The Past the Present and the Future

The Past the Present and the Future

Chapter 1

A lone figure stood on the main stairs into the building. Looking around him he knew what had to be done. His whole life had been leading up to this moment. This was his past, present and future. He alone bore the task. He knew that now, he understood. He was ready for it. He knew what was to come and he knew it began and would end with death.

Behind him, in the castle was comfort, everything he had known was there. In front of him was fear, the unknown, what could be the end. At eighteen his life could be over, or maybe he would finally be allowed to start living.

The young mans mind ran over everything as he waited, his parents, his childhood, his school life, his friends and death. He felt death would unite him with the ones he cared for, the ones that had long ago been taken away and those that would leave today.

He watched as figures drew closer. He understood their plan, to draw him away from everyone, the majority would attack inside and their leader would deal with him. He hoped those inside were ready. He knew many would die; others would end up with a fate worse than death. He silently sent his love to his friends as he left his position and headed towards the group. Just praying the others would have time to hide the younger students and equip themselves so they were ready for the final battle.

Keeping his eyes on the people stood in front of him he slowly made his way down the stairs, to try and lead them away from the building buying those inside extra time to sort themselves out.

Before he had reached the bottom of the steps he was more or less surrounded by the enemy. There must have been at least fifty to a hundred Death Eaters, he noticed that standing further back behind them were Dementors. Then at the very back, behind everyone stood Voldemort.

"Harry Potter's come to fight us all," hissed the voice that had haunted his dreams for so many years.

Around him laughter broke out, they thought he was going to fight them all, he was hoping that they wouldn't think to storm past him, to get to the castle. They wouldn't be ready yet.

"I may be standing in front of you alone but I'm not alone really"

He didn't understand this comment, and he guessed from the sounds of the Death Eaters most of them didn't either. He didn't care that he was just speaking rubbish, if it distracted them long enough to save his friends.

"Fools, ignore the boy get to the doors get the Mudbloods and the Mudblood lovers!" hissed the cold voice.

He started to panic, he needed to buy them more time, they wouldn't have been able to get everyone to safety and back down to prepare themselves for battle yet. He had to think of something, to wind them up, to make them angry so they would chase him.

"I bet that none of you realise that your taking your orders from a man who is half Mudblood isn't that right TOM!"

The boy watched as the Death Eaters turned to each other, some knew the truth (Lucius Malfoy) and others didn't, there were mummers from among them, obviously they didn't know what they should do next.

"You think that's going to stop them from doing as I say, well you're wrong boy. Malfoy get up those steps and into the school"

Without hesitation one of the Death Eaters took a step towards him. Others following behind the first. The boy stood there, this was it; this was what he had been living his life for. This was the battle that would change things one way or another.

The boy looked madly around as he grabbed his wand from inside his back pocket. Adrenaline pumped through his veins as he awaited one of them to attack.

He waited for one of the Death Eaters to turn to him but they didn't. They didn't have much of a chance. There was a scream from the crowd in front of him and the cold hissing voice spoke again.

"It's only the Mudblood loving fool Dumbledore, Keep going attack"

Harry felt the smile broaden on his face; the Professors were there with him, helping to defend the students. He turned around to look at the old Professor and felt like crying. Behind him stood not only the professors (McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick and Sprout) but also people Harry cared for.

He noticed all the Weasleys (excluding Ron and Ginny) Lupin, Tonks and Mad-eye Moody. Behind them stood others that Harry couldn't name although he had met them before.

At Dumbledore's command they all pushed down the steps, passed Harry and the battle had begun. Harry was about to run straight in and join them when he heard his name. He turned and gasped.

He couldn't believe it, why had he been trying to buy them time when the students were just standing in the entrance hall. Then Harry noticed that it was only a small number of students.

Standing there were Colin and Dennis Creevey, Ernie Macmillan, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Hannah Abbott, Anthony Goldstein, Michael Corner, Terry Boot, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Lavender Brown and the Patil twins, Parvati and Padma. Then to Harry's horror he noticed another four people: Neville Longbottom, Ginny Weasley, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.

Before Harry could get to them and make them leave, they had all made their way down the steps. Now everyone in the world he cared for was in the battle, the people he was prepared to die for were going to die with him. He knew he had to do something; he had to save his friends.