A/N - All right, here it is the final chapter before the epilogue. Wow, I can't believe we're at the end almost! It's a long one, but I didn't want to cut it as there really was no good place to. I hope you all like the differences between this and canon and I promise that any lingering questions about what has happened to any characters will be answered in the epilogue. I haven't written it yet, but I have it outlined, so it may be up before next Tuesday, we'll see what happens. Thanks for reading!
Chapter 35
Final Battle
1 May 1998
They landed in the middle of the pub which was already crowded. Winky disappeared after bowing to them both, going, Catherine assumed, up to the school to join the rest of the House elves. Sirius and Catherine turned their attention to the crowd of people which seemed to be heading for the staircase near the bar.
"Padfoot," Remus said as he saw them approach.
"What's going on Moony?" Sirius asked.
"Apparently there is a secret passage from here up to the school," Remus replied.
"Secret passage?" Sirius repeated with a frown. "How did we never find this one? Would have made things a hell of a lot more interesting." Remus chuckled as Catherine rolled her eyes.
"Harry is really here?" Catherine asked.
"According to the D.A., yes," Remus reported. "Fred and George put the word out to the rest of us once they'd heard." There was another pop and Bill and Fleur appeared behind them, followed closely by Molly and Arthur.
"Remus," Molly said immediately. "Have you heard anything?"
"They're fine Molly, as far as I know," Remus told her. She clutched at her chest and Arthur wrapped an arm around her, kissing her temple.
"The twins left before we did," Arthur explained. "They didn't tell us much before they left." They all continued to walk up the stairs as they talked and were soon in Aberforth's quarters. Catherine watched as everyone climbed up onto the mantel and disappeared into the hole above.
Sirius climbed up first and then held a hand out to her, helping her up after him. They walked along the tunnel, not speaking much as they made their ascent. Catherine knew that Sirius' thoughts were on Harry. She was thinking of him too, but also trying to prepare herself for what was about to happen. She was not anywhere near naïve enough to think that they would all make it through the upcoming battle unscathed.
Sirius gave her hand a squeeze and offered her a small smile as they reached the opposite end of the tunnel. They climbed the steps and then came out into another large room, starting to fill with people. She looked around in surprise at the hammocks that hung from the ceiling and walls and three of the four house banners. There was a small group of teens gathered together, but she didn't see Harry, Ron or Hermione anywhere.
"Where is he?" Sirius asked, also scanning the crowd.
"I don't know," Catherine returned. Sirius crossed the room towards Fred and George.
"Where's Harry?" he questioned. "I thought he was here."
"He is," George informed him. "He and Luna left a little bit ago. Something about a diadem."
"Ravenclaw's diadem?" Catherine said in surprise.
"Yes, that was it," Fred replied. Sirius pulled her aside.
"Do you think that's it?" he asked lowly.
"I don't know Sirius, it's been missing for centuries," Catherine said shaking her head. Before they could contemplate it further, a door opened to their right and moments later Luna Lovegood walked into the room, Harry right behind her. He looked around the room in surprise.
"Harry," Sirius said and then began making his way through the crowd. Catherine followed behind him and Sirius already had Harry in his embrace when she reached them. Sirius pulled away, his hands still on Harry's shoulders and just stared at him for a few moments.
"Erm…I'm sorry?" Harry said sheepishly and Sirius began to laugh. He hugged Harry again and clapped him on the back before releasing him to Catherine.
"Oh, Harry," she said hugging him tightly. "Thank Merlin you're all right. We will talk about this later." He grinned at her and she was glad for the moment of normalcy despite what was going on.
"What's going on Harry?" Remus said as he reached the teen's side. Harry sighed and looked out over the room.
"Voldemort's coming, McGonagall and the others are getting the school ready for an attack," he said. "Snape's gone. How did you all get here?"
"Fred and George," Remus explained. "Arthur and I informed the rest of the Order."
"What's the plan Harry?" George called out over the crowd.
"They're evacuating the younger students," Harry said. "The rest of us are supposed to meet in the Great Hall. To fight." A cheer erupted in the room and most of the crowd began making their way to the door to head to the Great Hall.
"Sirius," Catherine said, giving him a nudge. "Dean did escape." She pointed to the boy who was currently holding a hand out to Luna. Sirius nodded.
"Andromeda will be happy to hear it," Remus said from her other side.
The three of them lingered behind the crowd. Molly was arguing with Ginny about fighting, the rest of the Weasleys standing around them. Catherine was reminded of Ellie and was immensely glad that her daughter was far away from here and safe, regardless of how much Catherine missed her and the rest of the children.
Just as her family had convinced Ginny that she had to go home, there was noise at the mouth of the tunnel and to everyone's astonishment, Percy Weasley tumbled out. He jumped up and began speaking before he realized his family was all staring at him. The silence that engulfed them all was deafening. Catherine turned to Remus.
"How is Teddy?" she asked, trying to ignore the family tableau that was playing out in front of them.
"Oh, yes, he's, ah, he's wonderful," Remus said with a smile. "He's with Dora at her mother's house. Wait I've got a picture." He pulled a photograph from the inside of his robes and held it out to them. She, Sirius and Harry all crowded around to get a look at it. The tiny baby with turquoise hair waved his fists in the air at them. Sirius chuckled. When Remus had held the mirror up for them to see, Teddy's hair had been orange.
Percy said something and soon all of the Weasleys were crying and hugging their wayward member and each other. Once they had finished with their reconciliation, a bargain was struck in which Ginny would remain in the room while the fighting was going on. The rest of the Weasleys made their way to the door and Harry turned to Ginny asking where Ron and Hermione were. She told him they had said something about a bathroom, but no one seemed to know what that meant. Harry opened his mouth to say something else, but before he could he fell to his knees, grasping at his scar.
"He's here," Harry croaked as Sirius and Catherine reached him. Their eyes met over Harry's head. It was time.
The three of them made their way into the Great Hall where Minerva was already speaking. The rest of the professors and the Order were standing on the dais behind her. Sirius squeezed Harry's shoulder and he and Catherine went to join their fellow Order members. Catherine caught sight of Poppy as she walked past and patted the matron's arm quickly before Sirius pulled her to stand next to Remus.
Sirius and Remus barely held in their laughter when Minerva explained that Snape had 'done a bunk'. Catherine had to admit that it was quite the turn of phrase to come from the normally stern professor's lips. Catherine smacked the both of the lightly on the arms as Minerva continued to explain the evacuation procedures. None of them were prepared for the monstrous voice that interrupted her.
"I know you are preparing to fight. Your efforts are futile. You cannot fight me. I do not want to kill you. I have great respect for the teachers of Hogwarts. I do not want to spill magical blood."
"Give me Harry Potter," the voice continued, "and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter and you will be rewarded. You have until midnight." (1)
Catherine watched as every set of eyes in the Hall turned toward Harry. He stood immobile, looking back at them as a girl rose from the Slytherin table. Sirius nearly vaulted over the head table as she spoke and pointed Harry out, but Catherine grabbed his arm and held him back.
"Look," she breathed. They watched in awe as the Gryffindors rose as one and pointed their wands at Pansy Parkinson. The Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws followed suit until Harry was completely surrounded by students, all of them training their wands on Pansy.
"Incredible," Remus whispered. Catherine could not respond, so large was the lump in her throat. Neither, it seemed, could Sirius, as he merely squeezed her hand and swallowed a few times. The silence was broken by Minerva instructing the houses to begin their evacuations.
"Have you seen Ron and Hermione?" Harry asked them. They shook their heads and Arthur looked up in concern. He was interrupted by Kingsley laying out their battle plans. Catherine hurried towards Poppy who was gathering the lingering Gryffindors to lead them to the evacuation point.
"Poppy, are you setting up in here once you're finished?" Catherine asked.
"Yes, I planned to," she returned, grabbing the shoulder of an underage student and steering him towards the door. "Will you be helping me?"
"I'm not sure," Catherine admitted. "At some point probably. Let me know if you need me?" Poppy nodded and grabbed the last of her charges before exiting the Hall. Catherine began to make her way back to Sirius.
"Potter," Minerva said as she passed. "Don't you have something to do?"
"Oh, right," Harry said and left the Hall before Catherine could stop him.
"Where's Harry?" Sirius asked once she had reached him.
"Apparently he has something he's supposed to be doing," Catherine said giving Sirius a pointed look.
"Right," he nodded in understanding. "Well, we suspected that there was one here."
"I hope he has a good idea of just where," Catherine replied, thinking of the vastness of the castle.
"I'm sure he wouldn't have come back here without knowing that," Sirius said. Catherine wasn't so sure about that, but she said nothing.
They sat at the Gryffindor table, going over the plans as Kingsley gave out assignments. Sirius would lead one of the groups out onto the grounds. She was put with Filius' group on Ravenclaw tower.
"Catherine," he said as they stood and made ready to go to their respective places.
"Don't ask me Sirius, please," she begged.
"Poppy will need help," he insisted.
"And I've told her to let me know if she needs me," Catherine returned. "But, Sirius, I am going to fight. I have to." He stared at her for a few seconds, brushing a curl back from her forehead. Then he grabbed her in a fierce hug.
"Do NOT die on me, do you understand?" he choked. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder, pulling in a deep breath.
"As long as you promise the same," she replied looking up at him. He lowered his head and kissed her, slowly and deeply, the kiss full of more promise than any words he could have spoken.
"I love you," he said when he released her. She put a hand to his cheek.
"I love you," she echoed. He kissed her palm and then let her go. She watched him as he left with Remus and Arthur until they were gone from sight. And then she turned and squared her shoulders, following Filius and the rest of their group up to Ravenclaw Tower.
2 May 1998
They stood waiting looking down over the grounds as the clock struck midnight. Immediately after a great blast shook the castle.
"They will try to dismantle the wards first," Filius called out to his group of fighters. "Do not hesitate if any of them come into the open. I do not have to tell you that the more of the enemy we can remove from the fight…permanently, the better our odds." He looked about grimly and Catherine could instantly see why he had been a dueling champion all those years in a row.
There were nods all around and Catherine's breath was shaky as she turned her attention to the grounds below. Another blast rocked the castle and to her horror, giants began lumbering from the forest beyond.
"Sweet Merlin," someone whispered and then spells began to fly. Catherine's eyes hardened and she shut off everything going on around her and cast as if her life depended on it.
It did not take long for the last of the wards around the school to fall and when they did, the Death Eaters did not hesitate to move into the castle. When the scene outside became too chaotic to determine just who was an enemy and who was not, Filius ordered them all to fight where and how they could. Most of them left the relative safety of the tower, choosing instead to join the fighters on the grounds or to help those guarding the various entrances.
She ran down the stairs towards the Great Hall, planning on checking in with Poppy before looking for Sirius. As she ran, she saw Tonks coming towards her.
"Tonks?" Catherine questioned incredulously. "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be with Teddy."
"I left him with my mum," Tonks replied as the two women jogged down the stairs. "I just couldn't sit there, just waiting." She looked at Catherine, her eyes begging her to understand. And Catherine did, completely. She gave the younger woman a smile.
"Have you seen Remus?" Tonks asked.
"No, but I've been up in Ravenclaw tower," she replied. "Have you seen Sirius?"
"No, I just got here a bit ago," Tonks informed her. "I saw Harry though."
"Where?" Catherine demanded.
"He came into the room that the tunnel ends up in," Tonks explained as they continued their journey towards the Great Hall. They stopped to dodge spells now and then and once they had to take shelter behind a statue and battle a Death Eater before they continued on. "He told Ginny, Mrs. Longbottom and I we had to leave for a few minutes because there was something he needed to do in there. He was fine when we left."
They had reached the Great Hall and Catherine ducked inside while Tonks continued towards the front doors, having heard that Remus was on the grounds.
"Poppy!" Catherine called as she stepped in the Great Hall. It was still relatively empty and Poppy waved her off as she approached.
"I'm fine for now," Poppy told her. Catherine nodded and ran back out towards the doors to the grounds. She didn't make it far as she caught sight of Sirius dueling someone on the front steps. She stood frozen for a moment, simply watching him as his wand slashed through the air and he shifted and moved in some kind of bizarre dance. Shaking her head to clear it, she walked towards him slowly, keeping close to the wall to keep from being seen.
His eyes flicked to hers as she approached and he gave her an almost imperceptible nod. They had practiced this way over the months they were alone at Grimmauld, sparring and dueling whenever the sadness or anger got the best of them.
She shifted as Sirius did, throwing up a shield as she moved into the sight of whoever had him pinned down. She cast a blasting hex before the Death Eater could fully register her presence and he was thrown from his feet and into the air, coming to rest in a broken heap a few yards away.
Sirius grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her to him just as another curse flew through the spot she had just been standing. He countered with one of his own, the man falling to the ground and howling in pain as the cutting curse sliced through his belly. Sirius looked at her, his eyes smoldering and kissed her fiercely before they moved together out onto the grounds.
They fought back to back for so long Catherine had no idea how much time had actually passed. She was running on adrenaline and instinct and Sirius was the same. There were shouts and screams from all around them, blasts rocked the castle and showers of stone and clods of earth flew at them every so often. Catherine tried to block it all out, but there were times when even she had to turn her head away from the death and destruction in front of her.
It was she that saw Colin Creevy sliced open by an eviscerating curse. There was nothing she could do for him once she reached him but hold his hand while Sirius shielded them. Fighting back sobs when his eyes finally closed for the last time, she levitated his body until it was up against the side of the castle wall, where it was hidden a bit in a nook. She would come back for him later. She didn't even know what he was doing here given he was underage and a Muggle-born to boot. She distinctly remembered Minerva forcing him to leave with the rest of the students, but supposed he must have snuck back in somehow.
There was no time to grieve for a life lost far too soon as she was fighting again as soon as she was on her feet. The giants Voldemort had brought with him were wreaking havoc on the grounds and the walls of the castle. As she glanced toward the forest she saw dozens of gigantic spiders scurrying over the grounds.
"Sirius," she hissed, pointing towards them just as a huge fist moved forward and punched the wall of the castle. There were screams of agony as stone rained down and people were pinned beneath it. As she watched the giant grunted and bent down, picked up one of the spiders and shoved it through the hole he had made. Its fellows quickly followed suit. Shuddering, she turned back to Sirius who grabbed her hand and yanked her backwards as Fenrir Greyback charged forward, loping like the wolf he was. Sirius shot a stunning spell at him, but it missed.
"We can't let him get inside," Catherine shouted.
"I know," Sirius returned running after the werewolf. He cast again and again, Catherine shielding him from behind, but nothing seemed to connect. It wasn't until they had almost reached the front steps again that Sirius brought him down. It wasn't for long though as soon they were in another battle with two more Death Eaters. When they had finally gotten away, Fenrir had disappeared.
Before she could move a swarm of Acromantulas were nearly upon them and she grabbed Sirius' hand and pulled him away from the front of the castle and they ran to the left, away from the doors. Breath heaving, they stopped and Catherine bent double, her hands on her knees trying to catch her breath. Sirius leaned back against the stone wall, the two of them alone for a moment.
She looked at her husband, his face streaked with dirt, a cut under his right eye and a long scratch down his left cheek. His left sleeve was half torn off and there were rips in the front of his shirt. One knee of his trousers had split. She was sure she looked just as bad, if not worse than him, but they were still alive.
Their minute of respite was interrupted by a great shaking of the ground and they looked up to see two giants, one much smaller than the others, advancing on each other snarling in warning. Their two great bodies crashed together and Catherine hoped that anyone around them had gotten far out of the way before the two hit the ground. There were masses of people running everywhere, lights from spells flying over the grounds. She was tired, so tired and still she knew that they couldn't stop.
"We've got to go back inside," Sirius told her. "Too many of them have gotten in." Catherine nodded and stood upright to follow him. Light caught her eye and she turned toward the forest in time to see three Patronuses streak into the night.
"Sirius," she said grabbing his arm and spinning him around. He raised his wand to cast his own, but they were too far away. Suddenly a great stag burst forth and Catherine's hand tightened on Sirius' arm.
"Harry," he whispered. "He's all right."
"He is," Catherine agreed, nearly laughing in delight. The Dementors had scattered back towards the forest. She tugged at Sirius' arm. "Come on, let's get inside." He stood and stared at the spot where the stag had been for a few more seconds before turning and following her.
They had not been inside the castle long when they heard it. Voldemort's high, cold voice telling his forces to retreat and giving Harry an hour to give himself up and his promise to slaughter every single person inside if Harry did not come to him by then.
Sirius swore under his breath as their fighters moved toward the Great Hall, many supporting their fellow comrades, some carrying bodies.
"Sirius, Colin," Catherine said remembering. Sirius nodded and went back outside to get the boy's body. Catherine made her way into the Great Hall, searching for Poppy.
The mediwitch was fervently working over a girl that Catherine didn't immediately recognize, given the fact that her face had been savaged. When she got closer and saw the Gryffindor emblem on the girl's jumper she realized it was Lavender Brown.
"What can I do?" she asked immediately and Poppy glanced at her sadly.
"Nothing I'm afraid," she said gently closing Lavender's eyes. There was a wail and Catherine turned to see Pavarti Patil running across the Hall and falling to her knees beside her friend. Catherine ran a hand over Pavarti's head as the girl gathered Lavender's hand in her own and began to cry.
Sirius appeared carrying Colin's body and he laid him gently next to Lavender. Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas came to stand behind Pavarti, each with a hand on her shoulders, mourning their Housemates. Catherine surreptitiously healed the cuts on their arms and faces before turning back to Poppy.
"Put me to work," she said and Poppy indicated a group of students sitting on the dais for the Head table. Catherine started towards them when there was a shriek from behind her. Half the room turned, their wands drawn. Catherine gasped and grabbed Sirius' arm for support.
Percy Weasley entered the Hall carrying the body of one of his brothers. Catherine quickly looked behind him and saw Ginny with her arm around George. The man in Percy's arms was Fred.
"No," Molly said as they walked towards her. "Oh Freddie, no. Not my baby, no." Tears ran down Catherine's face and Sirius wrapped an arm around her and held on tightly. Percy reached his mother and Molly cupped Fred's still face in her hands, then leaned forward and kissed his forehead. Arthur stood beside Percy, a firm grip on his arm. Ginny and George were sobbing and barely able to still stand. Sirius let go of his wife and walked forward, Poppy reaching them at the same time. Sirius took George and Poppy, Ginny, leading them towards an empty spot near the back wall. Poppy summoned a cot and Percy lay Fred down gently. George pulled away from Sirius and knelt at his brother's head and Molly sank to her knees at his side. The rest of the family gathered around, Bill and Fleur having just come into the Hall.
Catherine covered her mouth with her hand, the tears streaming down her face in silent witness of unbearable grief. Sirius came back to her and wrapped her in his arms, his own tears threatening.
"Help," a voice called and Catherine and Sirius turned toward the doors. A very bloody Tonks stood shakily in the doorway. "Please, help." She crumpled before either of them had even started moving, but Sirius nearly flew to her side and picked her up almost as soon as she had hit the floor. He hurriedly moved back towards Catherine and she ran forward to meet him.
"Tonks," Catherine said as she reached them.
"Catherine," Tonks whispered her voice raspy. She coughed and blood dripped from her mouth. "Remus."
"It's all right," Catherine soothed, directing Sirius to bring her to one of the cots nearby. "We'll find him." She was already running diagnostics over the younger witch.
"No," Tonks shook her head. "Out-out…side." She began to cough again as Sirius laid her down.
"Shh, don't try to talk," Catherine said quietly. "Just lay still." She ran her wand over Tonks' ravaged body. She had many broken ribs and one of her lungs was punctured. There were more internal injuries and Catherine was already running through her options when Tonks reached up and grabbed her arm with surprising strength.
"Help…Remus," she managed. "Out…side." Sirius looked at Catherine and then turned and rushed outside. Catherine turned back to Tonks and was joined quickly by Poppy.
"The damage is extensive," Poppy said grimly. Catherine nodded, refusing to believe that she wouldn't be able to save her friend. Poppy summoned a few vials of potions and got Tonks to drink them. Catherine was working hurriedly, trying to repair the internal injuries as quickly as she could. She glanced at the doors of the Hall every few moments, hoping to see Sirius coming back in with Remus.
Poppy had joined in and was healing the punctured lung when Sirius lurched through the door, carrying Remus. Catherine gasped. Remus looked dead.
"Go," Poppy ordered. "I'll keep on here." Catherine ran to her husband.
"Is he…" she trailed off, unable to voice her dread.
"He's still alive," Sirius said, walking quickly toward an empty cot. "But barely." Catherine immediately ran a diagnostic over him as soon as Sirius laid him down. Remus had cuts and bruises everywhere, just like the rest of them, but Catherine couldn't find the source of the injury that would explain his barely there pulse. The diagnostic was reading oddly as well. She ran it again and frowned as it read differently than it had the first time. Sirius was watching her intently, his eyes full of worry.
"What is it?" he finally asked.
"I don't," she paused casting the diagnostic again. "Oh Merlin."
"What?" Sirius said tersely.
"It's some kind of curse," she said. "It's shutting down his organs one by one. Poppy!" The mediwitch looked their way, but it was obvious she had her hands full trying to heal Tonks. Catherine explained the situation.
"It is the same curse that Miss Granger was hit with two years ago," Poppy replied. "Its effects were muted because it was cast non-verbally."
"The potions, Poppy," Catherine said frantically.
"We don't have all of them," Poppy replied. "And even if we did, it would be too late. The potions worked with Miss Granger because the damage was not as bad as usual, nor did it move as quickly." Catherine shook her head in denial. She refused to believe that there was nothing they could do. "There is a counter-curse." Catherine and Sirius looked up hopefully.
"Minerva!" the matron called. Minerva turned from the students she had been tending to and hurried toward them. Poppy quickly explained, even as Catherine frantically kept watching the diagnostics on Remus change. His breathing stuttered and then continued, but it was even shallower than it had been.
"Can you do it?" Catherine asked as Minerva joined her at Remus' side.
"I think so," Minerva replied. "But it has been quite some time since I've see this. It was a special of Dolohov's in the first war, but usually it was too late to help. The counter-curse is long and complicated and we do not have much time." She held her wand over Remus and began the incantation.
Catherine continued to monitor Remus' condition and it didn't seem as if Minerva had been speaking for more than a few seconds before Remus' heart began to stutter.
"Oh no you don't," Catherine snapped. She stuck her wand in her sleeve and bent over Remus. If they couldn't keep him alive with magic, she would just have to do it the Muggle way. She began CPR and Sirius grabbed her arm and tried to pull her away.
"What are you doing?" he demanded.
"Keeping Remus alive long enough for Minerva to finish," she said pulling away from him. "It's Muggle CPR. I'm not hurting him." She turned back to Remus and started the chest compressions again. To her credit, Minerva hadn't faltered, although her eyes had widened in surprise for a few moments.
"You are not going to die on me, Remus Lupin," Catherine ordered as she worked over him. "Do you understand me?"
"Can I help?" Sirius asked.
"Hold onto Minerva," Catherine instructed looking up at the older witch. "She looks like she's about to fall over." Sirius grasped Minerva's arm with one hand and put another around her waist to support her. Catherine saw the professor lean into him slightly as she continued.
"Come on Remus," Catherine continued. "Breathe. Think of Teddy. He needs his daddy. And Tonks. She loves you so much. Please Remus." A small group of students had gathered around them and Catherine glanced at them and saw Dean, the only Muggle-born, standing amongst them.
"Dean, do you know CPR?" she questioned.
"Uh, sort of," he replied looking at her in surprise.
"Can you at least do the breathing?" she asked. He nodded firmly. "Come on then." Dean walked up to his former professor's head and did mouth-to-mouth when Catherine instructed him to. She glanced at Minerva. The woman had sweat running down her face and Sirius was now supporting her wand arm as well. Poppy came over a few seconds later with a few vials of potions.
"Tonks?" Catherine questioned even as she continued the chest compressions.
"Critical but stable for now," Poppy answered. "Mr. Thomas step aside for a moment." Poppy poured the potions into Remus' mouth and massaged his throat to get him to swallow them. "It's not nearly everything he needs, but it's all I have." She pulled Catherine back and ran another diagnostic over Remus. The two looked at it grimly for a second before there was a bright yellow glow as Minerva finished the incantation. She slumped against Sirius who conjured a chair and eased her into it.
"Well?" Minerva asked tiredly. Poppy shook her head sadly, but Catherine refused to give up. She resumed the chest compressions and all the while her mind was racing. If they could figure out a way to shock Remus' heart, they might have a chance. The diagnostic had shown that the counter-curse was working, just too slowly. But if they could get his heart going on its own, it might buy him enough time to let the counter-curse do its work.
"Sirius," she said as she continued. Her arms and her wrists ached, but she ignored it. "The stinging jinx, the one you hit Ethan with last summer," she said. "It was different than a regular stinging hex because his arm didn't swell up."
"Yes," Sirius agreed, not understanding what she was getting at.
"It was more like a shock, wasn't it?" she asked. He nodded. "I want you to do the same thing to Remus, but aim it at his heart." Sirius' mouth dropped open. "And I want you to put more than a little extra into it."
"Why?" he asked incredulously.
"When someone's heart stops beating, Muggles have what's called a defibrillator," she explained. "Basically it delivers a shock to the heart which makes it start beating normally again."
"That's barbaric," Sirius said aghast.
"No, it really isn't," she insisted. "And it's saved countless lives." Sirius just stared at her. "Poppy doesn't have the potions we need and the counter-curse isn't working fast enough. And this won't work forever." Tears began to roll down her cheeks. "He's going to die Sirius, we have to do something."
"It's true," Dean piped up. "What she said about the defibrillator. It saved my grandfather." Sirius glanced at the boy beside him and then back at his wife. He looked down at his friend who Catherine was apparently keeping alive by pounding on his chest.
"Please," Catherine begged. Finally Sirius nodded. The tears blurred Catherine's vision and it was Poppy who directed Sirius on where to point his wand. Dean moved back and Catherine blinked so she could see Sirius clearly.
"Tell me when you're ready," Catherine said. Sirius pulled in a breath and then nodded to his wife. Catherine lifted her hands from Remus as Sirius cast the spell. Remus' body bowed and slammed back down to the cot and Catherine held her breath as she looked at Poppy's diagnostic. Remus' heart stuttered for a few moments and then stopped.
"Do it again," Catherine ordered. Sirius shook his head. "Yes, it often takes more than once for Muggles too." Sirius grimaced, but cast the spell again and then looked back at the two Healers expectantly. Remus' heart stuttered again and for a moment Catherine thought it would stop once more, but instead it began to beat. Slowly, but it was beating. Poppy ran for another potion and Catherine grabbed Sirius' hand, squeezing it tightly as they both watched the diagnostic. Poppy returned with the potion and got Remus to drink it. The group seemed to let out a collective breath of relief when Remus' heart continued beating at a more normal rate of speed.
"Will he be all right?" a quiet voice asked and Catherine turned to see Hermione's tear-streaked face.
"He's got a better chance than he did five minutes ago," Catherine replied. "Although he's not out of the woods just yet." Hermione nodded and Catherine hugged her.
"How are the Weasleys?" Catherine asked as she pulled back. Hermione shrugged.
"Not very well," she said and Catherine simply nodded. "What about Tonks?"
"There's a lot of internal damage," Catherine explained as the two of them looked over at Poppy who was once again working on the young metamorph. "But she's got a good chance."
"Hermione, where's Harry?" Sirius asked gently.
"Oh, I thought," she looked back toward the group of gathered redheads in confusion and then around the rest of the Hall. "He had to do something."
"What?" Sirius asked. He pulled the girl a few steps away from everyone else and Catherine followed. "Does this have to do with, you know?"
"Um, sort of," Hermione replied biting her lip. "We found the diadem." Catherine gasped in shock. "So now all that's left is the snake."
"But where is Harry?" Sirius repeated.
"He had to, um, he went," she was wringing her hands in front of her.
"Sweetheart, just tell us please," Catherine said gently, putting a hand on her arm.
"Professor Snape is dead," Hermione blurted. Catherine looked at her in shock. "We saw, we saw," but she covered her face with her hands and began to cry again. Catherine pulled the girl into her arms and soothed her as best she could.
"The sn-snake," Hermione said. "You-you-Know-Who set the sn-snake on Professor Snape."
"Why?" Sirius asked in confusion. Hermione shook her head and pulled away from Catherine.
"It's a long story, but Professor Snape gave Harry some memories before he, before he d-died and I think Harry's gone to look at them," she said.
"Why would Harry want to see Snape's memories?" Sirius demanded. "Why would Snape give them to him for that matter?"
"I'm not sure," Hermione admitted. Catherine's brow had furrowed.
"Catherine?" Sirius questioned.
"He told me," she said.
"Who told you what?" Sirius asked.
"Severus," she said. "He told me that all wasn't always as it seemed." Sirius stared at her, but Hermione nodded.
"Professor Dumbledore always trusted him," Hermione said. Catherine nodded absently. She was remembering her long ago conversation with the Potions Master.
"Sure he trusted him right up until Snape blasted him off the top of the Astronomy Tower," Sirius snapped. Catherine shook her head.
"It doesn't matter now," she said turning back to Hermione. "Where did he go to look at the memories?"
"I don't know," Hermione replied. "Maybe Professor Dumbledore's office? I know he had a Pensieve." Sirius glanced at his watch. Nearly forty-five minutes had passed since Voldemort's last announcement.
"I've got to go find him," Sirius said looking back at his wife. Catherine knew that he was worried Harry would do something stupid like try to take on Voldemort on his own. She nodded, then turned to look at Remus and Tonks. Poppy was still working on Tonks and more injured were being brought in all the time.
"You stay," Sirius told her. "Poppy needs you here."
"I could go with you," Hermione offered, rather unconvincingly as she looked back to where Ron stood with the rest of his family.
"No, Hermione," Sirius said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "It's all right." She nodded and drifted back towards the Weasleys.
"Be careful," Catherine said to Sirius. He nodded and kissed her, then quickly made his way out of the Great Hall.
She moved back to tend to her patients, watching Remus closely, although he seemed to be holding his own. There was nothing much she could do for him without the potions they needed, except let the counter-curse work. Minerva had taken Pepper-up once she'd finished and was currently helping Filius and Pomona repair some of the windows in the Hall.
Poppy had done everything she could for Tonks as well and while her situation was still as precarious as Remus', all they could do now was wait. Both Catherine and Poppy tended to some of the less injured students and the able-bodied were still carrying in the dead from outside. Catherine kept glancing at her watch seeing the allotted hour tick away faster and faster and wondered if Sirius had found Harry.
They had made the decision to move the injured into the small antechamber off the Great Hall. Catherine and Poppy wanted to transport them to the Hospital Wing, but parts of the castle were too damaged to allow it, not to mention the fact that some, such as Tonks and Remus, really shouldn't be moved much at all.
They had moved the dead behind the dais that held the Head table to rest along the far wall. Minerva stacked a few benches and transfigured them into a stone wall and Filius had warded the space with a shield charm to try and prevent any debris or stray spells from reaching the bodies. Molly had kissed Fred's forehead one last time before covering him with a sheet. George had refused to leave his twin, however, and in the end, they decided to let him remain with his brother. George sat with Fred's head in his lap and stared out at nothing.
Catherine had just looked at her watch again when Sirius hurried back into the Hall. His face was grim and she steeled herself for whatever he was going to say.
"I can't find him," Sirius said. "He wasn't in Dumbledore's office and there wasn't anyone in any of the portraits to ask if he'd been there. Neville said he'd spoken to him, but Harry had said that he needed to do something, it was all part of the plan."
"Sirius, you don't think," she trailed off, staring at him in fear. He raked a hand through his hair.
"I don't know," Sirius said. "But if what Hermione said is true and the only one left is the snake, then I wouldn't put it past him to go after it."
"But, he wouldn't be so foolish," Catherine protested. "Voldemort hasn't even been in the fight and no doubt he's with all his Death Eaters somewhere since he's called them off."
"Then where is he Catherine?" Sirius asked in exasperation. "He should be here with the Weasleys or asking about Remus."
The hour had come and gone and everyone was starting to get restless. Most were positioned around the windows that looked out onto the grounds, watching for any indication that Voldemort was ready to restart the battle. Whispers carried through the crowd asking what had become of Harry, wondering if he had given himself up after all. Ron and Hermione looked extremely tense. Just as Sirius was about to go back out onto the grounds to search again, they felt the earth shake and Catherine knew that the giants were once again on the move. She glanced at Sirius, whose face had hardened and they moved toward the windows. Catherine even saw George get up and join the rest of his family.
The inky blackness outside had given way to the beginning gray of the upcoming dawn. They could see a mass of movement coming from the direction of the forest, although individual figures, save the giants, were impossible to make out. The group stopped well before they reached the castle and Voldemort's voice rang out once more.
"Harry Potter is dead." (2)
Catherine was aware of Sirius' knees buckling and of grabbing his arm to attempt to hold him upright, but she could hear no more over the pounding in her ears. He could not be dead. It was not possible; there had to be some other explanation. She shook her head to try and clear it and wrapped both arms around Sirius. He gripped her waist so tightly, she knew she would have bruises, but she didn't care. There were soft cries of denial all over the Hall and Catherine focused in on the group outside that was once more moving towards them.
She picked out Hagrid and saw that he was carrying something, or someone. She shook her head, refusing to believe what her eyes were telling her was true. As a group they moved towards the Entrance Hall and the front doors. Sirius had said nothing and was moving forward automatically, following behind Minerva, who was in the lead. They began to gather at the front doors and before Catherine could look, she heard Minerva scream.
Sirius' body sagged and Catherine was amazed that she could still hold him up, given the horror she was seeing. Hagrid was holding Harry's limp body in his arms and crying huge, fat tears that splashed on Harry's chest every few seconds. There were more cries and pleading from those around her, but all she could do was stare at Harry and hold onto Sirius as tightly as she could.
She felt as if she were in some kind of dream that she most certainly would wake up from any moment. She would find herself back at the cottage, Sirius asleep with his arms around her, the children and her mother and Edward slumbering quietly throughout the small house.
But every time she closed her eyes and then opened them once more, she was still standing in the same nightmare, still looking at Hagrid's tears and hearing the cries of anguish around her. Ginny was being held back by Arthur and Ron and Hermione clung to each other. Everywhere students were crying, some hiding their faces, others looking unabashedly at the supposed conquerors before them and weeping for their fallen hero.
They were silenced, twice, and each time the pride and grief of the crowd broke the charm. When Voldemort accused Harry of running out on everyone and trying to save himself once again, Sirius surged forward. It was only because Bill Weasley stood next to her that she was able to stop him at all. The eldest Weasley grabbed Sirius' shoulders before he could get more than a few inches forward and pulled him back. Catherine wrapped her arms around him and began to whisper in his ear.
"Don't, please," she said. "You'll have your chance. You'll have your chance to kill them all. Don't let them take it away from you." She gripped him tighter than she could ever remember doing before and he finally nodded once and Bill released his grip on Sirius' arms.
They watched the tableau with Neville play out and when Voldemort set the boy ablaze, Catherine knew there was going to be no stopping anyone from their side from rushing forward. She closed her eyes for a moment as she felt Sirius shift in her arms and then the cries of others took their attention.
She looked up to see hundreds of people rushing over the gates and invisible walls that kept the uninvited out. Grawp rejoined the fight and the centaurs poured from the Forest, raining arrows over the scene in front of them. Before she could even process where they had all come from, Neville yanked the Sorting Hat from his head and withdrew a sword which he swung forward and lobbed off the head of the great snake.
Catherine barely had time to glance at Sirius before Voldemort screamed and Hagrid began yelling Harry's name. Looking back to the group on the grounds, she saw Thestrals and Hippogriffs joining in the fight against the giants and someone pulled her arm and began to drag her back into the castle.
It was complete chaos as the House Elves burst from the kitchens, Kreacher in the lead. The reinforcements from Hogsmeade nearly overwhelmed the Death Eaters by sheer number, but they continued fighting and dueling regardless. Catherine shoved her way into the Great Hall and saw Poppy slip into the anteroom where they were keeping the injured. Even knowing Poppy would have sealed and warded the door, Catherine still threw up a few spells of her own before she turned to seek out Sirius. He was dueling his way through the crowd to where Voldemort dueled with McGonagall, Slughorn and Kingsley. Sirius joined in the fray and the way his wand was slashing through the air, Catherine was quite sure he intended to finish off Voldemort himself.
Catherine's attention was diverted for a moment by the scream from Molly. She turned and saw the Weasley matriarch flying towards Bellatrix, the fierce protectiveness in her eyes that only a mother could possess. The rest of the Hall was stunned into silence as they could only watch the two duels going on as Molly refused to let anyone help her.
Catherine's eyes bounced back and forth between Sirius and Molly. Slughorn had fallen to a cutting curse and been dragged out of the way by a few students, so it was only Minerva, Kingsley and Sirius that now battled Voldemort. Catherine's attention turned back to Molly and while she was impressed, she also understood. Bellatrix could never know just how much a mother would do, how far she would go to protect one of her own. Molly Weasley would not lose another child today.
Voldemort's inhuman scream when Bellatrix fell yanked Catherine's attention back to him. She saw Sirius and the others fly through the air and she screamed herself as he slammed into the wall behind him and crumpled. She ran towards him even as she heard the shouted 'Protego'. The subsequent yells and cheers of Harry's name froze her on the spot.
"Harry?" she whispered and she turned and saw him standing there, wand out and Invisibility Cloak on the floor next to him. Her heart thudded in her chest as he and Voldemort began to circle each other and the Hall fell silent once more. She turned to Sirius and saw him stirring and knew, without a doubt, that she must reach him before he saw Harry.
She ran the remaining distance and sank to her knees beside her husband, all the while keeping her attention on the scene playing out in front of her. Sirius groaned and she looked down at him, running a quick diagnostic and finding that he was all right save a few more scrapes and bruises.
She helped him sit and he kept his eyes closed for a moment before Harry spoke again. Sirius' eyes snapped open and he stared, open-mouthed at the figure of his godson before him. He made to stand but Catherine pulled him back down.
"No," she said.
"I need to help him," Sirius protested.
"You can't," she said quietly. "Harry already told us. It's got to be him, Sirius, you know that." She looked around the room and saw Arthur, Ron, Neville and Ginny being similarly restrained.
They watched the dance of the two men in front of them, for she could no longer call Harry a child. She probably shouldn't have been for months, maybe years now, but it wasn't until she saw him in front of her, heard the words he was speaking to Voldemort, that she let her heart accept that he was a man and would be forever more.
The revelations that followed about Harry's 'death' and his protection of all them, the truth about Severus and Dumbledore, the Elder Wand and its true allegiance stunned them all into continued silence and Catherine and Sirius simply drank it in, amazed by the bravery and intelligence of the young man before them.
The ending came quickly, so quickly that she nearly wasn't expecting it, although she had been for minutes now. It would have been almost anticlimactic had it not been for the sun rising above the horizon and streaming through the windows at the exact moment that Harry cast the last spell against Voldemort. His body sailed through the air in almost slow motion before it slammed to the ground.
The silence that rained for a split second afterward was deafening in its totality and then the roar of the crowd around them jolted everyone forward. Ron and Hermione were the first to reach him, but Sirius and Catherine were not far behind. Sirius unashamedly shouldered Ron and Hermione out of the way and wrapped his arms around Harry, pulling Catherine in behind Harry so that the two of them nearly crushed him between them. She bent down and kissed the top of Harry's head before disentangling herself from the two men and stepping off to the side. Soon he was mobbed, everyone wanting a small piece of the Boy Who Lived Twice. Catherine watched with a faint smile on her face as the crowd slowly broke apart and the Order remembered there were still Death Eaters to capture and people to be healed.
Molly walked past her and Catherine put a hand on her arm. The older woman turned toward her and a look of understanding passed between them. The communication of two mothers who had done everything they could to protect their own, albeit in different ways, given their circumstances.
"Well done," Catherine said and Molly squeezed her hand.
"Go and get your children," she said. "And don't ever let them go." Catherine nodded, tears in her eyes as Molly made her way back to where Fred was lying. Catherine turned back to the crowd that still surrounded Harry and slowly made her way toward him. She would do as Molly said and go and retrieve the rest of her children. But for now there was one here in front of her and if she wasn't mistaken, he could use a mother's interference.
3 May 1998
Catherine stood in Dumbledore's office. Most of the portraits had returned to their frames and still chattered amongst themselves about the battle and the aftermath. Many of those that had fought had remained at the school yesterday and had slept the majority of the afternoon away in the various dorms before rising and beginning the long and arduous process that would be the clean-up and rebuilding. Catherine and Sirius had sat with Harry, Ron and Hermione and gotten the rest of the story about the Horcruxes and what had happened to Harry when he'd gone into the forest to face Voldemort. It was shocking and horrifying and spectacular by turns and Catherine felt nearly as drained once she'd heard it as she had been after the battle.
Tonks and Remus were still holding their own and Healers that had been screened by Kingsley and Minerva had come to the school to help Poppy. The Lupins would be relocated to St. Mungo's once it had been cleared of Death Eaters and Voldemort supporters and they were stable enough to move. Andromeda had been to visit with baby Teddy and Minerva had given her temporary quarters in the school so she could remain close to her daughter and son-in-law.
And now Catherine was waiting for Minerva to arrive. Kingsley had been made the acting Minister of Magic and had given Minerva permission to make the Portkey for Catherine. Sirius had intended to come with her, but Catherine could see that there were things that Harry needed from him and told him to remain. She fully intended to be back in England within a day with the children, although she knew that her mother and Edward would have to wrap things up in France before being able to come home themselves.
While she was waiting she looked up at Albus' portrait and saw that he was awake. She wasn't entirely sure that he hadn't been pretending a few moments before.
"You and I have a lot to talk about," she said crossing her arms over her chest. Albus chuckled.
"Yes, I figured that we would," he admitted. "I am sure that Minerva will have a few choice words for me as well." He sobered. "Not that I don't deserve them."
"Why Albus?" Catherine asked softly. "Why did he have to do it alone?"
"He was not alone," Albus replied. "He had Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley with him."
"You know what I mean," Catherine chided. Albus gave her a sad smile.
"I do have regrets, Catherine," he said. "Much to your surprise I am sure. But I have many regrets. I cannot say why exactly I felt that Harry needed to take on this quest without Sirius' or anyone else's help, except that I had my reasons. Most of which Harry knows and if he chooses to share them with you that is his right." She shook her head, but felt no real anger anymore toward the man that was now nothing more than painted canvas.
"I know that I failed many people in my life," he continued, surprising her. "Harry, Severus and Sirius are but a few. I shall always regret that I did not intervene on Sirius' behalf, insist on a trial or Veritaserum at the very least. I regret that Harry was not allowed the childhood he might have had if Sirius had not been sent to prison. I regret what I asked Severus to do, even if it led to the beginning of the end of all of this. I regret his death, more than you will likely ever know." He fell silent. She looked up and saw silver tears streaming down his painted cheeks and Catherine became aware of the moisture on her own. He gave her one last sad smile, before he shuffled from his frame.
"Catherine?" Minerva's voice said as she came into the room. "Are you all right?"
"Yes," Catherine replied, giving Minerva a reassuring smile. Minerva looked at her for a few moments, before handing her the small tea cup.
"This will activate in three minutes and you will land somewhere on the grounds," Minerva explained. "Given that I had just the address, I'm not exactly sure where you will end up." She smiled apologetically.
"It's all right," Catherine assured her. "As long as I get there, that is all that matters."
"I'm sorry we couldn't give you a return as well," Minerva said. Catherine waved off her apology.
"Kingsley has much more important things to worry about than this," Catherine said. "We don't mind returning the Muggle way."
"Very well," Minerva said. "Good luck." Catherine nodded just as the Portkey activated.
She did land on the grounds, right in the middle of the stream that her mother had told her about. She laughed out loud as she stepped from the water and cast a drying spell on her legs. She began to walk towards the house that she saw in front of her, her steps quickening until she was running. She stopped at the door and took a breath and let it out to try and calm herself before she knocked. She heard footsteps inside and then a deep voice.
"Who is it?" Edward asked. Catherine laughed out a sob.
"Edward, it's me," she finally managed. "It's Catherine."
"Catherine?" he questioned and the door opened a mere slit. His eyes widened as he took her in and Catherine thought that maybe she should have called first.
"It's over," she said. "We won. He's gone." Edward still hesitated.
"You married my mother on Boxing Day in my back garden. She wore an ivory colored dress with embroidered flowers on the waistline and carried a bouquet of red roses and lilies and I have never seen her look more beautiful. The little girls wore red and I wore green and looked like an enormous, fat Christmas tree," Catherine said. "The look on your face when you saw her come down the aisle made me cry. I could tell just how much she was loved in that moment."
Edward had slowly been opening the door a few inches at a time as Catherine spoke and now it was open wide, his entire body visible. He stared at her for a few more seconds before he reached for her and yanked her into his arms, hugging her for all he was worth.
"Thank god. Thank god you're all right," he said into her hair. He pulled away. "Sirius? Harry?"
"Both fine," she said with a smile. "We lost people, good ones, but that's a story for another time."
"Yes, of course," he replied and then he grinned. "Come with me." He took her hand and led her toward the back of the house, finger to his lips. She nodded and when they stepped into the kitchen, Catherine had to cover her mouth to keep from crying out.
The children all sat at the table, deeply immersed in their studies it looked like. Jane was looking over something that Miranda was writing. Edward gestured for Catherine to get behind him and she did, tears rolling down her face.
"Who was at the door dear?" Jane asked as she looked up at her husband.
"A surprise," he said. Jane's brow furrowed.
"A surprise?" she repeated.
"Yes," Edward replied. "This surprise." He stepped to the side and silence fell over the room as they all stared at Catherine. Even Carina was startled into silence although it was she that recovered first.
"Ma-ma!" the toddler said, clapping her hands and beginning to struggle to get out of her high chair. Jane's hand had gone to her heart and Catherine was a bit concerned that she might faint.
"Mum?" Rory whispered. Catherine could only nod through her tears. And then they were all up at once and rushing toward Catherine, leaving Edward to release Carina from her high chair. When he handed her off to Catherine, the little girl buried her face in her mother's neck and grabbed one of Catherine curls.
"Oh, I missed all of you, so much," Catherine cried as the children circled around her, hugging whatever part of her they could reach. She kissed them all, everywhere and hugged them and they were all crying. Edward had put an arm around Jane, supporting her from collapsing.
"Is it over?" Ellie asked.
"Yes, it's over," Catherine laughed. "We won."
"Daddy?" Miranda sniffled.
"He's fine sweetheart," Catherine replied. "He can't wait to see you." Miranda began to sob.
"Harry?" Rory questioned.
"He's fine too," Catherine answered. "But he needed Sirius and I needed you." Somehow, they managed to stay connected to one another as they moved into the living room and sank down on the couch.
"So what happened?" Ellie asked. Catherine reached over to her and put a hand to her cheek.
"So much," she said. "And I will tell you all of it, but right now, I just want to look at you and hold you and be glad that we're all right." Ellie looked at her, question in her eyes. "Ethan is fine; as is the rest of his family." She sighed in relief and leaned back into Miranda who was leaning against Catherine.
"Does this mean we're going home?" Rory asked from her other side.
"Yes, Rory, we're going home," Catherine said. "And I have no plans for any of us to leave, ever again."
(1) The Deathly Hallows by JKR – The Battle of Hogwarts
(2) The Deathly Hallows by JKR – The Flaw in the Plan