CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE:
( the battle of hogwarts, pt ii )

▂✫⌒*･ﾟ

YOU EVER WONDERED HOW it feels like to be dead? What happens to life after you die? Does your soul get reincarnated? Do you pass the threshold that leads you into your dream-like style or perhaps it is just darkness? Once upon a time, Spencer Montague claimed that death impacts the loved ones more than the victim themselves. Technically, she still sees that as true because no matter what happens after death— people in the world still have to continue on their own and their loved one becomes a simple memory. Death is a question no one can answer for what is life after death? Any other time, Spencer would laugh off the question and explain that she does not linger in those types of questions. That they cannot be answered so what is the point in wondering that all the time, right? And yet, Spencer can see a white light ahead of her and she wonders— is that truly how people see it? The white path to welcome Death in? She never wanted to die; she just wanted her friends to get out of this alive and if that meant she goes then yes, but she does not want to die. Fortunately, for Spencer, Death is not knocking at her door. Surprisingly, not yet.

Spencer feels the whole room collapse as she is thrown back past the walls, flying through the air with the rocks pouring around her and taken right outside. The world around her resolves onto a pile of pain and semidarkness, her body sprawled among the ruined walls in the damp and cold air. She whimpers in complete torment, her hands trying to get a grip of the ground as if that will somehow help her. Her head is swaying to the left and right— she cannot hear anything except a high pitch sound that makes her believe someone is scraping the ground with a sword. She does not know how long she has been leaning against the wall, but it feels like it has been ages. Slowly, she raises up her hand and lets her finger touch the side of her head. Despite her eyes fluttering open and close, she can see the thick red substance on her fingers.

Her clothes (no longer wearing the cloak from earlier) are scattered in grey from the walls that were destroyed. She can see lights of red and green flashing everyone around her. Spencer stares blankly at the ruins in front of her. Hogwarts no longer looks like the place she used to call home. Every part of it is getting tainted with blood— she can see dead bodies lying around, some with hooded figures, others the uniforms of her classmates. The battle is still continuing and it is that realization that makes her start to get up. She gets on her knees, searching for her wand and only sighs in relief when she spots it a few feet from her.

Spencer stumbles through her path of destruction, lighting up her wand with a simple spell and rummaging through what used to be the room she was in. Her eyes fall onto her brother's body that is lying where he was last left on. Fear ripples through her mind before she forgets that she is injured herself and she struggles to reach his side. Her knees fall down to the floor beside him, and she turns him around unprepared for what to expect.

Surprise shimmers in her eyes when she notices that he is completely harmless. He is not covered in grey, nor is he bleeding any more than he had been. Even Mordra, who now lays completely limp and cold, does not have any mark of dust around her. Whatever happened between her and Morgana happened just between them— except, where is she? Spencer presses her wand at Daniel, murmuring a revival spell and gulps in comfort when she sees him stirring. Her hand touches her cheeks and she feels them slightly wet indicating that she had been crying.

Her eyes travel upon the scenery in front of her. There is nothing but pure death surrounding every part of Hogwarts. It is horrible how a place that can look so beautiful has now been destroyed. Spencer turns to the side where she spots countless people shouting spells at each other; her head wavers unfocused and she stumbles a bit forward. She shakes her head to gain some sort of aspect around her surroundings and begins to walk further to the room— where Morgana may have been thrown off.

She does not know how long she has been walking for, but little-by-little, Spencer can hear someone coughing and gasping in pain. Despite everything, worry fills up in her chest and she starts speeding toward the noise. She stumbles through the gigantic stones, the vases that had bright flowers which are now crumbled and grey. Her feet immediately freeze when she spots her sister lying on the ground— and unlike her reaction upon seeing her aunt dying, Spencer widens her eyes in sorrow. She forces herself to continue her way through the destruction and then her knees falls right beside Morgana the moment she arrives.

Her sister is still alive, shifting her head from one side to the other as if trying to get herself awake. Blood is coughing out of her mouth and she has a sharp stone embedded through her stomach. Spencer parts her lips, feeling her dry throat trying to choke herself up and a sudden dread stirs in her stomach. Tears gather in her eyes again and she shakes her head desperately. She never wanted her to actually...

"No, no," Spencer mumbles repeatedly, placing her hand onto her sister's wound as if that will stop the bleeding. Morgana turns her head into her direction, and she does nothing but stare, pain evident in her eyes. Spencer tries to stop herself from crying, but when she stares at Morgana, she cannot help but let them out knowing that if she does not, her head will ache even more than it already is.

Blood is filling up on her hands and Spencer only sobs harder. "Why couldn't we be a family?" She cries out, keeping one hand on the bigger wound while the other parts Morgana's hair to the side. By now, Morgana is still whimpering in agony, her eyes watering ever the slightest. "I just wanted us to be close, 'Gana," Spencer hiccups, her cries becoming louder.

Her hands fidget around trying to find something to put over her sister's injuries and possibly help her. Except there is nothing, and Spencer knows deep inside that even magic will not be able to help her. She is not Blaise or Madam Pomfrey— she did not study healing like they do. Spencer feels absolutely useless with that great mind of hers. Tears stream down her face and at this moment, she does not care about all the suffering Morgana has given her through the years. Doesn't the universe understand? She still loved her sister even though she was supposed to hate her! Spencer feels like she is four years old again, to the time where she looked up to Morgana and only ever wanted her love. A sob escapes her mouth and the memories of them being together passes through her mind like a muggle film on a screen.

Spencer grasps onto Morgana's hand, blood covering both of theirs completely. At that point, she does not know if hers is in the mix as well. "I'm so sorry," Spencer whimpers, and Morgana stares at her in complete lost. All of the regrets she used to think about resurfaces at that moment. "I-I should have tried harder," the young girl cries, her face scrunch up in despair. She stares away from her as if that will help her stop crying.

"I love you," Spencer sobs, and for some time it feels like upon the whole world, only the two of them exist. "I know I shouldn't because of what you did to me, but I can't hate you, Morgana," she shakes her head repeatedly, and it is like she wants to spill all of her secrets.

Morgana begins to splutter blood even more and then she wheezes for a few seconds, oxygen being harder to enter into her nose and chest. Within all her struggle, Spencer leans in as she hears Morgana trying to say something.

"S-Spencer," Morgana barely manages to say. Noticing that it is only making her suffer, Spencer quietly soothes her. She is not sure what her sister is trying to say. Whatever it is, it is too late. Talking will only hurry the process of her pain.

And for possibly the last time, Spencer gazes right into her sister's eyes. She does not see them dark and filled with hatred, but she sees the lightest shade of brown staring right back at her— defeated and assured. Her eyes stay on Spencer's hazel ones, and the young girl only sobs harder when she notices a tear fall from her sister's eyes. The first and the very last.

Spencer keeps her eyes on her, and she forces herself to continue doing so even when she feels a light squeeze on her hand holding Morgana's. And then slowly, the life in Morgana's eyes starts withering away and by the time Spencer lays her head on her chest... Morgana Montague is dead. Spencer wails in distraught and shakes her head desperately, shaking her sister's body as if that will somehow get her to wake up.

"I'm sorry," Spencer repeats over and over again. "I'm sorry it had to end this way," she continues, ignoring the fact that her sister is no longer alive. The young Montague buries her head on her chest and for what feels like the first time, it is like she is giving her a hug. Her lips quiver while she forces herself to stop sobbing. It appears that she had been right... they ended their story the same way they started; together, but completely apart.

Spencer does not know for how long she has been beside her sister for. What she does know, however, is the fact that her brother has officially awake from his slumber and that he is standing behind her. His hand in placed on her shoulder, but she does not look up to him. She hears his small shaky breath escape him at the sight of Morgana lying dead on the floor. He stares at it for some time, before he begins to help Spencer up to her feet.

She shakes her head and her arms goes to reach Morgana. "No, please don't," Spencer denies, wanting to just stay beside the body until everything is over.

Daniel forces her up to the point where he is gripping his hands onto her arm and making her look at him. He has a solemn look on his face, and it only turns kinder upon noticing her distress. Immediately, he brings her in close to him and wraps her in a hug. Spencer only cries silently under his chest and lets herself get comforted.

She wanted to stay on his arms forever, but as she rests her cries and listens to more shouts of despair being heard upon Hogwarts, Spencer knew it was not time for her to wallow in grief. Her eyes close and she takes a few deep breaths, trying to find that flicker of adrenaline back in her body, reminding herself that there are people that she loves still within the battles. She takes a step back from his hold and clutches tightly onto her own wand; her eyes burning with rage and unleashed power.

"Spencer, maybe you should go to the Room of Require—" Daniel tries telling her, but she shakes her head immediately. Her hands tries to go up to rub her eyes before remembering that blood is painted all over. Daniel sighs defeatedly knowing she would not be forced to do as he recommends and taps his wand over her bloodied hands. The thick substance vanishes from view, and she finally allows herself to rub her eyes free of tears before staring out onto the open. She lets her eyes wander around straight ahead before telling her brother firmly, "We do this together."

Daniel glances at her noticing the firmness in her position and expression and then nods sharply. "Together," he agrees, turning back onto the battles ahead of them.

And two siblings raise up their wands before they start barging into the battleground, aiming their spells to those almost down on the ground and any enemy on sight. Spencer feels her hair fly amongst the wind while the adrenaline controls her body in a way she did not deem as possible. The Death Eaters notices their upbringing and starts shouting spells their way; Daniel and Spencer fight back-to-back protecting each other from the sides while they work in rhythm.

Unfortunately, as much as the Montague siblings are a great team, they are also not invulnerable and soon become surrounded by ten others. Spencer grunts when she realizes her movements have become faster of defending and attacking and shouts, "We're fucked!"

"We're doing this together, aren't we?" Daniel reassures confidently. Spencer lets herself laugh despite everything going on. She nods along to his statement before barely dodging a jet of green light. The young girl swallows deeply before she notices red sparks heading toward the Death Eater's way from up the sky. She glances up and notices a few people on Quidditch broomsticks letting out greater spells. When the numbers of Death Eaters have gone down, two of the figures starts lowering down and Spencer raises her hand up just in time for one of them to grasp it and pull her up behind them.

Spencer takes a small glimpse at her savior and grins when she realizes it is the infamous former Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, Oliver Wood. "Thanks!" She yells in appreciation and he starts lowering down to drop her off where her brother has now been taken.

"Anytime, little Montague!" Oliver winks at her in spirit before returning back to the air as soon as her feet land onto the ground. She sees him head toward the forests where she was sure werewolves on Voldemort's side appeared from (and she figures that perhaps Amarantha Hale is finally getting her revenge on Fenrir Greyback). Spencer reunites with Daniel and grabs his hand immediately to not lose sight of him. She is no longer away from the battle like she had previously been, but now right in the middle of it. Spells are shot left and right making her extra careful to dodge in the right way. At any chance she gets, she stuns any Death Eater available for her to shoot right. She even gives a sharp nod toward Pansy and Daphne who had been struggling trying to fight the hooded figures against them (at least until she stunned them). From the corner of her eye, she can spot the familiar figures of past Slytherin members who graduated not too long ago; Adrian Pucey, Terence and Beckham Higgs, and another male who shares similar qualities to Amara. Despite what is occurring, Spencer could not help but wonder where Fallon Waters may be.

Sweat starts dripping from face and she can feel the taste of iron on her lips, but she ignores it. Daniel lets go of his hold on her hand and immediately runs off elsewhere. Spencer snaps her head toward him before realizing he had gone over to help Remus who seems to be almost down onto his knees while his duel with Dolohov. Her eyes narrow in suspicion as she notices a light pink haired woman running toward Remus with her wand pointed against another Death Eater with her hair spazzed out. For a moment, she imagines it to be her aunt, but then she remembers that she is dead. Bellatrix, then, Spencer notes to herself.

In anger, Spencer sprints her way toward the pink-haired woman. She notices Bellatrix shoot a jet of green light toward Tonks, and remembering that not only is Tonks her friend, but that she has a son back at home, Spencer throws herself toward Tonks. The two of them grunt in pain as they land onto the ground and Tonks gasps in surprise. Spencer stands up immediately and points her wand at Bellatrix, Expulso! The Death Eater is thrown back with the explosion and falls unconscious. The young Montague holds out her hand toward Tonks who gives her half a grin.

"Brilliant," Tonks murmurs in gratitude, tilting her head to the side and sighing in relief when she notices that Dolohov is now laying dead on the floor. Remus is patting Daniel's back as a thanks and smiles toward the two women.

Spencer sends her a look. "You think I'm going to let Teddy live without his mother?" She questions with a scoff and stuns another hooded figure by the side. "That's not happening under my watch— Protego! Have you seen Harry? Or Blaise— never mind, you don't know him... Ricky?"

Tonks shakes her head in denial. "Haven't seen any of them yet! Dueling Bellatrix has been difficult," Tonks yells in response, casting another spell toward other Death Eaters. Spencer clenches her jaw in worry before her eyes widen in disbelief when she spots over a hundred Dementors approaching the school. The young girl starts to back away along until she bumps right onto Remus. She glances briefly to see him and Tonks hug in relief (the two of them were about to die!) and beside them is her brother staring up at the Dementors in exhaustion.

Spencer shares a look with the three of them before she shrugs her shoulder and points her wand onto the air, thinking of the moments where she has felt the happiest, "Expecto Patronum!" Her Tonkinese cat swirls out of her tip and beside it appears a silverly owl, the shapes of wolves— more people start joining in onto their protection barrier and the dementors back further away instead.

The ground trembles with a strong awakening of a giant roaring among the ground, but Spencer keeps her head up. She looks up to the sky and dearly hoping that the rest of her friends are okay.

.･:*:･ﾟ'✫,'✫'ﾟ･:*:･˙

THEODORE NEVER EXPECTED THAT he would actually get away from the misery of his father. As a kid, he adored his mother endlessly. He was her escape and access to a childhood when all his father ever taught him— or tried to at least, was to be superior among others and respect his purity. Theodore had been troubled when he was a child for his mother wanted him to be kind to all while his father would tell him that muggles, muggleborns, and bloodtraitors has their blood tainted and for that they are inferior. For the longest time, Theodore never thought Lord Voldemort was the most 'darkest' wizard to exist and he thought that title belonged to his father; a wicked man who never cared for his son nor for his wife.

At every chance he could get, however, he always tried to be the son his father wanted to form. When he entered Hogwarts, he realized how lonely that made him. He never enjoyed school because every one of his peers would make some friends and Theodore was left to watch. He tried hanging around Draco Malfoy and his two followers, but they only ever spoke bad about others— specifically, Harry Potter. Hell, even in his first-year he tried befriending (or making himself acquaintances) with Blaise Zabini, but the taller boy only rolled his eyes and had punched him in the face when Theodore asked if the rumors of his mother were true. Many people forgot about that happening because Blaise did it again to Zacharias Smith. Still, Theodore remembered, and he was sure Blaise did as well.

It was safe to say that was where their mutual dislike started between each other.

And so, he simply gave up trying to make friends and instead took it in his heart to become a Slytherin with awfully good charms. Of course, he did not start making out with girls until his fourth-year, but he would give them his charming smile and just closed himself off. When he approached Spencer on his fifth-year, he did not think she would have a liking to him because truthfully, she slightly intimidated him. The way she spoke with such knowledge and confidence; how her voice easily would sound like she knew what she was talking about (and actually knowing!) or sometimes even sounding as if she is bored out of her mind if you don't say something slightly smart. So, yeah, Theodore did fear her a bit, but then he went up to her with his charm and she looked at him (the same way he suspected she would) suspiciously before actually letting him stay?

No one really liked Slytherins and he somehow figured that she would not either because of her sister, but she let him stay! And then afterwards, he could not escape her and truthfully, he did not want to because she made him feel like someone cared. Admittedly, he was unsure of to continue his friendship with her considering her best friend is a muggleborn, but then Ricky Adams turned out to be one of the most amazing person he has come to meet.

That is how it happened. Without them, Theodore fears he would have lasted even longer as a Death Eater, or perhaps dead for not having a reason to live. Spencer Montague became his first real friend and Ricky Adams is the boy he has come to adore. And it is because of them that finally gave him the courage to go against his father at the end of his sixth-year and join in on Harry Potter's side of the war.

It is that what causes him to be right next to his boyfriend with his father right ahead of them. After making Blaise continue off with the infamous 'golden trio' as Ricky refers to them (though, Theodore thinks it now includes him and Spencer), Theodore ran off straight to the familiar hooded figure with his wand raised up. He did not want Ricky to join him, but he knew it was no use trying to get him out (one time he tried doing that to Spencer and she ended up in an even worse position so...).

"A disgrace is what you are, Theodore," his father hisses in anger, his own wand raised against him. Rage fills his eyes when he glances at the boy beside him. Theodore glares at his father and forces him to stare right at him.

"Maybe," Theodore agrees, "but at least I'm ten times the man you'll ever be, father."

The older Nott casts a spell toward Ricky, but the muggleborn blocks it completely with ease. He raises his eyebrows unamused noticing how the man had underestimated him— big mistake when dealing with a smart Ravenclaw. Theodore starts shooting spells at his father, going in closer by the chance he gets to try and get the upper hand. Noticing what his son is doing, he stops trying to aim it at him and then shoots a spell toward Ricky.

Being caught off guard, Ricky is thrown back against a wall and smacks his head right on it. Theodore widens his eyes in worry before jumping to dodge the spell his father continues sending. He stumbles back, his hand trembling in fear not knowing if Ricky is alright or not. He can hear him groaning, but is he okay?

"Expelliarmus!" His wand is taken out of his grip and Theodore cowers with horror, the only thought being that he was going to die. "Your mother would have been disappointed in you," Nott Senior announces coldly, and he points his wand straight at his own son with the pronunciation of the Killing Curse.

"Avada Kedavra!" Theodore flinches and gets ready to be hit with the spell before realizing that it never arrived. He slowly stands up from his spot before noticing his father had fallen straight to the ground completely limp. Theodore widens his eyes and slowly starts approaching him. Before he can bend down to check on him, he sees the figure that initially casted the spell and his eyes soften.

"Mrs. Zabini," he greets with the obvious tone of surprise.

The beautiful woman gazes down at his handsome dead father before she scoffs. Esmeralda elegantly steps over Theodore Senior and continues walking forward where Ricky is leaning against the wall with his head almost cracked open from the impact. Theodore gulps nervously and bends down beside him in worry.

"Are you okay?" He questions immediately, barely noticing that he is crying.

Ricky opens his eyes and gives him a lazy smirk. "Apart from the big headache," he starts off jokingly, "I'm quite splendid." Theodore smiles at him warmly while Mrs. Zabini murmurs some spells to heal Ricky up effectively enough. The Ravenclaw male glances at the woman in awe. "Ma'am, you are incredibly beautiful and powerful," he compliments.

Mrs. Zabini gives a smile that is charming and accepted. "Thank you, Ricky. I'd suggest we start getting ready once more. This war is still striking ever so strongly," she warns quietly, looking past her shoulder and frowning when she spots hundreds of kids fighting. In order to lighten the mood, she adds in, "Nott was never one of my husbands, but we should spread that rumor around to let them fear me, understood? I see Theodore here as my child already."

Theodore turns the slightest of red at her words and smiles at her in acceptance. "I think that would be cool," he murmurs in agreement. He helps Ricky up onto a standing position and places the boy's arms around him. Together, all three of them, continue their path off with Theodore's former misery dead on the floor.

They make their ways toward the lower grounds where hundreds of Dementors are flying overhead of them and countless of Patronuses have been showing up. Theodore widens his eyes in surprise having no ability to conjure one. At this moment, Ricky places himself in front of Theodore and Mrs. Zabini and casts his own. A beautiful small mockingbird comes out of his wand, but despite its size, the bird still soars toward the Dementors with its bright light and brings them back.

Ricky glances around when he spots a silvery glowing Tonkinese cat and then spots Spencer beside Daniel and Tonks with her own wand raised as well. The Ravenclaw boy hangs onto Theodore when he feels the school tremble and spots a giant growling around the area completely destroying anything on sight. He frowns when he realizes that the giants are closer to his best friend, and he shoots a Shield Charm toward her and her companions. As soon as that is done, all of the ones in the way begin to run away from the giant and start heading for cover.

.･:*:･ﾟ'✫,'✫'ﾟ･:*:･˙

SPENCER GRABS A RANDOM Slytherin student out of the way when she spots that that young girl froze in shock upon noticing the giant. It does not take her long to notice that it is Astoria Greengrass (she must have somehow snuck away from the younger students to join her sister) and the beautiful girl lets herself get taken away. She gives a shaky smile toward Spencer before running with her instead of being pulled. Thankfully, someone had risen up a Shield Charm, and when she hears the familiar yell of her best friend, Spencer immediately figures out who had done it.

The young Montague spots Professor Flitwick trying to run out of the way as well, but his small figure cowers among others. Her eyes widen in alert and she feels her chest weigh over before noticing Daniel sweep the elder man onto his arms and her brother runs faster and Flitwick had been doing. Spencer grasps Astoria's hand before she finally reaches to the safety side of her Ricky, Theodore, and Blaise's mother.

Spencer notices Ricky's eyes widen in alert at her appearance, though, she pays him no attention as she notices five Death Eaters surrounding Professor McGonagall. Reminding her to the time where four stunning spells had been cast to her favorite female professor, Spencer points her wand right at them and yells out the Arrow-shooting Spell— about five of them escape from her wand and they shoot right through the Death Eaters' dominant hand. Professor McGonagall glances up impressively, gives her a thankful nod and then powers over the five of them.

"I should remember that spell," Esmeralda murmurs in awe before casting more jets of red light toward hooded figures running their way.

Spencer releases one more expulsion before all of Hogwarts completely stops. She grips her wand in anger when she feels the damp air returning to their stationary. Absolutely no one continued on their duels and they were left staring up onto the dark sky. She feels her throat cry out for a drop of water, but she ignores it as she hears Voldemort's voice reverberate from the walls and floor. Spencer glances at Ricky and notices his worried expression as well as they realized one thing; where the hell is Harry Potter?

"You have fought," utters the high, cold voice, "valiantly. Lord Voldemort knows how to value bravery." The disgusting and vile wizard is coursing through the veins of Spencer's system. She shudders with revulsion and forces herself to listen. "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."

Spencer scoffs at his words and glances down at her bloodied clothes. They have lost people, yes, but he acts as if he has not. "Lord Voldemort is merciful. I command my forces to retreat immediately. You have one hour. Dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured," Voldemort commands coldly. Despite every hate in her body for that wizard, she cannot help but notice that is actually somewhat kind. However, he is doing it for his own vile reasons. "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."

She frowns at the offer and looks around the room to try and spot her messy-haired friend. Unfortunately, she does not see him nor Ron, Hermione, and Blaise. After Voldemort finishes with his threat, all the Death Eaters simply glared at the residents before they begin to vanish from view. Hogwarts has become silent. Spencer turns to Astoria and gives her a short smile when she spots Daphne Greengrass wrapping Pansy in a hug. The Ravenclaw pulls the Slytherin and starts taking her toward the other two.

"Greengrass," Spencer calls out hoarsely. Daphne turns around and immediately widens her eyes in surprise when she spots her sister beside her. She lets go of Pansy and wraps Astoria in a loving hug— Spencer feels a tinge of pain in her heart remembering about her own sister. Dead sister. Why could they have not been like that?

"Tori! You were supposed to be gone," Daphne cries out in worry, pressing lovable kisses in the younger girl's cheek.

Astoria wraps her arms around her sister. "I didn't want to leave you. I'm sorry," she answers quietly. Daphne simply hugs her even tighter and glances at Spencer. "Thank you," the older Greengrass mouths and Spencer gives her a firm nod.

"Have you seen Blaise?" Spencer directs her question toward Pansy. The Slytherin shakes her head in disagreement. Spencer frowns and jumps when she feels a warm touch on her shoulder. She turns to see Theodore and Ricky beside her with a concern look on their eyes.

Ricky lets his eyes wander across her body. "Spencer, maybe you should get checked out," he murmurs in worry.

Spencer gazes down at herself before she shakes her head repeatedly as she remembers something. Her hands begin to tremble but she does not let herself try to feel the pain. She cannot allow herself to do it or she will break down and never get up and she has to! Just because Voldemort has given them time, that does not mean this is over. No... not yet.

"Spencer...?" Ricky gently calls out to her and she forces herself to gaze at him with her watery eyes. He is dirt-filled, blood drops from his cheek and the back of his head, but other than that he is alright which relieves her greatly. Theodore is even better and only has minimum damage— they are right. She looks like complete hell and as if someone had ran her over thirty times. She is soaked in her sister's blood and with the cold reminder of all that barely happened.

"I-I need to..." Spencer begins heading back to where she battled her own relatives. Ricky and Theodore follow her along trying to gain her attention, but she does not stop. She remembers her sister killing the young boy and his body falling onto the ground. He did not deserve to die. Not him— he was innocent... completely harmless. There are so many dead figures on the floor. She notices as she tries making her way back. Countless of people have died so far and that makes her sick to her stomach. She does not know how long it takes, but the finally reaches the destroyed walls from where she fought Morgana.

Her eyes fall to the petite body of the Gryffindor boy and she drops to her knees beside him. Spencer swallows back her tears and parts his hair to the side— she does not know him. Not a name, nothing. Ricky heads beside her and freezes when he notices the small figure. He was not suppose to be here. He should have left Hogwarts if it were not for... Spencer heads to lift up his figure before Ricky places his hand on her shoulder and motions that he will carry the body. Spencer is about to object before she hears Theodore from where her sister last laid.

"Morgana is..." Theodore trails off until he notices the pained expression on her face. He gives her a slight broken smile before he bends down.

"No," Spencer forces out of her lips. She makes herself not go cling onto her body like before and despite how weak she feels— she also cannot just leave her sister's body there. She was horrible in every way possible, but she was her sister... Upon casting the light-weight spell onto the dead body, she placed her sister on her arms and lifts her up. Spencer would have suspected for this to feel like a victory. After years of torment, both her aunt and sister are dead. She should be happy they are gone. That Morgana and Mordra can no longer hurt others. Spencer wants to feel that— and she does for her aunt, but Morgana?

As Spencer carried Morgana on her arms, she spots her aunt's body completely suffocated and bruised up by the spell Daniel casted on her. She does not make her friends pick her up and instead leaves her to rot or be taken care of my someone else. Was it cruel of her to do so? Possibly, but it was Mordra Montague that did not allow Morgana to try and gain the help she needs— and maybe without their aunt or parents, Spencer could have succeeded in trying to prove her sister that despite lacking empathy, she could have still been saved.

Numerous bodies are laid on the Great Hall. Spencer feels her heart break at how many people she recognizes whether she has talked to them or have seen them around. Cormac McLaggen is on the side of the entrance; dead. She remembers once being annoyed by him despite him not doing much (except when he gave her that love potion but that was child's play). Colin Creevy— Spencer purses her lips to not let her tears out, but she fears she failed in doing so (he was supposed to leave too!). Lavender Brown, Ron's ex-girlfriend and one of her classmates. Anthony Goldstein, an old Ravenclaw friend of hers. Someone who could easily joke with her knowing she held no real judgment if one would speak the wrong information. Susan Bones, Pansy's ex-girlfriend and Spencer's classmate from Hufflepuff. Tracey Davis, who she did not even notice had stayed along the other Slytherin students to help fight. There's more— way more faces that she recognizes and they are all haunting her.

Spencer drops Morgana onto the ground and immediately bends down toward her. "I hope— if there is truly another place after death, sister... that we see each other one last time. And hopefully, you will not hate me, nor will I hate you," Spencer murmurs, and then lets her hand slide over her face to close those dull eyes. She swallows down deeply before standing up and glancing at Ricky.

"Do you know his name?" She refers to the fallen boy that he gently covered up.

Ricky nods his head numbly. "Cassius Bell... he's cousins with Katie Bell. Second year," he answers quietly. Spencer repeats the name over her mind and sniffles to herself. It takes her a minute to reconcile herself before she turns to her two best friends and questions, "Have you seen Blaise?"

Theodore and Ricky share a look before the Slytherin answers, "We were with him up until we had to duel my father. He went on with Harry."

Spencer clenches her jaw and nods slowly, rubbing her eyes to get rid of the tears. She has not seen Harry either and that is worrying her. Merlin, she hopes he truly does not take the offer, Spencer feels herself pale at the thought. She notices the injured being treated by Madam Pomfrey and even more group of helpers. Survivors stood in groups, their arms around each other's necks. Her eyes fall upon a redhead laying on the ground and for that moment— Spencer's heart stops. No, she thinks to herself in worry. No, no, please, she repeats over and over in her head.

Before she realizes, her feet is taking her to the group of Weasleys and they immediately glance over to her in concern. George is bent down beside Fred and his eyes meet hers. Spencer parts her lips, unable to form the question she wondered. It seems as if he already knows as George offers her a small smile.

"He's not dead," George assures quietly, standing up from his place and holding his arms out. Spencer releases a sigh of relief and practically falls onto him to reassure herself that he is there. He presses a light kiss on her forehead and whispers, "And we have to thank Blaise for that."

She snaps her head up toward him. "Blaise?"

"I've been trying to look for you," a voice from behind the Weasleys gasps out in relief. George and Bill move to the side and allows Blaise access to her easily. Spencer feels a light weight lift from her shoulders before she throws himself toward him and closes her eyes. He is also bloodied up and perhaps the worst he has ever been, but to her, Blaise is still the most prettiest boy she has seen.

Blaise lets his hand wander up to her face and he scans her in worry. "Merlin, you look terrible," he mumbles with a frown. Spencer cannot help but let out a choked chuckle and sniffles.

"That's truly what a girl loves to hear, Blaise," Spencer rolls her eyes before shifting her head close to his chest. She can hear his heartbeat and it assures her that he is okay. Blaise frowns at her words before correcting himself, "I mean... are you okay? You're covered in grey dust and blood."

"It's..." Spencer swallows, "it's Morgana's. Mostly. I-I tried to stop the bleeding but she was too gone and I couldn't d-do anything. I just— I watched her die—"

Blaise inhales deeply and brings her in close to his body providing a warmth she did not know she needed. Spencer lets out a small sob before letting herself be held. "It's okay," he consoles, "You did everything you could."

"I didn't want her to die," Spencer sobs. "I loved her... is that bad?"

The taller boy places his hand on her cheeks and cleans the tears out of the way. "She was your sister, Spencer. You are right to grief. Remember that," Blaise comforts, pressing a light kiss on her temple. He lets go to the point where they are only holding her hands. Spencer does not mind for she then brings Ginny into a hug and allows her to cry in relief for the fact that Fred did not die.

When the redheaded girl starts calming down, Spencer gets brought into another hug by Bill who simply murmurs over her head that he is glad she is okay. Fleur envelopes her into a hug filled with tears not having imagined attending would end up so horrible. Immediately after the half-Veela lets go, Molly cried out for Spencer and started pestering her about checking over her injuries while then hugging Blaise, thankful that he provided help to her son and protected him.

Spencer let herself be brought down to the floor by Blaise and his mother who begin to heal some of the sustainable injuries. She did not allow them to bring her down to rest (like how they had done to Fred) and instead hangs onto the pain. Her eyes heads up to meet her brother's and he gives her a warm look. Beside him is Remus and Tonks— both are dealing with their own injuries of dark magic, but alive. Spencer cannot bare to imagine how she would feel if Fred, Remus, and Tonks had not survived... or any of the Weasleys— Ricky, Harry, Blaise... Daniel... she did not want to think of it. If they had died, Spencer wouldn't be able to continue. She knows that clearly.

At one point, Ron and Hermione joined with them and huddled up close to the family. Spencer did not notice until Ron and Hermione practically jumped on her in relief to seeing her okay. She hugged them back all the same before noticing something: where is Harry?

"Where's Harry?" Spencer questions in panic. It was then the two of them widen their eyes and stared back from where they entered. Harry was not there. Her heart feels like it has stopped when she does not spot his familiar jet black hair. She turns around trying to find it and yet... nothing. Blaise squeezes her hand in comfort. "It's okay," he tries to say but she shakes her head.

"No, no," Spencer denies, "Harry never wanted more people to die for him, Blaise. H-he—" Dumbledore's watch, her mind suddenly remembers within her sentence. She freezes in her spot before taking off her necklace knowing Blaise had left the bag inside. Within a few seconds, she takes out the watch Dumbledore left her and opens it up.

Five, Spencer begins to pale when she notices the time decreasing.

Four, her eyes widen in alert.

Three, her feet is planted onto the ground.

Two, she cannot move and all she wants to do is protect Harry.

One, Spencer drops the pocket watch onto the ground and it smashes right when it hits zero.

"Spencer...?" Her best friend mumbles out for her lightly.

The voices around her starts to fade and she clutches onto her head as if it had returned to its usual conformity and has decided to ruin her. It has not, but it does not mean it is not panicking. Merlin, why did her friend have to be so sacrificial? He cannot be dead.

He can't! That is her brother in everything but blood. He just— he couldn't be dead. Spencer feels Blaise pull her in close, but all she does is gaze at the broken watch mocking her that time is up.

▂✫⌒*･ﾟ

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
morgana is gone!!!! you're welcome ig
i saved remus and tonks— so what 😩🤚
canon??-?/? yikes don't know her 💃🕺