SIYE Time:9:59 on 8th December 2024 SIYE Login: no | | |
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A Beginning To The End By boit62283
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Category: Post-HBP
Characters:Harry/Ginny, Hermione Granger
Genres: Action/Adventure, Angst
Warnings: Violence
Story is Complete
Rating: PG-13
Reviews: 2
Summary: Ginny is scared with only Hermione to comfort her. Relive the terrible fighting at Riddle Mansion, and how things turned out.
Hitcount: Story Total: 7833
Disclaimer: Harry Potter Publishing Rights © J.K.R. Note the opinions in this story are my own and in no way represent the owners of this site. This story subject to copyright law under transformative use. No compensation is made for this work.
Author's Notes: A quick one-shot as I suffer with writers block. I hope you enjoy it.
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In a cool room with a slightly trembling leg, Ginny sat in a cold back chair staring at nothing, but thinking of everything. Ginny knew that Hermione was near, just not where. Ginny allowed her thoughts to wander over the past and a small tear fell from her eye. Without hearing the footsteps of someone approach, Ginny felt a soft hand on her shoulder and knew that Hermione was beside her.
“Why the tears?” Ginny could hear the concern in Hermione’s voice, she just wasn’t sure if she could trust her own.
“I’ve just been thinking. After all that we have been through, I could never imagine that I would be as scared as I am now. What if something happens? What if something goes wrong and nothing goes as planned? Right now, I just can’t help but think ‘what if’.”
“I know how you feel, Ginny. We have been through so much together already. Just think of this as the beginning to the end. Once things have started, I can assure you that you will only think of the here and now. Besides, I will be right there beside you every step of the way.”
“Thanks Hermione. I don’t know what I would be doing if you weren’t here with me right now. I’ve never been so scared in my life, but I know that I wouldn’t be able to hold it together were in not for you. We’ve lost so much. All of our lives have been torn a part.”
Hermione looked stricken as more tears fell from Ginny’s eyes. Hermione wished that she knew what to say. Ginny was right. All of their lives have been ripped apart by the fierce fighting. Hermione looked at Ginny, and although her tears had ceased, she still had a stricken look on her face. In a faint voice, she spoke to no one in particular.
“I wish Harry were here with me. He would know what to say.”
“Me too Gin.”
Ginny sat in silence reliving the longest night of her young life.
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Harry stood on the Hogwarts grounds, just staring up at the sky thinking of how things were going to progress. In the distance, Harry could see storm clouds moving across the sky, seemingly in anticipation of the upcoming fight. Harry closed his eyes and let the breeze shuffle his hair until he sensed someone walking up behind him. Harry turned to see Ginny walking towards him from the front steps of the castle. As she drew near, Harry could see that she was tired after all the preparations that had taken place. As she continued toward him, Harry turned and started walking to meet her.
“Is everything set up?”
“Yes, everyone is gathered in the Great Hall making their final preparations before we leave.”
“How are you doing? Are you ready for this?” Ginny couldn’t help but let the faintest of smiles cross here face.
“Well, I would be lying if I said that I was ok. I’m terrified of what we are about to do. But I know that you will be right there with us, so I put my faith in that. As for everyone else, Ron and Hermione have wandered away from the group to get some last minute time alone before we all leave. Shacklebolt and Tonks arrived just a few minutes ago with the remaining Aurors who survived the battle at the ministry. No one has heard from Remus yet, but he said that he would meet us at the mansion with whatever werewolves he could find that have not sided with Voldemort. Everyone else is just sitting around until we leave.”
“Thanks Gin.” Harry took Ginny’s hand in his and slowly led her to the lake to sit by the tree. Harry sat down and leaned up against the tree, and Ginny followed and sank into his embrace, her back against his chest. The two sat in peaceful quiet until they heard footsteps signaling someone’s approach. After a few minutes, Ron and Hermione arrived and sank to the ground beside Harry and Ginny.
“Hey Ron, Hermione.”
“Hey Harry. You ready for this?”
“I’ve been ready for this my whole life. I just hope that we all walk away from there in one piece. How are you two holding up?”
“Well, seeing as we are about to eliminate the darkness from this world once and for all, I would have to say reasonably well. I’m just ready for everything to start. I don’t like all the waiting that we have to do. The longer we sit here not doing anything, the easier it gets for my nerves to start acting up.”
“I know how you feel, Ron. Just a little bit longer and you will have all the activity you could hope for.”
The group sat in silence for a little while longer, watching as the sun slid behind a group of clouds, not to be seen for the remainder of the day. Without saying a word, Harry stood and helped Ginny to her feet. When Ron and Hermione finally got to their feet, Harry met the eyes of each in turn before turning to face the awaiting storm.
“It’s time.” Without another word, the group set off to the castle to meet with the gathered force. As the four neared the Great Hall, they could hear all the final preparations taking place. The four entered the room and surveyed what was going on. The Aurors were looking over one another, making sure that each was prepared for battle. Various members of the Order were gathered around, discussing their plans and what each group was going to do. The Hall started to quiet down when people realized that Harry was back with them. When the room was totally silent, Harry addressed the crowd.
“Now is the time. For too long, Voldemort has maimed and murdered innocents and those we love. He has all but destroyed our way of life in his quest to bring the world under his rule. The time has come for us to take a stand and end his reign of terror. Now is the time to take back from him that which he stole. Voldemort’s time is now at an end!” Harry paused in his speech as loud cheers rose from the crowd. Harry raised his hands and silence once more settled across the Hall. “With our ministry in ruins, we are the only ones who can now take a stand. There will no prisoners in the fight. Anyone who is against us will pay with their blood. We will not risk anything like this happening again. If none of them survive this fight, then there will be none to rise again later. In hopes of hiding our arrival, we will be taking port keys to points surrounding the Riddle Mansion. Once everyone is in place and sentries eliminated, signals will be sent and the fight will begin. Good luck to you all and god speed.” With that, the crowd erupted in cheers once more as they prepared for the fight. The crowd started to disperse to smaller groups and gather around their assigned port keys. With a few final instructions, the groups started to disappear, leaving the Hall in an eerie silence.
Harry walked along the various lines in his forces, ensuring that everyone was ready for what lay ahead. As Harry walked, he saw Remus trying to make his way towards him. Harry couldn’t help but smile knowing that Remus had made it.
“Remus, it’s good to see you. Did you have any luck with the werewolves?”
“It’s good to see you to, Harry. I was able to gather seven, and all are willing to fight for us. I know it’s not much, but it’s better than what I was expecting.”
“You did good Remus. Every one of them will be a great addition for our side. I will let you lead them. It’s your job to take out as many werewolves that Voldemort has gathered as you can. As I told the group before we left, there will be no prisoners.”
“Alright Harry. I’ll see you again when this is over.”
“Good luck, Remus.”
“The same to you, Harry.”
Harry continued to walk down the lines to where he knew that members of the Order were gathered. The first person that Harry saw was Moody, casually leaning against a tree as if nothing was going on around him.
“Are you ready for this, Potter?”
“I’m as ready as I will ever be. I just hope that nothing goes wrong.”
“Well, I don’t know if you know this, but after the first curses are fired, all plans will change. This is a battle, Potter, and this above all will be most fierce. You’ve done well so far, but this will be your true test.”
“Thanks, Moody. Has the advanced party been sent out?”
“They have. I’m expecting to hear back from them any minute.” As Moody finished speaking, a small group of Aurors walked over to him to give their report.
“Sir, as we expected, there are Death Eaters gathered all along the property. There will be no sneaking into the house. Our only way in is through them.”
“Very well. Return to your post, it will begin shortly.” The Aurors faded back into the darkness as they rejoined their group. “Prepare yourself Potter, it begins now. When you get back to your friends, ignite your wand signaling the start. We will take care of it from there.” Harry and Moody clasped arms, and Harry left to join Ron, Hermione, and Ginny.
“Alright you guys, here we go.” Without another word, Harry raised his wand to the sky and sent a small burst of red sparks into the trees. All along the lines, sparks were ignited to signal everyone. In a matter of seconds, the night sky was illuminated by the various curses flying back and forth. A rainbow of colors flew between the two clashing groups. The little hairs on the back of Harry’s neck rose as the air was electrically charged. Without hesitation, Harry started firing off curses at the gathered Death Eaters. Ginny, Hermione, and Ron were close on his heels attacking anyone that they saw.
Screams of mortal pain raged on both sides as countless people fell in the onslaught. Harry looked to his right to see that several of the werewolves had gotten behind the Death Eaters and were wreaking havoc on their lines. The werewolves that had sided with Voldemort were dealing an equal amount of damage on the Aurors, but Remus quickly abandoned what he was doing to come to their aid. After some vicious fighting, Remus and his werewolves were able to fight off and defeat those engaged with the Aurors, and their fight resumed. Harry turned to look to his other side when the ground started to tremor. Over and over the ground shook, Harry barely being able to keep his footing. It didn’t take long though to realize that the quaking earth was caused by a group of giants who were charging in to the fight. Harry started to groan with dismay until he realized that the charging giants were led by known other than Grawp. Harry’s hope began to rise as the giants entered the fight swinging their enormous clubs back and forth. Death Eaters were knocked clear into the air by the huge swings of the giants. Harry was sure that the battle was slowly turning to their favor when his scar suddenly exploded causing mind numbing pain. Harry vision started to blur until the pain slowly receded to a dull throb.
“Harry, are you ok?”
“Voldemort’s here. The time has come for him to die.” With nothing more to say, Harry started throwing more curses and charged through the lines of Death Eaters. The only thing Harry was aware of in his charge was that Voldemort was ahead of him, and nothing was going to stop him from getting there.
Harry sidestepped around a group of Death Eaters, and there in front of him stood Voldemort. Harry could tell from the inferno burning in his eyes that Voldemort was not pleased with how the fight was progressing. Behind him, Harry could hear, if not see, what the giants and werewolves were doing to Voldemort’s forces. A smirk crept across Harry’s face as he stood before his sworn enemy.
“Potter, you will pay dearly for this. Not only will you die, but I will bathe in your blood.”
“How many times must I tell you Tom, your threats do not scare me. Time and time again you have tried to capture me, and time and time again you have failed.”
“You little brat! Now you think that you have the strength to face me?”
“I’m here aren’t I? Your forces are dwindling, and pretty soon, you will be all that’s left. I’m here to put a stop to all that you’ve done. It ends tonight.” Without another word, Harry drew his wand and leveled it on Voldemort.
“SECTUMSEMPRA!” Harry’s curse flew towards Voldemort, but he easily sidestepped it.
“My, my Potter. Starting off with the Dark Arts are we? CRUCIO!”
Harry was expecting this and quickly jumped to the side evading this attack. On and on the fight went, with neither of them landing a curse.
“DIFFINDO!” Once again, Voldemort was able to dodge Harry’s attack, but Harry could see that Voldemort was also tiring of the battle.
Harry and Voldemort faced each other once more, neither one lowering their wand.
“CRUCIO!”
“REDUCTO!”
The two spells collided with one another, and instead of breaking away, linked the two wands as they were in Harry’s fourth year. Raw power started to flow from their joining, as a solid white bar connected the two. In the middle of the beam where the two wands were joined, golden sparks were shot to the sky and fell around the two creating a dome of magic. Harry gripped his wand in both hands and willed with all his might for his curse to reach Voldemort. The bead of power that was caught in the beam of light traveled back and forth between the two aggressors. Harry was starting to tire in his fight, and the bead slowly started to drift towards his wand. Harry knew that if the light were to connect with his wand he would be killed. As the bead drew closer, his wand started to vibrate and shake, its temperature increasingly rapidly. Just when Harry thought that the battle was lost and all was over, the most beautiful music he had ever heard drifted across the battle field and filled his heart with peace. The minute the music started, Harry knew what it was. Harry looked over to where Voldemort stood and could see disbelief and fear etched along his face. Fawkes has returned from where ever she has been to help Harry once more in his fight for survival. Harry’s heart soared and his strength was replenished as the phoenix flew over the yard. Harry’s eyes hardened as looked back at Voldemort and poured his entire being into his wand. The bead of power slowed to a halt just before Harry’s wand, and then started to move back across the beam. Harry’s eyes never left Voldemort as the bead of power gained momentum on its track back across the beam. Harry watched as Voldemorts expression turned from shock to horrification as the small bead of power inched closer and closer to his wand. Although Voldemort put his full weight behind his power, nothing he could do would stop the bead. In one final instant, the bead made contact and was sucked into his wand then further into Voldemort’s being. As the bead vanished, Voldemort issued a cream of pain, then exploded to a bloody mass. The power that was emitted with Voldemort’s defeat was enough to knock Harry on his back. The last thing that went through Harry’s mind before the darkness took him was that it was finally over.
Harry slowly opened his eyes to realize that he was still lying on the grass where he had fallen. Although Harry had no idea how long he had been out, he could still here voices and screams coming from all around him. Harry sat up and slowly looked around to see what was going on. Several groups were still engaged in battle, although the number of Death Eaters still fighting had dropped to nearly none. Standing to his feet, Harry could see that both sides had lost many people. Perhaps only twenty of those that he had come with were still on their feet. Harry walked across the yard and spotted a group of Aurors that had been killed at some point in time during the fight. Kingsley Shacklebolt were among those that had died.
Harry continued to walk until he heard someone screaming his name. Harry turned to see Ginny running towards him at full speed with tears running from her eyes. Without slowing down, she ran right in to Harry and collapsed into his arms. Ginny finally looked up and told Harry that Ron had been severely injured during the fighting and that Hermione was still unconscious, but ok. Ginny led Harry to where the other two were hidden, and lowered himself to the ground. On first sight of Ron, Harry was surprised that his friend was still alive. Ron was laying on the ground, his arm at an unnatural angle, and the lower part of his leg barely connected to the rest of his body. The only reason why his friend hasn’t bled to death was because someone had tied on a tourniquet. Harry looked to Hermione to see that although she wasn’t bloody, she was unconscious with a nasty bump on her head.
Harry didn’t know how much more time had passed, but everything eventually fell quiet and the first few people started to come trickling back to their camp at the edge of some trees. The first people that Harry saw was Remus limping in supporting Tonks with his one good shoulder. Moody slowly limped in behind Remus and fell to the ground beside Harry.
“How did it go, Potter?”
“It’s over. After so many deaths, it’s finally over.”
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Although Ginny didn’t realize it, her tears had returned as she thought back on that horrible night. So many people had died, but the end result was worth it, Voldemort is dead. The side of Light paid a heavy price for its victory, but time will heal its wound. Families were torn apart as loved ones sacrificed their lives to end the threat hanging over their heads. The Weasleys were also affected in the battle. The most severe of wounds was Ron’s, who lost his leg in the fight. Although the healers were able to save his life, there was no hope for his leg.
Ginny was interrupted from her thoughts when a man stepped in to the room where she waited.
“It’s time.” Without hesitation, Ginny followed the man from the room, Hermione right beside her. Ginny paused for a brief second and Hermione stepped up beside her.
“Remember Ginny, I am right there beside you.”
“Thanks Hermione.”
Ginny offered Hermione a quick smile before following the man toward a set of double doors. As if on cue, the double doors opened and Ginny slowly stepped through. Walking down the aisle, Ginny knew that there were hundreds of people on either side of her. As she walked, Ginny looked up and her eyes immediately made contact with a pair of emerald eyes. All butterflies that were previously in her stomach fled and she was filled with peace and confidence.
As Ginny neared the end of the aisle, the man turned to her with a tear in his eye. “I am so proud of you, and I love you so much Ginny.”
“Thank you, dad. I love you too.”
After giving her dad a brief kiss on the cheek, Ginny turned and placed her hand in Harry’s and he led her the rest of the way. As Ginny and Harry made their way to the front, the crowd settled down behind them. Finally, an older wizard made his way to the front of the room and addressed the crowd.
“Welcome all of you, as we gather here today to witness the joining of these two people, Harry James Potter and Ginevra Molly Weasley.”
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AN: Well, there you have it. I tried to conceal the plot of this story, at least until the end. Any who, I hope you enjoyed it. I figured I would write this as I am having slight writers block with my Phoenix story.
Oh yeah, the disclaimer. None of the characters and places are mine. They are the sole property of Mrs. Rowling.
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