A/N - thank you once again for all your lovely, positive comments, you guys rock!! It's been a difficult time for me the last week or two, what with one thing or another so your lovely comments continued to make my day. A big hello to Helen - hey buddy! Good to see your name amongst my reviewers - miss you! Look forward to seeing you again in a few weeks. :o) To all you Latin speakers, I tried but I know my Latin spells aren't quite right - can I quote poetic licence?
This is to all our fallen soldiers over the years of war as this chapter was started on ANZAC day - least we forget.
Chapter 17 - Destroying Evil
"Harry?" came the droggy voice from the other bed, "mate, do you ever sleep? It must be like, I don't know, five in the morning!"
Harry looked up at Ron from the parchment he was writing and smiled as all he could see was a shock of red hair and a pair of half awake eyes.
"It's nearly five thirty and no, I don't sleep, not really," answered Harry ruefully, "sorry, didn't mean to wake you…"
"You didn't, trust me," Ron grumphed, sitting up right and running a hand through his sleep-tossed hair, "nightmares of dark wizards seeping through the wall and killing me did that."
"You've been having nightmares?" Harry asked, suddenly concerned.
"Nothing like yours," Ron assured, "and nothing for you to worry about. Watcha doing?"
"Updating my letters," Harry said casually going back to his writing, "in case today doesn't go too well."
"Letters?" Ron questioned, now wide awake, "what kind of letters?"
"Just letters," Harry explained cryptically, stopping writing once more as he finished his final parchment, put it in an envelope and placed it on the pile on his bed, "to you and Hermione, your family, Remus and some others. I wrote them first after Mr and Mrs Granger visited us at Privet Drive, remember? Well, a few things have changed now so I thought I'd better update them just in case."
"You mean your letters telling us what you want to do if you cark it?" Ron queried.
"Yeah." Both paused for a moment before Ron spoke just above a whisper.
"Believe it or not, I've got a few of those myself." Harry looked over at Ron.
"For Luna?"
"Luna, you, Hermione, mum and dad," Ron answered as he got out of bed and put his robe on, "just in case."
"Yeah, just in case," Harry repeated, placing his letters back in his trunk.
The idea that he was talking about maybe dying with his best friend seemed slightly surreal to Harry - but also felt needed. Hermione still refused to let him discuss that he may not survive so Harry had decided to say all he needed to say on parchment - and it seemed Ron had decided to do the same.
"I hope you're telling Hermione to carry on without you," Ron stated as he got his clothes together - Harry's head snapped up.
"What?"
"I hope you've told Hermione to carry on, not give up…"
"Why would she do that?" Harry asked confused, "I mean, I expect her to be upset if I…die, but she'd get over it and find someone else. She'd find someone easily."
Ron paused and looked at Harry before walking over to his bed and sitting on its edge.
"Harry, you are Hermione's life," Ron explained quietly, "and you have been for nearly seven years. If something happened to you, she wouldn't know how to live without you. Even more so now that you guys are dating."
"But things have happened to me before and she's been alright…"
"Has she? You wouldn't know, you're usually unconscious at the time. Harry, she's usually a wreck."
"She's smart," Harry continued, thinking out loud, ignoring Ron's comment, "she would understand that giving up is stupid, that it would be up to her to enjoy life, enjoy a life I wasn't able to have!"
"If you tell her to, she will," Ron finished up, standing and making his way to the bathroom. Harry looked at his friend in shock but knew he had to ask the question that was now pounding in his brain before Ron left to get ready for the day.
"Will you make sure?" he blurted out causing Ron to turn around and look at him.
"Yeah mate, I'll make sure," Ron grinned, "though you're not going to die so it doesn't matter anyway, right?"
"Right," Harry agreed, waiting for Ron to go into the bathroom before collapsing back on his bed.
In five hours he will start destroying the Horcruxes and although he is pretty certain that they have covered all bases and he should be fine, he wasn't one hundred percent certain. He was, after all, dealing with pieces of Voldemorts soul and anything could happen.
When Harry had woken early that morning, it was to a nightmare and the need to see Hermione had been immense - but he couldn't; there were rules and wards preventing him to do so. Instead, he began to write, telling those around him how important they were in his life and thanking them for helping make him the person he was.
He had nearly finished when Ron had woken, his letter to Hagrid being the last, but now as he lay thinking over Ron's words, perhaps he need to write more. Perhaps he had underestimated Hermione's feelings for him. Or perhaps Ron had it wrong.
"Your turn Harry," Ron stated as he re-entered the dorm, "come on, get showered. It may be bloody early, but I'm hungry…"
"You're always hungry," Harry joked, breaking out of his thoughts and getting his gear together.
"I'm a growing lad," Ron defended, "I'll see you downstairs."
"What about Hermione?" Harry asked as he made his way to the bathroom, "should we wake her?"
"Harry, in a few hours you're putting yourself in potential mortal danger," Ron explained patiently, "she's probably slept as much as you have, has read a couple of books, completed a few essays and is waiting for us downstairs."
Harry just chuckled and made his way to the shower. He knew he should be thinking about the Horcruxes, and every now and then he did, but his mind kept returning back to Hermione and the possibility that she'd give up if something happened to him. He couldn't let that happen. It was one of the reasons that he hadn't wanted to be with her, knowing that it would be harder for her if he died. But the idea that she'd just stop living because he wasn't there? No, that couldn't happen. He wasn't that special.
Moments later he made his way to the common area where, like Ron predicted, Hermione was already there. She and Ron were in deep conversation which stopped when Harry arrived, making him think they had been talking about him. He let that thought go.
"Hey," he greeted her, taking her hand, "you should still be asleep, it's only six am after all."
"Couldn't," Hermione smiled, "as couldn't you but Mr Weasley here - this must be a first. Have you ever seen dawn Ron?"
"Yes I have, thank you very much," Ron grumbled, "I just don't make a habit of it like you two."
Harry just smiled as the banter continued while they made their way to the Great Hall in the hope that breakfast may come early. It seemed, however, that they weren't alone with the inability to sleep as Remus, Professor McGonagall and Tonks were already seated at the lone round table in the middle of the floor, the usual four long benches pushed to the side.
"Speak of the Devil," Tonks said brightly as she noticed them walk in, "see I told you Remus they'd be up at the crack of dawn."
"Harry and Hermione, I have no problem with," Remus replied with a grin, "but Ron? I don't think I've ever seen you up and about this early!"
"Will you lot just leave me alone," Ron muttered as he slumped down into one of the chairs, "I need some food."
"I'm sure that can be arranged Mr Weasley," McGonagall stated, hiding a smile and in seconds the table was filled with food. Ron's eyes lit up and he began piling food onto his plate, ignoring the amused stares from those around him.
"So, are you all set Harry?" Remus asked as Harry started to fill his bowl up with cereal.
"I guess," Harry answered absently, "ready as I'll ever be."
"Kingsley, Mad-Eye and Arthur will be here shortly to help seal the room," McGonagall explained, "I'm guessing Molly will be with them."
"I thought the less people here the better," Harry mumbled.
"You didn't really think Molly would stay away, did you Harry?" Tonks smiled.
"Luna said she'd be here about nine thirty," Ron said through a mouthful, glancing briefly at Harry who had shot him an annoyed look, "moral support," he explained. Harry just grunted. His head was too full of everything to complain.
"What about Malfoy?" Hermione asked as she filled her and Harry's glasses up with pumpkin juice.
"Professor Slughorn has agreed to keep Mr Malfoy occupied in the Slytherin common room," McGonagall said, "he should be totally unaware of what's going on."
Just then, the huge doors of the Hall flung open and a harassed looking Hagrid made his way to where Harry was sitting.
"Hagrid," Remus greeted with a smile, "we weren't expecting you back for a couple more days!"
"I 'ad to come back, dinnt I?" the half giant nearly sobbed, "Mad-Eye told me you were doin' summint dangerous again." Hagrid was looking directly at Harry, who blushed under his scrutiny.
"Well, yes, er, I am," he admitted.
"Then, I'm 'ere ter 'elp," Hagrid proclaimed, sitting down in the chair Tonks conjured up for him and starting on his own breakfast. Harry just shrugged and returned to his cereal.
Conversation started to turn to more normal things and as the meal progressed, Harry participated less and less. He was getting a bit anxious now and when the other members of the Order arrived to safe guard the room the Horcruxes were going to be in, Harry stopped talking altogether.
As the trio began the trip back to the Head's common room, the walk was made in silence. They just reached the door when Harry stopped and turned to Ron.
"Um, Ron," he started a bit hesitantly, "do you mind giving us a few minutes? I…I need to talk to Hermione about something."
"Sure mate," Ron agreed quickly, glancing between Harry and Hermione, "I'll see you guys in about half an hour?"
"Yeah," Harry answered gratefully, "yeah, see you then." He watched as Ron gave a small wave then made his way down the empty corridor. Taking a deep breath, Harry looked down at Hermione, who looked nervously back at him. With what he hoped was a reassuring smile, he opened the door and gently pulled her inside - closing and sealing the door with a soft squelch.
"Harry?" she questioned tentatively but Harry knew she understood what he was doing and why he was doing it. She looked so beautiful just then, and although there were things he wanted to say to her, things he had to talk about - he bent down and kissed her. In seconds her hands were in his hair and she was pressed hard against him, making him forget about…everything.
It seemed Hermione was feeling the same as she let Harry touch places she hadn't let him touch before, each moment making him more daring until he felt the small push on his chest, telling him it was time to stop. With great difficulty, Harry pulled away from her, removing his hands from under her shirt so he could intertwine them with hers, who had done some exploring of their own.
"You…you wanted to talk to me?" she panted, her face flushed.
"Er, yeah," Harry replied as he frantically tried to remember just what he needed to say to her, aware that he too sounded out of breath, "I need to ask you something." Finally recalling what had been troubling him most of the morning, he guided her to the sofa where they both sat facing each other, disturbing a sleeping Crookshanks in the process.
"What is it Harry?" she asked, a frown immediately crossing her face. Harry thought about what he was going to say, realising the easiest way would be just to say it.
"If…if I died," he started, "you'd move on wouldn't you? Find someone else and be happy, right?"
"You're not going to die Harry," she stated firmly.
"I know," he placated, "but if I did, you wouldn't give up. You'd still live your life - right? Hermione, I need to know that you'll continue on without me."
She pulled away from him, turning so that he could only see her profile, her eyes dropping to her hands that now sat in her lap.
"There will be no-one in my life like you Harry," she said quietly, "ever. If…if you left me, it would be half a life. I would be existing but not living…"
"You have to be able to live Hermione," Harry replied just as quietly, "because if you don't, then everything I've struggled for, everything I would've died for would be worthless."
"You're not going to die," she whispered as her tears began to fall. Harry took her in his arms and let her cry silently on his shoulder.
"No, I'm not going to die," he agreed, gently stroking her hair.
"What about you?" she asked after a few moments, pulling out of his embrace and looking up at him with watery eyes, "what would you do if I didn't make it?"
Harry looked at her in shock - if she didn't make it? Of course Hermione will make it, his mind screamed, she can't die! But then he remembered seeing her fall at the Ministry of Magic, her body still and lifeless and how he hadn't been able to think until Neville had assured him Hermione was still alive. She had nearly died once because of him, her parents had died because of him - it is a possibility. It was then he realised that he too, would never find anyone that meant as much to him as she did and if she wasn't there to share the rest of his life with, then it would be a half life.
"I would be existing not living," he admitted.
"So if I promise to you that I would carry on and live my life to its full potential if you're not in it, you'll do the same?"
"Yes," Harry nodded slightly, "though you're not going to die either." She smiled up at him and wiped away the remainder of her tears before kissing him gently on the lips.
"I love you Harry James Potter," she breathed, her face inches from his.
"I…I know," he stammered before a loud knock hammered on the door making them both jump away from each other slightly. Releasing the sealing spells, the door swung open and Ron's head poked in.
"Time to go," he informed them, his face breaking into a smirk, "and rearrange your tops you two, mum still thinks you're both the good children." Harry looked down and saw his t shirt was still bunched up his back while Hermione shirt tails were outside her jeans and in disarray. Blushing, he straightened himself out then waited for Hermione to do the same.
"Has she given up on you then?" Hermione asked, taking Harry's hand and joining Ron at the door.
"She caught Luna and I once in the broom shed," Ron explained with a laugh, "I got the talk from dad after that. Actually, you haven't had that pleasure yet, have you Harry?"
"Er, no," Harry answered uncomfortably, "I think Remus is planning to…"
"Fair enough," Ron said, making his way down the corridor, "probably waiting until today's over, right?"
"Right," Harry replied but then stayed silent, his two friends doing the same. No longer consumed with the thought of Hermione wasting her life, pinning after him, his mind returned to the subject at hand - destroying the Horcruxes.
"Where's Luna?" Hermione asked after a little while, as if to break the silence.
"She was talking to Tonks so I left her to it," Ron explained, pausing as they turned a corner to see a group of people standing half way down the otherwise empty corridor.
Harry breathed deeply - this was it. In an empty classroom was the last barrier to getting rid of Voldemort. One way or another, the end was coming. With another deep breath, he made his way to the others, gripping Hermione's hand tightly as he did so.
Remus, Kingsley and Mr Weasley were inside the room, circling the three objects that had been placed on the sole desk warily. Hagrid and Mad-Eye were at the door, discussing something while Mrs Weasley, Professor McGonagall, Tonks and Luna were standing in the corridor, looking up at them as the trio made their way down to where they were standing. Harry was glad to see Ginny had stayed away but wished that there wasn't so many people here to watch him.
The wall that separated the room from the corridor was see through, and although Harry could see the three Order members in the room, he knew they couldn't see him. They had decided that it would be best for Harry, or more importantly Voldemort, not to see who was watching and made the transparency one way.
"Ah, Harry," Mrs Weasley cooed as soon as he was close enough, "good to see you dear. Right on time." Harry just nodded, his eyes never leaving the nearly empty classroom. His appearance brought everyone out into the corridor - the adults all looking at him nervously.
"Everything is all set Harry," Remus informed him, his face still pale from the full moon he had just experienced, "the room is sealed leaving you three hours of air…"
"Remember, when you've finished," Mr Weasley instructed, "place your wand on the table and move away from the door. We will test the air, make sure there is no essence of You-Know-Who remaining, secure you and make sure you're…fine." Harry nodded.
"Are you sure you want to do all three at once?" McGonagall asked, repeating a question she had asked many times previously, "not on consecutive days?"
"I want to get this over and done with," Harry stated firmly - the headmistress just nodded.
"Do you have any questions Harry?" Remus questioned, sounding like he desperately didn't want to do this which, Harry reasoned, he probably didn't. Sending his best friend's son into danger for a second time must be terribly difficult for the Marauder.
"Only that you know what to do if he possesses me, right?" Harry asked, looking first at Remus then Kingsley and Moody, knowing they had a less emotional connection to him, "that if he is in me, you kill it."
"We understand Harry," Mad-Eye said gruffly, putting a knarled old hand on Harry's shoulder - Harry nodded, no longer really trusting his voice. He looked over at Ron who was standing between Luna and Hermione.
"See you soon mate," the redhead said with a nervous smile -again Harry nodded. He heard a sob but didn't turn to the noise, knowing Mrs Weasley was being comforted by her husband. Instead, he turned to Hermione who looked back at him stoically, her emotions once more hidden deep from public view.
Ignoring the fact that he and Hermione's relationship was kept exceptionally private, their holding hands and book carrying the only outward sign to those around them that their relationship had changed, Harry hugged her long and hard, enjoying the feel of her warmth next to him. Drawing away, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her gently. There was so much he wanted to say but instead he just turned from her and entered the classroom.
Hearing the door squelch shut behind him, Harry took his wand out of his pocket and with purpose, walked over to the lone desk sitting in the middle of the room. The three objects on top of the table looked so unassuming yet they weren't.
Harry picked up the locket and began to turn it over in his hands, feeling its weight. A family died to make the Horcrux that hid inside - and Dumbledore died trying to retrieve it. So many deaths for such a small item. With a sigh, he placed it on the floor away from the desk and with one more deep breath; he aimed his wand and said the spell.
"Diripio animus," he said confidently, slightly stepping back as the locket began to glow ominously.
The air within the room suddenly became cooler and Harry felt a sadness that hadn't been there moments before. A mist began to be emitted from the locket, gaining a shape that soon became Tom Riddle; young, handsome and arrogant.
"Who are you?" the vision barked, looking at Harry with disdain.
"What does it matter?" Harry shot back, his wand drawn, ready to strike.
"Don't tell me an insignificant weed like yourself is trying to destroy this magnificent tool of dark magic! You haven't got the power!"
"I've got this far, haven't I?" The image of Riddle seemed to think this over, his shimmering form stepping closer to Harry.
"Well then, perhaps you haven't got the heart," it sneered, "it's supposed to be pure. Shall we check?"
Before he knew what was happening, he saw Riddle's hand shoot out and enter Harry's chest, making him feel a pain like he had never felt before. Screaming in agony, Harry fell to the floor, his chest burning as his heart was being squeezed tight, its regular rhythm slowly stopping. He could see the look of satisfaction on Riddle's face, but Harry didn't have the ability to say the destruction spell even if he wanted to.
Then through the red, hazy fog that was engulfing his brain, Harry heard a scream - someone was screaming his name. It wasn't his mother, he could tell that; it didn't sound like the scream from the Dementor attacks - but it was a woman. The voice was familiar and filled with an anguish that made Harry want to do anything he could to make it stop. Suddenly, he knew who it was; it was Hermione.
Her voice was ringing in his head, loud and clear as if she was right there next to him. He could picture her face then, soft and caring - and the pain abruptly stopped. Harry panted with exertion, sweat dripping from his brow as he looked up at the smug, conceited face of Tom Riddle.
"How nice," it sneered, "a lady love. I wonder what little titbits in your pathetic excuse for a mind could show me about this…woman…" Harry wasn't prepared to show anyone that part of him and with a shaking hand, he pointed his wand once more at the image in front of him.
"Deleo animus," he croaked, feeling slight satisfaction as the Horcrux's eye's widened in shock before disintegrating. Harry tried to note where the dust went, or what it did - but it seemed to just float harmlessly onto the ground, so light it wasn't even visible.
Remaining hunched over on the floor, he tried to get himself together. His chest was throbbing painfully but it was nothing he couldn't handle - he had been hurt worse before. Running a hand over his forehead to remove the excess sweat there, he analysed what had just happened. The Horcruxes can talk and interact, just as the one hidden in Ginny's diary almost a lifetime ago. And there was a big chance they were Legilimens, which is what scared him the most. He had never been able to master Occlumency and he doubted he could start now.
When he finally felt capable, Harry stood and returned the locket to the desk. Waiting a little bit longer until he felt pretty much back to normal, he finally removed the dictionary and placed it on the floor. This time he was determined not to hesitate, to give his enemy a chance to attack. Wand drawn, he said the incarnation.
Once more there was a glow and the change in temperature dropped to a chilling level. This time when the image began to form, Harry ignored the feeling of dread that had filled the air and concentrated with all his might on the swirling particles in front of him. This time it was a more Voldemort figure, though Tom Riddle was still recognisable in his features. The Horcrux began to sneer but before it could do anything else, Harry destroyed it with one swift motion.
As soon as the dust settled, the feeling of doom finished and with a satisfied sigh, Harry took the dictionary back to the desk. Two down, one to go. The cup had been the last Horcrux to be made, other than the snake at least, and Harry wanted to get rid of this one the most. An old woman and her elf had died for the acquisition of the cup and a woman who had spent her life looking after children who had had no-one died for the creation of the Horcrux. Harry had hated his life with the Dursley's, but he was an orphan and he could've easily been under the care of someone like Mrs Cole.
Once again placing the cup on the room's floor, Harry pointed his wand at its innate form.
"Diripio animus," he commanded, seeing the now familiar red glow begin to form around the outside of the cup. This time the room was not just cold, but freezing, distracting Harry momentarily from his task. It wasn't just the cold that seemed more intense either - there was a real evil in the room, something that began to seep into his every pore,
There was no mistaking whose image came out of the cup - it was the Voldemort that was embedded forever into Harry's brain. The red eyes searched the room, falling onto a shivering Harry with a sickening grin.
"You're the one trying to destroy me boy?" it asked with contempt.
"Y..yes," Harry stuttered, his teeth chattering from the cold. Seeing the image of the thing that had caused him so much pain, made his life so miserable stirred up an anger inside of him that began to fester.
"A wizard who can't keep himself warm," Voldemort sneered, "how pathetically sad. But I can feel the power in you, just not the intelligence to use it. What is your name?"
"Does it matter?" Harry growled, transfiguring his t shirt into a jumper and feeling immediately warmer. He glared defiantly back at his enemy, his hate growing along side the need not just to destroy this…freak, but totally obliterate it.
"At the time of forming this Horcrux, there was no-one alive who had the amount of power you do," the thing stated, circling Harry like prey.
"Albus Dumbledore was more powerful than you…"
"Was? So, the old fool is finally dead? Even a greater reason for me to know who you are."
"Why? My name isn't important…"
"Ahh, that anger - feel its strength! Albus had this pitiful notion that love was the most powerful tool, but he was so incredibly wrong! Hate, anger - they are stronger! The ease to manipulate in others, the quickness the emotions are felt - love sometimes takes a lifetime to develop, hate can be enticed by saying just a few well chosen words," Voldemort came closer to Harry who stood as if memorised, "you speak of Dumbledore with affection and therefore no doubt believe the nonsense he preached. But I can tell you of another way, an easier way to get everything your heart desires…"
"You can offer me nothing," Harry spat, his mind remembering his old headmaster with fondness - the Horcrux pulled back, wincing as if touched by fire.
"Dumbledore was a fool! What did he ever give you? Respect? Honesty? A future? He gave you nothing - I can! Together you and I could do brilliant things, boy. Let me meld with you and we would know a power that this world has never seen!"
"You killed my parents - there is no way I would join you."
"Your parents," the thing said curiously, "so that's why you hate me so. Wouldn't it be ironic if this anger you feel gives me enough strength to destroy you? You see, that's your choice, you stupid little boy, meld with me or die - which would also suit my purpose, though the power would be greatly diminished."
"You have it wrong," Harry countered, raising his wand once more, "it will be you dying, not me."
"Then why haven't you killed me already? I am defenceless, I have no wand. Strike me down," Voldemort mocked, "or is it because you are tempted by my offer? You have nothing, yet I am offering you the world."
"I don't want the world," Harry stated, but a shard of doubt started to enter his mind, thoughts of how difficult his life was and how it would be great just to stop fighting…
"If not the world, then…" fingers cold as ice entered Harry's brain, prodding and poking, seeking the information Voldemort wanted, "…how…sweet, there is a girl. Hermione, is it? If you come with me, she will be with you for ever. Safe, for you only…"
"You…you can't promise that."
"Oh, but I can," the image continued, "in this world, she isn't safe, she may very well die, ruining everything you're fighting for. With me, there would be no war, no fighting - you and I would see to that. All it takes would be for us to meld as one."
Harry's wand began to waver as he thought about what Voldemort was saying. Hermione would be safe, they all would be safe. The killing of his friends would end and really, that's what he wanted - wasn't it? And Voldemort was right, hate was power, not love! How could love ever do more than the emotion that has fuelled wars since the beginning of time?
As the assault on his brain continued without any resistance, Harry began to hear a voice somewhere in the recesses of his battered mind - distant but familiar.
"I cared for you too much, I cared more for your happiness than your knowing the truth."
Professor Dumbledore? Harry wondered if it had indeed been his old headmaster he had heard when the kind, comforting face of the professor entered his thoughts, twinkling eyes watching him through half moon glasses. Slowly the image morphed into another familiar figure, the red hair and long, freckled face looking at him intently.
"We're with you whatever happens," Ron told him, Hermione standing at his side.
Hermione. Harry suddenly realised he was sharing his most treasured thoughts about Hermione with a monster. Like a fog clearing out of his brain, he looked defiantly up at Voldemort and raised his wand once more.
"No, I will never join you!"
"You stupid, stupid boy!" Voldemort screamed at him, all pretence of niceness gone, "I can feel you, feel your hate! You think you are nothing like me, that this power you have will not kill or maim - but you're wrong! You have an anger that will consume you and you will be no different than I! Let me show you…"
More images began pounding Harry's already exhausted mind, but these of death and destruction - Ron being tortured, the Weasley's mercilessly being shot down one by one, Hogwarts destroyed, Hogsmead on fire, Hagrid floating face down in the Great Lake - each vision more disgusting than the last. Falling to his knees, Harry tried desperately to make them stop but part of him knew that the evil that had entered the room at the release of the Horcrux was working against him - this could well be a struggle that he may loose.
He tried thinking of the Occlumency lessons, the tools he was taught to keep his mind safe - but all that did was make him remember Snape and his anger, now mixed with fear, returned ten fold. He tried to remember Dumbledore, and he only saw the lies and hurt the old wizard had caused him. It was like all good thoughts had been banished.
Until he heard a small voice, hesitant and very distant but Harry concentrated hard so he could hold onto the sound.
"Fight Harry, stay strong."
Fight, Harry thought dully, that's all I seem to do. I can't fight anymore.
Harry, stay with me, the voice continued, stronger now but at the same time gentle and full of…love?
Love? Harry questioned, but no-one loves me! I'm alone!
Stay strong, the voice urged, a female voice, someone he knew but he couldn't quite work out who, stay strong! Come back to me! You can't leave me Harry!
Hermione! The voice was Hermione! She wanted him to stay! Her face began to fill his mind, shunting the images of destruction and pain out with little remorse.
I love you Harry, stay strong!
He felt her love cocoon him, driving out the invasion of the evil that had been tormenting him. Hermione's voice sounded so real, so close that when he looked up from his position on the floor, Harry was sure she would be standing there, by his side.
Instead he looked up into the red slitted eyes of Lord Voldemort, his snake-like face drawn into a sneer. With every ounce of energy Harry had left, he pointed his wand at the Horcrux and cast the spell. Voldemort gave him a look of surprise before disintegrating into flakes of dust; worthless and insignificant.
Harry collapsed once more, too exhausted to move. The feeling of desolation lifted as soon as the Horcrux was destroyed leaving only Harry's shame of nearly agreeing to the offer of domination by his greatest enemy, and knowing his anger had almost been his down fall.
The realisation that he hadn't yet signalled to the others he had finished entered his numb brain, and with the weariness of an old man, Harry crawled over to the desk and slowly placed his wand on its surface before inching himself away to fall once more into a heap on the floor. He felt magical energy buzz around the room and after a moment or two, the door was opened letting a gush of fresh air wrap itself around him.
He hadn't noticed how stale the air had been until he smelt and tasted the early afternoon breeze. He heard footsteps, but his eyes would no longer open - it was just too much effort, but he listened as his fate was discussed by those around him.
"Minerva, take his wand," the deep, booming voice of Shacklebolt instructed while the more softer tones of Remus sounded close to his ear.
"Harry, this should only take a minute," the werewolf explained apologetically and Harry felt himself be rolled over and bound with a variety of magical spells. He tried to pry his eyes open, but then gave up as a multitude of tests were done to make sure he hadn't been possessed. He felt Shacklebolt enter his head and the passing hope that the Auror would ignore the private snogging sessions with Hermione crossed his mind but knew he didn't have the strength to prevent it.
"He is clear," Kingsley announced, "the Horcruxes have been destroyed.
"The room is clear," Mad-Eye informed them from somewhere behind Harry and a wave of relief flew through him.
"Take these bloody spells off of him then!" cursed Hermione - Harry inwardly, smiled. That was the first time he had ever heard her swear. As the bonds were removed, a very strange smell hit Harry's nostrils that was a combination of animal and earth and when he felt himself be suddenly lifted from the ground by a pair of bear arms, Harry guessed he was being carried by Hagrid.
"Quicker if I take 'im to the 'ospital," he stated, "outta me way!" Although being carried by a stinking, half giant wasn't ideal, Harry didn't care and let himself be lulled asleep by his friend's massive gate and was gently snoring before Hagrid had got halfway up the main staircase.
.