Chapter 11

A bloody start

Chamber of Secrets.

"QUIET!" Fred billowed cutting off the shouts and questions of the students, "Everyone back into houses now, prefects I want a head count of all of your students, lists of each student in your house who is present."

The two professors stood silently watching as the houses were once again organised the prefects quickly moving through their house adding up the numbers and marking people off, while the Alliance guards walked between them all with their hands resting on the hilt of their swords, it took ten minutes before the slightly nervous prefects came forward, "Our 7th years are missing," the Slytherin's hissed handing over their parchment.

"Anyone else?" Fred asked ignoring the tone.

"Why would we fight for you…" one muttered softly.

Fred's eyes narrowed as he stepped forward, "Do not think for one moment we would hesitate to bind and gag you, we like I said before are under orders to use any force necessary perhaps we shouldn't save your worthless hide and send you back up, then you might see what war is really like."

The four prefects paled considerably, "You lot are all about honour no one under age is allowed up there…"

"Test me and find out," Fred growled, "Now go back to your area and stay there."

"We're also missing our 7th years," The Hufflepuff prefect spoke softly, "Also we are missing some of our sixth years but they are of age and we are missing Mark Jacobs he is a fifth year."

Fred nodded taking the list, "Are they the only people you are missing?"

"Yes Sir."

"Thank you return to your house."

"What about Mark?"

"We will find him," Fred answered knowing full well the boy was upstairs, there main concern was if any other underage students had snuck out.

"no 7th years but they are all of age," The Ravenclaw's stepped forward handing over their parchment, "Michael Smith is also missing a 3rd year who lives with the Alliance so you would know who he is, 4 6th years who are all of age are upstairs as well."

"Michael was held back and evacuated to the Alliance Manor," Fred lied easily enough, "Given his ties to the group our lady thought it the safest option, thank you, you may return to your house."

"Harry's gone," Hermione spoke the moment she stepped forward, "no 7th years over half the 6th years are missing and not all of them are of age."

Fred rolled his eyes trust his house to do this, "Anyone else?"

"No but Harry is gone," Hermione repeated.

"Mr Potter was also evacuated out to the Alliance manor."

"You're lying."

"Miss Granger I assure you that I am not, now return to your house immediately," Fred waited until the girl had stormed away before moving back to his twin, "Trouble?"

"Maybe, we could give her an assignment."

Fred snorted, "Keep an eye on them I need to let the others know."

Hogwarts Great Hall, 1st April 1pm.

The hall was in some form of organised chaos that worked well for the group the steady thrum the barrage of spells that hit the wards continued, Kayleigh entered the hall with Harry by her side the conversations that had been going on cutting off quickly as all eyes fell to her, "This is what we have been preparing for," she spoke clearly her eyes falling on the students who had decided to stay and fight, "I do not know what is going to happen today, I do not know how the day will play out but I am willing to lay down my life for you all if it will bring peace to this community. As of this moment the castle is going into protection mode it will black off hallways, it will lock down rooms lady Hogwarts is seeing to it as we speak. I would never force anyone to fight but I thank you all for staying here, I thank you for being willing to join this fight."

"Guards please organise groups a mixture of yourselves and the students," Natalie spoke her voice stronger than she felt.

The guards quickly split the students up though there were raised eyebrows as they noticed some of them, "We have students here who at not 17 or over."

"We know," Mark answered hiding the mirror he had back in his pocket, "I just got word."

"Evacuate them to the manor," Sirius spoke entering the room followed by a group of people.

"WE want to fight!"

"As much as we commend you for wanting to fight the fact remains that you are underage therefore you are minors," Kayleigh shook her head, "Group 2 see them to safety and return lock the floo on your way back through."

"Yes Ma'am."

"Why does Potter get to stay?" A voice called out standing their ground.

Kayleigh sighed turning to the boy in question who looked determined, "Mr Potter has a mission to complete one which none of you would understand he will be here for only but a short while, if you do not follow my guard willingly they will force you and I would prefer not to resort to that."

1:15pm.

The group were organised those who were underage now secured in the Alliance Manor with one single guard staying behind with them, "Use any force necessary to protect yourselves and your group," Remus addressed those in the great hall, "We are at war, follow your instincts and spread out through the castle if you are injured use your portkeys they will take you to a safe place."

The pale faces nodded as the groups broke off professor's following them along with the guards Remus had brought through, the Order who they had also gotten, hit wizards who were willing to join along with Auror's, "Stay by my side," Kayleigh spoke her eyes turning to Harry.

"But you said…"

"Just stay by my side," Kayleigh shook her head before turning her gaze to her friends, "This is your last chance, I can lower the wards here for a short moment."

"We're staying," Michael answered for the group who nodded, "We are in this together."

"I don't know what is going to happen but…"

"Don't say it…"

"No," Kayleigh smiled softly, "I will thank you."

The view from the astronomy tower gave those looking the realisation of the situation they were facing, the smoke from Hogsmead was still billowing up into the sky flames visible from the burning buildings. The group that stood watch remained silent though it was easy to see the shaking hands of some as they looked out over the grounds the dark forces progressing steadily forward, "There is a point," Paul spoke softly capturing his groups attention, "A point in the grounds that when they cross new wards will fall into place stopping their retreat, I cannot tell you what will happen today but keep your spells strong, aim with deadly force and use any means you need to. They will not show any mercy so neither can we, I know you are scared but if we stick together we have a better chance."

Chamber of Secrets, 1:23pm

The Chamber shook with the force of the explosion dust drifting down from the ceiling cutting off all conversations, the guards all turning to each other their faces pale they knew what that explosion would mean the wards were breached the inner wards were falling and the traps upon the grounds had been let off, "Talk to them," Heidi spoke softly nudging the two twins, "They are scared."

"Every…" George cleared his throat, "If I could all have your attention please," seeing the faces turn to him George managed a smile, "Given we are going to be down here a while and the majority of you would have questions burning in your mind… What you just felt was a trap that was set upon the grounds of the school, it does not mean that the inner wards have been breached, it simply means that the dark forces who are trying to attack us are in the grounds where some would have just met their doom. Who knows what this Chamber really is and why it was created?"

"To rid the school of scum like you!" A voice called out.

"That is your last warning," Fred growled moving through the chamber and silencing the boy who had spoken before binding him next to the wall where 9 other students were also sat.

"Unlike popular opinion no," George answered, "Does anyone know the real answer?"

A hesitant hand rose up surprisingly from the Slytherin side of the room, a first year, "For reasons like this?" the boys voice stuttered ignoring the glares from some of his house.

"Correct," George smiled, "2 point to Slytherin, I think I can award points if not I am sure the professors will do so for me. The Chamber was created for a safe place for the student population to go to, can anyone tell me how it was set out?"

"This is the anti-chamber," a voice called out, "There is another one further along."

"How do you know that kid?" Fred laughed seeing it was his younger brother you had answered.

"Been down here before," Ron muttered.

"But what about the Monster?"

"Good question," George grinned conjuring a chair and sitting down, "Who can tell me about the monster that lived down here?" he asked while the rest of the guards silently placed silencing charms around the area to stop the outside noise, "Anyone?"

Hogwarts, 1:31pm.

Smoke was now billowing from the grounds of the school, the Quidditch stand was on fire along with the Games Keepers hut. Bodies swathed in dark robes were scattered around a large crater that stood in the middle of the grounds on the way up to the castle's main entrance, screams could be heard over the rushing noise of the fires that there burning. The attacking forces had paused when the first explosion had taken place some with shock upon their faces hidden under their masks as they watched their fellow death eaters suddenly blown to bits, yet the command came for them to keep advancing their Lord at the back of the group surrounded by his inner circle none aware of the wards that had silently fallen into place.

Kayleigh stood silently with Harry beside her as she looked out over the grounds, so far they had only made a relatively small dint in the numbers of those below. Drawing a slow breath she raised her wand placing it against her throat, "I speak now to those who attempt to invade my castle surrender now and your life may be spared continue attacking and we will show no mercy," her voice drifted out over the grounds causing those who were advancing to stop once more.

"They won't…" Harry whispered softly.

"I needed to give them a choice," Kayleigh answered him quietly her eyes never leaving the grounds, "People must always have a choice."

Severus closed his eyes briefly hearing the ultimatum that was handed out placing his hand on the shoulder of the 'man' who stood next to him, his eyes turning to Kingsley who nodded once the man raising his wand a little higher, "She gave them the choice," Michael spoke softly shaking his head, "Sir?"

"Be ready," Severus answered quietly squeezing the shoulder once before lifting his own wand. Michael nodded pulling out his own wand.

Sirius stood with Natalie and Mark with a small group of guards and two hit wizards all watching the scene below them, "Show them no mercy," he spoke after hearing Kayleigh's voice, "If they chose to fight, who them no mercy."

"I don't plan on showing them any," Mark growled softly taking hold of Natalie's hand and squeezing it softly, "Til the end?"

"Til the end," Natalie nodded.

"You better come through this," Samantha growled glancing at the man who stood next to her.

Eike smirked, "As you better."

Bill glanced at the two before his eyes roamed around the guards who stood with them, "Keep your shields strong, keep your portkeys on you at all times," he spoke stepping forward, "And no matter what stick together and protect each other."

"Maybe they will surrender…"

"And maybe Riddle will dance around in a tutu performing Swan Lake…" A small amount of laughter broke the tension in the group, the three Auror's looking at each other then to the group shaking their heads.

"Give me Potter," A chilling voice floated across the grounds, "And we shall leave."

Kayleigh placed her hand on the shoulder of the boy who was next to her, before raising her wand and sending a green flare up into the air.

Across the castle in various locations those who stood waiting all raised their wands, the signal had been sent the request had been denied they were to go to war.

Chamber of Secrets, 2:30pm.

The discussion was turning more into a debate, the Alliance guards smiling softly to each other as they watched the two sides of the argument. The debate being over the fabled monster of the Chamber and why it had been placed there in the first place, the Professors had each taken a side mainly to help keep the debate friendly.

"The signal has gone up," Fred spoke quietly catching the guard's attention, "War comes to Hogwarts."

The faces paled at the news, the choice of who would stay down here had come down to a draw of names each day held different names. No one had wanted to leave those upstairs, so coming to an agreement they had set up the draw, "Good luck to them…"

"Okay," George halted the debate, "How about you are both right and you are both wrong."

"How does that work?"

Hogwarts.

"Down!" Remus shouted pushing both Kayleigh and Harry to the floor as spells flew above their heads shattering against the stone wall behind them leaving a gaping hole in the wall.

Across the castle a multitude of spells were being fired from the windows across various floors, different traps upon the grounds blowing up while the suits of armour who had been on display had joined the fight to protect the school. The inner wards had fallen only minutes before allowing the enemies spell fire to reach through, part of the astronomy tower was missing the large chunks of stone falling to the ground.

Screams reached those who were fighting though from which side no one knew, the smell of smoke and dust invaded the air as more spells were fired at the castle.

Kayleigh slipped out of the grip that was holding her to the ground keeping out of sight of those from the grounds, parts of the outside wall were missing though it allowed a vantage point to view the grounds. Bodies were scattered across it yet still more advanced, "We need to move from here they are going to enter the castle," she spoke quietly firing spells towards the grounds.

Remus nodded, "Fall back and keep low!"

Samantha and Eike were flat on their stomachs only a small section of wall hiding them from view, two of the three Auror's who had been with them were dead one who had not moved quick enough when the wall had exploded the other quickly struck by a kill curse, the guards who were with them were all in the same position trying to keep low and hidden out of sight. Bill was commando crawling across the floor checking on everyone before slowly moving to the door they were on the bottom floor of the school meaning if they stood they were easily visible, "Keep covering fire," Bill spoke reaching the door, "One the count of three, one, two, three!"

Spells suddenly flew out from the gaping holes of the classroom as the Master Wards men and curse breaker stood up pushing the door open ducking around the corner seeing the hallway was empty his wand ready in his hand, "Retreat back!"

Slowly one by one the group retreated back through the door, though the third Auror lost his life doing so, breathing heavily Samantha closed the door the curse that had taken the Auror had been meant for her, "Where to?"

"We take out this wall, block the hallway from here back no one is down that end so we won't trap anyone," Eike spoke.

"Keep this hallway secure," Sirius ordered moving through his group they had retreated from their original position though that had always been the plan, they needed to enclose the Death Eaters into a small location, "When team three arrives take out the wall to black it off make sure this door is still easy to access."

The group quickly spread out taking defensive position around the hallway, while Mark and Natalie kept close to Sirius, "The tower…" Mark spoke softly.

"There is nothing we can do about it at the moment," Sirius sighed brushing the dust out of his eyes, "We need to remain focussed for the moment."

It was the sound of rushed footsteps that broke off the conversation the hallway filling with tension though that was eased slightly as Severus appeared with Michael and his group, "Seal it," Severus spoke rushing past the first group of guards the guards nodding and waiting until the group was passed before an explosion rocked the hallway one of the walls caving in and blocking the way.

"They have taken out the lower east side of the castle wall," Severus addressed Sirius, "A group of between 20-40 entered through the hole, last I saw group 10 had them pinned down from their vantage point."

"We need to get up one level," Eike spoke as the group carefully made their way down the hallway, "There is a secret passage up here on the left."

"If they have already taken out the hallway though it could leave us trapped," Samantha shook her head.

"Let's hope they know we will need to use it," Bill sighed, "Keep in a tight defensive position."

"Down!" Minerva forced the two students in front of her to the ground, the top of the tower was destroyed, "Keep yourselves flat to the ground and get through the door," she ordered before changing into her form and crawling to the edge of the tower to overlook the grounds quickly taking everything in before following the group backwards and changing back, "Keep back from all of the windows and make your way to the first floor."

Chamber of Secrets.

"Alright you all have three minutes to work out who is the youngest in your house and who is the oldest going by those who are down here," Heidi started the next activity. There was scrambling as the houses quickly went through the 6th years present and the 1st years present, Slytherin finishing first followed closely by Ravenclaw then Hufflepuff and finally Gryffindor.

"Okay Slytherin finished first," Sophia smiled moving towards the group, "What are your names and how old are you?"

"Janet Brisance and I am 11 years old and 8 months and 15 days old," the first year girl answered.

"Marcus Gordano, I am 16 year 11 months and 29 days old. I am the oldest out of the Slytherin's who are currently not bound and gagged."

"We gave them a chance."

"I am not arguing with you Ma'am, if I was 17 I would be up there fighting for you not against you."

"Okay who do we have here?" Sophia turned to the Ravenclaw's who quickly introduced themselves as Lindsay Paton who was 17 years and 2 months old thought he girl added she should have joined up stairs, Sophie Valley was the youngest of their house at 11 years 9months and 3 days old. Hufflepuff was Scott Squall who was only 5 days off his 17th birthday and Thomas Crown who was three weeks off his 12th birthday, Gryffindor held Elizabeth Stage who was 16 years 11months and 12 days and Hugh Tower who was 11 years 11 months and 19 days old.

"Alright simple question who is the youngest person here?"

"Janet!" The Slytherin first years called out grinning.

"And the eldest?"

"Lindsay," Janet answered softly.

"Right, now you eight can come this way, everyone else quickly work out and line up in order the eldest to the youngest."

Hogwarts.

Kingsley raised his wand spinning around as door suddenly opened a curse about to leave his lips when he saw the group who quickly entered the hallway Bill the last one out, "Unless they know it is there no one else should come up that way we warded the door on our way through."

Kingsley nodded, "Losses?"

"The three Auror's where is everyone else?"

"Sirius took his group towards the entrance hall, Group three went searching for group one there is no word from them yet."

Bill paled glancing at Samantha and Eike who had both turned white, "Do we know anything?"

"Only that area along with the tower took heavy fire, what about your area?"

"They took out the majority of the wall be blocked the hallway to delay them getting through," Bill nodded, "Any losses your end?"

Kingsley shook his head, "A few injuries nothing else they were evacuated out."

Kayleigh brushed the blood away from her face, her ears still ringing from the explosion that had taken out the hallway wall, the whole area was filled with dust and broken stones trying to focus she moved through the area activating the portkeys of those who were gravely injured, "We need to get out of here," Remus suddenly growled grabbing her arm and surprising her, Harry just behind him.

Kayleigh nodded allowing the man to pull her down the hallway though he suddenly forced them to the ground once more as the wall over their heads exploded showering them in rubble and dust once more, "Formation!" Kayleigh heard a fuzzy voice in her head as spells suddenly began to fill the hallways.

Severus kept glancing at the small group who was pinned to the ground, they had rounded the corner just as the wall had exploded ordering his own group into formation as they advanced forward firing spells at the approaching death eaters who were also trying to get to the group. Slowly he saw those who had been thrown by the blast start firing their own spells, some in his group summoning the broken wall to take the killing curse that was being fired.