Unofficial Portkey Archive

Silence fell over the battlefield as the blazing sun rose in the sky, shimmering heat descending on the grounds as the morning wore on. To have the Final Battle ending in daylight was almost ironic, for darkness usually accompanied the thoughts of all those who fought.

The Four Heirs were squared off against the Dark Lord, standing shoulder to shoulder with looks of cool composure over each of their faces. Voldemort wore an angry scowl, but determination burned in his red eyes, obviously trusting in the evil that had brought him to the brink of immortality. He twirled his wand through his long fingers, relishing in the feel of the smooth wood and knowing the destruction it would soon bring about with a few well aimed curses.

The Heirs were each concentrating on their powers, knowing they would have to combine them to truly bring victory to the Light. So with a burst of power, each of the accessed their special powers and brought them to the surface before concentrating on their companions and diverting some of that power to them. Suddenly, all the Heirs felt surges of emotions, telepathy, healing, and seeing running through their veins, to aide them in this last fight.

Are all of you ready? Draco asked, his voice vibrating through their heads.

Yes, Harry, Hermione, and Ginny answered unanimously.

None of them questioned the others on being able to keep their powers connected; they simply knew it would hold. The Heirs were no longer the same struggling ones from the months previously. They were now confident of themselves and their companions, knowing that they had finally unlocked the Key and all would be fine. No more doubts lingered in their minds, only an enormous amount of love and trust.

"You four still have a choice," Voldemort's voice broke to them over the silence. "I'm giving you one last chance to join me, to use that power of yours to help me take over the world and make it ours. We could do this together, take the Wizarding World and reign over all. Could you imagine the power we would hold over all? My strength and cunning combined with your power would be a volatile connection that no one would dare go against. Think about it, what I could give you."

"We don't want what you want, Tom," Harry spat, looking furious. "Your ideas and values are not the same ones as we hold. We want peace while you want destruction; we want love while you want hate; we want light while you want darkness. Our sides will never cross, Tom, because you refuse to let them cross. You made your choice long ago and it has consumed you since then. Our powers lie in aiding those who can not fight you, not in helping you terrorize the weak. We will defeat you and bring back hope to those who have lost it."

The scowl on Voldemort's face deepened even more, sparks flying from his wand tip.

"That is a stupid choice, Potter," he growled.

"No, Tom," Hermione broke in, her soft voice somehow carrying to him. "Yours was the stupid choice, the one you made decades ago to defy Albus Dumbledore and turn fully into the very evil he always swore against. No one else forced you, only yourself."

"Shut up, you foolish Mudblood!" The Dark Lord howled. "You may have brains but not enough to keep that tongue of yours silent."

"Shut up yourself, dear old Tom," Ginny hissed, her brown eyes lit with rage at the words against her friend. "She only speaks the truth and nothing more, something you have forgotten to recognize over the years."

"Foolish and naive little Heirs," Voldemort sneered, standing himself up straighter. "You will all realize your mistake once it is too late and my wand is pointed at your helpless forms. You will have wished you joined me and then will beg me for mercy. But my patience will be at an end and my need for you no more. Then everyone will look on me with awe and realize that all of you were nothing more then stupid teenagers with no power whatsoever."

"And how much do you believe your own words?" Draco taunted. "You speak so much and yet act so little. Do you really believe you can defeat us, or do you just hope that you can?"

"You're a coward, Tom!" Harry finished. "And you always will be."

Voldemort's only response was a scream of pure anger and a bolt of green light, which sped towards Harry. The Four Heirs disappeared in an instant before reappearing behind the Dark Lord, where the ferocity of the battle broke out once more. The air became electrified with magic as spell after spell was cast from either side, neither budging or losing ground.

Voldemort swooped from side to side, dodging the jets of light and sending his own. The Heirs let loose their Elemental powers at the same time, working off of each other. The Dark Lord was more prepared this time though, combating the fierce elements and using it to his advantage, taking control of them with his wand and aiming it straight back at the Heirs.

The ground became scorched between them, black slashes marring the green grass and chunks of dirt blowing up, shallow pits forming. The battle only continued to increase in intensity, no side winning yet, but neither letting up. With their increased strength of magic formed through their connection, the Heirs played off of each other like the most well-oiled machine, acting more like a team then ever before. All of their thoughts and emotions crossed over to each other, along with the necessary Healing power to keep them going, and the ability to See that gave them a certain amount of foresight to predict Voldemort's moves. They were always one step ahead of him; enough to keep them going, but still lagging in that they couldn't find a break to take him out once and for all.

The curses Voldemort was using were not simple ones. Each jet of light was different, each meant to kill them in the end. The Heirs twisted and spun, ducked and dodged, never once faltering and keeping their own spells consistent.

Then the Dark Lord changed his tactics, his spells becoming more tricky and each one coming closer and closer to striking Hermione. His determination in destroying Harry was escalating, the lines about the Prophecy of the Chosen One still haunting him and starting to pound in his head. It was Harry who was meant to end his reign, not the Heirs. The Heirs were his helpers, the ones who would be a key part in bringing about the final end. But no matter how much the power of the Heirs frightened him, it was Harry that Voldemort was scared of the most.

Hermione, though brilliant and agile, could only take so much. After dodging endlessly, a spell grazed her shoulder, knocking her sideways, as the burn seared through her. The Healing from Harry quickly sealed the wound, but she put herself in the line of another spell. The sickly purple light, so familiar from a year before, raced toward her with blinding speed. At the last minute, she threw out a wall of water at the same time Ginny sent a jet of fire. The two powers collided with the curse, which exploded with a deafening noise and knocked them all backwards.

Hermione rolled to the side and lifted her head, brown eyes finding Voldemort immediately, knowing instinctually that he was after her. His red eyes bore into her, gleeful and clearly conveying his message. Hermione sprang upright and glared right back, not backing down or showing she was afraid. She saw Harry out of the corner of her eye, fighting an internal battle of whether he should run to her side or worry about himself and the others.

I'll be okay, love, she whispered over the connection. I can take care of myself.

I know, he responded, though it seemed to be an effort for him. It's why I love you so much. Just be careful, okay?

You know I will be, she ended, concentration now fully set on the Dark Lord.

"Ready to play, Mudblood?" Voldemort called out.

"Yes, but are you?" Hermione muttered, not intending for him to hear her.

As the other three Heirs advanced, ready to throw out more spells, Hermione's eyes changed to blue; not the light blue of before but a deep royal blue. Voldemort's eyes narrowed to slits at the same time, and as he watched Hermione surge with power, he raised his wand.

"Avada Kedavra!"

The green light blasted forward toward her, much like moments earlier. Draco, Ginny, and Harry halted, watching aghast as Hermione did nothing and simply stood there, only her eyes shining outward.

"NO!" Harry screamed. "HERMIONE, NO!"

The onlookers then gasped with awe as the most remarkable thing happened. With the curse only meters from striking her, a burst of energy rippled out from her, a blue shockwave that blinded everyone. And when they looked back, the immense image of an eagle took shape from the blue light and settled right in the path of the Killing Curse. The green light struck the eagle, where it was absorbed and then dissolved. With a sharp cry from it's beak, the eagle vanished in a whirl of color.

"WHAT IS THIS?!" Voldemort shrieked. "NOTHING CAN STOP THE KILLING CURSE! NOTHING!"

Ginny gaped at Hermione in shock, whose eyes were turning back to normal and was gazing serenely at the Dark Lord who had almost killed her.

"How…." she started.

"It's the power that we hold," Draco breathed, looking stunned.

"The power he knows not," Harry said quietly.

"What?" Ginny said, confused as she spun toward the Heir of Gryffindor.

"I'll explain later," Harry muttered. "We have a battle to end now."

With a pop they vanished and appeared next to Hermione, who once again had determination etched into her face. Harry grabbed her hand and squeezed it quickly.

"Good job, love," he said quietly.

Voldemort's face was murderous as he looked upon the Heirs, still seething at how the Killing Curse had been blocked. His most effective weapon was gone now, erased by something he couldn't even begin to describe. Worry seeped into the edges of mind now, doubt beginning to cling to him. Was it possible that the Four Heirs could defeat him?

"I will not let it!" he hissed to himself, gripping his wand tightly.

"Had enough, Tom?" Harry called, still holding on to Hermione's hand, sliding his thumb over the promise ring he had given her at Christmas. It now seemed so long ago.

"Hardly," the Dark Lord snarled. "Pathetic band of fools. You may have found a way to block the Killing Curse, but I have other powers that can destroy you all."

With a sweep of his hand, a black cloud began to form around him, swirling and consuming him. The black mist concealed Voldemort from their sight before stretching out and falling over them. With quick thinking, the Heirs each cast a Shield Charm around themselves, before bringing forth a burst of light from their palms.

The mist was thick though, almost suffocating them as it continued to surround them and block out the light completely. Glancing at each other in slight distress, the Heirs took a few careful steps forward before stopping and squinting, trying to see beyond the mist. Suddenly a series of spells shot at them from all sides, causing the Heirs to jump to alert to protect themselves, shooting back their own spells at random and hoping it would hit Voldemort.

The fight continued on unseeingly for several minutes, the Heirs desperately trying to come up with a plan together. Finally, Draco let loose his telepathic powers and centered on the Dark Lord, reaching out for him. With a touch, he found him and concentrated, drawing on his power to make an attack.

With a glance at Ginny, who gave him an encouraging smile, Draco slammed into the Dark Lord's mind without a word. Voldemort cried out and went against him, but the Slytherin was relentless, prodding through his mental blocks and snapping through wards. The battle of spells continued on for the other Heirs until Draco found what he was looking for and with a burst of magical energy, he shut down the spell.

Voldemort was now screaming in agony as the black mist swirled away and vanished. The Heirs were assaulted by the light of the sun, raising their hands to block it as the Dark Lord clutched at his head, his loud wail seeming to never end. The thin spidery fingers were taunt, the bloodless lips curled up above his pointed teeth as his body rocked back and forth. The Heirs felt a strange sort of horror as they stared at him, wanting to take him down at his weakest moment but knowing how unfair that tactic really was.

"Expelliarmus," Hermione whispered, flicking her wrist.

Voldemort's wand was knocked out of his hand and thrown many meters away, coming to rest on a sloping hill. He flinched and lifted his head, his eyes glowing with hatred. His body was still convulsing at odd times, Draco's mind power over him having obviously broken something within him.

"Is this how you want it to end, Tom?" Harry yelled. "Is this what you wanted your choices to lead to?"

Voldemort didn't answer him, he simply started laughing. The high cackle of it was chilling and made them shiver despite the growing heat.

"Who ever said this was how it is going to end?" he finally said.

"It's over!" Ginny cried out. "Can't you see that you've lost?"

"No!" he yelled, thrusting his hands outward, a bright yellow light forming between them. "I shall never give into you, Heirs of Hogwarts. Lord Voldemort does not surrender nor give up."

"So be it," Hermione said, inclining her head.

The Heirs then watched as the yellow ball of light Voldemort was forming grew larger and brighter, almost obscuring him from sight.

"Prodo Malus ad Deleo ille Quattuor Heres!" he shouted.

The light exploded before a jet of pure black streamed forward and shot straight toward the Heirs.

But they were prepared. Each took a deep breath as their eyes all changed colors, reflecting the House that they had become the Heir to. Harry's eyes were deep gold; Hermione's a royal blue; Draco's an electrifying green; and Ginny's a brilliant yellow. Each held out their hands as images of the animals that represented each House descended before them, shining in the same color as their respective Heirs' eyes.

As the black curse slammed into them, a sound like a bomb echoed across the grounds and an immense shockwave rippled out, covering the grounds in darkness for several seconds. The watchers clung to each other fearfully, wondering what would happen once the darkness cleared. As it receded, the Four Heirs could be seen plainly etched along the horizon, the Dark Lord somehow still standing, but cowering in place in a show of startling helplessness.

With no word from the Heirs, they all begin to walk forward as one, Harry slightly in the front. Their eyes still glittered with the color of their House, the animal images right beside them. As they walked, their Elemental powers became visible as each became surrounded by it. Draco's steps caused the Earth to rumble and crack; Ginny was within a ring of fire; Hermione had rain whipping around her; and Harry had a howling wind accompanying him, his bangs blown back revealing his lightening bolt scar.

And as the Heirs came closer and closer to Voldemort, the love and trust they had built up for so long finally came to the surface. With a burst of energy, the glow of their eyes increased in intensity, each feeling the depth of their emotions that had carried them for so long. Fully immersed in each other, the Heirs brought their hands forward once more, a ball of light forming in each of their palms. The light of the ball matched the House they were from, brightening and growing with strength. Then in unison, they spoke a phrase in Latin.

"Renovo Lumen per Amo ad Confido."

The four different colored balls of light then shot forth from their palms to join before them, forming a multicolored band of light which shot forward and collided in the center of Lord Voldemort's chest. Instead of being flung backwards, he was surrounded by the light, another unearthly scream escaping his lips as the curse tore into him. It ripped his magic right from him before the light dissolved away, leaving Voldemort crumpled on the ground, all of his strength and power gone.

The Heirs relaxed their stances, the light in their eyes receding along with the shadowy forms of the animals. They now stood before Voldemort, looking like nothing more than normal teenagers with an incredible weight resting upon their shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Tom," Harry said, sympathy laced in his voice as he stared down at the diminished Dark Lord.

"Don't flatter me with pity, Potter," he responded, his weak voice rasping out as he started to cough weakly. "Finish what you came here to do."

Harry took a step back though, looking torn, a series of emotions crossing over his face. Draco's head shot to him in alarm, voicing what Ginny was thinking and what Hermione didn't want to think about.

"You heard what he said," the blonde said. "Finish the job; it's over. This is what you've wanted for fifteen years."

"I will not kill a helpless being," Harry said quietly.

"Even Voldemort?" Draco cried, looking aghast.

"Even him," Harry responded bitterly.

Snarling, Voldemort leapt forward, a dagger suddenly in his hands because no magical power now resided in him; a wand was useless.

"Don't think me gone yet, Potter," he spat, lunging for Hermione.

With a yell, Harry pulled his sword out with a flash and swung it forward.

"Expleo ille Praedictio!"

As he yelled out the last word, Harry flung his sword directly at Voldemort, the tip arcing and catching the glare of the sun. A brilliant gold light lit up the blade, causing it to spin faster before it struck the Dark Lord, who's eyes went wide with shock as the point pierced him.

He was thrown backwards as the sword struck him, the golden light washing over his body. His cry of pain vibrated through them all as he fell, the strange glow now pulsing, and the faint sound of a Phoenix Song emanating from it. He lay unmoving, the Heirs watching with hard eyes as the ground trembled beneath them, cracks forming and trees from the Forbidden Forest crashing to the earth.

Then the glow intensified so much they had to look away. The Dark Lord's body was consumed by it, turning into ash as a crack formed beneath and swallowed up the dust. A scream of pure agony echoed briefly as a red orb hung suspended in the air before it too was taken in by the earth.

The scream ended and the ground stopped trembling. The sword of Gryffindor fell to the dirt with a soft thud, the rubies gleaming in the sunlight. Silence then reached the ears of everyone watching, all of them too stunned to believe any of what they had just seen was true.

The Heirs had completed their mission. Lord Voldemort was gone.

.........................

Author's Note: Wow! The battle is finally over! I can't believe it! After 3 years of writing this story, the scene I've been waiting for and itching to write is finally done. I hope all of you enjoyed that, cause I loved writing this chapter! Don't worry, the story is not done yet. Three more chapters to go and this book of the series will be finished. I want to thank everyone for the AMAZING reviews, you guys are awesome! I really do hope you enjoyed this chapter and I hope you can take the time to leave a review, I love the feedback! Thanks so much for sticking with me this long and I promise to update again soon.
PhoenixFirebolt

Prodo Malus ad Deleo ille Quattuor Heres - Bring forth Evil and destroy the Four Heirs
Renovo Lumen per Amo ad Confido - Restore Light through Love and Trust
Expleo ille Praedictio - Fulfill the Prophecy