All I Want (Remus Lupin/reader)

chapter seventeen

TW: DEATH!!!!!!!!!!

Someone kneeled next to you. It was Tonks.

"Tonks..." you whispered, gazing down at Remus. You pressed your hand to his chest, expecting to feel nothing under your fingers. His heart was beating. You let out a mangled breath.

"Y/N he's unconscious. He hit the ground so hard it must have made him pass out. He'll be okay," Tonks reassured you. She placed her hand on your shoulder and stood. "We should-" she began, but was interrupted by the gigantic spiders bursting through the doors to the hall. You both stood and held your wands starting to shoot spells out.

Amidst the chaos, Hagrid ran down the stairs with his umbrella, "Don't hurt 'em!" Hagrid ran into the fray of spiders as Harry emerged out of thin air screaming at him. The spiders carried him away as Harry continued to call his name.

"Harry!" you shouted, trying to get his attention in the loud room. He didn't seem to hear you at all and instead ran to follow. A huge foot stopped him in his tracks. The ground shook beneath you at the impact. Glass shattered as the giant smashed his fist through a window. Hermione and Ron also seemed to appear and run towards Harry.

You were watching the scene unfold as Tonks brought your attention back to the Death Eaters that had entered the room as well. You fought side by side, shooting spells at any foe that looked your way. The giant was trying to grab people through the windows and everyone began to retreat from the room.

You and Tonks lifted Remus up and carried him to the Great Hall. Everyone was so engaged in battle that you three weren't disturbed as you hurried past. The Great Hall didn't have as much fighting going on as the halls so you laid Remus on a bench and went back out to help anyone that needed it.

You fought with the other Hogwarts students and professors that were near you. The Death Eaters were unrecognizable, most wearing black robes and masks. Red and green jets of lights whizzed through the air in every direction. Kingsley was among the people that were fighting near you. He worked swiftly, stunning wizard after wizard. You were stunning them as well but not nearly as fast as he.

After several long minutes of fighting a shrill voice rang through the hall. The sound of Voldemort's voice gave you goosebumps but also made you more enraged. "You have fought valiantly. Lord Voldemort knows how to value bravery. Yet you have sustained heavy losses. If you continue to resist me you will die. I do not wish this to happen. The dropping of magical blood is such a waste. I am a merciful Lord and I command all my forces to retreat immediately. You have an hour. Dispose of you dead and treat your injured."

You didn't pay attention to the rest of his speech as you watched all the Death Eaters simply walk away and go through the doors. Everyone sprinted back to the Great Hall, where the House tables were vanishing.

People began to crowd the room and it took effort to find Remus among the sea of bodies. He was lying on the floor near the outskirts of the room. Madam Pomfrey rushed by but stopped when she saw you. "Oh dear." You helped her move him on to a mat near the head of the room. She felt for his pulse and nodded, "Stay with him. He'll wake up soon. You should be here when he does."

You told her okay and held Remus's hand in yours. Despite everything going on around you, he looked peaceful. His chest rose and fell and you watched him.

You looked around the room and noticed the Weasleys had huddled up around a body on the floor. You decided that Remus would be okay on his own for a few minutes as you made your way over. Your eyes landed on the body that Mrs. Weasley was holding. You felt your heart sink. She was holding Fred's body. George was kneeling at Fred's head and Mrs. Weasley was on Fred's chest, her body heaving with sobs. Arthur stood above her, silent tears rolling down his cheeks.

You walked over to Ginny and pulled her into a tight embrace. She latched onto you and laid her head on your shoulder. Her tears soaked into your shirt as she cried. Hermione, Ron, and Harry made their way into the room. Hermione came over to you and Ginny, resting her hand on Ginny's back.

Grief and somberness hung in the air. The reality of this terrible war was finally sinking in. You had so much faith that everyone would make it, so much faith that everything would be okay. People were dead and some were hurt. Those who were uninjured had surely suffered a loss of some sort.

The three of you stood there, silently comforting each other as you cried on one another. Ginny eventually pulled away from you and wiped her eyes. She gave you and Hermione a small smile. "I'm going to help them find people. I want to make myself useful."

And with that she walked away. You and Hermione watched as she left. "This is awful," Hermione whispered.

"Yes. Yes, it is."

"Where's Remus?"

"He's up there," you gestured towards the front of the room, "he got knocked out. Madam Pomfrey said he'll wake soon though."

"Oh Y/N I'm sorry. I do hope he's alright. I think I ought to find Ron," Hermione said.

You both parted ways, Hermione leaving the Great Hall and you going to sit by Remus. You held his hand again as you had done so many times before. Even though he couldn't hear you, you wanted to talk to him.

"Fred died Remus," you paused and wiped at your eyes, "I hate this. Why did anyone have to die? Why Fred? I was naïve to think that everyone could make it out of here wasn't I? Foolish really. Bloody hell." You wiped furiously at the tears that had fallen.

"I didn't exactly protect you either did I? You're in this state because of Greyback. I killed him. I'm sorry it took so long, love." You pressed your hand to Remus's cheek and moved your thumb back and forth. He stirred under your hands, taking in a shaky breath.

"Remus?"

He slowly opened his eyes. "Y/N... What happened?"

"Greyback jumped on top of you and you hit your head really hard. You need to lay down, you might have a concussion."

"Ah. I think so... I feel quite sick."

"Do you need anything?"

"No I'll be fine darling. What's going on now?" he asked.

"Well Voldemort said that he was going to withdraw his people and give us time to heal our injured and... gather the dead."

"Did anyone we know...?"

"Fred," you whispered.

"Oh Y/N, I'm sorry," Remus said, lifting his hand to your face. You bit your lip, not wanting to cry anymore than you already had. You and Remus both stayed like that for a while. Madam Pomfrey brought over water for Remus and he slowly sipped on it. Madam Pomfrey said that Remus can't do anymore fighting and you agreed.

"Y/N, I don't expect you to stay by my side. I know you want to fight. Don't let me stop you."

"I'm not fighting anymore. As long as you want me by your side I'll stay here."

Remus chuckled and closed his eyes. Not once did he let go of your hand. He held onto it for dear life, even though you told him you weren't going to leave.

The room had emptied of all people still able to fight. The only remaining were Pomfrey, you, the injured, and the dead.

Many minutes passed and you heard the same chilling voice ring through the walls, "Harry Potter is dead. He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself while you lay down your lives for him. We bring you his body as proof that your hero is gone. The battle is won. You have lost half your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you and the Boy Who Lived is finished. Anyone that resists will be killed along with their family. Come out now and bow before me. All can be forgiven as we build a new world together."

Remus's eyes shot open. You couldn't believe what you just heard. Harry couldn't possibly be dead. Remus turned to you, "Y/N we must go. I don't want to risk your life for you to sit here with me."

Remus didn't give you time to resist as he sat up. He looked faint but he insisted that he was coming. You helped him to his feet, body pressing into yours as you guided him down the hall and followed the mass that was heading outside. The doorway was open and McGonagall shrieked as she led everyone out.

You felt heavy with despair. Surely, Harry could not be dead. He couldn't.