Burning Love

•You're Never Alone•

The excitement of finishing my Auror training had barely settled when I received my first assignment from the Ministry: watch duty in Diagon Alley. It felt surreal to finally be in the thick of things, to have the skills I'd honed put to use for the greater good. I arrived early, my heart racing with anticipation, and took my place alongside fellow Aurors, ready to face whatever the day might bring.

Hours passed in tense silence, my gaze scanning the bustling street. The familiar sights of shops and cafes were a comfort, but the underlying tension in the air was palpable. Everyone in the Alley was aware of the dark times we were living through, and as an Auror, I felt the weight of that responsibility pressing down on me.

Suddenly, chaos erupted. A scream pierced the air, followed by a loud crash as one of the shops burst into flames. Panic spread like wildfire as Death Eaters began their assault on the unsuspecting crowd. "Aurors, to your positions!" I shouted, adrenaline surging through me.

I leapt into action, my wand drawn, adrenaline flooding my veins as I sprinted towards the chaos. The smell of smoke stung my nostrils, but there was no time to hesitate. A group of cloaked figures was attacking the patrons, casting curses with abandon. I joined the fray, casting protective shields and retaliating against the attackers.

Just then, I spotted familiar faces rushing into the fray—James, Remus, and Sirius. Relief washed over me momentarily, but there was no time to dwell on it. The fight was chaotic, spells flying in every direction, and I was fully immersed in the battle when I came face to face with Bellatrix Lestrange.

Her wild, dark hair framed a face twisted with malice, and her laughter sent chills down my spine. "Well, well, if it isn't the little Auror who thinks she can save the world," she taunted, her wand already aimed at me.

"Stay back, Bellatrix!" I shouted, my voice steady even as my heart raced.

With a flick of her wrist, she sent a curse hurtling towards me. I dodged, returning fire with a stunning spell that she expertly deflected. The duel escalated, spells crackling between us like lightning, both of us equally matched in skill.

"Such a shame you'll never join us," she sneered, her eyes gleaming with insanity. "Imagine what a powerful ally you could be. You could stand beside Voldemort instead of hiding in the shadows!"

Just then, James rushed forward, stepping into the duel. "Get away from her, you monster!" he shouted, casting a powerful hex at Bellatrix.

"Oh, James," she said, a mocking tone lacing her voice. "You should really consider joining us. It would be so much easier for you and Lily. After all, Voldemort is coming for you both."

My blood ran cold at her words, but I didn't have time to process the implications. "We'll never join you!" I shouted defiantly, unleashing another spell in her direction.

The fight continued fiercely, our group working together to push back the Death Eaters. I could see Remus casting spells to protect the fleeing crowd, while Sirius flanked Bellatrix, trying to corner her. But she was relentless, her laughter echoing amidst the chaos.

Eventually, the tide began to turn. The Death Eaters, realizing they were outnumbered, started to retreat, their dark cloaks swirling as they fled into the shadows. I stood there, breathless and shaken, but the fight was not over yet.

As the smoke began to clear and the injured were tended to, I turned to James, who was visibly shaken. "James, we can't ignore this. They know where you and Lily are. It's not safe."

"I know," he said, his voice heavy with fear. "But hiding? We can't just run away."

"Right now, it's the safest option. We need to protect your family," I insisted. "If Voldemort is coming for you, then you have to go into hiding."