Disclaimer: I do not own anything Harry Potter except for the wonderful posters on my wall!
A/N: Im SOOOOO sorry for how long it took me to write this chapter. But I hope everyone likes it!
Chapter Thirteen: A Prophecy Fulfilled
The sun was rising over the horizon and the mist on the ground was dissipating as Hermione made her way slowly on foot back to the castle. Her expression drawn into one of concern as her thoughts kept drifting back to Harry. She knew in her heart that he would be alright, but her head wouldn't let her think that. She dragged her feet continuing the long walk back; every once in a while she would crane her head and look at Rons ghost walking next to her, he never seemed to look at her. The silence between them was deafening; both terrified to say a word for fear that they would break down. Her heart was breaking, and there was nothing she could do about it. In an attempt to calm herself down, she stopped walking and stood stalk still with her head down.
"What are we doing Ron?" She whispered more to herself than to him. He heard her nonetheless. Approaching her slowly he wrapped himself around her as well as he could.
"What do you mean Hermione?" He crooned into her ear. He may have been dead but that didn't stop the feelings he harbored for his best friend.
"Why aren't we there with Harry? What if he dies?" Hermione turned around to face Ron who had removed his translucent arms from around her warm body.
"He doesn't want us there. He's doing this to save your life."
Hermione wasn't paying attention to him anymore. She had already begun walking back towards the field of battle. Frantic Ron ran to catch up with her.
"Hermione!" he shouted her name over and over, but she wasn't listening to him. "Hermione! He loves you! Please! Don't make his sacrifice be in vain!"
At those words Hermione froze in her stride. Turning to face Ron she had tears in her eyes.
"How dare you Ronald Weasley! How bloody dare you!" She stalked up to him. "You think Im going to stand here while the only other person in my life gets obliterated?" Her face had become flush from the exertion of screaming, and the tears were a futile attempt to cool her down. "I saw your dead body. There was nothing I could do about it." She inhaled a deep breath, and closed her eyes. "Im not going to not do anything to save Harrys' life." And with that she turned on her heel and began walking briskly back to the battle.
Ron sighed to himself then set out after Hermione, prepared to do anything to save his two best friends lives.
~~
"Lets get this over with Voldemort" Harry's voice came out deep and full of hatred. This was the creature who had murdered his parents, and was the cause behind his godfathers death; he was not getting off easily.
"I will enjoy watching you squirm with pain Potter. This will not be quick for you." Voldemort's sneer widened and he positioned his wand into place.
Harry joined in with a smirk of his own. A knowing smile, one that held the information he would need to defeat Voldemort.
Suddenly Voldemort's voice rang out in the early morning light; it was high and shrill. It was the sound of a rather vicious spell being shot directly at Harry. He barely had time to roll out of the way before it struck the very spot he was just standing minutes before.
Harry jumped to his feet and shot a spell at his nemesis before ducking quickly behind a tree to catch his breath. Just then right above his head the tree exploded into splinters and Voldemort was right above him. Jumping to his feet, he shot off another spell and watched as Voldemort expertly dodged it.
This wasn't going to last very long If you don't start acting a little smarter there Potter. He thought to himself as he walked slowly away, never turning his back on his enemy.
"The magnificent Potter running away? I never would have thought!" Voldemort jeered. "It will make a great story to tell to your filthy mudblood when it comes time for her to die. Her valiant prince to scared to face me, ran from his fate until he could run no longer." A huge grin broke out across his disgusting face. "I cannot wait to see the look of disappointment on her face when I tell it to her."
Harry stopped dead in his tracks. "If you touch her, I will kill you."
Voldemort laughed aloud. "I thought that's what you were trying to accomplish right now."
Enraged Harry began running directly towards Voldemort. He had his wand pointed at the creature in front of him; nothing was going to stop him from what he had to do.
"AVADA…" Before Harry could even get the last word out Voldemort had already shouted the disarming spell, causing Harrys wand to fly out of his hand and land on the grass a few feet away from him.
Voldemort was laughing hysterically now as he watched Harrys expression change from anger to one of stupidity.
"Face it boy, you cannot defeat me. The future of this world now lies with me. You had your run Potter." He pointed his wand at Harry. "Its time for you to die."
Harry closed his eyes, knowing what was to come next. He had failed everyone. Hermione, Dumbledore, Sirius, Ron, his parents, the Weasleys. They were all counting on him and now they would all perish. As he stood there in front of Voldemort, all his senses left him. He knew he couldn't let the people he cared about most down. With all the strength he had in him, he threw himself at the creature in front of him.
Voldemort hadn't been expecting this move, and thus was caught off guard. When Harrys hands seized his throat he knew the end was near. It was either him or Harry.
Harry dug his fingers deep into the flesh of Voldemorts throat, so deep in fact that he could feel the warmth of his blood as it seeped out around his hand. The hatred that Harry felt for this creature was so abysmal nothing could have pulled him out of this chasm. Suddenly a sound broke through his crimson rage. Laughter. Harry tore his focus from the gaping hole in Voldemorts neck to his entire face. Voldemort was laughing hysterically; tears were sliding down his dirt smeared cheeks. Before Harry new what was happening he released his death grip and took a step back.
Voldemort sucked in a deep breath, and a bewildered Harry stared unbelievingly as the wound sealed itself shut magically.
"Dumb boy. You are only succeeding in making me stronger." Voldemort smiled manically. "You have nothing. You have no one. Succumb to me, and I will make it swift." Voldemorts wand instantly pointing at Harrys' heart one final time. His head bowed, feeling defeat flow through him tears streamed down his face as he silently sobbed for his loved ones. He whispered quiet apologies and good byes, then turned his face towards his enemy and met his eyes.
"I am prepared." Harry spoke very slowly; doing his best to keep his voice from wavering.
Voldemorts smiled widened, the realization of defeat apparent on his once handsome face.
"Avada…"
"STOP!" Hermiones voice echoed across the field interrupting Voldemorts final attempt at doing Harry in. She ran as fast as she could towards Harry; Rons ghostly visage following closely behind.
Voldemort knew this would be his last chance at an easy win, so he raised his wand even higher preparing to continue the spell.
"I LOVE YOU HARRY!" Hermione screamed at the top of her lungs as she ran towards him. Tears were falling down her face like an out of control leak, her breath was ragged from running the entire way back to him. "I LOVE YOU HARRY" she screamed once more. When she was nearly half way to him, her foot caught on a rock and she went tumbling to the ground.
Harry had turned at her arrival and watched in awe as the bravest woman in the world came running to his side. When she fell he had to do everything he could to keep from running to her and helping her back to her feet. He saw her head lift up and their eyes locked.
"I love you Harry Potter" He could feel her words penetrating deep into him, opening something inside of him he didn't even know existed. A smile spread across his face as he said the words back to her.
"I love you…Hermione."
Suddenly a light as bright as the sun began to shine from Harry. He seemed to be glowing and when he turned to face Voldemort he saw the man shrink away from him. It was then Harry realized he knew how to beat his enemy, and it was all thanks to his best friend. Hermione had cracked the case one last time, and he did love her for it.
Harry began approaching Voldemort slowly but with determination. Voldemort tried to struggle away but without even thinking about it Harry managed to keep him in his place. He could see the fear in the creatures eyes as he moved closer to him, and a sort of sadness came over him. He felt pity for this monster, pity that he was going to die alone, and that he never knew love from another human being. He was now directly in front of Voldemort with his hand outstretched.
"Just succumb to me and I will make it swift." Harry mimicked Voldemorts previous statement. Voldemort's face transformed then into a look of pure terror as Harry gently placed his hand onto the monsters shoulder. Instantly Harry felt his scar burning on his forehead, but he did not let go. Memories began to flood through him, but they weren't his own. It seemed all of Voldemorts memories were being channeled through Harry. But not just any memories…memories of all those he had murdered. Hundreds of human beings were floating through Harrys head; all of them were filled with joy at finally being free. When Harrys parents came floating through, a smile crossed the young mans face and he at long last felt at peace.
Very quickly Voldemort went quite rigid and then fell to the ground. Without even checking Harry knew at once that he was dead. A wave of relief swept over him, and he fell to his knees. It was over. Harry had fulfilled the prophecy. He had won.
He felt a movement at his side and glanced over to see Hermione kneeling down beside him, her arms instantly wrapping themselves around his shoulders. No words were shared between the two of them, they just sat there crouched on the ground in front of Voldemorts lifeless body, taking everything in.
Ron stood a few feet behind them watching the entire scene. Harry had done it. He knew he would. Pride overwhelmed Ron at this moment, he loved Harry and Hermione so much, and they had saved the world. He knew there was no chance for him, but atleast everyone else would live. Without saying a word to the pair on the ground, he turned away from them and walked back the way he came; he didn't even make it over the hill before his body disappeared and he was gone forever.
Harry stood, taking Hermione by the hand and helping her up. They turned both looking for their best friend but he was no where to be seen. The two friends smiled at one another, and hand in hand they made their way back to their brooms to begin the trek home. They still hadn't said a word to one another.
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