Disclaimer: Sadly I do not own Harry Potter sniff, sniff I know... it's
tragic. But somehow I will just have to live with that hard fact. My
twisted fantasies about Daniel Radcliff will have to sustain me.
The-Boy-Who-Lived and the Girl Who Made His Life Worthwhile
Prologue
'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, But he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... And either must die at the hands of the other for neither can live while the other survives... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...'
These thoughts had revolved around Harry's head for the past three years. While in Hogwarts, he had learned every defensive spell he could find in the Hogwarts library. He immersed himself in his work as Quidditch Captain, Head Boy, and instructor of the DA, to keep his mind off the prophecy that weighed so heavily upon his shoulders, much to the annoyance and dismay of his friends. His endless guilt over the death of Sirius and his knowledge of the prophecy caused him to, over the years, push his friends away and they had drifted apart because of it. Hermione had gone on to working towards becoming a healer and Ron had pursued becoming a professional Keeper. Ron and Hermione had finally gotten together during their seventh year at Hogwarts.
Harry, on the other hand, had moved to a top secret location as he trained to bring down the most feared wizard of modern times. Now, since Dumbledore had fallen ill, he, Hermione, Ron, members of The Order, and various other people were back at Hogwarts using it as a fort for those fighting off the Death Eaters attacking the castle and town of Hogsmead.
The Gryffindor common room was uncommonly quiet. The faces of those students who lingered were glassy-eyed with shock or tear-stained from sobbing for those they had lost.
Harry just stared, his heart breaking into a million pieces as the girl he had secretly loved since sixth year cried. He didn't know what to do for her as she rocked herself back and forth her; huge sobs shaking her petite frame.
It's all my fault. Harry thought, filled with grief and guilt. None of this would be happening if I was ready to face Voldemort. It's all because I'm too afraid to face up to my destiny. He had graduated from Hogwarts and spent the past year with numerous instructors, honing his abilities and preparing him for his inevitable confrontation with Voldemort, but was still terrified of facing the Dark Lord in one final battle.
Harry took one last look at the girl he knew he would never be able to hold as his best friends Hermione and Ron comforted her.
Percy is the first and the last Weasely Voldemort will kill. I will take him down even if it costs me my own life. I will do this for the entire wizarding world, my friends, my parents, the Weasely family, and everyone who has suffered at the hands of Voldemort. I will do this for her.
Harry walked out of the common room through the portrait hole, hoping no one would notice his departure. A determined look was in his eyes as he walked down the hall, his wand gripped tightly in his right hand. His stride was confident and full of purpose.
"Harry! Where do you think you're going?" Ron shouted as he chased after Harry, Hermione and Ginny following closely behind.
"You know where I'm going Ron. It's the reason I returned here."
"Well Hermione and I came back here to fight as well, so why are you leaving us behind? We're in this together Harry." Ron said angrily. "Don't think that because you've shut us out we won't be here for you."
"He's right Harry. Besides, you can't possibly stop all those Death Eaters by yourself." Hermione, the voice of reason, put in. "And we will always be your friends."
"Your friendship with me is more dangerous than you know. Besides, Voldemort is the only one I have to worry about." Harry said in a hard voice.
"Oh come off it, Harry! We'd be targets even if we weren't friends with you. Hermione is muggle born and most of my family is members of the order." Ron said hotly.
"Believe me anyone who is close to me becomes a prime target for Voldemort and his Death Eaters." Ron couldn't fully suppress the wince that came at the sound of Voldemort's name, despite years of hearing it.
"Harry please, we are your friends. Talk to us. I known you've been hiding something from us since sixth year."
"It's none of your concern and it will only endanger you further."
"I'm sick of your arrogance!" Ginny, who had been silent until now, shouted. "It's up to us what we decide to do with our lives. It's not your choice to make."
A look of hurt passed over his eyes before he could cover it with his shielding look of indifference. "Well it's up to me whether I wish to divulge any information concerning me to anyone and if I want to face Voldemort or not."
"Well mate, I'm following you whether you like it or not." Ron declared.
"Don't! Please! You'll just be throwing your lives away! There's nothing you can do about this." His voice cracked as he pleaded with them giving up his pretense of being indifferent.
"Tell what's going on Harry." Ron said in a hard serious tone.
Harry seemed to struggle with himself. "Alright... but only you and Hermione..." He avoided looking at Ginny as he said this.
I wouldn't be able to bear it if she gets hurt. He thought to himself not even wanting to think about that very real possibility.
"Fine! Exclude me in this like you have everything else!" She shouted at Harry. "I'm involved in this war too! It's my brother that bastard killed! It's me he possessed in my first year at Hogwarts. But I wouldn't know anything about being strong or fighting back would I?"
"Harry, Ginny is a part of this too. She went to the Ministry with us that day, and has been a constant with Ron and me since sixth year. You left us and went off to brood by yourself. She stuck with us. She should stay and hear this. Either way she'll hear everything from us."
Harry sighed deeply in resignation then began his tale. He told of how he went mad with grief as he saw Sirius fall through the veil, and how he had chased after Bellatrix and tried to perform the Cruciatus Curse on her. Hermione covered her mouth as she gasped in horror at this and Ron sent her a look as if to say 'shut up'. Harry continued with how Voldemort had come and how Dumbledore had saved him. He hesitated for a few minutes before continuing.
"Then I thought the fight was over so I tried to move from behind the statue's protection. Then I heard Dumbledore. It was the first time I ever heard fear in his voice. He told me not to move, and then I felt a horrible pain searing through me as Voldemort possessed me. I felt as though I was being ripped He used my mouth and tried to goad Dumbledore to kill me. I remember wishing the pain would just end, that I would die so I could be with Sirius. Voldemort couldn't take it inside my body anymore because, as Dumbledore later explained to me, he couldn't take the feelings I had towards Sirius. He then made a portkey and sent me back to his office to wait for him."
He took a few deep breaths as if to prepare for a confrontation.
"Dumbledore showed me what was in the prophecy."
"WAIT ONE BLOODY MINUTE! YOU KNEW ALL THIS TIME WHAT WAS IN THE PROPHECY AND YOU NEVER TOLD US?!" Ron yelled at Harry his fist clenched as Hermione tugged at the back of his robes to stop him from charging towards Harry.
"Yes, I knew." Harry said exhaustedly as he sank to the ground. "And believe me you were better off not knowing. Death Eaters would stop at nothing to try and get this information from you."
"What did the Prophecy say Harry?" Ginny asked gently.
A glassy-eyed look appeared on Harry's face as he retold the contents of the prophecy, what it had meant, and how he had gotten so angry he trashed Dumbledore's office. He then told of all the intense training and extra duties he had taken upon himself his last two years of Hogwarts. How he diligently threw himself into his studies, trying to soak up every bit of information in case it became useful in defeating Voldemort.
"As I remember his scores rivaled mine except in Defense Against the Dark Arts. He far surpassed any scores I had in that class." Hermione mused, lost in everything Harry had just revealed to them.
Ron just stood there in shock.
Ginny slowly walked up to where Harry sat looking at the ground, crouched next to him, and pulled him into her comforting embrace.
Harry stiffened when he felt her arms go around him then eventually relaxed. She held him for a few more minutes before releasing him. He looked up into her eyes and was lost in their deep honey colored depth.
"I must go now. I've delayed long enough." He said as he rose to his feet, pushing away the feelings Ginny evoked from within his soul.
"We'll cover your back mate." Ron said quietly. "There's sure to be Death Eaters who will try to stop you."
Harry nodded in acceptance, then led the way out.
Harry soon lost track of his friends. He was terrified for them, but knew he must concentrate on the battle before him or all would be lost. He caught glimpses of Ginny's red hair as she dodged attacks, and Hermione's now tame brown hair as she treated the injured and dragged them to safer places. Ron was standing back to back with his older brother Charlie as they fought off Death Eater assaults. Molly Weasely helped Hermione tend to the wounded. Arthur was no where to be found. Fread, George, and Bill were in London fighting Death Eaters in Diagon Alley. It was apparent to the entire wizarding world that this was a full scale assault by Voldemort's forces and that the fate of the entire world, muggle and magical, rested upon the outcome of this battle.
Harry was subdued the Death Eaters he was fighting. There was still no sign of Voldemort himself. Lupin came into view and what Harry saw stopped his heart. Lupin was facing none other than Wormtail.
"NOOOO! LUPIN! GET AWAY! HIS HAND! HIS HAND IS SILVER! HIS LEFT HAND! WATCH OUT!"
Harry was blind to all else as he watched in horror as Wormtail stabbed straight through Lupin's heart with his silver hand. A look of shock found its way into Lupin's eyes. With his dying breath he whispered two words Harry never would have thought Lupin capable of muttering as a green light imbedded itself into Wormtail's body and claimed his life.
Harry stood in complete shock for a few seconds then shook himself out of his stupor. I can grieve later if I live. But for now I must find Voldemort.
He then opened the connection between his and Voldemort's mind, a connection that Harry had blocked off for the past three years.
Where are you? I am waiting for you. Come and face me once and for all- if you have courage enough." Harry whispered into Voldemort's mind.
Ah. It's been so long since we last talked like this Potter. So, you have the nerve to try and challenge me? I am the most powerful wizard in the world. But you always have been an arrogant child haven't you? I guess those moments of luck you've had escaping me have gone to your head. Come to me. I shall await your presence in the Forbidden Forest. Voldemort answered.
I'll be there. With that said he closed the connection and found a corner currently not occupied with battles, raised his wand and called out, "Accio Firebolt."
He quickly jumped onto the broom and was about to shoot off when his eyes made contact with Ginny's. Bye... he mouthed to her before taking off. He tuned out her desperate cries for his return and keep on flying towards the spot in the Forbidden Forest where the Dark Mark was coming from.
THANK YOU MOLLY! YOU'RE THE BEST BETA READER A GAL COULD ASK FOR!
The-Boy-Who-Lived and the Girl Who Made His Life Worthwhile
Prologue
'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, But he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... And either must die at the hands of the other for neither can live while the other survives... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...'
These thoughts had revolved around Harry's head for the past three years. While in Hogwarts, he had learned every defensive spell he could find in the Hogwarts library. He immersed himself in his work as Quidditch Captain, Head Boy, and instructor of the DA, to keep his mind off the prophecy that weighed so heavily upon his shoulders, much to the annoyance and dismay of his friends. His endless guilt over the death of Sirius and his knowledge of the prophecy caused him to, over the years, push his friends away and they had drifted apart because of it. Hermione had gone on to working towards becoming a healer and Ron had pursued becoming a professional Keeper. Ron and Hermione had finally gotten together during their seventh year at Hogwarts.
Harry, on the other hand, had moved to a top secret location as he trained to bring down the most feared wizard of modern times. Now, since Dumbledore had fallen ill, he, Hermione, Ron, members of The Order, and various other people were back at Hogwarts using it as a fort for those fighting off the Death Eaters attacking the castle and town of Hogsmead.
The Gryffindor common room was uncommonly quiet. The faces of those students who lingered were glassy-eyed with shock or tear-stained from sobbing for those they had lost.
Harry just stared, his heart breaking into a million pieces as the girl he had secretly loved since sixth year cried. He didn't know what to do for her as she rocked herself back and forth her; huge sobs shaking her petite frame.
It's all my fault. Harry thought, filled with grief and guilt. None of this would be happening if I was ready to face Voldemort. It's all because I'm too afraid to face up to my destiny. He had graduated from Hogwarts and spent the past year with numerous instructors, honing his abilities and preparing him for his inevitable confrontation with Voldemort, but was still terrified of facing the Dark Lord in one final battle.
Harry took one last look at the girl he knew he would never be able to hold as his best friends Hermione and Ron comforted her.
Percy is the first and the last Weasely Voldemort will kill. I will take him down even if it costs me my own life. I will do this for the entire wizarding world, my friends, my parents, the Weasely family, and everyone who has suffered at the hands of Voldemort. I will do this for her.
Harry walked out of the common room through the portrait hole, hoping no one would notice his departure. A determined look was in his eyes as he walked down the hall, his wand gripped tightly in his right hand. His stride was confident and full of purpose.
"Harry! Where do you think you're going?" Ron shouted as he chased after Harry, Hermione and Ginny following closely behind.
"You know where I'm going Ron. It's the reason I returned here."
"Well Hermione and I came back here to fight as well, so why are you leaving us behind? We're in this together Harry." Ron said angrily. "Don't think that because you've shut us out we won't be here for you."
"He's right Harry. Besides, you can't possibly stop all those Death Eaters by yourself." Hermione, the voice of reason, put in. "And we will always be your friends."
"Your friendship with me is more dangerous than you know. Besides, Voldemort is the only one I have to worry about." Harry said in a hard voice.
"Oh come off it, Harry! We'd be targets even if we weren't friends with you. Hermione is muggle born and most of my family is members of the order." Ron said hotly.
"Believe me anyone who is close to me becomes a prime target for Voldemort and his Death Eaters." Ron couldn't fully suppress the wince that came at the sound of Voldemort's name, despite years of hearing it.
"Harry please, we are your friends. Talk to us. I known you've been hiding something from us since sixth year."
"It's none of your concern and it will only endanger you further."
"I'm sick of your arrogance!" Ginny, who had been silent until now, shouted. "It's up to us what we decide to do with our lives. It's not your choice to make."
A look of hurt passed over his eyes before he could cover it with his shielding look of indifference. "Well it's up to me whether I wish to divulge any information concerning me to anyone and if I want to face Voldemort or not."
"Well mate, I'm following you whether you like it or not." Ron declared.
"Don't! Please! You'll just be throwing your lives away! There's nothing you can do about this." His voice cracked as he pleaded with them giving up his pretense of being indifferent.
"Tell what's going on Harry." Ron said in a hard serious tone.
Harry seemed to struggle with himself. "Alright... but only you and Hermione..." He avoided looking at Ginny as he said this.
I wouldn't be able to bear it if she gets hurt. He thought to himself not even wanting to think about that very real possibility.
"Fine! Exclude me in this like you have everything else!" She shouted at Harry. "I'm involved in this war too! It's my brother that bastard killed! It's me he possessed in my first year at Hogwarts. But I wouldn't know anything about being strong or fighting back would I?"
"Harry, Ginny is a part of this too. She went to the Ministry with us that day, and has been a constant with Ron and me since sixth year. You left us and went off to brood by yourself. She stuck with us. She should stay and hear this. Either way she'll hear everything from us."
Harry sighed deeply in resignation then began his tale. He told of how he went mad with grief as he saw Sirius fall through the veil, and how he had chased after Bellatrix and tried to perform the Cruciatus Curse on her. Hermione covered her mouth as she gasped in horror at this and Ron sent her a look as if to say 'shut up'. Harry continued with how Voldemort had come and how Dumbledore had saved him. He hesitated for a few minutes before continuing.
"Then I thought the fight was over so I tried to move from behind the statue's protection. Then I heard Dumbledore. It was the first time I ever heard fear in his voice. He told me not to move, and then I felt a horrible pain searing through me as Voldemort possessed me. I felt as though I was being ripped He used my mouth and tried to goad Dumbledore to kill me. I remember wishing the pain would just end, that I would die so I could be with Sirius. Voldemort couldn't take it inside my body anymore because, as Dumbledore later explained to me, he couldn't take the feelings I had towards Sirius. He then made a portkey and sent me back to his office to wait for him."
He took a few deep breaths as if to prepare for a confrontation.
"Dumbledore showed me what was in the prophecy."
"WAIT ONE BLOODY MINUTE! YOU KNEW ALL THIS TIME WHAT WAS IN THE PROPHECY AND YOU NEVER TOLD US?!" Ron yelled at Harry his fist clenched as Hermione tugged at the back of his robes to stop him from charging towards Harry.
"Yes, I knew." Harry said exhaustedly as he sank to the ground. "And believe me you were better off not knowing. Death Eaters would stop at nothing to try and get this information from you."
"What did the Prophecy say Harry?" Ginny asked gently.
A glassy-eyed look appeared on Harry's face as he retold the contents of the prophecy, what it had meant, and how he had gotten so angry he trashed Dumbledore's office. He then told of all the intense training and extra duties he had taken upon himself his last two years of Hogwarts. How he diligently threw himself into his studies, trying to soak up every bit of information in case it became useful in defeating Voldemort.
"As I remember his scores rivaled mine except in Defense Against the Dark Arts. He far surpassed any scores I had in that class." Hermione mused, lost in everything Harry had just revealed to them.
Ron just stood there in shock.
Ginny slowly walked up to where Harry sat looking at the ground, crouched next to him, and pulled him into her comforting embrace.
Harry stiffened when he felt her arms go around him then eventually relaxed. She held him for a few more minutes before releasing him. He looked up into her eyes and was lost in their deep honey colored depth.
"I must go now. I've delayed long enough." He said as he rose to his feet, pushing away the feelings Ginny evoked from within his soul.
"We'll cover your back mate." Ron said quietly. "There's sure to be Death Eaters who will try to stop you."
Harry nodded in acceptance, then led the way out.
Harry soon lost track of his friends. He was terrified for them, but knew he must concentrate on the battle before him or all would be lost. He caught glimpses of Ginny's red hair as she dodged attacks, and Hermione's now tame brown hair as she treated the injured and dragged them to safer places. Ron was standing back to back with his older brother Charlie as they fought off Death Eater assaults. Molly Weasely helped Hermione tend to the wounded. Arthur was no where to be found. Fread, George, and Bill were in London fighting Death Eaters in Diagon Alley. It was apparent to the entire wizarding world that this was a full scale assault by Voldemort's forces and that the fate of the entire world, muggle and magical, rested upon the outcome of this battle.
Harry was subdued the Death Eaters he was fighting. There was still no sign of Voldemort himself. Lupin came into view and what Harry saw stopped his heart. Lupin was facing none other than Wormtail.
"NOOOO! LUPIN! GET AWAY! HIS HAND! HIS HAND IS SILVER! HIS LEFT HAND! WATCH OUT!"
Harry was blind to all else as he watched in horror as Wormtail stabbed straight through Lupin's heart with his silver hand. A look of shock found its way into Lupin's eyes. With his dying breath he whispered two words Harry never would have thought Lupin capable of muttering as a green light imbedded itself into Wormtail's body and claimed his life.
Harry stood in complete shock for a few seconds then shook himself out of his stupor. I can grieve later if I live. But for now I must find Voldemort.
He then opened the connection between his and Voldemort's mind, a connection that Harry had blocked off for the past three years.
Where are you? I am waiting for you. Come and face me once and for all- if you have courage enough." Harry whispered into Voldemort's mind.
Ah. It's been so long since we last talked like this Potter. So, you have the nerve to try and challenge me? I am the most powerful wizard in the world. But you always have been an arrogant child haven't you? I guess those moments of luck you've had escaping me have gone to your head. Come to me. I shall await your presence in the Forbidden Forest. Voldemort answered.
I'll be there. With that said he closed the connection and found a corner currently not occupied with battles, raised his wand and called out, "Accio Firebolt."
He quickly jumped onto the broom and was about to shoot off when his eyes made contact with Ginny's. Bye... he mouthed to her before taking off. He tuned out her desperate cries for his return and keep on flying towards the spot in the Forbidden Forest where the Dark Mark was coming from.
THANK YOU MOLLY! YOU'RE THE BEST BETA READER A GAL COULD ASK FOR!