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

Chapter 83: The Shield

Minerva and I began securing the castle and my chest burned with an intensity I had rarely felt before.

"Y/n?" Minerva called to me as we placed a shield around the castle.

I shook my head. "Don't worry about me. Let's just get this done. Harry will need all the time he can get."

When we finished the shield, Kingsely began giving orders and the Order dispersed, taking their places and preparing to fight. When Kingsley reached me I stopped him.

"I already know where I'm going."

"And where's that?" he asked.

"I can't tell you."

He chuckled softly. "I take it you and Albus have a priorly worked out plan."

I nodded and he smiled.

"I trust you, kid. Just be safe."

Be safe.

I nodded and the guilt rose within me as he turned to leave and I did the same.

"They never learn," my father hissed as his face flashed in my mind. "Such a pity," he chuckled darkly. "Begin."

I could see the Death Eaters raising their wands as bursts of light attacked the shield. Explosions sound around us and I'm pulled back to the present as students run frantically through the halls.

"Y/n!" I turn to see Remus running toward me. He takes my hand. "We need a few more wands on our side of the castle. Can we steal you?"

I nodded and he pulled me toward their side of the castle where the shield was beginning to weaken. Arthur gently pats my back.

"It's good to see you, Y/n."

"It's good to see you too, Arthur. I simply wish it was under better circumstances."

He smiled and the ground shook beneath our feet.

"Daughter..." The familiar hissing sound filled my ears and the others looked at me. They could hear it too.

"Why do you stay with them? There's no need to pretend anymore, my child. Attack the shield with us. Bring it down from inside."

"Don't listen to him, pup."

I turned to see Sirius approaching us and he wrapped his arms around my waist. "Are you alright?" he asked.

"I'm fine," I assured him as the ground rumbled beneath our feet once again. I turned to the shield and my eyes widened as I saw it weakening. I grab my wand and try to buy us more time.

"Does anyone know how Harry's coming along with his task?" I ask.

Everyone shook their heads as the ground shook once again.

"Daughter... where are you?"

"Don't listen to him. It's okay, pup. You're alright. You're safe," Sirius soothed, gently rubbing my back as we tried to told the shield but it was no use. It slowly dissolved before our eyes.

"The shield is down!" Arthur called and I pulled away from Sirius, lowering my wand.

"Everybody fall back!" Minerva yelled from below as Death Eaters began engaging the students and staff below. There's a loud crashing sound and I run to the other side of the tower where I see Neville running across the bridge before it collapses and he disappears into the darkness below.

"No!" I scream. There's an eerie silence before I finally see him climbing up what remains of the bridge and Ginny rushes to help him up.

"Y/n!" Arthur shouts and I turn to see him fighting a masked Death Eater. I raised my wand and sent him flying backward and away from Arthur.

"Thanks!" he called as another Death Eater approached us and took off his mask. Rodolphus.

"Y/n?" his eyes were sad as he looked at me. "W-what are you doing? Why are you betraying us?"

Arthur moved in front of me, his wand raised as Rodolphus looked back and forth between us.

"Y/n... he's waiting for you. You don't have to pretend anymore."

"I'm sorry, Rodolphus," I murmured before sending him flying backward and out of the tower. I ran to the edge of the tower and transfigured a large branch into a mattress to soften his landing as the tears slipped down my cheeks.

I'm sorry.