Following the events of the same universe where Juliet Potter and Remus Lupin fell in love, the insouciance has faded into misery as all parties prepare for the war, willing to pull any card to win a war from which none will truly come out victoriou...
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TW: blood
December, the 2nd, 1979
Walking away with the injury on her thigh, Juliet Potter realized how much the cut hurt like a bitch. She sighed, checking her pockets to check that the two valuable objects of her plan had not fallen out, and thankfully they hadn't. She took her wand out, just to be prepared.
She thought of their allies, it had been such help to have so many on their side, it was regrettable that many would lose their lives, but honorable. She remembered the dragons did not show up. She planned it would have been a convenient advantage, but their absence didn't matter. The keepers were doing their job, keeping the dragons safe.
Maybe she'd bring Romy to visit them one day, once it was over.
Juliet didn't know it, but as she fought off Bellatrix Lestrange, James and Remus had won their battle against Mulciber and Avery, and Sirius and Regulus against the Carrows.
She also did not know about Severus Snape facing Voldemort alone in the boathouse by the cliff.
Over the grounds of Hogwarts, despite every loud sound that surrounded them, Juliet could hear it. The sound of the singing of lament. She had been standing by the Great Hall, staring into the sky where the bright bird flew around. There was no doubt that Fawkes knew his owner had died.
She held her arm up for the phoenix to land on, watching him bow his head in sadness. She caressed his neck with a single finger, offering comfort.
"I know. I'm sorry." She told him, she could swear she saw Fawkes nod, but she did not pay it any mine, as Lily was running to her worriedly.
"Lily!" Juliet called, a bit more joyfully, she had only seen the redhead when she first arrived and her hands got full afterwards.
"Juliet! I think it's Severus. I think he needs help." She rambled, stealing glances at the phoenix.
"What makes you say that?"
Lily pointed behind her, where stood the beautiful patronus form of a doe.
"Dear God." Juliet muttered. "Didn't know he head it in him."
Allowing Fawkes to fly again, she took it upon herself to change into her Animagus form, under the shocked expression of Lily, who forced herself to get over it and mounted the white mare.
Following the patronus, they made it to the boathouse, where Severus was supposed to be. Lily rushed forward, into the strange, wavering light then stopped in horror, seeing Snape's blood run like syrup over the weathered boards towards the girls.
Juliet changes into human form quickly, running to him, kneeling by his side and pressing her palm to his neck as Lily stood frozen at the sight of her dying childhood friend.
"What did it?"
"Nagini." He muttered weakly.
"I thought I told you to tell him you did it in guise of loyalty, why would he have you killed?" She frowned, mumbling to herself.
"I.. did... He, he wants to be the only one.."
Juliet understood it. Voldemort thought Snape murdered Dumbledore, meaning he would automatically be the master of the Elder wand. By murdering him, he would in turn be the master, adding another artifact to the list of the few left making him vulnerable. He wished to live forever.
"What do we do?" Lily panicked.
"It's too late." Severus muttered.
If James was there, he'd laugh at you. Juliet thought to herself.
"Nagini is a Horcrux right!? Maybe we need the basilisk's fang!"
"That kills Horcruxes, Lily! It won't save Severus!" Juliet told her, holding her arm out for Fawkes to come over. "Come on, bud, I know you can."
Fawkes leaned over, stared at Juliet before he allowed tears to fall on the fatal wound on Severus' neck.
Slowly but surely, the phoenix' tears seemed to burn the venom, eliminating it and giving the Slytherin a second chance to life. Though due to bloodless he was very feeble, but weakly, and shocked, he stared up at the Potter girl who was petting and congratulating the phoenix on the good job, as his redhead childhood friend checked on him.
Just then, the sound of thunder, like a gathering storm, engulfs them. The joists of the shack groan, as if in agony. The entire room begins to tremble. Juliet yanked a board from the window and she peered out. As in the Enchanted Ceiling in the Great Hall before, a face appears in the dark clouds above. And then Voldemort's voice echoed.
"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 forces to retreat. In their absence, dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured." There was a pause before he resumed. "Juliet Potter, I speak now 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. Give yourself up to me and I give you my word that no other life will be lost on this night. You have one hour. If at the end of that time, you have not given yourself up, then I shall punish every last man, woman and child who tries to conceal you from me."
The joist trembles one last time, then the ambient sounds of the night return. The clouds separate, becoming normal clouds again, not a weird face.
Juliet carelessly turned to the duo behind her. "Well then. I suppose he's done with his monologue. Shall we go back?"
* * *
Okay, next chapter is the last war chapter, but it's gonna be long
