Kassandra Bauer and the Deathly Hallows. (Book 7)

Chapter 26: The Battle of the Solway Firth.

Nottingham. (Ethan P.O.V)

Talking to the Great Sean Cormag himself might've just been one of the highlights of my life. For all my life, I idolized that very man who was in front of me. And speaking to Sean was like getting a wisdom lesson in one fell swoop. 

"This Rebellion you formed is impressive, Ethan Bauer." Sean said to me. "Most would've gone into hiding, but not you. Why is that, may I ask?"

"Well, Voldemort is nothing more than a bully." I answered. "And there's only one way to stop a bully. You have to stand up to them. And there's only one way to do that. To fight. In a way, I suppose it's like when you fought against Rookwood, and Harlow, and Ranrok. Of course, it's not the first time I faced a threat to all of the World. I faced off against Trotsky 7 years ago." 

"Ah, yes. History repeats itself from time to time." Sean agreed. "It comes from those who don't learn from it, to be specific."

"Yeah, well. The Ministry didn't learn until it was far too late." I pointed out. "But we can thank Trotsky for that. His last laugh against me. He cursed Fudge to do nothing when Voldemort returned. His last backup plan, and now we're here." 

"Do not blame yourself." Sean replied. "You cannot change the past. And you cannot undo what has already been done. But you can learn from it. The choice is of course, yours. Just as you chose to unite the world against your enemy."

"Yes." I agreed. "The United States, Brazil, France, Britain, Ireland, Japan, Persia. The people that I helped over the years. All have come to unite against our enemy." I paused a bit. "It hasn't been easy though. I had to sacrifice a lot to get here. Seeing my wife and son for one thing."

Sean nodded his head. "It never is easy to sacrifice." He told me. 

Suddenly Corey came wheeling in. "General Bauer, sir!" She announced. 

"Ethan!" I corrected.

"Ethan! In the city square!" Corey grinned. And she nodded her head. "They're back." 

I got up on my feet. And so did Jacob. We both looked at each other. Beatrice was back. As were the Prisoners of Azkaban. I looked at Sean.

"Go on." Sean told me with a grin.

Jacob, and I ran out to the City Square. And I saw Beatrice walking up next to us. A nod on her face. And I then saw one of the old Prisoners who looked very familiar being helped by Chelsea. Mum! And... she looked awful... I mean, really thin, black bags over her eyes. But the moment she saw us, her face lit up with color. As if seeing us gave her new life. 

"Hi, boys." Mum greeted. "I... apologize for my appearance, but I've gone through a lot of pain these past few months..."  

A wave of emotions ran over me. And I don't think that I felt this way since I last saw Jacob in the Portrait Vault after so long. But this... this was different. Mum was always there for me through the worst and the best times of my life. A lot of the time, it was just me and her after Dad died and Jacob left. And I recalled the first time that I left for Hogwarts, and Mum had told me that no matter what I did... that I would always have a proud mother. And now watching her like this, made me realize how much Mum had taken all this pain. And that I was responsible for it. All of it.

"Mum..." I said. And I just ran up to her like a little kid despite the fact that I was in my 20s. And Mum sobbed when she held me close.

"I'm okay, E. It's nothing to worry about." Mum tried to tell me. She was a real fighter. 

"We'll be the judge of that." Jacob then walked up and also embraced Mum and myself. "You look like hammered shit." 

"You would be too if you spent months of torture in Azkaban." Mum replied while tearing up. "Oh... my babies... my baby boys."