Better Than Cookies {COMPLETE}

A/N: I like some of the comments. One in particular, I will actually use in this chapter. Thanks Varjo. As usual, I have no Beta.

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The battle paused, as everyone stared at the fallen Dark Lord. His body still glowed with the power of the Avada Kedavra. Dumbledore let his wand hand fall to his side, a pleased smirk beginning to tug at his lips.

"Albus, is it over?" Kingsley asked in the unnatural quiet.

Dumbledore allowed his smirk to fully curve his lips. "It would be quite unlikely for them to survive the killing curse."

The auror nodded, but looked unsure.

On the other side of the field, Severus stared at the bodies in confusion. It shouldn't be possible. His mind whirled, going over every word of the Avearan Leitin ritual.

Almost as if the page were in front of him, he saw the words. As he skimmed the potion instructions and ritual, he was aware the surprise had worn off and the battle had resumed. Spells flew through the air, several coming close to him.

On the edge of his awareness, he heard someone bellow his name. Seconds later, a weight knocked him off his feet. The ground exploded where he had been. Severus shook his head to clear it and looked over to see Hagrid glaring at him.

"Are ye mad, Sev'rus," he yelled, even as he looked him over carefully.

Severus shook his head. Suddenly, he remembered what had escaped him. "They can't be dead," he gasped.

Hagrid's expression softened for a moment, as he reached out. "I know it's hard to believe..." He began to say.

Severus shrugged off his hand. "No, I mean they can not be dead. The ritual doesn't allow it." He shoved himself up from the ground and started toward the bodies a few yards away.

Pulling his wand, he shoved past the retreating Deatheaters. "They can not die this way," he muttered to himself. "The Dark Lord stunned Harry before the spell hit. It violates the ritual rules." He put up a shield, continuing toward the inner circle.

"Severus," Sirius yelled, suddenly beside him. "What are you doing?"

Severus ignored him, continuing to speak as if he did not hear him. "They can not kill each other. Or, through inaction, allow their mates to die."

"So?" Sirius yelled, again. "What's your point?"

Severus came to a stop beside Voldemort. "My point, is that the Dark Lord let that spell hit him. Knowing it would kill him and all of his mates. It violates the rules of the bonding." He smirked at the Slytherin wording of the ritual, thankful for the loophole. "And the potion I gave Harry is still active. The veil can not fall closed behind them."

Sirius stared at him. "So, they aren't dead?" His gaze swung to Remus. "None of them?"

Severus shook his head. "No."

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Harry's soul opened his eyes. He stared at the man above him. His body hummed, even as he arched into the soft touches.

"Tom," he sighed softly.

"Harry," the red-eyed man said softly. "Do you know how much I've missed you?"

"Where have I been?" Harry asked quietly, his eyebrows drawing together.

The Dark Lord stroked his face. "You forgot me. You forgot us." His eyes closed, as he pressed their foreheads together.

"But I'm back, now, Tom," Harry said. He nudged Voldemort with his nose until their lips could meet. The kiss was soft and deep. "I belong with you."

"Yesss," Voldemort hissed. His eyes suddenly flashed. "You are mine, but someone tried to take you from me, Harry."

Harry's soul scowled. "Who would be so stupid?" As he thought it, his concious mind supplied a picture of Albus Dumbledore. He frowned, again. His awareness stretched out, touching each of his mates and feeling their love of him.

"Wake up, Harry," they all whispered together.

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Dumbledore felt the power around him spike. The very air seemed to crackle. His eyes swung from the Deatheater he was dueling to the bodies laying nearby. His heart stuttered in his chest, when the smallest figure sat up and looked around.

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Harry opened his eyes, feeling his solid body around him. His vision dimmed and then brightened, as his mind and soul seemed to lock together. He grasped his wand tightly and sat up.

His gaze immediately landed on Voldemort. Fury filled the bond, coming from each member of the inner circle. They all sat up, their gazes landing on him and then Voldemort's still form.

Harry crawled to his side. As he leaned over him, the Dark Lord's eyes flew open.
"Harry," he said.

Harry didn't fight his smile. He grabbed Voldemort's hand. "We have one last thing to do, Tom."

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When the fireball surged across the field, Albus Dumbledore had a split second to ponder his death. He stared at Harry, Voldemort, and the inner circle, as their wands all turned toward him and an ancient spell fell from their lips. Then he was consumed.