a/n - good luck

"Execution"

the carrying out of a plan, order, or course of action

10 October 1997

"You good?" Atlas asked, spinning the ice in his drink and glancing sideways at his sister, Athena. The evening had settled over them softly, the twilight light brushing everything in a peaceful glow that didn't feel earned, not with everything going on around them.

Athena let out a soft chuckle, brushing back a stray piece of hair that had fallen from her updo. "Yeah, just...overwhelmed," she admitted, her eyes flicking over to where her brother, Damon, was obsessing over the last details in the backyard. Lanterns hung between the trees, casting a warm glow across the carefully arranged tables, and Damon was making sure every flower, every flickering candle was in place. His hands shook slightly, the nerves apparent.

He'd planned this proposal for months, a rare bright spot in their otherwise chaotic lives. News of violence and disorder from the United Kingdoms filled their newspaper daily, reminders that safety was fleeting.

Yet despite it all, Damon wanted this night to be perfect. He needed it to be perfect.

Across the yard, Fleur approached Athena and wrapped her arms around her from behind, pressing gentle kisses against her neck, easing the tension in her shoulders. Athena smiled, reaching a hand up to squeeze Fleur's. She could feel how tightly Fleur had been holding her own fears in check these past weeks, sharing each stress without a word.

Atlas turned, catching Olivier's eye. He gave him a gentle nod and a smile—Olivier, his recent ex, who was here tonight not as a partner but as a dear friend. The breakup had been inevitable, their relationship a casualty of the war and the fractured lives it created. They both knew this, and the bond of friendship had weathered what romance could not.

Damon's voice broke the moment. "Okay, food is ready, decorations are done, and now we wait for my soon-to-be-wife," he declared, dusting his hands and flashing a grin, nerves still flickering in his eyes.

"Just imagine she says no," Athena teased with a mischievous smirk.

"Shut it," Damon snapped back, flipping her off while she and Atlas stifled laughter. "If you're not going to be nice, get lost."

Camille watched from the kitchen, hiding there with Apolline. She leaned against the counter, whispering, "He's turned into a bit of a bridezilla."

Apolline chuckled, passing her a glass. "He has, but... it's sweet. He's in love." Camille nodded, her gaze dropping for a moment, wishing her husband and son could be here to witness this night. Damon wanted to wait for his father and brother but they told him not to, not with the uncertainty gnawing at them all.

Happiness, after all, had no guaranteed tomorrow.

Just then, Ava appeared in the garden's entryway, her expression softening as she took in the scene. The lights, the flowers, the hushed atmosphere—it was all for her. Damon's heart thudded as he saw her, his fingers automatically brushing against the small velvet box in his pocket, the weight of it grounding him.

"What's all this?" Ava asked, her voice colored with laughter and surprise.

Damon stepped toward her, a mixture of determination and softness in his eyes. He reached out, and she slipped her hand into his, her gaze bright as she studied his face, her expression melting from curiosity to tenderness as realization dawned.

"Ava," he said, voice catching for just a moment. He took a breath, his fingers brushing over hers, calming himself. "There's something I want to ask you." He took another step forward, and the world around them seemed to fall away.

Inside, Athena and Atlas peeked out, barely containing their excitement. "Do you think he'll actually go through with it?" Atlas whispered, grinning.

"Oh, he will. Damon's been planning this since forever," Athena whispered back, struggling to keep her voice down. "But if he doesn't hurry, I might go out there and do it for him."

Fleur quietly pulled her wife back, murmuring, "Let them have their moment. Not every proposal needs a cheering section."

In the yard, Damon gathered himself, his eyes holding Ava's as he reached into his pocket. Pulling out the small box, he opened it to reveal a ring that gleamed in the warm light, simple and beautiful. Ava's eyes widened, a soft gasp escaping her lips as she looked from the ring to his face.

"Ava," Damon began, his voice gaining steadiness as he spoke. "I know that life is chaotic, especially with my siblings. And I know that everything around us feels uncertain. But you—" he paused, the emotion in his voice spilling over as he looked at her, "you've been my constant. You've been my light, my courage, my home. And if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Through every battle, every joy, every fear."

Ava's hand flew to her mouth, tears in her eyes as Damon dropped to one knee. "Ava, will you marry me?"

The world around them stilled. Inside, Camille watched from the window, her heart swelling as she witnessed her son creating his own piece of happiness amid the turmoil. She knew, in that bittersweet moment, that he'd found something rare and true.

"Yes," Ava breathed, nodding as a single tear slipped down her cheek. Her voice was a whisper at first, then stronger. "Yes!"

A cheer went up from behind the patio door as their family burst onto the scene, clapping and laughing as Damon slipped the ring onto her finger and pulled her close. The laughter, the embrace of family, and the joy of the moment surrounded them, filling every inch of the night with warmth and hope.

In that small corner of the world, for just a night, they felt safe—wrapped in love, shielded by the resilience of family, and carrying with them a promise that they would hold on to this happiness, no matter what waited beyond the garden's edge.

Ava's soft laugh filled the garden as she glanced around at the faces she loved. "You all knew?" she asked, looking up at Damon with a mix of adoration and disbelief, a flush of excitement coloring her cheeks. She couldn't stop smiling, her fingers still brushing over the ring that now gleamed on her hand.

Damon rubbed the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly as his siblings teased and cheered around him. Camille's laugh was warm and contagious, her pride unmistakable. "Of course we knew!" she chuckled, eyes twinkling. "Honestly, the entire HQ could probably see this coming. He's been planning this every free moment."

"You're going to be an Ashryver!" Atlas shouted, scooping Ava into a bear hug, his enthusiasm a little overwhelming but heartwarming. He lifted her off her feet for a moment, spinning her before setting her back down, grinning ear to ear. Athena stepped forward and nudged Atlas aside with a mock glare, looping her arms around Ava in a gentler, but no less heartfelt, embrace.

"Welcome to the chaos, sister-in-law," Athena whispered with a smirk. Her voice was thick with emotion, and Ava could feel her sincerity through the hug. "We wouldn't have anyone else." Ava hugged her tightly, her heart swelling as she absorbed the warmth of each welcome.

Fleur, still standing by with a quiet smile, wrapped an arm around Athena's shoulders when she pulled back, her expression softening as she looked at Ava. "Damon made an excellent choice," she said, her tone both proud and gentle. "This family wouldn't be the same without you."

"Better brush up on your French," Camille joked, pulling her in for another and kissed her forehead. "Welcome to the Ashryver family."

"Nowhere else I rather be."

— | —

31 October 1997

Sirius leaned back in his seat, glancing around the dimly lit pub, a nostalgic smile tugging at his lips. "Have we heard anything from Harry?" he asked, turning to Marlene as she joined them in the booth, placing a drink in his hand before sliding in beside him.

Remus shook his head, eyes on the door as it swung open, revealing his goddaughter, Athena, entering with her wife, Fleur. A grin spread across his face, his worries temporarily fading. "Well, well, well, isn't that my goddaughter?" Marlene's voice rang out with joy as she stood from the booth, sweeping Athena into a warm hug.

"Hey! She's mine too!" Remus objected, half-laughing, half-struggling to maneuver himself out of the booth to get his turn. Sirius patted the spot next to him for Fleur, waving down one of Marlene's waitresses to ensure Fleur could order whatever she wanted.

As they settled, Marlene smirked, nudging Remus playfully. "What can I say? She's a girl's girl," she teased, chuckling as she watched the slight eye roll she got in return.

"What does that even mean?" Remus scoffed, pulling Athena into an enthusiastic hug, swaying her from side to side before letting go.

Sirius, grinning from his seat, asked, "So, anything from Harry?" Athena, still preoccupied with exchanging greetings, missed his question, but Fleur stepped in smoothly, glancing over the menu.

"A letter came a couple of days ago," Fleur replied, ordering a round of drinks for herself and Athena. "He mentioned they were alright, mostly...although Midnight, Athena's owl, seemed rather distressed when she returned."

Marlene chuckled, pulling Athena to sit beside her as Remus settled himself back into the booth, laughing as Athena wedged herself in between them. Fleur, already sipping her drink, raised an eyebrow as she looked around the table, pouting as she realized food was yet to arrive. Her subtle glances at the kitchen didn't go unnoticed by Marlene, who leaned over the booth and shouted at her staff, "Oi, let's get the food out here—priority list, people!"

The table laughed, and Fleur gave Marlene a grateful nod, a hint of relief in her eyes.

Once everyone had their drinks, Marlene lifted her glass, a soft, fond look in her eyes. "While we wait for the food," she said, holding her glass high, "To the Potters."

"To Prongs and Lily," Sirius echoed, lifting his glass with a solemn smile.

"To the best friends anyone could ever ask for," Remus added, his voice low but filled with warmth.

Athena raised her glass of whiskey, clinking it against Fleur's glass of milk with a smirk. "To the three idiots in the woods."

"That's mean, ma cherie," Fleur said, placing a kiss on her wife's forehead. "You cannot do that to Hermione."

"To the two idiots and Hermione," Sirius corrected before he started laughing.

— | —

25 December 1997

"It's Christmas, and here we are, working," Theo grumbled, glancing at his paperwork.

Elaine smiled, her fingers ruffling through her boyfriend's hair as she nodded towards Athena, who was sulking on her way to the office. "At least you're not Athena, leaving her pregnant wife at home."

Samuel, finishing his own stack of paperwork, reminded them, "It's an early day. We'll be done by three. No missions today, just catching up."

Theo sighed, "Atlas, your twin looks exhausted lately. What's going on?"

"Well, living with the Weasley twins and a needy wife isn't easy—"

Johnny interrupted, his eyes following Fleur as she walked in, "Speaking of needy wives, look who's here."

Francis grumbled, "Isn't there a policy about visitors—"

Regis chuckled, "Do you really want to enforce that and face Chloe, Ines, Athena and even the Minister, herself?"

David added, "Especially when the visitor is very pregnant," twirling his wand absentmindedly.

Audrey, new to the team, approached. She was rotated to Athena's team at the captain's request, primarily to keep her safe, a promise Athena made to her girlfriend, Katarina. Athena knew Audrey could handle herself; she trained her Aurors rigorously for any situation.

Fleur's cheerful voice cut through the chatter as she entered, bags of food in hand. "I brought lunch!" Athena's face lit up, her files forgotten as she joined Fleur on the sofa.

"I could have met you at the restaurant," Athena said, taking the bags.

"Too noisy," Fleur replied, hinting they might be having a girl, as Auclair women tend to amplify their mothers' senses during pregnancy.

"I got what I'm craving," Fleur admitted with a guilty smile, unloading mostly Chinese food. Athena laughed, brushing a strand of hair from Fleur's face.

"You can bring whatever you crave as long as you're happy," Athena said, settling down on the floor, spreading the dishes.

Fleur's smile widened. "I'm lucky I got your heart first."

Athena laughed softly, "I don't think anyone else stood a chance. It was love at first sight for me."

Fleur's eyes sparkled. "If you hadn't met me, would you be lonely forever?"

Athena shrugged. "Probably. I can't handle touch from many people, except a growing group, thanks to you."

Fleur sighed contentedly, "I can't imagine life without you."

"Me neither," Athena admitted, warming the food with a wave of her hand. She helped Fleur, whose belly was now quite prominent, to the floor, making her comfortable.

"We should call your brothers. I brought too much."

Athena sent Patronuses to find Atlas and Damon. Athena's hawk-shaped Patronus found him quickly, the message simple: "Lunch."

Damon grinned, grabbing his things and heading to Athena's office. Atlas, spotting his twin's Patronus, rushed in, knowing there must be good food if Athena was willing to share.

"Took you long enough," Damon said, already munching on dumplings. Fleur handed him a napkin as Atlas joined them, laughing and settling beside his siblings and sister-in-law. Athena handed noodles to Atlas.

"Happy anniversary, Cherie," she said to Athena.

"We're still counting today?" Athena asked, grinning at her wife.

"Of course," Fleur hummed, nodding as she pressed a kiss on her lips.

"Happy anniversary, my love," Athena replied softly.

Atlas, curious, asked Damon, "Have you set a wedding date?"

Damon shook his head. "We'll have a long engagement. After Billy and Danielle's wedding, we're cautious."

Athena raised her glass. "However long, we'll be there."

Damon clinked his glass with hers, and they all joined in.

Just then, alarms blared through the Bureau. Red lights flashed.

"What's happening?" Fleur asked, her voice shaking.

"Unwanted company," Damon muttered, following Athena out the door. She headed straight for her mother, Camille, with the Ashryver brothers trailing behind.

Athena, Camille, and Juliette surrounded a man with a visible Dark Mark. The worst-case scenario—a coup—seemed imminent, though it was just one wizard staring them down.

The Ashryver brothers halted, knowing better than to interfere.

"Well, well, well. The girl who was promised. All grown up," the dark wizard sneered.

"Shut up," Juliette hissed, her hand twitching towards her wand.

"I should have your tongue, traitor. But that is not my task."

"You will not speak to my sister that way."

The wizard smirked, "A woman shouldn't rule a country. Your pretty self—"

"Silence!" Camille's voice cut through.

Athena remained quiet, watching her mother and aunt. She heard the anti-apparition charm drop. "Sorry, Ma, this isn't your fight—colloshoo!" she shouted, binding her mother's and aunt's feet and charging at him. He didn't seem worried, he was more welcoming. In a blink, they vanished, leaving Camille and Juliette stuck in place, horrified.

"No, no, no!" Camille screamed, freeing herself. Juliette, looking defeated, knew what it meant.

Fleur, seeing the panic, asked, "Where's Athena?"

— | —

The two figures crashed onto the rocky ground, the dark wizard's maniacal laughter echoing against the cliffside. Athena quickly disentangled herself from him, her wand flicking to bind him with roots that sprouted from the earth. She stood up, surveying the precarious cliff, the sea roaring far below.

The familiar cracks of apparition sent chills down her spine as more figures materialized around her. The dark wizard's relentless cackling grated on her nerves.

"Shut up for once," she snapped, scanning the new arrivals. Her heart sank as she recognized the Death Eaters. A wave of cold dread washed over her as Voldemort himself appeared, his presence casting an ominous shadow over the gathering.

She exhaled deeply, her eyes flicking to the faces around her. Some Death Eaters wore expressions of twisted glee, eager for the spectacle, while others seemed somber, almost regretful. Above them, an enchanted projection broadcasted the scene to wherever Voldemort desired. She muttered under her breath, "I've walked into my own execution."

Voldemort stepped forward, his voice dripping with false warmth. "Little one."

"Riddle," Athena replied, emphasizing his hated father's Muggle name. She saw his eye twitch and felt a small, fierce satisfaction. If she was to die today, she would at least make it memorable. She twirled her wand nervously, feeling the oppressive presence of the surrounding Death Eaters. "All these blood purists for me? I'm flattered."

Far away, Camille gasped as she saw the projection above her. "Oh Gods," she whispered, her voice trembling. "She walked into her death."

The broadcast reached every Ministry, every school, and every wizard-packed location like Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.

Athena stood her ground, her mind racing through possible escape routes. She knew she was heavily outnumbered, but surrender was not an option. She had to buy time, if nothing else. Her eyes darted to the cliff's edge, gauging the distance. Maybe, just maybe, she could take a few of them with her.

Voldemort's cold laugh cut through her thoughts. "You've caused quite a bit of trouble, Little one. It's time to put an end to your defiance."

Athena's grip tightened on her wand. "You'll have to try harder than that, Tom."

Voldemort's eyes flashed with anger, and he raised his wand. "Avada—"

But Athena was faster. She managed to Apparate to another cliff nearby. The Death Eaters chased after her, and she began to fight with every ounce of her strength and skill, spells flying in all directions.

Back at the Bureau, Camille, Juliette, and the others watched in horror as the scene unfolded. "Find out where that is!" Camille ordered, but the projection was merely an image, not a portal. They were powerless to intervene.

The French weren't the only ones scrambling to find out where Athena was. The Scandinavians, the Japanese, the Germans, and a small group of British wizards—mostly the Order—were trying to pinpoint the location of the beloved Captain.

"This is a little unfair, Voldy!" Athena shouted as she deflected another curse.

"You're the Sacred One, dear niece!" Bellatrix cackled, casting a powerful spell which Athena deflected, irritating the former Black. "Come here, you cunt!"

"I'd rather not, Aunt Bella!"

The Malfoys stood still, uncertain and afraid. Draco trembled as Narcissa deflected stray spells away from her family. Lucius, equally fearful, clung to his wife and son, paralyzed by dread.

Snape remained impassive beside Narcissa, his heart heavy as he watched his best student fight against the onslaught, knowing it was likely her last stand.

Athena came crashing down right where she first found herself surrounded. Bloodied and bruised, she struggled to get up. Draco had to be restrained by his parents—he needed his cousin alive. Athena being alive was the only comfort he had ever since being dragged into the Dark Lord's ranks.

"The Sacred One is not so sacred after all," Voldemort grinned, watching the witch struggle. He noted the absence of several Death Eaters who had first brought Athena here. "Who will they worship now once you're dead, Little one?"

"Not you," Athena spat, smiling defiantly at the projection, sensing Voldemort's killing intent.

"Avada Kedavra!"

She shut her eyes as the curse hit her, sending her body tumbling off the cliff, disappearing into the roaring sea below. Voldemort turned to the projection, his grin widening as he basked in his perceived victory. "There goes your Sacred One."

The Death Eaters cheered, their victorious cries echoing as they disapparated one by one. The broadcast ended, leaving a stunned silence in its wake. Voldemort cast one final spell to embed Athena's death into the world's memory.

"Morsmordre!"

The Dark Mark, a sickly green skull with a serpent tongue, slithered into the sky, burning the symbol of terror and marking the end of the Sacred One. Across the world, witches and wizards felt a chill of despair as the realization of Athena's fall set in.

The fall of the Athena Ashryver shattered any illusion of safety.

— | —