The List
By: lbfan
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, the characters, and the world which was created in the books. These are all owned by JK Rowling, AOL Time Warner, and many publishers around the world. This is written for entertainment purposes only. No profit will be made from this story.
Chapter 18 – Battle of Hogwarts
March 20 started off as a normal day for the students, but the staff tried to push on with butterflies in their stomach.
Harry had his first year Gryffindor/Slytherin class when the evacuation alarm sounded throughout the castle. "Alright students, just as we practiced. Calmly walk to the entrance hall, two by two."
Gabrielle clung to Harry. "Today is the day. Isn't it? This isn't a drill," she quietly asked.
Harry patted her as he answered, "Look at it this way; you get to return to France."
She gave him a tearful look as she replied, "I wish you could just be my hero, and not the whole world's."
Harry guided her to the back of the line as the last few students entered the hallway.
In the entrance hall, Professor McGonagall sent the students to assemble outside in the cold. "All D.A. students and professors, who are staying at the castle, stand on the left. All other students and professors gather on the right."
As clockwork, the Beauxbatons carriage touched down and stopped in front of the castle. Hagrid already had the single-malt whiskey prepared for the horses. Madam Maxine hulking figure stepped out of the carriage, and she winked at Hagrid. She then stepped forward and greeted the Headmistress, "Minerva, it is so good to see you again."
Professor McGonagall greeted her back and introduced the professors who were leaving with her to the Palace of Beauxbatons.
Professor McGonagall noticed Ron talking to some of the first years trying hard to calm them down. She looked at Harry with an encouraging look.
Harry stood up on the steps of the castle and addressed the leaving students. "Today is the day when we must send you off to the safety of our sister school in France, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. You need not be scared, but look at this as an opportunity to learn another culture. Do you best to be on your best behavior, because you are representing all of us at Hogwarts. We will send word to you when the conflict is over, but expect your stay to last at least a week. Chin up, and put on a smile. Everything will turn out right."
Ron and Susan started ushering the students into the carriage. "Move on down, there is plenty of room." It was funny to think when looking at them from the outside, but the enlargement spell placed on the interior of carriage did allow for the 300 students and professors to sit comfortably. House elves were busy filling the boot with all of the trunks.
When everyone, who was leaving, was in the carriage, Madam Maxine said goodbye and gave Hagrid a tearful kiss and hug.
He protested, "Oh, go on now. I'll be al'right. You see." She returned to the carriage, and it flew up into the air and out of sight.
Harry announced to the remaining students and teachers, "We will reassemble in the entrance hall at one-thirty. Put on your battle uniform and try to enjoy some lunch."
With the expectations of a battle looming over them, it was difficult for any of them to find an appetite. At Ginny's insistence, Harry did eat some food.
Ron departed the castle after the carriage left, leaving Hermione and Susan in charge of the D.A. Lavender noted, "That is unusual, Ron never misses a meal."
Hermione gave her a glare as if it was none of her business what Ron is up to.
At one-thirty, all of the D.A., except for Ron, were present and in formation. Standing on the side were the professors, the order, Ginny, Neville and Luna. Luna gave up her command to accompany Neville as Ginny did for Harry.
Harry protested to Ginny, "I will be the focal point of the fight. You will likely get hurt if you are next to me."
Ginny countered, "My greatest weapons are my spousal spells which require your presence to work."
He explained, "I would die if anything were to happen to you."
Irritated, she shot back, "Likewise. Get use to it."
She ordered him, "Give it up. Now, go give a speech. Everyone is waiting."
'Who is leading who?' Harry thought. He reluctantly left is argument, conceding to his tenacious fiancée and walked up the steps of the staircase to better address everyone. "Today is a day that will go down in history. We are not only fighting for our school, but also our families, communities and nation. Our enemy will not stop until we are eradicated, so there is no sense in giving up. It is also better that we are facing him shoulder to shoulder in one battle, then allowing him to destroy our families one by one. Together, we will stop him. Apart we will fall.
As we are standing in formation, look at the people in front of you. That is your chain of command. On the battlefield things can become confusing and communications will at times cease. Don't ever give up hope, and do as you are told. By doing so, you may not only be saving your life, but many others as well.
Leaders, look behind you. That is everyone who depends on you with their life. Be sure to take care of them and communicate clearly.
Everyone, pay attention. The battle is expected to go as follows: Large black portals will appear which Tom Riddle's Army will pour from. Expect the size of the army to be intimidating. They will march up to the gate and break the wards by simultaneously casting a spell. When the wards break, a very loud boom will sound shaking the ground and walls. This sound will signal the beginning of the battle. In the beginning of the battle will have to first fight Dementors and possibly vampires. They will be easy if you just do what I taught you. Be quick because the Death Eaters and Giants won't be far behind.
Everyone should have a few disposable spell shields. We are also going to give you a potion now. This potion will protect you from the Cruciatus and Imperius Curses. Drink the potion down when the army approaches, but before the wards fall. The effects will only last a few hours.
Having trained every one of you, I know that I can count on you. I believe in each one of you. Because of that I know we will win. We will survive.
Remember why you are fighting. We are protecting everything we love and cherish. We are fighting for our chance to live a normal life."
A loud cheer went up. Hermione passed out the potions to all of the fighters.
When she was done, Hermione ordered, "D.A. to your posts!" The students left to take their positions where they would wait.
Just as Luna predicted, the first portal opened up around four o'clock.
Half way down the road to Hogsmeade, Death Eaters were exiting four abreast and marching towards the school. In a clearing closer to the school, another portal opened up. This one was even larger than the first. From this portal, a throng of a berserker like fighters poured out. All of them dashed towards the school in a blood thirst rage. From within the lake, a whirlpool started from which a mask of tall ship started to rise. Another Portal opened up over the lake. From this one, Hundreds of Dementors poured out turning the day into darkness. Coldness and fear blanketed the castle.
The first ten minutes seemed to last hours as hundreds of minions flooded the sky and grounds around the school. Harry received reports that a similar portal opened up inside the forest. From the ship, on top of a flying Axminster, Voldemort flew to his army that were crowded around Hogwarts' front gate. Upon the Axminster, he casually sat upon a throne. Further back in Hogsmeade yet another portal opened up where Giants were emerging.
From on top of a broom, Hermione commanded everyone, "Take the potion, Now! Prepare to cast Patronus."
Lord Voldemort commanded his troops, "Tear down the wards!" He added to the effort as he pointed at the front gate with his wand and uttered, "Finite Incantatem."
Hermione commanded, "Cast Patronus." As the example, she cast "Expecto Patronum Militus." Her steel like Knight Patronus shot out from her wand.
A loud boom shook the castle and almost knocked Hermione from her broom. The wards had fallen.
From the school defenders, two hundred Patronusses flew out from the fallen wards to intercept the multitude of Dementors. Among the Patronusses, forty of them were Knight Patronusses like Hermione's. Dead Dementor corpses were falling to the ground all around. The regular Patronusses were effectively herding the Dementors to their deaths and preventing their escape.
Harry Apparated up to the top of the astronomy tower and pointed his wand at a Portal. "Portus," he cried out. As soon as the spell hit the portal, it disappeared. He repeated the spell to the other portals. As soon as a portal was gone, another opened up in it's place. From each of these new portals, Auroras from other countries, Goblins, Dwarves, and other ordinary citizens flooded onto the battlefield.
Over in Hogsmeade, Giants battled Giants. Hundreds of quidditch players from around the world took to the air from where they assembled in Hogsmeade. Ron led the broom-mounted brigade into battle. The attacking Giants were quickly defeated, and Ron directed the broom riders to defend Hogwarts.
Passing over the tall ship on his way, Ron dropped a few marbles into its hull. As a result from the explosions, the ship quickly fell apart and sunk into the lake.
As soon as he arrived, Ron started issuing orders to Hermione and the many other units using Schizotox Spells.
Harry returned to the front steps of the castle where he left Ginny. They were all holding back the attack well, but with Tom Riddle's army, the air around them filled with feelings of hatred, anger and fear. It was difficult to keep the warm loving thoughts it took to do light magic.
Ginny stowed her wand, then took Harry's hands. "Look at me!" Looking into his eyes she muttered, "Feelings of Love, Feelings of Light, Fill this Land, With your Might." At the end of the incantation, a burst of light left them in all directions. They then turned back and faced the battle.
The result of the spell lasted for many minutes. The feelings of love and hope flooded the whole battlefield all the way to Hogsmeade. None of Lord Voldemort's troops were able to effectively able to cast dark magic.
Voldemort became frustrated at the turn of the battle and the strength Ginny and Harry showed. He gathered some of his closest servants and few around back of the castle to sneak up on Harry.
Noticing the maneuver, Harry asked Neville, "Voldemort is going around the castle. Could you watch our backs and call me when he is near?"
Smiling Neville replied, "That is what I'm here for." He gestured to a small group of D.A. to follow as he transformed into a lion and ran around the side of the castle.
He rounded the side of the castle and over the rise to the backside of the castle. He found Voldemort and ten of his servants stepping off their Axminsters by the greenhouses. Loud and intimidating, Neville roared and turned back into his human form.
Voldemort laughed with some of his servants. Sarcastically, he said, "Oh, I'm quaking in my boots."
The loud, deep roar of a dragon did make them quake. Behind Neville, a large, fearsome blue dragon rose over the rise followed by several D.A. students.
Voldemort swiftly shot off an aura detection spell shrouding Neville with a bright white light. He commanded his servants, "He is mine. Take care of the rest."
Neville and Voldemort exchanged a fierce volley of spells back and forth. Neville hit Voldemort with a strong Banishing Charm throwing him meters away through the wall of one of the greenhouses.
Cautiously Neville stepped into the greenhouse. With a wave of his wand, he repaired the damaged wall, protecting the plants from the freezing air. On the floor where Voldemort landed, there were only traces of blood. Sensing for magic, he detected his enemy up ahead.
Neville tumbled some pots to the ground making it sound like he stumbled in the dark.
Voldemort stepped around from the corner that he was hiding and cast, "Crucio!" Neville cast, "Expelliarmus." This allowed the Cruciatus Curse to hit him straight on. Hermione's potion worked, and all he felt was a slight irritation. Neville collected Voldemort's wand and entered the broken doorway, which his opponent was thrown through. Above the doorway a teetering sign said, "Upper Sixth's Research Lab: Danger - Keep Out"
Neville found Voldemort getting up on to his feet on the opposite side of the lab. Dangling a wand, Neville asked, "Did you drop something?"
Voldemort hissed, "Keep it." With a wave of his wrist, another wand appeared in his hand. "I've been saving this one for Potter and his little bitch. This wand is twice as powerful. Give up and kneel before me."
Neville slowly shook his head, "No." He added, "Turn slowly around and look at the Venomous Tentacula you sent Harry. It doesn't like swift movements." Behind Voldemort, taking up the whole wall behind him, the plant was moving its vines around.
Irritated Voldemort hissed, "I didn't send it to him, I had Narcissa do that. Herbology is for idiots. Now you will kneel. Imperio." Again, the spell hit Neville with no effect.
Neville introduced, "Then I should introduce you. Tom Riddle, this is Vinny. Vinny, this is Tom Riddle."
Voldemort shouted, "Don't Call me Tom! Avada Kedarvra."
Casually, Neville threw out a Disposable Spell Shield to catch the Killing Curse. Voldemort's movements irritated Vinny and the plant entangled its vines around his arms and legs.
Voldemort struggled against the plant and started to cast, "Incendio."
Neville pulled out his sword and plunged it into Voldemort's chest. The sword glowed and throbbed with pulsating light. Six orbs of light floated into Voldemort's body, and then everything went dark and still. Neville pulled is sword out and told his plant, "Good plant Vinny. You may have him, but be careful his blood may give you indigestion."
Before he left, he told Voldemort's corpse, "Herbology is not a soft option."
Outside the lab, he found a fierce and intimidating witch holding her wand at ready.
In the dim light Neville thought he knew who it was. Unsure, he asked, "Luna?"
Stopping halfway through a spell, Luna screamed, "Neville!" She put her wand away and sprinted towards him.
Neville rushed forward to meet her and wrapped his arms around her. In his embrace he said, "I was just coming out to find you. Are you alright?"
Still in the embrace, Luna replied, "Yes, I'm fine. I was just frightened."
Pulling back from his hug, he admitted, "I know what you mean. You could have been seriously hurt or killed from those Death Eaters." As look was on his face as he surveyed her.
Rolling her eyes she said, "No, you lion heart, I was scared that you would have been killed by Voldemort. When you came in here, I knew that only one of you would be coming out alive. As for those Death Eaters we faced, they didn't have a chance."
He smiled when she said that. Returning solemnly, Neville asked her, "Then, why did you come in here? When I came out, it looked like you were expecting to face down Voldemort yourself. You could have died."
Luna cast her eyes down. "I had to do what I can to help. Besides if he did kill you…" She practically choked on the words.
Neville nodded and assured her, "I know. I would feel the same if you died too."
Luna looked up and saw him lovingly gazing down into her eyes. They leaned together and shared a passionate kiss.
Breaking their kiss, Neville said, "There's nothing more for us to do here. The battle is still going."
As soon as Neville left, Harry cast a complicated weather spell that caused cricket ball sized hail to fall on the attackers.
Severus Snape Apparated in front of Harry. Harry asked him, "Do you like your book? You wanted fame and fortune; now you have it."
"Sectumsempra," Snape shot back.
Harry easily dodged the spell. "Then what did you want?"
Snape growled, "To make your life a living hell. Furnunculus."
With simple shield, Harry blocked the curse. He pried into Severus' mind with Legilimency.
At the time, Snape was remembering when James Potter transfigured his pumpkin juice into blood at a meal in the Great Hall. Harry just got a glimpse of it before Snape raised his Occlumency shields.
Lucius Malfoy Apparated in front of Ginny and started sparing with her. "You killed my wife and my son. You stole my gold and destroyed my house with Nifflers. You are going to die."
She shot back, "Your wife was alive the last time I saw her. Your son saved my life by taking the Killing Curse for me. And the gold. You mean the non-existent gold in the non-existent vault with the non-existent dark items? You can have it all back, just give up and help us kill your master."
He shot another spell in reply which she easily blocked.
Furious Snape uttered, "I told you to never look at my memories again! Avada Ked…" The spell never completed before Snape fell over and died.
Stunned, Harry asked, "What happened to him?"
Lucius snarled, "He must have given a promise bond to never let harm fall upon you. He always was too proud to say no to a promise bond. Since he hated you more than anything in life, this was bound to be his fate." He slipped in a Bone Crushing Hex that hit Harry cleanly in the head.
Harry fell over onto the ground screaming. Bones all over his body started breaking.
Ginny surprised Lucius with an Improved Bat Bogey Hex. Lucius screamed and flailed at the attacking bats.
Ginny cried out, "Dobby!" She ran over to Harry to see what she could do.
Dobby appeared in a pop. Looking at his new master on the ground and the old one angrily holding a wand, he figured out what happened. Dobby hit Malfoy with a spell that sent him flying in the air. "Dobby told Mr. Malfoy to never touch Harry Potter." Dobby continued his attack on his former master.
In a look of fierce determination, Ginny cringed as she cut her finger open. She quickly and ritualistically placed her blood on his feet, hands and face. She chanted, "Soul to soul thy give thee, Life to life thy strength, Thee power of love thy have for thee, Thy life thy freely give." A magical golden light glowed from within her chest. She finished the enchantment by giving him an open mouth kiss. The golden light within her flowed out of her mouth and into his body. Multiple cracking sounds were heard as bones in Ginny's body broke. She rolled onto the ground unconscious.
Unfocused at first, Harry sat up and noticed Lucius triumphantly standing over Dobby's dead body. A rage built up in Harry so much, he stood and shot a drying charm at Malfoy.
Lucius Malfoy was amused at first, but ended up as a pile of dust. Every bit of moisture was sucked from his body. The next gust of wind blew him away.
Harry heard Ron's voice speak in his head. "There are a group of 20 Death Eaters who are invincible. Every spell or object thrown at them has no effect. Please help."
Harry found Dennis Creevy nearby and asked him, "Guard Ginny, she is alive, but just barely. She will be diagnosed as a Dementor kiss, but it is just a spell that will be later reversed."
Harry turned around and ran down the battlefield to the core group of Death Eaters. To run faster, he turned into a black haired fox. He returned to human form right in front of one of the Death Eaters, startling him. Pulling the Sword of Gryffindor from the scabbard on his back, Harry swung the sword swiftly, nearly decapitating the target.
The Sword of Gryffindor had no trouble with the magical protections these Death Eaters had. With his months of martial arts and swordsmanship training, Harry quickly eliminated the Death Eaters one by one. Even with all of them attacking him, his speed, dexterity and strength of his griffin form added to his ability, making him impossible to stop. It must have been the command group of Death Eaters as well, because when there were no more aggressors to attack. There were Death Eaters all around him kneeling in submission. Some of them were clutching the dark mark on their arms.
As Harry slowly turned and surveyed the field, he noticed Neville and Luna standing in the distance. Using Legilimency at Neville with his telescopic vision, Harry learned that Voldemort had been vanquished.
Casting the Sonorus Spell to his throat, Harry announced, "It is over, Neville Longbottom has destroyed Voldemort. His army has surrendered." "Quietus," he cast back at his throat.
Arthur Weasley Apparated next to Harry and gave him a big hug. Ron and Hermione also few down to him on the ground. Gesturing around him, Arthur asked, "Why did you not fully decapitate all of these Death Eaters?"
Harry answered, "I thought of Sir Nicholas and how he felt unusual for being only nearly headless. This way, he is not alone."
Hermione laughed as she heard his comment.
Everyone quickly took a ready stance as a new portal opened up on the battlefield. From out of the portal, Aurors from the Anglo American Wizarding Alliance poured out. Their wands were at the ready as they surveyed the battlefield. The commander noticed Harry and asked, "Are we too late?"
Snickers could be heard around the battlefield.
Arthur answered for him, "Yes this battle is over. My name is Arthur Weasley, the acting Minister of Magic. Since your Aurors are fresh, I could use your help in taking back the Ministry of Magic, our government building. Harry, could you lend me a hand as well?"
Harry looked longingly at Ginny's prone body before answering, "Sure I, erm… Ginny will be fine till we get back."
Solemnly Harry turned to Ron and asked, "Could you make sure that the prisoners are all taken away. Some of the Aurors from visiting countries may be able to claim and take some of them off our hands."
In an even quieter tone, he asked Hermione, "Could you make sure that all of the wounded are taken care of. I had already warned St. Mungo's of this battle so they should be prepared to receive casualties."
A few hours later, Harry returned to Hogwarts, tire, hungry and exhausted. As he entered the school, he went directly up to the hospital wing. He found Ginny lying in a Hospital bed with Emma tearfully tending to her.
Harry assured her, "Don't worry Mum, she will be alright. Are there any extra beds?"
Emma shook her head in confusion. "No, the Hospital Wing is at capacity."
Harry had spent so much time in the hospital wing he knew where everything was. He grabbed a hospital gown and went behind a curtain to change into it. When he came out, Emma enquired, "Harry, what are you doing?"
Harry handed her his clothes and gear. He explained, "Ginny cast a spell which gave me her health and soul. When I return her soul to her body, all or some of my injuries will return. For a while both of us will be out. Please get Madam Pomfrey and have her re-diagnose the two of us."
Emma went off to get Molly, Dan and Madam Pomfrey from different parts of the Hospital wing.
Harry slipped under the covers with this fiancée and carefully moved her over. Leaning over her, he kissed her allowing the golden glow return into her body. He moaned in pain as the injuries returned to his body. Shortly afterwards, he passed out.
Madam Pomfrey was busy with a patient, but she broke away at Emma's news. When she saw the two of them in the same bed she moaned, "How inappropriate!"
Emma tried to explain, "Harry explained that he would be injured after he undid the spell. Maybe he was unable to move back to his own bed. He did ask me if there were any empty."
Madam Pomfrey sighed, "Well if I had to double up any students, it would be them. Molly, would you come over here?"
From behind a curtain, Molly walked over to inspect her daughter hoping for good news. When she saw Harry in her bed, she was shocked. "Is Harry okay?"
Madam Pomfrey was confused, yet she answered, "I haven't checked Harry yet. Would you allow Harry to share this hospital bed with your unwed daughter?"
Casually Molly assured her, "Oh yes, they are unofficially married and refuse to nullify. They are also engaged and betrothed. They can move out and have children for all I care. Please check to see if Harry is alright."
Just then, Ginny rolled over as if she was uncomfortable while sleeping. Emma screeched, "She moved! Dan, she is conscious!"
Dan came out from behind a curtain to look. In relief, he hugged his wife. "What is wrong with Harry?"
Emma said, "We're not sure yet."
Molly gave them a scrutinizing glare. "You act like she is your daughter."
Dan explained, "Well yes, we both share our daughters and sons with each other. Don't we? I don't deny that I love your daughter as my own."
Molly's face softened as she reflected, "I have always considered your son and daughter as my own."
Madam Pomfrey inspected Ginny and determined that she only suffered from exhaustion and was merely sleeping. Looking over Harry, she found that he had partially healed bones and was unconscious. Because she was running out of stock on some of her potions, Madam Pomfrey pulled out Harry's potion belt from his stack of clothes and used those potions to treat him. Puzzled, she asked Emma, "Harry carries a Lockhart potion on his combat belt?"
Grinning, Emma gazed warmly at her adoptive son and responded, "He certainly knows how to take care of his girl. Doesn't he." 'Or his sister,' she thought to herself.
Author Notes:
How do you like that Neville? A majority of you are probably saying, "Yuck!"
I did play to the prophecy. In chapter 11 it was discounted as being fulfilled. Neville was marked as his equal, and he was in a situation where one can't live while the other survives. The power he doesn't know... Herbology. Hey, it could happen. As for the story, Harry is still the real hero
bobmin356 brought up a point: Super Harry fics have a shortcoming, Harry and Voldemort should be equals. They (bobmin356) used the solution where they beef'ed up Voldemort to match Harry. I just chose to make Neville the one to do the dirty deed instead.
The next chapter is the last. Believe me, all of this will be cleaned up into a nice, "Happily Ever After."
Upper Sixth: Something I leaned when reading the HP Lexicon. In Brittan, the seventh year is referred to as "Upper Sixth." This sign was a way for me to recognize that. At least Professor Sprout is normal.