The First Battle

Harry drew his wand as the first screams from witches and wizards in Diagon Alley hit his ears. Remus and Tonks both flanked Harry with their wands drawn. Ten more Dementors were coming at them from the opposite end of Diagon Alley.

"Molly," Remus said in a calm voice, "get the children out of here and summon the Order."

"Yes, of course," Molly said with a hint of fear in her voice, "Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny come along."

"No, Molly," Remus said quickly, "We need Harry with us."

"Then I am staying too," Ron said without hesitation while he pulled out his wand, "Mum, take Hermione and Ginny and go."

Mrs. Weasley thought about protesting but changed her mind and ushered the girls into the nearest shop.

The screams in the alley were getting louder and the air surrounding them was beginning to grow cold. The Dementors had now began to encircle the four as they prepared to fight. As they got just out of their effective range of the group they came to a stop. Harry, Ron, Remus and Tonks slowly worked their way around in a circle to get a full perspective of the situation. Then one by one Death Eaters began Apparating into Diagon Alley.

"Give us the boy," a females voice said from behind her mask, "and we will all leave."

"You can have Harry when we are all dead," Ron spat back.

"Foolish boy," the woman replied back, "do you honestly think you can stand against us?"

"There is only one way to find out," Harry yelled, "Isn't there, Bellatrix!"

"So wee little Potty does remember me," Bellatrix said back in a mocking baby voice, "it is too bad about Sirius isn't it?"

Without warning one of the Death Eaters sent a spell at the group but Tonks was too fast and was able to block the spell. Battle erupted at that moment, the Death Eaters were sending spell after spell at the extremely out numbered group that could only currently use defensive spells. Harry spotted a stack of barrels that would provide cover during their fight and give them a chance to cast some offensive spells.

"Over here," Harry yelled to his friends, "to the barrels." The group followed his lead to the barrels and immediately benefited. Stunning spells were flying back and forth shattering glass and causing barrels to explode as the errant spells missed their targets. Harry began noticing more familiar voices joining the fight as members of the Order were Apparating to the scene. Bill and Charlie Weasley Apparated right next to Ron while he sent a stunning spell at a large Death Eater, it hit right on the man's chest.

"Nice shot, Ronnie," Bill said as he dove behind a barrel to avoid a spell.

Ron just smirked as he hit another Death Eater with Stupefy. Harry began to feel a cold feeling envelope him, he turned and saw two Dementors closing in on him.

"Expecto Patronum!" Harry shouted, a large silver stag came bounding out of his wand and ran straight at the Dementors. The stag charged the closest Dementor and hit it right where its stomach would be. With a loud shriek the Dementor flew backwards and disappeared from view. Harry's Patronus then continued around the circle of Dementors and chased them all away. Instead of evaporating away after the Dementors were gone the stag circled around the battle as if on patrol.

George and Fred who had entered the fight shortly after it started had been hit by an immobility spell and lie on the ground unmoving. Tonks saw their vulnerable state and began working their way over to them. Harry yelled his warning to Tonks a second too late. A short pudgy Death Eater shot a spell at Tonks and hit her right in the back. Bellatrix Lestrange then approached the struggling Tonks and levitated her off the ground.

"Watch this Potty," Bellatrix yelled as she caused Tonks to crash into the wall of Quality Quidditch Supplies, "give yourself up and she will go free."

"Stupefy!" Harry cast the spell at Bellatrix but the pudgy Death Eater was able to deflect the spell. Bill and Charlie were able to drag the twins into the ice cream parlor while Remus and Ron chased three Death Eaters towards the Leaky Cauldron. For the time being it was Harry versus Bellatrix and the pudgy Death Eater.

"Pettigrew," Bellatrix said to the pudgy Death Eater, "Go help the others at the Leaky Cauldron." He ran off leaving Bellatrix with Tonks and Harry. Bellatrix once again caused Tonks, who was now bleeding from the head, to fly into the air. This time before Tonks hit the wall Bellatrix stopped her fall and just made her float there.

"Crucio!" Bellatrix yelled and an instant later Tonks screamed in agony while all of her muscles constricted.

Harry had worked his way around and had a clear shot at Bellatrix.

"Silencio," Harry shouted followed by "Stupefy!"

This time Bellatrix deflected both spells and cast Crucio on Tonks again. Blood began trickling out of her eyes and ears and her ribs began snapping as her muscles continued to constrict tighter and tighter.

"This could all be avoided, Potty," Bellatrix laughed while she spoke, "just give up!"

Then Harry saw the Ollivanders sign above Bellatrix. He noticed that Tonks was no longer making any noise but her body was still jerking around as the curse continued to ravage her body. Harry couldn't take it anymore, he stood up from behind his barrel and walked out into the open. Bellatrix took her opportunity, "Stupefy!"

"Protego!" Harry countered as he spun to his left and then, "Reducto!" the spell hit the chain holding Ollivanders sign above the street. The now free end swung down and hit Bellatrix in the back knocking her to the ground where she lay unconscious. Tonks now free of Bellatrix fell to the ground breathing shallowly and bleeding from numerous cuts that had formed due to the Crucio curse.

Harry ran to Tonks side and could see that she was very close to death, he looked up and saw that his Patronus was still there.

"Go get help," Harry said to the stag, "and hurry." The stag turned and ran down the alley toward the Leaky Cauldron. Harry began ripping his robe into strips and bandaged Tonks' wounds as best as he could. What seemed like hours later help finally arrived.

"Harry?" It was Professor Dumbledore, "What is wrong?"

"It's Tonks sir," Harry said with teary eyes, "I think she is dying."

With out a word Dumbledore gently picked Tonks and told Harry he was taking her to St. Mungo's. Then he immediately Disapparated with Tonks in his arms. Harry stood and walked to where Bellatrix lay on the ground. Harry could now see his opportunity for revenge and he raised his wand over her unmoving body.

"Avada," before Harry finished the spell he stopped himself, Sirius wouldn't want me to do this, he thought to himself. Let her rot in Azkaban. Harry could hear his Godfather say.

Harry lowered his wand as he heard people running at him. He whirled around and saw Ron and Remus.

"Harry, you didn't," Remus began.

"No Professor, she was only hit by the sign," Harry said pointing to the sign that was hanging off of one chain, "but I thought about it. Are you two alright?"

"Yeah," Ron said catching his breath while a drop of blood ran down his cheek, "we almost caught Pettigrew, when he made a pile of bricks fall into a group of first years."

"We were able to save them but the Death Eaters all escaped," Remus added, "Harry, where is Tonks?"

"Professor Dumbledore took her to St. Mungo's," Harry answered quietly, "Bellatrix used Crucio before I could stop her, she isn't well."

"Perhaps you three should come with me," they heard Dumbledore say as he Apparated in front of them along with Kingsley, "Mr. Shacklebolt if you will please escort Harry's prisoner to the Ministry." Kingsley nodded and bound Bellatrix in ropes that he had conjured, before she awoke he had Disapparated with her. Dumbledore knelt down and grabbed a mug that had fallen off of a table during the fight, he cast Portus on it and then looked around Diagon Alley. The damage was great, but thanks to the quick reactions of Harry, Ron, Remus and Tonks, there were no civilian casualties in this battle.

"Gentlemen," Dumbledore said gently, "on three then. One, two, three." The world spun around Harry as he felt a tug from behind his navel. His feet landed firmly at the entrance to the intensive care unit of St. Mungo's.