Chapter twelve-worrying and wolves
The full moon had been a tough one again for Athena, she had woken up at a funny angel and wasn't quite sure what was wrong.
She stared around her, her heartbeat was fast and her pulse was banging in her ears. There was something thing wrong with her.
She stared out through the bars; Remus was lying naked on the floor with his back to her.
Athena tried to reach for the bars to help pull herself up. She threw out her right hand and gripped the bars tightly. She then tried to move her left and a pain shot through her whole body, it made her scream and she fell back onto the floor.
Remus stirred from the other side of them room. He'd heard someone scream; he rolled onto his back and saw Athena lying on her back sobbing trying not to scream again.
"ATHENA!" he bellowed, he tried to stand but his legs were shaky from changing back, but he still managed to crawl across the room to the caged door. He used the bars to full himself up and unlatch the door so he could reach her.
Athena cried out in pain as the door opened with a loud clang!
"Athena" Remus dropped to the ground beside her and saw the problem immediately. Athena's shoulder was sticking out at and odd angle. It hadn't gone back in during her change back to her human form "Athena stay here-"
"WHERE ELSE DO YOU THINK I'M GOING TO GO!" she shouted "AAAAAAHHHHHH!" she clutched at her arm
Remus struggled to his feet again; he was limping on his bad leg. He went to the stairs unlocked the door and grabbed his clothes which were at the bottom. He then pointed his wand at the top door which banged open he then shouted "TONKS! SIRIUS!" he knew they would both be waiting in the kitchen for him and Athena to appear
Tonks's bright pink head popped into view "Remus?" she called back
"Tonks, its Athena!" was all he said as he grabbed Athena's clothes and hurried as quickly as possible back to her
"Ssshh" he soothed as Athena cried out again "I'm going to cover you up" he tried not to examine her body as he struggled to pull Athena's shorts on
At that point Tonks and Sirius came running down the stairs. Tonks went straight to Athena's side and went to hold her hand but saw the state of her shoulder "What happened?" she demanded tears forming on her cheeks "Tell me!" she yelled at Remus her hair turning bright red and orange
"I don't know!" snapped Remus, he was tired and he wanted to hold Athena to make everything better "I woke up and she was screaming the room down. Her shoulder was like this when I found her- Sirius help me here, hold her still we'll have to put her shoulder back in"
Remus turned to his best friend to see him frozen staring at Athena's bare chest, he was drinking in her body. Remus tensed and shouted "PADFOOT!"
Sirius jumped and said "yes?" he looked away from Athena blushing
"Hold her down" he commanded as he threw Athena's t-shirt over her bare chest.
Sirius knelt down beside Athena and grabbed her right arm and placed his hands on her body to hold her still.
Remus drew his wand "Athena" he said, Athena's blue eyes looked wild and full of pain as she gazed at him "this is going to hurt"
"Just-do-it!" she strained to speak
Remus nodded "Tonks hold her steady, you to Sirius"
Remus took a deep breath and said "Episkey!"
There was a resounding crack and Athena screamed out "No! It's not there!" she yelled
Remus looked to his handy work, her shoulder hadn't gone back in properly "Do you want me to do it?" asked Tonks "I could do a far better job! Can't you see she's in pain?"
Remus could have slapped Tonks right then but knew better too
"Stop it!" screamed Athena "Do it the muggle way"
Tonks and Sirius shared a look that said it all they didn't know how to do it the muggle way.
Remus however did "Tonks swap places I need to hold her arm"
Tonks complied but looked suspicious
"Keep her still, this will hurt more than the spell" he explained as he gripped Athena's elbow and arm. He then pulled her arm towards him then pushed back hard on her elbow and lifting her arm at the same time. There was another loud click and Athena suddenly relaxed "thank you" she breathed, she lifted her arm a little and winced
"That's going to have to be in a sling until you heal" said Remus kindly, he felt exhaustion hit him "That shouldn't be longer than twenty four hours"
Everyone was silent for a moment until Sirius spoke
"We should get you both upstairs to bed" he said quietly, but he felt loud in the large room "you're both exhausted"
Remus nodded, but Athena said nothing. Tonks reached forward to help her up, Athena winched as she sat up. Her t-shirt slipped away from her breast but she caught it "will you help me?" Remus reached forward. But Athena had been talking to Tonks who slipped the holes over her hands and then the t-shirt over her head to cover her body.
Tonks then slipped her arm under Athena's armpit and they both got to their feet. They sagged as they stood up trying to get their balance "easy" said Sirius jumping to his feet "I'll help"
Athena shook her head and began to walk with Tonks's support "I'll think we'll manage...there's nothing wrong with my legs" together the girls left the cellar.
Sirius turned to Remus who was sitting on the floor "Come on mate, let's get you a cup of tea" Sirius offered Remus a hand
Remus gave him a kind smile and got to his feet "I might need some chocolate too..." he added
Sirius barked a laugh.
There was a soft knock on the door Athena blinked and then stretched out her achy body. She winched when she moved her shoulder "ow...that still hurts" she sat up and remember the door "come in!" she called.
The door handle turned and Remus backed in carrying a tea tray "how you feeling?" he asked walking to her bedside table
"Better" admitted Athena, she noticed the many different potions and pots on the tray "no tea?"
Remus gave her half a smile "after some pain relief and putting that arm in a sling" he stated
Athena let him poor out some horrid ruby red pain killer potion, it left a bitter after taste in her mouth. He then took a sling which he tied around her neck and then slung her arm through it "should be better by tomorrow" he said "now here's some tea, and a bar of chocolate...don't tell Molly I gave you that she's planning a big lunch. I don't even think I can stomach that-" Athena knew something was wrong at once, he was rambling and he looked ready to start pacing.
"Shut up and spit out whatever you've got to tell me" she said as she sipped her tea carefully- it was quite hot
"They thought it would be best to send me because I'm the most sensitive" he sighed when he finished speaking "Minerva's been attacked..."
Athena felt her eyebrows shoot up as she stared at him over her cup "what?"
"She tried to protect Hagrid last night when Umbridge led a load of Aurors against him. Kingsley reported it this morning and Poppy made St Mungo's owl here this morning when she was transferred" he said
Athena put her tea down and got up "I'm going to see her" she said, she went to her Chester draw
"Wow, wow don't be hasty" said Remus blocking her way
"Move!" she snapped, she grabbed her wand off her bed "Minerva is practically my mother, just like Molly. If you think I'm not going to see her just because of my stupid arm and because of it been unsafe then you're wrong. There are a million things I would do for Minerva"
"Well then..." said Remus holding up his hands and moving aside "I guess I'm coming with you. Sirius can't leave the house and Molly won't leave Arthur alone too long"
Athena shrugged, don't smile she thought don't smile "where's Tonks?"
"Work" he said
"Okay" she said "go get dressed I want leave as soon as possible...screw visiting times" she kept mumbling as Remus left the room.
Remus stood waiting at the bottom of the stairs by the door, Athena had been longer than he expected. He began to pace absentmindedly.
He heard the stairs creak and looked up Athena was trying to pull on her Muggle coat at the top of the stairs "what?" she whispered "it's difficult with one arm"
She descended the stairs and began to button her coat one handed, it kept slipping away from her "Errr" she stamped her foot in frustration
Remus just reached out and fastened the coat in a few simple movements. "Shall we go?" he murmured and opened the front door illuminated the hallway
The sunlight was warm on Athena's cheeks and it made her feel a little better "Cheers" she said as they went out the door.
"Knight Bus?" suggested Remus reaching for his wand
"No!" said Athena quickly pushing his hand away "why don't we apparate? Right into the crowds no one will notice"
Remus couldn't object, they wouldn't be noticed.
They linked arms automatically and turned on the spot and re appeared right in the middle of a crowd of Muggles. The Muggles didn't seem notice them, a few grumbled and shouted as they bumped into Athena or swerved to avoid her.
Athena looked around she couldn't see through the crowd "Remus?" she called panic filled her, she was alone in a busy over populated street and she was alone with no back up "REMUS!" she almost screamed
The passing Muggles looked at her with awe and repulsion...just another mad woman in the street.
Athena was banged into by another shopper and she almost fell to the floor. A safe strong pair of hands caught her "will you not wonder off" Remus's anxious face stared down at her "Merlin Athena I thought you'd been snatched away"
Athena relaxed and almost fell against him "I think my shoulder's feeling better" she said changing the subject "I hardly felt them walking into me"
Remus rolled his eyes and pulled her along "Come on, St Mungo's is just around the corner"
They walked through the crowds until they reached the mannequin's in the window who beckoned them through the glass.
Athena went straight to the desk; the waiting room was practically empty "We're here to see Minerva McGonagall-"
The woman clicked her tongue then scrolled down a long list "Fourth Floor-spell damage"
Athena hurried away from the desk and headed up the stairs, they went up the four floors until they reached a locked door, and Athena rang the little bell.
Remus peered through the little window in the door "here comes a healer" he said
The door opened "Can I help you?" she squeaked she looked like a newbie as she peered through her round thick glasses that she kept pushing up her nose
"We're here to see Minerva McGonagall" smiled Athena friendly
The healer blinked "it's not v-v-visiting hours" she stammered
Athena sighed "we've come all the way to see her" she said sadly "I'm her daughter and this is my husband"
Remus blinked, almost not catching on until he smiled and said "Hi"
"Please" begged Athena "I rushed here as soon as I heard"
The healer pursed her lips "well I guess seeing as s-s-she just got here, i-i-it would be alright" she pulled the door open and Remus and Athena slipped inside.
"She's on the w-w-w-ward at the end, the last b-b-b-bed" said the healer
Athena scanned her name badge "Thank you-" she said "Betty"
The healer headed off leaving the two order members to make their way down to see Minerva.
Athena entered the ward, there were only a couple of witches on the ward with Minerva and they were all asleep. Athena felt herself shaking as she approached the end bed. Minerva was deathly pale, her hair was loose from its bun and she wore a thin tartan robe.
Athena conjured up a chair and sat down next to the bed, she reached out and gripped Minerva's pale lined hand "She looks so still" Athena swallowed the lump in her throat
"That's because I was trying to sleep" Minerva opened her eyes and glared at Athena who had shot out her skin "and I took four stunning charms to my chest"
Athena felt her eyes widen "you should be dead" Minerva's eyes just blinked at her like she did stunts like this every day
"Yes well I'm not" she sounded so strong even though she looked so weak "I've broken several ribs and they were worried about my heart"
"Worried about your heart? What were you doing taking on Umbridge?" demanded Athena
Remus cleared his throat- impeccable timing thought Athena- "Why don't I get us a cup of tea each? Leave you two to talk"
Athena glared at him, tea at a time like this?
Minerva just smiled politely "That would be lovely, thank you Remus- milk no sugar" she said
Remus nodded and headed back down the ward
"Now to your questions" said Minerva "I knew exactly what I was doing, I was trying to help Hagrid. Umbridge had Aurors trying to take him to Azkaban. What did you expect me to do, stand there and watch?"
"No I didn't think that. I just think you should have had back up. You've been seriously injured"
"I didn't think I would be attacked by Aurors for standing up for a friend. Really such cowards turning on a single witch" Minerva twittered angrily
"I guess they know how powerful you are" Athena felt some of her anger faded "I would certainly run if you were coming after me"
Minerva gave a small laugh "you use to remember, when I was waiting for late homework. You'd avoid me all day if you could"
Athena smiled remembering her old school days happily
Minerva looked her over as she smiled "what have you done to yourself?" she demanded
Athena looked at her arm which was in a sling "My arm didn't go back in when I-" she looked round and whispered "changed"
Minerva's eyes went wide "and you say I'm in a state?" she gave a loud tut
Athena rolled her eyes "at least there's nothing wrong with my heart"
Minerva raised any eyebrow "I'm already healing. Poppy did a good job on my ribs, but she sent me here for extra care. She said I could be monitored twenty four hours a day" she didn't look impressed with that
Athena just felt happy that Minerva was alright "well I can actually take this off; it's been twelve hours since I've turned back to me. I can move it and raise it now" Athena tried not to wince as she raised her arm
Minerva didn't look convinced
"Would you put your arm back in that sling" Remus sounded really pissed off as he put three cups of tea on the bedside table "twenty four hours I said- that's how long it takes to recover fully"
"And I was just saying how better it felt-" snapped Athena
"You'll just make it worse-"
"No I won't-"
"Oh be quite the both of you, this isn't a school room" Minerva tried to sit up but winched
"Here let me help!" exclaimed Remus lifting the pillow up behind Minerva's back.
Minerva gave him a small happy smile "Thank you- but I can manage" as she leant back and nestled into the pillow "past me my tea please"
Athena handed her the mug.
"What on earth is going on here?" a fat healer with curly blonde hair had appeared "visiting hours are not until two o'clock!" she barked
Minerva cringed a little behind her mug
"I have only just been informed my mother has been brought to hospital, I wanted to see if she was alright" said Athena standing up to face off the healer
"Really?" demanded the healer- Athena read her name badge Head Healer C.M Abbott- shit she was Hannah's mother "from what I've heard Professor McGonagall has no children"
Athena knew she couldn't fib her way out of this one "okay so I'm a close friend, a former teacher of Hannah's- she your daughter yes?" the healer nodded "I wanted to see if she was okay"
The healer pursed her red lips "Okay, you've seen she's in quite a good condition. Now off my ward before I call security"
Athena grabbed her coat "we better go" she said to Minerva "I'll come see you again soon"
"Yes just between visiting hours please" said Healer Abbott who escorted her and Remus off the ward.
The atmosphere was thick, heavy and full of tension when Athena and Remus returned to headquarters. They both entered the kitchen smiling and chatting about Minerva but froze when they saw Dumbledore, Sirius and Molly all sitting at the table.
Molly looked angry as her face was bright red, Dumbledore wore a face of displeasure while Sirius was adverting everyone's gazes while, looking guilty.
Athena saw the answer to all the aggravation before she even asked...there was a bright light from the middle of the table and Athena's little box was sitting there. The lid was open.
Athena snatched it from the table "so we're going through my personal things now? Do you think I'm a spy?" she asked the room full of people
"Certainly not, Athena" assured Dumbledore he turned all the intensity of his blues to Sirius "would you care explain?"
Sirius cringed as Athena ground her teeth glaring at him "I saw the light shining from under the door-"
"So you thought you'd just go into your room and steal my stuff?" demanded Athena
Sirius turned his grey eyes to hers and they looked hurt "no, I thought it may have been something important!" he snapped
"Have you read it? Do you know if it was?" shouted Athena back at him
Sirius growled "No" he said flatly "Molly caught me opening the lid, she'd come to tell me Albus was here"
"It's a good thing I went upstairs" added Molly
Sirius turned to snap at Molly
"That's enough Sirius" said Remus forcefully
Sirius sat down and folded his arms defensively over his chest.
The kitchen went quite.
"Athena" said Albus after several long moments "I would very much like to hear what the letter says" he gestured for her to sit.
Athena did so and Remus joined her. She pulled out the note it was folded neatly
Wisdom
Have had news from you-know-who. News has made big bad wolf happy. From what I have found out something is going to happen. Something at the big underground law zone, many followers involved and possible you-know-who himself. I warn you something is coming a storm. Lightening is in danger.
Huntress
Athena re read the letter twice before reading it out to the others
"What does the terminology mean?" asked Dumbledore he had become very serious suddenly
"Voldemort has contacted them" said Athena hurriedly "big underground law zone?" even Athena seemed puzzled
"Simple, the ministry underground big, where the wizarding laws are made" said Remus
"Many followers involved including you-know-who himself...that's also easy Voldemort and his Death Eaters" said Athena
"But what about lightening is in danger? What's lightening?" wondered Molly
Then the realisation crossed Athena's mind "Harry" she said "she means Harry...Harry is in danger"
The room fell silent again, the hairs on the back of Athena's neck stood up
"But Harry's at Hogwarts" said Sirius dismissively "he's safe"
"Artemis doesn't think so" said Athena quietly
"She doesn't even know Harry!" Sirius stood up and threw his arms into the air "it's nonsense" he looked to the others for reassurance "she could be lying...she could be telling us something we want to hear"
"No she isn't, she wouldn't do that" said Athena defensively
"I believe her" said Albus quietly, everyone turned to look at him "Remus I want you and Molly to go straight up to Hogsmeade. Keep a watch on Hogwarts; we need to see who is going in and who is going out"
Remus and Molly nodded
"Athena I want you to write back to your sister, thank her for the news but ask her to keep us updated. I want to know if Greyback leaves the valley. I also want to know if Voldemort meets with Greyback or a death eater or if he receives more messages" Athena nodded and levitated a quill, bottle of ink and a sheet of parchment from the side board
"And what about me Albus?" asked Sirius expectantly
Albus smiled "I want you to prepare yourself, and find that house-elf of yours he may come in useful"
Sirius furrowed his eyebrows "I haven't seen Kreacher in actually..." he muttered "I better check the attic"
"And you Albus?" asked Remus "what will you do?"
"I must go and speak with Kingsley and Moody-I shall return" he said before sweeping out the kitchen.
Sirius excused himself to go and find Kreacher, Athena could hear him shuffling about upstairs and calling Kreacher's name.
Molly and Arthur said their farewell's before departing.
Athena began to write
Huntress
Thank you for your news. Everyone on high alert. We will protect lightening. Any more news we need to know, if big bad wolf leaves valley, we need to know, if you-know-who arrives or a follower we need to know. Extremely important, will carry box with me-
Athena cursed as the ink bottle ran out "dam it" she got up leaving the box and the note on the table she headed up the stairs. Kreacher was waiting for her up the top "what are you lurking about for? Sirius was calling"
"Master has gone out" he replied "to dirty half-blood, outcast child of Mistresses niece-"
"Oh give it a rest" said Athena harshly "so he's gone to speak to Tonks-probably gone to see if you've been snooping around our flat" Athena stormed past him and went to get another ink bottle from the study on the third floor, she did notice however that the elf had nasty injuries on his hands, he'd punished himself for something. Athena was planning the rest of her letter as she came down the stairs; she heard a voice from the kitchen
"Master will not come back from the department of Mysteries!" Kreacher sounded rather gleeful "Kreacher and his mistress are alone again!"
"You!-" that voice sounded too familiar. Athena launched herself into the kitchen as Harry's head was pulled backwards out the fire
Athena stared wide eyed at the fire place, Kreacher looked shocked himself before Athena grabbed him around his neck "what did Harry want? What were you saying about the department of mysteries?"
Kreacher just smiled wickedly, clicked his fingers and vanished between her finger tips.
"Dam you little bastard of an elf" Athena kicked one of the chairs over
There was a roar from the fire and Sirius stepped out dusting off his jacket "sorry went to see Tonks, don't worry I wasn't seen I just told her about the message-"
"Harry's just flooed here" she blurted out "Kreacher was talking to him, they were talking about the department of mysteries... oh God Sirius he was pulled out the fire, what if he's been snatched at Hogwarts?" Athena hadn't realised how hysterical she sounded
"Slow down!" commanded Sirius "how would they get into Hogwarts? Remus and Molly would have contacted us- if Harry was in danger someone have told us-"
Just on queue another fiery head popped up in the fireplace "Oh great it's you two" Snape's dreary voice startled them both. Athena realised she was grasping Sirius hands "not interrupting anything am I?" he didn't sound bothered if he was
"Your flooing from Hogwarts?" she got down on her knees "what the hell is going on there?"
"Umbridge has taken Potter and Granger to the forest; she caught Potter using her floo network. He gave me a message 'he's got padfoot, he's got padfoot at the place where it's hidden' you do know what that means?"
Athena nodded "Harry thinks Voldemort has Sirius at the department of mysteries- we've got to speak to Albus" she stood up and then added to Snape "thank you for the message, but send another into Hogsmeade Molly and Remus are there tell them to get back here. We have to get down there"
It wasn't as plain sailing as they thought; Albus insisted that everyone meet at headquarters. By the time Tonks, Kingsley and Moody had showed up nearly an hour had passed. Remus and Molly returned from Hogwarts a mere forty minutes after that due to there been a lot of problems, missing people and riots (from the teachers and students) at Hogwarts.
"They've all lost it with Umbridge missing" grinned Remus "I have never been more proud of my students-is this it?"
Remus looked round the room at the five other members gathered round the table.
"At such short notice, many of them cannot come" said Kingsley "Dumbledore stated he only wanted the best then the maximum numbers"
"Right" said Remus, he didn't look convinced, but neither did he argue "so when do we leave?"
"As soon as possible" said Sirius, he was obviously worrying about Harry "how we going to get there?"
"We cannot' just stroll in there" said Moody "they could have' spy's waiting for us" his magical eye spun its socket while his normal eye stared at the order members in turn
"Apparate?" suggested Athena
"Not enough room to get in through the visitors entrance" replied Tonks
"Brooms?" asked Sirius
"Bit of a flight Padfoot" said Remus, he shoved his hands in his pocket and checked is pocket watch "what about the Floo network?"
"My fireplace isn't connected to the ministry's- they would know where I was if it was" said Sirius
"It doesn't have to be" said Tonks, she had a glint in her eye- an idea "Moody's, Kinglsey's and my fireplaces are all connected. As ministry workers we have practically free access to the ministry and we are allowed to take a visitor each"
Moody gave a twisted smile through his scared face "right then, Tonks and Athena head back to your flat. Remus with Kinglsey to his, Sirius your with me. Come on then let's get a move on"
Athena and Tonks landed on their hearth. They turned towards the dying green flames "Incendio!" said Athena, the fire roared into life.
Tonks grabbed a handful of Floo powder "Ministry of Magic" she said the orange flames turned green a voice replied back "Welcome to the Ministry of Magic please state name, occupation and floor level"
"Nymphadora Tonks" she gritted her teeth a little "Auror, Level two Department of Magical Law Enforcement- accompanied by a visitor"
"State visitor name and password" replied the voice, it sounded like some sort of magical enchantment
"Athena Grey, password if Wotcher" she looked to Athena
"Your password it Wotcher, that's not very secret" said Athena
The voice spoke again "All visitors are required to collect a name badge and have their wands-"
"The obvious is always ruled out" she stood and held out her hand "now come on we've got to go" they linked hands and stepped into the fire.
It was a rougher ride than Athena thought; she could see only green and no other fireplaces. Tonks pulled on her arm; it hurt her shoulder as they were launched from the fire and landed in the large Atrium.
Athena looked round they were in a long black corridor that was filled with fireplaces, there was golden light everywhere. As Athena and Tonks rounded the bend, Athena glanced around in wonder she had never been to the ministry of magic- yes she had seen pictures- but it was a lot bigger and more beautiful in person. The giant golden fountain was shimmering as water squirted from the various statues.
Kingsley and Remus were already waiting for them. They both had their wands drawn and were observing the Atrium.
"What is it?" whispered Tonks glancing around also
"There should be guards here" said Kinglsey darkly
Athena looked towards the guards desk, it was empty, there was no one weighing wands.
"Where's Sirius and Moody?" she asked
"They should be here any moment" said Remus
"Unless Moody has forgotten his password" chuckled Kingsley quietly
There was a roar as a fireplace lit up green, Sirius and Moody stepped out "See I told you they would already be here" grumbled Sirius he drew his own wand and joined the group
Moody hobbled along behind him "well we're here' now" he said drawing his own wand "Constant Vigilance people, constant vigilance"
The order members set off down the Atrium towards the lifts. Remus got there first and pressed the down button. A lift clattered into sight the golden grills pulled back, the sound echoed round the Atrium.
The order members piled in and Athena pressed the number nine button. Her heart was racing; she hoped they made it in time as the lift descended. It stopped suddenly "Department of Mysteries" said another female voice, very similar to the voice in the fire.
The golden grills flew open, Athena went to step out but Moody threw out his arm "Wait" he growled "Homenum Revelio"
Nothing happened "No one here" said Sirius plainly "Can we stop wasting time?"
Moody rolled both his eyes- which was quite freaky to watch- and they all set off towards the black Department of Mysteries door.
Moody reached forward and opened the door. They all hurried into the round black room. There were bad vibes already. Four of the doors were shrunk to smaller sizes, probably a collapsible spell. There were also two doors with large fiery crosses on them.
Athena sniffed the air "Harry was here" she said "there were others with him, Hermione, Ron and Ginny and...And Neville and someone I don't know" she said looking at the others "I can also smell death eaters-Malfoy, Avery, a few others and Bellatrix"
The colour drained from Tonks's face. Athena squeezed her shoulder gently for comfort "which way did they go?" she asked, nothing would frighten her for long
Athena sniffed the air again "everywhere- there's no way of knowing"
"We'll start with the prophecy room then" said Remus; the walls began to turn giving off a grinding noise. The room stopped and the door they needed opened in front of them. They went inside. Athena gasped it was huge with racks upon racks of glass prophecy's "row ninety seven"
They ran down the room heading for the row that Harry's prophecy was kept. When they arrived the row was empty of children and death eaters "They were hear" said Athena "I can smell them and can see the carnage" they looked round at the fallen shelves and smashed prophecy's "which way did they go?" asked Sirius he grabbed Athena's shoulders. She gently pushed him away "we'll find them- everyone stand aside" they all backed off.
Athena sniffed the air again, she felt her pupils dilate as she locked onto the different scents "Harry, Hermione and Neville ran that way" she pointed "they went through the door over there- the other three went through that door"
"We split up then- keep your ears open- Athena, Tonks and Kinglsey follow Harry's scent- us three will go the other way Remus do you think you can smell any of them at all?"
Remus gave a little nod "I think I can smell Ron" he admitted "I'll try my best"
They split up and went through the different doors. Athena entered a large room; a golden glow came from a large bell jar. An egg was in the jar and was hatching.
"Look here" said Kinglsey. There was a death eater lying on the floor, he had the body of a man and the head of a baby. The baby was crying softly, but as they approached he opened his eyes and tried to stand "STUPEFY!" shouted Kingsley.
The death eater went sprawling back on the floor. There was a scream from a door at the end.
The three of them ran towards it. Athena could hear the others running alongside the wall from the room next to them. Tonks threw the door opened.
Athena quickly observed the room. Neville was lying sobbing on the floor, there were several death eaters standing around Harry, Malfoy was closest to him.
Tonks shot a stunning spell at Malfoy who was lunging for a small glass orb in Harry's hand. The prophecy.
Athena shot a stunning spell at the nearest death eater as the six order members made their way down the steep stone stairs.
Athena defended herself as a killing charm shot her way. She shot a stunning spell back at him and then shielded herself as another spell shot her way. It missed and smashed into the stone steps behind her. Neville and Harry were lucky to have ducked out the way.
Athena growled loudly and shot spell after spell. The death eater couldn't bare the charms, his shield broke and he went flying backwards stunned and bleeding.
Athena turned and skidded she looked down to see blood on her converse. She followed the trail to Moody's limp body "Accio!" she cried and pointed towards Moody's magical eye. It flew into her hand and she inserted it into his head with a horrible squelching noise.
"AAAHH!" Athena turned at that scream to see Tonks fly backwards and land in a heap. She was alive because she was groaning and holding her ribs.
Bellatrix Lestrange cackled loudly as she dashed into the fray of flying spells. Athena saw Sirius run after her.
But she didn't care she climbed up the tier of stairs to where Tonks was squirming in pain "Keep still!" she shouted over the noise in the room
"I'm fine!" she bellowed back "Just winded, go save Harry and the children"
Athena ducked as a spell flew past her. She spun on the spot and stunned a death eater that was creeping up the tier.
She looked out across the great hall, and smiled in relief Albus had finally arrived. The death eaters began to panic as they shouted to each other. They began to flee, but Dumbledore raised his wand and pulled them all back with his invisible line.
Athena saw the only fighting pair left, Sirius and his cousin Bellatrix in the middle of the raised dais right by the archway.
"Come on, you can do better than that!" yelled Sirius, everyone turned to watch as a jet of green light flew past him.
Bellatrix smirked and said the next spell quietly "Avada Kadarva" that second jet of green light hit Sirius in the chest.
Athena jumped from her step and down to the next one; she jarred her shoulder a little. She ran for the next step but Sirius was already falling through the archway and into the veil.
Bellatrix screamed in triumph, before turning and heading for the steps.
Athena looked to Remus; he had Harry securely in his grasp and was trying to comfort him. It wasn't working because Athena saw the pain on Remus's face...that did it. No one hurt Remus, ever!
Athena turned and ran round the wide circular step towards Bellatrix "You bitch" she snarled, she felt her wolf in her powering her to attack and kill
"Ooohhhh, the little wolf wants to play" she teased and shot the killing spell at her
Athena deflected her and shot one back. They began to duel backwards and forwards. Athena hated to admit that Bellatrix was good. Whenever she seemed to defend an attack, Bellatrix was already ready "You killed Sirius!" she roared
"Yes" Bellatrix crowed "and now I will kill you"
"Don't think your boss will like that-" Athena dodged again
"And why's that?" cackled Bellatrix as she was forced to dodge
"Don't you need leverage over Greyback" taunted Athena, she knew this was a dangerous game to play but she needed to distract Bellatrix.
"Ha- we knew you were here pup, but with you out the picture Greyback will have everything he wants. His son will become the next leader of their disgusting little pack and we will always have the werewolves at our disposal-" she dodged again, but shot a final spell.
Athena was too slow as some of Moody's blood on her trainer caused her to slip. The spell hit her in the stomach just under her ribs. She gave a startled yell as she flew backwards. Everything slowed down as her body hit the edge of the step smashing her shoulder off the stone followed by her head. Her body then bounced onto the next step. She banged her face and winded herself as she rolled from that step to the next. Athena finally came to rest on her back, one leg hanging over the tier her arms sprawled beside her.
She heard Bellatrix laugh loudly, then a shout from someone across the room. Athena felt blood running room her nose and head. She felt numb which wasn't a good sign. Her vision began to go, darkness crawling into the edges of her eyes as she stared up at the ceiling. A blurry figure ran past.
She had failed, Bellatrix had got away, Tonks was injured and Sirius was dead. Now she would die too as the darkness enveloped her.
Final Chapter is yet to come.