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Madam Pomfrey had finally released Esmie.

The relief washed over her as she left the hospital wing. Spending the night in Enzo's dorm had been the perfect comfort, though waking up before dawn and watching him sleep peacefully had stirred something deep inside her. His soft breathing, the way his hair fell across his forehead — it all made her heart swell with affection. She reached over and gently shook him.

"Mmm?" Enzo mumbled, his eyes half-open, drowsy and unfocused. Esmie smiled warmly at the sight.

"I'm sorry to wake you," she whispered, her voice light in the quiet room. "But we should probably get up and head down to breakfast."

Enzo blinked, nodding groggily as he rolled over to face her. "Yeah, alright," he muttered, his voice thick with sleep.

"I need to stop by my dorm to grab some robes," Esmie added, climbing out of bed and smoothing out her clothes. She leaned down and kissed his cheek softly, her lips barely grazing his skin. "I'll meet you in the Great Hall."

"See you soon, Mie," he murmured, still half-asleep. Esmie chuckled to herself, pulling the door quietly shut behind her as she left the Slytherin dormitory and hurried back to Gryffindor Tower.

The corridors were mostly empty, the early morning light streaming through the castle's tall windows as she walked briskly back to her dorm. When she entered, the familiar sight of her Gryffindor room greeted her, but what surprised her was seeing Hermione sitting on her bed, looking up from a book with relief evident on her face.

"Oh, thank Merlin you're alright!" Hermione exclaimed, rushing over to pull Esmie into a hug before she could say anything.

Esmie blinked, taken aback by the sudden embrace but quickly returning the gesture. "I'm okay, just a little sore," she said, smiling as Hermione let go.

Hermione took a step back, studying her for a moment. "I didn't think you'd be happy to see me," Esmie admitted with a slight frown.

"At first, I wasn't sure what to think," Hermione sighed, crossing her arms. "But I've been thinking a lot. Remember when you told Snape you wished he wasn't your biological father?"

Esmie bit her lip and nodded. "Yeah, I remember."

"There was so much anger in your voice. I realised you were hiding something ... probably trying to protect yourself, but I've known you long enough to know you're not great at lying." Hermione gave a small, knowing smile. "It made me think maybe you hadn't known the truth for long either. I'm sorry for the way I reacted. I should have asked how you were instead of ignoring you."

A rush of relief flowed through Esmie, and she smiled gratefully. "Does this mean we're still friends?"

Hermione's expression softened. "Of course we are. We're always going to be friends, Esmie."

With that settled, Esmie quickly grabbed her robes and got changed, her heart feeling lighter. When she returned, Hermione linked arms with her, and they headed toward the Great Hall together.

"So ... where exactly have you been sleeping?" Hermione asked with a sly grin as they made their way through the corridors.

Esmie's cheeks flushed. "What? I ... I've just been —"

"Oh, come on, Es. You didn't think I wouldn't notice your empty bed, did you?"

Esmie hesitated before admitting, "I've been staying with Enzo."

Hermione nudged her playfully. "Does that mean you finally told him you're in love with him?"

Esmie's face turned crimson. "Wait ... how did you —?"

Hermione laughed softly. "I've known for ages. I've seen the way you look at him. I'm honestly just surprised it took this long."

Esmie let out a nervous laugh, feeling the heat in her cheeks as they entered the Great Hall. She spotted Enzo already sitting with their usual group: Mattheo, Theo, Danielle, Pansy, and Elsie. She waved at him before being intercepted by a small group of Gryffindor first years.

"Esmie! We heard you were hurt!" Nova, the smallest of the group, piped up.

Esmie knelt so she was at their level, smiling kindly at the concerned faces. "I was, but I'm alright now."

The first years exchanged worried glances before Axel, a shy boy with messy brown hair, stepped forward, holding something behind his back. "We ... we wanted to get you something, but we didn't have any money, and we can't go to Hogsmeade, so we got you these flowers." He revealed a small bouquet of wildflowers, clumsily tied together with a bit of twine.

Esmie's heart melted. She reached out and pulled Axel into a gentle hug, soon joined by the rest of the first years who crowded around her. "Thank you," she said, her voice soft and full of gratitude. "That's so sweet of you."

After exchanging a few more words with the first years, Esmie finally made her way over to the Slytherin table, where her friends were waiting. She placed the flowers down beside her, glancing around at the amused looks on their faces.

"Were you just given flowers by a first year?" Pansy asked, her eyebrow raised in surprise.

Esmie grinned. "Yeah. I tutor them, and they heard I got hurt, so they wanted to cheer me up."

Danielle, who had been sitting quietly beside Mattheo, smiled softly. "That's sweet. They must care about you a lot."

Esmie nodded, warmth filling her chest. "They're great kids. I love working with them."

Theo leaned forward with a teasing smirk. "That boy — Axel, right? He hugged you a bit longer than the others. Someone has a crush."

Esmie laughed. "Axel? He's sweet, but yeah, I think he might have a little crush on me."

Enzo, who had been watching with an amused look, raised an eyebrow as Esmie started to eat her yogurt. "No pineapple today?"

Esmie gave him a mock innocent look. "I don't always have pineapple with my yogurt."

Enzo tilted his head, unconvinced. "Yes, you do. I've never seen you eat yogurt without pineapple in all the years I've known you."

Esmie's brows furrowed, but then she grinned, realising he was right. "Okay, maybe I do," she admitted, and the table burst into laughter.

Danielle, who had been quietly observing the exchange, leaned in closer to Esmie. "What's the plan for the day?"

"Classes and tutoring the first years later tonight. Probably going to be a long day," Esmie replied, glancing at the clock.

Danielle gave a small nod, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Just don't overdo it. You're still recovering."

Esmie smiled gratefully. "I'll try to take it easy."

The rest of breakfast passed with light banter, with Theo teasing Esmie about her tutoring admirers. By the time they finished, the group headed off to their classes, laughter echoing through the corridors as they went.

Despite the long day ahead, Esmie felt at ease, surrounded by the warmth and support of her friends. With Enzo by her side, and Danielle's quiet but ever-watchful presence, she knew she could handle whatever challenges the day might bring.

After a long, exhausting day of classes, Esmie and her friends finally gathered in the Great Hall for what felt like a much-needed break. The clatter of dishes and the murmur of students' conversations filled the air as they sat together, sharing the last meal of the day. Esmie absentmindedly pushed her food around on her plate, her thoughts already drifting to her evening plans. Despite how tired she was, she had committed to tutoring a group of first years who were struggling with their assignments, and she wasn't one to break a promise.

Enzo leaned closer, his shoulder brushing against hers as he looked at her with concern. "You sure you're up for it, Mie?" he asked softly, using the nickname that always made her smile.

"I'll be fine," Esmie replied, forcing a reassuring smile. "It's just an hour, and they really need the help."

He gave her a small, approving nod, but the worry didn't leave his eyes. "Alright, but don't overdo it, okay?"

"I won't," she promised. She squeezed his hand before standing up, her gaze drifting to the clock. It was nearly time for her tutoring session. "I'll see you later, Sweets," she added with a playful wink.

Enzo responded by standing up and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, his touch lingering for a moment before he let her go. Esmie waved goodbye to the rest of their friends — Danielle, Mattheo, Theo, and the others — who were already deep in conversation about tomorrow's lessons, and headed out of the Great Hall, making her way to the library.

The halls of Hogwarts were quieter now, the usual hustle and bustle fading as students retreated to their common rooms. Esmie's footsteps echoed faintly as she walked, her mind turning over the events of the day. NEWTs were creeping closer, and though she was confident in her abilities, the constant studying, combined with her responsibilities as a tutor, was starting to wear her down.

When she reached the library, the group of first years was already waiting, their faces bright with eagerness and nervousness. They looked so small, so young, and Esmie couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm despite her exhaustion.

"Alright, let's get started," she said, settling down at one of the long library tables. For the next hour, Esmie guided them through charms and potions, helping them with their assignments and explaining the more difficult concepts. They listened intently, their quills scratching away on parchment as they tried to keep up with her explanations.

By the time the session ended, Esmie was drained. She said goodbye to the first years, watching them leave the library with newfound confidence, and then leaned back in her chair with a sigh. The library was nearly empty now, just a few students lingering over their books. The silence felt comforting, but Esmie knew she needed to get some fresh air before heading back to the common room. The thought of being surrounded by her housemates, with their endless chatter, was too much right now.

Instead of returning to Gryffindor Tower, Esmie made her way up to the Astronomy Tower, her favourite place to escape when the world felt overwhelming. The castle was quiet as she ascended the spiral staircase, the only sound the distant wind rustling through the corridors. When she reached the top, she stepped out onto the open balcony and breathed in the cool, crisp night air.

The stars glittered overhead, scattered like diamonds against the velvety black sky. Esmie sighed softly, letting the tranquillity of the moment wash over her. She leaned against the stone railing, closing her eyes for a moment, trying to shake off the exhaustion that clung to her like a heavy weight.

She hadn't been sitting there long when she heard footsteps approaching. Startled, Esmie quickly ducked behind a nearby column, her heart racing. She wasn't supposed to be here, not at this hour, and the last thing she wanted was to get caught and end up with detention. As the footsteps drew closer, she held her breath, hoping whoever it was would leave.

But then she heard voices. Familiar voices.

"We need to get you to the hospital wing, sir. To Madam Pomfrey," came Harry's voice, filled with urgency.

Esmie cautiously peered around the column, her heart pounding in her chest. What was Harry doing up here so late? And who was he with? Her breath caught in her throat when she saw who he was supporting — Professor Dumbledore. The headmaster looked weak, his normally sharp eyes clouded with pain, his hand blackened and withered as if some terrible curse had ravaged it.

"No. Severus ... Severus is who I need ..." Dumbledore rasped, his voice barely above a whisper. "Go and wake him ... tell him what has happened ... speak to no one else ... Severus, please, Harry ..."

Esmie frowned in confusion, her mind racing. Why was Dumbledore asking for Snape? Something was wrong — very wrong.

Suddenly, the creak of the door echoed through the tower, and Esmie pressed herself further into the shadows, holding her breath. Dumbledore's voice cut through the silence again, his tone low and urgent.

"Hide yourself below, Harry. Don't speak or be seen by anyone without my permission. Whatever happens, it's imperative you stay hidden. Trust me."

Esmie's heart pounded in her ears as she watched Harry hesitate before disappearing. The silence that followed was suffocating, thick with tension. She didn't dare move, her body frozen with apprehension.

Moments later, the sound of footsteps echoed through the tower again — slower, more deliberate. Esmie's pulse quickened as she leaned forward slightly, her curiosity getting the better of her. She peered around the column and saw Draco climbing the stairs, his face pale and drawn, his wand held out in front of him.

"Good evening, Draco," Dumbledore's voice greeted him, calm and measured despite the situation. "What brings you here on this fine spring evening?"

Draco's eyes flickered nervously, darting around the tower as if searching for something — or someone. "Who else is here? I heard you talking."

"I often talk to myself," Dumbledore replied, his tone almost light-hearted. "I find it extraordinarily useful. Have you been whispering to yourself, Draco? You are no assassin."

Draco's face twisted with anger and desperation. "How do you know what I am? I've done things ... things that would shock you!"

"Like cursing Katie Bell? Like replacing a bottle of mead with poison? Forgive me, Draco, but your heart was never in it."

Esmie felt her stomach churn with dread as the truth crashed over her. Draco. It had been Draco all along. The cursed necklace, the poisoned mead ... he had been behind it. She had defended him, stood up for him, and now the truth was staring her in the face.

Tears welled in her eyes as she watched Draco's hand tremble. He looked so lost, so broken, and yet ... there was something darker lurking beneath the surface. As if to confirm her worst fears, Draco rolled up his sleeve, revealing the Dark Mark seared into his pale skin.

Esmie gasped, unable to stop herself from stumbling forward, her eyes wide with shock and betrayal. "You ... you have the Mark?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Draco's gaze snapped to hers, his eyes filled with guilt and regret. "Esmie ... please ... leave," he begged, his voice cracking.

"I shall make this easy for you," Dumbledore said softly, but Esmie wasn't listening. Her mind was spinning, her heart breaking as she stared at Draco.

"Expelliarmus!" Draco shouted; his wand aimed at Dumbledore. The headmaster's wand flew out of his hand, clattering to the ground.

"Very good," Dumbledore said quietly, his voice tinged with sadness. "You're not alone, are you, Draco?"

Draco hesitated, his hand shaking as he lowered his wand. "The Vanishing Cabinet ... in the Room of Requirement," he admitted, his eyes never leaving Esmie's. "I've been fixing it."

"Let me guess," Dumbledore said, his voice calm. "It has a twin. In Borgin and Burkes. Ingenious. Draco, years ago I knew a boy who made all the wrong choices. Please let me help you."

Draco's face contorted with pain and frustration. "I don't want your help!" he shouted, his voice breaking. "Don't you understand? I must do this! If I don't, he'll kill me!"

Tears streamed down Esmie's face as she stepped forward, placing herself between Draco and Dumbledore. "Then you'll have to kill me too," she whispered, her voice trembling.

"Esmie, no —" Draco's voice wavered, his eyes wide with fear.

"It's okay, Draco," Esmie said tearfully, meeting his gaze. She could see the torment in his eyes, the battle he was fighting within himself.

Before either of them could say another word, a sharp, mocking voice cut through the air.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Bellatrix Lestrange's voice rang out, filled with twisted delight as she sauntered into the tower. Her eyes gleamed with sadistic amusement as she took in the scene before her. "Well done, Draco."

Esmie's blood ran cold as Bellatrix approached, her wand drawn, her gaze flickering between Draco and Esmie with wicked amusement. "The death of a Mudblood will be an added bonus," she sneered, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "Do it, Draco. Kill them both."

Draco's hand shook violently as he raised his wand, his face pale and stricken with terror. Esmie stood frozen in place, her heart pounding in her chest as she braced herself for the worst.

Just as Draco seemed to lower his wand, a figure stepped forward from the shadows.

"Severus ... please," Dumbledore's voice was barely a whisper.

"Avada Kedavra!" Snape's voice rang out, and in an instant, a flash of green light erupted from his wand, missing Esmie by mere inches and striking Dumbledore squarely in the chest.

Esmie's scream was caught in her throat as she watched in horror, her hands covering her mouth as Dumbledore's body was flung from the tower. Time seemed to freeze as she collapsed to her knees, her sobs racking her body. The world around her blurred, the sound of her heartbeat deafening in her ears.

Draco hesitated for a moment before placing a trembling hand on her shoulder. Then, without a word, he turned and fled, disappearing down the stairs with the rest of the Death Eaters. None of them spared her a glance. She was nothing to them. Just another casualty in the unfolding war.

As soon as the tower was empty, Harry emerged from his hiding place, rushing to Esmie's side. His face was pale, his eyes wide with shock.

Esmie couldn't speak. She couldn't move. She just knelt there, staring into the darkness, her heart shattered beyond repair. The reality of what had just happened crashed down on her. Dumbledore was gone. Draco ... Draco had betrayed her. Everything she had thought she knew was unravelling, and she didn't know how to piece it back together.

"Esmie?" Harry's voice was gentle, almost tentative, as though he wasn't sure how to reach her. Esmie turned her tear-filled gaze towards him, her mind still reeling from the chaos that had just unfolded. She blinked, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she realised what had happened — Draco had left. He was gone, walking away with the Death Eaters, and choosing the path of darkness, and yet, deep down, she knew that wasn't who he truly was.

Despite the bitter sting of betrayal coursing through her, Esmie felt something else. She had seen the moment Draco had lowered his wand, the flicker of doubt and regret in his eyes. Bellatrix's arrival had forced his hand, but Esmie knew he had made a different choice in that brief instant. He didn't belong with them — not really. Her heart told her that Draco was making the wrong choice by leaving with the Death Eaters, and if she didn't stop him now, he would be lost forever.

Without another word, Esmie stood abruptly, the urgency of the moment propelling her forward. Her legs felt weak beneath her, but she moved with purpose, pushing past the exhaustion and heartache. She took off down the spiralling stairs of the Astronomy Tower, her footsteps pounding against the cold stone, echoing in the silence. The night air hit her like a shock when she burst out of the tower, but she didn't stop. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she could hear Harry behind her, calling her name, but her mind was singularly focused.

Draco. She had to reach him before it was too late.

As she ran across the darkened grounds of Hogwarts, the cold, biting wind stung her cheeks, but she barely noticed. She could see him now, a distant figure moving toward the gates with the group of Death Eaters, his head down, his shoulders slumped in defeat. Her chest tightened as she pushed herself faster, each step bringing her closer to him. The reality of the situation hit her like a tidal wave — if he left now, he might never come back.

"Draco, please — please don't go!" Esmie's voice broke through the night, trembling with desperation. She was breathless, her legs aching, but she pressed on. The words seemed to reach Draco because he stopped abruptly, turning slowly to face her. His pale face was illuminated by the flickering light of the torches lining the pathway, and even from a distance, she could see the pain and conflict etched into his features.

Her heart ached as she closed the gap between them. She ran the last few steps and, without hesitation, grabbed his hands, clutching them tightly. Her fingers trembled against his cold skin, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. "Please, Draco," she begged, her voice thick with emotion. "Don't leave. This isn't who you are. I know you. This isn't the choice you want to make."

Draco's grey eyes flickered with emotion, a war raging behind them as he stared down at her. His hands tightened around hers briefly, as if he were clinging to her for stability in a world that had become too chaotic to bear. "I have to go, Esmie," he whispered, his voice cracking under the weight of his words. "I don't have a choice."

Esmie shook her head, tears streaming freely down her cheeks now. Her entire body felt heavy with sorrow, but she refused to let go of him. "You do have a choice," she insisted, her voice trembling. "You always have a choice, Draco. You don't have to do this."

Draco's face twisted in agony, and for a moment, he looked like the lost, broken boy she had known for so long. He lowered his head, his shoulders sagging as if the weight of the world had finally crushed him. "I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice barely audible. He took a shaky breath before continuing, his eyes filled with regret. "But there's something I need you to know before I go."

Esmie's breath caught in her throat, her heart racing as she looked up at him. There was a finality in his tone that terrified her, as if he were saying goodbye not just to her, but to everything that had tied him to this life.

"I love you," Draco whispered, his voice raw and full of emotion. "I've always loved you."

The words seemed to echo in the stillness of the night, and for a moment, the world around Esmie stopped. She stared up at Draco, her heart pounding in her chest as she processed what he had just said. His confession left her breathless, and tears welled up in her eyes again, but this time for a different reason. She could feel the depth of his feelings in the way he looked at her, in the way his voice trembled with every word.

But even as her heart ached for him, Esmie knew something that broke her in a different way. She didn't love him — not in the way he loved her. Her heart was tied to Enzo, and though she cared deeply for Draco, she couldn't return the kind of love he deserved. Her hands slipped from his as she took a small step back, her voice cracking with sorrow.

"I'm ... I'm so sorry, Draco," she whispered. She looked down at the ground, unable to meet his eyes, as tears fell freely down her cheeks. "I care about you. I do love you ... but not in the way you love me."

Draco's face fell, the hope in his eyes extinguished in an instant. He took a step back, his hands dropping to his sides as if he no longer knew what to do with them. The walls he had worked so hard to keep up for years crumbled, and for a moment, he looked utterly defeated. "You don't love me," he said, his voice hollow and emotionless, as though he were trying to numb himself to the pain.

Esmie shook her head, her heart shattering at the sight of him in so much pain. "I do love you, Draco," she said softly. "But not in the way you need me to."

Draco's expression hardened, his eyes turning cold as he slowly backed away from her. The vulnerability that had been there moments ago vanished, replaced by the mask he had worn for so long. "Then I have no reason to stay," he said, his voice sharp, cutting through the night like a blade. He turned away from her, his posture rigid as he took several steps back toward the Death Eaters.

"Draco, please!" Esmie called out, her voice rising in desperation. She took a step forward, her hands trembling as she reached out to him. "Don't leave like this. Don't go with them."

But Draco didn't stop. He didn't look back. He kept walking, his figure fading into the darkness as he rejoined the ranks of Death Eaters waiting for him at the gates. Bellatrix's cruel laughter echoed in the distance, and Esmie's heart sank even further as she realised that there was nothing more she could do.

Her legs felt weak beneath her, and her breath came in ragged gasps as she tried to hold herself together. The boy she had known was slipping away, and the helplessness of it all was suffocating.

"Snape!" Harry's voice broke through the stillness, filled with rage and disbelief. Esmie turned, her heart pounding in her chest as she saw Harry sprinting toward Snape, his wand drawn. "He trusted you!" Harry shouted, his voice cracking with fury.

Snape stood a few feet away, his face unreadable, cold as ice. Harry's fury boiled over as he pointed his wand at Snape, his hand shaking with anger. "Incarcerous!" he cried, sending ropes shooting toward Snape, but Snape easily deflected the spell with a flick of his wand.

Draco was already disappearing into the distance, lost to the darkness, and Esmie felt a fresh wave of despair wash over her. Bellatrix's wild laughter echoed from somewhere nearby, and Esmie's heart dropped when she saw flames erupting from Hagrid's hut, the fire roaring to life in a blaze of orange and red.

"Draco — no!" Esmie screamed, her voice hoarse with panic as the flames grew higher, licking at the wooden beams. Her hands shook violently as she took a step forward, but before she could do anything, Bellatrix turned her wand on Harry and blasted him off his feet.

"Harry!" Esmie cried, sprinting toward him as he hit the ground hard. She dropped to her knees beside him, her hands trembling as she gently helped him sit up. His face was pale, and his glasses were askew, but he was still conscious.

"No! He belongs to the Dark Lord now," Snape said, his voice as cold as ever as he looked down at Harry. Esmie's blood boiled, her heart pounding in her chest as she glared at Snape. She couldn't understand how he could be so detached, so cold, after everything that had just happened.

"Sectumsempra!" Harry shouted, his voice shaking with fury as he cast the spell at Snape, but Snape deflected it with ease, his movements quick and calculated. Harry fell to the ground again, groaning in pain, and Esmie rushed to his side once more, her heart aching for him.

"You dare use my own spells against me, Potter?" Snape hissed, his eyes flashing with anger. His voice was laced with cold fury as he loomed over them. "Yes, I am the Half-Blood Prince."

The revelation hit Esmie like a punch to the gut. She stared up at Snape, her mind reeling with the implications of what he had just said. How could this man be responsible for so much pain?

"I hate you," Esmie spat, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and sorrow. Tears streamed down her face as she glared at him. "I wish you weren't my father."

Snape didn't even flinch. He didn't turn to acknowledge her, didn't say a word. He simply walked away, his black robes billowing behind him as he disappeared into the night with the rest of the Death Eaters.

Tears blurred Esmie's vision as she turned back to Harry, her heart breaking into pieces. She knelt beside him, her hands shaking as she helped him sit up. "Harry," she whispered, her voice barely steady. "You're going to be okay."

Harry looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and regret. "I'm sorry, Esmie," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "For everything. For doubting you, for hurting you."

Esmie swallowed hard, blinking back her tears as she nodded. "I know, Harry," she whispered. "I know you didn't mean to."

For a long moment, they sat in silence. The world around them felt too heavy, too broken, and Esmie could barely breathe beneath the suffocating grief that gripped her heart.

"Come on," Esmie said quietly, finally breaking the silence. "We should ... we should go back to the castle."

Harry nodded, his eyes still glazed with grief, and together they slowly made their way back across the grounds. The night was quiet now, eerily so, as if the very air had been drained of life. As they approached the courtyard, the sight that awaited them made Esmie's breath catch in her throat.

A crowd of students and professors had gathered, their faces pale and tear streaked. They stood in hushed groups, whispering among themselves, their wands held aloft in silent tribute, and there, lying in the centre of the courtyard, was Dumbledore's lifeless body.

Esmie's legs wobbled beneath her, and her breath came in ragged gasps as she stared at the fallen headmaster. She felt like the ground had been ripped out from under her, like everything she had known was crumbling before her eyes.

Before she could collapse from her grief, strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her close. Enzo's embrace was warm, his arms wrapping around her like a protective shield. He didn't know what she had seen, what she had endured, but he could feel the depth of her pain, and that was enough for him to hold her tighter.

Esmie buried her face in his chest, her sobs muffled against his robes as the reality of it all finally hit her. Dumbledore was gone. Draco was gone. Everything she had known, everything that had once seemed so certain, had changed in the blink of an eye, and nothing would ever be the same again.

As Esmie clung to Enzo, her heart breaking in a way she had never thought possible, she glanced over at Harry. He had reached Dumbledore's side, kneeling beside the headmaster's still form with a look of utter devastation on his face. Maddison joined him, wrapping her arms around him in comfort, and slowly, one by one, the students and professors raised their wands into the air, casting a soft, glowing light over the courtyard.

Esmie watched the flickering light with tear-filled eyes, her chest aching with a grief so profound it felt like it would swallow her whole. She didn't know what was going to happen next, but one thing was clear — nothing at Hogwarts would ever be the same again.

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Writing this chapter had me in tears.

Enjoy! Xo

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