Thanks to the people that reviewed and to everyone that signed up for updates.
This chapter was quite the pain, especially since I didn't want to change too much but the parts I did want to change were important to the overall battle. In the end I took a shortcut, but mostly I just want to end the war and move on.
I've got plenty of stuff lined up for post-war, especially with regards to Rigel and Hermione, plus my own interest in world building and fixing things I disliked about Rowling's post-war ideas.
Hogsmead was in alarm, but the Death Eaters were no longer in control. The village was seemingly deserted. Rigel scanned the area. If anyone remained in the village, they were doing a good job of staying hidden. Far from the village along the edges of the forest, Rigel spotted dozens of hooded figures and a trail of spiders marching towards Hogwarts. Ahead of the spiders, Rigel spotted a giant and other hooded figures. The advance guard was approaching the castle, but the bulk of the forces seemed to staying back.
As he walked into the forest, he spotted dozens of Snatchers, werewolves, and Death Eaters all standing around. They were waiting for something, he realized. He scanned the Death Eaters but most had their masks on. He couldn't risk anyone identifying him yet. The Dark Lord would surely be angry.
He's a halfblood, his father was a muggle. Whatever the Dark Lord's past, he was still a supremely talented wizard. Still, Granger's words echoed in his head. It didn't matter, not anymore. They had finally reached the end, one way or another it would end and Rigel had long ago made his choice.
"They let the Slytherins leave, sent them out. Snape said the Order's called for reinforcements," someone said. "They're going to protect Potter with everything they've got.
Rigel blinked. Potter had made it out of Gringotts and into Hogwarts. It truly was the end.
"Malfoy's out of his mind, his brat hasn't shown up."
"What did you say?" Rigel asked.
The snatcher looked at Rigel, staring at the mask. Then he shrugged. "Malfoy's brat didn't show up with the other Slytherins. His parents are losing their minds."
Rigel frowned. Why would Draco have stayed inside the castle if Potter and the Order had taken over? If Snape had fled the castle, then it was truly under the Order's control.
"Where's Snape?"
"Broody bastard's down by the lake, on the docks. Probably annoyed he lost his cushy post. He should be happy he's not been punished."
"The Dark Lord's in the shack, isn't he? Snape might be waiting."
"Who cares, he'll get his chance to take it back. Once the signal goes up, we'll smash the walls to bits. Gonna make all those blood traitors pay" the snatcher said. His friends laughed, seemingly entirely at ease at the prospect of a battle.
As he walked towards the lake, he passed by dozens of Snatchers and Death Eaters. Every one of them excited about the upcoming battle. Rigel recognized some faces, many of them had been Slytherins a few years older, but most were strangers.
The closer he got to the lake, the less people he saw. As he passed the Shrieking Shack, Rigel saw Bellatrix and Rodolphus. Rigel paused, staring at his parents. They were tense, but even at a distance he could see the excitement on their faces. They didn't bother with masks, proudly displaying their faces. Rigel hurried past them, thankful they couldn't recognize him with his mask on. He felt Belltarix's eyes on him as he passed, but with no reason to stop him she turned back.
Snape was alone on the docks, pacing between the boats that had once brought students to and from the castle. He looked up when he heard Rigel's approach. Rigel stared at Snape. His former professor stood motionless in front of him, his face utterly devoid of any emotion, pale and almost dead. Rigel reached up and removed his mask.
"Rigel," Snape whispered. Surprised showed on his face for only a moment. "I did not expect to see you here after what I heard."
"Potter needed me for something," Rigel paused, wondering if he could tell Snape. He'd often wondered about Snape's loyalties. Bellatrix had long believed he wasn't loyal to the cause, an accusation that seemed to go beyond jealousy at Snape's place at the Dark Lord's right hand. Others simply wondered why Snape had only contacted the Dark Lord after he regained physical form, why Snape who claimed to be so loyal had provided little to the cause until he killed Dumbledore.
"You helped him?" Snape asked.
"Potter needed to access my family's vault, I helped in exchange for my freedom," Rigel stated. He's a halfblood, his father was a muggle. "Sir, what do you know of the Dark Lord's past?"
Snape stared at Rigel, his expression carefully devoid of emotion. Rigel met his eyes, all the while steeling his mind's shields. He felt Snape's attempt, careful and lacking in power. Rigel held his shields, wondering why Snape even bothered if he didn't use his full strength. After a moment, Snape looked away, the ghost of a smile disappearing in a flash.
"Why do you ask?"
"Granger, she said something, about the Dark Lord's past," Rigel paused, glancing back towards the Shrieking Shack. His parents were gone. The Shack appeared empty. "She said he was a halfblood. That his father was a muggle."
Snape maintained his blank face, showing no surprise or outrage at the words. Then he nodded slightly. Rigel blinked. He didn't know how to react.
"His name is Tom Riddle. A muggle name from his muggle father. He abandoned the name when he began his rise. Does it matter?" Snape asked.
"Yes! All this time, I thought he was a pureblood, one of us," Rigel exclaimed.
"Do you think all who follow him are purebloods? You must know I'm not a pureblood," Snape said.
"I know that, but the Dark Lord, I …" Rigel trailed off. He leaned against a post, rubbing at his head. "I don't know what I thought."
"It's not your place to question the Dark Lord. No one has that luxury," Snape said.
Rigel scowled. He wondered what Bellatrix would say if he told her that her master was a filthy halfblood. To think scions of the greatest pureblood houses had bowed to a halfblood, believing him to be their savior, the one who would deliver them a world of their own.
"Where are the Malfoys? I heard someone say Draco's still in the castle."
"Draco did not evacuate with his fellow Slytherins. I have no idea where he is. If you wish to find him, you will have to venture into the castle," Snape stated. "I suspect that with your disappearance Draco felt compelled to redeem the family honor. To prove himself to the Dark Lord by capturing Potter."
"What? No!" That was the last thing Rigel wanted Draco to do, the last thing Narcissa would have wanted. Everything they'd done had been to keep Draco safe, away from the front line. Rigel turned back. The advanced guard had broken through the castle. Death Eaters, snatchers, and all manner of beasts were entering the castle. He looked back at Snape who remained emotionless.
"I should go," Rigel said. He had to find Draco, had to get him out.
"Lucius did not go, he remains without a wand. Narcissa gave hers to Draco. Neither of them will enter the castle, not until the battle is over," Snape said.
Rigel nodded. He wondered how the battle was going. Was there a point in fighting? He was so tired of fighting, of wondering if one misstep would cost him everything. He wanted so badly to end it all. Perhaps it would have been better to run away.
"Will you join the battle?"
"No," Snape said. His voice was soft, nearly a whisper. For the first time, Rigel saw something in Snape's face. The once Headmaster of Hogwarts appeared tired and oddly resigned. "There's something I have to do."
"Sir?"
Snape met Rigel's eyes, scanning his former student's face. Then he spoke. "The Dark Lord will punish you for helping Potter."
"What does it matter? By the end of tonight one of them will be dead," Rigel stated. Someone would die and his life would change forever. He looked past Snape, to the lake he'd crossed so many times before. How different would his life be if he'd never attended Hogwarts? If the Malfoys had fled Britain after the first war. Would the Dark Lord have hunted them down? Or perhaps they would be free, away from any danger, living peaceful lives hidden away.
"You lack faith in the Dark Lord?"
"He's a fraud." Rigel snapped his mouth close, looking around lest someone appear to punish him for the insult.
"A halfblood, yes. Does that truly change anything?"
"Everything is a lie. What pureblood world is he going to uphold when he's not even a pureblood. What is anything of this for if not to secure a world free of mudbloods and muggles? He doesn't care about any of that, does he? He only cares about his power, about Potter, and making everyone bow to him."
"You bowed at his feet before," Snape said. "Would you do so now?"
Rigel didn't answer. He turned away from Snape, feeling ashamed. Knowing the Dark Lord's past changed nothing. Halfblood or no, he was a supremely talented wizard. It would be foolish to defy him and yet part of Rigel wanted to. He imagined standing in front of the Dark Lord and the inner circle, revealing the truth and spitting in master's face. He would be struck down in seconds. It wouldn't be quick or painless.
"It doesn't matter," Rigel said. He met Snape's eyes, his emotions draining away. Behind Snape, Hogwarts was alit by fire, the battle raging as the Death Eaters broke through the defenses. They were destroying the outer walls, and soon they would be inside. The Death Eaters destroyed everything they touched, including lives. "If I die, do you think they'll make Draco take my place? Assuming the Dark Lord wins, of course."
"You doubt his powers?"
"I don't know what to believe anymore," Rigel said. He took his mask in hand, staring at it. He felt the urge to throw it into the lake, to run from everything and build a new life. It was a stupid thought. He wouldn't run. Whatever his fate, he would face it. He couldn't keep living in fear.
He met Snape's eyes again. "I don't think I ever thanked you for what you did for me, for my family."
Rigel turned to the lone boat left on the dock. It would be fitting to return to Hogwarts via the boat. One last trip across the lake.
"Wait."
Rigel looked back. Snape had his eyes closed, his wand pressing into his forehead. A stream of silver leaked from Snape's head, neither liquid nor gas. Rigel conjured a flask and held it out as Snape's memories poured out. A sharp flick and Snape opened his eyes, his arm falling to his side.
"When this is over, look through them," Snape said. They stared at each other, blue eyes and black eyes locked together. "Narcissa will want to see you. She'll be by the main gate, watching the battle."
Rigel nodded. He had questions, so many questions, but there was no time. The battle was starting, he could hear the cries of the Dark Lord's army as the vanguard began moved towards the castle. He donned his mask again and hurried towards the gates. He passed by a few stragglers, snatchers and beasts still making their way forward. They had already broken through any defenses the gates had offered.
Narcissa was alone next to the wreckage of the gates, the flames in the distance casting shadows around, bathing her in bright light. Rigel paused, staring at her. Aunt Cissy had been the cure for every ailment and bad dream he'd had as a child. Seeing her again, made him feel years younger again.
She felt his gaze and met his masked eyes defiantly. She was wandless and alone yet she showed no fear at the masked Death Eater in front of her.
"What do you want?" she demanded, still every bit the pillar of strength he'd knew.
Rigel tore his mask off, throwing it on the ground with no regard. Narcissa gasped. She reached out a trembling hand. Rigel rushed forwards, drawing her into his arms. It felt like an eternity since he'd last hugged her. Even now amidst all the chaos, he felt safer and calmer as she held onto him.
"Rigel, you're here," Narcissa gasped. She pulled back, running her hands from his face to his shoulders, as if assuring that he was real. There were tears in her eyes. Rigel blinked, trying not to cry. "How?"
"It doesn't matter," Rigel said. "Where's Lucius? Draco?"
The mention of her son brought fresh tears to her face. She stepped back, shaking her head, her hand pressed against her mouth to muffle her cries. She turned to look at the castle in the distance. They were advancing into the inner courtyards.
"He didn't arrive with the other Slytherins. I don't know where he is. Lucius went to the Dark Lord. We don't have wands, there's no way to get new ones with Olivander gone and we can't go inside without one. Lucius hopes the Dark Lord will enter the battle and finish Potter. Then we can look for Draco."
"I can go," Rigel said.
Narcissa's head snapped to him. He reached into his robes, showing her his wand. He didn't know if he could explain what happened, why he still had his wand. "I can go and find Draco."
"It's dangerous," Narcissa said, but even as she spoke Rigel could see the hope in her eyes.
"I'll be fine," Rigel said. "I'll bring him back."
Narcissa nodded. She stepped forward, placing her hands on his shoulders. "You'll both come back and we'll be a family again."
She patted his shoulders one last time and stepped back. With Narcissa's eyes on him, Rigel marched forward. His mind was clear.
The path to the castle was empty; the Dark Lord's forces had advanced into the inner courtyards, getting closer and closer to entering the castle itself. There was debris from the outer walls scattered around the path.
The outermost courtyard was nearly deserted, a few spiders still marching forwards and several bodies. Rigel only scanned the courtyard once for a sign of Draco before proceeding. He didn't care who laid dead already. He only needed to find Draco and get them out.
After that outer courtyard, Rigel saw the raging battle. Death Eaters, Snatchers, teachers, and students were locked in various duels around the inner courtyard. Spiders were climbing walls and pillars, most trying to get inside the castle. There was a large gap in the castle walls leading into the entrance hall.
Rigel weaved through the courtyard, dodging curses and debris. Someone on the battlefield had a fondness for blasting charms, frequent blasts sending chunks of stone into the air. There were several people trying to block the gap in the wall. Animated suits of armor fighting with medieval weapons aided them, forming a solid wall of armor in front of the wizards and witches raining spells from the gap.
Surrounded by chaos, Rigel ran to the edges of the battle. He had no interest in dueling. He had to get inside and retrieve Draco.
The broom crashed into the wall, splintering and dropping them to the ground. Hermione rolled away, panting as the clean air filled her lungs. Ron shoved the unconscious Goyle and leaned sat against the wall.
"Where's Harry?" Hermione gasped.
"He was behind us," Ron said. "I dunno. He must of gone back for the diadem."
Several moments passed and still there was no moment. Hermione sat up, resting against the wall. They sat there painting, waiting for Harry to appear. The fire consuming the Room of Requirement was still raging and smoke filtered out from the still open door.
Beneath the roar of the flames, Hermione heard footsteps approaching. She started to stand when a figure turned the corner, wand raised.
"Lestrange," Ron growled. He started to rise, but Hermione reached out to stop him. They weren't in position to fight, not yet.
Rigel Lestrange flicked his wand between Hermione and Ron, barely sparing a glance at the still unconscious Goyle. Lestrange lowered his wand slightly.
"Where's Draco?" he asked.
Hermione glanced at the still burning room. "There," she said.
Lestrange stared at the door. "What happened?"
"Crabbed used Fiendfyre," Hermione answered. "He lost control of it, it consumed the room. Harry and Malfoy are still inside."
Hermione had barely finished her sentence when a broom flew past, crashing into the wall. The door slammed shut leaving the hall silent except for the panting breaths Harry and Malfoy were taking.
Lestrange advanced towards Malfoy, who looked visible sick as he retched. Hermione pulled Ron up, both assuming fighting stances. Harry jumped to his feet, wand pointed at Lestrange.
"I just want Draco," Lestrange said. He had lowered his wand, holding it loosely at his side. "I don't care about you three, or anyone else."
"He was trying to capture, to bring me to his master. You expect me to believe that's not your plan too?" Harry shouted.
"If I wanted to capture you, I would have gotten rid of those two before you showed up," Lestrange sneered. Even outnumbered, he was confident in his abilities. "I'm only here to get Draco out."
Harry started to speak but was distracted by something on his arm. The diadem was charred, covered in soot. A bloodlike substance, dark and tarry, seemed to be leaking from the diadem. The diadem started to vibrate violently before breaking apart in Harry's hand.
"It must have been Fiendfyre," Hermione whispered, her eyes fixed on the broken pieces.
"What was that?" Lestrange asked.
No one answered. Harry glared at Lestrange, his wand still pointed at the Death Eater.
"If you're here for Malfoy, it's none of your concern," Harry said.
Lestrange nodded.
"How did you get inside?" Hermione asked. He was alone, so the Death Eaters had yet to get inside Hogwarts.
"I flew," Lestrange said. "No one was paying any attention to the towers. It was easy to open a window and get inside. The outer defenses fell. It's only a matter of time before the Death Eaters get inside."
Not a moment later, they heard a loud blast followed by shouting. The battle was no longer outside. Death Eaters were advancing.
"We don't have time," Hermione said. "We have to move."
Harry glared at Lestrange but nodded. He flicked his wand at Malfoy's pathetic shivering body. "Get out of here."
Lestrange nodded. He kneeled beside his cousin, a wordless charm cleaning the vomit away. Malfoy was barely conscious, shivering and crying even as Lestrange lifted him up.
"We have to go," Hermione said.
Harry nodded and they turned away, leaving Lestrange to care for his cousin.
Rigel carefully pulled Draco into his arms. Draco was a mess, tears trailing down his cheeks and loud sobs wracking through him. His blond hair was singed slightly, and soot covered his face and clothes.
"C-Crabbe, he-he was still there," Draco cried.
"There's nothing you could have done," Rigel said. He ignored Draco's whimper and flicked his wand to clear Draco's face with some water. "We have to go. Narcissa is waiting."
Draco nodded, accepting Rigel's hand as he stood on unsteady feet. He was thinner than Rigel remembered and the shaking made him look ill.
"How are we going to get out?" Draco asked. They could hear the sounds of the battle growing closer with each passing moment. The Dark Lord's forces had broken through the defenses.
"We'll have to go through the battle. You have a wand?" Rigel said. Draco nodded, holding out Narcissa's wand. "Good. Stick close to me, we'll have to go around the main areas, but there's a lot going on."
The two descended the stairs slowly. In their dark clothes, it was easy to slip into the shadows. They passed by several groups too busy dueling to pay them any attention. In the inner courtyard, spiders and werewolves were running loose. Draco stumbled.
Rigel reached out to steady him, following Draco's eyes to a werewolf eating a Hogwarts student. He couldn't see who they were, the robes a bloody mess, but it didn't matter. Whoever it'd been was long dead.
"We have to move, we can't stay here," Rigel shouted. A stray curse hit the wall behind them, sending debris out. Rigel blasted the bits of stone away, dragging Draco forward. It wasn't ideal, he'd had preferred to have his hand free to assist with casting if needed, but Draco seemed to still be reeling from shock.
As they ran through the courtyard, Rigel heard an all too familiar cackle and turned instinctively towards it. In a chaotic battle, Bellatrix was in her element. Her wild hair flowing around her shoulders as she dodge curse. Her wide and vaguely unfocused eyes glinted with murderous intent. Bellatrix was a spectacular sight, wild energy radiating off her as she weaved around spells and pushed forward with a torrent of curses.
Her opponent carried a similar expression. Nymphadora Tonks stood her ground against her aunt's onslaught of curses, teeth gritting with the effort it took to side step and block the curses with pieces of debris. A smart move given Bellatrix's frequent use of dangerous dark spells that cut through Protego barriers.
Rigel stared transfixed at the duel. Tonks was holding her own, but it was clear that Bellatrix was stronger. It was only a matter of time before Tonks slipped up. Still it was an impressive display from the auror, not many could face Bellatrix' in a duel and last so long.
Bellatrix must have sensed a weakness, she advanced faster, firing wordless curse after wordless curse. Tonks pulled back, stumbling as the debris she used to protect herself was blasted to tiny pieces. Then, Bellatrix pounced, jumping forward and cackling as a familiar red light shooting from her wand. The spell hit Tonks scare in the chest and she fell to the ground with an agonized scream. Bellatrix held the curse for a moment, licking her lips at the screams it produced before flicking her wand to end it. She sauntered forward, stopping only when her heeled boot was pressing against Tonks' chest.
"Rigel!"
Rigel blinked, realizing how long he'd been standing there. Draco, who had tugged his arm, was starting at him, confused and concerned. Then Draco looked past Rigel and drew back in fear. Rigel looked back and met Bellatrix's eyes.
Draco tugged at his arm again and Rigel let him pull him away. He didn't need to look back to know Bellatrix was following them but they kept going. They rounded the corner into an empty corridor that would led them outside, Rigel heard heel boots chasing after them.
"Rigel!" her voice was strangely unsteady, as if she was unsure it was really him.
Rigel turned around slowly, fully aware that Draco was shaking. Draco had always feared Bellatrix, and whatever had happened after Rigel's untimely capture had made things worse.
"Hello, mother," Rigel said. He stood perfectly still, shielding Draco's smaller frame. The action didn't go unnoticed, as Bellatrix's blank face transformed into a sneer.
"You're free, why didn't you join us? You should be fighting, both of you," Bellatrix stated.
Rigel frowned. He had expected questions about his status, about what happened to him, not a reproach for failing to join the battle. It shouldn't surprise him but he couldn't help the disappointment, part of him still longs for his parent's affection.
"Aunt Cissy wanted to see Draco," Rigel said. If she wasn't going to ask about his captivity, there was no need to mention it.
Bellatrix scowled. "He can find his way alone. Come with me, together we can bring this castle down."
There was something maniacal in Bellatrix's tone and Rigel stepped back as she reached out. She paused, her hand still outstretched to touch him, pouting like a child denied a toy. Behind him, Draco made a soft noise, somewhere between a whimper and cough.
"We should go," Draco said, his voice trembling slightly. Rigel nodded and backed away further.
"The Dark Lord gave his orders," Bellatrix snarled. The hand that had been outstretched dropped to her side. Rigel noted the tight grip on her wand and felt a spike of fear. "Cissy can wait. We have orders. Tonight we end this! Tonight we forge a future without mudbloods and muggles. The Dark Lord will kill Potter tonight and grant us everything we've dreamed up. A pure world, a world of only magic for us, with no vermin in sight!"
Abruptly, Rigel recalled Granger's words. He's a halfblood, his father was a muggle. She'd simply stated them, confident in the truth. A truth Snape had confirmed. A truth that flipped everything he'd been taught upside down. Bellatrix's proclamations sounded silly with Granger's words bouncing around his head.
"The Dark Lord," Rigel chuckled. For the first time in his life, the name sounded juvenile, a childish name, rather than a title to revere. The Dark Lord had been a figure in his nightmares for months, but amidst a battle for the future of the world, Rigel wondered if perhaps he'd missed something. The Dark Lord wanted Potter, chased desperately after him and still failed multiple times to kill him. Potter was far from an accomplished wizard and his short time amongst Potter and his friends, Rigel had concluded that not only was Granger the brains of the operation, she was by the the most competent and powerful of them. What threat did Potter pose beyond a name?
"You dare mock the Dark Lord!" Bellatrix shouted. She raised her wand threateningly. Rigel started at the wand pointed at him and laughed again. Perhaps he'd finally lost his mind, but in that moment, Rigel didn't care about Bellatrix's threats. Hogwarts was burning around them, Potter and his friends fighting their final stand, and the future of everyone he cared about hung in the balance and yet Rigel couldn't stop laughing.
"Rigel," Draco warned.
"Dear mother, did you know, that our master, the great Dark Lord is a halfblood?" Rigel asked. Bellatrix glared, advancing until her wand was pressed against Rigel's face and silenced his laughter. She reached out with her other hand, wrapping it around his throat. Draco whimpered in the background, but didn't intervene.
"What did you say?" Bellatrix hissed. She squeezed his throat, and pushed him down. Rigel dropped to his knees, acutely aware of the wand pressing against his face.
"Tom Riddle, a plain muggle name from a simple muggle man. No great pureblood, no true heir to Salazar Slytherin's legacy, just a pretender," Rigel said. Bellatrix growled, her nails digging into Rigel's throat. "Snape knows it to be true."
That gave Bellatrix pause. She released her grip on Rigel, allowing him to rise to his feet. She was wide eyed as she stepped back, disbelief all over her face.
"No, it can't be," she said.
She didn't get a chance to continue. Footsteps were approaching. Bellatrix spun around, wand at the ready as the slow bulky figure of Mad-Eye Moody appeared, followed Bill Weasley and another redhead close in age, presumably another brother.
"Thought I saw some snakes hiding away," Mood said, taping his magical eye. "Just surprised to see you hear Bellatrix."
Bellatrix growled before launching a volley of spells. Rigel backed away, barely dodging a stunner fired from Moody. He landed roughly on the ground, rolling to avoid debris. He saw Draco's retreating figure and scrambled to his feet to catch up. He could hear Bellatrix's laughter as she battled against the order members. Even outnumbered, Rigel was sure she would win.
Rigel had almost caught up to Draco when a high cold voice spoke. The suddenness sent Rigel crashing into the wall as he frantically searched for its source before realizing the Dark Lord was speaking to everyone.
"You have fought," said the high, cold voice, "valiantly. Lord Voldemort knows how to value bravery. Yet you have sustained heavy losses. If you continue to resist me, you will all die, one by one. I do not wish this to happen. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a loss and a waste. Lord Voldemort is merciful. I command my forces to retreat immediately. You have one hour. Dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured."
Rigel looked forward, finding a terrified Draco leaning against a wall at the end of the corridor. Draco looked sick again and his hand shook as he clung to the wand his mother had loaned him.
"I speak now, Harry Potter, directly to you. You have permitted your friends to die for you rather than face me yourself. I shall wait for one hour in the Forbidden Forest. If, at the end of that hour, you have not come to me, have not given yourself up, then battle recommences. This time, I shall enter the fray myself, Harry Potter, and I shall find you, and I shall punish every last man, woman, and child who has tried to conceal you from me. One hour."
The voice trailed off, silence settling over the area for a brief moment. The Hogwarts resistance was unsure what to make of the words, but the Death Eaters and their followers were retreating. Rigel rose to his feet, glancing back to Bellatrix. She was gone.
A Weasley was on the ground, his brother checking on him. Mad-Eye Moody stared at Rigel and raised his wand. Rigel dove away, rolling into the wall. Then he realized his mistake. Mad-Eye had not used any sort of stunner; he'd fired at the wall.
Rigel tried to stand but his robes were stuck to the wall. Further down the corridor, Draco was in a similar position. Moody advanced slowly, he shook his head at their struggles.
"I'm afraid we can't allow to you leave," Moody said. He looked back where the injured Weasley was getting to his feet. "Stupify"
"Wake up!" Someone was shaking him. Rigel twitched, shoving the hands away from his body. Draco was hovering above him.
"What happened?" Rigel asked. He felt groggy as Draco pulled him up.
"We have to go, Potter, he turned himself in, but something went wrong, he's not dead," Draco said. He tugged Rigel's hand, trying to get him moving. "Come on, we have to go."
In the distance, Rigel could hear a battle taking place. Draco tugged his arm again and Rigel stumbled forward. His mark was burning a slow and steady pulse that call to him. He shook his head, trying to clear his mind. He was in the Great Hall at Hogwarts, the rope at his feet that must have restrained him. Bodies were pilled around, some still breathing, others of the dead. Outside a great battle was being fought. Whatever had happened had not ended things.
"Rigel!" Draco shouted.
"I'm fine," Rigel said, still feeling groggy. He started walking forward, stopping as he realized he had no wand. "My wand?"
"I don't know, they took them I guess. It doesn't matter, we have to go, before they find us," Draco said. Whether he meant the Order or the Death Eaters, Rigel didn't know but he allowed Draco to lead him.
Outside the great hall the corridor was half destroyed. The front wall was in pieces providing a decent view of the battle outside. The center of the battle was easy to spot. The Dark Lord and Potter were dueling, or rather Potter was attempting to duel. It was clear he was at a disadvantage. Around them, several other duels were taking place.
Rigel spotted Rodolphus battling McGonagall and Rabastan struggling against Shacklebolt. Bellatrix was facing Tonks again, the auror apparently recovered from their previous encounter. Behind Tonks, Granger, Lovegood, and the Weasley girl took down the Carrow twins and stood ready to step in should Tonks need assistance.
All around him, Death Eaters were falling, useless recruits easily subdued by students and seasoned veterans of battle stopped in their tracks by the Order and Hogwarts professors. Shacklebolt's stunner found its mark, sending Rabastan tumbling to the ground. McGonagall used the very ground to trap Rodolphus and finished him with stunner.
Only Bellatrix and the Dark Lord remained. Tonks faltered as a slashing jinx grazed her side but Granger stepped in, followed by the Weasley girl and Lovegood. Together the four of them drove Bellatrix back, but they couldn't overpower her. Bellatrix backed away, eyes frantically scanning the room. It was clear her side was losing.
Undeterred, Bellatrix pushed back against her opponents. She took a few hits, a slashing spell cutting through her side deep enough that Rigel could see the blood on her corset. Still, Bellatrix stood strong. She fired curse after curse, Unforgiveables and other dark spells, shouting out with glee as her opponents scrambled to avoid being hit.
Potter and the Dark Lord screamed in unison as their wands locked together. A bright light flared between them, red lights crashing into each other and flaring out. Then the Dark Lord leaped into the air. Potter's spell crashed into some debris and he stumbled. The Dark Lord flew straight at him, crashing into him. There was a flash of light and then they were both airborne, spinning through the air and struggling against each other.
Rigel tried to follow their path, but they flew higher and disappeared around a tower, still locked together in a dark cloud. Others tried to follow, Order members screaming about Potter, but everyone was distracted by the remaining duel, if one against four counted as a duel.
Bellatrix was more than holding her own against her opponents. A killing curse nearly hit the Weasley girl, she dove away, the spell harmlessly hitting the wall behind her. Bellatrix cackled gleefully, reckless advancing as Granger and Lovegood fired spell after spell at her. Bellatrix fired back with killing intent and they threw themselves to the sides to avoid being hit.
Then a new challenger stepped up. The Weasley matriarch walked past her daughter, screaming at Bellatrix. Bellatrix cackled, not caring in the slightest for her new opponent. She stood still, scanning the room
Weasley fired a bright red light that hit Bellatrix square in the chest. Bellatrix was hurled back with a short scream that died out as her body crashed to the ground. Rigel waited, watching Bellatrix's arms twitching before going still. She didn't get up.
A triumph cry rang out among the Order members. Rigel felt numb as he stared at his mother's body on the ground. He couldn't understand. One spell should not have defeated her. It couldn't be.
"Rigel, we have to go." Draco said.
High above, a thundering scream rang out. Potter's body was tumbling down rapidly. At the last moment, Potter stopped his descent, floating to the ground just as the Dark Lord landed. Potter stood on unsteady feet, his wand gripped tightly, still defiant despite being clearly outmatched. The Dark Lord was snarling, but Rigel noted the slight shaking of his frame. Something was wrong.
They screamed at each other, words lost in the wind that swirled around. Potter stood his ground, for the first time Rigel could see Potter's strength. He was brave, standing across from the Dark Lord with no fear. He was confident and determined.
"Avada Kadavra!"
"Expelliarmus!"
The spells clashed into each other before the red light surged. The Dark Lord's killing curse was forced back, crashing into him. The lights faded away, Potter's spell harmless disapating.
The spells crashed into each other. Green and Red lights fought against each other. Then they flared and turned course. The red light faded away, Potter's spell harmless dissipating before it could reach him. The green light of killing curse flew backwards striking the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord's body fell to the ground, eye slits staring blankly out. In the end, he was a mortal man.
Ugh, I'm not happy with the last parts of this chapter. I really wanted to change the ending, but ended up sticking with smaller changes. Tonks is alive and slight changes to the final confrontation between Harry and Voldemort.
Next chapter will start to cover the aftermath, focusing primarily on Hermione and the winning side. But don't worry, I have plans for Rigel and the losing side here, including Rigel's growth from a Death Eater to a reformed man and Hermione's equal.