Chapter 165

The Final Trial

With the trio feeling more confident in themselves, Lily, Ginny, and Nagini made their way through the castle again, wondering where they'd be taken next, especially since Nagini had never actually gone to Hogwarts. Would the mindscape take them to the states? With Fawkes now with them, they also felt more protected.

"I've been thinking about what my trial could be, and I have a suspicion, but it's not something that I want to imagine," Nagini said.

"I suspect I know what your fear is," Lily said. "It'll be you forced to be a snake again."

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of most," Nagini agreed. "I'm… I don't know how I'm going to handle this."

"Just remember what we've dealt with already," Ginny said, as she took Nagini's hand. "We're right here for you, and remember, we're the ones who made you human, and we remember that spell, so we can cast it again."

"I… I hadn't thought of that," Nagini found herself smiling. "I feel a little better now."

"Good. Now, the main thing we need to focus on is making sure that Voldemort can't overwhelm or separate us. He managed to before, but thankfully Fawkes was here," Lily said, as Ginny was stroking Fawkes.

"I can hear him in my mind," Ginny said. "His body is right now hidden safely in the real world, but his spirit is here with us, which is why he can help us fight. He could sense we were in trouble."

"I have to wonder if Dumbledore suspected this could happen," Lily admitted. "Every gift he left us has helped guide us in some way. I got the sword, and the Golden Snitch, you got Fawkes, Hermione got the book, and Ron got the Deluminator, which has helped us when we needed light and guidance, and he said when he's away from us, he can hear us if he wants to."

"You think he knew we'd be able to enter the mindscape? He didn't say that when we spoke with him," Nagini said.

"No, but he knew we needed to figure out a lot more about our path and this war," Lily said.

"Yeah, I think I prefer a little less mystery," Ginny rolled her eyes as she spoke. "Seriously, I only like a mystery when I'm reading or watching it."

"I don't blame you. I'll be honest, I'm appreciating those kinds of books and movies; Kingsley's been watching them, and he started watching them thanks to Sirius," Nagini chuckled. Lily couldn't help but laugh at that.

"Yeah, growing up, he always watched Sherlock Holmes, or Murder She Wrote, or things like that. He loved mysteries, still does," Lily agreed.

"Safe to say that he's infected all of us with his love of muggle movies, books, and technology," Ginny teased. "And that's for the better. Right now, we've got the muggles helping us, and we're practically uniting both cultures."

"As we should," Nagini agreed. "We're all human, aren't we?"

"We are," Lily agreed. "And I grew up as a muggle. I think I understand though, at last, why Dumbledore actually wanted me to grow up as a muggle."

"Oh? Not just to give you a normal childhood?" Ginny asked, frowning, as the three of them stopped, with Lily leaning against a wall.

"No, though I don't doubt that was a part of it," Lily replied. "He wanted me to be fully immersed in muggle culture. If I knew I had magic, no matter how much I took part in muggle society, I'd always be aware of a gulf, of sorts. The way I lived meant that I practically was a muggle. I suspect he wanted me to be a bridge, of sorts, between muggles and wizarding kind."

"How so?" Nagini asked, tilting her head slightly as she frowned. "I mean, no offence Lily, but there are a lot of muggle borns and half-bloods who grow up as muggles, aren't there?"

"You're not wrong, but, and I hate this part if I'm honest, Dumbledore knew the wizarding world would turn to me, and with that kind of attention and worship, for lack of a better word, if I bridged the gap, more people would listen," Lily said. Ginny nodded thoughtfully.

"That… sounds exactly like something Dumbledore would do," Ginny agreed.

"Yeah, that sounds exactly like Albus," Nagini agreed. "It was another reason why he chose Newt to fight against Grindelwald. He wanted to fight but couldn't, so he found someone who could help and made a huge difference."

"I don't think we'll ever fully understand Dumbledore, but everything he did, he had a plan for. Not all his plans worked, but he did what he could," Lily said. She sighed as she shook her head. "I mean, he didn't plan for us to be here, did he?"

"No, but this is something we can do," Nagini agreed. "When I'm with you too, I feel a lot better, and a lot more confident."

"And that's what he wanted." Lily said. "I still don't understand how he was able to be here, but I guess it's all about what you believe. I grew up hearing about all kinds of things that happened after death, like going to heaven or hell, or being reborn. Every faith had a different view."

"Maybe they're all true, or maybe none of them are," Nagini replied. "We already met the spirits of the dead, when we were at Slytherin's castle."

"True. I guess this shouldn't come as a surprise," Lily agreed. "We should get this done; the sooner we face him, the sooner we're out of here, and able to find the last of the Horcruxes."

As the group followed the lit path towards a large set of doors, Lily frowned. "I've never seen these doors before," Lily said, looking around. "Normally there'd be just a corridor here."

"I guess this is where the dreamscape changes to be wherever Nagini's nightmare begins," Ginny said, holding Nagini's hand. "We've got you, don't worry. We're not leaving your side."

"Thank you, Ginny," Nagini favoured Ginny with a weak smile as the three of them, with Fawkes on Ginny's shoulder, went to the door, opening it, and revealing their destination.

"Where are we?" Ginny asked, as the night sky above them was clear enough so the moonlight was bright enough for them to see the area clearly. They were in a large field, with multiple tents, what looked like rides, and a number of booths and stalls.

"Looks like a circus," Lily replied. "I went to a few when I was younger."

"This is the Circus Arcanus," Nagini replied. "It's a magical one, where I used to perform, before the curse fully took hold of me, and I could shift between human and snake forms."

"Not a fond memory, then?" Lily asked kindly.

"Not really. Even here, I was an outcast. It was considered a freak show; every act here was considered an oddity of some kind," Nagini explained, as they walked around the area. "It was the one place where I was safe from others, and yet it felt… cold, and horrible to me."

"I can only imagine," Ginny held tightly onto Nagini. "We're not leaving you, and you're not alone, ever."

"Thank you, Ginny," Nagini smiled at her. "I really do appreciate both of your friendships. Since you saved me, you've helped me feel more human."

"You are human. You were never the snake, not really. You were a victim for most of your life. Now, you're a hero, fighting against Voldemort and his kind," Lily told her. She saw a tear roll down Nagini's cheek.

"You both see me in a way I've never been able to see myself," Nagini told them as Ginny conjured up a handkerchief, giving it to Nagini. "I still see the things I've done, and when I sleep, my nightmares are all about being that… creature."

"You'll never need to be that thing again," Lily said, smiling. "You're stronger than that, and your destiny is yours again."

"Oh, if only that was true," a cold voice spoke up from around them. The three of them immediately drew their wands, looking around for the source of the voice. The air was filled with a dark laughter as the dark smoke began to surround the three of them. It created a wall, with Voldemort stepped out of it, laughing as the snake version of Nagini was slithering on his left, and what looked like a copy of the human Nagini on his right.

"Afraid to face us alone?" Lily asked, glaring at the three of them. The duplicate Nagini was wearing a black dress, with a gold trim, and had an evil smile on her face.

"I'm who we should be," the dark Nagini replied. "The one who won't let her fear dictate good and bad. It's about power, and I have it."

"You're nothing but smoke and a slave," Lily replied coldly. "There's no power you have, and no common sense either."

"Common sense, Potter?" Voldemort asked, laughing. "Common sense would have saved you. I gave you a chance to join me, to use your intelligence and to help make the world a better place, and you rejected it."

"No, I rejected you, and you don't like that, do you?" Lily asked. "People don't say no to you, and you can't stand that."

"You don't understand the world, like, at all," Ginny added. "You see what you want; you don't understand people, or anything else for that matter. It's why you keep losing."

"Children will never understand," Voldemort scoffed. "The world is in chaos, and it needs correcting."

"The world is in chaos because of you," Nagini replied. "You've isolated our country from the world, and you're trying to take over everything."

"You were by my side, Nagini, where you belong. As my serpent friend, I gave you everything you needed. As a human, you'd be powerful beyond compare," Voldemort said, looking at her.

"I will never be that snake again. You turned me into a murderer, killing innocent people who disagreed with you. You've never understood the muggle world; it's beautiful, and you're just ignorant," Nagini replied coldly.

"Beautiful? They kill each other daily, they start wars for resources, not because they need them, but because they want money. Greed is their motivation," Voldemort hissed. "They don't deserve to lead. I am raising them up to be better, and I'm giving them a world they could never hope to understand."

"No, you're turning them into slaves," Lily countered. "You're killing them by trying to give them magic."

"The weak shall perish. That is the way of the world. The strong will carry on, and become better," Voldemort said.

"And yet they'll still be little better than servants to you," Ginny said. "That's why people are fighting you, because you're trying to take their freedom."

"You're also afraid," Lily added. Voldemort laughed maniacally at them.

"Of you? Of you pathetic little children?" Voldemort scoffed.

"Of death. That's why you created Horcruxes. You've been scared of death your whole life," Ginny replied.

"Muggles are different from us, and they try to control their own lives, and think that chaos is order, but there is beauty in their world. Clearly, you missed that," Lily added.

"You sicken me," Voldemort scoffed. "You are a traitor to your people."

"We're human, Tom. All of us," Lily countered.

"Not sure he counts anymore," Ginny smirked.

"You will die, here, at my hands, all three of you," Voldemort hissed.

"And I'll take over your body, and become the real Nagini," the dark Nagini added, smirking.

"Voldemort's mine," Lily said.

"I've got my double," Nagini added.

"Leftovers are fine with me," Ginny said, each of them taking a few steps to the side, facing their opponents.

Nagini stood in front of her double, glaring as the two of them were stepping sideways in a circle around one another.

"You are weak, Nagini. You are everything we were afraid of," Dark Nagini said.

"Caring about others isn't weak," Nagini countered, gripping her wand. "Everything we've done since Voldemort found us disgusts me. In Albania, we were alone, and whilst we were lonely, we didn't hurt anyone. I never wanted to hurt anyone."

"Why should we care? Who else cared for us? Tom showed us affection, gave us everything, gave us a home, and power, and showed we were useful," Dark Nagini snapped.

"No, he used us for his Horcrux. He used us to keep himself alive. The only reason we didn't become a version of him is because of the curse," Nagini replied. "He would have completely destroyed us."

"We were already destroyed, you deluded idiot," Dark Nagini told her. "What kind of life could we have had as a snake, alone, surviving on mice and other small creatures for food?"

"At least we weren't hurting innocent people. Not everyone was out to get us. Look at Ginny and Lily; they saved us, and they didn't ask for anything but friendship," Nagini said.

"They brought you into this nightmare without even asking you," Dark Nagini pointed out. "How is that friendship?"

"They didn't do this on purpose, but being here, we're freeing ourselves from Voldemort's grip," Nagini replied, without hesitation. She would never blame Lily or Ginny for this. They were her friends.

"You think they really care? They only saved you to save their lives," Dark Nagini told her. "Why would anyone want to be friends with a freak like us? No, we'll end up as a snake again, and then we'll be hunted and destroyed. Better to be the one with power, as a queen, than as a slave and alone."

"You really think I'm going to believe that?" Nagini scoffed.

"I'm you, Nagini. You know it's true. It won't be long before we're discarded like yesterday's rubbish. You've been afraid of this, and you know it'll happen," Dark Nagini scoffed. Nagini felt a cold chill down her back; it was her biggest fear, and she could feel the doubt creeping in and trying to attack her.

"It… it isn't true," Nagini said, though her voice was wavering. Dark Nagini smiled, lowered her wand, and approached Nagini, taking her hand.

"Nagini, I'm you, and I'm trying to protect us," Dark Nagini said softly. Nagini lowered her wand, feeling smoke around her feet. "We'll be back where we belong; in charge. Voldemort doesn't want to control us; he wants our friendship."

"He tried to…control us," Nagini replied weakly.

"He gave us everything, and he'll give us that again," Dark Nagini promised. She smiled as the smoke was rising around her. "And you never need to worry about anything ever again."

Nagini could feel the darkness trying to seep in, despite her not wanting to be used, but the dark version of her was so beautiful, and strong, and she knew what she was doing…didn't she? She felt… worthless. She was a failure, wasn't she?

It was at that moment that she realised the smoke was the despair mist they had encountered in the maze. 'She distracted me!' Nagini realised, though she was unable to move, with her dark version cruelly smiling at her.

"It's too late to fight it. Just accept it. You are just like us," Dark Nagini said. Before she could say anything else, she was sent flying by a bright light, with the smoke and mist vanishing.

"Actually, she's better than you," came the deep voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt!

"Kingsley?" Nagini asked, her eyes widening. "How?"

"Thank Sirius and Remus," Kingsley replied. "They watch way too much muggle television, and was able to use magic to mimic some sort of device that let us enter your dreams," he explained as he wrapped his arms around Nagini. "You are not evil, and you could never be evil. You were used by that disgusting excuse for a sack of flesh."

"She sounded so… convincing. I felt… worthless…weak…" Nagini sobbed, resting her head on Kingsley's shoulder.

"You're none of them," Kingsley assured her, holding her and then kissing her softly. "I love you, Nagini, and I'm going to be here for you, always."

"Thank you," Nagini smiled. "I love you too."

Lily leapt out of the way as she saw the curse heading her way and fired a new curse towards Voldemort. "You're getting slower, Tom," Lily taunted. "I mean, come on, how are you supposed to beat me if you can't be faster?"

"You have always been too confident, Potter. That's why you'll fail," Voldemort hissed back, as the snake Nagini leapt at Lily. She leapt backwards, however, avoiding the strike from the snake.

"And you're a coward," Ginny added, joining Lily. "You'll never be able to win. You're just a fragment of the real Voldemort, and even he's a coward."

"Says the deluded children," Voldemort hissed, as snake Nagini slid next to Voldemort. He raised his wand, but as he was about to strike, a red light hit him, sending him flying backwards.

"No, says the ones who have kicked your sad, pathetic ass," Sirius snarled as he and Remus joined Lily and Ginny.

"Uncle Sirius! Uncle Remus! How?" Lily asked, her eyes widening.

"Thank Red Dwarf, some magic, and Slughorn for sending us some Felix Felicius," Remus replied, as Voldemort stood up, facing them.

"You're done, Mouldy Shorts," Sirius smirked. "We found a way in, and you're finished," he added, as Dark Nagini approached Voldemort and snake Nagini, just as the real Nagini arrived with Kingsley.

"Alright, let's end this, shall we?" Nagini asked, glaring at Voldemort. "I've had enough of this place."

"Agreed," Lily said, holding up her wand. "You've lost, Tom, and you'll never have the strength to fight us."

"You really think you've won, boy?" Voldemort hissed.

"See, that's how you know he's lost, when he resorts to misgendering you," Ginny teased, smirking.

"You'll regret your flippancy, traitor," Dark Nagini hissed.

"I really don't think we will," Nagini said, stepping forward. "You tried to play on my fears, using a despair mist to make me think I was alone. But here's the thing; I'm not alone. I know what it is to be loved and wanted. That's something none of you will ever know. This is my mind, and my body, and you can just go to hell!" she exclaimed, before casting a curse. As Voldemort, snake Nagini and Dark Nagini went to move, Lily, Ginny, Sirius, Remus, and Kingsley waved their wands, holding the three in place.

Nagini's first curse struck the snake. She then fired a second at her dark self, before sending a third and final killing curse at Voldemort. With a scream of anger from both Voldemort and Dark Nagini, all three exploded into shards of light, with the smoke around them vanishing as rays of sunshine beamed through the darkness, lighting the entire area.

"Does that mean we've done it?" Ginny asked. Lily nodded.

"I can feel it. He's gone," Lily replied.

"Who?" Sirius asked, frowning.

"We'll tell you in the real world. Now, it's time we got out of here," Lily said. She watched as Kingsley and Nagini first vanished, followed by Sirius and Remus. Before she and Ginny vanished, Lily saw Dumbledore appear in front of them, smiling.

"Congratulations, Lily, and you also Ginny. You are every bit as strong as I knew, and more so," Dumbledore said. "I am so very proud of you."

"Thank you, sir," Lily said. "Now we'll take out the rest of the Horcruxes, and send Voldemort straight to hell, where he belongs."

"I knew, as I was dying, that the world would need the two of you, and finally, I believe you have both found the strength and confidence that you've been searching for all this time," Dumbledore complimented. "The world is in safe hands, and I know that there is nothing for me to be afraid for."

"Kinda wish you hadn't made things so damned cryptic, sir, but we're thankful for your trust and faith," Ginny chuckled.

"It is I who am thankful, Ginny. Together, you have both proven that love will always be the stronger emotion, and that love will always win," Dumbledore said.

"We were loved by you; how could that not give us strength?" Lily asked. She was amazed to see that spirits could weep, as several tears ran down Dumbledore's cheek.

"I made many mistakes as a young man, but being a part of your lives has always been the greatest given to me. I am always going to be here, watching over you, and being proud of you. Next time we meet, I believe it will be after many years of peace, and the world will be better for it. You were right, Lily. I always envisioned you as the bridge between wizarding kind and muggles, and my faith has been greatly rewarded. You've helped to unite both societies, and the world will be stronger for it," Dumbledore said. He smiled as Lily and Ginny began to fade from the dreamscape. "May the light of goodness protect you, always," he said, before the two of them, and Fawkes, left the dreamscape, heading for the real world, ready to end Voldemort's reign of terror.