Chapter 38
As the smoke cleared, Albus stood and gazed around the wreckage. His body was soaked with sweat, which caused the dirt floating in the air to cling to him. Bending over slightly, he used one of the hems of his robes to wipe his face dry. There were several bodies strewn throughout the debris that he stood amongst. He carefully made his way to each person, allowing ample time to check their vitals before moving on.
He heard a scuffle and some rubble fall some where in the distance. Wand at the ready, he peered through the haze and saw a dark form scuttle down a rubble hill and out of sight. He did not bother to pursue the Death Eater as he was no longer a threat and Albus felt he would not hold up to much more dueling.
Turning back to the depressing scene around him, his eye caught a glint of something green hidden beneath the rubble. Shifting, he maneuvered to catch the light at the correct angle and cause the glint to occur again. The moment he saw it, he froze. Carefully keeping his eyes locked on the object's location, he cautiously made his way over to the area.
When he arrived at the general location, he used his foot to shift the dirt and debris. After a minute or so of searching, he found it. Hidden under a few rocks was a small green pendant.
After a simple spell to ensure it wasn't enchanted, he stiffly knelt down and picked the tiny treasure up. Using his tattered robes to wipe away the dust, he was able to examine it closer. In his palm sat an emerald delicately carved into a five-pointed star. It was embraced by a silver backing to lend the point extra support. The pendant hung from a long, clasp-less chain.
Bracing a hand on his knee, he pushed himself to a standing position while slipping the necklace into his pocket. Looking around one last time, his eyebrows furrowed in remorse, he wearily turned and left the battlefield.