Oh, wow!! Sorry it took me so long to update, you all know how I hate keeping you in suspense.. (smirks evilly).. thanks to Jay (times 2), NotQuiteFamous, Elfmoon87, Nilboriel, an angels reflection, artful dodger, selenitey, wolfie Jr., emerys, kiara Malfoy, stayblue, sage and snape, lady lightning, prophetess of hearts- don't worry, I love Draco too much to kill him, nim, jliles, lirael, sparrow, iniysa, sev1970-good to see you again!, lady macbeth- yes, Lucius is pretty, but oh so evil, Jeanne, kateri, enahma, reamy mimi, toria, kemenran, fnxmoon, mikee, corgi, piggie, dark-one shadowphyre, charma1219, cloudburst2000, calani, athenakitty, and xikum- would you be interested in beta-reading and helping me out with my last chapter?? I'll email you, or something.
Thanks to everyone! Now, enjoy!
~~**~~
He was dead, that much was obvious. He had slumped over on top of Snape, who looked absolutely repulsed. And that was saying a lot, since the man couldn't even move to sneer.
Voldemort was beyond a normal amount of rage. He was absolutely, completely, horribly beside himself, shaking with the amount of darkness that lived inside his soul. The idiot boy had killed his finest Death Eater. He would pay.
It was obvious that Harry was distracted by the sight of Lucius Malfoy's dead body. And so that's when he decided to strike.
Harry wasn't paying attention. He had lost all sane thought for a moment as he thought about what he had just done. So when Voldemort raised his wand, a terrible grin on his face, he didn't notice.
But someone else did.
HARRY!!
The boy whirled around to face Voldemort, just as the older wizard screamed the killing curse. It was coming toward him, green in color, but in slow motion.
Harry could see the entire thing..
And he knew that it was time.
With a quickness that defied gravity, Harry rolled out of the way and raised his hand toward the dark lord.
"ANIMA IUGUOLO!"
A silver, angry stream of electricity screamed out toward Voldemort, who was too surprised and too slow to move away.
Harry watched in half horror, half fascination as his nemesis flew back against the wall, screaming a terrible, shrill scream that made the whole cell vibrate.
A silver stream of light engulfed Voldemort's body, ripping apart his soul.
Funny how Harry could see that- it was like seeing the inside and outside of his opponent at the same time.
The bright silver light grew larger, shielding Voldemort from view, but Harry could still hear his agonized screams.
And he almost felt bad for him. Almost.
Harry couldn't believe that his curse had worked- but obviously, it had.
He could tell by the sudden silence that followed the screams. No one was breathing. Both he and Snape were paralyzed by the sight in front of them.
It was Voldemort- completely, totally, dead.
~~***~~
Harry was the first to turn away. He glanced over at Snape, who looked dumbfounded. Malfoy's dead body still lay crumpled on top of him.
Harry moved over and pushed the body away. He found the shrunken vial of anti-pain potion in his pocket, unshrunk it, and lifted it to Snape's lips. The helpless wizard drank slowly, carefully. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the body of Voldemort.
He's dead.
Yes.
You did it.
There was no reply. Snape looked up at Harry and was surprised to see a frown on the boy's face. No celebration, no smiles. Why not? Harry had just defeated Voldemort, his mortal enemy and the most powerful dark wizard in years. He would never come back. Harry had made sure of that. So why wasn't he happy? Why?
What's wrong?
Harry turned away, not wanting Snape to see the tears streaming down his face. He didn't want to be ridiculed. Not now. He had- killed- in cold blood. He had utterly annihilated Voldemort.
Not that he minded him dead. No, he was glad about that. But the fact that he had been the one to do it, and the fear that now, there was no point to his life, none at all..
He had completed his mission. And now he was through with, he knew that. And he didn't want to hear it from Snape. Didn't need to hear sarcasm.
And, damn it, he was sick of looking like James Potter!
Snape saw the golden light flash again around Harry. When it was gone, he found himself looking at the real Harry, the one who looked like him, even if he didn't want to admit it.
Harry turned to look at him again, and Severus could see dried tears on his face. What did this boy have to be sad about?
Well, let's go.
Excuse me?
I said, let's go. I don't want to be here anymore.
Isn't Dumbledore coming?
Harry gave him a look. "No."
Why not?
That wasn't the plan.
Then how are we getting out?
I'm apparating. And I'm carrying you.
You can't apparate yet.
I taught myself how. Nobody bothered to teach me. I don't know how they thought I was going to get you out of here.
Maybe they didn't.
I thought that, too.
Hm.
"Well, are you ready to go? Is the potion working?"
Yes, and yes. What are you going to do with the bodies?
I don't know, I was just going to leave the here.
I would consider bringing them back with us.
Harry gulped and nodded. He stood up and dragged Voldemort's body toward Snape and the body of Lucius Malfoy. He was going to carry Snape over his shoulder and grab the forearms of both of the corpses. That would take them all back to Hogwarts.
"This isn't going to be comfortable," Harry warned. He lifted Snape gently over his shoulder, much to the potions master's dismay, and grabbed Voldemort and Malfoy.
With a * pop, * they all disappeared.
~~***~~~
Harry landed heavily on the found outside of Hogwarts. He let go of the bodies as soon as he possibly could and gently eased Snape to the ground.
"You okay?" he asked.
I'll be fine. But I think your potion is wearing off.
Really? It should hold up for several more hours!
Harry could see figures running toward them.
Dumbledore, McGonagall, Remus, and.. Sirius?
Shit.
"HARRY!" Lupin cried as he rushed to hug the teenager.
Dumbledore and Minerva stood gaping at the bodies of Voldemort and Malfoy, lying forgotten on the ground.
Sirius had halted altogether and was looking at Harry, somewhat shell-shocked.
"No, no, don't take care of me, look after Snape. I'm fine. He's not," Harry complained as Remus started to make a fuss.
Dumbledore bent down to smile at Severus. "Hello, Severus," he said gently.
The potions master blinked in reply.
"He can't talk, headmaster. Can't even move, except for his eyes. It hurts too much. We need to get him help now," said Harry urgently.
Dumbledore stood up and levitated the bodies. Harry took Snape in his arms as if he were a child and carried him back to Hogwarts.
The battle was over, he knew that. Voldemort was gone for good. But why was he so depressed? So empty? He couldn't find an answer.
Severus Snape felt incredibly awkward. So awkward that he couldn't even summon up his usual malice toward the boy who held him so carefully. And that was saying a lot.
Why in the world was Potter looking so defeated? He looked almost.. lost, and empty. Like he didn't know what was coming next.
Oh! That was it. He didn't know what was coming next.
Severus mentally smacked his forehead. Of course the child was lost. Here he was, not even fifteen, and he had just defeated the most powerful dark wizard in years. That had been Harry's purpose in life. That was the reason that Harry lived. To defeat Voldemort.
All of that expectation had been placed on him, so early in life. People monitored his every move. Always waiting for him to save them all.
And now that he had, what was he? What could he do now?
Finish school, of course. Go play Quidditch. Be an auror. Whatever. He could still do anything.. but his purpose was through. People would forget him. He had an adoring public because of who he was. Because of what he would do.
But he would be nothing now. Because he didn't have anybody except for Ron and Hermione. Because although he would always be remembered and revered, what more could he do with his life?
Severus was sure that Harry had never anticipated actually living through this little war, but now here he was. Good lord, of course the boy was confused. Snape was confusing himself just thinking about it!
Severus was placed on something comfortable. He had escaped into his own mind, which was mysteriously full of hidden questions and emotions.
He had to sort through them all, before he lost himself in the effort to hide.
