Fatal Affair

Chapter 34: Astronomy Tower

Nova was almost to the top when she heard hurried footsteps behind her. Bellatrix, Fenrir, and a couple other Death Eaters made their way up. Nova was waiting by the door, afraid to open it. 

"Why aren't you going in, sweet child?" Bellatrix asked upon seeing Nova. "Are you afraid?" Bellatrix laughed and walked into the room, the Death Eaters in tow.

Nova followed and was surprised to see the scene in the tower. Draco stood, his face pained, tears on his cheeks, but also determined and eager-looking. He pointed his wand at Dumbledore, who was sprawled against the railing, without a wand. Dumbledore looked tired, weary, as if he had already been hurt. Nova wondered if Draco had used the Cruciatus Curse on him. 

Severus stood close to Draco. Nobody turned to see who had entered the room. Dumbledore's eyes remained fixed on Draco. 

"Do it," Bellatrix hissed in Draco's ear. "Do it, now." 

"Draco," Nova said, "you don't have to do this. There's always another way." 

"Turning soft, are we now?" Bellatrix asked, watching Dumbledore.

"Don't you care about your nephew?" Nova asked, watching Draco's wand. Her hand slowly closed around her own. "This will destroy him." 

Bellatrix barked out a laugh. 

"Let us help you, Draco," Dumbledore said, weakly. 

"I have to," Draco said, his voice unsteady. "He'll kill me if I don't." 

Nova, who was intently watching Draco, noticed the way his hand dipped down, the way his arm wanted to retreat. The hesitation in his stance, the fear in his grip. She knew he wouldn't do this. She thought about trying to disarm Bellatrix, whether there was a way to stop the Death Eaters before this got out of hand. 

"Severus," Dumbledore spoke. Nova turned to Severus for the first time. He was holding out his wand. "Please." 

It felt like a collected heartbeat passed through the room. "Avada Kedavra!" Severus said, wand pointing at Dumbledore. 

Dumbledore was forced backwards by the force of the spell, causing him the fall off the balcony of the Astronomy Tower. 

Nova stared at the place he fell, her eyes wide, her brain trying to process. She didn't notice Bellatrix's cheer of victory, she didn't notice the way Draco's arm fell in disbelief, she didn't even notice how Harry Potter had appeared in the room, pointing his wand at Severus. 

Nova felt arms close around her bicep, dragging her out of the room. She looked sideways and noticed that Draco was also getting pushed away. Severus was trying to get them to move on their own. 

"Will you two get it together?" he asked. "We need to go." 

Nova felt shock run through her body, she couldn't hear the words Severus was speaking to her. She couldn't hear the battle taken place inside the Great Hall when they passed. Suddenly, they were outside. The fresh air brought some sense into her and she knew she couldn't trust Severus. 

Her brain couldn't process what she should do, whether she should run. All she knew was that she was going to die. She turned her head as she walked, Severus still gripping her arm. 

Harry Potter followed, yelling and throwing spells in their direction but the Death Eaters deflected them. She could finally hear Bellatrix laughing in the background. Nova closed her eyes tight, hoping that when she would open them, everything would have been a dream. 

But unfortunately, when she opened them she saw Hagrid's hut on fire, the flames growing taller. Severus had let go of her, he had turned towards Harry Potter who lay on the ground. Some clarity came back to her. The Death Eaters had continued walking away, probably apparating by now. 

Nova pointed her wand at the back of Severus's head and waited. She was angry but wanted a fair fight. She wouldn't strike with his back turned. 

He finally turned, noticing Nova. He wasn't surprised, as if he expected this. 

"I told you not to come up," Severus said.

"How could you!?" Nova screamed. 

"Will you let me explain?" Severus asked. 

"You killed him!" Nova stated, reality sinking in. 

"We need to get you away from here now, before it's too late." Severus took a step closer. 

"Stay away!" Nova shouted. "How could I trust you? You're just going to kill me just like you killed him!" 

"I would never kill you, Nova," Severus said. "Please, before the others come looking for us." 

"Stupefy!" Nova shouted. 

Severus deflected. "Nova, enough." 

"Stupefy!" she cried again. 

Severus easily deflected it. "Petrificus Totalus!" 

Nova went stiff, falling to the ground. Severus came up to her and stood over her.

"I told you to stop," Severus said. "We need to leave, now." 

"Expelliarmus!" Bellatrix shouted, appearing from behind the burning hut. 

Severus's wand flew into her hand. "Bellatrix, what the bloody hell are you doing?" 

"Thank you for making my job so easy, Severus," Bellatrix said, smirking. "Flipendo!" Severus flew a few feet back, hitting the ground hard. Bellatrix crouched down next to Nova and looked in Severus's direction. "You don't really think the Dark Lord trusted you to carry out this job, did you?" 

"Wha-" Severus slowly got up. Bellatrix pointed her wand at him, stopping him in his tracks.

"He knew you cared too much about our sweet Nova," Bellatrix went on. "So he asked me to lend a helping hand." 

"Bellatrix, this is my job. Get away from her," Severus said.

"Bye-bye, Severus." Bellatrix and Nova apparated away.