The Fall

by somekindofwildgirl

Epilogue

The spell raced towards her and Bellatrix's lips failed to utter the words that would ensure her survival. The duel was lost. It was ironic. Molly Weasley - the woman she spent her life mocking - was victorious in this duel. Looking around, Bellatrix knew that the Dark Lord was losing. Children and adults were fighting, the castle was crumbling as the destruction spread. But Bellatrix no longer cared, knowing that in a few short seconds, this war would no longer matter.

As the curse flew towards her, time slowed. The battle around her faded away as memories of her childhood assaulted her. Bellatrix running through the gardens with her sisters. Giggling and laughing as they played Princess, Knight, and Dragon. Charles twirling her around when she received her first Outstanding. His green eyes full of love and friendship. Bellatrix teasing Andromeda when she mispronounced pint. Her mother's words of comfort after nightmares. Narcissa's devotion to her family despite the personal risk. Her little sister deserved a better life.

As if her brain had saved the best for last, memories of Rodolphus followed. The moment Rodolphus caught her as she fell on the Hogwarts Express. The first time he held her hand. Their wedding night. His dimple flashing during his rare smiles. His unwavering love while her obsession with the Dark Arts warped her mind. Rodolphus was a true husband, her best friend and she took him for granted.

Bellatrix had spent her life in the pursuit of justice. It dawned on her – as she saw the determination, loyalty, and united families banded together – that she chose the wrong side. Love drove them forward, while fear and thirst for power drove the Death Eaters. The Dark Lord would never have settled for peace. His brand of justice was harsh, extreme. Now that Death waited for her with open arms, she realized it too late.

The last thing she saw before the spell hit was Andromeda's patronus - a fox - chase away a herd of Dementors.

She gasped in understanding before it all faded away.

This is the first story that I've ever completed start to finish. It feels surreal that this is finally done. Thank you so much for the readers that have followed this story and for those who have reviewed. This has been such a great learning experience. If you have any feedback or suggestions on my writing, let me know :).

I am currently working on a dark-ish Hermione/Draco story called The Spy. It's on my page if you want to check it out :).

Thank you again to all you lovely readers!