It's been awhile...

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, only my OC!

Chapter 20

-Nava's PoV-

It didn't take long for the battle to spread to the castle's corridors. Soon enough, Nava and George encountered two Death Eaters, engaging them in combat immediately. Nava could see how focused and determined George was as he shot curses and threw up defensive charms with grace. It was inspiring really, seeing him use such skill with his wand. It didn't take long for Nava to dive into a duel with Goyle.

"Stupefy!" the shimmering, red spell shot down the hall from Goyle's wand as he ran forward.

Nava rolled to the side quickly, avoiding the blast that followed. Instantly she raised her wand to retaliate, "Expelliarmus! Patrificus Totalis!" She didn't take a breath as the spells left her wand. They hit their mark precisely, leaving the big boned man to fall to the stone floor stiffly, unconscious, his wand flying into the air and into her own hands.

She instantly tucked it away in her robes; the best way to keep the enemy from recovering was to ensure that they could do no harm if revived. It was something her foster parents had taught her and it was embedded to her memory.

There was a rumble through the halls, most likely from explosions below them. Nava braced herself as she looked towards George; he had just slashed the air with his wand, causing the Death Eater to fly back towards the wall, hitting it with a loud thud. His limp form fell to the floor and his wand rolled from his hand toward George's feet. He picked it up and glanced back towards her. They both exchanged a quick look and nodded at one another before continuing down the hall. They needed to keep moving, this was only the beginning.

The pair had their wands raised in front of them as they swiftly turned the corner. There were numerous bodies scattered from both sides, but the fighting still raged throughout the corridors. Undeterred by the amount of death, they moved forward till the sound of curses being callout became clearer.

As they turned another corner a trio of Death Eaters advanced towards them. Instantly, Nava began calling out spells and deflecting curses with protective charms.

She gritted her teeth as she deflected a hex, it was powerful and although she deflected it, it still pushed her back. The force of the spell was strong, quickly she shot another hex their way and dodged their rebound curse. Her heart rate was going wild, her adrenaline was spiking, her breaths were even as she moved fluidly in the duel. She studied the their subtle movements to try and foresee any future attacks.

The Death Eaters didn't back down, but as one of them shot out another spell Nava took the chance and aimed at the wall beside them, "Bombarda!" The wall exploded outwards, chunks of the stony wall knocking two of the Death Eaters to the ground.

Nava watched George straighten his stance as he took on the final Death Eater with confidence. After one final flick of his wand the Death Eater flew through the air and skidded along the ground.

Nava looked around them cautiously before walking forward. After a few moments the last Death Eater began to stir. Instantly, she aimed her wand at him, "Stupefy!" He immediately became stiff and she let out a small breath.

"Well come on, I made a bet with Fred that I'd take down the most Death Eaters, Can't let them win now can I?" George took off ahead of her as the sounds of more intense fighting rang through the halls. She smirked and followed after him.

After he turned another corner, going out of her sight, she could see a mass of Death Eaters ahead of them. Each one was fighting against a member of the Order and a Hogwarts student. She approached the battle as a red flash went off.

She turned the corner in time to see a 5th year student that she didn't recognize hit the wall, falling to the floor unconscious. Before the Death Eater could step towards her limp body Nava ran swiftly in front of her. Her eyes were trained on the masked man in front of her as he raised his wand, "Crucio!"

Nava dived out of the way as the spell hit the wall behind her. She aimed at the man and yelled out, "Duro!" Instantly, he turned to stone. She let out a breath and observed her surroundings, she noticed Ginny a little further down the corridor fighting against two Death Eaters alongside Luna. They were focused but their opponents were backing them into a corner.

Nava grimaced and turned towards the girl that she protected. She pointed her wand at her, "Renervate," the girl opened her eyes lightly, her brown hair was coming out from her ponytail. She coughed before Nava spoke, "Are you alright?"

The girl nodded as she pushed herself against the wall. She took another as she continued to cough, it soon settling and her breath becoming even. She looked up at Nava as she pushed herself up to her feet, brushing off some debris, "I'm fine."

Nava walked over to the girl's wand and picked it up, "Here," she handed the girl her wand. "You might want to keep a better hold of that."

The girl smiled lightly as she grabbed her wand, "Thanks."

Nava half-heartedly smiled, "What's your name?"

The girl managed to softly answer her, "Sarah"

She nodded towards her, knowing their wasn't much time for pleasantries, "I'm Nava, now try and be aware of your surroundings. Don't let anyone catch you off guard." The girl nodded back and they both quickly diverted their attention to the action around them.

Nava looked over towards George who was now fighting alongside Neville. They both fought side by side so well, Neville obviously had learned a lot since the last time she saw him.

She looked back towards Sarah, "Do you think you can still fight?"

She nodded, "Definitely."

"Good, follow me," Nava gave a second glance back towards George. He'll be fine. She knew he could take care of himself, but she couldn't help but worry a bit about the man who had been by her side for the past month. She quickly shook off the worry and turned down the opposite side of the hallway.

Ginny and Luna were now cornered, both of them trying to keep their front up.

Nava approached them as quickly as she could, Sarah following closely behind her. She trained her wand on one of the Death Eaters that was closing in on them, "Expelliarmus!" Nava shouted out, causing one of the Death Eaters to stagger backwards, his wand remained in his hands. The other looked her way and scowled before sending a few curses.

"Engorgio Skullus!" Sarah yelled out as Nava deflected the curses. The hex hit the second Death Eater, his skull swelling so large that his mask fell to the ground as he staggered backwards.

As soon as he looked up Ginny shot a stunning spell, knocking him unconscious. At that same moment Luna managed to unarm her opponent.

Nava nodded their way as they both came running towards them. Luna smiled and Ginny looked over at the Ravenclaw girl, "That was brilliant!"

Sarah smiled brightly, "Thanks."

"Here you three stick together," Nava pushed the Ravenclaw girl towards Ginny. "Watch your backs and continue down the hall. I'm going to go back up George now."

They nodded and before Sarah left she gave Nava a curt nod to thank her before following Ginny and Luna.

Nava smiled, "Stay safe." She then quickly turned and took off down the hall once more; Neville was leaning against the wall taking a breath as George came walking towards him. She looked over and noticed the two Death Eaters were now bound by rope and were out cold.

She walked forward just as George was patting Neville on the back, "Everything alright here?"

George looked over at her with a small smile, "Just fine, they got a little tied up." He laughed lightly and Neville joined in a bit shaking his head at Georges attempt a subtle humor.

Nava smiled and walked forward, "We should head down. I think most of them are around the first floor." She looked around them ensuring that they were safe, "Everything's quiet up here."

Neville nodded, "That's what I was telling George."

"Yeah," he spoke up and looked at her, "Where were you?"

"I was helping out Ginny and Luna, I had them take some Ravenclaw girl along with them downstairs. So we should take the other stairs, maybe we can corner the lot of them." Nava spoke without any emotion; her focus was solely on the task at hand.

"Well alright, let's go then." George took a deep breath and Neville pushed himself off the wall.

The two of them followed her down the hall. She gripped her wand tightly, trying not to think of how exhausted she was. The war had only just started and she couldn't risk losing focus. She shook her head lightly, gaining back some of her concentration as she walked towards the stairs.

She took her steps lightly, looking around the bends cautiously. "Clear," she spoke out softly, "Let's go."

She hurried down the steps, George and Neville right behind her as they approached the 4th Floor. Another loud explosion echoed through the halls. Yells were heard, and flashes of light lit up the dusty hall.

"This way! Come on!" She rushed down the hall unsure of what to expect. One thing was for sure; she had to have her guard up at all times.

The more they ran down the hall the thicker the smoke became. She stopped in her tracks, something wasn't right. There was a thump and a flash that lit up the smoke and everything went silent. The silence filled the hall; everything was at a stand still. She turned around with her wand raised; Neville came out from the dust and looked at her, his arm covering his mouth, "Where's George?"

Nava walked towards where George should have been, her eyes scanned the hall for him. She spotted his crumpled form against the wall. "George," she whispered to herself in worry as she ran to his aid. Neville followed close behind her as he aimed into the fog covering her. She looked at him and pressed her fingers against his neck, there was still a pulse. She aimed her wand at him, "Renervate."

His eyes fluttered open and he weakly smiled at her, "Good to see you haven't forgotten about me."

She shook her head lightly, "Shush. Can you stand?"

He attempted to rise to his feet but he coughed hard. And she could tell he was weak.

"Alright that's a no," She grabbed his arm and wrapped it around her shoulder, "At least keep your wand arm raised."

She looked to her left, then her right trying to see through the smoke. Why was he playing games? She clenched her teeth in frustration, where had he gone. "Neville stay close." He nodded and they stood back to back looking around in the thick dust.

A mocking laugh echoed around them, unsure of where it came from she shot out multiple stunning spells. But the cackle broke through the smoke once more and Nava's anxiousness rose.

She could feel Neville fidgeting at the direction it was coming from. She needed to do something now before it was too late. She knew there was a spell for this, but she couldn't think properly.

"Tergeo," she smirked, as the air around them began to clear. The dust being sucked into a corner of the hall, leaving the Death Eater exposed.

"Bravo, smart one you are," he clapped mockingly. He walked forward, a mocking grin on his face as he pointed his wand at them. Nava's eyes narrowed as she recognized the man. "Scabior." She spoke through clenched teeth.

"Ah, so you've heard of me then?" He smirked as he took his stance.

Nava didn't speak, all she knew was that he was part of the snatchers that had caught the trio and took them to Malfoy Manor. Scabior smirked, "Crucio!"

Nava jumped to the side, avoiding the curse and falling to the ground along side George. Neville was the first to get up, immediately dueling with Scabior. George moved slightly and stood up, holding out a hand to help her up. She took it willingly as she gripped her wand. Before she could help Neville, Scabior fell towards the ground. Neville looked at his crumpled form surprised.

"Thought you could all use a hand," Ginny nodded their way following behind her were Luna and Sarah.

"Thanks Gin," George smiled at his sister and she smiled back.

Sarah quickly went to assist an injured student from Gryffindor.

Luna and Neville were hugging as Ginny spoke, "The lot of them are on the grounds. They need our help down there."

Nava straightened up and nodded at Ginny, "We will follow, lead the way."

Ginny took the lead and they all started down the stairs towards the Grounds.

-Draco's PoV-

"You are not going anywhere else boy," Greyback's deep voice grunted. His heavy laugh soon followed behind. "I should really thank you though, I haven't had a good chase in awhile." He grabbed onto Draco's shoulder tightly digging his sharp nails into his flesh.

This was it. He was going to die. He just knew it.

Draco clenched his teeth, trying to hold in any sign of weakness as he felt the sensation of him moving his nails deeper. He let out a deep breath, attempting to gain his composure. Sweat began to trickle down his forehead from the concentration of avoiding the pain. Show no sign of weakness.

"Any sudden movements and I'll rip your arm off. Do we understand each other?" Draco clenched his teeth and darted his grey eyes from left to right.

"Now. You might want to hold onto your wand tightly. You are missing out on the Dark Lord's final war."

Draco's eyes widened. The war had started.

Without any further thought Greyback twisted on the spot and apparated both of them into the fight.

They landed gracefully on a grassy area. Draco could hear the cracks of rebounded spells and the explosions of destruction. Greyback grinned widely showing his sharp teeth. But he wasn't looking at Draco he was looking behind him. He turned around and what he saw he would never forget.

Flames engulfed sections of the ancient castle, most of its parapets having been blasted off. Areas where the fires had died down were left scorched, blackened like the cloaks of the Death Eaters. The once calm, peaceful place had been utterly transformed. No longer was it a place of learning; it was now a war zone.

Greyback gripped onto his shoulder once more, making him cringe. "The Dark Lord said that when I have brought you to allow you to show where your loyalty stands. You should be grateful for your father. He nearly begged him. Pathetic man." He sneered.

"If you were my son, I would personally kill you." He grunted and pushed Draco forward.

Draco's eyes were still glued on the castle. His home was being destroyed. Home. That's what it had become for him. No matter how many times he had said he had hated the place he had a secret soft spot for it. Hogwarts was the only place that allowed him to get away from his father and all of the darkness that filled his home.

He gazed at the scorched walls and blasted stone. Darting his eyes left to right as the scene became more surreal.

"No…" He whispered ever so softly. This is not where he wanted to stand. He was not going to fight with the dark. His grey eyes turned to an icy shade of grey.

"What did you say boy?" Greyback glared at him, waiting for his response. Draco couldn't respond as a red flash of light nearly hit Greyback. He turned and could see none other than one of the Weasley brothers.

Idiot. What does he think he's doing? Trying to get himself killed for sure.

Greyback growled and stood his ground and stared at the boy, his wand at the ready. He completely ignored Draco's presence as he ran towards him. This was his chance. He could leave right now and find a way to help.

He looked towards Weasley once more. He hesitated at his decision of leaving, he groaned inwardly at himself. He couldn't leave him alone, what had Nava done to him? He wouldn't be able to take Greyback on his own.

This was a new low for him. Helping the Weasleys. What was next? Complimenting Granger? He scoffed in disgust. That was never going to happen. He needed to help one way or another no matter how much he wouldn't like it.

Greyback ran forward quickly heading straight towards the red head.

Draco's shoulder still bled but he paid no attention to it. Greyback had his back to him and the Weasley twin was no match. Draco knew that. He looked over at the stairs then back at the red haired boy. Leave? Help? He groaned. Help. Of course. He raised his wand swiftly and flicked it in Greyback's direction, "Stupefy!"

Greyback's yellow eyes stared at him as he dodged the spell with speed. A growl erupted from his throat as he spotted who it came from.

"DRACO! You're aiming for the wrong person!" He roared towards him. Draco just smirked.

"Sorry you're right I was a little off!" Draco aimed his wand towards Weasley then with a swift movement he changed directions as he sent another stunning spell at Greyback. Only missing him by an inch as he dodged it again.

The Weasley twin took his chance and sent another spell towards Greyback and soon enough they were in a two against one battle with the most feared man besides Voldemort himself.

"Patrificus Totalis!" Fred yelled out.

"Bombarda!" Draco responded trying to aim for the area around the werewolf to set him off balance.

"Cruc-" Greyback barely got to finish before a piece of the tree behind him collapsed and fell atop of him.

"Stupefy!" Draco yelled out, making sure to not waste the time they had just received from the fallen debris.

Greyback fell back stunned and Fred ran towards him and ropes came out of the tip of his wand and securely wrapped tightly around Greyback. After he was finished he looked Draco's way.

"It's not going to hold him for to long," he started, "You might want to take your chance and go help the others in the castle." His grey eyes were stern with determination. The Weasley twin nodded at him and Draco nodded back before turning and running up the stairs.

As he was walking up the stairs he noticed the wholes in the walls where Death Eaters obviously broke into. These stairs held something familiar but he wasn't sure. He took one step slower than the previous ones. Memories. Yes, that's what it was memories. He remembered walking up these same stairs just to meet Nava in the Room of Requirement.

He glanced down and stopped at the moment he thought of the name. He hadn't thought about her since the night at the pub. Was she here? Was she safe? He wasn't sure why he even thought about these things. After all she left him. She didn't care. Why should he waste his precious mind on thinking about her safety? She made it perfectly clear that she could take care of herself.

He shook his head and continued up the stairs till a loud rumble shook the castle. He gripped onto the stony railing until the shaking ceased. He could see dust and rubble coming out from the 3rd floor.

He quickened his pace and gripped his wand tightly. He leaned against the wall beside the entrance to the 3rd floor; he took a deep breath and peaked over the side. Just as he did a flash of red came from down the hall nearly hitting him head on. He scowled as he pressed his back against the wall once more. He shook off the initial fear that he felt from the spell and turned swiftly sending a disarming spell and a stunner down the hall. He looked around the hall and noticed the two unconscious death eaters against the wall. He didn't recognize them but he wasn't surprised, he had switched sides after all. He heard the rattling of debris across from him and instantly turned aiming in the direction of the noise.

"Mate, you can put that down now," Blaise spoke out calmly.

Draco didn't budge his wand arm as he glared at his good friend. "Why should I?"

"I know you've changed sides Draco," He kept full eye contact with him, "I'm right behind you. Once I found out you went rogue I joined the DA. Figured that being Switzerland in this war wouldn't be very productive." Blaise smirked.

Draco casually lowered his wand relieved to hear that he wasn't alone, "Why are you here?"

"Honestly?" He shook his head, "Are you that daft? I'm here to help, Draco, and I know this is the right choice."

He nodded hesitantly and looked back down towards the unconscious Death Eaters, "Did you do this?"

"I can handle myself pretty well if I say so myself," Blaise walked closer towards Draco and patted him on the back, "You look like hell mate."

"As do you," Draco smirked.

"Well, the ladies do love battle scars. So I guess a few won't be all that bad." He laughed lightly at his friend's pleasant banter.

"We should go. I'm sure they need us somewhere," Draco spoke with as much certainty as he could.

"I saw a few down the hall when I was dueling these two," He pointed towards the two Death Eaters on the ground.

"Lead the way," Draco spoke out. His friend nodded and led him towards the fight; he only had enough time to skim the now damaged walls of Hogwarts before they submerged themselves into a fight alongside some Gryffindors.

The look of surprise was on their faces as they helped them take down the three Death Eaters that were cornering them.

"Feels weird, huh?" Blaise smiled lightly and Draco looked up at him in confusion.

"Helping out Gryffindors, never thought I'd see the day where we all played nice." He laughed a bit; it was nice really, having some friendly exchange to keep his spirits up, at least a bit. Blaise always was the more positive out of the Slytherins and that was mostly why he considered him a good friend. Never once could he have such a good conversation with Crabbe and Goyle.

He gave a soft smile towards him just as a loud voice began to echo through the halls. His voice was like a whispering snake, and everyone went silent at the sound of Voldemort's words.

More to come !