Battle Ballet

Do you know how quick time passes when you're happy?

Too quick.

Because suddenly it's over and you ask, "Hey, where've the good times gone?"

And nobody answers.

~*~*~

It was around Easter when the wards around the castle suddenly fell and Death Eaters invaded the grounds. As the Order had already suspected an attack, we were relatively prepared and within minutes the students were in their prospective houses and the teachers, Order members, and Ministry officials in position to fight.

Not only the wizards fought, though. Most of the forest's inhabitants, and the castle itself, tried to harm the Dark Forces in any way possible. I stumbled around, trying to cover Remus' back and not to get cursed myself. The battle had begun in the afternoon on a sunny day and meanwhile it was dark outside and rain poured down at us like never before. It seemed to me the sky was crying.

Then, in a flash of green light, I saw the Dark Lord in all his power. Throwing curses here and there, the snake man slowly neared himself to the doors. But in that moment the gates flew open Dumbledore appeared, in tow my godson, and, I swear, I've never seen a flight like that. Between huge rushes of magic, they stood complete still, but the wind around them showed the opposite. I cannot explain what happened, only that I suddenly heard Harry yell and Voldemort laugh, and I knew why I was here and not "there".

I ran, quicker than I ever had before, and punched Riddle hard in the stomach. He actually stumbled back a little and I found myself being shoved away by somebody. Remus screamed. I screamed. Albus screamed, and Voldemort screamed.

And Harry screamed, "Avada Kedavra!"

A green blast knocked the Dark Lord to the ground and blinded us all for a moment, before the light grew weaker. I could see Harry collapse to the ground, not far from where the ashes that once had been the most dangerous wizard of the Wizarding world lay.

God, I am so proud of my little hero. So extremely proud!

~*~*~

In the aftermath of the battle most Death Eaters tried to escape, but the Ministry aurors hunted them down. To my surprise, Lucius Malfoy, who had been freed after the destruction of Azkaban, did not run. He kissed Snape, who stood complete perplexed, and then killed himself. A graceful ending for the most graceful bastard I ever knew.

I asked the greasy git afterwards if there had ever been something between him and Malfoy Senior, but Snape plainly declared he could not be any more straight. Very relieving.

~*~*~

Now I am sitting in the rocking chair on mine and Remy's veranda watching the sunset. Remus snuggles up on my lap and I lazily stroke his hair. He purrs and I kiss his forehead.

Happy times ahead, I suppose!