Chapter 20
The Pyrrhic Victory of
Voldemort and the Ascension
Harry had been giving Hermione private lessons on their beach walks, she could now control objects without a wand. But none of the other students could do that, Harry thought if he could get them to concentrate they could. Everyone groaned while most of them put their wands away and pull out their quills. Harry watched one of the students as they made a paper bird and put a spell on it. After blowing on it started flying around the room, Harry watched it for a moment; the other students glanced at Harry then the flying paper bird. Harry held out his hand, it burst into flames. Then with a swish called the student's wand, "That's enough of that," he said quietly. The students looked at him, Harry reached for his chair it automatically moved towards him and as he sat, all the quills in the room landed on his desk. "Harry!" Hermione said loudly, "That's enough." The other students gasped, "Hermione, it is time I try to teach them the same, for if they can't, I fear the future is in grave danger," said Harry calmly. Harry looked at a quill on his desk, it began to hover, "I want all of you to be able to do this by the end of class," he said seriously. All the students looked at each other, "I know what you're thinking," said Harry, "We can't do that. Well you can and you will. Just concentrate on the object, but first it will take time to teach you how to concentrate." Harry set them into groups, he put Hermione helping one group after another. But very few of them had gotten the feather even to move. Harry sighed and held up his hand, calling all the feathers they were practicing on to him. "Okay, not exactly as far as I wanted to go, but it will have to do," Harry said quietly. The students picked up their bags and left for their separate classes. Harry held out his hand, his bag flew into it, "Potions next Hermione," he said, "My favorite class and my favorite teacher." He finished by kissing her on her cheek. "That was kind of reckless to show them that," said Hermione. Harry sighed, "I don't have a choice, we are running out of time, I fear for the lives of my students, all of them," he responded.
After Potions with Hermione, Harry collapsed onto his bed, he was dead tired. But he had one more thing to do, he whispered under his breath, he felt the walls quake and shiver. His father appeared, "Hi Harry," said his father's voice.
"Hi dad, I had a question for you," Harry said, "It's important."
James sat down next to Harry, "What is it?" he asked.
"Hermione, I want to propose to her… but I don't know how," Harry replied.
James smiled, "I know how you feel Harry… I felt the same way when I proposed to Lily, your mother," James smiled.
"How did you ask her?" Harry asked.
"Well, your mother was a hard one, she didn't like showing off and so I asked her the traditional way. But I have an idea for you," James smiled broadly, "If she wants or wouldn't mind a magical proposal, there is one I wanted to do… though I do have to admit I doubt I could have… and your mother wouldn't have liked it anyway," James smiled mischievously, "but you on the other hand."
After a few minutes of discussion Harry knew exactly how he would propose to her.
"Dad, would you come to the wedding, I know you're dead, but it would mean a lot to me," said Harry.
James smiled, "I'll do you one better, I'll come, I'll drag your mum and Sirius along, just be careful." His smile disappeared and his brow wrinkled with concern, "I want you to be very careful, you know what will happen if Voldemort wins." Harry nodded as his father disappeared.
"We will win dad, the alternative is unacceptable," Harry whispered into the darkness. He couldn't sleep, he looked out over the grounds, the tension was almost tangible.
There was a knock at his door, "Yes?" Harry asked. Hermione walked in and lay down on his bed.
"I can't sleep," she muttered to him.
"Me either," Harry replied. He motioned at the door, it closed and locked.
Harry hugged Hermione, she started to fall asleep as he cuddled and curled up with her, 'How little does she know what awaits her,' thought Harry. He fell asleep soon after.
Hermione awoke first like she usually did, she started to get up but Harry grabbed her, she giggled as he kissed her so deeply that she blushed. She escaped and withdrew to her own room again. Harry sighed; tonight he would propose to her, it would be a very special one. The day seemed to go by so slowly for Harry. His was the first class of the day, double Defense against the Dark Arts. At lunch he went outside, he noticed the sky had gone black, he felt uneasiness in his heart and soul. Then he saw them.
Countless Dementors, led by Voldemort. He looked back at the castle, Dumbledore had sensed it too. He brought out all the teachers, and the D.A. Hermione among them, Harry stood firm. Voldemort sneered, "Potter, too many times have you escaped me, this time… You will bow to death." His evil laughter filled the air.
Harry smiled, "I no longer fear death Tom, I have been there, I have seen all there is to see, I have learned all there is to learn. But you, my dear Tom, you should fear death; you don't know what awaits you beyond the veil of Shadow. Eternal suffering, no matter the outcome, but there is still hope, turn back now Tom, you can still save yourself," Harry answered.
Voldemort sneered, "I cannot die, I am not a mere mortal." Harry sighed, the rest of the students were staring out the windows, Harry raised his hand. A mighty shield rose up around the castle and seemed to float around it.
"They are safe Tom, you, on the other hand, are not," said Harry quietly, "I no longer fear Dementors… I have seen what they once were. Their pain and loneliness is what keeps them where they are." Voldemort gave the signal to charge, the Dementors floated towards Harry and the rest of the Teachers and D.A. members . Harry held up his hand, they stopped, but then continued. Fire burst out of Harry's hand, Dementors' cloaks caught fire. Hermione came up behind him, Harry held her hand a moment, they felt their necklaces grow warm, Harry and Hermione drew closer, their necklaces connected, a bright light shone, piecing the darkest corners of the Dementors, they screeched, the cloaks fell away, glorious creatures appeared, glowing white, filled with brilliance and compassion; just as Harry remembered them from his vision… The light died away, Harry and Hermione still held hands.
"Tom, it is now your move," Harry said quietly. Harry and Hermione fell, hit in the back of their heads, Voldemort ordered his Death Eaters to attack the teachers and students.
"Well Potter, that was impressive, but it still will not save you," Voldemort said with a smirk as he approached, then said to the person that knocked them out, "Good job… you will have your reward."
Ron smiled evilly, "[/i]Then I will serve you," he replied.
Harry awoke, "Hermione?" he said in a muffled confused voice.
"Yes?" asked her voice as she and Ron emerged from the shadows.
"What is going on?" he asked.
"We did our duty to our Lord, didn't we honey?" she replied kissing Ron. Harry began to curse in Parsaltongue.
"My, my Potter," came Voldemort's voice.
"Hassahhhassseeasss," replied Harry in anger.
Voldemort backed up in surprise, "Wow, didn't know you had it in you Potter," he said looking at Harry in surprise because of his cussing then turned to Hermione and Ron, "Just checking up on my two faithful Death Eaters."
Harry felt despair and anger penetrate his entire being, he began to mutter in a beautiful language unheard of in 2 thousand years… The Ancient language…
Unable to understand it, Voldemort backed up. The wind picked up, Harry began to glow white… his eyes turned the colors of blue and red flames, "STUPIFY," yelled Hermione, Harry knocked unconscious, but woke up a second later, he continued to glow until the room turned completely white, his bonds fell, a complete white being replacing him.
"What are you?" asked Voldemort sounding scared.
"I AM THE ASCENDED ONE!" as he spoke the entire room shook. Harry raised, what seemed to be, his hand and Voldemort flew across the room as the light which comprised Harry faded into flesh and blood, "Now I am human," said Harry with a stifled a yawn, he was exhausted, it took a lot of energy to ascend… next he threw Ron into the wall behind him. Hermione watched him, still shocked. Harry stared back into her eyes, daring her to look deeper…
"DON'T HERMIONE, HE'S TRYING TO TRICK YOU," yelled Ron. With a wave he was unconscious. Voldemort broke free, Harry whipped around and snarled in the Ancient language. Voldemort was pinned against the wall again, Harry raised his hand,
Voldemort slid choking up to the roof, "You will regret the day you met me…" Harry said in a quiet voice that said more than could be imagined.
"DIFFINDO," shouted Hermione. Harry fell to his knees but maintained his hold, he couldn't prevent it… He snapped and Hermione flew against the wall next to a still unconscious Ron. He held out his other hand, all the wands flew into it.
"Surprised Tom?" asked Harry quietly.
"Well, I guess I will have to be patient," snapped Voldemort.
"Riddle's in Shadow…" whispered Harry, "not Riddles in shadow. He's telling me I don't have to be a murderer…"
Harry began to glow again, this time Voldemort gave a screeching scream. The night returned to the room. Harry fell to the floor as Ron woke up, but he didn't lose his grip on either Ron or Hermione, he knew that if he let go; they would both attack him. Harry continued his stare at Hermione, she felt as though she was falling into a green lake… She saw pain, compassion, love, hate, depth, understanding and longing… She felt the same longing, for him to hold her… kiss her… love her… her heart started racing… she shook herself, what was she thinking? She was Ron's girlfriend and she had to serve her master.
She looked again, "Do you remember me?" he asked so softly a tear falling. She felt that longing again in the deepest most secret place in her heart…
"HERMIONE," Ron shouted. She didn't hear him…
Memories flooded back, "Harry?" she asked , "What's going on?"
She sounded scared, "Why did we attack each other?" Ron cursed.
Harry looked at him a moment, "Why Ron?" he asked quietly.
"Because, you've gotten everything you've ever wanted!" Ron snarled, "Everything good happens to you!" Harry walked over to Hermione and caught her as he dropped her from the wall and gave her her wand.
"No Ron, everything bad happens to me, tell me; who grew up without parents? Who lost Sirius? Who saw Cedric die? Who watched Voldemort rise? Who lost the last of their living relatives, even though they were idiots? Who faced death for Hermione, twice? Who faced the Dementors? Who saved the last of the Dementors? Who will face Shadow?" he replied harshly as he softly put Hermione down, he felt Hermione's shame, she looked down, Harry touched her chin and forced her to look at him.
"Don't feel ashamed," he said quietly, "You did nothing wrong." Hermione looked into his eyes, they were filled with only compassion and love for her.
Hermione pulled away from him, "Harry, yes I did," she said as she started to cry, "I betrayed you."
Harry pulled her back, "Hey, you didn't betray me, Ron did, not you," he replied.
Hermione was shocked, Harry really didn't blame her, "Harry, I'm…" she started.
But Harry stopped her, "Hermione," he whispered, "I still and always will love you." Ron growled at him, the doors gave way. Harry backed Hermione into a corner behind him. The Death Eaters came in looking pleased, but were shocked to find Harry free and Ron pinned against the wall.
"Bellatrix," Harry hissed in a snake like voice, "You will die…"
Hermione grabbed his hand from behind him, "Harry, don't seek revenge, please, I don't want to lose you again…" she said starting to cry.
Harry pushed all the Death Eaters against the wall so they couldn't move, "Let's go," Harry said gently and lovingly to Hermione. As they left, Harry looked back and Ron floated behind them.
One of the Death Eaters managed to grab his wand and shouted pointing at Hermione, "ADAVA KEDAVERA." Harry felt the familiar rush of death and Hermione fell, dead. Harry cursed in Parsaltongue, all the Death Eaters fell… dead… he grabbed her; Ron, Hermione and he all burst into flames.
Harry held her gently, "Hermione," he cried softly. Harry remembered his death… Then Neo's words, 'Not everything is as it seems,' He remembered Neo's words to him after he had risen, 'Harry, the distance between Death and Life is not as great as you think.' Harry turned to Ron and sent him into a chair; fire surrounded Ron in the form of an X. "You move it will burn, understood?" asked Harry. Ron looked angrier; Harry took this as an acknowledgement. Harry began to mutter in the Ancient language again… Wind picked up and he felt light and dark within him… he then transformed into the great white being again, he disappeared.
"HERMIONE!" called Harry as he walked through Shadow unafraid. He now knew the Ancient Ones were able to walk this path. Neo had done it, against his own rules, thrice. Harry saw the city he had during his past death.
He finally noticed he was glowing brightly under his white cloak as he entered the city, "Dad," he said to James, who was standing at the gate.
"Harry? Not again," James sighed.
"Where is she? I can take her back," Harry said quietly.
"Harry don't," replied James.
"Dad, look, I can't live without her, we are soul mates," said Harry severely.
James looked curious, "What do you mean?" he asked.
"Dad, we exchanged a part of our souls with each other, she is…" answered Harry.
"Harry!" came a familiar voice. Harry spun around and caught a wonderful brown haired girl in a big hug.
"Hermione!" he whispered to her, "Come back with me."
"But Harry, I can't," she said tears in her eyes.
"Yes, you can," replied Harry, "Please my love… I cannot survive without you."
"It has been too long," she said.
"No, it hasn't, you don't understand it as I do," Harry whispered.
"Harry…" she said quietly into his ear, "I love you so much."
"Then come back with me," Harry said gently kissing her.
"How?" she asked.
"Take my hand, don't be afraid," Harry answered. But before he took her back, he wanted her to see something.
"Hermione," Harry asked, "Would you like to see for yourself?"
"No, I just want to go home," said Hermione hugging him. Harry led her out of the city, Shadow surrounded them, Hermione held Harry's hand tightly.
"Herm, I have something to tell you before we step through to life," said Harry.
"What?" she asked.
"I will have to fight another battle for you again," Harry replied, "One last kiss until that day…" They kissed for what seemed an eternity…
