Chapter 28: Years Ending
Voices reluctantly began to filter into Harry's brain, as it slowly brushed aside the fog of sleep.
"Its been two weeks! Why hasn't he woken up?" That sounded like Ron...but two weeks? That couldn't be right.
"Melnan said it was extreme exhaustion, both magical and physical...there's no telling how long he'll be out," that was his father.
He could barely suppress a sigh as he heard other voices, whispering quietly amongst themselves. Great...it sounded like the whole bloody school was there. He really did not want to have to answer that many questions as soon as he woke up.
"Ginny, you need to get some sleep. He's not going anywhere, and you aren't doing yourself any good like this," Hermione's voice said.
Harry frowned mentally. Ginny wasn't sleeping?
"I'm fine Hermione, you worry too much," came Ginny's voice, and it did indeed sound tired. "Besides, I-"
Ginny paused suddenly.
"What?" Hermione asked, concern evident in her voice.
Suddenly Ginny continued, but now her voice had an obvious edge to it.
"When he wakes up, I want the first thing he sees to be me slapping him for being so incredibly STUPID!" She said.
'Uh oh...' Harry thought. 'She does not sound happy.'
"You do that," Hermione said. "But Ginny, don't forget. You have to study for your OWLs. They start tomorrow."
"I know Hermione, I know," Ginny replied. "It's dinner time. I assume you're all going?"
"Ya," Ron replied. "You coming?"
"No," Ginny answered, shaking her head. "I think I'll wait here."
Harry heard the sounds of everyone else leaving the room, and felt Ginny lean into the bed from her chair.
"You can open your eyes Mr. Potter, I know you're awake." Ginny said.
Harry peaked open one eye, and looked to see her staring intently at him.
"Err...hey Gin," he said weakly.
"Hey Gin? HEY GIN?" she said angrily. "You're out for two weeks for doing something incredibly noble and incredibly stupid, and all you can say is 'hey Gin'?"
"Err...I love you?" He said nervously.
Ginny glared at him for a moment, then Harry could see the anger drain out of her.
"Dammit," she muttered. "That's cheating."
He laughed softly, looking at her tenderly.
"How'd you know I was awake anyway?" he asked.
She looked at him as if he were stupid for a minute, before he heard her voice in his head.
"We're bonded remember? I knew fairly quickly," she sent.
He had the decency to blush.
"Oh ya...right," he said sheepishly.
"Idiot," she said teasingly.
"I am not an idiot," he blurted out.
"No, you're just a noble, selfless twit," she replied, looking up at him, her eyes darkening slightly.
He flinched. "Ginny, I-"
"Do you know what it felt like?" She asked softly. "When you...weren't there. It was brief, I know, but- but in that moment I had no desire to live. All I knew was a searing pain deep inside myself, like...like my soul had been torn in half. I wanted to die, I wanted to go with you,"
Harry paled, tears in his eyes, as she broke his gaze, looking down at her feet.
"Oh gods Gin, I-"
"Why?" She asked, even though she already knew the answer.
"I- I can't live without you Gin," he answered.
She looked up slowly, memories of pain and sorrow in her eyes.
"What makes you think I could live without you?" She replied in a whisper.
Harry paled, feeling suddenly very guilty.
"In that instant, I knew. Had you gone, I would have died." She continued. "I swear Harry, here and now. I will follow you anywhere, even unto death."
"Ginny, I'm so sorry," Harry stammered, sitting up slightly, and caressing her cheek softly.
She took his hand gently, and held it.
"Just don't do anything stupid again. We're in this together," she whispered.
Harry smiled, nodding, and suddenly his eyelids felt heavy again, and he fell back to sleep as she held his hand tight.
PAGEBREAK–
Harry woke again, his eyes slowly opening, and he was saddened to note by the colour of the hair, that the person in the chair beside his wasn't Ginny.
"Bout time you woke up again," Evelyn said, looking up from her book.
Harry groaned. "What are you doing here"
"Is that anyway to talk to your favourite cousin?" She asked, insulted.
"Only cousin," he replied, in a tone that implied they'd had this conversation before.
"So what? Anyway, Ginny had to go write some tests," she said, shrugging. "Someone had to be here in case you woke up, to tell you to drink this," she handed him a potion bottle.
He eyed the bottle warily. "Does it taste bad?"
"Probably," she said, grinning wickedly.
"Twit," he muttered, as he downed the potion. "Blech, that is awful, what potion was it?"
"Who said it was a potion?" She asked innocently.
He looked at her, and sighed.
"That was just mean," he grumbled.
"Thanks!" She laughed, and went back to looking thoughtfully at her book.
He sighed, sitting back against his pillow. He looked at the book she was reading; it looked old, very old.
"What are you reading?" He asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"It's a book of riddles," she said, passing it to him. "Its neat."
He looked at it, and was confused to find that it could only be opened to one page, right near the beginning.
"It's enchanted. You can only turn to the next page when you get the riddle correct. It said on the first page that answering the final riddle gives a reward!" she said excitedly.
He smiled at her enthusiasm, and looked at the riddle it was open to.
'Glittering points
That downward thrust,
Sparkling spears
That never rust.'
He thought about it for a moment, before smiling in understanding.
"Icicles," he said, looking over at Evelyn.
The book suddenly glowed brightly, and the page turned.
"That means you got it right!" Evelyn said happily.
"Interesting, where did you get this? It looks mighty old," he asked.
"I was exploring down in the dungeons. I found it in an old dusty room. Looked like no one had been down there in ages." She answered.
"I also found this one," she continued, holding up another book. "I couldn't read it though."
He laughed as he handed her back the riddle book.
"So you just carry it around for no reason?"
She made a face at him, and passed it to him. "No, I just thought if anyone could read it, it would be you, so I brought it."
"Thanks, I think," he said, taking it and opening it to the first page.
"It's a diary from the looks of it. Written in the same language as some of the oldest histories in the library at the palace. That room must have sealed for ages." he told her, and started to read it to himself.
'The Diary of Elrym Daelendry.
On this day, the 5th of the 2nd Moon, Of the second year of the Golden Lord's reign.
He has come! The Golden Lord himself, come back to Dalandrin! The royal banner flies above the centre of the encampment outside the fortress, the green and gold banners flapping proudly in the breeze. Our lord has chosen me to deliver his welcome to the High King, and extend his invitation to feast. It is an honour.
On this day, the 6th of the 2nd Moon, Of the second year of the Golden Lord's reign.
I was challenged three times before I even made it to the centre of the High King's camp. They seem to be taking no chances on allowing another assassin through. Challenged again I was, at the King's tent, by members of his own unit. To say they were intimidating would be an understatement. Their skills are legendary.
At last I was admitted into the chamber where the High King and his Queen were studying over a map. Their presence was humbling, yet they were friendly beyond doubt, and accepted my lord's invitation with apparent pleasure.
It is said they ride out with the rising of the sun tomorrow, heading to the south-east, to challenge our enemies seizing of one of the southern provinces. I know that they cannot fail! The Golden Lord shall emerge victorious once more! Glory to the Light!
Harry read a few more pages, but they seemed to be nothing more then daily workings within a castle. Sighing, he put the book down on the table beside his bed. From the sound of it, this 'Golden Lord' had been the High King at the time of the Vanishing. He been mentioned in the few other books from that time that were still legible. Supposedly a warrior-mage of great skill, he had led the Cohort of the Light to victory over their ancient enemies.
'Harry?' He heard Ginny's voice in his head.
'Ya?" He sent back, not knowing where she was, or what she was doing.
'What's the Boggart Banishing spell?' She asked him.
'Riddikulus' Heanswered. 'Didn't you learn that in Third Year?'
'Nope,' came her reply. 'You may have been lucky to have Professor Moony, but we had the fake Mad-Eye remember? He was too busy yelling CONSTANT VIGILANCE, and warning us how many clumsy people have blown their buttocks off with their wands to go over such 'simple' things as Boggarts.'
Harry laughed to himself, then remembered something.
'Wait...why are you asking?' He asked, suddenly suspicious.
'No reason' she sent back, but Harry could feel her almost giggling to herself.
'This wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that you're taking OWLs today would it?' He sent.
'Maybe,' she replied innocently. 'But it's your fault I wasn't able to study anyway, so you can't go getting all mad about it! Besides...you don't want me to fail do you?'
He laughed. 'Just don't get caught dear!'
PAGEBREAK–
That night, Harry slept soundly, Ginny once more asleep in the chair beside him, and the Hospital Wing was silent. His was the only bed occupied, after so many weeks, the rest of the injured having long since left.
The door creaked open, as a dark figure entered quietly. It watched the sleeping elves for a moment, before nodding to itself.
The Stone Oracle's prophecies were coming true, the Watcher knew. Events were moving quickly now, rushing towards what was soon to come. They were ready however. Long had they known of what was to come, and long had they worked to prepare themselves. When the call came, they would fulfil the Oath their grandfathers had sworn, on a long forgotten field.
He saw the book that sat on the elf's side table. Good. If it was there, the other would have been found as well.
The Watcher saw a flicker briefly, and raised his arm before him. It would seem his disguise was once more beginning to wane. Gone was the frail, elderly limb that had been there moments before. In its place was the thick, burly arm of a warrior.
Grumbling to himself, he drew a rune in the air before him, and felt its power slowly work its magic, shifting his form back to the one he assumed whilst on duty. He had held the duty of Watcher for over three decades now, and in that time had only needed to renew his disguise twice.
He strode purposely from the room then, grinning in eager anticipation. Soon, he knew. Soon the drums would beat once more, and those who had Watched for so long would march. His fist clenched in excitement, and he pounded it to his chest once, before thrusting it forward in silent salute.
PAGEBREAK–
"Harry, there's something you need to know," Ginny began, the next morning when they had both woken up. "About- about how he got me."
Harry looked up, suddenly all ears.
"It was Draco-" she started.
"I'll kill him!" Harry said instantly, preparing to get out of bed.
"No Harry, you can't," Ginny said, stopping him by putting a hand on his chest and holding him down. "He vanished during the battle.
"I'll hunt him down, then kill him," Harry said angrily.
"That's not the problem Harry," she said, continuing. "He'd used Imperio on Cedric to get him to lure me out."
"What?" Harry asked, stunned.
"Harry - Cedric's dead." She said sadly.
"What? How?" He asked, horrified.
"He used a portkey to get me outside the walls. Then Voldemort said something about 'staying dead this time,' and threw him to the vampires. They killed him." She told him.
"Dammit," Harry said, instantly feeling guilty once more over Cedric's death. "I will kill you Voldemort, I swear it."
"And I swear to be by your side when you do it my love," Ginny said, grim determination in both their eyes.
PAGEBREAK–
Ever cursed by the imps of the perverse, Harry's release from the Hospital came on the day of the Leaving Feast. He'd hoped in some ways to be able to avoid it, knowing that there would be no way he would be able to avoid the lime-light.
"There gonna make a big deal out of it all aren't they?" He asked Ginny, as they made their way down to the Great Hall.
"Hmm...lets see. You single-handedly defeated a large portion of the Dark Lord's forces, and miraculously managed to summon an army in the nick of time to defeat the rest and save the castle from certain destruction. Nope, can't imagine they'd make a big deal of it at all," She teased.
Swallowing nervously, Harry pushed open the door, and entered the Great Hall.
His ears were immediately assailed by the sound of loud cheers, clapping hands, and stomping feet.
Harry saw his father and Allia standing below the Head Table, dressed in full formal uniform, his father holding a small box before him.
'Oh no,' Harry thought. He had a feeling he knew what they were doing.
Setting his shoulders, he walked steadily forward, ignoring the cheering students, and the few non-cheering Slytherins, as he approached his father and stood before him.
"Emrys Aethi Caldarain, Prince of the Blood," his father began, looking proudly at his son. Harry swore inwardly. They'd promised not to do this dammit! "You are obviously favoured by the Light, or what took place upon the field could not have happened. You have proven yourself, Warrior, Victor, Savior. As such, the High Council formally recognizes you as the one spoken in the Prophecy, and name you Champion of the Light. In the King's name, I give unto you the Horn of the last High King, who led the Light in victory against our ancient foes. His horn united all who heard it in defense of the Light. We give it now to you, that you may be its protector, until such time as its call is needed once more, should the Darkness once more threaten this world."
His father opened the box, and pulled forth a golden chain, upon which hung a battle horn, inlaid with gold in the pattern of flames. Of course, the horn was only a replica, the original lost in the Vanishing, but it had long been a symbolic relic nonetheless.
Harry knelt, bowing his head, as his father put the horn about his neck. He nodded to his father, and to Allia, before standing once more, and turning to face the assembled students, and the line of elves who stood at attention against the walls.
"Always remember," he said, as silence settled across the hall, eager to hear his words. "That no matter how dark the sky, how bleak the forecast, there is always Light. Even if you cannot see it, it is there. Trust in the Light, and fear no darkness!"
Cheering broke out again, punctuated by the rhythmic banging of Elven swords on breastplates, as they saluted their Champion.
'That was kind of cheesy you know,' Ginny said silently.
'Hey, they liked it didn't they?' He send back, sending her a brief look of annoyance.
'Harry, you could have said 'Woo, go us!' and they would have cheered. Honestly, if you're going to be doing this sort of thing a lot, we need to get you a speech-writer.'
Harry couldn't resist the urge to laugh, so he instead pulled her up beside him, and pulled her into a deep kiss to the further cheers of those assembled.
PAGEBREAK–
The sun rose early the next day, much to the annoyance of those who had celebrated perhaps a bit too hard. They all knew that Voldemort was still out there, but he had been handed a major defeat, and now everyone's confidence was soaring.
Harry and Ginny would be going with the rest down to the train station, but would be going from there to Potter Manor. Harry's parents had seen to getting it fixed up, and now it awaited their return. It had taken some convincing to get Mrs. Weasley to let Ginny go, but she had accepted after Harry had invited the entire Weasley clan to come and stay later in the summer. Sirius, who had absolutely no desire whatsoever to return to Grimmauld Place, and Remus would also be moving in. Allia and the Elven garrison would remain at the school, in case any remaining Death Eaters thought to try to seize it while it was for the most part empty for the summer. Evelyn would be going home for the summer.
"Harry, you coming mate?" Ron called, sticking his head out the window of the carriage, and calling to his friend. "The rest of the carriages are starting to leave."
Nodding quickly, Harry waved farewell to Allia, and pulled open the door to the carriage, taking a seat next to Ginny as the Thestrals pulling the carriage began to move.
The carriage was just about to turn down the road to Hogsmede and the train station, when Harry glanced back at the castle one last time before it went out of sight.
And suddenly his vision flashed, flaring white briefly, then returning but drained of colour.
He saw crumbled rock and flames, all that remained of the Elven wing of the castle. A sea of shadow writhed all around the castle, unstopped by the too-few defenses.
He saw the burnt, blackened gate, torn off its hinges, laying on the ground as dark shadows swirled around it.
He saw his father, shouting, rallying other elves around him and brandishing a blade, fighting in the entrance hall, striking out at the dark shadows.
He saw a spear of inky blackness strike out, piercing his father's chest, and watched as his father fell, to be swept under as the wave of darkness washed over the defenders.
He saw the darkness sweep through the halls of the school, and his ears rang with the screams of the dying.
"HARRY!" He heard a voice yell, and was jolted back to himself. "Are you okay mate? You kinda went...wonky for a second there."
He nodded quickly, swallowing nervously, as one thought resounded through his head, and he knew it to be true.
The war was far from over.
