Diagon Alley was all but a ghost town these days. Very few of the shops had managed to remain open after the coup of the Death eaters, and only those that had been able to pay the new taxes.
Florean Fortescue's ice cream shop was boarded up, as was Ollivander's, Eeylop's, and the Apothecary. Flourish and Blott's was still open, though it appeared they were close to closing up, as was Madam Malkin's. There was a large store that had been burned down, leaving the charred ruin behind.
"I never even got to se it when it was up and running." Harry murmured looking at the ruin of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. He, Daphne, Hermione and Neville were glancing around the alley on their way to Gringott's. It had only been a day since Neville had been deemed fully recovered by the healers, and though he hadn't admitted it, Neville still felt tired. He still had to take potions, but he was told only for a few more days.
"Come on, Harry." Daphne said sadly, with a bit of trepidation in her voice as well. "Let's do what we got to do."
Harry tugged his hood a little, making sure his face was pretty well covered as they approached the marble stairs leading to the wizarding bank. There were four hulking trolls stationed around the doors, sniffing the air suspiciously and watching the four teens as they approached.
Two large pikes fell across the doors, barring the youngsters access to the bank. Neville stepped forward, dropping his hood.
"I am Neville Longbottom, and I wish to visit my vaults."
One of the trolls gave a low grumble and bent forward, sniffing the boy. Neville took out his vault key and held it up, and the troll snorted and stood up. The pikes came up and Neville and his friends entered the bank.
"Gotten a bit paranoid, haven't they." Daphne said. Harry felt her hand shivering just a bit in his hand.
"Can you blame them?" Hermione asked as the great doors shut behind them. "I've no doubt the You-Know-Who's been leaning on them."
"Let's keep focused. We've got a long day ahead of us." Neville sighed, heading to one of the many open counters.
"Good morning." Neville said. The irritated looking goblin looked up, folding his long fingers over his other hand. His piercing black eyes appeared to be trying to see through Neville, who ignored the attempt at intimidation. After facing down all the LeStranges, Neville didn't think he'd ever be intimidated by anyone ever again.
"I am here to claim the LeStrange vault." Neville said, handing the letter he'd received to the goblin, who raised an eyebrow.
The goblin took the letter and quickly scanned it, before eyeing Neville again, and snapping his fingers.
"Bloodfang will help you." The goblin said simply, handing the letter back to Neville, who bowed at the neck and spoke in Gobbledygook, which made the Goblin's eyebrows raise up in surprise. Neville turned and saw another well dressed goblin heading towards him and his friends.
"What did you say to him?" Hermione asked, still looking at the impressed looking Goblin.
"I thanked him, and wished him great fortune. Gran felt it wise to respect the goblins, and part of that respect was learning the language. She made me take lessons since I could speak English." Neville shrugged.
"My parents did too." Daphne said flatly. "Dad always said that if you want them to really help you, show them proper respect."
"Good morning, young wizards." Bloodfang snarled as he approached. "How might I be of service to you today?"
Neville handed the letter to the little goblin, and repeated his request to take control of the LeStrange Vault by right of retribution. Bloodfang read the letter and read it through. He eyed Neville for a moment, and then asked the identities of his companions, Once Neville introduced everyone, the Goblin nodded, though his eyes remained on Harry. Harry tensed, though he had no clear reason to feel anxious.
"Follow me." Bloodfang said, handing the key back to Neville. Neville pocketed his key and they followed the goblin to the carts. He told the teens to wait there for a moment and he head into a small round door.
After a few minutes, the Goblin returned with three very large ledgers tucked under his arm. He guided the teens into to a cart, and waited for them to get settled. Without warning, the cart shot off, and the four teens barely managed to hang on. Hermione began shrieking in terror as the cart made several death defying hairpin turns, and long steep drops. Harry felt Daphne gripping his arm, her face buried in his chest. All Harry could think was that he hoped that Daphne didn't throw up.
Neville and Harry, in contrast to their girlfriends, were all smiles. For Harry this was very close to how he flew. Neville on the other hand had always loved riding the carts. As he had come from a very old family, his family vault was in one of the deeper parts of the bank. He had often begged his grandmother to join her whenever she had bank business, just in the hopes that he would get to ride the carts.
"Harry?" Neville yelled over Hermione's shrieks of terror. Harry turned to look at Neville, and had to laugh at Hermione's stark white face and bulging eyes.
"Is it true muggles have rides like this in their amusement parks?"
Harry nodded and Neville's eyes lit up in excitement.
After another five minutes, the cart finally came to a stop and the goblin climbed out of the cart, turning to stare at the teens with mild contempt. Bloodfang was always annoyed by human's reactions in the carts. He waited as patiently as he could for the young humans to collect themselves.
"It's ok, Hermione." Neville grinned, trying to pull her hands off of the bar in front of her. "We're stopped."
"I've never liked these things." Daphne panted, loosening her grip on Harry.
"So, you're saying you wouldn't go on a rollercoaster with me?" Harry asked, smirking as he rose from his seat. Daphne scowled at her boyfriend who would not stop smiling.
Neville turned to Bloodfang who looked as if he was getting more and more perturbed. He wasn't worried about the goblin. He knew the attitude was going to change in a few moments.
"Vault 109, formally belonging to the Ancient and most Noble House of LeStrange." Bloodfang said clearly.
Harry looked an saw that they weren't in front of a vault, but rather the mouth of a cave. He could hear something coming from the dark of the cave, that sent the hair's on the back of his neck to stand on end.
Bloodfang went back to the cart and pulled out a chain with two large metal blocks on them, and turned back to the cave. "This way."
The group started heading into the cave, while Bloodfang shook the chain, causing the metal block to slam together loudly.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked.
"The older the vault, the more protections placed on them. Many of the Ancient and noble houses have a dragon guarding the vault it self, on top of all the other protective charms and what not. Neville said matter-of-factly. "We have a dragon in front of ours. The chain makes it back away from the vault." Neville pointed out.
As soon as Neville finished his sentence, the Cave opened up and Bloodfang gave a wave of his arm, lighting several torches. Harry, Hermione, Neville and Daphne caught a glimpse of a very large, white tail slipping around a corner and into another cave.
"Whoa." Harry said, fighting a chill. The tail of the dragon was incredibly huge, and Harry wondered how much bigger the Gringott's dragon was in comparison to the Hungarian Horntail he'd flown against in his fourth year.
"I have here the LeStrange Ledger." Bloodfang said, holding out one of the three ledgers to Neville before going to the vault door and opening it for Neville. Neville led his friends into the vault where they all immediately began looking for the cup of Helga Hufflepuff.
"Bloodfang?" Neville asked, inviting the Goblin inside the vault.
"Yes master Longbottom?"
"I'd like all of the gold moved into the Longbottom vault immediately." Neville said, glancing at the goblin before scanning the vault for any sign of the cup. He caught Harry going deeper into the vault, while Daphne and Hermione were actually examining items closely.
"All the weapons and armor I'd like to have returned to the Goblin nation."
Bloodfang nearly dropped the ledgers he carried at this statement, and Neville saw Hermione turn and look at Neville strangely.
"I'd also like anything else that was forged in the Goblin nation returned as well."
"Young master is very generous. May I inquire as to why?" Bloodfang asked, looking with deepest suspicion at Neville, who looked back at the goblin with confidence.
"I have no use for these items, and I would rather see them back in the hands of those who truly appreciate their craftsmanship, than in other vaults, lost for eternity."
"I have dealt with wizards for many years, Master Longbottom, but still, some of you manage to surprise me."
Harry was now quite deep in the vault, his eyes half closed. He was allowing his senses to guide him to the horcrux. Slowly he walked, turning at the waist almost as if he were a walking radar. He'd felt the sickening pull of the dark object almost as soon as the vault opened, though it was quite weak. But with every step he took, the aura of darkness grew.
He knew without a doubt that he was nearing Voldemort's horcrux. The aura made him sick to his stomach, and he felt inexplicably dirty, like he needed ten thousand screaming hot showers to boil off several layers of flesh just to be clean once again. He vaguely wondered if all dark wizard's magic signature felt this… wrong.
Following the "pull" of the dark aura, Harry finally stopped at a large pile of trunks in the furthest corner of the vault. He opened his eyes fully and looked up. There were at least six trunks, similar to the ones he and his friends used at school, stacked on top of one another. Harry saw bits of cloth hanging out of two or three and guessed that they might have had ancient gowns or some such nonsense in them. Next to the stack was a rather regal suit of gold armor with what looked like runs etched into it. There was a jeweled scabbard at its side, though there was no sword in it. Harry's eyes scanned over the mounds of gold and jewels and saw a few paintings and what appeared to be books, though he couldn't tell for sure.
He closed his eyes and centered himself to make sure he wasn't mistaken, and was pleased to find that Voldemort's signature was strongest here where he stood.
"Guys?" He called. "I think it's over here."
Hermione was the first to reach him, followed by Neville Bloodfang and finally Daphne.
"I don't see it." Neville said.
"It's here. It might be in one of those trunks, but it's here."
"Right then." Neville said. With a flick and swish, the top most trunk hovered down in between them all. To their surprise, sitting on top of the trunk was a single gold cup, emblazoned with a badger.
"We found it." Hermione sighed, clasping Neville's arm and kissing him on the cheek.
Harry reached out and plucked up the cup, handing it to Daphne, who shoved it into a small handbag. Neville turned to Bloodfang and bowed.
"Good sir, I have one more request of you before I conclude my business."
Bloodfang arched an eyebrow, and waited for Neville to make his last request.
"I would very much like it if you would honor my family and become my personal account manager. Once you've accomplished all that I have asked of you, I would like it if you would liquidate all remaining assets formally of House LeStrange, and keep the profits for yourself personally.
The Goblin's eyes bugged, and he actually fell to the floor, clutching his chest.
"Master Longbottom, you should be aware that after the gold and goblin made items, there is still well over three hundred million galleons worth of equity."
"Really?" Neville looked at the Goblin, then shrugged. "I hope you find a very good use for it. It is my sincerest wish that with you as my account manager, our fortunes will flourish."
"Of that, I have no doubt, Master Longbottom." Bloodfang bowed low and then handed Neville a second ledger. "This is the current status of the Longbottom fortune, now including the gold which has not yet been moved from this vault. I also took the liberty to retrieve the Potter Ledge." Bloodfang said, looking to Harry, who's eyes went wide.
"Your investments have done very well over the last sixteen years, and I think you'll find your family holdings quite to your satisfaction."
Bloodfang had been correct. Harry hadn't thought about his money situation since Dumbledore had retrieved him from the Dursleys that last time and indicated that Harry was quite wealthy. According to the ledger, Harry's trust vault was still well over three hundred thousand galleons. His family vault, which he had not yet seen himself, was bulging at nearly seven hundred million galleons. That wasn't even counting real estate and business investments.
"Wow." Was all Harry could say at the moment."
"Listen you two." Hermione said snapping her fingers and getting both Harry's and Neville's attentions. "I'm sure this is all very interesting, and will need addressed at some point, but we do have some things to finish before that can happen."
"The girl's right." Daphne said, closing Harry's ledger. Harry nodded solemnly and handed the account book back to Bloodfang.
"Sir, I would very much like to go over everything with you so I fully understand it all. As my very esteemed friend, Mister Longbottom has entrusted you with his accounts, I would also like to retain your services, though at this moment, I do not yet know what I can offer you…"
"As Master Longbottom has pretty much assured my fortunes, I will be most willing to help out Hose Potter. I have no doubt your noble house will remember my efforts in the future."
Harry saw Neville's eyes widen in surprise, but felt it would be smart not to ask just yet.
"I thank you." Harry said, giving a bow to the Goblin, who returned it. They then left the vault and headed back to the cart for a very fast, and loud ride back to the bank's main office. They headed out to the Alley where they could apparate away back to the Flamel house to await word for the next part of their plan to be able to move forward.
Just as Harry and his friends had finally laid hands on the Cup of Helga Hufflepuff, Sirius stood in a forest clearing about seventy miles outside of London. His group was finalizing their preparations and getting themselves situated under cover so they wouldn't be seen when their guests arrived. Sirius checked his watch to make sure they weren't running behind.
"Let's move it people. Ten minutes!"
Mad-Eye Moody unsheathed his wand and gave it a flick. Pleased with the gold sparks, he gave a smile that looked to the casual observer like a grimace of pain. The old Auror shouted at one of his Bulgarian charges to make sure he was ready to throw up the wards as soon as their prey entered the clearing.
Moody pulled out his ancient pocket watch and nodded. Just eight minutes to go.
Remus Lupin gripped his wand, making sure he had a clear line of sight while keeping himself out of sight. He wished they could move farther away from the muggle neighborhood, but there should be little notice, thanks to the wards he and some of the others had placed, to keep the muggles away.
"Seven minutes." He whispered to himself, watching as the volunteer stepped into the open, taking in his surroundings.
Bill Weasley crouched next to his beautiful fiancé, wondering for the millionth time how he had managed to get so lucky with the attractive French witch. Fleur had told him it was his boyish charm, though he suspected that he was not affected by her veela charm as other men were. Yet another perk from being a curse breaker, he reasoned.
He did a quick check to make sure all his charges were in place. He knew they were going to have a very easy time of it, there weren't many places to run off to in this old automobile graveyard. He did think it was a good idea that his father had been sent to the shoreline up north. Mr. Weasley would never be able to stop inspecting the old wreck.
"Five minutes, my love." Fleur said softly. Bill took a deep calming breath and kept his eyes on their man who was to be the bait."
Viktor Krum shouted last minute orders to his group and rolled his shoulders in preparation. He looked at Ivan, and gave a wry smile, which his lifelong friend mirrored and they both turned to watch as the their triggerman took up position next to the cliff edge, broom at the ready.
"How much time?" Ivan asked.
"Four minutes." Krum said.
"Tracey, I need more blood replenishes over here." Mrs. Weasley pointed to a spot near her. "Susan, you and Astoria be ready with fresh towels when any of us calls for them."
"Make sure no one is blocking the floo or the front door." Tracey shouted to two third year boys who brought all the potion vials they could carry and set them on the small table next to Tracey, who was organizing them for easier access for the healers who were preparing the rows of beds.
"Three minutes." Mrs. Weasley whispered as her eyes caught sight of the clock above the mantle.
Tonks readied her wand to cast the anti apparition wards. She saw Sebastian Delacour making one last sweep of the area. She felt truly lucky to be partnered with the Frenchman, who was not only quite charming, but very funny. She just could not wait until the day was over. Sebastian had promised to tell her a very funny tale about his first assignment where he'd ended up with a transfigured horse's behind which could not be reversed for several weeks.
"Two minutes, folks. This is it!" She shouted as Fred Weasley gave her a tap on the shoulder to signal the time.
Amelia could feel the tension building. They had scouted the areas, planned the strike to it's finest detail. But the truth was, no one was sure that this was really going to work like Harry Potter seemed sure that it would. Yet, she had to hope. If they pulled this off… the war was all but over.
"One minute to go." George Weasley smiled, raising his wand and aiming it from behind the boulder he shared with Amelia.
The former head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement closed her eyes and took a deep breath, wishing again that Sirius was at her side for this one.
It had been so long since any of the Death Eaters felt the twinge and pull on their magic of some rebellious usurper who dared utter their Lord's name in defiance. As such, they had grown complacent, and soft. No one was exactly sure how there master had managed such a feat, but he'd made his own name a taboo. A curse of sorts. If the name was uttered by someone who did not bear his mark, those Death Eaters closest to the position could use the mark as a sort of portkey, and deal with the upstart. The Dark Lord had made it clear that if you felt the "alarm", as he called it, you should go at once, no matter how many of them felt the pull. The more of his soldiers there to deal with the problem, the farther the fear of using the name would spread.
No one dared question the order, especially not when there was a sudden surge of alarms throughout the country. At once, over three hundred faithful dropped what they were doing and immediately apparate away, leaving their posts at the Ministry and Hogwarts.
Weeks later, and for years after, those left behind not associated with the Dark Lord and his ilk would swear they knew that the tide turned in those moments after the great call.
Sirius cringed when he made the first count. They hadn't expected so many, though they should have, his group was closest to London, after all. In all, Sirius was sure that they had at least seventy of the Dark Lord's forces.
The Death Eaters surged into the forest clearing, just as had been hoped by the Order leaders, himself included, and after the last crack of apparition, and a slow count of twenty, Sirius felt a small sense of relief when the wards went up, and the battle commenced.
The trigger man, the volunteer who had uttered the name of Voldemort at the appointed time had easily gotten under cover just as the first Death Eaters arrived. The Dark Lord's sheep herded themselves into the Order's trap, and found themselves in a crossfire.
Sirius saw the idiots try and apparate away only to look shocked that they were stuck. Sirius himself fire the first bone shattering hex which signaled the fight was on. The Order gave no quarter to the Death Eaters and in just minutes, half of their force was dead or dying.
The Order remained under their cover, popping up and firing from their hiding spots. Some would casts confudus charms, while others shot to kill. The Death Eaters were so overwhelmed by the Order's guerilla tactics They had no real response. One by one they fell until in only ten minutes, the battle was one, and The Order began to crawl out of their hiding spots to police the battle zone, and find any survivors that might be willing to trade information for their lives.
Bill Weasley order the Darkness powder, and his forces pelted the narrow corridor between wrecked autos with chunks of Instant Darkness Powder provided by his twin siblings. Bill had counted only a handful of Death Eaters, ten at most. When the bombarment spells ceased, and the smoke cleared, Bill knew that there was no one left to question. In fact, there was hardly anything left that could be positively identified as human.
Tonks had not been able to get the wards up as they had planned. Four Death Eaters had apparate right on top of her and Fred Weasley. Tonks had managed to hold them off for several moments, but then things went pear shaped as more and more Death Eaters appeared. Her troops had to break from their positions to try and contain their foes, but the Death Eaters, though taken by surprise, seemed to fight together well.
Tonks avoided a killing curse, and managed to save Fred from one as well.
"I think we stuck our foot in this one." Tonks yelled over the chaos at Fred, who was rummaging in the large ruck sack he'd brought with him.
"What are you doing?" She screamed as a flash of purple sheared off a large chunk of the boulder they'd taken refuge behind.
"Back up." Fred called, holding up a galleon.
"Now that's how it's done!" Moody hollered triumphantly as he stood over a gasping Death Eater. Moody stomped his fake leg down on the wand lying beside the robed figure and ground his heel into the splintered wood. He looked every which way to make sure that other than his new prisoner, the rest of her fellows were dead.
His team of forty had easily dispatched the fifty or so Death Eaters who'd fallen for their trap. Moody was going to buy that Potter kid a whole case of Ogden's finest just as soon as the war was over. The plan had been one of the best Moody had heard in quite some time, and with the help of the Order, and by and large the Bugarian contingent, it had been executed perfectly. Now, so far as Moody was concerned, they only had to find that snake faced bastard and let Potter have at him.
"You two!" Moody bellowed, motioning for two of his Bulgarian troops over. "Bind this one and get him ready for interrogation." Moody bent down and tore the mask away from the Death Eater's face.
"So good to see you Alecto. I'm looking forward to chatting with you." Moody laughed, though it sounded like a growl. He gave a quick motion of his head and the two strapping Bulgarians drug the stocky woman away. At that moment, Moody felt something warm on his thigh. He fished in his pocket and pulled out the fake galleon that Harry Potter's brilliant little witch friend had provided them all the day before.
"Damn it Nymphadora." Moody snarled before calling some of his troops to him.
That's all of them I think." Laurent Beauton said in a thick French accent as he and his assigned partner walked up to Remus Lupin, who was surveying the bodies as they were brought together by his troops. There had been so few. Remus wondered if the other teams had been as lucky.
"Any survivors?" Remus asked, and Laurent shook his head.
"We overwhelmed them. Between the bombardments, blasters and confounds charms, they were all but defenseless."
"We have gathered all the wands, Mister Lupin." A tall barrel chested man said, his fist full of wands held out for Remus' inspection.
"Burn them." Remus said with a nod. "Burn them and the bodies, then when it's all done, we'll head back to the island. I-"
He stopped as his chest grew warm, or more specifically, the galleon he'd placed in his chest pocket grew warm. Remus threw his hand into the pocket, fishing for the communication device. He read the edge of the gold coin, his heart beginning to beat faster.
"Laurent, gather everyone. We've got to go help one of the groups. We need to go right now."
Arthur Weasley had been utterly beside himself with fright before the battle had been started. He kept praying that he would make it through the battle unscathed. When it was all said and done, not only had he only cast a single spell, a reducto, but he was quite literally in the very same condition that he arrived in. Not only that, but the rest of his team was just fine as well.
Perhaps it was the fact that only ten Death Eaters had shown up. His force was coming out of hiding and quickly relieving the dead of their wands.
"Well," He sighed. "Molly will be pleased. I might even get lucky tonight." He chortled as he headed over to meet up with his second in command to get a report.
"All dead." the man with the thin beard exclaimed as Arthur toddled up. Arthur felt awful that he couldn't remember the man's name, though he was sure it was something like Stan, or Stern… something like that.
"Very good. Police the bodies, burn the wands."
Arthur felt his leg grow warm, and he remembered the emergency communication galleon Hermione had handed out the night before. Ingenious that young lady. The wizard world sure had been given a gift when she had come to Hogwarts, of that Arthur had no doubt.
Fishing out the Galleon, he read the edge, frowning at once.
"Stan?" He called out to his second. "Uh, Stenson? Uh… oh bother?"
"My name is Volkov." the Bulgarian sighed, and Arthur's face grew red.
"Sorry, my friend, I promise I'll remember this time. Gather everyone. Tonk's needs help."
"How quickly is that thing supposed to work?" Tonks screamed as another spell exploded behind her. She shot a glance over her shoulder to where Sebastian Delacour was pinned down with one of the French Hitwizards.
"Instantly." Fred shouted. "But if they're all still engaged…"
A scream sounded shrill over the explosions, and Tonks saw a young Bulgarian woman, who she was sure couldn't have been more than twenty fall dead.
"Their closing the circle!" Someone shouted.
"Blast you Remus, if you ever want to see me starkers again, you'll get your furry behind here now and save me." Tonks thought as she tried to fire a hex around the boulder, only to very nearly lose her hand.
"How many of them do you think there are?" Fred asked.
"I have no idea, Let me ask them to stop fighting with us so I can count." Tonks snapped.
CRACK!
"Oh gods, I hope that not more of them." Tonks thought to herself.
CRACK! CRACK!
"Behind us!"
"They've got reinforcements!"
"Who said that?" Tonks asked, but Fred only shrugged.
The battlefield suddenly came alive with the cracks of apparition. That was followed by more explosions and screams. The Death Eaters that had been keeping Tonks and Fred at bay stopped firing on them and seemed to be distracted. Tonks and Fred both took advantage, popping up and hitting the two closest robed figures with bone breaking hexes.
It took another twenty minutes until the last spell was fired. But it became apparent quite quickly that Back up had arrived for the order, and the tide of the battle changed almost at once. Slowly, as silence began to fall, Tonks rose from her hiding spot along with Fred. They were greeted at once their friends and allies.
"DORA!"
It was Remus. He was running through the trees looking for his lover.
"Remus!" She shouted, running to her werewolf lover and leaping into his arms
"They came from behind us." She said, kissing him hard. "We never had a chance to get the wards up. We expected them to come from over there. We were all turned around."
"Start gathering the bodies." Moody shouted, coming from the forest. "Anyone still alive, tie 'em up and bring them to me."
"How'd you fare, Mad-Eye?" Arthur Weasley asked as he came closer.
"We got fifty of the blighters. They came in right where we predicted they would." Moody grinned.
"We had to adjust our tactics, but we only had ten to deal with." Arthur nodded.
"We took seventy ourselves." Sirius smiled, clapping Remus on the back. "Any prisoners?"
"Alecto Carrow." Moody was practically bouncing on his feet.
"We got twenty ourselves." Bill Weasley said as he and Fleur, walking hand in hand approached. "Anyone heard from Amelia?"
There was silence as everyone stared at each other.
"Should we go check on her?" Fred asked.
"She might need our help." Bill remarked.
"Orders were pretty specific." Moody said. "Don't come unless called. We'd do better to finish up here and get our wounded back to the island."
"I don't like it." Sirius shook his head.
"It's war." Moody snarled. "We follow orders. Get back to the island. Wait for word." Moody said, clapping Sirius on the shoulder. "I've seen the woman fight, You have too. Until we know for sure, we shouldn't worry ourselves."
"Easier said than done." Sirius grimaced, holding his own communication galleon tightly in his hand.
"Come on Sirius." Remus said, grabbing his old friend by the shoulder. "She might already be waiting for us."
Amelia Bones could not believe her luck. Not only had her team managed to take on a force twice their size, but they had manage to capture Yaxley, Rowle, and MacNair. She watched with her wand aimed at MacNair. They had been relieved of their wands, and forced to watched as they were snapped.
"You'll get nothing from us, bitch." Yaxley spat.
Amelia shook her head.. "Well see what you have to say after a dose of Veritaserum." Amelia smirked. She turned to George Weasley. "Any word from the other teams?"
"None since the Galleon heated up."
"Ok, let's get these three to the rendezvous point, and then we'll figure out what's next."
George nodded and turned to order their wounded back to the island. Several of the troops snatched up their prisoners and apparate away. Amelia followed shortly after, making sure that each and everyone of her people headed back, before she allowed herself the privilege.
She arrived at the agreed upon point just after the prisoners had arrived. She was greeted by Sirius, who swept her up in his arms and spun happily.
"I was so worried." He said into her hair, holding her tightly. She felt the same, and kissed him to show her relief.
"How many did we lose?" She asked when Sirius allowed her to pull away. "I know Tonks team got hit hard. We couldn't get free to help."
"It's alright. She's fine. She's in the tent with Moody and Remus. Moody's team got Alecto Carrow. We lost a total of six. Five were hurt, and are already back on the island."
"I lost one, and three wounded." Amelia sighed. "Any word from Harry?"
"I was just about to check."
"Go ahead." Amelia said, kissing Sirius once again. "I'm going to assist Moody with the interrogations. I want to get all the information we can before we make our final strike."
Amelia smiled at Sirius as he turned to make contact with Harry. She met with the other leaders, including Tonks, and got the final reports. They had decimated the Death Eaters. The tide had turned significantly. It was hard not to be excited. The end to their terror, to their war, was so very, very near. And they still had much to plan.
Lord Voldemort arrived back at Hogwarts angrier than he'd ever felt in his life. Every single one of his Horcruxes was missing, at least those he could check on. The Locket was gone. The Ring as well. He knew that the Diary had been destroyed, he'd learned of that upon his resurrection.
He was on his way to the Room of Requirement to check on the Diadem. So far as he knew, the cup was safe, deep inside Hogwarts, and he knew of no way the brat would get his hands on it. Yet, the Potter boy always somehow managed to accomplish the impossible.
He was met by Snape, who looked quite grim.
"My lord, I'm afraid I have some very disturbing news."
"What is it, Snape?"
"There was a battle, with the Order."
"How many did we kill?" Voldemort asked, walking swiftly.
"So far as I'm aware… none." Snape said. Voldemort stopped in his tracks. He turned his cold red eyes on the defense teacher, who cowered a bit under his master's eyes.
"What?" Voldemort hissed.
"I am unclear on the details. Only three returned, and they are being treated currently in the hospital wing. According to Flint, the Order was waiting for them. An ambush."
"Go to the hospital wing and wait for me there." Lord Voldemort snarled. He turned and moved off to finish his task. Somehow, before he even opened the hidden entrance, he knew. He had known when he went to the old shack, he had known when he returned to that ancient cave. And now, as he entered the cavernous room filled with hidden, broken and lost objects, he knew that he would not find the Diadem.
He roared in frustrated anger when he'd come upon the bust of the ugly wizard. His protections were lost, destroyed. Rage filled his veins, boiling his blood. He stormed his way back to the hospital wing, students scattering before him, hoping to avoid his ire.
"Snape!" He bellowed as he slammed open the doors of the hospital wing.
Snape bowed at once. He was standing beside the bed of a young man, one of the newly initiated, who looked as if he'd been hit with a very nasty bone breaker. Blood was slowly flowing out of a large wound where bone was sticking out of his thigh, and the man shivered.
Lord Voldemort stepped over to the young soldier and stared into his eyes. Through the connection, the Dark Lord saw a battle. His Death Eaters fought brilliantly, and it appeared that they were winning, and then, the Order suddenly had reinforcements, and the coward was hit and apparate back to Hogwarts.
"They are emboldened." Voldemort snarled. We need to prepare. They will try to attack again. Snape, give me your arm."
Snape rolled up his sleeve and presented the Dark Mark for his master. Voldemort touched the charmed tattoo. He then went to the Great Hall to await his followers, and then, he would find the Order and wipe them out. And then, then he would hunt down that accursed Potter boy and rip his body to shreds, but not until after he brutally slaughtered the boys friends and made him watch.