Death Eaters

Chapter 32: Burned like Hell

My eyes widened— like I'd just seen Death itself. Instinctively, I ducked to the side, heart pounding, trying to keep myself out of sight. Harry looked at me—he understood. He knew what it was like. I could hear nothing but the wicked cackles— Mother's laugh echoing like something from a nightmare. Then came the others— Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and the twins— rushing down the stairs in a fit of panic. When Harry saw her, something in him snapped. I saw it in his eyes— pure fury. The memory of Sirius, how Mother killed him, was all he could see. And I knew it.

From where I crouched, peeking through the window, I watched her. Mother grinned at him— slick, cruel, mocking— before turning and sprinting toward the open field. The wall of flame parter for her like she owned it. Harry didn't hesitate. His wand was already in hand, his brows furrowed, lips pressed into a hard, determined line. He chased after her. Mr. Weasley tried to stop him, reaching out with a desperate shout— but he was too slow.

I stood at the door, frozen, watching Harry vanish into the fire after her. Then Mr. Lupin tried to follow, but the flames surged higher, blocking him as though they were alive— guarding her. Suddenly, Ginny still in her robes— burst outside, ignoring every voice calling her name. She didn't stop. She ran straight into the flames without a second thought. Mrs. Weasley screamed. Mr. Weasley shouted. They tried to push through the fire— but it was useless. The fire pushed back.

This was getting out of hand— far beyond what any of us could handle. And I knew it. I felt it deep in my gut.

I had to do something.

I yelled out, "Faciemuto!"

The spell hit me like a rush of cold air. My reflection in the flames blurred, and in an instant, my appearance shifted. My features morphed— eyes, nose, and face reshaped until I was someone entirely different.

Now, Mum wouldn't recognize me.

It was the only way to get close and help them without putting everyone in more danger. Of she knew it was me... if she saw through the disguise, it would be disastrous. For all of us. Even worse.

Thus, squeezing my eyes shut and clenching my jaw, I hissed under my breath, "Fuck it." And then— I ran.

The others tried to stop me, hands grabbing at my arms, voices calling me back. But I was too fast. I broke through and sprinted into the fire, into the field, into the unknown— desperate to find them.

I ran through the field, the tall grass slashing at my legs, and wind howling past me— yet louder than all of it was her voice.

"I killed Sirius Black! I killed Sirius Black!"

Her laughter echoed, shrill and twisted, bouncing off the trees and sky like a curse.

"Are you coming to get me??" she taunted, cackling madly. The sound of it chilled me.

Somewhere ahead, I heard the rustling of movement— two people crashing through the grass. I chased the sound, my lungs burning, legs pumping harder.

Then— it stopped.

I pushed forward, heart hammering, until— I collided into someone. Two someones.

Harry and Ginny.

The moment they saw me, their eyes flared with alarm. In an instant, both raised their wands, ready to strike.

"Who are you?!" Harry demanded, voice sharp with fury, eyes dark with rage.

I stumbled back, hands flying up in surrender, raised just below my head.

"It's me! It's me!" I said, breathless, panic threading through my voice. By the way I said it.