It was well into the next morning, early, marking May 2nd, 1998. The group of eight still resided inside Aberforth's pub, waiting for whatever the man said would come to get them into the school. They had eaten, relaxed and mentally prepared themselves for the battle ahead. There was one horcrux left to find, and three to destroy. They had the cup, they needed the diadem and then there was still Nagini. When those were gone, it would leave just Voldemort to kill.

It would be a huge fight, and Harry already said he was ready to die if it meant he took Tom with him to the next life. No one wanted to accept that, but there was no telling how the battle would go. Harry was still only seventeen, close to eighteen though and without a full education. Practiced in things Severus taught him would help, but Tom had the Elder Wand and Harry was using Tom's old wand. Interesting dynamic, at the least.

"Hey, she's coming back," Hermione pointed out as the group looked at the picture as the girl came back and when she did; the woman bowed and the frame opened to reveal Neville to them.

"Neville!" Harry smiled.

"Hey." Neville greeted. "Good to see you again." The last time had been while prisoners in Riddle Manor. "Come on, I'll take you through. Aberforth, send the word out to the others that Harry is back. We're gonna need all hands on deck for this."

Aberforth nodded as Harry climbed up into the passage, then helped the rest with Neville before they began to walk the path, wands lit.

"You haven't missed much," Neville stated. "After Dumbledore died and all vanished from the wedding, Pettigrew took over the school as Headmaster on Tom's orders. McGonagall is still a boss witch, though. The problem is the other Death Eaters now having taken over the last month or so. Moody is dead, the Carrow twins are running Defense classes." He informed. "Today, they had us practicing the Cruciatus on first, second, and third years. We've refused, and so got it ourselves."

"I'm sorry…" Harry sighed.

"Don't be. With your training, most of us from the army can resist it enough for the few moments they hold it. Still hurts, but not terribly." Neville told him. "All the passages are closed off, this is the only one in and out of the castle now. Built during the last year." The teenager mentioned. "The army has done what they can, so has the Order…We're hoping with you back, we can take control of the school again." He remarked.

"Who knows I'm back?" Harry asked.

"No one yet, but it was on Potterwatch that you were spotted leaving Gringotts on the back of a dragon." Neville chuckled.

"That was definitely not my plan." Harry stated. "All Narcissa, actually." Neville blinked as Narcissa grinned.

"Don't ask." Ron muttered.

"Didn't plan on it, but everyone's gonna love this." Neville stood at the door as the picture opened.

"What did Aberforth want?" Seamus asked.

"He sent a gift," Neville grinned as he stepped aside to reveal Harry. The room broke into cheers as Harry climbed down the ladder, hugging people, shaking hands, taking pats on the back too. "You there, get the word out, Harry's back." He commanded those by the radio. The rest of the group came down the stairs too, and the teachers were overjoyed.

"Oh, Potter…It's good to see you again." Minerva hugged him, then the others, even Severus.

"Good to see you too, Professor." Harry smiled.

"Now, I assume you've returned with a plan?" Minerva inquired.

"Something like that." Harry replied.

"What do you need?" Asked Neville.

"Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem. It's somewhere, hidden, here in the school. It's the last thing we need to defeat the dark lord." Harry informed. "It's small, silver with a blue gem, eagle on it?"

No one had any idea. But there was a sound and everyone looked nervous. "What does that mean?" Draco wondered.

"It's the signal to form in the great hall. Pettigrew sends it out when Tom shows up…" Minerva said. "Let's go, students. Potter, you best stay hidden if your mission isn't complete. The dark lord never stays long, usually just warnings."

The students and teachers got ready, in their house robes and filing out of the room to get to the hall. "This is our chance to find the diadem…" Harry stated.

"What about the others?" Hermione wondered.

"They'll be fine…But we can't protect them from Tom until we've made him mortal. We need to get the diadem…" Harry reminded. "And I think I know who to talk to about finding it." The others blinked a bit but didn't question as Harry led them out carefully and then through the corridors until they reached one of the ghosts. The Gray Lady.

"Who are you?" The woman asked.

"I'm Harry Potter-Snape. Slytherin student here at the school…Luna told me about you. Ghost of Ravenclaw Tower, the Gray Lady." Harry replied.

"I don't go by that name anymore." The woman said.

"It's Helena, right? You're Rowena's daughter." Harry mentioned.

Helena nodded to him. "You're a friend of Luna's?"

"She's a very good friend of mine and I think you can help me find something." Harry informed.

"You seek my mother's diadem…" Helena stated, matter of factly.

"Yes." Harry nodded.

"Luna is kind, unlike so many others…But I am sorry. I cannot help you." Helena tried to fly off.

"Wait, stop. Please?" Harry pleaded. "I want to destroy it."

Helena stopped, but didn't face him. Flashes of light appeared as Harry held his forehead. "Harry…" Severus tried to touch him.

"I know that many of you will want to fight. Some of you may even think that to fight is wise. But this is folly. Give me Harry Potter. Do this and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter, and I shall leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you will be rewarded. You have one hour." Voldemort's voice echoed throughout the castle.

Harry panted as the pain faded. "Yeah. Yeah, he knows what we're after. He's warned Nagini to stay close to him…" He coughed.

"The Death Eaters are leaving," Draco pointed out, staring out the window.

"Then this is my only chance to protect the school. He won't keep his word…" Harry put his right hand on the wall closest to him. "Hogwarts, I call on you as Lord Slytherin.." Harry's ring began to glow green.

"The time has come to banish evil from the walls and protect the students and staff within. I ask you to lockdown and hold firm as long as you can." He paused as he raised his wand. "Protego Horribilis Totalum Maxima. Fianto Duri. Repello Inimicum." Harry hissed out, one hand still touching the school.

A blue light emitted from the tip of the wand as it grew brighter levitated off to the glowing green of his ring, then it penetrated the wall with a blue burst of light. Looking outside, a wall of blue began to descend over the school and touch ground.

"It won't hold forever, but it should keep Tom at bay for a little longer while we search for the diadem and evacuate all students who cannot fight. Anyone underage, anyone who doesn't want to take part that is of age." Harry said.

"I don't want to know what spell you just cast to make a shield that large…" Severus remarked.

"Don't worry about it, but you know my shields are pretty strong, Sev…" Harry told him gently. "Just know it's going to hold Tom back because he's not going to wait an hour for someone to give me up. He knows they won't. It's just to lure them into a false sense of security. I promise you, the shield cannot keep him out indefinitely. But it will delay him and Hogwarts itself is locked down, so even once they get past the barrier…They have to get through the school, and that won't hold forever either. It's just to buy us time."

"Your determination suits you, Harry Potter…You were once a Gryffindor as well." Helena stated.

"Yes, I was. And if you know all that, then you know how many times I've fought that man who threatens to destroy everything. I know how to beat him for good, but I need your help. I need your mother's diadem." Harry told her. "It's keeping him alive."

"I know what he's done! He defiled it with dark magic!" Helena raged. "He too said he wanted to destroy it many years ago. A boy, with a funny name."

"Tom Riddle. You know then who he really is. I know, Helena…He defiled many things. Helga Hufflepuff's cup. Salazar Slytherin's locket…I destroyed the locket. And I have the cup here…" Harry held the items up, including the ring and diary. "Please? I can destroy it, once and for all. But only if you tell me where he hid it…And I know you know where it's hidden."

"Strange. You remind me of him a bit…" Helena said before floating backwards a bit. "It's here. In the castle. In the place where everything is hidden. If you have to ask, you'll never know. But if you know…You need only ask."

"Thank you." Harry understood as Helena vanished.

"So…Where is it?" Ron inquired.

"The Room of Requirement." Harry told them.

"We were just there!" Sirius sighed, exasperated.

"The room changes, Uncle Siri. It changes to what the person needs…" Harry remarked. "Come on, we don't have time to dawdle!" He darted off to get back to the seventh floor and the rest followed him.

. . .

Harry had been the one to pace the place where the door always appeared, asking to find what was hidden. The door showed to them and they walked inside to find it swarming with clutter.

"Alright, Harry…Just like in the vault," Narcissa put her hand on his shoulder. "Focus, zero in on the energy…"

Harry nodded as he closed his eyes and listened for the Parseltongue, trying to grab onto the dark magic. It took a few moments of utter silence before Harry's eyes snapped open. "There!" Harry pointed to a tower before going over and starting to climb up it, finally grabbing the object and jumping down to be caught by his husband. "We've got it. Now we just need Ivy."

"The Order should have arrived by now." Sirius stated. "No doubt gathered in the hall."

"Then let's go." Severus urged.

Harry was placed down and about to walk with them when he froze, palm to his scar. "Harry? Are you alright?" Lucius asked.

"He's attacking the barrier, all of them are…" Harry mentioned with a groan. "It's weakening and it's going to break under all that force."

Severus worked to support Harry. "That barrier is tied directly to your magic, isn't it?..." Hermione inquired. Harry nodded. "Every time it's hit, your magic is affected…" Harry nodded again.

"Harry, why would you do that?!" Ron scolded.

"It won't affect much…" Harry assured. "Don't worry, it'll be over soon. Come on, let's go meet up with the others."

The walk didn't talk long, but they finally made it back to the great hall. Sure enough, the Order had formed up. Sirius was first to hug Remus and Tonks; the rejoice of being together again. Ron met up with his family. The Malfoy's met up with their friends. The adults, and Draco with his friends. It was so happy.

"Potter, have you got what you needed?" Minerva asked.

"Yeah, now I just need…" He paused.

"Master!" Harry whipped around to see Hedwig flying towards him with Ivy in her claws, carried gently.

"Ivy!" Harry smiled. "Hedwig…" Ivy slithered herself around Harry's arm, then around his neck. Hedwig landed on Harry's arm. Both of them were nuzzling his face and making him giggle. "I've missed you both so much."

"Master, you're in pain…" Ivy mentioned.

"I will be okay, my friend…" Harry promised. "Ready to help me out?"

"You need my fang?" Ivy inquired.

"I do." Harry responded gently.

Ivy nodded as she slithered off her place to the floor and grew herself to a larger size. "Go ahead, my Master…It won't hurt and another will grow in its place over a few days." She opened her mouth wide for him.

"Harry…Watch the venom…" Severus reminded.

"I got it, Sev…" Harry wrapped his hand around the fang and pulled it out. Ivy whimpered a little, but changed forms back to smaller to resume her place.

"Do it, Harry…Send the bastard a message." Sirius grinned.

"Back up. Everyone back away…" Harry warned as everyone did. Harry laid the cup down, then the diadem on top of it. Holding the fang in hand, he brought it back and slammed it down hard. Both items emitted a black cloud that screeched out with anger and pain.

Finally, it all faded to nothing but the cracked items. "Now, it's just his snake…And then we can kill him." Harry sighed. Not even a second later, Harry held his head tightly as the barrier was destroyed in an instant.

"Harry!?" Severus held him.

"Yeah, I think he's mad about the horcruxes…" Harry winced.

"Then what do we do…?" Remus inquired.

"We get ready to fight." Harry stated as Severus helped him up. "Headmistress, I believe it wise to send all underage students, or those who do not wish to fight away from the school…"

"I second that idea," Filius agreed.

"So do I." Pamona Sprout nodded.

"Well, I don't speak as a head of house, but I did watch over the Slytherins while you were away, Severus…I think that is a wise decision." Horace told Minerva.

"I agree completely, but where do we send them?" Minerva questioned.

"I've got a place…" Harry muttered as he drew an object from his pocket and levitated it slightly before pointing his wand at it. "Serpens Caverna." The object began to glow green and then it flashed to a swirling green and silver portal.

"This will take anyone who does not wish to fight in the battle away to a safe location that our enemies will never seek out or find. There is plenty of space, and help. Those who are younger than sixth and seventh year will go without a choice. This is no fight for any of you. Those within the limit make their own decision to fight or not." Harry stated.

"You heard him. No arguments." Minerva stepped up. "I don't know where it will take you, but if Potter says it's safe…I trust him completely. Quickly now, we don't have much time."

Teachers began to lead students through, and quite a few offered to go as well, to ensure the children didn't panic. Minerva, of course, would stay. So would Filius and Pamona, Horace. Obviously Severus, the Malfoys and some of the parents who were former Death Eaters. When the last students were through, Harry waved his wand to close the portal.

"Do I want to know where you've sent them?" Severus wondered.

"Protected information." Harry informed as Severus understood that it was likely under Fidelius with Harry as secret keeper.

"Alright, what's the plan now?" Lucius inquired. "To the battlefield?"

"We need to find where they're hiding…" Hermione mentioned.

"Harry?" Draco got his attention. "Tap into the link, can't you? Find him?"

Harry focused himself, eyes closed. Then he found it and his eyes snapped open as flashes played across his mind. Harry pulled back with a gasp and shudder. "I know where he is…"

"Tell us." Sirius hoped.

"Shrieking Shack, with Pettigrew. They're talking…I think about the Elder Wand. Tom is…Trying to figure out why the wand is resisting him." Harry remarked. "I think he means to kill him."

"Good riddance." Sirius and Remus scoffed.

"No. That's bad. Very bad!" Hermione realized. "Don't you remember what Ollivander said to Harry, about how the Elder Wand gets a new master. It only gets a new master when its old one is defeated."

"It means that Pettigrew became the master of the Elder Wand because he killed Dumbledore…" Severus understood now.

"If Tom kills Peter, he becomes the new master…" Narcissa whispered.

"And…We're too late." Harry's eyes were still wide. "Tom slit his throat, and let Nagini strike several times. He's dead. Now, the battle will begin…"

"Tell us what to do." Horace remarked. "We follow your lead."

"Tom is going to have his Death Eaters, any of the werewolves Greyback recruited, any manner of creatures he got to agree to fight for him. Including Dementors." Harry stood up. "Let the Order and anyone who joined Dumbledore's Army handle the Death Eaters."

"Everyone else, deal with the rest. Pair off, work in groups…Help each other out. They'll play dirty. But leave me Tom." He informed. "If anyone gets eyes on his snake, Nagini…She needs to be killed. However you can. She's the last piece to killing the dark lord. When she's gone, he's mortal. Until then, I'll keep him busy." Everyone nodded. "Ivy?"

"Yes, Master…?" The snake replied.

"I give you permission to go full size and use your abilities on any of our enemies. Petrify if you can, but if there's no choice…You know what to do." Harry commanded.

Ivy bowed to him. "I understand, Master."

"Good girl." Harry stroked the top of her head.

"Harry, this is the final battle. The end. The close…Shouldn't the snitch have opened for you?" Hermione inquired.

"Perhaps it's the final battle, but not the end just yet. Tom won't be mortal until his snake is killed." Harry informed. "Listen up!" Harry climbed on a table. "This is it, guys and girls. The final battle. No matter what, it ends today. I know you all have put your faith in me as the chosen one or whatever other titles I've acquired, and you all know I hate."

"The continued support has been amazing. I can't thank you enough, but I didn't do this alone. Screw that prophecy about me being the one to defeat him. I didn't do this alone. I never have." Harry informed. "We got here together, by standing as one. So it won't be I who defeats him, it will be us. We will stop the dark lord and vanquish him from our world once and for all. If we stand together, we will emerge victorious."

Just like that, the entire room started to cheer out and clap. Harry wasn't one for speeches, but if they were all looking at him; he had to give them something to look forward to. Harry knew that today would be the end of Voldemort, but him too.

The prophecy said Harry would have the power to vanquish the dark lord with a power the dark lord knew not. Yes, that was true. But everyone seemed to forget the last line. Neither can live while the other survives. Both of them had to die to fulfill the prophecy.