Callie fought the urge to bury her head in Teddy's shoulder as Marvello's followers raised their wands and started their assault on the shield the Order created, their curses landing on the shield in bright orange sparks that rained down. It felt like an eternity, though it was probably only ten minutes or less, before the shield fell, the edges of it crumpling in white lines that disappeared as soon as it hit the ground.

The teenagers' faces were void of any emotion as Marvello's followers smirked evilly to each other before looking forward. It was eerily quiet as Marvello's followers waited a moment to be sure the shield was down. They couldn't even hear any noises from any creatures, nor their own breathing.

When Marvello's followers ran for Hogwarts, the teens ducked, waiting for the sound of footsteps to fade and the sound of curses being fired to begin before they could make their way into the Forbidden Forest. Because of Harry they knew where Marvello would be, so they made sure to give him a wide berth as they carefully made their way over the sticks and various other things that crunched with the each step.

No one spoke, for the fear of being heard and because they were all concentrating on their steps and making sure they weren't being followed.

It seemed like eons had passed before they all stopped where they were. They had Marvello surrounded. They couldn't make him out through the trees and brush, but they knew. "My lord, time is up. We're losing our men to them. There's no sign of surrender," someone said rather loudly, as if the louder they spoke the more likely it would get through Marvello's thick skull.

They didn't hear anything until a cold, snake like voice rang out, chilling them to their bones as it reverberated through the forest and the grounds. "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. Theodore Lupin, Callie Weasley, Brady Weasley, Victoire Weasley, James Potter, Reese Weasley, and Dominique Weasley, I now speak directly to you. On this night, you have allowed your friends to die for you, rather than face me yourself. There is no greater dishonor. Join me in the Forbidden Forest, and confront your fate. If you do not do this, I shall kill every last man, woman and child who tries to conceal you from me. I know that many of you will want to fight. Some of you may even think that to fight is wise. But this is a folly. Give me Lupin, Potter, and the Weasleys. Do this and none shall be harmed. Give me them, and I shall leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me them, and you will be rewarded. You have one hour."

He seriously memorized exactly what his father said. What kind of messed up bastard does that? Callie thought as she gripped her wand tighter in her hand. A few moments later, after Marvello's followers left to watch the Forbidden Forest for them, the DA coin that Hermione gave them all started to heat in her pocket. It was time.

Taking one last breath to prepare herself, Callie and the others stepped toward Marvello. "Did you really think you could win?" Teddy called out after Marvello was in sight.

Marvello smirked. "Ah. You have me surrounded, don't you? Very smart. You won't get away with it, you know."

Brady tightened his grip on his wand. "You're outnumbered, Marvello. You won't win. Anyone with any ties to you will die in Azkaban. And you, well..." he trailed off.

"Death doesn't scare me, young one. Your parents took everything from me. Now I'm here to take everything from them. And to do that, you all need to die."

James scoffed. "We have the blood of the most powerful witches and wizards of our time running through our veins, and you really think you can win? It's one against six, Marvello. Think about it. You really think you have a chance?"

Marvello turned his cold gaze on Callie. "I'd nearly killed her once, haven't I? I can do it again."

An animalistic growl came from Teddy. "If you touch her, you'll wish you were never born."

"I already do, Lupin," Marvello spat, glaring at Teddy.

Callie spoke up, "Just stop, Marvello. Face it, you've already lost."

When Marvello was silent, everyone raised their wands in unison.

"I'm not going to beg for my life." Marvello muttered. When his eyes met Callie's, she was startled to see that there was no light. He knew it was over. He knew he didn't have a chance. He knew he would never see the light of day again.

"I'm sorry it had to come to this, Marvello. But you wouldn't leave us alone," Victoire told him, her wand not wavering.

Marvello kept his chin up, not saying a word as a muscle in his jaw twitched.

With one last look around the group, it was over. "Expelliarmus!" Everyone yelled. Beams of red light met on Marvello. It was sickening to watch as Marvello turned to dust right before their eyes. He didn't scream, he didn't blink.

Just like that, it was over.
———
This is it. Just the epilogue, and then it's over. The trilogy I've spent years on is over. The beginning of Stunning is still cringey, since I can still see the young me sitting in front of her laptop. I wrote it before I knew much about writing at all, and so I apologize for how bad and cringey it was. This still isn't the best, but it's the end of a chapter in my life. There will be another author's note before I complete this book, but I just want to say thank you.

Thank you.
-Drew