AN: I set this first chapter into the era, when Harry Potter dies at the Ministry, together with Sirius in the fight with Bellatrix. Voldemort afterwards claims Britain as his, muggles are terrorized, Order is still fighting, but their last fortress is Hogwards. The world is in ruins, for two years everybody is in constant fear.
I hope you like it, the next chapter would be little more optimistic...
1. The Battle of Hogwarts
Bellum letale- Deathly war
Remaining members of the Order of Phoenix, their families, friends and last couple of former Aurors were the occupants of the Hogwarts castle. Castle had better and glorious days as these. Some parts could be called ruins of what used to be magnificent piece of architecture.
I couldn´t just sit around and wait. I had to do something. Looking around Great hall that became our last refuge was not good for my nerves. Everybody looked so scared, they didn´t know what to expect. I knew it. This was our final battle, our last attempt to change our reality.
I walked away. My steps were echoing through empty corridors that nobody was using anymore. I propped against the arch in the courtyard, overlooking the Forbidden forest. Tonight not even birds were singing. It was four in the afternoon, first of September, but thick black clouds made it look like dark evening.
"Storm is in the air," told Remus, who was now standing behind me. I may be young, but Remus Lupin and his wife Tonks were my best friends, since I was in the resistance. I didn´t know, how long I was up here.
"You know Rem, tonight it is going to end, but I think in a bad way," I replied in kind of cold manner. Everyone was already used to my non-emotional state. I had to remain strong and focused, no matter what. Every mistake has its cost, I learned my lesson hard way.
"Albus wants us all in the Great hall," he said, so we silently got back there. I sat myself on the mattress I conjured when we moved here from damaged living areas of the castle. Dumbledore´s speech, about the importance of defending the castle, I spend checking my weapons- dagger and gun. There are sometimes easier ways how to defeat your enemy than magic duel.
Slight buzz of silent conversations returned to the hall. Few people gave me encouraging smiles. I was a child to some of them, despite my many battles. Tonight it was kind and sad at the same time. I may never see those faces again. Fighting for better future is never easy.
"They are here!" shouted someone from the entrance hall. Everyone froze first. Then the movement began again. Parents gave their kids last instructions to stay in the castle and fight only immediate danger, lovers exchanged kisses, warriors prepared their wands and hurried onto the grounds.
With a deep breath I went out on the grounds as well. Screams and shouts of the Dead Eaters attacking the invisible protection barrier were deafening. I steadied myself. Remus and Tonks were standing beside me. Few aurors had already begun firing courses towards Death Eaters. We patiently waited; we needed every piece of energy.
With an enormous thunder the barrier collapsed. Hell was loose on Hogwarts' grounds, between the castle and the Forbidden Forest. Voldemort had decided a front attack that no one expected.
Death Eaters accompanied with dementors penetrated the grounds, leaving bloody path behind them. Creatures from the Forbidden Forest came to help, but even Acromantulas are no match to dementors. The centaurs looked at the walking Voldemort's army and readied themselves to battle.
"Here we go," I told to myself and aimed to the first Death Eater that came close enough. My Stunning spell hit him hard. I had no time to admire my achievement. Few curses were sent my way. I deflected them and sent few of mine.
Flashs of light were everywhere. It was chaos. We were fighting with all our hearts, for all those lost family members and friends. I didn´t know how much enemies I took down, it didn´t matter. There were hundreds of them and only dozens of us.
The school grounds were transformed into battlefield full of screams and desperate cries. I was fighting some random Death Eater when I saw black figures entering the castle. With swift movement I took out my gun and fired. The shot echoed in my ears a little, but hit the targets with merciless precision.
I ran back into the castle. I saw people falling all around me. We were losing. Inside of the Entrance hall was chaos as on the grounds. I didn´t know how much time had passed.
"Watch out!" screamed someone and I cringed just in time. Green light hit the wall beside me. Parts of the walls and stair were falling apart.
"Stupefy!" I heard and instantly I was flying backwards. My head crushed into the wall, but the spell was not powerful enough. Luckily I remained conscious.
"Screw you!" I shouted back and hit the attacked with much more powerful stupefy of my own. I pulled myself back on my feet. Few kids were fighting with black haired woman in the Great hall, apparently scared like never in their lives. When a green-lighted course hit them, I finally managed to join their fight. But it was too late, lifeless bodies fell to the ground.
"No!" I screamed in despair for the first time tonight. They were so young and innocent.
"What are you going to do about it, girlie?" asked the woman in fake-child voice. Finally I was able to recognize her. The blood was boiling inside my veins. Bellatrix Black, the woman who killed my little brother, one of the Voldemort´s most powerful and definitely most loyal servants.
"You crazy bitch!" I sent a strong Expelliarmus her way, but she was very fast. I had to admit, that powerful too. Our fight was exhausting. Every spell I sent her way she deflected, every curse that aimed for me I managed to evade. Somehow we were even. But then two fighting figures came between us.
Two men were fighting muggle style, wrestling. I saw that their hands were transformed into claws. The sandy hair I recognized immediately. Remus was badly injured, his body was full of new bleeding wounds, but he was fighting viciously. I was so focused on them that I for few seconds forgot on Bellatrix. She knocked me down to the floor from behind.
"Now look, how your precious wolf is going to die," she hissed to my ear as she pulled me by hair. My hands were tied behind my back with magic ropes. I couldn't move. I could only watch as everyone in the room was slowly falling. I saw as killing curse hit the red head of Fred Weasley, I saw how the huge stone from the ceiling fell onto some children. I had tears in my eyes.
"How does it feel to see everyone die?" Bellatrix was merciless. She made me see Remus death. "Crucio!" she said and my body trembled under the powerful curse. Every muscle in me screamed with pain. But I clenched my teeth hard. I won´t give her the pleasure to hear me screaming, not when I still have some energy left.
"Aaah, what do we have here?" she found my dagger in the saggar on my hip. With the corner of my eye I saw as she inflicted it with some dark magic. I could not resist shivering as she made quite deep cuts on my shoulder.
"Your pretty little face needs some upgrade," her cruel laugh was malicious. She pushed me into the way Greyback was running. He slapped me with his claws. My right eye stayed intact, but I felt blood on my cheeks.
"Look around, everybody is dead," Bellatrix hissed in my ear some more. Sounds of the battle were dying away. She was right. I saw only two figures fighting for life or death: Dumbledore and Voldemort. Bellatrix made me stand and come closer. She wanted to enjoy the view.
Dumbledore saw me in the hands of Bellatrix. I saw something in his eyes I couldn´t identify. He created a fire barrier between him and Voldemort and turned to me. His curse sent Bellatrix flying backward. Now it was just us two in the circles of flames. Then he performed some really exquisite wand movement and sent it my way. Dumbledore was hit by Voldemort´s killing curse. I saw him die too.
My body felt suddenly like being pressed through narrow tube. He must have disapparate me in last second. I hit the gound hard. I saw sun above me and lake in my sight. That was the last thing before black unconsciousness found me.