Chapter 41: An Ending/Beginning

Daphne and Theo were sat in the Slytherin common room, gentle music playing from the enchanted gramophone as they sat by the fireplace. Theo had a book in his hand, while Daphne looked through the newest edition of 'Witch Weekly'.

"Madeline has been gone a while," Theo mused, "Do you reckon Umbridge has her in detention again?"

Daphne shrugged, circling a pair of boots in the magazine, "Probably."

Madeline watched as multiple bright white lights flew in the room, similar to how the Death Eaters had presented themselves when in their black smoke form. She watched from behind the pillar, battered and bleeding, as multiple people began appearing, taking out the Death Eaters one by one.

She crouched as the one that was holding her captive hit the floor, crawling over to Neville, rubbing his arm soothingly.

"Are you okay?" she whispered as a woman began battling Bellatrix.

Neville nodded, sniffling, "I'll be fine. The Order is here? Help me up?"

Madeline took hold of Neville's arm, helping him up quickly, ignoring the way he flinched. The Death Eaters were completely distracted by the appearance of their knights in shining armour. The Order as Neville had called them.

She wasted no time, pointing her wand at a Death Eater and stunning him to the ground. Spells were thrown across the room as Hermione, Ron and Luna were released. Neville and Madeline barely managed to dodge a jet of bright red light, throwing themselves to the floor again.

"We've got this," Madeline encouraged, "C'mon."

They crawled back to Madeline's original hiding spot, watching the action for a few moments. Madeline recognised Moody, battling against two Death Eaters. The one that had taken her hostage was looking around frantically, trying to find her. Madeline aimed her wand at his feet from behind the pillar, sending another Stunning Jinx towards him.

She spotted another Death Eater trying to grab at Luna. Her and Neville stood up as Madeline yelled a 'Protego!', shielding Luna from the worst of the jinxes.

"The girl is over there!"

Madeline didn't need to look to know they were talking about her. It was time to put in place everything her aunt had taught her. Stay strong, stay methodical, and get out alive.

She began blasting jinxes left right and centre, her skills almost comparable to those of the members of The Order. Sure, she couldn't quite do wordless incantations, but her hand was steady. She ducked under another large rock, finding a wand. In an instant, she grabbed it looking around to find Hermione struggling against a Death Eater.

"Granger! Catch!"

By some sort of miracle, Hermione was able to catch her wand, stunning the Death Eater as the battle continued.

"Reducto!" Ginny cast, a large explosion knocking two Death Eaters off their feet. One of them included Lucius.

Madeline watched with great delight as Lucius was knocked off his feet, the prophecy falling, smashing onto the ground.

"Nice one!" shouted Sirius, grabbing Harry's arm, "Now, I want you to take everyone and I want you to get out of-"

"DUCK!"

The pair ducked as a pair of Stunning Spells flew towards them. Madeline ran closer to the pair, helping Luna up and casting another Stunner towards a nearby Death Eater.

"Harry, round up the others and GO!" another man called to Harry, Sirius and Bellatrix now duelling on the dais the arch was stood on. Lucius had joined in the battle again, only this time, his wand was pointed directly at Madeline.

"I'm under strict orders not to hurt you, girl," Lucius spoke, "I'm giving you one chance to get out of here, and we'll pretend you were never-"

"Petrificus Totalus!"

Madeline didn't even look at the man, and instead ran back for Harry, the two standing back to back as they continued to fight off any jinx or curse thrown their way.

"She shouldn't be here, Harry!" Moody called, "You two need to leave; now!"

Bellatrix was cackling loudly, the sound echoing in the round room. Neville, Hermione, Ron, Luna and Ginny were now crouched underneath one of the large stones, watching the action as The Order took care of the Death Eaters one by one. The one who had kept her captive stepped forwards, now Madeline's only adversary.

"I thought I'd have to wait longer for this, but it'll do," the man smirked, "I get to kill Caradoc Dearborn's daughter, just like I killed him."

Madeline's eyes widened. No. He was lying. She didn't need to hear anymore.

"Levicorpus!"

The man flew through the air, his back hitting the side of the room with a painful crack as he crumbled to the floor. Madeline would've been scared that she had killed him, but she didn't care to check. Her and Harry jumped onto the dais, helping Sirius.

"Stupefy!" Madeline shouted, knocking one of the Death Eaters onto the floor.

"You're almost as good as your father," Sirius called to her from his side, casting jinxes towards Lucius, who'd joined the battle again. Bellatrix was nowhere to be seen.

Harry joined in too, casting an 'Expelliarmus' towards Lucius, disarming him.

"Nice one, James!" Sirius called, not noticing his mistake as he continued to fire jinxes towards Lucius.

Madeline joined in, casting jinxes until Lucius, finally, flew through the air, hitting the wall similarly to how the other Death Eater had. She met Harry's eye, the two having a moment to share a smile as they realised that they'd won-

"Avada Kedavra!"

The curse hit Sirius Black.

It seemed to take Sirius an age to fall: his body curved in a graceful arc as he sank backwards through the ragged veil hanging from the arch. His eyes met Harry's in his last seconds of life, before it all faded from his face. The once handsome face turned wasted, Sirius disappearing through the arch.

He didn't reappear on the other side.

"SIRIUS!" Harry wailed, one of the men from The Order immediately running towards him, holding him back as Harry thrashed and wailed in his arm.

Madeline could do nothing but watch in horror, turning to Bellatrix and casting an 'Expelliarmus!', knowing it would do nothing to take back the curse she'd just cast.

"There's nothing you can do, Harry-"

"Get him Lupin, save him, he's only just gone through!"

"It's too late, Harry. There's nothing you can do. Nothing… He's gone."

There was movement going on around them, pointless bustling, the flashes of more spells, but Madeline could do nothing but watch Harry's grief. She felt all the emotions from the previous year well up inside her; a war that hadn't even started had taken two innocent people from them already.

Lupin dragged Harry away from the dais, but it was no use. Bellatrix was halfway up the stairs to the next room up. Harry spotted her, and in an instant, he was running behind her.

"Harry, no!" Lupin called, but it was no use.

Meanwhile, Madeline helped the other members of The Order fight off the last of the Death Eaters, who seemed to have regained some strength. She covered Moody when she noticed he was struggling, protected Luna and Ginny when the Death Eaters noticed them. Something had slashed at her leg deeply, blood pouring out of the wound, but she didn't care.

She didn't know how long it had been until slowly, one by one, the Death Eaters began disappearing. It was only when they were left completely alone did Lupin turn to her, breathless and bloody, but with a small grin on his face.

"You," Lupin breathed, "Are exactly like your father."

Madeline didn't need to ask what he meant.

Between her wounds, Neville's weakened body, and Ginny's broken ankle, it took quite a while for the group to make their way back up to the Ministry floor, but when they arrived, they were met with shock.

Dumbledore stood, surrounded by shattered glass and broken statues, the first time any of them had seen him in months. The place was in ruins. Every single window had been shattered into pieces, the shards crunching under their feet as Madeline took a step forwards, her arm around Neville's shoulder. Harry was lying on the ground, alive but immobile, looking at his friends and twitching.

And above him, for a split second, stood Voldemort.

They caught him right as he disappeared, but they weren't the only ones. At once, the atrium was full of people; the floor was reflecting the emerald green flames that had burst into fire in all the fireplaces along one wall; and streams of witches and wizards were emerging from them, gasping in shock at the sight. Leading the herd was none other than the Minister of Magic himself, standing in horror.

"He was there! I saw him, Mr. Fudge, I swear it," one of the men began shouting, pointing at the empty space, "It was You-Know-Who, he grabbed a woman and Disapparated!"

"I know," the Minister breathed, "I saw him too."

Madeline nodded, despite her increasingly dizzying headache. It was over, for now. She knew this was just the start, really, but they were alive and well, and Dumbledore was back, and the world would finally believe Harry-

Her vision blurred for a moment, Neville barely able to keep her upright. She glanced down at her bleeding leg. She was loosing a lot of blood, and quickly.

And suddenly, everything went black.

Madeline woke up in the Hospital Wing.

"Oh good, you're awake," Madam Pomfrey greeted her, sliding her curtain open, "Your friends have been in and out for hours; of course they'd miss you when you actually woke up! They're a nosey bunch, aren't they?"

"What happened?" Madeline mumbled, pushing herself up onto her elbows, "I remember seeing Dumbledore, and then-"

"You passed out from blood loss, dear," Madam Pomfrey informed her gently, "And your body needed a rest. The others were alright; I sent them back to their dorms this morning. You've been sleeping for a good few days, as you should be. You need your energy! From what I've heard, you did quite a lot of good work…"

Madeline wasn't listening, her mind fixated on the events at the Ministry. The prophecy that named her as the carrier of the ultimate weapon; the thing that would, eventually, get her killed.

Madeline was at a cross roads. She could very, very easily decide to walk into the dark side and help He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. That was probably her highest chance of survival, to comply and help him. But she had a conscience, and a soul, and she knew in her right mind that causing others pain wasn't what brought her joy. No; she couldn't join him. She wouldn't.

Madam Pomfrey left her for a while, promising that she could be discharged back into Hogwarts within the next few hours. Most of her injuries had healed, thanks to the different salves and potions she could see on her bedside table. Her leg didn't hurt too much, either. Mostly, she was just hungry, and tired despite sleeping for so long. She was sure her hair was a mess. God, she really needed that enchanted hairbrush Daphne had given her last Christmas-

"Oh thank Merlin you're alright."

As if on cue, the curtains separating her from the rest of the Hospital Wing were pulled open, Daphne stepping through them with a grin. She looked Madeline up and down once, before pulling out said hairbrush from her bag.

"Madam Pomfrey said you need rest, but I think you've had more than enough," Daphne decided, seating herself on the chair next to Madeline's bed, "How are you?"

"As good as you'd expect," Madeline admitted, pushing herself to sit up against the bed's headboard, "Do… Do you know what happened?"

"I know what's in the papers," Daphne shrugged, handing her the hairbrush, "I know that he's back, and that you somehow ended up fighting like, a dozen Death Eaters."

Madeline snorted, beginning to brush her hair, "Yeah; something like that."

"How did you even end up there?" Daphne asked, worrying her lips between her teeth, "When you didn't come back to the dorm… I should've known then."

"It's not your fault; I decided to go," Madeline shook her head, "Umbridge tried to… Use me. She wanted me to cast an Unforgivable Curse for her, but I didn't do it. The next thing I knew, Harry and his friends were going to the Ministry, and I followed my instincts."

"You could've died," Daphne stressed, "I mean, you're brave and all, and I'm glad you're alright."

Madeline smiled, "Thanks, Greengrass. Where's Theo?"

Daphne's eyes widened, "Of course. You don't know."

"Don't know what?"

Daphne swallowed, looking away, "He's packing to go home early. Theo's dad was named as one of the Death Eaters that night. So was Blaise's dad, and Draco's… They've all been arrested."

Madeline hummed, nodding, "I saw Draco's dad. But I had no idea Theo's dad was involved."

"Is it true, then?" Daphne asked, worrying her lip one more, "He's back?"

Madeline nodded, her memory flickering to the brief moment she saw him standing above Harry, "I don't think he really ever left."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we've all been too scared to even say his name," Madeline explained, "We gave him that power when he wasn't even here."

"So, what happens now," Daphne asked, lowering her voice, "With us?"

Now, that was the dreaded question. The children of those who had followed him blindly in the first war, now left at a crossroads. To either follow their parents footsteps, or to disappoint them. To pick, between the easy road or the hard road.

"We do our best to survive," Madeline decided, a small smile on her face, "For as long as we can."

Madeline knew it wouldn't be very long for her, but she could lie until it became true.

Madeline saw Fred after she was released from the Hospital Wing.

Her leg was still sore as she slowly made her way back to the Slytherin dorms, dressed in her comfiest black trousers and a loose, baggy jumper. Her hair was in a straggly ponytail, a few wisps falling over her face. But quite frankly, she didn't care. All she wanted was the warm fireplace, and blankets that she could cocoon herself into. She could wait another day before dealing with… Whatever had just happened.

She'd just turned the corner away from the Hospital Wing when she bumped into him.

"Oh! Sorry-"

She looked up, and their eyes met.

"Maddie," Fred breathed in relief, shoulders dropping, "Oh thank Merlin you're alright."

"I thought Umbridge would've expelled you by now?" Madeline teased, yet she could not find the energy for bitterness. Not after what had happened.

"With Dumbledore back? Not a chance," Fred grinned, yet it soon faded away. He looked at the floor, at the space between them, scratching his neck awkwardly, "Harry's been telling everyone about what you did; how you didn't leave. If you weren't there… I don't know what would've happened to my sister, or Ron."

"They would've been fine, Fred," Madeline shook her head, "I was there because that's what Cedric would've done."

"Not everyone would've done it, though," Fred continued, still not meeting her eyes, "I want to apologise for the way I've acted, but it won't change anything, will it?"

Madeline smiled sadly. He was right, "No, it wouldn't."

Fred sighed, nodding. He reached for her hand, grasping it for a few moments as he met her eyes.

"I'll see you around sometime Bisset, yeah?"

And that's how they said goodbye.

'HE WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED RETURNS'

'In a brief statement on Friday night, Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge confirmed that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned to this country and is once more active…'

Madeline pushed the newspaper aside, considering throwing it in the fireplace. Of course they'd praise Harry now that he'd been proven right; the same newspaper that was bashing him just months before.

She stretched herself out on the Slytherin couch, rubbing her eyes. It felt odd to be back here. It felt like she was cheating herself; that everything should be hard now, but it wasn't. She simply… Went back to school. Not that she was complaining, but by now she was used to expecting the worst.

"You look like hell."

Ah. There he is.

Madeline turned to look at the entrance of the boys dorm. There he was; Draco Malfoy, in all his glory, wearing fitted black slacks and a white button-down that looked entirely too expensive and entirely too soft.

"I just came back from fighting your dad," Madeline retorted, turning away from the boy and looking into the flames, "He has terrible aim, by the way."

Draco snorted, making his way to the sofa, seating himself down on the other end. He threw his legs up onto the sofa so they were facing each other, Draco's arms draped over the side of the sofa.

"So," Draco began, "How does it feel to be the hero?"

Madeline snorted, crossing her arms and meeting his eyes, "Awful. All I got from it was a battered leg and a thank you."

It felt nice to joke with him like this. It felt easy, even when she knew it shouldn't be. Even when she'd seen an innocent man die. And yet, here he was; Draco Malfoy. Someone who had alway been awful no matter the day, time, or weather. Someone who had grown on her, and let her see that he wasn't actually that bad.

His dad however, was a different story.

"I told Snape about Umbridge as soon as you left," Draco confessed, "He was going to kick her out himself before Dumbledore came back."

Madeline raised her eyebrow, "Why did you tell him?"

"Because she tried to get you to torture a student?"

"You wouldn't have cared if it was Crabbe or Goyle or, quite frankly, anyone," Madeline pointed out.

Draco sighed, shrugging, "Believe it or not, but I care about you."

I care about you.

Madeline smirked, "Oh yeah?"

"You still look like hell, though."

Madeline laughed, shaking her head. It was just the two of them; everyone else was already in bed. There were unspoken words between them; some about Draco's fathers involvement with You-Know-Who, and some about… Something else.

She remembered how the two grew side-by-side this year. He'd been by her side for… Well, a lot this year. In his own way, of course. They weren't the same people as they were last year, or at the beginning of this year, for that matter. She wasn't sure who she wanted to be.

But she liked this Draco a lot more. He was warmer, more open. Kinder, sometimes. She knew that he didn't believe in half of the horrible things he said, not really. Even if he tried to deny it, he cared about the people who saw through his facade.

"But uh, thanks," Madeline eventually replied, "For doing that. I don't think I could face Dumbledore right now."

Draco raised his eyebrow, "Does your leg still hurt?"

Madeline went to shake her head, but frowned instead, "How do you know about my leg?"

Draco shrugged, "I tried visiting you a few times, but Madame Pomfrey wouldn't let anyone see you until this morning."

"You came to see me?"

"Obviously; couldn't have you dying on me Bisset, could I?" Draco teased, nudging her leg with his foot.

Something warm blossomed in her chest. She took a moment to look at Draco; really look at him. Even when he didn't meet her eyes, she could see an unfamiliar warmness in them. Something she hadn't seen him direct to anyone, well ever. The way his lips were just the slightest bit upturned, the smell of green apples and vanilla almost intoxicating.

And it seemed that he felt the shift in the room, too. He was right; she did look like hell, but that was fine. She looked like someone who had just fought for something she believed in; a glow that no one could pull off so well. No one, but her. Madeline Bisset, who had been plaguing his thoughts, dreams and wishes for far too long.

The two began inching towards each other, Draco leaning forwards while Madeline supported herself on the back of the sofa. Madeline could feel her heart beating out of her chest, but she wasn't scared. There were inches between them, their breath shared for a few short moments.

"Just kiss me, Madeline," Draco whispered, his heartbeat flooding his own ears, "Please."

Neither knew who leant in first. Madeline would swear it was Draco, but he'd swear it was her trying to save her pride.

Their lips met, finally, and Madeline wondered with the last bit of sense that she had wether anyone else had ever experienced desire like this.

Draco knew that after kissing her, there was no going back. She tasted like fire; dangerous, warm, and absolutely Madeline. The smell of lemongrass engulfed him, her perfume tattooed in his soul as he lifted his hand, carting through her hair and down her jaw more gently than he'd ever touched anything before.

Madeline's hands had a mind of their own. One clutched at his shoulder, the other at the back of his neck, trying to bring him impossibly closer. This wasn't the most passionate or heated kiss she'd ever experienced by far; but it was so, so much more. It meant something. It was unspoken words, glances and touches that she'd never quite been able to articulate. It felt like waking up on the first day of spring and realising that the sun had come out.

He kissed her gently, carefully, savouring the feeling of her hand clutching at his shoulder, the warmth of the Slytherin fire basking over them. This, he thought, was what heaven should feel like. Their hearts weren't strangers, but their touches were. This, he thought, was just their hearts meeting again.

They separated for the briefest moment, before Draco dived back in, his lips meeting hers once more. This time, it felt different. It felt like he belonged there, and she wanted more. She pulled on his hair just the slightest bit, relishing in the way he shivered, before he moved away from her mouth, planting small, innocent kisses across her cheek, making his way down her neck.

He made his way back to her lips, the two meeting one more time before breaking apart, breathing heavily into the inches between them. It felt like the stars were on fire above them; like the earth had decided to pull the carpet from underneath them, the two falling into each other with no way up.

There was no coming back from this. For either of them.

But when Madeline saw the small, content smile on Draco's face, she knew she didn't want to ever go back.

"That," Draco whispered, licking his lips with a small smile, "I've wanted to do for months."

Madeline smiled, "Shut up and kiss me again," before pressing back in for another kiss.

Madeline didn't tell anyone about the kisses, not even Daphne. She wanted to keep them for herself, really.

Right now, there were very few things she was certain about in the world. She wasn't certain about who she was and what she was here for, but she was certain that she was strong enough to make her own decisions. She wasn't sure where the previous night left her with Draco, but she was certain that there was more to the story. She wasn't certain that she was as brave or bold as many had claimed she was, but she knew she was honest and true. Or at least, as much as she could be.

And so, with the ghost of Draco's lips still on hers, she made her way to Dumbledore's office that next morning. Her bags were packed, ready to leave for France in just a few hours. Draco had left her the previous night with an address, a kiss, and a hopeful 'write to me, will you?'.

She hadn't seen Theo yet. She was sure he hadn't left, but she also wasn't sure wether he wanted to see her. She hadn't named his father; hell, she'd barely seen half of the Death Eaters faces. The only ones she remembered were Draco's dad, Bellatrix, and the man who had claimed to have killed her father.

Madeline hadn't decided wether she believed him yet, or not.

Soon, Madeline found herself seated in Dumbledore's office, a cup of tea untouched in front of her as the Headmaster leant back in his chair, peering at her over his half-moon specs.

"You wanted to see me, Professor?"

"Yes, I did. And I do see you very well," Dumbledore began cryptically, leaning forwards, "Firstly; I'd like to extend my gratitude for what you did in the battle at the Ministry. I understand it must have taken great bravery to do what you did, especially in the way your family is implicated in the war."

"Sir, I'd like to know exactly how my family is implicated in the war," Madeline replied briskly, "Because I've been listening to peoples praises, but I'm not hearing the truth. The reason it was so brave of me to go was because no one expected me to. So, if you know, can you please tell me why I'm supposedly brave?"

Dumbledore took a long, steadying breath. He was as serene as ever as he told her;

"I know you know the prophecy."

Madeline swallowed, but nodded, "I don't know what 'weapon' I'm meant to be carrying, but I certainly don't have it."

Dumbledore shook his head, "You're right; you don't have it. Yet."

"Yet?!"

"There are some things that Professor Snape and I have not told you," Dumbledore confessed, "Things that may have helped you this year, or quite frankly, hindered you-"

"Sir, I know I'm destined to die for whatever this weapon is," Madeline cut him off, "I need the truth now. Please."

Dumbledore nodded, "Very well. But be warned, Miss Bisset, that what I am about to tell you must stay between us."

Madeline nodded, "I promise."

Dumbledore nodded once, standing up. He laced his fingers together behind his back, taking a stroll around the room.

"Your father was a great inventor," Dumbledore began, "A very, very fine one at that. He was perhaps one of the best assets The Order had during the war. However, he was also a target for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and his followers.

"There were rumours that he'd created something big; something so powerful that it was bound to end the war once and for all. But he knew that something was coming for him, or someone. So, he hid it, and removed the memory from his mind so no one could torture it out of him. Even after he disappeared, no one knew what he had invented. Until, a few months ago."

Dumbledore returned to his desk, pulling out a small, worn piece of parchment from one of the drawers. He passed it to Madeline.

To Albus Dumbledore,

For years, I have searched for my dear friend. I believe now that he is no longer with us, but I am of the understanding that he has a daughter.

His plan was for her to have a better life. Instead, he has cursed her with the one thing that could have protected her.

Please, deliver this information to Madeline Dearborn. Tell her this is from a friend;

He fears you, because you can do what banished him.

~M.M

"We have tried to find this person to no avail," Dumbledore confessed, "Sirius had a hunch it was a trap. Remus believed it was a friend of your fathers, someone who had been in Hogwarts all those years ago. We were never sure, but-"

"What does this mean, Professor?" Madeline asked calmly, yet her mind was swimming.

"It means what we've been trying to prove in the last sixteen years," Dumbledore began slowly, "Your father invented a Rebound Curse, one that can be only performed by him, or you. It means, that if you were to cast it and someone tried to cast, for example, the Killing Curse on you-"

"They'd die," Madeline finished, swallowing. Her heart was beating a mile a minute. She, presumably, was the only one who could rebound Voldemort's power onto him. It didn't matter how strong of a witch she was; if she could perform this curse, she would be unkillable.

"Voldemort wants me to perform the curse on him," Madeline realised, "I'm his ultimate weapon; that's why he told the Death Eaters not to harm me."

Or they think you already have the curse.

Everything suddenly made sense. That's why she was made Head of The Family, why her aunt had pushed for her to rely on her own skills. Why Fred, and the rest of the DA hadn't trusted her. The world was spinning. She felt sick. How… Why?

"Why me?" Madeline asked, eyes wide as saucers as she stood up, pacing the room, "I don't know what this curse is, Professor. I don't understand how I'm meant to perform it or where to learn it or how the f-"

"I know," Dumbledore nodded, "I understand it's a lot to take in-"

"A lot to take in?!" Madeline all-but shrieked, "Voldemort only gave the order to keep me alive because he thinks I already have the curse."

"I know," Dumbledore nodded once again.

"I'm not a hero," Madeline realised, "I'm a weapon."

"And this is why we must make sure you're safe, Miss Bisset," Dumbledore continued, "You must be careful of who you surround yourself with. I've asked for Professor Snape to tutor you privately in the new year; we must ensure that your mind is as strong as your will and your wit."

"Professor, this is too much," Madeline shook her head. And suddenly, she felt small. She felt like a child again, "I want to go home."

"I understand," Dumbledore nodded, "But I haven't told you all of this lightly, Miss Bisset. You have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders; you and Mister Potter both. Please, do not hesitate to ask for help. We are here to support you-"

"This isn't something I can just live with, is it?!" Madeline was panicking now, "You mean to tell me that no one knows this information-"

"Apart from me, you, the person who wrote this letter, and the Dark Lord himself," Dumbledore nodded.

Madeline took several deep breaths. She… She was screwed, really. She needed to figure out what this curse was, and fast. She couldn't let anyone else die; not on her watch. She couldn't let any more innocent blood be spilt.

"Okay," Madeline decided, "I'm going to do everything in my power to help. I'm going to figure out this curse."

"I'm glad to-"

"But, I'm not a hero, Professor. Please, don't make me out as one," Madeline shook her head, "I didn't pick this. I didn't ask to be a Dearborn, or a Bisset, or a weapon, or whatever else. I just don't want to see any more innocent blood spilt."

Dumbledore nodded, "I understand, dear."

She was Living Death.

Madeline thought back to the previous year. Had she known… Maybe she would've found the curse in time to stop Voldemort from killing Cedric, or Sirius. Had she known better, maybe they'd still be with the living.

"Please, do not beat yourself up over what could have been," Dumbledore shook his head, motioning to her tea, "Care to sit with me for a while and have some tea? I know how awfully lonely it can get in your own head."

Madeline decided that, maybe, a cup of tea was exactly what she needed.

It was odd to know so much and act like you knew nothing.

Madeline stood in the Entrance Hall with her trunks, patiently waiting for her friends. She'd taken the rest of the day to think; alone. She wasn't sure where her head was, with Draco or Fred or all of the new information Dumbledore had told her. In fact, she felt a bit like a scrambled mess.

But she knew one thing; her friends. In fact, when she saw Daphne and Theo making their way towards her, trunks floating behind them, she knew that for a moment, everything was going to be okay.

She threw her arms around Theo, hugging him tightly as he hugged her back just the same. There were unspoken words of understanding between them. He knew it wasn't her fault that his father had fallen into dark ways, and she knew he knew that.

"Are you going to be okay this summer?" Madeline asked him as the two separated.

Theo nodded, "I'm spending some of it with Blaise's family, and some with Daphne's."

"You're both still welcome to visit me any time," Madeline promised, squeezing both of their hands, "We better get going, we're going to want a nice compartment on the train, aren't we?"

The three friends smiled at each other, beginning to set off down the path towards the Hogwarts Express. Madeline missed the way Daphne turned to look behind her, searching for a dark-haired girl that couldn't be found. Madeline's own eyes were looking for a certain boy, but the address tucked in her robe pocket gave her a shimmer of hope.

Madeline spotted Harry, Hermione and Ron making their way to the train too. She gave them a little wave, which was returned with polite smiles and waves back. Further ahead, Fred and George were animatedly chatting with Lee Jordan, and something inside her hurt. But, it was okay, because she felt at peace knowing she'd done the right thing, after all.

As they walked with the summer sun beating upon them, Madeline knew that at least for right now, she was okay.

She had her friends; that was enough.

A/N: AND THAT'S THE END OF ORDER OF THE PHOENIX!

It's been a wild ride, but I'm rather happy with how it's all turning out in the story so far. Plot points have been put in left, right and centre if you care to look for them hard enough (ten points for the first person to figure out who sent Dumbledore that letter!)

I'd like to give a massive thank you to everyone who has been supporting the story so far. There are some people who have left reviews/comments on each chapter, and I'm so thankful for you all. It's really encouraging to see my work be received so positively!

It may be a few days until the next chapter as I completely flesh out the next school year, but trust me when I say that the fun hasn't started yet. Until next time!