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Written for Camp Potter - First Aid - Week 1. (Prompts Storm/Ashes/Reject)
W/C Without A/N - 497
Not In Vain
Remus climbed the stairs to the top of the Astronomy tower, trying not to think about the battle that was about to take place. He knew he might die here, knew this might be the last time he looked at the sky, heard the thunder of the storm drawing in around them. Even the weather knew something bad was about to happen.
Remus found the strength he needed, knowing that though he might well give his life for the cause, knowing that they might lose, knowing that they could all be killed, by thinking about his wife and his son, who were both safe, were both well away from Hogwarts where lives were about to go up in flames, leaving nothing but ashes in their place.
He heard a shout in the distance, and from his vantage point, he shot curses and hexes into the crowd of Death Eaters, avoiding the return fire easily for the time being. He knew they would make their way through the castle, they would find him, and he would fight. He would fight for his life, and he would fight for the lives of those he loved. He would fight, to give his son a better life, and he would fight for his wife, the only woman never to reject him, the only woman who had ever fought for him.
xxxx
Dora panicked as she made her way slowly through the crowds of fighters, looking for any sign of Remus. She knew he would be angry that she had left Teddy behind with her mother, that she had not stayed to look after her son, but he would understand. He would know how hard it is to remain behind, when the person you love more than anything else in the world is in the middle of a battle. He would love her still, because he would know that the only reason she was here was her love for him.
She saw him too late. She saw the curse hit him. She saw him fall to the ground, even as she ran towards him, she knew she was too late. Even in the middle of the battle, she skidded towards him, falling to her knees to cradle his head as blood started running from his mouth.
"I love you," she sobbed, tears dropping from her eyes to his face.
"I... Love... You," he said, struggling to get the words out. She screamed as the life left his eyes, anger and sadness coursing through her as she watched her husband die. Anger won out as she aimed her wand in the direction of Dolohov. She took no pleasure in watching him die, though satisfaction was an emotion easily identifiable.
Throwing herself into battle, she swore that Remus would not die in vain. She would help to create the world he wanted for their son, one of peace and acceptance. Even if she too had to give up her life for it to happen.