Brooklyn still held his human brother's hand whilst staring down at Snape's corpse, not speaking for a time, until the terrible voice of Voldemort made Brooklyn gasp aloud and jump up, wings open all the way and looking around. But he was nowhere to be seen; his voice was speaking to all of Hogwarts and the area around it. Brooklyn's eardrums rang while he shut his eyes, talons dug into his palms.

"YOU HAVE FOUGHT VALIANTLY… LORD VOLDEMORT KNOWS HOW TO VALUE BRAVERY…"

What do you know about that, huh? You bastard?! Brook shouted silently, hands shaking.

"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."

Brooklyn narrowed his eyes, as he could guess what this evil hypocrite would say next.

"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 THE BATTLE RECOMENSES. AND TOO, IF YOUR PRECIOUS BROTHER CARES FOR THE SAFETY OF HOGWARTS, I ADVISE HIM TO GIVE UP HIS LOVE AND CARE FOR YOU, POTTER. TO LET HIM AND HIS CLAN GO HOME FREE…

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."

The voice faded away. Brooklyn had a movement where he held Harry to him. He couldn't let that maniac kill his brother. He stroked Harry's hair who was looking distressed.

"Don't listen to him, Bro. I will always stand by your side, no matter the consequences."

"But I'm putting everyone in peril…" Harry began to say, but the red gargoyle shook his head.

"That's bad thinking." Hermione nodded.

"He's right, let's get back to the castle. If he's gone to the forest, we- we need a new plan," she said. Brooklyn could still see tears for Ron in her eyes.

The trio proceeded to the castle, where it was deathly quiet. Brooklyn saw the scattered bodies of Death Eaters and dark creatures. None of their friends and family were to be found.

"Where is everyone?" Hermione whispered. Brooklyn sniffed the air. He could smell his clan coming from the Great Hall.

"This way…" he murmured, taking Harry's hand and guiding him there. They went in.

It was a terrible vision for Brooklyn; the House Tables were no longer present, everyone hugging each other. Two people he saw were MacBeth and Colin Creevey. He was holding the child carefully, speaking comfortingly to Colin who was crying. MacBeth had saved him from sudden death.

With the Weasleys it was intensely heartbreaking; George had apparently returned to bring Ron's body to the rest of his family in the Hall. Mrs. Weasley was hugging Ron's body crying, while Arthur did his best to comfort her. The other siblings, Bill, Charlie, Percy, and Ginny just stood in shock and silence, tears in their eyes for their fallen brother.

Hermione had gone on her own way while Brooklyn remained with Harry. He glanced towards Goliath who had his arm heavily bandaged, Hudson close by. Broadway lay on a gurney with Angela tending to his wounds that looked deep, Bronx woofing gently and lying curled up near the Aqua gargoyle. Brook went and hugged Goliath gently. Hudson hugged Harry. To Harry it felt like a fatherly hug.

Lex was off on his own wanderings for air when he spotted Hermione sitting alone, her face in her hands and crying. He went over.

Memories of losing both Ron and her parents had broken down Hermione, crying non stop for a good while until a gentle touch on her shoulder was present.

"You ok?"

She jumped, a small sob from her throat. But it was only Lexington. She sniffled, looking away.

"I'm fine, just tired…" Hermione said softly, wiping her eyes. But Lexington shook his head.

"I don't think so. Have you been crying?" She glanced at him sharply, before her heart burst out again, unable to hold in her grief. Lex gently took her hand.

"It's ok if you cry. It's Ron… isn't it?" He questioned. For he saw Ron's body over with the Weasleys. When Lex first saw it he was in shock that one of his brother's closest friends was killed. She gazed at him with reddened eyes.

"Just- just don't know what to do. Ron is gone. He was always the one who lightened us up whenever things went wrong, even when we argued. I feel stupid for arguing with him all those times before now!" Lex smiled gently.

"I'm sure he is in a better place now. But don't hold onto the bad times. Remember Ron as a good friend. And maybe… I can be a friend for you?" He suggested. Lex didn't want to leave Hermione alone like this now.

Hermione looked at him in small surprise. She wiped her eyes again, smiling a little. "I- I think I'd like that," she said, sniffling. The olive gargoyle then offered her a hug which she accepted. Brooklyn watched this from a distance after hugging Goliath, smiling. Perhaps this would help Hermione not lose herself to grief.

Harry tugged on Brooklyn's arm, gesturing to the doorway. Brooklyn nodded, doing a glance at the dead ones once more before leaving. His heart felt hurt when he spotted the bodies of Lupin and Tonks side by side, eyes closed, faces so peaceful looking, and Sirius sat there, holding Remus's hand, tears falling down his face. Another Marauder had passed on after James, and Peter…

The two brothers proceeded out. After seeing Lupin and Tonk's corpses Brooklyn didn't think he could bear to see anybody else who had died for all this. He needed some quality time with his brother. And perhaps, find out what Snape's memories were.

Harry and Brook walked through the empty castle; for even the ghosts were in the Great Hall, beginning to run towards Dumbledore's office. Brooklyn still wondered what Snape wanted them to see.

"Password?" Asked the gargoyle guarding the entrance. "Dumbledore!" Harry gasped without thinking. Brooklyn gaped a little when the gargoyle jumped aside. Not even stopping to ask because of their mission the brothers raced up the staircase to the office.

All the portraits were empty; Brook figured they went to check on the battle. Brooklyn and Harry proceeded then to the Pensive, where Harry poured the memories of Snape inside.

Brooklyn swallowed, a little nervous about what he was about to see. Harry took his hand, nodding solemnly. The two then went into it head first.

….

The brothers emerged in bright sunshine at a small playground, with a single building with a huge chimney. Brooklyn got gingerly to his feet to the sound of a girl giggling, casting his eyes over to the two girls present and a small black haired boy watching in the bushes.

Brook's mouth fell open. Seriously?! This was Snape as a kid? He wore clothes that were quite mismatched, some looking like they fitted a full grown man.

But his mouth fell open even more when he heard a name. A red haired girl swung on the swings while her brunette sister was scared looking.

"Lily, no! Don't do it!" The red gargoyle saw that it was a young Petunia; who stared in dismay as Lily, Harry's mother, let go of the swing after reaching its greatest height, and literally flew off gracefully, gliding almost like a gargoyle before landing gently on thr ground without even a bruise!

Brooklyn couldn't help but grin at the shock on Harry's features. "Did you know she could fly?" His human brother shook his head no.

Petunia jumped off her swing, folding her arms. "Mummy told you not to, Lily!" She scolded. Lily though just giggled.

"I'm fine. Tuney, look at this!" She then took a flower and began to make its petals open and close. Brooklyn had to admit she was pretty talented with magic. The Magus and Puck would've been impressed, probably.

"Stop it!" shrieked Petunia.

"It's not hurting you," said Lily, but she closed her hand on the blossom and threw it back to the ground.

"It's not right," said Petunia, but her eyes had followed the flower's flight to the ground and lingered upon it. "How do you do it?" she added, and there was definite longing in her voice.

Then Brooklyn heard a voice. Snape, who couldn't keep himself hidden. "It's obvious, isn't it?" The two girls were startled; Petunia squealed and ran for it but Lily remained, and he thought he could see a blush.

"What's obvious?"

"You're… you're a witch!"

This made Lily frown. Brook winced. Should've been more subtle….

"That's not a very nice thing to say to somebody!"

She turned, nose in the air, and marched off toward her sister.

"No!" said Snape. He was highly colored now, which made the red gargoyle feel sorry for him, wishing he would have changed, that would have made things a little different, maybe.

He flapped after the girls, looking ludicrously batlike, like his older self.

The sisters considered him, united in disapproval, both holding on to one of the swing poles, as though it was the safe place in tag.

"You are," said Snape to Lily. "You are a witch. I've been watching you for a while. But there's nothing wrong with that. My mum's one, and I'm a wizard."

Petunia's laugh was like cold water.

"Wizard!" she shrieked, her courage returned now that she had recovered from the shock of his unexpected appearance. "I know who you are. You're that Snape boy! They live down Spinner's End by the river," she told Lily, and it was evident from her tone that she considered the address a poor recommendation. "Why have you been spying on us?" Brook frowned from Petunia's snide comment; he now guessed where she got her attitude towards witches and wizards.

"Haven't been spying," said Snape, hot and uncomfortable and dirty-haired in the bright sunlight. "Wouldn't spy on you, anyway," he added spitefully, "you're a Muggle."

Though Petunia evidently did not understand the word, she could hardly mistake the tone.

"Lily, come on, we're leaving!" she said shrilly. Lily obeyed her sister at once, glaring at Snape as she left. He stood watching them as they marched through the playground gate, the brothers watching side by side as being the only ones left to see the disappointed gaze on Snape's features. It was obvious he planned this, but it had gone wrong…

The scenery changed again, and Brooklyn found themselves in a thicket of trees, where Snape was telling Lily about magic being real. She seemed pretty excited about that.

But then a noise was heard; it was Petunia spying on them who had lost her footing. Snape glared at her, while Lily was shocked and hurt that her own sister was spying. Brooklyn knew now where Petunia got her nosiness.

"Who's spying now?" he shouted. "What d'you want?"

Petunia was breathless, alarmed at being caught. Brooklyn and Harry watched as she struggled to say something hurtful back.

"What is that you're wearing, anyway?" she said, pointing at Snape's chest. "Your mum's blouse?" This made Brooklyn surprisingly feel sorry for Severus, who looked downright pissed, just as a branch cracked, falling down onto Petunia's shoulder, who cried out in pain, staggering back and in tears. Lily rushed to her, glaring at Severus.

"Did you make this happen?" She stormed, while Snape looked defiant and scared. "No!" He protested.

You did!" She was backing away from him. "You did! You hurt her!"

"No – no, I didn't!"

But the lie did not convince Lily. After one last burning look, she ran from the little thicket, off after her sister, and Snape looked miserable and confused…

Everything reformed again, this time showing Platform 9 and 3 Quarters. Snape was with his parents, while Lily and Petunia were talking, but it looked more like arguing.

"I'm sorry, Tuney, I'm sorry! Listen – " She caught her sister's hand and held tight to it, even though Petunia tried to pull it away. "Maybe once I'm there – no, listen, Tuney! Maybe once I'm there, I'll be able to go to Professor Dumbledore and persuade him to change his mind!"

"I don't – want – to – go!" said Petunia, and she dragged her hand back out of her sister's grasp. "You think I want to go to some stupid castle and learn to be a – a…"

Her pale eyes roved over the platform, over the cats mewling in their owners' arms, over the owls, fluttering and hooting at each other in cages, over the students, some already in their long black robes, loading trunks onto the scarlet steam engine or else greeting one another with glad cries after a summer apart.

"– you think I want to be a – a freak?"

Brooklyn growled softly, while Harry held his brother's hand in his, as the scene continued on, Petunia leaving Lily standing there, and calling her a freak again, the scene changing once more, now on the train itself.

Severus comforted Lily about Petunia, which made Brooklyn smile a little seeing someone like Snape caring for others than himself, even encouraging her about what was the best House. But then four other people arrived; James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew. James smiled as he proudly claimed that he wanted to be in Gryffindor like his father. Snape rolled his eyes.

"Got a problem with that?"

"No," said Snape, though his slight sneer said otherwise. "If you'd rather be brawny than brainy – "

"Where're you hoping to go, seeing as you're neither?" interjected Sirius.

James roared with laughter. Lily sat up, rather flushed, and looked from James to Sirius in dislike.

"Come on, Severus, let's find another compartment."

"Oooooo…"

James and Sirius imitated her lofty voice; James tried to trip Snape as he passed.

"See ya, Snivellus!" a voice called, as the compartment door slammed…

Brooklyn turned to Harry. "Snivellus?" Harry had an expression, this was one he didn't mention. "It was his er… nickname."

The next scene showed the infamous sorting of new students; Lily made it into Gryffindor, much to Severus's dismay, since he mentioned to her about being in Slytherin, which was the house he went to. Lily eyed James with contempt, looking away.

After that it showed Lily and Severus walking in the courtyard together, Lily speaking about Severus's friends and that she thought some of their ideas were scary, as well as Severus claiming to Lily that James fancies her. The scene changed after that.

One scene in particular seemed interesting to Brooklyn, but Harry pulled him away. Brooklyn guessed this was the bad memory Harry mentioned that time ago. But then Snape shouted the unforgiving word in the Wizarding World; Mudblood after Lily.

The scene changed…

"I'm sorry."

"I'm not interested."

"I'm sorry!"

"Save your breath."

It was nighttime. Lily, who was wearing a dressing gown, stood with her arms folded in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady, at the entrance to Gryffindor Tower.

"I only came out because Mary told me you were threatening to sleep here."

"I was. I would have done. I never meant to call you Mudblood, it just – "

"Slipped out?" There was no pity in Lily's voice. "It's too late. I've made excuses for you for years. None of my friends can understand why I even talk to you. You and your precious little Death Eater friends – you see, you don't even deny it! You don't even deny that's what you're all aiming to be! You can't wait to join You-Know-Who, can you?"

Brook gasped a little when Lily mentioned Death Eaters and You-Know-Who. This must've happened after he first rose up with his new army.

He opened his mouth, but closed it without speaking.

"I can't pretend anymore. You've chosen your way, I've chosen mine."

"No – listen, I didn't mean – "

– to call me Mudblood? But you call everyone of my birth Mudblood, Severus. Why should I be any different?"

He struggled on the verge of speech, but with a contemptuous look she turned and climbed back through the portrait hole… Brooklyn never felt more sorry than ever, even if he did call Lily, his first friend a Mudblood…

Then a new scene appeared; Snape, now a full grown man, was waiting for somebody, until a bright light cane out of nowhere. Snape cowered.

"Severus…"

"No, don't kill me!" Snape cried, just as Dumbledore appeared before him. "That was not my intention." Snape looked up.

"Well, Severus? What message does Lord Voldemort have for me?"

"No – no message – I'm here on my own account!"

Snape was wringing his hands. He looked a little mad, with his straggling black hair flying around him.

"I – I come with a warning – no, a request – please – "

Dumbledore flicked his wand. Though leaves and branches still flew through the night air around them, silence fell on the spot where he and Snape faced each other.

"What request could a Death Eater make of me?"

"The – the prophecy…the prediction…Trelawney…"

Ah, yes," said Dumbledore. "How much did you relay to Lord Voldemort?"

"Everything – everything I heard!" said Snape. "That is why – it is for that reason – he thinks it means Lily Evans!"

"The prophecy did not refer to a woman," said Dumbledore. "It spoke of a boy born at the end of July – "

"You know what I mean! He thinks it means her son, he is going to hunt her down – kill them all – "

"If she means so much to you," said Dumbledore, "surely Lord Voldemort will spare her? Could you not ask for mercy for the mother, in exchange for the son?"

"I have – I have asked him – "

"You disgust me," said Dumbledore, in a voice that Brooklyn had never heard him speak in before. He held Harry's hand, who was watching with scared eyes, the conversation continuing on. Snape seemed to shrink a little. "You do not care, then, about the deaths of her husband and child? They can die, as long as you have what you want?"

Snape said nothing, but merely looked up at Dumbledore.

"Hide them all, then," he croaked. "Keep her – them – safe. Please."

"And what will you give me in return, Severus?"

"In – in return?" Snape gaped at Dumbledore, and Harry expected him to protest, but after a long moment he said, "Anything."

The hilltop faded, and the brothers stood in Dumbledore's office, and something was making a terrible sound, like a wounded animal. Snape was slumped forward in a chair and Dumbledore was standing over him, looking grim. After a moment or two, Snape raised his face, and he looked like a man who had lived a hundred years of misery since leaving the wild hilltop. Brooklyn felt his own tears. Harry's parents must now be dead.

"I thought…you were going…to keep her…safe…"

"She and James put their faith in the wrong person," said Dumbledore. "Rather like you, Severus. Weren't you hoping that Lord Voldemort would spare her?"

Snape's breathing was shallow.

"Her boy survives," said Dumbledore.

With a tiny jerk of the head, Snape seemed to flick off an irksome fly.

"Her son lives. He has her eyes, precisely her eyes. You remember the shape and color of Lily Evans's eyes, I am sure?"

"DON'T!" bellowed Snape. "Gone… dead…"

"Is this remorse, Severus?"

"I wish… I wish I were dead…"

"And what use would that be to anyone?" said Dumbledore coldly. "If you loved Lily Evans, if you truly loved her, then your way forward is clear."

Snape seemed to peer through a haze of pain, and Dumbledore's words appeared to take a long time to reach him.

"What – what do you mean?"

"You know how and why she died. Make sure it was not in vain. Help me protect Lily's son."

Brooklyn ended up folding his arms. A poor job Snape must've done if Dumbledore asked for him to protect Harry too.

"He does not need protection. The Dark Lord has gone – "

"The Dark Lord will return, and Harry Potter will be in terrible danger when he does."

There was a long pause, and slowly Snape regained control of himself, mastered his own breathing. At last he said, "Very well. Very well. But never – never tell, Dumbledore! This must be between us! Swear it! I cannot bear…especially Potter's son…I want your word!"

"My word, Severus, that I shall never reveal the best of you?" Dumbledore sighed, looking down into Snape's ferocious, anguished face. "If you insist…"

The office dissolved but re-formed instantly. Snape was pacing up and down in front of Dumbledore.

"– mediocre, arrogant as his father, a determined rule-breaker, delighted to find himself famous, attention-seeking and impertinent– "

"You see what you expect to see, Severus," said Dumbledore, without raising his eyes from a copy of Transfiguration Today. "Other teachers report that the boy is modest, likable, and reasonably talented. Personally, I find him an engaging child."

"And what about that gargoyle? I don't trust it. I'm already protecting the boy!" Growled Snape. Brooklyn tensed from those words, and the Headmaster continued to read. "I have confidence in Brooklyn to be able to help. And the more that help him, the better protected Harry is."

Dumbledore turned a page, and said, without looking up, "Keep an eye on Quirrell, won't you?"

Brook's and Harry's jaws both had dropped, Dumbledore had known the whole freaking time?

Why didn't you tell me? The red gargoyle thought, body shaking in betrayal. Dumbledore must've had a reason.

A whirl of color, and now everything darkened, and Snape and Dumbledore stood a little apart in the entrance hall, while the last stragglers from the Yule Ball passed them on their way to bed. Brooklyn himself felt weirded out, knowing that there was a copy of him dancing with Katie now.

"Well?" murmured Dumbledore.

"Karkaroff's Mark is becoming darker too. He is panicking, he fears retribution; you know how much help he gave the Ministry after the Dark Lord fell." Snape looked sideways at Dumbledore's crooked-nosed profile. "Karkaroff intends to flee if the Mark burns."

"Does he?" said Dumbledore softly, as Fleur Delacour and Roger Davies came giggling in from the grounds. "And are you tempted to join him?"

"No," said Snape, his black eyes on Fleur's and Roger's retreating figures. "I am not such a coward."

"No," agreed Dumbledore. "You are a braver man by far than Igor Karkaroff. You know, I sometimes think we Sort too soon…"

He walked away, leaving Snape looking stricken…

Once again, the two were back in Dumbledore's office. It was nighttime, and Dumbledore sagged sideways in the thronelike chair behind the desk, apparently semiconscious. His right hand dangled over the side, blackened and burned. Snape was muttering incantations, pointing his wand at the wrist of the hand, while with his left hand he tipped a goblet full of thick golden potion down Dumbledore's throat. After a moment or two, Dumbledore's eyelids fluttered and opened.

Brooklyn's stomach churned at seeing Dumbledore's hand.

The two of them continued to watch Snape and Dumbledore discuss the Horcrux, until Brooklyn heard the next most shocking thing.

"After you have killed me, Severus – "

"You refuse to tell me everything, yet you expect that small service of me!" snarled Snape, and real anger flared in the thin face now. "You take a great deal for granted, Dumbledore! Perhaps I have changed my mind!"

"You gave me your word, Severus. And while we are talking about services you owe me, I thought you agreed to keep a close eye on our young Slytherin friend?"

Snape looked angry, mutinous. Dumbledore sighed.

"Come to my office tonight, Severus, at eleven, and you shall not complain that I have no confidence in you…"

They were back in Dumbledore's office, the windows dark, and Fawkes sat silent as Snape sat quite still, as Dumbledore walked around him, talking.

"Harry must not know, not until the last moment, not until it is necessary, otherwise how could he have the strength to do what must be done?"

"But what must he do?"

"That is between Harry and me. Now listen closely, Severus. There will come a time – after my death – do not argue, do not interrupt! There will come a time when Lord Voldemort will seem to fear for the life of his snake."

"For Nagini?" Snape looked astonished.

"Precisely. If there comes a time when Lord Voldemort stops sending that snake forth to do his bidding, but keeps it safe beside him under magical protection, then, I think, it will be safe to tell Harry."

"Tell him what?"

Dumbledore took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"Tell him that on the night Lord Voldemort tried to kill him, when Lily cast her own life between them as a shield, the Killing Curse rebounded upon Lord Voldemort, and a fragment of Voldemort's soul was blasted apart from the whole, and latched itself onto the only living soul left in that collapsed building. Part of Lord Voldemort lives inside Harry, and it is that which gives him the power of speech with snakes, and a connection with Lord Voldemort's mind that he has never understood. And while that fragment of soul, unmissed by Voldemort, remains attached to and protected by Harry, Lord Voldemort cannot die."

The brothers glanced at one another.

"So the boy…the boy must die?" asked Snape quite calmly.

"And Voldemort himself must do it, Severus. That is essential."

Brooklyn could feel his vision burn in even further anger and betrayal. After everything, everything he had been trusted to into protecting the human brother he loves, Dumbledore was willing to bloody sacrifice him?! Harry was shivering, taking his hand out of Brooklyn's, face pale.

Another long silence. Then Snape said, "I thought…all those years…that we were protecting him for her. For Lily."

Brooklyn now wondered what Goliath would say when he would hear that Dumbledore had used him. Used his whole clan and the London clan.

"Meaning?"

"I have spied for you and lied for you, put myself in mortal danger for you. Everything was supposed to be to keep Lily Potter's son safe. Now you tell me you have been raising him like a pig for slaughter – "

"But this is touching, Severus," said Dumbledore seriously. "Have you grown to care for the boy, after all?"

"For him?" shouted Snape. "Expecto Patronum!"

From the tip of his wand burst the silver doe.

"No way…" whispered Brooklyn under his breath. It was Snape's Patronus Harry had seen that night?

The doe landed on the office floor, bounded once across the office, and soared out of the window. Dumbledore watched her fly away, and as her silvery glow faded he turned back to Snape, and his eyes were full of tears.

"After all this time?"

"Always," said Snape.

The brothers were watching Snape talking to the portrait of Dumbledore behind his desk.

"You will have to give Voldemort the correct date of Harry's departure from his aunt and uncle's," said Dumbledore. "Not to do so will raise suspicion, when Voldemort believes you so well informed. However, you must plant the idea of decoys; that, I think, ought to ensure Harry's safety. Try Confunding Mundungus Fletcher. And Severus, if you are forced to take part in the chase, be sure to act your part convincingly…I am counting upon you to remain in Lord Voldemort's good books as long as possible, or Hogwarts will be left to the mercy of the Carrows…"

They were now flying alongside Snape, who saw a Death Eater prepared to use a killing curse on a disguised George. "Sectumsempra!" But he missed and hit George instead…

Finally, Snape was now speaking with the Dumbledore portrait, about them camping in the Forest of Dean. Snape took the Sword of Gryffindor from its case.

"And you still aren't going to tell me why it's so important to give Potter the sword?" said Snape as he swung a traveling cloak over his robes.

"No, I don't think so," said Dumbledore's portrait. "He will know what to do with it. And Severus, be very careful, they may not take kindly to your appearance after George Weasley's mishap – "

Snape turned at the door.

"Don't worry, Dumbledore," he said coolly. "I have a plan…"

Harry and Brooklyn came back out of the Pensive as the memories ended, both unable to talk for a while in leaving the office.

For a while when reaching outside the two brothers just stared at one another. Brooklyn's brain kept rattling with all sorts of emotion: grief, hurt, and betrayal. He just couldn't believe it was still gonna happen after all these years of protecting him.

Harry could tell that Brooklyn was stressed. He took him into a hug. "You know I gotta do this, Brook. You have protected me for a good long time. But it is time to let me go."

Brook shook his head. "I- but- I can't... can't..." he whispered tearfully. They pulled apart.

"I will always be with you, Brooklyn. Keep protecting our friends and Hogwarts for me, K?" He asked. Sniffling, Brooklyn nodded.

"Good luck bro," he said. Harry smiled at his gargoyle brother before making his leave.

Brooklyn watched for a while before eventually running out of the castle, unable to stop his tears from flowing. Voldemort mocked him in his head again.

You couldn't have protected him for very long... weak...

"Agh!" Brook screamed after nearing Hagrid's hut, grabbing a piece of rubble and throwing it. He wanted this all to be over; the lies, the broken trust, being used and controlled by dark magic. He just couldn't return to everybody at the Great Hall. They would've asked him questions. What was the point of being assigned to protect his brother if all that was gonna happen was watching him die in the end?

He collapsed on the doorstep, wiping his eyes and crying nonstop. Brooklyn just needed to be alone for a while.

But then he heard noises. Tensing, he drew his wand, seeing three figures coming.

"Well, what have we got here?" Sneered Bellatrix who led the patrol. Brooklyn stood, backing away.

"Piss off, Lestrange. I'm not in the mood now," he spat bitterly, eyes glowing white. Rowel just sneered.

"We've come to bring you to the Master, devil," he revealed. "For he wants to ask you some questions, and to be a special guest..."

Brooklyn snarled. "No!" He roared. He shot a spell at the other Death Eater then ran for it, to get help. But then he grimaced when tight black ropes ensnared around his torso. Rowel stalked over, and being a big muscled human hauled their prisoner to his feet. Brooklyn glared at Bellatrix who sneered at him.

"I believe it is time for you to have a little nap before seeing him," she purred. Brook suddenly felt a sting in his chest, vision going blurry and dark, then his thoughts faded away entirely.

Harry...