Harry Potter and the Last Terrible Vision

It was Sunday, May 31, 1998. Preparations were being made as a location was chosen for the war to begin. A large field far off from Hogwarts, where the grass grew very tall, was the selected site. Professor Albright's army strategically placed their barracks on top of a large mountain. This mountain led to yet another rocky mountain that appeared to be cave-like in shape. The peak would overlook the path where Voldemort and his Death Eaters would march to meet their opponents. As the late afternoon settled into evening, more soldiers from Professor Albright's army gathered. Family and friends of the soldiers gathered as well, to offer their moral support and assist behind allied lines.

The Weasleys and Harry arrived and set up camp e on the open field of the crag. Others arrived as well. Seamus Finnigan and his family set up camp just a few meters. Neville Longbottom came with his grandmother and Lavender Browne. Dean Thomas' family made camp further out toward the edge of the mountain. Kingsley Shacklebolt and a group of Aurors set up camp close to the edge, where the first part of the mountain dropped off and lead down to a second smaller mountain.

In the distance, Harry could hear a hum coming toward the base of the smaller mountain. Evening was growing ever closer as the orange sun settled down into the valley. The sky looked painted with pinks, oranges, yellows, and pastel purples. The air had a strange calm to it. Every so often, a slight breeze would rustle the tall grass.

As Harry looked over past the smaller mountain, he could see what appeared to be a black, shiny, and progressive swarm. Voldemort and his Death Eaters were approaching the battlegrounds. The way they marched forward in the black, hooded uniforms gave them an appearance of a great, shiny carpet being rolled out into a large, grassy field. They flowed like a great vat of black, watery evil, being poured out onto the grass.

Harry's heart began to beat erratically. This is it. I'm going to die this night. He had always wondered what his death would be like. He wondered about the day and the circumstances. Now all the answers were being revealed. He looked at the other Weasleys. He looked at Ron. Ron returned a look just as fearful as Harry's. Ron looked over to Hermione. Hermione walked over to him and put her arms around his neck. She buried her head under his chin. Ron wrapped his arms around her and held her as tight as he could, hoping to resist the desire to collapse that was caused by the overwhelming sense of fear. Harry experienced a flood of thoughts tormenting his mind.

It was only a year or so ago that I was ready. I was certain that I was going to win. I wasn't scared then. Why now? What's happening to me? Harry knew he had to put these defeatist's thoughts out of his mind if he was going to have any chance. I'm not scared to die. I will not die - not this night. One voice in his head was tormenting him with thoughts of loss and weakness. Why am I feeling like this? The other voice was waging war against the first. I'm not afraid. I'm not afraid. Let him try to kill me. Just let him try. I'll kill him! If tonight is the night I die, please don't let me suffer. Make it quick. Don't let me see it coming. People I know are going to die tonight. Why have this war? Why couldn't it have just been him and me? Please don't let anything happen to Ron and Hermione. Please don't let anything happen to Ginny. I'll die if anything happens to her. I'll ... I'll... It was this moment that Harry understood that old expression, reserved for the bravest of soldiers; 'There are no atheists in foxholes.'

Harry saw Bill and Fleur. Fleur was eight months pregnant. Their faces looked worn. He could see Bill was trying to console Fleur. He could not hear the exact words he was saying, but the body language was clear. He was wiping tears off of his wife's cheeks.

Harry looked back over to the mountain. The swarm of evil was continuing to move steadily forward. Suddenly, it dawned on him. The size of Voldemort's army was enormous. Harry quickly ran a count through his mind of all the people fighting on the allies' side. There could not have been more than seventy or eighty men. Most of them were boys either Harry's age or a few years older. By estimation, Voldemort's army looked to be about three to five hundred soldiers in number. Some were Death Eaters, while the rest were Dementors, mountain trolls, and Inferi.

Inferi! Harry thought. How can you win a war, when the enemy you're trying to kill is already dead? This thought alone shed no doubt that this night would be his last.

Harry suddenly felt the need to find Ginny. It did not take him long to find her. She, along with Hermione, was helping Mrs. Weasley cope with everything that was going on. Harry jogged over to where Ginny, Mrs. Weasley and Hermione were standing. Ginny let go of Mrs. Weasley and threw her arms around Harry. Harry wrapped his arms around Ginny's body and nuzzled his face under her chin and red hair. The scent of Ginny's hair reminded him of vanilla ice cream. It offered a moment of comfort.

As all of this was going on, Professor Albright and Professor McGonagall were walking through the crowds of families and soldiers. Harry looked up and noticed Professor Albright. Professor Albright started to walk over to Harry and Ginny. Ginny did not notice Professor Albright approaching. Her back was turned in the other direction.

"Harry," Ginny whispered, looking into his eyes. "I need to tell you something."

Harry felt sick to his stomach. The last time Ginny had said these words to him, she had broken up with him on Christmas Day.

"I don't think I can wait a whole year to be with you," Ginny confessed. She did not have to explain what she meant by that. Harry knew what she meant when she said, 'be with you.' "I'll make a deal with you. I'll be with you sooner than that on one condition," Ginny continued. Needless to say, she had Harry's undivided attention.

"And what might that be?" Harry asked, managing to grin a pirate's smile despite his unyielding sensation of terror.

"Kill Voldemort," Ginny replied.

"Okay," Harry replied. He leaned into her lips and kissed her.

Professor Albright, now standing very closely behind Ginny, heard the conversation and thought one thing, Mission accomplished! Professor Albright walked over to them and casually interrupted their moment.

"Excuse me, children," Professor Albright said. "There is something very important I need to discuss with you."

Harry and Ginny broke from their embrace and listened to the professor.

"Remember when I told you that the love you share is the weapon that will defeat him?"

Harry and Ginny both nodded as they continued to concentrate on the professor.

"Well, the time has come for you to see what I meant when I said that." The professor smiled.

"So, how's our love going to work?" Harry asked nervously.

"Love is a very strange power. There are many different kinds of love, but the love that you two share is very rare, indeed," the professor explained. "Unconditional love; the kind of love where two people are willing to risk everything for one another. It is the most profound, most precious, and most powerful love ever to exist. It is this love that can take down the most evil of witches and wizards," the professor informed.

"So, how exactly does this love work? I mean, how can Ginny and I use it to our advantage against him?" Harry inquired anxiously.

"In order for a person to defeat an evil enemy with love, three things must be true. First, the love you have for another must be unconditional. Second, the person you love must have the same feelings of unconditional love as you. And third, the time when you call upon the incantation must be a time when your life is in great peril. Instead of taking action to defend yourself, you lay down your weapon and say the incantation. By doing this, you prove that your love is based on trust. For love is trust. One cannot exist without the other."

"Okay. What you're telling me is, I have to lay down my wand and say the incantation with the chance that I might die?" Harry shuttered.

"Yes, Harry. Love is trust. If you do not have complete faith in the love that you two share, then there is no point in the two of you being together," Professor Albright replied.

"Wait a minute. I don't think it's necessary for me risk my life just to find out that Ginny's and my love isn't real," Harry argued.

"Harry, it's not you that needs to see that Ginny's and your love is real. He needs to see it. And when he does, he will lash out in vain." The professor smiled.

"Yes, and that's when he'll kill me!" Harry exclaimed.

"No, Harry. The funny thing about someone losing his temper is that his actions always seem to bounce back and bite him." Professor Albright chuckled.

"Professor, I'm sorry, but you've lost me," Harry said nervously.

"Don't worry, Harry. All you need to know is the incantation and when to say it," Professor Albright reassured.

"Alright, then. What is this incantation?" Harry's voice began to quiver.

"The incantation is, 'Semper Fi, Mi Amor'. Can you repeat that?" the professor asked.

"Semper Fi, Mi Amor," Harry repeated.

"Very good! Now, just remember. You can only call upon this charm when you are in great peril. You must lay down your wand and say the incantation with all of your heart," Professor Albright instructed.

"Right. Sure. Anything you say." Harry snickered in disbelief.

"Well, children, I must be on my way," Professor Albright announced. With that, she continued to walk to the cave-like, rocky mountain.

The mountain was a rich, red-clay color. It stood four stories high. Harry watched Professor Albright. Once Harry was certain that the professor was far enough away from them, he turned toward Ginny.

"Do you believe this? I mean, I knew she was a bit eccentric, but this is too much!"

"Harry, I'm afraid she may be right. The Dark Lord is very powerful. Even with so little of his soul left, he can still kill you," Ginny replied.

Harry turned away for a moment. He noticed that suddenly the other soldiers began to walk toward the first drop on the mountain. Mr. Weasley stood at the center of the Weasley camp. With the sound of his voice, he rallied the other Weasleys, Hermione, Fleur, Luna and Angelina into a huddle.

"Ginny," Harry began with an inflection of sadness, "we have to go." He looked into her eyes sorrowfully.

"Harry, do as Professor Albright told you. This may be our only hope. Please, Harry. I love you. I would risk everything just to spend every moment with you," Ginny pleaded.

"Ginny, I..." Harry tried to speak, but Ginny stopped him.

"Harry, please. Don't you feel the same way about me?"

Harry paused for a moment. He looked into her eyes and suddenly felt a magical feeling of confidence. He could not explain it, but he knew, at that moment, that he and Ginny shared a rare and beautiful love.

"Yes, I feel the same way about you." He smiled.

"Then that's all that matters. Believe in me, Harry. Believe in us. Have faith in us."

Harry pulled Ginny closer to him. He smiled at her then gently touched his lips to hers. "I do believe in us, Ginny."

Ginny looked into his eyes. "Maybe Professor Albright was right about love. It is magic."

"All you have to do is believe," Harry finished the sentence. He looked over to where the Weasleys were huddled. "Come on. We better go over there."

Harry and Ginny walked hand-in-hand back to the huddled Weasley clan. Mr. Weasley waited for them to join the rest of the group, then he began his speech.

"Tonight is the night that we, as family and members of a great and unique community, come together to stand up for what we believe in -- fairness, equality, and tolerance of differences. How you conduct yourself on the battlefield will determine the outcome of this war between good and evil," Mr. Weasley declared.

"Now, Molly, Ginny, and the rest of the ladies, I would like to talk to the boys alone," Mr. Weasley announced, in a solemn tone.

Mrs. Weasley began to whimper, as she kissed and hugged each of her sons for what she feared would be the last time. She kissed and hugged Harry. Harry's stomach turned inside out as Mrs. Weasley's tears dropped on the back of Harry's neck. He wished he could just faint in her grasp, but he knew he'd never live down such a cowardly act. She released her hold and joined Fleur, Ginny, Hermione and the other girls.

Now, it was just Mr. Weasley, his six sons and Harry. Mr. Weasley could no longer look them in the eye. He was trying hard to emotionally detach himself from the fact that these were his son's he was sending into battle, and he might not see some of them return.

"Bill, let me see your wand," Mr. Weasley uttered, holding out his hand.

Bill handed him his wand. Mr. Weasley presented Bill with a long, thin, leather case from his jacket. Bill took the box as his brothers and Harry looked on. Bill opened the case and inside was a beautiful, cherry-wood wand.

"This was my father's," Mr. Weasley revealed. "He passed it down to me, and now I'm passing it down to you."

At that moment, everyone turned toward the large cave of the mountain. It was making a sound as if the front of it was being split down the middle. The center of it was beginning to separate, as if the front was turning into two doors that slid open from both sides. As the center continued to separate, large flames as high as the opening to the mountain, protruded out. Harry searched for Professor Albright. He found her standing in close proximity to the cave. He jogged over to her.

"Professor, what is that?" Harry asked, as terror flowed through his veins.

"You will see soon," Professor Albright replied.

As the cave continued to tear open from its center, more flames flew out. By the time the cave was completely opened, it was obvious as to what was shooting the flames. They were six, large, identical dragons, almost two stories high each. Each one was close to twenty meters in length. Their particular breed was unidentifiable, but it was obvious they were dragons. They were bright green in color with cream-colored, scales underneath. Their eyes looked like large, oval buttons with no pupil or appearance of real dragon eyes. This gave them the appearance that they were robotic. All six were harnessed. They were pulling the platform that carried the giant wand, which now had the giant punch bowl attached to its base. Inside the bowl was a fluorescent, green, viscous liquid.

As Harry continued to watch in awe, he could see who was controlling the reigns. It was Hagrid. The reigns of each dragon were attached to a large gear with a lever for turning. In addition to the individual connections, was a devise that allowed the driver to control the dragons simultaneously. As Harry observed Hagrid behind this devise, he could appreciate the strength and power of the six dragons. Hagrid's face was red and sweaty. He appeared as though he was having difficulty maintaining control over such power.

Harry had a thought pop into his head. How was Hagrid even able to get the reigns on these dragons? Dragons were neither tame nor trainable.

"Professor, how were you able to get the dragons to pull the platform?" Harry asked.

"A very good question," Professor Albright replied, as she prepared her explanation. "Dragons hatched from eggs are wild and incapable of being trained."

"Yeah, I know that. So what's up with these?" Harry asked.

"These were hatched from Petri dishes. Well, they started in the dishes and moved up from there," Professor Albright replied, enjoying the reaction she was getting from Harry.

"Petri dishes!" Harry exclaimed. "You mean ...those things..." Harry could not think of the right words; Professor Albright was eager to oblige him.

"Genetically engineered? Yessss," Professor Albright replied with glee.

"Well, how can that be? I thought there was a ban on experimental breeding." Harry was quick to point that out.

"Yes, that's true. That's why it's always nice to have friends in high places. Remember the trio that helped me with the weapon? Remember Amos Diggory, Head of the Ministry for Care of Magical Creatures?"

"Oh, my God!" Harry whispered under his breath in horror. Then another thought came to mind. "Well, that still doesn't explain how you were able to train them to pull a platform in unison. How did you train them to work as a team?" Harry asked.

"Well, as I said before, Harry, these were hatched from a Petri dish, after we altered their DNA a little," Professor Albright answered.

"I'm probably going to regret asking this, but how did you manage that?" Harry asked nervously.

"We altered the DNA that controls the brains ability to be receptive to commands," Professor Albright answered, as if she was discussing the ingredients used to bake a cake.

"How did you alter it?" Harry asked.

"We took DNA from an animal commonly known to be obedient," Professor Albright informed.

"Yes, and what animal was that?" Harry questioned, his nerves tingling with fear.

"A dog known as the Border Collie. It is hard working, smart, and, most importantly, extremely receptive to commands. It also instinctively knows how to work in a team," Professor Albright described.

Harry did not know what else to ask. He just turned back toward the weapon. As it continued to roll out of the cave, Harry noticed the size of the wheels of the platform. Their diameter was the height of a doorway, and their width made it clear that they were prepared to roll on any terrain. The width of the wheels guaranteed that, no matter how soft the ground was underneath them, the platform would not sink.

The size of the wheels, combined with the pulling capability of the six, genetically engineered dragons, made it also clear that this weapon was designed to be unstoppable.

Hagrid halted the dragons and commanded them to stay. He proceeded to climb off the platform. All this time, the women of the Weasley camp had watched on as well. Fleur walked over to Bill.

"Wow, Beel! You taut your wand wass beeg!" Fleur giggled.

Bill shot her a dirty look. The rest of the members of the group enjoyed the comedy relief. They did not think it was possible to top what Fleur had said, but somehow Luna managed.

"Fleur, that's not a wand." Luna attempted to correct Fleur's observation. "That's one of those sky rocket launchers that the palace uses to announce the Queen's birthday every year." Everyone in earshot of Luna's explanation was trying hard to muffle their laughter.

Nighttime arrived. The darkness covered the landscape. Kingsley Shacklebolt and his crew knew this was their cue to turn on the floodlights, so the soldiers could see the enemy approaching.

Mr. Weasley turned back to his six sons. "Where's Harry?" Mr. Weasley asked.

"He's over there," Ron replied, pointing to where Harry and Professor Albright were standing.

"Harry, come here," Mr. Weasley called out.

Harry turned toward the sound of Mr. Weasley's voice. He felt another pang of anxiety in his chest.

" Professor, I have to go." Harry gulped. He wanted to hug her, but was afraid he'd never let go.

"Yes, Harry. You have a job to do and so do I," Professor Albright replied then she walked away toward the weapon.

Harry walked toward Mr.Weasley and his sons. As the Weasley boys were waiting for Harry to join them, Percy turned to Ron and said, in reference to Luna, "You know, she's not half bad, once you get past the gullibility."

Ron just looked back at Percy with a screwed up expression on his face. Harry finally rejoined the others.

"Now, boys," Mr. Weasley began, "I'm already proud of all of you. There's no need for you to die as heroes on my account." How else was he going to tell his sons and Harry to run for their lives, if they were in danger?

Kingsley Shacklebolt walked to the center of the top of the mountain. Using his wand to project his voice, he announced to the soldiers and families that the time had arrived for all soldiers to report to the trenches on the lower level.

Mr. Weasley hugged each of his sons and Harry then watched them turn and walk away. They walked together, side by side, into the bright, white floodlights. Mr. Weasley turned around and walked to where Mrs. Weasley and the girls were standing. Mrs. Weasley's cheeks were streaked with tears, as she watched her sons walk away. She was sandwiched between Fleur on her left and Ginny on her right. Hermione stood on the other side of Fleur. Trying to practice her skills as a Healer, Hermione felt obligated to stand by Fleur, in order to support her in her delicate condition.

Luna stood on the other side of Ginny. Standing straight, with her hands folded in front of her, Luna looked out into the distance. Her face held an expression of hopeful repose.

Mr. Weasley approached Mrs. Weasley. She looked into his eyes.

"Arthur," she sobbed.

"Now, Molly, there's nothing more we can do. We just have to wait and try to be strong." This was the only advice Mr. Weasley could offer. He barely believed his own words.

In the distance, one could hear the horrific cries from mothers and fathers as they helplessly watched their sons march off into a place from where they might never return. As Ginny watched her brothers and Harry continue to walk into the bright, white lights, she fixed her sights on Harry. Then, as the heads of the boys started to drop from sight, making their way down to the lower level, Ginny broke free from her mother's hold.

"HARRY!" Ginny yelled, as she ran toward the edge of the mountain.

"GINNY!" Mrs. Weasley cried.

"GINNY!" Mr. Weasley and Hermione cried in unison.

"HARRY!" Ginny cried out again.

Harry heard Ginny's voice and turned to see.

"Don't look back," Fred advised. "It will only make things worse."

Kingsley saw Ginny running and tried to intercept her before she could reach the edge of the mountain.

"NO! Let me go!" Ginny cried.

Kingsley held onto her tightly, but Ginny broke free from his grip. Mr. Weasley tried to run and catch Ginny to bring her back, but it was too late.

"That's okay, Kingsley. Unfortunately, my daughter has inherited her father's stubbornness," said Mr. Weasley, patting Kingsley on the back as he watched his only daughter run after the boy she loved.

Hermione could wait and watch no longer. She, too, had someone special down on the lower mountain, and she was not about to let him face this danger alone. She glanced over to Fleur. Fleur looked at Hermione as if both of them could read each other's thoughts. Fleur smiled at Hermione and nodded with acknowledgement. Hermione slowly loosened her grip around Fleur's waist.

"Good luck," Fleur whispered to Hermione.

Hermione smiled back then dashed off from the group.

"HERMIONE!" Mrs. Weasley yelled, but it was too late.

Hermione was well beyond the point of no return. Kingsley saw Hermione running, but decided not to try to stop her. Hermione's reputation for not letting anyone or anything stand in her way preceded her. Eventually, both girls made it to the trench where Harry, Ron, and the rest of the Weasley brothers were waiting.

"Ginny," Harry whispered angrily, "what are you doing here?"

"I couldn't stay up there. This is our battle, not just yours," Ginny replied with strength and confidence that Harry had never witnessed before.

Harry knew, as he gazed into Ginny's eyes, that there was no point in trying to change her mind. Maybe Professor Albright was right. Ginny has her own battle to fight. Harry knew then where his place was. Ron looked at Hermione and smiled. He knew better than to even ask a single question.

Kingsley took the center one more time. He held his wand to his throat again. "Everyone, take cover in your camps! Soldiers, prepare for battle!"

With that, Professor Albright mounted the back of the giant wand. Hagrid took his place behind the reigns. Sirius and Remus stood on either side of the platform and next to what appeared to be triangles made of six wands. They were in the shape of pyramids. As Sirius and Remus touched their wands to the tops of the pyramids, they caused an extremely intense light to be generated. This light passed through convex lenses, and the beams were sent into the punch bowl. Inside the bowl, the mysterious green, viscous liquid began to churn.

"Saddle up! Lock and load Mr. Black, Mr. Lupin!" Professor Albright yelled.

"Yes, ma'am!" Sirius and Remus yelled back.

"On my command, gentlemen," Professor Albright directed.

Professor Albright gave Sirius and Remus a count of three. On three, Sirius and Remus increased the intensity of the light beam. The liquid continued to churn violently. Pressure began to build up in the bowl. The entire platform began to shake and shudder. The dragons started throwing flames from their mouths at will.

"Steady the team, Mr. Hagrid!" Professor Albright yelled.

"Right," Hagrid strained, sweat dripping profusely from his brow.

The pressure reached its peak in the bowl. Professor Albright instinctively knew this was it.

"FIRE IN THE HOLE!" Professor Albright bellowed.

With this, the thick liquid was forced out from the bowl, into the giant wand, and exited the baton like it was being shot from a cannon. It streaked across the sky like an enormous, sparkling, green comet. Harry and the other Weasleys watched from their trench.

The green comet landed on the evil swarm, now dangerously close to the base of the lower level. When it hit, it made such an extraordinary explosion that it felt as if it were an earthquake. Its energy released and caused the soldiers in the swarm to fall like shiny dominoes. The Doppler Effect caused an invisible wave of hot air to roll up the side of the lower level. Harry was barely able to see what was going on below. All that was visible was a gigantic, green mushroom, towering into the sky. The bright, glow of green light remained as the backdrop for the remaining battle.

Now Harry understood the purpose of the weapon. It was not to kill Voldemort. It was to even up the sides. A damage report for the enemy's side indicated an eighty- percent loss of enemy soldiers. Now the battle was more evenly matched. Harry acquired a new found respect for the weapon and for Professor Albright.

The boys stayed inside the trench for a few minutes longer, then they heard the sounds of people scurrying up the side of the mountain.

"This is it!" Bill blurted and he quickly jumped up, brandishing his wand.

Harry's heart felt as if it would give out. The other Weasleys followed suit, jumping out from the trench and spreading out to battle the remaining Death Eaters, mountain trolls, Dementors, and Inferi. As Hermione ran with the others, she sensed a moment of isolation from the rest of the group. The trees of the dark forest seemed to make everyone appear more separated and dangerously vulnerable. Harry, on the other hand, could only think of one thing. He knew where his place was now. He ran off to find Voldemort and Ginny.

From atop the mountain, one saw a backdrop of fluorescent green from the mushroom and white fog from the floodlights. In the distance, forest green figures battled each other, shooting off flashes of white, red, and green curses.

As Bill jogged through the tall grass stumbling on broken twigs, he could hear what he thought was a faint howl in the near distance. He stopped momentarily to look around and catch his breath, which was being systematically attacked by the cool, damp night air. There was no sign of anyone: human, animal, or otherwise.

"STUPEFY," Fenrir Greyback growled from a camouflage of bushes. The curse whizzed past Bill's head.

Now the enemy was in sight. Bill quickly dodged behind some trees. Fenrir lunged forward through the tall foliage. He stood for a moment in what seemed to be an open space surrounded by bushes and trees. Bill acted quickly, not wanting to lose what might be his only opportunity for a clear shot at the werewolf.

"OFFENDO!" Bill yelled, and the curse launched from his wand. His arm suffered scratches due to the razor sharp branches of the bushes. He let out a yelp as he pulled his arm back and saw the spotted blood where the branches had sliced through his sleeve and cut open his skin.

Fenrir lay on the ground, as the curse struck him multiple times all over his body. He jumped back up onto his feet seconds after the curse's punches subsided.

"Come on, Weasley, you can do better than that. Show yourself if you're not yellow!" Fenrir taunted.

Bill remained still, as he peaked through the bushes that were acting as a buffer between him and the angry werewolf. Bill decided he needed a different angle, so he began to step around some other foliage. Fenrir could hear Bill's movement. He could hear the crackling of dry branches under Bill's feet. His acute sense of smell, due to his affliction, allowed him to pick up Bill's scent.

"Show yourself, you blood-traitor coward! Look me in the eye. See what you will soon become. My fate is your destiny!" Fenrir boasted as he slowly turned round and round, trying to figure out where Bill's scent seemed the strongest.

Bill finally found a spot that offered him a clear shot of Fenrir, but Fenrir's animal instincts and quick reflexes enabled him to shoot a curse first. It brazed Bill's right arm, causing him to drop his wand in the tall, thick grass. Bill scurried around with his left hand to try to find the wand. The darkness of the forest intensified the challenge of his search. Miraculously, his hand stumbled across it just as Fenrir was closing in on his location.

Bill grasped his wand and, in one smooth motion, shot a curse known for its destructive effects on a werewolf.

"Tu Caedo Cum Argentumum!" Bill bellowed.

The curse struck Fenrir directly in the chest, just as the werewolf was about to pounce on Bill. The curse's effects were immediate. It caused Fenrir's skin to boil. Fenrir's howls and cries echoed through the dark forest. The remains of what was left of Fenrir Greyback lay in a puddle of liquefied flesh.

The battle raged on with both sides suffering casualties. In another part of the forest, Seamus Finnigan was trying to feel his way through the tall, dark brush. He heard a sound as if someone was following him. His heart began to pound hard in his chest. His breathing became rapid, but before he could turn around to defend himself from the thing trailing him, Amycus shot the Avada Kedavra Curse.

Fred and George were quick on Amycus' tail and attacked him with Exploding Weasies, an invention they made solely for this occasion. Amycus fled deep into the dark forest with severe injuries over his entire body. Fred and George went over to Seamus' body. They knew he had been hit with the Killing Curse, but they felt obligated to bring his body back to his parents. Fred took hold of Seamus' arms while George got hold of Seamus' legs.

Harry and Ron found themselves down below in another part of the lower level of the forest. Harry looked around, but Ginny was nowhere in sight. However, he could sense that Voldemort was near. His scar began to hurt unmercifully. As the two continued to walk, they saw a chubby man leaning up against a tree. As they continued their guarded approach, they realized the man was none other than Peter Pettigrew.

Peter saw Harry and Ron and immediately struggled to get to his feet. The Dark Lord had mortally wounded him when he refused to act as a decoy to lure Harry into a trap. He owed Harry a favor after Harry had spared his life. He had tried to turn back into a rat just before the Dark Lord shot a curse, but he did not move quickly enough to get out of the way.

"Harry, my dear, dear boy. Oh, I'm so happy to see you," Peter gushed.

"What happened to you?" Harry asked suspiciously. Ron looked around nervously in case they were being set up for an ambush.

"My dear boy, look what the Dark Lord has done to me," Peter whined, showing Harry and Ron the mortal wound he received in his stomach. "I did this for you, Harry. I did not forget how merciful you were to me so many years ago," Peter grieved. "Harry, be careful. The Dark Lord is near."

Peter's words proved true as the Dark Lord came into view.

"Run, Harry!" Peter whispered urgently.

"SILENCE, TRAITOR!" the Dark Lord roared. "AVADA KEDAVRA!" he yelled as he shot the deadly curse at Peter. Peter lay dead, slumped over against the tree.

"So, Potter, at last we meet for the final duel. And who do you think will win?" the Dark Lord mocked.

"Surely, you don't think it will be you!" Harry growled.

"Of course I do, boy. Do you really believe you and your pathetic excuse for a friend can defeat me?"

"No, I don't think it! I know it! You're forgetting, Riddle, my soul is still in tact!" Harry boasted bravely, using the name that Voldemort despised.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Voldemort hissed, as he lifted his wand and shouted, "AVADA KEDAVRA!"

Harry dodged the curse in time. Ron jumped behind some rocks and bushes. Harry threw a Petrificus Totalus curse at Voldemort, but he jumped out of the way. Unbeknownst to Ron, Alecto was also lurking in the bushes. She threw the Killing Curse at Ron, but Percy, coming out of nowhere, pushed Ron out of the way, and absorbed the curse with his own body.

"Percy! Ron!" Charlie yelled, appearing from another part of the ever-growing darkness. Charlie lashed out with his wand and yelled out toward the Death Eater, "FERIO! "

Alecto was instantly hurled against a large tree. The force of the blow, from hitting the tree resulted in crushing her upper body. She died on impact. Voldemort became distracted by all of this. Harry knew this would be his only chance to kill Voldemort. He raised his wand, but before he could shoot a curse, Voldemort shot a curse of red light in Harry's direction. The curse brushed Harry's side and caused him to be hurled up into the air. Harry landed hard on the ground. His side was burning relentlessly. The back of his head was aching. He rolled out of the way in time to miss another one of Voldemort's curses.

"Boy, be smart. Give up, and I will show you some mercy before this Dementor sucks the life out of you." Voldemort laughed, standing only a few feet away. On his left a Dementor was hovering next to him, waiting for Voldemort to give the command to suck Harry's soul out. Severus Snape stood by Voldemort's right, as if symbolically showing the Wizarding World where he stood in Voldemort's eyes compared to the rest of the Death Eaters.

" NEVER!" Harry yelled.

"Kill him!" Voldemort growled to the Dementor.

Immediately, the Dementor flew in Harry's direction. Harry jumped to his feet, his side still burning.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" he yelled with all his might. Immediately, the great, protective stag burst from his wand, kicking furiously at the Dementor. The evil, foul--smelling being froze.

"Well, well, impressive!" Voldemort mocked nervously. Voldemort was truly surprised by Harry's abilities. It is true, Voldemort thought to himself. I am weak, but I will never give Potter the satisfaction.

Ron tried to assist Harry. He came out from the bushes and tried to rush the evil wizard. Charlie attempted to reach Percy's lifeless body.

"RON! NO!" Harry yelled.

Voldemort saw Ron lunging for him from his periphery vision. He immediately shot the Avada Kedavra curse at Ron. Ron's Keeper skills proved handy again. He was able to dodge the curse as it came within inches of his body. He rolled into another group of bushes. He rolled back out, brushed himself off and ran over to Harry's side.

"So, Potter. What do you say we end this like two gentlemen? Just you and me," the Dark Lord proffered.

"That sounds fine with me," Harry snarled.

"Very well, then. Take your position," Voldemort directed.

"Harry, are you mad? He's going to kill you!" Ron exclaimed.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Ron," Harry whispered sarcastically.

"Well, what are you waiting for? You're only prolonging your execution, talking to that blood-traitor!" Voldemort grumbled impatiently.

Harry glared at the Dark Lord for a moment, then turned back to Ron. "Look. If this plan I have doesn't work...will you tell Ginny that I loved her up to the very end?"

"Yeah, sure, Harry," Ron gulped. He turned around and walked to the side where Charlie was standing.

Both the Dark Lord and Harry raised their wands to one another and bowed, as was custom prior to a wizards' duel. The Dark Lord immediately snapped around and took his position. Harry nervously did the same. This is it, he thought to himself. Either our love is unconditional, or it's not.

The Dark Lord was the first to fire his deadly curse.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" the Dark Lord shouted.

At that very moment, Harry made the most critical decision of his life. Instead of firing a counter curse, he dropped his wand to the ground and quickly yelled with all his might, "SEMPER FI, MI AMOR"

Immediately following the incantation, a great dome of warm, yellow light covered Harry like a giant umbrella. Its force field was impossible to penetrate. Voldemort knew right away what formed it, but it was already too late. The green light shot out of his wand toward the dome, and it was abruptly deflected by the dome's protective shield. The curse bounced off the dome and hit Voldemort in the chest. The effect was instant. Voldemort lay dead. Ron looked over at his dead body then glanced back at Harry who was still covered by the protective, loving dome.

In a moment of panic, Severus Snape ran off into the darkness of the forest. From a distance Harry and Ron could hear Ginny and Hermione running to help them. They had been separated from Ron and Harry during the initial charge into the woods.

"Harry, you did it!" Ron declared, jubilantly.

Harry smiled back at Ron. Charlie and Ron ran over to Harry. Hermione and Ginny ran over to them as well. They celebrated momentarily before looking back at Percy.

Charlie walked over to Percy's body and knelt down next to it. He picked up Percy's hand and placed it gently on his stomach. He crawled further up to where he could reach Percy's head. He put his hand under it and lifted it to look at Percy's face. Charlie looked at his brother for a moment then looked over to Ron. Ron could read his expression. He felt a twinge of guilt for being jealous of Percy. Charlie continued to hold his stare at Ron. Ron looked away. The moment Ginny saw Percy lying on the ground she felt a terrible twinge in her stomach. All Hermione could do was stare in disbelief. She put her arm around Ginny, but she pushed it away defiantly.

"Is he...he's not...he can't be!" The sight was too much for Ginny to bear.

Harry watched Ginny. He thought of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and what their reaction was going to be, once they found out about the tragic loss of one of their sons. He felt sadness come over him. It overshadowed the need to celebrate his victory over Voldemort.

"Come on, Ron, Harry. Help me carry him back to camp," Charlie ordered.

Harry walked over and picked up Voldemort's wand as evidence of Voldemort's demise. Harry felt triumphant in doing so, but the feeling was short-lived. It only lasted until the moment he turned around to join Charlie and Ron.

"What happened?" Hermione finally spoke.

"A Death Eater got Percy. That one over there, by the tree," Charlie replied, pointing his finger in the direction of the tree where Alecto's body lay. "You two get his arms. Ron, grab his leg," Charlie directed, barking orders at the others.

Hermione and Harry each grabbed one of Percy's arms and began to lift his body off the ground. Charlie and Ron carried him by his legs. Ginny followed slowly behind. Her stomach felt as if it was turning inside out. As Harry helped carry Percy's body, he could not help but feel the cold dread in the pit of his gut. He did not want to face Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. He thought of what Professor Albright had warned her. He wondered if Mrs. Weasley ever took the old professor's advice. The four continued to carry Percy's body back up the mountain. Ginny walked a little ahead as tears began to fall from her eyes.