Chapter 4- Heroism of the Good Wolf

Author's Note: Hello again, thanks to you all who commented on the last chapter. Sorry this update took a little longer, but I hope you feel it was worth the wait! Hats off to those who thought that the chapter title refers to Lupin, it does! As a Lupin fan myself, I hope you really like this chapter.

There is a fair bit of death and violence in this one (well there is a battle going on!).

Hope you enjoy!

The rumbling and besieged castle and the air of the crying night was a striking and welcome contrast from the blazing and suffocating inferno; the former felt like a fresh summer breeze.

Sweaty, exhausted and with drooping hair and ashed clothes, Harry, Gallardo, Hermione, Ron, Malfoy, Goyle and Zabini lay slumped outside the Room, begging the air for oxygen.

"C-crabbe?" Malfoy coughed. "C-custer?"

"They're dead," Ron said bluntly. "If not by the monster then definitely by the fire."

"Do you think that it'll still work?" Harry asked. "The Room... the fire seemed pretty destructive."

"I don't know," confessed Hermione. "Maybe after it's had a few hours to repair itself; I think the basic enchantment structure of the Room has been damaged." She turned to Gallardo, who was breathing deeply, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you OK?" she whispered. "What happened in there?"

Gallardo just swallowed and forced himself to crack a weak smile. "Yeah," he managed to croak. "I'm all right."

Hermione smiled and nodded, even though the painful and heavy brown eyes proved that he was lying.

"You're a good man," Harry said amicably.

Gallardo nodded and cleared his throat. "Do you know what this means? We only have the snake left!"

Amongst the excited enthusiasm of the friends, Gallardo spied a figure dashing through the corridor in front of them.

"Eduardo!" he called, jumping to his feet. The lanky figure stopped dead in his tracks and almost fell over.

"Eduardo, what are you doing here?" Gallardo continued. "You're underage!"

"You know, you're starting to sound just like my sister," Eduardo tutted.

"Where is she now?" Gallardo asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.

Eduardo shrugged. "I think she's been helping out with attending to the injured in the North Wing-"

"Is Ginny with her?" Harry asked more abruptly than he intended.

"Yes, as far as I know," Eduardo nodded.

"So, what exactly have you been doing?" Gallardo asked.

"I was helping with the defences of the East side, under Neville."

"Was?"

"Yeah, until the Northern Battlements were blown up and breached, and when Dad ordered a retreat," Eduardo shrugged. "Now, as the Death Eaters have broken in, we either neutralise those that are inside, or hold the others at the entrances to the castle."

"You are joking, aren't you?" Ron gasped. "The Death Eaters can't break in, they just can't!"

As if to prove him wrong, the doors to an adjacent balcony flew open, sending a gush of cold night air inside the castle. Percy, who had apparently apologised and made up with his family and done what was a long time coming, came leaping through with Fred Weasely and three Elves that bore the green cloud on the orange- they were part of the Irish Elves. A good few Death Eaters followed them, firing like maniacs and cornering the five defenders. One of the Elves screamed in pain, before falling in his own blood.

Harry, Gallardo, Ron, Hermione and Eduardo looked at each other before charging to their aid. The balcony was the area of half a football pitch, and illuminated the band of ten, which assaulted the castle.

Gallardo charged with confidence, while deflecting the attacks of a Death Eater; the Spaniard was determined to neutralise this party. He grabbed his adversary's wrist and elbowed him hard in the face, expelling his sense of direction. Gallardo shoved him at one of his colleagues, who was off balance long enough for Eduardo to stun him. Grinning at, what Gallardo could call, his brother-in-law, he watched Harry and Hermione bind a group of two together, and Ron and an Elf fired a piece of the castle at one, while the latter slashed with his blade.

However, there was a shrill cry and a rasp. The air shook, as a seven metre long air serpent beat its wings and descended upon them, blowing the wind in their faces. It swept Ron and the Elf up with its claws, as the Corporal rider blasted Gallardo and Harry back with a bolt of electricity.

Gallardo rolled over in pain, but managed to catch another Elf stabbing the air serpent's claws, forcing it to drop Ron and the Elf. However, a swish of the tail knocked into the three, gushing the air out of them. The air serpent charged away, but swerved around to take another snatch.

Gallardo rose and strode closer, illuminating the tip of his wand.

"Arbolio Sagitta!" he growled. A green jet in the shape of an arrow glided out and sank into the neck of the air serpent. The beast choked and writhed about, but began tilting off balance and plummeting to the ground.

Hermione disarmed the rider, before he could get a chance to do anything, leaving him to fall with his steed. The rumbling shocked the last Death Eater on the balcony, whose hood fell back to reveal a very tall man with sleek hair and long face.

"Evening Minister! Did I mention that I was resigning?" Percy laughed, firing a hex at Pius Thicknesse, who began clawing at his robes in discomfort. He droppes to his knees, which merged into a tail, scales spouting from all inches of his skin.

"You're actually joking Perce?" Fred said, in awe.

"Yeah, I think he is," Ron groaned, getting up. "Definitely a sign of the Apocalypse!"

"Are you OK?" Hermione whispered.

"Never better!"

"Seriously, I can't believe it!" Fred laughed, dashing over to where Percy was duelling the Minister of Magic, who was completely transformed into a sea urchin. "Percy is actually joking, and he isn't even bad at it!"

The balcony, amongst the many places where the fire of the battle raged on, had been successfully neutralised, or so it seemed. For amidst the short lived joy and laughter, as the Elves and Ron were not too badly hurt, there was someone else hidden in the shadows of the night. A Rivarian. He stepped out and licked his lips, while eyeing a laughing red head. He raised his crossbow up and fitted a used but deadly iron arrow. He was ready.

Down on the fifth floor, a volley of fire charged into tiled bricks of the Stallion Bridge, which looked over the edge of the Clock Tower, and provided a passage from the North. Unfortunately, this meant that a group of Death Eaters led by Bellatrix, Rabastian and Rudolphus Lestrange and Simeon Kardeacon was about fifty metres from rampaging into the castle.

Fortunately, under a domed gazebo and behind a barricade of broken statues stood a team of twenty defenders, led by Dora, Arthur, George Weasely and Seamus. Still less than the thirty led by Bellatrix, but definitely formidable. This was proved by the fact that Dora and Bellatrix were clashing with a flurry of jinxes, which caused a few minor bruises on the other's face, as Bellatrix's unit attempted to climb the barricade.

No one saw it coming, until it was too late. The Rivarian raised his dreaded crossbow to his eye; jeeringly, he bared his yellow teeth, as he took aim. He snarled like a wild dog which had cornered his prey- the red haired man, who seemed so impressed at something. The Rivarian let out a bark, jolting the one closest to him to turn in shock, the lines of laughter still on his face. He clicked.

George Weasely felt a sharp pain shoot across his heart. He gasped and clutched his chest, his vision failing to catch Rabastian firing an Electrocuting Curse at him, sending him down.

"GEORGE!" Ginny cried, attempting to rush to her brother.

"Honey, no, no, no!" Marcena warned, trying to grab her hand, but Ginny was already running towards the parapet, where George lay groaning. She scooped her arms under him to push him back on his feet.

"Gin, I'm OK, no!" he shouted. "Don't you dare!"

Rabastian focused his sight on George once more, prompting Ginny to wheel her brother behind her, which he was taking major issue with.

Dora realised what was happening; she stung Rabastian with a powerful jinx, taking away his footing.

"Avada-!" Bellatrix screeched.

"Enduro!" Dora responded, as her bright yellow core blazed like a heavenly light against Bellatrix's blood red.

Marcena raced up to usher George and Ginny back, while Dora and Arthur clashed against Bellatrix and Rudolphus respectively. Bellatrix flung the wand lock to her left, while seeming to slip off the parapet, the curse flew into the night, as Dora breathed a sigh of relief.

However, it was too soon; way too soon.

Bellatrix Lestrange jumped back out from the barricade and placed her leather boot upon it like a very arrogant model.

"Sectumsempra!" Bellatrix screeched, cackling. She stabbed the air with her wand, and a flash of white light, in the shape of a sword, impaled Dora just below her solar plexis. A spurt of blood shot out, as Dora gasped, tears forming in her eyes.

"Tsunami Fria!" Marcena screamed, refusing to believe what she had just witnessed. A six foot tall and wide wall of water slammed into Bellatrix, making her yell in the shock of the freezing water. She and her gang were pushed back over the barricade, buying the defenders those few extra moments.

Ginny charged forward, wand raised, and attempted to jump over the parapet, before Marcena grabbed her hand.

"Let me go!" sobbed Ginny, unable to look at Dora, who was panting painfully, as her stomach bled on the stone, marking them.

"Ginny, please!" Marcena beseeched, having dried her eyes, but feeling so shaky and numb inside. "Help me take Dora back."

"I w-want to make that stuck up cow sorry!" Ginny screamed, apparently not hearing her friend.

"No, you will do no such thing!" Arthur commanded, with a rare torch of authority. He cast a Shield Charm over them. "Ginny, you will do exactly as she says."

Ginny nodded through her tears, as she walked back to a fading Dora, who was gasping for air.

Marcena gave the wounded Mentamorphagus a herbal opiate to chew and placed a bandage on her wound. She and Ginny levitated Dora into the air; she winced once more in pain, as the two took her away, leaving a patch of blood on the Stallion Bridge. The blood of a very brave woman.

The three brushed alongside Marks, Kingsley and Neville, who led a company of Phoenixians, ready to alleviate the pressure of Arthur's unit. When the Lestranges would look over the barricade, they would have the surprise of a fresh platoon meeting them.

Fred smiled as his brothers gathered around him. "I'm all... right... just a... flesh wound!" he chuckled, but his smile faded as the agony began draining the life from his eyes. There was a hideous arrow lodged in between his chest.

Harry and Eduardo had managed to conjoin a Fire Spell and Impediment Jinx, blasting the Rivarian off the edge of the wall, punishing him for this crime. But the damage was already done: Fred Weasely lay in between Ron and Percy, both begging him to stay with them. Harry and Eduardo looked away sadly, resigning to what had happened; Hermione wiped her eyes, trying to comfort Ron in the process; Gallardo blinked and was frozen on the spot, remembering the horrendous cry that Fred uttered when the arrow pierced his chest, as his eyes glazed in fear, yet he had resumed smiling, as he slowly fell to his knees.

At first, Gallardo had not got on well with the Weasely twins, mainly because of their silly pranks, which had sometimes caused him to lose his books or parchement. But his fifth year saw a surge of mutual respect, because Gallardo proved to be a good duellist and melee fighter, as he was training in Fursan; and Fred and George's gadgets proved instrumental against the regime of the obnoxious and incompetent Dolores Umbridge. Now Fred Weasely lay there, barely twenty-one, and seconds away from death.

Gallardo waited until he was sure that he was gone, before clasping his hand on the arrow and quickly pulling it out, just to give him some dignity. Ron and Percy wept over him; Hermione helped Ron up, while Harry tried to pull Percy away, who refused to budge.

"Percy, there's nothing more you can do for him!" he exclaimed painfully. "We have to move! Let's move him somewhere safe!"

Percy sniffed and finally relented. Harry and Percy lifted Fred's body up and carried, while Gallardo and Eduardo guarded from the front. Like a funeral procession, they took him to a niche where a suit of armour had been, where they lay him to rest, until a better time came.

Percy immediately charged at a few Death Eaters he could see descending down the main staircase. Ron made to follow, resisting Hermione's clutches.

"I want to help! I want to kill Death Eaters!" he snapped. "Get off me!"

"No, Ron, please! We can end this!" Hermione cried; she began whispering something in his ear which made Ron nod and calm down.

"Eduardo, I need you to head to the Great Hall," Gallardo said. "Find your sister, and look after her. Please." He pleaded the last word.

Eduardo nodded, smiled and saluted him, before turning away on his heel.

Hermione looked towards Harry. "Can you find out where the snake is?"

Harry closed his eyes, immediately feeling faint; Gallardo supported his back to stop him from falling.

"He's in the Shrieking Shack!" Harry gasped. "The snake's with him!"

"What? He's not even fighting?" Hermione shouted.

"He doesn't think he needs to fight," Harry said grimly.

"Why?" Ron asked.

"He thinks I'll come to him, he knows that I am after Horcruxes. He's keeping Nagini close and under protective spells."

"What about Diablus?" Gallardo asked. "Where is he?"

"I think he's somewhere in the Forest," Harry replied. "Launching some air serpents to attack us. But Lucius Malfoy's with Voldemort, he's sent him to get Snape.

"I'm obviously going to have to get close to that snake."

"Right, so you can't go," Ron said. "He's expecting that, it's what he wants. Stay here and look after Hermione, you two. The Cloak's not big enough for all of us, so I'll take it."

"No, Ron, it'll make more sense if I take the Cloak-" Hermione began.

"Don't even think about it!" Ron snarled.

"Ron, I am just as capable-"

"Guys, we should stick together!" Gallardo implored. "Harry and Hermione, you put the Cloak on, Ron and I will cover you!"

The friends nodded in unanimouty.

"Potter!" roared two masked Death Eaters, who had appeared from behind a tapestry.

Gallardo and Hermione conjoined an Impediment Jinx straight at them, defeating them in a mighty blast.

"Let's go," Gallardo said. "Ron, take the lead!"

Harry and Hermione put on the Cloak, Ron led from the front, while Gallardo provided cover from behind.

They dashed through the fifth floor, where suits of armour slashed Rivarians. They saw Dean, Parvati and Padma duelling Avery and Volkan. Dean had won two wands, which were proving to be quite an advantage, since Volkan had almost scarred him with flames.

Ron disarmed Avery, who was subdued by the Patil twins.

"Thanks," Padma said, surprised, while Parvati prodded Volkan with her wand, giving Dean the chance to cast a Full Body-Binding Jinx on him.

"You're welcome," Ron nodded. As the friends moved forwards, a twitch of a smile came across Padma's face.

They made their way to the outer staircase, which was a way to avoid the enchanted ones. They weaved past Slughorn and McGonagall, who happened to be doing very well at pushing their opponents down.

The four stepped over the multiple bodies to reach the shortcut to the Clock Tower, which would take them to the Forest.

"Guys, we have a problem," Gallardo said. They were ten metres from the blue door; however, behind them charged Melchalot, leading a group of six Snatchers. They were not going to get past the narrow door without a fight.

"You two go on," Gallardo urged the two under the Cloak. "Ron and I will hold them off for as long as we can."

"But-" Hermione's voice protested.

"Go, time is of the essence!" Ron said.

"We'll follow, as soon as we can," Gallardo promised, as he and Ron stood side by side, facing the seven Snatchers, who were nearly within duelling range.

"Do you know what's better than a Wizard enduring?" Gallardo muttered.

"What's that?" Ron asked, confused.

"Two," Gallardo grinned, as Ron understood.

"Did you really think that you could get away, you stupid fools?" Melchalot jeered.

"There's seven of us, and only two of you!" a red faced bald Snatcher pointed out. "Why don't you surrender and tell us where your friends are, and we'll just give you a quick death?"

"Landgrabb, I think that they're too thick, these Potter lovers!" gloated a plump puffy faced man.

Gallardo and Ron slashed their wands, delivering a Knockback Jinx and Stunning Spell into two Snatchers.

"Crucio!" Melchalot and Landgrabb snarled.

Enduro! thought Gallardo and Ron; a blue and brown beam combined with each other. Such companionship sparked a sudden wave of energy that blasted Melchalot and Landgrabb back into a wall, as a torch fell from its stand and landed on Melchalot's head with a thud.

However, there were still three Snatchers, who were extra prepared, and they fired a ball of fire at Gallardo and Ron.

The duo blocked it with a Shield Charm, but that did not stop hot ash leaking over and singing a bit of their clothes and skin. It wasn't much, but the sharp burning pain jolted them a few steps back.

Suddenly, there was a gunshot.

The middle Snatcher fell to his knees, clutching his left shoulder, while crying out in agony. Behind him, over the landing that joined two stairs, was Nicola Webb, holding a pistol.

"I'm not having no Muggle slag own one over me!" snarled the one closest to Gallardo. While the Snatchers looked in shock, two Body-Binding Jinxes incarcerated them from cursing Nicola.

Gallardo smiled at her in gratitude; however, her look was one of worry and panic.

"Help me!" Nicola pleaded. She appeared to be holding something, just below the parapet of the railing.

"Nicola, are you OK?" Gallardo said, making his way up the stairs. Ron hesitated but followed.

The blonde seemed to be holding a body, of a brown haired female. Her black robes were torn, her arms and face were covered in gashes and bruises. Gallardo looked in shock, as he found the Marteslon Keeper: Sandra Mars. She was breathing heavily and painfully, but she cracked a smile when she saw him approach. To his horror, Gallardo made out teeth marks on her right shoulder.

"What happened?" Ron asked.

"R-rivarians," Sandra squeaked tearfully. "There were two of them! I-I can't stand up..."

"Sandra, listen to me, it'll be all right," Gallardo assured. He scouted across the landing where he spotted Michael Goodman and Masam Nobutada dashing through, looking out for any Death Eaters or Rivarians. "Michael! Masam!" he called.

The two hurried over, the echo of the battle chasing them from the tunnel that they came from.

"Sandra!" Goodman said. "Are you all right? Sorry, stupid question!"

"Michael can you make sure that Nicola can get Sandra to Madam Pomfrey, ASAP?" Gallardo said, trying to breath to compose himself, unable to let his mind dwell on Sandra's injuries. She whimpered, as she was levitated up by Goodman and Nobutada, before they and Nicola marched away.

"Let's end this," Ron said, his hand finding his friend's arm.

"Come on," Gallardo nodded, before striding to the blue door.

The Clock remained mostly unharmed and read just before four o'clock. The Courtyard was scattered with broken gargoyles and lifeless bodies of mainly Elves, as well as some students. The actual tiles were cracked and eroded like a ruin. A cloud of smoke began to lift, giving witness to the battle and residing dust. But Gallardo had no time to dwell over the dead, for the way to the Covered Bridge was before them. They would pass the Stone Circle and find the Whomping Willow, and go into the Shrieking Shack, ready to deal a deadly blow to the final Horcrux.

However, distantly by the Stone Circle, a few growls sounded and a few flashes of light were seen. A crowd began to jeer and laugh, as a jet of bright red sparks shot vertically into the air: someone was calling for help!

Lupin helped Hames to his feet. The Welsh Elf thanked him, before scouting their surroundings.

The West Battlements had been breached some while ago, by massive spiders, allowing the Death Eaters the opportunity to break through. Captain Legorio had ordered a retreat to the West Courtyard, but that was also overrun very soon. Legorio's platoon was taking a battering; there was no other way to describe this. The platoon's injured were falling and crying out one by one; they were being denied the space to recover their composture, especially with the air serpent riders shelling them with fireballs.

However, Leono Marks had sent Lupin to lead a company to aid them. The invaders would not be expecting a relatively fresh unit to check them. Thankfully, the Cumbrian Elves could take the time to recover and regain their energy, while Lupin managed the attackers.

However, what was most surprising was the fact that a jet of smoke had been shot into the air, forming the dreaded shape of the Dark Mark. Rather than unnerving Lupin, it enfuriated him, strengthening his determination, which was rewarded by him managing to throw Fenrir Greyback on top of Dolohov, destabilising the formation of the attackers.

The Dark Mark began to burn on the arms of the servants of Lord Voldemort. The Mark in the sky began morphing into something a bit more. The snake weaved the words that brought a spell of joy and relief to Lupin. The words were: WIDTHDRAW.

Surprised, the Death Eaters had begun retreating back through the Covered Bridge, but not before Dolohov shot a purple flame at Lupin, who had locked wands, but Dolohov still managed to sink it in Lupin's right thigh, before sprinting off down the Bridge.

The pain had swept through his body, but Lupin was relentless. He had graciously accepted the pain killing potion that Edgarion, a tanned black haired Elf, gave him.

Lupin closed his eyes and sensed his searing pain subside.

"How is it?" Hames asked.

"Never better," Lupin winced. The stinging sensation was still there, but at least he could walk.

Suddenly, there was a scream coming from the Stone Circle, on the other side of the Covered Bridge. What was worse was that it was a child's scream!

"I'm going to take a look!" Lupin declared, striding to the source. "You can tend to the injured, take them to sanctuary."

Some of the unit nodded, but four Elves with the red sun refused.

"We are coming with you, laddie!" Eragio, a brown haired and bearded one, said. Hames, Edgarion and Taurelios nodded in assent, drawing their bows and scimitars.

Lupin nodded and led them across the bridge. On the other side was a horde of about ten Rivarians, led by the one with a red jeweled helmet: the Anappa. But the ten were gathered around a blond curly haired student, who Lupin recognised as Zacharias Smith. He was shielding a younger dark blonde, who looked about as old as a second or third year.

"Sectumsempra!" Lupin roared, decapitating a Rivarian.

"How dare you?" thundered a Rivarian, who wore a red sash.

"No, how dare you?" Lupin snapped. He marched in between Zacharias, the girl and the Rivarians. "Do you have any idea, how much you disgust me?"

"He's a brave one, Getorius!" jeered the Anappa, looking at the red sashed Rivarian.

"You are all cowards!" roared Lupin. "Let them go, now!"

The Rivarians began drawing their swords and swearing at Lupin and the four Cumbrians that stood beside him.

"Remus, I think this could get nasty," Taurelios warned.

"Yes it will!" Lupin growled. "For them.

"How about you let them go and face me?"

"No, face us!" Eragio corrected.

"Face us, because we are a different game altogether!"

"So, you are challenging us?" Getorius spat, edging towards Lupin with his sword. "Shut it, Gekatzu, don't give me your crap!" he scoffed at a purple sashed warrior, who stepped back.

Lupin fired a firm Knockback Jinx at him, sending him crashing down. Another Rivarian leapt to step in, but Lupin fired a cloud of reddish-brown sand at him, forcing him to cough in fits. By the time he had recovered, Hames and Edgarion had cut him down with their scimitars.

Gekatzu lashed Hames from behind and blasted Edgarion with a Cruciatus Curse from the tip of his sword. Eragio fired two enchanted arrows with his bow, catching one Rivarian in the shoulder and the other in his throat, both flared up with lightning and were thrown down. However, Eragio was met with two Cruciatus Curses, and a deep stab from the side. He gasped, trying to slash with his scimitar, which clashed with a sword, but he did not have the energy to continue.

Now it was just Lupin, Edgarion and Taurelios left. The Anappa was swinging his mace, firing enchantments as Lupin resisted.

"Spread out!" he ordered, realising that they were being surrounded.

Taurelios stepped back, but a Rivarian warrior fired a Stunning Spell at him, before following with a fatal stab.

Edgarion rushed through his adversary, but to his horror more Rivarians had come to watch the fight, like a public sporting event. He quickly returned a blow and stunned another, before Getorius sank his teeth into Edgarion's neck, who shouted in fury.

Expelliarmus! Lupin thought, compelling Getorius to let go and be pushed back. But Edgarion dropped to the ground, bleeding from the neck and did not get up.

Now Lupin was worried, he was the last man standing, the last person stopping the Rivarians from devouring the two students, who were just caught up in all of this. Why hadn't they evacuated with the rest?

Lupin had to struggle to block a curse by the Anappa, whose bloodshot eyes and yellow teeth threatened to stab into Lupin's flesh. He was kicked hard in the leg, causing him to keel over, as the searing pain in his leg returned. He was hauled up and thrown down by the Anappa, who managed to kick his wand away.

Luckily, before he could deliver a killing blow, Lupin snatched Edgarion's scimitar and slashed a bit of the Anappa's shin. The chief howled in pain; Lupin swept up and blasted two attacking Rivarians with a bang before summoning up his wand.

Despite Lupin's valiant stance he knew that he could not go on forever. Raising his wand up, he emitted some red sparks in the air. He saw the girl and Zacharias frozen with fear on the spot. Unfortunately, he didn't see Antonin Dolohov, who was hidden behind the Anappa, point a wand at where Lupin's right lung was.

"Harpeumbra!" Dolohov rasped, emitting a purple flame, which soared through the air and jetted straight into Lupin.

The captors watched in terror as Lupin cried out in agony, as he felt his right lung blaze with an invisible fire erupting from an enchanted harpoon. He closed his eyes and dropped to his knees, his shallow breathing drained him for all his worth. Time seemed to freeze, as his lung throbbed and inflamed like a cancer.

There comes a time in a man's life, where he knows that his time is up. Remus John Lupin realised that just now, after thirty-nine years, his song was ending. At this point some men would simply accept their fate, while others would go out kicking and shouting; Lupin would do both. He would not go out quietly, he thought as he looked at Edgarion, Eragio, Taurelios and Hames, the four Welsh Elves- his fallen comrades. He would go out fighting, but not for himself.

He turned his gaze to Zacharias and the thirteen year old girl, who was crying now, crying for this scruffy looking man, who had come to their rescue. Lupin felt a tear about to cross his ducts, but he smiled at her.

"Run!" Lupin said, before shouting to block the Anappa's mace from striking him, despite the excruciating pain it caused him. But he was used to it, because this was what transforming at the full moon was like.

Lupin was up again throwing jinxes at the Anappa, yet missing most, but still making his opponent work. All this was fine, until the Anappa saw his chance and flung his mace into Lupin's abdomen, sending him down with a fresh sense of pain, as tears began to form on his eyes. He looked to see that Zacharias and the girl hadn't moved; they were still frozen in fear!

"Run..." Lupin said, or whimpered. He had lost his wand, so rammed his fist into the Anappa's groin; however, he was met with a furious kick in his burning lung.

"And now," the Anappa snarled, lifting him up with his bare hands. "This boy and little girl will find out what happens to those who dare to challenge the Great Anappa Tsarius."

Lupin could feel the Rivarian's foul breath, as the latter opened his jaws and slowly edged his victim's skull towards him. Lupin felt too weak to do anything, even kick, so he just closed his eyes.

Suddenly, the Anappa released his grip and groaned, as Lupin fell to the ground with a thud.

Ron Weasely had barged into the Rivarian and was thumping him with all his might.

Gallardo summoned up Lupin's wand and was ready for Dolohov to fire a curse at him. Gallardo's double blue cores created a powerful wand lock against Dolohov's red. However, Gallardo blew out and pushed the curse back into Dolohov with twice the energy, causing him to ram into Gekatzu. Getorius roared and clashed his sword against Gallardo's Shield Charm.

"Terra Firma!" he hissed, as a flash in the shape and colour of a tree rammed into the Rivarian, making him spout blood.

Meanwhile, Ron and the Anappa were engaged in a fierce duel, with a ruthless mace and wand. But the Anappa managed to get close enough and deliver a blow to Ron's temple, rendering him unconscious.

Gallardo's blood filled with testosterone, as he threw a jump roundhouse kick at the Anappa, who stumbled back from the impact.

"Seismus!" Gallardo bellowed, sending a fearsome quake at his enemy, which would have broken his bones had he not applied a Shield Charm quickly enough.

"Nobody interfere!" barked the Anappa at his Rivarian spectators. "This one is mine! This is very personal!"

"Not more personal than it is to me!" snapped Gallardo, thrusting a skipping side kick at the Anappa. However, this gave him the opportunity to punch Gallardo in the chest, sending him down.

Gallardo swiftly rolled out of the way to avoid the mace crashing down on his skull. He had dropped Lupin's wand, but retained his own, which was useful as it blocked a Cruciatus Curse from the Anappa.

"Avada Kedavra!" the Anappa barked, but Gallardo pulled the mace arm with his left. The green curse flew into the sky behind him, while Gallardo smacked his elbow into the Anappa's jaw, almost feeling the razor sharpness of the teeth on his forearm.

The Anappa rasped and grabbed the Spaniard's hair and twisted, making him cry out in pain, while spitting at him with his saliva and breath.

Gallardo pushed him back with a kick to the abdomen, after a knee to the groin. "Diffindo!" he exclaimed and slashed, pointing at the Anappa's neck. A white light swung across the target, as the Anappa gasped and clutched his throat. Most of the blood on Gallardo's face and body was his own, but a squirt of the Anappa's flew on to him.

The Anappa began choking and swaying from side to side, still clutching his mace.

"Flipendo!" A jet of blue collided into him, toppling him over, as his throat leaked with blood. The Great Anappa Tsarius was slain.

Gallardo sighed; he had made his first direct kill ever, albeit it had been in self-defence and in the heat of the moment, the thought still surprised him. But he did not have time to dwell upon that, they weren't safe yet.

Enervate! he thought, pointing his own wand and Lupin's at Ron, who began stirring and groaning in pain. "Come on, mate, on your feet, we aren't out of the woods yet."

About fifty Rivarians had gathered to watch, and they were all muttering and swearing in disbelief at the body of their leader.

"Lord Diablus promised us meat, especially the meat of youngens!" Gekatzu said. "Instead all we have got is death and destruction! This is not our fight!"

There was a murmur of assent that was broken by Getorius.

"Gekatzu, you bloody fool! We have to avenge the Anappa's death!"

"And we will," Gekatzu assured. "We will. But first, we must cremate and release the Anappa's soul, and mourn his loss, as our ancient customs demand."

"To hell with that!" spat Getorius. "I say we kill and burn these Wizards, right now!" A round of applause followed, but died out once Gekatzu growled.

"You would defy your Anappa, would you? Even when he's asked you to just be patient?" There was a touch of menace in his voice, as he marched up to Getorius.

"My Anappa?" scoffed Getorius. "You are not Anappa, Gekatzu! You bring shame to us all, you would kiss their feet-"

Gekatzu kicked his challenger's stomach, making him fall to the ground. "Why don't you challenge me, then?" he dared contemptuously.

"Gekatzu Sohan, I challenge you for the position of Anappa!" Getorius hissed, barring swords with his rival. There was a gasp of shock amongst the Rivarians.

"I will show you no mercy, Getorius Sohan!" The two began slashing wildly, parrying and moving away from the five and towards the Forest, the rest of the spectators followed.

"Remus!" Gallardo called, once he had checked to see that Zacharias, Ron and the girl, who he recognised as Eve, were OK. He cradled his friend, who was scarred with blood, gashes and bruises, some of them were no doubt internal.

Lupin winced and smiled painfully, holding Gallardo back. "You did it," he croaked.

"Not yet, we need to get you better."

Lupin shook his head, and said those dreaded words: "It's too late for me."

"No!" snapped Gallardo. "Don't you dare say that!" He couldn't accept that they would lose Remus Lupin tonight; he had been, by far, the best Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher; he had taught them all so much, even after leaving Hogwarts; and he had always come to their aid whenever they had got into a sticky situation. Teddy couldn't grow up without a father and Dora should not ever have to go on and face everything alone without her husband.

"Gallardo, it's OK," Lupin chuckled painfully.

"No, Teddy and Dora both need you, don't give up, not now!" Gallardo said, as tears started approaching his eyes.

"Will you help Teddy understand that I didn't leave him out of choice, that I laid down my life so he could live in a safer world, for him and his wonderful mother?"

Gallardo nodded, the tears inhibiting him from being able to speak. Ron had finally managed to get up; he, Eve and Zacharias were watching intently and tearfully.

"Gallardo..." Lupin began weakly. "Do you remember me telling you that I would happily die in Dora's arms?"

"Yeah, I do," Gallardo croaked.

"Will you take me to her, and help me fulfil this dying wish?" Lupin requested.

"Of course." Gallardo turned to Zacharias Smith. "Listen, how about you do something to redeem yourself- help me carry him!" He heaved Lupin, who was over six foot, up. Despite Gallardo's strength, Lupin still lagged down slightly, until Zacharias finally did something more than pushing first years out of the way, as they were evacuating. Together, they helped Lupin limp, while Ron walked besides Eve, who was sobbing into the still night- a sharp contrast to the shelling and violence that had been occurring.

They walked away from the amplified voice of Voldemort, which began following the retreat.

"I do not want to spill any more magical blood," the high and cold voice said. "You have one hour. Dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured.

"Harry Potter, I now speak directly to you. You have allowed others to die for you, rather than surrender yourself. If by the end of this hour, you have not given yourself up, then the battle will commence. I will burn Hogwarts down brick by brick, I will enter the fray myself and I will slaughter every man, woman and child that has tried to conceal you from me. You have one hour!"

Gallardo and Zacharias strove on, within a few minutes they had reached the Great Hall. The tables had been swept aside and provided a bed for the many injured. Amongst them were Firenze, Flitwick, Dean and Lavender, who were conscious but had parts of their body plastered with bandages. They were kept company by Adrialla and Legorio. The others including Neville, Marks, Luna, Kingsley and McGonagall, had some bandages, but were able to walk. Gallardo saw many faces that were still alive: Nobutada, Corner, Tom, Penelope amongst others. However, to the side and upon a long white sheet on the floor, lay those who had been unlucky and unable to survive the night.

Arthur, Molly, Bill, Percy and Ginny stood over the body of Fred Weasely, all looking devastated. Ron went over to put a hand on George, who couldn't even stand up, as he sat next to the body of his twin. Yulia, Nicola and Hayley wept over Sandra Mars, who lay still on the long shroud. Nicola was held by Goodman and Hayley was comforted by Jason, who had his right arm in a sling and cast. Many of the Elves made up the dead; however, there were still some left on the grounds. Those that still stood, were consoling the families of the casualties, trying to share experiences and stories of hard times.

When the five opened the doors to the Great Hall, several heads turned, as if begging for news. The atmosphere was very sombre, considering the heavy casualties.

Gallardo nodded to his family, thankfully they were all OK, apart from the odd bruise. Mary visibly let out a sigh, after seeing him walk in carrying Lupin. But he had a job to do before he could see to them.

Dora lay on a table being comforted by Marcena, who looked at Gallardo, causing a mutual feeling of gladness and joy amongst the angst.

However, to his horror, Dora was wrapped in a heavily blood-stained bandage around her abdomen. Her eyes filled with tears, as she saw her husband, so wounded yet so brave and tall.

"Remus! I thought you were gone!" Dora said heavily.

"Don't worry, my love, I'm still here," Lupin replied, lowering himself next to her and wrapping his arms around her neck. He kissed her head. "I will never leave you. I will always be beside you and with you."

Zacharias had gone, so Marcena walked up to Gallardo, her face sullen with sadness.

"She's lost a lot of blood, I don't know if she'll make it!" Marcena said.

"Let's give them some space," he suggested, touching her shoulder.

"Wait!" Dora called; the couple walked back towards her and Lupin.

"Is everything OK?" Gallardo offered. "Is there anything you need?"

"Please look after Teddy, like an older brother and sister," Dora said.

"U-ha, of course," Marcena agreed tearfully.

"He won't experience the love of his parents," Lupin said. "At least not directly, which is why you all must give what you can. Through you all, he can know us, who we were and how much we loved him."

Gallardo swallowed before nodding, his heartstring were playing a haunting yet melancholic melody. He turned to see Marcena, who was starting to weep, despite trying to control herself. Gallardo reached over and held her hand; he would be strong for them both and comfort her. She squeezed back tightly, just like that day when he saw her again, after two long years.

Dora smiled. "Look after and love each other."

"Look after and love," Gallardo and Marcena echoed quietly.

They stepped away and witnessed with a sorrowful heart and their bodies embracing one another. They witnessed two souls hold each other as their eyes closed, like a couple going to sleep. These two souls were like swans, giving mutual comfort when they were steps away from death. They had shared a relatively short yet fruitful life together, a life of tenderness and selflessness. They had proven true to their vows, and even in death, the two souls of Remus and Dora left this world together, like two turtle doves flying into the sunset and beyond.

Marcena sobbed into Gallardo's shoulder, while he held her and dried his eyes. His hand reached for hers and his firm fingers entwined around her fragile and gentle ones. He felt the jade coloured ring that he had given her as a token and promise of his love. He smiled, breathing in Marcena's scent. Like his friend, the Good Wolf, he was not going to leave her, he would stay beside her and with her. Always.

Author's Note: I actually welled up very much when writing this, especially towards the end. I'm sorry to Lupin fans, but like with Dobby, I am following canon, in this respect. Some people (me included) were disappointed that the book and the film didn't give him a death scene, so I've decided to give him and Dora a heroic send off. Remus Lupin had to die while doing something brave and kind, like protecting students.

Please read and review, take the time (or tissues) you need! :)

The next chapter will either be called Sacrificial Protection or The Scimitar of Martelson, depending on how many words I write.

Thanks.