Because of You

Harry stared out at the battleground, his eyes blank.

Everywhere he looked, he saw death. He saw blood. He saw pain. And Harry didn't care anymore.

Everyone was dead.

"Hermione, take Ron!" Harry had yelled to her, holding off a death eater.

But it was too late. A killing curse had hit her from behind and she fell to the ground, her blank eyes staring up at him. Ron clutched his injured leg, turning his head to check Hermione.

Harry blinked, closing his eyes against the pain.

"Go, Harry! I'll be fine!" Ron screamed, his eyes filling with tears when he saw Hermione's body.

"Ron, are you sure?" Harry asked, glancing over his shoulder at the approaching Death Eaters.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a Death Eater pull out his wand. Harry made a move to stand in front of Ron, but it was too late. Ron's eyes went blank and all Harry could do was stare.

"Harry? Harry, are you okay?"

Harry ignored the voice.

"Harry, get out of here!" Remus cried to him.

Harry didn't move. He couldn't stop staring at Remus, at the bloody mess in front of him. So much blood...

Harry jumped when a hand touched his shoulder.

"Harry, maybe you should come inside."

Harry shrugged off the hand, and turned his head, staring blankly at intruder.

"No, Harry, I'm fine!" Tonks had told him, pushing him away. 'Don't worry about me, just go...you have business elsewhere."

"I can't leave you!"

"You can! You have -" Tonks never got a chance to finish her sentence. The cruciatus curse had hit her from behind and her screams of agony had interrupted her speech.

"Harry...Harry, are you okay? I think you should lie down."

"Potter," Draco rasped, grabbing Harry's arm, "tell Professor Snape...tell him I'm sorry I disappointed him. I never meant...I never meant to follow my father."

Harry shrugged off Draco, looking down at him. "What on earth are you talking about, Malfoy?"

"Just...promise me." Draco's hand loosened it's grip, falling limply at his side.

Harry fell to his knees, his eyes showing no emotion of the pain within.

He had failed everyone. He hadn't saved anyone.

"You think you can kill me, boy?" Voldemort asked, chuckling as he toyed with his wand. "I'd like to see you try. Even if you do kill me here and now, what good does it do? All your friends are gone, everyone is dead. All because of you."

"No!"

The intruder stepped forward, hesitating before speaking. "It's going to be okay, Harry. I promise."

Harry shook his head, staring mutely at the unidentifiable body that was lying no more than 3 feet away from him. "It won't be alright," he whispered, his voice scratchy in his throat. "It will never be alright again."

Professor Snape lunged in front of Harry, taking the brunt of the curse.

"It will be."

"Don't say that!" Harry shouted his mask of indifference shattering under the weight of his anger. "It'll never be alright! It doesn't matter what bullshit you spread, it won't be alright!"

"Harry..."

"Help!" Ginny screamed, throwing her head back in pain. "Help me, Harry!"

"Don't 'Harry' me, Mr. Weasley. Ron is dead. Charlie is dead. Ginny is dead! Everyone is dead. I won't be alright."

Mr. Weasley gulped, blinking back tears. "We have suffered a great deal of loss, Harry, but I promise you -"

"Well, don't. Don't make me any promises. I don't need to hear them!"

Harry stood up, glancing at the older man.

"I'll be seeing ya," he whispered. Harry took off. He ran through the rows of bodies, tears slipping out his eyes as he wiped them away furiously. The stench of blood was overwhelming but Harry kept running, fighting back his exhaustion.

"All because of you."