Chapter 16 - - - Life and Death

"I may have underestimated you, but I will enjoy watching you beg when I'm through."

"No, you will be the one begging," the fire burned in her eyes and its heat pulsed through her veins.

Voldemort whipped out his wand, "Avada . . ."

Michelle felt as though she was on fire. The power pulsated with each breath she took. It was becoming too much for her to handle. Fear was in Voldemort's eyes when Michelle suddenly burst into flames. The fire gathered around her and pulled away from her body. She fainted when it had left her. The flames danced above her body. They began to take shape.

"What is this devilry?" Voldemort asked.

The fire formed into a bird, a phoenix to be exact. It was as red as fire and as golden as the sun. Voldemort dropped his wand in fear. The phoenix flew to Harry's side and silver tears flowed from its eyes. Harry stirred when the tears touched his lips.

"Fawkes?" Harry asked looking at the bird. "No you're not Fawkes. Who are you?"

The bird flew to Michelle and stood by her side. Harry looked from the phoenix to Michelle's unconscious body to a very frightened Voldemort back to the phoenix. Harry was confused. He saw a glint of silver from Michelle's robes. He moved over to where she lay and found a sword. The same sword he used to kill the basilisk in his second year. It was Godric Gryffindor's sword. Voldemort moved away and picked up his wand.

"Stop!" Harry yelled.

Voldemort faced Harry, "Run along little Harry. I have accomplished enough for this night. Your time will come soon."

Voldemort moved to leave. The phoenix shot up and attacked him.

"Stupid bird!" Voldemort screamed as he dodged the attacks. Harry looked down at Michelle. She stirred slightly and her eyes fluttered open.

"Harry? You're alive?"

Harry bent down, "Yes, but we have to get out of here. I don't know how long that phoenix can hold Voldemort off."

"What phoenix?" Michelle turned her head. "Aria?"

Understanding flew across Michelle's face as Harry pulled her to her feet.

"I know that this is a difficult thing for me to ask you to do Harry, but you must end it here. Voldemort can not be allowed to leave this place alive."

"Why me?"

"The prophecy Harry. It began with you and so it must end with you. Take the sword. Magic cannot help you here."

"I can't."

"Yes you can. I have faith in you."

Harry, who was supporting all of Michelle's weight, gently placed her on the floor. He pulled out the sword. He knew what he had to do, but t disgusted him. As much as he hated Voldemort, he did not know if he could actually kill him. Aria was still attacking him. His face was bloodied and his hands were all scratched up.

"I will do it," Harry said, remembering all that he went through was Voldemort's fault.

Harry walked towards him. Aria flew away from Voldemort. He turned to see Harry standing there with the sword raised.

"What do you think you're doing? Are you going to kill me? You don't have the guts."

Harry lowered the sword a bit. Voldemort laughed and turned to leave. It was if everything was moving in slow motion. Harry stepped forward to move to block the door. At the same time Voldemort turned to reply with one last quip. Voldemort was met with the tip of the sword. It pierced him through his heart.

Voldemort gasped as blood was beginning to fall from his mouth, "I was wrong you did have the guts."

Voldemort fell to the ground coughing up blood. He took his last breath of air and his eyes closed. Voldemort was dead, finally. Harry turned away from Voldemort's body and fell to his knees. He began to throw up. It was all too much for him. HE felt a hand rubbing his back.

"You did good Harry. You did good," Michelle soothed him.

Aria flew to their side, "Thank you," Harry said.

"Aria, you never did leave me, did you?" Michelle asked her old friend.

Aria began to sing softly. A light began to glow in the corner, dimly at first. Michelle and Harry covered their eyes as the light increased in intensity. When they lowered them they saw several figures standing behind another phoenix.

"Daddy? Uncle Tobias? Uncle Aberforth? Fawkes?" Michelle asked.

"Professor Lupin? Tonks? Moody?" Harry added.

"How did you?" Michelle began to ask.

"Aria called to her father, Fawkes, and he brought us," Albus explained.

"Fawkes is Aria's father?" Michelle asked.

"Yes, what happened here?" Albus asked.

"I killed him," Harry simply said.

"I see that," Moody replied. "Let's get you two out of here. You can explain later after you're rested."

Remus lifted Harry with the help of Tonks. Tobias and Aberforth helped their niece. Moody and Albus picked up Voldemort's body. They disappeared in a flash of the phoenix's light.

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AN: I know another short chapter, but this was originally going to be part of the last chapter. Please review. In the next chapter a lot of the questions that are left will be answered. So please review and tell me if there are specific ones you want answered. That will probably be the last chapter, then an epilogue.

Keep reading and reviewing,

KoKo Belle