The spell shot through the air, a brilliant flash of red streaking towards Bellatrix Lestrange. Time slowed as Harry watched the light collide with her wand, the force of his spell pushing against her dark magic. For a heartbeat, he felt the weight of the world on his shoulders, and then— 

“Protego!” A shimmering shield sprang up in front of Bellatrix, deflecting his spell harmlessly to the side. The curse exploded against the wall of the Shrieking Shack, sending debris flying and shrouding the room in dust and chaos.

“Is that all you’ve got, Potter?” Bellatrix taunted, her manic laughter echoing through the rubble. “I expected more from the famous Harry Potter!”

Harry gritted his teeth, determination igniting within him. He refused to let her taunts get to him. This was his moment; he had stepped out of the shadows, and he had no intention of retreating.

“Together!” Neville shouted, rallying the group. “We can take her!”

Hermione and Ron flanked Harry, their faces set with fierce resolve. “We’ve got your back,” Ron yelled, brandishing his wand with confidence.

“Stupefy!” Harry called, charging forward once more, his heart pounding in time with the rhythm of the battle. He could feel the magic crackling in the air, an electric charge that coursed through his veins. 

Hermione joined in, casting her own spells to create a barrage of light that overwhelmed Bellatrix momentarily. “We can’t let her isolate us!” she shouted, her eyes sharp with focus.

As the dust settled, Bellatrix’s eyes narrowed, her expression shifting from amusement to fury. “You think you can defeat me with your little band of misfits?” Her voice dripped with disdain. “I’ve faced far greater threats than you!”

With a flick of her wrist, she conjured a swarm of dark tendrils that snaked through the air, aiming to ensnare Harry and his friends. 

“Scatter!” Neville yelled, and they all dove in different directions, narrowly avoiding the grasp of the shadows. 

Harry landed on his feet, adrenaline surging. This wasn’t just about him anymore; it was about them all—about standing together against the darkness that had haunted their lives for too long. 

“Lumos!” he shouted, casting a blinding light that momentarily illuminated the room, piercing through the darkness Bellatrix conjured. 

“Enough of this!” Bellatrix screamed, her voice rising in fury. “Crucio!” 

The curse shot forth like a bolt of lightning, aimed directly at Harry. He felt the air thrum with dark magic, and instinct kicked in—a surge of raw power surged through him as he raised his wand just in time.

“Expelliarmus!” he shouted again, countering her curse with all his strength. 

The two spells collided, sending shockwaves through the air. Harry felt the heat of Bellatrix’s dark magic seeping into his own, a visceral reminder of the stakes at hand. He could hear his friends calling out spells, their voices a backdrop to the chaos.

“Focus, Harry!” Hermione called, her voice cutting through the haze of battle. “You can do this!”

Fueled by her encouragement, Harry steadied himself, drawing on the strength of his friends. “Protego Maxima!” he shouted, conjuring a powerful shield that enveloped them in a protective barrier. The dark tendrils recoiled, and he could see the glimmer of surprise flicker across Bellatrix’s face.

“Impressive,” she sneered, though there was a hint of uncertainty in her voice. “But you’re only delaying the inevitable!”

“Maybe,” Harry replied, heart pounding, “but I’m not going to let you hurt anyone else!”

With renewed determination, he stepped forward, breaking through the shield he had created. The light from his wand flickered, illuminating the room and drawing the attention of his friends.

“Let’s finish this together!” Neville shouted, rallying the group. 

“Stupefy!” Ron and Hermione shouted in unison, their spells joining Harry’s in a brilliant display of light. 

The combined force of their magic surged towards Bellatrix, creating a wave of energy that threatened to overwhelm her. She staggered back, her laughter faltering as she raised her wand in desperation.

“Avada Kedavra!” she screamed, the words spilling from her lips like venom.

The green light shot forth, but Harry was quicker. “Protego!” he cried, and a shimmering barrier erupted from his wand just in time to intercept the Killing Curse. 

The two spells clashed in a blinding explosion, filling the air with a deafening crack. Harry felt the force of the magic reverberate through him, but he stood firm, drawing strength from the unity of his friends by his side.

“Now!” Neville yelled, his voice cutting through the chaos.

With synchronized precision, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville unleashed a flurry of spells, each one aimed at Bellatrix. The combined power of their friendship, their shared experiences, and their unwavering resolve surged forth as a radiant beam of light.

“Stupefy! Expelliarmus! Reducto!” they shouted in unison, the spells intertwining in a dazzling display.

Caught off guard, Bellatrix’s eyes widened in shock as the spells converged upon her. The force struck her squarely, sending her flying backward, her wand flying from her grasp as she crashed against the wall.

The room fell silent, the echoes of combat replaced by a heavy stillness. Dust hung in the air, swirling in the aftermath of the battle. Harry stood, breathless, his heart racing as he took in the scene.

Bellatrix lay on the ground, disarmed and defeated, her laughter silenced. 

“Is it over?” Ron asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Harry nodded, still processing what had just occurred. “For now,” he said, glancing at his friends, their faces flushed with a mixture of adrenaline and disbelief.

Neville stepped forward, a firm look on his face. “We need to get her to the Ministry. She can’t be allowed to escape.”

“Right,” Hermione said, her voice steadying. “We can’t let her regroup with anyone else.”

As they carefully approached Bellatrix, Harry felt a sense of closure wash over him. This wasn’t just a victory over a single foe; it was a triumph over the shadows that had haunted him for years. He had stepped out of the darkness and found his place among his friends, standing shoulder to shoulder, united in their fight for what was right.

“Let’s go,” Harry said, determination flooding his voice. “We have a long road ahead.”