Beginning of the End

When Aurora and Remus arrived in the room of requirement, it was in utter chaos. Students were running in and out, seeming to be mobilizing for something. Aurora stopped and looked around, searching for Ellie, but she was nowhere to be found.

"Professor Lupin!" a student squeaked in surprise. Immediately, Aurora descended upon the young girl.

"Where is Ellie Black?" she asked urgently.

"She ran out with the others! To help Harry!" the young girl shouted. Aurora looked back at Remus and then at the student.

"Do you know where they went?" she asked next, trying to keep her voice calm. Though she knew they needed to move quickly if Evan were somewhere in the castle.

"Something about Ravenclaw," the girl replied, seeming as though she had no idea what was going on.

"Thank you," Aurora said as she started moving to the door, Remus close behind. "They've likely gone to Ravenclaw Tower. Why the bloody hell did he come here?"

"I told you what he was doing… likely there's a horcrux there," Remus replied. "Since we're here, we should help." Aurora only nodded, the two of them now running through the castle, hoping that they weren't late. It seemed about every student was out of their bed, though just what were they doing?

They rounded a corner, nearly there, when Aurora saw the heads of house gathered together.

"Minerva!" Aurora shouted, running up to them.

"What are you doing here?" McGongall asked, surprised yet happy to see them.

"Evan. He was here," Aurora said. "Where's Ellie?" A look of shock came over the professor's face, though she quickly shook her head as though she had something more important to focus on at the moment.

"I sent her to the Great Hall with the others," McGonagall replied. Aurora started to turn, but the older witch grabbed her arm, stopping her. "He knows that Harry's here. Voldemort is coming." Aurora's widened in shock, but before she let the fear settled on her soul, she focused on the professor,

"What do you need us to do?" Aurora asked firmly.

"We need to evacuate all those who are underage. I'd rather all the students, leave but there's not much we can do about those who are of age and choose to stay," Minerva replied. "We're gathering them in the Great Hall and then sending them through the passageway to Hogsmeade. Are the others with you?"

"No. We came ahead. Didn't know that Harry was here," Aurora replied.

"We're going to need everyone to protect the castle," Minerva said. Aurora nodded, a steely look coming into her eyes.

"We'll protect them," she vowed.

"Good. Get to the Great Hall. The rest of us will meet you there," Minerva said. Aurora then turned, she and Remus running at full speed to the Great Hall, dodging students left and right.

"Please be there," she muttered to herself as they saw the large double doors come into view. Running through them, she slid to a stop, looking around at the many students already there.

"Mum? Mum!"

Whipping her head around, Aurora's eyes fell on Ellie, who was already running towards her. She sprinted through the students, throwing her arms around her daughter as tears filled her eyes.

"Thank god you're safe," she said, squeezing her.

"I'm so sorry, Mum! I should have told you everything!" Ellie replied. Aurora stepped back, looking her over for injuries. "I'm not hurt. But he was here."

"You saw him?" she asked, she then looked around, worried that Evan was lurking somewhere in the shadows.

"We got away. I don't know if he's still here. Doubt it though," Ellie said. Aurora looked back at her and then to her friends who were gathered nearby.

"They're evacuating students. You Know Who is on his way. You must go - now," Aurora said, looking back down at Ellie.

"But what about you?" Ellie asked.

"I must stay here and help," Aurora said immediately.

"Then I'm staying too," Ellie said, a determined look coming over her face.

"Absolutely not, Ellie. This is going to be a battle. People will die," Aurora said sternly.

"And I can fight," Ellie replied. "I got away from Evan. I even stunned Alecto Carrow once. I can do this." Aurora stared down at her, slightly in awe. In just a few months, Ellie had changed. She looked older, more mature. She didn't want to ponder too long on just why. "We all want to fight." Aurora looked over at the other students, seeing Ginny and Neville there, stern looks on their faces. Just next to them was the boy - Seamus - the one that Ellie had mentioned being infatuated with. Or were they dating now? She knew that she couldn't do anything about the boys - they were of age, after all - but she desperately wanted Ellie out of the castle and somewhere safe. Ginny as well, though she ha a feeling she wasn't going to leave as well.

"Besides, you send me off, who's to say he doesn't come after me then," Ellie continued. Aurora looked down at her, surprised at the logic. It was true - Evan could just as easily take her while they were transporting her elsewhere. And it sounded like something he would do.

"Fine, but I don't want you fighting," Aurora said. Ellie nodded, though Aurora could already tell that her daughter likely wasn't planning to listen to that order. She hoped that she wouldn't regret this moment.

"I'll look out for her… ma'am," Seamus said, stepping towards them. Aurora nodded and then looked to Remus. Before she could speak to him, there was a bit of a commotion as the heads of houses ran into the hall, followed by the rest of the Order.

"Quickly. We need some of you to help evacuate the students while others work with me to help fortify the castle," McGonagall shouted, getting their attention. Aurora stepped away from Ellie and her friends.

"What do you need me to do?" she asked. McGonagall looked at her and Remus a moment before ordering them where to go and what to do. Aurora nodded and then looked back at Ellie. "Get somewhere safe."

"Yes, Mum," Ellie replied. Aurora then turned, following Remus out of the Great Hall as some of the professors began ushering students out.

"Where should we go?" Seamus asked. "The common room? Room of Requirement?"

"I'm not going to hide," Ellie said, looking around the Great Hall as though she were thinking up a plan.

"But your mum-"

"She knows that I'm not going to listen to her," Ellie said, looking at him. "Like hell I'm going to hide."

Aurora stood in the courtyard, her wand up in the air. She wasn't sure how long the shield would last, but it was the best they could do. She only hoped they could keep the death eaters out long enough for the students to get somewhere safe. That Ellie would be somewhere safe.

She had been torn - wanting to send her off with the rest of the children, yet not knowing if that would have been the safer option. Even with Hogwarts on the cusp of battle.

"She'll be okay, Rora," Remus said softly from her side. She looked over at him and swallowed.

"I should have sent her with the others," Aurora said.

"She wouldn't have gone anyway," he replied. "She is Sirius' daughter. And yours." Aurora turned her eyes back to the giant shield in the sky.

"I know," she said softly. "That's why I'm so worried about her." Remus didn't say anything, just reached out and took her hand.

"Rora… I-"

"Don't Remus. Don't say it," Aurora whispered back, cutting him off. If he said it that meant she would have to acknowledge there was a chance she could lose him tonight. Or that she could die. Or Ellie. And that was the last thing she wanted to think about right now.

Remus pulled on her arm, forcing her to look at him.

"I might not get another chance to say this, so please… let me say it," he said, his expression serious, though his eyes were pleading with her. Aurora didn't move. Didn't speak. "I love you, Rora."

She couldn't speak, only stare at him.

Suddenly there was a boom and both of them looked out, seeing the seemingly thousands of streaks of light attacking the shield. Aurora's eyes widened. How many were there? Was there any way that they could win? That they could fight off the hordes of Death Eaters? That they could finally defeat Voldemort?

She then looked back at Remus, the lights reflecting in his eyes.

"Survive tonight and tell me again when this over," she urged. He only nodded. She then turned back to watch as the assault. "We'll both survive. We have too…"

Ellie ducked under a curse and managed to stun the Death Eater that had sent it. They hadn't made it far from the Great Hall before utter chaos had broken out. The shield came down and despite Seamus and Neville blowing up the bridge leading to the castle, the Death Eaters still had gotten in and were now storming the castle.

For a moment, she wished that she had done as her mother said. This was madness. But it didn't last long as she shielded herself and then sent another stunning spell at yet another Death Eater.

"Ellie, get out of the way!" Seamus shouted. She ducked down just as he stunned another Death Eater and then yanked her along with him. She had long ago lost sight of Ginny and Neville. Wasn't even sure if Moira and Meredith had stayed or been evacuated with the others. She knew her mother and Lupin were in the courtyard earlier, helping with the shield. But since it had come down, they could be anywhere.

Not to mention, where was Harry, Ron and Hermione?

All he had said in the room of requirement was that he needed to find something related to Rowena Ravenclaw and then rushed out with Luna and the others. Ellie and Seamus had dashed out behind them but couldn't keep up. They then ran into McGonagall who sent them off to the Great Hall to await instructions where she had spoken to her mother briefly.

"Look out!" Ellie shouted, shoving Seamus aside as a spell flew between them and hit a pillar.

"Thanks," he said, smiling at her quickly before turning to take out the Death Eater that had shot it at them. Ellie returned her focus to the task at hand, but even she had to admit that she was getting tired. She was running on pure adrenaline as it was, then factor in the skirmish with Evan previously. She was honestly surprised that she still managed to be on her feet and able to fire spells and hexes as accurately as she was.

A squeal of delight cut through the air, causing her to pause and whip her head over. There was only one person who would take delight in the battle. Ellie's feet began moving of their own accord, taking her in the direction of the laughter.

"Just where are you going?!" Seamus shouted.

"To take down the woman who killed my father!" Ellie shouted in reply, now full-on running. She heard Seamus groan in frustration behind her but knew that he'd follow. She shot off a few hexes as she ran, not bothering to pay attention to whether they hit or not. She was on a mission and nothing was about to stop her.

Running around a corner, she slid to a stop, seeing Bellatrix dueling with two wizards. A scowl came over her face as she started towards them, shooting hexes at the older witch.

"Get back!" one of the wizards shouted just before he was stunned by another Death Eater.

"Aw, does the widdle student want to come out and play?" Bellatrix shouted, seeing Ellie advancing on her.

"Shut it, you bitch!" Ellie shouted, shooting a hex at her that she easily blocked. Bellatrix laughed loudly as she fired one at her, causing Ellie to jump back as it hit the ground just in front of her. Bellatrix then stopped, studying her a moment.

"Is it? Oh, it is! It is! My cousin's bastard!" Bellatrix shouted. Ellie just shot another hex at her. "Really, you are much out of your element, my dear. Though I suppose that just confirms that you're his daughter."

Ellie growled as she continued to shoot hex after hex at her while Bellatrix blocked or danced around them all, cackling madly. For the time being, it was as if they were the only ones in the room as the battle around them faded into the background. As it continued, Ellie was getting more and more frustrated. Nothing she threw at the woman hit. And she wouldn't stop laughing.

"Oh, this has been fun, but really - I'm getting a bit bored," Bellatrix shouted before shooting a curse at Ellie so quickly, she wasn't sure she could get a shield up in time. She lifted her wand, the incantation on her lips. But all she could do was stare as it came for her.

"Ellie!"

Suddenly there was a large body colliding with hers, knocking her to the ground.

Then everything went black.

Aurora shot another hex, knocking out the Death Eater that had been aiming for her. She then spun around, seeing that Remus had somehow gotten separated from her. She started sprinting towards him, ducking spells on the way and trying not to stumble over the rubble that was already filling the large hallway where they were.

A cackle filled the room and caused Aurora's blood to run cold.

She stopped running, turning to see that Bellatrix had entered the hallway, gleefully shooting curses and anyone and everyone. Aurora gripped her wand tightly as she started towards her, rage coursing through her like a boiling hot river. Bellatrix had gotten away from her once. She wasn't about to let her get away again.

The witch looked over, an evil grin filling her face as she saw Aurora advancing on her.

"Well, well… wondering when we'd finally get to meet again," she said cheerfully. "I just saw your daughter… so much like him… which is why I had to take her out, you know…"

Aurora couldn't speak as all she saw was red. Ellie. Bellatrix had gotten to Ellie. Aurora struggled to breathe for a moment and then it was as if something took over her body. She didn't even realize that she had started firing spells at Bellatrix until the mad woman started giggling and bouncing around, shielding herself as well as sending her own curses at Aurora.

"Aurora!"

She didn't register Remus' voice, her sole focus on taking down the woman who had killed Sirius. Who had just admitted to killing her daughter. She ducked out of the way of a curse, though it crashed into a pillar behind her, sending bits of rock flying. Aurora bellowed in rage as she continued towards her, sending any and every spell that she could think of at Bellatrix, who seemed to be enjoying the duel.

"He wasn't strong enough for me - let's see if you are!" Bellatrix shouted gleefully. "Or would you rather I send you to them!?"

Aurora felt strong hands grab her and pull her away just as a curse hit where she was standing. Shoving herself away, she started for Bellatrix again, this time managing to shield herself. Bellatrix grinned and then flicked her eyes away from Aurora. Her grin only grew as her wand sliced through the air and the curse left her wand. She then turned back to Aurora shooting another at her.

But Aurora's eyes were following the first, which was headed straight for Remus. Who was too busy looking at her to see it.

"REMUS! NO!"

Aurora waved her wand, tripping over a rock in the process. The second curse flew over her head, hitting the wall and causing rubble to rain down around her. She hit her head, but managed to stay conscious, though she couldn't move for a moment. There was only one thought on her mind.

Was he dead? Were they all dead?

"REMUS!"

Thanks for following and reading!