Never Reason with a Madwoman

Lupin dragged Harry away from the dais.

Harry was still staring fixedly at the archway. Sirius had told him to wait outside, and he was a little upset—but as he struggled to break free from Lupin's arms, he began to come to his senses. Sirius had never made him wait before. Sirius had always braved every danger without hesitation to see him, to help him.

If Sirius could not come out of the archway when Harry was calling for him with his whole life, then the only possible explanation was that he truly could not come back...

Dumbledore had trapped most of the remaining Death Eaters in the middle of the room, as though invisible ropes had bound them there.

Moody crossed the room and crawled over to Tonks, trying to wake her. Light flickered behind the dais, accompanied by snoring and shouts—Kingsley had already rushed forward to continue fighting Bellatrix.

"Harry?" Neville edged down the steps one at a time until he reached Harry.

Harry stopped struggling, though Lupin still held his arm cautiously, in case he charged off again.

"Harry, I'm so sorry..."

Neville said, his legs still flailing uncontrollably. "That man—he was Sirius Black—your friend."

Harry nodded.

"Come," Lupin said calmly, pointing his wand at Neville's legs. "Finite Incantatem."

The spell was lifted. Neville's legs returned to normal and stopped twitching.

Lupin's face was a little pale. "Let's find the others quickly. Where are they, Neville?"

As he spoke, Lupin turned away from the archway.

Every word seemed to hurt him.

"They're over there," Neville replied. "A brain wrapped itself around Ron, but I think he's all right now.

—Hermione doesn't know anything anymore, but she still has a pulse—"

A loud bang was followed by a scream from behind the dais.

Harry saw Kingsley crash heavily