Disclaimer: Recognize it? It ain't mine!

Precisely the Shape and Color

Before I could react the spiraling cage encased my head and shoulders. I struggled with all of my might, but I was trapped as the snake writhed before me. In a flash, Nagini struck, once, twice, and a third time. The cage rolled away, and my nerveless legs gave way beneath me. I crashed to the floor.

I was dying. The blood seeped from my wounds, a fresh wave with every traitorous beat of my aching heart. I lifted my shaking hands to my throat trying to staunch the flow, and my wand clattered to the floor of the shrieking shack. My lips parted, and I sucked in a rattling breath to summon it back, but all I could manage was a strangle gurgle of blood and air.

My hands shook as the hot wetness gushed calmly and methodically between my fingers, but after the initial shock of the snake's fangs tearing into my flesh, I felt only numb. Numb and pleasantly warm. I hadn't expected death to be so comforting.

It seemed as though I could feel the piercing blue gaze of Albus upon me, and I shuddered as the guilt gripped me around the emptiness that was my chest. I tried, Albus… I failed. I couldn't find the boy in time… I couldn't speak the words aloud.

But then, as if summoned by my thoughts, Harry Potter appeared standing over me. The thudding against my ribcage sped, and I knew that I had only a few precious seconds. I would complete Albus' final request of me. I struggled to speak, though my throat seemed to constrict painfully with each breath. A terrible rasping filled my ears, and I realized that it was me, and the boy bent nearer to hear.

Pulling on a reserve of strength I hadn't been aware of, I lifted my hands and seized the front of Potter's robes, dragging him close, my bloodstained fingers clutching claws at the fabric.

"Take…it… Take…it…" the incredible effort it took me to summon those memories sapped the rest of my strength. I could feel it draining from me along with the blood and the strange smoky liquid. I couldn't control it, and it seeped from me, but suddenly the boy held a flask to capture my final thoughts. Finally it felt as though I had nothing left inside of me, and my muscles relaxed.

I tried to fight the sudden exhaustion, but my fingers began to loosen from his robes before finally dropping away, lifeless.

"Look…at…me…" it was all I could do to whisper the words. His eyes lifted from the silvery glow of the flask, meeting my black ones, and I stared into the compassionate eyes of Lily Evans. And it was her leaning over me. A cough thick with blood rattled my frame, and she moved closer to press her warm lips to my cool cheek.

Note: I've been thinking about this story ever since I saw Part two of DH. It's short sweet, and sad, but let me know what you think. Constructive critisism welcome!

Thanks