Synopsis:
Even in the wizarding world, there is no way to bring the dead back to the world of the living. But what if you got a second chance at life, knowing what you know now? Every person's dream becomes a reality for Harry & Ginny.
Disclaimer: J.K. doesn't have time for fan fics, Book 7! Anything you recognize is not mine.
Chapter I: The Final Battle
The sky was as black as night over Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as the battle to end all battles raged on. The noon sun was blocked by the thickest of clouds, and the hot and humid airs of July were replaced with chilling winds and freezing rains. Still, members of the dark and the light continued on, throwing curses of all different colors andpotencies back and forth. The passing muggle may have mistaken the scene for a fireworks display gone terribly wrong.
On and on the battle went, no side gaining any ground, but not losing too much either. The witches and wizards were all highly skilled in the art of dueling, and, despite differences in age, matched each others movements as though they were a choreographed dance. However, if one had a moment to catch a breath, the dueler may have taken notice of a strange meeting taking place atop the highest hill on the grounds. This particular meeting was the sole purpose of this battle; its ending would end the war.
Harry Potter stood, ready to meet his fate, as he and Lord Voldemort, prepared to face off.
"Ah, yes Potter" Voldemort hissed out "so we meet again. Though I really must say, I am beginning to tire of these meetings. You can not defeat me."
"Oh how little you actually know Tom." Harry replied in a falsely happy voice, "You see, I know your secret, the key to your immortality. And, I hate to be the one to inform you, but you only have one piece of soul left. I have every intention of destroying that piece today."
Realization slowly dawned on Voldemort's face, as he desperately called for Nagini. "She will not be joining us Tom."
Realization transformed into anger, and Voldemort again spoke in a voice full of hate "You may have destroyed my horcrux, but you still have no chance against the Dark Lord. This will end, here and now, mark my words Potter!"
"As you wish." With that, Harry and Voldemort presented their wands and bowed to one another, as the duel began.
Voldemort's exact precision and aim was matched perfectly against Harry's speed and agility, instinct from years of Qudditch. Curses and hexes were shot back and forth upon that hilltop, for what seemed, to Harry, to last hours, if not days. The battle taking place below came to a stop as all gathered to see the outcome of this final duel. Both Harry and Voldemort began to tire as they continued to cast and dodge.
Voldemort made the first mistake, and was hit with a particularly nasty cutting curse across his cheek. Harry gave him time to recover before he continued his attack. Soon though, Harry was hit with an even worsecutting curse that grazed his side, causing him to turn his back on Voldemort. Taking advantage of his opponents weakened stated, Voldemort sent an Avada Kedarva Harry's way.
"NOOO!" was all that was heard as a flaming streak of red leapt in front of the killing curse meant for Harry.
"Ginny!" Harry shouted, running to her. He sat next to her, taking her in his arms "No. No. No! It wasn't supposed to be like this! You were supposed to be safe! Ginny, no! You can't be dead! Ginny, I can't do this without you. I…I…I love you. Ginny, I love you! Please don't leave, not now, not like this." Harry's voice faded to a whisper as he rocked Ginny's lifeless body. Slowly, he lifted his tear-filled emerald eyes to glance into the red of her murderer, but it was too late. Voldemort had sent another killing curse directly at Harry. As the unforgivable hit Harry, he had a funny feeling that he wasn't quite finished on this earth just yet.
Harry could not have been more right.
As he opened his eyes, he was met with quite a strange sight. He was in a white room that seemed to have no end and no beginning. Harry heard muffled sounds coming from somewhere in his chest. He looked down and saw a not-so-lifeless Ginny.
"Harry, I can't breathe" she mumbled out.
"Oh, sorry" soon realization dawned on Harry, "Ginny? Is that really you? Your not dead! Wait, or are we both dead?"
"I don't know. Maybe. Where are we?"
"No. No. NO." They heard shouted from somewhere behind them. "This is all wrong! It was not supposed to happen like this at all! I mean, Cedric, Sirius, Dumbledore, I could have dealt with, but Harry and Ginny too! I won't let it!"
Harry and Ginny slowly turned to face the person who was speaking. Their eyes were met with quite an extraordinary site. They saw a short old man, who seemed to been around for ages. His colorful robes and long, flowing beard could have rivaled those of the late Albus Dumbledore. "Merlin," Ginny stated just above a whisper, "it's Merlin!"
Harry looked down at Ginny, pondering what she just said. The Merlin? Slowly, Harry rose to his feet and reached down, helping Ginny up as well. 'Merlin' continued to pace back and forth, mumbling to himself.
"Harry," Ginny whispered "Harry, that's Merlin! I used to see his picture all the time at the Ministry when I was younger. My dad took me to work all the time andI just can't believe it!"
"How can you be so sure?"
"You don't exactly forget the face of Merlin, besides, he looks so much like Dumbledore, its uncanny!"
Harry looked at her questioningly for a moment before glancing up at the pacing old man and clearing his throat "Er…excuse me…but…er…could you tell us what were doing here…er…I don't mean to be rude or anything…"
"Oh, what? Oh, yes, yes, of course. How silly of me! I'm Merlin, and you are, of course, Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley," he stated as he shook each of their hands with a bit too much enthusiasm. "You must be wondering what you are doing here! I will explain everything, we don't have much time, I can only take so much control. Ah, but first things first. Have a seat." As soon as he said that, brilliantly white chairs appeared, andflew in from behind them, hitting them in just the right manner to force them to sit.
"Tea? Biscuits?" A small white coffee table appeared in front of them, as a tray floated down from no where, landing in front of them.
"So you really are the Merlin then?" Harry inquired, as Ginny poured the tea for everyone.
"The one and only."
"Seriously?"
"Deadly. Pardon the pun."
"So, we are dead then?" Ginny asked.
"I'm afraid so."
Harry and Ginny exchanged a sad look. "At least we aren't alone."
"However, you won't be dead for long, that is, if you choose to take the offer I am about to make."
"Offer? But I thought there was no way, muggle or magic, to bring the dead back to life!"
"Ah, yes Harry. You are quite right. No way to bring the dead back to life. But I this is not what I am speaking of."
"What then?"
"Patience, Harry, have a little faith in me. First, I must explain why you are here, then we shall get into how to get you back."
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