Return of the Lion

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16

Chapter 15: The Lion against the Serpent

The trio remained kneeling around Draco's dead form for a while. That had never expected that they would actually be mourning for the loss of the one person in school they had hated the most. Hermione even let a tear role down her cheek, a sign that she had truly forgiven the person who had given her so much grief.

Finally Harry pulled his hat down lower and stood up. "Come on, we've got a job to do." Ron and Hermione nodded and stood up.

Hermione glanced up at the staircase and said, "The next floor should be the top floor."

Harry nodded. "That's where Voldemort is." Ron and Hermione looked frightened and Harry seemed to have lost his usual confidence. "Lets go," he said.

Unfortunately, when they hadn't even moved a step, they stopped when they heard the sound of what sounded like applause, only they heard clicks instead of claps: the clicks of hundreds and hundreds of pinchers. The trio turned around and gasped at the sight. Harry was gritting his teeth, Hermione looked frightened, and Ron looked about ready to faint from sheer terror.

Acromantulas! Giant spiders. Hundreds and hundreds of giant spiders were closing in on them, barring their pinchers and eight legs menacingly. Harry quickly cast a powerful shield charm that kept the spiders away. "I can't keep these spiders away forever," said Harry.

"Forget the spiders, you and Hermione go fight You-know-who!"

"What?" Harry and Hermione whipped around to face Ron. He looked extremely frightened but determined at the same time.

"Ron..."

"Harry, I just have this feeling that it has to be me who holds these spiders up. Besides, how could I ever truly call myself a Gryffindor if I can't face my greatest fear?"

Harry and Hermione were reminded of the time when Ron had sacrificed himself in a chess match back in their first year. Harry nodded and placed a hand on Ron's shoulder. Suddenly, a sudden glow emanated from Harry's hand and transferred into Ron's body. Ron's eyes widened.

"Harry, what?"

"I transferred a portion of my Battle Wizard powers into you. It´s a temporary deal but it should be enough to fight off the arcromantulas."

Ron was clearly surprised but also relieved. He turned to the spiders, fighting his fears down.

"Good luck, Ron," said Hermione as she and Harry started to make their way up the stairs.

Ron pointed his wand at one of the spiders. He tried to fire a stunner but was completely surprised when he shot a powerful blast that disintegrated two of the acromantulas. "I could get used to this," said Ron with a grin. He readied himself to fight off the remainder of the spiders.

* * * * * * * * * *

The chamber on the top floor awed Harry: it was an exact replica of the Chamber of Secrets hidden underneath the school. But if there was a difference, it was the sinister throne at the end of the chamber. However, when Harry and Hermione walked up to it, they found that it was empty.

"Where is he?" asked Hermione. Harry looked back and forth gritting his teeth. He was feeling a burning pain in his scar indicated that Voldemort was somewhere near.

"Riddle!" yelled Harry. "Come out! Come out and fight!" His voice echoed throughout the chamber.

For about a minute, there was silence throughout the chamber. Suddenly, Hermione let out a scream when her body was flung forward toward the throne as if she were summoned by a summoning charm. She was seated in the throne whereupon magical ropes were conjured up and she was tied to the throne.

"Hermione!" Harry tried to make his way to a frightened Hermione but stopped when a sudden surge of pain ran through his scar.

Lord Voldemort stepped out in view from behind the throne, wearing a black robes with silver highlights and a green serpent embroidered on the torso.

"Why Harry, long time no see," he said.

"Voldemort." Harry's extreme confidence was gone, his face clearly showing the fear he felt for being in the Dark Lord's presence once again.

"I you're worried about your mudblood friend here, than there is nothing to worry about," said Voldemort gesturing to a shaking Hermione. "She is still my first choice for mother of my heir, though I am afraid I am going to have to choose a new father. I had her tied up to make sure she didn't interfere with our duel." Voldemort turned to Harry, a very ugly look on his face. "Why don't we finish it, Potter? Why don't we finish what started 17 years ago? Let us end it one and for all!"

"My thoughts exactly!" yelled Harry. He shouted, "Stupefius Expelliarmus!" at the same time Voldemort shouted, "Crucio!" The two spells met half way in between them and formed into the golden thread of Prior Incantatem. Voldemort immediately broke the connection.

"I see that we still can not duel with our wands," he said. "I suppose when that happens, we need to rely on these." Voldemort pulled out a sinister looking single edged sword, its hilt in the shape of a skull, and a green serpent drawn along the blade. "Recognize this, Potter? Its made from the fang of a basilisk, still as poisonous."

"Is that so?" said Harry. "Well I could care less, so long as I can defeat you!" With a yell, Harry charged forward, his sword once again emanating the dazzling blade of light. The blade hit Voldemort's sword, sending out a flurry of sparks. Undaunted, Harry swung out another blade which Voldemort also caught on his sword.

"Impressive," said Voldemort. He started flinging his sword around in brilliant sword skills that no one would've known he had. Harry deflected each of the blows with brilliant skills.

Finally, Harry saw his chance. He made a flying leap, somersaulted in the air and landed behind the Dark Lord, whereupon he yelled, "Maximus Reducto!"

The explosion caught Voldemort in full force as it slammed into his back. Voldemort was blasted away down the chamber and slammed into one of the pillars. The force of his impact was so strong that a few cracks emerged on the pillar.

However, Voldemort appeared to be unharmed as he stood up and brushed dust off of his robes. Harry gritted his teeth in frustration.

"Disappointed, Potter?" asked Voldemort. "I would expect that you knew that an advanced reductor wouldn't work on me."

"Of course I knew that!" hissed Harry. "I was still hoping for at least a little effect."

Voldemort grinned and started to make his way toward Harry, brandishing his sword and wand. Harry steadied himself and shouted, "Draco Incendio!" A powerful flaming dragon shot out of Harry's wand. Voldemort looked surprised as the fire dragon engulfed his body. However, Voldemort simply walked through the flames unharmed and suddenly emerged in front of Harry through the flames. Before Harry could react, Voldemort had placed him on the Cruciatus Curse!

"Harry!" screamed Hermione. She felt as if her insides were being torn apart as she saw him writhe in pain on the ground in front of her, barely holding in his screams of pain.

"I'm impressed, Potter," said Voldemort. "The dragon flame was a spell that only young Malfoy could use, but you have brilliant added it to your own arsenal after only one duel with him!" Voldemort laughed out loud as Harry continued to writhe in pain. He lifted his sword up in a stance that clearly meant he was about to decapitate Harry. "Unfortunately, that is enough to defeat me." Hermione screamed as Voldemort swung his sword down.

Despite his pain, Harry managed to lift his sword in time to block Voldemort's strike. Before Voldemort could do anything more, Harry lifted his wand and yelled "Stupefius Expelliarmus!" Voldemort was blasted away but unfortunately, he was neither disarmed nor stunned. Still, the curse was broken.

Harry groggily stood up panting as he shook off the effects of the Cruciatus Curse. "Harry, are you all right?" asked a tearful Hermione.

"I'll live," said Harry. He was still glaring at Voldemort who once again stood up.

"Not bad, Potter," said Voldemort.

Harry gritted his teeth and yelled, "Multiplicus Diffendo!" Hundreds of magical blades of light were conjured up and flew toward Voldemort. Voldemort simply cast a powerful shield charm and blocked all of the blades. He made his way up to Harry brandishing his sword over his head. He formed a huge blade of light around the sword and swung it down at Harry.

Harry also formed a powerful blade of light around his own sword. The two blades collided into each other, shooting off sparks as well as the sound of cackling energy.

Harry and Voldemort continued to swing the powerful blades of light at each other, sparks and energy released with every hit of the blade against each other.

"You know you can't beat me, Potter," taunted Voldemort as the two blades collided against each other. "I have been a Battle Wizard far longer than you have. By sheer experience, I have the advantage."

"Really Riddle?" hissed Harry. "I thought you wouldn't have been able to catch up with the high energies of youth!" He placed a strong kick, boosted by magic on Voldemort's midsection.

The magic boosted kick sent the Dark Lord flying across the chamber. However, while he was still in the air, Voldemort managed to catch Harry off guard and shouted, "Expelliarmus!" Harry's wand flew out of his hand and landed twenty feet away to his right.

"Harry! Your wand!" shouted Hermione from behind him.

"Don't worry, I can still fight," said Harry. He lifted his sword up in front of him, both hands on the handle.

Voldemort started laughing hysterically. "You are a fool, Potter!" he said. "Without his wand, how do you expect to block this?"

Hermione shuddered as Voldemort shouted, "Avada Kedavra!"

"Harry, dodge it!" shouted Hermione. Harry was just about to do that when he realized that Hermione was right behind him! If Harry dodged the killing curse, it would hit Hermione!

Harry started to think as fast as he could. He had vowed to himself that he would always protect Hermione, and he knew that if he let Hermione die, he would never be able to live with himself. There was only one thing left to do. If one of them were to die, than Harry knew who that was to be.

Hermione's eyes went wide, when it became clear that Harry wasn't going to dodge the killing curse. Furthermore, he spread his arms out in a gesture to prevent Hermione from even being hit by the curse.

"I love you, Hermione," said harry. It was a whisper but she still heard it. Hermione felt a pang in her heart and tears were flowing from her eyes.

"Harry! NOOOOOOOO!!!" she screamed. The green light of the killing curse engulfed Harry.

"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of prophecy in this book."

Revelation 22:7

Chapter 16: Endings and Beginnings.

The next few seconds were a complete blur for Hermione, amidst the tears and screams. She barely noticed the fact that she had broken out of her bonds in a sheer burst of magic brought on by anguish. She barely noticed Voldemort laughing triumphantly at the demise of his arch nemesis. All she saw was Harry crumble lifeless to the ground.

"Harry...no...please...no..." Hermione kneeled in front of Harry's body, and gently cradled him in her arms. "Harry...please...Harry..." Harry's body was cold, and there was no breath and no pulse. Hermione was fully sobbing now, her tears rolling off her cheeks and falling onto Harry's peaceful face.

"I've won!" shouted Voldemort, completely ignoring Hermione. "Finally, after 17 years! It ends! The Potters are no more! I am the true master of this world!" Powerful dark winds and light were now emanating from his body as the Dark Lord laughed in evil triumph.

Hermione, hugged Harry's still form closer to her, tears falling freely. He would never talk with her again. He would never hold her again. He would never laugh with her, never comfort her, and never kiss her ever again. The pain of the realization was too much for Hermione to bear. Without Harry, there was no more hope for her. No more point to live.

Hermione glanced down into Harry's face. He looked so peaceful in his death. Tears still falling, Hermione closed her eyes, leaned forward, and whispered, "I love you, Harry Potter." She gently kissed Harry's lips.

For a split second, there was nothing. However, Hermione was surprised when she suddenly felt warmth on Harry's lips. A second later, she felt a heart beat. Then she felt Harry's arm circle around her and Harry's lips start to kiss her back. Hermione opened her eyes to see a pair of emerald green eyes flutter open.

"H-Harry?"

"You know, Hermione? I love you too," said Harry with a smile. He wearily pulled himself up to his feet.

"Potter?!" yelled Voldemort in shock. "How did you survive the curse?"

"Exact same way I survived it 17 years ago," said Harry. It was only then that Hermione noticed that there was a trail of blood down his face, from his reopened scar. "Love. Hermione's love this time rather than my mother's but still the same. Didn't rebound this time but still the same."

"Love?" said Voldemort in a disbelieving tone.

"Yes Hermione's love saved me this time," said Harry. He started think for a minute and said, "Tell me Riddle. Have you ever performed the secret power of Battle Wizards: the ability to temporarily resurrect the dead?"

"What? Why would I ever want to raise the dead?" demanded Voldemort.

"Do you understand love, Riddle?" asked Harry. "The secret of the true power of a Battle Wizard is love. Unlike what you believe, love truly conquers all, even death."

Voldemort looked like he was about to hyperventilate. Snapping out of a trance, Hermione grabbed her staff, which had been discarded next to the throne when she was tied up, and shouted, "Accio Harry's wand!" The wand flew toward them and Harry snagged it in the air.

"I can not be defeated!" yelled Voldemort, close to hyperventilating. He shouted, "Avada Kedavra!" as loud as he could. The green light of the killing curse sped toward Harry.

"Love conquers all, Remember that, Tom Marvolo Riddle," said Harry. He moved his wand and sword in the formation of the constellation Leo and shouted, "Astra Patronum Leo!"

The stellar patronus in the form of a lion charged toward Voldemort, disintegrating the Avada Kedavra curse in the process. Voldemort screamed in pain as the patronus engulfed him. Since Dark Magic was what was sustaining Voldemort's life, cleansing dark magic from him was outright fatal!

"My world! It cannot end! It musn't! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" Voldemort screamed as his body crumbled into dust. Thus perished Lord Voldemort.

Exhausted, Harry collapsed into Hermione's arms. "Is...is it over?" asked a weary Harry.

Hermione smiled and gently kissed him. "Yes Harry, it really is over this time."

"Thank...God," whispered Harry. He promptly fainted in Hermione's embrace.

* * * * * * * * * *

Outside, the battle was still raging. The resistance and the Dark Forces were still blasting each other with equal powers. Suddenly, the Death Eaters abruptly lost their powers! The resistance abruptly stopped fighting when the Death Eaters lost their powers. The Dark Creatures fled away, their connection to the Death Eaters seemingly lost.

"What is going on?" demanded one of the Death Eaters. "Why can't we use dark magic?!"

"The answer to that is quite simple, really," said a voice from the resistance side. It was Albus Dumbledore. "Harry has used the stellar patronus on Voldemort."

"What?!"

"The stellar patronus cleanses all dark magic out of a person's system," said Dumbledore. "Since all of you are servants of Voldemort, you have all also have been cleansed when Voldemort was cleansed."

With a pang, the Death Eaters realized this was true. They surrendered and the resistance cheered. In this way, the domination of Europe by the Dark Forces was ended once and for all. Freedom returned to the Earth.

* * * * * * * * * *

After the end of the reign of terror of the Dark Forces, there was much to do. It was decided that advanced memory charms would be placed on the general muggle population and remove all knowledge of the "darkness" from muggle minds. There was also a lot of work going into rebuilding the nations of Europe, both magic and muggle. The reestablished governments all worked hard to rebuild what had been lost in the reign of terror.

There were also many partings during this time. The first parting, two days after the defeat of Voldemort, was surprisingly Ron Weasley and Margaret Chapel.

"I never expected that you would be the one to go back to school," said Hermione as she and Harry were saying goodbye to their red haired friend. He had already said goodbye to his family, after assuring Molly that he would write to them at least once a week.

"Yeah well, with some stroke of luck, I managed to get a scholarship for Columbia. I might as well finish the whole curriculum. I'm also considering living permanently in New York," said Ron. Harry and Hermione however did not miss the small blush on Ron's cheeks.

"Come on Ron, we're going," said Margaret, next to an old boot that was the portkey back to New York. Ron blushed red and made his way to Margaret and gave her a quick kiss. Harry and Hermione shared a knowing smile. They knew the real reason why Ron wanted to go back to New York.

"Good bye, Ron," said Hermione. She gave him and Margaret a hug.

"See you around, mate," said Harry. He gave both Ron a Margaret a hug as well.

"Good bye, guys," said Ron. "And remember Harry, you'd better make me the best man at your wedding." Harry and for some reason Hermione blushed red. Finally, the time came and Ron and Margaret disappeared.

* * * * * * * * * *

A few days later, there was another more tearful farewell. The month for Lily and James resurrection was up. The farewell was going to take place near the Quidditch Pitch at Hogwarts.

On that day, many people who were friends of the Potters came to see them for the last time. This time, they were able to say goodbye.

Sirius and Hagrid were outright balling. Remus looked tearful. There were also a good number of other friends of them who had tears in their eyes. Even Snape had shown up though there was no emotion on his face.

Hermione was one of those with tears in her eyes. During the short time she had been with them, Hermione had grown close to them, especially Lily. She had grown to love Lily and James like her own parents, and she knew that the Potters saw her as the daughter they never had.

Hermione glanced over at Harry. She knew that he too had grown very close to the parents he never knew in the short time they had been together. She saw that Harry's eyes were watering up and that he was barely keeping his emotions in check.

"Goodbye, Sirius," said James as he gave his best friend a hug. "At least we can say that this time." Sirius nodded as he tried to fight back the sobs in his throat.

"Good bye, Remus," said James. He and Lily gave Remus a hug as well.

"Its been great being able to go on our midnight excursion again, even though it was only once," said Remus. James nodded while he let a tear slide.

"Goodbye, you two," said a tearful Lily. She gave both Remus and Sirius a strong hug. Hagrid also gave them a strong hug, nearly crushing them.

James then went and shook Dumbledore's hand. "It was good to be able to see you two again," said Dumbledore, the merry twinkle back in his eye.

Lily and James completed saying their farewells to everyone. Lily came to Hermione, and they shared a strong hug, tears in their eyes. "I've grown to love you so much, Hermione," said Lily. "Please, Promise me that you will take care of Harry."

"I promise," said Hermione. She also shared a hug with James.

Finally, Lily and James came to Harry. Wordlessly, all three of them pulled themselves into a large hug, tears flowing from her eyes. "I have never been more lucky," said Harry, "to have a mum and a dad like you two. I'll miss both of you. And this time, I won't miss having parents. I'll miss my mum and dad Lily and James Potter."

"We'll miss you too, Harry," said James. "Remember, we love you and always will. And we are so proud of you son."

"Goodbye Harry," said Lily. She slipped a black velvet box into Harry's robes. Harry raised an eyebrow.

"James gave that to me after we graduated from Hogwarts," said Lily. "I trust you know what to do with it." Harry smiled and nodded.

Finally, the time came. People said goodbye over and over again as Lily and James's forms started to fade away. Finally, they were gone.

* * * * * * * * * *

About two weeks later, life had finally started to return to the way things were before Voldemort's reign. Jobs were opening up, the Ministry of Magic was reestablished, the Daily Prophet was running once again, wizarding businesses were opened, Gringotts opened its vaults, the Knight Bus was traveling once more, the WWN was playing songs again, the Floo network was back, and Hogwarts was once again bustling with students.

Harry and Hermione moved into a small house near Hogsmeade. It was secluded enough to give Harry the necessary privacy to evade the media, yet close enough to give them full access to Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. As could be expected, Harry decided to use his Battle Wizard skills as an auror. But after the recent defeat of Voldemort, dark wizards were in short supply so Harry had plenty of free time. As for Hermione, she became a free-lance writer. Thus, they both had plenty of time to just be with each other.

One night, Hermione was just finishing up the touches on her latest work when Harry came up to her and said, "Hey, you want to go out a little?"

"OK," said Hermione with a sweet smile. They went out into the moonlight and just took a walk hand and hand. Before Hermione had realized it, they had come to the lake at Hogwarts. When they had gotten there, Harry let go of her hand and walked a few paces forward. Hermione was confused. She had never seen Harry look so nervous.

Harry took a few breaths to calm his nerves. Finally, he managed to find his voice and said, "You know Hermione, I know we haven't been dating for that long but...bloody...how do I say this? Hermione, I love you more than anything. I cannot imagine ever being in love with anybody else the way I love you for as long as I live. You are the one true love of my life."

Hermione had tears glistening in her eyes. There was a light breeze that blew her bushy brown hair up in a wavy motion that shone in the moonlight. She opened her mouth and said, "I love you too, Harry. More than anything imaginable."

"Let me finish," said Harry, his beautiful emerald green eyes locked with her cinnamon brown ones. "You are the star of my life, my lifeline, the number one reason why I want to wake up everyday and face the world. You are my everything. So I ask you..."

Hermione's heart skipped a beat when Harry kneeled down in front of her, his green eyes showing just how nervous he was. Harry pulled out the velvet box Lily had given him at their parting. He opened it and Hermione gasped. Inside was a ring. A single gold band with a large, beautifully diamond on it. Hermione stared at the ring, her heart beating more furiously than she could have ever known was possible. 'Could it be?' she wondered hopefully. 'Is this what it looks like?'

Her questions were answered a second later when Harry said, "Hermione Granger, will you marry me?"

For a second, Hermione forgot how to breathe. Then, a wide smile broke out on her face and tears started flowing from her beautiful brown eyes. "Yes," she whispered. Then, more louder: "Yes! Harry, I will marry you! I will be your wife! Oh Harry, I love you more than life it self!" She flung her arms around Harry. Harry broke out into a wide grin and kissed her passionately. Soon, tears were flowing from his eyes as well as they constantly whispered, "I love you...I love you..." over and over again in between kisses. Up above them, the moon shone in celebration for the happiness of the couple and their new beginning.