chapter forty three | the fallen
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It was clear as to what they had to do. Stella Mason knew it was inevitable they had to go right through the heart of the battle. She just didn't know if she was ready to do so. Her grip on her wand was tighter than ever before as she ran with her friends down the steps of Hogwarts, shooting spells at Death Eaters from every direction.
Making it into the court yard, Stella ducked as spells were shot randomly. She felt Harry pull her behind him at the sight of a giant Troll looking down at them, a club in hand. Running in the opposite direction, the four hid and dodged a swing of it's club. Coming out of hiding, the screeching of spiders got them to run and spell their way through the crowd. Stella could hear uses of the Unforgivable Cursed being used and it made her nauseous. Coming into an empty part of the rubble, the four stumbled upon Greyback feeding on Lavender Brown. Stella held Ron by the shoulder as he saw the empty eyes of his ex-girlfriend staring back at them. Angrily, Hermione shot Greyback into the broken windows and out of their sight. Seeing that the Troll was back on their trail, they evaded it, running to the entrance of the court yard. Their eyes widened as they saw hundreds of Dementors floating toward them, only for Abeforth Dumbledore to deflect them with his Patronus. Not wasting anymore time, the four friends ran away from the heart of the battle.
No matter how tired she was, or how much her feet screamed at her to stop, Stella Mason didn't stop running alongside her friends to the docks. By the time they got to the docks, Voldemort and Snape were already conversing. Stella crouched down next to Hermione as she could only stare at the back of Harry's head.
"There is no wand more powerful," Stella caught Snape's sentence, "Ollivander himself has said it. Tonight, when the boy comes, it will not fail you. I am sure of it. It answers to you... and you only."
"Does it?"
Stella felt a shiver go down her spine at You-Know-Who's voice only a few steps away from them.
"My Lord?"
"The wand," the Dark Lord circled Snape, "does it truly answer to me? You're a clever man, Severus. Surely you must know. Where does its true loyalty lies?"
"With you... of course, my Lord."
"The Elder Wand cannot serve me properly because I am not its true master. The Elder Wand belongs to the wizard who killed its last owner," the Mason listened as she glanced back at her two friends with fright, she wasn't always the biggest fan of Snape, but he was close to her mother, and that counted for something in her life, "you killed Dumbledore, Severus. While you live, the Elder Wand cannot truly be mine. You've been a good and faithful servant, Severus... but only I can live forever."
"My Lord—"
Stella froze and flinched as she heard the body of Severus Snape hit the floor.
"Nagini. Kill."
Tears fell freely for her Mother's close friend as Stella could only listen to her former professor being attacked. After a moment, they heard the sound of someone dissaparating away. As soon as they knew they were clear of You-Know-Who, the four went inside the dock. Stella watched Harry drop his hand and help Snape with his wound. Her hand went up to her mouth to stop a sob from coming out at the sight of the man helplessly bleeding on the floor.
"Take them," Snape cried to Harry, pointing to his tears, "take them. Please."
Harry turned to Hermione, "give me something. Quickly. A flask, anything," after receiving a flask from Hermione, he brought up the glass to catch the tears falling from the man's eye.
"Take them to the pensive," Snape weakly instructed. He watched Harry's eyes look over the flask, "look at me," when the man met Harry's green eyes, he breathed his last words, "you have your Mother's eyes."
Stella gasped tearfully as she glanced around at her friends. Suddenly, everything grew still as a familiar chill ran up her whole body. Grabbing hold of the wall to keep herself up, she felt a familiar venomous voice invade her mind.
"You have fought valiantly. But in vain. I do not wish this. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a terrible waste. I therefore command my forced to retreat. In their absence, dispose of your dead with dignity. Harry Potter, I now speak directly to you. On this night, you have allowed your friends to die for you rather than face 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, woman and child who tries to conceal you from me."
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The four friends made their way back to the castle in silence. Stella could only imagine the damage they would be walking through and how it affected not only the castle, but the people who fought for their freedom. Walking into the now abandoned court yard, which was once filled with duels and all different kinds of creatures, Stella Mason couldn't help but feel a sinking in her stomach. Like her body was telling her something was wrong. Something had happened.
Stella and her friends ventured into the Great Hall, and was overwhelmed at what was in front of them. Body laid on the floor on cots, teachers and students treating wounds. The hall was quiet. The only sound that was heard was the occasional cry or wince with the occasional hushed conversation. Stella kept tight to Hermione as the two girls followed Ron, who caught sight of his family. As she got closer to the family, she felt another round of tears enter her eyes as she saw someone laid on the ground and a grieving family to match.
Stella Mason didn't spend a lot of time with Fred Weasley as she wanted to, but she knew he was an amazing man. He was funny, courageous and would do anything for his friends and family. She watched as George brought Ron into a hug before bringing him over to his late older brother. The Mason dropped her head on Hermione's shoulder as they watched Ron sob into Fred's still chest. The Weasley's had done so much for Stella and seeing them in pain made her feel physically ill for them.
From next to her, she could see two bodies on the ground. She stifled a sob at the sight of Remus and Nymphadora Lupin, their hands almost touching, their bodies almost frozen in time. She had always looked at Remus like another father to her. And she shad always admired Tonk's energy and charisma. They didn't deserve their fate. They deserved to live a long and happy life with their son. Stella buried her head in Hermione's shoulder as she couldn't look at the fallen two any longer.
"Stella," she lifted her head to Mr. Weasley, who beckoned her to him. She glanced at Hermione before walking over to the man, wiping her cheeks. He drew her closer before gently continuing, "I—"
"He's dead," she guessed numbly, "isn't he?"
Mr. Weasley nodded gravely, "I'm so sorry, dear. Let me take you to him."
Stella let the man guide her to the corner of the room. There, on his own cot, was the still body of Rowland Mason. He was covered with dirt and dried blood, but strangely, he looked at peace.
Without lifting her gaze from her late father, she asked, "why did you bring him in here?"
"We couldn't leave one of our own in the dirt."
Not giving another response, she slowly took a seat on the floor beside her father's body. Knowing she needed time alone, Mr. Weasley gave her shoulder a tight squeeze before moving back to his family.
She never got to ask why. She had so many questions for him. When did he become one of them? What could she have done to make him not betray his friends?
So much loss, in so little time.
She was so caught in her thoughts, she didn't notice a pair of green eyes watching her solemnly. And she didn't notice Harry Potter leaving the room, for possibly the last time.
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She should've saw it coming. She should've known he would've went to the forest the first chance he got. It was Hermione who brought Stella out of her mournful gaze. The Granger didn't say anything but wrap an arm around Stella's shoulder and guided her and Ron out of the Great Hall and into the rubble covered stairway. The three huddled together in comfort, silently hoping the next time they saw Harry, he wasn't dead on the gravel.
Footsteps could be heard from behind the three, causing them to look back. Stella released a huge breath at the sight of Harry Potter, but she couldn't help but notice the far away look in his eyes. Almost as if he wanted to detach himself from what was to come.
Hermione got up from her spot first, "where have you been?"
Ron and Stella followed her movement, the former speaking next, "we thought you went to the forest."
"I'm going there now."
"Are you mad," Ron exclaimed in disbelief, "no! You can't give yourself up to him."
The three followed him down the stairs as he stopped, his back turned from them.
"What is it, Harry," Hermione asked, glancing at the others, "what is it you know?"
Harry turned to his friends, his breathing ragged, "there's a reason I can hear them... the Horcruxes. I think I've known for a while. And I think you have, too."
Hermione choked a sob, "I'll go with you."
"No, kill the snake," the Potter insisted, "kill the snake, and then it's just him."
Stella watched Hermione launch herself into Harry's arms. She tried to stay strong, but it was getting harder and harder by the second. She knew he noticed her silence when Harry looked over at her as Hermione let go of him.
The Mason walked up to him slowly, pursing her lips. Once she was in front of him, she took his face in her hands and stroked his cheeks lovingly, "do what you have to do."
He nodded before bringing in for a simple hug. She hid her face in the crook of his neck as he kissed her head gently. It was too soon for both of them when they departed. Green met blue when Harry spoke in the silence.
"I love you, Stella."
She brought her forehead to his, "I love you, too, Harry."
And with that, she let him go, for the last time.
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edited: 6 april 2021