Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Inspired Song: Ooooooo I've been travelin on this road to long
Just trying to find my way back home
the old me is dead and gone… dead and gone…
Ooooooo I've been travelin on this road to long
Just trying to find my way back home
the old me is dead and gone… dead and gone…

I think it's only when we die that we realize the mistakes we made in the past…

Can we still realize them when we are alive?

Snow stretched miles and miles from the eyes view. Coating the entire area in a soft, lush white blanket. Untouched. Untainted from the stormy thick grey clouds. Which thundered and ruled the once clear blue skies with a solemn fist. There was a hardly a wind. Only a gentle breeze that carried the same malevolence from distant lands. Sending many deathly chills and warnings down your spine and skin than that of war. Stripped, naked trees stood tall and bent as they dug their roots through the snow. Trying their best not to give way to that of natures changed course. Stripes of grey and white embodied their way through faded russet. Frail as they were the trees seemed to reflect the sadness and fear of the situation.

"Oi get outta the way!"

"Shut up Mike; keep your bloody voice down! Do you want them to find us!?"

"Oh come on mate, what's gonna find us here? Rats?"

"What? Did you fall asleep during Shadow and Pyre's warning dolt!? Peter Pettigrew is a rat!"

Mike Summers, a proud but stubborn 17 yr-old glared sharply at his only companion. Baby blue eyes as fresh as the old skies. Narrowed through the air towards pastel emerald. His partner and long-time friend Andrew Smith was coming along with him. Both had just graduated as proper Adults from the Fold. So they were free to take on the bigger missions. Than just gathering supplies for the group. Their little siblings could take up that job now.

Blue eyes rounded on his friend murderously, and Mike hissed. "Oi! Shut it will ya?" He quickly looked around. Trying to find any tell-tale sign of a follower. But there was only fresh snow. And that sent a cold chill down his spine. Fear grinned and grinded through his bones, the frost and fear shaking his pale hands like puppets. He'd have rather seen a death eater than nothing. Because then there was more than a 60 percent chance of something being up, Dreamer had told him.

He may look stupid. But that didn't mean he actually didn't have a brain. "L-look, let's just find the stupid thing c-can we? And get the hell out of here!" Andrew smirked as his friend slapped his hand against his forehead. Angry at himself for stuttering. Chuckling Andrew stuck his fists in his jumper. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Sheesh Mike, you were all big-mouth before, now you're a scared little toad."

Mike growled and playfully threw his shoulder into Andrew. Nearly knocking the sandy-haired adult to the ground. "Can it Ands, would ya? Act smart like ya are, cause I don't look like a toad. I just wanna get the hell outta here and back to camp, before-"

"Before what dearie?" A shrill and spine-crippling voice giggled maniacally. Startled Mike whimpered and slipped in the snow. Crashing to the ground in a frightened tangle of limbs. "Before we get here?"

Before them stood a woman. No older than 30. She had a pale flawless complexion that bought the darkness of her maniacal and seductive black eyes into view. Staring at them like black holes that burned and chilled their very bones. A wiry mass of mousy brown hair hung draped over her shoulder like a prized rug. She might've looked quite a bit like a fresh and ripe woman plucked like an adult rose from a nettled bush. But the filthy short rag around her thighs and hips and even shorter blood-stained cloth she wore so proactively against her chest. Gave her frail and bony figure away.

There were no curves to give her away. She looked more like a woman stuck in her grandma's skin. Only without the wrinkles. An ivory wand tapped sensually against her shoulder, her thin lips pulled back into a smirk of glee. Mike whimpered as her sunken eyes stared hungrily at him. And Andrew cursed, quickly rummaging through his pockets for his wand.

The woman burst out laughing. Her shrill and maniacal laugh as bad as her spine-crawling voice. "Pathetic fool. Your little renegade group is naught but fools for sending idiots along like you. Crucio!"

Andrew screamed in pain and crumpled to the snow floor. Mike watched, horrified, as his best mate flopped and writhed against the snow in excruciating pain. His pain-filled screams crippled past his own defenses and brutally attacked his mind. Flashes of Andrew's death played so tauntingly in his mind; and Mike howled. Angry he quickly scrambled to his feet, body shaking with fury as this woman dare lay a single curse upon his friend.

But then the woman rounded around Andrew, wand out before him. Watching with delight as a child in Christmas would, eyes wide and alight. Causing her sunken eyes to stand out like dolls eyes. Her body slithered like a snake around the writhing body of his friend. Stalking him. Grinning in absolute pleasure as his frantic screams filled the bare forest with sound. His friend was in pain. His best mate was shrieking and screaming for help. And there was one thing standing in Mike's way from helping.

The woman laughed. While his best mate lay helpless and pleading at her pale feet. Her thin lips parted, and a joyful cackle echoed from her mouth into the pained forest. It bounced off the mourning trees and rung in his ears. Striking like a snake into his very heart, and it stilled. Mike froze. His bottom lip quivered. And he collapsed to his knees. Hot tears cascaded from his baby blue eyes as a frustrated cry pleaded from his lips. He watched, the very trees around him seemed to shiver with the horrible sound of the woman's pleasured scream. And his best friend's pain-filled shrieks. The cold air tugged at his form, but he lay there shivering from the cold. Helpless and weak.

The wind pulled and yanked at his form. Trying to pull him forward to help. But he couldn't. Andrew had done so much for him. Had saved him. He was his best friend, his supporter and the only one who really stood by him. But he couldn't find the strength to save him with that woman's awful laugh in his ears. By the gods her laugh. But then emerald eyes stared at him. Mike nearly fainted as the pain and pleading in Andrew's eyes begged for help. For mercy.

"Mike…" Andrew whimpered, his body suddenly jolted and he roared in agony as the woman cast the curse harder. And so her laugh cackled harder as well. All the while Mike's mind and heart and very soul howled to help his friend. His body wouldn't respond. It lay, shaking in the snow. "Please! Please Mike!" Andrew cried, "Please you are my bro! Help me! Please! Please gods Mike the pain MIKE!"

"Yes Mike," The woman guffawed amused; she hungrily licked her cherry lips. "What are you going to do Mike? Here your brother is, lying helpless at my feet. What will you do little duck? What will you do?"

This-this woman. She-she wasn't normal. SHE WAS TERRIFYING! He couldn't do this. Mike couldn't do this. Everyone was right. He wasn't cut out for this. He was too young. He was seventeen! The bodies of the dead, children, woman, mothers. He couldn't end up like that. He was too young…he never asked for any of this. He wanted it all too end. Now. This wasn't fair. It wasn't goddamn fair! Why them, why, why, why!?

"Mike…" Andrew whispered, cold tears ran down his whitened face. One last plead for help called in his soulful green eyes. But it wasn't that that scared Mike the most. It was the fact Andrew knew him. Andrew knew Mike. And he knew Mike would bail. But Andrew believed. He had one last hope their friendship was worth their lives. "Please…help me."

The wind grew harsher. And Mike had the odd sensation of being judged. But who was he kidding. After this woman was done torturing his friend, she'd be after him. And panic truly froze his soul. His heart turned cold and shuddered. He made up his mind.

"I- ANDREW! I'M SO SO SORRY!" Mike wailed frantically, gathering his strength he rose to his feet. He couldn't find anything to say. He saw Andrew screaming hopeless as his friend saw the look in his eyes. Andrew knew what it meant and a different kind of pain settled in his eyes. His face. And Mike looked away. "SO- SO SORRY! BUT I- FORGIVE ME! YOU HAVE TO FORGIVE ME! YOU HAVE TO!" He cried, and he ran. His feet thrashed against the snow as he ran away. Kicking up bits of the crushed powder as he dashed. He ran long and hard.

Andrew sobbed and closed his eyes. His heart aching with a different pain from the Cruciatus curse. He forgave Mike. After all, he had saved Mike from seeing the true horrors of this war. War changed even the best of friendships. And Andrew's heart withered. This pain would be the end of him. He blocked out the woman's maniac laughter of pleasure and amusement as she watched Mike run. All he heard was his friend's feet thrashing against the snow. Running further and further from him.

"It's…okay." Andrew growled softly; he hissed and moaned as the curse stabbed at him brutally.

Mike suddenly screamed as the woman appeared before him, smirking malevolently. Black eyes freezing him with absolute terror. He yelped and he dropped to his knees. "Please, please, no!"

The woman licked her cherry lips, eyeing him with hunger. "Were you a Slytherin? Only a Slytherin would betray his friend in such pain, I'm so proud boy."

Mike shook, he was a Hufflepuff. But look what he'd done. "No, no I-"

"Crucio!"

Andrew turned his head, ignoring the stabs of pain from the curse as he heard Mike's wails and begs and pleas from here. He sniffled, why was this happening to them? Then the oddest thing happened. The wind began to slow, softly caressing his battered body and slowly, the pain began to ebb. He shuddered, and gasped in surprise.

Andrew…Andrew, Andrew…

A strangely familiar voice echoed soothingly in his mind. And the pain began to fade into the corners of his mind. His body slowly stopped shaking, and he lay still. His heart beat erratically in his chest, but then he heard it. The foot steps. They were slow, small, but they were familiar. They were Hope. The wind suddenly kicked up again twirled and entwined itself around his body, silently gasping for air. His throat was closed and his mouth parted. But he managed to see something. Something crept closer, and his eyes strained to see.

He saw it. And anticipation swelled in his heart.

Before him stood only a creature he believed in his wildest dreams would come. But he had a feeling she might. She and the others never left theirs alone. Before him, standing with pride and mercy was a large white wolf. Her paws were large but elegant, softly grasping the snow. Her thick coat of snow fur swayed in the wind. He looked up, past her thick spotless white coat. Her head was lowered, staring at him with familiar butterscotch eyes. Those eyes. They stared at him silently, pulling and awakening something in him. He felt important, he felt safe, and he felt strong.

And the pain faded.

She like the others had that effect on everyone. He half-expected to see the others. But right now, she was already a miracle he'd gladly accept.

"Sh-shad-"

Suddenly the wolf shifted and changed before his very eyes. The wolf abruptly gave way, but those eyes did not. Andrew choked. Those butterscotch eyes softened, and a woman no older than 24 stood before him. She dropped to her knees, and hovered over him. She smiled at him sadly,

He opened his mouth, but it felt rusty. It was like rusted metal trying to talk. A tanned finger dropped softly upon his lips, and she hushed him. "Shhh, don't. Say. Anything."

The emerald-eyed boy stared up at her with wide eyes, "Sh-shadow…? Am I- Am I- Do you think I'm- going to die?"

Her eyes softened even more, and she sighed heavily. With a type of heaviness that gave way to something he knew not. She and her friends truly did have the weight of the world solely on their shoulders. Her small fingers caressed his face and buried themselves into his thick golden locks. It was comforting. But it scared him. Her voice was hard, robotic; harsh and forward. "Would you prefer I do it? Or…"

"Please…" Andrew pleaded, his fingers shook with effort besides him. He tried to raise his hand. She didn't help. She just stared at him sadly. "Please take…"

She closed his eyes, and slowly nodded. "Very well…" Her hand gave one last comforting tug at his locks, before disappearing into the folds of her long sleeve. With a heavy heart, she produced her beloved Ivy, Dragon Heartstring wand. Andrew stared in awe, their power was incredible. Leaving all with no doubt where the authority came from. And that's when Andrew knew, it didn't matter weather he died. He and the others were just pawns in the game, either to be protected or used. Their protectors, Shadow, Dreamer, Pyre, Tales and ViClaws didn't want to use them. They didn't want any of this. But they did it anyway. They did it because they had too. And he felt sorry for them. And he really loved them.

Her eyes opened, and she pointed his wand at his forehead. "F-forgive me," Andrew whispered, "Please…" She groaned, "No Andrew, Andrew. Forgive me. And god forbid you had better go to a better place." With the same determination he had known so long in her eyes, she whispered the same two words that had started this whole crusade.

"Avada Kedavra!"

The road back was a long one. Tiring as it was, she couldn't afford to turn back now. Actually as a matter of fact, she couldn't find the energy in her heart anyway. Her feet slowly trudged through the thick white snow. Head bowed, thick curls swaying against the wind around her olive face. Her fists were jammed inside her pockets as she walked. Her heart lay heavy in her chest, after witnessing what had happened not half an hour ago. It hurt. It made the raw pain in her soul begin to re-awaken. But she buried it back under. That was too intense. And that was reserved.

That was a higher pain that would make even His Cruciatus Curse look like Caitlin's Cheering Charm. Sacrifice always came at a cost. But this cost, this raw pain that over-shadowed the guilt and ache she felt half an hour ago…

24 yr-old Genevieve Walker sighed heavily. Finally coming to a halt from her wary journey. She slowly looked up, turquoise eyes staring sadly before her. And before her stood a large rock formation. It loomed dangerously over her form, towering as it was. There was a small crack running through its smooth grey surface, reaching all the way to the very tip of the rock wall. Seeming like forever-reaching hands aching for the stormy clouds. And her eyes caught something small and golden fly over-head. Floating in circles above her. The Eagle crowed long and hard. It's call echoing against the wall and in her ears. Her heart skipped a beat and a pang of 'something' hit her heart. Her turquoise eyes hardened. A golden light from the grey storm.

The wind picked up.

It had been getting cold. But inside was colder. Even with the warm glow of the multiple fires up-ahead. The cave was dark. But that was something that couldn't be helped. It was pretty spacious she supposed. And she was thankful for that. Few were there times they had space. The Death Eaters had pretty much ran over everything. Every hut, every tunnel had been checked and destroyed. It was pretty much ruins out there. So they had to be clever now. The large rock wall was a salvation. Nobody had guessed what was inside. A cave. Long and big. It could fit all of them inside with more space to fill 10 trucks inside. The Death Eaters were none the wiser.

But they would have to move soon. They couldn't take the risk of waiting in one place for too long. They had made that mistake before; and more than one life had been at cost. Her footsteps were silent as they padded through the cave. But as she drew closer to the glowing lights ahead, she heard the murmurs. They started off as a slow hum which whispered softly in her ears. Before their sentences actually formed something.

She saw them before they saw her. There were about 30 in their Fold, not counting her and the others. All 30 of them were split up into groups. Mainly of five and each one of them formed their own little space. Sitting around a small shared fire as they sat and talked. Not one of them was over 20. They were just children. Andrew and Mike had been the oldest. And they had been 17. The oldest now besides her and her friends were Christina and Jules. They were 15. Those two were sisters; their parents had died not too long ago. It pained Genevieve to see not one single person over 15 there. All the others had died. All the adults. And two of their best friends. Only 6 of the adults were left, and one of them was a spy for them.

That left 5 of them to guard the little ones. It wasn't enough.

Amelia, a 10 yr-old little girl who'd come to be Genevieve's favorite, was the first to see her. Her bright brown eyes widened and she squealed in delight. Her little arms wobbled holding the bundle in her arms and she broke into a wide smile. Turning to the 14 yr-old blonde besides her, Amelia handed over the bundle. Which Genevieve noticed as Kyle, Amelia's little baby brother her mum had given her before she died. Amelia yelled and dashed towards Genevieve.

The brunette couldn't help a small grin as Amelia launched herself at her. Nearly knocking her down. "AUNT GEN!"

Genevieve chuckled and easily lifted the small girl into her arms. "Amelia! Sheesh," Her eyes widened as she stared down at the bright little girl, noticing the ribs producing from the small ripped dress she wore. "You're way too light for your own good little Amy, we need to get you some food."

Amelia nodded, "Okay."

With the little black-haired girl in her arms. Genevieve walked through the crowd, most of them smiled at her sadly. Some were extremely happy to see her. Others were silent. Gen flinched when she saw 6 yr-old Keira sitting on Mana's lap. Holding another bundle. Everyone in this room was orphans. Some like Amelia and Keira, had either seen their guardians die or were given their little baby siblings to look after. And the older ones tried to help out the best they could.

Genevieve made a bee-line for the lone bright light, not 20 feet away from the camp the rest of them had made. It was best if they stayed away from the others when they were sleeping. The little ones didn't need to see it like it was. There were 2 figures besides the fire. Sitting on the rolled-up sleeping bags and talking quietly. As she neared she recognized them as Cristie and her 22 yr-old sister, Danielle. They looked up as Gen walked up to them, her olive face outlined by the fire. She quickly sat down next to her sister, handing Amelia over to her.

Cristie watched her, aqua eyes narrowed as Gen bent down and grabbed a silver-tinned can. She muttered something under her breath, and the lid of the can vanished. Revealing the food which was inside. It was a can of Peaches. Not bad, she supposed and handed it to Danielle.

"Can you feed Amelia for me Dan?" Her sister glared at her deep forest eyes and grabbed the can. She smiled at Amelia,

"What do you say Amy? Want some peaches?"

Amelia nodded enthusiastically, "Please Aunt Danny, please!?" Danielle chuckled and picked up the fork besides her. Genevieve smiled as she watched her little sister fawn over Amelia, who giggled under the attention as she ate her food. The fire snapped its fiery fingers dangerously and turquoise eyes shot towards aqua blue. Genevieve blinked, seeing Cristie stare at her gravely.

"What?" Genevieve asked, Cristie scowled at her.

"Where were you!? Shadow and Tales left an hour ago, and then you left five minutes after. I'm assuming you went after them so where are they!?"

"For your information Shadow is finishing off the 'problem' in the mission and Tales has gone to finish the mission! I went because I thought they might need my help, and you know what Cristie!? Andrew and Mike needed it! But Shadow being the sadistic bitch she is stopped me!" Geneveine hissed under her breath, eyes flashing angrily. Besides her she heard Danielle pause and give a strangled gasp. Cristie closed her eyes.

"Another problem Gen?" She drawled bluntly, "What was it this time?

Genevieve stopped. And she choked. Tears softly burned the back of her eyes but she gritted her teeth and forced them back. She couldn't cry now. Not in front of the children. "Problem? Andrew is dead Cristie! Dead! That stupid bitch Kikyo found them and tortured Andrew with the Cruciatus Curse so badly it nearly killed him! Then Mike, fun-loving stupid fucking stupid Mike ran away like a coward and Kikyo went after him! Then Shadow showed up and put Andrew out of his misery."

Danielle let out a loud cry that Geneveine barely managed to place a Silencio on. Danielle covered Amelia's eyes who looked confused, as the emerald-eyed woman looked away and bit her lip harshly. Her form trembled with racked sobs and her hair softly framed her face. While Amelia whimpered in worry and pushed away the can of peaches which clattered to the floor. Spilling the juice and a few precious left-over peaches. Cristie stared at her.

"Gen…we all knew Mike was a coward. After he ran away fr-om Remus it was bound to happen again. Andrew put to much faith on him. But we need to know where Shade and Tales are."

Genevieve glared at her, "Stop worrying Cris sheesh, Andrew just died! The oldest out of-out of them!" The golden highlights in her dark hair sprinkled in the firelight. As she flicked her head towards the rest of the camp, who were oblivious to the conversation. "-and closest to Adults! And all you can worry about is Shadow and Tales who can kick Ivy's ass more than once."

Cristie shrugged. "War changes everyone Gen, we-"

"-re screwed as of now." A familiar voice cut her off. Cristie quickly shut up as a barrier shimmered over their small circle, flickered, and turned invisible. They watched silently as two shadows approached from the darkest corner of the cave and entered the barrier. Genevieve, Danielle and Cristie noticed Caitlin's long chest-length raven locks and Paige's waist-length chestnut curls. Their eyes were hard, stony and emotionless.

Amelia shoved Danielle's hand away and squealed, "Aunt Caitlin! Aunt Paige!" Paige pretended to be deaf and brushed straight past the child. Sitting on the other side of Genevieve quietly. While Caitlin gave a small sad smile and practically floated over towards Amelia. Kneeling down on her knees she smiled, tucking a raven-lock of Amelia's behind her ear.

"Hello Amelia, have you been eating?"

Amelia nodded, "Uhuh, Aunt Danny just fed me!" She said proudly,

"Well aren't you a bright little girl, you-"

Caitlin's voice faded into a low hum as Cristie, Genevieve and Paige stared at each other. Unexpectedly Paige grabbed a stick and prodded it at the fire stonily,

"How are you?" Cristie asked slowly, watching her stony friend with wary and caution. "We were worried,"

"I'm great," Paige replied blankly, "Brilliant. Spectacular. Never better."

Genevieve frowned, "What happened? Did Caitlin get it?"

"No." The long-haired brunette deadpanned.

"Is Ivy dead?" Cristie asked bluntly. Genevieve glared at her harshly, but Cristie was staring at Paige. The fires glow reflected in her unyielding butterscotch eyes, causing fires to dance in their golden depths. But right now, Gen dreaded those fires were cold and made of stone than their color.

"No."

"Did you kill Andr-"

"Cristie that's enough!" Caitlin shouted, jumping to her feet. Nobody looked her way as Caitlin, furious stormed over to them while Danielle blocked Amelia's ears. The barrier around the camp kept anyone else from hearing their outburst. Caitlin glared at Cristie viciously, "That's enough Pyro, you don't need to shove it in her face!"

"Did YOU kill Andrew then?" Cristie deadpanned, Caitlin gasped and recoiled sharply. Almost as if Cristie had thrown dirt in her face out of spite.

"I did." Paige spoke quietly, before Caitlin burst into tears or attacked Cristie. "Not Caitlin, me. I put him out of it."

"So we're screwed then?" Cristie argued spitefully, she threw her hands up in the air and stood up. Face flushed she glared at them hall. "We're screwed aren't we!? We failed to get that be-damned thing and we've lost! Now Volde-"

Caitlin slapped her.

Genevieve watched silently as Cristie's head flew to the side and the woman crumpled to the ground. Caitlin stood over her, arm still raised as she tear-fully growled. Cristie stayed there, hands out to keep her from falling down. While her elbow-length honey hair curtained her face. Which was likely to be throbbing from Caitlin's slap.

"Don't you dare say it Cristie!" Caitlin screeched venomously, "Don't you fucking say it! I don't care if you say Moldyshorts, I don't care if you call him Tom Bloody Riddle! But don't you dare endanger EVERYONES lives like that! Don't you dare call that Bastard's name!"

Cristie trembled, and chuckled. Pushing against the ground, she stumbled to her feet. "What does it matter? We're screwed now, he's gonna win." She staggered towards her sleeping bag.

"I think this has pushed her," Danielle commented quietly,

"Fred died a few weeks ago," Caitlin huffed angrily, "I understand where she's coming from, when Roger…died…I thought Tom was gonna win…"

"We all thought it," Paige said heavily, staring after Cristie. She watched as her honey-haired friend got out her sleeping bag, "Somewhere along the line…we all lost somebody…"

"How long can we hold out?" Genevieve asked, "How long will it take for him to come to full power?"

"Not long." Danielle said. Bustling Amelia off, whom quickly trotted back to the 14 yr-old blonde with the bundle. "Natalie was here half an hour ago, said he was near to get what he wants. But he hasn't found us yet."

"Nat's our only hope so far," Caitlin commented, "She should just kill the bastard."

"She can't." Danielle rolled her eyes, "With Dumbledore AND Harry gone we're-"

Danielle shrieked as Geneveine kicked her off the sleeping bag and she fell to the floor. Geneveine hissed at her, seething. Suddenly Paige threw the stick into the fire and watched as the flames greedily ate at the grey stripped russet wood. Silently wishing it was Voldemort's head instead, she stood up and walked off towards Cristie. Who'd already set up her sleeping bag not far off and settled in it. Caitlin watched her with pained eyes,

"Paige…" She started, but the long-haired 24 yr-old walked straight past her towards her own sleeping bag next to Cristie. Caitlin's words fell on deaf ears. Crestfallen Caitlin's shoulders slumped dejectedly; her defeat lasted less than 3 seconds before she stiffened. The blue-eyed black-head whirled around and glowered at Danielle who looked guilty enough as it was. "How could you be so insensitive!?"

Danielle's eyes lowered, "I'm sorry."

Genevieve looked between her sister who looked extremely guilty. And Caitlin who was still glowering at her and sighed, "Can we just get too sleep please, I'm tired."

Caitlin's eyes stared at her for a moment. Judging her. Before they softened and she nodded. With a look of finality in her eyes, she walked off towards the other campers. Clapping her hands the barrier flickered again and disappeared. Letting her walk freely towards the others.

"All right you lot," Caitlin's voice trailed off firmly, "Off to bed with all of you, we have a big day tomorrow and you need your rest."

Immediately the 24 yr-old was met with a chorus of groans and whines. As they began to wail and complain at Caitlin. Who had none of it and sent them all to douse their fires and off to bed.

"Move it or lose it!" Caitlin ordered, Jules quickly leapt to his feet.

"Yes Ma'am," He saluted her and stiffly turned around. Laughing his sister Christina pushed him off towards the bed. Dousing out her own fire along the way. "To bed brother."

Shaking her head, Danielle stood up and vanished their own fire with a wave of her wand. Satisfied she turned to her older sister, who was still staring at the charred remains of the Flames in contemplation. "You coming to bed?"

Genevieve looked up at her and nodded, "Yeah…yeah you go ahead." Receiving an encouraging smile from her older sister Danielle walked off.

Once all the fires had been put out, and all the children were asleep and she'd made a quick scan of the securing charm around them. Caitlin headed back to her own sleeping bag. Situated in between Cristie and Paige. Grimly, she passed their own little set-up camp and trudged towards her long-awaiting bed. Her tall shadow grew over the residents next to her. And Caitlin sighed, seeing her neighbors both turned away from the other. Their eyes closed determinedly. Rolling her eyes, Caitlin quickly climbed into her sleeping bag. Her head falling heavily onto her make-shift pillow as she turned around uncomfortably.

But all there was to stare at was a dank ceiling of a cave. She huffed restlessly. The ceiling was wide and arched, And damp. From a sight it was pure black. Ebony as the color of her tresses. Of the Death Eaters cloaks. Of Voldemort's heart. As dark as heart is his…There was a slight chill staring at the roof of the cave. It was sturdy…but penetrable…how long…how long until they…

Caitlin looked away. But the image of that roof was stuck in her head like a permanent-sticking charm. She could see the pure black, but seeing that. Allowed her to see what WASN'T that color. The black revealed the clogs of dirt stuck to it. And the dark hues of blue. And green. A flash of robes fluttered into her head, Green…Slytherin colors…"Avada Kedavra!" And the color of the killing curse…

"Please…" She sighed heavily, "No Andrew, Andrew. Forgive me. And god forbid you had better go to a better place." With the same determination he had known so long in her eyes, she whispered the same two words that had started this whole crusade.

"Avada Kedavra!"

Those stupid memories. Caitlin groaned, "Oh my god will you not leave me alone." She hissed quietly. Why would they all not just leave?

"No." Cristie whispered. Blinking, Caitlin turned her head towards her friend. Curious seeing her friends honey-like waves fall like water around her arched back. "No they won't. And you know Caitlin. You know they won't"

"Stop being cliché Cristie, it's not you."

"Then what is Cristie?" Paige muttered under her breath, she turned around and bore accusing eyes at Caitlin's head. Until aqua met them up one for one. Caitlin saw the pain, the turmoil, the hate, and the anger. But even as she stared into her eyes, she knew it wasn't all those emotions directed towards her. Even as Paige spoke with rage, with utter hatred. Even though those words were aimed at Cristie. The anger and accusation was not.

Caitlin seriously began to worry if Paige would sprout fangs or claws. And with the way Paige was glaring at them dirtily, you'd think she'd never need eyeliner again. That really scared the Firelily. "Pray tell if not cliché what is she?" Paige spoke, voice quivering with bitterness. Cristie quickly turned around and glared poisoned daggers at her friend. Looking much like a furious lion. Her teeth were already bared in a snarl.

"Keep it to yourself Delevager because YOU seem to have a habit of playing tragic heroine all over the place!"

That's when Caitlin began to seriously hope Genevieve and Danielle would wake up and subdue one of them. Paige looked pissed. "What? You wanna play it? Huh? Do you!? Excuse me Feyen but if you haven't noticed who the fuck else is playing Heroine? All. Of. Us. All because Fred died doesn't mean you have to act insensitive to every-"

Caitlin shrieked as Cristie gave out an angry howl and leapt over her. Paige barely had time to sit up and raise her hands before Cristie was on her. The ex-Crusader slammed her entire weight into Paige; who quickly grabbed her wrists before she could pummel them at her. Caitlin rolled forward and grabbed Cristie's waist. Tugging her back. But Cristie held on and shrieked.

A shield around all 5 girls flickered and turned invisible. Containing them in a protective barrier that kept their words inside. Caitlin opened an eye while struggling to hold Cristie from pummeling Paige (who was doing a good job at keeping her fists at bay) Genevieve and Danielle were sitting up. Gen had her wand out and was glowering at them darkly. While Danielle was staring at them cautiously.

"Stop it you two!" Danielle hissed, again her call fell on deaf ears as Cristie still struggled against Caitlin.

"Shut up!" Cristie howled, "Shut up you don't talk about Fred like that! You have no idea how I fe-"

"Yeah I do so stop it!" Paige growled at her, keeping Cristie's fists from swinging to close at her. "I actually lost someone too you know!"

"Stop! Stop being a hypocrite! I'm insensitive? So are you!" Cristie shrieked, "What the hell? What the hell HAPPENED to us!?"

Cristie suddenly stopped. And Paige watched, her lips parting in confusion and anticipation as her friend suddenly stopped fighting. Cristie bent over her, her body shaking as she sobbed loudly. Her body loosened and fell limp in Caitlin's grasp. "What…the hell…happened to us?" Cristie cried softly,

"Cris…" Genevieve started, but her words died on her lips.

"We're gonna die, we're gonna die." Cristie sobbed, Caitlin's tight hold suddenly softened. But returned full-force and wrapped her in a tight hug.

"We're not going to die!" Caitlin grinded her teeth, "We're not!"

Paige, Genevieve and Danielle stared at them. All three picturing the same thing. They didn't see the older, darker 24 yr-old war-driven friends. They saw 13 yr-old Caitlin with shorter hair, pale skin and a sympathetic aura hugging her friend. Hugging her 13 yr-old friend who was smaller, had shorter hair and was crying for a completely different reason. Inside, they were still themselves. Past all the shards of glass

Paige's eyes suddenly hardened and she quickly fell back into her sleeping bag. Turning around to Geneveine and Danielle, she pulled the covers back up to her chin and closed her eyes.

"Paige…" Gen asked hesitantly as Caitlin tried to get Cristie back into bed.

"Go to sleep Gen," Paige replied firmly. Genevieve hesitated, before dejectedly complying and hassling Danielle back to bed as well. But even as she laid her head down and tried to get some sleep. She still heard Caitlin's soft voice and Cristie's softer sobs. "Please! Please Mike!" Andrew cried, "Please you are my bro! Help me! Please! Please gods Mike the pain MIKE!"

Andrew. They'd lost him. They were losing everybody. And then the worst happened. Genevieve flinched when she heard them. The children…it started by one. And then many more followed. Cries. Sobs. Tears. The Children were mourning for their fallen brothers. She wanted so badly to get up and soothe them. She could sense the rest of her friends, even Paige and Cristie as they were, wanted too. But she couldn't. They wouldn't.

They have to be strong… Genevieve thought to herself, they need each other…

"Paige?" Danielle croaked quietly. Her voice was quivering and raw. She wanted to help.

"Go to sleep." Paige ordered firmly. It wasn't harsh. It was final. Genevieve went to sleep.

I think it's only when we die that we realize the mistakes we made in the past…

Can we still realize them when we are alive?

The answer is No. We can't.