Death's Chosen Child

Chapter 7: Part seven

Harry's POV;

How could he forget about Barty!? Buggering hell! This is shit! And Harry needs to calm down so he can get a handle on what is happening right now because he can't lose his shit while there is a dangerous criminal in front of him with Neville also right there.

''Oh shit.'' He says with exasperation before throwing his invisibility cloak off him and stepping into the light. Barty flinches before his eyes go wide, and Neville yelps a little at his sudden appearance.

Then Barty grinds his teeth and looks with a glare full of hatred at Harry, something Harry can understand. Because Barty thinks Harry is his Master's biggest enemy. Bugger.

''Neville, step behind me,'' Harry says with his eyes and wand still trained on Barty.

''H-Harry he's-'' Neville tries, and Harry can understand the struggle Neville must have right now. This is the man that has tortured his parents into insanity. And Harry feels for the guy, he really does, but he really doesn't want anything to happen to Neville, so Neville needs to listen.

''I know, Neville-'' Harry interrupts in a soft tone. ''And I understand your desire for revenge but step behind me. Right now.'' Harry commands, and Neville hurries to comply, but because of his movement, Barty has a distraction he was hoping for. He whips out his own wand and sends a killing curse towards Harry. Harry pulls Neville with him out of the line of fire and sends some slightly dark curses himself towards the wizard. He pushes Neville behind him while he duels with Barty. Determined to keep the boy safe.

But Barty is crazy. It's clear in everything he does and every step he takes. As if the manic grin wasn't enough of a sign.

Harry can't keep dueling Barty while also shielding Neville. He's thinking up a plan when he hears a sudden hiss, then a scream and Barty stops his attack, then he cries again in pain.

Harry is confused. What the hell happened? It's too dark to see clearly, so he conjures a couple of balls with light to hover around them. Then he sees a little gruesome sight.

Nagini is attacking Barty, but the venom must've already run his course because Barty isn't moving anymore. The blood on the floor and the swollen flesh from the bites are enough for Harry to know that Barty isn't going to survive this.

'' Nagini ?'' Harry questions in Parseltongue.

The snake whips her head around to look at Harry, and if Harry didn't know any better, he would say that the snake is glaring at him.

'' You worthless two-legs! You left me in the cemetery, and I couldn't follow Master! '' The snake hisses while advancing on Harry. Harry backs up as fast as he can while the angry snake is advancing.

'' Oh! I'm so sorry !'' Harry says in a panic. He really hadn't thought about Nagini after the ritual, figures that the smart snake would follow him to Hogwarts.

Before Harry can step out of her way again, she circles around his legs and climbs up on his body until her head is hovering in front of Harry's face.

'' Never again, two-legs, I demand a lot of mice for an apology. '' She says while narrowing her eyes at Harry as if daring him to disagree, which Harry has absolutely no desire to do.

Harry breathes a sigh of relief. '' Sure, I will give you mice. As many mice as you want. You did help me .'' He tells her, and he reaches his hand out carefully before giving in and stroking her head. She leans into the touch.

'' Of course, I did, '' She replies with a humpf. She doesn't elaborate on why she decided to help, but Harry is glad nonetheless.

''Uh, Harry?'' Comes a small voice behind him, he curses himself, he forgot about Neville for a moment. He really is exhausted if he keeps forgetting things that are too important to forget.