Chapter 59. Battlecries
Astrid tried to call out, tried to yell, shout, scream, but Lucius hooked his hand firmly around her mouth, muffling her sorrow. She knew it was coming of course, Harry had explicitly said he was to go there and die, it was the only way, Severus had hinted to something of the same before. The boy must die. But the reality of it was horrific, seeing the boys body laying there on the forest floor. Astrid was so wound up with Harry she had barely noticed the Dark Lord flat on his back now a few feet from her and Lucius.
"My Lord… My Lord…" Bellatrix whispered worriedly, pressing her shaking hands to his chest. "Are you hurt?"
"I don't need your help!" Voldemort proclaimed, pushing himself up and away from Bellatrix's clutches. He got to his feet and shoved Bellatrix to the ground harshly, his eyes firmly resting on the body of the boy. His death eaters gathered close, all watching the unmoving body on the forest floor. Lucius stifled Astrids sobs, bringing her into his chest he hushed her gently, stroking down her hair he kissed her upon the forehead.
Narcissa strode by, her eyes briefly glancing over Lucius and Astrid, taking in the way her ex-husband wrapped himself around the girl protectively, the way he caressed her. He had ignored the Dark Lords explicit order to stay away to be by her side, to hold her in his arms. She felt a sting of jealousy, and then calmness, as she realised, she would not risk the Dark Lords wrath for him, nor he for her. She saw what her and Lucius had was not love, not love like theirs at least, it was a marriage of convenience, a partnership, a business deal. She hoped one day she would find in a man what Lucius found in Astrid. With a trembling heart Narcissa crunched through the undergrowth towards Harry Potter.
"The boy…" Bellatrix's wide eyes fell on Harry.
Everyone gathered in anticipation, as Narcissa cautiously bent down to the boy who lived. The woods filled with nervous breaths, no one able to take their eyes from the scene. Astrid pulled away from Lucius' chest and crawled forward onto her knees,
"Get away from him!" Astrid cried, taking a fistful of the forest floor she fell forward with a sob. The Dark Lord sneered at her outburst, but chose to ignore it. Doubled over her stomach flipped violently, threatening to be sick once again. She held it back, she would not show weakness, not now. She would be strong, and brave, like Harry.
Narcissa slowly rose to her feet, turning towards her audience.
"Dead."
Hagrid carried Harry solemnly across the bridge, bound by strong ropes, held by equally strong death eaters. The parade of black made its way into the Hogwarts courtyard. Lucius supported Astrid's weight, wrapping an arm around her waist and holding her elbow firmly, guiding her with the rest of the procession.
"Where's Everly?" Lucius asked, his voice trembling with worry. Astrid swallowed.
"Safe, with Madam Pomfrey…" Astrid squeaked. She hoped they were safe. But looking at the state of the castle, crumbling and in ruin, as they traipsed across the bridge, she had doubts that ate away inside her. Her legs wobbled with each step, she told herself 'be strong, be brave' but still her legs shook and trembled. She spied the snake up ahead, at Voldemort's side… and she felt the basilisk tooth in her pocket. She wanted to jump at it right then and there, grasp it like a dagger and stab at the snake with all her might. But she knew she'd be dead before she even reached it. No, she'd have to bide her time, choose the perfect moment….
Injured students and staff trickled out of the castle's great door; their eyes wide as they spotted Hagrid cradling a body in his arms.
"Harry Potter… is dead!" Voldemort proclaimed cheerily.
"NO!" Ginny yelled out, making a dash for the Dark Lord, but her father caught her in his arms, pulling her back roughly.
"Silence!" Voldemort ordered with the wave of his wand. "Stupid girl… Harry Potter… is dead… from this day forth you put your faith… in me."
Astrid could see each and every hysterical, shocked, sorrowful, heartbroken face in the crowd… that's when she realised what side she stood on. How would this look? In the arms of Lucius Malfoy, walking with the Dark Lord, escorting the body of Harry Potter into the courtyard. Astrid's legs gave way, falling to her knees she violently wretched what bile was left in her stomach and sobbed. Lucius dropped down next to her, stroking her back he beckoned her to stand, but she could not. She couldn't stand with them, the death eaters.
"Harry Potter is dead!" Voldemort declared with a spine-chilling smile. He held out his arms triumphantly as he faced his followers, an evil laugh emitted from his toothy grin, causing shivering goosebumps to splay across Astrids skin. Cackles and laughs erupted from behind and besides Astrid, but not from Lucius, who rubbed her back in rebellious silence.
"And now it's time to declare yourself… come forward and join us… like your dear Professor Moody…" Voldemort waved his wand hand towards Astrids sobbing form. Astrid shook her head, blonde matted waves dancing around her shoulders, her face twisted and tears rolled from her eyes.
"Or die." Voldemort added his ultimatum, his face dropping from its evil smile to a very serious stern stare. The courtyard fell silent, the tension in the air thickening.
"Draco!" Narcissa called out to her son, from besides Lucius. She held her hand out to the boy. "Draco… Draco," She beckoned him. Lucius stared across the courtyard to his son, his heart conflicted. Staring at the trembling face of his son eventually he nodded at his eldest child who stepped down from the rubble with his fathers blessing.
"Ahh, well done Draco…" Voldemort cooed. "Well done." The Dark Lord pulled Draco into an awkward hug, not dissimilar from the one he presented to Astrid. Hard faces watched the exchange, disappointed in Draco's decision. The Dark Lord released the boy after giving him an encouraging squeeze and Draco headed to his mother as quickly as his feet could carry him. He pulled his mother into an embrace, it had been a long time since he had hugged her like that, burying his face in her shoulder for a moment before his mother released him and stood him proudly between her and his crouched father. Draco looked down to Lucius and Astrid, with sad regretful eyes, his father met his gaze, returning the sorrowful look Lucius simply blinked and nodded.
To everyone's surprise, Neville began to limp forward, the sorting hat in hand.
"Well I must say… I'd hoped for better." Voldemort jested. The death eaters erupted in mocking laughter. "And who might you be, young man?"
"Neville Longbottom." Neville answered, his face was bloody, his clothes torn. Astrid couldn't watch, she knew Neville, knew he wasn't about to give up and join the other side. He was going to do something… something ridiculous no doubt. Astrid pressed her face into Lucius, keeping one eye on the scene before them.
"Well Neville… I'm sure we can find a place for you in our ranks." Voldemort mocked.
"I'd like to say something." Neville announced. The Dark Lord looked displeased as he paced back and forth, his hand tightening and relaxing, his jaw tense.
"Well Neville, I'm sure we'd all be fascinated to hear what you have to say…" Voldemort hissed.
"Doesn't matter that Harrys gone!" Neville told the crowd.
"Stand down Neville!" Seamus warned his friend.
"People die every day! Friends… family… yeah… we lost Harry tonight…. He's still with us! In here!" Neville said defiantly, pressing his hand to his heart. "So is Fred… Remus… Tonks… all of them… they didn't die in vain…" Neville said sadly. Astrid's chest ached with pain, but for the first time, her heart didn't feel like it was about to explode in her chest, no it was a different kind of pain, one that signified a person lost, a dull, heavy pain in her heart that for once wasn't caused by its erratic beating. Pain for her lost friends, lost family.
"But you will!" Neville hissed, turning to the Dark Lord, who only chuckled at the boy's insolence. "Because you're wrong! Harry's heart did beat for us! For all of us!"
Neville reached into the sorting hat, and by the graces of its power, pulled out the sword of Gryffindor, which glinted beautifully in the rays of dawn.
"It's not over!" Neville yelled.
Then something incredible happened, something that caused the entire courtyard to freeze and stare… Harry jumped down out of Hagrid's arms, landing with a thud to the stone courtyard. Astrid gasped, pushing herself up to her feet and away from Lucius as Harry got to his feet. Voldemort stared in disbelief for a second.
"Confringo!" Harry yelled, a fireball shooting out of the end of his wand at Nagini. Astrid took that as her chance, her chance to be brave and strong, she broke into a sprint, heading straight for Harry she grabbed the collar of his jacket pulling him over a wall in the courtyard.
Voldemort's retaliation was a whirlwind of fire and explosions, chasing Harry and Astrid down the covered walkway. Death eaters with wavering loyalty took that as their moment to run, and in droves they disappeared in black smoke. Bellatrix yelled loudly, cursing and berating them for their deception. Lucius stood, his chest heaving, his wide eyes darted the covered walkway, looking for any sign of Astrid alive. Draco tugged on his arm, looking to his son Draco's eyes pleaded with him.
"Father, come with us." Draco said, Narcissa's hand lay on her sons shoulder, ready to steer him away from the fight and to safety.
"I can't." Lucius said, shaking his head. Draco looked in his fathers' eyes, and his father stared back in his.
"You really do love her, don't you?" Draco asked. Lucius nodded.
"I do."
"Then, I hope you find her father." Draco half smiled as he backed away into his mothers hold. Narcissa nodded at her ex-husband and then pushed Draco behind her, towards the bridge, looking back over her shoulder to see Lucius heading off in the direction of the castle.
Harry and Astrid bound over the rubble, scraping their knees and shins as they slid down the loose rocks. Kingsley deflected various incoming spells as he helped Astrid and Harry reach the castle doors.
"All who remain into the castle!" Harry ordered as he and Astrid reached Ron and Hermione. "We have to kill the snake!"
"You'll need this!" Hermione shouted, pointing the sword of Gryffindor, bravely being wielded by Neville. The Dark Lord marched forward with what men he had remaining, a murderous look on his face. As he strode along, he flicked his wand towards the group, a snarl on his lips.
"Neville!" Astrid cried out as he was blasted back through the castle doors, sword in hand. The Dark Lord disapperated before their eyes.
"Where did he go?!" Hermione asked as she and Astrid helped pull Neville to his feet.
"You guys deal with the snake… I'll worry about him!" Harry said as he headed deeper into the castle.
With a sigh they helped Neville up the stairs, dodging and deflecting spells from the incoming death eaters as they tried to get to a defensive position.
Astrid was suddenly knocked back against a wall with a shimmery blue blast, her wand fell from her hand, rolling across the filthy floor. Astrid yelled out in pain and clutched the back of her head, her hands were stained with red. She looked about but couldn't see the figures of her comrades through the heavy dust cloud, she did however see a dark clad figure approaching her with heavy footsteps.
"Hey sis," Atticus spat as he grabbed her neck, sliding her up the wall, leaving a trail of crimson on the stone work. He held her tightly against the brick his fingers flexing around her delicate neck. "I liked the trick you pulled with Potter, very clever." Atticus hissed, he pulled her neck forward and then slammed her head back against the brickwork, Astrid cried out in pain, her vision blurring.
"Get off of her!" A voice growled not too far away. "Stupefy!"
Atticus flew side aways, his body twisting and contorting in the air, he eventually fell to the ground with a large thud, his arms and legs twisted. Astrid gripped at her throat, coughing, sliding down the stone wall, smearing more crimson on his exterior.
Lucius Malfoy crouched before her, his hands cupping her face.
"Are you alright?" He breathed, though Astrid nodded her head yes, he was acutely aware of her blonde waves now drenched in red at the back of her head. She pushed herself up, still coughing she held on his shoulder for support.
"W-what are you doing here?" Astrid choked out.
"Keeping you safe," Lucius told her, cupping the sides of her face. She looked into his eyes and saw truth, and so nodded her head.
"We need to find the snake," Astrid told him hoarsely, as she limped in the direction of the staircase.
Hermione, with perfect aim, hit Nagini with the rock, gaining the snakes attention. Slithering towards her down the stairs Hermione threw one more, hitting the snake squarely in the face. Hermione swallowed hard.
"Hermione!" Astrid called out, limping towards her with Lucius Malfoy wrapped around her shoulder, taking her weight. "Where is it? The snake?"
Hermione said nothing, simply she pointed at the stairs, where the snake slithered towards them menacingly. Hermione and Astrid gulped.
"Plan?" Astrid asked, side eyeing the teenage girl.
"That's my plan," Hermione whispered as they spied Ron sneaking up behind Nagini, a basilisk tooth in hand. Nagini understood, turning rapidly she lunged for Ron, sending him jumping backwards and the tooth catapulting out of his hand and down the stairwell. Ron scrambled back frantically, his eyes wide and clearly out of ideas.
"Do you have another plan?!" Astrid asked shakily as Nagini reared up, ready to strike.
"Run!" Hermione offered the only idea she had left, and quickly the two girls and Lucius hurried passed Nagini down the stairs, pulling Ron along as they reached his panicked form. Lucius helped Astrid down the stairs, her head now feeling light, almost weightless, her vision blurring once again. He practically dragged her down the stairs away from Nagini. Ron and Hermione ran ahead, looking for inspiration, an idea, anything!
Astrid tripped, sending her and Lucius falling to the stone floor at the bottom of the stairs with a yelp. Lucius tried to pull her to her feet, but she was weak, her arms trembling as she tried to push herself up. Nagini neared them, raising her head and coiling up ready to strike. Lucius desperately pulled on Astrid.
"Astrid, come on!" He cried desperately, trying to get her to her feet.
Nagini lurched forward; jaws open.
Lucius and Astrid closed their eyes, ready to meet the same fate as Severus.
But it never came.
Neville had lunged forward, sword in hand, and in one strong swing decapitated the beast, releasing a grey evil smoke from its body.
Astrid and Lucius' eyes shot open, their mouths agape at the sight before them.
"I've never been happier to see you Mr Longbottom," Astrid smiled as the boy helped Lucius pull the professor to her feet.
"Improved a bit since those early DA days, haven't I?" The boy grinned cheekily. Astrid laughed and grasped his shoulder, squeezing it proudly.
"Yes… yes you have…I don't remember me or Harry teaching you how to wield a sword though Neville!"
After the battle Lucius helped Astrid into the great hall apprehensively, uneasy eyes watching his every move as he guided Astrid to Molly Weasley, who jumped up and brought the young witch into a hug. Lucius looked around; he could feel the whispers.
"For a second dear, you had me, I truly thought you a traitor," Molly shook her head in disbelief, "but you are your father's daughter, always have something up your sleeve, some contingency plan ready!"
"Honestly Mrs Weasley, I just went along with Harry, making things up when I needed to, there was no plan really…" Astrid said awkwardly as she accepted a warm cup of tea from Arthur.
"Well, either way, he would proud of you." Molly told her, cupping the girls cheeks. Astrid spied Harry over Mrs Weasleys shoulder, who smiled at the professor knowingly.
"I know," Astrid smiled, nodding her head. Kinglsey Shacklebolt stepped over, taking Arthurs hand and shaking it firmly.
"Well fought Arthur, I am terribly sorry about your boy… Tonks and Remus too, they will all be missed." The man said.
"Thank you, Kingsley, they fought valiantly." Arthur nodded.
"Now, what to do with this one?" Kingsley asked, his eyes falling on Lucius. The blonde-haired man diverted his gaze to the ground, he wasn't a fool, he knew his judgement day would come, he just didn't think it would come so soon, not even fifteen minutes after the Dark Lords demise. Arthur looked to Lucius, an unreadable expression on his face.
"I'm sure you will figure something out," Arthur told Kingsley with a soft smile as the two men walked away.
"Here my dear," An elderly voice chimed from behind Astrid, she turned to meet Professor Slughorn, a small vial in his hand. "For your head my dear," He told her, handing over the vial. Astrid took the stopper off, giving it a small sniff, it was a regeneration potion from the smell, Astrid closed her eyes and tipped the liquid back, trying not to shudder at its rancid taste.
"Thanks Horace," Astrid grimaced, handing the vial back.
"You're welcome, dear, do you know where Madam Pomfrey is?" The potions professor asked. Astrid's mind flashed to Everly.
"In the dungeons, I'll go fetch her," Astrid offered, taking a step away from Lucius.
"I'll go with you," Lucius offered, he wanted to see his daughter just as much as Astrid did. She wanted to say yes, wanted to reunite their family, but it didn't feel right like… not like that… something was pulling her back, stopping her.
"It's okay, I'll meet you in the headmaster's office, I won't be long," Astrid smiled softly, turning on her heels she limped out of the Great Hall, the pain in her hip starting to subside from the potion already. Her head spun less the closer she got to the dungeons, adrenalin rushing in her veins as she made her way down the spiral stairs.
Knocking on the Slytherin common room, a voice called from inside.
"Who is it?" A nervous woman asked.
"Astrid Moody," Astrid answered breathily. The door swung open to reveal Madam Pomfrey, her wand drawn defensively, a small army of first and second years behind her, their wands also drawn, ready.
"The battles over," Astrid told them, "Voldemort is dead."
"Truly?" Madam Pomfrey's voice shivered.
"Yes, it's all over." Astrid nodded, with happy tears in her eyes. Madam Pomfrey clasped a hand to her mouth, the children behind her erupting in cheers and shouts, except for the Slytherins who lounged in the back, their faces twisted in disbelief.
"Okay everyone, upstairs! I will need help fetching equipment from the medical wing for the wounded!" Madam Pomfrey ordered, and as if coached on what to do and where to go, the children filtered out of the common room door and rushed towards the spiral staircase.
"Madam Pomfrey?" Astrid asked as the woman disappeared deeper into the common room. Once the trickle of students had left, Astrid stepped through the giant iron door, and spied Poppy approaching her, Everly asleep in her arms.
"I tried to get her to sleep, but the explosions were loud, the walls vibrated and the ceiling shook, she only laid her head down about ten minutes ago I'm afraid, so her routine will be in chaos." Madam Pomfrey sighed with a small smile, she handed Everly over to her mother. Astrid wrapped her arms around the sleeping child, manoeuvring her onto her good hip, Astrid smoothed down the child's hair and pressed a kiss on her head.
"I'm sure she'll fall back into routine quickly," Astrid smiled. "Is everyone okay down here?" Astrid asked, looking about at the lounging Slytherins. Poppy nodded.
"Is everyone okay up there?" Poppy asked. Astrid's face dropped.
"We took heavy losses," Astrid admitted, her voice cracking as she thought of Severus, Tonks, Remus and Fred.
"And there's many injured I presume… yourself included looks like…" Poppy frowned.
"I'm fine, there's worse off than me up there that need your help, Poppy." Astrid smiled.
"I'll get right to it then," Poppy smiled as she and Astrid moved towards the common room door. "What will you do now?" The matron asked. "I do hope to see you back at Hogwarts teaching Astrid,"
"I don't know if I can do that Poppy… I don't know if this school will feel the same for me now…" Astrid sighed as the two women made their way to the spiral staircase. "Do you plan on staying at Hogwarts?"
"I was thinking of retiring soon, but I think the students will still need me, so I will stay." Poppy's lip curled up into a soft smile. "Perhaps this will be a time to settle down, raise your daughter… Lucius… is he?" Madam Pomfrey pressed carefully.
"He's alive," Astrid nodded, "He's upstairs… despite everything he's done, he chose to save me in the end, switched sides at the last minute for me…"
"I'm surprised, you don't sound happy about that, Astrid?" Madam Pomfrey commented, she was incredibly sharp, nothing went unnoticed under her nose.
"I'm just… conflicted… I broke things off with him just yesterday… we are too very different people…." Astrid inhaled sharply.
"You don't have to take my advice as an elderly crone but… I believe if things are meant to be, they will fall into place by themselves, there's no use forcing it. You are a young woman, with so many years ahead of you… you have faced so much hardship already, I think you need time to heal, to grow… he likely does too… do the things you've always wanted to do, go the places you've wanted to go…"
Astrid nodded as she mulled over the matrons' words.
There was one place in her heart, that called out to her in that moment.
Lucius waited in the headmaster's office for over an hour, at first enjoying a glass of firewhiskey to calm his nerves, he sat in the armchair sipping on it nervously. Then he was pacing back and forth restlessly. He couldn't wait to be reunited with his daughter, with his love. They could be a family, a proper family, and perhaps one day Astrid would agree to be his bride once more, when she see's what a good father, a good husband, he could be.
The headmaster's office had partially caved in, the roof crumbled onto the desk, beams and brick blocking the way up to the chambers. Lucius spotted something abandoned under the rubble, climbing the stone stairs he stepped up to the pile of destruction and bent to his knee, reaching into the brick and wood. His fingers clasped the object he spied and pulled it from the heap. In his hands he held a small red, albeit dusty, dragon, a small smile played on his lips as he rolled it's felt body between his fingers. It would need a wash, for it was covered in filth, but he couldn't wait to present his find to his daughter, her favourite little red dragon.
The door to the office opened with a loud creak, and Lucius looked up with a smile on his face, finally he thought to himself.
But his smile dropped when it was not Astrid and Everly that stepped through the door.
"Mr Malfoy," Madam Pomfrey swallowed, stepping into the office.
"Madam Pomfrey… where is Astrid, and my daughter?" Lucius asked, his brows knitting together in confusion. She had expressly told him to meet her in the headmaster's office, he was clear on that, he had not misheard her.
"She's not coming Lucius," Madam Pomfrey told him firmly. "I'm sorry."
"Where is she?" Lucius asked, his voice had traces of annoyance, anger, he tried to supress that side of him, that's not who he was anymore. He was going to be better than that.
"She's not at Hogwarts," Poppy informed him "She left, with Everly."
Lucius' jaw tensed as he turned away from the woman, pressing a hand to his nose he pinched it hard, closing his eyes, how could this be happening? He has lost her, yet again!
"Where did she go?" He asked, not daring to turn and face the woman who gatekept his family.
"She didn't tell me. I'm sorry." Poppy said, she sounded nervous, she was probably worried he would curse her, hex her into oblivion. She expected him to get angry, violent, threatening. But the Lucius Malfoy before her was not the same of old. He was no longer the man who threatened school governors and politicians, he was an entirely more… rational man, which Poppy Pomfrey found surprising. Perhaps fate would bring them together in the end, if it had brought him this far.
"Thank you… for letting me know." Lucius voice cracked as his thumb caressed over the little red dragon. Madam Pomfrey nodded, and silently took her leave. Upon hearing the door click closed, Lucius fell to his knees, the little red dragon falling from his fingers to the dusty floor.