A/N: Answers to the reviews at the end! That is all.
Gilthas: About time.
Me: Shut up...
Chapter 12: Back through the Fighting
Look around, the writing's on the wall
Don't you think we're all feeling crazed
In a world, where nothing's as it seems
Paved with broken dreams
-The Calling
Lupin looked up at the ceiling. Seconds ago it seemed that the entire castle had shook and he had felt sure that the battle would be over before it had barely begun.
A complete and utter silence had filled the Hall. Professor Trelawney, who abandoned her mystic air completely in light of the attack, had her ear pressed to the door. She looked up and Lupin could almost hear her say, "They're celebrating."
But she didn't. She looked thoroughly confused as she said, "I think we're winning."
* * *
Harry Potter and his friend Ron Weasley alone remained of the students in the school. Harry felt a sick feeling in his stomach to know that they could be in safety right now, but Hermione was missing-and they had to find her.
"Maybe she went with another house," Ron suggested tentatively.
Harry shook his head. "She's been missing ever since she went on that walk around the lake this morning. Ron.I think she might." He couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.
"Don't think like that," Ron said angrily. "Hermione's fine! We just have to find her and get her out of here-"
They're feet slipped out from under them and they hit the ground with a thud as a tremendous earthquake seemed to flash beneath their feet. A portrait fell of the wall. Its occupants ran scurrying to another portrait where they looked on in horror.
"What was that?" Ron asked weakly.
"I dunno," Harry said. "But it couldn't have been good."
"Where do you think Hermione is?" Ron asked, trying to sound calm.
"I dunno. I suppose we might have to go outside."
"God I hope not."
It took a lot of Harry's willpower not to reply with a fervent agreement. He could not go soft.
"Where are we?" Ron asked. Harry lead, but even he had trouble finding his way. Everything seemed different now-like this a different Hogwarts entirely.
"I think we're near the kitchens," Harry said after a moment.
"What are we doing here?" Ron asked. "Aren't we trying to get out of the castle?"
"Yeah," Harry said. "I'm not sure how we got here. I thought that passageway on the third floor lead to the Defense against the Dark Arts corridor."
"It does," Ron said, looking around. "Is that what we went through?"
"Yeah," Harry said, looking around.
"You know." Ron said, his voice quivering a little. "People do say that Hogwarts is practically alive. What if it doesn't want us to leave?"
"We have to find Hermione!" Harry said urgently, grasping at straws and momentarily going with the idea. "Maybe you could let us out for a second!" There was no answer. "Please?" he asked.
Nothing happened.
"So much for that idea," Ron said grimly. "Hey, do you hear voices?"
"I think we're near the Entrance Hall," Harry said suddenly, quickening his pace.
"Don't go in there!" Ron said in a frantic whisper seconds before Harry came to a dead stop.
"Sh!" Harry whispered. "I think I can hear what they're saying!"
"-you mean we're winning?" asked the familiar voice of Professor Lupin.
"That's what it sounds like," said the not-so-mystic voice of Trelawney.
"It's true!" said Flitwick in his high-pitched squeak. "I can hear them yelling."
"Then he did it," Lupin said quietly. He must be nearby, Harry reasoned. He could hear him perfectly.
"When do we go out?" Asked Hagrid.
"When we get the signal," Lupin said with a note of finality in his voice.
"Who was that guy?" Asked Professor Snape. "He's the one that originally told me about the invasion. I alerted the other teachers at once." He seemed determined to leave them in no doubt of the sacrifice of his time and effort.
"He is unimportant," said Lupin. "He's on our side. That's all you need to know."
"Are you sure?" Asked Professor Sprout. "Because he just Apparated in the Hogwart's grounds. I'd prefer not to have an enemy like that on the inside."
Harry and Ron looked at each other in the darkness. Hermione had mentioned something of the sort months back.
"You don't have to worry about his loyalty," Lupin said stiffly. "It is more likely that Dumbledore himself turned traitor."
No more questions followed after that. They stood in silence for a while.
"It is time," said a voice suddenly. Harry didn't recognize it. Ron however, looked at Harry.
"What?"
"I didn't say anything."
"Oh, I thought you did."
"Where are they?" Lupin asked quickly.
"They are much to close to the castle. We managed to take out the first 10 lines or so, but that's about all we can do." He seemed to have taken Lupin aside because the next moment he spoke quieter so that Harry had to strain to hear him.
"Are all the students gone?"
"Every one of them."
"Good. His presence is getting stronger by the second. I can barely feel anything else. He's not the happiest person in the world at the second. I think he's a little annoyed at me for taking out his carefully prepared shield."
"Good," Lupin said. "Let's see what we can do." His voice grew louder until he shouted to the hall. "On my signal, we leave!"
Harry's hand tightened instinctively on his wand. He felt Ron stiffen beside him. He had been given early Auror training and many of the practice rounds had been similar to this.
But this is the real thing, he reminded himself. No one's going to stop attacking me if I do something wrong.
The next minute seemed to drag by forever. Suddenly, he heard the unknown man say. "It's time."
"Let's go!" Lupin yelled. With what sounded to Harry like a war cry, the teachers ran from the Hall. Harry didn't dare look out yet. He had the odd feeling that someone had not followed.
"And neither must die at the hands of the other," said a voice softly. "For neither can live while the other survives. I never thought it should happen like this."
Ron sent Harry a questioning look. Harry felt a guilty twinge in his stomach. It had been two years since Harry knew the prediction and he had never once mentioned it to Ron or Hermione. He had felt at the time that if he never mentioned it, maybe it would go away. But what did this unknown man mean by saying it now? He heard footsteps start to leave the hall.
More footsteps came hurrying after him.
"Couldn't stay behind, could you?" said the man.
"You know me," said a voice that sounded familiar to Harry. "Always jumping in, just for the heck of it."
The voice clicked in Harry's mind. But it couldn't be.could it? He poked his head out from behind the door that concealed him, but all he saw was the door swinging shut behind them.
He turned to Ron. "Let's go."
* * *
Harry surveyed the battle ground below him.
"So it begins.again," Harry muttered.
Sirius looked at him. "What's that?"
"The ultimate battle for survival."
"Is that so?" Sirius asked. "Perhaps this is only the first time."
Harry looked at him. "I have to go. Voldemort's looking for me."
"Right," Sirius said. "Well, don't get yourself killed."
"You know me," Harry said with a small smile.
"Too right I do," Sirius muttered. With a last look at Harry he drew his wand and leapt into the battle, instantly stunning a Death Eater trying furiously to get a curse to penetrate Hagrid's giant's hide.
Harry leapt off the side of the stairs leading to the Entrance Hall and landed silently on the soft earth beneath it.
He looked around. Voldemort was close. He could feel it. He didn't even try to hide his signal. Harry would have betted that even a first year could feel him coming. The trouble, it seemed, was that his signal seemed to be everywhere at once. The shield charm that had been raised earlier bore his signature and thus covered his Death Eaters in it.
Harry sensed the presence-if not the exact signature of a Death Eater heading his way. He raised a hand without bothering to look up and the Death Eater grasped his throat. His ability to breath diminished greatly. It would not kill him unless he overexerted himself. This was a battle. You could almost count on overexertion.
Harry continued on his way. He stopped trying to hide his signature and, like a wave, his power washed over the battle, an equivalent to the Dark Lords own. None but the more powerful wizards noticed anything, however. The battle continued to rage and people continued to fall.
Harry searched in what he knew must be an almost fruitless attempt. His only hope lay in the idea that the Dark Lord would find him. He had almost reached the Forbidden Forest. He looked around, cursing another Death Eater too stupid to know that he stood no chance against him. The Death Eater hit another battler and fell to the ground.
Harry stepped into the forest. As if a giant pillow covered him, he suddenly felt smothered. The Dark Magic filled the forest so thickly here that it would be overwhelming to even a Muggle. Harry held out his hand and blew into it. Instantly a small ball of light appeared. It had a much longer range than the Lumos charm.
His light seemed to drive back the pressing forces of evil-a tiny speck of good, standing against the tidal wave of malevolence.
"I'm here," Harry said loudly. "You called?"
"Indeed," said a voice that was not the Dark Lord. Harry did not turn around, trying to identify the location of the speaker. He stood on their turf now. They could be anywhere. He would be wasting energy trying to seek them out.
"Malfoy," Harry said, his lips curling into their usual smirk. "An honor, I'm sure. How are your fingers? They don't hurt, do they? Because next time I bind and gag you I'll be sure to put them a little looser."
"That won't be necessary," said the voice of Draco Malfoy from the darkness around him. "I can assure you that you will not catch me off-guard again."
"I think maybe 'off-guard' is something of an excuse," Harry said. "It would seem to me that being able to summon a spirit to do your dirty work before I can attack you is more like 'prepared'."
"Witty, Potter." Harry could tell he was scowling. "But I have the upper hand this time. You're on my turf. You play by my rules."
"Malfoy," Harry said in mock exasperation. "You would think that after 3 times, that threat wouldn't mean quite as much."
"You haven't seen anything yet," Malfoy said. "I've come completely prepared this time. I've managed to lure you here. Perhaps now I can avenge my father's death-and steal back his memory."
"Maybe 'win back' is more appropriate," Harry said. "Since I already stole it."
"That won't work today, Potter," Malfoy said. Wherever he hid, he must be smirking now. "Now that revenge has come, anger seems like a thing of the past."
"That's almost an oxymoron," Harry said in a lazy tone, while every sense tingled, more ready for a fight than it had been in months. "Anger of something from the past is what revenge is. If anger truly was something of the past, you wouldn't be revengeful."
"Now I understand why you killed Granger!" Malfoy said sarcastically. "You wanted to channel her spirit so maybe you could get her smarts."
"Now I understand why you decided to kill Crabbe and Goyle," Harry said, mimicking Malfoy's tone. "You wanted to channel their spirits so you could get their extreme stupidity."
"Catchy," Malfoy said. "Any last words before I kill you horribly?"
"Just a few," Harry said. "Has anyone ever told you that you looked better as a ferret?"
Harry could just see in his mind Malfoy's smirk fade to a look of anger. "Has anyone ever told you that you look better as a rotting corpse?"
"Now that you mention it." Harry said sarcastically.
Harry sensed a sudden motion to his right. He instantly dropped to the ground, his light vanishing as he threw up a glowing shield charm all around himself.
Malfoy's curse never came. Instead, with a loud 'Bang!' Harry felt a small piece of metal tuck itself firmly in his right shoulder.
Harry's shield fell, throwing the area into protective darkness. Harry collapsed to the ground, and rolled so Malfoy would loose his location. He tried to control his breathing. He had never been shot before. Harry closed his eyes and briefly leaned against a tree, placing his hand over the wound and concentrating with all his strength on pulling the bullet out of him. It hurt like hell, but Harry gritted his teeth together to make no noise.
"Where are you, Potter?" Malfoy asked. "I'm surprised, your mother being a Mudblood, that you would expect something more Muggle."
Harry said nothing. He got to his feet and whispered a spell under his breath.
"It's not the weapon that surprises me," said Harry's voice from the place opposite his location. "It's the person behind the weapon."
Malfoy did not shoot as Harry had expected. He sniggered. "Do you expect me to be that stupid? I know perfectly well that I have a limited number of bullets. I'm not shooting at ghosts."
Harry looked at the bullet in his hand. He had an idea, but it would create a light and he couldn't have Malfoy shooting at him again. The pain in his arm lessened considerably less now that he had removed the bullet. He tuned it out.
Flicking his wrist, Harry placed a hovering charm on himself and grabbed a tree limb, pulling himself off the ground. Taking firm hold of the tree, Harry pushed and light shot down the tree. In an instant and suddenly the very grass beneath Malfoy's feet lit up with light.
Malfoy looked surprised. Taking full advantage, Harry threw the bullet straight at him, wrapping it in spells and enchantments. Malfoy saw it coming before it hit and got out of the way, but the spells kept the bullet on target and moving fast. The bullet ripped through the flesh in Malfoy's wand arm, sinking deep into the muscle until it hit bone.
Malfoy flinched visibly. With a slash of his wand, he melted into the shadows. Harry waved his hand quickly and the lighted ground lost its bright luminosity. Darkness plunged in around them.
Harry slipped out of the tree, muttering healing charms as he went. Nothing healed instantly, but some of the blood vessels started to repair themselves.
"Are we hiding, Potter?" Malfoy asked from the blackness.
Harry silently slipped through the trees, his feet making no mark on the earth.
Harry raised his good arm and summoned the gun to him. The spell caught hold instantly but Malfoy realized what was happening and fought back with magic of his own. Malfoy's powers proved formidable, Harry realized. He had improved. Perhaps all he needed was preparation.
Harry suddenly let go of the spell. Malfoy took a step backward in surprise. Harry heard him.
Instantly 3 spells were on top of Malfoy. He quickly began loosing his edge. He sent up a shield for them. It repelled the first two but the third one blasted through, knocking him backwards. His feet regained their foothold instantly, but he wasn't quick enough. Harry sent a hex his way. The gun in his hand became a melting mass. Malfoy yelled in pain as the liquid metal hit his hand.
The wound in Harry's shoulder had almost healed. The skin worked to repair itself now. Malfoy's wand was in his hand. Harry sensed the presence of it. Wands are the basis for magic, Malfoy's proving no exception. Its previous lack of use was perhaps the reason Harry's third hex had hit home. The shield requires a wand to stay strong over long periods of time.
Suddenly Harry's whole body began to glow with an eerie green color. Realizing how vulnerable he was in the dark, Harry transfigured instantly into a lethifold. He still glowed, but lethifolds are fast and horrifically lethal. Malfoy sent spell after spell at it but it bounced harmlessly off Harry's back. Harry's own magic could protect him from one of two curses that could harm it. The Killing Curse was useless.
Malfoy, however, knew the lethifold's other weakness.
"Expecto Patronum!" Malfoy roared. What looked like a giant Runespoor burst forth. The three-headed snake approached Harry, spitting and hissing.
Harry slithered up a tree and transformed back to human form. The Runespoor faded. Malfoy didn't. Harry, still lit by the eerie glow, felt a spell hit him in the stomach, sending him flying out of the tree.
He hit the ground with a sickening crack and felt his arm break beneath him.
"Sounds like it hurt," Malfoy said sneeringly from the shadows.
Angry with the light that had given him away, Harry whispered a spell and instantly the forest plunged into darkness again. Harry could hear Malfoy approaching. He was cocky. Too cocky.
Harry waved his uninjured hand and instantly he was back in his tree. He felt his arm, biting back the pain that it caused. It had not fractured- just cracked. Harry pulled out his wand and tapped it. Instantly it healed. He had not spent all his time learning curses and jinxes.
He put his wand back in his pocket. Harry was back on the ground in seconds. Squinting through the darkness, Harry could make out the vague outline of Malfoy. Good enough. Harry whispered a spell and Malfoy himself started to glow.
Harry sent hexes flying like there was no tomorrow. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Voldemort. He had forgotten about Voldemort. Who knew what havoc he had created in Harry's absence!?!
Harry paused in his curse throwing. No sound came from Malfoy. The glowing had vanished. He stared into the blackness.
Decided he must be completely unconscious, Harry started back towards the castle. He heard a noise behind him. Instantly Harry transfigured into a cobra. His teeth sank deep into flesh. He had bitten Malfoy.
Harry let go and transformed back into a human. He stared down at Malfoy. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle. He knew what it felt like to feel the poisonous venom running through your veins.knowing you would soon die.
Malfoy suddenly laughed, a cold cruel laugh.
What?" Harry asked sharply. "You're dying, moron."
"I am," Malfoy said, his pleasure evident. "But I have lived for as long as I needed. You have failed, Potter. The boy is dead."
Harry felt his insides go cold. "You were a decoy."
"Very good, Potter," Malfoy said. "And now that you have failed in your duty, I have achieved mine. I have destroyed you, Potter. Like you destroyed me!"
"You destroyed yourself, Malfoy," Harry said coldly. He couldn't stay longer. He took off at a run. Behind him he felt Malfoy's life leave him...
He wasn't too late...
Malfoy didn't know...
Harry was still alive...
Harry ran like there was no tomorrow, everything inside him searching desperately...
A/N: Okay! Reviews!
Dumbledore: (3003) Yeah, I'm actually planning to even out the playing field a little in later chapters...
HongMing: (3003) I would! But I can't because I don't have the ending and it's really easier if I don't have to worry about a lot of it. I mean, I can simply write as slowly as I want (which isn't that slowly) and post every time I finish typing another chapter. Sorry!
sab: (3003) Thanks...
Slimpun: (3003) Yeah, still I wasn't sure just how much more powerful I wanted to make Harry, but I think it's okay...
Sea-Turtles: (3003) Thanks! I'm really trying!
The Mystical Elf: (3003) Thanks. Quick replay. Yeah, I kind of liked the Quid scene. They outlawed Quidditch, you know, because of frequency of injury so they had to change the name to Quid. Anyway, just a note.
Nexux3: (3003) All will be revealed!!!
BlackDiva: (Back to Back Then) Er...sorry about the cliffy. I honestly didn't realize it when I did it, but I did get some bloodshed in!
SilverKnight7: (BtBT) Yeah...um...don't read the end to this chapter...
A-man: (BtBT) Thanks! Very enthusiastic.
Cr1Ms0n^D3v1L: (BtBT) Er...thanks...you know...whatever... *is rather confused* *smiles anyway*
Gemini: Why does everyone think I'm going to kill off Sirius again? I love that little guy!
A/N: Thank you all for your wonderful reviews! It makes a newbie author so happy!
Guy off Monty Python: I feel happy! I think I'll go for a walk!
Me: That was unexpected...
Gilthas: Yeah...I think this is one of those times I really don't want a look at the inside of your mind...
Me: I second that, and I'm the one thinking it...
Gilthas: About time.
Me: Shut up...
Chapter 12: Back through the Fighting
Look around, the writing's on the wall
Don't you think we're all feeling crazed
In a world, where nothing's as it seems
Paved with broken dreams
-The Calling
Lupin looked up at the ceiling. Seconds ago it seemed that the entire castle had shook and he had felt sure that the battle would be over before it had barely begun.
A complete and utter silence had filled the Hall. Professor Trelawney, who abandoned her mystic air completely in light of the attack, had her ear pressed to the door. She looked up and Lupin could almost hear her say, "They're celebrating."
But she didn't. She looked thoroughly confused as she said, "I think we're winning."
* * *
Harry Potter and his friend Ron Weasley alone remained of the students in the school. Harry felt a sick feeling in his stomach to know that they could be in safety right now, but Hermione was missing-and they had to find her.
"Maybe she went with another house," Ron suggested tentatively.
Harry shook his head. "She's been missing ever since she went on that walk around the lake this morning. Ron.I think she might." He couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.
"Don't think like that," Ron said angrily. "Hermione's fine! We just have to find her and get her out of here-"
They're feet slipped out from under them and they hit the ground with a thud as a tremendous earthquake seemed to flash beneath their feet. A portrait fell of the wall. Its occupants ran scurrying to another portrait where they looked on in horror.
"What was that?" Ron asked weakly.
"I dunno," Harry said. "But it couldn't have been good."
"Where do you think Hermione is?" Ron asked, trying to sound calm.
"I dunno. I suppose we might have to go outside."
"God I hope not."
It took a lot of Harry's willpower not to reply with a fervent agreement. He could not go soft.
"Where are we?" Ron asked. Harry lead, but even he had trouble finding his way. Everything seemed different now-like this a different Hogwarts entirely.
"I think we're near the kitchens," Harry said after a moment.
"What are we doing here?" Ron asked. "Aren't we trying to get out of the castle?"
"Yeah," Harry said. "I'm not sure how we got here. I thought that passageway on the third floor lead to the Defense against the Dark Arts corridor."
"It does," Ron said, looking around. "Is that what we went through?"
"Yeah," Harry said, looking around.
"You know." Ron said, his voice quivering a little. "People do say that Hogwarts is practically alive. What if it doesn't want us to leave?"
"We have to find Hermione!" Harry said urgently, grasping at straws and momentarily going with the idea. "Maybe you could let us out for a second!" There was no answer. "Please?" he asked.
Nothing happened.
"So much for that idea," Ron said grimly. "Hey, do you hear voices?"
"I think we're near the Entrance Hall," Harry said suddenly, quickening his pace.
"Don't go in there!" Ron said in a frantic whisper seconds before Harry came to a dead stop.
"Sh!" Harry whispered. "I think I can hear what they're saying!"
"-you mean we're winning?" asked the familiar voice of Professor Lupin.
"That's what it sounds like," said the not-so-mystic voice of Trelawney.
"It's true!" said Flitwick in his high-pitched squeak. "I can hear them yelling."
"Then he did it," Lupin said quietly. He must be nearby, Harry reasoned. He could hear him perfectly.
"When do we go out?" Asked Hagrid.
"When we get the signal," Lupin said with a note of finality in his voice.
"Who was that guy?" Asked Professor Snape. "He's the one that originally told me about the invasion. I alerted the other teachers at once." He seemed determined to leave them in no doubt of the sacrifice of his time and effort.
"He is unimportant," said Lupin. "He's on our side. That's all you need to know."
"Are you sure?" Asked Professor Sprout. "Because he just Apparated in the Hogwart's grounds. I'd prefer not to have an enemy like that on the inside."
Harry and Ron looked at each other in the darkness. Hermione had mentioned something of the sort months back.
"You don't have to worry about his loyalty," Lupin said stiffly. "It is more likely that Dumbledore himself turned traitor."
No more questions followed after that. They stood in silence for a while.
"It is time," said a voice suddenly. Harry didn't recognize it. Ron however, looked at Harry.
"What?"
"I didn't say anything."
"Oh, I thought you did."
"Where are they?" Lupin asked quickly.
"They are much to close to the castle. We managed to take out the first 10 lines or so, but that's about all we can do." He seemed to have taken Lupin aside because the next moment he spoke quieter so that Harry had to strain to hear him.
"Are all the students gone?"
"Every one of them."
"Good. His presence is getting stronger by the second. I can barely feel anything else. He's not the happiest person in the world at the second. I think he's a little annoyed at me for taking out his carefully prepared shield."
"Good," Lupin said. "Let's see what we can do." His voice grew louder until he shouted to the hall. "On my signal, we leave!"
Harry's hand tightened instinctively on his wand. He felt Ron stiffen beside him. He had been given early Auror training and many of the practice rounds had been similar to this.
But this is the real thing, he reminded himself. No one's going to stop attacking me if I do something wrong.
The next minute seemed to drag by forever. Suddenly, he heard the unknown man say. "It's time."
"Let's go!" Lupin yelled. With what sounded to Harry like a war cry, the teachers ran from the Hall. Harry didn't dare look out yet. He had the odd feeling that someone had not followed.
"And neither must die at the hands of the other," said a voice softly. "For neither can live while the other survives. I never thought it should happen like this."
Ron sent Harry a questioning look. Harry felt a guilty twinge in his stomach. It had been two years since Harry knew the prediction and he had never once mentioned it to Ron or Hermione. He had felt at the time that if he never mentioned it, maybe it would go away. But what did this unknown man mean by saying it now? He heard footsteps start to leave the hall.
More footsteps came hurrying after him.
"Couldn't stay behind, could you?" said the man.
"You know me," said a voice that sounded familiar to Harry. "Always jumping in, just for the heck of it."
The voice clicked in Harry's mind. But it couldn't be.could it? He poked his head out from behind the door that concealed him, but all he saw was the door swinging shut behind them.
He turned to Ron. "Let's go."
* * *
Harry surveyed the battle ground below him.
"So it begins.again," Harry muttered.
Sirius looked at him. "What's that?"
"The ultimate battle for survival."
"Is that so?" Sirius asked. "Perhaps this is only the first time."
Harry looked at him. "I have to go. Voldemort's looking for me."
"Right," Sirius said. "Well, don't get yourself killed."
"You know me," Harry said with a small smile.
"Too right I do," Sirius muttered. With a last look at Harry he drew his wand and leapt into the battle, instantly stunning a Death Eater trying furiously to get a curse to penetrate Hagrid's giant's hide.
Harry leapt off the side of the stairs leading to the Entrance Hall and landed silently on the soft earth beneath it.
He looked around. Voldemort was close. He could feel it. He didn't even try to hide his signal. Harry would have betted that even a first year could feel him coming. The trouble, it seemed, was that his signal seemed to be everywhere at once. The shield charm that had been raised earlier bore his signature and thus covered his Death Eaters in it.
Harry sensed the presence-if not the exact signature of a Death Eater heading his way. He raised a hand without bothering to look up and the Death Eater grasped his throat. His ability to breath diminished greatly. It would not kill him unless he overexerted himself. This was a battle. You could almost count on overexertion.
Harry continued on his way. He stopped trying to hide his signature and, like a wave, his power washed over the battle, an equivalent to the Dark Lords own. None but the more powerful wizards noticed anything, however. The battle continued to rage and people continued to fall.
Harry searched in what he knew must be an almost fruitless attempt. His only hope lay in the idea that the Dark Lord would find him. He had almost reached the Forbidden Forest. He looked around, cursing another Death Eater too stupid to know that he stood no chance against him. The Death Eater hit another battler and fell to the ground.
Harry stepped into the forest. As if a giant pillow covered him, he suddenly felt smothered. The Dark Magic filled the forest so thickly here that it would be overwhelming to even a Muggle. Harry held out his hand and blew into it. Instantly a small ball of light appeared. It had a much longer range than the Lumos charm.
His light seemed to drive back the pressing forces of evil-a tiny speck of good, standing against the tidal wave of malevolence.
"I'm here," Harry said loudly. "You called?"
"Indeed," said a voice that was not the Dark Lord. Harry did not turn around, trying to identify the location of the speaker. He stood on their turf now. They could be anywhere. He would be wasting energy trying to seek them out.
"Malfoy," Harry said, his lips curling into their usual smirk. "An honor, I'm sure. How are your fingers? They don't hurt, do they? Because next time I bind and gag you I'll be sure to put them a little looser."
"That won't be necessary," said the voice of Draco Malfoy from the darkness around him. "I can assure you that you will not catch me off-guard again."
"I think maybe 'off-guard' is something of an excuse," Harry said. "It would seem to me that being able to summon a spirit to do your dirty work before I can attack you is more like 'prepared'."
"Witty, Potter." Harry could tell he was scowling. "But I have the upper hand this time. You're on my turf. You play by my rules."
"Malfoy," Harry said in mock exasperation. "You would think that after 3 times, that threat wouldn't mean quite as much."
"You haven't seen anything yet," Malfoy said. "I've come completely prepared this time. I've managed to lure you here. Perhaps now I can avenge my father's death-and steal back his memory."
"Maybe 'win back' is more appropriate," Harry said. "Since I already stole it."
"That won't work today, Potter," Malfoy said. Wherever he hid, he must be smirking now. "Now that revenge has come, anger seems like a thing of the past."
"That's almost an oxymoron," Harry said in a lazy tone, while every sense tingled, more ready for a fight than it had been in months. "Anger of something from the past is what revenge is. If anger truly was something of the past, you wouldn't be revengeful."
"Now I understand why you killed Granger!" Malfoy said sarcastically. "You wanted to channel her spirit so maybe you could get her smarts."
"Now I understand why you decided to kill Crabbe and Goyle," Harry said, mimicking Malfoy's tone. "You wanted to channel their spirits so you could get their extreme stupidity."
"Catchy," Malfoy said. "Any last words before I kill you horribly?"
"Just a few," Harry said. "Has anyone ever told you that you looked better as a ferret?"
Harry could just see in his mind Malfoy's smirk fade to a look of anger. "Has anyone ever told you that you look better as a rotting corpse?"
"Now that you mention it." Harry said sarcastically.
Harry sensed a sudden motion to his right. He instantly dropped to the ground, his light vanishing as he threw up a glowing shield charm all around himself.
Malfoy's curse never came. Instead, with a loud 'Bang!' Harry felt a small piece of metal tuck itself firmly in his right shoulder.
Harry's shield fell, throwing the area into protective darkness. Harry collapsed to the ground, and rolled so Malfoy would loose his location. He tried to control his breathing. He had never been shot before. Harry closed his eyes and briefly leaned against a tree, placing his hand over the wound and concentrating with all his strength on pulling the bullet out of him. It hurt like hell, but Harry gritted his teeth together to make no noise.
"Where are you, Potter?" Malfoy asked. "I'm surprised, your mother being a Mudblood, that you would expect something more Muggle."
Harry said nothing. He got to his feet and whispered a spell under his breath.
"It's not the weapon that surprises me," said Harry's voice from the place opposite his location. "It's the person behind the weapon."
Malfoy did not shoot as Harry had expected. He sniggered. "Do you expect me to be that stupid? I know perfectly well that I have a limited number of bullets. I'm not shooting at ghosts."
Harry looked at the bullet in his hand. He had an idea, but it would create a light and he couldn't have Malfoy shooting at him again. The pain in his arm lessened considerably less now that he had removed the bullet. He tuned it out.
Flicking his wrist, Harry placed a hovering charm on himself and grabbed a tree limb, pulling himself off the ground. Taking firm hold of the tree, Harry pushed and light shot down the tree. In an instant and suddenly the very grass beneath Malfoy's feet lit up with light.
Malfoy looked surprised. Taking full advantage, Harry threw the bullet straight at him, wrapping it in spells and enchantments. Malfoy saw it coming before it hit and got out of the way, but the spells kept the bullet on target and moving fast. The bullet ripped through the flesh in Malfoy's wand arm, sinking deep into the muscle until it hit bone.
Malfoy flinched visibly. With a slash of his wand, he melted into the shadows. Harry waved his hand quickly and the lighted ground lost its bright luminosity. Darkness plunged in around them.
Harry slipped out of the tree, muttering healing charms as he went. Nothing healed instantly, but some of the blood vessels started to repair themselves.
"Are we hiding, Potter?" Malfoy asked from the blackness.
Harry silently slipped through the trees, his feet making no mark on the earth.
Harry raised his good arm and summoned the gun to him. The spell caught hold instantly but Malfoy realized what was happening and fought back with magic of his own. Malfoy's powers proved formidable, Harry realized. He had improved. Perhaps all he needed was preparation.
Harry suddenly let go of the spell. Malfoy took a step backward in surprise. Harry heard him.
Instantly 3 spells were on top of Malfoy. He quickly began loosing his edge. He sent up a shield for them. It repelled the first two but the third one blasted through, knocking him backwards. His feet regained their foothold instantly, but he wasn't quick enough. Harry sent a hex his way. The gun in his hand became a melting mass. Malfoy yelled in pain as the liquid metal hit his hand.
The wound in Harry's shoulder had almost healed. The skin worked to repair itself now. Malfoy's wand was in his hand. Harry sensed the presence of it. Wands are the basis for magic, Malfoy's proving no exception. Its previous lack of use was perhaps the reason Harry's third hex had hit home. The shield requires a wand to stay strong over long periods of time.
Suddenly Harry's whole body began to glow with an eerie green color. Realizing how vulnerable he was in the dark, Harry transfigured instantly into a lethifold. He still glowed, but lethifolds are fast and horrifically lethal. Malfoy sent spell after spell at it but it bounced harmlessly off Harry's back. Harry's own magic could protect him from one of two curses that could harm it. The Killing Curse was useless.
Malfoy, however, knew the lethifold's other weakness.
"Expecto Patronum!" Malfoy roared. What looked like a giant Runespoor burst forth. The three-headed snake approached Harry, spitting and hissing.
Harry slithered up a tree and transformed back to human form. The Runespoor faded. Malfoy didn't. Harry, still lit by the eerie glow, felt a spell hit him in the stomach, sending him flying out of the tree.
He hit the ground with a sickening crack and felt his arm break beneath him.
"Sounds like it hurt," Malfoy said sneeringly from the shadows.
Angry with the light that had given him away, Harry whispered a spell and instantly the forest plunged into darkness again. Harry could hear Malfoy approaching. He was cocky. Too cocky.
Harry waved his uninjured hand and instantly he was back in his tree. He felt his arm, biting back the pain that it caused. It had not fractured- just cracked. Harry pulled out his wand and tapped it. Instantly it healed. He had not spent all his time learning curses and jinxes.
He put his wand back in his pocket. Harry was back on the ground in seconds. Squinting through the darkness, Harry could make out the vague outline of Malfoy. Good enough. Harry whispered a spell and Malfoy himself started to glow.
Harry sent hexes flying like there was no tomorrow. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Voldemort. He had forgotten about Voldemort. Who knew what havoc he had created in Harry's absence!?!
Harry paused in his curse throwing. No sound came from Malfoy. The glowing had vanished. He stared into the blackness.
Decided he must be completely unconscious, Harry started back towards the castle. He heard a noise behind him. Instantly Harry transfigured into a cobra. His teeth sank deep into flesh. He had bitten Malfoy.
Harry let go and transformed back into a human. He stared down at Malfoy. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle. He knew what it felt like to feel the poisonous venom running through your veins.knowing you would soon die.
Malfoy suddenly laughed, a cold cruel laugh.
What?" Harry asked sharply. "You're dying, moron."
"I am," Malfoy said, his pleasure evident. "But I have lived for as long as I needed. You have failed, Potter. The boy is dead."
Harry felt his insides go cold. "You were a decoy."
"Very good, Potter," Malfoy said. "And now that you have failed in your duty, I have achieved mine. I have destroyed you, Potter. Like you destroyed me!"
"You destroyed yourself, Malfoy," Harry said coldly. He couldn't stay longer. He took off at a run. Behind him he felt Malfoy's life leave him...
He wasn't too late...
Malfoy didn't know...
Harry was still alive...
Harry ran like there was no tomorrow, everything inside him searching desperately...
A/N: Okay! Reviews!
Dumbledore: (3003) Yeah, I'm actually planning to even out the playing field a little in later chapters...
HongMing: (3003) I would! But I can't because I don't have the ending and it's really easier if I don't have to worry about a lot of it. I mean, I can simply write as slowly as I want (which isn't that slowly) and post every time I finish typing another chapter. Sorry!
sab: (3003) Thanks...
Slimpun: (3003) Yeah, still I wasn't sure just how much more powerful I wanted to make Harry, but I think it's okay...
Sea-Turtles: (3003) Thanks! I'm really trying!
The Mystical Elf: (3003) Thanks. Quick replay. Yeah, I kind of liked the Quid scene. They outlawed Quidditch, you know, because of frequency of injury so they had to change the name to Quid. Anyway, just a note.
Nexux3: (3003) All will be revealed!!!
BlackDiva: (Back to Back Then) Er...sorry about the cliffy. I honestly didn't realize it when I did it, but I did get some bloodshed in!
SilverKnight7: (BtBT) Yeah...um...don't read the end to this chapter...
A-man: (BtBT) Thanks! Very enthusiastic.
Cr1Ms0n^D3v1L: (BtBT) Er...thanks...you know...whatever... *is rather confused* *smiles anyway*
Gemini: Why does everyone think I'm going to kill off Sirius again? I love that little guy!
A/N: Thank you all for your wonderful reviews! It makes a newbie author so happy!
Guy off Monty Python: I feel happy! I think I'll go for a walk!
Me: That was unexpected...
Gilthas: Yeah...I think this is one of those times I really don't want a look at the inside of your mind...
Me: I second that, and I'm the one thinking it...