The Red Snow

By Cece Murphy
It was in one instant, in one moment, that it was gone. That final scream and green light was my finale. As a child I attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I was a pretty good witch, top in almost every subject. Everyday Id awaken in the Slytherin Common Room. Kern Fellister would be putting on horrible make up and staring in the mirror. Jennifer Tabitha would still be in bed and everyone else would already be in the Great Hall. My best friend, Agatha would be sitting on my bed waiting for me to awaken. Another thing was I was a horrible excuse for a Slytherin, but I didn't care. If I liked hanging out with the Gryffindors, so what? I was my own person. In the Great Hall I would have to sneak into the chair between Remus Lupin and James Potter. Sirius Black sat next to James and Peter sat across from all of us. It was worth the torment and cruel laughter I received afterward in the Common Room. It was all worth it, as long as I could laugh for thirty minutes with my real friends. It was worth having Severus Snape say I was worthless. It was worth having Lucius Malfoy call me a mudblood, because I knew my friends would keep me safe. The day I graduated was the happiest of my life. I wouldn't have to live in a Muggle town. I wouldn't have to stay awake at nights to make sure the other Slytherins didn't curse me. I was no longer held by the restrictions of Hogwarts and being Head Girl. I was free. A couple years later, my friendship with James Potter grew to love. We married each other and I was so happy. I was where I belonged. I was no longer alone in a harsh world. When I gave birth to my son and was able to name him Harry Potter. I was joyful. I couldn't believe my life had turned into a fairy tale story. I was like Cinderella, living happily ever after! That was, until it broke. Lord Voldemort was at full power. The Aurors were working full time. I was scared every day. I had never been so scared and worried. But then James came home and said the worst possible sentence ever to ring in my ears. We were the next victims. I was trapped. I didn't know whom to trust. I didn't know who was a Death Eater. Albus Dumbledore, the great man, recommended the Charm. All we needed was a Secret Keeper. James and I thought of our best friend. The man whose face stood happily in many picture in the frames along the hall. The man who helped me stays away from the Slytherins. He was my best friend and James. We had our hearts set on him. Everyday in the paper I read of more attacks, and deaths. Winter had come around by then. The streets were filled with snow. Then I found out Agatha Hetherby was dead. The only girlfriend I had at Hogwarts. The only friend I had to confine my deepest secrets to. Dead. I had to be the first to be at the scene of the crime. Agathas body was removed by then. But even magic couldn't make the red snow turn white. I didn't sleep for days after that. I cried just thinking about it. Remembering the laughter, fights and tears were hard. Also was remembering the red snow. Bright red. I began to realize how much Voldemort was breaking up lives and tearing up families. He probably killed her, while trying to force information out of her. He probably also thought she knew my whereabouts. I was ready to fight him. So was James, he had also liked Agatha. Then on one night after the spring rain had turned to bright blue, cloudless skies, we were attacked. That night Peter Pettigrew became our Secret Keeper. Sirius thought that Voldemort would never think that they would use Pettigrew. Dumbledore said no, but we went with Peter. Dumbledore had even volunteered to be our Secret Keeper. But that night, Voldemort found us. He burst through the door. James told me to run. In my brain ran pictures. I was running. I heard the sounds of death as James died. I held Harry in my arms and ran. Voldemort cornered me and I told Voldemort to take me instead. I remembered my family, Hogwarts, my wedding day, giving birth, it all ran through my head and in one instant it was all gone. As my soul was pulled from my body I hoped Harry would survive, even thought the odds weren't good. But he survived. In fact he beat Voldemort. I was proud and I hope he knows that. I also hope he knows that life is short and it only takes an instant to lose it. I hope he knows to cherish life and make the most of it. But my fear is that one-day he might have to see pain, sorrow and the red snow, just like I had to.