XXXXXX

There was no avoiding this, no running away or no one to fall back on for help this time. As Harry exited the castle, his heart was beating so hard he could hear it pulsating in his ears. No going back, it was time for him to finally face Lord Voldemort on his own. As soon as he arrived in the courtyard he stopped when he saw the Dark Lord standing by himself with a little bit of dust and smoke from the battle surrounding him, making him look even more ominous, if that was even possible.

Voldemort's face twisted into a sick grin when he saw Harry by himself.

"Harry Potter." He began. "The boy-who-lived…come to die."

Harry raised his chin as he stared back at certain death, defiantly.

"I'm not the one who's going to die."

He wasn't as confident as he sounded. There was no Dumbledore, no Sirius, no Remus. No mom and dad. He was completely on his own this time. But if he was going to die, he wasn't going down without a fight. There were too many people that were depending on him, too many people that he cared about. The two of them continued to stare at each other for a few more moments before Voldemort finally fired a spell at Harry which Harry managed to dodge before sending one right back.

Harry tried to remember every spell that Snape had taught him as he continued to move, dodge and fire back at Voldemort. If he had one advantage it was that he knew that the elder wand did not belong to the Dark Lord, and he could only hope that would make some sort of difference.

"Sectumsempra!" He shouted but Voldemort blocked the spell and came back with one of his own that missed Harry and hit part of the castle, blasting even more debris off. This continued for another few minutes, neither wizard really gaining the advantage before something suddenly wrapped itself around Harry's throat and he quickly realized that it was the Dark Lord's very robe that was choking him.

Back in the great hall however, people were getting restless for one reason or another. Ron was standing by the doorway as he looked back at Hermione standing by herself, looking as scared as he had ever seen her. Their best friend had just left them to go face the Dark Lord by himself, like he had to do, like he would always have to do. And although he knew that Harry was out there by now, for some reason Ron didn't feel afraid for him.

He continued looking at Hermione, wanting to go over and put his arm around her shoulder and assure her that everything was going to be okay. He wished that he had mustered up the courage to tell her how he felt about her last year or anytime before but he had missed out on that.

Ron then looked at his father, his brothers, his sister-in-law, and then back at Hermione one last time before smiling and turning around and leaving the hall to head out to the courtyard.

Unfortunately, the rest of his family was so caught up in their concern for Fred that no one saw him leaving. George continued to pace back and forth as he swore under his breath about what he would do to Percy to make him pay for this. Arthur was holding Fred's hand in his when he slowly looked up at the other twin.

"George, come sit down."

"Well, where are they?" He demanded, referring to Ginny and Malfoy who had left for the infirmary. "Fred needs medicine for these burns."

"Try to remain calm." Minerva began as she came over to them. "I'm sure they are going as fast as-"

She then screamed out in pain and dropped to the floor as a shrill laugh echoed through the air. Bellatrix had apparated into the room and hit the headmistress with an unforgivable. She then landed on a table, taking the curse off the elderly witch before eyeing the rest of them.

"Blood-traitors." Bellatrix laughed as she eyed the Weasley family. "Just for me."

Arthur, George, Bill, and Fleur all raised their wands as Bellatrix came closer. They were exhausted from the battle both physically and mentally and this was the last thing they needed at the moment. But before any of them could do anything, the table that Bellatrix was walking on suddenly exploded in a huge blast causing Bellatrix to fall to the floor.

Everyone looked over to see Molly Weasley with the rest of the students she had been watching in the Room of Requirements right behind her. Her eyes were full of fury as she stared down the only female Death Eater.

"Get away from my family you bitch."

While this was going on, in the courtyard, Harry was launched off his feet when a powerful spell was sent his way but hit the ground instead. Voldemort was now in control of this duel as he came closer to Harry and grabbed him by the throat, lifting him up only to strike him back down with a hard blow to the face.

"You were right-" Harry began as he crawled backwards only to get backhanded across the face again. "When you told Professor Snape that wand was failing you, it will always fail you."

Harry managed to get up just as Voldemort pointed his wand at him but again like earlier the wand refused to cooperate with him. He glared at Harry as he walked closer towards him.

"I killed Snape," he growled.

"But what if the wand never belonged to Snape? Not if its allegiance was to someone else."

Voldemort didn't respond as he hit Harry with the back of his arm, knocking him down again before kicking him right in the mid-section causing the wind to leave the teenage boy. He tried to get up but Voldemort then drove his elbow down on Harry's back, leaving him in a world of pain. He then struck Harry in the back on the head and after that, all the teenager could see was dancing lights in front of his eyes.

"It's time, Harry Potter." Voldemort then said as he raised his wand, preparing to use the killing curse when the sound of someone yelling a spell could be heard from behind them and suddenly Voldemort gasped out in pain and his body jolted forwards.

From behind him Ron was standing there with his wand pointed towards the Dark Lord, prepared to fire off another curse. Voldemort had been weakened, but not even close to being beaten. As soon as he realized what had happened and who had interfered his eyes blazed in a furious anger.

"You fool!"

Ron attempted to let off another curse but Voldemort easily deflected it and came back with a spell of his own. Ron yelled out in pain as he was hit and rocketed off his feet, his back colliding with castle before slumping down, unmoving. Harry lifted his head and his eyes widened in shock when he realized what just happened.

"RON!"

Voldemort started to cackle as he turned back around to face Harry.

"Ron!" He yelled again. "No!"

The adrenaline and anger that now flowed through his body masked the pain he was in as Harry jumped to his feet and began blasting Voldemort with every spell he knew, including the dark arts. At that moment he didn't care, the only thing he knew was that his best friend had just been cursed and he had no idea how badly he was hurt.

Voldemort was taken aback by the boy's sudden fury as he stumbled backwards while continuing to block the attacks.

"Cruico!" He yelled.

But Harry was ready and blocked it with a shield charm. Again, Voldemort raised his wand but Harry was a fraction quicker.

"Avada Kedrava!" Green light shot from Voldemort's wand.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry screamed at the same instant, concentrating with all his might on his will to defeat the evil being in front of him. The one who had hurt so many and had taken so much from him. The two spells intercepted with a crack that seemed to shake the ground and the castle behind them. A bright golden light flared and when it faded, Voldemort was lying on the ground, lifeless.