Disclaimer: All rights to Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling and Warner Media, I am just a fan.
Author Notes: Thanks to everyone who has supported the story thus far through reading, reviewing, favouriting and following it.
This is it everyone, the final chapter of this story. Hope you've enjoyed reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it.
Warning for strong language.
Chapter Seventy:
"Harry! Ron! Hermione!", Tonks and Jacob were by their side in an instant.
As the two Aurors helped Harry and his friends through the wards and through the gates of Hogwarts Jacob asked, "where were you? Neville, Remus and Sirius sent a Patronus to say you didn't request assistance or escape on your own, how the hell did you get here?".
"Long...story...", Harry gasped feeling utterly exhausted.
It was only when Harry, Ron and Hermione had been checked over by Madam Pomfrey who declared they were fine apart from minor cuts and bruises and after Griphook's body had been taken away to be buried that Harry, Ron and Hermione finally recounted the tale of their infiltration and escape or tea and biscuits.
Telling the tale back, it all felt to Harry like it had just been a bizarre dream. Only when Hermione extracted the Cup of Hufflepuff from her backpack using her wand did it hit home that they had really done such things.
"Well done, all of you", Dumbledore commended with a twinkle in his eyes, "magnificent work".
Harry finished his tea and set the cup down on the saucer. He looked up at Dumbledore from where the old wizard sat behind his desk. "We will destroy now...yes?".
"Yes". Dumbledore confirmed, "we destroy it immediately. With Voldemort's army approaching Hogsmeade there is not a moment to lose".
As with the Diadem, the Cup was destroyed using a Basilisk fang and just like the destruction of the Diadem Horcrux and cloud of smoke emanated from the object along with a loud scream that burst like thunder and disappeared not to be seen again.
"It's nearly all over", Jacob patted Harry's shoulder.
Harry stared down at the smoke blackened Cup and murmured "not until I kill Voldemort it's not". He left the office then eager to be with his own thoughts.
Another week went by inside Hogwarts and the last exams finished. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville had just piled out of the Great Hall following their DADA NEWT exam when the magically amplified voice of Professor Dumbledore blared out across the castle. "This is Professor Albus Dumbledore speaking. All residents of Hogwarts, staff, students and refugees are on notice that Lord Voldemort and his army have reached Hogsmeade, we expect that his forces shall be here by this time tomorrow afternoon".
Harry's face was grim as he listened to the announcement. Tomorrow Voldemort and his army would reach Hogwarts. Tomorrow he would duel the most evil wizard in British history and tomorrow the fate of Wizarding Britain would be decided at last. It had been pure torture the past two years as Voldemort and his thugs committed murder and torture with Harry being unable to stop him, but once Nagini was eliminated Voldemort would be mortal and then...then Harry would end things.
That evening there was a meeting of all senior Order members. Harry and his friends attended as various people spoke on the defences. The talk then moved on to allies. "The Merpeople are with us", Jacob announced, "they are willing to fight to protect Hogwarts".
"The Centaurs are split but a contingent led by Firenze will support us in battle", Hagrid told them.
"What about the Goblins?", Remus asked.
Sirius shook his head. "They hate Voldemort and his Death Eaters but they have no love for any wizard or witch, they are staying neutral. His face brightened, "we do however have the Hogwarts house elves and a sizeable number of other free elves willing to fight to defeat Voldemort".
"I fear my attempts to keep the Acromantula's neutral has failed", Hagrid reported with a downcast expression, "Voldemort promised them as much food as they could, human food. Without Aragog to rein them in they refused to listen to me. Only let me go because of their respect for Aragog".
"That is grave news. Voldemort already has certain werewolves and vampires, Inferi, giants, trolls and Dementors...", Dumbledore shook his head, "this will be a hard battle my friends".
Ron raised another point. "Can we trust the Slytherins?".
Dumbledore drummed his fingers on the table. "An interesting question. I would say that the majority support neither us nor Voldemort but all of the Voldemort supporters among their number left at the end of the last school year".
"I think Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini will side with us", Harry spoke up despite feeling surprised to be saying such a thing. Everyone looked at him and he was sure more than a few believed him mad. "Zabini is a half-blood and has already proven his trustworthy credentials while Draco wants revenge against Voldemort for the mistreatment of his mother".
"If you are right they would both be excellent additions to our ranks", Remus declared, "they're brilliant duellists".
"Report", Voldemort ordered as he entered the Three Broomsticks pub and sat down in a booth.
Severus Snape looked across from him. "My Lord, we have secured most of Hogsmeade with the exception of one building".
Voldemort's red eyes glared at Severus. "Indeed, Severus. And what building would that be?".
"The Hogs Head pub", Severus informed him. "It is run by that old fool Dumbledore's younger brother. He was never part of the Order of the Phoenix but he strongly supports them and it is our belief that a passage exists between the pub and Hogwarts".
Voldemort pulled out his wand. "And yet none of you have succeeded in securing the pub and the passageway".
Severus shook his head. "No my Lord".
"In that case it is time I led the efforts. We shall head there now", Voldemort stood up and Nagini slithered alongside him as they left the pub. Severus followed on behind.
As Voldemort, Nagini and Severus reached the outside of the Hogs Head it became clear that a battle was in progress with wizards firing spells from the downstairs windows at the Death Eaters attempting to storm the building. "Out of the way", Voldemort commanded. He aimed his wand at the side of the building and said calmly "Bombarda". Chunks of masonry, wood and glass flew in all directions littering the ground. Some impacted his Death Eaters with a glass shard killing Selwyn who stood nearby. Voldemort cared not for who died. He needed to seize the building and Aberforth Dumbledore.
"Come Severus", Voldemort instructed. He did not wait to see if the man was following or not as he stepped through the hole in the building and past the corpses of two Aurors. He saw a flash of silver hair as someone ran down the cellar steps and slammed the cellar door with a thud.
Voldemort strode confidently over to the bar, aimed his wand down the stairs and said "Bombarda". The cellar door exploded leaving the way clear to enter the cellar. As Voldemort walked down the stairs followed by Nagini and Severus he could hear sounds of a scuffle and then a voice, "tell me how this passage works or I'll kill you!", Travers it seemed had broken free.
"Piss off Travers, I'll tell you nothing. Another scuffle and a jet of green light filled the room.
Voldemort entered to find a silvered haired man lying dead at the feet of Travers. "Travers, explain".
Travers blinked, bowed and launched into an explanation. "You have failed me Travers", Voldemort declared when the man was finished speaking. "I needed us of the passageway and now there is no one left to ask. Avada Kedavra". Travers fell dead at Voldemort's feet and Voldemort allowed Nagini to eat her fill of the man as he turned to Severus, "Severus my faithful supporter, we are to attack via the bridge. See to it that word is passed around. We attack tomorrow afternoon".
Severus bowed and left the room. Voldemort left the pub and the two dead men. He had more important things to do than stay here.
The final Saturday of term rolled around but none of the students inside Hogwarts were relaxing as they usually would be with exams finished. Instead a tense atmosphere lay around the castle. Everyone was aware that in just an hours time, give or take a few minutes, the attack of Hogwarts would begin.
All students under seventeen had been evacuated down to the Chamber of Secrets which had been cleared of rubble, the dead Basilisk and had an entrance put in.
Harry was chatting with Ron, Hermione and Neville when a booming sound reverberated through the castle, shaking the foundations.
People shouted. "They're here!".
It was on. The battle was beginning.
Harry and his friends raced out into the grounds and stared open mouthed at the vast array of enemies that lay beyond the protective shield.
Death Eaters and Snatchers were firing spells at the shield. A werewolf charged it and was vaporised instantly.
More attacks came to weaken the shield. Catapults flung stones at, giants and trolls used clubs to bash it. Gradually the shield was weakened.
After holding for an hour, the shield broke. Voldemort sent his forces in. The giants and trolls came first to bash past the stone statues. A number were skewered by the statues swords and pikes with one giant screaming as he fell to his death far below.
As the giants and trolls engaged the defends of the castle, werewolves, vampires and Inferi swarmed to join them. The Death Eaters came next alongside the Snatchers yelling battle cries and firing spells indiscriminately. The Dementors came last floating along.
Harry duelled numerous opponents taking down a werewolf, two Inferi with the Incendio spell and blasting a vampire flying on to a metal spike impaling him.
Through the chaos Harry watched as Voldemort walked calmly along towards him letting nothing distract him. "I'll distract him, you lot kill that snake!", Harry shouted above the din of battle. He himself was distracted as Tonks and Remus, busy fighting four enemies at once, Death Eaters, were overpowered and fell, dead. "No!", he shouted.
Others died as well. Lavender Brown, Padma Patil, Dean Thomas and on and on went the list of the dead. Hagrid saved him from a trolls club by grabbing it just as the troll swung it and returned the swing killing the troll immediately.
"So Harry Potter, at last we meet again. Time to die Boy Who Lived", Voldemort chuckled at his terrible joke.
"No Tom", said a said a serious voice. The crowd parted while fighting continued to rage. Albus Dumbledore took a place alongside Harry, his wand at the ready. "We have an old score to settle you and I".
Voldemort snorted. "If you really are so willing to die, then so be it".
"Professor no I'll handle him!", Harry tried to say.
Dumbledore ignored him and the duel began.
Voldemort sent water flying at Dumbledore who countered by turning the water back on Voldemort.
The water was then turned to steam by a gout of flame from Voldemort's wand.
Dumbledore and Voldemort traded explosion spells, water spells, fire spells and stunning spells like it was nothing. Harry was fascinated but forced to break off battle to duel alongside Hermione.
And then it finally happened, the thing that Harry had always thought to be impossible. Voldemort fired a knockback jinx at Dumbledore. Harry was sure his mentor would block it...and perhaps he would have done, were it not for the dead body directly behind him.
Dumbledore tripped, stumbled and fell backwards. His wand flew from his hand and before Harry or anyone else could react in time Voldemort yelled "goodbye, Dumbledore. Avada Kedavra!".
Albus Dumbledore, the greatest wizard the world had ever seen, died with no further chance to fight back.
Harry stared at Dumbledore's body in opened mouthed shock. The Headmaster, his mentor, was gone. Never again would Harry chat to him. Never again be able to seek his advice.
"He he he he", Voldemort's cruel laugh echoed through the courtyard as he gloated, "the great Albus Dumbledore, killed by tripping over a corpse. I told the world he was nothing and he was nothing!".
Harry glared hatefully at Voldemort as the monster continued his taunts. His face split into a grin however as he noticed Neville, sword in hand, slide under Voldemort's legs and bring the sword down across Nagini's neck. The snake had barely any time to cry out before it was decapitated.
"Take that you bastard!", Neville roared at Voldemort. He was then forced to duck as Voldemort turned to fire a spell at him and realised that his last Horcrux was dead.
Voldemort lurched violently and nearly fell as the effects of his mortality hit him. "No this cannot be, I am invincible!".
"Not anymore Tom", Harry sneered, "you're mortal just like the rest of us and now you'll pay the price for your crimes. It's time we ended this!".
Voldemort chuckled. "You truly think you can defeat me? I am the greatest wizard that has ever lived boy! I was conquering this country before you were even born. You are no threat to me!".
Harry grinned. "We'll see baldy".
"You dare!", Voldemort yelled and followed it up with "Avada Kedavra!".
Harry dodged the spell which smashed into the front doors of Hogwarts Castle and blew out chunks of stonework.
"Rictusempra!", Harry shouted.
The spell hit Voldemort who was doubled over helpless with laughter until he recovered. "You brat, Crucio!".
Harry dodged the first Crucio but was hit by the second and writhed in agony as the effects of the spell tore through him.
Voldemort approached his prone enemy, no doubt to finish him off but didn't expect Harry to roar "Flipendo, Sectumsempra!". The two spells caught Voldemort off guard resulting in him smashing his head on the hard cobbled courtyard surface and the second spell slashing a deep gash in his chest.
Harry and Voldemort continued to trade spells back and forth until Harry was forced to turn and duel Theodore Nott. He took the Slytherin out with a cutting hex to the leg that caused his opponent to howl in pain and fall to the ground, but he would have died then and there had someone not intervened for Voldemort shouted "Avada Kedavra!".
"Potter, watch out!", Harry felt someone tackle him to the ground and could only watch in surprise as Draco Malfoy lay dead next to him. Malfoy had saved his life.
"Still letting people die for you?", Voldemort sneered.
"Try picking on someone your own size". It must be a dream Harry thought as Severus Snape threw off his Death Eater mask and squared up to Voldemort.
Voldemort looked stunned by this turn of events. "Severus, you would betray me? after everything I have done for you?".
"You've never done anything for me My Lord" Severus spat the name out. "I lost my humanity for a long time due to supporting your insane cause. Not only that but I lost the woman I loved, the only woman I have ever loved!".
Voldemort sneered. "That Mudblood bitch? Severus I could give you any woman you wish for".
"I don't want any other woman. Enough talking, you will pay now!", Severus bellowed and launched attack after attack at his former Lord. Cuts appeared on Voldemort's chest, his face and his arms but it wasn't enough.
Voldemort, in the end, proved to be still too powerful and a mistake caused Severus to miss with the Killing Curse.
"Professor Snape I...", Harry tried to say.
"I'm sorry Potter...Harry", Severus apologised. He shoved Harry down as he was disarmed in his weakened state.
"Time to pay up Severus, Avada Kedavra". Voldemort killed Severus Snape with no remorse and kicked his body away before turning to Harry. "No one left to protect you and keep you hidden now Harry".
"I wasn't hiding", Harry scowled. Their duel resumed and Harry sensed Voldemort getting weaker and weaker.
They reached the bridge and left the scenes of fighting behind as they trade spell after spell. "Avada...", Voldemort's spell was cut off as Harry yelled "Sectumsempra!" and a deep gash formed in Voldemort's hand forcing him to drop the wand.
"Flipendo, Incarcerous!", Harry shouted in quick succession. Voldemort, disarmed now, could do nothing to stop him as he fell to the ground bound the powerful magical ropes.
Harry stared down at his fallen foe. The cause of so many of his troubles and so many nightmares. The being who had murdered Albus Dumbledore, his parents and so many others. "No it's time for you to pay up Tom Marvolo Riddle".
"Don't call me that, I am Lord Voldemort!", Voldemort hissed.
Harry snorted a laugh. "A made up name to hide your true heritage, just about sums you up Tom. I pity you as much as I hate you. You've never known love or happiness, all you know is hatred and lust for power. As much as I don't want to take a life I'm doing you a favour as well as the world. Goodbye Tom Riddle. Diffindo!".
The spell caused a deep gash in Voldemort's throat. A further Diffindo followed by one more completely severed the man's head from his body. One look at the open and unseeing eyes on the face of his enemy confirmed it. Lord Voldemort, Tom Riddle, was dead at last. Dead for good and could harm no one else.
"Harry!". He turned at the sound of his name and saw Hermione, Ron and Neville all running towards him.
Harry held up the head to show his friends. While they seemed a little horrified at the macabre sight he could also detect much relief. The same relief that he felt having finally defeated his enemy.
"What now?", Ron asked.
In response, Harry picked up Voldemort's head and strode back along the bridge until the foursome reached the courtyard.
Harry reached the centre of the courtyard and thrust Voldemort's head high in the air. "Any of you still fighting for Voldemort, it's all over. He's dead. Give up now!".
Some continued to fight on but most either slipped quietly away or surrendered to Aurors and Order members.
The great battle of Hogwarts was at an end and so was the great quest of Harry's life.
"What will you do now?", Hermione asked Harry as the four of them walked through the half ruined castle.
Harry sighed. "Right now? I just want to curl up somewhere and go to sleep. I feel like I've been fighting for an entire week I'm that tired".
"Same here", Ron yawned. Neville agreed. The foursome thus headed up to Gryffindor Tower to get some much needed shut eye after the recent insanity.
Two months on from the chaotic final battle of the Second Wizarding War Harry Potter stood in a graveyard he had visited twice so far. It was the resting place of Remus John Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks Lupin as evidenced by the headstones he was now staring at.
The last two months had been hectic what with processing the Death Eaters, Snatchers, rogue werewolves, giants and trolls and the fight to retake the Ministry of Magic.
Dolores Umbridge had been imprisoned in an Azkaban that was no longer guarded by Dementors as it was clear the dark creatures could not be trusted. Amelia Bones former Head of the DMLE was announced as the new Minister of Magic following a public vote with many deciding she was the ideal choice.
It was raining hard and Harry was drawn out of his thoughts by the sound of his godson fussing. He looked at Teddy who was snuggled into his chest. "Sorry Teddy, we'll leave in a minute mate".
Harry used a charm to dry Teddy off and then looked down at the two gravestones. "Remus, Tonks. I'm sorry I've not been able to visit you much recently but it's been a crazy time in the Wizarding World lately".
He brushed a hand over Teddy's hair which changed to a blue colour. "Plus I've been busy with this little munchkin". He grinned. "You guys would be so proud of him, he's crawling already. I just wanted to let you know that I promise to raise Teddy to know you both and Andromeda and Ted. To know your sacrifice and how much you all loved him. We'll both heal from everything together".
Harry looked at Teddy. "Come on mate, we have a wedding to attend". He smiled as he thought on the fact that Hermione and Ron had decided on a quick wedding at last. He strode on out of the graveyard, turned on the spot and disapparated.
When Harry landed he found himself in the backyard of The Burrow. He was immediately greeted by a hug from Ginny one of his good friends. "Harry, you're early".
Harry chuckled. "I thought I'd get here early so I could help out", he told her. Ginny grinned, "glad to hear it, even for a small wedding there's a fair bit to get ready".
"Harry good to see you", Mr Weasley shook Harry's hand warmly.
"And you Mr Weasley", Harry smiled. He looked around the yard. "So what can I do to help?", he asked as he handed Teddy over to a smiling Ginny who took Teddy off inside.
As the morning progressed Harry spent the time bringing out chairs and setting them up and helping get the marquee ready for the wedding ceremony.
In no time at all, Harry was standing alongside his best mate at the front of the tent as the wedding guest filtered in. Ron looked very nervous and kept casting glances towards the flap of the tent from which Hermione would soon enter. "Relax", Harry said after Ron had checked for a fourth time "you want to get married and so does she so there's no need to worry".
Ron relaxed somewhat after Harry had said this but still kept looking over his shoulder. Harry rolled his eyes and made sure he had the ring secure in his jacket pocket.
The wedding march music began to play. Ron gulped and Harry patted his friends back as they turned to watch Hermione walk down the aisle with Ginny, Lauren and Luna just behind her. She looked beautiful, Harry couldn't deny it. His heart ached as he thought of how beautiful Daphne would have looked on her wedding day if only things had happened differently.
'No use dwelling on the past', Harry thought firmly.
The ceremony that followed was beautiful as Ron and Hermione spoke vows that each had written themselves.
The ceremony was followed up by a magnificent party in which a good time was had by all.
As the party wound down Harry and the others all wished Ron and Hermione well as they waved them off on their honeymoon.
For a long time that day Harry had been able to just live. To enjoy life and forget all that had come before it. Forget all of the death and destruction. But now as he sat on his bed with Teddy sleeping soundly in his crib nearby all of the horrors of the past few years came back to Harry, from Voldemort's resurrection to the deaths of his Aunt Mandy and many others that he had cared about and still greatly missed.
The awful truth that Harry had to face up to was that it would take a long time for him to heal and he would never fully forget the events that had taken place. Those events were seared into his brain forever much as he tried to shut them out.
His rather morbid thoughts were interrupted by Teddy who had woken up crying. Harry stood up from the bed, went over to his godson and picked him up hugging him. "Hey now mate, what's up?", he asked. He checked that Teddy was dry. He was. "Hungry?", Harry asked him. Teddy nodded.
"Come on then mate, let's get you some food. How about mashed banana?", Teddy looked happy at this and pulled Harry's nose causing him to chuckle. "How can I be sad when I've got you to cheer me up eh?", he said, "we'll be alright Teddy. I promise".
Teddy hugged him and he hugged the infant back. He couldn't bring back those whom he had lost but he did still have family alive and bringing Teddy up would give him a purpose beyond that of his previous prophesied destiny.
Yes. Harry thought, the future would not be quite so bad as he had thought.