longest chapter of the three okay? so ummmm just read and review...

Disclaimer: all J K Rowling's except for the plot...

Loved By Many Remembered Forever

Chapter 2

The Final Battle

"Harry. Harry. Wake up, Harry."

"Five more minutes." Moaned Harry rolling over.

Ginny rolled her eyes but grinned. It was 9 o'clock; Harry never slept this late. He always woke up before the sun with nightmarish visions of Voldemort's terror and his scar hurting. Ginny wished she didn't have to wake him up. He looked so peaceful asleep. When he was awake he looked as though he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders which in a way he did.

Ginny leaned down and kissed his forehead.

"Come on, Harry. I know you're awake." Said Ginny a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"How'd you know?" asked Harry, his eyes flying open.

"I didn't, but I do now."

"Oh, that's low. I'll have to get you back for that one." "I'd like to see you try, Mister Potter."

"Oh, I'll do more than try." Said Harry sitting up quickly and catching Ginny with his arms around her waist. Harry pulled her towards him causing her to fall onto the bed against him. Ginny relaxed against his chest thinking about what the day might bring. A small tear slid slowly down her cheek.

"What's wrong? I'm not hurting you am I?" asked Harry with concern in his eyes.

"No, Harry. It's not you." Harry was always afraid he'd hurt her. It was almost as if her brothers were watching his every move, which to her knowledge, they weren't. It was sweet that he cared about her so much.

"What is it then?"

"I'm scared, Harry. I'm scared that I'll lose all my friends, family… and you in this battle." Said Ginny starting to cry. "I wish Voldemort would just leave us alone. Let the world be happy for a while."

"So do I, Gin. So do I."

The two were silent for a second just enjoying the other's presence.

"How do you do it, Harry? How are you always so brave in the face of danger?" Ginny asked suddenly, looking up at Harry.

"I don't exactly know. I think it has something to do with always having someone to pull me through whether they realized it or not." Said Harry looking down at Ginny thoughtfully.

Ginny and Harry locked eyes and without the two fully realizing what they were doing their lips met.

Lack of air, soon forced the two apart and not a moment too soon as Bill walked into the room. Selfconciously, the two sprang apart, guiltily.

Bill chuckled. "It's okay, I know."

Ginny gasped and Harry looked away guiltily.

"How long have you known?" asked Ginny.

"A couple moths and before you say anything, Charlie and I are okay with it. Ron and the twins don't know yet." Said Bill watching as Ginny's expression went from shock to relief.

"Harry, you and Ginny should go eat breakfast soon before the others wonder where you two are."

Harry and Ginny nodded and Bill walked back out of the room.

"When did he find out?" asked Ginny.

"Just before the start of term." Said Harry gathering up his robes so he could change.

"See you in a few minutes." Said Ginny giving Harry a peck on the cheek.

Harry nodded and went into the bathroom to shower and change. Ginny sighed. She wasn't looking forward to this afternoon at all. Ginny stopped by a mirror on her way to the Great Hall to fix her makeup, which had smeared when she cried. Ginny still felt like crying. It was all so sad. Harry, the orphan who only wanted to be loved and normal, had to save the world. He was famous, but he didn't want it. If he could, he'd give it all away, mused Ginny. If he wins against Voldemort, he'll be even more famous. Harry had plans though. After he killed Voldemort, Harry was going to move to the States. He'd change his name and transfer the contents of his vault into another one under his new name. He'd even change his looks, not too much, just colored contacts and hiding his scar, but it'd be enough. Only the Weasleys, Hermione, Dumbledore and Remus would know his new identity. To the Wizarding world Harry Potter would be no more.

Ginny came out of her thoughts just as she reached the entrance to the Great Hall. After hesitating for a second, she opened the door and went in, quickly finding a seat at the Gryffindor table.

"Morning, Ginny." Said Ron as she sat down across from him and Hermione.

"Morning." Muttered Ginny helping herself to a bowl of oatmeal.

None of the three spoke through out breakfast. In fact, not many people in the Great Hall were talking. The people, who were talking, like Dumbledore, were talking in low whispers making the hall eerily quiet. The calm before the storm, thought Ginny shivering.

"Not cold are you?" asked Harry quietly sitting beside her. Ginny shook her head.

"What's wrong then?" Ginny was saved from having to answer as the mail arrived. Hundreds of owls flooded through the windows. Among them were the now familiar black owls.

The black owls were infamous for carrying the bad news of a death in the family or of a friend. Everyone held his/her breath as the owls found their way to the person their letter was intended for.

Harry felt sorry for anyone who received a black owl, but he was also relieved that neither he nor Ginny had received one. He'd expected to receive one every day almost informing him that Remus or the Dursley's were dead. Granted, he was exceptionally glad that he hadn't had to see them since last summer, but still, if they died it would be because of Harry having lived with them. Harry still felt guilty sometimes for Cedric, Sirius and then last year, Cho's deaths. A Death Eater hadn't killed Cho; instead she had been talking with Harry on the top floor of the Astronomy tower when a Death Eater had arrived (via Portkey) right behind Harry. This sudden appearance had startled Cho so much that she took several steps back wards, as Harry looked over his shoulder to see what had caused her to look so shocked, and tripped and fallen over the side of the tower. Harry had been unable to help her as the Death Eater began firing curses at him. Harry soon stunned and tied up the Death Eater and Dumbledore arrived a few seconds after. Harry had explained to Dumbledore on the run what had happened. When Harry had reached Cho, she was dead. Madam Pomfrey had been called and said that Cho had died upon impact and had felt no pain.

Those words had not helped Harry to feel any better, however, as he still felt that he should have been able to at least slow her fall or charm the ground to be soft.

Harry was jerked out of his thoughts as an owl landed in front of Ginny. Harry recognized it as the Weasley's new owl, Peroclyes, as Errol had died that summer of old age. Ginny grabbed the letter, opened it and quickly scanned it, her facial expression going from apprehensive to relieved at an alarming rate as she did so.

"Mum and Dad are coming to help. They'll arrive soon." Said Ginny looking up. Ron looked relieved as though he had been expecting something else.

"That's good." Said Hermione. Ginny, Ron and Harry just nodded.

Harry was just getting up when Remus walked over and asked to speak with him. Harry nodded and followed Remus outside.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Harry asked watching the Giant Squid.

"I wanted to know when you were going to tell Ginny's brothers about you and her." Said Remus gazing into the forest.

Harry nearly choked.

"How did you find out? Did you spy too?"

"No, I eavesdropped… on accident of course. I was going to get you for breakfast, but Bill beat me too it and it sounded like Ginny beat both of us."

"Oh"

"So… Are you going to answer my question?"

"Er… Right… I guess, I'll tell them if I survive today."

"If?"

"Yeah… I used to think I was totally ready, but now… I don't know."

"You'll make it. I know you will." Said Remus quietly as the two lapsed into silence.

"So… When are you going to ask Tonks out?" asked Harry breaking the silence once more.

" I don't know." Said Remus smiling slightly.

"Well… I'm going to go back in.," said Harry turning to leave.

"Okay."

Harry walked back in through the huge double doors and noticed Ginny standing off to the side, alone. The entrance hall was deserted so Harry walked over to her.

"Hey babe." He said bending down to give her a kiss.

"Hey, Harry." She said returning his kiss. "What did Remus want?"

"He wanted to know when I was planning on letting people know." Said Harry sighing.

"About what?"

"About this. About us. I mean, Ron still thinks I'm mourning over Cho, but I never really loved her, not at all like I love you." Said Harry smiling down gently at Ginny.

Ginny smiled gently up at Harry as Harry slipped an arm around her waist drawing her closer to him.

This was where Ginny felt safe, in Harry's arms. It was almost as if nothing could harm her as long as he was around.

"Harry!" came the shout accompanied by running footsteps. Harry and Ginny once again sprang apart, but nor quickly enough, Ron had already seen.

"Look… Ron…" said Harry as Ron's expression changed from shock to anger.

"No… It's all right, Harry… Better you than some one else… right?" said Ron with a forced smile. " Dumbledore would like to see you in his office." With that Ron turned and left.

Harry turned to Ginny with an apologetic face. Ginny smiled gently and said, "It's all right. Go see what Dumbledore wants."

"All right. See you later." Said Harry giving Ginny a quick kiss on the cheek before walking quickly towards Dumbledore's office. Harry wondered what on earth Dumbledore could want. Dumbledore already knew his plans for after the battle and most of his plans for the battle, so why did Harry need to see him? Harry wracked his brain for an answer and couldn't find one.

"Reese's pieces." Said Harry and the gargoyles sprang into action revealing the revolving staircase, which Harry climbed. The door was already open so Harry went on in and sat down to wait for Dumbledore. As harry waited, he looked around the room at all the knick-knacks and gadgets. Sneakoscopes were whirling and other dark detectors were flashing. A penseive lay undisturbed and still in a cabinet. Gryffindor's sword stood in its usual cabinet with rubies twinkling. Fawkes let out a sad, soft trill. The few notes the phoenix sang were sad and full of sorrow, but yet beautiful all at the same time.

Dumbledore came in as the last note died away.

"Harry." Said Dumbledore sitting in his chair behind his desk. "Thank you for coming… Would you like a lemon drop?" Harry shook his head and Dumbledore continued. "I really just wanted to wish you good luck and… ask you if you were sure that you really want to disappear after this is all over."

"Yes, Professor. I am positive." Said Harry for what was probably the tenth time that week.

"Oh, well… If you want to return either as Harry Potter or another person, you will always be welcome here to teach."

"Thank you, Professor. I'll keep that in mind." Said Harry standing to leave.

"Good luck, Harry."

"Thank you and good luck to you too, professor." Said Harry as he left the headmaster's office.

Harry glanced at his watch. 11 o'clock, one hour, but Death Eaters weren't always to be depended on to keep a schedule. They would be arriving soon.

Harry walked silently down the halls towards Gryffindor tower. He was surprisingly not nervous as he thought he would have been. Maybe that was because he'd finally fulfill his destiny and avenge his parent's, Cedric's and Sirius' deaths or maybe because right now Voldemort wasn't the first thing on his mind. Instead, the first thing on Harry's mind was Ginny. Harry was worried for her. He worried that she'd get hurt or worse yet, die. If she did, Harry knew that he wouldn't be able to carry on, as it would be his fault.

"True Love." Said Harry to the portrait.

"I wish." Said the Fat Lady grumpily as she swung forward to let Harry into the packed common room.

Everyone was chatting nervously. Hermione and Ron weren't in the common room and neither was Ginny. Harry frowned and went up to the seventh year boy's dormitory.

As Harry had guessed his three friends were sitting on Ron's bed with the hangings open.

"Hey, Harry." Said Ginny as he came over and sat down. "What did Dumbledore want?"

"Just to wish me luck and offer me a teaching job." Said Harry.

"Did you accept?" asked Hermione. "Flitwick asked me to take over for him in a year or two and I accepted."

"No, I didn't. I'm disappearing. You lot know that."

"Yes, we knew but we kind of hoped you'd change your mind, mate." Said Ron. Ginny rested her head on Harry's shoulder and he put his arm around her waist.

"Sorry, mate. My mind is made up, but I'll be back to visit." Said Harry.

"In your disguise, though. Honestly Harry, the Prophet and Snape are going to have a field day. Snape will say that you left for attention, which the Prophet will give you by trying to figure out where you have gone." Said Hermione.

"I know 'mione, but if I stay here Snape will say the same thing and I'll never be able to live a normal life." Said Harry running his free hand through his hair.

"Since when do we care what the hell Snape says?" exclaimed Ron.

"Since he'll make my life hell." Said Ginny closing her eyes.

The group fell silent. They had just remembered that Ginny still had one more year at Hogwarts.

Suddenly the bell that usually signaled the beginning and end of classes rang, this time signaling the arrival of the Death Eaters.

"Time to go." Said Harry standing up and pulling Ginny to him.

"Good luck Harry." Said Ginny.

"You too, Gin." Said Harry as they leaned in for a quick kiss. "Stay safe.

"You too, Harry." Said Ginny once again before turning to leave.

"Ron, 'mione, that goes for both of you too. Stay safe." Harry gazed sternly at his two best friends. Hermione gave a low cry and gave Harry a bone-crushing hug that would have given Mrs. Weasley a run for her money.

"Oh, Harry." She said. "Good luck and stay safe."

"I'll try 'mione." Hermione let go and Ron gave Harry a quick hug.

"Good luck, mate."

"Thanks and you too, Ron." Said Harry.

With that and a slight pop, Harry changed into his phoenix form and took off out the window singing a beautiful phoenix song of battle.

Ginny looked up from the stairs to the Entrance Hall and smiled. The beautiful red and gold phoenix was a magnificent sight to behold. Even the advancing Death Eaters paused their attack to watch its descent.

Harry landed on the ground and transformed back with another slight pop and the Death Eaters were broken out of their reverie. However some of the students, parents and teachers had taken out some of the Death Eaters during their distracted pause. This didn't daunt the Death Eaters though for they kept coming, almost trampling their fallen 'comrades.'

Harry drew his wand and started firing spells.

"Harry! Leave the Death Eaters to us! Go find Voldemort!" shouted Dumbledore. Harry nodded, shot another stunner catching a Death Eater in the chest and transformed into a large black wolf with emerald eyes.

Harry ran straight through the swarms of Death Eaters knocking over as many as he could and breaking their wands when it was possible.

Harry didn't know exactly how he knew but he did. Harry ran straight towards the farthest greenhouse. Harry slowed to a walk as he got closer to it. As Harry walked towards it, a tall figure in all black came out from behind it.

"So we meet again, Potter." Said Voldemort as Harry transformed back into a human. Harry didn't say anything he just stood there waiting. "Said goodbye to your little girlfriend? She'll be the first to die."

"No, she won't." harry growled through clenched teeth.

"So sure are we?"

"Yes, Tom. I am."

"Don't call me that!" Voldemort hissed.

"Call you what, Tom"

"My name is Lord Voldemort. Don't call me that!" yelled Voldemort as his hand tightened on his wand.

"What? Don't you want your precious Death Eaters to know that their leader is half muggle?" shouted Harry back.

Voldemort didn't answer; he just sneered at Harry and raised his wand.

"CRUCIO!" yelled Voldemort suddenly, though not catching Harry off guard. Harry leapt into action dodging the spell and throwing back a disarming charm at Voldemort.

Voldemort dodged it and threw several curses at Harry who dodged them and sent a mixture of jinxes and hexes back at Voldemort.

"Come on, Potter! Is that the best you can do?" taunted Voldemort dodging Harry's spells easily once again.

Harry remained silent and out of the corner of his eye he saw Ginny battling side by side with Hermione and Ron to fend off four Death Eaters. God, she looks beautiful, thought Harry. Even when she's fighting.

"Ah, yes! The precious mudblood lover." Sneered Voldemort. "She'll die as will your other friends."

"The only people dying today are you and your Death Eaters, Tom." Said Harry raising his wand again. Voldemort sneered and shot three spells at Harry in a row.

Harry dodged the first two and blocked the third throwing back spells at Voldemort as he dodged.

The battle went on like this with Harry and Voldemort both avoiding the other's spells for thirty minutes. Both Voldemort and Harry were panting and sweating heavily. Neither had succeeded in even striking a glancing blow.

"Give up Potter! You'll never beat me!" yelled Voldemort.

Harry gritted his teeth and shot a cutting hex at Voldemort. The hex caught Voldemort in the arm (not his wand arm, unfortunately for Harry).

"CRUCIO!"

Harry didn't move out of the way fast enough this time and it hit Harry in the chest.

Harry fell to the ground, writhing, only half-aware that he was screaming.
Suddenly, the curse was lifted and Harry got slowly to his feet. His whole body felt like it was on fire.

Harry looked over at Voldemort and saw why the curse had been lifted. A lioness had knocked Voldemort off of his feet temporarily.

"Ginny, I got him. Thanks." Said Harry to the lioness.

The lioness stopped and transformed back into Ginny who blew Harry a kiss before running over to help Professor McGonagall who was fending off three Death Eaters at one time. Harry grinned and turned back to his own opponent. Voldemort had just raised his wand to curse Harry again, but this time Harry dodged it easily.

Damn, thought Harry. Rules one and two down the drain. Never loose focus and never take your eyes off of your opponent.

Harry dodged another spell and sent one back at Voldemort, but was caught by a cutting hex to the chest, which knocked him off of his feet once again.

"HARRY!" screamed Ginny as Harry fell backwards.

"Good. Now she will be able to see you die!"

Voldemort cackled. Harry took a deep breath and got shakily to his feet if he was going to die, the least he could do is take Voldemort with him, resolved Harry, straightening up.

"No, Riddle. She'll see you die first." Said Harry in a loud clear voice. "Avada Kedavra."

A flash of green light erupted from the tip of Harry's wand. Voldemort stopped cackling as it sped towards him. Voldemort's eyes widened in shock as it hit him straight in the chest and he fell over. Finally vanquished after years of terror at the hand of a seventeen-year-old wizard.

"He's gone… for good…" gasped Harry as loud as he could. He was bleeding freely from his chest where the hex had hit him. It hurt badly and he was feeling rather dizzy.

Harry's world spun and he fell to the ground. Ginny screamed and ran over as the Death Eaters began fleeing with Aurors; parents, teachers and students alike hot on their heels. Ginny knelt down and cradled Harry's head in her lap.

"Harry, come on, use my portkey. Madam Pomfrey –"

"No, Gin. I'm sorry. I didn't keep my end of the promise. It's too late." Gasped Harry.

"No." said Ginny tears streaming down her cheeks. "No, this can't be happening."

"Gin, it's better this way." Harry paused to breathe before continuing. "I'll see my parents and Sirius-" There was another pause as Harry struggled to breathe. "I'll miss you, Gin… Take care of them for me… Make sure Hermione, Ron, and Remus are all right…" Ginny nodded. "Most of all remember… that I love you… always and forever." Ginny nodded again and leaned down to kiss Harry on the lips.

"I love you." Said Ginny as the tears fell.

"I love you m-ore." Whispered Harry. With that the boy-who-lived died with a smile on his face. The savior of the wizarding world dead before his eighteenth birthday.

Ginny broke down and sobbed harder as Dumbledore and Remus ran over. The two men stopped as they say Ginny's tear streaked face.

"No." muttered Remus.

AHHHHH! i killled Harry! backspace backspace where's he stinkin backspace button? i can't believe i just did that!

okay tell me if i should take out that last part beginning with Ginny broke down and ending with "no." muttered Remus okay? now please review and i hope you liked it smiles hopefully