This chapter in particular contains some harsh violence and is not for the weak of heart. (forgive the pun,Val couldn't help it.) --Val and Maranda
Madame Hooch stood there facing the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw quidditch teams. Professor McGonagall had given her the order to organize flyers to help Hagrid battle the giants. She knew they could do it, but standing there on the grass just outside the castle, watching the centaurs and villagers from Hogsmeade fight them, a sense of dread filled her. Not knowing what to say to them, trying to put on a brave face as she turned to face them.
The captain of the Ravenclaw team, seemed to sense her anxiety and said, "Don't worry Professor, we're more than ready to go out there and show these giants a thing or two about how to play fairly."
Madame Hooch found herself smiling. "All right then, mount your brooms. And remember giants don't like it when magic is used against them. So be sure to use your beaters and whatever else you can get your hands on. Fly fast. Fly safe. And best of luck to you all."
Moments later they were in the air speeding toward the cluster of giants and centaurs. The two beaters on the Ravenclaw and the two from the Hufflepuff teams, had conjured up a long rope. The Ravenclaws took hold of one end while the Hufflepuff held onto the other.
Spying a small group of giants, they picked up speed. Zooming in low to the ground on they pulled the rope tightly between them, making their way for the giants' ankles. They held onto the rope even tighter as they hit their mark and rejoiced at knocking over several in the group. Letting go of the rope, they quickly dodged the pounding fists and trees of the angry giants still standing.
Madame Hooch, spotted Hagrid in the mist of centaurs and giants, she gave him a short salute and then quickly turned her broom, narrowly escaping a large boulder that was falling fast toward Hagrid and the villagers below.
Seeing that she had no choice, she quickly grabbed her wand and shouted, "IMPEDIMENTA!" The boulder slowed and came to a stop. Madame Hooch, feeling angry then shouted, "BIDDIWASI!"
When she saw that she had control over the boulder, she flicked her wand abruptly and pointed it directly at the giant that had thrown it. The boulder sped toward the surprised giant, hitting him square between the eyes.
Knowing that other giants would soon be on her, Madame Hooch quickly put her wand back within her robes and sped off in a different direction.
Hagrid, seeing the professor, let out a joyous yell. "Thas the way Hooch, yeh show em!"
While Hagrid and the villagers were celebrating the arrival of the reinforcements, Grawp had come upon one particularly big and ugly looking giant. Recognizing who it was he immediately started tearing at his opponents face, trying to overpower him, but Grawp was no match. The bigger giant easily knocked him down, and Grawp fell hitting his head a boulder.
"AGRID! AGRID! AGRID!" He screamed dazed and terrified, while his larger opponent moved his big foot over Grawp's head getting ready to crush it.
Hagrid turned to see what was happening, becoming filled with terror at what he saw. He began to run in the direction his brother was . . . but it was too late.
The bigger giant had mercilessly stomped his foot down on Grawp's head, crushing Grawp's skull against the rock. Grawp let out a soft whimper and died.
Hagrid was blind with rage, before the giant had time to react Hagrid was already shooting arrows and hitting the back of the giant's neck with his free fist.
Hagrid was cursing and swearing with every blow and arrow, tears streaming down his enraged face.
The bigger giant let out an agonized wail alerting his friends nearby that he was in trouble. They quickly came to his aid knocking over Centaurs and villagers in their paths. Before Hagrid knew what was happening one of the giants had grabbed him by his collar and lifted him off of the one that he had been attacking.
The bigger giant turned, and Hagrid suddenly realized it was the Gurg. Still enraged, Hagrid kicked and screamed while the Gurg positioned his hands on either side of him, getting ready to squash him like a bug between his enormous hands.
Inside the Chamber of Secrets. Hermione and Ron, having come to, gasped in horror at the sight of Voldemort, and his snake like appearance. His red, slitted eyes narrowed, while an evil smile curved his thin lips. He was holding something in his hands looking triumphantly at it.
Ron finding, he had been unbound by the cords, reached out toward Hermione and whispered, "All right there Hermione?" Hermione nodded as she continued looking at Voldemort.
He was uttering some words toward the object within his hands.. He looked puzzled, yet again uttering words, only more forcefully. But still the object within his hands refused to work. His face contorted with rage.
Suddenly, Voldemort turned to the three boys behind him. "YOU THREE!" He growled in a dangerous, ominous tone.
Hermione and Ron could see it was Draco, Crabbe and Goyle.
Draco trembled and swallowed. "My Lord, we did catch these two and brought them here, with the very thought of luring Potter to you. It was our plan to kill these two in front of him . . . " He stuttered.
Voldemort walked over and put his gruesome, serpentine face next to Draco's.
Draco cringed, the smell of Voldemort's putrid breath swirled around his nose.
Voldemort's voice was deadly. "Was it now? That is very interesting, young Mr. Malfoy. As I recall, the plan was to bring Potter here so that I might rid of him forever! But instead of bringing him and the Cherished Star, you brought me his friends and a sneakascope that doesn't work!"
Draco shivered at seeing, his eyes glowing a brighter red. He closed his eyes and waited for the worst to come.
Crabbe nervously raised his hand. "Uh, Your Lordship?"
Voldemort jerked his head in his direction and snapped, "What is it?"
"Ummm, well, see . . . we were thinking we'd get these two, and Potter would come try to save them . . . " He trailed off while Goyle nodded vigorously at his side.
Draco let out a slow breath, relieved and somewhat befuddled. That was more than Crabbe had ever said.
Voldemort smiled, his eyes narrowing into tinier slits. He walked over to Crabbe and Goyle. "So, you think you had a better plan than I did, hmmmmm?"
Crabbe's eyes went wide, beginning to whimper. "N-n-no, Your Lordship, Master . . . It's just that . . . It's just . . . "
Voldemort raised his wand once more and pointed it at Crabbe.
Crabbe fumbled in his pockets for his own wand, and grasped it in his fingers but being so frightened and clumsy, he dropped it on the floor. It rolled to Voldemort's feet.
"First you defy me, and then you dare to try and attack me?" The Dark Lord hissed, pointing his wand at Crabbe's chest.
Crabbe cringed and began pleading, "No, My lord. No! No!"
"AVADA KEDAVRA!" A bright flash of green light shot from his wand and hit Crabbe squarely on his large chest, Crabbe fell hard to the ground, dead.
Voldemort then turned his attention to Goyle.
Goyle trembled. He kept silent, hoping this would be of help to him, but Voldemort raised his wand again.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!"
Seconds later, Goyle fell in a heap next to Crabbe's dead body.
Draco Malfoy shook with fear watching Lord Voldemort walk back over to him.
"So, young Malfoy, now you see what happens to one who defies their Lord." He spat coldly.
Draco managed to nod. "Y-y-yes, my lord."
Voldemort laughed softly. "But you see, you still need to be punished."
Draco broke out into a cold sweat. He was shaking so violently his teeth were chattering. Voldemort straightened up and pointed his wand at him.
"CRUCIO NERVOSA!" A flash of light jetted out of the wand and hit Draco in the head, throwing him backwards onto the floor. His body floundered and spasmed as though he were in an epileptic fit. His screams of pain echoed around the chamber. Hermione and Ron clung to each other in horror.
Voldemort released Malfoy from the curse, slowly walking over to him. Draco lay there panting, clutching his head. Voldemort glared down at him, his face twisted in a vengeful smile. "Why . . . I still don't believe that you have learned your lesson, boy." Voldemort said, shaking his head and clucking his tongue.
He pointed his wand at Draco's stomach and hissed, "CRUCIO GASTRIUM!"
Draco's stomach began to twist itself into knots, causing him to wretch painfully.
Voldemort released him from the curse after a few minutes. Draco was on his hands and knees clutching his stomach when Lord Voldemort said, "That's better, isn't it? Have you learned your lesson, now?"
Draco said inhaling sharply, "Yes."
Voldemort raised his wand again. "Tsk, tsk . . . still not good enough."
He coughed and sputtered, "Master . . . yes master!"
But, Voldemort was already pointing his wand directly and Draco's chest. His eyes narrowed, and his face contorted hideously as he hissed, "CARDIO REDUCIO!"
Draco's eyes widened in sheer terror. His hands flew to his chest, where he could feel his heart shrinking. He gasped in pain and horror. Slowly but surely his heart grew smaller, till blood could no longer pass through. He could feel the pressure of the blood building up in his arteries. His face was turning a pale shade of purple, as he slowly collapsed to the floor.
Draco stared at Voldemort's evil, twisted face, and then his eyes wandered toward Ron and Hermione.
Hermione had buried her head in Ron's shoulder, letting out a whimper. Ron held her, looking at him in stunned horror.
Draco gave one last groan of pain, before his head hit the floor.
Voldemort looked at the body of young Malfoy and smiled maliciously. The only sound to be heard was that of Hermione crying softly.
A few minutes later, the Dark Lord walked slowly toward them and glared at Hermione. Ron moved her quickly behind him.
Voldemort sneered, lifting his wand and pointing it at Ron.
Ron's face went pale, but nonetheless, he kept his eyes locked with Voldemort's.
Peter Pettigrew, who had been watching the whole time from a distance, suddenly stammered, "My Lord . . . um, perhaps if your lordship agrees, it might be of use to keep the boy and girl alive . . . surely their imprisonment will lure Potter here. And their deaths would torture Potter greatly." Voldemort stared at him menacingly. "Uh, but whatever you think is best, my lord . . . " His voice trailed off, waiting for his master to punish him.
Voldemort lowering his wand, chuckled softly. "Yes, Wormtail . . . You are right . . . I will keep them alive, for now. But we'll kill them when Potter arrives."
Pettigrew trembled in relief, bowing low he replied, "Yes, your lordship, whatever you think is best." Looking at Ron, he smiled wickedly. Voldemort then shoved the object he was trying use earlier, into his hands.
Ron glared at Pettigrew, wrapping his arms around Hermione. She had once again buried her face in his shoulder, crying uncontrollably.
"But I saw them come in here!" Neville said, nervously.
They had made their way to the classroom where professors Snape and Weiss had dragged Harry into, only to find it empty and deserted.
Moody and Tonks exchanged knowing glances while Neville rambled on.
"I did! Harry wasn't happy about it, but I know this was the classroom! I'm certain . . . " He paused to look at them. "You don't think they were captured d-d-do you?"
Moody frowned, shaking his head. "Knowing Harry, I'm sure the professors are busily chasing after him as he's running--if not skipping, toward Lord Voldemort."
Neville looked at Moody wide-eyed and terrified while Tonks moved toward the door.
"Come along, Longbottom." Moody said, exiting the room.
Neville, letting out a nervous whimper, followed Moody. His mind was pondering on where Harry could be.
The sounds of footsteps pounding on the stone floor echoed up the corridor. Snapping Neville out of his reverie, with the sight of Death Eaters blocking their way out.
"Hello Rudolphus." Moody said casually, grabbing what looked like a rod from his robes.
"Mad-eye." Rudolphus said, removing his mask.
"Yeah, I don't know why you bother wearing that thing, Rudolphus. Your ugly arrogant frame is easy to recognize." Moody smiled while Tonks came up along side him with her wand at the ready. Neville did the same.
"Charming." Rudolphus sneered. "You don't know how long I've waited for this day."
"Sixteen years, nine months and what? Fourteen days?" Moody retorted.
Rudolphus gave a wry laugh, "Buying time like always. Face it Moody, you are out numbered. And no matter how much you try to stall. You will be dead, along with your pathetic companions."
Moody nodded, silently bringing up the rod in his hand, he gently touched its pointed end to his temple, "We shall see, Rudolphus, we shall see."
Elsewhere, Maunrose and Severus were on either side of Harry. They had made their way just outside the door of a haunted bathroom, when they were suddenly met with two hooded figures blocking the entry into it.
Maunrose and Severus stopped, pushing Harry behind them. The three of them had their wands at the ready while they heard arrogant laughter coming from under the hoods.
"Show yourself!" Severus demanded.
The hooded figures slowly walked forward.
"Ah, Severus . . . so nice to see you." Sneered Bellatrix, taking off her hood.
"So you're the one who betrayed our master." Spat Lucius, removing his hood to stand beside Bella.
Severus grit his teeth as his other hand clenched tightly around his wand.
Bella chuckled, settling her eyes on Maunrose. "You must be Caristella's daughter. The resemblance is striking."
Maunrose had her wand at the ready, her eyes gleamed with a flash of fury "So what if I am?"
Bella chuckled again, narrowing her eyes.
"Out of the way, Bella, we don't want to hurt you or Lucius." Said Severus.
"I'm not scared of you! Or this woman, or even little baby Potter." Bellatrix spat when she and Lucius pulled out their own wands.
"You will step aside or face the consequences." Severus said this time sounding more loathsome than ever.
Maunrose tightened her grip on her wand. Her free hand was trying to hold Harry behind her.
"Then let it begin." Said Lucius, coming face to face with Severus. "Traitor!" He spat.
Bella had her wand aimed at Harry and Maunrose. She smiled venomously at the two of them.
It happened in a blur, Lucius and Bella both said curses as purple and green lights shot from out of their wands. Maunrose threw Harry to the ground shouting a counter curse, while Severus was locked in a fast wizard duel with Lucius.
Harry quickly got up and shouted, "STUPEFY!" to Bella but she saw it coming and easily blocked it with a counter curse, and then sent a binding hex to Harry. Before he could react thin strands of snake like rope wrapped around him, he fell to the ground struggling to get free.
Maunrose was too busy trying to move out of the way of Bella's curses, she somersaulted and rolled shouting hexes in between the counter curses.
Bella was quickly finding herself frustrated by Maunrose's annoying ability to move around and block her curses.
Severus and Lucius were shouting spells at each other so fast, it looked like they each had a strobe light flashing at the ends of their wands.
Harry continued to struggle with the cords that were wrapped around him, he was working on getting his wand free when Bella started talking to Maunrose.
"You never knew that your little sneakascope held such great powers as to destroy the earth, did you?"
Maunrose said coldly, "What are you talking about?"
Bella laughed, "The Cherished Star is in the hands of the Dark Lord now, he will destroy all of you mudbloods and half-breeds. Have you never heard that your mother made such a weapon? Why your mother died?" Bella said, sending a curse to Maunrose.
"What would you know about it?" Maunrose replied shouting a counter curse.
"I was there." Bella sneered, trying to hit Maunrose with a curse. "I killed her myself!"
For a moment their dueling ceased. Maunrose's eyes flashed with a dangerous gleam.
Bella laughed, "Oh yes . . . I had to . . . persuade her to giving me the Cherished Star. But she was stubborn. Then she did something stupid." Bella chuckled while she walked around Maunrose victoriously. "When she smashed her little ball, she unfortunately told my Lord to burn in hell . . . that was a no-no . . . I was ordered to kill her. It was so much fun listening to her helpless screams . . . " She stopped to look at Maunrose's tortured face while she pointed her wand right at Maunrose's chest. "Like Mother, Like . . . "
She never got to finish her sentence. Maunrose was filled with rage throwing her wand aside, she hit Bella in the face, thrusting the palm of her hand up while her other hand twisted Bella's arm.
Bella screamed in agony, letting go of her wand. Maunrose quickly grabbed the wand as the hand that had twisted Bella's arm now grabbed Bella's throat.
Bella's eyes bulged with terror. Maunrose had pointed the wand at Bella's face looking at her with sheer hatred.
Laughing nervously and fighting for breath Bella gasped, "You can't kill me! You're . . . to . . . good . . . to kill me."
Maunrose gave her a wry smile. "You're right." She spat, throwing Bellatrix to the ground. "I'm not the only one who wants to see you dead and I'd hate to disappoint anyone." Snake like ropes came out of the wand wrapping around Bellatrix. "STUPEFY!" Said Maunrose bitterly. She then broke Bella's wand into two, throwing it down next to her limp body.
After having dealt with her, she turned to Harry. He had managed to break free of the bands and was looking at her with wide eyes.
"Are you okay?" She asked helping him up.
"Y..yes." He stuttered.
Maunrose nodded. Picking up her wand, she looked up to see Lucius looking victorious. His wand was pointed right at Severus' chest.
Severus sneered, quickly dropping to his knees and extending one leg as he spun around knocking Lucius off of his feet. Severus stood up and shouted, "ACCIO WAND!"
Lucius' wand flew into Severus' hand. He quickly bound Lucius up with cords before it occurred to him what had happened, and then pointed both wands at Lucius' stunned expression. "That's a little something muggles like to call Karate!" Severus spat.
Maunrose and Harry stood there looking at him dumbfounded, hearing him say, "STUPEFY!"
Severus breathing heavily, turned to notice their shocked expressions. "What?" He asked.
Maunrose shook her head. "Nothing, just I had no idea that I was such an influence on you."
Severus smiled. "Well you are a great teacher."
Harry and Maunrose laughed. The three of them continued to quickly make their way down to the tunnel leading into the Chamber of Secrets.
At that same moment, Ron still had his arms around Hermione. They were now huddled together in a corner of the chamber. Listening to the commotion of the battle for Hogwarts going on just above them.
They were looking at the lifeless body of Draco Malfoy, when Hermione said, "Ron, I'm sorry about all those times I called you stupid."
"It's all right, Hermione. I'm just sorry for all the times I called you mental." He said looking at her.
"Do you think we'll make it out of this one, alive?" she asked looking up at him with tears beginning to swell in her eyes.
He shrugged and found himself wiping the tears that were streaming down her cheeks. "I wish I knew for sure."
They gazed into each others eyes.
"Hermione?" Ron whispered.
"Yes?" she whispered back.
"If we don't make it, I want you to know . . . " He stopped, finding it hard to say what he wanted to tell her for the last year.
"Yes?" she said, urging him to continue.
He sighed and looked away from her. "I want you know that I think you are the smartest person in the world."
"Oh." she said, blushing and looking furious. "Is that all you have to say?"
Feeling frustrated, he said, "Well, what do you want me to say?"
She rolled her eyes, shoving him back, she folded her arms turning away from him. "Oh honestly, Ron! You are so THICK!"
Hurt by that comment he replied bitterly, "And just what is that supposed to mean? What did you think I was going to say?"
"Oh!" Was all she could say.
"What? Were you wanting me to tell you that I love you?" She looked at him shocked. "How can I when you're going to marry Krum." He mumbled bitterly.
Hermione looked at Ron saying slowly, "It's not . . . entirely official."
"What?" He said stunned. "But I thought you had plans . . . that you were in love with him."
Tears were starting to come to Hermione's eyes again. Finding it hard to breathe, she whispered, "That's what I thought, until . . . "
Ron looked at her, suddenly realizing what she was trying to say. Tears were starting to come to his own eyes as relief and joy swept over him. She was trying to hide her tears from him when he lifted her face up to look at him.
He found the courage he needed to tell her, "Hermione, whatever happens, I do love you." Taking her face in his hands he said again, "I love you."
"I... love you . . . too." She managed to say in between her sobs.
They held each other's gaze as Ron slowly pulled Hermione to him and gently kissed her lips.
A/N: Why our dear MC you should know us better than that. Why we are always full of surprises. And we've had these chapters written out months ago. But alas we have arrived to the scene that is left to write, and it's in the next chapter so you'll just have to wait for the two remaining chapters. hahahahaha!