Chapter 22
Sagittarius: The Battle of Hogwarts
Spring 1998
Narcissa and Lucius appeared in Hogsmeade, where a group of Death Eaters were already waiting. Narcissa had barely had time to get her bearings when Bellatrix bounded forwards, throwing her arms around her sister as she cried, "Cissy! You came!" Narcissa was surprised - she had been expecting censure for responding to the Dark Lord's call despite not being marked, but as she looked around, she realised the group was not just made up of Death Eaters. She recognised the two Snatchers who had brought Ted Tonks to her home, and Fenrir Greyback was standing at the head of a group of at least thirty unkempt-looking witches and wizards, all of whom had the same, hungry gleam to their eyes; werewolves. Narcissa looked at the sky nervously, but the moon was a waxing crescent, so she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Where is the Dark Lord?" Narcissa whispered to Bellatrix, looking around. Her sister pointed, and Narcissa spun on the spot to see Voldemort, standing at the front of the group. Nagini was draped around his shoulders, and he was watching the growing crowd with his vivid, red eyes. More Death Eaters and supporters of the Dark Lord were appearing, emerging from the shadows and their ranks swelled. Within minutes, there were over one hundred of them, standing silently, waiting for their instructions. Then, a large shape came into view in the sky. It looked like a huge bat, blotting out the stars as it soared towards them. Narcissa raised her wand, aiming it at the looming creature, and around her the others copied her action. She squinted through the darkness, and was about to shoot a Blasting spell at it, when her eyes widened in recognition and she cried out,
"Stop! It's Severus!" He landed in front of them, stumbling slightly as his feet collided with the ground. He looked around at the army with wide, black eyes. He was panting, and sounded out-of-breath. He bowed to the Dark Lord, then said,
"They are preparing to fight, my Lord. Potter is at the castle."
"As I knew he would be." Voldemort sounded satisfied, and he addressed Severus quietly, before turning and walking through the crowd. They all stood back to make a way for him, and he paused in front of Lucius, smirking. "Ah, Lucius, my faithful servant," he said, his voice dripping with irony. He ignored Narcissa completely.
"My Lord." Lucius bowed, but Voldemort seemed to not hear him. He drew his wand, looking down at it with narrowed eyes as Nagini hissed gently. "Severus is a very dedicated Death Eater. It is a pity..." He then looked up again and said in his high, cold voice, "You will remain here, Lucius. The staff will undoubtedly attempt to evacuate the younger students - and I daresay they will try to get all the Slytherins out of the way. You will stay here, covertly collect any Slytherins who can fight for me and send them to the castle. Then, join me in the Shrieking Shack."
If Lucius thought these were odd instructions, he did not show it. He bowed again and said, "Yes, my Lord." The Dark Lord turned and began to stride away up the narrow street. What did the he mean, 'It is a pity'? Narcissa wondered, but a cold feeling of dread was filling her. Before she had time to ponder the matter further, she heard Severus' voice, magically amplified, calling them all to attention.
"The Dark Lord is going to issue an ultimatum to the castle to give us Potter. They will have half an hour to comply, or we attack." A cheer rose from the crowd. Once it subsided, Severus went on, "We are all to get in position, ready to attack - but do not do so before midnight. Once we break into the grounds, aim for the castle. Attack and kill anyone who stands in our way, but Potter must not be harmed. The Dark Lord is adamant that he, and only he, shall kill the boy. I repeat, do not harm Potter. Dolohov and Travers, lead a siege on the north battlements. Yaxley, Rookwood, attempt entry through the main gate, Rowle and Selwyn, try to counter the protective enchantments, Bella, come with me, we'll try to breech the castle from the west. Narcissa, divide the rest into groups and send them to us."
The Dark Lord's forces sprang into action, and the next few minutes were ones of chaos and confusion as people surged forwards, drawing their wands, eager to enter the fray. Narcissa felt sick with worry. If we attack the castle, and the Slytherins are sent back to fight, Draco might get killed in the crossfire. My son! She wanted more than anything to talk to Lucius, to make a plan to protect their son, but she was separated from him in the crowd as people began to gather around her, asking which group they were to be in. Narcissa had no choice but to remain where she was, dividing the recruits into small groups and sending them to join the others. Soon, she was quite alone. She looked left and right, wondering where Lucius had gone, and what she should do. "Luc?" she called tentatively, but there was no reply. Should I find Severus and warn him about what the Dark Lord said... but what about Draco? I need to get to the castle, ready to meet him when he's sent there! And she took off at a run down the street towards Hogwarts, intending to join Yaxley and Rookwood on the main drive, but she had only gone a few steps when a terrible voice sounded, ringing through the night,
"I know that you are preparing to fight. Your efforts are futile. You cannot fight me. I do not want to kill you. I have great respect for the teachers of Hogwarts. I do not want to spill magical blood. Give me Harry Potter, and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter, and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you will be rewarded. You have until midnight."
Narcissa started to run again, not stopping until she was stood with Yaxley, Rookwood and their group by the main gates into the castle grounds. They were watching the sky above the castle, trying to identify the protection the professors were putting around it.
"Do you think they'll give us Potter?" Rookwood asked Narcissa as she came and stood beside him, panting.
"I hope so," she replied honestly.
The next half hour seemed to drag by, but nothing happened; no-one emerged from the castle, and no further announcement was made.
"Do you think we should -" Yaxley began, sounding unsure of himself, when an almighty crash seemed to shake the very foundations of the earth, and spells began to rain in on the castle from all sides. Flashes of light dazzled Narcissa as the Death Eaters' spells crashed into the protective enchantments, exploding into showers of sparks.
"GO, GO, GO!" cried Rookwood, and the group began their attack. Narcissa raised her wand too, but fear and indecision made her freeze. If we break through, the Slytherin students will be sent in after us, and Draco could be killed... but if I don't help, the Dark Lord will kill us all... and the more quickly I break in, the more quickly we can bring Potter to the Dark Lord, then it will all be over... She took a deep breath, and began to cast her spells silently, trying various counter-spells, then moving onto Blasting spells. The ground shook again, Yaxley and Rookwood instructing them to act as one and to hit the enchantments at the same time. They kept going, sweat standing out on Narcissa's forehead as she poured all her energy into her spells. "One more!" yelled Rookwood, and the group whipped their wands through the air simultaneously, sending thirty jets of light crashing into the translucent barrier. Before Narcissa's eyes, she saw the protective bubble surrounding the castle flicker and die. A cheer ripped through the air from all sides, and Rookwood and Yaxley blasted the iron gates open, screaming, "CHARGE!"
Narcissa surged forwards, caught in the middle of the group of Death Eaters as they pelted towards the castle. Hexes and jinxes were being shot at them from the windows, and Narcissa dodged, trying to return fire and defend herself at the same time as she looked desperately through the night, searching for her son. "Aim for that window!" shouted Rookwood, pointing high up the castle. "Cast the Reductor curse on three. One..." The Death Eaters and other supporters raised their wands, aiming carefully at the window. Narcissa hesitated as Rookwood cried, "...two..." I have to, I have to do this, Narcissa thought, pointing Luna Lovegood's wand at the castle, trying not to let her hand shake as a terrible thought filled her head, What if Draco's already in the castle? What if he's up there? "...three!"
"REDUCTO!"
As the multiple spells crashed into the castle, a huge portion of the wall was blasted apart. Chunks of debris rained down, smashing into the ground at the foot of the castle. Dust and smoke billowed from the huge, gaping hole, and Narcissa thought she could see figures moving, running for cover. "Attack!" cried Rookwood, beginning to shoot curses through the hole. The other followed suit, and Narcissa raised her wand, when, suddenly, the ground shook again, and she was sent flying as a huge foot smashed into the ground right in front of her. There were screams and yells as the group scattered, and Narcissa threw herself out of harm's way as the giant began to swipe at the castle windows, glass falling on the people below. She got to her feet, running as fast as she could, trying to avoid more giants as they began to attack the castle in earnest. A jet of red light flew out of the darkness towards her, and she cast a Shield charm, causing it to rebound back at its caster.
Narcissa stumbled on a pile of fallen masonry, then saw Bellatrix, illuminated on the steps by the main castle entrance, shrieking with glee as she fought three people at once. Narcissa plunged onwards, raising her wand and sending a Stunning spell at the group. It hit, and one of the wizards fell off the steps onto the grass below. There was a flash of green light, and Bellatrix screeched in triumph as a witch with bright pink hair crumpled. The other wizard let out a roar of fury, his wand slashing through the air, and Bellatrix was bound from head to foot in thick ropes. "Petrificus Totalus!" Narcissa screamed, and a jet of white light flew out of her wand, hitting the wizard in the small of his back. His limbs stiffened and he fell to the ground. "Diffindo!" Narcissa panted, as she raced up the steps, severing the ropes binding her sister.
"Cissy!" Bellatrix cried, beaming at her sister. "I killed her! The traitor's brat, the one who brought shame on our family! She is dead!"
"What?" Narcissa gasped, still out-of-breath, pulling her sister to her feet. "Who?" Then her eyes fell on the pink-haired witch. "She - she's Andromeda's daughter?"
"Not anymore!" cackled Bellatrix, grabbing Narcissa's hand and pulling her down the steps, away from the castle. Narcissa cast one last look back at the girl - my niece - before her attention was claimed again by the battle. Giants were still attacking the outside of the castle, and witches and wizards were shooting curses, hexes and jinxes at each other.
"Let's liberate the acromantula!" Bellatrix cried, dragging her sister into the Forbidden Forest. Other masked witches and wizards joined them, and they ran through the trees, jumping over logs, stumbling on roots and ducking under branches, shooting spells into the darkness. Suddenly, Narcissa heard clicking and shuffling, and saw at least a dozen giant spiders, scuttling away from the onslaught. Bellatrix screamed in triumph, and she and the rest of the Death Eaters drove the spiders from their home, directing them to the castle. They fled, and Narcissa and the others followed, stopping at the edge of the forest to watch the chaos they had set in motion. The spiders began to climb the walls, forcing themselves through the hole the Death Eaters had made, and more scurried up the steps and into the Entrance Hall. Narcissa heard screams ringing across the grounds as the spiders attacked.
"Bella!" Narcissa shouted, ripping her hand out of her sister's grip. "I need to find Draco!"
"Draco can take care of himself!" Bellatrix retorted, tossing her wild hair out of her face. "I'm going to -" but she stopped speaking as an unnatural mist began to settle around them. "Dementors," hissed Bellatrix, raising her wand and pulling Narcissa further back into the forest. The cold intensified and Narcissa began to hear screaming inside her head. Draco! She looked around, certain she would see her son's writhing body on the ground, before she realised it was the memory of Draco being tortured by the Dark Lord. She gripped her wand tightly and whispered,
"Expecto Patronum." The faintest wisp of silver smoke fluttered from the end of her wand and vanished. The screaming inside her head grew louder. I can't do it, I can't summon my Patronus. "Bella, what should we do?" Narcissa whispered. But before her sister could reply, Narcissa saw three silver shapes flying towards the Dementors. She couldn't make out the individual forms of the Patronuses through the trees. As she squinted at them, she was dazzled by a fourth burst of light, stronger than the others, and the Dementors retreated. The air felt warmer, and Bellatrix grabbed Narcissa's hand again, whispering,
"We have to get into the school and find Potter. Come on!" But before they could move, a roar sounded and the ground shook. Narcissa turned and screamed, tugging her sister out of the way as a giant strode past, swinging its club. It didn't see the sisters and stomped clear of the forest. They heard it roar again, and watched as it swung its club at a small group of people. They scattered, and Bellatrix hissed, "Come on, Cissy!"
Narcissa followed Bellatrix back across the grounds, firing jets of red light at the staff, students and members of the Order of the Phoenix. She heard a noise behind her and whirled on the spot. She was too late to defend herself, and was knocked off her feet by a powerful jinx, her wand flying out of her hand. Her head smacked into the ground, and she was disoriented. She saw someone standing above her, a student, from the looks of him, his eyes wide but his face set as he aimed his wand at her again. Then, a green jet of light hit him square in the chest and he fell backwards, dead. Narcissa scrambled to her hands and knees, searching the ground desperately for her wand. Her fingers connected with the handle, and she snatched it up, running through the grounds once more, hope burning in her heart that she would be able to find her son. Narcissa was almost at the stone steps, when, once again, a high, cold voice echoed through the air, and she stopped. All around her, the flashes of light ceased, and even the giants seemed frozen, listening to the voice of Lord Voldemort, and it rang across the grounds:
"You have fought valiantly. Lord Voldemort knows how to value bravery. Yet you have sustained heavy losses. 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. I speak now, Harry Potter, directly to you. You have permitted your friends to die 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 battle recommences. 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."
A reprieve! I can find Draco! Narcissa leapt up the stone steps, noticing that the body of Andromeda's daughter was gone. What if my son is dead, too? she thought, but before she could get into the castle, Bellatrix hurtled out of it, grabbing hold of her. "Cissy! What are you doing?"
"Let go, Bella, let go!" Narcissa struggled, but Bellatrix snarled at her, pulling her back down the steps with surprising force.
"No, Cissy. The Dark Lord ordered us to retreat."
"But Draco -"
"If you start bleating about him again or dare to try to go back for him, I swear I will put you under the Imperius curse, or you can come quietly. Choose now." Bellatrix's voice was low and venomous, her wand pointing straight in Narcissa's face. Narcissa swallowed. She did not doubt that her sister would do it, and she knew that Bellatrix was exceptionally gifted at controlling others using the Unforgiveable curse.
"Ok, Bella. I'll come."
And so the sisters joined the other Death Eaters and supporters of the Dark Lord, heading for the Forbidden Forest. It did not take them long to find their Master. He was standing in a clearing, the remains of hundreds of huge spiders' webs dangling in silky tatters from the trees. Just behind him was a large, glittering spherical cage, inside which Nagini was coiling and uncoiling gently. Two giants were already seated at the edge of the area, and on Voldemort's left-hand side, was Lucius. Narcissa did not care that the Dark Lord was watching and she ran to her husband, throwing her arms around him.
"Narcissa, you're safe! Did you find Draco?" he whispered.
"No," she whispered back. "I'm sorry, Luc. Was he ok, when you saw him?"
"He didn't come with the other Slytherins. Neither did Crabbe or Goyle. They must still be in the castle." Lucius' voice was barely audible over the movements of the Dark Lord's supporters, but Narcissa heard every word. She began to tremble, remembering the fierce attacks the castle had already faced that evening; her own contribution to the Blasting spell, giants, acromantula and Dementors. She pictured her little boy getting blown into smithereens, being crushed in a giant's fist, being torn limb from limb by the enormous spiders, and having his soul removed by the Dementors.
"We have to go back, Luc, we have to!" Narcissa grabbed her husband's hand, but he shook his head.
"We can't - we mustn't." His voice was low but panic-stricken. "None of us are safe anymore. I think... Narcissa, I think he killed -"
But the rest of his sentence was drowned out by manic laughter; Bellatrix was speaking to the Dark Lord, listing all her kills proudly. Then more Death Eaters entered the clearing, dragging something large with them. It was Hagrid, thick ropes tied around his neck, arms and legs. His face and hands were bloody and he staggered as he was propelled forwards, then forced onto his knees.
"Ah, yes. Rubeus Hagrid," Voldemort said in a smooth, silky voice. "How fitting, that you have come to visit me here, of all places." He gestured to the broken webs. "Your name never was cleared, was it, for opening the Chamber of Secrets and causing that Mudblood's death with you 'harmless' pet?"
Laughs rang out from the watching crowd as Hagrid struggled against his binds. "Yeh won't win! Harry'll never come 'ere, yeh nasty little -" But the Dark Lord flicked his wand, smirking as the half-giant fell silent.
"Tie him to those trees," Voldemort said lazily, pointing with one long, pale finger. The Death Eaters dragged Hagrid away, securing him tightly, as more of the Dark Lord's supporters emerged from the darkness; Greyback, Yaxley, Rowle and Rookwood. Narcissa's eyes kept raking the trees, hoping that her son would appear. Where is he? Why doesn't he come? Her heart leapt as she saw another man moving through the trees, but it was just Antonin Dolohov.
"Dolohov, Yaxley," Voldemort called, and the men stepped forwards, bowing. "Patrol the perimeter, and if you see Potter, Stun him and bring him here." They nodded, leaving the clearing and they were swallowed by the shadows. "And now we wait," Voldemort said softly. He pointed his wand at the ground, and a fire blazed into life. "You may sit," he said and, nervously, the Death Eaters and other supporters lowered themselves to the ground, arranging themselves in a circle around the fire. They seemed to have lost about half of their forces, Narcissa realised, as her eyes swept around the group. There were only about fifty of them left. Bellatrix sat as close as she could to the Dark Lord's feet, looking longingly up at him as he gazed into the fire, almost as if he were in a trance. Narcissa glanced around and saw Rodolphus, but he was not looking at his wife, instead, he was whispering with Greyback. Narcissa sat next to Lucius, but did not dare to try to speak to him. The minutes dragged by, and Narcissa tormented herself with more pictures of Draco suffering and dying at the hands of Dark creatures and curses. At last, the hour was up, and Antonin and Yaxley came back into the clearing.
"No sign of him, my Lord," Antonin said quietly, standing at the edge of the circle of Death Eaters.
"My Lord -" Bellatrix breathed, but Voldemort raised a hand and she fell silent at once.
"I thought he would come. I expected him to come." The Dark Lord's high, cold voice travelled clearly around the whole group, and Narcissa shivered. "It seems I was mistaken."
"You weren't." A low voice rang out, and Harry Potter stepped boldly from behind a tree, walking defiantly into the middle of the circle, coming to a stop behind the fire. He did not look at the Death Eaters, and fixed his eyes on Voldemort. There was a brief moment of silence, then Narcissa gasped and leapt to her feet. Her action was mirrored by others around the circle. Bellatrix let out a laugh of triumph, the giants roared, and several Death Eaters yelled in surprise. Hagrid's horrified voice cried out, but he was quickly muted by Rowle. They all fell silent as Voldemort smirked, tilting his head to one side, looking appraisingly at the young man.
"Harry Potter. The boy who lived," he hissed, his words barely audible above the crackling fire. Then he raised his wand and bellowed, "Avada Kedavra!" The jet of green light soared through the fire, hitting Potter square in the chest. For a split-second, he remained upright, and Narcissa thought, It hasn't worked! But then, as though in slow motion, he fell forwards, hitting the ground with a dull thud. No-one moved or spoke. He's dead, it's over, Narcissa thought, but instead of triumph, she felt hollow. Then she saw, to her utter astonishment, Lord Voldemort staggering and collapsing onto the ground.
"My Lord!" Bellatrix cried, and several Death Eaters rushed towards their Master.
"That will do," he hissed, and all those who had stepped forwards to assist him, except Bellatrix, quickly retreated.
"My Lord, let me -" Bellatrix reached out, her hand mere inches from Voldemort's arm, but he jerked himself away, snarling,
"I do not require assistance. The boy... is he dead?" No-one moved, and the Dark Lord got to his feet, then whipped his wand around, catching Narcissa with a Stinging hex. She cried out in pain and he snapped at her, "You. Examine him. Tell me whether he is dead." Narcissa hurried forwards, skirting around the fire and falling to her knees beside the body. Potter's face was turned to one side, his mouth open, eyes closed. Trying not to shake, Narcissa placed her fingertips to his cheek. It felt warm, but that did not surprise her; he had only been dead for a couple of minutes. She placed one hand on his forehead, using her thumb to peel back his eyelid. A green eye was slowly revealed, it looked bright and healthy. Is that how his eye should look, if he's dead? She began to feel sick, and leaned closer to the body, twisting her arm so that her hand could enter the neck of his shirt. She gently placed her palm on his chest and - to her horror - felt him breathing, and the steady thudding of a beating heart. What is this boy? What powers does he have that he cannot die? She froze, then, almost without thinking, she bent her head, her lips almost brushing Potter's ear as she breathed,
"Is Draco alive? Is he in the castle?"
"Yes." Potter's voice was barely a whisper, and had she not been listening for his reply, she would not have heard it. Her hand involuntarily contracted on his chest, and she jerked her arm back, calling out to the crowd in as triumphant a voice as she could muster,
"He is dead!"
The crowd erupted into jubilant celebration as Narcissa rose to her feet and quickly returned to Lucius' side. Surely, the Dark Lord will take us back to the castle now, surely he will want to show them Potter's body. She did not allow herself to think about what would happen when her Master found out she had lied to him. Lucius took her hand. He was not cheering, but looked ashen and sick with worry as Voldemort began to crow over his defeat of his nemesis, cursing the body. To Narcissa's amazement, Potter did not flinch - it was as if the Cruciatus curse was not hurting him at all. The sobbing half-giant was untied, and forced to bear the young man's body as they made their way through the Forbidden Forest and back to the castle. Narcissa and Lucius followed the crowd of celebrating Death Eaters through the thick woodland. Narcissa tugged on her husband's hand, forcing him to lag a little way behind the others.
"Luc," she whispered desperately, as Hagrid yelled at group of watching centaurs. "Potter's not dead. He said Draco's alive and in the castle!"
Lucius looked at her, his eyes wide with shock. "Are you sure?" he whispered back. She nodded, and he squeezed her hand so tightly it almost hurt. "Come on, we need to catch the others up." They ran back to the group as they emerged on to the grass, and then they came to a stop as Voldemort magnified his voice once more and announced to the silent, crumbling castle:
"Harry Potter is dead. He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself while you lay down your lives for him. We bring you his body as proof that your hero is gone. The battle is won..." His voice went on, but Narcissa tuned out. Her breaths were coming in short gasps as she screamed and raged at the Dark Lord inside her head to shut up and let them go to the castle.
At last, they started moving again, their procession heading across the grounds. People started pouring out of the castle onto the grass, crying out in horror and misery as they saw Potter in Hagrid's arms. Bellatrix was laughing, the Death Eaters were jeering, and the survivors from the castle began to scream and hurl abuse at them. Narcissa looked desperately through the crowd, but she could not see her son anywhere.
The shouts and screams were getting louder and louder, until the Dark Lord raised his wand and cried, "SILENCE!" His spell made a noise like a gunshot, and all the voices were extinguished immediately. "It is over! Set him down, Hagrid, where he belongs." The half-giant stooped, gently laying the body on the grass. The Dark Lord began to speak again, bragging about his victory, but Narcissa let his words wash over her as she began to edge sideways, looking longingly at the entrance to the castle. She wondered if she dared make a run for it. If I could just get inside, I could find Draco... She jumped as she heard another loud bang, and her eyes flew back to her Master. A young man had broken ranks and charged at him, but Voldemort disarmed him and was jeering at him. Bellatrix joined in, her voice ringing out sadistically as she announced the would-be-hero to be none other than Neville Longbottom. He's brave, Narcissa thought, despite herself, as he shouted back at the Dark Lord defiantly.
Narcissa's eyes drifted back to the front of the castle, and she took a tentative step towards it. Then, Narcissa saw flames erupt and whirled around. Neville Longbottom's head was on fire. She screamed, as did many others, but a split-second later, a group of centaurs came charging towards the Death Eaters, shooting arrows mercilessly at them. Narcissa dived out of the way, rolling on the ground as the Death Eaters scattered. Lucius ran to his wife, yanking her to her feet as the ground shook and a small giant was set upon by two others. Narcissa heard Voldemort shriek in fury, but did not look back as she and Lucius pelted towards the castle, dodging arrows and giant's feet. She heard more shouts, and realised reinforcements for the castle had just arrived. Narcissa and Lucius made it safely to the Entrance Hall, and began to push and shove their way through the fighting pairs, not caring whether they were friend or foe.
"DRACO!" Narcissa screamed, and next to her, Lucius bellowed his son's name over and over again. Narcissa ducked as a jet of red light shot towards her, and they ran for the dungeons, certain that Draco would have sought refuge there, but before they could descended into the bowels of the school, they heard a voice calling,
"MUM! FATHER!" Narcissa was nearly knocked off her feet as a dirty, dishevelled teenager threw himself on her.
"Draco!" Narcissa held her son to her, almost crying with relief, but their reunion was interrupted as another jet of red light missed them by inches.
"Come on!" Lucius cried, and they ducked into the Great Hall, just as Voldemort screamed again, and the hall shook as though a small bomb had exploded. Narcissa saw three people blasted back from the Dark Lord as he spun his wand to point at Molly Weasley. His face was livid, and Narcissa took a step back, then, out of no-where, a voice cried,
"Protego!" And Harry Potter appeared in the middle of the hall. People began to cheer, but fell silent as Voldemort turned his red eyes on him. They began to circle one another, Potter's clear, calm, level voice contrasting with the Dark Lord's hisses, jeers and shrieks. Narcissa struggled to understand what they were talking about as they prowled, not taking their eyes from each other's faces; Horcruxes... sacrificial love... the Elder wand... and Severus. Severus, her friend, had been working against the Dark Lord for almost eighteen years. Before Narcissa had even begun to get her head around this colossal, earth-shattering revelation, four words, spoken by the Dark Lord, robbed her of all thought and feeling:
"I killed Severus Snape..." Narcissa's knees buckled, and she felt Lucius and Draco grabbing hold of her, trying to keep her on her feet. Severus, dead? No, no, no! She was drowning inside her thoughts, her vision blurred, unable to listen any longer, until a loud, echoing crash pounded against her eardrums as two voices simultaneously cried,
"Avada Kedavra!"
"Expelliarmus!"
Green and red light filled the Great Hall, and golden flames sprang into being as the spells collided. Narcissa watched, eyes wide, as the Dark Lord's wand was ripped out of his hand and it flew through the air, caught deftly by Potter. The Dark Lord's Killing curse redounded, hitting him in his chest, as the first rays of sunlight began to flood the room. Lord Voldemort was dead. A low, rumbling noise started, steadily rising in volume until it was deafening, as the witches and wizards began to scream and cheer in delight, rushing forwards to their hero.
The four house tables suddenly reappeared in the hall, and Narcissa found herself pushed onto a bench between her husband and son. She felt sick and closed her eyes, trying to block out the noise and colour. She didn't not know how long she had sat there before she whispered, "Severus?"
"I know where he is," murmured Lucius. "Do you want me to get him?" He made to stand up, but Narcissa caught his arm,
"No, Luc. Please. We'll all go." She could not bear to have her husband or son out of her sight, not even for a moment, so they scurried out of the hall together, trying not to attract any attention to themselves.
As they entered the Shrieking Shack, the metallic scent of blood hit Narcissa's nostrils and she wretched. As her eyes adjusted to the gloom, she saw an awful sight; slumped on the floor was the body of Severus Snape. There were deep puncture marks to his neck, gaping wounds, deep and dark against his pale skin. Nagini. He got Nagini to do it, Narcissa thought, bile rising in her throat, trying not to think how much pain and anguish Severus must have gone through before death claimed him. Severus' black eyes were still open but they were dull and matte, and the floor was covered in thick, dark, congealing blood. Narcissa felt sorrow begin to wash over her, but shook herself. Not now, I have to help him, to give him some dignity. She looked to her husband and son. "We will take him back to the castle. I won't leave him here." They nodded in agreement, and Narcissa conjured a stretcher, carefully levitating Severus' body onto it. Something fell to the floor with a clatter, and Draco stooped, picking up Severus' wand. He looked at his mother, as if asking permission, and she nodded. He stepped forwards, looking into the face of his Professor.
"Shall I -" He swallowed, then said in a firmer voice, "Shall I clean him up a bit, Mum?" She nodded, and Draco pointed the wand at Severus' face, murmuring under his breath. The drying blood began to clear, and Draco carried on, removing the blood from Severus' robes, cloak and hands. He reached out, gently placing Severus' arms by his sides. Next to him, Lucius conjured a large, black sheet, laying it gently over the body. Narcissa levitated the stretcher through the passage-way out of the Shrieking Shack, emerging at the base of the Whomping Willow, which was still and silent. They carried on through the dark grounds, seeing people collecting the dead and treating the wounded. No-one spoke to them as they walked past, marching up the steps to the castle. Narcissa made for the Great Hall, but found her way blocked by a teenage girl with long, red hair, and fire blazing in her brown eyes.
"Who is that?" she demanded, looking suspiciously at the covered body.
Draco stepped forwards and replied firmly, "It's Professor Snape, Weasley."
She glared at him and folded her arms. "He can't come in here. Take him away."
People looked over at the sound of her raised voice, and Lucius drawled, "Don't make a fuss, Weasley. We are bringing him in."
"I won't let you!" cried the girl, and she drew her wand. "He can go in there with Voldemort!" She pointed at a small chamber to the side of the hall. "They were just as bad as each other!"
Narcissa felt fury beginning to build inside her as she looked at the angry girl. "The Dark Lord murdered him, I am not leaving him with the man who -"
But the girl bellowed back, "PUT HIM WITH VOLDEMORT! HE IS SCUM AND HE DESERVES IT!"
"NO!" screamed Narcissa, her anger and grief bubbling over as tears coursed down her cheeks. "HE WAS NOT SCUM, HE WAS MY DEAREST FRIEND!"
The girl raised her wand to shoulder height, eyes narrowed as she snarled, "The whole lot of you are scum and you'll rot in Azkaban for what you've done. They're rounding up the rest of you Death Eaters now!"
Draco spoke levelly, "We know, Weasley. And we'll come quietly. Just let us do this first."
"If you think that -" the girl began, but a voice from just behind Narcissa said quietly,
"It's ok, Ginny. Let them through." Narcissa was startled and turned to see Potter, Weasley and Granger. The red-head goggled at Potter and said,
"But -"
"I'll explain later, Ginny. Let them in." Potter's voice was tired but firm, and she obeyed, standing back and allowing them to pass.
Narcissa swept past them, still levitating the stretcher with her wand, and they approached the wall behind the Slytherin table. Laid out on the floor were the bodies of Death Eaters, Snatchers, werewolves and other supporters of the Dark Lord. Narcissa recognised some faces, but forced herself to keep walking, looking for a space for Severus, before her eyes fell on one person she could not ignore. "Bella?" she whispered. She faltered, and Draco gently took her wand, lowering Severus' shrouded form onto the floor beside his aunt. Bellatrix had been dumped on the floor carelessly, her robes skewwhiff, arms crooked, head turned to one side, dark curls fanned out on the floor. Narcissa knelt by her sister, straightening her robes and limbs, turning her head so it was facing the enchanted ceiling, and gently stroking her wild hair into place with her fingertips. "Oh Bella," she murmured, then she tore her gaze away from her sister's face, looking at those lying on her other side; Valdis Avery, Mallory Mulciber, Antonin Dolohov and Doyle Travers. They're all dead, she realised. All of them. Theodosia, Regulus, Evan, Brennan, Valdis, Mallory, Ant, Doyle, Severus. We recruited them, we sent them out to die, and now they have. And as Narcissa looked down at her sister, her closest friend, and the other fallen members of Ophiuchus, she broke. She fell to the floor, her body racking with sobs, as her grief consumed her.