A/N: This is where the actual action starts. And I suppose this chapter is the longest in the story. I hope you'll be able to imagine the situation and feel the thrill I felt while writing this part. Happy Reading!

CHAPTER IV – FIGHTING A LOST BATTLE

As if reading each other's thoughts, Molly grabbed Ginny, Hermione grabbed Luna, and Ron grabbed Neville. All six of them turned on the spot and transformed into six bright-white smoky flying figures.

In pairs they departed: Molly and Ginny hurrying over to the kitchen; Ron and Neville flying over to the top floor; and Luna and Hermione trying to reach the basement. But due to just a few seconds' delay, Hermione and Luna were currently being chased by atleast ten black figures, wisps of smoke that were pursuing them at high speed.

Luna held on to Hermione and let her do the steering; to avoid the oncoming spells, they turned at every two meters. Spells collided or crashed into everything behind the two. They were in a real fix.

In retaliation, Hermione and Luna sent spells at incredible speed towards their attackers. But their enemies were good too. Moreover, due to all the twists and turns, the two could attack only once in a while. And it was very difficult to aim too.

After a long while, Luna got their first target. But Hermione heard three screams. Realizing something, she turned, sending another spell at the nearest Death Eater, immobilizing him. At the end of the hallway, she saw two other figures dueling the flying Death Eaters. Ron and Neville.

At once, Hermione and Luna did a double-take and flew in-between the Death Eaters, sending spells to all directions. They materialized into human forms besides Ron and Neville and struck up vigorous duels.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Ginny watched as her mother unleashed yet unseen amounts of Magic to protect her daughter. Molly had already defeated three of the Death Eaters, and was currently fighting a particularly difficult one as Ginny danced around her, charming things to stop the oncoming forces and deflect them for some time. Frustrated at the number of Death Eaters, she resorted to direct dueling, and stepped into a duel with a fierce Death Eater.

Half an hour later, the two were fighting the last Death Eater left. Together, they struck him with two spells each, thus incapacitating him. At once, Ginny ran up to her mother and hugged her. 'Oh Mum, I never knew you were such a tiger!' Ginny said as she embraced the amazingly powerful witch. 'After all, my dear, I was tutored by Uncles Gideon and Fabian. They were the best wizards in the Order after Moody and Albus in their time.'

'Mum, look out!' Ginny shouted suddenly as another Death Eater materialized behind her mother and raised his wand.

Pushing her mother, she sent a spell at the Death eater but was herself hit by a sinister-looking spell. Slowly, she felt dizzy, and even as her mother shouted a spell to behead the Death eater, Ginny fell deeply unconscious.

Neville had succumbed to some severe spells too, and Hermione was the trio's only hope of escaping the Death Eaters. Continuous dueling had tired the three, and as usual, Hermione had come up with a plan.

She was dueling two Death eaters together, a feat credited to only six students out of the many of Hogwarts. Ron and Luna were jointly dueling three. With much effort, With much effort, Hermione managed to distract her opponents (by conjuring a tiger who ran with joy after the two Death Eaters) and cried out, 'Revulso! Expulso! Repello!' The five cloaked figure went flying through the air as they were thrown back by the spells. Just then, Hermione shouted, 'RUN!'

As the next part of the plan, Hermione gathered the rest of her stamina and conjured two more wolves near the five Death Eaters. Before turning and following her friends, she created a cage, trapping the five wizards in a corner with three hungry man-eaters.

Together, Hermione and the other two levitated Neville (they barely had strength enough to lift him) and reached the basement instinctively. Hermione opened the door and closed it after her friends, re-activating the spell she had cast so long ago. She failed to notice the two previous occupants of the dungeon until Ron shouted –

'Mum, what happened to Ginny?'

'Ron, quiet please. Is Hermione with you?' Mrs. Weasley asked.

'Yes Mrs. Weasley, I am here,' said Hermione, stepping into the light of Molly's Lumos Maxima.

'Dear, do you know the Disintegration of Imbibed Diseases spell? It is the only fast way of reviving Ginny. And Neville too, it seems. I know it is professional Healing level, but I just thought maybe you -'

'I do know, Mrs. Weasley. Who would be acting as the third witch? Ah yes, Luna. Come and stand here please, Luna. Now, all I want you to do is stand here – no, in the center – and direct your wand at Ginny and Neville. In your mind, keep repeating "RestorumTotalum". OK? I'll be the second witch, Mrs. Weasley, in case I go wrong. Ron, (whose mouth was hanging down with astonishment by then) you need to keep quiet and let us focus,' instructed Hermione.

With a mixed expression of amusement and amazement, Molly raised her wand and pointed it at Luna, as did Hermione. Whispering complicated incantations, they sent bright green and red jets of light at Luna respectively. Luna, in turn, was showering blue-green sparks all over Neville and Ginny.

In a matter of minutes, their eyes fluttered open and Hermione and Molly sat down, exhausted. Ginny, Neville and Ron had just been catching up when all of them froze. They stood up and raised their wands towards the door. They had heard banging on the door. Someone was trying to barge in.