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

Chapter 88: The Final Horcrux

The sword of Gryffindor fell to the ground with a loud clang and Harry fell to his knees beside his godmother, tears streaming down his face.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry," he sobbed, holding her hand. The girl shook her head, smiling softly at her godson.

"You did exactly what I asked of you, sweetheart. I'm so proud of you."

There was a loud, anguished scream from somewhere in the distance and the ground shook as the girl took her final breath, eyes finding the night sky and peace in the stars.

***

Tom Riddle stood with his followers in the dimly lit forest, breathing heavily as his daughter's lifeless body flashed before his eyes. The boy had killed her. Bellatrix approached her master cautiously, head lowered as she spoke. "My Lord? What's happened?"

The Dark Lord turned to her, eyes flashing with fury, raising his hand as if to harm her, before he paused, hand hanging in the air. He could hear Y/n's laughter filling the manor when she'd trained with Bella and finally mastered a new technique. He could see the anger in her eyes as she stood in front of the Malfoys, protecting them from his wrath. He saw the little girl he'd protected and the moment he'd sealed her fate. He was the reason she'd been killed. He'd killed her.

He cleared his throat, turning to address his followers. Never show them weakness.

"The boy has killed Y/n." Gasps rippled through the crowd. "My daughter is dead!" he yelled. Hagrid was tied to a tree and as the Dark Lord shouted the news of Y/n's death, the giant pulled against his restraints, tears streaming down his cheeks and disappearing beneath his beard.

Narcissa Malfoy fell to her knees and her husband quickly grabbed her, pulling her against his chest.

"Remember what Severus said," he whispered to his wife. "Don't show weakness. We need to be strong for her."

The Dark Lord turned to them and slowly approached.

"I left her in your care," he hissed. "And she's dead."

"Forgive us, my Lord," Lucius said, his head bowed low.

"She was insistent on bringing the boy to you, my Lord... and Dolohov said he could look after her," Narcissa explained, her voice shaky as she spoke.

"He failed," Tom hissed. "And therefore you have failed."

Before they could say anything more they heard a rustling sound a few feet away. They turned to look for the source of the sound. Harry Potter approached, tears still stained his cheeks as he stood a small distance from Voldemort. Hagrid struggled more as his eyes fell upon the boy but Harry couldn't hear him. His mind was still filled with images of his godmother's body, laying lifeless in Minerva's arms.

"Harry Potter," Voldemort began. "The boy who lived... Come to die." He lifted his wand. "You killed my daughter," he hissed. "Now you die." There was a blinding flash of green light and the boy was gone as an eerie silence filled the forest.

It was over.

***

I woke with a start, surrounded by white walls and emptiness. I frantically searched but could find nothing of use.

Suddenly I felt a hand touch my forehead and I turned to see Aunt Tori sitting next to me.

"You're awake," she said, smiling softly.

"Am I dead? Did it work?"

"It worked... but you're not quite dead."

My brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"That depends entirely upon you, sweetheart."

"Aunt Tori, you're not making any sense."

She pushes my hair away from my face. "I know, sweetheart... I know. You've done well... so well. I wish I could ask you to stay here with me... but that wouldn't be fair to you."

"I can... I can go back?"

"That is the belief." She smiled sadly.

"If I returned... I'd be going back to a world where my godson no longer exists... but Severus... and the Malfoys... I can't just leave them."

"I don't expect you to, sweetheart. You've fought hard to get to where you are and it's far too soon for you to be here."

"I'm sorry, Aunt Tori." My voice breaks as I speak and she gently shakes her head.

"No, love. You have nothing to be sorry for." She pulled me into her arms. "You deserve to be happy. I'll have plenty of time with you when it's your time but this is not that day." She wiped my tears and a thick fog began to settle around us.

"Aunt Tori... what's happening.?"

She smiled softly. "You made your choice, sweetheart... I'm so proud of you." She slowly disappeared into the fog and I clutched at the air, tears streaming down my face. Even though I knew I made the right decision, it hurt to leave her behind once again... but Severus and the Malfoys needed me. I owed it to them, to Harry's parents, and to Harry, himself, to finish what they started.