***Hogwarts***

The painful silence was only broken by shuffling footsteps as they struggled to hold on to Harry's unconscious form. At this specific moment, the shinning moon -losing its miraculous beauty- failed to brighten the night.

Even Hagrid's hut lacked all signs of life. There were no lights, no faint whispers of movement, no Fang barking and scratching the door. It was filled only with gloomy air instead of the familiar welcoming one.

Simply taking one step after the other was considered tremendous work, at the time. Walking through the darkness and the bitter coldness of the Forbidden Forest was nothing compared to the darkness and hollowness they felt within.

Sirius would never forget his days at Hogwarts, spent with his friends. Nostalgic memories surrounded him more than he thought possible, especially now given the circumstances.

He had been under the impression of experiencing happiness when or if he ever had the chance to walk through these doors once again as a freeman.

But now, carrying his godson's immobile body, Sirius was sun-earth far from that. It was only painful sorrow that encompassed him, taking over his soul, as if being stabbed in the heart.

Before stepping inside the gates of Hogwarts, Remus stopped, "wait, I don't want anyone to see him like this, at least not yet." Tonks, nodding numbly and whipping her wand from her pocket, casted an invisibility spell over his body.

It looked quite funny and sceptical for anyone seeing them trying to hold on to something invisible to the naked eye, but that was the least of their worries. Passerbys, students as well as professors, glanced suspicious and surprised looks. One of the third year students shrieked and almost tripped over when her eyes landed on the supposedly mass-murderer walking around her school. She was quietened and sent back to the Great Hall by Professor Mcgonagall.

"Sirius, are you mad? Why on earth did you come here? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is?" She asked, worry and disapproval equally etched on her face. Sirius only shook his head wordlessly and gestured for her to follow them.

The look on their faces sent the indirect message that something was terribly wrong; her face paled thinking about all the possible outcomes of that dreaded mission.

She had just returned from St. Mungo's after getting fired with curses straight to the chest. And hearing bad news won't do her any good.

They were all taken away from their thoughts as Tonks opened the door to the countless white beds of the hospital wing. All at once, five teenage heads shot upward, revealing identical worried expressions. They were eagerly awaiting answers to their questions.

The only three who knew the truth didn't know how to get through this as painless as possible. Remus saw from the corner of his eye that Sirius was on the verge of tears already and wasn't in any state of mind to explain what happened.

Remus gulped painfully due to the ever-growing lump in his throat. His supposedly calm voice broke the silence, "well, please all of you sit down and I'll try to tell you.. what.. happened," but as soon as the words came out of his mouth, they seemed hoarse and constricted.

The teenagers glanced at each other, worry etched on their faces, and did as they were told bracing themselves to what would come next. Even the air rotating around them in circles seemed anxious and out of breath.

In the meantime, Sirius walked to the side, carrying an invisible Harry and placed him gently on one of the beds, keeping him out of view by the curtains.

Sirius muttered the counter-curse under his breath, and Harry's form re-appeared in front of his eyes, once again. But then again, the sight didn't please him, not one little bit. Harry's head slumped over his arm, his bangs falling backward... to which Sirius bit back the tears threatening to fall.

"I am sorry," whispered Sirius as quietly as possible, casting a final look at his godson's lifeless form.

With a heavy heart, Sirius walked away without another glance. Upon sliding the curtains behind him, Sirius missed the slight stir from the figure lying on the bed.

Harry had just landed to his own body after his flight of fog and mist from the parallel reality, the limbo between life and death, with his parents.

Harry wanted to run and reassure everyone that he was alive, once again. The last thing he would ever want was to cause them any pain or leave them mourning any longer.

His body, however, was unresponsive to his pleas and was too weak to even move a finger or crack an eye open.

Just as consciousness had slid itself to his body, it was taken away from him again. He was reminded of the cruciatus curse he fell victim to, last year. Unable to handle the pain spreading throughout every inch of his body, Harry drifted back to blackness.

***
Remus was still trying to find it in himself to reveal the outcome of today's events without shifting into personal episodes of misery and despair.

He hoped for once that he would become someone else but himself, someone cold, someone heartless who can just spit it out and have it over with... someone who would no longer feel any of the pain overriding him.

Remus was desperate to break free from the agony that had already reached its breaking point.

It is so hard, but you have to do it, Remus told himself.

"So, as you all know by now, Harry--ran forward and was drifted to the midst of battle. Well, it wasn't really in the midst of battle by the time, but we were taken by surprise, and--well-- we tried, but..."

This was one of the very few times Remus was incoherent in his thoughts and disorganized in his speech. He blinked back the unshed tears, as pain flickered across his face. It wasn't an overestimation to claim that Remus got a few strands of grey hair, new ones... after losing Harry.

Tonks and Sirius as well had pain evident in both pair of eyes glistening with tears.

Ron suddenly came to his feet, spitting furiously, rage shaking every bit of him, "Are you bloody mental? what do you mean you tried?" Looking around in panic, he roared, "where is he?"

Hermione held his hand, but he shook it off fiercely. Ron was too enwrapped in worry and fear to care.

Ron had eyes only on Sirius.. "come on, have the courage for once and tell me what did you do to protect him from whatever danger he was in?"

Sirius' pain-filled-guilty eyes met the furious accusing eyes of Ron. Sirius remained silent, not knowing what to say or how to say it; breathing heavily, Sirius defeatedly dropped his gaze to the ground in sorrow.

Remus launched himself forward and out came the words as calmly as he could master, as he squeezed Ron's shoulder in comfort, "Ron, Sirius isn't the kind of person you say something like this to. Besides, it wasn't his fault." This was Remus' attempt to support his best mate, just like what Ron himself was doing.

Whatever protesting answer Ron was planning on remained unsaid, as he was cut off by Ginny's desperate voice. "What--wasn't his fault? Can't you just tell us what happened?! Is he hurt? Is he captured? W-what???"

It seemed Harry being dead wasn't even one of their options.

The stubborn refusal to give a direct answer made them frustrated and freaked out even more. The silence in the air was ebbed with worry and fear of the unknown. It was observable that they'd all stopped breathing.

Tonks' voice was nothing beyond a whisper, "he isn't hurt nor captured."

They all exhaled a deep breath they didn't notice holding, and smiles were drawn on their pale faces, with waves of relief washing over them.

"Oh, thank goodness," Mcgonagall whispered, clutching her racing heart with her wrinkled hand.

"Why didn't you just say so? You nearly gave me a heart attack," escaped Hermione's lips, as she breathed shakily.

Sirius was on the edge of breaking down completely. Their relief was getting on his nerves, unable to bear it anymore. He didn't want them to build their hopes up only to be crushed down once again, this would be a more bitter pill to swallow. No, only his enemies deserved to experience such unbearable pain.

As pain was drawn on his face, Sirius stuttered, "No, Harry is... not with us anymore." He couldn't even say it out loud. Saying it would be acknowledging it, and he didn't want to face that bitter truth.

He glanced sideways at the direction of Remus to catch up from where he stopped. Before Remus could say or do anything, Mcgonagall's eyes widened in realization. She ran faster than they ever saw her moving, frantically checking every single bed. She seemed to have caught the hint.

When she reached and stood on the other side from the curtain of the one he was behind, Sirius' face drained of all the color it had left. Breathing heavily, he closed his eyes, anticipating her, as well as the others', reaction.

***
With shaking hands, Mcgonagall slid the curtain away, revealing the lifeless form of one of her selected few favorites.

The sight that met her eyes took away all the strength she had built up since her last attack. Her weak knees struggled to hold her weight; with one hand, she held the nearby chair for support. Her other hand was pressed on her chest trying to stop her heart from throbbing painfully.

Harry always had a special place inside her since she first laid an eye on him as a baby, happily surrounded by his parents who also meant soo much to her.

At that dreaded Halloween night, she even thought of adopting him herself rather than leaving him by the Dursley's doorstep, if it wasn't for Albus.

Even during his years at Hogwarts, she couldn't help not paying specifically more attention to him, often catching herself eyeing him carefully with a small smile playing on her lips. She also enjoyed every single contact she ever had with him, even when scolding him for rule-breaking which was quite often.

A faint tearful smile made way to her lips at the memories she had with him. Even the happy memories were painful.

A scream of agony escaped her thin lips, "Harry... No"

Standing next to his body, the reserved deputy headmistress forgot all about her mask of professional attitude.

Mcgonagall's scream echoed throughout the walls of the hospital wing. No one had ever seen her in such a state or even imagined she could make such a heartbroken cry.

Without glancing at one another, they all ran to where she was, next to Harry, the reason behind her evident sorrow.

Sirius, Remus and Tonks were the only ones staying behind, not trusting themselves to remain strong enough to bear experiencing this once again.

Having sight of the immobile form of a true friend trapped each one of them in his/her own miserable thoughts, detaching them from reality.

***
Ron stood shakily, his jaw comically dropping to the ground. Never in his dreams had he expected that. Bloody hell, you've got to be kidding me. Harry, no, you can't die.. Come on, mate, open your eyes, just this one time, please.

He so desperately felt obliged to apologize for leaving him this time, to do it alone. He should have ran after him, just like he always used to do. Their plans, regardless whether they fail or succeed, were what brought them together. And now, Harry was just gone.

Harry always meant soo much to him... Ron had been trying to tell him that --for years. Harry'd never belittled him, accepting him just like he was, since the very beginning.

Harry was the brother he chose, which makes it even more powerful than the ones through blood. How was he just supposed to continue on with his life now without having a brother behind his back?

Ron was still sorry for last year, for not being as understanding as Harry would have wanted him to be, for not believing his friend from the beginning.

No matter what, Ron would always be grateful for choosing that specific train compartment the very first day.

Ron had always been beyond glad, but equally pained now, for sharing so many memories with Harry. This was what made his years at Hogwarts absolutely fantastic and extraordinary, yet never peaceful.

We grew up together. I never even thought it as a possibility that we wouldn't age together. I'll miss you, mate.

***
Hermione had to place her hand on her mouth to stop herself from bursting out anguish cries. oh no! Harry please. You can't die just like that. I mean, I still need you by my side. We all do.

Harry had always been her best friend ever, always there for her... if she could describe how much he meant to her, it would just be the protective shoulder to cry on just like a big caring brother.

Not a day had passed without realizing what a great pleasure she had spending her days with Harry. As reality dawned on her, she felt a pinch in her heart imagining the rest of her life without him as of now. If only she had known his time with them was that limited, she would have saved more of her time to him.

Now that Harry departed the land of the living, who would assist Ron on convincing her to aid them in schoolwork? Who would get annoyed when she would insist on going to the library everyday?

Who would ask for her help, whenever trouble found his way?

He just left them to deal with the fact that they were now merely a duo not a trio like they've always been from the very beginning.

Their unflappable friendship was broken now, wasn't it? It would never be the same without him.

***
Neville just stood there feeling his knees buckling, eyes wide with dreading shock. I know we weren't that close, but you were and will always remain special to me.

Harry had always stood up for anyone who deserved another chance, including Neville himself, offering a hand to help through.

He'd appreciate till the end of time that Harry taught him more valuable things in the DA than most of his classes combined. Neville promised himself to do his best to keep the DA operating--after its leader--under his name, in respect and honor to his memory.

No matter how hard life brought him down, Neville would hold to the promise they took together... till the end of time. He just wanted Harry to be with him through it, to encourage him, like always.

We'll make our parents proud, Harry.

***
Luna's eyes were still dreamy, unable to escape from her trademark look... but they were wet with tears that seemed novel to her eyes.

Oh, Harry. Why on earth did you go near the nargles? That's the price you pay for it. Haven't I told you about them? If only you had listened to me then, none of this could have happened now, would it?

Anyways, what is done is done.

She had started feeling truly happy when he'd accepted her as a friend, refused to call her Looney, like the others, being among the very few who were kind to her.

She wished whole-heartedly he had more time in this world, he truly deserved it more than many of the bad around them everywhere. He didn't deserve to die. . . humanity lost him.

Suddenly, an unrealistic hope consumed her finding herself awaiting some sort of surprise from him, any sign, anything at all.

***
Ginny's head was spinning in circles, she felt like fainting as a method to get an end to her pain. Her jaw was trembling, and her thoughts were all over the place.

No way, Harry. Noo No No, I can't. I--I.. please. Please, don't be dead.

She so desperately needed him in her life, finding it impossible to accept that he's now gone, just like that. She couldn't continue on like this now that he left.

She took his hands between her shaky ones, gently tracing her thumb between his icy fingers. Before she could even attempt to hold them back, sparkling tears found their way down her cheeks, leaving herself to vent more than she ever recalled crying in her entire life.

She would never forget the remarkable feeling that never failed to overwhelm her whenever Harry was around. He meant a lot to her, neither as a friend nor as a brother as he so easily assumed. No, Harry was something much more.

It killed her even more that Harry didn't even know it, and now, he never would.

This wasn't how she had constantly dreamt of saying it to him, and now he couldn't even hear any of it.

***
Their cries of anguish echoed the entire school, if that was possible. Everyone was trapped and enwrapped in his/her own misery. No one knew or cared how long they spent crying their hearts out over the body of one of the best people they knew.

They all felt like drowning, with no air around, with no room for a single breath to be taken. The sensation around them resembled a dark cloud shrouding and taking over them.

***
In his own world, Harry could hear very distant yet familiar voices calling for him. He wanted nothing more than to follow them, but he didn't know how. He felt trapped in his own mind and body, far from reality.

He finally sensed his body being placed on something soft. Getting more aware of his surrounding, Harry could also feel a soft hand playing through his own fingers. He could hear sniffs, could hear whimpers, could hear mumbled incoherent speech, could hear heartbroken cries..

No, stop mourning. Stop crying over me. I am right here. If only I could open my eyes.

Harry could hear a motherly authoritarian command to leave, could hear protests, could hear frustrated footsteps moving farther away. He wanted to call for them to come back, but he couldn't do any of that sort.

It was silent again.. until shuffled footsteps kept on coming closer and closer very cautiously. It made his heart miss a beat as the possibility, of being helplessly around a deatheater, dawned on him.

Harry felt some pressure on his forehead, then realized it was a hand, which was warm and gentle yet shaking, removing the bangs from his eyes. He tensed for a moment before relaxing to the touch as he was now reassured of being in the presence of a friend not a foe.

He could hear a voice, now clearer than before; it was hoarse which gave him the answer to who that person was. He didn't know how he was certain of it, but he just was.

"You know, pain is a build-up that comes in waves. The pain burning in my chest for you now is simply unbearable. I can't take it anymore..."

Harry wanted nothing more than to reassure his godfather that he was indeed alive, but he just wasn't able to.

"I am sorry, I promised to spare and keep my life till I avenge you from everyone on the dark side to ever roam this planet, but even that seems a far-fetched goal... I want to come for you now"

Nooooo! Don't you dare, please, Harry was screaming from within, while his body remained still like a statue.

"I wanted to be the godfather you deserve to have. But I failed you. Your death is on my hands, and I know it. I am sorry"

Harry could hear tears in his voice.

No, you are still the best godfather.. you are the only family I have left. Please don't do anything stupid, Harry mentally pleaded with desperation.

***
Just then, Harry heard movements from another figure approaching, as the sound of footsteps came closer.

Sirius felt a hand gently squeezing his shoulder. Looking upward, he had a good guess who that was, and as always he was correct, it was Remus.

Anyone who casted Sirius a look could see his deadly expression. He was sickly pale, showing no signs of life.

He had nothing left to lose, absolutely nothing else.

Something in the depth of his eyes grew darker and less lively, conveying even more emotional torture than his time after Azkaban. Although Sirius had stopped crying for now, tears were still dripping down his face.

Seeing that expression spread across all features of his best mate emotionally paralyzed Remus even more, if that was even possible. Remus was already trying his best to hold himself from breaking down completely.

"Leave me alone, Moony... please," Sirius chocked, wrapping his arms around his back in pain, trying to hold in his grief.

"Padfoot, listen to me. Harry wouldn't want to see you like this," Remus' voice cracked with emotion, with remarkable pain drawn on his face, "I understand how you feel. I know you are sad and--"

Sirius cut him off, "Sad?" throwing his head backward in a humorless laugh. He grew silent and pained again, "I am not sad. There is no enough word to express how dead I am..." he said, biting back a sob.

Without a warning, Sirius slumped in Remus' arms as he let grief take over him in racking sobs. Remus supported Sirius' limp body, as he himself cried along... the tears that had been trapped for so long finally broke free. Everything was painful, like having an itch they couldn't scratch.

***
Every sob was like a knife to Harry's heart. He wanted nothing more than to shout for them and run to them, giving and seeking reassurance at the same time.

Enough, that's torture. Come on, please wake up for them. Come on, Harry you can do it. Harry urged himself with all he had.

Harry felt a finger twitch. Yes, that's it! In amazement, he wiggled another finger. He was gaining control over his body once again.

Now, just force your eyes open. He tried, but his eyelids were glued together. He kept on trying again and again, not willing to give up anytime soon. On the fourth attempt, his vision caught a string of light. Now, we are getting somewhere.

Slowly, his eyes snapped open, but it was deadly painful. He couldn't help but roll his eyes backward, and his eyelids were just about to drop again. No, don't you dare! Not now, you are so close. Let them know you are alive.

"Si-ri-us" he breathed.

His eyelids dropped and didn't sprung open again, his head leaning motionless on the pillow. His face was peaceful once again, conveying no further emotion or movement, as it was.

It seemed like fate had given Harry the chance to open his eyes, only to feel their pain... before forcing him to close his eyes once again for what felt like the last time ever and would hold on forever.

***
"What?" Sirius whispered pulling away, his breath sharp and icy. His eyes, wide like saucers, caught Harry, who was still a lifeless body, eyes closed, totally out of this place.

But Sirius realized something... Harry's head was in a different angle than it was when he last looked at him.

He couldn't believe it, it was impossible. But he wanted to believe it. So he believed it!

He leaned closer and gently brushed the bangs from his godson's forehead. "Harry... come on, please!" Sirius said, wanting nothing more in his entire life than to receive any sign of response.

Remus arched his eyebrow in amazed surprise at his best mate who had finally cracked up and gone mental. "Padfoot, what are you--?"

"Remus, I heard him, just a second ago. He whispered my name," said Sirius, a tone of hope heard in his desperate voice.

Upon seeing disbelief in Remus' eyes, Sirius snapped, "hey I am not mad--not yet." But I will be if he doesn't wake up, he continued the line in his mind.

Even as he said that, Sirius couldn't help but wonder if he had really gone mental... imagining Harry's voice, out of his own desperate hope of hearing it once again, just like what happened earlier with James!

Sirius placed two shaking fingers on his godson's wrist. This time, it was there, a pulse... a weak one, but still a pulse. Sirius' eyes widened and watered, along with a faint smile drawn on his lips.

"Poppy," Sirius growled like a wild animal. He heard rushed footsteps and saw her entering anxiously and a bit frightened. "Sorry, but please... there is a pulse. Do something... Anything. I --beg you."

She didn't have time to argue with him, although her expression remained doubtful. She started fussing over Harry; uttering carefully chosen words, she did the best she could with her healing and revival spells.

Sirius and Remus stood shakily, breathing heavily. Hope and desperation were written on their faces with clear ink.

Remus, not tearing his burnt eyes from Harry, spoke in a whisper, "shouldn't we call the others? They deserve to know."

Jaw trembling, Sirius shook his head. "No, don't build their hopes up. We'll have to wait until... we'll tell them when, or if, he wakes up," he said tearfully.

Sirius widened his eyes when Poppy held Harry's hand upwards and gently pushed some sort of needle with force on his hand. Sirius later knew what it was, a muggle injection.

She dropped Harry's hand, gently placing it on the white covers of the bed. The echo of silence rang out as they all waited with longing eyes for its effect, if any would come.

Another long chapter, I guess that's how it is going to be from now on.

Stay tuned for the next one... soon.

Hope you liked it!

Please, tell me what you think.
I spend so much time and thought unfolding the events.

I think I deserve to know if it's worth it for you or not.
**giving you my best puppy eyes**

Also, who is your favorite from the golden trio? And why?