Chapter Text
My bare feet stubbornly march over rocks, gnarled roots, and thorny vines, though they may as well be sifting through rose petals in comparison to the crumbling pain pressing down on the rest of my body.
One knee’s not right, and surely I have broken ribs…but it’s my neck that’s most concerning. I work to allocate enough energy to my legs to keep moving, and to my arms to try to slow the bleeding.
I keep my left arm braced against my body, hand supporting my right elbow, so I can reach up to cover the gash, the bite, whatever it is.
I tell myself I’ve had worse, which might be true, but I know this doesn’t guarantee my survival. I wonder at the strange circle it would make if a wolf killed me before midlife just as one stole my childhood.
I focus on my breathing, urging myself to forget the feeling of teeth in my flesh, and worse, the feeling of flesh between my own teeth.
Just as I reach the tree line, my arms go slack. They shake terribly from their prolonged fight with gravity.
I surprise myself by making it a couple meters into the clearing before my legs give out.
Through my dizziness and pain, it takes longer than usual to step into my joyous memory, to call forward my guardian. But I always know the memory without a second thought—Harry’s first successful Patronus summoning.
Seeing Prongs after so long, glorious and shining, nearly sent me to tears in that moment. But so much more than that was the pride in Harry’s eyes, his smile edged with surprise.
Helping provide a connection to his father, however symbolic—providing him protection that he’d have for the rest of his life…The moment was truly a treasure I’d never forget.
Even so, I’m nearing my physical and magical limit, so the spirit is shapeless.
It sees well in the dark. It flows through doors and walls to enter the medic’s room, where it gathers itself up—still body-less, but less like a ribbon. I do my best to speak clearly.
“Sophie. It’s Remus, outside. The Alpha attacked.”
A Patronus, even an incorporeal one, does not disappear like a candle flame when the spell is closed. Upon dissolving, it also stretches, branches out.
As this happens, in a way I can’t explain, I sense Severus. I know he’s inside.
I shudder harshly, envisioning dark hair and striking, intelligent eyes I can never quite read.
My broken, naked body slides on the grass as I fall forward. Coughing shakes me as blood pushes up my throat.
The cabin door opens, and I picture Severus rushing toward me-corvine, afraid, determined.
This brings me comfort, though darkness takes me before I can comprehend the strangeness of this.