Chapter 8
The Final Battle
"Welcome home, honey" Jane Granger greeted her daughter walked through the door. "I was beginning to get a little worried, but your father kept telling me that-"
"That you're an adult now and you'll come home when you want" finished David Granger walking through the backdoor.
Hermione looked at her parents for a second before running to them with open arms. When all three of them were engulfed in a hug Hermione said, "I've missed you guys so much!"
Jane gave a slight chuckle, "Well, I guess those couple of months since spring break were harder on you than me."
A tear of joy slid down Hermione cheek as she laughed. A couple of months!
"Why don't you two take a seat in the living room, I'll bring out some tea and you can tell us how dreadful you did on your final exams." Jane chuckled as she began to put on a pot of tea.
Hermione walked into her living room and realized it no longer felt like home. It was still comfortable with fond memories, but the sense of home seemed to have diminished since the last time she had sat on the oversized chair. She felt a slight wave of sadness at what she had lost.
Her father sat across from her and they conversed about old times until Hermione's mother entered the room with a tray. They sat in silence for a bit, which gave Hermione time to think of how to tell her parents what had happened to her.
Better just get it over with
"Mom, Dad, I've got a bit of a story to tell you, I know you won't believe me but hear me out first, ok?" They nodded their agreement so with a deep breath, she began her tale, starting from when she was sucked into a black hole to where she was now. An hour later, after leaving out certain details, she came to her conclusion and waited for her parents to react.
Jane and David sat there for a few minutes trying to process what their daughter was telling them. A kingdom in a different world? An evil lord? A handsome prince? It sounded straight out of a fairytale!
Hermione shyly looked at her parents, "Well, what do you think?"
David cleared his throat, "I'm not sure what to think, Hermione. Your telling us you were gone for a year and you left only a couple of days ago."
Jane joined in, "That you've fought, with swords and magic, against evil lords and escaped from dungeons."
"And I'm not too sure I like this whole falling in love part, even if it is with a so called prince." Her father threw in.
Hermione pleaded with her parents, "I know how it sounds, but I swear it is all true. Trust me; now that I'm back I'm having a bit of a hard time believing it myself but…" She trailed off and began twisting Harry's ring around her finger. She took it off and handed it to her parents. "When I start to question it, I remember the people I left behind who love me. I couldn't have dreamt all of it, all of them"
Jane and David looked at the ring. It had an insignia on it that they had never seen and an intricate design that demonstrated pure beauty. They looked back at their daughter as they handed her the ring.
"Do you really love this man?" Jane asked.
Hermione smiled and slipped the ring back onto her finger, "With all my heart."
"And you're doing something good in this kingdom; something you love?" questioned her father.
"Yes dad, I love it very much." Hermione nodded. She was a little confused though, "You mean you actually believe me?"
The two adults shared a look, then David replied, "You aren't one to make up stories Hermione, especially not ones that are that elaborate. We may not completely believe your story, but whatever you're doing, if you're happy and healthy, then we'll accept it."
She flew to them and hugged them both. "I love you both so much."
"We love you too, sweetie."
"I have something else to tell you." Hermione said as she sat back down.
Her father chuckled, "Don't tell me, you've brought a dragon home and he's out in the back."
"No, they wouldn't let me take him through the portal, besides he wouldn't have fit." Hermione replied matter of factly.
Her dad stared at her for a moment, "I was only kidding, are there really dragons?"
Hermione laughed at her father's stunned face, "Yes, dad, but I haven't seen any yet. At least not in real life anyway."
Her mother smiled, "What is it you wanted to tell us."
Hermione took a deep breath, "I'm going back. Actually I'm going back in a few hours. It would be the equivalent of a few days there and I don't want to let them face the coming battle alone, especially when I know I can help."
Fear crept into her mother's voice, "This sounds too dangerous Hermione, let them handle it, it's their world after all."
Hermione paused for a second before answering, "But it's mine too."
Her parents just stared at her for a moment before her father broke the silence, "You're not coming back are you, honey?"
Hermione looked right at her parents, "I don't think I can, dad."
"But dear,-"
"It's not because I don't want to, mom, I just might not be able to. There are certain conditions that are needed to perform this kind of spell and they won't happen for many years. Trust me, the thought of never seeing you two again is one of the most painful I've ever experienced, but I have to move on. It's my turn to live my life."
A few tears began to form in Mrs. Granger's eyes; her little girl had grown up. "If this is what you really want then I suppose I can live with it. Just remember that we will always love you honey."
Her dad added with a hug, "Always."
Hermione hugged the both of them back, "I'll always love the two of you too, and I'll never forget you." The three of them stayed like that, savoring the moment that they knew could be their last.
The next hour and a half was spent packing items Hermione wanted to keep with her when she returned and spending time talking with her parents. Finally it came time for Hermione to say the spell, if her calculations were right, she would have been gone for about a week.
Returning to the living room she gave her parents one last hug, "I love you both, I will try and make it back."
They returned the hug fiercely, kissing her, "We love you too Hermione, remember we are always proud of you." Pulling back her mother wiped a tear from her eye, "Love you, sweetie."
Hermione nodded with a smile, her voice seemingly lost. Giving Harry's ring a twist for courage, she said the spell that she hopped would bring her home, "Atra ounus caram sentowa….. "
****
Hitting the ground with a dull thud, Hermione rolled to her feet, prepared for anything.
"Welcome back, Hermione"
Hermione turned to find the face of Albus Dumbledore smiling down at her. She could not contain herself and ran to hug the old man, he returned the gesture.
Pulling away Hermione immediately started questioning him on the events that occurred. "What has happened? Has Voldemort attacked? Is Harry ok?"
Dumbledore held up his hand to halt her questions and attempted to answer them, "Voldemort has yet to attack, although his army is still growing. We've been rallying troops and training them, though they sorely miss your presence. Harry is… well. He is accomplishing his responsibilities admirably but he has withdrawn from his family and friends."
Hermione felt guilt settle on her heart. She didn't like leaving him with the thought that she might not have returned but, the truth was she wasn't sure at the time that she would have been able to come back. Giving him false hope would have been worse then no hope at all.
"Professor, don't let them know I've returned yet, I want it to be a surprise."
"Very well, dinner will be in a couple hours if you'd like to join us then."
"I think I might, thank you." She reached the doors but turned back, "Professor, thank you, for everything."
Albus bowed his head towards her, "It is I who should be thanking you."
Hermione smiled and headed to her room through the servants quarters, remaining undetected. She had much to think about and only had a short while of rest.
****
"Harry, please eat something" Lily said to her distraught son. All he would do now is look over battle plans and charts like the one he currently was engulfed in, and Lily was becoming worried.
"I am eating, mother" Harry responded lifting a piece of bread to his muttering mouth.
Ginny shook her head, "Harry, just because Hermione is gone does not mean you can submerge yourself in battle plans and strategies."
This seemed to strike a nerve and Harry threw his sister a glare from across the table. "I'm trying to focus on keeping my family and people alive."
"Harry, we all have to deal with her absence, it's not easy on any of us. I feel as if I've lost a daughter, and Ginny lost a sister."
"But its different mother, I lost my heart!"
Lily put a comforting hand on his shoulder, "I know what that feels like Harry, but everything will be ok. I promise."
The three remained silent for the rest of the dinner, lost in his or her own thoughts. Just as the three were about to disperse the doors suddenly opened and a figure in a black cloak walked in.
"Who are you? I demand to know what this is about." Called out Queen Lily. The figure did not answer but only continued to walk forward. Both Ginny and Harry drew their swords but it was Harry who jumped forward.
With his sword tip pointed at the intruder's hidden throat he demanded, "Unmask your self immediately."
"Would you really use that against me?" said a familiar voice. So familiar that is made Harry falter for a moment.
The stranger reached up and pulled back their hood
Only to reveal the smiling face of Hermione.
Harry's sword dropped to the floor with a clatter as he stood there, shocked like the rest of them.
"Did you miss me?" Hermione asked looking to each of them.
Ginny was the first to break the silence, "Hermione?"
"The one and only"
Lily blinked, "But how..?"
"It's a long story, actually. Something I'd rather tell on a full stomach if it is all the same to you."
She turned finally to Harry and the thrill of becoming lost in his deep green eyes took hold of her. She stepped toward him and whispered in his ear "Hello, love"
Finally coming out of his shock, he pulled slightly away from her. He raised a shaky hand to her face but didn't dare touch her, fearing it might be another dream, like so many he'd had since she had left.
"Hermione?" he whispered.
She took his hand in hers and brought it to her cheek, savoring his touch. It took no more confirmation for Harry who quickly wrapped his arms around her and crushed her lips with his. His tongue begged for entrance which Hermione immediately granted. Harry felt like he was breathing again after suffocating for such a long time, kissing her as if his life depended on it. She wrapped her own arms around his neck and kept him close to her. After a few minutes of refreshing bliss the two parted, breathless.
"I thought… I thought I'd never see you again" He said, his arms still wrapped around her waist.
She touched her forehead against his, "I thought the same, it was only a chance I was able to come back. I never stopped thinking about you."
"Please don't ever leave me again." Harry said, giving her another soul-healing kiss and pulling her closer still.
"I don't think I could." She whispered back after pulling away from his sweet lips.
She stepped away from his embrace but kept her hand firmly in his and addressed her family.
"I couldn't really leave. I was brought here to help, to try to save this noble nation. That was the reason I stayed at first, but my love for this place has grown so much. I could not very well leave my family now could I?" She smiled as Ginny ran to give her a hug and Lily soon followed with a tear in her eye.
Pulling away, Lily looked at her "We're very glad you're back dear, and you really are part of our family."
Ginny smiled and gave Hermione a one-armed hug, "Glad to have you back, sister dear. But you must tell us, how were you able to come back?"
Hermione sat down and began to fill her plate with leftovers.
"Like I said, it is a bit of a story. You see when Dumbledore wanted to talk with me at that last dinner……"
****
The knowledge that Hermione had returned had an astounding effect on the troops. The army began to train harder and gained more troops. Ron thanked her repeatedly, after relaying his joy at her return, as he continued to whip the new recruits into shape. Hermione occasionally came and gave a helping hand, although the trainees would argue her help was more of a torturous nature.
For the next two weeks Gryffindor grew with confidence and a tension that was almost tangible. Always the same question running through everyone's minds;
When will Voldemort attack?
It was three weeks since Hermione's return that they received an answer. A scout raced into the large library where Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Queen Lily were huddled over maps and battle plans.
Ron recognized him immediately, "Seamus, what's going on, what's happened?"
Hermione brought a chair for him but Seamus shook his head as he caught his breath. Standing a little straighter he reported, "It's Voldemort, he and his army are on the move."
An instant silence settled into the room.
It was Ginny who broke it, "So he's finally decided to show his face."
"What's happened exactly, Seamus?" Harry asked.
"I was at my usual post, by the edge of the forest, when I heard some odd sounds. I went to take a look and found it was Voldemort's army assembling in front of his castle. There must be thousands. I took in the situation and quickly ran to my horse and rode hard, but they must have seen or heard me because the next moment I was on the ground while my horse had an arrow through its leg. I ran from that point on and didn't stop until now."
Seamus waited a moment for everything to sink in before continuing. "I'd say no more than four hours will they be at our gate, with more than several thousand soldiers."
Harry nodded at this, turned to Ron and asked, "We have how many men, exactly?"
Ron's face darkened, "I could only give a rough estimate but I would say around four thousand, maybe less."
Harry immediately jumped into action, "Ron, I want you to go down to the barracks and camps, get the soldiers armed and ready. Meet me by the front gate in one hour." Ron nodded and left.
Turning to scout Harry ordered, "Seamus, I need you to ride to Dumbledore's estate as fast as you can. He should be there now, on the eastern lands, tell him we are in need."
Seamus gave a fast salute and took off for the stables.
Harry turned to the three women behind him. Hermione had silently been taking the news in, Ginny was concocting plans for battle, and Queen Lily was trying to decide the fastest ways to get the villages to safety.
"It seems it really is time." He ran his fingers through his hair and began forming a plan. "Mother, I want you to help the villagers escape to the southern lands, you should be safe there until someone comes for you. Ginny, I need you to go and prepare the archers and pikemen, make sure every hand has the finest weapon we can find. When Dumbledore arrives relay to him what is happening and make sure he has the wizards prepared."
Harry turned to Hermione. "I want you to go with mother when the villagers leave; you'll be the best defense for them in case Voldemort….. in case any problems arise."
Each woman nodded her understanding and left to her duties, except Hermione. Standing there, looking Harry in the eyes, she crossed her arms in front of her.
"What do you think you are doing?" She asked, annoyed.
Harry looked determined, "I'm making sure everyone is safe."
She took a step closer to him, "You can't protect me Harry, you're not suppose to. This is why I was brought here, to fight this battle, to help save Gryffindor."
"I don't want you hurt Hermione. With my mother is the safest place you could be right now." Harry retorted.
"It may be the safest, Harry, but it's not where I want to be, it's not where I belong. I belong with you, on the front line, helping the men I've come to respect and care for. That's where I should be."
Harry grabbed her hands, "Please Hermione, for me. Don't be out there, I thought I lost you once, I couldn't bare it if I lost you again."
She took her hands out of his and brought them to his face, he visibly relaxed and his eyes shuttered for a moment. "You will never lose me. I'm apart of you, just as you are apart of me. I'll always be with you."
She brought his head down into a reassuring kiss. The kiss quickly became passionate as Harry's tongue trailed Hermione's lower lip, causing her to release a moan. Gaining instant access his tongue darted in and out causing her to go weak in the knees. Harry lifted her and brought her to one of the couches along the wall, setting her down so he lay on top of her.
"I don't want anything to happen to you" he whispered, his hands finding their way under her shirt. She shivered at the contact.
Her own hands began winding themselves into his ebony locks; she brought her lips to his ear and whispered in return, "As long as I'm with you, nothing could ever hurt me."
He held her tighter and crashed his lips to hers. Touching every area that was bare, and some that were not, he expressed over and over again how much he loved her, and
She showed the same affection in return.
****
The news of Voldemort's army spread fast among the villages, all which made haste to the castle's gates. They were directed to the castle's southern gates, where the Queen was preparing caravans for departure. The main army began massing one hundred miles away from the castle, a total of about four thousand soldiers, two thousand pike man, one thousand archers, and a large amount of farmers that wanted to defend their homes and families.
Ron road back and forth trying to set up the soldiers into final preparations, fixing a mail shirt or checking weapons, all the while looking quite intimidating in his battle gear. But no more intimidating than Harry.
Riding on the front line, Harry ordered them to move out; Hermione felt a shiver of awe run through her at the sight of Harry in such a commanding state. He looked more like a prince, a general, than the young, light-hearted man deep down she knew he was. She traveled along side him and Ron as the army marched behind them, Ginny rode with the archers, checking and rechecking their supply of arrows as they traveled.
No words were uttered between the three commanders during their trek, each contemplating his or her own future, what would lie in wait for them at the end of this battle, this final battle. It didn't take long for them to reach the battle grounds.
A vast expanse of grassy land, bare except for the stones that were raised from the hills. The slopes they were now descending would be excellent for the archers to take aim with and provide fair cover. Only a couple of miles from the other end of the grounds stood Voldemort's castle; a dark and dreary place that sent a shiver through Hermione as the memories from her time there flooded back.
Finally the entire company settled to a halt at the base of the slopes, facing in the direction of Voldemort's army that was to appear any minute.
Slowly, they came as if a dark shadow was spreading over the land. Voldemort's army climbed over the last rise and now stopped a few hundred yards from their position. Every beast imaginable could be seen or heard, some straight from nightmares.
After a moment of silence Harry turned to his men and spoke loud enough with such courage and conviction that it gave the men hope and the strength to fight.
"My friends, I know that you realize what this day means for all of us. I know many of you have never killed a living creature, have never had to fight against such great odds. I want you to remember your loved ones when faced with an enemy. Think of your wives, your children, your lovers, and your siblings. Remember that each man you cut down, each beast you halt, that is one less that your family remains safer. This fight will be hard but do not give up hope, never give up the hope that we can win, that we can protect all we care about and believe in. I fight for my family today, my family and for Gryffindor!"
The men raised their weapons and shouted, "FOR GRYFFINDOR!"
Harry turned to face the dark army and stared at it for a moment. He seemed determined, no fear rested in his eyes. Turning to Hermione he asked one simple questions
"Are you with me?"
She smiled and pulled out her sword, spinning it at her side, "Always, my love."
He smiled and turned to Ron. Ron gave him a grin, "I've been ready for this a long time."
Harry nodded to him and raised his sword, dropping it twice quickly. Ginny caught the signal and shouted her command, "Archer's take aim, and release!"
Thousands of arrows were shot off the cliffs above and, with the help of the wizards under Dumbledore's command, reached the first few lines of the enemy's army. Anguished cries were heard as the fallen tumbled.
Harry felt more than heard Voldemort's command, "Attack!" The massive army began to charge, trampling their deceased comrades.
Harry watched them rampage, and felt more determined than ever.
They will not harm my family, they will not harm my people, and they will not harm Hermione.
Raising his sword high into the air, Harry took a deep breath, "FOR GRYFFINDOR!"
"FOR GRYFFINDOR!" every man roared.
Harry charged forward, with the rest of the Gryffindor army right behind him.
Hermione's heart pounded in her ears as she urged her horse faster and faster, releasing the reins she drew a long dagger to accompany her sword.
Hermione pushed her horse faster, pulling ahead of Harry's.
With roar she collided with the enemies' army, cutting down two men on contact with the rest of her men following her into the midst of the battle.
Trying to stay close to Harry's side she continued to cut down and kick men away from her horse as she pulled forward toward the castle. One villain caught her by the leg and almost unhorsed her but the next moment he released her and fell to the ground, an arrow lodged in his back.
A few feet from Harry now she saw he was being assaulted by several men. He cut down two of them but before he could pull his sword from the corpse an archer let loose an arrow, aimed directly at his heart.
"NO" shouted Hermione, thinking fast she pushed off from her horse and shielded Harry's body with her own. Falling to the ground, she grimaced from the pain that they arrow in her side was causing her.
Three men came at her at once all of a sudden, one with an axe, the other two with long swords. She parried off two attacks with a sword she picked up from a corpse. Feinting, the attacker with the axe dropped to his knees, dead before he hit the ground. She continued to move forward while fighting the other two, trying desperately to keep up with the troops.
"Racardi mortes" she gasped and the two assailants fell, dead with veins broken in each neck.
She ran to try and join Harry who headed straight for Voldemort.
**
Harry pushed forward with his men, not stopping to engage in any one fight. His goal was clear and simple.
Find Voldemort. Kill Voldemort.
With Voldemort gone, his army would retreat, even surrender, knowing they would have nothing to protect them.
Harry struggled on, his eyes never leaving Voldemort's position for long, he battled with the few idiots brave enough to face him.
A pike man came at him from out of the crowd but Harry was too quick for him. He made his horse rise onto his hind legs and stomp down to make the man jump back, where Harry quickly disarmed him and stuck his blade through the attacker's chest.
Harry turned to his side to make sure Hermione was okay but was shocked to find she had fallen behind. Turning his horse around, he searched through the fray, spotting her taking on three very large men. She dispatched them quickly, to his relief, and turned toward him. They held eye contact for only moment before Hermione shouted,
"Go on! Don't stop! I'll be alright."
"Hermione! No!" Harry shouted, trying to turn towards her direction but his stallion would not cooperate.
"Harry go! Find him and fight!" Hermione yelled. Time seemed to stop for the two in that instant. There was no battle, no one was moving, the only ones in existence were them. Harry released a strangled cry and nodded, pushing his horse towards the direction he had last seen Voldemort.
**
Hermione smiled for only a second before realizing the rest of the army was pushing on, leaving her with a bunch of angry enemy soldiers.
"It's their champion!" An ugly brute called out to his pals.
"Circle her!"
"Don't let her get away!"
Hermione found herself encircled by some of the meanest and ugliest creatures she had ever seen, but the most horrid was the one that was coming to meet her in the center.
A giant, ape looking creature, his muscles appeared to have muscles but his head seemed to be rather empty. He gave her a lopsided grin that was far from attractive as he tossed his two handed sword from one beastly hand to the other. The crowd surrounding them cheered as if in some sporting event, seemingly unaware of the battle raging around them.
Hermione could see through the circle that some of her men were trying to get to her, trying to help her, but kept having to fight a random opponent. She was on her own. She stood tall, despite the pain in her side steadily growing worse, and raised her sword, dropping into her battle stance.
The ugly brute laughed, "So that you know who is sending you to your doom, my name is Goyle, your executioner."
Hermione was unfazed, "It'll take more than muscle to defeat me."
Goyle smiled, "Do you like them, my muscles I mean. A special spell, compliments of Voldemort himself. They help me crush anything in my way, and right now you are my only obstacle."
The men around him hooted and cheered but Hermione stood strong, deciding she would rather die than show these men weakness.
"Stop talking and fight." She demanded.
"With pleasure!" Goyle lunged at her and she parried it away, but just barely.
Her last thought before returning an attack was,
Hurry Harry.
**
The din went unnoticed to Harry as his only focus was the man who now stood before him. Dropping down from his steed, sword in hand, Harry walked forward and faced Lord Voldemort.
Men on both sides stayed clear of the two, sensing the power that each retained. A few halted their individual battles to focus on the two generals, while others quickly dispatched their opponent, giving their complete attention to the spectacle. All of this went unobserved by Harry and Voldemort.
"Well well, Harry, I'm impressed. Facing me alone, courage your father never had." Voldemort chided.
Harry didn't flinch, just retorted "Odd, as I recall it, you didn't even try to breathe wrong while my father still lived."
Voldemort grinned, "Simple planning. Lulling the enemy into a false sense of confidence and comfort. As you can see, it worked. The fool felt it safe to die, and the little prince went off to plays knight."
Now it was Harry's turn to smile, "And yet you still managed to lose against three women. Well done Voldemort."
Anger appeared on the Dark Lord's visage "Lucious was severely punished for that little mishap. I assure you I will be the victor today."
"We shall see your lordship."
"Soon to be your Majesty."
Voldemort launched an attack to the head quickly followed with a spell "Expellairmus."
Harry dodged the attack and managed to barely hang on to his weapon. He took a moment before counterattacking. A few feint attacks along with some disengages had Voldemort slightly out of breath and bleeding from the left arm.
"You know your swordplay, I'll give you that. Let's see how well you can avoid my spells!" He began to say whatever spell came to his twisted mind, continually throwing curse after curse at Harry.
Harry, to his credit, did not just wait for the curses to reach him but parried and evaded them, trying to keep a certain distance between himself and the Dark Lord.
"You can't keep this up forever, Harry!" Voldemort yelled in his growing frustration.
He was right. Harry knew he could not keep going at this pace. And the longer he did not strike a final blow, the longer Hermione remained in danger.
"Luckily, I have a trick or two. Petrificus Totalus!"
Slightly stunned, Voldemort was almost hit with the on-coming spell but spun away at the last second.
"So, you can perform some magic. That still won't save you! Everything you see shall be mine, everything you've ever touched, including" he chuckled, "your little champion. My spies tell me she is quite good at what she does, on and off the battle grounds."
Harry flew into an enraged attack, slashing wherever he could, firing off spell one after the other. "Wingardium leviosa! Atrissio! Reducto!"
Voldemort returned his attacks with some violent moves of his own, finally calling out the one spell he'd been saving for Harry's final demise.
"Avada Kedavra!"
A jet of green light burst forth and was headed straight for Harry.
Suddenly, Harry found himself engulfed in the light and at first all he could hear was Voldemort's joyous laughter. Feeling a little light-headed he tried to sit down but his legs no longer seemed to work. Out of no where he heard an echoed voice from a distance, a voice that made his heart sing,
"I will always love you."
He tried to see through the haze but could only identify a distorted figure walking toward him.
"Come back to me."
He reached out his hand and the figure took it, yet he could still not recognize this person.
"Harry" she, it was definitely a woman's voice, sounded so far away and continued to echo, yet
he was right next to her. "Come back, stay with me."
He nodded, though unsure if the woman saw, he took a step forward. Another and another he never let go of the woman who was becoming clearer with each step.
Finally he came to what he could only describe as a doorway of some sort. The light pouring out illuminated the woman until she became crystal clear. Harry smiled and raised a hand to her face.
"Hermione." He murmured.
She smiled at him, "Go, love." Harry's smile widened and he jumped through the doorway.
The next thing Harry knew, he was back on the battlefield, lying on the ground with Voldemort's back toward him, shouting his victory.
Harry quickly regained his wits and jumped up with his sword in hand.
"We have won! Bow to your new king!" Voldemort shouted across the field as men stopped their fighting to listen and watch.
"Not quite, Voldemort" Harry said raising his blade, the tip of which was pointed directly over Voldemort's heart.
The Dark Lord spun around with shock and surprise covering his face which quickly turned to rage.
"No! No one could have survived that curse!" He began to raise his blade but Harry quickly disarmed him.
"I am Harry James Potter, King of Gryffindor, rightful ruler of these lands, and your end, Voldemort." Harry proclaimed. Before Voldemort could make another move Harry thrust his sword straight through the snake's chest while shouting the words, "Avada Kedavra!"
Voldemort released a final anguished scream before collapsing in a blast of emerald light.
Harry pulled his blade free and turned back toward the battle field. He noticed that while his army had taken massive losses, half of Voldemort's men seemed to have vanished, while others looked lost.
"Followers of the Dark Lord, surrender or die, those are your only choices. Your leader is dead; follow him into the unknown if you wish, but I want no more blood shed this day or ever again. " Harry announced.
While most threw down their weapons some tried to run back toward the castle only to be killed on the way. The army of Gryffindor shouted in joy but Harry didn't share in the excitement. He had only one thought.
Hermione.
**
"Ugh" Hermione grunted as she fell to the ground once more. The men surrounding her cheered on and even started to bet on how long she would last.
As a pack, the whole lot of them moved far from the main battle so as to enjoy their sport better without having to deal with the irritating problem of killing another attacker. Hermione had tried to stop them several times but was in no condition to fight more than one battle at the moment.
This Goyle creature was just as strong as he looked. And Hermione was just as mentally tired as she was physically. The mental fatigue came from using so much magic, especially on the spell she used to save Harry.
She had felt her heart break and looked over to see Harry fall. Thinking quickly, she did two things at once; cast a blinding and silence spell to pause her current battle and a spell that she had only read about. The lost love spell was supposed to bring you to your one true love no matter where they were. She had found and returned Harry to the land of the living quickly but performing it took a lot of energy. She knew she would do it a hundred times over if it meant bringing Harry back from the dead.
Now she lay on the ground, surrounded by brutes and mercenaries, far away from her home and very much alone.
She tried to stand once more but fell again; her blade dropped to the ground and was kicked to the side. The pain was so bad that she could barely breathe, and she had already lost so much blood. Goyle came over and kicked her in her side again, hard.
"Take is easy there, save some for the rest of us" one of the men laughed.
I need a miracle
"AH!" someone screamed as a sword erupted from their chest. The men in the circle now became aware of their surroundings and found not only was the battle over but they were sorely outnumbered.
With the distraction capturing the men's attention, Hermione extracted a spare dagger she had kept in her boot. With the last of her energy, she plunged the blade deep into Goyle's over muscled chest. He starred down first at the knife, then her. Letting loose some kind of a garbled yell he fell, his body changing back to the puny form he must have retained before the spell, which meant only one thing.
Harry defeated Voldemort
He won, he's safe.
Hermione fell to the ground, no more strength left in her. She hazily watched as her comrades dispatched the men around her mercilessly. One tall red head was particularly vicious with the Dark Lord's followers and let them suffer before dealing them their final blow.
As Hermione lay there, sliding into unconsciousness, she heard a voice call out her name.
"Hermione!"
She was being lifted onto somebody's lap gingerly and felt splotches of rain fall on her face.
No, not rain, tears.
"Harry" she said weakly, trying to raise a hand to his face. He grabbed the hand and held it against his cheek, leaning into her calming touch.
"Hermione it's going to be okay. Ron went to get the wizards and they are going to heal you. It'll be okay." Harry said rocking her back and forth gently, as if the simple motion would help her get better. "Please forgive me."
Hermione was confused, unsure if she heard him right. Forgive? "For what?"
"For not being here sooner, for not protecting you better."
She smiled at him, "You weren't suppose to protect me, love. I was supposed to protect you. And I did, that was my destiny, to love and protect you."
He choked back a sob, "You brought me back. You found me and brought me back to you, why can't I do that with you?"
"Because it's my time." She replied simply.
"No! I refuse to believe that." He kissed her on her forehead, on her cheeks, her eyelids, and finally her supple lips. Soft, swift kisses, as if they would save her. "We've only just found each other, I won't let you go. You can't leave me, my life isn't worth living without you."
She raised herself and held his face in her weak hands. "Harry, I will always be with you. I love you." She grunted in pain and laid back down, her breath turning shallow.
Harry panicked, "Where are the wizards?!" he shouted around him. Some men went to help search for them while most stood there and looked down upon the woman they had come to respect and love.
Harry took her hands within his and, starring into her face, started to say words that seemed to come out of thin air. "Reverto meus pectus pectoris ut mihi, tribuo suus ago."
As the last word left his lips Hermione began to glow. A bright white light seemed to flow from within her and became brighter. Harry had to look away but didn't release her hands. When the light finally dimmed, his eyes returned to Hermione's form.
At the sight he let out a cry.
****Author's Note*****
Please review, even if you want to write that you disliked it, I really would like to know if I entertain you guys.
This (long) chapter is dedicated to two people specifically. To Searcy for the inspiration and to Lina for finally showing me the way to write a chapter. I would also like to thank everyone who ever bothered to read my story and/or review. I know there are a lot of grammar and other mistakes (even though I've read it over twice) but I hope you enjoy this long over due installment. One more chapter to go.
Fun Fact: Out of all the chapters, Chapter 2 has the least reviews but most hits. Chapter 7 has the most reviews but least hits, go figure that out.
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