my inheritance (g.w x o.c)

chapter fifty-six: picking my team

That was when I heard my name. "Larissa?" I whipped around at the familiar voice. Relief flooded me at the sight of him standing there, unscathed. "What's wrong?"

I rushed up to him, pushing my wand into my waistband. I pushed against his chest. "You promised you wouldn't do that," I cried, hitting his chest again. "You promised you wouldn't scare me like that. I thought you died."

He grabbed my wrists, pulling me close. "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere," he promised, running his hand against my hair. "I'm fine."

"Damn it, Weasley. You can't do that," I demanded, wrapping my arms around his neck. We both held on like our lives depended on it. I closed my eyes before whispering, "I thought you died."

"I'm perfectly fine, darling," he whispered, putting a hand against the back of my head. "You can't get rid of me that easily." I could've stayed in that moment forever. A moment when I knew we were both safe and together. But happiness is often fleeting in times like these.

"You have fought valiantly..." came the booming voice I knew all too well. We pulled away, looking around. "...but in vain. I do not wish this. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a terrible waste." We walked over to the window to see everyone staring at the Forbidden Forest, where the sound was coming from. George held my hand. "I therefore command my forces to retreat. In their absence, dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured." There was a pause. "Harry Potter, I speak now directly to you. On this night you have allowed your friends to die for you rather than face me yourself. There is no greater dishonor. Join me in the Forbidden Forest and confront your fate. Should you do so I give my word that no other life will be lost on this night. You have one hour. If, at the end of that time, you have not given yourself up, then I shall punish every last man, woman and child who tries to conceal you from me."

Everyone looked around as his voice stopped. George squeezed my hand, and I looked up at him. We both knew what I was going to say.

"I, I have to go out there," I sighed. "He, he'll be waiting for me and-"

"No," he interrupted. "Please, just, just stay this time."

"This time matters most," I whispered, looking up at him. He ran his thumb against my cheek, concern clear on his face. "I'll come back. I will. I just, I have to hear his plan, get all the information I can so we can end this once and for all."

He looked at me for a moment before nodding. "Okay," he breathed out. "But you protect yourself. Don't fight a battle alone that we can all help you with. Because you have to come back." He leaned forward, kissing my forehead. "You have to."

"I will," I promised. "You can't get rid of me that easily, Weasley."

"I wouldn't want to." I smiled gently, pulling him into a kiss. A few moments later, we pulled away.

"I'll be right back."

"I'll be waiting."

I backed up a few steps before turning and leaving. I made my way towards the forest, only stopping when I heard an agonizing moan from the house near the lake. I looked around before slowly opening the door. I kept my wand out as I entered. I saw a body leaned against the wall. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I gasped.

"Severus?" I whispered, tears coming to my eyes. I rushed to his side, falling beside him. "Oh Merlin, no..." Tears were slowly falling down my face as he took labored breaths. He looked at me. "Hey, hey, it's Larissa." He coughed in reply. I let out a strangled sob as I tried to think of what to do. He had snake bites all over him. "Damn it, I, I don't know. I just, how can I help? I need to help."