Song for this chapter: Exit Music (For a Film) - Radiohead

TW violence, blood

- - - - -

The First Few Hours of May 2nd, 1998

We get led out of Hogwarts through a secret tunnel that I didn't even know existed. The tunnel was located in a room on the seventh floor that I also didn't know existed. The passage is dark and only lit by wand light.

All of the fifth years and younger were forced to evacuate, along with the entirety of Slytherin house. A lot of Gryffindors stayed to fight as well as a large portion of Hufflepuff and several Ravenclaws.

I walk along with everyone else through the passageway to Hogsmeade. Theo is at my slide, his hand intertwined with mine.

Daphne and Blaise are walking a bit ahead of us, and Pansy and Draco are walking behind us. Pansy and Draco are whispering to each other and Draco looks fidgety as we get further away from Hogwarts.

"I have to go back," Draco whispers, his voice getting slightly louder than before.

"Then go now," Pansy replies. "Just don't die."

"Right now? I'm supposed to go back right now? We're in a fucking tunnel, Pansy," Draco says.

Pansy audibly sighs. "That's not my problem. You have a wand."

I turn around and make eye contact with Draco. He walks ahead to fall into step with Theo and me.

"I'm going back," Draco says. "Anyone coming with me?"

Daphne and Blaise turn around to look at Draco. They exchange a glance. "No, we're getting out of here," Blaise answers.

"Theo?" Draco asks.

"No, I'm leaving," Theo says.

Draco nods, "Alright. I'll see you lot later then."

"Be safe," I tell Draco.

Draco turns around and says goodbye to Pansy before he pushes through the crowd of students evacuating and grabs onto Crabbe and Goyle. All three of them disappear with a twist and a few people exclaim at their exit.

I pull Pansy to walk with me. "Draco will be fine," I tell her.

"I know," Pansy says. She sighs, "He's such an idiot."

The tunnel rumbles and shakes, dust flying all over the place. People cry out at the movement, and Theo squeezes my hand tighter.

"I guess it's starting," He says.

- - - - -

After what seems like an hour of walking, we finally reach the end of the passageway. We're in the Hogs Head Inn, and there are students crowding throughout the place.

"Students, please listen!" Madam Pomfrey says.

Everyone goes silent and gives her their attention.

"All students who are able to apparate may leave. Go home and contact your parents, and please do not leave alone. Stick together," She explains. "As for the students unable to apparate, we will be in contact with your parents and get you home safely within the next hour or two."

I turn to my friends. "I have to find my brother first," I say. "You're all more than welcome to come and stay at my house for the time being."

"Count me in," Pansy says. "Mumsie and Daddy are probably trying to blow up Hogwarts right now anyway."

"Blaise and I will come. I just have to find Astoria first," Daphne says. She looks around the room for her sister. "I'll be right back."

Theo kisses me on the head. "Go find Matt."

I drop Theo's hand and give him a small smile. The Hogs Head Inn is filled with students. Some people are crying, others are frantically looking for their friends and siblings, and some people look completely unbothered by the fact that Hogwarts is currently being destroyed and people are being killed.

I walk past a group of crying first years and spot Matthew standing off to the side. He's with Sawyer, like usual, and they're talking quickly in quiet voices.

"Matt," I call.

He turns and looks at me, his face relaxing. "I was wondering where you were," He says.

"Come on, let's get out of here," I tell my brother. "Let's go home."

Matthew looks at Sawyer and they exchange a look. "Can Sawyer come?" He asks.

"I don't want to be alone," Sawyer says.

"Yeah, of course," I answer. "Come on, let's get out of here."

I led Matthew and Sawyer back to Theo and my friends. Daphne has returned with her younger sister, Astoria, and the two sisters are currently arguing about something.

"Apparently we can't apparate from the Hogs Head Inn," Pansy tells me. "We have to go outside to leave."

"Okay, let's go then," I say.

Blaise nudges Daphne's arm. "Come on, Daph, we're leaving," He says.

"Okay," She replies. Daphne turns to Astoria and gives her a stern look. "You can come with us or stay here alone for a few months until mum or dad comes and gets you."

"Fine," Astoria mumbles. She pushes past Daphne and goes to stand with Pansy.

The eight of us all push through the crowd and exit the Hogs Head Inn. It's completely dark outside and all of the lights in Hogsmeade are out, so the village is dark and empty. There are a few older students lingering about outside, getting ready to apparate home.

I watch as a group of Ravenclaw girls all apparate away at once.

"Okay, who's going with who?" Theo asks as we all stand outside the Hogs Head Inn.

"I'll take Astoria," Daphne says.

"I'll take Matthew," I tell Theo, "You take Sawyer. And we all meet at my house?"

Everyone mumbles in agreement. I pull my wand out and get ready to apparate when I hear a familiar crack.

I look up and see Tiberius Nott.

Two Hufflepuff boys who had been lingering around immediately apparate away, leaving the eight of us with Theo's father.

Theo stands still, staring at his father. Tiberius has blood dripping down his face and looks like he just took a hard beating.

"Theodore," Tiberius says, his voice stern.

"Father," Theo replies.

Tiberius tucks his wand into his robes and stands with his hands in his pockets. "I thought you might be here with the rest of the cowards," He says. "Why are you running away? Don't you want to do the family name some good? Draco came back when his father asked."

He takes a step toward Theo and I point my wand at him.

"Calm down, Alexandria," Tiberius laughs. He approaches Theo and claps him on the shoulder. "I wish I would've known that my son was going to run when it came down to it. You're a coward, Theodore, just like your mother was."

Theo flinches. All of our friends have their wands ready.

"My son, the coward," Tiberius sneers. He pulls his hand out of his pocket so quickly that I don't even register what is happening.

Tiberius thrusts a knife into Theo's abdomen and apparates away before any of us even realize that Theo just got stabbed.

"Oh my god, Theo," I rush to his side and grab him just as his knees give out. "Somebody, help me!"

Blaise and I help Theo to lie down on the cobblestone.

Theo looks down and touches his stomach, only for his hand to be coated in blood. He looks at me, his eyes bright. "Alex, you need to get the blade out. It's a family heirloom, the blade is cursed."

"Somebody, go get help!" Blaise yells.

"Theo," I mumble. My tears are hot against my cheeks.

A single tear rolls down Theo's face. "Please, Alex," He pleads. "It hurts so bad."

I grab the hilt of the blade and look away from Theo's face. I cleanly pull the knife out and Theo cries out in pain.

"It's okay, you're okay," I tell Theo. "Someone's going to come help."

Theo fumbles to grab my hand and holds it. "I love you," He says weakly.

"Hey, don't say that," I say. "Don't say goodbye, you're not dying."

Theo's eyes flutter shut. "I'm so tired," He mumbles.

"Theo, open your eyes," I say. I pat his face, and he opens his eyes briefly before closing them again. "Theo, stay with me, darling."

"Please just tell me you love me," Theo says.

I shake my head. "No, because you're not dying," I repeat.

Theo's grip on my hand loosens and his breathing is incredibly shallow.

"Theo, wake up!" I say. "Come on, love, wake up."