Protector {Completed}

Chapter 17

Hestia was getting better at Occulemency as the weeks went on. All she thought about was how she needed to protect Marcus, and she was able to mentally push Snape out of her mind. However as the weeks went by she felt herself get more and more paranoid. Marcus noticed her skittish behavior and cornered her one day. "You're constantly on edge darling is there something bothering you?" He asked her as he held her close to his chest. "Its noth-" Marcus gave her a stern look, "i do not want to hear that it is nothing. You are clearly bothered by something. Is the Occulemency lessons not helping?" He asked her with a frown. Hestia shook her head fervently. "No no it is really...its just...I feel him watching me...like...he is here you know?" Before Marcus could answer a rather foreboding voice rang throughout the castle. Startling everyone including the staff. "Oh dear Hestia. You have no idea."

"He's here..." Hestia said, her face filled with both a mixture of hatred and fear. "We need to cover ground Marcus, you get the younger students out and I'll gather the older." She held his hand kissing his cheek. The worried look in his eyes made her smile at him reassuringly. "I will come back for you Flint...as long as you come back for me." He nodded at her and gave one last anxious look before running off to help the teachers. Hestia steeled her face as hordes of death eaters somehow managed to break into the castle. Holding up her wand she started firing off spells, be it safe or dangerous ah just wanted to protect her friends and family. Hearing the voices of the Twins, Hermione and Ron she almost sunk her shoulders in relief. "Guys she's over there! She needs help!" Ron's voice rang out through the hall as scores of spells flew through the air. "Hestia you're okay!" Hermione said gratefully as she hugged her. "Is he in the castle Tia?" The twins asked as she nodded. "We need to find him, it's our only way to end this madness."

The group fought through death eaters and dementors when the Order finally showed up. Sirius and Remus were in full defense and attack mode for their Goddaughter. They were moving in fast as they caught up with the kids who were doing quite well on their own. "Cub!" Remus yelled as he fought a strong stupefy towards a death eater that was sneaking up on her. "Remy! Sirius! You're here!" Hestia said relieved they weren't hurt. "Have you seen Marcus?" She asked frantically as she looked around. "We saw him out from fighting alongside the teachers. The death eaters are particularly focused on him." Sirius said as he cast a bombarda behind her. "I need to go to him" she said worried as she Ran through the castle towards entrance of the hall. "Marcus!" She screamed as she got to the main entrance. There were teachers and students all around her, fighting and injured. Hestia weaved through the crowd while casting careful spells avoiding the students as she helped the younger ones. She finally came upon Marcus fighting against his father, he seemed to be doing well and she sighed in relief. That is till a searing pain shot through her scar on her eye. "Why Ms Potter...it would seem like you are...unguarded."

All Marcus saw was a flash of green light. He turned his head at the moment to see Hestia crumple to the ground and Voldemort laugh in triumph. His cackle echoing throughout the courtyard. All forms of fighting stopped as the Light side stared at the crumpled body of Hestia Potter. Marcus was in a state of shock, running towards his beloved he screamed. "Hestia!" He held her body close to him when he knelt down. His face buried in her neck. "Come on Hestia...baby please, wake up wake up." He whispered into her skin. "It would seem, Miss Potter's luck at avoiding and overcoming death has come to a halt today." Voldemort said with a harsh laugh. His followers laughed along with him,all the while Hestia's friends and family were in a state of shock. Hermione, Ron, the Twins, Sirius, and Remus just stared on, tears in their eyes as they watched Marcus hold Hestia tight to him.

Marcus seemed almost lost in his head, if it wasn't for Hestia's hand curling softly around his wrist he would have never thought hearing her heartbeat was real. "Hestia?" He whispered into her ear, a slight nod was all he felt before she whispered into his ear, "duck." Marcus's head immediately went down as Hestia held her wand up to Voldemort and before he could react a green light sprung forth from her wand. "Avada Kedavra." Voldemort's body sunk to the floor, and the entire courtyard was silent. Unsure of what was to happen. Would Voldemort wake up as well? Marcus Flint made sure he would never again as he aimed his wand at the body and mumbled "Bombarda."

After the castle was cleaned up and everything went back to...somewhat normalcy a month or two later under McGonagall, Hestia, her friend and Marcus were all under the great oak tree outside. Marcus was answering a message from his mother who seemed more forthcoming and understanding now that Marcus's father was not in the picture. She even invited Hestia and her friends over for Christmas. Likewise with Sirius and Remus for Marcus and his friends. "At least people are starting to heal." She said softly as Marcus sent his letter off with Hedwig. Holding Hestia close to him he whispered into her ear, "I've set the date." Hestia furrowed her brow, "set the date for what?" Marcus chuckled as he stood up and dusted himself off. "Marcus Flint what have you-" she found herself cut off when Marcus went on his one knee and held up another ring, "Hestia Lilian Potter, I haven't formally asked you to marry me yet. So will you do me the great honor, of becoming my wife and the lady of the most royal house of Flint?" The others all watched in excitement as Hestia launched herself into Marcus's arms with a loud yes. The future looked bright and wonderful. And it all began, because one Slytherin, decided to help out a Gryffindor.