JK Rowling owns Harry Potter and all associated characters, images, places etc.
Sorry for the delay, I've been working a lot lately and starting rather early so I'm to tried to write even when I have time. Certain aspects of the battle will be given little to no attention, mostly the parts that revolve solely around Harry. Never the less, here is that last half of the battle. I hope you all enjoy it and please leave a review-Lark
"Melody, what are you-" Hermione blinked.
"We do not have time for your games," Fleur interrupted Hermione's outcry, glaring opening at the offending Veela.
"Who's playing games?" Melody asked innocently, dancing between the rubble to reach them, sidling up to Hermione and placing a pointed distance between herself and Fleur. "Now you never did tell me if you missed me," Melody breathed in Hermione's ear. "Away," Fleur snapped, pulling Hermione to her.
"We need to get to the house elves," Hermione sighed, tired of the bickering. She slid her hand into Fleur and pulled her away from the doorway they had been lingering in.
"Surely three wands are better than two," Melody smirked, keeping pace with them as they ducked around a corner as a spell shattered the masonry above their heads.
"Fine, but this is not a game," Hermione hissed, "This isn't a cocktail party, this is a war."
"It was a war all along sweetheart," Melody smirked, shooting a pointed look at Fleur that left no doubt in Hermione's mind as to what she meant.
"And the winner was always obvious," Fleur countered, following Hermione closely. "Shut up the both of you," Hermione muttered, weaving around a student firing curses at a Death eater down the stairs. "Stupefy!" Hermione cried, catching the man swathed in a heavy cloak off guard, hitting him square on the chest and blowing him over the bannister. The passage to the kitchens was past The Great Hall and off the Entrance Hall where the majority of the fighting was taking place.
Despite herself Hermione was perpetually on edge, fearing the moment she would hear the mad cackling laugh and see the flash of coarse hair that would bring back her worst nightmares. Fleur seemed to sense her discomfort as she ran a hand lightly down Hermione's back to soothe her. "We'll be fine, mon cher," She promised. "I wish you could guarantee that, I really do," Hermione sighed.
"Avada ked-"
"Pertificus totalus," Hermione cut him off, freezing him as he was, half crouched, leaning forward, curse frozen on his lips. Her knees shock slightly as she took the stairs at a jog and Fleur watched her with concern.
"Are you sure you can handle this?" Fleur asked her, concern creasing her pale forehead.
"We won't let anything happen to you, love," Melody promised, flanking her left.
They kept to the wall, crouching to avoid the myriad of spells ricocheting off the walls, and worse, off people. Hermione followed Fleur closely, keeping a hand against her waist, more to comfort herself than any real need for direction. Hermione felt a hand creep out from behind and rest against her waist, just as she was doing to Fleur. Except Melody mad no effort from keeping her hand from slipping down past her waist. Hermione bit back a scathing accusation, now was not the time for petty matters, no matter how far the Veela was going to push it.
They escaped the crowded hall and down the corridor, which held the portrait of the fruit bowl. Hermione reached out a finger and tickled the pair, which wiggled and caused the picture to swing outwards, revealing a wide entrance into the vast kitchens. Hermione left the two Veela behind as she dashed into the kitchen, amazed by the sea of tiny elves before her. They all looked at odds, some cowering, others just standing about, wondering what to do. "The castle is at siege," Hermione called with false bravado, "You need to get to safety."
"We can not go anywhere unless the headmaster or teachers tell us," A small voice squeaked.
"This is about life," Hermione stressed, "You need to get to safety."
"Mon Cher, we can't stay down here," Fleur murmured, taking her hand.
"Listen," Melody called, crouching to the house elves' level, "This isn't about us, or orders, or masters, this is about helping the castle or saving yourself. If you are captured you could be a great disadvantage to our side."
Murmurs ran through the crowd of elves, it was clear they hadn't considered that.
"Come on sweetie, it's up to them now," Melody murmured, leading the way out of the kitchen. Hermione frowned, Fleur she could understand, Melody was, however, entirely unpredictable. "'Ermione," Fleur stopped her just as they exited the portrait. Melody had vanished up the stairs into the thick of the battle once more, leaving nothing but a flash of claret.
"Don't, I know that voice, we're going to be fine," Hermione murmured, however she didn't resist when Fleur pulled her close, tucking the younger witch's head under her chin. "If something happens, to either of us," Fleur whispered, stroking Hermione's hair, "Just know how much I love you," She pulled back slightly to stare the shorter girl in the eye, "You're my soul mate, mon cher, you are it for me."
"Fleur I-"
"So don't you dare put yourself in danger, or get yourself injured," Fleur cut her off, "Because you're not just endangering yourself, but me, and my happiness and the rest of my life."
"Fleur," Hermione smiled slightly, a blush tinting her cheeks, "I won't, but nor can you. I know what this is and if I lose you, I will never find this again."
"Then we have no option but to both survive," Fleur smiled and leaned in, sealing Hermione's lips and entrapping her in arms that were the embodiment of safety.
Fleur's hand were beginning to roam, under her shirt and higher, tracing each rib as her nails inched up until they reached lace. Hermione didn't know if it was the distant screams or the rumbling of crumbling stones or the detachment she was feeling, but she didn't lean away. Instead she deepened the kiss and Fleur responded enthusiastically, pulling them closer so they were practically attached at the hips.
Fleur fingers had crept under the band of her bra and when somebody coughed awkwardly Hermione jumped nearly a foot in the air and blushed furiously. Ginny stood a few meters from them; her emotion caught half way between embarrassment from walking into a clearly intimate moment, to a smirk at seeing Hermione let her hair down.
"They called a partial retreat, giving Harry another chance to give himself over," All humour was once again gone from her face. "And to clear away the injured and dead."
"Oh," Hermione nodded, suddenly feeling awful for taking time for herself when chaos and anarchy was all around. They followed Ginny back up to the hall; Hermione hadn't been prepared for quite the level of destruction she was now witnessing.
Ron stood on the far side of the hall; his face ashen and his hands limp by his side. Hermione's heart sunk, the only thing that could cause an expression so desolate and a stance so defeated was death. "Ron, what?" Ginny frowned, catching on to the vibes.
"We got the diadem," He informed Hermione emotionlessly.
"Ron," Ginny snapped.
"Fred, Rookwood, he-" Ron cut off, swallowing past the lump in his throat.
"No, no, god, Fred, no," Hermione stuttered. Fleur immediately pulled her close and Hermione buried her nose in Fleur's neck as hot tears spilled down her cheeks.
"Shh, shh, it'll be all right, shh," Fleur cooed, rocking her gently.
"Come on 'mione," Ron murmured softly, "We need you."
"Where's Harry?" Hermione asked, her voice muffled by Fleur's skin, who refused to release her, despite the fact she had managed to stop crying.
"He's hiding in the corner," Ron murmured, nodding his head in the direction. Hermione managed to extricate herself from Fleur's arms and followed Ron towards him.
Harry was worse for wear, both in manner and appearance, his clothes were covered with the dust from the crumbled walls and his countenance made it clear he blamed himself for what was happening. "It's not your fault, Harry," Hermione promised him. He gave a noncommittal jerk of the head in response.
"We need to find out what's going on," Fleur suggested, unwilling to be further than two feet from her beloved at any point during the night to come.
"Let it through Harry," Hermione murmured, hating that this was the only way, "See what he is." Harry nodded, his eyes drifting shut as a blank look overtook him, making him seem almost peaceful. It wasn't long before his eyes snapped open again. "He's at the shrieking shack," He muttered.
"Let's go," Ron nodded. Hermione gripped Fleur's hand tighter, back into the fire it was.
The passage to the shrieking shack seemed to have shrunk in the four years since she had visited it, forcing them all to crawl on hands and knees. Fleur was muttering what Hermione was sure were French expletives. Harry was first, shielded by his cloak and was thusly the first to stop. Hermione could actually hear Voldemort, though she could not see him.
His voice alone sent shivers down her spine. She made out Malfoy's voice briefly before footsteps marked his retreat. Then there was just Snape and Voldemort conversing about a wand. Hermione had a bad feeling where this was going and she highly doubted Snape would survive it. The coarse notes of parseltongue reached her ears accompanied by the stench of blood.
Hermione knew exactly when Voldemort left because Harry relaxed visibly and crawled forward. Snape was alone, bleeding severely from a messy bite wound at the neck. She could see a faint trickle of silver memories trailing from his wand tip and quickly conjured a flask, passing it on to Harry. Voldemort's high voice pierced the thin walls of the shack and echoed around the grounds.
"You have until midnight to give me Harry Potter. Move your injured, dispose of your dead and prepare yourself. I speak now directly to Harry. You have let others fight your battles, die in your place. How many more will you let fall? Midnight," The finale word echoed around like a death sentence. "Lets go," Harry muttered. They followed suit, each sparing one last glance at the man who had held their grudging respect for so many years, the blood gone from his face and his glittering eyes locked in the forever-dull grasp of death.
Hermione sat outside the great hall, away from the majority, who were huddled inside, crying over the lost or sheltering their remaining friends and family. It seemed futile, yet there was no way around it, no shortcut to the light at the end of the tunnel. A light that was fast burning out. Harry had vanished into the depths of the castle; she figured he probably needed to gather his wits.
Fleur dropped down beside her, cheeks streaked with ash, a gash Hermione had failed to notice tarnishing her collarbone. "So this is the last stand?" A chipper voice asked as Melody dropped down on Hermione's other side, even her voice sounded strained. "Guess so," Hermione murmured, tracing the dust on the floor.
"And you never even slept with either of us," Melody let out a disappointed sigh.
"We're not going to die," Fleur insisted.
"A lot of people will," Hermione whispered.
"Hey," Fleur sighed, resting her head on Hermione's, "Hey, we'll be fine."
"You'll be fine," Melody amended, "Two over protective Veela looking out for you, dust won't even touch you." Hermione managed a weak laugh.
"It's getting close to midnight," Hermione murmured, drawing her knees up to her chest. "The witching hour," Melody half smiled and Fleur hummed contentedly against Hermione's hair. Melody leant her head against Hermione's shoulder and Hermione leant further into Fleur. There they stayed until the stars traced their course and the moon rose higher to mark the witching hour of midnight.
"Fighters, rebels, give up," Voldemort's high voice screeched, "We have Potter, we caught him fleeing from the fight. Away from all of you who gave your lives for him."
"No," Hermione gasped, bolting out of the hall, on of the first out to stop outside the Grand Entrance and watch the Death Eaters pour from the trees like ants out of a hill. McGonagall spotted him first, lying in Hagrid's arms and she let out an awful shriek. Hermione set her eyes on her best friend, limps limp and eyes at half-mast. "No!" She wailed, stepping forward, only to be held back by Fleur. Bellatrix's cackle echoed around the grounds and sent fear trailing down Hermione's spine, but he did not back down.
"Give up, I can be merciful," Voldemort jeered, "Too much pure blood has been spilt tonight."
"Never," Hermione snarled. Voldemort waved his wand and she found herself silent. "Who will step forward and join?" He stroked Nagini's length as she lay around his shoulders. Neville bravely stepped forward, crossing into no man's land. "Really?" Voldemort chuckled, "Well, I guess it's better than nothing, what do you have to say for yourself?"
"We will never stop fighting, Harry may be dead," Neville spat, "But he would want us to go on."
"Oh?" Voldemort waved his wand, "Longbottom has volunteered to show you all what happens when you disobey." Something flew into his hand and he held it up. "The sorting hat, we will no longer need it, Slytherin, the noble house, will reign."
"Never," Neville growled.
"Petrificus totalus,' Voldemort snapped and Neville was frozen as the hat floated over to him and fell on his head. "Take warning," Voldemort growled as the hat burst to flames. Hermione watched in horror as Neville was burned, when a flash of silver caught her eyes and against all odds he stepped forward, drawing from the hat a sword and in a clean motion stepping forth a cleaving Nagini's head from her body. Chaos descended as the Death Eaters surged forward and Hermione retreated into the hall, never once releasing Fleur's hand.
Duels broke out everywhere, bodies pushing against one another as Hermione blocked spells from every direction. They fought their way through the fray when a taloned hand caught Hermione's arm. Bellatrix's face was a mask of determination and glee as she brandished her wand. She was clearly prepared to block any spell Hermione cast at her from such close range, so she decided to catch the dark witch off guard. Instead of casting a spell she closed her fist and punched her with all her might.
She didn't stop to see the result as Melody and Fleur bodily pulled her through the crowd and into the hall as a spider skittered through the masses. The doors on the far side of the hall burst open and elves flooded the space, digging wicked cleavers and knives into the calves of unsuspecting Death Eaters.
Hermione was panting heavily, a spell spun by her, missing her by centimetres, and she suffered a blow to the ribs as a fleeing death eater bowled into her. "Hermione!" Fleur cried, Hermione spun, she could see the curse coming at her, but she couldn't move. A flash of red and the curse was gone, but at her feet Melody lay sprawled, clutching her chest. "Melody," Hermione gasped, trying to register what had happened.
"No a single piece of dust," Melody coughed with a half smile, though the strain I her eyes betrayed her condition. "Fleur we have to get her to safety," Hermione gasped, dodging another curse. "Over by the wall," Fleur nodded.
"Mudblood," A manic voice shrieked, and Hermione saw the devil weaving through the crowd, people running out of her path, rebel and Death Eater alike.
"Take her," Hermione told Fleur, indication Melody.
"'Ermione," Fleur protested.
"Take her," Hermione demanded and straightened, gripping her wand.
"Not going to run, little mudblood?" Bellatrix crowed.
"Never," Hermione hissed, circling slowly. The crowd had thinned out and most were pressed against walls to allow for the duels happening or starting. Hermione could see Voldemort fighting McGonagall and two others in the distance, but she kept her focus. "Your pretty little Veela still seems infatuated," Bellatrix sneered, "Maybe I'll find her and make her watch you die."
"I'm not dying tonight," Hermione snarled.
"No? Well maybe I'll make you watch her murder," Bellatrix beamed manically.
Rage built in Hermione's blood, a protective instinct she hadn't known she possessed so strongly. "Avada Kedavra!" She cried, the green jet flying at Bellatrix, who danced out of the way, leaving the spell to gouge a crater in the marble floor. "Oh, the itty baby learnt to play," Bellatrix cackled, "Finally."
Hermione dove out of the way of the curse, dancing to avoid the barrage of spells as she added her own in response. Try as she might, foot-by-foot, she was losing. "Stupefy," A familiar voice called as Luna and Ginny dashed forth to aid her, pushing the Dark Witch back again.
The ground cracked beneath Hermione's feet as she pushed. Fight for Harry, for Ron, for Fleur, for all the mudbloods hopping to find a place they belong, for all the kids who wanted to grow up without fear. Her curse passed so close to Bellatrix a lock of the witched hair was singed off, yet still she persisted. A green jet flew directly at Ginny but it was blocked from the side as Molly charged into the fray. "Not my daughter, you bitch!" Molly snarled, "Leave her, she's mine."
Hermione stepped back and arms immediately found her, Fleur holding her close, looking as haggard as she ever had. A cry sounded from Voldemort's duel as he blasted back his opponents in fury as Bellatrix toppled. A manic smirk painted on her face even in death as her body his the ground with the satisfying thump of dead weight. Voldemort aimed his wand at Molly but was stopped. Harry had cast a shield charm, Harry who was meant to be dead. "Harry!" Hermione cried, but he didn't turn, only continued to advance towards Voldemort.
Hermione held her breath, for every step the two took she gripped Fleur's hand tighter, until she was sure she must have been breaking bone. The Veela never complained, only squeezed back. When Voldemort finally fell she cried, loud, long, unashamed sobs of someone so relieved they didn't know how to react. "We made it," Fleur smiled, "Now we have forever."
"The rest of our lives," Hermione nodded, blinded by tears.
"With you, my love, that is forever," Fleur murmured, pulling Hermione into a kiss that made her realise it was over. Really over, the rest of her life was ahead of her, a life with Fleur at her side. Her body finally let go; it was going to be all right.
The bodies brought on a new wave of tears; Fred lay surrounded by family. Lupin and Tonks lay beside him. Lupin looked even scruffier in death and Tonks small, lacking her usual bodacious colouring. However they both looked peaceful, like they knew in death that it was all going to end. "Life is a gift, we must never waste it," Fleur murmured, stroking her back slowly.
"Melody, did she-?" Hermione swallowed past the lump in her throat.
"Unfortunetly-"
"She survived," A slightly weak voice volunteered as the injured Veela limped over.
"Melody," Hermione gasped, oddly thankful she was alive, she stepped forward and gave her a hug neither of them expected. "I don't suppose that means you've changed your mine," Melody teased.
"No," Hermione shook her head, sinking back into Fleur's arms.
"Then I revoke my claim," Melody half smiled, "I want you to be happy, little Hermione, you have that with Fleur."
"Melody I-" Hermione breathed.
"Just promise me," Melody cut her off, gazing into the younger witch's eyes, "That if you ever plan a menage et toi, that I am on the top of your call list."
Fleur laughed a low husky laugh that convinced Hermione all to well that she was imagining it. "In the mean time I need to return to the city to heal, all the best, really," She nodded and wove away into the crowd. Even in this setting she turned heads. "What now, mon cher?" Fleur breathed against her cheek.
"I don't know," Hermione smiled, holding Fleur closer, memorising the scene she could have for the rest of her life.
"Is that such a bad thing?"
Ah, I finally got it written! I couldn't kill Melody, I'm sorry, I kind of got attached to her over these past 100,000 words. There's only one chapter left which will be an epilogue of sorts. Any suggestions are welcome. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, sorry about the wait and please review-Lark.
