DISCLAIMER : I OWN NOTHING BUT THE PLOT!
Hello everybody!
Now the first thing I would like to tell you is to… READ THE WHOLE THING THROUGH! Trust me… I won't say why, but … don't stop reading in the middle. Just trust me.
Secondly, hope you enjoy!
Fhew, ok
To my fellow reviewers.........
--- THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REVIEWS GUYS!!!
Now on with the story...
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Chapter Twenty-Six : The Final Ordeal!
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A blinding light filled the hall. The walls shook under the intense amount of energy and power that radiated off of the attack, and suddenly….
BANG!!
A large explosion destroyed the stone hall in which had been the Prince's battlefield as the white light spread itself over the vast expanse of the Castle Grounds. Like Voldemort's aura, as the white light expanded, it reached its limit before hurling back towards the tip of Harry's wand.
Hermione quickly averted her eyes just as the light expanded, and everything at that moment went black until she found herself thrown back at enormous speed. The walls of the hall were destroyed completely, and Hermione felt as her body made a sickening connection with the edge of the stone floor and a small portion of a column that remained partially protruding out of the stone base.
Her back smacked into the base painfully, but her memory wouldn't recall this detail, nor the pain later on, as at that moment and a few minutes after were totally obscure to the princess. At that moment, all she would remember was that all went black.
xxx
James felt himself hurling backwards as an attack so powerful destroyed the large stone doors they had just arrived at.
Li immediately threw himself before Serenity, hugging her to him as they both suffered the attack as well. They both arched perfectly in the air as stone flew, and somehow or another Li managed to land tilted on his back, so that Serenity wouldn't be harmed by the solid stone beneath. He then immediately flipped her gently beneath him, so that anything that fell wouldn't injury her.
Rubble fell everywhere and James summoned a protective charm over the three of them as debris fell liberally.
The amount of energy and the sheer magnitude of power within the attack were so immense that moving a single muscle seemed almost impossible for a moment. The force hung so densely within the air that breathing as well seemed difficult for a few moments.
James and the other two lay there for a moment, stunned and slightly injured until finally they felt able to move. James gingerly peeled himself off of the floor as he placed a shaky hand upon his forehead. He took in a few deep breaths and took a moment to look at his surroundings. Nothing but rubble met his eyes as the entire Hall and Eastern Wing he had just been in was reduced to nothing but ruins. Dust hung heavily in the air and stone scattered all about him.
James quickly turned to his side then, and found the other two who had been accompanying him. Li laid there, supporting his weight upon his elbows and forearms above Serenity, before flipping himself onto his back flat against the floor, with Serenity beside him. His face was contorted in pain, though he did his best to cover it. Serenity, thought, wasn't one to be fooled and immediately saw through his façade.
"Li, you're hurt!" she said immediately as she sat up, turning to Li. Li tried to sit up, saying that he was fine, but Serenity felt certain he was more severely injured that he let on. Finally, Li managed to sit himself up as Serenity fussed over his wounds. She suddenly gasped as she noticed the amount of blood that was seeping through his torn dark robes. She gripped the material gently and tore it off of his arm, taking in the severity of his wounds.
His entire arm was red with blood, and large scrapes and cuts littered his flesh. Serenity held back a gasp as she touched the wounds, her fingertips glowing a soft golden. The wounds healed significantly, and the dirt and dust, along with glass and other things, were expelled as Serenity tried her best to heal up what she could. Li, of course, wouldn't allow her to heal him completely, and told her that the rest would heal eventually, but there were more important things to do.
James watched as Serenity did all this with a look of fascination. He greatly appreciated all Serenity had done for him, and to watch her as she did the very thing that saved his life was, in its own way, amazing.
Serenity then turned to him and smiled softly before allowing her eyes to take in their surroundings for the first time. Her face dropped, and a look of surprise filled her features as she saw just what damage was done via the attack. Her eyes flicked around the now destroyed Eastern Wing, just as James had, and she squinted at the grey hue that was cast upon the lands; Dawn was approaching.
The horizon beyond the forest was glowing a dull grey, as the velvety black night was transforming itself into the scarlet golden hue of morning. The dust still hung heavily within the air, and by the rising grey light of pre-dawn, made the illusion of smoke screens.
Turning back to Li, Serenity stopped all thoughts that were passing through her mind as suddenly a cold stone of dread dropped into her stomach. Li's face was slightly ashen, and a look of shock pulled at his features. His eyes pointed directly past Serenity's left shoulder at something high within the air. Serenity noticed that James, too, was also riveted by the sight behind her. Turning now to see what it was that had taken over them; she gently turned her torso so that she was facing the same direction.
Immediately she froze as well for there, suspended within mid air was a body encased in an orb of golden glow. Serenity instantly felt the immense aura spilling out of the golden orb and figure above.
Serenity didn't need a moment longer to know who it was suspended in mid air. His scarlet cloak swirled around his body as he hung there, with his jet black hair in its usual mess atop his head. No, Serenity didn't need another moment whatsoever; she would know this man anywhere. Harry.
xxx
Sirius froze as he felt an enormous energy cloak his body, before suddenly a large BANG resonated throughout the field. Immediately, everyone upon the field turned to the source of the energy, Death Eaters and Aurors alike, and halted all attacks as they stood in shock at the sight before them.
The sight that was once the grand stone Castle of Slytherin was encased in an intense white light. Moments later the bang shuddered the grounds beneath their feet, and at that moment, the white light subsided to reveal a partly destroyed Castle shrouded in a thick cloud of dust and debris.
The Death Eaters immediately froze, stunned and in disbelief at the sight before them. Sirius was positive he saw flickers of fear and dread pass through the eyes of his opponents. He took that moment to look at his surroundings. He felt sick at the amount of his men lying upon the ground and the amount of those wounded yet still fighting. His number of a couple hundred able bodied men had dwindled down to perhaps a hundred, maybe less, while a good amount of Death Eaters still stood.
Eerie silence then filled the air, and all was still; the calm before the storm, perhaps?
Suddenly he began to hear the faint hum of whispers spreading throughout the field. The first signs of daybreak were presenting themselves, and Sirius now could begin to clearly see the traces of panic upon their faces.
'What was going on? Could this be it… had fate favored the Light?'
Sirius could only pray, and in the meantime, defend the Light with all it was he had.
xxx
Serenity watched as Harry hovered high above. His back was to her, yet she could tell that he was focusing intently upon a single object or thing. Serenity sat there, frozen and unable to move, for whatever reason she didn't know, when suddenly something to her far right caught her eye. She averted her gaze momentarily, and then suddenly gasped.
"Hermione!"
xxx
Hermione allowed her eyes flutter open as she drifted back into consciousness. Her body ached and she groaned as she picked herself up off of the stone flooring, gasping and cringing at the pain she was suffering. She was sore from her landing, and her back throbbed. As she tried her best to sit up, she took a look around her and gasped.
'What happened?' she thought as she looked about. The Castle had been completely demolished, and she was now staring out into what was left of the surrounding courtyard littered in debris. A good chunk of the Castle beyond the large doors was also gone, and it appeared that nearly everything within a 100 yard radius of the Hall had been completely destroyed.
Hermione's head throbbed along with her back, and everything seemed fuzzy to her. She struggled to remember what it was that lead her to this state, when suddenly images began to flood back. Images of Harry, images of Voldemort, blinding light, and then… black. Past that point, she couldn't remember a single thing.
Pressing her hand to her forehead, she groaned. The grey light of morning was gently covering the stone before her, and she followed its trail until finally her eyes met a suspended golden orb in the air.
Her first immediate reaction was to gasp. The sight completely stunned her and she felt herself glued to the sight before her. It took no time for her to figure out just who it was hovering high above and the thought of it stunned her further. Harry.
He hovered high above the stone flooring encased in the golden orb. His robes swirled about him as if there was a wind current caught within the orb as well, tousling his hair this way and that, as it always is.
Hermione had a good view of his right side, and could slightly see his face from below. His face was taut, and his expression stern and focused, while his eyes pointed out before him in a cold expression. Hermione had never before seen him this way, nor had she ever seen his face so determined and … confident. It almost seemed as if it weren't really Harry standing there, but instead a shell of the man she knew, with a totally different being within. His expression and his stance were so… un-Harry… it almost frightened her.
He gripped his wand so tight within his right hand that Hermione could see his white knuckles. His eyes were focused upon a single point before him and Hermione followed his gaze to the stone floor of the demolished Hall. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight before her, and she wouldn't have believed it had she not seen it with her very eyes. It was … impossible! For there lying amongst the rubble of the hall was none other than the very body of the Wizarding World's most feared enemy, Lord Voldemort.
"Impossible," Hermione muttered softly to herself. "Defeated? Can it be?"
She continued to watch his form, lifeless and pale; much paler than normal he was. His body had been cast upon a large heap of stone that had fallen from the ceiling, and it almost formed a sort of stony throne for him, for the way he lay upon it, it looked just like a throne.
Finally, Hermione turned her gaze back up to her husband, but was shocked to notice that his eyes weren't truly focused upon the strewn body of his enemy at all, but on a single glowing object that hovered a little more than arms length from him.
This object was far too small for Hermione to make out, yet she did notice that it too was encased in a glowing orb, but this orb was not of a golden hue, but rather black. Its encasing orb was growing slightly, and the blackness of it was growing darker. Hermione allowed her back to lean up against the remains of the stone column behind her as exhaustion and surprise took over her. It was then she realized something more… not only was the object before Harry glowing, but now so was the body of Voldemort.
'What is happening?' she asked herself.
Suddenly, as if to answer her question, Harry above began to raise his arm, his wand clutched tightly within his palm. Hermione watched in wonder as he pointed his wand directly at the glowing object before him. She wasn't sure what was going to happen, but fear began to blossom within her, and suddenly she wanted nothing more than for Harry descend and leave the object all together, but unfortunately this did not happen, and Hermione watched in fear as he stared down the object.
Harry's face contorted in anger mixed with determination, and suddenly the sphere surrounding him began to pulsate. Hermione then caught a faint humming, and knew immediately that Harry was chanting some sort of spell. She could see his lips slightly moving, and his eyes stayed focused upon the now shuddering object.
As Harry's chanting grew louder, so did the pulsing energy around him, and Hermione could feel the amount of power that was gathering towards Harry. Suddenly, just as Harry's chanting was reaching its deafening crescendo, a swirl of movement in the corner of her eye drew Hermione's attention away.
Just then, Serenity, Li and King James ran towards her. Right as they landed beside her, Li casted up a dome of protection, like a shield, that would protect them if anything were to happen. Then King James turned to Hermione.
"Hermione, are you ok?" he asked urgently.
"King James? What are you doing here?"
"Are you ok, Hermione?" he asked with a bit more force. Hermione nodded just as the shield Li erected began to shudder. Hermione, as well as the others, all turned to Harry, and Hermione gasped as the sphere began to swirl and tumble around his body. Harry still hovered there, with his wand held forward, and the four of them could see as a golden orb began to form at the tip of his wand.
By now, the sheer magnitude of the energy that was pulsating had reached an incredible high. The force once again pushed down upon them, as it had done after Harry's last attack. Hermione continued to watch Harry, her eyes widened in shock, and her body sick to her stomach at the thought of what might happen.
Then unexpectedly, all went quiet, and the golden sphere around his body stopped its rotations, and suddenly the small golden orb at the tip of Harry's wand expanded a bit. The object before him was glowing a menacing shade of evil and the four onlookers could feel its intensity even from where they were down beneath.
What happened next almost stopped the heart of Hermione as she watched, for immediately after the orb had expanded a little, a golden jet of intense magic shot violently out of tip of Harry's wand. It zoomed towards the object, and when it finally made contact with the item it was sent to destroy, a loud ear-splitting screech rang through out the vast emptiness that was once the Hall of Slytherin Court.
Hermione and the others immediately shielded their ears as the sound tore at their souls. The pain and the sheer evil that emitted were almost unbearable, as horrible images filled their minds. Nothing could have caused as much pain as this, for the very images that were portrayed throughout their thoughts at that moment, were the very fears they had all spent their lives praying would never happen. Deaths, tortures, destructions… they saw them all.
Hermione tired her best to open her eyes, for she wanted to see Harry. She needed to see he was still there, still safe. It was difficult, but finally, as she managed to pry her eyes open, she looked up. To her disappointment and unrest, Harry was not insight, for he and the object were shrouded in a golden light, but as she turned her gaze, painfully, down the floor, and froze. Her gaze fell upon the corpse of Voldemort. It seemed that, although his body was untouched, it was suffering the exact pain in which the scream emitted, along with the same destruction that the object before Harry was suffering.
Hermione wasn't sure she was sickened by this or relieved, for all her mind was bent on was whether Harry was still alive.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, the scream met an amazing high, before dieing off as suddenly as it had started. Voldemort's body then fell once more against the stone beneath him, limp and lifeless.
Again, they were all met with an eerie silence, before suddenly another Bang was heard and Hermione watched in horror as Harry's body was flown backwards by the impact. He landed about twenty feet from where she knelt, his back skidding along the stone flooring, before coming to a stop. Hermione's heart thundered within her and her breathing stopped.
Immediately she leapt up from her spot on the floor, racing towards her husband as fast as she could.
"Hermione!" Serenity called after her. Hermione didn't pay any attention as she ran, stumbling and tripping along the way.
She called out Harry's name as she ran, tears coursing down her face as a waterfall might. Her eyesight was blurry, and she could feel the blood within her face and body as it coursed through her. Her heart was beating with a pained thumping, and she felt sick to her stomach once more.
Finally she reached his tossed body, and slid to her knees as she poured herself over him. She took in his face and his body as she knelt there to his left. His face was a pale, chalky white and he had cuts and gashes all along his cheeks and forehead. His robes were torn beyond belief, and blood soaked through in many areas.
"Harry! Harry!" she cried as she shook him softly, her fists clutching at his robes atop his chest. Her tears were unstoppable and uncontrollable as she tried her best to get him to wake. "Wake up, Harry, please! Open your eyes!"
By this time, Serenity had caught up to her as was now kneeling beside Hermione, as King James skidded to a stop across the two. Hermione dared not look up at James, for she knew the pain expressed upon his features. She wasn't sure she could handle his look, and the same went for Serenity.
Hermione continued to call to him, begging him and pleading him to respond, but he did nothing. She was too distraught to think of anything to do, and she dropped her head to his chest as she sobbed.
xxx
Across the room, Li had followed King James as they ran towards Harry, when something suddenly caught his attention.
CLINK!!
It was the sound of an object falling against the stone. Li turned and saw a black item upon the floor, directly below the area in which the item attacked had been.
Walking up to it, Li bent down and examined the item. His eyes widened at it immediately.
A black ring. No, not a black ring, but a charred ring.
Li stared at it, and could tell that it used to once be a beautifully carved golden ring, with two serpents encircling an emerald stone*. He assumed that after the attack it had become charred. Although it may seem odd that a ring of gold would char, Li had no doubt as to why it had charred, rather than melt or simply remain as it was. It was a Horcrux.
It wasn't the actual gold that had charred, but rather the soul that had been encased within it that had done so. Li examined the ring further, without touching it, before turning to the spot in which Voldemort's corpse lay. Then, turning back to the ring, Li held out his hand, his palm inches above the ring, and he muttered an expelling charm. Suddenly, a low wail was released from the ring, and a long silvery-grey wisp emerged forth from the ring. Its look, Li couldn't explain, but it wore a pained expression as it released itself from the ring. Finally, as it completely left the ring, the wail stopped and in a flash, the wisp disappeared, dispersing itself into the air.
Li immediately turned to the body of the Dark Lord, and his eyes widened only slightly as Voldemort's body began to shrivel and decay. Suddenly it stopped and fell to ashes, and his robes became empty piles of cloth atop the stone rubble.
There goes the last of the Dark Lord.
xxx
James was in a state of frozen shock as he peered down at his son. Dropping to his knees, he felt his entire world came to a stop at that moment. He stared intensely at his son, willing his tears to clear so that he could see his face more clearly, but his emotions were uncontrollable at this point. Kneeling beside him, his breath was ragged as he leaned forward to brush his son's bangs from his forehead. He then watched as suddenly the once red scar that so vividly resembled a bolt of lightening gradually began to loose its color, going from the fleshy reddish-purple color it had always been, to the simple color of cream; it was finally healing.
Since the fateful day Harry had received his scar, it never seemed to heal completely, retaining its reddish color as he grew older. Now that color was leaving, and time was finally allowing it to heal. Voldemort no longer lived to wound it any longer.
At the thought of that day eighteen and a half years ago, James felt his emotions over boil within him, and the tears he was holding back now streamed swiftly down his cheeks.
James touched his face, and his heart stopped at how cold and still he felt. Thoughts bombarded his mind, but he refused to believe either one of them! It was impossible! Harry can't be gone! He just can't be!
These thoughts brought on new waves of tears more powerful than the old. He forced himself to keep his body under control, he forced his mind to find a more reasonable solution for this, but it seemed futile to even try. With Hermione's whimpers and sobs, along with her repeatedly calling out his name, urging him to awake, James felt all his will, and all his means of life leave him.
Images of Harry as an infant, a toddler with his play broom, a kid playing pranks on Ginny with the Weasley brothers, a young boy just heading off to Hogwarts for the first time, his first Quidditch match, Graduation, his Wedding; they all began to fill his mind. James didn't know how to handle it; this must be all a dream. There is no way this can be happening! He wouldn't be able to survive this; Lily won't be able to survive this!
Then he paused…. Lily.
How would he tell her? He couldn't tell her.
His heart tore several more times as he continued to torture himself with images of his son, and lost possibilities his life could have offered.
He had been so lost in his own misery that he failed to notice Li kneeling solemnly beside him. He just wanted to be left alone, where not even the sunlight, or air for that matter, could ever reach him again.
He heard a soft gasp, most likely Serenity, but chose to ignore it, he didn't care anymore. Nothing mattered anymore. He only wished he could see his son again, talk to his son, and hear his son, one last time.
"M-Mione?" came a groan.
James eyes shot up so quickly from the ground, he could have cracked his neck. Was his mind playing tricks on him?
'No,' he thought, 'for Hermione and the others heard it too!' And they did, for they were all staring, startled, at the man before them. James quickly stared at Harry's face, desperate to find any trace of life in it, when suddenly he was staring back into the familiar emerald green he so very much loved.
Hermione sat there, shocked, as she watched her husband peer up at her through weak and pained eyes. He barely had the energy to move a muscle, and speaking was more difficult than anyone could have imagined for the prince.
"M-Mione, are you… ok?" he asked at last. With all that he could muster, he slowly raised his left hand, trying his best to reach her face. Hermione smiled, despite her feelings, and nodded as she gently took hold of his hand, pressing it to her cheek as he had tried to do. He gave his best smile, a weak tug at the corner of his lips, and ran his thumb adoringly across her cheek.
Before he could say anything, he felt a hand touch his right shoulder, and he averted his gaze for a moment. For the first time since he had gained consciousness, he realized that there were others there; Li, Serenity and … his father. Harry smiled weakly once more, and James returned it whole heartedly.
"I am very proud of you, my son," was the first thing he said. Harry couldn't explain what he felt at that moment, but sadness and pride at making his father proud seemed to swell within him. He wanted to say something more, but he felt his body wouldn't let him. He couldn't speak for a moment, and looking up at the other two seemed to only heighten his emotions.
Finally he felt a squeeze on his hand by Hermione, and he turned to her once more. Now he felt his emotions let loose as he watched Hermione's face. How would he tell her?
Hermione tried her best to keep her tears at bay, just for a bit, but her emotions refused to remain bottled up within her any longer. Her tears coursed freely down her cheeks and Harry did his best to wipe them away.
"Please," he muttered softly. "Don't cry, Hermione. You saved me."
Hermione froze at this, and Harry chuckled at her reaction. He made to explain himself, when suddenly he cringed, arching his back high into the air, as he bit back a cry of pain. Hermione's eyes watched him with fear and worry, and she glanced up at James, who himself sported the same expression.
At long last, Harry relaxed his body again, but his breathing was labored and pained. He glanced back up at Hermione, and she gasped as his eyes tried to tell her something. He looked up at her with pain and regret as he took in her features slowly. His gaze was frightening her, and she begged him to tell her what was going on.
"Mione, I want you to know," he started, before taking in another ragged breath, "that I love you… very much." Hermione was confused by this, but nodded, frightened by the way he was speaking.
"I know, Harry, but why are you speaking like-?"
"I need you to know that!" he said urgently, almost forcefully. "I need you to tell me you understand that! Tell me Hermione, do you understand that?"
Hermione nodded immediately.
"Yes Harry, I understand. I know you do, but please stop speaking this way!" she begged. Harry sighed, finally, and averted his gaze from his wife.
"You mean everything to me, Hermione, never forget that." Harry told her, though his eyes were looking down at their joined hands now in her lap. "Everything I've done these last few months has been for you. To keep you safe."
Hermione was crying again, and she couldn't understand why he was speaking like this. Chills ran down her spine and she sniffed as she clutched at his hand for dear life.
"Please Harry, stop this. Don't talk like this, its scaring me," she pleaded. He sighed and looked back up at her. "I love you too, Harry."
Harry remained quiet for a few minutes after this, breathing laboriously and fighting back waves of pain, but his gaze never left Hermione's. Then he sighed once more and said:
"Hermione, please, forgive me." He looked away as he said this. He was weaker now then before.
"What? Why - what are you talking about?" Harry squeezed her hand tightly now, gazing longingly at the golden wedding ring upon her left ring finger. His emotions were surfacing once again.
"I'm… (sniff) I'm glad I got to see you…" he paused for a moment to look up at her, "one last time."
Hermione seemed to get angry by this, and Serenity gasped as the other two froze.
"Don't talk like that!" she reprimanded. "Everything is going to be fine, you'll see." She then paused and lowered herself so that she was closer to him. With her free hand she cleared away some of his bangs that were upon his forehead adoringly. Then she whispered, "We're together now, Harry. Everything is going to be ok."
Harry reached his hand to her cheek once more, while his eyes never once left hers.
"Take care of her." Harry asked his father, while not once looking away from Hermione. Hermione raised her body a bit, staring back at Harry as if he had just denied her.
"That wont be-"
"Promise me." Harry said, his voice as firm as his weak state would allow, yet his was also watery and sad. James sighed; this was all too much for him. The thought of loosing his son was unbearable. But finally, he nodded.
"I promise, son." Harry nodded, and sighed, his eyes closing slowly. His voice was no longer working, for he was to weak, but he managed to reach for his father's hand. He grasped his wrist and held it tight, while he did the same with Hermione's. Finally, his eyes fluttered close, and his body went lax as he allowed his head to roll slightly to the side.
Hermione gasped, both of her hands flying to her mouth as she stared on in shock.
"No," she muttered in shock, her eyes unable to turn away from his face. Serenity tried to console her, but Hermione refused, as she continued to stare at Harry in disbelief, shaking her head. "He can't be… he just can't be!"
"Hermione, please," Serenity started, but her voice was also full of tears. She tried to turn Hermione away, but Hermione wouldn't allow her as she draped herself atop Harry's chest. Serenity left her to cry as she turned her teary gaze to James. He was watching his son with desperation before calling out to Li, who was beside him.
"Quickly, get a mediwitch!" he told Li. "And Hurry!" Li nodded immediately and jumped up, quickly apparating out of the hall in the direction of the camp.
All of a sudden, Hermione sat upright, her face bent in determination, as she stared down at Harry. Serenity turned to her in surprise as she heard her mutter something softly:
"He… he's breathing." James seemed to snap out of his daze as he heard this, as did the others. Serenity's eyes widened as she heard this, as a spark of hope flickered within her eyes.
"Hermione, are… are you sure?" she asked as she leaned forward. Hermione's eyes never left Harry's face as she said this. "You mean he isn't-"
Serenity couldn't bear to finish her sentence as she choked back a soft whimper. Hope was welling up within her, and she knew her heart would never mend had Harry not survived this. She continued to watch his face, willing him to move and give them all a sign that he was alive and well. But he didn't. He remained there, lifeless-like, and pale, and Serenity almost feared she had misheard Hermione all together. Just then she heard King James speak.
"Are you sure, Hermione? Please tell me you are sure!" he asked desperately. Hermione nodded, placing her hand atop his chest, as she felt for the faint vibrations that was his breathing.
"Yes," she said softly, yet with a hint of desperation. "Feel." James did a she said, and Serenity was shocked to see the dramatic difference within his face. His face quickly contorted from its frightened panic, to a look of complete shock and … hope.
"He's so… weakened and pale. He isn't going to make it if we don't get him help soon." James quickly stated.
"But Li," started Hermione, "he just went to find a mediwitch! He should be here any moment." James sighed.
"We cannot guarantee he'll make it until then." James added frightened. He then turned to Serenity. "Is there anything you can do for him, Serenity?"
Serenity lowered her head in pain, unable to meet the King's eyes as she heard him ask this of her.
"I… I can try, Uncle James, but I'm afraid I do not have the capability of healing such serious wounds." Serenity told him. "A Healing such as this requires group healings. I do not have the energy to heal Harry, Sire, for I would eventually be in the same situation as Harry himself is in."
James' face dropped as he looked onto his son. Tears welled up within his eyes, and worry was etched deeply within his features.
"But," Serenity started again, with a determination laced within her voice. "I will defiantly do my best to heal him the best I can." And with that, Serenity picked herself up, and quickly knelt beside James as he moved himself a bit.
"And I'll help," came Hermione's determined voice. Serenity's head shot up, and her expression was of weary shock. James, too, shot his eyes towards Hermione as she said this, for he still had no knowledge of her trainings.
"What?" came James reply.
"I want to help." Hermione spoke to Serenity. "I can do this, and I will help you, Serenity. Together." Serenity continued to watch her. Finally she sighed, as she continued to eye her.
"Are you sure, Hermione? You aren't hardly far enough in your training to be attempting such a risk. I fear for you, Hermione." Hermione understood all this, but nothing was going to stop her now.
"I'm positive Serenity." Hermione said. "Now hurry, we haven't much time!"
Immediately, Serenity and Hermione positioned themselves and readied themselves so that they could begin. They each took in a deep breath, praying for the best, before starting.
'Harry please, don't leave me.' Hermione pleaded.
xxx
Li raced down the length of the camp grounds, in search of the men and Sirius and any mediwitch or wizard that may help Harry. Yet, as he kept running, he was shocked to notice that the entire site was deserted. Not a single sound passed through his ears as he continued to run, except for the sound of his own pounding feet.
Finally he found himself reaching the vast area before the tree-line into the forest where Sirius had erected his shield of protection. Li began to feel somewhat elated as he passed the last of the tents, but as he rounded the corner, his heart sank. The area was deserted, except for those who weren't as seriously injured as most. Most of the seriously wounded had already been apparated to St. Mungo's Hospital, Li assumed, and hoped he would find a mediwitch still there quick.
As he entered the protective shield, his hoped dropped once more as he found no Mediwitches left. It appeared they had all left, and were returning later. Li banged his fist against the operating desk in which Sirius had been commanding from earlier. At this, one of the remaining Aurors, the only one awake, sat up from his cot not too far away, and studied Li carefully.
"Hullo," he started. "Everything alright?" Li ignored him for a moment as he hung his head low, trying his best to think of what to do. The Auror quirked an eyebrow and Li's attitude and sighed. "You seem a bit troubled; perhaps there is something I can be of help with? It is awfully dull in here, and I am perfectly capable of fighting, it is just that my ankle seems to be severely broken, and my wand snapped not too long ago," said the Auror in an even tone.
Li raised his head a bit and turned to look at the man for a moment. Li wore a look of annoyance as well as disbelief as the man rambled on.
"What is worse, is that I am now stuck here, forbidden to leave this dome while others out there battle on. I say, it was quite disappointing to be left behind, ya know? And it all sounds so exciting! All the other Aurors are out doing their duty while I am left behind to nurse a swollen foot. Quite unfair I tell you, quite un-"
"Did you say the others are out battling?" asked Li, thankful for the tip, as well as a way to get the man to stop rambling. "Where? When?"
The Auror seemed to brighten up at the attention of being asked, and sat up straighter as he pointed the direction out for Li.
"Just that way," he said as he pointed past tents to his right. "That man there told me that there were thousands of cloakies (what he calls Death Eaters) out there this time. He said that the Light was terribly outnumbered, which I don't deny for I have seen all the men that have traveled in and out of this place, and if you ask me, I'd probably have said a little over three quarters of our men have been incapacitated." He took a stop for a breath as Li stood straight, and turned toward the entrance of the hall. "I say," the man started up again, "Have we met? You look terribly familiar-" but before the poor man could finish his thought, Li stepped out of the shield, and took off at a run towards the field in which the man had just pointed out.
xxx
Sirius had imagined that all was over once Slytherin Castle came tumbling to the ground, but nothing could describe the shock he felt as a wail, more horrible than anything he had ever heard, pierce through the early morning air.
It resounded throughout the hilly landscape of the countryside, and resonated horridly off of the large, menacing mountains. It seemed never-ending, and more full of pain than anything he'd ever heard.
It appeared the Death Eaters themselves found this to be excruciating, for they cried immediately, covering their ears as the wail penetrated them. They clutched at their left arms, screaming, as they muttered things like: "It burns!" and "I have served you well my Lord, why this torture?" etc.
Finally, once the wail itself ceased to resound, the last of the remaining Death Eaters ran, in directions only they understood, until Sirius and the rest of the Aurors of his army put their strength together to round them all up. Sirius watched them now in pride as they circled around the captured Death Eaters, their wands at arms length, ready to strike down any who try to act out. Most of the Death Eaters now seemed depressed, and withdrawn, as they sat stood there, bound to their fellow men, awaiting the inevitable outcome.
Although, despite his victory on the field, Sirius couldn't help but worry about Harry and the others that had gone up to rescue him, as well as Hermione, who had been a captor herself.
By judging the reactions of the Death Eaters as the wail resounded over the fields, Sirius had a pretty strong notion that Harry had succeeded, yet something cold and bothering seemed to settle within his stomach, and dread began to take over. He didn't know why, but something told him that all was not alright.
Neither had James sent word to Sirius all night, but also Ron and Remus had not yet returned. This bothered Sirius greatly, and he feared greatly for them.
Then suddenly, as Sirius was awaiting the return of King Amos and Cedric with Armed Guards of Azkaban, he noticed Li bounding up to him from within the camp field. At seeing Li alone, and in the hurry in which he was, Sirius's heart plummeted. It was then he knew right away that something had gone terribly wrong.
\
"Your Highness," Li panted as he reached his King. "Please, you need summon a few or your Mediwitches over as quickly as you can! And you must hurry!"
Sirius took in Li's disheveled form, never having seen him in such disarray, and worry over boiled within him.
"What? What has happened?" he asked.
"It's Harry, Sire, he is in grave danger! You must summon a mediwitch, immediately!" At hearing this, Sirius instantly drew out his wand, and summoned over a group of Mediwitches at once.
They had only take a few minutes to arrive, but when they did he instructed a few of them to remain behind, and instructed two of the best to accompany him as he left. Then Li, along with Sirius, immediately set out towards the Castle.
xxx
King Amos and Cedric arrived shortly after Sirius's departure to Slytherin Castle, along with a legion of Azkaban Guards at their sides. Dememtors, which were only used against the most highly dangerous prisoners, were left behind, for many still distrusted them. They have always pledged their allegiance to the Dark Lord, and Amos refused to bring them into Dark territory.
Immediately, the Guards set to work, binding and bolting the Death Eaters, readying them for transfer to the prison. Many fought, and most refused to participate, trying their best to curse the guards and everyone around, when suddenly the Head Guard of Azkaban stunned most of them into a stupor. Amos laughed, his face glowing with pride at having helped in rounding the remaining Death Eaters. He looked quite pleased with himself, yet his son did not.
Cedric had been worried for the past few hours, his mind constantly bent upon a certain Ravenclaw that was in profound danger. His battling had been fierce, for he would imagine his attackers were the only objects between him and Cho. This tactic seemed to work to his benefit, but it didn't help against calming his fears that Cho may not be safe.
Cedric watched as the last of the Death Eaters were taken to Azkaban, and as the Mediwitches aided the wounded Aurors upon the field. Now, he wasn't sure what exactly to do and felt slightly useless, and to tell the truth, he also felt a bit empty. He found himself missing Cho's presence even more so now than ever.
Ever since she had arrived at Hufflepuff, the two of them had been inseparable. Always the other's company, they grew quite fond of each other, and eventually grew quite close. Cho was his second half, and he felt incomplete without her near. It was safe to say that he was genuinely in love with her, and had been for a long time, even as she was recovering over Harry. But what fueled his passion more, was that now he was certain she felt the same.
Cedric searched the surrounding areas thoroughly as he prayed Cho was safe, yet the more he searched, the more he feared something had gone terribly wrong. He was about to run off to search the cave he had left her at when suddenly all of the Aurors began to horde around in a certain area. They were speaking in loud voices, astonished and taken aback. Cedric caught what they were saying as he was walking away.
"By Merlin! What happened to him?"
"Someone call a mediwitch over immediately! The Professor and the others needs help!"
"Is he alright? What happened Child?"
At the sound of the Professor, Cedric spun on his heals.
"Clear out, clear out! Give them some air for heavens sake!" he heard another yell as the men crowded in closer. Cedric watched as they began to step back, clearing the space. A flash of silvery blue caught his eye and he quickly made his way towards the gathered men.
When he finally reached them, he pushed his way through their walls, and stopped abruptly as he took in the sight of the pale and almost unconscious Dumbledore, flanked by Auror Remus Lupin and Cho.
Cho also paused for a moment as she was attending to Dumbledore, and a small smile pulled at her lips as she looked up, taking in Cedric's disheveled form. Cedric returned the smile before making his way closer to her. Cho allowed a larger smile to show as she stood up. Seconds later, she flung herself against him, clutching him to her as she exhaled a sigh of relief.
Cedric held her close, pressing to her desperately as he took in the feel of her in his arms.
"I'm so glad you are safe," he whispered into her hair. "What did you do in that cave?" At the mention of this, Cho pulled away.
"I was right, Cedric! The locket," she exclaimed, "it was a Horcrux!" She then pressed her forehead back into his chest before continuing. "And it was horrid! So much pain… so much destruction!" she said, beginning to cry, as her emotional walls of control began to break down. Cedric held her close, trying to sooth her, not understanding a thing she said after that.
He craned his head to get a look Dumbledore, who looked so incredibly weak it shocked him. He never once thought he would ever see such a powerful man as Dumbledore be reduced to such a state. Ron was kneeling just behind, and his little sister used her wand to take care of his wounds he had somehow managed to receive.
The mediwitch, who had just run up to aid them, quickly conjured a stretcher-like form beneath the Professor, and began to levitate it up. Cedric watched as Dumbledore reached out his hand towards the mediwitch, and touched her hand beside him.
"So sorry to cause you all this trouble, Polly." Dumbledore said weakly. The mediwitch just shrugged him off and muttered something incoherently as she began to lead him away to a more secure area, just after she had given him a certain putrid potion to drink. Cedric then took a closer look at the mediwitch that had been summoned and smiled. Madam Pomfrey.
He watched as Ginny began to lead her brother away as well, following Madam Pomfrey, along with Remus. The group began to disperse a bit, leaving Cedric along with Cho. Looking down at Cho's form once more, he tightened his grip on her, before whispering in her ear:
"I love you, Cho."
xxx
James watched in amazement as Serenity and Hermione continued to attempt healing his son. He wasn't completely sure what was happening but it seemed that Serenity was beginning to weaken a bit. Hermione, too, looked pale and seemed to be struggling a bit, but the determination about her was amazing. He knew if anyone was to save his son, it would be these two.
Just then, as James continued to watch, a small series of pops were heard not too far away, and he was relieved to see Li had returned with not only Mediwitches, but with Sirius as well.
"Sirius!" he exclaimed as Sirius knelt beside him. His face looked terribly ashy and shocked at the sight of Harry before him.
"By Merlin, James, what happened?" he asked, his eyes once not leaving Harry's form. He took in Serenity, but when his eyes landed on Hermione, shock completely took over him. For a moment he hadn't heard James question him urgently.
"Sirius, where is Lily?" James asked him. Sirius turned to him a moment later, before snapping his eyes back to Harry.
"I sent her back to Gryffindor." Sirius answered. "She's safe there."
James numbly turned back to his son.
Twenty minutes had passed by, and both girls had hit exhaustion, for James could see it in their faces. Still Harry hadn't shown any signs of awakening, and James never felt more hollow. He knew Serenity and Hermione were holding on to their energy by the tips of the thread, and he could see the determination each girl felt as they poured everything into Harry.
Tears continued to course down Hermione's cheeks as she trembled. James wasn't quite sure whether it was from all the energy put forth, or from her raw emotions.
Finally, as another ten minutes had passed, a small whimper was heard, and Serenity fell forward, pressing her palms softly against Harry's chest as she tried to keep herself up. She was exhausted, and could hardly muster enough energy to keep herself from collapsing. She too was crying, and Li quickly went to her side, and he pulled her against his chest as she cried into him.
"I… I tired!" she cried. "B-But … I-I can't do it! His wounds… everything…it's all too much. I… I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" She clutched at Li's chest as she cried, her body wracking with emotion. She was on the verge of collapsing, and loosing consciousness all together, but somehow was able to keep herself from fainting, due to the enormous transfer of energy she had just done.
James heart plummeted into his stomach, but was surprised, and truthfully a little hopeful, as she noticed Hermione continued on with her attempt. But his hopes were soon to crash to the ground as suddenly, just as Serenity had done, she too collapsed against his son.
James quickly went to her, and the others watched as she struggled to pull herself up. Her arms trembled under her weight, depleted of any energy. She too was in the same sate as Serenity, but instead allowed her body to collapse against her husband, crying heavily as her body trembled as well.
"No," she whispered desperately. "No, it… it can't be. I won't accept it!" she cried. She softly fisted a handful of his robes as she said this, while desperately pressing her body to him.
"Hermione," came James watery voice as he knelt beside her. "Hermione, please-"
"No! He can't be dead!" she screamed, this time sitting up abruptly. "He can't leave me! He just can't!" she continued to cry as she shook him. "He promised!"
She began to pound softly against his chest as she cried, before collapsing once more against him. James left her to cry, for he was suffering his own depression when suddenly, something happened that made his world stop. A mutter.
"M-Mione?"
XXX
Hello again…
Muahahaha… a CLiFfY!!!!!!! I am sorry, I know it is evil of me, but … I need to end it here! If not, you wouldn't be getting a new chapter for another three days or so!
I know it is extremely sad, but it needed to be done! I really hope you all liked it! Please tell me what you thought!
*Now, I know that the ring my not be exactly as JKR explains it in HPB, but I wasn't able to look it up in the book as to how it looked exactly. This is how I remember it, but I could have had a different vision in my mind, and I apologize for the difference, but keep in mind that this was supposed to be the ring in which Voldemort received from his mother's side. It was Salazar's ring.
Until next time…
SM131