Typical Disclaimers Apply

A/N: Please don't flame. Seriously. Don't flame this chapter.

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Esme sprinted across the school to the Room of Requirement, throwing open the doors as if her life depended on it. A large group of people had gathered in the room, and for a second everyone thought a madwoman had broken in; then they realized it was just Esme. Molly leapt up from her spot on the bed and hugged her as tightly as she possibly could.

"Oh I was so worried! I thought you were dead!" Esme glared down at Ginny, who smiled sheepishly.

"Can't…breathe…" Esme gasped.

"Molly, you're crushing her." Arthur, though pale, was looking happier than ever.

"When we heard you were gone," she wiped a tear from her eye, "it didn't seem possible."

"Don't worry Mum," Esme said, smiling and shrugging. "I'm all right."

"Well, if you're not killed yet, you're about to be," Remus climbed to his feat, smiling like she'd never seen him smile before. "Missing the birth of out first-born, Dora's going to murder you." Esme shrieked.

"Oh my God! Boy or girl? Does it look like you? Is it cute? Is it healthy?"

"Boy. His name's Teddy, after her dad." His amber eyes sparkled, "Very cute, very healthy. Keeps changing his appearance, but I think he looks more like his daddy," his smile grew even wider.

"You shouldn't be here," Esme said firmly.

"And you should?"

"It's different with me!" she cried. "I've got a husband; you've got a family! You don't want that boy to grow up without a family!"

"I'm staying," he said firmly. "I have to keep this world safe for my son, and no one's going to stop me."

"Fine," she muttered. All of a sudden, Harry burst into the room.

"Voldemort's on his way, they're barricading the school—Snape's run for it—"

"He wouldn't do that," Esme interjected softly.

"What? No, he did, I saw him. He flew away," Harry flapped his arms a few times for a visual.

"He's not gone," she whispered. "He's still here."

"Should we be on guard for him?" She shook her head.

"No, it'll be fine," she smiled bravely. "So, what the hell is everyone doing here?"

"They alerted the Order," Esme turned sharply and saw Sirius. His eyes were red around the edges and his voice was hoarse. "Esme, please…"

"I have to do this, Sirius." Suddenly she felt a lot weaker, like the will to fight in her had been extinguished. All she wanted to do was sit down and be with her family. Live a normal life. Snape had told her she had no chance, was he right? And did she want to test it?

"You don't," he murmured. "Stay. Please stay. I love you, Esme."

The students all dropped their eyes, feeling that it was not their place to look. Harry looked uneasy, andsimply moved to sit down on one of the hammocks. Ginny attempted to get up from her spot on the bed, but Arthur held her back. Esme swallowed and looked timidly up at her husband. His shoulders sagged and his twelve years in prison seemed more prevalent on him than ever before.

Suddenly, a loud crash was heard from the back of the room. A red-haired, bespectacled creature was emerging from a spill of overturned chairs. "Am I late?" he looked around nervously, saw Esme and Sirius first, and walked over brazenly, sticking out his hand "You must be my new brother-in-law."

"I never thought I'd see you again," Sirius whispered, ignoring Percy. "Most people don't get second chances."

"I'm sorry," she said miserably. Sirius turned and sat down next to Remus, who patted his back kindly. Esme remained standing. "I'm going."

"You can't leave on your own!" Molly cried.

"Mum, I'm a professor. It is my job to defend all of you. I'm not going to allow this school to fall victim to the likes of Voldemort."

"No," this time, it was Percy who spoke. "You can't go out there alone."

"You're not the first person to try to stop me today, Perce," she said icily. "And I've killed better men than you."

"No, you haven't," Ginny said, sounding a bit confused, from her place by her father.

"Then I'm going with you," he said firmly.

"Me too," Sirius leapt up.

"No," she said, taking on Percy's firm tone. "Sirius, I care about you, and Percy…I don't hate you. At least not enough to lead you into the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange." She turned, picked up a gleaming object that had been lying forgotten on a bed, and left.

"Go after her!" Molly yelled at Sirius. "For Merlin's sake, go after her!"

"Why don't we all go?" Remus said quietly. Once his words were out, everyone jumped out of their seats and began rushing to the door. However, when Ginny tried to cross the threshold, Arthur blocked her way.

"You're staying here."

"But—"

"Not buts. You're staying."

"Fine! But if anyone dies, I'm so taking their room!"

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"Minerva!" she sprinted over to the tall woman leading the group of Gryffindors. "Where do you want me?" McGonagall stared at her for nearly a full minute, her mouth hanging open and the color draining from her cheeks.

"Take these students to the Great Hall," she said finally, gesturing to the line of students behind her. Esme shook her head.

"I can't."

"What?"

"I was supposed to be getting information for the Order, and I overheard them planning my death. He wants Lucius to kill me, but Bellatrix is the one who really wants the job done. I've beat her in battle twice; she hates me. They're going to come here and the first thing on her mind is going to be finding me. She'll take down anyone with me, and I'm not risking the lives of the innocent." Esme said quickly.

"That is quite noble of you," McGonagall bowed her head, what looked like a smile playing on her lips. "I've seen more and more of your father in you as you've grown." She raised her head again, "Head out to the grounds. Find Hagrid. He'll help you protect the school."

Esme ran out of the castle doors and onto the hills. Hagrid had been sacked before she left for hosting some party (to which she had not been invited—she was still holding a grudge). Had Snape welcomed him back, or had he simply gone into hiding, like she had?

"Hagrid?" she called, recognizing the great bushy head by his old hut. He turned, his face, illuminated by the moon light, lit up with a huge smile. "I heard you got sacked!" she yelled.

"I heard yeh were dead!" he yelled back, waving one of his dustbin sized hands, beckoning her over. Behind him some penned-up creatures pawed at the earth violently. Once she got over to him, his smile faded a bit. "Esme, don' tell me yeh're, goin' to fight up here. It's too dangerous. Man's work," he said gruffly, looking over her slight and scarred frame.

"Oh, Hagrid, don't be silly!" she laughed. "Now, what's the plan?" He gestured to the creatures. Under the moon, Esme could just make out the long, spindling horns jutting from the horses' heads. Unicorns. Angry, red eyed unicorns. "Hagrid, how the hell did you do this?"

"They don' like to be penned up. Makes 'em angry. Real angry," he handed her an armload of harnesses. "Only take a few of 'em." Some of the other professors had begun to arrive on the grounds, including Firenze, who seemed to be communicating with the horses without the help of harnesses. Esme tentatively went up to the nearest unicorn and reached up to touch its face. The viciously beautiful horse lunged at her, nearly taking off her arm. "Oh, yeah, they bite," Hagrid added.

After several minutes of struggling, Hagrid finally helped her harness all of the unicorns. He handed her six ropes, each attached to a struggling horse. She looked at them doubtfully, "Now what do we do?"

"Take 'em to the front lines." Very cautiously, they led the unicorns out of their pen and toward the fence. The creatures walked like soldiers, with heads held high, lips curling back to reveal stainless white teeth.

"What do we do when they come?" It was getting closer to midnight. Unless someone had handed Harry over, the Death Eaters would bear down upon them soon. There was a chill in the air, too cold for May, which told them the Death Eaters wouldn't be coming alone.

"Let 'em go," Hagrid said cryptically. They stood quietly, but not for long. The masses began to move toward the castle. Leading the group, in all her glory, was Bellatrix Lestrange. Her eyes fell upon Esme, glittering with joy, like a cat that's just seen a mouse. She raised her wand, and Hagrid repeated, "Let 'em go."

They dropped the ropes holding the unicorns, who simply stood there, pawing nervously at the grass and glancing from group to group. Bellatrix blasted the gate open, and the horses leapt back in alarm. They ran into the crowd, attacking anything that moved. A lone arm flew into the air.

"I think they're eating them!" Esme cried; she and Hagrid had pulled away from the turmoil. Well, he had picked her up and carried her.

"Yeah, they'll do that." The throngs of Death Eaters began rushing through them, separating the two Order members. Esme, separating herself from the stampede, stumbled over near the lake, drawing her wand. One Death Eater had already started their attack.

"Crucio!" the Death Eater shrieked. There was a flash of red light, and right before Esme's eyes Firenze collapsed to the ground and began writhing. His paws flailed helplessly, like a newborn's fists.

In an impulsive fit, Esme, forgetting about Bellatrix and Lucius, jumped on top of the attacking Death Eater. "Let's see what's behind that mask, yes?" she cooed viciously. She peeled the mask back. "Margaret O'Hanlon?" She blonde-haired-brown-eyed girl had only left a year ago.

"Seems your husband taught me little too well," Margaret snarled. She pushed Esme off of her and raised her wand. "Now, I've never killed a teacher…"

"And you know, I've never killed a student," Esme said lightly. "And, unlike you, I won't begin today." Before Margaret could say anything more, Esme summoned all of her strength and shoved the girl as hard as she could. Margaret teetered for a moment, and then fell back into the depths of the lake. "Instead, I'll let the Giant Squid do it for me," she laughed as a lazy tentacle pulled Margaret down into the water.

Esme was so distracted be her success, she didn't even notice the great figure bearing down on her. It was only when the shadow was cast that she looked up, and was met only by gleaming red and white. A renegade unicorn, approaching her hard and fast, and she was about to be crushed under its mighty hooves.

Esme took off sprinting, running as fast as she could towards the forest. Finally, when she could no longer hear the pounding of the beast's hooves, she dove into the bushes. Something fell with her, but she kept her eyes closed and hoped it was an Order Member. The thing pulled itself away and she finally looked up.

"Oh shit." For it was Voldemort who loomed over her.

"Little girl," he hissed. "People are looking for you." He reached out to touch her and, quicker than fire, she plunged her hand into her pocket, pulling out the gleaming silver knife she'd taken from the room. She'd meant to grab her wand, but this was just as good. Without thinking twice, she plunged the knife through his robes and deep into his stomach. He smirked at the wooden handle sticking out from his belly, pulled it out, and handed it back to her. "You didn't really think that would work, did you?" She went pale and shook her head. Yes she'd thought it would work, why else would she do it? Stupid barmy old codger.

"Nature calls even to the Dark Lord."

"Ohh, poor scared dear, why don't you—ARGH!" She placed a well aimed kick right between his legs.

"That," she smirked, "is what my father should have done to you sixteen years ago."

"That really hurt!" he gasped. Esme laughed cruelly; glad to see the tables turned. Unfortunately, Voldemort's cry of pain had attracted the two people she'd initially wanted to flee.

"My Lord!" Bellatrix cried, rushing to his side. "What has this harlot done to you?"

"Kill…her…" he said faintly, hobbling away.

"With pleasure," it may have been the dim light, but Bella's eyes looked as though they were alight with joy. She turned towards Esme and, with a silent flick of her wand, disarmed her.

"Two fighting one without a wand!" Esme protested. That's hardly fair."

"I don't do fair, darling. Crucio!"Esme rose into the air, writhing. She felt as though her bones were being ripped apart at the joints, like her organs were trying to burs through her pores, like her skin was tearing open…

Then it stopped. Esme fell to the ground, and instantly climbed back up to her feet. "You think you can torture me to death, you whore? Well I'm a Potter; we don't fall down that easily." So Bellatrix repeated the curse, and each time, Esme rose, spewing the same sentiments. Old scars ripped open in her legs.

"If you would just shut up, I might let you go!" she yelled.

"I won't let you win."

"Fine," she shrugged and handed her wand to Lucius. "Lucius, darling, kill her." He took the wand hesitantly, raised it, and dropped it again. Bellatrix's cheeks flushed crimson. "What are you waiting for? KILL HER!"

"Oh, I get it," Esme laughed, her voice tired but strong. "It's absolutely fine to see me tortured to death, but you couldn't handle the idea of it being at your hand. You don't care. You just don't want guilt. Is that it? Look at me! Look at me, Daddy!" He dropped the wand.

"I can't."

"Fine, wimp," she leaned down and picked the wand back up. "Any last words?"

"You're a horrible, devious woman. You kill not for pleasure, but to fill the empty part of your heart. And to make him love you." Esme adopted a sing-song tone, "Do what he says, and maybe, just maybe, he'll give you a second glance. But that isn't going to happen, we both know that. Even if you survive, hell, even if you win this battle, you'll spend the rest of your life a miserable old hag. The man you love will never love you."

Bellatrix did look mad enough to kill. She spoke with restrained madness, "Fine by me." She raised her wand.

"Wait!" Esme cried, struggling to her feet. "I—I may be a Potter but…" she broke her gaze with Bella, searching the grounds for someone who could help her. There was Hagrid, looking over the unicorns feasting on the dead. But Hagrid—well, he'd be great protection, but Bellatrix would have him dead in a minute. Snape was gone, Sirius was gone, her parents…God only knew. She grasped at whatever she had. "But I'm still just like you!"

"Oh?"

"Yes! You see, I've got the evil…I've got your side in my veins, Bella!" she said desperately. "My grandfather, well he was basically the Dark Lord's best friend! He's my godfather, for goodness sake! And I'm sure, with his life-blood in me, I'd be a wonderful addition to your little group." She batted her eyelashes innocently. "Don't you think?"

Bellatrix stared at her, "No."

"You bitch."

Now, everyone knows that that would have been a fitting, and honest, last word. But Bellatrix was still mildly stunned by Esme's plea to join the Death Eaters, so Esme was able to strike first. With her remaining strength, she reached behind Bella to the place where Voldemort had dropped her knife. She gripped it in her shaking fingers, and slowly dug it into Bellatrix's right leg.

A knife wound typically wasn't that much of a threat to a skilled witch. Bella could easily heal herself and return to killing Esme, but she was rather distracted. No, not by her bleeding calf, but by a four-legged, ridiculously good looking creature walking towards the forest.

"Firenze!" cried Esme. The centaur looked at her.

"Professor Slain," he said conversationally. "Why are sitting on the ground holding a bloody knife?"

"Firenze," Esme gasped. "You have to help me! She's going to kill me!"

"Oh," he said, looking at Bellatrix, who now looked a little more menacing, although not to her usual caliber. Wordlessly, he cradled Esme in his arms, then through her onto his palomino back. Then he sprinted into the forest.

"I don't mean to be rude," Esme said, clinging to his waist as they galloped deeper into the woods. "But why exactly are you saving me?"

"You saved me," he said simply. "Now you were the one in trouble, you are a good woman, and it was no harm to—"

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" shrieked a voice from behind them. Esme turned just as the body beneath her collapsed, crushing her leg. Slowing to a halt was Bellatrix, on a horrible creature that somewhat resembled what a horse might looked like if it was turned inside-out. Esme pulled at her leg, still staring at the monster.

"Guess you can see death now, Slain," she snarled, dismounting. Slowly, she smiled, "Trapped?"

Esme glared at her. "Just kill me now, Bellatrix." She looked down at her crushed leg, "The wounded aren't useful in battle."

"Oh, that's not true!" she simpered. "You're fantastic little bundles of information." Esme stared at her.

"What?"

"Tell me where the others are," Bellatrix commanded.

"The others?"

"The ones who were on your side. The students. Your family." She paused, "Your husband. Tell me where they are and I'll give you your wand back." She twirled the familiar piece of wood in her right hand.

"Sirius left!" Esme blurted. "He went away when we got fired."

"Please," Bella scoffed. "Don't lie to me."

"It's the truth!"

"Alecto saw him in the halls!" She dismounted the beast and got very close to Esme's face, "Now, give it up, Slain," she hissed. "Once you tell me where they are you'll be free. You're my kill and you always have been. No Death Eater's going to forget that. Now I'll repeat: where is you're husband?"

"Why should you trust Alecto?" she whispered. "She knew I was your victim, and she tried to off me anyway." Bellatrix threw her head back and laughed.

"You honestly think she was acting on her own?" she jeered. "Alecto isn't smart enough to make you suffer; she would have just killed you straight out. No, I was the one who told her to use that. I wanted you weak, so when I got you to myself and used your little boyfriend's curse—oh, yes, he created it, it's all his fault—it would tear your organs apart in a matter of minutes. And Severus, he was such a sweetie, don't you think? He made sure that you were safe." She cackled, loud enough to wake the dead. "He's on our side, love. You know, you would have been fine at St. Mungo's. But he demanded you to be kept at school. He never loved you, deary. This is the fate he wants for you."

Esme gaped at her, "All this time…?"

"All this time," she grinned wickedly.

"They're in Gryffindor Tower," she whispered, looking away. "Everyone who was hiding in the Room of Requirement was moved to Gryffindor Tower. Sirius is keeping watch over all of them. The password is…" She thought for a moment, "Liberation."

"Wonderful." Bellatrix dropped the wand at Esme's feet. She turned away at mounted the monster. She moved as if to leave, but turned around in an afterthought. She raised her wand, "Sectumsempra!"

The slightly familiar feeling of her skin being torn open made tears well up in Esme's eyes. It didn't hurt so badly this time; the first time had been more painful than a knife wound. Now there was just a little tingling sensation where the skip parted. She pulled on her leg, trying to move Firenze, but it was useless. Even if she could free herself from the centaur, she'd never be able to stand. Bellatrix smirked, "That's what you get for making me wait."

Death was humane compared to this. Blood was spilling out of her wounds and onto the dirt floor. Her right leg was flattened. "Help," she whispered, her lungs filling with blood. She moaned deeply, her fingers scraping across the hard willow of her wand. She brought it to her head, "Avada…" she coughed, blood covering her hand. The wand went cold.

Send a Patronus, whispered a slightly familiar, female voice inside her head. She opened her mouth, but she couldn't force the words out. She gripped the wand and thought as hard as she could, Expecto Patronum. A little line of silver escaped, but nothing more.

She tried to envision something happy, but all she could think about was Snape. How could he do this to her? How could she have trusted him? He'd never wanted her safe….She choked on a sob, blood dripping from her lips. Images floated behind her eyes: Snape and her, walking down the aisle; Snape looking away as he told her he loved her; dancing, at the Yule Ball…

As if in slow motion, a silver beast pulled itself from her wand. It was as large as Sirius' Animagus, but it was most definitely feline. Once it had fully emerged, it stood waiting for her command. Help, she thought. I'm dying, please, send help. The tiger took off.

Esme sat up, supporting herself against a half-dead tree. She watched as the drops of blood slipped from her wrist, mingling with Firenze's coat, and all sliding back into the dirt. Only one though crossed her mind until the overwhelming dark closed in around her.

He will come.

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