Danny was getting worried. Snape hadn't turned up yet. He almost wanted to pull out the mirror and check on the wizard. But they had promised to not contact each other unless it was an emergency. The hour was almost up and Harry hadn't come to the clearing yet. He was beginning to consider sending his duplicate out to find the wizard to check if Snape found him and told Harry the plan. Voldemort was even beginning to doubt that Harry was coming. Everyone was watching Voldemort warily as he stared at his wand, deep in thought. Even the giants were silent, the dementors had been posted around the forest perimeter to stop anyone other than Harry or the Death Eaters getting through.

"I thought he would come. I expected him to come. I was, it seems… mistaken," Voldemort decided as he stood beside the fire which illuminated the clearing. Bellatrix shuffled closer to him, almost like she wanted to comfort the wizard.

"You weren't," a voice called out of the trees. Harry emerged from the dark into the clearing, glaring defiantly at Voldemort. Harry was covered in dirt, dust, bloody scratches visible despite the gloom. The entire clearing was frozen in shock.

"Harry! No!" Hagrid yelled, breaking the silence as the giants roared. Harry turned to Hagrid's voice. He looked angry, scared and concerned all at once but he didn't make a move for his wand. Danny breathed a soft sigh in relief. Snape told Harry the plan.

Bellatrix jumped to her feet, having been seated by the fire before, excitement clear on her face. Danny knew why. Harry had caused a lot of problems for Bellatrix and the Malfoys. Once Voldemort got what he wanted, Harry dead, then they would be able to regain favour with time. Rowle silenced Hagrid's frantic shouts with his wand. Harry turned away from Hagrid, carefully making no fast movements. Harry's gaze flicked to the snake, safely curled in its protective bubble. Danny knew that Harry was thinking that he would have to hope someone else killed the snake before going after Voldemort.

"Harry Potter. The boy who lived," Voldemort remarked softly. From months in Voldemort's company, Danny could see the dangerous but excited glint in the wizard's eyes. Voldemort raised his wand.

"Avada kedravra," Voldemort hissed.

Danny blinked in shock. Voldemort and Harry were both blasted off their feet. Bellatrix flung herself down beside Voldemort and fussed over him. Hagrid froze in horror, staring at Harry's prone form. Danny gulped nervously. This was the moment he had been waiting for. Hoping would never happen but knew would. He sent his duplicate over to Harry invisibly and felt for a pulse. Danny had to fight off the relieved smile as his duplicate felt the steady thumping of Harry's heart. Harry was alive! Dumbledore had been right! Months of stress, fear and guilt faded away. He felt lighter than he'd felt in a very long time. Now Harry had the element of surprise on his side. This war was nearing the end.

He scanned the clearing. Death Eaters were muttering softly, worried expressions on their faces. Danny glanced at Narcissa and Lucius. Both of them had wide fearful eyes, they were glancing between Harry and Voldemort nervously. Danny knew why. They were caught in an impossible position. Draco was missing right now. Voldemort refused to let them look for Draco. Harry was the enemy but they no longer cared for Voldemort. They were trying to decide, themselves, who they wanted to stand up.

"My lord," Bellatrix called softly, fearfully.

"That will do," Voldemort growled firmly. Voldemort struggled to his feet. Danny watched the wizard closely. Voldemort was winded and shaken by what had just happened but he was uninjured and quickly recovering. Danny watched as Bellatrix tried to help Voldemort to his feet while the rest of the Death Eaters that had gathered around the wizard scampered to a safer distance.

"My lord, let me-" Bellatrix muttered worriedly.

"I do not require assistance," Voldemort snapped coldly, shaking off Bellatrix's hovering hand. Voldemort straightened to his full height before turning to scan the clearing. Voldemort stopped when he spotted Harry's prone form a few feet away.

"The boy… is he dead?" Voldemort asked. Danny blinked in shock at the slight trace of nervousness in Voldemort's voice. Everyone turned to Harry and waited in tense silence. Voldemort passed his cold gaze over the crowd surrounding him. He flicked his wand at Narcissa and she gave a soft scream of pain and surprise.

"You. Examine him. Tell me whether he is dead," Voldemort ordered. Narcissa whimpered softly before creeping fearfully towards Harry. It was almost laughable how wary Voldemort and his Death Eaters were of Harry, who appeared to be dead. But the situation was too tense and steeped with fear to be funny.

Narcissa knelt down beside Harry and glanced nervously back at Voldemort. Danny readied his duplicate, planning to overshadow Narcissa to protect Harry. Narcissa pulled up an eye lid, peering into Harry's eye briefly. She touched Harry's face gently before venturing lower, under Harry's collar and rested her hand over Harry's heart. She gave a tiny gasp. Danny's duplicate drifted closer, hovering a hand over her shoulder ready but he froze when Narcissa leant forward, putting her ear to Harry's ajar mouth.

"Is Draco alive? Is he in the castle?" she whispered. Danny blinked in surprise.

"Yes," Harry breathed. Danny stopped his duplicate but remained ready to jump in and either grab Harry or overshadow Narcissa and correct her.

"He is dead!" she declared, after sitting up.

Danny couldn't believe it. He knew that Narcissa and Lucius were no longer loyal to Voldemort, but this was outright defiance. She had lied and risked her entire family to cruel punishment. Danny recalled his duplicate as the clearing erupted in cheers, giving one himself. He had completed his orders. Dumbledore's plan was complete as far as Danny was concerned. Harry would kill the snake and then defeat Voldemort. This would be over soon. A few Death Eaters pointed their wands to the sky and sent off bright sparks of light, like fireworks. Danny laughed light heartedly, glancing at Narcissa and Lucius, neither were cheering. But he couldn't blame the couple. They were worried about their son.

"You see? Harry Potter is dead by my hand, and no man alive can threaten me now! Watch! Crucio!" Voldemort exclaimed joyfully. Danny winced in sympathy for Harry as the spell hit. Harry was lifted into the air and thrown around, hitting the ground at least three times. To his credit, Harry remained completely silent and limp. Danny had to remind himself that Harry was still alive and conscious. The Death Eaters cheered, laughed and jeered jubilantly.

"Now, we go to the castle, and show them what has become of their hero. Who shall drag the body? No- Wait-" Voldemort began gleefully before grinning at Hagrid. He pointed his wand at Hagrid who was forced to quietly walk to Harry's side, restraints falling away from Hagrid silently. Danny's breath caught in his throat. He had forgotten about Hagrid's presence due to the overwhelming relief and joy that Harry was alive and Dumbledore had been right. Hagrid was sobbing, his entire body shaking with his grief. The half-giant clearly had been magically made mute. At least for the time being. The clearing was filled with cruel laughter.

"You carry him. He will be nice and visible in your arms, will he not? Pick up your little friend, Hagrid. And the glasses- put on the glasses- he must be recognisable," Voldemort decided.

Dolohov rushed forward, brandishing Harry's glasses, which had fallen off when Harry was thrown around. Dolohov shoved the glasses onto Harry's face forcefully. Hagrid carefully bent down and reverently lifted Harry into his arms. Hagrid looked down at Harry miserably. The half-giant glanced across the clearing, flashing Danny a grief-stricken glare. He knew that Hagrid thought Harry was dead, and it had appeared that Danny had let it happen and then celebrated. Hagrid didn't know yet that Harry wasn't dead and that Danny had been under orders not to interfere unless absolutely necessary.

"Move," Voldemort ordered and Hagrid began to stumble forward. The Death Eaters followed Voldemort and Hagrid. The two giants crashed through the forest behind everyone else. Danny made his way through the crowd towards Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy. Both looked worried and were quiet. The other Death Eaters were cheering and jeering as they made their way through the forest. There was a rustle ahead and a centaur emerged from the foliage.

"Bane!" Hagrid bellowed, angry and grieving. Danny edged closer as Hagrid challenged the centaur for not helping and letting Harry die.

"Listen, when we get to Hogwarts. The first opportunity you get, find Draco and get out of there. You two have no wands and you'll be in danger from Voldemort for lying to him," Danny whispered urgently to Narcissa.

"You called…" Lucius gasped.

"I did," Danny cut him off with a determined expression and curt nod. The taboo meant nothing right now. People throughout Hogwarts would be calling Voldemort by his name, what did it matter if Danny did too?

"How did you know Potter's alive?" Nnarcissa hissed.

"Because I knew what would happen for months now. Dumbledore predicted this," Danny confessed.

"But that means…" Lucius breathed in disbelief.

"I'm a spy. That's right," Danny confirmed quickly.

"Why are you telling us this?" Narcissa asked in a hushed urgent tone.

"Two reasons, this war is almost over. We all know that. And second, I know you aren't gonna tell anyone because you don't want Voldemort to win and I saved your lives. You owe me," Danny replied.

Danny shuffled away from the couple as the procession resumed its way through the forest, making his way discretely as possible closer to the front. They emerged and Voldemort ordered the crowd to stop. Dementors hovered a few feet above the crowd, their rattling breaths sending shivers down his spine. They stood outside the castle while Voldemort drank in the sight. He then stepped back to stand beside Hagrid, still cradling Harry in his arms while he cried.

We're getting near to the end. Not much to say really.

Let me know what you think so far.

Until the next chapter.