It's Just Not Fair

Chshre

Rating: R
Genres: Angst, Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 6
Published: 25/05/2006
Last Updated: 14/04/2007
Status: in_progress

Harry has to face his destiny at last but can he do it without the support of the one he loves the most?AU after the fifth book

Chapters

1. Leaving

2. Reactions

3. What happens now?

4. Aftermath

1. Leaving

As the sun rose the hallways slowly filled with light and people started stumbling out of bed to get ready for another torturous/boring/fun-filled day of class, all except for a solitary person sitting on the window seat staring out the window in the Gryffindor seventh year's boy dorm, the one and only Harry Potter.

Shaking his head free from the cobwebs that had gathered over the course of the night he swiped his hand through his already messy hair and got dressed to go for a run around the lake. Taking care not to wake his roommates he slipped out the Common Room however he wasn't mindful to check his surroundings or else he would've seen a pair of eyes who tracked his movement and facial expressions then sighed as she walked back up the staircase, it was the start of another day at Hogwarts.

Harry ran to the lake then around for an indeterminate amount of time but when his watch started beeping telling him it was half an hour before breakfast he hurried back to the castle, to change into his uniform and get ready for another day that was his life. Racing toward the Common Room he was glad that it was still rather early so there was only a light scattering of early risers who were headed to breakfast.

Arriving at the portrait that led to the Common Room he mumbled the password and walked quickly toward the dorms when he was stopped by a quiet voice, “Good morning Harry, had a good run?” Turning to the tables he nodded a greeting and turned and ran up the stairs leaving the girl to look puzzled at his behavior before turning back to her work that needed her immediate attention.

Upon inspection Harry found that nobody was awake as of yet though Neville was showing signs of waking up or something that looked like it, throwing off his track suit he hopped in the shower and felt the relief when the hot water loosened his tense muscles from the run. Getting dressed quickly he walked back out and whistled a high piercing whistle that was bound to get anyone up.

With that everyone woke up and crashed onto the floor in an effort to get up with blankets still wrapped around them, with expletives and complaints thrown at him Harry merely smiled and pointed at the clock which served as a catalyst to get everyone going.

Whistling he walked down the stairs but stopped at the sight before him, the sight of his friends just enjoying the company of each other and it brought to home the conversation that he had with Dumbledore a few weeks ago.

Flashback

It started out a normal day at least until breakfast when an unfamiliar owl dropped an owl onto his lap it said open without prying eyes, quickly stuffing it away he looked around to make sure no one noticed and no one did for the one who usually did that sort of stuff didn't really notice him anymore. Sighing he excused himself to read the letter in the privacy of a hidden room that Hogwarts had plenty of.

Dear: Harry

I told you that from now on I will tell you the entire story no matter what and not in a somewhat misguided attempt to protect you. Well there is news and I need to speak with you in my office preferably within a sort time of you receiving the letter the password is Sherbet Lemon.

Prof. Dumbledore

A cold feeling settled in the pit of his stomach, he had a bad feeling that something had happened that he wasn't going to like so he walked slowly toward Dumbledore's office and whispered Sherbet Lemon. The gargoyle opened to let him pass and Harry arrived at the Headmaster's door, he knocked and a familiar voice called out, “Come in Harry.”

Taking a deep breath he walked in and to no surprise Dumbledore looked at him with a solemn face there was no twinkle visible in the electric blue eyes that radiated power.

D: Take a seat Harry

H: Thank you sir what may I ask is the reason that you called me here

D: I am very sorry to be the one telling you this, but in a raid yesterday that was an effort to stem the random muggle attacks Remus was caught in the crossfire between Aurors and some Deatheaters and some of the curses interacted and…

H: NO! You are lying, Remus can't die, he can't leave me here all by myself, he is the last link I have to my parents, he was supposed to tell me all about my parents, he was supposed to my godfather, please Prof. please tell me you are lying

D: I am sorry but Remus is gone, he was gone before any medics could give him something to treat him

H: You're lying, I don't believe you, and I just saw him yesterday when he came to visit me at Hogsmeade

D: I know this is hard to take so I have excused you from your classes and your training, I also know this is not something you want to hear but you should be expecting to hear from me again soon because if the Deatheaters are killing to such an extent the final confrontation won't be far off, you might want to tell your friends that you have to leave soon

H: Thank you professor, goodbye

Running blindly he ended up in his dorm room which was empty since everyone was in class, drawing the hangings the placed a silencing charm along with a DO NOT DISTURB sign, then cried for all that was wrong with his life, for the death of Remus who was his last link to his parents, for the final bitter death of his innocence and childhood, for the fact that it hit home hard that he would have to go and face off against Voldemort and there might be a chance that he might not return.

When he had finally cried all he could he lay on his bed staring at the canopy of his bed not thinking just in a trance which lasted throughout the day and when people came back from class he disillusioned himself so that no one would find him and no one knew where Harry he was after not seeing him anywhere the entire day. Even Ron and Hermione didn't know where he was, Hermione was almost frantic but Ron distracted her every time she was going to go look for him.

This happened everyday for the next week and everyone was worried though only the teacher's assurances that Harry was still in the school kept everyone from going out to find him. Finally one girl had figured out where he was and walked up the boys' dorm and knocked on the door and expectantly received no answer. Twisting the knob she walked over the Harry's bed and sat on Ron's bed, pushing aside the curtains she addressed the air in front of her

“Harry I know you are here, what happened? What happened that you would be willing to disillusion yourself in order to hide from everyone? Tell me and don't think I will walk away without an answer.” Sitting there she strained her ears for any noise whatsoever, her patience was rewarded when Harry shimmered into view not looking her in the eye he told her the whole story.

Tears rolled down her face when she heard because she understood how much Harry loved Sirius and Remus and now both were dead and if she didn't know then Harry was blaming himself for it, but what shocked her was the next words coming from his mouth, “I have two weeks to get everything together, I know everyone will tell me that it isn't my fault and I guess I understand so instead of moping around I have to get him back for stealing everything I had and would have had.”

Ginny didn't know what to say she in her unconscious mind knew that this moment had come but recent events like Hermione getting together with Ron had driven it even deeper. The big problem that Harry was in love with Hermione didn't help much so he turned to Ginny, whose crush had died down, and confided in her about his secret crush and the fact that he loved her too much to put her and Ron in even more danger. So he pushed them toward each other and now he had to endure going off to war and probably never get to tell Hermione that he loved her.

“It's not fair Harry, that you knowing so much suffering will have to do this all because of some stupid prophecy that an old fraud made.” That got a mirthless chuckle from him, however terrible it sounded at least it was some reaction rather than the dead voice and expressionless face. “Life's not fair and I leave in a week probably forever with Draco, I pity whoever gets in our way we have nothing left to lose at this rate death would be nice at least.”

She cried out at that and threw her arms around him, “Don't say that if you die there will be so many people you are leaving behind and I am going to miss you so much you are the most understanding brother out of the six that I have.”

Sitting up he held her in his arms and whispered soothing noises in her ear until she calmed down enough to hear what he said, “Ginny if I knew I was going to come back 100% I would promise you but I can't. However me dying would solve a whole lot of problems without me here there would be no one to oppose Ron and Hermione getting together, I think it would be for the best. Now I'm really sorry but can I talk to you later I am rather tired but I'll see you later at dinner.”

At her nod he shimmered out of view and she got up waved her wand to clear her face and went to her dorm to think about the injustice of forcing Harry who has never known any real happiness to die before he could do anything. She cried to herself and wondered how Harry could bear it saying goodbye knowing he might never come back again.

End Flashback

He had a week left and making the necessary preparations he was ready to meet his fate now all that was left was telling his friends, but he was a coward he didn't want to face his classmates and even less Ron and Hermione's reactions. Shaking himself out of the daze he walked toward the portrait hole, greeting people he knew along with come professors. Upon arriving at the Gryffindor table he saw that most of the teachers were already there talking amongst themselves sometimes sneaking a glance in his direction.

The professors knew what was going to happen and the Order members that were part of the mission knew the gamble they were going out on but went along as this was the final confrontation which they had been waiting for ever since he was born.

Sighing he reached for some toast and eggs, eating quickly he managed to finish before many people got to the Great Hall and walked toward the dungeons with Prof. Snape and sat in his seat waiting for class to begin or something to happen. As it so happened a few minutes later Draco walked into the room and sat down at the cauldron next to him, soon the both were talking about their plans for the attack. Before they knew it the chatter of their fellow classmates reached their ears and they stopped talking and sat quietly waiting got everyone to file in and await Prof. Snape's instructions.

The chatter stopped when Snape swept in the room with a quick appraisal he waved his wand and the class had started, though some people were giving Harry strange looks but he ignored them and conversed with Draco in low whispers.

As soon as the bell rang Harry gathered his stuff and continued to talk to Draco as they walked toward Transfiguration class, again they sat together and continued their talk which was about the upcoming event though disguised as normal chatter. Prof. McGonagall didn't give a second glance at this but some of their fellow classmates did, they knew that Draco had changed sides but now he was being so open about it.

The next class Harry wasn't as lucky as to avoiding Ron and Hermione who had been basically glued to each other's side since becoming a couple. “Hey Harry what's up with you and Malfoy you never seemed so buddy, buddy with him before,” said Ron. Harry made a noncommittal grunt and Hermione was about to continue interrogating but Ron had pulled her in an empty broom closet as they both had a free period. “Waving goodbye he headed toward Dumbledore's office and whispered the password and the gargoyle let him through once again leading him to Dumbledore's office.

Walking through the door he wasn't the least surprised that Draco was there, he nodded and looked to Dumbledore wondering what they were going to train in today. “Harry, Draco I have some bad news, instead of us having an extra week we have to go tomorrow night because our inside information said that tomorrow night is when he will be doing a ritual that will leave him at his weakest state before and after so it will be the best time to strike. I know we expected more time than this but this is an opportunity that we cannot waste. You both will have to say your goodbyes to everyone and meet me here tomorrow night after lunch.”

The two looked at each other and then turned back to Dumbledore and nodded, “We understand and thank you for allowing us time to make our goodbyes and don't worry about us will use caution as to telling our friends what they can or cannot know,” said Harry.

The two got up and straightened unconsciously as if making sure that they could shoulder the weight of the world. Looking at them Dumbledore suppressed a sigh these two young men had to grow up before their time and now he was sending them to fight maybe to their death. Oh the choices as a leader that he had to take the people he had to sacrifice just to save others. Waving his hand at them he excused them and told them they had to been excused from all their classes from their classes and to expect a letter from him with the time and place.

Walking out the door the two gave a rueful smile, “Well here it is the goal that we set out to reach, you know I'm glad that it you going with me Draco not because you are a Slytherin but because in the past few months I've come to like you as a person, I just wish I could've had a longer time to get to know you,” said Harry. Draco smiled and clasped his hand, “Same here when I first saw you I thought it's Harry Potter here might be one person that my father would allow me to be friends with, but as rivals for the first few years here its nice to get to know you as a friend, also we'll meet in my dorm about fifteen minutes before the set time ok? asked Draco.

With a nod the two separated to find their friends to tell them they were leaving. The first person that Harry saw was Ginny pulling her into an empty classroom he said, “Ginny its' time for me to go.” She was shocked and managed to stammer out, “But…it's…next week…isn't it?” Shaking his head he told her that it was absolutely necessary for him to go tomorrow.

Ginny hugged him and cried for Harry who was her brother in every way except for blood, she had a closer relationship with him than with Ron and now there was a chance that he might not be coming back. Even now in the wake of the devastating news he was comforting her and she was the one losing her mind, one thought came to her mind and that was, “What about Hermione, what are you going to about your feelings for her?”

Harry sighed, “I guess its time for me to let go there is no point for me to keep my feelings she's with Ron now and even I can't ask her to love me and wait for me even if she did love me back because there is a chance that I won't come back, as they say hang on tightly let go lightly.”

Pulling away he hugged her and told her he had to go say goodbye to some other people but they would talk later at 11 when everyone was gone from the Common Room, nodding she let him go and watching his retreating back she was yet again struck by how unfair life was to Harry leaving him to carry the weight of the world on his thin shoulders.

Harry walked toward the Transfiguration classroom and when he stepped in he was at once aware of the stares of awe to be in the presence of Harry Potter coming from the first years, “Um…professor can I take a portkey to Godric's Hollow I would like to say goodbye to the Marauder's,” Harry asked. There was the unspoken part about maybe this being the last time, with a slight nod she favored him with one of her rare smiles which always seemed to be the one that she reserved for him. “Thank you professor I'll be back in time for dinner I think.”

Racing toward the apparation and portkey point he lifted the small delicate chain from underneath his clothing holding onto the crest of his family he whispered love conquers all. He was then thrown across space and time and ended up in the quiet neighborhood of Godric's Hollow and before him were his parents', Sirius' and the fresh grave of Remus all side-by-side.

“Hello Mum, Dad, Sirius, Remus how's it going up there? You might already know this but the borrowed time that Mum gave me is about to be up because tomorrow I'm going to face Voldemort. I'm not scared though I mean what really do I have to live for there is no real anchor for me to stay here for. You know I read once that the most dangerous people in the world are the ones without anything to lose; I guess I fit that category because I have no real family except the Weasley's but they have their own problems, I have no one to give my heart to fully because the one girl that I can do that is my best friend's girlfriend. After the final confrontation what is left for me here? Nothing at all now that all of you are dead there is no tie for me here that I would have to sever. I wonder all the time what would have happened if you all had lived rather than died but it's all in the past I don't even know if I want to live or die. I'm so confused what should I do?”

A light wind blew around Harry and its light caress brought the smell of lilies and fresh grass, Harry smiled, “thanks mum and dad I needed that I guess the answers will come to me when they do. I just wanted to see you once before I die tomorrow then I'll see you in heaven, is it nice up there? Anyways I have to go now its' almost time for dinner and I can't be late so thanks for everything you have ever done for me.”

He portkeyed back to Hogwarts but at Godric's Hollow an echo of Harry's parents stood and watched as he disappeared before Lily collapsed crying on James, “It's not fair I gave up my life so he could live and now he has to do this all because some stupid psycho-maniac takes it in his head to randomly kill people.” James couldn't do anything other than make soothing sounds and to reassure her that if Harry had made it this far then he would continue to do so.

Reaching Hogwarts he decided not to go to dinner, the house elves could probably whip him up something, he chuckled upon thinking that Hermione would have a fit if she knew what he was doing. At the thought of Hermione his chuckle faded, it physically hurt that he couldn't tell her how desperately in love he was with her, but he couldn't if he did that he would probably lose both Hermione and Ron's friendship and he valued that the most out of all the things he had in the world.

Sitting by the lake a person sat down next to him, even without looking he knew who it was, speak of the devil. “Hello Hermione what are you doing out here and why aren't you at dinner for the fact why weren't you at any of your classes today? You can't just skip class if you feel like it you know. Is there something wrong?” Harry placed both arms on her shoulders and shook her to get her to stop talking. “Hermione don't worry about it I got excused from class today, here I'll tell you what's wrong, its' just that tomorrow…”

Ron ran up to the tree and pulled Hermione to her feet, “Where have you been? We have rounds to go to and Professor McGonagall said that if I'm late one more time she'll take away my badge.” Hermione sighed clearly exasperated, “Ron why don't you go on first, Harry was just about to tell me something,” Ron glanced at Harry who had turned his head away from the ensuing argument, “But I want to finish our rounds earlier so I can get some homework don't.” Hermione looked torn on one hand she would be able to find out what had been bugging Harry but on the other hand Ron wanting to do homework was their secret code for more snogging. Looking apologetically at Harry she asked,” You don't mind do you Harry?”

Harry got up still staring at the lake not meeting Ron or Hermione's eyes to hide the pain that was there, this was his last chance to tell them that he was leaving, to say goodbye to his life as he knew it now. In as careless voice that belied his true pain he replied with a light-hearted enthusiasm that he didn't feel, “No it's alright I mean Hogwarts Cutest Couple needs some alone time now don't they.” Each word that he spoke wretched a stab of pain until Harry was sure that there was nothing left in his heart except a bleeding mound of tissue.

Harry got up and walked toward the castle leaving Hermione to stare at him pensively and Ron to look bewildered before he dragged Hermione toward the other direction. Harry fingered the D.A. coin and set the time for that night at nine-thirty in the Room of Requirement, he needed to tell the rest of his friends and if Ron and Hermione came while he did then it cleared up that problem. He needed to say all his goodbyes today so tomorrow he could train some more.

Walking toward the kitchens he passed several D.A. members and they nodded once in greeting and winked their right eye to signal that they would be there tonight at 9:30, now to get through three hours what to do. Tickling the pear and being bombarded by food from the house elves Harry figured might as well stay here for the time being as there was nothing else to do.

It was finally the moment of truth Harry took a deep breath he walked toward the familiar hallway that enclosed the fames Room of Requirement; looking at the door before him he had to suppress a chuckle, nice to know that people still conspired as to whether they would be able to catch him off guard. Charming a shield to cover his entire body while not giving much away he walked in and to no surprise three spells came flying at him which rebounded followed by a groan from the casters.

“Hey that was pretty strong Neville though you might want to adjust your grip just a bit to make the spell fly easier, and Dean your aim was slightly off so if you did hit it wouldn't hit the point you wanted it to go so either you adjust it or you might want to aim a little lower to get to the original point, and Liz your spell was kind of wavering so you probably were aiming at the general direction of the door so you should aim at an exact point to make the spell stronger.”

Quickly Harry reverted to his teacher mode in teaching the members how to improve while his mind yelled, Coward why don't you stop stalling and get on with it they probably suspect already anyways.

Clearing his suddenly very dry throat he started delivering what would be the hardest speech that he would ever have to make, “Ok guys today will be the last meeting of the D.A with me presiding and I am now handing over leadership into the very capable hands of Neville Longbottom.” Holding his right hand up for silence as the members whispered to each other about the startling news. He was about to continue to explain when a voice that belonged to Zacharias Smith spoke out, “What are you playing at Potter are you scared that we will beat you if you continue teaching us all your tricks?” “No its' just that tomorrow I will be heading into the Final Confrontation and I don't think I will make it back,” he said in a resigned tone of voice.

The silence was deafening then the girls one by one started toward him to hug him all the while sobbing loudly, the guys waited till the girls were done then one by one they came and clapped him on the back telling him to come home safely.

When everyone stepped back to look at him again he asked them to do him a couple of favors, “First you should continue the DA because there was no telling what would happen once the final confrontation broke out. Second could they please not tell Ron and Hermione as he wanted to tell them his own way and therefore not make them worry unnecessarily. And finally can you please place some flowers on his parent's graves every so often because he might not be there to do it himself.”

As the group nodded he quickly darted out the door and put a delay spell for 20 minutes to get out of there, he needed to do two more things before he left and he knew now was the best time to do it. Following the quickest path he ran toward Gryffindor Tower and entered the almost deserted Common Room, in a hidden drawer under the window seat he drew out two packages which he took back to his dorm where he cast privacy charms around his bed.

Flicking his wand the two packages were wrapped and ready to go then he set about to writing the notes to go along with it, biting the tip of his quill he finished the notes to each of friends and after attaching two to the packages with a muttered spell the packages and letters all disappeared and Harry lay back on the bed heaving a great sigh as he stared at the canopy of his bed.

His musing was interrupted by the tapping of a post owl at window, quickly opening the window he took the proffered scroll and read it through, his heart sinking from the first word and finally to the signature:

Harry

Come to my office as soon as you receive this letter and bring your things you might not be able to go back to get it. The password is Cotton Candy, Candy Canes.

Dumbledore

With a wave of his wand his things were packed and he got dressed in his most comfortable clothes, taking the small pack filled with the necessary items like his potions, throwing stars, some prank items, a few photos, and his invisibility cloak. Tying his school cloak around his neck he looked in the mirror and was pleased that he looked neither as a Hogwarts student nor some random kid off the street. Casting the disillusionment spell and checking the mirror he walked out of his dorm and with one last look around he left the Gryffindor Tower.

Surprisingly though he wasn't nervous more like resigned to his fate, he had known this was coming for years and he had as much training as his teachers could possibly give him so in all respects he was ready perhaps in the body as well as the mind.

Passing a gaggle of girls he was struck by a random thought about what his life would have been like if he wasn't Harry Potter, first of all he would be able to go out with the girl he liked, have parents who loved him, and not have to look behind his back every few seconds. His breath caught when he spied Hermione and Ron walking up the corridor toward him, so moving along he managed to hightail it to Dumbledore's office and sighed in relief as he cancel the disillusionment.

“Ah Harry I'm glad to see you now that we are all here I have good news and bad news; the bad news is that we have to leave tonight because we cannot stay in one area for too long or else he will suspect something. The good news however is that we have managed to find out where he is hiding out, however only people with the proper portkey can get there and there is one portkey for two people. I will try to get there along with you but as soon as you get there the Order will arrive to fend off the Deatheaters for there will be a tracking charm specifically charmed for that area. The good news is that there are a lot fewer Deatheaters because we have drawn out a lot of them and depleted a huge number of his forces.”

The two guys looked at each other grimaced on unison then turned back to Dumbledore, “We'll do it”. “Ok then,” said Dumbledore and with a solemn look procured a card that looked kind of like a credit card. “The word is Blood is Power.” Harry and Draco reached out for it and yelled out, “Blood is Power”, and then they were gone, each off to face their destiny that has been decided long before they were born.

The door to the office burst open and the members of the DA rushed in, “Where are they? They didn't leave yet did they?” blurted out Ginny. Their hopes that they hadn't left yet were dashed as Dumbledore looked at them and nodded his solemn head, “I'm sorry Ms. Weasley they have both gone off to face their pre-ordained destiny.”

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2. Reactions

It was about a week after Harry and Draco left Hogwarts to face their destiny and the mood of the castle was tense with anticipation, no one really gave any real thought to classes or school anymore. The most devoted students were trying to finish their term projects that would decide their grade; among these students was Hermione Granger who was at the moment off in London gathering research.

After finishing Quidditch practice for the game against Ravenclaw next week Ron was bored, there never seemed to be anyone available to play a nice simple game of chess. Now that he thought about it where the hell was Harry he hadn't seem the guy in such a long time. He glanced around the Common Room as though expecting said person to appear before his eyes he only saw a few scatterings of students conversing quietly.

Sighing he looked over the parchment on the table in front of him, as Team Captain he needed to come up with new plays but so far he had nothing and he needed them for Thursday's practice. Finally giving up he threw his quill down which skittered across the table before coming to a rest beside a small package that was definitely not there before.

On top of the package was a folded letter that was simply addressed in Harry's familiar handwriting was the words: To Ron. Why would Harry be writing to him and be giving him stuff there was no special occasion. Shrugging he ripped open the letter and started to read:

Hey Ron,

By the time you read this I'll be gone, gone to face off against Voldemort and finally get rid of the stupid prophecy that Trelawney the fraud hung over my head before I was born. You're probably wondering why the heck I went without telling you and why you are just now hearing about this. Well you see the day I was saying my goodbyes you and Hermione were very busy and I couldn't find you so as a last attempt thing I guess this is my way of saying goodbye. I really don't know if I'll be back from wherever in the world I'm going but I want you to know one thing; You are and forever will be my brother and best friend, I want to thank you for all the things you and your family have done for me. But the most important thing is the fact that you know that you and Hermione are my best friends as well as family. Take care of Hermione for me and yourself.

Harry

Ron was shocked speechless, who wouldn't be after hearing that his best friend went off to war without him, he had promised Harry that he would always stand by him and the day the Final Confrontation came Ron had intended on standing right beside Harry and be the first to congratulate him on his victory. There were no words to explain what he felt right at that moment and as he held his head in his hands he happened to glance at the package that was sitting there innocently on the table, Ron didn't want to open it because in a way it acknowledged that Harry had gone off without him.

By now Gryffindors had come back from lunch and some were staring at Ron weirdly as they took in his position at the table, but the other DA members shooed them away they knew that Ron now knew Harry had left. The best thing they could do for him was to leave him alone and let him sort out the mixed feelings he had no one would really and truly understand what Ron was going through unless they themselves were part of the Golden Trio.

Two hours later Ron stood up gathering everything with the package dangling precariously from the stack of supplies that Ron had, he walked up the boy's staircase while knowing eyes followed his progress up the stairs.

Leaving everything in a heap on the floor he walked slowly toward Harry's bed, how could he have not noticed that something was off, it had taken him one whole week to see that his best friend was missing and said best friend was thanking him for all he had done for him. Ron felt guilty as he remembered all the intentional and unintentional horrible things he had done to Harry.

Taking in the sight of the neatly made bed he caught sight of the trunk that was pushed off to the side of the bed. Ron was struck with an idea, Harry might not be gone after all this could all be a joke that Harry was playing on him. Quite obviously Harry's trunk would still be the mess it was and opening it and checking would make this nightmare come to an end.

Edging toward the trunk Ron glanced at the door, no one was coming so he could open the trunk, lifting the latch that held the cover in place he raised the lid and there was the proof, the proof that Harry had gone without telling Ron. The neatly folded clothing, the Firebolt that Sirius had gifted to him, his parent's photo album, and the Marauder's map; it seemed at though they were mocking him, telling him that he had abandoned his best friend when he needed him the most and now look where that got him.

The pain that had been gathering at the pit of his stomach wretched itself out and grabbing the nearest object which were his schoolbooks he hurled it every which way in an effort to get rid of the empty feeling that was lodged in his stomach. Grabbing anything else that was lying around he threw it anywhere he just needed an outlet to get this out of his system, finally when there was nothing else he took his covers and threw them on the round while he lay on the bed. He stared blankly at the canopy of his bed; he didn't know what to do now, without Harry it seemed like his life was empty where before it had been full with all the adventures, problems, and Voldemort.

There was nothing he could do now except for hope that his best friend would come back safe and unharmed, with none the worse for wear. He didn't dare contemplate the what-if scenario of what if Harry never returned. Before his mind was allowed to continue on that morbid track he shut his eyes tight and muffled his screams of pain in his pillow which would take the brunt force of his pain, anger and sadness for the next couple of weeks.

By now the Gryffindors in the Common Room were starting to become anxious at the lack of sounds coming from the dorm so Neville tiptoed up the stairs to have a look, just to make sure that Ron didn't do anything irrational as he was prone to doing. Silently opening the door he spied the limp form of Ron lying on the bed, with the dorm looking like a disaster area with his covers scattered on the floor around him. Quickly walking down the stairs he shook his head at the inquiring faces and everyone went back to work though occasionally glancing at the boy's dorm.

Two days later Hermione was back from her expedition at the Ministry, but she had arrived on the day of an impromptu Hogsmeade visit, so the castle was mostly quiet as most of the students had been sent to Hogsmeade.

Hermione barely noted the lack of students in the castle she was too wrapped up in the research that she had brought back with her that required almost all her attention. Before she knew it she was standing outside the portrait of the Fat Lady. Half-mumbling the password she stumbled into the Common Room, without glancing up she walked straight to a table to deposit her things.

Finally waking from her work-induced trance she started to walk up the stairs when a voice made her almost jump out of her skin, “Hello Hermione” Turning toward the windows she saw the silhouette of her boyfriend against the afternoon sunlight. Running toward him she hugged him tightly but as she pulled back she hit him lightly on the chest, “hi Ron but you know that was mean to sneak up on me when you know I'm not paying attention…”

She trailed off as she looked into the glassy blue eyes of Ron, there was something in his eyes that looked out of place on his face but she could've sworn that she had seen that look many times before. The fixed look on her face was starting to unnerve her, she shook him lightly, “RON WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

For a moment it looked as though Ron didn't know where he was, but he shook his head to clear the cobwebs then grabbed her hands and asked her, in her opinion a very random and odd question. With a shaking voice he asked her, “Did he leave you anything.” Without knowing what he was asking her she shook her head though not of her own accord, her eyes must have betrayed her inner turmoil because he immediately told her about the prank that Fred and George did last week when they came back to visit the school.

Hermione filed the incident to the back of her mind and let herself relax with her boyfriend, and she completely forgot to ask Ron where was Harry, but every time she thought about it she got a horrible sinking feeling so in an effort not to feel like that she pushed the question away to be asked some other day.

When the Gryffindors filed back into the Common Room they were very surprised to see Ron and Hermione sitting on the couch like old times, at least that was until Ginny caught her brother staring at Hermione with a look of sorrow. Which disappeared as soon as Hermione turned back to face him he pasted on a smile, Ginny nodded knowingly and signaled Neville to organize another DA meeting to explain the situation.

Even without her reminder Neville remembered to keep Ron and Hermione's out of the know, Harry made them promise to not tell Ron and Hermione and keep it they will. After all the entire school had kept the secret that Harry loved Hermione and was heartbroken at having to push the love of his life into the waiting arms of his best friend. Everyone from teachers to students, from Gryffindor to Slytherin couldn't believe how blind Ron and Hermione were.

Everyone saw the anguish on Harry's face every time Ron dragged Hermione off to another snog session; they all saw the inner torment that plagued Harry the last few weeks before he had to leave. And the resignation on the last day as he finally got it through his head that he might die without telling Hermione that he loved her. But there was nothing they could do all except console Harry when he was willing to let them see however inadvertently.

At precisely ten-thirty that night the Room of Requirement was full to capacity as everyone waited with bated breath to see what was happening now to the soap opera that was the Golden Trio. In their haste to organize the meeting the organizers didn't put a filtering spell on the room allowing people who knew how to cancel the silencing spell to listen in on the conversation taking place.

The Gryffindors walked in soon after everyone had gathered; when they arrived the room was silent waiting for any news good or bad to end this waiting for news. To no one's surprise Ginny Weasley walked to the podium that the Room had provided.

Hello everyone I'm glad all of you could make it to this meeting on such short notice. I know that everyone including myself is tired of waiting for news, well I have news from an owl that Harry and Draco sent to me today. It doesn't give much just the fact that they're still alive but they can't tell us where they are for fear the owl may be intercepted.

That's the end and now for more news on the Ron, Hermione, and Harry front; I know that Ron's recent mood swings are confusing everyone but I happen know the whole story because I got it out of Harry himself. The plan was this:

1. When Harry got called away and he couldn't himself get to tell Ron and Hermione he would leave them letters and a package, now I have no idea what's in the packages but they must be something very dear to the Trio

2. The letters were to only be found by its recipient at places that he was sure they would go, you begin to understand when I tell you that Ron had found his letter and his package and that was why he flew in such a rage that day

3. My guess is that Hermione still has not found her letter and package yet so she's still relatively normal, so we are not under any circumstances whatsoever tell her about any of this until everyone knows

And now for the last item of business I don't think Harry will come back alive because he has no real anchor to this world, I mean he has no real blood family who will accept him, his link to his best friends is frayed because the Trio has been divided, and the girl that Harry loves is in love and going out with someone else. Everyday I hope and pray that Harry will come back safe and sound, but on the other hand he will have to come back and face his own personal hell. I keep remembering Harry tell me that it might be better off for everyone that he not come back.

Ginny at this point broke down into tears along with the rest of the DA, they and almost all of Hogwarts understood Harry's devotion to the girl he loved and the devastation he faced every single day as he watched some other guy go out with the girl he loved. In a shaky voice Neville got up and dismissed the DA and with red eyes everyone walked out the door, no one noticed the slouched form of the girl sitting in the shadows across from the Room with his wand on the floor pointing toward the doorway.

Everyone made it back to their respective common rooms without an encounter from Filch, as the hour grew later the Common Room slowly emptied out until the only sound was the soft crackling and snapping of the fire. Slowly the portrait door creaked open and a dark form walked into the Common Room, in her hands was a huge pile of books, setting her books aside she selected a particular one and sat down on an armchair where she flipped the book open.

The book shimmered a bit before it faded away and a small package and a letter lay on her lap where the book had been, the girl not seemingly surprised gingerly handled the letter where it simply said, To Hermione.

Without opening it she knew it was what Ginny had been talking about earlier, but even if she hadn't overheard the meeting she recognized the handwriting and the familiar pit in her stomach came about as always when Harry was in trouble. Even so her hands deftly slit the letter open and she started to read.

Dear Hermione,

By the time you read this I'll have gone already to face off Voldemort and end this stupid war that takes many people's lives everyday. All because of a stupid prophecy that Trelawney the fraud told before I was born. You're probably reading this, days after I left and I have one thing to say, you can't follow me under any condition whatsoever because you can get killed and if you do Ron will never forgive me. I want to tell you this in case I don't come back which is actually most likely the case, Thank you for being my friend I know that recently we haven't seen much of each other because you're going out with Ron but we are always and forever friends. I guess I understand that as time goes on people change and grow apart, I understand you have so much to live for and going with me will only kill you. This is the reason why I didn't tell you and Ron in person that I was leaving, the others I told only minutes before I left I don't want any one else's blood on my hands and you guys are the closest I have to family. Well that's all I have one more request of you take care of Ron and yourself I mean with me gone you two will be the only ones left of the Golden Trio. Thanks for being my friend Hermione.

Your friend,

Harry

With shaking hands Hermione set the letter down on the table before her and for the first time in a long time she started to cry, crying for Harry, all the people he left, all that he had to face and for the fact that before he left his best friends as good as abandoned him.

As she sat on the couch crying she felt a pair of arms wrap around her and from the smell of his soap she knew it could only be one person, she continued to stare at the fire and continued to cry silently when she had no more tears left a handkerchief was thrust into her hands. Wiping her eyes the two sat in silence and Hermione traced the tiny initials RBW for a while before she finally asked,

H: Did you get yours yet?

R: Yea about a few days before you got back

H: What did yours say?

R: Well it basically said that he was sorry for not telling me but he's gone and thanks for being a good friend and to take care of you, you?

H: Mine said basically said the same thing but he added he understood that the two of us were pulling away from him because we had stuff to live for and implying that he didn't

R: What?! Of course he does I mean he has us, the rest of his friends, school…

H: You see that's exactly it he doesn't have a firm enough grounding to bring him back and we haven't been the best of friends to him

R: Yes but we were going out…I guess I understand what you are saying he has no real ties to bring him back

H: But I also wanted to go with him to make sure that he would get out of this alive, I mean he has wished for Voldemort to be gone and live a normal life

R: Hermione face it he's Harry-Bloody-Potter that by itself equals adventure and excitement

H: But at least he would be able to live without some psycho running around trying to kill him

R: I guess I understand what you're saying I'm mean I want to know exactly what's going on and help him, and here he goes leaving us behind, and to think I used to resent him for having so much stuff that I didn't

H: Yea…

R: Well there isn't anything for us to do until he gets back

H: Ron actually there is one thing…I think we should take a break from each other

R:<sigh> I was wondering when this would be…I guess this wasn't the best of times to go out and pretend everything was normal, not when it could lose us a best friend

H: So we're still friends right?

R: of course, friends to the end

The conversation faded out at this point and both stared pensively at the fire till they finally nodded off where in the morning they were found by Ginny and Neville who levitated them back to their respective dorms. The two shared a glance at the tear-streaked letter and the unopened package that lay on the table but it was banished back to Hermione's dorm.

The first indication that it was late in the day was the sunlight almost shining directly into her eyes, when she finally couldn't deal with it anymore she yawned hugely and got up. Where was she, the last memory she had last night was in the Common Room, at this thought she looked around for Harry's letter and there it was lying on her bedside table. She got up and got changed in anticipation for going through the rest of the day when she caught sight of the package that lay unopened next to the letter.

Stretching over she grabbed it and before she could analyze anything else she gingerly opened it as though expecting it to blow up in her face, which it just figuratively might. Inside all the wrapping paper was a plain white box which gave no indication as to what was inside, all around the edges was to her surprise scotch tape. Peeling each one off she took off the cover where lying in the bed of tissue paper was photo album.

Flipping it open to first page there was an inscription written in beautiful calligraphy, Dedicated to Ron and Hermione for their unwavering devotion, loyalty and friendship to me. The pages were full of pictures and writings to commemorate each year of their Hogwarts career. Looking through the album she relived and reminisced about each year and didn't notice the door open until one side of her bed sagged as the person sat down with his own album cradled in his arms.

The two stayed in the room for the rest of the day, even going to the point of calling Dobby from the kitchen to get them lunch and dinner. After going through six years of memories and the beginnings of the seventh they reached the end of the book. Placing the book down they were both lost in their own thoughts until Ron finally said, “I've never known another person like Harry and will never do so again. He made time when he was about to go away to make this for us and we ignored him and wasn't there for him like best friends should have but he still leaves us this to remember him by.”

Hermione nodded and finally lost the battle against the overwhelming flood of tears, Ron hugged her tight not caring that her tears were soaking his shirt because he was crying too. He was crying for his friend Harry, a good guy who was dealt a bad hand to life, it was so unfair, to put a guy in Harry's place with a self-deprecating snort he remembered when he resented Harry now for the life of him he couldn't remember why, he was content being Ronald Weasley seventh of seven sons.

Hermione cried because it was so unfair that a person like Harry had to basically carry the weight of the world on his shoulders, she had wondered sometimes if he didn't collapse under all that weight. It reminded her of the story of the titan Atlas who in ancient mythology had to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders for all of eternity.

Now there was nothing they could do except wait and hope for the good news in the form of the arrival of their best friend who went off to face his destiny.

Downstairs the rest of the Gryffindors heaved a sigh of relief they didn't have to hide anything anymore and now they could concentrate their efforts in hoping and praying for Harry to come back alive and well.

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3. What happens now?

It had been three weeks since they left, three weeks of being kept in the dark about everything going on outside the safe haven of the school. The general feeling around the school was tension and anxiety, since a single decision made by the hands of two teenagers could decide the fate of their entire world.

Students milled around the Great Hall discussing the state of things in somber looks and even more depressing voices. No one laughed or smiled anymore, not with their future on the line outside and they had no say whatsoever.

The Headmaster looked on at the proceedings before him with sadness in his eyes. This was not the way things should be, this is a school for goodness' sake, and students should not be worrying about the outside world. Their life should have school and their life there as the main concern. But it was too late for that now, events have gone beyond his control no matter how hard he tried to postpone it or stop it.

Rising out of his chair he addressed the students, “Students, as many of you may not remember Halloween is fast approaching; so in an effort to lift your spirits we shall have a dance to commemorate this event in school, this shows the world that no matter what happens the world goes on and not one person can not have full control over everything, that in spite of everything people do, they cannot command complete submission from everyone.”

At first there was complete silence as people soaked in the wise words coming from the Headmaster, but soon as news of the dance of the soaked in completely excited chatter broke out from all corners of the room and sly glances were exchanged as people considered who to invite. The small intricacies soon absorbed most of the population of the Hall and for the first time since Harry and Draco left the prevalent tension and anxiety broke.

The Headmaster sat back in his chair with a satisfied smile on his face, he nodded to himself, yes this is as a school should be, even if to forget the outside world exists at least for the time being and to be reawakened from this wonderful dream tomorrow morning is a small price to pay.

With the upcoming dance to take minds off the war raging outside, things regained some semblance of normalcy at least normal for the days prior to a dance. Guys asked girls to the dance, new dress robes were ordered, owls flying around delivering messages and decorations going up around the school. The world outside the halls of the school was put on hold at least for the moment, for most it was the last chance they had to savor being a teenager in this world.

On the eve of the dance the chattering in the Great Hall reached such heights, to the point that the teachers had to conjure a privacy charm to be able to speak without shouting. They had come to the general conclusion that there was no point of trying to quiet the students, this was the first real burst of energy they had seen in a long time. No one had yet noticed the ominous swirling of clouds on the ceiling of the Great Hall. That is until a streak of bright lightning struck from the heavens straight to the center of the Hall.

Conversations ceased immediately and everyone: students and teachers drew their wand facing the smoke rising out of that point. Nothing happened and some people looked ready to sit back down again when another streak of lightning struck in the same spot.

“Lightning never strikes twice in the same place, the probability of that happening is like one in a millionth of a chance,” whispered a voice that carried throughout the silent Hall.

When the light finally dimmed so the inhabitants of the castle could see, there were two black-robed figures leaning on each other as though for support. Instantly every single wand was trained on these two swaying figures.

The taller figure shook himself as though making sure of his surroundings. Glancing around the Hall a raspy voice filled with pain finally asked from under the hood,

“Which one of you is Albus Dumbledore?”

No one answered, except for one,

“Why do you need to know? Whatever you need to tell him you can say it to Hall, I'm sure word will reach the Headmaster somehow,” said a voice from the Gryffindor Table.

“I have an important message and package that he and only he can understand,” replied the figure

“But how do we know you're not a Deatheater, sent to capture Professor Dumbledore?” questioned another voice.

“If we were Deatheaters, according to the new wards set by Dumbledore himself we couldn't have been able to come into the school let alone the Great Hall,” replied the figure.

The crowd parted like the Red Sea before Albus Dumbledore, as he came to address the two strangers.

“Hello, I am Albus Dumbledore, what can I do for you?”

At this the second figure perked slightly, reaching into his tattered robes he drew out a long thin package wrapped in a red cloth. He braced himself on the first figure and tossed the package at Dumbledore. He said only one thing which threw Albus Dumbledore in shock which had not been done since he himself was a child,

“My task is done.”

This being done the two figures collapsed finally running out of whatever had kept them up till then, the toll of their journey and getting into the Great Hall through a slit in the wards had caused a serious depletion of their magical resources as well as their physical energy.

As though without thinking Dumbledore levitated the two strangers before they could hit the ground as he caught the package. He waved his hand at Madam Pomfrey and she took over the care of the two strangers and leading the way to the Hospital Wing.

Slowly unwrapping what he thought was a red cloth, was in reality a blood-soaked remnant of a T-shirt that had been forced to act as a bandage, within the package were the splintered remains of a very familiar wand, a wand he never thought he'd ever see again. And with that all the pieces of the puzzle clicked together and he rushed out of the Great Hall, leaving behind curious students, to the Hospital Wing.

He arrived at the Hospital Wing a few moments after Madam Pomfrey and her two guests. Walking into the room he had to share the news with someone and she needed to know this information anyways since she would be treating these two teenagers.

“Poppy, poppy you won't believe this, it's over the one thing we have worked for since like almost 20 years ago….”

Poppy stared at him,

“What in the world are you talking about Albus? And why are you jumping up and down like an idiot?”

Before he could answer her, a whispery voice called out,

“Prof. Dumbledore, there is letter addressed to you in the pocket of my cloak….”

He fell back onto the bed and was unconscious once more. The headmaster retrieved the letter and sat down besides the bed and began to read.

Dear: Prof. Dumbledore,

If you are reading this, it means Draco and I have reached Hogwarts after the Final Confrontation with Tom. Seeing as we made it back alive, at least enough to get through to you that it was us and reading this letter which was under a specific charm that I tell you about it face-to-face. It's a new charm that Draco invented that in this case is very useful. But I hate to be the bringer of bad news however as Madam Pomfrey may have already told you, there is nothing really wrong with us except for those superficial injuries and depleted magical reserves. Appearances can be deceiving as we are in what muggles call a coma, we will not wake without the help of external means. In this case we need a particular potion, the Elixirus Reconvare. As I'm sure that you are already aware of what circumstances require that potion, so there is no need for explanation, you are also aware of the pros and cons of giving us the that potion as well as the consequences that Draco and I have acknowledged already in casting the spell. Not the legalities but the consequences to us and our identity and what make us who we are or were in this case. The potion is fairly simple to make at least if you use who I think you will, I spared him and his fellow spies but don't tell him that for he hates me enough as it is. Draco and I trust you and him enough to give you our lives and you decide what to do with us.

Sincerely,

HJP

P.S Draco and I thank you and all the other teachers who have helped us in some way because it may be most likely that we won't be who we were and hopefully you won't mess up as badly this time.

Folding the letter and placing it in a secret pocket in his robes he turned to Madam Pomfrey,

“Poppy meet Harry James Potter and Draco Lucius Malfoy back from the dead finally completing their task.”

Leaving the shocked nurse he walked toward his office, on autopilot, his mind still on the letter. Upon reaching his office he shook the feeling off to the back of his mind he had a war to end and there will be time enough to deal with emotions later on.

The war was over but at a huge terrible cost in the forms of the many lives given or taken away from both the magical and muggle community, as well as the deaths of many students who strayed or were killed seeing as they were a threat to the reign of Lord Voldemort.

Rifling through the list of contacts he found the one for the Minister's private office, throwing a pinch of floo powder he yelled, “Office of the Minister of Magic.” Opening a channel he waited for the Minister.

“Hello Albus, what an unexpected surprise I thought I would see you tomorrow at the Ball your school Is holding to discuss the state of things.”

The headmaster nodded,

“That is what I thought too until tonight I found some very surprising news, this is not a personal call, the war with Lord Voldemort is over you can call off the Aurors from their duties and now search out all the stragglers it is to my knowledge that Lord Voldemort wanted not one of his followers to celebrate his downfall. So go inform your public that it is now over.”

With that he closed the channel and sank back in his chair and finally let go of the tight hold he had over his emotions. He cried, cried for all the people lost in this dreadful war, the fact that he had just seen too much. He thought with the last dark lord there wouldn't be any one more terrible than this one. But time and time again each dark lord got more and more dreadful and gruesome with his tactics. Each time he saw villains rise and heroes sacrificing everything to keep the world safe. Oftentimes it was he who sent out the heroes trained to be killing machines. Each time heroes would rise and fall as others took their place and people sacrificed themselves over and over for what was a noble cause but no one was doing anything to stop it from happening again.

He took out a picture he usually kept hidden from the locket around his neck, there was his family the last time he saw them alive. The picture was only taken a day before Grindelwald ordered them killed as he stood by unable to do anything, immobilized by a charm he himself made to contain him. It was watching his family suffer and the last words that his wife said to him were, “Albus even if you forget me and everything else remember that I don't blame you and I have and always will love you, just promise me one thing I want you to try and change the world, so this doesn't happen again.” He had promised and killed Grindelwald that day but he hadn't fulfilled his promise to his wife he had failed her. Yet again the cycle of a rise and downfall of a dark had come again and it had been fifty years already for the unfulfilled promise.

This was how Snape found him two hours later when he came back from the Deatheaters gathering and people had fell all around him and only a few select people who were spies were left. There were no one in the halls so he came to the Headmaster.

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4. Aftermath

A tentative knock echoed around the silent Headmaster's office, and then Severus Snape strode into the room holding out his left hand, when he realized that the Headmaster was looking intently at a picture frame and hadn't even realized that he had entered the room.

Bowing his head he cleared his throat and once the electric blue eyes of the Headmaster was focused on him he held out his left hand.

“Albus, what's going on? I was at a meeting tonight with to discuss a secret plan when all of a sudden a bright flash appeared and seemed to knock everyone out, when I came to about an hour later practically everyone was dead with the exception of the few spies which had either been planted there.”

Prof. Dumbledore sighed and asked, “Severus, what we have actively been fighting for has been finally achieved at last but at a great price…The lives of two students hang in the balance, for they have used an ancient spell that in return for their memories they would be able to access their deepest resources to defeat Voldemort.

Now it is up to me the decision of what to do now.”

Snape for once lost his expressionless mask and asked, “Two? Albus, I know one of them has to be Potter but wasn't he the only one who walked out to face his fate?”

The answer that came shocked him into a stupor,

“No, Severus the other who was born to accompany Harry was Draco Malfoy, the two using their combined power managed to punch through the wards and deliver the message at a great price to themselves, they have exhausted themselves immensely and there may be a chance that they will never wake.”

With that Albus handed him the letter which Harry had written.

It was a while before any sign of activity could be heard coming from the Headmaster's quarters leaving the entirety of the school guessing as to what was going on in the outside world.

……….

……….

In the Gryffindor Common Room there was a lively atmosphere considering that the teachers had dismissed all afternoon classes, there was some speculation as to who those two men were from the Great Hall. But other than that everyone was glad to get out of classes, especially those that would have had Potions later than afternoon.

About an hour later the coins from the DA started to heat up and a new meeting was to be set in half an hour in the Room of Requirement, without blinking an eye the DA members inconspicuously slipped out of the Common Room heading for the meeting place, it didn't hurt to try to find answers a little earlier than planned. Entering the room it seemed as though everyone had the same idea for the entirety of the DA had arrived before the Gryffindors.

Nervous chatter broke out when Neville Longbottom walked onto the podium,

“I'm sorry for the short notification in calling you all here, but we have news on what is going on in the outside world, with out contacts in the organization dedicated to fighting evil, it seems as those all known Deatheaters are dead or unconscious, the only ones that seem to still be alive are those who were planted as spies within their organization.

It also seems that the Dark Mark was not necessary to tie a person's power to Voldemort; rather all it took was a simple oath that created a link between them. It also turns out that there were many people within the Ministry's highest departments that suddenly collapsed and later pronounced dead as Deatheaters. Now I could not find out anything else concerning Harry and Draco but as far as we know the Deatheaters have been decimated to the point of no return we can only hope that this means what I know all of us are subconsciously hoping.

With that being said Neville stepped off the podium and joined the rest of the chattering crowd on the floor, when suddenly a rather unexpected person walked in the door, Ronald Weasley, causing the entire room to fall silent. He walked over to the podium and stood before the silent DA,

“Something's happened to Harry and Draco; the objects attuned to their magic just collapsed about a moment ago, the scrying devices can't find their location so either they are blocked or something has happened to them.”

Then another person ran into the room,

“The two mysterious people in the Hospital Wing are still an enigma, since I was at the Hospital Wing delivering some supplies so I saw the two mystery people but for some reason there was a haze covering them and any time I tried to concentrate on seeing them my eyes started to hurt and then my eyes would be diverted elsewhere.”

Neville sighed and walked to the podium,

“Alright everyone, this is just as Harry taught us, and there are two unidentified perhaps unconscious people in the school, who may or may not be a threat. So we need to set up surveillance, who here has mastered the disillusionment spell?

Okay, then Blaise and Terry you two set various charms to try to find out who they are. Padma and Dean you are to set up surveillance charms around the Hospital Wing, Lavender and Morag you two are to find out any information that is going around the school.

And the rest of you, keep your eyes and ears open for any news whatsoever; along with keeping everyone safe in your Common Room, any prefects here need to help ensure the younger kids are safe. Now you are all dismissed, set up surveillance and listening charms around the halls and Common Rooms as well as the classrooms.

When everyone has filed out Neville collapsed in the chair the Room provided holding his head in his hands,

“Harry, come back soon, this should be you in charge of the class not me, this is not what I am meant to do. I will never equal what you have done with the school. Just come back soon.”

Ginny sat on the chair next to him and rubbed his back,

“Don't worry Harry will come back and he will say that he gave the job to the right person, true you aren't like Harry, but we don't want you to be Harry we want you to be Neville and do what you think is right for the way things are going. Never think that you are not good enough because you are, most definitely I mean the Sorting Hat put you in Gryffindor for a reason right?”

With that Ginny got up and walked out the door leaving a pensive Neville to turn over in his mind the words that Ginny had just told him, easing his mind from the insecurities that attacked him every time he got in front of the DA.

Ron and Hermione walked over and sat on each side of him, while Hermione whispered,

“You've done all you can and Harry would be proud of the lengths that you have driven the DA, so you won't be remembered as the boy who almost was the Chosen One but the one who trained the army of Hogwarts students so they would be aware and able to defend and fight off attacks from anyone, not necessarily the forces of evil but even those for self-defense.

It is due to this group that the interhouse rivalry is at its all time low, we have this group to trade off between the house and foster friendship not hatred. As much as what Harry is doing is important, what you are doing is also important.” With that she fell silent next to him and just leaned into him offering her support and strength.

Ron started,

“Neville, I know that you haven't the highest opinion of yourself but Harry has always believed in what you can do, even when you have not. He chose you for a reason…”

His breath hitched at the thought of what made him choose Neville and not him, but he shook his head, now was not the time to be thinking morbid thoughts.

“…and even if you don't see it all of us do, you have done so much for this group to the point that maybe this brings out the true potential of what you can be, if you allow yourself to let go of the tight reins that you have over you power and mind.”

Neville nodded at the two appreciatively for their help and support but before he could get a word out a loud echoing sounded throughout the castle, it was Prof. Dumbledore,

“STUDENTS ARE ALL TO REPORT TO THE GREAT HALL IMMEDIATELY FOR A MANDATORY SCHOOL ASSEMBLY, ALL THE DORMS AND CLASSROOMS WILL BE CLOSED FROM ENTRY TILL THE END OF THE ASSEMBLY.”

………….

………….

As Albus sat in a meeting with all his teachers, his mind couldn't help but wander to his two students still unconscious in the Hospital Wing, he trusted Harry's letter but was hoping against hope that he would not have to make a decision about what to do with the boys.

His mind wandered to what Severus told him about the potion Elixirus Reconvare, a potion to restore the body after the casting of the ancient spell Fosia Tsisre et Trobhre which forced the caster(s)' memories to wield their purest weapons from their own mind into something visible and tangible.

However, due to the fact that the caster(s) have taken a huge part of themselves out they have overloaded their own bodies and therefore fall into a coma that cannot be awakened from without external means of the potion.

The potion would restore the body as it was before the use of the spell but their memories would be erased about everything they had previously known and been familiar with. Although if two people cast the spell they would be the only thing they remembered, but the most amazing fact was that the two of them managed to defeat Voldemort, and punch through the wards in place around Hogwarts as those it were paper, deliver a message before succumbing to the coma.

“…Albus…Albus?”

With a slight unnoticed jerk Albus turned toward the questioner,

“Yes, Minerva, Severus is correct if we use the potion then everything the two had known before will be lost from their memory. It is not possible to wake from this kind of coma without external help, so basically this is a lose-lose situation and if and when they do wake up, we have to begin their lives over, but certain things they will still remember they will have if the same of perhaps greater understanding of magic and in terms of power theirs will increase by 10 fold, maybe even more.

They know basic necessities but there is nothing else they remember, their family, friends, rivals, affections, anything that has sentimental value to them was used to fuel the spell. It is because there is only a 25% chance of survival from casting the spell is that spell considered among the forgotten, I didn't even know that Harry and Draco had found the spell.

The last thing is that the potion is among the hardest in the world to complete for it requires the utmost concentration and everything is to be in their exact proportions for the ingredients used together are the most volatile ones in nature so any wrong move can cause the potion to blow up in your face or cause the wrong reaction. The potion has an even lower survival rate than the spell; it's only at 13%. That is a decision that I have to make, whether or not to administer it, for both are orphans and under care of the school…..”

With that being said he trailed off before he stood up and wandered out of the room, ignoring the cries of the teachers. Once he turned the corner he faded away into the stonework of the castle to arrive in front of the Hospital Wing.

Walking in he walked to the two beds which contained the two boys, however he noticed something odd while standing before them, a slight haze veiled them. He was confused this should not happen, releasing his eyesight from its constraints he saw what people saw when they glanced over; two bodies were covered by a haze which distorted their body forms and identities.

Settling down he bowed his head as he thought of what to do, when he noticed a student loitering close by the beds before running full speed toward the Room of Requirement.

A grim smile flitted across the Headmaster's aged face before walking back to his office and verifying that all known and even unknown Deatheaters were either unconscious or dead, depending on their connection to Voldemort.

But most importantly the Dark Mark's fading to the grey tattoo helped the identification as well some form of a truth spell that forced them all to acknowledge that they did all their acts as Deatheaters without outside control like potions of spells.

Quickly getting up he waved his hand and projected his announcement to the school. It was the moment of truth and he had perhaps spent the last eighteen years preparing for this moment, it was finally time to take a stand.

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