𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧

ACT TWO, CHAPTER FOURTEEN
it's written in the stars.

THE WORLD HAD ended, so why hadn't the battle stopped, the castle fall silent in horror, and everyone put their weapons aside? Venus' mind seemed to spinning out of control and her body felt like she was free falling. She was unable to grasp the impossibility, because Fred Weasley could not be dead, her mind was simply lying to her—

And then a body fell past the hole blown into the side of the school, and curses flew in at them from the darkness, hitting the wall behind their heads.

"Get down!" Harry shouted, wrapping his arms around Venus' waist and pulling her down, snapping her out of the horrified trance she had been in. However, Percy continued to lay across Fred's body, shielding it from further harm. "Percy, come on, we've got to move!"

"Percy!" Ron yelled, and Venus saw tear tracks streaking the grime coating his face as he seized his elder brother's shoulders and pulled, but Percy would not budge. "Percy, you can't do anything for him! We're going to—"

Hermione suddenly screamed. Venus turned around and clearly didn't need to ask why. A monstrous spider the size of a small car was trying to climb through the huge hole in the wall. Venus felt her body freeze in shock and their eyes widened. Harry and Ron shouted together. Their spells collided and the monster was blown backwards, its legs jerking horribly, and vanished into the darkness.

"It brought friends!" Harry called. Venus looked over the edge of the castle through the hole in the wall. More giant spiders were climbing the side of the building, liberated from the Forbidden Forest, into which the Death Eaters must have penetrated. Venus started to fire Stunning Spells, but more curses came soaring over her head. "Let's move, NOW!"

Penelope, Ron, Hermione, Charlotte, and Elijah all ran ahead. Harry, however, stooped to seize Fred's body. Venus, letting out a sob that had built up in her throat, took Fred's waist, trying her best to not get sick right then and there. Percy, realizing what they were trying to do, stopped clinging to the body and helped by taking his legs. Together, crouching low to avoid the curses flying at them from the grounds, the three of them hauled Fred out of the way.

"Here," Harry said, and they placed his body in a niche where a suit of armor had stood earlier.

Venus couldn't bare to look at Fred a second longer. She grabbed onto Harry's hand tightly, as if it was the only thing keeping her above water, which it was. The two of them took after their friends. Malfoy and Goyle had vanished, but at the end of the hallway which was now full of dust and broken windows, she saw many people running backwards and forwards. She couldn't tell who were the good ones and who were the bad ones.

"ROOKWOOD!" Percy roared as he rounded a corner, sprinting off in the direction of a tall man who was pursuing a couple of students.

"Harry, Venus, in here!" Hermione shouted.

Penelope had pulled Ron behind a tapestry, and the others were all gathered around. The two of them seemed to be wrestling together, but Venus soon noticed that Penelope was trying to restrain Ron to stop him from running after Percy. He was thrashing against her, tears falling down his cheeks. His face was contorted, smeared with dust and smoke, and he was shaking with rage and grief.

"Hey, listen to me—" Penelope was saying.

"I wanna help — I wanna kill Death Eaters—" Ron voiced.

Penelope sobbed. "I know you do, but remember the Horcruxes! The snake — Nagini's the only one left — we're the only ones—"

"I don't care—"

"Look at me—"

"Fred—"

"Look at me!" Penelope ordered, letting him go and quickly taking his face in her hands. Venus wiped away her own tears that had fallen as she watched the two of them look at each other. "Fred would've wanted us to do everything we could to destroy Voldemort, and getting to the snake is the only way we can do that. That's our fight right now." She looked at Harry. "He'll have Nagini with him. Find him."

Harry gripped onto Venus' hands before closing his eyes. Venus watched him, her heart pounding. Their group all stared, waiting, ignoring the screams and bangs and cries from the battle happening all around them. After a couple of moments, Harry gasped and opened his eyes.

"He's in the Shrieking Shack," Harry revealed. "The snake's with him, it's got some sort of magical protection around it. He's just sent Lucius Malfoy to find Snape."

"Voldemort's sitting in the Shrieking Shack?" Hermione asked, outraged. "He's not — he's not even fighting?"

"He doesn't think he needs to fight. He thinks I'm going to go to him."

"And you're not," Venus insisted, her stomach churning at the possibility. "You are not doing that."

Harry glanced at her for a moment. "He knows I'm after Horcruxes — he's keeping Nagini close beside him — obviously I'm going to have to go to him to get near the thing—"

Ron squared his shoulders. "Right. So you can't go, that's what he wants, what he's expecting. You stay here and look after everyone, and I'll go and get it—"

"You six stay here, I'll go under the Cloak and I'll be back as soon as I—"

"No, it makes much more sense if I take the Cloak and—" Hermione began.

"Absolutely not," Elijah refused. "No way."

"Eli, I'm just as capable—"

The tapestry at the top of the staircase on which they stood was ripped open. It was two masked Death Eaters standing there.

"POTTER!"

"Glisseo!" Hermione recited before their wands were fully raised.

The stairs beneath their feet flattened into a chute. Venus, Harry, Ron, Penelope, Hermione, Elijah, and Charlotte all hurtled down it, unable to control their speed but so fast that the Death Eaters' Stunning Spells flew far over their heads. They shot through the concealing tapestry at the bottom and spun onto the floor, hitting the opposite wall.

"Duro!" Hermione cried, pointing her wand at the tapestry, and there were two loud, sickening crunches as the tapestry turned to stone and the Death Eaters pursuing them crumpled against it.

"Get back!" Ron yelled.

The seven of them flattened themselves against a door as a herd of galloping desks thundered past, shepherded by a sprinting McGonagall. She appeared not to notice them. Her hair had come down and there was a gash on her cheek. As she turned the corner, they heard her scream CHARGE! Venus nodded in impressment.

"Harry, you get the Cloak on," Hermione stated. "Never mind us—"

Somehow, by some kind of miracle, Harry threw the Cloak over all seven of them. It definitely wasn't made for seven people, but nobody would see their disembodied feet through the dust that clogged the air, the falling stone, and the shimmer of spells.

They ran down the next staircase and found themselves in a hallway full of duelers. The portraits on either side of the fighters were crammed with figures screaming advice and encouragement, while Death Eaters, both masked and unmasked, dueled students and teachers. Dean had found himself a wand, for he was face-to-face with Dolohov, Parvati with Travers. All seven of them raised their wands at once, ready to strike, but the duelers were weaving and darting around so much that there was a strong likelihood of hurting one of their own side if they cast curses. Even as they stood braced, looking for the opportunity to act, there came a great Wheeeeeeeeeeee! Venus looked up and saw Peeves zooming over them, dropping Snargaluff pods down onto the Death Eaters, whose heads were suddenly engulfed in wriggling green tubers like fat worms.

"Argh!" Ron let out, since a fistful of tubers had hit the cloak over Ron's head — the slimy green roots were suspended in midair as Ron tried to shake them loose.

A masked Death Eater pointed at him. "Someone's invisible there!"

Dean made the most of the Death Eater's momentary distraction and knocked him out with a Stunning Spell. Dolohov attempted to retaliate and Parvati shot a Body-Bind Curse at him.

"LET'S GO!" Harry ordered.

Venus, Harry, Ron, Penelope, Hermione, Elijah, and Charlotte gathered the Cloak tightly around themselves and pelted, heads down, through the midst of the fighters, slipping a little in pools of Snargaluff juice, towards the top of the marble staircase into the entrance hall.

"I'm Draco Malfoy, I'm Draco, I'm on your side!" Malfoy pleaded.

He was on the upper landing, talking to another masked Death Eater. Penelope Stunned the Death Eater as they passed. Malfoy looked around, beaming, for his savior, but Penelope brought her fist out from under the Cloak and punched him. He fell backwards on top of the Death Eater, his mouth bleeding, completely confused.

There were more duelers all over the stairs and in the hall, Death Eaters everywhere Venus looked. Yaxley was fighting with Flitwick close to the front doors. A masked Death Eater was dueling Kingsley right beside them. Students ran in every direction, some carrying or dragging injured friends. Charlotte directed a Stunning Spell towards the masked Death Eater. It missed but nearly hit Neville, who had emerged from nowhere holding armfuls of Venomous Tentacula, which looped itself happily around the nearest Death Eater and began reeling him in.

The group of seven sped down the marble staircase. Glass shattered to their left, and the Slytherin hourglass that had recorded House points spilled its emeralds everywhere, so that people slipped and staggered as they ran. Two bodies fell from the balcony overhead as they reached the ground, and a gray blur that Venus took for an animal sped four-legged across the hall to sink its teeth into one of the fallen.

Penelope instantly screamed to get away from her and pointed the wand at the animal. With a deafening blast, Fenir Greyback was thrown backwards from the stirring body of Lavender Brown. He hit the marble banisters and struggled to return to his feet. Then, with a bright white flash and a crack, a crystal ball fell on top of his head, and he crumpled to the ground and did not move.

"I have more!" Professor Trelawney announced from over the banisters. "More for any who want them! Here—"

She heaved another enormous crystal sphere from her bag, waved her wand through the air, and caused the ball to speed across the hall and smash through a window. At the same moment, the heavy wooden front doors burst open, and more of the gigantic spiders forced their way into the entrance hall. Screams of terror filled the air. The fighters scattered, Death Eaters and Hogwartians alike, and red and green jets of light flew into the midst of the oncoming monsters, which shuddered and reared, more terrifying than ever.

"How are we supposed to get out?" Elijah questioned over the screaming.

Before any of them could answer they were pushed aside. Hagrid had come thundering down the stairs, brandishing his flowery pink umbrella.

"Don't hurt 'em, don't hurt 'em!" Hagrid insisted.

"HAGRID, NO!" Harry screamed. He suddenly sprinted out from under the Cloak, running bent double to avoid the curses illuminating the whole hall. "HAGRID, COME BACK!"

Venus gasped. She suddenly forgot everything else and ducked out from underneath as well, sprinting after him. Venus skidded to a stop next to Harry as they watched the whole thing unfold, and her eyes widened. Hagrid vanished amongst the spiders, and with a great scurrying and swarming, they retreated under the oncoming spells. Hagrid buried in their midst.

"HAGRID!"

Harry ran off again.

"Harry!" Venus protested.

She ran after him. Venus sprinted down the front steps into the dark grounds. The spiders were swarming away with their prey, and there was no sign of Hagrid at all.

"HAGRID!" Harry repeated.

Venus finally caught up to him. She caught onto his arm, wanting to stay by him, but their way was suddenly blocked y a large foot, which swung down out of the darkness and made the ground on which they stood shudder. Venus looked up. A Giant stood before her, twenty feet high, its head hidden in the shadow. With one brutal, fluid movement, it smashed a massive fist through an upper window. Glass rained down upon Venus and Harry, and he snagged his waist in his arms, pulling them back under the shelter of the doorway. Their friends caught up with them.

"Oh my—!" Hermione shrieked as they all gazed upwards at the Giant now trying to seize people through the window above.

"Hermione, no!" Elijah protested as Hermione raised her wand. "If you Stun him he'll crush half the castle—"

"HAGGER?"

Grawp came lurching around the corner of the castle. Only now did Venus realize that Grawp was indeed an undersized Giant. The Giant trying to crush people on the upper floors looked around and let out a roar. He stomped towards Grawp, the stone steps trembling, and Grawp's lopsided mouth fell open. They launched themselves at each other with the savagery of lions.

"RUN!" Harry demanded.

He seized Venus' hand and pulled her along. Venus reached back and grabbed Charlotte's, who in turn grabbed Hermione's, who grabbed Elijah's, who grabbed Penelope's, who grabbed Ron's. They all ran in a chain down the steps into the grounds.

When they were halfway towards the forest, the air around them froze. Venus stopped in her tracks, her breathing solidifying in her chest. Shapes moved out in the darkness, swirling figures of concentrated blackness, moving in a great wave towards the castle, their faces hooded and the breath rattling . . .

Venus raised her wand, but the sounds of fighting behind them grew muted. A silence only Dementors could bring was falling thickly through the night, and Fred was gone, Atlas and Mary were in a whole other country . . .

Wake up.

Harry's voice, ringing through her head.

You have so much more to live for.

Venus tugged on Harry's hand. "Come on, love . . . Patronuses, remember? We'll do it together."

Harry raised his wand, but she could tell that a dull hopelessness was spreading throughout him. This battle was evidently taking a toll on him. He thought it was all his fault.

"Harry!" Venus shouted, more firmly. "Let's go!" She closed her eyes and thought of reuniting with Charlotte and Elijah. "Expecto Patronum!"

Her Thunderbird flew through the air, along with Ron's terrier, Penelope's King Cobra, Elijah's cat, and Charlotte's hummingbird. However, a hundred Dementors were advancing, gliding towards them, sucking their way closer to their despair. All of their silver animals flickered out. Venus felt her mind stop, her happiness leave, everything go silent . . .

And then a silver hare, a boar, and a fox soared past their heads. The Dementors fell back before the creatures' approach. Three more people had arrived out of the darkness to stand beside them, their wands outstretched, continuing to cast their Patronuses — Luna, Ernie, and Seamus.

"That's right," Luna said encouragingly, as if they were back in the Room of Requirement and this was simply spell practice for the D.A. "That's right, Harry . . . come on, think of something happy . . ."

"Something happy?" Harry repeated, and Venus squeezed his hand as his voice cracked.

"We're all still here, we're still fighting. Come on, now . . ."

There was a silver spark, then a wavering light, and then the stag burst from the end of Harry's wand. It cantered forwards, and now the Dementors scattered in earnest. Immediately, the night was mild again, but the sounds of the surrounding battle returned to its loud volume.

Ron turned to the three others. "Can't thank you enough, you just saved—"

With a roar and an Earth-quaking tremor, another Giant came lurching out of the darkness from the direction of the forest, brandishing a club taller than any of them.

"RUN!" Harry shouted, as if he needed to tell them that.

They all scattered. And not a second too soon, the creature's vast foot had fallen exactly where they had been standing. Venus looked back — Penelope, Ron, Hermione, Elijah, and Charlotte were following her and Harry, but Luna, Ernie, and Seamus had vanished back into the battle.

"Let's get out of range!" Ron yelled as the Giant swung its club again and its bellows echoed through the night, across the grounds where bursts of red and green light continued to illuminate the darkness.

"The Whomping Willow, go!" Harry stated.

Venus pushed herself harder than she ever had. Thoughts of Fred and Hagrid, her terror for the people she cared about, scattered in and outside the castle, must all wait. They had to run, they had to reach the snake and Voldemort, because it was the only way to end it. She sprinted on, ignoring the jets of light flying in the darkness, and the sound of the lake crashing like the sea, and the creaking of the Forbidden Forest, as if the grounds themselves had risen in rebellion.

Her and Harry reached the Whomping Willow first, slowing down as the tree slashed its branches. Venus tried to catch her breath as they waited for the others to catch up.

Charlotte placed her hands on her knees and doubled over. "Oh my God, I need to start doing cardio."

Elijah gasped for breath. "I don't really think now's — now's the time, Lottie."

"How — how're we going to get in?" Ron inquired. "I can — see the place — if we just had — Crookshanks again—"

"Crookshanks?" Hermione repeated in a wheeze, clutching her chest. "Are you a wizard, or what?"

"Oh — right — yeah—" Ron looked around and then directed his wand at a twig on the ground. "Wingardium Leviosa!"

The twig flew up from the ground, spun through the air as if it was caught by a gust of wind, then zoomed directly at the trunk through the Willow's ominously swaying branches. It jabbed at a place near the roots, and at once, the writhing tree became still.

"Perfect!" Hermione replied.

"Wait," Harry said.

Venus glanced over at him and squeezed his hand. "We're right behind you, no matter what."

Harry wriggled down into the tree. Venus followed after him, entering the Earthy passage. The tunnel was low-ceilinged so they had to crawl. Harry led their group, his wand illuminated. They moved in silence. At last the tunnel started to slope upwards and there was a sliver of light up ahead. Venus felt her heart stop momentarily. Voldemort was in there.

Hermione tugged on Harry's ankle. "The Cloak! Put the Cloak on!"

Harry reached his hand back and Hermione put the Cloak in it. He dragged it over himself and extinguished his wandlight. They continued to crawl towards the sliver of light ahead as silently as they could.

And then Venus heard voices coming from room directly ahead of them, only slightly muffled because what appeared to be an old crate was blocking the opening at the end of the tunnel. Harry edged right up to the opening and peered through a tiny gap left between crate and wall. Venus positioned herself by him. She could vaguely see what was going on.

The room beyond was dimly lit, but there was a huge snake inside — Nagini. She was swirling and coiling like a snake underwater, safe in her enchanted, starry sphere, which was floating unsupported in midair. Venus could see the edge of a table, and a long-fingered white hand toying with a wand.

". . . my Lord, their resistance is crumbling—" Snape's voice was saying.

"—and it is doing so without your help," Voldemort responded in a high, clear voice, and Venus felt a chill go up her spine. "Skilled wizard though you are, Severus, I do not think you will make much difference now. We are almost there . . . almost."

"Let me find the boy. Let me bring you Potter. I know I can find him, my Lord. Please."

Snape walked past the gap. Venus recoiled a little bit, and Harry did as well, his body pressing up into hers. Her eyes were on Nagini. She was racking her mind for a spell that could break Nagini's protection, but her mind was blank. Besides, even if she failed once, it would completely give away their position.

Voldemort stood up, and Venus felt her breath catch quietly in her throat. She had never seen him in person. He had red eyes, a flat serpentine face, and was unhealthily pale, so pale that he seemed to gleam slightly in the semidarkness.

"I have a problem, Severus," Voldemort admitted softly.

"My Lord?" Snape asked.

Voldemort raised the Elder Wand. "Why doesn't it work for me, Severus?"

"My — my Lord? I do not understand. You — you have performed extraordinary magic with that wand."

"No. I have performed my usual magic. I am extraordinary, but this wand . . . no. It has not revealed the wonders it has promised. I feel no difference between this wand and the one I procured from Ollivander all those years ago. No difference."

Snape didn't speak. Venus couldn't see his face. She wondered if he sensed danger. Voldemort started to move around the room, and Venus lost sight of him for a few seconds.

"I have thought long and hard, Severus . . ." Voldemort stated. "Do you know why I have called you back from the battle?"

For a second, Venus saw Snape. His eyes were fixed upon the coiling snake in its enchanted cage.

"No, my Lord, but I beg you will let me return," Snape voiced. "Let me find Potter."

"You sound like Lucius," Voldemort continued. "Neither of you understands Potter as I do. He does not need finding. Potter will come to me. I know his weakness, you see, his one great flaw. He will hate watching the others struck down around him, knowing that it is for him that it happens. He will want to stop it at any cost. He will come."

Venus felt sick.

"But my Lord, he might be killed accidentally by one other than yourself—" Snape protested.

"My instructions to my Death Eaters have been perfectly clear," Snape interjected. "Capture Potter. Kill his friends — the more, the better — but do not kill him. But it is of you that I wished to speak, Severus, not Harry Potter. You have been very valuable to me. Very valuable."

"My Lord knows I seek only to serve him. But — let me go and find the boy, my Lord. Let me bring him to you. I know I can—"

"I have told you, no!" Voldemort shouted. Venus saw the glint of red in his eyes as he turned again, and the swishing of his cloak was like the slithering of a snake. "My concern at the moment, Severus, is what will happen when I finally meet the boy!"

"My Lord, there can be no question, surely—?" Snape questioned.

"—but there is a question, Severus. There is." Voldemort stopped, and Venus could see him plainly again as he slid the Elder Wand through his white fingers, staring right at Snape. "Why did both the wands I have used fail when directed at Harry Potter?"

"I — I cannot answer that, my Lord."

"Can't you?" Voldemort argued. Harry reached back and grabbed Venus' hand, squeezing it tightly. She watched him in concern, ignoring the pain in his hand. Venus knew his scar was hurting. "My wand of yew did everything of which I asked it, Severus, except to kill Harry Potter. Twice it failed. Ollivander told me under torture of the twin cores, told me to take another's wand. I did so, but Lucius' wand shattered upon meeting Potter's."

"I — I have no explanation, my Lord," Snape answered, not looking at Voldemort now, his dark eyes still fixated upon the coiling serpent in its protective sphere.

"I sought a third wand, Severus. The Elder Wand, the Wand of Destiny, the Deathstick. I took it from its previous master. I took it from the grave of Albus Dumbledore."

And now Snape looked at Voldemort. His face was like a death mask. It was marble white and so still that when he spoke, it was a shock to see that anyone lived behind the blank eyes.

"My Lord — let me go to the boy—" Snape pleaded.

Voldemort's voice was barely louder than a whisper. "All this long night, when I am on the brink of victory, I have sat here, wondering, wondering, why the Elder Wand refuses to be what it ought to be, refuses to perform as legend says it must perform for its rightful owner . . . and I think I have the answer." Snape did not speak. "Perhaps you already know it? You are a clever man, after all, Severus. You have been a good and faithful servant, and I regret what must happen."

"My Lord—"

"The Elder Wand cannot serve me properly, Severus, because I am not its true master. The Elder Wand belongs to the wizard who killed its last owner. You killed Albus Dumbledore. While you live, Severus, the Elder Wand cannot be truly mine."

Venus' eyes widened in realization. With horrible clarity, she knew what was about to happen.

Snape raised his wand. "My Lord!"

"It cannot be any other way," Voldemort revealed. "I must master the wand, Severus. Master the wand, and I master Potter at last."

And Voldemort swiped the air with the Elder Wand. It didn't do anything to Snape, but then Voldemort's intention became clear. Nagini's snake was rolling through the air, and before Snape could do anything more than yell, she had encased him, head and shoulders. Voldemort made a hissing noise with his mouth — Parseltongue.

There was a terrible scream. Venus watched as Snape's face lost the little color it had left. It whitened as his black eyes widened, as the snake's fangs pierced his neck, as he failed to push the enchanted cage off himself, as his knees gave way and he fell to the floor. She squeezed her eyes shut.

"I regret it," Voldemort said coldly, even though he most definitely didn't.

Venus' eyes fluttered open. Voldemort turned away with no sadness, no remorse. It was time to leave this shack and take charge with a wand that would now do his full bidding. He pointed it at the starry cage holding the snake, which drifted upwards, off of Snape, who fell sideways onto the floor with blood gushing from the wounds in his neck. Voldemort swept from the room without a backwards a glance, and Nagini floated after him in her huge protective sphere. Harry's grip on Venus' hand suddenly lessened before he fully let go.

"Harry!" Hermione whispered.

Harry pointed his wand at the crate blocking the view. It lifted an inch into the air and drifted sideways silently. As quietly as he could, he pulled himself up into the room. Venus did so as well, entering the Shrieking Shack, the place she had heard stories about.

She hung back, watching as Harry took off the Invisibility Cloak and approached Snape. Snape's fingers were trying to staunch the bloody wound at his neck and his face was completely white. Venus glanced over for a moment, only to see Charlotte staring at her Head of House in horror. Harry bent over the man he hated, and Snape seized the front of his robes and pulled him close. A terrible rasping, gurgling noise came from Snape's throat.

"Take . . . it . . ." Snape told Harry. "Take . . . it . . ."

Something more than blood was leaking from Snape. Silvery blue, neither gas nor liquid, gushed from his mouth and his ears and his eyes. Hermione conjured a flask from thin air and thrust it into Harry's shaking hands. Harry lifted the silvery substance into it with his wand. When the flask was full to the brim, and Snape looked as though there was no blood left in him, his grip on Harry's robes slackened

"Look . . . at . . . me . . ."

Harry looked into his black eyes with his green ones. The hand holding onto Harry thudded to the floor, and Snape moved no more. Harry remained kneeling at Snape's side, simply staring down at him. Venus took a step forwards, wanting to go to him, but something held her back.

Suddenly, a high, cold voice spoke so close to them that Venus glanced around the room in alarm, thinking that Voldemort had reentered the room. His voice reverberated from the wand and floor. Venus realized that he was talking to Hogwarts and to all the surrounding area, so that the residents of Hogsmeade and all those still fighting in the castle would hear him as clearly as if he was standing right by them.

"You have fought valiantly," Voldemort stated. "Lord Voldemort knows how to value bravery. Yet you have sustained heavy losses. If you continue to resist me, you will all die, one by one. I do not wish this to happen. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a loss and a waste. Lord Voldemort is merciful. I command my forces to retreat immediately. You have one hour. Dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured. I speak now, Harry Potter, directly to you. You have permitted your friends to die for you rather than face me yourself. I shall wait for one hour in the Forbidden Forest. If, at the end of that hour, you have not come to me, have not given yourself up, then battle recommences. This time, I shall enter the fray myself, Harry Potter, and I shall find you, and I shall punish every last man, woman, and child who has tried to conceal you from me. One hour."

Venus shook her head. She couldn't lose Harry, she couldn't lose Harry, she couldn't lose Harry—

"Don't listen to him," Ron said.

"It'll be all right," Hermione reassured them wildly. "Let's — let's get back to the castle, if he's gone to the forest we'll need to think of a new plan—"

She glanced at Snape's body then hurried back to the tunnel entrance. Elijah followed after her, then Charlotte, then Penelope, then Ron. Venus stayed back for a moment, extending her hand out to Harry's as he stood up, gathering up the Invisibility Cloak. He gave her nothing but a blank look, but took her hand nonetheless.

They crawled back through the tunnel, none of them talking. Venus worried that Harry was letting Voldemort's words get to his head.

Small bundles seemed to litter the lawn at the front of the castle. It could only be an hour or so from dawn, yet it was pitch-black. The seven hurried towards the stone steps. A lone clog, the size of a small boat, lay abandoned in front of them. There was no other sign of Grawp or of his attacker.

The castle was unnaturally silent. There were no flashes of light now, no bangs or screams or shouts. The flagstones of the deserted entrance hall were stained red with blood. Emeralds from the Slytherin hourglass were still scattered all over the floor, along with pieces of marble and splintered wood. Part of the banisters had been blown away.

"Where is everyone?" Hermione inquired.

Ron led the way to the Great Hall, and they all stopped in the doorway once they saw the inside.

The four House tables were gone and the room was crowded. Survivors from the battle stood in groups, their arms around each other's necks. The injured were being treated upon the raised platform by Madam Pomfrey and a group of helpers. Firenze was amongst the injured. His flank poured blood and he shook where he lay, unable to stand.

All of the dead lay in a row in the middle of the Hall. Venus couldn't see Fred's body because the Weasley family was surrounding him. George was kneeling at his head, Mrs. Weasley was laying across Fred's chest with her body shaking, and Mr. Weasley was stroking her hair while tears cascaded down his cheeks. Bill, Fleur, Percy, and Ginny were all standing back.

Without a word to Venus or Harry, Ron, Penelope, Hermione, Charlotte, Elijah wandered into the Hall. They all went to the Weasley family, besides Charlotte, who went over to Neville. When Ginny moved towards Penelope, Venus had a clear view of the bodies laying next to Fred. It was Remus and Tonks, pale and still and peaceful-looking, apparently asleep beneath the dark, enchanted ceiling. Venus watched before her very eyes as Penelope sunk to her knees next to them, crying as she put her head on Tonks' chest.

"Star," Harry quietly said, bringing her out of her shocked state.

She looked over at him. "Yeah?"

"I have to go. What Snape gave me, it's — it's his memories. He gave them to me for a reason. I have to see them."

Venus nodded. "Okay. Where do you have to go to see this?"

"The Headmaster's office," Harry answered. "The Pensieve is there. But I have to do it alone."

"Go. I'll be here when you get back, promise."

Harry paused for a moment before placing his hands on either side of her face. "No matter what happens, I love you, okay?"

Venus stared up at him, her eyebrows knitting in confusion. "Harry, this sounds a lot like a goodbye."

"It's not." Harry leaned down and kissed her — it was a little urgent, a little fast, but it got the point across. "I love you, Star."

"I love you more," Venus promised.

She stood there in the doorway, watching as her boyfriend raced away from the Great Hall. There was a sinking feeling inside of her. Venus didn't like this. She really didn't like this.

╞════════ ༺ ༻ ════════╡

"HARRY POTTER IS dead."

And suddenly, just like that, the world stopped turning and everything went quiet.

Venus' head snapped up, the echoes of Voldemort's magnified voice bouncing off the walls of the Great Hall. She slowly stood up, her mind spinning and her heart dropping to the pit of her stomach. Her hands began to shake and tears involuntarily began to fall down her face. Words could not possibly describe the kind of soul-crushing, heart-wrenching pain Venus Black was feeling at the moment. No, he couldn't be dead, not after everything they'd been through . . .

It was a goodbye. Harry had told her no matter what happened he loved her. Venus should've listened to her gut, should've begged him to stay . . .

"Ven," Charlotte's voice rang out, but it sounded completely underwater. "Venus."

"He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself while you lay down your lives for him. We bring you his body as proof that your hero is gone. The battle is won. You have lost half of your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you, and the Boy Who Lived is finished. There must be no more war. Anyone who continues to resist, man, woman, or child, will be slaughtered, as will every member of their family. Come out of the castle now, kneel before me, and you shall be spared. Your parents and children, your brothers and sisters will live and be forgiven, and you will join me in the new world we shall build together."

Venus shook her head. "No." She could barely breathe. "No."

Loud marching was heard in the distance. Venus' head whipped towards the sound, and without a thought in her brain, she took off in the direction of it. She ignored the calls of her name behind her from Charlotte and Elijah. This couldn't be real, this couldn't be real—

Her feet skidded to a stop as she exited the doors of the school. There was the group of Death Eaters at the entrance, Bellatrix and Voldemort in the lead. Venus' eyes immediately went Hagrid, who was carrying a limp Harry. The feeling like she just got punched in the stomach ricocheted through her. It was like her brain short-circuited. She couldn't think, she couldn't speak.

"NO!" McGonagall screamed, and Bellatrix laughed in glee at her despair.

"No!" Ron and Hermione yelled at the same time.

Venus took a step forwards, her mind trained on the limp form of her boyfriend. "Charlie . . . don't tell me . . ."

"Vennie," Charlie said softly, her own voice choked up.

"Eli, please say he's just — he's just pretending, right?"

"Venus," Elijah replied. "I don't — I don't think he is."

She knew that they were trying to gently tell her the truth. Venus' mind didn't want to believe it. A world without Harry?

It's written in the stars.

She understood the message from the Venus necklace Dumbledore gave to her in his will now. It was clear to her from the way it felt like she was falling, and how it felt like a whole piece of her was missing.

Her and Harry were always meant to be together. Their relationship had been written in the stars. She had said all along that she couldn't lose him. Yet here they were, Venus without Harry, her love lost in the universe.

Everything felt like slow motion. The truth finally caught up with Venus, and it hit her like a truck. Having nothing left in her, Venus did nothing but scream. It seemed to echo throughout the grounds, sounding as horrible as her heartbreak within her. Sobs broke through her scream and she felt her knees give way. Somebody caught her and pulled her close to them, allowing her to lean her weight on them. Venus could vaguely tell it was Elijah, but she didn't even care who it was. All she felt was grief.

"SILENCE!" Voldemort ordered. There was a bang and a flash of bright light, and silence was forced upon them all. "It is over! Set him down, Hagrid, at my feet, where he belongs!" Hagrid set down Harry's body in the grass, and Venus sobbed again, watching as Voldemort paced in front of him. "You see? Harry Potter is dead! Do you understand now, deluded ones? He was nothing, ever, but a boy who relied on others to sacrifice themselves for him!"

"He beat you!" Ron exclaimed.

The charm broke, and the defenders of Hogwarts were shouting and screaming again. Venus cried out in pain at the pain of her heart, the tears dripping down her cheeks feeling cool on her face. There was a second, more powerful bang, and it extinguished their voices once more.

"He was killed while trying to sneak out of the castle grounds, killed while trying to save himself—"

"Neville!" Charlotte protested.

Venus looked over through her pain to see Neville let go of Charlotte and charge straight at Voldemort with a shout. Voldemort Stunned Neville and Disarmed him. Neville hit the ground, and Voldemort threw Neville's wand aside.

"And who is this?" Voldemort asked. "Who has volunteered to demonstrate what happens to those who continue to fight when the battle is lost?"

Bellatrix gave a delighted laugh." It is Neville Longbottom, my Lord! The boy who has been giving the Carrows so much trouble! The son of the Aurors, remember?"

"Ah, yes, I remember." Voldemort looked down at Neville, who was struggling back to his feet, unarmed and unprotected, standing in the no-man's-land between the survivors and the Death Eaters. "But you are a Pureblood, aren't you, my brave boy?"

Neville stood facing him, his empty hands curled in fists. "So what if I am?"

"You show spirit and bravery, and you come of noble stock. You will make a very valuable Death Eater. We need your kind, Neville Longbottom."

"I'll join you when hell freezes over. Dumbledore's Army!"

There was an answering cheer from the crowd, one that Voldemort's Silencing Charms seemed unable to hold.

"Very well," Voldemort stated, danger in his voice that made Venus' teary eyes narrow. "If that is your choice, Longbottom, we revert to the original plan. On your head, be it."

Voldemort waved his wand. Seconds later, out of one of the castle's shattered windows, a misshapen object came flying into Voldemort's hand. He took the Sorting Hat by its pointed end and dangled it.

"There will be no more Sorting at Hogwarts School," Voldemort explained. "There will be no more Houses. The emblem, shield, and colors of my noble ancestor, Salazar Slytherin, will suffice for everyone. Won't they, Neville Longbottom?"

He pointed his wand at Neville, who grew rigid and still, then forced the hat onto Neville's head so that it slipped down below his eyes. There were movements from the watching crowd in front of the castle, and as one, the Death Eaters raised their wands, holding the fighters of Hogwarts at bay. Charlotte, however, ignored the raised wands and stood further ahead than anyone.

"Neville here is now going to demonstrate what happens to anyone foolish enough to continue to oppose me."

With a flick of his wand, he caused the Sorting Hat to burst into flames. Screams split the dawn, and Neville was aflame, rooted to the spot, unable to move.

"No!" Charlotte screamed.

She started to run forwards, but then so many things started to happen at once, one that Venus' foggy mind couldn't fathom. They heard uproar from the distant boundary of the school as what sounded like hundreds of people came swarming over the out-of-sight walls and pelted towards the castle, letting out loud war cries. At the same time, Grawp came lumbering around the side of the castle and yelled HAGGER! His cry was answered by roars from Voldemort's Giants, who ran at him, making the Earth quake. Then came hooves and the twangs of bows, and arrows were suddenly falling amongst the Death Eaters, who broke ranks, shouting in surprise.

Neville, in one swift, fluid motion, broke free of the Body-Bind Curse upon him. The flaming Sorting Hat fell off of him and he drew from its depths something silver with a glittering, rubied handle. Its slash could not be heard over the roar of the oncoming crowd or the sounds of the clashing Giants or of the stampeding Centaurs, and yet it seemed to draw every eye. With a single stroke Neville sliced off Nagini's head. She spun high into the air, gleaming in the light flooding from the entrance hall, and Voldemort's mouth was open in a scream of fury that nobody could hear, and the snake's body thudded to the ground at his feet.

"HARRY!" Hagrid shouted. "HARRY — WHERE'S HARRY?"

Venus' head whipped over. Harry's body was no longer there on the grass. Now she had lost Harry in more ways than one.

And then chaos reigned.

» • » ✧ « • «

ONE MORE CHAPTER AYO