A Soul Bond - HP fanfic (Completed)

Chapter 50. Steph The Hero.

As they began to shimmer out of the grimy dungeon of Malfoy's Manor, Bellatrix's shrill voice cut through the commotion. "No! You won't escape!" She hurled a knife, her aim true, aimed at the little elf who had risked everything for them.

In a split second, Steph saw what happened and lunged forward, her instincts kicking in. "Dobby, watch out!" she screamed, pushing him aside just as the knife sliced through the air.

Time seemed to slow as the blade found its mark, embedding itself in Steph's side. She gasped, pain flashing through her as she stumbled, now on the beach, but her gaze remained locked on Dobby. Who stood frozen in front of her. 

Harry felt his heart drop, as he saw her on the beach, blood dripping from her. And although he had Evelyn on his arms, panic surge through him. "No, no, no!" As those words left his mouth, Evelyn knew something was wrong. And although she was in pain herself, she opened her eyes just to see her best friend on the sand, bleeding. 

Harry looked at Evelyn and they both knew Steph was more important right now. 

Ron and Hermione rushed to Steph's side, their faces pale with fear. Evelyn knelt beside her, trembling as she pressed her hands to the wound, trying to staunch the flow of blood.

Evelyn thought that seeing her friends back would be a happy reunion if it ever did happen, and now that she was with them, she hated every second of it. First her parents and now her best friend? 

"Dobby!" Harry cried out, his voice cracking. "We need to help her!"

Dobby, still shaken from the near-miss, looked from Harry to Steph, his large eyes shimmering with tears. "Dobby is so sorry! Dobby tried to protect!" Dobby was in so much shock that he couldn't react even when Harry was desperately trying to make him help. 

But Steph, though pale and shaky, managed to push herself up slightly, wincing. "It's not your fault, Dobby. You... you saved them," she breathed, her voice barely a whisper.

Ron's hands shook as he held onto her, his expression torn between relief and despair. "You shouldn't have done that, Steph! Why would you—"

"Because he's worth it," she interrupted, her voice steadier than her body. "We all are."

Hermione's eyes glistened with unshed tears, her heart aching for her friend. "We'll get you help, I promise. Just hold on!"

Evelyn nodded, her hands still pressed tightly against the wound. "You're going to be okay, Steph. Just focus on breathing. Don't you dare leave me now." She said, "I need you." 

As Dobby stood nearby, his small body trembling with emotion, he could only watch in silence. The weight of gratitude and sorrow filled the air, the friends bonded tighter than ever by this moment. Harry felt a surge of determination rising within him, he wouldn't let this sacrifice be in vain. They would fight back, together, no matter what it took.

And as he looked at Steph, lying there with courage shining in her eyes despite her injury, he knew they had to keep going. They had to honor her bravery, for Dobby, for everyone who had suffered at the hands of darkness.

***

The dim light of the setting sun filtered through the cracks in the dilapidated cottage, casting warm shadows that danced across the stone walls. 

Evelyn stood near the window, her silhouette framed against the fading light, a stark contrast to the turmoil that had gripped her life for the past six months. The scars, both visible and hidden, told a story of endurance, pain, and unyielding hope.

Harry entered quietly, the weight of his own battles etched into his features. They had fought fiercely before, words like daggers thrown in the heat of desperation, but now, those moments felt distant, overshadowed by the gravity of their reunion.