"My son . . . is dead." It took her several times thinking it and even more times saying it before she could process what had truly happened. Killed in the battle that had engulfed her entire family. Not one of her children, not even her youngest, Ginny, had been spared from fighting in this terrible war. Over the past year, things had gotten steadily worse for the entire wizarding community. Secret meetings, disappearances and killings had become a daily reminder of how bad things had become.

All hoped for his downfall but none more than she did. She survived the first war and was darn sure she and her family would survive this one. But, looking down at the face of her dead son, she knew she had failed. She dared a glance away for a moment to look for her other children. Ron, who she hadn't seen for months was there, standing beside George who was still in shock from the loss of his twin. Her youngest, Ginny, was sitting beside her. Her husband was there too along with Percy and Charlie.

All appeared to be alright, just in shock. She glanced down to the body of her son and carefully kissed his forehead. She had to pull it together. The fighting would be starting again soon. With the help of her husband, she stood and embraced him in a big hug. She held onto him as if her life depended on it and then gently kissed him on the cheek, next to a scar that was beginning to show.

"Never forget how much I love you," she whispered to him as the tears began to fall from her eyes once more. She placed a hand on either side of his face and lifted his eyes to meet hers. "We will win," she whispered to him. "And no more of our children will be harmed." Arthur could do nothing but shake his hand in agreement. She hugged him again before turning to face her children.

One by one she inspected them and their mental health. All were at a loss, some were angry. Most, however, were frightened. The war never felt real to them, despite all that had gone on around them. The death of one of their own made it so now. Despite their grief, despite their fears, they would rise as a family and fight against the evil reign.

She turned to her youngest, who seemed to be glancing around the hall, and embraced her in a hug. "He's here," she told her. "I know he his." She smiled as she realized at the moment that her only daughter had grown into a young woman and had fallen in love. She just hoped all would live long beyond the war to enjoy all that was to come. Their future, she hoped, would be filled with nothing but love and happiness. But first, they would have to survive the night and win the battle.

There was a loud boom that shook the school and screams could be heard all around as the battle quickly began again. She gave them all a wink as they rushed out to fight once more. She took one final look at her dead son before heading into the battle. "He will not die in vein."