I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.
Loss
"Rennervate!" Alex said, pointing his wand at Luna as Harry did the same for Neville.
Both stirred, then scrambled to their feet, Neville looking around in terror.
"Just go, Neville!" Harry snapped.
Neville jumped, then scrambled up the stairs toward the door the Order had arrived througah, only to yelp and leap to the side as the door burst open. And there, framed in the doorway, stood Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore sped down the steps past Alex and the others, who had no more thoughts of leaving. Dumbledore was already at the foot of the steps when the Death Eaters nearest realized he was there and yelled to the others. One of the Death Eaters ran for it, scrabbling like a monkey up the stone steps opposite. Dumbledore's spell pulled him back as easily and effortlessly as though he had hooked him with an invisible line. Only one pair was still battling, apparently unaware of the new arrival. Alex saw Sirius duck Bellatrix's jet of red light. He was laughing at her.
"Come on, you can do better than that!" He yelled, his voice echoing around the cavernous room.
The second jet of light hit him squarely on the chest. The laughter had not quite died from his face, but his eyes widened in shock. Harry released Neville, jumping down the steps again, pulling out his wand, as Dumbledore, too, turned towards the dais. Alex's heart dropped through his feet as he realized where Sirius would fall. His body curved in a graceful arc as he sank backwards through Veil. Harry watched in horrified silence as he fell through the ancient doorway and disappeared behind the Veil, which fluttered for a moment as though in a high wind, then fell back into place.
"SIRIUS!" Harry yelled. "SIRIUS!"
He reached the floor two steps ahead of Alex, his breath coming in ragged gasps, but as he sprinted towards the dais, Alex grabbed Harry around the chest, holding him back, Lupin stepping up to help him a second later as Harry fought to be free.
"There's nothing you can do, Harry," Alex said.
"Get him, save him, he's only just gone through!" Harry pleaded.
"It's too late, Harry," Lupin said.
"We can still reach him!" Harry struggled hard and viciously, but Alex and Lupin would not let go.
"There's nothing you can do, Harry," Lupin said. "Nothing. He's gone."
"He hasn't gone!" Harry yelled. Still he fought Lupin and Alex with every bit of strength he had. "SIRIUS! SIRIUS!"
"He can't come back, Harry," Lupin said, his voice breaking as he struggled to contain Harry. "He can't come back, because he's d-"
"HE IS NOT DEAD!" Harry roared. "SIRIUS!"
Alex looked around as Dumbledore finished restraining almost all of the Death Eaters. Only Bellatrix remained free, Kingsley having moved to continue Sirius's duel with her. Alex returned his attention to Harry as he and Lupin dragged him away from the dais.
"Harry?" Neville called softly.
Harry was no longer struggling against Alex and Lupin, Alex maintaining a precautionary grip on his arm nevertheless, allowing Lupin to release him and look around to see if he was needed anywhere.
"Harry...I'b really sorry," Neville said, his voice thick from his broken nose. "Was dad man...was Sirius Black a...a friend of yours?"
Harry nodded.
"Let's...let's find the others," Lupin said, face pale. "Where are they all, Neville?" He turned away from the archway as he spoke. It sounded as though every word was causing him pain.
"They're all in an office off the room with the brains," Luna said. "It was easier for Luna to defend that room than the round one. A brain attacked Ron, but Alex stopped it, and Hermione was hurt."
"I dink she's alrighd," Neville said. "We could feel a bulse."
There was a loud bang and a yell from behind the dais. Alex saw Kingsley hit the ground yelling in pain. Bellatrix turned tail and ran as Dumbledore whipped around. He aimed a spell at her but she deflected it, already halfway up the steps now. Harry surged forward.
"Harry, no!" Lupin cried, but Harry had already ripped his arm from Alex's slackened grip.
"SHE KILLED SIRIUS!" Harry bellowed. "SHE KILLED HIM! I'LL KILL HER!"
And he was off, scrambling up the stone benches. People were shouting behind him but he clearly did not care. The hem of Bellatrix's robes whipped out of sight ahead, and Harry tore after her into the room with the brains. Alex charged after him, Luna and Lupin just behind him, only to stop in the room as Dumbledore tore past them all. Alex sighed. He couldn't keep up with Dumbledore, not at the speed he was sprinting. And if Dumbledore was there, he'd be useless. He glanced at Luna and sighed as Neville joined them.
"Which door?" Alex asked.
Luna nodded to one of them and Alex walked over, pushing the door open just in time to use his free hand to block a Stunning Charm from Ginny. She sighed, lowering her wand.
"It's so good to see you, Professor Lupin," Ginny smiled, then frowned. "Where's Harry?"
"Bellatrix Lestrange killed Sirius," Alex said. "Harry went after her, and Dumbledore after him. He'll be alright. We need to get all of you out of here."
Ginny nodded, clearly worried, and Alex helped her onto his back again before once again lashing her there. Then, he picked up Hermione as Lupin pulled Ron to his feet. Together, they all left the office and headed for the round room. After a few minutes of checking from one door to the next, they finally found the corridor to the lifts and followed it, taking the lift up to the top. Once there, they found dozens of Aurors and Ministry workers swarming around the Atrium and a handful heading for the lift.
"Hello Dawlish," Lupin said. "The Death Eaters are down in the Death Chamber, aside from a couple who are scattered. One should be near the Time Chamber, and a few should be in the Brain Room."
Dawlish nodded, he and the other Aurors heading down in the lift. Toward the fountain, which was missing all of its statues, all of them instead being lying around the room broken, Dumbledore was talking with Fudge. Lupin lead Alex and the others over to him, letting him know he was taking them back to school by Floo Powder, then led them to a fireplace. Then, a few moments later, they were all stepping out of Madam Pomfrey's fireplace. She shrieked in surprise and sprinted over, taking Hermione instantly, as she was the only one unconscious, and the others all chose a bed to wait at.
Alex sighed, leaning against Luna inside their cave. They had just gotten done visiting Hermione and Ron in the Hospital Wing. Ginny, Luna, and Neville had all been healed in no time at all by Madam Pomfrey, but Ron had had to recover from both the Confundus Charm that had lasted until midday after they'd returned, and also recover from the injuries the brain had given him, which were likely to scar permanently. Hermione, on the other hand, was having to take no less than ten potions a day in order to recover from the curse she was hit with, the same purple flame Alex's wand had saved Luna from, apparently cast by Dolohov. Other than them, and Sirius, the only one with lasting injuries was Tonx, who was spending a short time in St. Mungo's. Meanwhile, on the Death Eater side of the battle, all but Bellatrix had been identified, and almost all were arrested. Dolohov, the Death Eater who'd cursed Hermione, was apparently still recovering from the shattered ribs and broken back Alex had given him, one of the Death Eaters was apparently being treated for his head being reduced to that of an infant somehow, and the Death Eater who'd tried to kill Luna, and who had killed Alex's clone, apparently to no effect, had been killed when Alex had blasted him in the face. Alex felt no guilt over it, however, but had yet to be able to ask the Order who it was.
"I almost can't believe it all happened," Luna said.
"I know," Alex said. "I was so afraid I'd lose you that entire time."
Luna hugged him. "You saved me. You risked your own life to push me out of the way of that Killing Curse with your clone, even though you didn't know if the clone's injuries would transfer to you."
"If I'd been able to stand properly, I'd have pushed you out of the way myself," Alex said.
"I know," Luna said, tightening her hold. "I much prefer you using the clone for that."
Alex nodded, kissing the top of her head. Just then, there was a sound like tiny feet scrabbling against stone, and Blue dropped through their air hole, landing in front of them. He looked up at Alex and made a soft, chirruping noise, and Alex's eyes widened.
"Mouse!" he breathed, then jumped up, scooping Blue into his pocket before diving into the water, Luna just behind him with a Bubble-Head Charm.
They swam to the surface quickly, then dried themselves as they sprinted to the school and up through it. When they reached the Gryffindor Common room, neither payed the rest of Gryffindor House any mind as they ran through it. A few moments later, they were seated on Alex's bed, Mouse lying in Alex's lap, cooing softly as his breathing began to taper off. Ginny burst in a moment later, just as Mouse fell still. She covered her mouth as Luna wrapped her arms around Alex.
"Is he..." Ginny trailed off as Alex nodded.
He continued to stroke Mouse's stomach for a few minutes before gently raising his hand. Mouse's body rose into the air, then burst into a ball of flames for a few seconds before going out, leaving a silhouette of ash behind, which Alex directed out of the window, the ash scattering into the wind instantly. Luna tucked her face into his shoulder and Alex curled into her, beginning to cry softly. After a moment, Ginny joined them, holding them both comfortingly as they cried. Finally, after a long while, Luna pulled away and flicked her wand at Alex's trunk.
"Accio figurine," Luna said softly.
Alex looked up as it landed lightly in her hand and she animated it. After a few moments, it bushed itself up, shaking, then hopped onto Alex's lap and flopped onto its back, spreading its wings. He reached down, stroking the now soft feathers of its stomach, and it cooed happily. Alex couldn't help but smile. Even as an animated figurine, it acted and sounded almost exactly like Mouse. He began to cry again, and Luna pulled him back into a hug, Ginny leaving the room to give them privacy this time.
Alex smiled equal parts sadly and adoringly as Mouse, the figurine of him, at least, sped up and down the table on his tiny Firebolt, Blue, Emerald, Snow, and Luna's Heliopath, which she'd decided to name Daisy, all chasing him, everyone they passed laughing any time Mouse made a hairpin turn and the other four went skidding along the table from being unable to stop in time.
"I could almost believe he just got healthy again," Luna said over their hearing aids.
"Same," Alex said, lifting his plate as their pets all raced by. "So, how long are you and your dad going to be in Sweden? I imagine it won't be a quick process to try and find the Crumple-Horned Snorkack."
Luna rolled her eyes. "I told Dad I might not go. That is, if someone else had a place I could stay."
Alex smiled. "Well, I'm sure someone might have some room for you to sleep."
Luna smiled. "Yes, I recall it was quite a tight fit where you live. Barely room to walk around."
Alex smiled, shaking his head, and finished his dinner. Once the feast was over, he and Luna headed to their cave for a while before heading to bed. The next day, they brought their trunks out to the Great Hall, then took the carriages to the train station. During the trip back, Alex thoroughly enjoyed himself. Firstly, since Ron and Hermione had made a full recovery, they were able to handle the prefect duties for him. Secondly, as he was heading to the bathroom, he saw Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle try to ambush Harry, only for the compartment beside them to open and Ernie Macmillan, Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Anthony Goldstein and Terry Boot to rain hexes on them until they looked like little more than three massive slugs stuffed into Hogwarts robes. Alex helped Harry, Ernie, and Justin hoist them into the luggage rack and leave them to ooze. Thirdly, he got to spend the entire ride, other than the bathroom trip, holding Luna thoroughly reveling in the fact that he was finally, truly, happy again, and that Umbridge wouldn't be back next year. And on top of that, Peeves had chased her out of the castle beating her over the head with Professor McGonagall's walking stick and a large rubber bat Alex had conjured for him, which shouted insults at Umbridge every time he hit her with it.
Then, as they got off of the train and left platform nine-and-three-quarters, they found half the Order waiting. Moody, with his bowler hat pulled low over his magical eye and in an oversized traveling cloak, Tonx, with her hair bright pink currently, Lupin, dressed in his usual shabby cloak plus a shabby jumper and trousers, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley at the front, both beaming, and Fred and George off to the side in fine, dragonskin jackets, both of whom grinned proudly at him the moment he was through. As most of the order began to greet Harry, Alex and Luna walked over to Lupin first.
"I saw what you did when that Death Eater tried to kill Luna," Lupin said lowly, face exceptionally serious for a moment before splitting into a knowing smile. "Congratulations on finally figuring out the spell."
"Thanks," Alex smiled. "I'm glad it was a real spell after all."
Lupin nodded. "As am I."
"That spell's good for more than just dueling and sacrificing yourself, you know," Tonx said, then grinned, leaning in to whisper, Alex's face going scarlet instantly.
"Nymphadora," Lupin said.
She spun, hair going bright red. "Don't call me, Nymphadora!" She huffed, shaking her head as he hair returned to pink.
Alex smiled, trying to will the color out of his cheeks, and walked over to the Twins with Luna.
"We heard there's a new king in the school," Fred said.
"Never been more proud," George said. "Peeves actually had Lee Jordan send us a letter to let us know how well you were doing."
"Even we never managed to get Peeves on our side," Fred said. "Mind you, you did completely steal our idea with that last show."
"And apparently it didn't work," Alex said. "But it's fine. Even if Umbridge is gone, I can still aim Peeves at Filch next year. And Snape."
Both twins grinned widely. "And that last one is exactly why we went ahead and invested some money in you."
Alex frowned until they each held out a pair of folded bits of clothing, Fred holding his out for Alex and George for Luna. Both lifted the items and let them unfold, then whistled. One was a dragon-skin waistcoat, which they could wear under their school robes without anyone noticing, and the other was a jacket, which looked a lot like a scaled leather jacket.
"Both of those are made from Hungarian Horntail skin," Fred said.
"It's got the most spell-resistant skin," George said.
"Just don't expect it to block the Killing Curse," Fred said as Alex and Luna both shoved the clothing into his bag.
"Thank you," Alex said. "We really appreciate it."
"Well, we can't risk Malfoy jinxing our business partner in the back and have him sent to St. Mungo's, can we?" George said.
"Speaking of," Alex said. "I have an idea for you."
"Oh, do tell," Fred said.
"Apply the Shield Charm, as strong as you can get it, to clothing," Alex said. "People are going to need it, and Hogwarts students will definitely buy it."
"Brilliant!" the twins both said.
"Just don't sell to Slytherins, or, at least, warn me first," Alex said. "If I have to aim for the face, evidently I need to tone it back."
"No aiming for the face against students," Lupin said as he and the other adults rejoined the Twins from having been giving a warning to Harry's Aunt and Uncle.
"Unless it's a low-level jinx," Tonx said. "Like the Stinging Jinx."
"Or the Stunning Spell," Fred said.
"Full Body-Bind Curse is fine," George said.
"He knows what we mean," Moody said. "By the way. I didn't get to say it before, but that was excellent dueling you showed."
"Thank you," Alex smiled.
"Anyway, we won't hold you any longer," Mrs. Weasley said. "It wouldn't do to have your family's Transfiguration Spell to wear off in the middle of the street."
Alex nodded in agreement and he and Luna said their goodbyes before walking to where April and Chloe were talking to Xenophilius Lovegood.
"Ah, Luna," Xenophilius said. "There you are. Have you decided where you'll be staying?"
Luna nodded, smiling and slipping her hand into Alex's. "I'm going to stay with Alex, if that's alright. I'll visit you when you get back from your trip though."
Xenophilius nodded, smiling pleasantly. "Have a good summer, then."
Luna smiled and nodded, hugging her father before she and Alex headed for the river with his family. Not ten seconds after they entered the river, April and Chloe's spell wore off. Alex sighed in relief and they all swam down to the lakebed before April cast the transportation spell, sending them all to the island.
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