A/N: Here's the final chapter! Long goodbye note at the bottom!
"Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go.
So make the best of this test known as WHY
It's not a question but a lesson learned in time."
Albus Dumbledore, Leader of the Light and widely thought of as the most powerful wizard of the age, stood on the front steps of the Hogwarts Castle. His normally soft blue eyes were steely and cold as he surveyed the lands. Aurors and Order members were racing around the grounds, preparing for the final battle. Professors Trelawney and Sprout had successfully escorted all of the non-fighting students through the Floos in the various teacher studies. Professor Hagrid had returned early this morning and had sadly informed the Headmaster that while both the Acromantulas and centaurs had acknowledged the danger, neither would be coming to the aid of the castle.
Dumbledore glanced towards the West and saw the sun slowly sinking towards the horizon. Dumbledore quickly estimated that they had approximately three hours until Voldemort's forces showed up. With that thought, the aged Headmaster turned and headed inside the castle to see how many students had volunteered to fight.
The setting sun cast a red hue over the entire castle, highlighted upon the flashes of silver worn by the gathered army of the Castle. A tall white-haired wizard stood at the forefront with a stout African wizard and a stern witch with her hair in a bun. Professor Dumbledore glanced first at Kingsley Shacklebolt then at Professor McGonagall. Directly behind them stood the forces of the Aurors. Approximately one hundred Aurors stood on guard behind them, wands held loosely at their sides. Another fifty members of the Order of the Phoenix were on each side of the Aurors, their red robes distinguishing them from the blue-robed Auror forces. Behind the adults, in their normal Hogwarts robes stood over a hundred students in their sixth or seventh year. The only change was instead of their house patch, the crest of Hogwarts was proudly emblazoned on their robes. At the front of the student body stood Neville Longbottom and Hermione Granger. Blaise Zabini stood next to his girlfriend Daphne Greengrass, their normally aristocratic features set in a grim stare out on the field. Dumbledore looked around and sighed. Where was Harry?
Timothy Whitfield was a junior Auror, and was one of the ten stationed directly behind the students. If a retreat was called, these ten would lead the students back to the Great Hall for a last stand. Timothy was quite nervous, evidenced by the sweat beads forming on his neck and his pale shaky hands which fumbled at his wand. It was his first mission today; he had passed the Auror entrance exam four days ago. The setting sun did nothing to help his nerves as the beams of light lanced in to his eyes. Timothy breathed a short sigh of relief as the sun finally broke the horizon and the castle grounds darkened.
An echoing crack across the grounds was heard as a huge force of soldiers appeared just outside the edge of the wards. A large bang was heard and the multi-colored dome flashed in to existence before fading back in to invisibility. Another volley of spells was thrown against it and another bang was heard.
Just as the first bang was heard, Timothy felt a tap on his shoulder. "Excuse me; I need to get to the front lines." Timothy jumped and swung around his wand to point it at the newcomer. It was a hooded man whose face was covered. Two other hooded individuals, smaller than the first, accompanied him. Behind the three humans, four wolves waited with teeth bared. A falcon and a phoenix stood perched on the first person's shoulders.
Timothy shakily aimed his wand. "Who are you?" The first man shifted a bit before removing his hood. Bright emerald green eyes stared out from under black, silver and red hair. But Timothy barely noticed that as he took in the lightning-bolt shaped scar on Harry's forehead. Ginny and Tonks lowered their hoods as well. Timothy yelped and a few heads turned his way. Upon seeing his face, murmurs spread through the crowd as more and more heads turned to face Harry.
A path opened up and soon every member of the defense was quiet as Harry led Ginny, Tonks and their familiars up through the waiting defenders. Harry passed through the students easily and nodded at Blaise and Neville who nodded back. Even the assembled Aurors dropped back as Harry approached.
Finally, he reached the Headmaster who sighed in relief upon seeing him. Harry smiled and stepped past the Headmaster, Ginny and Tonks following. Harry waited until Ginny and Tonks were behind him and the wolves assembled behind the girls. He turned to Dumbledore as the banging continued on the wards.
Harry smiled and winked. "Let them in Headmaster." Dumbledore blanched. He had not been expecting that. He shook his head and regained his composure.
"But Harry why would I do that?" Harry smirked and watched the attacking Death Eaters imperiously.
"Because they will break the wards eventually and it will take less time if we just start it now. Besides, don't worry about their numbers. They will be quite lowered by the time the army you assembled lifts a wand." Dumbledore regarded Harry closely but finally nodded. He lifted his wand and performed a complex series of maneuvers that ended with a large screech. The colored wall was pulled off the ground and to the center of the castle where it disappeared.
Harry turned back to Dumbledore. "Anti-Disapparation and Anti-Portkey please." Dumbledore nodded and created the wards quickly. Harry nodded and watched the approaching army. They stopped a few hundred yards out and lined up, massively outnumbering the defenders. While there were only three hundred Death Eaters, there was a large section of Dementors floating around in the front. Directly behind them, two groups sat in wait. The vampires must have numbered more than three hundred while the werewolves more than doubled that number at close to seven hundred. A Nundu was stalking in a circle, a Bubblehead charm keeping his fatal breath from hurting the Death Eaters. A few trolls were scattered here and there among the death eaters.
Harry stepped forward but Dumbledore grabbed his arm. "Harry, those Dementors. We can't have more than twenty people who can create a corporeal Patronus." Harry smiled and stepped out of Dumbledore's grasp. The Dementors rose and moved towards Harry. The crowd was silent and Harry smiled. He raised his hand to his mouth and an ear-splitting whistle echoed across the grounds. Prometheus flamed out from Harry's shoulder. Many defenders looked around nervously as the Dementors approached Harry. Suddenly, there was a huge burst of flame. Prometheus had returned and he brought Hyperion with him. With a throaty roar, the dragon stopped the Dementors in their tracks. Harry quickly burst out his Patronus but it wasn't his normal stag. A huge wolf with bat wings sprang out and corralled any stray Dementors. Between Prometheus and the Patronus, the Dementors were corralled in a circle. Hyperion stood on his hind legs and breathed in deeply. Extending his neck forward, he released his breath.
Dragon flame is one of the most powerful forces in the universe. Dragon flame from a full grown male in his prime will essentially vaporize anything from short range. On the other hand, Dementors are one of the oldest beings in existence. There was no known way to kill them; a Patronus can only fend them off.
As Hyperion's plume of flame hit the first Dementors, everyone instantly knew which unstoppable force was stronger, Dementors or dragon flame. The Dementors were vaporized instantly and cheers broke out from the Defenders of the castle. With Harry's Patronus and Prometheus keeping them penned in, the Dementors had nowhere to turn. A few broke out but Fawkes appeared and quickly corralled them. Soon the final Dementor dissipated in to thin air, leaving only scorched grass and a very smug dragon. Hyperion let out another throaty roar.
Harry smiled and patted Hyperion on his large back leg. The dragon lifted off from the ground, and flew back behind the Light side's lines. Harry turned back to the Dark forces who were still shocked at the total destruction of the Dementors. Harry smirked as his Patronus disappeared and Harry walked back to Dumbledore nonchalantly.
As Harry turned his back to the enemy, a roar rose out of the grounds as the Nundu was released. He sprinted towards Harry who didn't seem to notice. Cries broke out from the Light as the Nundu flew towards Harry's turned back. Suddenly, Harry spun and snapped his fingers. The Nundu kept coming relentlessly and inhaled to spew out his deadly breath when an all-black blur hit him the side, knocking him to the ground.
Apollo rolled off the Nundu who growled and expelled his poisonous breath at the wolf. But as only a wolf can, Apollo smiled and growled back at the Nundu through the Bubblehead charm placed on him. Harry smirked as he watched. The Nundu leapt at Apollo but was quickly knocked aside as Artemis rolled away, her Bubblehead charm protecting her. Midas and Helios joined their parents and quickly surrounded the Nundu, who shrank away as he realized he was outnumbered. He tried to cut away but Midas slashed in to his side deeply. The Nundu snapped and caught Midas' foreleg in his jaw.
Tonks stepped forward as the crack of broken bones echoed out but Ginny held her back. Helios ran forward and latched his jaw around the Nundu's neck. Midas was released and limped away to gather his strength. The Nundu managed to swipe a shallow cut along Helios' jaw line but the young wolf held on. Artemis and Apollo joined the fight with a roar as their pup was injured. Jaws snapped and fur flew as slowly but surely, the Nundu fell to a series of cuts and rips. Soon Artemis held the Nundu down who was groaning pitifully. Apollo bent slowly over and placed his mouth around the Nundu's neck. With a twist of the neck, the Nundu was silenced and the wolves stepped daintily away. Midas had an injured foreleg which gave him a nasty limp; Helios had a cut on his jaw and several scratches along his haunches. Apollo had one bite on his lower back and Artemis had several shallow claw marks on her belly. Harry bent down and greeted Apollo and Artemis lovingly while Ginny and Tonks rushed out to tend to their familiars. The wolves retreated back to the line of defenders where Madam Pomfrey stood and she began to administer pain-relieving spells.
"POTTER!" Voldemort's voice echoed throughout the grounds as Harry turned slowly and faced the dark forces. His emerald eyes searched the troops looking for the familiar red eyes. Voldemort was nowhere to be seen; his Sonorus spell ensured that he would be heard. "You will die now! Vampires, Werewolves, advance!" Harry cast his ownSonorus spell as the half-breeds moved forward. The assembled defenders shifted uneasily at the approaching army.
"I, Harry James Potter, challenge Verz Dracula for control of the Clans of Dracula, Sangre and Blut." The vampires halted against an invisible wall. "I, Harry James Potter, challenge Fenrir Greyback for control of his pack." The werewolves also stopped immediately. Voldemort's voice rang out from the back of the troops.
"Fools! Attack him!" A growling drowned him out as a large man, with a day old beard and whiskers stepped out. He was breathing heavily and his yellow eyes watched Harry intently. Another man stepped out of the vampire ranks. Tall and foreboding, he wore a large cloak that hid his entire body. His eyes stared out at Harry, blood red and two shining teeth the only thing visible under his hood.
"Vell, Mr. Potter, you display a knowledge of old law not seen since I was young. I accept your challenge, foolish child." Verz smiled as he swept off his cloak to reveal his robes underneath. Fenrir growled and nodded hurriedly. He licked his lips hungrily as the werewolf within him ached to get out. Verz made to step forward but the werewolf shoved him away and stepped forward.
"He's mine Drac. Let's go Potter." Harry smiled and shrugged off his cloak. He handed it to Ginny. Fenrir laughed loudly before downing a simmering blue potion from within his ripped robes. Harry withdrew both swords and slammed them down in to the ground.
Fenrir doubled over as he began to change. Harry smiled and turned back to the line of the Light, who was watching Fenrir with a morbid curiosity. "Remus." The werewolf glanced at Harry. "How many years since he bit you?" Remus narrowed his eyes.
His response was strained and low. "Thirty-four." Harry smiled and began to walk towards an almost completely changed Fenrir.
"Here's your early birthday present." Harry smiled as he closed his eyes. The Dark forces watched as Fenrir howled at the new moon hatefully while Harry opened his eyes. The Death Eaters recoiled as Harry's eyes were hard amber and, without pausing, his body began to change. Fur exploded all over his body as he grew. He started jogging then full out running towards Greyback who was watching warily. After five steps, Harry was half changed and quite horrifying. His face was distorted by the wolf jaws extending from his face and the fur growing along his cheeks. His arms were growing rapidly, gaining layer after layer of muscle. His legs were the same while they were lengthening. After another three steps, he was fully changed and a horrible sight to behold. His fur was all black that matched his raven hair. The only exceptions were a white lily over his heart and a lightning bolt on his back. Harry towered over Fenrir as he easily broke eight feet tall from head to back paws. His muscles rippled under his fur as he ran.
With a furious howl, Harry launched himself at a stunned Greyback. No one was bigger than him; it was the main reason that he was the leader of the pack. Harry hit him like a bullet, sending both wolves to the ground. The impact awoke Greyback who snapped at Harry and caught his front left paw in his mouth. Harry howled and slashed with his free front paws down on Fenrir's exposed back. With a mighty kick, Harry slammed Fenrir off of him and separated the two briefly. Both werewolves started to watch each other while slowly circling.
Various Death Eaters raised their wands but they were blocked by the vampires and werewolves. Verz smiled evilly as he watched the fight. "You cannot interrupt a fight for control of a clan or pack. Animal law."
Fenrir was watching Harry nervously; no one was more ferocious than him in battle. Harry paused and charged at Fenrir. The move took the elder werewolf off guard and Harry slammed him back in to the ground. Harry pinned all four of Fenrir's arms down and growled deeply at him. Fenrir mewed softly and struggled to get up but Harry's superior strength made it impossible. Fenrir stopped struggling and met Harry's eyes. Both werewolves were motionless for a moment as a poisonous yellow stared in to cold amber. Fenrir seemed to sigh in place and he closed his eyes, accepting his fate. Harry blinked once and latched on to Fenrir's throat. With a mighty twist of his neck, Fenrir Greyback's head was torn off his shoulders. Fenrir Greyback died on that ground. Harry leaned back on his haunches and surveyed the field of fighters. He glared at the dark forces, their scent bringing him nothing but death and fear. Harry leaned back and howled to the new moon, the sound echoing throughout the forest.
All the fighters, Light and Dark, from the youngest student to Voldemort himself, shrank a bit under that sound. Chills ran down their spine that spoke of the beast within Harry that he kept chained. All the animals in the Forest dropped deeper in their dens, eyes searching the approaching darkness fearfully for the danger. The Acromantulas clicked their jaws fearfully and the Centaurs grouped together, watching the sky. Harry fell silent and turned slowly. His gaze traveled to the Light and it softened to an indifferent scowl. Finally, it rested on Ginny and Tonks who were watching him with tears in their eyes. His eyes softened and returned to their natural green color. He reached down and grabbed the head of Fenrir Greyback in his mouth and started walking powerfully back to his side. As he moved, his body reduced in size and the fur slipped back in to his skin. His jaws shrank until he was forced to spit out Fenrir's head and scoop it up in his shrinking paws. Those paws soon softened and returned to the muscled hands that everyone was used. The various injuries he had picked up remained, most noticeably a large gash on his left forearm. He reached the side of the Light and made his way to Remus who was watching him carefully.
Harry met Remus' eyes and dropped the severed head at his feet. Remus watched the fall slowly and his eyes shone with years of abuse and fear. Shakily, Remus withdrew his wand and with a whispered incendio, Fenrir Greyback's head burst in to flames and disappeared in to ash. Remus dropped his head and Harry turned away respectfully. All eyes were on him as he made his way back to Ginny and Tonks who stood back until Harry met their gaze. Both girls leapt at him and held him tight. He closed his eyes and breathed in their reassuring smell. The blood of Greyback was still on his robes and he could taste the metallic clang of his blood in his mouth.
"Vell Mr. Potter. I daresay ve have underestimated you. You have defeated the brute. Let's see how you fare against fifteen hundred years of experience and cunning." Verz stepped forward and drew two knifes from inside his cloak and held them loosely. Harry broke away from the girls and took his cloak back. Mimicking Verz, Harry withdrew his two sharpest knives and placed the cloak back in Ginny's care.
Harry and Verz walked towards each other as all voices were quiet, as the leadership of the Vampire Clans was fought over. Verz Dracula was, outside of Voldemort himself, probably the most feared entity in the world. He had led his clan for over a thousand years and had conquered two other vampire clans. Both vampires stopped fifteen feet away from each other and stood at the ready. Their fangs were extended and gleaming in the flickering torchlight.
Like a gunshot, both flew at each other, slashing with the knives. Harry thrust his knife forward but Verz glanced his blade aside and slipped by Harry, slicing a shallow cut along Harry's chest. Harry hissed in pain but turned quickly. Verz smiled at him as Harry lunged again. Verz tried the same trick but Harry was ready for it. As the ancient vampire slipped by him and prepared to strike Harry, he stabbed sharply with his second knife and it slipped in to Verz's shoulder with a spurt of blood. The vampires broke apart again as Verz let some of his blood gather on his finger before licking at it hungrily.
"It's been a long time since I have bled outside of the bedroom Mr. Potter. I will enjoy draining you, as well as your brides." Harry's eyes burned an intense green as he gripped his knives harder before attacking.
Fifteen minutes later, Harry and Verz broke apart again, both panting slightly. Verz had collected a few deep wounds from Harry but the younger vampire had not escaped unscathed. Harry knew that he was doing well but he needed to end this fight as soon as possible. Verz's voice broke him out of his thoughts.
"Mr. Potter, do not think of formulating a plan to defeat me. When you have lived for a millennium and a half, you have seen every trick in the book." Harry smiled at that as an idea struck him. He turned and flipped the blade in his left over. Verz watched him warily.
Suddenly, Harry threw the blade up in the air and Verz smirked as he watched it go, knowing it would fly over his head. Harry smirked at the elder vampire's averted gaze as he quickly threw his second dagger.
Verz watched the first dagger sail over his head and didn't see as much as he felt the second blade strike through his chest. The assorted vampires gasped at the blade handle that seemed to grow out of their leader's chest. Verz trembled, as even though the blade could not kill him (it was not wood), it still hurt more than anything he had felt in a millennia. Verz dropped his own blades in shock. In a flash, Harry was directly in front of Verz and sank his fangs in to the elder vampire's neck. Verz screamed at the piercing feeling and pushed mightily at the younger vampire. Harry felt himself sliding away and summoned both knives back to himself as he fell off Verz.
"You fell for the oldest trick in the book Dracula." Harry regained his breath as he watched the vampire leader.
The Clan leader stumbled back, watching as delicious blood gushed out of his chest and the open wound on his neck. Harry saw that this would be his best chance and leapt forward, both blades swinging.
Verz saw him coming and raised his arms to stop the blade. The blade in Harry's left arm was stopped inches from his neck as Verz caught Harry's forearm. However, the other blade continued unabated and Harry watched with a sick pleasure as the blade tore effortlessly through the elder vampire's neck.
Verz's scream reverberated around the grounds but silence soon overtook it. Harry let the body drop to the ground, the head lying in the grass a few yards away. Suddenly, there was an ethereal scream as the body and head burst in to flame and turned quickly to ash.
Time stood still as the ashes were thrown to the wind and disappeared. Suddenly, Harry turned to the collected forces of Voldemort and stood tall. Immediately, the werewolves fell to one knee and lowered their head. The vampires clicked their heels together and held a fist towards the sky in salute.
Harry regarded his new subjects. "Go. Return to your homes and raise your children. You have no part in this war." Voldemort's voice broke through the landscape desperately.
"No! You will listen to me! Fight him now!" The collected werewolves and vampires simply turned and left. The werewolves loped easily in to the trees of the Forbidden Forest while the vampires simply drew back and disappeared in to the shadows. Harry turned and rejoined the Light side next to Dumbledore. Prometheus settled on his shoulder and quickly dropped a few tears in to various parts of his body. The wounds cleared up and closed over. He replaced Hades and Poseidon in their scabbards.
The Death Eaters looked around nervously. This had turned in to a very fair fight. The Aurors and Order members were preparing for battle with renewed hope. The students were watching Harry in awe as he leaned slightly against Ginny and Tonks. Harry straightened and turned back to the army behind him. Dumbledore stepped back and every eye that Light had was focused on him. Harry surveyed the gathered fighters.
"Wizards of the Light. I see fear in your eyes which is good. But I also see courage. For I know, there may be a day when the courage and strength of the Light fail. But that is not this day. Spells will fly and brave men will fall. But not today. Today we fight! Today we defeat the hordes of Voldemort once and for all. As you fight the wizards, witches and trolls that aim to bring about the destruction of our civilization, I want you to remember one thing and one thing only." Harry's voice dropped to barely above a whisper, though it carried around the field. "Remember who we are fighting for. We are fighting for every man who has died. We are fighting for every woman who has watched her children suffer. We are fighting for every little boy and little girl who grew up with no one to care for them. As you risk life and limb out there tonight, keep in your hearts one name that you fight for. Scream to all the world that name." Harry stepped forward towards the gathering Dark Forces but turned back to watch his friends. He smiled slightly before turning back forwards.
"LILY POTTERRRR!!" Screaming the name of his mother, Harry swung both swords out and charged towards the Death Eaters. The Light was silent before a scream went up.
"James Potter!" Remus howled out as he raced forward. Tonks and Ginny stood forward and started running.
"Sirius Black!" Signaled, the rest of the Light surged forward, names echoing through the night.
"Frank and Alice Longbottom!"
Fabian Prewitt!"
"William Bones! Jenny Bones!"
"Lodd Lovegood!"
"Simon Zabini!"
"Elizabeth Turpin!"
The Light flew forward, aided by the thoughts of their loved ones in their hearts. Wands were raised and the various weapons gripped tightly.
Startled by the stunning charge, the Death Eaters surged forward, the trolls leading the way. Harry was slightly ahead of the crowd, Hades and Poseidon pointed in front of him. The sides met in a clash of spells and shields. Harry took down two Death Eaters in front of him with twin slashes of his swords. He slowed for a bit and rolled under a red crucio and drove Hades directly in to the midsection of the offending Death Eater. He swung his head towards Ginny and Tonks who were fighting back to back. He saw an unseen Death Eater step forward and raise his wand towards them. Without even pausing, Harry launched Poseidon forward and it caught the Death Eater between the shoulder blades just as the Avada left his mouth.
Leaping over the fallen wizard, Harry slashed at a nearby Death Eater while withdrawing Poseidon from the ground. Harry rolled in to a crouch and felt a shadow fall across him. He heard the roar of the troll behind him and Harry spun around and crossed his blades just in time to catch the club of the troll between them. The troll quieted as he watched his club in amazement; very few things could stop him when he swung it.
Harry smirked and scissored his crossed swords, cleaving the club in half. The troll looked stunned at the stump left in his hand and Harry took advantage of his stupidity and jammed both swords directly in to the trolls neck. With a gurgle, the troll collapsed to the floor, blood gushing out of his neck.
Harry turned to attack another Death Eater when he felt it. The outpouring of pain against his mental shields that signaled the proximity of Voldemort. He quickly calmed himself and stood slowly. The crowd of fighters seemed to part.
Voldemort and Dumbledore were battling mightily and many Death Eaters and Aurors were struck by the dodged and deflected spells. Seeming to sense his gaze, both Voldemort and Dumbledore turned to look at Harry. Dumbledore smiled at him and nodded kindly. Sensing the distraction, Voldemort unleashed a Killing Curse which hit Dumbledore square in the chest.
"NOOO!" Harry dropped to his knees as Dumbledore's body hit the ground, his face still holding the grandfatherly smile he had died with. Harry's eyes filled with tears as he watched the most powerful man he knew pass in to the next life.
Voldemort stood watching Harry from a hundred yards away, a grim smile on his face. Voldemort drew two sickly green blades from his robes and began walking towards Harry who was still watching Dumbledore's body.
Voldemort stopped a distance from Harry. He smiled evilly at Harry who merely raised Hades and Poseidon in to a shaky defensive posture.
"So how are your friends Potter? What was his name? Cedric I believe?" Harry growled deep in his throat. "And your godfather? That blood traitor Sirius. Such a shame someone tipped that fool Fudge off about his presence." Harry's eyebrows shot in to his scar as he processed what happened, still on his knees.
Harry's body shook with contained anger as he watched Voldemort. He saw the pale white face. He saw the miniscule slit of a mouth. He saw the reptilian nostrils, emitting little puffs of air in the night.
Everything that was wrong with his life came back to him. His parents being killed. Sirius being thrown in jail. The Dursleys. Ginny's possession. Cedric dying. Being bitten twice in one night. Sirius being Kissed. Dumbledore's death. Everything that ever made him suffer, both muggle and wizard, could be laid at the feet of Tom Marvolo Riddle.
Unbeknownst to Harry, who was lost in his epiphany, Voldemort had stepped back a bit. An unknown light was shining through the very skin of Harry's body, driving all the Death Eaters back. It was as if a flame was burning inside of him brighter than ever before. His eyes, which had drifted half-shut, snapped open and they blazed with an inner fire.
Harry rose to his feet. His voice echoed throughout the grounds, bringing all action to a sudden and abrupt halt.
"Tom Marvolo Riddle. On this field, you will be judged for the sins you have committed. In exchange for thousands of lives you ruthlessly destroyed, you would have been deemed guilty and been punished. All of that would have been enough for me to do this tonight." Harry raised both swords pointing directly at Voldemort.
Harry's voice grew cold and hard. "But tonight is for me, not anyone else, not the Boy-Who-Lived." Harry stood taller and looked Voldemort square in the eye. He began advancing towards Voldemort, his footsteps punctuating the words he spoke.
"My name is Harry James Potter, Half-Vampire, Half-Werewolf, Hogwarts student and a believer in the greatest wizard of the age, Albus Dumbledore. Son to murdered parents, godson to a murdered uncle and tonight, I will have my vengeance."
"So take the photographs and still frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time
Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial
For what it's worth it was worth all the while"
Harry continued to walk towards Voldemort who quickly put one sword away while withdrawing his wand. He fired spell after spell at Harry who merely knocked them away with Hades or Poseidon. Finally Voldemort smiled evilly and pointed his wand directly at Harry.
"Avada Kedavra!" The sickly green light flew at Harry who didn't move a muscle. At the last moment, Harry raised both blades and crossed them. The green beam smelling of death and ruin struck the center of the X, causing shrill shouts to echo throughout the field. The reverberating clang of the blades echoed longer than it should have. Both blades blazed a bright green as the force of the spell battled with the blades power and Harry's determination.
As soon as it began, the blades dimmed and Harry resumed his march. Amazed and stumbling backwards, Voldemort quickly resumed his strategy of throwing spells at Harry who advanced ruthlessly. Finally, Harry reached Voldemort who swung his green sword wildly. Harry raised Hades and Voldemort's blade was clove in two at the handle. With Poseidon, Harry struck out and sliced off the hand that held Voldemort's wand. The severed hand and wand fell to the ground and disappeared in the grass.
Voldemort drew his final sword and swung wildly at Harry who blocked it with Hades and sliced off Voldemort's hand at the wrist again with Poseidon, leaving Voldemort cut off at both wrists.
Voldemort's eyes widened and for the first time in years, he felt the emotion that he had sworn he would never feel. Fear coursed through his veins for the first time since the final night at the orphanage, when the older boys brought him to the owner who proceeded to beat him within an inch of his life.
Those same red eyes blinked in surprise as Harry, with an unearthly yell, slid both blades in to Voldemort's stomach. The blades, forged within the depths of Mount Olympus and blessed with a Light power so strong that it could only be found in the depths of the Earth, burning for eternity, burned away at the Dark Magic that had supported Voldemort for so long. Voldemort screamed as he was scalded alive in a holy light.
Harry continued to walk forwards, pushing Voldemort backwards. Both wizards had unknowingly ended up right next to the Hogwarts entrance. With a final shove, Hades and Poseidon pierced the great oak doors of the Great Hall. Voldemort was pinned to the door and his body convulsed as a black bubbling blood dripped out of his wound.
Before anyone could react, every Death Eater dropped to his knees and held their left arms. As everyone watched shocked, their left arms turned to dust and crumbled to the ground, where they disappeared in the evening wind.
Snape had fallen to his knees right next to McGonagall who watched him tearfully. Though they fought, McGonagall knew how much the Potions Professor gave to the war effort. The Potions master shuddered as the pain disappeared, his arm now ending at the elbow. He breathed deeply and allowed McGonagall to help him up. He glanced up and his eyes widened.
He was the only Death Eater up. Every other Death Eater was still on their knees or on the floor. The crumbling hadn't stopped at their elbow but had continued up their arms. Aurors, Order members and students watched horrified as every Death Eater except for Snape slowly died and their body crumbled in to nothingness. Neville stood proudly, as Bellatrix Lestrange's body crumbled away. She had been dead for three minutes, having fallen to the first and last Killing Curse he would ever utter. Neville had avenged his family once and for all.
Harry did not see any of this. His eyes were focused on Voldemort and the gaping whole in his stomach. Harry could see his black and dark blue organs slowly shutting down. With a groan, a few nameless masses slipped out and splashed sizzling on to the entrance steps. Harry watched, locked on to Voldemort's torso, as a completely black organ slid down in to view. Voldemort's heart pulsed slowly, though Harry could not see how. It was a solid black except for an inner green that spoke of poison. In the center of the green, a tiny mass of silver was visible. Both Voldemort and Harry watched Voldemort's heart slow. The silver snagged in Harry's memory and with a start he remembered what it was.
The unicorn blood in his first year. The stories were true; it would keep you alive but curse you forever. The green clearly emanated from the silver at the center of Voldemort's dying heart.
Harry looked up at Voldemort's face and they linked eyes, a dull red on blazing green. "Harry…Pott…errr…" With a final shudder, Voldemort dropped his eyes. With that final whisper, not a shout or yell of triumph, Tom Riddle passed from this world to the next.
Harry stepped back and withdrew his swords. Voldemort's body crumbled to the ground. Harry snapped his fingers weakly and the body burst in to flames. As the flames died and the ashes burned away, Harry cleaned his swords completely free of Voldemort's poisonous and toxic blood and sheathed them both.
With a start, Harry felt the quiet behind him. He turned to see the various members of the Light standing. He saw the absence of Death Eaters but met Snape's eyes. The Potions master held his gaze before smiling. Severus Snape smiled at Harry Potter. Snape held up his stump of an arm and Harry nodded in understanding.
Movement broke the plateau and Harry felt two bodies hit him. Ginny and Tonks looked up at him through tear-filled eyes and Harry smiled at them. He leaned down and kissed both deeply before holding them both to his chest.
Medical supplies were handed out and the dead were gathered. Besides Dumbledore, Harry was saddened to see Moody's limp body carried to him. Both Ginny and Tonks burst in to tears when Wayne Hopkins broken body was shown to them. A troll had gotten to him. Both girls had gotten close to the very quiet former Ravenclaw and found he was quite funny and insightful. McGonagall surprised everyone by falling to her knees and weeping when Professor Flitwick was found, dead from the Killing Curse. Perhaps the hardest-hitting blow, Harry fell on to his backside when Hagrid was found over a pile of two trolls who had caused enough damage with their clubs before Hagrid finished them off.
Overall, twenty-seven Aurors, nineteen Order members and six students died. Wayne was the only one close to Harry, but five sixth years died. Ironically, all five were Slytherins and were the only Slytherins who fought. Everyone bearing a Dark Mark besides Snape died and disappeared. All the trolls were dead. Hagrid and Flitwick were the only teachers who were dead.
Over the next week, funerals were held all over Hogwarts. Harry was asked for repeatedly for interviews, but he had escaped to his rooms. Hermione, McGonagall and Arthur Weasley took control of everything. Ginny and Tonks rarely left Harry's rooms, only to attend the funerals of Moody and Wayne Hopkins.
At the end of the week, a large funeral was held for Dumbledore, Flitwick and Hagrid. Various politicians spoke but everyone felt it was incomplete. McGonagall spoke heartily about Flitwick, who she knew probably better than anyone. But Dumbledore's and Hagrid's speeches were lacking, the former because of the magnitude of his life and the latter because of the mystery of it.
Fudge was pompously ending the funerals when a murmur moved up the crowd. Harry strode up the center of the crowd with Ginny and Tonks by his side. All of his familiars were waiting with Neville and Blaise.
Fudge opened his mouth to speak but one glare from Harry shut him up. Harry took to the podium and looked out over the crowd.
"We are here to celebrate three lives lost in the fight against a tyrant. Professor….Headmaster McGonagall gave a stirring speech about Professor Flitwick and she was magnificent." The red-eyed McGonagall inclined her head thankfully. "But Albus Dumbledore and Rubeus Hagrid deserve much more." Harry ran a hand through his hair tiredly. He glanced back at Ginny and Tonks who smiled at him through their tears.
"Hagrid and Dumbledore were probably two people who most wizards would never put in the same sentence. The Headmaster was worldly and cultured; a political force and the most well-known Wizard of the age. Professor Hagrid was a half-giant outcast who spoke with a heavy accent and had an unhealthy obsession with dangerous animals." Rolls of laughter rippled through the crowd.
"But Professors Hagrid and Dumbledore shared much in their life. Both were men with great hearts who befriended me when I had no one. Dumbledore was a mentor through many tough times. Hagrid came in to my life when I was on the edge. My family hated me and I was looking at a life of poverty and fear. But Professor Hagrid brought me a birthday cake and a new life. He gave me Hedwig, my first and truest friend." The mentioned owl hooted loudly while she swooped down and landed on Harry's shoulders. He stroked her feathers while chuckling through his tears.
"Professor Hagrid was a friend when I needed one and was always there for me. Throughout the Chamber of Secrets hysteria, he never believed it was me because he knew what it was like to be wrongly accused. His faith towards Dumbledore was never-ending and that kind of loyalty…it will shock the world when I say that every witch and wizard here should try to emulate Rubeus Hagrid's kindness, loyalty and fierce defense of his beliefs. If that happened, this world will never see a Voldemort again." Harry fell silent at that and dropped his head.
"And Professor Dumbledore. Everyone knew the Dumbledore who defeated the Dark Wizard Grindelwald, who was the Headmaster of Hogwarts and the most powerful Wizard of the age." Harry sighed and his green eyes searched the crowd.
"Few knew the Dumbledore who also had an unhealthy obsession, his with lemon drops." Chuckles were heard through the crowd at that. "Few knew the dedicated scholar whose pursuit of knowledge about muggles, wizards and everything in-between could only be rivaled by my friend Hermione." Said witch blushed deeply at that and Ron, who she had forgiven but not gotten back together with, wrapped a brotherly arm around her.
"Dumbledore made his mistakes in life, with me and with others. The difference between his mistakes and the rest is that…when you make a mistake, your friends are hurt. When he was wrong, the world suffered. Yet he made his decisions. Few knew the Dumbledore who endlessly took the burdens of the Wizarding World on himself. And whether he succeeded or not, that's what I remember about Albus Dumbledore. He was a man who saw wrongs in the world and endlessly fought to right them. Thank you."
The crowd burst in to applause, led by the Professors and students. Harry stepped down and walked slowly up the aisle followed by Ginny and Tonks. They passed the Weasley family who looked with love at Ginny but still uneasily at Harry.
In the front row, McGonagall stood up and yelled. "Harry!" Harry smiled at the use of his given name by the normally formal professor. "What will you do now?" Harry sighed. He reached the back row and stood in the empty space behind the benches.
He turned and smiled at McGonagall. "Professor McGonagall, I'm tired. My whole life I have been pushing to do something and it's done. I think…I think I deserve a vacation." Harry smiled at Ginny and Tonks. Harry winked and a throaty roar echoed over the grounds and Hyperion winged down and landed lightly next to Harry, who patted his massive jaw. Apollo, Artemis, Helios and Midas all hopped on and settled down.
Ginny took the trunk full of their stuff out from its hiding place and shrunk it, placing it in her pocket. Harry nodded at her and Tonks. He turned towards the crowd.
"Neville. Blaise. Lisa. Susan. Keep Hogwarts safe and sound." The four students nodded dumbly. "Hermione, I fully expect you to be teaching when I return; or at least making some unheralded discoveries about the wizarding world. Forgive Ron, he was an idiot but I think he deserves a second chance. We all do." Hermione burst in to tears and held a hand out to Harry. Ron met eyes with Harry and both boys nodded.
Harry scanned the crowd intently. He smiled at the area for first and second years. "Natalia. Jessie. You guys are in charge once my generation leaves. Make sure Hogwarts never loses it's spirit and life." Both girls blushed and looked at each other shyly. "Daphne, make sure Blaise puts a damn rock on that finger before I kill him." Daphne laughed and Blaise ducked his head embarrassed. Chuckles rippled through the crowd.
Harry sighed. "Tom Riddle became Voldemort not because of some evil force. He became Voldemort due to neglect and abuse. Make sure that children are happy and cared for. Be kind to others, regardless of blood or magical ability. Werewolves and vampires deserve some peace too." Harry nodded to Remus whose eyes shone. "Goodbye. I will return and this world had better be changed in a good way. Because I am done chasing Dark Lords. Next time, you're on your own." With that, Harry nodded to Ginny and Tonks, and all three extended their wings, drawing shrieks and gasps from the assembled audience. Hyperion rose in to the air along with the three vampires.
The sunset exactly one week after the Battle of Hogwarts was beautiful. Harry flew towards it, Ginny and Tonks on either side and slightly behind him. Hyperion soared below him with all four wolves crouched low on his back. Athena and Hedwig rode the currents of air above his shoulders while Prometheus winged in above his head. Everyone at the funeral stood and watched them fly off until they were invisible against the glare of the setting sun.
Everyone rose and awkwardly began to leave. Soon all that was left was the students and professors who gathered in the Great Hall. Natalia sat at the center of the huge table in the Great Hall which temporarily replaced the House Tables. Eric sat on one side while Jessie sat on the other. The war was over and Voldemort was defeated. Life could move on in peace for the first time in over thirty years. The hall was quiet, but Natalia's voice was heard by all. She stood up and held her goblet high."To Harry. A friend to those in need and the bravest man I know."
ELEVEN YEARS LATER
Professor Hermione Granger chewed her lip. Something was off here. As Deputy Headmistress, she had led in the first years. But there were only nineteen students here. The problem was that there were twenty-one slots on the parchment. The final two were blank but there were clearly two marks for them.
She scanned the Staff Table. McGonagall sat, stoic as ever in the Headmistress' seat. Hermione had become the History of Magic teacher. Ron had enthusiastically taken the Care of Magical Creature's post, as well as flying instructor. Dean Thomas was talking to Ron happily, having taken the muggle studies post two years ago. Natalia, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, was talking shyly with Cho who was longest tenured teacher in the Charm position. Blaise and Neville, the Potions and Herbology professors respectively, were talking animatedly while Lisa and Susan rifled through some papers silently. Lisa had taken the Astronomy post while Susan had been shocked to have been offered the Transfiguration post.
The first years were quickly sorted though the extra space was eating at Hermione's mind. Professor McGonagall rose for her beginning of term announcements. She opened her mouth to speak when the door creaked open. The students watched the doors interestedly; there was no Dark Wizard at large so the danger level was extremely low. The students were merely curious.
The procession that entered was quite a strange one. Five strangers in large cloaks entered first, the final two much smaller than the first three. Hermione gasped as four extremely familiar wolves entered. A falcon, phoenix and snowy owl winged in to the room and settled on the rafters.
"Harry?" Hermione squeaked out and everyone watched the lead individual chuckle. He dropped his hood and laughed heartily.
"She wasn't the smartest Witch of our generation for nothing." Harry looked around the shocked hall. His hair was unchanged, long and mostly black. A streak of white went down the middle and two streaks of red on each side. His two swords were in their proper places on his back. He looked older, a fully grown man who had truly seen the good and bad in life.
The second and third figures stepped forward and lowered their hoods. Ginny and Tonks smiled as they met their friends' faces. Ginny still had her Weasley red hair though it had darkened somewhat. Tonks was still pink-haired but she had grown slightly and adopted a slimmer look.
A voice broke the silence. "Oh my god dad. You are always so dramatic." The other two figures stepped forward and dropped their hoods.
The first caused McGonagall to gasp. He looked like a male Lily Evans. She had bright red hair and bright green eyes that darted mischievously around the room. His hair was spiked up and the very tip of each spike was a dark black. The second smiled and slapped the first on the back. He had identical green eyes though his hair was an icy-blue, though it was still in spikes with black tips.
Harry groaned, and then sighed. "May I introduce you to James Arthur Potter and Sirius Teddy Potter?" Both boys bowed dramatically. Ginny and Tonks cuffed each boy lightly and they grumbled noisily, drawing laughs from the student population.
The boys walked quickly up the center of the aisle and each took a turn with the hat. James was placed in Hufflepuff while Sirius was placed in Ravenclaw. Each boy shrugged and went back to their parents.
Harry kneeled and gave each boy a quick hug. He whispered a few words in their here and handed James a silvery cloak and Sirius an old tattered parchment. Suddenly, both boys were pulled away and Ginny and Tonks enveloped each of them in a hug and covered the boys in kisses.
"MUM!!" Both boys groaned and pulled away, wiping their cheeks while mumbling. Harry laughed and put an arm around each girl. Both boys ran to their tables and sat down.
Suddenly, there was a snort and out of the shadow of the doorway, a large polar bear lumbered out. He made his way to Sirius who yelled out, "Heracles!" The polar bear licked down Sirius' neck and sat behind the boy's chair.
Silently, a slinky black panther made his way and licked James' shoulder lovingly. "Perseus!" James hugged the panther quickly and Perseus settled behind James, watching the other inhabitants of the hall.
. McGonagall stared at Harry who met her eyes with a smile. The Headmistress had never seen Harry this…carefree and relaxed. She finally smiled back and nodded.
Harry kissed Ginny deeply before doing the same to Tonks. Whispers spread throughout the hall as both Potter boys could be heard yelling "YUCK." Harry laughed and pulled both girls to him and the wolves gathered together. Athena landed on Artemis' back and Hedwig landed on Midas' back. Prometheus landed on Apollo's head and they disappeared in a flash of flames.
Harry smiled at his children and nodded goodbye. He straightened his back and tightened his grip on his wives, their heads placed on his chest. His green eyes twinkled and before anyone could react, they were gone in a haze of black smoke.
"It's something unpredictable
But in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life"
THE END
A/N: Song is Good Riddance (Time of Your Life), by Green Day. Speech to troops based off of Aragorns speech in Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. Speech to Voldemort ("Son to murdered parents, godson to a murdered uncle...) based of off Maximus' speech in Gladiator.
Wow. I am actually done. This is incredible to finally be finished. I really fell in love with this story and the characters. I ended up with eighteen chapters and 102,201 words. (AHH THAT'S A PALINDROME!) I wrote my first sex scene and my first real battle scene. This story is my first real novel and I am so shocked and saddened to see it over. Thank you all so much for reading. I got more reviews that I ever though possible and each of you is special, even the negative ones. The reviewers mentioned below are just the ones who have been with me through it all. Thanks to everyone! My next story should be out within 2 weeks. Prolly by the new year. Thanks again, you guys have been wonderfully patient with me and you all are wonderful. Happy holidays and god bless.
Ranger Dragen (I think you are the only person to review every chapter)
Spedclass (You might have also reviewed every chapter)
Olaf74
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TGIF
Phantombrick
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THANKS A LOT!!
- Nebkreb