She Can't Breathe

I made it out from behind the portrait and was surprised to see the Entrance Hall filled with people walking through carrying or helping others into the Great Hall. Apparently there were a lot more fighting on our side that I hadn't noticed earlier, not that I had made a point of counting heads. I slipped around individuals and made my way into the Great Hall. I was hoping to find Andrew. After having dealt with almost losing Snape, I really needed to see him, hug him, to just know that he was alright.

There was an area along the right wall that had rows of cots; each one appeared to be occupied. Along the opposite wall was a different type of row of bodies. I looked at the line of slain people lying side by side and stopped in my tracks when I recognized the werewolf.

My heart broke for him as he cried over a dead woman. Her limp hand was in his bigger hands as he held it to his cheek, rocking back and forth as he mourned silently. I didn't know who the woman was, but she was obviously very important to him. I didn't mean to disturb him, but he looked up at me when I moved closer. Recognition lit his eyes and I bit my lip before saying, "I'm sorry for your loss."

He tried to smile, but failed miserably, before he said, "I never got your name."

"I think Madam Pomfrey did that on purpose. I'm Andrea Chambers…" I said. When I crouched beside him I noted how peaceful the woman looked. That was one thing about a killing curse victim, they looked as if they were sleeping. I told him, "She's very pretty."

"My wife," His voice hitched and my heart broke all over again. The man introduced her, "This is Nymphadora…" He choked out a bark of a laugh, "She hated her name."

I nodded in understanding, "I can relate with that, it's why most people call me Andi."

"My mother-in-law is Andromeda. She too goes by Andi." He mentioned before he came back on track saying, "I'm Remus Lupin. My wife preferred to be called Tonks before we were married. Once she became a Lupin, she went with Dora…" His voice cracked, "We have a son, Teddy." He used his free hand to pull a photograph from his pocket and showed it to me.

The snapshot showed a woman - Dora with pink hair - holding a gurgling baby boy, who couldn't be more than 4 months old. Dora was grinning and cooing while Teddy was busy chewing happily on his toes. "He's so cute!" I blinked when the boy's hair turned blue, "he's a… a…" I stumbled over my words because I could not remember what they were called for the life of me. They were so rare that I had only heard the name once… ever.

"Teddy is a metamorphmagus like his mum."

Metamorphmagus, right… wow… "That's an awesome talent to have." I held the picture out to him and had an overwhelming urge to hug the man. I didn't know him, but he had just lost his wife. My heart was breaking for him only there was no way he'd want platitudes from a stranger. Still I said, "I realize it's probably no consolation to hear this, especially from someone you've only known for a handful of hours, but your son is lucky to have at least one parent still around. You get to tell him how great his mom was."

Remus took the photo and looked at his family. He was quiet for a while as he ran a dirty finger over the image of his wife before he nodded and mumbled, "Thanks."

I squeezed his shoulder in a show of moral support and muttered half to Remus half to myself, because really I wasn't sure he was even listening to me anymore, "There are so many people in here. I was hoping to find my brother."

He looked up at me and asked, "Is your brother the young man that was helping Poppy in the hospital ward?"

I blinked at him… Poppy? "I um… yes, Andrew works in the hospital ward with Madam Pomfrey…"

Remus nodded, "I last saw him over there." He pointed in a vague catty corner direction.

"Thanks," I grinned. Poppy? Now that was a cute name. I didn't expect such a stoic woman to have such a whimsical name.

So many people were sitting around: catching their breath, recuperating, talking softly and drinking tea. Tea… the people were dirty, bloody and ragged, but they sat with porcelain cups and saucers drinking tea. Ishes were so odd.

Neville was standing beside McGonagall and an elderly woman. I wondered if that was his grandmother. I smiled his way, but he wasn't looking my direction. I didn't mind that he didn't see me. I was smiling because I was just so happy that Neville was still standing strong and didn't look too hurt.

As much as I wanted to go over and hug Neville (and kiss and hold and perhaps a few other unmentionable things), I really wanted to find my brother. So I kept moving in the vague direction that Remus had pointed me in. I was weaving between people and came to a stop when I saw a sea of redheads around a cot. I recognized Ginny and the twins. Their mother was weeping. Percy…

Okay I didn't know the guy, I didn't really know anyone in the family except Ginny, but that didn't mean my heart wasn't breaking for all of them too.

Ginny looked up and caught sight of me. Hard not to when I was just standing there staring numbly at her mother. How embarrassing. I gave a feeble wave of my fingers and meant to move on. I really didn't mean to interrupt their mourning. Only Ginny did something very unexpected for someone who had just lost a brother. The girl jumped up and smiled at me before calling out my name, "Andi!"

I smiled back feeling a bit out of sorts. Her mother was crying, but Ginny was smiling at me. The two didn't add up. I didn't know what to say except, "Hi."

The redhead bounced over to me and glomped me. I let out an involuntary 'oof' and hugged her back. This was so weird! "Thank you," Ginny sounded so breathless and… happy. Maybe I was wrong about Percy being dead. They weren't on the body side, but not really on the cot side… the family were at the back of the room hovering in the middle. Besides, I had been wrong about George being Fred and let's not forget that I was human so that meant I made mistakes… occasionally…

"You're welcome," I responded automatically even if I wasn't sure what I was being thanked for. A set of strong arms wrapped around us and I squeaked in surprise because soon a second set of strong arms joined us. I managed to look up… mostly… from the mass of arms around us and noted it was both Fred and George. "Fred, you're okay!"

I disentangled myself from all the freckled arms - which took some doing because they weren't keen on letting me go - and hugged Fred tightly, "I was so worried about you."

George joined the hug again and I giggled at their silly antics. "Thanks, Andi." The guys said in unison and I giggled again. Fred grinned hugely and - while wiggling his eyebrows - told George, "Make her laugh again. I rather like the way she wiggles…"

That was wrong in so many ways… even if it was funny, but I had to get out of the situation I had just found myself in. "Oooookay and that's enough of that." I pulled myself out of their embrace - which they were generous enough to let me slip away easier than the last time - as they both gave me identical mischievous grins. I wrinkled my nose at the silly boys and asked Ginny, "Have you seen Andrew?"

"He's outside," Ginny gestured towards the open doors. "Pomfrey asked him to see if there were any injured that couldn't make it inside on their own."

"Oh," was all I managed to say. Andrew was outside. In the dark. That caused me to shudder. I looked towards the door and wondered if I dared to go out there on my own to find him. I was tired of being alone, regardless of how much I wanted to be sure Andrew was okay.

"Mum, I'm going with Andi to find her brother and to help with anyone that is hurt."

I felt relief at her words and warmth of gratitude that filled me, but still… I didn't want to take her from her family, even while I wanted desperately to find mine. So I had to ask, "Are you sure?"

Mrs. Weasley looked up when Ginny spoke to her. With tears still wet on her cheeks, the woman was up in one fluid movement and stalking over to us. My first thought was that she was another Ron and about to lay into me for something, but when she got to us Mrs. Weasley let out a sob and glomped me. She was hugging me. TIGHT. It was bone crushing and I was suffocating. "Thank you," She said through her tears.

"Welcome," I gasped out.

"Mum, she can't breathe."

"Sorry, dear." Mrs. Weasley said. She released me just as quickly as she hugged me. I wobbled on my feet from the sudden rush of air.

"So does this mean Percy is okay? No one did answer me…"

Mrs. Weasley looked over at the bed where her son still laid and her breath hitched. "We won't know until we can get him to St. Mungo's. They should be transferring him soon. Still there is a chance, which is more than he would have had if you hadn't been there." A strange shift came over her as if she had come to some sort of decision, "You two," the twins jerked to attention and I bit my lip not to laugh at them. "Go with the girls. Make sure they're safe."

"Sure, Mum." Was Fred's response as George replied with a, "No problem."

"Lead the way," George said and I grinned.

I was going to find my brother and I wasn't going alone. I had been feeling overwhelmed and even standing surrounded by the Weasley family I felt isolated. This meant that I now had a problem… I couldn't help it. I felt tears trying to break through and I refused to cry in front of anyone. So with that thought plaguing my mind, I thanked Mrs. Weasley, turned and started for the door. Ginny was beside me and the boys flanked us. It was… weird and… nice. I felt almost safe, but I didn't think I'd truly feel safe until Andrew and I were back with our parents.

It was still dark outside. I could see blue flames scattered around here and there giving off some light in the early morning hours. They seemed randomly placed. That was until we walked past a few. That was when I realized the blue flames signified a dead body was there awaiting removal. I shied away from the flames after that.

There was a dark disfigured form walking towards us. I slowed my pace as my heart began to pound a fast staccato in my chest. U-No-Poo said he called his Death Eaters and forces back for an hour, but what if some of them didn't listen? I flicked my wrist and gripped my wand, but Fred put a hand on my shoulder as he called out, "Oi, Wood."

"Oi," the tall figure said in return.

"That's Oliver Wood, he was the best Gryffindor keeper," Fred explained. "Oliver, this here is Andi, a transfer from the US." I relaxed putting my wand away and nodded a greeting just like Oliver did, but I tensed again when I noted a small body slung over his shoulder fireman's style which also explained the odd hunched shadow he made.

George asked, "Who you got there?"

"Colin Creevy," Oliver said before he sighed, "Lad should 'ave gone home with the others." He then looked at Ginny, "Just like you, lass. You stay close to yer mum when the fighting starts again."

I watched Ginny nod sadly as her eyes followed Oliver's journey into the castle. I didn't get a good look at young Colin. Not that I was trying. I wasn't eager to look at any more death if I could help it. I looked around and couldn't see anyone else out there. I started to panic, "I don't see him."

"Homenum Revelio," Fred chanted the spell beside me. I looked at him expectantly and he pointed off towards our left. "There are a few warm bodies that way and one," Fred pointed in the opposite direction, "that way."

"We'll split up," George offered. I felt panic grip me. They were abandoning me. I was going to be alone again. I swallowed hard and nodded slowly. I couldn't force them to stay with me. I was nothing to them. "Ginny and me will go to the one on the right," He pointed in the other direction just as his twin had, "Fred, you take Andi that way. Odds are in your favor if you go that way, but if someone is hurt over there, we should help them."

I looked to Fred, "You're coming with me?"

Fred's grin was immediate, "Of course."

George reminded me, "Mum would have our hides,"

"If we let anything happen to you," Fred finished.

"By saving her boys," George piped in.

"You're an honorary Weasley in our eyes," Fred concluded.

I giggled at them. "So there are other differences with identical twins versus fraternal twins like me and Andrew. We don't do that," I pointed from one twin to the other, "volley speak."

Fred and George's attitudes changed instantly. They both stepped closer to me, book ending me between them, their demeanor was intense. Ginny blinked at me asking, "You're a twin?"

I nodded slowly in my confusion. After all, I had mentioned that I was a twin in passing to George, but he apparently had missed that. George put a hand on my shoulder while Fred took a firm hold of my arm saying, "We'll find him."

I nodded quicker that time, agreeing fully, because the alternative was simply unacceptable and something I refused to think on. They finally understood my desperation to find my brother. These were twins so of course they understood the deep seeded need to ensure their other half was okay. George gave my shoulder a squeeze, "He'll be fine. We'll meet you back inside."

After that we broke from our huddle and went our separate ways. I let Fred lead since I wasn't entirely sure where he had seen the outlines of warm bodies. We must have walked for a good five minutes before I saw a crouched form. I gripped my wand as did Fred. Apparently he didn't recognize that person. I called out in a loud whisper… sort of, "Andrew?"

The shadowy form jerked at the sudden noise and rose quickly calling back loudly, "Andi?"

I knew that voice anywhere. I gasped and ran to him. "Drew!" I had to hop over a few broken statues and bits of the castle, but we met in a crash of bodies. I hugged him tightly and he held on tighter than he had ever done before. I cried. I knew that was such a girly thing to do, but I was so relieved to have my brother back that I didn't care.

"I was so worried. You didn't come to the Great Hall with everyone else. No one seemed to know where you were. That's why I was so quick to agree to come out here. Fuck, Andi, I thought you were out here hurt or dead."

"I was at the boathouse when the Dark Dude started the cease fire intermission." I pulled away to look into his eyes, "You're okay, right? I haven't done much fighting really. I threw a few spells from an arrow loop, but other than that-"

"She's been busy coming back from the dead and saving lives instead." Fred interjected.

Andrew looked startled, "What?"

"What?" I repeated.

Fred elaborated, "Okay, you weren't dead, but you were knocked out when the wall exploded. A simple rennervate didn't wake you. So we moved you aside where nothing could reach you and we'd come back for you. We were busy fighting acromantulas and then Death Eaters showed. Sorry, but we didn't have time to bring you down to the Great Hall."

"You didn't think to call for a house elf?" Andrew asked, his voice was clipped and I put a hand on his arm to calm him.

"No," Fred shrugged, "Thought never entered my mind really, not to mention that for all the times I've been in the kitchen I didn't know any of their names."

Andrew peered at him as if he just recognized him, "You seem to be doing better."

"Thanks to you the ringing in my ears let up," Fred grinned. "But it's thanks to your sister I'm alive at all."

"Anyway," I wrinkled my nose at Fred, which just made his grin bigger, before I continued with, "Did you find anyone out here that you need to help?"

"Shit, I forgot," Andrew exclaimed and went back to the person he had abandoned when I called out his name.

"Homenum Revelio," I said and looked around curiously. Nearby I saw Andrew and one more warm body… I blinked as a small form popped in and then out leaving just my brother. I then looked over in the direction that Ginny had gone with George and tilted my head as I recounted the highlighted forms.

"What's wrong?" Fred asked as he too turned in that direction. There was an edge to his voice and his wand was rising as if preparing to defend his siblings.

I touched his arm and pressed down gently to ward off any friendly fire. I then told him what had me puzzled, "There's just more people over there than I thought there would be. Ginny, George and the one they went to help. Those three I expected, but there are two more now. One at the blue flames," I pointed in that direction, "and the other is moving that way." I pointed again.

"Bugger," Fred sighed heavily, "I'd bet my last knut it's Harry."

"That's what I thought too." I stated especially since the form was moving towards the Forbidden Forest.

"Considering what we all heard You-Know-Who claim, I'd say he's gone off to face him alone so no one else will die." Fred ran his thumb along his jaw, "Harry always complained that he didn't want people dying because of him." His hand dropped and he watched my brother make his way back to us as he continued, "Harry never understood that we believed in him and are determined to fight for our own freedom… not just for him, but for everyone."

"Come on," Andrew was back at my side and nodded towards the castle. "We don't want to be out here when that hour deadline is up. Harry or no Harry, that insane asshat will be back at it. People like him don't give up or forgive easily no matter what they claim."

On our way back to the castle, Fred and Andrew grabbed a slain body of a man to bring him into the castle with the others. I extinguished the blue flames and followed them.

"Are we going to tell anyone about Harry?" I asked their retreating backs.

"No," Fred said immediately. "Ginny is convinced she's in love with the bloke, the rest of them worship him. If we tell anyone about his actions, they'd run after him and get killed too. Besides, we don't know for certain that it was him."

I couldn't argue with Fred's logic, except that I was pretty certain that was Harry. I wondered if the memories Snape had given Harry had anything to do with him taking that journey to face the evil, narcissistic, mad man. By the time we made it to the castle doors, we were met by the others. Ginny was walking beside Neville and George as they carried yet another body indoors.

Ginny and I waited as the boys entered first. By the time we followed into the Great Hall, Ginny had slipped her hand in my arm like she did the last time we walked together. The red head gave my arm a squeeze and told me in a conspiratorial tone, "Nev asked about you. You should go let him see you're alive and okay. I'm going to see if they got Percy out of here yet."

"Okay," I readily agreed. I didn't mind that arrangement at all. Not just because I wanted to talk to Neville, but because I really appreciated the Weasley siblings for taking the time to help me.

I followed the twins, my twin and Neville into the Great Hall along the left side of the room. I waited patiently as they laid the bodies side by side with the others. The four boys looked my way. Neville gave me a dimpled smile, which I returned. He swept me up in his arms and I sighed happily.

Andrew pointed over towards the cots, "I'm going back to see what still needs to be done." I nodded my understanding, but he wasn't done. "You stay with Longbottom or me. No more wandering off."

Neville's grip loosened so he could look at my brother in surprise. That's not saying that Neville let go of his hold on me. I was pressed into him, my front was snug against his side and his arm was around my waist quite possessively. I liked where I was at, so I laid my head on his shoulder. It felt good to be held by him. Neville admitted, "I like the sound of that."

I giggled at Neville and agreed with Andrew's command because I liked the sound of it too, "Okay."

"I'm jealous," Fred teased as Andrew walked away. "Andi wriggles right nicely when she giggles all pressed up against you like that."

"Fred!" I hissed. The last thing I needed was a jealous… hmm, Neville wasn't really my boyfriend yet, but possibly could be because I wasn't entirely sure what we were since all he said was he wanted to get to know me better… properly.

"I rather like it myself," Neville agreed. Hmm, so not the jealous type or he knew the twins well enough not to listen to what they said. Either way I blushed. Neville held me tighter when he saw that. He then grinned at the twins, "You two okay, then?"

"Yup," George answered, "Talk to you two later. Say goodbye, Fred."

"Goodbye, Fred," Fred said with a wave.

I giggled again and gave a wave back to them, "Thanks, guys."

Fred and George took their leave saying their good-byes and reminding me that I was an honorary part of the Weasley crew. Then the twins went so far as to threaten Neville with typical big brother nonsense about not hurting their latest addition to the family. I giggled again. I couldn't help it. They were being silly. Besides it was nice to feel relaxed enough to find humor in anything.

"I want to introduce you to Gran." Neville said to me.

"So that is her." I said with a smile.

"Excuse me?"

"I saw you talking with McGonagall and another woman."

"And you didn't stop to say hello?" Neville teased me. I really liked this playful side of his. Neville looked in the direction of where his grandmother had been standing, "Yes, that's Gran. I had no idea she was here until the break in fighting." Then he tilted his head as he looked at me, "You don't mind meeting her… do you?"

"Nope," I grinned at him giving him both dimples, "Providing she doesn't get offended that I'm filthy from all this war stuff."

Neville went to take my hand, but when he did he didn't move. He only looked at the dried blood, "Not yours…"

"No," I didn't elaborate because I knew he wasn't a huge fan of the headmaster, so I felt it would be smarter to keep quiet about just who's blood it was.

He didn't question me, "Just making sure."

Neville started leading me to his grandmother. I smirked at him, "You don't think Andrew would let me walk around injured, do you?"

"No," Neville admitted, "But I wasn't taking any chances either."

"You're sweet." I walked closer to him, our shoulders touching, until we came to a stop.

The elderly slender woman sat with a red handbag on her lap and a dainty porcelain cup in one hand, a matching saucer with a cookie in the other as if there was no war going on and she was just out to tea with friends. She was seated with Mrs. Weasley on one side and McGonagall on her other. She had been speaking with Mrs. Weasley - or more accurately tolerating the woman talking her ear off - when we got to her. The older woman was so calm when she looked up at us you'd have thought it was just any random day. That was impressive.

His Gran asked, "What have we here, Neville?"

Neville slipped his hand from mine and pressed it to my lower back as he did the introductions, "Gran, I'd like to introduce Andrea Chambers… my girlfriend." I smiled at that… a full double dimpled smile. Mrs. Weasley smiled and pressed a hand to her chest, McGonagall's lips twitched and Neville's Gran raised an eyebrow. He wasn't done with the introductions of course, "Andi, this is my grandmother, Dowager Augusta Longbottom."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ma'am." I said and hesitated not willing to extend my hand to her since both of hers were full.

The woman frowned at me, "I don't recognize your surname or your accent."

Before I could say a thing, Mrs. Weasley leaned in conspiratorially, "She's an American, that one. Smart and brave. Should have been a Gryffindor, but I hear she's a Ravenclaw. She saved Fred and… had brought Percy here for treatment."

"And you think to take my Neville across the pond?"

"I… what?" Pond? What pond?

"Gran…"

"If she's your girlfriend, I need to know if you're thinking you'll move away and-"

"Harry Potter is dead." That got everyone's attention. As much as I appreciated having the attention off of me, that wasn't good news. We all immediately looked towards the castle's doors. Many of the people were crying at the news. I shuddered and wondered if I should have tried to stop Harry when we had the chance. Neville's grip on me tightened. "He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself while you lay down your lives for him. We bring you his body as proof that your hero is gone."

The entire hall exploded with jeers. Not one of them believed U-No-Poo. Of course the egomaniac wasn't done speaking, "The battle is won. You have lost half of your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you, and the Boy-Who-Lived is finished."

I looked at Neville and he had his eyes closed tightly, his jaw was working as if he were trying to keep himself from yelling, raging or crying. I wasn't sure which. I touched his face and his eyes flew open. He looked at me and he looked so lost. I wanted to kiss away the pain, hold him until he was no longer hurting.

"There must be no more war. Anyone who continues to resist, man, woman or child, will be slaughtered, as will every member of their family. Come out of the castle now, kneel before me, and you shall be spared. Your parents and children, your brothers and sisters will live and be forgiven, and you will join me in the new world we shall build together."

"You know he's lying, right?" I asked him.

Neville held my hand to his cheek and gave me a crooked grin, "Yeah," he agreed, "Harry didn't run away. Even if he's dead, it's because he was doing something foolish and brave to save us all."

"Well that too, but I mean he won't forgive anyone. He is going to kill us all even if we just give in."

His eyes closed. Neville nodded, pressed his forehead to mine and said, "It's time to end this."


AN: Almost done. Not sure if I'm relieved or sad to see this end.