AN: AHH! THIS IS NOW FINISHED! Well, you still have to read the epilogue, but that's going up straight after this! WOO! And just in time too! I'm moving way up north tomorrow where I will have no computer and no internet for five months! Oh well, I guess I AM just about completely addicted to my computer, so it'll be good for me I suppose... grumbles
Thank you to everyone who has read this and reviewed, I'm VERY greatful!
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Battle field
The order of the Phoenix were having one of the most consequential meetings of recent times, a meeting that would inevitably decide the future of both the Wizarding world and the Muggle world. Preparations had been made, set and completed, and all those involved had been briefed on what their own agenda was. There was a slight buzz of excitement, but mostly a sizable cloud of apprehension mixed in with numerous nerves.
"We are as prepared as what I hoped to be, which is saying something given the relatively short amount of time, but I feel we are ready for what lies ahead of us tonight." Dumbledore said, looking no more nervous than utterly gleeful.
Harry held onto Severus's hand tightly. "I can't believe we're doing this tonight..." He whispered to Severus. "If anything happens..."
"You know that if anything happens," Severus interrupted. "I'll do my best to prevent it from doing so."
"Me too. And so will everyone else. It's good to know that we've all touched up on our duelling." Harry said, relaxing at the thought slightly. "I just hope Remus will be alright..." Harry stressed, looking over at the werewolf who was looking paler than usual.
"Lupin can take care of himself, you and I both know that. There is no need for you to be worrying so much." Severus gave his hand a squeeze.
Harry sighed. "I know. I'm just scared, that's all."
"I think we all are, to tell you the truth."
Severus had made been home to brew Remus's Wolfsbane potion, which rendered him to the state of simply a man trapped inside a wolves body. This was a good thing, considering he still kept his mind and had mastered the movement in the body over time. In a way, it was almost like he was a once-a-month animagus. So his part was simple enough.
The Order meeting came to a close, and every body was to sit tight and await the setting of the sun and Remus's transformation. Harry had seen Remus in his wolf state before, but was curious to see it again. Others were still a little apprehensive about it, but once they saw the almost lovable creature they relaxed again.
"I wonder if you can hear me, Remus? Or should I call you Moony?" Harry smiled lightly at the wolf, petting him on the head. Severus rolled his eyes. "Come and feel how soft his fur is, Severus. Don't worry; I'm sure he doesn't bite. Yet." Harry grinned this time.
"No, I've never much fancied beasts of the sort... nor animals for that matter." He said, looking disdainfully at Harry and Moony. He almost jumped right out of his chair when Moony beared his teethe and growled at him.
This made Harry laugh. "Merlin! You should have seen your face!" He said, tears in his eyes. "It was so funny..."
"Shut up." Severus grumbled, just as Dumbledore walked back into the room.
"Your attention please..." He said, raising his arms in the air. "Thankyou. It is time, and you all know your positions. There is only one thing else to say: Good luck."
Harry suppressed a shiver. While everyone else was simply apparating there, Dumbledore had made an illegal port key for he and Severus to use. It was an old piece of Black family silver ware. Dumbledore approached them.
"This is set to go off in thirty seconds. I will see you both there." Dumbledore smiled at them before turning and walking away.
"Oh my God I am so nervous..." Harry said, pulled Severus into one last embrace before they left, kissing him almost ferociously.
"Don't be, we've got this well planned out remember." Severus pulled away and was able to look at Harry for one moment before they succumbed to the horrible pull behind their bellybuttons and lurched out of existence for a mere moment, only to reappear within sight of the dwelling in which Voldermort could be currently found. Or so they were lead to assume.
"Shit... we're here. Quick, put the cloak on us." Harry grabbed the edge of his Invisibility cloak and pulled it tight. He and Severus were now invisible. They began walking silently up towards where they would be meeting a couple of order members. And, sure enough, Tonks, Kinglsey, Elphias Doge, Dedalus Diggle and finally Emmeline Vance were there awaiting, having arrived before them because they all apparated.
"Wotcha, Harry?" Tonks whispered as he approached them, taking the cloak off just enough for them to see him.
"Hi, Tonks." He stood beside her. "How long till we go in?"
"Just waiting for the go-ahead from Dumbledore." She whispered, her wand at the ready.
"Alright." Harry said, although not really knowing what he was saying as his whole body felt like it was turning into jelly. Severus's arms were around his waist, holding him firmly. Harry could feel his hot breath on the back of his neck, and his stomach against his back. Harry shuddered. "Can you breathe alright under there, Severus?" Harry asked.
"Fine." Severus said, shifting as both he and Harry had to hunch to stay under the cloak.
"I think I might leave you to it in here, because we're going in soon. Nobody in there can know that you're with us, it has to be a surprise." Harry turned around under the cloak, and immediately pulled Severus's face to his. "I'm leaving here tonight with you, alright?"
Severus kissed Harry, who let his tongue dominate his mouth. "Yes," Severus broke the kiss. "I look forward to leaving with you from here tonight also, possibly to replay last night if for no other reason." He smirked.
Harry laughed lightly. "Don't get me thinking like that, I wont be able to concentra..." Harry didn't finish as he heard his name.
"Come on you, that's Dumbledore's signal." Tonks said, and Harry kissed Severus one more time before reappearing.
"I'm ready. Oh and Tonks, I think I should lead." He said, smiling nervously.
"And why would that be?" She asked, looking even slightly amused.
"Because I'm a Vampire and have superb night vision." Harry said, as he and Tonks lead.
"Alright, you win." But she stayed right beside him as they crept up to the large, dark house. It was two stories high, draped in various creepers and plants and was looking rather decrepit. However on the second story there was the faintest hint of light, just managing to permeate thought the heavy vines almost completely obscuring the window.
"Well... this is it. Stick to the plan everyone..." Tonks said, as they moved their relatively small front up towards the inevitable frontline of impending battle. They were expecting to face at least one Death Eater at the front door, but it came as a mild surprise to find it abandoned and empty.
The group just sort of stood there, as if waiting for Voldemort to jump out and say Boo or something. Well not really, but each were equally apprehensive. Harry drew a sharp breath.
"Looks like I'm the one to test the door then... " He said, grasping onto the knob. He was surprised to find that it turned easily under his sweaty grip. "Hmm... that's a little strange." He muttered to no one in particular. "Right, in we go."
The small troop proceeded, where Kingsley and Emmeline went off in one direction, Tonks and Diggle the other and Harry Doge stayed in the small entranceway, while Severus hovered invisibly somewhere in between. When the four came back to Harry and Doge, proclaiming that there was nothing of interest, each settled their adrenaline pumped vision upon the large dark staircase leading up. That was where the lights had been seen, and with a silent agreement Harry lead the way up to possible impending doom.
But, when they'd reached the middle, a horrible sound came from behind them. Each spun around to face not only one masked Death Eater, but also at least fifteen all crowded around the bottom of the stairs.
"What's this we've got 'ere?" One of them grunted in a raspy voice. He was clearly relatively aged.
"I think it is, perhaps, a couple of those sickening Mudblood do-gooders." Another said, as they inched closer. But now though, each of them had their wands at the ready.
"Harry..." Tonks whispered harshly. "You go ahead and find Him. It's our only hope."
Harry nodded, accepting his duty and once the initial noises of battle settled in he snuck his way up into the darkness, after grounding out for Severus to follow him. His breath caught in his throat as a flash of purple light shot past him, burning the handrail to a cinder. Releasing the pent up breath, Harry raced to the top and reached a door. Taking a breath, he opened it and burst through, his head almost imploding with pain as his scar came to life.
It was a large room with doors tapering off to the side. A fire was lit, hence the light they'd seen, and right in the middle of the room was no other than Voldemort himself.
"Ah Harry, I wondered when I'd be seeing you." He said, his horrible voice causing Harry's pain to intensify. "Actually no, I knew I'd be seeing you tonight." He smiled, his red eyes gleaming with malice.
Harry thrust out his wand and pointed it right at him. His heart was thumping harshly in his chest, and he could feel the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. No, it wouldn't do to seise up now and loose their only opportunity at finally defeating the fiend. Voldemort stood up and pointed his own wand at Harry's, and not for the first time the two came face to face.
"What's this? Has a cat got your tongue Potter? Or was it perhaps a Vampire...?" Voldermort grinned at him, revealing sharp lengthy teeth and...
"Fangs?" Harry's voice faltered, a frown forming on his face. He couldn't' remember Voldemort ever having fangs...
"Yes Harry... fangs..." His grin widened. "Don't tell me you can't figure it out?" Voldermort said in a mocking tone, taking a step closer to Harry. He ran a forked tongue along the gleaming fangs.
"But... but you can't be..." Harry stuttered, his nerves beginning to get the best of him.
"Oh yes, I can. What ever gave you the impression that I couldn't be?"
Harry and the Order had not anticipated this. He only hoped Severus had heard it, because if a Vampire were to bite another Vampire...
"So I guess we're on par then, aren't we?" Harry said, after taking a breath. Yes, this would change things, but it wouldn't be the end. He jumped in mild shock when Severus unsheathed himself.
"Ahh Severus, I was wondering when you'd reveal yourself to the entire room. I can't imagine it being too cosy under that cloak." Voldemort was now smirking.
Severus raised his wand. "You are not in any position to be talking." He said, his voice not in the least conveying how truly frightened he was. Flashes of bowing down before this monster, of kissing the hem of his cloak... came flooding back into his mind, furthermore increasing his ever increasing anger.
"Oh really?"
Severus nodded. "Really. Expelliarmus!" Voldermort just chuckled.
"You're still as predictable as always I see." Voldermort waved his wand. "Diffindo!" He said rather fiercely, pointing his wand at Severus.
Severus managed to erect a shield, not before the spell managed to rip a hole in his cloak. "I actually liked this one too..." Severus grumbled, but jumped out of the way as suddenly a spell was soaring towards him. He landed harshly on the floor just in time to see Harry hit Voldermort with some spell or other.
Harry ducked a spell, and wondered what the hell everyone else was doing. Shouldn't Dumbledore be arriving with Remus soon? Harry threw another hex at Voldermort, but failed to hit him. It seemed that no matter what the spell, Voldermort could simply throw it off. Harry's eyes widened as he saw the killing curse coming his way, the green light about to blind him...
Harry was on the floor, Severus having pushed him there. Both jumping up again, Harry unsuccessfully tried to stun the one who had tormented him his entire life. But it was no use; Voldemort was simply just too powerful. But then something with a bright orange light hit Harry, and he was aghast to find that his shirt was on fire.
"Shit!" He cried, jumping about the room. Severus couldn't help him because Voldemort had begun throwing hexes at him again. Harry flailed his arms, feeling his skin melt and mesh with his the fabric of the shirt. Cringing, he managed to cast a rain charm, which finally put the fire out. Breathing a sigh of relief, Harry didn't have time to consider the fact he was now fighting shirtless, the odd remanent of the article hanging precariously from his burnt skin. But the burns would heal.
"Crucio!" A high-pithed voice screeched, and Harry turned to see Severus withering in pain on the floor, his muscles contracting with the pain... his face...
"Feel this, you fucking bastard! Crucio!" Harry bellowed, casting the unforgivable for the second time in his life. The first time he hadn't wanted to kill anyone, as much as he thought he had, but this time was different. The spell rippled through the air and hit Voldermort smack bang in the middle of the chest, winding him and rendering him a withering mess on the floor. Harry didn't think he'd ever been subjected to his own treatment, but knew that it must have been pretty painful. That, Harry had to think, or Voldermort was a horrible coward- and that seemed quite plausible.
But then the laughter resumed, and Voldermort, still under the curse, began fighting it and eventually stood up. He was a little breathless and unsteady, but other than that perfectly fine. Severus, on the other hand, was still recovering.
"Oh Harry... you amuse me, really you do. It's such a pity I'll have to do away with you." He grinned, murmured something and Harry watched in horror as the tip of his wand sharpened into a perfect point. "What's wrong? Does this frighten you, Harry?" Voldermort waved his newly sharpened wand in Harry's direction, a twinkle in his reptilian eyes.
Harry took a breath. "You don't scare me anymore." Harry wished he hadn't said it, because Voldermort laughed his horrid laugh at the words.
"Oh you'll fear me aright Harry, you'll fear me. Even after I kill you you'll still fear me, because I'll not only rule over the existing world, but Hell as well." He continued to laugh, Harry cringing at the sound. But as sudden as the laugher began, it ceased. "Crucio!" Voldermort bellowed again, the curst hitting Harry hard in the stomach.
His body buckling with pain, Harry fought to keep himself standing. He would not give Voldermort that much satisfaction. So, groaning with the effort and pain and everything else, Harry straightened up and fought against his spasming muscles.
"You will not succeed!" He yelled, feeling his throat burn with the effort. Taking deep breaths, Harry raised his wand. "EXPELLIARMUS!" He screamed, feeling his throat tear, hoping to catch the Dark Lord on a bad moment.
But Voldermort was quicker, launching himself into the air with the sweep of his cloak and hovering there.
"But that is where you are wrong, Harry..." He purred out in that horrid voice, as Harry's knees gave way. "I will succeed, and you'll just have to sit back and watch it..." He lifted his wand arm. Harry's body was cramping and refusing to move. It felt like there were nails being hammered into his every pore, that he was being ripped apart from the inside out. He looked up in time to see Voldermort's wand heading straight for him, aimed directly for his heart...
Harry's eyes bulged, but he was rooted to the spot. This was it... he could almost smell the dried wood of the wand that was about to puncture his chest, destroy his heart and send him to a life of horror and flames... but then a voice, a heavenly one at that, sounded throughout the room.
"Nooo!" It cried, and Harry felt a sudden weight on him. Severus had thrown himself over Harry and Harry could do nothing but watch as the wand hurled down and tore its way through Severus's body.
Harry was frozen, his eyes wide. Severus's face was right above his and his eyes were just as wide, just as frightened... like they'd never been before. Harry's body was suddenly filled with doom, a feeling so intense that he was certain he was about to cry, loose his sanity... do anything that would help him convey his deepest sorrows.
"Severus..." He said, his voice catching in his throat. "No..." He whispered, feeling the tears begin to sting his face.
"I'm sorry... Harry... I had to..." Severus wheezed, in obvious pain. "Just remember that I... that I..." He coughed, a trail of blood dripping down his chin, and then fell silent.
Harry felt a burning rage swell up in his chest, a rage like none he'd ever felt before. "NOO!" He screamed, managing to gently push Severus's body off of him. He cast him one more look, before turning to Voldermort. "You've done it now..." He said, his tone now deathly calm.
"Oh... don't tell me, Potter and Snape? Together? Why, isn't that just sweet? Too bad for you you'll never get to see your lover ever again, will you?"
Harry visibly bristled. He was trembling with fury, his eyes an almost shocking green in the faint firelight. Immediately he threw more spells at Voldermort who, despite not even having his wand, was fairing off very well indeed. Growling in frustration, Harry then launched himself at Voldermort. It seemed the beast hadn't been expecting this, and let out a grunt as Harry's fist buried itself in his gut, another imbedding itself in his jaw. Harry continued like this, until Voldermort managed to get a moment to propel Harry backwards with some unknown force, sending him hurtling through the plaster wall and into the next room. His head had been hit hard, but Harry was beyond caring.
Bouncing to his feet, Harry threw the body binding charm at Voldermort. But, as expected, he dodged it with uncanny agility.
"What's this?" Voldermort said, his attention being drawn to Harry's right. Harry couldn't see what he was looking at, as he was still in the next room that he'd been blasted into. "I was wondering when you'd turn up, Dumbledore..." He said with sickening smugness. Harry's heart skipped a beat.
"You should have realised by now Tom that I will not tolerate any of..." He paused. "... this." He said, his hands sweeping about him. Harry staggered in to see Dumbledore, but caught no sight of Moony. Where the hell was he? Dumbledore didn't even seem to notice him.
Voldermort laughed. "Oh you crack me up sometimes, you know that old man? You can't intimidate me." He held out his hand. "WAND!" He ordered and with a sickening sound, the wand drew itself out of Severus's lifeless body and flew back to his owner. "Disgusting." He said, wiping the blood onto his robes.
That was all Harry could bare. He sunk to the ground; his hands balled into fists and banged them on the floor. Severus was gone... he'd lost him. Harry had nothing left to loose now; Voldermort had taken everything from him. First he'd taken his parents, a normal life and now finally his lover. He raised his face from the ground. "FUCK YOU!" He screamed at Voldermort, getting to his feet again.
Harry moved forwards, thrashing his wand at Voldermort hitting him with anything and everything he could think of on the spot. But Voldermort's laugher was incessant.
"Don't you see?" He cried with glee. "You can't harm me Harry, you're too weak and pathetic with these precious emotions of yours to even take control of yourself!"
"That's enough Tom!" Dumbledore's voice seemed to fill every space in the room. Harry stoped, breathing harshly, still not wanting to yield defeat.
"It's never enough!" Voldermort flicked his wand and Harry's hair stood on end with the magic that sent him sprawling into yet another wall. He coughed, spitting out flakes of plaster and what looked horribly like a tooth. But this time he couldn't move, it was almost like he was being held in place by some invisible force. He tried to kick, tried to wiggle himself out, but he couldn't even manage so much as to bend a finger or a toe; he was stuck.
Harry's eyes widened when he saw Voldermort and Dumbledore battling, the house and its foundations shaking from the sheer force of their powers. Green jets of light shot towards Dumbledore, who dodged each and every one- so far. It was a replay of the events at the ministry... that fateful night when Harry had last seen Sirius alive...
A movement caught Harry's eye, and he had to stop himself from crying out when he sighted no other than Moony! The large wolf was prowling just above the stairs, and Harry cast a quick glance towards the duelling pair and noticed that Dumbledore seemed to be doing a pretty good job of keeping Voldemort's back turned.
Moony bent himself low, preparing to pounce. Harry could see his sharp fangs glistening in the colourful light being emitted from the wands; he could see the determination in his almost human eyes. Harry silently egged him on, hoping with every single last ounce of hope that he would succeed. Then, without warning, Moony sprang from his position with his teeth bared.
But everything appeared to be happening in slow motion. Just as Moony was mere inches from Voldemort, he turned around with his wand out stretched. Harry could see his lips moving, but couldn't hear anything other than the rush of his own blood in his ears. No... this couldn't be happening; if Moony was gone there was no hope...
Voldemort did not let himself convey the fear surging through his body, Harry thought madly. He watched, helpless, as Moony was hit right in the face with a spell. A tremendous yelp could be heard, but not before a truly horrific wail of complete pain and demise.
At the last moment, Moony had sunk his fangs into Voldermort's shoulder, right as the spell had taken affect. Harry screamed, and pulled himself free of his invisible restraints just in time to see Moony thrown from Voldemort, blood trailing after him, and coming to a halt. Harry's eyes focused on Voldemort, who was screaming and withering and looking nothing like the feared monster he was.
"No! This cannot be! I can't be defeated..." He cried, but Harry no longer cared. He stumbled his way over to Severus's body, pulling him into his arms and holding him close. He began rocking him to the sounds of Voldermort's demise, a sound he had so longed to hear, but never wished to hear alone. Severus was supposed to share this moment with him, Harry thought, his eyes burning.
Suddenly the room shook, and a bright light exploded in front of Harry like an explosion. Voldermort's body had erupted into a mass of flames, igniting and rendering him no more. Doomed he was, condemned to life in hell where there was no escape. But Harry didn't even feel relieved, he couldn't- he'd lost the only thing he'd really ever come to love in his whole entire troubled life.
Suddenly, there were voices around him. But Harry refused to lift his head, refused to let go of Severus. He felt an unwanted hand on his shoulder.
"Harry..." It was Dumbledore's voice. "Harry I'm sorry, there's nothing we can do..." He said, obviously referring to Severus.
The anger Harry had felt before began to resurface. "Where were you?" He cried, catching the attention of the room. "You should have been here... to stop it..." He held on to Severus's body even tighter.
"I know Harry, I'm sorry... but you have to let him go, we must leave here..."
"I don't care..." Harry muttered, finding his wand. If Severus wasn't going to be with him on his earth, then there was no reason to be on it himself. He clutched onto the wand with sweaty, bloody hands and pressed it against his heart. Just as he was about to blast it into himself, a hand stopped him. "Leave me alone!" Harry said, his eyes shut.
"Or what?" Came a familiar voice, weak but clearly alive.
Harry sobbed. No, he must have been dreaming... but the hand, he knew that touch all right. "Severus..." He said, opening his eyes and allowing his grip on the wand to go slack. "It can't be... I must be dead." He said, a tear running down his cheek.
Severus pulled himself painfully up. "No, you're not dead. And neither am I." He carefully wiped the tear off Harry's cheek.
"But how...? I saw him... I saw it," Harry's lip trembled, as he tentatively reached out and touched Severus's face.
"He missed." Severus said simply. "Come on, lets get out of here..."
"Thankyou..." Harry whispered, barely audibly, before pulling Severus in towards his body and kissing him.
Severus made sure to keep his mouth shut, and pulled away carefully. "I need to brush my teeth," He smiled lightly, "before I can kiss you Harry. You might get the taste for blood."
Harry smiled lightly, letting out a choked sort of laugh. "I though I'd lost you..." He muttered.
"Well you haven't. But I need you to help me up." Harry nodded and managed to stand on wobbly legs and helped Severus up. There was a fair amount of blood on his clothes, and an equally fair amount on Harry's bare chest. They held onto each other tightly, finally taking a moment to look about the room.
It was a mess. Dumbledore, Tonks and Kingsley were all huddled to the side over someone, but there was no sight of the others. Harry suddenly realised what it was they were huddled over- Remus!
"Oh shit... I hope Remus is okay." He said, as he and Severus walked stiffly towards where the group was. He was shocked to see not a wolf, but a man. There was Remus, in his human body and naked as the day he was born, even under the light of the full moon.
Dumbledore turned to the pair. "I'm glad to see you're up, Severus." He said lightly, but with evident surprise. Even he was looking worse for wear, his beard was singed and there were a few smudges of something-or-other on his aged face.
"Remus..." Harry whispered, a lump once again forming in his throat. "... is he?"
Dumbledore smiled lightly. "He's alive, but we need to get him to St. Mungo's. Emmeline is sending the message now."
Harry nodded, but then something dawned on him. "Then I have to leave, Severus and I have to go. I don't want them to see us..." He stressed, not wanting to go anywhere near the hospital.
Dumbledore nodded once, then pulled something from his robe. "Understandable. Here is a portkey Harry, it will take to Grimmauld place. You too Severus."
"Thanks." Harry said, holding Severus close. "I hope Remus is alright..." He said, looking at Remus for another moment. He was about to say more, but couldn't as he breath was taken from him as the Portkey set to work.