Chapter 36: The Story's End

The wait didn't last long. Adalwin's directions were strong enough to lead us to the correct spot by three in the afternoon, four hours after the letter's arrival. The real wait was until time for attack. The Auror's were checking every detail and I was told we would not be going in until at least midnight. It gave me nine hours to convince my father to let me go to the place where they had my Lise.

I stood from the window seat I again found myself at and walked towards the bedroom door. "What are you doing? That blue head boy told us not to leave this room." Scorpius looked up at me from his solemn stares.

"First Malfoy, his name is Teddy Lupin. Second, Teddy told us that before the letter arrived which changes the stakes don't you think? I am going with the Aurors tonight and you can come too if you help me convince them."

His face lit up at the idea of being able to go and together we slipped from the room and into the hall. A hand grabbed me from behind and I felt myself be pulled backwards into Lily's room.

"Lily! Let go of me!" My voice was a harsh whisper, hoping not to attract anyone below. Another pair of hands attached themselves to my arm and I gave up struggling.

"Neither of you are going down there without us!" I heard Rose from behind and as the door shut behind Scorpius and I.

I turned to see Rose, Lily and Hugo all standing in a line by the windows. "Lily and Hugo can't come. They are underage!"

"But I am coming!" Rose put her hands on her hips and stared me coldly in the eyes as I tried to figure out an excuse to leave her here.

"Rose, it will be dangerous. I think we would all feel better if you stayed." Scorpius moved in front of me and took her hand. "Please stay. I lost my sister, maybe for good and I don't want to risk losing you too."

Everyone just stared at the boy. No one in their right mind would tell Rose that she couldn't do something because it was dangerous. But the way he spoke to her made me pause an extra second. Could it really be that Scorpius and Rose were falling in love?

"Scorp, I'm going. I need to do this for Lily, Hugo and Lucy. No matter what they won't be able to come and they want to help too." I wanted to practically gag as I watched the two of them. Sure Lise was a Malfoy just like Scorpius but at least I considered her a friend for almost five years before I looked at her that way. Ok, maybe four.

"I don't care if you come at this point, Rose. Can we just go and get permission or at least try to?" Rose and Scorpius nodded, quickly slipping out of the room. I saw Lily open her mouth to protest but quickly followed them before she could say a word.

Dad looked up the second we walked into the living room. "I get the impression that you three want to come along tonight." I opened my mouth to defend us when he put up his hand. "In sixth year I went on a trip someone underage would never go on. Dumbledore made me promise one thing- that I would obey ever order he gave me. I think it is only fair to let you come if you agree to this."

I was in shock that the chance was right before us, and eagerly nodded my head along with Rose and Scorpius.

"Now, Phoenix team will be the first to enter the compound. I want Pegasus here and Centaur stationed here." We approached the coffee table to see a large hologram map spread out with model movers. I looked as a herd of model centaurs galloped towards a large cliff where my father was pointing, each with a number on their back.

"Which team are we?" I noticed the smirk on my dads face as he made three miniature owls appear and fly to the farthest tree on the map. "Dad, that's not fair! We are overage!"
"Quiet and listen. Albus is owl one, Rose is two and Scorpius is three. Begin offensive play." My eyes traveled to owl one as the figures rushed into place. The Phoenix team lined up in front of the doors and suddenly my owl leaped into the air landed beside the head phoenix I took to be my father. The owl had left it's wings behind a large rock and only a few seconds after bursting through the doors returned with a small kitten in it's arms and taking the wings flew back in the direction of London.

"Albus just get Lise and get out. If you hadn't figured it out the wings will be my old firebolt." I couldn't help but smile as my father handed me the key to the broom shed.

**

I looked at the black haired girl sitting beside me and the thought that she was that small kitten on the plan board made my voice waver. I could only brushed the hair out of her eyes as I cried.

**

(Lise POV)

My Albus was crying now. It scared me to see him look so weak, so sad and lost. Adalwin had been right; his strength that I had known for the last five years was what gave me courage in that dreadful place. And now I watched the strength fail slowly. I buried my face in his chest and close my eyes just listening to his quiet breathing.

"Did you mean it? All those time you said you loved me while I was gone?" I wondered how I had been able to wait so long to ask. There were moments I hadn't even heard what came next, the words 'I love her.'

"Of course I did." I smiled and took a deep breath as I felt his chest rise and lower against my face while he softly twisted my hair around his fingers. "After that we…"

I could sense his voice wavering again. "Shh, you don't need to tell me anymore. I know what happened after that enough. I don't want to hear about more deaths because of me." Albus only nodded and moved my head so he could look into my eyes as he took my hand.

I had dreamed of those emerald eyes for days, just wanting to look into them once more and now I was. Waking up to them this morning was special, but nothing like now when I knew no one could take them away from me again.

"We should get inside. Your nose is turning red from the cold." He scooped me up in his arms.

"Al! I need to try walking or you will have to carry me for the rest of your life!" I laughed but wrapped my arm around his shoulder anyways.

"I know, but I'm not sure that would be so bad. I wouldn't have to worry about losing you again." The only thing I could do at that point was kiss him.

To be honest- I am very glad to be writing as Lise again!!!!!!!!!!! (The last few chaps (maybe 2) will take forever though because I had the last chapter written on my laptop that crashed and im still trying to get it back before I re-write it)