Chapter 27: The Battle

                                    

                                          

The Ravenclaw Diadem had been found, but not yet destroyed.
All that seemed to be left was Nagini-Voldemort's hideous snake- and then there was something else... what was it though?
Severus Snape has been sent away and McGonnagal took over as Head Master. The remaining students and residents of Hogwarts gathered in the Great Hall.
"How do we get close enough to kill it?" Seamus asked.
"I don't know! Look, we don't have that much time, so listen; the plan stays the same. We fight." Harry frowned.
Neville nodded, "I know all of us Gryffindors are in."All the Gryffindors nodded in agreement.
"Us too." Luna Lovegood smirked dreamily, "You'll need our cleverness!" The Ravenclaws tentatively nodded.
"Obviously we're in." Blaise grinned, rolling his eyes.  The remaining Slytherins nodded in agreement. 
A little less than half of the Slytherins had gone to fight with Voldemort against Hogwarts.
"Oh, we are so in." Corin snarled. The Hufflepuffs scowled, nodding.
"We'll take out the bridge." Seamus nodded at Neville.
"I'll face Voldemort myself." Harry grimaced, "If that's what it comes to."
"We'll find a way to destroy the diadem." Hermione and Ron nodded.
"I'll take the first, second and third years to the dungeons." Westen murmured.
Draco looked at Harry, "I'll meet you when we're done with this. When we win." 
They nodded, before hearing a loud crash, and Hogwarts shook.
"They've broken through the barriers!" Ginny screamed, running through the corridor.
"Let's go! Everybody MOVE!" Lanie screamed, running toward the fight.
They split.
**
Hermione and Ron ran to destroy the diadem.
The voice of Voldemort echoed throughout every individual mind, in Hogwarts, making a promise. If Harry were to turn himself all would go back to peace, and lives would be saved. However if they declined, people would die. Hogwarts would fall.
Harry frowned, and walked into the Forbidden Forest, knowing that his death would potentially give Hermione, Ron and everyone else enough time to destroy the diadem, kill Nagini, and kill Voldemort.
Voldemort met him, "Harry. So timely to see you, my boy... so... perfect. Avadakadavra!" The spark of green flew and hit Harry.
The boy smiled, as the killing curse entered his body, knowing he himself was a Horcrux.
'Kings Cross station?' 
"Ah, Harry." Dumbledore smiled.
"W-What? Am I dead?"
Dumbledore looked down at Harry through his half-moon glasses, "Well, that choice is yours..."
**
"Harry Potter...is dead!" Voldemort laughed, announcing the news to the Hogwarts grounds.
Hagrid sobbed as he held Harry's limp body.
Draco began to shake with anger-with hurt- when Pansy whispered to him, "Draco, I don't think that's true. It can't be true! There's no way!"
If Pansy's words were as true as her heart, Harry would be okay... but if he wasn't? This was too much, and the Veela collapsed. 
"He's dead!" Voldemort laughed, pointing at Harry, "The 'Boy Who Lived'? Dead! Now, as for you... join me-the winning side-and gain the power to control who lives and who dies. Come forward."