What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger

Chapter Seven

Harry stood on a rocky outcropping, overlooking a lake. Dark clouds had filled the sky and a cold heavy rain was falling to the earth. Visibility was bad, but even he could see the large mass of giants and creatures of the night in the distance. Voldemort was coming, but they were ready. Harry felt a violent surge of energy. His months of training had paid off. He was powerful. He didn't need to look to know they were there. Behind him stood the last of all that is good in the entire UK. He knew that at a word, his army would attack. They were just inside the trees after all. He turned slightly.

"Remus. When they reach the shore of the lake, we attack." Harry told the graying werewolf. "Spread the word."

"Yes sir." Remus replied.

"Can the formalities old friend. We'll need to save our breath for this fight." Harry snapped. A small grin came to Remus's mouth. He knew the "sir" thing annoyed him. Remus just didn't care.

Harry turned and watched Voldemort's army once more. They had no idea he was here. Harry dropped to the ground with just his face peeking over the edge. He couldn't afford to let the ambush be spoiled by an observant Death Eater.

"Wait for them to set up camp." Harry whispered.

Remus nodded from his place at Harry's side. They waited a few minutes. Harry knew that his entire force was watching him. Harry turned and made some gestures with his wand. Wizards on his left flank started circling around , preparing their attack.

The sun had set and fog was rising from the ground. Harry could barely see the campfires on the other side of the lake.

Harry gestured a few more times and the rest of his army started stalking silently towards Voldemort's minions.

The final battle had begun.

Harry covered his mouth to keep himself from screaming. It was the middle of the night, and all was quiet. He sat upright and cold sweat ran down his forehead. Harry wiped his pajama sleeve across his brow and looked around. It was very early in the morning and there was a faint blue tint to the blackness. The light was just enough for him to see Hermione, Ron and Ginny all asleep in their cots.

'What an odd dream.' He thought, struggling into some clothes. Harry was nowhere near tired, and actually felt like burning off some energy. He knew how much his friends and the staff would disapprove however. 'I think I'm going to go watch the sun rise.' he thought.

Soundlessly he crept out of the ward and through the winding corridors up to the astronomy tower. As suspected the tower was completely abandoned. Dawn wasn't long off by the time he reached the top of the tower. Harry smiled up at the sky and sat on one of the crenellations going around the tower.

Harry heard a small snap and all of a sudden the stone gave way, sending him backwards…and straight down. Harry was too scared to scream as he plummeted 200 feet to the ground below. Harry hit the ground chest first to the right of the stone crenellation. This time he "died" he didn't get the benefit of passing out. He felt every miserable second as his bones painfully knit themselves back together.

'At least I got to see the sunrise.' he thought.

Harry drug himself to his feet, cursing the whole time. Suddenly he felt another wave of pain pass over him. That bone growth on his shoulder blades was getting bigger. Much bigger. The bone on each shoulder had just cut through his skin like a knife through butter.

"Muggle fer!" Harry screamed. Harry felt another blast of pain and fell to the ground unconscious. When Harry came to it was several hours later. For some reason he didn't hurt at all.

'I hope I didn't miss breakfast.' Harry thought.

Harry got to his feet again and stretched. Harry suddenly felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. He reflexively looked up at the sky for signs of lightning. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. Harry heard the crackle of static electricity as his arm and leg hair stood on end. He felt an overwhelming rush of energy pump through him. He felt as if he could run a marathon. Backwards.

Electricity crackled again and some raw energy crackled from his left hand to his right. Harry looked at his hands in awe. He didn't even notice that his muscles had grown since this morning.

'What the hell is happening to me?' he thought.

Harry jogged into the castle for breakfast, stopping only to change his clothes.

"Man, you reek! Take a shower Harry, and use soap!" Ron teased as Harry arrived in the Great Hall.

"Oh, That's real nice Ron." Hermione huffed at him. "Although he is right. You could use a bath Harry."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence you two. I was out running and didn't get a chance to shower, so of course I stink." Harry replied.

"Running?" Ron asked, thoroughly confused.

"You know, like exercising?" Harry clarified.

"Isn't that when they remove a demon from your-" Ron started.

"No. Like a workout." Harry interrupted.

"Oh. Did you get paid? What kind of work is there around here? And what does that have to do with running?" Ron asked.

"It's like Quidditch." Harry explained.

"OHHH! Why didn't you say that? And how come I wasn't invited?" Ron wondered aloud.

Harry sighed loudly. "I really need a shower." Harry said as he finished off his eggs. "I'll meet you at potions!"

Harry jogged off towards the showers.

'I wonder if Ron is really that thick, or if he was joking?' Harry asked himself on his way to the shower. 'Maybe I'm better off not knowing.'