Of The Solstice

Gone

The air was suddenly freezing, and a chill ran down my spine, intensifying the sense that something wasn't right.

Glancing to my left, I noticed a faint cloud of smoke down in the tree-line. "Fuck, fuck, fuck," I whispered to myself, leaning forward on my broom in an attempt to make it go faster, already pushing it past its limits.

A bolt of red light shot past my head. I swerved down and bolted into the forest, trying to shake off my pursuers. Another bolt, this one green, nearly grazed me. I swiftly pulled out my wand and sent spells flying back toward the shadows.

A red bolt hit me in the leg, I held on tightly to my broom, trying not to loose control. I finally managed to shake them off, at least momentarily. My thoughts drifted to the first time I met Remus, and suddenly, a blue glowing dragonfly emerged from my wand. I cast it off to find the boys.

Maniacal laughter echoed from the depths of the woods. I quickly took off through the trees, more bolts of light whizzed perilously close to my head, and a red bolt struck my side, causing me to lose control of the broom. The broom jerked, and I crashed up against a tree.

The impact knocked the air from my lungs, but I reached for my wand, clutching it tightly in my hand.

"I'm going to die tonight," I thought to myself, while gasping for air. Black wisps of smoke surrounded me, gradually descending to the ground and transforming into Barty and Evan.

I tried to heal my side, Barty stepped forward and pressed his foot onto my wrist, forcing me to release my wand. With a swift motion, he kicked it away from me.

Gasping, I looked at Evan, "Please... Just let... me go."

"Can't, not this time," Barty says, leaning over me, "Dark Lord's orders."

I coughed, "I haven't betrayed him." I coughed again, reaching my hand to my mouth, and pulling it back with blood splattered on it.

"Oh but you have?" He grips my arm yanking me towards him, he places his wand on my dark mark, pressing it in harshly.

Evan cleared his throat, "Tonight was another test, and you failed, Calista," he said in a cold tone.

I wince and try to pull my arm away, "St- Stop," I try to scream, but nothing more than a whisper comes out.

In an instant more clouds of smoke arrive, Regulus approached along with a few Death eaters I didn't recognize.

I looked up at Regulus who stood over me, "Please," I mouth to him.

He nods, "I'll take care of her." He says, pulling out his wand.

"The Dark Lord wants her-" Barty started to say.

"I know damn well what the Dark Lord wants, Barty," he snaps at him. "Now move."

Barty raises his hands and walks away. Evan and the other Death Eaters apparate away, still looming in the air.

"Regulus, please... please kill me," I say with breathy gasps.

He stood over me for a moment, holding his wand out towards me, "Did you call them?" He asks.

I nod, "Tell them how much I loved them," I whisper. "Don't... forget about the horcruxes," I add.

Regulus takes in a deep breath and nods, "I'm sorry, Cali," he said, his voice cracking. "Avada Kedavra," he said, flicking the green bolt in my direction.

In an instant, the pain I felt in my side was gone, and everything was black. For once in my life, I felt peace.