He who must not be Loved. [d.m]

7-17

"You're a bloody genius, Luna Lovegood!"

"Time, Professor. As much as you can get me." Harry said. McGonagall nodded, giving me a soft smile before walking out of the castle with Molly.

"You know, I don't think we have to find a horcrux." Ron said. Harry frowned. "Whatever do you mean?" I asked. "We have an idea." He said. "It's Ron's idea, and it's absolutely brilliant!" Hermione said in a haste as I rolled my eyes at the two. "You destroyed Tom Riddle's diary with a fang, well.. Hermione and I figured out where we might find one." He continued.

"Okay. Okay, but take this." Harry said, pulling out a wand before leaving in haste. "Where are you going?" I shouted. "Ravenclaw common room— gotta start somewhere." He said. "I'm coming." I ordered. He opened his mouth to say something before closing it. "Come on then." He said, I smiled, running with him.

We ran across the castle, protective charms were already in place. Stone guards, invisibility charms, invincibility charms, different kinds of fairies and elves.

"Harry!" I heard Luna shout. "Later, Luna. I don't have time at the hand." Harry said. "Harry Potter, you listen to me right now!" She yelled. I huffed, turning around as so did Harry. "Do you remember what Cho said about the diadem?" She asked, looking my way. I nodded my head.

"There's not a person alive who's seen it?" I asked, confirming. She nodded her head this time. "You have to talk to someone's who's dead." She said. I raised my eyebrows in realization. "You're a bloody genius, Luna Lovegood." I exclaimed, smiling. She smiled back.

🎸

"You'll find her here." She whispered, leading us towards the tower. "Aren't you coming?" I asked. "No." She said, leaving no room for discussion. "I think you'll want to talk to her alone, Y/n." She spoke again, gently gripping on Harry's arm to stop him. I nodded before walking in.

I spotted a slim, tall ghost. She seemed depressed, looking out the large windows into the dark sky. I mean, who wouldn't be? Given the current state of the Wizarding World.

She spinned towards us, her eyes lingering on me. There was a shift in her demeanour as she looked at me.

" Y/n Riddle." She spoke dully, her gaze not leaving me. "I've never seen you in the castle before, who are you?" I asked, furrowing my brows. "It's a shame that never in your six years at Hogwarts you've ever met me, Y/n." She said. "You know me?" I asked. "Very well." She corrected. "What's your name?" I asked, folding my arms.

She smiled softly. "Cassandra Riddle." She whispered. I couldn't help but gale my mouth upon hearing those words.

"You're.." I muttered. "Your mother. Yes." She spoke, looking away again. I swallowed, not able to process the information. "How are you alive? Or dead— I don't know." I sighed, rubbing my head, looking back at her. She remained silent, her eyes glancing over my face. "You look just like me, Y/n." She said, now hovering over me. My lip quivered as I looked up at her.

"I am dead. The Dark Lord finds ways to kill even the immortal if they get in his way." She said, sighing as though it wasn't such a big deal. "How's that even possible?" I asked. "Now, now. Not the time, Y/n. You have a battle to win." She said. I nodded, looking down with a hunkered questions in my head.

"You seek Rowena's diadem.." she spoke, deep in thought. "I will give it to you, Y/n. But you have a choice to make." She said shakily, turning to look at me with teary eyes. "What's that?" I asked silently. "If the diadem is broken.." she says, swallowing her spit. "I will be gone. Forever. No magic can save me, nor heal me." Talk about a dagger to the heart. "Your father.. he knew this day would come. He's been prepared, Y/n. If he wins.. the curse is lifted off me. I will be alive, again." She says, a hopeful smile on her face.

"If he wins.. that means Harry dies. That means we have to live in misery forever." I whisper, fidgeting with my hands. "But you would have me. You would have a mother, Y/n." She spoke again, drawling closer as her cold hand touched my cheek. Her touch felt warm regardless of her how cold her ghost body was. I liked my tongue to my cheek, trying to keep the tears in.

"Will I never see you?" I ask. She shakes her head, closing her eyes as a tear falls. I knew what choice I had to make. And she knew it too. A moment later, she sighs, her touch leaving me.

She pulling out a tiara— The Diadem. "Take it." She says. "I might not be with you physically, Y/n.. but I will always be in your heart." She smiles, touching my hair. I nod, taking the tiara from her. I feel her arms wrap around me as tears I didn't know were there began flowing down my cheek.

"I love you, Y/n. And whatever I did, it was to protect you. I only hope one day you will realise it." She whispers.

After what felt like eternity, I open my eyes. I find myself on the freezing ground of the tower, the Diadem in my hands as I hug it. And she was gone.