Well, my first fanfic. Hope you like it. Feedback of all sorts welcome.
Disclaimer: Everything except the plot line belongs to Rowling. In case you hadn't noticed...
It will end today.
The war has lasted a long time. Both sides have had high casualties, but both sides have also swelled innumerably. Voldemort's death-eaters, excluding a small portion of dead and traitorous ones, have all returned. He has managed to recruit most of the giants. All of the dementors are fighting for his army, alongside those they once guarded – the prisons are emptied, the one-time inmates having since become part of the ranks of death-eaters. Wizards and witches from across the globe have flocked to join him, acting out of fear or blood lust.
Some, though, have not joined him. The Order of the Phoenix has grown, too. Some giants chose our side, as have the centaurs. Many of the wizarding community have also joined the Order, choosing to follow their erstwhile champion. After all, Harry had yet to lead them astray. On my suggestion, we've also recruited muggles. In the year following Dumbledore's death, the ministry began to crumble. While some of the more military areas, such as the auror department, remain strong, others have collapsed. The ministry is no longer in control of who uses magic and when – too many times have wizards been sent apparating to the sites of illegal magic usage, only to have themselves blown apart by the death-eaters responsible. Muggle memories have ceased to be modified.
Muggles have slowly become aware of the magical world that has existed alongside theirs for so long. Muggle death rates have been high. It didn't take them long to realise that these deaths were not the work of natural disasters or terrorists. They have become acquainted with the truth, and wanted to fight back. We realised that there's no reason why the muggles shouldn't join the war. Magic-less though they may be, their armies and weapons are impressive and effective. Muggles and wizards have at last begun to unite against Voldemort.
A lot has changed since Dumbledore's death. I've become the secret keeper of Number 12, Grimauld Place in his stead. (Harry would have taken the responsibility on himself, but his burden is heavy enough as it is.). I take my position very seriously. I've done everything I can think of to improve headquarters. Hogwarts stood empty, so I've transferred its entire library to Number 12. It wasn't hard. All it took was a few NEWT-level shrinking and transportational charms. Using these books, I've been able to enlarge the building, transfiguring rooms into whatever the army needs, from massive dormitories to combat-training rooms.
To accommodate the army's ever increasing size, and to try and lessen the number of wizards travelling to and fro from HQ, a second safe house has been created. This is in Hogsmeade. This second building is home mainly to the families of Order members, muggles and wizards alike. In such times, everyone must be able to defend themselves, so although there are always some Order members present on guard duty, we've implemented a strict training-regime. Ron has been appointed secret-keeper for this house, and's doing a pretty good job.
This safe house has another important duty. It has been established close to Hogwarts for a reason. Hogwarts itself lies empty (although defended by strong magic: we use it occasionally, and besides, it's full of valuable items (potion ingredients, magical objects etc) so cannot be allowed to fall into Voldemort's hands). The grounds, however, are teeming with Order members. The giants and centaurs live here. It is also frequently used for tactical practice: mock battles are sometimes held to help ready members-in-training.
But today, it will all end.
Today is the anniversary of Dumbledore's death. A lot has happened since the Order lost its leader, and Harry rose to take his place. Bill Weasley recovered and married Fleur. Hagrid married Madame Maxime. Since then, however, it has been strictly business. While the Order has continued to focus on fighting Voldemort's army, Harry, Ron and I have been seeking out and destroying Voldemort's horcruxes. We have been successful.
Only two shards of Voldemort's twisted soul remain. One is in his body; the other is in the snake, Nagini. That snake is currently trapped in an unbreakable glass container, guarded by three of the Order in a room in the heart of Grimauld Place. The room is sealed. Only a member of the Order may enter, and only if their intentions are good.
Nagini is our bait. Voldemort is desperately searching for the rest of his soul. He can sense that he is but a thread away from being reduced to a mere mortal, a normal man. Today we shall choose the site where the battle will take place. We will then bring Nagini, and Voldemort will have to follow. The battle that will follow will decide the fate of the world as we know it. Neither can live while the other survives, so today one must die. What happens on the following days will be unimportant, the mere picking off of any remaining members of the losing side. It is today that history will be made. Today, the fate of our world will be decided.
Today, we go to war.
And I'm frightened.