A/N: Although in earlier chapters I said that I had been thinking about inserting into the fic a Hermione/Blaise coupling, I have decided now that that will not be so. As you may all have noticed, the fic is quickly drawing to a close.

I don't quite know how good I am at doing action scenes (because, as surprising as this may be to some people, this is my first fic), so please tell me what you think about the ones now and the ones coming up in later chapters.

Also, I will be going back and re-editing some chapters because of complaints. (I must agree with the reviewer that I don't quite pay attention to what I'm typing as each chapter is written, and hence, mistakes are made. I hope these mistakes did not hinder your enjoyment of the fic, though.) I would again like to ask if anyone would be interested in beta'ing for me, and if so, to please contact me at c-beta (at) hotmail (dot) com.

Chapter Sixteen

"I Have Power…"

A tall shadow fell over the trunk at the foot of a bed in the hospital wing. A sinister laugh filled and echoed in the large, empty room as the lid of the trunk was lifted and a long-stemmed rose was slowly extracted from the trunk. The lid creaked closed with a thump, and footsteps of the tall man echoed out of the room as the rose was gently placed inside a pocket in the man's robes.

XXX

Harry smiled across the room at Draco, who was chattering happily with Pansy and Blaise at the Slytherin table. After Dumbledore's short speech after dinner, no one had left the room, and all were nervously awaiting instruction. There was an excited chatter throughout the students, especially the first years that had, against some peoples' better judgment, decided to stay and fight.

Harry couldn't help but think that though it seemed that Dumbledore had plans for Harry, the plans weren't quite thought out, hence the long wait between dinner and now. Dumbledore had disappeared a while back and had yet to re-enter the Great Hall. Harry wondered what Dumbledore could possibly be doing but he had a slight clue, and continued to chatter with Hermione to pass the time.

Adrenaline seemed to be working through everyone's veins tonight, and perhaps that was why no one had asked questions about Harry and Draco being together. He knew that questions and accusations were inevitable, but for now Harry was grateful that no one had asked. He didn't quite have the energy to battle the entire student body and then go and fight against the Dark Lord in a war that could quite possibly end his life.

When Dumbledore entered the room, a hush fell over the students and they looked expectantly at him. He raised his hands above his head and nodded in acknowledgement at the students before opening his mouth. "You may all be expecting instructions from me as to what to do. These, I cannot give you. You have all decided to embark upon this journey with the light side, and I will not hold you back, but I must warn you of the dangers that will follow you all every step of the way.

"You could die, and there will be many fellow students that may fall, but you must carry on. Many people will fall before this is over; you must all know that now. And I will tell you that this will not be easy, but none of you are alone. Many adults will be here for you, fighting by your side. Harry was right earlier tonight when he said that you will no longer be children after tonight is over.

"I will advise you all to wear bright colors; no robes, they will hinder your movements, and you may trip over them. Although this is a war, I would also like to advise all to not use any unforgivable curses; they will be traceable, and when sentencing for Death Eaters begin, you may be tried along side them if you use any. The reason I ask that you wear bright colors is to distinguish our own from the Death Eaters, whom always wear black robes.

"A shielding spell will be put on all who plan on participating right before you leave the school to meet at the Quidditch Pitch, and those of you who do not wish to participate in battle but still want to be of service may adjourn to Madam Pomfrey's old Hospital Ward to be of assistance.

"The battle will take place here, in Hogwarts, and your parents will be arriving momentarily to either take you home, or participate in the war themselves." With a final nod, Dumbledore lowered his hands.

Heads of houses were seen leaving the Head table and going to their own houses' tables to meet with their students, and there was a loud rumble of feet following the few words spoken between students and Professors. A loud racket at the door to the Great Hall was all that was heard as the students gathered in the Entrance Hall. Some students could be seen going up the stairs or into the dungeons to change their clothes or gather their belongings. Harry met with Draco in the midst of it all and clutched his hand tightly as they stood watching all of the proceedings unfold before their very eyes.

Students continued to hustle and bustle about until a sharp whistle was sounded and all heads jerked up to look at the double doors that had just been flung open. Professor McGonagall nodded briefly to the students before she began pacing. "All students wishing to partake, please gather in a group over on that side of the hall," She pointed to the right, and a majority of the students rushed to the appointed area, amongst much pushing, shoving, laughing and screeching.

Some students remained where they were and McGonagall nodded to them. "Those of you who wish to help in the Hospital Ward may take your leave." The remaining students left the hall somberly. When the hall was quiet again, McGonagall spoke up. "There is no time for single file lines, so I will ask that each of you lift your wands and repeat after me." she paused for a moment and waited as the students lifted their wands. "Now, this spell is actually a very simple one, but it will not block against some of the unforgivable curses and a majority of very strong curses, so I ask that you all be careful when on the battle field." She nodded a final time, pointed her wand at herself and murmured the spell just loud enough for all to hear. "Sheildus Sentry," A soft, shimmering pale-blue light encircled her, before disappearing completely; it was as though she had done nothing at all.

A loud murmuring between the students could be heard, but with a stern glare from McGonagall, they all quieted and followed suit. Most people did it correctly, and all remaining professors were going through the crowd of students to make sure that the shield worked. The few that didn't perform the spell correctly were quickly rushed off to the hospital ward, where they would inevitably be spending the rest of the evening.

When the murmurings of the shielding spell finally subsided, McGonagall nodded once more. "And now," she said, her voice slightly shaking. "We begin."

Chatter rose up in all of the students as she motioned for the students to follow her. "We will be practicing in the Quidditch pitch tonight. I shall warn you to always be prepared, and to always keep your wands on hand. We may be breached at any time, and this battle will last for quite a while, I assure you." McGonagall slowly led the students out of the school and down the long, winding path towards the Quidditch Pitch. Each of her steps grew a little surer, and she looked determined, but her eyes told an entirely different story.

She continued to speak, though most of her words were lost on the students, who were excited but nervous. It wasn't until she stopped in front of them just meters away from the pitch that all attention was once again drawn to her.

"I will be the first to admit," She began, her voice once again gaining the shake that it had held earlier. "That I am scared. I am also worried, not only for my well-being, but for yours as well. I never wanted any of you to have to face this, especially at such a young age. It's not right for someone as young and susceptible as any of you to have to face such a terror first hand; it's not right for anyone to have to face what we're about to face. I know that this doesn't comfort any of you, but…" she trailed off and glanced at each of the students, their faces illuminated in the light coming from the lanterns hovering over the pitch.

"I want you all to know how…proud of you I am." she finished. She sniffed softly, and turned on her heel quickly, leading the group right into the battle-zone without second thoughts.

XXX

A tall man watched from the trees of the Forbidden Forest as the students passed towards the Quidditch Pitch. When they were well past him, he secured the hood of his black cloak over his head and lifted his wand, murmuring a spell. A small green light flickered from the end of his wand and flew off in the direction of his fellow Death Eaters, to inform them that the unsuspecting students were drawing nearer.

He smirked as he watched the light zoom around trees and whiz quickly to inform the Death Eaters. He knew that it would get to them faster than the students would, and they would be ready for when they came. The plan was to launch into battle almost immediately, first eliminating all foe and then allowing for their lord to go in for the kill.

Still smirking, the man stepped out of the foliage that he was hiding behind and quickly discarded his cloak, hurriedly sprinting to catch up with the end of the trail of students.

XXX

Harry watched as each of the students that had decided to help aligned themselves in a few neat rows, facing the Forbidden Forest. At Harry's nod, they all began to warm up their wands, using defence spells that they had all learned.

There were very few spells that the students knew to defend themselves, but Harry had been working hard on teaching himself and the DA some tactics, so he knew that he didn't have a lot to worry about as far as that was concerned; there would be adults present who would surely know more attack spells than Harry, and if it ever resorted to it, Harry would not hesitate to use an unforgivable.

Harry's jaw clenched tightly when he saw slight movements in the trees of the Forbidden Forest. He nodded to Professor McGonagall, and she sent large green sparks high into the air from her wand. All of the students straightened, lifted their wands, and readied themselves.

Seconds later, the Quidditch Pitch was swarmed with hundreds of people cloaked in black. There were screams and much yelling, and soon Harry could hardly hear anything over the shouts of curses being flung around. Many people close to him fell, petrified, knocked out, or worse…dead. Harry stood there watching it all unfold, his wand clenched at his side, searching the crowd for the one person that he was destined to kill…or be killed by.

But Harry refused to think about the latter; 'I'll live.' He thought determinedly to himself as he watched many Death Eaters fall at the hands of his fellow students. He smirked softly as he raised his wand and shot his first curse at an unsuspecting Death Eater about twenty meters away.

XXX

About half an hour into battle and many fallen bodies later, Voldemort was still nowhere in sight. Harry was sweating profusely and his body was aching in ways he had never known it could. His eyes were starting to hurt from the view of all of the bright curses zooming past his line of vision, and he was becoming more tired by the minute. He knew that this couldn't be good for him; by the time the actual battle came to play, he would be too tired to actually vanquish Voldemort!

Panting, Harry ducked as a bright orange curse, the origin of which he didn't know, whizzed just past his head. Seconds later, all movement ceased as a dark, tall, cloaked figure stepped out of the bushes.

The silence was deafening as all stood still, some people not even risking to breathe. A small, high pitched, malicious chuckle filled the Quidditch Pitch, echoing and making Harry cringe as he continued trying to catch his breath.

"Hello, Harry," Voldemort said, his lips curled up in a wicked smirk. "Long time, no see. You've been doing well, I'd suspect."

Harry stiffened. He felt a hand clutching onto his tightly, and he risked a quick glance to the side to confirm that it was Draco who was standing by his side and glaring seethingly at Voldemort. Voldemort chuckled again as he slowly approached Harry. His long fingers grasped Harry's chin and he forced Harry to look up at him. "Such beautiful eyes," He murmured with an evil smirk. "Your mother's eyes."

Harry's eyes filled with hatred as he yanked away roughly. "You killed my mother," Harry spat. "And now," He paused as he examined Voldemort's face. "I'm going to kill you."

Voldemort's eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed, his lips curling into a smile that sent chills down Harry's spine. "I should have known," Voldemort murmured. Shouts could be heard around them now, but Harry didn't notice as curses and spells were fired. The cries of pain and the shouts of vengeance were only background noise to him; he was on a mission.

Voldemort's smirk grew and he continued to talk, trying to get a rise out of Harry. "You're no better than me, you know. Resorting to killing. In the end, who will look like the better person? Whether you're on the light side or not, you'll look bad for murdering a fellow wizard. It's not too late, Harry. You can still join me. Together, we would be unstoppable! The strongest wizards of all time!"

Harry didn't even notice the movements of Draco next to him, who was still clutching his hand, as he shot spell after spell towards the Death Eaters, who were quickly thinning out. As Death Eaters were eliminated, more people of the light side began to arrive; the Weasleys, and even Neville's grandmother being a few of them.

His jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed as he lifted his wand and prodded Voldemort in the chest with it. Voldemort's chuckle rose over all other noise as he pushed the wand away. "You think you can kill me with that? Boy, I am much too powerful for that."

Harry's eyes hardened as he watched Voldemort closely. Voldemort lifted his hand, the palm facing Harry, and began to murmur words in a language that Harry couldn't understand. Harry's eyes widened and just as a large tunnel of silver light began to emit out of Voldemort's hand, he ducked, yanking Draco down with him. The tunnel of light shot out and hit someone square in the chest, and Harry could hear multiple screams as the person fell over stiffly and the tunnel of light ricocheted off of the person and hit multiple other people, who also tumbled over. Some remained on the ground, but a few people got up, determined to continue to fight.

As Harry desperately went over all of the spells and curses in his mind, Voldemort closed his hand into a fist and dropped his arm to his side. "Bring me the rose," He shouted, his eyes never leaving Harry's.

Seconds later, a familiar-looking red head was standing by Voldemort's shoulder, withdrawing a very familiar-looking rose from his trousers pocket. Harry gasped as the rose was handed to Voldemort, a bright silver light encasing the whole of Voldemort's hand and emitting from the rose.

Slowly, Voldemort's whole arm was consumed with the light, then his shoulder, his neck, his head, the whole upper-half of his body, and finally, his whole body. The rose withered in his hand and fell to the ground in a pile of dust, and Voldemort cackled evilly as the light slowly consumed the whole Quidditch Pitch.

When the light had cleared, Voldemort stood staring down at Harry, looking almost exactly as he had when he had been in school himself. He smirked down at Harry and said, "Yes…I have power."

A/N: Cookies to all who have figured out the purpose of the rose! Sorry about the cliffy, I'll update again as soon as possible, promise! :Author ducks any and all flying rotten food: Please don't kill me!