The goodbyes and the chance
‘’So you’re going to just let it happen?’’ Neville Longbottom planted his hands on his hips, stance wide as he readied himself to be reduced to dirt once more. Emily Jane gave no response; her gaze fixated on the brewing storm clouds and the lightening strikes which flashed across the sky.
‘’My word was final,’’ she didn’t even look at whatever he was, ‘’let what will happen, happen.’’
Emily Jane glided across the field, her back ramrod straight. Neville struggled to catch up to her, his voice echoing across the green.
‘’They won’t survive! They will all die!’’
—----------------------------------------------------------
Toothiana took her place next to North, her blades resting at her side. Neither had moved in several hours; too entranced by the storm. Phill and Abigial came to join the duo.
‘’Phill! Go and hide-you are not needed,’’ North spoke solemnly, his eyes never leaving the ever darkening sky. Toothiana gripped his hand, her entire body was still.
‘’I, Nicholas St. North, release the title and and the collection of wonders,’’
‘’Baby Tooth go and stay with your sisters. I, Toothiana, release the title and the collection of memories,’’
—----------------------------------------------------------------
Sandy sighed as he gingerly touched down on solid ground once more. He didn’t have any helpers-he didn’t want the aid, and he was more than powerful enough to manage the world on a night to night basis on his own anyways. That did not mean that he didn’t have anyone in mind-he was hoping it wouldn’t come to this.
Satisfied with the clearing in which he stood, Sandy glanced up at the sky, seeing the swirling masses of clouds and lightening. They had discussed this; it would be for the best. They needed to give them a fighting chance. He only wished that this was not based on a what if scenario-he wished they had more time.
‘’I, Sanderson Mansnoozie, hereby release the title and collection of the dreams,’’
Sandy closed his eyes, feeling for a fleeting moment the wishes, hopes, and dreams of all the children of the world course through his being. For a moment, the world was beautiful and simple and he could easily see the beginnings of man, the wonder of the stars etched across his eyes as the realization of vastness encompassed him. He felt the drive to explore the worlds beyond their own planet; the thrill of space travel, the wonder of seeing the stars themselves. He felt the rush of childbirth-the pain, the labor, the final push before a new cry broke the air-Sandy loved those moments the most.
Humanity was so young, so inexperienced and they had so much more to learn and see and explore. Sandy couldn’t wait until they realized how much more was out there for them.
He hoped he would be around to see it.
—————————————————————
Aster felt the shift as did Jack.
“Kit, look at me,” Aster knelt down, his hand on Harry’s shoulder, “I love ya’ neva’ forget that. I..that is, we…”
Jack knelt down and looped his arms around Harry’s frame, icy breath leaving delicate snowflakes in his hair.
“Ombric has a plan, sort of. Harry, we will be back. We aren’t leaving you,”
Harry stared up at his family, “Wha? Da, whats goin’-“
“No time-Jackie, ya ready?”
Jack nodded once, hugged Harry tightly and kissed his hair before taking a step back. Aster gathered his son-his kit-and chinned him. He wanted to remember his scent, his hair, his magick. His kit was his legacy, no matter what. He was so proud of the young man he was growing into. Aster knew that Harry would be alright, even if it would take him some time.
“Aster,” Jack spoke softly, his hand falling onto agua partner’s shoulder. He nodded, pulling Harry to his chest once more before ushering the teen towards Sirius.
“Ye best take care of ‘im, Sirius Black.”
Something told Sirius to hold Harry tightly; something was brewing and strangely, he knew that Harry had to stay put. The man wrapped his arms around Harry’s shoulders, holding him in place.
Jack and Aster looked at each other, taking each other’s hand for a moment before Aster bent down and kissed Jack softly.
“I love you, Jackie,”
“Love you too, Aster.”
Together, in near unison, they spoke the words that broke Harry.
“I, Jackson Overland Frost, release the title and collections of fun,”
“I, Edelweiss Aster Bunnymund, hereby release the title and collections of hope,”
“No! DA! MUM!”
—————————————————————
Sirius Orion Black swore that he would die a thousand deaths before he ever heard the raw agonizing screams that tore his soul from his body. All courtesy of his godson. Neither of the two occupants could take their eyes off of Aster and Jack as the two guardians slowly disappeared into a blinding light, leaving nothing behind.
“Let me go! Da! Mum! Come back! Let! Me! Go! Please?!”
Sirius only tightened his hold, afraid that if he let go, Harry would disappear like they had. If Harry disappeared, what would happen?
What was going on?
—————————————————————
Jamie awoke with a cold sweat and a racing heart which threatened to burst from his chest any moment. He wanted to throw up, but he found no strength to move from his position in the bed. Glancing around the room, he took careful stock of everything.
Abby was snoring deeply, unaffected by the raging storm outside. He heard Sofie tumble from her bed on the floor, her snoring paused before resuming in volume. There was no movement in the old house, which meant that even his mother was dead to the storm.
Taking careful movements, Jamie reached into his bedside table, removing a thin leather bound notebook and a pen. Without bothering to turn on his light, Jamie positioned the notebook in his lap, and wrote,
Are you awake?
Thankfully, Jamie did not wait long for a reply.
Thank the gods! Leave your house right NOW. Outside in ten minutes-HURRY!
Sofie? Mom?
Jamie, please, hurry up!
Slamming the notebook shut, Jamie took several breaths to calm himself. He had to leave. Someone was coming. He had ten minutes.
Jamie couldn’t leave his family behind or his friends. What about the town? Biting his lip, Jamie felt sick.
Save himself or stay put?
A flash of lightning cut across the sky, illuminating the town briefly. A rumble of thunder echoed shortly afterwards, prompting Jamie to go to the bay window. Briefly, he wished that one of the guardians were here, but not even Sandy had come by. Another flash of lightning illuminated the town and that’s when Jamie saw it.
Saw them.
Marching towards the town were dozens and dozens of blood thirsty nightmares. Jamie backed away from the window, a scream caught in his throat.
How could he leave his family behind?! Rushing to get his bag; he threw on some shoes and a jacket. He raced towards the door when an inhuman growl filled him with dread.
Turning around slowly, he locked eyes with Abby, her body growing in size, pieces of her fur falling off only to be quickly grabbed by the sinews of the muscle. Abby’s mouth opened, jaw unhinging as blood and organs spewed forth in a loud roar that had Jamie scrambling out of the room, slamming the door shut as a clawed hand slammed into the door.
“Mom! Sofieee!”
Two doors burst from their hinges, sending wooden splinters throughout the air, forcing Jamie to shield his eyes. Without bothering to see what was coming out of the other rooms, he blindingly ran, letting his memory guide him down the stairs and out of the back door.
Jamie focused on putting as much ground between his house and the safety of the woods if there was any safety to be found there. Jamie had no time to think, let alone wonder about his mother and sister. Briefly he wondered if the entire town had been-NO! He couldn’t let these thoughts consume him. He had to get to safety.
“JAMIE, THIS WAY!”
Jamie’s head shot up, following the voice as he caught the sight of a large man in the distance. He was dressed in torn jeans and boots, thick arms waving frantically in the air. Jamie ran towards him, the sounds of wood splintering and metal creaking filling the air.
“Almost…there!” Jamie threw himself into the arms of the stranger and in a crack of magick and thunder, the two figures were gone.
—————————————————————
Ombric stood in Big Root, his hand firmly holding Katherine in place. The girl had screamed herself hoarse earlier after throwing a fit, her own magickal ability reducing several books to ash. Now she stood, a quiet rage seething in the air surrounding her. Ombric understood- he had wished there was another way.
The pillar which had held Pitch Black was shattered and smoldering, a plume of black smoke rising up into the sky. No one had seen the notorious man leave but Ombric knew he had.
Katherine tore herself away from his hold, storming back inside of Big Root. Ombric did not move, as he spoke up towards Manny.
“Is this what you truly wanted, Old friend? Will they even survive?”
Manny said nothing.
—————————————————————
Bellatrix, Narcissa, and Andromeda stood together, hands clasped together as the single eye rose up, the iris swirling into a mass of colors and smoke.
Voldemort stood, for the first time, in his own body, watching the Sisters Three. Professor Quirrell remained upstairs resting, under the watchful eye of Remus Lupin. The ritual had been taxing and for a moment, Voldemort assumed that Quirrell would not survive, but the man had surprised him. He had assumed that the man would have wanted to leave, but he had opted to stay.
It was interesting to say the least. Voldemort knew that the members of his group were loyal, often to a fault. They had proven themselves, time and again. Despite Mad Eye’s death, Hermoine had thrown herself into research and gathering all she could. She had safe houses established, under the Lestrange and Greyback wards.
He knew that she had managed to save a handful of her classmates and some of the upper years as well. Moody would be proud.
“My lord?”
“Speak Narcissa, freely as you will,”
“Harry Bunnymund is nowhere to be found,”
Voldemort nodded, considering the extensive warding Sirius must’ve done to conceal them, it was no surprise to him.
“One more thing, my lord,” Andromeda called out, stepping away from the circle.
“Yes?”
“The Guardians are no longer; they have been released,”
Voldemort sighed and nodded, letting his mind consider all aspects. Ombric had truly used the last resort they had.
Briefly, he wondered what his fate would be. Even Ombric was unsure of this spell and what it would exactly do, MiM had remained silent, giving no details. Now it was all they could do was wait for the spell to take effect.
—————————————————————
Grimmsby stood at the gates, large scythe in hand and he reached into his inner robes, pulling out a pocket watch.
“Are you sure this was the only way?”
“Honestly? No, but it was the only option they had,”
“You were forced?”
“No, death is neva’ forced, but they were,”
The young girl cocked her head, deciding that Grimmsby had spoken enough and vanished in a burst of smoke.
Moments later, five bundles of light appeared at Grimmsby’s feet.
“Welcome, my friends,” slowly, the reaper led his friends through the impossibly tall gates.