A/N: This scene has some graphic violence be prepared.
Halloween
A loud explosion rang in the near empty hall of Hogwarts. Screams could be heard as students began running into the castle after turning around half way on the grounds. Professors began to fill the entrance trying to understand their screams knowing that Voldemort had begun an attack on Hogsmeade.
As students walked joyfully through Hogsmeade laughing and enjoying the shops an explosion occurred throwing many into harms way. A cold began to send shivers down many spines as a few of the DA instantly came into the center road prepared to take a stand. They knew from the countless hours of practice Harry had enforced on them that dementors were near. As the sky turned dark with the foul creatures that began to descend upon the students a wave of silver took the skies as the DA began to produce their patronus. Many were relieved when they began to notice aurors and professors coming to their aid. Fighting bravely though they knew in their hearts the battle for Hogwarts had begun.
Ginny ran thru the gates hesitating as she saw the destruction caused. Shops were blown completely apart and students lay cluttered on the ground. She took a deep breath as she looked up and noticed the other end of the street. Walking calmly towards the town was hundreds of death eaters. Black robes blowing in the wind around them, wands drawn. She also noticed the group of DA students trying to hold off hundreds of dementors. Screams could be heard as students could not be saved. She cringed at the thought as smoke burned her nostrils. She stood tensed as she felt a familiar fear rise in her. He was here. Voldemort was here. She could feel him. He wasn't close to the battle, probably watching from a safe distance. She did the only thing she could…fight. She threw herself into the battle helping the DA fight off dementors as she dodged curses, occasionally throwing some in return. She was soon involved in a heated duel with a death eater as she rolled behind a display stand outside of a store for cover. She stayed low only raising her wand just above the top as she muttered "Stupify." When there was no return fire she peered over the edge to see that her target had been hit. She moved quickly to a group of students huddled in an alley. "I need you to run when I say go. Run as fast as you can to the castle…no matter what don't stop running and don't look back. I can only hold them off for a few minutes." She saw the timid nods of their heads as she checked to see if the coast was clear. Seeing her chance she yelled go and sprang out of her hiding place throwing curses and hexes as fast as she could in every direction. She kept an eye on them as they ran along the stores. She tried to move with them hoping to guard them until they were inside the gates. As the last one crossed she began to advance to another group repeating the action as many times as she could trying to help as many students to safety as possible. She then ran to the nearest store throwing open the door "Stupify!" She hit her target as the death eater performed the killing curse. Quickly thinking she sent a shelf to deflect the jet of green light as the student fell to the ground in shock. Making her way thru the store she rounded up anyone she could find. "I need you to calm down. You are about 500 paces from the gates, when I tell you to RUN. Don't stop and don't look back." She didn't wait for their answer as a hex flew in the window. Thinking fast she threw up her shield. Spotting the source she began to throw curses as she forced the duel into the opposite direction from the gates. "GO!" Again students began to run; some pulled others that were too afraid to react. As she turned to check on their progress a yellow streak grazed her cheek and she bit her lip trying not to yell out in pain as her cheek ripped open.
"Such a little girl to think she can beat me." The laugh was cold.
"Not so little…" with this she sent a body binding spell followed quickly by a cutting spell. The first one missed but the death eater screamed as the cutting curse hit directly in his stomach. She swallowed hard seeing his stomach split open to expose his guts. Bile rose as she knew by the way he fell…she had killed him. Gasping for breath she fought to remain standing as the battle progressed knowing she had to keep fighting. Gathering her strength she continued to find more students near the edge of town. It was in her fourth store that she was hit from behind. She could hear a warning yelled as she felt her body crumble in pain from the cruciatus curse. Knowing it was her screams she could hear and the taste of her own blood when she bit her cheek from her body jerking. As darkness was about to consume her she suddenly felt the curse lift, someone rushed to her aid helping her sit up. She turned her head to see Dean in a heated duel with the death eater. Suddenly warmth spread throughout her body as the pain began to fade. "Thank you" she said to a young boy that thought calmly enough to perform a healing spell. Feeling her strength return she nodded and then rushed to fight beside Dean.
"Need a hand?" he smirked at her comment never taking his eyes off of the enemy. Three more black robes approached as they continued to fight. Dean stupefied one as she thought quickly and conjured a steel wall cage for two of them as Dean caught the last one with the body binding hex.
"Are you ok?" he asked nervously, his voice full of fear as he embraced her.
"You saved me…" She took a second to look deeply into his eyes. "I love you." It was then that his eyes flew open and his body went limp. "NNNNNOOOOOOO!" She cried out as she fell under his weight. Through tear filled eyes she saw a death eater smiling a short distance away. With all the fury known to her she screamed a spell known to make the blood ignite with fire and course through the body. The battle faded around her as she held Dean in her arms rocking and crying for him to come back to her and not to leave her alone.
Upon exiting the gates Neville and Luna ran to the center of town to help the DA students adding their patronus to the mix. Out of the corner of their eye they watched a mass group of death eaters advanced.
"Everyone remember to fight back to back. Nothing fancy; just simple and accurate." Immediately they began to spread out, one fighting the dementors as the other defended them. Luna and Neville instantly were thrown into a duel with three black robed figures. "Expelliarmus" he called as the wand flew into his hand as Luna performed the vanishing spell. She smiled instantly as they continued to work together like they did in the duel against Dumbledore. He went offensive as she performed defensive spells. The three robed figures were easily taken out as they moved to help fellow students. He fought hard throwing spells quickly but accurately as she continued to recast the shield charm. He felt splatters of blood as he turned to see a cutting curse graze her shoulder. This renewed his fight as he cast the entrail-expelling curse causing the insides of the attacker to come out of his body. Hesitating a moment in shock as he realized what he had just done. Luna screamed his name and he turned in time to see an attacker running towards him. He kicked out his leg backwards with all his force as he sent a banishing charm out in front of him towards another attacker. It was then that the pair managed to make an advancement into the center of the town throwing balls of fire in every direction as death eaters approached. Continuing bravely as the smell of flesh filled their nostrils causing their stomachs to turn. Luna stopped once to conjure a brick and sent it flying into the back of a death eaters head as he tried dragging a young blonde away. The girl jumped up and ran back into the shop as tears streamed down her face. Beginning to sprint seeing George trying to hold off five robed figures backing him into a corner; watching carefully as he reached into his pocket and threw something into the group, almost thrown off their feet from a small explosion they stopped abruptly dropping to the ground for cover. Standing to hear George yell "Yes it worked!"
"What the hell was that?"
Smiling the twin replied, "Just something Fred and I came up with. Quickly take some." He began putting them in Luna's pockets as he handed some to Neville for him to do the same. "They work like muggle grenades. Wait until you have a good group of them for the most effect. They're charmed only to explode forward so you won't get any of the backlashes. Just pull the top and you have three seconds to toss the little bugger." He ducked as a green light flew over their heads. Luna reacted instantly, "FURNUNCULUS".
As boils began to appear on the attackers body Neville conjured ropes quickly to bind him as he yelled in pain. The three then began to work together. Neville and Luna buying George time as he found groups of death eaters and tossing the magic grenade into their midst. Luna tried not to watch as their bodies went flying from being hit with different curses and hexes, sometimes causing body parts to go in other directions. She screamed as an arm flew at her and blood covered her robe. George yelled an apology as they continued their advance. They darted down an alley as their senses filled with a blood curling scream. Approaching as quietly as they could, they snuck upon a group of death eaters raping two young girls. Throwing spells quickly as Luna ran to the victims. "Oh Merlin!" She couldn't hold back the angry tears as she saw the girls fall covered in blood. The boys arrived to see they had been beaten badly and raped numerous amounts of times. One of them had a cut across their throat as they realized she was dead. Luna tried to shield the other girl while conjuring a blanket for her. The girl shook in fear.
"It's alright, we are the good guys." Luna began to cast all the healing charms she knew.
"I can't believe he was still doing that after she was already dead." Neville whispered to George trying not vomit.
"I- I- I don't…here this is a portkey to our shop in Diagon Alley, use it to take her out of here. We have to get back."
Seeing his chance to protect Luna, Neville responded immediately, "Luna you should go with her, a male will probably make her too scared." She nodded trying to help the girl stand. George went to lend a hand but the girl screamed as he touched her arm, Luna whispered, "It's alright; he's trying to help us out of here. You want to leave right?" The girl nodded. "Alright, let him help you stand and then we can go; I'll keep you safe." As the girl let George help her Neville grabbed Luna into an embrace, "be careful. Stay inside and don't open the shop for anyone! We will come as soon as we can. I love you Luna."
"I love you too." For the first time she was unable to control the tears. "Promise me you will stay alive?" he stared in her eyes trying to think of comforting words not wanting to promise something he couldn't.
"I promise to fight with everything I have to come for you." He kissed her quickly as she reached for the trembling girl and grabbed the portkey. Neville stared as he watched her disappear.
Placing a hand on his shoulder George offered assurances, "At least this way she's safe mate." With this the boys turned and ran back towards the center of town.
"Fred get back!" Tonks and Remus yelled as a group of death eaters threw exploding curses in his direction. The Order had been alerted and apparated immediately into a full blown battle. Remus and Tonks moving on instinct began to fight coming up behind the main gathering of death eaters. They were tired and covered by filth and grime. Cut and bleeding, they continued to fight trying not to worry about one another. An explosion had caught their attention as they turned to see Arthur fly into a near by window. Remus ducked covering his head for protection from flying glass as he aimed his wand screaming "stupify!" Despite the commotion and noise they could hear Fred screams of fear, "NNOOOOO!" In his need to reach his father he had let his guard down and had attracted unwanted attention from a nearby group of enemy forces. Remus and Tonks had reacted first by warning him and next by throwing out curses of their own. Tonks threw as many impediment curses as she could at great speed while Remus threw out immobulus charms faster than one had ever seen. Remus running to Arthur and throwing Fred off of him brought Fred back to the current situation as he reached for his pocket grabbing an object and throwing it into a newly approaching group of death eaters. As the object exploded Remus checked Arthur's pulse seeing that he was alive quickly threw an emergency portkey set up to send all the wounded order members to Grimmauld Place for medical attention.
"What the hell was that Fred?" Tonks screamed as she reinforced her protection shield.
"Just something George and I whipped up incase we felt the urge to entertain some death eaters." He winked at her as he threw a cutting hex over her shoulder. "Thanks for that back there Moony."
"No problem kid…just be careful and…"
Remus didn't finish as Tonks pushed him down to the ground as a green light passed over his head. Quickly thinking Fred helped them up shoving some of the grenades into their hands while explaining how to use them. With this the three began to fight harder than ever. Eventually losing each other as the fight became more brutal and most were forgetting about their wands and fighting hand to hand. Remus screamed as a sword sliced thru his upper left arm and he was forced to battle with his right, using his left to duel with his wand. He fought hard and soon discovered himself cornered in an isolated area by five men in black robes and white masks. Breathing deeply as he landed backwards on his arse and realizing he had no hope of living. "Dear Merlin please protect the people I love" with this said, his memories began to flood his mind.
"I'm James and this is Sirius, nice to meet you"… "we know your secret"… "we became animus to keep you company"… "we did it! Graduation day boys, friends always"…flying on Sirius bike… "Lily and I would like to you stand up for us at our wedding"… "we're going to have a baby!"…a beautiful boy smiling at his uncles…Harry's first steps…his first birthday…Harry first riding a broom…"Nooooo! Not James and Lily, Gods please no!" …"You can't just take him to Azkaban! He at least deserves a trial Albus! Help him!"... an easy transformation after discovering the Wolfsbane potion…his first glance at Harry on the train… "Why didn't you let me fight it?" "I would have thought that was obvious, Harry." 'Why?" "I assumed that if the boggart faced you it would assume the shape of Lord Voldemort…" " I didn't think of Voldemort, I remembered those dementors." "That suggests that what you fear most of all is – fear."... watching Harry's first game…" I can hear Voldemort murdering my mum."…"Can you teach me?"… "I heard my dad" "You heard James?" "You didn't know my dad, did you?" "We were friends at Hogwarts…" "If you knew my dad, you must've known Sirius Black as well." "Yes, I knew him. Or I thought I did…"…a silver stag shooting out of Harry's wand… "Lupin, I want a word" Snape handed him a piece of parchment with the words of Messers. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs… "I don't want to hear explanations…I happen to know this map was confiscated by Mr. Filch many years ago…because those mapmakers would have wanted to lure you out of school, They'd think it extremely entertaining" "Do you know them" "we've met"… "Where is he Sirius?"... "I helped write it. I'm Moony-"… "His front paw…"… "Forgive me Remus"… "Yes your father was a stag when he transformed…that's why we called him Prongs."…moving in with Sirius…greeting Harry at Privet Drive…late night talks with Harry and Sirius in the kitchen…Christmas… "Nooooo! There's nothing you can do Harry- …It's too late Harry-…He's gone."…dragging Harry away from the veil as he shed his own tears…reading Sirius will…finding Harry at Privet Drive near death… "The one with the power to vanquish…"…Harry and Hermione hugging him as they learned he was Harry's new guardian…showing Harry the house when he moved in…shopping with Harry and friends…Harry laughing…Harry kissing Hermione…Harry's birthday party…his first parental lecture… telling Harry about the art of dating…leaving Harry for the first time to go fight…running to Harry across a crowded room…watching over him as he learned the spell could hurt his heart…practical jokes with Tonks that they played on the kids…"we just wanted to tell our parents" Hermione giving him a wink…the pride he felt as Harry shared his O.W.L. results…Molly slapping Dumbledore…"I don't need an oath or the Order to help fight Voldemort; I have been doing it with Harry for almost six years now…my loyalty is to him."…dancing with Harry, Hermione, Tonks, and the Grangers…Harry being a kid…kissing Tonks… "Nice sheet Moony – sleep well?"…ice cream with Tonks, Harry, and Hermione…rescuing Kingsley…"DON'T YOU GET IT? HE CAN'T…if he speaks of it, he will be accepting it, it is what he doesn't want to do. The idea of losing you will be the end of his…"I don't care, I'm falling in love with you Nymph"…bright lights…being chained to a wall and tortured by Peter…Harry and Tonks saving him…Harry and Hermione under the shower head… "I have only seen that kind of love once…with your parents."…Harry exploding about all the things he missed out on in life…going thru Lily's trunk…Harry's new look…Tonks teaching him how to two-step…Harry and Hermione on the dance floor intoxicating the whole club… " I asked for a more offensive role in this war."… "You tell Dumbledore to lift that ban! I mean it I will rant and rave until it is done! He deserves that at least."…hearing Isabella's story…telling Tonks how scared he was for Harry…seeing Harry off to school…more battles…Hermione's birthday…Harry's smile.
"Locomotor Mortis!" Ron screamed as he kicked back his right leg, continuing to move forward thru the mass of people. He dodged a yellow beam as a white one missed his left shoulder. "Bloody hell!" he quickly ducked behind an over turned cart of merchandise. "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" he called as yet another dementor came close. He was bloody and tired. His leg was deeply wounded from a cutting spell, his arm ripped open as well; his eye was still weary after a conjunctivitis curse and his ankle sprained. How the hell does Harry do this every year and survive? As another masked figure approached he threw a left punch and a right jab. Quickly he summoned a near piece of broken wood and swung it like a bat. He watched as another death eater fell unconscious. He was desperately trying to find his sister and still found no sign of her. He had hoped she remained in the castle but knew in his heart he would not be so lucky. As he ran passed an alleyway he was launched backwards by an explosion. Picking himself up he soon found a hand helping him. "FRED!" quickly he wrapped his arms around his brother. "What the hell was that?"
"A grenade, sort of…George and I made them after seeing it in a muggle movie. Here take these." He explained how to use them and soon they were walking down the middle of the street in Hogsmeade throwing them left and right as many as they could while dodging hexes and people as they made their way. Ron cast a stunning spell as he twirled around, arm extended to knock out another masked figure.
"BUGGER! I'm out! Ron, do you have any more?"
"Gee Fred…do you…see me a…little busy?" with this he threw another punch and upper cut, shocked that his brother clearly was clueless to him fighting off two enemies.
"Sorry, need a hand?" Fred yelled as he banished a third.
As the second one finally fell to the ground Ron rolled his eyes, "I think it's a bit late to offer, don't you?"
Surprised that they could till find some humor they stopped for Fred to do a few small healing charms. "Thanks. DUCK!" Fred barely moved in time as a green light flew over him. Ron sneered, "Malfoy!" Before Fred could stop him Ron had leaped over two lifeless bodies and was in a full fledged duel with Draco Malfoy. Fred leapt forward tackling Crabbe to the ground. He rolled off of him shouting "Incarcerous!"
"What is the problem Weasel?"
"Nothing as long as you can handle being a ferret"
"You'll pay for all the times you have said that to me!"
"Not yet…"
"Maybe your sister would like to meet up with an old friend…"
"You leave her out of this Malfoy or…"
"You'll what?"
"CRUCIO!" Ron watched as the beam hit Malfoy in the chest. He didn't hold the spell long but the damage was done; he had used an unforgivable curse. If it wasn't for the green jet of light headed at him he would have probably passed out or thrown up. He continued to fight and throw spells faster than he had ever done before. He fed off all the anger he had ever felt towards his opponent while secretly wanting to berate himself for doing the unthinkable. He didn't want to go to Azkaban.
"He'll be fine…"
"I know, but I know he's going to want to go as soon as he wakes up. It's the reason he has been training so hard."
"Perhaps you are right Miss Granger but I am afraid that part of my deal with Harry was he had to wait until both Remus and I agreed he stood a chance."
Laughing tiredly she shook her head, "Do you really think that will stop him?" She watched him look at her curiously. "For starters it's not in him to sit by and not do it that is why he asked for a more offensive role; secondly, he's a mage and has more resources, so are you but let's call a spade a spade professor…he's more powerful than even you! If he wants to go fight, he will…whether you approve or not." With this Hermione turned back to Harry whispering pleas for him to wake. Just when she was beginning to settle in he opened his eyes. "Harry? Better?"
"Yeah," looking around his atmosphere he asked, "Hospital wing?"
"Where else can you get me as a personal nurse and your very own wing named after you?" She smiled as she kissed him brushing his hair off his face.
"Is it over?"
"No Harry, they're still fighting." She said as quiet as possible. "Harry I need you to listen to me ok?" he looked at her with his eyes full of concern. "I love you…more than anything and I am begging you not to go out there. I know what you are thinking and you are probably right but you promised Remus and Dumbledore you would wait until they approved it. And…and I am scared to lose you, I don't want you in harms way. But I also know that there will never be a fight I would think you are fully ready for…" she took a deep breath, "so whatever you decide to do…I'll go with you." She kissed him deeply.
"Mi…" it was in his eyes.
"OK, let's go to Hogsmeade. Drink this and this. Any ideas how to get around the big guy?"
"A few." He smiled as he told her the plan to disillusion themselves and apparate into the center of the village. "I love you. I would like you to agree to stay here; I'd know you were safe.
"Harry…"
"I know; we do this together like always. Just promise to come back to me, I can't lose you!"
"Only if you promise to come back to me!" he kissed her like their lives depended on it.
They made it safely to the gate just as they saw Dumbledore running out the main doors in search of them and apparated away.
As soon as they appeared Hermione disillusioned herself, almost invisible, sending out hexes as fast as she could. She tried staying as close to Harry as possible but soon realized that something had caused Harry to go sprinting into a throng of death eaters. Horror appeared as she saw Remus laying on the ground with his hands over his face trying not to see the bright green light heading directly into his chest. Immediately she did the only thing she could think of…she apparated directly in front of Lupin using the air to redirect the curse. Harry continued towards them and Remus slowly realizing that the curse did not hit him. He heard Harry scream, "NNNNOOOOOO! HERMIONE!" Looking up terrified he saw her fall to her knees in disbelief. They both reached her at the same time, "What the hell Mi?" She looked up at him and he saw the fear in her eyes. "We have to keep fighting. Are you two going to be alright?" They both nodded to Harry as he reached up yanking the charm from his neck. A sword appeared to Lupin's surprise as Harry said an incantation. Instantly swinging it behind him he felt the first sprays of blood land on his robes. With one last look pleading with them to be safe he began to move. They knew it was dangerous but they couldn't help but stare as he danced into battle, sword in one hand, wand in the other. He was fearless. He was powerful. Shaking Hermione out of her trance Lupin helped her up. "Thanks but we have to move." With this she nodded and began to make a path that led her to Harry. Calling on everything that Isabella had taught her she was using the elements. Air to disperse curses, balls of fire shot from her wand, and the dust of the earth helped her move from place to place as if she were apparating. Trying to stay near Harry and fear when she could not find him. She was sweaty and in pain from a few stray hexes. She had a cut that stung but she knew not to look, she would be sick if she saw her own blood. Pulling all the strength in her she continued to move. Coming across a piece of wood she took a second to transfigure it into a sword as well. Making herself disillusioned she began to move up to death eaters cutting them unexpectedly. The buildings were on fire, the smoke burned her eyes, her ears were filled with screams, and her nostrils smelled death and blood. She fought hard, she fought with all her anger for the things that had caused Harry so much pain, she fought for her future. Fatigue was setting in and the pain in her body was increasing, she quit using her mage abilities and switched to simpler spells as they had done in the duel against Dumbledore and Isabella. Just when she felt her legs giving way and her mind giving into the fear of what may have happened to Harry a whirlwind appeared. Tossing debris and death eaters away from her with force, shielding her eyes from the dust she saw Isabella standing before her. "I thought I might help." With a smile she and her mentor faced their enemies with renewed vigor.
Swinging the sword over his head he brought it down into the masked figure's chest. His body ached as he continued to fight both physically and magically. His calf was ripped open exposing the bone as it bled continuously. Smoke seared his lungs, making it hard to breathe. Death filled his senses. Anger fueled his fight. Tom was here, he just couldn't find him. Why hadn't he shown himself? Why hadn't he come for him? This is what this fight was bout. He dove forward out of the path of a killing curse. Is this the only curse they know how to throw at me? Once again he summoned the ropes to bind his enemy. His heart longed for some sign of Hermione. He had lost her after she saved Remus. His anger boiled to the surface along with his deepest fears when he saw her apparate in front of the killing curse. He thought his worst nightmare had come true. It was not the time to argue though, he had to fight…he had to face his destiny. So he had turned away and fought, he was fighting with skill and purpose; desperately trying not to kill. He wanted this war to end but he did not want to be a murderer, not if he could help it. That fate was reserved for one purpose, one person, one soul.
Coming thru the gates Dumbledore's heart soared with pain at the site before him. Ginny in the middle of a war zone screaming as she held on to Dean Thomas. Doing the only the he knew to do to keep her safe. He quickly went to her placing a portkey on her and Dean's body sending them into the hospital ward. He paused only briefly to see his students fighting with bravery that he had seen in so few. But they were weakening; the battle had been going on for too long, their innocence being taken. His skin crackled with magical force as he began to duel. Many faced him and many fell. He was the only one their master feared…with his eyes glowing like fire he took them down one by one. Years of anger being his source of power; stopping only briefly to place portkeys to those that needed them. He had one goal in this fight, to protect Harry. He needed to protect Harry. He was their only chance. Sensing Harry's power he apparated to him. Harry was startled to see the headmaster appear at his side. With one brief look they understood what the other needed. Together they fought, they maimed, they hunted. They each had one target…Voldemort.
His cackle filled the air. "Such fools. Imbeciles. Think they can defeat me. The almighty Dumbledore is using children now. Pathetic, weak. Look how they scurry like common rats. Ahhhh, there she is. She does have that Gryffindor spirit does she not? I so enjoyed meeting her when she was younger." He looked down upon the battle as she fought. A strange look focused in his eyes. He gave the signal for more Death Eaters to join the fight. He had spent his time well; his numbers were in the thousands now. Victory was fast approaching. "She has become quite the dueler has she not? Tell me Wormtail, did she have that same spirit when she was younger?"
"Yes my Lord, the Weasley girl has always been able to match her brothers."
"Oh look, she's crying over the death of that boy, he was not what she needed anyways, good riddance."
"Master, you speak of her with…affection."
"CRUCIO! Wormtail you will learn that I have no affection for anyone…it is mere intrigue I see in her and it is none of your business." Wormtail tried to stand as the curse was released.
"I'm sorry Master I spoke without your permission."
"Do try to remember that. Now look at this…" He pointed towards Hermione fighting. "Where did such power come from?" He watched and then saw Potter. "This can't be…how…WHY DIDN'T SOMEONE TELL ME HE IS A MAGE! HOW CAN YOU ALL MISS THAT PIECE OF INFORMATION … ahhh, she seems to be as well. BELLA!"
"Yes Master"
"I want her…NOW!" she bowed and left to go retrieve Hermione Granger. "Now to deal with Potter!"
Harry sent more stupify spells as he continued to battle a death eater. As the death eater fell, Harry spun quickly. Voldemort. Just then he saw Dumbledore looking alert as well…until they found him, leaning casually against the post outside one of the shops about 100 paces away.
"It seems there have been some new…developments in your life Potter. That it an enormous amount of power for a child. Although, the other is very pretty."
"STAY AWAY FROM HER VOLDEMORT! "
"You still have no respect for your elders do you boy? Hasn't that muggle-loving fool taught you anything?"
"Why yes I have Tom."
"Dumbledore" his voice was full of hate. "Why do you continue to get in my way? Weren't you taught it is rude? Always trying to protect your little pet…just a waste of time…I will kill him Dumbledore, don't ever think otherwise."
"Well you will have to go thru me Tom…and even then I do not believe you can kill him. He's better than you Tom, we both feel it."
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP YOU OLD FOOL! AVADA KEDAVRA!"
With that began the battle between Voldemort and Harry as Dumbledore fought to keep Voldemort's groupies at bay. The lights flared, the ground rattled, dirt was flying in the wind, and the power the two shown was enough to make almost everyone stop and look. Time seemed to slow as Harry dodged green lights and conjured knives. He was tired and his body hurt…but he wanted this to end and fought with more strength than he thought he had. He kept Hermione at the front of his mind next to Sirius and his parents.
"At least you have learned a few more spells boy; this makes it much more interesting than you hiding behind a tombstone. Don't you agree?"
"Why must you always feel the need to chat Tom?"
"Ahh, so we are back to calling me by that foul name…I will have to teach you a lesson. Crucio!" This time the spell hit. Harry fell to the ground as his body twitched in pain. His mind stayed clear as he tried to break the curse on himself, but he was too tired. He felt the pain stop as Voldemort began to speak again. "She is pretty isn't she Potter…those brown eyes, that power and skill I saw her use earlier was extraordinary. Tell me…does she scream when shagged?" Harry threw a ball of fire as his powers raged with his anger. As Voldemot's crackled laughed filled the air with evil, "She must if you react that way…Or is it because you don't know? Hmmm…tell you what, after I have played with her, I will tell you the answer." Harry took a chance as he threw his head back in laughter tackling his body to the ground and then springing back to his feet quickly. "Muggles…resorting to such violence, why must you use your bodies to fight. If this was a proper school you would know that it is simply barbaric to be physical, we are above such violence since we have magic. This is something you need to learn Potter…" he never finished that statement as Harry pierced his stomach with his sword. Voldemort's eyes grew wide as he watched blood flow out of his midsection. Harry saw what he thought might be fear as Voldemort stared into his eyes. Sensing he was about to flee like last time Harry cried out, "You stay away from her or I will rip you to so many pieces your dogs won't know the difference between you and particles of dirt." With this he apparated away along with his death eaters. Harry fell to his knees in exhaustion as the red sun set. Smoke continued to fill the air. Destruction at every glance. "Harry?" Dumbledore waited as he laid a hand on his shoulder. He frowned as Harry flinched from pain. "How bad are you hurt Harry?"
"I'll be fine…Hermione!" With this Harry began to search the streets and the bodies looking for her. "HERMIONE! HERMIONE! WHERE ARE YOU?" Voldemort. He began frantically searching. "Fred! Have you seen Hermione?"
"No not for awhile, glad you're ok mate."
"I have to find her…" Dumbledore approached and told Fred of Voldemort's threat. Harry was frantic and feared the worst. Tears fell from his eyes as he continued to search. Soon he found Cho. "Have you seen Hermione?" he asked again with fear in his eyes.
"I'm sorry Harry, the last time I saw her was over that direction, but she wasn't looking to good. She was growing tired and weak." Color drained from his face. Fred tried to comfort him,
"We'll find her mate, don't worry, we'll find her!" Harry turned and continued searching.
"LUNA! OPEN UP!" Luna opened the door and jumped into Neville's arms, kissing him with more passion than he had even heard about.
"I'm sorry, I was just so scared…t-t-the sun was s-s-setting and I still hadn't seen you or G-G-George and…and…"
"Shhh, it's ok. You're safe…I'm here." He held her in the door way as she cried. She pulled back after awhile, "She's hurt bad…can we take her to a doctor now? I did what I could but she just keeps bleeding and…and…" He pulled her back to him as she began to cry again.
Villagers, professors, and students began to search for loved ones in the streets of Hogsmeade. Aurors were portkeying death eaters, both alive and dead, to the ministry. Screams of agony could be heard when a loved one was found without a pulse as tears of joy were cried when loved ones were found alive. Still no sign of Hermione, Remus had to literally hold Harry up as he searched for her. Dumbledore had spoken to Tonks and Kingsley about Voldemort's threat to harm Hermione. "Oh Merlin! Albus we have to find her…"
"I know dear. He could not take that loss now, I did not witness this kind of fear or weakness during his battle with Tom, I can only imagine how much worse it might be if we do not find her. She is the other part of his soul." Tonks had a tear in her eye as Kingsley whispered his need to start a search party at once.
"Ummm…Albus…Where is Isabella?"
"She is safe…I would feel it if she was harmed. I believe she is probably in the hospital wing assisting Poppy, she is very good at healing." A hesitant smile showed on his face. "That is where we always find each other. Either hurt or helping. I will check soon, right now my concern is for Harry." They both continued to search until Fawkes flew towards the Headmaster. "Thank you my friend, might I ask you a favor?" The phoenix sang a note of pleasure. "Would you mind going to the hospital wing to Madam Pomphrey and lend her tears if any students…if any students are in dire need?" The phoenix rubbed his cheek next to Dumbledore's as if to comfort an old friend and then pushed off into the air. It was then that Dumbledore unrolled the note and read.
Hermione drained herself of her magic during an extremely long Cruciatus curse. She is fine now and helping in the hospital wing with me. She is extremely worried over Harry and his safety. Please let him know. I will not be able to keep her here much longer.
With all my love,
I.
"Nymphadora, we must find Harry and let him know Hermione is safe." She nodded and then ran in the opposite direction to search for him. "HARRY!" she paused for an answer "HAAARRRYYYY!"
"TONKS! OVER HERE" she heard Arthur, who had apparated back. "Have you found her?" She simply nodded. "Molly and Remus are with him trying to keep him from going after Voldemort. Is she…Is she…d-d-de…" Tonks quickly shook her head.
"NO! No, she's fine, drained her magic and took a long Cruciatus is all we know but she is fine and helping Madam Pomphrey. Isabella sent word when she heard the fighting stop. She said we need to let Harry know soon because Hermione is almost ready to overtake her and come here." Arthur smiled.
"Those two…"
"Yeah, Dumbledore said that she was the other part of his soul." They both looked deep in thought for a moment. "Guess you better take me to him. Arthur noticed her limping and took her arm.
"Harry!" The site that she saw would haunt her for many nights sleep, the pain and fear in his eyes were too much for anyone to see. Arthur gave her hand to Remus as she knelt in front of Harry. "Hey kiddo…she's safe." All eyes were on her as Harry's head shot up. "Isabella sent word; she is safe and waiting for you at the hospital wing." Seeing the panic in his eyes she added, "she's just helping, she's not injured." Harry stood and hugged Tonks. He took a long look at his family, when his eyes reached Remus's it only took a nod from Remus. Harry ran faster and harder than he ever had in his life, fueled on joy and anxiety alone.
"How many Minerva?"
"27 dead, 200 are injured with 75 being severe and critical, and…3 are missing." Albus's head shot up.
"Missing? We need to alert the aurors at once…are you sure they weren't portkeyed away by an auror or Order member?"
"None that I have spoken with sir. We did find an earring by one body…I fear it might belong to Miss Lovegood."
"Has Miss Lovegood been accounted for?"
"I'm afraid not Albus" her voice quivered as she spoke. "I…I believe…"
"PROFESSORS…PROFESSORS!" George continued running until he reached them.
"Mr. Weasley what may I help you with?" Still gasping for air he told them about the two girls and how he and Neville convinced Luna to take the emergency portkey to safety. "That was very wise of you George. Had Mister Longbottom gone to retrieve them?"
"Yes sir, about 10 minutes ago…I promised to find one of you and let you know. Might I suggest Madam Pomphrey, Professor McGonagall, or even a member of St. Mungo's go with you sir…the girl was in bad shape and I am sure she will not take kindly to any blokes."
"That is wise George. I assume this portkey took them to WWW's."
"Yes sir."
"We will go find our students then and I believe the Order is in need of assistance." With this the three departed.
Holding her as close to him as he could Remus continued talking to Tonks quietly in her ear. "I was so worried Nymph…When we got separated and…"
"Shhhh…Remus, I love you. I'm fine, all of us are fine. I love you."
"I love you…" they could hear the Weasleys talking amongst themselves and hugging their children as they were found one by one. But neither broke from the others grasp or wanted their softly whispered words to end. It was until they both began to feel all their aches and pains set in did they loosen their holds on one another. "We should check on Harry and Hermione." Staring into her eyes, he leaned in and kissed her. They only stopped when whoops and whistles filled the silence in the air. "Guess we forgot about the Weasleys." She laughed as her face reddened and she hung her head against his chest.
He forced his legs to run harder, praying that he could be a bit faster, prayed that she really was safe. He screamed as the pain shot thru his legs as he climbed another staircase taking two steps at a time. As he turned into the last corridor he heard the voice that sounded like a phoenix song to his heart.
"HARRY!" Hermione was running to him with everything in her. As their arms reached around each others they fell to their knees, weak but shedding tears of joy.
"I was so scared, I was scared Mione…I c-c-couldn't find you…and…"
"I know…I was scared too and I found myself in the hospital wing and…I couldn't s-s-s-top…t-t-thinking of …what if…"
He kissed her face and her tears. "Shhh…I'm fine. No worse off than any other time."
"Oh Harry…" It was with this that everything she felt broke inside of her and she cried hysterically as they clung together in the middle of corridor. He pulled back just enough when he heard her trying to tell him something. "I felt him." She stated in almost a horrified whisper.
"YOU WHAT!"
"I felt him…I-I- I just knew when he got there. It was colder…and…and…I felt you." She never finished as his lips found hers. They drank each other in with more love than ever before. All the fear, worry, and hurt they felt. The aches and pains that were setting into their bodies, the relief that the other was safe, their love. They slowly broke apart but continued staring into the other's eyes as Remus called to them. Mione squeezed his hand gently letting him know she was fine. Both were engulfed into Remus and Tonks embraces as they turned to face them. Hermione looked up hesitantly at Remus. "I guess I owe you one. That was an incredible thing you did Hermione."
"I just…I…Harry can't lose you." Her voice weaker as the last word was uttered and she stared down at her feet.
Eyeing Harry over her head he saw the fear in Harry. "I feel as if it is you he can not lose." Pulling her into a hug he whispered into her ear, "Thank you for saving my life. Please be patient with him, I have never seen such fear in someone before." Hermione still looking at her feet nodded her head as she wiped away a tear. Tonks took Remus's hand guiding him in another direction so that Harry and Hermione could talk. Harry approached her hesitantly, afraid she would disappear. He placed a hand gently on her shoulder, pleading silently for her to turn around. She leaned into his body, pleading to be able to keep standing. "Are you hurt?"
"No. Are you?"
"Just the usual. Mi…"
"Harry, I know we need to talk, but can we just for right now, just not talk." He nodded his head against hers. Silence engulfed them as they listened to each other breathe. Both lost in thoughts of guilt and relief.