Chapter 8. The Battle of….

Harry awoke slightly confused; he was naked and not alone in his bed. He had grown accustomed to Tonks in his bed, but this past week several people were staying at headquarters, which made it impossible for them to sleep together, unless being found out. So having her here was a welcome feeling, next was the nude part. The past night came flooding back to him in an instant bringing a large grin to his face three words that can change someone's entire perspective on life, he finally had someone who loved him, he finally had something worth fighting for. Of course he had his friends, but they were one in ten, common, Tonks on the other hand was one in a million and not just saying that because she's a metamorhpmagus. She was special in every sense of the word, Harry looked down to see he pressed firmly against his chest snoozing. He started peppering her face with kisses to wake her up, eventually she did, and much like Harry remembered the night before bringing a smile to her face.

"Good morning beautiful." He said with a cheeky smile.

Her smile, if possible got even wider. "Good morning handsome, are you ready for today?" she asked, bringing him back to reality.

He nodded. "Just be ready, they're planning an attack. If I were them I would do it today, to send a message. Are there any ways out of the ministry in case of emergency?"

She scrunched up her face in concentration thinking hard. "The floos in the atrium is the only definite way out. There are apparition points on every floor, of course you have to be keyed in, but anybody can apperate away from those points. Now Portkey's, there is no way for someone to enter the Ministry by that method. And I guess the only way out is the same with the apparition point's, so pretty much haul ass to an emergency exit." He nodded grimly, this just didn't seem safe, limited ways to get out and almost a ninety percent chance of an attack happening today.

"I'm going to floo to Bones house and tell her my ideas, get some food and I'll be back soon." He gave her a quick peck before getting out of bed and moving to get dressed.

"Looking good." She said whistling, he just chuckled before putting on his gear, he had grown accustomed to the armor so to speak. It was bulky as one might think, the skin tight layer was comfortable and highly resistant to minor jinxes and the dragonhide cloak was the mid to higher level curses, if he was honest shield charms weren't necessary, the cloak turned most attacks to the equivalent of being hit by a bludgeoner, dull and slightly painful. He gave her a thin smile before heading downstairs. He made his way down stairs to a packed kitchen full of order members. One member missing was Severus Snape. He cleared his throat.

"Today is going to be a big day, and I'm positive there is going to be an attack. My guess is at the ministry, even with all the Aurors and hit wizards on station I'm not sure. I mean if Voldemort is planning an attack he knows were going to be on guard so he must have something up his sleeve, be ready. I'm going to the Minister's house right now. She has given clearance already to the order to act as extra guards so to speak, so if you could lend a hand and help. I have these badges from the Minister." He started handing bright pink badges to everyone, these were to distinguish civilians from the security so to greeted most people there before slipping away to use the floo, he found himself sprawled out on the floor in front of one Susan Bones.

"Harry?" she asked slighty confused.

"Yes. Is you're aunt around, I really need to speak to her, its urgent." He replied, she nodded then ran up the stairs, a few minutes later a elegantly robbed Amelia Bones enter the living room. "Minister." He said with a grin on his face, she simply laughed.

"Harry, is they're something wrong?"

"I was just at my home, where the Order was having a meeting and Snape wasn't present, he told us that Voldemort was planning an attack and that he wouldn't let any details slip before the moment of, and it just happens he isn't at a meeting today." She nodded understanding what he was trying to say. "I was wondering is their anyway to lift the portkey and apparition wards on the ministry. Not in of course but out, to get you and the civilians and other non trained members. I gave out the badges you gave me aswell, we got about 20 more bodies to use now."

"What about you Harry?" asked Susan Bones. Harry just smiled pointing to his patch, he eyes widened in recognition.

"Susan I am the fearless leader of the D.A. I fear no one." He said with a lop sided grin, no one caught it but if anyone was paying attention they would have noticed it called it the D.A and not Dumbledore's army, Harry was little by little separating himself from the Headmaster, becoming his own man.

"I believe it can be done. We can't afford to bring them all down but I can have the ward stones removed. I've seen them myself, very powerful wards indeed. I'll have someone remove exit wards, and send a memo to every employee." The minister replied. "I want to thank you Harry for all that you have done." He smiled and nodded.

"Thank you Minister, I'll be leaving now. Remember you're the bloody minister so at the first sign of danger haul arse." He said grinning he shook both Bones' hands before using the floo back to Grimmauld place, were he relayed the message to everyone in the room. It was good having a competent Minister, or interim minister, she was actually working with the Order and not trying to ruin plans. Not giving them free reign of course, but allowing us to be honorary Hit wizards so to speak. Sitting down for breakfast, I honestly felt like I was going to a funeral, today should be exciting, inducting a new Minister of Magic, changing the tide undoing what Fudge did. But instead I find myself looking around thinking to myself who are we going to lose.

Lord Voldemort was in a good mood today, his past week had been horrible yes but today was going to be spectacular, murder on the grandest of stages, the middle of Diagon alley. If Lord Voldemort wasn't so partial to the killing curse he would let all the mud bloods and blood traitors blood fill the alley, but as stated they're was just a certain allure to that violent shade of green striking down a foe and ripping soul from body. He would make sure to let everyone get a good look at the most powerful wizard in the world, the think the boy is their savior, they're fools. Let's see the looks on their faces when he gets swatted like a fly in front of the wizardly world, if that doesn't drain hope then I don't know what will. He looked around to see his numbers swollen to an amount he himself had never dreamed possible, the werewolves left were going to be making they're grand appearance today, Fenrir Greyback the savage himself was going to show for the battle and show the Ministry what a real werewolf looks like, not that lap dog Remus Lupin.

He even had a pack of Dementors ready to show them who they really worked for, he even managed to get a giant in the mix, Lord Voldemort was always one for diversity. He was to be portkeyed and let loose in the fray, sure he couldn't really be controlled but he was given orders to kill anyone not dressed in Death Eater apparel and Lord Voldemort was sure he would do well. There were even several vampires, of course they weren't much of a threat but it would strike fear in their hearts, letting them know that all the decrees they passed wouldn't changed years of abuse.

He pointed his wand to his throat, his new yew and phoenix tail feather wand. The Dark Lord did not fear the boy, but after they're in counter in the graveyard there was no doubt something wrong with his wand, doing what he was best at he got what he wanted. He had the famed wand maker Gregorovitch make him a new wand, same build in concept Yew 13 ½ inch with a phoenix tail feather, not that filthy pigeon from the mud blood lover but a young, stronger phoenix. It was poetic, the first kill the wand tasted was from the wand maker himself, this will be the boy's downfall, he's had it coming for years and will meet his end today. Voldemort turned to his army.

"Today we strike back!" he roared to the crowd "We shall apperate to the doorstep of Diagon alley and march through the streets, with are heads held high! You will kill on sight, leave the boy to me and dispose of the rest. Strike fear in there heart's my death eaters, let them know which side will prevail in this war, let them know that it isn't safe outside, breed fear my faithful and we have already won." He said to howls of approval.

It was simple fifty death eaters would move in on Diagon alley and cause as much destruction until the Aurors arrived, Lord Voldemort knew the boy was working with the Aurors and had a taste for the heroics, he knew he would show eventually and that is when he too would enter the fray. Make this duel public, humiliating. They say that Dumbledore and Grindlewald had the best duel ever seen, wait till they see the utter humiliation and destruction of the chosen one. This vision of Voldemort killing Harry in front of Dumbledore brought a almost inhumane smile to his face. But there was still work to be done, the Dementors would terrorize the muggles on the muggle side of the barrier while war raged on the magical side. The werewolves and vampires would lend their wands in combat when the battle ensued, they weren't the best but they had they're uses, just because they were half-breeds didn't mean they don't deserve a chance and Lord Voldemort was gracious. The giant was what he really wanted to see, oh how he would love to see it squash the Headmaster, trying to thwart his plans sending his own embassy to the giants, it would be fitting. They would wait for the swearing in to have started before commencing; they wanted complete disarray, chaos, anarchy!

Harry and a team of nine Aurors stood guard in the Wizengamot level of the ministry, the speeches drawled on for what seemed like forever, but Harry being one of constant vigilance scanned the crowd over and over looking for signs of something suspicious. Dumbledore had just finished making his speech when Madam Bones stepped forward.

"Thank you all for coming today. I know this isn't the ideal way for a new Minister to be sworn in but I feel that we as a whole are making the best out of a bad situation. I will do my best as acting Minister and hope that my replacement will do a fine job as head of the DMLE." She said glancing at Rufus Scrimgeour, Harry wasn't happy he got the gig but he took his job as head of the Aurors seriously and had most of their respect, from what Harry heard they said he was much like a mix of Fudge and Moody. From what Harry saw he was and could be a tool like Fudge, and from what he heard from several Aurors, he was slightly insane so to speak from seeing some shit not everybody wants to see, of course he wasn't as mangled as Moody but you could see he paid his dues. And for his replacement was one Kingsley Shacklebolt, Harry couldn't be more happy for the guy, he had the constant cool demeanor that breathed confidence, he would do well. He had the wisdom of Dumbledore, the skill of Moody with a wand and was as trust worthy as a bottle of veritaserum, and if the shit really hit the fan Harry wanted him watching his arse.

After listening to rest of Bones' speech which was much the same, hoping to discourage racism during the war, equal rights to all magical beings and standing together in the time of need. Harry got a twinge of pain in his scar and his hand immediately went to it, drawing the attention of Tonks who was leading his security until at the Ministry.

"Harry, everything alright?" she asked not exactly wanting to know the truth.

"It's starting." He replied darkly and making a move towards Dumbledore before he could even get there a man came running through the doors screaming at the top of his lungs.

"Dementors are attacking muggles near the leaky cauldron and death eaters are marching the streets of Diagon Alley!" he said collapsing. If what he said wasn't making Harry furious he would of found it hilarious, bringing up memories of Quirrel running into the great hall shouting troll in the dungeons then collapsing, Harry knew now the stuttering DADA teacher was faking it but it was funny none the less. Harry needing to make a move sprinted towards the Headmaster; before he could speak the headmaster beat him to it.

"Minister, send the Aurors to Diagon and I'll bring the Order and Harry with me to the reign in the Dementors." This was a bitch move and he knew it, he was sending Harry to the Dementors because he knew he was one of the top Patronus charm conjures in Britain. It was a fact, he knew Harry could handle them and didn't want him to risk him against some death eaters, Harry would play along for now. Grabbing Tonks he pulled her towards an apparition point and they both whisked away.

"Look Tonks, we need to drive these things off then move onto to the real fun." He said trying to lighten the mood but could see her visibly shaking, after the initial shock of apparating the cold dread finally set in, they were close. Looking around he could already see the chaos that ensued, the muggles couldn't even see them and there were cars crashed, people aimlessly walking around openly sobbing, some on the ground shaking and….others. Harry had never seen anything more depressing in his life, a middle aged woman sat in her driver's seat of her station wagon, her eyes wide and he mouth hanging open slightly to the side with no sign of life left in her eyes, you could see she was breathing but you could tell she had been kissed. It was horrible, there was no cure and the muggles would have no clue what to do, they would probably stick her in an institution before her body finally shut down.

He turned to see Tonks, trying to put herself back together and failing so not caring if the muggles saw at all unsheathed his wand and said the words, thinking of the previous night "Expecto Petronum" the silver stag leaped out of his wand directly in front of him and Tonks, bring her out of her world, bringing back a warmth to the street they were standing in, Harry looked curiously at the stag before it sniffed into the air and took off, not running but gliding along the cobble stone sidewalks searching for what Harry knew to be Dementors.

They turned a corner into a narrow street to see a crowd of Dementors closing in on a muggle car, it was amusing seeing them not able to enter the car but knowing that the person trapped could feel them. The stag charged the group before curiously stopping. Harry remembered his last "real" encounter with the foul creatures, it had been around a year ago when he saved himself and his cousin the stag charged the first Dementor driving it away then moved onto the second literally goring it, under Harry's instructions. This alteraction was more like when he saved Sirius, the stag hovered the area near the Dementors then stopped, Harry watched in fascination as the stag started to glow brighter than a wave of what could only be described as pure happiness hit him, the stag was literally pulsing happiness, wave after wave showering the entire street effectively driving off every single Dementor in the area. The stag turned its head and bowed towards Harry before disappearing into a cloud of silvery mist. Harry turned to see Tonks with a smile of awe and joy on her face.

"That was amazing." She said barely above a whisper.

"We need to get to Diagon Alley now!" before he could turn he heard the tell tale sign of apparition, three he thought. "Thank goodness the order-" he didn't get to finish this statement.

"No Potter, not the precious Order." Drawled Lucius Malfoy, Harry and Tonks turned to see the three death eaters not even bothering to wear their masks, honestly what was the point they thought. Already convicted and escapees, might as well let the enemy who you are. There was Malfoy, Rabastian and Rodolphus Lestrange. "The dark lord wants you Potter but that doesn't stop up from turning the blood traitor into our new play toy." All five of them drew their wands and waited for the first to take a strike.

Harry wanting to buy a little more time thought he would try and antagonize them. "You can have Malfoy Tonks, I think I'll end the Lestrange line for good." He said smiling at the Death eaters, before bowing to them. "You should have been there, she was begging for it. She didn't think I had it in me, she was wrong to say the least but you already knew that. The didn't put the part where I chopped her into little pieces in the papers did they?"

Wrong thing to say as Rodolphus retaliated with a Cruciatus curse that sailed over Harry's head, returning fire he s hot off a stunner which was blocked easily. It was slightly comical they actually did as Harry asked, the Lestrange brothers moving in on him and Malfoy moving in on Tonks, this worried Harry he had the fortune of being captured and not killed, he wasn't so sure about Tonks. Snapping out of his mental debate he summoned a broken car door from behind the two death eaters which smashed into one of them, honestly Harry couldn't tell now that the spells were flying, all he knew was that this was now a one on one duel, he needed to end this quickly and assist Tonks, he didn't doubt her skills but he knew Malfoy was capable with a wand. The still conscious Lestrange cursed his brother for lacking the awareness to dodge a large car door before sending a dark curse which Harry knew to be a extremely dangerous spell called "Abdo Corporis" which was described to Harry as the removal of bones, in short it was what that moron Lockheart did to Harry, but his was on accident. The pink spell nearly hit his wand arm which would have been the end but Harry was able to dodge the curse and return fire with his own bone breaker, hearing a whimper Harry knew his spell had landed, he was delighted at the sight of his enemy's left arm dangling useless, not his right but balance and posture was key and now his enemy lacked it. Not letting up he fired of a bludgeoner and on the back end a disarming charm hoping it would slip through. Seeing Harry's strategy and knowing he couldn't produce a proper shield he took the bludgeoner using the impact to fall and miss Harry's expelliarmus. Harry was slightly caught of guard and in his lapse he missed the man fire blasting curse which smashed into Harry's chest literally sending him through a phone booth window.

Slightly dazed he came around a second to so later looking up to see Lestrange wobbling and his brother still unconscious and a door positioned firmly onto of his limp form. He looked to see Malfoy and Tonks still firing curses at each other, he was worried and glad, happy that the duel still waged on and Tonks showed no signs of being hit by anything worrisome but worried that Malfoy did neither, now he and the Lestrange brothers on the other hand, one was knocked out cold and the other had his left arm dangling useless as he tried to gain his bearings. Harry doing the same noticed a gash on the back of his head where he went through the phone booth, honestly it did more damage that the blasting hex which can be fatal, he checked his cloak and noticed scorch marks on the front but that was the worst of it, he went to push up on his left hand and that was the wrong thing to do. A large piece of glass pushed threw his hand between his ring and pinky nearly slicing off his pinky finger, ignoring the pain he pulled the glass out and didn't bother to mend the wound, as he wasn't sure whether his healing charms would just slice it off and save the other finger, knowing his healing charms work.

Getting back up he made his wave back towards Lestrange so they could finish this, Lestrange growled at the sight and Harry mustered up his Gryffindor pride and sneered at the man. He wasn't playing firing off another Cruciatus, this worried and delighted Harry, Lestrange knew that he couldn't beat Harry outright and was hoping on landing an unforgiveable which was much harder to defend from. Harry still having mobility dodges the curse and fired a stunner which was rebounded off the mans shield charm which Harry in turn simply side stepped his own stunner. The man fired another Cruciatus; honestly Harry thought what was the point! The curse needed to have your full concentration to use and was taxing to say the least, it was sort of like the Patronus charm, not to be used in a duel, as much as it disgusted Harry to say but the Cruciatus was a recreational spell. Harry knew the point, the man was desperate, Harry also wanting it to end fired off a severing charm which made a nice gash in the mans right thigh causing him to hobble and stumble, not letting up he fired another disarmer which struck, while the wounded man was reaching for his back up wand Harry caught him with a stunner, dropping him defeated.

Forgoing binding the two men he moved to help Tonks, as if on cue Malfoy was just finished disarming a now grounded Tonks, Malfoy who had his back turned to Harry didn't even see the bone breaker fired at his right arm which disarmed the blonde man while shattering his wand arm, Harry ignoring the howls of pain Harry stun and bound him. Helping up Tonks she got her wand and assisted Harry in binding the three men together.

"Alright I'll just activate this Portkey and send them to the Ministry holding cells." She pulled out a large ring with the initials HC before tapping it and tossing it at the three death eaters, they were whisked away, Tonks now realizing she wasn't the only one in the street looked at the wounded Harry, she gasped at the sight his left hand seemed to be covered in blood and she couldn't for the life of her find the wound through it all, and his head, she ran a hand through his hair only to have it come back scarlet and soaked. Sitting him down on the sidewalk she cleaned both wounds as best she could trying to at least find where the gashes were, once that was done she mended the cuts rather quickly, they weren't even magical related so they healed nicely although he would have that scar on his left hand for life now. To Tonks confusion he fished into his robe pocket and pulled out three bottles, he handed one to her.

"Pepper up and Blood Replenisher." He said smiling before he downed both, she not having lost any blood simply took her pepper up potion, which brought her back to before the battle had started, she knew Harry must be worn, he drove off the Dementors and dueled two dangerous death eaters not to mention saving her, albeit Malfoy had his back turned. "Let's go, we've been here for nearly a half an hour, Diagon alley can't look much better than this place by now." Grabbing hold of him she apparated them to the Leaky Cauldron which was deserted. Making their way through the now broken barrier they looked at the scene before them , body littered the streets. Death eaters, Aurors, civilians but he saw none living, Tonks and himself made their way through the streets fascinated and horrified. Harry was trying to be optimistic, he noticed there were several more dead death eaters than theyre were Aurors so that had to be a good sign but the civilian body count was pretty high and from what Harry could tell quite unnecessary. He saw the head of what must have been a giant! It was all to strange for Harry they were supposed to be met by the Order where the Dementors were but never got any assistance, Harry was starting to get a feeling of dread which had nothing to do with Dementors. Stopping dead in his tracks he saw the sight before him that would forever be etched into his memory.

Lord Voldemort was casually waiting for a status report when he finally received one, a bloody and beaten low level death eaters stumbled into his chambers.

"Milord. The battle is not going as planned. We are losing, we need you!" he man practically begged for assistance, it appears that his death eaters weren't all that he had planned for. Finally giving into the plees of the kneeling man he apparated into the alley where he was met with limited resistance, what Aurors where there they made like cowards towards the nearest death eater to engage in combat, they did not want anything to do with the Dark Lord, it was obvious, speech, papers, he was still feared and he basked in the terror he instilled. He was furious when he saw his one Giant dead, they were supposed to be resistant to magic and there it lay thoroughly decapitated.

Making his way towards Gringotts where he wanted his plans to take place he noticed that Headmaster and a few Auror and Order members had made a sort of make shift checkpoint, using the bank as a sort of safe house. Stepping out of the shadows he fired a non verbal killing curse striking down the old grizzled Auror Alastor Moody, every eye in the street turned towards where the curse came from and everyone froze for a moment, the Aurors made way to step besides Dumbledore and the few Death Eaters that were left made way to step besides their master.

"Tom" the headmaster said giving a slight nod to Lord Voldemort, this confrontation wasn't going to be a battle of intellect, or clever wording, no this was going to be a battle of power and skill. He returned the Headmasters words with another killing curse which was easily avoided by the old man, for a man of his age he sure did know how to move quickly.

As he suspected the fool would fire off stunners and body binds as if they were going to land, no Lord Voldemort would have none of this foolishness he easily waved his hand reducing the spells to mere wisps of color, firing back with a violent cutting curse he actually learned from Severus, no doubt the man had an affinity with the dark arts, able to create his own spells, and a powerful one at that. The cutter sliced through his robes as it cleanly moved through his shield; no doubt he didn't expect Lord Voldemort to be this powerful. Albus always was one for calculations he figured I had my old wand which was powerful yes but nowhere near my strength now, sadly the cutter didn't draw blood, maybe the decrepit old fool is actually an inferius, the way he talks would seem a likely option. Sensing his anger Voldemort readied himself no doubt the old man would try and strike back, no doubt violent but still not lethal and he didn't disappoint, instead of the simple stunners and body binds he conjured thick chains and banished the magical chains towards me, seeing little chance of survival I did something not many knew Lord Voldemort was capable.

The crowd watch in stunned silence as the giant metal chains were sent flying towards He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, in a split second the man who looked so much like a snake and creature, transformed! He literally turned into a snake he so looked like to the stunned audience, some of the Death Eaters roared their approval and others stood shocked, while the Aurors still made no move, Dumbledore was the only one who ever bothered to step forward, but as quickly as he had transformed it passed, going from Man-snake-man in less then three seconds. Smiling at the Headmaster he fired back with a Killing curse, striking down the most powerful wizard of their age. It took a moment to sink in before everyone realized what they just witnessed, the Dark Lord easily as if barely trying disposed of Albus Dumbledore. When it sunk in the Death Eaters cheered and the Aurors stood stock still not knowing what to do now until their new leader stepped forward, the 15 year old form of one Harry James Potter.

Harry honestly didn't know what to think when he turned the corner and saw the duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort he was obviously nervous but hopeful, seeing this made him remember the duel at the ministry, Dumbledore was barely even trying and it seemed today would be no different. That all changed when Voldemort landed that cutter shocking the crowd, that was the beginning of the end, when Harry saw him transform and instantly transform back and cast the killing curse he didn't even need to watch. Turning to Tonks he could see that she had tears in her eyes, doing what he felt was the right thing at the moment he practically dragged her into Floreans.

"Harry…" she sobbed "What are you doing." She didn't even have time to react as she felt the helplessness of being struck by a full body bind, her entire body and vocal cords seemed to shut down, she could still here though.

"It's for the best Tonks." He said giving a hopeful smile, he withdrew something that Tonks immediately noticed was an invisibility cloak. "Wish me luck." He said leaving her bound and invisible in a corner, silent tears still streaming down her face.

Harry stepped back into the street and made his way towards the stage of his Headmaster's demise, he wouldn't make the same mistakes he wouldn't toy with Riddle he would go for the kill he wouldn't send stunners he would send bone breakers. Screw the pleasantries he wasn't going to toy with or be toyed with. Making his way down the streets the Death Eaters and Aurors took notice of his bloody and slightly disheveled appearance, then the one he wanted to see noticed him. Harry noticed in the background that Fawkes had phoenix flashed Dumbledore back to either Headquarters of Hogwarts.

"Harry Potter." Voldemort said barely above a whisper, by now most of the goblins and people inside the bank were watching from the windows and doorways trying to get a look at what was going on. The remaining Aurors and Death eaters made room for the two combatants, Harry felt pity and furious for his Headmaster here stood nearly thirty Aurors and around twenty death eaters, instead of jerking each other off and watching they could kept fighting, but no they had to turn this into a spectacle. Harry walked numbly towards the center and glared at Voldemort. "Are you angry Harry? Did I take someone important from you?" he asked mocking Harry for having something so absurd as feelings.

Harry withdrew his wand and slowly raised it to show the tip glowing a similar color green that had just made a spectacle out of Albus Dumbledore. Harry could feel his rage building and his magic cracking in the air much like the faintest sounds of apparition, he didn't know what it was but it felt good, powerful, strange yet familiar. The observers took tentative steps back as they watched the two now most powerful wizards in the world in what could be described as the fiercest of stare downs, emerald meeting scarlet.

Not wasting any more time Harry responded to the words with his own Killing curse, if he didn't know better he would say it was a different color, Voldemort's and almost every other time he had seen it was a bright lime green color, but Harry's was more of a emerald almost forest green color, the curse rushed towards Voldemort who easily conjured the slab of rock, something else surprising happened instead of the curse bursting into green flames like it had that night in the graveyard, it instead shattered the rock completely showering the participants and spectators with debris and rubble. Voldemort's wretched grin was now an even more sinister scowl. After seeing Voldemort raise his wand Harry raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Oh yes Harry, I see you've noticed that there will be no Priori Incantatem Harry. You see I have a new wand." He said fingering the yew wand. "Determination alone will not help you this time. This time you will need something called skill and power."

Hearing enough Harry fired off a disarming spell as to mock him which Voldemort swatted away and responded with a killing curse of his own which Harry easily dodged. Harry grinned, he was furious but in the heat of the battle he lost all thought pain, and everything else left for the time being. Turning his attention back to Riddle he upped the ante sending a powerful blasting hex, specifically the one Lestrange used earlier, Voldemort sensing the power of the spell and not being able to simply disregard it brought up his shield which took the blunt of the damage but still wobbled the Dark Lord, the crowd gasped. His eyes shot around the crowd as if daring anyone to dare question his power again but disregarding Harry for a moment he was struck in the chest with bludgeoner which easily surpassed his already weakened shield. The Aurors cheered their approval, if Harry didn't know better he would say Voldemort was weak, of course his duel with Dumbledore was short but he had transformed into a snake and back and Harry knew that was taxing, trying the transformation himself he still had a lot of trouble and hadn't quite gotten it down yet. Simply growing a patch of fur would drain Harry on the worst of days, now completely transforming and back in a matter of a few seconds must of taken a lot not to mention firing off a killing curse which is an extremely powerful spell, for Harry at least he often wondered that did certain dark curses take less out of practicers like Voldemort and his Death Eaters who were no doubt accustomed to them.

Sensing his moment closing Harry fired off a powerful Reductor curse which was met with a banished piece of rubble from his earlier killing curse, the curse exploded on contact, now instead of tiny pieces of gravel, a fine mist of dust filled the air looking around trying to catch his bearings he looked to see a wobbly looking Voldemort, sensing victory Harry fired a bone breaker followed up with a another reductor. Voldemort not wanting to be on the receiving end for either of the spells fired off his own bone breaker and summoning a shield to protect himself from the latter curse. Coming to a standstill Voldemort fired off a quick but meager powered cutter striking Harry in the gut, it wasn't fatal but it drew blood. The two wizards stood glaring at each other panting heavily, the curses and spells they were exchanging were on a level of their own, the explosions and sounds they were making when they collided were monumental. Harry found it strange Riddle didn't even move in for the kill after he landed the cutter he just tried to catch his breath, now the crowd didn't know whether to run and hide or stay and watch, so most simply took cover and continued to watch.

The two started circling each other with their new found space, Harry struck first firing a jelly legs and a dark curse known as "The Constrictor", the incantation was "Desino Cruor" which was the equivalent of wrapping a rope around a limb extremely tight eventually resulting in loss of limb or worse, this along with the bone breaking curse Harry learned was an early used for of torture. It would be used on extremities till they were useless instead of just slicing them off or breaking bones they would let them sit and struggle while they're limbs refused to accept oxygen. Seeing the flash of orange and white Voldemort had little options, he sent his own blasting hex towards the incoming curses praying that only the jelly legs would slip through. Lord Voldemort was a lucky wizard as the resulting backlash of three spells meeting caused an even larger explosion then before he barely had enough time to conjure a much needed shield, he just hoped the boy wasn't quick enough. He honestly didn't have a clue how the boy hadn't gotten so skilled and he was reaching his magical limits he would need to either kill the boy or leave to fight another day.

Harry sensing an explosion coming immediately summoned his weakest shield charm, protego. He didn't need to summon a strong charm as it would only be blocking debris and maybe magical sparks. Harry didn't have the energy to waste on a powerful charm, he was reaching his maximum output, he couldn't keep this up for much longer, this duel had gone on for much longer then he had expected. As the dust cleared he noticed Riddle was also protected with a minor shield. Dropping his Riddle did the same.

"Harry I must say-" Voldemort started to say but was cut off

"-Save it Tom!" Harry interjected. He was honestly flabbergasted the man is trying to take over the world yet he tried to make conversation in the middle of a duel to the death, he would never completely understand Tom Marvolo Riddle. Sensing a closure was coming both wizards raised there wands with an incantation on their tongues and wand tips both glowing a shade of green.

Both said the two words at nearly the same time "Avada Kedavra!" emerald met lime and the battle of wills ensued. There was no golden cage, no phoenix song, no spirits, no beads, just determination and concentration. The two killing curses battled for position, this truly would be the final spell cast by each wizard, whether that be for today or a lifetime was yet to be decided. The crowd had grown deathly quite some couldn't believe they were still standing there watching. The death eaters couldn't believe their master couldn't kill a 15 year old boy and the Aurors couldn't believe this 15 year old boy wasn't dead yet. The ground between the two was starting to shake, as if too much magic had been consumed in the area and it was purging it from the area, you could almost taste the magic in the air.

Both wizards watched as the green beams of light jostled for position, both fearing the consequences of their green light losing, one for failure of saving those he cared for and the other for fear of leaving the mortal world without out properly carving his legacy. Then and there Voldemort made his move, he could care less if they called him a coward he would live to fight another day.

The crowd watched this next scene play out in odd fascination, Potter seemingly willing himself to victory was muttering to himself and it seemed his green beam was inching closer to Riddle, sensing defeat Riddle made his last ditch effort, he withdrew his original wand with his free left hand and fired a stunner, causing Harry to break the connection and dodge the spell, this was all Riddle needed to turn on the spot and apperate to safety, the duel was a draw.

Harry stood up quickly and looked around to see no Riddle . He noticed several Death Eaters simultaneously clutch their arms then fire off killing curses before disappearing. Some Aurors weren't lucky and still in shock of the duel in front of them wound up getting struck down by killing curses pointed at no one in general, Harry finally letting it settle in guessed what must of happened, Voldemort sensing defeat someone cast another spell then apparated away and told his minions to make a last ditch effort to try and kill a few Aurors, and he had succeeded.

The remaining Aurors who were still standing immediately surrounded a still panting Harry, clutching his scar he finally realized how exhausted he was and his head throbbed painfully. Turning on the spot and not bothering to answer the questions he made his way towards Floreans. In the distance Harry noticed an abnormally larger beetle flying around him excitedly, he cast it a death glare and it flew away, Rita Skeeter had just got the story of a life time.

Lord Voldemort was furious! Not only had he been publicly forced to flee from the boy but he had clearly lost the battle, his plans were severely miscalculated and if their were any death eaters left they would be punished beyond belief. Alas the day was not totally lost, the famed Auror Moody was silenced once and for all, constant vigilance couldn't save him from a killing curse to the back, and the main prize of the day, the Headmaster, the mud blood lover, the constant companion of everything muggle was dead. The only one I ever feared, dead at my hand, but was it worth it? Undoubtly they would say that I, Lord Voldemort heir to Salazar Slytherin feared a 15 year old boy, preposterous. He looked around the main hall where his numbers entered, yes it was depressing to see his numbers nearly half the size it was before but he wanted to make a point and point he made. He showed them that any given day an attack can be planned and executed, and even the so called most powerful wizard could be struck down.

Lord Voldemort's numbers were dropping steadily, without his last week's excursion his right and left hand would of probably Wormtail and house elf. But thankfully Antonin and Severus survived. He noticed that the Lestrange's as well as Lucius were missing, no doubt either dead or captured, he could not find himself to care, all they were supposed to do was instruct the Dementors and make sure they weren't to easily driven off, but once again they failed, maybe this time he would let Lucius sweat a little longer in Azkaban. Antonin had been faithful nearly though his entire rise to power and spent years in Azkaban not renouncing his master, and Severus though his loyalties may waver he was at the attack today and has always kept his master up to date with the Orders business, he scratched his chin wondering exactly would happened to the Order now that their leader was gone. He stood and paced a little before addressing his remaining

"My Death Eaters," He said with a hint of annoyance in his voice "you disappoint your master severly, the day would have been lost if I had not so bravely stepped into battle and dealt with the Headmaster, I daresay I couldn't count on you to torture a family of muggles." The death eaters shivered at the what he was saying, he was certainly not pleased. "I have hopes," he said lazily "for some of you, some of you though keep disappointing me and I will be forced to deal with you myself. Heal yourselves, do whatever you must. Get out of my sight!" he shouted and the death eaters quickly made their exit while their master slouched into his chair and sighed to himself.

Tonks lay in the ice cream parlor alone and helpess for what seemed like ages, in actuality it had maybe been twenty minutes before she heard footsteps accompanied by ragged short breaths, then Harry came into sight, a wave of emotions played through her head at the sight of him. She was furious that he would do this to her, but slightly touched that he would keep her out of harm's way, she was angry again because that clearly meant he didn't take her skill as an Auror seriously, she didn't know what to feel, but she happy that he was at least safe and not dead.

He muttered the counter curse after removing the cloak, he was still exhausted from the battle that ensued, the force he was putting behind him had him severely drained. He was expecting a hug or maybe even a kiss but not a hard slap across the face from Tonks, even more surprising was when she flung herself onto him and fresh tears spilled onto his chest, he brought her into a corner and the y slouched down while she curled up in his lap crying for the day that had just passed. Harry on the other hand wouldn't, or was it that he couldn't cry for his headmaster? He had cried last night when Tonks said she loved him but he couldn't bring himself to shed tears for his Headmaster. Harry not wanting to be interrupted covered them with the invisibility cloak as a makeshift blanket and took a much needed nap behind the counter on the floor of Floreans ice cream parlor.

He awoke several hours later in his four poster bed, at Hogwarts. He looked around and realized his cloak had been removed and his wound on his stomach which he had forgot about had been healed, he also realized the reason why he was awake, Fawkes was singing above his head perched on the headboard. Slowly getting up Harry an idea where everyone else was, when he finally sat up Fawkes moved and perched himself on Harry's shoulder.

"So me and you?" the phoenix nodded, then dropped what looked like a daily prophet out of it's beak onto Harry's lap, he mentally groaned remembering seeing Skeeter. Harry stroked his breast feathers before dawning his slightly tattered cloak. Deciding to see what it said he looked at the title

The Battle of Diagon Alley

By Rita Skeeter. She must be raking in the galleons with all these articles shes been posting lately.

I Rita Skeeter humble reporter and writer for the Daily Prophet was witness to the battle that took place yesterday. I was able to escape from being caught in the crossfire between the Aurors assisted by the Hogwarts Headmaster and his associates against the Death Eaters who were aided by vampires and werewolves, perched upon a roof top I watched in fascination as the battle waged on. The battle seemingly was a standstill till a twenty foot giant was seemingly portkeyed into the alley, it became obvious the giant was helping the death eaters, as if he knew this was coming the aged Headmaster apperated away and returned with the care of magical creatures teacher Hagrid and a giant of his own! This giant was slightly smaller then the one fighting for the Death Eaters but aided by Rubeus Hagrid, who is a half giant himself they together were able to ruthlessly decapitate the giant, this seemed to turn the tide towards the light side.

The battle somehow made its way towards the steps of Gringott's where many civilians and wounded were taking refuge from the battle raging on outside. All was going well for the light until a killing curse seemingly coming out of nowhere struck down well known Auror Alastor "Mad Eye" Moody, the killing curse however came from he-who-must-not-be-named. Following a short conversation Dumbledore engaged you-know-who and to my horror was easily dispatched by another killing curse, the greatest wizard of our age died at roughly 6:37 yesterday. The crowd which watched was a mixture of Death Eaters, Aurors and what I learned was called the Order of the Phoenix were shocked.

And now onto the real story, you ask what is a bigger story then you know who killing Dumbledore? Well this, out of the crowd stepping forward was none other than Harry Potter the chosen one himself! I have seen many duels in my age, and I will say I was witness as were the 50 or so people to the greatest duel ever. The power they were exchanging in their spells was causing the ground the tremble and the air to cackle with magical residue. The duel seemingly came to a standstill with both wizards doing considerable damage to each other, when you think it can't get any better it did! Both wizards fired off at nearly the same time Killing curses, yes Harry Potter the boy who lived fired off an unforgiveable. The killing curses which from my point of view seemed to be a different color slammed into each other causing sparks and flames to shower the area. After what seemed like an eternity the Dark Lord himself sensing defeated released his spell and fled! Yes you heard me correct my faithful readers, Harry Potter all but defeated he who must not be named, he was forced to apparate away to recover, in a act of cowardice the remaining Death Eaters fired off killing curses of their own at the shocked Aurors striking someone before fleeing no doubt to aid their master in his much needed recovery.

They're were casualties on each side, the total body count was heavier on the 'Light' and civilian side was around 20 and on the death eaters were around 15 with 20 more who were captured. A service will be held today at Hogwart's to my knowledge for all who want attend. Hogwart's will be the final resting place of the Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, transfiguration teacher Minerva McGonagall is acting as HeadMistress.

After reading a bit more Harry found the page that told all who were killed in action or captured, he skimmed through the killed section noticing few, most were civilians but a few he knew.

Ollivander

Florean Fortescue

Fred Weasley…Harry's heart clenched reading that, he had always liked Fred and George along with Ron. Sure they were pranksters but everyone who knew them knew that they meant well and were good kind hearted people just like the rest of the Weasley's, expect maybe Percy, he was a snob. The rest of the people he didn't really recongnize.

Tossing the paper aside he stood with Fawkes on his should and started heading downstairs, no one was in the common room, figured that since it's still summer. After leaving the common room I noticed that the halls seemed baron, all the portraits were empty and not a ghost was in sight, bad vibes just seem to follow me. Making my way towards the great hall I could hear what I think were people.

Opening the door I found a sobering sight, laid open upon the staff table were three caskets, one containing Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, the other containing Alastor Mad Eye Moody and the last containing Fred Weasley. Looking around I noticed the backs of many heads, the house tables were all gone the only table was the before mentioned staff table, some people were standing by the caskets saying their goodbyes while most were sitting and talking quietly amongst themselves.

Of course Fawkes has to start singing to announce my entrance, like I really needed that, hundreds of heads turned at the noise. The great hall was packed for the "service" including all the Order of the Phoenix and Weasley's. The Tonk's were here aswell as the Granger's, the entire staff, ghosts and house elves were in attendance as well as many other friends and family, I was glad to see Amelia Bones was still alive, it would have been an even heavier blow if she wouldn't have made it after all that. To my slight disgust I noticed Rita Skeeter was present, as was Draco and Narcissa Malfoy, no doubt making appearances for the prophet. Making my way through the crowd with the still singing Fawkes I made my way to the coffins, of course when I turned everyone was looking for me to make a speech, so I cleared my throat and did my best.

"I never really got to know the real mad eye moody like some of you have, but from what I heard and the little time I had with him he was really as insane as you all say." This got a few chuckles. "But seriously he preached constant vigilance and toughness, even though it may not have been him who taught us during my 4th year, he's the reason I wanted to become an Auror. Just hearing the stories of him would turn head's, the man was tough as nails and didn't take no for an answer." I said my goodbyes than moved towards Fred. "I never had a family of my own, when I met Ron I felt like I had found my long lost brother, and when I met Hermoine I felt the same sort of way. But honestly the first people I met on my first day of Hogwart's besides Mrs. Weasley helping me through the barrier was Fred and George. They helped me carry my luggage before they even knew it was Harry Potter, of course once they did they were star struck, but besides that they were the best people you could know. They along with Ron saved me from my summer prison during the summer before my second year, flying a car all the way from the Burrow to Privet Drive, Mr. Weasley was much more pleased then his wife when we arrived back, they also gave me one of my most prized possessions, which of course the nicked from Filch." The crowd chuckled . "They were hilarious jokesters who knew how to lighten the mood in any given situation, when I gave them the galleons to start the joke shop I said I think we were going to need the laughs and I was correct, I just hope George can carry on the legacy alone." Finally moving on to Dumbledore, I didn't have any speeches planned and was saying mostly what I felt and meant, this might get nasty for Dumble's. "I'm not going to sugar coat it, this man has made mistakes that cost me a chance at a family, Dumbledore did things to me that were uncalled for and wrong, because of his belief in the greater good. That's fine and well unless it's your life that gets ruined by the greater good, saying that I can say I've made my piece. I may not have done it the way he had, but I can understand why he did most of it, saying that I realize he died for this war, he died for the greater good and saying that I can forgive him. Thinking back on the talks we had even the ones we didn't I understand he was always preparing me for this, he along with others knew Voldemort was coming back," He ignored the gasps at the name and continued. "And part of me did aswell, as many times as I have face him, I just hope that when I do kill him, and I will, that my friends didn't have to suffer before the final blow is struck."

Harry stepped down to cheers of approval from the crowd, at least the ones who weren't sobbing. He made his way towards the teachers, shaking their hands even Snape's before giving Hagrid a hug. Turning he saw a stern faced McGonagall standing, he gave her a warm hug before stepping back.

"He would have wanted you to lead the school." This made her smile.

"The will reading is scheduled for the day after your birthday." She said handing him his copy of the Gringotts letter.

Dear Mr. Potter

This letter is to inform you that you are required to attend the will reading of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, former Headmaster of Hogwarts, the day of August 1st.

Thank you, sincerely Ragnok Director of Gringotts

Harry sighed, this was becoming a habit, attending will reading's. Fawkes sensing his discomfort trilled a note causing warmth to spread through him.

"I see Fawkes has taken a liking to you." She said with a genuine smile.

"I suppose he will be something I obtain in the will, Fawkes just couldn't wait could you?" he said to the Phoenix, it simply trilled another note. Under his breath he muttered. "Now let's just see if Headwig does."