Next chapter is now up :) Came up pretty quickly, didn't it? HAHA I do realise that in Season 8, Leo was no longer a whitelighter/Elder, but for the sake of fun, I changed it otherwise :) I didn't want Leo to be an uneccessary 'extra', so to speak. Another thing, some of the scenes below have been taken from Order of the Phoenix movie, but purely as 'borrowed'. However, you will find they have been altered in some way. Otherwise, enjoy XD
Chapter 10: Of Heart and Soul
Paige Mathews began scribbling furiously on the notepad in front of her. Scrunches of failed writing lay in a mess on the table, and on the floor. She cared less for the mess, and more on the vanquishing spell for Barbas. After their meeting last time, the youngest sister wanted to be prepared when he showed up again. But this time, she wanted to send him back to hell in much more agony and pain as he did before. She wanted to make sure he stayed dead.
It had been hours since Paige had her first spark of inspiration. So far, she had composed several spells. A few stunning spells for the other demons; a fear control spell; speed enhancement; and more importantly, the Power of Three vanquishing spell. She even considered incorporating some wand magic to make sure the bastard stayed vanquished. For good measure.
Satisfied, she roughly gathered her composed spells, and exited her quarters to seek out her sisters. The sooner she told them about it, the better. But she was such in a hurry, that with the breeze through the open windows, one of the spells flew out of her hand. Paige didn't even notice, and continued speedily on her way.
Unknowing to her, someone had watched her. Carefully.
A tall, dark figure glided across the marble floors, and reered it's messy curtain of hair around the corner. Just in time to see the perky brunette wander off. The figure raised an eyebrow at the piece of paper on the cold floor, and continued to walk towards it, With bony fingers, he picked it up.
He began to read the paper, skimming through it ever so quickly. In moments, his expression changed to that of mere interest, "What are you up too, Ms. Mathews?" His voice like silk, rolled off his tounge, despite the fact he was talking to himself.
Severus Snape had found the Power of Three Spell.
"Suprise!" Leo, entered through the large oak entrance door of Hogwarts, with very excited expression. With little Wyatt clasping his hand, and little Chris in his arm, he bounded in very impressed at the ancient castle he saw.
Piper practically ran to her family once Phoebe told her the news. She was both devistated and happy at what was said, but she was so glad to have Leo and her family back safely. The eldest sister finally reached him, and gave Leo a passionate kiss. Then, she moved to her sons, and planted kisses all over them.
"I'm so glad you're okay! I missed you so much, "Piper and Leo were locked together in a tight embrace. She didn't want to let go. But, they weren't going to leave anytime soon.
"You don't need to worry. I see you've settled in well here. This place is, "Leo looked around, until he fully registered how big the place was, "Amazing."
Piper grinned, "We should send our sons here. They'll love it."
"Remind me again in five years, "Leo smiled, and kissed Piper again on the cheek.
Then, Piper tugged on his sleeve to get going. They had to move away from here before Dolores see's she has uninvited visitors, "Quickly! We need to go upstairs. We'll talk more there."
Without another word, Piper grabbed Chris in her arms, and slung a baby bag over her shoulder. Leo grabbed Wyatt by the arm, and took the remaining suitcases and began to move up to Piper's quarters in desperation to get away from the pink toads' watchful eye.
Upon the infiltration by Dolores in the Room of Requirement, the entire DA was sent straight to her painful detention. Paige wished to orb them all to safety from the evil witch, but decided against the idea. They needed to remain under the radar since Dolores thinks they have already left the school. Dumb toad.
Paige had just briefly told her sisters about the spells she composed, but figured they were not good enough. She was also baffled at the spell she had lost, and didn't notice until she sifted through the spells to show her sisters and Leo. She tried to re-trace her steps, but could not find the crumpled up paper anywhere.
The students piled out of the great hall depressingly, one by one. In silence, they retreated to their dorms grasping their scarred, bleeding hand, while Dolores trotted with satisfaction back to her own dreaded kitten-infested office. The thought made Piper sick to her stomach. The eldest sister hid around the corner, in the opposite direction the Headmistress was heading. As she saw Harry's pain-stricken face come her way, she grabbed his arm and pulled him aside. Paige stood silently behind her.
Harry jumped, not expection anyone to grab at him, but was relieved to find it was Piper.
"Sorry..." Piper whispered.
"It's okay..." He tried to hide his hand in his sleeve, but the thought of his bleeding scar rubbing against his robes was a bad idea. Before he could think, Paige grabbed his hand, and pulled up his sleeve. Quietly, she placed her hand over the wound, and a familar white glow enlightened her hand, causing the blood to seep back and seal up the wound. Not quite completely, however. There was still a faint trace of the scar, since the quill he used was cursed, but at least she stopped the bleeding.
Harry shrugged, sheepishly, "Thanks."
"You're welcome, "Paige smiled warmly.
"I'm, sorry what happened to you. The DA...Umbridge..." Harry began.
Piper held up her hand, "Don't worry about it. We have it all under control. The DA isn't over, and neither are we."
"Besides, it makes our own job a little...well, easier. Plus, we have a plan, "Paige reassured him, "You can count on us."
At the thought, the Gryffindor nodded, "Thanks. I sure hope Dumbledore comes back, so he can give Umbridge what she deserves. Thanks to her, Hermione doesn't stop cursing."
"Then i'm sure Ron is having a field day, "Piper added, with a grin. She was glad Harry found some humor in this situation, "We need to get going. Technically, we are not supposed to be here."
The sisters waved goodbye, as they retreated back to their quarters. Paige made a mental note to heal every DA member she sees. It was the least she could do. But Paige had an idea, of something she could do as a part of the revolt. With a grin, she left her sister and began to leave the school grounds. In a flurry of orbs and away from the wards, she teleported out, and returned minutes later with a small pink music box clasped in her hands. With a sneaky grin, she made her way back into the school.
But, she didn't make it far as none other than Severus Snape walked out from around the corner, with a familar piece of paper clasped in his hand. She winced. The spell.
He held the paper up, "Mind explaining this?" His voice was clear, and defining, yet strict.
"Uh..." Paige struggled to find the words. She barely had the time to argue to him, "It's really none of your business." She bit her words, and it just...came out. She couldn't help herself.
"I beg your pardon? Ms. Mathews....as your collegue..." Snape drawled in the same monotone voice as aways. Really, his voice irritated her.
She could care less at what he thought, and began to walk away, brushing lightly past him. He swung on his heel, "Don't walk away from me - I know what your up to."
Paige turned around furiously. She had not time for his mind games, "Really, now? Tell me. I'm dying to hear it."
Snape looked at her with his beady black eyes, clearly aching for a chance to hex her, "I read the...spell, is it? Intruging magic you have here. I'm rather impressed."
"Save me the drama. Really, our magic, is none of your business."
"Any spell against the Dark Lord is apart of my business," He folded his hands, almost in irritation at her choice of words.
"I bet it is. I bet your aching to crawl to him right now, and tell him about it, then, "Paige shrugged, "Go on. Do it. Voldemort won't know what hit him...."
"Don't say his name! Merlin forbid..." Snape snapped, "You, however, understand nothing. Your foolishness will get you nowhere, Ms. Mathews. If I were you, i'd be careful where you tread."
"Death Eater or not, I don't want to have to vanquish you - You're really annoying."
"Stop acting like such a child. It will get you nowhere. Trust me when I say, you must be cautious around the Dark Lord. He shall not know of this."
"Trust you? I don't even know what side you're on! Sorry, but I have business to attend too...Spell!" Orbing the spell from the professors's hand and into her own, Paige tapped on the pink box, and left the corridor leaving Snape just as furious. It was difficult to do anything with him watching her every move. She only wished she could understand why he was acting the way he did. And where his loyalties truly lie.
It was exam time, and the Great Hall was eerily quiet as the students scribbled furiously at their papers. Many students were crammed in the room, where a few nervously glanced at Umbridge. Maybe they expected her to use that blood quill of hers. Right now, the students weren't the only one wanting to hex the witch.
Paige, along with her sisters, were huddled in her quarters discussing the plan. They knew that they had another mischevious pair who thought the same thing they did. They wanted to badly mess up the exams.
The youngest sister held the mysterious little pink box tightly, and made her way down to the Great Hall. Piper followed pursuit, with Wyatt in her arms who was cuddling a small toy dinosaur and Phoebe re-reading her own spells she had composed. She held her wand tightly in her right hand, with a devious smile upon her face. Leo had stayed back to look after Chris, despite his best efforts to join in the revolt. As they gathered outside of the Hall ever so quietly, Paige orbed out seconds later.
It didn't take long until she arrived in the very same spot, with a look of childish glee. It seems the sisters have been waiting for this day, every since the ugly pink toad showed her face within Hogwarts. They were going to throw her authority back in her face. The Charmed Ones didn't care. This was not apart of their world, therefore the Minister and Dolores, were powerless against them.
Then, a faint sound of buzzing in the air. Piper looked around, where she faced the corridor that lead to the revolving staircases. She withdrew her wand, as two figures on broomsticks wizzed by their heads with firecrackers sizzling in their hands. They bounded through the doors and then chaos started.
They heard a shriek from the hall, and guessed Dolores had gotten a fright. The Charmed Ones entered the hall, and several students peered back in amusement. Paige stepped foward and held the box outwards.
Crazed, Dolores pointed an accusing finger at the sisters, "YOU! How DARE you! You are excused from Hogwarts, no exceptions!! I will have you thrown is Azkaban so fast, your head will spin!"
"Sorry, Dolores - Not a chance, " With a final smirk at the crazy woman, Paige opened the box, and several fairies flew out like small balls of light. They buzzed around the students heads and aimed for Dolores. They sprayed magical dust around her, where she waved her hands around to shoo them away. They were too quick for her.
Then, the pair on the broomsticks, Fred and George Weasley, released the firecrackers where it exploded into a million specks of light. The Charmed Ones were in awe, as the firecrackers shot around the room. The students, now distracted from their exams rose up from their chairs and began laughing and cheering, as the fireworks came together to form a large fiery dragon. It flew up towards Umbridge, and blew up in her face. Her face, now caked in black soot, and her hair was a tangled mess, she looked furious.
Phoebe, with her wand outstrectched, pointed it directly at Dolores, "Felicius vera!" Violet-colored orbs flew out from the wand, and hit the crazed Headmistress. Immediatly, a large furry grey-colored tail errupted from begind Dolores. Large furry ears sprouted through her now ugly mass of hair, while whiskers grew out of her face. The middle sister merely giggles, to the point where her stomach became sore. She felt kind of bad for her, but she deserved every bit of it. The students seemed to be having a good time, too, especially while watching an over-sized pink cat woman running around chased by fairies.
Wyatt, on the other hand, had other ideas. He looked at Piper, who had a cute little smile on his face. He threw the dinosaur on thr gound next to her feet, where it got Piper's attention.
"Sweetie, what did you do that for?" She went to go and pick it up, but the dinosaur began to glow, "What..?" The dinosaur began to grow, until it was big enough to reach the ceiling. Dolored waved her own wand, to get rid of the Feline curse upon her, when suddenly, she screamed. The dinosaur had enlargened and let out a large, blood-curling roar. Piper grabbed Wyatt and backed up, and the students just stared at the beast.
"Wyatt! You stop this now!" Piper said, as she tried not to look away from the large biped standing before them. She wanted to play a joke - Not cause anyone harm. Much like the dragon fiasco, this one could cause a problem. Then, Dolores ran, and Fred and George threw another round of firecrackers which, along with the dinosaur, began to chase the Headmistress out of the Hall. The dinosaur chased her with large, earth-shaking footsteps. But the woman did not make it far, as the fireworks exploded around her yet again, causing all the school decrees to fall and shatter all around her. She turned nervously around to face the dinosaur, but as it edged closer towards her, the dinosaur shrank and became a helpless little toy on the floor.
Piper smiled, "Good boy."
The Weasley twins then spun out from the open door, and out of the school into the air. The students, now ignoring the crazy Headmaster, followed the twins and cheered in delight. The Charmed Ones followed, and watched as a blazing 'W' was etched in the sky. At least they made their grand exit.
Piper burst through the crowd to find Harry, who was also cheering with his friends. She grabbed his shoulder to get his attention, with Wyatt on her hip, and smiled back at him, "Told ya I had it under control."
The Gryffindor grinned back, "It was brilliant! I didn't know you had a son."
"I have another one upstairs - "
Then Harry's excited face contorted in pain, as his hand flew up to his scar and he fell back.
"Harry!" Piper caught him just in time with her other arm, and lay him down carefully. Hermione had noticed this, and rushed to his side almost immediatly. Piper brushed Harry's hair away from his face, and noticed the scar had reddened.
"We need to get him to the hospital wing!" Hermione held Harry's hand.
Piper looked furiously around for her sisters, and was horrified at what she saw. Beyond the crazy mass of students who did not see what was happening, was a pale-faced brunette cradling her sister in her arms. Phoebe was having the same vision, and she, too, clasped her hands to her head.
The Ministry corridors gleamed in the peculiar dimmed light...A large room filled with several various-shaped orbs among endless shelves.....In the center stood Sirius Black with a wand to his head...Voldemort has him....
"Here - help me take him to Paige! She can get us there quicker..." Piper began to lift the student with Hermione's help, but then Harry stopped wriggling and stood up. He rubbed his scar again, and his face showed pain and desperation.
"We have to get to the Ministry!" Harry said suddenly, "Sirius is in trouble!"
"Harry, calm down - " Piper urged. She looked around, to find her sisters walking towards her. Phoebe looked exausted.
"Piper, give Wyatt to me...I'll take him to Leo...." Paige offered, and took Wyatt's hand, "Where should I meet you?"
"We could travel by Floo, but the only place that we can access it is Umbridge's office..." Hermione said.
"Then, that's where we need to go - " Harry exclaimed.
"Umbridge will be there!" Hermioned gasped.
Harry frowned, "Well, we'll just have to be quick."
With that Paige orbed out, knowing exactly where to meet them. Ron emerged with Ginny, Neville and Luna by his side. Immediatly, Harry led the group directly to Umbridge's office, silently and quickly. Phoebe was the first to get there, and quickly opened the door. She took one look of disgust at the pink decor, but she noticed all went silent. She turned around to find Harry, the DA and her sister being held hostage by the Inquisitorial Squad, led by non other than Draco Malfoy. Their wands were pointed to their necks, and were unable to get to their own wand. Behind the band of Slytherins, was Dolores Umbridge. Now, she looked more than furious. With a murderous look in her eyes, Phoebe wondered if they went too far.
Dolores' wand was outstrected, and pointed directly at Phoebe. Immediatly, Draco shoved Harry into one of the chairs, and pointed his wand at Phoebe.
"Don't move - My father will be pleased to hear this!" The Slytherin said, with a satisfied smirk.
"What? To see his son helpless against the Charmed Ones? That'll make his day, " Phoebe replied. Draco shoved his wand into her neck, and the sister winced.
Now, Dolores pointed her wand at Harry, but until a shuffle of feet came from the doorway.
"Ah, Severus - Have you got anymore Veritaserum?" Dolores said, in her tradesmark high-pitched squeel.
He glanced around at the hostage situation, with a somewhat, satisfied expression, "I'm afraid you used the last of my stores, interrogating students - The last on Ms. Chang...I cannot help you - "
A flurry of small blue orbs appeared in the room, and materialised as Paige Mathews. She glanced nervously around, and narrowed her eyes as she noticed Snape again. Why did he always appear at the worst of times?
"What in Merlins name - " Draco spat.
"Bloody hell..." Ron exclaimed.
"Oh, sorry...Was I interrupting anything?" But just as Paige tried to draw out her wand, she was thrown back with a small twitch of Dolores' wand. Thin, silvery ropes flew out, and began to bind the youngest Halliwell magically to the wall. Her hands and legs were bound, and she could not move an inch. She was seriously helpless.
"Paige!" Piper yelled, but was jabbed in the back with the wand from Crabbe.
"Anything you require of me, Headmaster?" Severus asked, with an arched eyebrow. He clearly looked amused by the entire situation.
"That'll be all, Severus, "Dolores grunted, as Severus began to make his way out. But Harry called out to him, and thr Potions Master stopped in his tracks.
"He's got Padfoot! He's got Padfoot, at the place where it's hidden!" Snape turned around, and eyed Harry with a blank look upon his face, Clearly he must have known what he meant, otherwise Harry would not have trusted him that much to relay that information. Phoebe clearly figured it was based on their latest vision, but who ever Padfoot was...she wasn't sure. Dolores began to question the student, but he cut her off.
"No idea, "With a swish of his cloak, the pale man left the room.
"Mr. Potter! You and your friends have gone far enough..." Dolores, now absent of her ears, tail and whiskers, spoke quite softly. Determined to get her rage under control. She glanced at her table, and gently placed a small photograph of the Minister she so dearly follows, face-down on the table, "What he doesn't know can't hurt him."
The Dolores extended her wand again towards Harry, "Cr-"
"- Tell her, Harry!" Hermione screamed at Umbridge, and she lowered her wand.
"Tell me what?!" The woman questioned.
"....Dumbledore's seceret weapon...." Hermione said quietly. Harry looked at her, almost as confused as the Halliwells were, "I'll show you."
With many signs of satisfaction from the Squad, Hermione told the headmistress that it was located in the Forbidden Forest. Harry accompanied her, and Piper insisted she join them too. With the decision made, all four of them left the office without another word.
Piper, Harry and Dolores followed the Gryffindor muggle-born out of the grounds of Hogwarts, and deep into the chill and darkness of the forest. Everytime Piper shot Harry a look of confusion, Dolores would threaten them with her wand. They reached a very dense part of the forest, where Hermione began looking for something. On the ground near one of the more ancient trees, was a large broken chain. Something got out, and Harry finally realised what his friend had planned.
"Liar! You brought me here for nothing!" Umbridge pointed the wand at first to Hermione, and then to Harry, "You tricked me!"
Piper held her hands up defensively, but did not try and get to her own wand, "Put the wand down, Dolores. The Minister won't be happy with you."
With a shaking arm, she pointed the wand at Piper, "He will never know...or understand...YOU! Are all in it! I....really hate children."
She raised her wand at Harry, ready to curse him, where several arrows pierced the sky and embedded themselves in the ground near their feet. They looked up to find at least a dozen Centaurs looking at them from the clearing. One raised his arrow and fired a shot, where Piper instantly froze the arrow in midair. Hermione, Harry and Dolores stared at her, bewidled.
"How did you do that?!" Harry asked, and Hermione beamed next to him.
The eldest sister ignored them and stared calmly at the Centaurs, "There will not be blood loss here. Dolores will get what she deserves, no doubt."
One of the Centaurs stepped forward, "She despises our kind. All half-bloods alike!"
Piper smirked, "Oh, I didn't say she was good. Torture her all you want. We'll deal with her later - "
AAAHHHHHHHH!
All figures looked up to find Umbridge in the hands of a giant. His dopey demeanor meant it made for a good comeback. If this was what the student was expecting, she was certainly right all the way.
"Put me down!" Dolores cried, as more arrows were fired at the giant. Hermione screamed for them to stop, and as she listened, Piper froze more of the arrows in the air, and the Centaurs were outraged. During Hermioned outbursts, eventually the giant put the pink-clad woman down. She was not ready to give up just yet. She fired her wand again, and this time, she shot one of the Centaurs with robes which entwined themselves around his neck. Hermione ran to him and told the woman to stop. The Centaur struggled against the robes, slowly choking him.
"This has gotten far enough!" But now, too slow to respond, the Centaurs grabbed hold of her, and began to drag her away. Piper ran to the Centaur and began to loosen the robes, while Harry withdrew his wand and shot a spell at the robes, slowly unbinding them. Dolores continued to be dragged away, screaming in protest, but Piper could not care less.
"We need to meet the others..." With that, Hermione bidden farewell to the giant she had named Grawp, and with the others on her heel, they ran all the way out of forest to the extended bridge. There, they bumped into the rest of the DA and the Halliwells.
"How did you get away?" Hermione asked, with a huge grin on her face.
Ginny smiled, "Puking pastiles. They weren't pretty."
"The most disgusting thing i've ever seen..." Paige, free of the ropes, looked just as pale as she normally is, "So, how do we get to the Ministry? Dolores must have blocked the entrace by Floo from her office. We have to get there another way."
"Can't you orb?" Piper asked her sister, breathlessly.
"A;ready tried. Nada, "Paige sighed.
"Thestrals of course, "Luna spoke from behind Ginny.
"Excellent idea!" Harry said.
"What are Thestrals?" Phoebe asked, with a puzzled look.
"Black winged-horses, which can only be seen by a person who have witnessed death, "Luna explained, with her dreamy expression. It was more spooky when she spoke about death with that same expression. Maybe she had seen more than she should.
With the decision made, they back-tracked off the bridge and headed to a clearing near Hagrid's Hut. There, Piper gasped at the sight of a small group of skeletal looking horses. They looked friendly, but rather spooky at the same time. No wonder Luna suggested them. The Charmed Ones, being the evil-fighters they were, had witnessed death on more than one occassion. Being it were a sister, relative or even a mere innocent. They could see these horses.
Those that could see them, helped those that couldn't onto these horses. Just because they can be invisible to some, does not mean they are not there. Harry and Ginny mounted one; with Neville and Luna on another; Hermione and Ron; Piper and Paige; and Phoebe on the last one. One by one, the horses took flight through the cloudy skies of the afternoon. Phoebe was excited, but Piper scared of heights and practically had her eyes closed the entire way. They left the domain of Hogwarts, until they soared through the city of London. By the time they got there, it was night time, which meant it makes them difficult to be spotted by curious eyes.
Harry led them to oen of the guest entraces to the Ministry. He had explained that this was the way he went during his trial involving the dreaded Umbridge. It took a while, but eventually all those willing to fight, made there way into the eerie, black-stoned grounds of the Ministry.
Paige stared at the elegant fountain ahead, while Phoebe shuddered at the sight. Now, for the battle ahead. She only hoped that they were ready enough to face the looming dangers.