Alecto Carrow raised her wand, pointing it straight at me. "Crucio!"
I had told myself that I would not cry out this time, that I would be able to handle it. Knowing what was coming couldn't lessen the pain, though.
The shriek ripped through my throat as the pain tore through my body, invading every inch of me. Though I knew it would do nothing to alleviate it, I closed my eyes, knowing that Alecto was reveling in the agony she was inflicting upon me.
This was far from the first time I'd been tortured. The Carrows thoroughly enjoyed using the Cruciatus Curse as punishment for even the slightest deviation from what they expected. The greater the transgression, the more they made it hurt, and mine was among the greatest of transgressions against them.
In Harry's absence, Neville Longbottom had taken charge of Dumbledore's Army, or what was left of it. Several of its members had graduated from Hogwarts in the past two years, and of those that hadn't, many were too terrified of the consequences to continue associating with the group. Neville and I were among the few who realized the importance of staying together. It wasn't about defying Umbridge anymore. The need to fight and defend ourselves was real now.
I prepared myself mentally for the next onslaught of agony, but it didn't come. Perplexed, I dared to turn my head towards Alecto. Her brother, Amycus, was whispering something excitedly in her ear. I noticed a particularly evil glint in her eyes. What news could he have brought her?
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, Brother," giggled Alecto. "We'll have him before he knows what happened. The Dark Lord will be pleased." She seemed to forget me completely as she nearly ran out the door.
There was only one person they could be talking about.
I arrived at the Room of Requirement nearly fainting as I gulped for air. Dumbledore's Army was gathered there, including some who had left Hogwarts, like Cho Chang.
Once I'd gotten my breath back, I said, to no one in particular, "Harry's back?"
"Yeah," said Neville. "He came in through Hogsmeade, set off the Caterwauling Charm. Aberforth helped, but I think they'll know he's here now."
"Where is he, then?"
"He just left with Luna." It was Cho who spoke. "He's trying to find something of Ravenclaw's."
"Why on earth would he want something like that?"
"I think we'd all like to know," grumbled Seamus. "I doubt even he knows."
I was about to give a retort when I heard a voice. It was a cold, high voice, drilling into my mind.
"I know that you are preparing to fight. Your efforts are futile. You cannot fight me. I do not want to kill you. I have great respect for the teachers of Hogwarts. I do not want to spill magical blood."
Fear flooded me, making my heart go triple its normal speed. I knew who it was, but did not want to believe it. Judging by the faces of those around me, they were in the same boat as me.
The voice continued: "Give me Harry Potter, and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter, and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you will be rewarded. You have until midnight."
What was going to happen? If Harry met with Voldemort, he would surely be killed, and I doubted Voldemort would keep his word about leaving the school untouched. If he didn't meet with Voldemort, he would still be killed along with everyone else.
A large group of people suddenly came bursting into the room. I immediately recognized Fred, George, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. A red-haired man - he must have been Bill, the only Weasley I had yet to meet - led a blonde woman by the hand. She looked familiar, but I couldn't think of why. Lupin and Tonks were the last to come in.
"Ana!" cried Fred. He hurried to me and gripped me in a tight embrace. "Are you okay? You haven't sent me any letters!"
"Haven't been able to - they don't let us anymore." I paused, taking in the members of the group. "Why are you all here?"
"We're here to fight, of course!" exclaimed George. "Isn't that what the DA was all about? Now we get to do it!"
Suddenly encouraged by George's enthusiasm, I grinned. "What are we waiting for, then?"
Fred's face grew serious. "No, Ana. Not you. It's too dangerous."
My cheeks grew hot in anger. "Then what you going out there for? This is why I stayed with the DA! I can defend myself as well as anyone else. It's no more dangerous for me than it is for you!"
I thought I felt my heart break when I saw the look in Fred's eyes. Just like that day in Diagon Alley, I was, in his eyes, insisting on putting myself in the greatest danger possible without a care for what he had to say about it. Before he could say anything in reply, I said, "But I'll stay."
Relief flooded Fred's face when I said it. "Thank you. I'll come back for you when it's all over." With that, he kissed me. It was a fiercely passionate kiss, as though he were pouring all his love into it.
Soon, the only other person in the Room of Requirement was Ginny. The large room felt cavernous with everyone gone. I wasn't sure what to do. I was bored. The room provided me with a chess set. Ginny and I tried playing, but we were so distracted by thoughts of our loved ones that we quickly gave it up.
Finally, the suspense was too much for me to bear - I had to know what was going on, despite what I'd said to Fred. Without a word to Ginny, I left the room.
There was no sign that anyone had fought here. Perhaps it had been nothing serious and was already over. More likely, though, the fighting had not made its way here. I took out my wand, just in case there were enemies nearby. I decided to go to the Great Hall - it seemed a likely place to find someone. I met no one on the way.
When I reached the Great Hall, it was a scene of destruction - it was almost completely unrecognizable. Mountains of rubble littered the floor. Nearly all the windows had been smashed out. The only sounds I heard were muffled sobs. Had there been casualties? I slowly walked down the hall and saw the Weasleys. All had downcast faces - although that was an understatement - and Mrs. Weasley and George were crying openly. Just before I could ask what had happened, I saw him.
No, I thought. No, not again! I can't go through this again!
"No!" I screamed. I barely heard myself as I cradled Fred's head in my arms. I was blinded by my own tears and my sobs nearly choked me. How could this have happened? Fred, always so happy, always laughing and making light of every situation, now gone, stolen from me, just as Lizzie had been stolen from me.
My tears slowly stopped, leaving my eyes feeling puffy. My breathing still ragged, I looked up and saw Harry.
"You!" I shouted. I charged at him, aiming my wand at him. "This is all your fault! Why couldn't you just turn yourself in? We all heard Voldemort. You have to face him, anyway, I heard you say so yourself. Why do so many have to die for one teenage boy?"
Harry looked guilty. He said, "There was something I had to find."
"What, your courage?" My throat was sore from crying, but I continued to shout in my grief and rage. "What could possibly be more important than facing Voldemort? LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE DONE!" There came the tears again. "Crucio!"
"Ana, no!" cried someone behind me.
Harry fell to the floor, writhing in pain. I remembered how it felt, having had it performed on me mere hours ago. For me, it was nothing compared to what I felt now, but I wanted to cause him as much pain as possible.
"Ana!" Someone tried to grab my wand. "Ana, stop!" It was George. I danced away from him, sending another Cruciatus Cursse at Harry.
It didn't last long, though. George soon snatched my wand away. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
My breathing heavy, I panted, "He was . . . my love. It's like losing Lizzie all over again. He was your twin! Surely you can understand!" I gazed into his eyes, which were red from crying. Yes, he would understand my pain.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Harry slowly get to his feet. He approached me apprehensively. "Leliana," he said. "I don't have time to explain now, but please believe me, I had to do this before facing Voldemort. I wouldn't have done it otherwise." His voice was desperate.
I held his gaze for several moments, wanting - needing - to believe him. I finally decided to. Firmly I said, "Just make sure that Fred didn't die in vain."
