Chapter 27
Harry pushed Voldermort's body off of him. He looked around the room at the Death Eaters looking at him in shock. When he stood up, they all started running. Harry didn't care. Voldermort was dead, and that was all that mattered. He looked around in the room for a bit, and located his wand on top of a dusty old fireplace. He felt suddenly drained and exhausted. He went to Percy's body and threw Percy's arm around Harry's shoulder.
'This is the second time I've had to carry a dead person.' Harry thought as he struggled to walk in his exhausted state. He wandered around the house and finally located the front door leading outside. He stumbled out with Percy's body and he came to the end of the drive and looked around. There were no houses, restaurants, anything in sight. He finally remembered he had his wand and he stuck it out. A few seconds later, a purple bus came speeding into sight. The bus stopped in front of Harry and the doors opened. Stan Shunpike leaped out. He looked around and saw Harry and Percy.
"Harry! Bloody hell, what happened?"
Harry looked up at Stan. "Can you take me to Hogwarts? It's an emergency."
Stan looked at Percy again and realization spread across his face. "We're not supposed to do that, but o' course we'll take ya Harry. Get in." Stan helped lift Percy into the bus and he lay Percy on one of the beds in the lower deck. He went up front to talk to Ernie and move Harry up the list. They were soon off, speeding as fast as they possibly could, heading towards Hogwarts. Harry sat next to the bed Percy was, completely still the entire time, hoping when they got to Hogwarts, Dumbledore could explain everything, like he always did. After a short time, they arrived, and Harry got off.
"Do you need help Harry?" Stan asked as he saw Harry off.
Harry shook his head. "I'll be fine now." He walked through the main doors to find the hall was empty. He made his way to Dumbledore's office, still carrying Percy. He reached the gargoyle and said the first candy he could think of. "Skiving Snackbox." To Harry's great relief, the gargoyle came alive and sprang aside. Harry made his way up the stairs and reached Dumbledore's office. He set Percy down in a chair and walked over to the perch where Fawkes was sleeping. He stroked him gently until he woke up. Fawkes looked up at Harry as if waiting for him to tell him what to do.
"I need to see Dumbledore." Fawkes flew off and Harry collapsed in another chair. He felt the night's events overtake him and he soon found himself sobbing. He didn't stop, even as he felt someone's hand on his shoulder. After a few more minutes, he looked up and smiled weakly at Dumbledore. Without him asking, he described everything, from Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, to his body glowing red, to Voldermort dying. He finished, and sat back in his chair, feeling more exhausted than before.
Dumbledore looked at Harry remorsefully and said, "Harry. I have obviously not learned from my mistakes. A few weeks into school, Professor Trewlaney made another real prediction. It said, 'One who is close to the boy-that- lived will betray him, bringing him to the Dark Lord to fulfill the prophecy.' I informed your closest friends of this, and they decided to cut off ties from you, as they wished to keep you safe. Unfortunately, it was because I had heard the prediction that you almost died tonight. I cannot tell you how sorry I am, and it would be pointless to try. I will though, explain to you what happened. When you saw Percy Weasley die, it triggered in you, anger. Anger at Voldermort for killing those you knew. Your parents, a school mate, and a friend. This anger protected you from anyone touching you. As for how Voldermort died, you touched him, and you still had love in your veins. Love from Sirius, your friends, your parents, even Percy. All this love, surrounded you, just as your anger had, and when you touched Voldermort, it surrounded him as well, and overcame him. That is what killed him, for as I have told you before, he does not understand love, or friendship for that matter. He only understands power and greed. Feeling love overcome him is what killed him tonight Harry."
Harry sat in silence for several minutes. He looked up and smiled at Dumbledore. "Hopefully, nothing like this will happen again, but if it does, just tell me ok? It seems every time you try and protect me, I end up getting almost killed. You're just as bad as Dobby." Dumbledore smiled at Harry. His smile faded as he looked to Percy's body.
"Let's go to the hospital wing. You need a Strengthening Solution and a good night's rest. While you receive your solution, I will wake your friends."