Marooned - Fred Weasley

Chapter 81: Whatever it Takes

What defines a person? What defines us? Could it be as arbitrary as happenstances? You just happened to cross that sidewalk, you just happened to smile at that person who is now sharing your nights and days. Do we have any real power over how our lives turn out? Is it all just the cumulation of simple coincidences? What about those we leave behind? Such a naive train of thought to have, Sarah told herself. And with that as her sole comfort, she unclenched her fist and raised her chin, dropped the thin gold thread that had been tied to her all her life, reaching its end at last, and let go. Facing utter nothingness.

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One hour earlier

you have fought valiantly, but in vain. I do not wish this. Every drop of magical blood spilt is a terrible waste. I therefore command my forces to retreat. In their absences, dispose of your dead with dignity. Harry Potter, I now speak to you. This night, you have allowed your friends to die for you instead of facing me yourself. There is no greater dishonor. Join me in the Forbidden Forest and confront your fate. If you do not do this, I shall kill every last man, women and child, who tried to conceal you from me. You have one hour.

Voldemort's troops had retreated not long after the explosion, which had explained why the school had fallen in a sudden silence. Sarah made her way towards the Great Hall where people had gathered to get the Healers' attention and to rest for that short truce.

"I can't believe this is what Hogwarts looks like now," Fred dreaded, giving Sarah's arm a short squeeze. She instinctively responded by wrapping her arms around him, suddenly hitting her she could have lost him not long ago.

"He just took centuries worth of History and brought it to ruins."

"Hey," he crooned, setting his hand over her neck to angle her head up, "It'll be okay." He spoke reassuringly, with that gentle tone which he could have used to say absolutely anything and she would believe it. For some reason she believed it now, too.

"How do you do that?" She smiled softly, looking away from him. All her limbs were threatening to give out on her, she was exhausted.

"What?"

"Making everything okay just by saying it."

She felt the vibrations of his chuckle through his chest, and didn't even need to see, she actually heard his wide grin draw across his face. "It's the Gred power," he said coolly.

"That's the stupidest thing you've ever said," she sighed, shaking her head while her gaze scanned over the room. "And you just ruined the moment, come on, let's check on the others."

"Wait, let me have a go again-" She yanked on his arm before he got to finish that, George and Selena following shortly behind them.

"You okay, Georgie?" Fred queried, nudging George shoulder with his own.

George slung an arm around his neck, and let his eyes travel over his twin, Selena, and Sarah with a smile, "Just perfect."

"I've never been so happy to see your stupid faces," joshed Selena, shooting them a snarky smile.

The four friends giggled as they fell back into their old habits again, walking through the Great Hall like they had done for their seven years of school. Sure, it used to have walls and windows, but the positive aspect of it was that the ceiling was still partially untouched. This was where they grew up. Now turned into a safe space for mourning and treating wounded people. It didn't take them long to start walking alongside fallen soldiers, laid on stretchers, all looking like they had fought until their last moments and Sarah felt her chest tighten at the never-ending line.