Raven (Fred x oc)

115. Hope

I came to a stop on the Quidditch field, falling to the ground and beginning to hyperventilate, tears streaming down my cheeks. I had killed two people. I was a murderer. Gasping for breath, I hid my face in my hands, the realization of what I had done hitting me. It was worsened as I saw two ghostly figures approaching me. Bellatrix and Petra were standing side-by-side. I couldn't move or breathe. Then, behind them, came Voldemort. 

I scrambled back, my breathing becoming more and more ragged as at least a hundred spirits moved over to me, all of them Death Eaters. Then, on the other side of me, the spirits of those I cared about and had known appeared. Dad, James, Lily, Remus, Tonks, and several students I recognized but didn't know by name. Voldemort approached me first, moving past Bellatrix and Petra. 

"Stay back," Dad snarled, glaring at him. For some reason, they were all able to hear each other. Must be that stone of Harry's or something. 

"I simply want to pass on, Black," Voldemort retorted. "As everyone here does." 

Dad opened his mouth to retort, but I said weakly, "Just go." He moved forward, a pleased smirk on his lips. As he passed through, I screamed, falling to the ground and writhing in pain. All at once, each of the Death Eaters rushed through me, causing me to writhe and scream on the ground. I lay on the ground sobbing when it was finally over. I cried, the pain having caused my body to ache terribly, ten times worse than the morning after a hard workout. 

Only one was left standing. Petra stood over me, looking at Dad. His expression was contorted in pain as he looked at me, completely ignoring her. She touched my shoulder, passing through, and I let out another scream. Real people began rushing onto the field, looking at me with concern. Fred crouched down beside me, moving my head into his lap as Harry said, "It's the spirits. They're all trying to pass through." I sobbed, leaning into Fred as much as I could for comfort. 

"No more," Dad said, looking at those around him. "She'll kill herself if more pass through right now." They all nodded and moved about, trying to find the people they cared about, but Dad, James, and Lily stayed right where they were. 

"They're still here, Harry," I said. "Dad and James a-and Lily." I winced, the pain hitting me again like a slap in the face. He looked up, disappointment rushing over his expression as he remembered he couldn't see them. "But I saw Voldemort. He's gone. Him and Bellatrix and Petra. All gone." My ears began to buzz and the edges of my vision blackened. I passed out. 

....................................................................................

I woke to find several people sitting around me. Fred was sitting next to me, holding my hand while George and Lee sat next to him. Ginny was sitting next to Fred, between him and George, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat on the other side of my bed. Fred's eyes were slightly red, but he looked more tired and worn than anything. As I grew more accustomed to having my eyes open, I saw Dad, James, Lily, and Remus sitting behind everyone else, each looking at either me or Harry. 

"What happened?" I asked, letting out a groan. 

"Valerie," Fred said, smiling. "We won, he's gone." 

"Is everyone okay?" I asked, scanning each of them for injuries. 

"We're fine," Harry said with a small smile on his face. "How do you feel?" 

"Really sore," I replied. "Where am I?" 

"St. Mungos," Ginny explained. 

"How long was I out?" I asked. 

"A couple days," Fred admitted, his voice hoarse and tired-sounding. "They think the strain was too much." 

"I could've told you that," I countered with a groan.