A/N: We're very close to the end of the story now. I'm not sure exactly how many chapters are left, but obviously there's not much of the fifth year left. As always, many thanks to everyone who reviewed! I had quite a response after the last chapter.
Jedi Buttercup: Always a pleasure to hear from you. Hmm… I don't think I mention any more of the dead in this chapter (anyone 'important' will be named in the next). Nobody besides Lucius and Bellatrix saw Snape with Sirius, which is good news for him, but they're still two people too many! And yes, someone is taking charge of the captive Death Eaters until Dumbledore gets back.
athenakitty: Fudge is dead. I hope you're happy… you seemed to want him to kick the bucket!
Rob: Ah, now I see where you were going with the Hogsmeade thing. You are perfectly right – they would have had to go somewhere to Apparate, and Hogsmeade is a logical choice. It wasn't really the eye contact at the Gala that made the difference – it was physical contact (she put a hand on Harry's arm). Knowing that she was about to reveal a secret that could get her into trouble, she went ahead and made a decision. I get into how certain people feel about that a little bit here, but there'll be more later.
krysalys73: Crap and blast! Welcome! It doesn't sound like you got much sleep while reading this story. In answer to a few of your statements – no, I have never heard of Mercedes Lackey, so any similarities between her character and mine would be a coincidence. I may ask you if I can use your exploding underwear idea. No, you didn't irritate me with your reviews! I love to read them, and yours were really encouraging. You are right, the passing reference to Vernon Dursley was not an accident. Oh, and if you feel that you might be plagiarizing me, just let me know what you're planning to do – I doubt it's as big a deal as you think it is. Now, if you decided to say "here are Ardoc Bellaton and Celeste Thornby, my two O.C.s!!!", that would be plagiarism. ;-) Oh, and I hate cleaning the litter box, too.
cyd.t: Thanks for the heads-up! I really do appreciate it when people point those things out. Hmm… I thought I double-checked the books for Gryffindor's Quidditch record, but I guess I didn't.
Jemma Blackwell: Harry didn't really get to see how things turned out. Lucius and Bellatrix distracted him, and afterward there were more important things for him to think about than what happened to Voldemort (if he'd been vanquished, it wouldn't have needed to be said). Dumbledore makes a brief reference to what happened to Voldemort in this chapter.
Sherry: See above (Jemma Blackwell's answer). I'm glad I'm keeping you interested!
Darak: I think you may have missed one or two crucial lines when reading the chapter. I know that when I read, I frequently do just that. Fudge is dead, so he's taken about a big a fall as you can have. To tell the truth, I'm not quite sure how the captured Death Eaters will be handled, but Bellatrix and Lucius aren't going to be executed. They're too interesting to knock off with two years left to go. The idea of capital punishment also brings up the question of what that veil in Phoenix is really used for; I know that the room as a death chamber is a popular idea, and the description does seem to fit.
Wytil: As I mentioned to Darak… Malfoy's not going to die yet. He still has evil left to do.
LovinsomeElrond: I figure that yes, she did it using wandless magic. Any important dead people will get named in the next chapter (even Dumbledore hasn't got the final count yet) and Harry isn't going back to the battleground to see for himself.
Quill: Harry wouldn't have been allowed to go at all except for the fact that only he could find where the execution was supposed to take place. As Dumbledore observed, sending him to the one place Fudge wanted him to be was very risky. Yes, he is going to have to work on his fighting skills. Harry has had the bad luck to have been taken by surprise in his last few encounters with the Death Eaters, but he's not helpless. He'll get to see his fair share of action in the future.
Haunting Darkness: I'm glad you like the story, but… what?
PhoenixTearsp322: Hope you got caught up, because 'Fudgie' is dead. Oh, and thanks for telling me how you got your name!
totallystellar: You're not the only person who didn't like the fact that Harry didn't fight. Sorry. I agree – what Prof. Thornby did bothers me too, and it bothers Harry, and it bothers Dumbledore… Are there going to be consequences because of what she did? Yes, but I am a great believer in the power of friendship, selflessness, and sacrificial love. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13). From the Bible, yes, but whether you call it your holy book or not, this phrase rings true everywhere. How was Voldemort defeated the first time? Through Lily Potter's love for her son. This should give everyone an idea of exactly how he can be defeated again. And thank you for the dust – it is always appreciated!
Kaye: Heck yeah, Harry and Voldemort will face off. Just not in this story!
Chapter 39: Aftermath
Harry had never been to St. Mungo's before, but even if he hadn't been told that it was his destination, he would have guessed what it was. He had been to a Muggle hospital before when Dudley choked on a cookie he hadn't chewed enough. This place had the same cool, sterile feel as the other.
The group was standing in a waiting room of some sort. There was no exit from it save a row of fireplaces behind them. The walls were painted pastel blue and green and they were lined with soft armchairs. Two were in use, and their occupants gaped at the disheveled arrivals.
A large desk sat at the end of the room, blocking the way to the rest of the hospital. A tidy witch in white was sitting behind it, but she jumped up when the group appeared. "Good heavens!" she exclaimed. "Marcia!"
Another witch in white popped around the corner and jumped at the sight of the wet, grim crowd. "Oh, my," she said, and motioned them to follow her. "Come! Come this way!"
They followed her out of the waiting room and into a whitewashed corridor with an arched ceiling. Silvery lamps that glowed with an ethereal light lined the walls. The witch was shouting names, and matrons and healers came running from all directions. They faltered one and all at the sight of Dumbledore with his face like stone, but they quickly recovered and began asking questions. One by one, the injured were siphoned off. The unconscious Order member went first followed by the witch who couldn't breathe, taken off down a side corridor with Sturgis' companion. The two bloodied wizards were led away next, and Sturgis stayed with them. That left Sirius, Lupin, and Professor Thornby, but when a healer tried to lead Lupin away, he staunchly refused. "I'm staying with the others," he said. "You can treat us all in the same room, can't you?" The healer didn't look as if she liked this much, but she went along with it.
Healer Bigelow had fallen into step beside Dumbledore. "Have you taken hurt?" he said.
"No," said Dumbledore.
"You'll forgive me if I don't believe you," said Bigelow.
"Fitzwilliam –"
"I won't be denied," said Bigelow, and he began moving his wand around Dumbledore like a scanner as they walked. He was still scanning when a matron led them all into a large room with several beds.
"All of you take one," said the matron.
"Some of us aren't hurt too bad," said Hagrid, but the matron would have none of it.
"All of you," she repeated firmly.
Hagrid carefully laid Professor Thornby down and took a seat on the mattress next to hers. It creaked dangerously under his weight. Healer Bigelow had finished with Dumbledore and went to her side. He began checking her with his wand, and it wasn't long before he was focusing almost entirely on her head.
A bevy of matrons and healers poured into the room and began examining every single member of the bedraggled group. Harry found himself being poked and prodded, but the hands of the healer were gentle. He was still feeling numb enough to just sit still and let the healer do his work without protesting.
"I am Healer Murphy," said the young man as he used his wand to shine a light in Harry's eyes. "How are you feeling?"
"Tired," Harry said truthfully.
"You endured Cruciatus?" said Healer Murphy.
"Not really," said Harry.
Healer Murphy frowned. "What do you mean, not really?"
"Brian," said Bigelow over his shoulder, "don't worry about it just now." Brian Murphy pursed his lips, but he didn't press Harry any more. Once he was satisfied that Harry really was uninjured, he moved on to help another healer apply a salve to Lupin's burned arms.
In short order most of the work was done. Lupin's arms were bandaged, Sirius' side had been properly mended, and they had both been made to drink an array of potions. It seemed that Bigelow had been right about Dumbledore, who was sporting a bandage of his own on his right hand. Professor Thornby was the only person left, and the healers and matrons congregated around her bed, whispering to each other with concerned faces. The longer they went on, the darker Lupin's face grew.
Bigelow cleared his throat loudly. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "I believe I can take it from here." The others nodded respectfully and exited the room, still discussing the patient as they left.
Bigelow picked up one of Professor Thornby's hands, which was still arched and tense, and began to massage it. "What is the body count?" he said quietly.
"Five Order members, four Death Eaters, and Cornelius Fudge," said Dumbledore. He was sitting straight and still on the edge of his bed, still radiating an aura of power and command. "Those numbers may go up; I could not stay to be sure."
Bigelow stopped massaging Professor Thornby's hand for a moment. "Cornelius is dead?"
"Avada Kedavra, from the looks of it," said Dumbledore. "Rodolphus probably got the upper hand in the end."
Bigelow's stare grew even harder. "Rodolphus Lestrange?"
"Azkaban has been emptied of the Death Eaters," said Dumbledore, "and I imagine that most of the dementors have gone as well."
"Heaven preserve us," Bigelow murmured.
"Cornelius did the right thing in the end," said Dumbledore. "Voldemort gave him an ultimatum – join his ranks or die – and Cornelius attacked Rodolphus before he could perform the Killing Curse on Celeste."
"It doesn't erase his past sins," Sirius said darkly.
"No," said Dumbledore, "but for his sake, I am grateful. He was a decent man at heart who allowed visions of power to lead him away from the straight and narrow. I would have been grieved indeed if he had completely succumbed to its lure, but he threw it off at the last. There are no few men in history who have come to such a crossroads and given themselves over to evil entirely."
"I take it Voldemort gave you that gash on your hand," said Bigelow, focusing his attention back on Professor Thornby's fingers.
"It is less than I gave him," said Dumbledore. "When he saw that he was losing the fight, he Disapparated, and his followers quickly did the same."
"Cowards," sneered Sirius.
"Maybe," said Dumbledore, "but it also kept them alive to do battle another day. That is what one does when losing a fight like this; one retreats. I never expected this to be the final confrontation."
"There," said Bigelow, putting down Professor Thornby's hand and picking up the other. "She is starting to relax a bit. Her muscles are horribly cramped. This is obviously the work of Cruciatus, but the effects in this case are unusual. Somebody tell me what happened."
"Harry?" said Dumbledore.
The headmaster's voice was like steel. Harry wondered if he was angry with him, but though his voice was hard, his eyes were mild as they looked at him. "Well," Harry said reluctantly, "Sirius, Professor Snape and I were ambushed by Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange."
"How is it that they were able to sneak up on you?" said Dumbledore. "Severus and Sirius were there to ensure that this very thing did not happen."
Harry looked uncertainly at Sirius, but his godfather merely nodded for him to continue. "They… they were arguing about whether or not they needed to help with the battle," he said.
Dumbledore inhaled sharply through his nose. To his credit, Sirius managed to meet Dumbledore's icy blue gaze without flinching. "What happened next?" Dumbledore said coldly.
"Malfoy got rid of Sirius' Disillusionment Charm. Then he cursed me so I couldn't move. Sirius and Professor Snape fought back, but Snape got Stunned and Bellatrix stabbed Sirius. Then Bellatrix said…"
Harry trailed off and collected himself. Thinking about what had suddenly happened to his guardian was painful. He couldn't even imagine what it was like to suffer three Cruciatus Curses at the same time. Mrs. Weasley put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it. She left it there as Harry found his voice and began to speak again.
"She said something about how it had been a long time. Then Malfoy said she could have her fun, and that she could torture Professor Snape next. Then she cursed me."
"With Cruciatus?" Bigelow prompted gently.
"Yes, but I didn't feel anything."
Bigelow frowned, but Dumbledore raised his hand. "You will understand once we have told the whole story, Fitzwilliam."
"Bellatrix got mad, and she cursed me again. This time I felt some pain in my shoulders, but it wasn't much. Then she did it again, and I got a really bad headache. They thought it was finally starting to work, but Hagrid and Mrs. Weasley knocked them out before she could try again." Harry stopped talking and looked down at his hands. Mrs. Weasley squeezed his shoulder once more.
Bigelow stroked his short, white beard with one hand. "I see where this is going. Somehow, as Harry's guardian, Celeste acted as a buffer against injury to him."
"And felt the effect of three Cruciatus Curses at once," said Dumbledore.
"How long was it until the curse was lifted?" asked the healer.
Everyone looked at Lupin. He was the only person in the room that had witnessed the event from beginning to end. "It's hard to say," he said, not meeting anyone's eyes. "All of a sudden she just fell over and…" He swallowed a few times before continuing. "From the time it began until we figured out how to end it… three minutes, maybe."
"Finite Incantatem didn't work?" said Bigelow.
"The curse was still on Harry," said Sirius. "Ardoc Bellaton figured it out."
Bigelow had a thoughtful look on his face. "How long was it before she looked like she does now?" he asked.
Lupin squeezed his eyes shut. His voice wavered as he answered. "Not long. Fifteen seconds, maybe."
"How long did it take Bellatrix to curse you, Harry?" the healer asked calmly.
"All three times?" Harry said dully. "About that long, I guess. When she thought it wasn't working she just tried again right away."
Bigelow exhaled slowly. "From what you've told me, it seems like Celeste was able to withstand two jolts of Cruciatus for a very short time, but when the third hit, it was too much." He shook his head. "I'm afraid her mind has fled."
Dumbledore abruptly stood up, crossed his arms, and began to pace. His face was like a thunderhead.
"What?" said Sirius.
"She was mentally unable to deal with the experience," said Bigelow. "Her mind threw up walls to protect itself."
"Yer not sayin' that she's insane?" said Hagrid in disbelief.
"Not exactly," said Bigelow. "The Longbottoms are insane. They were tortured with Cruciatus – at length – until their minds could no longer handle it, either. That was a slow breaking at the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange. As I said, this was different – a jolt, like being struck by lightning. Her consciousness is in hiding somewhere."
"So… we could coax it out again, right?" Lupin said hopefully.
Bigelow gave him a doubtful look. "Her awareness of self, memories, and ability to reason are all gone, but they haven't been burned out. Theoretically she should be able to regain all this, but judging by my past experience with Cruciatus… she will never recover." He paused, and for a moment there was complete silence in the room. One could have heard a pin drop. "I cannot give you false hope. We had dozens of insane victims of Cruciatus here after the first war against Voldemort, and none of them were ever the same. Some died and some are still with us, but they have only ever shown the smallest signs of improvement. Even time doesn't help much."
"But she's not insane," said Lupin fiercely. "You said that this isn't the same thing! Why couldn't we find a cure for this?"
"I have studied the effects of Cruciatus for years in an attempt to help people like the Longbottoms," said Bigelow. "I know how this works. Whether she's mad or simply sheltering, once the mind traps itself, it is nearly impossible to unravel. Cruciatus triggered the reaction, but Celeste is her own jailor now."
"Her own jailor?" Lupin hissed.
"Remus, Fitzwilliam is not insulting her," said Dumbledore. "It's just the way things are."
"Not for long," Lupin snarled. "If this can be done, it can be undone. There IS a cure, and I will find it!" He jumped off his own bed and strode from the room.
Mrs. Weasley rose as if to follow, but Bigelow stopped her. "Best to let him go, Molly. Think of how you would be reacting if this were Arthur instead of Celeste." Mrs. Weasley nodded sadly.
"We will do everything that we can, of course," said Bigelow. "Our efforts to end these afflictions never cease. Many medical tomes speak of ancient spells that could be used to repair the mind, but we have been unable to discover what they are."
"I will have to send word to Caractacus Binns at the Great Library," Dumbledore said stiffly. "He is endlessly patient and seems to want to remain. Perhaps he can dig something up."
Hagrid barked a short laugh. "Yeah. Ghosts have plenty o' time on their hands."
"There is one blessing in all this," said Bigelow. "After Celeste's mind went into lockdown, she would not have been aware of any pain. If Remus' and Harry's estimates are correct, it was all very quick. She felt nothing after fifteen seconds."
"Remus will be glad to know that," said Sirius.
"So what happens now?" said Mrs. Weasley. "Is she going to stay like this forever?" She gestured to Professor Thornby who was still staring straight up at the ceiling.
"We'll give her something to make her sleep for a few days," said Bigelow. "She's going to be sore tomorrow, though she won't be aware of it."
"And then?" Mrs. Weasley prompted.
"Truth be told, I don't know how she'll behave when she awakens," said Bigelow. "She might lie here staring, or she might get up and move around. I expect that the latter will happen. As the shock wears off a bit her mind should heal enough to allow her some control of her actions."
"Like Frank and Alice?" Mrs. Weasley said softly.
"I believe so, yes," said the healer.
"Where are yeh goin' ter keep her?" Hagrid said suddenly. "As soon as You-Know-Who finds out she's here, he'll be sendin' an assassin. Mark my words, he'll want ter finish the job while she can't fight back."
"Yes," said Dumbledore, looking sideways at Harry. "He does like to strike when his opponent is weakest."
Just like last summer, thought Harry.
"You could bring her to Alverbrooke," said Sirius.
"I could," said Dumbledore. "I would rather not unless it is absolutely necessary. I know you like Celeste, but she will become a burden to you."
"No," Sirius said firmly, "she won't."
"In any case, I'll not be sending her anywhere until she is awake again," said Dumbledore. "An Auror can be placed here as a guard until a more permanent solution is devised." He looked at Professor Thornby's still form and his mouth tightened again. Harry suddenly realized that he was angry with her. Saying it outright in front of Lupin would have been suicidal, but even with the werewolf gone, he was still keeping his peace. Harry vaguely wondered exactly what it was about her actions that had him so upset.
"It is time to leave," said Dumbledore. "There is still much to do tonight. We have prisoners and the dead to see to, and the government is without a leader. Hagrid, will you take Harry back to school?"
"Certainly," said Hagrid.
"Sirius, you go back to Alverbrooke," said Dumbledore. "It will be the full moon in a few days, so make sure Remus drinks his potion. I fear that in his current state of despair, he will care little for his own wellbeing."
"He'll drink it if I have to hold him down and pour it down his throat," said Sirius.
"Excellent. Molly, please come with me."
Mrs. Weasley rose to leave with the headmaster. She gave Harry a quick hug and whispered, "You know where to find us if you need anything." With a loud crack, they Disapparated.
Sirius pulled Harry aside. "Are you going to be all right?"
"Yeah. Sure," said Harry.
Sirius sighed. "Listen, we'll talk about summer some other time. You're not going back to Number Four again."
Any other time, thinking of being permanently freed of the Dursleys would have been a cause for celebration, but Harry felt too dead inside to care much. "Okay," he said.
Sirius gave him a mournful smile. "I'll see you soon," he said. "Good luck on your O.W.L.s."
"Thanks," said Harry, and Sirius Disapparated with another loud crack.
"Are yeh ready?" said Hagrid. Harry nodded, and the half-giant led him out of the room and through the hospital. "We can't be Apparatin' ter Hogwarts, so we'll Floo," he said.
They rounded a corner into the waiting room, looking for the row of fireplaces. To Harry's shock, he saw that the waiting room was crammed full of people. When he and Hagrid appeared, they all began shouting at once. "Harry!" "Rubeus!" "Mr. Potter!"
"Bloody reporters!" Hagrid swore. He was right; nearly all of them were holding quills and parchment. Flash bulbs were going off, and the whole crowd pressed forward.
"Is it true that Cornelius Fudge is dead at the hands of Voldemort?"
"What do you know about the prison break?"
"How do you feel knowing that the Death Eaters are free?"
Harry felt panicky as the reporters pressed in on him. "Come on now, out of the way!" boomed Hagrid. He waved his great arms and people ducked out of the way. Somehow he managed to clear a path to one of the fireplaces. He thrust a handful of Floo powder into Harry's hand. "Go," he said. "I'll follow."
"Dumbledore's office," said Harry, throwing the powder onto the hearth. In a whirl of green flame he was transported back to Hogwarts. He stepped out of the fireplace, and moments later Hagrid's body appeared.
"Ouch!" said Hagrid, banging his head on the inside of the chimney. He ducked out. "Are yeh all right?"
"Yes," Harry said breathlessly. "How did everyone find out so fast?"
"Could be a lot o' reasons," said Hagrid. They slipped past the stone gargoyle and into the hall. "First off, one o' the Order members is a reporter, but I don' think he's had time ter break the story yet. More likely some o' the staff at St. Mungo's talked. It's not a big deal, but I don' think Dumbledore would've wanted yeh ter be mobbed like that. Come on – let's get yeh back to the tower. Yeh need to sleep."
Harry was exhausted but he didn't think he'd be able to sleep, and he said as much.
"Things'll look better in the mornin', lad," said Hagrid as they walked through the dark, silent halls of Hogwarts. Harry didn't think so, but he didn't say anything more about it. Hagrid seemed to be comforting himself as much as he was trying to comfort Harry.
"Why is Dumbledore so angry with Professor Thornby?" Harry asked. "Is it because he didn't know what she was going to do?"
"Somethin' like that," said Hagrid. "But I think there's more to it. Those friends o' his that were killed? They were Order members. He's been tense for days now; this was prob'ly just the last straw. He's havin' some trouble acceptin' what she's done as well."
"Can you tell me about the Order?" Harry asked.
"Don' think that's up ter me, Harry," said Hagrid. "Dumbledore'll have ter explain it to yeh now, but give him a few days. He's got a lot ter do now."
They had arrived at the portrait hole. Harry stared at it for a moment before he remembered the password. "Free Professor Thornby," he said, and the portrait swung out to admit them. "We'll have to get that changed," he said, and Hagrid gave him a morose look.
It was very late, but Harry found a small crowd of people waiting for him when he stepped into the common room. All the fifth years, the Quidditch team, and Ginny were seated on the sofas and chairs, talking to each other. Their faces lit up when Harry entered with Hagrid, but their hope quickly turned to uncertainty. Harry didn't know what his own face looked like, but he was feeling anything but happy.
"Do yeh want me ter stay?" Hagrid said quietly.
Harry looked up at the gentle giant. "Thank you, no," he said. "I can handle it."
"All righ', then," said Hagrid. "Remember, yeh don' have ter tell them everythin'. Dumbledore'll have ter address the school tomorrow." Harry nodded. Hagrid clapped him on the shoulder once and left the common room.
Harry's friends watched him anxiously. "What happened?" Hermione finally said. "Is everyone all right?"
Harry stared off into the distance. "No," he said.
"Percy?" said Ron, his face twisted with worry.
"Percy's okay," said Harry. "Your parents are fine, too." The four Weasleys sighed with relief.
"Then who?" said Angelina.
"Fudge is dead," Harry said tonelessly, and everyone gasped.
"No!" said Parvati.
"So are five of Dumbledore's friends and four Death Eaters," Harry continued, ignoring their shock.
"What about Professor Thornby?" Seamus said quickly.
Harry vaguely wondered how Seamus knew about that. He opened his mouth and found that he couldn't answer. He felt as if someone had strapped his chest with iron bands and was slowly pulling them tighter. He looked up and his eyes fell on Neville. "Neville, can I talk to you?" he said.
Neville's eyebrows rose and the others looked at each other. "Uh, sure," he said, rising from his seat.
"Harry –" Hermione began, her eyes full of concern, but Harry stopped her.
"Not now. Please?" It came out more harshly than he had intended, but he didn't seem to have hurt her. She simply nodded back, seeming to understand a little. Everyone else just looked stunned.
Harry headed up the staircase with Neville following behind. When they reached the fifth years' room they entered and shut the door behind them. Neville went to his own four-poster and sat down, crossing his legs beneath him. Harry remained standing. He went to one of the windows and stared out at the grounds. The clouds were beginning to break up, and light from the waxing gibbous moon was filtering through in pale, silvery shafts. It was beautiful. Professor Thornby would have thought so too, Harry thought, and his throat ached painfully.
Harry turned away from the window and began to pace. Neville watched him silently. After a few minutes the lump in Harry's throat had dissolved enough that speaking was safe. "Did you know that Professor Thornby was my guardian?" Harry said.
Neville frowned. "Guardian?"
"It was her job to protect me," Harry clarified. "She took an oath."
Neville shook his head. "No, I didn't. I guess Ron and Hermione knew, though?"
"Yeah, they did," said Harry. He drew a deep breath. "Neville, she's insane."
Neville's lips parted in surprise. "What?"
"Well, not really insane, but pretty close," said Harry.
Shock and confusion were both plain on Neville's face. "How?" he said.
"Cruciatus," said Harry. "Bellatrix Lestrange cast it on me, not her, but she's the one who felt it."
"Bellatrix Lestrange?" said Neville in a strangled voice. "She's out?"
"They're all out," Harry sighed. "But Bellatrix and Lucius Malfoy got captured again."
"Wait," said Neville, looking thoroughly disoriented now. "Maybe you'd better start from the beginning."
Harry obliged, starting with the Dragonthistle Potion that had begun it all. He explained the link and how it worked, and how he had inherited some of Professor Thornby's talents. He told about Percy's attempt to lead him away that night and the subsequent events. By the time he explained exactly how Professor Thornby had managed to protect him, Neville's eyes were big as dinner plates.
"They don't know what she'll be like when she wakes up again," Harry said despairingly. "They think she'll be a vegetable! They think –"
"They think she'll be like my parents," Neville said quietly.
"Yeah," Harry admitted. "I couldn't just tell everyone at once. I thought you of all people would understand."
Neville looked down at his hands. "You've never seen them, have you?"
"Your parents? No."
"Maybe you should."
"Are you sure?" said Harry.
"Yeah," said Neville. "Maybe it'll make it easier for you. You'll know what you're facing without having to see it from her first." He looked at Harry, and his eyes were full of pity. "I'm sorry, Harry. My mum and dad have been the way they are since I was a baby. Fifteen years."
Harry felt the lump in his throat growing again. "Healer Bigelow said there was almost no hope."
"He's right," said Neville. "My gran's given up. She'll never stop visiting them, but she says they'll never change."
"What about you?" said Harry. His eyes stung dangerously.
"I can't give up," Neville said quietly. "They're my mum and dad."
Harry closed his eyes tightly and felt a hot tear spill down his cheek. Somehow, he didn't care if Neville saw him cry. "I don't know what to do," he said desperately. "Lupin's devastated, and I'm sure Professor Bellaton will be too. This is all my fault!"
"How is that true?" said Neville. "You said you didn't know what she'd done."
"I didn't," said Harry, "but she did it for me! And I can't repay her, not ever!"
Neville looked at him with sympathy. "I think it was a gift, Harry."
"I don't know how to accept it!" Harry wailed. He dropped to a seat on his bed and buried his face in his hands as more tears spilled from his eyes. "I don't want it, and I can't give it back! It always comes back to me!"
"But you have to be protected," said Neville. "You have to be around to face You-Know-Who."
"Yeah, that's what everyone says," Harry said bitterly. "Only I've never heard anyone say, 'Harry, here's why you have to destroy Voldemort. Here's why no one else can do it. Here's what makes you the one!' Until someone tells me that, all Professor Thornby did was get cursed into madness for the sake of the Boy Who Bloody Lived! Don't you see? Now that she's gone, it leaves me feeling responsible for it!"
Harry realized that he was shouting now, but he didn't care. His sadness was giving way to anger. "She should have told me so I could have refused! She had no right to put this on my shoulders!"
"But, Harry – the prophecy," said Neville.
Harry paused in his rant. "What?"
"The sacrifice," said Neville. "Remember? Do you think this was it?"
The sacrifice must be made to safeguard the one who is marked. Harry remembered the words as if they had been spoken only yesterday. Other bits of the prophecy spun through his mind. The most ancient of magics… They who stand with the one who is marked… Unknown potential… Harry had a terrible feeling that Neville was right. He was marked, and Ron and Hermione stood with him. They had both discovered talents they hadn't known before. Singing was an ancient art, but Harry was willing to bet that the spell that had made Professor Thornby his guardian was older still.
"If you think about it," said Neville, "this sacrifice was made months ago at the Gala."
"She still should have told me," Harry said stubbornly.
"Sounds to me like she didn't have the chance," said Neville. "She knew there might be trouble after she revealed herself, so she took a precaution."
Harry thought about it, and suddenly he knew why Dumbledore was so angry with Professor Thornby. "She must have known that she could do it from the very beginning," said Harry. "She kept it to herself. She didn't even tell Dumbledore; he never would have let her do it."
Neville gave him a reproachful look. "What good does being mad at her do anyone?" he said.
"None," Harry admitted. "But what do you do when someone does something like this for you? I want to take it back, and I can't." He paused for a moment and then said, "Would you tell the others, Neville? I… can't do it."
"How much can I say?"
"As much as you want. Anyone who was there when I came back can know it all."
"Okay," said Neville, rising from his seat.
"And tell Ron and Hermione it's nothing personal. I just... need to be alone right now."
"Sure," said Neville. He waited a moment, and when Harry said nothing more, he quietly left the room.
In the quiet, Harry felt all the hurt, anger, and sorrow well up inside him anew. He felt trapped in more ways than one – by a destiny he didn't want or understand, and by everyone who seemed bent on making sure he lived to fulfill it. It wasn't fair. Harry didn't care if this 'sacrifice' had been prophesied. It wasn't fair for Professor Thornby to go and do this, because it wasn't just about her. Had she ever thought about how everyone would feel after she was gone? Had she thought about Lupin's broken heart, Bellaton's loss of companionship, or Harry's inability to shoulder such a burden? If his suspicions about Dumbledore were correct, then he was in perfect agreement with the headmaster. She should never have kept such a secret.
Still fully dressed in his Quidditch robes, Harry pulled his bedcurtains shut and lay down. With all his emotions simmering, he couldn't stop the tears that dripped off the end of his nose and onto his pillowcase. It had been a long, horrible day, and he had no idea what to do next.