Chapter 25

Tracey awoke at her usual time on Saturday morning, and excused herself to the bathroom. She had stayed up very late the previous night, awaiting the return of her best friend. When it had become clear that Daphne was not returning from her rendezvous with Harry, Tracey happily went to bed, pleased with herself.

She was supposed to be meeting with Ron and going to breakfast.

Oh, Ron Weasley.

That redhead was incredibly cute. He was just the right mix of strong, brave, and clueless. Tracey had never thought about Ron much before she'd gotten to know him. She usually liked boys a little more mature than Ron was, but at the same time, none of those boys ever made her laugh like Ron did.

Ever since Hermione had given her blessing, Tracey had ramped up her flirtatious advances. She loved how the boy jumped whenever she would grab his leg, or how red his face got when she would bat her eyes at him.

There was another side to Ron that she was only now discovering. They had had two conversations, that were serious talks. Ron was very guarded, keeping his feelings locked inside, but on the two occasions Tracey had the chance to talk to him alone, he had opened up, only a tiny bit, but enough for Tracey to see something she didn't think anyone else saw. Ron was hurting right now.

She knew how Hermione was feeling over what was happening, but Ron always had a brave face on. But Tracey had seen the truth recently. Ron was afraid, possibly more afraid than he'd ever been, and that fear was for his best friend. It had touched Tracey deeply, and it had changed her feelings for Ron dramatically. He was no longer just fun to flirt with, he was someone who could be worth her heart. She needed to explore this a bit more, but there was definitely something special going on there.

Finishing up her morning regime she patted back into the dorm and began dressing. Pansy and Millie were long gone. Pansy had taken up jogging and had forced poor Millie into accompanying her. It had done the larger girl some good, as she had lost twenty pounds because of it, but Tracey knew that she just hated going with Pansy.

Suddenly, the door opened, then shut. Tracey looked a little puzzled, until Daphne's head appeared, a bright smile on her face.

"Harry's cloak?" She asked. Daphne smiled, her eyes unfocused and far away. The blonde whipped off the cloak, revealing the green nightie Tracey had loaned her the previous night. Daphne lay the cloak down neatly on her bed, humming the entire time.

"So…"Tracey grinned. Daphne sat lightly on her own bed, her eyes still distant, a funny grin on her face.

"Amazing." She whispered.

"Amazing, huh?" Tracey giggled lightly.

"No. Amazing doesn't quite cover it. I don't know if there are words for it." Daphne grinned goofily.

"Wow." was all Tracey could say.

"Honestly, I'm surprised I could walk this morning. After the third time, I couldn't even feel my legs any more."

"THREE TIMES?" Tracey gawked.

"And once this morning."

"What have I done?" Tracey bemused, shaky her head and rubbing her temples, grinning the whole time.

"I have to hurry. We're having breakfast, and then we're going to spend the rest of the day together. All of us, so finish getting ready." Daphne ordered as she hurried off to the bathroom to shower.

"If that's love," Tracey grinned, as she watched her best friend skip off. "Then sign me up. I want some of that for myself."

She fell back on her bed and began picturing a romantic tryst with a very handsome red head Gryffindor.

Severus Snape was looking over the final plans for that evenings events at Grimmauld Place. Tonight could be the night that finally ended the war at last. The information had "leaked" that Harry Potter was to be escorted to Diagon Alley for meeting with the goblins. The information also included contents of the prophecy, basically to make Lord Voldemort believe he had to kill Harry himself.

Snape had worked hard to make his master believe in what he had told him, even suffering the torture curse for his "inability" to retrieve the information sooner. Snape and Dumbledore had concocted the story that Harry had been able to slip away because only Voldemort would be able to deal with the boy, and that it would be best if the Dark Lord himself went to face the boy alone, relying on no one to ensnare the boy. This had worked because it had inflated the Dark Lord's ego by placing blame on his followers.

Things had progressed rather quickly. Members of the Order would be in place along the roof tops where they would have a clear line of sight. The standing order was to kill. Not capture, bind or stun, but kill, on sight.

Many of the Order members were there checking a rechecking details. Everything looked sound, and with a bit of luck, they would all return to Hogwarts, or headquarters with reason to celebrate.

Then, when the school year finished, and students returned home safely, Severus Snape would submit his resignation and retire.

But first, he had to make through tonight.

"Severus." Came a rumbling bass voice.

"Kingsley, come in. Is everything in place?" Snape asked of the dark skinned Auror.

"It is. The ministry will be empty, and we have people setting up in London as we speak. We're expecting a full attack."

"Yes, I agree. The Dark Lord will not come alone as we hope, he's too arrogant for that. He'll want an audience. Are you ready?"

"To play Potter? Yes. So long as I don't have to say anything, it should fool him long enough to do what we need to."

"Remember, shoot to kill. He won't be taken alive." Snape said eyeing the taller man seriously.

"Everyone knows their jobs. I hope this plan of yours works, and it makes me wonder why Dumbledore never tried something similar."

"You know as well as I do. He believes a war can be won without bloodshed. His ideals have gotten too many killed. If we pull this off, we could finally be free of terror. Voldemort must die tonight."

"I understand. When will I be getting Potter's hair for the potion?"

"I have them here." Snape said, reaching into a pocket and extracting a vial containing several black hairs. "He was quite reluctant to give them up." Snape commented.

"I would be surprised if he wasn't. He's quite noble." Kingsley grinned.

"That he is." Snape mumbled sourly.

"Good luck, Severus. I hope you succeed with your plan."

Snape merely nodded as Kingsley left him alone. McGonagall stepped in as the tall Auror left.

"Is everything ready?" She asked hesitantly.

"As ready as we can be."

"You're worried." She said. Snape looked up from the table and regarded his colleague.

"I don't know why, but something doesn't feel right. I've looked over our plan again and again, and it doesn't have a single flaw. There are so many people in hiding, ready to take him down, that I will be surprised if there is anything left of his body. With all of that happening, taking Potter to the Veil should be simple. Yet, I have this feeling that something is going to go wrong."

"The best laid plans almost never do. Our focus must be on Harry. Leave You-Know-Who to Kingsley and the others. When we finish out task, then we can worry about the others."

"You're right, of course. Did you see Potter before you came here?"

"I did. He was enjoying breakfast with his friends. No doubt they will spend the majority of the day together." McGonagall said, a bit misty eyed. "I also spoke with Albus. He begged me to reconsider this course of action."

"He is so sure he's right. I just pray he doesn't try to interfere in some way. This may be our only chance at this, and I do not like the thought of what will happen if we fail." Snape grimaced.

"You need to try to remain calm." McGonagall warned.

"I'm fine. I think we should return to Hogwarts. We must at least appear to be going about our days as normal."

McGonagall nodded and left the room. Snape stood up and glanced down at all the notes he'd been reviewing. They were close to the end now, and yet, he still felt impending doom hanging over him. He knew in his heart something was wrong, but he had no idea what it could be. It was only a feeling, a tingling in his gut, but it was enough to give him pause.

"If only I could be absolutely sure about all of this…" He thought.

Harry had spent one of the best days of his life with his friends. He was joined by people who meant the most to him. Daphne was there, always smiling so gently, her love for him so strong in her gaze.

Hermione and Neville were there, sharing nervous glances, and holding hands. Harry could see something very special beginning to blossom between the two of them, even if they had no idea it was happening. Harry wondered if this was how Tracey saw the world.

Tracey was there too, along side Ron, keeping them all entertained by flirting madly with the naïve boy. A couple of times, Ron had returned the advances. Only to be embarrassed when it encouraged Tracey to become a little more frisky.

Ginny and Dean had joined them during the morning. Harry had asked them to join them, and after breakfast, most of them went flying. Harry felt so free up in the air, chasing his friends, and pulling off stunts that had made him one of the greatest seekers Hogwarts had ever known.

Only Daphne and Hermione had remained grounded, laughing and cheering the antics of their friends.

They had lunch on the grounds, thanks to Dobby, and then they had just talked and laughed and carried on like teenagers without a care in the world. It was what Harry had always longed for. To be normal. To spend time with friends without the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Throughout the day, Daphne and Harry had shared kisses and significant looks. He clutched her hand as they walked around the lake, and while they sat against boulders watching the giant squid.

Ginny and Dean had bade them all goodbye at dinner while the rest of them went to see Hagrid, who was overjoyed at the company. He served up tea and his rock cakes, which Tracey nearly chipped a tooth on, even though Ron had tried to warn her.

At seven pm, Hagrid escorted the students down to the Front Gates of the school. The six of them waited to be joined by the adults who were to escort them to the Ministry. They were all stone silent, unsure of what they could say at the moment.

Harry looked at each of them, glad that they had all agreed to come with him, even Neville, who had no clue where they were going or why, but had agreed just the same. Harry was never more thankful in his life to be surrounded by such faithful friends. He could feel his heart bursting with emotion as he looked at each one of them, sharing unspoken sentiments.

"You're all here?"

Harry looked and smiled as Remus Lupin sauntered through the gates escorted by Tonks, who was clinging to his arm. Tonks looked as chipper as she normally did, while Remus looked more reserved.

"Hello, Remus." Harry said, his throat closing with his emotion. Remus gave a sad smile and enveloped the boy in a warm hug. Harry knew that Remus had learned what they were going to do from McGonagall, as he had asked her to make sure he was there, but he had not spoken to Remus himself.

"You're very brave, Harry. You're mother and father would be very proud of you." Remus whispered, feeling the boy trembling in his arms.

"I'm so scared." Harry whispered back, causing Remus to tear up.

"It's ok to be frightened. You're human after all. But it will all be ok. You'll see. No matter what happens, it will all be okay in the end."

Harry pulled back from his father's friend and smiled thankfully at the man who'd once been his professor. His hand quickly found that of Daphne's and he pulled her close to him. Daphne wrapped her arms around his waist, feeling him tremble. Her heart ached for him, and for what was about to happen.

"Good, everyone is here." Snape said in a commanding voice as he and McGonagall approached them. "Well, let's get on with it."

And with that, the group began walking off the grounds, with Harry sparing on last look at the castle that he had considered his home for the last six years. Silently, he bade it one final goodbye.

They trudged down the path towards Hogsmeade in the light of the setting sun, with Hagrid leading the way. Two by two they went. Hermione and Neville walked behind Hagrid, holding hands.

Remus and Tonks followed, her arms looped through his, both staring at the ground as they walk.

Ron and Tracey were behind them. Occasionally, Tracey would reach out and rub Ron's back comfortingly, which caused him to give her a look of thanks, to which Tracey would smile back, trying to give the red head encouragement.

Daphne and Harry followed, arms around each other's waist. Daphne was trying her damnedest not to start crying. She was angry, and frightened, and a thousand other things. She just wanted to keep Harry close as long as possible. For all she knew, this might be the very last moments she would ever have with the black haired boy.

Snape and McGonagall brought up the rear, each watching out vigilantly for anything that was out of place.

Hagrid led them to the Hogshead Pub, where he opened the door and let the group inside. The bartender looked up sourly as McGonagall tossed a small pouch on the bar, and had a whispered conversation with the grungy looking man.

Snape went to the fire and pulled a bag of Floo Powder out of his waist coat pocket.

"Each of you take a pinch. We're going to the Ministry of Magic Lobby."

Hagrid went first, having to bend almost in half to fit in the fireplace. Remus and Tonks followed, and then McGonagall. One by on the students went through until finally, Snape himself joined them.

It was very quiet at the Ministry. Four of the six teens were reminded of a night not so long ago, when they had been in that very room.

"Somehow, it doesn't seem as eerie this time." Ron commented.

"No, it doesn't" Neville agreed.

"This way." Snape said, leading the troop now, keeping his eyes open for any signs of life. Though most of them already knew the way, they followed obediently. Harry saw his friends all glancing at him, all of them wanting to say something, but seemingly unable to speak.

The walk was a short one, and the all entered the round room with the many doors. Once they were all inside, and the door was shut, the room spun just as Harry remembered. When it had stopped, however, Snape called out for the Veil Room, and a door to his right opened up.

The room was exactly as he remembered it. A small auditorium with a raised platform and a large stone arch with a curtain that seemed to be moving from an unfelt breeze. Harry closed his eyes and saw his godfather's face as he fell through that very curtain a year ago.

"Come on, Harry." Daphne whispered. "We're almost done. We'll be able to go back to Hogwarts in just a few minutes."

Harry nodded, and he led the entire group down to the raised platform.

They all stood, staring at the arch for a few moments before anyone spoke.

"What are we doing here?"

"It's a really long story, Neville." Harry said softly. "When it's all over, someone will explain it to you. I just hope I get to be there when they do."

"You will be." Hermione said forcefully, though her eyes were spilling tears. "You have to."

"'Mione." Harry said as he engulfed her in a tight embrace. "You've never, ever stopped believing in me, even when you knew I was off my rocker. You tried to prevent me from making a huge mistake, and yet you stood by me as I did it anyway."

Hermione began to sob now, causing others to follow suit. Ron looked away to prevent himself from crying, even biting his lip. Neville stared in confusion, though on some level, he knew what was happening.

"I don't want you to do it. What if I'm wrong? I couldn't find anything to support my theory. I don't want you to go." Hermione begged.

"Hermione, if it were anyone else, I never would have agreed to this. But you're the smartest witch in an age, and you've never let me down before. I love you, you know that, right?"

Hermione tried to smile as she nodded, but her sorrow overwhelmed her, and she clutched him tightly again. Harry kissed her cheek, and thanked her for being his friend. Hermione mumbled something, but Harry had no idea what she said.

After a few moments Harry was able to tear himself from Hermione's grip. He offered his hand to Neville, who took it firmly.

"I'm sorry that I never tried to be a better friend to you. You are one of the bravest men I've ever had the privilege to know."

Neville pulled Harry in and gave him a firm hug, before releasing him. Harry smiled and patted Neville shoulder heartily, and then turned to Remus.

"You're just going to take a walk." Remus said. "Whatever happens, know that I'll look out for this lot."

"Thank you, for all you've done for me over the years. I wish we'd met sooner." Harry said simply. Remus nodded, looking proudly at the boy he felt he'd only just begun getting to know.

"I'm very proud of know you."

They stood looking at each other for another moment before they embraced each other again. Harry heard Tonks choking back her own tears as she watched this exchange. When Harry and Remus broke apart, she found herself engulfed by Remus.

"Take care of him, won't you?" Harry smiled sadly. Tonks could only nod.

"Tracey, I want to thank you." Harry said. Tracey held her hand to her mouth trying desperately to stop her own emotions from breaking through. Her eyes were misty now, and she felt her self shaking.

"I know we haven't been friends very long, but you've made me laugh harder in that short time than I have my entire life." Harry pulled her in for a warm hug and whispered, "Ron's a little slow, but I know that you and he will be very happy together."

"You just concentrate on coming through that thing ok. It took a lot of work to get you and Daphne together, and I have the perfect dress picked out for your wedding." She smiled, tears falling from her eyes.

With one last squeeze, Tracey let him go.

"Mister Potter… Harry. I have never been prouder of any student I have ever known. You have done things that wizards twice your age could never dream of accomplishing. You are a true Gryffindor." Minerva McGonagall gave a rare heartfelt smiled, and Harry shook her hand, and was surprised to find himself being hugged by the usually stoic Transfiguration teacher.

"Ah knew when I met yeh all those years ago, yeh were going to do great things, 'Arry." Hagrid said, wiping his huge eyes. "Every year yeh got into trouble, and yeh always came out of it alright. This is no different, yeh hear. Yeh do what yeh gotta do, and yeh come back to us."

Harry smiled as he allowed Hagrid to embrace him. Harry couldn't help but smile as he remembered when he first met Hagrid, that night in the little shack on the sea. How he had frightened the Dursleys and gave Dudley a curly pig's tail.

Hagrid finally let go of Harry and gave him a strong pat on the back, nearly knock the skinny teen to the ground.

That left only three people which to say farewell to.

"Ron?" Harry asked. Ron had kept his eyes away from all the display. Blood was coming from his lip where he'd been biting it to keep himself calm, but Harry and the other's could see it wasn't working. His eyes were bloodshot, and he was trembling violently.

"I'm not ready to say goodbye to you yet, mate." Ron choked out. "I can't do it."

"I know. I'm not ready, either. Remember what you promised me."

"You don't have to remind me." Ron said softly finally looking into his best friend's eyes. "I haven't always been the best friend, but you never gave up on me, and I'm not going to give up on you. You've faced dragons, Dementors, and you-know…Voldemort. You can beat this."

Then, Ron did something Harry had never expected, or witnessed. Ron lunged out and hugged Harry tightly. Harry returned the embrace tightly. Ron was more than his best friend. He was a brother. Harry couldn't even imagine what his life could have been had Ron sat in another compartment on the train.

"I'll be waiting for you on the other side." Ron finally said as he released Harry, patting his shoulder, and wiping his eyes angrily.

"Take care of yourself, mate." Harry said as he pulled away from Ron. They shared another look, both communicating things only best friends could share through a simple look. Harry didn't miss Tracey stepping up beside Ron and putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Potter, I'd like a word." Snape said, making Harry and everyone else turn in astonishment. Harry recovered from his shock and followed the teacher who had been the bane of his existence for years.

Snape turned and stared at Harry for a long moment, before he spoke.

"You know that I hated your father, we were bitter rivals all through school, but I want you to know that I never wished for him to die. Even after he married the only woman I ever loved."

Harry reeled at this revelation. Snape held Harry's gaze, never wavering. "I should have told you this a long time ago, but it was my cross to bear, not yours."

"You were in love with my mother?" Harry whispered.

"Very much. I will not ask your forgiveness for the way I've treated you. I just wish you know that I never hated you, but what you represented to me." Snape said stiffly.

"You've been a right bastard to me, all these years. But in the last few months, you went out of your way to try and train men, and to protect me. We'll never be friends, but at least I can say with honesty that you've earned my respect…sir."

Snape nodded slowly, and offered his hand. "You've earned mine as well…Harry."

Harry turned o see his friends watching him, and he caught the eyes of the only person left he hadn't said anything to. She held out her hand for him, and he closed the gap between them, pulling her close to him. Together they stepped onto the platform. Harry could hear the distant whispers of a thousand voices just beyond the lightly moving curtain. He felt Daphne's arms squeeze his waist, and he looked into her beautiful brown eyes. Again he kissed her, softly, hoping she could feel his love in that simple gesture.

Daphne sniffled as they broke the kiss. She held a hand to his cheek, straining to clear her throat so she could tell him everything she wanted him to remember. To tell him one last time that she truly loved him.

"EXPELLIARMUS!"

Wands flew in every direction, and Harry suddenly felt his body stiffen. He fell into Daphne, whose body had also become like stone.

Everyone suddenly found themselves unable to move at all.

Then the laughter began. A high, cold cackle that chilled Harry's spine.

"How touching. I don't know where to begin." Lord Voldemort smiled malevolently as he descended into the auditorium. "It does appear that I have arrived just in time. I am truly sorry, but I simply cannot allow you to kill yourself Harry, a very helpful little bird has told me that I must kill you myself, or I myself could die, and I simply can not allow that."

Voldemort levitated Harry's body and placed it before himself. He then set about levitating Harry's friends so they could watch what he was preparing to do, maneuvering Snape last.

"Severus, you have disappointed me. You made me believe that Harry would be in Diagon Alley. Imagine my dismay o learn that it was you, one of my most trusted lieutenants who had been a spy to the Order of the Phoenix all the years. You lied to me, misled me. You betrayed me." Voldemort hissed, getting right in front of Snape, who glared angrily back at the skeletal ghost of a wizard.

"You shall all die here tonight, but not before you witness the end of your savior. Harry, how many times have we been here? Each time you manage to slip out of my grasp. But not this time. Not tonight. Tonight. You die."

Voldemort raised his wand, preparing to strike down his mortal foe. Harry saw the hate in those crimson eyes, and the look of rapture on Voldemort's face as he began to swing his arm down. In that moment, time slowed to a crawl.

Harry looked past Voldemort to Daphne. Her eyes wide, her face frozen from the Dark Lord's spell. He wanted to reach out to her, to hold her on final time, to tell her what she had meant to him.

"AVADA…"

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

The green light shot out, and Voldemort only just stepped out of the way. He turned to find Snape squaring off against him, Harry's wand in his hand.

"How?"

"I wished to free myself. To kill you, for what you did to Lily Evans. For what you made me do. That's how wandless magic works. I can't let you live any longer." Snape howled.

"I'm going to enjoy this." Voldemort sneered. The two combatants began to circle, staring hard at one another, preparing to end the other's life.

Voldemort struck first with a very powerful blast of red light, which Snape deftly sidestepped before returning with a slash of his own wand. Voldemort raised a shield which glowed hotly as Snape's spell struck. More spells were traded, and Harry could only watch in horror as spells crashed all around his friends.

Then something happened to give Harry hope. McGonagall and Remus were moving, scrambling for wands. Snape had freed them while he was circling the Dark Lord. McGonagall found her own, and went to free Harry's friends, While Remus freed Tonks and Hagrid, who immediately joined the fight.

Voldemort was undeterred by the changing odds. He blasted Hagrid with a spell which knocked the half giant off his ft and crashing into a stone wall, knocking him unconscious. Tonks proved to be more agile, and quite swift on her feet, and the Dark lord had real trouble trying to hit the meddlesome Auror.

Harry suddenly found himself falling to the floor in a heap as he was released from the body bind spell. When he looked, he saw a thin black wand right in front of his nose, and he quickly seized it.

"Potter, This way." McGonagall was waving for him to follow her, but he had enough of running. He'd come here to die tonight, but he was not going until he knew his friends would be safe, and for that to happen, he had to put an end to the war.

"TOM!"

Voldemort turned his sinister red eyes to Harry, who was holding up the wand he'd found, staring back at the reason for his horrid life.

"Potter." Voldemort hissed. He lunged, sending three blasts of purple light right at Harry's chest. Harry spun and dove out of the way, firing two stunners at the Dark Lord, who laughed maniacally.

His laughter faded when a bludgeoning curse impacted his shoulder. Voldemort turned to see and enraged blonde with her wand aimed right at his head.

"You dare?"

"We all do!" Ron cried as he raised his own wand. Harry turned and saw all of his friends had found their wands and were now aiming them at the Dark Lord. None of them looked afraid anymore. They were all staring coldly at the husk of a man who'd tried to kill the one person they all loved.

"I cannot be killed." Voldemort chuckled.

"If you're referring to the safety of your Horcruxes, forget it." Harry smiled. "They're all gone."

"You lie." Voldemort spun to stared angrily at Harry.

"No he isn't." Snape remarked coolly. "The snake that Pettigrew killed, Nagini. I made him do that. I also found out where you hid the cup."

"We destroyed the others, the ring, the tiara, and the locket." Hermione shouted. "They're all gone."

"And Lucius Malfoy gave us the Diary. There's nothing left Tom." Harry said.

"So what." Voldemort bellowed. "I am still more powerful than any of you."

"But not stronger than all of us combined." Remus smiled.

Voldemort's eyes opened wide and he suddenly looked frightened. He began to spin on his heel, knowing that he had to escape.

"NOW!" Snape shouted.

The room filled with green light as the killing curse flew from every wand in the room. Voldemort was hit simultaneously by ten spells. There was no time to scream, no time to blink. Tom Riddle, Lord Voldemort died.

Silence fell heavy on them all as they could only stare at the body of their enemy. Suddenly, Harry's scar burned, pulsing with pain. The agony was so great that it made his knees buckle and he fell to the floor.

"Harry!" Daphne shouted running to his side.

"I need to go, now. Help me, please." He hissed through his pain, clutching his now bleeding forehead.

Daphne hefted him to his feet and tighter they approached the veil. Tears streamed from her eyes as she kissed him soundly, holding him tightly.

"I love you." She whispered.

"I love you, too." He grimaced, touching her cheek softly.

He turned to look at his friends one last time, and then, turned around and stepped into the veil.