Chapter Text
The castle seemed so empty, so still. Each step she took echoed loudly in her head. She knew somewhere, elsewhere, those that remained were gathering the fallen, trying to rally themselves together for the final stand.
"And Voldemort himself must do it, Severus. That is essential."
The words she'd heard in Snape's memories echoed in her head, filling her chest with a sharp burst of fear. She stumbled, taking a breath to steady herself; it seemed she had a bit of her own rallying still left to do.
A clatter of stones sounded from one of the corridors on her right causing her to freeze, clutching her Invisibility cloak closer around herself. She stared as Oliver and Neville staggered into view, carrying between them the body of an underage student.
Harri felt her heart seize in her chest. How many more of the younger years had stayed behind to protect the school they called home? Just how many more people had to die for this ridiculous war? She had to put an end to it now!
"...born as the seventh month dies."
Neville stumbled over a loose bit of stone, causing Oliver to stop in place. "Take a rest, Neville," he suggested. "I've got it from here."
The fair haired boy raised weary eyes to his. "You sure?"
The older boy –no, Oliver was a man now, Harri amended – nodded, hefting the tiny body up in both arms before continuing on his way. Neville watched him go, his shoulders sagging heavily the moment he vanished out of sight.
Harri waited for what seemed like an eternity. Once she was certain Oliver was out of earshot, she lowered her cloak, calling out softly. "Neville…"
He froze, wand snapping up as his eyes widened in surprise, and then relief. "Harri!" he exclaimed, one hand going to her still invisible shoulder as if to assure himself of her realness. "Merlin's Beard, you nearly gave me a heart attack!"
She smiled in apology, although it did not meet her eyes.
"What's wrong?" he asked. When she didn't immediately respond, the concern in his eyes was soon overwritten with suspicion. "Where were you going all by yourself?"
She knew he had heard Voldemort's edict, same as everyone else.
"and either must die at the hand of the other."
Still... "There's something I have to go take care of…" she answered, raising a hand to cover his. "Neville…"
"Harri…" His grip on her shoulder tightened slightly. She raised her eyes to his, wincing at the fear there. "Don't tell me you're going to turn yourself over to him?!"
"'Course not," The lie fell from her lips so, so easily. "But I may be out of sight for a bit… While I am, I need you to do me a favor."
"Of course," Harri's eyes burned at how easily he conceded to her wishes. If only he knew, if only he could imagine…!
"Voldemort's got this snake, calls it Nagini," she began. "She's got to be killed."
"...for neither can live while the other survives."
"Okay…" he murmured.
"Ron and Hermione know, too," she went on. "But in case they—" The coldness in her chest sharpened at even considering the terrible fear in her heart. "If they're busy… I need someone… I need—" There was so much she needed, so much she wanted… but she knew she couldn't have it. There was no more time!
Neville's eyes softened in understanding. "Kill the snake?" he prompted.
Harri nearly wilted in a mixture of grief and relief. "Kill the snake." She confirmed. When he nodded in understanding, she stepped away from him, intent on walking away.
"Harri," he called out to her. She stopped, but didn't turn. It was bad enough he could see the tremors racking her smaller frame. If she turned to face him now… "You're okay, are you?"
"I'm fine," The lies kept spilling out. The cold had formed a solid block of ice in her chest; it nearly hurt to breathe. "Thanks, Neville."
The statement was one of gratitude, apology, and farewell. Neville seemed to pick up on this, grasping her hand before she could walk away. "Harri," His hand was warm, melting away some of the ice that had settled in her chest. "We're going to keep fighting. You know that?"
"Yeah…" Of course she did. It frightened her more than anything. What if she failed? What would happen to everyone? What would happen to him? She didn't want to do this, but she didn't have a choice! She didn't—
Her panicked thoughts were derailed as she found herself spun around to face Neville. Before she could utter a word he had already leaned forward, sealing his lips over hers.
~End