I apologize in advance for how horrible/sad this chapter gets and how there is no R&H. I'm so not into writing dark tragedies, so I tried to keep it to a minimum, but it was necessary to write this down in order to move forward. Still I'm a bit disturbed. And now that you are forewarned, read and let me know what you think. Special thanks to ObsessedRHshipper for her beta help.
Final Viewing of the Memories
Ron, Hermione, and Harry joined the rest of the YPS leaders in the Room of Requirement to view the last of the memories. It had been difficult to find time to meet, especially with the new rules and the constant watch of the new Inquisitor crew, but the time was here. They knew the routine and prepared to view five memory vials which were labelled:
Severus Snape – August 30, 1977
Severus Snape – October 15, 1977
Narcissa Malfoy – November 29, 1977
Narcissa Malfoy – September 1, 1978
Esther Swanson – January 1, 1979
George enlarged the pensieve and then everyone entered and felt the familiar pulling sensation that came with viewing the past.
The Young Phoenixes landed in a dingy room with vials and weird artefacts everywhere. On a large table laid the unmoving form of Cassiopeia Black, breathing softly. She was surrounded by figures in dark robes.
"How long?" asked the Dark Lord.
"Depends on her will, my Lord," answered Severus.
"I will stay on watch for as long as it takes," assured Lucius. "She will yield."
"It's time for the blood-traitor bitch to pay. She'll bow in obedience," said Bellatrix in elation as she began dancing around the room.
"She will succumb willingly or not," added the Dark Lord. "You are in charge, Lucius. Report to me daily."
"Yes, my Lord."
Once Voldemort left Lucius uttered, "Finite."
"No!" yelled Narcissa, coming close to Cassiopeia. "Let her go," she begged.
"How dare you question the Dark Lord's will? If he wants her on our side, the whore will be!" answered Bella.
"Bella, please."
"She chose her Mudblood friend and the Swansons! I'll kill her if the Dark Lord commands!" stated Bella who then left.
"Severus," pleaded Narcissa.
"Enough of you!" said Lucius. "To the cells!"
"No! Severus! She hasn't done anything! Don't hurt her!" she screamed as Lucius dragged her out of the room.
"Leave us," Severus ordered coldly, getting the other Death Eaters to exit.
Once he was alone with Cassiopeia, he cast a silencing charm and gave her a potion.
"Russ!" screamed the black-haired girl as she awoke.
"Shush, stay quiet," ordered Severus.
"He killed him Sev. He killed my husband," murmured Cassi and then completely broke down. Severus held her and tried to keep her silent.
"If you want to escape, you have to get yourself together," said Severus repeatedly.
It took long, but eventually her cries of despair ceased and she quietly sobbed in his arms. Between sniffles, she murmured, "Russell is gone. What's the point?"
"You told me once that if I loved Lily, I had to do what you said, and I had to go to Dumbledore. Now it's your turn. Russell gave his life for you. If you truly loved him, make sure he didn't do that in vain. Don't give up. You have to escape and live, for Russ, for Lily, for me, and for your brother Sirius. We need you with us. I know you care."
She nodded as tears still flowed freely down her cheeks. Then she asked, "Are they hurt? Lily and Siri?"
"Lily is safe. I got her out of Diagon Alley. But Sirius is Malfoy's prisoner now."
"What should I do?" she asked trying to regain some composure.
"Finish drinking this. You were given a mix of fatiguing fusion and mind-opening draught. This should counter the effects."
"Why don't they just kill me?"
"Lucius said the Dark Lord wants you imperiused to the point where you can't manage a thought of your own. I don't know why, but I won't let it happen. I promised Russell. He helped keep Lily unharmed. So I'll get you to safety somehow."
"And Siri?" she asked cleaning some of her tears.
"I suppose I'll have to get him out too," he said in between gritted teeth. Then Severus continued, "We can't rush things though. This place is guarded against apparition, portkeys and even flying brooms. The Floo is supervised, and there are guards right outside this door. I need you to pretend their plan is working."
"What?"
"He will test if the potions are working with the Imperius. When he does, you need to pretend."
Severus outlined how she needed to behave when the Dark Lord checked on her. He promised that no matter what she was given, as soon as he was left alone with her, he would provide an antidote. He also said that he and the Headmaster had found a way to destroy the Horcruxes and that he planned to use Legilimency on Malfoy and Bella while they slept and uncover the rest of the dark items holding the soul of the Dark Lord.
Then the Young Phoenixes felt the twirling sensation of moving to a new memory.
Severus sat in a large room with many windows that allowed moonlight to enter and mix with candlelight. The young black-haired wizard mixed ingredients laboriously with a troubled look on his face. Then a wizard with short black hair and fair skin walked in.
"Snape!"
"McNair, this better be important," answered Severus in a sinister way.
"The Dark Lord calls for you! Dumbledore's pawns are here! They are in the dungeons trying to get to the witch!"
Severus' young eyes grew concerned for a split second. But he turned into a cold and menacing figure quickly. "Out of the way!" he yelled as he walked towards the door.
McNair began to scurry out, but before he could set foot out of the place, Severus petrified him. Then he ran down several stairways until he heard the Dark Lord order, "Bring me the Mudblood! I must kill her myself!"
The pace of the Slytherin quickened and soon he engaged in combat in the hallways. Severus began throwing curses, disarming, hexing and seriously injuring any Death Eater that crossed his path. The Young Phoenixes recognized some of the faces that were in battle with the dark figures - Moody, Kingsley, Professor Lupin, Diggle, Ralph Swanson, and others.
"Lily!" Severus called in fear as he arrived to the living room.
"How dare you, you sleazy scum!" yelled Bellatrix as she saw him taking down one of the masked figures. She threw a hex towards him. Severus deflected it with ease, but was soon surrounded by Bellatrix and three more Death Eaters. He fought ardently until he heard, "Sev!", and Lily appeared with a weak-looking Cassiopeia leaning on her.
"Leave him alone!" yelled Lily as Cassiopeia left her side and leaned on a wall. Lily then threw a stunning spell towards the dark witch that threatened Severus.
Bellatrix was able to avoid the hex, but looked a bit panicked as she found herself facing Severus alone. Lily, Professor Lupin and Ralph Swanson took charge of fighting the other Death Eaters in the area. The battle was fierce and just as Severus disarmed Bellatrix, he heard, "Sectumsempra!"
With Severus' own spell, Lucius Malfoy effectively injured Lily.
"Lil!" screamed Severus as he noticed the Dark Lord arrive.
"Go!" yelled Cassiopeia as she grabbed Bellatrix Lestrange's wand from the floor. "Stupefy!" she yelled stunning Lucius. Then she was overpowered by several death eaters.
Severus disappeared and a red light formed. The Dark Lord screamed, "Avada Kedavra!" with his wand pointing at Lily. But the killing spell never reached her, as the red light shone brightly around her body and she disappeared.
The light arrived at a small, dirty living room with brick walls. Lily and Severus then materialized right in front of the Young Phoenixes' eyes.
"Vulnera Sanenteur… Vulnera Sanenteur… Vulnera Sanenteur," chanted Severus with desperation until the blood on Lily cleared.
"Sev. Oh Sev," Lily whispered as she began to sob.
"You're going to be okay. Why, Lily? Why did you go there? I told you we weren't ready."
"I had to try to get Cassi and Sirius. But you were right and now... now they know about you. You can't help them anymore and I failed them. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she cried.
"Don't speak. Don't speak. We'll figure something out. Shush. I'll take care of you."
"I love you," murmured Lily between tears.
"I love you more, my sun, my heaven. I love you."
The memory ended and the pull to a new one took over the group.
They arrived at a place that looked like a cell inside a barn. They could see the handsome young figure of Sirius Black lying flat on the air. Blood dripped from his head and body and slowly trickled to the stone floor.
"Hang on," murmured Narcissa. "You're brave, not like me. The Gryffindors will come back for you."
She was on the cell across from her cousin, kneeling on some hay, and clinging to the bars while looking at Sirius' unmoving figure. Then she heard steps coming towards them and crawled to a corner.
"I am not here for you, my lovely," said Lucius mockingly. Then he turned to the other cell and entered. "Time for you to pay, Black."
"Co… co... coward," said Sirius in a barely audible whisper.
Lucius casted a spell that made Sirius stand straight. Then he punched the Gryffindor in the gut and he weakly fell to the ground.
"You still have Gryffindor bravado left. Well that ends tonight. I'm going to break you. You helped get my brother killed. Now I want you awake and strong to hear exactly how the Dark Lord takes your sister," he evilly sneered.
Lucius force-fed a potion down Sirius' throat and then cast a charm that no one was familiar with. He walked out of the cell and smiled evilly. "I think you'd like to join him," he added looking at Narcissa. She looked horrified as he approached, but she couldn't stop him from giving her the potion and casting the same charm. The moment he finished with Narcissa, the place they were in became immersed in sounds: the creaking of floors as steps moved on them, the closing of a door, and then the voice of the Dark Lord saying, "Take your clothes off."
"Yes, my Lord."
"No! No!" screamed Sirius as he began to pull at the bars of the cell. He looked like a wild animal trying to get out of his confines.
"The defiant, strong pureblood - lay down."
"Yes, my Lord."
Then the sound mattress springs creaking repeatedly took over. And suddenly, a scream, "No! Help! No! Russ! Russ!"
Narcissa put her hands on her ears and closed her eyes as tears fell down her cheeks. Her entire body shivered and bobbed forwards and backwards like she was in sane.
"Imperio!" said the Dark Lord.
"No! Cassi!" Sirius Black screamed.
Narcissa opened her eyes and looked at her cousin while still covering her ears to unsuccessfully avoid the noises. Sirius' body glowed blue and began to change. After a while, his cell became occupied by a large black dog with a necklace around his neck that had a single round pendant that glowed gray and then black and then yellow. The dog rammed his body against the cell bars until they began to break. Eventually, it bolted out and ran free.
Narcissa closed her eyes again and heard screams and voices yelling curses. Then the howl of a dog in pain reverberated through the walls before all was silent.
As the swirling sensation took over the Young Phoenixes, they all felt terrible. Some of them cried freely while others held back their tears, but looked horrified. George held Estella closely and Hermione found herself tightly embraced by both Ron and Harry. Then all the Weasleys turned to their sister and looked at her as if she was a precious jewel. She was sobbing and leaning against Malfoy. Silently, each of the Weasley boys swore to watch after her and looked at the Slytherin boy suspiciously.
Then they faced the next memory. They were in the barn-looking place again. A bruised Narcissa sat in a corner and stared at Sirius' empty cell as Lucius approached.
"The Dark Lord requests your professional assistance," he said sarcastically.
"I will never forgive you."
"Forgive ME! Weak, traitorous whore! Who do you think you are, trying to help your cousin and the Mudblood? You think you're special? You think your line makes you unique? It doesn't! I can do whatever I want with you! And I will when this is over!" he said. Then he made her stand and forcibly kissed her.
"Why do you do this? Why do you hurt me?"
"Shut up and move!"
Narcissa walked weakly while Lucius led her out of the barn area. As they stepped outside, they saw a manor on top of a hill, which overlooked a small town. They walked towards the hill in silence and whenever Narcissa slowed down or fell, Lucius pulled her forcibly.
They arrived at the top of the hill and walked into the large and eerie house. Bellatrix and several Death Eaters surrounded the Dark Lord.
"May I have the honour, my Lord?" asked Lucius sneering.
"Yes. You may kill the Black once she's done."
"But, my Lord-" began to argue Narcissa.
"You are here because you are a mediwitch. Go and help deliver the heir! Unless - would you like to join her? Do you want to be imperiused permanently and die by Lucius' hand?" asked the Dark Lord. His eyes glowed red and he moved his hand to Narcissa's neck and began to choke her.
"No. I will help. I am your servant," she gasped out with the little air she had left. Voldemort released her and she headed up the stairs trembling in fear.
Narcissa walked into a large room and quickly got to Cassiopeia. The black-haired witch had hazy eyes, and was lying on a bed, sweating and touching her large stomach.
"Oh, Cassi... I'm so sorry," murmured Narcissa with tears in her eyes, taking hold of one of Cassiopeia's hands.
"Is my Lord pleased?"
"Oh, sweetheart... oh no."
"He's not pleased?" asked Cassiopeia with concern.
"No dear. He's very pleased. Everything is going to be okay. It's okay," assured the Slytherin witch while sobbing.
Narcissa ordered warm water, small cloths, a couple of blankets, and her wand. The water, cloths, and blankets were brought by a young elf with large eyes. The wand never came as the elf explained, "I'm sorry. Master Lucius says that Mistress' wand is now his and if she insists he will come and show her what he can do with it. Bad Dobby! Bad Dobby couldn't follow Mistress' order!"
"No, don't hit yourself. Lucius is you master. Just help me with her."
Ages seemed to pass as Narcissa and the elf organized the room and sat with Cassiopeia telling her how to breath, cleaning her face with a warm cloth and comforting her. Eventually Narcissa said, "It's time Cassi. Push!"
Cassiopeia followed Narcissa's orders to a tee and in a few minutes, Narcissa held a crying baby boy in her arms. Cassi's eyes suddenly returned to normal and she murmured, "My son."
"Cassi?"
"Cissy?"
"You're back?"
"Give me my son," answered Cassiopeia with determination as tears fell down her face. Narcissa gave her the baby and she whispered, "He's not like him. He's not evil." Then Cassi touched her stomach again and showed signs of pain.
"Another one," said Narcissa after quickly assessing her. "Give the baby to the elf."
"No, my son," whispered Cassi.
"Cassi, you're having another baby. Let him go."
Cassiopeia complied and gave Dobby the boy. Then they heard steps coming up the stairs. Bellatrix walked in right as Cassiopeia screamed in pain. "Silencio!" said Bellatrix, pointing her wand at Cassi. Then she sneered and added, "The heir is with us. Bring him to my Lord."
Cassiopeia's eyes looked wild, but no sounds came out of her. Dobby held onto the child and Narcissa stood by the bed looking troubled.
"Move it!" said Bella.
"Go ahead Dobby," murmured Narcissa with clear regret in her voice. The elf followed the orders and left the room.
"I'll tell Lucius to come and kill her," stated Bella.
"No!"
"What!"
"He can't kill her. She's... she's having another child."
"Another one? In how long?"
"I don't know, fifteen minutes, an hour. I'm not sure."
"Very well, I'll inform my Lord. Good work," she said as she stepped out of the room.
"Cassi?"
No response. The young witch's lips moved and she looked crazed, but Narcissa heard nothing.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know what to do. We have no wands. This is... I'm sorry," uttered Narcissa. Then the small elf returned looking troubled.
"Dobby, help me. This baby is coming any second."
They got some blankets and more warm water ready and in no time Narcissa was ordering her cousin to push again. But Cassi shook her head and did not follow her cousin's commands.
"Dammit, Cassi! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Just push, please!"
"Mistress, I can try. I could –"
"What Dobby?"
"I can try to let her talk, if you order."
"Do it! Make her talk."
The elf approached Cassiopeia, touched her cheek and murmured words under his breath.
"No. My son," murmured Cassiopeia.
"Cassi, please... I -"
"You gave them my son! Get him back! Get him back!"
"You have to push or you and this child will die. This is your baby too. Come on."
Cassi finally followed her commands and another baby arrived in even less time than it took to deliver the first one.
"It's a girl," said Narcissa giving the baby to her cousin. This time, Cassiopeia simply held and kissed her child while crying.
"Mama loves you. Mama loves you. They won't take you," murmured Cassi to the child as she tried to get out of the bed.
"Cassiopeia, you're bleeding. You can't stand," scolded Narcissa.
"I don't care! I won't let them take her too. Do something. Help me."
"I... we don't have wands. I don't know what to do. There's nothing we can do."
Narcissa then paced in distress and Cassiopeia held onto her daughter and kissed her head. "The elf!" she then exclaimed.
"What?" asked Narcissa.
"You can find any other elf, can't you?" asked Cassiopeia looking at the little elf in the room.
"If master or mistress commands, yes."
"The Black elf, Kreacher. Bring him to me," said Cassiopeia.
Dobby looked at her with watery eyes, but didn't leave. Instead he turned to Narcissa.
"Go! Bring Kreacher!"
It didn't take long for Dobby to return with the other elf in tow.
"Mistress!" exclaimed Kreacher looking concerned.
"This is your mistress now," said Cassiopeia giving him the child. The baby girl, who had been surprisingly quiet, began to cry the second she left her mother's arms. Narcissa looked panicked.
"Find my friends: Lily, Sev, Remus, or the Swansons. Tell them that she's my daughter and to keep her safe. Don't let the dark side get her. Promise me."
"Yes, my mistress. I promise."
They heard steps coming up.
"Do you still have Reg's wand?"
"Yes, mistress."
"Give it to me."
The elf complied and gave Cassi the wand. She cast healing charms on herself quickly and stood.
"Do you remember the safe house I showed you right after Reg died?
"Yes."
"Take her there and keep her safe until you find one of my friends."
"Mistress, I can take you with me."
"No."
"Cassi, you should go. Lucius is going to kill you," said Narcissa.
"I have to get my son!"
"Son? A master?"
"Yes, Kreacher. I had a son too and I will get him back or die trying. If I don't make it to the safe house and meet you tonight then... tell my friends I had two children and even though Voldemort forced me, I love them. Take my daughter, and if I can't save my son, then you tell my friends to find him. Have them find him, and keep both of them safe."
"Yes, mistress."
"I told you, she is your mistress now. Keep her safe and tell my friends about my son."
"They're coming," said Narcissa with distress.
Cassi approached the elf and crying child. "Be good," she whispered and kissed the girls' head one more time. Then she ordered the elf to go and he disappeared with a crack.
"Don't worry. They won't know where she is. Only the Order knows about that place."
Narcissa shivered in fear.
"Stand behind me. If they kill me, take Reg's wand and get to my son. Be brave for him Cissy. Save my baby."
Narcissa nodded and Cassiopeia cast a charm that made a large eagle appear out of thin air just as the door opened.
Bellatrix appeared and she heard, "Oppugno!"
The eagle attacked the Dark witch with ferocity.
"Arhh, help! Cissy! Get it off!" yelled Bellatrix as the eagle clawed and injured her body.
"Where is my son?" asked Cassiopeia.
"Cissy, arhh! Get Lucius!"
Cassi grabbed Bellatrix's wand, which had fallen to the ground, and then handed it to Narcissa.
"Tell me where my baby is or the Swansons' wrath will kill you!" said Cassiopeia making the eagle go towards Bellatrix again.
"Cassi, enough," murmured Narcissa.
"Where is he?" asked Cassiopeia looking wild.
"Walk to your death, Gryffindor bitch," Bellatrix sneered weakly. "Top floor... main room."
"Come on Cissy," she said.
Cassiopeia walked up the stairway, with Narcissa and the large eagle in tow. As they encountered Death Eaters the irate Gryffindor cast hexes and curses in all directions while the eagle attacked. They made it to the top floor and found Lucius holding the newborn as the Dark Lord branded the little one's back with a tattoo.
"Oppugno!" yelled Cassiopeia. Narcissa send a blasting hex in Lucius direction.
"You!" yelled Voldemort who immediately found himself attached by the large eagle. He moved to fight the beast and let the child fall. Lucius attacked Narcissa with a crutiatus curse, but she avoided it.
"Aresto Momentum!" yelled Cassi and the baby landed slowly on the ground. She ran towards the child and scooped him from the floor. Then the large eagle exploded.
Narcissa turned to see her cousin as she ran with her child out of the room. Cassi was closely followed by the Dark Lord.
Lucius threw a twirling hex that made Narcissa fly out of the place and lose her sister's wand. Then she helplessly saw how the Dark Lord created an explosion that effectively hit Cassiopeia in the back. Cassi landed on her knees and stopped herself from falling forward. She slowly put the baby on the floor and then landed next to him. Narcissa tried to reach them, but felt a kick to her side. She lay on the ground in pain and heard Cassi utter, "Puit me carus trouvarme, inil basium du ventus, inil ardour dua flamma, inilla risiet du pluvial, inilla forza dua terra sout se pes."**
Then Cassiopeia's eyes closed.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
They felt the pull to a new memory and found themselves in a familiar place, the living room of Dumbledore's home in Godric's Hollow. A group of witches and wizards, including Lily, Severus, the Headmaster, and the Swansons were gathered n the dining room.
"She's just a baby!" yelled Lily in outrage.
"That's no simple baby. That is you-know-who's child! Kill it!" said an extremely old looking wizard with a white ponytail and pointy beard.
"You'll to have to kill Kreacher first!" said the elf holding tightly to the bundle that had begun to cry in his arms.
"And me!" added Lily forcefully, "Cassi wanted her babies safe! I will help Kreacher keep his promise!"
"They won't touch my little mistress. They won't," murmured the elf to the baby and got her to calm down and coo.
"May I?" asked Severus looking at Dumbledore and clearly hoping he would be allowed to speak.
"You've earned it," stated Dumbledore.
"I know I'm no role model. It took me too long to learn what was right, but now I can't look the other way. I've changed too much for that. If we kill Cassiopeia's child, then we are just like them and there was no point in winning this war and defeating the Dark Lord."
Lily gave him a smile and put her hand on his. They clasped their hands together and looked around the room clearly challenging anyone to come forward and try to argue against them. The room fell into such a deep silence that the cooing of the baby girl seemed to reverberate loudly through the walls.
Remus Lupin left his seat and got close to Kreacher. He took a look at the baby and caressed her cheek. "She's beautiful, like her mother," he said before standing next to Lily.
"I won't let anyone touch Cassi's daughter… my best friend's niece," he stated with a sad smile.
"Neither will I," added Ralph Swanson. Esther stood with him and they joined Lily and Severus and formed a wall between the elf that held the baby and members of the Order. Others followed and soon everyone had agreed to let the girl live.
"I don't want to kill her, and that seems to be our agreement, but what if she is evil?" asked Hestia Jones.
"A baby can't be evil," said Esther Swanson. "I know I have no right to argue since I have not been an active member of The Order. I only helped a bit when I was able. But, I have a child and a mother knows. I'm telling you, if Cassi loved her then she's like my Ely, precious, and not guilty for whatever her father did."
"So what do we do with her?" asked Moody.
"We'll raise her," said Lily with Severus at her side.
"It's settled then -" stated Dumbledore.
"No," said Esther Swanson. The entire room turned to her.
"Esther?" asked her husband bewildered.
"Lily, you told me that what's left of the Death Eaters will probably target you and Severus for his betrayal, right?"
"Yes, but…"
"But nothing. If they do, they will find the baby. Isn't it bad enough that they have her brother? If you keep her, they'll know without a doubt who she is. You two can't raise her, but we can," stated Esther.
"What?" exclaimed Ralph Swanson.
"We can raise her Ralph," she assured.
"Please excuse us," said Ralph as he exited the room and Esther followed.
"We can't raise that girl," stated Ralph as they crossed the kitchen and headed to the backyard.
"We can move to Spain, like you wanted. Then we say she's muggleborn and adopt her. It'll be easier to fake the muggle paperwork abroad. It's the perfect cover, so why not take her with us?"
"Why not! Why not! Because, she's HIS daughter! You-know-who! And he killed my brother!" yelled Ralph in fury before he sat on the ground. Esther sat next to him and hugged him.
"Do you know what your brother wanted the most?" asked Esther.
"Uh?"
"What Russ wanted the most Ralph?"
"He died before he could tell me," he answered sourly.
"Cassi. He wanted to marry her not just because he had to, but to make her happy. He would have given anything in the world for her. He gave his life for her, you know that," said Esther.
"Right. So what?"
"So what do you think he would do if he was alive? What do you think he would say about this?"
"He would have never let that monster do what he did to her! We failed him!"
"Ralph Percival Swanson!"
"Fine! If he was alive and he knew Cassi wanted those babies safe then he would make it happen. He would find a way to get the other one and care for both like they were his own because… because he was the most honourable man I've ever known," answered Ralph choking slightly before fully breaking down into tears. Ralph and Esther remained quiet and simply cried.
A little while later Ralph Swanson regained his composure and said, "Alright E, we'll raise her for Russ, for Cassi. We'll raise her and try to find the other one."
"I love you," said Esther kissing his forehead.
"You were forced to."
"No, I wasn't," she answered and kissed him.
They separated and got themselves back together with a few charms to hide the swelling and redness of their eyes. Then they re-entered the living room.
"We'll raise her. She'll be loved like she was our own," assured Ralph Swanson calmly.
"Thank you," Lily uttered before hugging Ralph.
Esther moved towards Kreacher to take the child, but the elf was hesitant to let her go. Lily and Severus assured him it was for the best. The Swansons promised Kreacher he could come to live with them and help care for his little mistress.
Once the baby was in her arms, Esther muttered, "Estella," and let a tear fall down her cheek.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
The twirling sensation took over them and as they were coming out from the pensieve, Hermione clearly heard, "Petrificus Totalus."
Once her head was fully out of the pensieve, Hermione noticed that Harry petrified on the ground.
Then one of the worst sensations she had ever felt took over. Helplessness, sadness, pure despair came over her, just like she had felt the day her parents died. She couldn't move. The emotion had practically stunned her. Then she noticed that Ron, Ginny and Fred were also kneeling on the ground looking awful. The conversation around them barely registered as a soft whisper.
"Don't do it," pleaded Draco
"I have to," answered Estella.
"I'll go with you."
"No. If I'm not back in an hour, tell Severus. Kreacher!" she yelled.
"Ella? What are you doing?" questioned George.
"Fun Man I... I love you, but... I'm sorry," answered Estella as her elf arrived with a crack.
"Take me to him," she said to the elf.
"Wait!" yelled George.
But, Kreacher took hold of one of Estella's legs, and it was over. The awful feeling and the elf were gone, but so was Estella.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
*Translation of Cassi's charm: May my beloved find me, in the kiss of a breeze, in the ardor of flames, in the laughter of rain, in the strength of the ground beneath their feet.
I did warn everyone, this was an awful chapter and there's no Romonie cuteness. But plz, R&R. The next one should be more on the lines of my other chapters, promise.
Next Chapter: How the Twins Settle the Scores