Episkey//D.M

46

I leaned down between Remus and Tonks, Draco standing closely behind him with tears in his eyes, as he looked around to the people who knew. I placed my hand on Tonks and Remus, who's hands were joined. Tears streamed down my face and I laid my head on Remus's stomach.

"I'm so sorry." I whispered, Molly Weasley crouched down next to me and pulled me close to her, stroking my hair as I sobbed. "Oh Molly, I'm so sorry about Fred." I sobbed and I felt as her own tears dropped onto my hair. She held me while I cried, it was as if my heart had been torn out and ripped into pieces, again. I looked to Draco, his eyes focused on his ex Professor. I felt as Molly let go of me, standing up and pulling me with her. She left to tend to George who sobbed next to him brother.

People spilled out of the great hall, the sound of commotion coming from outside. Draco and I pushed our way out to the front, the sight of Hagrid carrying a lifeless Harry Potter making my stomach flip, I leaned into to Draco who just held my hand tighter.

"No... No!" Ginny cried out, rushing forward but not getting far as Arthur pulled her back and into his arms.

"Silence!" Voldemort called into the courtyard, pointing his wand to the sky, a crack noise coming from the wand. "Stupid girl. You cry for that?" Voldemort spoke, gesturing towards a lifeless Harry. "Tell me. These last few hours - as you collected the dead and tended your wounded - was he by your side?" Voldemort questioned, looking around to my peers.

"While your hands ran dark with the blood of mothers and sons, fathers and sisters, brothers and sisters, his were clasped in prayer - but it was a prayer for one and one only. While you battled courageously, until you could no longer will yourself to stand, he has long since fallen to his knees. While you cursed me until your voice grew ragged, he begged me for mercy in a voice as meek as a child's." Voldemort spoke, his voice filled with pride.

"Do not cry for that. He's not worthy of your tears. And do not despair of his betrayal. You were never in his heart. Not for one single solitary beat." He spoke, my stomach tightening at his words.

"Liar!" Ron yelled from a few steps down from Draco and I. I watched as Voldemort flicked him wand in Ron's direction, making his drop to his knees in pain.

"Did you not hear me! Harry Potter is dead! From this day forward, you put your faith in me or suffer the consequences. Harry Potter is dead!" Voldemort yelled louder. "Now if the time to declare yourself." He spoke and Draco's hand tightened on my own, I looked to his parents who stared toward us. People mumbled around us, but I just stared at Narcissa who wore a look of pain.

"Draco.." Lucius spoke, motioning for Draco to join them but he hesitated. He smiled thinly. "Draco, don't be stupid -" He said and Draco just tightened his grip on my hand.

"Draco, come." Narcissa spoke and with one last squeeze of my hand, he left me standing alone and I watched as he walked towards his parents.

"They saved your life." Ron muttered with venom in his voice, making Draco falter lightly,but he carried on. Voldemort handed him a wand, Harry's wand as I took a stance next to Ron and Hermione.

"Well done, Draco. Who will be next? Come now, don't be shy." Voldemort said, his voice the queerest I've ever heard it. I watched as Neville limped forward, the sorting hat in hand.

"Well, I just say, I'd hoped for better. Is this truly the best Hogwarts has to offer?" Voldemort asked towards us and I glanced to Draco who stared at the ground, as the death eaters laughed. "Who might you be, young man?" Voldemort questioned.

"Neville Longbottom." He answered quietly.

"Well, welcome, Neville. I'm sure we can find a place for you in our ranks." Voldemort said, his voice almost filled with humour.

"Someone has to do the washing." Bellatrix joked and my body rushed with anger as the death eaters laughed.

"Now, now, Bellatrix. Let's not underestimate our young friend. By stepping forward, he lives to see another day..." Voldemort trailed off, moving his vision towards the crowd of people behind Neville, making sure his statement was understood.

"I'd like to say something." Neville spoke, his voice filled with courage. We stared at him, scared of what could happen. I look to Harry, to see his eyes slightly parted and staring towards Neville, I smirked happily, a joyous feeling rushing over me.

"Very well, Neville. I'm sure we'd all be fascinated to hear what you have to say." Voldemort stared and Neville turned towards us.

"It doesn't matter that Harry is gone." Neville said towards the crowd of Hogwarts students, whispers and murmers coming from the troubled crowd.

"Stand down, Neville!" Seamus spoke loudly, pushing through the crowd to get to Neville, but Ron just held him back.

"People die every day. Friends. Family. Yes, we lost Harry tonight. But he's still with us, here - And so is Fred and Remus and Tonks. They didn't die in vain." Neville said, his hbd over his heart. Tears fell from everyone eyes as we thought about the people we've lost. Boy you will, and you will and you will. And so will you. Because you're wrong. Harry's heart did beat for us. All of us..." Neville finished, turning back towards the death eaters. "This isn't over." Neville said, stepping towards Voldemort.

Neville pulled the sword of Gryffindor from the sorting hat, deflecting a spell and sending it towards a group of death eaters. The only one quick enough to deflect the spell was Bellatrix who yelled loudly. With that, all eyes turned to Harry as he fell out of Hagrid arms and to his feet.

"Potter!" Draco yelled, throwing his wand towards Harry who stared for a few moments in shock, Draco quickly crossed to me and I gazed at him lovingly.

"We done, Malfoy!" Ron urged with a smile, but it soon dropped Ron his face and he looked confused. "Can't believe I just said that." He said and I just smiled lightly.