Author's musings ~ So sorry for the wait! This chapter is long, I apologize in advance! Two scenes are happening at the same time, I have split it to make it easier to follow.
Thank you for the reviews and views. I'll respond as soon as I can. Hope everyone had a Happy New year!
~ Harmony Nox 101
Shortlived Victory
Hermione whispered the Levitation Spell as Harry was flung backwards before she finally surrendered to the numbness. The last thing she saw was Harry looking around curiously before falling to the ground as her vision went black. The defenders of Hogwarts in the courtyard froze as a flash of gold surrounded them as they shrieked at the brightness. Their eyes took a little time to adjust to the scene and the responses were instantaneous.
Neville and Luna sped forward at the same time. Neville raced towards Harry's side as he knelt down in worry. He let a small sigh of relief escape his lips as he felt the slow pulse coming from Harry's right wrist.
"Harry!" Neville turned as he squinted in the darkness as a dark figure sped towards him. Ron knelt on the other side of Harry as he helped Neville lean him up against the tree.
"Is he-?" Ron choked out the question as Neville whispered he wasn't.
Luna's eyes filled with tears as she raced to her fallen friend. She slowly reached for one of Hermione's wrists. She help back a gasp as her fingers brushed across cold skin. A few tears fell as she wasn't able to find a pulse.
In the Great Hall, staff and students continued to fight Death Eaters. A golden glow beamed through the cracked window and began to fill the room. The golden color slowly faded as all movement stopped as the cloaked figures dropped their wands as they screamed before disappearing in puffs of smoke.
Fred Weasley was the first to recover as he stepped forward, holding his wand out in defense. Others began to follow him out the Great Hall as the shock wore off. Snape's cloak flowed behind him as he limped out onto the courtyard and caught a glimpse of Draco and Ginny. Nymphadora Tonks' smile fell off her face as she glanced out into the courtyard and saw a kneeling blonde in the distance. She raced passed students as she halted as she spotted Neville and Ron help a seemingly unconscious Harry Potter up between them. She stayed in her spot, torn between Harry and Luna and Hermione. She shook out of her trance as she raced towards the blonde.
She knelt on the other side of Hermione. Luna didn't look up from the sound of someone approaching nor did she show any sign of acknowledgement of the approaching figure. Tonks stared worriedly at Luna, fearful of the worst. The only sign the Ravenclaw showed of life was the gentle rise and fall of her chest. Out of the corner of her eye, Tonks glimpsed Ron and Neville pass as they carried Harry. She slowly reached out and placed her arms under Hermione's back and legs. Luna became aware as she realized what the vibrant pink haired woman was doing and helped her as they carried Hermione inside.
Neville and Ron were just a ways ahead of the women as they all shared worry for the people in their arms. Ron and Neville looked behind them at the sound of footsteps and nearly dropped Harry. Luna's eyes had lost all dreaminess as she just shook her head and nodded for them to press on. The four silently carried them down hallways as chaos began again at the sight of the teen in between Neville and Ron. Lavender had rushed over at the sight of Hermione and held the Hospital Wing doors open. Madame Pomfrey gasped at the sight that met her eyes as she turned from Draco.
She rushed over and ushered them to two beds as the four laid Harry and Hermione down. Poppy waved her wand over Harry as she sighed in relief and began ordering for someone to bring her bandages and potions. She washed the blood off his face and bandaged his chest. He hissed at her touch but made no other movement of awareness.
Poppy turned to the bed to Harry's right as she again waved her wand. Her eyebrows furrowed as she did the movement twice more.
"Minerva!" McGonagall rushed over at the shout as she met Poppy's confused face.
"I've never seen-" Poppy broke off seeing four people watching her as she cleared her throat before trying to coax them into nearby beds. The arguments that followed her action brought a small smile to her face.
"You need rest. Your friends are in good hands." She reasoned as McGonagall reassured them. The four looked weary before surrendering to the two's wishes.
Poppy and McGonagall turned back to Hermione as Poppy waved her wand once again over the unconscious girl.
"What does it mean?" Minerva asked as her companion shook her head in confusion.
"I've never seen this before, Minerva." McGonagall watched one of her favorite students in concern before she took a seat next to her. Poppy bustled away mumbling anything she could think of that would explain Hermione's state.
In the portrait above a spiral staircase, the auburn haired woman turned to her companion and smiled, "He succeeded."
Shouts reached their ears as the couple tried to decipher what was causing the commotion. They could barely make out anything, it was all a jumble. They did however, pick up two words: Harry and Hermione.
The man turned and ran down a path behind him as the woman blinked her eyes furiously. She closed her eyes as she stepped forward and made her way down the dark spiral. An ethereal glow followed her as it lit the hallways as she walked further into the castle's depths.
She walked and walked until she stood in front of a familiar door and walked through it. She scanned the beds as she sent wishes to everyone she passed. She stopped in front of a bed that held a raven haired boy as a tear fell from her eye. Her green eyes travelled to the bed to his right as she saw a girl with curly brown hair. She smiled softly at the sight of her favorite Professor at her side. One of the two was breathing, the other wasn't. She stood theire frozen in a silent vigil.
Harry and Hermione lay in their beds unmoving, unconcious, and unaware of the chaos around them. Most of all, they were unaware of female watching over them.