Chapter 1.

May 2st 1998 03:50

"You've been so brave."

His mother's voice boosted his confidence like nothing ever did before. Taking in her form, he wanted to hug her but knew it was impossible.

"You are nearly there," said James. "Very close. We are . . . so proud of you."

Harry nodded, then voiced the question that has been bothering him since he knew he would be dying soon.

"Does it hurt?"

"Dying? Not at all," said Sirius. "Quicker and easier than falling asleep."

"And he will want it to be quick. He wants it over," said Lupin.

"I didn't want you to die," Harry said. These words came without his volition. "Any of you. I'm sorry -"

He addressed Lupin more than any of them, beseeching him.

"- right after you'd had your son . . . Remus, I'm sorry -"

"I am sorry too," said Lupin. "Sorry I will never know him . . . but he will know why I died and I hope he will understand. I was trying to make a world in which he could live a happier life."

Harry nodded, thinking that he was about to leave Teddy behind, like Sirius had left him behind when he died at the Department of Mysteries. 'At least Teddy still has a grandmother,' he thought and couldn't help but think of Neville.

"You'll stay with me?"

"Until the very end," said James.

"They won't be able to see you?" asked Harry.

"We are part of you," said Sirius. "Invisible to anyone else."

Harry looked at his mother.

"Stay close to me," he said quietly.

Nearing the forest, Harry felt the Dementor's nearby. Unlike previously, he didn't hear his parents dying voices, how hopeless his task was or Fred dying. The presence of his parents, Sirius and Remus kept that away from him. It felt like his entire being was being filled with courage by walking with them to his destiny.

He noticed two figures standing nearby a tree. Recognizing them as Yaxley and Dolohov, Harry slowly moved near them, knowing they were sent to keep an eye out for him.

"Definitely heard something," said Yaxley. "Animal, d'you reckon?"

"That head case Hagrid kept a whole bunch of stuff in here," said Dolohov, glancing over his shoulder. Harry felt a shimmer of rage when but quickly suppressed it, knowing he didn't have time to defend Hagrid's honour.

"Time's nearly up. Potter's had his hour. He's not coming."

"Better go back," said Yaxley. "Find out what the plan is now."

He and Dolohov turned and walked deeper into the forest. Harry recognized the clearing with a feeling of nostalgia. In his second year he thought he and Ron would die right there and then, but Mr. Weasley's Ford saved the day then. Now, nothing would be able to save him.

Every eye was fixed upon Voldemort, who stood with his head bowed, and his white hands folded over the Elder Wand in front of him. He might have been praying, or else counting silently in his mind, and Harry, standing still on the edge of the scene, though absurdly of a child counting in a game of hide-and-seek.

When Dolohov and Yaxley rejoined the circle, Voldemort looked up.

"No sign of him, my Lord," said Dolohov.

Voldemort continued to play with the Elder Wand.

"My Lord -" Bellatrix said, but Voldemort silenced her with his hand.

"I thought he would come," said Voldemort in his high, clear voice, his eyes on the leaping flames. "I expected him to come."

The Death Eaters seemed scared to say anything, much more scared than Harry felt at the moment. His heart was throbbing, but that was more because he knew what was going to happen than actual fear of death. Slowly, he pulled off his Invisibility Cloak and stuffed it in his pocket, next to his wand.

"I was, it seems . . . mistaken," said Voldemort.

"You weren't."

Harry stepped forward into the firework, still flanked by his parents, Sirius and Remus. This was it. Voldemort and his remaining Death Eaters versus Harry and his dead family. Softly, Harry snorted. It didn't matter who Voldemort brought to this meeting, it was just about the two of them, and Harry knew the outcome. He was going to die and protect everyone against the sick bastard before him.

Harry noticed the -still breathing- still form of Hagrid tied against a tree, absently thinking about all the times his large friend was there for him. His first friend, who'd shown him the wonders of the Magical world. Deep down, he felt grateful that Hagrid was there at the end, but even more grateful that Hagrid wasn't about to witness Harry's own demise.

Voldemort looked at him curiously, as if he wasn't sure what to make of the boy in front of him. Seeming to judge him, he mockingly laughed softly and whispered, 'Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived.'

None of the Death Eaters moved. They were waiting: Everything was waiting. Bellatrix was panting from excitement, while Lucius looked incredulous that he'd actually showed up.

Voldemort had raised his wand. His head was still tilted to one side, like a curious child, wondering what would happen if he proceeded. Harry looked back into the red eyes, and wanted it to happen now, quickly, while his parents were still watching him, their gaze full of pride, with Sirius smirking at him and Remus with a soft, regretful smile on his face. If only he'd had one more kiss from Ginny, like on his birthday. He imagined her form before him, the soft feeling of her lips and her tongue lightly brushing against his lips, begging for access before he let her –

A green light filled his vision and everything went black.

Everything in italics is straight from the book. I tried to work around it as much as possible, but I really, really, really needed some lines from there. Hope you won't be bothered too much by it. Let me know what you think so far!