The courtyard is burning. Smoke twists through the air, and the sky above Hogwarts glows red and black. Rubble lines the stone, and the screams have gone quiet. You stand there, frozen, your small hand clutching Gwen’s as tightly as you can. She’s trembling, her pale hair tangled, her cheeks streaked with dirt and tears.

And in front of you stands him.

Lord Voldemort.

Your father.

He looks almost calm, his pale face split by a thin, chilling smile. His eyes land on you like knives, and the Death Eaters at his back shift uneasily as he lifts his wand. “My daughter,” he says softly, voice smooth and cold. “And the Malfoy girl. How touching that the future of such noble bloodlines stand together.”

Every eye in the courtyard turns to you both. On the other side, near the castle steps, stand your brothers—Tom, Mattheo, and Marvolo. And next to them, Draco Malfoy, wand raised, fear and fury written all over his face.

Mattheo’s expression darkens the moment he sees you. His jaw clenches so tightly you can almost hear it. His chest heaves like he’s holding back a scream. Tom’s eyes—those sharp, unreadable eyes—flicker with something human for the first time in years. You can see it, that flash of horror, that silent rage that his father would dare use you. Marvolo stands still, face pale, eyes wet, whispering something under his breath that sounds like your name.

On the Death Eater side, Lucius Malfoy stands rigid, his face drained of color. Narcissa’s hands shake at her sides, her gaze locked on Gwen.

You swallow hard. Gwen’s small voice trembles beside you. “Lexi… I wanna go home.” “Me too,” you whisper, voice barely audible. “Me too.”

Voldemort steps closer, each word measured, deliberate. “Come to me, Lexi. You are my daughter. You will stand beside your blood, not among traitors.”

Your heart pounds. You can feel the eyes of every student, every professor, on you. Dumbledore’s gone. The world feels like it’s ending.

Tom’s voice breaks the silence first, sharp and full of venom. “You call yourself her father, yet you use her as a shield. That’s not power. That’s fear.”

Voldemort’s lip curls. “I made you in my image, Tom. Don’t pretend you’re different.”

Mattheo steps forward, ignoring Tom’s warning hand. “She’s six,” he spits. “She’s a child. She doesn’t belong here!” The Dark Lord tilts his head, eyes gleaming. “Then come and take her.”

And that’s all it takes.

Mattheo’s wand is in his hand before anyone can blink. “Don’t you fucking touch her!” he roars, his voice echoing through the courtyard like thunder. Spells fire instantly from the Death Eater line, green and red light colliding midair.

Students scream and scatter. Narcissa runs forward, but Lucius grabs her arm, shouting for Draco—too late. He’s already sprinting toward Gwen.

Draco drops to his knees in front of her, wrapping her in his arms. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ve got you. I promise, I’ve got you.” Gwen clings to him, sobbing into his robes.

Across the field, Tom’s power surges like a storm. The ground cracks beneath his feet, his voice like a blade. “You wanted heirs, Father? You raised monsters instead.”

Voldemort laughs, the sound cutting through the chaos. “Monsters? No, my son. Perfection.”

Marvolo moves next, his wand raised, his usually calm voice breaking. “You’ve taken enough from us. Not her. Not anymore.”

The air explodes. Light, color, screams.

You barely see what happens next. You just feel Mattheo’s arms around you, his heartbeat hammering against your ear as he pulls you close, shielding you from the spells flying through the air. “You’re safe, Lex,” he whispers, voice raw and breaking. “I swear it. You’re safe.”

The blast of magic throws dust and sparks into the sky. You catch one last glimpse of Tom and your father locked in a circle of dark light, their wands connected, power shaking the ground beneath them. Draco is clutching Gwen tightly, shielding her from the storm. Narcissa’s cries echo behind him.

And in that moment, as the world falls apart, you realize the war isn’t between light and dark anymore.