Harry Potter and the Six Founders

Chapter 13 - The final battle

Hogwarts, morning, the next day

Morning finally came to Hogwarts.

Madam Pomfrey was only moderately surprised to find that the infirmary had transformed overnight into a secondary dormitory, and a mixed one at that. At least the non patient had kept their clothes on.

She harrumphed upon entering and Harry was the first one to wake up. He held her stare and smiled affectionately at the healer who had patched him up so many times. She felt her heart melting and couldn't bring herself to berate him, or the others, for the transgression. These were extraordinary circumstances and some rules could be overlooked.

She checked the girls, who were all practically recovered and then the Headmaster who was still in his unknown coma. She had never seen anything like it.

Hermione woke up to see Harry's anxious face above her and she smiled to reassure him.

"Hello love. How are you feeling?" he asked.

"I'm fine." It was true. She didn't feel any lingering pain. There was only the memory of those terrible hours but the dreamless night had managed to put that a little bit away. She realized that all of them had spent the night in this room. Even Vincent and Gregory who were starting to wake up. She spotted a very young girl with pale hair next to Draco.

Harry followed her glance.

"It's Silena. Draco's sister. Professor Snape found her in the ruins of their house. She's the only one who survived."

He paused and reviewed the events of the previous evening

"Lots of orphans in this room," he concluded.

"Poor thing. She must be terrified."

Hermione stood up and walked toward her, greeting the others as she went.

Draco and Ginny were in each other's arms and she hugged them. Draco was a little surprised but when he saw the emotions in her face he nodded. It was hard to speak about what had happened but he knew that Hermione shared his grief fully, and that she would never forget his sacrifice. He turned to Silena who was just waking up.

"Silena."

The young girl looked up with frightened eyes at all these people. Vincent and Gregory she had seen several times at the house, she didn't particularly liked them but they seemed friendly enough. She recognized the boy called Harry Potter, about whom his brother had ranted so much about these past years, but with whom he was now friends, as he had explained in some of his letters. The red haired girl must be Ginny Weasley, the one he wrote much about. Still it was a little confusing.

"Silena these are my friends and yours too. Don't be afraid. You'll be safe here. Did you sleep well?"

She nodded. It was hard to speak and she only managed a greeting and a shy smile.

"Hello..." She was comforted by the gentle smiles and greetings she got back.

An uncomfortable silence followed, which was broken by Ron.

"Anybody for some breakfast?" he called out. Vincent and Gregory nodded in enthusiasm. Harry chuckled.

"Good idea Ron," answered Ginny. "For once we'll listen to your stomach. Come Silena we'll find you some clothes." She took the younger girl's hand and with Draco they made for the Slytherin quarters.

They agreed to meet in the eating hall.

It was still very early and they were the first in, and so naturally they took place at the same table. A warm sense of camaraderie made the meal a little special. The latest crisis had brought them closer together and the mix of love, friendship and trust was a permanent background of their lives. Whatever could happen they would not be alone. It reminded Harry of how he had felt at the beginning of the summer at Grimauld Place.

The situation might be terrifying, but as long as they could face it together it was bearable. The exceptional seriousness only showed itself in the lack of the usual banter between them. They all felt that today would be not be a time for games. Nothing special was planned but they knew that something would happen, maybe even something decisive.

They would be ready.

The first event of the day came as a summons for Harry and Draco by McGonagall. They looked at each other and them at the others for the briefest instant and without saying a word all six went to the professor's office.

Minister Fudge was already there with two serious looking wizards and Percy Weasley. Snape was there as well. The two Hogwarts teachers' faces were closed and unsmiling. McGonagall looked as if she hadn't slept at all but she showed resolve and energy. Percy looked uneasy and Ron and Ginny glared at him.

Fudge frowned at the sight of the six students.

"Excuse me but we will only need to speak with Potter and Malfoy."

Harry ignored Fudge and turned to professor McGonagall.

"I'm sorry professor. We felt that it might be better for all of us to be there." I'll obey you but not the Minister, his eyes said.

McGonagall picked it up.

"You are correct Mister Potter. It is after all normal that all witnesses be present." She turned a cold face to Fudge. "I have also arranged for Arthur Weasley to be here as well."

Fudge looked like he was going to explode.

"What does Weasley have to do with the case? This is preposterous!"

McGonagall was unfazed.

"Quite a lot actually. After all he is father to two of the students, co-guardian to two others and he has also expressed interest in looking after Mister Malfoy and his sister."

Fudge turned violently and glared at Percy as if to ask for a reason to object. Percy cringed and felt obliged to quote the relevant regulation.

"Er... Professor McGonagall is right sir," he mumbled. "There is a precedent for this in the case of...."

"All right!" Fudge cut him off. "But I don't have time to wait until every possible party has been notified. I have some serious business to attend to and I don't have any time to waste for...."

He stopped as he spotted Arthur Weasley entering the room.

"Certainly Minister. We wouldn't dream of wasting your time," said Arthur pleasantly.

Fudge frowned and gestured Arthur to join them.

"Harrumfff! Well don't stand there Weasley. Do come in and let's get this over with."

Fudge took out a note and spoke without looking at anyone.

"I have received reports of a very disturbing incident, one consequence of which is the death of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy and the destruction of their house." He looked at Draco. "I am to understand that there is a survivor besides yourself. Your sister?"

"Yes Minister," answered Draco calmly. "Her name is Silena. She was injured but her life is not in danger."

"And where is she now?" asked Fudge.

"Here in the school, Minister."

Fudge didn't pursue the matter. Clearly the girl was no concern of his.

"And what happened exactly?"

Draco described the events of the past day. Percy grew alarmed when he realized what had happened to his sister.

"Ginny! Are you all right? What..."

"Weasley," Fudge interrupted him. "Will you please keep your place! We are conducting an inquiry into a serious matter and you have a duty to perform."

"Sir! This is my sister! You can't ask me to..."

"MISTER WEASLEY! I believe I have made myself clear!"

Percy was very confused. He looked at Ginny, and then at his father who nodded almost imperceptibly. He swallowed and subsided.

"Yes Minister." He said in a toneless voice.

He gave Ginny another concerned look and his hand reached out toward her until he stopped it.

Harry and Ron exchanged a look. So he didn't even tell Percy all the information he must have had.

Fudge ignored his subordinate and turned to Draco.

"These are serious accusations and they concern the Crabbe and Goyle families who are also victims in this. Is there any proof of your allegations?"

Hermione and Ginny gasped in outrage but before they could speak Arthur answered the Minister in a calm unfazed voice.

"We have a very complete report of the Auror task force, and of Professor Snape here present. Everything fits Minister."

Fudge looked embarrassed.

"Well... All right. But the Parkinsons have also filed a complaint and several families have requested additional protections. I will have to allocate the Auror force currently affected to Hogwarts to other duties."

"But Voldemort is menacing us more than any other targets," exclaimed McGonagall. "And while the Headmaster is out of action we need this extra protection."

"I'm afraid that I cannot do anything else," replied Fudge stubbornly. "I'm sure that the school is well protected."

"With all due respect Minister," intervened Snape. "I have to agree with professor McGonagall. We are most likely to be attacked soon, and a team of Aurors would probably make the difference between survival and disaster."

"That is not possible at the moment. I will need them until we can organize a number of self defense groups. I will consider letting you have some of them back in a few days."

McGonagall was adamant.

"In a few days it will likely be too late. You are condemning us by your decision Minister. I urge you to reconsider it."

Fudge shot her a hard look.

"If you feel that you cannot assure the security of the school then I can assign someone else to head it. The choice is yours."

"Would you give that person more assistance than you would give me?" she said returning his stare.

"No I wouldn't" replied Fudge.

She gave him a look a pure loathing.

"Then I will not rescind my responsibility, and you can be sure that I will remember your attitude Minister."

"Are you threatening me professor?" said Fudge in his most administrative voice.

No one replied but the look on their faces was clear enough. Fudge shrugged and signaled his subordinates to follow him out. Percy stayed put.

Fudge stopped at the door and looked at him impatiently.

"Well Weasley? Are you coming?"

"No sir I'm staying here," Percy said, looking at his father.

"What! Don't be an idiot. You don't have a choice in this. Come with me."

"No sir I won't." Percy turned toward his superior.

He had taken on his old stubborn attitude, but this time directed at someone he would never have thought of disobeying.

"Weasley If you don't come here this minute I'll have you fired!" said Fudge menacingly.

"No sir you can't fire me," replied Percy with a rare smile. "I invoke the Wizengamot Clause of Conscience and I thereby ask for an emergency leave of absence effective this instant."

Ron's eyes opened up in surprise, and Arthur's face broke into a smile at his son's decision.

Fudge was furious.

"I will not allow this." He turned to Arthur. "Weasley. I demand that you talk some sense into your boy!"

Arthur shook his head.

"That boy is a man Minister. I will certainly not attempt to change a decision which I approve of."

"I'll have you fired too!"

"I'm afraid you cannot do that so easily Minister," objected Percy. "My father is a senior officer of the

Ministry and his dismissal requires a full hearing comity, which must be properly convoked."

Fudge stuttered incoherently for a moment and then left abruptly. Percy started to tremble as he realized what he had done but Ginny rushed to hug him.

"Percy I love you. You did the right thing."

"Welcome back son," said Arthur simply.

Percy shook his head in disbelief.

"I had no doubts before that he was right and that he only wanted to do the decent thing," he tried to explain. "It was harder to believe lately but that was the last straw." He squeezed Ginny in his arms. "I swear I had no idea what had happened. He could at least have told me."

"Minister Fudge has never cared about anything but his own career," said Snape.

Percy winced. He had been exactly like that himself, and not only for selfish reasons. He had really thought that the ministry was doing the proper thing. Where did I go wrong? He was confused about the past but the present situation at least was clear. Fudge was making a criminal decision to diminish the school defenses.

Arthur spoke up. Gone was the gentle eccentric ministry official. He seemed to be taking charge of things, even above McGonagall. In fact, with Dumbledore absent, he was the leading member of the Order of the Phoenix and that organization was once again the most important thing they could count upon.

"We need to recall all the members of the Order here," he said. "And we'll have a meeting with you six. It's time that we discuss the last plans we made with the Headmaster."

They felt a thrill at hearing that. Harry knew that Dumbledore had been preparing something, but it had not advanced to the stage where it could be discussed with them. It had been hinted however that he would play a central part in it.

This is it. It can't be anything but the final confrontation with Voldemort.

He looked back at his friend's father and tried to force a resolute smile. It probably looked like a grimace but there was no doubt that he was willing.

They organized things quickly. Tonks had spectacularly protested when Fudge had notified her of the recall order. She threatened to resign with such fury that he backed away immediately. The rest of the Aurors were indecisive, especially so when they received an official written order from the Ministry.

Mad Eye Moody was officially retired and therefore free to go where he wanted. In practice he had been spending a lot of his time with the Aurors, giving them advance training, and he was a hero to all of them. He berated Fudge in colorful language but even he couldn't convince more than a few of the force to stay.

The rest of the Order came in, including Fred and Georges who made a spectacular entrance with a chariot full of dangerous looking paraphernalia, cheered on by the whole school. The meeting was organized and after getting everyone up to date, Arthur called on Madam Pomfrey and Snape to give them a report on the Headmaster's condition.

"The Headmaster is suffering from a combination of curse and poison," explained Snape.

"The poison is a type of snake venom which constantly regenerates and adapts to any antidote which I can devise. I surmise that the curse makes this possible, by providing a link between the wound and the actual snake providing the venom."

Everyone listened in morbid fascination.

"Voldemort is probably using magic to mutate the animal. While that link is in operation it is all that we can do to keep the Headmaster alive, and we're even failing at that. I don't think we can hold him more than a couple of days, maybe even hours."

They looked at each other in horror. The idea that Dumbledore could die was something too terrible to contemplate. He had been the only wizard able to stand up to Voldemort.

"What could we do to break the link?" asked Arthur.

"Killing the animal would be a solution. Removing the curse seems very difficult." He turned to Bill, and professor Flitwick with whom he had discussed the situation. Bill had a lot of experience in curse breaking.

The young man shook his head.

"It's the most incredible thing I have ever seen. Certainly more complex than the Dark Mark. I don't believe we could break it without killing the Headmaster." Professor Flitwick nodded sadly in acquiescence.

Harry's heart sank. For a moment he had hoped that they could do the same trick which had worked so well with professor Snape. It would have been difficult without Dumbledore's help but they might have tried it.

"Part of the curse's strength is that Voldemort himself is part of it," continued Snape. "He probably has to regularly fickle with it, but perhaps this is something than we can use for our benefit." He paused and turned toward Harry. "We do have another angle on Voldemort."

Harry felt himself the center of everyone's attention. His face was grim as he guessed what the older man was driving at.

Arthur explained it.

"Harry you remember that you trained with professor Dumbledore for the very purpose of using the link you have with Voldemort through the scar he gave you." Harry nodded. He remembered quite well how difficult that had been.

"The initial idea had been to use it as tactical device in case of another attack. That still stands of course but lately we have been discussing a more offensive approach."

Hermione started to protest. The idea of Harry going against Voldemort alone in mind to mind combat terrified her. She sensed that the others felt the same way.

Arthur raised his hand.

"Please let me finish before you misunderstand what I'm saying. There is no way that Harry can affront Voldemort alone and survive now. The Headmaster believed that he would eventually be able to best him but it is too soon."

"However Harry proved that he can do very powerful magic when others join with him. And also when strong sentiments are involved. We all remember what his mother was able to do."

He gestured toward the young students.

"You six have built something very special together. Not only do you feel deep loyalty and affection for each other you also have a rare combination of talents which has not been matched since the four Founders of Hogwarts came together." He paused to let them imagine where he was heading. "Those wizards build something extraordinary, you will perhaps do something similar one day, but the Headmaster was confident that, with a little help, you could destroy Voldemort."

He paused.

"I think that at the very least you should be able to break the curse poisoning the Headmaster."

There was a general gasp around the room. Harry looked at Hermione and at his friends. He could fell that there was truth in what the man said, but he didn't understand how it could be done. Certainly they had never trained for such a goal.

"How can we do that sir?" he said, speaking for all of them.

Arthur was embarrassed.

"A very valid question and for which I have no definite answer. It's a chicken and egg problem. Dumbledore is the one who could tell you how but he won't be available until you do it." He gestured around the room. "But maybe we can devise something."

"Arthur how dangerous is this?" asked Molly.

She kept her voice steady but the anguish she felt could be sensed clearly.

"That link goes both ways. Isn't there a chance that Voldemort could fight back?"

"Well Harry has some experience in this," Arthur replied, grimacing. "I understand that it can be a very painful experience and please don't think that I take it lightly. We'll certainly try to devise a way to help you, but it is true that this is unknown territory."

"If it becomes a full blown mental battle, they might not be able to break out," insisted Molly. They could be killed or driven insane, and not just Harry but all six of them. Have you considered that?"

Arthur swallowed and looked at his wife.

"Yes," he confirmed in a low voice. "I discussed this with Dumbledore, and we had planned on a lot more advanced training before attempting anything like this." He turned toward the six youths. "Everything Molly says is true. It will be very dangerous, and certainly painful. None of us would consider asking you to try this if the circumstances weren't so desperate."

He looked around the room.

"I know this is not fair but if anyone has a better idea I'm ready to hear it."

No one said a word and the heavy silence was like a massive weight upon them. After a while Remus spoke up.

"Can the school stand up against the kind of attack that Voldemort could launch against us?"

Moody was the most experienced warrior among them.

"We've about fifteen adult fighters and they can probably muster twice that number of Death Eaters. They'll have Dementors and maybe other creatures as well. We could probably hold out against that, if reinforcements came quickly. I expect we'd sustain half a dozen casualties among the fighters, and very probably more among the students. It would be a bloody draw but all this is without counting Voldemort. I don't think we could hold out against him."

"We'll do it." interrupted Harry. He knew that he didn't have to discuss it with his friends. They would follow him whatever he did, and this decision was only one he could imagine taking.

It was as simple as that.

He reached out to take Hermione's hand. Trying not to think about what could happen to her. He felt her reassuring pressure and turned toward her. Her face told it all. She would go along. He looked at Ron and Luna and saw the same trust in their eyes. Draco and Ginny were even more eager. We all want to act, he thought. Anything is better than just waiting for something to save us.

Looking up toward the adults he noticed Snape looking distinctly unhappy. He could easily understand why. Up to now he had always been the voice of reason, restraining them when he felt that they were taking excessive risks, and putting them down when they actually. Today he couldn't do it anymore and it caused Harry a perverse sense of satisfaction.

Checkmate dear professor.

He met Arthur's gaze.

"When do we start?"

McGonagall felt she had to make sure.

"Do you really want to do this? All of you? Do you realize what it can mean for you?"

"Yes professor. We understand very well," answered Hermione.

And that was that. There wasn't time to do much. It was decided that they couldn't wait for a attack while Dumbledore's condition was deteriorating. The plan was to engage contact with Voldemort and attempt to kill the poisoning snake, or at the very least weaken the curse's link.

McGonagall recovered the Sorting Hat and led them to a room at the very center of the school. None of them had ever seen it before.

"This meditation chamber is normally used for mental exercises requiring intense concentration," she told them. "We will leave you here to prepare yourselves but we'll be right outside if you need help. Professor Snape, professor Flitwick and Madam Pomfrey will be with the Headmaster and ready to act if you can manage to break the curse."

She looked at the Hat in her hand. She'd taken it from Dumbledore's office without knowing exactly why. Just an intuition actually, that and the thought that the Hat was certainly the one with the most extensive experience in reading other minds. It might conceivably help them.

Snape had prepared some mind enhancing potions for them. They drank them and sat in a circle. It was the same setup they'd used during their previous exercises. Only this time it would be for real, and no one would there ready to help them. McGonagall placed the Hat in the middle.

Remus was the last to leave.

"Remember one thing above all," he said. "Remember your love for each other. That feeling should be a powerful weapon against Voldemort. Harry, remember that time at the Ministry. If all else fails you will need to fall back upon that. Refrain from using anger or negative emotions, Voldemort would turn these against you."

They nodded gravely and when their friend left they held hands. The Hat deployed itself and looked at them, turning around.

"Hum. I guess we're going to try something unusual today," it said and frowned in concentration. "Ah yes I see what you are planning to do. Very courageous, ambitious and kind. Not to mention clever. I like it."

"Can you help us in this?" asked Ginny.

"Yes. At least a little. I will help you communicate with each other. I don't have too much power but perhaps I will be able to invoke the Founders. Their memories may prove useful."

It started to levitate and turn slowly, fixing them one after the other.

"Close your eyes and concentrate," it ordered. "Harry when you are ready, and when you feel the others with you, then you can open the link with Riddle."

Harry closed his eyes and slowly he began to sense the presence of his friends and love's mind. It was much more intense than what they had previously felt. We should have practiced with the Hat before. Too bad none of us thought about it.

He felt the answering thought. You didn't waste your time. You had to learn the basics first.

After a moment, the feeling of the others' presence stabilized and didn't grow any stronger. He received occasional flashes of thought from them among a permanent flow of emotion. Warmth and love from the girls, enthusiasm and loyalty from Ron, admiration and power from Draco.

I'm ready to open the link. Are you?

He felt their acquiescence and launched his mind into the void toward his enemy. It was the first time he would be initiating the contact without previous provocation.

This time surprise was on their side. He plunged into the evil mind of Voldemort. There was a dark room with unrecognized paraphernalia here and there. They could even smell the potions, and smoking brews. The poisonous snake must be around somewhere.

Voldemort reacted quickly and blinding pain struck at them, but it was not as bad as it at once been and they could sense that the dark wizard was also suffering from their contact. Harry decided to try something. He magnified his feeling of love for Hermione, the deep caring affection he felt for his other friends. He heard Voldemort screaming and the pressure lessened. It was working! They were gaining control and he tried to see around and find their target.

There it is!

A vicious looking black snake with burning red eyes was in some kind of shimmering field on one table. It was linked to silvery objects which could be a supporting mechanism. How could they destroy it? Was there something that they could strike at? They had discussed a number of possible spells but it had been impossible to decide on one in advance.

Harry tried a Finite Incantanum. The field trembled but it was not enough. They launched Reducto hexes on some of the silver objects, and one of them finally broke. Meanwhile Voldemort seemed to be recovering and the pain in their head was mounting.

The shimmering field seemed different now, perhaps it was damaged. On a hunch Harry tried the Finite Incantanum spell again, putting all his willpower behind it, and calling upon the others to assist him. The pain in his head was incredible and his vision was blurring, but the shield was dissolving. He felt Draco launch a deadly hex at the snake and he hoped it worked because he had to sever the link before losing control.

He was back in the meditation room, but the view was very different. He realized that he was lying on the floor. The stone floor felt nice and cool against his cheek and he closed his eyes. He was drenched in sweat and trembling with exhaustion.

After a moment he heard movement and voices. He re-opened his eyes and saw that the others were also on the floor in disorder. People were moving around them, helping them sit up. Someone, it felt like it was McGonagall, placed a drink to his lips. It was the same one that he'd been given before. A little strength returned.

"Hermione, the others, the Headmaster..." he croaked.

"Everyone is safe and the curse has been weakened enough so that we were able to remove it."

He had to concentrate to understand what she was saying.

"We did it?" he asked, looking up to the old teacher's face. "We really did it?"

She was smiling, and her eyes were bright with emotion and pride.

"Yes," she whispered. "You did it. It was a remarkable feat."

He smiled back.

"Great," He murmured. He tried to turn around. "Where's Hermione?"

He found that she was in Madam Pomfrey's arms. She looked a mess with her soaked hair in disarray and her nose had been bleeding, but she was smiling at him. She reached out to take his hand. He closed his eyes again in relief and then fell unconscious.

The adults transported them to the infirmary. Dumbledore was still recovering, but he had regained consciousness. The rest of the school had been told of the attempt and its success, and it was impossible to keep them away. Representatives from each house were authorized to witness for themselves that the Headmaster was really cured, or at least getting better and morale went up dramatically. The defense situation was still serious and Moody and the Aurors continued their rounds impressing on everyone not to reduce vigilance.

When Harry woke up, and realized where he was, he reflected that he was really spending too much time in the place. He ached all over but basically he was all right. He stepped out of bed, wincing at his sore muscles, and walked up to Hermione's bed. She was sleeping peacefully and he placed a hand against her arm for a moment while he looked at her.

He didn't want to wake her so he just planted a gentle kiss on her lips and went on to check on the others. As he looked at them he still felt the lingering intimacy of their fusion. This time they had gone much further than before. He was sure that with a little more practice they would be able to merge their power much more efficiently. For the first time he understood how they could vanquish Voldemort.

It was a very pleasant thought and with it came a feeling of power which washed over him. It was like the warmth of a summer sun. He heard the others squirm and turn in their beds and he guessed that they were still linked together. If he closed his eyes he could sense their presence around him. It was not as intense as it had been, but the sensation was still precise.

He relaxed and willed them to rest, testing the feedback. It's really amazing. They would discuss this later. For now they needed to rest. It was not over yet.

"Good morning Harry."

He turned at the sound of Dumbledore's voice. The Headmaster was sitting in bed. Propped up by pillows with Fawkes perched on the bed railings. Harry had to smile at the impressive amount of boxes of sweets and treats on his bed table. He walked up to him.

"Good morning sir. How are you feeling?"

Dumbledore reached out for a box of chocolate frogs and offered it to him.

"Much better thanks to you and your friends Harry. For once let me offer you one of my get-well candy." He smiled kindly at Harry and his eyes were twinkling with pleasure and something more.

"You taught us very well sir," Harry said.

He looked at the older man and realized what an understatement that was. Dumbledore had done more than just teach them. He had brought them together and given Harry the elements of a wonderful life, and the solution to the terrible curse of the prophecy. Harry felt tears of happiness swell in his eyes when he thought about it.

Dumbledore was looking at him with pride and he too felt the affection pouring out of the boy's heart. He swallowed a lump.

"Harry my dear boy..." his voice broke and Harry couldn't take it anymore. He rushed to embrace the old wizard who meant so much to him.

Dumbledore returned the embrace and closed his eyes. He had hoped that such a moment would come. When he would finally have no secrets to hold from Harry, no higher responsibility to prevent him from hiding his true feeling. And now Harry was his own man, who could find his own way. He still had a lot to learn, many battles to fight, but he could do it on his own. He, Albus, would be a friend and an ally but Harry had gained his independence today.

Harry understood some of that. The new assurance showed in his manner. There was tremendous respect and love for the old Headmaster, but he wasn't anymore the little boy who knew he could pass on responsibilities to the old wizard.

They talked for a moment, as friends. Dumbledore explained, and Harry was paradoxally glad to hear it, that there were no hidden plans anymore. What Harry and his friends had done was the ultimate weapon which could be used against Voldemort. Beyond that the field was open. There would be other tasks but they would tackle them together.

"What do you think will happen now?" asked Harry.

Dumbledore sighted.

"I don't think that Voldemort, he will always be Tom Riddle to me, has any choice but to attack us as soon as possible." He looked at Harry. "You have demonstrated that you can engage him at will. He knows that, as you grow stronger, you will be able to destroy him. He only has two choices: attempt to build up a defense against a force he doesn't understand or attack now and hope to destroy us when he still thinks he has an edge."

Harry nodded. He thought the same thing.

"Should we attempt to attack him again? We barely made it that last time."

"You did something extraordinary considering the limited experience that you had," replied Dumbledore seriously. "It will be better next time but I don't think it would be sufficient. But perhaps we can give you some additional help."

"What do you mean? Could you link with us?"

"No. It could perhaps be done with time but we don't have enough of that. I was thinking of the other students. You're all heroes to them you know. They would follow you in this final battle."

Harry frowned. "How could they participate?"

"Through the Sorting Hat, and the memory of the Founders. The Hat has been inside every one of their minds, it has helped you last time, and the Founders were the last to use such magic."

Harry was fascinated at the idea. The Headmaster continued.

"Each individual student doesn't have much power, but they would back you up and globally they can contribute a lot. Furthermore the fact that the entire school would be behind you would also invoke the whole of the magical potential inside these walls. I can't imagine anything holding out against that."

They were silent for a moment. It sobered him to think that such power would only come from others. If it belonged only to him, it would probably end corrupting him. It seemed proper that he could only call upon it if his friends were with him.

Another thought occurred to Harry.

"Won't he be able to get away?"

"He must not," said Dumbledore gravely. "I won't be able to hold him if he's too far away and that's going to be the crux. We'll have to let him come in very close. Maybe even think that he is winning."

The old and the young wizard looked at each other. Harry was beginning to realize how dangerous it would be.

"You mean that they will have to be inside the school? Won't that mean casualties among us? Among the students?" He was horrified.

Dumbledore's face reflected the same concern.

"If we had more adults we could keep the students in the most protected part. As it is, and because of Minister Fudge's decision," the Headmaster's voice was bitter, "we will have to count upon the older students for defense."

He sighed.

"I have contacted the Wizengamot, and we may be able to count on reinforcements in a couple of days." A grim smile appeared on his face. "Several important wizards are very unhappy with the Minister's decision. It will be difficult for him to survive this politically." He shrugged. "But that is not very important compared to other things."

His smile turned mischievous.

"However I have also been talking with Fred and George Weasleys and we may have a solution."

He described the twin's ideas and despite the gravity of the matter Harry couldn't help smiling and even chuckling of the idea. Trust those two to come up with such a thing.

The entire school was assembled once again in the great dining hall. They listened gravely as the Headmaster explained the situation and described the defense plan.

"We cannot be sure when the attack will come, of if it will occur at all," he concluded. "But if it does it will come soon. Each of you has his assigned role and I know that I can count on every one of you."

He paused.

"I have never been as proud of this school, of the faculty and of you students as I am today. This is a moment which we, and the wizard world, will always remember as a source of pride and inspiration. Today will forever become Hogwarts' day. Your day."

The entire hall applauded and cheered wildly as he bowed to them. Everyone stood up and shouted until one word was taken up rhythmically, first by a few groups then by all of them.

"Hogwarts! Hogwarts! Hogwarts! HOGWARTS! HOGWARTS! HOGWARTS!..."

The noise was deafening. Even the teachers were taking it up. Dumbledore stood in the middle of the ovation and after a while he raised his hands and there was silence.

He waited a moment and then, smiling with pride and affection he spoke the final words.

"Go now my dear children. My blessings upon you all."

Soberly the students got up and left for their assigned posts. Everyone had a role to play, however minor. The first and second year students would be relaying messages and ferrying supplies. Third fourth and fifth years were busy brewing potions and enchanting items under the directions of Fred and Georges and the teachers. The older students were mixed with the Aurors and teachers combat teams.

Some of those teams were patrolling the grounds outside the school, with particular attention to the area next to the Forbidden Forest and the road leading to Hogsmeade. The village community was also on a war footing. Since it was very difficult to defend it had been decided that it would be abandoned quickly if attacked. Anyone who could not Disapparate had already been evacuated.

The school ramparts and tower were filled with figures, eagerly scrutinizing the countryside and the sky.

As the time passed tension grew among the defenders. Harry and his friends talked together. Their conversation came and went about little things. Anything but what was going to happen. The couples held each other's hands. Without needing to say it, each felt that doing anymore would disrupt the communion they felt. And it would also feel too much like a last goodbye. They would have time later, and if they did not then nothing would matter.

Time passed slowly.

From his vantage point, Voldemort surveyed the castle in the distance. It had been a long time since he'd seen it last, as a wretched spirit inside the flesh of professor Quirrell. That time didn't count. He had been barely alive then and the memory was unpleasant.

Damn that Potter boy!

Their last encounter had been a nasty shock.

How could he have grown so powerful? Probably some relics of that damned mother of his. That must be it. That and some Legimency mind tricks Dumbledore must have taught him.

Voldemort told himself that it hadn't worked. At least it hadn't managed to hurt him, although the pain had been pretty bad.

If Potter tries that again I'll be ready and I'll fry his brain. No more fooling around now.

The attack plan was simple. He knew that the defenses would be weak. Fudge has once again nicely obliged by recalling the elite defenders. He would face only a couple of Aurors, the students themselves and a weakened Dumbledore.

And he would shock them. He would kill scores of the students until they would all scream in panic. It was a waste but the adult defenders would not be able to fight properly among such mayhem. They would attempt to save the children and his Death Eaters would pick them out one by one.

He gave the signal and a first wave of black winged reptiles took off and flew toward the school. The Dementors would follow. These were cannon fodder but they were necessary to saturate the defense. He only had thirty Death Eaters and he had lost some of the best. He looked in disgust at Bellatrix.

"Don't disappoint me once again," he snarled at her. "I don't expect to see you again if we don't succeed. Don't try to kill Potter, he is mine, but those friends of his are your target."

Bellatrix's eyes burned with hatred. She was even gaunter than before and he knew that she had trained herself tirelessly since that last battle, and that she drove the other Death Eater as hard as herself. She would be a terrifying fighter.

They mounted their brooms and flew toward the castle. Flashes of spells could be seen striking his birds out of the sky and here and there a few Patronus engaged the Dementors. The pressure was on and it was the perfect moment to strike.

Already he could see some bodies lying around. He felt a savage surge of joy at this.

I'm hurting them! Finally. This is an omen of what is to come.

The Death Eaters started to launch spells of their own but then something new happened. Patches of white mist appeared among the defense lines and the visibility dropped quickly.

When the first Death Eaters reached the walls. Most of the birds were gone, or invisible, and a good number of the Dementors had been routed toward the forest.

It doesn't matter. We're in. They're in retreat. We'll fight them inside.

The great doors were locked but Voldemort had a plan for that. He walked up to a side wall and whispered a few words in parseltongue. Several stones moved and rearranged themselves to form a small door. He chuckled to himself as he remembered how he had prepared this entrance more than fifty years ago, in his seventh year when he had realized that he might need to make a less than welcome return.

Inside they met with some fierce resistance. They didn't spot Potter or Dumbledore but the few Aurors and students they met were no real match for them. Still, in part because of the white mist which obscured much of their vision, those defenders managed to take out several attackers and in the close confine Voldemort resolved to take no chances and let his minions lead the way.

He tried to dispel the mist but it seemed to be constantly regenerating. He thought it an interesting but minor thing which only hindered them a little. The screams and sounds of battle left no doubt as to how the fight was going, as did the gory stains and the broken bodies along the way.

I am winning. Soon I will confront them in their last retreat and then they will die and I will rule forever.

The fighting went on. Finally they entered a great room and he saw the last of them. Dumbledore was on his knees in the center, his robe torn and one arm was hanging down as if broken. His eyes were glazed and he looked stunned. Harry was at his side with the Granger girl limp and bloody in his arms. A few pitiful crying children were huddled in a corner.

He pointed his wand at the Headmaster and blasted him away.

This is the end. So easy. I should have done this before.

"So Potter is that all you can do? Frankly I'm not impressed."

Harry cried in rage and raised his wand. Voldemort make a quick gesture and it flew out of the boy's hand.

"More than that. I think I'm disappointed. I truly expected a great fight. Well no matter. Die then! Avada Kevada."

He launched the killing spell aiming straight at the boy who was attempting to run toward him. Whatever for? This is boring.

Then everything disappeared. Voldemort turned around and found that he was alone in the room with his Death Eaters.

What in Hell is happening? An illusion! How could they have done that?

Before he could react he felt the mounting pressure in his head.

Potter! He sought to trick me and now he's trying the same mind trick as before. Well little good will it do him.

Voldemort lashed out with all his power against Harry's mental probe. He didn't bother to try to inflict pain, pure savage destruction would do.

He felt the tremendous surge of power reflected back at him. It was all he could do to neutralize and dissipate it. The Death Eaters next to him were caught in some of it and screamed in agony. He himself dropped on his knees.

It's a trap! I've got to get out of here.

He tried Disapparating but of course it didn't work inside the wards. And he had no portkey!

He had to leave this place quickly. He ignored the screams of his followers and stumbled toward the door but the pressure in his mind increased.

So much power! It's impossible!

He tried every trick he knew and still the pressure and pain mounted. It was more than pain. Those thoughts were pure nausea. It was more than he could take.

He vomited on the floor. Black bile and blood burst from him, from his mouth, his nose, his eyes. He was blind. He ran and stuck the wall, racked his nails on it.

Still the pressure mounted. He crawled along the floor, leaving a bloody trail. He didn't even feel his body anymore. It was like he was disintegrating. There were no thoughts anymore. Only pain and a terrible disgust. Anything was better than that. Even death.

It was his last coherent feeling as he fell into oblivion.

Inside the Chamber of Secrets Harry felt Voldemort die. The others could feel it too, even the students perceived part of that sickening agony. It was awful, but he had been the driving will behind this execution and sensed everything. He wondered if he would ever stop feeling disgusted at what he had done.

No one said a word. Harry was shivering and terribly afraid of looking at his friends' eyes. Fearing what they would see in his. Or what he would see in theirs.

It had started as something so pure, so noble. They had felt the power of their love, friendship, all those brilliant generous feelings and they had used it to carry out a terribly evil and disgusted deed.

It had been a crime. A necessary one perhaps but a crime nonetheless. They had defiled themselves.

He looked at Hermione, whose face was as stricken as his, and started to sob. A terrible raking anguish overwhelmed him. The others joined in and soon the sound of crying was deafening in the enclosed space. It reverberated against the stone walls like a heartrending concert of grief.

They wept for the innocence they had lost. It had felt like a game before. A dangerous and serious game but still not something which could claim their soul.

Dumbledore and the other adults were crying too. Not as wholeheartedly, but they understood what had happened. They cried in shame for having had to lead their students through that terrible act.

No one should have to pay such a price.

After a while, one after the other the children fell asleep, exhausted and drained. Dumbledore stood up and made sure that their sleep would be as deep as possible and then he gathered the teachers, House Elves and adults and gave his instructions.

It took a long time but one by one the students were carried to their beds and tucked in. Spells were cast, potions were made and administrated and finally the bone tired adults could retire in their turn, but before that they all passed one more time in front of the Headmaster...

Harry woke up in his bed. His mind was still fuzzy with sleep and for a moment he couldn't recall what day it was or how he had gotten to bed.

He stood up and went to Ron's bed.

"Ron, Ron! Wake up!"

A disheveled red topped face emerged from the pillows.

"..Ugh. What's up?"

"Ron! What happened?" Harry struggled to find the words to describe what he felt.

"What do you mean what happened?" Ron was anything but a fast riser and his morning puffed up face usually amused Harry, but not today.

"Ron! I want to know what happened yesterday. I can't remember!"

"Remember what?" Ron massaged his face. "Nothing special happened. We just..." The astonished look on his face would have been funny in other circumstances. "I can't remember either."

"Where are the girls?" Harry didn't even bother to dress. He ran down to the common room where he found professor McGonagall sprawled on the largest sofa.

"Harry!" Hermione and Ginny arrived from the girls' dormitory. He felt relief at seeing her and they rushed to embrace each other.

"Hermione what happened? I can't remember what happened last night!" It was eerily strange to be in such peaceful surrounding and yet to know that a very important part was missing.

He tried to recall the events of the previous day. They had spent the night in the infirmary...broken the curse on Dumbledore and then...

"What happened with Voldemort?" he asked suddently.

"You can stop worrying about him. He's dead." answered professor McGonagall in a tired voice.

They whirled around to look at her. She wasn't a fast riser either and the sofa wasn't a very conformable bed.

"What happened?" they cried as one.

She cringed and closed her eyes in pain.

"Please! Everything is fine. I will tell you all about it but I will not be questioned after all that night's work, without a decent cup of tea first." She gathered her robes and stood up but some puzzlement appeared on her face. "I..." She shook her head in annoyance. "No matter. You have time to get dressed and you can meet me in the dining hall in ten minutes."

"Professor..."

"I said ten minutes Harry." She looked unsure of herself and almost ran out of the room.

Hermione was the first to react.

"All right. We'll do as she says. Back here in five minutes."

When they came back and walked toward the hall they were joined by Draco and Luna. Everyone they met had the same symptoms of partial amnesia. No one could recall anything until they had regrouped inside the Chamber of Secrets. The plan had been to run a mobile defense using the simulators and create enough illusions so that Voldemort and his Death Eaters would be drawn unsuspecting deep inside the school. Since the wards would prevent them from leaving they would have to engage in the prepared battle.

It must have worked or else they couldn't imagine that things would be so peaceful, but why couldn't they have any memories of it?

They found McGonagall sipping her tea with Dumbledore. Both looked very tired, especially the Headmaster who looked carefully at Harry's face. McGonagall looked... angry.

"Good morning Harry. How are you feeling?" he asked in his gentle voice.

"I'm fine sir. Really fine. Except that I, we, don't remember what finally happened."

Dumbledore answered gravely.

"I know Harry. I did that to you and to the others." He turned toward McGonagall who glared back.

They were puzzled.

"But sir, why?" asked Hermione. The idea of having her memory changed was very disturbing to her, and she guessed that the same thing had been done to the Transfiguration teacher as well.

"It was for your own good," the headmaster said. "Believe me, it is not something which I did lightly but it was necessary." He looked at them and they saw something very dark and sad in his eyes.

Harry was beginning to understand.

"Was it... very bad sir?" he asked gently.

The old wizard closed his eyes and nodded slowly.

"Yes it was Harry. Voldemort didn't die easily and you had to... Well you did what had to be done." He shivered and his voice was heavy with pain. "Please believe me that I didn't think it would be so awful. I am terribly sorry you had to do this and I did what I could to... repair things."

He sighted.

"Your memories will return slowly with time. When you will be better prepared to understand them."

There was a long pause as they digested his words.

"Voldemort is gone forever," continued Dumbledore. "And you are heroes. To us, to the school and to the world."

"That is good but it can be a heavy load. Let us hope that you can put that away for some time. You are still students and you still have a number of things to learn, trivial things compared to what you have seen, but you will need them nonetheless." He tried to smile at them. "And you have your lives to live. I know these will be rich enough and that you will find sufficient challenges to occupy you." He sounded terribly weary; there was no twinkle in his eyes anymore.

Harry looked at his friends. He was grateful for the old wizard's last gift. He had dreaded so much to fulfill the obligation of the Prophecy. To kill or be killed. He was glad that it was over and gone. He, for one, wouldn't miss the memories. The others weren't so sure. They hadn't really realized, and agonized over such things. No matter, they would understand in time.

Turning back to the old wizard he thought he understood what he was feeling. He'd had his share of feeling guilty for terrible events. He knew how awful that could be. He couldn't leave him shouldering such a load.

He went up to the Headmaster, smiled at him and spoke from his heart, like a little boy who had received a wonderful gift from a dotting grandparent.

"Thank you sir. Thank you for what you did."

Dumbledore's eyes misted and he opened his mouth to speak but found that he couldn't. It was all he could to simply smile at the boy he loved so much, and who has risen to such a tremendous challenge and who after all those trials, still understood and loved him. He had been ready to lose his trust, the wonderful harmony and complicity that they had so briefly shared, and Harry was telling him that he had lost nothing.

He nodded convulsively and some life returned to his eyes. He sat up a little straighter. The other were still wondering what was happening but Harry and Dumbledore looked at each other and there was only affection and respect in their eyes.

"The Christmas vacation would have been starting soon anyway. I think that we'll advance it. We could all use the rest certainly," the Headmaster finally said.

Professor McGonagall sighed loudly and everyone smiled at hearing her. Dumbledore stood up and left them.

The six looked at each other. Yes it would be nice to go back to Grimauld Place. Ginny took Draco's hand.

"Harry do you think that you could prepare a couple of rooms for new guests?" she said.

"Consider it done. Draco you're most cordially invited, and Silena as well. I can think of nothing better than for us to share that house together. What do you say?"

"It's a deal."

Several more students arrived and the hall filled with the pleasant noise of breakfast. The day was starting with the usual routine. Even the mail came with anxious letters from parents mixed with messages of thanks and congratulations.

Hermione opened the Daily Prophet who had plastered "VOLDEMORT IS DEAD!" on its front page. Luna had received an edition of the Quibbler with the same news, and some ingenious theories on how it had come to happen.

Each student also received a small packet with the Chocolate Frog logo. Inside was a deluxe box with six new cards figuring Harry, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Ginny and Draco.

Ron was speechless as he held his card in his hand. He couldn't even bring himself to eat the frog who promptly escaped. When he finally found his voice he exclaimed with awe.

"Merlin. I'm bloody famous... Harry, can you imagine that. My own Frog Card."

They laughed and compared their pictures. Hermione was displayed in the library, of course. Harry, Ginny and Ron were on their brooms playing Quidditch, Luna floated on a background of stars and Draco was in Slytherin finery. In all their cards the five others were somewhere in the background.

Under their names there was a single legend.

The Six Founders who led the students of Hogwarts to vanquish Voldemort, the most terrible Dark Wizard of all time.

The other students rallied to congratulate them. They were carried around the school in honor and the rest of the day was a succession of games, discussions and improvised picnics on the school grounds. During that time they forgot about heroes, battles and dangers. They had gone back to being only students bent on having fun at the end of a long, overly serious school term. The day ended with a great feast to celebrate the victory over Voldemort and the anticipated start of the Christmas vacation.

In the morning the Hogwarts express would come into Hogsmeade to carry them back to their homes.

The End.

[to be continued in The Six Founders and the Centaur's Shrine]

The final battle ch13-20