I Miss You

Chapter 16

Recap:

They waited… and waited… and waited, growing more nervous with each passing second. Finally, a loud crashing noise outside signaled that the Death Eaters had broken through the gate.

"Here it goes," Harry said to himself, squeezing Hermione's hand and giving Ron a reassuring smile. Hermione was to fight, but she was also to tend to the wounded after the battle.

Everyone braced themselves, preparing for the impending battle. It was only a matter of time.

«.:.:.:.»

Crack! The first spell hit the entrance doors of Hogwarts. It would take at least ten more to break down the doors, but it was still frightening to think that there was about to be a huge battle.

Crack! The spells were getting louder. Only a few spells to go, and then they would be fighting.

Hermione turned to Harry. "Harry…" she said, and then stopped, debating on whether she should say what she wanted to or not. "…Good luck, Harry."

Harry smiled back at her. "You too." …For one heart-stopping second, Harry was sure that Hermione was going to say "I love you." But he had been wrong. He shook his head to clear it, and-

CRASH. The door fell over, clearing the final barrier between the Death Eaters and the Hogwarts students. Both sides stood for a moment, staring at the other, wondering who would take the first movement.

It was the Death Eaters. Bellatrix Lestrange was the first to fire a shot, pointing her wand at Draco Malfoy and Stunning him.

From there, it was total mayhem. Curses and hexes were flying everywhere. Harry was looking around, trying to keep an eye on everyone at once while searching for Voldemort. Where was he?

Amidst the cries of "Stupefy!" and "Avada Kedavra!" one boy's opponent was lost. Harry stood, watching, waiting.

All of a sudden, Harry felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. His scar was searing with white-hot pain. He must be here. But where? He spun around frantically, his eyes blurred but still searching for the white, pale face with the red snake-like eyes. He was stumbling, stumbling, falling… Oh, how nice it was to be lying on the ground, not a care in the world… but no! He was here with a purpose. He tried to stand up, but the searing pain in his forehead would not let him.

"HARRY!" Ron cried. "Behind you! He's right behind you!"

Harry turned, still on the floor, and saw him. Voldemort. His sworn enemy… He recalled what the prophecy had said.

And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives.

Harry swallowed and stood up. This was it. This was the end… for neither can live while the other survives. But who will be the one to survive? Who will it be that dies? "Well, then," he thought to himself. "Enough with the foreshadowing, just get on with it." (1)

Time stood still. Harry was dimly aware of the battle going on around him, but all that he saw was himself and Voldemort, locked in a stare.

"Ahh, Mr. Potter," Voldemort said in a low, cool voice entirely unlike the one that Harry had heard him speak with before. "We meet again… and this time it will be the last time."

"Damn straight, it will be," he growled back, stepping forward and getting ready to duel.

"I do believe that you've forgotten one… tiny… detail, Harry," Voldemort said. "Unless you do not recall that ceremony held in your honor two years ago, of course. You know, the one in which I tried to kill you with my wand and then that… stupid thing happened with our wands."

Dammit. Harry had forgotten that that would happen. Well, he would just have to-

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" Voldemort snarled. A jet of green light flew out of his wand and hit Harry in the chest.

Harry flew back, knocking over two Death Eaters and Lupin, and then slammed into the wall. He slid to the floor, unable to move and having great difficulties breathing. 'Just get up,' he willed himself. 'Get your arse up already.' But he couldn't.

Voldemort had strolled up next to him. "Interesting… very interesting," he said smoothly, calmly, as though he had been expecting that all along. "So, Mr. Potter, you're still alive. Any idea why that is?"

Harry did. Obviously, it was the spell that Hermione and Ron had performed that had saved Harry. But now was not the time for dilly-dallying. Voldemort continued, "I wonder, Harry, if I take another shot at you, would you die?" He raised his wand and was just about to get Harry for the second and final time when Harry raised his wand, quick as lightning.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

Voldemort fell to the ground, defeated. Harry stood up and everyone cheered. The cheering abruptly stopped, however, when Voldemort stood back up, his eyes narrowed to the thinnest slits.

"Did you think you could kill me, Mr. Potter?" he questioned. "I cannot die… for I am not alive. I am not human nor am I animal. I float between life and death. There is nothing- nothing- you can do that can kill me. I will win this battle."

He raised his wand for the third time, preparing to say the two words that would be the end of Harry Potter.

Ron and Hermione yelled "No!" and then, simultaneously, Harry, Ron, and Hermione all raised their wands and shouted "AVADA KEDAVRA!"

An extraordinary blue arc appeared, connecting the three of them. A large rushing beam of blue light flew out of Harry's wand, hitting Voldemort squarely in the chest. He fell to the floor, finally defeated.

A loud cheer sounded from all who were in support of Harry. Death Eaters cried out in pain as the Mark on their arm burned. This moment of distraction gave the others a chance to gain the upper hand. The battle was over.

«.:.:.:.»

(1) And that, my friends, was my attempt at humor. Hardy-har-har.

Author's Note: Not very happy with this chapter. It didn't seem very "sit-on-the-edge-of-your-chair intense." Oh well. At least this part's over.

Two chapters left! Now REVIEW.

LucyintheSkyWithDiamonds7: Sorry if that was confusing. Yes, there will be a sequel. I've got the first two chapters written. They're groovy. Haha, you cried at the new Peter Pan? That movie was kinda weird. I think I like my job better then your job, by the way. At least I'm not in my mother's office. (:

Master-Editor: I'm not very happy with this section but I hope it's to your liking anyways. Yes, crying hotties rule. Beyond rule, even.