Chapter 12

"Help! Someone! Get up everyone!" Harry bolted up. Ron stood behind the door horrorstruck.

"What's going on?" Harry asked getting out of bed. Ron seemed to come out of his daze and began searching for his wand in his trunk at the end of his bed.

"Ron, what happened?" Harry asked trying to get an answer out of him. Ron looked up at him as if he just realized Harry was there.

"Death Eaters," Ron choked.

"But, we've dealt with Death Eaters before," Harry said confused.

"They're not alone," Ron squeaked.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked irritably.

"V-Vo-Vol-" Ron stuttered.

"Voldemort?" Harry asked in amazement. Ron nodded slowly.

"Oh no," Harry whispered, "I've got to go down there." Then suddenly remembering his dream Harry said, "Ron! You go get Ginny, Hermione, and I guess Malfoy, and take them here. Don't let anyone come in!"

"What?" Ron asked finding his voice, "We've got to help!"

"NO!" Harry shouted immediately. Ron jumped at his voice.

Harry grabbed his wand and rushed out the door. As he hurried down the stairs he knew he couldn't kill Voldemort tonight. He had to wait until all of the horcruxes were gone. Otherwise he'd have to go through this again. He jumped the last few stairs and heard shouts, spells, and loud noises from things exploding and being knocked over. He dashed into the room only to be in the way of Bellatrix Lestrange and Sirius's fight. The Death Eaters must've freed her when they attacked. Harry ducked as Bellatrix threw a curse at Sirius. He dodged it easily. Harry ran behind a tipping bookcase. He peeked around each side but Voldemort couldn't be found. He ran along the wall and went into the next room, which was the kitchen.

Plates, cups, and dishes could be heard shattering on the floor as Greyback and Lupin fought. Remus threw Greyback against a cupboard. Finir retaliated by smashing him into the table. The polished wooden table snapped in half under the blow. Harry carefully ran around the shattered glass and into the next room, as he had only socks on his feet.

He was in the old gloomy dining room now. Voldemort was about to get bashed in the head with a lamp by Ginny. He whirled around and smirked at her.

"Young Miss Weasley," he hissed, "the only Weasley daughter in several generations. You didn't think that muggle item would affect me now do you?" He snatched it from her and hurled it at the wall in front of him. She jumped as the lamp smashed against the wall. He slowly came toward her. She was frozen with fear. Harry dashed in the room and yelled, "Expelliarmus!" Voldemort almost tripped but stood his ground.

"Harry Potter," he hissed without turning around. Ginny couldn't do anything but inch away as he smiled at the ground. He slowly turned around and smirked wickedly. Harry swallowed but didn't blink or step back.

"How nice to see you still alive and well," Voldemort said as if they were all sitting down for a spot of tea. Harry glared back and didn't answer, "Oh, I see," he continued. He turned around and grabbed Ginny by the arm. Harry's scar burned more than ever but showed no sign of pain. "Is this what you want?" he asked as he shook her.

"Let her go," Harry shouted, "This is our fight! Not hers!"

"Well," he said quietly, "I see, but isn't this your little girlfriend. You two were very close last year."

"No she isn't! Now let her go!" Harry insisted as he took a step forward and drew his wand. Ginny stared at him eyes wide and was as pale as Voldemort if not paler. More shouts and sounds like thunder rumbled through the house. Voldemort's eyes glistened.

"Well then, you won't mind if I take her," he said and ran off in the direction of his fellow Death Eaters. Ginny screamed and drew attention to herself from her very protective brothers. They had been fighting with other Death Eaters. Bill leaped into the room just as Harry sprinted from the room after them. He could hear shouts fom behind him and knew he wasn't alone. Harry couldn't let them get away.

Harry unexpectedly stopped in the middle of Sirius's fight with his would-be killer. He raised his wand and tried to aim perfectly.

"Sectumsempra!" he yelled and Voldemort fell to the ground. Ginny scrambled away and Harry rushed to him. He slowly got up. Blood poured from his back and he couldn't regain balance.

"Master!" one of the Death Eaters shouted and ran to his side.

"NO!" Harry bellowed. He bolted forward. Ron was on the other side of the room. Voldemort saw him and Harry could just picture his smile.

"Ron! Get out of there!" Harry shouted as he ran.

"No! No one attacks my sister!" he roared. Voldemort turned and smiled wickedly. He whispered something to the Death Eater and he nodded. He started toward Ron.

"Ron! Go! Stay with the others!" Harry yelled. Ron glared at the approaching Death Eater. Harry remembered his dream and ran faster. He finally reached the room. The Death Eater had his wand raised and so did Ron. Harry darted past Voldemort knocking his wand out of his hand and sending him to the ground. His scar burned worse but didn't stop until he pushed Ron out of the way of the curse flying from the Death Eater's wand.

"Go! I'll take care of him!" Harry yelled and Ron fled the room. Harry turned back to Voldemort and the Death Eater. Harry realized he was clutching Voldemort's wand. Voldemort smiled again and yelled for his Death Eaters. They came in the room holding Ginny again.

"No! Leave her alone!" he shouted bounding to them. A few Death Eaters mocked him. Bellatrix Lestrange ran in and raised her wand to Ginny.

"Avada Kedav-" she started to say, cackling.

"No! Avada Kedavra!" Harry shouted as he pointed his wand at Lestrange. She fell to the floor. Everyone, Death Eaters and members of the Order of the Phoenix alike, and even Voldemort stood still with shock. No one made a move. The Death Eater holding Ginny dropped her. She scampered away and over to Harry. He stepped in front of her. All of the Death Eaters apparated away. Voldemort stared at Harry with amazement and shock. He finally apparated away. Dumbledore came rushing in the room.

"What happened?" he asked as he looked down at the lifeless Death Eater on the floor. He had obviously left Grimmauld Place before the attack. The house was in ruins. No one answered him. He looked Harry in the eyes and understood. Harry quietly left the room knowing everyone's eyes were on him. He reached his room and Hermione, Ron, and Draco rushed to him. Hermione hugged him tightly. Malfoy and Ron waited until they broke apart to ask him questions.

"I'm so glad you're safe!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Mate, what happened?" Ron asked.

"Was...HE...here?" Malfoy asked nervously.

"Yeah," Harry answered blankly.

"Well, is it over?" he continued.

"No, I didn't kill him, but Bellatrix," Harry said dazedly.

"Harry! You really-" Hermione said and clasped her hands over her mouth. Ron and Malfoy stared at him with wide eyes. Harry couldn't take another word so told them he was going to bed. He slowly fell asleep thinking about what he had done.