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Chapter 31 Good bye?
Harry sat across from his two best friends and watched as they argued over wither or not they should be studying or out relaxing. They made him smile, ever since he had known them, they had argued over the silliest things but always stood with him when he needed them most.
A voice cut into his thoughts, "You tell her, Harry."
"What?" Harry asked.
"You tell her, she listens to you," Ron repeated.
"What exactly should I be telling her?" Harry asked.
"That it won't matter if I study for my exams, because Herbology is not until Thursday," Ron said, "And we won't be doing it anyway."
"Actually you will," Harry replied, "Nothing is going to happen until night time."
"See, you have to study Ron," Hermione replied smugly.
"Well maybe I don't care anymore," Ron replied, "Harry and I are trying out for the Cannons, and we don't need NEWT's for that!"
"Actually, you are trying out for the Cannon's, I want to apply for Auror training, remember," Harry replied.
"What are you mad?" Ron exploded, "Who wants to be an auror, when they could be a professional quidditch player?"
"Me, I guess," Harry replied. "If I'm still…."
"Don't," Hermione cut him off, "Don't you dare even think it!"
"Hermione," Harry replied slowly, "We all know what might happen, there's no point ignoring it."
Hermione's eyes glistened with unshed tears, "I can't think about it, I just can't even imagine it. Please don't ask me to."
Ron put an arm around her shoulder and said, "Nothing's going to split us up, do you hear me. We're the three musketeers!"
"How do you know about the musketeers?" Hermione asked, distracted for a moment.
"I read too you know," Ron replied indignantly, "Just not school books." He grinned. And the moment passed.
"Remember the first time we came here?" Harry smiled as he looked around.
"You were under that stupid cloak," Hermione replied. "I reckon we wouldn't have gotten into nearly as much trouble over the years if Dumbledore had just kept it."
"Yeah, but life would have been boring," Harry replied.
"Boring is good," Hermione muttered, "At least boring is safe."
"You know you don't mean that," Ron nudged her gently. "Think of all the adventures we've had."
"I guess," Hermione conceded, "Remember the troll?"
"What about Fluffy," Harry grinned, "And Aragog."
"Oh don't, I still have nightmares about that bloody thing," Ron shuddered.
Rosemerta came over with three more butterbeers and the friends sat reminiscing and laughing about their life at Hogwarts. On the way back, Harry realised it had seemed very final, as thought they had been saying goodbye to their youth as they took the last few steps to adulthood.
They arrived in the Great Hall for dinner and Harry was surprised to see several guests at the top table. It would seem that word was out; people were coming to visit Dumbledore. Along with the examiners, there were at least four other unknown wizards, ranging between the ages of 100 to a tiny little bearded man who looked around 200.
The students disappeared to their respective common rooms after dinner; Harry knew that most of them just didn't really know what to do with themselves. They were worried about Dumbledore and their exams. The false confidence Harry had given them only lasted through the exams.
Hermione had finally convinced Ron to study for his Muggle studies NEWT and Herbology. So Harry left them to it, offering to take their prefect duties that night. He wandered round the castle, not able to recall a time when it had been so quiet. Even the ghost seemed to be keeping to themselves.
At half past nine a flash of green and silver robes caught his attention, one of the Slytherins was sending a letter. Casting a quick disillusionment charm, Harry waited for the boy to come back down the stairs of the owlery, and then followed him to the Slytherin common room. Standing near as he muttered the password, (castus caedes); Harry noted the words and slipped away back to Gryffindor tower.
Sunday was quiet and tense, most of the older students were revising and growling at any of the younger students who dared to interrupt. More visitors had arrived during dinner and Professor McGonagall escorted them to visit the Headmaster. Harry was getting worried, only four days remained until June11th, and he still didn't know exactly what he would do when the confrontation with Voldemort began.
Thinking about that, he remembered that he needed to know about a secure place for any prisoners so he went to visit the Headmaster. Knocking tentatively on his office door, after he had made sure that none of the visitors were still there, Harry entered the room.
Dumbledore was sitting by the fire; looking tired and older that Harry had ever seen.
"How are you, Sir," Harry questioned.
"Worried," Dumbledore replied. "It is most disconcerting to have your friends visit and pay their final respects."
"I am sorry," Harry replied, "But it means that the secret of your illness has spread into the wizarding world."
"Yes, Severus has been called this evening," Dumbledore replied, "So I think that things are moving according to plan."
"I only hope Voldemort waits for the 11th," Harry replied, as a new worry took shape in his mind, what if Voldemort decided to attack before then, while Dumbledore was supposed to be ill. "You don't think he might come early?"
"It is something I have been pondering, but I think the wards still being strong will deter him."
Harry nodded, "Have you found out where they will be keeping the prisoners, until Azkaban can be rebuilt?"
"The rebuilding is almost complete," Dumbledore replied, "However they are having trouble finding new guards. I suggested Goblins or elves, so the Ministry are looking into it."
"So will there be a secure location for the prisoners in time?" Harry asked.
"I will let you know tomorrow, Madam Bones is meeting with the Goblins tonight and she will contact me in the morning," Dumbledore replied.
"Very good, Sir," Harry stood to leave, "I will let you get your rest."
"Harry, the illness is a ploy you know," Dumbledore said, "I am not the frail old man I appear to be. Sit for a while and we can talk."
Harry sat uncomfortably, wondering what to talk about with Dumbledore. Much as the illness was a ploy, Dumbledore genuinely looked tired and that worried Harry greatly, what if he couldn't get his strength back in time? What would happen then?
"How about a game of exploding Snap?" Dumbledore smiled.
"Exploding Snap? I would have imagined you would enjoy chess more," Harry replied.
"Oh I do enjoy chess, Minerva and I play quite often, but I have difficulty finding anyone who will play a good old fashioned game of Snap!"
So Harry shrugged at the bizarreness of playing exploding Snap with an hundred and fifty year old man, and dealt the cards. Eyebrows singed, he went back to the common room a few hours later, much more relaxed than he had been.
Harry opened his eyes and looked at his watch. Someone had cast a charm on the clocks, he was sure, it was seven o'clock in the morning on the 11th June, and Harry was sure that time was passing much too fast. Harry hand spent the last few days wandering aimlessly around the castle, sometimes with Ron, while Hermione sat her never ending list of exams, sometimes alone, glad of the solitude. He had continued to sneak into the Great Hall every morning and sent out waves of hope to the rest of the students, giving them a better chance at passing their exams, but by evening everyone was worried again and the atmosphere in the castle was oppressive.
After breakfast, Harry wished his friends good luck on their Herbology exams and gave Hermione and Ron an extra boost of hope. Then he had made his way to the headmaster's office, to find Professors McGonagall and Snape, along with Madam Pomfrey, were already there. Wordlessly he took out the potion and handed it to Dumbledore.
"Why did you not let me brew the potion," Snape said, "knowing Potter's Potions skills, I don't think I would drink that, Headmaster."
"Hermione brewed it," Harry answered.
"Still, how do we know it is …." Snape began.
"Severus, we have already discussed this," Dumbledore replied quietly, the taking the vial; he drank the deep red liquid.
The occupants in the room held their breath and watched as Dumbledore made a face at the bitter taste and looked at Snape.
"You know Severus; you could be a very rich man, if you could find a way to improve the taste of potions," Dumbledore smiled. Harry found this extremely amusing and laughed aloud, then realising it was probably a nervous reaction he tried to stop himself.
"How do you feel?" Madam Pomfrey moved in to exam Dumbledore.
"I don't feel anything yet," Dumbledore replied, "Just a slight tingling in my toes."
"Well you should start to feel the effects soon, I will stay here just in case," Pomfrey answered.
Fawkes landed on the back of Dumbledore's chair and eyed him curiously.
Dumbledore put a hand up to smooth its feathers and said, "No old friend, you must not purge the potion just yet, it has not completed its work."
Fawkes gave an echoing shrill and settled itself more comfortably. Dumbledore continued to stroke its feathers and the other four occupants of the room stood uncomfortable in silence.
"Minerva, I think you should go and oversee the children now," Dumbledore said calmly, "Severus, you have classes this morning I believe; I will see you all after dinner."
As the two Professors left, Harry sat down opposite Dumbledore and said, "This is going to be a long day."
"You should rest Harry, you will need your strength tonight," Dumbledore replied. "Perhaps Madam Pomfrey could give you a sleeping potion."
"No, I slept last night, surprisingly, now I just want this to be over with," Harry replied.
Madam Pomfrey checked Dumbledore again and then took a seat beside them. Silence reigned for a while then Harry said, "Madam Pomfrey, I don't think I've ever thanked you for all the times you have healed me over the years. Thank you."
Madam Pomfrey sniffed and replied, "Well you certainly have been one of my most frequent customers! But you're welcome."
"Harry, I think I will sleep for a while," Dumbledore said, his face was now ashen, "Please wake me up if you need me." And with that the old wizard closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Harry's pulse jumped into overload as he watched, fear of what was to come was boiling in his stomach, determined to calm himself, Harry closed his eyes and started to meditate. Visions of Hogwarts played in his mind, Dumbledore's first welcome speech, Hagrid taking them on the boats, catching the snitch for the first time. Harry's memories stirred in him as he let himself be surrounded by a wall of warm flames.
Memories of Voldemort, Professor Quirrel, Barty Crouch Jnr, Cedric dying, Voldemort stepping out of the cauldron, on and on Harry recalled all the reasons he had made his decision, and finally he opened his eyes, feeling calm and warm. Looking to the window, Harry saw it was late evening, Dumbledore was awake and watching him intently.
"You have joined us Harry," Dumbledore smiled, "You looked very peaceful, floating in the air glowing bright red."
Harry looked around and noticed that Madam Pomfrey did not seem to agree with the headmaster, she looked very worried.
"Has the potion worked?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore nodded gravely, "The wards are weakening, I can feel it. You should go to dinner, before Professor McGonagall announces my death."
"Yes Sir, I will come back when the student are safe," Harry told him, he stood and made his way towards the door.
"Harry," Dumbledore called him, walking over to stand in front of him. He grabbed a very surprised Harry into a strong embrace and whispered, "Look after my children, and come back to me safe."
Harry gulped back the tears and nodded, and then he turned and fled, running all the way to the Great Hall.
He found Ron and Hermione sitting at the table and slid in beside them.
"How did it go?" Hermione asked. "Did the potion work?"
Harry nodded and tried to concentrate on eating.
"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Ron asked, "At least let us stay with you, the rest of the DA can take the students."
"No, I need both of you to go," Harry replied, "Then I only have to worry about myself."
Professor McGonagall swept into the room and headed for the top table. She cleared her throat and silence fell around the hall. Harry kept his eyes down and listened to her announcement.
"I have some very sad news for you all.
This morning at around ten o'clock,
Professor Dumbledore passed away."
She was unable to continue for several minutes as the students suddenly gasped and started to whisper and cry, she held up her hands and said,
"His last wish was that you all remain here
and complete your exams, He was very
proud of all of you and he will be a great
loss to the school. Letters will be posted to
your parents tomorrow and the Ministry has
already convened to decide what should be
done now. You must all remain in the Great
Hall until I return."
The shock and fear was tangible in the air as the students tried to absorb what Professor McGonagall had told them. The crying and worrying seemed to last for hours, Hermione was arranging the older students to comfort the younger ones and the time ticked slowly by. As inconspicuously as possible, Harry started to gather the DA members around him.
"Right, are you all ready?" Harry asked them, "Some of the teachers will be with you but ultimately I want you to follow Ron and Hermione's instructions." The group nodded, many of the still crying. "Don't leave anyone behind!" he left them nodding and went to the headmaster's office.
Dumbledore, McGonagall, Flitwick, Snape, Bill Weasley, Moony and Patrick Starltehex were gathered, waiting for Harry to arrive. It was almost ten o'clock.
"Are they gone?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore nodded, "in another few moments."
"Are you ready?" Harry asked Snape. Snape nodded but made no comment.
"Is the Slytherin pass word still castus caedes?" Harry asked him. Snape nodded again.
"Nice," Startlehex said, "Pure blood in Latin, how original."
Snape merely sneered at them all, then he looked at the Headmaster and receiving a nod, disapparated. The room was silent for several seconds then Harry took the headmasters hands and led him to a couch, Dumbledore lay on the couch and Harry sat before him. Breathing deeply he concentrated on the picture of Dumbledore lying, not breathing in front of him. Projecting the image in his mind he searched for the cold, cruel mind of Voldemort.
Harry imagined the horror he would feel if Dumbledore were really dead, and he projected it, feeling tears slip down his face. Then he felt it, a great leap of joy and he knew he had found Voldemort.
Harry watched through red eyes as Snape stood before him, he concentrated and heard Snape deliver the news.
"The old man is dead!" Snape said.
"I am aware of this! It is great news for our cause!" Harry heard himself reply. "Forward!"
Snape edged forward and Harry felt himself grab Snapes forearm, pushing back the robes he placed his wand on the Dark mark and activated the signal. Snape gasped in pain and moved back to his space in the circle. As Harry watched, black robes appeared, twenty, thirty, forty, more and more until Harry lost count.
"The time has come to attack Hogwarts!" Harry heard himself announce.
"But he will be there!" Wailed a woman's voice.
"Crucio!" Harry yelled, and a sick burning pleasure burned in his stomach as Voldemort punished Bellatrix for speaking. He released the curse and said, "I do not fear him, he is nothing now! We will dissaparate there! And they will fall to their knees and beg me for their survival! If anyone finds the Potter Boy, keep him for me!"
Harry withdrew his mind and fell to the floor retching, the pain in his scar blinding him. Several pairs of hands helped him gently back into his seat and Dumbleodre's face came into focus.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, he's coming," Harry replied. "You should take the antidote now." Rising Harry made his way to the door and turned grimly to say "Good Luck!" without waiting he ran back down the stairs. Moony had called him but Harry just kept going, knowing if he stopped, he might not find the strength to finish what he had started.
The students were still waiting in the Great Hall and Harry burst in and climbed on the nearest table. Raising his wand he let the Red and Gold sparks shoot out of it. All the eyes in the room turned and stared in surprised silence.
"DA, come and spread out here," Harry indicated to the front of the room. The DA did as they were told. "Now, split into groups with the DA members, try to keep the groups even sized." He looked at them as three of the houses complied. "That includes you lot." Harry pointed at the Slytherins. "Now!" Harry called forcefully and the floor rattled slightly. The Slytherins joined the rest of the groups.
"Now you will do exactly as your leader tells you, if you don't you will be stunned and bound!" Harry looked around the room. "Voldemort is coming here and the DA will lead you to the only safe place. Do as you're told and keep your eye's open!"
Muttering and sobbing filled the air and Harry yelled, "Group leaders, take them now, and hurry up."
Harry pulled out the marauders map from his pocket and checked the common rooms; none of the students appeared to be missing. Several teachers were in the staff room and Filch was wandering around on the ground floor.
"Hermione, Ron, come here a minute," Harry handed them the map and said, "Round up the stragglers and tell the teachers Dumbledore is sending the students to Hogsmead if you have to. And don't forget Filch."
"Harry…" Hermione tried to say something then grabbed him into a tight hug instead.
Ron joined her in hugging Harry and whispered, "Take care mate, see you in Hogsmead!"
Harry smiled at his friends and said, "Look after each other and keep everyone safe!"
He stood in the Entrance Hall for several minutes and watched the students disappear up the stairs. Turning to the main doors Harry approached and placed his hands firmly on them, pulling his power forwards, Harry sealed the doors, and bound the castle. None of the death eaters would be able to get in, though Voldemort would still be able to sense the students' fears until they escaped.
Stepping back from the doors Harry heard distant popping sound and he knew that the attack had begun. Turning and running down the stairs, Harry hoped that the Professors had disapparated from Dumbledore's office, before he had locked the castle, and were now working on putting back up the wards. A sharp pain in his forehead told him that Voldemort had arrived.
Harry found the Slytherin common room and muttered "castus caedes" pushing into the room he stood under the glass roof and stared at the water above. Raising his wand Harry broke the glass and levitated up into the water. Allowing himself to merge with the water Harry commanded it to carry him up from the bottom of the lake. As he broke through the surface the water continued to rise and a huge tidal wave surged out of the water and thundered down on the death eaters, who were focusing their attention on the castle doors. Harry's scar nipped and tingled but he forced the pain down and watched the scene in front of him.
There, in the centre of the hundred or so black robed figures, stood Voldemort, his red eyes shining in excitement as he realized his foe had presented himself.
"TOM RIDDLE!" Harry voice thundered over the sound of the water, "LEAVE THOSE CHILDREN ALONE!"