Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter; if I did, I'd surely be in heaven!

A/N: Again, a repost! Enjoy the additions and review!

It Ends Now

Part 3: "Duel"

"Let us finish what we began the night of my return, Harry Potter."

Voldemort's nostrils dilated in excitement, and his spindly fingers danced on the wood of his wand.

"Snape, give the boy his wand. Prepare for your demise, Potter!"

A hooded Death Eater moved forward slowly. A mask secreted his entire visage, but for two slits revealing obsidian eyes. Harry immediately recognized those onyx depths, neutral in their emotion, and endeavored to make eye contact with his professor. So many questions ran through his head in an unintelligible whirl. He needed reassurance from the spy... Was the Order on their way? Soon? Was he trying to help Harry, or hinder? Unfortunately, the only way Harry could pass on his inquiries was through desperate Legilimency, but Severus Snape kept averting his face.

Snape bent down, picked up Harry's wand, and shoved it into his shaking hand. Harry tried, in a last-ditch attempt, to meet the man's eyes. In the second it took for Snape to straighten up, he stared into Harry's frightened green pupils. Harry couldn't decipher the mixture of things floating around in the Potions master's almost raven-hued orbs. The man didn't even spare one sign of recognition for him, the git! Then, their connection was lost as Snape dropped his head. He swiveled, gave the Dark Lord a bow of obeisance, then glided backwards into the crowd of Voldemort's cronies. Harry completely ignored the wand now safely tucked into his grip. He searched out Snape's erect figure, and stared imploringly into his countenance. Their eyes became affixed once more, and Harry breathed a sigh of relief. He was finally given the spark and slight nod of reassurance he'd been pursuing. So did that mean the Order had been contacted? Were they on their way?

A small flare of hope sprung up in Harry… he must try to survive… and was that a tiny allusion of fear hiding in Snape's ebony orbs? Harry had no more time to ponder as Voldemort hissed:

"Let us duel, Potter. Get up, now."

Harry had no choice; he inched up the wall, clutching at the mortar for support on his shaking knees.

"Avada-"

"Expelliarmus!" Harry shouted instantly, swishing his wand like he wielded a whip. The brother wand flew out of its charge's skeletal hand. The skill with which Harry performed the feat was suddenly a cause for worry to his archnemesis. Harry observed, for a brief moment, Voldemort's hesitation. Then it was gone; wiped away by a sneering smile. Voldemort fixated his gaze on the boy again.

"'Expelliarmus'?" Voldemort chuckled, wordlessly charming his wand back into his hand. Harry felt his resolve and strength waning. He grappled at the wall again, hands roving the brick for a place to cling to. "A signature move for you, isn't it? Harry, that spell is for children! But it seems... I underestimated you. You have grown stronger since our last encounter; you pack more power behind your words. No matter, no matter... it will only make it all the more fun to destroy you. Let us play harder…"

Harry bit his lip. His vision blurred; were there two Voldemorts? He was losing it; he was going to black out soon. So much exhaustion was creeping into his limbs!

"Crucio!"

While Harry had been in anxious reverie, Voldemort struck again. He felt the intense, unbearable pain for the second time that night. It was like electricity shooting through his spine, bursting out white-hot everywhere. Harry screamed louder than he'd ever screamed; he could actually feel the hate coursing through the curse.

The pain stopped quicker than usual, and Harry heard other yells besides his dying ones. What was going on?

But then he knew, even through the haze in his mind, that the Order had come at last.

Black invaded Harry's eyesight again and he felt his lids fighting to close. His awareness, fatigued and dull, altercated with his brain to sink into eternal space. Oh, how he battled to stay conscious! What was going on? Chaos ensued all around; a blur of loud pandemonium. Spells and curses flew in every direction, including over Harry's head and crashing into the wall, causing large dents. Harry pushed himself across the ground, crawling and creeping like a baby as he tried to get away. Didn't anyone notice him? He coughed up more blood-

"Impedimenta!"

Harry found himself twirling through thin air and being slammed against the wall. Stars erupted in front of his eyes. Then someone was strangling him, hot breath on his face and muscled hands tight round his throat. He choked in surprise and lack of oxygen.

"Time to die, Potter," Lucius Malfoy's chilling voice growled into his face. Harry struggled- he needed help; anyone! But they were all dueling; did they even notice he was dying here?

The breath was leaving the seeker and red dots began winking at him in front of his vision. Suddenly, the pressure lifted and Lucius fell back, stupefied. Remus Lupin was running at Harry. Harry felt himself falling; crumbling to the ground and unable to hold himself up anymore. He was too weak to fight the pain...

"Harry! Harry! Are you all right? Harry! Answer me!"

But the blackness finally won and Harry did not answer. Remus' face blanked out and so did his voice, then all was dark.

A/N: Thanks for all the great reviews, but I'd love more! Tee hee :-D

Chapter four's edit to come ASAP.

AngelMoon Girl