Chapter 10
Dueling With Fire
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"So we are!" laughed Bellatrix, reflecting the spell. "Well, let's see how long you'll last," Bella nodded towards Rodolphus and Greyback and the three stepped forward. Red light burst out of their wands at the same time, shooting at the Professor. With a wave of her wand, the spells shot backwards toward the trio. They ducked and the curses flew into the Forbidden Forest.
"Okay then, let's duel," sneered Bellatrix. Instantly, flames shot out of Swithin's wand. Before Bella had even guarded herself, more fire came. Again and again. The grass around Swithin's feet burst into blue flame; the force of her spell frolicking with her robes as they flowed behind her.
"Minerva!" yelled Cailin Swithin, still managing to keep Bellatrix Black, Fenrir Greyback, and Rodolphus Lestrange at bay. "Get all the students into the Great Hall and alert Dumbledore! NOW!"
McGonagall sprinted towards the castle's front door.
"So you still teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, eh?" asked Bella.
"Yes. As a matter of fact, I do," Swithin didn't know what Black was playing at but figured that the longer she chatted, the longer she stayed alive.
"Hmph. Let's see if you teach what you really know. CRUCIO!" cried Bellatrix. However, Professor Swithin reflected the spell. In a split second, fire was shot at Bellatrix, Rodolphus and Greyback once more.
"Kitten likes to scratch," teased Bellatrix, hissing to mimic a cat. By the expression of fury on Swithin's face, 'tiger likes to kill' would be more fitting.
Just then, Albus Dumbledore, along with McGonagall, Flitwick, Slughorn, Hagrid, and a few others stormed out from the Entrance Hall and in Swithin's direction. The three Death Eaters froze. Without warning and at the exact same moment, they shot a combination of Greyback over enthusiastically yelling, "EXPELLIARMUS!", Rodolphus crying, "STUPEFY!", and Bellatrix screaming, "CRUCIO!" Joining together, the spells created a bolt of silver wand sparks, looking almost like a line of liquid mercury. It hit Minerva McGonagall straight in the chest, sending her flying backwards and landing on the ground unconsious.
Any love or light left in Dumbledore's eyes disappeared. Swithin let out an outrage of rash swearing that I am not willing to repeat. All the Professors pointed their wands at the three, but Swithin had better plans. Turning into her (registered) Animagus form, an extremely large and powerful black and white wolf, she leapt at Bellatrix. Her teeth met the flesh in Bella's shoulder, causing her to drop her wand. Screaming like mad, Bellatrix made quite a distraction to Rodolphus and Greyback, which was just what Dumbledore and Flitwick needed. Suddenly, Greyback was howling in pain and doubling up, clutching his leg from an unnamed curse Dumbledore had shot at it. Rodolphus had been stupefyed by Flitwick. Bella managed to get a hold of her dagger in her boot and stabbed it into the wolf's chest. Quickly, Bella grabbed hold of Rodolphus, her wand, and Greyback then Death-Eater-disapparated.
"A mix of curses like this is powerful. I'm surprised she's still alive," declared Madam Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing about McGonagall. Both McGonagall and Swithin were occupying a bed; McGonagall was still not knocked out, and a curse had apparently been on Bellatrix's knife so the wounds it causes would never be completely healed. And although Madam Pomfrey insisted on Swithin trying to fall asleep and rest, she was still participating in the discussion happening there.
"Is she going to recover soon?" asked Dumbledore, concerningly observing McGonagall over his half-moon spectacles.
"Soon. A while. Sometime in the future. I really have no idea. I recommend we call St. Mungo's immendiently," replied Madam Pomfrey.
"St. Mungo's? Is it really that serious?" questioned Swithin.
"Yes. And I would recommend St. Mungo's for you as well," said Madam Pomfrey. Swithin groaned.
"What about Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts?" squeaked Flitwick.
"You mean, who is going to teach? I haven't really given it much thought," answered Dumbledore.
"We could cancel the lessons until further notice," suggested Slughorn.
"I agree. I mean, who knows how long this," Kettleburn motioned to Swithin and McGonagall, "is going to take?"
"I can still teach!" said Swithin defensively, wincing in pain as she put her hand to where her robes were blood stained.
"You're quite convincing," said Slughorn.
"Shut it Horace," said Swithin.
"Cailin, I will not permit it. You are injured and we should-" Dumbledore was interrupted by Madam Pomfrey.
"REALLY BE GETTING THEM TO ST. MUNGO'S!"
"My thoughts exactly," said Dumbledore.
"Fine. Fine. Do your magic," muttered Swithin reluctantly.
The news of Swithin's duel against Bellatrix Black spread throughout Hogwarts in a blink of an eye. So did the fact that all years would be dropping two of the most complicated subjects there was. Sure, they all felt bad about Swithin and McGonagall being in St. Mungos, but how could they not be happy about free periods? Sirius and James showed their joy by setting off a firework display in the Gryffindor common room. Jack Hanson yelled at them for interrupting homework time, although many Gryffindors were cheering them on. Eventually, the Marauders sat down to start homework.
"Poor McGonagall and Swithin," said Sirius with fake pity in his voice.
"They'll be back soon," said James.
"I'm surprised Bellatrix Black, Rodolphus Lestrange, and Fenrir Greyback would come attacking Hogwarts after that recent article in the Daily Prophet," wondered Lupin out loud.
"Me too. What the heck did they think they were doing?" asked James.
"Don't ever say this to her, but I think Bella's a little hit in the head," whispered Sirius.
"If you mean she's mental, I think the same," said James, not bothering to keep his voice down.
"Yeah. I mean, look how she wears her hair. Bleck," said Peter.
"And her voice. It's soooooooo annoying," Sirius did his best to imitate his cousin, but failed miserably, "Sirius! James! Shut up and listen to me! You two are such big gits! Gosh, why do I have to be your babysitter?!"
James laughed, "Wonderful, Sirius. Bravo!"
"So that's why James and Sirius are such idiots. They were raised by Bellatrix Black," teased Lupin.
"Oh shut up," snapped Sirius playfully, smiling.
Outside the window, the first rain of the season pattered down. The grounds turned to mud, and the clouds overhead set a dark setting over Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A dark setting that mimicked the future.
Author's Note: Sorry for the wait of this chapter and it being so short. I had writer's block. Keeping R&Ring! Thanks!
