Chapter 11 –
"Harry! Get to the floo! Call for your guard, they should be on alert at the Leakey Cauldron!" yelled Remus as he fired spells to help draw the fire from the teenagers.
Harry drew his wand and pushed Dudley behind a couple of barrels in front of the Three Broomsticks. "GET DOWN you dolt!" Harry began firing hexes and jinxes from behind the barrels while slowly making his way to the door. "Get inside!!" Covering Dudley's behind was no easy task, but both managed to get inside, followed closely by Ron and Hermione. Hermione ran to the floo and was about to toss in the powder, when the floo flashed green.
"Someone's coming in! Quick! Hide!" Hermione grabbed a shocked Dudley by the arm and together with Harry and Ron hid behind the bar.
"It was so nice of the sniveling rat to tell us they were going shopping. This should be too easy," much to Harry's horrification, he recognized the voice of McNair, Death Eater and executioner for the Ministry of Magic. Following him was a rather squat couple and a very tall man.
"Davidov, you will follow me. We should be able to get behind them and in a crossfire," McNair said, while observing the battle being waged outside. "Avery, you and your sister, guard our escape route. Make sure we can leave if things get too heated." Harry watched the small force split and two head outside, while the others stood and attention guarding the floo. Harry then looked back at the others; Hermione was deep in thought, probably trying to figure out how to get out of this mess. Meanwhile, Ron looked ready to rock, wand out and fire in his eyes. Harry was of the same mind, but knew if they were going to get out of this alive, it would take more than to blokes on a rampage to get to the floo.
Hermione's face suddenly brightened with determination and she withdrew her wand. "Ron, take the left, Harry you right, and stun them. DO NOT MISS!" she hissed then nodded at Dudley, "Stay low, and don't make a sound." Dudley, shaking his head vigorously, looked like he didn't have to be told twice. If Harry didn't know better, he thought Dudley might have just soiled himself-but he didn't smell anything.
"On three. One…Two…now!" Cries of 'Stupefy!' and 'Incarcerous!' filled the air. In thirty seconds flat, the Golden Trio tied up and knocked out the rear guard of the Death Eaters.
Harry, with Ron, dashed to the windows to find the battle in full swing. When the made for the door, Hermione stopped them, "Wait! Lupin said to call your guard! I can't call them, only you can Harry. Floo the Leakey Cauldron, they will know your magical signature and come right away."
"That's a load of crap Hermione, you just don't want me going out there! I have to! Harry made for the door again, only to be stopped by Ron, "Harry mate, maybe it is a load of shit, but even I know Hermione is right, I mean she usually is, and Im not saying you don't know how to duel, but it's not like we can replace you mate. Plus you have a really bad case of "I need to save everybody"…"
"Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?" Harry stated, with and much confusion as Dudley, who finally popped up from behind the bar and then hid away again. "Fine, have it your way. Give me the powder…" Harry dug his hand in the powder and tossed it into the floo. "Leaky Cauldron!" The flames flashed green and five people tumbled from the floo.
"Wotcher Harry!" Exclaimed Tonks, then her smile disappeared when she heard the commotion from outside, "Kingsley we're under attack!" Kingsley and Tonks sprang for the door, followed closely my Moody while Vance and Dung crossed to the teenagers to check them out, "Your not hit are you?" inquired the small witch, but then spotted the incarcerated Death Eaters, and then stated, "Guess not…Dung, lock the spells in place, hurry." While Mundungus moved to comply with the order, Vance moved to the teenagers, then looked around with a puzzled expression, "Weren't there suppose to be four of you?"
"The muggle turned wizard is behind the bar and currently with out a wand." Stated Hermione.
Just then the door blasted open, and the three spun around to find Lucius Malfoy fighting off Tonks. Lucius, spotting that the escape route was blocked, exclaimed "Reducto!!" and the front door, it's hinges, and most of the entryway to the Three Broomsticks blasted apart, taking Tonks down amongst the rubble. Lucius then aimed his wand on the teenagers only to find that there was five wands trained on him. Eyes darting down to the rubble, Lucius knew that they wouldn't fire off any spells with their comrade in such a perilous position to fight him. Lucius then spun on the spot and disappeared with a crack of thunder- apperating away.
"NO!" Harry exclaimed, grabbing his hair in frustration. Then, remembering what happened to Tonks, Harry dashed for the rubble. Remus came throught the open doorway and began the careful excavation of Tonks by moving the enormous pieces of rubble. Harry dashed over to help when he heard a voice from beneath the pile, "Remus, I'm ok. Just help get the beam off. Keep it steady Hermione!" Harry looked back over his shoulder to see Hermione grasping her wand in both hands and staring intently, focused on her task. Vance dashed over and proceeded to help Harry and Remus unbury the trapped auror.
Soon Tonks was unburied and Remus, feeling Hermione loosing control of the spell, sweeped Tonks in his arms and away from the pile. Hermione, seeing Remus had Tonks clear, released the charm. The rubble collapsed, spreading dust. When the dust cleared, Harry observed Remus still holding Tonks, who had a small gash on her forehead, but was otherwise ok. He seemed oblivious to the others presence. Tonks, who finally noticed Remus still had a hold of her, blushed scarlet, pushed on his chest to get him to release her. "I'll go check outside…umm see if they need any...yeah…" and fled with speed out the gaping hole in the buildings entryway, dabbing at the cut with a hankerchief.
Remus watched her go, looking wistful. Turning back towards the room, he blushed and then stepped to Harry, " Everything alright? No one hurt? Good. Where is Dudley?" Harry pointed toward the bar. Remus walked over to the bar and observed a portly young man staring at the cupboard across from him, transfixed. "Good. He's not hurt, although I wouldn't say much for his mental state. Harry, go and fetch Severus. He should have something with him to help Dudley." Remus turned away and observed the gaping hole in the foyer. "Now, lets see if we can fix this before Madam Rosemerta returns."
Hermione pushed up her sleeves, and together with Ron and Vance, Remus started to repair the beams. Remus looked over at Harry, who was still staring at him. "Harry, go get Severus. Now!"
"Remus, can I ask you something?" Harry was not going to let something like what he observed get away with out knowing more.
"No. Now move it before your cousin becomes catatonic, or your carting him around Diagon Alley without magic." And with the image of himself under Dudley like a carthorse down the street, Harry went to find Snape.