Chapter Warning: Violence and character death
Please do not read this chapter if you are feeling bad. Take care of yourself!
Like waking up from a fantasy
And all that's left is you and me
We're invincible in a violet sea
Dare to move
Dare to believe
Where do we go from here?
Where do we go from here?
How do you fly with no wings?
How do you breathe without dreams?
Where do we go from here?
From here
From here
In the changing wind, it echoes deep
Wearing thin the heart beneath
There's no place to call our own
Like a drifting haze, we roam
Where do we go from here?
Where do we go from here?
How do you fly with no wings?
How do you breathe without dreams?
Where do we go from here?
- Where Do We Go From Here by Ruelle
"Look... at... me..." he whispered to me, with all the strength he had left, and I felt the urgency of his words to my core.
But I hesitated no longer and hurled three quick Stunning Spells at Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who had no chance due to the element of surprise. From the corner of my eye, I saw the three of them fall to the ground, their bodies stunned by the unexpected attacks.
Hot blood shot out from Severus's gaping neck wound as Harry's hand fell under Severus's Stunning Spell.
It was as if time stood still for a heartbeat as I looked upon Severus's suffering with a mixture of horror and determination.
"It's not time yet, Severus," I whispered softly, my words accompanied by a faint glimmer of hope.
With trembling hands, I poured the blood-replenishing potion Sanguis Formatio into his gurgling throat, a desperate attempt to save his life.
A sad smile played on my lips at the thought that it would be the very potion we once perfected together that would now save his life. The irony of fate was undeniable as I felt the connection between us in that moment.
Severus gasped, his breath a heavy, laborious struggle with death. His eyes closed, his hand fell lifelessly from his body. But I could not allow him to leave me so easily. No, that could not be!
I pressed firmly on his heavily bleeding neck wound, my hand a desperate attempt to preserve life within him, hastily unscrewing the vial of Fawkes's tears with my other hand, which I had kept back. Just in case.
Carefully, I applied the precious tears to the barely bleeding wound; his pulse was far too weak to allow the blood to flow further.
My heart pounded with excitement and fear, painfully in my quivering chest.
Yet, the drops sufficed, and I felt the skin around his carotid artery suddenly tighten, a sign of hope amidst the darkness.
I continued to press my hand firmly against his neck as I spread a bandage with healing salve for the Maledictus snakebite, which had saved Arthur Weasley's life several years ago.
I silently thanked Asklepios and his good friend in Indonesia who had gifted us this precious remedy for salvation.
Tightly, I wrapped the bandage around his gaping neck wound, each turn a silent vow to preserve his life.
However, his features did not contort in pain but remained expressionless in his unconsciousness as I examined the further wounds inflicted by Nagini. Each bite was a gaping wound, but the one on his neck was the deadliest of all.
Fortunately, thanks to Sybill Trelawney's prophecy, I still had enough of the antidote with me. With nimble hands, I applied the remedy along with dittany to his other wounds.
It was a desperate race against time that left me breathless.
His left leg was severely injured, and the question of whether he would ever walk again tormented me, if he even survived.
But as I looked into his face, slowly regaining colour, all doubts faded away.
I would fight until my last breath to save him, and so I quickly and carefully bandaged his wounds before administering Sanguis Formatio once again and gently laying his head on my lap, stroked his black hair, soaked in his own blood.
After a while, he slowly opened his black eyes, surprise and gratitude mixed within.
My heartbeat slowed as I met his gaze, full of love and concern.
"Severus, I told you, it's not time to go yet. You know I won't allow it," I whispered lovingly, placing a gentle kiss on his cool forehead.
His mouth formed words, but no sound escaped them. I gently placed a finger on his thin lips, a silent command for quiet.
"Rest, I'll take care of you," I said softly, my voice a tender whisper in the room's gloomy atmosphere.
With calm eyes, Severus watched every move I made as I poured a pain relief potion into a silver goblet and guided it to his mouth, his trust a precious asset in this hopeless situation.
He coughed as he drank the bitter liquid, well aware that it couldn't alleviate all the pain of his injuries; Nagini's venom was too potent, his wounds too severe.
Suddenly, however, he turned his gaze critically to something beside me, his entire body tensing up.
With raised eyebrows, I followed his gaze and recognized the shocked faces of Harry and his friends, still paralyzed by my spell. A moment of realization pierced my thoughts as I looked at them reassuringly, a touch of regret in my words.
"Sorry, I didn't know what else to do. I'm a friend of Severus, and I know about your mission from Albus Dumbledore. Please, you must trust me. It's important," I said firmly, my voice caught between concern and urgency. "Harry, I'll give you a potion that will offer you some support, alright?"
My hand gripped the vial containing the precious potion that Severus and I had prepared together. A promise of hope amidst the darkness that I now passed on to Harry, a final bulwark against the impending end.
So I slowly opened the vial, my fingers trembling with tension. Harry's eyes met mine, and for a fleeting moment, I saw in them the image of Lily, how she had once looked at me with the same fear and hope. I needed to reassure him, to give him courage.
"Harry, I'm not just a friend of Severus, but also of Remus. I know about Prongs and Padfoot, the stag, the dog and the wolf or the rat. And… your mother was my best friend. You probably hear it so often, but you have her eyes," I explained in a soft voice, pulling out a photo of Lily from the inner pocket of my cloak, now torn and stained with blood.
A hint of relief crossed his face as he heard my words. I smiled, despite the heavy heart weighing on my chest, as I trickled the bitter potion into his mouth. He coughed briefly but swallowed bravely, and I felt another spark of hope.
"There, that's done," I said relieved, nodding satisfactorily. "And now just one more thing: Memoria mutatio!"
A blue flash shot from my wand onto all three of them, altering their memories.
"You saw Severus Snape die here in the Shrieking Shack. The injuries were too severe, and you couldn't help him anymore. Harry, go to the Pensieve and watch the memories he gave you. As quickly as you can! And then face your last task bravely. You never saw me here. And now go," I spoke into their memories, transforming them into something that, while not true, could secure something for Severus and me.
Unburdenedness.
Something we didn't know and that frightened me at this moment.
I threw on the invisibility cloak and released the paralysis, briefly looking at their dreamy faces until suddenly Voldemort's voice reverberated from the walls and the floor. However, I closed my mind and only heard the last sentences of the cold voice, "Dispose of your dead with dignity. Attend to the wounded... Harry Potter, you've let your friends die for you instead of facing me yourself. I'll wait an hour in the Forbidden Forest. If you don't surrender, the battle will begin again, with me personally. And I'll find you, Harry Potter, punish anyone, man, woman, or child, who tried to hide you. An hour."
I watched as Harry and his friends absorbed and processed these words, then they hurried together towards their fate, without casting a last glance at Severus, who kept his eyes closed, trying to breathe as little as possible.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Catherine. It's dangerous... to play with memories. What if he... is confused when... facing the Dark Lord?" Severus remarked as we were alone again.
"You forget my talent for Memory Charms, Severus. And it was the only option. I assume you've revealed the truth to Harry?"
"I... had to," he replied softly, his voice barely more than a whisper in the room's silence.
"Did you show him anything about us?" I asked in a quiet voice, not knowing which answer I would prefer.
"He won't see anything… that would put you in danger...if he fails and the Dark Lord..." Severus didn't finish, only a heavy breath escaped his pale lips.
I nodded in agreement.
"If they find out you've survived, they'll hunt you down. There will always be his followers seeking revenge against those who led to his downfall," I explained to Severus, feeling a bit uneasy about his bleak prospects after escaping Voldemort's death sentence.
"Yes, how terribly... unpleasant," his voice was weak, yet I detected a mocking undertone, giving me hope for his recovery.
"And if you've died here now, then..." I bit my lower lip.
"...we're finally free," he finished my thought.
"Yes," I said simply, watching as the bleeding from his wounds lessened.
He scrutinised my critical gaze as he reached out a trembling hand, picking up a stray strand of hair and tenderly tucking it behind my ear before his fingers traced over my bloodied cheek.
"What... have they done to you?" he asked softly, his eyes scanning my blood-stained cloak critically.
"Nothing that can't be healed, Severus," I replied, attempting to smile.
"That... is not true. There's more... than the obvious wounds... on you," he said, his eyes locking onto mine as if he could peer into my deepest being. And perhaps he could.
"It's what happens in such a war, Severus. Something changes within you. Through what you witness, what you feel, think, endure. You would know best," I said with a gentle voice, enclosing his cold pale hand resting on my cheek.
He sighed softly and nodded knowingly, while I saw his bleeding now come to a complete halt.
A relieved smile appeared on his face, and I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Severus smiled slightly as he noticed it too.
"You're a... very talented healer, Catherine."
"I had help, as you know."
"No, that... was you alone. Your skill," he insisted, and I felt a wave of recognition wash over me.
"What about Harry now? You've given him... the powerful protective charm," he inquired.
"Yes, a part of his own soul is protected. Through Lily's love and her sacrifice. Since the Dark Lord used Harry's blood to recreate his body, this effect is now enhanced. Harry is tethered to life. Our task is fulfilled."
Severus nodded and tried to stand, but he swayed, and I caught his arms, saving him from falling.
He was still very weak, and I led him to the dilapidated couch. He groaned from his intense pain.
"Drink some more of the blood-replenishing potion. Ideally, every hour." I handed him the potion and his wand made of dark wood and murmured protective charms so he could remain undetected in the Shrieking Shack to rest.
He was far too weak to Apparate; I knew he wouldn't have survived. It was the only way to let him recover there until he was stable enough for it.
I glanced at Gideon's battered golden watch, which told me that there were only a few hours left until dawn.
"What... do you intend to do?" he asked with a weary voice, his face pallid, his lips blue and tightly pressed together in pain, a pain I couldn't alleviate. Nagini's venom prevented pain potions from providing complete relief.
"It's time to take action. I must fulfill my other calling. As a healer," I explained, trying to meet his gaze steadfastly, which widened in understanding. I could see great fear in his eyes, yet he nodded in agreement. He understood me, just as I understood him.
"Take care of yourself!" he managed to utter slowly.
"Promise!" I replied confidently, tucking another frayed blanket over his exhausted body. But suddenly, he grabbed my torn and bloodied cloak, pulled me towards him, and gave me a gentle, quiet kiss on my lips.
My skin tingled under his touch, filled with happiness that I still had him with me, that I could still receive this kiss.
Then Severus reclined back, groaning as he closed his eyes, his breath rattling and fast. Exhaustion and severe wounds had taken their toll, plunging him into a deep sleep.
I cast one last glance at him before sprinting back to Hogwarts through the narrow passage. In my hand, I held my bag of remedies that I had prepared solely for this day, yet had hoped would be unnecessary.
On my way through the devastated corridors of the castle, I saw the wounded, whom I transported to the castle with a levitation charm. Their pain-stricken faces reflected the horror that this night had brought upon Hogwarts.
I tried to ignore the dead faces, but their silent accusation seared into my soul. I didn't want to think about how many victims this evening might have already claimed.
The night had become silent, a heavy silence filled with the weight of loss and destruction. No popping of spells, no flashes of light piercing through the darkness, no cries of those fighting, just an apparently impenetrable silence.
At the entrance of the castle, I tucked my cloak back into my bag and rushed into the Great Hall.
Bloodstains adorned the stone steps, marble debris, shards of the Slytherin hourglass's green emeralds, splinters of wood. Parts of the stairs were missing altogether.
In the Great Hall, a scene unfolded before me like I had never experienced. So many wounded on one side and dead on the other. Many stood in groups, arms around each other's necks. The injured were on the dais, and I saw Poppy treating them as best she could.
The dead lay in a row in the middle of the hall. I recognized the Weasleys, leaning over one of them, Molly trembling, Arthur crying incessantly, and one of the twins kneeling beside his dead brother in despair. It was Fred, whom I had seen fighting alongside Percy just moments ago... and now all life had left him.
I saw Harry's pale face, his eyes widened in horror. I approached, intending to offer my condolences before Harry ran off.
And then I saw him. Remus.
I rushed towards his motionless body, lying among so many silent figures. I sank to my knees beside him, grasping his all too cold hand.
I couldn't breathe anymore, everything inside me seemed to be screaming.
Remus, my best friend, whose smile was so warm and comforting, now lay lifeless before me.
A feeling of shock and sorrow overwhelmed me as I slowly leaned over him. I couldn't hold back the tears that blurred my vision, a part of me refused to accept that he was truly gone.
Yet his face was peaceful, but his eyes, once so full of life and kindness, were now closed, forever shielded from the world's gaze. Memories of our shared adventures, our deep conversations, and the countless times we had supported each other rushed through my mind. And now he was gone, forever torn from my life.
I heard myself screaming in despair.
In that moment, feelings of loss, loneliness, and despair overwhelmed me. I felt my heart skip a beat, and then... I saw that he was holding her hand.
"No, bloody hell!" I shouted so loudly that it echoed off the walls, heads turning in my direction. Next to Remus lay Tonks, his beloved wife, her brown glossy hair a contrast against her pale skin.
Her hand rested in his, as if they were holding on to each other until their last breath. The brevity of their shared happiness choked me, silencing my long scream.
Today, I had lost my best friend, my brother, but a little baby had lost its parents. Just like years before. Darkness seemed to envelop me, and I felt crushed by grief and anger.
I could hardly bear it when a hand rested on my shoulder.
"Catherine, I'm so sorry, I know how much you meant to each other," Minerva whispered comfortingly in my ear.
"Who?" I asked in a toneless voice.
"Pardon?" she asked with wide eyes.
"Who was it?" I clarified, my throat dry.
"Dolohov," Minerva whispered, alarmed as if she knew what filled my dark thoughts.
"Dolohov." I spoke that name full of hatred, because it was the only feeling that still filled me.
My best friend, who had been my family, was dead, and the world around me suddenly seemed empty.
And amidst this darkness, I also felt an unwavering determination to preserve their memory and to continue fighting for what they believed in. And for revenge.
But suddenly I heard the whimpering of a young girl being carried in. She was covered in bloody wounds that I knew all too well.
With shaky legs, I approached her, applying my best salve to treat the werewolf bites, but I knew that these cursed wounds would leave strong scars and never heal properly. But fortunately, it wasn't a full moon night.
So I spent some minutes providing some healing to the injured girl. Each bite I treated with salve felt like a stab in my own heart.
Driven mechanically, I then hurried on from one injured person to another, trying my best to help them and distract my mind from the immense loss. I saw Neville Longbottom, Oliver Wood, and Ginny Weasley bringing in more from the grounds. Some were barely clinging to life, while others had the thread of life torn apart.
All these young people. I tried not to think anymore, just to act. I was like a robot, unable to speak or even think clearly. Healing was the only thing I could and wanted to do in that moment.
And I thought of Harry. Would he surrender to his fate? Was he already on his way?
Until the cruel voice rose again, startling me.
"Harry Potter is dead. He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself, even though you gave your lives for him. We bring his body as proof of his death. The battle is over. You have lost half of your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you. The boy who lived, finished. The war must not continue. Anyone who continues to resist will die, just like every member of his family. But if you kneel before me, you will be spared, and they will live, they will be forgiven, and you will become part of the new world that we will create together."
The grim prophecy of death echoed through the Great Hall, a sinister shadow hanging over us all. The words cut through the silence like a sharp knife, leaving us frozen, trapped in a nightmare from which there was no awakening. The eyes of those present, once filled with hope and courage, were now dominated by fear and horror, while pale faces showed disturbed grimaces.
I leaned against the wall, my thoughts swirling wildly, trapped in a whirlwind of despair and grief.
Had all our efforts been in vain? Had we failed to save Harry? Were all the sacrifices for nothing? With moist eyes, I stared at the lifeless bodies of the brave fighters, now lying silently among us, their once lively eyes now closed forever.
The first few ventured forward, running to the entrance to catch a glimpse outside, at the dark figures moving in the darkness.
Minerva hurried ahead with unsteady steps, towards the open portal to the grounds. I struggled to find my footing, to catch a glimpse of the dreadful truth.
"NO!" Minerva's scream pierced the silence, a lament that confirmed our worst fears.
We had lost him, the boy on whom we had placed all our hopes. This scream jolted us out of our paralysis, drove us out into the cold night air, which greeted us with its merciless chill.
I could no longer think as desperate cries resounded around me. My gaze fixated on the seemingly small body with black hair, resting in Hagrid's large hands.
He seemed to have just recently left life, as his face did not appear as pale as Remus's or Tonks's.
A feeling of failure engulfed me as I looked at the unmistakable evidence of my streamed uncontrollably down my cheeks, a silent expression of the grief that filled my heart.
"Silence!" Voldemort shouted in response to the insults from the resistance, apparently surprised that no one was giving in. There was a bang and a bright flash of light, silencing everyone.
"Hagrid, lay him at my feet; where he belongs!" commanded the cold voice.
A trembling Hagrid gently placed Harry in the grass, his tears a silent tribute to the boy he had loved like his own son. Voldemort paced impatiently back and forth, his eyes glowing with triumph.
"You see? Harry Potter is dead, he deceived you. He was just a boy who relied on the great sacrifice of others," Voldemort gloated, relishing the dark satisfaction his words brought. "He was killed as he tried to sneak away, shirking his responsibility." His gaze swept over the crowd, which was frozen, trapped in a web of fear and despair.
With wide eyes, I watched as Neville Longbottom lunged forward, his eyes fixed on the snake, but he was stopped by Rockwood and Selwyn, who threw him to the ground, disarmed him.
"Who has volunteered to show what happens to those who refuse to comply?" his voice echoed mockingly through the hall, while Bellatrix Lestrange laughed with devilish delight. "Neville Longbottom, sir. The boy who has caused the Carrows so much trouble all year. The son of the Aurors, remember?" she cackled wickedly, her eyes glittering with anticipation.
Voldemort now turned to the brave Neville, who had risen to his feet, his hands clenched into fists. "But you're a pure-blood, aren't you?"
Neville, whose courage and determination were almost palpable, replied without hesitation: "So what?"
Voldemort's red eyes glittered with admiration. "Hmm, fighting spirit and courage, noble lineage. We need people like you, Longbottom." I gripped my wand tightly and stepped forward. I would not allow the son of my friends to be harmed.
"Only when hell freezes over will I join you. Dumbledore's Army!" Neville shouted, and the crowd responded with loud cheers, as I stepped forward, ready to save his life.
"Good," said Voldemort, and he waved his wand towards the window. With a flutter, the Sorting Hat landed in Voldemort's hand.
"Since there will be no more sorting at Hogwarts, but only Slytherin House for everyone, we don't need this anymore, do we, Neville Longbottom?" He jammed the hat over Neville's head and lightly touched it with his wand, causing him to become immobile.
I surged forward, seeing Dolohov recognizing me with glittering eyes.
The figure of Neville Longbottom, trapped under the burning weight of the Sorting Hat, seemed to disappear in the blazing fire.
My heart raced as I seized my wand and desperately tried to extinguish the sea of flames. But a hard curse struck me, and my wand slipped from my hand, falling to the ground and getting swallowed by the swirling crowd.
Suddenly, from the distance of the school grounds, a deafening tumult erupted, the war cries drawing closer.
A small giant, wild and untamed, stormed around the corner of the castle, roaring his name: "Hagger!" Voldemort's giants responded with a thunderous roar, their heavy footsteps shaking the ground like an approaching storm.
In the chaos of battle, I managed to retrieve my wand before it was lost forever. As I looked up, I saw everyone transfixed on Neville, who charged towards the great snake with a majestic sword with a silver blade and a hilt studded with rubies, the same snake that had nearly cost Severus his life.
The clang of the sword pierced the air as Neville wielded it with impressive determination. The head of the snake soared high into the air, a final act of liberation, while the raucous crowd of centaurs charged at the Death Eaters.
A blood-curdling scream escaped Voldemort's lips, filled with horror and disbelief as the lifeless body of the beast fell heavily at his feet, a testament to its downfall.
Amidst the turmoil, the Death Eaters were attacked by unseen forces, surrounding them from all sides. I recognized the hippogriff that once lived in freedom with Sirius, now a protector of justice.
The tide of fighters was swallowed by the castle, a colorful mix of wizards and witches, centaurs, and villagers from Hogsmeade, all united in the fight against the darkness, ready to forge their own future.
I saw Charlie Weasley sprinting up the front steps, followed by Professor Slughorn in a green pajamas, as well as centaurs and many villagers from Hogsmeade.
The house-elves of Hogwarts marched into the entrance hall, armed with knives and cleavers, their faces twisted into malicious grimaces.
Amidst this whirlwind of events, I tried to gather my thoughts, to control my emotions. But my desire for revenge was the only thing clear and unwavering in my mind. My heart cried out for retribution for the innocents Dolohov had taken, for Gideon, for Remus, and for all those who had ended his dark deeds.
I saw him dueling with Filius Flitwick, screaming. It was my duty, my destiny, to bring him down, and so I pushed the bewildered Charms professor aside.
It was the only thing I still wanted. Now that my task of protecting Harry had failed. Miserably failed.
"Please. I'll take care of him," I whispered with a trembling voice.
Both paused briefly in their fight, Filius looked at me perplexed, but recognized my relentless determination and nodded before engaging Yaxley, who had been held back by George Weasley and Lee Jordan.
Dolohov's contemptuous laughter echoed through the air as he turned to face me.
"Well, darling, guess you finally need a proper man," he sneered, as my hands clenched around my wand.
"Shut your mouth, you asshole!" I shouted, my anger igniting the spark of determination within me. With a blasting hex in mind, I threw myself into the fight, my gaze fixed on Dolohov.
My thoughts were with those he had cruelly taken away as I hurled a curse at him. Strangely, his were too.
"How delightful that you're willing to sacrifice yourself. Now that all those you loved are dead," he jeered, hurling a green killing curse at me, which I only narrowly dodged with a leap to the side. "You're as quick as Prewett was, before I got his brother."
"You disgust me, you bastard!" I cried out, my face set with determination as I cast another curse at him, which he parried, but I didn't give him time for a counterattack.
"You have no idea who's on my side."
"No matter who it is. I'll find that person and revel in his death," he taunted, mad like his master. "But first, it's your turn. I long to make you suffer as I did with Prewett. Or the wolf. Wasn't he a friend of yours?"
My breath caught at his words as I hurled a curse at him, tearing the ground beneath his feet, which he could only barely parry.
Defiantly, he extended his wand hand, unleashing a green flash of light at me, which I skillfully dodged.
"You'll never hurt anyone again," I screamed with rage and determination as a freezing charm suddenly caught him, rushing past his outstretched wand to hit him in the chest.
And I knew I could have ended it here, not gone any further.
His eyes widened in shock, his mocking grin fading, as I remembered I had no choice left. It was now or never.
With one final spell, his body shattered before my eyes, like the emeralds of the hourglass. As if his very body had been made of glass, now shattered before me.
I still stood in disbelief over my own victory against his mutilated body when a feeling of satisfaction and relief suddenly flooded through me.
I knew it was wrong, and yet it felt good. Like in an endless trance. I had accomplished it, and I knew this monster would never harm anyone again. I sensed the surge of blood coursing through my head, charged with adrenaline.
But suddenly, the noise of battle pierced my ears again, and I saw Molly Weasley fighting Bellatrix Lestrange, all eyes on them both. At the same time, I saw Voldemort fighting Minerva, Kingsley, and Slughorn simultaneously, cold sweat on his face.
"What will become of your children once I've killed you?" Bellatrix asked mockingly, hopping on the spot to dodge Molly's firing attacks. "If Mommy ends up like Freddy?"
"You'll never touch our children again!" Molly roared like a wild beast.
We all watched the two battles, frozen and fascinated at the same time until Molly's curse caught her arrogantly laughing opponent directly above the heart. The gaze of the black-haired witch froze, then she toppled forward.
A collective cheer filled the air, but the joy died abruptly as Voldemort rushed towards Molly, his wand raised.
But suddenly, a powerful protective spell rose around the brave witch.
Voldemort's eyes stared around the room, searching for the source of the spell.
And to everyone's amazement, Harry Potter appeared among us. The jubilation was immense.
"Harry!" I joined happily. It had worked. He had survived the confrontation with Voldemort.
"He's alive!"
But suddenly, silence fell as Voldemort's expression twisted into a cruel grimace. The two began to circle each other, their greed and hatred for each other clearly visible.
"I don't want any help. From anyone," Harry shouted to us. Something had happened to him, he no longer seemed like the boy who had watched Severus's apparent death with horror. Something had happened to him. And yet, I was afraid, just like the others from the resistance. The protective spell from Severus and me wouldn't hold up anymore. The tears of the phoenix would no longer be within him. But he still had their love. His mother's love.
"I have to do it myself. It has to be this way," Harry added, which made Voldemort hiss.
"You don't mean that. Whom will you use as a shield now?" Voldemort said, his red eyes widened.
"There are no more Horcruxes. Only the two of us. You know it. No one can live while the other survives. One of us must disappear. Permanently," Harry explained matter-of-factly.
„And you think it will be you? You survived by chance because Dumbledore held the strings!" Voldemort sneered with contempt, but his entire body was tense.
"Accident, was it, when my mother died to save me?" asked Harry smiling slightly. "Accident, when I decided to fight in that graveyard? Accident, that I didn't defend myself tonight, and still survived, and returned to fight again?"
"Accidents!" screamed Voldemort, but still he did not strike,
At that moment, I knew it was time for me to leave.
It was no longer my destiny to witness what lay ahead for Harry. I had given him everything I could after all those years of denial. He was surrounded by his friends, people who had truly been there for him. I knew I didn't belong among them.
As I passed by the Great Hall, I saw Poppy still tending to the injured. I handed her my bag of salves and potions after taking out the flowing cloak. She looked at me questioningly but smiled slightly when she saw the contents of my expanded bag.
Then I walked on to the exit of the castle, which seemed to crumble as if to prevent my escape from the spectacle. I allowed myself the satisfaction of seeing Harry's victory, everyone's victory. But for me, the time had come to move on.
My feet carried me into the Great Hall, my eyes quickly finding who I was looking for. He still lay in the middle of the room, next to the love of his life, who found him much too late and only for a short while.
I sank down beside him, resting my head on his motionless chest. I took in his scent one last time.
I had gotten my revenge, but lost my best friend in the process. I knew he had entered the duel with Dolohov to avenge me. Remus wanted to destroy him before I even had the idea and put myself in danger for a feeling of triumph. He always wanted to protect me from that. And yet, on this night, I had done it. I had killed. I felt strangely calm at the thought, neither good nor bad. It was simply what had happened. I had a choice. The only thing that filled my eyes with tears was that I hadn't made it in time. Before Remus sacrificed himself for me.
Tears flowed onto his cold and still chest before I rose again and gently kissed Remus's cold forehead. I whispered one last promise to him before I stood up.
This final promise to my best friend accompanied me as I stepped into the shadows of the grounds, the cold night air burning my lungs.
Crying, I pulled the invisibility cloak over me and searched in the grass on my way back. It was hard to see anything, but I couldn't use light, not without attracting attention to myself. Even though I suspected that the battle held everyone in thrall. If it wasn't already over.
After what felt like hours, I finally found him near the Whomping Willow. His body had not yet been retrieved by his comrades. It was as if he had been waiting for me, resigning himself to his fate.
"Mutatio figura in aeternum!" I whispered in awe, thinking of Severus, trying to conjure every detail of his face before my eyes.
The old man's hair turned black, growing down to his shoulders. His dark, lifeless eyes stared blankly at the sky.
A shiver ran down my spine. He had narrowly escaped death. I let the body float beside me and dragged myself with trembling legs back down the narrow passage to the howling hut.
Severus lay motionless on the couch, his skin unnaturally pale. I froze, my eyes widening in horror.
This couldn't be happening, it simply couldn't. His wounds were healing when I left him.
My hand covered my mouth to stifle a loud scream. Trembling, I approached him. The body clattered loudly to the ground beside me as I lost my concentration.
Suddenly, Severus jerked and swiftly raised his dark wand in my direction.
Relieved, he recognized me. Severus tried to get up to hug me, but he still couldn't stand and fell into my arms, but his slight smile of recognition froze upon seeing my tears.
"What happened? Is Harry-"
"No, Severus. Harry is... he will make it, everything worked out," I said, sitting down next to Severus on the couch. He sat up, putting an arm around me and pulling me close.
"What... who is it?" Severus asked softly. But my tears wouldn't allow me to speak. It was answer enough for Severus.
"Lupin," he concluded, holding me tightly. His cloak was still stained with blood. Yet, the beating of his heart immediately calmed me.
It was painful to be here, where I knew Remus had been so often. As a child. As a teenager. In the transformation that caused him endless pain. Only the presence of his friends helped him bear this burden. And now, none of them were in this world anymore. It seemed so empty without these four people, whom I once saw differently than in this moment. Our young hearts have finally passed... fallen as sacrifices.
Countless minutes passed before I calmed down a bit, Severus comforting me with a reassuring stroke on my back.
Then I looked into his dark eyes, which studied me.
"I'm sorry, Catherine. I know what he meant to you," he said softly.
"But I'm glad you're still with me. You know, I wouldn't have survived if..."
"The thought of leaving you behind was unbearable, yet I saw no way out of the situation. He had to continue to believe he was the master of the wand when he finished me off. It was necessary, I-"
"I heard everything, Severus. I don't blame you in the slightest."
"I thought Lupin would catch you. As he always did in the past. And for the first time, I was grateful for his existence," Severus said softly, and tears welled up in my eyes again.
As Severus's gaze suddenly fell upon my dead companion, his eyes widened in shock.
"It has to look real," I said dryly, wiping my tears with the usual handkerchief. E.P.
He nodded silently, but his face paled even more as I pointed my wand at the corpse and spoke "Serpensortia."
I watched in horror as the snake tore wounds into the dead body, which looked like my beloved Severus. It was so close. I almost lost him too. The thought sent a shiver through my entire body. I couldn't have survived without him.
"Vipera Evanesca," Severus whispered, bringing me back from my reverie.
"Do you think the spell will hold long enough, Catherine?"
"Yes, I read that the spell is stronger when the body is still fresh."
"You know that this spell is powerful dark magic?"
"Yes. But for you, I'll use any means necessary," I gasped as I placed the false Severus where my beloved had lain, blood spilled all around.
Severus looked at me with a strange expression. "You shouldn't do this. Not even for me."
"These are my principles. I can adjust them when the situation demands it. And it's necessary," I said evasively. I knew he didn't like seeing me using dark magic. But this would be the last time.
"Besides, it wasn't the worst thing I did tonight," I whispered into the silence.
Severus's eyebrow shot up with determined strength. I exhaled heavily.
"I killed," I said heavily.
Severus sharply inhaled and recoiled from me. He stared at me in disbelief.
It was a line he himself had never crossed, even if he felt differently after Dumbledore's death. And I knew he would see me in a different light. I was no longer the innocent witch with no blood on her hands.
I was damaged, I had done something I should hate myself for, yet I didn't. And I had to tell him the truth.
"I killed Dolohov. He was the one who killed Gideon and his brother. He killed Remus," I tried to explain, my voice pleading for understanding.
Severus glanced at me briefly before pulling me into his arms and gently stroking my tousled hair.
"He inflicted so much cruelty on you. If you hadn't done it, I would have," he reassured me, and I was grateful for his understanding. And for the fact that he didn't have to. Infinitely.
"That's why Remus died. He wanted to avenge me," I said through tears.
"I understand. But I know Lupin understood the risks that come with a fight. And the fight against the dark...against Voldemort and his followers was inevitable. It brought so many casualties. Today and in the past. And I owe you my life. You know what that means?" Severus whispered in my ear.
"No, what do you mean?"
"When a wizard or witch saves the life of another magician, a strong magical bond is formed between them. That's deep magic, Catherine."
"Don't you think we were already deeply connected before?" I asked, smiling.
He had to smile, and his dark eyes sparkled. He ran his hand over my cheek, wiping away the last tears.
"Indeed," he whispered.
We looked at each other and kissed passionately. I felt that something between us was different. His guilt to Lily felt paid off. We had done everything in our power, everything else was out of our hands.
But as Severus quickly pulled away from me, his eyes narrowed to thin slits, scanning our surroundings with a sense of urgency that mirrored my own growing unease.
"We need to get out of here," he stated, his voice low and urgent, cutting through the silence like a blade.
I nodded, my heart racing as I realized the gravity of our situation. Grabbing Severus's hand tightly, I felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins as we disapparated, leaving behind the scene of our deception and the echoes of our shared secrets.
Arriving at our secluded hideout, we found solace in the quiet embrace of our sanctuary, where time seemed to stand still amidst the shadows and whispers of the past. We retreated into the safety of each other's arms, seeking refuge from the storm that raged outside.
In the days that followed, we forged ahead together, drawing strength from the bond that bound us together, navigating the uncertain terrain of our shared destiny with unwavering resolve.
And as we stood on the threshold of a new dawn, I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, united in purpose and bound by love.
/That's the end of this story.
I hope I was able to bring you some joy with it. I'm planning a short epilogue that gives a little insight into the development of the two and takes place a few years after the Battle of Hogwarts. This will also be published in a few days.
Thank you to all readers, all comments and support.
It was an honor for me. Everything good for you!/