Disclaimer: I do not own a thing of the intellectual property, though I have completed my HP pop vinyl collection so that's something to my name right?
A/N: Final chapter… I ACTUALLY finished something!
Also had to up rating for a little bit of violence, deaths etc
Albus stumbled as he fought to keep consciousness apparating back to the Hogwarts boarder. He swore he could feel the life draining out of him with every step he took towards the castle. Pain shot through his cursed left hand straight to his heart. Without the power of the wand to hold the curse at bay it was quickly consuming him. He barely made it a few metres past the gate before he collapsed in a heap of agonising pain. His few feeble attempts to send a patronus to the castle for help failed. Albus cried for joy as Fawkes appeared in a flash of flames, allowing the bird to take his hand in it's talons, darkness consumed him before the heatless flames did.
Looking down at the old fool in the bed Minerva was overcome with grief. She had been at odds with the man ever since a discussion they'd had shortly after the Christmas break, the revelations of Potters future at the Order had only pushed them further apart. But he was still a friend, a dear old friend who she did not wish to die and in what appeared to be such a painful way. The matron Poppy was bustling about running diagnosis and pouring potion after potion down his throat but nothing helped to subside the pained whimpers coming from the unconscious man. The phoenix which had brought him to the hospital wing hand not left its perch at the head of the bed since dropping him there, its sorrowful song filling Minerva with dread. The hospital wing doors swung open as Severus burst in, sending Poppy on her way, he has been treating Albus' cursed hand for some time now. The look on Severus' face as he observes Albus' hand doesn't bode well. With nothing left for it, the potions master revives the old man with a spell, pulling a pained scream from his lips in the process. Once Albus finally focuses on Minerva's face, the potions master feels the need to state the obvious despite the glare Minerva sends him.
"You haven't long Headmaster."
"With the pain I'm in my dear boy, I can only hope it isn't too much longer."
A small sob escaped Minerva's lips at the pained grimace on her old friends face. Drawing the attention back to herself, Albus reached for her hand, attempting to comfort her while on his own death bed.
"There now Minerva, you know I do not fear death. My only worry is that I may not set all affairs in order before my time comes."
"And what affairs would those be Albus."
"There are but two left, the Order and of course young Mr Potter. I have no worries for the school, leaving it in you safe hands."
"Is there anything we might assist you with headmaster?"
"For one, the order should be aware of two new spies within the Order, the Weasley twins."
"How do you know this Albus?"
"They were with Mr Potter and Lupin when I battled them prior to my arrival here."
"Albus do not tell me they've done this to you?"
"No Minerva. As you are well aware this curse should have killed me long ago. I have simply fought my last battle. That it was against Mr Potter and is allies is pure coincidence. I can't help but feel you don't sound very surprised by this revelation about the twins Minerva?"
Minerva averted her gaze, ashamed for having kept something hidden from such an old friend. Determined, she looked straight into his eye and didn't fight his weakened attempts to look into her mind."
Visiting Arabella Figg over the Christmas break how come to be very informative. With the renewed war and duties to the school Minerva felt guilty that she hadn't made the time to see her friend since the Christmas before last. She had often come to visit her friends over the years, more so when the Potter boy was placed with the muggles a few streets over. Sitting down with a cup of tea she was amused, as always, as Arabella's many cats sniffed her, trying to figure out why she smelt so feline.
The two friends caught up over the last two years. Telling each other what they'd been doing. Minerva was distressed to hear that ever since the Potter boy had left Albus along with the rest of the wizarding world seemed to have cut ties with the old squib. Not one person had popped in to say hello to the woman since the Order guard had been called off Privet Drive two weeks following the boy's disappearance. Minerva's guilt intensified at the discovery as she watched the woman pet her cats. Minerva half listened to the woman as they walked out into the garden, her attention drawn back as her friend's words registered.
"I'm sorry Arabella, who did you says been helping you with you Garden?"
"Harry dear. The good lad's always coming around for tea on Sundays you see. He noticed my lawn getting a bit over grown one day last year and he's been doing them ever since. I offered to pay him the same as I used to pay that useless lawn man but the sweet heart refused, said it was the least I could do for all the times I look after him as a young lad."
"Harry? As in Harry Potter?"
"Oh yes. You know I was quite surprised that he'd chose to stay at his Aunt's house after all the fuss that was made with his taking off at the start of last Summer but they do seem to be getting on better now. Petunia never did like magic much, I'd say him finishing Hogwarts probably had a lot to do with it. He seems to have made quite a name for himself at Stonewall the year and a half he's been there. Of course he struggled in the beginning, catching up with the five years he'd miss while being at Hogwarts, but he came around quite well. Even made the first… fifteen? I think he said, some muggle sport. Guess his quidditch skills must have been somewhat transferable, the fitness at least. I've been to see a few of his games when the weathers been agreeable, he's not the best on the team but he does well enough."
Minerva couldn't believe what she was hearing. The year and a half they'd been searching for the boy, he'd been hiding in plain sight. Right back in Surrey where he'd run off from, no one had even thought to look here, which is likely the very reason that he chose here to hide. To top it off he was going to the local muggle high school and by the sounds of it even playing on the schools bloody rugby team.
Minerva made her appologies to Arabella, promising to be back tomorrow. Making straight for Albus' office Minerva had burst in eager to deliver her news. But the moment she'd mentioned that she'd just come from visiting Arabella Figg the old fool had laughed at her. He asked her what she was doing visiting that old squib. He'd told her that with the Potter boy long gone from Privet Drive the woman was useless to them now, visiting her was nothing but a waste of time. Minerva had felt indignant. How dare he speak of the woman in such a way. Fourteen year she's remained loyal to the man, giving her weekly reports on the Potter boy, done everything the old man had asked. She'd even turned a blind eye under his order when she'd wanted to call child welfare on the Dursleys for the obvious abuse and neglect dealt to the child. This was how he repaid her? Laughing her off as a worthless squib? She'd told him what she thought of his disregard of the woman and he'd simply asked her what value the woman could possibly hold to him with the Potter boy gone. Minerva had decided right then that she'd keep her new found information to herself. If he considered Arabella to be so worthless, what possible use could he have of information obtained from the woman?
Minerva had returned to see Arabella the next day as promised and made sure to visit her for tea at least once a week from there on out. She'd even accompanied the woman to a few of Potters games at the local highschool, in cat form of course, she didn't want to spook the boy. Arabella was right, he wasn't the best on the team but he did well enough. Minerva had never seen the boy looking so happy and carefree except on the quidditch pitch. But unlike at Hogwarts, where the strain was back in the boy face the moment his feet touched solid ground, here he was just as carefree afterwards. He'd joke around with his team mates, hanging around at the fields for hours after the game full of joy, win or lose.
Minerva had even hidden at Arabella's house in cat form a few times during Potters weekly tea visits. Hidden under a sofa she could always hear the smile in his voice as he asked Arabella how her week had been and how his own classes were going. While he loved his PE and Math classes, he still struggled with staying awake during muggle history lessons just as the Hogwarts students struggled to stay awake for Binn's classes. Minerva couldn't help feeling that this was how it should have been. Except it should have been his own Mother he told about his classes, his Father he laughed with about falling asleep during History lesson about. This war had changed this boys life so far from what it should have been but he just took it in his stride, not letting it get him down, just kept pushing on through.
Of course he was never alone on his visits, not even at his games or after school training. Arabella had even assured her that even in school he had constant protection around him in form of the Weasley twins and not so surprisingly when Minerva had thought about it, Remus Lupin. Not that her heart hadn't beat out of her chest the first time she'd seen Lupin escorting the Potter boy up the front path to Arabella's front door. Minerva hadn't thought her cat form could run so fast. While she'd never worried about Harry spotting her hidden beneath the furniture in Arabella's house, she'd known the werewolf side of Lupin would smell her scent in an instant, even hidden among the many cats of the house. She was afraid she had been caught and the Potter wouldn't be back the next week but sure enough, there he was, sitting down with Arabella for tea with one of the Weasley twins before he started on the gardens.
Remus's having an order tail certainly explained why Minerva hadn't seen him with Potter at his games or visiting Arabella prior to that day. If they had known he was being followed from November he wouldn't have been able to visit Potter for that time. It was likely why he'd been so keen to open up to the Order. So long as he no longer had to pretend to not know he was being followed, he could now properly shake them off to go see the boy. There had been a fourth person Minerva would some times see at Potters games, a woman, but not anyone she recognised. The only reason Minerva knew the woman was with Potter was the way he'd glance at her during a break in the game the same way he'd look to the other three. She'd seen the woman stop by to speak to Remus in the game the weekend just gone, but she was gone so quickly Minerva was now sure she was a witch disapperating.
Minerva felt Albus gently pulling from her mind, having seen enough. Instead of the anger she'd expected to read on his face, a smiled graced his features, accompanied by a weak chuckle.
"I'm glad to see the boy had decided to enjoy himself while he can. I had worried, he would have been sending his remaining time stressing over the inevitable. And rugby was it called? I am clearly leaving the fate of our world in very talented."
Albus laughed some more before grimacing and pulling his left hand close to his chest. Minerva could no longer see where the blackness of the curse ended beyond his short sleeved hospital gown.
"Is there nothing you can do for him Severus?"
"We are merely playing a waiting game." Severus replied with a sad shake of his head.
Fawkes flashed back into the room dropping a runes book and a small velvet bag on the foot of Albus's bed. Minerva jumped, having not seen the bird leaving the room. Albus reached immediately for the book, flicking through to find a page.
"I need a quill and ink. These need to get to Harry, it is of upmost importance. That bag, has the first snitch he ever caught, and this book, well it must reach Harry Minerva. Perhaps Arabella could give it to him?"
"I will take it to him myself, Headmaster."
Minerva and Albus turned to Severus in question as he removed a quill and ink pot from the pockets of his robes handing them over to the headmaster. Albus didn't look away from Severus's face, even as he scribble in the book.
"I guess that answers the question of how they knew where the cup was located."
"After Lupin's outburst at his last Order meeting I couldn't help but sympathise with his cause. What with the maturity he showed in accepting his fate. It has been said many times over the past two years, he has proven just whose son he is. I owe a life debt to the Potters and I have ever intent of repaying it before the last of the line offs himself."
"It's good to see you've been able to reconcile with the boy after so many years Severus."
"In all honesty, when I found out the boy had been intentionally flunking my classes, I'd planned to find and throttle him. But I did have to respect his attention to detail to safely flunking."
"I'm afraid you may have to throttle the boy after all Severus, Lupin and those twins two, what with them escaping from Gringotts on the back of a stolen dragon."
"They what!"
Minerva couldn't believe what she was hearing. Only the kin of Sirius Black and James Potter. She didn't know whether she wanted to congratulate him on getting out safely or give him detention. Albus gave a final bout of laughter before his cries of pain filled the hospital wing. The book fell from his lap to the floor thudding closed before the ink could dry. Poppy came rushing into the room as Severus pulled the man's shirt back from his chest. By now his arm was black to the shoulder and webbed out over his breast, pooling over the man's heart. Fawkes gave a loud screech before jumping into the air and disappearing in a burst of flames. Minerva looked back at Albus to see his lifeless eyes and turned to see Severus gone from the room with the book and velvet bag.
Severus had to struggle to not smile as he walked into the Lupin family home, Severus Snape does not smile, after all. Severus stood in the doorway watching the occupants of the room. The Weasley twins slept on a couch leaning against one another. Lupin was laid down on the other sofa, head in his wife lap, eyes closed as she stroked his hair. Severus focus was drawn to Potter, sat in an arm chair next to the fireplace. His three week old Godson rested in his arms, holding the boy's finger in his little fist as Potter looked down at him in awe. Severus wanted to scream at the injustice of it all. A boy who clearly had some much love to give, would never have a chance to see his Godson grow into a man, would never have his own son to look at the same way he looked at the babe in his arms now.
"Have a seat Severus, you're letting all the heat out."
Severus did as Lupin asked, closing the door behind himself as the Weasley twins stirred.
"Did you really steal a Dragon?"
"What?"
The Aurors outburst caused Potter to finally look up at him from the babe, a grin reminiscent of James Potter on his face. The Weasley twins laughed as Tonks looked ready to castrate Lupin who was now sat up, as far from his wife as the sofa would allow. Tonks shook her head before laughing herself at the look on her husband's face.
"What did I expect marrying a marauder?"
"How's Dumbledore taking it all, Professor?
"He's dead."
"Because of us?"
All humour left the room as guilt flooded Potters face. After everything Dumbledore had done to the boy he still felt guilty at the thought of causing the manipulative old man's death. In a very unSeverus move, he walked over to the boy, placing a hand on his shoulder in an offer of comfort.
"It was the curse on his hand from the ring horcrux. He said it himself before he passed, the curse should have killed him long ago, the fact that his last battle was against the four of you was a mere coincidence."
Potter gave a short nod of his head to acknowledge Severus before turning back to the babe who had begun to fuss in his arms.
"I need to be leaving. If the Dark Lord hears the news of the Headmasters death from another source before me, he'll question my loyalties."
"We need to move in on Hogwarts now for the sword. We need to end this all as soon as possible. With Dumbledore gone, Voldemort has no political opposition, he's not going to hold back. He'll likely take Hogwarts before the nights over."
Potter stood as Tonks collected the fussing babe and took him to the other room. Lupin stood to join the men by the fireplace and the twins watched on, likely waiting for orders.
"Harry we can't rush into this. We need to prepare, plan things through."
"What have these last two years been about if they haven't been for preparation. Here's a plan, we go into Hogwarts, right now, walk through the front gates, and take the sword from Dumbledore's office. Who's going to stop us? We already know we have McGonagall's support or Dumbledore would have found me months ago."
"You were aware of McGonagall watching you?"
"Professor Snape, how many tabby cats do you know of with square markings around their eyes? And when they just happen to be present at so many of my games, not to mention who scent being all over Mrs. Figgs living room."
"You should have seen the cat run the first time I came with Harry to visit Arabella. He'd thought he'd been smelling her there for a while but wasn't completely sure so ask me to come over and have a sniff. I almost wet myself laughing so hard as I did when she dived into a bush to apparate away."
"As funny as it was Moony, we're getting off topic, Snape needs to go and we need to make out move on Hogwarts, now, while Mouldy and his Death Munchers are busy with their meeting. No offence Professor. You guys can either come with me or stay here, it's up to you, but I'm going."
"I do need to be going. Let me know how it goes when I get back. By the way Potter, the Headmaster wanted you to have these."
With that Severus handed the book and velvet bag to Potter, leaving the room as he sat down pulling a golden snitch and a note from the bag.
Draco near jumped out of his seat when he felt his forearm burning. He looked around the Slytherin common room and found several of his fellow marked class mates looking to him in question. They'd never been called while at school before. What were they supposed to do? They had no way of getting out to meet with the Dark Lord without rousing suspicion. But the consequences of not showing when the Dark Lord asked of them, did not bear thinking of. They needed a plan, they couldn't just walk out the front door. The school had been on lock down for two days, all classes had been cancelled yesterday morning and all houses had been sent to their common rooms where they were to remain, even meals were to be spent there. Completely unreasonable of course, it was the start of May for Merlin's sake, the weather was stifling, even in the Slytherin underground common room. Draco had no idea what the old fool of a headmaster was playing at, and now the Dark Lord too. Perhaps they were related? Perhaps the Dark Lord really did want them to walk out the front doors. Having seen first hand what the Dark Lord did to with his disobedient subordinates Draco didn't waste any time raising from his chair. Glancing to his fellow Death Eaters before leaving the room, wand drawn, not needing to look back to know they'd be following.
Being a marked follower had always been a childhood dream of Draco's. A childish dream 'To be just like Daddy'. Draco had long learned that the life of a Death Eater was nothing of the glamorous charade his Father had told him stories of as a child. He'd been given delusional ideas of making the wizarding world a better place, preventing the mudbloods from poisioning their society. As a young child Draco had asked his father just how the Death Eaters had fixed the mudblood problem. Before his Father had a chance to answer, Mother had cut in, telling him stories of etiquette and thorough very history lessons. All lies, but like the childish fool Draco was, he had lapped it up. Of course the name 'Death Eater' should have been Draco's first clue, but why would Mother and Father lie to him? Growing up Draco had learnt the truth through other sources, he'd been literally sick reading over a book on Modern Magical History while researching for an Essay his first year at Hogwarts. It stated the figures of just how many mudbloods, halfbloods and even purebloods had been murdered and worse, in the name of the Dark Lord by the Death Eaters.
He'd kept his face on in public, supporting his Father, because Malfoy's always present a united front in public, but their relationship had never been the same. Draco had screamed himself horse at his Father when he got home that Christmas and spent the entire following Summer between friends' houses. Father had typically tried buying back his sons love by buying him a spot on the Slytherin quidditch team with the blasted brooms but that had just upset Draco further. He'd wanted to earn his position on the team by his own merit, he resented his Father for the speculation his position on the team held. He'd refused to even go home for Christmas that year, his Mother had come to visit him in Severus quarters crying, just wanting him to come home, they'd never had a Christmas apart before. They hadn't spent much time together the Christmas prior either, the entire Holiday had been a constant screaming contest between Draaco and his Father. Draco did miss his Mother, but the less time he had to spend with his murdering psychopath of a Father was for the better.
Mother and Son had spent the following Summer in France together, on Draco's one condition that Father wasn't to be anywhere near. Draco and Mother had been doing much better until the Dark Lord returned. Father had told Draco that he would be marked, that or the Dark Lord would likely kill him. Mother had tried running with Draco to leave the country, but the morning of their departure the Dark Lord had arrived to set up residence in the Manor. Nothing was said but he'd known their plans, the look he'd given the pair. He told Draco then that he had plans for him, the look on the snakes face made Draco as sick as when he'd found out what Death Eaters really did. He'd never imagined those plans would turn out to be killing Albus Dumbledore. He had no intention of going through with it of course. Mother had told him she had a plan for them to get away, she just needed time, and he had to delay for as long as possible while at least appearing to be working at the task. The necklace and mead had been a joke, they were never going to make it to Dumbledore. Draco had thought they'd be detected at the school gates before anyone touched or drank them, that had been unfortunate. Draco cried for joy when his Aunts plan to enter via the Chamber was stopped by traps the traps set there. He shuddered to think what would happen if that lunatic had been set free in a school of children, the more innocent one looked, Draco had found, the more his Aunt enjoyed driving them to insanity.
As the group of Slytherins reached the entrance hall an explosion sounded. The front doors burst off their hinges splintering as the power of the forces attempting to break in from outside finally got past the wards of the teachers and Order members gathered in the entrance hall. Teachers and Order members had been blasted back with the doors, Draco couldn't see Severus among them, hadn't seen him since before the lockdown. The ground shook as the giants who had knocked the doors down stepped into the entrance hall. Draco had always thought the grand castle was large enough to house a giant but to actually see one standing tall in the hall was awe inspiring. Pulled from his thoughts, Draco was dragged to the ground by Blaise to avoid a rebounding spell heading his way. Draco thanked Blasie while helping his friend from the ground and looking around the hall.
Chaos. Magic filled the air as spell fire was exchanged between the Order and the Death Eaters who had flooded into the hall behind the giants, led by the Dark Lord himself. The giants swung their fists around, not caring what or who they hit. Walls crumbled, suits of armour squashed like tin cans and already so much blood. Draco was relieved to see it had come spurting from one of the giants as someone's spell tore a large gash in its chest, the white light was sent at the giant several more times before the giant finally fell dead. It had to of been dark magic to do such quick damage to a giants skin, but it came from the group of Gryffindor's and Ravenclaw's descending the stairs to join the battle. Draco heard McGonagalls voice briefly magnified by a sonorous charm, telling the students to get back to their dormitories, before she had to drop the spell in favour of a shield against a sickly yellow spell sent her way. A second giant was hit with the white light and begun bleeding profusely, Draco turned this time to see who the white light came from. Potter, stood there in the middle of the scarlet and blue adorned robes. His spell firing stopped for a moment as he spoke rapidly to those around him. His spell fire then continued on the giants, after a few attempts the students he'd spoken to started sending their own white light at the giants, the gashes weren't as deep as Potters but it was getting the job done. When the last giant had fallen Draco saw Potter slip away from the crowd. Draco pulled Blaise into an alcove before the spells being fired their way could break through Blaise's shield.
"Blaise what do we do?"
"What are you talking about Draco? We fight."
"But who? I know your families famously neutral but now's a time to choose. If we fight for the light, Death Eaters won't hesitate to kill us, not to mention what the Dark Lord will do. But if we fight with the Death Eaters…"
"If we fight with the Death Eaters, what Draco?"
"If we fight with them, then we have to kill. Our teachers, classmates, we'll have to kill them Blaise. I don't want to kill anyone let alone people I've shares meals and classes with for the past seven years."
"Then we defend them, just don't get seen doing it."
"How?"
"Are you a Slytherin or not?"
With that Blaise pulled out of the alcove to return to the battle, his spells flying left, right and centre. Draco smirked as he saw three out of four of Blaise's spells narrowly missing two students and Professor Babbling before the fourth hit a masked Death Eater square in the chest, slamming them back into a wall. This kind of Slytherin he could do, sticking close to Blaise, Draco's spell work was shameful, either missing or being too weak to do any damage. Every fourth spell, however, had a bit more power behind it but 'unfortunately' would 'accidentally' hit a fellow Death Eater instead of the intended target. Draco spotted Mother in the distance, she winked when he caught her eye, her spell work just as awful as his own. Slytherin indeed.
Remus jumped, dodging a spell sent his way from the Malfoy heir. He couldn't help but feel confused when the man it hit behind him grew curly purple hair. Why on Earth was the boy sending pranking jinxes, did he not understand how serious this all was. He'd noticed a few of the other junior Death Eaters doing the same, he'd had to focus on not laughing his arse off when Zabini had given Moody a solid D cup. Of course the spells were a good distraction but only momentarily, Remus smiled, returning fire at the Malfoy boy, he couldn't help but feel that the kids meant no real damage. He laughed and failed to duck the weak stinging hex the furious Malfoy boy sent his way when he realised his hair was bright pink. The hex barely tickled, the boy definitely meant no harm. Sending a second jinx at Zabini and a blonde seventh year Slytherin girl who was also sending off colour spells, Remus got close to Moody as their hair turned pink.
"Spread the word, don't curse or harm the students with pink hair."
"What are you talking about Lupin. They're bloody Slytherins, I knew you were disloyal to Dumbledore but I never thought you'd side with the dark, that's the Malfoy boy you've got marked out there."
"Watch the bloody spells he's sending, count them. The first three are doing nothing, every fourth-"
"Takes out a God dammed Death Eater. The kids working for us?"
"Apparently so, as with the other two I have marked so far, keep an eye out and mark any you can, spread the word"
Over the next ten minutes twelve more heads of hair were turned pink, including, to Remus' surprise, that of Narcissa Malfoy. Malfoy senior's hair remained blonde however as his dark curse hit their targets. Remus turned to see one head of pink hair he hadn't wanted to see. Dora took out three Death Eaters as she barrelled over towards him, two with spells and the other by accidently slamming his face into the wall as she tripped and fell against the man. She looked around with an impish grin catching Remus's eye.
"Whoopsie, if people ask, we'll say I did that on purpose."
"Dora what are you doing here? Where's Teddy?"
"I'm protecting your skinny arse and he's with my Mum. And who do you boys think you are, taking off in the middle of the night, leaving me a note?"
"I had no choice. It was hard enough getting Harry to wait just a day to try figure out that bloody book and snitch. When Severus managed to get word through to us of Voldemort's plans to take the school I didn't stand a chance. It was either go with him them or be left behind."
"So give me a shake and let me know. I could have dropped Teddy and Mums and met you here."
"I didn't want you here Dora! If I die tonight at least Teddy would still have you."
"Remus I'm a halfblood, daughter of a blood traitor and muggle born. If we lose tonight there's a good chance he won't have me. And as the son of two Order members, if we don't win this, there's a good chance he won't have a future himself. So stop being a girls blouse and let's win this war."
Remus couldn't help but grin at his wife. He'd known he'd given in to her for a reason. Pulling his wife in for a kiss before turning back to the battle, getting hit with a short tickling jinx from Narcissa Malfoy as the battle spread down the corridors.
George dove out from behind the suit of armour he'd used to doge from an earlier blasting hex as the second one crumpled the suit. Goyle really wasn't holding back, probably didn't appreciate the stinging hex he'd hit him with earlier. George didn't laugh as ten inch long hair grew form Goyle's nose when his next jinx hit him. Apparently too much for Goyle a green killing curse was sent his way, frozen to the spot, weary from hours of battle. George felt himself dragged back ten feet down the corridor as the curse cracked the wall. Colliding with a body the pair fell to the floor, George turned to see Malfoy beneath him. A hand was offered from above and George looked up to see Harry's face, weary as he helped his friend up. The look on his face, George knew he'd seen Fred. George had seen Remus and Tonks himself, little Colin Creevy too. Bodies littered the corridors, some dead, some alive, but no one had time to check. George had seen Madam Pomfrey around earlier attempting to see to the wounded. The Death Eaters had swarmed in on her, it had taken several people almost half an hour to get them all away from her, and she had now joined in the fray, healing those she could as she went.
"Thanks for the save mate."
"Wasn't me."
George was confused to see Harry offering a hand to Malfoy, helping him up.
"I owe you one."
Malfoy shrugged as a re-joined the battle.
Turning back to George, Harry offered him the sword of Gryffindor, a look of determination of his face.
"It's time George, for Fred, for Remus, for Tonks. For Teddy growing up without his parents. For my parents. I need to end this for every death that monster's responsible for and before anyone else dies. Kill the snake and then kill him. For Fred."
George pulled Harry into a tight hug before releasing him and taking the sword. Not another word was said. The pair headed down the corridor, back to the main entrance hall where Voldemort had remained throughout the battle.
There was no glorious battle. No grand speeches. Harry walked up to Voldemort, Voldemort saw him and raised his wand, Harry's hand stayed at his side. As though in slow motion every eye is the room turned to the pair as the realised what was to come. They were all fighting the battle but the war was about to be decided. With a twisted sneer on his face Old Moldy uttered the words, green light flashed towards Harry, still not raising his wand, ready to die for the cause, for his people to have their freedom. The green light hit him square on the chest, knocking him back, falling to the floor. Voldemort fell with him as he unknowingly sentenced a part of his own soul to death. As the hall fell into silence George swung the sword through the snake, in the name of Fred and all other nameless faces, bringing Tom Riddle to mortality once again.
It had to be done, Tom could not be defeated if the boy did not die. All for the greater good. He'd had his suspicions, of course, that the boy may end up here, and it filled him with joy to be proven correct. How the child must have hated him in those final year, sentencing him to death the way he had, but if he'd known he wouldn't truly die it wouldn't have been a sacrifice in the way it needed to be for him to not. The boy had been angry at first that Albus had let him believe he was to die, and stay dead, but he had equally understood the need for a sacrificial death, for love. It was why he had lived the first time he had been struck with the killing curse and it was likely to be the reason why he survived this time. Albus was certain the Hallows had a part to play in survival. While he may not have had the wand on him he was it's true master. Tom may have weld it and it had been his curse which killed him, but the wand had already changed allegiances prior to Ablus' death. Albus would not have died had it not, the power of the wand had been the only thing keeping Albus alive the past two years, he had felt his life draining the moment Potter had disarmed him, as the wands allegiance changed.
Albus felt no bitterness to the boy for this, he hadn't known about the Hallows until after Albus was dead and hadn't truly believed it until he'd recovered the resurrection stone from the snitch. This had never been Albus war to win. He was beyond his time, the only reason he'd live to such an age was for the wands power once again. Potter was prophesied to defeat Tom Riddle to completion and it would be done. Albus smiled fondly at the boy as he went back to end the war, grateful to have had the opportunity to apologise and make amends with the boy for all the hardships he'd forced him to suffer through to reach this moment.
Harry could smell expensive perfume and blood as he was shook awake. He opened his eyes to a slit, seeing Narcissa Malfoy leaning over him in pleading.
"He is dead my Lord, you are victorious."
Screams of agony and grief were drowned out by cries of victory from the Death Eaters before Riddle called for silence. The man must have cast a silencing spell over the crowded entrance hall, the sobs stopping just as abruptly as the yelling. Harry slid his eyes right shut as he heard riddle bare foot steps approach and fought the urge to not snarl as he felt a cold foot pressed to his face in the same manner the snake had to Cedric.
"You see what happens to fools who think they can defy me. To Potter! To Dumbledore! They thought they could stand up to me, they thought they could take away my rights, appose my ideals, now they are dead. And you,-"
Harry opened his eyes as much as he dared to see the snake towered above George, on his knees, Nagini's head beside him, the sword of Gryffindor laying to the side covered in her blood.
"-what you have done. You will have the honour of being the first killed as I rule the wizarding world."
"You've already taken one half of my soul tonight, so why don't you shit your ugly slimy face and get on with taking the second half already."
"Crucio."
Unable to take anymore Harry stood from where he'd lain. With the crowd under Riddles silencing charm he was unable to see the silent gasps of shock, cries of joy, nor his own Death Eaters shouts of warning.
"No more souls Riddle, not tonight or any night. Tonight you die and never come back."
Riddle whipped around a face of pure fury. He shot a glance where Narcissa had stood, long gone into the night with her son.
"No matter, I'll just have to kill you again, and again, and again, until you finally stay dead, boy."
"Didn't you hear me Tom, you die tonight and you stay dead."
Riddle laughed, raising the disloyal elder wand.
"That's what you think."
"No, that's what I know. Your diary? Your Mother locket. The Gaunt ring. Cup of Hufflepuff. Ravenclaw's diadem. All gone Tommy boy. And you think George killed that snake for the fun of it?"
Riddle whipped back around to George in shock, a wide grin spread over the red heads face as he stood, fear finally shining through his own as he realised he was truly mortal.
"You're as good as dead Riddle. Did you really think you could get away with it, splitting your soul into eight pieces? It's a miracle you're still alive as it is with over three quarters of your soul already in hell. Don't worry the rest is soon to join it."
"Eight? You're a fool boy, can't even count."
"You're the fool. You think you one that duel? I didn't even raise my wand. You made seven horcrux's Tom. That night you murdered my parents, you left behind more than a scar."
Harry lifted his fringe to reveal the already healing lightning bolt.
"I was the seventh, the horcrux you never meant to make."
Having heard enough and with a scream of rage Riddle raised the elder wand a final time. Green spell met red in an explosion of light. Remaining loyal to its true master the elder wand faltered it its spell. Green light faded as red hit the monster square in the chest. Riddle was ashes before the elder wand could landed in Harry's hand.
A/N: So much to everyone who's follow this story through and for all the favourites and reviews :D
Constructive criticism very welcome, isn't that what this site is about? Of course I know my spelling isn't American nor is it perfect even by British standards haha. But seriously, American spell check doesn't even think 'metre' is a word, you may not use the metric system but at least acknowledge it *sigh* rant over
Apologies for the final chapter being so long, I slightly under estimated how much content I had left to deliver.
Again thanks for reading :)