Chapter 28:

Voldemort's Assault

Harry took a running leap off the building and plummeted towards the ground as Ginny raced down the stairs transforming as she went. Harry said, "Sonorus." Then he yelled, "All students, get back in the castle. Voldemort has arrived." The students rushed for the doors and Harry flicked his hand and enlarged the opening to accommodate them. He landed safely and Neville, Luna, Ron, and Hermione rushed over to him.

Neville asked immediately, "What are your orders?"

Harry spoke quickly, "Luna, you have the best healing spells. Go to help Madam Pomfrey. She will need you. Hermione, your lynx form is small and quick. I want you on messenger status. Be careful, though, its going to get rough out here. If you see Death Eaters, judge what is more important. Defeating them or delivering your message. Ron, Neville, grab hold. We're going to Dumbledore's office."

Neville and Ron each placed a hand on Harry's shoulders and they popped directly into Dumbledore's office. Ginny was already there. Albus looked over to Harry, "How bad is it?"

Harry shrugged, "I don't know yet. Let's go to the Astronomy Tower and find out." Harry held out his arm and they all latched on. Harry Apparated all five of them to the top of the tower. Ginny gasped as she saw the army of dark creatures arrayed before them. The giants were standing just outside the forest. There was a teeming of at least one thousand Dementors. There were hundreds of trolls, rogue goblins, vampires, and Acromantulas. There was an array of at least two hundred Death Eaters with a hovering throne above the vast army. In this throne sat the newly transformed Lord Voldemort.

Ron asked in awe, "How do we beat this many?"

Harry replied grimly, "The same way you kill anything huge. You cut off its head."

Voldemort's voice rang out across the open area between the castle and the forest, "Potter, I will give you one chance to surrender yourself to me."

Harry cast another Amplification Charm on himself, "Voldemort, I would never surrender to you. So, go to hell!"

Voldemort replied, "Then, you have sentenced everyone in this castle to death."

Harry removed the Amplification Charm from himself, and then said, "Albus, I need you to rally the teachers and some of the Dueling Club members to man the windows and repel the attackers. The rest of you go with him. Ron, youy bear form will probably wreak havoc those trolls. Albus, Luna is with Madam Pomfrey. Hermione is standing by to deliver messages. Good luck, everyone."

Ginny asked, "What are you going to do, Harry?"

He replied grimly, "I'm going to take the Dementors out of the equation, and then I'm going to make Tom Riddle and his Death Eaters regret the day I was born. Now, go. We have little time." Once the rest of them had filed down the stairs and left Harry on the top of the tower by himself, he turned back to the massive army that lay before him. As they began to move down the hill towards the castle, Harry cast his Greater Patronus Charm. "Expectus Patroni Aurum Solidid Obliterate!" A massive burst of light flared out, and dozens of solid gold stags burst into being and charged directly into the group of Dementors. They began tearing them to pieces quite easily, and the Dementors backed away while the rest of the dark creatures advanced. Harry Apparated downstairs to say, "I need everyone that can cast an Explosion Hex on the roof. We're going to give them a thing or two to think about. The group of Aurors that was stationed at Hogwarts came over to him, and so did a few seventh years including Neville. Harry shook his head, "Neville, I need you with me. The rest of you take this Portkey to the roof. Tonks, you mark off the shots. Good luck."

Tonks nodded as she took the Portkey he handed her, "You can count on us, Harry."

Harry nodded, "I know." The group disappeared, and Harry said, "That should keep the Giants from storming the castle anyway. They don't like magical explosions."

Hermione came running up to him in her lynx form and transformed back, "Professor Dumbledore says that there is a group of Acromantulas trying to scale the rear of the castle."

Harry slapped Neville on the back, "Take a few Dueling Club members and handle it. I'm going to get Ron and few others working on the trolls. Then, maybe I can see about killing Tom. Get moving."

Neville responded, "Yes, sir." He ran over to the group of fifth, sixth, and seventh years that were awaiting instructions. He pointed at several of them, "Come with me. We've got a big spider problem to deal with. Move." The students that Neville pointed out followed him toward the back of the castle to deal with the Acromantulas.

Harry turned to Ron as he walked up to him, "Pick a contingent to back you up with Stunning Spells, and head out after the trolls and goblins. Remember it takes at least three stunners to take down a troll, so group your shots. They are all on the left flank. I'm going to head out and go head to head with some of these damn Death Eaters, until I make my way to Voldemort. I know he is going to hide while the battle progresses. He wants me to waste my energy, so that I will be weaker when I face him."

Ron shrugged, "I suppose. Just be careful, Harry. You just proposed to my sister. You better live long enough to actually marry her."

Harry grinned, "I intend to."

Ron grabbed a few of the students and a couple more Aurors that had shown up and headed towards the far end of Hogwarts where the Trolls could be heard demolishing the greenhouses.

Neville's forces reached the back wall first, and stood in a line on the battlements to look down on the Acromantulas as they were climbing the wall. Neville shouted, "Stunners on three. One, two, three!"

A dozen voiced rang out, "Stupefy!" Six of the Acromantulas fell from the wall. Neville followed this by casting a Sheet of Flame Spell, which dazzled the Acromantulas and caused several more of them to fall from the wall. Several more Stunners later, there was a pile of dazed and stunned Acromantulas at the base of the castle. Neville shouted, "Explodra!" The Explosion Hex ripped through the mass of Acromantulas and sent pieces of them spinning through the air. Neville spoke to his recruits, "I'm going back to the front line. Make sure they don't attempt another assault from here."

One of the sixth years snapped off a salute, "Yes, sir. You can count on us."

Neville grinned, "I know I can." Then, he hurried away.

Ron's group was the next to come into contact with the enemy. They exited the castle through one of the secret corridors to come up behind the Trolls as they rampaged through what remained of the greenhouses. Ron looked back over his shoulder, "Cover me with Stunning Spells. Just be careful not to hit me with them. I'm going to give these guys a reason to run." Ron transformed into a bear, and quickly mauled the first Troll he came upon. His backup forces began hurling timed Stunners at the other Trolls as they turned to face this attack. Several more Trolls fell to combined Stunning Spells, while several more fell prey to Ron's teeth and paws. The Trolls finally began to break ranks and flee before the assault, but before they did so, two of the Trolls smashed their clubs into either side of Ron's ribs. They fled and Ron transformed back into his human form. He grimaced in pain, "I think several of my ribs are broken. Retreat back into the castle." Then, he lost consciousness.

Hannah Abbott waved her wand at him, "Mobilicorpus." Then, she turned to the rest of the students. "You heard him. Get back inside." The group of students retreated back into the castle, as a group of rogue goblins came around the castle to finish what the Trolls had begun.

Meanwhile, Harry had gazed out the window to see how the battle was progressing. The Explosion Hexes from the top of the castle were keeping most of the Giants and Death Eaters at bay, but several of them were making their way down to the Entrance Hall doors. Harry had a contingent of students along with himself and Dumbledore standing prepared to meet this assault. There was a slight noise and a group of Aurors and Order of the Phoenix members appeared in the hall, led by Mad-Eye Moody. The twins were there with a bag full of Weasley Bombs. Harry grinned, "Distribute those. We are about to take the battle outside to Voldemort's forces."

Neville came hurrying up to them, "There are several students holding the back wall. The Acromantulas from that end were beaten."

Harry nodded, "Excellent news." A few moments later, Hannah Abbott came running around the corner with Ron in tow. Harry asked, "What happened?"

Hannah sighed, "The Trolls got him. He's still alive, but he's hurt badly."

Harry replied, "Take him to the hospital wing. Were the Trolls beaten?"

Hannah nodded, "Yes, but there are goblins attacking that flank now."

Harry turned to Moody, "Alastor, take several Aurors, and deal with the goblins."

Moody flashed a feral smile, "It would be my pleasure. Good luck."

Hermione came running up to Harry at that moment, "What do you want me to do, Harry?"

Harry said, "The right flank of the castle is not being attacked right now. I want you to sneak out, and go into the Forbidden Forest. You must alert the centaurs that we need aid immediately."

Hermione had transformed back into her lynx form and took off running before Harry could even finish his sentence. Less than a minute later, the front doors of the castle blew off and giants came pouring in, followed by a group of Death Eaters. Harry waved his arms around, "I command the winds to obey me. Swirl and blow. Hurricanos!" The windstorm swirled around and swept the attacking forces back out of the castle. It also succeeded in wiping out most of the front archway. Harry called over his shoulder, "Alright, people, let's take this battle to them."

The remaining Aurors and students in the hall followed Harry and Dumbledore out of the castle. Harry raised his arm, "Accio Sword of Gryffindor." The sword flew out one of the windows of the castle to land smoothly in Harry's right hand. He raised it above his head and cried out, "Charge." Several of the student hurled Weasley bombs at the creatures of the dark. This sent confusion into the ranks. Harry waded right into the fray, and began stabbing and cursing Death Eaters, Giants, Trolls, goblins, and Acromantulas with a vengeance. The rest of his forces followed in his wake and cleaned up the mess he left behind.

A few moments later, a group of goblins came fleeing around the left flank of the castle pursued by a group of Aurors. Explosion Hexes continued to rain down on the attackers from the top of the castle, until Harry heard several roars that indicated the arrival of dragons. Harry looked up to see four Hungarian Horntails flying towards the top of the castle. Harry turned to Dumbledore, "Albus, I have to take the dragons out. Keep them alive." Harry then rose into the air.

At the same time, Tonks and Ginny looked up to see the Hungarian Horntails bearing down on them from above. Tonks shouted, "Take cover!" All of the group on the roof dove for cover, but it was too little too late for several of them. The Horntails sent cones of fire over the top of the roof killing several of the people stationed up there.

Ginny and Tonks managed to avoid being burned too badly, and looked up again to see Harry fly over and head after the dragons. Tonks looked over at Ginny in amazement, "He can fly?"

Ginny shrugged, "I guess so."

Harry dropped down onto the back of one of the Horntails, and placed his hands at the base of its neck. He muttered for several moments and acid began to eat its way through the dragon's hide, and it plummeted to the ground to crash lifeless into the edge of the forest. The other three Horntails began circling around Harry as he floated in the air.

Meanwhile, Hermione had raced into the forest, and finally she located Ronan. She popped back into her human form, and said quickly, "Voldemort is attacking the castle, Ronan. Harry said that we desperately need the centaurs help."

Ronan nodded, "Tell him that he shall have it. Magorian will hear of this immediately."

Hermione smiled, "Thank goodness. The situation is bad." The two of them hurried deeper into the forest.

Back at the castle, Harry had cast an Amplification Charm on himself, "Voldemort! Its time for you to face me. I've taken the best you can throw at me. Its your turn."

The dragons stopped circling Harry and flew away. A flash of light streaked across the area and then, Voldemort was floating face to face with Harry. Everyone on the ground stopped fighting for one moment to look up and see the confrontation between the two begin. Then, they resumed the battle that raged below the two central figures in the entire confrontation. Ginny looked over at Tonks, "We need to get down to the ground and help. We can't do anything for Harry right now, but wish him luck."

Tonks nodded, "Good luck, Harry." Then, the two witches headed down to the ground level of the castle to join in the battle.

Once the two witches reached the ground level and joined the battle they were ambushed by a force of five Death Eaters. Tonks went down to a Cutting Curse and left Ginny to fight them alone. She defeated three of them quite handily before they managed to disarm her. The two of them stood over her triumphantly, and one of them said, "Crucio." Before the curse could hit her, however, another figure jumped in the way of the curse. Ginny rolled sideways to retrieve her wand and stunned both of the Death Eaters before bending over the black robed figure lying on the ground. It was none other than Peter Pettigrew.

Ginny's eyes hardened for a moment, then softened at the obvious pain that the small man was in. It also dawned on her that he had just saved her life. Peter looked up at her and said, "Tell Harry that I consider my debt to him paid. Now, I will pay my debt to his parents and Sirius." Then, Peter took out a knife and stabbed himself in the throat.

Ginny sighed, "A fool to the end."

Voldemort laughed in Harry's face, "This meeting will be much different than our last."

Harry grinned confidently, "You're right. This time when I kill you, you will stay dead."

Voldemort snarled, "We will see, Potter. We will see. I am the greater now." Then, he attacked with a sword that appeared from nowhere in his hand. Harry countered with the Sword of Gryffindor and the fight began in earnest as the two of them began dueling as if they were on the ground. They slowly sank down to the ground as the duel progressed. After fighting for several minutes, Voldemort paused in his assault to gaze around at the battle. Harry did the same, but where Voldemort smiled, Harry cringed. The dark forces were forcing the defenders of Hogwarts into a smaller and smaller area. Voldemort looked over at Harry, "So, you see, Potter, this is the end. Hogwarts is fallen, and soon so will you."

At the same time, Neville and Dumbledore were trying to reorganize the defenders for a counter attack, but it was doing them little good as they were being completely overrun by overwhelming odds. Neville stabbed his sword into one Death Eater, and watched him fall as Dumbledore stunned another. The two of them looked at each other and then around at the surrounding battle. Neville asked, "So what now, Headmaster?"

Dumbledore shook his head, "I wish I knew."

Suddenly, a trumpet blast pierced the air, and a hail of arrows came flying from the Forbidden Forest to land among the ranks of giants. A line of centaurs came charging out of the forest to enter the fray. Neville grinned at Dumbledore, "I guess that just answered our question. Now, let's take them." Neville ran forward and began slaughtering dark creatures as fast as he possibly could.

Harry grinned as the centaurs charged into view, "It seems that the forces of light haven't been overthrown yet, Tom. Now, it is time for us to finish this."

Voldemort raised his sword and said, "So it is." Then, he attacked and the duel began to rage again. After some time it became apparent that Hogwarts would not fall. The dark creatures were beginning to retreat, and the Death Eaters had been decimated almost completely. Another contingent of Aurors had arrived from the Ministry, and everything became still as the remaining combatants stopped to watch the duel between Harry and Voldemort reach its completion.

Harry taunted Voldemort as the two struggled to overcome one another, "Your forces are beaten, Tom. It is time for you to give it up. You can never defeat the light."

Voldemort spat out savagely, "Watch me." Then, he kicked out, and knocked Harry from his feet. Harry scrambled back to a standing position, but it was too little too late. Voldemort stabbed his sword directly into Harry's left side and pain flared in him. Harry fell to the ground, and Voldemort cackled as he raised his wand, "It is finished. I am the victor."

Then, Neville slammed into Voldemort from behind, knocking him to the ground. Voldemort rolled back to his feet, and conjured another sword. Neville grinned, "You have to get through me if you want to finish Harry, Tom. Remember, there were two boys born on that prophetic night."

Voldemort snarled, "Boy, I will make you regret challenging me."

Neville laughed, "We will see about that."

Meanwhile Aurellia and Fawkes had landed beside Harry and began to drop tears onto the wound as Harry pulled the sword from his body. Once the healing was complete, he stood up to note that the duel between Neville and Voldemort was not going well. Harry retrieved his sword and stepped forward to block the killing blow that Voldemort had aimed at Neville.

Voldemort flicked his eyes sideways to see that Harry was fine. In the blink of an eye, Neville plunged his sword into Voldemort's abdomen. Harry smiled, "As you see, Voldemort, you can never defeat the light, because they are always willing to sacrifice themselves for one another." Harry reversed Voldemort's sword around, and thrust it into the ground, before plunging his own blade into Voldemort's chest.

Voldemort staggered back and raised his wand to attempt to cast a spell, but Harry waved his hand and sent Voldemort flying with an Explosion Hex. Then, he summoned Voldemort's wand and snapped it. Harry stepped forward to stand before Voldemort's fallen body. "Well, my old enemy , it has been almost seventeen years since we first met. As the Prophecy dictates, one of us must die at the hands of the other. Goodbye, Tom." Harry raised both hands above his head and then cried out, "Mortis Arcanum Bindus Soulus Externalis." A rush of energy poured from Harry's hands and slammed into Voldemort's body. Then, there was a massive flash of light, and Voldemort's body vanished before Harry slumped to the ground unconscious.

A/N: Well, people, that was the end of Voldemort. Next chapter shows you the aftermath and then we will be one chapter from the completion of Harry Potter and the Spirit of Time. Also, I would like to note that I know Ginny's real name is Ginerva, but I had already written Year of Discovery and over half of this one before I discovered that. So, I decided I would finish using the name Virginia. Thanks goes out to all my readers and reviewers.

RLupin1003: There are going to be some short stories, but nothing novel length.

Maria: I'm sorry. I thought I answered that. Owen Cauldwell was sorted in Goblet of Fire.

Katepotter13: In medieval battles they used trumpets to signal orders between large contingents of troops because the human voice wouldn't carry that far amidst the sounds of battle. I wanted to give the battle a medieval feel, since most of the wizarding world has a medieval orientation.

Butler: That was what it looked like to me.