Chapter Three – The Battle Begins

A/N: Still not mine.

I jumped to my feet. "Orby, supplies. We need to bring supplies." With a snap of his finger, Orby shrunk half the contents of my clinic into a shopping bag and picked it up. He immediately grabbed my hand and apparated us with a pop.

We landed in some sort of pub. Orby dashed up the stairs, with me right behind him. An old man with a long grey beard stood over in front of a portrait of a young girl, looking somber. The girl in the portrait motioned and the old man turned.

"Who are you?" The old man barked, looking me up and down, like I was familiar to him, but he couldn't figure out why.

"Elizabeth Prewett. I'm a Healer. I've been told I'll be needed here tonight."

"Prewett? Nonsense. The Prewetts were all killed in the last war. Except Molly, but she's a Weasley now." The wand at his side twitched. He clearly didn't know if I was friend or foe.

"Charles was my father. Molly is my sister. My mother and I escaped the night my father was murdered. My brothers saved us."

He seemed to consider my words. "Are you telling me you're the wee one?" I nodded. "I thought they killed you and your mother as well."

"That was the idea." I was getting irritated. "We fled the country. Only a handful knew we escaped. But, moving forward, why does this elf think there's a battle brewing? Do you have any idea why he brought me to your pub?"

"The battle's at Hogwarts. There's a passageway behind this portrait. Most of the Order of the Phoenix is through there. Your sister, her husband, most of their children, they are all fighting. "

"Thank you. Orby, you don't have to," but I was cut off by an indignant house elf. He stomped his feet and glared up at me with huge eyes.

"Orby is coming with Miss Elizabeth! Orby will help, just like in the clinic at home! Orby will protect Miss Elizabeth if needed."

"I believe you will Orby." I scratched his ears. "Well, shall we?" The portrait swung open, and I climbed into the dark passageway and started to make my way through it. Orby was right behind me the whole way. We walked for what seemed like miles down the dark, damp passageway, until we finally reached a flight of stairs and a door.

As I opened the door, the sight on the other side of me was amazing. We must have been inside the castle. A cluttered room full of colorful banners and hammocks was in front of us. It appeared to be empty at first sight.

"Aunt Lizzie?" A voice called out to me.

"Ginny? Ginny! What are you doing here?"

"I came to help! But Mum and Dad won't let me leave this room," she huffed. "Everyone is out there, our whole family! How can I just stay here? Let me come with you!" She looked exasperated, and tears threatened to fall from her brown eyes. I sighed and hugged her.

"I'm here to help tend to the wounded Ginny. I'm not a fighter."

"But I can help," she pleaded "I'll take you to the hospital wing."

"Ginny, no. If they want you here, here you stay. Orby, do you know the castle?"

"Yes, Miss Elizabeth. Orby can take you to the hospital wing."

"Ginny, stay here. Please." I squeezed her hand, trying to comfort her. Poor girl, her whole life was out there in that battle. Orby tugged at my other hand, and soon we were running through the corridors. It was nearly midnight, and I knew it was to be a long night.

We found the Mediwitch in the hospital wing, trying to ready things as much as possible.

"Poppy….what can I do?"

"Oh, thank Merlin. Another set of hands….We're going to be needed tonight. Here, these are short distance Portkeys." She handed me what looked like necklaces.

"The teachers always have them to bring students to me quickly in an emergency. We'll need these to transport the wounded. It will be safer for us and for them."

"Orby will bring your patients to you, Miss Elizabeth. Orby will go to the kitchen and get a few house elves. We will spread out and use the necklaces to bring back the injured."

"Great idea, Orby", Poppy smiled at the little house elf. He popped away. "Elizabeth, how do we handle the Death Eaters?"

"Bind their magic for safety, and treat their wounds. Sedate or stun if needed."

"Elizabeth, I've never worked under conditions like this."

"I haven't either, Poppy. We've just got to do the best we can." And almost right on cue, the clamoring outside grew louder. The battle outside had begun. Poppy and I continued preparing bandages in silence for a few moments longer. Then, one of the cots began to shimmer, and a young girl appeared on the cot. She wasn't badly injured, but she had a gash on her arm and forehead. Poppy and I went to work as quickly as we could.

We work feverishly as the cots started to glow. The elves would appear and collect the necklaces, and then disappear again. There was a mix of injuries, magical and non-magical, simple to serious, and, of course, some we couldn't save. Both Poppy and I were struggling to contain our emotions. Orby had returned, having found several helpers to bring the wounded. He was tending to Poppy and I as much as the patients.

Then he grabbed my hand….."Miss Elizabeth, Mrs. Molly, she needs you. I am sorry to tell you. One of the tall silly boys, he is out there. He did not make it."

I was dumbstruck. What could Orby mean? The meaning of his words struck me like an anvil. "One of the twins?" Orby's eyes told me I had guessed right. I ran from the infirmary. I had no idea what I was doing. Looking back, it was stupid of me. My duty was to the wounded. But, if one of the boys was gone, if it was too late, well, I had to get to my sister. I just had to. Orby was on my heels as I ran, no idea where I was going.

As I approached the entrance hall, I heard a young girl shriek "No!" and cast a Stunner that threw some creature across the room. As I got a better look, I shuddered in horror. The victim was another young girl, badly injured.

I knelt before her and tended to her. She was so young. Damn it. Evil would not win here. Orby, who had grabbed my bag from the table as we left the infirmary, handed me the dittany and some blood replenishing potion. We worked together for several minutes, trying to repair the damage. After several minutes she was stable. She would live. She would be badly scarred, probably physically and mentally, but she would live.

I smiled to Orby and patted him between the ears. "Good work, Orby, you have done well. Please take her to Poppy. I must help my sister."

"Orby will be back. Miss Elizabeth will need more supplies if she is out here."

I wiped my hands on my robes, then pulled them off and discarded them, standing there in my Muggle jeans and blouse. The roar of the battle continued all around me, and the night was cold, unnaturally cold. The chill was damp and depressing, and I was suddenly cloaked in despair. Screams echoed outside the doors. It was so cold. I nearly collapsed against the wall, barely noticing as three students ran past me….

"Boys, come on!" The blonde called out.

"Seamus, hurry! Harry needs us!" A boy yelled.

"Now!" The other boy screamed, as they all raised their wands together.

EXPECTO PATRONUM!" The three yelled together…..

The sight was amazing. The three young people had come to the rescue of three of their fellow students. Silvery light filled the air, and then three beautiful animals flew over the second group of students. The cold eased slightly, and then they all stood strong, protecting one another, and the three animals became 6 as the three beleaguered students joined their friends in casting the charm. Witnessing such valor in those so young, I became filled with hope. The light would triumph.

I realized who I was watching. It was my youngest nephew Ron and his two friends who had been rescued by the little blonde and the other two boys. He turned to shake the hand of the wiry boy; suddenly, a giant roared and began swinging a huge club.

The students broke in different directions, and I tore after my nephew and his friends. Molly may have lost one of her boys tonight; I'd be damned if I let this one run off and get killed.

A/N: Next up, Elizabeth visits The Shrieking Shack.