Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Bound	By : goldhorse Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 126052 -:- Recommendations : 15 -:- Currently Reading : 31
Disclaimer: JK owns HP. Not me. I also don't own any quotes you might recognize. I make no money doing this, I just get the plot bunnies to quit interrupting my sleep.

Chapter List
- 56
- 57
- 58
“I can’t fix this.” Alex’s voice was soft, gentle, and full of remorse. He was looking down at a fifth year girl who’d been practically ripped in half by a werewolf.

“It’s okay,” the girl rasped.

“I’m so sorry sweetheart,” Alex whispered and stroked her brow as she took her last breaths.

“How many?” Hermione asked hollowly.

“That makes twenty in all, mostly the younger years.” McGonagall’s voice was trembling.

“We failed,” Draco whispered.

“Do you have any idea how many killing curses we blocked tonight?” Melody’s voice was flat but it had a steely edge to it that brokered no argument. “How many more would have died from them alone?”

“Hold on a moment, blocked?” McGonagall asked. “You can’t block a killing curse.”

“You’re right,” Melody sighed. “You can’t block a killing curse. Now you two buck up. We’ve got about fifteen minutes before you need to say your… um, you knows and I say we make the most of them.”

“You’re right,” Draco said, reaching deep within himself to try and carry on. “Where are the other vampires?”

“Demitri’s coven is gone; only he remains. The Death Eaters got wise and blasted them with silver. He’s feeding on the bodies of their fallen to replenish his strength.”

“The others?” Hermione whispered.

“They’ve gone on a rescue mission to bring back as many as they can. We didn’t lose any of them, thank the Gods.”

“How did we get vampires on our side?” McGonagall asked, her eyes scanning the room again to see that all was in some semblance of order.

“Alex is a vampire and my husband. His dam is part of the other coven that agreed to fight with us. I struck a deal with Demitri at the end of last year.”

“What about Severus?”

Melody looked over and saw that he was over in the corner with his hands on the wall, simultaneously trying to keep a low profile while communicating with the castle, and subsequently Harmony. “He’s my very best friend but he’s always been on our side.”

“You carry his children,” McGonagall said flatly.

Melody nodded. “The work of the Dark Lord. A spy’s life is not an easy one Minerva.”

“I can’t pretend to imagine.” McGonagall said softly. “But what of your husband?”

“He’s content,” Melody placed a hand on her stomach. “He’s always wanted children but that ability was robbed from him the day he was turned. He’ll adopt these two and raise them as his own. Severus will be their godfather of course. They’ll want for nothing.”

“Who is that other woman?” McGonagall’s eyes locked on Celeste who was running back and forth between patients and tipping vials of potion down their throats.

“That’s Celeste, Sev’s mate.”

“Celeste, isn’t that the same name as your wolf?”

Melody laughed. “She is my wolf, a fine cover if I may say so but enough chit chat. We need to get back to work. You two look a bit more level now. You had me worried. Are you feeling well?”

“We’re tired.” Draco sighed. “But we’ll do all we can.”

“There’s my warriors.” Melody smiled. “Let’s go then. We’ll need all the help we can get.”

The couple nodded and began the bone weary work of piecing people back together again. It seemed a never-ending slog, healing what they could while vampires and Order members alike carried in body after body of the injured. The werewolves had done the most damage, their superhuman strength and sharp claws no match for weaker spells. It seemed as soon as they had one out of danger, three more replaced them. It was maddening.

Alex’s head shot up and he spun around, his eyes wild as he looked around. Turning to see what he was reacting to, the hushed words of Harry Potter hit Draco and Hermione’s ears.

“Neville.”

“Blimey, Harry, you nearly gave me heart failure! Where are you going, alone?”

“It’s all part of the plan. There’s something I’ve got to do. Listen – Neville.”

“Harry! Harry, you’re not thinking of handing yourself over?”

“No. ‘Course not…this is something else. But I might be out of sight for a while. You know Voldemort’s snake, Neville? He’s got a huge snake…calls it Nagini.”

“I’ve heard, yeah. What about it?”

“It’s got to be killed. A few others know that but just in case they, just in case they’re- busy- and you get the chance…” Harry’s voice cracked.

“Kill the snake?”

“Kill the snake,” Harry said softly.

“All right, Harry. You’re okay, aren’t you?”

“I’m fine. Thanks Neville.”

“We’re all going to keep fighting, Harry. You know that?”

“Yeah I-“ Harry cleared his throat and then footsteps retreated into the night.

“No. Wait,” Hermione said softly and started moving weakly toward the door. Draco scooped her up and ran out as fast as he could. He felt the air swish by him as Alex zoomed past to head him off. It didn’t take long. Harry was no match for Alex’s strength.

“Let me go!” Harry snapped. “You knew this had to happen.”

“We did,” Draco panted. “But you can’t leave without saying goodbye.”

“Goodbye,” Harry said, his voice hollow and dead.

“Oh Harry,” Hermione cried and threw herself into her best friend’s arms. “Oh Gods Harry, you have no idea how we wish it weren’t true.”

“How long have you known?”

“Christmas,” she cried. “When Melody ran upstairs to get sick at the Burrow, she told us as soon as we got back to the ranch. It made me ill.”

“Us,” Draco interrupted. “It made us sick Potter. We all wish there was another way.”

Harry gave a humorless laugh. “Me too.”

“I love you Harry,” Hermione choked.

“Love you too, Hermione,” Harry said, squeezing her as hard as he could, holding on to one last moment before he walked to his death. “Tell Ginny…tell her I…I love her more than life itself. It’s why I’m doing this. I couldn’t stand the thought of her in a world where Voldemort ruled. Can you do that?”

“Of course. Oh Harry.”

“I know. I’m not feeling particularly brave right now,” Harry ground out.

“Potter,” Draco started. “Harry. You are the bravest man I’ve ever met.”

“No Draco, after all that I learned, I think Snape takes that title,” Harry said softly. “I understand now. Tell him…thanks.”

Alex cleared his throat. “You’re not going alone son.”

“You can’t go with me,” Harry said stubbornly. “Besides, I have this.” He held up the little golden snitch that Dumbledore had given him in his will. The meaning of the simple script on it, I open at the close, was crystal clear now.

“Yes, I’m glad they will be with you until the end,” Alex said softly.

“Wait, did Snape make it?” Harry asked suddenly.

“He did,” Hermione said softly. “He’s in the great hall trying to recover the feeling in his legs.”

Harry nodded. “I saw Remus before I went up. He looked bad.”

“He’ll be fine,” Alex assured him. “These two did a beautiful job of healing him. It’ll be a long road to recovery but he’ll live.”

Harry nodded. “I know who to summon then.” He held the snitch up to his lips and whispered against the cool metal. “I am about to die.”

It sprung open and revealed the stone with the peculiar triangular shaped pattern. He put the rock in his hand and turned it over three times. His parents and Sirius appeared, smiling at him and congratulating him on his progress.

“Can you see them?” He asked his companions.

“No Harry,” Hermione said softly. “Only you will be able to.”

“But we’re still going to be with you,” Alex said and took out two small circular mirrors, identical in looks. “We’ll keep one and you hold the other in the palm of your hand so we can see your face.”

Harry held his hand out and studied the mirror. “How do I call you?”

“Just say my name,” Alex instructed.

“Alex!” Harry said authoritatively and jumped when he saw piercing blue eyes staring back at him. “Thank you.”

Alex nodded. “Put the cloak on now…and…good luck son.”

Harry nodded mechanically. “I told Neville about Nagini.”

“We know,” Alex patted him on the shoulder. “You’ve done well. You’ve only got about ten minutes to get there.”

Harry took a deep breath, kissed Hermione on the cheek, and shook hands with Draco and Alex before throwing the cloak over himself and trudging off. Hermione collapsed in Draco’s arms, sobbing.

“Come on, we’ve got more to heal before the second attack,” Alex said and ushered the couple inside.

Melody looked up when they entered, tears streaming down her face. Alex rushed over and gave her the mirror. The woman held it close to her chest and wiped the tears from her eyes before looking into it again.

“Does it hurt?” Harry’s voice came from the mirror. He was obviously asking his new companions but then his face was looking straight at the mirror.

“Dying? Not at all,” Melody croaked. “Coming back is much worse.”

“Well, I won’t have to worry about that, will I?”

Melody’s breath caught and she closed her eyes. “Let’s not talk about that. You’re almost there.”

Celeste came and gathered with them around the tiny mirror and watched the expressions of fear and resolve float over Harry’s face. Their mouths dropped when they saw Yaxley and Dolohov hovering over two screaming girls just outside the wards they’d put up. Getting closer, they saw that it was the Patil twins.

“Keep going Harry. We’ll get them,” Melody said vehemently and yelled for Victor and Sampson. “Get the girls on the perimeter. Kill their attackers if you can.”

The vampires nodded and disappeared, the vision in the mirror changing to see the two Death Eaters soaring through the air. They scooped up the girls and disappeared again, reappearing moments later in the great hall. Alex quickly raced up the stairs and fetched his bag of muggle supplies, reappearing by their side moments later.

“Philippe, petrify them,” he ordered and breathed a sigh of relief when the girls fell still, pain etched on every feature. “They’ve been subject to the cruciatis, probably half an hour’s worth at least.”

“What were they doing outside the wards?” Draco asked as he dug through the bag for the ingredients he knew would burn their nerves away.

“I imagine those bastards pulled them outside them,” Melody growled as she measured out morphine for Alex who was busy putting IVs into the twins. She spared a glance at the vampires. “Did you get them?”

“No, we were too concerned with the girls’ health,” Victor ground out. “I imagine they’ve crawled back to their Lord by now.”

“They have,” Harry breathed through the mirror, flashing it to see a crawling Dolohov and Yaxley at Voldemort’s feet.

“No sign of him, my Lord,” Dolohov croaked. “Just a couple of vampires scavenging for bodies.”

“My Lord,” Bellatrix purred.

Voldemort raised his hand to silence her. “I thought he would come. I expected him to come. I was, it seems, mistaken.”

Melody almost dropped the now mixed vial of Botox she held out for Philippe when Harry took off his cloak and stuffed it in his pocket, along with his wand. He’d dropped the stone but not the mirror, which was charmed to lose connection as soon as it fell from his fingers. This was it.

“You weren’t,” Harry said simply.

They could hear Hagrid screaming in the background for Harry to leave, run away. Tears flowed down Hermione’s cheeks as she rubbed a portion of the crème onto Parvati’s battered body. They still had to heal her. Harry was beyond their help now.

“Harry Potter.” Voldemort’s voice was high and delighted. “The Boy Who Lived.”

A bat flew across the room and collided with Celeste’s shoulder, trying to look into the mirror. She held him up so he could see Harry’s last moments. He let out a mournful screech when the two words that would determine the fate of the world floated up from the mirror.

AVADA KEDAVRA!

The mirror went black, the last thing they saw were the closed eyes of Harry, the glasses he no longer needed lay by his side, shattered. It felt like the world got a little colder in that moment. Hermione collapsed in the floor, Draco joining her moments later, tears falling down his own face.

“Ginny,” Melody breathed. “Victor, please get her.”

“Of course little star,” Victor said, gently wiping a tear from her eyes. “I’ll be right back.”

Ginny arrived in his arms moments later. “What’s going on? The Patils!”

“They’ll be fine,” Alex said softly as he continued rubbing in the crème to still their seizures.

“What’s the matter?” She asked, looking curiously at Hermione and Draco, still trying to gather themselves on the floor.

Melody took a deep breath and grabbed Ginny’s left arm, almost shouting in triumph to see the copper knot still tattooed there. “Ginny, I hate to tell you this but…Percy, he didn’t make it.”

“He didn’t?” Ginny’s eyes filled with tears that she tried valiantly to hold back.

“I’m so sorry Red,” Draco ground out. “They all fell off the stairs and then a wall fell on them. I tried so hard to control it but it broke in half and… and Percy took the brunt of it. He never had a chance.”

Ginny nodded, tears now streaming down her face. “Where is he?”

“Over in the corner,” Melody said, pointing to where the Weasley’s were gathered around a prone figure. Molly’s body was wracked with heaves while Arthur rubbed her back, his other hand on Bill’s shoulder. “They don’t know about the twins or Charlie yet.”

Ginny swiped at the tears again. “They’ll be fine. They’re stable now but Dumbledore figured they’d be safer up there with him.”

“He’s right,” Melody whispered. “Go on, take Ron with you and give them the good news.”

“Does Ron know?”

“He was with us when we dug them out,” Hermione said, her voice wavering.

Ginny nodded and took a deep breath. “Alright. See you later…for the…for the second half.” She walked over to Ron and grabbed his hand, dragging him over to his parents so they could give them some peace of mind.

“It’s there,” Melody said when she was out of earshot. “The knot is still there.”

“So he’s, he’s really?” Hermione whispered, not wanting to break the fragile hope they had.

“He hasn’t crossed over yet,” Melody said softly. “There’s still hope.”

“Hope is all we can ask for,” Celeste said as she handed her friend her mate, the black bat she’d been clutching, and helped her brother with Padme.

“We’ll need to move these two up to the headmaster’s office,” Philippe said after the potion had been administered and he’d released the spell holding them stock still. “They’ll be sitting ducks down here.”

“We’ll take them,” Draco said, helping Hermione to stand. They each grabbed a twin and spun on their heels, disappearing with a crack and reappearing at the stone gargoyle. Several students were lined up against the wall, Dumbledore dutifully checking each one in turn to make sure everyone was still stable.

“Has it happened?” The old man’s eyes didn’t have their twinkle anymore.

“It has,” Hermione whispered and eased Padma onto the floor. “But the knot remains.”

“Thank Merlin,” Harmony cried as she opened the door to the Headmaster’s office.

“Get back in there. Are you insane?” Draco cried, hastily positioning Parvati on the floor next to her sister so he could bodily return the twin to her safe haven.

“STOP!” Harmony screamed as Draco went to pick her up. He froze and tried to back up, only for her to clutch onto his face. Her eyes were white, reminding her of Melody’s before she was healed. The twin shook and then her legs collapsed, Draco barely catching her before she hit the floor.

“Gods, I’m so sorry.” Draco apologized again and again.

“No, it needed to happen,” Harmony said weakly. “Listen, Ginny will be in very real danger when the second attack happens. Be on the third floor, I don’t care how, and save her.”

“What’s going to happen to her?” Hermione asked as she walked up.

“Fenrir,” Harmony breathed. “Hurry, downstairs you two. It’s about to start.”

They hit the bottom stairs just as they heard the magnified voice of Voldemort.

“Harry Potter is dead. He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself while you lay down your lives for him. We bring you his body as proof that your hero is gone.”

“Lying bastard,” Draco ground out as he dragged Hermione through the door behind him, all the while, listing to Voldemort’s spew.

“The battle is won. You have lost half of your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you, and the Boy Who Lived is finished. There must be no more war. Anyone who continues to resist, man, woman, or child, will be slaughtered, as will every member of their family. Come out of the castle now, kneel before me, and you shall be spared. Your parents and children, your brothers and sisters will live and be forgiven, and you will join me in the new world we shall build together.”

“NO!” McGonagall’s despair cut through Draco like a knife as he heard the professor break down, running past him to see if it were true.

His heart sunk to his shoes when he saw the limp figure of Potter, lying haphazardly in Hagrid’s arms while the half-giant cried over his body. “He lives. He lives,” he repeated over and over again.

“He’s got to,” Hermione choked.

“No. No! Harry. HARRY!” Ginny and Ron’s cries broke her heart, her young friend trying to break through the crowds to get to her fallen husband.

“No Red,” Draco breathed and grabbed her, spinning her around to cry into his chest. “Look at your wrist sweetheart. It doesn’t lie. He’s going to come back.”

Ginny clutched at her sleeve, rubbing the knot hard as if it would make his eyes pop open again. “Are you sure?”

“You’ve got to believe,” Melody whispered in her ear, causing Draco to jump. He hadn’t even seen her there. “Close your eyes sweetheart, and try reaching out to him with your mind. Will him to return.”

The screams and cries over Harry were so loud it was hard to concentrate.

“SILENCE!” Voldemort bellowed and flicked his wand to magically silence the crowd. “It is over! Set him down, Hagrid, at my feet, where he belongs!”

The half-giant reverently lowered the apparently broken boy to the ground and stepped back; great tears fell from his eyes.

“You see? Harry Potter is dead! Do you not understand now, deluded ones? He was nothing, ever, but a boy who relied on others to sacrifice themselves for him!”

“He beat you!” Ron screamed, the voices of hundreds behind him in agreement.

“He was killed while trying to sneak out of the castle grounds, killed while trying to save himself!”

“LIES!” Neville cried as he charged out towards the Dark Lord. He was disarmed and hit the ground. Draco’s hand itched to help him but the look in Voldemort’s eyes intrigued him.

“And who is this? Who has volunteered to demonstrate what happens to those who continue to fight when the battle is lost?”

Bellatrix cackled in delight. “It is Neville Longbottom, my Lord! The boy who has been giving the Carrows so much trouble! The son of the Aurors, remember?”

“Ah yes, I remember,” Voldemort said as he looked down on a struggling Neville. “But you are a pureblood, aren’t you, my brave boy?”

“So what if I am?” Neville yelled.

“You show spirit and bravery, and you come of noble stock. You will make a very valuable Death Eater. We need your kind, Neville Longbottom.”

“I’ll join you when hell freezes over. Dumbledore’s Army!” He shouted and was answered with a cheer from the crowd.

Voldemort viciously waved his wand through the air and silenced the crowd again as he summoned a crumpled piece of fabric that Draco realized was the sorting hat.

“There will be no more Sorting at Hogwarts School,” Voledmort hissed. “There will be no more Houses. The emblem, shield, and colors of my noble ancestor, Salazar Slytherin, will suffice for everyone. Won’t they, Neville Longbottom?”

He petrified Neville and then magically shoved the hat down over his eyes. A shield was placed in front of him, preventing the crowd from surging forward.

“Neville here is now going to demonstrate what happens to anyone foolish enough to continue to oppose me.” Voldemort hissed and set the Sorting Hat on fire.

Draco and Hermione instinctively lifted their hands and tried to douse the flames but found that they gave no resistance. A bit bewildered, they looked around to see Harry twitch and then disappear. They almost screamed in relief but kept an eye on Neville who had just broken free of the body bind that he’d been under. A familiar object with a glittering, rubied handle appeared in his arms.

“Do it!” Draco screamed and watched in awe as Neville swung the sword and sliced the head off of Nagini in one clean swipe. Voldemort opened his mouth and screamed in fury. Draco quickly cast a shield in between Neville and Voldemort, hoping to spare him any quickly fired spell.

Hagrid’s voice was raised above the crowd. “HARRY! HARRY- WHERE’S HARRY?”

“He’s alive,” Ginny cried into Draco’s chest.

“He is…and now we fight,” Melody said, casting a shield over herself and casting hexes left and right.

“Where did they all come from?” Hermione cried in awe as hundreds of thestrals, giants, and centaurs came leaping into the fray. Buckbeak soared overhead and picked up a few Death Eaters, tossing them into the forest to be mauled by other creatures on the skirts. Elves came pouring out of the castle, armed with knives and cleavers. The vampires zipped from person to person, taking out anyone they could find.

“Who cares, let’s fight,” Draco yelled and began falling as many Death Eaters as he could find.

“Where’s Ginny?” Hermione screamed a moment later, her eyes flitting back and forth between the fights.

“Fuck!” Draco shouted. “Third floor, now!”

They raced over to the rubble, fear bubbling through their veins. Feeling a bit helpless, Draco spun on his heels and took Hermione with him, apparating to the side of the balcony where he knew it was clear. His eyes flicked back and forth, looking for the sight he dreaded seeing.

“Listen!” Hermione hissed, her ears picking up on whimpering down the corridor. She leapt into action, almost tripping over her own feet in an attempt to reach her friend in time. Draco was right behind her, almost barreling into her when she came to a dead stop.

Fenrir had Ginny against the wall, her clothes torn from her body and his fingers questing over her struggling form. “Stop struggling bitch!”

“Never!” Ginny screamed and hit him with a weak pulse of magic. She was worn down from the battle, her wand several feet away, her mind too muddled with fear to call for it.

“Leave my sister alone!” Draco screamed, consumed with black fury and hit the werewolf with a blast of magic that threw him into the opposite wall. “Help her,” he demanded of his wife as he picked the werewolf up by the throat.

Hermione ran over to Ginny and held her in her arms. “Are you alright?”

“F-feels like I’ve b-been electrocuted,” Ginny stammered.

“That’s the fidelity spell,” Hermione breathed. “You’ll be fine in a moment.”

“You’re damn right she will be,” Harry yelled and pulled his cloak off.

“HARRY!” Ginny screamed, trying to pull herself off the floor.

“I’m here love,” Harry whispered and draped his regular cloak over her body. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine now,” she sobbed into his shoulder.

“How fucking cute,” Fenrir spat.

“You’ll think cute in a minute, you filthy werewolf,” Draco growled. “You messed with the wrong girl.” He pulled out his knife and ran the silver side over the werewolf’s cheek, the skin popping and sizzling and earning a groan.

“That all you got?” The werewolf spat and threw Draco off of him.

“Oh no,” Draco said, his voice deceptively calm. “There is so much more you need to experience. Let’s see now,” he said, his magic pinning the werewolf to the wall while his wife clung to Harry and Ginny. “First, I need to repay you for damaging Melody. Be careful who you strike Fenrir. They might come back to bite you.”

Fenrir screamed in pain as the first strike of a silver lash struck the werewolf. Draco brought it down a dozen times before he pulled back. “Now, isn’t that a pretty picture,” Draco drawled, his eyes roaming over the now torn and charred flesh of the mad werewolf. “You know, I might hate Lucius but he was useful. He taught me the art of torture, to bring my victim to the brink before watching the life slowly slip out of their eyes.”

“You’re as mad as he is!” Fenrir yelled, fear now evident in his yellow orbs.

“You’ve yet to see me mad,” Draco said, his eyes blazing. “But time grows short. I only hope that hell has more in store for you.” He lifted his hand and covered the werewolf in molten lava, wincing as the tortured screams almost burst his eardrums until finally, they stopped. Left in the werewolf’s place was a silver statue, features unrecognizable as the metal hardened.

“Thank you,” Ginny whispered.

“No one messes with my family,” Draco said softly, chucking her under the chin and giving her a gentle smile. “Now, put yourself back together. We’ve still got a war to win. Ready Harry?”

“You bet,” Harry said, steely determination flowing through him. He transfigured his cloak into a shift dress for Ginny. “Let’s go.” They ran back downstairs, taking note of the renewed fighting that Harry’s supposed death had caused. Harry managed to slip back under the cloak and zigzagged through the different fights, searching for Voldemort.

Hermione screamed when Seamus’s neck snapped after a curse from Mulciber threw him across the room. Dean was right behind them, flipping the Death Eater over a few times before he was caught by Alex, who promptly tore his throat out. Draco cast a tripping jinx right when Rookwood was taking a running leap to knock Firenze off his hooves. He was dragged off by three other centaurs. Lee Jordan tackled Yaxley just as he was about to cast a curse at Hannah Abbot. Hermione fired off a spell at Thicknesse who was trying to cut Aberforth down.

Draco spotted his mother, running through the halls and screaming for him. He cried out as she almost ran into a bone shattering curse thrown by Rowle. She was whisked out of the way by Demitri and promptly delivered to him. “Thank you,” he breathed to the vampire and grabbed his mother in a bear hug.

“Think nothing of it young ones,” Demitri purred as he took Narcissa’s hand in his own and kissed above her knuckles. “It is a joy to save a hero.”

“Hero?” Draco whispered.

“Why yes. She lied to the Dark Lord, told him Potter was dead when I clearly heard his heart beating. A brave feat, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Absolutely,” Hermione beamed at her mother-in-law.

Narcissa caressed her son’s face as tears rolled down her dirtied cheeks. “Oh I’m so glad I found you. It appears we have a lot to talk about.”

“And we will,” Draco said, squeezing the hand on his face. “But we’ve got to end this. Find a shady spot mother. We’ll be back soon.” He kissed her forehead and yanked Hermione across the hall, his eyes locked on someone he was looking forward to ending.

Dolohov was locked in battle with Arthur Weasley, each man spinning circles and trying to best the other. It was clear that Dolohov was the better fighter. Draco walked right into the middle of the battle, his wife in tow and smiled wickedly. The Death Eater was caught off guard, stumbling back a few feet, only to be knocked end over end by Hermione. Demitri was on him a moment later and he could almost feel the tension leave her body. The one loose end, the one Death Eater left that invaded her psyche was gone.

Arthur thanked them and turned with a shout, his eyes locking on two main battles. McGonagall, Slughorn, and Kingsley were battling Voldemort all at once. Fifty yards away, Bellatrix was dueling Ginny, Luna, and Cho Chang. Draco went to run to their aid but was stopped by a cruel chuckle. A knife tip was sticking into Hermione’s neck.

“I can’t believe you.” There was no mistaking that grating voice. Pansy.

“What can you believe?” Draco spat.

“That you would choose this lowly mudblood over me!”

Draco growled low in his throat. “She’s ten times the woman you could ever hope to be.”

“Blood traitor!” Pansy shrieked. “Let’s cut her open and see how muddy her blood really is.”

“I think not.” A female voice sounded out and Pansy fell to the floor like a chunk of lead. Lavender wavered on her feet, her neck and shoulder wrapped heavily in bandages.

“Lavender! You shouldn’t be here!” Hermione squeaked, trying to steady the girl.

“I had to help,” Lavender ground out. “I knew what she was going to do.”

“Thank you,” Hermione said, hugging the girl fiercely.

“It was the least I could do,” Lavender whispered. “Could you ever forgive me?”

“I think, at a time like this,” Hermione said as she motioned to the chaos surrounding them, “that the past is insignificant.”

A bright yellow light flared behind the teary eyed Gryffindor but was knocked out of the way by something blue. “That’s not very nice.” Blaise’s deep voice cut through the air as he bound Theo Nott. “Sorry Drake, he got away from me.”

Draco’s eyes flickered to the prone figure on the floor and then back to his mate. “Better late than never. Get her out of here, will ya?”

“Sure thing.” Blaise saluted him and scooped Lavender in his arms, running for cover in a nearby corner.

“Let’s go,” Draco ordered and dragged Hermione with him, making a beeline for the fighting women. He leveled his wand just as a heart stopping curse whizzed by Ginny’s ear. Before he could cast, he heard an enraged scream.

“NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!” Molly Weasley was barreling through the crowd. “OUT OF MY WAY!”

“Oh look, mummy is going the same way of wittle Percy,” Bellatrix cackled before she was knocked backwards by a smirking Melody.

“Everyone back. She’s mine,” Molly said, her wand leveled at the crazy woman who was scrambling off the floor.

“By all means,” Melody bowed and held her hand out, bidding the woman to play through.

“What will happen to your children when I’ve killed you?” Bellatrix taunted.

“You-will-never-touch-our-children-again!” Molly spat and began blasting Bellatrix left and right, giving the woman a run for her money. They went toe to toe before Bellatrix’ eyes widened and she fell back, dead.

Voldemort screamed in outrage and threw all three of his opponents away, leveling his wand at Molly. Draco and Hermione threw up a shield but it sparked wildly against two others. Melody had cast one but the other caster wasn’t to be found until Harry threw off his cloak.

“Harry! HE’S ALIVE!” Sounded out from every corner of the room.

“I don’t want anyone else to try to help,” Harry called. “It’s got to be like this. It’s got to be me.”

“Potter doesn’t mean that,” Voledemort hissed. “That isn’t how he works, is it? Who are you going to use as a shield today, Potter?”

“Nobody.” Harry shrugged. “In fact, guys, can we take the cage down now and put up a shield?”

“Sure thing!” Melody called and lifted her hand towards the sky. Draco and Hermione followed, Ginny raising her hand behind them. Three figures in cloaks did the same and the golden tendrils of the cage fell, sparking before lighting up Harry’s outstretched fingertips and fizzling out. Draco and Hermione then cast and held their shield, knowing that it would be more than strong enough to contain any blast.

“There,” Harry said, pleased. “Now then, there are no more Horcruxes. It’s just you and me. Neither can live while the other survives, and one of us is about to leave for good.”

“One of us?” Voldemort jeered, his body taught. “You think it will be you, do you, the boy who has survived by accident, and because Dumbledore was pulling the strings?”

“Accident, was it, when my mother died to save me? Accident, when I decided to fight in that graveyard? Accident, that I didn’t defend myself tonight, and still survived, and returned to fight again?” Harry taunted.

“Accidents! Accident and chance and the fact that you crouched and sniveled behind the skirts of greater men and woman, and permitted me to kill them for you!”

“You won’t be killing anyone else tonight. You won’t be able to kill any of them ever again. Don’t you get it? I was ready to die to stop you from hurting these people.”

“But you did not!”

“I meant to, and that’s what did it. I’ve done what my mother did. They’re protected from you. Haven’t you noticed how none of the spells you put on them are binding? You can’t torture them. You can’t touch them. You don’t learn from your mistakes, Riddle, do you?”

“You dare!” Voldemort seethed

“Yes I dare! I know lots of important things you don’t know, Tom Riddle. Want to hear some, before you make another big mistake?”

“Is it love again?” Voldemort jeered. “Dumbledore’s favorite solution, love, which he claimed conquered death, though love did not stop him falling from the tower and breaking like old waxwork? Love, which did not prevent me stamping out your mudblood mother like a cockroach, Potter – and nobody seems to love you enough to run forward this time and take my curse. So what will stop you dying now when I strike?”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Harry said softly. “There is just one thing.”

“You must believe that you have magic that I do not, or else a weapon more powerful than mine.”

“I believe both.” Harry grinned at the shock that flitted across the serpent like face and then cocked his head when Voldemort began to laugh.

“You think you know more magic than I do? Than I, Lord Voldemort, who has performed magic that Dumbledore himself never dreamed of?”

“Oh he dreamed of it, but he knew more than you, knew enough not to do what you’ve done.”

“You mean he was weak! Too weak to take what might have been his, what will be mine!”

“No, he was cleaverer than you, a better wizard, a better man.”

“I brought about the death of Albus Dumbledore!”

“You thought you did, but you were wrong.”

“Dumbledore is dead!” Voldemort hissed.

“No he isn’t. Isn’t that right professor?” Harry turned his head sharply to the left, his eyes lighting on the form of his former headmaster.

“I believe it is,” Albus said, his eyes twinkling as gasps sounded out across the room.

“What is this?” Voldemort screamed.

“Severus Snape wasn’t yours. He was Dumbledore’s, Dumbledore’s from the moment you started hunting down my mother. And you never realized it, because of the thing you can’t understand. You never saw Snape cast a Patronus, did you, Riddle?”

Voldemort was silent, his eyes flitting back to the serene face of the man he thought he’d ordered to be killed and the boy who had thwarted him at every turn.

“Snape’s Patronus was a doe, the same as my mother’s, because he loved her for nearly all of his life, from the time when they were children. You should have realized. He asked you to spare her life, didn’t he?”

“He desired her, that was all, but when she had gone, he agreed that there were other women, and of purer blood, worthier of him, and he found a woman to become his slave!”

“Of course he told you that,” Harry scoffed. “But he became a spy the moment you threatened her, and he’s been working against you ever since!”

“It matters not whether Snape was mine or Dumbledore’s, or what petty obstacles they tried to put in my path! I crushed them as I crushed your mother, Snape’s supposed great love! Oh, but it all makes sense, Potter, and in ways you do not understand. Dumbledore was trying to keep the Elder wand from me! He intended that Snape should be the true master of the wand! But I got there ahead of you, little boy – I reached the wand before you could get your hands on it. I understood the truth before you caught up. I killed Severus Snape three hours ago, and the Elder Wand is truly mine!”

“Wrong again Riddle,” Harry smirked. “Isn’t that right professor?”

“Correct, Potter.” Severus’s voice was raspy but still carried across the hall, his hood lowering to reveal glittering eyes. His mouth turned up in a smirk when more gasps sounded out.

“NO!” Voldemort howled and aimed the killing curse at the dour professor which was fizzled out by Hermione and Draco’s shield.

“You see,” Harry said, as if he was starting a casual conversation about quidditch. “You underestimated him again. Let’s back up, shall we? When you ordered Draco to kill Dumbledore, he made a vow to kill the Headmaster himself should Draco fail. He formed an alliance with Draco. Little did they know, Draco literally ran head long into love. Recognize their markings? They’ve had them almost a year now.” He gestured towards Draco, who had Hermione clutched firmly in his arms and was ignoring the murmurs of the crowd.

“Blood traitor!” Voldemort spat.

“Perhaps.” Harry nodded. “But, once again, you underestimate the power of love, Riddle. Hermione convinced Draco that there was another way. They searched for a way to thwart the vow and stage Dumbledore’s death and they found it. Melody is much more than a talented slave Riddle. I’m surprised, as wild as you are about blood purity, that you never checked into hers. A direct descendent of Merlin is hard to come by.”

“Impossible.”

“Hardly,” Harry snorted. “She was the key, you know. She gave them information that allowed them to brew a potion to mimic death. It worked beautifully.”

“I saw Snape cast the killing curse, saw it through the eyes of my most loyal!” Voldemort screamed. “I saw the old man fall.”

“You saw exactly what you were meant to see,” Harry said with a grin. “What you didn’t see is a concentrated effort by Draco and Hermione to deflect and absorb the curse and Melody catch Dumbledore’s body before he hit the ground.”

“There is no way to deflect the killing curse!” Voldemort spat, his eyes flashing mutinously.

“Magic you don’t have, a weapon more powerful than yours, remember? Once again Riddle, you underestimate love. Haven’t you noticed that no one on either side has been felled by the killing curse tonight? It’s quite something, really, but now we’re just off tangent. You attempted to kill the wrong person in the first place. Snape never beat Dumbledore.”

“Then Dumbledore as good as gave me the wand! I stole it from its his tomb, against its last master’s wishes. Its power is mine!”

Harry burst out laughing. “Now you’re just grasping. The body you pulled the wand from was merely a transfigured log, meant to take the place of Dumbledore while he was recovering. Possessing the wand isn’t enough. Dumbledore was disarmed that night by Draco Malfoy, making Draco the true owner of the wand.”

“I can attend to Draco Malfoy,” Voldemort spat.

Harry snickered. “He’d turn you into ash just like he destroyed all those vampires you allied with. Besides, you’re too late Riddle. I took the wand from him over a month ago and had it placed back in the tomb with the log resembling Dumbledore. I am the true master of the Elder Wand.”

Voldemort screamed in fury and lifted his wand, hurdling the killing curse at Harry, who returned it with an expelliarmus. The spells arced against one another, hitting the barrier shield that Hermione and Draco were struggling to keep up. It rebounded off the walls hundreds of times before the Elder Wand spun out of Voldemort’s hand and hit him with the green curse square between the eyes. Harry was ducking to the floor with a smaller shield, held by him and a shaking Ginny while the curses inside the larger shield were bouncing back and forth. Hermione and Draco increased the power, feeling it leach from their bones as they adjusted the shield to absorb the remaining curses. When the last one sparked into nothingness, they ended the spell and collapsed in a spent heap in the floor. Their world went dark.

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“Morning sunshine,” Melody said softly as Draco cracked his eyes open and then slammed them shut against the harsh sunlight.

“What happened?” He asked, his voice scratchy and his body achy.

“We won,” Harry’s voice was tired.

Draco sat straight up, his eyes popping open at the sound. “We won?”

Harry gave him a tired smile. “Don’t you remember? You kind of saved everyone’s arses.”

Draco closed his eyes and tried to organize his muddled thoughts. He remembered Harry and Voldemort circling each other, Harry throwing taunts and knocking holes in Voldemort’s logic and confidence. Then curses flew and he and Hermione absorbed them all. “Hermione!”

“Calm down, she’s right beside you.” Melody chuckled. “Hell, you’re still holding her hand!”

Draco looked down to find that he did indeed have her hand clutched in his. She looked so peaceful in her repose. He brushed a lock of hair out of her face and smiled, thanking the Gods for bringing them together. He hated to wake her up but as he looked around, he could see a roomful of people. They were in the hospital ward. He gently shook her shoulder and murmured sweet words in her ear.

She winced and her eyes fluttered open. “We won,” she whispered and sat up slowly, looking around to find several people staring at her. Severus was on the bed across from them, Celeste draped across his lap with her head on his shoulder. In the next bed, Harmony was propped up on pillows, her head resting on Philippe’s shoulder. The healer was perched on the side of the bed and rubbing circles on her hand. Melody was standing beside Alex to the right of the bed, the vampire’s arms crossed protectively over her stomach. Harry was next to them and had his arm around Ginny’s shoulder, holding her as close to him as he could. McGonagall, Poppy, and Kingsley were standing behind a beaming Dumbledore at the foot of their bed. What caught her eyes though was the couple on the left side of the bed.

Ron stood rigid, Luna’s hand in his, his eyes glued to hers. “Married?”

A quick look around revealed a slightly blushing McGonagall and a sheepish Harry. She sighed, knowing that it had to come out sooner or later. “It was the only way. But I don’t regret it. Please Ron, no one was supposed to know.”

Ron closed his eyes and shook his head. “Harry knew.”

“Harry knew because he had to know,” Hermione said softly. “And I can’t say more than that.”

“Why not?” Ron growled.

“Ron,” Luna said softly. “She really can’t tell you. They’re happy though, so happy.”

Ron sighed and nodded his head, drawing the blonde in his arms and hugging her tightly. “Well, can’t ask for more than that, I suppose.”

“Oh Ron,” Hermione whispered, a tear falling down her face. “Are you happy?”

Ron looked at her and then down at the blonde nestled in his chest. “You know what? I believe I am.”

“Congratulations Weasley,” Draco said, pulling Hermione into his lap. “I think we all deserve a bit of happiness now.”

“We do,” Kingsley’s deep voice cut through the air. “However, there are still many things to discuss.”

“What happened after we passed out?” Hermione asked.

“Well,” Harry said softly, “Kingsley was named Minister of Magic. The remaining Death Eaters and werewolves, except for Remus, were locked up. Only the vampires on our side survived and they were given a full pardon. In fact, Demitri is looking after your mother, Draco. Your father was found in the shrieking shack, completely drained of blood.”

“Is that so?” Draco asked, fighting back a smirk. “Well, good riddance then.”

“No grief for your father?” Kingsley asked curiously.

“He’s not my father anymore,” Draco said, his tone bordering on threatening.

Kingsley was about to open his mouth but was stopped by a hand on his arm and a swift jerk of McGonagall’s head. He relented and remained silent.

“How many?” Hermione whispered.

“Forty five on our side.” Melody said quietly. “Ten aurors, three house elves, two centaurs, fifteen fifth years that agreed to stay, Trelawney, Sinestra, Percy, Dean, Seamus, Cho Chang, Ernie Macmillian, Eloise Mudgen, Zacharias Smith, and Susan Bones.”

“My God,” Draco cried, his breathing hitched.

“Would you like to know who you saved?” Harmony asked quietly. “There’s three of the Weasleys, the Creevey boys, Lavender, Remus, Tonks, dozens of fifth years, and probably half the room during Harry and Voldemort’s duel. All in all, I say you performed admirably.”

“So many,” Hermione sniffled.

“They knew the risk,” Kingsley said softly. “They will be honored as heroes.”

“They should,” Draco said, shuddering at the losses.

“You should know,” Kingsley said, clearing his throat uncomfortably. “You and Snape have both been pardoned of your crimes since the person you were accused of killing seems to be quite alive. You are wanted for questioning though. The power you displayed last night was astronomical and the Ministry wishes to inquire of its origin.”

“I’m afraid we can’t tell you Minister,” Draco said tersely. “Suffice it to say that after what Potter displayed, you should simply accept the fact that some things are unexplainable and leave it at that.”

“I agree,” Harry said, sitting on the bed beside theirs. “Minister, no one knew someone could survive the killing curse, let alone twice and I have. I wish to live my life in peace, not as a frog for dissection.”

“I’ll see what I can do you but you do realize that half the wizarding world is going to fear you, fear what you can accomplish.”

Harry laughed. “I’m pretty sure that if we haven’t taken over the world just yet, we’re not going to try.”

Kingsley merely lifted an eyebrow and bowed out. “Then I bid you good day.”

“That was fun,” Melody said when the Minister had left. “Now, if you’re up to it, a group of red heads wishes to smother you.”

“Huh?” Draco asked inarticulately.

Before anyone could answer, Molly Weasley came barreling through the infirmary door and engulfed them both in a suffocating hug. “Oh, I can’t thank you enough. You protected my family.”

Draco’s eyes slammed shut, the image of a broken Percy still quite vivid behind them. He still felt like a failure, a simple piece of wall evading him. Before he could sink back to his dark place, the Weasley matriarch’s lips were at his ear.

“Ron told me everything that happened. No one could have saved poor Percy. While we will mourn him, we will rejoice in the fact that we have the rest.”

“Thank you,” Draco whispered.

“No Draco. Thank you,” Molly cried. “Thank you both. We’ll be forever in your debt.”

Arthur and Bill were standing behind her, quietly observing and giving a nod of their head when he looked at each of them. He looked around the hospital wing, spotting three cots whose occupants had shocks of red hair. Next to them, he could see the bandaged figure of Lavender. Surprisingly, Blaise was by her side, his face holding a smirk to rival the devil. The rest of the cots were filled with the injured but his heart felt a bit lighter with the knowledge that they’d saved as many as they had. Perhaps they could get past the bone crushing feeling of failure.

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“Is this the last one?” Hermione asked as she smoothed her skirt.

“Yes, Seamus’s family had to organize a muggle and magical funeral combined so it took a little longer,” Draco said, straightening out his tie.

They’d made it a point to attend each and every funeral for the victims of the war. Each death had somehow seemed like a personal loss to Draco, another failure. He knew Hermione had felt the same way, though they never spoke the words aloud. It seemed that to do so would cheapen it somehow. So, they doggedly dressed for each event, shook hands, said heartfelt accolades, gave their regards, and mourned the senseless loss of another life.

They’d been visited by Nemesis the day after the war, the smiling Goddess praising their effort and informing them that they world would be at peace for a long while but to keep their training up. New threats sprung up all the time and as their burden, they’d be expected to keep the peace. Luckily, they’d only be called in for the heavy jobs. They hoped that they’d remain at peace for a long while to come. War had taken a heavy toll on everyone.

Efforts to rebuild were astronomical in the fall of Voldemort. The school was returned to full glory less than a month later and a replacement was found for Astronomy, though Sinestra and Trelawney’s names were added to a memorial outside in the courtyard along with the names of all of those lost in the war. Students were invited to come back, the months of study extended for those who had been on the run.

It wasn’t for them though. Surprisingly, Hermione wanted to get away as much as Draco did so they’d sat their NEWTS only a week prior. They’d both aced them, making Severus proud. It hadn’t taken but a few days to locate Hermione’s parents and restore their memories along with those of Narcissa. They’d caught up and were happy that things turned out for the better.

Still, things were not the same. Draco and Hermione were hounded at every turn, people begging to know where their powers came from. They’d retreated to Malfoy Manor behind his ancient family wards along with his mother and in a surprise twist, Demitri, who had taken quite a liking to the widow. Draco had been torn at first but Demitri agreed not to turn her unless she explicitly asked him to, and not under the thrall either. He’d given his blood vow as a vampire and Draco relented, knowing his mother needed someone kind and loyal, even if he sucked blood.

Harry’s life wasn’t much better. He’d taken to wearing his cloak almost everywhere so he could get a moments peace and had even decided to go back to school under heavy wards so he could retain some normalcy. Dumbledore had given him and Ginny access to their own room, unknown to anyone other than the phenoms and the pure couple. He’d already asked Arthur for her hand and proposed but they were waiting until Ginny was of age before they married, well, married publicly anyway. They’d reveal their other bonding after the wedding.

Ron and Luna were proving inseparable and Hermione hoped they’d end up together, despite them also being hounded by the press. Ron didn’t wish to return to school but Luna had breezily informed him that it was what she wanted him to do. Ron caved in a week and Draco had laughed madly at how whipped the weasel already was, secretly happy for them. Melody and Harmony along with their husbands had fled back to America to escape the attention. Harmony was due any day and Melody was experiencing complications as a result of the way the twins were conceived so it was healthier for them to return home.

In a surprising twist, Severus and Celeste had chosen to go with them. No one could blame him though. The war had perhaps been the hardest on the dour Potion’s master and everyone close to him agreed that he needed the rest. Besides, he had children to prepare for. Celeste had been using a spell to mask her pregnancy from him. She was actually a month along during the battle. After his initial anger, Severus melted and refused to move more than twenty yards away from Celeste and the boy in her womb on pain of death. The students made the trek to America at least once a week to check in on them and were delighted with how happy he was.

“Ready love?” Draco asked, fastening the collar around his wife’s throat. They’d decided to cover up most of their markings, save the hummingbird on their faces because it attracted too much attention.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Hermione sighed and they apparated to a beautiful countryside.

The funeral was bittersweet, the beauty of the fall country side seeming to pale a bit as they buried the Irish boy with a penchant for pyrotechnics. Stories were shared of his many trials and triumphs and Hermione and Draco made it a point to shake every member of his family’s hand and offer their condolences. When it was over, Draco ushered her to a small valley where they viewed a lovely sunset.

“You have everything we’ll need?” Draco asked.

Hermione patted her beaded bag, the one she’d taken to Grimmauld place, and smiled. “I believe so. Egypt?”

“For a start.” Draco smiled and wrapped his arms around her, apparating her to the first of many places they were going to explore. It was time they had fun. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, after all! Still, the words they kept in their heart as they left for new adventures weren’t any that they had ever heard aloud, but rather remnants from a letter written by a woman who was prepared to die to fulfill her destiny.

¹ If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

AN: Hello everyone. And...now we come to the close. It feels so strange, to be at the end. Don't worry, there's one more chappy left. I've also decided to brave the Luna/Ron story so keep an eye out for that one, no title yet. I'm going to go ahead and post this story as complete but be on the lookout for the epilogue. I'm going to take a few weeks off before I start posting the sequel for those interested. I have sooo many things that I need to do and there just isn't enough time in the day. As for my Snape/OFC fic, I'm sorry to say it isn't Celeste. It is, however, someone that I've grown very attached to and I hope you guys will too. Here is a teeny little preview:

It was obvious that she was running away from her attacker. Her eyes were wild and she sporadically swiped at the tangled mass of blood matted hair on top of her head to keep tendrils out of her eyes. Severus felt a tug in his chest despite the fact that he didn’t know where he was or even have a place to stay; he wanted to help this poor woman. It made him think of the hundreds he couldn’t save while serving as a double spy. Just as he was about to step out of the shadows, she made an abrupt turn and ran to the door of what looked to be a church. Severus squinted to see the sign: Our Lady of Grace Convent.

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