HPNSA - BOOK ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
RECLAMATION AND SURRENDER

TIMELINE: JANUARY 17, 1998


“My lord!” Bellatrix ran to the top of the tower; the Dark Lord was standing and fighting with a force below. Bellatrix looked down and saw a bright light steadily increasing – the Incubi retreated from it straight into the awaiting blades of the Knights while the Dementors that tried to penetrate it were sucked into its power, burned and were no more. Their army was scattering like dust. “STAND AND FIGHT! YOU PLEDGED YOUR ALLEGIANCE!” But even as she commanded them to stand their ground in the face of death, doubt entered in her thoughts and she questioned if the Dark Lord is capable of contending with such power. He has tried many times before and failed. The tower shook and Bellatrix very nearly fell off the ledge – Dumbledore meant to destroy their lair!

“My Lord! We have to leave now!” Bellatrix cried. Voldemort would not heed her voice he was in deep concentration. “MY LORD!”

Below them the Knights have penetrated the upper chambers and were nearing the altar room. The demons were no longer a threat to them as they flew mindlessly for the exit. But Death Eaters – those that took part in the last ceremony, guarded the Altar room.

“IMPEDIMENTA!” MacNair cried.

“PROTEGO!” Severus cried then he waved his wand again, “DEGENERO!” MacNair’s hand dropped the wand – it shrunk to the size of an infants’. “EXPELLIARMUS!” cried Severus and MacNair went flying across the room.

“Ron!” Remus cried as he tried to fend off Rockwood’s spells. “Run for the Altar room and get Harry! We’ll handle these!”

“Alright! George! Fred! Cover me!” Ron cried and the twins fended off one spell after another as Ron ran straight for the Altar room. Suddenly the tower shook. “What was that?”

“Dumbledore,” George said. “He’s going to destroy the tower!”

“RUN! RUN! We don’t have much time!” Fred cried.

Ron ran straight for the room and tried to pry it open. “BOMBARDA!” The door exploded and Lucius came flying out of the room. Ron fell on the floor with Lucius on top of him pointing a wand at his face.

“DROP THE WANDS!” He cried. The twins hesitated. “CALIGUS!”

Before they could conjure the shield spell the curse had hit George and he screamed for his eyes felt like they were burning and melting inside. “MY EYES!” He cried covering his eyes with his hands.

“George!” Fred said pulling his twin away from Lucius’ aim for another spell was about to spew out of the Death Eaters’ wand. He conjured the Cruciatus curse but it hit Rabastan instead who was fighting with Arthur.

“DAMN IT!” Lucius cried. Ron squirmed under him. He held Ron by the neck and said, “You’re too late! There’s nothing more left of him! He tasted so good, Ron! Do you want to know how many times I fucked him?”

It was exactly what Ron needed to break free of his grasp. Ron shook with rage beneath him and for the first time something happened to Lucius that he did not expect nor stop. He wanted to conjure the killing curse but something stopped his lips – he couldn’t say the spell; something gripped his lungs so tight no air could go in. Large veins popped all over his body and deep red blood was now flowing from his ears, and nose, and even his mouth. His eyes shot up straight revealing the white of his eyeballs strained with large vessels that erupted. His body began sweating blood and soon almost every part of him bled. Then Ron slowly lifted his wand and placed it inside Lucius’ gapping mouth he said, “AVEDA KEDAVRA!” The green light filled the death eater and then he dropped on the floor looking as though he had been turned inside out.

Slowly Ron went inside the altar room. It was now empty save for the lone figure on top of the altar. Ron’s eyes filled with tears and though every now and then the tower shook and he staggered still he moved on.

“Harry,” Ron said weakly. Harry was gasping for air and groaning. “What have they done?” Ron didn’t know what he felt that moment because it seemed to him that he looked upon some other unfortunate person – the face was bruised beyond recognition, his swollen body was covered in blood, long welts that joined each other erupted into cuts and blisters, his fingers were bloated and needles protruded from their end. His eyes were the only resemblance of Harry Ron could see though they were wide and unseeing. Ron took off his robes and covered Harry and though he found it difficult to speak amidst the tears that choked him, still he conjured a spell to blast the chains apart. Soon Harry was free of the altar and Ron carefully carried him out of the Altar room.

“The place is about to fall apart!” Severus cried.

“Where’s Ron?” Remus said.

“There they are!” Arthur cried.

Fred was leading George towards them and Ron came behind carrying what looked like Harry. The Knights then surrounded them and with their escort they all headed out of the tower.

Outside Dumbledore was now shaking with the effort of keeping the light while Hagrid fended off the demons that strayed towards them. High above them, on the top of the tower, another power tried viciously to reclaim the day of his assent to world domination with every ounce of magic he could conjure. When at last the Knights exited into the awaiting carpets, and Dumbledore saw Ron with Harry he raised his staff and the light engulfed the whole island and the intensity of the earthquake that shook the tower and the Island uncontrollably grew stronger.

“Bring the bearer home!” Dumbledore said.

Skyhawk helped Ron carry Harry on top of the carpet. Hagrid was the last to go in.

“Dumbledore!” Remus cried but the old Sorcerer walked closer to the tower that was steadily collapsing.

“We have to go!” Skyhawk cried.

“NO! Not without Dumbledore!” Ron cried.

But a strong force pushed the carpets away and the light became blindingly bright that everyone on the carpets had to cover their eyes. The wild wind blew harsher than ever and one by one the carpets distanced from the Isle.

“We have to get out of here!” Skyhawk cried.

“DUMBLEDORE!” Ron cried covering his face with his hand.

Then from the light they heard a voice. “SOMNICULUS…INSULA!”

Large walls of water rose to about fifty feet and were now about to cover the Island. Skyhawk had to stir their carpet away for the Island was now beaten by gigantic waves and a whirlpool was sucking everything nearby.

From the shores of the mainland they saw the Isle of the Forbidden Tower eaten by the waters of the sea until only a pillar of light was left and then slowly vanished. The dark clouds that had covered it were slowly disappearing to reveal the bright sun of midday smiling upon them.

“Dumbledore,” Ron said as the carpets sped towards Hogwarts.


***

“Hermione!” Dean said. “Look!”

Hermione turned around and saw the crest of Hogwarts that was placed in the middle of the Great Hall cleaved in two by unseen forces and everywhere the Gryffindor banner tore in half. She suddenly felt like something terrible had happened. “Ron,” she whispered as her heart raced anxiously.

Then outside the darkness slowly dissipated and the noontime sun shone brightly upon the snow-laden school. Hermione ran outside followed closely by members of the DA. The rest of the school gathered together and followed them outside until at last the whole of Hogwarts - those who were able to stand and walk - was now standing in the courtyard looking at the skies awaiting the arrival of the son that had been violently ripped from their midst.

“THERE!” Cried Katie pointing at twelve large carpets that were flying towards them.

It descended slowly and the Knights alighted from them one by one followed by Remus, Arthur, Severus and Hagrid who was helping George. Fred came last with Ron behind him carrying a figure that dripped in blood.

“No,” Hermione said her voice cracked.

The silence was deafening; the only sound that could be heard was the clanking sound coming from the shackles that dangled from Harry’s arms and feet. As he passed them by, the students gasped in horror some broke into tears while others fell on their knees. This was not Harry Potter.

“Move back!” Hermione cried as she cleared the way for Ron to follow.

Harry was finally home.

***

The hospital wing was nearly empty when they came in. Some of the other students were sent to their families while others that were still severely injured were sent to Saint Mungos. Madam Pomfrey and Madam Hooch cried in horror when Ron came with Harry in his arms.

“Quick! In here!” Madam Pomfrey said.

Molly and Ginny were rushing from the other side of the hall, and when they saw George Molly started crying. But Arthur assured her he was going to make it.

“Lay him here,” Madam Pomfrey said and Ron carefully placed Harry on top of the bed. He was still gasping for air and groaning and every now and then he would become rigid, hold his breath so long veins popped from his forehead. It seemed that something was trying to get out of him that was causing excruciating pain. Every time Harry pushed it out life, it seems, ebbed away as well, for when the fit passes, and he gasps for air again, he would start groaning and grunting as though breathing had become a difficult task.

“Help him please,” Ron said.

“You have to go outside,” Madam Hooch said.

“Please help him,” Ron said again tears streaming down his face.

“We will, Ron. You have to go outside.” Madam Hooch said again.

Fred pulled Ron away from the bed and they headed out of the door together. Professor Snape rushed toward the hospital wing with Professor Lupin and they were both bringing with them vials and vials of potions and even Hagrid came with Fawkes. Then the hospital wing was closed.

Ron slowly sank to the floor and Fred had to move away for he could not control the tears that choked him as well and soon they were both crying like children. Hermione walked towards Ron’s shaking body and held out her arms. Ron immediately clung to her hoping her embrace would quench the anger and fear that filled his heart.


***

The corridor was now filled with members of the DA. Ron was still sitting on the floor his face a picture of shock and despair. George was with them though his eyes were now covered with gauze. Fred patted him on the back – they could not tell him but George was now blind. Lucius had burned his eyes through their sockets and it was beyond repair.

It has been four hours now and still there was no word from within about Harry’s condition. Time only made the weight of desperation heavier for with every passing hour hope of Harry’s recovery slipped away. Ron’s eyes were dry though his heart stung and he knew that nothing could heal him save Harry’s smile.

However shortly after five in the afternoon, Molly came with a bundle in her arms hoping he would give Ron some hope.

“Ron,” Molly said. “I want you to meet Archer.”

Ron stood and walked towards them and when he saw the small figure in his mother’s arms his heart was suddenly filled with joy. Molly handed him the child.

“Hello,” Ron said. “It’s Daddy,” he said. Finally, for the first time in almost a week laughter made its way to his lips. He smelled his son’s head and kissed it.


***

It was now seven and the little mirth that took Ron’s mind off the dread that filled the room disappeared. Arthur and the rest of the Order now joined their vigil. Hermione cradled Archer and rocked him back and forth. Suddenly the doors swung open and Remus walked out. His eyes were swollen with tears and when saw Ron he shook his head and fell to his knees burying his face in his hands.

“No,” Ron said and he ran inside the room. There he found Hagrid sitting on a chair crying his eyes out with Fawkes on his shoulder. Madam Hooch and Madam Pomfrey were by the window huddled together, while Professor Snape stood at the foot of the bed with a golden ball in his hand. On the bed, Ron saw that most of Harry’s external wounds have been healed – his face was now clear of bruises though his scar was still enflamed, his hands were now free of needles and though the marks of the iron had been greatly lessened from his wrist still it was not wholly erased. He was panting heavily, his hands grappling the sheets.

“We tried to revive him,” Professor Snape said softly.

“He’s still alive,” Ron said.

“He won’t last,”

“DON’T SAY THAT!” Ron screamed. Professor Snape closed his eyes and wept. “Harry,” Harry’s breathing slowly staggered. Ron could feel his stomach churn with every breath Harry took for he knew it wouldn’t be long until he’d stop. “Don’t do this, Harry!” He said. “DON’T DO THIS!”

“Ron,” Molly said. “Arthur help him! Help our son!” But Arthur knew there was nothing he could do.

“HARRY!” Ron was now hitting the table beside the bed with so much force his punches had bent the top and his fists began to bleed. “HARRY! DON’T DO THIS!”

Arthur went to Ron and wrapped his arms around his trembling body. “Let him go, son. Let him go!”

“NO!” Ron cried struggling out of his father’s arms. He now held Harry’s face with both hands and kissing his brow he said, “Remember you promised me you’d fight! You’d stay alive!”

“Ron,” Arthur said.

“Harry! Don’t do this to me!”

Suddenly Harry became rigid again but this time his hand and feet were flexed and he gasped for air.

“Harry,” Ron said.

Then he exhaled. His eyes closed slowly. The chimes from the clock struck and the child in Hermione’s arms started crying. A small orb of light was slowly making its way out of his mouth.

‘HAAARRRRRYY!”