Chapter 10
Three years later, the war raged on with no end in sight. Hogwarts had become a fortified refuge, and the surrounding area was littered with the remnants of battles fought and lost. The Order had grown more robust, recruiting fighters from all corners of the wizarding world.
As they stood together on a balcony overlooking the grounds one evening, Pansy felt a mix of gratitude and sorrow. “Can you believe it’s been three years since everything changed?” she mused. Harry sighed, his gaze distant. “It feels like a lifetime and just yesterday all at once. We’ve lost so much, yet we’ve built something strong together.” Pansy leaned against him, finding comfort in his presence. “I still can’t believe we’ve been engaged this long without a wedding. It feels strange.” Harry chuckled softly. “I promise, once this is over, we’ll have the biggest celebration Hogwarts has ever seen.” “I’m holding you to that,” she replied, a flicker of hope sparking within her.But the reality of their situation weighed heavily. The casualties they had endured were staggering, and each day seemed to bring new reports of loss. Friends and allies had fallen, and the darkness threatened to engulf them all.“Have you heard from Hermione or Ron?” Pansy asked, concern knitting her brows together. They had been out on a mission to gather intel on Death Eater movements. “Not yet,” Harry said, tension creeping into his voice. “But they’ll be careful. They always are.” Just as he spoke, the door burst open, and a breathless Hermione rushed in, Ron following closely behind, their faces grim.“Hermione! Ron!” Harry exclaimed, relief flooding his voice as he moved to embrace them. “What’s happened?”
“We have news,” Hermione said, her voice shaky. “We encountered a Death Eater convoy in the highlands 70 km out. They’re planning a major attack on Hogwarts.”
“Are you sure?” Pansy asked, her heart racing.
“Yes,” Ron confirmed. “They’re planning to strike within the week. We need to prepare the defenses.”
Harry’s expression hardened, determination flaring in his chest. “Then we need to act fast. We can’t let them breach the castle.”
Later, as they gathered around the table discussing strategy, Pansy felt the familiar knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach. This war had become a cycle of loss and fear, but she refused to let it break her spirit. She turned to Harry, her resolve steady. “We’ll protect this place. We’ll fight for everyone we’ve lost.”
He nodded, admiration shining in his eyes. “Together.”
The days leading up to the attack were filled with tension. The Order mobilized, strengthening defenses around Hogwarts, fortifying barriers, and preparing for the worst. On the eve of the anticipated assault, Harry and Pansy stood together in the Great Hall, which had been transformed into a war room. The air was thick with worry, but also a sense of unity among those gathered.
“Tomorrow will be tough,” Harry addressed the group, his voice steady. “But we’ve faced worse and come out stronger. Remember, we fight for each other. We fight for the future.”
As they prepared for the challenges ahead, Pansy felt a sense of calm wash over her. They had built a family of fighters, united in their cause. As she looked around at the determined faces, she realized that despite the hardships, they were all in this together. Later that night, as they sat alone in their quarters, Pansy turned to Harry, her heart full. “No matter what happens tomorrow, I want you to know I love you. You’ve given me strength I never knew I had.” “I love you too, Pansy,” Harry replied, his eyes fierce. “We’ll make it through this. Together.”
With that, they sealed their promise with a kiss, a moment of hope amidst the storm, ready to face whatever the dawn would bring. As they held each other tightly, they felt the weight of the world pressing down, but together, they were prepared to fight for their love, their future, and for everyone who had fallen. The war was far from over, but as long as they stood united, they would face it head-on.