center b Harry Potter and the Last Stand
A fic by Fawkes the scarlet Phoenix /b /center
center b Chapter One: Despair and Prophecy /b /center
Harry Potter, the name was everywhere now. People were looking to him for help with the war. The war, it wasn't going well. Voldemort's followers had killed the biggest hope, Albus Dumbledore. Even Harry was reeling from the loss…
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center b You-Know-Who Strikes /b
i Once again, You-Know-Who struck again, this time at the heart of the defense itself, the Ministry of Magic. Only two were killed, including the Minister of Magic: Rufus Scrigemour and Dolores Umbridge. Percy Weasley who was only injured and is now recovering in St. Mungo's gives an eyewitness report: "I saw two deatheaters run down the hall. I tried to shut the door, but they just blasted me out of the way. I think they thought I was dead." A full search is now under way on the exact details and we will keep you posted. /i /center
Harry threw the paper down on his bed. He couldn't believe it, the Minister of Magic, killed. Voldemort was winning the war, and everybody knew it. He grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill, and began to write.
i Dear Ron and Ginny,
How is your Dad doing at work? I hope Percy isn't in too much pain. When can I expect to be released from this horrible prison? What's going on in the order? Has your mum said you can come along to help me destroy…you know…the keys to winning this war?
Harry /i
Harry carefully folded the letter and attached it to Hedwig. No later than five minutes after he sent Hedwig off, another owl soared into his bedroom. It was a school owl.
Harry took the letter off its talon and read it.
i Dear Harry,
As I doubt you will be coming back to Hogwarts, I thought I should tell you this now. Firenze has made a prophecy about you…and Ginny. It seems quite important and I need you to send this on to Mrs. Weasley as soon as you read this. Here it is:
/i The final battle with the Dark Lord approaches…But the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord cannot do it alone. Two friends he needs…one smart…the other bold…but he requires something more. He needs a friend that is willing to go anywhere with him no matter the danger…she will accompany him to the end…The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will find her in a Burrow… i
I believe Firenze is talking about Ginny Weasley…Please remember to notify Mrs. Weasley.
Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Head Mistress
Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry /i
Harry read it two times through. A smile was pulling at his lips; no matter how much he tried he could not go without Ginny Weasley. i There go my noble reasons for breaking up with her… /i he thought. i Well there isn't any reason I can't get back together so… /i
Harry took out his quill and ink again and wrote the prophecy on to separate pieces of parchment. Then on the bottom of one he wrote:
i This is a prophecy Firenze made…I think it's pretty clear, but of course Ginny needs your permission.
Harry /i
He addressed that one to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. On the next piece of parchment he wrote:
i Hey Gin,
Looks like I'm stuck with you, it's funny how these things work out isn't it? So do you still want to go out with me? After all, I am going to need your help.
Love,
Harry /i
Harry sealed the two letters with magic (he was of age now) and waited for Hedwig to return. When she did, the school owl clucked and flew back to Hogwarts. As Harry closed the window and lay in his bed, his thoughts drifted to Horcruxes, Ginny, Voldemort, Ginny, and more Ginny. Not long after, he fell into an uneasy sleep.
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Harry was awoke to the tapping of an owl's beak on the window. He got out of bed and shoved his glasses on his face. He opened the window and the owl flew in. Harry tore two letters off Pigwidgeon's talons and put it in Hedwig's cage for some food and water. The first one was Ginny's.
i Dear Harry,
Sorry we couldn't use Hedwig, mum says to change owls periodically. Anyway, that is an extremely thick head of yours! Of course I'll go back out with you, did you think I would refuse? I am there to help you trough al of it. Mum's a little worried, but she agreed. Don't forget to write Hermione about all of this. She needs to know too! We are going to come and get you in two weeks. I know it's along time, but Dumbledore wanted you there until two weeks after your birthday. By the way, how was it? Did you like the cake Mum baked for you? How about the Quidditch ball set Ron and I got you?
What did Hermione get you? Well I'm rambling at this point so I better go, write back!
I love you!
Ginny /i
Harry felt completely stupid at this point, he forgot to write Hermione. He pulled open Mrs. Weasley's letter and read:
i Dear Harry,
I guess I have no choice; I'm not going to stand in the way of fate. You two belong together. Just take good care of her okay? Do be careful Harry dear. We will see you in two weeks.
Take care,
Arthur and Molly Weasley /i
"Don't worry, Mrs. Weasley, I will." Harry whispered, a tear rolling down his cheek.
Harry took out yet another piece of parchment and ripped it in two. On the first he copied down the prophecy and wrote:
i Dear Hermione,
That is a prophecy Firenze made. It looks like I am going to need your help, as well as Ron and Ginny's. Just make sure your parents know you won't be going to school. I hope to see you in two weeks.
Love,
Harry
P.S. Ginny and I are seeing each other again. Fate pulled us backed together as you can see. /i
On the second piece of parchment he wrote:
i Dear Ginny, I really enjoyed the presents. Your mum's cake was delicious. Thanks for the Quidditch set. Hermione sent me /i Quidditch Through The Ages Volume II. i Hagrid sent me some rock cakes and an album with pictures from our past school years. He is a really great friend. I love you so much Ginny, I'm so glad that I have friends like you guys.
Yours Truly,
Harry /i
Harry called Pigwidgeon over to him, who flew over and perched on Harry's shoulder. Harry looked at him and rubbed his head. Pig blinked his big round eyes. Harry tied the letters on Pig's claw and sent him off.
"BOY, GET DOWN HERE NOW!" Harry's Uncle Vernon yelled. "YOU NEED TO DO YOUR CHORES!"
Harry was disappointed for a moment, and then he remembered that he was of age now. This was the first time he was allowed to do magic in front of his aunt and uncle. A grin split Harry's face…"COMING," He yelled down.
As Harry walked downstairs and through the kitchen, he took out his wand. His Uncle gasped, "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING, BOY? PUT IT AWAY!"
"Er…no, I am of age now and I can do magic in front of you. Now what's first?" Harry asked pleasantly.
"T-the d-dishes," his uncle stuttered.
"Right," Harry said flicking his wand at the dishwasher. It flew open and the dishes began putting themselves away.
"Next?" Harry inquired.
"The lawn," he said.
Harry walked out to the yard, and bewitched the mower to mow itself. Harry walked back inside to see the dishwasher closing itself.
"Is that it?" Harry asked.
"Y-yes," Vernon said.
"Right…good bye," With that Harry walked into the living room to see what his dear cousin was doing.
"Oh Dinky Duddykins! What are you doing?" Harry asked pleasantly.
"Trying to reach the remote, why do you care?" Harry noticed that he was sitting in front of the T.V. and couldn't reach the remote; he was stuck in his chair.
"So what would you like me to do? Get the remote for you or get you out of the chair?"
"The remote, if you will."
"Right-O," Harry said grinning, raising his wand.
Dudley gasped in fear, but Harry just walked to stand behind Dudley.
i Accio! /i He cried, purposely off aim so the remote would catch Dudley in the face.
Harry roared with laughter. Dudley attempted but realized he was still stuck in his chair.
"Aww…poor Diddydums, oh well. Good bye."
And with that Harry went back up to his room.
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The next week went by extremely slowly, although Harry didn't have to do as much work for his chores. He had nothing to keep him busy, except Ginny's periodic letters. Her most recent one was quite interesting:
i Dear Harry,
You will never guess what I caught Ron and Hermione doing in the living room! (By the way she arrived yesterday) Anyway, mum was out shopping and I was out in the garden. When I came in to get a drink, I walked in on them completely snogging. Not completely unexpected but, they were rather surprised. You should have seen the color Ron's face turned! Anyway, I just hope they don't walk in on us like that; we'd never live it down! Not that I'm expecting you to full on snog me or anything…but…oh never mind. Mum just came home, I better go help her.
All my love,
Ginny /i
Ginny's letters kept him occupied. Soon it was time to go to the burrow. It felt awkward, leaving Number 4 Privet Drive, one last time. He really didn't expect a good-bye or anything. When Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione showed up under the fireplace, he was more than happy to leave. He gave Ginny a quick kiss and Ron and Hermione big hugs. Then he turned around and saw his Aunt Petunia walking towards him. She stopped in front of him.
"Well, this is good bye," Harry said.
And then his Aunt did something so completely unexpected that Ron and Hermione had to do a double take. Aunt Petunia hugged Harry Potter, the son of the sister she hated so much.
"Harry, be careful out there. Don't get yourself killed. And if you ever feel the need to, you can come back anytime and visit. Be careful."
Harry just stood there with his mouth hanging open. "I will, I promise," he said, determined not to let any tears show, and failed miserably. "Well, good bye," he said softly. He waved at his Dudley and Uncle Vernon. He took one last look at his Aunt, grabbed some floo powder from the bag Mrs. Weasley was holding. As he stepped into the fireplace, he saw his Aunt crying. "Good bye," he whispered then yelled, "The Burrow!" The last thing he saw of his only blood related family was Vernon and Dudley standing stiffly in the doorway and Aunt Petunia crying. Then with a rush of color, he was traveling through the floo network.
Harry emerged from the burrow's fireplace. He got up and wiped the soot off his clothes. The rest were not far behind him. Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny went up to Ron's room and sat down on the bed. Ginny lay her head on Harry's shoulder as they began to talk.
"So," Ron asked. "When do we leave?"
"Oh, I thought we could stick around awhile. I still need to take my apparition test," Harry explained.
"Then where do we go from there?" Hermione inquired.
"Godric's Hollow…I need to see my parents graves…"Harry said.
Ginny sat up and rubbed his back. Harry looked over to her. He saw love and compassion in her eyes. As the talk shifted to Quidditch, Harry noticed that Hermione seemed to know a lot more about the sport since he last saw her.
i Too much time with Ron, /i Harry thought smugly.
Then to his surprised someone agreed with him.
i Yeah, you should have seen them this summer... /i
Harry whipped his head around and stared at Ginny. She mirrored his expression: Completely amazed and rather stunned.
i This is weird…ask Hermione about it. /i Ginny said through their link.
"Umm…Hermione…Care to explain why me and Ginny are currently talking to each other in our heads?"
"Huh? You and Ginny are talking telepathically? Wow, I've never heard of any bond like that. It must be pretty rare. It probably only happens to people who have a powerful connection."
i We have a powerful connection? What does that mean Harry? /i Ginny asked.
"So…er…what exactly does this mean, Hermione?" Harry wondered.
"I don't know."
"Wait, my sister and you, can talk with your minds?" Ron asked, who seemed to be too busy staring at Hermione to fully grasp the situation.
"I guess so, maybe we should ask Dumbledore about…oh, never mind." Harry realized yet again, how much he depended on Dumbledore to have the answers.
"It's all right, Harry." Ginny soothed.
Harry, so grateful, pulled her into a big hug.
So, they talked about their coming adventure. They also speculated who R.A. B. could be. Harry wracked his brain for names with those initials. A sudden vision of the past came to him. He saw themselves decontaminating the House of Black. They were going through the dark items. One of them, a heavy locket! They couldn't open it…
Then he had yet another flash back, this time in front of the Black family tapestry, with Sirius.
i My idiot brother…soft enough to believe him…
You had a brother? Harry asked.
Yeah, stupid git…he joined the Death Eaters.
But he died. Harry pointed at the picture on the tapestry, marked… /i
"Hey! I think I figured out who R.A.B. is! It was Sirius' brother, Regulus Black!"
Everyone gasped.
"Harry, you might be right!" Hermione said.
"Yeah, Sirius said that his brother was killed when he was asked to do something and chickened out. Remus told me he survived two days after he betrayed them. I'm guessing that he discovered Voldemort's secret about the Horcruxes, and tried to destroy one before he died. He didn't get the chance, it's still at headquarters!" Harry explained.
"So we know of one Horcrux, all we need is Hufflepuff's cup, Nagini, and something of Ravenclaw's or Gryffindor's! And Dumbledore said that the only known relic of Gryffindor's is the sword that is sitting in his office! So we need to research Ravenclaw's belongings." Hermione said. "Do you think Professor McGonagall will let us use the Hogwarts Library?"
"I'm sure she will, as long as we tell her what it's for," Ron said.
Harry sighed, "I guess we will have to tell her…Dumbledore didn't want anyone to know, but we have to."
Just then, a Daily Prophet owl flew in. It dropped the paper on Hermione's map. She picked it up and gasped.
"Oh my god, Voldemort has captured Azkaban!"
A/N: Ha ha, Cliffhanger. You will just have to wait for the next chapter. I will have it up before August 7, so don't worry. I hope you enjoyed it. Also, Harry and Ginny are going to use their link a lot. So, when there is dialogue in italics, it is them using their link. Unless it is a flashback, but you will know when it is. So anyway, Please Review. The more reviews I get the more I am more likely to write. Ha Ha. Also, feel free to mention any grammar/spelling mistakes in your reviews.
Happy Reading!
center --Fawkes the Scarlet Phoenix
Author of Harry Potter and the Pendant of Power and Harry Potter and the Last Stand /center
