Chapter 72: To help or to be helped
Almost no sound could be separated from another, so much had the din taken over in record time. Smoke, screams, spells thrown everywhere. It made it difficult to know who you were up against. Unfortunately, only those whom Henry would have described as "heroes" according to the books he was reading were really worried about whether or not they'd hit an ally in the thick of it.
This wasn't Regina's first fight; after all, it wasn't so long ago that she'd had to fight Snow and David or even Emma. But this was nothing like that, even the training she'd had with Rumple when she was younger seemed totally out of date. The former Evil Queen found herself in a duel with Bellatrix. The latter was still smiling her eternally disturbing smile.
- Oh, I recognise you! The Muggle's mummy!
- What a profound displeasure to see your ugly face again! hissed the witch.
- I ran into your son a little while ago... His screams are still ringing in my ears. It was so sweet, I still have great dreams about it.
Henry's mother began to boil on the spot. The woman in front of her had just openly admitted that she had hurt Henry, and worse still, that she had taken pleasure in it. She lost her concentration for a moment and was only saved by Ginny's shield, which deflected Bellatrix's spell.
Regaining control, Regina created a fireball which she hurled at her opponent with all her might, burning a large part of her torso. The latter was finished off by Molly, who hadn't taken her eyes off Ginny for a minute and had witnessed the exchange.
- No one will miss her, don't worry.
- Thanks Molly, I admit she knew where to hurt when she told me about my son.
- Keep that rage, Regina, it'll come in handy against all the Death Eaters you come across, but above all fight with the desire to save those you love.
The brunette gave the Weasley a smile, it was impossible not to appreciate this woman who fought with all the love she possessed, and that was putting it mildly. She looked around for Emma, who seemed to be leading the fight in the castle courtyard. She was in the middle of a fight with an Acromantula, helped by Ruby. The wolf could only regret not having the support of Snow and David, who would have been perfectly capable of dealing with creatures such as giants, werewolves and big, really big spiders.
Everything came to a sudden halt, the Death Eaters had just been called back to their Master. A voice echoed in the minds of all the combatants. He was explaining, repeating over and over that handing Harry over would put an end to all the fighting. Only a few students seemed to want to follow the instructions.
Minerva dismissed them from the fight, as she did the Slytherins in general.
- Are all the Slytherins really for the other side? Emma asked.
- No, breathed the Headmistress softly. Unfortunately, even for those who are more open-minded, their parents are not.
- And you don't want them to witness the death of their parents or the murders they might commit, do you? Ruby added.
Minerva nodded, she cared about all the students at this school, no matter what house they came from. If she could protect them in any way, she would.
Taking advantage of the break they were given, the quartet followed Harry's hunch that they could sense Voldemort's approaching presence. Approaching the lake, they remained hidden when they noticed that their former Potions teacher also seemed to be present. Hermione wanted to intervene, sensing that Snape was not as bad as everyone else felt. Henry held her back, not immediately understanding why: she obeyed him.
The young woman had to hold back a scream as Nagini leapt at Snape's throat. Once the Dark Lord had disappeared, she charged at Snape, using her magic to try and heal him.
- Why do you insist on saving him, Mione? He doesn't deserve your pity. Ron said.
- It's a lot more complicated than it sounds, Ron. I've had time to think about it. Professor, you did all this to protect Draco and Harry as best you could, am I right? Henry asked in a very calm voice.
- I don't often say this, but you're a clever young man, coughed Severus.
The Professor released the pressure that was weighing far too heavily on his shoulders, thanks to Dumbledore. He asked Harry for a vial in which to drop a tear; the memories he would see would speak louder than a long speech. Ron and Harry looked at Henry, waiting for the beginning of an explanation.
- I've read a lot about wands once we've learned about death relics. They have a will of their own, they choose their owners. But disarming a wizard can also affect who owns a wand.
The young man then explained that by disarming Draco after he had disarmed Dumbledore, he was the new rightful owner of Dumbledore's Wand. It would therefore be he who would be targeted by Voldemort when the time came, and not his godson. For the rest of history, he'd better put that tear in a pencil. Harry and Ron set off in the direction of the Headmaster's office, knowing that they would find one there. The young Potter could only come to one simple conclusion: as long as he was alive, Voldemort could not be killed.
Hermione stabilised the Professor's condition and teleported him and Henry to the Great Hall. To everyone's astonishment, the lioness appeared with the former professor.
- Hermione? Sirius and Remus asked at the same time.
- I'm going to save him, I have to, he doesn't deserve to die after all he's done for us.
Henry placed his hands on the shoulders of the woman he loved. He could only add one sentence before letting Hermione finish caring for him: "This man is a hero, more than many of us.