Shadow Claw: The Life Story - The Final Chapter

Ch. 23 - The Chosen One's Death

I sat, slumped, in the corner of Dumbledore's ancient office - that now belonged to none - and emptily watched Harry stand frigidly over a sort of shallow scrying bowl, his face just under its surface, whilst Jenny had done the same opposite her brother. A Pensieve, I thought.

James was half-conscious beside me, his dried nose whistling now and again as he entered dreams then returned to reality only seconds later. Though I doubted his dreams were truly dreams - nightmares, as per usual. Tears silently trickled from both of our eyes, my wings heavy against my body, my paws like stone.

This was war.

What had we been expecting?

It reminded me that now, truly, I was the last Shadow Claw.

My mother ans father were dead, along with the whole Darkened League and a third of Shade's Clan. Salem and Estos were dead. Fred was dead. Tonks and Lupin were dead. And so, so many others...

Jenny and Harry suddenly burst from their statue-like states, but while James jumped in fright, I did not react, nor give any expression that showed I cared. For I did not - I did not care anymore. I had nothing left to loose.

No- no! What was I thinking?! I had James and Jenny left to loose! And I could attempt to get Shade back, after all this was over.

"Like a pig for slaughter." Jenny cupped her mouth with a sob.

What had Harry finally understood?

He left the office, James, Jenny and I slowly traipsing after him, through the empty corridors and halls like ghosts.

Neville strode past with little Colin Creevey in his arms, seemingly tiny in death. I briefly wondered what I would look like dead, but I dismissed the morbid thought and continued onwards.

Jenny placed a hand on Harry's cloaked shoulder gently, whispering, "You're not going to hand yourself over, are you?"

He didn't move for a while, "No... no, 'course not." Lies.

I didn't blame him. I would have done the same.

Jenny grasped him in a sibling hug, and he accepted it in return. Then he wandered off into the darkness, unseen under his Invisibility Cloak.

I sat down heavily, paws sliding out from under me. "Jenny." I gritted my teeth. "James." My friends stood by me, and we sat there for as long as I could remember. It seemed a lifetime in my eyes, but I suppose... yeah, perks of being a Shadow Claw, right?

I felt young, yet at the same time too old to do any of this anymore.

Harry's POV

The Snitch cracked open, and I looked up with empty eyes.

They were neither ghost or flesh - somewhere between that; James was my height, glasses slightly lopsided. Sirius was tall and handsome, and far younger than I had ever seen him. Lupin wasn't shabby anymore, only young and content. My mother was there... Lily smiled broadly, raising a chilling, lukewarm hand to my chin affectionately.

"You've been so brave." I couldn't speak, only stare.

"You're nearly there, son. We are so proud of you."

My mouth opened without permission, "Does it hurt?"

"Dying? Not at all," Sirius murmured, ", it's quicker and easier than falling asleep."

"And he will want it to be quick. He wants it over." Lupin said.

So did I. I needed it all to be over.