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

Chapter 80: All For Nothing

A/n: Ouchie. This one hurts.

*****

He'll have to kill me.

Minerva's grip grew tighter and Pomona's hand paused as the words left my lips.

"Sweetheart, what are you talking about?" Minerva asked, trying to remain calm.

"It's hard to explain... and there are parts of it that I can't explain... Dumbledore's orders," I chuckled. "But... uhm..." I sighed. "But in the end of this... my father will always have a way to return as long as I live."

"I need to speak to Albus... the portrait," I added as they looked at me as if I was going crazy. I turned to the side as a portrait appeared on the wall and Albus's face stared back at me.

"Albus?"

The portrait nodded and I stumbled toward it as Minerva held me upright.

"D-did you know?"

"I'm not sure I follow," he answered.

"Don't bullshit me, Albus. Did you know?" I hissed.

He nodded slowly. "I had my suspicions."

"Who else knows?"

"No one. I should've told Severus... I still should tell him... but I fear he won't do what needs to be done when it comes to you."

"No. You're not to tell him," I hissed. "You're not to put that on his plate too. I think you've done enough."

My legs wobbled slightly as the portrait watched me carefully.

"You know what you need to do," he said. "Tom, himself must do it... either that or Harry."

"Tom will never do it," I hissed. "And Harry shouldn't have to."

"It's the only way. It was yours and Harry's blood that brought him back... and it's by their hand that your blood must be spilt."

I scoffed. "Become a poet in the afterlife, did we, Albus?"

"I see my death hasn't changed you. Still the same fire as always," he chuckled.

"Is there anything else you need to tell me?" I hissed. "Any other secrets I should know?"

"Not ones I can freely discuss."

I knew what he meant. We had an audience.

"Speak with Severus," the portrait continued. "Ask him about the boy and the prophecy."

I scoff. "Like he'll actually tell me anything."

"I'll tell him to give you the information you seek."

I rolled my eyes and he disappeared as he always does.

***

The next few minutes passed in a whirlwind of questions I had no answers to and insisting I rest before they finally let me go. I thanked them and left to find Severus.

When I knocked on the door I heard the rustling of papers before the door swung open and he pulled me inside, closing the door behind us.

"Is everything alright?" he asked. "Albus's portrait said you'd be coming to see me. What's happened, my love?"

"You tell me," I muttered before looking up at him. "What do you know about Harry and the prophecy? Albus said you knew something."

His eyes found the portrait and I could see the anger in his eyes. "He told me not to say anything," he said as he returned his gaze to me, sighing as he struggled to find the words. "The boy... a part of the Dark Lord's soul resides in him and in order for him to be defeated... the boy must die."