Too Far Gone (Don't Save Me Book 4)

Chapter 79: What Do You See?

I left Malfoy Manor, struggling to keep the bile from rising in my throat. When I apparated just in front of Hogwarts it finally came hurling forward from my lips and I stumbled to the edge of the bridge, tears streaming down my face. I gripped the stone, breathing heavily as I tried to force air into my lungs in between bouts of vomiting. When I finally finished I collapsed against the bridge, my head falling back against the stone as I gasped for air.

"Y/n?" a voice called and I turned to see Pomona and Minerva running toward me. They crouched in front of me and Pomona conjured a cloth, pressing it to my forehead. "Minerva, she's burning up."

"We need to get her inside," Minerva said as she moved my arm over her shoulder and Pomona did the same with my other arm. They lifted me off the ground and began helping me back to the castle. My feet felt heavy as I forced them to keep moving forward.

"Where should we bring her?" Pomona whispered as she checked around the corner to see if anyone was coming.

Minerva thought for a moment. "My office... It's the closest place at the moment."

Pomona nodded and they continued guiding me through the halls. The walk felt longer than it ever had and I felt as if my legs had weights attached.

Minerva quickly led us inside and shut the door behind us, before leading me to a couch and helping me sit.

"Sweetheart, talk to me... what happened?"

My breaths were growing shallow as I looked around as if someone might jump from the shadows. I shook my head, not able to answer her.

She moved my hair from my neck and I cringed as the hair pulled away from my skin, sticking to the sweat that had accumulated there. She placed the cold cloth against my neck, removing the sweat from my skin.

"Sweetheart, you're burning up. Please talk to me. What's happened?"

"What do you see... when you look at me?" I ask, my voice shaky.

Her brows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean? I see my daughter? The little girl I've known since she was 11."

"But what more than that?" my voice breaks. "Aren't you afraid?"

She grows more confused at this. "Afraid? Sweetheart... Why would you think I'd be afraid? I could never be afraid of you." She presses the cloth to my forehead. "Sweetheart, what's going on?"

I swallowed thickly as I tried to think of a way to explain. "You... uhm... you understand that Harry was given a mission to complete, correct?"

She nodded. "That's why he, Miss Granger, and Mr. Weasley are gone this year."

I nodded. "This mission... it will never be fully complete... not unless..."

She waited as I struggled to find the right words.

"There's something he'll need to do... something I fear he won't be able to do... but he has to... someone has to."

"Y/n, what is it? What does he have to do?"

Fresh tears spilled from my eyes as I knew once I spoke the words there was no going back. If Harry went through with this he would have to live with the knowledge that he'd killed his Godmother and I fear what that would do to him. I also loathe the idea of leaving him alone in this war.

"He'll have to kill me."