A/N: I'm not beyond persuasion. You've requested the next chapter ASAP and i've given it to you. I'll put off the one shot until after the next chapter.
This one is for you, Papa, I love you dearly.
Everyone’s attention had been drawn from the flash of white; it had pulsed through everyone present. Death Eaters were now staring at their dead master horror struck, the ones who had their wits about them had tried to run, but were caught by a fresh wave of Dark Wizard catchers who were just arriving at the gates. Bellatrix let out a shriek of anguish and rushed to Voldemort’s side, she looked down at his body and then back up at Harry, “You…” she seethed. She pointed her wand at him and screamed “Avada Kedavra!” before anyone could stop her. Her green strike rebounded off some kind of shield around Harry but he was still thumped backwards into the sidewall of Hagrid’s home once more, as his eyes fluttered shut and he sank into darkness the last thing he saw was Bellatrix’s spell rebounding on her.
“Harry? Harry, can you hear me?” It sounded like Remus, but he was so far away. “If you can hear me then squeeze my hand,” he urged. His voice sounded closer now, and he could feel a clammy hand in his. He focused all his energy on his fingers, picturing them in his mind and making them move. “He’s all right!” Remus’s cry was practically right in his ear. “He’s okay, someone go up to the castle and get Madam Pomfrey!”
“Remus?” Harry whispered as he opened up his eyes, everything was blurry; he must have lost his glasses in the fall. “Glasses.”
“I’ve got them right here.” He felt the cold metal frames of his spectacles pressed into the palm of his hand, the second that they were settled back on the bridge of his nose everything snapped into focus. Remus and Tonks were leaning over him with concerned expressions.
“Wotcher, Harry,” Tonks winked at him. “How do you feel?”
“Like I’ve cracked my skull open, can I sit up?”
“I don’t think that’s….” Remus began.
“Let the boy sit up, Moony,” Tonks insisted. Between the two of them they hoisted him up so that he could lean against the wall that had caused the severe pain in his head.
“How is everyone?” he immediately asked.
“We’ve lost a fair few people, we won’t know exactly who until everyone is checked over,” Remus replied. There was a sudden flapping noise echoed overhead, Fawkes came swooping down from the sky and landed delicately on Dumbledore’s chest. The former Hogwarts headmaster had not moved from the spot on which he had fallen. Fawkes began to sing it started out as a slow and mournful tune but as it progressed it became happier and hopeful. The bird took flight again but this time it stayed low and fluttered down on Harry’s head, he could feel the heat searing, as it shed its tears on to the large cut in the back of his head, and he felt the skin tightening as it knitted itself back together. The sight of the large scarlet bird and its golden tail only served to remind Harry of the magnificent bird that Ellie had become, her ashes were still lying only a few feet from him. He looked at the little cinder pile and felt grief well up in him, Fawkes looked at him intently and then at the mound that caused his sorrow. Dumbledore’s pet then stepped off of Harry’s knee and hopped over to the heap; strangely he began to sing again, this time it was a joyous tune full of delight and excitement.
Harry’s emerald eyes nearly popped right out of their sockets when he realized that the ashes were moving; they were stirring. A little wrinkly head, two black beady eyes and a bright, shiny beak poked their way out of the black. “Ellie?” he ignored the protests of Remus and Tonks as he scurried forward on his hands and knees to brush the excess cinders of the top of the small and ugly bird’s head. It didn’t answer him; it just stretched its head from side to side and hopped over to Fawkes, who brushed his wing against it sadly. Together they began to sing, Harry could actually feel the hope rising in his chest, and he could see that everyone else was experiencing a similar sensation because they all had a placid look on their faces. When the second the song was over, the smaller bird began to change shape, it got longer and wider and changed colour. Moments later, Ellie was standing in front of them all, she was extremely pale and her eyes had lost a certain twinkle but she was still alive. She smiled at them quickly before she fainted and crashed to the ground.
It took some time and a fair bit of re-arranging but they managed to squeeze all the injured in to the small hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey had enlisted the help of three healers in order to get around everyone. The students who had been asked to remain in the Great Hall had been sent back to their towers along with the unharmed students that had conducted their stealth attacks from locations around the castle. With the hall now empty of students it was being used as a temporary mortuary for the deceased. Only a few people had been confirmed, Dumbledore, Snape, Bellatrix, and Voldemort. Harry knew that there were a lot more bodies than that inside the hall but no one was prepared to make an exhaustive list just yet.
The Tickling Charm that had been cast on Ron was quickly lifted and apart from a few minor cuts and bruises, the matron was content to give him the all clear. Hermione had been caught by a nasty Trip Jinx and had hit her head off some stonework during the fall, so she was expected to wake soon. Neville’s broken arm was healed in a jiffy, as was Susan’s broken ankle; she had some nasty cuts but nothing that presented the healer working on her with any trouble. Ginny’s injuries were much more serious; she had been hit by several Severing Charms on top of a Conjunctivitis Curse, and had the tell tale signs of someone who had been extensively subjected to the Cruciatus Curse. The healer didn’t need to say that she had worried about how sane Ginny would be when she woke, it was written in her face.
Ellie’s condition was crucial as well; Madam Pomfrey knew straight away what it was that had caused her injuries and mumbled, “Merlin, not again,” quietly as she tenderly attended to the young woman. After a long examination she started to ask questions about what had happened.
“She turned in to her Animagus form, a Phoenix, and ate the magic,” Harry explained.
“A phoenix? I always knew you were a clever one,” Madam Pomfrey patted Ellie’s arm tenderly.
“That is what has saved her, completing the transformation into a magical creature is something more difficult than any other, in fact I only know of two other Animagi phoenixes; Albus and Merlin,” said Professor McGongall sadly. She had been one of the first patients to be treated for her injuries and as soon as she was healed she had raced off to supervise activities in the Great Hall of what was now her school. “Remus, I must ask you to come down to the hall,” she said to Remus oddly, there was something very unusual in her voice that Harry couldn’t quite pick out.
“Is that really necessary?” Remus asked; he wasn’t overly keen on leaving his goddaughter in her current condition.
“Not to worry, Remus, she’ll be fine. Her magical sources are depleted but a potion and a good long rest should clear that up. She’ll be waiting for you when you get back.” Madam Pomfrey shuffled him in the direction of McGongall and they both departed the ward. When Remus returned alone ten minutes later he looked somewhat dazed.
“What did they need you for?” Harry asked.
“They needed me to identify a body,” Remus replied as he took to a chair. Tonks slipped a hand around his shoulders.
“Who?” he was starting to worry now, who else had been lost?
“Peter, he’s dead.” The realization that the man who had stolen his friends from him was dead, set about Remus and tears of relief slipped from his eyes, finally justice had been found for Lily and James.
“Good, who did it?” Harry had a strong feeling of satisfaction in his stomach.
“Kingsley.”
“Remind me to shake his hand,” Harry said; Remus nodded.
Amongst the list of injured were Professor Flitwick, the Patil twins, Dean, Seamus, Lavender, Hannah and Ernie. After several hours McGonagall came up to the ward to speak to them all.
“I have an announcement to make. We have a total of fifteen dead; nine Order supporters and six Death Eaters. The dead from our side are, Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, Alastor Moody, Mundungus Fletcher, Madam Rosemerta, Luna Lovegood, Blaise Zabini, Colin Creevey and Justin Finch- Fletchley. The dead amongst our enemy are Lord Voldemort, Marcus Crabbe, Lucius Malfoy, Peter Pettigrew and Bellatrix Lestrange. Inclusive of the Death Eaters who have perished a total of thirty-five have been captured and are currently in the custody of the Ministry. Here today our war was ended, my thanks and congratulations go to you all,” she said without any hint of happiness. It was all very matter-of-fact; Harry would almost have suggested that she was reading a pre-written speech. But it wasn’t important; they had won and most of them had survived.
By the next morning the ward had emptied significantly, Ginny, Ellie and Hermione remained there, but Hermione was already awake. Ginny was starting to show signs of stirring, she had begun to shift around in her sleep and Madam Pomfrey assured them that this was a sign that the Dreamless Sleep potion that had been administered, was beginning to wear off. Molly came tearing in to the hospital wing just after lunch time and began inspecting her children for any signs of damage, she burst into tears when she saw the burns that were all down Fred’s right arm. “It all right, Mum, Madam Pomfrey said that they won’t scar, my arm’ll be good as new in a day or two,” Fred said comfortingly.
“You all could have died!” Molly wailed.
“They didn’t though, everybody will be fine, dear,” Arthur reassured her as her wrapped his arms around her tightly.
“It’s all over now, Mum,” Harry told her with a half-hearted smile.
“I knew you could do it, didn’t I tell you? I knew it,” Molly mumbled into Harry’s shoulder as she grabbed him tightly.
“Mum?” whispered a quiet voice in the corner. Ginny was awake.
“Ginny!” Everybody called in unison.
“How do you feel, dear?” Molly asked rushing to her daughter’s side.
“Sore, very sore, am I alive?” she asked.
“Yes, sweetheart, you are,” her mother replied with a little chuckle.
“What happened? Did we win?”
“We did. Voldemort is dead, Harry killed him,” Molly told her as she stroked her face gently.
“Harry?” she called gently.
“What is it, Gin?” Harry asked as he leaned in closer to her. Her brown eyes were bloodshot and tired looking.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you too.”
“Is dad here?” she turned back to her mum.
“I’m right here, Ginny,” Arthur answered, coming in closer beside his wife.
“Ask him, Harry,” Ginny urged. It took Harry a moment to register what was that she was asking.
“Erm…okay. Mr. Weasley?” Harry tried not to look at all the Weasley brothers that were surrounding them.
“Yes, Harry,” Arthur asked, clearly puzzled by his expression.
“Mr. Weasley, could I have your permission to marry Ginny?” He asked shakily. Molly screamed in delight while her sons looked at Harry wide-eyed, too shocked to say anything. Arthur on the other hand was smiling at Harry in a very genial way.
“Of course you can, Harry,” he said proudly.
“Now me,” Ginny smiled. Harry grinned, she was doing this to him deliberately but he didn’t care, he loved her and would do anything for her. He kneeled by the side of her bed and clasped her hand in his.
“Ginevra Molly Weasley, would you make me the happiest man in the world by agreeing to be my wife?”
“Yes,” she whispered. There was an outpouring of joy from everyone. Bill grabbed Fleur in a passionate kiss, Ron wrapped his arms around Hermione, Fred and George clapped each other on the back sportingly, Charlie kissed Ellie’s forehead gently and Arthur and Molly hugged each other with so much delight they were fit to burst.
Arrangements were already being made to hold Dumbledore’s funeral as soon as Ellie was awake and up to it. They didn’t have long to wait because she awoke with a moan early the next morning. “Where am I?” she mumbled.
“You’re okay, sweetheart, you’re in the hospital wing.” Charlie perched on the edge of the bed and stroked her arm comfortingly.
“Harry, is Harry all right?” she asked in a panic, she attempted to sit up but her husband applied a gentle pressure to her shoulders and forced her back to a horizontal position.
“Harry’s just fine. In fact, he’s engaged to Ginny!”
“Engaged? How long have I been out?”
“Only a day or so,” Charlie smiled at her.
“What happened to Voldemort?”
“He’s gone, Ellie, forever,” he said excitedly.
“Gone?” she asked disbelievingly.
“Dead, Harry fulfilled his prophecy.”
“Thank the founders!” Ellie suddenly began to cry, he wasn’t sure whether it was relief or sorrow but he held her until she stopped. “Where is everyone?” she looked around at the empty ward.
“They all went down to breakfast; they should be back any minute.” Sure enough the moment the words left his mouth there was the sound of boisterous laughter from the corridor outside. The whole extended Weasley family came bustling into view through the enormous doors at the end of the hospital wing and all of them stopped dead when they saw a conscious Ellie being cradled in Charlie’s arms. Harry couldn’t stop himself from letting go of Ginny’s hand and racing down the length of the ward straight into his cousins waiting embraced. She wrapped her arms about him and squeezed him more tightly than he had ever been held by anyone else. He could feel her relief as it dripped out of her eyes and through his robes on to his shoulder.
“Tell me everything that I missed,” she said with tear filled eyes. Charlie vacated his spot on the bed to allow Harry to fill it, with the help of everyone else he managed to tell her exactly what had happened.
“I still don’t understand it though,” he said after they had talked everything through. “What happened? Why was I able to kill him? Why did my Killing Curse come out white instead of green?” He asked her knowing that she one be the one to know the answer, after all she was Albus Dumbledore’s granddaughter.
“It was all down to love. When Voldemort or one of his Death Eaters casts a Killing Curse they have an unquenchable thirst for destruction, for eradication of life. You didn’t, you saw the people fighting around you and felt love, gratitude and admiration and you wanted to save that, you wanted to preserve it and it was those feelings that turned your magic white. It was the purity of the things that you were feeling. Good always triumphs over evil, Harry, because those on the side of good continue to fight, we never give up. Quite simply, your desire to save the people you loved was stronger than Voldemort’s desire to destroy them; evil can never compete with a feeling that strong. Evil is learned, people are not born evil, and love on the other hand is born. Loving is one of a human being’s most instinctive emotions, it is something that we did before we knew what it was, it is eternal and it is unbreakable. Luckily for us, evil always underestimates it.” She smiled proudly, like the mother who has watched her son become a man. “They’ve spent centuries trying to study it in the Department of Mysteries, they have Unspeakables trying to work out what makes it so strong.”
“In that case I should probably apologize,” Charlie said suddenly, breaking the loving silence.
“What for?” Ellie asked him.
“Well, here I’ve been jumping down poor Harry’s throat all this time about sneaking off to snog Ginny, and really all he was doing was getting in plenty of practice for killing Voldemort. I’m sorry, Harry, it was my mistake,” Charlie replied with a wide grin. Everyone burst out laughing, a joke was exactly what they needed right now.
On the third day after the final battle Dumbledore’s funeral was held at Hogwart’s Church. Dignitaries, Muggle and wizard, came from all across the globe to pay their last respects to the headmaster. His brother Aberforth was in attendance and Ellie seemed to find solace in holding her great Uncle’s hand during the many kind words of the other speakers. Minister Bones had called Albus a ‘talented and generous wizard’ and Professor McGonagall had spoken at length about her respect and love for such a masterful teacher. When it came to Ellie’s turn, Harry wasn’t entirely sure that she would be able to make it through her speech, but his cousin squared her shoulders proudly and took to the podium resolutely.
“The first thing that I would like to do is thank all of you, on behalf of myself and my Uncle Aberforth, for coming here today to say goodbye to my grandfather. But before I can continue I feel compelled to express my disappointment.” Everyone gasped at this. “Of the dozen or more people who have already spoken this morning not one of them mentioned the fact that my granddad was a complete fruit loop!” she exclaimed.
“He was crazy! A barmy old codger indeed!” she echoed Dobby’s words. “I also feel the need to correct Minister Bones’s estimation of him, he was not a talented and generous wizard. He was a talented and generous man who happened to be a wizard. I won’t stand up here and pretend that we always saw eye to eye, because we didn’t. We had a good few arguments in our time and I didn’t always agree with the decisions that he made. I see now, more clearly than ever, that they were for the best. My grandfather’s only wish was to help people, he wanted to do that in any way he could. He has many great achievements to his name, all of which have been recited to you already so forgive me if I don’t repeat them and he has the great respect of many people. To all of you he was Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot but to me he was just granddad.
“I love him more than I could ever express in words and his death has left a void in my heart that can never be filled. I remember my wedding day so well, when we stood at the end of this very aisle and he told me how much he loved me and that he was proud of me. Well he wasn’t half as proud of me as I am of him; he was a loving, kind, generous and caring man who brought me up in, what I appreciate now, to have been a very difficult situation. I never got a chance to tell him what he means to me, he died not knowing that I loved him,” Ellie broke down in tears and had to hang on to the lectern to keep herself upright; she leaned over it and sobbed into its slanted wooden top. Aberforth, in a rare moment of understanding and compassion, rose from his seat and went to comfort her. After a few moments she was better composed and able to continued, but Aberforth did not return to his pew.
“I miss him horribly already, I miss the twinkle in his eye, his crooked nose, the wrinkles that gathered at the corners of his mouth when he smiled, and I even miss those silly half moon glasses of his. I will never forget him; I will carry him around in my heart forever and will think of him always. To some his legacy will be forgotten, it will be relegated to the dusty tomes of time but for me and those of us who knew and loved him, he will forever be the world’s greatest wizard.”
A/N2: Look! I made myself cry! The next chapter is…To Brighter Days.