Chapter 20: The Final Battle

By the time the sun went down, Voldemort's Army had arrived. It was nearly a thousand strong. Harry had amassed nearly four hundred fighters, including Ministry Aurors, DA members who were old enough to fight, students who were old enough to fight, and Order members.

When the time came, Harry walked at the front of his Army, accompanied by Remus, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione. Neville and Luna were ready as well, having come in early as soon as they got the message from Ron about the coming battle.

Voldemort glared across at Harry, as they waited.

"Now Harry," Voldemort said, as they stood face to face. "You know you're outnumbered."

"Yes I do, Tom Riddle."

"How dare…"

"Tom, you're all about pure bloods, when you're a bloody half blood hypocrite!"

"So Dumbledore told you a little about my past did he? Well that's not enough. You know I'm immortal."

"No, Tom, you're not. Your horcruxes were destroyed. The diary, the Marvolo's ring, Hufflepuff's cup, Slytherin's Locket, Ravenclaw's Diadem, and Nagini. Now the only piece of your soul left is inside of you."

Tom recoiled in a moment of shock.

"Yes Tom, we knew about that. That's what we were doing this morning when you caught us."

"I thought you only knew about a few of them."

"No, Tom," Harry said. "We knew about all of them."

"I guess it's time, Harry," Voldemort said.

Voldemort shot sparks out of his wand, and the battle was on.

Harry had to duel a half dozen Death Eaters immediately. They were ganging up on him, but he was holding his own. He couldn't worry about Ginny and the others, and he knew there would be losses. It was just a matter of who would get killed.

He shot stunning curses, and anything else he could think of at a fast rate. In the battlements above, the students who had come back early were watching the battle, and ducking. Many had sneaked out past the prefects and older students sent to watch them, and were cheering Harry and the others on.

Harry ran toward Ginny when he saw her get hit by a stunner. He stunned the Death Eater and then got Ginny up. She shook her head while he shielded her, and then she stunned a Death Eater shooting at Harry.

"Watch yourself, Harry," Ginny said, as she darted off to help her mother battle six Death Eaters.

Mrs. Weasley hadn't wanted Ginny in the battle, but Harry had told her that she was the only hope if he got killed. She took that with a grain of silence and had hugged the both of them, admonishing them to be careful.

When Harry saw Dementors, he immediately conjured up his Patronus, and it charged to the Dementors, joined by a Doe, a Jack Russell Terrier, and an Otter, the Patronuses of Ginny, Ron, and Hermione.

The Dementors were destroyed by the four Patronuses; especially after Harry had done research into making the Patronus even stronger, having altered the process a little.

He turned and dodged a Death Eater, firing stunning hexes at him. Harry looked for Voldemort, and saw Voldemort shoot a green light at Scrimgeour, who fell.

Heading that way, Harry fended off attacks from over a dozen Death Eaters as he fought to get to Voldemort. The snake was running around, trying to kill as many of Harry's supporters as possible.

He saw Mad Eye go down next, after dueling with Voldemort for a moment before two Death Eaters got him from behind.

Harry was getting angry, but he did his best to shut out the anger and focus on the love for those he lost.

He finally caught up with Voldemort, shooting a jinx at him. Voldemort deflected it and turned to face Harry.

"Now we should battle," Voldemort said, starting to shoot hexes at Harry faster than Harry had ever seen.

Harry dodged them and deflected them. He even found time to shoot his own jinxes at Voldemort and the Death Eaters who were fighting to get to Harry.

As the duel raged, Harry barely noticed the other battles calm down as the Death Eaters and his allies started to watch the fierce battle between the two leaders.

Ginny made her way near Harry, and she used her connection.

Harry, Ron's been hurt.

He's ok.

Right.

Harry nodded and then continued to fire jinxes. He wasn't aware that just yards from him lay the body of Percy Weasley, who'd been killed shielding Ginny from a Killing Curse shot by Voldemort.

He had to focus his attention on Voldemort as the battles around him waxed and waned.

From her position, Ginny and Hermione were keeping Death Eaters from trying to sneak up on Harry and hit him from behind. They were doing that to make sure that Voldemort didn't cheat. Now, Voldemort was looking really fierce. But so was Harry.

This battle lasted longer than any of the others, as the two dueled for what seemed like hours.

As it still raged after an hour into the duel, people were stopped in awe at the two duelers, who were still going at it, though visibly tiring.

Voldemort shot a curse at Harry, and it hit him.

The Death Eaters cheered, as it had been the killing curse. But they got scared when Harry jumped back up again, shocking everyone.

"Well, Voldy," Harry said, smugly. "Guess what? I'm immortal as long as you're alive."

"Impossible," he breathed toward Harry.

"No," Harry said. "When you used Dark Magic and my blood to make you whole again, you put my mother's protection in you. As long as you live, I shall live. But you are mortal."

"Can't be," Voldemort said, as they paused to chat. And so Harry could plan his next moves.

"It's true, Tom," Harry said. "You've underestimated ancient magic and love again."

"Love never gets you anything!"

"It gets you a lot, Tom. Loyalty based off of love is a million times better than loyalty based off of fear."

"I have many more followers than you."

"It's true you may outnumber us," Harry said, as the two circled in the middle of the throng watching them. "But as long as two of us are still together and held together by love, I think that you will always have an enemy. You've torn apart too many families and I think it's time for you to stop."

Harry heard the cheer from his supporters.

"Ha," Voldemort said. "You think love can get you here. Yes your mother's foolish sacrifice left you alive and made it where I had to wait a while to finish my domination of Britain. But do you actually think that you can win against me? I know a lot more magic that you do."

"I have love on my side, Tom," Harry said. "And love will win it."

"Avada…" Tom yelled.

But before he could finish, Ginny, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Luna all fired stunners at him, with Harry and Ginny having anticipated Voldemort's fatal move. Harry added Expelliarmus to the mix, and soon, he saw Voldemort scream as the seven curses hit him.

His wand flew up into the air and Harry gracefully caught it as Voldemort continued to fall back, having been thrown into the air by the power of the curses. Everyone watched as the Dark Lord's body hit the ground with a thud. He didn't move.

After a shocking moment of silence, the area sounded with cheers. Death Eaters and surviving members of Voldemort's army tried to run, but they ran into other wizards who had come up from behind them.

Thanks to Ginny, an anti-apparition ward was strongly in place.

The Death Eaters were quickly captured after brief battles. But they were severely outnumbered by those who fought with Harry.

Harry saw that and he felt his knees go weak.

"HARRY!" Ginny yelled, throwing her arms around him as others did the same.

Harry smiled and kissed Ginny.

It was over. After he got his strength back, Harry walked over to Kingsley, who was hobbling along with the help of Tonks and Remus, both of whom were covered in blood as well.

"Are you ok," Harry asked.

"I'm fine," Kingsley said, looking at Harry. "Well done, Harry. Well done."

"Thank you, Kingsley."

Harry held up Voldemort's wand.

"What about the Dark Mark he cast?"

"Right," Harry said, looking up. "Ron, Neville, Hermione, Ginny, Luna?"

The five ran up, with Ron and Neville hobbling, helped along by Hermione and Luna.

"Harry?"

"The others are waiting for the signal."

"What signal?"

"Put your wand tips to mine and put your hands on me," Harry instructed.

When they did so, Harry thought the incantation he wanted, and they all watched as a large, brightly colored phoenix shot from the wands, rushing toward the Dark Mark.

Across the battlefield, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, looked up at the phoenix, as did a lot of other people. It sliced through the Dark Mark, causing it to explode.

When the sky was dark again, in the place of the Dark Mark was a giant phoenix, with the crest of Hogwarts on its chest.

There were more cheers when they saw the new mark in the sky. Brightly colored sparks from numerous wands shot into the air in celebration.

Harry collapsed again as he saw Snape's body and Percy's body. Ginny wrapped her arms around him.

"Percy saved my life," Ginny said. "He jumped in front of me and took the killing curse."

Harry sobbed, and for the first time in his life, he didn't care who saw him crying. It was over, but at a great cost.

Slowly, Harry got up and then walked into the school. He needed to rest. He found the Common Room empty, and went to his bed. Ginny slipped into the bed with him, and held him close as he sobbed again. She couldn't help but shed her own tears.

So far, the death toll stood at seventy eight, including Snape, Percy, several Hogwarts' students, and numerous other wizards and witches Harry had never even met.

He felt each of those deaths tugging on his heart as he sobbed, and he knew that he had to get over this.

Besides, he had to avoid the reporters.

When daylight arrived, Harry awoke and got into the shower. He looked over at Ginny, who was still peacefully sleeping when he got out of the shower.

"Thank God," He said, looking at her. "We can sleep at night now."

"Yes we can," Ginny mumbled, stretching.

"Sorry," Harry said.

"Don't be," Ginny said, looking at him. "What are we doing today?"

"Well, I want to go see the casualty list."

Ginny nodded.

"And we must see Mum and Dad. They've got to be having a hard time right now."

"I know," Harry said softly. "A lot of families are going to have a hard time."

When they got to the Head's Common Room, Ron and Hermione were surrounded by Ron's family. Mrs. Weasley, who was sobbing, ran over to embrace Harry. He wrapped his arms around her, not wanting this moment to end. This was one of the things he'd been missing all of his years since his parents died.

She let go, and Harry walked over and looked at Ron. He looked like he'd been crying, but then again, Harry had done the same thing the night before.

"How do you feel, Harry," Hermione asked, voicing the question everyone wanted to know. "You just disappeared last night."

"Well, you know," Harry said. "I kind of feel guilty…"

"No you don't start that," Ginny said, looking at Harry. "You can't start that."

Soon, Ginny was retching in the wastebasket that Harry conjured, surprised at her.

"Ginny, what's wrong," Hermione asked.

"I don't know," Ginny said. "I've been doing this for the last two weeks."

"Last two weeks?"

"Yes, Hermione," Ginny said, right before she threw up again.

Harry saw the look on Mr. Weasley's face.

"Harry, can I talk to you?"

"Sure," Harry said, as the man looked up and walked into Harry's room.

"She's been throwing up like that?"

"Yeah. I've been surprised, but it seems to be a morning thing."

"A morning thing? Well, I think you should take her to the Hospital Wing."

Then it dawned on Harry.

"Are you thinking…"

Mr. Weasley nodded.

"Yes."

Harry looked at the man stunned for a moment.

"Maybe I will," Harry said.

As he took Ginny off, Hermione looked at him and smiled.

"What's that for," Ron asked, surprised. "And she hasn't been doing that in front of us."

"Of course not, Ron," Hermione said. "Harry told me about it a couple of nights ago because he was worried."

When they got to the hospital wing, Harry saw Madam Pomfrey.

"What's going on?"

"Ginny's been throwing up in the mornings for the past three weeks," Harry said.

The woman looked at Ginny and smiled.

"Well, you can lay back here and I have a test I want to run."

"Ok," Ginny said, looking at Harry. "What do you think it is?"

"Well, your father said it could be a child."

"Wait? A child?"

"Yes," Harry said, softly.

Ginny grinned.

"I don't know if I can handle throwing up, but wouldn't that be great news?"

"It sure would," Harry said, looking at her. "Signaling a return to normalcy."

After Madam Pomfrey ran a few tests, Ginny was given the results. She told Harry, and they headed to the Great Hall, where her family would be.

There were a lot of people there, and Harry was soon mobbed by people. He was muttering and Ginny knew he was getting upset.

When he sat down, he grabbed some of the food on the table and started to eat.

"Slow down, Ginny," Ron said. "You're going to get fat."

Ginny glared at him, her eyes blazing.

"Ron, I'd shut up if I were you," Bill said, seeing how Ginny looked.

"Why, Bill?"

"Yeah," Harry said. "You don't want to get a pregnant woman on your bad side."

After a moment of stunned silence, Mrs. Weasley reached over and hugged her daughter. She had happy tears in her eyes this morning, something that some people were more than happy to see.

Mr. Weasley looked at Harry.

"If you need advice, come talk to me. I've been through this once or twice."

The Weasley's laughed at Mr. Weasley's comment.

"So, who's the new Minister of Magic?"

Mr. Weasley looked at Harry for a moment.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt."

"That's great," Harry said.

"Yes it is. And he has a tough job rebuilding the communities."

"Yes," Harry said. "And, I'm sorry to say, too many funerals."

Mr. Weasley nodded solemnly.

"Sorry," Harry said, when he saw Mrs. Weasley's face.

"Harry, it's ok," the woman said, wiping her eyes. "It's just too much to handle right now."

Harry nodded.

"Say, after we get out of here for school, why don't we take a vacation? I'm sure all of use could use one."

"Good idea, Harry," Ron said. "But who's going to pay for it?"

"Harry, can I talk to you for a moment?"

Harry nodded and stood up to follow Kingsley.

When he got to the side, Kingsley spoke.

"You know, I'm the new Minister…"

"Congratulations," Harry said, shaking the man's hand.

"Thanks, Harry. And I want to thank you too."

"For what?"

"For everything," Kingsley said. "Your plan allowed us to capture or kill every Death Eater. And you killed Voldemort."

"I had help from a few others," Harry said. "You saw that."

"I know. I just want you to know that you and the others will split the reward money that we offered for Voldemort."

"Minister…"

"You can call me Kingsley, Harry."

"Kingsley, I've got a good enough reward," Harry said, looking over at Ginny, who smiled at him.

"I see that," Kingsley said, with a smile. "But Hogwarts will open in a few days, after people have time to mourn the losses. We want things to return to normal as soon as possible."

"I understand," Harry said. "What's going to happen to Voldemort's wand?"

"It's been destroyed," Kingsley said. "Ollivander was found at Malfoy Manor, and he was more than happy to help us destroy it for good."

"Great," Harry said. "About my share of the reward money?"

"Yes?"

"Is there any way it can be donated to St. Mungo's and then to Hogwarts?"

"Of course," Kingsley said. "A wise choice."

"I don't need the money. I've got enough, and I'll be glad to earn a living by working."

"I know you will, Harry. But I happened to overhear you talking about a vacation. Could we use part of that to send you and the Weasley's on an all expense paid trip to a place of your choice?"

"Yes," Harry said. "You can."

A moment later, Ginny looked at Harry and nodded to him.

"Kingsley, Ginny wants her share donated as well."

"I can do that. In who's name?"

"How about in the name of those who were killed during the battle, my parents, Dumbledore, and the others who lost their lives as a result of Voldemort and his followers."

"I agree with that."