Birthday Surprises Chapter 72

Usual disclaimer:  Not mine, don't sue.  Please.  Wish it were mine though.  Ah, if only…  Lolly, xxx.

"Right.  Let's change the game plan, shall we?"  Harry announced quietly. 

***

The tunnel had never seemed longer to Ron and Hermione.  They both remembered the times that they had used it before – always when Harry was with them.  It didn't seem quite right when Harry was absent.  They walked along in silence, leading the group of DA members that included Neville, Sally, Parvati, Lavender, Dean and Seamus.  Everyone was nervous, but they all knew that the light side would need as much help as possible. 

"So, what do you reckon is going on then?"  Seamus asked.

"Deatheaters en masse, maybe Dementors, maybe giants.  Who knows?"  Hermione said.  "Could be just about anything."

"What about You-Know-Who?"

"Oh, I daresay he'll only show up at the end.  We won't be going anywhere near him.  That is Harry's job." 

"Harry's job?"  Sally squeaked.

"Yeah – he wouldn't let anyone else fight his battles would he?  And he sees Voldemort as his problem."

"I'll never understand what goes on in his mind."  Dean said, shaking his head.

"I don't think any of us would want to.  Knowing Harry, it wouldn't be pretty."  Ron said.  He knew better than most that Harry kept everything tucked away in his mind, no matter how small. 

"So, just to make sure we've got this clear, what are we doing?"  Parvati asked.

"Well, first of all, we need to check that there's no one at the other end of the tunnel – I'll do that.  If everything's clear, we'll go up through Honeydukes quietly, and from there, we find Harry and the others.  He'll tell us what to do.  If we come across any Deatheaters on the way, stun them, or hex them.  Just do the first thing that comes to mind."

"What if we can't find Harry?"

"We'll be able to find him – Voldemort is going to want this fight out in the open – he's very optimistic."

"What about Harry?"

"He's been planning this for ages.  He's determined to finish this.  Plus, he has everything to fight for."

"How long exactly has he been planning this?  I mean, he's not exactly the best at chess, is he?"  Lavender pointed out nervously.  Ron's laugh broke the tension in the room. 

"He said a similar thing in his letter – but as he put it, duelling Voldemort and other assorted evils comes naturally to him.  If chess is my natural talent, Harry's is kicking evil ass."

"I can't really see Harry fighting, myself."  Sally said.  "I mean, on those screens…it all seemed so unreal."

"You can't imagine Harry fighting?  Where have you been for the last seven years?  After everything with Malfoy?"

"That's not real fighting though – that's squabbling."

"I suppose.  I've seen it though – it's damn scary.  Guy has a wicked temper on him."

"Not to mention incredible amounts of power and determination, etcetera, etcetera."  Hermione rolled off, sounding bored. 

"Yeah – we can do this.  If Harry can do away with Voldemort, the least we can do is put a few Deatheaters out of commission."  Neville said, looking determined.

"Well said, Neville."  Hermione beamed.

***

They found that Honeydukes was completely abandoned, as was the majority of Hogsmeade.  Things weren't looking too good, particularly as there were bodies scattered around, bloody and dead.  Everyone gulped in unison, averting his or her eyes and focussing on finding Harry – alive. 

It didn't take long to find Harry and the others – they were right at the edge of Hogsmeade.  Hermione gaped as one of her best friends sent out vast numbers of spells, entwining them together for greater effect.  Others did the same, though admittedly on a smaller scale.  Everyone noticed that fact that at Harry's side were Dumbledore and Snape, both looking slightly awed.  "Ron, Hermione, what took you so long?"  Harry asked without turning around.

"Well if you hadn't made us go hunting."  Ron said, looking slightly incredulous.

"What?  If I hadn't, anyone could have found their way here.  You did lock up after yourselves, didn't you?"

"Yeah, we're not stupid."  Hermione said.

"Wouldn't dream of saying you were."  Harry grinned.  He looked back and saw the group.  "Hey Granddad, take over for a minute, ok?"

"Indeed."  Dumbledore nodded, while most of the DA simply stared.

"Dumbledore's your Grandfather?"  Someone asked.

"Yeah.  Well, Great-Grandfather.  Anyway, here's what we're doing, and here's what you need to do…"  Harry began to explain, authority radiating from him.  There was no doubt as to whom was in charge.

***

The Deatheaters had no choice but to retreat a little – the army that Harry had built was effectively running them out of Hogsmeade.  More than a little panicked, a few messengers apparated to the spot where Voldemort was waiting. 

"My Lord, he is strong!  Our forces are being made to retreat.  If the army was without their leader, they would crumble."

"Who is the leader?"  Voldemort bellowed, his red eyes flashing angrily in the dark room.

"Harry Potter, Sir."  The Messenger all but whimpered.  The Dark Lord's eyes widened a little, before he stood abruptly.

"Why was I not informed of this before?"  Voldemort barked.

"We…we are sorry, my Lord, but we tried to capture him, but it was no use.  He's more powerful than originally thought."

"Are you trying to imply that I will not be able to defeat him?"  The Dark Lord's wand appeared in his long, bony fingers, and the Messenger eyed it with sheer terror.

"NO my Lord, never would I suggest such a thing!"  He protested vehemently.

"Very good.  Well, you have served your purpose, Eldrin, I thank you."  Voldemort said, his mouth twisting into a cruel imitation of a smile.  "Avada Kedavra."  He said, shooting a jet of green light at his servant, and watching in satisfaction as he fell, clearly dead, to the ground.

***

Harry's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing as he stunned yet another Deatheater.  He held up a hand and silence reigned.  No one dared argue with Harry Potter when he was in battle mode – at least, no one that had any sense at all.  Everything paused in that moment – time itself seemed to halt at the will of one young man.  No one dared move or speak.  Only Harry moved, his head tilting up and looking out into the distance.  A small smile curved his lips as everyone watched incredulously – what on Earth was happening that would make someone – anyone – want to smile in the middle of a battle?  The smile grew as Harry's eyebrows rose just a little.  Those who knew Harry well gulped.  They knew the look in his eyes was dangerous – at least, to whomever had displeased.  Right now, the whole of the Dark Side looked as if they should be shaking in terror.  Never mind You-Know-Who, their biggest fear should be Harry Potter. 

***

Harry looked around at the assembled group, his smile still playing at his lips.  "Well it seems as if Voldemort has finally decided to come and join the occasion."  He said, his voice ringing clearly in the silence.  Everyone else, Light and Dark, gulped.  Each knowing that at the end of this, there would be one person left standing.   It would be over once and for all.