And so...
And so there was a battle. The Muggles knew nothing, of course - they had their own problems. But in the remote Scottish hills, the ruined stones of Hogwarts cried out for revenge, and the wizards that had long ranged themselves against the Dark Lord were not about to disappoint them.
At a signal from the recently reappeared Rolanda Hooch, whose resistance fliers set up a distraction at Voldemort's warped ley-line points around the coast, a trap was sprung in Greenwich and with the enemy's numbers thinned, the way was clear for the Order to move in.
From the skies, an aerial formation of Weasleys cut a swathe through the enemy Harpies, Charlie's dragon proving an indispensible weapon. But triumph was quickly followed by tragedy, and although Weasley retribution came swiftly, one light in the War Room was extinguished forever.
Below, the battle continued, as Diane Archer showered the enemy with salvos of airborne hexes; Remus Lupin and Mundungus Fletcher teamed up to tackle a squad of werewolves and Dementors; Ernie MacMillan, guided by Pomona Sprout, steered a devastating force of young Whomping Willows into action and Valerius Visconti and Padma Patil dealt with a trio of Acromantulas intent on making Ernie into an impromptu snack. Ernie, meanwhile, distinguished himself with an unforgettable example of wizarding cricket...
The War Room presided over the fray, witness to both deaths and reappearances, and at their signal, Minerva McGonagall's broom squadron prepared to strafe the school with explosive potions and a pair of Klein flasks, to set off the potion vials planted by Lucius Malfoy, some months before.
Harry, Ron and Hermione were also heading for the school. With Minerva's vanguard taking the attention of the remaining sky-borne enemy, it was Draco Malfoy who came upon the trio, and sent Hermione to what seemed her certain death - While Harry chased after an unrepentant Draco, Ron plummeted in search of Hermione. Hearing a cry, he flew deeper into the forest but found more than he'd bargained for.
Fortunately for Hermione, there were other hands to break her fall...
Inside the school, Luna Lovegood and Hestia Jones found the dungeons hosting a vicious enemy, and Remus Lupin was forced to fight for what he held most dear.
Poppy Pomfrey had her work cut out for her. With Hannah Abbott, Carys Archer and a band of conscripted mediwizards, she ran the Infirmary with a practised hand, and the dead and the wounded soon began to flow in although some were less keen to stay than others.
Inside and outside the school, the fighting continued, and the unexpected reappearance of Alastor Moody, gave Neville Longbottom, Michael Corner and, Nymphadora Tonks the edge they needed to face a band of Giants. With a little help from an unexpected source... Giants, however, were far from their only problem.
Having taken on a childhood nemesis, Remus Lupin found himself facing a childhood friend and Severus was confronted by an age-old fear.
While every other available wand was ranged against Voldemort's forces, while retribution was sought, while the Weasleys grieved, and the wounded were tended to, Harry Potter drew closer, inevitably closer to the Dark Lord, who had awaited him patiently. And in spite of his trepidation, cut off from his friends, there was only one possible conclusion...
At last, Harry and Voldemort faced one another, and the Prophecy was satisfied.
Now, although confusion still reigns, and there are Order members still missing in action or gravely wounded, their lives still in the balance, the battle itself is over.
Though our hearts be wrapt in sorrow,
From the hope of dawn we borrow
Promise of a glad tomorrow,
All through the night.
Above Hogwarts, spectral at first against the morning light but growing stronger, brighter with every passing moment, a phoenix rises. Its wings are spread over the scored and blackened stones in a gesture that is at once protective and possessive, and the flames that trail from its feathers devour the last of the tainted mist clinging to the air.
Wearing the dawn like a mantle, the phoenix sings.
At a signal from the recently reappeared Rolanda Hooch, whose resistance fliers set up a distraction at Voldemort's warped ley-line points around the coast, a trap was sprung in Greenwich and with the enemy's numbers thinned, the way was clear for the Order to move in.
From the skies, an aerial formation of Weasleys cut a swathe through the enemy Harpies, Charlie's dragon proving an indispensible weapon. But triumph was quickly followed by tragedy, and although Weasley retribution came swiftly, one light in the War Room was extinguished forever.
Below, the battle continued, as Diane Archer showered the enemy with salvos of airborne hexes; Remus Lupin and Mundungus Fletcher teamed up to tackle a squad of werewolves and Dementors; Ernie MacMillan, guided by Pomona Sprout, steered a devastating force of young Whomping Willows into action and Valerius Visconti and Padma Patil dealt with a trio of Acromantulas intent on making Ernie into an impromptu snack. Ernie, meanwhile, distinguished himself with an unforgettable example of wizarding cricket...
The War Room presided over the fray, witness to both deaths and reappearances, and at their signal, Minerva McGonagall's broom squadron prepared to strafe the school with explosive potions and a pair of Klein flasks, to set off the potion vials planted by Lucius Malfoy, some months before.
Harry, Ron and Hermione were also heading for the school. With Minerva's vanguard taking the attention of the remaining sky-borne enemy, it was Draco Malfoy who came upon the trio, and sent Hermione to what seemed her certain death - While Harry chased after an unrepentant Draco, Ron plummeted in search of Hermione. Hearing a cry, he flew deeper into the forest but found more than he'd bargained for.
Fortunately for Hermione, there were other hands to break her fall...
Inside the school, Luna Lovegood and Hestia Jones found the dungeons hosting a vicious enemy, and Remus Lupin was forced to fight for what he held most dear.
Poppy Pomfrey had her work cut out for her. With Hannah Abbott, Carys Archer and a band of conscripted mediwizards, she ran the Infirmary with a practised hand, and the dead and the wounded soon began to flow in although some were less keen to stay than others.
Inside and outside the school, the fighting continued, and the unexpected reappearance of Alastor Moody, gave Neville Longbottom, Michael Corner and, Nymphadora Tonks the edge they needed to face a band of Giants. With a little help from an unexpected source... Giants, however, were far from their only problem.
Having taken on a childhood nemesis, Remus Lupin found himself facing a childhood friend and Severus was confronted by an age-old fear.
While every other available wand was ranged against Voldemort's forces, while retribution was sought, while the Weasleys grieved, and the wounded were tended to, Harry Potter drew closer, inevitably closer to the Dark Lord, who had awaited him patiently. And in spite of his trepidation, cut off from his friends, there was only one possible conclusion...
At last, Harry and Voldemort faced one another, and the Prophecy was satisfied.
Now, although confusion still reigns, and there are Order members still missing in action or gravely wounded, their lives still in the balance, the battle itself is over.
Though our hearts be wrapt in sorrow,
From the hope of dawn we borrow
Promise of a glad tomorrow,
All through the night.
Above Hogwarts, spectral at first against the morning light but growing stronger, brighter with every passing moment, a phoenix rises. Its wings are spread over the scored and blackened stones in a gesture that is at once protective and possessive, and the flames that trail from its feathers devour the last of the tainted mist clinging to the air.
Wearing the dawn like a mantle, the phoenix sings.