Chapter 9
Please, tell me more.
Havoc and Rex observed their two platoons carry the two wizards, Lucius was carried off to the sleeping quarters while Voldemort got a cell for himself. Rip greeted the overlords but his face displayed far from happy emotions.
"Sires. We have noticed an intruder in the castle. It is Hagrid, our former groundskeeper. Also, Master Malfoy followed him." Rip supplied and Havoc was quick to hiss an order at the portal. Rex didn't even notice Havoc left his side before the younger one was gone.
"Why didn't you notice him earlier?" Rex grumbled. Rip shrugged, "I am not omnisicent, my Lord.". Rex sighed and unhooked the heavy gauntlets and put them on the table.
Havoc almost skidded along the stone hallway. Sparks flew from his heels with each turn. Stupid blonde, Havoc cursed in his mind, didn't he say he was supposed to stay out of trouble? Well he didn't think that someone would be able to sneak into the castle unhindered. What was Hagrid even doing here?
Havoc felt the pulse of magic waving off from Draco, a precaution he implanted. He almost tore up the stone floor when he finally stopped to see Hagrid was running towards Draco. The half-giant noticed him and a sword was raised in the man's hand. Havoc recognized it as the Sword of Gryffindor.
Draco backed off as Hagrid passed him by like a train. "For Dumbledore!" Hagrid shouted his battle cry and lunged at Havoc. Havoc dodged aside and felt the blade bounce against his side, sparks flying. Hagrid was surprised how swift his opponent was and wasn't quick enough to regain his footing for another attack. Havoc sent his fist upon the half-giant's neck as he jumped and struck home. Hagrid let out a cry of pain and fell on his stomach.
Havoc knew the hit wasn't enough to knock Hagrid unconscious. He pointed his open palm and poured chains to wrap around the former groundskeeper. Hagrid resisted the crushing embrace of the chains but was quickly drained of any strength he had left. Draco ran over to the two fighters.
"Was Hagrid trying to kill me?" Draco asked, slightly panting. Havoc shook his head, "He saw me. He was probably trying to first save you before he decided to try and run me through."
"Damn you..." Hagrid cursed from his position on the floor. Havoc was getting tired of picking up people like stray cats. He took the end of the chain and dragged Hagrid to the portal.
Rex finished taking off his armor and placing it on the rack he had ordered to be brought to his room. He observed the statue he made and nodded, he liked it very much. He could hear a door slam shut and felt a tinge of annoyance come from Havoc. Hearing his stomach grumble, he deduced that some food would be great.
He went down the staircase and saw Draco sitting at the long table, a locket in his hand. Rex sat down opposite of him and he could see Draco's shock when he was noticed. "Oh." Draco murmured when he regained his composure. Rex observed the teen's reaction, was it his face? He called a minion to bring him a mirror.
The minion brought a large broken piece of a mirror, but it was enough. He was shocked to see he looked young like he was in his thirties. His eyes were a piercing red, surrounded by fair and noble features. There was a scar that marred his handsome visage, it was a crack from his left eyebrow and disappeared in the brown hairline. His nose was not niether small nor big and thin lips were pursed beneath. It dawned on him that he didn't see his face ever since that fall.
"You never saw your face?" Draco asked. Rex put down the shard and absent mindedly ate his food. "No, I have not.". The blonde tapped the locket with his finger, feeling rather awkward.
Rex suddenly stood up. "Follow me." he ordered Draco and went towards the right staircase down. It took Draco a minute or so to realize what just happened and ran down the stairs. He passed through a circular room with a botomless pit in the middle and descended down more steps until he stepped on dirt and sand. He was caught entirely by surprise of how expansive the chamber was. It resembled a roman arena with arches above the stone banks where the spectators would sit and cheer for blood. In the middle of the sand-covered pit Rex awaited him with a sword resting on his shoulder.
"If you want to help him in his revenge, you must learn how to fight," Rex began. "Take a weapon and put on the gloves." Rex pointed at a rack not far from Draco. He walked over to the rack. It had various weapons from a huge hammer with the maul size of his head to a small dagger. He decided to pick the middle and took a bastard sword. It was heavy; too heavy for him to lift it at all.
"I can't lift it, it's too heavy." Draco said in almost a whine but he dared not to admit it. "That's what the gloves are for."
Draco let the sword fall on the ground and put on the gloves. They were simple leather gloves with metal strands woven into the palm and fingers. Draco then atempted to lift the sword up and he did, rather easily even. "Woah," Draco exclaimed despite himself.
"Now come here." Rex yelled from the center. Draco slightly dragged the sword over to Rex. He had a faint idea he would be having a sparing session with Rex. Rex swung his sword with such force yet with good precision that Draco barely managed to block the blade from ending up in his head. "Hey! You trying to kill me!" Draco shouted.
Rex remained silent and swung again now even faster and more brutal. It was heading towards his sides. Draco blocked it with the flat side of his sword and pushed the offending metal away and went in for a counter-attack, lunging and aiming for the soft tissue of the gut. With unparalleled speed Rex hit Draco's sword and sent it flying. Draco slightly yelped as the handle he was so rigidly holding onto disappeared out of his grasp. He was about to fall on his back when Rex caught his hand and held him from falling. "Tha-" Draco was about to thank Rex when the latter let go of his hand and let him fall flat on his back.
Draco angrily picked himself off the floor and started yelling at Rex. The overlord simply stared at the teen, his face impassive and rather blank. After a whole minute of ear-numbing shouting Draco was panting. "You done?"
Draco raised his hand and caught his breath. "Yeah, I guess so."
"Then pick up the sword and let's continue."
After a good half hour of Draco swinging his sword like it was a club and Rex blocking with ease did they decide to stop. Draco was panting on the floor and almost drained a bucket-load of water. Rex looked like he didn't even break a sweat, a faint smile played on his thin lips. He found this experience rather nice.
"What are you smiling at?" Draco growled. Rex saw slight resemblance to Havoc in the blonde. He wondered how will Havoc keep Draco in love with him while not really showing it? Rex doubted that Havoc would actually kiss the boy to keep him happy, or would he? There was so much manipulative potential in Havoc that it made even Rex shiver.
"Just remembering something." Rex answered simply. Draco's brows furrowed in thought. "You aren't from here, are you?"
Rex then looked at the blonde with an impassive face. "No, I am not. I've ruled an entire dimension before I arrived here. I come from a world far different than yours, in technological terms that is.". Rex then noticed a cohort of minions around an utterly confused Lucius Malfoy. "We managed to bring your father from our attack."
Draco instantly stood up and ran towards his father. Lucius wanted to run as well but the minions held a good grip on him despite being high as his shin. The minions separated like a brown sea when Draco approached and let him come close to his father.
"Draco!" Lucius cried and embraced his son. He felt like he hadn't seen Draco a whole eternity. He was so sick with worry when Hogwarts fell that Voldemort was thinking of rising his spirits up with double the amount of Crucio. Hugging his son was the only reason he lived for now.
"Father!" Draco cried aswell. He was so flabbergasted by all that has been happening that he completely forgot Harry and Rex went and attacked his former home. He backed away a bit and saw Lucius' conerned face. "Has that man been hurting you?" Lucius noticed a bruise or two on Draco's pale hands and face. Draco shook his head and smiled at his father,
"No. I have been safe the whole time." Draco said. Rex walked over with his sword still in hand. Lucius quickly put Draco behind him and almost snarled at the approaching man. Rex stopped and raised a noble eyebrow.
"Father, don't. He won't hurt us." Draco said from behind his father. Lucius still didn't move. "If a single hair was out of place on my son's head, I-"
"You will what? Your son is the reason you are still breathing." Rex spoke with a voice absent of emotion. He ordered the minions to leave the two alone and left the arena.
Havoc was lazily lounging on his throne with his feet splayed over the armrest. He was dressed in one of the black undershirts usually knitted into the inner side of the armor along with jeans and his old shoes. "I assume you are the one who orchestrated the touching reunion of father and son." Rex stated and sat on the throne next to Havoc. Havoc snorted in response. "Saw you trying to teach Draco how to fight."
Rex nodded. "With a little more practice, he would make a competent fighter.". He found a gray strand of hair and felt it in his fingers. It was soft and he picked up another strand and then another until he had a good fistful in his hand. "What are you doing?" Havoc asked. He was practically lying over the throne with his head placed on the armrest. Rex felt the hair once more before letting it fall.
"What will you do about the pale man?" Rex asked, evading Havoc's question. He felt embarrased that he actually did something like that. Those feelings were something he shouldn't be harboring, but he did despite that.
"Something has been bugging me when we came back from the manor. Voldemort wasn't aware that Dumbledore was dead. You would think that with such hatred towards Dumbledore, he would have kept a close eye on him. Peculiar." Havoc rubbed his head in slight annoyance.
The two overlords sat there in silence. Rex was listening to Havoc's breathing and Havoc was listening to Rex's breathing. Slowly they started to breathe in unison. Both of them found it relaxing, their bodies softening and forgetting the rigors of battle. It brought fond memories to Rex when he spent his rare moments of comfort with Rose. Havoc on the other hand had never felt this kind of tranquility and was savoring it. Havoc's hand on its own slithered over to lay on Rex's, their pulses synchronizing as well.
Rex didn't notice Havoc's hand on his nor that their hearts beat as one. The Heart had created something remarkable. In its mission to preserve and maintain the Pristi legacy Arthur and older had created, it will create a new world.
Draco and Lucius, with a guarding squad of minions, stumbled upon the scene. Lucius raised an eyebrow while Draco's heart sunk. He was such a fool, of course Harry didn't truly love him. He did suspect it but he was too caught up in the middle of things that he didn't notice the coldness. Now Draco had no clue why did Harry turn him into a Pristi, was it because he liked him or... He shook his head. Harry saved his father from certain death and he was grateful for that.
He stamped out his rising anger of being cheated, ridiculed and cast away. They were petty emotions a Malfoy would never consider worthwhile to both show and utilize. Draco understood the pain Harry went through his entire life, he understood why he jumped. The only thing Draco could now feel for Harry was pity.
"Father. I am one of them. Harry turned me into one of them. If the things they told me were true, we could be a part in something great that will change the world for the better." Draco spoke, his eyes on the two hands that were now entwined. "It was Harry that saved me. He actually held the killing curse in his palm. He told me the only reason he saved me because you were still alive. I have to admit that if you were dead, I really would have no reason to live anymore." Lucius said and held Draco's head against his chest and looked at the sleeping Pristi. He owed everything to them and would go to the edge of the world to repay that debt. He saw the sad face Draco failed to hide, he knew that his son was in love with Harry which was crystal clear when the boy jumped into that hole. He gave a reassuring smile.
"Let's leave these two alone." Lucius wisely said and followed Draco to what will be his bedroom for the time being. And possibly see Draco demonstrate his new abilities.
Something poked him. Then nothing. Something poked him again. He slapped the poking object away and returned back to sleep. The blasted thing poked him again and Havoc was forced to open his eyes and see who was disturbing his sleep.
Two familiar yellow eyes held annoyance. Havoc yawned and stretched. He heard a groan come from somewhere behind him. Havoc turned and was an inch away from Rex's face. He yelped and slid down out of Rex's lap, hoping the man wouldn't wake up and see that he was sleeping in his lap.
"Ahem." Rip coughed from behind and Havoc swiftly turned and gave the minion his attention. "The Dark Lord has awakened." Rip spat the title like it was poison. Havoc chuckled and followed the minion master to the dungeon.
Havoc expected the dungeon to smell far worse than it did. The lack of occupants has done wonders in the scent department leaving only the annoying smell of dust and old. He also expected that Voldemort would be kept in one of the cells but Rip passed them all and stopped at a door which had glowing runes inscribed into it. Havoc noticed far back the sleeping form of Hagrid.
"You weren't thinking we would incarcerate such a potent wizard in a simple cell?" Rip sounded smug. Havoc wasn't about to admit he was wrong. The minion master opened the door and let Havoc come in first. Voldemort was sitting in what looked like a birdcage hanging by a chain attached to the ceiling Havoc couldn't see from the darkness above. There were at least twenty birdcages set in rows of four in the chamber. The many rooms in Hogwarts would never cease to amaze him.
Voldemort's face held anger that if Havoc didn't know better would melt him. Havoc rubbed his chin, "You are in quite a situation."
"Unfortunately so. I thought I have seen the last of your face the day you jumped." Voldemort's tone was low and brisk. The red eyes glew with malice. Havoc simply raised an eyebrow. "So. Let's continue from where we left of."
"Victims. Yes. Would it be hard for you to believe we both have been deceived and cheated?" Voldemort hissed and stood up from his chair. "Explain."
"Gladly. There is a prophecy, and the stars of it are you and me." Voldemort raised his hands theatrically. "Hidden deep in the Ministry of Magic. Half of it was enough to send me into a search and destroy mission. My equal would be born as the seventh moon dies."
"I was a fool. To believe something that was conveniently overheard. I was the puppet and Dumbledore was the puppeteer. The only reason I can think of for such plans is an ancient feud between your kind and mine." Voldemort finished and sat back down. A smug smirk was on his lips.
"And once again I was played. He fled underneath my nose. I have only realized that after you barged in and said it."
Havoc was flabbergasted by what Voldemort just said. Should he trust what Voldemort said? What Havoc saw in Dumbledore's memory, he did let Voldemort get to him and his parents. That much was certain. But to believe this? Havoc wasn't sure.
Voldemort easily saw the distress he just instigated in the teen and grinned maliciously. But then it faded away as he remembered the reason he was so easily captured. One of his horcruxes has been destroyed and someone out there knows what they are doing. If he didn't get out of this bloody cage soon, he was afraid that his life would be forfeit. Unless he enlisted the aid of Potter which in of itself would mean he was going mental. Death or a life of servitude, no good alternative.
He doubted that his Death Eaters were competent enough to free him of this prison or even aware where he was. He could use the Dark Mark but would send his men into a slaughterhouse. Not that he didn't mind but by doing so he would pretty much destroy every chance he had of furthering his plans. Check.
"Mate." Rip said with a grin and Voldemort was having a hard time controling the smug mask he had put on. That gremlin read his mind? Voldemort mentally slapped himself. He didn't even bother hiding his thoughts.
Havoc shook his head to get out of his stupor, "You said something, Rip?" The minion master shook his head. "Close the door on your way out, Sire." Rip left the chamber leaving Havoc and Voldemort alone. Havoc then took one glance at Voldemort before leaving the chamber and closing the door.
Havoc couldn't hear the angry screams that filled the chamber he just left.
Rex gave nary a glance Havoc's way when Havoc entered the throne room. Rex was eating fried eggs and sizzling bacon to which he had taken a liking to. Havoc sat down opposite of Rex on the dining table. Havoc was bursting with the need to tell someone everything he just heard but Rex would simply shrug and give no opinion and Rip wasn't really in the position to discuss it with him, too.
"Sire Rex, I think it would be a smart thing to do to tell Sire Havoc what Arthur told you." Rip recommended and quickly disappeared down a set of stairs. Rex met Havoc's intense gaze.
"Arthur told you something?" Rex expected Havoc to growl or something similar but the teen was calm and Rex didn't catch any negative emotion. He began retelling what he saw and was told when his consciousness was within the Heart.
Havoc listened intently and seemed relived when Rex finished. A small smile graced Havoc's lips and Rex found himself staring. Havoc caught the stare and smiled even brightly. "You like it when I smile?"
Rex was then assailed by a cough attack. "I like no such thing." Rex replied between coughs. Havoc started laughing and almost fell off the bench while holding his stomach. Rex wiped his mouth and suddenly longed for the safety the helmet gave him. Havoc's gaze lingered on the man's for a second or two before concentrating on other matters.
"Dumbledore is still alive and out there. But I have no clue where he might be." Havoc spoke and then rose from his seat with a grin. "Hagrid."
The cell door squealed as it opened and Hagrid snorted and grumbled as he awoke from his uneasy slumber. The half-giant rubbed his neck that was still sore from the hit Havoc dealt him. Havoc snapped his fingers and the torch of the cell lit up, illuminating the rather small room. He decided to wear his gauntlets just in case if Hagrid wanted a rematch. Havoc would gladly indulge him if he did.
Hagrid shook his head and looked at his visitor. His eyes went wide and he smacked himself to make sure he was seeing straight. "Is that you, Harry?"
Havoc sat on the stool which was far too small if the giant ever decided to use it and graced his former friend with a smile. "By Merlin' beard. Yer alive!" Hagrid was so happy that he stood up a bit too fast and hit his head on the ceiling, the cells weren't made for half-giants.
Havoc hissed. "Yes, I'm alive and well.". Hagrid rubbed his head and sat back down on the protesting cot. "What are ye doing here? Everyone thought ye were dead when they couldn't find the body." Hagrid's smile vanished.
"Hagrid, do you know what has been going on for the past three weeks?" Havoc asked. Hagrid's brows furrowed in confusion. "Hogwarts was attacked by som kind of knights. Then them Death Eaters came and kidnapped Dumbledore. I have never seen a more darker time." Hagrid shook his head. "But I can't get through me head of how are you alive?"
"What are you doing here?" Havoc evaded Hagrid's question. Hagrid rubbed his head in a nervous tick, Hagrid always had one when he was keeping a secret when asked about one or anything having any connection to it. "Now, I can't tell you that. Dumbledore's orders.". Havoc had a feeling Hagrid would say that and he had no way of coaxing it out of him. He hated to resort to this method but it proved rather effective.
Hagrid looked as Havoc cut his palm with a dagger and was caught by surprise when the bloody palm slammed into his forehead. Hagrid saw strands of what he deduced where thoughts. Two black strands flowed through his vision and followed one strand of thought. It was the one with his most recent memories. The strands briefly latched on every node before receding back. Hagrid found himself struggling for breath when the contact between him and Havoc was broken.
"What in the hell." Hagrid managed after a good minute. "Sorry to have to do this to you, Hagrid. You've always been a good friend but I can't let you out right now." Havoc softly spoke and left the cell. The minions closed the door behind him. Hagrid's face appeared at the barred window in the door, "Harry! Where are ye goin'? It's dangerous out there!"
"Not as much as it is for you." Havoc whispered.
When Havoc returned back from the dungeons he saw Draco and Lucius eating breakfast while Rex was reading the Daily Prophet. He took off his gloves and put them on the table. The situation was rather peculiar. Draco was the first to break the silence, "What's wrong?"
Havoc ran a hand through his shoulder-length hair, "Dumbledore is still alive and he sent Hagrid to destroy a diadem of sorts.".
"Hagrid told you straight up?" Draco said through full mouth and earned a glare from his father who ate with proper etiquete. "Had to search his mind through a blood connection. The problem is that Dumbledore said almost nothing to Hagrid and just told him to use the sword of Gryffindor to break a diadem."
Draco swallowed, "So that must have been it what Hagrid swung at. He did it not long before you two came back.". Havoc perked up at that, his mind's gears whirring. It was morning and Havoc already felt tired and placed his head on the table. "Hey, we didn't see Narcissa back at the manor."
Lucius swallowed. "Narcissa..." Draco stopped short. "Narcissa is dead." Lucius said flatly and Draco glared at his father for being so cold. "Oh." Havoc may be growing up into an evil bastard but death of a mother and wife must be harsh. "Her own sister murdered her in an argument. Such a horrible way to die."
Effectively killing the mood, the three sat in silence. Draco lost his appetite and played with his food. Havoc offered his hand but Draco refused it. Havoc's eyebrow went up before he realized what was happening. Well, his charade was over. It was good while it lasted. Draco saw him with Rex when he fell asleep on the throne. But the fact that Draco stuck around said that he was still on his side. Even if he wasn't, Havoc would easily find out.
Draco stood up abruptly and went over to Rex. The older man lifted his gaze from the newspaper and nodded a few times before folding the paper and leading Draco down the stairs towards the arena.
Lucius stood up, his eyes flaring with anger. "How dare you use my son's feelings for you like that?" It was an outrage! Nobody fooled a Malfoy on such a level and got away with it. Havoc stood up to meet Lucius' gaze. "I will use anyone to achieve my revenge, be it Draco or anyone else. While Draco was growing a spine, I was fending of the Dark Lord; he doesen't deserve my respect or love. Until he joins me on the battlefield and rises with me after it all, then he will earn my respect." With an air of finality Havoc closed the conversation and sat back down with his head slightly spinning.
Lucius sat down as well. This wasn't Harry Potter a year ago. This is someone who had a determined goal and would do anything to achieve it. He once looked into those eyes, yes, but they were blood-red. Him being a pureblood gave him access to hidden knowledge and the Malfoy library only held small scripts about them; like they were meant to be gone from the world.
Havoc made the connection between Voldemort and the diadem but he knew too little to find out what connected them.
"Master! Where have you been taken, master!?" it screamed in anguish for its master. Nagini cursed the knights that have taken her master away. She slithered through the frantic Death Eaters who were searching high and low for the Dark Lord. Stupid humans, Nagini thought.
She slithered out into the garden filled with bodies. The once green grass was now red and the entire garden was destroyed. The attackers layed waste to the whole Malfoy manor. Nagini continued past the artifical cliffs and into the woods. She was hopeless, her master was silent and didn't reply to her calls. Where has he gone?
"Get it!" someone yelled from behind Nagini. She quickly turned and lunged at the owner of the voice. Her fangs bit flesh and drew blood. She quickly retracted and bit again and again. The man's screams were music to her ears. She went on bitting the man until she was stopped by a spell coming from behind. It was a cutting spell and her head flew into the air. In those last moments of her life she only thought about her master.
Voldemort woke up on the floor of the cage. One more horcrux has been destroyed. Years of study and work were gone with the wind in just two days! What kind of misfortune has befallen him? He was running out of time. He hated to admit it but he was becoming desperate. Even terrified when he thought about it more. He slapped himself, the Dark Lord fears nothing. He transcended death itself!
That fact will soon cease to be true if he remained in this god-forsaken dungeon. The door creaked open and Voldemort quickly stood up, gritting his teeth for being caught in such a position. A tray of food was lifted up to his cage by a long stick with a hook on the end. He may be immortal but that didn't mean he didn't require sustenance. The food was rather good and considering it Voldemort concluded it was breakfast.
The door was about to close when Voldemort swallowed his pride along with the food and called, "I wish to speak with Potter.". The door closed and Voldemort hoped to some degree they didn't hear him.
It didn't take long until Havoc payed a visit to his favourite prisoner. Havoc yawned and stretched, not really caring if it is indecent or not while in front of someone. "It's Havoc."
"What?" Voldemort uncharacteristically asked. Havoc repeated, "Name's Havoc.". How queer. Voldemort was going mental calling for Havoc.
"The reason I called is because I am in a very difficult position." Voldemort couldn't believe this was happening. "I have achieved immortality, as you must have realized, through splitting my soul into pieces and storing those said pieces into artifacts and anchoring my soul to this world without needing a body." He would have felt preety smug if he was explaining this while Havoc was groveling at his feet and that he would then proceed torturing him 'til death. But such was not the case. Unfortunately.
It took a minute for the information to sink in. "A diadem Hagrid destroyed had a piece of your soul inside?" Havoc asked. He had a feeling the Dark Lord was pulling his leg.
Voldemort was reluctant to nod. At least he now knew which one was destroyed but how did Hagrid destroy it? Few spells and objects were powerful enough to destroy a horcrux and he doubted Hagrid was capable of procuring either unless Dumbledore showed him how. That old geezer was a thorn ever since he attended this blasted school.
"So somebody is destroying them? How kind of you to inform me of your predicament." Havoc drawled, enjoying every moment of it. With this information he had Voldemort in his grasp indefinitely. "Dumbledore also knows about the artifacts which I assume you have realised by now. All we have to do now is locate him and finish him off." Havoc finished. He wished it would have been even easier than saying.
"I will keep you in your cage for a little while longer. I have a feeling you are getting used to it." Havoc winked and left the chamber. This time he left the door open just a crack and enjoyed the scream.
Rip met Havoc halfway on the staircase. "Sire, the ministry is at the gates. Lord Rex has already left to meet the officials." Havoc gratefully nodded and went to put his armor on. Havoc sometimes wondered how would this place run itself without Rip. The minion was just amazing.
Rex looked at the fifty or so Aurors standing at the entrance to Hogwarts and their representative, a black Auror of soft speech, was at the head of the coloumn. Rex could see that the man before him was of noble stature, wise mind and great power. If it came to a fight he would be glad to fight with this man.
"By the order of Minister Scrimgeur, you are under arrest on the accounts of terrorism, murder and violation of sixty magical laws." the black Auror read from a piece of parchment.
"And what if I resist arrest?" Rex jokingly asked and got a firm response, "Then we would be forced to either incapacitate or, if need be, kill you."
Rex gripped the handle of his claymore on his back when Havoc appeared behind him from a small stone platform that sunk back into the ground. The Aurors were visibly surprised to see another one appear. A wave of slight fear spread over the collumn.
"Is there a problem, officer?" Havoc asked in a joking mood. The Auror was not impressed at the non-chalant approach. "Will you come peacefuly?"
"We don't feel like going anywhere. I suggest you go back to the Ministry because I don't really want to cut down fifty of you. Too much work." Havoc yawned, still not fully awake. But he was up for a morning exercise.
The fifty or so Aurors drew their wands and found that the two knights were gone. Kingsley looked around and was horrified to see them at the back of the collumn. He was about to warn them but the slaughter had already begun. Men screamed as they were cut in two or had their arms and legs cut off by huge blades. It was a brutal sight.
Havoc swung his sword and embbeded it in one of the Auror's head and spun to relieve the blade from its position and decapitated the next one. Rex on the other side cut two men in half at the same time with his long claymore. The collumn was in such a bad position that only the one in front of them could fire spells without risk to hit their comrades and the two overlords were intending to use that advantage to its fullest. In the first two minutes the collumn was cut down in half.
The front dispersed and was now able to fire spells as well. Havoc stabbed his sword into the ground and formed a huge ball of fire between his hands and let it loose on the left flank of the front. Body parts and men on fire flew into the air. Another explosion hit the right flank as well. Then Havoc and Rex continued to cut down everyone in their path like a shredder.
Spells hit Havoc left and right but he managed to keep his focus up to absorb any projectile close to him until he could barely feel it connect. He heard gunshots erupt to his left and saw Rex utilizing his wrist-mounted gun to pick off Aurors on the right flank. Havoc sent rays of energy through the unprepared Aurors.
A few minutes later the collumn was utterly destroyed. Wounded men groaned and screamed as they were bleeding out on the blood-covered snow. Kingsley Shacklebolt was holding his wounded arm which sported a gaping hole. Rex and Havoc, both drenched in blood, approached the last man standing of the fifty man force. "No man possesses such power. I fear we have little chance against you, Pristi." Kingsley admited. His eyes traveled across the blood-soaked path.
"I have a feeling we've just killed an entire department." Havoc fooed and shook the blood off his hands. It was a dirty job, but he liked it. "You give respect where it is worth, what's your name?" Rex asked.
"Kingsley, Kingsley Shacklebolt." Kingsley strained out. "Well then. What I want you to do is go to the Ministry and tell our good ol' Scrimgeur that his arse is mine." Rex chuckled at that. He enjoyed the colourful expressions Havoc sometimes displayed.
Kingsley nodded. He took one last look at his dying comrades and wished he could help them but it was unlikely the two knights would be merciful enough for him to send healers. Then he reluctantly Apparated to the Ministry.
Rex sighed as he lounged in the basin. The blood seeped through the holes in the armor and almost drenched him and a bath was an urgent matter. A mist of red spread out around him. He closed his eyes and felt rising giddines in his stomach. He frowned.
That wasn't him. What was Havoc up to? As if sensing his wonder someone started to run straight for him. A shadow past over his closed eyelids and splashed into the center of the basin. A wave slapped Rex in the face and forced him to open his eyes in anger.
The water surface calmed down and was again disturbed by a burst. Rex, unfortunately, saw a lithe naked form that revealed too much jump out of the water. A dazzling smile graced Havoc's face that Rex, if he was not angry right now, would do something very unwise.
"A man can't bathe in peace." Rex grumbled loud enough for Havoc to hear. He grabbed the towel he put on the edge of the basin and hastily wrapped it around his waist, making sure Havoc didn't see anything.
Rex didn't see the smile fade into a frown. He got out of the basin and left the room. In his frustration he failed to see two white eyes watching him from the dark corner of the hall.
Havoc's face was marred by a scowl. He was barely restraining himself from shouting such obscenites that he would make a hooker ashamed. With a growl he waded over to the opposite side and slided into the water, while holding himself up with his hands on the edge. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the warmth.
Draco slowly entered the room and stopped. His eyes quickly found Havoc. A red mist spread around Havoc and made him look like a demon, a smoking hot demon. Wet raven hair stuck to his face and neck, contrast to the pale skin.
He silently walked around the edge until he was right above Havoc. The teen still hadn't noticed him yet. Draco raised his bastard-sword above his head. He has had enough of the suffering he felt since fourth year. When Harry jumped he had come to terms with his feelings and started to live normaly until he came back, and ruined everything. He played with him and his feelings and he hasn't the strength to cope with them. It had to end.
He sent the sword down but his grip slackened and the sword fell into the basin with a splash. Havoc's eyes opened and Draco could see confusion in them before realization dawned. Havoc was quickly out of the basin and in a fighting stance. Draco would be blushing along with Havoc if the situation wasn't so horrible.
Draco fell on his knees and covered his face. "Kill me. Please kill me." he pleaded. The pain was too much. The knowledge that his love would never be returned made it unbearable. He shuddered as slender arms wrapped around him. Wet hair tickled his cheeks and brow.
"I can't kill you, your father would have my head." Draco felt the warm breath blow against his ear. He kept his eyes closed tight and held in rising sobs in his throat. "You were such a git to me for so long, I just reacted like that. The resentment and rivalry are still fresh, Draco." Havoc's voice was firm but yet comforting. "If we are gonna fight together I have to be honest with you; I will never love you the way you love me." Draco momentarily lost control and let out a gasp. The arms pulled him closer until he could feel the wet body against him but he kept his eyes shut. "Harsh, isn't it? Not being loved. That's how I've felt every single moment of my life.". The arms disappeared and the body was gone. He felt strangely cold.
"Now c'mon. I don't want to stay here all day with you crying. If getting back taught me anything is not crying over the past. Only taking vengeance." Draco dared to open his eyes and was rewarded with the brightest and devilish smile ever. Havoc extended his hand and was glad when Draco took it. "You emotional git. You're worse than a girl sometimes." Havoc snorted and enjoyed the snarl coming from Draco.
Draco may never get over the fact that he would never have him. But Havoc meant what he said and hoped the blond would find it enough to be comrades with him. It would be foolish to think this conversation solved everything, Havoc knew he would have to work a long way until the blond would feel completely happy again.
"You know you are naked, right?" Draco said with the trademark Malfoy smirk. Havoc's cheeks turned beet red. Havoc slapped Draco and ran off for his clothes he stupidly left on the other end of the room. He felt hungry eyes settle on his backside and shot a glare Draco's way while putting on his boxers. Draco looked away but the blush on his face betrayed him.
"That will be the last you will ever see of my arse, ever again." Havoc hissed. Draco smirked in return. "Reserving it for Rex?"
Havoc almost choked while Draco laughed for the first time in ages. Draco walked over and draped a hand over Havoc's shoulders which was quickly shrugged off. "Can't believe I'm gonna listen to your orders."
"You really are stupid as you look!" Carlyle exclaimed as he hurried to rebind the bleeding wounds of his comrade. "Shaddap!" Came Jorgen's response. The blasted snake took a good chunk out of him before Zoran had the nuts and do something. The three men were illuminated by a campfire. Carlyle was a thin man with fingers that worked so finely they rivaled even the most competent weaver. The long face was set determined to get the bandages and powders on the wounds as best as possible.
Zoran was handing Carlyle the various medical supplies from the first aid kit they always carried with them. The fire was reflected off his smooth bald head and a easy-going expression didn't give way to the feelings of fear for his friend.
Jorgen on the other hand was a man with such a beard that when people saw him thought he had a dwarf ancestor who got lucky with a witch. He was of a slightly below-average stature and untamed hair. A painful expression on his face didn't help his good looks. Carlyle was convinced that Jorgen was indeed half-dwarf, normal men wouldn't survive a poison such as this even with his help for two days.
"What kind of poison is that?" Jorgen croaked, asking the same question Carlyle has been wracking his brain about for the past two days. He felt like his entire body was burning. Carlyle worriedly looked at his friend. "Zoran, I think we should get him to St. Mungo's. I can't counteract this kind of poison."
Zoran dropped the stick he was nervously handling. "We can't do that! We are stuck in this forest because we can't show ourselves." The bald man hissed. Carlyle stood up. "Well, we can't leave him like this! If he doesen't get help soon, he will die! Besides! He shouldn't even be involved in this."
"Now, hold on there for one minute!" Jorgen slurred. "Ye ain't gonna leave me in no hospital!". Zoran rubbed his head in frustration. How did it all go so horribly wrong? They were hunting for food when they heard the noises coming from the nearby rich manor. Zoran went over to look but couldn't see much. Coming any close than that felt to Zoran like suicide. Finding that snake slithering around looked like a god send.
Zoran checked the spit over the fire and deemed the meat sufficiently crispy for eating. He ignored Carlyle and brought some food to Jorgen. Jorgen was a fascinating man. He always talked about Norway and how they had six months day and six months night. Sometimes he just wouldn't shut up about it.
Zoran himself was from Croatia and sometimes struggled with English. The rising problems there along with the cause why him and Carlyle and sticking together drove him all the way to England. He was a skilled hunter and knew some magic to be able to survive in the woods which were presumably empty of people up in Scotland.
Carlyle said he came from a family of healers that worked at St. Mungo's for centuries. Carlyle was a proficient Healer in his field when it all started and forced him to go into hiding until he ended up stumbling upon Zoran and Jorgen. What Carlyle understood, Jorgen was helping them despite being a wizard because "For the heck of it!" as Jorgen liked to say.
"Zoran. If you won't do anything, then I will." Carlyle glared at Zoran who was chewing the unsavory meat. Zoran spat out the food and stood up. "I'm gonna leave him at St. Mungo's. You just make sure I have someting to go back to." Zoran said with a heavy accent and helped Jorgen on his feet. The smaller man was slowly drifting to sleep. Zoran was glad he had the time to learn Apparation before leaving the country in a hurry.
"I'll keep the fire up." Carlyle said and watched his two friends disappear in a blurr of motion.
Updated and revised, 07.12.2018