What spell did you utilize against him?
There was a moment after Ron reached him. After expressing relief of Harry being alive and hoping this was it. After a waiting silence, Ron belatedly jolted and turned to ask what spell he had used. It was that moment Harry went still, the color rushing from his face, and mumbled past his realizing mortification of what he had exactly just done.
"You used Obliviate?" Ron's eyes had gone wide in shock, voice aghast. "Like you're Lockhart or something? Obliviate?"
"I panicked!" Harry snapped defensively. "Everyone always seemed to be getting on me about using Expelliarmus and it's not like that would have stopped him or stopped him from having magic, but I couldn't just kill him, I mean, I could, but I had this whole thing in my head about trying to make him realize or change, to understand what he'd done and I don't know, feel bad or remorseful about it or something, killing him was too… I don't know, Ron! It was the first thing that popped into my head besides Expelliarmus or Avada!"
Ron shook his head, an amused smile cracking through, a huff of a laugh. "Obliviate."
"What do I do if his spell didn't rebound?"
"Of course it rebounded. Everyone saw it. They've got Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall double checking to make sure he's not coming back again. Therefore the awkward ceasefire right now."
Ron motioned to the entire Great Hall. "Not that there's many of them left anymore," he added with malicious glee.
Which was true. There were not nearly as many fighters left for Voldemort's side as there was for their side. Although Harry was on edge if any of them made a move toward the front of the Great Hall, toward them, he was more concerned about the body behind him. Still, those on Voldemort's side would either throw down their wands or fight more viciously if the battle started up again. Harry didn't think he'd be lucky enough for the first, but he hoped. He was tired and enough people had been hurt. Enough people had died.
Harry couldn't blame Ron for his tone. Fred had been one of those to die.
"Bloody hell." Ron's mouth dropped, looking stupefied, his eyes fixed to the back of the Great Hall. "Is that Malfoy and his parents attempting to sit and hide on our side back there?"
Harry looked. They were. Clustered closely together, holding onto each other, looking pale and anxious, as though terrified it would not last. And all their eyes constantly flickering to each other, anyone near them, and to the front of the Great Hall.
"Oh, leave Malfoy alone Ron," Hermione said. She had finally made her way up from where she'd been fighting earlier. "He lied about who we were at the Malfoy Manor. He tried to stop Crabbe and Goyle from attacking us. He only joined because of his family and even then he suffered that whole year about what he was forced into, didn't even manage or really try to kill Professor Dumbledore. Malfoy may be a horrible prat and terrible person, but he didn't want this."
"All bark and no bite," Harry commented. "His mum lied for me. Told Voldemort I was dead."
And somehow, Harry felt warmth at seeing the entire Malfoy family there, at seeing them all together.
"What spell was that you used, Harry? It didn't sound like Expelliarmus."
Ron grinned. "He Lockharted it. Obliviate."
"I just used it okay! You kept saying Expelliarmus was predictable!"
Harry was sure he was red in the face from the mortification of what spell he'd employed… Employed in what looked to be the take down of Voldemort. The spell to do the man in and possibly stop a war. Obliviate. He should have just used Expelliarmus, disarmed the Dark Lord. Again. Even if it was 'predictable', it still worked and would have better than Obliviate.
Hermione managed to raise a reproving eyebrow at him and an entertained smile at him. "I wasn't criticizing, Harry. I was surprised. And wondering why you used it. Although, I suppose it does not matter what spell you decided to use since his rebounded. His own choices and actions being his undoing in the end. Perhaps the spell came to mind because of your speech? Wanting him to change? Which, that was rather…forgiving of you."
He frowned, shrugging self-consciously, glancing away. While Hermione was voicing her surprise, her smile was warm and knowing. Appreciative.
"I know the prophecy said…but I couldn't just…" He mumbled and trailed off.
"I know, Harry."
Ron, however, snorted. "That's just like you. World's better off without him though. I'm glad he's gone."
"Pardon me," inserted a voice into their conversation. All three turned to see Professor McGonagall speaking in their direction. She tilted her head and they all, nerves up and wands in hand, moved over her. And Madam Pomfrey, whose back was turned to them, being bent over the prone form of Voldemort. Upon getting closer, they could see how white Madam Pomfrey's face was, her eyes wide.
"Mister Potter. What spell did you utilize against him?"
Harry fidgeted, finding it difficult to look the professor in the eye.
Chuckling, Ron answered for him. "Obliviate."
"That would explain it."
"Indeed, Poppy. I am afraid Mister Potter," Professor McGonagall began. They shifted their attention from Madam Pomfrey and back to her. Professor McGonagall's voice was quiet, more so than how she spoke in the classroom to have students cease speaking to listen closely. Harry swallowed. "That last spell of yours, triumphed. We've stunned him. But, he did wake up for a moment, very confused and out of sorts."
Harry stared, stunned. He shared wide eyed with Ron and Hermione. It felt as though all three of them had just gone completely breathless.
"Wh-what?"
Madam Pomfrey turned, her white face and large eyes more clearly on display to them, voice low. "There was no pulse until about 30 seconds ago, no sign of life. Out for long enough for the possibility of brain damage, but… I was a bit startled and said, said his name. And he asked me 'Who's Voldemort?'"
In the following silence, Ron was the one broke it. "It worked?" He breathed out, eyes going to Harry. His jaw hung open.
Harry stared back.
"I panicked. I didn't…"
What did he do now?