Chapter 18 – Marked Him as His Equal

Harry and the students watched in horror as the Dementor leaned over Moody's unconscious body and lowered its hood. The kiss lasted only a moment, but it was a sight not to be forgotten. One of Harry's favorite professor, and a friend, lost his soul to a creature he would have bested if awake. Harry couldn't believe it first, but when he heard other students crying over their fallen Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, he knew it was true; Moody was dead.

"Harry, lets see who will be the next one to be the Dementors food if you do not come out. Oh, I found one. Ha, I am feeling a tingle of emotion, yes, I once had a soft spot for this one, but she has decided to follow him. I shall not spare her, however, she does deserve better than a Dementor's kiss. Don't you think Harry. You have one minute." Voldemort said pointing his wand over the motionless body of Minerva McGonagal.

"Harry you can't go." Hermione insisted.

"I have to, or he'll kill everyone or worse." Harry argued heading to the Great Hall exit.

"He'll kill you!"

"Look, Hermione, I can't stay here and watch him kill them!" Harry yelled.

"Then I'm going with you!" Hermione cried.

"So am I!" Ginny added.

"No, he wants me and only me." Harry argued. "I can't let you risk your lives."

"And we can't let you risk yours." Neville shouted.

"Look, there might be a better way." Ron said.

"How?" Harry said, realizing his friends would not let him face Voldemort without them.

"Ok, I think there is enough of us, DA and some older students that can face them." Ron began. "We can break up into two groups. One will follow you behind you from a distance, while the other use there brooms to circle around and come from the Forbidden Forest."

"Will this work?" Neville questioned.

"Yeah, well maybe, Ron and I used to do something similar when we had snowball fights with Fred and George." Ginny said supporting her older brother.

"Well, it depends, the ground force and broom force need to attack one minute apart." Ron said hesitantly.

"What? What's wrong?" Hermione said hearing the doubt in Ron's voice.

"Harry has to buy us time." Ron said looking to Harry.

"No! He'll be killed." Hermione cried.

"Hermione, he's right." Harry said understanding Ron's strategy.

"I think we only need a couple of minutes to get into position." Ron said lifting his broom.

"I'll do my best."

"Please be Ok!" Ginny said grabbing Harry.

"Harry you can do this, you've done some amazing things in the past." Neville said in attempt to boost Harry's confidence.

"If were going to do this, we don't have much time left." Luna said joining the fold.

"Good luck everyone." Harry said as they all grabbed to hug him.

"I'll rally the ground troops, Ginny you lead those who want to fight and have brooms. Have them summon them quickly." Ron order. As Harry listened, he thought Ron sounded like a general before a big battle. If Harry needed a general, Ron would be the one he would want on his side.

"One thing, Ron." Harry said, grabbing Ron's shoulder. "Hit the Dementors first, and hard."

Harry had marched toward Voldemort and his army of Dementors and Death Eaters, grasping his wand his one hand and his Firebolt in the other. He could make out some of the Death Eater's faces, as he approached. There was Lucious Malfoy, and Crabbe and Golye's fathers standing guard over the bodies of the professors; Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange were poking around the bodies of the house elves and Peter Pettigrew was sniffing Lupin's walking stick in a rat like manner. Harry couldn't see the faces of the others as they surrounded their master. As he got closer he could hear the voices of the Lestrange brother eerie conversation.

"Rodolphus is that Frank Longbottom?" Rabastan said poking at one of the bodies closer to the pile of house elves.

"I think so," Rodolphus said with an evil laugh. "and here is his retched wife."

"My Lord, please will you allow us to dispose of these two." Rabastan said bowing low to Voldemort.

"I do understand your enthusiasm to rid the world of the Longbottoms," Voldemort smiled, "Somewhere in there, is the son of these two, soon he will know what punishment is in store for the one who killed my most loyal. But first my Death Eaters, our honored guest has arrived."

Harry stood ten feet away from the wizard that killed his parents. Even if scar did ached, he knew it might help him read Voldemort as Dark Lord read him. He stood firmly, raising his wand toward Voldemort.

"Leave now!" Harry ordered.

"Oh, very brave are you. Good, this will be more pleasurable than I first thought." Voldemort sneered. He then pointed his wand toward McGonagall. "Drop your wand and broom or else."

Harry could feel the hatred building inside Voldemort; he knew he was preparing to cast the Killing curse to his own mentor. He had to delay this as long as he could to allow Ron and the others to make their move.

"Ok." Harry surrender. He dropped both his wand and broom to his feet.

"Ah, yes, you are a caring one aren't you? Accio wand!" Voldemort commanded. For a moment, he admired Harry's wand, and its similarities to his own. "I remember you dragging that dead boy's body to the portkey. At the time, I thought of you as brave, but now, I know, it was stupidity."

"You may kill me today, but there will be others to stop you." Harry yelled.

"Kill you?" Voldemort laughed. " No, not today, boy. Dumbledore will die surely, even though I will take my time with him. But you will be my new face of fear. The Boy-Who-Lived will live as symbol of my rebirth, paraded before those who had hope in you. It will darken those who had seen you as their light. Even if you were only a lucky child, some see you as a great wizard already. Their fate lies with your professors. I would pity them, if I could feel pity."

"I will never serve you!" Harry bellowed.

"You have no choice." Voldemort hissed. "Crucio!"

Harry fell in tremendous pain, his veins felt like they were on fire. Harry believed he was bleeding through every pore in his body. He fought hard against passing out; tears filled his eyes as he attempted to open them against the curse. Moments later, as he felt the pain fade away, he could only hear the voices around him.

"Its time to clean up my Death Eaters, dispose of the house elves, we only need a few professors, leave the rest for the Dementors.

Harry slowly opened his eyes to see Crabbe and Goyle levitating Dumbledore, McGonagall, Lupin, the Longbottoms and Hagrid, all enemies of Voldemort. Demeantors began to fly toward the other motionless professors when Harry heard charge from a distance.

"Expecto Patronum!" came from a chorus of students racing toward the Dementors.

Harry saw that Ron, Hermione, and Luna leading a group of thirty students, mostly DA members. He knew it was a matter of time before all the Dementors would flee as a Manator, platapus, unicorn, and many other patronus made chase. Harry also noticed that the Death Eaters and Voldemort were in shock at the number of corporeal patronus around them.

"These are just students!" one hooded Death Eater said in awe, "How do they know how to conjure these!"

Harry got to his feet as several DA members shot stunners at the Death Eaters near him. However, the Death Eaters began to shoot back a barrage of spells that struck several students. Colin Creevy was hit hard by blast that left him unconscious and growing boils. Ernie Machmillian was quick enough to dodge a stunner but was slowed down when Zacharis Smith was levitated into him. Luna played field nurse, levitating injured students away from the battle.

A moment later, Ginny arrived with Neville, Cho and many of Hogwart's Quidditch players, casting spells from high above. Harry could see the dozens of students battling against the Death Eaters who surrounded Voldemort. Voldemort watched with quiet rage as several of his Death Eaters,fell to Ginny's fleet of airborne students. Ron and Hermione stunned Malfoy and Goyle, while Neville made a ferocious attack against Rodolphus. Soon all three were down. Harry was amazed at the strategic movements of Ron's student army. Ron was yelling orders, as Hermione covered him, watching his back as he arranged students to surround Voldemort. Harry was amazed to see the last Death Eater fall to a fierce stunner shot buy a vengeful Dennis Creevy.

It was a sight to see as Gryffindors, Huffelpuffs, and Ravenclaws encircled Lord Voldemort. Noticeably absent, from this Hogwart's militia, were the Slytherins; but Harry knew they would have benefited the most if they stayed out of the battle. Harry stood up and walked toward Hermione and Ron.

"A—A re you ok, Harry?" Hermione said panting for air. Harry could hear that she was not used to running around this much.

"You guys were right on time." Harry said looking at all the students pointing wands at the darkest wizard of this age.

"What are we going to do with him?" Ron said eyeing Voldemort closely, he was visibly more pale than usual.

"Nothing, you thick headed mongrel." Voldemort hissed. "EXPELLIARMUS!"

All of the wands that were pointing at Voldemort flew to his feet. He flicked his wand and those who were flying a dozen feet above him fell off their brooms and onto the ground. Their brooms were summoned to Voldemorts feet as well. With another flick, Voldemort levitated the majority of students behind Harry, Hermione, and Ron so his back would not be exposed.

"Harry, did you expect me to fall so easily." Voldemort laughed. "I will say I am disappointed in my Death Eaters, you seem to have a more competent, yet foolish, group of followers."

"It seems like you two are the ones that feed Potters' every growing ego." Voldemort said point his wand toward Ron and Hermione. Ron pushed Hermione behind him like he did during Bellatrix's attack at Hogsmeade.

"Yes, I feel you growing more worried," Voldemort said, "These two mean the most to you. Ah, your feelings betray you."

Harry watched as Voldemort made his way toward Hermione and Ron. He felt his strength returning but was too weak to physically fight. He knew that Voldemort was about to do and he needed to do something to stop him.

"You give away so much. With every step I take toward these two, the more despair you feel. Watching them die first will definitely break your spirit, lets see, which of you two would like to die first."

Harry watched as Ron pushed Hermione further behind him. He stepped away from her and closer to Voldemort.

"No, Ron!" Hermione cried. "Please!"

"A brave young man, indeed. However, your step closer to me, is a step closer to death." Voldemort said superiorly, "Harry do you have any last words for your you friend?"

Harry lowered his head; he knew he had to do this right. He could feel Voldemort hatred build. He needed to focus.

"A—Amorious." Harry whispered to himself.

"Nothing, then watch your friend die. Avada Kedavra!" Voldemort yelled evilly.

A green flash erupted from his wand and flew toward Ron. A moment before it connected, time slowed for Harry. He had remember all the times Ron and him would play wizards chess or exploding snaps, the first time Ron shared his mother's minced pies with him, the arguments they had in their 4th year, and the time he had told Ron about the prophesy. Harry attempted to focus again.

"AMORIOUS!" Harry yelled.

He fell silent as he watched the green blast connect to Ron's chest. He could here Hermione crying out Ron's name, and see Ginny covering her eyes. Students watched in shock as Ron fell to his knees, his body had gone limp. Harry waited for Ron's body to completely collapse however, Ron did not fall any further. He saw Ron looking up toward Harry, his body glowing red. Harry's hope rose as Ron took a step upward.

"W—What is this?" Voldemort said not believing what he was seeing.

Ron was now standing tall, staring at his chest. "I'm OK Harry, it worked."

Harry almost began to smile when Voldemort backed away from Ron. He could feel the fear growing within Voldemort. Harry saw that he attempted to cast the curse again, but this time toward Hermione.

"AMORIOUS!" Harry yelled once again, before the light hit Hermione.

This time, Hermione wasn't the only one being protected by Gryffindor's Shield, all the students began to glow red, as well as the professors on the ground. Moments later, several of professors began to come to.

"This…this can't be!" Voldemort screamed.

Harry could now see the fear in Voldemort's eyes. Harry was amazed at what he saw next; Voldemort had grabbed a broomstick that was lying on the ground and began to fly away. For some reason, Harry was compelled to give chase; he felt that he needed to retrieve his wand before it was lost to Voldemort forever. Still weak from Cruciatus curse, Harry grabbed his Firebolt and slowly began to follow.

Voldemort was high above the Forbidden Forest before Harry had caught up to him. He reached toward the Dark Lord's robes, grabbing for his wand. Voldemort attempted to blast Harry, however, Harry was able grab Voldemort's wand before he could cast the spell.

"You will die!" Voldemort yelled as they wrestled high above the forest.

Moments later, Harry was able to grab his wand. He attempted a stunner, but could not aim at such close range. Harry watched as Voldemort attempted to break away.

"Legilimens!" Voldemort yelled as he freed his wand.

Harry' scar erupted as he felt Voldemort attempt to gain control of his mind. He could feel Voldemort shift through his memories: his win against the Horntail…his first kiss…with Cho…the battle in the Ministry…his talk with Dumbledore afterwards. He felt Voldemort mentally recoil after the last memory; this gave Harry a chance to fight back. He could now see a child being tutored by a young McGonagall…a young man drinking the blood of a slain unicorn…a small creature entering a boiling caldron…Voldemort flying over a stone forest...

"GET OUT!" Voldemort yelled, as Harry felt he had weakened Voldemort's connection.

Harry had then noticed Voldemort pointing his wand directly at him, a moment later; Harry was blasted off his broom; he had found himself falling toward to the Forbidden Forrest.

He could see the forest trees getting closer and closer. He was still reeling from the blast as he fell to only a few hundred feet above ground. He could see that he was going to land on a huge boulder directly 50 feet beneath him. So that's where I'm going die, Harry said to himself.

"Wait!" Harry yelled moments before he was about to strike the enormus boulder.