A/n: tears…. We only have one more chapter after this one… hopefully… all of you guys have been truly great thank you, you gave me the push I needed to start writing a novel of my own… it might not be as good as writing the fanfics but at least I am going to try. My beta and I decided to do a challenge now if your interested and want to join us… we need to have some more moral support… and if u actually want to join in just email me… or IM me… my email is my aim sn is cherbi161… don't be afraid and if you don't finish the challenge at least you tried, but it would be awesome to get more people involved…
P.S. I don't own nething but monster ideas and the plot…
Chapter 23 The Last Battle
The candles that lit the room seemed to be going lower and lower. This seemed to be the only thing in the stone room that showed that time was passing by. I looked to Hermione who had her eyes closed, her hair was ruffled, and she had blood everywhere.
"Hermione please talk to me." I called out softly. I didn't like seeing her like this and I didn't want to go into this thing without a plan, either.
My father groaned and I kicked him in the face for good measure. I walked across the small stone room and sat down next to her.
"Hermione," I said softly. I touched her shoulder and she moved away from me.
"Don't touch me." She said angrily.
"Hermione you don't understand."
"I do understand, after all of this, after we expressed our feelings for each other you still decided to follow through with the plan. You decided that your loyalty lied with Voldemort, and once you found out that I was the prodigy you changed your mind. You don't love me, you love yourself." She said angrily.
"Just listen to me …"
"There's nothing to listen to, no one knows we're here. You lead us both to our deaths. I have nothing more to say to you." She said closing her eyes once more.
I got up and walked over to her. She stood up, her hands poised. I walked closer to her, her hands twitched a little. Her eyes were full of sadness and anger.
"Hermione, you need to listen to me. I left a note for Potter, he knows where we are. He will soon be here to come rescue you. We have to think of a plan." I said still approaching her slowly.
"You did?" She asked relaxing her hands a little. "Well what if that was all in the plan too, to lure him here."
"Trust me it wasn't, it was a last minute thing I did so that he could inform whoever he could to come here and get you." I replied.
She looked down at the ring on her finger, her hands still poised and ready to attack.
"Hermione, I have changed." I took another step forward. "I love you."
Her hands were quivering when I reached up and grabbed them. Her hands were ice cold and the paleness in her whole body was evident. She was afraid.
"Hermione everything is going to be ok, we'll get through this." I placed my arms around her in a hug and she began sobbing.
I didn't know what made me cry. I didn't know if it was the fact that Lucius Malfoy raped me, or the fact that someone who I loved betrayed me, or the mere fact that in a few hours I was going to die. I then remembered my mother and father, which made things even worse but made me stronger at the same time. I had to stop crying, I had to stop being afraid. I needed to fight for everything.
The heat from Draco's body was warming me up. I could feel my blood pounding in my ears once more. I am the prodigy, and I will fight until the end. I stopped crying and stepped away from Draco.
"Let's get planning." I called out to him.
"What are we going to do about Hermione?" Harry called out angrily. "This is nothing but an elaborate plan to get to me."
Dumbledore was sitting at the head of the table in deep thought, as the witches and wizards around them planned and argued.
'Merlin is Miss Granger safe?' He questioned in her mind.
'Yes she is, her and that Malfoy boy is planning to escape somehow, but we are quickly running out of time.' He replied back.
'We do have their location, thanks to young Malfoy, but we need to know when to leave.' The headmaster thought.
'Well its Potter they want, why don't you send him first and I call on you to come. I think this is it Albus, the last battle.' Merlin replied worriedly. 'She isn't ready; she has to complete one last task. She doesn't know what she's up against.'
'I am quite sure that Miss Granger is capable and will find a way, Merlin. You did choose her for a reason. Just warn Miss Granger that we are coming soon enough.'
'Ok, Albus,' Merlin replied and with that he disappeared.
The headmaster cleared his throat and it instantly became quiet. Everyone looked at him with curiosity.
"We have one of our own in captivity. This is nothing but a ploy to get Harry in his midst. I have a plan but we need to take action because there is not a lot of time. Harry, Ron and Ginny you will go to this location as if you didn't inform us. We will follow soon after. This is it, the last battle. Remember to use your head so we can get her back." The headmaster replied.
We stood at the door on the stone steps waiting. I could feel his breath and his warmth.
"Are you ready?" He asked me. The candles had gone out, and it was pitch black.
"As ready as I'll ever be." I replied. I felt him move closer to me. His hand gently caressed my face as he brought his lips softly onto mine. I heard a noise on the other side of the door. Someone was humming a familiar song.
"Ready," he whispered.
I began gather my magic. Since it was not yet under control it was hard for me to grasp it. It began pooling around my knees when I heard the lock click. The door swung open and there was Cho Chang standing in front of me. She raised her wand.
"Avada…."
Draco jumped from behind me. He ran up the last set of stairs and tackled her to the ground. He held her on the ground while my magic was slowly gathering speed.
"GET OUT OF THE WAY!" I bellowed to him.
He jumped off of her and the magic shot out of my fingertips on the fallen Cho Chang. I heard screams of pain as the bright light shone upon her. The stench of burning flesh filled the air and my ears were ringing long after her screams stopped.
I walked up the remaining steps next to Draco who was holding his nose staring at the smoking robes.
"Ciao," I said angrily spitting on her charred remains. "Bitch!"
I felt weakened; I didn't have a lot of strength left.
"C'mon Hermione," He replied taking note of my condition. "Let's …"
He fell to the ground screaming as if he was in extreme pain. He was rolling on the ground like a certain spider I recalled seeing in the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom. It was soon lifted.
"Hermione…" He panted. "Go!"
I didn't know what made me stay but I did. I fell down next to him but he kept telling me to leave. The necklace around his neck was glowing red hot. Soon I heard a series of pops and cracks that alerted me that the Dark Lord and his followers had arrived. They were suddenly all around me.
The damp earth smelled familiar and welcoming. I looked around to see a familiar pond. We were at the place Malfoy seemed to have brought me a million times. My hair was lifted from the familiar warm gentle breeze.
"The prodigy, everyone," I heard voice hiss behind me. The group of followers burst out in to laughter.
I was still checking to see if Draco was ok.
"Your plan worked, even though you became a traitor in the end, my dear Draco." The voice continued. "You will pay dearly for that."
I watched the hem of his robes as he continued to circle around me.
"Nonetheless, I am still happy that you brought this fine specimen to me."
"Draco, are you ok?" I whispered. He nodded his head slightly.
I stood up to my full height to face the person, who has been feared above all, the name that most wizards fail to speak. I felt the hatred bubbling in me. He was the cause of everything, of many unnecessary deaths, of my parents' deaths, and Harry's parents.
'Don't do anything rash Hermione, think with your head.' I heard Asis voice.
'Where are you?' I asked.
'I'm with the girl you just torched.' She replied.
I called her over to me and soon my wand came through the circle of Death Eaters to my hand.
'Merlin is with Dumbledore he's about to send Harry off now to come get you, the order will follow shortly.' She continued. 'You just have to let me know when.'
"Cool little magic trick, but look what I can do." He lifted Draco off the ground and slammed his back into a nearby tree. He then spun him in the air like a spinning top and then crashed him onto the ground. He then lifted his wand once more to cause more bodily damage, but I sent out my magic like a whip and took his wand out of my hand. His wand flew into my hand which had Asis in it.
The Death Eaters had their wands raised, but Voldemort signaled them to lower them.
"Powerful, aren't we?" He hissed softly. He looked to the remains of his faithful death eater and placed them back onto me. His red eyes were staring into mine. Asis must of picked up on this for she wiped my mind blank of any thought.
"I have a proposition for you," He began circling around me once more. "You are a strong one aren't you, and beautiful too. You have a lot of power that I know isn't in your control, but I can change that. You see, without you completing the last task there's no stopping me."
I felt his eyes looking me up and down. I kept my face resolutely ahead as he continued to circle me.
"If you join me, I can spare your life, and the life of the one you love." My eyes shot over to Draco's fallen form.
"Yes, I know all about your "special" night." He said smirking. "I know because I was there witnessing it myself. What a fine little mudblood you are."
My eyes grew wide with shock and rage. I clenched my fists tightly and sparks flew out of my hands and wand.
"I heard you moan his name, over and over again, which naturally made me want you for myself." He continued. "Join me, and we will rule together. We will have the muggle and wizarding world at our feet."
"No!" I bellowed. "Never!"
"I was afraid you might say that." He replied. He held his hand out and the wand ripped out of my hand back to his.
I soon heard another popping sound, Harry, Ginny, and Ron apparated in front of me.
"The guest of honor has arrived," bellowed Voldemort. "Harry Potter."
Harry, Ron and Ginny raised their wands. All the Death Eaters raised their wands as well. A chill rippled through the circle as everyone was silent. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Draco get on his knees.
"Stupefy," I called out stunning the Death Eater closest to me. Soon an array of spells was shouted out towards us from the endless number of Death Eaters. None of them hit us because I placed a shield around all of us.
Ginny shouted out a spell stunning another Death Eater.
'Asis, get the Order now!' I called out.
I couldn't panic. I had to keep my breathing steady. I saw Malfoy run towards to Cho's remains, grabbing her wand. Spells were being shouted out everywhere. Voldemort was trying different spells to get rid of the shield I had placed around us.
Soon I heard the arrival of the Order. Ginny ran off giving out anything she could dish out. Bat boogey hexes, stunning spells, and body binding spells alike. Ron followed in pursuit. I saw Tonks fighting off two death eaters at once. Kingsley was jinxing another. Aurors from the ministry also arrived on the scene. A few of the Death Eaters tried to approach me but I sent them running with the jets of light shooting from my fingertips.
I saw Fred and George throwing what seemed like grenades at Death eaters which caused them to be encased in some foul smelling goo not allowing them to move. I saw Snape fighting off another Death Eater.
'Merlin what can I do?' I asked him urgently, binding yet another Death Eater.
'I'm sorry Miss Granger but I can't help you until the last task is fulfilled.' He called out.
'Behind you,' Asis called out.
I turned around and waved my wand. The Death Eater ran running into the lake. Jets of green light was being fired everywhere. It lit up the night sky. I turned to see Harry fighting Voldemort. I saw a purple jet shoot out of Voldemort's wand and it shot Harry in the chest making him fall gracefully to the damp earth.
Her eyes glowed electric blue when she saw Potter fall to the ground. All of her hair stood on end as if an electric current went through her. She glided fast past me to Harry's fallen form. Her whole body glowed with a white eerie light. She slowly placed her hands his chest as the light that glowed around her went to Potter. She slumped gracefully on her knees, as Voldemort advanced towards her.
Triumphant laughter filled the ground as he made his way towards me. I was too weak. I could barely move my legs. I looked towards Draco who looked at me. He was shouting something but I could barely hear him. Dumbledore was rounding up most of the Death Eaters still. Ginny looked towards me, horror etched on her face. It seemed as though everything was in slow motion.
'Asis,' I called out. I didn't get a reply. That last bit of magic in which I healed Harry must have ceased our link. My wand was in danger of falling out of my hand. I felt blackness ebbing at my consciousness. Tonks, Kingsley, the Weasleys, and most of the order were rounding up the last of the Death Eaters.
Voldemort stood in front of my slumped figure. I looked up at him and he looked back down at me a sneer crept over his face.
"Time's up." He said chuckling.
It seemed as though he was raising his wand in slow motion. I was reliving everything that has happened. My childhood, my years at Hogwarts, my parents, and weeks I spent at MWU and the time I spent with Draco. My father's words seemed to have echoed in my head.
"'In the most complex of situations the outcome will always be simple.'"
The thought hit me like a ton of bricks; it was so simply brilliant that Voldemort would never think of me using this spell.
I raised my wand slightly and whispered, "Chinnechimo,"
"Stop," I whispered softly. Voldemort stopped, fear and anger etched on his face.
"Drop your wand," I commanded. He was frozen as his arm dropped and the wand fell out of his hand on to the ground.
"Don't move," I whispered once more.
Harry stood up, and raised his wand.
"Avada Kedavra," He shouted.
The spell hit Voldemort squarely in the chest. He flew backwards and landed with a hard thud on the ground. His body was motionless as Dumbledore ran to him checking to see that he was dead.
The Chinnechi charm, simple but brilliant, I smiled at this thought. Darkness finally swallowed me as unconsciousness came over me.
A/n: All I have to say is WOW… the Dark Lord is finally vanquished. I hoped that you guys liked this chapter because I truly did. I feel all funny inside, like it's the ending of something good and moving on to something better. I want to thank everyone who reviewed for this entire story. I want to thank all my faithful reviewers who had been there since day one… well chapter 1. I feel all sorts of emotions right now; I don't know what it is…. Ah well… let me remind you there is only one more post left to this story. There is definitely going to be a sequel guys so don't worry.
Binnsgirl: Thanx for reviewing. Yes well Cho is a bitch and she is dead, as for Lucius Malfoy, no one will miss him and he will die of hunger, so basically he dies. When I began writing this I had no plot, no plan as to where this was going. I began to think of all of the possible people who could have a grudge against Hermione and then I thought about the part of the story in OTP in which Cho gets angry at Harry because he wants to meet Hermione at the Three Broomsticks and she gets very jealous. I thought "EUREKA, I have my villain" A lot of EUREKA thoughts came to me. The whole Merlin thing came to me out of no where, how Hermione could speak to him at the fountain. I thought that was bloody brilliant. You also may have noticed that the plan wasn't revealed until last chapter because for a long time I really didn't know what that plan was going to be. Soon everything began to fall into place, like a neat little puzzle. It came out quite good if I say so myself. LOL. Thanx for being such an awesome reviewer… YOU ROCK
Maddudewalking: You get the best reviewer reward for this story hands down. Hands over giant rice crispy square. U have been here through it all, through thick and thin, since the beginning (or as far back as I can remember) not only that but you left amazing reviews that had almost got me kicked out of libraries because I was laughing so hard. LOL. Not only that but you seem to love hrm/sevy hook ups and yet you love my dra/hrm fic. You are also on my list on my xanga so u totally rock! What else… lol. Let's just say that YOU ROCK HARDER THAN ANYONE ELSE! My beta seems to agree with me.
p.s. the red head at the fountain was cho chang, which was the same girl behind everything else…lol
James Lee: Christmas story has to be one of the best Christmas specials on the friggen planet. I love that movie so much that I have it on my computer, not only that but I also have a Charlie Brown Christmas, which I have been watching as far back as I can remember. My favorite part of a Christmas story is when we first meet the Bully and the Toadie. I love how he just pops out and starts laughing ROFFL I laugh at that part every single time I see that movie. My younger sister and I can never get enough of that seriously. LOL. Thanx for reviewing
Gentileschi: I have thanx to give to you too. Although we vaguely know each other I want to say thanx. Not only for giving me advice on studying abroad, but for also encouraging me and telling me that my story was good, even at times when I thought it was utter bull shit. Thank you so much, for everything.
Dracos – sexy – bitch: Well there it is my wonderful beta, the end of the dark lord, and the end to yet another great chapter. As I have said it before I now must say it again. I am so glad we met, I am so glad because u has to be one of my best friends. Can you imagine if I had never stumbled across your story? I would probably still reading ff and not writing it. You have opened my world to possibilities I never thought possible. You're probably only one of a few people who I can totally be myself around. Not only that but you don't judge or scrutinize every single aspect of my life that I am truly not worried about (you know what I'm talking about). None of this would have been possible without you encouraging me to pick up a pen and start writing a story of my own. You're one of the most awesomest people I know. Thanx for being there with me, through all the tears and life altering decisions. I love you gurlie!
I want to say thanx to DodgerMcClure, Tzefira, and Gucci 83 for reviewing. You guys are wicked awesome. I hoped that you guys liked this chapter.
I want to thank every one of you for taking out the time and reading my thoughts and imagination. If you want you can be put on my xanga list in which you can read about fics that I am currently working on as well as ideas of new fics. My xanga is loveroffanfiction. Not only that but if you want me to do a special kind of fic containing any characters of the Potterverse send in you ideas. If I am not too busy I will write them. If not I will keep them in my noggin and contact you if I do decide to do it. Ok…
As Always… Cherbi161