A Second Chance

by Breanie

Part 2 Kismet Trilogy: What if Sirius didn't spend twelve years in prison but was given a trial after 4 years? Follow the story of Sirius Black as he learns what it means to be a father/brother/guardian & the story of Harry Potter, a young boy with a loving home who learns about the Marauders from the two men who should have raised him. Slow-burn Hinny. M for sex & violence.

321. The One Where Being Mostly Dead Has Its

Author's Note:

As those of you who follow me on Tumblr are aware — I have some exciting news to share! The World of ASC will continue on with a trilogy in which I am calling the KISMET TRILOGY.

After talking to Seriously Sam about an idea I had — which turned into multiple ideas after idea bouncing with Sam — she helped me decide how to make my wonderful world of ASC into a trilogy which I am calling the Kismet Trilogy. It will be posted in 3 parts.

1. The First Time Around (1965-1981)

Told in snippets and short stories of moments in the lives of the Marauders, from how they first met, to how James and Lily fell in love, to how Peter betrayed them. It will end with Sirius going to Azkaban. Many of these memories you will have already read pieces of in ASC; some of them have been expanded to be more, and some of them will be brand new. The story will be told chronologically, but each chapter is essentially a standalone moment in the lives of the Marauders and Jily.

2. A Second Chance (1985-1998)

The story that you've all come to love. The story of Sirius only spending 4 years in prison before he is finally given a trial and able to raise Harry with Remus the way that he should have. It is the story of Sirius Black and Remus Lupin as they learn what it means to be a father/brother/guardian to Harry while finding love themselves and the story of Harry Potter, a young boy with a loving home who learns about the Marauders from the two men who should have raised him as he grows into the man who will lead the war against Voldemort. Slow burn Hinny. It will be in 10 parts and part 10 will pick up in the aftermath.

3. TBA Third Story (1998-?)

Will pick up where ASC leaves off and continue into the future of the world and characters you've all come to love.

Why now you ask? Well, I have Marauder memories that I want to use and sadly, they just don't all fit into my story as memories.

I have ideas on things that I want to do with the future of my living characters in ASC and starting a new story might be the best way to do that.

And finally, because I am really excited to tell you that my world is NOT ending in the near future and I will provide you with more Hinny goodness and other couples to come.

I am calling the trilogy Kismet which means fate/destiny; a predetermined or unavoidable destiny; the property of being lucky; the, usually unfortunate, way of the world. I think it sums up what I want to do and what I have done so far in ASC and I am excited to share this news with you all!

Chapter One — The One Where Muggles are Filth will be posted this weekend (it starts in the year 1965 and is from the POV of Sirius Black).

I think it will allow those people who love Jily/Marauder to read a new fic and for those who love my ASC world, it will connect back to it. As well as for those interested, it will also provide more background on our loveable Marauders and Jily.

If all goes to plan, every weekend I will drop 2 chapters. One from The First Time Around (FTA) and one from A Second Chance (ASC).

Thank you in advance! I hope you like it!

Reviews and Comments: To Tmrpotterhead250: I'm glad that you have so many questions! I think that means I did it right. I'm glad the action went well, I always hate writing it. The Elder Wand question will come up later and yes, we do hope Ron survives. Rolf has seen Luna but hasn't met her nor does he know who she is. Thank you! To notthatchhavi: Yes, Greengrass sold her. Bas is sooo sexy! Theo is very good with his sword. He's been using it as his wand for two years now and he knows what he's doing. Yup, Ron used on Unforgivable on Bellatrix. Ha, love the last bit! Thank you! To Zarathos Morgenstern: Did I sacrifice Ron instead of Dobby? Hmm, we shall see. Thank you! To Katie2001: Ha, I love that your mouth is dropping! Thank you! To anamigeller: You'll have to wait and see! To Sloopyqueen4: Sorry, another cliffy! Thanks for loving my Harry and Ron time as well as my Theobas time. Thanks for saying you could picture it in your head, that makes me feel so good! Thank you!

To Nightwing2013: Daphne was worried about Pansy and hadn't realized she'd already gotten to safety. Voldemort put one barrier up in the centre of Hogsmeade that surrounded him and Harry so people coming into the centre crashed into it from all angles. We'll find out about Bas in this chapter. Ciara's fae magic came out! Hermione changed into her fox because she thought it was safer. Rolf saw Luna on the battlefield, Luna has no idea who he is. Thank you so much! To dhnysports88: We'll see what happened to Ron this chapter. Thank you! To Guest: You'll find out this chapter if I killed Ron or not. To oops-cant-say: Ron and Harry, they will be… read and find out. We'll find out about Dean and Seamus and where McGonagall and Remus were in this chapter. Harry has definitely really improved his abilities. Questions about the Elder Wand will be answered soon. Thank you! Harry has the master coin, so it alerts the whole defence department when he believes it's time for the final fight. Thanks for the second review saying how much you loved the different viewpoints of the battle. I love writing action scenes that way and I find it much easier to explain what's happening. To ahlem stelena: Thank you! Ha, on the toilet — well I hope it helped calm your nerves! Thanks for the second review, as to an early chapter… sorry, but no.

To Guest: Thank you! As to letting Ron die, you'll find out soon! To lovemelikeyoudo: Thank you! To Person: Thank you! I do love to call myself the Evil Queen! To Chiku11: Answers about the Elder Wand will be answered soon. Voldemort is definitely a coward! Thank you! To Guest: Thanks for loving the snowman punching Voldemort in the face, it was fun to write. Thank you! To Griffind00r: Thank you! I love that non-human noises came out of your mouth while reading — the highest of compliments! Thank you! To Dale: You'll have to keep reading to find out! To the Mandalorian terminator: Did I kill Ron Weasley? You'll have to see. Thank you so much for liking the duel and my use of the original spells! To darkhk: Yes, Rolf and the blonde LOL. Thank you! Would calling 911 help? It might be too late, it's been a week. LOL. To Mackie919: Well, yes, a Ron curveball to take the worry away from Harry sounded smart to me. Thank you so much for loving the different viewpoints. As to Daphne, she really doesn't have any dark secrets. She just wants to protect those she loves. Thank you!

To Shivani: Thank you for saying that chapter 320 was like a rollercoaster ride! Bas is so gorgeous and so Theo's! Seamus was very brave! Ginny's signature hex is really cool and yes, it made Bellatrix flee. Nope, I couldn't kill Dobby like that (no matter how much Sam wanted it), so I decided to use Ron instead. Thanks so much! To Yusraa Ifthikar: Who have I killed indeed? Thanks so much! To AnonymousHufflepuffWriter: Thank you so much for saying that was "an incredibly structured chapter… brilliantly and creatively written." Thank you! To wolfjinx15475: Yes, the dagger. I'm so glad that everyone was so worried about Dobby that Ron being stabbed was a surprise! It's what I was going for. Hmm, I suppose I do like to give people a moment of happiness before I kill them — it only seems right. Yes, Rolf saw Luna for the first time! Harry didn't freeze in front of Voldemort and he kicked butt! Thank you! To ANewRanger: Thanks for saying the action ones are the best. I really am always so worried about writing them! I don't know how I come up with it, I just do! I'm so glad so many people loved the snowman! Thank you!

To puttyman24: Yes, poor Hermione. She really does need Ron. We'll have to see what happens. Thanks for saying the battle between Harry and Voldemort was epic! Thank you! To Sara: Thank you! People need to get knocked down sometimes and yes, Harry definitely kicked Voldemort's ass! Ron dying is not okay, though? Noted. Thank you! To Avalon: Nope, wasn't lying about the cliffhanger. LOL. This one has a little one too. Yes, Pansy and Daphne's conversation was overshadowed, but it was meant to be. Seamus was very brave and yes, poor Hermione! If I just killed off Ron you can't decide if you're devastated or impressed? Thank you! Ginny and Zee are both okay. Harry isn't seriously injured, but he will be spending time in the hospital. Thank you! To Nuno Neves: Thank you! Yup, even the Slytherins want Harry to win because they want their lives back. Yes, Ron wanted to hurt Bellatrix like she hurt Hermione and he didn't even hesitate. Thank you for saying that Bill and Fleur screaming for him was heartbreaking. Thank you! To Slaidback: Thank you! And yes, you do have to wait a week!

To alix33: Thank you! To Sunny JS: Thank you for enjoying the action, but no, there will still be lots of smut to come. To Wolf's scream: Yes, Seamus wants to be a fire flyer. And yes, Tom runs away again. Interesting, isn't it? Thank you! To scrappy8: Thank you! To pix25: Thank you! I'm glad that I kept you on edge the entire time! To She Who Must Not Be Named: Thank you for giving me a chef's kiss on the different POV points. Pansy is missing Greg something awful. Yes, I was kind of going for a Beauty and the Beast vibe with Daphne. Seamus is such a randy thing! I make a joke about that in this chapter. We will see Theo and Bas in this chapter. Theo did help Ciara bring out her wings. I think she's growing up and becoming a woman and they came out when she felt threatened and saw Theo being threatened. As to Julian admitting his feelings for Ciara, not any time soon, but we'll see. You don't think Ron is dead because of the Romione chapters? That's fair, but I also like to show moments in flashbacks… It was nice to write some Nevannah. I haven't had much of a story for them lately so it was nice to jump back. Thank you for saying the Harry and Voldemort scene was beautifully done. What is Voldemort going to do? We'll find out. Thank you for such a beautiful review!

To BrookGuitar: You are begging me not to kill Ron. Noted. Thank you! To Mutt N. Feathers: Ha, remind you not to kiss me if I killed off Ron? LOL. Thank you! To the frozen flame: I'm happy you didn't see it coming, I like to throw some surprises your way. Yes, we will see Fred and Fiadh soon (at least a snippet). It was great to see Seamus being a hero, he deserves it. Ron is definitely the one who takes care of her and losing him will destroy Hermione, especially because Viktor was killed. You think Belladonna is the current master of the Elder Wand and that's why it broke? Interesting. Questions will be answered soon. Thank you! To Derpdude32: Thank you for saying that I'm a fantastic writer. Ha, you're taking matters into your own hands to save Snape? We'll check in with Snape again soon. Thank you! To Cath: Haha, thank you! To Cole: So sorry it was the longest week of your life waiting to find out about Ron. Thank you! To LegendDairy: Yes! I'm so happy you caught up! Now you have to wait ten more weeks to find out if Ron is dead. Thanks for saying the chapter was so freaking good!

To Chris: Thank you! We'll find out more about the Aurors and Bas in this chapter. To akshutalankar: Not Ron? Wait and see. Thank you! To ellyann13: Daphne is safe and with her best friend and her sister, for now that's good enough. Voldemort didn't bring his entire army, but he definitely brought a lot. He wanted to make a statement and to face Harry. Thank you so much for that amazing review! Thanks for the second review! Wow! No, Bellatrix did not cut off Zee's clit or sew her labia closed or give her a type of vaginal cancer — so dark, goodness! But she did give her a scar like Hermione. Thank you! To DoodleBug78: Thank you for saying that was the best chapter ever! To Guest: Thank you! Ha, a Sam approved review "don't kill Ron when you can kill Hermione instead." LMAO. I showed this to Sam and she laughed and said she agrees with you. Thank you! To GODMISHA: I accept your hate of my cliffhangers. Thank you! To JamesTKent: Thank you! Please don't go bonkers.

To saucyswimmer: It is kind of becoming a family at Malfoy Manor, isn't it? Thank you so much for saying that the way I've "developed the teenagers who have been forced into Voldemort's plan into autonomous parents, friends, and siblings through their bonds and sacrifices feels very remarkable and authentic." Thank you so much! Yes, the bakery and flower shop idea would be cute, wouldn't it? Thank you! To Steelcode: Thank you! Interesting that you said Ron is going to destroy Bellatrix — guess you think he's alive. Thank you! To BadWolfKris: Ha, Holy Hannah Montana made me laugh! Thank you! To marauders_mowopapr: Yes, you are warned. I am honoured your face drained of colour while reading, that's a compliment! Thank you! To CorbanD17: Thank you! To AQuickRead91: Ha, I will not be hearing from your lawyers for emotional damage. You risk by reading. Thank you so much for respecting my writing and I love that your begging me not to kill off another favourite. Aww, thanks for saying the moment between Rolf and Luna was poetic. Luna doesn't even know he exists yet. Thank you!

To briana_t: Thank you! That was one of the moments in the movies I really liked so I wanted to add that scene in some form in for Hermione. Including Zee… because I wanted to. Yes, Ron being stabbed was a surprise! If anyone would have guessed that I would have been shocked! Thank you! To FranziskaRH: Thank you! To ResaThee: Thank you! I love that you're internally screaming! Ha, good to know that I could "probably kill everyone and you'd still love this story and continue to read." — Good information to have as I plot who to kill next. LOL. Thank you! To LadyRava: Ha, I'm so glad everyone thought that would be the moment when Dobby died and it wasn't. LMAO, Sam whispering in my ear "let them all die" — also not wrong, but Sam really loves Ron. Thank you! To RedheadLover: Thanks for not just lurking and for leaving a review, I really appreciate it! You DO want Ron to die? I am shocked, you are the only one. Thank you! I did mention the barrier and force field dropping twice because it was in different points of views so people saw it happen differently. Thank you!

To katelyn453: Thank you very much! To GryffindorHealer: Thank you very much! To skyreader_183: Thank you! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it. Yes, Harry did manage to hold off Voldemort for a while. He is growing more and more powerful. Thank you! To TatiRena: You assumed Ron was sacred? But no one is sacred… Thank you! To pads13: What do I mean by there was nothing? I mean, Ron was stabbed in the chest and then there was nothing. Ha, "Ron Weasley, you survive the shit out of this," made me snort! Thank you! I'm so glad that I had a nice shock for you. The Elder Wand questions will be answered soon. Thank you! To Fanfis01: Rolf saw Luna, but that was it. Still nothing else there. Yes, Ron. We'll see. Thank you! To AnaGPotter: I did get cookies to kill Dobby, not Ron. Dobby's time will come. It's true, you don't know yet if Ron is dead. Zee was very close as well. Thank you! To PurpleLotus: Thank you!

To AmericanDesi: Harry definitely stayed focus! The barrier helped as he knew no one could get in or not. Neville was focused on the objective. Thank you! To bruh99: Did I choose Ron OVER one of the twins? We shall see. LMAO. "Rolf and Luna ship is on the rising. Bella had her torture moment. Seamus became a fireman. Ron died (probably). Theo is the best swordsman to ever exist. And Harry past out." — best summary ever! Thank you so much for saying this was one of the best chapters I've written. Thank you! To sweetxsavory: I did give Harry and Ron some adorable cuddling before I stabbed Ron in the chest… it seemed like Ron deserved some fun first. Thank you! To anhinav_india_16: LOL, I will tell Sam her warnings need to be told earlier. Thank you so much! To free_bee: Thank you! To Joyce Foesenek: Cliffhangers are killers for patience. Thank you! Wait and see. To ravenclaw_rockchick: Thank you for saying that this chapter gripped you from start to finish. Harry without Ron is hard to imagine, this is true. Thanks for loving my snowman punching Voldemort, it is a great image! Thank you!

To kyciona: Thank you! To Grouchbear: Hermione will definitely have nightmares and I don't think that Bellatrix knows what her limits are. Thank you! To Bellmel: Ha, "putting aside" my "penchant for torturing, maiming, and killing characters for just a moment, this chapter was jaw-droppingly epic." Thank you! It was a mammoth of an undertaking to write it. I love writing from different POVs because I feel like it makes the action more real and more easier to imagine it unfolding. Thank you for saying that the scene with Harry and Voldemort was intense. I wanted it to be an intense fight and to really showcase how much Harry's power is growing. I accept the non standing ovation since I tortured Zee and Hermione and tried to kill Harry and possibly killed Ron. LOL. Thank you!

To CarpenL: I accept your dislike right now. Please read on. To Gigi87: Thank you so much! I love that you wanted to read the fight scene pewee Harry and Voldemort multiple times! Haha, maybe Daphne likes saggy balls had me laughing out loud! Theo is talented with his sword because he practices with it and has used it as his wand for 2 years now. Those who are half-fae do not necessarily get wings and since Ciara has shown no sign of them before, yes, Tiernan was surprised to see them emerge. Luna definitely was enjoying kicking butt in her rabbit Animagus. It is natural for her! Hermione had blood on her face from her arm and from a few scratches. Ron is kind of my favourite from the golden trio, you're not wrong. Ha, the snowman punching Voldemort was not inspired by Ginny's snowman ab drawing, but funny lol! Yes, we got to see Harry really using the elements and his power which is what we wanted, no Thor costume unfortunately haha. Haha and not viagra either! As to the Elder Wand, all questions will be answered. Thank you for that lovely and long review!

To CherrySara: Love that you caught up in time for me to post! Theo was confident and brave. Rolf did see Luna but he doesn't know who she is and Luna did not see him. I loved having Ron use the Cruciatus on Bella — she deserved it. Harry saying no to the Imperius "and it not even touching him was by far the best thing." Thank you! You don't think Ron is dead? We shall see. Thank you very much and welcome back! To zeus: Thank you so much for saying that "this was the best HP fanfic you've ever read!" It makes me smile to hear you say you were entrapped by it and wow, you read it in a whole week! That's impressive! Thank you!

My posting schedule: Weekly.

Thanks to Dusk for her amazing editing skills.

As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!

Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!

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CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-ONE:

The One Where Being Mostly Dead Has Its Advantages

Fred couldn't believe the chaos that Hogsmeade had found itself in. Between the Death Eaters roaming the streets, the vampires feasting on anyone that they could find, and the wolves using sharp nails and teeth to hurt their victims, it was almost as bad as the Giant's Causeway. At least that's what he thought, until he realized that there were also a dozen or so Inferi trekking through the streets.

He'd arrived on his broom with Oliver Wood, Lee Jordan, and the others who were part of the Wing Guards. Their task was to fly down and get as many of the students and civilians to safety as possible, which was a lot easier said than done. Between the fires raging from the businesses deemed unworthy to the explosions that seemed to be setting more houses and businesses on fire, it was hard to figure out where to fly to next.

He dove down to help two third years, pulling them up onto his broom and flying them to safety near the gates of Hogwarts before he flew back up and over to see where he could help next. McGonagall, Hagrid, Flitwick, and Remus were all patrolling the gates to the castle and ushering students back inside to safety while duelling anyone who attempted to get through and over the bridge.

From what Fred could see, no one was seriously trying to attack the castle. It was mostly vampires and wolves that were causing a ruckus to those protecting the students. Twice, Fred found himself fighting off different foes just to reach his target and fly them to safety. The force field that covered the main street in front of The Three Broomsticks was impossible to get through and the sight of Harry below, duelling Voldemort inside some sort of protective shield, was terrifying, to say the least.

Fred watched in amazement as fire and water seemed to tackle each other in a fight for power. He couldn't believe that Harry had power like that and thought, not for the first time, that he had balls of steel to even go toe to toe with Voldemort in the first place. There were more screams and he turned away from Harry to try to help the others. He'd just pulled a small blonde girl from the ground when Fiadh flew over him, flaming arrows flying from her bow like lightning.

Watching her fight turned him on more than he could express into words. He had no idea that watching her kick arse would be such a turn on, but she was powerful and he had no doubts that she could take care of herself. He watched as her flaming arrows took out three vampires before she did some kind of powerhouse kick that knocked a wolf back. Two more arrows took care of two Inferi as they crashed to the ground in flames. He made to say something to her, when she suddenly turned and shot a flaming arrow straight at his head. He didn't even have time to duck, but it sailed past his ear, close enough that he could feel the heat of it as it hit a vampire behind him.

"Pay attention, Weasley," she snapped before disappearing back into the fight.

Fred couldn't help but grin after her. How could he not like a woman who would shoot a flaming arrow at his head without hesitation? He snorted. Maybe he needed his head checked. He ducked from a spell and held his hand out to an older woman, pulling her up onto his broom.

"Hold on!" he shouted as he flew up into the sky.

The woman's arms locked around his waist and Fred thought maybe now wasn't the best time for him to be contemplating his love life. He had other things to be worrying about.

Oliver and Lee dropped down next to him as he handed the old woman off to McGonagall.

"There's a few students trapped behind The Three Broomsticks," Oliver said. "The OFB have put out the fire, but now the fire officers are stuck duelling. We need to get in and get them to safety."

Lee nodded, rising up on his broom. "We can circle and all dive down at once."

Oliver shook his head. "I know that you didn't play Quidditch, Lee, but we need to make this like a v formation. All three of us need to be coming from a different angle, not all at once, but ten seconds apart. If we all go at once, it will scare off the students that we're trying to grab. In and out in quick succession, got it?"

"Got it," Fred said.

He pulled his broom up to take to the sky with Lee and Oliver on either side of him. He didn't need to hear Oliver say the words, he knew by his friend's expression that they weren't going to leave anyone behind.

~ ASC ~

Theo wasn't sure what to do. By the time that he and Tiernan had fought their way out of the alley, it was only to find more chaos in their wake. When they finally reached Harry, it was to find him going to head to head with Voldemort.

"Fuck," Theo whispered. "We have to get in there! We have to help him!"

Tiernan nodded, holding his hands up over the magical wall. "It's weakening, but it's strong."

Theo pushed the tip of his sword into it, but it didn't even budge. "How do we break it down?"

"I don't know if we can," Tiernan admitted.

Theo shook his head. "I refuse to believe that."

He swung his sword around, knocking the vampire back who had attempted to sneak up on them. The vampire flew into the force field and was knocked out just as Theo heard a scream. The magic seemed to pulse before the ground beneath their feet shook.

Tiernan pulled his sword out, eyes on the giant who was walking towards them. "Keep trying to get in there. I'll be back."

He was gone before Theo could stop him. Theo watched with wide eyes as Tiernan jumped higher than should be possible, sword in one hand and a dagger in the other, going head to head with the giant. The giant's large hand swatted him like a fly, but Tiernan swerved around him easily and kept going.

Theo turned back to the magical wall that had sprung up like a dome around Harry and Voldemort. His eyes were on where Harry had just hit the ground, hard. He had to get in there. He had to help him in some way. Theo used his sword to smack the barrier and it was like he hit solid stone. It vibrated up his arm so badly that he thought he felt something crack; he swore. Before he could contemplate how exactly he was going to break the wall down, he found himself duelling another masked Death Eater, despite his injured arm.

He deflected spell after spell before he finally thrust his sword forward and into the wizard's side. He kicked him as he fell in an attempt to keep him down, pulling the sword out as he went. Higgins and Atwell hurried towards him.

"Good work, Nott," Atwell said. "We'll patch him up before we take him to Azkaban."

"Spoilsport, Nat," Higgins said. "Your arm okay?"

Theo shook his head. "Not sure. Think I broke something trying to get through this barrier."

Higgins eyed the magical barrier carefully, moving his wand against it. "Fuck! I've never felt anything that powerful before in my life."

Atwell stepped forward, her wand ready, when suddenly the magical wall pulsed, shooting out like an explosion and sending the three of them flying backwards. Theo coughed as his face fell into the mud and snow, tasting blood and mud in his mouth. He rolled onto his back, trying to catch the breath that had been knocked out of him.

Theo finally managed to sit up, his ears ringing just as Harry shouted, "Expelliarmus!"

Higgins gasped from next to him as Voldemort's wand shot out of his hand and landed in front of Harry. Then there was a flash before Voldemort Disapparated on the spot. Theo scrambled to his feet as he heard Ginny scream Harry's name.

He turned in time to see Ginny jump up from Hermione's side at the opposite end of the street and make a beeline straight towards Harry. Theo hurried towards Hermione, eyes on where the black panther was prowling around her.

He was about to make a snarky comment about her slacking during a fight when he saw her stumble. He reached for her, eyes widening when he saw the shape she was in. Blood streaked across her face and her left arm was bent at an impossible angle, but it was the mangled mess of her arm that caught his eye. Carved into her flesh, from her elbow to her wrist, was the word 'Mudblood' in sharp angular letters. Theo swallowed at the sight of it, kneeling down before her.

"Hey, hey, it's okay. We're going to get you to Madam Pomfrey and she'll patch you right up," he assured her, taking her uninjured hand in his.

Hermione blinked at him. "Ron?"

Before Theo could answer, he heard another shriek; his eyes widened when he saw Bill and Fleur levitating Ron out of a house with a blade sticking straight out of his chest.

"Ron's fine," he whispered, putting his arm around her and turning Hermione the opposite way. "Just fine."

He snuck a look behind him, eyes on the black marble handle sticking out Ron's chest, and swallowed. What the hell had happened?

Neville came up behind them, his face pale. "Theo, we have to get Hermione to the hospital wing."

"Ron?" he mouthed.

Neville's bottom lip trembled before he whispered. "I think he's dead."

~ ASC ~

Bill didn't know what to do. He stared down at the black marble handle sticking out of his baby brother's chest and fought the urge to pull it out. He knew that he had to leave it in place until a healer could take a look. Blood pooled, painting Fleur's hands red as she attempted to stem the bleeding.

"We must get him to ze healer," Fleur insisted. "Maintenant!"

Bill nodded. He felt like there was a knot in his throat that had left him unable to speak. He used a tourniquet charm to carefully hold the dagger in place before he levitated his brother and marched out of the house, Ron floating in front of them.

He saw Hermione with Theo and Neville and heard her say Ron's name, but he didn't answer. He didn't look at her. He didn't think that he could bear to look into her brown eyes and tell her that he didn't have all the answers.

"I think he's dead," Neville whispered.

Bill whipped his head around to glare at Neville.

Fleur grabbed Bill's hand. "He has a pulse, Bill. He's alive."

Bill didn't speak. He just kept staring at Ron as he hurried him towards the first responder healers who had set up a small triage. A blonde woman rushed forward to help him lower Ron to the ground and it was only then that Bill finally lowered his own wand.

"Blade to the chest," the blonde yelled out. "I need a second wand!"

A tall man with black hair rushed forward to assist.

Fleur clutched Bill's hand in hers as he watched the wizard rip open Ron's shirt. Another wand movement removed the tourniquet before the witch began to do a diagnostic scan over his body.

A moment later, the wizard's wand made an incision between Ron's right ribs. The healer yelled something about bleeding into the chest and fluid in the lungs and Bill paled.

"I need a portkey to St Mungo's now!" the wizard yelled. "If we don't get this blade out, he's not going to make it!"

"I'm going with him," Bill said, taking a step towards the healers.

The wizard didn't even look up as he prodded Ron's chest. "Portkey is for a healer and their patient only. You can meet us there."

"Go," Fleur insisted. "I'll stay and 'elp."

Bill kissed her quickly before he Disapparated to St Mungo's. There was no way that he was going to leave Ron alone, not for a second.

~ ASC ~

Ginny's heart stopped when she saw Harry fall. Voldemort Disapparated and she ran straight towards him, his name desperately escaping her lips before she could stop herself. She watched him reach for something before he passed out and she fell to her knees next to him.

She could dimly hear shouting in the background, screams tearing through the air followed by the sounds of Disapparation as Death Eaters began to run. Her hands reached for Harry, cradling his head in her lap before her eyes raked over him, searching for any injuries.

His left leg was clearly broken and bent at an odd angle. Blood trickled out of his mouth. His left cheek was scraped, cut, and bleeding and his right forearm and wrist were red and blistered, but she couldn't see any major injuries.

"Harry," she said, cupping his cheeks in her hands. "Harry! It's me, I'm here."

Harry made a small groaning sound and she let out a whoosh of breath that she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

"I'm here. He's left. It's all right," she assured him.

His green eyes fluttered open, blinking at her through his lopsided and smudged glasses. "You okay?"

A laugh escaped her. Here he was bleeding in her arms and he was asking about her. "Stupid noble git."

His lips curved. "Mmm, your noble git."

Ginny leaned over him to kiss his lips upside down. "Shush."

Neville and Hannah moved to kneel next to her. "Do you need help?"

"Yes," Ginny said. "His leg is definitely broken."

Hannah waved her wand and made a splint. "There's a healer on his way over."

"Ron and Hermione?" Ginny asked.

Neville shook his head. "Theo has Hermione, but… Bill and Fleur levitated Ron out."

"Ron?" Harry croaked, attempting to sit up. "Where's Ron?"

"He's with the healers," Neville assured him.

Harry had managed to push himself into a sitting position, but he looked like he was about to pass out. "Ron… needs me."

"No," Ginny lectured, pulling Harry's head back down into her lap. "You need to rest. Bill has Ron."

Her eyes met Neville's and when he mouthed 'I don't know' she tried not to think about what that could mean. Ron was going to be okay. He had to be.

Ginny gently carded her fingers through Harry's hair as a healer rushed over to work on him. Only when he was levitated up and ordered to be brought to the Hogwarts infirmary did she let Hannah pull her to her feet.

"He's going to be okay, Ginny," Hannah assured her. "He'll heal up quickly."

Ginny wrapped her arms around herself, not sure if she found that reassuring or not. She saw Luna half a second before her friend's arms flew around her. "I'm okay. Harry's okay. You?"

"Good," Luna said, tightening her grip. She held on a moment longer before she linked her fingers with Ginny's. "Come on, we'll go to the hospital wing together."

"Does Theo still have Hermione?" Ginny asked.

Neville nodded, pointing ahead to where Theo was carrying Hermione bridal style towards the castle, Zee holding onto his arm while the panther prowled after them.

~ ASC ~

Zee let go of Dobby when the elf brought her to safety outside of the house. Her arm was on fire and she could still feel every cut of the blade, but her eyes peeled around the village for any sign of Harry. Smoke covered a good portion of the village, but all of the fires were out. She caught sight of Rolf standing near a building, a hand over his bleeding head; she hurried towards him.

"You all right?"

He nodded, eyes on the blood on his hand. "Think so. Something hit me from behind. You?" His eyes fell on her arm. "What the bloody hell happened?"

"I need to find my son, Rolf."

Rolf nodded and put his arm over her shoulders. "I heard a petite redhead say his name."

"Scamander!"

Rolf turned and Zee urged Rolf to stay with the magizoologist whose name she couldn't remember before she hurried off. She found Theo with Hermione, trying to hold her upright as Lady Godiva ran towards her. She knew that the witch's arm was broken and considering how much pain her own arm was screaming, she knew that Hermione's had to be much worse. Zee reached out to stroke the panther as the cat moved to inspect her, to make sure that she was safe.

"I'm good, Lady G. Promise."

The panther didn't look convinced and continued to nuzzle against her hip. Zee put her hand on Lady Godiva's head for support as she heard Neville say something about Ron.

"You're wrong," she gasped. "Ron's not dead."

"I hope I am," Neville said. "But either way, he took a dagger to the chest."

Theo glared at Neville just as Hermione slumped against him. He shifted her, lifting her into his arms bridal style. "Ron's going to be fine. How's Harry? Has anyone seen him?"

Neville pointed to where Ginny was kneeling with Harry's head in her lap. "He looks okay. I'll go check on him."

Zee made to hurry after him, but Theo grabbed her hand and tugged her back. "You take a second and rest. Bloody hell, you're bleeding a lot."

Zee clamped her hand over her arm. "I need to get to my son."

"They have him," Theo said. "You can meet him in the hospital wing."

She started to argue, but she saw a healer rush over before he was levitated upwards. He was alert, she noted, letting out a calming breath. "Okay. I can do that."

~ ASC ~

Seamus sat by Dean's bedside in the hospital wing, holding his boyfriend's hand tightly. He'd been shipped off by some of the Wing Guards once they'd escaped the fire and he'd known that the fight had still been going on, but he couldn't leave Dean.

Dean had a few minor burns, nothing that wouldn't heal, but it was the smoke inhalation that they were worried about. The longer that he was unconscious, the more worried they were.

Seamus kissed his fingers. "Come on, Dean. Wake up. You have to get up, you lazy bugger."

Fingers moved under his and Seamus' eyes widened.

"Come on, Dean, get up."

"Can't a bloke ever get any rest with you?" Dean croaked. "I'll blow you later, now go away."

Seamus laughed, unable to stop himself. "Fuck me, I missed you."

Dean's eyes blinked open. "Where am I?"

"Hospital wing," Seamus said. "Let me get Madam Pomfrey."

Dean frowned. "Hospital wing… oh god, there was a fire and something… something fell through the ceiling."

"It's all right. You're safe now," Seamus promised. He pressed his lips to his cheek, holding a moment longer than necessary before he hurried off to find Madam Pomfrey.

He stepped back when the matron bent over Dean to work on him and turned when McGonagall said his name.

"Professor?"

"Mr Finnigan, there's a wizard named Grant here to see you."

Seamus frowned. He told Dean that he would be back before he followed McGonagall to her old office in time to see a tall lean man standing there in a black cloak with bright yellow cuffs and stripes across him. He was holding a fireman helmet in his hands with two brooms crossed together over a flame patched on his shoulder.

"Hello, Seamus, is it?"

"Yes, Sir," Seamus said, extending his hand.

"LFF Grant, we met a few hours ago outside of Zonko's. You were a hero."

Seamus stared. "I just did what I could. How can I help you, LFF Grant?"

"Well, I was hoping that I could help you," Grant said. He pulled a card from his pocket. "I told my superiors about what you did today. While it was stupid for you to go back in without the right gear and without the proper training, it was bloody brave. My broomgade and I admired that. You said that you've applied to the training program, so that's my card."

"Sir?"

Grant smiled. "Recruits usually hear back by the end of March beginning of April. When you do, give me a shout out. We'll set up a meet and greet and I'll see about you getting round the station to do some drills with my unit."

"Are you serious?" Seamus asked, his eyes wide.

"I know a fellow fire flyer when I see one, Finnigan."

Seamus grinned. "And what if my application says no thanks?"

Grant's lips twitched. "It won't. I look forward to hearing from you. In the meantime, stay out of any fires."

"Deal," Seamus said, shaking his hand.

He watched Grant walk away before he let his eyes fall back to the card and his heart pounded in his chest. The Official Fire Broomgade was interested in him. He couldn't keep the smile off of his face as he headed back to the hospital wing. He couldn't wait to tell Dean the news.

~ ASC ~

Hermione felt like she was drowning. Black dots kept forming in front of her eyes as she blinked slowly trying to stay alert. Her arm felt like it was on fire and her world was swaying. It took her a moment to realize that someone was carrying her. She blinked at Theo and he offered her a small smile.

"Hey, we're getting you to the hospital wing, okay?"

"Ron," she whispered. "Where's Ron?"

Theo pursed his lips. "He's with the healers. Don't worry. Let's get your arm taken care of first."

Something about his voice made her shake her head. "Ron… I… I need to see him."

"You will," Theo promised.

Hermione blinked at him, losing focus of his face before she passed out again. When she woke, she was lying in a hospital bed in the Hogwarts infirmary. She blinked again when a hand reached out to grip hers and she turned to see Luna smiling at her.

"It's okay," Luna said, kindly. "You're in the hospital wing."

"Hogsmeade?"

Luna nodded. "There was an attack. They've put all of the fires and Voldemort and his followers took off. Though they did manage to capture a few."

Hermione blinked, wincing when she tried to move her arm. She looked down to see her left arm bandaged from her elbow to her wrist. It was in a sling as well, pressed against her chest. She frowned at the sight of it for a moment before it all came crashing back through her foggy mind. Bellatrix pinning her down, straddling her. The way she'd laughed as she'd taken the black marble dagger with the jagged blade and cut into her skin. Godric, Hermione was positive she'd cut straight through to the bone.

"Madam Pomfrey said that your arm should be healed by the morning," Luna said softly. "She gave you some Skele-Gro to fix the broken bone and to heal your ribs, but the cuts… the dagger was cursed."

"What does that mean?" Hermione asked, already afraid of the answer. "Does that mean she can't heal it?"

Luna tucked her long blonde hair behind her ear and for the first time, Hermione took in the witch's appearance. Her cheeks were smudged in dirt and ash, a small cut over her eyebrow. Hermione wondered how long she'd been sitting here.

"Luna, if the dagger was cursed, it's permanent, isn't it?"

"Yes," Luna said in her matter of fact way. "But I'm sure something can be done to hide it. Scars can be minimized."

Hermione closed her eyes. "Having Mudblood carved into my arm for the rest of my life isn't just any scar, Luna."

Luna covered her hand with hers. "You were incredibly brave, Hermione Granger. The word may not be pleasant, but it's a sign of your bravery. Don't discount that."

Hermione turned her hand to squeeze Luna's, tears in her eyes. "Is Zee okay? The last thing I remember was Bellatrix carving into her like she'd done to me."

"She's okay," Luna assured her. "She's asleep over there next to Harry's bed. They carved 'Whore' into her arm."

Hermione closed her eyes. "That woman is pure evil, Luna. Evil and awful. She took such joy in cutting into me. And she…"

"And she what?" Luna prompted.

"She licked my blood off of the blade," Hermione whispered. "And she spit it back out at me."

Luna used her other hand to cover their joined ones. "She will pay. I'm sure of it."

Hermione wasn't sure if that really made her feel any better. It seemed that Bellatrix Lestrange was an expert at hurting people and yet she kept getting away with it. She turned her head to look around the hospital wing. Almost all of the beds seemed to be occupied, curtains closed around them to give privacy.

"Is Ron here?" Hermione asked.

Luna pursed her lips. "He went to St Mungo's."

"What?" Hermione exclaimed, her eyes widening. "Was he badly hurt? What happened?"

"Bill is with him," Luna assured her. "He was hurt trying to get to you."

"Trying to… Luna, what happened?"

"I don't know," Luna admitted. "But it was bad, Hermione. He almost didn't make it to the hospital."

Hermione threw her blankets off. "I have to get to St Mungo's."

"Miss Granger!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed, appearing almost out of nowhere. "Get back into bed this instant!"

"I have to go to St Mungo's."

"No," Madam Pomfrey said sternly. "You must stay in bed and let your arm and ribs heal."

Hermione started to argue, but she was weak; the matron shuffled her back into bed without a problem.

"You have a broken arm, two broken ribs, a concussion, and cuts all over your body. You need to lie here and let the bones mend and take the blood replenishing potion that I've given you," Madam Pomfrey lectured. "We will reevaluate you leaving this hospital in the morning and not a second before."

Hermione made to protest but the matron was already marching away.

"Bill is with him," Luna told her, sitting on the side of Hermione's bed. "I'm sure as soon as they know anything, one of the Weasleys will send word."

Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes and she furiously blinked them back. She knew that Luna was right, someone would send word, but the fact that no one had any news to share didn't bode well for her either.

Luna squeezed her hand in hers, her eyes staring into hers. "No news means he's still alive. Trust in that."

One tear spilled down her cheek as she nodded, grateful that Luna was here to reassure her.

~ ASC ~

Sebastian was late arriving at Hogsmeade, but not late enough that he didn't find himself in the middle of a fire fight upon arrival. He knocked out two Death Eaters and took a vampire down without his wand before things quieted down. He heard someone say that Voldemort was gone and in mere moments, the battle seemed to come to an end. He watched first responder healers rush around to help those they could. Smoke hovered over the village and his eyes found injured people everywhere he looked. He caught sight of Higgins and Atwell on the north side and he hurried forward.

"What the fuck happened? Was he here?"

"Here and gone," Higgins said. "Set fire to a few places just like in London. Gave out the same warning. This time Potter was here and they fought."

Sebastian's eyes widened. "What happened?"

"Not sure what Potter did, but he Disapparated," Higgins admitted. "But Potter's fucking powerful that's for sure. I've never seen anyone fight like that."

Sebastian looked over at where a handful of Death Eaters were being arrested and contained. "How many did we capture?"

"Six," Atwell said. "But nine vampires are dead, two Death Eaters, and four wolves."

"We lose anyone?"

"Two students, both in fourth year. And five villagers. Two of the A1s were injured, but not badly, mostly scrapes and bruises from the explosions and fires."

Sebastian nodded. "We came out on top for once."

"More than," Higgins admitted. "Whatever Potter did in there… Voldemort was running scared."

Sebastian licked his lips as he glanced around. It was about time he heard the Dark Lord was running scared. At least there was some good news to share.

"Round up the dead and get them to the morgue. I want full autopsy reports as soon as possible and the ones that we have contained, get them into holding cells. I have a lot of questions that I want to be asking," Sebastian demanded.

"Yes, Sir," Higgins said before he hurried off.

Sebastian moved around the village, helping those he could and assisting them towards finding family and friends. He caught sight of Tiernan talking to a short dark haired woman and marched over.

"Tiernan!"

Tiernan turned, his eyebrow rising. "Bit formal to be calling me by my first name, isn't it? And you would be?"

"Auror Kane," Sebastian said. "And what else am I supposed to call you?"

"Your Majesty would work," Tiernan said, his lips twitching. "He's fine."

"Who?"

"Theo," Tiernan said. "I healed his leg and sent him off. I assume that's why you're here?"

"How does he know Theo?" The dark haired woman demanded.

"I think that they're finally dating, Fiadh," Tiernan said. "Took him long enough to make a move from what I've heard."

Sebastian scowled. The last thing he needed was to be lectured by this tall blonde fae who he didn't even know. "Whatever goes on between me and Theo is our business, not yours."

"Wrong," Fiadh exclaimed. "Our brother died for him. You hurt one hair on his head or make him feel one second of unhappiness and I will make you regret it."

"Noted," Sebastian said. "Now, as the only two fae here as far as I can see, can you fill me in on what happened? Where is the rest of the guard?"

"Wing Guards moved in to get those in danger to safety," Fiadh said. "Terra Troops were on the ground to help assist. They were having fun torturing people for sport. Getting off on hurting people just because they could. Do your own bloody job, Auror Kane. The fae who were supposed to be here showed up. Where were you?"

"I was busy coordinating help to get here," Sebastian growled.

Tiernan gave him a cool look. "Next time get here faster."

Before Sebastian could comment, he and Fiadh disappeared in a flash and he scowled. Bloody fae. But he couldn't help but breathe a little sigh of relief after hearing Tiernan's words.

Theo was okay.

He would find him later and confirm, but for now, he had a job to do. And first thing on his list was getting the prisoners contained so that he could find out if Higgins had spoken the truth because if Voldemort really was running scared, Sebastian hoped they could do everything in their power to keep him that way.

~ ASC ~

Voldemort stormed into Avery castle, slamming the door behind him with such force that the hinges broke and the door clattered to the ground. The wand… the wand he'd taken from Albus Dumbledore himself, the most powerful wand he'd ever held in his hands and yet still Potter had taken it. He'd disarmed him. Him! He pulled his old wand from his pocket, letting the smooth wood wash over his palm.

He could feel the power of it, the warmth of his magic molding to it, but he knew that it wasn't as powerful as Dumbledore's wand had been. Something about that wand had seemed to hold unlimited power. He'd felt it and yet Potter had still bested him. It shouldn't have been possible.

Where had he gone wrong?

"My Lord," Crouch said, rushing into the room. "Were you hurt? Were you —"

"Crucio!"

Crouch screamed as he fell to the ground. Voldemort held it in place a tad longer than necessary before he lifted his wand, leaving Crouch panting on the ground before him.

"Get out!"

Crouch scrambled to his feet and ran from the room.

Voldemort marched across the throne room to look out the window. Potter had power. He could feel it. He could feel the rawness of it. He had power and yet he didn't utilize it, not like he could. Parlour tricks, he remembered. He'd been smart, he'd watched him use his surroundings, and Voldemort had been intrigued enough to step back to see what he could do. But until he'd broken through the roots with his wand lying two meters away from him…

Potter had used wandless magic.

Voldemort's hands fisted at his sides. Wandless magic had been something that he'd never really worked with. He liked the wand in his hand. He liked the power he felt from it. He liked feeling the length vibrate in his fist, feeling the magic shoot from the end like some cosmic force. He knew that magic came from him. He knew that the wandless magic wasn't as powerful, but yet Potter had power. He had felt it.

He had truly felt it and for the first time since he'd returned in the graveyard he wondered if the prophecy really was true.

~ ASC ~

Tonks was pacing Remus' office, biting her cuticles nervously. From the moment she'd received word that Hogsmeade was under attack, she'd been incredibly nervous. Her wand had been in her hand instinctively until Kane had sent her a hot look.

"Don't even think about it, Lupin! Go to Hogwarts and wait for word. You can help there."

She'd bit her lip to bite back the angry retort and he'd snorted.

"After you have that baby you can kick arse again. Until then, you will sit on the sidelines and take orders."

Then he'd left before she could say anything back. She'd attempted to stay at the Ministry, thinking that it was the best place to be for more information, but she soon realized that it only made her more anxious to know what was going on. By the time Kingsley left with another handful of Aurors, she was fretting something terrible. Arriving at Hogwarts and learning her husband had gone off to fight hadn't exactly helped calm her nerves.

Almost an hour had passed since word of the attack had reached the DMLE and Tonks was starting to get very antsy. She rubbed her hand over her belly as limbs poked and prodded her, but she kept her eyes on the door.

When she finally caught sight of Remus what seemed like eons later, she threw herself into his arms while punching him hard in the shoulder at the same time.

"Ow!" he exclaimed as he held her.

"Don't you ever go out there and leave me here wondering ever again!"

"Nymphadora—"

"—And don't Nymphadora me!" she lectured. "Do you have an idea how worried I've been?"

"Dora—"

"—I'm not finished!" she shouted. "I've been going spare up here, pacing like some stupid stereotypical wife and I don't like it, Remus Lupin! Not one bit."

Remus' lips twitched slightly. "Are you done?"

Tonks crossed her arms in front of her chest and pouted. "Don't mock me."

Remus pulled her back into his arms, pressing his lips to her forehead. "I would never."

Tonks pressed her cheek over his heart. "I kept hearing word over the wireless about people being killed and injured people being moved to St Mungo's and I… you're not hurt?"

"Barely a scratch," he assured her. "I was helping get the students to safety."

She nodded. She understood that. He had his own responsibilities. "I know that I have to stay behind because I'm pregnant, but it's so hard when I know that I can help."

Remus kissed the top of her head. "Pretty much how I feel every time you go to work for the day."

Tonks tilted her head back to look up at him. "That's different."

"Is it?"

She scowled and snuggled back into his arms. "Where were you?"

"I was only at the gates and on the bridge," he assured her. "We were fighting a little there, but mostly we were ushering the students back into the castle safely."

"Harry?"

Remus held her closer. "He fought Voldemort. I don't know much, but from what I've heard, it was intense. He's in the hospital wing, but he's all right. I just came from there. Zee and Ginny are sitting with him. I have to head to Gryffindor and see how my house is doing as well as make sure that all of the students are accounted for. I told Ginny I would be back as soon as I was done. Aurora mentioned I had a pregnant woman pacing my office so I thought I better make a stop on my way to Gryffindor."

Tonks moved out of his arms. "I haven't been pacing the whole time." At his look, she let out a sigh. "Okay, fine, I have been. And I didn't even think of what you have to do until I got here. You have a job to do, Deputy Headmaster."

Remus framed her face in his hands to kiss her. "And so do you. Kingsley said if I saw you to send you back to the Ministry."

Tonks frowned. "He could have just sent a Patronus."

Remus smiled. "He could have, but I think he knew you were worried about me."

Tonks had a feeling her husband was right. She kissed him once more and sent him off before she grabbed a handful of Floo powder. She would get back to work and see what the news was. Then she was coming home and snuggling with her husband.

She definitely didn't like staying behind and waiting.

Nope, not one bit.

~ ASC ~

Lavender felt even more out of sorts than usual. This whole year had been a wakeup call for her. Between losing her father five months ago and now this new attack on Hogsmeade, she was starting to actually feel really scared about the future.

When the fire broke out in Zonko's, she'd run with Padma and Parvati on her heels. They'd barely made it out before the fire spread. Padma took the lead in helping people out, finding them a place to catch their breath, but Lavender had simply froze. She'd been unable to move.

Parvati had noticed and wrapped her arms tightly around her friend. "Shh, it's okay, Lav. It's okay."

But Lavender really didn't find it reassuring. She'd helped get back to the castle, ushering the younger students along and listening for news. Someone said that Harry was fighting Voldemort and Lavender thought that the whole thing seemed so surreal.

Ever since her father died, Lavender felt like she was teetering on the edge of a full breakdown. Parvati and Padma had been holding her up for longer than she'd realized. They were her lifeline.

She sat in the Gryffindor common room now with Parvati across from her and Padma's head in her lap as she stroked her girlfriend's hair.

"I'm sorry."

"What?" Parvati said, looking up from the Witch Weekly magazine in her lap.

"I'm sorry," Lavender said. "I've been a shit friend and a shit girlfriend."

Padma sat up. "No, you haven't."

Lavender gave her a look. "Yes, I have. I was spiralling and… I don't think I truly realized it until today. I appreciate you both so much. You're everything to me."

Padma squeezed her hand. "We love you. Of course, I love you way more and for much naughtier reasons…"

Lavender chuckled. "I love you, too."

Parvati moved to sit on the arm of the sofa next to Lavender and draped an arm over her shoulders. "You were grieving. You were allowed to have your ups and downs."

"I feel like the last five months have just been a blur," Lavender admitted. "Today was a wakeup call, a reminder… the world is at war and it's stupid to ignore it."

"No one has been ignoring it," Parvati said. "It just hasn't affected us, not really. But today… we were close to Hogwarts and they struck."

Lavender swallowed. "Did you see Harry fighting him?"

"Yes," Parvati said. "Do you think he is?"

"Is what?" Padma asked.

"The Chosen One," Parvati said. "Seeing him today, duelling You Know Who like it was nothing… he's going to save us all, isn't he?"

Padma tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Seems unfair to pin it all on him, but yes, I think he is the Chosen One."

"Poor bastard," Lavender said as Padma and Parvati made sounds of agreement.

The three of them turned when the portrait hole opened and Lupin stepped in.

"Miss Brown, Miss Patil, Miss Patil," Lupin said, his eyes on them. "Perhaps I could get your assistance in doing a headcount?"

"Of course, Professor," Lavender said, standing up.

"Padma, you'll have to return to Ravenclaw for the time being so that Professor Flitwick can do the same."

Padma nodded. She squeezed Lavender's hand in assurance before she left and Lavender turned back to Professor Lupin.

"How can we help, Sir?"

By the time the count had been done and all Gryffindor students had been accounted for, Parvati slid her arm over her friend's shoulders.

"You okay?"

Lavender nodded, resting her head against her friend's. "I think I actually am. You?"

"Never better," Parvati said, making Lavender smile.

For the first time in months, Lavender felt better. It was time to stop grieving and to stop moping around living a half life. The war had arrived and if today had shown her anything, it was that it was time to fight back.

"We're stronger together," Lavender whispered. "That's what my mum used to always say."

"Stronger together," Parvati agreed. "Come on. Let's go sneak into Ravenclaw and bug Padma."

Lavender couldn't help but smile as her best friend took her by the hand and led her out of Gryffindor tower. They were stronger together and having something to fight for made all the difference.

~ ASC ~

Theo had taken Hermione to the hospital wing. Once she'd been settled into a bed by Madam Pomfrey, the matron took a look at his arm. He'd broken his elbow and a bone in his wrist, not to mention the fall that had knocked the wind out of him had caused him to fracture two ribs. Madam Pomfrey splinted his arm and gave him a sling before she wrapped his ribs in a tight bandage and gave him a potion to drink. She told him that he didn't have to stay in the hospital wing as long as he rested. She assured him that it would be all mostly healed by the morning and gave him some potion for the pain.

Theo promised to rest up, but first he made his way to the other end of the hospital wing to check on Harry. He found him asleep in one of the beds with Ginny and Zee on either side of him. He put his hand on Ginny's shoulder.

"How is he?"

"Doing better," Ginny said. "Slughorn is trying to get the proper blood replenishing potion. He, of course, is type O negative which they don't have readily available."

Theo snorted. "Of course he has the sexy blood type."

Ginny's eyebrow rose. "Did you just say his blood is sexy? What does that even mean?"

Theo grinned and rested his butt on the arm of Ginny's chair. "You've never heard that before?" At the shake of her head, he ran his free hand through his hair. "Blaise coined it 'the sexy blood type' back in I think, second year? In Potions class we were learning about replenishing potions and Snape made us do this paper defining all of the characteristics of the different blood types and how they applied to each proper potion. Remember how we all gave a drop of our blood to figure out what our types were?"

Ginny nodded. "Vaguely."

"Well, Blaise handed in his paper and titled it, 'The Sexy Blood Type Belongs to Blaise Zabini.' Snape wasn't overly impressed."

"I am so confused," Ginny said. "Who on earth thinks blood is sexy?"

Theo looked over at Harry who was sleeping in the hospital bed, Zee sleeping in the chair next to him with the black panther curled at her feet. "Not blood itself, but the personality behind it."

Ginny's brow furrowed. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Each blood type varies by individual and has their own characteristics, right?" At her nod, he continued. "Most people are O positive, ordinary and boring. But those few people who are O negative are outrageously sexy."

"How so?" Ginny asked, giving him a skeptical look.

"Well, Harry is O negative and look at him," Theo said as if that explained everything.

Ginny bit her lip, her eyes on her boyfriend. "He's sexy for a lot of reasons and I don't think his blood type has anything to do with it. This doesn't exactly sound like accurate research."

Theo grinned. "Not true. Do you remember what the findings were for blood types?"

"Vaguely," Ginny repeated. "I remember there are eight varieties, I think?"

"Yes. Basically when we did the research we found that the findings proved that wizards who possess type O negative blood have better, stronger, and longer lasting erections. Blaise immediately clung to that and proclaimed that it meant he was destined to become a sex god," Theo explained with a grin. "Apparently wizards who are O negative have incredible stamina and um, are less likely to have problems getting erections when they get older."

Ginny blushed. "Theo!"

"What?" he asked, attempting to look innocent. "Facts are facts, chick. Your man is still going to be going strong when you two are a hundred! Wizards who have the O blood typically have stronger erections than the average wizard as well as a higher sex drive and greater sexual activity. We were second years and found it absolutely hilarious like twelve and thirteen year old boys do. We even named all of the blood types."

"Oh, Merlin," Ginny said, snickering. "That's just dangerous."

"I wish that I could have seen Snape's face when he read our paper," Theo admitted. "His comments weren't exactly encouraging, but we worked in a group of three to hand in our findings. Blaise, Draco, and I were partners and we named each one based off the fact that O negative was the sexy blood type."

"Boys are ridiculous," Ginny stated, rolling her eyes.

Theo grinned. "It was fun, Ginny. Um let me think. Not sure if I remember them all. I know that A positive was for average blood. O positive was ordinary blood. B positive was… bumbling blood, yeah that sounds right because we found out that Goyle was B positive so we thought it fit. Um AB positive was… oh! AB positive stood for authentic bromidic blood as that's Snape's blood type and Blaise claimed that he was lacking in originality."

Ginny snickered again. "You're awful."

Theo was counting the blood types off on his finger now. "Next up was A negative which we thought was merely abiding blood. B negative was bitty blood and again we just named it that way because that's Flitwick's blood type and he's a bit bitty, isn't he? Then AB negative was a-rare blood."

"Real creative there," Ginny teased.

Theo shrugged. "I never said we were geniuses as second years. Anyway, I remember that Blaise and Harry were the only two O negatives in the class, in the whole school actually according to Snape, and Blaise decreed that O negative was therefore the sexy blood type. I must say, based on our research, it does fit Harry to a tee. He is a bit of a sex god, is he not?"

Ginny blushed, sneaking a look over at Zee who was still passed out. "Shush!"

Theo smirked. "Harry has sexy blood. Accept it. And for the record, he's way sexier than Blaise. I mean, don't get me wrong, Blaise is totally fit, but his problem is that he knows it. Harry's a little cabbage and has no idea how gorgeous he is."

Ginny elbowed his uninjured arm and he grinned.

"You know it's true. Okay, I'm going to go check on Ciara if you're good here?"

"I am," Ginny said. "Go get some rest. You have to heal too."

"I will," he promised. "Even with my boring old ordinary blood, I need some rest."

Ginny smiled and kissed his cheek and Theo found himself grinning back as he left the hospital wing. Talking to Ginny made him feel much better and more assured that Harry was going to be just fine. He made his way to Slytherin to check on Ciara. Mila assured him that Madam Pomfrey had healed her wings and sent her to her own bed to sleep it off. He was glad to hear that she was all right, but it only further reminded him that he didn't know what else he was supposed to do right now. He left Slytherin, heading back out towards the bridge exiting the castle. He wanted to know if Sebastian was out there, if he'd been part of the battle.

Hagrid spotted him and raised an arm. "Nott! Where ya goin'?"

"I was going to see if they needed any more help, Sir," Theo said, hoping that was a good enough excuse to leave.

Hagrid's eyes softened. "Yer a good lad, but let th' DMLE take care of it. Go rest up tha' arm."

Theo bit his bottom lip. "I just wanted to check on someone."

"We were lucky," Hagrid assured him. "Now go on, back to th' castle. Ye'll be safer there."

Theo sighed in disappointment. He assured Hagrid that he would stay on the grounds, but he still went to stand on the bridge, looking out over the Black Lake. He didn't even know if Sebastian was in Hogsmeade. After all, he'd been going to Ireland today, hadn't he? Hagrid was right, he couldn't go wandering around aimlessly trying to find him. The Auror had cancelled on him because of work, but that didn't mean that he'd been in Scotland today. He kicked at the ground, not sure what he should be doing. There were too many people in the hospital wing already. Ciara was asleep and he didn't want to disturb her and he knew that Madam Pomfrey would kick him out of the infirmary if he went back. He wanted to do something, but he didn't know what.

His arm ached a little and his ribs were sore, but the thought of going to bed seemed silly. He was still so turned up and couldn't imagine sleep was going to come easily. He wished that Fred and George had gotten him a mirror so that he could call Sebastian. He'd contemplated pulling out the chevalier card, but it was only supposed to be for emergencies. He didn't think this qualified.

He turned, deciding to sneak down to the kitchens for a cup of tea to calm himself. The sight of Sebastian marching across the bridge had him running before he realized he was. Sebastian saw him half a second later and met him halfway. His arms snaked around Theo's waist and Theo threw his one good arm around his neck.

"You're here! Are you okay?"

Sebastian's mouth met his instead of answering and Theo found himself being kissed within an inch of his life before the Auror's forehead rested against his.

"Are you okay?"

"Well, I feel much better now," Theo said, making Sebastian smile. "I'm okay. My leg was hurt, but Tiernan healed me. Broke my arm in two places, fractured a few ribs, but it should all be good as new by the morning. You?"

He nodded, gently touching Theo's sling. "I'm fine. I just wanted to check in. I have to get back to the DMLE. We have a handful of captured Death Eaters that need to be interrogated. I just… I needed to see you."

Theo couldn't help but smile. "Me too."

Sebastian stepped away from him. "I have to get back. Can I still see you tomorrow?"

"Yes," Theo said. "Breakfast? My arm and ribs should be healed."

Sebastian dipped his head to peck his lips. "Breakfast."

Theo watched him walk away, unable to stop the smile from cracking his face. Not only had Sebastian sought him out to make sure that he was okay, but the Auror hadn't even questioned him being out there and fighting. It was nice to know that Sebastian trusted him to take care of himself.

He had a skip in his step as he hurried across the bridge and back towards the warmth of the castle. He hoped tomorrow's plans included lots of snogging. He definitely wanted to find time for that.

~ ASC ~

Harry's eyes opened slowly, blinking at the blurry lights that hovered over him. A blur of red flashed on his right before Ginny's freckled face came into focus over his.

"Hi."

"Hi," Harry said, his throat dry. "Water."

A moment later Ginny was holding a straw to his lips which he drank greedily.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

Harry shrugged, giving her a grateful look when she slid his glasses on. "Okay. Were you hurt?"

Ginny shook her head. "No. Bellatrix just taunted me mostly and then Bill and Fleur showed up and tons of others."

"Is everyone okay?"

"Some villagers died and two fourth years," Ginny admitted. "Hermione and Zee were hurt."

"Zee!" Harry exclaimed, attempting to sit up and causing sharp pain to shoot through his leg.

"She's okay," Ginny assured him. "She's right there."

Harry turned to see her sleeping in the chair on the other side of his bed. Her left arm was covered in bandages from her wrist to her elbow, but she otherwise looked all right.

"Hermione's arm is broken, along with some ribs, but she's all right as well," Ginny told him. "But you need to stay in this bed and heal up."

"I feel fine," Harry told her. "Barely a scratch."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "You need to learn what barely a scratch means, Harry Potter."

His lips twitched. "I feel fine, honestly." At her look, he sighed. "Okay, my leg is a bit sore."

"It's broken," Ginny corrected. "In three places. Madam Pomfrey set it and you have to keep it up like that until the morning. By then the bones should be mended and you can start to move it around again."

"Broken leg isn't so bad," Harry said.

"Your arm was badly burned," Ginny continued. "You might scar. Your face is scraped up and that might scar, too. You broke a rib, again."

"Okay, I get it," Harry assured her. "I'll stay here in bed like a good boy."

Ginny linked her fingers with his. "The broken ribs were worse than we thought. It punctured a lung and you were bleeding internally."

Harry's eyebrow rose. "I really feel okay, Gin. Promise."

Ginny kissed his fingers. "It was serious, Harry. Madam Pomfrey didn't have the right blood replenishing potion and Professor Slughorn had to go find some because of course your type O negative."

Harry frowned. "What do you mean, of course I'm type O negative? What's that supposed to mean?"

Ginny bit her lip. "Nothing. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes," he assured her. "And by morning I will be good as new. Is Zee all right?"

Ginny nodded. "Yes. Madam Pomfrey gave her a pain potion and it knocked her out. She wasn't hurt as badly as Hermione, but Bellatrix cut up her arm too."

"What do you mean she cut up her arm?"

"She carved the word 'Whore' into her skin," Ginny whispered.

Harry's eyes darkened. "She what?"

"She's okay," Ginny told him. "But Bellatrix used a cursed dagger. From what I understand, that means it will scar."

"Hermione…"

"Mudblood," Ginny whispered. "She had more time with her and the letters are deeper. It looks like she cut her almost to the bone."

"Fuck," Harry muttered. "How did Ron take that?"

"Not well," Ginny admitted. "I called for Dobby to help him get to her. He came right away."

Harry looked over at where Luna was sitting next to Hermione's bed and he frowned. "Where is Ron?"

Ginny's fingers found his. "He went to St Mungo's. We're still waiting on news."

"What does that mean?" Harry demanded. "Is he okay?"

"I don't know," Ginny admitted. "Bellatrix took Hermione and Zee. He went after them and… they stabbed him. The dagger... It... it was in his chest, Harry. Bill went with him, but we haven't — I haven't…" Her shoulders shook as she choked back a sob.

"Stabbed him?" Harry whispered, his eyes wide.

Ginny's bottom lip trembled and Harry felt his stomach drop. No, Ron had to be all right. He couldn't lose him.

"Gin?"

Ginny's face fell into his shoulder and he heard her start to cry and panic seared through him.

"Gin? Is he okay?"

"I don't know," she whispered. "Bill went with him, but I don't know."

Harry swallowed, his hand coming up to stroke her hair. "No news is good news, right?"

Ginny kept her face buried in his shoulder and Harry wasn't sure if he believed his own words.

~ ASC ~

Ron felt like he was floating.

He wasn't sure how else to describe the feeling that he had. He was hovering over a trench somewhere in France and the smell of piss and blood was so strong that he wanted to gag. Something blew up in the distance and dirt rained down on him. The arm that squeezed his shoulder had him jerking back before the trench disappeared and he found himself standing back at the Ministry of Magic with brains climbing up his arms.

"I am sorry about that," a voice said.

Ron turned, his eyes finding the light haired bloke standing next to him. The man looked very familiar, but he couldn't quite place him. Then he raised his hands and lit a cigarette and it suddenly clicked into place.

"Mick?"

"Aye," was the response.

Ron rubbed a hand over his face. "Am I dead? You're dead. You died years ago. Michael Murray died a long time ago."

"You're not dead, not yet," Mick replied. "But you're on the brink."

Ron swallowed, his eyes wide. "Is Hermione okay?"

"Your woman is okay. She's been in and out and I'm afraid that she doesn't know what has happened to you yet."

"Why am I here?"

Mick pointed to the brains crawling up Ron's arm. Ron watched the memory as if in slow motion. The figure of himself was staggering like a drunk, tottering and giggling madly.

"Hey! Hey, Harry, there are brains in here, ha ha ha, isn't that weird, Harry?"

Harry gave him an exasperated look. "Ron, get out of the way, get down —"

But Ron had already pointed his wand at the tank.

"Honest, Harry, they're brains — look — Accio Brain!"

The scene seemed momentarily frozen.

Harry, Ginny, Neville, Theo, and each of the Death Eaters turned in spite of themselves to watch the top of the tank as a brain burst from the green liquid like a leaping fish. For a moment it seemed suspended in midair, then it soared toward Ron, spinning as it came, and what looked like ribbons of moving images flew from it, unraveling like rolls of film —

"Ha ha ha, Harry, look at it —" Ron said, watching it disgorge its gaudy innards. "Harry, come and touch it, bet it's weird —"

"RON, NO!"

Harry darted forward but Ron had already caught the brain in his outstretched hands.

The moment they made contact with his skin, the tentacles began wrapping themselves around Ron's arms like ropes.

"Harry, look what's happen — no — no, I don't like it — no, stop — stop —"

But the thin ribbons were spinning around Ron's chest now. He tugged and tore at them as the brain was pulled tight against him like an octopus's body.

"Diffindo!" Harry yelled, trying to sever the feelers wrapping themselves tightly around Ron before his eyes, but they would not break. Ron fell over, still thrashing against his bonds.

"Harry, it'll suffocate him!" Ginny screamed, immobilized by her broken ankle on the floor — then a jet of red light flew from one of the Death Eater's wands and hit her squarely in the face. She keeled over sideways and lay there, unconscious.

"Ginny was wrong," Ron said. "It didn't suffocate me."

"No," Mick said. "But you scarred. I want to apologize for that."

Ron snorted. "No need. I was the bloody idiot who summoned an actual brain to me."

Mick chuckled. "That's true. I didn't see that coming, but you weren't in your right mind either." He gestured to where the brains were clinging to the Ron memory, wrapping around his limbs like an eel. "But you were the first person I'd touched in decades. It was like I craved human contact."

Ron frowned. "But how… you're dead?"

"Mostly dead," Mick corrected. "But it seems keeping my brain alive in this room and performing magic on it makes me not completely dead."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Mick said. "I had a good life. Of course finding out magic is real around the same time that I died bloody well sucked but, over all I have no complaints."

"You were a hero " Ron told him. "My sister, she looked into your life and found your nephew. We tried to find out who you were."

"I know," Mick replied. "I picked a good soul to link myself to." He shoved his hands into his pockets. "Not like that, don't worry. I'm not magical at all and therefore definitely not into ripping my soul into pieces. I just meant… when my brain touched you, we connected. You felt it."

Ron nodded. He still felt it every now and again. "The nightmares were the big giveaway."

"I lived them which I can promise you was much worse. The war was supposed to be the war to end all wars, but it was so much senseless death and destruction. But I see that you are in the middle of your own war so you understand the senseless bit of it."

"The war that won't end," Ron muttered.

"It will," Mick promised, "and it will end soon."

"How do you know?" Ron asked.

"Well, being mostly dead has its advantages," Mick told him. His face sobered. "From one soldier to another, don't back down. Trust your gut and most importantly trust your men to have your back as you have theirs."

"I'm not a soldier," Ron said.

Mick squeezed his shoulder. "Not officially, no, but the world needs men like you. Remember, no matter what happens, stand your ground. If you've learned anything from my nightmares and my experiences, stand you ground."

Ron frowned as Mick disappeared into a silver mist and then he found himself standing alone in a forest he didn't recognize. Unsure what to do, he started walking. Something sharp ached in his chest and he rubbed a hand over it automatically, but he kept going.

Ron didn't know how long he walked, but the forest seemed never-ending. He followed the path, rubbing at the pain in his chest until he saw a small cottage up ahead with smoke coming from the chimney. He'd just approached the perimeter when two redheads as tall as him stepped out from behind the cottage. They were nearly identical, he noticed. The one on the left had a full beard while the one on the right merely had stubble. He blinked at them, trying to place them.

"Looks just like Molly, doesn't he, Fab?"

"Even has her pretty little lips," the one called Fab teased.

Ron blinked, recognition dawning on him. "Uncle Fabian? Uncle Gideon?"

Gideon smiled widely. "The two and only. Look at you, little Ronnikins. All grown up!"

"Much better looking than the last time," Fabian exclaimed. "Last time you looked like a cross between a goblin and a potato and your shit leaked out of your nappy and onto my jeans. It was right rude of you."

"He complained about it for a week," Gideon said, rolling his eyes.

Ron stared at them. "How are you…?"

Fabian pulled him close for a hug. "As your friend Mick said, you're teetering. Nearly dead, but not quite all."

Ron blinked. "I've heard so many stories…"

Gideon smiled. "Well, we were pretty spectacular."

Ron grinned. "You remind me of Fred and George."

"Gid cried when Molly told us she named them after us," Fabian said. "Caradoc teased him for weeks."

"Caradoc?" Ron asked.

"Dearborn," Fabian explained. "He and Gid were hopelessly in love. It was disgusting how often I had to watch them snog."

"You were just jealous because you were single," Gideon shot back.

"Sad, but true," Fabian said. "Hard to find love in the middle of a war."

"Besides, you love me like a brother," another voice said.

Ron looked over at the newcomer. He was much shorter than his uncles with tanned skin. He looked about a decade older as well.

"Caradoc," he said, extending his hand. "Your uncle as well."

"But not," Gideon said. "You never properly proposed."

"Bit hard when I got murdered and all," Caradoc said. "But I was going to."

Fabian rolled his eyes. "They certainly bicker like a married couple. But to be fair, it was a bit hard to get shagged or be proposed to in the middle of a war. Being single was the wiser choice, especially when Dolohov finds you."

Ron sobered. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Fabian said. "Gideon and I went down fighting and as much as we would have liked to live, we know that it was our time to go."

"And me?" Ron asked.

Gideon squeezed his shoulder. "You have a hell of a lot left to live for, Ron. Not to mention a beautiful witch waiting for you."

Ron rubbed his chest when pain shot through him again. "What do I say when I go back?"

Fabian grinned, his face merging into bright lights as if he was falling out of focus. "You tell Molly that her brothers thought nearly dead wasn't good enough so they sent you back to her."

Then there seemed to be a whoosh of energy and the men disappeared as Ron found himself staring up at the bright lights.

"We have a pulse," someone said. "He's back. Get him into the operating room before we lose him again."

"The healer is on his way down, we don't want to risk losing his rhythm on the move."

"Fine. But let's get this damn blade out of his heart."

Ron blinked as a wand pressed against his temple.

"Sleep, Mr Weasley. When you wake up, you'll feel better."

He barely heard the words as he drifted off under the spell and into another dreamworld.

---

End Author's Notes:

Ah, the sexy blood type… how this started as a funny anonymous ask on tumblr and escalated into one of my favourite discussions between my readers. I had to find a way to make it work. Hope those of you who were part of this discussion enjoyed it.

Thanks for reading and please review!