Chapter Thrity Four: The Final Fight

The Wheasley’s didn’t know about Bill and Fleur. Lucius Malfoy started fighting professor McGonagall. He said, ‘Finally, I get the opportunity to do what I always wanted. Killing you.’

‘That’s ambitious of you.’ spat professor McGonagall. They were fighting with all their strength. then, professor McGonagall used a very complex spell on Lucius which transformed him into a glass bottle. She then took the bottle in her hand and broke it. it started bleeding. Lucius was dead. Then when Harry was in the middle of the great hall, he saw Voldemort flying down.

Everyone froze. People stopped fighting. He stopped in the middle of the great hall. Harry and Voldemort were face to face, again. Harry looked at him. Voldemort said, ‘finally, Harry. You come to meet your end.’

‘Speak for yourselt, tom.’

‘How dare you!’

‘Shut up. You think you are the most powerful wizard of all time? Well think again. You are mortal and weak. Even if you do kill me, the people here wouldn’t let you live. You are just an ordinary wizard tom, an ordinary wizard.’ said Harry.

‘Avda ke davra’ shouted Voldemort, ‘expelliarmus’ shouted Harry. Their powers collided. It was just like it was on the night when Voldemort returned. Harry was fighting with one hand. With the other he was searching his pocket. He was looking for the bottle of sand. And he found it. He opened it inside his pocket and took it out. He sprinkled it all over himself. As soon as the sand touched him, his body became golden. It started to glow. His wand hand became much firm. And Harry saw that Voldemort’s hand started to shake. Very soon the power coming from Harry’s wand turned golden. Voldemort’s was lost control on his wand and his wand flew away. Voldemort fell. Harry went closer to him and shouted, ‘Voldemort CORZAIO’

Pure white light came from Harry’s wand and hit Voldemort on his chest. He screamed. Black smoke came out from his body. His body started to shake vigorously and soon it stopped. Harry knew Voldemort had died.

For a minute time seemed to have stopped. There was pin-drop silence everywhere and then, a roar of triumph burst out. People were laughing, hugging each other. The battle was won. The remaining death eaters were either captured or they had escaped. But all tat didn’t matter now. Voldemort was gone. Gone for good.

But Harry didn’t know what to feel. He was happy that they won, but what he had lost in order to get this was too much a price to pay for this victory. His parents, Sirius, Dumbledore, Bill, Fleur… it was too painful to remember about them all… he left the celebrations-cum-moaning and went to his common room. He needed to be alone. He can’t bear seeing the dead bodies anymore. Ron and Hermione were sitting next to Bill and Fleur’s bodies, sobbing. Once the initial happiness of winning was over, people saw the loss this war had caused. The loss of friends, of families was now making them realize the price they have to pay. They all decided that the graves of all these people will be in Hogwarts. There will be a special area for these brave soldiers of the war. Two days later, there was a grand funeral for all these people. People from all over the world had come there to pay their tributes.

Harry was now feeling relieved. It felt as if a very big burden was off his shoulders. He also decided that he will complete his studies next year. Ron and Hermione said they’ll follow. Harry was looking forward to a year at Hogwarts that won’t be full of mortal danger.

The End…

Chapter 33: The Battle of Hogwarts

Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick started doing incantations all over the school. The armors started to move looked ready to fight. Professor sprout and her students took plants and started putting them in various places. These were plants that secreted poisonous gases. So when the death eaters walked the grounds, they’ll faint. A special antidote for this plant was given to all students. Some of the students were distributing potions to drink to every student. This was the Felix felicus that Profesor Slughorn had made before dying. People from outside Hogwarts had started coming from the various secret passageways. Crookshanks was standing under the womping willow keeping her feet at the right place so that others could get into Hogwarts while the tree stood still. The whole of the Wheasley Family was there. Neville’s grandmother and other relatives were there. Luna’s father had come with some of his friends. He looked just like Luna. He and his friends were as eccentrically dressed as one could imagine for this occasion. With florescent green cloaks that glowed like bulbs, there were easily noticeable even in the crowd of hundreds of people. ‘It bring supernatural powers to you’ said Xenophilius Lovegood, Luna’s Father. On which, ‘But you’re a wizard, you already have supernatural powers’ was the reply of Neville’s grandmother.

Harry was quiet surprised to see Aunt Petunia and Dudley there. ‘What are you doing here?’ asked Harry. ‘You can’t even do magic’

‘yeah!’ said Dudley, ‘But we can use guns. Got many of them. And hand grenades also. Those death eaters wouldn’t be expecting them. And besides, I have to take revenge of my father’s death. don’t I?’

‘I am proud of you, Dudley’ said Aunt Petunia.

People have started to hide in corners so that when the death eaters came, they can take them by surprise. And they started waiting. Harry, Ron and Hermione were behind the great hall entrance. Within one hour, Harry heard the same high pitched voice he loathed, Voldemort’s voice. ‘People of Hogwarts. I have nothing against any of you. If you give me Harry potter and his two friends, I shall spare your life. I –’

Before he could finish, Professor McGonagall spoke, ‘You are not getting anyone from here. Take them by fighting us Tom, if you can.’

‘The you shall all die’ said Voldemort in a bitterly cold voice. He was shocked to hear professor McGonagall take his real name like that. She sounded so much like Dumbledore. Harry felt proud of his Transfiguration teacher at that point. The main door of Hogwarts opened. This time the school allowed them to enter. Hogwarts knew that there was a battle going on inside it. As the death eaters started coming, the plants put by the students started releasing poisonous gases. Some death fainted but almost all had no effect of it. They had already taken precautions. There were hundreds of death eaters, along with almost that many dementors, twelve giants, and some other dark creatures lik werewolves etc.

And the Dudley threw a hand-grenade at the approaching group of death eaters. The death eaters did not see it coming and as it fell, it created a loud explosion. Many death eaters were thrown due to the explosion. Some were injured, and four died. For the first time in his life, Harry felt like hugging Dudley. This catalyzed the death eaters. They started firing curses at the castle. But the protective enchantments deflected the curses. As the death eaters were approaching the castle, there was an unexpected help that came. From inside the forbidden forests, centaurs attacked the death eaters, from inside the great lake, the merepeople started to throw arrows at the death eaters. At this point, people from inside the castle came out and started to fight. Within no time, a huge battle broke out. The whole Hogwarts was bright with the light of the curses. It was a complete chaos. Harry started looking for Voldemort. He knew it was now or never. The day had arrived where one will survive and the other would die. But Voldemort was not there. Neville were fighting so well that Harry felt weather Voldemort had made a mistake by not taking Neville as his possible enemy. Luna and Ginny were fighting with all their might. The Dumbledore’s army had turned out to be a very good army. They were jinxing people left right and centre. The fight was going on but there was no sign of Voldemort anywhere. Harry saw Malfoy fighting with his father. His father was saying things like, ‘Join us. You still have time. You must understand.’ But Malfoy did not consider any of his father’s saying. He kept jinxing his father. He raised his wand and said, ‘Stupify’. Lucius fell backwards. Then from behind, Bellatrix came. ‘You ungrateful bloke. How dare you hit your father. I’m gonna kill you. Avda ke Davra’

It happened in a moment. The spell had hit Malfoy directly on his face and he fell on the ground. Harry saw it happen. It took him a moment to realize what was happening. He ran towards Malfoy. Another death eater started fighting Harry. Harry saw Lucius Malfoy. He was expressionless, still as stone-faced as he had always been. The death of his son did not mean much to him. Harry couldn’t realize how a father could be like that, but then, Lucius was a death eater before a father.

Harry fought the death eater and then again started looking for Voldemort. There he saw that the aurors had also joined the forces. Mad-eye-moody, Kingsly Shacklebolt were fighting with all their might. They were fighting three-three death eaters at a time. The Wheasey family was also fighting bravely. Mr. Wheasley was fighting two men at a time. Bill and Charlie were throwing spells all over. Fred and George were using their joke shop products on the death eaters. the students were also doing a great job.

Harry still couldn’t find Voldemort. He ran out of the castle. While he was in the entrance, he saw Bellatrix. She was fighting Luna and Neville at once. Neville’s was filled with loathing. It was as if all the sadness he had in him because of his parent’s condition had been magically transformed into hatred. It was then that Harry remembered what Voldemort had told Harry that day at the ministry, the day when Sirius had died. You need to feel the hatred for the person in order to cast an unforgivable curse. Harry knew that it is the best moment for Neville to take revenge. He shouted ‘Neville, use the killing curse.’

Neville wasn’t distracted by what he said but Bellatrix heard it. ‘Telling your week friend how to fight Potter?’ she shouted.

Neville became even more red and shouted, ‘Crusio’. Bellatrix howled and moaned in pain. Harry could see the satisfaction on neville’s face, seeing her in utter pain. But Luna was looking uncomfortable. She said, ‘Stop it Neville.’

‘No I won’t’ said Neville. ‘you don’t know what she did to my parents.’

‘I know. But if you do the same, what does it makes you?’ said Luna. And Neville stopped. He looked at Luna and said, ‘this is a war. We have to kill them.’

‘I know. But we don’t kill for pleasure. We kill to end evil. That’s what separates us from them.’

Neville thought for a moment, looking at the almost unconscious Bellatrix on the floor. he pointed his wand at her and shouted ‘Sectumsempra’

She started screaming again. Blood was coming out of her body. She was developing cuts after cuts. And then she died. Neville and Luna ran to look for other death eaters to fight.

Meanwhile, Lucius Malfoy had started fighting Bill. They were fighting near Dumbledore’s office. Bill was fighting very bravely when he heard a scream. It was Fleur’s scream. He looked back and at Lucius used that moment to use the killing curse on Bill. Bill died instantly. The last thing he saw was Fleur running towards him, wandless, a deather eater chasing him. She frooze seeing Bill die. She looked at Lucius. He gave her a dark smile and pointed his wand at her. He shouted, ‘Avada Ke Davra’

Fleur fell on top of Bill.

Chapter 32: Lily’s Grave

Next day was Professor Slughorn’s funeral. Everyone was unsure how he died. He was so full of life, why would he drink poison? Only Harry and Hermione knew. And they Had decided to go to Godric’s hollow again that night. They had told Ron that there is a sand that can protect them in fight Voldemort. Ron was quiet cheerful now. He was thinking that they had finished all horcruxes and now had quiet good chances of defeating Voldemort. That night the got under the cloak again and went outside the school boundaries. From there they apparated to godric’s hollow. They reached the graveyard directly. This was the first time Ron and Hermione were seeing this place. Harry had been here before. He knew the grave. He went directly towards the grave. Ron and Hermione followed. Harry bent closer to his mother’s grave. he touch the tombstone. He said ‘I here mother. And I need you help. I am in trouble. Help me mother, help me.’

But nothing happened. Then Hermione tried, ‘I need help. My love is infected. Please help us. Please.’ Still nothing happened.

‘What are you saying? Who is infected?’ asked Ron.

‘You are’ said a cold high pitched voice. They all looked back. Voldemort was standing there. ‘You, Wheasley are a horcrux. My horcrux. Can you believe it? I, the dark lord chooses such a negligible body like you to safeguard his soul?’

Ron was frozen. So was Harry and Hermione. Voldemort continued, ‘but I had to. After all the prophecy said so. I had to turn friends into foes. So I did. Now a part of me is in you. and to kill me, Harry will have to kill you.’

‘no’ shrieked Hermione. The sand will help us. It will.’

‘Oh really!’ he said, ‘But you are at the wrong place, mudblood. The sand is in the department of mysteries. Lily was not a witch of that caliber. She was an ordinary mudblood.’

‘Don’t call her that’ shouted Harry.

‘We shall se then. Today, in front of her, I will torture her son to death. And she will not be able to do anything.’

He then raised his wand and shouted, ‘crusio’

The spell hit Harry before he could protect himself. He shouted screaming. The pain was unbearable. It was like burning. And the when he thought he could take no more of it, Lily’s grave busted. And pure silver sand filled the whole graveyard. As soon as the sand touched Harry, he felt cool, the pain was not there anymore. And he could see, as the sand touched Ron, he was lifted in air. He had been engulfed by a silver flame. And then from that flame, a cry came. A cry of agony. But it was not Ron’s voice. It was the soul of Voldemort that had died inside Ron. Then slowly Ron fell on the ground. He was unconscious. But Harry knew that Ron was fine.

In front of Harry, Voldemort was experiencing immense pain. As if his curse had rebounded. he shouted, ‘This is not the end. You cannot kill me. I am immortal.’

But Harry shouted, ‘No you’re not. We’ve finished all you horcruxes. All six of them.’

Voldemort froze. He looked at Harry and then, dissapparated. As he went the sand faded too. Harry looked back at the grave. it was just like before. As if nothing had happened. But there was some sand on the top of the grave. Harry took it in a bottle and kept it with him.

Harry looked at Hermione. She was holding Ron and looking very angry. She shouted at Harry, ‘we need to go back now. Why did you tell him about the horcruxes? Now he will come and fight. With all his army. We need to go back to Hogwarts and prepare to fight.’

They dissapparated and went back to Hogwarts, where they told everyone everything. Professor McGonagall said, ‘Let’s get ready. He must be coming. Hogwarts is going on a war.’

Chapter 31: The Seventh Secret

‘Many years ago,’ began professor Slughorn, ‘there was a witch. A very talented and beautiful witch. You all know her by the name of Helga Hufflepuff. She was a very loving and caring woman, very motherly. She believed that every person in this earh is special. She brought children from outside the wizarding families and made them into great wizards and witches. But what people don’t know about her is that she was also a great lover. She loved a man so majestic and great, that any wizard till now is nothing in front him. He Harry, was one of your ancestor, Godric Gryffindor. Yes, he was your ancestor Harry. Ever wondered why your parent’s lived in Godric’s hollow? I’ll come to it.’

‘So Helga loved Godric. Together, they took magic so far as no one had ever taken. Rowena Ravenclaw also helped them in taking magic further away. But together they also brought muggle children and taught them magic. This offended Salazar. He tried to talk Rowena into stopping the entry of muggle children, but even she did not mind them. She said that anyone with the talent for magic must be given an opportunity. Hence, as you know, Salazar made his secret chamber and left Hogwarts forever.’

‘But he did not forget or forgive Helga and Godric. He tried to take revenge for ruining Hogwarts. It was the time when Helga and Godric had gotten married. Helga was pregnant. Salazar returned. He said he was back to wish the couple, but the truth was something else. Salazar wanted to finish off Godric and Helga, before they could increase their family. So one night, he casted a sleeping spell on Godric and kidnapped Helga. He took her to a place no one had seen before. It was what we now call Godric’s hollow. When Godric woke up, he became furious and started looking for Helga.

‘Meanwhile, that night Helga had her labor pains. And she delivered the baby there. it was baby girl. A very beautiful girl. But Salazar wanted to kill her. But Helga came between him and the baby. She gave her life to protect the baby. By this time, Gryffindor came. Seen his wife dead, he started dueling with Salazar. It was the greatest battle that ever took place. And finally, Salazar lost. And he died.’

Godric made his home in the place where Helga had died. But he could never live there. He died within a year of all this. Rowena took the baby with her. But she had to manage Hogwarts and so she gave the baby to a muggle to take care of. But that girl never became a witch. She lived her whole life as a muggle. Never had any powers. She married a muggle, had muggle children, muggle grandchildren and so on. Until one day, one of their predecessors gave birth to a beautiful and supremely talented witch called Lily Evans. And I daresay history was repeated.’

‘But professor, how will this help us in saving Ron?’ asked Hermione.

‘Well, When Helga died, she was buried in the ministry of magic. In the department of mysteries. Because her death was a mystery to all. No one except Rowena knew. And she did not tell anyone, Godric had forbidden her to tell anyone. But there are some, very few magical families, who know this secret. So soon after she was put in the department of mysteries, the room in which she rested got locked, by itself. And since then it opened very few times. Only when someone desperately needed help and love was there in the desire for help. Her body became sand. And whenever you put that sand on someone with love, it heals that person. Any curse can be treated, except for the killing curse. So if you put that sand on Ron, the soul of Voldemort in him would die, as it is evil. And Ron will come, unscratched. And above all, it will help you Harry. It will protect you from anything. You know your cloak, why it always protects you? because it is made from the same sand. When your great-grandfather needed help and he happened to be in the department, the door opened and this cloak came. Since then it has been in your family. That is why Dumbledore had borrowed it from your father that day. And it was Dumbledore who told me this story, about the four founders and the very secret sand.’

‘But how are we supposed to go inside the ministry again? The security there must be really high.’ said Harry.

‘Then,’ said professor Slughorn, ‘you go to a place where the security is not there.’

‘Where?’ said Hermione.

‘Lily’s grave. she and Helga both died the same death. even her body has transformed into that sand. Harry, you are her son, you just have to tell her, with love to save your friend. She’s your mother. And this is a magical bond beyond and other magic. She’ll help you. do this as fast as possible. And now, excuse me, oh and it was nice to meet you people at this stage of my life.’

And Professor Slughorn took out a small bottle from his pocket and drank it. He said, ‘To the Dark Lord’s Defeat.’

He died. Almost instantly. Harry and Hermione called everybody. They did not cry because they knew he had died a like a fighter. They wanted to honor his death. they had decided that next evening, they after the funeral, they are going to Godric’s Hollow, again.’

Chapter 28: The Coldest Christmas

That morning, Harry Ron and Hermione left for Azkaban. They left a note for Neville so that no one would wonder where they had gone. They had lied in that note. They wrote that they are going to meet some old wizard Dumbledore had told them to meet, who can teach them real advanced magic. Once they left the castle, they entered Hogsmede. There they apparated. Hermione helped them as she had seen the sea coast which was closest to Azkaban. There, Hermione conjured a boat, a simple boat, except for the face that it was unsinkable. It was a small boat that when put in water looked undistinguishable .They went in the boat and covered themselves with the cloak. Hermione also produced a small patronus inside the cloak so that they will be safe from the dementors. They left the shore. The boat was magically moving towards the direction of Azkaban.

It took them three hours to reach Azkaban. They could feel the chill. Even Hermione’s patronus wasn’t too much of a help.

‘okay, we’re about to hit the island. But we need to prevent it. If we hit, they’ll know someone is here.’ Said Hermione.

‘but how do we stop it?’ said Harry.

‘are you a wizard or not?’ she said. ‘and don’t worry. I already did it. It will stop before hitting. As soon as it stops, we’ll jump in the water and cast the air bubble charm we’ve been practicing. Oh and before we jump, Harry, can we have the snuid?’

They took out the snuid from the shell and ate it. It tasted like the most disgusting thing Harry had ever had. Even worse than Burty Bott’s vomit flavored beans. Eating it made none of them feel any different. They jumped and casted the air bubble spell which created an air bubble around their face and helped them breathe inside water.

And they went inside the sea. It was the coldest thing Harry had ever experienced. It was as if all his body except his face was frozen. They swam deeper into the sea until they could see pipes coming out of the island rock. These were the sewage pipes that came from Azkaban. They had to get into the castle through them. As Harry got inside the pipe, what he smelled made him puke. It was the rotting sewage of years stuck to the pipes. He started fainting. Even Hermione was about to faint. Ron then, shouted ‘Aromour’ and both Harry and Hermione came back to their senses. They smelled pleasant things. They moved further. Even though they could now no more smell the sewage, it was disgusting to be walking through it. Soon they came to a place where the pipes started distributing to separate toilets. They went to one of the toilets and through it they entered Azkaban. The snuid helped them come out of the toilet. From there the task became more difficult. Even though they could move through and wall, they were afraid to be seen by anyone. So they had to move under the cloak.

But there was a bigger problem than this. The castle was full of dementors. And their aura was making them sick. They couldn’t even produce a patronus as they would be seen. The breeze was sucking all the happiness out of Harry. It was his gloomiest Christmas ever. But then Harry remembered Sirius, and how he fought the dementors by memories. And Harry remembered his memories, his friends, his parents, Dumbledore. All this strengthened Harry. It wasn’t too much, but still it at least made him able to move. He told Ron and Hermione also to think of positive things. And they moved in search of the horcrux.

Chapter 27: Snuid

For the next few days, they had been wondering how to get into Azkaban. There would be dementors and even death eaters guarding that place. Again they decided to take Hagrid’s help in finding out more about Azkaban. He had after all been there, twice. But this time, they had decided not to tell him about their intentions, because then he would want to come with them. They were speaking to him about that place generally when he asked Harry suddenly about the birthday present Hagrid had given him. Harry had almost forgotten about it. He told Hagrid honestly that Harry didn’t know how to use it.

‘But anybody would know how to use a Snuid’ said Hagrid. There is a gel inside it. You have to eat it. And then you can penetrate anything. You can walk through walls, walk under water. But it only works for seven hours. After that you are visible and can’t penetrate a thing. And if you are inside a wall when the chant goes off, you are stuck there forever.’

And Harry knew how to get into Azkaban. They will be going through the pipelines and using the snuid, they’ll get inside in a way so that no one sees them. After that, they’ll have to find the horcrux and bring it as fast as possible.

But just a little bit of fluid won’t help. Harry knew that there were other dangers too. Ever since Voldemort had become powerful, Azkaban was full of dementors. Harry had fought many dementors before. He had even fought a group of demontors, but this time, it would be about a thousand dementors. And there will be other spells too. Not to forget Voldemort ‘s obstacles. He knew it would be difficult. So Harry, Ron and Hermione started practicing spells for Azkaban. Soon Ginny and Neville started asking questions as to what were they doing. It was becoming more and more difficult to hide their motive from their friends. But soon they were ready to go for their last horcrux hunt.

Christmas was coming. And Harry decided that they will do this on Christmas. It was an auspicious day and they will enter Azkaban on that very day.

Chapter 26: The Fifth Secret: The House Of Slytherin

Harry was proud of the fact that he, Ron and Hermione were doing great. They were now quiet close to finishing Voldemort. Just one more horcrux and he will be mortal again. But this was the most difficult thing to do. Not only was he unaware about the whereabouts of the horcrux, he didn’t even know what the horcux was. But still, he was certain that they will find it.

From then onwards they started spending most of their time in the library. Harry had been hearing the news of the outer world through the teachers of Hogwarts. Things were bad. Muggles were dying. So were good wizards. But there was one change since their fight at the ministry, the death eaters seemed to be a little less active. They surely had not expected themselves to be almost defeated by kids. Had Voldemort not asked them all to leave the ministry that night, they would have had a very shameful defeat.

Hermione was reading a book to Ron and Harry one afternoon when Ginny came running towards them. ‘They attacked the burrow’ she said, ‘the death eaters. No one knows what’s the condition of everybody there.’

‘We’ll have to go there and see. Come we’ll go now’ said Ron.

‘Yeah’ said Hermione.

‘No.’ said Ginny. ‘we can’t go. There are other ways of finding out. Harry – ’

‘I’ll get it’ he said, and at once he left for his dormitory. Ginny hadn’t told him what to get, but he knew. He went to his dormitory and took the Burrow’s man that ginny had given him. He ran back to Ron, Hermione and Ginny. They opened the map. There Harry could see, Mrs. Wheasley, Mr. Wheasley, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Fred and George. They were all moving. This gave Harry a sigh of relief. They were all there. And all in the conditions of moving. Later that evening Professor McGonagall told then that all was well in their home. Even Percy had rejoined the Whealsey family. It happened after they left the burrow.

One day when they were discussing the place where the last Horcrux could be hidden, it just occurred to Harry. He said, ‘hey, we know it must be hidden somewhere special. Some place Voldemort would be proud of. So what are the things that will make him proud?’

‘Slytherin’ said Ron. ‘he was proud to be his heir.’

‘Well yes,’ said Harry. ‘But where is the place that’s related to Slytherin anyways?’

‘The Slytherin common room.’ Said Ron.

‘No. I don’t think so’ said Harry.

‘Actually there is a place…’ said Hermione very slowly. ‘Oh gawd! I got it. It’s in Azkaban. The horcrux, is in Azkaban.’

‘Hermione,’ said Ron, ‘I don’t think you know who would like to hide his soul in a prison.’

‘I think Ron is right’ said Harry.

‘But don’t you know,’ she said, ‘Azkaban used to be the house of Salazar Slytherin.’

And Harry knew, that they had got the final hiding place. But how on earth were they supposed t go there?

Chapter 26: The Fifth Secret: The House Of Slytherin

Harry was proud of the fact that he, Ron and Hermione were doing great. They were now quiet close to finishing Voldemort. Just one more horcrux and he will be mortal again. But this was the most difficult thing to do. Not only was he unaware about the whereabouts of the horcrux, he didn’t even know what the horcux was. But still, he was certain that they will find it.

From then onwards they started spending most of their time in the library. Harry had been hearing the news of the outer world through the teachers of Hogwarts. Things were bad. Muggles were dying. So were good wizards. But there was one change since their fight at the ministry, the death eaters seemed to be a little less active. They surely had not expected themselves to be almost defeated by kids. Had Voldemort not asked them all to leave the ministry that night, they would have had a very shameful defeat.

Hermione was reading a book to Ron and Harry one afternoon when Ginny came running towards them. ‘They attacked the burrow’ she said, ‘the death eaters. No one knows what’s the condition of everybody there.’

‘We’ll have to go there and see. Come we’ll go now’ said Ron.

‘Yeah’ said Hermione.

‘No.’ said Ginny. ‘we can’t go. There are other ways of finding out. Harry – ’

‘I’ll get it’ he said, and at once he left for his dormitory. Ginny hadn’t told him what to get, but he knew. He went to his dormitory and took the Burrow’s man that ginny had given him. He ran back to Ron, Hermione and Ginny. They opened the map. There Harry could see, Mrs. Wheasley, Mr. Wheasley, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Fred and George. They were all moving. This gave Harry a sigh of relief. They were all there. And all in the conditions of moving. Later that evening Professor McGonagall told then that all was well in their home. Even Percy had rejoined the Whealsey family. It happened after they left the burrow.

One day when they were discussing the place where the last Horcrux could be hidden, it just occurred to Harry. He said, ‘hey, we know it must be hidden somewhere special. Some place Voldemort would be proud of. So what are the things that will make him proud?’

‘Slytherin’ said Ron. ‘he was proud to be his heir.’

‘Well yes,’ said Harry. ‘But where is the place that’s related to Slytherin anyways?’

‘The Slytherin common room.’ Said Ron.

‘No. I don’t think so’ said Harry.

‘Actually there is a place…’ said Hermione very slowly. ‘Oh gawd! I got it. It’s in Azkaban. The horcrux, is in Azkaban.’

‘Hermione,’ said Ron, ‘I don’t think you know who would like to hide his soul in a prison.’

‘I think Ron is right’ said Harry.

‘But don’t you know,’ she said, ‘Azkaban used to be the house of Salazar Slytherin.’

And Harry knew, that they had got the final hiding place. But how on earth were they supposed t go there?

Chapter 26: The Fifth Secret: The House Of Slytherin

Harry was proud of the fact that he, Ron and Hermione were doing great. They were now quiet close to finishing Voldemort. Just one more horcrux and he will be mortal again. But this was the most difficult thing to do. Not only was he unaware about the whereabouts of the horcrux, he didn’t even know what the horcux was. But still, he was certain that they will find it.

From then onwards they started spending most of their time in the library. Harry had been hearing the news of the outer world through the teachers of Hogwarts. Things were bad. Muggles were dying. So were good wizards. But there was one change since their fight at the ministry, the death eaters seemed to be a little less active. They surely had not expected themselves to be almost defeated by kids. Had Voldemort not asked them all to leave the ministry that night, they would have had a very shameful defeat.

Hermione was reading a book to Ron and Harry one afternoon when Ginny came running towards them. ‘They attacked the burrow’ she said, ‘the death eaters. No one knows what’s the condition of everybody there.’

‘We’ll have to go there and see. Come we’ll go now’ said Ron.

‘Yeah’ said Hermione.

‘No.’ said Ginny. ‘we can’t go. There are other ways of finding out. Harry – ’

‘I’ll get it’ he said, and at once he left for his dormitory. Ginny hadn’t told him what to get, but he knew. He went to his dormitory and took the Burrow’s man that ginny had given him. He ran back to Ron, Hermione and Ginny. They opened the map. There Harry could see, Mrs. Wheasley, Mr. Wheasley, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Fred and George. They were all moving. This gave Harry a sigh of relief. They were all there. And all in the conditions of moving. Later that evening Professor McGonagall told then that all was well in their home. Even Percy had rejoined the Whealsey family. It happened after they left the burrow.

One day when they were discussing the place where the last Horcrux could be hidden, it just occurred to Harry. He said, ‘hey, we know it must be hidden somewhere special. Some place Voldemort would be proud of. So what are the things that will make him proud?’

‘Slytherin’ said Ron. ‘he was proud to be his heir.’

‘Well yes,’ said Harry. ‘But where is the place that’s related to Slytherin anyways?’

‘The Slytherin common room.’ Said Ron.

‘No. I don’t think so’ said Harry.

‘Actually there is a place…’ said Hermione very slowly. ‘Oh gawd! I got it. It’s in Azkaban. The horcrux, is in Azkaban.’

‘Hermione,’ said Ron, ‘I don’t think you know who would like to hide his soul in a prison.’

‘I think Ron is right’ said Harry.

‘But don’t you know,’ she said, ‘Azkaban used to be the house of Salazar Slytherin.’

And Harry knew, that they had got the final hiding place. But how on earth were they supposed t go there?

Chapter 26: The Fifth Secret: The House Of Slytherin

Harry was proud of the fact that he, Ron and Hermione were doing great. They were now quiet close to finishing Voldemort. Just one more horcrux and he will be mortal again. But this was the most difficult thing to do. Not only was he unaware about the whereabouts of the horcrux, he didn’t even know what the horcux was. But still, he was certain that they will find it.

From then onwards they started spending most of their time in the library. Harry had been hearing the news of the outer world through the teachers of Hogwarts. Things were bad. Muggles were dying. So were good wizards. But there was one change since their fight at the ministry, the death eaters seemed to be a little less active. They surely had not expected themselves to be almost defeated by kids. Had Voldemort not asked them all to leave the ministry that night, they would have had a very shameful defeat.

Hermione was reading a book to Ron and Harry one afternoon when Ginny came running towards them. ‘They attacked the burrow’ she said, ‘the death eaters. No one knows what’s the condition of everybody there.’

‘We’ll have to go there and see. Come we’ll go now’ said Ron.

‘Yeah’ said Hermione.

‘No.’ said Ginny. ‘we can’t go. There are other ways of finding out. Harry – ’

‘I’ll get it’ he said, and at once he left for his dormitory. Ginny hadn’t told him what to get, but he knew. He went to his dormitory and took the Burrow’s man that ginny had given him. He ran back to Ron, Hermione and Ginny. They opened the map. There Harry could see, Mrs. Wheasley, Mr. Wheasley, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Fred and George. They were all moving. This gave Harry a sigh of relief. They were all there. And all in the conditions of moving. Later that evening Professor McGonagall told then that all was well in their home. Even Percy had rejoined the Whealsey family. It happened after they left the burrow.

One day when they were discussing the place where the last Horcrux could be hidden, it just occurred to Harry. He said, ‘hey, we know it must be hidden somewhere special. Some place Voldemort would be proud of. So what are the things that will make him proud?’

‘Slytherin’ said Ron. ‘he was proud to be his heir.’

‘Well yes,’ said Harry. ‘But where is the place that’s related to Slytherin anyways?’

‘The Slytherin common room.’ Said Ron.

‘No. I don’t think so’ said Harry.

‘Actually there is a place…’ said Hermione very slowly. ‘Oh gawd! I got it. It’s in Azkaban. The horcrux, is in Azkaban.’

‘Hermione,’ said Ron, ‘I don’t think you know who would like to hide his soul in a prison.’

‘I think Ron is right’ said Harry.

‘But don’t you know,’ she said, ‘Azkaban used to be the house of Salazar Slytherin.’

And Harry knew, that they had got the final hiding place. But how on earth were they supposed t go there?

Chapter 25: The Fourth Secret: Horcrux Redemption

‘Hermione, what is wrong with you? this is not something to be happy.’ Said Harry, although he didn’t know why he said it. After all Wormtail was the reason his parents were dead but still he felt sorry for Peter.

‘I know, but well, it’s something… I can’t tell you – wait, I can tell you now… okay, stil all of you, there something I want to tell you.’

Nobody knew what she was about to say, Harry was even scared that the truth might be disturbing. He could see the same fear on Ron’s face.

‘Well, it’s called the horcrux redemption you know, well, you don’t know, I’ll tell you. you see horcrux are termed the ultimate evil because they demand sacrifice. To create them, you need to kill someone. But in order to finish off a horcrux, someone should actually commit suicide or get himself killed in the hope that the maker of the horcrux dies. Only then can the horcrux be destroyed.’

Everyone was silent. Harry looked mortified. Ron was pale. But none of the two were even close to Hagrid who looked so shocked that he might die of shock any moment.

‘But Hermione, it’s not possible, we have destroyed so many horcruxes. No one sacrificed himself at that time.’

‘Even I wondered about this when Snape had told me about this, yes Harry, we spoke that day. And I thought of all the times when a horcrux was finished. Some things fell into place, like the ring and Nagini. But what about the diary, or the locket? But in the past few days, I got answers to all of them.’

‘So who? who sacrificed themselves for all the horcrux we finished?’ asked Ron fearfully.

‘For the locket, Harry said that Amy Benson’s husband died in the attempt to finish the horcrux. That was the redemption of the locket. Then Mrs. Black died of grief after the loss of her son, Regulus. She knew the Voldemort had horcrux. And she must have known that in order to finish it, some sacrifice must be given. She knew that she did not have the strength to finish the horcrux, so she decided that she will give the sacrifice herself.’

‘My god!’ said Ron, ‘and we cursed her so much’

‘Then Sirius Died’ this made Harry’s heart crunch. His godfather had died like this? He had an option to live. But he choose death? Hermione continued, ‘Dumbledore told Sirius about the horcrux, and said he will sacrifice himself for the cause, but Sirius was adamant on the fact that he himself will give the sacrifice. When Dumbledore said no, he purposely lost the battle so that he could give the sacrifice.’

It was unbearable to Harry, but Hermione continued, ‘then died Dumbledore. Yes, he asked Snape to kill him. Snape hated Dumbledore for telling himto do this, but Dumbledore had made his mind. He wanted snape to kill him before Draco could have done it. He wanted to protect Draco from tearing his soul.’

‘And who were the other two?’

‘Snape went next. I did not kill him, he killed himself. After telling me all this, he killed himself as a sacrifice. And that’s why we could finish of the cup. And now, Pettigrew died, our last and final redemption. So you see, I was happy that I don’t have to kill myself.’

‘KILL YOURSELF?’ barked Ron.

‘well,’ said Hermione apologetically, ‘yes, I had thought when we find the last horcrus, I will offer myself – ‘

‘bullshit’ said Harry, ‘you thought we would have let you go?’

‘Well, that’s why I wasn’t telling you. And anyways, you would have done the same thing.’

She was right, Harry, Ron and Hagrid would all have done the same thing. Then Harry realized something and said, ‘you know, Dumbledore was right. He said I would be glad to save wormtail one day. I sure am glad now.’

Chapter 24: The Servant’s Debt

They reached Hagrid’s hut next afternoon. By the time they reached that place, they were all so tired that they went straight to the dormitories and slept. The cup was still with Harry. He kept it next to his pillow and slept. It was then that he saw it, another vision of what Voldemort was doing. He was in the ministry of magic. There was Cornelius Fudge there along with some officials and a few death eaters. Harry was again, Voldemort. Voldemort said, ‘Wormtail, how many times you want me to forget your silly mistakes? If you hadn’t helped me in my rising to power I would have killed you long ago.’

‘I – I am s-s-sorry m-m-master.’ Said the panic-stricken Wormtail who was lying on the floor.

‘Wormtail, do you now don’t like to serve your master?’

‘It’s n-n-not like th-that master’

‘then what is it? Are you worried about that potter boy then?’

‘master, he saved my life once’

At this Voldemort’s anger was at it’s peak. ‘Fool! He hissed. Why didn’t you told this to me before? You are in Harry’s debt. I can’t keep you with me anymore. Wormtail, you have to die. I will have to kill you.’

Harry was astounded to see what Wormtail did, he had expected Wormtail to beg, plead for dear life, but wormtail stood up, still quiet insignificant and said, ‘Then I wish that I give my life willingly so that my sacrifice can help bring your end.’

‘Fool!’ Harry Hissed. ‘No one can kill me. I am immortal’

And wormtail, from his silver hand, helt his neck and broke it into two pieces. His held fell down and Harry woke up.

‘quick’ he told Ron and Hermione. ‘we need to destroy the cup now.’

He took out his cloak and went to the headmasters office. There was the Gryffindor’s sword. He took it out of the shelf and brought it Hagrid’s hut, where he had told Ron and Hermione to take the cup. Hagrid and others were waiting for him there. Harry asked Ron to pierce the cup with the sword. Ron took the sword in his hand, he was just about to cut it when suddenly his whole body started paining. He fell on the floor. it was as if he was suffering from the crusiartus curse. There was no ending to the pain. So, quickly, Hagrid took the sword and pierced it in the cup. A loud scream came from the cup which died soon. Even Ron’s pain stopped. The horcrux was finished.

‘There’s just one left’ they were shouting in happiness.

‘well, I have something to tell you’ Harry told them, and he told them about the vision he had. Everyone was confused, but Hermione was immensely happy.

Chapter 23: Retrieving The Horcrux

One minute after Hermione’s curse, things seemed to become visible once again. Harry felt calmer and he could see that the others were calm too. Everyone but Ron. He was still looking furious. He raised his wand and pointed at Hermione, he shouted, ‘Crusio’

Hermione screamed. She was floating in midair, howling with pain. Hagrid pushed Ron and made him fall. His wand fell. Ron got up and started fighting with his hands.

Harry asked Hagrid, ‘What happened to him?’

Hagrid said, ‘It’s the effect of this place. Has he been close to or attacked by something evil lately?’

‘Well yes, Voldemort attacked him.’

‘sure than, the corazio spell has no effect on him.’

Meanwhile, Hermione said, ‘Oh! Stop chit-chatting and look for the Horcrux. The spell only works for five minutes.’

‘But where could it be?’ asked Harry.

‘Under the monolith, off course. All evil things are hidden under the Devil’s commandments.’ She said. She couldn’t still move because of the pain and this was the major drawback. Harry didn’t know what to do.

‘But how on earth are we supposed to get to it?’ he asked.

‘We can’t’ said Hagrid. ‘only something evil can do that.’ It was really hard for Hagrid to talk because Ron was constantly hitting him.

‘there’s one option’ said Harry, ‘Ron is right now under the effect of something evil, so we can ask him to get the monolith removed.’

‘Yeah that’s likely’ said Hermione.

Ron had found his wand and he was picking it. ‘Hagrid, move’ said Harry. He took out his own wand and shouted at Ron, ‘hey, redhead, come and fight me’

Ron looked furious. He pointed his wand at Harry and shouted, ‘Avda KeDavra’

Harry ran at the right moment, avoiding the curse by inches. The curse then hit the monolith. The monolith broke into two pieces and fell. Hermione just in time did the body binding curse on Ron. Harry went close to the hole that was now created where the monolith stood a few minutes ago. There were a lot of things there. Books, trophies, etc. Harry knew that these were to confuse anyone who comes here. He knew that touching the wrong object would mean a painful death. But he knew what he needed. Hufflepuff’s cup was kept in one corner of the mound of objects. He took his wand, pointed it at the cup and said, wingardiun leviosa, it flew in the air. He held it in his hand. His scar burned like fire. But he did not loose the grip. The didn’t have time. The sense of anger was starting in him again. As fast as possible they went out of the circle. Hagrid was carrying Ron on his shoulders. As soon as they left the circle, the monolith was intact again and everyone was calmer, even Ron.

Chapter Twenty One: Hogwarts, The Hidden

Next morning the all went to Hagrid’s hut. Hagrid was surprised to see them all. Although they had met last night, he expected them to be in their classes at that time.

‘Hey, what are ya folks doin out here at this time? Don’t you have classes?’

‘We are not studying at Hogwarts this year. Not now when the term is half over.’ Said Harry.

‘So what brings you here?’

‘Hagrid, do you know any place in Hogwarts where Voldemort always went? Like some secret hideout?’ asked Hermione.

Hagrid looked shocked on being asked such a question, even offended. ‘what do you think I was his friend or something?’ he said.

‘Hagrid, it’s okay. We know at school he was everyone’s favorite. The most talented. It’s really important for us to know if he had any such place where no one else went.’ Said Harry.

‘well you know if there was some place he wanted to hide from someone, then he would make sure no one would ever get to know about it. But you can still try the secret room of Hogwarts. The room of requirements, I mean.’

‘But we’ve been there’ said Ron.

‘No, I think he is right, Ron.’ Said Harry. ‘When last year I went there to hide something, there were hundred’s of things there. Maybe, one of them was the –‘

‘Harry’ stopped Ron.

‘I think we should go and have a look.’ Said Hermione.

And they ran towards the castle. Hagrid behind them kept shouting,’ NEVER MIND TELLING ME WHAT YOU’RE UP TO’

They looked throughout the room of requirement but couldn’t find anything. It made Harry angry that their efforts were going in vain. Then suddenly, Ron jumped and said, ‘Harry, the chamber of secrets, it must be there. If Voldemort wanted to hide something anywhere, it would be in the chamber.’

‘Ron, you’re a genius’ said Hermione. And she hugged him.

Together they ran towards the girls bathroom that had the door to the chamber of secrets. Harry spoke in parseltongue and the door opened. They all went inside the chamber. The searched the pipes and passages, but found nothing. The main chamber, where Harry had met the young riddle some years ago still had the remnants of that fight. The basilisk had only it’s bones remaining. But there was nothing that could be a horcrux. Disappointment had filled Harry completely. He realized that he had been mistaken. That Ron and Hermione were right. That Voldemort wouldn’t dare keeping a Horcrux in close proximity of Dumbledore.

‘It’s not in Hogwarts’ he said. ‘we’ll leave tomorrow morning.’

And then, he heard a voice, a girl’s voice, ‘I would look in the forbidden forests if I were you’

Harry look back, surprised and said, ‘Myrtle, what are you doing here?’

Moaning Myrtle, the ghost of the girl who died when the chamber was first opened, was standing in front of Harry.

‘Well, Harry, I am here to help you. I know that you were looking for a place where he who must not be named used to spend a lot of time. I know that place. After my death, when I was floating in the lake I saw Tom Riddle going in the forests. Naturally, I followed him. He went deep into the forests, where no one had ever gone before. It was a place where there was a monolith. And there was a barren circle around the monolith. He sat there for quiet some time. And he kept coming back, yes he did. If I were you then I would go and see there. although I wouldn’t guarantee you that you will reach that place. It’s difficult, you know, to go there.’

‘Thanks, Myrtle. You were a great help.’ Said Harry. And within minutes, they were off to the forbidden forests.

Chapter Twenty: Back to Hogwarts

There was no place in the world like Hogwarts. Now that Harry was back there, he realized how much he had missed it. He was back in the great hall. They were all discussing the fight. On the staff table, the teachers were discussing something. after some time, professor McGonagall stood up and started speaking.

‘I am very disappointed tonight.’ She said, ‘three lives have been lost because of this stupid stunt of yours. I don’t know what on earth prompted to you to do such a thing. WHY?’

Luna stood up and said, ‘Professor, I know what we did was unforgivable, that the loss is irrecoverable. But still, it’s a war professor. We saw Professor Trelawney being killed in front of us. We know people are being killed everyday, everywhere. We decided that we can’t let the death eaters go away. They must remember that we are still fighting, that the war is not over. And all those who died, they knew what they were into. They were brave and we should be proud to have such great people amongst us. It was a mutual decision, Professor. We are sorry to disappoint you but we still feel that this fight was a necessary evil. So please Professor, instead of feeling gloomy about our stupidity, it would be better that we celebrate our victory.’

Professor McGonagall looked a bit taken aback by Luna’s reply. She said, ‘Well, I think you are right Luna, it’s a war. And wars are nasty. But we are responsible for whatever happened to those children. Their parents sent them here so that they will be safe, and if they start dying here also, no one would trust Hogwarts. But having said that, I must say that it was a very brave fight indeed. Congratulations to you all, for your bravery. Congratulations.’

The newspapers next day were filled with news of the death of Umbridge. Of course, the reporters, Rita mainly, were making the children of Hogwarts as culprits. The death of the three Hogwarts students was completely ignored. Back at Hogwarts, a small funeral was kept for those children. None of their parents were complaining for the loss of their children. They were proud, proud that their own flesh and blood was so brave, so talented. At the ministry, they had decided to make Cornelius Fudge the minister for magic. His picture also given in the prophet. He was under the imperious curse, professor McGonagall had said. She could make it out in the picture.

Later that night, Hermione asked Harry why they were staying there. Harry said, ‘because of the horcrux.’

‘But Harry, it can’t be here. Right under Dumbledore’s nose. He would never dare to do it… never’ she said.

‘But I saw it in the memory, Hermione. This was the only place he ever called home. If he is keeping his horcruxes at places that mattered to him, then it must be here.’

‘Fine’ said Ron, ‘so if it is here, where in Hogwarts could it be?’

‘We need to talk to someone for this, someone who knows every inch of Hogwarts’ said Harry.

‘Fred and George’ said Ron.

‘No. someone more experienced someone who knew Voldemort.’

‘Who?’ asked Ron

‘Hagrid’ said Hermione. ‘tomorrow morning we are meeting Hagrid.’

Chapter Nineteen: Halloween At The Ministry

Within seconds they were on the floor of Umbridge. There were around seven death eaters there; they were fighting ten DA students. Harry Ron and Hermione joined the fight. Neville and Luna were fighting near them. Harry realized that Neville was right they were all damn good. Neville and Luna were talking while fighting.

‘Luna, I thought it would be right to tell you now that, Stupify’ said Neville.

‘what? Petrificus Totalus’

‘I – I like you, I mean, I – I leviocorpus’

‘What? About time. I thought you will never say that. Sectumsempra.’

‘that means you love me too? Annihilato’

‘Oh Yes I do. Even more that I love looking for Crumple Horned Snor- Reducto.’

The death eater they were fighting fell, and Neville and Luna kissed.

‘Oh come on!’ said Ron, ‘Not here.’

‘Oh! Sorry’ said Neville, ‘got carried away. Anyways, you know we have been joined by the order and the Hogwarts teachers. They are fighting on the floors above.’

‘And we just fought Voldemort.’ Said Harry.

‘How dare you take the dark lord’s name?’ it was Bellatrix.

‘Crucio’ shouted Neville, suddenly. The curse hit Bellatrix in her chest. She started to scream. Harry knew that you really need to feel the hatred to say this curse. But he wasn’t surprised. After what she had done to his parents, Neville was bound to feel the pain and hatred. The floor was now deserted. Most of the death eaters were now unconscious. And the students had moved to the floors above. There was Neville Luna ginny Harry Ron and Hermione and Dennis Creevey. Umbridge was still howling in pain. Neville was not ready to lift the curse, when from behind him came a shout, ‘stupefy’. It was Umbridge. Her spell hit Neville on his head and he fell on the ground. Bellatrix was now unconscious.

‘You mad old hag’ said Dennis. He was just raising his wand when Umbridge shouted, ‘AVADA KEDAVRA’ green light flew from her wand and hit Dennis on his Stomach. Everyone froze for a second. And when they realized what had happened, Ginny and Hermione went towards Dennis whereas Harry Ron and Luna went for Umbridge. ‘Expelliarmus’ shouted Ron, her wand flew from her hand. ‘Stupefy’ shouted Harry, she was stunned. ‘CRUCIO’ shouted Luna.

‘AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH’ Umbridge’s scream was deafening. Harry felt as if she was in extreme agony. She was trembling on the floor like a fish take out of water. ‘KILL ME, PLEASE, HAVE MERCY, KILL ME’ she was shouting.

‘Okay professor’ said Luna, ‘as you wish, SECTUMSEMPRA’

Blood started to come out of Umbridge’s body. Her screams became even louder. And Luna started to leave. She went towards Dennis’s body and started crying. And on the other side, Umbridge was dying in agony.

The lift door opened and professor Flitwick came out and said ‘The fight is over everyone. Let’s go back. The death eaters have all gone. I think they were ordered to come back. Harry, Ron, Hermione you were here too? Good to see you. now come with us to Hogwarts.’

‘No but professor – ’ Hermione started to say when Harry interrupted, ‘Okay. We’re coming.’

Chapter Eighteen: The Very Secret Sand

Within the next few minutes they were all inside the ministry. The ministry was quiet deserted. Then malfoy said, ‘I think her office will be on level one. two. They had shifted the office there some time ago when the original room wouldn’t open for her.’

‘how do you know?’ asked Ron.

‘well, after you freed that elf of ours, father got a new one. When I left, he still kept coming to me to see if I am fine. I had taken all the information from him.’

‘But then your father must have killed him for telling you everything.’ Said Hermione in shock.

‘No. After I got all the information, I freed him. Anyone from the family of the elf’s master can free him.’

‘Well, good.’ She said, ‘you really have changed.’

‘you don’t know how it was, Hermione.’ He said. ‘it’s okay to talk about all that, but when you see all that cruelty, it’s horrible. At least for me it is.’

While walking, they came towards the fountain. Next to the fountain was a huge statue of Umbridge. Looking at that, fred and george said, ‘okay folks, time to have some fun.’

And with one swish of their wand, the statue shattered. Pieces of it flew all over. They kept running and entered the lift. The lift started going down when malfoy said ‘there are rooms of other death eaters too on other floors, would you like to see them?’

And one by one on each floor some DA members kept getting out of the lift and and going to the rooms malfoy had mentioned. On the second floor Neville Ginny and Luna left. Ron and Hermione were about to leave too when Harry stopped them.

‘I have some work at the department of mysteries. I want you to come with me’ he said. And they left.

When they reached the department of mysteries, Harry told them about a door that never opened. And that Dumbledore said that it had the power of love. He wanted to see that place again. They started looking for that door. From the floors above, they could hear loud bangs. Apparently, their ministry destruction campaign was a success. They reached the door. They tried to open it with all the jinxes they knew but nothing happened. But Harry knew it will not open. It had the power of love. So something strong and full of love could only open it. Something pure and full of love. He thought of Ginny and tried opening the door. Still it didn’t open. Then from behind Harry a cold voice said, ‘Harry Potter, we meet again’

Lord Voldemort was standing there. As scary as always looking with those slit-like eyes staring at Harry. Then Harry listened to the sounds above them, they now also had screams with the bangs. There was a fight going on above. The death eaters were there.

‘You’ll have to fight us before you can even touch Harry.’ Said Ron and Harry was shocked and yet grateful to Ron for saying such a thing to Voldemort. Ron had gathered so much courage that he was now standing between Harry and Voldemort. And Harry realized what Ron was thinking. He was trying to sacrifice himself to save Harry, just like Lily. Before Harry could say anything, Voldemort said ‘interesting, very intresting indeed.’

But Harry saw that there was fear in voldemort’s eyes. For the first time, Lord Voldemort was afraid. And then, voldemort raised his wand and pointed it at Ron, a peacock blue light came from Voldemort’s wand and hit Ron straight in the chest. Ron rose in the air and fell on the ground away from the door and away from Harry and Hermione, screaming in agony. Seeing him suffer like this Hermione shouted to scream too. She went backwards and unknowingly touched the door. The door vanished. The secret door was opened. From inside the door, came cold dusty wind that made Harry forget everything that was there. Even Hermione had forgotten her pain. Ron on the other side was calm now. But Voldemort on the other side was not well, he was behaving as if he was choking. He was sweating trying to breathe. And then came a breeze of chilled air full of silver dust, it was going towards Voldemort. But before it could touch him, he was flying. And within seconds he was out of the room. Harry and Hermione went towards Ron. Hermione hugged Ron and started kissing him. Harry thought he should not interfere at that moment so he went inside the room. It was full of dust. Sliver duse. It made Harry feel happy. Harry knew it will help in his battle against Voldemort. By this time he was joined by Hermione. She took her watch and transformed it into a bottle and filled it with that sand. They then decided to go out and help thief friends. As soon as they left the room the door reappeared.

‘how come I don’t get to go in there?’ said Ron who was fine now. They all headed towards the upper floor, to fight.

Chapter Seventeen: Reunion of The Army

As Harry returned from the memory, he told Ron and Hermione that the memory was not related to the fight. But it was his mother’s memory. He did not tell them what he had seen. It was too private for him to share to anyone. But after seeing that, his did not know what to feel for Snape after this. His mother loved Snape. And Snape loves his mother… but he betrayed Dumbledore. He killed him. Harry was confused.

For some weeks Harry Ron and Hermione stayed at Dumbledore’s house. It was safe and comfortable. They kept thinking about the places where the horcruxes could be hidded. There were still two of them out there. One was the cup, the other was the unknown object. Also, they kept practicing some difficult jinxes and spells, specialy the ones they had seen in the pensive. Although they still didn’t know about the Corazio spell.

On Halloween day they were sitting in the house when a patronus came to them. It was a bunny. Coming there it said in the same misty dreamy voice Harry knew to be Luna’s, ‘hi Harry Ron and Hermione. This is Luna. We are all fine here. We are at Hogwarts. Neville and Ginny and other say hello. Actually we are trying to do something. We are… ar – trying to break into the ministry. Just to make things difficult for the other side. And we plan to er- leave some Halloween presents for Umbridge. The whole DA is coming. Plus we now have malfoy. He has told us some real good secrets about the ministry to make things much easier. We haven’t told the teachers about it because – you know – they will try to stop us. But we are doing this anyway. If you would like to join us come and meet us at the telephone booth tonight. We are doing this at night so that there won’t be anyone at the ministry. We can cause as much destruction as we want without being interrupted. So see you tonight. But if you don’t come, it’s fine. We’ll understand.’

‘they’re mental’ said Ron.

‘it’s insane. They’ll get caught within minutes’ said Hermione.

‘we need to go and stop them’ said Harry.

Before dark they were ready to go. They apparated from outside the house. Apparating together under the cloak was difficult. The squeezing feeling was bad and there was the fear of being seen. When they reached the ministry entrance it was deserted. There was no one. Then they heard some music from behind. They turned. It was a small pub.

‘let’s go in there’ said Hermione.

And they went inside. As they went there they saw some familiar faces. The room was full of the DA members. They immediately removed the cloak and showed themselves. There was a huge applause as everyone saw them. People started hugging them. Then Hermione shouted ‘silence’ there was pin drop silence immediately. She continued, ‘what are you guys doing? Are you insane? It’s suicidal to go to the ministry like this… most of you are already wanted by the ministry-

‘Hermione’ Ginny interrupted, ‘we have thought about all this. Trust me we have a plan. We are going to drink poly-juice potion and going to get into the ministry. We have already drank some felix felicus to give us luck. And we are going to destroy Umbridge’s office and her supporters’ too. We know there is no one there tonight-

Hermione interrupted, ‘but they’ll know. They’ll come. And when they do come, how can a bunch of kids fight death-eaters? We have tried doing it before and we lost. Remember?’

‘But Hermione, we all are damn good’ said Neville. ‘we have been practicing some really good jinxes and spells in the past few months. And trust me Hermione we are really good. And all the death eaters are already out scaring muggles so we will be alone.’

Harry knew there was no point arguing. Even Ron and Hermione understood this. It was a choice they had to make, weather to be with their friends or not. They decided to go with them.

‘okay then, let’s make this the scariest Halloween for them’ said Harry.

And they all drank the poly-juice potion. Harry Ron and Hermione also drank the felix felicus.

Chapter Sixteen: Message through the Patronus

Once recovered from the grand battle they had just witnessed, they moved towards the third memory. There was a note on this memory that said, “Harry, watch it alone.” Ron and Hermione were disappointed.

‘you can come with me if you want’ said Harry. ‘as it is I’m going to tell you what it contains once I’m back.’

Ron was about to say yes when Hermione stopped him. ‘No, Dumbledore must have had a strong reason for saying this. Harry you go alone.

Ron looked scandalized. But Harry understood. He then went into the pensive completely unaware of what he might find there. When Harry landed he was in his father’s home. There was his mother sitting near the fireplace. Along with her was Dumbledore.

‘I just don’t know what’s wrong with him. We used to be friends. Severus and I.’ said Lily.

‘Love, Lily, love’ said Dumbledore. ‘It makes you do stupid things. And Severus loved you. Yes Lily, he did. And when you fell in love with James, he got jealous. He got jealous, extremely jealous. His frustration took him towards the dark arts. It’s all very sad. But now he is in grave danger. By telling about the prophecy to Voldemort he had put you and your family in danger. He never expected that Voldemort would choose your son as the boy mentioned in the prophecy. And now by joining our side at the last moment, he has also put his own life in danger. In fact, he is in more danger than anyone else right now. You can imagine how difficult it is to stay at all times near Voldemort and keep lying to him.’

‘But that’s insane. He-he’ll die. I want to talk to him. Where is he?’

‘He is at spinner’s end right now’ said Dumbledore.
\
‘I am going there, right now’ said Lily.

‘No. it’s dangerous. Why don’t you use a patronus?’ said Dumbledore.

Lily took out her wand and took out a patronus. Her patronus was a doe, she said ‘Severus, I forgive you for what you have done. Dumbledore had already told me why you did it. Why didn’t you ever tell me what you felt for me? I always waited for you to say that. I – I loved you too. But you were always busy with your death eater friends. And that’s was why I stopped talking to you. Then I James proposed to me. And I said yes. I knew you were too much interested in the dark arts to love anyone. and now I love James. But that doesn’t means I hate you. You will always be special to me. And I want you to stop risking your life now. Stop this two-timing. You might die any moment. I don’t want you to. So just come to out side. We have Dumbledore, you will be safe with him. Please, come back.’ And the patronus left, carrying her message.

Just as she had sent the patronus, Dumbledore said, ‘I have to go now. But may I please borrow James’s invisibility cloak for some time?’

‘Yes, sure. But what do you need it for? You can cast the best invisibility spell I have ever seen.’

‘Well, it’s a special cloak,’ he said, ‘Voldemort can detect all kinds of spells. but this cloak is the only thing that can deceive him. And I must say I will be going quiet close to him tonight, quiet close.’

Chapter Fifteen: The Distinguished Duel

Without wasting any time, they decided to move on to the next memory. This time when they went in, they landed at a unfamiliar place. It was a cold and less crowded city. They were on a road. On one side of them was a tall, old man.

‘It’s Grindelwald,’ Hermione said.

On the other side, was Albus Dumbledore. They were coming towards each other. All the men present there had raised their wands, but they were pointing it towards Dumbledore. And then, Grindelwald said, ‘Albus, you are alone. I have my men all around. You have got just chance, for old times sake Albus, come to my side. After all, we were friends.’

‘Our friendship had ended on that very day when you showed your interests in the dark arts by performing that curse on Ariana. Now there is only war.’ Was dumbledore’s reply.

‘well then, if you wish,’ said Grindelwald. ‘CRUCIO’

Dumbledore deflected the curse. His jinx made Grindelwald fall. Grindelwald’s men tried to jinx Dumbledore but with just one flick of his wand and the word, ‘folevitato’ all of them rose in the air and were thrown away.

By that time, Grindelwald had thrown another curse on Dumbledore, Dumbledore was trapped in a giant bubble and started spinning. Dumbledore shouted ‘relivio’ and the bubble vanished, Dumbledore landed on the ground and shouted, ‘hoarfrost’ from under the ground pieces of pointed ice started coming out and started crashing Grindelwald’s body. He was shouting in pain. Grindelwald shouted, ‘corpucus’. Three translucent figures appeared. In no time, they became solid. They were Ariana, Kenedra, and a man whom Harry thought must be Dumbledore’s father. They were screaming in pain. Shouting, dying. Even Dumbledore started screaming with them. Then Grindelwald shouted ‘lashiea’ and the doors on the houses on the two sides of the road transformes into rope and started tying Dumbledore.

Then Harry couldn’t believe his eyes as in front of him, Dumbledore shouted, ‘Blazio Patronum’ and Dumbledore transformed into a giant Lion on fire. The ferocious fire-lion moved so fast that even Grindelwald couldn’t react. He was trapped in the fire that was Dumbledore. Grindelwald was screaming in agony. Then he shouted ‘Aqualter’. He too transformed into water. The water extinguished into fire.

Within seconds, they were back in their original form. Pointing his wand towards the house on the side of Grindelwald, Dumbledore shouted ‘animato’ the house started moving towards Grindelwald and started crushing him towards the house on the other side. Grindelwald blasted the house. Grindelwald shouted, ‘Avada kedavra’ with a flick of Dumbledore’s wand, a house came between them and the curse hit it. The house was shattered. Dumbledore raised his wand and shouted, ‘GRINDELWALD CORAZIO’

A flash of pure white light hit Grindelwald in his chest. There was a loud band and Grindelwald was covered in golden mist. When the mist vanished, he was on the ground. Dumbledore went to him. They looked at each other and then Grindelwald said, ‘You won, Albus. You won.’

The place faded and Harry, Ron and Hermione came back to the present time, clearly awed by what they had seen.