Part IV: Revolution

Chapter XXIV: In Which There is a Future

Silence continued to ring through the Great Hall as everyone processed exactly what they had just witnessed. Harry stood with the two wands, his chest heaving as he stared down at the empty shell of the man who had caused so much strife and cruelty and chaos.

The man who had feared death had met his untimely demise.

As everyone broke out into cheers and started to swarm Harry, Corinna found herself backing up away from the crowd. Her breaths were coming at her in short bursts, her vision narrowing, and renewed sweat was breaking out on her neck.

The reality of the last few minutes finally hit her like a troll's club. It knocked her out, but left her in a state that she was hyper-aware of her body and everything around her.

She dodged and weaved around the people who were either trying to get to Harry, or else find their loved ones. As if fate just wasn't done messing with her, she found herself next to Bellatrix's body.

Corinna killed Bellatrix.

She was a murderer.

She was no better than the woman she had killed.

Corinna collapsed onto her knees, her robes and trousers instantly soaked in the blood that was already starting to congeal. The sword of Gryffindor that she did not even realize she still held clanked to the ground next to her. Bellatrix stared up at the ceiling, the shocked look permanently etched on her once-beautiful features.

"Don't tell me you're sad she's dead."

Corinna gave a wet, humorless laugh as Terry crouched down next to her, and he looked over Bellatrix's body shaking his head.

"Not at all," she reassured as she wiped her face with her sleeve. "I'm just…I'm a murderer now."

"No, you're not," said Terry as he placed a hand on Corinna's shoulder. "If you hadn't done it, she probably would have done someone else in. You were protecting your friends. That is no different than what Harry had just done. Do you think he's a murderer?"

There were many, many ways that their two situations were completely different, but the argument was lost on her lips. Instead, she turned and crashed into a hug with Terry. He stumbled back as he was only balanced on the balls of his feet, but he wrapped his arms around Corinna and that helped him steady himself.

Corinna sniffled loudly and pulled away, but Terry kept an arm around her shoulders. "I don't know if you saw them, but your parents are here."

"I think Grace contacted them that we needed more help," said Terry, shaking his head. "They are probably very angry with us since we snuck out to fight in a battle that we could have very easily died in."

"I think you'll be okay," said Corinna. She carefully stood up, and they used each other to keep each other balanced. "Go on. I'm sure you want to see your family and Seamus."

Terry looked uncertain as he looked over Corinna. "Will you be okay?" he asked softly.

She nodded. "I won't do anything stupid without you, I promise."

"Better not," he said. He gave Corinna one last hug before he rejoined the crowd in search of others.

Corinna glanced back down at Bellatrix and crossed her arms over her chest. "You made my life nothing but a living hell since I found out who you were." She gave a shaky sigh and she closed her eyes to compose herself. She blinked her eyes open again, and continued, "I am no longer afraid of you. You mean nothing to me. I will not allow myself to be defined by you."

She bent down and picked up the bloodied sword of Gryffindor. "Goodbye, Bellatrix."

The morning was a blur. There was a lot of hugging and crying. No one seemed to mind that Corinna was soaked in Bellatrix's blood as she seemed to be tackled into hugs by more people than she thought she knew. Despite the fact that she did not even think she had ever said a single word to him, Lee Jordan gave her the biggest hug and gave her the unfortunate nickname of Snake Slayer.

It was neigh impossible to get close to Harry, so she stuck to the fringes as word from around the country was coming in. People who were Imperiused were now breaking free, Death Eaters were either fleeing or being captured, and the innocent who were sent to Azkaban were now getting out. In a move that surprised no one, an emergency Wizengamot meeting named Kingsley Shacklebolt the interim Minister of Magic.

The bodies of the fallen Death Eaters, including Voldemort, were all moved to a room off the Hall. Corinna was glad that they were not with the other bodies that deserved honor and respect. Last she heard, fifty of their own had perished in what was going to be known as the Battle of Hogwarts.

McGonagall, also named interim Headmistress but will most likely take over the post from Snape, had replaced the four house tables, not that anyone was sitting in accordance to them. The last she saw, people were sitting with friends and family, house loyalties be damned.

Corinna approached McGonagall as she talked with the other Heads of Houses, but she stopped talking when she noticed. "What can I help you with, Miss Crouch?"

Corinna held up the bloodied Sword of Gryffindor and offered McGonagall the rubied hilt. "This technically belongs to the school," she said. McGonagall hesitantly took the blade and held it delicately. "Although I think a goblin by the name of Griphook thinks it's his."

"We'll see about that. For now, I will put it back in its display case," McGonagall promised as she sat the sword down on the table. "Are you aware that only a true Gryffindor can pull that sword out of the Sorting Hat?"

Corinna shook her head as she shifted uncomfortably on the balls of her feet. "Guess I'm lucky it worked out, then."

"I doubt it was luck," said McGonagall. "Now, go eat, Miss Crouch."

But she couldn't bring herself to join them. Despite the fact that she can count on one hand how many calories she had eaten in the last twenty-four hours, sitting there eating was the last thing she wanted to do. Instead, she made her way to where they were keeping the bodies. They were moved from the Great Hall, all laid out in neat rows in an chamber off the Hall. There were a few others who also rather be spending their time with the dead rather than the living.

Whoever had helped move them kept Dora and Remus together. She sat down between them and grabbed their hands, already so cold. A fresh wave of tears overcame her, but she blinked to keep her eyes clear.

"I'm so sorry," she said softly, now finding the strength within her to finally talk to Dora and Remus. "I'm so sorry you do not get to see a world without a war. That you won't be able to grow old together. I am especially sorry you don't get to see Teddy grow up."

She sniffled loudly and coughed. A lump formed painfully in her already scratched up throat. "But I promise you…I promise you that I will make sure he knows how amazing you both were. He may not have his parents, but he will be loved. I will be sure of that."

"Corinna…"

She turned sharply to see Aunt Andromeda striding towards her. Without even considering how or why she was here, Corinna was on her feet and she hugged Aunt Andromeda as tightly as her tired body could. Her face was buried in the shoulder of Aunt Andromeda's travel cloak and she felt more tears falling from her eyes.

After a moment, Aunt Andromeda pulled away and placed a hand on either side of Corinna's face. Aunt Andromeda studied her face closely, and Corinna did the same. Aunt Andromeda seemed older, with her crows feet and laugh lines more defined. She was sickly pale in the weak lamplight that the chamber offered.

"I am so glad you are here," she said softly, tears misting in her grey eyes. "When you didn't show up back home, I couldn't help but think…"

"It's okay," said Corinna, her voice barely audible as the emotion and injuries she suffered were overwhelming her. "I'm here. I will always be here." She cleared her throat. "As happy as I am to see you, where's Teddy?"

"I left him with Ted's sister," Aunt Andromeda explained. "She understood that I needed to…"

There were a few moments where they didn't say anything, simply enjoying the fact that, despite everything, the two of them were still here. After a while, Aunt Andromeda walked over to where Dora and Remus lay, clinging to Corinna as she did so.

A sob tore through Aunt Andromeda and she pressed a hand to her mouth to prevent more noises to escape. Corinna put an around her shoulders and held her even closer.

"Who…" Aunt Andromeda said after she was able to compose herself enough to talk. "Who did this?"

"Remus was dueling Dolohov when he was hit with a Killing Curse," Corinna explained, her voice impossibly small. Her voice was shakier as she continued talking. "And it was Bellatrix who killed Dora."

Aunt Andromeda was stronger than Corinna expected her to be. Although she still seemed a bit unsteady, she kept her shoulders squared and her head held high. She did not even seem surprised at the news. "What happened with them, then?"

"Mrs. Weasley killed Dolohov, getting revenge for her brothers." Corinna then hesitated, and Aunt Andromeda tore her eyes away from her dead daughter and son-in-law to look at Corinna. "And I killed Bellatrix."

Aunt Andromeda did not seem surprised by this, as her saddened expression had not changed. "The only thing I am sorry about is that you had to be the one to do it."

"How did you know I—"

"I know you, Corinna," said Aunt Andromeda softly. She placed a hand on Corinna's cheek and wiped away one of the many tears she had shed. "You wouldn't have done it unless you felt like you had to."

Corinna wasn't wholly convinced, but she simply nodded.

"There will be a time to talk about it," Aunt Andromeda continued. "For now, do you mind giving me some time with Dora and Remus?"

Corinna nodded. "Of course," she said. "I should go find Harry. I haven't had a chance to talk to him since it all went down."

Aunt Andromeda nodded and gave Corinna another strong hug. "Thank you," she said. "And while you do that, please eat. And maybe get some rest. You look exhausted."

Corinna could only snort in affirmation. It was hard to break away from the solid presence that Aunt Andromeda gave, but she respected her wishes and made her way back out to the main part of the Great Hall. She spotted the Weasleys all grouped together. Ron and Hermione sat on the fringes, with Ron's arm wrapped around Hermione and she was leaned into him.

She wove her way between the tables. As she walked, Ernie waved at her enthusiastically, which she met with a small wave of her own. It wasn't until she was practically on top of them that they noticed her.

"Have you seen Harry?" she asked softly.

"We met up with him in Dumbledore's office," Hermione explained in a low voice, weary of how close Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were to them. "But he said he needed to do something alone, and then he was going to go sit at his favorite spot."

Corinna nodded in understanding. "Thanks," she said and left them to it. She will have her chance to tease them mercilessly.

As she headed for the exit, she spotted Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco sitting alone. They looked like they were debating whether they should still be there or not, but no one was bothering them. Draco looked over and made eye contact with Corinna. He nodded at her and she nodded back.

Although she liked to think they made huge progress towards tolerating each other, she knew there was a lot more that needed to be done. For now, she let him be with his parents, especially since she did not want to deal with them. She continued down towards the double doors, ignoring their looks when Narcissa and Lucius looked over at her.

"Carina..."

Corinna froze and quickly turned to face Narcissa. She had stood up from the bench, not even jostling it as she did so. Although Narcissa looked weary, she still carried herself with the expectations of elegance. Corinna merely crossed her arms.

Narcissa must have sensed Corinna's annoyance, because she stayed back. "I hope you understand what you did was unforgivable, but I can see why you did it."

Maybe it was because of how the night was wearing on her, but she completely lost all sense of tact when Narcissa had said that. "You mean you can understand why I killed Bellatrix before she could kill anyone else I cared about?"

"I never said she was a saint."

"Well, neither are you," said Corinna. She lowered her arms and kept a tight grip on her wand. "And how dare you. How dare you of all people tell me what is and what isn't understandable or forgivable. You, who stood by while your sister used an Unforgivable Curse to make me her perfect little doll. You, who stood by while your sister tortured and killed countless people. Your cousin, your niece. Hell, I would be—should be—dead.

"I don't care what you have to say about it. As far as I'm concerned, you are no better than her. And my name isn't bloody Carina, it's Corinna."

Without another word, she turned around and headed out of the Great Hall.

The grounds were a mess. Although the bodies were taken care of, there were still uprooted trees from the giants and missing chunks from the outer walls of the castle. No one was around as she made her way down to the Black Lake. There was a gentle breeze that rippled on the water.

As promised, Harry sat underneath the beech tree. It made her heart skip a few beats as she took him all in. He had the general grime from battle coating his skin, and his hair seemed to be standing up more than usual. But his green eyes were as bright as always. They were alight with life, and Corinna would forever be grateful that he was here. She never wanted to think he was dead ever again. She had lost enough.

Harry looked up when Corinna approached and slipped his wand into his robe pocket. She did not quite catch which wand he was fiddling with, but she doubted it was the Elder Wand.

He made to stand up, but she shook her head and quickened her own pace to close the distance between them. She collapsed in front of him and he immediately wrapped his arms around her.

"How are you doing?" Corinna asked as she settled between his legs and leaned against his chest.

"Exhausted," Harry admitted as he kept his arms firmly around her. "You?"

"Same," she said softly as she looked out at the Lake. The sun was warm against her skin and she closed her eyes.

They fell into companionable silence as they watched the squid lazily break the surface and float about. There were a million things that probably could have been or should have been said, but the words seemed to elude them. Corinna turned her head to look over at Harry, and he glanced down to meet her eyes.

"Knut for your thoughts?" Corinna asked gently as she reached up to cup his cheek.

Harry closed her eyes and leaned into the simple touch. "Just enjoying how beautiful Hogwarts is."

Corinna doubted that was it, but she didn't press. Instead, she fully turned in his grasp and wrapped her arms around his neck. He blinked his eyes open and he seemed to take her in. "What are you thinking about?" he asked softly.

"About how an actual bed sounds really good right now."

Harry let out a tired laugh and placed his forehead against Corinna's. "Why don't we do that instead. Maybe Kreacher or Dobby will bring us some food so we don't have to go into the Great Hall."

"Sounds perfect," she said softly.

She carefully stood up from the ground and offered Harry some help to stand. Hand and hand, they headed back into the castle.

This is the end for now.

First off, I want to everyone of you who had followed, favorited, and reviewed The Last Crouch. I am thankful for each and everyone of you who joined in this journey. This story was a labor of love and got me back into writing since I haven't done much of that in years. If nothing else, at least quarantine gave me the time to finally let Corinna's story come to life.

There was going to be an epilogue to this story to wrap up many of the loose threads, but I had too many ideas and an actual plot came forth. Although I cannot promise when I will start posting it, I can promise that I am working on a sequel on what happens in the years after Hogwarts. Although I have a lot of it already planned out, it is going to take some time to get it organized and presentable. I will update this story with information once I finally have things organized and confident in posting.

Jules~