Lily Again

The roiling flames lit the path ahead, while shrieking Cruciatus Curses whipped past them.

Harry's right hand ached from being yanked along as his legs scrambled furiously beneath him, sending him stumbling toward the Woods.

Half a step ahead was Professor Snape, moving at an unbelievable speed. Harry had never noticed before just how long his legs were.

He hurriedly glanced back. Bellatrix was close behind, her face twisted with ferocity as she sprinted with all her strength. Harry wondered whether she would run out of breath while casting spells. They were relatives, however distantly, so ideally she would trip and fall, using her body as a speed bump for the Death Eaters behind her and helping them escape the pursuit.

"Run ahead. I'll fend off the spells."

"Yes, Professor."

Harry was so out of breath that he could barely cast a spell, so he did not try to show off. "Professor, Loren stayed behind alone to deal with Voldemort. Is that really all right? Shouldn't we go back?"

"Idiot. Dead weight."

He called Harry an idiot because there was no way they could go back in this situation.

He called him dead weight because Harry would not be any help even if he did return.

The Potions Master's words were sharp, if not particularly clean.

Snape swiftly flicked his wand, scattering invisible blades and murky green light. Though the hastily cast spells were weakened, the intangible blades often drew blood, leaving one or two Death Eaters unable to continue the chase. The improved Killing Curse was even stranger. Even if another spell blocked and shattered it, the lingering aura of death still made the Death Eaters hesitate.

Not every Death Eater was as desperate as Bellatrix. Lucius, Lestrange, Old Nott, and the others seemed more like they were fishing