Chapter Fourteen
Months later near the end of the school year McGonagall had called them all to the Great Hall. It was almost the middle of May and Elladora felt confused. She felt uneasy, like something bad was about to happen. Hermione, Harry and Ron didn't return to school after the Christmas holidays. Elladora didn't know what they were doing, she had asked Hermione but Hermione avoided the question a few times. Elladora knew she wasn't the only person asking about their plans either.
Elladora stood at the back of the Great Hall as usual and watched as the other students walked to their respective house tables. Elladora looked up to where McGonagall stood on the platform. She wondered why it wasn't Dumbledore up there. The other teachers were present along with the ghosts of Hogwarts and members of the Order of the Phoenix.
A Slytherin student stood up and shouted, 'Where is Professor Snape? Why isn't he here?'
McGonagall looked at the Slytherin table. She wasn't impressed. 'He has done a bunk and fled the school,' she replied.
There was a simultaneous eruption of cheers from all the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. Elladora didn't join in. As she looked around the room she realised Dumbledore wasn't in the Great Hall at all. He would have known why Snape left. He wasn't really on the Dark Lord's side, was he?
'Protection charms have been placed around Hogwarts but it unlikely to hold for very long,' McGonagall said loud and clear, 'I also need prefects to lead their house students…'
The last of McGonagall's words were drowned out by a cold high pitched voice.
'I have no desire to spill magical blood but unless Harry Potter is brought to me, or he surrenders, more will be spilt. You have until midnight.'
The voice died down and the Hall became deathly silent.
Nobody moved or spoke until Pansy Parkinson stood up and pointed at Harry. 'His right there, someone grab him and take him to the Dark Lord,' she discordantly.
Elladora frowned and crossed her arms over her chest as she watched all the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws stand up and make a wall in front of Harry with their wands at the ready. Elladora stayed where she was. Why were they doing it, didn't they realise that Harry would have to face the Dark Lord regardless?
'The Slytherin's may leave first then,' McGonagall said firmly in their direction, 'also anyone under the age of seventeen is to follow. If you are over seventeen and wish to stay, you may, but you do not have to.'
Elladora still stayed where she was, she had no intention of going anywhere. She was sure her parents were here. Elladora looked at her watch; they still had twenty-five minutes. Elladora watched all the students leaving the Great Hall, no one in Slytherin house stayed. Elladora felt outraged. Did they care more about blood than human lives and this school? Elladora's eyes stayed on them. She wished she had known about the Room of Requirement before now.
When most of the students were gone Kingsley stood up on the platform that McGonagall just left and explained to everyone left what the battle plans were and where everyone was going to be. Elladora decided to go with Lupin into the grounds with Kingsley and Arthur.
Elladora was the last to leave the Great Hall. She went outside and stood beside Lupin who didn't notice her immediately. 'Are you staying?' Lupin asked. Elladora nodded, 'Obviously.' Lupin smiled slightly and turned his head back towards the Forbidden Forest.
'I heard you and Tonks got married recently and had a baby son, congratulations,' Elladora said softly. Elladora wondered what happened to Lupin after the Christmas holidays. He didn't return to Hogwarts either. The Order thought it unsafe because he was in the Order and the Death Eaters knew it. Lupin looked at Elladora again and he smiled proudly. 'Thanks. His name's Teddy,' Lupin said.
Elladora raised an eyebrow, 'Teddy,' she repeated.
Lupin chuckled, despite the situation they were facing. 'We named him after Dora's father, Ted, he died just after the holidays,' Lupin said quietly. Elladora nodded. She hated to hear that someone else had lost family.
'Is he a werewolf?' Elladora asked cautiously. Lupin sighed and shook his head, 'No, thank Merlin. He got Dora's gene of being a Metamorphmagus instead.' Elladora smiled, she was happy for Lupin.
Lupin looked at his watch, 'Fifteen minutes to midnight,' he called out.
Lupin reached into his robes and pulled out a photograph and he handed it to Elladora. Elladora looked at the moving picture of a little baby boy. He had a small, cute chubby face and his little chubby hands were reaching up towards the camera. His hair was a bright turquoise but it changed a few times as Elladora looked at it. His eyes were a light hazel like Lupin's. Teddy then smiled and giggled at the camera. It made Elladora laughed softly. She had never really seen a baby before.
She handed it back to Lupin who placed it back inside his robes. 'He's cute,' Elladora remarked. Lupin beamed proudly again and looked at Elladora eagerly.
'Harry is his godfather,' Lupin continued slower, 'would you be his godmother?' he asked. Elladora gasped slightly and Lupin chuckled. 'You want a vampire as your son's godmother?' Elladora asked in surprise. Lupin smiled, 'Yes, I trust you. But promise you won't bite him,' Lupin said seriously. Elladora smiled faintly. 'I would be honoured to be his godmother and I promise I won't bite him.'
Lupin hugged her briefly and turned his attention back to the forest. 'Is Tonks OK with it?' Elladora asked. Lupin kept his gaze on the forest but he nodded. 'Yes, we talked it over for a while and she eventually agreed because I trust you but she said as long as you don't bite him.' Elladora nodded and looked at the forest as well.
'Five minutes,' Lupin called.
Elladora could feel her heart pounding hard against her chest. She took out her wand and held it at the ready. She couldn't help but wonder who fall and who would survive.
'I didn't think you would want any part of a wizard war,' Kingsley said.
Elladora looked to her other side where Kingsley had suddenly appeared. 'Well, I joined the Order and have helped this far. I can't just walk away now,' Elladora replied. Sometimes she wished she hadn't gotten involved and just stayed out of it. She knew Orion wouldn't approve. Kingsley placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently. Elladora kept her eyes on the forest but she felt a small comfort from Kingsley. She was proud to fight alongside him and Lupin.
When it struck midnight spells flew everywhere, from every direction. Elladora saw Kingsley, Lupin and Arthur run towards a few Death Eaters that were heading their way. Elladora took a deep breath and followed. She ran into a Death Eater instantly and he sent a killing curse straight at her which missed by millimetres. Elladora sent a stunning spell back which hit him in the stomach and he fell to the ground unconscious.
Elladora saw a large Death Eater by the name Dolohov who was running towards Lupin at an incredible speed. Elladora looked at Lupin who didn't notice him. Elladora sped off towards Lupin as well sending spells around her so she wouldn't be killed on the way. She had just reached Lupin when Dolohov shouted, 'Avada Kedavra.' Elladora launched herself at Lupin and they both fell hard to the ground.
'Stupefy.'
Dolohov then fell to the ground as well. Elladora and Lupin looked to see who cast the spell, it was Luna. Luna smiled at them then ran off to fight someone else.
Elladora and Lupin both stood up but before Lupin could say anything Elladora was already running towards the castle. She entered the Entrance Hall and it was empty, but not for much longer. Her uncle, Rabastan, came running in after her.
He walked over to her slowly, 'You should have died several times by now,' he said viciously.
'Sorry to disappoint,' Elladora said.
Rabastan slashed his wand through the air at Elladora and she received a gash to her cheek. Elladora cried out in pain and fell to her knees. Elladora looked up, how did he do that when he wasn't close enough to touch her with it?
There was a crunching sound from behind Rabastan. Elladora looked up in despair, it was Moody. Elladora was about to call out when Rabastan slashed her again. She screamed and Rabastan whirled around, 'Avada Kedavra,' he shouted.
'NO,' Elladora screamed.
She stared in horror as Moody's body went limp and fell to the ground with a thump that echoed throughout the Entrance Hall.
Elladora lifted her wand at Rabastan before he turned around again. He seemed to be savouring his kill. 'Impedimenta,' she whispered. Rabastan went stiff and fell to the ground. Elladora stood up and walked over to her uncle who was now immobilised. Elladora decided not to kill her only living uncle, despite the fact that he just killed an Order member, but she did disarm him. Elladora picked up his fallen wand and placed it inside her robes.
Elladora slowly walked over to Moody's body and picked up his wand as well. She bent down and gently closed his eyes. Elladora wanted it to look like he was just sleeping. She looked over his face carefully. He looked suddenly very old and tired. Elladora sighed. Now Moody could sleep peacefully forever.
Elladora looked up as screams echoed through the castle. Elladora chased the sound and it led her near the entrance of the Room of Requirement. Elladora noticed the screams had come from a group of terrified Ravenclaw students who were being taunted and frightened by Lucius Malfoy. Elladora felt her blood boil. The Ravenclaw students weren't even seventeen; they looked to be only thirteen.
'Hey Malfoy, why not pick on someone your own size and someone older than you?' Elladora shouted. Lucius turned to face her and Elladora saw Molly, Charlie and Tonks get the Ravenclaw students to safety while she had Lucius' attention.
'Like you?' he teased walking closer to her, 'you're no witch, you're a vampire.' Elladora decided to ignore his taunt. 'Too scared to take someone like me on?' she asked. Inside her head Elladora was daring Lucius to run from her.
Lucius seemed to hesitate. Elladora smiled wickedly, she felt hungry all of a sudden. Lucius turned and hurriedly walked in the opposite direction, away from Elladora. Charlie had returned from getting the Ravenclaw students to safety and apparently came to help. Elladora felt her blood boil. All she could see was Lucius. Elladora felt like she has had enough of the Malfoy men for a lifetime even though this was the first time she had met Lucius.
Lucius raised his wand at Charlie but Elladora chased him. She felt blinded by rage which made her forget that she was a witch. She caught Lucius before he cursed Charlie who was watching the scene in alarm, hadn't even raised his wand. Elladora grabbed Lucius' long blonde hair and she jerked his head back onto her shoulder. She lowered her fangs and bit into Lucius' neck forcefully. After drinking for thirty seconds Elladora lifted her wand as though it was a knife and she ran it across Lucius' throat, slitting it open.
The blood spilled rapidly down Lucius front, gleaming brightly. Elladora's eyes sparkled as she watched. She looked at Lucius' face which was etched in terror. Elladora laughed softly to herself. Did this make her evil and no better than the Death Eaters? Elladora turned around as she heard a strangled cry of, 'No,' it was Draco.
'Consider us even,' Elladora yelled as she ran past.
Elladora ran back towards the Entrance Hall. On the way she past Tonks who was probably looking for Lupin, she also ran past Neville who was fighting Yaxley, Padma was fighting Alecto Carrow, and a group of Ravenclaw students who were fighting off a group of three Death Eaters. Elladora looked at her watch, it was almost one thirty. Elladora ran back into the fight.
At about three in the morning Voldemort's cold high pitched voice surrounded them again. 'You have all fought bravely. I command all my forces to withdraw for now. Harry Potter, you have let your friends, teachers and colleagues die for you rather than facing me yourself. The time is to now retrieve your fallen friends and treat your injured. You have one hour to come to me and give yourself up, I shall await you in the Forbidden Forest. If you do not show the battle will recommence and more of your friends shall die until only you are left. One hour.'
The voice died away quickly and Elladora watched as the Death Eaters retreated back to the Forest and the Order, teachers and students retreated into the castle. Elladora was the last back into the castle. She entered the Great Hall and looked around; all the house tables and seats were gone. The Weasley's were standing to one side and Elladora could see that Molly and Arthur were kneeling on the ground and weeping quietly. Fred lay motionless on the ground, pale and lifeless. A smile etched in his young face. Elladora felt saddened, his face would never smile again.
Elladora looked around at the other bodies, to see who else had fallen. Elladora saw the little body of Colin Creevey; he wasn't even supposed to still be here. Elladora felt worse, a young life taken away and wasted. She noticed that Moody's body had been brought in from the Entrance Hall. She also saw the bodies of Professor Sprout and Madam Hooch and around them stood most of the teachers. Elladora looked near the platform and saw the body of Dumbledore.
Elladora felt like her heart had jumped into her throat trying to escape. She felt the tears well up but she didn't let them fall. Elladora couldn't help but wonder how he died. She didn't see him before the battle and she didn't see him at any time during. There was a man standing near Dumbledore's body. Elladora had never seen him before. He looked like Dumbledore. Elladora thought maybe it could be his brother, or some other close relative.
There were other bodies but none of them Elladora knew, a lot of them Hogwarts students. She looked around at everyone still alive, the rest of the Weasley's, Harry, Hermione, Tonks, Lupin, Sirius, Kingsley, most of the other teachers and a group of students from varies houses. Elladora wondered what happened to Snape, she greatly feared for his safety.
Elladora had only taken a few steps into the Hall when Tonks ran over and almost bowled her over with a hug. 'Thank you,' she sobbed. Tonks looked at Elladora who looked confused. 'You saved Remus' life,' she said clearly. Elladora didn't know what to say. What was she supposed to do when she saw what was about to happen, just let him die?
Lupin joined Tonks' side and Lupin and Elladora looked at each other, it was the first time Elladora felt uncomfortable and it didn't help that a lot of people in the Great Hall were staring. 'I don't know how to say thank you enough,' Lupin said softly.
Elladora shook her head quickly, 'You don't need to, you would have done the same.' Lupin nodded and looked as though he wanted to cry, he hugged her then Tonks hugged her again, 'I'm glad you're Teddy's godmother,' she whispered into her ear.
Elladora joined the rest of the Order in the Great Hall, nobody was saying much at all. Elladora then looked in the corner of the room where she saw Firenze, the other Divination teacher. Firenze was a centaur, which was the main reason she didn't take the subject. This was the first time that Elladora had seen him properly and out in the open. She walked over and Elladora could tell he was injured. Firenze turned his head slowly and watched her approach.
'So, we finally meet Elladora Lestrange,' Firenze said slowly.
'Hello Firenze,' Elladora said politely.
'I heard there was a vampire student. I am surprised you are a part of this war,' he said keeping his eyes on her. Elladora didn't move her eyes from him either.
'So is everyone else. But then again, I'm surprised you're fighting in this war too. I thought centaurs didn't care about wizard affairs,' Elladora replied.
Firenze looked her over slowly before saying anything. 'Dumbledore was a good man. I would fight for him and people like him, but my herd does not agree, and they probably never will. If I could do it over again I would do nothing different.'
Elladora felt impressed, a species choosing a different race over his own, it was unheard of especially for centaurs. 'So, where are your clan?' Firenze asked quietly.
'I am the only vampire here. I convinced Salvini's clan not to join or fight against the Dark Lord and it seems the smaller clans have done the same,' Elladora answered. Firenze suddenly looked upon Elladora differently.
'Maybe I have misjudged you,' he said slowly. Firenze held out a hand and Elladora looked at it for a moment. Elladora approach him closer and took his hand. They shook while staring into each other's eyes.
Elladora then walked back to where the Order was still standing and Lupin stood beside her, 'I'm amazed you did that. Centaurs aren't known for their civility towards vampires.'
Elladora nodded. She knew all too well that centaurs didn't like vampires, mainly from her run in with them in the Forbidden Forest last year. 'Yes I know, but Firenze is different. He wouldn't be here otherwise,' she said while looking at Firenze. Lupin smiled and went back to Tonks.
Madam Pomfrey was starting to carefully approach Elladora, 'Are you injured at all dear?' she asked nervously.
Elladora turned her head towards her and shook her head, 'No thank you, I'm fine.' Madam Pomfrey nodded and went to help someone else.
Elladora looked down her robes and noticed she was covered in blood then she touched her cheek where Rabastan had slashed her, the cut was still there but it wasn't bleeding. Maybe that's why Madam Pomfrey thought she was injured. Elladora frowned as she looked into the Great Hall, where was Harry?
Elladora decided to get away from everyone so she slipped out of the Great Hall unnoticed and into the Entrance Hall. Elladora walked to the doors. She could see Harry walking away from the castle to the Forbidden Forest. Elladora sighed. She hoped Harry would be alright. As Elladora watched a thought came to her. Could she really keep opposing her parents? Could she completely go against them even though she wasn't human?
Elladora hoped the battle would be over soon. Elladora had done a few things she was already starting to regret and she hated herself for it. Elladora sighed again. Would Harry going in there end this? Would Voldemort really stop killing even if he won?
Suddenly Elladora felt different. She touched her cheek again where her uncle had slashed her with his wand. The gash was no longer there. Elladora frowned. What happened? Could she heal herself?
Elladora sighed and was about to re-enter the Great Hall until she heard a very familiar voice, one she hadn't heard in years.
'Elladora…is that really you?'
Elladora hardly dared to believe it. She turned around slowly and Orion Black stood at the doors to the Entrance Hall. He stepped forwards a little never taking his eyes off Elladora. Elladora felt the tears stinging the back of her eyes. Was this real?
'Orion…' she whispered.
Elladora let her tears fall freely as she ran to him. Orion opened his arms and Elladora ran into them. She hugged him tightly; she didn't want to ever let him go. Everything she had been through up until now is worth it just to see his face again.
Orion stroked her hair gently. 'Oh Ella, I've missed you terribly. I sometimes thought I'd never see you again,' he said quietly.
'I love you,' Elladora whispered.
Orion released her and kissed her on the cheek, 'And I love you.'
After a few minutes Elladora looked at her watch again, it was twenty minutes to four. 'Why are you here?' Elladora asked.
'I wanted to see you,' Orion said simply.
'But there's a war going on, it's not safe here,' Elladora said quietly.
'I needed to know you were safe. It's been a few years since I've seen you,' he replied.
Elladora jumped as a sudden gasp echoed through the Entrance Hall. Elladora turned to the source of the noise, it was Sirius. Orion turned his head as well and looked at his eldest son. '
Father,' Sirius choked out.
'Sirius,' Orion said flatly. Sirius just gaped at Elladora not saying anything. 'I told you I was telling the truth,' Elladora said quietly.
Sirius hesitated for a moment then walked towards them and extended a hand towards his father. After a few seconds nothing happened. Elladora elbowed Orion who then shook hands with Sirius. Sirius nodded once then walked back into the Great Hall.
'You had nothing to say to Sirius?' Elladora asked. 'He betrayed the family,' Orion said without emotion. 'And I haven't?' Elladora asked.
Orion just frowned at her, apparently confused. 'I joined the Order too and I'm fighting against the Dark Lord, the same as Sirius,' Elladora said. 'You're different,' he said softly.
'So, are you and Sirius friends then?' Orion asked.
Elladora shrugged. 'I don't know really. He tried to kill me on our first meeting but we've become a little friendlier to each other since,' Elladora said slowly. Orion just nodded. Elladora and Orion held hands as they walked into the Great Hall together.
Orion gasped in surprise. 'It's been a long time since I've set foot in here,' he said slowly while looking around, 'and it hasn't changed much.'
Elladora smiled broadly. She hadn't felt this happy for a long time. Everyone else in the Great Hall stared and it became very quiet. Elladora led Orion to a corner of the Great Hall away from the others. They talked between themselves until they heard large footsteps coming from outside in the grounds. It was coming closer and closer and the noise got louder. Everyone in the Great Hall went silent.