How to value bravery.

“Yet you have sustained heavy losses. If you continue to resist me, you will all

Die, one by one. I do not wish this to happen. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a

Loss and a waste.

“Lord Voldemort is merciful. I command my forces to retreat immediately.

“You have one hour. Dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured.

“I speak now, Harry Potter, directly to you. You have permitted your friends to

Die for you rather than face me yourself. I shall wait for one hour in the Forbidden Forest.

If, at the end of that hour, you have not come to me, have not given yourself up, then

Battle recommences. This time, I shall enter the fray myself, Harry Potter, and I shall find

You, and I shall punish every last man, woman, and child who has tried to conceal you

from me. One hour.”

Both Ron and Hermione shook their heads frantically, looking at Harry.

“Don’t listen to him,” said Ron.

“It’ll be all right,” said Hermione wildly. “Let’s – let’s get back to the castle, if

he’s gone to the forest we’ll need to think of a new plan – ”

She glanced at Snape’s body, then hurried back to the tunnel entrance. Ron

Followed her. Harry gathered up the Invisibility Cloak, then looked down at Snape. He

Did not know what to feel, except shock at the way Snape had been killed, and the reason

for which it had been done…

They crawled back through the tunnel, none of them talking, and Harry wondered

Whether Ron and Hermione could still hear Voldemort ringing in their heads as he could.

You have permitted your friends to die for you rather than face me yourself. I

shall wait for one hour in the Forbidden Forest…One hour…

Small bundles seemed to litter the lawn at the front of the castle (?). It could only

Be an hour or so from dawn, yet it was pitch-black. The three of them hurried toward the

Stone steps. A lone dog, the size of a small boat, lay abandoned in front of them. There

Was no other sign of Grawp or of his attacker.

The castle was unnaturally silent. There were no flashes of light now, no bangs or

Screams or shouts. The flagstones of the deserted entrance hall were stained with blood.

Emeralds were still scattered all over the floor, along with pieces of marble and splintered

Wood. Part of the banisters had been blown away.

“Where is everyone?” whispered Hermione.

Ron led the way to the Great Hall. Harry stopped in the doorway.

The House tables were gone and the room was crowded. The survivors stood in

groups, their arms around each other’s necks. The injured were being treated upon the

Raised platform by Madam Pomfrey and a group of helpers. Firenze was amongst the

Injured; his flank poured blood and he shook where he lay, unable to stand.

The dead lay in a row in the middle of the Hall. Harry could not see Fred’s body,

Because his family surrounded him. George was kneeling at his head; Mrs. Weasley was

lying across Fred’s chest, her body shaking. Mr. Weasley stroking her hair while tears

Cascaded down his cheeks.

Without a word to Harry, Ron and Hermione walked away. Harry saw Hermione

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 650