Second last chapter! Hope y'all enjoy now! I actually like this one and the last one quite a bit because they have a little action (FINALLY) and someone is going to die! Guess who?
Disclaimer: I am going to say now that I DO NOT own Harry Potter. I knew this person once that said that they DID and the next day *POOF* they just disappeared. Seriously, I think they were murdered…either that or they moved. Think about it…
The Fine Line Between Love and Hate
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CHAPTER 11: ENDING IT ALL
The hopelessness of it all was unbelievable. So was the stupidity of the situation. Harry had walked straight into Voldemort's trap and Ella and Beth and his unborn child had died because of him. Ron was going to die too and he didn't know how many other people would be murdered.
Harry tried to block out Ron's screams of pain but he succeeded to no effect. He couldn't move his hands up to cover his ears. He couldn't move at all. Instead he went back to screaming at Dumbledore's ghost in the corner.
"Stop it! Do something!" Harry yelled at it, "Don't just stand there looking dead! Help!"
Dumbledore shook his head, like he had before when Harry had pleaded with him to help, and remained in the corner. Fine, Harry thought, I don't care.
But he did.
"That will do I suppose." Voldemort said, taking a step back. Ron fell flat on his face, breathing heavily.
"Ron?" Harry exclaimed, "Ron are you alright?"
"He won't be soon," Voldemort paced back and forth a little, "I think he's ready to die now."
Harry closed his eyes tightly. It was all too much. Voldemort couldn't kill Ron! He just couldn't!
"Harry," Ron got on his hands and knees and looked up at him, "Harry I'm sorry... I tried to get to you first... O'Mara's dead... Regan too. Tell Hermione how I love her. And especially Ginny and my family."
"I... I will Ron." Harry mumbled, trying to ignore the sudden hotness behind his eyes. Voldemort sneered and raised his wand.
"It's... it's been great working with you mate." Ron said quietly.
"You too." Harry closed his eyes, he didn't want to see Ron die. He didn't want Ron to die. He didn't want anyone to die.
Suddenly he felt a great sense of determination. No one else was going to die if he had anything to do with it! He cared too much to let that happen.
McGonagall's words echoed in his head. Love is the most powerful magic of all...
Love wouldn't get him out of these vines that was for sure. But it gave him the determination to try. Voldemort wasn't going to hurt the people that Harry cared for. End of story!
Harry quickly considered his situation. He was tied to a dirt wall by strong, thick vines. His wand was snapped in two, he couldn't move and Voldemort was about to kill Ron.
Magic was really his only way out. But his wand was broken so there was no way he could use it.
Then Harry remembered that he had used magic without a wand before. There had been the time at the Zoo when he had freed the snake and the incident with Aunt Marge.
If he concentrated hard enough he should be able to do something. Harry closed his eyes and concentrated harder than he ever had before. He thought of all the people he cared about and then he thought about how they were going to die. He focused his anger on the vines holding him back and allowed his train of thought to be of something happening to them.
Nothing happened.
Harry concentrated harder and there was a series of snaps as the vines gave way. He landed on the ground not-to-gracefully but he didn't care. He stood up and lunged himself at Voldemort straight away.
The older Wizard fell back and Harry used this chance to haul Ron to his feet and direct him to the stairway.
"What are you doing?" Ron demanded groggily.
"Get out of here Ron, please."
"You have got to be kidding? I'm not going to leave you to fight alone!"
"Ron," Harry said urgently, "I know how you feel but please, I don't want to put you in more danger. You know the Prophecy. I have to do this alone."
"But Harry-" Ron began to argue.
"No. Please Ron. Go. I'll be out soon." Harry was certain his tone betrayed his lie.
Ron scrunched up his face in pain and nodded. Harry gave him a final push up the stairway and when his friend was out of sight he turned back around.
"Elevae propolia!"
Harry was hurled across the clearing into a burning pole. He grimaced in pain but still managed to get back on his feet.
"You think that's clever do you?" Voldemort snarled, "Well let me tell you this. Once I'm done with you, I'm going to find your friend and make his death more painful."
"If you get done with me." Harry said defiantly.
Voldemort laughed and sent him flying across the dungeon again.
"You are so arrogant. Just like your father was. And we both know what happened to him, don't we?" Voldemort's thin mouth curled up into a sneer, "Oh, I will be done with you soon enough. Without your wand, you are defenseless."
He raised his wand for the third time and sent Harry flying back yet again, but this time Harry landed on top of a lighted pole.
He gave a yelp of pain as the pole snapped and the remaining part of it went through his right arm, holding him in place on the ground. Voldemort gave a cruel, cold laugh as he approached Harry. Harry could only glare at him maliciously.
"This," Voldemort said quietly, "Has been a long time coming. For years you have kept me in the shadows of the world boy. For years have I been unable to spread my power over the weaklings in the world. You have ruined my every plan to do so and for that you undoubtedly deserve death."
"I deserve nothing compared to you!" Harry shouted.
"Only I am in control to decide that." Voldemort snapped. Harry tried to pull his arm out of the pole but it had penetrated right through it so that the top of the pole protruded inches above his flesh. He gritted his teeth from the pain. Dumbledore's ghost remained in the corner of the cave, getting sadder by the second as it watched Voldemort get closer to Harry and raise his wand.
"I can't let you..." Harry moaned. He clenched his jaw and gave a hard yank. There was an unpleasant ripping as his arm slid off the pole and became motionless by his side.
"You have no choice. I shall kill you and then everyone who stood beside you!" Voldemort smirked at Harry's arm and his helplessness, "Avada-"
"No!" Harry cried. His rolled to his side and used his good hand, the only one that worked, to pull the bloodied pole out of the ground. He turned back and shoved it up into Voldemort's chest. The dark Wizard's snake-like eyes widened and his mouth opened to gasp in pain as he stumbled back. Harry climbed to his feet and pulled the pole back out from Voldemort's chest.
"I have a choice. My choice is that you die and the world becomes rid of evil." Harry said softly.
A small trickle of blood ran down Voldemort's chin but he still managed to snarl, "Potter..."
"I'm sorry." Harry closed his eyes for a second before opening them again and thrusting the broken pole back into Voldemort's chest. Voldemort gave a final, quiet cry before he fell onto his back. His last breaths were jagged and rasping before he stopped moving altogether.
"Good Harry," Dumbledore's ghost floated over to him, "I know that was hard and I'm sorry I couldn't help you. There will still be hard times ahead but Voldemort is really gone this time. Your parents would have been very, very proud of you."
Harry leant back against the wall and held his arm as he watched Dumbledore fade away. Blood was gushing down his arm and he felt his strength draining away, yet he managed to make his way over to the stairway and up slowly head up them.
It took him nearly three times as long going up as it had going down but Harry succeeded despite how weak he felt. When he reached the top he spotted Ron straight away, sitting across from him and leaning against the wall. He was staring at the stairway and stood up immediately when he spotted Harry.
"What happened?" He asked straight away.
Harry took a deep breath, "He's dead Ron. And he's not coming back this time."
"Oh bloody brilliant," Ron's face lit up, "It's all over! It's finished! It's...Harry? What happened to your arm?"
"I... it was a pole... I fell..." Harry's eyes drooped and he felt his knee's buckle. Ron put his arm around his shoulder and hoisted him on his feet.
"Where are they?" A voice echoed, not far away from where they were.
"What happened? The Dark Mark disappeared from my arm!" Another voice called.
"It's those kids!"
"Oh no! The master!"
"Lord Voldemort! Has something happened to him?"
"Oh Merlin. Ron, the...the Deatheater's." Harry looked up at his friend. Ron's brow furrowed in thought.
"You're too week to Apparate but I might be able to take you with me. I don't have the strength to go the St Mungo's but." Ron considered.
"Home. My home." Harry said quietly, he loved the word.
"Alright. Home it is."
* * * *
"How could she be so stupid?" Draco exclaimed, pacing back and forth. Ginny and Hermione sat down on the couch and watched him.
"I don't know. She missed Harry I guess. A lot more than we thought she did anyway." Ginny offered.
"That doesn't mean she'd do something this stupid!" Draco snapped. Hermione frowned.
"Don't talk to her like that. I know that I've been very tempted to find both Ron and Harry. I've packed my bags on several occasions to go after them before I changed my mind."
"But you still never left." He pointed out.
"Okay, well we'd had a few Butterbeer's..." Ginny pointed out.
"She shouldn't be drinking if she's pregnant!"
"Oh," Hermione glanced at Ginny worriedly; "We never considered that. She must have been a lot worse off than we thought."
"She'll be back," Ginny stood up and took Draco's hand in her, "Don't worry. It will all be fine. She'll be back."
Draco sighed and closed his eyes. Ginny's touch comforted him. Of course Ella would be back, she didn't even know where Harry was to go and find him.
Draco allowed Ginny to pull him down on the couch where all three sat in silence for a few minutes. It was Hermione who finally spoke up.
"I'll go and make tea shall I?"
Ginny and Draco nodded and Hermione left them and entered the kitchen.
"Are you really worried about her?" Ginny asked him.
"Yes. Her and Beth and that kid she's carrying."
"I've...I've always thought that you liked Ella," Ginny tried to sound nonchalant, "Perhaps even loved her?"
Draco smiled a little, "I did once. But I love you Ginny. Don't doubt it."
"Who said I did?" But Ginny sounded much more assured; "I was merely stating that you-"
She stopped as there came a cracking noise from the kitchen followed by Hermione's scream and the sound a something breaking, most likely a cup.
Draco and Ginny looked at each other briefly before they stood up quickly and hurriedly made their way over to the kitchen. They both stopped in their tracks however when Hermione began to yell.
"RONALD WEASLEY!" She screamed, "WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING HERE? Do you have any idea how worried you have made everybody?"
Ginny's face lit up, "Ron!"
Draco let go of her hand as she pushed the door open into the kitchen for he decided to wait outside. Hermione and Ginny were connected with Ron in ways Draco had nothing to do with. He and Ron were barely friends.
Five minutes passed before Hermione poked her head out the door.
"Draco! Get the fireplace ready so we can Floo to St Mungo's! Harry's really hurt!"
He frowned, "Potter is there too?"
"Just do it!"
"Okay!" He didn't like her snapping at him but he went and got the Floo powder ready and quickly put out the fire. Moments after he had finished, everyone came out of the kitchen. Wealsey was white and a little bloody but for some reason he had a smile on his face. Potter on the other hand was struggling to stay on his feet. He right arm was limp by his side and covered in blood, most likely it was the blood that was on Weasley.
"Merlin Potter. You look goddamn awful." Draco muttered. Harry looked up at him and tried to glare.
"Shut it Malfoy."
"Okay, okay. Get him into the fireplace. You come too Ron; I want you to get checked. Come on everyone!" Hermione commanded. Draco noticed Ron looking at her adoringly and he shook his head. He pitied Ron for cherishing Hermione's bossiness.
He pushed the unimportant thoughts away as he focused on the problem at hand.
* * * *
"You should both still be in hospital." Hermione reprimanded Harry and Ron, but they ignored her. It was two days later and they were at the funeral for Conner O'Mara. Ron had told them the true story about what had happened. The Ministry however regarded O'Mara as a hero who had died in the midst of Battle, fighting for his side.
Hermione didn't really listen to the service. She couldn't help staring at her two friends out of the corner of her eye. They were both different since they had come back.
Harry didn't speak to anyone. The only words he uttered were to tell someone where he was going or to excuse himself if someone tried to talk to him. Hermione didn't understand what the matter with him was. He was probably upset that Ella had gone looking for him and hadn't been home to greet him. When they had told him what she had done looking for him he had gotten a pained expression on his face and muttered, "So it's true then."
Hermione didn't know what it meant and when she asked Ron he simply shrugged. He didn't know either.
She was sort of annoyed with Ron. She understood he needed to regain his energy and get used to his old lifestyle, and that fact that Voldemort was defeated. They were all getting used to that but.
She was annoyed because he hadn't paid her any sort of special attention. Hermione knew it was a little selfish to consider that but Ron had done nothing but treat her like... well, like a friend. But not a fried he loved or liked a lot. Just a friend. It made her sad.
"That was a nice service." Hermione commented as they Apparated back to Harry's house. Ron rolled his eyes.
"You didn't even listen to it."
"How dare you! I did so." She argued.
"I was watching you the whole time. You did nothing but stare off into nowhere." Ron told her. Hermione flushed before smiling a little. He was watching her the whole time?
"Well. I'm sure it was a nice service," She pulled a face, "But I really don't like funerals. They are so depressing and it's like saying good-bye to the person."
Harry, who had been sitting on the couch with head in his hands, looked up at her sadly, "Then I'm sorry Hermione, because we're going to have to have another one."
Hermione and Ron exchanged a puzzled look, "What do you mean?"
"Ella."
"What about her?" Ron demanded. Hermione frowned.
"Honestly Harry! Just because she's gone doesn't mean she isn't coming back!"
Harry closed his eyes, "She's dead Hermione..."
"You don't know that!"
"I do," He insisted, "I wish it wasn't true but I know it's the truth."
Hermione was simply furious, "I cannot believe you! You haven't talked to anyone since you came back and when you finally do it's to tell us that Ella is dead! Why are you being like this?"
"He told me Hermione!" Harry stood up and faced her angrily, "He told me that he had killed her and Beth and he told me how Ella was pregnant again and I know she's dead!"
Hermione faltered, "Who...who told you?"
"Voldemort," Harry collapsed back into the couch, "He killed them."
She looked over at Ron who seemed to be going over things in his mind. She didn't know what to say. It couldn't be true! Voldemort would simply have been tormenting Harry by saying such a thing. But then how had he known Ella was pregnant again? Hermione and Ginny hadn't told Harry that so then it must be true...
"Oh," Hermione's eyes began to sting, "Harry, I'm so sorry."
"It's not true..." Ron attempted to argue. Hermione shook her head at him and took a seat beside Harry. His gaze met hers and she tried to smile.
"Harry, it will be okay." She whispered.
"Maybe," Harry's voice was shaky, "But I won't be."
The only thing Hermione could think of to do was wrap her arms around him. She felt Harry shake gently and she knew he was crying. Tears were running down her own face. Ella hadn't been with them from the beginning but Hermione truly did value her as a friend. She couldn't even comprehend how much Harry would miss her...
Her eyes traveled over to Ron and they held a gaze. He didn't have tears in his eyes but the look on his face made her stomach sink.
"Ron-" Hermione began but she stopped as laughter traveled up the hallway.
"I cannot believe you said such a thing!" Ginny laughed again as she joined them in the living room. Draco was smiling as he appeared behind her.
"Why not? If I'm being talked to like that then I have every right to..." He trailed off as he focused on what was before him, "What happened? The funeral get a bit too much did it?"
Ginny hit him over the back of the head, "Don't be insensitive. Are you guys okay?"
Hermione looked at Harry but he didn't seem like he was going to say anything so instead she did. It took her a little longer because she burst into tears halfway through but she finally got it all out. Ginny's hands went to cover her mouth as she began crying immediately and Hermione let go of Harry to envelope her in a hug. Draco stood where his was with a stony expression on his face.
"And it's certain?" He asked.
Hermione nodded.
"I see," He took a deep breath, "And Beth? What about her..."
Harry turned around and shook his head at Draco. Draco nodded.
"I see. Excuse me." He gave them a small smile before walking around them and out the front door. Harry excused himself too and Ginny left shortly to go and find Draco, leaving only Hermione and Ron.
Ron stood for a moment before he joined Hermione on the couch.
"I can't believe it." He muttered.
"I know," Hermione inhaled shakily, "I was going to do the same too. I was going to come after the both of you."
Ron looked at her, "Why didn't you?"
"It didn't seem logical in the end."
He nodded, "I'm glad you didn't."
She frowned. What was that supposed to mean? Her frown disappeared however as Ron took one of her hands in both of his.
"If you had and something had happened..." Ron stopped. It was like what he wanted to say was beyond comprehension.
"I haven't stopped being worried about you. Perhaps I should have also worried about the people here too. Maybe if I had Ella wouldn't have..." Hermione trailed off. She didn't really think it was her fault. Ron took his hands away from hers and put his arm over her shoulder. She leant into him comfortingly as she sadly thought about how Ella would never be able to see Harry again. She would never want to be in that position with Ron. If it did happen she didn't know what she would do. It would be best to tell Ron how she truly felt now, so that at least he knew.
"I love you." Hermione whispered into his chest. She felt Ron stiffen under her and then relax and he took one of her hands in his again.
"I love you too Hermione."
She smiled in relief as she turned her head up to look at him.
"I mean it Ron. I really do."
Ron smiled down at her before he leant forward and kissed her gently. Hermione enjoyed it for a moment before she sat up slightly and wrapped her arms around his neck.
When they broke away Hermione leant back into him and couldn't help smiling contentedly.
"I mean it too Hermione," Ron said softly, "I always have."
* * * *
He wanted the funeral out of the way. If he had to keep waiting it would drive him mad. It was the day after he had told everyone Ella had died but he didn't even consider getting everyone used to the idea. He just wanted it over and done with so he wouldn't have to think about Ella and Beth and his unborn child again.
Even though he knew he would most likely think about them for the rest of his life.
All the celebrating over Voldemort's defeat seemed unnecessary, to him anyway. It was like he had traded his family for the Dark Lord's death. It was unfair.
Harry sighed into his breakfast. It was midday but he didn't care what he ate. It was the first time he had eaten in days.
"Well," Harry said to himself for no reason, "I'm full."
He stood up and stared at his bowl for a moment before he picked it up and threw it into a nearby wall. It smashed into a dozen pieces and the sound echoed around the house.
The house was too big for him now. He'd have to sell it. Something small would do. Something small and cheap that was away from everyone.
He'd get rid of all the junk in the house too. The baby cot. He wouldn't need that again. All of the stuff in his bedroom because he just didn't want it. And he didn't see any need for the kitchen stuff or the lounge room set. Yes, it would all go. He didn't care.
Harry bent down to pick up the broken bowl pieces but stopped when he heard noises coming from down the hallway. He stood up sharply and withdrew his wand. He knew it could only be one thing; Deatheater's.
The Ministry of Magic had warned everyone that there would still be Deatheater attacks. The servants of the Dark Lord would want to fight in the name of their master and there were still a few left that hadn't been caught.
Harry quietly edged down the hallway. The voices were coming from the bathroom and he could make out some of the words.
"...kill him...murder him..."
Harry took a deep breath and kicked open the door.
"Stup-" He began before stopping. His eyes went wide and he immediately broke into a smile.
"Oh I know you weren't going to curse me!" Ella snapped at him. She looked a little worse for wear, but she was still healthy and intact. Her stomach was a little big and Beth, as beautiful as ever, was attached to her mother's hip. Harry tried to say something but he couldn't manage it. Instead he took a few steps forward and wrapped his arms tightly around her. Ella stood still for a moment before she did the same to him.
"Merlin," Harry finally managed to speak, "I thought you were dead."
Ella pulled away and smiled, "I thought you were dead."
Harry grabbed her hand, "Come on. I'll make you some tea. You have to tell me everything and then we have to tell everyone that you aren't dead. Can I hold Beth?"
Ella handed their daughter over and to Harry's delight Beth snuggled into him. He quickly sent out an owl to Hermione, telling her about Ella and asking her to tell everyone, before he put on a pot of tea and joined Ella at the kitchen table, "Tell me what happened."
"I went looking for you," She lowered her eyes, "I know it was a stupid spur of the moment thing to do but I can't turn back time. But yeah, I went looking for you."
"You were gone for four days. Voldemort told me he killed you!" Harry told her.
Ella rolled her eyes, "No thank god. Oh but first Harry..."
She leant over and kissed him lovingly, "I'm so glad you defeated Voldemort. It avenges my parents and Edward. I wish they were alive to acknowledge it."
He smiled, "No problem. It's for my parents too. But tell me what happened."
"Well. I invented a spell that allowed me to find you and I used it to get me to where you were," She frowned, "But the second I got there I changed my mind and went to go back except I was stopped by a Deatheater."
Harry's smile left his face, "Oh."
"I know. And Beth was with me and everything," She sighed, "Then another Deatheater came out of nowhere and then another. They threatened to hurt Beth if I didn't tell them who I was and I didn't dare try and lie. Stupid prats. They kept calling me 'Potter's Pleasure Girl' once one of them realised Beth was ours and that I was pregnant."
"About the pregnancy," His smile returned as he looked down at Beth in his lap and then back at Ella, "I think it's brilliant."
"Well, I'm glad because even if you didn't it wouldn't change anything," Ella said smiling back, "Anyway. One of them disappeared. I think they had gone to tell Voldemort they had found me and who I was..."
She stopped and eyed him apologetically.
"What?"
"Harry, I didn't give you away did I? I didn't let Voldemort know that you were in the town where he was..." She began.
"No, he already knew. But I'll tell you about that later. Finish your story." The kettle whistled so he handed Beth over and got up to make the tea.
"Well it was rather lucky really," Ella smiled secretively, "The other Deatheater's were scared off by a bear."
He stopped, "A bear?"
"Yes," She laughed, "Rather strange don't you think?"
"Yeah." He frowned and went back to the tea.
"After that I went to the house you were staying at and waited for you to come back. When you didn't I started to think that you might be dead. After a few days I decided to get the Daily Prophet to see what was happening. It took a few more days for me to get it and on the front cover was a picture of you with the heading 'The-Boy-Who-Lived-Twice'. Sure enough it said that you had defeated Voldemort and there was a small interview and I left straight after." Ella narrowed her eyes at him; "I was going to absolutely murder you for leaving me twice without a word. I tell you, if you do it again I won't hold back."
Harry laughed as he placed a cup of tea in front of her, "I promise I won't."
Ella suddenly looked sad, "Please mean it this time Harry. I don't want you going again. I know we're only young still but if it isn't too much, I'd like to settle down a little."
Harry pulled a face, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, and I want you know I'm not settling for something here, that I love you. Will you marry me?"
He gaped at her, "What?"
"Will you marry me?" Ella repeated, a small blush creeping up her cheeks.
"I can't believe that you're asking me!" Harry exclaimed.
"Well I know it's a bit different..." She sounded unsure now, "You don't want to do you?"
"No, no, no! I do! I will Ella," Harry smiled at her and laughed, "It's just a bit strange. I never saw that coming."
"Good, because it's supposed to be a surprise-" She began before being interrupted as Draco entered the kitchen looking exhausted and panting heavily.
"God Ella!" He shouted when he saw her.
She smiled, "I just love how you always come over uninvited and interrupt whatever is happening."
Draco smiled back, "If I feel like coming over, I'll come over."
Ginny appeared shortly behind him, followed by Ron and Hermione. They were ecstatic upon seeing her and took turns welcoming Ella and Beth back while Harry could only sit back and grin broadly.
Ginny and Draco were together, and even though Ron didn't know yet (Heaven forbid him finding out soon), they were in love. Ron and Hermione were holding hands and it seemed that they had finally told each other things that should have been said years ago.
Harry was with Ella and he had Beth and another one on the way. He felt truly happy for the first time in his life and considered that everything would be okay in the end.
~~!!!~~
A/N: Yay! Everyone is happy and damn you Kagome19! You guess everything before it happens. Lol!
So I have the final 'Wedding Chapter' left and then it is all over. The last chapter is just a bit of an insight into everyone's future. It's all happy…
Thanks to all of the reviews you beautiful, handsome, wonderful people! I appreciate them so much!
Hopefully there will be a next time! Until then, I'm going to be reading all of your stories!