CHAPTER 11 – I WON'T LET GO

Harry and the founders spilt up upon reaching Hogsmead then Harry sensed something. He knew… Dumbledore knew.

'You sense it too?' James asked.

'Yeah and we need to tell them now.' Harry replied. He scribbled a note and whistled for Fawkes. Immediately, the phoenix came.

'Here Fawkes,' Harry placed the note in its beak, 'Take it to Sal and hurry.' Fawkes nodded in respond and was gone with a flash.

'We can't let this chance of ending the war slip away. It's now or never!' Harry roared as they grouped together tightly and continued riding until the outskirts of the forbidden forest. Harry broke his death eaters into smaller groups, led by Lucius and Bell and they hid in the forest. Harry was soon joined by most of the animals whom will be led by Sirius and Remus. Harry's forces could be seen as they waited just behind the shadows of the forests. Harry heard Fawkes trill and he stretched out his arm for the phoenix to land. He gently remove the note and sent the bird away again.

Ambush at Hogsmead, rejoining you in a while.

Harry narrowed his eyes, hoping that they would come soon as he had only 50 death eaters, 4 protectors, himself and 20 beasts.

'I hope they won't be too busy to not realize we will be in need of their help,' Harry said to his adopted father.

'Don't worry, Harry, nothing we can't handle,' Sirius joked.

Harry smiled at his godfather's comment but his face turned grim when he saw figures appearing just outside the castle. Conjuring a binoculars, he looked through it and saw most of the Order.

'It can't be the Order, it's not that big,' Remus exclaimed as he looked through his own binoculars.

'You're right, Remus,' Harry said as he skimmed through the whole line of wizards and witches, 'See that?' Harry pointed to those in light blue robes, 'Those are Aurors,' he finished.

'Great, we get to die again,' Sirius said grimly.

'Not you, you can't die again, Padfoot, 'Remus said, 'It's probably me,' he finished sadly.

'Look,' Harry said furiously, 'No one's going to die out there. Anyone whose going to die, it's going to be Dumbledore.' With pure hatred for his old headmaster, he ignited his sabre, thus a red light glowing from within the forest.

'Wait for my signal,' he said quietly as he walked out to face them.

Almost immediately, the Ministry and the Orders' finest swordsmen surrounded them, igniting their sabre.

'What's the matter, Dumbledore?' Harry shouted from a distance, 'sending your men to do your dirty work?'

Dumbledore gave no respond but Arthur Weasley, Minister for Magic immediately gave orders for two aurors to attack Harry.

'They're really stupid you know, thinking of taking Harry down,' Bell commented.

'Well, since when was the Ministry and the Order known to be the world's greatest thinkers?' Luc answered. They rest could not help but grinned at his comment.

Harry smirked, 'This is where the fun begins.'

They watched in awed as two blue lights struggled to defend from the red light. Harry was too good for them. They under estimated him and only focused on attacking, not blocking. Harry blocked and attack, blocked and attack them. Finally, when it seemed as though Harry was losing, he bend down, avoided both their attacks and with a swipe of his feet, brought them both to the ground. Harry summoned their sabres to him and levitated them to their necks.

Many gasps were heard as Harry had two lives at his hands. The other swordsmen were shocked but furious at their defeat. Without any order, they ignited their sabre and stood out from the crowd. Everyone from the crowd followed this action.

'You want a fair war, you'll get one,' Harry threw both aurors back and cut their sabres into two with his own.

'Give it up, Harry,' Dumbledore's voice boomed across the field, 'You're outnumbered.'

'That's what you think old man,' Harry whispered to himself. He raised his sabre high up and placed it into a defense position. Without warning, many sabres were ignited from within the forest.

Harry felt their presence and smirked at Dumbledore.

'Harry began walking towards them and so did the opposition. The walk turn into a run and soon, both teams clashed against each other. Harry immediately went to search for Dumbledore, killing whoever crossing his path.

'Riddle!' Harry heard a familiar voice shouted out.

'Ron.'

'That's right,' Ron started a battle with Harry quickly. He was not going to lose to Harry Potter, no… Riddle was his name now.

Almost everyone stopped to watch the two ex best friends fight a life and death battle. Harry did not want to kill Ron. He remembered what he promised Ginny, and it was not to harm her family. He was careful not to attack Ron but was hastily trying to block his attacks. Then, the red and blue sabre clashed, pushing and pulling against each other. Harry wanted to reserve his energy to kill Dumbledore. With a great force, Harry threw Ron to the ground, his sabre away from him. Harry pointed he sabre at Ron's neck. Silence followed by his action. Everyone waited to see what Harry would do next.

'Get lost, Ron,' Harry said quietly, 'Don't make me kill you.' Just as he turned his back, Ron launched forward with the intention to strike him. Harry bent down with a blow, held Ron against the ground. Ron immediately got up and summoned his sabre but Harry was faster. He pointed both sabres at Ron's neck and attempt to strike but he pushed the button and return Ron's sabre.

'I don't want to kill you, Ron. Don't make me do it.'

Harry was just about to leave when he heard Ron said something. Harry froze.

'What did you just say?' he turned to face Ron again.

'Ginny… She's such a disgrace to us,' Ron said casually, 'Can't believe she fell for a coward. We knew Riddle, that she was still in love with you and believe me, if you hadn't took her, we would have killed her oursel-' Ron stopped dead when he saw Harry's sabre pointed at his neck again.

'Don't – call – me – a - coward!'

That's what you are, isn't it?' Ron said bravely, 'Raping Ginny… a low, despicable act.'

Without a word, Harry raised his sabre, wanting so badly to kill Ron when he heard someone said his name.

It was Dumbledore.

'Dumbledore,' Harry spat out his name. All eyes were on the headmaster and Harry so Ron took the chance and grabbed his sabre and hid it.

Dumbledore ignited his sabre and nodded to an Order member. He unmasked the person tied up and removed his gag. Seeing as Ron was near Harry and the rest of Harry's forces were away from him, Dumbledore formed a barrier around Harry and begin to walk towards him.

'Release him, Dumbledore,' Harry said, 'This war is between both of us.

Dumbledore let out a soft chuckle, 'If you say so Harry, however, I do seem to remember trading Severus for Ms. Weasley. And correct me if I'm wrong, Ginny Weasley is definitely not you, or me.'

Harry sensed the loss coming closer and closer. The force was warning him something. However, he chose to not look into it and stood rooted to the ground.

'What's wrong, Harry?' Dumbledore asked, 'Afraid that I was right?'

'She did not love you at all, Harry,' Dumbledore began, 'You loved her and you want her to return your feelings but you know she doesn't love you.'

'No! That's not true!' Harry shouted back, 'I have always loved her and she loves me! You heard her yourself!'

'Yes… we all did Harry but she did it to help her family. She could not have loved a beast like you. If you did love her, would you rape her?'

These accusations sink into Harry's mind. He knew very sure that someday Ginny would love him back.

'I'm not a monster…' Harry whispered. He fell to the ground dropping his sabre.

Dumbledore walked neared to Harry, his face clearly triumphant.

'Would you rape someone whom you love so much? Would you force her to love you , knowing very well she doesn't?' Harry was breathing very hard. James and the rest could tell he needed their help but could not break the barrier. The rest of the Order members held them off, preventing them from even getting close to the barrier.

'What's taking Sal and Godric so long,' Lily said, clearly worried, 'Only they could break the barrier.'

Dumbledore heard Harry's breathing, he knew that it was the thought of Ginny's love that made Harry strong and now that he has broken it, Harry could be defeated.

'No…' Harry murmured, 'she…loves me….'

'Ah… that's what you think Harry,' Dumbledore kicked Harry in the chest. Weakened by Dumbledore, Harry collapsed on the grass, flat on his stomach.

'Guess your mind's not that strong after all Harry,' Dumbledore gave him another kick at his head. Harry coughed out blood. For the first time, Harry feared for his life. He never felt so weak in his life ever since he acknowledged Voldemort as his father.

Harry was so sure Dumbledore was wrong. He needed Ginny but he knew, deep in his heart that she would never love him for he was a beast, a monster to them. He got up slowly and took his sabre, staggering.

'As long as I know I love her, nothing matters to me now,' Harry said, his voice slightly faltering.

Dumbledore drew his sabre and struck at Harry. He blocked it again and again, trying not to think about what Dumbledore said.

Seeing that Dumbledore was in need of help, Ron quickly shouted, 'Ginny Weasley never loved you Harry! It was just an act!' Harry stiffened at those words. Dumbledore took the opportunity and ran the sabre through him.

Harry felt an unbearable pain as he dropped his sabre and clutched his stomach, falling to the ground.

'No…' Lily screamed. They began to fight their way to the barrier, determined to break it down when the four colors, red, blue, green and yellow were shot towards the barrier. Dumbledore and the rest hurried back to the castle as more forces arrived.

'Ron! Let's go back to the castle!' Hermione said, grabbing his arm and dragging him off with the help of Charlie and Bill.

'Release him,' Dumbledore said, 'It doesn't matter to us anyway.'

Snape was roughly thrown to the fields by two aurors. Luc and bell hurried to help him up but he pushed them away and ran to Harry.

'Harry… Don't… please don't…' Lily cried as he held his head.

'Mum… Dad…' Harry said, slowly turning to James, 'I… If I don't-'

'No!' Remus cut him off, 'You will live, Harry!' he said fiercely.

Blood was flowing out of the stab wound as Bell and Luc tried to cover the wound.

'We have to get him back,' Snape said, slightly wincing at his bruises.

They tried to lift him up gently but no matter how gentle they were, Harry was in deep pain.

'Just hang on Harry, hang on…'Godric said as Rowena and Helga transported them back to the manor. Immediately, Harry was being wheeled into the healing wing.

Lily held his hand, tears rolling down his cheek as he was wheeled in.

'Mum… I…' Harry tried to speak but the pain was unbearable.

'Save your strength, Harry,' Sirius said softly.

Harry ignored him and attempted to speak again, 'Ginny… I… Take care… Take care of her… Mum… Promise… Promise me….' Harry squeezed her hand tight.

'You're going to be fine, Harry,' James said. They knew there was nothing they could do as the bleeding was excessive.

Harry smiled, 'I'll never… let… go…' Those were his last words.

'Harry? Harry! Harry wake up!' Lily cried, 'Wake up!' She shook his limp body so violently, calling for his name.

'Lily… no… lily don't…' James grabbed his wife and pulled him towards her. She buried her head on his shoulder, crying.

Sirius closed his eyes. Harry was gone, gone and would not come back to them. Remus put his fist against his head as a tear rolled down his cheek.

Snape slumped down against an empty chair.

'It was my fault…' he began, 'If I hadn't answer to his calling-' Lily slapped Snape, causing him to pause in his sentence.

'It's your fault Snape!' Lily screamed, 'If you hadn't switched sides then Harry wouldn't have died,' She raised another hand, about to slap him when James caught her arm.

'Lily, it's not Snape's fault…' James said.

'Harry's dead! Dead James… and you know nothing will change that!' Lilly shouted through her cries.

James quickly supported her but she pushed him aside.

'Lily… you need some rest… we can handle this….'Lily shook her head, and stayed beside Harry.

'Lily…please… listen to me…we know how you feel…'

'You do, do you/ You don't James! He was never your son that's why!'

'He's as good as mine!' James shouted back.

Suddenly, Harry's body began to glow. Harry's body was levitated for a few inches before going back down. They all started in silence when they heard him breathe.

'Harry?' James called out to him. Lily pushed him away and rushed to Harry.

'Harry? Wake up Harry…please…'

'He's asleep, Lily,' an old voice said.

'Merlin? Is that you?' Remus asked.

'Yes Remus, it's me.'

'But how Merlin Harry, he…'

'Ah, you see, he's part elf right and since James adopted him as his son the heritage of vampires in James was passed to Harry. It is said that both heritages must have an heir and since James is no longer alive… well… in the living, and he acknowledged Harry as his son, Harry becomes part vampire too. Thus, he becomes immortal,' Merlin explained.

'So he's alive?' Lily asked, hoping that she would be right.

'Yes… he would be but for now, he would be resting. However, when will he wake, even I would not know. But when he does, he would be ever ready to face his destiny again'

'Oh James!' Lily hugged her husband, 'Harry's going to be alright!'

'Yes Lily… he would be fine' James smiled.

'Remus, Sirius, I think you two ought to break the news to Ms Weasley,' Merlin said.

'Of course but if I may, Merlin, that since Harry knew that he was immortal, he could still die right?' Remus said.

'Yes… go on.'

'Then why do you think Harry wanted to live?' Remus asked, 'I don't mean anything, guys,' he added hastily, 'but you know, just for curiosity sake.'

'Hmmm…I think you could ask Harry when he wakes up but I'll just keep you the suspense,' Merlin chuckled.

'It was the love for Ginny Weasley that kept him alive. You see, during the battle within the barrier, Dumbledore poisoned Harry's mind with the thought of Weasley not loving him. There was a moment where Harry succumb to his taunting but found the true answer to his doubts. Deep down, Harry knew that somewhere, Ginny loved him and even if it lasted only a few seconds, he was assured of the love which kept him alive and fighting on.'