After the War

After the War

Harry stood over Voldemort's dead body, dripping blood. The Death Eaters were still fighting the Order in the middle of the whole scene. Dead bodies lay everywhere. Kingsley Shacklebolt lay next to Rookwood, both of whom had performed Avada Kedavra at the same time and killed each other.

Avery and Macnair were finished off by Moody, who was killed by Lucius Malfoy shortly after. Now he and Lupin were dueling to death. Wormtail, Karkaroff and Bellatrix lay in a bloody heap. They were done in by Harry with the assistance of Draco, who had been Dumbledore's spy for over two years. Now, Draco was under the Cruciatus curse, performed by Rodolphus Lestrange.

Harry watched as Draco got up and furiously yelled, "Sectumsempra!" his wand was pointing to Rodolphus' neck. Harry closed his eyes as he heard him snarling Avada Kedavra, but he could see the green light through his eyelids.

They were in Godric's Hollow, where Harry had found one of the last Horcruxes. The very last one of them was Voldemort. He and Harry had dueled nonstop for the last hour, intending to kill each other or die trying. Before that, the Death Eaters had taken turns torturing Harry, making him exhausted before Voldemort got to him. Voldemort had tried to perform Sectumsempra on Harry, but since Harry had destroyed all the other Horcruxes, his powers were weakened. Harry had moved to the left just in time - therefore Voldemort only did damage to Harry's arm, which was bleeding heavily. Harry had had hundreds of curses thrown at him that night, too many to mention.

By now, Harry's head had reached exploding point because of Voldemort. Now that he was dead Harry's scar wasn't searing; it was just throbbing dully. The prophecy's words kept going through his head. Neither can live while the other survives. Harry felt as if he was going to pass out from everything that he'd had to endure.

"Harry?" Draco's voice came from behind him.

"It's finally over. He's gone."

"I know, Harry. I know," Draco slid his hands around Harry's waist and put his chin on Harry's shoulder.

Draco's voice trembled. "Harry, I have to tell you something. I - Granger - Longbottom and Finnegan died."

Harry felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him. Two of his closest friends were gone.

He took a shuddering breath. "And - what about Ron and Hermione?"

"They're still alive. Granger made a shield around herself and Weasley while they fought. Only stunning spells could get through. They're unconscious, but alive."

"Good," Harry closed his eyes in relief as Draco turned him around and surveyed him closely.

"You don't look to good, though," Draco whispered as he kissed Harry on the lips.

Draco's eyes suddenly widened. He looked behind Harry.

"Harry! Behind -"

"STUPEFY!" yelled a Death Eater.

Harry fell unconscious onto Draco, who shouted Petrificus Totalus at the Death Eater.

Draco set Harry down on the ground and put Harry's head in his lap.

McGonagall suddenly appeared from behind Lucius and Lupin, looking disheveled and worn.

"Potter's in danger, Malfoy!" she cried. "Apparate him back to the castle immediately!"

"What are you talking about? He's just been stunned."

"No! With all the curses Voldemort has thrown at him, he's in mortal peril! Get him to Madam Pomfrey or he might never wake up!"

Draco nearly fainted. Horrified, he stood up, lifting Harry up with him, turned on the spot and vanished.

***

Once they were in the Hogwarts grounds, where the anti-apparation enchantment had been removed by Voldemort for his Death Eaters to destroy the school, Draco took Harry up to the Hospital Wing.

The healer performed three or four spells to stabilize Harry. Even she didn't know if he would ever wake up.

*****