*enters with Snape in dress robes, makes an appropriate atmosphere, sits in armchair just as hautily as the potions master*

Greetings and salutations to everyone. I see you are all gathered around for the final chapter of this remarkable story. Good, good. *very unsettling smile, knowing glances between her and Severus* We hope you will like it.

So, without any more ado,

Chapter 20 *hit play*

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"No, Harry!" Hermione whispered, bringing her hands to her mouth, eyes wide. Ron's fingers let his wand fall with a clatter. Neville held his breath, Ginny's eyes watered quickly, Fred and George just stared at disbelief. Draco swallowed as he folded his arms, staring at the prone figure of the Study Group's leader, its heart and soul, lying there, dead. Was it to come to this? The Boy- Who-Lived's life for the Dark Lord's?

"What are you staring at? We should at least close his eyes for him," Blaise said, her voice wavering. She knelt down, as if she was the only one among the Study Group capable of movement, and gently reached towards the wide open, glassy, unmoving eyes of the Gryffindor's finest.

"Do not touch him!"

The strong voice of the Headmaster tore through the solemn atmosphere, and the students gasped, seeing not only Dumbledore, but Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Severus Snape advance quickly towards them. Sirius ran upon sight of Harry's fallen form and skidded into a kneeling position. With trembling hands, he scooped Harry into his hands, his breath in short, hacking sounds, as he looked into Harry's face. It seemed to him it was all happening again, and he was holding in his hands both his friends of old all wrapped up in one, the way his godson's face was so much like James', and his eyes as green as Lily's.

He heard Remus' laboured breathing behind him, saw Snape's black robes by the peripheral of his vision- and suddenly he saw the dark coloured duelling robes of the Headmaster. He clenched his teeth and looked up with wet eyes that danced with grief and hatred.

"You did this! It is your fault he's dead!" he growled at Dumbledore that was looking at him holding the only boy he was ever remotely a father figure to.

"Sirius, please put Harry on the ground."

"I hate you! How could you let this happen, after he believed in you so damn much! You are no better than Voldemort!" Sirius continued with his tirade, not listening to the Headmaster at all. He felt Remus' hand on his shoulder, but he flinched away, feeling for the first time after escaping Azkaban so completely alone and helpless.

"I understand your grief, Sirius, but please, listen to me- we are wasting time," Dumbledore said gently again. Sirius didn't heed him, rocking back and forth with Harry's body.

"Wasting time, sir?" Ron asked hopefully. Was it perhaps…? Could there still be…? Ron didn't even dare pronounce it. Dumbledore didn't seem to be paying attention to any of the students, but he said in a strong voice:

"Listen to me! Harry is not dead!"

            Snape lifted his eyes and lowered his hand from where it was covering his face, blinking eyes that were far too bright. Remus inhaled sharply with the new hope and Sirius looked up as if he suddenly couldn't understand English. Immediately it seemed to everyone around that the cracking dawn brought more than simple light in the environment: it was nothing sort of elevation.

"Not dead…?" Sirius dared say, still clutching Harry tightly in his hands.

"Not yet, but there is not much time. Put him back on the ground, please, Sirius. Trust me," Dumbledore said again patiently, and got his own wand out.

"How do you figure?" Snape asked quickly, because in all accounts he failed to see how it was possible for Harry Potter to still be alive when he looked so utterly dead, and was not breathing, without a pulse. Dumbledore sighed worriedly.

"Severus, I thought that you – or Blaise- would notice. The Dark Lord is supposed to be dead."

"Yes, but I don't see-"

"If he's dead, completely, then why is your Dark Mark still there, still visible?"

            Blaise and Snape gasped in unison as they pulled up their sleeves and saw the Mark still there and still as black as ever. Snape knew that the first time the Dark Lord was defeated, it was almost completely faded. Shouldn't it have disappeared now?

"What is going on? And what can we do about it?" Remus asked, catching up quickly. "If his body is not alive, yet the Dark Mark lingers, then it means that he is too, lingering!"

"Quite true, Remus. It seems that Tom casted some sort of spell that linked his awareness to Harry's more securely than it already has been; and therefore that connection must still exist."

"Can you bring him back?" Sirius croaked. Dumbledore looked grim, and it scared everyone that could read that expression.

"You can bring him back, can't you?" Sirius insisted, his voice begging.

"I can… but there is a great possibility that the one I bring back is Tom, not Harry, if that link exists."

"What!? You got him into this, you get him out of it, intact!" Sirius demanded.

            Without answering Sirius, Dumbledore turned to Snape.

"Severus, I understand you too share a link with Harry, for those Occlumentic purposes…?"

Snape's eyes widened in recognition of the Headmaster's plan, Sirius immediately complied and put Harry back on the ground and Remus hurried to steer the Study Group to a safe distance away from the three wizards that would attempt to bring Harry Potter back to the world of the living, whole.

***

He was careening in spirals, accelerating, ever accelerating, the speed making him dizzy, not allowing him to understand where he was and what was happening. And along with him, around him, twirled another, a parasite, nauseating him, making him feel dirty

Let me go!

You boy, are my vessel to a better, stronger body.

Never!

You don't have a choice. Can't you feel it? They are pulling us back. You are too weak to assert your will, and I have been a spirit for far longer than you.

We are dead!

But I not for long.

I hate you!

That's what makes it so delicious, boy…

            Harry's soul ached and battled, but the other presence twirled even more tightly around him, not allowing him to escape, not allowing him to die and leave so that his body would never accept an alien soul in it. No; Tom Riddle was keeping him there, captive, to use him as a passport to a body that did not belong to him, and there was nothing Harry could do but ache.

"I am starting. Sirius will cast immediately afterwards. Are you ready, Severus?"

"Do it," Snape said. He had sat down next to Harry, and as Dumbledore pointed his wand to Harry he put one hand over the cold brow with the lightning scar.

***

            He felt the pull, so much like a portkey, pulling on his essence forcefully, with no choice. Harry sped towards the direction of the pulling and so pulled Voldemort along with him.

Noooo! I won't have you live in my body!

It is inevitable- Dumbledore is such a strong wizard, after all. You are going to tire him out with all that resisting you are trying to do, you know, boy.

You won't live again!

- Potter.

You won't live again!

- Stop that annoying snivelling! Answer me, Potter!

…

You are not wanted here!

- We don't have all day, Harry.

Professor?

Treacherousssssssssnake! Begone! Go!

- This is an order, Potter. Don't focus on him. Focus on one memory he can't share with you.

How?

- Just do it!

…

I will kill him before he breaks our connection! You will kill your student, Snape!

***

            Hermione sat huddled against Ron, who was holding her close to him, receiving and giving support. Nobody dared look to any other, everyone stared at the three wizards that were struggling to bring Harry Potter back to life. At Harry's head stood Dumbledore, his wand sending a continuous stream of energy to the limp body, and at Harry's feet stood Sirius, completing the flow. The magic was so strong that the pillars of Stonehenge glowed with resonance, aiding the casters, making Harry seem he was encased in a purifying halo.

            And next to him, a dark shadow in all the light, sat Severus Snape, his eyes open and luminescent, his right hand against Harry's forehead, his left one clenched on his lap. He strained, making one small sound of tiredness in the muted ensemble.

"He won't make it," whispered Neville, his scared undertone sending shivers through everyone.

"Stop being an idiot. He'll make it," Draco snapped, and his grip around Blaise's hand tightened. Oh, professor, I believe in you. You can do it.

***

- This is getting tiring fast, Potter.

If I think of my parents, it's when he killed them! protested Harry's awareness.

There is no way to avoid me, and the Renaissance spell is almost complete! You have ran out of time! Voldemort's voice resonated in Snape's ears and around Harry's soul.

- Must I point everything out to you, boy? If that's hard, don't think about them! Think about some other memory!

…

It is too late!

            Indeed, it seemed to be too late, the presences of both the boy and the dark wizard had reached Harry's body, and they were both tying themselves to it, obeying the spell's command.

            Harry's body heaved one deep, agonised breath, and his eyes blinked a couple of times. His friends and Remus were ready to rejoice, but then Harry's natural green turned to a familiar, hated crimson.

"No! Leave Harry-" Ron started to yell but Remus shushed him- to lose concentration now would mean that Voldemort would possess Harry's body forever. There was still hope, if the spell still lasted, and he saw that yet, neither of the three wizards was giving up.

***

            Harry screamed with agony at the pain sensations he started feeling again, and Voldemort cackled, knowing that they were now starting to enter the body. He would leave the painful transition to the boy, and when the time came for asserting the possession of the body, he would easily take control. Then the body would reject any other presence lingering, and Harry would die when he, Voldemort, would live.

- Well? I can't do this for you. I can only tell you what to do. Don't pay attention to him, focus on my voice.

            Suddenly, in Snape's mind as well as Harry's awareness flashed a scene, of a boy sitting in a chair looking through a snake's eyes at the figure of a man with pale skin and black, greasy hair… and the man was smiling, unaware.

            Suddenly, Voldemort felt his grasp on Harry's mind waver. He was no longer holding on to him. He could no longer feel Harry's thoughts, see what he thought, feel what he felt.

No! You won't do this to me!

I just did. This is my body, and nobody goes in but me, Tom Riddle.

- Who told you to talk to him? Focus on the transition! Must I point everything out!?

You are not going in there without me!

…

Talk to me! Don't leave me here!

Don't leave me here!... I can't die! I am Voldemort, I can't die, don't leave here in the Void!...

            Voldemort's soul tried to rush along the trajectory of Harry's soul, but to no avail- the body had been claimed, and there was no room for more than one. Or was there? Voldemort felt again the pull that was reminiscent of a portkey, and he cackled in delight. He was not yet finished! Dumbledore would inadvertedly bring him back to life in his efforts to save Harry!...

… but he was not anywhere near Harry Potter now, or Stonehenge… or Earth. Where was he and were was he being pulled!? Try as he might, Voldemort's soul could not resist, just as Harry's couldn't resist previously. He couldn't avoid what he now felt approaching without mercy, no begging or threatening or fear would shield him. He didn't even have the time to make one last thought before he was assimilated with every other damned soul that was cursed to never rest and never find peace- he was finally in Hell.

***

            Draco was released from St. Mungo's a day after the events in Stonehenge. Blaise wanted to be there when he came out, but he had instead told her to wait for him in a café not too far away from Mungo's, in muggle London. So he didn't expect anybody to be waiting for him, since all his friends from the Study Group had been to see him yesterday or were still being nursed in other rooms.

And yet there was one. She was as beautiful as ever, her blonde hair like gold around her face, and there was no expression of smelling something foul anymore.

"Mother," Draco breathed, both happy and scared to see her. He had not dared ask Dumbledore what his mother's position was in all of this, and if she even knew what Draco's latest escapades had been. But she was here now, and she looked happy to see him.

"My baby," she whimpered and run to him, hugging him tightly to herself. Draco shut his eyes and stayed in the hug- it had been so rare to receive, anyway.

"Aw, mother," Draco said as they still held each other, not knowing what to say or how to ask.

"No… not my baby, not anymore," she said as she broke the hug and held Draco gently by the shoulders. He still had some faint signs of his battle against his father, and there was a paper thin scar diagonally down his left cheekbone that seemed reluctant to go, just like every other on his body that had been caused by that curse that had been intended to kill him. He looked in his mother's eyes, his breath catching at what she would say. But she smiled warmly at him and said with pride he had never heard before coming from her:

"My son… that grew into an adult without my help at all."

***

            Harry had yet not woken up, but everything showed that it was going well, and every nurse that entered the room informed the two wizards sitting there that he would wake today, no doubt about it.

"That's what they said yesterday, too," Sirius muttered, side looking at Snape. He was standing near the window, looking outside, so the ex-convict could only see his back, rigid and straight as ever.

"Would you prefer they sang a different tune, Black?"

"…what if he wakes up, and calls us treacherous snakes?"

"Must I always repeat myself Black? I told you there is no such chance. I was there."

"That's not comforting."

"Black, you are irritating me," Snape's voice became a little more cutting, although the Potions Master didn't move from his position.

"Not… on my account… are you?"

            The faint voice coming from Harry's bed made Sirius spring up and rush to the bed and Snape to turn around and reach its other side. Harry had opened his eyes a little, tiny bit- and the deep emerald colour that had made his mother's eyes so special shone through merrily.

"Very witty of you, Potter," Snape said gruffly, as Sirius let out a whoop of victory and again scooped Harry in his arms and held him close, just to feel him warm and alive, not cold and limp like last time he had done this.

"S…irius…" croaked Harry, taking an odd expression. Sirius tried to read his face, looking into his godson's unmoving eyes.

"What? Just say the word, Harry, what?"

"I think he is about to hurl on you, Black," Snape said, not without some eagerness for the prospect in his voice. Expertly, Sirius steered Harry in the proper position and provided him with a basin in one flowing movement. As Harry was showing his appreciation to the bucket, Snape arched an eyebrow in question towards Sirius, who shrugged with a rugged grin.

"I got enough practice from Remus in our school days."

"Lovely imagery," muttered Snape, then took a vial of potion from the bedside table and gently helped Harry take it, unconcerned of the nurse's warning that he was not allowed to do that since he was not part of St. Mungo's staff. Harry instantly relaxed with comfort and sighed. He smiled happily albeit sadly and said softly:

"Well… I am back."

"You don't seem too happy about it," Snape said bluntly, taking it a little personally.

"I am happy, professor…" Harry hurried to say, but Sirius saw it to. He passed his hand through Harry's birdnest hair as he settled the Gryffindor in a sitting position in the bed.

"What is troubling you Harry? Voldemort is gone- for good this time, and you did it. You are the hero of the Wizarding World!"

"Yes," Harry said dismissively, as if that was unimportant. He swallowed, making a pause fall in the room as neither of the adult wizards spoke. Harry asked abruptly:

"Was everything that Voldemort said a lie?"

"Do you have something particular in mind?" Snape asked, knowing the answer. Indeed, Harry nodded and said in a low whisper:

"He told me… told me there is a spell… to restore my vision… that he knew. Sirius… you taught us there is no Dark Magic, only dark users… so …is there one? And …could we use it?"

            Snape and Sirius looked between themselves, only now fathoming the sheer strength of will that was demanded to defeat Voldemort instead of joining him. Snape's esteem of Harry went up- he was certain that in his place, he would have given in. Sirius' breath became more laboured, but his voice was even.

"Harry…" he started cautiously, and Harry read the tone.

"Oh… well… no big deal," he tried to make his voice unconcerned, when he truly wanted to cry. Why had Voldemort to lie about that?

"I am tired of you trying to seem like everything glanced off of you, because it doesn't! Admit it that it hurts and you hate it, already!" Snape demanded out of his very own exasperation. Usually, when Snape played that card, Harry exploded on his own turn. This time, he only hid his face in his hands and let himself cry in front of the two men he held as prototypes.

"You will make me hate you all over again," Sirius growled, hugging Harry's back.

"The loss will be heart shattering I'm sure," Snape retorted and then turned to Harry. "Potter… listen to me, Potter."

Harry turned his face slightly towards him, to indicate that he was listening. Snape sighed and continued.

"Harry… in all accounts, there is no such spell that would not keep you under someone's complete mind control. Voldemort would restore your sight because he would possess your mind, and so you would see through his eyes. Do you understand what that bargain would mean?"

Harry nodded, but seemed despaired, like he had once upon a time when first Snape had been told to help him. Snape put a hesitant hand on Harry's shoulder, as the teen was huddled against Sirius and said in a voice that was promising:

"So, as I said, there is no spell or potion that would heal your lack of sight around right now… but there is no reason why there shouldn't be one in the future."

            Harry's face lit with that covert promise, and he straightened up, breathing quickly.

"Do you mean it?"

"Of course he means it- he has no mind for humour, that man," Sirius said with relief, determined to do all the studying he had not done in school in order to find a charm, a spell, something that would give his godson his sight back. Harry grinned and hugged Sirius, and tried to do the same to Snape- although the Potions Master deftly avoided that. He was content in the effect that he still had over the Boy-Who-Lived:

He could still drop him the lifeline to continue living.

~~Finis~~

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YAAAAAY! I am done! I'm finished! This is one happy sequel all done with! I am so happy! *confetti, all the cast start dancing the Macarena*

I am grateful to each and every one of you that saw this through to the end. You gave me so much encouragement for my writing that I will forever be in your debt. *Albus charms everyone's goblets to renew drink of their choice* Snape also thanks you, but you will only catch him thinking that. *chuckles, Snape looking hautily content*

Anyway, this is where I take my leave of the HP cast, and put them back on JK's shelf. I am going to continue with my very own set of toys- and hopefully I will at some point get my own shelf soon. It has been fun!

As for my reviewers:

sweetyspy05: awww. Dumbledore is always acting with good intentions. he's only human, after all. I hope the finale was to your satisfaction.

SaukaraSnape: Snape appreciates your concern. *L*

LoveChilde: Of course right!

Thranx: You know threats don't work well when you got Snape to back you up. *chuckles* but here you go. The end.

Chantelli: I'm sorry… but think of all the good times we had! *chuckles* And there, see? Harry is alive!

texasjeanette: Snape was a bit… irritated… and I had to chase him around to convince him to sit down for the ending… but here you go. All your questions answered. I hope the ending was Happy enough?

water drifter: *reverts the puddle into a person* here you go, update!

PhoenixPadfoot89: Your feelings serve you well… heh.

Jarvey: I'm really sorry I didn't make you the gift but I am a working woman… and work doesn't understand readers are aching to see what happened. But here it is now!

mickeymoose: I didn't! I never could after all. *L*

tia: he lives! *stamps decision* I am not going to make another sequel, well I at least I don't THINK I will. I have my own book to write and deadlines to meet about writing it.

Marauder3Moony: well, for one, the wizarding world would be free of its menace… and well… *points* look, Harry lived!

Aku Maru: Aw, Dumbledore feels so guilty now… And I don't belong to Gryffindor. Or Slytherin. I am a Gryfferin. I got the deadly combo of both houses *wink*

WolfMoon: I was very tempted to kill Harry, but I think it would be far too hard to Sirius mostly. It wouldn't do to have him survive only to bury Harry. So Harry lived.

Sword Wielder- Firebreath: …yes? What would happen to me that Snape wouldn't save me of? *L* of course, perhaps Snape wouldn't have left anything for you to slice and dice… hm.

Skysong1: yup, it was another killing curse.

Kemenran: your wish is my command. *bows*

kateri 1: thanks!

Lady Lightning: Waiting is over! *g* Are you happy?

As an end note: if you REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY would like to, I could write an epilogue. But, for me to do this, I shall need your help: Please answer me this:

Would you like Harry to be ….?

a. a batchelor for ever

b. paired with Ginny

c. paired with Luna

d. paired with someone else (please indicate who)