Chapter 21
At six there was a knock at the door, and Harry padded over to open it up, and Sirius stood there. "I'm sorry Harry. It's time to go son."
"I'll wake Ginny, we'll be right there." Sirius nodded and went about waking the others.
"Gin?" Harry kissed her and gently shook her shoulder. "Love, it's time to get up and fight the bad guys."
Ginny smiled. "'Fight the bad guys'? Why Harry, you are making light of this."
He positively glowed looking at her. "That's because we are going to win, my dearest wife. He can't possibly have anywhere near the power I have right now. Why I feel as if I could cause the earth to open and swallow him right now and that is simply tapping the very tiniest fraction of my power."
She was positively glowing. Harry jolted back to his senses suddenly. She was glowing. A soft gold aura enveloped her, not nearly as strong as his currently, but it was definite.
They dressed in silence, and took extra care when checking over their equipment. The common room never felt so full to them. Breakfast was on the table, enticing them to eat. During breakfast both Sirius and Dumbledore joined them, taking places that Ron and Hermione gave up for chairs summoned to them.
The Marauder's Map was unfurled on the table, the corners pinned down with marmalade, butter, and a pair of cups. Ron was pointing to the Whomping Willow. "We know they'll have to come on foot, and with the proper exertion of force, we may be able to drive them to hide near the Willow, and that will at least deal with some of the Death Eaters.
"Now, as for Voldemort, Harry has a plan, right mate?"
Harry drew himself up and placed a salt shaker on the table near the Willow. "If Ron's plan works, I want to separate Tom from his followers. I've been thinking, and quite honestly the way I see it, Tom draws his power from his followers in a similar way that I do." Harry waved off the gasps, "no, I said similar not the same. You all freely give the power I tap into; Tom forces his followers to submit to his will. This is consistent with Griswald, correct Professor?"
Dumbledore nodded sagely. "You are correct Harry, I remember it now. It seemed trivial at the time, and we had already managed to whittle his forces down by a vast number when we confronted him. Apparently Tom has learned from his predecessor."
Harry looked at the map. "According to this, Tom has forty-five followers with him. Now several are giants, and have little to no magic to give to him, so –" Harry paused looking at the map counting the dots, "say twenty adult wizards and witches to draw from." He grimaced.
Dumbledore stood then and looked at them. "The staff will take care of the giants, Harry. You must deal with Tom; you alone have the power to stop him."
A rapping on the door tore their attention from the map. Harry opened the door to see someone bobbing behind the form of Trog. "Yes Trog?"
"'Ary Pott'r 'as an visit'r."
Harry recognized Bill Weasley "Let him in Trog." The troll grunted obligingly and moved aside. Harry was about to talk to Bill and stopped. "Trog, could you come in here please?"
The Troll lumbered into the room behind Bill. "Yeah 'Arry Pott'r?"
"Trog, there is going to be a large battle on the grounds of the school today. I need to know if you intend on fighting with us, or staying out of the way." Harry fixed his eyes on the troll.
Trog hunched down to be more level with Harry and looked him back with a steady gaze. "Trog do what 'Arry Pott'r tells us."
"I would very much like, if you would fight on my side. We are going to be fighting Voldemort and his minions. Some of them are giants."
Trog nodded "Den 'Arry Pott'r be need'n 'elp?"
"Yes Trog, I need your help. But you need to go into this willingly. I can't command you to fight for me."
Trog stood then. "Trog need git udders ready fer war." He turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
"Good lord Harry," Sirius exclaimed "trolls are unpredictable in calm circumstances, but in combat they are just vicious, brutal and unprincipled."
"This isn't a wizard's duel Sirius, This is for the full Monty, and I need all the advantages I can get. The trolls will, if nothing else be our needed force." They returned to the map. Riddle's forces were already moving towards the Quiddich pitch. It was time to go.
They opened the door, and were met by six trolls who were looking menacing. Trog strode forward. "Us's ready 'Arry Pott'r."
The entered the entry way, and the staff that were able to fight were already assembled. A few quelled at the thought of fighting alongside trolls, but in the end they agreed. The group entered the grounds. The cold air shook off the last vestiges of sleep, as they trod through the light snow to stand opposite the Whomping Willow. In the distance they could see the forces of Tom Riddle advancing on them.
Harry looked out at them, and his breath caught. There were so many. He looked around at the men and women standing with him. They seemed old, and tired. He sighed audibly and Dumbledore looked at him smiling his secretive little smile.
"Appearances Harry, are not always the truth." He winked and returned to looking at the advancing host.
Harry felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned to look at Sirius. "Yes?"
"Harry, I'm only going to say this once dear boy. We can grieve for everyone after the fight, don't grieve for those who stand by you today." Harry nodded, and steeled himself.
Suddenly he felt a wash of power, and pushed out with his mind. He made contact with the advancing forces. With a voice suddenly filled with power and confidence he barely felt, he shouted "STOP".
To his amazement, they did. "You will advance no further onto the lands of Hogwarts."
Riddle advanced then, "Who do you think you are, boy?"
"Tom, I am giving you one last chance to surrender. If you don't I will consider this a hostile action, and that gives me the right, and power to stop you."
Harry advanced so that he and Riddle were less than a dozen meters from each other. "I am going to offer you a duel Tom. You and I, we settle everything, winner takes all."
"Insolent brat! You think I need to make a deal with you?"
"No, I'm just offering it Tom. Final offer, take it or leave it."
Riddle raised his wand. "I enjoyed killing your father Potter, but watching your mother offer to prostitute herself on your behalf was even better." Whatever reaction riddle was hoping for, the evil smile on Harry's face was not apparently high on the list.
"I am going to love to kill you Riddle. You have been a torment to me for so long, killing people who were innocent, or simply in your way. Well, here's an object lesson for you Tom." Harry let the power flow, and concentrated on one of the giants. The great mountain started to shake as if in the throws of a fever, and with an awful bellow fell to the ground with an earthshaking thud. A slight shift to the wind brought the smell of something cooking.
Riddle's eyes narrowed as he examined the young man in front of him. "Your power is growing young Potter." He raised his wand and pointed it behind Harry. "Now it's time for your object lesson."
Harry moved so fast the others swore he had Disapparated. One second he was a good eleven meters from Riddle, and the next he was holding Riddle's wand and standing over the prone form of the wand's owner. He held the wand between his hands, and shouted "You will never use this to harm another!" The wand quivered and finally shattered. The core feather erupted into a ball of red flame that Harry then pushed towards the host that came with Riddle.
Harry looked down at the form laid out in front of him, and narrowed his eyes. "Who in the nine hells are you?"
The prone figure's face began to bubble, and Harry found himself looking at the form of Crabbe's father. "Reducto" he said pointing his wand at the man's throat.
Years later, we still have a hard time piecing together the events of the next half hour. But we do have pieces we put together here:
Harry moved, and avoided several curses thrown at him. He imagined the wall of glass, and pushed it out. The lattice formed instantly, and blocked direct line of sight as Harry returned to his people. He drew on more power, and grinned again. He looked at one of the death eaters and imagined an exhibit he saw in a zoo once. A mosquito from the Jurassic period embedded in amber. His eyes narrowed, and rapidly a sphere engulfed the death eater. The wall between the two forces faded, and Harry dropped to his knees.
At some point later Harry rose wearily to his feet and saw that the two forces were engaged in a pitched battle. Ginny was standing over him, and had just fed him some potion or another. "That should take care of you for now lover. But we need to move." He allowed himself to be guided to a spot where Ron and Hermione were holding off a group of death eaters and a giant.
"'Arry Pott'r ok?" came a rumbling voice. Harry focused on Trog's face.
"Yes Trog, I'm going to be ok, I just used too much magic at once." Harry managed a weak grin.
"Trog gots werk ta do den."
They watched the troll lumber off into the brush, making his way around to behind the giant.
Harry grabbed Ginny's hand and felt a renewed rush of power, and he got to his feet less shaky than before. He kissed her hand and joined the other three at blocking and throwing curses.
Trog snuck up behind the giant, his club raised over his shoulder in what Harry could only think of an American baseball player's stance. Suddenly they heard a deafening CRACK! As the club made contact with the back of the giant's knee and the giant went down howling in pain and anger. Trog then dove back into the bushes. Harry had to admit, he was very effective at removing the giant from the equation.
A sudden feeling of sympathy washed over him. The giant is hurt, but not badly, he can't let the creature suffer.
Ginny was watching Harry and saw the emotions flitter over his face. "Harry, we can be worried about the wounded later." Her eyes fixed with his, and she saw him harden up again, all emotions buried. "That's better." She smiled at him in such a way as he felt his heart melt.
Was it an hour? A day? Harry was resting against the trunk of a tree. He couldn't remember when he had eaten or dunk last, but he was ravenous, and his thirst almost unbearable. He looked at Ron who was saying something to him he could barely hear. He felt a bottle thrust into his hands and the felt the plastic against his lips. Cool water flooded into his mouth, and Harry's eyes began to refocus.
"Harry mate? Bloody hell don't you ever do that again, or I'm going to kick your arse all the way to Ottery St. Catchpole and back, do you hear me?" Worry was written all over his friends face.
"Ok, Ron…" Harry gave him a smile, and drank more water. He was trying to remember what he did to upset Ron so much. Quiddich, yes, that's it, they were playing Quiddich. "Ron?"
Ron turned to look at his friend. "Yes Harry?"
"Did I catch the snitch?" Harry's voice wavered at the end and his eyelids threatened to close again.
"God Dammit Ginny get over here!" Ron screamed.
Ah, yes Ginny. She's so sweet and kind, I really have to get to know her better this year. Harry thought as Ginny's face swam into view. But I mustn't let her know how I feel Voldemort could find out. He'd hurt her to get to me, and I mustn't let her get hurt, not ever. He felt the warm sensation of unconsciousness flowing up to meet him. Some rest, I'm sure Madam Pomfrey will want me to rest, and then she'll be on about banning Quidditch…
Ginny was finishing healing Sirius's hand when she saw Harry stand up from behind their small wall and another death eater was enveloped in an amber blob. She looked around and counted a dozen such suspended men and women. This time she felt the power suddenly drop as Harry passed out the first time.
"God Dammit Ginny get over here!" Ron screamed.
She picked up her satchel and sprinted over to the position Harry and Ron had been holding. Harry was fading in and out of consciousness. She so wanted to allow him to sleep, but she knew he was their only hope. Dumbledore had been struck by a killing curse a lifetime ago or perhaps only twenty minutes. She didn't know. But by far Harry was the most powerful wizard on their side.
"You fed him the potion?" She looked at the empty bottle in Harry's hands.
"Yeah, and it worked for a second, but then he started mumbling something about catching the snitch. I think he's used too much magic Ginny. I'm worried sick, each time he does that" he waved at one of the amber-trapped death eaters "he gets worse. I don't know if he'll survive another one."
Ginny wiped her hand over he brow, and dug out a vial and forced it between Harry's lips. "I'm sorry dearest, it's the only way." She muttered.
A second later Harry sat bolt upright and emptied the contents of his stomach on the ground. "My god! What was that?" he managed between heaves.
Ron smirked. "Armadillo bile I'd wager. Come on Harry, we have to move mate."
Harry smiled at Ginny. "Not quite the hero they'll write about I'd wager love." Then Harry and Ron bolted for another barrier Harry raised with a flick of his wand. Ginny counted to seven and followed them.
Harry looked at her. "How's it going Gin?" He was trying to piece the last few hours? Minutes? Together and was failing miserably.
"We are winning Harry, but only just. You are still our best chance." She kissed him, and then looked up as she heard Cho shout for her. "Have to run. Ta."
"Ok Ron, which one's next?" Harry was already building the power and focusing on the image of the mosquito.
Harry rinsed the awful bile taste from his mouth with another bottle of water. "Ugh! You think if she loved me she could give me something other than that."
Ron smiled back at Harry, and was about to speak when he heard heavy footsteps heading towards them. His wand came up, and he steeled himself to defend Harry.
"'Arry Pott'r." Trog gasped coming into view. "Trog has note."
The troll thrust a wad of dirty parchment into Harry's hand.
Harry,
Come to the castle quickly.
Ginny
He sighed. The last time he was summoned back to the castle it was because Dumbledore had been killed. He felt out along the lines and counted all nine Companions and himself. Ok, so it can't be that bad right?
"Ron, let's go, Ginny needs us back at the castle." He placed a hand on Trog's wrist. "Thank you Trog, we are going back now."
Trog grunted and headed back into the brush.
They reached the doors and saw now eight bodies on the ground. Ginny was cradling the head of one of them in her lap. Ron felt Harry tense beside him, and he placed a hand on Harry's shoulder.
Ginny looked up with tears in her eyes. "He – he didn't suffer Harry."
Stunned Harry walked forward and placed a hand over the dead eyes of Sirius Black. "I'm so sorry Sirius. Say hello to my mum and dad and Remus." He choked out and tears fell for a minute. "I – I have to go Ginny."
They left, and went back to their position. Seven death eaters were in front of them, and Harry stood and shouted his voice echoing. "DAMN YOU!" The blue fire swept forward, swiftly engulfing the death eaters in a sheet of living flame. They barely had time to scream before they fell.
Shaking Harry sank back down to the ground. Ron meaningfully handed Harry a bottle of water. "Drink this now or bile later mate."
Ron and Harry had managed to get back to the castle to check the map. It showed that of the original attackers, most were gone. Riddle was still out there. Harry could see his name.
Harry watched as Lisa and Susan made their way down towards the remaining giants. Harry looked and counted only four left. They hadn't been able to get to the Aurors, but by the same token Riddle couldn't leave the grounds, nor could he call for reinforcements.
He was drinking some juice and eating a cold sandwich when to his horror Riddle blinked and reappeared behind Lisa and Susan. He managed a strangled "No!" and Lisa's dot faded to grey.
Suddenly he felt violently ill, and felt a piece of him tear away. Leaving a hollow spot where Lisa had been. Riddle disappeared and reappeared back at his camp. He and Ron stood and ran with Ginny behind them towards where Susan and Lisa had been.
Ginny was already rummaging for a potion from her pouch. Lisa was lying on her back, and Susan had collapsed beside her sobbing into the hem of Lisa's robes "Wake up Lisa, come on honey, we have to get you back to Ginny. She can help..."
Ginny placed her hands gently on Susan's shoulder and pulled her up. Thrusting the potion on her, Ginny simply said "Drink," and turned to Lisa's body.
Harry summoned a stretcher, and Ron helped him place Lisa's body on it. The four made their way to the entry hall. Harry laid the body next to Sirius and Dumbledore.
Susan barely made it to the castle before collapsing in a corner and falling into a deep sleep. The eight remaining conscious Companions muttered closely for a while, and Harry moved to Susan with tears in his eyes.
"Forgive me Susan, please." He raised his wand to her "obliviate".
A soft wind blew that night, in the distance Harry thought he heard a song bird singing. It seemed so peaceful now. He glanced at his watch, and the time read 9:45 pm.
A fresh snow was beginning to fall, covering the horror of the day's fight. Seven names had been added to the rock, and seven new graves had been dug. The worst for Harry had been the graves for Sirius Black and Albus Dumbledore. He had demanded that he dig the graves himself. No one even considered stopping him.
He thought back to the final battle at Riddle's stronghold. Remus had worked at leading them out, but just before they made it to the door, they passed by a window. To Harry's horror the light of the full moon blocked Remus from escape.
The man's pale grey eyes misted, and then his face hardened. "Go, I'll get out if I can. Until then, you'll have me guarding your back."
Sirius hugged him then. "I'll stay with you."
"No Sirius, you need to look after Harry." He looked into Sirius's eyes and then the truth of the situation passed between them. Remus intended on giving them all the time his life could buy them.
They hugged again and Sirius looked back at his friend. "James and Lilly would have been very proud old friend." They then fled. Just as they reached the exit, Harry heard a bone chilling howl from behind them, and the sounds of a great fight. Remus was buying them time.
They fled then, away from the castle Ron was working at getting everyone huddled together, and then activated the portkey. Harry was watching the doorway when he felt the jerk – and then they were in the common room, and he felt so tired…
Harry picked up a stone from the ground and threw it up into the air with all his might. In the distance he heard it strike something solid. He hoped it was Riddle's chunk of amber.
He walked to the lake and felt the hate and disgust welling up like bile in his throat "Damn you Riddle!" Blue flames raced over the lake almost faster then they eye could see causing steam to suddenly form as the top four centimeters of lake vanished in a cloud of mist. He sank to his knees "Damn you" the tears welled up then, and he felt the remaining Companions.
They had all felt the death. One moment they had all been whole and powerful, and then one of them vanished, and each one of them felt a tearing, a piece of them vanished.
Lisa Turpin's body was interred next to the site chosen for Cedric. The headstone read:
Lisa Turpin
Friend, Lover, Companion
Hero of Hogwarts
Susan had been devastated, her friend and lover was dead, and nothing any of them could do would remove the sounds of Lisa dying from her mind. It tore at her for months after the fact.
At one point she had propositioned Ginny, and showing graces previously unknown in the young woman, they sat in the shade of the trees behind the Burrow and wept for Lisa as Ginny gently but firmly explained she and Harry were together, and nothing would stand between them.