Chapter 1 - The Hand Under the Rubble
"So it all comes down to this, doesn't it?" whispered Harry. "Does the wand in your hand know its last master was Disarmed? Because if it does . . . I am the true master of the Elder Wand."
A red-gold glow burst suddenly across the enchanted sky above them as an edge of dazzling sun appeared over the sill of the nearest window. The light hit both of their faces at the same time, so that Voldemort's was suddenly a flaming blur. Harry heard the high voice shriek as he too yelled his best hope to the heavens, pointing Draco's wand:
"Avada Kedavra!"
"Expelliarmus!"
The bang was like a cannon blast, and the golden flames that erupted between them, at the dead center of the circle they had been treading, marked the point where the spells collided. Harry saw Voldemort's green jet meet his own spell, saw the Elder Wand fly high, dark against the sunrise, spinning across the enchanted ceiling like the head of Nagini, spinning through the air toward the master it would not kill, who had come to take full possession of it at last.
And Harry, with the unerring skill of a Seeker, caught the wand in his free hand as Voldemort fell backward, arms splayed, the slit pupils of the scarlet eyes rolling upward. Tom Riddle hit the floor with a mundane finality, his body feeble and shrunken, the white hands empty, the snakelike face vacant and unknowing. Voldemort was dead, killed by his own rebounding curse, and Harry stood with two wands in his hands, staring down at his enemy's shell.
Harry stood there watching with finality as the truth of the moment settled inside him. All his life had led up to this one point. The sacrifices life had demanded of him throughout his existence had culminated to this moment. His enemy lay dead in front of him. Loud cheers, screams and roars broke his chain of thought as arms wrapped around him pulling him in a fierce group hug.
Ron and Hermoine had beaten the rest of the fast approaching horde and engulfed him in a fierce hug. Warmth rushed through his body and he let go of the breath he didn't even realise he was holding.
Sunlight crept into the castle through the windows and broken walls as the great hall was enveloped in a blinding golden glow. The crowd had gathered around the three friends watching the saviour of the wizarding world in awe. The three ended the hug and Hermoine gave him a pointed look.
He heaved a sigh and mouthed "not here". She nodded in understanding.
Harry then turned to face the crowd. Sorting out Professor McGonagall he went forward and whispered to her, "Professor I need some time alone with my friends. A lot has happened which I need to process".
McGonagall gave him a considerate nod. Harry beckoned Ron and Hermoine and led them through the parting crowd towards the Headmaster's office. Eyes followed them from throughout the hall but no one stopped or followed them. There was a silent agreement and understanding among the occupants of Hogwarts knowing that their saviour deserved some solitude. The gargoyle to the Headmasters office was destroyed in the battle.
Hermoine flicked her wand and the rubble shifted clearing the way. They ambled inside and Harry silently and wandlessly conjured a couch. Hermoine looked at him with an inquisitive look but seeing his indifferent reaction she did not press for an explanation. With a plonk Ron and Hermoine stumbled on the couch their bodies giving way to physical and mental exhaustion.
Harry, however remained standing looking across with a blank stare and a contemplative look. Minutes passed in silence. Finally Harry sighed and looked at his friends. He owed them an explanation and they have earned every right to know what had transpired in the last couple of hours. With great effort he recounted the events starting from Snape's memories, finding out that he was a horcrux, meeting his parents in the forest, facing Voldemort's killing curse, meeting Dumbledore on platform 9 ¾ 's and coming back to the world of the living. He voice became hoarse towards the end of his tale.
Hermoine ran towards him and wrapped him into one of her trademark hugs, tears streaking down her cheeks. Ron put his arm around them and the three friends remained in that position getting used to the feeling of relief that washed through them as they basked in their triumph after the ordeal they had been through.
It was just a little while later when the three emerged from the Headmasters office. There were other questions, other decisions to be made but it had to wait. Harry did not want to ponder on those at the moment. Sound of chatter reached their ears as they approached the great hall.
People were sitting together at the house tables with their families and friends; some grieving for their loved ones who didn't survive the battle while others cherishing their freedom from the Dark Lord's oppression. Yet all had a sense of contentment evident on the lack of worry lines on their faces. The injured were being tended to while the dead were placed in a room next to the great hall.
All eyes fell on him as he, Ron and Hermoine entered the Great Hall. He gave his best effort at a smile which sent waves of warmth among the Great Hall and faces lit up in silent joy. They made their way to where the Weasley family were seated next to a few of his DA friends.
Harry could not help but notice that Neville and Ginny were holding hands. Although shocking, he was not surprised that the revelation did not send a familiar pang of jealousy he had experienced the previous year. After all he had spent some time after the events of Malfoy Manor thinking about the hasty beginning and end to their relationship.
He had pondered a lot on the fact that he was a different person now and no doubt she was as well. The fact that what they had experienced during those glorious days of their short-lived relationship was merely fuelled by his desire to be normal was a hard pill to swallow, but eventually he had made peace with it. Looking at Ginny and Neville's intertwined fingers made him breathe a sigh of relief. At least she wouldn't be expecting them to get back together and he wouldn't end up breaking her heart again.
As he was pondering these thoughts Neville raised his head from the whispered conversation he was having with Ginny and caught his eye. A look of guilt ran through Neville's demeanour as his face turned red when he realised that Harry had noticed him holding Ginny's hand. Harry's stupor was broken when Neville hastily left Ginny's hand.
Harry gave him a reassuring look and a smile which helped ease Neville's dilemma but he did not make any effort to grasp Ginny's hand. Harry realised that he will need to talk to the two of them to make things more comfortable. He was just trying to determine the best way to talk to them without being too intrusive when noises emanated from the entrance. Ron and Hermoine who had already sat down next to Mr and Mrs Weasley got up and were by his side in seconds, there wands at ready. The whole hall quietened as everyone tried to get a grasp of the noisy exchange taking place near the entrance of the Great Hall.
"But she is supposed to be here", a male voice stated in what was supposedly a pleading tone.
"Mr Greengrass I assure you that I had the whole Slytherin House escorted to safety by our caretaker as soon as the battle became imminent" Professor McGonagall stated in a matter of factly way.
"I am aware of that, but my younger daughter here is telling me that her sister snuck back in the castle and did not make it out with the rest of the students", the man continued, concern imminent in his voice.
They had now moved closer towards the center of the hall and Harry could now see the man whom the voice belonged to. He wore brilliant green robes which seemed to compliment his tall and lean posture. His brown hair was combed towards a side and his squared face radiated formality and stature.
The only thing that betrayed his obvious formal demeanour was the worry lines on his face and his voice full of concern. Next to him stood a woman in an elegant magenta robes. Her face had a soft expression and her tied brown hair fell in cascades behind her. Leaning against her side was a young girl in Slytherin robes who Harry could vaguely remember but could not associate a name to.
Professor McGonagall turned towards the girl and addressed her in a kind but formal manner, "Is this true Miss Greengrass?"
In between sobs the girl managed to say something which sounded unintelligible to Harry but a look at a nodding McGonagall showed that she understood whatever the girl was trying to convey. Kinsley had come to McGonagall's side during the exchange. McGonagall leaned towards Kinsley and whispered something to which Kinsley replied with a shake of his head. Professor McGonagall turned back towards the man.
"Mr Greengrass. I am afraid but your daughter is not accounted for. The auror team from the Ministry have verified all current occupants of the Castle and all except your daughter have been accounted for both in the living and the dead".
She tried very hard to veil that word dead in her statement but it still had a big impact on the Greengrass Family. Before they could respond however a soft whimper came from one of the make shift healer stations located nearby.
"Professor… Greengrass… Greyback… fight… in… the orchard…saved…me", Lavender Brown stated in between deep breaths.
Harry was the first to respond. His adrenaline kicked in and he raced towards the orchard. Dammit they had had enough deaths today, he could not stand another one. He had a distinct notion of running feet behind him but he did not slow his pace. Reaching the orchard he took in the whole scene around him. The impact of the recent battle was etched in the whole surrounding.
Fenrir Greyback's motionless body lay a few feet in front of him. Next to it lay a huge rubble from the collapsed pillars that once stood holding the high roof. A shudder went through him when he saw an arm sticking out of the rubble. He quickly went towards the rubble and touched the hand. Relief washed through him as he felt the hand was still warm. At the same moment the rest of the group arrived at the site. Professor McGonagall flicked her wand, in a motion which Harry realised was a banshing charm, to clear the rubble.
In quick reflex that suited the vanquisher of the Dark Lord he silently conjured a shield before the spell hit the rubble. "Stop", he shouted ignoring the confused looks he was getting.
"She is still alive, barely. But the banishing the rubble would cause the roof to further collapse. We cannot risk that", he continued in an authoritative voice.
Standing up Harry took out the elder wand and with all his willpower and concentration trained on his spell he silently cast a levitation charm. What ensued drew gasps from the crowd as selective pieces of the rubble levitated in perfect harmony as Harry shifted and deposited the rubble on the side.
Unware that he had achieved a feat in selective focus casting that was close to impossible on such a large scale Harry quickly went forward and put a stasis spell on the blood covered girl and levitated her gently. The girl's family rushed in towards them and before they could say anything Harry waved his wand and they vanished with a crack.