DISCLAIMER: Okay, if you guys haven't figured it out by now, I DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER. I wish I did, but I don't and I can't change that. I know, it sucks……

Chapter 28: Telling the Story

Harry was still holding her gingerly when Dumbledore arrived at their side fifteen minutes after the Dark Lord had been destroyed. He surveyed the scene carefully, his gaze resting on Voldemort's stone cold body.

He moved his gaze on and was shocked at what he saw. Harry was holding Raven's body close to his, her blood covering them both.

He walked quickly over to them. Words were superfluous as he conjured up a stretcher for Raven and helped the boy-who-lived to his feet. In a stony silence, they made their way back to the school.

Harry scanned over the dead bodies littering the school's grounds. Some were his fellow students but most were Death Eaters. He breathed a sigh of relief when he noticed neither Ron nor Hermione laid among the dead.

They reached the school all to soon for Harry. He was afraid of the truth. Nevertheless, he followed Dumbledore up to the Hospital Wing.

He watched as Dumbledore transferred Raven from the stretcher to a white hospital bed. Madame Pomfrey rushed over to their side and began her examination of Raven before her head even made contact with the pillow. Harry watched all this while fighting down the fear that gripped him, twisting his heart.

"Is she…," Harry choked, a sob rising in his throat. "Is she….?"

"No, Mr. Potter," Madame Pomfrey started in a quiet and eerie voice, "she isn't dead…yet."

Harry fought down the tears that were stinging his eyes. "Is she going to be alright?"

"I can only give her the potion to help her get better, but it's up to her to fight for life."

Dumbledore placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Come Harry, let us take our conversation to my office where we can talk openly."

Harry nodded his head and followed Dumbledore out of the Hospital Wing though all he really wanted to do was sit by Raven's side.

The walk to the gargoyle statue was the longest walk Harry ever had to endure. If given the choice, he would gladly go back to the Ministry of Magic for a court hearing again.

Dumbledore gave the password, "acid pops", and together they stepped onto the spiral staircase. Neither spoke as they spiraled upward, the pregnant silence giving each time to collect their thoughts. Dumbledore rested his hand on Harry's should for comfort.

When they reached the door leading into the Headmaster's office, the aging Headmaster allowed Harry to walk in first before following. Harry sat down in one of the chairs in front of the desk while Dumbledore took the seat behind the desk.

"Now Harry," Dumbledore started slowly, "I understand that you've been through a lot these past few days, especially tonight, but I need for you to tell me what happened. Take your time but I need to know, only then can I help you."

Harry nodded and took a deep breath. He slowly started his tale with how Raven had helped kidnap him and the conversation that took place between Voldemort, Raven and Malfoy in front of him.

He told him of Raven coming back and telling Voldemort of the Headmaster's absence. Then he told of the battle between Raven and Malfoy, and finally of the battle with Voldemort, the one where the Light had finally prevailed.

Tears were rolling down his face by the end of his story. Dumbledore never interrupted him once during his long story. He just sat there, listening patiently and watching the boy in front of him very carefully through his dulled blue eyes.

The Headmaster seemed to sat back and collect his thoughts, letting all the information drift through him. Harry, too, sat in silence, looking down at his hands that rested in his lap. Finally Dumbledore opened his mouth to say something.

But before the Headmaster could say anything, Bill and Hermione busted through the door. "Sir," Hermione gasped, out of breath, "it's Raven."

Harry felt a sob stuck in his throat as he expected the worse. "Is…is she dead?"

"No," Bill said, "she woke up."

"But now…," Hermione started, "….she's gone!"

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A/N: Okay…2 more chapters left! One is an actual chapter while the other is an epilogue. I'll try to post again on Sunday. Please Review!