The Battle for Peace

Chapter 4: Simply Terrible

Not a cheerful sound could be heard throughout the Great Hall on Wednesday morning (The second one in October). No one, not even the first years, could ignore the fact that there was a war going on as they were sitting there; the pain that had started to come with the black owls was spreading. The professors did not try to shield the students from it, either. Everyone under 4^th year was required to join the Defense Club, willingly or not.

Jazmine was doing worse than her friends had expected. It seemed as thought her Stress Reliever had worn off; Ashley had been getting reports from the girls in the Seventh Year Dormitories that Jazmine would wake up at night crying or screaming. Ever since September, she would come down to the Great Hall with bags under her eyes. Everyone whispered that she resembled Harry when he came down as well.

The third Prefect meeting of the year was going to occur tonight, and as Ashley was about to turn and ask Hermione what they would discuss (as Hermione had a longer attention span when it came to this)....

A large, black owl circled the Great Hall. This happened almost every day now, but there was something about this owl... It was larger than all the other owls that had delivered every letter thus far. It flew towards the Gryffindor table, slowing down, bringing an ominous feeling to every table as it passed.

The owl landed on the table, peering eerily at every Gryffindor that dared look at it. It slowly walked (in an owly way) across the table, looking for its receiver. The owl stopped as it stared at the seventh years. Gaining speed, it flew towards the girls, making Parvati shriek with fear.

The owl opened its beak and the letter fell out...landing on Ashley's plate of untouched food. With shaking hands, she picked it up as the owl flew away. The blood red ribbon that bound the letter untied itself and glided down to the table. Ashley opened the letter, taking in the words.

Your end is near

As little by little,

They begin to fall.

A searing pain flashed through her head as she saw a scene running through her head.

Someone was running through the streets of London. A hooded figure was following the person's every twist and turn. Her, Ashley's mind perceived. It's a woman.

Everything rushed passed her as finally, the woman was cornered in a dark corner. The moon seemed to sink and everything was enveloped in total darkness. The hooded figure pointed his finger at the woman--a wand, she knew--and uttered the fatal words.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

The woman screamed and tried to run, but the curse hit her full force. Her eyes, opened in fear and shock, stayed fixed on her murderer as she collapsed limply to the ground. The--man--laughed before he spoke.

"What a horrible end for..." he paused for a moment, and Ashley's heart filled with dread as the murderer was about to reveal the name of his latest victim.

"Mrs. Halliwell."

WHOOSH!

"NNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!" Ashley screamed. Everyone in the hall turned to look at her, shocked at the outburst from one of the Head Girls. She abruptly leapt from her seat and ran out of the hall, tears threatening to fall in front of everyone. Hermione, Jazmine and Adrian stood up and followed her from the hall, not noticing that Harry sat there with a shocked look on his face, having witnessed the same thing Ashley had.

~~~~~~~~

She ran. Ran to where she hoped no one would find her. In her mind, she knew that at least one of her friends would follow her, but hoped they wouldn't. She ran out of the castle straight towards the Forbidden Forest, stopping to climb the tallest and nearest tree. There, she let her emotions run free. Her tears fell, staining the ground and leaving tracks on her cheeks.

Her mother was dead... As much as she had disliked the fact that (in her mind) her mother favored her other children over her, and that she had tried so hard, it seemed, to make Ashley's life miserable, she couldn't help but hurt. Ashley never apologized to her mom for the many arguments they had; she never told her mother how much she loved her despite what they had gone through.

The worst part of everything was that, though it undoubtedly happened last night, she had witnessed her mother's death. It was terrible, no matter how short the vision was. She could do nothing to stop it, and she hated that. She hated Voldemort with all her heart, or what was left of it.

She never realized that this war would be so terrible and heart wrenching. Pain and death was all around her. Sure, she could try to ignore it, but the fact was that it would be extremely difficult. She let out a shuddering sigh.

How many people in her life had died already? Four people, hopefully no more than that. The thing was that these deaths had happened within six months, and she had no time to mull things over.

Daniel's parents didn't have a funeral. They were so shocked and upset that he had been on the Dark Side that they practically disowned him. They were Pureblooded, but were probably one of about 3 families that hated the Dark Arts. Even after Ashley explained what he had done, they wouldn't budge. Well, Mr. Taylor wouldn't budge; Mrs. Taylor was awfully upset at the death of her youngest son. She wanted to have a proper funeral and pay the proper respects, but Mr. Taylor's word, apparently, was final.

Abby and Robert's funeral had been funereal. Jazmine had grown weak and could barely stand and see her dead parents. Surprisingly, it was harder for Ashley. These people were her substitute family, her substitute parents. They were gone. The ceremony had cleared that up perfectly.

Now her mother was dead... She was going to have to attend that funeral, too. She couldn't take any of this pain and death anymore. Voids began to form in her heart. She realized that she wouldn't be able to escape this forever. She also realized that these deaths were practically her fault.

Daniel died to save her boyfriend and make her happy. Abby and Robert died just by association, not only because they weren't "pureblooded." And her mother had died because Voldemort knew family was the worst thing a person could lose (what he didn't know was why). They were in relation to the Weasleys, major betrayers to the Purebloods.

The message kept flashing through her mind. Your end is near as little by little they begin to fall. Everyone close to her was in immediate danger: her father, Jake, Matt, Robbie, Lexy, Jazmine, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Harry....

He's going to win this, she thought in despair. I can't do this anymore. It hurts so much! Why me? What did I ever do to deserve this?

She curled up into a ball and sobbed uncontrollably. She never noticed someone else climb up into her tree until that someone touched her shoulder.

"Please, Adrian, not now," she pleaded, her body racking with sobs.

"It's not Adrian," he said, tilting her chin upward. Ashley looked up into familiar emerald green eyes.

"Harry, I," she whispered. He placed a finger on her lips. She gathered all of her strength and looked him in the eyes. It broke his heart to see such sadness in the eyes that always sparkled.

"I saw it," he said, simply. She couldn't help it: she sobbed all over again. She leaned into him and let it all out, ignoring the warm, fuzzy feeling she got when he placed his arms around her. Her arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer. He rubbed circles on her back, gently rocking her back and forth.

"I'm sorry. This shouldn't have happened," he whispered. She nodded slightly, struggling to breathe. "Believe me, if I could change this, I would. I'd do anything for you. But," he paused, a lump rising in his throat, "but I can't change it. You know I could try for years and she'd still be gone."

She sniffed, ceasing her sobs for a moment.

"I can't believe it. Why did he have to..." she sobbed again, not able to say it out loud, as though saying it would confirm it was true. "Harry," she began, speaking into his shoulder, "if you didn't think I understood how it felt, what with your parents dead and Cedric dying right in front of you, I do now." He sighed.

"I wish you didn't," he admitted. Silent tears fell from her eyes as Harry stroked her hair. She clung to him tightly, not only because he was the only one who understood, but also the only one she really wanted there.

It was October, but unusually cold. She had run out of the castle without her cloak, but wasn't really thinking. (Would you?) He made her feel warm, inside and out.

Why did you give him up? Be honest, her conscience said.

For freedom. And because I was angry and stupid and thought it was the right thing to do.

If you were together, he would have kissed you by now, and made you feel better. Or would that make you feel used?

It'd make me feel okay, but Harry would feel like he was using me, she thought, knowing how he was. She resisted the urge to kiss his cheek, fearing she would go further. She just stayed there, in his arms, slowly breathing.

They sat there for who knows how long. Finally, wordlessly, Harry carried her down the tree and back to the castle. She wouldn't let go of him, and he sighed inwardly. First Daniel died in her arms, then she witnesses her own mother's death. It's me he wants, not her. I wish she didn't have to go through with this.

"Carpe Diem," he said, and the portrait hole to the Head Boy and Girl's suite opened. Carefully, he carried her up to her bedroom, surprised that the stairs had not turned in to a slide already. He smiled slightly, remembering how Ron had fallen on the girls' stairs in the Gryffindor Common Room in fifth year.

He gently lay her on her bed, which was nice and neat. One of the house-elves must have been there already. He glanced at the clock on the wall and was surprised to see that it was eleven thirty. He turned toward Ashley and thought that she was asleep. Her hair fanned out around her head, and her face was tear-stained and tinted red. Hesitantly, he wiped the tears off her cheeks. He quickly pulled his hand away as a spark traveled up his arm.

Don't, Potter, he thought to himself. It's over and you'd be taking advantage of her. Realizing what his mind was suggesting, he made to leave, but was stopped when she grabbed his arm.

"Please don't go," Ashley begged, struggling to lift her head. Harry turned to her and, upon seeing her pleading face, smiled and sat down next to her. Not being able to resist, she snuggled up to him, slowly drifting off to sleep.

~~~~~~~~

Adrian, Hermione, and Jazmine looked everywhere desperately for Ashley, but to no avail. Jazmine was worried, and the bags under her eyes seemed to darken every minute. Adrian didn't know what to do with himself, and Hermione was muttering to herself under her breath.

After a while, Jazmine suggested they go to the Heads' suite and see if she was there. They ran, following Hermione to the suite.

Not wanting to disturb her if she was in there, Hermione asked the man in the portrait if he had seen anyone go in.

"Yes, now that you mention it," the wizard began, "I saw the other Head Girl being carried in here by the Head Boy. The poor thing looked terrible, tears running down her face. But the Head Boy seemed to know what he was doing. He carried her in there and put her to bed, from what Matilda tells me."

Adrian frowned. What could have happened to her that made her leave like that?

"At least they're still friends," Hermione voiced. Adrian swiveled around and stared at her.

"What do you mean?" he asked. Jazmine scoffed.

"Would you still be friends with your ex-girlfriend? Come on, Adrian! Don't be so dumb!" she exclaimed, shoving him. He glared at her.

"Hey, no need to take this out on me! I didn't know!" She narrowed her eyes at him.

"If you had been a better friend..." she fumed.

"ENOUGH!" Hermione bellowed. Startled, they looked at her. She was seething. "This isn't about you two. It's about Ashley and Harry. So stop bickering and focus!" Jazmine rolled her eyes.

"Jeez, wake them up, why don't ya?" she said. "They're probably taking a nap or something, knowing Ashley." Adrian shook his head but said nothing. Hermione breathed deeply, then spoke.

"Let's get to class," was all she said before she walked on.

~~~~~~~~

Harry tried to resist the urge to fall asleep, but it was very tempting. Last night, countless nightmares had come to him, keeping him up almost all night. He was going to ask McGonagall if he could have the day off, but then...

He looked down at the girl lying asleep by his side. Her eyes were still puffy, and her brow was furrowed; even in her sleep, she couldn't relax. Every time he shifted, she clung tighter to him.

He glanced at the clock. It was almost 3. He sighed. He didn't want to leave, but he should at least tell Dumbledore what happened. He slowly got up. She turned over to her side, but that was all. He left a note on her bedside table, telling her where he went. He kissed her cheek before departing. Unknown to him, she smiled.

~~~~~~~

She was walking in the forest, trembling. She had no idea where she was, and was afraid to find out. She kept walking until she came to a clearing. A white figure stood before her, pacing. Living at Hogwarts, she was quite used to ghosts by now, but there was something strange about this one. She didn't even know who this person--ghost--was.

Suddenly, the ghost, as if hearing her thoughts, began to take a solid form, a more recognizable form. She gasped.

"Mom?" she whispered. Mrs. Halliwell smiled sadly at her daughter.

"Yes, it's me. Who did you think it was?" she asked. Ashley choked back a sob.

"What are you doing here?" Ashley asked. Her mother sighed.

"Just to make sure you aren't blaming yourself, dear," she answered. Ashley smiled.

"You sound like Aunt Molly, mom," she said. Mom. After what she saw today, she never thought she'd say those words ever again. Her tears began to fall again. She ran up to her mother and hugged her. "I'm so sorry!" Her mother stroked her back.

"For what?"

"For being so terrible! Fighting with you for everything! I'm sorry!" she sobbed. Her mother sighed as a lone tear slid down her face.

"It's okay. I'm sorry, too. As long as we forgive each other, everything will be okay," she comforted. Ashley sniffed.

"But you'll still be gone," she said bitterly. Her mother smiled a humorless smile, something she had gotten used to. "What are we going to do without you?"

"Live," she replied. "Live your life, and help him fight this evil." Ashley frowned.

"Who?" Her mother gave her a wry smile.

"Harry. He cares about you, and I know it's likewise. Help him destroy this monster; I don't think he can do this without you." She let this thought sink in as she kissed her daughter's forehead. Then, she took off her watch and gave it to her. "Take this. Whenever you miss me or need me, remember that I'm here and here," she said, pointing to the watch and Ashley's heart.

"I love you, Mom," Ashley whispered. Her mother laughed.

"I love you, too." A whirling sensation gripped Ashley as she felt herself slipping away from her mother.

"Mom, don't leave me again!" she screamed.

"It'll be okay. Stick to him; he'll help you!"

**

Ashley woke up with a start. She fingered the object in her hand; confused, she stared at it. Her mother's gold watch, which still told perfect time, was in her hands. It was real. It couldn't not have been real. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, wondering what time it was. Duh, check the watch, she thought. It was nearly 4 o'clock in the afternoon!

"Harry, you're not going to believe--" she stopped, shocked, as she saw that he wasn't there. Where did he go? She strained her ears, thinking he was in the bathroom or in the Common Room (A/N: the suite has its own Common Room). She heard nothing. Besides, even if he were downstairs, he wouldn't make any noise if he knew she was sleeping.

She sighed. She decided she was okay with her and Harry; sure, they didn't speak as fluently and as often as they used to, but they still spoke, and the tension began to ease. But this, what happened... No, she thought firmly. This is what people in grief do; they cling. She thought-- she knew-- that she only thought that things could change because of her status: single and needy (at the moment).

I can't do this right now!

"Why is this happening to me?" she asked, looking up. "Four people close to me have died within a year. Not even, a few months! What next?"

Death. A voice whispered, sounding mysteriously like Voldemort.

"Great," she groaned.

&*&*&*

"Okay, team. Let's get cracking!" Ron yelled, hopping on his broom. This was their last practice before the match against Slytherin, and Ron wanted Gryffindor to win by a lot. So, this practice was going to go on for at least three hours. Ashley groaned, but practiced nonetheless.

"Oi! Harry, pay attention!" Ginny bellowed from across the field. The Snitch had whizzed by him 3 times without him knowing. His mind was on... something else. Snapping out of it, he raced with the Snitch, finally catching it.

"Harry, mate, is something wrong?" Ron asked. Harry shook his head, frowning. "Well, at least say it." Harry sighed.

"Nothing is wrong, Ron. Satisfied?" he asked, somewhat bitter. Ron rolled his eyes.

"No need to go all female on me Harry. GAH! Who hit that?" he exclaimed, as a Bludger had just narrowly missed his head. He then saw Ashley glaring at him from his left, a bat in her right hand.

"I resent that, Weasley," she whispered, just loud enough to hear. Ron grinned.

"What? Are you female?" he teased. Her eyes lit up.

"THAT DOES IT! YOU'RE IN FOR IT NOW!" she screamed, about to attack him. Quickly, Harry flew over and grabbed a hold of her broom. Furious, she turned to see what was stopping her, and softened when she saw Harry behind her. He shook his head, pleading with her to calm down. She took several deep breaths, closed her eyes, and mentally counted to ten. After that, she opened her eyes, but wouldn't meet his.

She was ashamed. What made her lose her temper so quickly? Mom, she quickly thought. She felt her throat tightening and her eyes began to sting. She cleared her throat before speaking.

"I don't feel very well, Ron. I'm going inside," she said, flying toward the ground. Confused, Ron looked around at everyone, silently asking if they knew what was with her. They all shook their heads. That girl remained a mystery, especially nowadays.

She shakily dismounted from her broom, running into the changing rooms. Harry decided to stay up in the air until he had given her enough time. She was silently grateful.

Harry understood perfectly what she was going through. When Sirius had fallen through the veil at the Department of Mysteries, he had been shocked and angry. That summer, when he returned to Privet Drive, he had become more angry and disobedient; he even began to disrespect his aunt and uncle. Not wanting to deal with him (in fear of those "freaks" coming to their house), they ordered him to stay up in his room at all times.

Then, Sirius had come back. Harry, of course, had been extremely cautious and skeptic. Eventually, he realized that this was the real Sirius. The anger ebbed away, and the old Harry had resurfaced.

But she can't do that, he thought.

Her mother was really dead. There was no denying the fact that she had been murdered; she wasn't in another world or drifting between worlds. Mrs. Halliwell was gone. Avada Kedavra was definite (except when it came to a certain wizard). No turning back, no changing the past...there was nothing at all he or anyone else could do.

He never really went through the grieving process. He didn't know anyone who had. He had no idea what to expect.

He just hoped it wasn't anything too extreme.

§§§

"Welcome to Hogwarts's first Quidditch match of the season! It's a beautiful day for today's match: Slytherin versus Gryffindor!"

3 quarters of the crowd cheered with all their might, while the Slytherins booed at the mention of their rival.

"And here comes the Gryffindor team. That's Weey, Weasley, McDonald, Halliwell, Finnegan, Stollins, and Potter!" One by one, as their names were announced, each player zoomed out onto the field. Harry had his eyes closed; some thought that he was savoring the feeling of playing again.

"And here comes the Slytherin Team! Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Zabini, Parkinson, Bullstrode and Kannon!" Only the Slytherins cheered as their team arrived. Of course, they were drowned out by boos.

"Crabbe and Goyle are the Beaters this year, though how they gathered enough brain power to even pick up the bats is beyond my--"

"Thomas! (A/N: If I got any of the names wrong, forgive me. My OoTP is MIA.)" McGonagall scolded. Dean blushed.

"Sorry, Professor. The Quaffle has been released... and the game begins! Gryffindor gets immediate possession...Weasley passes it to Halliwell...they pulled off the Hawk's Head Formation!!! Amazing! McDonald has the Quaffle...passes it to Halliwell...back to McDonald and ... 10-NIL, GRYFFINDOR!!!" The crowd roared, most out of joy. Then, slowly, they stopped. Not a sound could be heard except for the players. Eventually they stopped.

One by one, every player on the field turned to what everyone was looking at. Dread filled every student's body as Dumbledore came out to the field, alarm etched on his face.

Lightning flashed from the sky, and Harry gasped as he saw what was coming, his scar burning worse than ever. He turned to his left and saw Ashley and Ginny begin to tremble.

An army of Dementors was headed straight towards Hogwarts. They looked up, searching, until they focused on what they came for...

"Hello, Potter," said a voice. Harry looked down and nearly jumped out of his skin. The thing he least wanted to face right now was right there, staring up at him, practically grinning.

"Voldemort."

**********************

A/N: Cliffie? Maybe. Confusing chapter? Kinda. Lots of mixed emotions are expressed, and I just love leaving people in the dark.

Five reviews and I'll post the next already-written-chapter.