They stood above it all watching it all go down. From a fifth floor corridor three boys stood and watched the final battle commence. They had only escaped minutes before from the other side. Harry Potter was alive.
"He's going to win," the one on the left said, his voice full of hope. "Potter is going to come through, and then we will be free."
The one on the right with great height shook his head. "We'll never escape this. Our past will always haunt us."
The middle one snorted. "I'm the branded one. You two only have association."
Silence fell over them as they continued to watch the scene below. A good amount of focus was spent on the main fight between Voldemort and Harry; however, side battles caught each eye.
To the left, the hopeful boy saw a flaming redhead girl throwing curses next to an older version of her. Weasleys, he thought. They were Weasleys, and quite the badass ones. He saw the fire in the young ones eyes all the way up there and hoped she wouldn't perish.
To the right, the tallest of the three watched a blond weave between rubble trying to find survivors. He admired her bravery and wondered how nobody noticed her, which he was thankful for because she didn't deserve death.
In the middle, the branded one eyed the semi flattened bushy hair next to her redheaded best friend. They were battling a set of death eaters. Her skills on the battlefield were admirable. He knew she couldn't die. There was so much she could do for life.
This is when they noticed. This is when they saw a millisecond of fear flash in Potter's eyes.
"He's losing." The hopefulness drained out of the boy's eyes.
"We'll never be free. We're going to be branded." The boy seemed to shrink at his words.
The third stayed quiet. "We have to let them live. We need to be seen as not traitors," The other two stared at their companion, clearly confused. "You're both right. Potter is losing and we are going to be stuck in this world. To survive we can't be seen as traitors. We have to play along but we need to help some of them survive."
"What do you propose?" Hope seemed not far away anymore.
He couldn't reply because someone interrupted them. "Stop and be still you snakes!" The three slowly turned around.
The middle one smiled. "Longbottom, we need your help. You have to be the witness to an Unbreakable Vow between us. Please Longbottom."
Neville kept his wand pointed at the three snakes. The right one beckoned him closer. "Look outside Neville. Look at Potter. He's still fighting. But look closely and don't let your pride and hope blind you. Look at the real picture."
Neville took in the picture in front him. Wearily, he stepped forward. Below them was Harry fighting Voldemort. A swell of pride grew in Neville but soon evaporated when he took in what actually was happening.
Harry Potter was losing.
"You're pureblood Longbottom. You can survive with our help. Others need our help, but we're not you courageous Gryffindors. We are Slytherins determined to live but not in a horrid world. There is still hope." The hope was back in his eyes and voice now.
Neville watched his friends fight as he stood with plotting Slytherins. A Slytherin who held himself above all other blood types, even if he was a half-blood himself. A Slytherin who made the Gryffindors' lives hell. A Slytherin who could be a git but was there when Neville and the one of the few people Neville actually considered his friend had nobody else. He shouldn't trust them but the scene below didn't look greatful. Harry looked pale. His magic was growing weaker.
"Nobody has ever made a three party Unbreakable Vow," Neville said.
The middle one shrugged. "Well let's make it work. The three of us will hold hands and you will point your wand at us making you the Bonder. Each of us will state two terms. Then you, our Bonder, will say the incantation to seal it. Each term will start with 'If Voldemort wins'. So it is what a two party Unbreakable Vow is just with three. Do we understand?"
The three nodded. The three Slytherins grasped each other's right arms, making sure they touch. Neville pointed the tip of his wand at them. He nodded at them.
"I, Neville Longbottom, bond and protect this vow between the parties of Blaise Zabini, Draco Malfoy, and Theodore Nott and their six terms."
"Swear that if Voldemort wins that hope will not fade and we will win with the help of the light."
"I swear."
"Swear that if Voldemort wins we each protect a specific person. You each have your own as do I. They will help our revolution."
"I swear."
"Swear that if Voldemort wins we won't abandon each other, being there when we need each other along with the others."
"I swear."
"Swear that if Voldemort wins we will try our best to help everyone and remember all who are human, even muggles."
"I swear."
"Swear that if Voldemort wins we will protect our future with these promises of fighting and winning."
"I swear."
"Swear that if Voldemort wins we won't be transfigured into monsters. We may have to do things to survive but we won't be bad like them."
"I swear." They said for a final time.
Neville stared at them. These three had a death wish but he was willing to be a part of that. He was willing to do anything to save his friends if all came to worst.
"These terms are binding and unbreakable. Condveruminus." The six red strings glowed before fading away as a scream erupted outside.
The four boys looked out to watch Harry Potter fall to the ground dead. All hope left them. They actually had to go through with the vow. "Gentlemen," Draco said, "It is time to become men and save a world."