A/N:IMPORTANT! Hello everyone. Well, this is chapter 24, and I believe it's the one chapter that you were all waiting for. The Final Battle. As you've noticed, I haven't involved any members of the Order…besides Minerva that is…just because the Order of the Phoenix is Dumbledore's. And we want him humiliated in the end. Right? Anyway…this is the battle. I know it won't be exactly what you were hoping for….meaning: bloody scenes, ripped limbs, detailed curse effects and all that…..but this is the way I saw it. Ok, it was a bit different when I imagined it, but hey, you get to use your imagination, give it your own details and picture the perfect scene. If I ever decide to change anything, I'll make sure to tell you….

Thank you ALL for your reviews. As I've said, they give me the inspiration that I need. And I would really, really, liked it if some of my silent readers were to leave their opinion. Kisses MoonShadow.

Chapter24.

Albus Dumbledore was quite pissed. Someone was going to pay for the fiasco at dinner. If the Weasley twins had still been attending, he'd know who to blame for the ruining of his favorite robes and hat, but alas they were not. Oh, but he would find out who did it, and there would be hell to pay.

Sighing, he threw himself in one of the soft armchairs by the fireplace and conjured a glass of Firewiskey. It wasn't often that he indulged himself, but the occasion demanded it. Not only because he was angry and needed something to calm down, but also he had to celebrate.

Earlier that day, he managed to get the Weasley boy to see that Granger was indeed the best option he could possibly find as a bride, and with Molly's help and a few bottles of Love potions, he'd have them married by the end of the year. It was for the best. Harry could not afford any such distractions, and the most important problem of all was that the boy had yet to come begging for help. And all because of Granger.

Severus was being more of an annoyance than anything else, and Lupin had informed him that the pack of werewolves he had been ordered to draw to their side had refused.

One hell of a week, and today had been the peak of it.

Placing the empty glass on the coffee table, he stood and walked towards the window. If everyone would just stop objecting, and start following his orders, everything would be so much easier. Maybe an Imperious or two would do the job nicely. Yes, starting tomorrow, his plans would start rolling the way he wanted them to, either they liked it or not. Everything else be damned. Harry Potter had to die in his duel with Voldemort and he, the powerful Albus Dumbledore would sweep in gracefully at the end and get all the glory.

A madman's grin plastered on his face, he started to turn away from the wide window to go to bed when red sparks suddenly filled the sky.

Frowning, he opened the window to get a better look. Nothing seemed out of the place, besides the fact that the Entrance Hall was too bright for this time of the night.

Dumbledore just stood there for a few moments, considering his options. If he went down now, he would probably find the House-Elves cleaning, or something like that. It wasn't worth the bother actually.

Deciding that his sleep was much more important than anything that the House-Elves were up to, he closed the window…only to hurriedly open it again when a great number of shadows started emerging from the Forbidden Forest, heading towards the castle.

'Damn you Severus for getting caught', he thought as he reached for the Floo Powder on the mantle. Would he even have the time to send the alarm to the Order before they started attacking?

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The signal for the vampires sent, Hermione reentered the Entrance Hall and stood in front of her 'family'. Some were frightened, she could feel them, and with good reason, but the rest of them were standing straight, a fierce determination written all over their faces.

''The time has come…'' she said, her eyes roaming over every face, ''…this is what we've been training for. This is the moment we show the world that Hogwarts is indeed the safest place. Our home. Tonight I want you all to think only of your task. Remember what you've learned in Occulmency. Nothing is more important at the moment than your life. That is your goal tonight. Stay alive.'' Taking a deep breath, she reached inside a small pouch that was tied to her belt, and with a wave of her hand small vials filled with a dark crimson liquid zoomed towards each member of the DA. ''This is a gift, from someone that wants us to win. With this, your speed, vision, strength and stamina will increase.'' she said and watched as everyone but Luna drank it. ''Luna?''

Luna left Harry's side and approached Hermione with her usual dreamy smile on her face, ''..I don't need it Mione.''

Hermione sighed, ''Yes you do, Luna. Trust me, please.''

''I do trust you.'' Luna smiled and started walking backwards to a clearer part of the Entrance Hall. ''That is why I was sent.'' she said and in a burst of light, beautiful white wings sprung from her back. Her appearance didn't change much, only her golden hair turned silver. Her attire remained the same Basilisk skin trousers and bodice, but without the cloak, and a golden long sword was now attached to her hip.

Hermione's mouth opened and closed a few times, until she remembered some of Lillith's words from a few weeks back, then smiled. ''Then you know what to do?''

Luna nodded and moved to her previous spot beside Harry.

''Well…we'll have more help than we thought.'' she winked at the blushing Harry and turned to the others once again.

''I know you all had practice with me, but tonight you'll be following Severus' orders.'' she saw both Draco and Pansy look at her worriedly and gave them a reassuring smile, ''You all know part of my story, but not all of it. You will see me fighting tonight, and I don't want any of you coming to my help. What I'm going to fight tonight is far beyond your abilities. I told you before, and I'm telling you again. Stay alive. That's your goal. I love you all, and I want to see all of you at dawn.''

Hermione turned around quickly and started giving orders to the vampire lords. She knew that if she looked at them longer than necessary, the tears would refuse to stay hidden. Severus' silence was pressing enough.

From the moment she told them that the battle was starting soon, he'd look at her, watch her every move, but didn't come near her, or said a word. She knew he was afraid of the outcome of tonight's events, but there was nothing they could do about it. This had to be done. Even if they didn't survive it.

Taking a deep breath, she sent fifteen vampires to each level of the castle and twenty to guard the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. After seeing Minerva emerging from the dungeons with less than half the Slytherins she'd hoped, she sent another twenty to guard the sealed Slytherin common room. It was just a precaution, really, because nothing that could happen on the grounds would leave her that unguarded to allow Death Eaters to enter the school.

Within ten minutes, everyone was in position. The girls were already hidden in the trees under a disillusionment charm, the vampires were spread out, separating the castle from the forest, and the DA was standing as a front line.

She was proud of them. Not even one of them refused to fight. Looking over her shoulder, Hermione saw every single one in position, eyes narrowed, their attention fixed on what was to come.

Severus, Harry, Draco, the vampire lords and herself were standing just a few feet in front of everyone else.

For the first time since they'd left the dungeons, her eyes sought Severus'. ''I love you.'' she whispered hoarsely and his gaze turned to her.

Hermione didn't dare look inside his head, she was already too concerned, and seeing the same in his mind would only add to hers and a mistake was sure to happen.

Severus swallowed thickly then grabbed a handfull of her curls and pulled her into a fierce kiss. '''Till the end, my love.'' he whispered as a tear leaked from his eye and trailed a path down his cheek.

Hermione nodded once, then turned back towards the gates. She could already see a sea of black cloaks nearing, lead by Voldemort and two others. And by the looks of one of them, they could only be the demons.

This was it.

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Dumbledore was frantically casting spell after spell on the fireplace, but nothing worked. Whomever had toyed with the Floo connection, managed to close and block it, and there was no way to contact the Order. Abandoning that, he started the alarm inside the castle, but that didn't work either.

Deciding that his best option was to hide and wait for the opportune moment to emerge, he warded the door to his office and walked back to the window.

Being in the tallest tower of the castle, gave him ample view over most of the grounds and a little beyond the gates, and he could clearly see the Death Eaters approaching. He frowned. If they were only now coming, then who had emerged from the forest earlier?

His eyes widened in surprise at seeing rows upon rows of men standing between the castle and the attackers, then he chuckled. Those could only be the students. So his plan did work after all. Now, he only had to wait for the confrontation between Harry and Voldemort.

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''Minerva, what's going on? Why are we here?'' Professor Sinistra asked just as McGonagall finished placing the wards on the entrance of the Chamber of Secrets.

The Transfiguration professor sighed tiredly and motioned for all the professors to gather around, while Sprout and Flitwick flanked her. ''At this moment, Voldemort and his minions are attacking the school.'' she said calmly.

''What?'' several voices shouted.

''Do not panic. We are safe here. The wards and protection barriers that have been placed on this room are the strongest ones Hogwarts has ever seen…''

''But we can't just hide in here forever. If we're being attacked, that means they will at some point manage to break through.'' Vector interjected.

''We are all safe here.'' Sprout echoed Minerva's words. ''And Hogwarts isn't unprotected. As you should have noticed, some of us are missing…''

''How in Merlin's name do you expect us to believe that Snape and a bunch of children can protect us?'' Sinistra interjected yet again, and suddenly found herself at the end of Minerva's wand.

''Don't you dare insult Severus Snape in my presence. The best warriors, anyone could ever ask for, are out there protecting us at this very moment. Now, you will all have your wands drawn and be ready for anything. Help the young ones find a bed towards the back, away from the door and bring the older ones to the front. Now!'' Minerva snarled, her eyes moving from one face to another. Everyone immediately obeyed and she smirked.

By the time they managed to arrange everything as instructed, they could hear the sounds of the battle. Although they were very deep underground, it seemed that the explosions of some of her 'cubs' were so powerful that the very foundations of the castle were shaking.

Closing her eyes, she prayed to every deity to keep them alive.

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As soon as they reached the gates, a tall wall of mud rose and instantly dried, creating a shield. Tezrian smirked and gestured for her brother to step forward.

With a grin on his face, Alastor leaned slightly away and swung his massive hammer at it in one swift move. It cracked, but it didn't break.

'Well, that was unexpected', Tezrian thought with a frown on her porcelain face, as her brother continued hitting again and again. This was not mortal magic, and that only meant that Lillith had taught this Angel a bit more than she had the others in the past. 'No matter', she thought and gave Voldemort a charming smile as Alastor managed to smash the last remains of the wall. They will win either way.

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Severus watched as one particular, huge, someone walked over the smashed gate and his breath hitched. THAT was what Hermione had to fight?

He gulped. That demon was almost as big as Hagrid. And there was nothing he could do to help her. If he did interfere, his spells wouldn't help and it would only be a distraction for Hermione.

''Is that…'' Harry chocked on the words from his left side.

''Yes, it is.'' Severus answered, and he could see the boy's hands start to shake.

''Harry…'' Luna said from behind him as she placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, ''…Voldemort. That's your goal.''

''But…Hermione…''

''She can take care of it.'' the girl said more forcefully, ''Trust her.''

Harry swallowed hard then nodded. He had to stick to the plan, there was absolutely nothing they could help with. And that was what pained them the most. After everything she'd been through, after struggling to protect every loved one over the years…Severus sighed as Harry squared his shoulders and placed a hand on the hilt of his sword. He had no doubt that both Draco and Harry would love to have a go at the 'giant' demon, but nothing could be done.

They were more, many more than Severus ever dreamt of guessing. There weren't only Death Eaters either. Voldemort had werewolves, and although it wasn't a full moon, they were in werewolf form. Their animagus form. There were a handfull of vampires too, and he could hear hissing from behind as many of them recognized their counterparts. But the most problematic part of Voldemort's army were the giants and the mountain trolls. There were ten giants and six mountain trolls, and none of them was young.

''Lord Alexander…'' Hermione addressed the vampire to her right, ''…take some of your men and take care of the trolls. Lord Marcus, you do the same with the giants.'' Both vampires nodded, their eyes never leaving their targets.

Finally, some minutes later, they were positioned exactly how they'd hoped. The girls would have a perfect view and easy targets.

''My, my, Severus. When Bellatrix told me about you, I honestly didn't want to believe it. When you didn't show up after a summon, I still held hope that you were working from within still, but alas…here we stand.'' Voldemort hissed. ''I don't know what made you think you could win this, but I will indulge you.''

''Out of your mind, as always, I see.'' Severus smirked, ''And what made you think you could attack my home and get away with it? I'll die before you set foot inside Hogwarts again.''

Voldemort shook his head and laughed. ''Oh, that won't be a problem.'' he said, then looked over his shoulder. ''Lucius, my boy, I see your heir amongst them. Why wasn't I informed of his betrayal?'' the words were spoken lightly, but Severus could see the bubbling anger underneath.

''I was unaware, my lord.'' Lucius answered as he stepped forward, his eyes narrowed and looking directly at his son.

Severus knew Draco couldn't wait to have a go at his father and he smirked. Lucius Malfoy was in for a big surprise.

His gaze shifted to the demons then. They were both looking at Hermione, and Severus fought the urge to place himself between her and Alastor's hungry eyes. Hermione had explained to him what was necessary to invoke him, and what he was capable of, but seeing the demon face to face, Severus was sure she had omitted certain facts.

''Potter…shall we dance?'' Voldemort's voice broke him out of his thoughts and he narrowed his eyes at the bald snake.

''Be my guest…but I'm here to fight.'' Harry answered boldly, lifting his chin in a surprisingly identical copy of Hermione.

Voldemort laughed and drew his wand. And they started.

His own wand throwing curse after curse, Severus struggled to keep an eye on Hermione, as he watched her take off in a sprint and literally hurl herself at Alastor. As the demon swung his hammer, the battle engulfed them and he lost sight of her.

Breathing I deeply, he shifted his attention back to his duel. Whatever happened from now on, rested only with the fates.

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Hermione had never seen Alastor before, and seeing him now, and remembering the tales Lillith told her, about his barbaric ways of 'discharging' the angels, didn't quite help her morale at the moment and sent shivers down her spine.

She ignored it. If they were to win this, she had to stay as calm as possible and concentrate on her task. Hermione looked back at Luna, then nodded once, as Voldemort pointed his wand at Harry. Not a moment later she was off. In order to complete her task, she needed both Alastor and Tezrian as far away from the main battle as possible. So, she did the only thing she could think of that would distract someone that big. Clearing her mind of any concerns or doubts she had, she started running and literally threw herself at him.

At least it worked. And Tezrian was right behind her brother as he chased her away from the heat of the battle.

Near Hagrid's hut, Hermione stopped and turned around, her Angel appearance in place and sword in hand. Her wings gave an irritated flap as they approached and she positioned herself for attack.

''Well, well, Lillith's little Angel.'' Tezrian smiled sweetly at her and Hermione growled.

''Oh, I like this one, she's a firecracker. I'll enjoy tearing her to pieces…'' Alastor added with a deep chuckle.

Hermione didn't speak. She knew it irritated them if she didn't respond to their taunts, but was it really wise to have Alastor even more irritated?

Did it matter?

With a sharp snap of her left wrist, Hermione sent a silent Sectumsempra at Tezrian's throat and was delighted to see the skin break and blood start to flow from the wound.

Tezrian's hand flew to her throat as she started choking on her own blood, and Hermione ignored her for the time being…well, mostly because Alastor started attacking her.

Ok…she had to admit it…Arioch was nothing compared to Alastor. His blows were more heavy and much more powerful, and although Alastor was heavier, he was just as fast. Damn demon.

Hermione kept twisting out of the way, lifting herself in the air, waiting for a chance to hit something she could cut through, but that damn hammer kept getting in the way, not to mention that her left shoulder was burning in pain as he'd managed to plant a good hit on her. She needed a way to get that thing away from him, or destroy it if possible.

She could hear the werewolves' roars in the distance, various voices shouting spells and the screeching of metal against metal, and for a moment her thoughts filled with the image of Severus badly hurt, or dying. She needed to finish this. Fast.

Backing away a few steps, still panting and trying to stop the blood from covering the hilt of the sword, she gave a vicious kick to the ground and watched as a large piece of soil lifted itself off the ground and started taking shape. Seconds later, she was satisfied to see a very sharp spear hovering in front of her, then she was even more satisfied as with a wave of her hand the spear flew away from her and hit Alastor in the right shoulder, coming out clean on the other side.

As the hammer fell from his hands, Hermione banished it to the Forbidden Forest and turned back just in time to see both of them charging towards her with their swords.

''Oh shit.'' she managed to say as Tezrian's blade connected with hers, sending heated sparks flying around them. Well, if this confrontation didn't kill her, she didn't know what would.

Either way, she would be damned if she'd let them win.

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''Angels.'' Severus' enhanced voice easily covered the sounds of battle around them and he was delighted to see Death Eaters start to fall one by one, either struck with a killing curse or a dagger, under the girls' attack.

While dueling Rockwood, he spotted Draco fighting with his father to his left, and Harry with Voldemort to his right.

But there was no sign of Hermione.

The giants and trolls had already been defeated some ten minutes ago, and at the moment he could hear the werewolves' roaring in both anger and pain, as the legendary hatred between them and the vampires unleashed.

Sending one final streak of green light towards Augustus, he turned around and barely had time to dodge as Bellatrix sent a killing curse sizzling through the air towards him.

''Lost your touch, I see, Bella…'' Severus smirked and sent a silent Sectumsempra at the crazed witch.

He didn't know what exactly had Voldemort done to punish her lately, but the mad glint in her eyes spoke volumes about her mental sanity. He always knew Bellatrix Lestrange was a maniac that enjoyed torturing and killing whomever stood in her way, or just for the fun of it, but at this moment she seemed ten times worse.

Bellatrix didn't answer, as she usually would, she just gave a high-pitched shriek and started cursing him, disregarding any sort of protection she might need.

That was the biggest mistake though, as only about two minutes into the duel Severus finished it with a silent Reducto. Pity really. If she hadn't lost her mind studying Dark Arts, Bellatrix was a powerful, smart and inventive witch…and beautiful, once upon a time…

Giving a one over all around him, Severus was surprised to see that the only active duels were those of Draco and Harry.

Severus always knew Lucius to be the best swordsman he'd ever known, but looking at them now he could see that Draco's skill and grace outran his father's by miles. It was also obvious that Draco was holding back.

''Stand down Draco. You know you can't beat me at this.'' he heard Lucius growl, but the tone wasn't as convinced as it should have. ''When the Dark Lord kills Potter, I'll make sure both you and that bitch you call 'mother' will pay for your betrayal.''

'Wrong thing to say', Severus thought as he saw Draco's eyes fill with determination. Draco loved his mother more than anything, and would willingly sacrifice himself for her. Knowing the way Lucius behaved with both his son and wife, that threat had just ended any little hope of survival he might had had.

In one swift move, Draco spun on his heels and fell to one knee, his arm outstretched, sword extended, and remained so until Lucius fell to his knees, blood pouring down his robes from his mouth and gash on his throat, eyes wide in both surprise and horror.

''Never…'' Draco whispered and he stood, ''…threaten my mother again.'' With a sharp kick to the chest, he sent Lucius' body backwards, then gave Severus a nod and limped towards a concerned Pansy.

Now, everyone's attention was only on the remaining pair. Harry may not have been truly part of a prophecy that foretold the demise of the Dark Lord, but he was a powerful wizard, and with Luna standing just behind him, wings outstretched and air humming with magic around them…it looked like Merlin all over again. The new Merlin of the wizarding world. The hero of all wizards. Severus smirked. They'd never thought about it like that, and knowing Harry…well, he would be running for the hills as soon as the first reporter showed his face.

Despite the long hour they'd danced around each other dueling, taunting, and dueling some more, the end was quick. Harry just stopped moving, pointed his wand at the laughing Voldemort and sent a silent killing curse. Then the cheers erupted, but a loud voice covered all others as it shouted an outraged 'No!'

Looking around, Severus spotted one very dirty looking Albus Dumbledore, sitting on the ground between two of the Romanian vampires. Before he had time to ask what the hell had happened to him, he got his answer.

''No! That was…'' Albus tried to stand but was pushed back into the mud by one of the vampires, ''…supposed to be me…'' he tried to get up again, but got shoved back by the other one. ''You insolent brat…why couldn't you…just follow…orders.'' And it went that way for a while, Dumbledore still spitting out insults towards Harry, until he fell face down and almost swallowed some of the mud.

But Severus didn't care anymore what happened to Dumbledore. His eyes were frantically searching for a mass of brown curls.

''Draco, Harry…'' he called and the boys were at his side in an instant. ''Help me find her.''

Both boys nodded, then Severus instructed the others to lock the remaining Death Eaters in one of the unused classrooms and bring the wounded to the Chamber of Secrets. Then he searched…and searched. For an hour, he turned every body that had the face covered, looked at every woman, regardless of the size or hair color, but she was nowhere.

He had just reached Hagrid's pumpkin patch when he saw a mass of black feathers covering the ground. Swallowing thickly, he walked around the hut and stopped.

A strangled 'No' left his throat as he ran towards the unmoving figure of Hermione Granger…empty eyes, looking skywards…

A/N: Please don't kill me...please don't kill me... Liked it? Hated it? Leave me your thoughts. Thank you all.