He had done it again. He had held Holly behind the following Wednesday, claiming her Skele-Gro was subpar and that she would be brewing it again in detention Friday night. After a silent dinner in the Great Hall, Holly left her friends and marched down to the dungeons. She bypassed his classroom, as instructed, and rapped loudly on his office door. Severus answered, swinging it open with a wordless spell. He didn't look up from his desk and continued leafing through a tall stack of rumbled essays.

Holly glanced to the right where a desk sat with all equipment and ingredients waiting for her. She dropped her satchel on the floor and went to work. She had only been working for a few minutes when the blade of a knife slipped, nicking her in the thumb. She swore, pulling her thumb away from the desk and sticking it directly into her mouth. Holly headed for the sink in the far corner, but Severus beat her to it. His long legs ate up the space between them and then he was yanking her hand from her mouth, running it under a cool stream of water while he flicked his wand with the other hand. A dark brown jar flew out of his desk and landed neatly at the sink.

He leaned down, whispered a word too quiet for her to hear, and then the slice closed. Residual stinging remained, but a quick dap of blue goop from Severus's jar had a cooling sensation spreading across her thumb. As soon as the goop touched her skin, Severus was closing the jar and heading back to his desk. He sat down, picking up a quill and dipping into a jar of scarlet ink.

Holly stared at him for a long moment before going back to her potion. She nearly ruined her potion by leaving it bubbling for too long, but managed to salvage the brew. One uncomfortable hour later, Holly was bottling her potion and setting it on the edge of his desk. He curtly said, "Dismissed."

Holly rolled her eyes and walked out of the door, trying to ignore the hurt deep within her chest. She grabbed her satchel and headed out of the dungeons. She slowly walked the familiar path up to Gryffindor Tower, stopping abruptly just before taking the spiraling stairs leading to her Common Room. Voices were muffled, but disguisable. Holly turned right, back-tracking down the corridor and coming to a stop just outside her Head of House's office. The door was shut, so Holly leaned her ear against the wood.

Dumbledore sighed heavily, "The raid on their shop was to be expected."

"Do they know if he will survive?" McGonagall's voice was as distressed as Holly had ever heard. She frowned, pressing tightly against the wood. Dumbledore's voice was low and grim as he replied, "Blood Replenishing Potion is not working. They contacted me when the boys arrived. I have called for Severus. The Curse is of his making and he knows of the Countercurse."

"Albus," McGonagall firmly replied, "I have told you before that-"

Dumbledore cut her off with a soft sigh. "Severus does not want George Weasley dead. He has just exited the grounds and will be at Grimmauld Place momentarily. I should head that way myself. Remain vigilant until my return."

Gasping, Holly briskly walked around the corner before she took off at a run. She was panting, sucking in greedy gulps of air, as she shouted the password to the Fat Lady. Holly darted into the Common Room, finding it empty at this late hour except for Ron, Ginny, and Hermione. The former two were playing a game of chess and the latter had her nose in a book. All three looked up in alarm at Holly's noisy entrance.

"The cloak." She gasped, "We have to go now."

She inhaled multiple times as the three jumped up. Hermione quickly asked, "What is it? Holly, what's happened?"

"I have the cloak here. Kept it on me all week." Ron pulled it from a battered bag nearby on a maroon sofa. Holly urgently said, "George. He's hurt. Bleeding out."

Ginny let out a gasping cry, already running for the door with Ron and Hermione on her heels. Ron demanded, "What happened?"

"Run for the Honeyduke's passage." Holly was panting again as they all sprinted. They tumbled down the spiraling staircase just as Ginny snapped, "Holly. Tell us!"

"Dumbledore and Severus are on the way to Grimmauld Place. I think Death Eaters raided the shop. They said George was Cursed and they couldn't stop the bleeding."

"We should go to McGonagall and ask for an escort." Hermione said quickly.

Ginny was crying, but silently. Ron's face was red and scrunched up as if he were trying to stop himself from crying. He growled, "No. I'm getting to my brother now."

"We don't have time to be stopped." Ginny hissed, tears streaming so much so that she didn't bother to wipe them as she ran on.

Hermione bit her lip and nodded, struggling to catch up to the other three. They ran down an empty corridor as Hermione said, "Dumbledore and Snape are the most powerful and knowledgeable. They'll know what to do for George."

"Dumbledore said Snape could fix the Curse." Holly agreed as they slid down the last corridor. A quick tap of Hermione's wand had the hump-back statue moving aside. Everyone tumbled into the narrowed corridor. Holly tugged on Hermione's arm, allowing the two youngest Weasleys to take the lead. They recklessly tumbled through the passage. Even with Holly and Hermione's Lumos Charm, the light barely penetrated the darkness.

Ron let out a groan as he thumped into the wooden door leading to Honeyduke's cellar. Hermione hissed, "Climb the ladder, but be quiet and wait for me to disable any alarms."

Ron went first followed by Ginny, Hermione, and Holly. This time, Holly and Hermione took the lead as they crawled up the dusty stairs. The Invisibility Cloak was thrown over Ginny.

"She's the smallest." Ron whispered quickly, "If we're caught, she can get out. She can try to Apparate away and check on George."

Ron was behind them all, giving a space so he could watch their backs. After a tense minute, Hermione nodded. Holly crept out of Honeyduke's door slowly, edging around the building to a darkened corner at the bookstore next door. Hermione followed closely on her heels with Ron further behind. He whispered tensely to a seemingly empty space in front of him. There was a flash of long, red hair and then Ginny stood up, grasping the cloak. A muted pop occurred. Just as Ginny disappeared, a piercing wail rose. It cracked across the night sky, rising in pitch until the remaining three were looking around with wide eyes.

Ron ran to their side just as Hermione reached out to catch his elbow. Holly shouted, "What is that?"

Hermione shook her head, eyes darting around the empty night sky. The ground was thick with snow and flurries were swirling about. She screeched, "We have to get out of here now!"

"Caterwauling Charm." Ron bellowed, reaching for Holly's hand. "Apparate!"

All three closed their eyes, but nothing happened. Holly glanced around and said, "I can't Apparate."

Hermione shouted, "Anti-Apparation Wards have been set just now. Get back to the passage quickly."

Ron let out a series of loud swear words. They had taken only a single step when dark cloaks came flowing out of the night. Silver and white masks gleamed brightly, hands grabbing at them. Holly kicked and screamed as a tall figure grabbed her from behind, laughing in her ear. She saw Hermione ahead of her, hair being pulled by a short, fat Death Eater. Quickly, Hermione raised her wand and shouted an unknown spell directly at Holly. Bright orange light hit her dead in the face, making Holly go limp in the arms of her captor. Ron was shouting insults, knocking the man that was holding him in the nose.

As the fat Death Eater tried wrestling Hermione to the ground, she pointed her wand at herself and cast the same spell she had cast on Holly. She went limp, stumbling, eyes rolling as her face grew distorted and swollen. The two fell to the cold snow. Beside her, blood spurted from the Death Eater holding a raging Ron. The redhead stumbled out of the Death Eater's grip, wand raising toward Hermione, but two more Death Eaters reached for him. One Stunned him and Ron fell to the snow-covered ground. Another Death Eater, this one much slimmer than the other, kicked Ron in the shoulder before bending down to check his pulse.

"No!" Holly shouted. She shook her head, suddenly feeling the hard grip of the Death Eater that was nearly strangling her. She bit at the hand around her neck and earned a slap to the face. Holly blinked rapidly, looking to her friends. Hermione was crying, struggling on the ground and covered in white slush. Her wand was ripped out of her hand. A Death Eater with greasy black hair pocketed Hermione's wand and Apparated away with her body cradled against his own.

"LET GO OF THEM!" Holly shouted as the big one holding onto Ron giggled like a mad child before disappeared in a cloud of black smoke. Holly kicked and screamed and tore through the thick fabric of Death Eater robes nearest her, but she was not released. Even as she spun sickly through time and space, Holly fought. When they landed at their destination, Holly was released and tumbled to the ground. Landing hard, she instantly rolled and was on her feet.

The room was spacious with a massive fireplace, expensive leather furniture, and too many enemies. Holly's swollen eyes zeroed in on the struggling, whimpering form of Hermione. She was being dragged by her arm toward the far side of the room. Holly stepped forward, but was grabbed on either arm by a strong grip. She whirled around, slapping at the masked man who snatched her wand out of her hand. He threw it to the side and pulled her into a tight bear-hold. She stomped her feet as hard as she could on the Death Eater's boots as she screeched, "Let go of her! Let them go! I'm who you want!"
Hermione's heels were kicking, eyes wide and rolling and streaming with tears as the burliest Death Eater pulled her closer to the people standing near a grand fireplace. They had silvery, blonde hair. Pinched expressions. Malfoys. Hermione tried lifting herself to her feet, but was yanked cruelly to the floor by a burly, masked man. Hermione shrieked and Holly struggled in the strong hold of a Death Eater's arms. She screamed, "Stop it! Send them back and keep me!"

"Shut her up." Lucius Malfoy demanded abruptly. Holly's eyes glared at him, breathing heavy and trying to bite at the forearm holding her in place.

"No," A eerily familiar giggle met her ears. Holly's fiery insides went cold. She froze in the hard hold of a Death Eater's arms. Stepping out of the shadows and around the Malfoys was Bellatrix Lestrange. She wore an elegant silk dress in deep black. Her hair was a wild tangle and her eyes were so wide that she looked insane. In one hand was a twisted wand. In the other was a knife. She said, "I like their screams."

She danced forward, stepping on Hermione's leg with a sharp boot before dancing across the room toward Holly. She got so closely to the girl's face that Holly could see the woman's yellowing teeth and smell her breath. Holly was tense, waiting and debating biting the woman's nose off.

Bellatrix demanded, "What happened to her face?"

"The Mudblood on the floor cast a spell." The Death Eater holding Holly rumbled.

"Is that so…?" Bellatrix whispered as she reached out, yanking hard on Holly's hair until her forehead was exposed. She asked, "Does this look like the scar to you? Cissy, come along and take a look. Lucius, you as well."

The Malfoys shuffled forward. From the angle Holly's head was being forced to bend, she couldn't see everyone in the room anymore. She had lost sight of her friends and that caused her heart to drop to the bottom of her stomach. All was too quiet. Bitterness raised in her throat and Holly was fearful she would vomit. Mrs. Malfoy glanced at Holly with distaste before whispering, "I see no resemblance, but I have only seen the girl once before."

"Lucius?" Bellatrix demanded impatiently, "Well? Is it her?"

"I am unsure." Mr. Malfoy replied slowly, eyeing her nervously.

Bellatrix released Holly so quickly that she tumbled out of the Death Eater's hold, hitting the floor on her ribs. Searing pain travelled through her body, leaving her gasping breathlessly as dark spots danced in front of her vision. Another Death Eater stepped forward, planting a firm boot on her chest when she rolled onto her back. He snarled, "Stay where you are."

Bellatrix sighed, "You're useless, Lucius. Let's ask the other one."

She waltzed across the room before eyeing Ron's unconscious body. She gestured and instructed sharply, "Take him to the dungeon. He is traitor, but Pure. The Dark Lord may wish to keep him or torture him personally."

"No," Holly gasped, trying to sit up and receiving a swift kick in the ribs. She choked, falling back to the floor. She watched as Ron was dragged out of the room and down a set of wooden stairs by a tall Death Eater with thinning hair of black and grey. Bellatrix called out, "Watch our guests, Davies. Wormtail, I'll torture you again if you cannot perform a simple task such as aiding Davies!"

She heard a whimpering voice echo from below. "Yes, Mistress."

Holly turned her head, following Bellatrix as she moved around the room. She circled Hermione's hunched over form. The burly Death Eater hovering nearby was suddenly hit with a Cutting Curse by Bellatrix. He stumbled back and yelled, "You're such a little bitch."

"You have done your duty. Step back and leave me to the Mudblood." Bellatrix said, stepping toward Hermione and grabbing her by the hair. She pulled a stumbling Hermione to her feet and eyed the girl's face carefully. Holly could see that Hermione's face was completely swollen, pink and lavender in certain places. Her bottom lip was twice its usual size. Wide hazel eyes glanced her way before Bellatrix reared back and slapped Hermione with so much momentum that the girl went flying backwards with a cry of pain.

Bellatrix towered over her body, kicking Hermione in the side when the girl put her elbow underneath her and began to sit up. Hermione shrieked, curling in on herself as Holly shouted, "Leave her alone!"

She was thinking, desperately looking around the room for a weapon. Her wand laid on the floor well out of reach. She winced when Bellatrix shouted, "Who are you? Are you the Mudblood side-kick?"
Hermione shook her head and Bellatrix kicked her in the side again. Hermione choked, putting her arms over her head, but a quick shifting had sharp boots stomping on Hermione's fingers. A wail, thin and terrified, ripped through the room.

Struggling, pushing through the burning pain of a hefty boot on her chest away, Holly kicked and hit at the Death Eater's leg. She screamed, "I'm Holly! I'm Holly Potter! Not her!"

"We must call the Dark Lord." Mr. Malfoy said breathlessly, fumbling as he rolled up the sleeve of his robes to expose a pale arm Marked with dark ink. Holly punched at the Death Eater's legs again, heart beating in her throat, stomach rolling with panic. She needed help. She needed help and there was none. She needed her wand or a knife or something. Something to help her friends escape. As her right hand came down in another failed punch, a hefty weight settled into her palm. The cold feel of metal was within her fingers. Hardly believing what she was seeing, Holly swung with the sword of Gryffindor and cut deeply into the leg of the Death Eater above her.

He bellowed, loud and surprised and scared, falling as Holly scrambled to her feet. She was running toward Bellatrix, Gryffindor's sword held tightly in her dominant hand when the deranged woman faced her. The older witch sneered, sending a Disarming spell and striking Holly in the chest with a jet of inky blue light. She stumbled, going to her knees as the sword was ripped from her grip. It soared through the air. Bellatrix caught it with ease and stared at the object in disbelief. Holly struggled to stand, one hand to her chest, thinking of running backward and diving for her forgotten wand, but suddenly Bellatrix whirled and Stunned Lucius Malfoy.

Holly, surprised and confused and terrified, went utterly still. The man fell to the floor as Narcissa Malfoy screamed, dropping to her knees beside her husband. She looked up as her sister came barreling toward them. She sobbed, "Are you mad, Bella? What have you done?"
"Do not Summon the Dark Lord!" She screeched, kicking a wand out of Lucius's limp fingers. "If anyone calls him, we will all die here tonight!"

"What's going on?" The burliest Death Eater demanded, scowling heavily from beside the fireplace. The pitiful cries of the Death Eater Holly cut had abruptly stopped when Bellatrix stalked to his side, pointed her wand and shrieked, "Avada Kadavra!"
 "What is the meaning of this?" Narcissa demanded in a trembling voice. She remained on the floor, hands hovering over her husband's face. Tears were leaking down her pale cheeks.

"Where did you get this?" Bellatrix shrieked, ignoring her sister. She rounded on Holly's panting form. She pointed her wand again and sent a jet of bright green light sailing passed Holly's head by a mere inch. It struck the Death Eater behind her, sending him to the floor with a loud thump. Holly stumbled to her feet, glancing to the trembling form of Hermione on the floor within hand's reach of the burly Death Eater. Holly had a sinking feeling he was the infamous Greyback.

"Where did you get this sword?!" She demanded, grabbing Holly by the hair and slapping her across the face. The tip of her wand grazed across Holly's cheek, leaving a blistering burn. Holly gasped, "I don't know."

"Tell me." The woman hissed, spittle hitting Holly in the face as she slapped her again. Then, she gripped Holly by the shirt with one hand, waving the sword about dangerously with the other. The tip of the sword caught Holly on the arm, ripping through fabric and skin. Holly let out a wordless cry. Bellatrix purposely pressed the tip of the sword into the wound and twisted as tears leaked out of Holly's eyes. She hissed again, "Tell me or I will start cutting up your friends."

Holly shook her head and roughly said, "It just appears for me. Always has."

Bellatrix dropped her to the floor and Holly fell to her side, inhaling sharply as she struggled to sit up. She heard Hermione shriek, a long-winded and frightening sound.

"I don't know, I don't know!" She chanted, sobbing and whimpering and screaming. Holly scrambled to her feet, crawling backwards slowly. Ron began to scream from below, bellows of rage and fear. Holly bit her lip, blinking rapidly in an attempt to keep her gaze trained on the horrific scene in front of her. Bellatrix kneeling over Hermione, short knife in her hand as she carved into Hermione's arm. The screams of her friends were never-ending. Greyback was chuckling, leaning over and petting Hermione's sweaty hair.

"How did you get into my Vault?! How did you know about this sword?! How did you get passed the enchantments, filthy Mudblood?!"

Holly continued crab-walking backwards. She wished Dumbledore were here. Or Severus. Or McGonagall. Any Order member would do. Sweat dribbled down her back and her body trembled as Holly kept slowly moving. Her eyes shifted to Narcissa Malfoy, who was ignoring the violent scene and watching Holly with gray eyes the exact same shade as her son's. Holly froze, lips trembling. Narcissa nodded. And Holly kept moving. She swallowed bile when her hands and legs slid through a puddle of warm blood. She looked away from the body of the Death Eater she had helped kill. She stared straight ahead as Bellatrix slapped at Hermione's face.

Holly thought of what to do once she had her wand in her hand. Bellatrix was strong and so was Greyback. Two Death Eaters were dead and Lucius Malfoy was unconscious, but there as at least one Death Eater and Wormtail down below. Too many for Holly to attack by herself. She could possibly distract or hurt the two in front of her quickly enough to reach Hermione and Apparate, but she couldn't possibly leave Ron behind.

She needed reinforcements. She needed others, but knew a Patronus would be too slow. Holly needed to bring help quickly and immediately. She froze, hand bumping a familiar piece of smooth wood. She curled her fingers around the wood and whispered, "Dobby…"

There was a loud pop and then Holly was on her feet, slinging out Stunning spells with reckless abandon. "Stupefy! Stupefy! Stupefy!"

She hit Bellatrix in the back first, training her wand on Greyback and hitting him once in the shoulder and dead-center of the chest as he straightened and turned. Still, the man moved forward with a jagged grin. Holly yelled, "Get Hermione and Ron!"

The House-elf snapped his fingers, glaring at Narcissa, who crumbled to the ground and laid as if asleep. He turned to Greyback and slung his hand out, sending the large man flying across the room. The monster smashed into a sofa, shattering it with force, and rolled across the floor. Dobby declared, "You will not harm Holly Potter."

"Dobby, protect Hermione!" Holly shouted as she ran for the steps to her right and descended into darkness. She could not see, only cast Stunning spells blindly when she heard stomping footsteps echoing from below. She fell over a Stunned Death Eater, one she had caught with a stray spell, tripping over his robes and landing painfully on her knees. Scrambling forward, she screamed out. "Ron! Ron!"

"Holly!" He shouted, "There's a Death Eater. And Wormtail!"

The words had barely left his lips before a large rat came zooming past her feet. Holly whirled around, casting multiple Stunning spells and missing the dirty rat every time. She swore loudly and shouted, "Impedimenta!"

The rat slowed and Holly dove, bashing her elbows and knees into stone again. She snarled as the rat bit into her hands, squeaking loudly. Holly squeezed tightly and grunted, "I won't let you hurt anyone again, Wormtail."

Suddenly, Wormtail was a man and she was being forced backward. She stumbled, hitting her back and head on stone. Ron was screaming her name in the darkness, but the sound was distorted to her ears as the hefty weight of Wormtail fell atop her, dirty hands going around her throat. She choked, struggling, fingers clawing at his hands around her neck. Wormtail only squeezed tighter. The shiny, metal hand made of Dark magic by Voldemort himself stayed crushing her windpipe with unrelenting force.

Holly's vision went dim and the kicking of her legs grew weaker. Her fingers, no matter how much she tried, slipped away from their tight grip on Wormtail's metal hand. Seconds passed in silence. She could no longer hear Ron's desperate bellows. And then, the horrible pressure was gone and Holly was sucking in burning gasps of air. She blinked away black dots, rolling to her side as Wormtail screamed once. A gurgling noise had her turning her head. The shiny, silver hand was turned against his will and choking Wormtail. His watery, beady eyes were bulging. Veins were sticking out from his neck and forehead. His face was purple and then blue. He grew still after his feet kicked out. Once. Twice. A third time. Holly stared, transfixed, not understanding what had just happened.

"Holly, Merlin, please don't be dead!" Ron cried out, voice hoarse and trembling. "HOLLY POTTER! You bloody well better answer me, damnit!"

She struggled to her feet, falling once and using the wall as support the second time. Still, she stumbled and breathed in burning mouthfuls of air. As she neared a circular room with cages, Holly leaned over and gagged until her stomach was empty. Ron was gripping the bars of a large cage with pale knuckles. He called out, "Holly!"

"Fine." She gasped, wiping at her mouth and stumbling toward him. She cast a simple Unlocking Charm and the door swung open. He said, "Old Ollivander is in the other cage with a goblin."

Holly nodded, turning toward the cage as Ron demanded, "Where's Hermione? Wormtail? All of them?"

"Dobby." Holly panted before casting an Unlocking Charm again. She croaked, "Hermione is upstairs. She's hurt. It's bad. Let's go."

Old Ollivander looked sickly, so Holly hesitated even as Ron ran out of the room. He swore loudly and then let out a laugh. "You deserve it, cowardly bastard that you are, Wormtail."

Ron ran back into the room a moment later with his wand and exclaimed, "Let's go!"
"We can't leave these two." Holly insisted weakly, still trying to catch her breath.

The goblin snapped, "I will take my leave with the old man."

"There you go." Ron said as he latched onto Holly's hand and pulled her up the dark staircase. They burst into the spacious room, Ron leading while Holly trembled and tried to steady herself. Dobby had the Malfoys in ropes, leaning against the fireplace. Both were unconscious. Bellatrix was screaming, spitting, and shrieking spells, but Dobby was holding her wand. She was bucking like a wild horse, trying to release herself from Charmed ropes. It seemed as if Bellatrix was incapable of wandless magic, which was all the good as far as Holly was concerned. Greyback lied against the fireplace, blood oozing steadily from his temple. A large gash was running across his forehead. Holly gagged and turned away, trembling legs bringing her to Hermione's side just as Ron tore his gaze from a raving Bellatrix.

"Hermione." Ron moaned painfully, running to her side and dropping to his knees. Holly said, "Grab her quickly. Hurry."

"Must leave, Holly Potter." Dobby called out, gesturing. "I musts bring us far from this evil place. Hurry, hurry."

Holly nodded, grabbing Hermione's shoulder as Ron took the other shoulder. Hermione was limp, but whimpered as they both lifted her. She let out a shrill cry. Ron pressed his face to her neck and began to speak to her. "We have you, Hermione. Do you hear me? It's Ron. Ron and Holly. We're leaving now."

"I will kill you all!" Bellatrix shrieked and threw her body about the floor. One side of the ropes were slipping from her shoulder.

"I will dance on your bones!"

Dobby dropped Bellatrix's wand on the floor at his feet, glaring stoutly at the Dark witch as she struggled. He held out one hand to Holly, who clasped him tightly. The other hand was gripped by Ron, who had to bend slightly in order to hold hands with the short elf. Holly was swaying on her feet, dizzy and breathless even still. Ron took the majority of Hermione's weight. He took his hand out of Dobby's as he tried steadying Hermione, who was bleeding freely from both arms. Ron demanded, "Get us out of here, Dobby."

Dobby nodded his head, reaching up to touch Ron's forearm. Bellatrix jerked her left shoulder around. The ropes fell away on that side of her body as a blade in her hand sliced effectively through the Charm. Holly watched, stunned and sick, as a knife soared through the air, end over end. Color and light disappeared. The evil woman's shrieks were all they heard until they smacked face-first into wet mush.

Holly groaned, trying to roll her trembling body over. She spit out mouthfuls of sand, feeling dampness sink into her clothes. She heard soft whimpering and Ron gasp, "Hermione. Oh, Merlin, let me see."

Holly took a moment to pry her eyes open. Bright white sky had her slamming them shut once more. She groaned, listening to the rushed whispers of Ron and the breathless sound of Hermione's replies. It was a soft voice, shaky and faint, that had Holly's eyes flying open a moment later.

She twisted her body, jumping to her feet despite the nauseating pain tearing through her injured shoulder. Wild eyes settled on a tiny form just a stone's throw away from her. She smelled salt and fish and felt a cool breeze on her clammy skin. Holly stumbled in the thick sand, falling to her knees and cupping the small face in front of her.

A smile touched Dobby's lips as Holly felt tears burn in her eyes, a sob catching in her throat. She took in the long fingers wrapped around the handle of Bellatrix's knife, an alarmingly large rusty stain spreading across his grubby shirt.

"Dobby…" She whispered before turning her head toward her friends. She bellowed, "Hermione! Ron!"

Holly turned back, quickly pulling Dobby's small body to her chest. He whispered her name, so Holly looked down. His big, bright eyes were shining as he faintly said, "Such a beautiful place to be with friends…"

And then his chest stopped moving. Wide, tennis-ball eyes went blank. Holly sobbed, "Dobby. Dobby, wake up."

She shook his body, cradling him like an infant and rocking him quickly. She shouted, "WAKE UP! DOBBY, WAKE UP! HERMIONE, HELP ME!"

She whirled around, stumbling in the sand on her knees as she cradled Dobby's small body. Warm blood was soaking into her shirt. Ron was standing tall, holding a hunched Hermione. Both were pale with specks of blood covering them. She saw a tall, red-headed figure stalking their way from over a sand dune. He had long, brilliant ginger hair and scars marring his face. Holly turned her eyes back to her friends and whispered, "Hermione?"

"I-I…" Hermione trembled and cried, "He's dead, Holly. He's dead."

Ron held the bushy-haired girl tightly to his chest and blinked rapidly. A few tears escape his bright blue eyes as he rasped, "There's nothing we can do."

Holly bowed her head, holding even tighter to Dobby's body as she cried. She screamed when big palms tried gently taking the body from her hands a little while later. She screamed and kicked and punched and scratched at the person, only realizing it was Bill when she caught a glimpse of his pale, scarred face. Even still, she didn't stop attacking the man until Ron wrapped her in a hug from behind. He held so tightly that Holly's ribs hurt. Still, she sobbed and cried.

"He was my friend! He was my friend and he was trying to safe me!"

"I know," Ron let out a shuddering breath as he pressed his forehead against the back of her neck. He whispered, "I know, Holly. I'm so sorry."

Eventually, she fell limp in his arms. She croaked, "I want to bury him properly. I need a shovel. Quickly, Ron."

Ron nodded and slowly released her. He stayed in step with her as she stumbled over the sand dune. There was a small cottage decorated with wind-chimes made of sea-shells just on the other side. Shell Cottage. A fenced-in garden had a rounded table and chairs. Bill was standing over the table, where a small bundle was wrapped in blue silk. Fleur was sitting in one of the chairs while Hermione slumped in the other. The older witch was dabbing at the cuts on Hermione's bloody arms and gray face.

All three looked up with stricken expressions when Holly came forward with Ron at her side. She stared blankly at the bundle of blue silk until Bill stepped forward, handing Ron a shovel. Holly blinked and reached for the wooden handle. She pulled it out of Ron's hand and said, "I want to do it myself."

After checking on Hermione, Ron had followed Holly as she aimlessly wandered around the beachy grounds. She found an area at the very top of a hill. There were shoots of grass sticking out in odd place and the smallest purple flowers were dancing in the wind. Holly began to dig. And dig. And dig until the sun was sinking. Bill came to stand alongside Ron as Holly stood waist-deep in a hole.

The eldest brother said, "Hermione is asleep. Most wounds are healed."

They lapsed into silence as the wind blew and seagulls called out to one another. Holly sniffed and scrambled out of the hole, ignoring Ron's hand when he offered. She stumbled down the hill and came back carrying the bundle of silk. She dropped to her knees next to the hole and simply stared.

Bill quietly cast a Levitating spell. Holly watched as the body moved out of her hands and was gently laid to rest in a sandy grave. Another spell had the large pile of sand covering the grave. Holly watched as Bill waved his wand in several complicated patterns. Nearby twigs and stones and flowers flowed together in a whirlwind until a cross was placed at the head of the grave.

Bill looked to her and asked, "What should his headstone say?"

Holly noticed Hermione wobbling up the hill with Fleur at her side. Both women came to a halt beside Ron. She watched as Ron put a careful arm around Hermione's shoulder. Her friend leaned into Ron's body and tucked her head under his neck.

Holly turned back to Bill, letting the tears fall as she answered him. Long after everyone else was back at Shell Cottage, Holly sat beside the grave. She stared at the beautiful cross that read: Here lies Dobby, A Free Elf.