-1Chapter Twenty Seven-The End is Near
Harry slowly opened his eyes and blinked a few times. He was back in his home, laying next to the fireplace. The couch was pushed against the wall leaving the floor opened. Harry's eyes adjusted to the different light. It took him a second to realize that it wasn't the light, but his eyes.
Colors were brighter, until he focused. When he did the colors dulled, except for the area he focused on. It was like he could draw out the details, even from where he was laying. He stretched and pulled himself to his feet.
His body moved with ease, the power of his muscle's drawing him up with no problem. He took in a deep breath and furrowed his brows by the familiarity of the scent. He could smell Hermione, it was strong, but he also smelt foreign scents that he couldn't place. Hermione hadn't been here alone.
He focused on his other senses, his hearing picking up the faint hum of the furnace in the basement, and the hum of the fridge in the kitchen. He was able to pick out each sound, but all he could hear was the humming of electronics in the house. No one was around which worried Harry. Where was Hermione?
Harry ran through the house quickly before heading out the front door. Since no one was here, he was going to check Number Twelve and if no one was there, then Hogwarts. He appearated himself to his Godfathers old home.
The streets were rundown along with the buildings. It looked like a war zone and was more than likely one. Some areas were blown out, others burnt down. Harry focused and watched as Number Twelve appeared between Eleven and Thirteen.
Harry walked up to the door and opened it. The inside was as rundown as it had been. The walls were pale and the mood dark. Harry heard voices in the back and he listened in to the conversation.
"What's the status?" A male voice asked. Harry recognized it as Remus.
"The D.A. and the rest of the Order are fighting them off. Voldemort is there and until they know that Harry has completed his mission, they can't press forward. Because of our hold, we're losing more men." A female said, it was Tonks.
Harry sighed and walked into the kitchen. The two stood with their wands drawn. Harry held his hands up in defense.
"Harry?" Remus asked shocked to see him standing there, the worse for wear. Harry's clothes were barely hanging on him, with tears. It was a wonder his clothes were still hanging on him.
"It's good to see you too, Remus." Harry said lowering his arms. The two lowered their wands and enveloped Harry in a bear hug. When Remus pulled away he seemed to get smaller.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, noticing the change.
"Every time we reunite, you are more…powerful. I can feel it, sense it. The wolf in me wants to cower in a corner in fear." Remus said.
"Where do you go?" Tonks asked.
"It's a long story. From what I overheard, we don't have time to discuss it." Harry said.
"Was your mission a success?" Tonks asked.
"Complete. Now lets go and end this war." Harry said.
Remus smiled, "That's what I like to hear." The three headed out of the worn home and onto the street. With dull pops they disappeared.
The castle was rundown and broken, just like everything else Harry saw. There was a constant stream of smoke rising from the towers. The usually brilliant lights were dull and flickering against the dark night. A constant flash of green and red littered the night sky.
It tore at Harry's heart to see this once magnificent castle, torn down to such rubble. This had been his home for years and just like everything else it had been attacked by the forces of evil. Tonight it would end, no matter what the cost.
Harry followed Remus and Tonks down a passage way that lead to the back of the castle. They reached the back doors with no hindrance. The hallway they walked was empty but it lead to the great hall which was filled with people from what Harry could hear.
They walked in through the back door and the noise came to a sudden silence as everyone saw Tonks and Remus walk in. Harry kept behind them, waiting to show himself once he could access the damage. There were many people filling the hall that not all had room to sit.
Blood filled his nostrils as he stuck to the shadows behind the teachers table. Remus cleared his throat and addressed the hall. "I have important information. Harry's mission was a success. As soon as he is ready, this war shall see it's last battle."
Harry stepped out from the shadows and looked over the crowd. "I know you all must be worn out, tired, and wounded. We are ready to finally live in peace and now that all protections surrounding Voldemort have been destroyed, I can kill him."
"Is everyone rested?" Remus asked.
"We were just attacked about two hours ago. The wounded are still being taken care of. Everyone in here can fight." McGonagall said.
Harry nodded to Remus, "They won't expect an attack now. Do you know where Voldemort is at?"
"Forbidden Forest, about a mile in." Snape said.
Harry nodded to him, "The others were destroyed, correct?"
"Yes, thanks to the D.A. It's up to you now." Snape said.
"It feels great to hear good news." Harry said.
"What's the plan?" Tonks asked from her spot next to Remus.
"From what I saw and heard on our way up here, the death eaters are on the field fighting. Let's attack full force in an hour." Harry said.
He turned and walked out the way they came in. He headed down the hall to a side entrance he remembered. He moved swiftly even though he could hear footsteps following him. He knew the scent, but with everything that was about to happen he didn't know if he'd be strong enough to see her and still go to face death.
"Harry!!" She called out.
He couldn't run, he knew that. If something were to happen to him, how would she feel if he'd ignored her the last time she'd seen him? He stopped and turned around to see her running toward him. She crushed him into a hug and held tight. He wrapped his arms around her and breathed in her scent.
Something inside him calmed and he could feel his tense muscles relax.
"When did you get back?" She asked into his chest. He could feel the vibration of her words and the soft puff of air against his chest.
"Not too long ago. I was at home and when I couldn't find anyone I tried Number Twelve. Followed Remus and Tonks here." He said as she pulled him tighter. He rested his chin against the top of her head and closed his eyes.
"Did everything go okay?" She asked pulling back to look up at him. He looked down into her eyes and smiled softly.
"It could have gone better." He said, mainly thinking of how long it took for him to destroy Voldemort's soul fragment.
"Well, it went good here. All that's left to do is kill the snake and Voldemort." Hermione said.
Harry closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Even after Voldemort's pet was killed, there was still one more to destroy. The only problem was how to kill himself and then Voldemort.
"Don't think like that. The answer will come to us." Hermione said.
Harry smiled at her ability to understand what he was thinking. "I love you." The words spilled from his lips easily, but the emotion and truth behind it tore at his heart. This was the end and possibly his last moment with her.
"I love you too." She replied.
He leaned down and captured his lips with hers. The moment was sweet and tender and if anyone was to look at them right there, they would believe that this was goodbye. Harry pulled away and leaned his forehead against hers.
"Promise you'll come back to me." She said, breathing heavily.
"No worries, love." He said, his heart heavy.
He couldn't promise her, even to ease her troubled mind. He pulled back and removed his arms from her waist. He could see the moisture underneath her eyes and knew that as soon as he walked out the door, she would cry. He ran his thumb and wiped away the moisture already there.
With no more words they could possibly say that could ease their troubled minds, Harry turned and walked towards the door. He didn't look back as he walked out and closed the door behind him. He turned back and leaned his head against the oak wood and closed his eyes. He could hear her sobs, smell the faintness of tears mixed with the comforting scent of her skin.
Once he composed himself he turned and made his way to the Forbidden Forest. He stuck to the shadows and the silence of the grounds and made it to the forest borders. With his mind set to finish this war, he passed the border and traveled through the thickness of the forest, using his hearing to find the camp where Voldemort was located.