Happy New Year guys! How have the first five day of the new decade been for you all?
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CrystalAris: Thank you for reading!
Cassie-011: All will be revealed in time! Thank you for reading!
It was incomprehensible. Fred Weasley on his back, eyes unseeing and smile as bright as ever; lay dead. No, it couldn't be. The twins were invincible. No teacher, not even Umbridge could budge them. There was no way Fred was dead. I squeezed my eyes closed, a wave of nausea hitting the pit of my belly, burning its way up to my throat.
I slid away from Hermione and Harry, collapsing to my knees, retching. Dry heaves racked my body before Hermione bent down over me as well, shaky hands rubbing down my back. A low sniff made me look up at the despondent tears on her face. No, what was she even crying for?
I was about to ask her when the world resumed pace…and the battle around us waged again.
A body fell past the hole blown into the side of the school and curses flew in from the darkness, hitting the wall behind us.
Harry was the first to regain his senses. "Duck!" he shouted. Different hands grappled with different people, trying to pull them into safety but nothing seemed to matter in the moments that Percy hovered, static over Fred.
"Percy!" Ron screamed at his brother. "There's…nothing we can do for him." His voice choked; hurt coursing through the rasps on his throat. Hermione screamed too, only this time I didn't need to know why.
Something huge, black and clicking was trying to clamber into the hole in the wall. An Acromantula from the forest…
"Impedimenta," I yelled just as Harry and Ron's spells shot at it too. The three spells collided with the massive body of the spider, throwing it back into the darkness.
"It brought friends!" Harry called.
More giant spiders were climbing the side of the building, liberated from the Forbidden Forest, into which the Death Eaters must have penetrated. Harry fired Stunning Spells down upon them, knocking the lead monster into its fellows, so that they rolled back down the building and out of sight.
A few curses flew past him, hitting the wall across as we doubled over to avoid being hit.
"We have to move. Now!" I called, grabbing Hermione off the floor to shove her towards the corridors. Ron followed after her as Harry and Percy began to haul Fred…his body.
I didn't see where they put him. I couldn't turn my head to see Fred looking…dead. What was George going to do? What was he going to think? How would he react? I didn't let these thoughts take root in my head as we reached the end of the corridor. I looked around wildly, unable to recognize faces through the haze in my eyes but Percy soon bellowed out ROOKWOOD! Before he was chasing down a man, his hood still drawn…
I threw one look back to see Hermione tugging Ron back but didn't let my own feet stop.
"Rose! Wait, no! Come back!"
I pounded on, ignoring Hermione's panicked calls of my name, the deep boom of Harry and Ron's shouts fading as well as I charged into the battling mass.
One deep red, notion bled in me. They deserved to be punished, to be killed…
Fred deserved to be avenged…
My feet slowed down when I finally turned the corner to where the fighting had probably eased. The grounds still crawled with people running or dueling but the corner looked decrepit, as if it had never been breathed in.
"Not possible," I said out loud, panting. There was no way they left a part of Hogwarts untouched. An odd shiver ran through the walls and then I realized why nobody was around there.
I followed the rising mountain of a man as he stood up from where he kneeled, huge yellow teeth the size of tombstones leering at me.
"Ah shit," I mumbled as the Giant leaned down, hand open to reach for me.
I screeched, sending a stinging hex straight at his open palm. It ricocheted of his skin, flying off into the other direction and I did the one thing that I could think of to avoid being squished like a grape.
I jumped.
The caverns in the walls were large enough for me to vanish from between the Giant's fingers, his size not permitting him to follow as I fell. Wind whistled in my hair, my wand almost slipping out of my hand as I cast a softening charm to break my fall.
It worked but not that brilliantly. My feet buckled under my weight, my body collapsing to the front. I threw out my hands, barely saving my already injured head.
Looking up, the Giant roared again but before I could muster up courage to pick myself up, it had stomped off in another direction, apparently deciding I wasn't worth the trouble.
The cold that radiated from the flagstones soothed my burning fingers, rashes from holding my wand too tightly. I eased my grip on it, getting to my feet and immediately stilling.
There was a wand at the back of my neck.
"I was wondering when you'd get alone, dearie."
I bristled, craning my head to look at the mask less Death Eater. "Avery," I recognized.
"Hello there sweetheart; now be a good girl and start walking,"
I stood still.
Heat burst from Avery's wand, singing the delicate skin on my neck sharply and I yelped, trying to bat away at the offending weapon.
"Next it'll be the Cruciatus curse, girl. Now walk," he growled, poking the wand squarely at my back.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked, slipping my wand surreptitiously in my pocket. No way was I giving that up and Avery seemed to have thought I'd lost it in the fall.
"The Dark Lord would like a word."
The warmth of a wand light held up to my face was what woke me up, looking around anxiously. A man stood close to me, his face pale in the light, eyes fixed on mine.
"She's awake." He called.
A rustle of robes across the floor made me turn to the other person in the room, groggy from the spell Avery lulled me to sleep with.
"That will be all. Go now," Severus Snape looked down his hooked nose at me.
The Death Eater nodded, walking away before the door slammed shut.
"Snape, you aren't dead." I muttered under my breath but by the twisted look on his face, I knew he heard me.
"Not as of yet, Miss Alton, though I would not thank you for it."
"Hey, if I had my way you'd be dead when you jumped." I went on.
What was I doing? Did I have no clue who I was talking to? This was the man who killed Albus Dumbledore for Merlin's sake. He could wave his wand and I'd be on the floor…like Fred.
The thought made my limbs move; trying to push away from the wall but something gripped me tight to it.
"Longbottom and Professor Sprout aren't the only ones with an affinity for plants." Snape said, in return to my puzzled whine.
I turned my head back as much as I could to see Devil's Snare leaking out the walls, broken wood panels forming hooks for where the vines gripped tight to me.
I thumped my head back, willing myself to not struggle so it would let up. Snape raised his eyebrows at my defiant stare. "I wouldn't have thought you as self controlled but maybe I was mistaken." He turned away.
"So, what's the plan? Avery said The Dark Lord wants a word. I assume that's code for wanting me dead? Why am I still alive?" I asked.
"The Dark Lord hasn't ordered your murder."
I swallowed my next words. The answer hadn't been what I was expecting. Maybe I was hoping for a definite answer, like yeah I'll be dead as soon as Voldemort pops back from murdering my fellow fighters…or maybe even, he just wants you here as a wall decoration.
Of course, Snape wouldn't go along with what I would consider a consolation. He would have to contort his words. I also noticed the small edge he missed in his sentence. I knew he didn't tack on the 'yet' that would've surely followed.
"Why not?" I demanded.
Snape let out an exasperate sigh. "For someone who so valiantly fights for others, you are painfully not worried about your own life."
"You caught me; I'm considering myself dead until I can get away." I shrugged.
"I'm doubtful of that plan." He said.
"Look, professor," I sighed dejectedly. "Why does he want me?"
There was an odd glint in his eyes, a sudden spark of emotion that flickered and then died simultaneously. "There are things in motion that you are yet to understand, Miss Alton. I wouldn't make the mistake of making you privy of them as of yet." He said.
"Yeah, you and Dumbledore… How did it feel? Betraying the man who protected your traitorous hide all this time," I asked conversationally.
Snape ignored that.
"He was a great man, a smart man. He had your best interests in heart, I assure you Alton. No matter what you and Potter think, he protected you as well." He said.
I stared at him, cold black eyes that watched me with a pointed notion in his eyes.
"I'm bait." I realized.
Snape looked away.
So that's what it was. What Aberforth had said was true then. Only, I had never thought they would want me. But then…I was the only one who had wandered off alone. Everyone else was on the grounds, fighting in plain sight. Hermione and Ron were with Harry. That was all that mattered. They were safe.
"I won't act as one. Harry won't come for me." I said, firmly.
My former teacher barely rolled his eyes.
"Oh Alton," he shook his head. "You probably know Potter the best out of the two of us. Do you really, even for a second believe, that he won't? Potter, who is the most ridiculously attached boy I have ever seen, do you think he lacks affection for you to simply abandon you?"
"I won't beg for him to come save me. I don't need," I started but Snape continued, without even acknowledging what I'd said.
"The Dark Lord will dangle you in front of him. Dangle your life, your future, in front of Potter on the thinnest thread he has ever seen. It will snap at his indecision or stay strong per his sacrifice.
"You bastard, you planned this." I snarled but Snape didn't look too bothered.
He was about to say something more when the door opened to reveal Lucius Malfoy standing at the threshold. "Oh shit," I whispered at his state.
Once, long and luxurious, his hair was matted; the white gold sheen, trademark of Malfoy had lost color, looking grey. One of his eyes was puffed shut and long slashes covered his cheeks and neck. He trembled where he stood but managed to give me a somewhat vindictively proud look from the one open eye he could use.
"Snape, the Dark Lord wants a word. He's asking for you."
"He seems to be doing that a lot." I said loudly.
Both men gave me a look. Snape's clearly told me to shut it.
"He asked for me? Now, when Potter is barely in our hold?" Snape questioned voice delicate.
"I'm doing what he said. Just go," Malfoy said coldly.
"Hey Mr. Malfoy, how have you been? Looks like life's been hard for you; should've stayed in Azkaban. We'll send little Draco after you, don't worry." I smiled.
"Impudent girl" Malfoy sr. spat; his hand fumbling at his robes, as if in search for his wand. He couldn't find it though instead choosing to ball his fists as he came at me muggle style.
A flash of blue hit him in the side, tossing him lightly away from me.
"Lucius, need I remind you that the Dark Lord needs the girl? He intends to lure Potter in with her and needs her intact. If she even obtains a scratch from one of us, the punishment…will be excruciating." Snape said lazily.
Lucius gasped, clutching his arm to where the spell had hit him. He cast a furious look back at me, completely avoiding Snape and scampered away.
There was a pause in which I slumped again with Snape glaring at me.
"When will you learn to keep your mouth shut? Lord Voldemort has ordered us to not harm you but if you cannot reel yourself back…you might end up dead anyway."
"I am going to die. Just because you think Harry is going to come for me doesn't mean Voldemort won't kill me," I hissed right back.
He growled out a profanity before turning on his heel, marching to open the door.
"I am going to enchant the door so no one can come in." he said before aiming the wand at my face. "I'm afraid this needs to be done, Miss Alton."
You have fought, valiantly. Lord Voldemort knows how to value bravery. Yet you have sustained heavy losses. If you continue to resist me, you will all die, one by one. I do not wish this to happen. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a loss and a waste. Lord Voldemort is merciful. I command my forces to retreat immediately. You have one hour. Dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured.
I speak now, Harry Potter, directly to you. You have permitted your friends to die for you rather than face me yourself. I shall wait for one hour in the Forbidden Forest. If, at the end of that hour you have not come to me, have not given yourself up; then battle recommences. This time, I shall enter the fray myself, Harry Potter, and I shall find you, and I shall punish every last man, woman, and child who has tried to conceal you from me. One hour.
For you to consider the gravity of my words…I will tell you now that I have someone who will be the first of many casualties to die if you selfishly stay away, safe while the people you claim to love continue to die for you. She will die, waiting for you at the end of the hour, Harry Potter. Turn yourself to me, and she might be spared.
Both Ron and Hermione shook their heads frantically, looking at Harry. "Harry, don't listen to him."
Hermione looked around wildly. "We'll figure something out. It's going to be alright, we'll think of a new plan." She said as the trio began the trip back to the castle. Harry gathered the cloak to himself, looking down at Snape's body. He didn't know what to feel, his body felt weighed by the shock of what he'd seen, what he'd heard…and the reason why Snape was dead.
They crawled back through the tunnel, none of them talking, and Harry wondered whether Ron and Hermione could still hear Voldemort ringing in their heads as he could.
You have permitted your friends to die for you rather than face me yourself. I shall wait for one hour in the Forbidden Forest…One hour… I have someone who will be the first of many casualties to die if you selfishly stay away, safe while the people you claim to love continue to die for you. She will die waiting for you at the end of the hour, Harry Potter. Turn yourself to me, and she might be spared.
A terrible thought raised its ugly head, chilling his very blood.
What if it was…? No, she was a brilliant witch and a fierce fighter. There was no way Roselle Alton would be caught. But what if it…was her? What if it was Rose, Voldemort had ordered his Death Eaters to fetch? The one Snape had looked so discomfited about…?
The castle was unnaturally silent. There were no flashes of light now, no bangs or screams or shouts. The flagstones of the deserted entrance hall were stained with blood.
Ron led the way to the Great Hall. Harry stopped in the doorway. The House tables were gone and the room was crowded. The survivors stood in groups, their arms around each other's necks. The injured were being treated upon the raised platform by Madam Pomfrey and a group of helpers. Firenze was amongst the injured; his flank poured blood and he shook where he lay, unable to stand.
The dead lay in a row in the middle of the Hall. Harry could not see Fred's body, because his family surrounded him. George was kneeling at his head; Mrs. Weasley was lying across Fred's chest, her body shaking. Mr. Weasley stroking her hair while tears cascaded down his cheeks.
Harry could see Lady Alton stand somewhere near the back, an arm around Pamela as McGonagall spoke to them, her head bowed.
Harry, Ron and Hermione drifted apart, walking off in different directions, to soothe, to comfort…to grieve. For Harry, his terrifying suspicion was already beginning to gnaw at him, and all he wanted was reprieve. That Ro was somewhere about, maybe doing the whole tough act while she casted herself apart.
He would put a stop to it if he could.
"Pam," he began, his voice coming out croaky. The younger girl turned her head and squeaked before escaping her mother's arm and rushing to him, her hug reminiscent of her sister's. She spoke fast in Harry's ear, each word a jab in his chest.
"Please tell me she's with you. I haven't seen Rose anywhere. Mum cast a Patronus but it couldn't find her. McGonagall's sent the ghosts to look around."
Harry's arm slackened around Pamela, looking blankly at her mother and Professor McGonagall. A brief understanding passed through them. McGonagall looked down, lip bitten as Lady Alton's face hardened.
"So, it is my daughter Lord Voldemort holds captive?" she asked quietly.
Harry's lungs burned.
I have someone who will be the first of many casualties to die if you selfishly stay away, safe while the people you claim to love continue to die for you. She will die waiting for you at the end of the hour, Harry Potter. Turn yourself to me, and she might be spared.
There was no other way. He couldn't let her die out in the forest, alone, feeling as if she'd been failed. No, he thought, she'd hate him for coming. She'd hate him for trying to rescue her…but she needed exactly that.
She needed to be here with her family, with friends whom she loved and who loved her, with them…
"I'm going to bring her back. I swear." He said. His voice didn't shake, didn't waver.
Pamela turned big eyes on him, McGonagall looking like she was going to say something and even Lady Alton hesitated.
"Harry," she began but stopped as he took a step back.
He didn't hear her. Harry saw Hermione approach Ginny, whose face was swollen and blotchy, and hug her. Ron joined Bill, Fleur, and Percy, who flung an arm around Ron's shoulders. As Ginny and Hermione moved closer to the rest of the family, Harry had a clear view of the bodies lying next to Fred. Remus and Tonks, pale and still and peaceful-looking, apparently asleep beneath the dark, enchanted ceiling.
Harry reeled backward from the women. He could not draw breath. He could not bear to look at any of the other bodies, to see who else had died for him. He could not bear to join the Weasleys, could not look into their eyes, when, if he had given himself up in the first place, Fred might never have died…Rose might have been here…safe…
Without another word, he turned on his heel and took off, feeling the edges of the jar of Snape's memories in his pocket. There was only one place…he needed to know…everything…
And...Roselle is going to come face to face with ol' Voldy soon!
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