Chapter 8
New Blood
Havoc drew breath while clutching at his chest. His heart was in overdrive, pumping blood that felt like it disappeared. But considering the thing he used, he suspected that it was the magic it was pumping back into his body.
Two minions helped Havoc of the floor. The minion doctor from before pressed its fingers against a now pale neck of Draco Malfoy who was strapped onto the bed with leather straps. The minion nodded in confirmation and Havoc let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding.
It worked...for now.
Heart started to beat. Starved lungs filled with air. Consciousness came in waves.
"You demon!" someone shouted, followed along with sounds of metal scraping against stone. Rex's eyes shot open.
In his view was not the familiar floor of the underground throne room he distinctly remembered he died upon. His body pulsed with strange sensations reminiscent of death's knocking. The overlord mentally locked shut the door and ignored the feeling. More yelling came from his right side, down a corridor that looked like it was a part of a castle.
Where in hell was he now?
Rex lifted himself and rocked sideways. His muscles were for the lack of a better word, almost non-existant. He shambled over to a window that showed a blue sky. An expansive city of stone and wooden buildings dominated the view. Yellow patches of straw rooves lined the farthest levels until they stopped before a circle of large stone walls. Was he back in his own world?
His focus then changed to a lifelike blob of black on the farside of the city. Smoke rose from there aswell. Red balls of fire ascended into the sky every second or so before falling somewhere in the city, probably setting aflame some wooden building. The city was under siege.
"Silence!" a booming voice almost shook the entire structure of the castle. Rex shambled in that direction. He was rather annoyed by being constantly in the unknown. It was time he got to the bottom of this.
The corridor from which the voices came soon opened into a throne room with a circular table in the middle of it. The chairs were overturned indicating people left in a hurry.
More voices came from a hall to the far front and Rex, with slowly regaining muscles, shambled on.
The overlord was not expecting what he saw.
A man of enormous stature stood in white armor, trapped against a balcony that seemed doubtful it would carry his weight. Just inches away from the man was a sword carried by a man that looked like an epitome of manliness and utter beauty that Rex feared his eyes might melt if he looked any longer. Seeking respite he looked at the remaining six men who also had their swords drawn and pointed in the direction of the obvious overlord. They all wore knights armor that was reasonably crafted rather than Rex's.
"We thought you were a servant of God! You deceived us with your foul trickery!" The manly man spoke with so much spite that the words themselves were venom. Rex then noticed a dead minion laying on the floor not far from him.
"I have deceived you, I confess. And I have a good reason for that." the cornered overlord spoke. The leading knight was about to send yet another volley of accusations but the taller man was quicker, "The enemies are at our gates. Witches and warlocks aid our assailants with their magics. I am the only thing standing between them and Camelot's destruction."
"Must you lie still?" One of the other knight asked in righteous anger, his sword raising even higher.
"I tell no lies Sir Galahad. There is a world beyond yours. My world. Magic runs rampant over the world. Witches, wizards, warlocks... Merlin is one himself." The overlord spoke. The knights looked at each other in uncertainty. Their questions were answered but they didn't know how to really go about what they have been told.
Their leader spoke up, "Why would the wizards attack you if you are one of their own?" the men around him nodded in agreement but still keeping their swords up.
"They are afraid of me and my powers. They despise me for leading and upbringing mongrels and weaklings such as you." the overlord felt safe he could move away from the balcony, his former knights were sufficiently distracted for him to move, "They are afraid of what you are capable under my leadership and power. I have disrupted their plans of murder and destruction that was surely to befall all of England, if not maybe even the lands over the sea."
"Aid me. If not for my sake, then for Camelot's sake."
Rex leaned against the stone wall, not quite sure what to think of this. The only thing was was sure of was that this was NOT his world.
"Ah, apologies." Someone's voice came from behind Rex. Rex turned as fast as he was allowed to by his muscles to come face-to-face with the same overlord he has just turned his back to.
"I do not know why I torment myself so with the past. Perhaps to remind myself how it was then." the overlord spoke softly, blue eyes that shone within the helmet seemed to glaze over.
"What is going on here!" Rex shouted. His nerves were frayed, he has had enough of meeting weird people and constantly digging information out of them. Suddenly his feet lost their footing and Rex fell into a soft armchair. The whole scene shifted into a study that resembled one of the rooms in Hogwarts.
"Once again, I apologise. My mind sometimes drifts off. It was bound to happen when you reside within the Castle Heart for so long. What you just saw there was a battle after which I never returned. To die on the battlefield was the best thing a warrior could hope for, isn't it?" Arthur asked. Rex could sense a faint smile grace the invisible lips. He nodded in agreement, such was the glory of battle.
"Killed by my own son, would you know it?"
Patricide wasn't uncommon in those times, but even Rex had some standards, "Why am I here?"
"You suffered a whiplash caused by a sudden intrusion of enormous amounts of magic into the Heart. Like a wave, the magic carried your consciousness here. I usually have the power to do such a thing when the current overlord is in need, but this time it was involuntary on my part." Arthur explained. Rex shifted in his seat, "Nothing else? Havoc is still alive?"
The blue eyes squinted, "Of course, why wouldn't he be? You have nothing to worry about." Rex sighed and sagged into the armchair, relaxed kowing that he wasn't dead after all.
"It has been several days since Havoc's visit. Ever since then I have been eager to meet you, Rex."
"What for?" Rex's eyebrows rose in question.
"You...are a rarity. The Heart has never accepted two Overlords at the same time. Your link to Havoc and what it entails has never been seen, and believe me, I am the engineer behind it." Arthur summoned a goblet in which swished blood red wine as far as Rex could see.
"You have opened up new possibilities just by being here. I would be fooling myself by saying that the Overlord line would last forever. Eventually the line would dry up and decay." Arthur took a sip from the goblet before continuing, "We were the first magic wielders on the surface of this earth, the originals. I am afraid Havoc would have a better understanding of what I am telling you, but he is occupied at the moment, it seems."
Rex grunted as he adjusted himself in his seat again. He had a profound feeling that Arthur was holding something back. What was Havoc doing?
"Today's magic users are offspring of my kin that melded with the magic less people, transferring their siphoned magic onto their offspring. A griveous mistake. Many generations will pass, yes, but they are heading onto a path that will eradicate them all." Arthur's voice became a one of grief, "They will spend all their magic and...die. Some sooner, others later."
"Rex. I ask of you to help Havoc in his campaign. Havoc may not know of what I have told you now, but he is lead down the path nevertheless. You have possibly saved far more than you are even aware of." Arthur finished with a tone of finality and rose from his seat.
With a wave of Arthur's hand, Rex's vision went dark and his thoughts were gone.
Havoc walked back and forth, back and forth beside the bed Rex was carried onto by a whooping twenty minions. If Rex died now, it would be his fault. He was stupid to not consider the possible consequences that his actions entailed. He was scared out of his mind for Rex, hoping and gripping at each sign of life that came from the other overlord.
Rex could die any minute now and Havoc was having a hard time bracing for that horrible agony that would be sure to come if Rex drew his last breath.
"Hav..." Havoc perked up at the sound and was instantly beside Rex, his face just mere inches away. "Fool." Rex grunted before pushing the teen away so he could sit up properly.
Havoc was smiling even though he was roughly shoved away and enveloped, as far as he could, the man into a hug. Rex sat there in confusion before reciprocating a little by holding the teen's thin waist.
The hug lasted a few seconds before Rex decided he would like to stand up. Havoc was somewhat disappointed. "What have you done?" Rex asked.
Havoc suddenly found the ground rather interesting, fearing those red eyes that he was sure were glowing with fury. Rex's tone was enough to know he was in trouble. The minions around their masters cackled and ooed.
Havoc, while still staring intently at the stone floor, led Rex to a room not far from here. The room wasn't any different than the others except that it was occupied. Its occupant was layed on the bed similar to the one Rex just woke up in.
Beside the bed was the minion doctor from before. It was running its long fingers over the covered form, performing some magic Rex nor Havoc knew of. The minion turned and greeted his masters with a deep bow.
"Sire Havoc. I have been successful in keeping your experiment from escaping the mortal world. But I am afraid that he would be in a shallow coma for the time being."
"Experiment?" Rex let out a slow growl. It wasn't the fact that Havoc experimented that annoyed him, it was the fact that the experiment included the Castle Heart and him in the process.
The minion doctor, or witch doctor more like it, lifted an eyebrow, "You were unaware, Sire Rex?"
"No, I have not been informed of Havoc's actions." Rex replied with his eyes flashing towards the smaller one beside him. "What kind of experiment, Havoc?" the anger was now channeled into a silky voice. Havoc shivered despite himself.
"While you were having those cuts healed, Rip lead me down to a library and told me about the Overlords that Arthur didn't tell me. There is a way to turn a wizard into one of us. If he survives," Havoc nodded in the direction of the form in the bed, "I then made him one of us."
"The Overlord line is dying, Sire." Suddenly Rip spoke and waddled over to the bed. Rex nor Havoc heard the minion come in. "Or to be more precise,the Pristi race. Arthur and his lineage held the position of overlord two generations before being completely eradicated by wizards. England and some other parts of the world still are homes to few of the Pristi but that number is dwindling without their minions."
"Who could blame them when we are evil incarnate?" Rex argued. Some memories flashed before his eyes.
"Darkness does not mean evil, but we do have a knack for it." Havoc added after being silent for the entire time. "But how can you make someone into a Pristi?" Rex almost broke his tongue pronouncing the race's name. Be it as it may, the ability to change someone into something that is alot different was beyond him. But he also thought other dimensions didn't really exist...
"To be frank I have no idea." Havoc shrugged, "But it could have something to do with changing their body to act more like a conduit than a container. Like I said, it could be that or I don't know." the teen scratched his head.
"And what made you turn him into one of us?" Rex was getting tired of asking questions. It felt like everything he was doing was asking questions.
"Considering that we have nothing to lose if he died, but if he lives, we gain a potent asset. His love for me will ensure his loyalty." Havoc said with a mischevous smirk, cold calculation quickly replaced youthful naivety that Rex had become so used to seeing in his co-ruler.
"Doom for your enemies will then spell upon his lips." Rex said and left the room in search of food, his stomach agreed.
Havoc looked back at Rex leaving. Rip was close behind and the minions that have grouped up dissolved. He walked over to the bed and leaned over to Malfoy's ear and whispered, "Can't wait for you to wake up, my love."
A smile spread over the sleeping face of Draco Malfoy.
Before leaving as well, Havoc took Malfoy's hand and placed a chaste kiss on it. Laughs echoed down the halls of underground Hogwarts.
"Arthur, my lord?" Lucius Malfoy was caught off-guard by the sudden question sent his way by the most dangerous man in the wizarding world. He was sitting at a table in a corner and lamenting the absence of his son in deathly silence. He wasn't with the rescued Slytherins from the Forbidden Forest and the teachers, no matter how incompetent they were, said that Draco was not with them. Some of the students said that Draco was taken out of their cells by strange gremlin-like creatures and was not seen again.
"Yes, King Arthur to be precise." Voldemort hissed from his armchair. Lucius was not sure what was happening inside his demented lord's mind, "He was one of the greatest muggle kings to have ruled England. He was aided by a wizard Merlin. I apologise my lord, but what does King Arthur have anything to do with my report?"
"It has to do with everything." Voldemort simply said and after that remained silent. Lucius feared to speak further. Voldemort possibly knew what has happened to Draco but refused to say anything. That knight who almost cut him in half with that jagged blade was still fresh in his mind's eye. He had never seen a creature such as that or what grace and strength it possesed to be able to cut down several Death Eaters like it was child's play. Lucius could have sworn that his spells made contact but had no effect.
Lucius recalled the Death Eater, who was subsequently killed, came from a stake out mission and said he was attacked by a knight. He was not able to hear more when Voldemort sent him out of his room with a fierce shout of anger.
A shiver went down Lucius' spine. He felt that the knight would rival even Voldemort's power just by being virtualy invulnerable to spells. A far bigger war was just around the corner.
Several days passed with nothing interesting happening in and out of Hogwarts. Rex had taken a liking to the Daily Prophet and the political polemics that were settled in a niche in the nation section. On the other hand Havoc glared at the newspaper like he willed it to burn in the deepest pits of hell imaginable. With surprise, the paper did light up on occasion when Havoc had a strong enough of a desire. Rex also found interest in the library, reading up on the Pristi history.
The only highlight of the week-long wait was when Draco Malfoy woke up. Rex concluded that Malfoy was imperative in his current plan and followed the rather happy teen to the room where Malfoy was sleeping in.
Saying that Malfoy took the welcoming commitee well would be an understatement. Items and furniture were thrown around the room by rampant magic fueled with a killer's intent. While Rex was wary and ready to slay the teen at a moments notice, Havoc was enjoying the hectic display.
The second Draco's eyes fell upon the grinning face of Harry Potter did the items fall back to the ground. Every emotion was visible on the teen's face from anger to happiness.
"Potter?"
"Draco." Havoc simply answered and walked over to the shocked boy with strange voluptuous steps. Rex's throat constricted and he started to cough. He wasn't used to this, not at all.
"Calm down will you?" Havoc was mere inches away from the shivering blonde. The minion doctor stepped closer, "Sire, It would be prudent that we keep his activities at a minimum."
"Sire? You are the one leading those things?" Draco spoke with a frail voice of disbelief. Havoc sat on the ruined bed and summoned a chair. Draco was further shocked by Havoc's wandless magic. Havoc nodded at the proffered chair and waited until Draco sat down.
"Yes, I am the one leading them, along with that guy." Havoc pointed his thumb Rex's way who was rubbing his sore throat. Draco was visibly frightened by the tall knight and Havoc placed a reassuring hand on his hand.
"Don't worry, he won't hurt you. Now, I want you to listen carefu-" Draco interrupted, "What the hell is going on? You Potter are supposed to be dead, and for some reason you are here now being friends with a huge knight that would surely kill me?"
"Well obviously I am not dead," Havoc deadpanned. Rex looked on at how childishly Havoc acted when in the presence of one of his own age, he was still unsure if it was a ruse or real feelings that Havoc currently showed.
"I am a what?"
"A Pristi." Havoc repeated himself, "Did you see what you did to this room? Without a wand! Magic at your fingertips like never before. We are above the wizards and witches." Havoc lifted Draco up from his seat and stared lovingly into those mercury eyes. "Together we can rule and Voldemort is but a small rock on our path."
Havoc was playing on the 'head over heels in love' card and hoped that Draco would comply. If not, no hard feelings. "I am doing this for you, Draco. When I learned about this power, the possibilities... All I could think was to share it with you, my love."
Rex grunted and slapped his head while being out of sight. He wasn't made for this kind of shit. When it will come to public relations, Havoc will have all the ruses for himself.
Draco couldn't believe what he was hearing. Harry actually had feelings for him? This was too good to be true. Or was it? For all he knew this could be a dream. But it was his dream to be this close to Harry, to be able to smell him and touch him. His trembling hand rised and Harry leaned into the touch. It was utter bliss. The soft skin under his fingers sent tingles down his spine.
"Come on, let's get you some food." Havoc led Draco by the hand and passed a Rex that was once again having a cough attack. Seemed like he was developing an allergy.
Havoc stared at the bewildered Draco as the blonde looked around the throne room. Those minions were really good masons and builders.
"Draco," it was the only thing it took to get Draco's attention. Havoc noticed how unmalfoy-like the blonde was acting. He either did something to Draco's brain or the blonde was just so overwhelmed with life-relevant information that he forgot all about it.
"I saw you put this on my altar in the Gryffindor dorm." Havoc spoke and took out the intricate locket Malfoy left in his room several days ago. Draco's face went blank.
"You were there? How? The Fat Lady didn't say anything."
Meanwhile Rex was observing from his throne and his thoughts about those kinds of tactics were degenerating. He never expected Havoc to be that cruel. Not in the mood to watch anymore he decided to check up on his armor's progress
If you couldn't find Rip in the throne room, he was in the forge. The minion's face lit up with each spark that flew from a nearly completed piece of armor. Rex could see clearly that the minion felt at home when working the forge. A shelf at the back housed the leather armor Rex was so displeased with. Beside the poor excuse were pieces of a suit he didn't notice before.
The shoulder pads were finished along with the breastplate and boots stood beside them. There was no helmet so Rex thought it was still in the making. A girdle with strange fabric attached to the sides sat behind the breastplate. Lines of what looked like to be conduits mesmerized him with their soft glow. All of the pieces had some intricate carvings along with a few small spikes here and there.
"Ah, Sire. Your requested armor will be finished soon. I do think that the design would please you greatly." Rip greeted. Rex shook his head and nodded, his mind still swirling with questions and glow.
"Rip, while I was unconscious Arthur spoke to me." Rex began, "The wizards are hybrids of the Pristi and normal humans. But if that is so. How can Havoc be one when you told me he was a wizard?" Rex noticed a hole in both Arthur's and Rip's logic.
Rip rubbed his chin thoughtfuly, he never really thought about that. "There have been offspring borne of wizards and Pristi. Sire Havoc might be one. Considering that wizards are still attuned to magic, the Pristi quality transitioned far better. I have to admit that how Havoc summarised the conduit nature of the Pristi was rather good." Rip finished.
"I am ingorant to this world like a child." Rex grumbled to himself. Rip slightly smiled, revealing his fangs, "It will all fit into place, Sire. Your world is not much different from ours."
It dawned on Rex that he hadn't left the castle ever since he got here. The only view of the outside world he saw was the underwater and a few glances outside the windows when they took over the castle, but it was too dark outside for him to see anything. With his curiosity peaked, Rex passed a baffled Draco Malfoy and a utterly mischevous Havoc on his way to the portal. With a wave of his hand he dematerialized and found himself standing in a sharp winter breeze. He stood outside the castle's outer gates with a huge forest spanning in front of him. To his sides were paths, the one to his right had a sign.
It said 'Hogsmeade'.
Rex snorted. He has never heard of more ridiculous names in his life. Maybe not compared to those Empire bafoons his son fought against.
With desire to see more of this new world, Rex continued down the path. The woods seemed endless to him until he finally spotted a clearing with structures in the middle. It took him a good half hour to get there.
The wind blew fiercly inside the clearing that soon showed it was actually a low land with a tall mountain to its right. The village looked like it was in the middle of festivities but quickly abandoned. Cups carried by the wind passed him by. Rex noticed a notice board at the entrance to the village.
Rex walked over to it and saw a huge notice with it's title written in big bold letters: Evacuation!
By the order of Minister of Magic, the residents of Hogsmeade Village are to leave their homes and shops due to great danger coming from Hogwarts Castle.
Rex was sure that few came peacefully when he looked at the unruly state of things. Surely this place would be more interesting, Rex's hope dwindled with each step. He passed by many colourful shops and stands, there was even an inn that rivaled a true medieval tavern filled with both drunkards and rising legends. Rex was disapointed by the name of it: Three Broomsticks. Who would name their tavern after such sorry tools?
Something caught Rex's eye but when he turned it was gone. He was not alone here. Once again the overlord cursed his stupidity for not carrying any sort of weapon on him. Before he could take another step, a poorly aimed bolt of magic passed him by. It came from behind.
Rex turned on his heel and was greeted by a ragtag gang of wizards, pointing their horribly disfigured sticks at him. The overlord easily spotted the gutless worm that shot at him, and missed. He managed to count ten of them before they all sent spells flying.
They hit but didn't register. Rex sucked in the bolts but they still pushed him back. Before he could regain his balance a spell that felt like he was hit by a mule sent him flying and through a window into one of the shops. He felt blood in his mouth as his head hit the floor boards and his entire body slided into a wall.
The downed overlord was about to drag himself up but two more explosive spells slammed him back to the ground. He could do something if he caught the projectiles, but nothing against their explosions whatsoever. His ears rang and a headache was settling in quite nicely at the back of his brain.
Suddenly in his mind Havoc's voice rang. "You okay?" Worry perfectly evident. Rex knew that Havoc didn't call him through the portal, it was through the bond they had. He just knew it. Two metal boots that he saw back at the forge stepped into view and a heavy blade with a jagged break clanged against the wood. Rex felt extreme anger, but it wasn't his.
"I am not a child." Rex replied through the bond. His tone may have been angry but Rex knew that Havoc won't take it that way. He lifted himself up and almost fell no his back. He held onto a piece of the wall that was still intact while his eyes fell upon a Draco Malfoy who was dressed in at least a dozen fur coats.
"Who is that?" Rex heard one of his attackers ask. "It's Potter! Harry Potter!" the closest one with the best view started yelling.
Havoc began to walk and drag the huge blade behind him before running out of the store in a full sprint. Two red drapes followed him. He was wearing his new armor, mostly parts of it. He was in such a hurry that he managed to only put on the boots, the two shoulderguards with the girdle and his Overlord gauntlet. He deemed it would give him enough strength to carry the large blade he has taken a liking to. He was able to swing it if he had momentum, he would have to wear the full armor to be able to swing it proficiently without running.
Rex looked in awe how fast Havoc ran. The gray-green coloured pieces of armor fitted his black shirt and pants.
Havoc sprinted through the down-trodden street. He jumped and skidded on the ice like a skilled ice skater when he dodged the bolts of magic the clearly terrified looters were casting. His first target sent a stunner at him but he caught it in his hand and threw it back into the wizard. His hand went numb from the elbow down. He wasn't quick enough to absorb it all.
Having knocked out the wizard he sprinted in a beeline for the second closest. Spells were flying at head height and eventualy he would be hit no matter how fast he may be. He let himself slide down the slippery slush on his back, surprising his opponent.
The wizard wasn't fast enough to dodge the blade that bit into his stomach and beyond. He was almost cut in half but Havoc quickly pulled the blade out as he passed by. Through the rumble of adrenaline in his ears, Havoc caught gasps. He only laughed and proceeded onto his next victim.
Rex was leaned against the broken window of the shop he demolished by flying into it and watched the carnage. "He must be having loads of fun," Rip's voice slightly cackled in Rex's ears. "Play clean, fight dirty." Rip added. Rex stared at the lithe form go in and out of the sprays of blood carried by the huge blade he wielded, his heart skipped a beat. It was a minute after the beginning of the fight and Rex was able to count nine deaths and one stunned. Havoc swung his sword to remove the blood and sheathed it in a scabbard attached to the girdle. It was long and large as his thigh.
A Havoc covered in both slush and blood dragged over the stunned one to Rex and Draco and let the man fall before Malfoy. "Drain him." Havoc simply said, absent of any emotion. Rex found the scene to look like a mother wolf brought food for its cub.
Draco visibly hesitated. His eyes darted back and forth from the emotionless and seemingly vacant stare of Harry and the man before him. He was still in shock from how beautiful Harry was when entirely focused in battle, the movements and swings were a display of controled animalistic rage that Draco found himself hot and bothered. Anything for his love.
Havoc slowly got down on his knees and began panting. Adrenaline was finally out of his system and left him breathless. His vision was all blurry and unfocused. "I'm beat..." he gasped out.
"Why are you out of wind now? You ran far more than this." Rex helped Havoc into a chair that was the only thing not broken in the entire shop. "The only reason I can carry this thing is because the armor uses my magic to give me enough strength to lift the bloody thing." Havoc spoke in the middle of deep breaths. The two overlords then looked at the Pristi-in-training.
Malfoy was still not sure how he was to go about this and constantly repositioned his hands on the unconscious man's body. He looked at Havoc for a moment and found unusual resolve when he saw the flushed face. He pressed his hand against the chest of the man and felt himself, or rather his magic, latch onto the core. The magic, like water, started pouring into him. His body shook as it drained energy for the first time. The pleasure was making Draco feel all giddy.
It felt like hours for Draco but it in reality just a few minutes passed. The flow then suddenly stopped and Draco found himself fall on his behind, still a few remaining shivers convulsing his body. His eyes glew softly until it vanished along with the afterglow of the drain.
Havoc stood up and gave his hand to help Draco off the floor. The blonde happily took it, although shakily at first. Rex stepped out of the shop and raised his hand. The horn bellowed and minions heeded its call and seemingly out of nowhere an entire platoon formed up before the overlord.
"I want this village clean of the bodies." Rex simply ordered before following Havoc and Draco who have already departed back to the castle through the portal.
Draco couldn't sleep. So much happened in one day. Today he woke up as something new. Today he killed a man with his own hands. Today Harry told him he felt the same thing for him. It felt like it was a dream and Draco pinched himself several times to make sure it wasn't. His mind sometimes flashed with memories not his own. It were those Harry transferred to him just after Rex left. It made a lot of things more clear.
When he thought about Rex, he didn't know what to think. The man acted like a knight from the fourteenth century and spoke like one too. Harry told him he was a Pristi too but Draco felt like Harry didn't tell him everything.
He raised his hand into the darkness and illuminated it with magical sparks flying out of his fingertips. With this power...Who knew what he could achieve alongside Harry.
"I'm going to save you, mother, father." He whispered and let sleep take him.
It felt like there was a war about to go down as Havoc pointed left and right at the slowly amassing platoons of brown minions with two or three squads of red minions forming the core of it. The whole inner courtyard of Hogwarts castle was occupied.
Havoc was wearing his new suit of armor that Rip expertly forged. The sleek design made Havoc look even thiner that ever. Small, almost liquid, canals were etched into the breastplate and greaves that spread down to the soles of the boots. A crest of an eye with emerald encrusted socket was on the chest. The helmet made the armor a whole. Three spikes formed the crown with a T opening infront. Chainmail hanged slightly where the greaves connected to the knee-high metal boots. The two red drapes of fabric attached to the girdle lashed as the winter wind whipped.
Rex stood right beside him wearing his new armor as well. The helmet was a three-spike crown with the frame of a wolf skull. In one of the sockets was a gear mechanism which flipped over the socket with various glasses. The thick chestplate bore a motif of huge fangs. It was made out of coils that were overlaping eachother with thick panels of steel bolted onto the points where there wasn't any movement. A long torn black cape billowed to his side. A thick girdle was connected to the heavily armored greaves by several strands of chains on both sides. The boots were in the shape of a clawed foot. The entire armor was black with strips of red that looked like clawmarks. Into the armor was also knitted fur pelts of the worg from the Dark Forest. Gauntlets had two compartments on the top and bottom which housed small barrels that were ready to be fed ammunition. Across his back was a scabbard that held his new claymore made of finest steel.
Draco Malfoy, while securely smothered in the vast amounts of coats, observed the preparations from a balcony. Harry told him to stay put and that he was still too fresh to go into battle. Draco knew where their warpath lead the duo. It was Malfoy manor. It was public knowledge that Voldemort had taken residence in the Malfoy home ever since he appeared. And along with Draco's information about the manor's defenses and structure, the plan was in motion.
The blonde shivered both from the cold wind and the energy that waved off from the many bodies below. Draco had to admit that the minions, no matter how ugly they may be, were an interesting and strangely efficient bunch. The red minions Draco found out were sociopathic pyromaniacs that a person wouldn't want to have in his home. Draco had a feeling that he won't be seeing his home in the end.
He perked up when he saw Harry wave his hand in a move that meant forward. The front row, made out of two platoons of forty composed of the most heavily armored and armed minions, followed their masters onto a large stone platform with runes inscribed into the face.
Havoc looked up and found Draco watching them from a balcony. He waved. Draco waved back. Havoc smiled in his helmet and ordered the stone plate to transport them to Malfoy Manor.
Havoc breathed in the darkness. With a flick of his hand light sprung up inside what looked like to be trench of some sort. He felt Rex push him forward further into the row. His boots slish-sloshed in ankle deep water. Above them was a thick layer of loamy dirt suspended by thick wooden beams that were visibly rotten.
"So much for an escape tunnel." Havoc said. He expected more out of a escape tunnel out of a wizard's home. "If it serves it's purpose, why care about the appearance." Rex simply stated and followed Havoc to a dry patch of floor slightly above the puddles of water. The two platoons of forty were pressed into three rows and spanned a good distance back.
Havoc kneeled and drew with his finger a simple map of the Malfoy manor. The west and east wing. The north had a garden and north-west of it was the tunnel they were currently in. Havoc drew a line from the tunnel parallel to the garden's border of hedges.
"The plan is that you provide a distraction to get as many Death Eaters riled up and in the garden as possible. I will enter the house through the dungeons and strike from the back. After we have dealt with the most of them, we search the house for Dumbledore and Voldemort. What Draco says that Voldemort spends most of his time in the parlor and the drawing room so we go there first." Havoc drew arrows all around the map.
"Isn't the land before the garden flat ground?" Rex asked. If so his job would be a lot harder without any cover. Havoc nodded. "Yeah, so you will have to think of something to make some cover. I'm sure you will think of something." Havoc patted Rex on the shoulder and Rex felt the smile in the dark shroud of Havoc's helmet.
"Tell me when you get all set." Havoc then waved his hand and the first platoon of minions followed suit. It didn't take long for the sounds of splashing feet to disappear and Rex began cutting a hole in the ceiling. He made a circle with his thumb and lifted the huge chunk like a lid. The tunnel wasn't very deep when Rex only found a foot of soil and dirt. No wonder the tunnel was flodded.
The overlord jumped out of the hole, landing with a dull thud. He felt his magic drain slightly as the armor used it to increase his jumping hight. The armor was almost light as air despite its thickness. The minions quickly followed out of the hole like rats abandoning a sinking ship and formed a formation behind Rex.
Just as Rex expected, The field they were in was as flat as it can possibly be. Behind them was a thick wood so they had a good route if needed to retreat. He considered how he would go about this. He needed something sturdy that would soak up a lot of damage. The trees were out of the question because he would be noticed immediately. Then he got an idea.
He pressed his palms against the snow-covered ground and sent a spike of energy through the it, willing the energy grappling hooks to tear the ground into the air. He pulled his hands up like he pulled invisible ropes. In response the ground rumbled until two huge masses of soil and rock rose into two ramps twenty feet tall. Rex then swiped with his hands and tore section after section of the ramps until two staircases were formed in barely a minute. He waved his hand and the minions climbed the artifical hill and took positions.
Spells started to brush and fly above the cliffaces. Rex got their attention alright. "Everything is ready." Rex sent the message through the bond and got a satisfied feeling in return.
Havoc sent the door flying into the dungeon walls. His hand crackled with energy. Minions flowed into the room like a flood and stood guard at the door that lead upstairs while two of the minions quickly overpowered a Death Eater that stood guard at what looked like a warden's office. Havoc pulled the man up by his hair and politely asked, "Where is Dumbledore?".
The man only screamed in pain and Havoc was not happy about the answer. He drew a small dagger from a sheath attached to his belt and slammed it into the man's leg. "How about now?" he could have used crucio but it wouldn't be any fun torturing like that. The man's eyes went askew from the pain and could only say one word: dead.
Havoc cursed as his hand slammed the man's head into the wall and sent a spray of blood against the wall. The man must be happy now, no longer suffering. He couldn't be dead. Voldemort would be having too much fun torturing the old man. With a snarl he ordered the minions to search every single cell, every nook and crany. Dumbledore has escaped his grasp far too many times already.
"Everything alright, Havoc?" came Rex's voice. Havoc was unaware how much anger he let flow into the bond and quickly snapped his door shut. "I'm fine." he replied. The minions came back empty handed only one had a stripe of blue cloth in his hand. Havoc restrained his anger and decided to continue on with the plan.
He opened the door that lead upstairs and found himself in a corridor. The Malfoy manor was so dull. Black and gray everywhere. Havoc suspected that the reason Draco was blond was the lack of natural light rather than that it was natural. He could hear the sounds of battle dulled by the thick walls. He continued on as he remembered this hall was leading to the ballroom straight ahead. The last door was a huge double door. He opened it and could see through the windows looking at the garden Death Eaters casting spells at what looked like a huge clifface made out of dirt. Rex sure was creative.
Havoc simply lifted his hand and pointed it at the wizards. Maniacal cries of glee were emited from the minion's throats as they charged through the windows and into the Death Eaters, some with their miniature halberds, some with clubs and a few with their teeth. Havoc found this very similar to a tactic used by some great general, he thought it was called Hammer and Anvil. Something like that.
Rex's platoon jumped down the cliffs and joined in the fray. The dark wizards stood no chance in hand-to-hand combat. The carnage was swift and bloody. Their losses were a few reds and about ten browns, mostly from Rex's platoon. It was a total of fifty dead Death Eaters. Havoc doubted that there was more of them in the manor, and if they were, there would be two or three. Havoc noticed that Bellatrix wasn't among the corpses. Good.
Rex walked over to him, crimson blood quite evident on the black surface. He obviously joined the fray. "Well done." Havoc said and returned back inside. Rex followed closely with his platton behind.
Draco wandered the empty halls of Hogwarts. Every once in a while a house ghost passed him by but they were silent. Sometimes he noticed a minion dressed in a maids outfit sweeping the floors. Draco found himself rather lonely and cold. He thought about how lonely Harry had been his entire life, he didn't tell Harry that he got some memories not intended for him. His body convulsed as a belt buckled flashed before his eyes, he wasn't sure if it was from fear or anger.
"Master Malfoy." Draco yelped in fright as Rip's voice echoed inside his mind. He wasn't expecting that.
"Apologies, master." Draco held onto his chest and let himself calm down before replying. "What?"
"There is an intruder in the castle." Rip warned. Draco then saw the muddy bootprints that lead down one of the halls. His left hand gripped tightly at the locket in his pocket. His finger passed over the S-shaped bulge that looked like a snake on the face of it.
He was in a dillema, should he follow? He observed the bootprints; they were huge. Fitting for a giant. With slight resolve Draco decided to follow. "Be careful, master. If something happened to you, Sire Harry won't be pleased."
Draco continued on and followed the prints to the seventh floor and the prints disappeared at the wall opposite of the tapestry depicting Barnabas the Barmy's attempt in teaching trolls do the ballet.
Draco yelped once again when the wall spoke, "What is it you require, Master?". Draco stepped back a little before responding, "I want to see where the intruder went."
A door drifted out of the stone wall. Draco grasped the ancient knob and slowly opened the door. He saw a very familiar coat of mole fur along with a huge mop of black hair. It was Hagrid. Then he saw a blade rise high above the half-giant and fell down. Something metal broke.
Havoc and Rex were running through the manor. Time was of the essence and they had to act quickly. Havoc sent Rex to breach into the parlor while Havoc went the other way towards the study. When he reached the study door Rex called, "Empty.".
Havoc pressed his hand against the door. His strands of magic probed the air behind and caught on a small amount of condensed magic. Voldemort was behind this door. The door was blasted open and fell of its hinges. He expected a barrage of spells to hit him but nothing came.
"A knock would have been sufficient." A familiar hiss came from the darkness. Havoc stepped in and let the minions form a defensive circle around him, even though they only covered his feet.
Lucius observed the knight from his corner. The knight may look different but the green eyes were the same. They housed the same rage and terror like last time. He had the urge to ask the man what did he do to his son. An impossibiliy with the Dark Lord's presence.
"Thought a grand entrance was in order." Havoc replied. Lucius recognized that voice. The owner of it has been dead for over a year now. Potter?
Voldemort stood up from his chair. Nagini slithered down his robed leg and formed a defensive circle around its master. Voldemort's blood red eyes flicked as he noticed the small gremlin-like creatures. "I never thought I would live long enough to see one."
Havoc crossed his arms against his chest, "Been a life long dream?" Sarcasm dripped like venom. Voldemort smirked, no fear whatsoever. "No, it is an honor to see one, but an even greater to see two."
Havoc noticed Rex came into the room. Lucius was severely distraught by the fact there was more than one of them. Voldemort noticed Lucius' apprehension. "Lucius, have no fear. I doubt there will be a conflict."
"Voldemort," Havoc hissed, "You know for what I came here.". Voldemort nodded and acted perfectly civilized, the snake knew something Havoc didn't. "Yes, I am quite aware of your intentions. You wouldn't have killed a good portion of the manor staff if you didn't. Let's say that you and I are in the same situation." Voldemort sat down in his chair and crossed his legs, entirely relaxed. "Or victims I should say."
"I heard Dumbledore was dead." Havoc supplied. Voldemort's non-existant eyebrow rose. "Dead?". Havoc had the urge to slap himself. What a Dark Lord who had no idea what was happening in his base. "I had the time to interrogate one of your minions, specificaly the warden and he said he was dead." Havoc explained, he didn't even expect that he would have to do something like that to Voldemort.
Havoc didn't envy Lucius when he was stared down by Voldemort. The bony wand appeared in Voldemort's hand and the killing curse was on his lips. Havoc jumped across the room and managed to catch the green projectile that intended to end Lucius' life. The ball of energy scratched the metal glove while the overlord drained it and then slammed it into the ground.
"My, my. Such power." Voldemort almost purred at Havoc. Havoc drew his sword and pointed it at the Dark Lord. "Try that one more time. The only reason I didn't let you kill him was because his son is still alive." Lucius couldn't keep silent. "He is alive? Where is he? Is he alright?" Havoc found himself rather surprised how the Malfoy mask fell in an instant.
The overlord tapped the blonde man on the forehead, petrifying him. Lucius fell on the floor like a statue. All of a sudden Havoc's ears drums hurt in protest as Voldemort started screaming like he was on fire. The pale spidery hands ripped at his chest like he wanted to tear something out of his body. Rex drew his sword and looked back and forth between Havoc and the screaming wizard. Havoc acted first and stunned the Dark Lord. He wasn't sure if it stopped the pain, but it sure as hell stopped the bloody screaming.
The minions were glad to take out the fingers out of their ears and swarmed over the two wizards and lifted them up like pieces of furniture. Havoc lead back to the tunnel while Rex covered the back. A few Death Eaters began to flock in through the floo room. Rex opened the compartment on his gauntlet and fed the small cannon a wooden clip of rounds. He pulled the string and sent a few into the legs of the unknowing wizards.
Screams escorted the retreating force back home.
Updated and revised, 07.12.2018
