Prologue: Battle of Hogwarts
The Battle of Hogwarts raged on. Hours had passed since Voldemort's forces had breached the castle, and Hogwarts had become a battlefield. Harry Potter's world had been turned upside down after watching and experiencing Professor Snape's memories. The truth that he had to die had set in, but it didn't distract him. He was completely focused on trying to save the people he cared about; Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Remus, Tonks…the list was so long. Harry fought his way through a sea of Death Eaters, dispatching them with relative ease as he tried to reach the courtyard where the majority of the action was taking place. Bodies of men, women; friends and foes, coated the floors like paint. Spells of a myriad of colours illuminated the darkening sky as Harry continued to scan his vision.
In his peripherals, he caught sight of some familiar faces. Neville, with a newfound confidence that Harry hadn't seen before, flung a powerful Severing Charm at the moving figure of Dolohov, causing the Death Eater to stumble backwards, grabbing at his leg. Never too far from Neville these days, Luna Lovegood, her serene expression unwavering even in the midst of chaos, was having some difficulties with a Giant. She expertly evaded its massive fists, diving through its legs, whilst simultaneously summoning boulders and hurling them at the giant's abdomen. Even in this setting, a sense of pride overcame Harry watching his former classmates duel, but this thought was rapidly interrupted by the ongoing battle.
In the heart of the battle, members of the Order of the Phoenix fought valiantly alongside Harry. Kingsley Shacklebolt's wand was aglow with magic as he masterfully deflected curses and led groups of Aurors into strategic positions, mounting angled attacks against the surging enemy. Professor McGonagall, meanwhile, was trying to help as many students as she could. Showcasing her incredible Transfiguration skills, turning enemy barricades into swarms of wasps which attacked nearby snatchers and Death Eaters, allowing some third-year Hufflepuff students to escape inside.
In one of the nearby corridors, Lavender Brown found herself separated from her DA classmates, her heart pounding with fear as she stumbled upon Fenrir Greyback. Greyback's eyes glinted with malevolence as he caught sight of Lavender, a cruel grin spreading across his face. He relished the opportunity to unleash his sadistic nature upon the young and defenceless witch. With a guttural growl, he lunged at her, his teeth bared like a savage beast.
Lavender's breath caught in her throat as she desperately raised her wand, but she was too slow. Greyback's predatory instincts took over, and with a vicious swipe of his claws, he tore through her robes, leaving deep gashes in her flesh. Blood trickled down her side, staining her clothes a dark crimson. She cried out in pain, but Greyback showed no mercy. He closed the distance between them, his eyes filled with predatory hunger. With a menacing snarl, he sank his sharp teeth into Lavender's shoulder, piercing through her skin and drawing more blood.
Minutes passed by as the Werewolf continued his vicious attack until finally, he snapped her neck. Her body crumpled to the ground: lifeless, broken, and mutilated. Her death went unnoticed in the chaos of the battlefield, like so many others.
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Harry marched on through the battleground; swift, efficient movements of his wand brought down any enemy in his way. He was exhausted, battered, and bruised, but his spirit did not waiver. Dodging past yet another bolt of dark magic and cutting down the snatcher with a swift 'Sectumsempra,' he noticed his closest friends up ahead. Ron and Hermione, their wands ablaze with magic, were surrounded and outnumbered by Death Eaters, including Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange.
Bellatrix's cackle filled the air as she taunted Hermione,
"You really think you can defeat me, Mudblood? Your blood traitor boyfriend can't save you now!"
Hermione's jaw tightened with determination, and she sent a flurry of spells at Bellatrix, her movements quick and precise. But Bellatrix, with her years of experience, deflected each one with ease, her laughter echoing in the courtyard.
Meanwhile, Ron had his hands full with two Death Eaters that he didn't recognize. He began engaging them, opening with a series of hexes. He really had developed into a formidable wizard, Harry's right-hand man, but the odds were stacked against him. Quickly erecting some shields, Ron composed himself and resumed his attack.
Despite their bravery, Harry could see the exhaustion on his friends' faces. They were giving their all, but the relentless assault of the Death Eaters was taking its toll. Harry's heart clenched with worry for them, but he knew he couldn't afford to be distracted. He summoned all his strength and fought his way through the ranks of Death Eaters, determined to reach his friends. His wand danced through the air, sending curses flying in every direction. Blazes of colour resonated from his wand as he continued to deflect curses and jinxes, returning fire with deadly intent.
Hermione and Ron thankfully received a moment of respite courtesy of a barrage of 'Spell-Grenades' from above. Fred and George's voices rang out as they flew around the scene, momentarily diverting the Death Eaters' attention to block the attack. It was evident that despite their poor academic performances at school, the mischievous twin brothers were some of the brightest wizards around, and the use of their combined knowledge was proving to be an effective tool in the Order's armoury.
With each of Harry's steps, his best friends seemed to grow nearer, and Harry's determination only intensified. He needed to be by Ron and Hermione's side, to protect them as they had always protected him. Finally, he reached them, just as Bellatrix launched a deadly curse towards Hermione.
Harry's instincts kicked in, and he shouted, "Protego!"
His shield spell intercepted Bellatrix's curse, sending it harmlessly away. Hermione's eyes widened in surprise and relief as she turned to Harry.
"Harry, you made it!" Harry nodded, his heart pounding with adrenaline.
"I'm not letting you two fight alone. We're in this together."
Ron grinned, a mixture of exhaustion and determination on his face.
"Good to have you here, mate."
The golden trio stood back to back, ready to face the upcoming and inevitable onslaught. They fought together as a team, their movements fluid and coordinated. Harry's knowledge of their fighting styles and instincts earned through years of friendship allowed them to anticipate each other's moves.
The duel intensified, and the courtyard was becoming a blur of colour. The Death Eaters pressed harder, each determined to take down the famous trio, yet Harry, Ron, and Hermione remained focused. But despite their skill, the odds continued to be against them, and at some point – something would give. Bellatrix and her accomplices were relentless, and the trio began to tire under the continued assault. Another bombardment from the Weasley Twins gave the trio time to move and Harry, Ron, and Hermione found themselves momentarily shielded from the direct onslaught of curses. They huddled together behind a crumbling wall, their chests heaving with exhaustion. Hermione's hands trembled slightly as she tried to regain her breath, her eyes darting to the sky, which was now painted with the hues of approaching dawn. Ron's knuckles were white as he clutched his wand, his eyes glancing nervously at Harry. Harry, though weary, managed a small smile, appreciating the brief moment of camaraderie and unity they shared.
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As the battle raged on, the casualties mounted. Harry saw Tonks bravely defending her husband, Remus, fighting side by side against Greyback and Augustus Rookwood, two of the more powerful Death Eaters. Remus was fighting wounded, having been hit with a cutting curse earlier on, and Tonks was eventually overwhelmed. The Death Eaters' curses finally found their marks. Tonks fell to the ground, her hair no longer pink, her body still. Remus roared in agony and rage, his grief fueling his magic. He struck back with even greater force, but his adversaries were unyielding, and it was not long before he joined his wife.
In another corner of the battlefield, Percy Weasley stood tall, his wand emitting a steady stream of spells as he protected his family and friends. His eyes were filled with determination, and his redemption as a loyal Weasley was evident in every movement. Further on, Harry's attention was drawn to Arthur Weasley's valiant struggle. Arthur's back was against a crumbling wall as he faced Lucius Malfoy and two other Death Eaters, and Harry feared that it was only a matter of time before practically his adopted father would breathe his last breath.
Harry's heart sank as he saw a momentary hesitation in Hermione's defence, and a curse from Rodolphus grazed her left shoulder. She stumbled backwards, a cry of pain escaping her lips.
"No!" Ron roared, his fury ignited.
He unleashed a barrage of spells, but the Death Eaters were too quick, and they retaliated with equal force. A curse from Bellatrix hit Ron in the forearm, and he grunted in pain, his arm going limp.
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In one swift motion, Ginny Weasley deflected a jet of blue light with a well-timed Protego charm, the force of the curse causing her arm to tremble. Without missing a beat, she retaliated with a bludgeoning hex that caught the Death Eater off guard, causing him to stumble backwards. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of fear and determination fuelling her every move. Ducking under another spell, Ginny spun on her heel and sent a stunner at her opponent, hitting him square in the chest. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious. But there was no time to celebrate; more Death Eaters were closing in. Ginny's mind raced as she assessed the situation. She knew she couldn't take them all on at once. With a quick glance around, she spotted a stone wall a few yards away, and without hesitation, she ran past it, hoping they would follow.
"Expulso!" she shouted,
blasting the wall into shards and sending debris flying in all directions. The explosion bought her a few precious seconds, and she seized the opportunity to dash in the opposite direction, putting some distance between herself and her pursuers, and she returned to the fight nearby.
Harry's attention was drawn to Ginny Weasley, who was fighting alongside other members of Dumbledore's Army with fierce determination. Ginny's hair blazed like fire as she skillfully weaved in and out of the chaos, her hexes hitting their marks with deadly precision. Their eyes met briefly, and a nod of understanding passed between them. Despite the dangers surrounding them, they knew they needed to focus on their respective battles.
Despite their injuries, Harry, Ron, and Hermione fought on, they had fought too hard and for too long for it all to end here. They were a team, bound by love and friendship, and they wouldn't give up without a fight. But then, in a split second, Bellatrix seized the opportunity. With a cruel smile, she aimed a deadly curse at Hermione, who was momentarily vulnerable. Harry reacted instinctively, lunging forward to shield her.
The curse hit Harry, and pain shot through his body. He collapsed to the ground, his vision blurred and his strength waning. In his last moments of consciousness, he saw Ron and Hermione continue to duel bravely, their wands blazing with power. But the odds were too great, and the Death Eaters overwhelmed them. Harry's vision blurred, and his body felt heavy with exhaustion and pain. He tried to summon the strength to keep fighting, but his body was failing him. The sound of spells and cries of battle faded into a distant roar as he collapsed to the ground.
Unconsciousness claimed Harry as the Battle of Hogwarts raged on around him.
Looking on in the distance, in perhaps the only section of solitude around, Draco watched the three people he hated lose. The three people that he had always been taught to hate. And yet, he felt a sense of sadness. A sense of guilt. Deep down, a part of him felt responsible for everything that was going on; after all, he was responsible in a big way for the Dark Lord's rise to power. Glancing around, he saw his former classmates, some still fighting, some dead on the ground. His senses alerted him to footsteps approaching, seeing a fourth-year Gryffindor sprinting away from a chasing Death Eater. Something inside Draco stirred, and he felt an urge to do something right for once. Ignoring the taunts of his fellow Death Eater, he hesitated for a moment before casting a powerful and precise Stunning Spell at the attacker, causing the Death Eater to collapse unconscious.
One good deed doesn't change anything, he thought. If only things had gone differently.
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The Forbidden Forest loomed in haunting darkness, its ancient trees towering like spectral sentinels. Harry lay unconscious on the cold forest floor, his body battered and bound by thick ropes. Surrounding him were Death Eaters, half-shrouded in shadows with Lord Voldemort staring directly at the figure on the floor.
Harry's eyes fluttered open, his head pounding with each heartbeat. The events leading up to this moment rushed through his mind like a tumultuous storm.
"It seems our guest has awakened," Voldemort whispered.
Harry's emerald eyes met Voldemort's cold, crimson gaze, and for a fleeting moment, a glimmer of fear passed through him. But with the fear came acceptance, a profound understanding that his journey may end here, but not in vain.
"Hello Tom," Harry responded defiantly.
Voldemort stepped closer, the pale moonlight casting eerie shadows across his snake-like features.
"You have fought valiantly, I must admit. But your courage is wasted. You cannot defeat me.", Voldemort snarled.
Harry's body ached, and the taste of blood lingered on his lips from the fight he was unable to finish.
"Maybe not... But others will. My friends..."
A twisted grin spread across Voldemort's face, relishing the opportunity to crush Harry's hope.
"Ah yes, your friends. Most have already met their tragic demise. Admittedly, the spill of magical blood does not always appeal to me, Harry, but the corpses of your Mudblood and blood-traitor friends did bring a smile to my face."
Voldemort's laughter echoed through the forest, a chilling sound that seemed to penetrate Harry's very soul. And yet, amidst the sense of great loss he was feeling, Harry looked up at Voldemort and smirked. He was soothed by the knowledge that with his death, Voldemort would become mortal again.
"Oh, how noble of you to accept your fate. You see, Potter, power is the only thing that matters. Love, friendship, bravery—they are all fleeting sentiments that amount to nothing."
Harry's resolve strengthened, accepting his destiny with a sense of purpose. Soon, the Dark Lord's patience dissipated. Staring directly at his nemesis, he screamed:
"Avada Kedavra!"
A bright flash of green enveloped the forest, and for Harry, all turned to white.