Harry Potter- The New Prophecy

Battle at Shell Cottage

Warning: Character death

Harry wasted no time in pulling out his wand. He then stepped in front of Ginny, Teddy, Jamie, and Al, ready to protect his family at all costs. He glanced around nervously for Grace and Lily Luna and let out a small sigh of relief when he saw that Molly had grabbed both girls and was standing in front of them. Nobody messed with the mother of seven. Bellatrix had once learned that the hard way.

Everyone in the crowd had pulled out their own wands, and Harry felt a small bout of hope. Sure, there were many Death Eaters, but there were even more people on their side. Their chances were good. Or at least he hoped they were.

Then a familiar voice brought Harry out of his thoughts. A voice he hadn't heard in many years, except for in his worst nightmares. A voice that sent shivers down his spine.

"Harry Potter." Voldemort sneered. The boy who lived over and over again. The boy who has more lives than a cat." He took a step closer, and Harry's face hardened.

"You've been very lucky, Harry." Voldemort said. "But your luck will soon be over. One way or another, you are going to die. But if you cooperate, I am willing to make a deal. Your life for your families. What do you say, Harry? Are you willing to die so that those you love can live?"

Death didn't scare Harry. It never had. And if given the choice between his own life and the life of those he loved, he would choose those he loved each and every time. But he also wasn't stupid. Harry knew that Voldemort would not hesitate to kill anyone who got in his way, and that included every person Harry cared about. He also knew that if he died, Voldemort would win. He would take over the wizarding world. The lives of each and every person, magical or not, would be destroyed. There would be no more hope. No more happiness. Harry thought of his children, and he knew he couldn't let that happen. Life with Voldemort in control was no life at all.

"Tick tock, Harry." Voldemort said. "I can call off each and every one of my followers right now if you just put down the wand and give in to death."

"Harry, no!" Ginny sobbed. "We can fight. We can win. Don't listen to him."

"Don't be stupid, Harry." Ron hissed in his ear. "Don't even think about being a noble prat."

"Time's almost up, Harry." Voldemort said. "What's it going to be?"

Harry felt his wife's hand on his shoulder and saw the terrified glances of some of those he loved, and he knew he couldn't leave them. He looked Voldemort in his cold, soulless eyes and said the first thing that came to his mind. "You're going to lose."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that." Voldemort sneered. Then he called out to his followers. "KILL THEM ALL!"

Jets of multicolored lights filled the air, coming in from all directions as spells and curses shot forth like fireworks. Harry readied himself to fight Voldemort, but the monster of a man who had ruined his life had vanished, leaving his Death Eaters to do his dirty work.

Harry rushed forward, and it was like his legs had a mind of their own. It could have been the shock of it all, but suddenly it was as if he had never lost use of his legs at all.

Harry began shooting spells at any masked figure he saw. Unlike the fight at the Burrow, he couldn't tell who was who. But he didn't really care. Any masked figure was going down.

He found himself in front of a short, masked figure with a silver hand, and he knew immediately that it was his father's old friend.

"You should have given in, Harry." He squeaked. "The dark Lord is powerful. One way or another, he will win. You should have given in."