A/N: You are about to find out who is coming to the rescue!! Is it Dumbledore… is it Harry? Well, I've had the rescuer planned out since the very beginning… so remember your guess and read on to find out if you were right!! :-) Anyway, I hope that this chapter proves to be as good as my other chapters… this one was fairly difficult to write… so all in all, I hope that you guys like it. Now without any further delay… I give you chapter 14!! And of course as I always request… I ask all who read this to remember that this is my first ever fanfic so please be kind! Read, review and most importantly… ENJOY!
All things Harry Potter belong to the wonderful JK Rowling… :-)
Chapter 14: Sacrifices
Draco and Ginny turned to see who had shouted such bold words.
There, in the doorway, stood none other than Harry Potter… Ron, Hermione and Dumbledore close behind him.
The messy-haired boy ever so slowly walked forward. His wand, unwavering, was pointed directly at The Dark Lord and his cat-green eyes were fixed to the red snake-like slits. Ron and Hermione tried to bolt forward, but Dumbledore grasped them both by the shoulders, holding them back.
"I'm afraid that this is Harry's battle," the old wizard stated. His voice sounded shaken and worried.
Tears filled Hermione's eyes so Ron held her close to help comfort her.
Draco looked at Ginny, "This is it… the final battle of the prophecy?"
Ginny nodded as Draco grasped her hand and ran back towards Ron, Hermione and Dumbledore. Ron was too busy comforting Hermione and worrying about his best friend to even care that Draco Malfoy was holding his sister's hand. Obviously all his previous angry thoughts of Draco and his sister were forgotten… at least for the time being.
Harry walked along the aisle, stepping over fallen Death-Eaters as he approached the front of the room. His bright green eyes, unblinking, did not move from Voldemort's snake-like gaze.
"Ssso… 'The-Boy-Who-Lived' finally ssseeksss hisss revenge! You'll be easier to exterminate than your parentsss!!"
"Don't be so sure…" Harry replied with an eerie yet menacing sound reverberating from his voice.
Voldemort raised his own wand and a flash of green struck at Harry causing him to fall down. Harry quickly got up and retaliated by shooting a large red streak at The Dark Lord causing him to crash into the wall behind his throne.
Hermione looked over at Dumbledore, eyes red and swollen, "Can't we do anything?"
The old wizard sighed, "I wish that we could. But this is out of our hands. Voldemort can only be defeated by Harry… the prophecy is as clear as crystal."
Ron hugged Hermione tightly as she resumed her sobbing.
Harry and Voldemort were still sending curses back and forth at one another. Harry somersaulted through the air and landed flat on his back causing the wind to get knocked out of him. He quickly recovered, however, and sent a curse back to The Dark Lord… causing him to crash into a painting on the wall. The painting's occupant ran away in fear just before Voldemort crushed the canvas.
Draco held a trembling Ginny tightly to his side. All of a sudden, he felt a hand touch his shoulder. He looked up into the face of Dumbledore. The old wizard's face showing that of understanding and great concern, "You did your best Mr. Malfoy… you were successful in protecting Miss Weasley. This will give Harry a better chance to defeat Voldemort."
Draco smiled weakly at Dumbledore's words. He knew that he was no match for The Dark Lord, but at the same time he felt humiliated that he could not even participate in the battle against the evil wizard. Harry always plays the hero.
Dumbledore sensed Draco's feelings and spoke, "Mr. Malfoy, if you were to fight Voldemort… it would most certainly result in your death and not his. Now where would that leave your Miss Weasley?" his eyes twinkled momentarily as if he knew something that Draco did not. "Harry is the only chance we have of defeating Voldemort… you know that as well as I."
Draco nodded reluctantly and brushed his fingers through Ginny's fiery hair. He knew the prophecy… it was all his father had talked about for several months after his fifth year of school. Knowing what was to come, however, did not make it any easier. He heaved a sigh and pulled Ginny closer.
Ron and Hermione, Draco and Ginny and Dumbledore just stood there watching Harry and The Dark Lord dueling back and forth. They felt completely helpless… wishing that they could aid the black-haired boy, but knowing that they could not. It was pure agony and it was only a matter of time. If Harry defeated Lord Voldemort, both the wizarding and muggle worlds would be safe forever. If Harry lost then all the good in the world would be vanquished forever. Harry had to defeat him… no matter what the price.
"Avada Kedavra!!!" shrieked two voices simultaneously.
"NO!!!" screamed Hermione and Ginny. Ron shielded the bushy-haired brunette from the sight as did Draco for his fiery red-head. Dumbledore's head went erect and his eyes widened with fear as a single tear fell along his cheek.
At that moment, it was clear… Voldemort slumped down onto the ground in a heap. He had been defeated… he was dead. Harry had indeed succeeded!!
Only seconds later, Harry fell down to the floor as well. The life from his body had been removed just as had The Dark Lord's. Harry had won, but at what price? The Killing Curse did not leave a mere scar on Harry's skin this time… it took away his life.
Suddenly, Ginny and Hermione raked free from the boys' grasps and ran to where Harry was now laying. They both knelt down on the floor, shaking… unable to comprehend what had just happened. And what was worse, was that they could not do anything about it.
Hermione looked into Harry's dull and lifeless eyes, "Harry? I know you can hear me, Harry?"
Ginny covered her mouth in shock. He really was dead. She looked over at Hermione and shook her head, "He's gone, 'Mione… he's gone…" tears streamed down her cheeks.
The two girls hugged each other sobbing.
Ron and Draco ran up to the crying girls, while Dumbledore remained behind by the entrance way. His head hung in despair. He wasn't ready… yet he won… I'm sorry Lily, my darling grand-niece!
Ron went to Hermione and Draco to Ginny. Each boy held and comforted a girl… it was obvious that each of them harbored deep feelings for the girl he held.
"It's all right, Ginny… he did it to save us all," Draco stated to Ginny in order to try and help ease her pain. He was disturbed by the lack of expression on Harry's motionless face. More than anything he wanted the scar-head to just sit up and make some sort of stupid remark so that he could respond with a witty comeback and a smirk.
Ginny looked up into Draco's eyes. His eyes were shining due to the tears that he was holding back.
"He was very brave to give his life for all of us to have a future…" Draco continued. "Don't know if I could've done that…"
At Draco's words, Ginny's expression turned to one of such love and she buried her face in his chest.
Ron suddenly looked over at Draco, holding and hugging his sister with such love. Plus, he had heard all the comforting things that he had said… as well as what he had said about Harry, his arch-nemesis. So, at that moment, he extended his hand towards the Slytherin, "You're okay, Malfoy."
Draco smirked and then smiled, "You too…" he paused for a moment and then added, "For a Weasley."
Ron did not know how to react to Draco's remark. But at that moment, Draco took hold of Ron's hand and shook it firmly causing Ron to smile. The four students sat around Harry's body, just staring at each other in silence for a moment.
Finally, Ron spoke softly to break the deafening silence, "You had better take care of her… or you have six Weasley brothers to deal with."
Ginny smiled as Draco looked deeply into her eyes, "I'd die for this one…"
***
A month had passed since the final battle. The school had hosted a funeral for the legendary Harry Potter and declared the day as Harry Potter Day in remembrance of his sacrifice for both the wizarding and muggle worlds. The Daily Prophet had also published an article stating that several Death-Eaters were captured and sent to Azkaban as a result of Harry's 'final battle' with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Lucius Malfoy and Blaise Zabini were just some of the Death-Eaters mentioned. Aurors were out searching for the ones who managed to escape.
Ron and Hermione sat together, her head leaning against his shoulder, on the couch next to the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room.
Ginny, who was still very different from the other Gryffindors, sat alone in a squashy chair admiring her black painted finger nails. Suddenly, she felt her stomach rumble loudly. It was doing that a lot more often as of late… The girl knew that it was partially due to the stress over what had happened to Harry. She always seemed to get really hungry when she was stressed and eating allowed her to forget all her troubles. Besides, she knew all too well, that the pain and realization of what happened to her friend would eventually pass and become easier with time… thus her levels of stress would decrease and so would her tireless food cravings. In the meantime, she just hoped that she would not get fat as a result of her heightened appetite.
Finally, Ginny stood up as her stomach rumbled yet again, "Well… I'm going down to the Great Hall for dinner."
Ron looked over at his sister, "But dinner isn't for another hour."
Ginny heaved a sigh, "Don't you think I know that, Ron? I can't help it… I'm hungry."
The fiery red-head walked across the common room and out of the portrait hole. She quickly walked through the corridors and was relieved when she finally made it to the Great Hall. She knew that she could get a sampling of dinner before the others arrived. It's so great to be on good terms with Dobby the House Elf!!
Ginny sat down at the Gryffindor table when suddenly a small snack appeared on her plate. "Thank you, Dobby!" she spoke aloud. The girl smiled broadly and immediately began to eat.
Suddenly, a pair of strong, cool hands covered her eyes. She reached up and took hold of the wrists and smiled, "Draco…"
The blond Slytherin uncovered her eyes and she swung around to kiss him lightly on the lips.
"Mind if I sit with you before the others arrive?"
Ginny shook her head, "I'd love it!"
Draco took a seat next to Ginny and just gazed at her while she continued to eat the snack Dobby had specially prepared for her.
***
Ginny awoke with a start and sat bolt upright. She looked out the window and noticed that the sun was just beginning to rise. The sky looked beautiful… filled with reds and purples. She smiled at the beauty of the sunrise when suddenly a horrible wave of nausea consumed her. The girl clutched her stomach in hopes that the feeling would pass. When she realized that it would not she immediately ran to the girl's bathroom and vomited.
Ginny lingered beside the toilet for several minutes when she heard a voice call her name.
"Ginny… you okay?"
It was Hermione. The bushy-haired brunette walked into the bathroom only to see Ginny kneeling on the floor beside the toilet.
"I'm fine… just feel a little ill is all."
"Perhaps you ought to go to the Hospital Wing and see Madame Pomfrey. Did you eat something bad last night? Or perhaps you are still feeling the stress over the…" her voice trailed off. Hermione and Ron always avoided any discussion involving Harry Potter… it was still too painful.
Ginny nodded, "Perhaps you are right."
~*~*~*~*~*~
Well… I hope that the 'final battle' wasn't too anti-climactic. It was extremely difficult to write… as was the transition of going back to typical life at Hogwarts. Anyway, I still hope that you all liked it… and I hope that none of you are angry with me for killing off Harry. As I've said before… I really don't think that Harry should end up with anyone. My reasons for this are partially due to the fact that I believe that he should die at the end of the series… yeah, morbid, I know… but that's my own opinion (don't get me wrong, though… I do indeed like Harry). You all are definitely free to have your own opinions… so please don't be upset with mine! :-) Also, what did you all think of me making Dumbledore related to Harry? Again, this is another thing that I believe ought to happen in the series… even if it seems a bit of a stretch.
I want to thank all of you for such wonderful and long reviews… and I'm sorry that I didn't post this chapter sooner… however, I am now away on vacation in California… Luckily, I had some free time today and was able to post this chapter for you all… but I won't be posting the next chapter until I return home next week! Sorry about that!!! But, if you all leave me as many wonderful reviews as you did for the last chapter, I'll be sure to post the next one straight away once I return home.
Lastly, I've been so overwhelmed with the wonderful reviews for my newest D/G one-shot entitled, "Blood of My Love," that I've decided to write another one-shot sequel called "Bonds of the Soul." Be sure to keep a look out for that one!!
sweetstar3 ~ Mon amie romantique!!! You are too hilarious… and I understood every single word!! Heehee!!! Anyway, I'm sorry that I left you with a cliffhanger last chapter… the ending to this chapter isn't nearly as much of a cliffhanger… don't you think? So, please don't be upset with me anymore!! And I hope that you liked this last chapter as well!! Please continue to read and review… there is still a bit more to come!! :-)
Lady Obsidian ~ Well, I hope that this last chapter eased some of the tension… and I also hope that it wasn't too anti-climactic… There is still more to come… there are two more installments to be posted… so be sure to stick with me to the end!! Continue reading and reviewing!!
Seshet ~ Thanks for the compliments and I'm thrilled that you liked my other stories… Be on the lookout for a sequel to "Blood of My Love"!! It'll be called "Bonds of the Soul." Well, I hope that you liked this chapter… it was difficult to write so I hope that it came out all right… At least you know who the rescuer is… and some other questions have been answered… but there is still a bit more to come… so keep on reading and reviewing!! :-)
angelover41 ~ Thanks for your words of encouragement… the story is nearing the end (*sniff*), but I hope that you stick with me until its completion!! In the meantime, continue to read and review!!
dragonsprincess ~ Hey there, sweetie!! Well… the rescuer was indeed Harry… how could I not have made it so… especially after the prophecy JK had informed us all about!! :-) I just hope that this chapter came out all right… it was a difficult chapter for me… lots of stuff going on and trying to tie up some loose ends, etc… Anyway, I hope that you liked this chapter and please continue to read and review… there is a bit more to come!!
Cameron ~ You know who the rescuer is… do you like my choice? Did you like how the battle ended, etc.?? I hope that it came out all right in the end… it was a hard write. Also, thanks for your words of encouragement… this story is my first fanfic and I must say that I've been very pleasantly surprised by how much recognition its been getting… I'm thrilled to pieces!! I just hope that you all will still like it once its completed. Please continue to read and review!! :-)
Sailor Catastrophe ~ Firstly, I want to say thank you so very much for adding me to your "favorite authors" list!! I hope that you liked this chapter as much as my earlier ones… this chapter proved to be very very difficult for me to write… so I hope that it came out all right in the end. Please keep on reading and of course reviewing!! :-)
oua ~ I'm so glad that you like my story… and I'm happy to know that you'll be passing on the word about it so that others can read and enjoy it!! Thanks!! Please continue to read and review!! :-)
KuTiExAzNxAnGeL ~ Well… you know who the rescuer is now… please stay with me until the end… we're almost there!! Keep reading and reviewing!!
dracomio ~ I'm glad that you are still liking my story… and I hope that you liked this chapter as well (it was hard for me to write this chapter… as I'm sure you could tell). Anyway, stay with me… the story is nearing the end… Continue reading and reviewing!!
AnniBug ~ Well… you now know who the rescuer is… and the final battle… well, I hope that it wasn't too anti-climactic… it was an extremely difficult write for me… plus the transitions were a bit difficult too. Regardless, I hope that you liked this chapter and continue to enjoy the future ones as well… stick with me there is still a bit more to come!! In the meantime, please continue to read and review!! :-)
Lady Bug ~ I'm sooo very sorry about your goldfish!! Yes… unfortunately, this fanfic is nearing the end… there are two more installments left to be posted. Indeed I do have other fanfic ideas (all D/G of course…). I have one already in the works, but it's being posted rather slowly… it's called "Phantasmagoria" and I have a one-shot posted called "Blood of My Love." Also, soon there will be a sequel to my one-shot entitled, "Bonds of the Soul." Be sure to check those out if you are interested!! In the meantime, I hope that you continue to enjoy this story… please continue to read and review!!! :-)
Ang3l666 ~ Thank you so much for the compliments… I'm glad that you liked the last chapter!! I hope that you liked this one too… yeah, not much romance, etc. but you find out some interesting things… and there is still a bit more to come! Continue to read and review!! :-)
devoted2draco ~ You are too sweet… thanks for the compliments… as for my age… hmmm… well, I'm 27. I guess that I can't be too embarrassed about that, eh?? :-) Anyhow, I hope that you liked this latest chapter… it was definitely the most difficult chapter for me to write for this story… so I hope that it came out all right in the end… Unfortunately, this story is nearing the end… but there is still more to come!! Please continue to read and review… also, check out my other stories… I'd love to know what you think of them!! :-)
boredwithreality ~ Well… you guessed correctly as to who the rescuer would be!! :-) I just had to do that after what we all learned in OotP!! I hope that you liked this chapter as much as my earlier ones… please continue to read and review!! Also, thanks for your compliments!!
Artfully Lime ~ Well, I'm sorry that you don't particularly care for this story… that's ok… you are entitled to your opinion. This is just a story that popped into my head and I wanted to write down for people to enjoy… I know that not everyone will like what I write, but that's fine with me… perhaps you will like some of the other stuff that I write in the future. Thanks for reviewing…
HPFreekGirl ~ Nat, you are too funny!! Well, I hope that this chapter was able to build up your emotions as well… it was the hardest chapter for me to write!! So, after all is said and done, I hope that it came out all right, etc. What do you think of what's going on now…? Please continue to read and review!! :-)
Anime10473 ~ I could NOT let Blaise rape our poor Ginny… she's already been through enough turmoil… but I'm glad that I held you in suspense… that was what I was hoping for!! As for the rescuer… your first instinct was indeed correct! I just had to do it since it was in the prophecy stated in OotP!! What did you think of the final battle? I hope that it wasn't too anti-climactic… it was such a difficult write!! Anyway, please keep on reading and reviewing!! :-)
Greeny ~ My darling Rachel!!! Well, we've discussed most of your review already!! LOL!! Anyway, I hope that you liked this chapter… it was an extremely difficult write for me… so I hope that it wasn't too anti-climactic. There were a lot of loose ends and such that I wanted to tie up in this chapter as well, which only added to the difficulty of writing this chapter… in the end, I hope that it came out relatively ok!! There are two more installments for this story… and then it will sadly be over (*sniff*)… my first fanfic will be finished!! Well, I hope that you liked this chapter anyway… please continue to read and review… I always love to hear what you have to say and suggest!!!
Wahhhhhhhhh ~ Sorry about the cliffhanger from the last chapter… the ending to this one isn't nearly as crazy, eh??? Please continue to read and review!!
Silver Dragon Myst ~ Thanks for the compliments… I only hope that this chapter lives up to the standards that I've set with my previous chapters… this chapter was so difficult for me to write so I must say that I'm a bit apprehensive as to how it came out… hopefully, you all will still like my story!! Please keep on reading and reviewing!!
She-Who-Hates-Sunshine ~ YOU ARE MY 200TH REVIEWER!! You totally guessed correctly! Harry it was!! :-) I'm glad that you liked my D/G smut scenes… I was hoping that they came out all right, etc. Please continue to read and review!!
cute-crazy-chick1 ~ I'm glad that you sill like my story… I hope that you liked this chapter as well… there is still a bit more to come! Keep on reading and reviewing!!
Lady Matsu ~ You're too sweet!! :-) Anyway, I'm glad that you liked my last chapter and I hope that you liked this one as well… especially since it was difficult for me to write this chapter. As for the whole Dumbledore calling Voldemort Tom… yes, I loved that! It was really a great effect in my opinion… almost chilling really… And yes… Blaise is an idiot… but he got his in the end, didn't he?? :-) Well, please continue to read and review!! I know that you will!!
evieteen ~ I'm glad that you liked the flashbacks and the ritual… I was hoping that those would come out all right. I'm also glad to hear that you liked my sex scene prior to the whole ritual… I wasn't too sure how people would take that. Well, I hope that you liked this chapter as much as the others… this one was a difficult write!! Anyway, please keep on reading and reviewing!! :-)
Mei Lee ~ Yeah… it's Harry… it had to be though… after all, there is the prophecy… but I did kill him off (I hope that too many people out there won't be upset with me as a result). I hope that you liked this chapter and all… there is a bit more to come… so please continue to read and review!!
rebecca ~ Hmmm… a pregnant Ginny… Well, you'll have to keep on reading to find out if that will indeed come to pass… I already know whether it will or whether it won't happen… I hope that you like my choice in the end!! Can you make a guess as to what will happen??? I hope that you liked this chapter as much as my previous ones… this one was difficult to write. Please continue to read and review!! :-)
xi-swt-tearz-ix ~ I'm glad that you like my story… continue to read and review!!
Magic Comet ~ I'm glad that you are finally back!! I hope that this ending didn't leave you in too much suspense… I didn't really think that it did or anything. :-) So, I hope that you liked this chapter… it was a difficult write for me indeed… and there is still more to come! Two more installments!! Be sure to stay with me until the end!! Also, check out my other stories!! In the meantime, please keep on reading and reviewing!!
Dark Elf Mage ~ I'm glad that you liked the last chapter… now I only hope that you liked this chapter too. This chap was extremely difficult for me to write and all… I'm sure that after reading it, you can understand why… lots going on and trying to tie up loose ends, etc. Anyway, I hope that it didn't come out too badly… There is still more to come, however… I hope that you will like the future chapters as well… Any guesses as to what will be happening??? :-) Well, stick with me… this story is near completion! Keep on reading and reviewing!!
GinnyDracoFan ~ You are too sweet… thanks for the compliments! I hope that you liked this chapter too… it was definitely a hard write… please stick with me to the end!! Definitely, keep on reading and reviewing!! :-)
A special thanks is extended to Sailor Catastrophe for adding me to her "favorite authors" list (*many hugs*)!
Again I'd like to re-iterate… I hope that everyone will continue to enjoy what I write… Also remember that more and longer reviews means that I'll be more likely to post another chapter quickly!!! :-)