The Boy Who Fought: OC X Hermione

He's Back

As Harry battled the newly resurrected Voldemort, he couldn't help but drift his eyes to Carson's body. His best friend was dead. He didn't know what he was going to tell Hermione. He saw Carson send the light, the last thing he ever did on this earth. How was he going to tell her Carson's last thoughts were her? He didn't think he could.

When his parents came out of the wand, everyone Voldemort killed showed up, minus Carson. Harry didn't think anything of it though, too concentrated on fighting.

"Harry when we say so, grab the cup and take Carson with you. Bring him back." James Potter said to his son.

"I will dad, thank you."

"Go now son! Go!"

As Voldemort was distracted, Harry grabbed Carson's body and yelled, "ACCIO CUP!" and the cup flew into his hands. Just like that, they were going back to Hogwarts.

When they arrived, the band cheered and everyone celebrated, except Harry, as he was crying over Carson. Everyone was quick to notice the unmoving body below him, especially Hermione. Fear had laced her eyes as she looked at the sight before her. It had to be Carson, everyone else was out from the maze. She just didn't want to know if her thought was right, that he was dead.

"Harry! Harry what happened!" Dumbledore asked, his eyes raking over Carson's body.

"He's back! He's back! Voldemort's back! I couldn't leave him! Not there! He killed him! Ron was right he was just a pawn! He killed Carson! Voldemort killed him to get to me, he had Pettigrew do it for him! He did Voldemort's dirty work! Carson! Wake up! You can't be dead!" Harry yelled, sobbing into Carson.

Hermione was quick to arrive next to Harry, thinking it couldn't be true. He couldn't be dead, he just couldn't. As she saw his pale lifeless body, she broke into tears instantly and her heart shattered into a million pieces.

"Carson! Wake up! He promised me! He promised he would come back alive! Carson wake up! This isn't funny! Wake up! Wake up! Please! I need you! You can't leave! Carson please!" Hermione cried, desperation in her voice as she gripped his body.

Carson still lay unmoving, as Harry was dragged away by Professor Moddy. Professor McGonagall tried to pull Hermione away from Carson, but she refused and clung to him, making desperate pleas for him to come back. She didn't want to accept this. She almost had torn her away from him until the unexpected happened. He twitched. He had moved on his own. His breathing became visible. He was alive.

Carson started to cough, as everyone looked at him intently, Hermione rushing back over and holding onto him once again. Soon enough, his eyes opened to see Hermione hovering over him.

"Carson! You're alive! I thought I lost you! I thought you were dead! Don't ever do that again!" Hermione said through tears, whimpering slightly and holding onto him tightly.

"I told you...I'd make it out alive. I promised you didn't I?" He said, his voice broken. He hugged Hermione back as she sobbed into him again, but this time he was there to comfort and reassure her. He kissed her softly, and they stayed that way until they had to go back to Dumbledore, who was watching the encounter.

"It's a wonder Mr. Marshall, that you survived the killing curse." Dumbledore said, as Carson nodded.

"But how? Nobody's ever survived except Harry."

"Well Mr. Marshall, it seems like luck was on your side. Last year, when you spared Pettigrew, he gave a debt to you. He owes his life to you, so he couldn't kill you." Dumbledore explained, as Carson nodded, his entire body trembling. He hadn't felt like this since first year when Quirrell used the cruciatus curse, but this felt worse. So, so much worse.

"I suggest we go find Mr. Potter, do a catch up on everything." Dumbledore said calmly, like this whole thing didn't phase him in the slightest.

"Professor Dumbledore! He needs to go to the hospital wing! He's just survived the killing curse, look at him! He needs help! I'm taking him there!" Hermione object, taking Carson with her to the hospital wing, leaving no time for Dumbledore to reject.

When they arrived, Carson was set on a bed and looked over, "Trauma. Lots of it. He's in shock. A bit of dreamless sleep should do, but please keep watch on him Miss Granger. He'll need you right about now. The last time he's been this beaten up was back in first year with the whole stone business. But this is much worse, much more pain." Madame Pomfrey told her, assessing his injuries as Hermione's heart broke at the words.

She nodded, unable to speak and sat down in a chair next to his bed. She stayed with him all night, holding him whenever he would start to shake. He was truly traumatized from these events, and the pain stuck with him, the memory of being hit with the curse. Like Professor Moody had said once in DADA class this year, dark magic leaves marks, visible or not.

Carson's mark was visible, the pain coursing through his body as a scar on his chest appeared where he was hit with the curse. The dark magic left its mark, reminding Carson about his pain and suffering whenever he were to look at it for the rest of his life. Voldemort had left his mark on Carson, reminding him what he was. A pawn. Carson Marshall had been nothing but a pawn to get to Harry this entire year.