TISSUE WARNING!!!!! I mean it!!!!

Chapter 9: The Battle for Hogwarts

The next few months passed quickly. Harry had never had so much work before in his life. The N.E.W.Ts were approaching quickly something that Harry had hoped wouldn't. He was bagged down in his Head-boy duties as well as being upset over Bonnie. He still thought of her everyday. He couldn't get her out of his head.

March came in quickly and the date for Dumbledore's departure came closer. The night before he left, Harry and Hermione were called to his office where he explained the procedure.

"Now, if anything happens you must lead the students to safety. In each house base there is a passage that connects them all together, so the students can filter out. You must get the students to these passages. It will lead them to a hidden cave below the castle. There the students will be safe," Dumbledore handed Harry a piece of paper, "Here are the passwords to each house. Don't let anyone know them."

"We promise." Harry replied.

"I know I can count on you which is why I picked you for head-boy, Harry. You are trustworthy."

Harry smiled lightly. He and Hermione made their way back to the Gryffindor Common Room.

"He's worried, Harry. You can see it in his eyes."

Harry nodded. "Hermione, will you stand by me?" he took hold of her shoulder.

She looked at him suspiciously. "What do you mean?"

"I think...that if Voldemort does attack Hogwarts, I will not survive. I think that by the end of this week, Hogwarts will either be gone forever or Voldemort will be. I believe that the Prophecy that I must fulfil is coming closer. It's only a matter of time."

"Don't say that. You will survive."

"But you'll stand by me?" Harry asked, ignoring Hermione's protest.

She nodded numbly. "Of course. I have done so for years, what's stopping me now?"

"Nothing."

Harry and Hermione hardly slept, for they feared an attack. Though McGonagall was formidable, Harry knew Voldemort was not afraid of her. He would not submit or leave the school alone unless Dumbledore was near or there.

Two days passed without much happening but on the third, Harry's life took a dramatic turn. He was in Defence Against the Dark Arts when it happened.

He was working on notes while the class practiced. Professor Lupin had bade them to practice their Patronus Charms again. Harry, who's one was perfect anyway, sat back revising, while the class tried to work. While he sat writing his head burst into flame, hot searing pains stretched from his scar and across his head. Without realising it he was screaming aloud, his hand to his head. He fell to the floor, gasping.

"Harry!" Lupin fell to Harry's side, looking at him. The class gathered round watching fearfully.

Harry shuddered. Tears leaked out of his eyes. "Voldemort. He's here."

The class began muttering; Neville looked scared.

"Are you sure?" Lupin asked.

Harry nodded. "It hurts so badly. He's close, I know it."

Before he could go on, Professor Snape walked into the room. He saw Lupin looking at Harry.

"Lupin, alert Black. Death Eaters are here in the castle. Tell him we need the Aurors and the Order here, now!" He glared round at the students. "Get them out of sight!" then he left, his cloak swishing behind him.

Lupin looked at the frightened students. "Ron, Hermione, get the students to Gryffindor. Even the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff ones are to go to. You know what to do."

"What about Harry?" Hermione asked.

"I'm coming." Harry said limply. He got to his feet.

"Be careful." Lupin muttered watching as the students walked out of the room. He quickly turned away to his fireplace and used Floo Powder to transport himself to Potter House.

The students were in a state of mass panic. The Death Eaters had not yet got to Gryffindor, and any student that Harry, Ron or Hermione came across took them and led them to Gryffindor. Once they had got there, Harry and Hermione touched a piece of wall in the Common Room, muttering 'Open' in French. The wall slid back revealing a passage leading downwards.

"Everyone there is a passage that leads to a secure cave. It is protected. Go." Harry explained.

Ron and Ginny led the students downwards, their frightened faces disappeared from view.

Harry looked at Hermione. "This is it."

"This is what?" she asked.

"I'm going to face him. I've got to fight Voldemort. And you can't stop me." Harry said.

"I'll come with you."

"No. You can't. You'll be killed. Please, just look after the students. If it all goes wrong I know that I've placed these students lives in your trustworthy hands. You are strong and powerful. I know you can lead them to safety." Harry explained.

Hermione had tears in her eyes, but she reached forwards and hugged him. "Come back, please Harry, for me; for Ron; for Sirius; for Lupin; for Bonnie."

"I can't promise, but I'll try." He returned her hug, knowing that his next actions in the next few minutes would decide his fate.

She watched him leave through the portrait hole and then turned to follow the students into the passage, closing it.

Harry's heart beat fast. He was about to die. He knew it. There was nothing he could do about it.

The fighting was in the Great Hall where Voldemort and his Death Eaters had appeared. Harry guessed that Voldemort had used the Veil to gain access to Hogwarts. He wasn't sure but he hoped that was the case. Harry had a plan. A plan he hoped would work.

He gripped his wand as he edged closer to the hall.

"Stop right where you are Potter!" the drawling voice of Lucius Malfoy said from behind him.

Harry froze but looked behind him.

Lucius Malfoy had his wand pointing directly at Harry's heart. "My, my, come to play the hero again, have we?"

Harry kept his cool and did not reply.

"Come with me, Potter. My Lord would like a word with you before he kills you."

Lucius Malfoy grabbed Harry by the shoulders and steered him to the Great Hall.

Harry did not struggle. He had to fight. It was a good thing Malfoy hadn't killed him.

They entered the hall. Several teachers were contained by invisible ropes. McGonagall was one of them. Harry couldn't recognise the others. Lined by the walls were students who had not been saved by Harry and Hermione earlier. They were scared and pale.

However in the centre of the great hall high in the air was an archway. The opening into the dead world. Voldemort was trailing his power through it to keep it open. Harry didn't need to use his power yet. Good.

"Harry Potter." Below the opening was Voldemort grinning madly. His red eyes glinted. "It is such a pleasure to meet you again, but this time you'll not escape."

"I'm ready to die." Harry said firmly, raising his wand and stepping forward away from Lucius Malfoy. "A duel to the death."

"What I'd hope for." Voldemort said.

Please let everyone I love be safe. I can't bear it.

Harry raised his wand and shouted: 'Expelliarmus!"

Voldemort laughed as the petty spell did no harm. "Fool!"

"Crucio!"

Harry dodged to the side as the curse flew by him. He threw the 'Stupefy' spell towards Voldemort, but the Dark Lord blocked it with the 'Protego' spell. Harry dodged as the spell came back towards him. He couldn't afford to lose. It was now or never.

Around him the Death Eaters were watching. Teachers and students who were being held watched in fascination as Harry fought.

For five minutes Harry and Voldemort traded spells until Harry was hit with the 'Impedimenta' spell, sending him back. He fell downwards, his wand falling away from him.

Voldemort stepped forward, his eyes glowing. "Crucio!" he said.

Harry withered in pain as the curse hit him. He screamed as intense pain rushed through him. He couldn't cry although he felt like it. The curse wore off and he lay limp, struggling to breathe. He wanted to black out...wanted it to end. He couldn't handle it...he knew he was dead.

Voldemort waved his wand at Harry. "AVADA KEDAV-"

The dark lord was cut off by several spells that hit him. Harry meekly lifted his head and saw Sirius, Lupin, Snape and the members of the Order of the Phoenix standing at the entrance to the hall, several limp Death Eaters sprawled behind them. Aurors stood around them, their faces a mask of pure loathing.

And then the battle began.

Harry lay on the floor gathering his strength. Voldemort was preoccupied with the Aurors, all of which were trying to stun him, but they failed. They had formed a circle round him so he could not escape.

Harry heard: "IMPEDIMENTA!"

The Aurors surrounding Voldemort fell away. He turned his gaze towards Harry, his lips curling in anger.

"This is the end, Potter!" he hissed walking forward. He raised his wand.

Harry struggled to stand. His body was weak, but managed to climb to his feet. He'd go down like his father, he'd die a hero. His wand lay a few feet from him. He looked up into the murderous glowing eyes and knew that it was his end. He closed his eyes and waited.

Voldemort wasted no time. "AVADA KEDAVRA!"

The curse flew towards Harry. But before it hit him, someone pushed Harry away, someone died that moment, their body falling to the ground with a thud.

Harry knew what had happened, but was afraid to look. Voldemort was screeching. Harry opened his eyes and saw to his horror his Godfather laying dead on the floor.

Sirius Black had taken the killing curse for Harry.

TBC

Okay, first of all please don't get on at me for killing Sirius even though in my last story I did have him alive for Harry, but he had to die for several reasons at this point. It is all explained next chapter. So please don't kill me for what I have done. Sirius is my favourite and I didn't like killing him that way.

I am truly sorry for anyone who didn't want that to happen. I DO have my reasons. It is explained in the next chapter.