Harry Potter and his whole world belong to JK Rowling. I am borrowing a few characters from her.

Resurrection

They all stared as the ragged figure on the floor made his way painfully to Harry's side. There was pain evident on the bruised and battered face and his breath came in agonized gasps. He finally reached Harry. He reached a hand out and touched Harry's forehead gently.

"I came back," he whispered hoarsely. "Harry, I'm here."

It was too much for Remus. He moved toward his old friend, tears finally slipping from his eyes. He didn't dare look at the others.

"Harry, come on," Sirius continued, his voice breaking along with his heart. He appeared completely unaware of his surroundings.

Remus didn't notice as Ron went around, binding each of the surviving Death Eaters tightly. He took no notice of Ron taking their wands. He just listened to his friend plead with Harry.

"Please, Harry," Sirius said, his voice thick with tears. "I answered you. It's your turn to answer me. Come on, damn it!"

Ron stopped moving. He had his back to everybody.

"It was Avada Kedavra, Sirius," he said quietly. "He's not coming back."

Sirius buried his face against Harry's shoulder when Ron said this. His hands clenched, gripping at Harry's robes. He started to cry, not attempting to hide his tears at all. At this sight, Ginny and Hermione broke down. They wrapped their arms around each other and sank to the floor, sobbing their hearts out.

"Hagrid's dead too," Ron said, still so soft that he was barely audible. "Malfoy…killed Hagrid. And then he killed Harry."

Sirius didn't answer. He continued to whisper agonised pleas for Harry to come back.

Remus sank down next to them, his hand on Sirius' shoulder. They'd lost two to save one. And in the meantime, they'd lost the most important of them all. And not just because of what he had meant in the fight against Voldemort.

"Why did you bring me back, Moony?" Sirius whispered. "To see Harry dead?"

Remus didn't answer. He couldn't. He could feel his heart breaking all over again, as it had done for James and Lily and Peter. And for Sirius.

"We need to go," Ron said quietly. "I'll be right back." He left the room. They barely noticed him leave.

Remus left Sirius and moved over to Hermione and Ginny. They had broken apart; Ginny had her face buried in her hands as she continued to cry. Hermione had stopped crying but was sitting there, her face pale and tearstained. She looked up at Remus as he approached, her eyes blank.

"I knew something like this would happen," she whispered. "I knew somebody would die."
She started to tremble as Ginny let out another sob. Her eyes glassed over. Remus turned away. He didn't know what to say. He sat down on the dais where the crumbled remnants of the veil still remained.

"I've just Flooed Dad," Ron announced as he entered the room again. His eyes were still dry. "He's going to be here in a few minutes. I told him about…about Hagrid and about Harry." He paused, glancing around helplessly. "I told him about the Death Eaters as well."

Ron moved over to Remus. "We need to go. We have to get Harry and Hagrid back to Hogwarts. We don't know if there are more Death Eaters."

Remus nodded as he stood. He helped Sirius to his feet. He watched as Ron pulled Hermione and Ginny to their feet.

"Portus," he said dully after he'd returned the cushion to its original size. He placed a hand on Hagrid's shoulder as Sirius did the same to Harry. He grabbed the pillow; felt the jerk behind his navel. The room dissolved.

"We have to get them up to the castle," Sirius said softly as the Shrieking Shack materialised around them.

Remus conjured up two stretchers. It took Ron, Hermione, Ginny and himself to lift Hagrid on to one of the stretchers. Sirius tried to help, but Remus made him get out of the way.

Sirius lifted Harry on to the other stretcher. He wouldn't let anyone else touch his god son.

They made their way down the tunnel. Sirius leaned heavily on Remus for support as they walked. Remus knew that it was absolutely killing him to do so. Hermione touched the knot as she slipped out of the gap in the tree. They made toward the castle slowly, all of them with heavy hearts. They could hear Fang barking from inside Hagrid's hut.

"It's my fault," Remus said suddenly. "I shouldn't have let him come."

Ron stopped so suddenly that Remus walked into him. He had to reach out to stop Ron from falling. Sirius pulled away from Remus slowly.

"It's not your fault," he said angrily. "Harry knew that there would be risks. Didn't he?" he asked Ron. Ron nodded, his eyes bitter. "If anyone is to blame, it's me. He should never have come down there. Not for me."

"But if I hadn't-"

"Would you both shut up!" Ginny screamed. "It's nobody's fault! Now shut up!"

She raced ahead of them without looking back. By the time they reached the Entrance Hall, she was no where to be seen.

"What time is it?" Sirius asked, glancing around. Remus could hear Peeves cackling in a room not far away.

"Late," he answered. He glanced at his watch. "Nearly one in the morning."

"We have to get Dumbledore," Ron said quietly. His teeth were chattering slightly and his freckles stood out on his white face. Remus knew that a meltdown wasn't far off. He was surprised that Ron had managed to contain himself for that long.

Remus started when he heard a soft mewling from around his ankles. He glanced down into the lamp like eyes of Mrs Norris. Not a minute later, Argus Filch came bursting out of one of the passages to the Entrance Hall.

"So! I've caught…what is going on here?"

He stared around, his eyes popping. "What's going on?" he demanded. He stared at Sirius. "You're dead!"
"I'm not so fortunate," was Sirius' quiet reply. Remus glanced at him sharply. There were tears slipping down his friend's gaunt face again. "We need to see the Headmaster."

Filch, for once, didn't argue. He nodded once and turned on his heel, sprinting off deeper into the dark castle. Hermione sat on the bottom stair to wait. Her eyes were red and swollen and she had started to cry softly once more. Ron went to sit with her, blinking furiously.

"What is going on here?" The silky voice behind them made Remus swell with rage. He turned to find Severus Snape behind them.

"Nothing of importance to you, Severus," he spat angrily. "Go back to your dungeon."

"You do not tell me where to go, Lupin," Snape said smoothly. "What is he-" Remus knew the exact moment Snape caught sight of Harry and Hagrid. He drew in a sharp breath, his black eyes widening. "What happened?"

"Malfoy," Sirius sneered. "Bellatrix. Both are dead, you'll be pleased to know. As I'm sure you're pleased to know that Hagrid is as well. And Harry." Sirius' voice broke again and he turned his face away. "Malfoy killed both of them."

Remus swiped at his eyes angrily. It wouldn't do to cry now. Not when he still needed to explain to Dumbledore. He could do whatever he pleased later on.

They all turned when they heard the sound of running feet. Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey and Albus Dumbledore burst around the corner, all three running as hard as they could.

"It can't be true," McGonagall cried, rushing toward the stretchers. She gasped as she took in Harry's blank staring eyes. Madam Pomfrey said nothing, merely started running her wand over both bodies, searching for something; a sign of life. Why, Remus didn't know.

Dumbledore took a deep breath, his eyes clouded. His jaw clenched before he turned his blue eyes to Remus.

"Explain." His eyes were as flat as Remus had ever seen them.

Remus opened his mouth as Ron let out a gasp. They all turned to him. The dam had finally burst. He buried his face in his hands and started to sob. Hermione wrapped her arms around him and they cried together. Remus watched him for a moment, knowing exactly how Ron felt. He took a deep breath and turned back to Dumbledore.

"We were attacked by Death Eaters," he said, his voice still dull. He was about to continue when Madam Pomfrey let out a shout.

"Albus!" she cried. Dumbledore rushed to her side. "It's Harry! He's…"
She didn't finish. She didn't need to. The light came back to Dumbledore's eyes and he drew his wand.

"Stupefy," he said, pointing it at Harry. Harry's eyes slid closed.

"He's alive!" McGonagall shouted, her hands clapped tight against her mouth. Remus stared, shocked, at Harry. He didn't dare to believe; to hope. "Dumbledore!"
"Quiet!" Dumbledore demanded. He pointed his wand at Harry once more. "Ennervate."

Harry shuddered as his eyes slid slowly open. Ron and Hermione both leapt off the stairs and ran toward their friend. Harry's eyes flicked from one face to the next, trying desperately to focus. Finally they landed on Sirius, who was standing there with his hands in his hair. He had his eyes closed and seemed to be praying with all his might.

"Sirius," Harry whispered. Sirius opened his eyes and stared at his god son.

"I came back, Harry," Sirius whispered back, his eyes welling again. He looked down on Harry for a moment. Then he collapsed.

*

It was pandemonium. Harry stared around, not able to focus. Remus was yelling something at Madam Pomfrey. Ron and Hermione had taken control of the stretcher he was on and were floating it up the stairs. Hermione had broken into tears of joy.

"Here we are," Ron said quietly. Harry glanced around the hospital wing, not really seeing anything. His eyes wouldn't focus.

Ron helped him climb off the stretcher. Hermione pulled a pair of pyjamas out of the cupboard and Ron helped Harry into them. Harry climbed on the bed and Hermione pulled the covers up, a look of helplessness on her face.

"What's been-" Harry started. He was interrupted by the sound of the hospital door slamming open. Two stretchers came through the door, one bearing the enormous body of Hagrid. Sirius was on the other. Harry attempted to sit up, watching, trying to get his eyes to focus properly. He didn't understand why they wouldn't.

Remus followed Sirius into the room, Snape beside him. Dumbledore, McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey were on their heels.

"I suppose what I want to know is why they were at the Ministry building at all?" Snape was saying. Ron glared at him.

"We went to rescue Sirius," Hermione answered quietly. She stood and moved over to the stretcher carrying Sirius. She looked up at Madam Pomfrey, her eyes glistening with tears once more. "Is he…dead?"
Madam Pomfrey shook her head.

"No, dear. He's alive, but how he was standing at all, I've no idea. It must have been pure adrenaline. His left leg is broken and he has a severe concussion. There might be other internal injuries, but I haven't had a chance to look yet."

She nodded tersely in the direction of Snape and Remus. Both men were looking daggers at each other.

Harry tried to sit up once more. His movement caught Remus' eye. Remus hurried to Harry's side.

"How do you feel, Harry? Are you alright?" he asked, concern in his eyes and etched in his features. He rested his hand on Harry's forehead and looked him in the eye. "Harry?"
Harry tried to smile. It was difficult. His whole body ached.

"I'm okay, Remus," he whispered. "My eyes won't focus. And I feel as though I went a round with Hagrid's brother."

Remus smiled sadly. He took Harry's glasses off him gently and repaired them with a wave of his wand. He placed them back on Harry's nose.

"Better?"

Harry blinked and tried to focus again. "A little. My eyes are still swimming."

"Well…you may have hit your head on the floor," Remus suggested quietly. He looked directly into Harry's eyes again. "Do you…remember?"

Harry stared at him. "Remember what?"

The concern in Remus' eyes deepened. Harry glanced around and saw everyone watching him.

"Remember what?" Harry asked again.

Dumbledore lowered his head sadly. McGonagall had tears trickling down her cheeks. Madam Pomfrey was frowning as she made her way to Harry's side. She muttered something and circled her wand around Harry's head.

"Ah, yes," she said quietly. "There's a large contusion here. He must have bumped his head." She slowly drew the wand down the length of him. She gave a shuddering gasp. "Were you attacked?"

Remus nodded silently, his eyes still on Harry. Madam Pomfrey continued to move her wand. She let out a little cry.

"Cruciatus?" she whispered.

Remus shook his head, his eyes now glistening. Madam Pomfrey stared at him.

"What else could it have been? This type of pain remnants can only be caused by the Cruciatus Curse."

Harry saw everyone turn to look at Remus.

"It was Avada Kedavra."

The adults turned sharply, staring down at Harry. He closed his eyes as the memories flooded into his mind.

The crystals not working. Lucius Malfoy laughing and sneering. The stunning spells not working on Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange. Bellatrix trying to kill him and he, Harry, killing her instead. Hermione figuring out how to work the crystals. Hagrid. Hagrid taking the Killing Curse meant for him. The green light rushing his way.

Harry sat up so suddenly that Madam Pomfrey gasped.

"Where is Hagrid?"

Remus looked away from Harry, his eyes glistening again. He nodded to the other stretcher. Harry turned slowly, not wanting to see. His eyes found the gigantic form.

He closed his eyes again, this time trying to hold back the tears that threatened. He felt a hand on his shoulder, but didn't open his eyes.

"He died to protect you, Harry. To save you. He loved you more than his own life." Harry couldn't bring himself to look up at Dumbledore. "He would have wanted it that way."

Harry turned his face away, wanting nothing more than for everyone to leave him alone.

"I…I still don't understand," Madam Pomfrey said quietly, her voice apologetic. "If it was Avada Kedavra, how…?" Her voice trailed off.

Harry's jaw clenched. How indeed?

"Because of the prophecy."
It wasn't Dumbledore who spoke, but Snape. Harry turned to stare at him in disbelief. He waved an impatient hand.

"The Dark Lord marked Potter as his equal. It is the Dark Lord who must kill Potter, as it is Potter who must kill the Dark Lord." He gave a twisted sort of smile. "The Dark Lord would have been most upset at Lucius Malfoy for him even trying, anyway. He wishes to do it himself."

Professor McGonagall's face dropped.

"Malfoy?" she whispered. "Malfoy tried to kill Harry?"

Remus nodded.

"He's dead," Remus answered softly. "Sirius killed him. Just after we thought he'd killed Harry. Just as he was about to kill both Ginny and Hermione."

The door to the hospital wing banged open again. Harry looked up to see Mr and Mrs Weasley, along with Bill and Charlie Weasley, rushing through the door.

"Harry!" Mrs Weasley cried, rushing to his side. "Oh, Ron said that you'd been murdered." She was running her hands over his shoulders as though trying to make sure he was actually solid. She wrapped her arms around him and held him close.

"What happened?" Mr Weasley asked softly. His eyes scanned the room. He paused when he saw Sirius. "Sirius…is he alive?"
Remus sighed and went to sit by the fire. He told them everything, starting with Harry's idea back in the summer about taking the mirror to the Ministry. He finished by telling them about Harry killing Bellatrix Lestrange, about Lucius Malfoy trying to kill him. About Sirius killing Malfoy. Harry stared over that Sirius in surprise when Remus told them that.

Mr Weasley had his head in his hands by the time Remus finished. He was nodding slowly.

"That makes sense. We wondered about Bellatrix. Ron didn't mention her."
"What about the other Death Eaters?" Harry asked quietly. "Did they get away?"
Mr Weasley shook his head. "Ron tied them up and took their wands. I'll need them, by the way," he added, glancing over at his son.

Mrs Weasley looked at Remus. "How about Hagrid? Is he okay?"

Remus shook his head, looking at the floor.

"He's dead, Molly. He stepped in front of the first Avada Kedavra." Remus' hands were clenched into fists. He slowly unclenched them before looking up at Dumbledore.

"I understand if you wish for me to leave. I understand if you don't want me teaching here any longer."

Harry opened his mouth. Ron and Hermione were already protesting. Dumbledore held up a hand to silence them.

"And I understand why you had to do what you did, Remus," he said quietly. "I understand that you had to get Sirius out. I know he was being tortured." He turned his blue eyes to Harry. "I understand that you couldn't leave him there. It isn't your fault that Hagrid chose to try to stop you."

Harry nodded, looking at his hands. Saving Sirius had still cost them Hagrid.

"I would like to remind you, Headmaster, that the four Gryffindor students were out of bounds after hours. As was Professor Lupin, I might add. They endangered themselves and they got another professor murdered." Snape had a vicious look on his face. "There were Unforgivable Curses used. Professor Lupin, at the very least-"

Harry sat up higher and was about to climb out of bed when Hermione pushed him back. "You shut your mouth!" he snarled at Snape. Snape turned to him, surprise written all over his pasty face.

"What did you say to me, Potter?" Snape asked silkily.

"I told you to shut up!" Harry yelled. "You have no idea what we went through! Don't you think we know that we got Hagrid murdered? Don't you think I know that it's my fault?" Harry stood this time, glaring defiantly at Hermione. "Don't even stand there and judge any of us! We chose. We chose between what is right and what is easy. It would have been easy to let Sirius stay. It was right to go and save him!" Harry had pulled his wand on Snape without realising it. He advanced slowly. "It was my fault that Sirius was in there to begin with! And it's my fault that Hagrid is dead. Mine! My own! Nobody else!"

"Harry, that is enough." Harry looked at Remus and Dumbledore. Both had spoken so softly that he wasn't sure he'd heard.

"No it's not!" Harry choked. "It's not nearly enough. It won't be enough until Voldemort is dead." He turned back to Snape. "I am sorry for everything my father did to you. But I know that you weren't innocent either! I know that you could give as well as you got. Now will you please get it into your head that I had nothing to do with it! That, at least, wasn't my fault!"

Harry started when a hand was rested on his shoulder. He turned and glared up at Remus.

"Get back into bed, Harry," Remus commanded, his eyes steely once more. He turned his grey eyes to Snape, who was standing there, stunned beyond words. "I think you'd better leave, Severus."

Snape drew himself up indignantly. Dumbledore gave him a look and nodded. Snape turned and was gone.

"Harry, get back into bed."

Harry ignored Remus. He turned to look at Sirius.

"What's going to happen to Sirius?"

"We're going to take him to St. Mungo's," Madam Pomfrey answered quietly. Harry nodded. Remus' grip on his shoulder tightened.

"Harry," Remus said, his voice as hard as his eyes had been, "Get back into bed."

Harry shook Remus' hand off his shoulder and made his way over to Hagrid. Hagrid lay there, still as a statue, his black eyes open and glassy. Harry took hold of the dustbin lid sized hand. He felt the tears form at the back of his eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Hagrid," he whispered. "I'm so sorry."

Emotions overwhelmed him. He rested his forehead on Hagrid's massive shoulder and wept.

***

Hello again! Sorry if I scared anyone, but from the reviews, I can see that you all saw straight through me J .