McGonigal led them down the winding path to Hagrids hut wearing a sunken and sorrowful look. What did she know that they didn't? Was there something weighing heavily on her mind? Ron did not have time to dwell on the matter for long for McGonigal started to speak "students if you please, remember that you are traveling by port key as you are undoubtedly aware you will feel an odd sensation, this will be doubled at first seeing that you are inside Hogwarts' grounds. We have made it possible to travel through the protective barrier tonight only, He-who-must-not-be-named will undoubtedly know that something is amiss because they watch the magical barrier and know when the magic has been lessened." She sighed deeply and then continued, "No matter what happens stick together, and know that I am proud of you. Please be careful and have a safe journey." With that McGonigal turned as if to leave then turned back and smiled encouragingly that was all they had needed one by one they all grabbed onto the hat of a port key.
The whirling sensation that Ron was not fond of returned and as promised it was worse then times in the past. His stomach ached and felt like it were being squeezing a million times over, the air in his lungs had been squeezed out leaving him gasping for breath. As he looked around he noticed that this sensation was not secluded to him but the others seemed to be experiencing something similar. Finally after what felt like for ever the gasping subsided and the world began to slow they were reaching there destination. One by one they let go of the port key coming face to face to none other then Remus Luptin. Luptin was smiling as broad as was possible his face looked like the noon day sun. Ron glanced around trying to fin out were they were. "Ron you won't see anything around here."
"Where are we?"
"Can't tell you this is were I am doing work for the Order." There was a trace of sadness in his voice when he said this was it because of his werewolf habit that the Order had asked him to come to such a gloomy place were there was barely any light and run down buildings everywhere.
"Professor?" Hermione had finally spoken "How are we getting to Bulgaria? Professor McGonigal said something about brooms but isn't it to far away for that?"
"Not at all Hermione its about five minute ride from here." A sigh of relief come over her everyone knew that she was not looking forward to flying as it was but the idea of a longer flight then necessary was tormenting her.
"So where ever we are going its close right?"
"Hermione you must get over this fear of flying." Hermione grimaced at Harry she wasn't afraid of flying she just liked feeling she was in control of things so she preferred to apparate or disapparate what ever the case maybe. As if by reading her thoughts Luptin interjected.
"Sorry you can't apparate to were you are going. Voldermort has a barrier set up around his hide out to keep all aparators out." Luptin's face gave an apologetic smile. Slowly they walked down a dirt path past many of the run down buildings and into a clearing. Luptin turned twords them "Here are the brooms you will be riding." Hermione grimaced she was not looking forward to this. "Do be careful and stick together."
With that they all mounted to brooms that lay behind Luptin and pushed off the ground they hovered and looked longingly at Remus Luptin, "Professor were are we suppose to go?" He didn't answer but pointed south away from the broken down ruble. They turned and headed into the dark. The sky was surrounding them and the cool night wind was pushing them along. They stayed in a little huddle but no one spoke everyone knew that if they did then the fear and uncertainty would leak through. What would happen if they succumbed to that fear? The stars were hiding from view as the brooms flew through the air. True to Luptin's word not five minutes had past when they saw it. Not a far distance away from a dark forest was a camp ground with little men walking around with hoods on. They had in fact found the death eaters, the real question was if Voldermort was with them.
They all landed on the far side of the forest planning to walk through to the other side undetected. They huddled together and Harry attempted a weak smile. "Hey mates no mater what happens I want you to know that I am glad to have known you."
Ginny's eyes glowed both with emotion and furry "Don't you dare say your good byes, everything is going to work out fine." It was not more then a harsh whisper but enough to communicate that she meant business. Nothing further was said but a silence hung over the young travelers. Everyone held there wands out not really knowing what to expect. What lay ahead of them now was as uncertain as what the outcome would be.
Step by step they made there way through the thick forest hoping that Voldermort would not know that they were there. Not a word was muttered between the group as branches broke beneath there feet. Branch after branch was brushed aside so the group could make its way through. Suddenly an all to familiar voice ran through the trees "if it isn't Harry Potter, and his blood traitor friends and the mudblood." Anger was creeping up the back of Ron's neck as he listened to the familiar words of Draco Malfoy. The group turned twords his voice, Draco had just stepped into the light silhouetting the gauntness of his face. Apparently being a death eater was not all Draco had thought it would be. Then other futures appeared from the darkness, "unfortunate for you, you have stumbled upon the death eater camp. Or were you looking for us?" Laughter broke out among the death eaters, some of the death eaters Ron recognized and others he didn't. Ron grabbed Hermione's arm and pulled her close to him in an attempt to protect her. "What's this you get a girlfriend Weasley?" Ron didn't seem to notice he was looking at Hermione and realizing how stupid he had been on allowing her to come along. If he wanted to protect her he sure had a funny way of showing it.
A figure appeared directly in front of them that no one but Harry and Ron seemed to notice. Harry leapt twords the figure all anger and resentment bursting inside him. Ron had no desire to protect Snape from Harry's furry. Harry had thrown Snape of guard by not attacking him with a wand but with the need and desire to wring his neck. Fists were being thrown in every direction and yet the remainder of the group looked on in utter amazement. The death eaters seemed not to know what to do. A voice suddenly carried over the commotion "enough!"
"Yes my Lord." Snape stood whipping the stream of blood coming from the corner of his mouth. Harry did not need to turn around to know who the voice belonged it was him the whole reason his life had been so complicated so much with out those that he loved the one that was trying even know to destroy his life.
"Well Harry Potter" the snake like voice crept through the air "to what do I owe this great pleasure?" Harry didn't answer but grimaced at the face he had grown to know all to well over the years a face that brought not fear but resentment and hatred to surface. Harry glanced at Ginny her face was horror struck, no matter how many times Harry had told the group what he looked like nothing could have prepared them for the actual visualization.
Voldermort looked around and smile, "I see you have brought me company but two are blood traitors and one, one dose not deserve to be in my presence."
"Do you mean that they are muggle born?" Harry was furious as much as he knew Voldermort disliked half breeds as he called them he himself was one. "Because if that is what you meant then lets take a trip down memory lane for your own father was a muggle was he not? Was your father not Tom Riddle?" Murmurings were heard from the surrounding death eaters Apparently Voldermort had kept a few things from them including the fact that he was a half and half. Slytherin's heir he might be but he was also a good many other things including a pretender the one thing that Harry was determined to prove. Voldermort lips curled with hatred, Harry had defiantly pushed the right button. "So what else do your followers not know about you? Do they know that you were named for your muggle father and that your name is actually Tom Riddle?" The murmurings continued so Harry pressed on "Do they know your own mother was a squib heir of slytherin, and she died not wanting to live even for you? I'm sure you shared the fact that you are heir of slytherin, but anything else you death eaters should know?"
"That's enough Harry Potter!" Voldermort was raising his wand, but he was not fast enough this time while he was distracted with Harry the group that had been ignored so well had drawn there wands and all at once disarmed him. Voldermort wand went flying leaving a quite bewildered Voldermort. "That is it I have had enough patience with you lot and know you shall die." As if on cue the surrounding death eaters drew there wands, the small group was out numbered two to one but they were hopeful none the less.
Harry moved over and stood next to Ginny as they formed a circle "If you kill them Voldermort you will have to kill me."
"As you wish Harry Potter!" Suddenly hexes and curses began to fly from every direction for Ron it reminded him to much of the incident at the ministry only two years before. Everyone was blocking and dodging hexes and curses that were simply being sent in hope of connection to one of those in the group. After what seemed like forever Malfoy was hit by Ginny's Boggy Bat Hex. Ginny smiled to herself that had been the second time she had done that to him obviously he hadn't learned his lesson yet. One by one the death eaters fell due to various hexes or body binds soon the odds were even leaving each of them scrapped, bruised and bleeding but fighting one on one none the less. Harry was fighting Voldermort once again and keeping an eye on Ginny. He looked away from her to focus on Voldermort and a scream pierced the air. It was her scream it was her pain what was wrong the others had noticed to but could do nothing. Harry sent ropes twisting around Voldermort he knew they wouldn't hold him for long but long enough to try and help her.
Running to Ginny's side he saw at once that the death eater was up again and ready to hex her suddenly the death eater spoke "Crucio!" Harry had no time to act he stepped in front of Ginny, standing between the death eater and the one he loved. It hit and he fell on to her lap."Foolish boy, never stand between someone and a killing curse." The words had no sooner crossed his lips when Harry began to twitch un controllably. Thoughts were filling his brain the pain hurt so bad how could he go on? He had set out to save Ginny and he had wasn't that enough? The twitching was taking all the energy that he had the death eater and Voldermort looked at Harry in utter amazement. The twitching was slowing he was giving up. Suddenly a fiery red streak crossed the wood and hit Voldermort strait at the chest. That was the last image that Harry ever saw.
Ron was some place between emotional wreck and utter amazement. He wasn't quite sure what had taken place. Ginny lay on the forest floor completely knocked out but alive none the less. Harry lay in her lap dead. Voldermort lay in the surrounding circle also dead. Who killed Harry? Who killed Voldermort? Ron had tears trickling down his face how could his best mate be taken from him how was Ginny going to react. Hermione Neville and Ron sat cross legged on the cold harsh ground conversing when ever possible between the dam of emotions. Hermione was a total mess yet she was alright she would have a black eye, a fat lip and plenty of bumps and bruises but she was alive.
"Hey mates does anyone know how it happened?"
"Ron I heard Ginny scream in pain, that must have been what knocked her out." Hermione tried to smile.
Neville spoke up "I know what happened." Neville took a long breath and for quite awhile was silent then he pressed on. "I had just killed the death eater I was fighting when she screamed. The next thing I saw was Harry dodging in front of her as if trying to protect her and the Voldermort headed twords him as if to kill him so I cursed him with the first curse I could think of. I killed him with out meaning to." Neville placed his face in his hands as if to say I am ashamed why me? Hermione scooted twords him placing her arm around him in attempt to comfort and consul him but it didn't work. Neville sat there in silence until Ginny began to stir which was many hours later.
With out even asking she looked up at Ron and began to cry. The love of her life was dead he had died saving her and she had yelled at him for trying to say good bye. Memories began to floor her brain every single one was of Harry. Harry at the burrow, Harry at school, Harry and her by the lake, and Harry and her at Dumbledore's funeral. "Why?" was all she cried over and over the words repeated. No one and nothing could comfort her. They let her cry herself to sleep as they lay on the uneven ground. Ever so slowly her muffled cries turned to sigh of welcomed sleep.
Ron was glad that she had found comfort in sleep for tomorrow they would have the horrible task of returning to Hogwarts with Harry and Voldermort. Harry for a proper funeral-residence and Voldermort so the Order could do with him as they pleased. Over and over Ron thought of how the twist of fate had played a hand in all things. They never found out if Harry was a hexocrux or not in the end it really didn't matter. But also had the prophecy been true when it said that the one to be marked as his equal would destroy Voldermort or was there something there that they had over looked? Every time that Ron thought about it the result was the same Harry had the scar to prove Voldermort had marked him all Neville had was two mentally incapable parents. Then it hit him. Maybe in fact the marking was that simple had his mark been leaving a family without parents? If that was the case both Harry and Neville would fit into the category. But Ron didn't stop thinking what if in fact Harry was suppose to be killed because his parents had been killed and Neville was the one that the prophecy was truly about because through Voldermort orders Neville's parents had nearly died but Instead there brains were melted?
Each thought that Ron had lead to one conclusion Harry and Neville both had parts in the prophecy. They always had, no one ever saw it and if they did it was ignored. Now it was to late there on the harsh forest floor lay two lifeless bodies. Harry had been taken from them when they needed him the most. Why? I need you, Ginny needs you. How is Ginny going to survive with out you? Tears silently fell to the earth wishing that his silent plea was heard and that the impossible would come to pass.
Hermione was a total wreck tears flooding down in giant water falls of tears smudging the dirt and blood present on her face. Ron tried to comfort her but all they could do was hug and cry together. Swaying forwards backward Hermione drifted into a deep somber sleep. Ron stay awake for a long time looking from Hermione, to Ginny and finally to Harry's lifeless entangled body. It's not fair. Not fair to Harry, Ginny, or the rest of us. Harry had already given so much for the wizarding world but he now had given so much more not for the wizarding world but for love, he gave his life for the love of my sister.
The next morning when everyone had awoken the bodies were levitated and they headed to were they had left there brooms. One by one they mounted and took of fallowing the bodies of those that had touched there lives. For any on looker it would have been an odd percession indeed. Voldermort's body, fallowed closely by Harry's. Ginny was next to Harry looking after him as best as she could, fallowed by the other three with very grim looks on there faces. The found the place that they had left Remus Luptin the night before and yet the sight brought tears to everyone's faces. How were they going to survive knowing every memory they had was filled with the memory of Harry? As they touched ground a small figure came from the shadows. "I was starting to get worried, that you didn't sucs" he stopped speaking mid sentence as his gaze drifted to Harry. Luptin was in complete shock and confusion. He walked over to Harry's body and feel to his knees, "No! No! Not Harry, why Harry?" Luptin was sobbing uncontrollable now.
Ron himself was close to tears once again just watching the saddened look on Luptin's face had it been just last night that they had seen him in joyous spirits? Hermione walked over to Luptin placing her hands on his shoulder and gently pulled him away, "Professor we need to get back to Hogwarts."
"Of course Hermione." Luptin's voice betrayed him it was cracking with emotion and he wiped tears from under his eyes. He started to lead the way and the others fallowed. Ron started to look at his surroundings once again seeing things so differently in the daylight. The buildings were even worse then he had thought there was basically nothing left to them. As his gaze left the buildings they found Harry's face once again. He was so white and frail looking, he wished so much that things could be reversed, but they couldn't. Hermione's words found there way into him memory "things happen for a reason it is up to us to find the reason why."
Okay Hermione what is the reason for this one? Finally the approached the almost forgotten portkey. The clasped the portkey one by one making sure to grab Voldermort and Harry's hands. Luptin gained them and the whiling began. It seemed to tighten Ron's stomach so much more this time maybe it was the fact he was in so much pain already, what ever the reason Ron never knew. The whirling continued and the pain started to lessen. They were getting close, and the ground appeared not to far below them one by one they let go of the old tattered hat hoping that there was something that could be done for there dear friend. Upon contact with the ground everyone but Luptin collapsed. "Stay here I will run a and get Minerva." No one seemed to hear what was said but they were looking at Harry's sullen, white face. He had loved Ginny enough to sacrifice his life for her. Suddenly Hermione jumped.
"Ron! I know what happened."
"Yeah so does Neville he saw it." Ron was in no mood to talk about Harry's death again.
"No, Harry was a hexocrux and there are only two ways to destroy them, put them in way of the most destructive force possible or sacrificing it. Harry sacrificed himself for Ginny." Ginny looked at Hermione what was she talking about destroying a hexocrux? "Harry was a hexocrux but he also had the freedom of choice allowing him to choose willingly to sacrifice himself for those he loved. By doing so he broke the curse and allowing Voldermort to be killed." Don't you understand Voldermort was dead before Harry was." Foot steps were rushing twords them. McGonigal had appeared in front of the cowered group. Gasping she placed her hand over her mouth.