I don't own it. I'm sorry, but I couldn't seem to write the battle. I hope the additional thoughts added to Jo's work are enough…
The confrontation in the Hospital Wing. After Harry leaves, Remus goes off to think. Dora gives him ten minutes, then follows.
"It's not your fault," said Remus firmly. "Hermione, had you not obeyed Snape and got out of the way, he probably would have killed you and Luna." I wouldn't have dreamt of saying something like that before. But now… Hours had passed. Hours that had shook Hogwarts and the Order to their core. Back in the Hospital Wing, they regrouped with Harry, who had been on Dumbledore's last, fatal mission.
"So then he came upstairs," said Harry, eyes distant, "and he found the place where you were all fighting…"
"We were in trouble, we were losing," said Dora in a low voice. "Gibbon was down, but the rest of the Death Eaters seemed ready to fight to the death. Neville had been hurt, Bill had been savaged by Greyback… It was all dark… curses flying everywhere… The Malfoy boy had vanished, he must have slipped past, up the stairs… then more of them ran after him, but one of them blocked the stair behind them with some kind of curse… Neville ran at it and got thrown up into the air —"
She shivered, remembering. She had been so scared that the rest of her Boggart would come true... It nearly had. She glanced at Remus, sitting beside her, then looked away again. She had never imagined that she'd have to pay such a high price in return…
"None of us could break through," said Ron, "and that massive Death Eater was still firing off jinxes all over the place, they were bouncing off the walls and barely missing us…"
"And then Snape was there," said Dora, "and then he wasn't —"
"I saw him running toward us, but that huge Death Eaters jinx just missed me right afterward and I ducked and lost track of things," said Ginny.
"I saw him run straight through the cursed barrier as though it wasn't there," said Remus. "I tried to follow him, but was thrown back just like Neville…"
It had been so confusing. He hadn't let himself wonder anything else, as he'd already been too worried about the current battle…too focused on ensuring that no-one was killed there. He'd never thought… How could they have missed the signs? What went wrong?
"He must have known a spell we didn't," whispered McGonagall. "After all — he was the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher… I just assumed that he was in a hurry to chase after the Death Eaters who'd escaped up to the tower…"
"He was," said Harry savagely, "but to help them, not to stop them… and I'll bet you had to have a Dark Mark to get through that barrier — so what happened when he came back down?"
"Well, the big Death Eater had just fired off a hex that caused half the ceiling to fall in, and also broke the curse blocking the stairs," said Remus. "We all ran forward — those of us who were still standing anyway — and then Snape and the boy emerged out of the dust — obviously, none of us attacked them —"
"We just let them pass," said Dora in a hollow voice. "We thought they were being chased by the Death Eaters — and next thing, the other Death Eaters and Greyback were back and we were fighting again — I thought I heard Snape shout something, but I don't know what —"
"He shouted, 'It's over,' " said Harry. "He'd done what he'd meant to do."
They all fell silent. Fawkes's lament was still echoing over the dark grounds outside. As the music reverberated upon the air, unbidden, unwelcome thoughts slunk into Remus and Dora's minds… Had they taken Dumbledore's body away yet? What would happen to them now? Their greatest leader was gone...
The doors of the hospital wing burst open, making them all jump: Arthur and Molly were striding up the ward, Fleur just behind them, her beautiful face terrified.
"Molly — Arthur —" said Professor McGonagall, jumping up and hurrying to greet them. "I am so sorry —"
"Bill," whispered Molly, darting past Professor McGonagall as she caught sight of Bill's mangled face. "Oh, Bill!"
Remus and Dora got up hastily and retreated so that Arthur and Molly could get nearer to the bed. Molly bent over her son and pressed her lips to his bloody forehead. Remus' heart ached in remembrance. Damn you, Greyback. He thought.
"You said Greyback attacked him?" Arthur asked Professor McGonagall distractedly. "But he hadn't transformed? So what does that mean? What will happen to Bill?"
"We don't yet know," said Professor McGonagall, looking helplessly at Remus.
Of course she would. He thought bitterly, then checked himself. "There will probably be some contamination, Arthur," he said. "It is an odd case, possibly unique… We don't know what his behaviour might be like when he awakens…"
Molly took the nasty-smelling ointment from Madam Pomfrey and began dabbing at Bill's wounds.
"And Dumbledore…" said Arthur. "Minerva, is it true… Is he really…?"
As Professor McGonagall nodded, Dora watched Fleur, who was gazing down at Bill with a frozen expression on her face. How similar they had become...
"Dumbledore gone," whispered Arthur, but Molly had eyes only for her eldest son; she began to sob, tears falling onto Bill's mutilated face.
"Of course, it doesn't matter how he looks… It's not r-really important… but he was a very handsome little b-boy… always very handsome… and he was g-going to be married!"
Remus sighed, remembering his own mother's tears. It was always like this. But did Molly have to put it like that?
"And what do you mean by zat?" said Fleur suddenly and loudly. "What do you mean, 'he was going to be married?'"
Molly raised her tear-stained face, looking startled. "Well — only that —"
This would be interesting, Dora thought. Even more similar than I first thought...
"You theenk Bill will not wish to marry me anymore?" demanded Fleur. "You theenk, because of these bites, he will not love me?"
"No, that's not what I —"
"Because 'e will!" said Fleur, drawing herself up to her full height and throwing back her long mane of silver hair. "It would take more zan a werewolf to stop Bill loving me!"
Dora smirked. Exactly. I knew Fleur wasn't just a pretty face...and neither am I!
"Well, yes, I'm sure," said Molly, "but I thought perhaps — given how — how he —"
"You thought I would not weesh to marry him? Or per'aps, you hoped?" said Fleur, her nostrils flaring. "What do I care how he looks? I am good-looking enough for both of us, I theenk! All these scars show is zat my husband is brave! And I shall do zat!" she added fiercely, pushing Molly aside and snatching the ointment from her.
Molly fell back against her husband and watched Fleur mopping up Bill's wounds with a most curious expression upon her face. Nobody said anything; they were too surprised by the turn of events.
Remus frowned slightly. She really means that... But, at least they will probably, hopefully, never have to worry about full moons the way I must...
"Our Great-Auntie Muriel," said Molly after a long pause, "has a very beautiful tiara — goblin-made — which I am sure I could persuade her to lend you for the wedding. She is very fond of Bill, you know, and it would look lovely with your hair."
"Thank you," said Fleur stiffly. "I am sure zat will be lovely."
And then, to the surprise of all, both women were crying and hugging each other. Dora thought, Take that, Remus Lupin! and glanced across to him. But he was staring out the window. And she couldn't stand it anymore. "You see!" she said in a strained voice, glaring at Remus (he jumped). "She still wants to marry him, even though he's been bitten! She doesn't care!"
"It's different," said Remus, barely moving his lips and looking suddenly tense. Now, of all times, Dora? "Bill will not be a full werewolf. The cases are completely —"
"But I don't care either, I don't care!" said Dora, seizing the front of Remus' robes and shaking them. "I've told you a million times…"
The weight of the past year seemed to crash down on both of them. A multitude of memories, wistful gestures and unsaid words...
Her face as he left her. His face as he told her she deserved better. The change in her Patronus. Harry asking him about her. The truce at Christmas. Mitch suggesting he was hypocritical, without actually saying it. New Year's resolutions. Plans gone awry. Questions and answers and a yearning they knew both felt. He just never fully admitted it.
"And I've told you a million times," said Remus, refusing to meet her eyes, staring at the floor – he knew he'd crack if he looked into her eyes – "that I am too old for you, too poor… too dangerous…"
Why do you never believe me? Why do I feel worse every time?
"I've said all along you're taking a ridiculous line on this, Remus," said Molly over Fleur's shoulder as she patted her on the back.
"I am not being ridiculous," said Remus steadily. "Tonks deserves somebody young and whole."
Ah, but what does she want? A little voice that sounded like James said in his ear.
"But she wants you," said Arthur, with a small smile. "And after all, Remus, young and whole men do not necessarily remain so." He gestured sadly at his son, lying between them.
"This is… not the moment to discuss it," said Remus, avoiding everybody's eyes as he looked around distractedly. "Dumbledore is dead…"
And I can't think straight right now...
"Dumbledore would have been happier than anybody to think that there was a little more love in the world," said Professor McGonagall curtly. Oh joy, even Minnie's adding her two cents.
Maybe you should listen then. A Sirius voice suggested.
Remus was spared further debate by the hospital doors opening again and Hagrid walking in. The little of his face that was not obscured by hair or beard was soaking and swollen; he was shaking with tears, a vast, spotted handkerchief in his hand.
Silently, Dora stepped back from Remus as they all looked at Hagrid. Her heart went out to him as she heard his message. "I've… I've done it, Professor," he choked. "M-moved him. Professor Sprout's got the kids back in bed. Professor Flitwick's lyin' down, but he says he'll be all righ' in a jiffy, an' Professor Slughorn says the Ministry's bin informed."
"Thank you, Hagrid," said Professor McGonagall, standing up at once and turning to look at the group around Bill's bed. "I shall have to see the Ministry when they get here. Hagrid, please tell the Heads of Houses — Slughorn can represent Slytherin — that I want to see them in my office forthwith. I would like you to join us too."
As Hagrid nodded, turned, and shuffled out of the room again, she looked down at Harry.
"Before I meet them I would like a quick word with you, Harry. If you'll come with me…."
The two exited quickly and there was an odd sort of pause. Dora moved towards Hagrid and guided him to a chair while Madam Pomfrey Summoned a Calming Draught.
She heard Ron ask, "So what happens now?"
Remus answered. "They'll probably...close Hogwarts. After tonight..." his voice was distant, as though the very idea of grand old Hogwarts closing was foreign to him. It was foreign to her, as well. Was that his only reason for detachment? Sirius always called that look on his face a "Moony Moment"...a sure sign he was thinking deeply about something.
Madam Pomfrey handed out tea laced with Calming Draught before sending the "children" (though they had really seen too much be called that anymore) to bed.
In the confusion, Remus slipped away. Dora watched him go and sighed. He'd need time alone to process everything. She'd give him ten minutes... Then she'd follow him.
So, what do you reckon?