Ending It All

"Ellie! Ellie! Wake up!"

"Bloody hell, my head hurts enough," she groaned, blinking her eyes open. Slowly her sight came into focus and she saw Seamus' face hovering just above her. A grin of relief broke out as he bent down and kissed her.

"I was worried that you wouldn't wake up," he said, leaning his forehead against hers. "You were out for a bit."

"Is it over?" Ellie asked, noticing that the fighting had stopped. In fact, she was no longer in the hallway. Seamus leaned away, allowing her to sit up and look around. They were in the Great Hall and surrounded by a long line of injured people. She listened carefully, but could hear nothing that sounded like fighting, though there was the hum of conversations all around her.

"I don't know," he said as she looked at him, taking in his grimy face. The cuts. The bruises. "You hit your head and got knocked out. I was getting you here when it all just… stopped. Then You Know Who gave an ultimatum to Harry - give himself up or..."

Ellie felt her heart seize for a moment. There was no way that Harry wouldn't give himself up. She knew it just as clearly as she knew that she wouldn't allow her friends to die for her. Hell, she had been living with that all year and went to face Alecto Carrow, knowing that she could kill her easily, just because she couldn't stand the idea of anyone else getting hurt on her behalf.

"Where is he?" she asked. Seamus shook his head.

"I don't know," he replied, though he glanced around the room. "He was here earlier, but then he left…" Ellie looked to her right, seeing a line of bodies covered with blankets. She looked away quickly, not wanting to think about who was under those blankets. Somewhere to her left, she could hear sobbing and wailing. Leaning over, she closed her eyes, her hands going to her throbbing head. "You need to be looked after. You hit your head pretty hard-"

"Have you seen my mother?" Ellie asked, pushing the pounding in her head aside for the moment. "I need to find Mum. Then heal me." She looked up at him as he looked around the room again.

"I haven't," he admitted. Ellie started to get up. For a moment, it looked like he was going to stop her, but instead reached out and helped her to stand. They started walking through the Great Hall, Ellie's eyes quickly looking at each face. She prayed that her mother wasn't among the dead. She couldn't be. Surely Lupin would protect her, right? For that matter, she hoped that she wouldn't see him among the dead as well.

Ellie looked up to the doors of the Great Hall just in time to see her mother step through. Tears had made streaks in the dust on her face as she limped in. Just behind her was a body on a levitating stretcher. Aurora looked over her shoulder at it then continued on. When she looked up and saw Ellie, she stopped, her mouth dropping open.

Ellie pushed away from Seamus, running through the people and launching herself into her mother's arms.

"Merlin, I couldn't find you. But you're alive," Ellie said, tears already pouring down her cheeks. Her mother didn't say anything, just held onto her tightly. "You're starting to hurt me…"

Aurora stepped back, her hands coming to Ellie's face as she stared at her, almost as though she couldn't believe that she was actually standing there before her. Almost like she was seeing a ghost.

"Mum," Ellie said, her eyes going to the stretcher. It then hit her. Why her mother was crying. More tears rushed to Ellie's eyes as she gulped and shook her head, seeing Lupin's hand. "No, no. Please tell me that he's not… that he's not…"

"Bellatrix…" Aurora started, but couldn't continue. Ellie looked up at her and then back at the stretcher.

"I'm not dead yet so best to save your tears," a voice croaked, followed by a cough. Ellie's eyes widened as she left her mother and rushed up, seeing Lupin smiling at her, though it quickly turned into a grimace. Ellie looked back at her mother, who appeared dazed. "Thank Merlin… Bellatrix said that she got to you…" He started coughing again.

"Come on. You all look like you need some tending to," Aurora said, waving her wand and guiding the cot over to an open space and then setting it down. Lupin grimaced as it hit the floor. Aurora then slid a knapsack off her back. Ellie was surprised it had survived the battle.

"What happened?" Ellie asked, falling to her knees on the other side of Lupin. Her mother glanced at her, pausing to reach out and cup her cheek a moment, then returned to the task at hand.

"We ran into Bellatrix. She said that she had killed you," Aurora said calmly, almost as though she hadn't only moments ago thought her daughter was dead. Ellie wondered if she was in shock.

"She tried to. But I knocked Ellie out of the way in time," Seamus replied. Aurora looked up at him, her eyes wide. "But she ended up hitting her head and it knocked her out for a bit. I got her here as soon as I could."

"Thank you," Aurora said softly, tears filling her eyes again. "For saving her." Seamus shifted on his feet, running his hand up his neck as he looked away, a blush just barely visible under the grime of battle.

"What happened to Professor Lupin?" Ellie asked, her grey eyes fixed on him.

"Bellatrix. She shot a curse at me. Rora nearly didn't get the shield up in time. Still knocked me off my feet, though I told her I could walk," he said, pushing himself up.

"You shouldn't get up," Aurora urged.

"We don't have much time. Do want you can, but we need to be ready," Remus said, meeting her eyes. She just nodded and quickly set to work fixing him up as best she could. Ellie looked around the hall, taking in everything. Some people were crying while others were sitting as though they were in a daze. Farther down, she saw the Weasleys gathered around someone, all of them clinging to each other.

Ellie started towards them, worried that it was Ginny lying on the ground just out of sight.

"Ellie! I need to look after you!" her mother shouted. But she didn't listen, only kept walking faster. Just as she neared the family, Ginny stepped away from them, locking eyes with Ellie. She ran the last bit and threw her arms around her best friend.

"It's… it's… it's Fred," Ginny managed to get out before she burst into tears. Ellie just gulped, not wanting to look down at the body. Sure, the twins had annoyed her more often than not - teasing her or pranking her when they got the chance. But she couldn't imagine a world without either of them.

"I'm so sorry," Ellie whispered, allowing Ginny to sob on her shoulder. She glanced around, seeing Bill holding his wife and Charlie standing just next to him, his gaze on the body lying on the floor as a forlorn Tonks had both her arms around his waist. Just next to him was Percy, who was rubbing his face, his glasses perched on top of his head and his cheeks wet.

Ellie looked away, squeezing her eyes shut. She couldn't look at them. It was too much. She then opened them and looked over, meeting Tonks' eyes.

"Ellie… where's your mum?" she asked softly, tears pooling in her eyes. Ellie let go of Ginny, who was sniffling and attempting to wipe her cheeks.

"Just down there… helping Professor Lupin," Ellie said softly, pointing in the direction where they were. Tonks looked over at them and nodded, then back at Ellie. It was then that Ellie brought herself to look at the ground. George was halfway on top of Fred, his shoulders shaking as he buried his face in his twin's shirt. Mrs. Weasley sat on the ground just across from him, staring down at the two as tears fell down her cheeks. Ellie swallowed as she finally looked at Fred's face.

She had never seen a dead body before. Not like this. He wasn't covered up like the others. And in a way, it looked almost as though he were sleeping. Could be, though his clothes were dirty and there were smudges of dirt and blood on his face.

Gasping, she looked away, seeing Seamus just next to her. She immediately fell into his arms, burying her face in his jumper as she struggled to control her tears.

"I'll… Ellie hasn't been looked after… I'll just… yea," Seamus muttered to Ginny before leading Ellie back to her mother and Lupin. Both of them had morose looks on their face.

"Who is it?" Aurora asked softly.

"Fred Weasley," Seamus said. Aurora looked back down at the Weasleys and then over at Lupin, who reached out, pulling her to him. After a few moments, she pushed away and looked up at Ellie.

"Come here… I should… you need to be fixed up…"

Aurora reached out and grabbed Ellie's hand, squeezing it tightly as she watched the procession of Death Eaters making its way to the castle. She could feel Remus slide his arm around her waist, squeezing it. Tears began to blur her vision as she stared at the lifeless body in Hagrid's arms.

All of this. All of it - it was for nothing. Harry was dead and Voldemort still lived. All the dead bodies in the Great Hall. All the worry. All the planning. All the fighting. They had won.

It didn't matter that Ellie was alive at her side. That Remus was alive. That she was alive. There was no way they would make it out of here that way. Just as she knew that she would rather die than to join him, she knew they wouldn't either. But perhaps she could get Ellie away. Seamus as well. He had told her during the brief break that his family was off in hiding and he didn't know where. Perhaps she and Remus could find a way to get them out of here. Find Evan and take him out. And then at least they might have a chance. They could go back to the manor. Mrs. Clark would help them get out of the country. In all the many months she had been hiding there, Aurora had taken measures just in case this very thing happened. Measures that would allow them to get out of Britain and hopefully somewhere safe.

Though she couldn't help but think that if they lost here today, would anywhere be safe?

"Your precious Harry Potter is dead!" Voldemort shrieked shrilly, causing Aurora to grimace. But outside that, she watched calmly. Listened. Her eyes scanning the crowd for Evan. He hadn't been among the injured or dead that they had in the castle. There was always the chance that he had been taken back to wherever the Death Eaters had been camping out in the Forbidden Forest. But she knew deep down in her gut that he was still alive.

He wouldn't want to miss the chance to kill her, after all.

"This isn't over yet," Remus whispered. Aurora just clenched her jaw and looked up at him, a few tears slipping out.

"No matter what - they have to survive," she whispered back so that Ellie wouldn't hear. He nodded his understanding before pressing a kiss to her lips. Aurora then turned back to the Death Eaters as Voldemort called for others to join them. Unsurprisingly, Draco Malfoy walked over, joining his mother and father. For a moment, Narcissa met her eyes, but then she quickly looked away.

Aurora looked into each and every face, recognizing many of them. How many times had she been forced to play host to them at Selwyn Manor? How many times had she sat and listened to them lament the state of the wizarding world - one that was becoming tainted with dirty blood? How many times had they looked at her in disdain, whispering about her blood traitor past?

Neville Longbottom limped forward. Aurora frowned. What the hell was he doing? Surely, he couldn't be giving up? But rather than continue to the other side, he stopped in the middle, launching into a rousing speech. Aurora found something strange happening. As she listened, she could feel a new strength coursing through her. Perhaps it wasn't over. Perhaps there was a chance they could still win this.

She found herself staring down the faces across from them again. This time with anger blazing in her eyes. She lifted her chin slightly. She knew that she was on the right side of this. And she would be damned before she went down without a fight.

It was then that her eyes met cold blue and a familiar smirk. Evan pushed through a few people, coming to a stop at the front. Aurora couldn't help as she squeezed Ellie's hand again. She returned his gaze with a smirk of her own as he mouthed, "Hello."

This was going to end today.

Several things happened at once.

Neville managed to brandish the sword of Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat. Harry lept from Hagrid's arms. And total and complete hell broke loose.

Aurora managed to shove Ellie and Seamus behind her as Harry and Voldemort disappeared, her eyes locked on Evan as he advanced calmly, allowing the scours of Death Eaters still left to run around him. He must have said something, because no one came after her or Remus.

"Well, well, well," Evan shouted over the din of fighting. Aurora swallowed as she gripped her wand.

"Remus, take care of the children," Aurora said, her eyes still fixed on Evan.

"But Mum-"

"No, Ellie. This is between me and him. You need to get out of here," Aurora said sternly, already walking towards him.

"Rora-"

"Go, Remus."

"Seems you've wasted no time. My, what a track record. First a blood traitor and now a filthy werewolf," Evan said. "You really have hit rock bottom."

"This ends now, Evan," Aurora said coolly, coming to a stop.

"Yes, let's end this, shall we?" he replied before waving his wand through the air.

The two moved quickly - so quickly that for a moment Ellie struggled to keep up with it. She could feel Lupin and Seamus trying to pull her away, but she fought against them, not wanting to leave her mother.

"We have to go," Seamus said.

"No!" she shouted, stomping on his foot. "I have to help!" She managed to get a couple feet before a large explosion rocked the courtyard, throwing her back slightly, though she didn't hit the ground. She looked up through the dust, seeing her mother still locked in the duel with Evan, who was laughing. Her eyes widened as she stood, transfixed by it.

Her mother's hair had come loose from her ponytail, flying around her as her dark blue eyes blazed with determination. Her movements were quick, nearly seamless as she blocked, dodged, and then fired hex after hex at her ex-husband.

"Ellie, it's not safe here!" Lupin shouted, though he too was stuck watching the two duel. Ellie knew he didn't want to leave either, worried that he might need to step in. From her other side, Seamus put up a shield just in time, then fired off a hex.

"If we're staying, I could use some help!" he shouted. Ellie tore her eyes away long enough to help him out as did Lupin. It seemed even if they had wanted to run away, they were now stuck in the courtyard for the time being.

"Do you know how long you've been a thorn in my side!" Evan shouted at Aurora.

"I should have killed you when I had the chance!" Aurora retorted, dodging under an errant spell from somewhere else. Evan only laughed in response.

"I had such wonderful plans for you… and your little family. But it seems I shall have to settle for killing you here and now," he shouted.

"Oh… you underestimate me," Aurora said, managing to land a hex near his feet and causing him to stumble back. She advanced. "You'll never hurt me or anyone that I love, ever again!"

She raised her wand, shouting out a spell at the same time that Evan did. Ellie turned away from the Death Eater she had just stunned, her eyes widening as the world around her slowed down. The two spells flew through the air, her mother still running towards Evan as he ran to her, wand pointed at each other.

Then the spells collided, knocking both of them back several feet. Her heart stopped for a moment as she heard her mother's head crack against the stone of the courtyard.

"NOOOO!"

Aurora opened her eyes and then immediately closed them again, the light too blinding. Surprisingly, there was no pain. She blinked a few times, allowing her eyes to adjust and then pushed up into a seated position. She looked around, immediately knowing that she was no longer in the courtyard at Hogwarts.

She was in the living room of the small flat she shared with Sirius all those years ago. Her heart sank a moment. She was dead.

"Rora…"

Turning, she saw Sirius leaning against the doorframe that led to the kitchen, an easy smile on his face. Tears filled her eyes as she leapt to her feet and ran over to him, throwing her arms around him.

"Is she safe?" she asked immediately.

"Ellie is fine," he murmured, bringing his arms around her. Aurora allowed him to hold her a few moments before stepping back from him.

"I'm dead, aren't I?" she whispered. "We killed each other…" Sirius just stared down at her, a sad look on his face. "At least… at least you and I can finally be together…" He gently caressed her cheek.

"Oh, Rora… this is not how I wanted things to be," he said.

"I didn't either," she replied, struggling to speak through the tears pouring down her cheeks. "We were supposed to be a family…" He nodded.

"And you can still have your family," he said. Aurora frowned.

"But… but I'm gone," she said.

"No… you're not," he said. "You can go back." Her eyes widened in shock as she looked around the flat, wondering just what was going on. She wasn't dead. Then where was she? Was this all just in her head? She looked back at Sirius. She could feel his arm around her. Feel his hand against her cheek.

"I'm not dead?" she asked. He shook his head, still smiling sadly.

"Banged your head fairly hard. Sure, it'll hurt like a bugger when you wake up," he said. Aurora nodded and pulled him closer to her, eager to make the most of whatever time she had in this dream. If it was a dream.

"I miss you," she said. She felt him kiss the top of her head.

"I miss you too," he replied. "But… Rora… you've got to let go of me. Let go of the past." She looked back up at him.

"But… you're the love of my life," she said softly.

"And you're mine… but I don't have to be the only one for you," he said. "If you're going to build a future with someone, at least I know you'll be okay with Remus." Aurora shook her head quickly.

"But I… how can I just let go of you?" she asked.

"I'm gone, Rora. I can't come back. You're still alive. So, promise me something. Promise me that you'll finally live," he said. Aurora just stared at him a moment until she finally realized what he was saying. It was as though a block of stone had been lifted from her heart. "It's okay… just… live. You deserve that after… everything. To live. Be happy."

She nodded and went up on her toes, pressing a kiss against his lips.

"I'll never stop loving you," she murmured.

"I know," he replied. "And I'll always be watching out for you. All of you."

"I love you, Sirius."

"I love you too, Rora…"

Sorry for that bit of cliffhanger, but yea… The reason I went off canon is because I just couldn't bring myself to kill Tonks and Remus again. It killed when I had Sirius died. And of course, Sirius was going to come back, though just for a little bit. Couldn't have this moment without him. But it really is what Aurora needed.

Thanks for reading and following.