The Fire Within

Olivia Montgomery's POV

"What the hell is she doing here?" Cho sneers, her eyes narrowing the moment they land on me.

My stomach twists. I open my mouth but... nothing comes out. I don't even know what I'm guilty of—because I've done nothing wrong. Nothing that happened at the Manor was by choice. So why do I still feel like I don't deserve to be here?

Harry steps forward, glancing at me briefly before facing them all. "We don't have a lot of time to explain, but long story short—Olivia was kidnapped by You-Know-Who. He kept her locked away for more than three months. No food, no light, no human contact. She finally escaped when we were all taken to Malfoy Manor. She's on our side. She always has been. You can trust her."

He says it all in one breath. And the others—Neville, Dean, Seamus—they don't hesitate. They nod. Just like that. "Alright then. What's the plan, Harry?" Neville asks, crossing his arms. As Harry starts to explain, I spot a familiar face through the crowd. My chest tightens.

"Raf!" I call out, nearly running into his arms.

"Livia!" he says with a grin, pulling me into the safest place I've known since this nightmare began. His arms wrap around me, and I exhale, sinking into the hug like it's the first breath after drowning.

"Oh Merlin, I've missed you," I whisper into his shoulder, not caring who hears. He pulls back slightly, eyes scanning my face. "Are you okay?"

"More than okay now," I smile, blinking rapidly. "Are you?" I ask, catching the deep gash across his jaw. My fingers reach up instinctively, brushing it gently. "W-what happened?"

"Nothing serious," he says lightly. "Just refused to cruciate a first year." I close my eyes. My stomach churns with rage and guilt. "I'm sorry, Raf. It—it's because of him—"

"Exactly. It's because of him," Raf says firmly, cupping my cheek. "Not you. Don't you dare apologise for something that wasn't your doing." I look up at him, searching his face. He leans in slightly, and I grin. "So... missed me?" I say cheekily, breaking the tension.

He smirks. "Very much so."

Before he can say anything else, Ginny storms over to Harry. "Snape knows Harry was spotted in Hogsmeade."

"Right. The Order will be here in minutes," I say, switching gears fast. "Harry—go. Now. Seamus, Dean, Neville, McLaggen—you lot stay close to him. Make sure no one sees him on the way to the Great Hall."

Harry nods and starts changing into school robes over his clothes. My mind whirls, already planning our next move. "What is that?" Ginny says, squinting at my left hand.

Oh, bugger.

Her eyes widen as she catches the glint of the ring. Everyone starts to glance our way. I laugh nervously. "Ginny, honey, can I speak to you... alone?" I grab her arm and pull her aside quickly. Then whisper, "Just—don't freak out. Draco and I... we got engaged. At his house. A month ago."

Her mouth drops open.

"WHAT?!" she shouts, loud enough to echo across the room.

I grin through gritted teeth and wave at the passing students, trying to play it off. "Shhh! No one knows yet. Please calm down."

The room starts to clear out and someone says, "Is she here?" I turn toward the portrait entrance—and there he is. Fred, peeking inside, eyes scanning. "Over here, you big oaf!" I laugh, waving at him. He leaps through the entrance and barrels into me, lifting me off the ground and spinning me around like a rag doll.

Tears fill my eyes the second his arms close around me.

"I—I'm sorry. I'm so sorry—" I start, but he cuts me off with another crushing hug. "Oi, move over," George mutters, wrapping me in a hug from the other side. "Georgie," I whisper, clinging to him. My arms won't let go.

And then Mum and Dad are there, both wrapping me in warmth I didn't know I still remembered. I cry—truly cry—seeing my family again after what feels like lifetimes.

As we step out of the Room of Requirement together, I glance at Fred. "Did you get my hint? The one I slipped in the letter?" He nods. "Yeah, of course. But we didn't know where you were. If we had... Livia, we would've come for you." I squeeze his hand as we move into the hallway, Death Eaters appearing ahead.

We don't flinch.

We fight.

We reach the Great Hall, and the massive doors swing open with a loud creak. "You still have a bit of a security problem, Headmaster," Harry says as we stride into the room. "And I'm afraid it's quite extensive," he adds, his voice sharp and unwavering.

I barely have time to brace myself before Harry explodes. "How dare you stand where he stood? Tell them what happened that night! Tell them how you looked him in the eye—a man who trusted you—and killed him!"

Snape draws his wand. So do we.

Before anything can happen, Professor McGonagall steps in front of Harry and launches the first spell. Sparks fly. Spell after spell. McGonagall's fierce, fast, brilliant—but Snape, somehow, blocks everything.

Until I notice something strange.

He doesn't just block one of the spells—he redirects it. Right at the Death Eaters behind him.

What?

"Coward!" McGonagall screams as Snape vanishes, slipping out of Hogwarts like smoke.

Cheers erupt from around the hall—except from a few Slytherins. I exhale in relief, but it's short-lived. A first-year screams. Then Padma. Then Pansy Parkinson. His voice echoes through the Great Hall like a cold wind slicing through bone.

"I know that many of you will want to fight. Some of you may even think it wise to do so. But this is folly." Chills crawl up my spine.

"Give me Harry Potter... and you shall be free. Give me Harry Potter, and I shall leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you will be rewarded. You have one hour."

Silence.

Then—"Well, what are you waiting for? Someone grab him!" Parkinson snaps, glaring at Harry from beside Blaise. I move instinctively toward him. Ginny shields him first, then Hermione, then me. One by one, students and members of the Order form a protective wall around him.

"Students out of bed... students out of bed..." Filch yells, running toward the stage like a squawking chicken. "They are supposed to be out of bed, you blithering idiot," McGonagall snaps, and I can't help the ghost of a grin that tugs at my mouth.

"Oh. Sorry, ma'am," Filch mumbles. "Actually, your arrival is most opportune," she continues. "If you would, I'd like you to escort Miss Parkinson and the rest of Slytherin House from the hall." Filch stares, blinking. "Exactly where is it I'll be leading them?"

"The dungeons will do." I can't keep quiet. I step forward, heart pounding. "No!" Everyone looks at me. "Just because Parkinson is scared doesn't mean the whole house should suffer," I say, eyes sweeping across the Slytherin table. "There might be Slytherins here who want to fight."

I pause. I look at Blaise. No response.

Theo. Still nothing.

Seriously?

"Do you think we're doing all of this just for Harry? No—we're doing this for ourselves. For our future. So the next generation doesn't have to live through what we did. Right now, every single one of our lives is just as important as Harry's."

People shift, listening now. "And would you want to live in a world ruled by Voldemort?" Gasps. Of course. I said his name. I always do. "A lot of people died for this moment. Harry's mum. Mine. Cedric. Dumbledore. Professor Moody. They died for us. Fighting for the right side. Don't let their deaths mean nothing."

My voice trembles—but I don't stop. "And it's just a name. For Merlin's sake, I'm his daughter and I'm fighting against him."

Silence.

"Now—who's with me?"

Hands raise. Slowly at first, then all around the room.

McGonagall nods. "Very well. Mr. Filch, please escort Miss Parkinson and any students who do not wish to fight to the dungeons." As they're led away, Cho walks forward. "I'll help Harry. Find the diadem," she offers.

I glance at Ginny. She's fuming. I know that look. Even in war, she's still Ginny.

"Erm—I already told Luna," I say, nudging Luna toward Harry. He nods and they hurry out together.

"Alright," I say, taking a deep breath. "I need a few on hallway patrol—protect any children you can. A few on the staircases. Some in the common rooms with the younger ones. I want a few guarding the windows. And a lot at the main entrance. Mum, Professor Flitwick, Slughorn, and I will start with protective enchantments. The rest of the Order can spread out across the castle."

Everyone stares at me for a second.

"What are you waiting for?" McGonagall calls. "Move, move, move!" I yell, and the chaos begins. I run outside and start casting shields. "Protego Maxima... Repello Inimicum... Fianto Duri..." A shimmering wall of magic rises around the castle. A force field of hope.

"Man the boundaries! Stay strong!" I call out and rush back inside.

I'm running through the corridor, looking for Ron and Hermione, when I slam right into someone. "Rafael! I'm so sorry—I'm just in a hurry," I say, trying to sidestep him. "No, it's alright. C-can we talk?"

"Right now? Raf—we're in the middle of a war." He gives a half-smile. "Right. Perspective. We'll talk when this is over?" That smile. The one I saw the very first time we met. "Right," I whisper, smiling back before taking off again.

I head to the terrace and spot Fred and George, staring at the sky. "Freddie, Georgie," I call, running up to them. "Livvy," they say together, their voices thick with emotion. "Are you guys okay?" I ask, pulling them into a hug. Their eyes are glassy.

"Just... if something happens—promise me you'll hold on to the will to come back," I whisper.

They nod.

I kiss them both on the cheek and dash off to check on the rest of the castle.

I'm down in the dungeons when I feel a tug on my t-shirt. "Miss... I-I'm scared," a tiny voice says. I crouch to meet the eyes of a first-year girl. Slytherin. Small for her age—just like I was. "What's your name?" I ask gently. "Rachel," she says, clutching a book to her chest.

I scoop her into my arms. "Alright, Rachel. There's nothing to be scared of, okay? This will all be over by morning. Let me help you to your common room." I rush to the Slytherin entrance and knock. "Blaise, open up—it's me." He opens it instantly and I pass Rachel into Daphne's arms.

"You okay, Olive?" Blaise asks, and I hug him tight. "Oh, Blaise... I missed you so much," I say as Theo appears beside him. "Is that an engagement ring I see?" Theo says, eyeing my hand. Blaise grabs it too, eyes wide. "Please tell me it's Draco."

"Who else would it be?" I roll my eyes and take my hand back.

"As much as I'd love to catch up," I say, already moving toward the hallway, "I have a war to run."

And I sprint back into battle.

I'm halfway up the stairs when it hits me—a sudden wave of weakness crashes over me like a tidal wave, and I collapse, knees hitting stone. The burning mark on my chest flares so hot I gasp.

What the hell is happening?

"Are you alright?" a familiar voice asks, and I look up through a haze of pain. "Tonks? What—what are you doing here? And what about Teddy?" I ask as she helps me to my feet, the world tilting slightly under me.

"I love my son," she says with a wry smile, "but from the looks of it, you need more help here." I glance out the nearest window. The protective shield we cast—our magical barrier—is burning.

They're almost inside.

"Go. Lupin's on the east side of the castle," I tell her, and without another word, she bolts in that direction. I push open the doors and rush outside. The courtyard is chaos. Spells fly. Screams echo. I don't hesitate.

"Stupefy!" I yell, stunning the first Death Eater I see.

"Everyone inside! Take cover!" I shout at the students still caught in the fray. They scatter, running for shelter.

I whirl around and raise my arms, summoning the shattered stones around us with a flick of my fingers. The sharp, jagged pieces float above me like angry wasps, and with a single breath, I fling them at the Death Eaters.

They hit—hard.

I don't need a wand.

My magic's always been... different. Wild. Intuitive. I just point and cast.

"Olivia! Use the killing curse if you have to!" Kingsley yells, blasting a spell behind me. I blink. "I—I can?"

"Yes!" he confirms, stunning another attacker. "We need you right now." I nod once. And then I don't hesitate.

I summon fire. It swirls to life in my palms, hot and alive, then races from my fingers in a blazing stream, engulfing the enemies in front of me. They scream and scatter. I run back into the castle—it's worse inside. Spells flying in every direction. Screams. Shattered glass. Smoke.

Fred and George are fighting together, but they don't see the Death Eater creeping up behind them.

I do.

"Not my brothers, you bastard!" I scream, raising my hand and slamming the attacker backward with a blast of pure energy. The twins turn around just as I reach them. "Avada Kedavra." He falls. "Thank you, Livvy," they say in unison, and we keep fighting.

I need to find Harry. Ron. Hermione. I need to know if the Horcruxes are gone.

I push up the staircase, blasting spells as I go. I shield two second-years from falling stones. A chunk of glass flies toward Seamus—I deflect it mid-air. "Expelliarmus!" I shout, knocking the wand from the man pinning Padma. "Crucio!" I yell, and he falls, writhing. "Levicorpus!" He dangles upside-down, flailing. I float him to the nearest window and let him fall.

I'm almost at the seventh floor when it hits again—another wave of weakness, another searing burn across my chest. I stagger. The Room of Requirement door swings shut just as I catch myself.

I look up—and see her.

"Mione!" I call out. She turns just as I spot two figures on the ground. Draco. And Harry. "Draco?" I gasp, rushing to him. "Olivia," he breathes, grabbing the pillar to steady himself. I fling myself into his arms and kiss him without a second thought.

I hear Hermione's shocked gasp, but for a moment... nothing else matters. Just him. "Their hands," Hermione mutters. I hold Draco's face with my left hand, his wrapping tight around my waist.

"Oh, like hell she did," Ron growls—and the next second, he yanks me off Draco and punches him in the jaw. "Ron, no!" I shout, but it's too late. "You two-faced bastard!" Ron snarls, and I wedge myself between them, arms out.

"Stop!" I snap, then turn to Draco, inspecting his face. "You're not hurt, are you?"

"You're still defending him?" Ron barks.

"He—"

"Why didn't you tell her? About Bellatrix?" Harry cuts in, wand raised. "What are you doing?" I step forward. "Harry, lower your wand." Ron raises his too. "Why are you still defending him, Liv?"

"Because he's not evil. He's lost. He's been standing on the wrong side, but he's not beyond saving. I know him, Ron. I've spent more time with him than you ever have. I know who he really is." I cover my face for a moment, overwhelmed.

"You knew it was me," Harry says to Draco, "but you still didn't tell her. Why?" Draco's voice is raw as he draws his wand. "You want to know why I saved your bloody life back there?" Harry freezes. "Because Olivia said she'd kill herself if he won," Draco snaps.

Their wands drop.

I stare between them, breath caught in my throat.

Hermione's voice slices the silence. "Did you two get married? Is that why—?" I shake my head, slowly holding up my hand. "No. We didn't. This..." I say, looking at the ring, "this is a long story. One we don't have time for." I look at Ron.

"Right now, we have something far more important to fight for."

Then I turn to Draco.

"Draco..." I whisper, cupping his cheeks, "my love... don't go back. We need people. Pick a side. Fight for what's right. Fight for us." His eyes search mine, heavy and glassy. "I can fight the whole bloody world for us."

I kiss him. Urgent. Short. Real.

We part, and he nods to Blaise. They take off down the corridor, stunning a Death Eater in sync as they go. Harry speaks. "It's the snake. She's the last one. The last Horcrux."

"Find him, Harry," Ron says, crouching next to him. Hermione and I kneel down too. "Look in his mind. Let's end this," Ron adds. Harry closes his eyes. Hermione squeezes my hand as I glance back down the hall where Draco disappeared.

"He'll be fine, you know," she says softly. "He may be a git... but he's brave. And now that he has you, he knows what side to fight on."

I nod, blinking back the emotion.

"I know where he is," Harry says, looking right at me.

And just like that... we move.