Scars of the Future

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, both Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Theywere created by the amazing minds of J.K. Rowling and J.R.R. Tolkien.

A/N: This fic was not created by myself alone. It was done inscript format over Instant Messenger by myself and Animagus-Spirit. This fic and most of the events in it are her brilliant ideas, I have just taken the task to write it. Therefore, this fic is dedicated to her. I would also like to thank my beta, Inwe Telemnar. You guys are the greatest!

Chapter 22: The Fall

Both the door to Voldemort's office and the door to the staircase were blasted open simultaneously as the Order rushed in from the latter and Sirius, Ron, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Merry, Pippin, and Remus burst through the former. More Death Eaters followed the second group, and the air soon erupted with beams of light and Legolas's arrows.

Although chaos erupted around him, time had stopped for Frodo. He knelt, staring in disbelief at Sam's still form. He brushed his fingers against Sam's cheek and found all warmth had left it. Sam—dead. Sam—dead. Sam—dead. The words wouldn't fit…the words weren't meant to fit…it didn't make sense, it wasn't real…it wasn't possible… Frodo was numb—he couldn't move, he couldn't think, he couldn't breathe. His brain seemed to be frozen and unable to understand what his eyes clearly told it they saw.

A spell whizzed dangerously close to him, and reality slammed into his chest as if something heavy had flown into it. Anger such as he had never felt before burst from within him, and he looked up and found Voldemort several feet away, sending spells blasting in every direction, although none seemed to touch him. Some barrier of magic protected him like a shield.

Frodo stood and began walking toward him. To his left, Avery lost his head to Gimli's ax, arrows flew in quick succession above him, impaling several Death Eaters but not killing them. Aragorn and Gandalf fought fiercely side by side, and Merry and Pippin did what they could, slashing at legs so that their victims would fall and then taking their wands and snapping them. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny fought with wands, as well as Sirius. Remus felled many, though never biting, only using his brute strength.

But Frodo paid little attention to this. He drew Sting and rushed at Voldemort, roaring in fury, and leapt onto his back, hooking his arms around the Dark Lord's neck. Voldemort threw him off with ease and cackled as Frodo slammed into the wall; the wind was knocked out of him, but he stood and attacked again, slashing violently.

Gandalf's voice rose above the anarchy. "Frodo! You cannot defeat him in this way!"

Frodo ignored him and continued his onslaught of mindless attacks. Whenever Voldemort threw him off, he came back stronger, determined for vengeance. His strength would have long ago given out, but once more his stubbornness was on his side. He charged once more, and this time was rewarded. Bringing Sting down hard and fast, he sliced Voldemort's wand hand from his body.

Bellowing in pain and outrage, Voldemort grabbed Frodo around the neck and squeezed. The air rushed from Frodo's lungs, he couldn't breathe, darkness was clouding his vision…he heard Voldemort screaming above him as he let loose his grip around Frodo's throat and sent the hobbit falling to the floor. Frodo coughed and gasped for breath as something large and hairy stood over him protectively, growling menacingly.

Meanwhile, Wormtail moved toward Voldemort's severed hand and grabbed the wand. He began to rush to his master but was cut off by Sirius, who, not having time to utter a spell, punched him squarely in the temple and took the wand, snapping it over his knee as Wormtail slumped, unconscious.

There was a yelp above Frodo and the hobbit opened his eyes to see Remus thrown aside. Voldemort had taken one of the Death Eater's wands and was using it to his advantage. He loomed over Frodo, his arm no longer bleeding, for he had apparently healed it. The hand that held the wand was a gruesome sight. Blisters had broken out on it and they shined in the glint of moonlight coming in from one of the room's windows. Frodo noticed for the first time that Voldemort's neck sported similar blisters. Frodo stood and leapt again, but Voldemort raised the wand and stopped him in midair. The hobbit fought, but his willpower and vigor had worn out, and he felt himself losing his hold on consciousness.

But once again the bond was severed as Sirius and Gandalf joined the duel against Voldemort. After a moment of reprieve Frodo stood and again began his assault, stabbing and slashing at any part of Voldemort he could reach. He swayed and staggered in weakness.

"Expelliarmus!" Voldemort shouted. Sting flew from Frodo's hands as he slid across the floor from the impact of the spell. He caught his breath and shakily stood. Some monster had erupted within him and wouldn't let him stop. Some unknown force compelled him to fight, and fight, and fight…

He fell, but Aragorn was there, and he caught him. Frodo struggled, but to no avail. "NO! LET—ME—GO! HE—He—he killed—" Frodo slowly came to his senses. "No…" he groaned. "No…nooo…" He clutched Aragorn's arm as he began to sob onto the man's shoulder, and the tears began to flow as if a dam had broken. Aragorn held him as he would a child, stroking his curls and whispering empty words even as his own tears fell.

Sirius and Gandalf still fought violently with Voldemort. Legolas let loose an arrow and it pierced Voldemort's shoulder. He faltered.

"Harry!" Hermione shouted. "Kill him!"

Harry looked at her, then at Sirius. "I—I can't!" he said.

"Can't?" she yelled. "Or won't?"

Harry glared at Voldemort, his lifelong enemy, and reached a decision. He raised his wand and aimed it at his target. "Stupefy!"

Distracted by Sirius and Gandalf, Voldemort hadn't seen the spell coming, much less have time to block it. It hit him and he toppled over, unmoving.

"Harry!" Hermione shrieked.

Harry walked to Voldemort and kicked him. "Death is too good for him," he said. "He deserves worse. We'll take him to Azkaban and let the dementors deal with him." He spit on Voldemort's face.

The few Death Eaters that remained standing surrendered then and there upon seeing their fallen leader. They were stunned by Alastor Moody.

Dumbledore gazed down at Harry with pride. "Well done, Harry," he said. He observed the scene around him and wiped specks of blood from his glasses. "Separate the dead from the living, our side from theirs, and ensure our enemies do not escape." He walked to Voldemort and levitated him. "I must go to the Ministry at once and inform them of our victory." He clasped Voldemort's arm and disapparated.

Merry and Pippin approached Aragorn. "Strider?" Pippin asked. "What happened?"

Aragorn only shook his head, his eyes full of sorrow. "Pippin, Merry…stay with Frodo, I must assist the others." He carried Frodo to a corner and after removing his cloak laid him down on it. Frodo's sobs had ceased, though tears coursed steadily down his cheeks and his eyes stared blankly, unblinking, unseeing.

The two hobbits exchanged fearful glances. Merry gulped. "Pippin…Pippin…where's—where's Sam?"

Pippin's eyes widened and he stared at his cousin. He stood and walked away, searching the room in a panic. He shoved aside the body of a Death Eater and stopped short.

"Merry," he said, first softly, and then louder. "Merry, Merry!" He fell to his knees as Merry joined him.

"No…" Merry knelt alongside Pippin and reached out a shaking hand to touch Sam's lifeless skin.

"Oh, Merry, how could this happen?"

But Meriadoc Brandybuck, Saradoc's son, bright as he was, had no answer. Tears gathered in his eyes and he had nothing to say.

Slender hands rested on each of their shoulders. The hobbits looked up. "Return to Frodo," Legolas said. "He needs you near him, even if he does not acknowledge your presence."

The hobbits nodded, and Pippin laid a hand over Sam's eyes and closed them before rising with Merry and returning to Frodo's side. Merry lifted Frodo and held him closely, offering what little comfort he could as Pippin spoke to him of lighter times in Brandy Hall and the Great Smials.

!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!

Aragorn moved throughout the Order, tending to what injuries he could. The casualties for their side weren't many, but they were great. He sighed, feeling useless among the many witches and wizards. He could attend to few, for most of them dealt with magic.

Gandalf approached him, and the wizard's face was stained with tears. "We need to take Frodo from this place," he said. "And Meriadoc and Peregrin too."

Aragorn nodded wearily. "Tonks is resting in a small hut behind the house, probably a servant's quarters. I was able to assist her to an extent, but she needs further care, and most of my healing supplies are back at Headquarters."

Sirius, who had been standing nearby speaking with Harry, turned around. "I'll go with you," he said. "Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, you too. Molly's most likely discovered you're gone by now, you'd better get back before she comes looking for you."

"Are you coming, Gandalf?" Aragorn asked.

"No, I shall remain here and assist in the organization of this mess," he said. "Aragorn… keep and eye on Frodo, in his current state he is likely to do anything."

Aragorn nodded and strode over to the hobbits. "We are leaving," he announced. He bent and gathered Frodo into his arms, and followed by the rest of the group left the room and descended the stairs. Remus came as well, plodding along after them on his massive paws.

They exited the Riddle House the way they had come, through the cellar and then through the gardening shed. Beyond it was a small house, and Remus took the lead and went to it before them. Aragorn set Frodo down outside with the others, and went in with Sirius. They returned a few minutes later, Sirius carrying a limp Tonks in his arms. Aragorn lifted a still unresponsive Frodo, and the group continued to the road in melancholy silence.

Uncomfortable, Sirius said, "Aragorn…I don't know what to say, I—I'm so sorry…"

Aragorn shook his head. "No…not here. This is neither the time nor place to speak of it."

As they neared Great Hangleton the group picked up their pace and once in the town ducked into an alley. "Is this the right one?" Aragorn asked.

Sirius nodded. "That umbrella is our portkey."

The group reached out and on Sirius's count placed fingers on the worn umbrella. Moments later they landed in an alley near Grimmauld Place. They walked the few blocks to the premises and knocked on the door. Molly Weasly answered, pale and frightened. Her expression softened and relief was evident on her face when she saw them.


TBC. I have this completed, I actually finished it today, so I'm hoping to update every three to five days.