The second longest chapter of this year! Truthfully, I had hoped it would end up being a bit longer, but unfortunately there was only so much that needed to be written.

I'm still not sure how I feel about this chapter. I had initially intended for it to go one way, but the ending is decidedly rather different to what I had envisioned. Although I do like the overall feel of the chapter as well as the point at which we ended off, I'm worried that some parts of it are still a bit rough around the edges. It is possible that I will edit it within the upcoming days. If so, please note that changes were likely only made regarding writing style and feel rather than overall content.

I've started a Discord. I intend for it to be a small, relaxed server - nothing to fancy or grand. If you have any questions about my writing, want to discuss my work, or simply want to hang out, you're more than welcome to join. The link is in my profile.

Read, review, and feel free to point out any errors/inconsistencies.

The next chapter will be published the coming Saturday.


Harry Potter: A Flaw in Fate

The Blackest of Nights

XVIII. Equals in Essence

Something stirred.

Neville tore his eyes from the haunting figure of Buckbeak. The mournful sobs of Hermione and Ron pressed tight against his ears, and a strange, uncomfortable feeling welled up in his stomach. He waited in silence, waiting for tears of his own that would never come.

It's nothing new, really. Just death.

He could see Buckbeak yawning in the corner of his eye. The oversized Hippogriff clawed at one of the pumpkins with its talons, doing his very best to swallow it hole.

If anything, death's preferable. It's faster. Painless.

Hermione was still sobbing. Neville winced at the sound of it.

The golden light of the sun slowly faded as it hid behind the tall trees of the Forbidden Forest. Small streams of light peaked out from the gaps in the trees, casting the Hogwarts grounds in a soft glow. Neville spotted two girls basking within one of the remaining patches of light. He didn't recognize either of them. Still, it was clear to him why they were.

Maybe they're friends of Hagrid as well.

Light faded. The dark, gloomy clouds of the Scottish Highlands covered them. It was suddenly becoming more difficult to see. The trio waited as silently as they could, waiting for something - anything - to happen.

Hagrid's probably serving them tea. Trying to draw it out for as long as possible.

"Any minute now." Ron whispered. His voice trembled, "They can't be chatting for too long."

Neville chanced another glance at Buckbeak. He was tied in place by a chain of wrought iron. A long, metal instrument was set just out of his reach, an ornate black axe with a silver serpent coiling around it. Blood still stained the blade's edge.

Buckbeak clawed at another pumpkin, knocking it across the patch. Neville watched as he stood up to retrieve it.

He won't be able to. The chain's too short.

He looked away. Buckbeak trilled with disappointment.

Hermione was crying again. A tear slipped down her cheek and onto Neville's wrist. It was warm, like water left to bask in the sun. He let it slide along his palm and drop down to the earthen floor.

Just death. That's all.

The Forbidden Forest swam into view. It was harder to see now, the golden light that made them so visible fading to make way for the darkness. Dozens of hooded cloaks rose high about the treetops as the dementors took to the skies. Frost followed in their wake, staining the trees a cold white.

A quick death is a luxury not everyone gets.

He could see their faces. A man, wide and tall. He looked very much like Neville. A bit older, perhaps, his eyes darker and his nose longer, his hair every bit as blonde as Neville's. The woman that stood beside him looked like Neville, too. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, with shoulder length black hair and icy blue eyes.

Perfect.

They looked past him. Their eyes stared into the nothingness, unfocused and vague. No recognition flared in their eyes, no sense of understanding or certainty. Neville watched, his heart pumping loudly in his chest, as his parents turned, sinking into beds of plain white silk. The curtains closed, and the doors to St. Mungo's Magical Hospital slid shut -

They should've died. I wish they died.

The world spun. The dark grounds of Hogwarts took over his vision once more. They were gone.

Something stirred again. Neville turned, his gaze slipping across the edge of the Forbidden Forest. A sudden coldness swept over him, and his heart stopped beating in his chest.

He recognized those lips. He recognized the heavily-lidded eyes, the curly black hair, and the shit eating grin. She stood there, waiting within robes coloured black, a hood thrown over her head. Still, Neville recognized her. He would recognize that face anywhere.

Finally.

His heart spun back to life. He could hear the grass that blew by his feet, the snapping of twigs behind him, the shedding of tears beside him. Everything felt so raw, so vivid -

It's time.

His grasp tightened around his wand. Incantations swum through his mind, none of them particularly amiable. A single word slipped from his lips. It was all he could muster, all he could think, all he could see -

"Lestrange."

The world crumbled to ash, and for the first time in his life, Neville saw red.

-(xXx)-

Crack.

Twigs shattered as Harry sprinted down the Hogwarts Grounds, chasing after a number of billowing cloaks. They'd all seen her by now; Ron and Hermione were chasing after Neville, and Professors Lupin and Snape weren't far behind. Harry could vaguely make out the wild grin that covered Bella's face as she spun around, skipping back into the Forbidden Forest.

"You coming to get me? Closer, closer now -"

There was a blast of blue light. Harry watched as dirt flew high into the air, sputtering about in all directions. He clawed at his eyelids with the back of his hands, squinting in an attempt to see.

"EXPULSO!"

"NEVILLE, NO -"

Wham.

A chorus of spellwork flashed through the air. Neville ducked beneath it all, sprinting towards the forest's edge. Harry paled as the lights streaked past Hermione, Ron, and the Professors, flying straight at him.

"Protego." Harry whispered. A faint shield of white and silver flashed before him.

"Is Peeves here, too?" a dreamy voice asked the darkness.

"I don't think so. It must be someone invisible."

Harry spun around. Astoria and Luna sat side-by-side, staring at where he hid beneath his cloak.

"What the hell are you doing here?" hissed Harry, pulling off his invisibility cloak. Astoria yelped in alarm, "Are you not seeing what's going on?"

"Er - I didn't catch the first bit." Astoria watched him nervously, "But I did see Snape chase after the Gryffindors, if that's what you mean -"

"He's talking about the wicked witch." murmured Luna, "The one in the forest."

"Oh." Astoria paused, staring up at Harry. She shifted uncertainly, a touch of confusion upon her expression, "I didn't see her."

Right.

"She means Bella - Bellatrix."

"Bellatrix Lestrange?"

"Yes, her." Harry fumbled with his cloak, feeling his face grow hot. He could barely make out the flashing of lights that emerged from the edge of the forest.

"Listen," he began, pulling Astoria closer, "Get back in the castle. No pit stops, no detours - get in, and go somewhere safe. And take this with you -"

He unfolded the Marauder's Map, tapping it with the tip of his wand.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good -"

Ink a colour scarlet spread across the weathered parchment. Harry handed it to Astoria, ignoring the awe that stretched across her face.

"Won't you need it?" she murmured. She glanced over his shoulder, wincing at the flashing lights, "It could help you keep track of them."

"I - listen, just go." Harry tossed his invisibility cloak back over his shoulders, "I'm serious, Astoria. Back to the castle, now. It isn't safe."

Astoria's face fell. She gently grabbed Luna by the palm, steering her towards the castle.

"Thanks." she muttered shyly, "For everything."

And the two blondes spun on their heels, clambering up the hill that led back to the front of the castle.

Crack.

A streak of red light flew past his ear, crashing into a plinth to his right. Harry traced it back, practically jumping down the hill and towards the forest. The skyline darkened overhead. Dozens of tattered cloaks spun amongst the wind. Frost coated the grass by his feet.

Nevermind them. Run.

He did. Past the plinths, down the cobbled path, and over the gate of Hagrid's garden. Buckbeak clawed lazily at him as he passed, eventually compensating for another of the pumpkins that surrounded him. There was something strange surrounding Hagrid's hut - the ghost of a feeling, something soft and faint, but wild all the same -

A Silencing Charm. Cast by Bella, I think.

Harry turned to the hut. Bricks were placed haphazardly atop one another, forming the circular room that Hagrid called home. His gaze went through the open window, landing upon a table set for four. They sat beside one another, chatting incoherently about seemingly nothing significant -

Pale blue eyes traced his own. They hid behind a pair of half-moon spectacles, and sat beneath a bright lilac wizard's hat patterned with stars. Curiosity slid across Harry's skin like an itch.

He knows. He can feel it, too.

Dumbledore studied him for a moment, a thoughtful look in his eyes. His gaze shifted - jumping to the pumpkin patch, the stone gates, and eventually resting upon the tea in his hands. He didn't look back.

Harry shook his head, shoving his curiosity aside. Casting one final look at Hagrid's hut, he sprinted in the opposite direction, past the homemade gates and into the Forbidden Forest.

Silence assaulted him from all directions. Nothing but the crackling of leaves underfoot remained to be heard, and nothing but the trunks of the closest trees could be seen. The sun had long since fallen behind the ends of the earth, leaving nothing but the saddened clouds to keep the forest company.

Lumos.

Harry held his wand aloft. Vivid greens flashed before him as he ran amongst the trees, searching desperately for the others -

They were here. I saw them -

"Expelliarmus!"

A wand soared through the air. Harry watched as it spun, slamming into a tree's trunk with a resounding 'crack'. The shattered remains of Neville's wand fell shamefully to the forest floor.

"I'm disappointed." a familiar voice snapped irritably. Harry watched as Bellatrix stepped into the clearing, staring at someone past his ear, "I thought you'd be better. So much hate, and nothing to show for it -"

Neville growled at her, struggling to break free from his friends' grasp. He stared back at Bellatrix, his eyes dark and heavy.

"I'll get you." he whispered, licking his blood-stained lips, "One day, I'll get you - I'll kill you -"

"But not today, I'm afraid!" crooned Bellatrix. She toyed with the wand in her hand, watching eagerly as sparks spilled from its tip.

Crack.

Bella straightened up, raising her curved wand high into the air.

"I know you're there." she hissed, "I could smell the grease in your hair from a mile away, you filthy traitor -"

The leaves shimmered. Lupin and Snape stepped into the clearing, their wands drawn.

"Hello, Snivellus." Bella tittered. She leaned closer, curling her wand amongst her fingers, "And look - you've brought a friend . . ."

Snape edged closer. His cloak fell from atop his shoulders, getting caught in the wind and soaring out of sight.

"You can't beat us both, Lestrange." said Snape, "A dozen years in Azkaban has not served you well."

Something wild danced in Bellatrix's eyes. The hood of her robes fell to her shoulder, and she fell into a stance Harry had seen many times before. Her lips curved into a cruel, thin-lipped smile.

"Then it'll be twice as embarrassing when you lose."

A violent glow emerged from the tip of her wand, as well as both Snape's and Lupin's. Harry just barely managed to duck out of the way -

"Avada Kedavra!"

"Sectumsempra!"

"Confringo!"

A blast of magic tore across the clearing. Leaves rose into the air, coalescing into a shield of metal and steel. It hovered before Lupin and Snape, sending the sparse magic careening towards out of their path. Harry leapt behind out of the way, watching as the magic dispersed into the forest.

"Back!" Lupin shouted, gritting his teeth as a Bellatrix sent a hoard of spells his way. He ducked beneath the lot, yelling at the Gryffindor trio again, "Get back to the castle, all three of you! Now!"

Harry shifted, watching as Hermione and Ron dragged Neville away. The cloak fell to his shoulders as he peaked beyond where he was hidden, and for a single, heart-wrenching moment, Harry was sure Neville had seen him - but by the next he was gone, following Ron and Hermione back to the castle.

It doesn't matter. It isn't important right now.

The air grew colder. Harry forced himself not to look up, wholly uninterested in discovering just how many Dementors had decided to accompany them -

Dementors.

Harry froze.

They're here for Bella.

Fear shivered within his chest. He spun around with reckless abandon, a warning spilling from parted lips -

"Petrificus Totalus!"

The air rippled. Lupin ducked out of the way in the nick of time, and a jet of nigh invisible magic slipped past him, hitting Harry in the stomach. A tight, cold sensation spread through him, and Harry fell still.

No. Not now, anytime but now -

Yet no matter how hard he tried, his fingers refused to move. Harry stood like a plank, resting upon the tree just behind him, watching the raging battle with bated breath.

"You tired yet?" Bella pouted from across the clearing. There was a tear in her robes, but she looked no worse for wear, "I haven't had this much fun in a while."

Lupin grunted. A thick trail of blood covered the side of his shabby robes. He slowly raised his wand, pointing it at Bellatrix with gritted teeth.

"Percutiens!"

Ribbon-like bursts of silvery-blue slipped from the end of his wand. It careened across the clearing, obliterating a thick oak tree to Bella's left. Shards of wood flew in all directions.

"Impedimenta." Bellatrix whispered lazily. Bits of broken oak paused just inches from her face.

She turned to Lupin.

"You're alright." she noted curiously, "Why haven't we fought before?"

"Vitreus." Snape hissed.

Bellatrix waved her wand. Some of the wood fragments formed a shield around her, shattering again as a stream of broken glass crashed into it.

"And you," she murmured irritably, "You're not fighting as well as you used to. Is it him?"

She nodded towards Professor Lupin as though he wasn't there.

"Scared he'll go running to the old crack pipe if you stick a toe out of line? Come on, Snivellus, where's the fun, where's the excitement -"

"Cor Comprimens!"

Dark-red energy twisted through the air. Bellatrix's hooked wand curved up at the last second, summoning a shield of silver. A torrent of hot air shot across the clearing as the magic collided. Bella hissed, patting at her singed locks.

"That's better." she decided eventually, "That's the Snivellus I know and hate."

Wood shards coiled around her form, curving into something large and wide. A gaping serpent of oak bared its fangs from across the clearing. It studied Lupin with poorly concealed interest.

"Incend -"

The snake lunged. Lupin just barely dove out of the way. The serpent's wooden maw slammed into the forest floor. Wood splintered off in several directions, and when it rose, the left side of the serpent's face was missing.

Lights flew across the clearing again. Harry paled as Snape and Bellatrix threw spell after spell at one another whilst Lupin did his best to avoid the oak serpent. The air grew colder all the while; Harry could see his own breath now, fogging up beneath the silvery cloth of his invisibility cloak.

Unbound me. Let me go, let me go -

A bit of heat returned to his fingers, but it wasn't enough.

I want to move. I need to move. I need to move, now -

His finger shifted. Harry wagged it hurriedly, trying to turn his wand towards the clearing's center.

"The Dementors are on their way, Lestrange." said Snape coolly.

"Bellatrix."

"I don't care." he sneered at her, wiping rivulets of sweat from his brow, "And I suspect they won't, either."

Let me move, come on -

"Bold words." Bella rose her hands in faux applaud, unable to hide the loathing in her words, "If only you'd been bolder back then . . . less of a coward, less of a traitor -"

"You are blind." Snape spat, "Naïve and foolish, stumbling in the footsteps of your beloved master in the hopes that some of the mud on her boots will rub upon yours -"

"Oh, but it has." Bella stared at him with the same, insane smile Harry had seen many times before, "Here, let me show you . . ."

She waved her wand wildly overhead. Cracks appeared in the dirt, and chunks of earth rose into the air, spinning themselves into jagged knives of rock and stone. Harry stared in horror as she pointed them towards Snape, and in turn, himself.

Move. I need to move, NOW!

His nerves erupted as though on fire. Harry flexed his fingers hurriedly before dragging them to his face, only to pause in confusion.

The earthen daggers had stopped spinning. Harry paused as they crumbled to dust, vanishing into the cold air. He turned to Bella, confused, only to find that her attention was no longer on Snape. Snape, for the matter, didn't seem particularly concerned with Bellatrix, either.

Crack.

Crack.

Crack.

Bones shattered as something tall and skinny contorted where Professor Lupin had stood. His clothes ripped as his skin darkened, his face growing longer, his nose more snout-like. His pupils shrunk, the amber of his irises burning a sickly yellow.

Up above, the dementors hovered amongst the clouds. The full moon peaked tauntingly from a gap in the sky.

Once again, Harry felt his heart stammer. His fingers curled tightly around his wand.

"Stupefy."

A burst of jet light flew towards Snape. Bellatrix giggled as he crumpled to the ground. Harry stared at her in disbelief, reality crashing into him like a brick wall."

"What the fuck were you thinking?" he hissed, ripping off his cloak. Bellatrix paled at once, "Why would you let them see you? Why couldn't you just hide like a normal person -"

"Under your cloak!" she shrieked, "Under it, now!"

"But -" Harry broke off, pointing his wand at Snape's unmoving form, "Depulso!"

Snape's body flew far, past the clearing and near the outskirts of Hagrid's pumpkin patch. Harry could make out the vague form of Buckbeak, who rose to his feet to investigate the limp Potions Professor.

"You shouldn't be here," he whispered. He stared at Bellatrix, nervously glancing up, "The Dementors are here for you. They're waiting -"

Something growled behind them. Leaves crackled beneath the paws of something Harry had seen only in his defense lessons. He paled, allowing himself a slow, deep breath.

Then they ran.

Harry sprinted through the forest. Dozens of trunks blurred past as he bolted, throwing spells over his shoulder.

"Confringo!"

Bella's shouting rang through the air, followed by a loud bang. Harry flinched as a wolf howled in anger. Coldness laced his body, and he forced himself not to shiver uncontrollably -

Can't hide. It'll know. It'll smell where I've hidden.

Harry ducked past a series of low branches, pushing himself behind a particularly thick tree. He fumbled for his wand.

Get rid of my scent. Remove it entirely.

He brandished the wand, shivering as magic swept over him. Moving meticulously, Harry poked his head out from behind the large oak.

Eyes like galleons shimmered in the darkness. Harry watched as the werewolf's snout rose high into the air, creasing slightly. It turned towards him.

Get rid of it. Now, do it now -

The air tightened around him. Harry sniffed gently, lowering his nose to his skin. Nothing reached him bar the sappy smell of the leaves.

Harry lowered his cloak back over his head, looking out from around the tree.

The werewolf was gone. Harry felt a touch of panic flare in his chest again.

But it can't see me. He reassured himself, It can't smell me. I'll be fine.

He slowly stalked out from behind the tree, making his way through the forest again. His eyes combed over the branches and the leaves, searching for the familiar curls of jet black hair, or perhaps the heavily-lidded eyes he had grown so accustomed to.

It's so cold.

Harry looked up. Dozens of dementors were floating high above. He watched as they floated towards another part of the forest. A trail of frost coated the trees behind them. Harry fell still, twitching uncertainly as he stared after them

They could've found her. I can't leave her alone with them.

Swearing under his breath, Harry followed.

Low hanging branches batted at the side of his head, constantly knocking his invisibility cloak aside. Harry irritably shoved them out of the way and fixed his cloak, stepping over thorns and vines that hung near the forest floor. A thin trail of frost and ice led the way as Harry clambered deeper into the forest.

Crack.

Harry froze. His wand rose high into the air, his heart pounding in his chest -

"Is that itty bitty Harry!"

Harry sighed with relief, lowering his wand. Bellatrix skipped cheerfully towards him. There was a wide grin etched across her face.

"You won't ever believe what I just did." she whispered, leaning closer, "Go on, have a guess."

"You didn't kill him, did you?"

Bella frowned.

"I didn't do anything to the werewolf, no. I forgot he was one. Greyback mentioned him during the first war, I think. But I forgot. I usually try to forget most of the rubbish that comes out of Greyback's mouth, really -"

"You were saying something."

"Oh, right!" Bellatrix swayed happily, her eyes nearly popping out of their sockets, "I saved your bird-horse!"

"My what?"

"The Hippogriff!" she exclaimed, "The one you were all worried about, remember?"

Harry gaped at her.

"I saw him in that pumpkin patch next to Snivellus." she whispered, "While I was running from the werewolf. He was chained down and everything. No one was there - they were all inside! So I took aim, and - and -"

She stammered, staring at his arms, which he had wrapped tightly around her waist.

"Thank you." he mumbled, his voice a bit muffled.

The silk of her robes slowly wrapped around his head. Harry felt her body relax in an almost uncertain manner.

"I - you're welcome."

Harry closed his eyes. The forest stirred around them, the wind blowing more harshly as the air grew colder, but he stayed as he was.

Something slid across his back, a tingle dancing along his spine. The hairs on his neck stood up -

"Avada Kedavra."

Crash.

Harry looked around. The pale, limp form of Professor Lupin lay sprawled across the ground. He stared at him, the ends of his lips falling.

"He didn't deserve to die."

"Most don't."

Harry turned to her. Bellatrix stared at him, her eyes shining as though they had been struck by dust.

"But almost all do, in the end."

Harry frowned.

"Almost?"

Bellatrix's fingers wrapped tight around his wrist. Harry followed as she dragged him through the forest, neither of them saying a word. He nearly slipped as they reached a lake in the forest. No longer hidden behind the tall trees, the sky was now clear to see. Harry saw nearly a hundred cloaks of inky black hovering overhead.

"Bella." he whispered, "We should go."

But she pointed past them, her fingers arching beyond the end of the lake.

"The Hogwarts Grounds end there." she whispered, "I'll be able to apparate away as soon as I'm past the lake."

The air grew heavier. Harry shivered as the ends of the lake slowly began to freeze over.

"Bella?" Harry felt his heart beating loudly in his chest, thumping up and down and up again, "Bella?"

She was stumbling. Harry grabbed her by the waist, doing his best to keep her upright. But she looked tired, her head slumped and her skin pale.

"The shitty blankets again." she stammered, "Let me at them, let me have a go -"

Her legs buckled from beneath her, and she fell down to the shore.

"Bellatr - Bella . . ."

Harry clutched at his skull. The coldness clutched at it with a claw like grip, shoving voices into his head, etching them into his skull like patterns on a tapestry -

"Stand aside," A familiar tone rang in his head, "You need not die. Stand aside . . ."

But she didn't. She hadn't before, and she never would.

"Not Harry! Please . . . have mercy . . . have mercy . . ."

Scarlet eyes narrowed into slits. Anger washed over her - no, over him -

My mother. That's my mother.

The dementors edged closer. The lake's surface cooled to ice. Hundred of dark reflections shone upon it, stalking towards him just as the tattered robes did -

"Expecto Patronum!" Harry muttered. He held his wand high in the air, "Expecto - Expecto Patronum!"

A silver gust slipped from his wand. It contorted into something: a bird, or a horse - maybe even a bird-horse, as Bella would've called it. Its talons arched up into the air, and it clawed at the nearest dementors. Harry watched with a tired smile as the dementors flew back with a screech.

But the gust faded, dissipating into nothingness. Harry stumbled to his knees, his heat thumping loudly as more and more dementors crowded the air above the lake. The voices grew louder - they rang in his head, gonging like bells -

"Stand aside. You need not die. Stand aside . . ."

Do it. Please, just listen. Just do it.

"Not Harry! Please . . . have mercy . . . have -"

No.

The heat coiled in his chest. Harry drowned within it, letting it ensnare his senses, begging it to wash over him. Something powerful coursed through his veins - something hot, something angry -

There were cracks in the ice. Lines sparked across the surface of the forest lake. Jagged cracks appeared in the earth at his teeth, and the twigs that he kneeled upon crumbled to ash.

More. I want more.

The heat swelled. The ice evaporated. The air swelled around him, and the trees creaked as the wind slammed into them again, and again, and again -

More. I deserve more. You owe me more -

Golden flames seared the Forbidden Forest. Harry slammed his eyes shut, wincing at the bright gold of his eyelids as the flames grew, and grew, and grew -

Burn them. Burn them all.

It was growing too bright now. Harry turned his head, staring off in the opposite direction, but still his eyes glowed, still he couldn't see. The moisture left his tongue, his skin swelling beneath the overpower heat -

"Harry." Bellatrix whimpered, "Harry, please -"

No. Not her.

But the flames grew, wrestling themselves free from his grip. Pain shot across his body like lightning, pressing against his every nerve, every fiber of his being -

"Harry!"

Go.

The gold vanished. Harry opened his eyes, gasping for breath.

The lake was gone. So were the twigs, and the leaves, and the trees - only what was behind them remained. Desolate plains stretched on for hundreds of meters before them, covered in soot as black as the night sky.

The Dementors were gone. What remained of their cloaks lay amongst the soot-covered plains, covered in dirt and embers. There was shouting in the distance - lots of it. Harry could feel something crumbling around him -

"Anti-Apparition Wards." Bellatrix whispered, "You've damaged them."

Harry turned to her. Her eyes never left him as she rose to her feet, brushing the ashes from her robes. Her feelings washed over him, and for once, she didn't even bother to stop it. Harry could feel the awe, the excitement, the fear -

The shouting grew louder. Golden lights flickered behind them in the forest.

"Aurors." Bellatrix muttered, "Those are their lights, they used them during the last war. They got here quickly."

"You'd better go." Harry gasped, doubling over. Blood trailed down his cheeks, slipping from his eyes. Pain flared in his skull, and his gut clenched, "You can't let them catch you. You need to go."

But Bellatrix was frowning. She stared at Harry wand, taking it from him and raising it up to her eye level. She inspected it carefully.

"Prior Incantato."

Golden flames spewed from his wand. Harry watched as they circled him, curving through his legs and over his shoulders with a sickly fondness. Bellatrix handed his wand back to him.

"You've got to use another spell." she told him, "In case they check. They'll be able to see the last spell you performed."

Harry stared at her, wincing as the pain in his gut flared. Her features were covered with worry, and her lips shook as the shouting grew louder.

"Faster, Harry."

Harry closed his eyes. He ignored the pain, ignored the trembling of his arms, and focused.

The Dementors. Using the Patronus Charm would make sense.

"Take my Invisibility Cloak." he whispered, "It'll help you escape the grounds unnoticed."

"Harry -"

"Just take it." he stammered, "Now, preferably. I think I'm going to pass out after this."

Her fingers slid over him, plucking the cloak from his robes. Harry felt her arms wrap gently around his shoulders, her lips brushing faintly against the top of his head.

The shouting grew louder. Harry stilled his thoughts, forcing them into something worthwhile, something -

Happy. Something happy.

They were smiling. The girl with the silvery-blue eyes and braided blonde hair was smiling. So was the girl who looked so much like her. A woman with curly black locks smiled, too.

And -

Emily twisted into view. Her jet black hair was as straight as ever, her hazel eyes resting gently above her high cheekbones. Her lips were curved upwards. Harry could see each and every one of her shining white teeth. They glowed like the stars in the sky.

"Expecto Patronum."

A large, winged creature burst from his wand. Harry watched as it soared into the sky, its four legs galloping as it curved through the air.

"A thestral." he murmured curiously.

Bellatrix's breath caught behind his ear. Harry frowned, feeling her body go rigid.

"You're more alike than either of you know." she whispered.

"Who?"

"You and her. Master."

Voldemort.

The shouts grew louder. Harry grimaced as heat spread across his body, the pain in his gut slowly growing unbearable.

"I'll see you soon, Harry." Bella whispered.

Voices echoed from just behind the nearest trees. Harry felt Bellatrix's arms tighten around his shoulders, her head brushing the top of his one last time, and then -

Crack.

She was gone.

A rush of pain and discomfort enveloped Harry, and he sank back to his knees. Voices hugged his ears like a loving lullaby, and the world faded peacefully to black.