DISCLAIMER: I have not owned Harry Potter once and nor will I ever.
Chapter 25: Trying to Reach Safety
Raven apparated them somewhere near Hogsmeade.
"We can't apparate on Hogwarts grounds, but we have to be careful just the same," Raven whispered to Harry. Death Eaters are probably still occupying the Forbidden Forest and the areas in between."
"So how are we going to get to the school without being caught?" Harry asked.
She looked around at the surroundings, judging the best route. "We'll go that way," she pointed at a small hidden path among the trees. "It should take us near the lake."
Harry looked at her skeptically. "Are you sure?"
"Well I'm not positive but we don't have much of a choice at the moment," she said quickly as they heard footsteps approaching them.
She grabbed his hand and started running down the path she had pointed out to him, dodging hanging limbs and fallen logs as they went. It took all his remaining strength just to keep up with her. They ran without stop until the lake came into view.
She pulled to a stop and looked around and then back at Harry, observing his lack of breath. "Do you need a break?" she asked him.
"Just a little one," he admitted with a small smile.
Raven noticed that he was clutching his side. Before he could stop her, she removed his hand and saw the bleeding wound slicing across his side.
"Here, let me dress that wound for you."
Harry looked apprehensive at letting her touch his tender wound that was slowing him down. But his need for healing won out and he let her come near him.
She ripped her cloak into large strips, not caring that it was the one sent to her by Lucius Malfoy. She dipped one into the icy cold lake and softly touched it to the wound. Harry hissed softly as there was a momentary sting as she pressed the cloth repeatedly to his side.
After she finished cleaning the wound, she began to wrap his side with the other strips. She made sure to layer the strips to add some cushioning and tied it off when she was done, stepping back to observe her hurried preparation.
"That will have to do for now I guess until Madame Pomfrey can see to it. I'm afraid I'm not as good as her," Raven said softly, watching him.
"Thanks," Harry said honestly.
Raven looked away. "Don't thank me Harry. If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't need healing and you certainly wouldn't be out here."
"But you didn't have to come back."
She looked into his emerald eyes intensely, a small frown playing at her lips. "Maybe one day you'll understand it all. But for now, we have to get moving."
She helped him to stand and then they were off once more, running towards the school and the battle. This time, though, she took it a little slower, allowing him to catch his breath. She certainly did not want to wear him out.
The school came into sight. The sounds of the battle reached their ears and they paused, listening to the screams and sound of curses being cast. They stared off towards the source of the sound, nervousness in both of their features.
"Come on," Raven urged, "We have to reach the castle. Only then will we be safe."
Harry nodded his agreement. He did not wish to stay here and dwell over who might have already fallen and who was currently staring down their death.
Picking up her hand, Harry set off once more towards the school. As the school came closer, so did the battle and the dead.
Harry would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous or scared. He knew this was war. He knew this was the end. Like Raven had said earlier: Live or die, this is the end.
They had almost reached the school when something large stepped into their path, casting a looming shadow over the both of them.
"Well, well. If is isn't Miss Kerouf and Mr. Potter."
A/N: Sorry, it's short…again. I had to hurry and get this updated so I could make my promise of updating on Monday. Anyways, I wouldn't expect another update from me any this week, that goes for Promises too. I have the fair all this week in the evenings and band during the day. Sorry.
Please Review and make my day!
