Who's idea was it to keep nine bitter people in one cell? Nine people having one person they want to kill? Nine people ready to kill to get out?

How were they going to get out, you wonder? Simple.

The dementor glid by their door, opening it to deliver food, and for a few second light glows in the chamber.

They are a mess.

Hermione has blood streaking down her neck, and wild, tangled hair. Her face is hollow, emotionless, tear stains streaking the sides of her face. Her eyes are sunken into her head, and she looks dead.

Ron has cuts all over his face. He looks dull, like he has given up. His hair is matted with mud. He is covered in grime, and there is no life in his eyes.

Luna's hair is a mess. She doesn't seem to care, her blue eyes alive. She is filthy, but doesn't seem to notice - her feet are bare, too.

Ginny has sunken into the corner, defeat clear on her face. Her whole face is drooping, cut and bloody, hair limp and greasy. Her body is weak, dirt-covered, and she is fragile.

Draco always took pride in his hair; yet now it is matted and unclean. He hasn't even attempted to take care of it. He does not look at anyone, and blood drips from the area with the dark mark. Someone had tried to carve it off.

George is hugging Fred, desperately. His hair is a wild frenzy of tangles, tear streaks staining his face, and his eyes are desperate. Longing. Loving his twin.

Neville has the same blood on his face than in the battle. He still has the limp, and the sword is in his hand. Both him and the sword are covered in mud, but it doesn't matter. He seems to have given up too, despite his firm hold on the sword.

Fred is being hugged by his twin. He is limply leaning on the wall, yet he still has a few pranks. He has a string in his hand - an extendable ear. He isn't using it though, just leaning into his brother's embrace. His eyes stare ahead of him sightlessly, staring blankly.

Harry is filthy, dirt covered, but alive. Alive in a way the others are not. His eyes flash with determination, and he holds nine things. A stone, with a crack through the middle, that was once in a ring. A wand, that is the most powerful thing to ever exist. A cloak, that renders the user invisible. Another wand, core of a Phoenix feather and wood of holly. Another wand, hawthorn. A wand he took in Malfoy manor. A book of pictures of his parents. A broom, gifted to him by his godfather. A shard of mirror that once saved his life. And a blank piece of parchment - the marauders map.

Harry does something no sane person would ever do. Perhaps he's given up. Perhaps it's too late.

He walks up up to the dementor, and kisses it.