Disclaimer – Harry Potter is not ours. We just let our imagination play in JK Rowlings world.
Reminder: This was all plotted out long before HBP came out and is definitely an Alternate Universe story. Actions and behaviors in the Half Blood Prince are not the same as here.
Chapter 22 Final Battle
Over the next few days, rumors went wild. The news circulated that Draco Malfoy was being expelled as soon as he recovered. He didn't need his wand snapped as it had broken in his accident. His broom also broke, but that could be repaired.
The young Slytherin, Marco, was recovering slowly in the hospital wing. Harry and several other DA members chipped in the give him several packages of Chocolate Frogs and various other sweets.
Harry also started getting emotion flashes again that were not his own. Feelings of anticipation made him think something big was coming soon. It all came to a head one night when he had another vision.
The time had come. In a darkened room Bellatrix escorted a goblin into Voldemort's presence. Harry was standing to the side. He noticed the goblin held himself proudly and did not kneel before Voldemort. Harry thought he looked familiar, too, with his dark, slanted eyes and pointed beard.
Voldemort leaned forward, an expectant look on his face. "Well, goblin? What is the news you bring?"
The small goblin straightened even more and his eyes narrowed. His voice was low and raspy when he spoke, as if it hadn't been used in years. Harry suddenly realized this was the goblin that scanned his Aunt Petunia. The goblin let a slow smile spread across his face and there was something in his expression that seemed triumphant.
The strong emotions of anticipation and delight changed in a flash as rage twisted its way across the snake-like features of Voldemort.
"You think to stay neutral? There is no neutral! Your death will be a sign of how I will deal with your 'nation'! Avada Kedavra!"
Harry's scar burst with pain. He felt his heart twist as he saw the green light head for, then hit, the small goblin.
The expression on the goblins face was something he thought he'd never forget. Instead of the look of surprise, there was a look of peace or satisfaction on the dead goblins face.
Voldemort turned away from the body of the goblin and spoke to Bellatrix. "As we will not need to wait for the goblins to join our ranks, there is no longer a need to put off our plans. Gather our allies and we shall commence with the attack."
The vision faded.
Once again Harry missed his mirror. At two in the morning he needed to decide what, if anything, he should do about his vision. Harry reviewed the vision again in his mind. There was nothing to be done for the deceased goblin. Plans for an attack were to happen soon, but he didn't know what they were or where it was to take place.
Harry decided to wait for morning. As soon as curfew was over, he was out of the common room door. He made his way to Dumbledore's office and used the password to get in.
Dumbledore was already at his desk. He looked faintly concerned. He didn't seem overly surprised to see Harry and listened attentively to Harry retelling of the vision. While Dumbledore was processing what he was told, Harry pictured again the look on the dead goblins face.
Harry was pulled from his thoughts by Dumbledore's prompting. "What is troubling you, Harry?"
Harry frowned. "The look on the goblins face when he died. He had seemed to expect Voldemort to kill him and seemed…not happy, but satisfied? Content? I don't know exactly how to describe it."
"Do you think that is a sign that the vision is false?" Dumbledore stroked his long beard as he peered at Harry through his half-moon glasses.
"I don't know. It's just odd. It's also odd that I recognized him. He worked at Gringotts. I don't remember his name, but he did the scan on Aunt Petunia to get the listing on what had been at #4 Privet Drive."
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed in thought. He was obviously running names in his head. "Do you think you would recognize the name if you heard it?"
Harry shrugged. "Dunno."
The Professor sat up a little straighter behind his desk. "There are three skilled scanners that I know of; Pikestaff, Kruge and Jermack."
Harry turned the names over in his mind. His eyes met the old Headmasters. "Kruge. I'm sure of it."
Dumbledore got a thoughtful look on his face and his posture relaxed a little. "Let me tell you a little about Kruge's history." Harry looked on curiously. "Kruge has been a highly ranked official in goblin society for decades. He and his mate had one son. They remained close to that son even after he had grown, found a mate and raised a family of his own. I do not know what Kruge's political leanings were during the first war, but his son was involved in a faction that opposed Voldemort. One evening Death Eaters came and murdered the son's entire family, including Kruge's mate who had been visiting.
"Since then Kruge has been alone He had always been a goblin of few words, but after his family's death he spoke even less. It could be that, if this vision is indeed true, Kruge took this opportunity to finish his son's work before 'joining' them."
Dumbledore gained a thoughtful look. "If Kruge was, indeed, the last of his clan, his murder could also afford some protection for the rest of the goblin community."
"How, sir?" Harry was curious.
"As I'm sure you remember from your History of Magic class, goblin have a violent history. Their rebellions were not always against wizards or other magical beings, but they also fought violently amongst themselves. Entire family lines were being wiped out due to property disputes or mining rights. In 1435, the Goblin Elders decided the only way to protect their population was banishment.
"They came up with spells and enchantments to identify family lines. Each clan has a symbol placed on them from birth to identify what clan they belong to. It is somewhat similar to the way the Dark Mark is imprinted on Death Eaters.
"If any clan is wiped out by murder, the murdering clan is banished from all goblin territories. So, if the Dark Mark is similar enough to a clan marking, and if Kruge is, indeed, the last of his clan, there could be a possibility that anyone marked with Voldemort's symbol will find themselves unable to access any area controlled by the goblins."
Harry frowned for a moment, then his eyes widened with realization. "Like Gringotts?"
A small smile graced the Headmaster's features. "Exactly. Locations such as Gringotts." The Headmaster pulled out his pocket watch and looked up at Harry. "Well, Harry, I thank you for telling me what you have seen. I hope I will be able to get confirmation from my other sources. But for now, I believe you should head down to the Great Hall so you can break your fast with some of the delicious offerings from our industrious house elves. I shall be joining you shortly."
Dumbledore rose from behind his desk and escorted Harry to the top of the revolving staircase. Harry gave him a slight smile. "Thank you, sir. I think I will."
Dumbledore nodded with a twinkle in his eye.
The Great Hall was filled with students eating breakfast. While Harry made his way to the Gryffindor table, he took note that Professor Snape was missing. The Slytherin table seemed to be missing a few students as well. Harry sat with his friends and had just started to relate what happened so far that morning when a group of students entered the Great Hall. Harry looked up and a chill ran down his spine.
The largest portion of students seemed to be Slytherins, but not the ones you would trust. Crabbe, Goyle, Parkinson, Nott and Pucey were the Slytherins he recognized and there was one he didn't. With them were a Ravenclaw, two Hufflepuffs and even a Gryffindor. He recognized the Ravenclaw as a sixth year girl named Fawcett. He couldn't remember if her first name was Sarah or Sally. Kevin Erntwhistle, a seventh year, was one of the Hufflepuffs. The Gryffindor was Vicky Frobisher, a seventh year who was good with Charms. Her attitude had never earned her any close friends. Harry didn't know any of them well, but was getting a bad feeling about this.
Ginny saw him watching them settle at their various tables, sometimes talking with younger siblings or friends. They all had an attitude of having a common secret and an air of expectation, or an eagerness. "What's the matter, Harry?"
Harry turned troubled eyes to Ginny. "I'm beginning to wonder if maybe the attack will be here." Ginny took a deep breath and Hermione put her hand to her mouth. Ron just firmed his jaw and narrowed his eyes while his mind processed different paths they could take. His eyes scanned the Hall looking over the available students.
"The DA will help us keep an eye on that lot. Hermione, you go to Audra. Ask her and Blaise to watch Crabbe and Goyle. Ginny, go to the Hufflepuff table and ask Ernie and Hannah to keep an eye on their lot. I'll ask Terry and Luna to keep an eyes on theirs. Harry, you talk to Neville, Dean and Seamus to keep an eye on Frobisher and that Slytherin with the big nose, and anyone else who may look suspicious. Then we'll watch Parkinson, Nott and Pucey. Never did like that bloke. He's a dirty Slytherin Chaser."
Each blinked at Ron for a moment in shock then nodded and went about their assignments. It wasn't ten minutes later than the first alarm went off. Every eye went to the Headmaster. His eyes closed as if a terrible burden was just placed on his shoulders then he snapped into action.
"Everyone, please remain seated except for the Prefects. Prefects, account for the students of your house. When you are finished, let your house ghost know if any students are missing. All staff to me. The Head Boy and Head Girl are in charge. All students will remain in the Great Hall." With that, he rose from his seat and strode out of the Hall, the teachers following him.
After the last teacher, the great doors swung closed and heavy beams could be seen locking them in securely. The noise level in the Great Hall went from dead silent to instant babble. Harry gave a quick glance around. The Junior Death Eater group that had walked in together were all staring at Adrian Pucey with their wands drawn under the house tables. Harry glanced at his DA members. They were still keeping a close eye on their assigned students, but seemed to realize something was up, because Harry could see several of their wands out as well. His own was aimed at the Slytherins he was watching.
Hermione and Ron were letting the seventh year Prefects take the roll so they could keep watch and were sitting as alert as Harry and Ginny were.
Suddenly, Pucey gave a nod and each suspect stood from their seat and shouted, "For the Dark Lord! Reducto!"
Before the words were even out of their mouths, stupefies were flashing their way. Of the ten students, eight were hit before they could finish their cast. Ernie and Hannah had hit the same Hufflepuff so Kevin Erntwhistle got a spell off. His spell hit the Ravenclaw table which exploded wooden shards into the nearby students. Crabbe also got a spell off aimed at Harry, but he was able to use the absorbio shield to block it without a deflection. Three other students had also stood and shot Reductor spells. One had been stopped before the incantation was finished, but the other two were able to cast theirs. One hit the Gryffindor table near some fourth years. Most of the Gryffindor students were able to get shields up to deflect the wooden shards. The final spellcaster, for a reason unknown to Harry except stupidity, aimed his spell at the empty Head Table. No students were injured with that spell. All of the attackers were subdued before they could cast a second spell.
The Great Hall was now chaos. First and Second years, already on edge from the alarms and lack of teachers were crying openly. The wounded had a huge crowd gathered around them, but Harry wasn't sure anyone was doing anything. Other students were walking from table to table to discuss what had just happened and what might be happening outside. Some had wands out near the stupefied students, just waiting to see if they twitched. Audra and the Roger Davies, the Head Boy, were trying to get students attention, but were being ignored or unheard. Finally Harry had enough.
He shot a booming firecracker noise from his wand such as he'd seen Dumbledore do. Silence fell in the Great Hall from surprise as much as anything. "Enough! Everyone stay calm! Audra? Roger?"
Audra gave him a thankful look and took command. "Everyone back to your seats. Now the first thing we have to know is who is wounded and how badly."
It ended up there were only superficial wounds. Painful, but not anything life threatening. Once the wounded were identified, those who knew first aid were assigned to help them and get them bandaged up. Ferulas were echoed about the Great Hall for a few minutes as bandages flew from students wands.
Roger Davies was looking very nervous. Once the injured students had been cared for, he glanced uneasily at Audra then said, "I suppose we should move the students who attacked some place out of the way…"
"Good idea. I need some volunteers to levitate them over to that corner." She pointed her wand to a far corner. "Make sure their wands get removed and cast an Incarcerous on them. Prefects, report to your house ghost and then report to us."
Harry and his friends instantly volunteered and helped levitate the students to the corner. Once there, Harry stopped them before they bound them. "We should check them over first. They may have port keys or spare wands on them. Anything that looks out of place, remove. Better safe than sorry."
A thorough search was conducted of each student. Only on three students was anything found. Pucey had an old belt coiled in his pocket, Parkinson had a striped sock and the seventh year Gryffindor had a chain in her pocket. They weren't sure these were port keys, but they were suspicious enough to take them away from them.
After the students were bound, Harry started thinking about what they should do next. Audra came over. She looked concerned. Roger Davies, across the Hall, looked about to hyperventilate. "We have three students missing. Two second year Ravenclaws and a fourth year Gryffindor. The ghosts are searching the castle right now."
Harry nodded. "We need to find out what they did and what is going on." He jerked his head towards the bound and unconscious group.
Ron slowly paced in front of the group. He gave a light kick to Goyle's leg. "Reckon we can force them to tell us if we beat the snot out of 'em?"
Hermione placed herself between Ron and the unconscious group. "Ron! We can't do that!" She crossed her arms in front of her and her voice took on a worried tone. "Besides, it would take too long to get them to crack. We need to know what's happening sooner than that."
"Maybe there's a way," Audra was looking over the group on the floor. She pointed at the smallest one. "That one is Andrew Pucey. He's a second year Slytherin. I saw Adrian talking to him after he came in. He's still young and hasn't yet learned when to keep your mouth shut. With the right persuasion…."
Ron looked a little confused. "You mean, beat him up?"
Audra looked at him with scorn. "Gryffindors! No. Learn some finesse! Flattery can work even better sometimes. He likes to brag about his big brother. Separate him from the others and we'll work on him."
Audra directed them to move him to a separate area out of sight of the bound group. She then called over several other Slytherins.
Harry watched from a distance. The group of Slytherins made themselves comfortable a short ways from the younger boy. They started talking and Audra slyly enervated they younger boy. Harry could see him jerk as he awoke and do a not-so-surreptitious search for his wand. When he didn't find it, he gave up and just lay there pretending to still be unconscious. Harry could see when their words start to affect him. He would twitch as certain phrases would reach his ears and his body would tense up as if he wanted to jump up and join the conversation.
Finally the boy could take it no longer and started speaking loudly to the group gathered near. They turned their heads as if surprised that he had interrupted them. One of them made a dismissive gesture and they turned away again. The boy became more insistent and started gesturing with his hands to emphasize his words. Finally, he had their attention and his chest started to swell in pride as he rambled on and on.
Eventually, he seemed to run out of things to say and Audra stupefied him again. They rebound him and levitated him back to the others. She thanked the other Slytherins and asked that they keep their mouths shut for now about what they heard. They left to go back to their table.
Audra turned back to Harry. "They had been taught a ritual that needed to be done when they received some sign. They received that sign sometime during the night. Somehow an unseen hole in the wards could be created by using spellcasters from the four houses. Other alarms would go off when the hole was breeched, but the worst damage would be done. Death Eater's have an open door to the school. Once the teachers left, they were to start attacking the 'mudbloods' and causing panic. Then when their 'master' took the school, they were to be honored." Audra looked at Harry curiously. "For some reason, they were told you probably wouldn't stay with the students but go with the teachers."
"They're right. I will be going to the teachers." Harry said in a low determined voice.
Ron grabbed his elbow. "Not without us."
Hermione was upset. "Harry, you have to let the teachers handle it…"
"Hermione, you know what I have to do..."
He was cut off by Ron. Ron twisted Harry to look at him face on. "Not. Without. Us!"
Harry looked in Ron's eyes for a moment, then looked around at Hermione and Ginny. Both were looking as determined as Ron. If Harry was going out, so were they. "Not without you," he agreed.
Ron gave a short nod. "We've got your back." His eyes narrowed as he looked around at all the other students. "Besides, there may be more who want to help. They…"
Ron wasn't able to complete his thought because Roger Davies walked up to Audra with some news.
"The Grey Lady reported the Ravenclaws are in their common room. They had decided to skip breakfast this morning. The Gryffindor is in his dorm. He hadn't been feeling well and decided to sleep in a bit. Sir Nicholas says he's terrified but there's nothing we can do for them." He shakily made his way over to another group of Prefects to pass on the news.
Ginny looked to Harry. "Harry, you've got to get them. It would be safer for them here, than by themselves. They must be so afraid."
Audra looked at Harry. "I don't know why you guys even talk of leaving. You can't leave. It wouldn't be safe to open the doors for you to get them. I'm not even sure we could open the doors anyway."
Harry ignored Audra and spoke to Ginny. "Ginny, how can I? Anyone could see."
Ginny jutted her jaw out. "We can block you from their sight." Reluctantly, Harry nodded.
Hermione grabbed his arm. "Wait a minute, Harry. Not everyone would know what you are or what to do. Let me write a note giving them some instructions."
Hermione started taking supplies out of her bookbag and scribbling a note while Ron called Neville and Luna over. He briefly explained what they were going to do. Luna was the one to realize they would need more help. "If Harry's coming back with three others, he'll need more room than this. We should probably have three more people to help hide them from sight."
Audra had gone quiet. She had no idea what they were talking about, but they obviously had some plan. If they knew of some way to reach the outside students, she was willing to listen.
"What is it you are planning to do? We cannot open these doors. Those are the Headmasters orders in the case of emergencies."
Harry turned to Audra. "There will be no added danger to any students in here. I have a way to get out without opening the doors, but it would be better if I wasn't seen. I can bring the students back. Everyone in here will be as safe as they are now. But we will need a distraction and we will need to borrow a few more students." He looked out at the students nearby. Most were still seated, but Hannah and Ernie were Prefects and weren't too far off. Blaise was sitting at the Slytherin table, but his dark eyes were intensely focused on their group. "Hannah, Ernie and Blaise?"
Audra's eyes were cautious, but she nodded. "Will ten minutes do? I can get Roger to go over the list of emergency procedures." At Harry's nod, she went to the requested students and directed them to help 'guard' the attackers and then headed over to talk to the Head Boy.
Once Roger Davies had everyone's attention away from the corner, Harry turned to the newly arrived 'guards'. "I'm getting the missing students, but if anyone says anything, it was Fawkes doing it." When he got confused nods of agreement, he stepped back behind the group and transformed into Flame. He barely registered the shocked reactions of the newcomers before he quickly took the note Hermione was holding out in her hand in his beak and flashed to the fourth year Gryffindor dorm.
The dorm looked empty, but Harry could hear terrified whimpers coming from behind one set of bed hangings that were tightly closed. The whimpers rose in volume as noises coming from outside of the castle rose. Harry briefly saw a horrible image out of the window. The teachers were fighting as best the could with other Order members and a few aurors, but Firenze was down and not moving. Hagrid was obviously hurt and they were obviously outnumbered. There were a few other figures lying on the ground that Harry couldn't identify right away. Harry could see more Death Eater's and other creatures entering the grounds from an area beside the main gates.
He dropped the message on an open bed and sang a few calming notes. Slowly a crack appeared and an eye peeked through at him. He gave another trill and motioned towards the note with his beak. The boy looked on in awe at the bird. Slowly he moved out of the perceived safety of his bed and read the message.
"Hermione Granger? Tail feathers?" He looked at the bird curiously. Flame gave another calming sound and presented a feather for the boy to hold. He cautiously took one and they flashed to the Ravenclaw common room.
Two girls were huddled on a couch in front of the fire. They screamed when Flame and the Gryffindor boy appeared.
The boy's bravery seemed to increase around the two girls. Harry smiled to himself as the boy put his own fear aside to help calm the two girls down.
"It's all right. Hermione Granger sent a note saying this bird will bring us to the other students. You just have to hang on to her tail." Harry was a bit miffed at being called a 'her'. The girls calmed down a little at the prospect of not being alone anymore. The sounds of the battle could be heard here as well. It made Harry wonder if a silencing charm had been set on the Great Hall.
Flame flew near the two girls and the boy and presented his feathers. They each grabbed hold and he flashed them back to the Great Hall.
Once there, Hermione hustled them out of the enclosed group and escorted them to their tables. Their sudden appearance caused a brief disruption in Roger Davies speech, but by the time they told any of their story, "Fawkes" had disappeared and only students were in the Great Hall. Including, of course, Harry Potter.
Harry was being stared at by the Hufflepuffs and Slytherins who helped block the view. He just shrugged at them then turned to Ron. "From the little I could see or hear, the battle is not going well. Quite a lot of the Order has shown up and some aurors, but they are badly outnumbered and the enemies numbers are still increasing." He paused and forced himself to say what Ron would need to hear. "I saw some Dementors, trolls and…acromantulas."
Ron instantly started turning green. "Spiders? Why did there have to be spiders?" He stiffened his spine and turned to face the others. "We should find out who all wants to help fight."
Harry and Hermione started to object, but Ginny overrode them. "Ron's right. They have a right to defend the castle, too. They have lost family and friends. You heard what that boy reported. Voldemort told them to attack the students and then he was going to come here himself. What do you think would happen to them then? You've said the numbers are overwhelming the defenders. Well then, let's add to the defending numbers. You said there are Dementors out there. Several of the students can now cast Patroni. If they want to, let them help!"
Harry nodded. Hermione tightened her lips, but nodded as well. Roger Davies finished his speech and Audra lifted her voice to get the attention of the students. "We are organizing a group to help the teachers fight. This is not a game. This is life and death. People are quite likely going to get hurt or even die out there. Think seriously if this is something you want to do. You do not have to."
About fifty students rose from their seats and made their way over to the group. Harry just about groaned when he saw some where as young as first years. Little Michelle Avery was among them.
Hermione got out some parchment and a quill. "Let's make a list. First we need to know exactly how many students want to fight."
Ginny pointed out, "Maybe not just students." She turned to Harry. "You said Hagrid was injured. Was Grawp there?"
Harry thought back. "No. I didn't see him anywhere and he would be pretty hard to miss."
Hermione started to write on her parchment. "Then we should try to contact him." She hesitated and looked at Harry. "What about the centaurs? Would they help?"
Harry hesitated. "I don't know. All I know is we can't ask them to. I'm not sure what the relationship is with them right now. We can send them news of the attack and that Firenze is down, but we'd have to be very careful with the wording."
Hermione looked a little green. "Maybe you should write that note. I didn't do too well with them last year and you did talk to them a few months back and live to tell about it." Harry nodded and took a spare parchment from Hermione. He borrowed another quill and sat down across from Hermione to start to write. He could hear Hermione continue with her list.
She looked around at the group assembled near, listening to her. "I'm sorry to say that I don't think anyone below fourth year should come." There were several protests by the younger volunteers.
Audra quickly nodded. "I agree. The spells learned before then aren't the type used for fighting. They can help guard our student attackers."
Hermione looked at Audra seriously. "You can't go either, Audra."
Audra narrowed her eyes. "Why? You think because I'm a Slytherin…"
"No! You are the Head Girl. The Head Girl and the Head Boy already have duties assigned to them by the Headmaster. You need to keep watch over the students left behind and keep them safe."
Blaise put an arm around her shoulder. "Granger is right. Your job is to stay here and keep the remaining students calm. That's not going to be easy. They're going to feel guilty for not volunteering and the wait will drive them crazy. You also need to keep watch for any other attackers. There could be more and there are definitely friends and younger siblings like that Andrew Pucey."
Audra's shoulders slumped briefly, then straightened. "All right." She took a deep breath then continued, "Now that you have an idea of how many will go, how will you get them out?" Audra, Blaise and Hermione looked at Harry.
He looked up and shrugged. "If I tried this many, I'd burn."
Hermione frowned and put a check by that item. "We'll have to think about it. Assuming we can get everyone out, where do we go? We don't want to end up in the middle of the fighting."
Ernie asked, "What about those port keys? If stretched out, they could probably carry quite a few."
Ron shook his head. "IF they are port keys, we aren't sure how to trigger them and even if we did, we don't know where they'd take us. It wouldn't do us any good to be taken to V..Voldemort's fortress when the fight is here."
Hermione nodded in agreement. "The port keys won't work, but keep thinking. Ideas like that will help."
Ron muttered, "I just wish we could see what's going on out there. How can you plan any sort of defense when you're blind?"
Blaise softly asked Harry a question. "Harry, does that map of yours show the grounds? That could help us know what's happening and what we're up against."
Harry hit his head with his hand. "Of course. I should have thought of that." He looked around and saw the sea of faces that now stared back at him. There was no way out of the spot light now. Audra sensed his problem.
"Why don't you call that weird little house elf to help you get it? Would he be able to find it for you?"
Harry's eyes lit with relief. He smiled at Audra in thanks. He called out, "Dobby?"
A loud crack and Dobby appeared. "Harry Potter, sir!" The house elf's eyes were wider than normal and his ears trembled.
Harry put a hand on Dobby's shoulder and could feel the slight body quaking in fright. "It's going to be all right, Dobby. I need to ask if you can do something for me." Dobby's eyes grew even wider. "A group of us are going to go help defend the castle and try to get some help from other beings from the forest. To do that, we need to know what is going on out there. Do you know the map I have?"
Dobby slowly nodded.
"Do you think you could get the map and my Firebolt from my trunk and bring them back here?"
Dobby's eyes hardened with resolve. "Dobby will do this for Harry Potter, sir. And Dobby will help, too!" With a determined nod, Dobby cracked away.
Harry's eyes met Ginny's and he felt a little uneasy. He still had memories of 'Dobby's help' back in his second year and even though Dobby had never let him down, he couldn't help his first, uneasy reaction.
Ginny gave a little smile. "You're good with him."
Harry gave a lopsided smile. "I like him."
Another crack and Dobby was back with Harry's things. "Here you are, Harry Potter, sir!" He thrust them towards Harry and cracked away as soon as Harry took them. Harry raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Ron took the map from Harry and laid it out across the table. "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good." The crowd around the table gasped as they saw the lines form across the map. There were several mutters of appreciation and some of jealousy as what it was became apparent.
The school was empty except for the Great Hall where the students names were crowded on top of each other. On the lawn in front of the school there were many dots. The whole area, from the Whomping Willow in front of the Forbidden Forest, to the greenhouses, to the gates and Hagrid's hut, people were obviously in battle.
"Oh, no. Look!" Hermione pointed to a dot that was being herded away from his group. Harry could barely make out the name Elphias Doge before it just disappeared from the map. Hermione gasped in a breath as she witnessed it, too. They realized the only reason he disappeared was because he had just been killed.
A strained silence fell on the crowd. Harry looked at the gathered students. "If any want to stay, no one will blame you."
There was a silence, and then Blaise spoke up. "We realize what's going on out there. But we also realize that it's coming for us whether we're in here or not. I, for one, would rather be out there, bringing it to them rather than wait for them to bring it to me. There's more control that way. So let's get on with the plan."
Ron pointed at a clear spot of the map. "The Quidditch Pitch. There's no fighting there. If we can get there, we can see what's happening, but still have some protection. Now we just have to find some way to get out there."
At that moment a series of loud cracks sounded in the Great Hall. At the same time, the walls seemed to light up as several ghosts drifted in. Harry looked up from his note to the growing crowd. There were a dozen ghosts and about thirty house elves including almost all from Harry's home. Even Peeves came along under the watch of the Bloody Baron's eye. The unholy gleam sparkling in Peeves black eyes was barely suppressed.
Dobby stepped forward. "Harry Potter, sir, we would be honored if we could help you."
Harry blinked in shock for a moment. Then he gave a second look around at the newest volunteers. "You want to help defend the castle?"
Sir Nicholas floated forward. "I believe I speak for all of the resident ghosts. This is our home, Harry. We do not want to see it fall. Alas, we have no idea on what we can do to defend, but if you have any suggestions, we are willing to put ourselves at your disposal."
An unknown house elf stepped forward as well. His large eyes opened wide. "We is not wanting master other than Hogwarts. Some of us listen to Dobby and wants to protect our home, too."
Harry looked over at Tubow and lifted an eyebrow. "Those of us who can, will fight for you, sir. Those of us who cannot, will help calm the students left behind."
Harry smiled at them gently. "I do not ask this of you."
Kreelo spoke up. "We knows this, Harry Potter. We do's this anyway."
Harry looked over the ghosts and Peeves again. "Now if I understand correctly, you can't actually physically touch things. Correct? Except for Peeves?"
Sir Nicholas agreed. "That is correct, Harry."
Harry focused on the poltergeist. "You're willing to help, too, Peeves?"
With a flick of his eyes towards the Bloody Baron, Peeves answered. "If Peeves can help cause trouble to attackers, Peeves is on your side."
That gave Harry an idea. "Ginny, do you know your way around your brothers shop?"
She looked confused, but nodded.
Harry continued. "Okay. I reckon if we can get a pile of supplies from there, Peeves could help us use it against the Death Eaters."
Ron asked, "What about the other ghosts? What do you think they can do to help?"
Harry looked at them and his mind went back in time. "They can help distract the enemy. Back when Voldemort and I dueled in fourth year, the echoes that came from his wand were able to distract him enough for me to get away." He turned to face the ghosts directly. "Do you think you could do that? Even just running your arm through someone could be enough to distract them from the spells they're casting."
Another house elf stepped forward. "What would you want us to be doing for you, sir?"
"If you would be willing, could you transport us to the Quidditch Pitch?" The elves nodded enthusiastically. "Do you think you could use your magic against the Death Eaters?"
Most of the elves lost their enthusiasm with this question. Harry thought for a moment. "What about against the spiders or trolls?" The heads were bobbing rapidly again. "All right. Winky, please take Ginny to WWW and load up with supplies. Hermione, would you be willing to find Grawp and lead him back here? He remembers you. You could take my Firebolt."
Hermione got a pained look on her face. Ron seemed to understand. "I'll guide you on the broom. We'll both go." Hermione smiled at him. Ron turned back to Harry. "What about the centaurs?"
Harry looked his friends over. Ron was taller than Harry and Hermione already had an uneasy history with the centaurs. "I have the note written, but it would be much safer if it was delivered by someone young. Their culture is against any violence towards the young. Unfortunately, they already consider us to be adults."
"I can bring the note, Harry," Harry looked over and saw Michelle Avery watching them. She was the one who had spoken. Harry started to shake his head, but Michelle interrupted him. "You helped me and my family this summer, I want to help you now."
Hermione looked at him. "She is young and we'll be nearby."
Harry was reluctant, but could see the reasoning behind it. The centaur culture would not injure a foal and she definitely would be considered a 'foal' whereas Harry, Ron, Hermione and probably Ginny would not. "All right. But don't say a word to the centaurs. Give the note to their leader and come straight back when it's done."
Michelle nodded. "I agree."
Ron looked over at the map again and then at the house elves. "D'you think some of you could bring us over to this section where there's no fighting? It's just inside the Forest." The elves crowded around but didn't seem to understand how to read the map.
Harry tried. "Could you bring them just inside the Forest behind Hagrid's Hut?"
A small house elf in the front said, "We could do that, sir."
"Good. Then you lot get going." Winky stepped up to Ginny and three Hogwarts house elves stepped to Michelle, Ron, and Hermione. With the Firebolt in Ron's hand and with a loud crack, they were gone.
Harry looked at the map again. He could see one possible problem with going to the Quidditch pitch. "The Dementors and other creatures aren't showing up on the map. We need to find out if there are any in the pitch before we go there."
"I'll go look for you, Harry." Moaning Myrtle had drying tear tracks running down her face, but she kept her head up and looked at Harry.
"Thank you, Myrtle." Harry smiled at the ghost and she smiled back with a faint silvery tint to her cheeks. She then turned and left for her mission through the wall.
Blaise was looking over Harry's right shoulder at the map. "If only there is some way to close that hole. More Death Eaters keep coming."
Harry felt a cold chill on his left shoulder. A hoarse whisper reached his ears. "Mr. Potter," He looked up to see the features of the Bloody Baron next to him. His eyes were more alive than Harry had ever seen them. That was saying something for a ghost. The press of students who had been anxiously trying to see had backed a considerable ways away.
"What, sir?"
The Baron continued in the hoarse whisper that sent chills down his spine. "The wards around Hogwarts have been weakening for decades. Dissention between the houses worsened almost fifty years ago and have continued to widen since that time. Each year, teachers from each house must renew the wards, but there is only so much they can do against the trouble within the school. It was because the wards were so weakened that the hole could be created by students from each house uniting and wanting it to be there."
"D'you think that united students could close it again?"
"I do."
"Do you know the spell to renew the wards?"
The Baron nodded his head slowly. "I do."
"Will you help us?"
"I will. Everyone participating must join hands. It will work best if there are even numbers from each house. Form a circle alternating the houses."
Harry looked to Audra. She took over and asked for volunteers across the Great Hall to help in a protection spell. Many of the students joined the crowd. There ended up being a total of thirty from Slytherin so Audra cut the numbers from the other houses to match. One hundred twenty students formed a large circle. Harry was between Blaise Zabini and Hannah Abbott. They all joined hands around the four house ghosts in the middle.
The hoarse whisper of the Baron reached their ears. "Keep in your minds and hearts the desire to protect this school." The ghosts then joined their hands and started the incantation. After each line it was repeated by the students.
At the end of the incantation, there was a bright light in the Hall and a tingling sensation ran through Harry's body. By the reactions of the students around him, others felt it too.
Colin's voice came over to Harry. He had been watching the map since he was an extra Gryffindor and not needed for the spell. "It worked! They're not coming through anymore!" A cheer went up around the Great Hall.
Myrtle came floating back into the hall. "Harry, the pitch is clear. The fighting is all outside of it." She looked about to cry. "It's not going well at all."
Harry nodded. "Thanks, Myrtle." He looked around at the students. Audra was thanking them all for their help with the wards and separating them back into two groups again. Harry noticed the house elves split themselves as well. His eye fell on Gilly.
Gilly was looking rather depressed. Harry made his way over to the elf and knelt down by him. He spoke quietly. "Gilly," The house elf raised his eyes to meet his masters. Harry thought he seemed ashamed of himself. He supposed that Gilly was strongly feeling the lack of his magic at the moment.
"Gilly, we need some help. The students in that corner attacked the rest of us earlier. They need to be guarded. If you have any suggestions or would help to guard them, it would mean a lot to me. The students being left to guard them are young and don't have much experience."
Gilly's eyes had followed Harry's finger to the stunned students and his eyes turned hard. His shoulders straightened. "Gilly be doing as Master says." He scanned the Hogwarts elves staying behind and in his gravelly voice commanded a few to follow him. He led them to the corner where the nervous second and third year students held their wands on the stunned group. He issued several more orders and the house elves snapped their fingers. Bars started growing up from the stone floor and a roof slid over top of them, effectively creating a cell for the attackers. Gilly closely inspected the handiwork, had them redo one area and finally gave a nod of approval. He looked back at Harry. Harry smiled proudly at him and nodded his thanks.
Harry walked back to the group getting ready to go. Ernie nodded towards the cell. "Good idea, that. I was concerned about the younger students getting overpowered. I know Audra is staying and all, but we're not leaving many behind who we really trust that can defend themselves properly if they should be attacked again."
Harry smiled. "It was Gilly's idea. I just asked if he had any suggestions."
Ernie had a strange look on his face. Harry arched an eyebrow in question. Ernie shifted a little uncomfortably. "I just never thought about house elves being able to think, I guess."
It was Harry's turn to look at Ernie a little strangely. "Of course they do. I wouldn't say their thought processes are exactly like ours, but they are very intelligent creatures."
The time for conversations was over as everyone was finally sorted. The ghosts left first to make sure the pitch was still clear. Harry grabbed the map and gave Audra a nod as Dobby took him out to the pitch.
The noise was briefly overwhelming. The cracks of the arriving house elves with their passengers was barely heard above the shouts and cries of pain coming from outside the Quidditch pitch.
Harry took off for the stands. He wanted to get to the top so he could see what was happening. He felt several of the newly arrived students following him while the elves cracked away to bring more.
At the top he looked out. Several teachers were down. One group of Death Eaters was casting spells at the castle doors. Hagrid was on his knees still trying to fight off several mountain trolls. He could see Poppy trying to tend to some of the wounded. The Dementors, and there were many of them, seemed to be waiting for some signal. The spiders were already in the fight. There were several cocoon masses lying on the ground.
Harry looked over towards the gate. He winced at the sight. He could tell exactly where the portal had been because it must have slammed shut while a Death Eater was entering. There was a bloody mass on the ground. His stomach turned at the sight.
A gasp at his side showed Hermione, Ron and Michelle had made it back. Michelle had a red gash on her face. "What happened to you, Michelle?"
She looked up at him. He could see dried tear tracks on her face but she was determined. "I gave the note to the centaurs. A big black one got angry and kicked me. That made the others angry. When I ran away, they were all fighting each other."
Anger coursed through Harry. He gently touched near the gash. "I'm sorry you got hurt. I thought you would be safe."
"I know that, Harry. And I think I would have been if not for the big black one."
Ginny came rushing up the stairs. "I'm here. Winky sent back two other house elves to get Fred and George."
Harry put an arm around her. "We should come up with some sort of plan. What do you think, Ron?"
Ron was looking out over the lawns. His eyes were narrowed in concentration. "The defenders obviously need help, but those Dementors are going to be moving soon and it'll be easier to defend against those from here." He looked back to Harry for confirmation. "You defended from across the lake, didn't you?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah. The further you are from their effects, the easier it is to cast the Patronus spell."
Ron gave a short nod in return. "All right. We need a group of students who can cast Patroni to stay here. As soon as we start casting, though, we'll most likely be attacked so we'll need a few others to stay to help cast shields or defensive spells." He glanced at the map in Harry's hand. "It wouldn't hurt if someone kept an overall eye on Death Eater positions. They could try to double-back to out-flank us."
The young voice of Michelle Avery spoke up. "I can do that. I may not be good at shooting spells but I can give a warning if I see something. That way you don't lose any fighters to just watching the map."
Ron looked to Harry who gave a nod. "I'll agree if Kreelo will stay in the area to get Michelle out if the pitch gets breached. Do you agree Kreelo?"
"Yes, Harry Potter, sir. Kreelo will help defenders here and especially help young miss." The small house elf stood proudly with his recognition from his master.
"Winky, could you and Tiz make your way to Madam Pomfrey and help her? See if she wants to be taken back to the infirmary to work on the badly wounded. Would you be willing to take direction from her and help pop the wounded to her?" The two female house elves both nodded and curtsied. There was still some fear in their eyes, but also resolve.
Ron was giving out other directions. "I think we should go out in groups of three or four students and one ghost, if possible. One should be strong in shields, the others in offensive spells. The ghost can try to throw the opponent off their stride by distracting them. Start the attacks with bludgeoning, cutting, and expelling curses first. Summon their wands if there's time and break them if you can. A major problem we've had in the past is Death Eater's that have been enervated and keep rejoining the fight. But keep in mind that even without a wand they can be dangerous. Some know wandless magic. Okay, split into groups."
The students and ghosts started doing this when suddenly someone yelled, "Look!"
The Dementors had begun to move. They started to glide nearer the fight. They came to a dark-haired, fallen man and surrounded him. A scream could be heard from the victim and they could see one of them bend over, then silence from the victim. The fallen man and Harry's late godfather super imposed themselves in Harry's mind.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Harry's shout startled the others out of their shocked silence and more cries of the spell abounded. Prongs leapt into the group of Dementors first and scattered them. Harry's anger was such that scattering them was not enough. Prongs chased after the one who performed the kiss. Hermione's otter joined in corralling the evil being. The Dementor tried to fly out over the castle boundaries, but seemed to hit a dome covering the castle grounds and was trapped. Prongs charged. Instead of just using his antlers to toss the Dementor away, he impaled him. As the antlers entered the Dementor a high-pitched sound tore across the grounds. Prongs kept the pressure up and eventually pushed his way all the way through the creature. A sudden darkness seemed to flash out of the creature and the robes collapsed over the Patronus. Just moments after, Prongs dissolved, too, and the robes fluttered to the ground.
There was sudden stillness across the grounds as everyone stilled in shock of the destruction of a Dementor. Then with renewed vigor, the fighting started up again, some of the Death Eater's looking around to locate where the Patroni had come from.
Hermione's shocked voice repeatedly whispered next to Harry. "They can be destroyed. They can be destroyed!" Suddenly she snapped out of it and addressed the other students. "Let's see if we can do that, too. Instead of scattering them, trap them and try to run them through. Neville, help me corner that one." Hermione pointed to another Dementor that was slowly approaching another fallen wizard.
Hermione's otter and Neville's bulldog herded the Dementor against the shield. Suddenly Hermione's otter charged the Dementor and pierced through where the chest would be. Another flash of darkness emitted and another dying shriek cut through the air. The cloak slowly fluttered to the ground. The group of students cheered.
Harry smiled widely then focused back on the fight. "It's time to go. Those staying to protect from the Dementors, work in pairs and see if you can destroy them. There are plenty more in here to destroy."
They worked their way back to the main doors to exit the field. Harry saw Fred, George and Peeves plotting to one side of the pitch surrounded by many boxes and bags. He quickly made his way to them.
Peeves looked to Harry. His eyes were dancing with glee. "Commander Fred and General George have given me their orders." Peeves snapped to attention, seemingly ecstatic to once again be taking orders from his favorite wizard pranksters.
George reported, "Fred and I will alternate trying to monitor what is happening and getting supplies ready for Peeves. We have a lot of different things that could help."
Harry glanced back to Ron who was waiting for him. "Ron, where's the Firebolt?" Ron jogged over to the broom that had been left leaning against the wall and brought it back to Harry. Harry gave it to George. "Use this." George's eyes widened, but accepted the broom gratefully.
Harry turned and joined his friends. Sir Nicholas joined them as their ghostly escort. Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione carefully looked out the exit. They could see several other groups of students had joined the fray. There were more ghosts than groups and Harry could see the Bloody Baron enthusiastically wielding his sword and cutting through groups of Death Eater's. The sword did no damage, but the chill it caused did distract and several Death Eater's went down to stunners or other curses. Moaning Myrtle would go invisible until she would pop up right in front of a Death Eater and scream in their face. For once, Harry was happy she had such a piercing voice. The defenders were still vastly outnumbered, but their reinforcements seemed to help some.
Harry scanned the grounds looking for Voldemort. He saw Dumbledore fighting several Death Eater's off to one side of the main doors of the castle. He kept looking and finally found Voldemort calmly surveying the fighting, standing near the group trying to batter the main doors of Hogwarts down.
Dumbledore defeated the group he had been fighting and moved that much closer to Voldemort. Harry motioned to his friends the direction they had to go.
They came up behind a group of five Death Eater's torturing a wizard in auror robes. The four friends sent simultaneous curses their way and took out two of them. The other three had been able to set up shields against the attack. The leader started on the Avada Kedavra curse when Nearly Headless Nick floated through him. This threw the Death Eater off his stride and Harry was able to slip a stupefy against him. Ginny sent a bat-bogey hex then a cutting hex while Ron and Hermione sent Expelliarmus and a bludgeoning hex toward the other two. The Death Eater's couldn't keep their concentration on the incoming spells and ignore Nick's chilly figure floating through them. The students were able to take them down. The summoned their wands and snapped them.
The small group made their way forward. Harry kept a sharp lookout for frontal attacks while Ginny and Hermione watched the sides. Ron kept a lookout for attacks from the rear. Dumbledore was now dueling Voldemort.
At one point, Harry's group was surrounded by twelve Death Eaters. Each of them were getting nicked up pretty badly. They had to focus so much on shields and their defensive spells, they could not get off any attacking spells. Suddenly Peeves swooped down with his mad cackle "Ooh, hoo. Ho ho. What have we here? More big baddies want to play? Peeves will join the fun!" With that, he took a straw-like item and started blowing what looked like a spit-wads at the Death Eaters. Each slapped at their skin where it made contact and started throwing curses towards the poltergeist. Peeves just swooped in a circle and cackled with glee. He turned upside down and looked at them through his legs and blew a raspberry.
One Death Eater stumbled into another. Then they started to stagger drunkenly and fall to the ground. Harry quickly shook off his surprise and stunned the remaining standing Death Eaters. While his friends summoned the wands, Harry looked up and saluted Fred and Peeves who were flying above.
Voldemort's triumphant laugh rang across the grounds. Harry looked on in horror as he saw Dumbledore was down at Voldemort's feet. Everything seemed to pause as the light saw their leader down and the Death Eater's watched their leaders' triumph.
"Before I kill you, Dumbledore, I want you to know how complete your defeat is." Voldemort raised his head and looked over to the group of Death Eaters attempting to break into the castle. "Severus. Show your true allegiance."
One Death Eater broke apart from the others and made his way towards the pair. "Gladly, My Lord." He removed his mask and lifted his wand. All eyes widened. "Avada Kedavra".
The green light left his wand and traveled towards Voldemort. Voldemort quickly dodged the spell and roared with fury. He sent a powerful blast back towards Snape that caused him to fly backwards into the group of Death Eaters.
"Bellatrix, finish off the traitor!" the Dark Lord commanded as he turned back towards the triumphant Dumbledore. He started to snarl out the killing curse, when Harry started to move.
He was too far away to be able to help block anything, but after one step he transformed into shadow and flew as fast as he could into the Dark Lord. The momentum carried them back away from Dumbledore. As Shadow gained a position over the Dark Lord, Voldemort started shifting. Harry realized later that he shouldn't have been surprised that Voldemort also had an animagus form since they had suspected Harry's second form had come from him, but somehow he still was.
Voldemort shifted into a serpentine body with black feathers sprouting all over it. He still had two legs but was able to throw Harry off of him and rise into the air on his black wings. The Occamy dove towards Shadow. Shadow dodged and flew up into the air.
He took a quick look around. Many were watching them while others were still fighting. He looked over the gates. Crowds were there too. Death Eater's that hadn't been able to get in seemed to be fighting Ministry aurors. Harry briefly wondered if they should try to open the portal again to let additional help in, but then decided that they were probably better off as they were now. No one could get in, but no one could get out, either. The Dementors seemed to be half the number they were before and they continued to die.
At that point, Harry's brief distraction proved disastrous. The Occamy took him by surprise and clawed at his wing. Harry heard something break and felt immense pain. He landed painfully on the ground and the Occamy landed over him. Shadow was breathing hard with painful gasps. The two-legged Occamy walked over to the wolf creature. When he was within range, Harry lunged and bit him.
The Occamy stretched upwards, but not so much in pain. With Shadows eyesight, Harry saw that his poison was actually making Voldemort stronger. Too late, he remembered that Voldemort had been re-incarnated using snake venom.
The two creatures turned back into their human forms. Voldemort stood over Harry. "Thank you, Harry. That felt good." The red eyes glowed malevolently. Harry quickly got back to his feet and got into a defensive stance. "You have been an interesting opponent, but your time has ended." Voldemort casually flicked his wand and sent a cutting curse at Harry. Harry lifted a shield, but part of it got through. Harry could feel blood running down his arm. Harry sent a bludgeoning spell towards Voldemort but he easily deflected it away. Voldemort started sending a stream of curses towards Harry. Harry couldn't keep up. He knew he wasn't up to the fighting skill of Voldemort. Voldemort had decades of using his powers. Harry was soon on his knees with his wand soaring into Voldemort's hand.
Voldemort stepped close to Harry. Harry could hardly see anymore. Blood was running into his eyes. He knew it would be over soon. In the back of his mind, he could hear his name being shouted in Ginny's voice. "Harry!"
Voldemort looked over towards Harry's friends. They were fighting their way to reach Harry's side. Voldemort conjured a giant rope to encircle Harry's friends and drew them near to Harry.
"How sweet. Friends willing to die by your side. Well, I wouldn't want to disappoint them." Voldemort's attention lifted as his eye caught more movement limping towards them. "Young Malfoy. I have heard how you received your injury. Unfortunately Potter is mine and you should have known that. Crucio." Draco Malfoy sank to the ground screaming in pain for the few seconds Voldemort held the terrible curse on him. Harry wondered whose wand Draco was clutching as he fell since his had been broken. Then he realized it was probably Marco's, the other patient in the Hospital Wing. The Dark Lord continued. "However, you have proved you have some worth. I will allow you to cause Potter pain by torturing one of his friends."
Draco pulled himself back to his feet. Harry couldn't read his face. He imperiously wiped off some of the dirt from his robe then lifted his wand. Harry tried to lunge towards his friends, but he didn't have the energy.
Draco calmly lifted his wand and sent a cutting curse shortly followed by a bludgeoning spell towards Voldemort. The Dark Lord sent up shields to deflect them and returned the bludgeoning spell back to Draco. Draco was hit and was sent flying. Obviously he had re-broken several ribs and he started coughing blood.
"You would fight for Potter?"
Draco's pained face looked disgusted. "Never. I can't stand that Mudblood Lover. But you killed my father. I loved my father. Obviously you have no idea what that means. What that means is that I now hate you more than Potter." The pain in Draco's face was now emotional as well as physical.
Voldemort started to lift his wand towards Draco. Harry interrupted him. "Love."
Voldemort turned to him. "What?"
"Love. You can't understand that, can you? You don't know what that is."
"I understand everything. Love makes one weak."
"Love makes one strong." Harry broke off as a thought hit him. Thoughts of what could happen to him if it worked paled against what would be gained by his friends and the world. His voice changed to a conversational tone. "There is a room in the Department of Mysteries where they study love. It's 'more wonderful and more terrible than death or human intelligence or forces of nature'. It gives you strength when you have none left. It gives you courage against all odds. It's what will keep people fighting even if we lose here today. It's something that can never be destroyed."
"Let's see if you believe it can never be destroyed as I torture and kill your friends in front of you." Voldemort again lifted his wand. Harry started to gather his strength. "Crucio." Ginny started screaming in pain. Harry transformed into Flame and threw himself, broken wing and all, towards the evil maniac.
He flew into the spell and felt the curse pain all over his body. He screeched in pain but kept going. Finally he hit Voldemort's chest and focused on flashing them into the locked room in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic. A wash of fire went over him as they disappeared from sight.
Harry knew pain. The gentle fire turned into a raging inferno. His form burned from the inside out and he could hear Voldemort's screams as the flames spread to him. Harry turned back into himself and opened his eyes. They were inside a white room. There was nothing physically in here. Voldemort managed to douse the flames and turned red eyes on Harry.
"What is this place! What have you done!"
Harry just shrugged as he kept looking around. Voldemort started to rant, then suddenly his voice cut off with a startled gurgle. Harry looked at him in surprise, then he heard it, too.
The feeling he got when Fawkes sang seemed multiplied a hundredfold. The sound of a hundred phoenixes washed over him and into him. His heart expanded until it could expand no more, then seemed to explode. It was more than his body could take.
Harry had no awareness of his surroundings any longer. The feelings tore through him in waves. Memories started to spin in front of his eyes. Memories of living with his parents as a baby to memories of the current fight. Memories he didn't even know he had, tore from him in a brilliant swirl of colors along with the feelings associated with those memories. When all seemed to be pulled from his mind and body, Harry was limp and could only wait for what would come next.
What came next was judgment. Each figure in his past was brought forward and all memories and feelings that came with that figure were examined. His parents came one at a time. His mother came with feelings of love and guilt. The feelings were examined and he was left with the returned feeling of love from his mother. The same happened with his father, except there was slight shame mixed in for his teenaged behavior. Once again, feelings and motives were judged and he was left with a feeling of love and support.
Figure after figure came to mind. Some people who had only a small impact on his life had little judgment, such as Dudley's gang. Harry didn't like them, but that was accepted. He had never acted maliciously against them. Others, such as the Dursleys and Snape, had a longer examination. Harry's feelings were definitely mixed towards those. But, once again, dislike was accepted as long as there had been no deliberate harm done to them. The elder Weasley's came next and Harry once again was left with love and acceptance.
Then came the big figures in his life. Sirius, Remus, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Dumbledore. The love, respect and caring; the desire for them to survive above all else even above himself, burst forth in a tidal wave of emotion. Harry thought there was no way for his body to contain all the emotions and felt himself slipping away.
Harry's vision sharpened as he withdrew from the visions he'd been seeing. Violent screams came from his side and he looked over to see Voldemort cowering away from whatever he was seeing. Finally Voldemort grasped his chest and collapsed to the floor. A dark mist started rising from the body. Light flashed around it and seemed to tear it apart. An inhuman scream was the last thing heard as it disappeared.
Harry took several deep breaths, then started towards Voldemort's body. Harry's body still screamed in pain at his movements, but he crawled over and made sure he was dead before he searched for his wand. Once his wand was in his hand, he made his way towards the door, levitating the dead body behind him.
Alohamora didn't work so Harry tried Erumpo. That one did the trick and the door flew open. Once in the circular room of doors, Harry once again sealed the door he had come from. As soon as it closed, the room began to spin and Harry passed out.