The carnage was immense. Luna moved silently through the wreckage, helping to carry the fallen into the Great Hall—among them, Fred Weasley, Lupin, and Tonks. The weight in her chest grew heavier as she recognized several fellow Ravenclaws among the dead.

"We can take care of the dead, Luna dear," Molly said between sobs. "You take care of the living."

Luna embraced her gently, her heart aching for the Weasley family.

"I'm so sorry about your son," she whispered. "It's not fair. I don't think any words could ever make it right."

Molly shook her head, tears slipping freely down her cheeks.

"No, Luna. There aren't."

Luna gave them space to grieve, then turned to tend the wounded as best she could. She moved from person to person, healing where she could, comforting where she couldn't.

Suddenly, the Great Hall doors burst open.

"He's back!" a wizard shouted, breathless. "You-Know-Who—he's got Hagrid! And Harry! Harry's dead!"

The words hit Luna like a physical blow. She froze, then bolted from the hall, her heart pounding, mind refusing to believe what she'd heard.

No. It couldn't be. Not Harry.

Tears burned in her eyes as she pushed through the crowd and caught sight of him—limp in Hagrid's arms, eyes closed, lifeless.

"You see, everyone?" Voldemort's voice rang out. "Your hero is dead! Surrender to me, and you may yet be shown mercy!"

A fire ignited in Luna's chest. Not fear—rage. Grief-laced, pure, and white-hot.

"What makes you think any of us would join you?!" she shouted, her usually dreamy voice razor-sharp. "I'd rather die than be part of your madness! You think killing Harry would make us bow? You're mental!"

Voldemort stared at her, surprised for a moment, then let out a wicked laugh.

"If you wish to join your little boyfriend, I will gladly make that arrangement," he sneered, raising his wand. "Avada—"

He didn't finish. Neville lunged forward, wielding the Sword of Gryffindor, and with a swift, fearless strike, beheaded Nagini.

Voldemort let out an anguished scream as the final Horcrux fell lifeless to the ground.

At that moment, Harry tumbled from Hagrid's arms, alive.

Luna gasped in stunned relief as Harry scrambled to his feet and, without missing a beat, muttered an apology as he snatched Michael Corner's wand. Spells exploded around them. Chaos erupted. The final stand had begun.

Luna grabbed a wandless Michael and pulled him toward cover, casting protective spells to shield them both.

"Thank you, Luna," Michael said, panting. "You were bloody brilliant. And—look, I'm sorry for calling you Loony Lovegood. And for helping the others hide your stuff."

"Water under the bridge," she smiled.

Michael quirked an eyebrow.

"It's a Muggle phrase that Hermione taught me. It means all is forgiven."

Before he could reply, a brilliant flash caught her eye—Harry, facing Voldemort, wand raised. The Killing Curse rebounded.

Voldemort's smug expression vanished in a blink. He crumpled to the ground like ash, lifeless.

Silence fell. The battle was over.

Voldemort was dead. The snake was gone. The Death Eaters had lost.

One by one, wands clattered to the ground in surrender.

Luna scanned the courtyard. Ron and Hermione held each other, sobbing in relief. Draco was squished between his parents in a fierce embrace, muttering a mortified "Mum" as Narcissa showered him with kisses. Hagrid was laughing, tears in his eyes. And Harry—he stood frozen, wand still raised, disbelief etched across his face.

Luna ran to him and threw her arms around him.

"We did it," she breathed.

A dazed laugh escaped Harry. "We did indeed."

He walked over to Michael and returned his wand.

"Sorry again," Harry said.

Michael waved him off with a half-smile. "No hard feelings."

Draco, finally free of his parents' embrace, approached Harry, his head down.

"Hey... sorry. For all the years of being a git. I was a bully. No excuses." He held out his hand. "Truce?"

Harry smiled and shook it. "Apology accepted. And I wasn't exactly innocent either."

Harry slipped an arm around Luna's waist.

"You two make a lovely couple," Draco said with a smirk. Narcissa and Lucius stepped up behind him, resting a hand on each of his shoulders.

"Come, Draco," Lucius said softly. "Let's go home."

Draco nodded, but just before turning away, he glanced back over his shoulder.

"Oh—and Potter?" he called with a sly grin. "I kissed her before you did."

With that, he walked off with his parents, leaving Harry blinking.

Luna sighed, already preparing her explanation. With any luck, it would get a laugh out of him.