Thick Smoke

The End

Inside Hogwarts, the battle was even more gruesome. Eliza was walking up the stairs when she stopped and turned around in time to block Bellatrix's curse.

"Out and about, aren't we~" The crazed woman started, taking one step closer, "How polite of you to show up and get killed with the rest. The Dark Lord will definitely praise me for doing what should have been done a long time ago." Her eyes widened a bit in excitement as she took another step towards Eliza.

The young witch scoffed, "Fine then. Go on and kill me," She was out of her mind to taunt someone like Bellatrix.

"Who am I to disagree?" Bellatrix sung happily, pointing her wand at Eliza, "Avad-"

"Expelliarmus!"

Both women were startled by the sudden interruption. The blond kept his wand pointed at his aunt as he pulled Eliza into his arms.

"Somehow, it doesn't surprise me, Draco." Bellatrix started with a disappointed expression as she bent to grab her wand, "You fell in her charms just like your father did."

Draco glared at his aunt, "Don't kill her. The Dark Lord was clear when he ordered us to bring her to him alive."

Bellatrix scoffed but didn't have the opportunity to take action as Voldemort's voice spread over the grounds once again.

"You have fought," said the high, cold voice, "valiantly. Lord Voldemort knows how to value bravery. Yet you have sustained heavy losses. If you continue to resist me, you will all die, one by one. I do not wish this to happen. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a loss and a waste. Lord Voldemort is merciful. I command my forces to retreat immediately. You have one hour. Dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured.

I speak now, Harry Potter, directly to you. You have permitted your friends to die for you rather than face me yourself. I shall wait for one hour in the Forbidden Forest. If, at the end of that hour, you have not come to me, have not given yourself up, then battle recommences. This time, I shall enter the fray myself, Harry Potter, and I shall find you, and I shall punish every last man, woman, and child who has tried to conceal you from me. One hour." He finished dramatically, adding more fear to those who survived.

Bellatrix chuckled and waved before she fled.

Eliza watched as the grounds emptied and everything left behind was guilt and regret. She rested her head on Draco's shoulder and sighed in relief.

"I really thought she was going to kill me." She mumbled, rubbing her forehead.

She felt like she should take a seat because her head was dizzy.

"She was. She hates you enough to ignore Voldemort's orders," The blond started, helping her walk down before they sat on the stairs, "He did order my father to bring you to him. He wants you to see him kill the last hope you have."

Eliza looked up at the blond as she finally registered what happened that night; everything that's happened. She's been driven by vengeful thoughts and she didn't notice that she's actually been hit a few times: her leg was bleeding while her back was scratched badly. It was probably the adrenaline that numbed the pain but it hurt like heck now that she's calmed down.

"Remus is dead," She remembered, tears forming in her eyes once again, "My father figure is dead. My real father is dead, as well. What do I have left?" By now she was already sobbing and hid her crying face in the crook of his neck.

Draco frowned as he could only hug her silently. It became really silent.

The wound in her leg was pretty bad and reached her bone but that was nothing compared to the corpses brought in the Great Hall. Madame Pomfrey wrapped her leg in bandages and assured Eliza that she was going to be fine. That opinion changed immediately when they brought Remus and Tonks's dead bodies; it was really hard to control her emotions, especially with the Weasleys crying their loss.