"Stupefy!"
"Crucio!"
"Protego!"
"Avada kedavra!"
"Look out!" Remus and Bill jumped away from the curse's path. They had managed to get all the students out of the Great Hall, but Remus and Bill had not made it out. Fenrir Greyback had blocked the exit and sealed the door.
"Give up, Lupin. You've never been able to beat me before. What makes you think you will now?" Greyback sneered.
"I'm ready to have the good world back. Everyone is," Remus replied.
"We're not ready to leave just yet. We like it here."
"You don't have a choice anymore," Bill said.
"Avada Kedavra!" Greyback shouted. Bill ducked.
"Stupefy!"
"Expelliarmus!"
"Let us in!" one of the twins yelled, pounding on the Great Hall doors.
"Use the counter curse!" Remus shouted, deflecting a torture curse.
"For what?" a twin yelled again.
"For 'Col-" Remus fell to the floor screaming as Greyback tortured him.
"Remus! Are you okay?" a twin yelled. The spell had been lifted, leaving Remus breathless and weak.
"Counter 'Collop-" Bill tried but was hit with a Disarming Charm in the chest and thrown into a wall. He was unconscious.
"You're all alone, Lupin. Like always." Greyback pointed his wand at Remus who stared up at him.
"Yeah, I have more experience defending myself now than when I was seven."
"That won't help. Avada-"
"Sectumsempra!" Remus yelled. Greyback fell to the ground, his blood pooling around him. Remus stood up and stared at the dying man, watching him take his last breath.
"How can it be you? It doesn't make sense," Ron frowned.
"Yes, it does. That's why my connection with Voldemort is so strong. It's why I can feel him, his emotions. Why the Sorting Hat said I belonged in Slytherin," Harry replied.
"But why would Voldemort want to kill you if you're a Horcrux? He'd be destroying a part of himself," Hermione stated.
"He never meant to make me a Horcrux."
"How is that possible?" Hermione furrowed her eyebrows.
"When he killed my parents, he created the seventh Horcrux, the strongest of all of them. When he tried to kill me, and failed, he transferred some powers to me. It included the Horcrux. My scar is kind of the visible part of the Horcrux. Since a part of Voldemort's soul is in mine, we're connected. Because of the Horcrux, I can feel him. He unintentionally made me a Horcrux," Harry explained.
"So what do we do?" Ron asked.
"Well, we can use the Elder Wand now, but I could die. There's another way. In a way, only Voldemort can destroy it," Harry said.
"You're not saying-Harry, no. That's suicide. Voldemort will actually kill you," Hermione shook her head.
"Probably," Harry nodded.
"No. We won't let you. We're doing this together," Hermione said firmly.
"I can't let you come with me. This time I have to go alone," Harry told her.
"But, Harry-" Hermione began.
"No, Hermione. I have to do this alone. I won't let you two risk your lives by facing Voldemort. Besides, I'm the one who has to kill him. You can't come with me," Harry said. Hermione and Ron stared at him as he sat down, picking up a book.
"Bill? Bill, are you all right?" Remus shook the younger wizard.
"Open the door!"
"Let us in!"
"Are you all right?" Everyone outside the Great Hall was yelling and pounding on the still magically sealed doors.
"I'm all right, I'm okay. Let everyone in," Bill told Remus who nodded and went to the double oak doors. He waved his wand and the doors clicked open.
"Remus!" one of the twins exclaimed.
"Bill! Are you okay?" the other ran to his older brother.
"I'm fine. Help me up, George," Bill nodded and George helped him up.
"What happened?" Fred asked as they all looked around, their gazes landing on Greyback's lifeless body.
"We were getting some students out of here then Greyback locked us in. He tortured me and knocked Bill out. I was one word away from being killed. I hit him with 'Sectumsempra' before he could finish the curse," Remus replied.
"At least you're all right. We got a few from Gryffindor Tower. Dean, Alicia, and Neville. We saw and stunned a few Slytherins that tried to attack us. We didn't see anyone else," George said.
"Let's get these kids outside. They can head down to the village," Remus said.
"Remus? Bill? Fred, George?" a woman spoke from the door.
"Minerva," Remus stated as they all turned.
"What are you four doing here? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is here?" McGonagall replied.
"Believe me, we know," Bill nodded.
McGonagall looked around Remus at Greyback. "Oh my!"
"We're here to help. Sirius and Kingsley are here somewhere too. We're trying to get all the students out to the grounds so they can run down to Hogsmeade," Remus explained to her.
"Where is everyone?" Fred asked.
"Classes. Except a few students and the professors. They're in the Room of Requirement. I've been trying to find students to help as well," McGonagall told them.
"How can classes be going on if the professors aren't teaching?" George wondered.
"Death Eaters teach the classes, not us," McGonagall replied.
"Of course. We have to get everyone out of here," Remus said. "Fred, George, and Bill. Get everyone here outside and round up those that were in the Entrance Hall. Minerva and I will get the other students," he instructed.
"There are third years in Charms. Fifth years in Defence. Second years in Transfiguration. Seventh years in History. There will be some in the common rooms as well," McGonagall informed.
"Let's stop the classes first," Remus headed for the Charms class with the Transfiguration professor. They arrived and Remus peeked in. A Death Eater he didn't recognize was demonstrating transfiguring a piece of rope into a snake. The class was full of third year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. "How are we going to get the kids out?"
"We'll have to fight," McGonagall said. "We need at least two leaders to get the groups out safely."
"We'll choose two and make everyone listen to them. Under the circumstances, I think they'll do anything," Remus answered. "Let's go." He and McGonagall jumped into the class. The startled Death Eaters dropped his newly transfigured rattlesnake and grabbed his wand. McGonagall waved hers and the snake was once again rope. The students screamed and ducked as spells began flying.
"Here's some drinks," Harry handed his friends glasses of water.
"Thanks, Harry," Hermione smiled. Harry nodded and sat back down. It hadn't been long since they discovered Harry was the last Horcrux. They hadn't really spoken either. Ron waved his wand around, producing a ribbon and playing with it. Hermione gazed around, staring at Harry every now and then. Harry had an open book and was reading.
"What's happening now?" Ron asked.
"I don't know," Harry said. He did know though but wasn't about to tell them that. He sipped his water and watched as Ron and Hermione drained theirs. He had slipped a mild Sleeping Potion into their drinks. It would only last about fifteen to twenty minutes, but it was plenty of time. He pretended to read as he saw their eyelids droop. After a couple minutes, his friends were asleep. Harry sighed and stood up. He left the book open and placed his wand in the crease. He walked to the cave entrance. Giving Ron and Hermione one last sad glance, Harry headed up the snow covered trail to the village.
Harry stopped and stared at the school in the distance. The towers were still in flames and the Dark Mark seemed to be glowing more brightly against the dark billowing smoke. He took a deep breath and began walking. He stared straight ahead as he passed the small shops. After a few minutes, he arrived at the gates and pushed through. Before he walked all the way through, he saw movement by the forest. Harry frowned and slowly walked towards the Forbidden Forest.
Harry looked around. He could feel something wasn't right. There was someone nearby. His eyes narrowed at a figure at the edge of the dark forest. Harry suppressed the cry of pain that threatened to escape as his scar exploded in pain.
"Hello," a high, cruel voice said. Harry pulled the Elder Wand from his pocket.
"Harry!" Ron and Hermione yelled. Harry turned in time to see the gate slam close. They were on the opposite side, unable to get to Harry. Harry turned back to Voldemort.
"This fight doesn't involve anyone else," Voldemort said, still staying in the shadows.
"I know," Harry stated.
"Harry!" Hermione screamed. Harry turned again. Hermione was alone. "Ron went to get help!" She was pulling on the bars as if they would crumble under the force.
"No one will get through the gates. Everyone will have to watch you die," Voldemort finally stepped forward. "Here comes our audience now." Harry watched as a large mass came running out of the school. He picked out Ron and Professor McGonagall. There were many students and all the professors. He immediately saw Hagrid. He gasped when he saw Sirius and Remus beside Ron and Hermione.
"Harry!" many were screaming his name. Harry made eye contact with his uncles then turned back to the dark wizard before him.
"You know you're going to die, Harry Potter. You didn't complete the task set for you," Voldemort said.
"But I did," Harry replied. He turned to the gate for the third time as people screamed. Death Eaters had joined the watching group. "I destroyed the Horcruxes."
"Only six."
"True, but I know the seventh," Harry's hand tightened on the Elder Wand.
"So what is it?"
"It's me."
"So you figured it out. You didn't destroy it. Destroying it will kill you," Voldemort said.
"Yeah. I know that," Harry nodded. "What are you waiting for? You have me. Just like you've wanted the past seventeen years," he replied.
"Harry!"
"No!"
"Harry, stop!"
Harry ignored the frantic yells behind him. He kept his eyes on Voldemort who smirked. "All that work for nothing. Your parents' sacrifice was for nothing."
"At least I tried. Trying is better than sitting back and waiting," Harry shrugged.
"Goodbye, Harry Potter. The game is over," Voldemort raised his wand and Harry shut his eyes.
"HARRY!" everyone beyond the sealed gates cried. Harry could hear sobs.
"Avada Kedavra!" Voldemort shouted.
"NO! HARRY!" screams echoed as the curse hit Harry in the chest. Voldemort and the Death Eaters laughed as Harry hit the ground.
Harry opened his eyes. He would have looked around at his surroundings, had there been any. Everything was white. "Am I dead?"
"Not quite," a familiar voice said behind him.
"Professor Dumbledore?" Harry turned to face his former headmaster.
"Hello, Harry," Dumbledore smiled.
"Are you sure I'm not dead? Last I knew, you were dead," Harry frowned.
"I am dead but you are not. We are in the border line between life and death," Dumbledore replied.
"Why are you here?"
"I, along with many others, have gathered here to wait for you."
"You knew Voldemort would win?"
"No, I knew you would let Voldemort win to try save those who love you. Example, Remus and Sirius or Ron and Hermione. There was no real defeat. You didn't fight. You let him take you." Dumbledore waved his hand and a circle appeared, a picture taking form inside. Ron and Hermione, crying, were in the embraces of Remus and Sirius. They, too, were crying. The picture changed. Fred and George had their heads bowed, but Harry could see the glistening tears. The picture changed multiple times, each showing someone crying. Finally a last picture appeared. It was of everyone at the gates. Death Eaters were hitting everyone with cutting curses while Voldemort laughed. "Because you chose to allow Voldemort to kill you to protect them, they will be broken forever."
"But, now I won't keep them in danger. They should be happy." Harry looked at Dumbledore.
"Should they?"
"Well, yeah-I mean-I don't know."
"They all love you dearly."
"Yeah, what does that have to do with anything?"
"You don't realize how much you mean to them. Because they love you so, how can they live on being happy when you're gone?"
"They should."
"Would you be able to live happily if they were gone? Even if only one was gone? For example, Remus. Or Hermione?" Dumbledore stated.
"That's different."
"How so?"
"Because. Because of who I am, I've had to deal with loss my whole life. The loss of people I know, people I don't, people I like, and people I hate. Like Snape. I hated him, but when he died, I was sad because someone else I knew died because of me."
"Because of who you are, they will have to try deal with the loss of you. The one person that means more to Remus and Sirius than the air they breathe or the ground they walk on. You giving yourself up doesn't make things easier for them. It makes things just that much harder."
"But-"
"I know all your life you've felt that if you were gone, the danger would disappear from around your loved ones. I'll tell you this. Everything will be harder for them now because Voldemort is in control. Hermione will not see her next birthday. The Weasleys will only have a few months. As for Remus and Sirius, they won't be killed, but they'll wish they were dead. They will be tortured for life. Tortured like you were in your fifth year. Hagrid will be enslaved. I don't see any of that happening while you're there," Dumbledore explained the fate of Harry's friends and family. Harry looked down sadly.
"How come I'm not dead? Voldemort hit me with the Killing Curse," Harry asked.
"All those people watching love you. They've created a temporary shield. The Horcrux is also saving you."
"A Horcrux is saving me?"
"Yes. So far, the curse has only destroyed the Horcrux. In a matter of time, however, the curse will succeed in killing you."
"So I'm not dead but I'm not alive either. What can I do in the border line?" Harry wondered.
"Make your choice. Choose your fate and the fate of those around you," Dumbledore replied.
"What do you mean?"
"I'll let some others explain," Dumbledore smiled. Harry frowned at the random door Dumbledore opened.
"Hi, Harry," someone greeted.
Harry gaped at the sight in front of him. There were his parents, Ted Tonks, Alastor (Mad-Eye) Moody, Lee Jordan, all those who had died in the attack on Hogwarts, at his sixteenth birthday party, and so many others who had lost their lives in the war. "What are you all doing here?"
"Waiting for you," Lily Potter smiled.
"But why?"
"To explain your choices, of course. Didn't Dumbledore tell you that?" Cho Chang grinned.
"Before you explain anything, I want to say how much I miss all of you and I'm sorry for what's happened."
"None of this was your fault, Harry. You have nothing to apologize for," Lee Jordan told him.
"You're starting to sound like Remus and Sirius," Harry smiled and everyone laughed.
"They've done amazing at raising you, Harry," James Potter praised.
"I like to think so," Harry nodded.
"They love you so much," Lily added.
"Yeah. I love them too," Harry nodded again. "I do really miss you all so much though."
"We miss you too, Harry, but everyday we look down and watch you. We watch you, Ron, Hermione, Remus, Sirius, and everyone else," Katie Bell told him.
"So, explain this choice of mine," Harry got back to the point.
"I'll do the explaining," Ted Tonks stepped forward. Dumbledore waved his hand again and seats appeared for everyone.
"Make sure to stick to the point, Teddy," Seamus Finnegan advised. The others giggled.
"I know. So, Harry. In the border line, you are nowhere. You are nothing. You're not even dust. Not everyone comes to the border line when they're killed. Most of us went right by it. Now, you. You came to the border line and we all knew you would. That's why we are here. You came to the border line because you get a choice only you can make," Ted started explaining.
"Figures. Anything else would make it easy. What's my choice?" Harry rolled his eyes.
"You can either die or you can live."
"You lost me, Teddy."
"Figured I would. We always lose people at this part. Your choice is to keep going from here, in which you will be dead. You will be with all of us, but you can never go back to the living. You also will not return to Earth as a ghost because you were not afraid of death. That's one choice."
"What's the other one?"
"You can choose to go back to the living and live the rest of your life. You can go back for your last year of Hogwarts. You can go back to Remus and Sirius, Ron and Hermione, everyone else back there," Ted finished.
"That's what you meant. I can choose to live or die," Harry nodded in understanding.
"Exactly," Ted answered.
Harry thought about his decision. I can stay here and be with Mum, Dad, and everyone else, but then I'll never be able to be with Ron and Hermione, or Remus and Sirius. If I go back, everything will pretty much be the same. Everyone back there won't have to suffer if I go back.
"Umm, how much time do I have?" Harry asked.
"Max of three minutes," James answered.
Harry nodded. He looked at everyone, keeping his gaze of his parents and Ted. "As much as I want to be with all of you again or now, I'm not ready. It's been seventeen years and I have spent over half of it hiding and seeing my friends and family die and suffer. I'm not ready to leave the Weasleys and Hermione. I'm especially not ready to leave Remus and Sirius, and they can't lose me. Not yet. Not ever actually. It'll kill them if I'm gone now. I'm sorry, but I have to go back," Harry answered.
"We were expecting and hoping you'd say that," Lily smiled.
"Really?"
"Yeah," Ted nodded.
"Goodbye, everyone. I'll miss you," Harry went to the group and hugged everyone, lingering at James, Lily, and Ted.
"Goodbye, honey. We love you," Lily kissed his cheek.
"Bye, guys. I love you too," Harry waved as he walked back to Dumbledore and hugged him as well.
"Ready to go back?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yeah. Bye. I love you all and I'll miss you," Harry waved again.
"Bye, Harry," the group said together, waving.
Dumbledore waved his hand and a light appeared on Harry. "Goodbye, Harry."
"Thank you, Professor. Goodbye," Harry smiled and he disappeared as the light went out.
Harry opened his eyes and looked around without moving. He spotted the Elder Wand beside his hand. He grabbed it. He gazed at the gates. Everyone was still crying and many were bleeding.
Tego texi tectum, Hogwarts gates, except Death Eaters, Harry thought. The familiar wind swished around then left. Voldemort had his back to Harry.
"Look," Ron whispered to Hermione.
"What?"
"Harry. He's moving."
"How?"
"Dunno," Ron shrugged. Everyone watched with wide eyes as Harry stood up. Harry could hear gasps and murmuring.
"Don't get comfortable with the power, Voldemort," Harry said.
"What? How?" Voldemort gasped, turning around.
"You didn't read the rules. Now, it's my move," Harry raised the wand. "Avada Kedavra!" he yelled at the same time as Voldemort. The two jets of light collided. They bonded and became one. Harry was getting weak but he pushed the curse harder. He could see Voldemort struggling to keep the light away.
Come on. Come on, Harry thought and pushed the spell farther. He forced himself to stay standing, to stay conscious.
"You will not defeat me, Potter," Voldemort said. Harry didn't speak but gave one last burst of magic, making the spell finish its trail. It hit the end of Voldemort's wand and it exploded in light. Harry held the wand tight and watched as the light faded. He took a step back as another jet of light burst from his wand. The light soared towards Voldemort and hit his chest. Everyone's eyes grew wide as Voldemort fell to the ground.
"Checkmate," Harry muttered and also collapsed.
"We love you. Have fun. Never forget how much the Weasleys, Hermione, Sirius, and Remus love you. They always will and so will all of us up here," the voice of Dumbledore said and everything went black for Harry.