𝓢𝓽𝓾𝓹𝓲𝓭 𝓖𝓲𝓻𝓵!

Chapter 57 The end.

My heart hurt from all the death around us. If students and staff didn't see Thestrals before they certainly would now. My mind raced and my heart refused to calm. At least Severus was alive, I could take some solace from that. George continued to sob for Fred, I rubbed his back and tried to soothe him to the best of my abilities but how could I? This was his twin, his best friend in the whole world, literally his other half. After a bit, Molly and Arthur were able to take over and I went and sat on the benches. It was the middle of the night and everyone was exhausted but at the same time, everyone knew it wasn't over. It was still not over. I nervously picked at my nails while I thought of everything. My best friend is dead. I ran my hands over my face when I felt large arms wrap around me. When I looked up I smiled at my uncle. ''I heard that husband of yours died... How are you feeling about that?'' My lips parted slowly, I wasn't sure if I wanted to lie anymore. ''He lives...'' My voice was barely above a whisper. ''But how?'' He whispered back. 

''I saved him or Death spared his life for me. I'm not sure but no one else can know.'' Alberforth softly nodded. I noticed Madam Pomfrey treating the wounded and got up to help. It felt like a bunch of bandages, Episkey's, and what little potions we had to go around barely helped everyone who was wounded. I saw Wednesday's body and went over to her. I took her cold hand in mine and sobbed. ''I'm so sorry Wednesday, for everything. I lied to you about who I was seeing and even if it was to protect our relationship I should have trusted you enough to tell you... I married our greasy git of a potions professor. I'm so sorry..'' I whispered as I sobbed. 

It seemed like hours had passed and the sun was beginning to come up when Voldemort returned with his army in tow but the real surprise was that they had Hagrid tied up and in his arms, he cradled Harry Potter. Everyone came outside. ''Neville... Who is that? That Hagrid's carrying?'' Ginny said as she walked forward. ''Harry Potter is dead!'' Voldemort cried out. ''No!!!'' Ginny ran forward but was restrained by Arthur. I felt a pang in my chest. Guilt? Pain? Maybe both. ''Stupid girl.'' Voldemort said and I almost did a double take as Severus loves to call me that. ''Harry Potter is dead. From now on, you put your faith in me.'' He looked around the courtyard and turned to his followers. ''HARRY POTTER IS DEAD!'' He laughed and they laughed in return. My stomach felt sick at the notion. ''And now is the time to declare yourself. Come forward and join us. Or die.'' The silence was thick with tension. 

''Draco...'' Lucious Malfoy raised his hand for his son. ''Draco.'' His mother rang. ''Come.'' Draco began to walk forward and the dark lord was filled with joy. ''Ah. Well done, Draco.'' The dark lord hugged him. Draco looked stiff as a board. My chest felt tight but my uncle stood in front of me. Shielding me from the sight but I peeked around him. Neville limped forward. There were some shocked faces. ''Well, I must say I'd hoped for better.'' His followers laughed. ''And who might you be, young man?'' Voldemort came closer. ''Neville Longbottom.'' His followers laughed again, especially Bellatrix. I wanted to hex her for what she did to his parents and she has the audacity to laugh at him now. ''Well, Neville I'm sure we can find a place for you in our ranks.'' But Neville quickly shot back. ''I'd like to say something.'' The dark lord looked like he was caught between killing him and being merciful. ''Well, Neville, I'm sure we'd all be fascinated to hear what you have to say.'' The dark lord said. 

''It doesn't matter that Harry's gone.'' Neville said. ''Stand down Neville.'' Seamus quickly followed but Neville continued anyway. ''People die every day. Friends, Family. Yeah. We lost Harry tonight. But he's still with us, in here.'' He gestured to his heart. He looked to the Weasleys. ''So's Fred and Remus... Tonks... All of them. They didn't die in vain.'' I sniffled at his words. ''But you will!'' Neville stared down the dark lord. ''Because you're wrong!'' Voldemort just laughed at him. ''Harry's heart did beat for us! For all of us! This is not over!'' Neville who had been carrying the sorting hat, quickly pulled out the sword of Gryffindor. Then Harry rolled out of Hagrid's arms alive and well, grunting as he got up from the ground. ''Congringo!'' Harry casted the spell at the snake. It bounced off the snake and hit some of the dark lord's followers in the back. Harry took off running over the ruins and the dark lord tried to kill him again and again but missed and just like that a lot of his followers started to run away. ''No! No! Come back!'' Bellatrix yelled after them. Harry had made it around and into the castle, as everyone else ran back inside.