This chapter is like a series of snapshots. I initially was planning to have this battle last at least two chapters. However when I was writing it felt overlong and very clunky. So instead I wrote a little about everyone and found it felt better.

Chapter 43: Victory and Defeat

Within moments they were nearly overrun. Voldemort had topped up his ranks with werewolves, giants, dementors and all manner of other dark creatures.

Harry threw up a shielding charm with his left hand, slashing out at a nearby Death Eater with Excalibur in his right. Merlin's staff was a blur of flashing light, the sorcerer's eyes blazed gold as he guarded Harry's right side. Occasionally Harry would hear phrases in the ancient magical tongue as his friend fought back with all his might.

Hermione and Ron were guarding Harry's back. His two friends were working in perfect unison, Hermione's speed and intelligence perfectly complementing Ron's strength and courage.

However it was Harry's left side that kept drawing his attention, distracting him from the fight ahead of him. Arthur was death incarnate. He had no magic. The King fought with brute strength alone. He seemed tireless, the blade whirling from left to right, a flashing, deadly beam which cut through everything in their path.

Harry gritted his teeth and grinned as several Death Eaters stumbled backwards in desperate attempt to get out of Arthur's reach. Voldemort had prepared them for an intense magical battle. He had not prepared them to face actual physical violence.

As Harry dodged a curse he looked desperately for Voldemort. If he could find the Dark Lord then all this could end.

However Voldemort was nowhere to be seen. Harry would have thought Voldemort would have done anything to come straight at Harry, but he must have had something else in mind. Casting a stunning spell at a nearby Death Eater, Harry worried about what that something else might be.

Kilgharrah folded his wings and dropped towards the ground. He had been circling above the castle, watching and waiting.

The humans were now fully engaged in the battle. He had seen Arthur and Merlin fighting side by side with sword and magic, and the old dragon's heart had swelled with pride.

Now, however, there were other forces becoming involved. Opening his jaws Kilgharrah spewed forth a wall of fire, engulfing the giant which was beginning to smash through the east wall of the castle. The giant roared and began to thrash around trying to extinguish the white hot flames. Landing atop the wall Kilgharrah sunk his fangs into the giants shoulder. The burning fire not even warming through his scales.

The taste of giant blood gushed over his tongue, but Kilgharra ignored the acrid taste, biting down harder until his teeth found bone. He pulled back, feeling the burn and groan of his neck muscles as he shook the giant like a terrier with a rat.

A heavy blow landed on his shoulder, just above his wing joint and Kilgharra was forced to let go as he cried out in pain. Spreading his wings and snarling against in pain in his right leg Kilgharra got high enough into the air to avoid the giants flailing fists.

Circling around, he sent out another burst of flame. The humans had little defence against the massive creatures. The Great Dragon was determined to do his part to protect his King and their saviour.

"HERMIONE!" Ron's shout sounded above the battle and Harry spun on his toes.

They were now deep in the castle, Harry still seeking Voldemort, while the others continued to protect him from all comers.

A flash of burning blue cleared the room of conscious Death Eaters for a moment. Merlin raced over to Hermione, who lay crumpled on the floor. Harry raced over, dropping Excalibur with a clang. "Is she ok?" He asked as Merlin checked her over.

"She'll be fine Harry, just stunned."

"Good." Arthur followed the comment with a sharp blow to the side of Harry's head, which sent him stumbling. Arthur was holding the sword that Harry had dropped. "Drop it again and you'll find out just how sharp the blade is."

Harry rubbed his ear, but took the sword back from the King. "Sorry. Look after her Ron."

There was a loud bang and the door snapped open, admitting another wave of enemy attackers. Harry and Arthur swung out with their swords and delved back into battle.

Fred and George stood back to back. It was a hell of a job they had been given, them and the rest of the DA.

Everyone had their part to play and this was theirs. The dementors.

Harry was putting a lot of faith in them, in the DA's ability to remember what he had taught them.

Luna joined their little circle, followed moments later by Neville and Lavender.

They didn't exchange a glance, they didn't even pause. Instead in perfect unison they yelled out, Expecto patronum.

The air filled with silver and the dementors wailed and for a moment as Fred cheered their victory, George could have sworn he heard someone laughing.

Severus ducked through a secret passage to avoid an attacking werewolf. He paused a moment to catch his breath and allowed Remus to fight the wolf instead. The two of them had gotten separated from Potter's small group and they had been ambushed.

Steeling himself for a moment Severus leant from his hiding place and slashed a curse at the werewolf's back. The creature screamed and fell to the floor convulsing.

"Come on." He snapped at Remus, who stared in amazement.

The two reluctant allies hurried down a corridor and down a flight of stairs, which thankfully remained in place. It was something that all the warriors of Hogwarts were finding helpful. Hogwarts seemed to be happily directing them where they were needed, while deliberately getting in the way of the intruders.

Severus concluded it must be something to do with the castle's defence spells, which were all currently under Minerva's control. Despite himself, he sent her a silent prayer of thanks; the castle's cooperation was making this battle a whole lot easier.

As they rounded a corner, Severus realised that they had finally found Potter, Merlin and Arthur. There was no sign of Weasley and Granger, but the three seemed to be holding their own well.

Out of the corner of his eye Severus noticed someone move, an unseen Death Eater was moving into position behind a nearby fallen gargoyle.

Severus recognised Lucius Malfoy without issue and he saw where the focus of his eyes was.

Severus made a snap decision, a decision he hoped he would live to regret. He moved, running across the gap between him and Lucius. In his haste Severus's own spell went wide, startling Lucius as his own spell was released. A burning pain shot through his head and neck as the world went dark.

Harry's shoulder was starting to ache. He was much better at fighting with magic, but he had to take the sword with him for when he finally found Voldemort.

There was a cry and a thud from behind him and Harry spun around, his attention drawn away from his own opponent. He was just fast enough to see Snape collapse to the ground, bleeding profusely from his face and neck. Standing over Snape was Lucius Malfoy, who was still pointing his wand at Harry's back.

Despite how much Snape had been helping them, Harry had still not totally had faith in him. But now…he had jumped in the way of a curse which would probably have killed Harry.

Lucius lifted his wand and Harry knew he was about to try his attack again. "Stupefy." He yelled, the stunning spell hit the Death Eater in the centre of his chest and sent him flying.

Lupin appeared from a nearby doorway at the same moment that the Death Eater Harry had been fighting before made his next move. Harry threw up Excalibur to block the attack and yelled over his shoulder at Lupin. "Take care of Snape."

He didn't wait to see if Lupin was following his request, instead he threw himself back into the fray, dealing with the remaining Death Eater before he bolted from the room on his continued quest to find and defeat Voldemort.

Rounding another corner, now completely alone of allies, Harry found himself in the Entrance Hall again.

Standing in the middle of the room, wand ready and waiting, was Voldemort.

Harry had hoped that when he met Voldemort in the battle it would be like in a book. All the sounds around them would stop and Harry would suddenly find his focus. Everything would be sharp and accurate and easy.

It was far from that. Voldemort's red eyes found Harry's green, the look followed only moments later by the flashing green of a killing curse. Harry dove aside, scrabbling to keep his feet underneath him. Hurtling a stunning spell of his own Harry dodged behind a piece of rubble and out the other side.

"Why don't you face me Harry?" Voldemort's cold sneering voice was barely audible above the rumbling of breaking masonry and the shouts and cries of the people around the castle. "Or are you too much the coward?"

Harry dodged another spell, taking another step closed to Voldemort. He had to get close. It was the biggest flaw in their plan.

Or so Harry had thought. As he ran through the field of rubble, casting and dodging spells Harry realised that Voldemort wanted him to get closer.

Harry shuddered and shifted his grip on Excalibur's hilt. He didn't want to know why Voldemort wanted to be able to see him.

Finally they both broke into a small area free of debris and the spells stopped. Voldemort's eyes flickered to the sword in Harry's hand and then sneered. "Really Harry. Do you think that will help you survive?"

Harry swallowed and slowly pocketed his wand, shifting Excalibur into both hands and hefting it in front of him. He could hear Merlin as though his friend stood just behind him. Remember Harry this sword is as good as any spell. The blade can cut anything and no magic will affect it either. This sword has all of Kilgharra's power and Arthur's courage. Draw on that, use it to strengthen yourself.

Harry tried to focus on the might of the Great Dragon and the power of the Once and Future King. He felt small.

"I won't let you kill anyone else." Harry was pleased that his voice didn't shake. This was it. The end. No matter what happened here this would be the end of Harry's lifelong battle with Voldemort. Today one of them died.

Avada Kedavra. The spell crossed the distance between them and Harry twisted Excalibur so that blade took the full brunt of the spell. The resulting clash of power nearly made Harry drop the sword.

Trying to hold the hilt with his fingers numb from the vibration, Harry was forced to jump aside to avoid Voldemort's follow up spell.

If Voldemort kept him at this distance Harry would never end this. So taking a deep breath Harry burst into a run.

Harry ran as fast as he ever had. His legs ached and his lungs burnt, but he crossed the distance between himself and Voldemort in between the Dark Lord's spells. He swung Excalibur up over his shoulder, he readied himself to bring it swinging down, to cut Voldemort in two when an awful vision flashed across his eyes.

The first time he had seen Arthur, that day he had arisen from the Lake at the Isle of the Blessed. He had entered the fight against the Death Eaters wielding this very sword. The results had been gruesome, limbs removed, bodies with gaping wounds.

Harry hesitated in his swing. Despite his desire to rid their world of Voldemort, he realised he wasn't sure he could actually kill him.

Voldemort didn't have such reservations. Sensing Harry's hesitation the Dark Lord twisted his wand and sent Harry hurtling back several feet.

The concussion sent Harry sprawling and Excalibur flew from his hand, skittering across the stone floor to rest against a nearby rock.

Merlin saw Harry fall, he knew the look in Harry's eyes. He recognised the sudden and complete unwillingness to kill, he'd seen it in the eyes of several young men who had failed and died, untested, on the battlefield.

"Come to me Kilgharrah." Merlin yelled over the din of the many fights around them.

He had only a moment, Voldemort was already prowling towards Harry who was struggling to his feet.

The window behind him shattered as Kilgharrah's massive head thrust through the opening, his elegant golden snout painted with bright red blood.

Merlin pulled from his pocket the scrying stone he had forged from the Crystal Cave. He dropped his staff and concentrated all of his power on the stone in his palms. Kilgharrah's head moved closer as the dragon added his own immense strength to the stone.

What they were doing went against all the laws of magic, but Merlin was desperate. Voldemort's wand lifted, the words to his final curse on his lips. Harry's face was pale as he cast around for something, anything to save him.

The words of Merlin's spell burnt his tongue, but he dared not stop.

Warriors of old, hear me.
Courageous, valiant, loyal and true
Guard us, hear us, arise.

The stone in his hands exploded and the castle began to fill with brilliant, blinding blue-white light.

Harry knew there was nothing he could do, his wand and Excalibur were halfway across the room and Voldemort was barely four feet away.

The Dark Lord sneered his victory and raised his wand. Harry could see his lips forming the words of the killing curse.

Then the world exploded into light.

It lasted only a moment, but in that moment someone stepped between Harry and Voldemort. The flash of green which would have moments ago stripped Harry of his life was absorbed into the glowing sword of a man made of light.

The figure half turned to examine Harry, apparently checking him over for harm. The face was dark, with soft eyes full of kindness and the irrepressible courage of a lion. The figure nodded to Harry and turned back.

Harry scrabbled to his feet behind his saviour.

There was a sound of running feet which skidded to a top and Arthur appeared to Harry's right. He was bloodied, most of it his enemies and he looked utterly astonished. "Lancelot?" He gaped.

Harry looked up at the figure standing between him and Voldemort. The figure smiled, silent, and then as though answering an unasked question turned his head and looked to Harry's left.

Lying slumped on the ground was Merlin, the Great Dragon's head hovered protectively over the gasping sorcerer.

The bravest of Camelot's knights raised his sword to point at Voldemort, who sneered in disgust. "What is this, Harry? Are you too cowardly to fight me alone?"

Merlin's voice, slightly shaky, spoke from where he sat on the ground. "You've done this to yourself. You've trespassed in their home. There are the Knights of the Round Table and you may just live long enough to realise just how badly you're about to lose this fight."

Arthur had picked up Excalibur and looked around. Harry joined him in his examination. Through the broken windows Harry could see the bright blue-white light of other long-dead knights joining the battles through the school. Four other figures made their way across the rubble filled room to joint Sir Laceleot in his protective position.

Harry glanced at Arthur who had strode over to Harry and handed him Excalibur back. "Who are they?"

Arthur's jaw was clenched, and when he answered the words were soft and full of sadness, he indicated each of them in turn. "Sir Elyan, Sir Leon, Sir Gwaine and Sir Percival."

Harry looked up at the immensity of Sir Percival who was currently standing directly in front of Harry and who looked like he could wrestle a giant and stand a reasonable chance of coming out as champion. "I'm glad they're on our side." Harry muttered.

Harry moved up to stand between Sir Leon and the broad shouldered Sir Elyan. As he moved he almost missed Arthur's soft, "I always was," as the King took his place in the line, standing at Harry's right elbow. Harry was sure the Knight's hadn't missed it, because the light within them pulsed brighter and each one stood taller.

Harry's heart was nearly beating out of his chest. This was it. He had five knights and the King of Camelot to guard his back. He shifted his grip on Excalibur's hilt. He could do this.

Harry charged.

The knights followed him in perfect formation, their mouths open in silent war-cry.

Voldemort threw spells furiously, but the knights leapt between Harry, their King and the spells.

Harry didn't let his mind get in the way of anything this time. Excalibur was glowing with light, it seemed to draw in the power of the glowing men around him.

As he got closer Harry could see the fear grow in Voldemort's eyes. He knew he was going to lose.

Harry took the final step and drew back his sword. Arthur's hand flicked quickly, slicing Voldemort's wand in two. Harry didn't think, he didn't focus on what he was doing he simply plunged Excalibur's glowing length through Voldemort's chest. Then in a movement which felt far more practiced than he remembered, Harry twisted and pulled the blade free.

Voldemort's eyes caught Harry's one moment before he exploded into dust. Harry stared at the empty space and wondered at the surprise he had seen in the red eyes.

Harry staggered sideways, only held from falling by Arthur's arm around his shoulders.

The glowing figures of the valiant knights smiled warmly down at him. Each of them clapped a hand across their chests and bowed their heads to Harry and Arthur. As one, the five men turned and repeated the gesture to Merlin, who smiled wearily back at them.

Then turning once more back to their King they smiled. Their home was safe, their jobs complete, and their light dissipated.

Blinking and looking around Harry could see Death Eaters dropping their wands. Defeated.

This was it.

It was over.

They had won.

I am so sorry this has taken so long, I knew what I wanted to happen, but I just couldn't make it work for me on paper. I think I rewrote the last bit five times before I was happy enough with it to post it.

Only one chapter to go now. It probably won't be up until September, I am off on a long needed holiday.