Circi | 2

FORTY TWO

"Kissing and Mourning"

Led by Andromeda, Circi and Leslie fought their way back down to the main entrance of the castle where the main battle was happening.

Breathing heavily, pulse pounding in his chest Leslie fell back as he was stupefied. Andromeda was ahead, helping a group of students against a troll that had somehow made its way to the staircase, and Circi was forced to fall back when she heard Leslie yell. The death eater was unmasked, his face spotted with hair and dirt smearing his face, he was grinning and watching Leslie with hunger in his eyes as he raised his wand again.

Circi ran back for him, yelling 'bombarda!' and pointing her wand at the ground by the death eater's feet. The floor exploded under him, sending him into the air and landing on a pile of rubble with a crack.

Turning away from the blood slowly seeping across the ground underneath the death eater, she ran to Leslie and dropped to her knees beside him.

Cradling his face in her hands, chest heaving and terrified tears pricking at her eyes, Circi searched him for any injuries. His eyes were squeezed tight in pain and his glasses were askew on his face, the bridge bent and a lens snapped. She took his glasses and muttered a mending charm before placing them back on his face. He groaned, lifting his arm to hug his body and opened his eyes.

"Where does it hurt?" She asked, helping him sit up.

"Everywhere," he saw her sneer and glance around at the danger, "I'll be fine."

She nods, pursing her lips and pulling him to his feet. They watched Andromeda and the students drop the troll before heading back over to her. As the older witch caught her breath, glancing around at the bodies piling up around them- adult and child alike. She was about to say something, eyebrows knitted in concern at Leslie's pained expression and his arm across Circi's shoulder, when her face scrunched up in discomfort.

Circi released Leslie, placing her hands over her own ears as the sound of water rushed through her mind and someone inhaled sharply. When the voice spoke she noticed Leslie look around, searching for its source, and Andromeda seemed to be listening intensely.

Removing her hands, she listened to the Dark Lord speak directly to every witch, wizard and creature fighting.

"You have fought valiantly...but in vain. I do not wish this. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a terrible waste. I therefore command my forces to retreat. In their absence, dispose of your dead with dignity."

As his voice left their heads, the death eaters who had come into view as he began to speak backed away and morphed into black clouds of smoke before disappearing from the castle.

Silence fell over the three of them, left alone at the top of the stairs, and they looked around at the bodies. Andromeda knelt by the body of a girl in Hufflepuff robes, her limbs twisted at unnatural angles and her hair falled over her face. Circi could see the bruise that had blossomed along her arm where the troll's club had smacked her against the wall and she pressed her lips together, wincing.

"Come on," Andromeda said in a low voice, holding the limp girl in her arms and descending the stairs.

Resuming her hold on Leslie, Circi slowly helped him down the stairs and they found their way into the Great Hall, which had been opened up to provide space for the dead to be laid down and the wounded to be nursed. Bleachers bordered the walls and students were taking seats to rest together, holding onto each other and mourning over their friends.

They passed by a Professor placing a sheet over the body of a student before pausing as Andromeda placed the Hufflepuff down in an empty space and collected one of many sheets to cover her with. Resting a gentle hand on the girls' covered forehead, she bent her head for a few moments before looking around.