DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter or any Character/Events mentioned throughout the series up to HBP!

A/N: Was it victory or defeat that waits in the darkness?

Chapter 5: Victory and Defeat

The dark mark hung over the skies, brighter than it had ever been seen before. Ron, Hermione, Remus Lupin, Fred, George, Bill, Mr. Weasley all stood in the garden wondering what had happened to Harry and Ginny, fearing for the worst. Mad-Eye Moody stood in the doorway, leaving Mrs. Weasley in the house with a wounded Fleur Weasley and Nymphadora Tonks, who were tending to an even worse off Percy Weasley, who didn't look like he would live through the night.

Percy had come home, after a little over two years of estrangement from his family, to finally say he was sorry. When the attack came he had fought bravely and even took the brunt of a few vicious curses that were directed at his mother.

The dark mark in the sky burst creating a large shockwave. There was still hope yet, as each of them looked at one another. Without another word Lupin, Ron Hermione, Fred and George all apparated to the location of where the dark mark originated. They were able to because of all the magic energy being released from there could felt for miles.

They were not the only ones to arrive either. By the time they disapparated dozens of people had come to see what had become of Voldemort and the Boy-Who-Lived. Those who could not apparate flew in on broom sticks or various other enchanted items. They spotted Ginny almost instantly.

"Ginny!" shouted Fred.

"Are you…" began George

"Alright," the twins asked in unison.

She looked up at them. She had been crying, clutching to the lifeless body of Harry Potter. "No! Ron…" Hermione said at once, burying her face into Ron's shoulder. Ron couldn't suppress the tears any longer. He puts his arms around Hermione. Lupin couldn't believe it. He had watched Harry grow up, do impossible things that many adult wizards couldn't even hope to achieve, while all his life he was hunted by the same man who had killed his parents for nearly 18 years. Lupin dropped down to his hands and knees, it was all too much for him. "James… Lily… Sirius… Dumbledore… and now Harry! It just isn't fair!" Lupin hadn't even gotten that emotional at James and Lily's funeral, nor did he when Sirius died, or even Dumbledore. It seemed as if Voldemort had stripped him of everything. One friend became a traitor, and the rest had been killed, even Harry. "Why Harry?" Lupin yelled.

"How do you do it, Harry?" asked Ron. Before anyone could respond a familiar cry was heard from above. Everyone looked up to see Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix. The magical bird had not been seen since the night Dumbledore had died, and now had resurfaced with the death of Harry Potter. Fawkes stood over the lifeless form of Harry Potter. After letting out a mournful cry, the bird started crying over the wound created by Voldemort's curse. Despite being dead, the wound healed.

"You miss him too, huh?" asked Ginny to the phoenix. She reached out to pet him, but he drew back and let out another cry. He then spread his wings and started to lift off the ground. Soon Fawkes started to gold with a faint golden aura before bursting into flames. These flames were different. Instead of turning to ash, Fawkes had become a flaming bird of prey. He glided a few feet into the air, and dove, straight into Harry's chest, letting out on final cry. Everyone gasped. Ginny jumped back, but did not release Harry's hand. Harry started to glow with the same golden aura. Slow Harry's chest began to move and his eyes shot open.

"Harry!" she shouted excitedly, it was the only word she could manage to bring herself to say.

"Ginny!" he gasped; he pulled her close to him. "I love you!"

"Ha-Harry, I-I love you too!" she was so overcome with emotion; she barely managed to say any of it. Her eyes filled with tears, and she held onto him tightly, as if he might leave her again.

"Gin, let's go home," he said finally glancing at everyone watching him with astonished looks on each of their faces. With that, they all apparated back to the Burrow.