Chapter Twenty

Battle at Finals

Two Months Later, After N.E.W.T. Testing..

Nick slumped down in his chair in the Common Room, sighing exasperatingly. "That fucking Cloak administering the Charms Exam is a total douchebag."

Bellatrix giggled from her seat next to him, a book propped open in her hands. "Yes, well, you decided to boast directly to her that your magic releases itself in more powerful ways than most of us, luv. You literally asked for it."

"Don't be that way, Bella. Nicky knows he did something idiotic. Merlin forbid Voldemort decides to attack today, of all days, while Nick is currently weakened. Perhaps she's a supporter of your cousin, Nick?" Sameera chimed in from Bellatrix's other side.

Nick shrugged. "Maybe. It seems no matter how many Death Eaters are found out and tried, convicted, the whole nine yards or whatever that there's always more to spring up. Such is the usual way of revolution."

"So, what do we do, then?" Solana then asked, sitting across from the other three with a sandwich in one hand.

Nick hummed. "Hope to everything that the fact the most powerful Dark Wizard in a century is bested and destroyed by a mere teenager is enough to stop another Dark Wizard or Witch from taking Tom's place. I don't have much faith that'll be the case, though. Not permanently."

"You can't hope to stop all the world's issues by yourself and permanently, Nick. It takes a united front to stop such things from happening again. Plus, by that time, our children will be ready to fight and come out on top, being more powerful than any of us once in their prime."

"Let's not talk about that just yet, ladies. There's already Merula, and she's worthy of being a handful once she starts here."

"Not that little cutie. She's much too happy to be a troublemaker." Sameera rolled her eyes as Bellatrix scoffed.

"The more you know, Meera." She said before closing her book. "If you'll all excuse me, Professor Flitwick requested me for a private word about my N.E.W.T.s." She kissed Nick on the cheek before leaving the Common Room.

Meanwhile, Room of Requirement..

Rabastan smirked devilishly as the cabinet made a loud thud from inside, the teen opening the door as none other than Tom Riddle stepped out, an equally evil smile gracing his thin lips. "Ah, young Lestrange. You do your Lord proud, repairing the cabinet."

Rabastan bowed his head. "Your will be done, my Lord. I have looked forward to this day, when that shitehead Negron is taken out." He remarked.

Voldemort laughed. "Yes, this cousin of mine has become much too big a thorn in my side. What of my Homunculus?"

"Seraphina? Wouldn't know, she's rarely seen with anyone anymore, except for that prissy Ravenclaw bitch, Artemisia Birch. The last time she even showed up to help me with the cabinet was almost two weeks ago."

"Then it seems she truly has gained some form of sentience away from my control. I wonder if my cousin is to account for such things..? No matter, what is the situation among the student body?"

Rabastan shook his head. "Not the best. There are some who would still follow you, my Lord, but most of the Children have gone over to Negron's side in this conflict, meaning unless you pull an army out of that hat," The teen pointed to the cabinet. "There isn't going to be an easy win for us involved."

Voldemort smirked. "Let me worry about firepower, young Lestrange. Go about your regular duties, you will know when the sound of battle comes." Nodding, Rabastan left the dark wizard alone as he looked at the room he was currently in. "Strange that this Room is back in use. I believed it closed once I planted the Cursed Cup and Diadem inside almost twenty years ago." He noted before going about his nefarious plans.

Astronomy Tower..

Seraphina groaned at her friend's question. "Artie, I don't know how to change my fate, alright? That's why I came to you in the first place: a Ravenclaw would be the best choice to help me figure it out. And since you still give me the time of day unlike many of the other students.."

Artemisia Birch giggled. "We'll figure out another way, Sera. At least we know this Sacrifice condition would be one way to end your mental torment. The issue there is that many students are selfish to a fault."

"Yes, I know. It's just all so frustrating, innit? It doesn't help that I have a very bad feeling."

The Ravenclaw girl nodded as the two sat looking up at the stars, the late hour perfect for it despite the bite of springtime chill. It was then that, somewhere beneath them inside the main castle, the walls shook with the force of several powerful damaging spells as the two rushed down the stairs to see what was going on.

Moments Earlier, Slytherin Dorms..

Nick's eyes snapped open just before the entirety of Hogwarts shook violently. A second after the tremors had stopped, he stood up from the bed, changing into his school robes out of habit and found Bellatrix at his door. "Trixie, what's going on?"

Bellatrix ahook her head. "Not entirely sure, but from the sound of it? I think you jinxed us earlier."

Before either could say something else, a large ethereal dog bounded into the room, Sirius' voice erupting from the spirit. "Sis! Voldemort is attacking, he just appeared in the castle on the seventh floor. Get everyone able to fight ready, because the names keep coming on the Map. Oh, and his familiar? It shows up too, seems he's brought you the final nail in his coffin." As the dog disappeared, Nick nodded to Bellatrix. "Get the girls. Tell everyone tonight is the night Voldemort dies. I need to get to Dumbledore's office."

"Take the wall between the windows in the Common Room. tap it and just state you need to get to Dumbledore. It's a strange shortcut most don't know about. I only found it by accident last year."

Nodding, Nick kissed Bellatrix. "Thanks, love. Stay safe, keep together and eyes open. I won't lose you again."

Bellatrix smirked. "Of course not. Any Death Eater who tries will meet the dangerous end of my wand with no prejudice."

"That's my girl. See you soon, and make sure Angelina is safe, please." Bellatrix nodded as Nick took a deep breath and stepped towards the wall in question. "I need to get to Dumbledore, quickly." The wall shimmered as a platform appeared where the wall just was, glowing with an ethereal aura as the sigil on the ground spun lazily around. A teleport array? Nick thought, realizing he'd never heard of such magic in this world before as he stepped onto the symbol and was whisked away.

He appeared in Dumbledore's office, the eldwrly wizard standing by one of the many shelves lining his office. "Sir, you know what's happening. I need the Sword."

Dumbledore nodded solemnly. "Indeed, it seems your suspicions must have been correct. Rabastan has fixed the cabinet, and your cousin is attacking. If you need the Sword, then that could only mean.."

"Yes, professor, Nagini is also here. She's my first priority, I'm about to go find Sirius and the other Marauders to figure out where she is and destroy that girl's cursed existence. One day, maybe we can find a cure to the more.. permanent and mind-twisting effects of a Malediction Blood Curse. Now, the Sword, please."

Nodding, the old wizard chuckled. "A Slytherin wielding Gryffindor's sacred sword. These truly are such wondrous, strange times. Perhaps, after this is all said and done, you will finally clue me in on whatever you won't tell me as of yet."

Nick laughed heartily. "Dumbledore. Albus, I'll tell you the entire story once Voldemort is dead and gone, even with it being as unbelievable in the first place."

"I look forward to it, Nicholas. Here, go and join the fight. I myself will be heading into it in a moment, myself." Nodding, Nick bowed to the Headmaster as he handed the teen the Sword of Gryffindor. Without another word, Nick apparated out of the office, remembering his exclusion from the wards of the school.

Great Hall..

Nick appeared in the Great Hall, thankful it seemed the staff were gathering the younger students and keeping them safe. It was then McGonagall approached him. "Do not worry about the children, Nick. Your priority is taking Voldemort out, isn't it?"

"Of course, professor, but I also have to make sure he doesn't get the kids. I'm just here to further reinforce whatever wards you have going on. Is my sister here?"

"Nick! Why arent I out there, too!" Came Angelina's voice as she approached. "I can fight those bastards as good as any of you older students."

"I don't care, Angie! Here, you'll be safe. Just do me one favor. Send a patronus to Donna, remember the woman that looks like an older Bella? Let her know whats going on, she'll organize the Aurors for a counterstrike. Us seventh years are going to hold them off until the Aurors arrive." He took the younger girl in his arms. "Big bro's got this, Ang. I'm not dying here."

Angelina smiled. "Better not. Mom and I still need you, you genius dummy." Angelina sniffed, fighting her tears as Bellatrix and Sameera approached.

"Dont cry, Angie. Big sis Bella and I will make sure he stays safe." Her eyes flashed as she looked at Nick. "He's got a lot of good to still do in this world."

Nick breathed. "Girls.." He looked at the doors to the Great Hall, waving his wand and casting ward after ward before apparating away. This ends today, Tom!

Meanwhile, East End..

The older Bellatrix played with the ring on her finger, smiling at the memories she had of herself and her version of Nick. You'd be proud of yourself this time around, luv. You've done so much for this world now.. Just then, a feline patronus phased through the wall, speaking in Angelina's voice. "Nick told me to contact you. The attack has started, Nick needs the Aurors here, now."

Donna stood up. "Already? Isnt it bloody N.E.W.T. week?! Fucking shiteheads!" She quickly went to her fireplace and threw a pinch of emerald green powder into the fire. "Ministry of Magic!" She declared as she stepped into the Floo portal.

Hogwarts..

James ducked as a nasty confringo passed over his and Lily's heads. "Damn it, they keep coming! I thought Nick had taken out most of the older Death Eaters?"

"Merlin knows if Voldemort only had followers Nick knew about, as in here in the UK. Some of these spells are ones I've read about that originate from foreign nations, James." Lily pointed out, sending one Death Eater into a wall using a forceful Leviosa.

"I know, and that's why Nick told us to keep an eye on the door to the Room of Requirement when Voldemort came to attack, because he knows they're bottlenecking through a two-way cabinet. Where is it connected to, though?"

Lily shrugged as the duo threw defensive spells as Death Eaters kept coming from the R.O.R.

Knockturn Alley..

Moody smirked in a sinister way. He had been waiting for the ultimate takedown of the more Dark-oriented half of Diagon Alley for years, sick of the things that had come about from the area. And now, finally, that odd young Lord had given him the perfect opportunity. At the behest of Donna on Nick's word, Moody had dispatched half the Auror Corps. to Hogwarts while the rest were with him, bringing down the Death Eaters as they filed through the cabinet in Borgin and Burkes. He turned to Amelia Bones, who wore an equally dangerous grin. "This war ends today, Amy."

"And how much credit will go to our strangely in-the-know informant?"

Moody chuckled. "All goes well, I'll hand him every commendation available. The young Lord Gaunt will have ended decades of a shadow war in our own government. Despite what Bagnold may think, Nick is more a pure soul than even Newt Scamander. Wouldn't be too surprising to find him following in the Magizoologist's path."

Amelia laughed. "Well, either way, he deserves to be praised. Without that teenager, we'd have never smoked out the moles in the Ministry we knew were around. If only he were a bit older.."

"Hush that talk, Amelia. Lets take care of these thugs before theres too many at the school for Nick and his friends to handle. I don't feel comfortable k owing Riddle is already there."

"Agreed. Lets go, Mad-Eye. Stupefy!" And the battle of Knockturn Alley had begun as a Death Eater fell to the ground, their compatriots turning to face the Aurora with wands drawn.

Hogsmeade..

Nick had sent Bellatrix to Hogsmeade to await her mother, knowing the older Bellatrix would likely show up to defend her family and friends. Not a moment after the teenage witch had arrived did Donna apparate onto the scene, throwing her arms around Bella. "Oh, Trixie. Thank Merlin you're alright."

Bellatrix hugged Donna back. "Hey, mom. Of course I'm alright. We're one of the best duelists in the country, aren't we? Shite. The tournament is going to be cancelled now." She whined.

"It'll be alright, Bella. You'll have another chance, the cut-off age for the tournament is nineteen anyway, and they won't deny your entry after the news of the attack gets out."

"I know, but I practiced so hard already. Ugh, whatever. We need to get back to the castle and find Nick. I know he's going after Nagini.."

Donna's eyes softened at the name. "Oh, the poor girl, involved in all this.."

"Mom?" Trixie asked, frowning.

Donna shook her head. "It's no matter right now. I'll fill you in later. It wouldn't help her as it is, anyway. Go on ahead, find our boy. I'll go regroup with the other professors."

Nodding, Bellatrix hugged Donna again. "Alright. Don't go running off again once the fighting ends. I.. I wanted to talk to you about something.."

Donna smiled. "I'll be here, little one. Now go. Nick may not think he needs you, but you know how wrong he really is thinking that." Smirking, the younger, two-minded version of herself enlarged a broom from her pocket and climbed on before zooming back towards the castle. Donna followed suit, changing course near the castle to land just outside the corridor where the Great Hall was, flinging hexes left and right at the Death Eaters she saw.

Dumbledore saw Donna's admittedly dramatic entrance as she waved her wand to close the doors to the Hreat Hall, seamlessly adding several more protective spells onto the array already placed. "Ah, Miss. Black." Albus said as he approached.

"Albus. I dont think I have to guess how you know my true name, you always were a clever old man. How is the battle going so far?"

Dumbledore chickled. "It is fine as of now. It seems Voldemort is staying on the upper floors of the castle, possibly looking for something. I would hazard a guess that he is after the Horcruxes he kept here at the school, but with those destroyed I do not know what he's still doing up there."

Donna laughed hollowly. "He's after Nicky, Albus. Surely you already knew that. This battle is the decisive ending to this time-twisting conflict, and Nick versing Riddle is the endgame. I'm confident in Nick, but.."

"I know, Bellatrix. He is strong, stronger than most wizards even I have faced. But that strength always belies some arrogance. We must have faith that Nick can do what he has claimed to have set out to do. Otherwise, we may as well give up this damned war."

Donna nodded, her thoughts stuck on Nick, Trixie, and the rest of their friends. You guys all better make it out of this.. She thought before following Albus ro help protect the younger students. Upon reaching the Great Hall, Donna stepped out of the way as Seraphina rushed out past her, followed by Artemisia.

"Sera, wait! Going after them is a bad idea!" Artemisia called.

Donna's eyes widened at the other girl's reply, her voice fluctuating between two different tones of voice. "I dont care, Artie! I won't let father kill Nicky!"

Father? Does she mean.. But.. Donna's mind was sent in several directions as she tried figuring out what the deal with her was, her eyes falling on an equally-worried and watchful Sameera.

"Sameera? Come here," The dark-skinned girl came over to Donna, her expression curious. "Tell me, who exactly was that girl first rushing out past me?"

"You mean Seraphina? Voldemort's homunculus?"

"Homunculus?! How in the world did Voldemort find the information for such lost magic?"

It was then Kazuya appeared next to them. "Voldemort massacred my clan, taking the information with him. The creation of humunculi was one of the many lost magics we in China kept otheriwse locked up."

Donna shook her head, looking at the direction Seraphin and Artemisia ran towards, the direction of the magical stairway. That's.. Interesting. Donna thought before closing the doors to the Great Hall once again.

Seventh Floor Corridor..

"Thats far enough, Tom. You and that snake aren't leaving this school alive, even if I get thrown in Azkaban because of it." Nick said as he saw Voldemort exit the door to the Room of Requirement, Nagini slithering along by his side.

The older wizard turned to Nick, a malignant sneer on his lips. "Ah, my young, upstart American cousin. I do believe this is the end for you, as I cannot die even with your efforts destroying my vessels."

"You're right, you are still somewhat immortal, because your soul is still split thanks to the unfortunate curse of the Maledictus Nagini was born with. I'm surprised she's even still alive, or I would be if I didn't know about your creation of the six Horcruxes. Thankfully the only one left is her."

"And how do you expect to defeat me? With some powered-up school-level spells? My boy, Ive learned magic that transcends reality itself!"

"I know, because I'm also severing your connection to that immortality today, Tom. You'll be stuck in limbo, forever trapped due to your misuse of magic and creating of your Horcruxes. This war you started in the shadows ends here, in the light that is Hogwarts."

"Thats rich coming from an upstart American brat. And how do you expect to destroy Nagini? Only something infused with Goblin magic could.. how does a Slytherin handle the Sword of Gryffindor?" He asked, noticing the sword resting on Nick's shoulder.

"Unlike you, snakey, I am also of House Gryffindor. I am only a Slytherin because I chose to. I had to do whatever I could to protect those I love and will love in the future."

"An admirable goal, I admit. A rather Gryffindor one, to say the least, but I can see the Slytherin ambition in your eyes. You will not get that sword anywhere near my familiar." Voldemort said before theowing several curses at Nick.

Nick waved his wand, blocking most of the spells with a grin. "We'll see about that." The teenage wizard said before sending a jinx of his own at Voldemort.

Grand Stairs..

Aetemisia ducked below a Crucio before sending a Confringo back at her attacker. "Sera, this was an idiotic idea!"

Seraphina was- surprisingly- in her pink-haired visage as she rushed up the stairs, dodging curses from Death Eaters as she then sent them flying off the staircase down to the ground floor of the castle. "It doesn't matter! If Im to die anyway, then Im going to make surey father cannot end Nick! He's the best option going forward to find some peace in our world."

Artemisia knew her friend was right, she'd seen how Nick had practically made the school a true safe haven from the war going on outside the castle walls. "Nick wouldn't want you to sacrifice yourself for it, though." She said, a well-aimed bombarda stopping another Death Eater from sending a curse at Seraphina.

"Like I care! Bellatrix, Sameera and even that new girl would probably do the same thing if they were me."

"Even so, you're not any of them. You can't face off against Voldemort and just die because you fucking feel like it!"

Seraphina stopped, looking at Artemisia. "I know, but at least they'll all see I was genuine. Not just Voldemort's little puppet."

"I still don't like this, but I'm with you, Sera. You need someone to watch your back."

Seraphina smiled. "Thanks, Artie, that really means a lot. Now, come on. I can feel the battle is about to truly begin.."

Fourth Floor Corridor..

Rabastan ran down the hallway, heading towards the DADA classroom to retrieve something the Dark Lord had told him to get, something to help their now in-progress takeover of the school. He opened the door to find Rudolphus there, wand aimed directly at his exiled brother. "Dumbledore knew that snake bastard would send someone here. Just my luck it was you."

"Brother, why do you fight us? You must know you're on the wrong side of this war!" Rabastan said through gnashing teeth.

"You're wrong, Rabastan. You, as well as our despicable excuses for parents, have been in the wrong this entire conflict! You've seen the power Lord Negron carries as a Half-blood firsthand, yet you still deny he's more powerful than Voldemort? Why can't you see that? Even as an unknown variable, Nick has single-handedly destroyed the Death's Children and converted us to his side. He's locked up every Death Eater making the Wizengamot lazy, incompetent, ignorant fools. And he's the legitimate heir to Hogwarts, as evidenced by the fact he can apparate within the wards. And Nick's relation to two Hogwarts Houses beats Voldemort's claim as Slytherin's sole heir. All Nick needs to do to destroy everything Voldemort has done is kill his snake familiar, or thats what Nick said during the last meeting of our group. Now yield, Rab, or I wont hesitate to cut you down."

"You'll never get the chance, brother! Avada Ke-" Rabastan's words were cut short as a second Avada came from the doorway, Rudolphus turning to find Sirius standing there with a shit-eaiting grin, the opposite of Rudolphus' shock at his own brother trying to use an Unforgivable on him.

"All right there, Rudolph?"

Rudolphus rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the save, Sirius. What are you doing up here? I thought Nick sent you and the other Marauders around the grounds to round up anyone still missing in the Great Hall?"

"That he did. However, after James and I looked and found no otherwise missing students, I consulted the Map and saw you might be running into some trouble. Seems there are a couple more Death Eaters roaming about the floor, though. Fancy a little team-up?"

Rudolphus chuckled, shaking his head. "You Marauders really are something else. Alright, let's go. I doubt this fight will last much longer.. Did you feel that?" The young Lestrange asked, feeling a massive shift in the residual magic in the air.

Sirius nodded, still smirking wildly. "Oh, I did. And if Nick is right, then that shift is the balance of life and death once again being balanced by the destruction of Voldemort's final Horcrux." Rudolphus looked at him in confusion. "The snake, Rudy. Nick's killed the snake."

Rudolphus nodded in understanding as the duo went to wrangle the nearby Death Eaters.

Moments Later, Seventh Floor Corridor..

Voldemort ordered Nagini to attack, the otherwise cursed serpent coiling back before springing towards Nick. As if rehearsed, Nick just stepped to the side and swung with the Sword of Gryffindor, blood spraying towards the stone floor as Nagini's body fell to the floor, halved down the middle like a fillet. Nick smirked at the instant shift in the magic around himself and Voldemort. "I told you, Tom. This battle ends here and now, for good."

Voldemort seethed, enrsged by the death of what he called his closest friend, if he even truly had any. "How dare you! I will destroy you and then wipe the stain of your corpse from all of reality! Avada Kedavra!" A green spell shot towards Nick, who managed to sidestep the attack once again.

"Come now, Tom. You must know anger only leads to recklessness." The teenager said before flinging several spells at his foe in quick succession.

Voldemort countered each, however. "My power is still great, child. All you did was ensure my death, if I die here." More Avada curses, Nick narrowly avoiding each. "That rebellious, teenage attitude will be your own undoing!" The next Kedavra he sent was aimed to hit Nick square in the chest, and the teen was surprised enough to be too slow to move out of the way.

"No!" Came a new voice as Seraphina appeared between Nick and the Avada just in time to save Nick.

"Seraphina!" Nick said, picking up the Homunculus' head. "Damn it, why?!"

"I was never supposed to exist, Nick," Seraphina replied, the magic keeping her artificial body alive despite a killing curse fading fast. "This way, I could.. have some meaning before dying in the first place."

"No, Sera. You aren't dying here." Came Artemisia's voice as she reached the battleground, her wand pointed at her temple. "But you will live on for the both of us." Moving her wand, a strand of white magic rolled itself into an orb, even Voldemort watching the scene as Artemisia seemed to find it hard to breathe suddenly. "Anima.. Translatio."

The ball of magic flew into Seraphina's chest at the same time Artemisia's body fell limp to the floor. Seraphina stood up, her features blending between her previous two looks as she looked at her friend's body. "I told you I didnt eant you to do it, Artie.." Tears in her eyes, the former Hominculus turned to the one who originally created her. "You'll pay for bringing her to this!"

Nick put out a hand, holding Seraphina back. "No, Sera. This is my fight. Atremisia entrusted her life, her soul, to you. Go back to the Great Hall." The look Nick had in his eyes scared Seraphina, enough so to make her nod and turn to rush off.

Once alone again, Nick sighed at the sight of Artemisia's body, waving his wand to apparate it to the Great Hall. "We are the future, Tom, not your outdated political agenda bullshit."

"It won't matter when you're gone from this world, Negron. Avada Kedavra!"

Nick managed to duck the spell, grinning. "Fine. If the user needs the will to use it, then I have that. Avada Kedavra.. Maxima."

Voldemort's eyes widened comically as the curse left Nick's wand, expanding into the shape of a Horned Serpent as it flung forward, engilfing Voldemort in a spell more powerful than hed ever thought possible.

When the green light faded from the corridor, Voldemort's body lay motionless, his eyes empty as Nick sank to his knees from the exertion of performing the spell. "Kind of.. surprised that worked." He laughed as his body followed the lead of his legs, making Nick lose consciousness.

A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry for the wait, but I've been writing way too many ideas out in other stories and this chapter.. it was hard, honestly. Up until the scene of Bella/Trixie and the past version of Bellatrix was easy enough but then I had a lot of trouble finding a way to close the chapter. So, instead of this being a two part chapter like I wanted, it's the final battle itself with the obvious recovery/Year end chapter being the next thing to write. And then, possibly, Part Two begins. We'll see about that one, right?

So, the other news. For those who care, and I know many most likely don't, I've written a couple of differing versions of a high school/isekai setting along with three separate Fallout stories which will most likely condense to two. I also have one based on the latter half of Invincible (post Viltrumite invasion-ish) coming eventually. As of right now, I'll probably focus on the Fallout stories since I have them partially written up already.

Anyway, Hope you guys enjoyed this short chapter (I promise I'm going to make them longer again, it's hard keeping length consistency without making it seem too full of filler) and before anyone asks, I know I've made Maxima a much more used spell in this story, but when a spell exists that amplifies power, I'm surprised it wasn't used a ton more often. Seems a spell that would be abused to hell, honestly. See you next time.

Next Time: Nick recovers from the short battle with Voldemort and the End of Year feast occurs. Among other things.