MAJOR WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SADNESS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
A/N: And this is where true colors start to show. Be warned, there is a ton of stuff in this chapter.
Also, the place that they find the other Winged cat, is a true place. I've been to it, been inside it(It's quite spacious) and live near it(which is why I chose it, because I knew the area well enough to give you a good detail about it) This chapter also contains some interaction back at Potter Manor. During those scenes, it will mostly be third person POV limited, through Draco. Though at one point it will be through another.
Guess who found the wonder that is Klaine~ Yup. Finally jumped on that ship….anyone have any good fics they can recommend?
UPDATES FOR OTHER STORIES: Foafy is coming along, slowly. Right now it's in a half-hiatus state while I figure out where was going with it.
The New National Anthem is being rewritten, because everything was happening to quickly. I am speaking with a few people about how each chapter should be set up, what should be in them, and what should happen and when.
Leafpool's Judgment is being finished in a notebook, then I will transfer it all onto my computer. There is one thing though. I changed around how long things took, so now, the fight against the beavers was shortened to a few days, and everything else pushed back a few moons. Nothing from Sunset on back was changed though. I started Leafpool's Judgment soon after Signs of the Moon came out and before the Forgotten Warrior. It has elements of TFW, but it is AU for the most part.
Harry watched, saddened as the butterfly he was chasing after flew off. He was in another dream. No leopard form touched him here, it was the dappled form that he had before. The all too familiar feel of the small body before that fateful midnight on his seventeenth birthday. A yawn escaped him as he laid down, crossing his paws and resting his head on them. "The one with the power to match the dark lord approaches, born on the seventh moon of the year, the last winged one will appear, and bring the world once more into darkness. The dark lord shall mark him as his equal, and both will rule the world by blood." Harry's eyes narrowed as he thought of the real prophecy.
"Have I taught you nothing this past year?" He flicked an ear at the cobra that reached his line of sight. He was used to having his dreams interrupted by either Tom or Luna. This time it seemed the Dark Lord was determined not to let him rest.
"You've taught me more than I could ever think of learning." Harry admitted. "Not to mention that thing about the basilisk venom…I was just thinking about the prophecy."
"Ah, yes, it is strange isn't it?" The cobra raised himself up more to be at eye level with Harry.
"But untrue." Tom tilted his head as if to ask 'how'. "The last winged one will appear. I'm not the last. There's two others."
"I believe it meant the last pure winged one. Who I am sending you to meet was not born with her powers. And I believe that Calix only got his when you adopted him." Tom said. "But, that's not why I am here. We have made it to Potter Manor. Everyone is safe." Harry watched with cold eyes as the animagus wrapped around him, his tail flicking lazily.
"Do you think I do not know this?" The meow was produced as a low growl. "Potter Manor isn't even on the maps. Why we were not there in the first place is beyond me."
Tom hissed lowly, snapping his jaws shut close to Harry's muzzle. "Do not take that tone with me Potter. Equal or not, I am still above you."
Harry's magic flared, wrapping around Tom and flinging him across the clearing. He saw the shadow magic wrap around the snake, a pitch black lion taking it's place. 'So, another training session eh?' He thought. The leopard ducked and stepped backwards as Tom launched at him in a strong leap, landing right in front of him and scoring his claws against Harry's ear. The smaller yowled before leaping up, biting down hard onto the lion's paw as they rolled, locked in battle. Tom's back claw's caught Harry's stomach, tearing the leopard off as he leapt to his paws. Harry rolled onto his stomach, tail flicking furiously with a snarl on his lips as he readied himself to continue fighting.
"What was the first thing I ever taught you?" Tom growled, dodging to the side as Harry leapt at him. He caught the smaller in the shoulder with deep claws, leaving a long scratch before pulling back.
Harry whirled around, "Keep your eyes on who you are fighting. Nothing else matters, not even your own blood." He ducked again as Tom charged at him, springing upward and catching thorn-sharp claws in Tom's stomach, flipping over and pinning the lion down. "And never believe you have won…until your enemy is begging." He retracted his claws, moving away as Tom allowed the magic to disappear and leaving his cobra form behind.
"Good. You have learned." Harry fell back, sitting down at the words of dismissal from the fight. Giving his shoulder a swift lick, he wondered what Severus would say once he saw the new wounds.
"Ya know, if you keep giving me scratches like this Sev won't be happy." Harry flicked his ears.
Tom rolled his eyes, since he couldn't shrug in this form. "Even if you're under different laws, you need training, and you will get hurt during training. Now, it's almost daylight. So go wake up."
~spacespacespace~
Harry sighed. Waking up was what he was dreading. It meant facing the States. Although waking up with Severus curled around him was perfect, and Calix resting on his flank with light purrs were what always woke him up. "Alright. We should be back as soon as we find her though."
Sunlight spilled into the room that Harry shared with his mate and kit on the boat as the prince woke up. Dazzling green eyes opened to meet deep black ones laced with worry. Harry looked confused for a second before recognizing the stinging on his shoulder and ear. "What the bloody hell were you doing, fighting dogs in your sleep?" Severus asked.
"I think that if Tom heard me calling him a bitch, I'd be hexed into the next century." Harry laughed before sitting up. Severus followed, wrapping his arms protectively around Harry's waist. What amazed, and amused, the Gryffindor to no end, was how affectionate Severus was when he was half-asleep. Harry hissed in pain as the cold air hit the open wounds. Severus turned to the table next to the bed, taking three tries to find his wand before healing the wounds and lightly kissing Harry's neck. The younger purred softly, tilting his head to give his mate more access before chuckling as a light cooing came from the baby in the crib. "Good morning to you too Calix." Harry got up and walked over to the crib. Picking up his son, he brought him back to the bed, laying back down on his back with Calix on top of him. "I hope you slept better than I did."
The little boy giggled, his hands reaching out for Severus. The Potion's Master smirked and took the boy off of Harry, cradling him. "I think he did. I also think that we are close to the States." Severus said, looking out the window.
A low growl escaped the silver-white wolf as he watched small kits try to climb onto the much larger fawn that was his daughter. He had noticed the claws being used to climb. Animagus forms were the only way that everyone was allowed outside now, the Dark Lord didn't trust the wards around the manor.
"Crookshanks come back here! Oh why couldn't we send you with Harry too?" Draco's eyes were drawn to the pestering Kneazle that was currently running away from Hermione's outstretched hands. He let out a huff before standing up, snarling once at the poor cat. It was all that was needed for Crookshanks to go running back to Hermione. "Thanks Draco." She sighed. "He keeps running off for some reason."
"Does he have a girlfriend?" Draco offered. "I remember a certain friend of mine who keeps running off to see his." Hermione blushed lightly at the mention of Blaise.
"I don't exactly know, he doesn't show any interest in the cats around here. Only the kittens. He's like the perfect babysitter." Crookshanks, as if to prove what Hermione said, mewled lowly and softly. The kittens that were climbing all over Alice soon bounded over, gathering beneath him. He leapt down, sniffing each one before curling his tail around them. Draco blinked at the strange behavior. The kits were better behaved than he was when he was little! He tried to memorize everything that Crookshanks did, hoping that it would come in handy next time he played babysitter. "See? They just listen to him."
"Strange…but never unheard of. I mean, isn't he the only male cat around? Kneazle or not?" Hermione nodded. "He's playing father figure to about three different litters. Who knows if these guys are magical or not. We may have found more familiars for new recruits." Draco explained. "Maybe that's why he runs off, you think he could be training some of the older ones to be good pets?" He shifted out of his animagus form, stretching out before looking out at Alice. How the little girl was able to find her animagus form so quickly was amazing. No doubt that I she was able to go to Hogwarts, she'd be in Slytherin. Draco jumped slightly when he felt something, or someone, sliding up his leg, onto his right arm. He glanced down at the familiar sight of Vipera, Nagini close behind her. Tom's familiar curled over his shoulders and around his left arm. "Am I a perch now for snakes?" He teased them.
"It seems so. That should be our cue to get these guys back inside. It's getting late." Hermione said, picking up the two smallest kittens and allowing Crookshanks to balance on her shoulders. The others were already running inside. Alice trotted over, shifting in mid-step and walking to Draco's side.
"That was fun today. Can we come back outside tomorrow?" She asked.
Draco thought for a second. "We better ask Tom." 'I need to ask him about a few things too, other than that.' He thought. They soon followed the kittens' examples though, going back into the manor. Draco stopped and blinked at who he saw there though.
"Well well, My son's gone, but his nephew's still here. Isn't this a strange sight? Why, back when you were younger, you'd always follow him around like a little lost puppy." The teasing voice was full of warmth, onyx eyes full of mischief.
"Aunt Eileen!" Draco grinned, the usual Malfoy/Slytherin mask falling as he ran to hug the woman he saw as family. Narcissa stood next to her and smiled.
"We were able to track her down after not seeing her since we got Severus and Harry from Hogwarts."
Eileen released Draco from the hug, being cautious of the two snakes still wrapped around the blonde. "Well I wasn't about to just waltz around Hogsmead or Diagon Alley now was I? I was perfectly happy in that zoo."
"Zoo?" Draco looked up at Eileen. "Why a zoo?"
"Well why not?" She asked back. "Dumbledore did not know that I was an animagus, nor that I was that 'blasted tiger' as he called me after I was able to break through the wards around the Forbidden Forest. I hid in a muggle zoo, met a few good friends, then decided that enough was enough. I am not just going to sit back while my poor babies are out here fighting."
"Well, there's more to it than just fighting…" Draco started, wondering how much Eileen already knew.
"Of course. There always is. Now, where is my baby boy at? Tom only said that he was out."
"Well….He's in the States." Draco answered the question, unprepared for the outburst that happened at the news.
"….HE'S WHERE?"
"Well, here we are. Welcome to Boston." Seth said, walking with the group off of the boat. "I can't go any farther with you, but I can help you out." He handed Harry a small piece of folded up paper. Harry looked at it, passing Calix over to Lily before opening it, noticing the name of a place, Lake Mingo, Illinois. "That's where you can find her."
Harry nodded, folding up the paper again. "Thank you Seth." He said.
"Come on, we need to get going. We can apparate from here, no one can see us." Minerva said impatiently. Harry just waved her off.
"Hold up! I don't even know where this place is!"
"I do." Luna joined the conversation. "My father took me there once looking for Nargles. We actually ended up finding this strange cave…"
"That must be the place." Severus said, wrapping one arm around Harry's waist to draw him close. "We'll apparate to the lake, then search for that cave. Lily, you take Calix. Minerva, take Luna. I have Harry." The two women nodded before they all disappeared with a soft 'Pop!'
~spacespacespace~
When they reappeared, Harry noticed they were in a small clearing. There were two picnic benches near the calm lake, the water a calming blue color that reflected the sky above. He took a few tentative steps away from Severus as the others appeared, glancing around and sending out his magic. The invisible tendrils searched out any other magic around, twining briefly with Severus' as a sign to say that everything was ok before going out farther. 'If she is here, she'll have a magical signature.' Harry thought before letting out a small sound of triumph. Just a bit south of where they were standing. The magic that reacted with his was hostile, but quickly turned into confusion as it recognized the familiarity of the prince.
"I've got a good idea on her whereabouts now." Harry announced. "I found her magic. Come on. Mom, keep a tight hold on Calix and don't let him go." Lily nodded as the small group followed Harry into the forest. He kept a good lock on the magic that he found, following it through the winding trail as his senses slowly started to pick up signs of her being there. Scent markers clearly stating a territory belonging to her were everywhere, as was the scent of fresh blood, a clean hunt. He couldn't hear any birds or squirrels, possibly another good sign. He followed the trail for what seemed like hours before reaching what magic his was reacting to. A small space under a large oak tree. He stopped at the entrance and waited for the others to catch up before looking at Severus.
"Is this it?" The Potion's Master asked. Harry nodded silently before transforming, waving his tail for his mate to do the same. Severus caught the message, shifting quietly into his leopard form, figuring that a raven wouldn't last long around a seasoned winged cat. Harry's wings stretched out as Calix transformed as well.
"No." He hissed. "You are staying." The commanding growl was enough to keep the young cub in his grandmother's arms. Calix knew better than to get on his mother's bad side. He knew just how bad he could get and that it was for his own good. The smaller leopard turned and looked in the den. It smelled like there was another cat in there, and the fresh scent of blood reassured him that whoever was there, was full from their hunt. "Come on." he whispered to Severus before walking in slowly. Severus followed, his eyes quickly adjusting to the lack of light as he followed the prince. Both were amazed at how neat the winding trail seemed. Not a stone or root to block their path. It seemed to go on forever as well, winding up, down, even splitting into different trails. Harry kept going in a straight path, however. Following his nose and magic. No sunlight could reach this far underground, but it did not bother the two animagi much, not until Harry stopped at least.
"What is it?" He could feel Severus shifting his weight on his paws behind him. Harry wondered quietly if bringing him down here was a good idea. Severus did good in dungeons, but those were open and had a clear way out. The tunnel was narrow, almost suffocating. Harry moved around though with ease. He had forgotten how much smaller he was even with wings.
"Nothing, I'm just checking to make sure we're heading the right way." He answered. His magic was telling him it was, but his nose told him otherwise. All he could smell now was earth. All he could hear though, troubled him. Severus was shifting his weight again, and his breathing was different too. 'Is he…scared?' Harry ducked his head before turning it slightly, so he wouldn't bump his sensitive muzzle on the side of the tunnel. He could smell the slight scent of fear on his mate and twitched his tail. "Sev, grab hold of my tail, ok? We'll get out of here." Harry felt his mate's teeth lightly grab his tail and purred, hoping the sound would comfort Severus. He mewled lightly in surprise as his magic hit a wave of emotions. And it was coming closer. The leopard backed up slightly, his wings flaring before they hit the roof of the tunnel. "ow!" He yelped, looking back at the wings and barely noticing Severus' flinch at the noise.
"Harry…c-can we get out of here now?" Severus asked, keeping a loose hold on his mate's tail. Harry noticed the stutter and nodded.
"Yeah. Just…umm…" Harry realized something.
He found their way in by magic and scent. But didn't pay attention to the tunnels.
He had no way to get them out.
"Harry?"
"Hold on Sev, just…just…" Harry was beginning to panic. Neither of them knew the way out. He knew he should've brought someone else with. Maybe Luna, she could find the way with scent alone, or Minerva, knowing the professor, she would've been able to keep track of the path.
"Hey!" The sound of another voice caught the attention of the two panicking toms. A glowing teal color signaled the approach of another cat. This one was much smaller, Harry guessed it to be no bigger than a half-Kneazle. "What are you two doing down here? Better yet, who are you?" The cat demanded.
"I'm Harry, and this is my mate Severus." No reason to lie to a cat who could help you. "We're looking for a cat, with wings like me. But we got lost down here following her scent trail, I really need to talk to her. Do you know where she is?" Harry asked.
The stranger gained a thoughtful look for a few heartbeats before nodding. "I know where she is, and who she is." the cat looked passed Harry to Severus. His tail was trembling slightly as he kept a hold on Harry's tail. The cat's eyes narrowed. "Your mate shouldn't be down here for much longer…follow me!" The order was barked out as the cat turned around. Harry caught a glimpse of green on the cat's back. The cat slowly began to move away, Harry following with Severus close behind. He could feel his mate trembling now. 'No, he shouldn't be down here at all…I'm sorry Severus.' He slowed his walk, allowing Severus to get closer to him. His tail was released, in favor of Severus resting his head on his back, a small whimper escaped before a slight hiss of discomfort. Harry guessed that whimper was not supposed to be heard.
Relief washed over the two wizards as the tunnel began to open up more, and light began to shine. Harry could see the cats head more clearly now. Two neat, small ears were settled on top of the deep brown head, the tips a richer brown color. When the head was turned to look at the two leopards, he noticed a narrow muzzle and pink nose, as well as lighter fur. What caught his attention though, was the flash of green yet again on the cat's back. The light soon became stronger and stronger until it's source was found. Deep underground, the crystalline structure of many glowing minerals shone brightly in a den. They entered it gratefully, Severus giving Harry's back a quick nip before he stepped forward to stand next to the smaller. They both gasped though as the cat who lead them stretched out.
Nestled on HER back, were two large wings, the structure of which was red, with green webbing between them. Both stared in wonder as the cat turned back to them, smiling.
"Wait…you're-"
"Yes." The she-cat cut them off. "I am the one who you are looking for. My name is Willow, I am the winged cat of the States. And you, are the most important piece to the puzzle."
"How could you just let my poor baby go off to the states! And with Harry! Do you know what'll happen!" Eileen screeched. Tom flinched back from the noise before glaring at her.
"They were sent to find Willow! She's the key to winning this war."
"And Dumbledore knows it! He's sent someone there already to kill them when they reach her!"
Tom froze, but someone else in the room jumped to their feet. Draco was now standing, his grip on Crookshanks, who had taken refuge from Hermione on the blonde's lap, loosened just enough for the cat to slip down.
"That's what I've been trying to say! It's why I tried to sneak off! Norris told me he sent someone!" The wailing mew that came from the cat was echoed in Draco's mind.
'Norris, Mrs. Norris? Filch's cat? Why would she help us? Isn't she li-…Nevermind, that cat's darker than the bottom of the black lake. But how did she know?' "Crookshanks, what else do you know?" Draco asked. Tom and Eileen looked at the Malfoy heir like he had just spoke to a snake. "What? I picked up on a few meows from Fred and George." He explained.
"Well I know that Dumbledore sent one of the gingers, and a black haired girl." Crookshanks told him. All Draco picked up on were the words sent, ginger, and black haired girl.
"A Weasley…and probably Chang. They can't be a threat for who we sent, can they?" Draco looked up at the paling adults and dread set into his mind. If Tom was paling at the thought of something, it had to be bad.
His grip tightening on Marvolo, Tom began to worry about Harry for the first time in his life.
"Harry get out of the states now!"
Harry gazed in wonder at the cat in front of them. Willow held her soft smile as she approached them. "Well? What is it that Tom wanted? He wouldn't send the prince and his mate if it wasn't important."
"He said you'd have information for us, something to help with the war." Harry blurted out. He could feel Severus brush against him as he stepped forward.
"What Harry meant, Willow, was that we were sent for more information. He said you could give it." Severus' voice was low and filled with respect for the small she-cat. If Tom would threaten Death Eaters with her, she must be powerful. He didn't want to be on the receiving end of a curse from this witch for disrespect.
The she-cat sat down, her tail curling over tabby legs. Her wings stretched out lazily before falling back against her back. "Yes. But I can give more than that. Oh yes, a lot more than that." Willow's gaze traveled around the den, gazing at the glowing crystals before landing her gaze on one. The glow was an angry red color. She flew up in an amazing leap, stretching out her claws to knock it down to the ground. She landed gently behind it, leaving it between her and Harry. "So much more…" Her gaze locked with the prince's. "This crystal…you will need it. Trust me. The key to winning the war is not learning from me. But you are the most important piece of the puzzle." She said, picking up the crystal in her jaws.
A single lash of her tail was the only warning she gave before leaping at Harry, knocking the winged cat over on his back and driving the crystal into his exposed chest. Severus' eyes went wide as he watched helplessly.
"Harry!" He yowled, neither seeing the crystal just disappear. Willow smirked, locking her gaze to Harry's once more.
"Your journey is only beginning, kit." Her voice fell low, the next words only meant for her and Harry. "But your first, is just coming to a close. Trust me to guide you through it, and take these lives, and make them your own." Her voice was a faint whisper at the end as she touched noses with the leopard. Harry's eyes grew wider as Willow's form slowly became transparent, wavering until there was nothing left. He could feel the glow in his wings though, the warm red magic that mixed with his own green. Slowly he blinked until his eyes became used to the lack of darkness that was cast as Willow landed on him. He stood up, walking back to Severus.
"What….what the hell was that?" He yowled to the empty cave. "We came all the way here, and didn't learn a damn thing except that we hate these bloody tunnels!" Harry growled, seething in anger at the she-cat. "And how the hell do we get out of here!"
As if his words had set something off in the den, crystals in the tunnels began to light up. Both wizards blinked as they looked into the tunnel that lead them there.
"I guess that's how we get out." Severus said, letting Harry take the lead again. He hesitated for a moment before following, grabbing his mate's tail in his jaws once more. Neither noticed the glow left behind, or two sets of eyes following their every move.
~spacespacespace~
The sunset was a greeted sight as the two leopards finally made it out. Severus quickly let go of Harry's tail as his mate dashed towards the playing cats on the ground. Minerva was nearby, her paws tucked under her as she dozed. Lily was the only one outside of her animagus form, keeping an eye on everything. "That was quick, did you find her?" She asked Severus as the man shifted out of the furry form of his secondary animagus animal.
"We found her…the blasted she-cat was no use though. She just attacked Harry and then disappeared after whispering something to him." He looked at Harry, who was nuzzling Calix. Their cub was purring under the attention, trying to curl as close as possible to Harry's stomach. Luna, who had shifted to her human form, was sitting nearby, petting Harry and talking quietly to him.
Lily sighed. "So the mission was a failure because of her. I guess we should rest here then get back before it's compromised too." Severus nodded. The last thing they needed was for a muggle to stumble upon their strange group.
"So long as I don't have to go near those tunnels again, I don't care if we stay here for a week or a minute." He said.
Harry glanced up at his mother and mate from where he was grooming Calix. The little kit had picked up quite a bit of dirt and dust while he was playing with Luna. He studied Severus, looking for any signs of the nervousness he held back in the tunnels. 'He doesn't like small, dark, enclosed spaces. I never knew.' His attention was turned back to the small kit that was beginning to fall asleep against him before a hissing reached his ears.
"Harry! Get out of the states now!" His ears flicked as Tom's voice hit his mind, the horcrux leaping to the front of his mind. Something was wrong, terribly wrong.
"Mom! Sev!" He leaped up, picking up Calix. He wasn't able to take two steps though, before a snarl stopped him.
"Don't move, Potter. Or we'll kill that little brat in your mouth." Harry recognized the growl.
"Cho, you wouldn't kill an innocent child. I know you wouldn't." He slowly set Calix at his paws, the small kit shivering. "It's not like you."
"Shut it Potter! Don't listen to him." The other wolf growled. Harry closed his eyes.
"Ronald." He greeted. "Leave my kit out of this." Lily and Severus were moving closer now, but Luna was quicker. She shifted, taking a giant leap and grabbing Calix before shifting back, holding him close as Harry turned and sprang up above the two wolves as they slammed into the ground where he once was. Lily and Minerva quickly attacked Chang as Severus grabbed his wand, tossing a curse at Ron as Harry landed again. "How did you find us?"
"Dumbledore told us you'd be here. And here you are." The wolf gave a feral grin. "I've waited for this for too long. You killed my sister, and now I get to kill you!" He rushed at Harry, the leopard meeting him halfway as the both attacked in a tangle of limbs of tails. Severus watched, not trusting his aim to not hit Harry on accident. Instead, going over to Luna and Calix, keeping an eye on the fighting. Lily and Minerva were making quick work of the confused Ravenclaw, ducking and weaving around her paws. Harry was still locked in combat with Ron, his teeth at the wolf's throat and his claws snagged on his shoulders. Severus tensed as Ron's jaws snapped closed only inches away from Harry's neck. Harry was quick to move away though, his claws tearing at fur and becoming splashed with blood as the wolf howled. He barley registered that Lily and Minerva had chased away Chang and came back to them as Harry leaped on Ron's back, front and back claws struggling for a grip on the smaller wolf before he fell.
Then everything seemed to still. Just as Harry was about to hit the ground, a cutting curse hit his back, right between his shoulders. He released a yowl as he was tossed back from the blow, landing heavily on his shoulder. It seemed as if they had brought even more reinforcements as a much large battle began.
"Luna! The tunnels! Take Calix and go!" Lily snapped, grabbing her wand and clearing a pathway. The girl ran quickly, getting Calix in before transforming. The she-cat looked back once before following the cub, spinning around once they were a few feet inside. Her back arched as her fur stood on end, a snarl reaching her lips. The dreamy girl was gone, in her place was a godmother that would die for the child behind her. Protection was the only thing on her mind as the cat's instincts were allowed to take over.
"There's too many of them!" Lily yelled to Severus, losing sight of Harry and Minerva. She wasn't worried though, she knew they could hold their own. As if to prove it, the former transfiguration professor made her way over to the other two, shooting curses right and left.
"I've lost sight of Harry!" She said. Lily then began to worry. A screech rose above the sound of curses being yelled, followed by a splash. The fighting animagi were at the lake. Ron had Harry pinned down for a second before the prince kicked him off. Harry stood up, keeping his right front paw off of the ground. He was panting, blood covering his fur and running into the lake.
"Ron…please, don't do this! What about when we were friends? What about first year? When we beat Tom for the first time?" Harry's voice was desperate. 'I don't want to fight you!'
'You have no choice.'
Ron's eyes flashed with memories for a second, before the hatred and pain returned to them. "That was the past Harry….And I was never your friend!" The leopard's eyes widened as the wolf leaped at him once again, knocking him over and into the shallows of the lake. A deep gash across his throat stained the lake a blood red. Ron came to stand over him once more.
'Mom…Luna….Dray….' Harry tried to stand up, falling back down, his legs failing him. 'The twins…'Mione…Blaze…' His gaze traveled to the wolf above him, terror shining in the slowly dulling gaze. 'Calix…'
'Sev.'
One lash paw slash. One last deep cut. And the leopard was still. His sightless, terror filled gaze staring blankly at the sky as yells and yowls became louder, a large shape slamming into the wolf, teeth and claws lashing at anything they could hit. But no blow could change the truth.
Harry Potter was dead.