Hey everyone!! I hope you have enjoyed this fic. I know this is following sort of Canon and I hope that doesn't put you off. This is the next installment so please leave me a review or Pm me with you're thoughts. Big shout out to all my reviewers, I so appreciate it.
As always Rated M for various triggers please see previous Authors Notes.
Minerva McGonagall was the type of woman who could strike fear into every grown man and woman all over the Wizarding World. So it was no surprise that when she stood to Harrys aid and went wand to wand with Severus Snape, the younger man faltered slightly.
It was slight but it was also the first time I seen a weakness in his eyes. His mask of the ever stoic spy breaking at the prospect of this woman actually duelling him. It was in that moment I could see the half broken young man I met in 1976 and even Harry looked slightly shocked.
The two Carrows behind him also held theirs wands out toward the formidable woman but seemed content to let him deal with what they perceived to be an unruly collegue. All of the students stepped backward against the wall except for the members of the DA, The Order and the Hogwarts staff who stood behind Harry and Minerva as backup clearly picking their side.
Minerva thrashed her wand at the Headmaster a few times but to the mans credit he did not fight back. Merely sheilded them, the Carrows seemed to have their eyes set on Harry and in tandem sent a volly of curses at him, my friend shielded them very well actually but thankfully Severus struck his wand backward and knocked them both against the wall with one of Minervas spells.
He was helping, even though it did not look that way he actually was protecting Harry. Knowing about his past with Lily Evans it only made sense of course but within seconds he had morphed and flew out of the room leaving it victorious to the Staff and students.
Plans were made to get the younger years somewhere safe and Aberforth had dispatched the elves to escort them all off the property to a safe house for now. Bill offered up the Shell Cottage and Professor Trelawney, Sinestra, and Madame Hooch went with them leaving everyone else to stay and defend the Castle.
The room was clearing as we all heard it, all heard him. Voldemort was speaking to all of us inside the Castle from god knows where. How we were going to get to the Snake was beyond me?
"Harry Potter, let us not be cowardly, meet me in the Forbidden Forest in one hour or I will slaughter every man, woman and child in that castle. I do not want to spill innocent blood but its time we end this." As soon as he was gone I could see Harry shake his head and knew he was seeing inside the mans mind, Voldemort still had an active connection and the prospect of it filled my heart with dread.
" Where is he Harry? Try and find the snake, look inside of him." He was, sweating and all of the remaining students at this point looked horrified at what was going on. He looked possessed, Ginny came over and held onto his hand which seemed to help him focus.
"Snape, he is with Snape. In the Shrieking Shack. Lets go." He stood up again and with a hug to Ginny we ran out of the room past some bewildered Slytherins. I could see the staff and Order adding a layer of protective enchantments on the Castle which I hope would give us time.
I had a hand inside my bag holding onto the hilt of the Sword when we ran through a secret passageway and down into the Shrieking Shack. I could hear voices and through a crack in a wall we could see Voldemort and his snake standing next to Severus.
With a strong disillusionment which the Potions Master taught me when we were peers, and Harrys cloak squeezed tightly around us we dared not to breathe to loudly as we ducked behind some crates at the other side of the room.
"I have a bit of a conundrum Severus. This wand is not working as it should. Do you know why that is?" I could see in Severus eyes he knew what was happening and would be lucky to make it out of here alive. I kept runnimg through all of the things I had in my bag to save him.
"You are the one who killed Dumbledore Severus and therefore I will never be its true master. I'm sorry old friend but this is the way it is." With a flick of his hand the Snake lashed at his ankle causing the man to fall to the ground before catching his neck and within five seconds Voldemort was gone from his right hand man and took the snake with him.
I rushed out of the invisibility cloak and ran to the man whom had helped me all those years ago, the blood was oozing out of his neck as well as green venom and I set my bag down on the ground next to me and lifted out all of the potions and vials of shit I had which it turns out was a lot.
"Alright Severus, which pocket... Antivenin which pocket?" I know he carried it with him after Arthur was bitten. He didn't move and instead soft tears fell from his eyes and looked directly at Harry before offering them to him.
"Take them Potter, take them to the pensieve..." I knocked a blood replenisher down his throat before I caught a glimpse of the boys whom were equally confused at my actions and by my calling him Severus.
"I am not going to go digging around Severus where is it? FOCUS!" He weakly lifted his right hand and tapped his left inside pocket, I instantly fished it out and knocked it back also before applying a cloth with Dittany and Phoenix tears on his neck and pressing it against his wound.
"Stop looking at me like that Harry, he is not a traitor. Take those memories to The headmasters office and go and see for yourself. I have to find somewhere to keep him safe for now. If You Know Who finds out he is alive, that won't be good. NIK!" My little elf popped into existence startling both boys and Severus who's skin was knitting together now.
"Nik, thank you for coming, could you please take Severus to the cottage until we need him, I will call you when its time for him to come back. Please look after him." My little elf nodded and I hugged both of them before they popped away from the castle.
" Before you start Harry, Severus is not a traitor. I promise. Go and find out for yourself." I could see he was beyond conflicted and as he tilted his head to the side he looked just like his mother.
"Why are you calling him Severus?" I dragged him by the arm and trailed him up to the headmasters office. The pensieve was sitting already out and Albus Dumbledore smiled down at all of us. I know Severus gave his memories to Harry and Harry alone so I kept Ron with me and allowed Harry to go in himself.
"Do you wanna tell me why you were calling him Severus and seemed so familiar." I knew I had to protect Narcissa but to be fair no one would be reading Rons mind, only Harry's was at risk and since he was finding almost everything out anyway I figured Ron deserved the truth also.
"In the middle of my Sixth Year Professor Dumbledore sent me back to 1976 for a mission for the order, my job was to try and sway certain darker members of The School to join the Order and help the cause. I was placed in Ravenclaw as a Seventh year and befriended quite a lot of people. I fell in love with Narcissa Black and became friends with multiple Slytherins. Both Narcissa, Severus and Draco have been helping ever since. She is the one who got the cup for us from Bellatrix. Severus was the one who brought us the sword." Ron looked like he wanted to pass out and actually sat down on a chair whilst we waited for Harry.
" So wait, your girlfriend is actually Ferret faces mother? This actually makes a lot of sense, why she was half assing her spells in the manor. The teenage boy side of me feels proud you were able to pull Narcissa Bloody Malfoy and yet the other side of me is slightly pissed at you for not telling me about it." I gave him a hug in apology and all we had to do now was wait on Harry. It took five minutes but as soon as he came out he looked so pale and I knew, all of my instincts and everything I had observed about Harry made me realise what needed to happen.
"Snape was on our side all along, Dumbledore was dying and he asked Snape to kill him so Draco didn't have to. He fell in love with my mother and when she was killed that's what made him change sides. You knew all of this didn't you?" I just nodded my head at him and Harry hugged me and nodded, I let out a sigh of relief that his emotions hadn't turned to one of anger.
"He showed me your friendship and adventure to the past, I understand why you didn't tell me and so much makes sense now. Narcissa Malfoy, really I don't even know what to say about that but its OK. I am glad she makes you Happy." I nodded and thanked him before he straightened his jacket and nodded.
" Ok, my time is nearly up. I have to go, I know what I need to do now. Kill the snake, if you kill the snake then it's just him." Small tears trailed down my face and Ron now realised what was happening.
"Harry, mate! There has to be some other way." Harry shook his head and hugged his brother before taking us by the arm and we slowly made our way downstairs again. We passed people in the corridor whom were decending the castle and upon seeing Renus Lupin, Harry just nodded his head at the man.
I knew this would kill them all, everyone seemed to realise what Harry was doing and the Weasleys stood at the door of the entrance hall and wouldn't let him passed.
"Harry , you can't do this, you can't give in to him we can all fight. I wont let you throw away our future." He shut her up by pressing a, soft kiss on her lips, in any other situation he would be trembling at doing this in front of the entire Weasley clan but not now. Harry Potter was now a man and when he pulled away from the youngest Weasley he pressed his forehead to hers.
"I have to Ginny, there is a part of him inside of my head, I need to get rid of it and then not only will the prophecy come to a conclusion but we can kill him." Only certain people were aware of the Horcruxes at this, point but everyone was crying.
I could see the dome all around us fall and knew they had breached the castle fully at this point. Hundreds of death eaters came walking across the bridge and Harry ignored everyone's pleas before walking out to meet Voldemort. Standing front and centre with Lucius, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Greyback and hundreds of others standing practically watering at the mouth.
Harry stood at one side of the courtyard and Voldemort stood at the other with his wand in his hand. All of the remaining students and faculty were gathered behind the order and were looking on in horror.
"Harry Potter, I was beginning to think you weren't coming and yet I see all of your friends upset. Were you coming to me?" A small incline of Harrys head was all it took for Voldemort to laugh and Harry still didn't take out his wand. Nagini sat beside her master and my hand held onto the hilt of the sword still safely tucked into my bag.
" Mmm, everyone let us bear witness of the boy who lived, come to die!" Voldemort didn't say anything else and raised his wand to point directly at my brother.
"Any last words." Harry looked around at all of us and smiled before looking back at the man whom had been connected to him since infancy.
"Not for you, let's get on with it Tom, no one likes a showman." The Man looked on with a smirk on his face and with a flourish of his wand he cast his curse.
"Avada Kedavra!" Gasps were heard as the curse connected with Harry and both of them flew backward, there was a great white light than seemed to eminate from the impact of the curse and when it was safe to look I could see Harry lying in a heap but I could also see Voldemort across the courtyard.
Both of them lay unmoving and it wasnt until Voldenort moved that the entire school realised what had happened and Bellatrix was trying to help her master up. Once upright he ordered Narcissa of all people to go and see if he was dead.
She didn't look at me, her eyes, were focused on Harry as she crept closer. Arthur held Ginny back as Cissa crept down and pressed two fingers to Harrys neck. She looked up and as soon as her eyes connected with my own a smile overcame her lips.
"This boy has fucking nine lives, he is ok. When I tell you to slap me in the face and give me the sword. I can get close enough to chop the head of that fucking snake, we are nearly done my love." She turned to face the dark lord and nodded.
"The boy is dead." Ginny collapsed in her father's, arms and on her smirk I walked up to her and slapped her on the face before shoving her chest and giving her the sword wrapped in the cloak. She waved her wand and dropped me to my feet before walking back over to her side. For now.
"All of you are here to bear witness, the fall of Harry Potter, for now I am giving you the chance to come to the winning side." I just smirked before I called Nik and he popped into existance beside me with a fully healed Severus Snape.
"I wouldn't count your chickens yet." His face faltered and in one fell swoop Narcissa lifted the sword out and cut off the head of Nagini before transforming into her Animagus form and Draco ran from Voldemorts side and threw a wand at Harry whom just stood up and caught it...very much alive.
Narcissa landed in her human form now and handed me back the sword before taking my hand in her own and touching Severus on the shoulder. Students and staff were flabbergasted at what was going on. Harry held up his wand and cast a curse at the Dark Lord which seemed to start something because spells started flying all around us.
At some point I got separated from Narcissa as Harry and Voldemort were duelling, Severus struck down Dolohov and Lucius in one swoop. Bellatrix was duelling her niece, I could see that as I took on a few of the death eaters.
A loud roar erupted above us and I could just about make out Charlie Weasley riding in on a dragon with what looked like two others also. It seemed to stop some of the Death Eaters whom took one look and disapparated. The dragon rained fire over the Giants and Dementors but the battle was, stil raging.
"We have unfinished busines Mudblood!" I shelided the spells coming from her and we duelled for a few minutes before Narcissa cast a curse on her sister from across the courtyard and the dark wild black sister fell to her knees in front of me.
As I glanced up and smiled at Cissa she winked at me, before I could react Greyback came running up and pounced on her back and I could see he had caught her by the bright red crimson coming from her back. He turned her around like a ragdoll as Bellatrix stood up and pressed her wand to my neck.
As Greyback pinned her down I could see him whispering in her ear and grinding his body against hers, the more I tried to fight Bellatrix the more she laughed in my ear. Narcissas wand was sitting about three feet from her. The wolf held onto her throat and squeezed, Narcissa held her hands to his chest and with a shock he let go of her throat. A gut wrenching scream rose in the air as she dug her nails into the wolf and tore him apart with her bare hands.
I know she was adept at wandless magic but seeing her now she threw the wolf from her body and was covered head to toe in blood. I launched my head backward and headbutted Bellatrix as Narcissa came walking toward her.
Raising my wand at the woman made rage boil in my veins, I wanted to hurt her for all of the pain and suffering she had caused. Narcissa held my arm and stood over her sister with a glare I have ne er seen before, she was frightening and I could feel the power coming off her in waves. We were distracted momentarily as Harry sat wandless in front of Voldemort when Draco Malfoy came to his rescue and ran to the discarded wand and threw it to him.
"Potter! Take him down!" Both men cast their spells and vollided in the middle, green met red and I could see when it happened. Harrys curse struck the snake faced man and within ten seconds he was dead. On the ground dead.
Narcissa turned her feral glance back to her sister whom was being held down on the ground by an invisable force, it was then I seen Narcissa was using her wandless magic to hold her down.
"Your master is dead Bella, you will soon join him. How dare you touch her? How dare you taunt her? She, belongs to me and has done since 1976. Don't you get it big sister, I have never been on your side, not for a, long, long time." Using one hand she raised her sister up to her feet and then clean off the ground, we had gained an audience at this, point because the fighting was over.
Narcissa looked terrifying all covered in blood and although I wanted to intervene, I knew she needed to do this, Bellatrixs face was getting redder and redder as she squeezed her throat wandlessly.
"You came into my home, threatened my son, tortured the love of my life so I am going to make you suffer. Every ounce of pain you have inflicted on others is something you will have to endure. None more so than Hermione. Mark my words, big sister you will pray for death and it...will...never...come. Goodbye Bella." She, dropped her to the ground and muttered a, spell causing the woman to pass out cold but alive.
"Remind me not to piss you off." She turned and smiled at me before pulling her body into my own and kissing me square on the lips and my body couldn't get any closer to her own.
"My love I am never letting you go but I think I'm gonna pass out." Three seconds later and she did, I lowered her down gently to the ground as Madame Pomfry and Remus Lupin came running over to her.
"Its hard to know, which blood belongs to her and which does, not." I shook my head and explained Greyback caught her back.
"Silver and dittany will seal her wound and stop the bleeding. She might still change we will have to wait and see on the next full moon." I nodded to my ex Professor and I was almost scared to ask what the, death toll was.
"How is everyone?" He looked saddened before holding me close for a hug.
"Percy Weasley saved a young boy from a curse and it struck him down. Lavender Brown was also marked by Greyback, she is in critical condition. We sustained heavy losses on our end Hermione but Harry and Ron are all ok. Horace Slughorn has also passed on." I didn't want to know anymore, I guess I would soon find out the full extent in the coming days.
Severus ran over when he noticed Narcissa and tucked his arms under her and offered to walk her to the hospital wing. I could see Harry coordinating with Kingsley it seems and as he held onto Draco Malfoys arm and shook his head I knew he was trying to get the boy pardoned.
I knew it would take time for everything to heal but I knew we needed to all come together as a community and heal all I knew was that the war was over. Finally it was over...and we won.
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