Disclaimer: Harry Potter, his friends, enemies and all respective items and characters (beasts or beings) from the novels and novellas of J. K. Rowling are hers by moral right and legal copyright. Other characters are the creation of Ian Fleming and copyright is held by MGM/UA. "The Art of War" extracts are the property of Sun Tzu and although it is believed that he has been dead for 2,500 years, he may be just appearing weaker than he really is and I don't want him pissed at me, just in case.

This started out as a short story of Harry Potter meeting another famous character but has grown into the great tale of the war between the forces of Light and Dark. Read it and let me know what you think.

Potter, Harry Potter

Chapter 1 - The Commander of the Light

"Sshhhhh." Mrs Weasley hissed to everyone in her busy kitchen. She turned the volume knob of the old radio to maximum. The voice of the announcer boomed through the kitchen.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am standing here at the scene of the battle. Wait I think… yes please stand by for a statement from the Commander."

A deep, rich voice issued from the radio. All across the wizarding world, people stopped to listen.

"My dear friends, today our forces met the enemy in battle and victory, though bitterly bought, was ours. The forces of darkness have been routed and thrown back in disarray. Those who sought to strike at us, to injury us, to enslave us, to kill us, have reaped as they sowed.

Those of our comrades who will not return from this place are the real heroes of this war. And though heroes die, they are remembered. Many are injured but they will be healed in both body and mind, many morn but they will be comforted, many are orphaned but they will be raised by those of us who honour their parents, free from the tyranny that threatened us all.

Now my friends, let me address a few words to those who opposed us.

To those Deatheaters who survived this day, you now know you cannot win. Your cause is lost. Your forces are decimated and scattered. We know your number. We know your names. You cannot hide. Surrender now and we will show the mercy that you have denied your victims. Surrender now and your lives will be spared. Surrender now and your families shall be cared for and protected. Surrender now and you shall be imprisoned but treated well. But time is short. Surrender now or face the wrath of the righteous you have wronged. You have 24 hours to decide.

Voldemort! End this farce now. Your plans are in ruin and your followers desert you. Let us end this as it should be ended. Let us meet and duel. I challenge you. You are brave enough when it is your followers who do the dying. Let us see if you can face me alone and unaided. Let us see if you are as brave when your own life is on the line. I will be at the site of our last duel at midnight tomorrow. Let us end this now!"

The announcers voice came back on the radio. "That was Commander Harry Potter, calling on all surviving deatheaters to surrender and challenging You-know-who to a duel. Incredible scenes here in the aftermath of the battle…"

Mrs Weasley turned the radio off, "What on earth was Harry thinking, challenging you-know-who to a duel…"

"Arrgh! Mum, careful with the arm, it's broken you know!" Charlie said.

"Yes dear, sorry. Now hold still while I knit the bones together." Mrs Weasley told him apologetically.

"Harry knows what he's doing Mum, don't worry" Charlie tried to reassure his mother. He could see she was at the end of her nerves. But still she carried on nursing the injured fighters in her kitchen as best she could. And all across the wizarding world this scene was repeated in houses, in castles, in the bar at the leaky Cauldron, in the shops of Diagon Alley, and in the Great Hall of Hogwarts.

Both sides had known how crucial this battle was and both had no choice but to throw all the power and strength that could be mustered into it.