Thanks
As always, to Kirsti *waves and blows kisses*
Author's Note
I originally had this chapter split into two but since they were both quite short I decided to amalgamate them. Which is probably just as well, otherwise you wouldn't be reading the part titled "Into the Pensieve" until Monday as Chapter Nine (I'm not even going to think about what some of you might've thought or said if that had been the case…*grins sheepishly*). And so, at last, the "back-story" begins…
PS I'm sorry this is so late - for some reason, I've not been able to access Portkey all afternoon until now *Janie stamps her feet in frustration* but FINALLY!!! Here I am!!! And even better, here is Chapter Eight…
REUNION
By JanieB
CHAPTER EIGHT
At six o'clock that evening, Fred and George arrived downstairs with a smiling, if somewhat unsteady, Ron between them. At the first sight of him on the stairs, Harry rose and went over to greet him. The two friends stood, a couple of feet apart, grinning at each other while the twins continued on, heading for the kitchen, exchanging congratulatory smiles and claps on the shoulder as if they were personally responsible for the well-being of the Trio. Molly was already up and making her way towards her youngest son, her bottle of Mabel's Magical Muscle Syrup and spoon in hand.
`It's worked, hasn't it?' Ron asked Harry, his face flushed with excitement.
`I'm sure it has - I've been up for a while now,' said Harry, `I even came and checked on you while you were still asleep and considering our proximity then and now, I feel fine. And we haven't had any potion since yesterday morning.'
`Ron, have some of this dear,' interjected Molly, holding out a spoon filled to the brim with Mabel's chocolate brown syrup, `it'll get rid of any soreness you might be feeling.'
Rolling his eyes at Harry, Ron smiled good-naturedly at his mother and bent down to drink the contents of the spoon.
`Thanks, Mum, I am pretty stiff and sore…'
Reaching out, Molly hugged her eldest son before making her way back to the kitchen; she didn't let him see the tears of relieved happiness swimming in her eyes.
Ron extended his hand towards Harry; Harry grinned at his friend as he took it. They shook slowly, waiting, their eyes locked as their shared memories from the night before flared between them for an instant.
`It was a helluva night, wasn't it?' said Ron quietly, pain evident in his voice.
`Sure was,' said Harry, his voice revealing his own pain, `but it's worked, I'm sure of it now.'
`By George, she's done it!' cried Ron suddenly, bursting into unexpected laughter, `And tonight we celebrate!'
`By Fred, she has!' joked Harry, joining in his friend's laughter. They stood there, their hands still clasped, grinning at each other. They both moved at once, wrapping their free arm around the other's shoulder. They were finally free…
Dean came downstairs at that moment and announced Ginny would be down with Hermione shortly. Harry and Ron stepped apart, both still grinning furiously; they waited where they were to greet Hermione.
They heard the girls' voices first, followed by their light footsteps. Harry and Ron both looked up to see Ginny descending with Hermione right behind her. Harry couldn't take his eyes off Hermione - the mixture of relief, gratitude and happiness coursing through him at the sight of her putting him off his guard so that his gaze revealed a depth of feeling he normally kept to himself. Hermione smiled at Ron then looked at Harry. What she saw caused her footsteps to falter for an instant and she grasped the balustrade with both hands to steady herself.
`You all right?' asked a concerned Ginny, turning to look at her. Hermione was blushing, but she nodded and murmured something about her legs still feeling a little weak. It was then that Ginny caught the look on Harry's face as he gazed at Hermione and her eyebrows rose. Ron had noticed too, and he and Ginny exchanged knowing glances as the girls reached the bottom of the stairs. Ron, being the closest to her, hugged Hermione first.
`You did it, Professor Granger,' he said softly, his arms around her.
`We did it, Ron - it's never been just one of us, it's always been the three of us.'
`I know better than to argue with you, Professor Granger!' laughed Ron, letting her go. Hermione turned towards Harry, hesitating for just a second, suddenly overcome with an unaccustomed shyness after seeing the expression on his face mere moments ago. Harry was suffering no such thing, however, and stepped forward to envelop her in his arms. Hermione felt a distinct weakness in her knees at that point, and clung to Harry.
`Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart,' he whispered into her hair.
Hermione looked up at him. `For you, anything,' she whispered back, her eyes shining.
Then they found themselves surrounded, being hugged and warmly congratulated by everyone. As they all turned to make their way into the kitchen, Hermione put a restraining hand on Arthur's arm.
`Mr Weasley, would you mind if I Flooed my mum and dad?'
He smiled down at her. `Of course not, Hermione. I did Floo them earlier to say all three of you were home and sleeping. I asked them to come for dinner tonight, but they said you were going to see them tomorrow. Will you be up to it? Not too tired?'
`Mr Weasley, I don't think I've ever been so stiff, sore and tired in my life - but I've also never felt so extraordinarily happy! You can't imagine the wonderful feeling of -' Hermione searched for an appropriate word to describe the incredible lightness that came from knowing that at last they were free! Nothing appropriate sprang to mind so she shrugged, grinning at him. `It's a rather indescribable sense of freedom - it's exhilarating! I feel as though I could do anything!'
Before hurrying off to speak to her parents, Molly insisted Hermione have a dose of Mabel's Syrup. Impressed with how quickly it worked, Hermione gave Molly a hug then left to speak to her parents who she reassured that she was fine. She asked them whether they'd mind if Harry came with her the next day which of course they didn't, and it was arranged they'd be there for lunch.
When she returned to the kitchen, Harry called her over to sit between himself and Ron and as she did so, she realised her two friends were infused with the same light-hearted feeling of joy as herself. In fact, the Trio seemed to positively glow with happiness and their mood infected everyone else. Arthur was busy pouring drinks for everyone and Hermione found a glass of elderflower wine waiting for her while Ron and Harry had a glass of Ogden's.
`I'll have a sherry, dear,' Molly said to Arthur, her cheeks flushed with happiness. `You too?' she asked Ginny, who nodded.
`Ogden's please Dad,' chorused the twins, capitalising on the situation; Arthur normally frowned on the twins drinking whisky as he couldn't quite accustom himself to the fact that they were old enough to do so. After giving Molly and Ginny their sherry, Arthur poured some Ogden's for Dean, his sons and himself; he remained standing when he finished, clearing his throat to gain everyone's attention and raising his glass.
`Here's to Harry, Ron and Hermione!'
`Hear, hear!'
The Trio stood and Harry raised his glass, glancing at Ron and Hermione in turn before smiling at everyone around the table. `Here's to all of you!'
`Hear, hear!' cried Ron and Hermione, laughing.
`Cheers,' said Ron, raising his glass; Harry and Hermione touched their glasses to his and the Trio drank a heartfelt toast to each other.
`Right, now we've got that out of the way,' said Arthur jovially as the Trio resumed their seats, `please excuse me while I Floo Bill and Charlie.' He caught his wife's eye. `And Percy, too, of course,' he added quickly. `I won't be long.'
Not long after Arthur returned, a very happy miniature Hagrid strode out of his clock to clash his cymbals at seven o'clock, everyone grimacing at the sound, although they couldn't help but laugh at the enthusiastic delight with which it was carried out.
`I'll go have a word with him,' said Arthur; the prospect of such a racket every hour not being a pleasant one despite the happy disposition behind it.
`Be nice, dear,' said Molly, `he's just catching the mood in here really and I can't say I blame him!' Her cheeks were quite flushed, although whether it was from the sherry, the warmth, the excitement or all three, it was hard to say.
`We need to get the little fellow something quieter to ring in the hour,' muttered Fred to his twin.
George nodded, grinning. `He does get carried away with those bloody cymbals, doesn't he?'
When Arthur returned to the kitchen, he had Neville and Luna in tow. `Look who just Flooed in,' he announced with a smile and a flourish. There was a babble of noise as everyone greeted the new arrivals and it quickly became apparent that it was becoming a little crowded in the kitchen. As she looked around with an absent- minded frown on her face, Molly said to her husband, `I think the kitchen's shrinking again, dear, would you mind fixing it?'
Arthur drew out his wand to do as he was asked and everyone soon found themselves seated comfortably around the table once more.
`How's Cordelia?' asked Molly as she surveyed her husband's handiwork, nodding approvingly.
`"Still in the cracking stage", as Charlie put it,' laughed Arthur, the other members of the Weasley family laughing with him.
`What?' asked Harry and Hermione at the same time, their looks of confusion mirrored on the faces of Neville and Luna.
`Well, you know Charlie and his dragon-breeding - he's hatched more dragons than he'll ever have children,' explained Arthur, `and the cracking stage is about a third of the way through the hatching process, so he's saying that there's still a bit of a wait before the baby's born.'
`Speaking about waiting, how much longer do we have to wait for story time?' Neville asked Harry, his eyebrows lifting inquiringly, a grin in place.
Everyone laughed and Harry told him it would be after dinner, of course. And a lovely dinner it was, naturally. Having made sure he was seated next to Hermione, with Ron on his left, Harry realised he hadn't felt like this in over five years and it was as though he was drunk on happiness. He couldn't stop smiling and he couldn't stop looking at Hermione every chance he got, using every excuse to accidentally brush his hand against hers - whilst passing the sauce, or the salt or filling up her glass. On top of all this, the look in Hermione's eyes each time she glanced at him set his heart racing.
At one point, Ron elbowed him and told him with a knowing grin, `You're being a bit obvious, mate.'
Harry turned to look at his friend, grinning. `Can't help it!' he said under his breath. `I can't believe how good it feels to - to - well, just be myself, I guess! It's been a long time…'
`It has,' agreed Ron. `Too long. But now it's over!'
Harry locked eyes with Ron. `He was lying, wasn't he? It is all right, isn't it?' he asked.
`Yes, mate, it's all right,' replied Ron, holding his gaze. `He was lying and you know why and you know the truth: I moved on years ago and, uh, on the quiet,' he winked at Harry and tipped his head in the direction of Luna who was sitting beside him, `I think I have my own little romance happening here!'
Hermione turned just as Ron winked and heard his comment. `What's Ron talking about? A romance?' she asked Harry.
Harry leant over, bringing his mouth close to Hermione's ear so that only she would hear him. `I think Ron fancies Luna.'
`So Luna and Neville aren't together?' she queried.
`What?' cried Harry, who'd not made any connection between the fact that Luna and Neville were in close contact after all these years or their obvious ease with each other.
Harry turned to Ron, elbowing him to get his attention.
`What is it, mate?' asked Ron, politely impatient; he was busy talking to Luna.
`Hermione thinks Luna and Neville -'
But Harry got no further. Ron laughed. `They actually did go out for a while, a few years ago - Luna explained it all when she told me about Neville on the way home from the pond the other day. But now they're just really good friends. Like me and Hermione,' he finished with a gleam in his eye.
Harry was speechless for a few seconds, then burst out laughing.
`Point taken!' he exclaimed. He actually poked his best mate in the ribs then and said quietly, `Get on with it, why don't you!'
`You, too!' came the reply, accompanied by a grin and a wink.
`So?' asked Hermione as Harry returned his attention to her.
`It's all okay,' he whispered in her ear. `Luna and Neville are just really good friends - like you and Ron!'
`Good, I'm glad,!' replied Hermione, unable to prevent a little shiver of delight at the feel of Harry's warm breath against her ear and the feel of his lips lightly brushing her hair.
`Listen, Hermione,' said Harry, suddenly serious, `you are all right, aren't you? After last night…'
Hermione tucked her arm through Harry's and dropped her head sideways to lean on his shoulder. She shuddered delicately as she spoke. `It was ghastly, for you and Ron as well as me, I know…reliving all that. But at last we can put it behind us now, at last. I feel as though it's been a five year nightmare and now it's over. It's finally over…'
Harry covered Hermione's hand with his own, giving it a gentle squeeze. `And now we can finally begin, can't we?'
Hermione lifted her head to look at him, aware of her heart racing madly; Harry's voice as he'd spoken had been low and intimate and the way he was looking at her made her glad she was sitting down. Finding herself unable to speak, she simply nodded instead. Harry, his own heart racing at a rate that was way above normal, smiled down at her, the anticipation of future possibilities making him feel light-headed and powerful, all at the same time.
`So now dinner's over, we finally get to hear the story!' cried Ginny, pushing her empty pudding plate away and laughing at her husband as he good naturedly rolled his eyes at her and groaned.
Tearing his eyes away from Hermione, Harry grinned across the table at Ginny. `You won't just get to hear it,' he told her dramatically, `you'll all get to see it!'
The loud babble that followed this remark took a few minutes to die down; there was no equivalent in the Wizarding World for Muggle things such as television and movies and Harry's announcement was unusual and quite unexpected. Whilst everyone was exclaiming over what he'd said, Harry took the opportunity to explain to Ron and Hermione about his idea of using the Pensieve and how it came to be at the Burrow.
`Bloody brilliant idea, mate,' said Ron. `It means we don't have to sit here and actually tell it.'
The relief in Ron's voice was echoed in Hermione's as she said, `That's a wonderful idea, Harry! I was actually dreading having to talk about it all, even though I knew we'd promised to tell everyone. I'd been thinking we could share the telling to make it easier.'
`So, how are we going to be able to see it?' Fred asked Harry above the noise.
`I'll show you,' said Harry, grinning and winking at Molly, `once the table's cleared.' Not surprisingly, this remark saw everything cleared away in record time, Molly commenting dryly that she wished she could have that effect herself.
Afterwards, Harry went into the living room and returned with the white-swathed Pensieve which he placed in the middle of the table, attracting curious looks from everyone. A murmur of surprise passed around the room as Harry removed the covering cloth.
Leaving everyone to talk about the Pensieve for a moment, Harry drew Ron and Hermione aside once more and explained that he would put his memories of the previous night and other relevant events into the empty stone bowl.
`Sounds good,' remarked Ron, relieved. `So Hermione and I don't need to do anything?'
Harry shook his head. `We can sit back and relax, something I think we need to do after what we've been through.'
`Does it matter if it's just your memories, Harry?' queried Hermione.
`It actually won't just be my point of view,' he replied, speaking to them both, `it will be seen by everyone as what actually happened; that's how the Pensieve works.'
`I've always been curious about them,' Hermione mused as she eyed the empty bowl. `I suppose I always thought that it was Dumbledore's point of view - or of the person whose memory it was, back when you told us about your trips into the Pensieve.'
`I did too, originally, but there's more to the Pensieve than that,' Harry assured them. `It will only show a memory actually experienced by someone; that person, or someone else, viewing that memory will see the events as they actually happened and not just from the point of view of the person the memory belongs to. Once I've put my memories in, we three can sit back and relax while everyone else watches what happened.'
Hermione made a dry comment about how useful a Pensieve would be to the Muggle legal profession as the Trio sat down at the table once more. Everyone looked on, fascinated, as Harry held the tip of his wand to his temple, closing his eyes with a look of intense concentration on his face; then as he drew his wand away, a fine silvery thread could be seen clinging to it which he deposited in the shallow stone bowl, he did this three more times before putting his wand away.
Only Molly and Arthur had seen the contents of a Pensieve before - everyone else was intrigued by the bright, whitish silver substance that didn't look like either liquid or gas as it moved ceaselessly within the confines of the bowl.
`What do we do now?' asked Ginny, wriggling impatiently on her seat between Dean and her mother.
Harry stood up, Ron and Hermione following suit as Harry replied. `Firstly, let me explain that you will not be visible to anyone you see in this memory - as far as they are concerned, you don't exist. This is because you were never present during the creation of these memories and it means none of you can be harmed in anyway. Don't forget that, will you? You aren't in any danger, despite what you may be seeing. Now, you'll need to all join hands,' Harry instructed, waiting until they'd done so before continuing, `then you'll need to stand and lean over the bowl, looking into it; those of you nearest to it will need to put your face as close as possible to the surface - as long as you're all holding hands, you'll all go together.'
Harry couldn't help but notice the mixed look of excitement and trepidation on all the faces around the table as they glanced at him before returning their attention to the shining bowl.
Standing between Hermione and Ron, Harry put an arm around each of their shoulders as they watched eight faces lean in towards the bowl. Hermione found herself holding her breath as those closest to the Pensieve - Ginny, on one side of the table and George, opposite her - put their faces as close as possible to the silvery surface. Then as the tip of Ginny's nose touched the substance in the bowl, it began to swirl very fast and a collective "oh!" went round the table at the same moment as Hermione and Ron gasped; everyone around the table was enveloped in a huge, shining white cloud - and then they were gone.
The three friends moved towards the table, blinking.
`Harry! The stuff's gone!' exclaimed Ron, pointing at the bowl.
Harry shook his head. `Watch,' was all he said. And indeed, it became apparent that the contents of the Pensieve still remained and had merely been - for a few seconds - clear and transparent as glass, because as they watched, the strange, silvery-white substance materialised once more, rippling lazily under their gazes.
Ron and Hermione both turned to look at Harry, their faces a picture of amazement.
`Wow,' said Ron, `does that mean they're in there - watching everything that happened last night?'
Harry nodded.
`How long will they be gone?' asked Hermione.
`About three hours I'd say,' he replied. `They'll see from the time we arrived in the graveyard last night - practising the incantation and the actual recital at midnight - the final battle with Voldemort and then -'
`What we experienced after the curse?' asked Ron, his voice hollow.
Harry nodded.
`They'll see us hit by Voldemort's Lightning?' asked Hermione, her voice low as the memory of that moment returned to haunt her.
Harry stared at her. `"Voldemort's Lightning"? How peculiar - that's what I've named it in my head, too.'
Ron was nodding vigorously as Harry spoke, `Me too!' he said.
Smiling wryly, Harry said, `Well, I don't suppose it's very original, is it? I can't imagine what other name you could give it, really. As I said, after that, they'll begin seeing the memory of what happened the night we fought Voldemort in the graveyard, -'
`But what about -' began Ron, but he was interrupted by Harry.
`Don't worry - they'll see everything they need to see,' Harry said, doing his best to sound reassuring.
Hermione shivered then, and Harry gently tightened his arm around her shoulders. `I don't really want to think about it, but it's impossible not to,' she said helplessly.
`It'll pass eventually - like before,' said Ron sombrely. Then a half-smile lifted one corner of his mouth. `I reckon a little bit of Lockhart's Memory Charm would do the trick.'
The memory invoked by this aside drew answering smiles from Harry and Hermione after which Harry said bracingly, `Come on, let's go sit on the couch and get warm. I think some hot chocolate is what's needed right now.'
Ron had taken a seat in one of the arm chairs and after finishing his hot chocolate, he gazed sleepily into the fire through half-closed eyes. His head, of its own accord, fell slowly back until it rested in the comfortable curve of the back of the armchair, Ron complaining in a sleepy voice that he was feeling very drowsy.
`Lack of sleep and nearly freezing to death'll do that every time,' Harry replied, yawning himself. He was sitting at one end of the sofa, Hermione just feet away at the other, her legs tucked under her; she chuckled lazily at Harry's words, grateful she was able to do so now that it was all behind them.
`I know how you feel, Ron,' she said, then covered her mouth as she, too, yawned.
`I've gotta go to bed,' groaned Ron as he pushed himself up out of the armchair, yawning again; a mumbled "good night" was barely audible as he waved to them before heading for the stairs.
Harry saw something moving out of the corner of his eye at that moment and looked up at the clock; it was nine o'clock and two, tiny black eyes were looking at him from the wooden platform above the clock-face. Harry put his finger to his lips and laughed quietly as the two, tiny black eyes were rolled expressively before disappearing. Still smiling, he turned to look at Hermione and felt his heart jump into his throat as he found her gazing at him with such intensity it took his breath away.
`I'm trying to decide,' she said softly, `whether I should cry because we've lost five years we could've had together, or whether I should just be grateful that they're over and we have the rest of our lives to make up for it.'
`I'm grateful we have the rest of our lives to make up for it,' Harry said gruffly, and while he thought it was possible Hermione may have been talking about the three of them, he definitely wasn't…
Swallowing nervously, Harry took a deep breath and held his hand out, palm up, towards Hermione.
Looking down at Harry's hand, Hermione felt a wave of nervous excitement rush through her, setting her stomach to churning wildly. She stretched out her own hand and placed it in Harry's, aware of a loud pounding in her ears as his fingers closed around hers. She raised her eyes to find him watching her, the way he was looking at her causing her breath to catch in her throat.
Without letting go of her hand, Harry stood up slowly, his eyes not leaving hers. Hermione's feet slipped to the floor and she stood too, their clasped hands hanging loosely beside them.
They simply stared into each other's eyes for a few, heart-stopping moments, then Harry spoke, his voice a little hoarse but filled with tenderness; he wanted desperately to tell her what had been at the forefront of his mind once more, ever since he's first seen her again.
`Hermione, after last night, well, you must know how I feel about you, if you didn't already, all those years ago -' Harry closed his eyes in frustration - the words weren't coming out right! He felt Hermione's fingers gently squeeze his in a reassuring gesture and opened his eyes to meet her sparkling brown gaze, every nerve in his body tingling.
`Things would've been so different if Voldemort hadn't cursed us that night,' she said softly, `but we'll never know if the three of us would've been able to remain close with what had happened between us back then. Perhaps the last five years have given us all time to grow up and get to know ourselves - and to know what we really want…'
Hermione's voice trailed off as she felt her hand released, unable to tear her gaze from Harry's - from the look of longing and love in those familiar green depths that was sending rivers of some unnamed emotion crashing through her body. Then she felt his warm, strong hands gently frame her face, one thumb brushing lightly over her parted lips; she reflexively lifted her arms and placed them around Harry's waist at the same time as she took a small step forwards, bringing their bodies within a hair's breadth of touching.
`What I really want, Hermione,' said Harry, unable to prevent the words from forming, his voice low and husky, `is you. You're all I've ever really wanted…or needed. I love you.'
Hermione's breath caught in her throat as tears of joy glistened in her eyes.
`You must know I love you, too,' she whispered, wondering if it was possible for him to hear her over the thunderous noise that was her pounding heart.
`I never really lost hope,' he said softly and then he smiled, his green eyes glowing, reflecting the joy in hers.
Harry was so acutely aware of how close she was it was almost painful - he had to fight an urge to crush her to him, to have as much of her as possible pressed up against him.
`Hermione…' his voice was filled with the pain of long-suppressed desire, of long, lonely hours - days - years…
Then all sense fled as she tightened her arms around him and there was nothing between them anymore; he could feel every soft curve and each firm line and in response, a low sound came from deep inside him, filled with lust, longing and desperate need.
And finally, after the long years of waiting, their lips met, at first sweetly hesitant but as rising passion replaced hesitancy and the kiss deepened, Harry's hands moved, one through the soft tendrils of hair that had escaped her clip, grasping the back of her neck and the other trailing with sensuous intent over her shoulder and down her back to the curve of her waist, holding her tightly, not wanting to let her go, ever…
When they reluctantly drew apart, both breathless, they gazed at each other, speechless.
Hermione smiled tremulously, finally able to murmur, `Wow,' and Harry grinned, dropping his head to rest his forehead against hers.
`Slight understatement, Miss Granger,' he said, his voice husky with emotion.
Hermione sighed. `All those years, everything - now that they're behind us, I can't help but believe it was somehow all worth it.'
`You're worth a lifetime of waiting to me, Hermione,' Harry told her tenderly before kissing her again.
`Mmmmm, this is perfect,' Hermione sighed happily against his lips a few minutes later and Harry smiled in silent agreement.
They soon sat down on the couch, Hermione curled up beside Harry, their arms wrapped around each other and Hermione's head resting on his shoulder. They talked quietly, whispering endearments frequently and kissing often until they, too, eventually fell into a restful sleep, their arms still around each other…
Into The Pensieve
Eight pairs of eyes looked on in horror as the three figures they'd been watching spellbound for an hour crumpled to the ground. The air around the unconscious figures was still crackling ferociously with the last of the malevolent black streaks that had caused their collapse.
`They've collapsed! Fred, George!' cried Molly frantically, turning to look imploringly at her twin sons. `How long before you came to find them?'
`We came just after eight, that was the time we arranged,' replied George, unable to take his eyes off the Trio. `Hermione told us that if they weren't back by eight, we had to come…'
`About six or seven hours from this point,' said Fred, aghast. `It's any wonder they were so cold! I never really believed they'd been lying there for that long!'
Molly was wringing her hands in distress, Arthur putting his arm around her to comfort her.
`Molly, dear, it may look bad, but we know that they're going to be all right - because they are all right.'
Molly nodded, her eyes glued to the unmoving figures as she spoke, her voice an agonised whisper, `I know, I know, but it's just so terrible to see it and not be able to do anything!'
Dean and Ginny were huddled together on the other side of Arthur while Neville and Luna stood, shocked, beside Fred and George.
`What happens now?' asked Ginny, wondering if, after all this time, it was better she didn't find out.
In the next instant, everyone looked around, fear clutching their hearts as a strange fog began to engulf them. It had no sooner than it began to dissolve again and they all looked at each other in complete bewilderment. They were still on the same spot in the graveyard, looking towards the old beech tree - yet the night was darker - the low, black sky was emanating a sense of terrible malevolence…
`Look!' cried Luna as she pointed, unconsciously keeping her voice low despite the fact that they couldn't be heard, `they're standing up!'
And indeed, they could just make out three figures now standing beneath the beech tree.
`Wait, they don't have their cloaks on - what? -' began Fred, thoroughly confused to see the Trio were all now wearing jeans and jumpers.
`Death Eaters!' hissed Arthur, waving his hand in a reflexive, abrupt gesture to silence them all, forgetting it wasn't necessary.
A strangled sound escaped Dean, his voice muted but his words clear. `Dear Merlin! It's the night they fought Voldemort!'
`What?' chorused seven voices filled with dawning horror. They sensed he was right, though; every witch and wizard alive knew the Trio had faced the last of the Death Eaters and then Voldemort himself on this exact spot.
`Look, there's no Spire,' said Neville who had been silent until now. `I'd say that fog was a transition from one memory to another. Dean's right - we're about to witness what no other witch or wizard has ever seen - the Trio's final battle with Voldemort. Their defeat of Voldemort.'
The awe in Neville's voice was present in the heart of each of the spectators as they turned to watch the events of one of the most historic nights in wizarding history unfold…
Voldemort Vanquished
Harry was between Ron and Hermione as they stood shoulder to shoulder, watching the last three Death Eaters move slowly forward. The Trio kept perfectly still, lost in the shadows against the enormous trunk of the huge old beech tree which marked the middle of the graveyard behind Hogwarts. The trunk of the staunch graveyard guardian already bore wounds from misfired spells and curses cast earlier that night. As they stood watching, motionless, they were only just able to make out the three robed and hooded forms moving closer, barely visible in the pre-dawn gloom.
`Now,' whispered Harry, and they each slowly raised their wands, hoping the movement wouldn't draw the attention of the Death Eaters.
`Stupefy!'
As the three streaks of red light flew towards the Death Eaters, Harry saw the hooded figures reflexively whip their wands around to point at the source of the spell - the Trio - simultaneously crying out `Protego!' and dispersing the spell.
And then a voice rang out in the darkness, echoing amongst the old stone statues and gravestones. It was a high, cold voice saturated with terrifying malice and dreadful evil.
`Harry Potter!'
Harry stumbled backwards as mind searing pain erupted from his scar throughout his whole body. He dropped to his knees, his wand still in his right hand, his left hand clutching his forehead, his lips drawn back to expose his clenched teeth in a dreadful grimace of agony.
The Death Eaters dropped to their knees at the sound of their master's voice.
`Ron, keep an eye on them, and watch for Voldemort,' Hermione whispered urgently as she turned to see to Harry.
Keeping her wand at the ready, Hermione dropped to her knees beside Harry and grasped his shoulder, shaking him.
`Harry! Fight it! Come on, please!' she begged, silently willing him to hear her.
Harry heard her voice as though from an enormous distance. The pain was all consuming which meant Voldemort was close. He tried to focus on the spell of protection he'd practised for months now in preparation for just such a moment, but the pain was preventing him from thinking clearly. The spell, he had to remember the spell…Arcis…that was it…Arcis…
`Harry, please! Please, try!' Harry could hear tears in Hermione's voice, which still sounded as though it was coming to him across some incalculable distance, distorted by the enormous pain he was feeling.
`They're still not moving,' said Ron quietly before risking a glance to his right, searching for Voldemort - he had to be nearby.
`Voldemort?' asked Hermione, her gaze still locked onto Harry's pain-ridden countenance.
Ron whipped his head around to the left. The huddled group on the slope across from him instinctively drew back and gasped - he was looking straight at them…wasn't he?
`Can't see anything,' Ron whispered, `but he's probably behind us and we can't see because of the tree.'
`Arcis…'
Hermione sobbed with relief. `Yes, Harry, yes! The spell - say it! Quickly! Please!'
`Arcis…mentis.'
`Again!'
`Arcis mentis!'
The blissful relief that swept through him at the sudden cessation of pain drew a groan from Harry. Hermione began to pull desperately at his arm.
`Thank Merlin! Now, come on, Harry, get up! Quickly! He's coming!'
`There he is!' cried Ron, his voice laced with fear as he caught sight of the Dark Lord.
Voldemort was moving silently towards his remaining Death Eaters, the gliding, black-robed form reminding Harry of the malevolent and menacing Dementors Voldemort had commanded until they'd been defeated by an army of Aurors and Hitwizards a year into the war.
Harry got to his feet, Hermione gripping his arm as they moved a few steps forward to join Ron. Harry was once more standing between Ron and Hermione.
Voldemort was now facing them with his back to the three kneeling Death Eaters, his wand raised as he looked directly at Harry.
`Harry Potter, we come at last to the end!' Voldemort's high, cold voice rang out across the space between them, the contemptuous sneer it contained unmistakeable. `Do you truly believe you can defeat me, Harry? Even your beloved Dumbledore failed! Just who do you think you are?'
Harry straightened his shoulders, his green eyes flashing defiance. `Who am I, Tom? I am the son of Lily and James Potter, who loved me and died for me. I am the one you were unable to kill as a baby. Or as an eleven year old. Or a twelve year old. You failed spectacularly when I was fourteen - remember that night? And yet again when I was fifteen. It would seem that when it comes to you defeating me, you aren't destined to succeed! And you will not do so now. By the way, you didn't kill Dumbledore, Tom - you ordered a lackey to do it and he failed too because you see, Dumbledore chose to die!'
Ignoring Harry's taunts, Voldemort bellowed, `It beggars belief that you have been able to destroy my Horcruxes! I don't doubt you had help from the accursed Dumbledore, even though he's dead! Do you now insist on believing you will survive this night with only a filthy Mudblood and a wretched blood-traitor standing with you?' His voice reached them as though it had been blown across the surface of a sea of ice - so bitterly cold and hate-ridden it made them ache.
Harry felt a surge of certainty and raised his head a little as he shot back, his voice ringing with the knowledge of his own ability, `I have power you know not, Tom.'
Voldemort threw back his head a laughed, a hideous, rasping sound.
`Love?' he spat, as though it was poison on his tongue. `You are pathetic and ludicrous, Harry, as are your companions! Would they choose to die for you, Harry Potter? Those two puerile imbeciles that stand with you?' he crowed, as though amused at the thought, deliberately ignoring Harry's continued use of his original name.
`YES!' cried Hermione and Ron together.
`Then so you will,' stated Voldemort coldly, lifting his arm, his wand pointing directly at Harry's heart across the dark space between them. At last, Harry Potter will die…
Harry immediately threw his arms across the shoulders of his two friends and they moved in closer, putting their arms across each other's shoulders, forming a tight circle, their heads touching.
`Puris!' said Harry, his voice filled with conviction.
`Validus!' Hermione spoke, her voice strong.
`Amor!' cried Ron, already feeling the power of the long-practised incantation forming within and around them.
They repeated the words again, quickly, their voices ringing out, now magically magnified by the incantation.
`Puris Validus Amor! Puris Validus Amor!'
A glowing white mist formed around them.
All this had taken place in a matter of seconds and Voldemort hesitated for an instant, taken aback at the sight of the three huddled forms in the centre of a growing cloud of glittering mist, the words of the incantation echoing in the air around him.
`FOOLS!' he roared, infuriated, as he straightened his wand arm, glaring at the Trio. `To me!' he commanded and the three Death Eaters immediately rose and moved to stand in line beside him, raising their wands.
`Now!' cried Voldemort and four voices, filled with hatred for the trio before them and everything they stood for, rose into the cold gloom.
`Avada Kedavra!'
As soon as they heard the first syllable of the Unforgivable Curse uttered, Ron and Hermione jumped back to stand beside Harry once more, able to see their enemies in the glow of the sickly green light erupting from their wands.
All three pointed their wands at Voldemort and with all the force given them through their love for each other, by their righteous anger and on behalf of the justice that cried out to be done, they roared as one:
`DEBELLO ATROX DELEO!'
Three streaks of blue white light exploded from their outstretched wands, merging into one blinding beam. It moved above the green light of the Killing Curse which, when it reached the sparkling white mist surrounding the Trio, shattered with an ear-splitting screech that echoed throughout the surrounding countryside. The magical mist expanded as it absorbed the Curse, the light becoming a blindingly scintillating pure white, cutting off the Trio's view of Voldemort and the Death Eaters. They could hear tortured screams and agonised curses, but they were muffled as though the mist was absorbing their voices as well.
After what seemed a long time, there came an unearthly silence. The glowing mist began to disperse and slowly drifted away on a gentle breeze. The full moon appeared from behind a ragged, black cloud, casting an eerie, shimmering light.
Harry, Ron and Hermione stood rooted to the spot, unable to take in what had happened. They could see what looked like a rumpled heap of black robes strewn across the ground where Voldemort and the Death Eaters had stood.
Then sheer terror clutched at their hearts as a blackened, long fingered, claw-like hand silently rose from amongst the crumpled, smoking pile of robes and debris.
As they stared at the hideous sight, a vicious, cracked whisper was brought to them on the same light breeze that had dispersed the mist.
`Patesco Perturbo Tumultus!'
On hearing those words, spoken so harshly and with such terrifying malice, the Trio knew beyond doubt that what they'd just heard was a curse. Although there was no streak of light accompanying the words, each of the three friends immediately experienced an extremely uncomfortable tingling sensation; their skin prickled and they shuddered with revulsion. Harry felt a momentary surge of pain from his scar, then it subsided. The sight of the ugly, hooked claw as it began to ooze, dissolving into a foul, thick liquid that dripped viscously to the ground had them recoiling in sickened horror.
As the last drop fell, Harry knew.
`He's gone.' Or had he? Harry shivered as though brushed by an echo of the remnants of Tom Riddle's evil spirit in the air around him.
They felt no elation at that moment, simply a release from the fear and torment that had pervaded their lives - and the life of every member of the wizard world. They felt relief, too, but mostly they felt exhaustion begin to creep through them, both physical and emotional. And then it happened - without warning: the three of them fell to their knees, clutching their heads, their screams mangled by the overwhelming pain that threatened to split their skulls open…
No sooner had the eight silent watchers realised that Voldemort had just died and that the Trio were on the ground, screaming and clutching their heads in agony, than the strange fog engulfed them once more. Fear immediately struck at them again as they wondered what they would be witness to next…
TO BE CONTINUED…
Author's Note
How nice am I? *grins* Harry and Hermione's kiss AND the first half of the "back story"!
Have a lovely weekend and I'll see you Monday morning! Cheers! Janie xoxo
And of course, the traditional preview…
A harsh, pain-filled growl split the air as Harry fell heavily to his knees. Hermione's scream accompanied the sight of Harry arching convulsively as he threw his head back, his still clenched fists coming to press against his temples. The growl became a roar and then a dreadful, harrowing scream. Hermione attempted to crawl towards Harry but it was useless, her muscles still wouldn't obey her. Ron was still desperately clawing at some invisible barrier to no avail, his face a mask of frustrated, vengeful fury. They didn't notice as the violent red of Harry's scar began to fade… then he collapsed, crumpling to the ground as though lifeless...
PS In case anyone's interested, I made up the spells/curses with the help of the English to Latin Lookup site, for example:
"Purus Validus Amor"
purus: pure, free from, spotless, without stain
validus: strong, robust, able, mighty, powerful, exceeding
amor: love, passion
That site's almost, but not quite, as nifty as The Harry Potter Lexicon.
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