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Chapter XXVIII: Snap

(Sirius P.O.V)

Sirius felt as if his heart was about to explode as the face in the fire spread the news. Dumbledore's face, even through the flames, glowed with weakness. He looked like the walking dead, and for a moment, the reality of a world without Dumbledore cemented itself in his mind. But it wasn't so much Albus appearance that worried him; it was his words. "Harry Potter and his friends were no longer at Hogwarts."

Sirius' head went blank as he tried desperately to listen to Dumbledore's story, but in truth, Sirius feared he already knew. There were few people that Harry would act this recklessly for, and only one of them was in the custody of the enemy. Ted gripped Andromeda tightly. Andromeda had always seen Harry as her child, equal to Tonks. Now, both were missing, and the woman looked about ready to faint. "He's going to be alright, Andy," Ted said as he tried to comfort the nearly weeping woman. "Harry, he's strong, he'll be okay."

On his left, he watched as Remus' body trembled with anger, "Why? Why did I think he could handle it? I should have stayed. Who cared if it would have hurt Harry? I should have-"

"Remus," Narcissa whispered, "There's no point in dwelling on the past right now. I never expected it to be this soon, but I think- I think the mission Draco's been working on is complete." Her eyes shivered as she continued, "I didn't think it would come so quickly, but- if Draco has completed his mission, we need to get to Hogwarts, now."

His cousin's face filled with fear as she started once more, "If we delay, students will lose their lives. I don't trust the Death Eaters to stick to the mission."

"But I need to find out where Harry is," Sirius hissed, "He's my godson! He's my responsibility! If anything happens to him, how will James and Lily ever forgive me? I-"

"That boy was trained well," Moody said, silencing the room, "When he calls for backup, we can assist. We'll break out into small groups with half of us remaining at the castle, the other going to wherever we are needed." Moody's electric blue eye zipped to the back of his head as he growled, "Potter's a lot of things, but he isn't stupid. They'll be okay; we can't worry about that right now."

"If you are planning to come," Dumbledore said, "Please, don't interfere with their mission. Keep them away from the students but lead them to me. Understand this, please, it is imperative that I die- for the greater good."

Sirius' eyes widened, Just how deep is this man's commitment to that mantra. He shook his head, wiping the thought clear as he growled, "If you're expecting me to throw you a pity party at your death, you're mistaken. Live or die; it's no skin off my back." He could feel the glowing eyes of Molly Weasley aflame with rage, but Sirius couldn't care less. He sighed deeply, "Open the floo; we'll be there soon."

Dumbledore nodded glumly, before turning away the fire turning back to its orange flame. Sirius turned, facing the sky as Emmeline held his hand, "I want to go with you."

"I know," Sirius whispered, "But what about James?"

"I'll stay behind," Andromeda croaked, "I- In the state I'm in, I wouldn't be much help on the battlefield anyway. Just promise me you'll come back to your son alive."

"Yeah," Sirius said with a nod, "I promise. I've got too much left to live for still." His eyes dropped to the fire, which flickered green once more as he clenched his fist. Harry, please, tell me where you are.

The green flames swallowed Sirius as he closed his eyes, opening them seconds later only to find himself in the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore looked worse in person, his right arm coated in a putrid black sheen. The man looked down at his desk, scribbling with his off-hand. A little late to be starting your will, isn't it? Sirius thought to himself, but his attention shifted from the Headmaster who'd failed him time and time again.

To die alone, Sirius thought the image of the Headmaster's pale face still in his head; it's a fate nobody should suffer. But I suppose these are the consequences for the greater good. Though Sirius had done a masterful job of turning his back on the elderly man, Narcissa clearly had no intention of doing so. With the speed of a cracked whip, she broke free from Remus' side and raced towards the Headmaster's desk. The once Malfoy Matriach, stood as if she was Voldermort herself over the Headmaster's desk before with a grizzled voice, she growled, "Where is my son?"

Sirius sighed as he turned, taking a stand at Remus' side as he watched the way his cousin trembled. No matter what they do, mothers always love their sons. Or at least, most due. His skin crawled as he heard his mother's voice, screaming at him to leave and never return. You had a mother that loved you dearly Draco, and you chose to follow the footsteps of your failure father. Why?

"Where is my son, Albus?" Narcissa hissed, "Where is my baby boy?" Her fist curled as Narcissa slammed it against the wooden table, "I don't care if he's a monster! When he's at this school, he's still your responsibility, isn't he!? So tell me, where is Draco?"

"Narcissa," Remus whispered, but the woman looked as if she couldn't hear a thing.

"I did my best to try and save him," Dumbledore said. His voice cracked with remorse as his body trembled. "But in my weakened state, I was overpowered. Your son, he's spent the year working in the Chamber of Secrets. But I suspect that Harry's already got to him, I'm not sure, even if somehow you manage to get there, what you'll find left of your son."

"Harry wouldn't kill Draco, maybe rough him up a bit, but he'd never kill Draco," Emmeline whispered.

"You don't know the Harry I saw enter this office." Dumbledore's face filled with misery, "He was inconsolable. If the man I saw is the man he will become, then the light has already lost."

"You said my son's in the Chamber of Secrets," Narcissa whispered, her skin paling. "It's real? I mean, of course, it's real, but-" She shook her head, "Where is it? Where is my boy?"

"It's buried beneath the second-floor girl's lavatory," Dumbledore whispered, "However, as none of you are capable of speaking parseltongue or have a recording of it like Draco, you will not be able to answer. The Death Eaters will be emerging from within the chamber, however, due to a vanishing cabinet that Draco has repaired. The sister of which I assume must be in the Dark Lord's clutches."

Sirius' teeth gritted against each other as he snapped, "Why? Why would you allow him to complete the cabinet!? Why put your students at risk? Why-"

"Sirius," Dumbledore whispered, "How I wish you could understand, it is all for the greater good." Fire erupted in Sirius' chest, but Dumbledore continued, "I have already informed the professors to keep their children in their house's common rooms. They only need to come to me. Please try to understand; I am doing what must be-"

"You're full of shit Albus," Sirius growled. "Your power, your reputation, I had hoped you'd be of use to Harry, but all you did was cause him problem after problem. I'll do my part to protect the students, but if you think I'll be crying at your funeral, you're wrong. You were a great man once, Albus, at least, I grew up believing that. But time after time, all you've done is disappoint me."

Dumbledore smiled gently, "Perhaps you are correct, Sirius. My practices of peace and non-violence, perhaps they have caused the world more trouble then they are worth. But I cannot change. I believe in the power of love and forgiveness, Sirius. I believe that love is the key to Harry's victory over the Dark Lord. Of course, my methods may be outdated; perhaps I made my own share of blunders in my desire to avoid another large scale war. These are regrets I will take with me to my grave, but let this be clear, I do not care about your forgiveness. I only ask that if you deviate from my path after my death, you show as much mercy as possible. The light cannot bathe in the darkness and remain pure; that is what I believe."

"Nobody can go through war and remain pure, Albus," Sirius whispered, "One look at you is proof of that." Sirius sighed as he turned to face the office doors, "We have no idea how many Death Eaters are on their way, we need to take up smart defensive positions. Remus and I know every passage of this castle like the back of our hands. If we want to take out as many of these bastards as possible and stay alive, you'll follow our orders carefully."

"Alright," Sirius nodded, "If the Death Eaters are coming out of the second floor, that means we have to guard floors two through seven. It's unlikely they'll target the Slytherin Common Room, and in order for them to target the Hufflepuff Common Room, they'd have to go out of their way. Meaning we'll place people there, but only the smallest group. The biggest concern is the sixth and seventh floors. Gryffindor tower most likely requires the most protection, as if they believe Harry to be there, they may make a concentrated strike. Ravenclaw Common Room may be less of a target, but it isn't as out of the way as Hufflepuff's. Remus and I will assist where needed; we are likely to have the fastest mobility of the castle. Emmeline and Narcissa, I want you two guarding Hufflepuff with Professor Sprout."

"If we put Moody up there with Professor McGonagall, I know for a fact that the Death Eaters aren't making it through. Meanwhile, Ted and Professor Flitwick will make sure that nobody breaches Ravenclaw Tower." Sirius growled, "Which only leaves Snape, and I don't trust him as far as I can throw him. I'll keep my eyes on him."

Sirius turned towards Dumbledore, "Why don't you make yourself useful by granting us permission over the House Elves in the castle. They are the only creatures capable of apparating in the castle and can help us deliver messages faster. Other than that, stay out of the way and wait for them to kill you."

His eyes fell on Remus, the man's mousy brown hair seeming to grow grayer by the second. "Remember, our primary objective is to protect the students. Don't worry about apprehending Death Eaters or possible damage to the castle. Do what you have to do to keep these kids alive and well, and if anyone hears from Harry, I want me, Moody, and Ted on me to their location. Clear?"

"Clear," The Order replied.

"Okay, well," Sirius said as he gulped down the last of his fear, "Here goes nothing."

(Astoria P.O.V)

Blue light blinded her sight as the S.P.I.R.E shot a volley of into the Death Eater hordes. Harry's hand pressed down against her head, forcing her down as a bolt of red zipped over her tucked frame. "Confringo!" She heard Neville shout, the explosion causing her head to rattle as her sister's tight grip pulled her from the cracked chamber.

"Aguamenti," Daphne shouted, a jet of water pouring from the tip of her wand before she lowered herself, placing her hand in the puddle. "Shock!" Astoria watched as the voltage from Daphne's palm carried through the water, the screams of the off-guard and electrified Death Eaters filling her ears.

"Break off into your divisions now!" Michael ordered, "Harry-"

"Right!" Harry barked back through the cloud of dust. "Come on, let's go!" subtlety, Astoria watched as a figure shifted through the debris. "Astoria! Grab my hand!"

"O-okay," Astoria whispered, reaching out before a jet of red forced her hand back.

Barty Crouch's eyes glowed with anger through the dust; his wand gripped tightly in his hand. "Like hell I'm letting you get away. You're dead Potter, you and your friends!" He licked his lips, Astoria could feel her heart pounding in her chest as Barty barked, "Bombarda Maxima!"

Astoria jumped diving to her right, the figures of Daphne and Harry lost in the wreckage as the stone floor of her previous standing place erupted beneath her. She shrieked as she felt her heels slipping towards the gorge. "Astoria!" Harry and Daphne called out her name, but the scattered dirt had filled her lungs.

She shivered as she felt her back make contact with the feeling of another body. She turned, her wand quaking from the tightness in her grip until a glint of blue hair caught her eyes. "Astoria?" Michael whispered, "Why are you-"

"Crucio!" Barty roared.

Astoria shoved the Ravenclaw, the two tumbling down into the chasm together. She bit back her scream as she felt Michael's arm wrapped around her, his armored half barreling towards the ground as he outstretched his palm, "Ventus!"

The hit the ground with a thud; a painful groan escaped Astoria's lips as she clutched her side. Michael's breath was ragged as he looked up towards the hole they'd fallen through. "Thanks for the save," he panted out.

"Right back at you," She whispered. Her body pulsed as she ran her finger, feeling the future bruises already making their spots know. "It was only one floor, but that was a hell of a fall."

Michael nodded, the two standing back to back, their eyes straining to see through the chaos. "Getting separated from the group definitely isn't great. The goal of the numbers was to keep our backs covered. Splitting up like this isn't good."

Coughing broke through the tense silence as Astoria heard two familiar voices call out, "Michael? Hello?" Two whisperers of red flickered in the falling soot before the youngest Weasley, and Tracey's face came into view. "Astoria?" Tracey hissed, "What are you doing here? Where's Blaise and Claire?"

"It looks like we all got separated," Michael muttered. Astoria could see the panic that Michael was desperately trying to swallow as he scanned only to find no sight of the Half-Veela. "The objective remains the same. We-"

"Protego!" Ron shouted a shield of blue magic materialized before them as a bolt of blinding white magic shot towards them. Astoria spun on her heels, the four wizards standing with their wands out as two cloaked figures appeared.

"I guess we'll save the talking for later," Michael muttered as he lifted his palm. "Get behind me, and step back, things are about to heat up." The man's blue eyes pierced through the smoke as she did as Michael asked. Yaxley, she thought to herself. She swallowed hard watching as the second man followed closely behind, Gibbon.

She gritted her teeth as Michael stood at the point. I didn't get a clear count of just how many Death Eaters were actually in there. How many enemies are we fighting? Michael's hand began to glow as Astoria cast her shielding charm. The blue shield had only just formed before with a thunderous roar, Michael released his magic, "Expulso!"

Astoria's eyes shut tightly, trying to mitigate the effects of the blue-lights eruption. Cries of agony appeared and vanished within seconds before the sound of a thud rattled in her ears. She opened them to find Michael kneeling on the ground, steam rising from his hand as he panted deeply. "Michael!" Astoria shouted, racing towards his side.

He lifted his hand, "Worry about me when we're out of here. For now," he growled, rising to his feet as he pointed at the hole he created in the black stone wall, "We need to keep moving."

Astoria's legs felt like jelly as she chased after Michael, the boy managing to keep up a record pace through his stumbles. "Protego!" Ron bellowed, "Bombarda!"

Exhausted heaves flew from each of their lungs as Tracey and Ron took turns blasting curses at their oncoming pursuers. "Michael!" Tracey called out, "What's the new plan?"

"Same as the old," He spat, ducking a jet of light before Astoria spun, shooting a reductor curse at Michael's aggressor. "We need to buy Harry time. I hate to say it, but if anyone has even a chance of breaking this anti-apparition spell, it's him."

Dead end, Astoria hissed as another wave of dust began to rise. She watched as Michael's eyes shifted from wall to wall before with another shockwave of magic, he broke through the left wall. "Come on, keep moving."

They barreled through the wall before Ron suddenly stopped turning to face the opening, "This should slow them down a bit." Astoria watched as Ron tossed an orb the size of a marble to the ground. Upon contact, the sphere erupted, and from it rose a foul, liquid-like stench. "Portable swap," He called out, answering the unasked question, "Took one from Fred and George's stores a week ago. I was going to use it to prank them back, but this seemed like a bit more of a pressing matter.

Astoria nodded as Michael grinned, "Not bad, Weasley."

Ron nodded as they continued their sprint. Their breath halted as they came to a small spherical clearing at what Astoria only assumed to be the center room of the prison floor. Her breaths were ragged as loud yelling pounded in her head. Cells seemed to stack up to the ceiling, each filled with prisoners who'd done crimes worthy of having them placed this high into the Azkaban towers.

Thirty, no forty, Astoria thought to herself as she counted the prisoners. How are we supposed to fight this many people at once? Her breath stalled in her chest as two more black clouds manifested before them. Macnair, Dolohov, Astoria hissed in her mind, the men not even bothering to hide their faces any longer.

The two circled them, their wands drawn. Grizzled smiles rested on their lips as Dolohov called out to the horde of prisoners. "I've come with a proposition for you, boys! The Dark Lord, he's looking to recruit some members to his cause! How would you lot be interested in tryouts!"

Cheers of excitement bellowed from the imprisoned men as Macnair took over. "Glad to hear the enthusiasm, but our Lord doesn't take weaklings. The game is simple! We'll release you from your cages, and if you manage to kill one of these kids, consider your spot secured."

"We don't have our wands!" One called out.

"Then make do with what you do have. I'm not asking for specificities; I just want these kids dead. Understand!" The chained prisoners chanted loudly as the two death eaters lifted their wands, "Good, begin!"

Astoria bit back her desire to shout as wizard after wizard jumped from their cages. One charged towards her, his body starved and frail. She stepped back as Michael stood before her, slamming his armored fist into the man's face. "I'm not playing this game," he growled.

She turned to Michael as he gripped her tightly, the four standing back to back as the prisoners surrounded them, their eyes shimmering with their lust for freedom. "I've seen Harry do this," She heard Michael whispered aloud, "If he can do it, so can I." Astoria hadn't even a moment to question Michael before with an exhausted roar; he commanded the stones to rise, the four of them standing in a pillar three feet above the ground. "Listen to me, Astoria, Ron, Tracey. I'm about to use up the last of my magic right here. I'm going to be out of commission after this next spell. Watch over my body, will you?"

Astoria nodded alongside her two teammates before Michael lifted his sapphire-embedded palm, "Here we go," He muttered as he took a deep breath, the weakened prisoners swarming them like bees. "Confringo!"

An ocean of orange flames blazed on the floor below. Quickly Astoria jetted forward, grabbing Michael's hand and pulling him into the center of his raised pillar. Her stomach curled at the scent of burning skin as the wails of agony began to hollow out. Some ran, others tried to climb back to the safety of their cells. Only one figure remained unmoved. Macnair glared at her behind his protective shield before he smirked and pointed behind her.

Through the smoke, a black apparition cloud descended. Dolohov, Astoria cursed, Shit. "Ron!" Astoria shouted, "Above you!"

"Huh?" Ron called out, a lost look in his eyes as a wave of purple light zipped towards his frame.

Astoria closed her eyes, not wanting to see the impact before quietly she heard a thud. For a moment, there was silence, and then, Tracey screamed. Astoria's eyes flashed open, her mind foggy as she glanced at Tracey, the girl standing completely unharmed. Then she saw it, blood."

"No," Astoria whispered as Tracey fell to her knees, her body trembling in fear.

"Damn," She heard a boy whisper feebly, "I got careless." From over her shoulder, Astoria watched as the youngest Weasley laid on the ground, his face white as a ghost as he trembled in pain. "Damn it all."

A weak smile filling his lips as Astoria watched Ron turn to face Tracey, "Hey, I dont think I'm going to make it. i just realized, I never said thank you."

"Thank me," Tracey cried her eyed filled with tears, "Thank me for what?"

"For being my friend." Astoria felt paralyzed as she watched Ron's eyes close. "After Ginny died, I was in so much pain. I started acting out, being an asshole, I hated every Slytherin for what they did to Ginny." He chuckled, "Merlin, I was such an idiot. But then, you showed me kindness. You were there to talk to me when I was feeling hurt. You didn't push me away, you saw me as your friend, not just somebody to pity."

"Stop talking," Tracey whispered, "Just stop. Don't lay there and act like you're going to die. I can't let you die. I'll fix you up and-"

Ron took her hand silently as he shook his head, "I'm not going to make it, Tracey." He coughed as trails of blood leaked down his chin. "I'm on my way to see Ginny now. At least, I hope I am. Please," He said faintly, "Tell my family, tell them I'm sorry for making them go through this again. Tell them I'm sorry for pushing them away. Tell them, tell them I said thank you for loving me."

Steam rose from the ground as the Death Eaters below began to douse the fire. Yet for all the heat, Tracey still trembled as Ron laid limply in her arms. Astoria watched as Dolohov looked up at their pillar, his face filled with boredom. "Ah, looks like he finally croaked. I got to admit, he lasted longer than I thought. Now, we'll just take our time eliminating you two girls. Sit tight for just a second."

"You bastards," Tracey growled as she rested Ron's head gently on the stone floor, rising to her feet. "Avada Kedavra!"

"Tracey, no!" Astoria screamed as she watched the Death Eater just barely avoid the blitz of green light.

Dolohov's lips curled as he hissed, "You're playing around with dangerous magic, girl. Magic that I don't think you're ready for quite yet." Tracey snarled as she jumped onto the now flameless ground her wand drawn.

"Astoria," She whispered, "Take care of Macnair, Dolohov is mine."

"Tracey, we shouldn't-"

"I'm going to kill him," Tracey growled, "I'm going to make him pay."

"Are you now?" Dolohov said with a chuckle, "Very well then, come and try it, girl."

Tracey barked as a jet of orange magic zipped from her wand. Dolohov side-stepped as he lifted his wand, shooting another purple curse from its tip. Tracey weaved through the strike, following a volley of her own. She can't beat him, Dolohov is one of Voldemort's elites. Michael could maybe take him, but Tracey odds aren't high. I need to help her. Astoria swallowed as she lifted her wand, "Expelliaru-"

Her neck tingled as she jumped to her side, her shoes skidding against the wet stone floor before catching Macnair's eyes. "I believe your friend told you not to interfere. A girl your age should listen to her elders."

Astoria snarled as she lifted her wand. Okay, Astoria, she whispered to herself, I can do this; just don't lose focus and stay calm. She commanded the shaking of her hands to cease as she circled Macnair. Wait, counter, and strike—no wrong moves. Astoria watched as the man flicked his wand, a stunner soaring towards her. She swerved slowly, the heat from the bolt grazing her cheek before she steadied firing out a disarming charm.

Macnair batted away the spell with ease as Astoria's eyes grew hawk-like. Each of Macnair's movements became slowed as she dodged the next spell, countering with a stunner of her own. This time Macnair jumped slipping on the wet floor as Astoria fired a reductor curse at his feet. Macnair slid back, but the impact knocked him backward. Astoria gritted her teeth as she met the man's intimidating glare. "I'll admit, you're not bad for a shrimp. I can see now why the Dark Lord wants you alive."

She paused, the blood in her veins ran cold as Tracey's scream broke the silence. "Crucio!" she heard Dolohov shout from behind her as Tracey withered in pain.

Come on, Astoria, think, her eyes widened as she looked at Macnair's grin, "You said the Dark Lord wants me alive, right? Then let's make a deal, I come with you guys, and you leave us alive. I'll do whatever you want, just don't kill my friends."

Macnair smirked, "Drop your wand, and I'll consider it."

"Don't do it!" Tracey screamed through her agony, "This is nothing. I-,"

Astoria's wand hit the ground with a gentle drop as she looked up at Macnair's ever-growing grin. He nodded, and a wave of relief flooded her body as Tracey's screams subsided. "That's a good girl," Macnair hissed, "Now come closer, keep your hands where I can see them."

Please, Harry, that was so cool! Her voice rang in her head; You have to teach me, promise me.

Okay, okay, Harry's word resonated with a gentle chuckle, but it's not easy. Wandless magic, it's tricky. But maybe you'll catch on quickly, after all, you're probably the youngest Patronus user ever, you're a prodigy Short-Stack.

I can do this, Astoria whispered to herself as she took steady steps towards Macnair, first, channel the magic in my core. Then, create a focal point for my magic to leave from my body. Third, drag the magic from my core to the focus point. "Good girl, that's it, just like that," Macnair hissed.

Finally, fourth, push the magic from the focal point out into the material realm. She sighed as she lifted her finger, "Depulso!" Astoria's shoulder popped as Macnair flung backward. The impact of the man's frame against the wall echoed with a devastating crack as trails of blood leaked from the groaning man's head. She held out her palm, recalling her wand to her hand as she spun, meeting Dolohov's eyes, "Expelliarums!"

Astoria ducked quickly as Dolohov's wand flew towards her, jetting just above her hair before falling to the ground. She panted as she recentered her wand upon him, her eyes turned to daggers. "Back away from her, now!" She shouted, watching as the Death Eater stepped back baring his teeth. "I said get back!"

Dolohov turned to smoke just as another reductor curse shot from her wand leaving the ground right in front of Tracey smoldering. Astoria watched as the man's smoke-like figure danced around the room before fleeing, his wand still on the ground by her side. She gasped as she felt the exhaustion fill her body, her legs buckling from her weight as she watched Tracey try to squirm to her feet. "Don't move," Astoria panted, a pause for air needed between each word, "Just stay right there, I'm going to find Daphne and Harry. I'm sure they'll be able to help. Just sit tight, okay."

"Harry wasn't joking when he said it," Tracey muttered as she locked eyes with the Gryffindor Third Year, "You really are something special, Astoria."

(Daphne P.O.V)

Panic gripped Daphne's heart as she chased after Harry, the chasm that swallowed Astoria haunting her mind. "We need to go back," Daphne called out, watching as Harry gripped Tonks' limp frame in his arms. "Astoria needs our help. We can't just-"

"We need to keep moving," Harry muttered, "If I don't break the anti-apparition charm, all of us will die. Astoria's strong, she can handle it, plus, I doubt she's alone." Harry swerved to the side, a bolt of blistering yellow magic flying past them as he scowled.

"You're not going anywhere, Potter," A man with pallid skin and black, coal-like eyes hissed out. "The Dark Lord will make you pay for destroying what was his!" The woman at the man's side roared.

Carrow siblings, Daphne hissed in her mind, readying her wand. Yet, Harry seemed to pay them no mind as he continued running towards them, Tonks in hand. "Out of my way," he hissed. The wizards didn't move; rather, they laughed, lifting their wands in response. "I gave you an order," Harry said, his voice colder than the winter air, "Move."

A pulse of magic erupted from Harry's eyes as the Carrow siblings fell to their knees, gripping their heads as they screamed. Daphne felt a chill race down her body as Harry glanced at her. She swallowed as she lifted her wand, "Petrificus Totalus!"

The two Death Eaters hit the ground face first, the walls ringing as their heads rattled against the floor. Dobby huddled by her side, watching her back as Harry pressed onward. Her heart pounded a mile a minute as they ran, ducking bolts or lunging, freed-prisoners. "You're mine!" A man shouted, the yellowness of his rotting teeth all she could see from shadows before with a snap of his fingers, Dobby sent the creep flying.

"Dobby will protect Ms. Greeny, no matter what."

Daphne nodded appreciatively as they continued to run through the chaos. Her body weaved through the carnage, dodging spell after spell. Harry's body acted almost as a two-second predicter of oncoming attacks as her eyes followed the Boy-Who-Lived's every move.

"Don't you dare run from me!" A voice from the dust called out, "Avada Kedavra!" Daphne's voice hand vanished as a bullet of green light shot towards her. Harry growled in the distance summoning a blockade that erupted on contact. She flew backward from the impact, barley rising to her feet in time as Harry summoned black chains from the walls binding the aggressor in a bone-crushing grip.

For the briefest second, a watery look filled Harry's eyes, the venomous glare fading. So you are still in there, Flyboy. Her joy hadn't lasted long as she screamed, "Harry, behind you!" Harry ducked as Daphne rolled to the side, a screaming red light flying just past her ear. Bright lights flashed as the spell made it's impact, clouding her sight. For a moment, all she saw were flashes, and then, she started falling.

Her eyes opened as she saw the black stone of the prison floor quickly approaching. "Immobulus!" She shouted, gasping as she watched the tips of her blonde hair brush against the cold floor. She closed her eyes, releasing a deep sigh before canceling the spell and hitting the ground with a thud.

A groan ripped from beside her as she watched Tonks' body be pushed off the ground. Harry, she thought, watching as the boy picked himself up from the impact crater. He wasn't able to stop himself completely while holding Tonks, so he took the impact for her. Whimpers of pain that Harry couldn't swallow completely left throat as he fell to his knees beside his unmoving sister, "Are you alright, Tonks?" He whispered. "Just hold on a little longer, okay? Daphne, she knows the great doctor, you'll be fixed up in no time."

"H-Harry," Tonks muttered, her voice faint and broken.

"Yeah," Harry said, taking her sister's hand, "Yeah, it's me, Tonks. Try not to talk so much right now; we're going to get you help. I promise, you're going to be just fine."

"Harry," Daphne called out, as Harry hissed in pain, his body stumbling to rise from the ground. "Harry, are you okay? Let me help you. Just stay where you are and-"

"Harry!" Daphne's heart swelled at the voice in the distance, "Daphne!"

"Astoria!" Daphne called out, "Astoria! We're over here!" She smiled as through the debris; her sister ran towards them, her face coated in scrapes and dust. Blood cacked her sister's clothes, and her bright Kalidescopic eyes looked hollow and dim. "Astoria, were you alone? Did you find anybody?"

"No, I was with Michael, Tracey, and- and Ron." The pain in her sister's face filled her with dread as tears began to roll down her cheeks, "Daphne, we need your help Tracey, she's hurt and Ron. Ron's de-"

"Potter!" Crouch's voice ripped through the smoke, "How dare you humiliate me! Sagitta Coniectum!"

"Harry!" Daphne turned, watching as a volley of glowing white arrows raced towards her boyfriend. Got to move, she hissed to herself watching as Harry stumbled to lift his arm, the socket clearly dislocated from the fall. No, she though, her heart sinking in her chest, he's too far, I'm not going to-

Splash! Blood coated the floor, erupting through the floating dust, "Harry!" Daphne shouted, her lungs ready to flee from her body. Wind from the upper levels brushed through the room like a sea current, the dust cloud drifting. Her heart stopped as she saw the blood-stained body of Harry hunched over, but- it wasn't his blood that coated his clothes.

"No," Daphne whispered, as the head of Tonks hung limply over Harry's shoulder, blood trails leaking from her lips, a volley of arrows deeply embedded into her back. "Tonks."

Coughing rattled through the air as she watched Harry's body tremble, his hands dangling at his side, his breathing inaudible. "Good, you're okay," Tonks whispered, as blood spilled from her mouth, drenching the back of Harry's shirt.

"Tonks," Harry said, his voice trembling, "Why?" Harry's body quaked as he clenched his fist, "Why would you do that! You didn't need to protect me! I'm stronger than you are now! I could have protected you! I didn't ask for this! I didn't want you to do this! Why, why did you-"

"Sorry, kid," Tonks whispered, her voice so faint only the pure silence made it possible to hear. "My body, it just moved on its own." She smiled as her head fell limp, the strength of her second wind leaving her quickly, "I guess no matter how strong you get, you'll always be my little brother. Forgive me, Harry."

"Stop talking," Harry said, shaking his head, "Daphne, she was studying to be a doctor. I'm sure she can help you. You're going to be okay. Right? Daphne?" Her boyfriend's eyes fell to her, her emerald orbs shaking. "Why are you just standing there!" He shouted, redness filling his face, "Help her! Please, help her!"

"Harry," Daphne whispered, "The damage to her body, it's too much to-"

"Try!" Harry cried, "Please! Daphne, please," He said, his voice growing fainter, "Please, you have to save her. Please I'll do anything just safe her, please you have to-"

"Don't yell at her," Tonks whispered, "It's not her fault. She's right; I'm not going to make it."

"No, that's not true," Harry said, his voice cracking in his throat, "We're going to go back home, and you're going to get better, and then we-"

"Tell them, tell them I'm sorry." Tonks' words rang in the silence as her body began to slip from Harry's grip. Daphne watched as her boyfriend sat paralyzed, his sister's head now resting on the ground between his feet.

"Harry," Daphne whispered, taking a step closer, to his trembling frame.

"No," Harry whispered, a foul magic rising from his scar, cloaking him in a dark glow. He clutched his head, shaking it as he shouted, "No! No! No!" Daphne stepped back, the ground beneath her shaking as Harry's screams grew louder until a plume of black fog broke from Harry's body, sending her tumbling backward. The walls shook with Harry's outrage as cracks broke in the apparition bubble beyond the prison gates.

She crawled up to her knees, her blood freezing in her veins as Harry turned to face her, his left eye gleaming red once more, just as it had during the purging ritual. No, Harry, not now. A cackle erupted from Harry's lungs as he threw his head back, the dark mist surrounding him like a blanket.

Barty Crouch's eyes lit with fear as he stuttered, "This magic, it feels, different. What the hell is-"

"You're going to pay for this," Harry said, his laughter ceasing, replaced with a twisted grin, "I'm gonna kill you."