This is a collection of one-shots that I created. I know that loss is hard. It is very tough for everyone. I want to convey the feelings of the characters first and foremost. Sometimes these strike me at the strangest times. I hope that someone can get some comfort from them. I know that I do. Now that aside, I will explore all kinds of loss.

Enjoy!

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Every second, dripping off my fingertips
Wage your war
Another soldier, says he's not afraid to die
Well I am scared
In slow motion, the blast is beautiful
Doors slam shut
A clock is ticking, but it's hidden far away
Safe and sound
-Somewhere a Clock Is Ticking, Snow Patrol

--

Wanted

We had taken a stand. We rose to the call of duty. My friends and I were going to defend our home away from home. Harry Potter had returned to Hogwarts. As soon as we were summoned to the Great Hall, I knew that I would soon be fighting for my life. When Ernie stood asking if we could stay and fight I clapped my agreement.

I had been party to threatening that pug-faced bitch from Slytherin, Parkinson, pulling my wand as soon as she suggested turning Potter over. She had to be out of her damnable mind!

As the younger kids left, I felt part of my innocence leaving with them. One of my good friends, a fifth year, ran up and gave me a hug and a quick good luck before following after the rest of our house. Soon only myself and nearly sixteen or so other Hufflepuffs remained, a smaller number of Ravenclaws, and, of course, no Slytherins.

We were commanded to differing parts of the castle. Julian went to the astronomy tower. The last I saw of him was the swish of his golden hair as he faded from view following after McGonagall. Mary and I followed old Professor Lupin onto the grounds. There were seven of us plus the professor. He looked frantic and yet determined. I suppose the correct word would be courageous and I hoped that I could reflect the same image, even if I was scared out of my mind. In the silence before the battle, Mary took hold of my arm. I nodded, trying to give her some peace of mind, though I knew my simple nod would not ease her fears. A couple Gryffindors to our right were discussing how Harry Potter planned to win, three Ravenclaws to my left were whispering quietly yet we had one goal: to survive this night.

Surrounded by Ravenclaws and Gryffindors alike, I knew that we all were in for the fight of our lives.

"Hey," I heard a familiar voice to my left. Terry nodded his encouragement. I magicked my hair back out of my face. I didn't need the mane in my way when the Death Eaters finally came.

The silence before the storm, that was what enclosed us. I knew the danger that lurked in the shadows, in the places hidden from the light of the moon. For a few moments, I allowed my mind to linger on the faces of my mother and father. They would be worried sick when they realized just what I had done which I knew would be soon enough. Really, could they expect anything less? I wouldn't dare leave when Julian and Mary, Melinda, Ainthe, and Cian, even Susan and Justin had remained behind to fight. I couldn't be expected to leave them. They…they were my family and in that moment when I had remained seated in the Great Hall where we had made so many memories, glancing at each of their faces painted over with fear and resolve, I knew in that moment I would sacrifice myself for them in an instant if need be. Mum and dad would understand.

They had to.

The first curse came out of nowhere, stunning a girl from another group of fighters. She fell to the ground as we were rushed.

It was the stuff of nightmares. Roars and cries echoed off the stone walls of the castle. I did all I could running this way and that, dodging jets of green light, dodging death. Rushing around an intense duel between members of Dubmledore's Army and what appeared to be a Ministry official, I whipped my wand around and struck a Death Eater towering over an unarmed Ravenclaw: Terry. His entire arm was covered in blood. I growled angrily at the Death Eater. "Alerte Ascendare!" He flew into the air and out of sight. Crouching, I cast the best shield charm I knew. "Are you alright?" He nodded and I muttered a quick healing spell toward the deep gash. It healed before my eyes.

"Look at that!" I spun to see Professor Lupin dueling some intense eyed Death Eater fiercely. I had never seen anything like it. "I think he sets an example for all of us, yeah?" He pulled himself up and gave me a quick hug before running off toward another black cloaked figure.

I only was still for a moment, but that was enough.

Honestly, I never thought that I would make it out of the battle alive. Somewhere in the back of my mind I heard the yell of my name. It sounded familiar. Pain ripped through my body in the next second. I had no warning, no chance of escape. It fell on me like a guillotine, cutting through my insides, ripping, pulling, breaking…killing.

The pain was paramount to anything I had ever felt before.

I fell onto my knees, feeling the damp of the ground seeping through my tights, vaguely aware that Terry was running toward me. A black figure stalked behind him, raising his wand. I did the only thing I could think of: I flicked my wand for last time sending the Death Eater to the ground, unconscious. Terry reached me just as I began to lose consciousness myself. I heard Mary's hysterical cry behind me. I listened to the screams of others and felt tears entering my eyes. I really was dying. Warm arms were around me for the moment. He would be in danger if he stayed any longer.

"Terry, you need to go." I felt myself fading into darkness.

Some still vaguely romantic, girly part of me wanted to tell him that I had liked him since First Year, but I couldn't summon the energy. As suddenly as I had been hit, I lost consciousness.

Perhaps I had entered the hereafter, wherever that may be, perhaps I had just entered into somewhere without limits. And yet, for that theory, I still could hear shouts, screams, and calls for help. I lay there for what felt like eternity, hanging, suspended between life and death. At least, that was how I interpreted it.

I had wanted to do so many things. I wanted to work for my father at our family's magical candle store on Diagon Alley. I wanted to be at Julian and Mary's wedding when they finally told each other their feelings. I wanted to hug my mother again. I wanted to laugh in the common room, cry in the bedroom, and talk in the night again. I wanted to complete my sixth year…

So many things that I could have done.

During my ponderings, the chaos faded slowly away into silence.

One final thought entered my mind:

I would sacrifice...

So, we never know the name of this girl for a reason. She doesn't need a name. She is one of the nameless many who died that night at Hogwarts. She represents the death of those unnamed kids that sacrificed themselves for what they deemed worthy.

Remember the Fallen.