Looong wait this time I know. In my defence, my laptop had a TV remote thrown at it (accidentally … and it wasn't me) which completely smashed the screen. My work has been saved on this laptop and fortunately only the screen suffered damage so it was eventually retrievable. Anyway … excuses done with now. I have now learned that memory dongles are worthy investments when writing stories

Reviews are appreciated as always … much love and thanks for everyone who has read and reviewed so far. Hope you enjoy…

"Get down!"

Hadrian barely had time to acknowledge the order before Tom had gripped his collar and yanked him down to the floor. Not even a second had passed before a sickly green light sailed where his head had just been.

"Stupefy!" Hadrian snapped; taking down his would-be-assassin as the robed figure strode toward the two crouched Slytherins.

Hogsmeade Village was in absolute chaos. The new arrivals had opened fire within moments of their arrival, sending curses indiscriminately. It had become clear very quickly that everyone and anyone were targets. Villagers and students alike had attempted to flee while very few stayed behind to fight (mainly Gryffindors, Hadrian had noticed).

Tom had been across the street in a few strides, maiming two assailants on his way to Hadrian. The two has witnessed Orion and Abraxas apparate away moments before the wards had snapped back up. Their quick thinking had ensured the two sixth year Slytherins had escaped unscathed. Hadrian hoped that his friends had apparated far from this battle, as these men seemed to be taking no prisoners.

Hadrian and Tom had quickly dashed into the alleyway beside Silvrikins and ducked behind a stack of wooden crates. The precious seconds were needed to devise their escape plan, as Hadrian seriously doubted the six teachers chaperoning the trip stood much chance of protecting them. Tom had pointed out their professors running around trying to herd the students in the direction of Hogwarts while throwing up their strongest shields.

Hadrian had moaned mournfully when he witnessed Professor Asti succumbing to the killing curse. The woman had thrown herself in front of a seventh year Hufflepuff girl, who had stared transfixed at the scene; before screaming in grief and terror. It seemed that the kind professor's life had been given in vain when the petrified girl took a cutting curse to the throat. She gurgled sickeningly as blood bubbled on her lips in her attempt to inhale, before collapsing dead to the ground. It was horrific to watch.

No one was safe. Tom recognised these men as Lord Grindelwald's followers. They had been in the Daily Prophet on a regular basis due to their attacks across Europe in their bid for power. Only a few years ago, Tom had agreed with their ideals. Gellert Grindelwald would make speeches of restoring the old ways and creating equality between Dark and Light, after making calculated attacks on foreign officials who heavily supported the Light bigotry. In recent months however, the attacks had been on rural villages; both muggle and magical. The man was after something different now; and Tom hadn't yet figured out what. Whatever it was, Tom wondered if it was truly worth becoming such a terrorist for it. The man was becoming unpredictable and seemingly irrational. He was no longer as inspirational as he had been.

The plan to stay hidden behind the crates had not worked out very well. A stray blasting curse from a masked fighter had blown the crates apart. The boys had leapt out of the path of the explosion, but had still suffered injuries from shrapnel. Hadrian could feel several inch-long splinters embedded in his right arm where he had thrown it up to protect his face. Tom, being the taller of the two, had taken a fair few scrapes and cuts to his chest and right shoulder.

Tom pulled the younger boy back to his feet, dodging a red jet of light and sending a castration curse at the caster. Hadrian couldn't help but wince in sympathy as the man shrieked in agony.

"We need to get out of here Hadrian! We can fight well but there are too many for us to take on . . . there are at least thirty trained soldiers trying to decimate this place!"

"Agreed." Hadrian murmured decisively. He was outraged by the violence being inflicted on the historical village and wanted to help protect it; not to mention harm the aggressors. He suspected that was his Gryffindor side Tom often referred to. Fortunately for Tom, Hadrian's self preservation was taking control at this point in time and telling him to get back to safety.

"We should go through Silvrikins. There should be an exit at the back and we can head to Hogwarts from there." Hadrian shouted.

He didn't care that people might notice his ability to speak parseltongue. It seemed like the smart choice of language to use when shouting his escape plans really; eliminating the danger of anyone eavesdropping on his conversations with Tom.

"That would be foolish! Silvrikins is unstable. It has been raided already and probably won't last the night!"

Hadrian had already taken a few steps towards the jewellery store as Tom had replied. He hesitated in his next step when he registered what Tom had said. He personally hadn't noticed anyone entering the store, but he had been fighting for his life at the time. He spun back to Tom and gasped at the change in the boy.

Eyes which had been flecked with red before were now a deep burgundy. The light from the fires blazing through the village made them look almost crimson . . . and rather terrifying. The older boy was furious with their predicament; and his eyes showed it. Hadrian had never been happier that Tom was on his side.

A loud crash from behind drew viridian eyes back to the store. It seemed that Tom had been right. The doorway which had only seemed slightly fractured to Hadrian earlier had crumbled completely, seriously threatening the rest of the store's structure. A quick glance around the village showed that many homes and businesses were suffering the same fate.

"TOM!"

Both dark heads whipped to the around simultaneously at the urgent cry. Hadrian was almost overcome with the sudden fury which rushed through him. Theodore Nott was on the ground; writhing and twitching grotesquely as he shrieked in agony. A cloaked wizard stood over him; wand in hand as he tortured the skinny Slytherin. Cassius Avery had a desperate look in his violet eyes as he was prevented from reaching his friend by a second assailant. He appeared to be struggling tremendously against his opponent. The witch he fought was a whole foot shorter than the stocky boy; yet what she lacked in height, she more than made up for in skill.

Her spells were indecipherable to the blond teen. They were shouted in a language he assumed to be German, and left him at a disadvantage as he had no idea whether shields would work efficiently against them. He had taken to dodging the curses thrown his way and summoning objects to shield himself. He had very few opportunities to send his own curses back.

"Reducto!" Hadrian roared as he charged towards The Three Broomsticks where his friends were battling furiously. The village had emptied of students fairly quickly as the surviving professors had managed to herd most back to the castle. A few of the masked fighters had followed the children, but most, it seemed, had abandoned the stores to terrorise the residents' homes. The Three Broomsticks had sustained little damage before the businesses had been discarded.

Hadrian felt the thrilling rush of powerful Dark magic erupt from him as his spell struck true, shattering the spine of Theo's attacker. In his haste to help his fallen comrade, Hadrian barely acknowledged the man dropping to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut. He dashed past the inert figure and dropped to one knee by his trembling friend. He suspected that they had little time before more fighters would come. He left Tom to help Cassius as he hovered uncertainly over his injured roommate.

"Theo?" Hadrian's tone was urgent. He was wary about touching the boy at risk of causing any further pain.

"Ha … Hadrian?"

The reply was barely audible; Theo's voice was nothing more than a croaky whisper due to the damage his vocal chords had suffered from screaming. Hadrian still heaved a sigh of relief. Although he was by no means fine; Theo was lucid. He had not succumbed to madness as so many would when held under Cruciatus for so long.

"Do you think that you can walk?"

Muddy brown eyed widened in bewilderment. For the last few minutes nothing had existed but white hot pain. Although it had mercifully stopped, he still twitched as his nerves protested the recent torment. He could see a boy he recognised as Hadrian … something… leaning over him with a worried expression and asking him if he could walk. The question seemed ludicrous to him. He could barely think. He craved a strong pain relief potion and unconsciousness for the next week.

"I hate to ask this Theo but its dangerous here and we need to get back to Hog …" Hadrian was cut off as a robed body slammed into him. He leapt up in alarm, wand at the ready and eyes alert; seeking his attacker. Theodore's pained yelp drew his attention back to the boy.

A bizarre sight met his eyes. Hadrian's 'assailant' was floating face down a few inches above Nott, completely limp.

"I apologise."

Hadrian whirled around, startled. Tom was standing beside him, silently levitating the dead woman away from Theodore as Cassius quickly knelt to assist the boy.

"I didn't intend for her to strike you." Tom explained as he coldly dropped the corpse.

"You killed her?"

Tom smirked at his friend. Hadrian's expression was blank, but Tom knew instinctively what he was feeling; surprise and disapproval. He had no intention of allowing the younger man to think negatively of him for long.

"It was self defence," he drawled, "Not that I have to explain myself. She was going to kill Avery … and myself, given the chance." Tom looked highly doubtful of the possibility of his defeat, causing Hadrian the frown at his arrogance. Cassius had pulled Theo to his feet at this point and had slung the shorter boy's arm around his shoulder.

"But death …?"

Tom raised an eyebrow and looked pointedly over the scarred boy's shoulder. Hadrian frowned at Tom's expression and turned to follow the red-eyed boy's gaze. It was there that he witnessed the fate of his own opponent. The man he had struck in his attempt to save Theo now lay in a crumpled heap on the ground; clearly dead. Hadrian gasped as he realised it had been his own curse which had taken the other wizard's life. He had allowed his rage and desperation to help his friend to overcome him when he had thrown such a destructive curse at the man's spine.

"I … I didn't realise that I had killed him," he almost whispered.

"Are you sorry?" Tom murmured.

Hadrian didn't answer for a minute as he allowed himself to search his own feelings for an honest response. "I should be. I killed a man. But … But he was torturing Theo. He was going to kill an innocent boy for no reason …" Hadrian hesitated for a moment before continuing, "He was dangerous and cruel … He deserved it."

"I agree," Tom stated in satisfaction as he turned the smaller boy to face him. His eyes narrowed at Hadrian's expression and he placed his hands on slim shoulders, "So why do you look so guilty?"

Hadrian shrugged, "I think I feel guilty that I don't feel guilty?"

Tom snorted and rolled his eyes, "Definitely part Gryffindor," he muttered as he turned and strode over to Theo and Cassius, silently ordering his student to follow. Hadrian glanced at the dead man once more before jumping slightly at the sound of an explosion in the distance. He immediately remembered the imminent threat of the masked soldiers returning to their area and turned away from the bodies to run back to his fellow Slytherins.

"What's the plan now?" Cassius was clearly exhausted as he gasped his question. His recent duel had tired him significantly and he was struggling to support Theo's weight. Despite the Nott heir's small structure, he was near unconscious from his torture and leaning heavily against the blond supporting him.

"Carry him. He is useless like that." Tom ordered while wordlessly casting a feather light charm on Nott. As Cassius hoisted him over his left shoulder, Tom continued, "We head to Hogwarts. The action seems to have moved towards the residential area for now."

Hadrian gazed at his surroundings in dismay as Tom spoke. In contrast to the sounds of screams and explosions in the distance, the area of Hogsmeade the boys occupied was a quiet tableau of death and destruction. The four boys were the only people standing as they watched buildings burning; the firelight glowing on the unconscious bodies and corpses in the dark of the November night.

At least two students and one professor lay dead on the cold, cobbled ground. Three invaders had also been killed while two others survived; both heavily maimed by Tom when the battle had started. Hadrian doubted they would last another hour judging by the amount of blood they had lost.

" … Honeydukes."

"What?"

Tom scowled at Hadrian when he realised the boy had not been paying attention, "I said that we are heading to Honeydukes. There is a tunnel in the cellar which leads straight into Hogwarts. The store also happens to be uncompromised at this moment in time, but we don't know how long for. It should be our safest route back to the castle."

"Well then what are we waiting for?" Hadrian said before tapping his wand on his head to disillusion himself. He watched as the others followed suit before heading towards the sweet shop with his wand raised; Cassius and Nott hot on his heels. Tom took up the rear position, guarding against any attacks from behind.

Hogwarts Hospital wing was steadily filling up with patients. Nine students occupied the white beds; suffering a variety of injuries which ranged in seriousness. Madame Leblanc was rushed off of her feet trying to simultaneously heal her patients and keep hysteria levels down. Professor Entwhistle had already been sent to St Mungos due to the grievousness of her injuries. She had been hit with a multitude of cutting curses, and rescued by Septimus Weasley.

The boy had hit her assailant with a blasting curse while Cedrella Black had hastily conjured bandages to tightly wrap around the unconscious woman's wounds. Professor Marchbanks had quite possibly saved her life with some very quick thinking. She had thrust a rapidly produced portkey into the Weasley heir's hand and sent him to the wizarding hospital with his teacher.

Headmaster Dippett was now watching over Lucille's work while trying to aid as much as possible. The stout man was sweating profusely and wringing his hands in anxiety between passing her potions and directing the stream of new patients to unoccupied beds.

Disaster had struck the local village, and many of his students and professors had become victims of the foreign terrorists. He was terrified. Armando had initially frozen in shock when the eagle patronus had soared into his office; urgently announcing the attack on the village in Professor Asti's normally soft voice. The students had been arriving back to the castle in droves, and Dippett had finally pulled himself together and floo-called the Ministry, begging for aid.

His voice had been amplified through every corner of the castle, instructing all of the lower year students to go their dormitories immediately. He had then ordered a lock down on the entrances to each House. The last thing he needed was terrified first years running amok in the school when he was trying to bring order to the growing chaos. He was quickly becoming overwhelmed; not to mention incredibly stressed that he had no clue where Albus had disappeared to. His Deputy was normally the person who would support him and keep him level-headed. He wiped his sweaty face with a handkerchief and turned towards the opening door.

"Horace!" he gasped, relieved his Potion's Master had made it back unscathed. He hurried over to the portly man.

"Did all of the students make it back, Horace?"

"No Headmaster," Professor Slughorn rasped; distraught by what he had witnessed in the village. This had been the first attack by Lord Grindelwald's followers on British soil.

"At least six of my Slytherins haven't been checked back in yet. I witnessed two deaths … I … I don't know if there are more. Poor Arielle." He trailed off with a loud sniff.

"We lost Arielle?"

"Yes … she was defending Eleanor Edgecombe but … but the girl was killed moments later!"

"Dear Merlin! So young … these wizards are truly barbaric killing innocent young witches like this!" Dippett hissed furiously, "Are there only six students unaccounted for?"

"Septimus Weasley has also not checked in …"

Armando waved his hand dismissively, "Young Septimus escorted Elizabeth Entwhistle to St Mungos via portkey earlier. He is uninjured."

"That's some good news I suppose," Horace sighed as he headed towards the matron to lend his assistance, "Professor Dumbledore passed me a moment ago. He asked me to relay a message."

"Yes?" Armando questioned urgently.

"He will be meeting the aurors in Hogsmeade to aid the villagers. I offered my aid but he sent me here saying my skills would be put to more use helping Madame Leblanc. I didn't get a chance to protest as that phoenix of his appeared and whisked him away."

Armando stared blankly at his colleague for a moment before turning back to potions he was organising. There was not much he could do at this point to help Albus. The Transfiguration professor was easily the most capable of his staff in helping to defend Hogsmeade and drive back the soldiers.

He could only hope now that Albus would safely return soon with his missing students.

"Headmaster!" a shrill voice cut into his thoughts, reminding him that he still had plenty of work to do here.

"Coming Lucille."

The trek to Honeydukes had been fairly uneventful. Theo had finally passed out as the boys were entering the store, leaving Cassius beyond relieved that Tom had cast his charm on the boy. Hadrian's dorm-mates were already at the back of the store, ready to enter the cellar and head to the secret tunnel. Tom had sent Cassius ahead with his load; telling him to get the boy to the Infirmary as first priority. Cassius was more than happy to follow the order. Safety sounded very appealing right now.

"So what are we doing now?"

Tom turned to Hadrian who was watching him impatiently. The younger boy didn't understand why they had stayed behind with safety so near.

"We will only be delayed for a moment Hadrian. Do you not trust my judgement?"

Hadrian narrowed his eyes, "Of course I trust you!" he snapped, "I am, however, entitled to ask questions about why we are loitering in a battle zone!"

Tom finished waving his wand over the doorway and windows before gazing steadily at the boy, "I was warding the door to prevent anyone following us. Feel free to add a few Light wards. Mine are all Dark."

Hadrian grinned slightly at Tom's suggestion, secretly happy that there was something he could do better than his mentor. He proudly added the three wards he knew which didn't require crystals or runes before looking pointedly at Tom.

"Now we can go." Tom smirked at his friend's relief and took at step toward the rear of the store.

Another thunderclap like sound stopped the boys in their tracks.

"There are more?!" Hadrian whispered in disbelief.

"No." Tom murmured, glancing through the store window. Many crimson cloaked figures had apparated into the village after the second ward had collapsed.

"The cavalry have arrived to save the day." He sneered.

"Cavalry?"

"Aurors …. Now come along! We have no purpose being here."

Tom stalked past Hadrian as the boy gazed through the warded window.

"Dumbledore!" he gasped.

"Dumbledore?"

Hadrian looked up at the boy who had appeared almost instantly by his side to stare at the new arrivals, "He's here! He just arrived with the aurors."

"So that's why..." Tom murmured, so quietly that Hadrian had barely heard. At Hadrian's nonplussed expression Tom elaborated.

"I had wondered why Lord Grindelwald had sent his followers here. It would have taken immense effort to bring down the wards here and for what? To terrorise some villagers? It seemed ridiculous. But now …" he laughed and shook his head, "It makes perfect sense. He did it to draw him out."

Tom smirked at Hadrian, satisfied that he had solved the riddle. His eyes, Hadrian had noticed, had returned to their original colour when they had reached a relatively secure area. Hadrian doubted he would ever forget the terrifying effect they had had.

"You've lost me."

Tom turned back to window, his body tense in anticipation. He wasn't disappointed. The soldiers had been drawn back towards the business area soon after the aurors' arrival. The aurors had clearly chosen to put most of their effort into driving the attackers away from the residents. Three more cracks filled the air and Tom grinned widely.

"Is that him? Lord Grindelwald?" Hadrian whispered, frozen in place at the window.

"Yes." Tom breathed.

Lord Grindelwald was dressed in a fur lined cloak, similar to those of his followers. His, however, was black with silver runes stitched at the hem. He had arrived flanked by two of his warriors and his wand held high. His full blonde hair was matched exactly in colour by thick eyebrows. Deep lines were etched into his forehead and around his eyes; evidence of a man not afraid to express his emotions with his face. Cold blue eyes gazed across the street at Albus Dumbledore as thin lips spread into a smile.

"Finally Albus! You have arrived … I thought it would have been sooner personally with your precious town at so much risk."

Dumbledore narrowed his eyes, twinkle missing entirely. Rage was etched into every line of his face and Hadrian knew there and then that he never wanted that man to look at him in such a way. Power radiated off the man in waves. The fight had stopped and the wizards and witches still standing were divided. Aurors were scattered around Dumbledore, awaiting his first move. Grindelwald's surviving men had retreated. They now stood in a long line facing the town's defenders; with Lord Grindelwald taking the middle position.

"You ordered the deaths of innocent people tonight Gellert! Children!" Albus roared.

"Tsk tsk Albus. I only ordered the village attack. I did not know there would be a pack of schoolchildren wandering the streets in a time of war." The blonde drawled, "I had expected your arrival long before so much blood was shed. I needed to see if you would leave the safety of your little castle."

Albus glared and lifted his wand, "Why are you here Gellert?"

Dumbledore's aggressive gesture had most wizards shifting uncomfortably. They knew a battle between the two lords would bring catastrophe to the area and anyone unlucky enough to bear witness.

"I wanted to inform you of a find of mine," the Dark Lord's grin grew wider at this, "I sincerely doubted that this information was something I could tell you through mere owl post."

Dumbledore's frown deepened at his foe's response. Grindelwald lifted his arm slightly higher before pointing it away from Albus, displaying the wand to his old friend. Hadrian watched his professor's eyes widen dramatically as he almost gaped at the wand.

"You found it." He stated numbly.

"Indeed. I cannot deny that I came here to gloat. I have achieved the power I desired, Albus. I am capable of achieving the dreams we once sought together now. I will soon rule this world and there will be peace under my laws!"

"For the greater good Gellert? You cannot honestly believe domination of the entire Wizarding World is achievable! Even with your new … acquisition."

The Dark Lord laughed deeply at Albus' agitation, "Oh I know it is possible my old friend… even more so now," he waved the wand jauntily at the bearded man, "Until next time Albus. Rückzug!"

The shouted word had spurred the Dark warriors into action. Most apparated away in time with their Lord, with only a few remaining behind for a mere moments to grab their fallen comrades and vanish with them in tow. Albus shook his head sadly as Grindelwald departed before turning away to help the aurors.

"How … anticlimactic." Tom sighed, stepping away from the window.

"Are we going now?" Hadrian asked, shuffling his shrunken purchases in his robe pocket to a position where they no longer dug into his hip.

"Yes."

Hadrian took a last glimpse at the village and followed Tom to the cellar; wanting nothing more than to get his injuries patched up and a good long sleep. Hopefully it wasn't too long a walk back to the school.