Chapter 16: A True Color Revealed

Streaks of light collided one end coming from the tip of Harry and Voldemort's wands. A great struggle was occuring between the two wizards, each both very talented. Harry held his wand steady feeling the force between their two spells.

"Harry! Harry! Harry!" Voices from one side began to chant.

Voldemort scoweled as the voices got louder and louder. People who were on Voldemort's side began to make their way to the other and turn to face the dark lord and Harry, they joined in on the chant. Draco had been the first one to join in.

The Dark lord's anger grew immensely as he noticed his allies becoming traitors around him. Bellatrix stepped out and pointed her wand at Hermione.

"Die you filthy little mudblood! Avada Kedavra!"

A green streak of light matching that which came from Voldemort's wand flew toward Hermione but, it was intercepted by the figure of another. The blonde haired boy fell to the ground, motionless his eyes losing their light.

"DRACO!" Narcissa Malfoy's voice echoed throughout the school grounds.

Draco Malfoy had stepped in front of Hermione to sacrifice himself for her. He had done a selfless act for once and for a good cause. He may have no been the greatest person growing up but, He had just died a hero. Narcissa crouched down next to her son's body and closed his eyes. She had begun to sob as her husband crouched down himself next to her, pulling her to him in an embrace. Bellatrix wore a great expression of surprised at what she had done, and hadn't moved from the position that had claimed the life of her nephew.

Everyone returned their attention to Harry and Voldemort while the Malfoy's trying to calm themselves. Voldemort glared toward Harry allowing all of his hatred to fill him, he wanted the boy dead and gone for good. This time when one of the fell they would not rise agian.

"Come on Riddle, this is your only chance. If you don't save yourself now, You'll become something very sad. I've seen it Tom." Harry begged Voldemort.

"Shut up, Potter!" The Dark lord screeched furiously.

Voldemort's anger got the best of him as Harry's spell won the struggle between. His own spell along with Harry's made their way toward him, the killing cruse was the first to collide with him. Voldemort's body seemed to fall languidly, as everyone watched it. Harry's eyes focused on the corpse of the man who once been a threat to all. He was frozen in awe from what he had done, it was over. His whole being felt different, he felt more..free. Hermione ran over to Harry and immediately threw her arms around him. She was obviously not gonna let go of him soon. He placed his arms around her and smiled.

Those who had been Voldemort's followers had begun to flee the scene as the Teachers began to gather them up with help from Minsitry officials who had been on their side. Many Death Eaters would be taken back to Azkaban along with other of those who aided the Dark lord but, those who had gotten out in time would have to be located and taken in. The Aurors would most likely be those who were given the job once the Minstry had the correct order restored.

"Harry, you did it!" Hermione exclaimed with tears of joy traveling down her cheeks.

"Now, whens the wedding?" He questioned with a smile.

Hermione grew a smile that matched his. Harry placed a kiss on her cheek and held her tight while still gripping both of his wands tightly.

A Week Later, Grimmauld Place

Harry laid in bed next to Hermione, both of them was facing the other with a smile. This was the last time that they would be in this house, in fact it would be the last anyone would ever see the place again. Sirius had disliked the place and it was obviously filled with bad memories, Harry did not wish to live in a place which had such. Though, he would go back to see the home in which his Parents and been murdered. Hermione had questioned if he wished to have the place repaired from the damage it had endured over the years and for them to move in to it. He had no notion currently to do such, they would be staying at with Bill and Fleur until they had plans made.

"Harry, are you sure?"

"Positive, this doesn't feel like the right place. We can decide later."

She nodded at his response, taking his hand while holding her bag in the other. With a blur of color they were whisked away. They found themselves back at the sandy beach adjacent from the small cottage where they'd been staying for months. Bill and Fleur stood outside in front of the edifice and gave a wave. Harry turned to Hermione who smiled as her gaze turned to him. They hadn't felt this free and happy in their lives. The war was over, Harry had no other prophecy to fulfill, he only had her to keep happy and love.

The couple traveled up the damp sandy land making their way up the hill where the Cottage sat. Bill gave a gentle smile, as did his wife. Fleur and Hermione left their paramours to get everything prepared for their stay. Harry looked up at the tall red-head and smiled.

"When's the ceremony?" Harry questioned.

"It's in about an hour."

"Still going to be at Hogwarts?"

"Yeah, they've allowed for everyone to meet at Hogsmeade and be escorted in."

Harry nodded, he only wished to make perfectly clear what the procedure would be. This was the day to honor the fallen, there would be many names called out at the gathering. He knew that the names would bring him pain to hear, everyone on the list had died in a war in which he was to save them. This would only be one of the days that they would be honored, Harry would make sure each's memory was not ever forgotten or at least make sure they were greatly honored enough. They had died for a good cause, they shouldn't be just people lost but, people loved for their sacrafice.

An hour passed by, as each of them changed into their best clothes and apparated to Hogsmeade. At the village, they were each escorted to the school grounds by staff and helpers. Adjacent to the marble tomb, which had been repaired, there sat many chairs surrounded by candles which were lit and floating. Flowers were stationed all around. The school still was damaged from the battle that had ensued, it surely hadn't been small even if it didn't have a great duration the force that was used was great. Both sides had brought their best, debris laid close to the castle yet, the grounds around it had been touched to make it more welcoming. The ground also held lacy walk ways that went under the chairs and led to a small stage with a podium. Many people were already there when the four arrived, the Weasleys had all ready found places to sit. Hagrid stood by with a look of sorrow as he thought of those who had died.

Harry and Hermione sat next to Ron while, Bill and Fleur took seats next to them. After minutes passed and the last-minute guests arrived and took their seats, McGonagall took to the stage where she stood behind the podium. She looked out at the large crowd that had gathered, there had to be at least four hundred people there. With her wand she amplified her voice just enough for it to be heard by all. Her face held a look that beared a great resemblance to the one on Hagrid's. In fact, there weren't may people there that looked better than they did.

"As many of you know, there were large numbers of our friends and families in this world due to the threat that once existed. We are here today to honor them and their sacrifice. This parchment before me, holds each of their names." She began, the parchment flew up to where she could read it and she started to read them.

Everyone one was filled with grief as each name was stated. Neville Longbottom, Draco Malfoy, Dean Thomas, Lavendar Brown and Hannah Abbott. Harry's eyes allowed a trail of tears to trickle down and splatter against his clothes. Hermione too was sobbing with her head on his shoulder, the tears traveled down and met with his shoulder. No one that had died in this war would be forgotten. Their names would forever be engraved in a memorial revealed by McGonagall, a lightning bolt-shaped statue grew from the ground and showcased the various names throughout its form.