WARNINGS: BLOOD, DEATH, GORE, VIOLENCE, TRAUMA AND EMOTIONAL DAMAGE FOR THE READERS

Sunday, May 2nd:

SERAMORE MANOR

A scream belonging to Ophelia Zabini echoed through the Seramore mansion when the wizards and witch landed in the middle of the landing, all reeking of blood, soot and despair. Tears were streaming down their faces when they yelled for help.

When Ophelia noticed her son's scorching skin and blood-coated mouth she rushed towards him.

"My Baby boy, what happened to you?" she cried, desperately looking around for answers before placing Blaise's head on her lap, not caring if it ruined her attire. Her sister sniffled as she glanced at her nephew, not expecting to ever see him like that, "I can't lose him, I won't."

"There was a fire..." Theo tried explaining as Elijah darted for Blaise and fought tears beside his brother who gulped at the sight. Klaus couldn't stop looking at his adoptive nephew, the sight was far too horrific and heartbreaking, "there was a fire and...Blaise he fell. Arty..." he just broke down into sobs, whilst Dean shakily wrapped his arms around him.

"Theodorus, are you implying what has happened to young Blaise has also happened to Artemis?" Klaus shakily voiced, making Celeste gasp for air.

Marcel stopped checking over the teens and anxiously waited for an answer.

"Artemis and Draco are fine," Dean explained over Ophelia's wailing, which soothed some of their worries. "We told them we would look after Blaise, but the moment they left he kept coughing up more blood from the fumes you see, it got to his lungs. We thought the burning and boils could be healed rather quickly but they're too deep, far too deep and we didn't know what to do —"

"What about the blood I gifted him, to prevent such matters?" Elijah quietly interrupted, not tearing his gaze away from Blaise.

His heartbeat was weak and the original vampire feared what he would have to do.

Dean nervously looked around because of the attention on him, but then quickly bowed his head, earning more looks, before Theo pulled out of his hold and grabbed his hand, ensuring it wasn't his fault.

"When Dean was on the run he was badly injured," Daphne finally spoke up, startling them. She didn't look up, instead, she continued to stare and hold her fiancé's sharded hand, rolling her thumb over his engagement ring, "A snatcher injured him. Fortunately, my Blaise was there to find him just before he bled out from his injuries. He used the last of the vampire blood on him, he's a hero." my hero.

"I'm sorry," Dean fearfully rushed out and kept his head down, "I didn't know this was gonna happen, I would've prevented it somehow...told him not to use it on me. You might lose him because of me and I'm so sorry. Please forgive me."

His sobs almost matched Ophelia's and he felt Theo's grip on him tighten.

"It's not your fault, dear boy," Opehlia's quivering voice shocked him.

"It's not mate," Klaus agreed, glancing between his nephew and brother, who was oddly quiet and had been for a while. "You couldn't have predicted such atrocities. 

"We have potions for my darling nephew," Celeste informed tearily, "we just need to get him to a room, Lia, you can do that can't you?" her sister just continued to cry, "meanwhile 'Lijah we might need your blood just in case, to spread across the burns so they don't completely scar. Marcel ensure the kids are safe, keep checking over them, I may not have a supernatural nose, but I know they are injured, not fatality but I just know," All the kids sadly nodded in agreement, "Nik please help me to find the revive potion. It's not far and with your help, it will get found in seconds."

"What about us?" Theo sniffled, "We can't just do nothing, Blaise is... he's family."

Ophelia turned to him after they all rose from the floor and Elijah lifted his son's limp body from the ground, he still hadn't spoken yet, only so he could monitor his faint heartbeat.

There was still time to save him.

"I know that and so does he," she palmed his face and wiped away a tear, whilst hers rolled freely, "he's going to survive, I know it, he's strong, just like all of you need to stay. Wait here and hope, because that's all we have."

And so they waited.

***

"D-Dad?"

Everyone rushed over to Blaise's side after hearing him speak for what was like hours watching him wince and groan in pain. A revival potion pulled him from unconsciousness before he consumed gulps of blood from his adoptive father, healing him internally, but the potion mixed with the vampire blood clearly didn't work as much as they wanted it to. Dark magic scars never healed, not properly.

The sores on his left side and burns that clawed his neck were starting to remedy.

Hours passed and numerous students fled Hogwarts through the Hufflepuff passageway and Hogsmeade, then appeared at Seramore Manor in England, after hearing it was some sort of haven, leaving Septrim and his wife Sapphire to cater to them, whilst the rest of the family doted and worried about Blaise.

A tear escaped Elijah's eye when he heard Blaise's voice. He immediately yet gently pulled him into a hug,  "I'm here, I'm here."

"Am I okay?" he asked, putting a lot of strain on his voice.

Ophelia was next to pull Blaise into a hug, "You're better than you were when you arrived," she smothered him with kisses, then apologised when he winced, "I thought I lost you," she whispered.

The injured teen mustered up a smile, "Never, we have a relationship to mend," he teased, making her break out into happy tears.

Elijah was quick to pull her away as they embraced and muttered the joy and relief they felt towards each other, their fears about how Blaise could've died with Vampire blood in his system and how he might go mad at the absence of his magic. How they could've lost a child all because they sent him back to that Merlin-forsaken castle.

Blaise didn't have time to react when Daphne smashed her lips against his, not caring about the adults in the room. 2 hours. She waited 2 hours for him to come to. 2 hours wondering and worrying about if she would lose the love of her life, her soulmate, her Blaise and all because she never took his statements of his impending death seriously, instead, she grew mad, but she should've listened closer and perhaps she would've never let him, Artemis or Draco go into the room of requirement.

But it was fate.

And how heartbreaking fate could be.

"Never scare me like that again," she mumbled against his lips.

Blaise groaned when his right hand reached up and tucked a blonde strand behind her ear, her hair was matted but clean of all his blood. My daphne, beautiful as the day he first saw her. His princess.

"I promise," he whispered.

Theo groaned, "Move over Daph, quit hogging him."  

"He's my fiancé," she hissed.

"He's my best friend."

"He's my friend," Dean added, joining Theo's side.

They argued all while Celeste pressed a gentle kiss to her nephew's forehead, 

"Always count on you to cause a fright," she said lightly.

Klaus patted his shoulder,  "Scared us, mate."

"Sorry, uncle," he muttered as Marcel reached him and said.

"You should've seen Elijah, he's never cried this much I wish I took pictures-"

"Marcellus!"

Blaise tried not to laugh as his adoptive cousin was reprimanded.

Then out of pure randomness, he decided to say the most shocking thing,

"Did you lot know that Arty and Draco got hitched?"

Everyone froze and turned to him in shock, his fiancé more than anyone and screamed.

"What?!"

***

HOGWARTS

The battle hadn't subsided.

Artemis and Draco raced through the castle, hoping to see a friendly face but the rubble, soot and debris made everyone and everything unrecognisable.

Without her wand or Blaise's, she was vulnerable. She felt naked. For the first time in 7 years, she was left without her main source of protection and power. Though many would argue her mind was enough to defeat an enemy she wasn't just the target, Draco was too and all at once she felt utterly hopeless. Her wand chose her 7 years ago, along with the warning, he-who-should-not-be-named did great things with his power, terrible but great, was this her punishment, her reckoning or was it a blessing in disguise?

After all, it was what rendered her cousin in a condition that left him scarred or at least she hoped he was still in the land of the living. Draco continued to reassure them that Blaise couldn't die because he was Blaise and wouldn't leave them like that and he couldn't. But truthfully she knew her husband, was saying that so they didn't turn around and run to Mente Striae.

They used the uncertainty, inner turmoil and rage to their advantage and made their way through the school. Blaise looked like he was knocking on death's door. Oh, why did they leave that bloody room?

"Stay beside me," Draco kept a firm grip on her as they dashed through tumbling towers, flying wizards and explosions.

Apprehending one of his knives she threw it through the blanket of smoke obstructing their sight, successfully plummeting it into the chest of a snatcher that gasped and landed on the floor. She quickly raced towards him wanting to retrieve the weapon unaware of a rat-faced devil narrowing his gaze onto her.

"Move!" a familiar voice made her freeze and stood before her just in time.

Theodorus Nott Sr.

He took down Peter Pettigrew, leaving him without a wand which was taken by the wizard and passed to Artemis.

Wormtail cowered whilst on the floor, pleading for his life and begging to be saved but it was too late,

"You killed my friend, Cedric Diggory was his name and you think pleading with me, begging for mercy would work?" she darkly chuckled and raised the weak wand that belonged to the treachours man, "Only fitting I use the wand that you murdered him, right?"

"Wait!"

"Avada Kedava!"

A harsh green light pierced through the air, it wasn't the first one of the night, but it was sure the first time Artemis ever uttered such a spell. Peter Pettigrew was now dead and she didn't know if she felt justice or power but whatever it was she hoped Cedric wouldn't be mad at her from wherever he looked down at her. She used all of the unforgivable curses in only a short matter of time. First of Dumbledore and the other two during the battle and she felt oddly still herself.

Draco went to make sure she was right but he didn't need to, she still looked the same only more energetic and that was alright with him.

"Where's my son?" Theordus Nott Sr questioned, noting that Theo wasn't around, "Is he alright, Merlin I should've kept a closer eye on that boy."

Draco replied, "He's safe that's all we know."

"Good."

He left before they could say anything else.

"Come on," Draco tugged at her hand, just after she pulled a knife out of the bleeding-out snatcher's body.

They were about to run again but were stopped by a familiar sound.

An infuriating sound.

"Ahem."

They froze.

That bloody sound belonged to the toad-faced woman.

"Artemis dear," she called.

"This bitch," Artemis groaned and spun on her heel, going to raise her wand as they faced Umbridge.

"Arty look," Draco's face scrunched up in confusion when he noted the expression on the woman's face.

She looked out of it, completely gone, all while presenting herself in such a poignant way.

The married couple deduced she was under the imperius curse.

"I was told to come here," Umbridge claimed, looking dazed and dumbfounded," I was told to find you."

"By who?" Artemis asked coldly.

"Ophelia Zabini and Klaus Mikaelson."

The couple exchanged a look as their minds assumed what must've happened and how they were in this situation.

"How did you get here?" Draco questioned.

"I was told to apparate here."

Artemis knew her mother wouldn't do it, she didn't want to cause more long-lasting effects on her daughter. But Klaus... thought she would want another opportunity at revenge considering she couldn't do much during her 5th year. So he must've apprehended Dolores with some help from her aunt who would do just about anything to help aid her and voila, here the bitch was.

"I see," the younger witch hummed,  "and why do you think you're here?"

"I-I do not know."

"You do," she tutted, "be honest."

"I do not seem to know dear," Umbridge answered.

"You shouldn't tell lies, professor."

Draco laughed darkly quickly catching onto what his wife was up to.

"I do not understand."

"Oh I think you do and one shouldn't be dishonest," Artemis mocked, with an eye roll, "one should strive to always tell the truth."

"I do not understand."

"Perhaps, you just need to let the lesson sink in."

"What do you mean?"

"You must let it sink in."

"What--" a shriek erupted from her throat once the feeling of something being carved over her face, "Ahhh!" she struggled to stay upright.

"You must not tell lies!" Artemis screamed amongst the chaos happening behind her.

Draco made sure she was heavily protected as she used Pettigrew's wand to enact her revenge.

"Ahhh!" she screamed, falling to the ground, writhing on the floor and clawing at her face, "I-I do not know what y-you m-"

"You must not tell lies!"

"I-I do not know-"

"You must not tell lies!"

"I-"

"You must not tell lies, professor!"

the woman's cries were cut short, not like anyone took notice of them with all the havoc going on.

"You must not tell lies!" Artemis yelled for the final time as Umbridge's body fell limp.

With her bloodied and branded face, she was dead in seconds.

Draco turned to see what happened, growing curious to see what his wife had done.

Umbridge had words carved 3 inches deep on her face and partially across her neck, slicing it whilst the writing continued.

I must not tell lies.

"Do you suppose she got the message?" Draco joked.

"Let's hope so."

Draco cast her a proud look, he wasn't disgusted in the slightest. It was retribution, it was justice in his eyes and would be damned if he was told otherwise. The people they were harming were far from innocent.

"We need to find Potter," she said.

"You sure it's not Harry?"

"Hush," she sent him a glare whilst taking his hand.

Just as they made it out of the castle, into the dead of night a pair of snatchers rushed towards them.

"Brown eyes! Watch out!"

Out from the carnage came IziahJones that raised his wand as he ran towards them.

"Stupyfy!"

The married couple let out a sigh of relief when the two snatchers were rendered unconscious.

"Zay?" She rushed and hugged him and he returned the embrace instantly, making eye contact with Draco. The two wizards felt a strange sense of deja vu, only this time they exchange a brief nod, nothing vindictive or callous, just mutual respect, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, I'm alright y'know even though I'm in a battle and fighting for my life."

"Good so I can do this then," he groaned when she slapped his chest, earning a snort from Draco.

"What was that for, I just saved your life."

"You shouldn't be here."

Iziah's eyes widened at the sight behind them, "Shit – run!"

The three wasted no more time when a giant was stomping its way over. They screamed when it swung at them, leaving them to all to cast shield spells but it failed when giant spiders darted for them also.

"Ahhhh!" they sprinted for their lives, not caring about the direction in which they ran in.

It was a fight or flight response and it was obvious which one they chose.

"Expluso!" they didn't care which spells they shot, they just said the first defensive one that came to mind.

"Dinfindo!" Artemis' sliced a few spides in half, but that didn't stop them, they wanted to dig their fangs into something.

"Bombarda!" Iziah's spell sent the giant backwards, falling on top of a few spiders that couldn't move away in time.

That gave them enough to run as fast as they could through the dozens of fights and duels, creatures and metallic guards, professors and inferi.

They ended up back inside the castle.

"Jones," Draco breathed out, panting as they find a safe corner. Who knew how long they had to hide there until more chaos appeared in front of them,  "Where's your other half?"

"You're standing next to her," he joked, nodding to the witch.

Draco's face hardened, "Haven't missed that."

"Haven't missed you either, you nutter."

"Boys," Artemis flicked their foreheads, making them wince at the pain. Usually, they would just take it, but all the endorphins they were running them weakened and exposed them to what they weren't feeling for the last couple of hours,  "do you know where Harry is?" she directed her question to Isiah.

"Saw him going to the shrinking shack, something about trying to find Voldemort or Snape, one of them."

"Shit," Draco's tired eyes widened at the fact, he knew that wouldn't turn out well.

Artemis gulped and took her husband's hand, "Thank you Iziah, please get out of here and find your brother."

"Stay safe princess, you too snow bunny."

Draco yelled, "Sod off!"

***

SHRIEKING SHACK:

Artemis was too late.

When she and Draco got to the shack they were too late.

"Salazer..." she choked back a sob as she stared ahead, looking past Hermoine and Ron who moved to the side letting her come through and approach their best friend and professor.

Draco stood between the newly formed couple, watching his wife as she lowered herself onto the ground next to the mortally wounded Snape.

It was the second time she had to be beside someone she cared for in such a state.

A gash to his pale neck and more venomous wounds slowly down his organs.

Snape acknowledged her presence.

His dark eyes lightened for the first time in decades.

But that soon faded as the tears escaped them.

"Take them... Take them! Please.." he begged.

Harry snapped his head towards Hermoine.

"Give me something! Quickly! A flask! Anything!" Harry pleaded and Hermoine wasted no time and pulled out a flask.

Artemis tried stopping the blood flowing from Snape's deep wound with her hands all while Harry pressed the flask to his cheek, catching a few tears.

The Seramore witch eventually let her own fall.

Draco wanted to comfort her but he left her alone.

"Y-you've done it again little Seramore," he whispered.

"Done what?" she asked, finding her voice.

"Exceeded my expectations." He smiled sadly.

More tears flowed and all her emotions breached the surface, they were so loud she couldn't hear what he spoke to Harry.

But when she wiped away her tears, not caring about her blood-covered hands, she looked up again.

And then suddenly the life left Snape's eyes.

Everyone looked stunned but Artemis seemed the most broken.

She wasn't moving, instead, she just stared into his lifeless eyes, not feeling her husband pulling her to her feet and wrapping an arm around her.

They weren't allowed a minute of peace as a daunting voice now consumed them.

"You have fought valiantly... but in vain. I do not wish this. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a terrible waste. I therefore command my forces to retreat. In their absence, dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured. Harry Potter, I speak now directly to you.

Hermoine and Ron turned to Harry in what could be described as fear and worry.

On this night you have allowed your friends to die for you rather than face me yourself. There is no greater dishonour. Join me in the Forbidden Forest and confront your fate. Should you do so I give my word that no other life will be lost on this night."

Artemis gulped and Draco tugged her closer.

"You have one hour. If, at the end of that time, you have not given yourself up, then I shall punish every last man, woman and child who tries to conceal you from me."

All while Ron and Hermoine objected, Artemis looked at Harry knowing he had already made his decision to go. One of us has to die, she recalled his words from the Malfoy Manor.

"Do you have another flask Hermoine?"

Hermoine didn't hesitate to pull out another one, whilst Artemis reached for one of Draco's knives and sliced it against hand, ignoring all objections.

Her blood trickled into the vile.

When she sealed it, she held it out to Harry who tentatively took it.

Draco was healing her wound, "Epiksey."

Artemis believed if Harry digested it, a small, tiny part of her would live inside him and considering that Voldemort would die instantly if he harmed the Seramore bloodline, he could die if not instantly. It was a big if, but it was the best she came up with.

They all looked at her waiting for an explanation, "It sounds awful but down this, all of it.  I wish I had time to explain it but you need to, it will add to your chances of winning. Just trust me on this."

Ron cringed, Hermoine looked sceptical and Draco nodded in agreement.

Harry glanced at the flask and placed it in his pocket.

As the trio went to leave, Artemis called out Harry's name, making turned at her.

"Give him Hell Harry."

***

HOGWARTS COURTYARD:

A pillar crushed Pansy Parkinson.

Zacharias Jones sacrificed himself to save his brother.

A death-eater ended Fred Weasley's life.

Lavender Brown was mauled to death by Greyback.

Giant spiders savaged Vincent Goyle.

Yaxley slaughtered Colin Creevey.

The light from the sky only illuminated all that was left of the once lively school.

Rumble and corpses of the young and the old, the evil and the kind and all in between.

Stepping out into the courtyard all the defenders of the Scottish castle could see a train of death eaters nearing them from the damaged bridge.

"Who's that? ...Hagrid's carrying? Neville, who is that?" Artemis could hear Ginny's voice from where she stood with Draco.

Luna was behind them, being comforted by Aurora as she attempted not to cry at the thought of her beloved Pansy being gone.

They all could see Hagrid approaching in chains holding up a body.

"Harry Potter is...Dead!"

Hearts dropped to their stomachs after hearing Voldemort's news.

"No... no!!" Ginny screamed, rushing forward but fortunately, Arthur grabbed her and pulled her back, fearful that he would lose another child.

"Stupid girl," Voldemort hissed once his followers all gathered behind him.

All around each face (par death eaters) held pain-filled, disgusted or defeated looks.

"Harry Potter is dead! From this day forward, you put your faith in me or suffer the consequences. Harry Potter is dead! Now is the time to declare yourself."

An uncomfortable silence fell over them, it was full of thoughts of what they could've done to prevent this if they fought harder or been fiercer.

They'd lost.

"Draco..." Draco looked up, hearing his father's voice, beckoning him over. "Artemis..."

Artemis' grip on Draco grew tighter as everyone slowly turned to them, wondering if they would move, if they could move but she seemed frozen, but his eyes darted around hoping someone would stop them but there was nothing.

He looked down until he heard his mother's voice, far softer than Lucius'.

"Draco...Artemis," Narcissa said, holding out her hand to usher them.

Sucking in a deep breath, Draco hurriedly pulled his wife along, stepping down from the bricks they stood on and walked to the centre, growing closer to the Dark Lord who stiffly outstretched his arms.

No one was really surprised that she went along with Draco, she would never leave him.

"Well done, Draco. Artemis," the two escaped his grasp quickly, thank Merlin. "Who will be next? Hm?"

Draco ignored his father's advances and almost collapsed into his mother's arms, leaving Artemis to stand next to Lucius.

He didn't drink the blood, Artemis sadly thought when he turned to see Harry's limp body in Hagrid's arms. She had nothing left to give, considering all the people she killed from dusk to dawn, there were still a substantial number of death eaters remaining.

Snape was dead and he wouldn't be revenged.

They failed for nothing and now her cousin was most likely dead and if she was informed of him being so... then a part of her would also die.

She turned at the sight of Nevile hobbling forward with the sorting hat in hand, the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies... one was dead and the other lived on... fitting.

Countless death eaters laughed at him, but what got to him the most was Bellatrix manically cackling in amusement.

"Who might you be, young man?" Voldemort asked, holding back his laughter.

"Neville Longbottom."

"Well, welcome, Neville. I'm sure we can find a place for you in our rank--" Voldemort was sharply cut off by the younger wizard.

"I'd like to say something," Nevile stated irritably and Artemis worried he would say something that would lead to his death.

Coiling his fingers into his fist, Voldemort ground his snake teeth before swallowing his thoughts, "Very well, Neville. I'm sure we'd all be fascinated to hear what you have to say."

"It doesn't matter that Harry is gone."

His words came as a shock to many.

"Stand down, Neville!" Seamus spoke up but one look from Lee silenced him.

"People die every day. Friends. Family. Yes, we lost Harry tonight. But he's still with us, here." Neville exclaimed, pointing to his heart. "So as Fred," the Weasleys cast him a look, "Zacharias..." Iziah leaned on Alana upon hearing his brother's name, "Remus... Tonks... all of them. They didn't die in vain. But you will," he said fiercely, nodding his head at the dark Lord who bared his teeth in amusement, "And you," his gaze flickered over to Bellatrix, "Because you're wrong. Harry's heart did beat for us. All of us... This isn't over." Neville reached into the sorting hat and pulled out the sword of Gryffindor much to everyone's surprise.

When Voldemort cast a spell at Nevile it rebounded, colliding with the sword and hitting a few death eaters, but that wasn't all...

The sound of a tumble carried itself through the courtyard stunning everyone around them.

It was Harry.

He rolled out of Hagrid's arms drawing the most devastated look from Voldemort.

Many of his friends laughed in disbelief, whilst the others stepped back.

Breaking from his mother's arms Draco ran across and yelled," Potter!"

Harry caught the wand Draco threw at him and cast a spell, "Confringo," a bright light burst and hit many death eaters.

He ran into the archway as countless spells were shot his way by an angry Voldemort.

The shock from the boy being alive made his followers second guess their decisions and began disapparating, leaving Bellatrix to scream for them to return.

The revolution wasn't over.

***

a/n:

the title as well as artemis' was suggested by the tiktok user @sabramoree and sabra10 thank you so much for this idea, it suits artemis so well.

sorry that i killed off zacharias and broke luna. blaise is gonna be scarred for life and will neville kill bellatrix? will harry drink the vile? snapes last words to arty made me cry, every other year it seemed like he always said she amazed him and this was the final time.

there will be 3 chapters left of this book, omgg! and the next is the aftermath of the battle.