The Light

Chapter 69~ The Phoenix's Song

Hagrid had moved Dumbledore's body out of sight and those of us who had been in the fight were ordered to the hospital wing to be checked on by Madam Pomfrey. I kept insisting that I was fine and refused her to come near me, "Check on my brother please!" I shouted looking over at Bill who had large gashes along his face thanks to Greyback.

"How's everyone else?" Harry asked when he'd arrived with Ginny.

"Neville and Professor Flitwick are both hurt, but Madam Pomfrey says they'll be all right," she told him, "A Death Eater's dead, he got hit by a Killing Curse, that huge blonde one was firing off everywhere."

I couldn't listen to their conversation anymore, I walked over to Bill's bed where Lupin was studying his wounds, "Is he going to be...." I trailed off.

He shook his head, "Greyback wasn't transformed when he attacked, so he's not likely to be a full werewolf. But that does not mean there won't be some contamination, the wounds are cursed."

Mum and Dad had arrived, Fleur had rushed to Bill's side instantly. I couldn't help but feel guilty, "This is all my fault," I muttered, "If I hadn't been so blind I could've caught on sooner that Draco was working with them. I wouldn't have left his side today and this could've been avoided," Some of the adults looked at me perplexed, clearly they hadn't been caught up, I glanced down at my new bit of jewelry, "He and I were....involved," I admitted and I saw Dad's face turn almost as red as his hair, yet he said nothing, clearly as to not upset me more, "I'm so sorry!" I put my head in my hands.

Footsteps approached and I felt someone wrap their arms around me softly, "It's alright sweetheart," Tonks whispered stroking my hair, "You're young. I'm sure if any of us were in your position we would have made the same mistake."

"But look at Bill! If I wasn't so stupid he wouldn't be....."

Mum walked over to him and lightly stroked his long hair, "He was going to be such a handsome groom."

Fleur looked up, "What do you mean was?" Mum froze, "You think he would not want to marry me now? Or I would not want to marry him? You are wrong! And he is still going to be a handsome groom, and a wonderful husband!"

It seemed as if the moment had come, and Mum finally accepted that Fleur was going to be a member of the family, she nodded, "He will be," the two of them hugged and returned to doting over Bill.

I gave a sad smile before looking over at Tonks and Remus, "What about you two? When are you tying the knot?"

Remus sadly shook his head, "Tonks deserves someone better than me."

"But I want you Remus!" She stood up facing him.

I eyed Remus, wanting to see what he would say, however he coughed and replied with, "This is not the time nor the place."

"Dumbledore would've been happier than anybody to think that there was a little more love in the world," McGonagall told him before looking at me sadly, "He also told me he thought it was a tragedy that you and Mr. Malfoy had to hide your feelings for one another, two star-crossed lovers, he called you."

I felt myself tearing up but forced them back, rubbing my eyes forcefully, "He said he was trying to protect me. But he didn't have to go with them! He didn't want to," I felt myself getting mad, "He's made his choice, he broke his promise."

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"Do you think he would've done it?" Hermione asked us as we stood on the balcony of the Astronomy Tower. I fought hard not to go back there, as every good memory I had, became tarnished. But even Harry was alright with returning, so once again, I had to swallow the bitter taste in my mouth and join them.

I shook my head, "He kept lowering his wand," my voice shook as I held back a sob.

"In the end it was Snape," Harry nodded, "It was always Snape. And I did nothing," I fiddled with the ring on my finger, I couldn't bring myself to take it off. Harry dropped a necklace into my shaking hands. The Horcrux, "It's fake," Nevermind then, "Open it," he told me.

My hands shook as I opened the clasp and saw a folded note within, I pulled it out and handed it to Hermione who read aloud, "'To the Dark Lord, I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match you will be mortal once more. RAB.' RAB?"

"I dunno," Harry told her, "But whoever they are, they have the real Horcrux. Which means it was all a waste. All of it."

We looked over at Ron who was sitting at the stairs, Hermione sighed, "Ron's okay with it, you know," Hermione spoke, "You and Ginny," she smiled at Harry.

"Only note I have is to keep the snogging to a minimum," I spoke.

Harry chuckled before looking out to the horizon, "I'm not coming back...I've got to finish whatever Dumbledore started. And I don't know where that'll lead me, but I'll let the three of you know where I am when I can."

"I've always admired your courage, Harry," Hermione praised, "But sometimes you can be really thick."

He looked at her confused, "You said so yourself last year, most of the time you had help. If memory serves we helped you pretty bloody often. So obviously we're going to help you find the rest of the Horcruxes," I told him.

He sent us a smile, and brought me in for a side hug. Ron had gotten up and joined us, "We just have to wait till after Bill and Fleur's wedding," he told us. While it felt odd, the prospect of a wedding, it was almost a relief. Something to actually look forward to and take my mind off of things. In the distance I heard the familiar screech of Fawkes flying overhead, mourning the loss of his companion. The song reverberated all over the grounds ensuring everyone heard the phoenix's song.