 astronomizzle ♧ gryffinDORK | & the rest is drag ♣ #badluckDerf
And then it was over.
Charles’ potent Knockback Jinx struck true, Lucien catapulted backwards, the sound pillars cracking and beginning to topple like dominos… The Minister struggled to pinpoint the source of the nausea that swept over him as he tore his gaze away from the scene, unable to bear witness to Lucien’s demise and the white hot pain from the curse morphing into the ache of moral culpability that would haunt Charles for as long as he remained of this world. Once he turned back, all the man could see was a pile of rubble and the Elder Wand abandoned just before it.
He crumbled to his knees with any attempt to stand, leaving the man with the only option to unsteadily pull himself across the ground towards Malachi first. “Welcome...home...my...boy…” he wheezed as one of his disfigured hands took the headmaster’s in his own and squeezed it tenderly. The dragon scales that had once so prominently marked parts of his skin began to fade and retract as Charles continued to weaken from his wounds. His enchantments around the courtyard as well began to melt away, allowing for the thick smoke to escape at last and breath fresh air into the space. With another feeble couple of tugs forward, Charles managed to reach the Elder Wand and gingerly took it. Eyes stinging from more than just the smoke and physical pain, he looked upon the rubble and let out a series of strained croaks intended to be sobs; his heart shattering just a bit more.
Managing to roll on to his back, which provided him with ample view of his magical barriers melting away and the sun rising fully over the horizon. He had promised that he would send a signal when the duel was over, a celebratory Vermillious to draw the eye to his location, but Charles felt another more necessary action was needed. He had, after all, not come all this way alone and those who had battled along with him and covered his back so he could enter the courtyard alone would know where to find him.
And Malachi.
And Lucien.
Closing his eyes, the slash across his chest throbbing with each beat of his heart, Charles focused his thoughts on the day he first became a father and he cradled Ryunosuke in the palm of his mighty hand. The day he became a father to a daughter after having three sons. The day he became a grandfather for the first time. The memories filled him like a warm cup of tea on a dreary rainy morning and the memory of tiny tiny hands coiling around his finger cheered his soul on. Tears leaking down his battle worn leathery cheeks but the joy within him unfolding like a flower blooming in spring, Charles smiled faintly to himself and wielded the Elder Wand to conjure a trio of silvery wispy opossums. “...hello there...old friends…” he breathed out though half closed eyes, the Elder wand slipping into his pocket now alongside Alphonsine’s. “...tell them...tell them…” His voice trailed off into that of a faint whisper that only the patronuses could acknowledge.
And then they were off, scattering in different directions as they dashed away to follow their master’s ardent charge.
Charles remained on the ground beside Malachi, holding on to consciousness for as long as he could, watching the sun continue its journey across the sky as a new dawn did indeed begin...but soon he felt too heavy and his eyes closed. The hand on his chest slipping and falling to his side among the stone, scorched root, and rolling ash.
__________________
When you’re stuck in a moment and your spark has been stolen .................................................. ...........
this is our time to own it, so own it.....................................
baby we were born with fire and gold in our eyes |