Chapter 8 – The Battle of the Burrow
Ginny woke Wednesday morning as the light coming in the window of her room hit her in the face.
"Bloody Hell." she grumbled rubbing her eyes, "I should have closed the shades."
Covering her head with the pillow she tried to go back to sleep until Molly began pounding on her door.
"Ginny it's time to get up dear. Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes."
She lay confused for a few moments before everything clicked and she answered. "Ok mum, I'll be right down."
Gathering a change of clothes she made her way down the hall to the bathroom for a quick shower then downstairs to join her sleepy brothers for breakfast.
Tripping as she sat down her hand landed on the edge of a bowl of porridge sending it flying all over Ron.
"Bugger. Ginny!" yelled her brother.
"Sorry Ron." she sheepishly replied.
"Watch your language Ronald." Molly said as she cleaned up the mess and her youngest son with the wave of her wand.
"Sorry mum."
After finishing breakfast the Weasley's went in the living room to wait for the appointed time to arrive. As 9:00 AM rolled around everyone grabbed hold of the letter and after a quick tug behind the naval were surprised to find themselves not in Romania but in the entrance hall at Grimmauld Place.
Dumbledore was waiting to greet the confused family. "Glad you could all make it. I apologize for the deception but I'm afraid it was necessary."
"What it the world is going on Albus?" asked Molly.
"Please don't worry, all will be explained this afternoon. For now however I must ask you all to stay here. Please place your things in one of the bedrooms and make yourselves at home. I have a few things to take care of but will return shortly after lunch."
Dumbledore started to leave but was stopped by Ginny. "Professor, could I talk to you for a moment?" she asked.
"Of course my dear, why don't we step in here?" He said indicating a sitting room off the main hall.
After entering the room Dumbledore cast a complex series of privacy charms to be sure they would not be overheard.
"Is everything alright Miss Weasley?"
"Yes, everything's fine. Harry just wanted me to share something with you as soon as I could."
Dumbledore nodded waiting to hear what she had to say. He was surprised when Ginny's face began to shift and he found himself looking at the familiar face of Nymphadora Tonks instead of the youngest Weasley.
"Miss Tonks, I assume there is a good reason for your impersonating Miss Weasley?"
"I'm sure there is Professor, but I don't know what it is." she said.
Dumbledore looked at Tonks shrewdly. "I get the distinct impression you have known about Mr. Potter's whereabouts for quite awhile."
"I'm sorry Professor. I wanted to say something but promised him I wouldn't. I'd be glad to explain more later when we have the time."
"Our young Mr. Potter is full of surprises it would seem." he said smiling. "Thank you for sharing this with me, perhaps you should return to the others now."
Returning to the form of Ginny Weasley, Tonks waited for Dumbledore to remove the privacy charms before leaving the room.
Dumbledore sat behind his desk after returning from Grimmauld Place. He had summoned Severus Snape to his office and was waiting for his arrival.
"Headmaster, you wished to see me?" Severus said as he entered the office.
"Yes, please have a seat. Lemon drop?"
Severus took the proffered seat declining the sweet with a shake of his head as he sat down and waited for Dumbledore to continue.
After looking at his potions master for a minute hoping that his spying days were now over Dumbledore began. "This afternoon you will most likely be summoned to a meeting by Voldemort. You must not go. Instead I would ask that you go to Grimmauld Place where the Weasley's currently reside."
"Why?" asked Severus, "What do you know?"
"I'm not at liberty to say at this time but it is extremely important that you follow my instructions. All will be explained this afternoon." Albus said all traces of humor gone from his face and voice.
"As you wish Headmaster, though I would like to know why you would put my position within the Dark Lord's ranks at risk." Said the spy not looking forward to the punishment he would receive from Voldemort for not responding to a summons.
"As I have said all will be revealed this afternoon. Until then please just do as I ask. That will be all Severus."
Making a short bow in acceptance Severus left the office wondering what the venerable professor was up to.
Harry and Ginny lay in bed a long time enjoying waking in each others arms and wishing they could stay there rather than face the day they knew was waiting for them. Reluctantly they finally got up showering and dressing for what was to come. They made breakfast and quietly ate watching the dots representing the occupants of the Burrow go about their day on the map not knowing what was about to happen.
As they watched the map they noticed Wormtail sneaking about the Burrow in his animagus form, keeping tabs on the actions of the Weasley family. At nine o'clock the Weasley's and Tonks disguised as Ginny disappeared from the map. Harry and Ginny continued to watch as Wormtail wandered all around the Burrow looking for any signs that someone was still there. He then returned to the living room apparently to wait for Ginny and Harry's return.
The pair ate lunch silently neither knowing what to say. As they were finishing Padfoot came in and sat on the floor in front of them.
"Padfoot, show me Sirius." said Harry.
"Hey kiddo, Ginny, you two ready for this?" the portrait asked.
Both nodded looking nervous but resigned to the task ahead.
"Don't worry, you'll be fine. I know you can do this. Those bloody Death Wankers won't know what hit them." Sirius said with a grin on his face.
His humor helped to calm the teens down considerably both of whom were now smiling.
Sirius continued smiling at the pair while glancing at a clock on the wall. "It's time to get going."
Pulling his girlfriend into a hug he spoke softly in her ear. "Be careful Gin, keep your wand handy just in case and I'll be right behind you."
"I will Harry, you be careful too. I love you." she said.
"I love you too." Harry replied.
After sharing a kiss Ginny stepped back and tapped her ring three times appearing in the living room of the Burrow a moment later.
"Harry?" Ginny called out. "Harry?" she called again in what could be described as an excited tone. Skipping into the kitchen she made a glass of juice to wait for Harry's arrival.
Harry and Sirius watched the map closely keeping an eye on Wormtail and Ginny's dots. Harry had his wand ready prepared to use the rings to join her if the rat tried anything. Fortunately he chose to stay hidden in the living room even after Ginny went to the kitchen.
After waiting for ten minutes Harry returned Sirius to his dog form and hugged him before slipping into his invisibility cloak and leaving the apartment. Sirius continued to watch the map to let them know if Petigrew tried anything.
Sneaking down the stairs Harry stopped in the middle of the living room and after a moment of mental preparation jumped up and stumbled on the floor making just enough noise to let Wormtail think he had arrived by port key.
Walking less than silently towards the kitchen he whispered. "Ginny?"
Ginny let out a squeal of delight. "Harry! You can come out, everyone's gone."
Pulling off the cloak he laid it on a chair as Ginny ran up and hugged him.
"I've missed you so much!" she said.
"I missed you to Gin."
They shared several long passionate kisses thoroughly enjoying this part of their performance.
"How have you been love?" asked Ginny after regaining her breath.
"Alright, I'll be glad when this summer is over though, I've missed you too much." replied Harry tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "What do you want to do this afternoon?"
"Nothing." she said as they continued their performance for Wormtail. "I just want to stay right here with you not having to worry about you leaving or anyone catching us for once."
Harry gave her a warm smile. "I like that idea."
Pulling her close they resumed kissing for several long minutes until Padfoot came downstairs without barking meaning Wormtail had left. They returned to the apartment and changed Padfoot back to a portrait.
"He's gone." Sirius said. "You should both go put on your armor."
The pair nodded and went to change returning a short time later dressed in dragon hide armor covered by plain black battle robes.
"Alright you two I'll be watching from here you be careful ok?"
"We will be." they promised.
After changing the portrait back into Padfoot Harry and Ginny each gave him a hug and went downstairs with a map to wait.
Peter Petigrew appeared in front of Riddle Manor and quickly made his way inside. Passing through the various corridors he finally arrived at his Lord's throne room. Entering he kept his head bowed and stood to one side waiting to be called.
"Ah, Wormtail, what do you have to report?" hissed Voldemort.
Stepping forward Wormtail kneeled before Voldemort kissing the hem of his robes before standing. "M.M.My L.Lord, I have j.just come from the Weasley's house. P.Potter and the Weasley g.girl are there alone. I l.listened to their conversation for awhile they do not expect anyone and are p.p.planning an evening alone together in the house."
Voldemort let out an evil laugh. "Good Wormtail. You have done well. Step forward."
Shaking with fear Wormtail approached the Dark Lord. Voldemort took hold of his left armpushing up Wormtail's sleeve to reveal the dark mark tattooed there. Pain shot through Pettigrew's body as Voldemort pressed his thumb to the mark summoning his Death Eaters.
"My faithful Death Eaters. Today we strike a deadly blow to the side of light. Today Harry Potter dies. Ready the dementors we leave in one hour."
The Weasley's were sitting in the kitchen at Grimmauld Place speculating about what was going on. It was just after 2:00 PM when Albus arrived.
"Albus," said Molly, "it's enough. I insist you tell us what's going on."
Raising his hands to forestall further comments he waited for the Weasley's mumbling to die down. "I will shortly Molly, but first I need to summon the Order."
Reaching within his robes Albus withdrew a silver phoenix medallion and tapped it five times with his wand indicating an emergency meeting. Within a minute the members had already begun arriving.
"Alright children upstairs you go." Molly said directing her four youngest to leave.
"Actually Molly I believe they should stay this time." Albus interjected.
"They're too young. They have no business being involved with the Order." scolded Molly.
"Not this time Molly. I believe it is important they join us." Dumbledore's tone brook no argument and Molly backed down though she was clearly not happy about it. The boys were smiling glad to be able to attend. Ginny's face however was all business.
Severus arrived a few minutes later. "Headmaster I have just been summoned."
Dumbledore nodded and continued to wait for the rest of the Order to arrive. The mood in the kitchen was somber the uncharacteristic seriousness on Dumbledore's face causing everyone to wait quietly.
It was 2:30 by the time the last members had arrived and Dumbledore began. He looked around the room at all the faces gathered here hoping he would be able to see them all again later tonight.
"I want to thank you all for responding to my call. You are all the very best the light has to offer and I'm honored to have you by my side today." Everyone was deathly quite and beginning to look nervous as they listened to their leader's words. "Monday I received a letter from Harry Potter asking me to meet with him. I met Harry, Ginevra and a rather ingenious portrait of Sirius at the Leaky Caldron."
Molly turned her glare from the Headmaster to Ginny. "Ginny Weasley! You knew where Harry was and didn't tell anyone? What were you thinking young lady!"
Ginny turned from Molly to the Headmaster who gave her a small nod. After nodding in return she relaxed her morph and returned to her normal face.
Molly along with much of the room gasped. "Tonks?" Looking around the room frantically her gaze finally settled to moving back and forth between Tonks and Dumbledore. "Where? Where is my Ginny?"
"Please quiet down everyone. Miss Tonks if you please." said Dumbledore as he regained control of the room.
Tonks took a deep breath before starting worried about being on the receiving end of Molly's wrath. "I received a letter from Harry Monday as well. He asked me to take Ginny's place starting last night. After taking on her appearance I apperated directly into her room and went to bed. He wouldn't say why just that it was critical I do so and not to tell anyone other than Dumbledore especially the Weasleys until this meeting. He said it was important no one knew I wasn't Ginny until now."
Arthur was holding a very upset Molly as he turned to Dumbledore. "Albus where is our daughter?" he asked quietly.
"I believe Ginny is with Harry right now. As I was saying earlier I met Harry, Ginny and Sirius Portrait at the Leaky Cauldron. At that time he entrusted a secret to me after I somewhat impetuously promised to assist him in whatever way I could. It seems the three of them have been doing a lot of planning this summer and decided it would be prudent for the good of the wizarding world to ask for us to assist as backup should their plan fail."
The room had once again become very quiet as the Order hung on his every word. It was McGonagall who finally broke the silence. "What is their plan Albus?"
Albus met her gaze staring for a few seconds before looking at a clock on the counter which read 3:15. Returning his gaze to Minerva he took a deep breath before dropping what he knew was going to be a big bomb.
"The final battle with Voldemort and his Death Eaters began 15 minutes ago."
The instant the words left his mouth the room became chaos. Everyone was talking, screaming and crying. Finally Severus held his wand high letting a loud bang erupt from its tip regaining some control over the room.
"Enough! This is not helping." he said loudly. "At least I understand now why you did not want me to answer the Dark Lord's summons. What do we need to do?"
Albus smiled at his friend and turned back to the room. "At 3:30 we will apperate to coordinates just outside the battle. Ron I will provide you with a port key. Kingsley and Alastor I need you to go to the ministry and bring all the aurors you can to my location." Removing a length of rope from within his robes he handed it to Kingsley. "This is a port key that will bring you to us. Three taps of your wand to activate it. Do not use it before 3:30."
After taking the port key Kingsley and Moody apperated to the ministry to gather what support they could.
"Albus why aren't we there now? What are we waiting for?" asked Arthur clearly worried about his daughter and the boy he considered a son.
"I was not given details but I believe they needed time to spring a trap. Should we arrive too early we could ruin everything they were hoping to achieve and possible put them in further danger. You must understand we are going as a secondary force. Harry mentioned that we would not be capable of joining the battle unless their plan failed at which point it would fall to us to finish what he has started."
Gasps were heard all around the room. "You don't mean..." Remus said with a look of horror on his face.
A look of determination appeared on Dumbledore's face as he responded. "This is what Harry and Ginny asked of us and this is what we will do. He was insistent that his plans were already in motion and would proceed with or without us. I have every faith in Harry and Ginny. We will win this war. We will win it today!"
Looking at the clock Dumbledore noted the time to be 3:29. Producing a map from within his robes he laid it on the table. "Everyone is familiar with the Weasley's property." he said looking around the room for confirmation. Pointing on the map to the spot Harry had given him days before he told them. "This is our destination. Under no circumstances are you to try to apperate onto the property. You will not be able to and the consequences of attempting to would most likely be severe. Mr. Weasley," he said handing Ron an old quill, "here is your port key. Tap it with your wand to activate it."
With a final look around the room he took a deep breath. "Wands out. Good luck everyone. Be safe." With his final words said he apperated.
Moments later Dumbledore arrived with Ron arriving next to him. "Bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed looking towards the Burrow.
Harry and Ginny sat on the couch in the living room staring at the map. As the clock struck 3:00 PM they began seeing Death Eaters and Dementors appear at the edge of the property. After a few minutes a final dot appeared. The dot was labeled 'T. Riddle'.
Hand in hand they stepped outside the front door and walked out onto the lawn. The sight of Voldemort's followers sent chills down their spines. There were around 100 dementors and at least that many Death Eaters.
Nodding to each other Ginny pointed her wand back towards the Burrow and Harry pointed his towards the edge of the property. Together they muttered the activation phrase for the wards they had created in Parseltongue. As they finished their spells transparent green domes rose from the ground, a small one around the Burrow and a larger one which encompassed the entirety of the Weasley's property trapping Voldemort and his forces in between.
The Death Eaters appeared to be getting nervous until Voldemort's laugh could be heard rising above their mutterings. 'He must have cast sonorous.' Harry thought.
"Potter, do you really think you can win? Surrender now and perhaps I'll let the girl live."
Harry took a deep breath and cast the charm on himself. "Sorry Tom, no can do. How about you surrender and I'll let you and your little Death Munchers live." Canceling the charm he shared a quick chuckle with Ginny as they looked down the hill upon an obviously enraged Dark Lord.
"Send the dementors forward. Now!" roared Voldemort.
The air became cold and the bad memories started coming forward. Harry and Ginny brought their Occulmency shields up all the way to block most oftheir effects. Concentrating on happy memories of each other they cast the destructive Patronus spell Harry had found weeks before.
As the Parseltongue spell left his lips a dozen glowing green stags left the tip of his wand and charged the dementors. Each dementor that came in contact with one of the stags burst into a cloud of smoke leaving behind only their ratty robes. He repeated the spell sending another dozen stags into the fray.
Ginny blushed as she cast the spell creating twelve glowing green Harry Potters with swords which immediately charged the dementors. She too cast the spell a second time creating another dozen.
They stopped after casting the spell twice each needing to save their energy for the battle to come. Fifteen minutes later not a single dementor was left alive.
Quickly before Voldemort and his Death Eaters could react Harry and Ginny swallowed an energy potion to replace what they had used so far activating the wards and casting the Patronus.
Harry and Ginny both cast sonorous and laughed out loud at Voldemort wanting to enrage him further hoping he would loose his focus and be more reckless in his anger.
"Sorry Tom, you'll have to do better than that." laughed Harry before removing the spell once again.
A raging Voldemort signaled his Death Eaters forward and began walking towards the couple. They had to begin dodging as curses began coming their way.
Ginny cast a strong shield while Harry drove his wand into the ground and activated the Golems. Immediately 36 fifteen foot tall stone statues came to life and stood up from within the ground.
The advancing Death Eaters paused momentarily not believing what they were seeing and then all hell broke loose.
Dumbledore heard the cries of shock and fear from the Order members and aurors as they arrived. Looking across the battle field in front of him he was met with a sight the likes of which he hadn't seen since the final battle with Grindelwald.
The ground was littered with empty robes and groups of craters and rubble littered the area. It was hard to see through the clouds of smoke and debris that wafted about. The Death Eaters were in disarray having lost their ability to act as a unit. Fifteen foot stone creatures rampaged through their midst crushing any who came within their reach.
Reducto and Killing Curses were flying in every direction some of the Death Eaters hitting their own in the confusion. The spells were only taking chunks out of the large automatons sometimes blowing off an appendage. Occasionally enough damage would be done to cause one of them to collapse the binding magic gone, its fight over.
Only Voldemort was able to fight the creatures with any amount of success. He was able to reduce entire Golems to rubble with a single spell.
Looking further up the hill he could see two black robed figures fighting furiously. Weaving and dodging their spells taking out five or six Death Eaters at a time.
In spite of the scene before him he smiled impressed with what the pair was pulling off but he was worried about the fight they had yet to get too.
Only a few of the golems remained and Voldemort was quickly dispatching them but they had accomplished what Harry and Ginny needed them too. As Voldemort finished off the last of the golems Ginny stunned the last Death Eater.
Voldemort surveyed the battle field as he approached the teens. "I'm impressed Harry. I would never have guessed you would last this long or do this well against me. I will give you a final chance to join me."
Harry laughed out loud at his nemesis. "Surely you're kidding Tom. You have to know I would never join a slime ball like you."
If Voldemort was angered by Harry's comments he didn't show it. "Come now Harry you don't actually think you have a chance against me in a dual. Even you can't be that arrogant."
In a flash it happened. Voldemort raised his wand toward Harry but at the last second pointed it at Ginny and shouted "Crucio!"
Her screams of agony echoed through the air. Harry turned to her distracted by her pain for a second when Voldemort pulled a second wand from within his robes pointing it at Harry. "Expelliarmus!" he cried.
As Harry was thrown back he felt his wand leave his hand. Ginny's cries stopped as Voldemort lifted the spell now cackling gleefully.
"My Harry it seems your fortune has changed." He said stepping forward towards Harry. "Why don't we see what else you had planned before I kill you. Legilimens!"
Harry felt an incredibly powerful presence forcing its way into his mind. He managed to hold it off for a few minutes but it was too strong and eventually he felt his outer walls crumble after which his memories of the battle began to come forward.
He watched unable to stop the flow of consciousness as he created the Golems with Ginny. He saw their plan and thecreation of the shields and felt Voldemort's intrigue as he realized the spells were in Parseltongue and were extremely powerful.
Harry felt the probe change as Voldemort went after his knowledge of Parseltongue magic. All the spells he had learned from Salazar's books flowed forth. As the information on the final spell was taken by Voldemort the probe ended and Harry collapsed to the ground utterly spent.
Voldemort began laughing again sending chills down Harry's spine, an evil grin on his serpent like face. "Thank you Harry. You have given me powerful tools which I will put to good use against Dumbledore and his Order just as soon as I finish here with you. With the power of these spells they won't stand a chance against me!" his laughing continued as he finished his diatribe.
Harry tried to stand groaning when he was unable to and fell back to the ground.
"Now, now Harry. Still trying to play the hero? Perhaps it's time to end our little game. Let's see what was the spell you were going to use on me? Soul Expulsion was it? How about we use that one on you? From what I know of the Queen of the Realm of the Dead she will not be happy about your arrival having been forced to recall your soul. I'm sorry to say you will never know your parents even in death a death which in your case will be filled with an eternity of pain."
Voldemort's grin widened. "Goodbye Harry Potter."
As Voldemort spoke the incantation an area of darkness surrounded the pair. Cold unlike anything either of them had ever felt swept over them and a female voice boomed from within the depths of the shadow.
"Stand before me and be judged."
Struggling with everything he had left Harry stood, facing the void from which the voice came. He stood for what seemed like days though it was only seconds before the voice returned much softer, filled with compassion and speaking only to him. "You have much love in your heart. I find you worthy. You may remain."
Voldemort chuckled as he heard the voice in the shadowknowing Harry was about to loose his soul. His glee changed to fear as he felt the eyes weighing him from within the void. The voice that followed struck terror in his heart as nightmares on wings flew from within the void to attack him. "You have been judged and have been found wanting. For your maleficence you will pay for all eternity."
The warriors of the light froze as Voldemort destroyed the last Golem and approached the pair they now knew was Harry and Ginny.
They could see them conversing for a few moments before a beam of light connected Voldemort with Ginny and her screams tore through the air. Molly cried out and tears could be seen on the faces of many.
A moment later they watched as Harry was hit with a spell and thrown to the ground. Hearts dropped when Voldemort's laughter broke through the air and Harry didn't get up.
A second spell connected Voldemort to Harry this one lasting much longer. Dumbledore instinctively knew Harry's mind was being probed and he feared the knowledge Voldemort would obtain.
The Order and aurors were becoming restless as they watched Voldemort speaking to Harry after ending his spell. Cries of outrage and revenge were passing among their ranks along with feelings of helplessness as they could not pass through the wards around the property.
Dumbledore's breath hitched as he saw Voldemort raise his wand for what he knew was the final time. Darkness enveloped the pair and horrible gut wrenching screams were heard coming from the darkness. Everyone's hearts dropped as they feared the worst.
As the darkness cleared a lone figure was standing though barely it seemed. He slowly walked forward several paces before falling to his knees. Everyone watched as he picked up a wand and pointed it at the green wards encircling the Burrow causing them to fall a moment later. The procedure was repeated bringing down the outer wards allowing the Order to rush forward.
After dropping the wards Harry crawled to Ginny who was lying a few meters away. He breathed a sigh of relief when he found her breathing and wrapped an arm around her before loosing consciousness.