We weren't born to follow....come on and get up off your knees...hold on to what you believe-- December 15 1998

I pulled my hood lower on my face and slip into the Great Hall after Harry. I quickly scanned the room, full of bodies I tried not to look at, not wanting to know the toll of the war, and found Hermione and Ron. They were with a large group of Weasley's. I slowly walk closer to the group, trying to catch their attention. I knew I didn't have much time, I just hoped one of them noticed me soon so I could meet Harry.

We had been sitting with Ron's family. We were just taking in the toll of the war when I noticed a girl. She looked like she was waving us over. I nudged Ron, " Let's go.." I said as I took his hand leading him over.

I followed Hermione and, as much as it hurt to leave my family, I knew that George would make i.  I had to help Harry, too.  He was a brother to me.  "What's going on?" I asked, wanting to get right to the point.

"Then let's go," I said, not taking any chances. We'd already been through a lot together, trying to overcome his... transition, and I wasn't about to let this get in the way. I could see his eyes changing already, the hunger taking over. It scared me every time, not knowing if he'd be able to control it. Not knowing if he'd ever rip my throat out, even.

I pushed the chair back and tried to get Blaise to move. He was shaking, setting firmly in his chair. He couldn't move. "Come on, B, let's go," I urged. Tears stung at my eyes but I blinked them back. He couldn't see me get scared. I had to be the strong one when this happened.

Iggy pulled at my hands, urging me to move. But I couldn't. If I did, it could get really ugly really fast. I swallowed hard, trying to gulp down the thirst. I felt Iggy's hands in my underarms, trying to lift me out of the chair. A low snarl sneaked between my lips. "I'm sorry," I said immediately. "I need... Iggy, I need you to leave. I need you to be safe."

As I looked into Blaise's eyes, I saw them darken with hunger. They were nearly black, which was always the scariest. When he hissed at me, so bestially, I tried my hardest not to be terrified. A fleeting moment of wondering what death felt like swooped over me, and then I let him go. 

"I'm here with you," I said, hoping that by speaking in a calming voice, he'd be able to control himself. "I won't leave you."

It pained me so intensely when I saw him struggle like this. With tears in my eyes, I took him by both shoulders and looked him right in the face. "You're going to be fine."

Once they were in front if me, I lifted my hood just enough so they could recognize me then pulled it lower again. " I have a message from Harry for you." I took a deep breath, " he's going but I suspect you already knew that. He wants you to know that there is hope but you must kill Nagini. She'll be the last thing you need to kill to end it all." I knew Ron probably wanted to get back to his family and I needed to get back to meet Harry. "I need to go now but is there anything you want me to tell him?"

I couldn't help but to laugh at Iggy. It was cruel, but it was out of my control. I hoped he knew that. The puny human Iggy was trying to stop me from satiating my thirst. It was too late to try and hold back any longer. I gripped him by the arms and tossed him aside like a ragdoll. I was ready for my meal.

I ran a hand through my hair, fighting back the urge to find Harry myself.  "Tell him... tell him that I trust him.  And we've got him covered here.  I've got his back," i said to her, knowing that Harry trusted us to finish off that snake.

The last thing I saw in Blaise's face before the room went tumbling across my view was a thirst that even he couldn't control. There had to have been a lot of carnage at the castle to make him so uncontrolled. When he tossed me aside, my head his the wall and knocked me unconscious for just a moment.

When I woke, he was already gone. I ran to the door and toward the castle. There were only a few people who knew what he was, and anyone who found out in the meantime would think he was with the Death Eaters. I wouldn't let him sign his own death certificate. 

"Blaise!" I shouted into thin air. He was nowhere to be seen. I'd never be able to outrun him, but maybe if he found a victim, I'd at least be able to catch up to him.

As much as I hated to say it, I had to hope for this.

I ran up the path from Hogsmead toward the Hogwarts castle. The blood drew me there, creating a fiery thirst within me. I smelled a girl who couldn't be any older than thirteen. She was hiding behind a tree, trying to keep herself safe. I couldn't stop myself. Her scream was so shrill that it pierced even me, but her blood was divine. I dropped her carcass just in time to look up and see Iggy staring at me, transfixed and horrified.

My lungs were burning, but I finally caught up with Blaise. I saw him hunched over someone's body; my wish had come true. He slowed down enough to drain her body of blood, allowing me to catch up to him. When I saw the girl's blonde curls stained with her own splattered blood, I felt my stomach clench.

Blaise dropped her unceremoniously and made eye contact with me, the girl's blood still dribbling from his mouth. I had been stupid enough to follow him. I should've listened to his warning to stay away because, as I gulped, I knew I was next.

"Blaise, it's me," I said, my hands up in the air in surrender. "Please, you know me."

There had always been something luscious about the smell of Iggy's blood. In this state, Blaise had a feeling that he wouldn't be able to stop himself; he'd finally get to taste what he's always wanted to taste. In the back of his mind, he heard someone's voice call about an hour's time frame to provide something that he wanted. It had to be He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, but Blaise didn't care so much about that as he did about feeding, killing.

He regretted it as soon as he felt his feet leap from the ground, lunging at his beloved, but he couldn't help it. Before Blaise really knew what was happening, Iggy was pinned beneath him, his jugular pulsating with terror.

I grasped Ron's hand tighter. " Tell him we've got his back...like Ron said. Thanks.." I said to her as I smiled what I could. Hoping she knew we were grateful. I knew Harry had to do it. Doesn't mean I have to be happy about it.