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

My sister was gone before I could stop her.  She needed to take it easy; she was worse off than I was.  My injuries were merely physical, hers not so much.  I would try to cover her the best that I could.  There was no way that I was going to let Father turn on her, though.  I was sure that in the state of mind that Father was in, he would do something to Juniper without a second thought.  I was not going to let that happen.

I snuck up on th duel, happy that both parties were preoccupied with each other, using the trees as cover until I got close enough. I knew my brother would cover for me and I would protect him. I poined my wand at Father. "Expelliarmus!"

My wand flew out of my hands and my look of surprised was matched by Potter's.  I spun around to try to find who would interrupt a duel.  I expected to find another member of the Order, not my own daughter.  "You!" I snarled.

I did not want Lucius to do anything to his own daughter.  "Stupefy," I said, watching him fall to the ground, unconscious.  I would have gladly done worse, but not in front of his daughter.  I wiped my brow and winced when it stretched out the wounds on my chest.  I went over to her and put my hands on her shoulders as she looked horrid.  "You need to get to the Great Hall... Pomfrey and others are in there helping the wounded," I explained.  I wanted to keep fighting, though I was close to exhausted from this already.  But Harry needed us to keep fighting until this was finished.

I jumped back with my Fathers words but there was James to save me again. I looked between my Father who was on the ground and James who was telling me to go to the castle. It took me a moment to remember why I was here. "We need help." I glanced back up at my brother. "Draco's injured and I can't carry him. I don't even know if they'll help him." I expressed my greatest concern because if the Order and Pomfrey wouldn't help Draco, no one would and we would be on our own.

I followed her glance and saw that Draco looked worse than what I had seen him when I left him to help his sister.  Even though he had made plenty of mistakes, he was still a child really.  I squeezed her shoulders.  "We'll help him," I assured her.  If Pomfrey would not help him, I would make sure Lily or Chloe did.  Those kids had no chance to be any different than what they were like with the parents they had.  "C'mon, let's go.  I'll take you there first and I'll come back for Draco," I said.  I had a feeling that she was not going to last on her feet much longer, either.

I shook my head. "We go together or not at all. I can walk." I assured him. I started towards where Draco was. He didn't look to good and I just hoped someone could help us. I forced myself not to think about my headache that was coming back. Things were starting to look blurry once again but I wasn't leaving Draco alone.

I watched as Potter followed Juniper over to where I was.  I was getting extremely sick feeling with my leg.  Dragging it was necessary, but it was getting so painful that I was sure that I would end up getting sick.  I looked at June and saw that she was not looking that great, either.

I staggered my way back to Draco and collapsed in front of him. Pulling myself up, I leaned against the rock once more. "Just give me a moment." I told them, surprised at how out of breath I was. I took a few slow deep breaths then stood, swaying slightly. "Ready." I replied though I wasn't sure now far I would make it.i just knew if i didn't leave now, I might not be able to.

The stone clipped my side as I collapsed into the ground as I changed back hoisting it off of me as I gained my barrings back. I shot another curse at her as I clambered up ignoring the pressure from the stone. Wincing I stood to face her, " C'mon now Bella....going to have to do better than that!" I egged her on.

I sighed and followed Juniper over to her brother.  There was not time to argue wtih her about getting them to safety.  I saw her stagger and helped her when she stood back up.  She was able to hold herself somewhat steady for the moment.  "C'mon," I said to Draco, helping him up.  I put his arm around my shoulder so his bad leg was between us.  "Use me as a crutch.  Juniper... you're on my other side."  I, with Draco on my one side, moved closer to Juniper so I could keep a hand on her so she would not fall and hurt herself.  I knew it left me extremely vulnerable, but hopefully if there was a threat, one of them would tell me in time for me to protect all of us.

I was thankful that James was going to support me as well. I could walk but I wasn't sure for how much longer and I was afraid if I fell down I may not have to strength to get back up. I put my arm over his shoulder and leaned against him, forcing myself to not let him bare all my weight. I closed my eyes, enjoying for a moment that we had help, someone who would get us to the castle. We started forwards and I stumbled a few steps until I found my footing. I opened my eyes when I realized what a vulnerable position James was in. I was determined to make sure no one hurt him while he had us. Not only had he helped me twice today, he was getting us to the castle and if he was hurt, I had a feeling we wouldn't make it and our options and time were running out.

I was grateful that James was taking Juniper under his wing as well.  I did not want her to be walking on her own -- she could not handle it whether she thought she could or not.  I used James as a crutch, but tried to help keep an eye open for different threats.  I was afraid that we could be quite an easy target.

I looked behind us and saw two, maybe three people coming towards us. I couldn't tell if they were good or bad, and I couldn't blink them into focus no matter how many times I tried. I knew I should say something but the words wouldn't come to me. They were getting close and it took a moment to realize I needed to raise my wand and another moment to lift my hand. Before I could figure out what spell I should say, a bright light came towards me and hit me in the chest. I fell once more into darkness as I heard someone scream, it could've been me.

I spun the best that I could and I was grateful that James let go of me.  I staggered, but kept some of my balance and shot a spell towards the people who made my sister scream.  I knew that all I could do was to defend us the best that I could.  I had to know she was okay.  I needed to make sure the Juniper lived to see another day.  "Stay back!" I shouted, warning them.  I was not entirely sure what I would do, but I would protect us to death if I had to.