "But that much better. Flippendo!"
Selwyn went flying and sailed back into the wall, flipping over the stone bench. His head was bleeding when he stood up and when he made a sword appear from the end of his wand, he licked his lips.
"I'm going to gut you like you deserve for abandoning your true family. I'm going to gut you like the traitor you are."
Theo tightened his grip on his own sword as it clanged against Selwyn's magical one.
"I'd like to see you try."
The sound of their swords clashing was all he could hear over the boom of the music and the battle sounds around them. Theo knocked him back again and again and when Selwyn's blade drew blood on his arm, he twisted and sank his blade deep into the old man's gut.
Blood dribbled from his lips as his eyes widened in shock. Theo twisted the blade.
"How does it feel to know that a man who loves cock was the one to push a phallic shaped weapon inside of you? Take that, you homophobic dickwad!"
Then he pulled the weapon out and watched Selwyn collapse to the ground just as Goyle ducked to avoid the spell sent at him by Crabbe.
No, Theo thought, this was far from over.
~ ASC ~
The last person that Greg had thought he would end up fighting against was Vincent Crabbe. But in all honesty, it made sense.
Crabbe had been his only real friend throughout Hogwarts and even then, he wouldn't exactly have called it a friendship. They more or less were always thrust together since neither of them had anyone else. But after everything that happened with the Dark Lord and with Pansy, Crabbe was the last person that Greg wanted to fight.
"Stop, you tosser!" Greg exclaimed, knocking back the spell that Crabbe sent towards him.
"Stop? Seriously?" Crabbe demanded. "In case you didn't notice, Goyle, we're in the middle of a bloody war!"
"And you chose the wrong side," Greg shot back.
Crabbe looked stupefied by this. Greg rolled his eyes and before Crabbe could raise his wand again, he used his fist to knock him straight out. Crabbe's eyes rolled as he stumbled back and landed flat on his arse.
"Nice punch," Theo exclaimed from behind him.
Greg turned to look at where Theo was brandishing the bloody sword. "You, too."
Theo wiped the bloody sword on his trousers. "Tie him up. He's a moron, but he's not exactly evil."
Greg nodded and did as Theo instructed as a tall black man covered in white tattoos came towards them. The man waved his wand and Crabbe was thrust into some sort of golden cage before he vanished before their eyes.
"Durant," Theo said, reaching for the man's hands. "The healers took Bas. He took a curse for me and there was so much blood — too much blood — and he…"
The man he called Durant gripped his shoulders tightly. "Keep your chin up, Theo, K's a lot tougher than he looks. Come on!"
Greg looked between Theo and Durant in question before he followed them out onto the grounds and deeper into the fray.
~ ASC ~
Blaise had no idea what the hell he was doing here. If he was honest with himself, he also had no idea what the hell he was doing, period.
He had to admit, Potter's idea had merit. He knew that he probably could convince his mother to bring to heel some big old python. His mother might be a tad mad, but she did love him. He knew that.
But the python was already on the heels of the Dark Lord and slithering through the castle on a mission. He hardly needed his mother to help get the snake to the castle. It was already bloody here.
It was why when he saw her standing by a rowboat just under the bridge, drenched from head to toe, he wasn't able to stop himself from running towards her. Her mascara was streaked down her face and her hair was plastered to her head, but as always, she looked incredible, like a model doing a photoshoot. It was the curse of his mother, to always look perfect.
After all, he'd inherited her good genes in that sense.
He hurried down the grass towards her, his eyes on the massively huge rock on her finger that seemed to glow in the semidarkness.
"Mamma!"
Bellarosa's head shot up and she ran across the ground to throw herself into his arms. "Oh, Blaise! Oh, mio tesoro!"
The moment his arms came around her, she let out a startled sob that surprised him. Blaise held her tightly, cradling her in his arms.
"Oh, Blaise! Oh, you've grown so much! Look at you, you're a man now! Such a handsome man, mio tesoro!" She framed his face with her hands as she looked up at him. "I am so thankful that you're alive, Blaise. So thankful."
"And you?"
Bellarosa's eyes darkened. "I was tricked."
"Tricked?" Blaise said in disbelief. "Tricked into what exactly? Joining the Dark Lord's mad crusade? Because we both know that's a lie. You chose that life."
"For survival," Bellarosa shot back. "But no, I meant… Emilio."
"Ah, yes," Blaise said. "Where is my newest stepdad? Or did he die somehow tragically already?"
"No, caro ragazzo, he tricked me! My Emilio isn't…"
"Isn't what?" Blaise asked.
Bellarosa gripped his hand in hers. "He's a spy! He works for the MIA."
Blaise snorted. "The one that you were shagging behind the last one's back? He was a spy the whole bloody time?"
"Sì," Bellarosa said, holding her hand out to show him the huge engagement ring with matching wedding band. "And this is a trap! If I try to run, he'll be able to track me. I can't take it off."
Blaise laughed. He couldn't help it. It felt like for the first time in his life, his mother had finally been outmanoeuvred by someone and he found it incredibly satisfying on so many levels.
Bellarosa frowned at his laughter. "Are you mocking me, Blaise Antonio?"
"Sì, Mamma. It seems your games have finally caught up to you."
Bellarosa's frown deepened. "I cannot believe you would talk to your mamma this way!"
"Sì, you can," Blaise said. "Because it's exactly how you raised me. Now come on, we're supposed to find the Dark Lord's snake. I saw it slithering after him."
"Signore Obscuro's snake never leaves his side," Bellarosa insisted as Blaise dragged her away from the Black Lake. "Emilio said the same thing. He only lets Crouch and Bellatrix touch it. Why do we need to touch his snake?"
"How come everything you say is dirty?" Blaise demanded. "I don't want to touch his snake — ew, let's never say that again — we need to kill it."
"Why?"
"I don't know the details," Blaise told her. "But I do know that we need to help Weasley or Longbottom get to it."
"Why?"
"I said I don't know, woman!" Blaise shot back. "Now, let's go!"
He grabbed his mother's hand and dragged her towards the castle.
He honestly had no idea what he was going to do next.
~ ASC ~
The sound of music coming out of the castle was enough to stop Draco in his tracks. Not only had he never really heard Muggle rock music before, but the lyrics definitely made him snort in surprise.
They were taunting the Dark Lord and Draco thought it was one hell of a fuck you.
He came in with Blaise, Greg, Astoria, and Daphne, but it hadn't taken long for Blaise to take off in hopes of finding his mother. Greg had taken off too, deciding to go with Atwell and the other Aurors. It left Draco alone with Daphne and Astoria and he had no idea what he wanted to do with them. The only thing he knew for sure was that he couldn't leave them alone.
This was proven when they came face to face with Walden Macnair.
"Well," Macnair said, his eyes falling on Daphne. "If it isn't my stepmother-to-be."
Daphne stuck her tongue out at him. "That's right, so you better behave or I'll have to tell your daddy on you."
Macnair growled and flicked his wand towards Astoria. Draco made to jump in front of her, but Astoria was faster, knocking Macnair backwards and into the wall.
"Show some respect," Astoria spat.
Draco couldn't help but smile at that as he held his own wand over Macnair. Two more masked figures came into view and Draco could no longer afford to worry about the Greengrass sisters. When he shot his first spell towards them, a wave of adrenaline washed over him and for the first time in two years, he felt a sense of freedom.
This was where he was supposed to be.
This was what he was meant to be doing.
And he'd never felt freer with those thoughts in mind.
~ ASC ~
The sight of Voldemort coming towards him was enough to stop Harry in his tracks. The fact that Nagini was slithering after him only reminded him that none of his friends had yet to find or destroy the snake yet. The last Horcrux was still very much alive and still very much stopping him from taking out Voldemort.
He clutched his wand tighter in his hands, his eyes on the gleaming red ones as he approached him.
"Potter," he hissed. "Done hiding?"
Harry licked his bottom lip. "I wasn't hiding. I've been here the whole time dealing with your bloody minions."
The stag, wolf, dog, and stallion surrounded him. Voldemort's eyes flickered to the decimated Dementors as the music sang out at them again, the song playing on a constant loop over and over again.
We've got the right to choose it!
There ain't no way we're LOSING!
This is our life, this is our HOME!
We'll fight the powers that be just!
Don't pick our destiny 'cause!
You don't know us, you don't belong!
"You think you're smart," Voldemort hissed. "You think that my army cannot defeat something as trite and childish as this? It's parlour tricks and nothing more."
The dragon soared overhead, setting fire to a patch of ground where two trolls were banging their clubs on the ground. Witches and wizards scampered away in time as the trolls went down.
Harry glanced over at them, gesturing towards Voldemort to look at where his army was surrounded. "Maybe. But it's not as easy as you thought it was going to be either. We're not going to take anymore from you."
Voldemort sneered. "Your taunting is nothing more than an attempt to make me angry. And trust me, you don't want to see me lose my temper, Potter."
"No," Harry said. "Probably not, but for the record, you don't want to see me lose mine either."
Voldemort's nostrils flared. "Avada Kedavra!"
Harry dived out of the way of the spell, his wand in his hand.
Voldemort snickered. "Hiding, Potter? Afraid that I might be right? Afraid that the great Lord Voldemort will finally defeat you once and for all?"
"No," Harry said, catching sight of Ron crawling along the grass on his belly behind Voldemort. "But I think that's exactly what you're afraid of."
"The world you are trying to protect is not worth it," Voldemort insisted. "Bow down to me, Potter. Join me. Together we could be unstoppable. Together, we could rule the world."
"We both know that's a lie. The moment my back is turned, you'd try to take me out," Harry said. "And the last thing I would ever want is to rule the world. It sounds like one big bloody headache to me."
Voldemort sneered. "Good. It means I won't regret killing you. Do you remember Belladonna?"
Harry pivoted half a second too late as the beautiful blonde stepped out of Voldemort's shadow. Belladonna spun a gold string out of her wand, ensnaring Harry in a golden circle before he could react. He raised his wand to send a shield out and it spun back on him, making his eyes widen in disbelief.
Voldemort's thin lips curved. "Oh, yes. You won't be getting out of here alive, Potter, and I will become even more powerful than I already am."
"My Lord!" Nagini hissed.
Harry watched as Voldemort spun around just in time for Ron to slice Nagini in two. Blood splattered Voldemort's robes as the snake collapsed in two pieces; green smoke rose up from within the snake, the smoke snarled like the last words of the snake before the smoke evaporated into the air.
"Avada Kedavra!"
Ron rolled out of the way just in time, splashing into the Black Lake.
Voldemort's eyes narrowed at Harry. "Your friend will pay for that. But first, let me show you what I can do."
Voldemort flicked his wand and the golden circle rose up around Harry like a cyclone, runic symbols etching in gold around him, flashing like a moving picture. Harry felt his magic pull and he swallowed.
This was definitely not a good sign.
~ ASC ~
Ron sprinted out of the castle after Voldemort and Nagini. He was trying to keep a low profile as he wondered how the hell he was going to take out this snake before Voldemort caught him. He hadn't really thought that part through.
When Voldemort made his way over towards Harry to talk to him, Ron lowered himself to the ground. He knew that he needed to stay low to the ground, to stay as hidden as he possibly could. If Nagini knew that he was behind her, she gave no indication; the thought of how fast that snake could strike was very high on his list of concerns.
He crawled after them on his stomach, wincing at the rocks under his knees and belly, knowing he was covering his robes in mud and grass stains as he kept his eyes on the python that he was hunting.
He watched Professor Carthaginian — no, he corrected; Belladonna Brambilla was her real name. He watched her spin a gold string out of her wand, ensnaring Harry in a golden circle. When Harry tried to use his shield to stop it, it spun back and knocked Harry flat on his arse inside of the golden cyclone.
Voldemort's thin lips curved. "Oh, yes. You won't be getting out of here alive, Potter, and I will become even more powerful than I already am."
Ron decided that he had to move now.
He jumped to his feet, the sword in both hands, and the snake spun around, hissing violently. It rose up onto its huge coiling body and Ron swung the sword with all of his might at the exact moment that the snake shot towards him to attack. Blood splattered across his face as the snake was sliced clean in two, right between the eyes, before thumping to the ground. Green smoke rose up from the snake with a hissing sound and then it vanished into the air as if it had never been.
"Avada Kedavra!"
Ron rolled out of the way just in time before splashing into the Black Lake and sinking to the bottom. He coughed on the water and when an arm grabbed him and dragged him through the cool water, he broke the surface half a kilometre away, choking.
His eyes met the eyes of a beautiful mermaid with long blonde hair. "Thanks."
She nodded and helped him to the shore. Ron dragged his arse out of the water, reaching for his wand. He pushed his wet hair out of his eyes and realized that the sword was missing. He spun around to look back at the lake and thought it was oddly fitting that the sword had clearly sunk to the bottom of the Black Lake.
He clutched his wand and turned to look for Harry, his eyes narrowing at the golden cyclone that seemed to be framing him inside of a circle.
He needed to get his best mate.
~ ASC ~
Ginny watched her brother destroy the snake and inwardly cheered. But the sight of her boyfriend, trapped in some golden cyclone, made her heart race. She attempted to run towards him but her path was blocked by Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange. She swallowed nervously.
Bellatrix cackled. "Ah, there's the little baby Weasley. We meet again."
"Her tits are too nice to make her a baby, Bella," Rodolphus exclaimed.
Bellatrix let her eyes travel down Ginny's body in a way that made Ginny shudder. "Good point, love. We'll fuck her together before we kill her, just like old times. You'll like it," Bellatrix told her. "The Dark Lord gave my husband a beautiful silver cock to make up for the one I cut off. It vibrates. You'll love it."
Ginny pointed her wand at Bellatrix. "I think I'll pass, thanks."
Rodolphus chuckled. "Aww, she thinks she has a choice."
Bellatrix's cruel smile made her eyes look mad. "Good. It will be easier to take her down. Crucio!"
Ginny dived out of the way, wincing when her already sore ankle hit a boulder nearby. She was almost positive her ankle was broken, again, as black spots flashed across her eyes, but she wasn't going to let it slow her down. Thankfully, she had her broom; the shrunken Quaffle in her pocket was the one thing that Harry had entrusted her with.
She needed to get rid of these two and focus on how to help Harry.
A spell shot past her and she saw Lady Godiva tackle Rodolphus as Bellatrix shrieked and when Zee stepped into Bellatrix's path, Ginny knew that someone had a score to settle.
And she sure as hell hoped she won.
~ ASC ~
The runic symbols flashing in the cyclone that encircled him were glowing brighter with every flash. Every attempt Harry made to get outside of the golden circle seemed to reflect back on him, weakening him with every try. The runes burned into his skin, etching themselves into his flesh like a white hot flame that made his blood pound and his magic tingle. On the third attempt to escape, he suddenly realized what it was that Voldemort was doing.
This was what they had done to Dumbledore.
He grabbed his second wand from his holster and held them both up against the circle, focusing all of his energy on breaking out of the golden sphere. He could feel the four Patronuses in the distance, their power still chasing Dementors nearby; he let out a slow breath, trying to bring them forward.
The runes flashed quicker, glowing brighter and brighter. A contraption made of wood and iron, carved with similar runic symbols, rose from the ground with long chains spiralling out and towards him. Harry didn't know precisely what the contraption did, but he knew with absolute certainty that he couldn't let it entrap him further.
He focused as hard as he could on the power within him, trying to bring his magic forward. He closed his eyes, trying to block out the pain and focused instead on the magic in his veins. He focused on the energy, the feel of it surging through him, just like Misha had taught him. He could feel the power emanating from him like an electrical current that heated his blood and gave him strength. The pain from the symbols etched deeper and when he tasted blood on his lips, he clamped his eyes shut tighter.
Focus, Potter, he thought vehemently as the chains began to encircle his ankles. Then suddenly, something surged through him. It tingled down his spine and out the tips of his fingers, making his hair stand on end as if he'd been shocked. When he opened his eyes, he was surrounded by his four silver animals, flickering in iridescent blue energy. Harry saw Voldemort's red eyes widen in surprise before Harry placed both of his hands against the cyclone of runes surrounding him and yelled, "Bombarda!"
The golden circle shattered like glass, crashing into the night like an explosion. The shattered runic symbols went flying into the ground, into the shore, and disappearing into the night. The four animals surrounded Harry as he held a wand in each hand.
Voldemort took an automatic step back.
"I know what you did to Dumbledore and I'm not going to fall for the same tricks. I don't want a bloody thing from you! I don't want your life. I don't want your world. I want to stop you from destroying the world that I love!"
"Love?" Voldemort sneered, his own wand pointed at Harry. "Just like Dumbledore to make you believe that love has power. Love is nothing without power."
"Love is power!" Harry exclaimed. "But your life is trite and jaded and you can't see it."
Voldemort's red eyes gleamed. "You will respect your elders before you die, Potter."
Harry's lips curved. "I do respect my elders, but I sure as hell don't respect you!"
He used both wands at once and lightning sliced through the sky, the storm clouds funnelling into a tornado. The wind from the storm was strong enough to knock back anyone who attempted to come closer. The tornado circled towards Voldemort in an attempt to take him out. Voldemort flicked his own wand and a giant wave rose from the Black Lake so powerful that it stopped the tornado in its tracks.
Harry hit the ground with both wands, making the earth crack and break apart at Voldemort's feet. The wizard merely sealed the earth closed. Harry's wand moved in a circle, hot flames rolling from the tip, flying across the ground at lightning speed to encircle them both. Voldemort blew on the tip of his wand. Frost erupted from his breath, blue and white bolts of energy that flocked to the flames and sizzled the flash in an icy wall, stopping the fire in its tracks.
"As I said, parlour tricks," Voldemort declared.
Harry twirled his wand in gusto, causing the ice to swing upwards as snow clouds came overtop of them. In moments, a huge snowman had appeared, just like in Hogsmeade; it stood in front of Harry like a shield. His fist shot out, hitting Voldemort in the face and sending the wizard flying.
Voldemort was on his feet in an instant and he set the snowman on fire.
"Crucio!"
Harry avoided the spell by hiding behind a boulder just as hundreds of house elves came running out of the castle led by Dobby, Kreacher, and Basil. Harry's eyes widened in shock as the house elves brandished pitchforks and magical balls of energy, sending the magic flying towards any of the Death Eaters that surrounded Harry and Voldemort. They ran past Blaise and Bellarosa, who were standing near the corpse of Nagini.
"Crucio!" Voldemort yelled again.
Harry made to duck, but this time he wasn't fast enough, and the curse hit him. He tasted blood as he bit through his bottom lip, wincing at the pain. He struggled to stand when the spell finally released him. Voldemort raised his wand again just as a loud cracking sound had Dobby Apparating between them.
"Dobby! Get out of here!" Harry demanded.
"No one harms Harry Potter!" Dobby cried, sending a magical ball of energy barrelling towards Voldemort.
The ball hit him in the shoulder, searing through his robes. Voldemort hissed in pain as the blue flames burned his skin and his eyes narrowed. Voldemort licked his bottom lip, his nostrils flaring and then he flicked his wand, a bored expression in his eyes.
"Reducto!"
Dobby exploded.
Harry screamed as the elf blew up in front of him, blood and bone flying everywhere.
Voldemort sneered. "This ends now, Potter. Avada Kedavra!"
Harry opened his mouth to do what, he didn't know and then Lady Godiva dived in front of him. The force of the green light hit her head on. The panther fell at his feet, dead. Harry blinked in horror, his heart pounding in his chest as he looked down at the dead panther. Tears welled up in his eyes as he realized that both Dobby and Lady Godiva had been taken from him in mere seconds. He could taste Dobby's blood on his lips and he was scared to look down, knowing parts of the elf's bones and flesh coated his clothing, and now, the panther… Merlin, that panther had been protecting him from the day he'd met her.
Now, both of them were gone in the blink of an eye.
The sound of Voldemort swearing had him clutching his wand tightly in his hand. When his eyes met those red ones, the manic gleam of satisfaction caused his own anger to rise. Harry wasn't going to let Voldemort take away anyone else from him.
He couldn't lose anyone else.
Harry enacted his shield around him at the same time that Voldemort tried to use the killing curse again; their magic connected just like it had in the past. Voldemort dropped his wand as Harry's shield collapsed. Harry brought forth his shield again and used his Patronuses to strengthen it. He caught Ginny's eyes from nearby just as he used his stag to knock Voldemort back.
"Gin, now!"
Voldemort scrambled to grab the wand he'd dropped, but he was too late to stop it.
Ginny flew above him on a broomstick so fast that he saw nothing more than a blur of red. She took aim, and before Voldemort could do anything to stop it, she returned her Quaffle to its normal size and whipped it right at him. It slammed straight into his chest with enough force to bruise, and the leather disintegrated as Harry shouted a permanent sticking charm. The charm seared the small stone, that had been hidden inside of the leather Quaffle, to the middle of Voldemort's chest.
Voldemort started to laugh.
"If that's your best, your best won't do," he taunted.
Ginny soared back around towards Harry before landing beside him as Voldemort raised his wand. Suddenly, translucent waves appeared around him, shimmering in and out, revealing themselves to be ghosts. Voldemort's red eyes widened in alarm as they circled him, one after the other; ghosts popping up one by one, until over a hundred ghost-like figures were surrounding him.
"What is this…" Voldemort demanded.
"A Resurrection Stone," Harry said. "And it's bringing back every person you've ever murdered."
If possible, Voldemort's red eyes widened even more. He attempted to dislodge the stone, but it remained stubbornly affixed to his chest as more and more ghostly apparitions rose around him. Harry took the opportunity to take the items from the velvet pouch at his waist and hold them up one by one.
"The diary of one Tom Marvolo Riddle," he said, brandishing the book up and tossing it on the ground before them.
Voldemort's red eyes met his. "Where did you get that?"
Harry pulled out the cup next, showing the cracked side of it, blackened from expelling the Horcrux. "The Cup of Helga Hufflepuff."
"How did you…" Voldemort exclaimed, his face turning purple in rage.
"The Locket of Salazar Slytherin," Harry continued holding the locket in his hands as he reached into the pockets of his cloak to pull out the tiara. "The Diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw. The ring of Marvolo Gaunt."
He held the cracked ring out to show Voldemort before he dropped it to the ground at the wizard's feet.
Voldemort glared at him as the ghosts moved closer, attempting to shake him. Harry caught sight of his parents in the horde, comforted by knowing they were there to help before Voldemort's eyes flashed and then a wave of power burst from him.
It was like a tidal wave of coloured energy rose up around him and pushed outward, hitting the air around them with a gravitational push hard enough to knock Harry back a full metre. The air vibrated. The ground shook. And when Harry stumbled to his feet, he could feel the wizard's power radiating in fury towards him. The push of power caused the Resurrection Stone to fall to the ground at Voldemort's feet. The ghosts moved closer to Voldemort; a shot of blue energy disintegrated them in seconds as Voldemort pointed his wand at Harry.
"Do you really think that I care that you found my trinkets, Potter?" Voldemort sneered. "You don't even know what I'm capable of. You don't know who you're dealing with."
Nagini's headless body landed with a thunk in front of Voldemort's feet as Ron wiped blood off of his hands.
"Pretty sure we do, dickwad."
"Avada Kedavra!"
Ron rolled and the spell hit a Death Eater in the back, killing him instantly. Harry caught sight of Hermione and Luna flying over them on a thestral, Hermione hugging Luna tightly from behind. They landed behind Voldemort's back as Neville ran towards them in his badger form.
"I know exactly what you're capable of," Harry said, making Voldemort's eyes narrow. "And the one you accidentally left inside of my scar, I destroyed that one, too."
Voldemort's eyes flew to the lightning bolt on Harry's forehead. Harry saw a dawning realization flash in his gaze before he sliced his wand through the air, causing Harry's arm to ooze blood as if he'd cut him open himself with a knife. Harry winced as blood dripped down his side.
"That was petty, even for you," Harry taunted.
"Avada Kedavra!" Belladonna yelled.
Harry dodged her curse. Belladonna rolled under Voldemort's feet before Harry could retaliate and Voldemort cursed. She'd been standing nearby and watching so silently that Harry had almost forgotten about her.
The sound of Crouch cackling from nearby had Ron turning to help duel him. Neville came to assist by his side as Hermione and Luna took on Belladonna. Harry held a wand in each hand, his eyes on Voldemort.
"Guess what, Tom? You're mortal now."
"Avada Kedavra!" Voldemort exclaimed.
Ginny pushed Harry to the ground just in time and Voldemort screamed in anger.
"Leva in Terra!" Harry shouted.
The ground beneath Voldemort's feet shifted, rising higher. He shot another spell their way and Harry grabbed Ginny this time, shoving her behind him.
"Go!" he exclaimed.
"No!" Ginny shot back. "I'm not leaving you!"
"Go," he insisted. "Please."
Voldemort chuckled. "Hiding, are we, Potter? Worried about something? Or should I say, someone?"
"No," Harry hissed, jumping up from behind the rock he'd ducked behind. He shot an electrical current straight at Voldemort.
Voldemort deflected it with a wave of his wand.
Harry's heart was pounding in his chest. His muscles ached and sweat dripped down the back of his neck, but he knew that he couldn't stop. Not now. Not even for a moment. He gestured to the Black Lake, making a water twister rise from the centre. It sailed across the water at neck breaking speed, picking Voldemort up inside of it and twirling him through the air. It was enough to contain him for mere moments before he crashed to the ground, sending the water twister straight at Harry.
Harry sent a wind storm to knock the water back and levitated the stones up off the shore to send them flying in Voldemort's direction. Voldemort used his wand like a bat, energy from the swing sailing the stones right back towards him. Harry wasn't fast enough and the shattering glass in front of his left eye had him stumbling backwards in surprise.
Harry tore his glasses off, his hand reaching automatically for his eye. Glass had sliced under his eye, but he was relatively sure it was superficial. He slapped his glasses back onto his face just in time to avoid the wall of fire that Voldemort sent straight towards him and Ginny.
Harry grabbed Ginny, pulling her behind him as he created a wall of solid ice to stop the fire. The melted ice sharpened to knives and flew towards Voldemort. He waved them away with his wand, but not before two of them stabbed him in the leg.
Voldemort howled, but he ripped the ice shards from his leg, healing it with his wand before he curled his wand in a come hither motion. The motion caused the group of Inferi, who had been fighting on the edge of the lake, to turn course and march towards them. Ginny shot fire at the Inferi as Harry kept his wand trained on on Voldemort, his eyes blazing.
"Ready to give up yet, Potter?"
"You wish," Harry said.
And their wands connected once more, magic dripping around them in sparks of endless energy as Ginny duelled Inferi around them.
It was far from over yet.
~ ASC ~
Zee struck Bellatrix down with a well aimed exploding charm. It broke the ground under her feet and sent the witch sprawling backwards. Bellatrix merely cackled.
"It's almost as if you're cross with me, Zacarias. How's that scar?"
"Oh? This one?" Zee said, showing off her new tattoo.
The red and gold phoenix with its wings stretched wide, with the words of Bon Jovi in white cursive overtop, seemed to glow in the moonlight. The words read: 'Better stand tall when they're calling you out. Don't bend. Don't break. Baby, don't back down.'
"I'm quite fond of it, thanks," Zee called out. "And for the record, this is me not backing down, bitch!"
Bellatrix's eyes narrowed. "Crucio!"
Zee didn't dodge in time and she screamed as the curse tore through her. Her nails dug into the earth as she tried to hold back her second scream. When the curse lifted, Bellatrix grabbed her by her hair and ripped her head back.
"I'm going to let Bart peel the skin from your bones, bitch!"
Zee pushed her fist out, breaking Bellatrix's nose with a satisfying crack as the witch screamed and toppled over backwards. Zee scrambled to her feet, her heart pounding, and sent a hex towards Crouch to help Neville and Ron. She saw Belladonna roll near Voldemort's feet and stuff something into her pocket before she sprung up and sent a Cruciatus towards Hermione.
Blaise and Bellarosa jumped in to help Hermione just as Bellatrix tackled Zee. She hit the ground, groaning at the pain that shot through her arm. Zee rolled and crawled away as Bellatrix grabbed her ankle and the two of them rolled down towards the shore of the Black Lake, nails clawing at each other.
Zee dragged her nails down Bellatrix's cheek; the witch screamed when she drew blood. Zee shot her foot out and a well-aimed kick had Bellatrix flying off of her. She jumped to her feet, grasping for her wand just as red light barrelled straight into her chest.
"ZEE! NO!" Harry screamed.
Zee tried to reassure him, but her vision blurred and she hit the ground.
And then there was nothing.
~ ASC ~
Remus hadn't been able to get out of the castle.
He had no idea what was going on.
He had no idea where Voldemort was or if Harry was still fighting him.
The only thing he did know was that Tonks was by his side and they seemed to be relatively unstoppable.
He kept his back to hers as they duelled left and right alongside the wolves, attempting to stop anyone they could. Most of the Death Eaters inside of the castle had been captured or killed, but there were still a group of rogue vampires and werewolves who had refused to surrender.
And there was still Thorfinn Rowle.
The one Death Eater who seemed to be giving them a run for their money. No matter what they shot at him, he wouldn't go down.
It was why when something hit Remus' shoulder, he stumbled and shot a spell straight at Rowle, calling out to Kingsley to come at him from the other side. It was only when Savage and Kingsley double teamed him to knock him down that he turned to see Tonks and saw her lying on the ground at his feet.
"Nymphadora!"
Remus collapsed to the ground next to her, grabbing her hand, and he realized that whatever had hit his shoulder had gone through his wife to do so. Blood bubbled at her lips and he pulled her into his arms, trying to find the bleeding.
"Dora, Dora, no!"
"Remus," she whispered, her grey eyes dulling. "Teddy…"
Remus howled and something hit him, hard. His vision wavered as he collapsed on top of his bleeding wife, his own blood pooling around him.
~ ASC ~
George stayed at the top of the Astronomy Tower with Angelina and Lee. With his and Angelina's injuries, flying for the Wing Guards wasn't exactly an easy task to help with so instead they'd decided to help Lee with the fireworks and the supply of bombs for the Wing Guards.
People flew in and out to get more supplies as George got word from Oliver Wood, Katie Bell, Andrew Graham, and others about what exactly was going on down below. The fireworks that he and Fred had created were not only beautiful to look at, but the magical creatures were set to follow and attack when properly guided.
It was highly entertaining to watch people scream and shout in horror at the fireworks. Lee was a big fan of the one that shot two fingers at Voldemort. George had to agree; it was one of his better creations.
"It sounds like it's dying down out there," Angelina said. "A lot less screams and battlecries."
"Unless you look down by the Black Lake," Lee offered. "I think that's Harry facing off with You Know Who."
George grimaced. "I hope he does him in this time. I don't know how much more of this we can all take."
"I don't know how much more Harry and Ginny can take," Angelina corrected. "This needs to end."
Oliver Wood flew in, landing badly on the balcony of the tower. He was covered in what looked like soot and he winced.
"Fuck! I'm pretty sure I broke my leg."
Lee jumped up to help him. "How the hell did you do that atop your broom?"
"You try getting hit with a giant's fist and see how well you do!" Oliver exclaimed.
Katie flew in next, her eyes pale. "George!"
"What?" he asked, turning to look at his old friend.
She was deathly pale as she reached for his hand. "It's Fred."
George's heart jumped into his throat.
"I'm sorry," Katie whispered. "He… he fell. Something hit him and before I could…"
Angelina moved to grab him, but George was already taking Oliver's broom from his hands. "George! You can't go down there!"
"Fuck you, Ange! I'm not leaving his body down there to be fucking defiled by those monsters! I'm going to get him!"
He ripped his fake leg off and threw it on the ground before he hobbled onto the broom and took off in search of his twin.
He couldn't leave Fred alone.
Not like this.
~ ASC ~
Rossi joined Rolf alongside of his magical creatures in the fight, doing what he could to support him. When Durant and Jin joined him, he felt comforted by the familiarity of his team. He didn't know where Bellarosa was, but he knew that she hadn't run because he had control over her with the ring he'd put on her finger.
Spells came from every direction as he fought with a vengeance. He saw a plump redheaded witch strike a Death Eater down with one wand stroke and hurried over to help her as Inferi surrounded them. He fought his way towards her, taking out three Inferi with the help of fire from his wand and a redheaded man jumped to fight next to the woman.
The look in the man's eyes told Rossi they were married and he attempted to stay nearby to help. Jin came to stand next to him, knocking out a row of Inferi with a fire spell and as they collapsed to the ground.
"Potter's fighting Voldemort on the shore," Jin exclaimed.
Rossi nodded. "He's conceited. I don't know if he'll back down this time."
"There are Anti-Apparation spells everywhere. Unless he gets to the bridge or runs through to the other side of the Forest, he's not getting away," Jin told him. "MacGregor has a unit on the bridge, just before the Apparition point, waiting for him."
"And the forest?" Rossi asked.
Durant smirked as he punched an Inferius in the side of the head to knock the creature back before he set it on fire. "He has to get to it first. Scamander's magical creatures are standing guard and Hagrid's got the Acromantulas on our side, helping guard the other end. Those damn spiders aren't letting anything into the forest."
Someone screamed; Rossi spun around to see that it was the redheaded woman from earlier. She was crying over someone's body and he swore under his breath.
"We need to get closer to Potter in case Voldemort tries to run."
Durant nodded. "Agreed."
"Where's K?" Jin asked, kicking an Inferius back.
"He was hit," Durant said.
Jin's eyes widened. "Is he alive?"
Durant bit his lip. "I don't know."
Rossi caught sight of Bellarosa near the shore with Blaise and he thought that no matter what the outcome of today was, too many people were already suffering.
He was afraid to see just who it was who made it out alive.
~ ASC ~
Harry couldn't stop the scream from tearing through him as Voldemort suddenly turned and shot a curse towards Zee. The spell hit Zee straight on and she fell backwards, collapsing on the shore of the lake.
"ZEE! NO!"
Voldemort sneered. "Don't tell me it's over, Potter. I'm going to destroy everyone you've ever love and their blood is going to be on your hands!"
Harry growled and dove at Voldemort, tackling him to the ground. Voldemort attempted to push him off, but Harry was stronger, his hands gripping him tightly around his throat. Voldemort's red eyes gleamed in madness. His wand moved and something sharp stabbed Harry in the thigh. He howled as the bladed end of Voldemort's wand tore through his thigh and up to his hip.
Harry rolled off of him, his hands coming up covered in blood as he attempted to grab hold of Voldemort's wand.
"I will not be defeated by a stupid young man with a sassy mouth!" Voldemort declared, pointing his wand at Harry's heart. "Crucio!"
Harry screamed as the curse tore through him like a raging fire. The pain it caused in his limbs and muscles forced the cut on his thigh to widen. His vision blurred at the pain and when he heard Voldemort yell, "Avada Kedavra," he knew it was over.
But it wasn't.
A huge thestral appeared before him with Luna atop its back, its huge black skeletal wings knocking into Voldemort and forcing him to stumble back.
"Luna!" Harry gasped, taking her hand as she lifted him up onto the thestral.
"Thestrals are immune to the killing curse," Luna said in her dreamy fashion. "Don't let him take you out that way."
"And him?" Harry gasped as Luna ripped her shirt and tied it around the wound in Harry's thigh in an attempt to stop the bleeding.
"It can be done without an Unforgivable, for nothing you will do in this moment will ever be unforgivable, Harry Potter." She pressed her lips to his cheek and handed him back his wand.
The thestral was still hitting Voldemort with its wings, knocking his wand out of his hands and dragging him around by his robes as Voldemort shrieked in anger.
Harry dropped back down to his feet, shaking on his injured leg, and pointed his wand at Voldemort. His cloaked robe billowed around him, the bright red collar high at his neck, his leather jacket open to showcase his torn Gryffindor shirt, his black jeans torn at the knees from the fight. Blood seeped through the makeshift bandage Luna had placed on his thigh. He was covered in blood, bone, mud, and sweat. His cheek and leg burned like fire, and his heart pounded in his throat.
Anyone looking at him in that moment would have known immediately that Harry was ready to end it. Voldemort clearly realized it as well. His breath was ragged as he fell to his knees and pointed his wand at himself. When nothing happened, he swore.
"Anti-Apparition spell, of course."
Harry kept his wand pointed. "You're done, Tom. It's over."
Voldemort's low laugh made the hairs on the back of his neck rise up. "Maybe. Maybe not. Are you really sure you got every last one, Potter? How do you know that I don't have more lurking around waiting to bring me back? Mortality is for the weak."
"No," Harry said. "Mortality is for the brave. Expelliarmus!"
Voldemort's wand flew from his fingertips into Harry's outstretched hand. The wizard scrambled to his feet and attempted to make a run for it, but Ginny pointed her wand at his heart.
"Don't move, Tom."
Voldemort sneered. "You can't defeat me. I'm the greatest wizard to have ever lived! I'm immortal. No one will ever forget my name. They'll just bring me back."
"No," Harry said. "They won't. You're done."
"My Lord!" Crouch bellowed. "My Lord! Crucio!"
Harry pushed Voldemort into the path and the spell hit him straight on. Crouch's eyes widened in horror as Voldemort fell to his knees, his body twitching in pain. When those red eyes met his, Harry flicked his wrist and he yelled, "Fulguri!"
Storm clouds hovered over them in dark grey and black as thunder quaked through the night. The deafening boom made Voldemort jump as a magnificently bright bolt of lightning shot down from the sky, the blinding brightness lighting up the shoreline and the massive bolt hitting Lord Voldemort dead on.
Sparks flew from his fingertips and his eyes rolled as he collapsed on the ground, his body still twitching from the Unforgivable curse. When blood bubbled in his mouth, Harry stood over him, his wand still pointed over him and his heart pounding in his chest. The stench of burned flesh filled his nostrils as he stared down into the red eyes, watching them glint darker and darker until they were brown again. Voldemort's body was smoking from the lightning strike, blood pooling at his mouth from where he'd bitten his own tongue under the effects of the torture curse. His now brown eyes glazed over and he let out one last ragged breath and Harry knew, it was finally over.
Crouch screamed in horror.
When Aurors ran towards him, Crouch grabbed Belladonna's hand, and the two of them sprinted towards the forest. Aurors chased them in the distance as Bellatrix followed and Harry stared down at Voldemort's body, unable to truly believe he was gone.
He levitated Voldemort's body high into the air. Savage and Proudfoot were running towards him. They took over levitating the wizard's body and Harry sagged in relief when he lowered his wand.
"We'll make sure that he's taken care of," Proudfoot declared. "No one will be able to get a hold of his body and try to bring him back."
Harry nodded, his eyes moving to the shore where Zee had fallen. He saw Ron kneeling over her and pushing on her chest with his hands.
"Zee!"
Ron's blue eyes met his and a sob tore through Harry. He stumbled in his attempt to run, blood seeping out of the makeshift bandage on his leg.
"No! No! Please, no!"
Harry fell to his knees next to the only mother he'd ever known, tears in his eyes as he watched Ron attempt to pump life into her chest. His bottom lip trembled, eyes on the blood in her hair and the blood seeping out of a wound in her side.
"Zee… please…"
"We've seen the two paths that your life will take, Harry," Lily whispered in his memory. "Neither of them will be easy, but in both of them you will find love and in one of them, you defeat Voldemort."
"Only in one?"
Lily nodded, her green eyes so like his shining widely from her young face. "There is one option where he wins, where you let him win to save her, and the world suffers for it. But there is another option where you defeat him and the world is saved."
The sob tore through him as he watched Ron breathe into Zee's mouth to no avail.
The girl from the prophecy… it wasn't Ginny.
It was Zee.
He was going to lose the only mother he'd ever known and he couldn't bear it.
Ginny's fingers touched her wrist to feel for a pulse and a sob tore through him.
What the hell was he going to do if he lost her?
How was he going to raise two babies without her?
How was he going to tell Mina and Leo that both of their parents had been killed?
How was he going to live without her?
"Harry, she's breathing," Ginny whispered.
Harry's heart stopped as he met her brown eyes. "What?"
"She's breathing," Ron said, a little breathless. "I brought her back."
Harry threw himself into Ron's arms, almost knocking him over as Ginny called for Savage to get a healer. It took less than a minute for a healer to get to Zee and Harry still hadn't let go of Ron.
Ron held him close, his cheek against his hair. "I've got you, mate. I've got your back. Always."
When he pulled away from him, Ron had tears in his eyes. "Thank you."
Ron reached for his sister's hand, placing it into Harry's. "I'll stay here and coordinate the end, you go to the hospital and be with Zee."
Harry started to protest but when Ginny squeezed his hand, he nodded. Ron was right. He needed to be at the hospital. He needed to be with his mother.
"Lord Voldemort is dead," Kingsley's smooth voice rose up over the grounds. "Surrender yourselves now. It's over."
"It's over," Harry whispered as Ginny stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. "It's really over."
"Come on, Chosen One," Ginny said, waving her wand to fix his broken lenses. "Let's go be with Zee."
Harry let Ginny lead him away from the chaos, passing students, Order members, and people alike as those he passed began to clap for him. His cheeks heated as people congratulated him, thanked him, and revered him for killing the darkest wizard of the century. When they finally reached the Apparition point, he pulled Ginny close and he realized his hands were shaking.
Ginny framed his face with both of her hands. "You did it, Harry. It's over. I love you."
His lips met hers, warmth seeping through him. He hadn't even realized how cold he was until those soft lips warmed him from the inside.
Then he held her close and Disapparated to St Mungo's to find Zee.
It was really over.
End Author's Notes:
Special thank you to celtics534, pottermum, and Bellmel who all read the final battle months ago and were kind enough to give me feedback and suggestions on how to make it better.
As to SeriouslySam, who claimed that poor Dobby's death didn't allow him to suffer enough — why? I killed him for you, (she sent me kill Dobby cookies) what more do you want? I hope one day she will read the rest of this story as well. Thank you!
Thanks to ellieoryan for helping me tweak a little bit here and there.
Spells used:
Flippendo = knock back jinx
Bombarda = small explosion charm
Reducto = breaking curse
Leva in Terra = earth lifting spell (original spell)
Fulguri = lightning spell (original spell)
(Italian) mio tesoro = my darling
(Italian) caro ragazzo = darling boy
(Italian) Sì = yes
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the lyrics to Twisted Sister, though I did tweak them a little.
I felt it was oddly ironic and symbolic for Harry to defeat him with a strike of lightning. I know not everyone will like the final battle, but I'm very happy with how it all turned out.
As to who is alive and who is dead, well, it wouldn't be fun to tell you that just yet. But yes, Dobby and Lady Godiva are both dead.
This is the end of part ix. The next chapter will start the final chapter of ASC with part x which will encompass chapters 349-360 and end this saga I started four years ago.
Part I: Chapters 1-49 — Harry's first year with his dads. (1985-1986)
Part II: Chapters 50-61 — Harry ages 7-11. (1987-1991)
Part III: Chapters 62-73 — Harry's first year at Hogwarts. (1991-1992)
Part IV: Chapters 74-105 — Harry's second year at Hogwarts. (1992-1993)
Part V: Chapters 106-143 — Harry's third year at Hogwarts. (1993-1994)
Part VI: Chapters 144-179 — Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts. (1994-1995)
Part VII: Chapters 180-222 — Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts. (1995-1996)
Part VIII: Chapters 223-276 — Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts. (1996-1997)
Part IX: Chapters 277-348 — Harry's seventh year at Hogwarts. (1997-1998)
Part X: Chapters 349-360 — After the war. (1998)
Thanks for reading and please review!
