A/N: Here we go!! This is an action packed chapter for those of you itching for a good all out battle. Harry and Co. have their hands full in this chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter Eighteen

Confrontations and Victories

Harry had stayed up late that night to plan out the defenses and to prepare for the assault on Riddle manor. The following morning Hermione found him in the training room. She walked in to find him out of breath, but grinning like a fool.

"Harry? What's the matter?" she said. Harry just grinned even wider and pointed to the other end of the room. She followed his line of sight and gasped. She saw several of the large stones he had put into the room to practice on were completely obliterated.

"I did it Mione, I'm back!" Harry said excitedly. She was happy for him, but she frowned a bit. Harry instantly noticed this. "What's wrong?"

"Before you used the sword, you could do this without batting an eyelid, but now you are pretty much ready to collapse from exhaustion. I think you should take a rest now Harry," she said. Harry nodded and turned to Albus' portrait.

"Albus, I can't thank you enough," Harry said. Albus simply smiled and nodded.

"It's quite alright, my boy," Albus said, his eyes twinkling more than ever. "Just remember to know your limits. Just because you have your spell power back and even stronger, you will have limits on your energy for a while. You must be selective in your targets, as you cannot take on everything all at once for a while. But I am sure that in time, you will be able to at some point in the future." Harry nodded and bade Albus goodbye so he could get some rest.

Hermione helped Harry get upstairs to the bedroom, where he promptly fell onto the bed and was asleep before his head hit the pillow. She walked out of the bedroom and quietly closed the door.

"Dobby, could I speak with you for a moment?" she called out. A slight pop announced Dobby's arrival.

"What can Dobby do for you?" Dobby asked.

"Dobby, I want you to help out with the coming battles. Could you act as the communications between the people in Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, and the rest of us?" she explained. Dobby's eyes lit up and started to fill with tears.

"Miss wants Dobby to help?" Dobby squeaked. He burst into tears and hugged her knees. "Dobby would be proud to help Harry and his Order!"

"Hurry Dobby, we don't know when they are attacking," she said. "Just remember to get back here to let us know what is happening and if attacks have started." Dobby released her knees and nodded before popping off to check on the first groups.

ooo

Later that evening Harry woke up, feeling fully energized. He took a quick shower and got dressed. He ran downstairs and found Hermione working on their surprise weapon for the Riddle Manor assault.

"Hey Mione, need some help?" he said after he kissed her cheek.

"Actually Harry, this is the last group of them. Ron took the other half and he was working on those," she said. "Everyone is in place and they are ready. We have half of the groups resting while the other half keeps watch. They have been rotating through the four hour shifts we came up with."

"Perfect," said Harry as his gaze went far off. He was running through the plan again in his head while Hermione finished her work. She wiped a bit of sweat off of her forehead.

"I'm glad that's done," she said. She stretched her back and fell onto her side. Harry smiled at her and scooted closer to her. She shifted to lay her head on his leg, and he started to run his fingers through her hair.

"Mione, I want you to be careful out there," Harry said quietly. When she opened her mouth to say she would be fine, he interrupted her. "I know you will be fine, but just remember what Draco said. I'm sure if they know that the battle will be lost, their plan to capture you will be put into effect." Hermione sighed.

"I know Harry," she said. "I'm ready for it. If they do pull it off, just be sure to plan a rescue instead of flying off without support."

"I'll try to be rational, but I can't promise I won't go ballistic," Harry said. "I don't know if I could handle it if you were gone."

Hermione sat up and leaned so her forehead was touching his. She gently kissed him and gazed into his eyes. They sat like that for another hour, just holding each other. Hermione drifted off to sleep, but Harry was wide awake and alert. He sat there, just staring at her. When a few hours had passed, he started to doze off while he held her close.

ooo

They were awaked by Dobby just before six in the morning. Hermione sat up a little too quickly and bumped Harry's head as she shot up.

"Ow…"

"Sorry Harry!" she said. He just smiled and shook his head. He looked over to Dobby, who was wringing his hands.

"Dobby?" Harry said. "What's wrong?"

"Harry Potter sir, your Wheezy said that they need you very soon," Dobby said. "Your Wheezy said that they have seen the enemy gathering."

Harry stood up quickly and packed up their special weapon. He and Hermione quickly proceeded to the armory to get their armor and weapons. Harry checked to make sure his original wand and his new wand were secure in his wrist holsters, and he grabbed the edge of light and another sword. The other sword was one he had made a few months ago.

"Ready?" Harry asked Hermione as she strapped on the short sword Harry had made her a couple of weeks ago. She nodded in the positive and they apparated to Ron's location in the twin's shop in Diagon Alley. Ron updated Harry on the situation, and they got into position.

"The strikes are supposed to be at the same time, so when we start here, Neville is leading the group over in Hogsmeade," Ron said. Harry nodded and smiled. He was glad Neville had joined back up, even after Luna's death. Harry had heard that they had become close after he left. They were waiting for a few more minutes when they heard the first crack signaling someone apparating in. Everyone stayed out of sight and watched with a little amusement as the twelve Death Eaters looked around in fear as the alley was empty. Ron had sent owls to the store owners the day before to make sure that when Ron had set off the notice, that everyone was to vacate the street. Harry made a signal with his fingers and Hermione cast an anti-apparition ward.

Harry strode out of the store and approached the group of Death Eaters. They turned and saw him with the rest of the forty man force that Harry had behind him. They tried to apparate out but the ward slammed them to the ground.

"Looks like you all are trapped," Harry said. "Let's make this simple. You all are boxed in, and we can end this attack with no shots fired. What do you say?" The Death Eaters looked to who seemed to be their leader.

"Avada Kedavra!" Harry smirked as he dodged the curse.

"I guess not, hmm?" Harry said. He drew his swords and used them to deflect the hexes and curses away from him, directing them up and away from the shops and his team. Everyone one else readied their wands. Harry dropped to the ground and his team fired stunners at the group.

Most of the Death Eaters fell to the stunners, but a couple of them managed to put up shields in time. Harry rolled to his right and slashed his sword in a fast movement that caught the first Death Eater in the knee. The Death Eater dropped with a scream of pain as his knee cap was separated from the rest of his leg. Harry finished the man with a ringing blow from the flat of his blade to the man's head. There was only one Death eater left standing, but he was too busy holding and recasting his shield as fast as he could.

Harry stood up and signaled for everyone to stop for a moment. The barrage of spells stopped and the Death Eater fell to his knees, panting heavily. Harry knelt down, a few feet from the drained man.

"You are the last one standing," Harry said. "You are outnumbered forty to one. This is your last chance. Surrender now or you will most likely not survive if you attack again."

The Death Eater looked up and around at the forty determined faces and sighed. He tossed his wand aside and put his hands on top of his head. Harry nodded and patted the man's shoulder.

"At least we know Tom got someone intelligent," Harry said. He bound the prisoner's hands behind his back. The rest were roughly tied up and they were taken by the Aurors to holding cells at the Ministry. Harry turned and faced his team.

"Well done everyone, but get ready, we have a lot more to do today," he said. Everyone nodded and apparated to Hogsmeade to join the fight there that was already in progress.

When they arrived, they saw that the battle there was not going as easy as Diagon Alley. Several Order members were getting treated in the twin's shop as there were five or so others guarding the entrance. Neville looked up and saw Harry's group pour out of the door and he smiled. His smile faltered and turned to a sneer of hatred when he heard a voice that he thought he had hoped to never hear again.

"Awww, look at the young man that was the widdle baby Longbottom," Bellatrix said. Neville turned and faced her. "Ohh, someone wants to play, hmm? I hope you put up more of a fight than your little girlfriend did." Neville saw red when he heard that.

"Luna…" Bellatrix Lestrange cackled madly and fired a spell at him. He dodged the curse and slowly advanced towards her. His hand tightened around his wand until his knuckles turned white. Harry saw this and joined him.

"Well, well, Bella," Harry said. "We missed you a few years ago. Too bad you weren't there to see Tom wetting himself when he was at my mercy. But believe me; we won't let that happen this time." He swiped his sword and deflected her bone breaking curse upwards.

"Widdle baby Potter wants to join us?" Bellatrix sneered. "I'll see you cowering at my Lord's feet before this is over!"

Harry just grinned as he dodged her killing curse. He feinted to the right, getting Bellatrix to send a curse his way while he spun to his left and avoided her spell. Neville saw his opening and sent a reductor curse at her feet. She screamed as she fell to the ground, seeing her left foot was crushed. She stood back up, but was unable to dodge Neville's bone breaking curse that hit her left arm. She stumbled again, and Harry lashed out with his sword and hit her wand, slicing it clean in two. She screamed in rage and pulled out a second wand. She aimed at Harry.

"Crucio!" Harry saw the curse coming and let it hit him. He wanted Bellatrix to see this.

The spell hit Harry and he put up his Occlumency shields and simply smiled at her. Her eyes went wide and she poured more power into her curse. Harry slowed his walk as it became a challenge to keep the curse at bay. Neville walked up behind her and grinned. He drew back his fist and put all of his rage from the years of watching his parents live barely conscious lives after Bellatrix tortured them into insanity, into the solid punch that he sent at her head.

Belltrix saw stars just before she blacked out. She fell to the ground, and a large cut was already starting to bleed heavily from where Neville had connected his punch. Neville shook his hand out, trying to get rid of the tingling that he felt from the impact. He bound Bellatrix a little more tightly than necessary, and slapped a portkey right onto her cheek, transporting her directly to the Ministry holding cells. He watched her disappear, and looked up at Harry.

"That felt great," Neville said. Harry shook his head and smiled.

"Tell you what, Nev. I'll give you a pensieve and my memory so that you can see it over and over again," Harry said. Neville chuckled and thanked Harry. "Well, shall we finish mopping up?"

"Sounds good, Harry."

The battle went on for another twenty minutes before the Order finally got the last Death Eater who had barricaded himself in a cottage. Everyone took a few minutes to catch their breath. Harry stood up and counted the wounded. They would be around five members short of his original plan. But he was pleased to see that no Death eater escaped the two battles, and that would cut Voldemort's forces in half. The Order now outnumbered the Death Eater's forces two to one. He stood in front of the Order and smiled.

"Well done everyone. But unfortunately, we have one more priority for today," Harry said. "The assault of Riddle Manor begins in ten minutes. We need to hit them while they are reeling from these losses. Today we will make sure that the wizarding world remembers that no Dark Lord is safe."

Hermione passed out a strong pepper-up potion to everyone for when they needed it. Harry also made sure everyone had a few strong healing potions with them as well. Ron walked over to Harry, his broom slung over his shoulder. Harry nodded and spoke up.

"I know you all have been wondering what our edge is going to be when assaulting the manor. Ron will explain it now," Harry said.

"Listen up everyone," Ron said. "This part of our strategy will need everyone's help. Before we advance onto the grounds of Riddle Manor, I will be flying with three others people. Two of you will be casting shields over us, and one will be waiting for a powerful banishing charm. I will be flying with this," Ron explained as he held up a parachute pack. "This is filled with spell grenades, all of them charged with a strong reductor curse each. When I release the grenades, the person waiting with the banishing spell will hit them so they scatter. It will look like a muggle bombing when they hit." Harry took the floor again.

"Now when these hit the ground, the rest of us charge and we take out as many as we can. The whole assault will only be for ten minutes after the spell grenades hit. We don't want anyone staying longer than that, due to most likely you would have to face down Voldemort. To draw them out, we will send some long distance spells to get the Death Eaters out of the building. When the grenades drop, the ten minute time limit starts. I will be the last one out; making sure no one is left behind."

Hermione snapped her gaze to Harry, clearly not approving of this. He gestured for her to have patience, and he would explain.

"Now my other function is this; I will be trying to get Voldemort's right hand man out of the picture as well. That is what I will be doing during those ten minutes. After the ten minutes is up, everyone grab their portkeys and high tail it to a safe location. Any questions?" Hermione raised her hand. "Yes?"

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" she asked. She knew he was capable to taking care of himself, but she could not discount the fact that Harry could fall during the battle. Harry shook his head.

"Not at all. If I find I cannot beat him, then I will cut my losses. But this fight will either let me get rid of him, or at least find out how he fights, so I can have the upper hand the next time we meet," Harry explained. That seemed to at least somewhat satisfy her concern, but she still was scared of losing him. "Anything else?"

No one spoke up, and they all rested for another five minutes. Harry stood up and fired a few sparks from his wand. The Order of the Phoenix stood up as one, ready to deal a savage and crippling blow to the enemy.

"Alright everyone, time to shine," Harry said. He apparated to their destination, and everyone locked onto his location via the Order's rings and one by one they disappeared, ready for the battle.

ooo

They all arrived in a clearing just beyond the wards of Riddle Manor, using a tree line for cover. Ron checked the pack before getting onto the broom. Everyone else steeled themselves waiting for the signal to attack.

ooo

Voldemort summoned his closest servant, Grigor Peryanski, to his side. Grigor strode into the throne room with confidence, and knelt before Voldemort.

"Yes my Lord?" Grigor asked. Voldemort looked down at the man, and smiled.

"Have you heard any word from the raiding parties? They are running a bit behind, and I am sure they are enjoying themselves too much," Voldemort said. Grigor shook his head an answered.

"No my Lord, no word has come in yet. I should have warned them to get back as soon as possible, as Potter would have used the time they were away to attack us here," Grigor said.

"Not to worry, Grigor. If Potter was to attack here, he would have had to ignore all of the cries for help coming from our targets. If he has not attacked by now, I'm sure that he is being kept busy," Voldemort said. He was slightly angered by the fact he could not get into Potter's mind anymore, but then he realized that Potter could not do the same. That thought had lifted his spirits. "Let me know the instant that we hear from our raiding parties. I'll bet that they just ignored young Malfoy and did not find the information credible."

"Of course, my Lord," Grigor said. He hoped that Harry would have shown up. He had heard from others that had run into Harry Potter over the last year that he was quite the swordsman. Grigor wanted a challenge, but he was not sure that Potter would present much of one. His head snapped up when the ward alarms started to sound. He stood quickly and Voldemort cursed under his breath.

"Quickly! Potter must be here!" Voldemort yelled. "Keep them busy until the raiding parties arrive back!" He took out his wand and touched it to Girgor's Dark Mark, calling all of the Death Eaters to rally their defense. Little did he know that more than thirty of his Death Eaters would never come that day, as they were trapped in the Ministry's holding cells.

ooo

Harry and a few others that could cast decently powered spells over a distance were sending minor hexes at the wards, hoping to bring out the Death Eaters. He smiled when the doors opened and every one of the Death Eaters poured out of the doors, led by Grigor. Harry did not recognize the leader, but guessed that he was Voldemort's right hand man. Harry shot up a few sparks and Ron took off.

The Death Eaters saw Ron approaching on a broom with three others. The fired some curses and hexes, but the group was covered by a shield.

"Spread out! Don't let them catch you in a group!" Grigor yelled out. All of them spread out and kept firing spells at the group of fliers.

Ron rolled so he was upside down and grabbed the ripcord of the pack.

"Get ready!" he shouted. Angelina Johnson nodded and drew her wand. Ron pulled the ripcord and thirty silver spell grenades dropped out of his pack. "NOW!"

Angelina flicked her wand and the grenades rocketed apart and towards the ground at high speed, heading right for the Death Eaters. The four of them pulled up and flew back to the main group as fast as they could. Grigor looked up and saw what was coming. He swore in Russian and yelled to the group.

"Shields!!" Many of the Death eaters were lucky enough to conjure shields strong enough, but quite a few were not so lucky.

Voldemort rushed around his personal chamber to collect his needed items when the ground rippled violently and all of the windows in Riddle Manor were blown in. Sections of the walls collapsed, and showered him with rubble. He activated his portkey, leaving all of his servants behind.

ooo

The Order cheered as they saw the bombing plan work flawlessly, and several Death eaters perished in the initial volley. Harry and everyone charged when they were close enough.

"TEN MINUTES!!" Harry shouted. He dove to the ground to avoid a killing curse and rolled into a standing position and let a dagger fly when he landed on his feet. The Death Eater that had cast it stood still for a moment, shocked that a long and sharp dagger was lodged in his throat. He gurgled for a second before falling to the ground dead.

The Order attacked with a ferocity that had never been seen, quickly driving the Death Eaters back. Hermione stayed very close to Ron, making sure that no Death eater got close enough to take her. She fired off her spells with surprising force, often breaking through shields and sending the Death Eaters flying.

Harry stood for a moment, before locking eyes with Grigor. Grigor nodded at Harry with respect and saluted Harry with his blade. Harry did the same. Harry had learned that no matter what the sword battle is for, it was always an honorable fight. A few Death Eaters ran as fast as they could, before apparating away at the edge of the wards. The battle continued around them and the two faced off.

"Greeting, Harry Potter," Grigor said with a slight bow. "I have been looking forward to meeting you. I have heard stories of your battles. My name is Grigor."

"Well, no offense Grigor, but I have never heard of you," Harry said. Grigor just smiled and nodded.

"It is to be expected," Grigor said. "Since we have dispensed with the formalities, shall we?" He raised his sword and Harry did as well.

Harry and Grigor circled each other and did a few experimental swipes at each other. The attacks were parried with ease on both ends. Hermione watched from a distance, hoping Harry knew what he was doing.

Grigor smiled and lunged at Harry. Harry countered and the locked swords with a loud clang. They pushed back and forth, until Harry managed to separate the swords with a clever push. Grigor nodded and attacked with all of his skill. Harry was put on the defensive, but he was holding on against a larger and more experienced sword fighter.

Harry dodged a vicious strike aimed at his chest and managed to land a solid slice against Grigor's back. Grigor hissed in pain and whirled around putting Harry on a desperate defense. Harry managed to block most of the strikes and dodged the rest until he slipped for a fraction of an inch. Grigor seized the opportunity and drove his sword through Harry's left shoulder. Harry screamed in pain and collapsed. Grigor backed up a step, breathing heavily, as it hurt to breathe while his back was sliced open.

"Well done, young Potter," Grigor gasped. "Few have matched me for as long as you have. Unfortunately, I cannot allow you to walk away from this battle, as my life's mission has been devoted to protecting my Lord." His eyes hardened a bit at the thought of losing such a fine swordsman from the world. He raised his sword for an ending blow.

"HARRY!" Hermione screamed. Grigor's eyes flicked to Hermione, while Harry's never left Grigor. With a lightning quick flick of his wrist, he sunk his sword hit deep into Grigor's chest.

Harry stood and watched Grigor stumble for a moment and grabbed the grip of his sword which was still in Grigor's chest. He looked into Grigor's shocked eyes and twisted the sword. Grigor struggled for breath, and Harry pulled the sword out in a swift move.

"You were a worthy opponent, Grigor. May you die with honor," Harry said solemnly. He saluted Grigor with his sword once more, and then he whirled around and sliced with his sword. Grigor's head was severed cleanly, and Harry quickly drew his wand to clean up the mess. He wrapped Grigor's body for transport and knelt down and said a short warrior's prayer to wish him Godspeed to his final resting place. He stood up after he sent Grigor's body to headquarters, and checked his watch.

"Our ten minutes is up. Time to go," Harry said. Hermione took off her hoodie and wrapped Harry's shoulder while everyone else left. He glanced around and made sure everyone had left. "Hermione, let's go home."

Hermione took his hand and they portkeyed to their home. Harry was immediately set on by Hermione who worked on his shoulder. She was able to stop the bleeding, but she could not do anything about his shattered shoulder blade. She floo called Madam Pomfrey, and explained his injury. Poppy said it was best to bring him there. Hermione used a charm to immobilize Harry's shoulder and they left for Hogwarts.

When they arrived, Hermione contacted Ron and asked for a status report. Several members had been moderately injured, but no one had died. Hermione promised to keep Ron updated on Harry's condition until they had the chance to get to Hogwarts. When Poppy said she had done all she could, Hermione sat down next to him while he slept.

ooo

Ron and Sharon arrived at Hogwarts early the next morning. The entered the hospital wing and Sharon sighed at the sight before hem. Hermione had somehow crawled into the bed next to Harry without disturbing him, and his arm was wrapped around her protectively. They were both sleeping with smiles on their faces.

Ron grinned and sat down on the other side of the bed. Sharon curled up on his lap and laid her head on his shoulder. They sat there watching them and quietly waited for them to wake.

Hermione woke first and looked over at Harry. He tightened his grip around her and continued to sleep. She looked over at Ron with a look that said 'He needs to let go of me for a moment'. She pointed to the restroom and rolled her eyes. Ron laughed silently and shook his head. Harry stirred from Hermione's gentle shaking.

"Whazzat?" he mumbled groggily. Ron burst out in laughter, getting a glare from both of the women in the room.

"Harry," Hermione said. "Love, you need to let me up." Harry just mumbled and started to fall back asleep. Hermione huffed and tried a different tactic. "Honey, do you want me to just use the loo right here?"

Harry's arm shot out to the side and his eyes jerked open. At this point Ron fell out of his chair laughing. Sharon grumbled about Ron making her fall off his lap and hitting the floor. Hermione kissed Harry's forehead practically ran to the restroom.

Harry rubbed the sleep from his eyes and he looked over and down at Ron. Ron had since stopped laughing at the glare he was getting from his wife.

"Ron, you are so whipped," Harry chuckled. Ron started to retort when Sharon spoke up.

"Harry, you don't know the half of it," she said. Harry started to laugh, but quickly stopped and hissed in pain as he cradled his shoulder. Sharon quickly poured a bit of pain relieving potion and handed to Harry, and he drank it straight down.

"Thanks, sis," Harry said. Sharon's eyes moistened for a moment and she reached down and brushed his hair back. Ron grinned and walked around to Harry's right side and gently clapped him on his shoulder.

Ron updated Harry on the fallout of the battle. The Daily Prophet had heard of the battles and heralded it as the most wonderful thing that had ever happened. Ron told Harry that the Ministry was calling for more awards, but Harry said they should hold onto them until Voldemort was confirmed to be dead or neutralized for good. Ron promised to pass on the message as soon as he could. They enjoyed a delicious breakfast that had been cooked by Dobby and Winky and all was well for a while.

ooo

While the four heroes were taking a well deserved rest, Voldemort was far from pleased. His frustration and anger was evident judging by the look of his room in the safe house. The windows had been obliterated, debris from destroyed furniture littered the floor, and the door had been knocked off its hinges.

"POTTER!!" Voldemort bellowed. "THIS IS NOT OVER! NOT BY A LONGSHOT!" Voldemort repaired his chair in the room and sat down to finalize his plan for Harry's dear Hermione. His cruel looking face split into a feral grin as he thought of what he would do to her.