The Chosen One

The Final War

Neville's Pov

No, this is impossible. Harry can't die. He won't die. I shake my head, gulping down the air. The Dark Lord's vicious and hollow laughter fills the air as he looks down upon the lifeless body of Harry lying on the ground. "Harry Potter is dead!" Bellatrix screams as the laughter of the death eater fills the air. "Crucio!" Bellatrix shouts as jets of light shoot out from her wand on Harry's limp body. But how can he die? Wasn't he the Chosen One? The Dark Lord can't win. Aren't we taught that good always wins over evil?

Dumbledore ones said, 'happiness can be found in the darkest of times if only one remembers to turn on the light'. But what would happen now? The only light left had flickered and died away...

I look around me to find all the witches and wizards mourning over Harry's death. There is a heavy silence, except for the humorless laughter of the death eaters.

"You have never killed Harry, you coward!" Hermione screams, her voice breaking.

Lord Voldemort laughs, amused at her bravery. But the suddenness of this causes quite a stir among us, as people, as if waking up from a nightmare, starts screaming, the gleam of rebellion in their eyes.

"Harry will never leave us. And you are gonna die," Ginny growls as Ron forcefully holds her back. And now, no matter what, we are gonna fight. We are not gonna give up this easily. The great hall is in chaos, as witches and wizards take out their wands. The jets of green and red, everywhere.

I look around, firing off spells at every hooded figure I can find. Harry's sacrifice will not go in vain. I see the Dark Lord dueling with three professors all in once. And Bellatrix dueling with Molly, and somewhere in the chaos, Hermione dueling with Malfoy.

But I still have a job left. Just like Harry said. Take this sword and kill Nagini.

I look around, searching for that snake. That's the only way to defeat him and no matter what, I'm not gonna let Harry down. I can feel my heart thumping in my chest, blood pounding in my ears, my jaws clenched with nervousness. Who knows about the future? I can just drop dead at any moment.

I tighten my grip around my wand and search for Nagini. And there it is! Wrapped around the Dark Lord's butt! Urrgghh! If this was some random day, then this situation would have been funny but today... How on the name of Merlin's pants am I gonna kill that creature?

Just as I advance towards the Dark Lord, the ear-splitting scream of Bellatrix fills the air. I turn behind to find her lying still on the ground, dead. The Dark Lord, looking at the limp body of Bellatrix starts to moan, his voice hoarse. His screams churn my insides with nausea, goosebumps erupting on my skin. This is the moment, Neville.

I look ahead of me to find Nagini coiled on the ground, unprotected. I take out my sword and tighten my grip on the hilt. I can feel my nervous sweat beading on my brows, breathing shallow with the pressure. I close my eyes and open them. I can do this.

I rush towards the creature, and without giving a second thought, I bring down my sword. I wipe my sleeves on my face to clear the blood-spattered on my face. Yes! I did it! Nagini is dead. But my happiness is short-lived.

"Nagini!" The dark Lord's thundering voice fills the air as he bows down, as if an unknown force acting on his body.

He raises his snake-like head towards me, his red pupils glinting with anger. "You bastard," he hisses at me, taking out his wand. I can feel myself trembling with fear, all the colour draining from my face. Think, Neville, think. He has to have a weakness. There has to be a way. The Great Hall is silent. Every eye turns towards the Dark Lord, slowly advancing towards me, his wand pointed on my chest. Is it worth giving a try? Is it worth dueling with him?

"Avada Kedavra!"

"Expelliarmus!"

The jets of green and red meet at the middle with a loud bang. I push my full energy and concentration on my wand, but can feel myself slipping. The killing curse is too strong for me. But at least I tried. I can feel the pain spreading through my body. This is too much...

But just before the darkness surrounds me, I notice the jet green light hitting right at the Dark Lord's back, from both Ron and Hermione's wand. And just before I get engulfed by the veil of darkness, I see the Dark Lord bursting into ashes. After all, Dumbledore's words were true...

THE END