A Little Help from a Snake // Tomarry

Part 75

"Come to the Shrieking Shack alone and no one else will be harmed. I will give you one hour."

"I know what you're going to say," Tom said as Sirius opened his mouth, "and it's not going to change anything."

Sirius closed his mouth with a sigh. "So what? You're going to give yourself up? He wants you both dead!"

"I know that!" Tom snapped. "But we're only two people, Sirius. We don't even know who's hurt or — or dead." He forced the word out.

Sirius looked like he was going to argue further, but Tom stalled him. "Let's go to the Great Hall."

They arrived and paused at the entrance.

Luna's words sounded in his head. "There had been bodies — so many bodies — lying in the Great Hall. I walked between them, trying to get a better look, but I couldn't recognize any of them. Not that it matters. They were dead anyway."

Walking forward now, Tom had an idea how she had felt when she had her vision. Clusters of people were huddled together, heads bowed. Tom spotted the Weasleys standing around...

"Fred," Tom whispered, recognizing him from even this distance. He watched Mrs. Weasley as she sobbed over her son's body for a moment, then wrenched his gaze away.

That had been a mistake, for his eyes landed on Colin Creevey. Nearby, Nymphadora Tonks was sitting next to the body of Mad-Eye Moody, staring into space as she took deep breaths. A Ravenclaw Tom recognized by face but not by name was surrounded by his housemates.

"Tom?" said Sirius.

Tom realized he was backing away. "I... excuse me." He turned and raced from the Great Hall.

He ran and ran until he reached an empty classroom and burst in, collapsing in a chair. All these people dead. Because they were helping him. Him! The person who (technically) became the most feared Dark Lord in the wizarding world. Did he really deserve this?

No, but Harry does. Tom lifted his head. He had to go. Dumbledore had not been directly fighting — because of course not; he relied on other people to carry out his dirty work — so this may be his only chance.

"Are you actually considering this?" Remus' voice sounded above him.

Tom jumped. He hadn't noticed Remus, Sirius, and Bella had come in. "Where's Barty and Sev?"

"Barty's taking Athanasia back to the Chamber and Severus is still helping Madam Pomfrey." Remus sat down next to him. Blood stained his front and he was holding his side, but he looked otherwise fine. "Look, Tom, I want Harry back just as much as you do. But we need to come with a plan."

"Can the house-elves get him?" Tom asked.

"Unfortunately not," Bella answered. "I already asked Kreacher to try to get in. He couldn't."

Tom swore and grabbed his hair. "We have less than an hour. What are we going to do?"

No one could think of an answer.

Without any warning, a terrible scream split the air. Tom felt as though he'd been punched in the stomach.

"Harry," Sirius rasped.

Remus covered his ears, his eyes squeezed shut. Bella rubbed his back, her eyes darting around the room anxiously.

"I have to go." Tom looked at their faces. "Alone."

Sirius and Bella exchanged anguished looks.

Another scream echoed throughout the room.