When it rains, it pours
There will be blood in the water
Cold to the core
Faith falls hard on our shoulders
This is our time
No turning back
We could live, we could live like legends
This is our time
No turning back
We could live, we could live like legends
Live like legends
- Live like legends by Ruelle
... The darkness of the dungeon enveloped me like an impenetrable veil. Cool, damp air filled my lungs as I lay motionless on the cold stone floor. A dull throbbing echoed in my ears as I tried to comprehend my surroundings. A claustrophobic sensation pressed against my chest, as if the space had become tighter, and the shadows seemed to morph into threatening figures.
Suddenly, I sensed his presence before I saw him. Antonin Dolohov, with his icy eyes, emerged from the darkness. His figure was surrounded by a sinister aura, and his faceless gaze pierced my soul. A cold smile played on his lips as he menacingly leaned over me.
His hands closed around my throat with iron determination. A stifled gasp escaped me as his icy grip tightened. The world around me blurred into a mist of agony and despair. Panic flooded my senses as I struggled for breath.
In vain, I tried to loosen his hands from my neck. My fingers clawed helplessly at his flesh as he intensified his grip. Pain shot through my tormented throat, and I felt the darkness enveloping me. My body rebelled against the suffocating force, but Dolohov's icy resolve left no room for escape.
The throbbing in my ears intensified into a dull roar that seemed to overwhelm my thoughts. My gaze desperately sought an escape, while my aching limbs trembled under his relentless attacks. Every breath became a battle, every moment a torment that pushed me to the edge of the abyss.
"You know your fate; it is the fate of all who do not submit," he whispered against my neck, his cold breath sending shivers. "I will find you, and I will make all your nightmares come true."
Antonin Dolohov's sinister laughter pierced the silence of the grim place, echoing like an ominous sound through the oppressive atmosphere of the dungeon. He stepped aside lightly, his hands still ruthlessly closed around my throat like an iron band stealing my breath.
In the dark corner, the lifeless body of a somber figure was revealed. His black eyes stared lifelessly at the cold ceiling, his face frozen in a motionless mask of pain. An eerie silence enveloped him, and his body remained in a pose of unspeakable suffering. Every sign of life had departed from Severus's once lively body.
My mouth formed a silent scream as another figure lay motionless beside Severus. His bright face contorted in pain, his amber eyes unmoving. Gideon lay still next to Severus, both taken in a desperate battle against the darkness that enveloped everything. In this nightmare, life seemed to seep out of me. Reality and dream merged into an impenetrable mist of fear and oppression. Dolohov's coldness ran through my body like an icy storm as I was trapped in the shadows of the dungeon, hopelessly at the mercy of this Death Eater's violence. Without love and hope, trapped in this darkness...
"CATHERINE! What's happening?" exclaimed the deep voice excitedly next to my ear before the light of a wand dazzled me. Severus and I were sitting on the couch in the small cottage by the sea, now enchanted with all the protective spells we knew. He looked at my frozen features with concern, while Tiberius rustled his wings and clattered his beak in agitation.
I glanced around, feeling disoriented. I must have fallen asleep in Severus's warm embrace after our conversation. I realized that it was already noon and wondered how long we had become so intimate with each other since he had come in the night, so we could finally see each other, talk, and be close after the terrible loss that the wizarding world and our resistance had experienced.
"Did you have a nightmare?" Severus asked gently, realizing it couldn't be anything else. I nodded uneasily and pulled the blanket that Severus had thrown over us tighter around me, pressing his warm body closer to mine. Lovingly, he began to brush my hair away from my face before kissing my forehead.
"I understand. I experience the same in my dreams," he whispered, understanding the agony of a nocturnal nightmare. "But it's not true. It will never come true." His voice and words reassured me, creating a tenderness between us that I absorbed because it had become so scarce.
"It's perhaps good that you woke up. If I'm not mistaken, today is the big day with the Weasleys, isn't it?" I felt his kisses glide over my cheek before Severus began to trail down my neck, where Dolohov had just laid his claws on me. I flinched briefly at the thought, causing him to pause. A soft sigh escaped Severus, accompanied by a graceful sweep of his wand, spreading a late breakfast before us. The enticing scents of freshly brewed tea and crispy pastries wafted into the air, trying in vain to distract my thoughts as I could hardly eat any of it.
"You look far too good for me to leave you alone at this Weasley wedding," Severus' warm words floated like a gentle melody in the air as he whispered softly in my ear, his breath a familiar promise on my skin. The tender kisses he brushed on my neck sent a sensual tingle dancing through my entire body. A moment that was precious and almost indescribable in its intensity reflected in my smile before the mirror. The touch was like a magical spell weaving our souls together.
"You know, I wish for nothing more than to have you by my side there," I replied, the deep longing in my eyes reflecting the desire for his presence as I looked at both of us in the mirror. I wore a simple but tasteful dress in a deep emerald green, made of a silky flowing fabric. It had a modest cut that accentuated my waist and gracefully complemented my figure with every movement. A subtle floral pattern was embroidered on the fabric, a delicate homage to my love for nature. The top featured a delicate neckline and led to the translucent fabric that reached down to my wrists. The only piece of jewelry I wore was Severus' locket, hiding our initials inside.
"Mh, they would impale me, considering what happened to the Weasley twin," Severus said, a shadow passing over his face at the memory of his perceived failure.
"You saved George with it. Any other Death Eater would..." I fell silent as the memory of the latest casualty this devastating fight against Voldemort had claimed painfully entered my thoughts. Alastor Moody, once so alive and full of vigor, had been struck down four days ago. Just six days earlier, we had danced together at the wedding of Remus and Tonks. His body remained missing, and even Severus couldn't uncover anything about his whereabouts. Quiet tears found their way down my cheeks as the pain of loss blossomed within me.
Severus averted his gaze from me, another instance for which he blamed himself. When Lord Voldemort attacked Moody and Mundungus, Mundungus simply Apparated away, leaving Alastor behind. Mad-Eye was hit by a curse in the face, fell from his broom, and died. Meanwhile, Severus was busy saving Remus from a similar fate. I knew he had done it bitterly for me.
"Severus, you had no chance to save Alastor either. You aimed at Selwyn's wand hand, who was about to cast a deadly curse on Remus's back," I tried to bring comfort to his somber thoughts. My hand reached for his, gently guiding it to my lips to express my deep gratitude in a tender kiss.
"And yet I caught Weasley, who now has one ear less. And I couldn't save the Auror, who is now missing from the Order," Severus said bitterly. "It's not just Moody's death or the boy's injury; it's all the cruelties that come with living by the Dark Lord's side. You know, I am officially a Death Eater, with all that entails-"
"Severus, do you want to talk to me about it?" I asked gently, smiling encouragingly at him. My heart longed to share his burden, to penetrate the dark clouds covering his mind.
"No. None of it should ever come between us," he replied in a soft, evasive voice. A shadow of bitterness marked his face, and I felt that he was trying to shield me from the darkest facets of his soul. "What do you mean?" I asked persistently, my eyes seeking deep contact with his, as if I could see through the darkness of his thoughts.
"I don't want you to see me then as what I am... a monster who has to witness everything and can't prevent anything," he said, squinting his eyes tightly shut, just like his mouth, to prevent anything more from slipping through his lips.
A muffled sigh escaped my throat in the face of his determined restraint, firmly keeping the curtain of his inner suffering closed. Yet even in this moment, I sensed that he rejected unveiling his heart to me too much. Perhaps it was too early for him, and for now, I would have to let him escape with his silence, even though my own yearning for his revelation pulsed painfully within
"Tell me rather, how is the Order of the Phoenix faring?" he skillfully tried to divert from his own suffering, a distraction he draped around himself like a cloak, just as the blank expression that hardened his face.
"I don't know if there's even still an Order. Now that the second leader has also lost his life," I whispered, briefly closing my eyes. So much had happened in the last few days. When I opened my lids again, two sparkling obsidian-colored eyes were staring at me, scrutinizing every movement of my face.
"You know how grateful I am that you protected Remus," I said softly, meeting his gaze with moist eyes.
"I know how much he means to you," he said, this time without any bitterness in his voice. "He's your family. So, I protect him."
I threw my arms around him and began to kiss his cold lips as if it could be the last time; he clung to my body, pulling me close. It was like a revelation, a great gift in these cold times, which I cherished infinitely. Severus had understood, and for a moment, I thought that maybe it was truly possible. A future with Severus, Remus, and Tonks, who had now also become my family.
Time seemed to stand still as Severus and I lost ourselves in this intimate embrace. The cold of the past days, marked by loss and danger, melted away, and we sought comfort and refuge in the warmth of the moment. Severus's hands gently stroked my back, as if he wanted to lift the weight of the world from my shoulders.
"Catherine," he whispered my name, his voice a touch of tenderness. "I wish I could shield you from all the misery and horror."
A soft sigh escaped my chest as I leaned my head against his shoulder.
"I know, Severus. I wish I could do the same for you. All we can do is wait and hope," I replied softly, my words like gentle shadows in the room's silence.
"Hoping that an adolescent wizard without sense and understanding saves the whole world?" scoffed Severus, his lips curled in a wry grimace.
"Yes. And hoping that our plans will succeed," I stated resolutely, my gaze immersed in his deep, dark eyes.
"I love your optimism. You've never lost it, no matter what you had to endure. I admire you for that!" Severus said earnestly and sincerely, his words like a gentle breath of recognition.
"Thank you, Severus. But it's less of a talent and more of a decision behind it," I explained, while my hand lovingly ran through his black hair. "You can learn it too."
"Maybe. Someday. If everything goes well," he muttered, but his gaze remained resigned, trapped in the darkness that enveloped his thoughts.
"Perhaps you can start with it as the new headmaster of Hogwarts," I whispered softly into the darkness of his thoughts. A loud groan escaped his throat, as if my words tightened the heavy chains of his visions of the future even more.
"Don't remind me. I don't want to imagine what the Dark Lord has planned for the school," he said, massaging the bridge of his nose to relax.
"At least you were appointed to this position by the Dark Lord and can influence the implementation of his statutes to some extent," I said gently, trying to bring a touch of comfort to his dark thoughts while my hand lovingly stroked his back.
"The Carrows are breathing down my neck. So, there will be little room to maneuver," Severus explained, shaking his head, as the shadow of the impending challenges enveloped his countenance. His gaze reflected not only skepticism but also a trace of determination, as if he were mentally preparing for the dark trials that awaited him in the future.
"Do you think we can still meet then, Severus?" I asked into his silence, causing him to abruptly turn around. The uncertainty in my words reflected the burning question that flickered in both hearts.
"Don't doubt that I will make it possible. It's the only ray of light in the dark time ahead of me," he said meaningfully. His gaze, firm and resolute, left no doubt about his words.
Slowly, he began to unzip the dress with his graceful fingers of his right hand, as if it were a ritual act of surrender amidst the impending darkness.
"I'm already running late; I have to go… to the wedding," I whispered, but my voice betrayed my feeble resistance to his tender gesture of passion.
Severus' gaze lingered deep in my eyes, and his fingers performed a sensual symphony as they, in response to my weak protest, continued to unzip the dress.
The fabric yielded, gradually exposing the vulnerability and desires we had kept hidden from the world. An aura of passion and farewell enveloped us, as if we were reveling in the last remaining moments of happiness.
"Let's savor this final meeting before I take on the responsibilities of caring for the entire school and its blasted students," he said sourly, before relaxing as he peeled off my silky dress, revealing black lace underwear that made his mouth twitch with joy and excitement. He then resumed kissing my neck, making me shudder with growing desire.
"So this is the first chance to have sex with the headmaster?" I breathed from my parted lips, which began to pulsate. Each of his tender kisses on my neck was like the dance of butterflies that ignited a sensual tingle through my entire body.
"I suppose it's something you never considered?" he replied smugly. The room seemed to be filled with our shared energy as the zipper continued to slide down, further blurring the lines between us.
"Not even in my wildest dreams," I replied. "They were only for you. Always."
So I closed my eyes as I felt his passionate kiss on my lips, while his hands deftly loosened my hairpins so that my hair now fell in soft waves down my back.
A soft sigh escaped my chest, and I felt the warmth of his hand on my exposed skin. I knew not only my body, but also my soul was crying out for him, his kisses, his touches, his body and mind, the connection with him. I wanted to kiss him, every day. Forever.
I melted into his kiss, willingly drowning in his embrace, groaning, we both found peace.
In this moment, between the past and the future, between love and duty, time seemed to stand still. The somber challenges might separate us, but the love that burned between us would endure as a glimmer of light in the darkness.
I once again enveloped myself in my festive dress made of delicately shimmering fabric, which seemed to glow in the pale light of the room. The elegance of the material caressed my figure as I prepared to tread the uncertain paths of a dangerous evening. As I began to skillfully style my hair into an elaborate updo, I felt Severus's gentle grip on my wrist, causing me to pause and lower them.
"Leave your hair down; it complements your personality better than this complicated hairstyle," he whispered, and his words were like a gentle spell filling the air. One last time, he pulled me towards him, and our lips met in an intimate kiss. My heart pounded in the rhythm of passion as we separated from each other.
"Be careful and be prepared for anything, Catherine. Today might be the day the Dark Lord has been eagerly anticipating. I know he impatiently awaits him," Severus whispered solemnly, piercing me with his gaze. "Do not let go of your wand!"
His words echoed in my soul, and I looked at him in shock. On such a festive day, I hadn't expected this warning.
"Do you think he will finally seize power again today?" I asked in awe.
"I'm almost certain of it. I want you to Apparate then. Go to St. Mungo's or some other place! Please, don't engage in offensive combat! I don't know what role I'll play, whether I can protect you if they capture you," he explained with a stony expression. Silently, I considered my options, yet I knew he was right. In the Malfoy dungeons, I wouldn't be able to assist Muggle-borns at St. Mungo's.
"I wanted to use the day to spread information about the infirmary," I whispered resignedly.
"Please, trust only your closest circle in the Order!" Severus said before gripping my shoulders. "Promise me to take care of yourself!"
"Yes, you too!" I replied, and in that moment, the weight of the impending darkness seemed to hover between us as we ventured into the uncertain night.
I Apparated by a circuitous route to the Burrow in Devon, a place that once gleamed with the festive lights of a Christmas celebration, which now seemed infinitely distant. In my thoughts, I found the echo of past years when Gideon and I had together enjoyed the festive joys of this place. However, time had left its mark, and I was aware that the young woman from back then had undergone a transformation. At that moment, I questioned whether Gideon had ever recognized the metamorphosis within me when he once whispered that I was strong and mature, composed in chaos. Would he understand that now it was Severus who awakened in me what he had once achieved—igniting my light?
My gaze roamed over the peculiar building that had ignited these painful memories, and I felt time weave around me like an invisible web.
Suddenly, a rustle broke the silence behind me. When I turned around, a girl about 16 years old stood before me. Our eyes met, and we immediately recognized each other. Her striking red dress emphasized her maturity, and she looked as if she had undergone remarkable development in a short time.
"Oh, it's you. How are you, Hermione?" I asked, smiling gently.
"I... I'm fine, thank you. I wanted to know if what I heard is true," she inquired softly, her words meant only for me, her eyes marked by a mix of curiosity and a hint of concern.
"What did you hear?" I asked just as quietly, curious about her level of knowledge.
"The secret wing in St. Mungo's. Remus Lupin told us about it," she said, looking at me with wide eyes, as if they were searching for deeper truths.
"Yes, it exists. But you must be careful about whom you share it with. It must not reach the wrong ears," I replied cautiously, as the shadow of secrecy hovered between us.
"It's reassuring that the resistance isn't crumbling," she commented, nodding.
"Never. As long as there is even one of us, that person will do everything to harm Voldemort," I assured her with a determined voice, reaffirming the belief in our common cause.
"You're all so brave and fearless. Sometimes, I'm afraid of what might happen," she confessed with a certain admiration, her words carrying awe for the courage of others.
"We all have that fear. But it must not stop you from taking action," I explained thoughtfully, my voice a gentle anchor in the turbulent waters of her concerns.I knew exactly what she felt because I felt it too, at her age, in the war against the same enemy.
"Yes, you're right." She grinned somewhat uncertainly before her gaze suddenly fell on my small handbag, matching my dress in a dark emerald green.
"I like your handbag. But can anything fit in there at all?" she asked, raising her eyebrows while glancing uncertainly at hers, which was only a few inches taller.
"Everything I need," I said and opened the bag that fit in my hand. A huge hole revealed itself, filled with books, healing pastes, tinctures, and potions. Her astonishment reflected in her eyes.
"You should always be prepared in times like this. For example, for a quick escape," I explained significantly as her eyes widened, understanding the unpredictable paths of life lighting up in them.
"Yes, we should. Excuse me, I have something else to attend to," she said, rushing away with quick steps, her pace in tune with the urgency of her thoughts.
I looked one last time at the family house bathed in the glaring light of midday before sighing and stepping aside.
The entrance to the enormous marquee revealed rows upon rows of delicate golden chairs on either side of a long purple carpet. The support poles were still bare, and it was my task to twine them with white and golden flowers. Fred and George were attaching a huge bouquet of golden balloons where Bill and Fleur would soon become husband and wife. Outside, butterflies floated lazily over the grass, and bees hovered above the hedge.
"Blimney! Professor, what a pleasant surprise! You look fantastic!" Fred exclaimed upon seeing me, grinning broadly.
"Thank you! But it's time for you to call me Catherine, isn't it?" I replied, laughing, and drew my wand, from which various white and gold flowers burst forth, wrapping around the support poles.
"You still have an eye for beauty, don't you?" a familiar voice whispered behind me. When I turned around, a sun-kissed weathered face framed by red hair grinned at me.
"Charlie…" I was delighted to see him and gave him a brief hug.
"I'm Bill's best man," he explained, looking down at his stylish new suit, which clearly made him a little uncomfortable.
"Mum hopes he finally meets a young woman here who warms his heart," Fred said, cheekily patting Charlie on the shoulder, causing Charlie to roll his eyes and me to blush. I briefly thought of Charlie's declaration of love for me, but I hoped that was now in the past.
"She knows she should focus on her other sons for that. I'm not interested," he said through gritted teeth. However, when I looked into his eyes, there was still that pleading look, which shook me.
"Well, strangely enough, she hasn't bothered us with that so far," George said, grinning. As I glanced at him, my eyes fell on his missing ear, which he made no effort to conceal.
"That's probably because she knows she doesn't need to worry about us with our stunning looks," Fred solemnly declared.
"Catherine, how lovely to see you here. We honestly expected you a bit earlier," Molly suddenly called across the entire marquee and walked toward me, causing the young men's grins to vanish as they promptly returned to their tasks.
"Don't worry, Molly. I'm already done," I explained, nodding toward the sea of fragrant flowers, before Molly enveloped me in a tight hug as a greeting.
"Very nice. If it weren't for you! There are hardly any witches or wizards who could make this happen spontaneously. We had a flower charmer, but she fled to America at short notice... Muggle-born," Molly whispered to me. "When you're finished here, would you mind lending a hand to the tables?"
"I understand, Molly. How is everything else here? There must be a lot to do with the wedding, especially now that your house has become the new headquarters for the Order," I asked softly, glancing at the already elegantly set tables.
"Oh, it's almost unbearable. The many wedding gifts are piling up in almost every room. But the two of them insisted on having a big wedding," Molly explained eagerly.
"Mom, be honest, you wanted it too," Charlie said, shaking his head.
"Well, when the first child gets married... who knows if any of my other sons will ever get married. Charlie is still unattached," Molly replied hesitantly.
"Mom!" Charlie almost exclaimed in despair, his cheeks turning pink.
"And what about us, Mom?" Fred asked, inflating a balloon to the size of a full-grown Hippogriff.
"I'd rather not say," she whispered to me secretly.
"When I get married, I won't be bothering with any of this nonsense. You can all wear what you like, and I'll put a Full Body-Bind Curse on Mum until it's all over," I heard Fred quietly whispering to his brothers.
"And Percy... well, I'm afraid he's married to his work," she said, shaking her head, before tears welled up in her eyes. He was the only Weasley who hadn't confirmed his presence.
"Is everything ready? The guests will be arriving soon?" Bill interrupted his mother's tears as he entered the tent, looking around hectically. He clearly had his shirt buttoned incorrectly, and the vest was on backward. His face was marked by scars, undoubtedly from Fenrir Greyback's attack.
"Everything's fine, Bill. We have everything under control. Why don't we go inside and work on your suit a little more?" Charlie suggested, leading the excited groom into the house.
"He's right, the guests should be arriving any moment. Do you know what you need to do, boys? The seating plans are—" Molly began, glancing at her watch.
"Yes, Mum. Relax. We'll manage to get people to sit in these chairs," George said, rolling his eyes.
"The ones who don't fit, we'll just toss into the pond," Fred added with a giggle, turning his mother red with anger. I decided to leave the scene and spend the remaining time before the wedding in the orchard, where I grinned watching some garden gnomes searching for their holes.
Meanwhile, my thoughts wandered to that dark-haired wizard who should have been here with me. The one contributing so much to all this resistance, shunned by those he protects. Why was fate so cruel to the man I loved? Was it because of the decisions he made back then in despair, loneliness, and bitterness in his heart? I wondered if he hadn't suffered enough.
Struggling to hold back tears for his dark fate, I returned to the marquee, which was now filling up. I first saw Remus, at whose side a smiling Tonks presented a red-haired boy with her wedding ring, looking blissfully happy as if marrying Remus was exactly what she had always dreamed of. After the boy had left, Remus scanned the tent with an attentive gaze before spotting me and lightly raising his hand, a broad grin crossing his lips.
But it was time to take our assigned seats, which separated me from the two of them. I sat further back since I was a invited guest like every Order member, but my connection to the couple was fleeting. As I took my seat and glanced through the large crowd of guests, I saw Ronald Weasley and the girl in the red dress, but nowhere did I see the emerald-green eyes I was looking for, even though I knew the boy must be somewhere here. I wanted to see him, my hope for a happier future with Severus by my side.
A little disappointed, I leaned back when suddenly soft music started, prompting us to rise.
A collective sigh escaped the gathered witches and wizards as Monsieur Delacour and Fleur made their way up the aisle, Fleur gliding and Monsieur Delacour hopping and beaming from ear to ear. The bride wore an elegant yet simple white dress and seemed to radiate a strong, silvery glow. It was as if her immense happiness today embellished everyone upon whom her gaze fell. The flower girls, one of them clearly Ginny Weasley, both wore golden dresses, and when Fleur took Bill's hand, Bill no longer looked as if he had ever encountered Fenrir Greyback.
As the loving couple began to exchange vows, several guests started to cry, and I, too, felt my eyes moisten. Bertram Aubery, once again, was the wizard officiating the ceremony. He waved his wand over the heads of the bride and groom, and a shower of stars fell upon the couple entwined in love.
Fred and George led the applause, and the newlyweds' golden balloons burst into tiny golden bells and paradise birds, singing as they circled the tent. One perched on my shoulder before dissolving into small confetti hearts.
When I looked up again, the chairs were magically removed from the tent, and as the canvas walls of the marquee disappeared, leaving us under a canopy supported by golden poles, we were treated to a magnificent view of the sunlit orchard and the surrounding landscape.
Next, a pool of molten gold spread from the center of the tent, forming a gleaming dance floor. The floating chairs gathered around small, white-clad tables, all gracefully descending to the ground.
Suddenly, waiters appeared from all sides, some carrying silver trays with pumpkin juice, butterbeer, and firewhisky, while others wobbled their way through the crowd with stacks of cakes and sandwiches.
Nervously biting my lower lip, I watched the scene unfold, Severus's cautionary words echoing in my mind once again. Yet, I knew I couldn't warn anyone without potentially revealing his cover. After all, Remus was aware of my connection to Severus, even if he placed it in the past.
I joined the cluster of well-wishers surrounding the newlyweds, encountering Remus and Tonks, who already held a glass of pumpkin juice in her hand while he opted for firewhisky, handing me one.
"You should be careful with that today, Remus," I said, shaking my head and declining the offered drink.
"Why? It's a celebration of love!" Tonks exclaimed, furrowing her brow.
"It's also an opportunity for the other side to catch as many of us as possible at once," I replied softly, our gazes scanning the guests.
"You're right. Have you heard anything in that regard?" Remus asked seriously, placing his untouched glass back on the tray.
"No, it's more of a premonition," I said, avoiding his probing gaze. "Is Harry here?"
"Yes, he's protected by Polyjuice Potion," Tonks whispered, nodding. "The boy next to Ron and the girl in the red dress, he's the one with red hair." Her nod directed me in their direction. I saw Ron dragging Hermione away for a dance, away from a tall, handsome man whom I recognized from various Quidditch posters.
"Good, that might keep him safe," I said appreciatively, sipping from a glass of pumpkin juice.
"You know there are countless protective charms around this building and property," Remus said quietly, trying to smile reassuringly.
"I adhere to Mad-Eye's motto: 'Constant vigilance,'" I said, making both of them flinch, immediately regretting my choice of words. After all, they were both there when he passed away.
"May I have this dance?" suddenly came the voice of the best man uncertainly from the side. I looked at him, he smiled and extended his hand to me. Remus froze, while Tonks giggled softly.
"But I must warn you. I'm terrible at dancing, Remus can attest to that," I said hesitantly.
"It doesn't matter. I still wish it," Charlie said, looking more determined now. I knew I had no choice, as I couldn't draw any attention to myself and my love life.
I nodded and took the offered hand just as the music suddenly took on a softer and more romantic tone.
Charlie gently placed his hand on my hip, blushing slightly as he guided my other hand to his, and we began to sway to the music.
"I was hoping you'd agree and we could have a moment alone to talk. I've been looking forward to this ever since I heard that all the Order members had affirmed," he whispered, grinning like the schoolboy he once was.
"Charlie, you know my heart is bound; nothing has changed—" I began, but he interrupted me with a shake of his head.
"I know. But let me have this dance with you. Please!" he pleaded, attempting to squint his eyes to prevent me from seeing them filling with tears. So, I remained silent, allowing him to lead me. Silently, yet surrounded by the music and the sparkling lights of the wedding that seemed to illuminate the sky above us.
"Thank you, Catherine," he whispered as the song faded, gently letting my hand slip away.
"Charlie, I—" I started, but suddenly the music fell silent, as the newlyweds stood before an immense wedding cake adorned with two model phoenixes. Charlie and I joined the silent crowd, all holding their breath as the couple cut the cake, and the phoenixes gracefully took flight before thunderous applause followed.
As the music resumed, I still gazed at the happy couple, enjoying their cake, laughing, being close to each other. I bit my lip painfully. I felt something I didn't want to feel. I was actually envious. Not that I begrudged it to both of them, no, quite the opposite. But in that moment, I felt immense sadness and disappointment that Severus and I were never destined to love so freely. I closed my eyes briefly, envisioning Severus as he told me about his heartfelt desire. Our wedding, with Lily as a bridesmaid and close friend by our side. A life never dictated by war, never having witnessed the suffering of victims.
I snapped out of my somber thoughts when I suddenly heard Remus's voice next to me.
„May I at least have the next dance?" he asked, grinning broadly, well aware of what my response would be.
"Only with you it bring me any joy," I replied, attempting to shake off the lingering thoughts of the war behind us and not dwell on the one unfolding right in front of us. And it felt quite light as Remus took my hand and led me to the dance floor.
As the evening descended and moths began to flutter under the canopy, now illuminated by floating golden lanterns, the celebration grew more unrestrained. I had retreated to a table with Remus and Tonks, from where we observed the vibrant festivities. Laughter, the atmosphere – everything was carefree and happy, and I joined in the laughter of Remus and Tonks, who were sharing a story of how they briefly conjured the Loch Ness Kelpie with an Appearing Charm in Scotland, surprising a few Muggles.
However, abruptly, we heard frantic shouts around us and stood up. Above us floated a silver lynx, one we immediately recognized. Our limbs tensed as Kingsley Shacklebolt's Patronus spoke with its sonorous voice:
"The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."
At that moment, some began to scream, and I saw people Disapparating, signaling that the protective enchantments around us had been lifted. I should do the same, flee. Yet, despite Severus's warning, I was unprepared, watching the unfolding events around me in stunned silence as chaos erupted into a frenzy of screams and flashes of light.
I watched as Hermione and Harry grabbed Ron and disappeared, and as Remus and Tonks wielded their wands, casting protective spells to shield the crowd. It wasn't until I realized that the first followers of Voldemort were appearing in our midst that I snapped into action.
Suddenly, someone grabbed my hand and pulled me away, and I felt a whirlwind enveloping my entire body. Desperately, I clung to the hand that held me firmly before I suddenly felt solid ground beneath me. My feet tapped briefly on the soft grass, and I gasped in surprise before falling into the arms that sought to provide me stability.
However, I immediately pulled away from my rescuer as my nausea subsided and looked into the wide eyes of Charlie Weasley. "Are you okay?" Charlie asked in excitement, examining me. But I could only nod because shock lingered in my limbs and heart. "I was afraid they were targeting Muggle-borns." His words jolted my brain back into action, my heart back into beating.
"Thank you. I... you're right, I wasn't safe there. I'll go to St. Mungo's; perhaps the injured will arrive there," I said with a shaky voice. I felt helpless and miserable, like I had failed. How was I supposed to help if I didn't know what to do? If I just stayed rooted to the spot. Frozen with fear.
"I'll go back; maybe I can still help others," Charlie replied, and we parted with a brief nod of trust, something invaluable in the resistance. Then, I saw him dissolve in a whirlwind in front of me, leaving behind nothing but a cool breeze. And at the same time I wondered why even this boy knew more than me about how to act correctly in such situations.
I sighed and tried to calm my breathing before I, too, traveled through a sea of colors.