𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑢𝑝𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 \\ 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗷. 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

𝐶𝑋𝐼𝐼.

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙣𝙚-𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙙-𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙫𝙚

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —

THERE WAS A Battle at Hogwarts. The final one, Caroline truthfully hoped. As the four best friends raced to find Nagini in the boathouse, they encountered Death Eater upon Death Eater, battling them all on their way. Harry pushed his arm in front of the girls, stopping them from walking into a spell, stunning the Death Eater before the continued on. They ducked and jumped over spells as they reached the courtyard.

At the sight of a giant equipped with intense weaponry, the four ran and hid before a stone shield before they could be attacked. But their other option was dozens of huge spiders, so they wove through the legs of the giant, weaving through duels and spells. They turned a corner, and found Greyback eating Lavender Brown's neck. "No!" Hermione shouted, stunning the werewolf.

The giant caved in a wall as it tried to kill them while they kept running. Then, hundreds of dementors came at them from outside of the grounds. It was Aberforth who stepped in, his shield patronus repelling all of them. They couldn't even thank him, being forced to keep going. But Caroline saw one of the faces she was dreading to see most, dead on the ground. Little Caron Creevy, Jacob's best friend. "Get away from him!" Caroline screamed at the Death Eater who laughed, standing above Carson. She couldn't help herself. "Avada Kedavra!" she shouted, and the man was dead.

She had killed someone. A horrible person, but she had killed him. It wouldn't have saved Carson, because he was already dead. But in Caroline's mind, she wasn't killing Carson's murderer. It was Jacob she saw lying on the ground, little blue eyes so hopeful. Harry pulled her by the arm. They had to keep going. Jacob was gone, it was never him lying there. And Caroline was a murderer.

They finally reached the boathouse, sneaking in as quickly and quietly as possible. They knelt outside the rows of windows, able to hear the conversation clear as day. "There is no wand more powerful. Ollivander himself has said it. Tonight, when the boy comes, it will not fail you. I am sure of it. It answers to you, and you only." Snape said to Voldemort, speaking of the Elder Wand.

Caroline clutched Harry's hand, stifling her breathing so she made no noise. "Does it?" Voldemort asked, his voice sending a chill down Caroline's spin.

"My Lord?" Snape asked cooly.

"The wand. Does it truly answer to me? You're a clever man, Severus. Surely you must know. Where does its true loyalty lie?" Voldemort circled Snape slowly.

Snape didn't move. "With you... of course, My Lord."

"The Elder Wand cannot serve me properly, because I am not its true master. The Elder Wand belongs to the wizard who killed its last owner," Voldemort stalked closer to Snape. "You killed Dumbledore, Severus. While you live, the Elder Wand cannot truly be mine. You've been a good and faithful servant, Severus. But only I can live forever." Caroline knew what was about to happen, she just really wished she didn't.

"My Lord–" Snape began, but Voldemort sliced his neck, and he fell against the windows, startling the four. Caroline, in front of Harry, covered her mouth so she would remain silent, his arm across her waist pulling her flush against him.

"Nagini, kill!" Voldemort demanded, and Nagini stuck Snape dozens of times, the four hearing everything, including Snape gasping for air.

Minutes later, Voldemort appartated himself and Nagini away. They stood up and walked into the boathouse, Harry kneeling at Snape's side. He tried to stop the bleeding on Snape's neck, but there was no use. The man spoke as he began to cry. "Take them. Take them. Please." Snape cried out in pain, speaking of his tears.

Harry turned. "Give me something," Hermione stepped over to him, digging around in her bag. "Quickly. A flask, anything." Harry urged, and Hermione handed him an empty vial.

Harry caught Snape's tears. "Take them to the Pensieve," Snape instructed weakly. Caroline wiped her dirty, ash covered face, wiping away blood on her cheek. Look at me," Snape said, and Harry looked over at him again. "You have your mother's eyes." Severus Snape died, looking into Lily Potter's eyes, not her son's.

Caroline sighed, walking over to Harry, placing her hands on his shoulders. He gripped her hand and stood up, before stumbling and holding onto the window, a shrieking sound overtaking everyone's ears. Hermione covered her ears and Caroline began to feel weak. She didn't know why. As Voldemort spoke for everyone to hear, Caroline's hand shook violently, her scars showing up brighter than before.

"You have fought valiantly. But in vain. I do not wish this. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a terrible waste. I therefore command my forces to retreat. In their absence, dispose of your dead with dignity. Harry Potter, I now speak directly to you. On this night, you have allowed your friends to die for you, rather than face me yourself. There is no greater dishonour. Join me in the Forbidden Forest and confront your fate. If you do not do this, I shall kill every last man, woman and child who tries to conceal you from me. If you do not do this, I will rip out the heart of Caroline Taylor-Jones. For she is to die, if you have any hope of living."

— ✩ ☽ ✩ —