Upside Down

distinctlyME - I know, I know...I'm horrible for leaving it right there....but just read this next chappie and you'll be right as rain. Harry was a bit cocky....I thought it would add a little humor in such a dark time. But yes....totally irresponsible to leave it up to someone else to finish off that moldy bastard....

Baybeetricia - Oh...you're so funny! I don't think Voldemort was really gay, but it was amusing for Harry to suggest it nonetheless...

LolDiBlack - Oh...you didn't think Ruby was going to leave without a good representation of America? Hell-to-the-mother-fucking-no! Anyway...the review was lovely, dear...

blondpierogi - Voldemort is completely dead. I hate him, and I'm so glad I don't have to deal with him anymore....we can get on to bigger and better things...

XxSilentEyesxX - I'm glad you got the amusement I planned....

Now, this chapter is not as long as the last, but it is still very long by my standards. But it should answer some questions quite nicely...

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Rodolphus opened his eyes, his hand coming up to shield them from the brightness. He looked around, but all he could see was white. “Bloody hell…” he groaned, and pushed himself to a sitting position.

I was wondering when someone would show up here…

Rodolphus’ head whirled to the side, and he saw a figure stepping from what appeared to be white smoke. Rodolphus’ eyes widened at the figure’s appearance.

He was a good seven feet tall, well muscled, and had great feathered black wings protruding from his back. His face was covered completely with a gold mask, and the eye slits glowed white, giving no indication of his eye color. He dressed completely in black, with a large black cloak trailing behind him.

“What….I should say…..bloody hell you’re big….” Rodolphus said. He heard a deep chuckle, but the figure didn’t appear to move from the sound. “Where….am I?” Rodolphus asked.

You’re between.

Rodolphus’ eyes darted around. “Between what?” he asked.

Between life and death. We just need to figure out which way to send you.

“Um….I could make that choice easy for you. I want to go back to life. I’m only here because my idiot brother tried to kill me wife, and I pushed her aside….” He said forlornly.

Yes, I know. That is exactly why you’re here. Your body is dead, but your spirit is very much alive. You weren’t supposed to die just yet. Now….to judge you.

The figure approached Rodolphus, and the man found himself suddenly on his feet, looking up into the masked face of the angel-type creature. The masked creature put his hand forward and laid his palm on Rodolphus’ forehead. Rodolphus’ eyes rolled back, and he felt as if he were reliving his entire life. He watched his life pass by like a movie on fast forward. He watched as he grew up, watched himself take the Mark, kill, maim, torture. He watched his marriage to Bellatrix. He relived her Marking ceremony. His adult life flew past, and finally as he began to change. He could almost feel his own fury when he found out his wife had been ‘killed.’ He watched the Rebellion, and then as Bella took care of him until he awoke. He trained for the battle, and trained Harry, and then he battled, and died.

When the creature let go of Rodolphus, he fell backward, landing hard on his bottom.

You didn’t start off very well, did you? No matter….I judge you in accordance with my duties: You are sound in mind, and fit to return to the world of the living.

“That…that’s it?” Rodolphus asked, standing and dusting himself off.

Well…not quite. But you’ll figure out the rest on your own. I have the utmost confidence in you.

Rodolphus felt a horrible tugging sensation, and felt as if he were underwater, unable to draw breath.

~~

Bellatrix had draped herself over Rodolphus, tears streaming down her face as she wailed. Rodolphus’ breathing had stopped moments after he had hit the ground, and there were already Order members trying to pull her away from him so that his body could be dealt with honorably. She actually punched one man who grabbed her arm.

Several people stood near her, watching the scene with heavy hearts. This witch had fought her hardest with them, and her past, no matter how terrible, had been all but forgotten. Right now she was as any other woman mourning the death of her husband. Neville Longbottom stepped from the crowd, and knelt beside her. His face was grave and pale, and he reached out and touched her shoulder.

“No! Leave me alone!” she hiccupped, and leaned closer to Rodolphus’ still body, wrapping her arms around his neck. Under her hands she felt no pulse.

“There’s nothing you can do for him. You need to get to the medic’s corner.” Neville said softly, gazing at her bloody shoulder. She turned her head to him, shock registering in her black eyes.

“Why would you help me?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Neville gave a weak smile.

“You’re one of us….whether I believed it before or not…the fact remains that you’re wearing the emblem of the Order. If you weren’t faithful you couldn’t have put that symbol on. People change…Who am I to judge your heart?” he asked, and extended his hand to her. She took a last, longing look at the still body of her husband, and reached out to take Neville’s hand. He pulled her to her feet, and put her good arm around his shoulder to keep her steady.

~~

Rodolphus felt as if his lungs were going to burst if he didn’t draw in a breath. He felt as if he were trying to swim through lead. His body felt heavy, but he could see light ahead. If he could make it to the light, he felt sure this nightmare would end. He reached for the light, a great bright flash blinding him.

~~

An Order member had removed the dagger from Rodolphus’ chest, and had knelt down to remove his robes to drape over his face, to signal he was indeed dead. He had gotten as far as shifting the awkwardly settled robes when Rodolphus’ eyes flew open, and he sat bolt upright with a desperate gasp for air.

The Order member fell back with a cry, watching as Rodolphus fell back, convulsing and gasping, magic swirling around him, disturbing his hair and robes.

~~

Bellatrix stopped at the sound of the gasp and pulled her hand away from Neville. She turned slowly, her eyes wide when she saw Rodolphus in the center of a swirl of raw magic. When the magic settled, Rodolphus pushed himself up, and reached up to touch the place where he had been stabbed. Although the blood still stained his white robes, there was no wound.

“Bloody hell….I fucking died!” he snapped. He was suddenly tackled by a figure with dark curlY hair, his face smothered in kisses.

“You bloody fucking bastard!” Bellatrix said, and kissed his lips. “You had be scared to death you rotter!” she added, burying her face against his neck and hugging him in an insanely tight grasp.

Neville had turned back, and was watching the scene with blatant shock written on his face.

“How the hell did you do it, Lestrange? You were dead….” He said. Rodolphus looked up at him and smiled.

“I’m just one lucky bastard, is all…”

~~

Hermione ran to the medic’s corner, immediately locating Draco amid the wounded and dying. He was heavily medicated and physically exhausted, and laid on the bed limply, his father sitting in a conjured chair beside him.
Hermione wrapped her arms around him tenderly, minding his hurt shoulder, and pressed a kiss to his lips. He turned to her, his heavy-lidded, glassy eyes searching her face.

“The pretty lady kissed me.” He slurred. Hermione’s brows furrowed, and she looked over at Lucius, who gave a weak smile.

“He’s stoned on pain medicine.” He said simply. Hermione’s mouth formed a little ‘o,’ and she reached out to brush a bit of Draco’s fringe out of his face. Draco blinked, and giggled softly. Hermione smiled at him and reached out to grasp his hand, using her other hand to rub his wrist, enjoying the soft throb of his pulse beneath her fingers.

“I love you, Draco.” She whispered. Draco’s eyes seemed to clear for a moment.

“I love you too, pretty lady….”

~~

Although the curse across Harry’s chest had been healed, he was in bad shape. He was physically exhausted, and wanted nothing more than to curl up and die. He just wanted to die so that he would have peace.

He closed his eyes, tears leaking from underneath the lids and cutting a path through the blood that had smeared on his face.

“Potter…”

The soft voice made him open his eyes. Professor Snape still stood there, his white robes contrasting with his black hair and eyes.

“I just want to rest. I’m so tired…” Harry said softly. He gave a choked sob, and closed his eyes again. Except for his breathing, he went very still. Snape was a bit shocked. He had never seen the arrogant, cocky, pain in his arse look so….vulnerable.

“So tired….why can’t I rest? Why can’t I go with you? Let me go with you…”

Snape’s eyebrows knitted together. What was Potter talking about?

“Let me come with you, Mum…”

Snape took a sharp breath. He had heard of this before. Magical folks, when they truly wanted it, could use their own magic to stifle their bodily functions, and put themselves to death. He had heard of it, yes…but only in older witches and wizards with nothing to live for. Although he hadn’t finished off the Dark Lord personally, this boy had done a marvelous job of holding his own. And in such a unique way….

He would be worshipped….even more than he was now.

Snape was startled out of his reverie when Harry opened his eyes with a gasp, sobbing loudly. He looked at Snape sadly.

“She said I wasn’t supposed to go yet….she said I had more work to do. I don’t want to work. I just want peace…haven’t I earned it?” he cried. Snape regarded him coolly.

“The Dark Lord is dead, Potter. You’ll get your peace. They’ll worship you…” he said, gesturing widely with his hand to include everyone. Harry shook his head.

“You never saw it, did you, Professor? I don’t want it…I don’t want them to worship me. I never did! I just want them to leave me alone!” Harry cried, his voice rising. But then he quieted, and settled back against the cot. “Who killed him? It wasn’t me….”

“I created a modified cobra venom that destroyed his body by disintegrating the potion he used to recreate it. Ruby put it on the tip of a centaur arrow and fired it. She hit him and he….melted.”

Harry snorted. “He melted….Ironic, isn’t it? Ruby was the youngest fighter….the only American…and she came through in the end. She’s something else…” he said. Snape nodded.

“Yes. I have met plenty of Americans over the years, but she happens to be the only one I’ve liked…” he said. Harry smiled.

“Professor?” Harry asked. Snape made a small grunt of acknowledgment.

“Do you….do you think you could just….stay a bit? I don’t want to be alone…..but I don’t really…trust anyone else out there…” Harry said. Snape conjured a small chair next to Harry’s bed, and sat down beside the cot.

~~

Rodolphus led Bellatrix into the medic’s corner, watching from side to side as they walked. No one else seemed to be running up to them with daggers, but the Death Eaters were being quickly rounded up and those who gave up alive were bound, and put aside to be dealt with later.

Bellatrix leaned against Rodolphus, biting her lip as she fought with herself to gather the courage to confess her…condition.

“Roddy….I have something I need to tell you…”

~~

Ron found Ruby when the danger of the retaliating Death Eaters was gone. She was conversing with the centaur whose bow she’d used, and seeming to have a good time of it, though she had to tilt her head nearly all the way back to look into the creature’s face.

Ron came up to stand beside her, resting his hand on the back of her neck. She looked over at him and grinned.

“Did you see the arrow hit MoldyShorts? That was totally me! But I had some help….couldn’t have done it without Greysnout.” She said, motioning to the grey-bodied centaur. Ron nodded politely at the creature. Ruby might be all right with the Halfling, but their usefulness was next to nil.

The centaur could feel the hostility in Ron’s aura, and frowned sharply.

“It was pleasant talking with you, Ruby-human. If you ever happen to find yourself in the Dark Forest, seek me out. To keep you safe, I will give you this.” Greysnout reached into a small bag that hung around his humanoid waist, and pulled out a small, round piece of wood engraved with a stylized bow and arrow. “This is the Mark of the Centaur. If you present it, you are always welcome in the forest. Don’t lose it now.” He said, and cantered off to find the Great Dumbledore for a trip home.

~~

“WHAT?!?!?!”

Bellatrix winced at the volume of Rodolphus’ voice. “I’m pregnant.” She repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Did you know this when you entered the battle?” he asked, seething quietly. How dare she? How could she put herself and their unborn child in danger like that? The irresponsible bitch-witch!

“Yes…” she said soflty.

SMACK

Rodolphus slapped Bellatrix across the face hard enough to turn her head. A few Order members around them paused, expecting the Dark witch to attack him for his audacity. But she seemed to shrink away from him.

“Why the fuck wouldn’t you tell me something like that?” he hissed.

“I didn’t want you to worry-”

SMACK

He slapped her again. “Worry? You could bloody-well be dead, you irresponsible fool!” he snapped. Bellatrix didn’t respond. She could practically feel the anger rolling off of him in waves, and she didn’t want to stoke that particular fire any more. He had more than enough right to slap her some more. Hell…the rule of thumb would apply here…. As long as he didn’t kill her it would be well within the law to properly beat the shit out of her.

The proverbial shite had hit the proverbial fan, and now she just had to wait and see how far it was thrown.
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LUCY!!!! You got some 'splainin' to do......

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