Chapter 15 – Journey's End

At this point in the story I must beg your forgiveness, as this is very difficult for me to tell you the rest of what happened That Day. What transpires next is still a vivid memory for me and still hurts me emotionally. So please bear with me.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding.

The tree next to me splintered as a spell nearly hit me. I ducked down behind a rock wall for cover. When the spells stopped, I peeked over the top and saw a figure move quickly between two trees on my left. I didn't hear anything coming from where Harry was facing Voldemort. I moved to my right in an effort to get better cover and a better angle on my attacker.

I saw a quick movement and flash of a greasy-haired man pulling back from his hiding spot. I gripped my wand tighter and came up with an idea. I raced between a couple of trees before coming to one that grew on top of a slight rise. I peaked around and saw Snape send a spell my way and I quickly put my plan in motion.

I ducked back and with a quick shout, 'fell down' the embankment. I landed face first with my wand hidden underneath me. I kept my eyes open, held my breath and waited. I heard a snap of a twig and a rustle of leaves as Snape approached. When he reached the top and looked down he saw me lying on my stomach, eyes open and not breathing.

"Well, well Miss. Granger," he said slowly, "Done in by a simple root. I'm surprised at your clumsiness. I expected so much more from you."

I heard him turn and walk away. I quickly and quietly got up and made my way up the embankment.

"I expected you to be smarter," I said.

He quickly turned around and sent a spell in my direction. It passed harmlessly over my head.

He looked down at me crouching behind a large root, his eyes widened in surprise and muttered, "Clever."

My mouth quirked upwards into a small smile of triumph.

"Evincium!"

He was knocked backwards from the impact of the spell and was cocooned in a glittery web. He was still and unmoving as I approached.

"Hermione!"

I turned quickly and saw Mr. Weasley approach.

"I'm sorry my dear. I couldn't get here quick enough, but I saw your little ruse and am very impressed," he said with a proud fatherly tone in his voice and then looked down at Snape's still form, "Well he'll be like that for quite sometime. What's that sound?"

I listened and heard the sounds of spells, "Harry!" I shouted and raced towards the sounds.

"Hermione wait!" Mr. Weasley shouted and ran to catch up with me.

We both came from behind a group of trees to see Harry and Voldemort in a small clearing dueling. Neither was winning nor losing, but both looked tired.

We just made a step to help when they both shouted a spell at each other. The spells meet in the middle and they seemed to almost be connected.

I heard Mr. Weasley mutter what was happening the moment my brain registered it.

"Prior incantation."

For several moments the two battled for supremacy and we just stood there helpless.

Finally Harry's power won over and a bright flash pulsed out and they were engulfed in a magical dome. Their wands were still connected and each was still putting their full power behind their spells. As a result the dome was growing brighter.

My eyes burned at the brightness of light that was emanating from Harry and Voldemort. I put my hand up to shield my face and took one look into the light.

Harry started struggling and looked as if he was reaching his limit. The brightness suddenly ceased and all that was left was a hazy dome over them as they reduced the power they were pouring into the spell. Harry's wand had again won that battle. He relaxed for only a moment before I saw many silvery wisps emerge from Voldemort's wand.

I stood in amazement at the scene in front of me. The wisps finally formed into ghostly figures of Voldemort's past victims. Harry had told me this is what had happened years ago in the graveyard and it seemed to be happening again. I was suddenly amazed that Voldemort nor Harry changed the cores in their wands. I wondered if they didn't on purpose.

"You can't hope to repeat the past Harry!" Voldemort shouted, undoubtedly referring to this same encounter years ago, "I am prepared and they can't stop me this time!"

Harry didn't reply he stayed in control of his wand until the last of the ghosts emerged.

It was then I received the third look that I will remember forever. The final look from Harry Potter. It was the combination of love and sadness.

I knew at that moment he had reached his end. In that look he was telling me he loved me and was saying good-bye.

I suddenly found my body in my own control and rushed forward, but Mr. Weasley grabbed me from behind and was struggling mightily to hold on to me, "No, Hermione you can't!"

"HARRY!" I shouted struggling in his restraint, "NO!"

Harry wrenched his wand away and twisted away as the ghosts' descended upon Voldemort. He brought his wand around as the two enemies shouted their spells. One using ancient magic and the other using modern magic.

"EXCITO EXURO BARATHRUM!" Harry shouted.

"NECO MENTIS!" was Voldemort's counter.

Voldemort's spell grazed Harry, but Harry's hit Voldemort dead on. The bright blue ball of flame engulfed the evil wizard and began burning him. He screamed… oh what a scream it was. The type one only hears in their dreams and can't be duplicated in nature. He screamed in pain and terror. No amount of magic would extinguish the man. He violently thrashed around a few moments more before dropping to his knees and with one final blood-curdling scream was blown to ashes.

Then silence and stillness came to the area. There were no birds chirping… no wind… no voices… no sounds.

We stayed in our spots for a few moments looking. Then we heard the dull thump of something hitting the ground. We turned and saw Harry fall face first to the ground and not move. I tore myself away from Mr. Weasley's grip and rushed over. I dropped to my knees and felt for a pulse. He had one.

"Oh Harry," I said relieved and quickly rolled him over.

I sat back and gasped in shock. His face was blank. His mouth slightly open, but his eyes behind his shattered glasses were wide in shock and devoid of any life. Mr. Weasley came up and took one look at Harry.

"Oh dear," he whispered.

"But it missed him," I said, referring to the spell Voldemort used.

"It must have done some damage," he whispered. He bent down and pick-up Harry in his arms, "We have to get him to St. Mungo's quickly."

In a short time we were in St. Mungo's and the healer was examining Harry. We waited in the corner of the room while the healer worked. I must have bitten every nail off while waiting. Mr. Weasley fidgeted in place before telling me he needed to contact The Ministry and inform them of what had happened.

I just nodded. I was numb to everything. With every passing second I knew things were getting bleaker for Harry.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity, the healer turned from tending to Harry and came over to me, "May I ask you who are?"

"I'm Hermione Granger," I replied, "I'm Harry's girlfriend."

The healer's face turned sad as he addressed me, "I'm sorry to tell you this Miss. Granger, but Mr. Potter was indeed hit by the spell. The spell had the effect of erasing his memory," the healer said and stopped when he saw my face.

"No," I said and I shook my head, "No."

"I'm sorry," he whispered, "There is some hope and it's slight. The spell did hit him, but not the full impact and therefore he did not receive the full potency of the spell. So there maybe a chance he'll come around, perhaps with help, but he will never be who he was."

That statement immediately kindled a flicker of hope for me.

"When?" I asked him, looking hopefully at the healer for some kind of answer.

"I do not know," he sighed with deep sadness in his voice, "Tomorrow maybe or maybe week, maybe years. I just do not know. The Minister said the spell used was an archaic and very uncommon spell, which we have no definitive records of how to treat."

I stared at Harry for a moment, "May I see him?"

"Of course," he said, "We'll leave you in private," he added and motioned the nurse out with him.

I sat at the edge of the bed looking at the face of The Boy Who Defeated Voldemort. His body was still save the barely perceptible rise and fall of his chest; his eyes were open and staring at the ceiling above us. I placed my hand in his and felt no response.

"I'm here," I whispered, which almost seemed to echo in the room.

God, I can still remember the feelings of helplessness and despair. I knew at that moment that he was no longer Harry Potter.

I know I cried. I know I spoke his name. I know I completely broke down. And I knew that I was suddenly alone.

I felt a gentle touch of hands on my back and heard a soothing voice sound.

"It's ok Hermione dear," Mrs. Weasley said and wrapped me in her embrace, "Its ok."

She gently rocked me while I cried. I know she cried to. This end had not been a good one for her. She'd lost a son and a daughter to Voldemort and now she'd lost the boy she'd had adopted as one of her own.

While she held me I remembered Lucius Malfoy's words he spoke to me when I had been chained in his basement. I had everything to lose and indeed he was right… I did lose. I was so angry then when I thought about that and I still am to this day.

I lost so much…

Excuse me a few moments…

I'm sorry. I'm back. Thank you.

Well the rest of what happened you all know. Mr. Weasley, as The Minister of Magic, had announced Harry's defeat of Voldemort and the evil wizard's death, Snape and what remained of the Death Eaters were sentenced to life in Azkaban prison, and I received The Order of Merlin, Third Class for my actions that day.

And The Boy Who Defeated Voldemort was moved to a private room in the Janus Thickey Ward at St. Mungo's with explicit instructions from Mr. Weasley that no one, outside of myself and a few others, may see him.

That last part is a shock to you I know. Up 'til now everyone, including you the reader, had been told that Harry was living a private life away from the public gaze.

Well unfortunately, Harry Potter still resides in the Janus Thickey Ward in St. Mungo's and will still reside there for the foreseeable future.

So ended the reign of terror Voldemort had wrought upon the wizarding world and my story as well.

I'm sorry to you the reader for not telling you a story with a happy ending. Yes, while the defeat and death of the most evil wizard in history is happy news… the fact that so many of my close friends, the many wizards and witches who had died and the remaining of Harry Potter's life that will probably be spent in St. Mungo's is not a happy ending.

But then this is not a fictitious story.

Before I end this I do want to thank you, the reader, for taking the time to read this. It has been difficult for me to write this and I'm sure difficult for you to read this. Should you see me on the streets of London, or in the shops at Diagon Alley or in the castle at Hogwarts do not be afraid to say hi and know I'll certainly say hello in return.

Cheers,

Hermione Granger