– Chapter Thirty-Two –

Death Rides a Pale Horse

Romi went back to the study hall that evening, sat beside Neville on the bench and put her head against his shoulder.

"What's that for?" he asked, after a moment, "Are you alright?"

'I'm fine," Romi replied, "how are you?"

"I'm fine," answered Neville, slightly bewildered, "why wouldn't I be?"

"No reason," Romi answered. There was silence for a moment, then Ginny broke it.

"Neville said that you knew who the False Prophet was," she said looking between the two of them.

"What?" Romi said, "oh, yeah," she said remembering. That felt like it had been a millions years ago. "We were in Divination and Nia paid me a visit, in here," she tapped her temple, "she said that we had to deal with the False Prophet using Hellfire otherwise she'd be able to raise all the horsemen again."

"She?" Luna said, curiously.

"Yeah," answered Romi, "Nia is convinced that it's a woman. Someone we know, and who recently became famous using her sight."

They were all silent for a moment.

"I'm not following," Neville said finally. Romi sat up straight on the bench.

"Phoebe Capello," answered Romi.

"No way," said Neville immediately, "she's too nice."

"Maybe that why she's the perfect candidate," Ginny said slowly, "from what I've read, the False Prophet is good enough to make you believe them, and follow them instead of the true Sight."

"But Phoebe?" Luna said, "We haven't even had much contact with her."

"I have," Romi said, "she's been here most of the school year, every major event and every time we've seen Rita Skeeter. Oh!" Romi said, brightening, "She was at the Quidditch World Cup too!" Romi closed her eyes trying to remember.

"Yeah, she works for the Daily Prophet," Neville said, "perhaps that's why she was there."

"Shh," Romi said, putting a finger up and thinking hard, "I saw someone, when I was flying over the campground when the Death Eaters were out. She was standing in the middle, looking around, like she was pleased, and completed unafraid. I'm trying to remember her face."

"You think it was Phoebe Capello?" asked Luna.

"She looked right at me, but with everything else that was going on, I wasn't exactly paying attention," Romi answered, "I was more focused on flying, and when in Hawk form, things are different, simpler. I didn't like her, that's for sure."

There was silence for a moment and Romi reopened her eyes.

"What do we do about it, even if it is her?" Luna asked finally.

"Apparently we kill her with Hellfire," Romi answered.

"Kill her?" Neville said, looking shocked. "I mean I get defeating Horsemen and stuff, but I didn't really sign up for killing."

"I know," replied Romi, "but just think about it as she's not human anymore, she's a demon as well."

"But she'll all human like," answered Neville.

"And yet, her life line said she died last summer," countered Romi. "Maybe she did. Maybe she was never around before last summer…? Does anyone know her before she became famous?"

There was silence, but the other three shook their heads.

"Where would we even get Hellfire?" Ginny asked finally.

"Nia said she'd talk to Captain about it," answered Romi with a sigh. "Maybe we'll just forget about it until something happens? Exams are coming up."

"And you promised to help Harry practice for the Third Task," Ginny pointed out.

"Oh, yah," Romi said. She sighed, "I'll meet up with him tomorrow. Keep your eyes peeled though. It's too easy to forget completely about it."

The other three nodded in agreement.

"You guys really should be revising," Harry pointed out one sunny afternoon in early June. "I don't mind practicing by myself."

"Don't worry about it," Hermione said shortly, "at least we'll get top marks in Defence Against the Dark Arts, we'd never have found out about all these hexes in class."

"Good training for when we're all Aurors," said Ron excitedly, attempting the Impediment Jinx on a wasp that had buzzed into the room, and making it stop dead in mid-air.

"Well, at least you, Romi," Harry said, "You've got your Healership exam coming up."

"I have a full three weeks after the third task to study for that," answered Romi. "It's not until the sixteenth of July, and if I start studying too early, I'll get bored and forget everything. And I've certainly got all my other courses down pat – Neville even thinks I'll get an 'O' on my Herbology again."

"Well, that's good, at least," answered Harry. "It's nice to have another set of hands here," he admitted.

The mood in the castle now that it was June was becoming excited and tense again. Everyone was looking forward to the third task, which would take place a week before the end of term. Romi was looking forward to this, because it means it would be done, but at the same time it was making her anxious. Not only would Harry be wandering alone in a very dangerous maze for a lengthy period of time on the twenty-fourth, but they were still missing that last horseman. What would happen if term ended and they were all sent home… yet Death still came to Hogwarts? Romi could not see that going over very well, and as distracted by thinking about it, so much so that she wasn't being much of a help to Harry as they practiced.

Harry finally sent her back to Gryffindor Tower one night about a week and a half before the Third Task. She was so distracted that he had managed to break through her Shield Charm with one swift disarming spell, which he hadn't yet been able to do. Harry chalked it up to working too hard with school and helping him practice and so insisted that she go to bed early that night.

Instead, because Neville, Luna and Ginny were studying and not expecting her around, Romi detoured to the Slytherin Common Room to hang out with a few of her other friends.

They were spending most of their time revising too, so Romi just joined them, studying her Healership Handbook and occasionally asking to poke or prod one of her friends.

The night wore on and many of her friends went up to bed, but Romi stayed up with Blaize, Theodore Nott and Draco when all the girls had left. Romi wasn't too worried about making it back to Gryffindor Tower without being caught, she would just fly her way through or something.

It was almost midnight when Blaize dragged Theodore off to bed, with a very pointed look at Romi.

Romi and Draco were alone for about five minutes before he spoke.

"So how is life in Gryffindor?" he said, smiling at her. Romi smiled.

"Oh, you know," she answered, getting up and flopping down on the couch beside him, "it's life."

Draco turned and put his arm around her, holding up his notebook for transfiguration.

"With all that time revising and helping Potter, I feel like I haven't seen you in a month," Draco replied.

"I know," Romi answered, "but in two and a half weeks, it'll all be over, and we have all summer!"

"That's true," replied Draco, and he kissed her on the top of her head, before looking back to his notebook.

Romi propped up her textbook, yawning, and forced herself to read a couple of lines. Just to the end of the page, she told herself, and then she would head back to Gryffindor Tower and to bed.

The next thing she knew she was opening her eyes to an extremely still and silent common room. Draco was still there, but she could tell by his breathing that he had fallen asleep. The fire was the only thing burning, making the room very dark, and the rest of the room was empty; it must have been very late in the middle of the night.

"I got it!"

Romi jumped, pushing herself onto her elbow, and looking around. Across from her sat a boy in Slytherin robes, about eighteen years old. Romi stared at him, blinking trying to decide if she was dreaming or not. Then she noticed that he was holding a large mason jar in his hands, and it was filled with something glowing red, gold, orange and yellow. She looked to him again, he was grinning.

"Do you ever stay in one form?" Romi asked, finally recognizing Captain.

"Depends on your mood," answered Captain. "But that's okay, because I got it." He held out the jar for Romi to take, which she did. Romi rubbed her eyes, and took a good look at the jar.

"What is it?" she asked finally, not able to figure it out.

"It's Hellfire," replied Captain.

Romi stared at the jar and then at Captain.

"You put Hellfire," she said slowly, "in a jar?"

"Yeah," answered Captain, "now all you have to do is throw it at her."

Romi stared at him, and then sighed.

"What if we miss?" Romi asked.

Captain's smiled dropped, and he frowned looking at the jar in her hands.

"Don't miss," he said finally.

Romi watched him for a long moment, and then looked back down at the jar in her hands. "I'm not even sure that she's the right person."

"Then maybe you should save it until you are sure," Captain answered, quietly. "I'm so sorry."

Romi looked up surprised, "why are you apologising?"

Captain sighed, and looked at her with a very unusual expression on his face, like he was wishing he could take away her worries.

"Everything that you have to deal with, you are too young," he said finally.

"Well, is anyone else going to?" Romi asked, logically. Captain shook his head.

"I had hoped that your last time would be better," he said, and then glanced at Draco who was sleeping. "Where the two of you could just have one more life."

Romi looked at Draco, beside her, "What are you talking about?" she asked, very confused.

Captain sighed again, "never mind," he answered.

"I assume one day everything you all say to me will make sense," Romi said, raising her eyebrows.

"Hopefully not too soon," replied Captain. He smiled at her, and then to her surprise leaned over and kissed her on her forehead. A second later and he disappeared. Romi looked around the room, left with just the jar of Hellfire in her hands. She turned it over, and sighed. They were so close having the horsemen disappear like nothing had happen, and yet, so close to having everything they loved disappear.

Romi leaned back again, holding the jar up.

"I won't miss," she whispered to the empty room.

"What is that?" Neville asked as Romi sat down at the Ravenclaw Table the next morning and placing the jar on the table.

"It's Hellfire," Romi replied.

"In a jar?"

"Yup."

"Where did you get it?" Luna asked, picking it up.

"Captain gave it to me last night," answered Romi.

"Where were you last night, by the way?" Ginny said, smiling.

"I was practicing with Harry," Romi said, pulling some toast towards her.

"And they returned to the Common Room just after midnight," replied Ginny. "I was up, and you weren't."

"Fine," Romi replied, "I was with Draco. Happy?"

"Only, if you were," said Ginny smiling.

"Let's get back on track," Neville said, looking between the two of them, "are you going to use this?" he asked, motioning to the slightly glowing jar.

Romi sighed, and looked at it, "eventually," she replied, "but I want to make sure that it's her first."

"Who knows," Luna replied, "maybe she'll show up with Death, then it'll be really easy to pick her out."

"Yeah," Romi answered, "provided that Death comes before we head back home."

The other three didn't answer to that and seconds later the bell rang and they all ran off to class. Romi stuffed the jar into her backpack as they reached Defence Against the Dark Arts and hurried into their seats.

Romi tried to listen to what Professor Moody was saying, but she had less than ideal sleep last night and was having difficulty keeping her eyes open.

The four of them kept their eyes open the next couple of days looking for anything that might let them know when Death was coming. The third task also drew closer and closer, and with all these things, Romi had been on edge and she hadn't been sleeping very well.

Romi left Neville and Ginny in the Common Room at midnight, four days before the third task. Harry, Ron and Hermione were the only other ones up and they were standing, looking exhausted near the fire, trying to keep their minds on their jinxes.

Romi went to her bed and curled up on the mattress with Zhi and feel asleep immediately.

There was explosion behind Romi, and she turned trying to look. The ground was rumbling underneath her feet. It took a moment, but then she could see that she was standing in a forest that looked grey and unhealthy. There was ash falling from the sky, causing her to cough and squint. Each breath was hot and acidic. There was a booming again, and Romi squinting through the trees, looking for the sound. There was a huge plume of smoke and ask rising from the mountain behind her.

There was another boom and lava exploded upwards into the air, and then it streamed towards her rapidly. Romi's heart jumped into her throat and she turned away and ran. The branches ripped against her clothes and her hair, scratching into her arms. Her breaths ripped into her lungs and she felt like they were burning.

Something screamed beside her. Romi jumped, looking to her left. There was nothing there, and she looked forward again.

"WHY DID YOU LEAVE?!"

An old woman appeared in front of her, burnt and disfigured, reaching her hands out towards Romi as though she would sink her fingers into Romi's flesh. Romi practically fell over backwards, trying to stop before she bowled into the woman.

The woman bared her teeth, even though she only had a few left. There was the roar of the lava behind her, chasing ever closer.

"WHY?!" shrieked the woman in a hoarse voice, a bit of blood flecking out of her mouth. Romi turned to run away from her, but there was suddenly there was hundreds of them, bleeding, burnt, missing limbs, eyes dead, all closing in Romi.

She screamed, trying to fight them off as they grabbed at her arms and legs, piercing their fingers into her flesh. One of them bit her and she shrieked again, trying to push them away.

Suddenly a large creature jumped on half of the zombies, squashing them flat and bellowing an ear deafening roar at the others. The zombies fell back, putting their hands to their ears, and Romi looked closer at the black creature.

It was a dragon, just a bit larger than the size of a horse. The dragon moved closer to Romi, pressing his side up against her.

"Astaroth?" Romi whispered. The dragon looked at her. It then looked to the bite mark on Romi's arm. It licked it quickly, and the pain eased. The zombies started to move closer and Astaroth turned to them and growled menacingly, his hackles bristling.

"Oh, this is no fun," said a voice. "Not when you have a Fear Dragon guarding you."

Romi moved closer to Astaroth, if that was possible, and looked around for the voice. Her adrenaline was still running pretty high.

"Maybe a physical confrontation would be better," the voice said.

Suddenly someone grabbed Romi's hair and yanked her around. Astaroth roared and tried to pounce, but something invisible flung him away. She could hear him yelping as the invisible hand gripped him tighter.

"Stop it! You're hurting him!" Romi shrieked, grabbing at the hand near her head. She tried look around and see who her attacker was. Suddenly a face darted around, and Romi slowed, confused. It was Barty Crouch, her father's boss.

"Why don't you come visit me?" he said, and then pushed her forward, letting go of her hair.

Romi looked forward, and instead of there being ground in front of her, there was nothing but a cliff side and a vast forest two hundred feet below; and she was falling right off it.

Ginny rubbed her eyes and stared at her notebook again. She was determined to get this page of Transfiguration done before going to bed. Neville had left a little while ago, and Ron, Harry and Hermione had gone up barely ten minutes later. Ginny was sitting alone with nothing but the fire crackling, it was almost two in the morning.

She sat back in her chair, rubbing her eyes again and thinking that she should just go up to bed and read this later; one page wasn't going to make her behind on her revision schedule, when Zhi shot down the girl's dormitory stairs.

Zhi ran straight to Ginny and starting meowing in a very panicked way, looking from Ginny to the dormitory stairs, and scrambling all over her lap like she couldn't decide what to do.

"What's the matter, Zhi?" Ginny asked, surprised, staring at the cat. Zhi jumped off her lap and ran to the dormitory stairs and then back to Ginny, her eyes wide, meowing loudly.

Ginny stood up, looking concerned when a figure moved in the dormitory stairs and Romi stepped out of them. Ginny sighed.

"Romi, your cat is going crazy…" Ginny trailed off as Zhi went to Romi, putting her front paws on Romi's legs and meowing up at her. But Romi was ignoring it. Her face was passive, and her eyes unfocused, but she was wearing her glasses. She walked past Zhi, who continued to meow, trying to get Romi's attention.

"Romi?" Ginny said, slowly, going up to her friend, and putting a hand on her arm. Romi just moved past, and headed towards the Portrait Hole. It was like she was sleeping walking.

"Romi?" Ginny said, again, moving to her friend and shaking her arm. Nothing happened. "Romi!"

She didn't reply and walked out of the Portrait Hole. Zhi stood between Romi and Ginny, head turning back and forth, and looking helpless.

"Zhi," Ginny said, "go get Luna, and then follow Romi!"

Zhi seemed to be relieved with something to do, and shot after Romi, out the Portrait Hole and disappeared. Ginny turned, and ran up the boys' dormitory stairs as quietly as she could.

She made it to Neville's dormitory, and very quietly opened the door and peaked in. All of the boys were in bed and most of them snoring loudly. Ginny stole inside and located Neville's bed.

She shook him to wake him up.

Neville jerked awake, and looked around widely.

"Ginny," he whispered, "what on earth…?"

"Come on," she whispered back, "there's something wrong with Romi. She just walked down the stairs like she was sleep walking and went right out of the Portrait Hole. Zhi was freaking out."

Neville rubbed his eyes, and then got out of bed, grabbing a sweater to pull over his pyjamas.

"Let's go," he said, quietly, glancing around the rest of the room, to make sure the other fourth-year boys were still asleep. He grabbed his sling and stuffed it into his pocket.

Ginny and Neville made it back down the stairs, Ginny made sure to grab her bow and arrows before they hurried out of the Portrait Hole. There didn't seem to be any movement or sign of Romi.

"Where do you think she went?" Neville asked, squinting down the corridor. It was quiet and dark and ended in a dead end.

"I wish I knew," Ginny answered. "Obviously not down this hallway though," she said, and hurried down to the opposite corridor.

Just as they made it to the end when Zhi shot past them towards the staircases. Ginny looked to the right and saw that Luna was running towards them. She was also in her pyjamas and had pulled a sweater over her top.

"What's going on?" she asked as she got to Neville and Ginny. "Zhi just came and practically dragged me out of bed. I did not think she would have the strength for such a little cat."

Zhi reappeared and hissed at them, like she was angry with waiting, and then started back down the hallway. Ginny, Neville and Luna looked at each other and then ran after Zhi.

Ginny explained what she had seen as they ran as quietly as possible through the castle. Luna didn't ask for any clarification as they went.

Twice they had to duck into an empty classroom or around a corner when they saw a teacher or a ghost float by. They narrowly avoided Peeves on the first floor, and hid in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom as he passed. Myrtle was sobbing in her stall and didn't seem to even hear that the three of them.

They found Zhi again, in the Entrance Hall, scratching at the front door that was open just an inch. Zhi could get her paw inside, but she couldn't pull it open, though it wasn't from lack of trying. Neville reached it first, and pulled it open. Zhi shot outside into the darkness of the night.

"I'm glad I brought this," Ginny said, putting her hand to her bow that was hanging on her shoulders as though to check that it was still there.

"Yeah," answered Luna, "I brought mine too. Something told me that I would need it."

They all hurried out of the castle and tried to follow the streak of black against black that was Zhi heading straight for the forest.

"The forest again?" Neville said with a huff, "really, you'd think every important thing happens in that forest."

"Not every one," answered Ginny, "just a lot of them."

They made it to Hagrid's hut that was dark. As they rounded his pumpkin patch they could hear Fang's booming barks, and a crash from inside. They were just disappearing into the forest and they could hear Hagrid yelling for Fang to shut up.

The forest then sucked up every sound from the castle grounds after that. Zhi was still making fairly good headway through the trees, and she kept looking back as to make sure that they were following her.

"I think it can't be debated about now," Luna said, slightly out of breath, as they climbed over another set of almost impassable tree roots. "Whatever Famine said, I think Zhi is Romi's Familiar."

Ginny and Neville only nodded. Five minutes later, they arrived in a large clearing.

Romi was lying on the ground as though she had fallen asleep there. Neville ran over to her, and turned her head.

"Romi!" he said, shaking her awake. She looked like she was fighting a nightmare. "Romi!" he shouted again, and her eyes snapped open fear lingering in them for a long moment. Then she recognized him.

"Neville," she said, seemingly confused.

"Hey," he said, putting a hand on her shoulder, "are you alright?"

"I was dreaming that there was a volcano exploding and zombies were attacking me, but Astaroth ate them, and then Mr Crouch threw me off a cliff," Romi answered, putting her hand to her head. She then looked around, confused. "Why am I in the forest?" she asked, finally looking back up at Neville.

"Good question," he answered, smiling slightly. "You walked out, Ginny saw you and Zhi was freaking out, and we followed you here."

"And you didn't just wake me up?" asked Romi.

"I did try," answered Ginny. "You wouldn't wake up."

Neville looked from Ginny back down to Romi.

"Why did you bring Astaroth with you?" he said, pointing to Romi's other hand. Romi looked down surprised.

"I didn't realise that I did – he was in my dreams though," Romi answered, holding up the rowan disk. "But he was protecting me."

A voice suddenly split through the clearing.

"Yes, my sister didn't tell me that you were bringing a Fear Demon with you," snarled the voice.

All four of them turned quickly, Romi scrambling to her feet, and saw that it was indeed Mr Crouch walking out to meet them.

"Mr Crouch?" Romi said quietly.

He shrugged, "I guess that's one form," he said, "I can't let you look on me in my true face. Only those who are dying can see that," he said, "however, I can take the form of anyone who is dead."

The form shimmered and a tall pretty red head was standing in its place; she couldn't be more than twenty five.

"Hello, dear," she said smiling at Romi. "I never thought my baby girl would grow up so powerful."

Romi shook her head, "you are not Lily," she said forcefully. "You are Death."

"Very astute, Romi," said another voice. Romi turned and saw Phoebe Capello, walking forward clapping slightly.

"Did anyone remember to bring the fire in a jar?" Romi muttered. By the expressions of her friends, she guessed not. Zhi shot away from Romi's feet heading back up to the castle.

"Well," Phoebe said, smiling at them all. "I thought I would join you this time."

"You didn't have to," said Death, smiling at her, "But you're welcome."

"I thought I'd better," answered Phoebe, "Nia has interfered with all of our brothers' attempts, so I figured you can take care of them, and I'll take care of Nia if she appears."

"That sounds plausible," said Death. "Sorry I took so long," Death continued, "you know what War is like, I had to clean up his mess all the way here. He is so exhausting sometimes."

"That's okay," Phoebe replied. "It'll all be done soon anyways."

"Would you two like a room," Romi said, looking angrily between them. "Cause we could just go."

"Uh, so impatient," said Phoebe, "come on, Romi, haven't we been friends this year?"

"No," answered Romi flatly. "The amount of time we've spent together could fill a teacup, and most of it I kept telling you that you died last summer."

"Yes, well, I suppose I did," replied Phoebe, looking at her hand again. "Well, I didn't die, Phoebe died – but I got born! Isn't that exciting?"

"Not really," said Neville drily.

"Why didn't you warn me, she had an Astaroth," Death demanded, looking at Phoebe. "You were supposed to be watching her all year."

"I didn't know," snapped Phoebe. "Elena and Lorelei obviously didn't either! Otherwise they would have told us. But no matter – last time we had two Old Ones, it's just Romi this time, and she can't even control it yet. Nothing to worry about."

"I just love how they ignore us," Ginny said, conversationally to her friends.

"Yeah," Romi answered, "we could have gone and got the Hellfire by now."

Phoebe's eyes jumped to Romi looking intense.

"What Hellfire?" she said.

"The jar that Captain gave me," said Romi with a little grin. "He's been very helpful."

"Who?" asked Phoebe.

"Captain," said Romi slowly. "At least that's what he told us his name was."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," said Phoebe.

"Does he disappear without notice?" asked Death. "And smile way too much?"

"Why do you ask?" replied Romi. Death sighed. She put her arms up and tied back her red hair with a ribbon. It was bizarre trying to remember that this was Death and not Lily.

"It's Sight," said Death finally. "I figured he was running around, watching Andromeda. He must be saying his name is Captain."

"Hmm, I guess that makes sense," answered Phoebe.

"Are we done with talking yet?" Romi asked, gripping her wand and pulling out her sword. Her friends were equally prepared.

"Why don't you make it easier on yourselves and just give us the pendants," Phoebe said, sighing. "There is no need for all this fighting. You'll save yourself some trouble."

"I'm quite fond of trouble," said Luna, staring Phoebe down.

"Fine, have it your way," snapped Phoebe. She whipped her hands up and shot them forward, a long whip of fire snaked out and slammed into Luna. Ginny had her bow up in a flash and shot an arrow right at Phoebe as Neville dashed to Luna. Phoebe disappeared and reappeared near Death.

Death stamped one of her feet and the ground shook and cracked, throwing them all off balance. Neville held onto Luna who looked winded but not seriously hurt.

Romi tried to keep her balance at shot a spell at Death and Phoebe, both who disappeared. In their place hundreds of the dead rose out of the ground. Romi was separated from the other three. She blasted a zombie out of the way as she tried to get closer to them.

They seemed to be immune to most things, just taking the hits and running back at her. It was like her dream all over again, but Astaroth had been the one that taken care of them.

Romi sent a jet of fire with her wand, and then swiped at a few others with her sword. She tried to make her way over to where her friends were barely keeping it together. The Zombies were scratching and biting again, ripping at her hair, and screaming in her ears.

She gave a big slash with her sword and followed it with the fire from her wand. Romi managed to make a little clearing, and for a split second saw the path clear to her friends. She started to run towards them. Romi could see that they were all standing, though bleeding and Luna seemed to be leaning heavily on Neville, holding her right foot up behind her.

Suddenly Phoebe appeared in front of her.

"I think that's far enough," she said, slamming Romi with a blast of wind like a tornado. It was fiery hot, and burned over Romi's skin like a sunburn. Romi scrambled back to get away from it, and the disk with Astaroth fell out of her hands and bounced a few meters away.

Phoebe raised her hand to make another strike at Romi.

Then there was a rush of wind and then a thunderous roar and a large black creature barrelled into Phoebe knocking her down and pushing her a few feet away from Romi.

Romi struggled to her feet, before the Zombies could get at her again. They pulled at her hair and arms again, trying to force her down.

Then there was a giant clawed paw slicing them away from her. The face of the Great Black Dragon broke through, clamped his mouth around the cloth at the back of Romi's neck, and hauled her upwards. He held her for a moment, while using his claws and tail to take out the rest of the zombies. Those that he destroyed where disappearing slowly, leaving the ground muddy and empty.

Astaroth then dropped her where it was clear, and started on a rampage to the zombies near Ginny and Luna. Neville had been separated from them by Death, who was wielding a giant scythe, swinging it around at Neville as he ducked.

Romi looked around quickly. There were a few zombies near her that went straight for her. She cut them down and they started to disappear like the others. Romi looked around for Phoebe, but she couldn't see her.

Romi looked at Neville again, realising that it was probably time for her to step in and fight off Death.

Only when she looked over, she saw Neville had been knocked back, his wand out of his hand and sling useless, and Death was raising her scythe to impale him.

"No!" Romi shrieked, and without thinking dashing forward. She grabbed Neville's arm and pushed him back, standing between him and Death. Romi raised her sword to block the scythe.

But she missed.

Everything went silent. She didn't feel any pain at first, then a small sharp stick right where her heart was. Romi glanced down, her sword falling from her hand and clattering to the ground. The scythe had found its mark in Romi's heart.

She looked up to Death, and saw his face – his true face. He smiled, and pulled his scythe free.

Romi heard Neville screaming first. Her knees buckled, she still wasn't in much pain, but she was feeling almost like she was falling asleep; light headed and woozy. It was all very confusing.

Neville's arms were around her, one hand pushing on the wound in her chest; but the blood was flowing too much.

Romi looked up into Neville's face, she could just barely see it, and her vision was so foggy. She wondered briefly if she had forgotten her glasses.

She held up a hand, and Neville took it, gripping it hard.

"You're going to be okay," he was saying, tears leaking down his face. Romi nodded, she trusted him.

"Okay," she whispered. The last thing she remembered was Neville crying and holding her hand.