AN: Hey! Here's where the beginning of the end comes. Don't worry though, there are still chapters to go! I'm trying my best to delay the ending for at least 3-4 more chapters. I know that I told of the story following the book's timeline but, as I changed various things it may not be so. There is a chance still that it will end on the same date but, the battle shall not be taking place on the May 2nd. Instead it will take place the late evening-night of January 4th. I hope this doesn't bother any of you or prevent you from reading further. I had an intention of making this story my own with various differences along with things that came from Canon which I have done and will continue to do. I hope you enjoy this and the following chapters. Please leave a review or message me some feedback. Thanks!

Chapter 13: Hogwarts Castle

January 4th

The Castle stood in the distance, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had apparated to Hogsmeade under the invisibility cloak. The plan to have come here days before was unable to happen as they needed to alert everyone on their side to arrive at the castle prepared. Luckily they were able to make it there without alerting anyone but, they still had the way to the castle. How would they be able to gain entrance safely and take control?

"Harry, Lupin told me that we should go to the Hog's Head. Something about the barman being able to help us. He'll get us in and the others will arrive shortly after." Ron pronounced.

The trio close together in attempt to keep the cloak hiding each of them, cautiously made their way to the pub. The old building allowed them entrance and when they discovered it to be empty, they removed the cloak and returned it to Hermione's bag.

"Get your wands out, just in case."

"No need, Potter." a man's voice called.

The trio turned to find that a man with long, stringy, wiry grey hair with a matching beard. He peared at them through dirty spectacles with his piercing blue eyes. He was a very tall and thin may, he held a very grumpy looking face.

"I'm Aberforth Dumbledore, part of the order. I've been informed that you wish to enter the castle. You three are bloody fools. That dark lord has already won, you've got no chances. He's got about every dark creature I can name on his side."

"Aberforth Dumbledore? Was our headmaster your brother then?" Harry inquired.

"Yes, Albus was my brother. No matter how much I despised what he got himself into years ago, He was family and I loved him the same. You may not know this but, we had a sister. She was a squib didn't make it. My brother and his damned friend Grindlewald. She died in a duel between me and them. Just couldn't deal with all the flashing lights and bangs. That's her there." He responded, gesturing toward the portrait of a blonde girl who looked out into the room with a look of vacant sweetness. "But, you didn't come here to hear me ramble on about my siblings. Just needed to get that out in the open to clear up any confusion brought on by that bloody blonde reporter. Now, Ariana, you know what to do."

The image of the girl nodded and turn away from them, she made her way into the distance of the portrait. Aberforth sat down at a table where he gave a forced smile to the three. The trio look from one another showing worry. They'd heard rumors of the barsman/owner of the Hogs head being slightly odd but, to them he seemed very intimidating. Each of the them turned as Ariana returned and her portrait opened to reveal a tunnel and someone that they hadn't seen in a while, Neville!

"Neville!" the three's voices cooed in unison.

The round-faced boy came down to them and they all had a group hug. He lookd to be in good condition minus a few cuts and bruises on his face.

"Neville, What happened to you?" Hermione questioned.

"Oh, these some of us have brought great deals of trouble to those death eaters in the castle. The Carrows. They weren't too pleased when they discovered that I led them. It was worth it though. You should have seen it!" Neville explained.

"Yeah, you'll have time to catch up completely later. You need to get to the castle and do as you came to do." Abertforth interjected.

The four agreed and entered the tunnel, the portrait closing behind them. Harry explained that they were looking for an item that was hidden there. Neville didn't have a clue but, suggested that they ask around as many of the other houses held objects that had gone missing years ago within the castle. To be excat there were a couple of things of Ravenclaw's that had vanished ages ago. They travelled through the long dark and gloomy corridor until reaching a light as another portrait opened.

They found themselves in a room apparently used for meetings due to its furnishings of chairs and a small stage adjacent. Inside the room were a large group mainly consisting of DA members and apparent newcomers who wished to repress the Dark Lord's forces.

"Look who came to visit!" Neville spoke to the crowd.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all greeted with a roar of cheers as each member focused their attention to them. Luna came through the crowd and waved with a warming smile. The trio returned their one smile and waves to her and everyone else.

"Now, Harry here is in the search of an item that most likely will be difficult to locate. We need to deal with those who are not of our side so he may go about the Castle freely. Also, if you have any idea of an object that may have been lost. It's most likely from what I can tell associated with one of the houses. Everyone got that?" Neville stated after taking a position on the stage.

"Yes!" The crowd's voices called out in a great roar.

Soon after this the room was left with a smaller group of occupants. Neville and Luna were the only ones who remained with the trio. The blonde made her way over Harry and gave him another smile.

"I think I may be able to help. Ravenclaw's many items have been lost throughout time but, the most known one would be the Diadem. Also, I may know who you can talk to but, you'll have to go alone Harry. She doesn't take to many people."

"Who?"

"You may know her as the Grey lady but, she's Ravenclaw's daughter Helena. She's our house ghost. You can find her by Ravenclaw tower. It must only be you Harry."

"Okay but, let's make sure we can take control to allow us to freely do this."

They all agreed, they would proceed to take over the castle yet again and then Harry would talk with Helena about the Diadem. Each of them left the room which they found to be the Room of Requirement just used for a meeting room for the DA. Harry and Hermione remained hand in hand as they continued through the castle. Neville and Luna had the teachers that were on their side gather with them to allow their regain of control to be more possible.

Upon entering the great hall, they found students standing in rows before Snape and the Carrows. Harry was hidden within the mob of students and teachers that were entering. The crowd parted slowly, revealing Harry at the door. He held his wand with a tight grip ready for anything to occur. Snape's eyes focused on him and he could feel the murderer's gaze examining him. Harry made his way up the room toward the "headmaster".

"How can you stand there as he did? How could you betray the man who trusted you the most? Have you even told them? HOW YOU KILLED DUMBLEDORE. HOW YOU WERE THE ONE THAT CAST THAT CURSE THAT CAUSED HIS LIFELESS BODY TO PLUMMET FROM THE ASTRONOMY TOWER?" Harry stated a rage building as he went along.

Snape withdrew his own wand and pointed it at Harry ready to cast a spell. He froze as from the crowd a great number of wands aimed toward him and the Carrows.

"This is a castle for Death Eaters or people the like of you. This castle is for people who are good. Who do what is right. You don't belong her, Snape."

"Stupefy!"

"Protego!"

Snape's stunning spell rebounded due to Harry's shield charm. Snape scowled with anger that his attempted attack was thwarted by the boy he'd despised from his very conception. Next to him one of the Carrows lifted their sleevee prepared to call Voldemort.

"Go ahead, Alecto. Call your beloved Dark lord. We're here and We're ready to fight. This war will be ended this night and you shall not be the ones victorous." Lupin's voice echoed from the door.

The order had arrived, along with every other person that was there to fight for the light side. Voldemort's followers were outnumbered and cornered. The three Death eaters looked at each other before they left in a black trail of smoke.

"Harry go!" various voices motioned for him.

Harry ran out of the room with his wand still in a tight grip. He had to hurry and find this horcrux. It needed to be destroyed before the battle that was surely on its way began. The light side's forces were there. They had a plan, and they knew they would be triumphant. They had very little if any doubt that Voldemort would survive the night.

When he reached the Ravenclaw tower, he discovered the ghost. She looked very sad and alone though, after noticing him she began to leave. Apparently she did have trouble around people as Luna had made clear.

"No please wait!"