Disclaimer: This story is based on the characters and events created by JK Rowling. Publishing rights and copyright owned by JK Rowling, Bloomsbury, Scholastic, Warner Bros., and others I may not have mentioned. No money is being made by this story.
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Harry Potter and the Final Struggle
It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
--Theodore Roosevelt--
Chapter 4
Good-byes
Explosions continued up and down Diagon Alley as Harry dodged the barrage of concrete, metals, and shards of glass. Ron and Hermione were just a few feet ahead and still weren't moving.
"Ron! Hermione!" His screams were useless over the sounds of explosions, but still he continued to yell and started running towards them. He dodged and rolled to the ground as a red beam of light passed over his head. He was getting close to them. The curse hit the ground and caused a large explosion. Its shockwave so powerful, it radiated dozens of meters around. Harry was thrown back twenty feet and slid on his back as the force continued to push him. Coming to a halt next to a burning shop, he stood up and surveyed his surrounding.
Diagon Alley, which a few hours ago was filled with witches and wizards coming and going from shop to shop, had turned into a scene filled with horror and confusion. There were many people apparating out of Diagon Alley, but there were also a few who were too young to apparate out or just didn't know how to apparate. These people were running to the nearest store to use the floo not caring who they knocked over to get to safety.
Harry had to fight through the crowd and dodge not only shrapnel from the explosion, but also the curses flying everywhere. Aurors were trying to protect and evacuate the people while at the same time, trying to capture the dark robed figures that had apparated in and were casting curses and causing all the damage.
As Harry ran, a curse made contact with his right leg, causing him to fall on the ground. Immediately rolling to a kneeling position, he whipped his wand towards the death eater standing a few feet behind and cast the first spell that came to mind.
"Protego!"
Just as he managed to cast the shield, a red beam of light collided with it. The force of the impact was so great that his shield wavered and spider-web cracks started to appear. The Death Eater continued to train his wand at him with great concentration and forcing his curse to increase in intensity. Harry, who was at a disadvantage from his kneeling position, was also concentrating.
Too strong, how'd they become this strong? Sweat started to appear at his brow as he placed both his hands on his wand. His wand was getting hotter as he continued to channel more magic through the wand. The smell of burnt flesh reached his nostril as pain continued to sear his hands and travel up his arm. The pain was becoming unbearable but he couldn't give up. His friends were just a few meters away and he had to get them to safety. No matter what! I will not loose them too!
The cracks continued to grow larger and snake it's was throughout the whole shield. On Harry's face was determination to save his friends, but as his gaze fell on the increasing size of damage on his shield, for a split second, he was over come with hopelessness. And then it shattered.
The red beam of light shattered through the shield and the magic supporting it. Because there was a large amount of magic supporting the shield, residue of this magic flew in all direction and forced people from their feet and into the air.
The force of the shock from the magic residue knocked Harry ten feet and as the red beam of light made impact on his left shoulder, it shattered the bones and forced him to collide in the nearest building. He stopped under the window of a burning store with part of his shirt burnt off. The skin on his shoulder caused him so much pain as blood flowed freely from the many cuts and wounds. His left arm lay useless beside him; his shoulder, burnt and broken. The pain was unbearable but he couldn't do anything about that now.
The Death Eater was coming closer and closer and still had his wand trained on him. It was then he realized that he didn't have his wand. With a quick glace around, he located it about five feet from his right. There wasn't enough time to get it as the Death Eater was already upon him.
"Well, well, well… If it isn't The Chosen One. We weren't expecting you," said the Death Eater with a smirk. All around them Aurors and Death Eater were engaged in a battle that no one noticed them. The Aurors were also having difficulty and all the shields they cast were failing. None were standing up to the curses coming their way. Not even from a simple Petrificus Totalus. Because of this, many Aurors lay dead or unconscious on the ground.
Ron and Hermione were still lying a few feet from them. From where he sat with his back to the crumbling wall, he could see the blood on Ron's face and on Hermione's arms. Ron was lying face up. His eyes closed as the blood continued to flow and cover the right side of his face. Hermione was lying face down. Harry couldn't see her face but guessed that it was the same as Ron's.
Filled with rage and not being able to do anything, Harry glared back at the Death Eater in front of him.
"I could kill you now. But the Dark Lord wants to finish you himself. Personally, I don't know why he's had trouble in the past at trying to defeat you when I took you down so easily." Harry didn't say anything and continued to glare at him. "I'll bring you to him. But first, let's have some fun, shall we?" The Death Eater took a step forward and readied a spell on his lips.
It was now or never. Harry took this time to spring from his position and made a grab for the wand. Too late.
"Crucio!"
The pain was beyond unbearable. Somehow the spells this Death Eater was casting were more powerful than he's ever experienced. Because of this, the pain was more than he's ever felt, even from Voldemort. Can't take it. Make it stop! He couldn't think of anything else besides dying. He wanted to die instead of enduring this much pain. But he didn't have that luxury. The pain continued to eat through him and spread through every fiber of his muscles, every inch of his body. His vision failed him as well as his hearing. It felt like an eternity and all he knew was pain. Time didn't matter. There was only pain. Only pain and nothing else.
Just as suddenly as it started, it stopped. His whole body was throbbing and all he could see was a blur of colors. Suddenly, hands grabbed his shoulders and shook. He couldn't really see him and can barely hear him. As the hands grabbed his left shoulders he winced in pain.
"Harry! Harry, can you hear me? Are you alright?"
"Ch...Charlie? Is that you?" croaked Harry.
"Yeah. Let's get you out of here." Charlie helped him up and by the time he had gotten up, he was able to see clearly. He swayed on the spot as the world continued to spin and explode around him. He would have fallen if it hadn't been for Charlie supporting him.
There was another body next to him on the ground, unconscious. "Take this." Charlie shoved something in his hands. Confused, he looked down at his hands and saw that it was his wand. Everything came back to him.
"Ron. Hermione." Looking around, he couldn't see them. All he saw were the blood stains on the ground where they had been lying a while ago.
"They're gone. Port keyed them to St. Mungos." Charlie and Harry dodged a stray curse from an Auror and Death Eater battling nearby and ran for cover.
"Are they all right?" Harry asked.
"They'll be fine. Listen, you have to apparate out of here. Go to St. Mungos and have someone take a look at that." Harry could tell something was wrong with Ron and Hermione by the look in his face. He was about to ask more when a spell grazed his ear as it passed.
Harry rolled to his left, causing more pain on his injured shoulder, and fired at the direction the spell came from. "Reducto!" It missed the Death Eater standing five meters away. It collided with the wall behind him causing it to shatter and ruble to fall on top of the Death Eater. Harry didn't know if he was dead or unconscious and now was not the time to find out.
Two Death Eaters were engaged in a duel with Charlie a few meters from him. Charlie fired a leg locking curse which rebounded after colliding with the Death Eater's shield. It returned with twice the speed and twice the force and smashed into Charlie's stomach with so much force that it threw him off his feet and landed a few feet behind.
"Incendio!" The spell raced from Harry's wand towards the back of the Death Eater who had taken down Charlie and burst into flames. The Death Eater flailed around trying to put out the fire and in the end apparated out of Diagon Alley.
The other one turned to Harry and yelled, "Avada Kedavra!"
Harry rolled over and crashed into a broken wall which took the damage and shattered to pieces. He ran for cover just as another spell left the Death Eater's wand.
"You can't hide forever, boy! You don't stand a chance. The Dark Lord will win and there's nothing you or anyone can do about it. So just give up like a good little boy and surrender to the power of the Dark Lord."
The Death Eater continued to taunt him, but this only fuelled Harry's anger and determination. He bolted from his cover and flipped through the air. He managed to aim his wand at the surprised Death Eater in mid-air and cast a spell. "Incarcerous." Thick ropes wrapped and bound the Death Eater from head to toe as Harry landed with a thud on the ground. He yelled in pain as his left shoulder took in the impact from the ground. Too much. It's all just too much.
The world was fading, but he knew he couldn't give up. As he staggered to his feet, a hand grabbed his left arm and pulled him down again. Pain raced through his arm and across his shoulder. Harry tried to identify his attacker, but couldn't see his face. He tried to lift his wand, but found that he was too weak to do so. As the world and the explosions started to fade, all he could see was a white robe and nothing else...
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Warmth. Comfort. It seems so odd that he should feel these things.
Slowly, he lifted the lids of his eyes and found himself staring at a white ceiling fan spinning and spinning. His vision was blurry but he could tell what it was.
He shifted his position and let out a groan as he disturbed his shoulder. It all came back to him. Diagon Alley. The attack. Ron. Hermione. He tried to sit up only to be pushed back down again.
"Harry, you really should just lie down. You need rest." Hermione was bending over him with a concerned look.
"Yeah mate! Your shoulder didn't look so good when they brought you here." Ron was standing at the other side of the bed with his back facing the door.
"Hermione? Ron? Are you guys alright? Wha... What happened?" His voice was hoarse. He knew he didn't sound so good, but didn't care.
"You were portkeyed here. You were unconscious and your shoulder was badly damaged," sniffed Hermione as she handed him his glasses.
"You've been unconscious for five hours. Mum, Dad, and the others are here as well. They're over there with Charlie." Ron turned and pointed at a group of red heads hovering over a bed.
As Harry surveyed the room, he noticed several other occupants. Many were awake and had visitors, others were unconscious. A few beds around him were unoccupied but gave the impression that they once held patients. Almost everything was white and this unnerved him a little.
"Oh, Harry dear! You're alright! I knew I shouldn't have let you kids go on your own. Now look what happened. Oh when I heard..." Mrs. Weasley suddenly gave him a hug. He was relieved that it wasn't the bear hug she always gave her kids. He didn't know how much more his shoulder could take.
"Mrs. Weasley. It's nice to see you too." It still overwhelmed him how others worry about him. "I'm fine, really. Just a little sore." They were giving him too much attention and decided to bring up a new topic to divert attention. "So how did you guys get here."
Ron and Hermione looked at each other for a second. It was Hermione who spoke first. "The healer told us we were also portkeyed here. Most of the wounded were. Many were unconscious and bleeding. Others were dying or already dead. It was a massacre Harry. A massacre..." Hermione whispered the last part as tears escaped her eyes.
Ron wanted to go and comfort her but his mother was already doing that.
"I woke an hour after Hermione. An hour after the fighting stopped and they were still bringing in the wounded."
"How did it end? The last thing I saw was an Auror giving me a Portkey." He had to find out what happened and how it ended. They were just too powerful; more powerful than he remembered from the ministry or during the attack on Hogwarts.
"More Aurors apparated in Diagon Alley along with a few members from the Order of the Phoenix. Of course, the Aurors thought they were just normal witches and wizards taking a stand so no worries about being suspected as part of a secret group." Mrs. Weasley looked at him with sadness and continued. "Charlie said that you stood up so well against the Death Eaters. You kids are really growing up too fast."
"Wars always forces people to grow up faster than normal Mrs. Weasley." Harry looked down at his hands clutching the white sheets. He wondered if he had killed that Death Eater who was buried in the rubble. He's never killed anyone before. Part of him felt regret, but the other wished that he was dead. He deserved it. They all do. Especially him!
Anger was clearly written on his face and others could see it well.
"Harry... Are you..." Hermione didn't continue. Instead she bit down on her lips to prevent her from saying more. She knew he was angry and was probably blaming himself again. He always did when it had something to do with this war. Especially now that he knew he was the only one who could stop Voldemort.
His thoughts and their silence were interrupted as Mr. Weasley and Bill came over. "Glad you're awake, Harry."
"Hello Mr. Weasley. Bill. Any news?"
Mr. Weasley glanced at his wife who looked worried and said, "It seemed that the attack's real purpose was to give the Death Eater a chance to test their new toys."
"The wands?" It would explain the power behind the curses he saw during the attack.
"Yes Harry. And as you know, Ollivander has been missing for quite a while now. Guess we know what happened to him." Bill looked grim as he continued to explain about the wands the Aurors managed to get their hands on from the few prisoners they apprehended. This was certainly tilting the war in Voldemort's favor. With Dumbledore gone and with these improved wands, how will the light win?
After a few more words exchanged, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Bill went back to Charlie leaving Ron and Hermione with Harry.
"We'll need to leave as soon as we can." Harry looked at Ron and Hermione to see their reaction.
They both nodded, but Hermione could tell there was something else behind what Harry just said.
"Yeah. But not until after the wedding." Ron gave him a sad smile as he said this.
"Uhh... Harry, Ron I should check how Charlie is doing. Come on Ron." Hermione grabbed Ron's arm and started to drag him away.
"What? But I just spoke to him. He's fine." Hermione tightened her hold on him as she continued to drag him away.
Harry was a little puzzled until he saw the youngest Weasley standing a few feet away.
Ginny.
She started waking towards him. She looked tired, but still managed to look so beautiful. Her red hair swayed smoothly behind her as she walked. Her form graceful and determined. Her eyes looked sad as if all life had drained from them. Fear was there too. Harry hated what the war was doing to her. Hated what he was doing to her. He wanted nothing more than to hold her in him arms again. To comfort her, but knew he couldn't do that – not until he's gone. I can't put her in anymore danger. I don't think I'll be able to take it.
"Ginny... I..." started Harry before he was interrupted.
"Just listen to me before you say anything." She said. "I know you're up to something. I know that you ended it in order to keep me safe. But Harry... There no way you can keep me safe by staying away. But I also understand that you need to do what you have to do and like it or not I'm going to be right there next to you."
"No! There is no way you're doing this Ginny!"
"Yes I will! I care about you Harry. Why is it that you think it's okay for you to risk your life for those you care about and it's not okay for other to risk theirs for you?" Ginny's voice was getting louder but managed to keep it low enough for others to over hear. She was determined to help him or at least make sure he doesn't do anything so stupid as to do everything on his own.
The Weasley family a couple of beds over could see that the two were arguing, but didn't want to interfere. A few months ago, Mrs. Weasley was so happy for her daughter when she found out that she was with Harry. The news of their break-up didn't surprise her that much, considering what just happened. But still she hoped that the two will be able to patch it up between them.
"Ginny, there are some things that I have to do and I don't want you around to get hurt. It's going to be dangerous and if anything happens to you, I'll... I'll..." He tore his eyes from her and stared at the white sheets. I'll never forgive myself. "Ginny, I can't let you come with me," he whispered.
Ginny continued to stare at him. Frustration continued to burn in her eyes. However, she knew that he would never budge. He was stubborn. Too stubborn.
A few minutes of silence passed as Harry continued to avoid her eyes as she continued to glare at him. Defeated, she released her breath and sat down next to him. She took his hands in hers and turned his face towards her. She stared at his eyes for a few seconds and saw the pain behind them. She wanted nothing more than to take away that pain, but he wouldn't let her.
"Just promise me that what ever you do, you won't do it alone. And that before you leave, promise to say good-bye."
Harry was shocked to find out that she knew he was leaving. "Ginny... I..."
She gave him a sad smile when she saw his surprise. "I know you more than you think Harry. That's why I care so much about you. When I saw you here, I didn't know what to think. I was afraid that I would loose you."
Tears were running down her cheeks, moistening her perfect skin. Harry reached up to dry them, but pulled back in the last minute and looked down. "Ginny, I'm sorry. But I can't put you in anymore danger."
She was a little disappointed that he had pulled back. "Still quite the hero, aren't we?"
Harry stared at her brown eyes, regretting every action he's done so far to put her in this position.
"Just promise me that you'll let Ron and Hermione help you with this. Promise me that you won't leave without saying good-bye." She continued to look at him, waiting for his answer but he didn't say a word. Fine. If he won't promise, then I'll just have to make sure that I'm there when he leaves.
Ginny leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss on the lips before turning around and saying, "I'll see you back at the Burrow." Ginny quickly walked out of the room without looking back.
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It's been over a week since the attack on Diagon Alley occurred and nothing has happened since then. The Daily Prophet was still printing articles about the attack and trying to predict the next one.
Twenty-eight people had died. Ten were Aurors, two Death Eaters, and the rest were the innocent men, women, and children.
With a heavy sigh, Hermione placed the Prophet down to continue her breakfast. "Well, at least there hasn't been an attack since then." Before the attack on Diagon Alley, there were a few mysterious deaths that everyone suspected was Voldemort and Death Eater's doing. But now, not even a single threat on anyone. The calm before the storm, thought Harry.
The breakfast table had been magically elongated to accommodate everyone including Fleur's family. The table was filled with food and everyone's main topic was the preparation for the wedding; everyone except Ron, Harry, and Hermione who were sitting at the end of the table.
"It's just going to get worse now that he's forcing people into his army," whispered Harry.
Ron and Hermione nodded knowing that what they're about to do wasn't going to be easy.
Harry looked around and saw that everyone was worried even though they tried to avoid the subject. They weren't going to give in. They were holding on to each other and for one last celebration before things became worse.
Harry wondered what it would be like to have that; to have something special to hold on to, have something to look forward to. And then his eyes fell on her.
He wished he didn't have to. But he couldn't risk it. He still remembered the time they spoke in the hospital and how he'd hurt her. After their conversation, it puzzled him how she didn't stay away from him or tried to avoid him. Any conversation they had only lasted from one to two sentences.
"Ze owls are here!" Gabrielle had snatched the letter from and owl that landed in front of her.
"Hogwarts letters..." Ron stared at the letters that a large barn owl had dropped in front of him. He looked at them for a second before exchanging looks with Harry and Hermione. They weren't going back so there really was no point, but no one else knew.
"Well... I see that they're keeping it opened after all," said Mrs. Weasley. "I'm still not sure whether or not to let you four go back there."
"Mum..." Ginny was about to protest before she was interrupted.
"I don't believe there will be many who are willing to let their children go back, dear. But I heard that the minister decided to place a few Aurors there. He's also going to increase the available floo network out of Hogwarts. Either way, it safer for the kids there than here Molly," reasoned Mr. Weasley.
"Yes I know Arthur."
It's not safe anywhere. Harry knew that not even the few Aurors stationed at Hogwarts was enough to stop Voldemort and his army.
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For the rest of their time at the Burrow, Ron, Harry, and Hermione spent their time researching possible horcruxes and practicing advanced defensive and offensive spells, nonverbal magic, and Occlumency. Harry remembered the last time he fought Snape and with that one thought alone he pushed himself harder. The next time I see him, I won't let him get away.
"Harry! Concentrate!" ordered Hermione.
"Wha..." The teacup that he had been trying to levitate using nonverbal magic shattered to pieces.
"Wrong spell Harry." Ron was laughing on the bed.
"At least I managed something!" Harry said hotly.
"Well... I think that it's obvious that your anger is triggering your magic. It's actually helping you learn. But that's not always a good thing," added Hermione as she repaired the shattered teacup. "You've got to learn to control your anger Harry. It's the only way you'll learn to do this right."
"Yeah, I know."
"Hey Harry. Don't ever use nonverbal magic on me alright? I kinda wanna stay in one piece," smirked Ron.
"Oh sod off!"
"You were thinking about him weren't you?" Hermione's face turned serious.
"Yeah."
"It's not your fault. He was much more skilled and experienced than us Harry," reasoned Hermione.
Harry nodded. He knew this, but can't accept it. He has to get better at it or he won't stand a chance the next time he faces him.
"If I ever get my hands on that git, I'll make him pay." Ron emphasized by punching his palms.
Hermione nodded in agreement.
"At least now we have a good reason to pay him back," said Harry.
"Yeah, pay him back for Dumbledore and the last six years," smirked Ron.
"Ron!" shrieked Hermione.
"What?"
"You are not going on a crusade in order to act on a grudge you have for Professor Snape!"
"Snape! Not Professor Snape!"
Ron and Hermione continued to argue with each other. Harry on the other hand, was content to stay out of it if they let him. I wonder when they'll get together, thought Harry. When he leaves, he hopes that the two will have enough time for each other. I can't put them in anymore danger than I already have.
Harry picked up the parchment next to him to look at all the properties he owned. First stop would have to be somewhere unplottable. He had a few of those. There was the one in Liverpool, another in Manchester, and one just outside of London.
As he was studying the parchment, there was a knock on the door. Harry turned his heads and there stood Ginny with a smile on her face.
"Hey guys. Mum says its time for dinner."
Ron and Hermione had stopped their arguing and walked past Ginny, Hermione looking smug. "Thanks Ginny." Ron followed her looking peeved.
Harry placed the parchment on the bedside table and followed Ron and Hermione. "Thanks Ginny," mumbled Harry as he passed her.
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Ginny sat at the kitchen table talking to Gabrielle while her mother prepared dinner. If it was any other night, it would have been her helping her mother. But since Fleur and her family were here, Fleur and her mother were helping with the cooking.
"Ginny, will you tell Harry, Hermione, and your brother to come down for dinner?" asked Molly as she busied setting the table.
"Yes mum."
As she climbed the stairs to Ron and Harry's room, she couldn't help but worry about Harry. For the past few days she had been trying to act normal around him to make him feel comfortable. But whenever he sees her, Ginny could see that pain and regret behind those eyes.
"Ugh! If that idiot would just stop being so stubborn, he'd know that I'd help him in a second."
As she neared the door, she heard something break. Curious, she decided to listen before making her presence known.
Wordless magic? Snape?
Taking a peek inside the room, she saw Harry sitting on a bed reading a parchment and intent on ignoring the two bickering couple. Ginny smirked at the thought. I don't know how he puts up with it.
Knocking on the door once, she placed a smile on her face and said, "Hey guys. Mum says it's time for dinner."
The argument ended, which Hermione obviously won. "Thanks Ginny."
After the two left, it was only her and Harry. Their eyes met once before he mumbled his thanks and followed Ron and Hermione down the stairs.
She ran her hand through her hair in frustration. What the hell do I have to do to make him act normal around here? Shaking her head, she turned to leave but then noticed the parchment Harry was reading when she entered. Curious, she picked it up and recognized it as the list of properties he inherited.
Merlin! She knew he was rich, but not that rich! And it wasn't obvious from the way he lived, the way he dress, and how he carries himself.
He doesn't care for any of these. She knew this is true and because of it, the more she cared for him, or maybe love would be more accurate. She didn't know how Harry would react if she said she loved him, so for now she would have to settle for caring about him. Even if that git tries to push me away. Shaking her head once more, she turned and went down to dinner.
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"Fleur! Darling! Où es tu?" Mrs. Delacour was frantically searching room to room. "Ah! Je m'excuse!" She slammed the door and went to check the next room.
Molly Weasley had just finished fixing her son's tie when Mrs. Delacour opened the door. "Oh dear, I wonder what's the matter now." Molly gave Bill a kiss and a hug before she hurried out the door.
The bride and groom were both preparing for the wedding in the same house and to avoid having the two come across one another before the ceremony, they were told to remain in their rooms.
"Don't worry mum. Everything will be fine." Bill shouted after his mother. However, it was more for himself that his mother. It was his wedding day and he was marrying the most incredible woman in the world. He looked at his reflection and traced the scar across his face. For the hundredth time that day, he realized how lucky he was to have her. Not even the incident at Hogwarts was enough to drive her away.
With only a few hours before the ceremony, the Weasley house was in chaos. Last minute foods were being prepared in the kitchen. Pots, pans, spoons, and forks flew through the air and on the stove. Potatoes peeled themselves before jumping in the boiling water. Knives flew from the counter and chopped the vegetables. Eggs cracked themselves against the edge of the bowl and dropped their contents in to be whipped. Foods jumped from pots and into delicate and ornate china dishes which were immediately charmed to stay warm. This was all supervised by Tonks and Hermione who were supervised by Molly Weasley every five minutes.
Outside, no clouds could be seen for miles around. It was warm and a light breeze blew to rustle the leaves on the tree tops and the grass on the ground. The lake lay quiet and calm only to be disturbed as a fish jumped from the water only to land back with a small splash.
It was times like these that he felt at peace. There was no sign of pain, struggle, or the war in the horizon. Everything was the way it should be and no matter what, he'll do whatever it takes to make sure that this will not be that last time he sees a day like this.
Still in a deep thought, a vision of Ron and Hermione lying on the ground in Diagon Alley overcame him. No... I can't... He shook his head trying to clear away the vision.
Tonight. It has to be tonight.
"Hey Harry! Been looking everywhere for you mate. I'm so glad to get out of that mad house. Mum and Mrs. Delacour kept fussing about every little thing." Ron sat down next to Harry and leaned back on his elbows
"So what took you so long to escape?" Harry turned to look at his friend, an amused look on his face.
Ron took a deep breath before releasing it and lay back on the grass to stare at the branches above them. He had one arm behind his head and the other on his stomach. "Mum had about a billion of things she wanted me to do. Whenever I finished one, there was always something else. So... I just climbed out the window."
Harry chuckled and shook his head.
"Charlie, Fred, and George managed to get away earlier. Dad's still trapped inside. I don't reckon he'll be able to escape. I think mum's keeping a close eye on him now that a few of us has gotten out."
"Hermione?"
"She's been brainwashed. Ginny on the other hand, well... she's not going anywhere - bride's maid and all." Ron grinned.
Harry continued to stare at the lake letting the warm breeze blow through his unruly hair.
After a few minutes of silence, Ron asked, "When do we leave?"
"A day or two. You need to spend some time with your family. Don't know when we'll be able to get back. Something might happen while we're gone and things are just going to get worse."
"Yeah. I hear you."
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The wedding guest had gathered and watched as the bride and groom exchanged their vows. There were only a few present to witness the ceremony, only close friends and families were there.
On the altar, Fleur stood facing Bill. Her dress, a simple, yet elegant white gown with no sleeves reached down to her feet. On her head was the tiara that belonged to Mrs. Weasley's Great-Aunt Muriel, goblin made and very beautiful. Beneath the tiara, her silvery-blonde hair cascaded down to her waist and swayed gently by the wind.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife."
The guests stood up and clapped as the couple kissed. Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Delacour were wiping their eyes in between their clapping.
After the wedding ceremony, long tables were assembled beside the lake and loaded with so much foods and drinks that the tables groaned and threatened to break in half.
The sky had dimmed a little and spheres of light were enchanted to hover above the tables and the dance floor. Bill and Fleur were already there dancing to a slow music in front of the stage where the band played. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley wee also on the dance floor along with Tonks and Remus.
There were many others Harry didn't recognize and many that he did were either Aurors or members of the Order of the Phoenix. Two or three Aurors were walking along the perimeter of the party. These Aurors had accompanied Percy Weasley when he arrived just after the reception started. Molly Weasley had rushed to her son to welcome him and Bill had accepted his congratulations and shook his hands with reservation. He still hadn't forgiven Percy for the previous years, but he was willing to put everything aside just for one day. With that final thought he gave Percy a brotherly hug that surprised the other members of the Weasley clan.
After being nudged in the ribs by his wife, Arthur Weasley approached his prodigal son and shook his hands. As for the other Weasleys, they stayed away.
Amongst the guest, there was a tense atmosphere that hovered around them. Many of the members of the Order of the Phoenix who decided to attend were trying to enjoy themselves, while at the same time keeping their wands within reach, and scanning the area for any sign of an attack.
"I can't believe that everything went perfect!" said Hermione.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting together at the table watching the other guests dance.
"I'm just glad it's all over." Ron sighed with relief as he loosened the bow around his neck.
"Tsk." Hermione shook her head, her hair tied neatly on top. She was wearing a light blue gown that flowed to her feet. The bodice of the dress hugged her in a way that complimented her figure. All through the ceremony, Hermione had a smile on her face. But it wasn't because of the wedding. The real reason behind it was for her success in attracting the stare of a certain red head. "Ron, who ever said it was over?"
Ron stared at her and was about to reply when Hermione grabbed his hands and pulled him to the dance floor.
"Come on, let's dance."
As for Ron's part, he didn't put up much of a struggle.
Hermione had decided that Ron was too stubborn to take the initiative, so it was left to her to poke and prod him in the right direction. Now that they were going to leave all this behind to help Harry, she wanted to enjoy herself while it last.
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Harry sat watching his friends dance for a few minutes. They look so happy. That was the way it should be. He hoped that if they do come together, their friendship will continue to stay the same if for some reason they broke up.
"Harry, do you have a minute?" Looking around, he saw Remus approach him. "How are you doing, Harry?"
"I'm fine. You?"
"Better than before."
"I see you and Tonks have gotten together."
Remus chuckled as he looked over at Tonks. "Yeah, well... I don't know what she sees in me." He shook his head trying to clear his thoughts and turned a serious expression to his best friend's son. "Harry, are you sure you can't tell us what happened that night? We may be able to help."
"I'm sorry. I promised Dumbledore I wouldn't. No matter what happened."
Remus's face fell. He wanted to help Harry so much, but he wouldn't let him. "Harry, I..." He released a sigh, knowing that he wouldn't budge. He's so much like James. "Harry, I know that you have a big role to play in this war. That prophesy, it's between you and Voldemort. Everyone knows this. The Order has decided that you should become a member. Even if you decide not to tell us what happened that night, will you at least come to us and ask for help when you need it?" If he can't protect him right now, then at least he'll be there when Harry needs him.
"Yeah, I will. Thanks Remus."
Remus embraced him and said, "Good. In the mean time, stay out of trouble." He smiled at Harry before turning around and joining Tonks.
Good-bye Remus.
After a few minutes in deep thought, he looked around and spotted Ginny. She was sitting a few tables over talking with a girl her age; cousin maybe. She was in her bride's maid gown and looked radiant. In his opinion, she looked a hundred times better than Fleur in her gown.
Without knowing what he was doing he started to walk towards her and reached out a hand. "Ginny, would you like to dance?"
Ginny was surprised that he'd ask. But as she looked deep within his emerald eyes, she saw the hope inside. Everything else around her faded as she took his hands and allowed Harry to lead her on the dance floor.
They danced to a slow music, oblivious of those around them. Harry pulled her closer as she leaned her head on his shoulder. He's so warm. Within his embrace, she felt safe, secure. But something else bothered her.
"Harry..." she said hesitantly. "You're leaving aren't you?" She felt him tense as she continued to rest her head.
"I... yes," he whispered this simple answer that sent goose bumps on her skin. "I have to Ginny. It has to end."
"And you won't allow me to come with you?" She knew the answer already, but she had to ask.
"No. I'm sorry." As he said this he held her tighter, afraid that if he loosened his hold on her, she'd disappear.
"Ron and Hermione know about this? They'll be with you right?"
Harry hesitated. "They know. I told them before we left Hogwarts."
Ginny accepted his answer, but there was something about it that bothered her. After a while, she decided to push her worries at the back of her mind and tried to enjoy her time with Harry while it last.
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Picking up his wand, Harry cast the Imperterbable Charm in Ron's direction.
It was hours after the party and everyone was asleep. Bill and Fleur had left an hour before the party ended. Little by little, the number of guests thinned until all that remained was Harry, Hermione, the Delacours, and the Weasleys with the exception of Percy.
Harry gathered his belongings and placed them all in the new trunk. He tip-toed around the room he shared with Ron, making as little noise as possible. He lifted Hedwig's cage gently and was rewarded by a hoot and flapping of the wings as she was disturbed from her sleep.
"Hedwig, shush!" Realizing the importance of what was happening, Hedwig stayed quiet as Harry brought her over to the open window. "I'll see you later Hedwig." He stuffed the empty cage in the magical trunk and shrunk it before placing it in his pocket.
With everything packed, he took one last look at Ron, and walked out the door.
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It's been two hours and still, she couldn't sleep. She continued to lie on her bed wondering what it was that was worrying her. She knew Harry was leaving, but he had assured her that Ron and Hermione knew about it. She knew it was the truth by the way he said it. Ron and Hermione knew so they would go with him and help him out, right?
Hoot.
Ginny knew that was Hedwig. She heard some flapping afterwards and wondered why she was making so much noise. She's always so quiet during the night. She sat up on the bed and starred over at Hermione who was sleeping soundly. In the third bed over was Gabrielle, also sound asleep.
Ginny pushed the covers aside and made her way to the door, determined to investigate the noise. As she was about to grab the door handle, she heard the creak of the floor boards from down the stairs.
Fear overcame her as she realized what was happening. She hoped she was wrong but knew deep down that it was true. She opened the door and ran down the stairs. Having lived in this house all her life, she knew which steps to avoid. Because she was light and moved fast, she reached the bottom of the stairs without making noise.
"Harry," she whispered as she reached the kitchen and noticed the door unlocked. She started to approach it when she heard some whispering before the door locked themselves.
"Harry, wait!" she said a little louder as she ran to unlock the door.
She opened the door and was greeted with a gentle breeze that blew her night gown over her ankles.
No one was there. He was gone.
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A/N: Thanks for reading this and so sorry that this one took such a long time to post. Don't know when the next one will come out. It will be out when I finish.
--Ness--