Disclaimer: I own nothing, just borrowing the world and characters thought up by J.K. Rowling and using some creative license to make some adjustments. Athena, Ares, The "Hunters" and their world is mine though.
Warnings: Language, torture and violence.
Italics are character's internal thoughts and/or flashbacks.
A/N: Just a heads up, this will be the last chapter posted for a week or so. Sadly we had a death in the family and my attention is needed elsewhere. I promise I will be back though.
I hope you enjoy. Thank you to all those who've read, marked this as a favorite, followed it and especially to those who have reviewed it. Reviews make me happy. :-)
Severus blinked his exhausted eyes, sipping at his hot coffee while trying to resist the temptation to hex every dunderhead who was speaking too loudly at breakfast. It had been a rough night and he was thanking Merlin it was a Saturday.
As anticipated, Athena suffered the tremors and painful after effects of the hexes and curses she had received during her torture session. Almost like clockwork, every 30 minutes she would begin painfully moaning as her body trembled against her will. Severus would immediately be at her side, softly soothing her and attempting to keep her from moving too much. Finally just after dawn it appeared the tremors were finally done and he quickly poured a calming draught and dreamless sleep down her throat, allowing her to slip into a deep sleep. A sleep he, himself, wished he could have.
Severus eyes shifted around the overly loud Great Hall wishing it were a Hogsmeade Saturday. At least then he would find some reprieve when most of the older students would leave the castle grounds and cause havoc someplace he was not. His eyes moved to the Gryffindor table and felt his heart skip a beat when he was met with a softly smiling Hermione. She nodded her head indicating she had received his note and though he would never admit it aloud, the rose he had attached to it. He apologized to her for his harsh behavior and assured her he had stayed by Athena's side all night and would apologize to both Athena and Lucius for his behavior towards them.
Severus inclined his head and looked down at the plate before him, feeling no desire to eat any of the foods provided that morning. Polishing off his morning cup of coffee, the surly man rose from his seat and fled the noise of the Great Hall, seeking solitude and hopefully uninterrupted sleep in his quarters.
"I believe you might be misusing your benefits as Hogwarts Governor." Severus drawled as he entered his quarters and was unsurprised to see Lucius sitting on his couch. The blonde aristocrat raised his brow looking nearly as exhausted as Severus felt.
"May I ask why you spent all night in my mate's quarters?" Lucius abrasively asked as Severus sat down on the chair across from him. He gripped his walking stick with such force his knuckles turned white.
"Lucius, I apologize for my behavior last night." Severus' voice was gravely from exhaustion. He slumped in his chair, not even having the energy to attempt to be imposing. "It was inexcusable."
Lucius' face softened slightly, his grip loosening on his walking stick as he nodded to Severus.
"Why did you stay with her?" He questioned again. Severus didn't need to ask to know that Lucius could feel his presence with Athena through their bond.
Severus stifled a yawn. "As a favor to you and Athena. I know it was difficult for you to leave her in such a state."
Lucius could only nod, not trusting his voice due to the lump that was forming. It was excruciating to leave her knowing throughout the night she would have painful tremors and he could not be there to soothe her tired body. He loved her. There was no fighting it anymore and Lucius could barely stomach returning home to his wife. It was only made worse early that morning when he was forced to play loyal husband when Bellatrix made a surprise breakfast visit.
His stomach churned when he recalled his hand on Narcissa's back, the way she held it when they sat next to one another and the emotionless kiss to display their love. The only light was knowing Narcissa hated it just as much as he did. Lucius shook his head to clear his never ending thoughts.
"How did she fare?" Lucius' voice took on its softer tone as it always did when he spoke about his Veela mate. The deep breath from Severus was not comforting.
"She had tremors throughout the night, only about 30 minute intervals between them. Just after dawn they stopped and I was able to administer the necessary potions to allow her sleep. Her scar is inflamed as well." Severus cautiously relayed the hell that was their night.
Lucius looked at Severus with narrowed eyes. How did he see the scar that ran across her body?
"Hermione looked her over to apply bruise paste to her bruises that were forming. She saw the scar and pointed it out." Severus responded as if reading his mind.
Lucius sighed, wiping his face roughly with his hand.
"The Dark Lord is having an emergency meeting," Severus' eyes shot to Lucius, shocked by his revelation, "Tonight."
The moment Severus apparated onto the grounds at Malfoy Manor just after dinner, an overwhelming sense of foreboding washed over him. Bellatrix was far too excited, jumping and squealing like a spoilt child at Christmas. Severus' eyes immediately sought out Lucius who was seated across from him, his steel gray eyes focusing on his nails as if they were the most interesting thing.
"My loyal followersss." A chill shot up Severus' spine when Voldemort entered the room. Nagini ever present as she weaved between his slow moving legs. The frail dark wizard took his place at the head of the table, his lips turned up in what Severus assumed was a smirk though it appeared to be more of a grimace. Severus fought the urge to roll his eyes at Voldemort.
"Tonight we ssstart our asssault on Harry Potter." The Death Eaters cheered at Voldemort's revelation. Bellatrix cackled evilly, bouncing in her seat. Lucius immediately looked to Severus, their eyes relaying a hidden message. They needed to alert Dumbledore and a dark haired man who was normally at Voldemort's side was obviously missing. The lack of Ares Vlahos and his arrogant smirk turned Severus' stomach, especially considering Athena's warning about Ares' skill in dark magic.
"Ssseverusss." Voldemort turned to his trusted potions master spy.
"My Lord?" Severus replied, turning his face towards his dark master.
"Isss the Veela ssstill recovering?" Voldemort attempted another smirk at the mention of the injured Veela. It gave him much pleasure the previous night to watch her scream and squirm like the filth that she was.
"Indeed, my Lord." Severus drawled, his tone bored. "I believe she has not left her quarters. The old fool was greatly distracted today."
"Excellent." Voldemort lovingly stroked Nagini who was slithering into his lap. "My trusssted inner circle, asss we ssspeak, the inferi are beginning their asssault."
Severus and Lucius immediately made eye contact. With Athena still recovering, Hogwarts didn't stand a chance.
Hermione hummed to herself, her eyes skimming her Arithmancy textbook. Her next N.E.W.T. was coming up swiftly and with recent distractions, she was nowhere near where she wanted to be.
"AHHHHHHHH!"
Hermione's bushy hair whipped against her face as her head snapped towards the door of the library, the blood curdling scream having caught her attention. Wand in hand, Hermione slowly crept out of the library trying to locate the source of the scream.
"AHHHHHHHH!"
Hermione jumped as another ear piercing scream rang out, though this time it was different, less fear and more pain. A bloodied Hufflepuff 3rd year cried as she ran down the hall towards the stairs. Hermione's heart leapt into her throat.
"What happened?" Hermione questioned the hysterical girl, who had blood pouring from a large gash on her arm.
"I-I-Inferi. They're in the c-castle!" The young girl shuddered as she spoke, turning to climb the stairs. Hermione's heart raced, taking off in a sprint down the hall. She needed to get to Harry, fast.
The main floor of the castle was in chaos. Students running and screaming, vain attempts at killing the nearly unstoppable undead being made. Her brown eyes frantically searched for Harry, finding him casting a firebolt spell at the monsters.
"'Mione!" Harry yelled, his eyes spotting the bushy haired witch. "They hate fire!" Hermione rushed to his side, following his lead on casting fire spells, though the spells only appeared to be slowing the inferi, not killing them. Sensing they were fighting a losing battle, Hermione quickly grabbed Harry's arm, tugging him towards the dungeons. She knew they'd be safe in Severus' heavily warded quarters and right now the goal was keeping Potter alive.
The two friends cast firebolt spells left and right, knocking the inferi down, but unfortunately still not killing them. The spells only bought them precious seconds to put distance between their warm flesh and the undead beasts.
"Ron!" Harry screamed, quickly diverting his path when red hair came into view. Ron and Lavender were backed into a corner, 4 inferi quickly moving in. "Throw fire spells!"
Ron nodded his head, following Harry's directions. Lavender also began casting fire spells, sighing relief when the 4 inferi were quickly knocked down. Ron grabbed her hand, jumping over the moaning undead, running towards Harry. "What are we going to do?" His voice was shrill, nerves taking over.
Hermione finally reached her friends, grabbing Harry and Ron's arms, trying to pull them towards their original destination of the dungeons. "We need to get secure, NOW."
"Great idea." Hermione's head shifted at a familiar voice. Athena grabbed Harry's upper arm roughly, dragging him towards the opposite direction.
"What the hell, Huntress Vlahos?" Hermione barked, trying to pull Harry out of her grasp. The young witch yelped in shock when Athena's head turned towards her, her eyes completely black and teeth having elongated into fangs. She also noticed Athena was not wearing her normal black velvet robe, her twitching shoulder blades fully exposed through a deliberate hole in the back of her shirt. Hermione could not help but stare in awe at the moving black lines that adorned her inner shoulder blades, small peaks of feathers beginning to protrude through the skin.
Ron and Lavender held hands, quickly following behind Athena and Harry without a peep as neither wished to get on the angered Veela's bad side. Harry pulled violently against the Hunter's strong grasp, but her clutch only tightened. He was no match against her Veela strength, even with Hermione tugging harshly on his other arm.
As the group approached the Great Hall, Athena's left hand twitched, a fireball forming in her palm. With startling precision, Athena hurled fireballs at the Inferi, removing them from her path. Much like Hermione, she had one goal - secure the bloody Boy-Who-Lived.
The Great Hall was chaotic. Students and teachers fought side by side, attempting to kill the inferi. Minerva and Filius were standing side by side, their faces pulled into frustrated sneers as they tried to save the students. The tables were in disarray. Instead of being lined up in 4 long lines as they normally were, benches and tables were overturned and facing in every which direction.
Athena threw Harry behind Minerva, the boy stumbling onto his back from her force. "Stay!" The Veela's eyes focused on Minerva, who nodded in understanding of what the Veela wanted. Hermione moved to Harry's side, helping to pull him up so they could continue to fight. The two friends stopped, their eyes widening as Athena morphed into her Veela form. Her stunning black wings erupted from her shoulder blades, the fireball in her hand growing in size. With a flick of her index finger, her sword flew into her hand from under her sleeve. Hermione was entranced by Athena's blade, fire curling around the metal that was quickly beginning to glow from the heat.
With a deep growl, Athena sprung into action. She was positively radiant as she expertly killed the inferi. Her burning blade slicing off their heads while throwing fireballs with her left hand. Despite wearing her 4 inch knee high boots, she moved gracefully, never losing her balance.
In what felt like a blink of an eye, the Great Hall was free of the inferi. Athena moved towards the doors before any of the students had a chance to leave. With a flick of her hand, the doors slammed shut and were warded heavily, preventing the doors from opening.
Hermione rocked back and forth crying, her knees pulled to her chest and her hands firmly over her ears trying to drown out the gut wrenching screams. Harry paced furiously. He was livid at Athena and her treatment towards him. He was not a child. He had dealt with the inferi before with Dumbledore, he knew he could do it again. Instead, he was locked up in the Great Hall like a child.
Between the screams, popping of the house elves continued, bringing students to safety inside one of the common rooms or the Great Hall which had been so heavily warded the professors couldn't even get it to open.
Harry sighed relief when Luna popped in with Dobby.
"Thank you, sir." Luna airly spoke with a smile. Dobby nodded before snapping away again. Harry engulfed Luna in a tight hug, his heart racing with relief.
"Thank Merlin you're alright. Are you hurt?" Harry questioned, pushing Luna to arms reach so he could look her over.
"No, the blood isn't mine." Luna stated calmly as if she were speaking about the weather. "It's Huntress Vlahos'. She's a brave Hunter."
Luna, caught up in the moment, failed to notice all the heads that snapped to her. Ron continued to rub Lavender's back while Ginny nervously chewed her nails. Harry's heart stopped.
"Is she okay?" He asked frantic. Luna smiled.
"Oh, she was fine. Only cuts." Luna leaned forward and kissed Harry on the lips before skipping over to a still rocking Hermione. Luna wrapped her arm around her. "Do not worry, Hermione, the Hunters will take care of this."
Severus felt helpless.
While the inferi attacked Hogwarts, the only two spies the school had were sitting at a table while their maniac leader spoke and pet that vile snake, Nagini. His eyes once again shifted to Ares, who had joined the group shortly after the meeting started, arrogant smirk ever present.
Lucius was barely keeping it together. He was mentally exhausted from occluding the barrage of emotions that were being flooded to him by Athena. Minutes after Ares appeared, Lucius looked at Severus with wide eyes. Severus' raised in brow in silent question to which Lucius only slightly nodded to, Severus knew that despite still recovering from her night of torture, Athena had joined the fight.
"Harry, please sit down." Hermione snarked, tired of the spectacled wizard's nervous pacing. He had been doing it for over an hour, only stopping to ask for updates from students and staff who were brought in by the elves, though no one had joined in nearly 30 minutes. He was quickly grating on her frayed nerves and nearly pushing her into another breakdown, that had only stopped when Luna began talking about Nargles and distracting the older witch.
"I can't, Hermione." Harry snapped. "I should be out there fighting, not hiding in here." Harry roughly ran his hands through his hair.
"Yes, Harry! Great idea!" Hermione abruptly stood, approaching him with her hands on her hips. "Fall right into that megalomaniac's plan and die because you're too bloody proud to sit tight."
Harry turned to face his friend, his jaw dropping. "It's because of me this is happening!"
"It's not all about you!" Hermione screamed, angry tears streaming down her face. The hall had fallen silent, all eyes shifting to the friends who were arguing. Ginny reached for Hermione, pulling her back slightly while whispering soothing words in hopes of calming her.
"NO!" Hermione roughly pulled away from Ginny, advancing on Potter again. "What happens to us if you die Harry? All of us? Look around, our lives depend on you living and defeating Voldemort! He is trying to trap you because he knows you're too proud and thick headed, you'll run head first into danger without considering all the moves. If you die, we die! It's that simple. Stop thinking about yourself and how you feel and start thinking about us!"
Hermione turned and stormed to the opposite side of the room, seeking solace in Professor McGonagall's embrace. Harry could feel all eyes on him. Some were empathetic, but most were furious. She was right. The entire wizarding world put their faith and hope in him.
Voldemort was growing impatient. He had not heard from his Death Eaters at the frontlines. They were going to pay severely for this. He had sent 10 recruits and 1 lower rank on this easy mission and not one had risen to the occasion.
"My Lord." Severus bravely spoke. Voldemort's read eyes turned to him, his hand clenching his wand tight. "If I may, I can return to Hogwarts and get the update you seek."
Severus hoped that Voldemort would take him up on the offer. He needed to ensure Hermione was safe and the Boy-Who-Lived-to-try-to-die-at-every-opportunity was still breathing. Lucius was a lost cause. His mind was so far gone with worry over Athena he could barely stand it. It was taking every ounce of his willpower to not curl into a ball and weep. Or hex the snake-man monster who was becoming a massive thorn in his side. Even Ares appeared bored, fiddling with his ring on his middle finger.
Voldemort's response was stopped by a door slamming open. A gravely injured Miles Bletchley limped into the room, large gashes dripping blood, his left eye painfully missing.
"M-my L-l-lord," Miles stuttered in pain, coughing up blood onto the table. "Inferi a-are d-d-dead. D-death Eaters are dead."
Voldemort's eyes widened at the revelation. It was impossible. The inferi were almost impossible to kill. The dark wizard quickly rose from his throne, wand pointed at the dying young man. "How?!"
Miles ducked his head, his body trembling as he tried to remain standing while blood poured to the floor below him. "The v-v-veela. S-she was t-there."
"Avada Kedavra!" Green light shot out of Voldemort's wand, landing straight at the young man's chest. Miles fell to the floor in a bloody heap as the dark wizard turned his angry gaze to Severus.
"You sssaid ssshe wasss injured." He hissed, his wand moving to point at Severus. Severus shockingly did not flinch.
"The old food must have given her potions. I was unaware of it." Severus spoke neutrally as if the information was already known. His ebony eyes shifted to Bellatrix. "Perhaps you failed to cast your 'deadly' curse correctly."
Severus smirked as the mad witch's eyes bulged from her head, her curly hair bouncing as she feverishly shook her head. Voldemort turned his furious gaze to her. "Crucio!"
Bellatrix fell from her chair, screaming and flailing as she received her punishment. Severus fought the urge to kill the psycho himself, but was satisfied to nick at the close bond between Voldemort and Bellatrix.
After 3 rounds of the cruciatus, Voldemort grew bored, furious that his plan failed.
"Leave!" He barked, waving his hand. No one needed to be told twice, the room clearing out in record time.
After what felt like an eternity, the doors to the Great Hall finally opened. The students and awaiting staff shot to their feet as Dumbledore entered casually, as if the school had not just come under attack by the undead monsters.
"Hogwarts has been secured." A deafening applause spread about the Great Hall as faculty and students celebrated the victory. Minerva quickly pushed passed the students, approaching the Headmaster.
"Albus, what was the final death toll?" Minerva was reluctant to ask, but it needed to be done.
Dumbledore sighed as he felt all eyes land on him.
"Hogwarts lost 9 students tonight. Their bodies have been collected and will be returned to their families. A memorial will be held next week. "Dumbledore's voice was somber. His heart broke for the 9 innocent, well almost innocent as 2 were known Death Eater initiates, children who died, but he wanted to celebrate that Voldemort failed.
Hermione fled the Great Hall without abandon and headed down to the dungeons. She needed Severus, she needed his arms around her and to know he was okay. To know that they had both survived the terrible night as she knew Voldemort would be livid his plan failed.
She let out a shocked scream when her body collided with a hard mass. She couldn't see him through the waterfall of tears, but she could recognize his scent anywhere. Severus grabbed Hermione's arm and dragged her to his classroom, quickly warding it to offer them privacy as he embraced his witch.
Severus let out a relieved shaky breath while Hermione clung to him. Her body trembling fiercely from sobs. She was terrified, relived and mad all rolled into one hot mess.
"Shhh, it's okay, little one. You're safe." Severus softly whispered into her hair. She couldn't respond, she could only cry. It was overwhelming the monster they were fighting. A former man who had no remorse for ordering the inferi to attack children, innocent children.
Lucius flew out of the fireplace in Dumbledore's office, surprised to see the old man sitting there.
"Ahh, Lucius. Welcome." Dumbledore smiled tiredly.
"My son?" Lucius asked harshly, waving off the offered sweets with an irritated hand. Dumbledore nodded.
"Draco is well. He was secured in the Slytherin common room with other students." Lucius let out a relieved breath at the news.
"The Hunters?" The blonde aristocrat's voice cracked. He hadn't felt Athena since before the lone Death Eater returned and Dumbledore's slipping expression was not helping him.
"Injured, but only one is missing." The elder wizard's blue eyes softened as he looked at his former pupil. "Miss Vlahos has not been seen since she left the castle to tend to the Death Eaters."
Lucius' knees gave out, his body slumping against one of the chair across from the Headmaster's desk.
The trees rustled in the wind, the leafless branches scratching against one another. Despite the horror that occurred within the castle walls, the night was beautiful and quiet.
Athena stared at the stars through blurred vision. The pain was intense, but not as intense as the ache in her heart. She could feel Lucius' pain and based on the strong emotions, she deduced he had been told about her being missing. Athena willed her dead arms to move, to try casting again, but it was no use. Her magic depleted, she could not heal her wounds or cast a patronus to notify anywhere of her whereabouts. She half wished she had kept that potion she gave to Neville Longbottom for herself. No, no, he needed it.
Quickly losing the battle to sleep, Athena's thumb rubbed against her ring on her middle finger in comfort.
Find me. Forbidden forest edge, please Merlin, find me.
Suddenly a warm blanket surround her body as the pain vanished. It was soft, soothing, offering a peace that calmed her mind and her heart. Engulfed in warmth and peace, Athena finally surrendered to the sleep, life leaving her soft violet eyes.
Sneak Peak: The light side gains an unexpected ally.