Chapter Fourteen

The final chapter. Hopefully I will have an epilogue up in a few days. Thanks for your continued support.

As always, these characters do not belong to me.

Harry ignored the sweat rolling down his face as he sprinted through the rows of cabins. His legs were stiff and heavy, his arms lugged down at his sides, his breaths harboured but still, he continued to run. He had to, for his destination held the one person that instigated all of it. The one person that stood in the way of the beginning of peace for all of them left standing. Harry's foot caught on a rock and he fell forward, skidding across the ground and kicking up dust. He lost his breath but didn't allow himself to wait and feel the pain. He rose to his feet and continued his run. His eyes strained to see everything everywhere, searching desperately for Riddle.

The Order members in the lobby were fortunate that the bomb was small, therefore only the loose beams and weak sections of the walls broke through. They were buried under plaster and wall fragments but the injuries were minor. Riddle walked casually through the wreckage of the room as the people began to stir, gazing at his fallen foes. They froze when they noticed Riddle, fear visible on their faces. Harry met his gaze under a pile of rubble. Riddle smirked at him, gestured proudly around the room. He was well built for a middle aged man. Tall, athletic. Handsome in a haunting way. Harry could see how easy it would have been for Riddle to manipulate anyone he desired something from. Riddle turned, taking a quick glance towards the entrance to the corridors and walked out of the back door.

Harry scrambled to get free, ignoring the aches and pains. Hermione was beside him once he was free and together they pulled Ron out. Harry stared at the both of them and they knew what he was about to do. Harry had one last request though and when he mentioned it to them, they were surprised. Ron clasped a hand to Harry's shoulder before giving orders to the fighters who drifted towards them. Hermione gave Harry a quick hug and ran after Ron through the corridors into the dust and smoke.

Ginny stood in Harry's way as he went to follow Riddle. She too, had caught on to what Harry was about to do. He smiled softly at her, his eyes drifting over the blood dropping from one of her nostrils and another small cut from her neck.

'He wants me, so I have to end it,' Harry murmured softly to her. 'Don't argue and don't try and interfere. Help Ron and Hermione get everyone out of the building and keep the Death Eaters from helping Riddle. There was something about the way he glanced towards the corridors that makes me think he has something else planned. Please, do this one thing for me and get out as fast as you can.'

Ginny nodded, taking a step to the side. 'Once I help the others, I will find you.'

'So much for keeping you away from this,' Harry said wryly.

He pulled out the second adrenaline needle from his pocket. Dennis trotted over to stand beside Ginny as Harry injected the needle into his elbow.

'You shouldn't take him on alone,' Dennis said. 'Even with that adrenaline. Death Eaters will be lurking out there around the cabins, waiting for you. You won't be able to defend yourself against all of them; not in your condition.'

Harry didn't reply, he couldn't. He gave a meaningful look to Dennis, smiled softly at Ginny, then ran towards the door. He flung it open, blinking as the sunlight blared into his eyes. He squinted, scanning the grounds for Riddle. The field outside was three or four acres but most of it were covered with rows of cabins, presumably where his Death Eaters lived. The ground was uneven so from his place behind the mansion he could see for miles. At the furthest few rows he saw a lone figure striding slowly towards the tree line. Harry knew who it was; he didn't need the figure to turn to smile at him. That's when he began to run.

Harry thought about the last few minutes as he ran. He wanted to look back to the mansion to check that his friends were following. He desperately wanted to know that Ginny was safe. He almost did. His strides grew shorter and slowed, his head started to turn but movement ahead made him pause. Six Death Eaters came from behind the cabins, one of them whistling. Harry's shoulders slumped in a defeated disbelief. They walked casually toward him and Harry eyed them, taking in deep breaths.

Harry wiped his cheek, set his guard, watching as they formed a loose semi-circle in front of him. With a yell, the one to Harry's left ran forward. Harry danced away and pushed him across and into his partner on the opposite side that came towards Harry as well. The problem was that when Harry dodged he moved closer to the remaining Death Eaters. One punched Harry in the left cheek. He recoiled and received an uppercut into his stomach. Harry gasped, doubled over and got knocked heavily to the ground by a rough and rather large boot. Harry rolled once he hit the ground so he finished in a low crouch, facing the six.

They were already upon him but Harry was ready. As he rose, Harry gripped the dirt beneath his hands and threw it into the closest attacker's eyes. It was a cheap trick but the six on one weren't exactly fair either. The girl gasped, her hands reaching automatically to her face. Harry didn't bother to wait for her. He continued moving forward, ducking under the punch of the next man and threw his second fistful of dirt at the third assailant. He engaged with the fourth, blocking his fist with his forearm. Harry pushed him backwards so they had space from the others.

Harry brought his knee up and hit him once, then twice in the sternum. The man grunted, throwing a punch that Harry ducked. Using his blocking arm, he thrust his elbow up and connecting with the man's jaw. His elbow stung but Harry struck him again and again, keeping his other side closely guarded. Harry was taking too long. He needed to have subdued the man as soon as he separated the pair of them and he would have been able to, had he been stronger. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw one approaching fast; fist raised and started to swing. Harry ducked at the right time, narrowly avoiding the sucker punch that was meant for him which instead was received by his opponent.

Something about the punch enraged Harry. Harry turned his head to the new and rather large attacker, narrowing his eyes. Harry's body was side on to the Death Eater but that didn't deter him. He drove his left elbow into the man's ribs, following it with a driving palm to his nose. Harry was facing him as he groaned in pain. Harry planted his feet, his hands in their guard position. His left foot stepped forward, his right hand clenching to a fist and he drove it at the Death Eater's face, following it with a jab from his left and finishing with a right uppercut to his jaw. The man crumbled.

Harry's right shoulder was clipped by another fist and he spiralled forward, scrambling on his hands to remain on his feet. If Harry fell, he would be defeated. He had spun around from the attack and now his was facing a sprightly female Death Eater. She allowed him to get his balance and stand, ready for the fight. She was quick and agile as she weaved back and forth; hitting Harry alternately with punches or kicks. Harry played it defensive, blocking most of her strikes, waiting for an opening.

Another Death Eater came in from the other side, trying to lash out at Harry with a sloppy high kick. Harry ducked under the kick, grabbed the boot once it was over his head, straightened and kicked him in the groin. The man groaned and Harry brought his other leg around in the roundhouse kick, connecting with his temple before having to dance away from his feisty female Death Eater's deftly aimed kick. He backpedalled from her screaming advance, raising his hands to protect his head. In her rage, her attacks were getting sloppier and Harry saw his chance. Harry let her next punch connect with his side but in doing so, he grabbed her in close and then pushed her away. She was off balance and Harry clipped her temple with his boot.

There was a charging yell and Harry was collected in his midriff. The breath was knocked out of his lungs but somehow was still on his feet. Sure, he slid across the gravel but he wasn't barrelled over which surprised both of them. Harry grabbed the second female Death Eater at her armpits, tossing her away. The Death Eater rolled like a ragdoll and Harry raced after her, stomping her stomach to keep her on the ground. He felt slightly guilty as he stepped away from her clutching her stomach, her face paling from the pain.

Even though he wanted to help, he had another more important task. He went to go after Riddle when the safety of a gun clicked off behind him. Harry froze, turning slowly to face the sixth whistling Death Eater staring angrily at Harry, his gun pointed directly at Harry's chest. His shoulders slumped as he exhaled, gazing at his foe. His heart was racing, his breaths uneven and painful from his bruised ribs. By the look on the Death Eater's face, Harry would not be able to talk him around. The man's arm straightened, extending the gun that little bit closer to Harry. Harry inhaled as a gun fired and shot the Death Eater in the head.

Harry turned swiftly and breathed a small sigh of relief. Seamus Finnegan was jogging toward him, with a heavily bruised Ernie Macmillan and to Harry's surprise, Luna Lovegood. Luna shook her head at the female Death Eater Harry kicked in the stomach who was reaching for the gun at her holster. She placed her hands up in surrender as Ernie went around confiscating weapons. Seamus was looking everywhere, turning every few seconds, his gun raised, ready to strike. Harry's eyes drifted back to the mansion and his mouth fell open.

The mansion was on fire. Smoke curled from the windows and up into the air. Glass shattered as the pressure became too much. Faint explosions from further in reached their ears. Harry watched as part of the mansion collapsed; brick and wood clattering to the ground. Sirens were in the distance but they wouldn't arrive in time. Harry prayed that Ron and Hermione weren't still in there. Harry took a step back towards the mansion but was stopped. Luna stood in front of him, dirt smeared on her tattered clothes and face, blocking Harry's view of the destruction.

'Harry we've got this covered,' Luna said, gently shaking Harry out of his reprieve. 'We can protect you from any other Death Eaters coming from the mansion.'

'With just you three?' Harry asked, his voice croaky.

'There are more of us coming. Now go, Harry. Go!'

Her shouting snapped Harry from his daze. She said others were coming, meaning that not everyone was trapped. If someone was trapped then these three wouldn't be here with Harry, helping him instead. He gave her a grateful look and turned his back once again on the mansion. He was tiring, his running slowing to a shuffled jog. He grunted, urging himself forward, urging himself to remain positive. He could do this. He had to do this. He had to save Ginny. He had to save them all. Harry calves screamed in protest as he struggled up a small hill where the last couple of cabins were placed. As he reached the top, the land even out and standing metres away, waiting patiently for Harry, was Tom Riddle.

Harry slowed to a stop, gazing into the cold eyes of his enemy.

'You've kept me waiting,' Riddle said calmly.

His voice, like his eyes, had a cold quality to them. Harry felt sick just hearing his voice. Riddle didn't appear to have dressed for a fight; he looked more like he was about to attend a business meeting rather than defend his life. The tie was missing, as was the suit jacket, but the dark buttoned shirt, black pants and shoes screamed sophistication instead of practicality. Exhaustion was taking its toll on Harry and the rising fear wasn't helping either. Harry took a few steps forward, willing himself to look intimidating but knew in his weakened state he probably didn't seem like much of a threat.

'I must say Potter, you have surprised me,' continued Riddle. His right hand rested on the holster at his hip. Harry chastised himself silently for not grabbing a gun when he had the chance. 'Although, your victories are more due to the incompetence of my supposed devoted subjects rather than your intelligence and foresight.'

'Riddle,' Harry tilted his head in greeting. 'This has been a long time coming.'

Riddle was amused by Harry's greeting. 'Indeed but your time in the spotlight must, unfortunately, come to an end. I must take my place of rule.'

'Power isn't everything, Tom,' Harry said, taking another small step forward.

Riddle's eyes flashed in anger at being called by his first name. The anger in his eyes left as soon as it came, being replaced with a smirk.

'Look at what is has got you. Your death will be unforgettable. I gave you that.'

'Even if I die today, another will take my place, then another after them if necessary. We will never stop fighting against you, Tom. You will never be free of us.'

'I already am. Did you not figure it out, Potter? The mansion was rigged for an invasion such as this. Your friends are trapped in a time bomb; about to be crushed by the walls they were so willing to enter. We outnumber you. Surrender.'

Harry, despite needing to keep an eye on Riddle, turned to face the mansion. His knees shook at the sight, his stomach clenching. Their side of the mansion was a blackened skeleton of what it used to be. Harry, in his haste to catch Riddle, had not heard it continue to collapse from the fires. He felt his mouth opening in shock and quickly closed it, shutting down any emotion that threatened to surface. Ron and Hermione were alive, he repeated over and over in his head. They're safe, there could be still parts of the building undamaged.

Harry turned towards Riddle but he kept his head down. Riddle liked to manipulate his opponent before he killed them. He taunted, questioned and made them doubt their own confidence. Harry could see the intentions behind highlighting the condition of the mansion and had to admit it was clever; even if it was a low blow. In truth, Riddle would have no idea who was left in that building; he only had to make Harry believe his own fears. Harry had to shake Riddle's own confidence, if he was ever going to stand a chance against him.

'How do you plan to rule now that the government knows your true intentions?' Harry asked quietly, gazing back into his eyes. Riddle narrowed his. 'Your ally is gone.'

'I will destroy every single man, woman or child that opposes me,' Riddle snapped. 'They will grovel at my feet.'

'They would rather die than be under your rule. Even now, people are fleeing this place. A monarch without people to rule is just a man.'

'I forbid them to leave,' Riddle snarled, his patience thinning. Harry just had to push a little harder.

'Give up this stupid crusade, Tom,' Harry said in a hard voice. 'We both know you never stood a chance at winning this war. You're not fit enough to be the monarch.'

'And who is then?' Riddle sneered. 'Is it you, Potter? Do you want to rule?'

'No. I have never wanted to be a leader. I am just a stubborn man who refuses to let you harm anymore innocent people. I may be weakened but I will not let you past me again.' Harry propped onto his back foot, his arms raising to a loose, guard position.

Riddle laughed. A cold, cruel laugh that prickled the hairs at Harry's neck. 'Do you really think so, Potter?'

Riddle snapped his fingers that echoed in the still air. Nothing happened for a few seconds before Harry noticed a shift in movement from behind the last cabin to his left. Even standing metres away Harry knew the person dressed all in black. Yaxley eyes glinted in malice at the sight of Harry, bloodied and weary standing before them. Harry kept his face stoic, hatred bubbling under his skin.

'Yaxley,' Harry growled before composing his tone. 'At least now it will be an even fight to the death.'

'Are you defying your number one rule Potter?' Yaxley taunted, positioning himself in front of Riddle.

'After previous events I have decided to make exceptions,' Harry stated, adrenaline starting to course through his body.

'Funny that you think you can take us without weapons,' Riddle remarked and Yaxley smirked.

Harry shifted slightly, teeth clenching together. Riddle was right. Even if Harry beat one, the other would have a clear shot at him, and that was only if Harry could make it to them in time. The metres separating them seem to stretch to kilometres as Harry struggled to find an answer. Riddle began to speak again.

'I wonder what that girl you were captured with would say. What was her name again? Ginny Weasley?' Harry's eyes widened, his guard slipping. 'You thought I would not know of your affection for her? You thought you could keep it a secret from Tom Riddle? I hear she is quite the athlete but I wonder how much of a fight she would put up if she was told you tried to flee and save yourself. The betrayal would no doubt make her submit.

'And your little cronies. I will take great pleasure in disposing them. Even without you, they are annoying pests. I will watch the light leave their eyes as they die, thinking you were a coward while your girlfriend watches every resistance squashed. And then, once I have had my fun with her, I will kill her too. It's a shame you will miss it, I think you would quite enjoy it.'

Rage consumed Harry. His hands shook with anger he felt swimming through his veins. It triggered an animal-like instinct inside of him. He screamed, his legs charging forward. Yaxley sprang forward to meet him after a second of delay, fumbling his gun. Harry covered the distance in seconds, dodged Yaxley's outstretched arm that held the gun. Yaxley's surprised eyes met Harry's but Harry, with all of his rage, didn't hesitate. Harry wrapped his arms around Yaxley's neck and snapped it sharply to the side, ending his life. Yaxley's body hadn't hit the ground before Harry was charging towards Riddle, his face upturned in a gruesome snarl.

Riddle himself was taken aback but it didn't stop him from reaching for the gun at his holster. Fist clenched, arm raised, Harry collided into Riddle. The gun in Riddle's hand went skittering to the ground. Harry punched Riddle in the jaw. He used his momentum and was able to get in a couple of good and well placed hits before Riddle collected himself. Riddle grabbed Harry by his upper arms, grappling him for control. Harry grunted but didn't relent. He could already feel his anger subsiding and his advantage of surprise was long gone.

Riddle got an arm free and punched Harry's ribs. Harry yelled in pain as the punches kept coming and only with a last spurt of energy did Harry manage to push Riddle away. Riddle, eyes glinting with confidence, charged forward, throwing punch after punch at his weakened foe. Harry struggled to block the onslaught, having to backpedal to get a reprieve or even get his own jabs in.

Harry was growing desperate after a roundhouse kick had him sprawling to the ground. He spat out dirt, rolling out of the way of another kick. He was allowed to get to his feet; Riddle having taken a step back, surveying him through panted breaths. He didn't even seemed to have broken a sweat whereas as Harry was bleeding from several cuts to his face, mixed in with his sweat. It ran down into the one eye that wasn't starting to swell. His back ached and Harry thought a couple of the cuts had been reopened. His body was shaking from fatigue and despite trying to remain positive; Harry knew he was running out of time.

'Give it up, Potter,' Riddle remarked.

Harry ignored him. His big bravado moment had passed, now Harry had to try and outsmart Riddle. His eyes darted to their surroundings in-between keeping Riddle in view. His back was to the mansion but he could still hear the cracking and destruction of the building. The smoke had now wafted over to them and it filled Harry's nostrils, making him cough. He wiped his eyes for they had begun to sting and water.

'You have no chance,' Riddle continued, snaking towards him. Harry started to circle him, keeping the same distance apart. 'Shall you see the finale? I would hate for you to miss it?'

Riddle stopped moving. Harry paused at Riddle's tone, slowly straightening from his crouched stance. Riddle pulled from his pocket a small square device. Harry squinted and tilted his head, trying to get a better view. The thing had a small antenna on the top and a series of numbers on the pad. Harry thought it looked to be a cheap phone, but it was missing speakers. Riddle grinned at Harry, took a quick glance towards the mansion then started pressing the numbers. Harry realised it was a signalling device, a trigger.

Fear clenched his heart as he started running back, past Riddle who was calling something that Harry couldn't hear. He passed Yaxley's body and only three rows of cabins before he was cut off by four more Death Eaters. Harry skidded to a stop, turned back to Riddle, who shrugged and continued to plug in the code. A yell brought Harry's attention to the immediate threat charging towards him. Harry ducked under the first punch thrown by the beefy Death Eater, stepping inside his swing and punching the man in the ribs. Harry grabbed the knife at his belt as he twisted around the man. He kept the blade aloft and sliced the man's back, then slashed at his chest. Blood spurted from the wounds and Harry kicked him away, already facing his next Death Eater.

Harry twisted the knife in his grip so the blade was parallel to his forearm and punched the attacker in the nose, then twice in the chest before having to dodge and block a powerful assault. He managed to slash the man's forearm, who screamed in pain until Harry knocked him down to the ground. He was just about to engage with the third when an almighty bang erupted from ahead, shaking the ground at Harry's feet. As he wobbled and tried to regain balance he looked towards the source of the explosion and stood in shock, his mouth falling open and his eyes wide in disbelief.

Even though the mansion was falling to a mere wreckage of what it used to be, there was still a chance that the people stuck inside would have a chance to escape but not now. Riddle's final trigger had destroyed the remnants of the building so it was just a pile of fire and ash. No evidence would come from it; Riddle's words to Harry as he sprinted past. No evidence, no people, no survivors. Harry spun dejectedly towards Riddle, who shrugged again and grinned as if he had just put on the most spectacular display.

Before Harry realised what he was doing, his legs were moving, running towards Riddle. His hand clenched tighter around the knife. His wounds disappeared as he zeroed in on Riddle. Something locked around his ankles and Harry was falling to the ground. He hit the ground hard and slid forward with momentum, more blood pouring from both nostrils. He turned onto his back after yelling in surprise to realise he had forgotten about the remaining Death Eaters. He lashed out and kicked his tackler at his ankles, catching him in the nose and groin before he let go. He threw his knife at the last Death Eater racing over, hitting him squarely in the chest.

Harry rolled to his feet, looking to the cabin to his right. His muscles were flaring in pain and fatigue, his lungs struggling to suck in enough air. He was losing too much blood from the cuts on his body and his head spun with oncoming dizziness. He struggled to keep his eyes open. He realised he wouldn't be able to fight Riddle for much longer, let alone fit and healthy Death Eaters. The Death Eater on the ground groaned as he struggled to his feet. Harry had to kill Riddle before the Death Eater got to him. He was still looking at the cabin and then made a split decision. He made a beeline for the cabin as Riddle screamed at his Death Eater to stop him. In two quick but painful moves, Harry pulled himself up onto the roof.

The cabins being so close together and their rooves being flat, Harry could leap to the next one in line and pass his opponent on the ground. He raced and leaped over one, building his momentum. He covered the next one in two strides, jumping and only just reaching the edge of the cabin. He stumbled but kept running, only having to cross over one more cabin before he was atop of Riddle. He started to leap but his back leg was knocked astray mid stride, which threw his balance off. He reached the roof of the cabin but without balance he toppled forward, curling his body up instinctively to roll to a stop.

Harry tumbled off of the roof. In desperation he threw out his left hand, grasping the guttering of the roof. Harry's body was stopped abruptly from its fall as his left hand held onto the edge, but in doing so, Harry heard a loud crack from his shoulder. Pain erupted from the shoulder and he lost the feeling in his hand and fingers. His fingers slipped and he dropped to the ground, shouting his pain out for everyone to hear. He lay sprawled on his back, moaning when the Death Eater came into view. He had clipped Harry's boot as he sailed over his head, which had thrown Harry off balance.

'Bring him to me,' Riddle's silky voice called out.

The Death Eater hauled Harry to his feet, flaring Harry's left shoulder with the movement. With his left arm dead at his side, Harry was out of options. He grunted as he was dragged to Riddle. In despair he looked around … and noticed Riddle's gun lying forgotten in the dirt metres away. He quickly looked away, not wanting to draw attention to it. His mind fought for clarity as he tried to think of a way to get it as subtlety as possible. He cringed at his formed plan but it required Harry to find strength he did not think he had anymore.

'Aren't you the diligent one,' Harry murmured to the Death Eater so Riddle couldn't hear. 'Obeying orders, just like your friends. It's a shame they couldn't be here to assist on your orders but hey, I guess they followed them right until I stopped their hearts with a simple knock to the chest and head.'

The Death Eater bellowed in rage, picking Harry up by the front of his shirt and punching him in the face. Harry was thrown backwards from the force, stunned and seeing stars. Hands wrapped around his throat as the Death Eater yelled incoherent obscenities. Harry's eyes popped open as his oxygen supply was cut off. The knock was still making Harry's head spin and he found himself blacking out. The Death Eaters rants suddenly stopped and his hands slackened their grip. Harry gasped for air as his strangler fell to the ground beside Harry, a blade protruding from his back. The first part of his plan had worked; it was the second part that would either save or kill him.

Harry tilted his head to his left, noticing he was about five metres from the gun. It was hidden under a clump of upturned grass. He sensed Riddle wandering over and knew he had to get closer to it if he stood a chance. His gaze fell to his shoulder. Even in the shadow of the cabin, Harry saw it was at the wrong angle. It throbbed from being popped out of place but Harry had to leave it that way for a little longer. Harry pushed his heels into the dirt, using his right arm to push himself towards the gun, his left dragging limply in his wake.

'You tell them specifically to do one thing and yet they still disobey you,' Riddle said angrily, gazing at the Death Eater. 'Oh Harry, are you leaving me already?'

Harry ignored the jibe, grunting as he struggled to move. Riddle's boot connected with Harry's side, sending him a metre closer. Harry choked in pain, turned and spat out a mixture of blood and saliva in Riddle's direction. Riddle laughed, grabbed Harry by his fringe, lifted him and punched him on the cheek. Harry flopped onto his stomach with another groan. Fighting unconsciousness, Harry reached out, grabbed a clump of grass and pulled himself closer to the gun.

'Where do you think you are going?' Riddle asked curiously.

'A little further,' Harry muttered to himself before answering Riddle. 'This is what you wanted, isn't it? Me, fleeing from you.'

'No,' Riddle said, crouching beside Harry's head. He grabbed the collar of Harry's jacket and pulled him up to whisper in his ear. 'I want you to beg, Potter.'

Harry spat out more blood, willing himself to hold on. Three more metres left.

'Beg, Potter. Beg for death. Beg! BEG! BEG!'

When Harry refused to answer, Riddle threw him away in disgust. Harry's head slammed into the ground with a moan of pain. He raised his head a little way from the ground and saw the gun lying there, waiting for him. Riddle had risen to his feet and kicked Harry to roll him over onto his back.

'Fine! You will watch as I cut your veins open and watch your filthy blood stain this ground,' Riddle snarled, a cruel knife in his hands. He had stepped forward so he was in-between Harry's legs, the knife raised over his head. It was time for Harry's last strike.

'No, Tom. I will watch you die when I put a bullet in your brain,' Harry murmured through his gasps for air.

Riddle paused, his eyes narrowed in confusion. Harry slowly drifted his eyes towards the direction of the gun and then back to Riddle. Riddle followed his gaze and his eyes widened momentarily in surprise. Harry only needed that second of distraction. With a grunt of effort, Harry swung his heavy legs up and across, taking Riddle's out from underneath him. Harry scrambled under Riddle's fallen body and crawled towards the gun. He could hear Riddle yelling and coming after him. One metre left. Harry's legs pushed him over that last metre as his arm desperately reached out. He grabbed the gun and turned in one movement. He flopped onto his back, the raised gun pointing directly where he had come from. Riddle was barrelling towards him on his hands and knees, knife raised ready to strike.

Harry and Riddle locked eyes and there was a second where time seemed to freeze. A frightened clarity crept into Riddle's eyes when he discovered his impending death. He didn't have time to backtrack or say anything else to Harry. He continued forward as any helpless man would, clinging to the chance that Harry might miss and he would still live. But Harry never missed. His finger squeezed against the trigger. The gun went off, knee-jerking Harry back towards the ground but his arm was firm and his aim was true. Riddle's head snapped back as the bullet passed through his skull.

Harry collapsed to the ground, breathing out sighs of sadness and relief. It was over, he thought repeatedly to himself. Riddle's tyranny had finally come to an end. He could rest now.

He closed his eyes and said to himself. 'At last.'

Now that he had stopped moving and his body was relaxing, the pains from his wounds intensified. Harry mostly ignored it by lying still, focusing on keeping his breathing even. Time passed as Harry tried desperately not to think about those who might have still been trapped in mansion but even he could not stop the tears that leaked from the corner of his eyes. He could hope that all survived but it would be in vain. Harry knew not everyone would have survived and felt guilty when he found himself wishing for only certain people to be alive.

Harry's breaths wheezed from his mouth and he had the distinct impression that he was, indeed, dying. The thought of death did not scare Harry as it had in the mansion, even though he denied it ever did. A breeze tickled his face, relieving his scars for a few seconds. He wondered if this was how Sirius had felt running towards the Death Eaters; this peaceful inner clarity. Somehow it cheered him to know Sirius wasn't afraid in his last seconds of life. He could feel the oncoming darkness reaching for him and this time, he let himself go towards it.

As he approached the darkness, he could hear his name being called. It was warped at first and then became clearer as it steadily got louder. He knew the owner of the voice, he was sure of it but he couldn't think of her name. He frowned as his name was called again by the same woman; this time it sounded as though it was right beside him. Other sounds reached his ears to; hurried footsteps, the swish of fabric against skin, sirens in the background. The darkness was receding and Harry almost wept as it left his clutches. He didn't want to face the pains of his body or the pains of his losses and yet deep down he knew he shouldn't shy away from it. He took a deep breath, readying himself for the next lot of struggling.

Dirt crunched beside his face and he inhaled the dusty air seconds later. He coughed and his good eye struggled to open. Blue sky, stained with smoke lay above him. He blinked at couple of times though it did nothing for the blurriness. He tilted his head, staring directly at the woman to his right. Recognition surged through Harry and his lips pulled back from his teeth. He winced from the sting his smile caused his lips.

'You found me,' he croaked out, coughing afterwards.

'Bloody hell,' Ginny breathed out, gazing up and down Harry's body.

Harry's vision was wobbly but he could see the hurt in her eyes when she looked back at his face. The shirt she was wearing was torn and ripped in several places, light scratches covered her arms. Her face was covered in shadow and locks of her hair had fallen away from the band. Harry reached out with his right arm, his movements slow and stiff. He wanted to brush the stray locks away to see her face but then he caught sight of his bloodied and dirt smeared hand and pulled it back slightly. She threaded her fingers between his before he could return it to his body and in doing so moved her head into the light.

'You're bleeding,' Harry observed, his smile vanishing. She had wiped the blood from her nose but there was a graze along her hairline and another beside her ear, both dripping with the remnants of blood. The cut to her neck had stopped too but there was a bruise forming under one of her eyes. He tried to lift his body up to her but he couldn't hold the weight on his good arm so he was left just lifting his head. He was talking as this all happened. 'Who did this? You need to see someone. Let me have a look.'

'Harry, Harry,' Ginny consoled. She gently coaxed him down to the ground. 'Stop moving around. You'll cause more damage to your injuries.'

Harry watched her as she deliberated her options. He wanted to smile again but the last effort of moving had exhausted him more than he had would like to admit. He wriggled his toes and then his fingers, groaning from the uncomfortable pain on his left arm. Ginny stopped muttering to herself and gazed to Harry, her eyes tightening. Harry pulled his hand out of hers and gingerly prodded his shoulder for the painful spots until Ginny made him stop. Fatigue threatened to engulf Harry as his eyelids drooped.

'Hey!' Ginny snapped sharply, clicking her fingers in front of Harry's face. Harry snapped his eyes open in surprise. 'Don't you dare close your eyes. We need to get you water and your shoulder … HERMIONE!'

Ginny yelled out for her friend, making Harry wince. Despite the reverberation of Ginny's screams in his head, elation washed through him. Hermione was alive and that would mean Ron had to be too. Ginny called out again and Harry groaned, clutching his head. She gave him an apologetic look but continued to yell. A couple of minutes later and Harry heard hastened footsteps rushing towards them. Harry tilted his head to the left, squinting from the sunlight that caught his eyes. Two shadows approached and blocked the sun before kneeling down beside him, both breathing heavily.

'Oh my …' Hermione said breathlessly.

'Bloody hell!' Ron exclaimed at the same time.

Harry grinned at his two friends. They were like Ginny; dirty, bruised and bloodied but alive and well enough to walk and talk. It made all of the pain and loss seem worth it, if only for those few precious seconds.

'We need to clean his wounds and fix his shoulder,' Ginny said without preamble.

'Fix?' Ron scoffed. 'They've bloody used him as punching bag!'

'Ron!' Ginny scolded.

'What? I'm sure he knows he looks awful.'

'Doesn't mean he has to hear it from his best friend!'

'Oh Harry, how many did you have to fight?' Hermione murmured while the two siblings bickered. She had bruises on her forehead and jawline that was almost hidden from the soot covering her face. A long gash ripped her shirt at the shoulder and was weeping.

'A few,' Harry croaked out. 'I had to kill more than I thought. I … I didn't want …'

Hermione placed her hand on his left arm, nodding in understanding. Harry blinked back his tears, looking up into the sky to clear them. Ginny had stopped arguing with Ron and Harry felt her fingers close around his hand again. Ron huffed out a breath and they all turned to him. He placed his hands up in a placating gesture, looking around them. His eye was closed up tight like Harry's, blood trailing down one of his nostrils. The right side of his head above his ear was soaked in blood and when he turned away, Harry glimpsed the blood soaked cloth covering the worst of his wound.

'Have you got an ambulance coming?' Ginny asked Hermione.

'Yeah. They're attending the others now but I could go and get some –.'

'No,' Harry interrupted. They stared at him. 'Let them be treated first. I'm –.'

'Insane?' Ron offered. 'Blimey Harry. You've taken such a beaten, your glasses are shattered.'

'Are they?' Harry asked in wonder. He pulled them off to inspect the damage, laughed and placed them back on the bridge of his nose. 'No wonder my vision was blurry.' He laughed tiredly again and the others raised their eyebrows.

'We need to fix your shoulder,' Hermione said.

'Can you?' Ginny asked.

'I've read about it,' she replied hesitantly. 'I'm not sure though …'

'You'll be right,' Ron encouraged. 'Harry's already banged up anyway, if you get it wrong I'm sure he won't care.' Both girls glared at him and he fell silent.

'Just do the best you can,' Harry told her.

Hermione took a deep breath, scooted closer and placed her hands on his shoulder. She told Ron to grab Harry's hand so he could pull it down as Hermione pushed it back. Ginny cradled Harry's head in her lap, her arm wrapped around his chest.

'Okay,' Hermione breathed out. She looked nervous. When she faced Harry, he gave her a reassuring smile and nod. She gave him a swift anxious smile in return. 'On three, Harry.' Harry took a deep breath, facing straight up. Ginny's arm squeezed his chest. 'One …'

They was a loud crack and pop, followed by an excruciating pain in his shoulder. Harry yelled, his eyes squeezing tightly shut in response. Ginny held him down as he kicked and squirmed, her face pained. Ron leapt onto his legs once he started thrashing, Hermione apologising over his screams. Eventually Harry calmed down, tears trickling from his eyes. He wiggled his left fingers and they obeyed without pain. Harry took deep breaths, nodding to Ron and Ginny so they could release their iron-like grip on him.

'Are you … okay?' Hermione asked, her hands wringing together in front of her.

'You need to relearn how to count, Hermione,' Harry chuckled weakly.

She smiled at him and it was then that they heard the sirens. An ambulance van pulled up a few minutes later, the driver speaking to Ron and Hermione while two other attendants treated Harry. He still had all of his teeth but his lip was split in a couple of places. His nose was broken and possibly a cheekbone too from the swelling of his eye. They helped him take off his jacket, cautiously manoeuvring around his shoulder so they could place it in a sling. The cut to his bicep was still firmly wrapped up in Ginny's makeshift bandage but every other part of his arms and legs were peppered with aches. His knuckles were split and bleeding; his blood mixing with the dirt covering his entire body. Several ribs were deemed cracked or broken after opening his shirt to find his chest and stomach a palette of reds and purples. His breathing was still laboured and they thought it might mean his lung was close to collapsing.

Ginny was ushered to the side while Harry was examined and he made the second officer attend to her. Harry was pulled onto a gurney after Ginny threatened to tie him on if he didn't get on willingly. He refused to wear the oxygen mask which only caused a slight protest from Ginny. Harry grew suspicious after she had a quiet word to the officers and they agreed also. Ron and Hermione came around to him just before he was pushed up into the van, making him forget his suspicions.

'The others?' Harry asked tiredly.

'We'll look after them with Kingsley and everything else here,' Ron replied. 'The government officials have most of this under control. They just want us to tie up a few loose ends on our part. You deserve a break, mate. No offence, but you look dead on your, well, back.'

Harry laughed. 'Thanks. Make sure you guys get looked at, yeah?' He waited until they nodded before continuing. 'What do we know of remaining Death Eaters?'

'They are getting round up or else becoming the police's number one priority,' Hermione supplied.

'And … casualties?' Harry pressed.

Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance and Harry's stomach dropped. Hermione turned back to him, smiling in a sad way.

'We aren't sure yet,' Hermione said. 'Kingsley took charge when we heard you had killed Riddle but was incapacitated. Ginny freaked out and ran to find you before we could go with her. He just sent word with the officers to wait until you got some treatment and he would discuss it with all of us later. Just get some rest.'

'But …' Harry began to say but after a nod from Ron the officers pulled Harry into the back of the van.

Harry looked at his two friends until the doors shut, blocking them from his view. He craned his neck as they began to drive away but the officer made him lie back down flat. Harry glared at him but obeyed.

'They know what they are doing, Harry,' Ginny said softly beside him. The cut to her forehead was being cleaned and covered.

'Yeah but those people went in there for me, for us. Why should I live when they died?'

'They died fighting for freedom and you gave it to them. Even when you were weakened, you met Riddle and you stopped him. You gave everyone a new chance of a better life. I say that's deserving of a second chance too.'

Harry stared at her. The grief and guilt for the unknown dead friends would always be there; it would be a burden he would carry forever but maybe, just maybe he could try and start a new life. And he knew exactly who he wanted to start it with. As if sensing his thoughts, she reached out and took his hand, squeezing it. He squeezed it back and then gasped as he felt a prick to his side. He turned to see the attendant pulling a needle away from his skin. He turned and glared at Ginny, already feeling the tendrils of the drug working.

Ginny smirked and squeezed his hand again. 'How else were we going to get you to put on the oxygen mask?'

Harry went to say something but his vision became blurry. He drifted off into sleep, wondering how he was ever going to live with a Weasley for the rest of his life. And then he realised he could probably live with that particular Weasley, quite well.