A Weekend of Nightmares – Part 2
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The Burrow – 27th of October – Friday evening
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Molly
Arthur had left the room a while ago to have a talk with Percy in private. Molly was left behind with her tea and her headache. It wasn't the first severe attack this year, not even the first this month. On the contrary Molly knew that sooner or later she had to do something against that damned migraine. Like their Muggle counterpart, the magical healers had still not found a permanent way of healing a migraine, only measures to lessen the pain and the number of fits. This one, Molly was certain, had been caused by the blasted Goblin-blood.
For more than a decade, Molly's howlers had been infamous and feared among the students of Hogwarts and especially the Gryffindors. Apart from Percy every single one of her children had been the recipient of at least one howler, as well as quite a few of their friends and foes. This school year, in Molly's opinion, would have been especially appropriate for howlers so far. More than once she had been tempted to send one of them, despite the new school directive against them. Twice she had sent them; twice they hadn't arrived at their destination – Harry 'snake lover' Potter and Hermione 'scarlet woman' Granger. Today she had sent another one, this one towards her former friend Minerva McGonagall, because of how her little Ron had been treated.
The reaction that followed, she hadn't expected: The howler returned and emitted the message full force while Molly was sitting at her tiny tea table at Prewett Manor. To enhance to her embarrassment, Minerva had added her own message, in no way kinder or quieter. How dared she? How dared she to speak to me like that? How dared she to belittle my little Ron? Minerva even threatened to evict him if he didn't change his behaviour.
It is really time to bring Albus back to Hogwarts, Molly thought.
With a deep, troubled sigh she leaned back and sipped her tea, rubbing her aching temples and thinking about her youngest son. I'll find a way, Ron. I'll find a way.
Little did she know that right now Ron had completely different problems.
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Somewhere in the Dark
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Ron
He awakened from a scratching noise.
Dark, smelly and uncomfortable, that was his first impression. Something is poking in my back. Fumbling around he found a kind of stick with a round end. His headache made it difficult to think clearly. It smelled like a wet carpet.
What happened? Where am I?
Something hard was in front of his face, a kind of cushion below him. As he tried to sit up, his head banged against something, something like a hard ring with a bar in the middle. His eyes still adjusting to the lack of light, he put his hand on the bar to feel it, only to jump up totally flabbergasted as a horn sounded, not very loud itself, but still shocking after the former silence. The noise didn't do him good after the former silence and with his head pounding. I know that sound, Ron thought, struggling to remember. He touched the bar again, this time expecting the noise.
The horn of a car, he realized. It sounds like the horn of my father's car. Could it be?
Again he fumbled around and after a while, his mind slowly getting clearer, he was willing to accept it. I'm sitting in Dad's car, the car we…
Ron groaned: The car we used to fly to Hogwarts and then crashed.
He still had no idea what happened, how he landed in this situation. The last thing he remembered was him spending time with Cormac McLaggen, waiting for Lavender for a round of snogging and perhaps a bit more. They had been exchanging ideas about the Patils and how to use Padma's friendship with Potthead to pump him for information. And then… nothing.
His head hurt incredibly, his stomach was revolting, and his mind was foggy. It's like… it's like the time I found the Twins' secret stash of Firewhiskey. It even smelled like back then: A mix of alcohol and vomit. Ron felt sick. Slowly he sat up, trying not to… his head hit something and he groaned again. A potion, he thought, Mum, I need a potion.
Now, sitting upright more or less, he had at least a modicum of light. The moon was shining, its light filtering through the branches of the trees. As far as Ron remembered, the car had been badly damaged through the Whomping Willow and the flight from the spiders' den.
Spiders, a shudder run down Rn's spine. He remembered far too well how it had been to enter the den in the second year, following some half-brained idea of that git.
Again a scratching, Ron froze. Something was moving on the car roof. With incredible wide eyes he stared into the darkness, followed the sounds of something up there. A hairy spider leg became visible at the upper edge of the windscreen. Ron bit on his hand to suppress a scream. A second leg appeared. A third and a fourth followed. His heart racing he watched the dog-sized creature slowly descending to the bonnet. It turned around, turning its ugly head in Ron's direction, the giant spider eyes watching him closely.
Ron lost it.
"Aaargh!"
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A dozen steps above him, well hidden between the branches, a small figure watched the scene with delight on its face. Oh, sweet fear, it thought. Sometimes I really love my work.
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Hogwarts – still Friday evening
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Daphne
For a moment she had thought about declining the 'invitation', but hadn't wanted to start a fight in the Hospital. In addition, it was Umbitch's right to order her into her office. For now at least, she was in a position of power. To defy her openly would only make matters worse for the headmaster and her mother. While Daphne followed them through the corridors of Hogwarts, Daphne pondered about the three students accompanying her.
Megan Jones and Oliver Rivers were the Hufflepuff Prefects of her year. While Oliver belonged to Ron's group, she didn't expect him to pose a real danger. While quick to insult others, he was a typical bully: Cowardly if meeting resistance. Megan's face expressed how unhappy she was about this matter. She was a fairly intelligent and talented witch, very good with the younger students – the main reason for Pomona to choose her as a Prefect – and was on friendly terms with Neville, Cedric and Niles Chentz, whom she had started to date by all indications. They're a cute couple.
No, it was only the third one that troubled her: Terence Higgs, Slytherin's 6th year Prefect and newly chosen prince of Slytherin. Professor Snape had warned her to be careful around the boy without mentioning a clear reason. Her feeling told her that her head of the house was right about the young man. There simply was something dangerous and underhanded around him behind his mask of politeness. Little did she know that at the same time Harry was meeting the father in a far more dangerous situation.
"Be careful," Megan suddenly whispered. She was walking at Daphne's side, with Rivers behind them and Higgs ahead. "I think she got some Veritaserum for you."
"No talk, Jones," Rivers balked, trying to sound impressive.
"Shut up, you wanker," Megan Jones hissed back. Rivers was fuming, but obediently shut his mouth.
Daphne nodded slightly to thank Megan. She already had expected something like that and used the antidote a few minutes ago as a bunch of Ravenclaws distracted her entourage. Professor Snape had offered the antidote to Harry and his friends a while ago together with the warning that Umbridge was looking for another source of Veritaserum after he denied to provide it to her. Still, it was nice to see that she hadn't been mistaken about the girl.
I'll tell Niles about it, later.
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Umbridge
"Good evening, Miss Greengrass," Madam Umbridge greeted her as Daphne entered the office, her voice far too saccharine. She offered Daphne a seat as well as her broadest and completely false smile.
Higgs had announced her arrival and was sitting now near the door, while Jones and Rivers had to leave the office again, not a good sign in Daphne's opinion. With Daphne and Madam Umbridge taking seats at the enormous writing desk, Higgs was sitting in the rear of Daphne, something that made her nervous, and rightly so.
"My dear child," Daphne wasn't willing to use the tiniest amount of energy on an attempt to stop her face from showing her annoyance about this form of address. Regretfully, Madam Umbridge didn't notice or didn't care about the rolling eyes and the wrinkled nose of Daphne, and continued to 'play nice'.
"I'm concerned," the toad sighed exaggeratedly. "I'm concerned about the future of this school, but especially about your future. You see, Miss Greengrass, you belong to a well-respected family." With this at least Daphne could agree, agree at least until Umbridge continued. "The Greengrass family has always been on the right side, fighting for our beliefs and values. When I arrived at Hogwarts, I hoped to find a young lady such as you following those traditions."
Daphne felt like vomiting as she thought about the creepy idea of following in her father's steps. She only intended to honour the traditions and values of one family: Pinegrew.
"You have no idea about my shock as I noticed with what kind of people you're spending your time," Umbridge sadly shook her head. As if struggling to find her composure, Umbridge stayed silent for a while and filled two cups with tea. They belonged to the disgusting cat tea set she owned, and even without Megan's warning Daphne would have known not to drink this. Umbridge pretended to sip from her own cup, while her eyes were resting on her 'guest'. After a while, with Daphne showing no sign of accepting her own cup of tea, Umbridge got irritated. "Don't you like my tea?"
"It's not the tea," Daphne replied calmly. "It's the admixture… and I'm not speaking about milk and sugar."
Umbridge lost her good mood within seconds and put her cup down with too much force. "I want to know where Potter and Granger are. You'll tell me right now, young lady."
"It's Mister Potter and Miss Granger, Professor," Daphne stayed calm, her voice like she was teaching a toddler how to behave.
Her face slightly red now from anger, Umbridge asked again: "Where are they?"
"Oh," Daphne asked back with mock surprise. "You really didn't expect me to answer? Apparently I overestimated your intelligence." Daphne knew that it wasn't the wisest move to anger the toad even more, but Umbitch had been grating on her nerves for weeks now, and she had neither forgiven nor forgotten how she had treated Astoria and the other girls.
"Where is Mister Potter?" The toad left her seat and leant forward, her hands resting on the table, her expression something she certainly thought to be intimidating, but only reminded Daphne of a constipated toad.
"I have no idea," Daphne replied, pretending to be more interested in her fingernails than the conversation. She knew that the official story was something about Hermione's grandma being sick and Harry accompanying her for a visit, but right now she had no patience for this nonsense.
Suddenly the toad relaxed and showed her sweetest smile again. "I expected nothing less from a brat like you." She opened a drawer from her desk and pulled a tiny vial from it. "You see: I have my ways to get answers from the ones like you."
Daphne wanted to jump up, only to find ropes twining around her, forcing her down and preventing her from drawing her own wand. "Tut-tut," Higgs scolded her. For a second she had forgotten his presence. "It's impolite to leave prematurely. Has your father not taught you any manners?"
"We'll rectify this grievance, Mister Higgs." Slowly she walked around the table and opened the vial.
"It's against the law to use Veritaserum on students," Daphne argued, all the while trying to free her arms.
"Only if proven, my dear," Umbridge answered sweetly. "You know, I'm not too shabby with the Obliviate spell."
"One moment please," Higgs stopped her. Careful not to free her, he searched Daphne for her wands, finding both. Obviously he had observed her for a while to know about the wand in her boot. At least he wasn't touching her indecently, as she had feared. Instead his face told her how disgusted he felt about the idea to touch her at all. As if I'm tainted somehow.
"Thank you, Mister Higgs. Now open your mouth, Miss Greengrass." Umbridge waited expectantly, but Daphne's mouth stayed close. She was protected, but this was a matter of pride.
"May I, Professor?" Higgs offered his help. He put his hand around her fingers. "Open your filthy mouth, bitch." As Daphne only glared at him, he started to exert pressure on her hand. It hurt, but still she didn't obey.
"Stupid bitch," he sighed. Suddenly he jerked his hand and incredible pain raced through her hand as Higgs broke her middle finger. Daphne couldn't suppress her scream and before she had a chance to react, Higgs forced her own wand between her jaws, like he would force a curb into the mouth of a horse.
Her mouth now forced to stay open, her eyes teary from the pain, Daphne had no chance to further avoid the administration of the Veritaserum. She felt the potion running down her gullet, reaching her stomach and starting to fight the antidote. After some moments she relaxed in the knowledge that she still was protected. Higgs removed the wand from her mouth but did nothing against the pain in her hand.
"And now," Madam Umbridge took over as if nothing special had happened. "Let's try again: Where is Mister Potter?"
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Somewhere in Middle England
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Fabian
Deep in thoughts, Fabian Treskow was sitting on a battered basket chair among his friends, allies and foes. Not that it was a clear or even simply distinction with everybody among his guests. This conversation could easily decide not only about the life and death of his family and the other werewolf clans, but also about the future of all Werewolves in Great Britain.
Slow-paced his eyes examined the faces of the men and women sitting around his campfire. From his clan only Jessica was present, deep in a passionate conversation with the girl. For a second she glanced in his direction and he offered Jessica a smile. Cridhe Dioghrais she had called the girl: Heart of Passion. From the few sentences he had heard, Fabian knew that she was right about it. Both the girl and the boy had impressed him, he had to admit – quite the opposite of the Werewolf accompanying them. One of his other guests, Ralough from the Cornwall Werewolves, had snarled at the man and he had backed away. A second later Lupin had gotten back his courage and reassured his protective stance at Harry's side, but it was too late. Everybody knew now that Lupin wasn't an Alpha. It all came down to Harry and Hermione.
Harry and Hermione – Fabian shortly wondered why he called them by their first name in his mind. Naturally it was partially their age. They were the youngest in this circle by far. However, there was something else. He felt close to them. Like Jessica obviously liked the girl, Fabian only had to exchange a few sentences to respect the boy. There was something about him that ingrained trust. If the girl was passion, the boy represented dana – valor. He was a true warrior. He wouldn't betray his friends. He would defend them at all costs. Every move was proof of that, every time he stepped between the girl and Ian Walsh to shield her from the hot-tempered Death Eater Werewolf.
Ian Walsh – Fabian hated the other Werewolf with a passion. He had been a main reason to comply to Brychan's request to invite Harry. He represented everything the people of Britain hated, despised and feared about Werewolves. Like his Chieftain Fenrir Greyback, he had accepted the curse willingly, embraced it with all fierceness and bloodthirstiness. He was far more careful than Fenrir in spreading the curse, apparently saw it as a gift only given to the worthy. However, he was a pure killing machine, killing simply for the joy of the hunt. According to the rumours he used a weaker alternative of the Wolfsbane potion, something that allowed him to mainly control his actions while transformed, but nonetheless allowed his blood lust to drive him into a killing spree.
He had hoped to enforce a fight with Ian while he was in his camp, but perhaps there was another way to solve the matter. You won't leave my camp alive, blood-tooth.
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Yaxley
"Our Lord is strong," Yaxley stated with fire in his eyes. "He'll lead us to victory and crash his foes. Our Lord is invincible. Your clans should stay at our side."
Certainly he wanted to go on with his ramblings, his words already reaching the more vicious among the audience with his promises of victory, but Harry had heard enough. He had mentally exchanged ideas with Hermione and continued to do so, using the bond to defend their minds against the probing Legilimency attacks of the third Death Eater – a man called Higgs. The father of Terence Higgs? Harry wondered. I'll have to warn Daphne about that.
"Sorry to disturb your little victory party," he drawled in his best Snape impersonation, purely intended to annoy the bastard. "However, as I remember the past your dear Lord has already been beaten once – by a toddler even."
Yaxley glared at him. "Yes, he was beaten, but only because your mother used some dark blood magic and a supposed friend ambushed him. That won't happen again."
Yaxley turned around and just opened his mouth to continue his speech, as Harry again interrupted him. "Perhaps my memory is at fault, but I remember quite well that I won against him again since then – two times even."
"You're a liar," Yaxley hissed, but was stopped by a picture that suddenly appeared above the camp fire. Unbeknownst to him, Harry had given Hermione the sign to cast a spell that allowed others to view pictures from his memory. It wasn't foolproof against tempering like a pensieve, but more like a tool of a tale-teller. However, it obviously was still impressive. More than one expression on the faces of the audience changed, as Harry retold the stories of his first and second year. They all had seen the pictures of the dead Basilisk in the newspaper, so they knew that the story was at least partially true. Even more convincing was the pure rage on Yaxley's face.
Without Harry's interference his Lord would have returned three years earlier. While Harry spoke about his fight against Quirrel, the audience watching with a slight shudder the pictures of his simple touch burning his foe, and his terrific fight against the huge Basilisk, destroying the essence of Tom Riddle with a stab of a tooth through a dark book, the tensions were running even higher. In no time a fight would erupt.
"Enough," Fabian suddenly stopped the quarrel. "I've seen enough."
All went silent, waited for his next words. "We have heard the offer of Lord Voldemort. We have heard how he promised us equal rights among the wizards of Britain. He wants us to fight at his side." Shortly he glanced in Ralough's direction. "I know that he promised even more to some of us." Fabian felt ill about it. 'Hunting grounds' had been offered to some of the clans – Muggle hunting grounds. He knew that Ralough wasn't a vicious dog like Fenrir, but the wildest Werewolves had always felt drawn to the Cornwall Clan. "Now let us hear what you have to offer," expectantly he watched Harry and signed him to begin.
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Harry
For a second the boy seemed nervous and gulped. Someone sniggered as the girl shortly pressed Harry's hand. It was a gesture that impressed Fabian. Only an uncaring fool wouldn't be nervous at a moment like this. Only an unconcerned self-seeker wouldn't fear the impact of his actions on those people depending on him. There was only trust in the girl's eyes and deep thankfulness in those of the boy for her support. They are one heart and one mind, Fabian realized. They are like Jessica and I: Fellow warriors, friends, and siblings. Brychan told me about the Quartet, about the bonds binding them together. I'm willing to believe his stories now.
In that second Fabian decided that he would follow the boy's lead. A tiny nod from Jessica was all he needed to know that she shared his decision. Now they only had to convince the other clans. There is only one possible way to convince them, Fabian knew and he didn't like the insight in the least.
"For a long time," Harry started "Werewolves have been feared among us. A few found friends," he pointed towards Lupin "but even they had to fight prejudices at every corner. They aren't the only ones in that situation. Goblins, Centaurs, Mermen, House Elves, Giants – the list goes on and on. The Werewolves are a bit of a special case because they're humans like the rest of the wizards and witches of Britain, only separated from the others through a disease – or curse like many call it. However, they're in the same corner as those other races, because the Ministry doesn't accept them as equals, as humans, as beings with a right to happiness."
Slowly his nervousness faded and his words got more passionate. He's a good speaker, Fabian noticed. Harry pointed towards the girl. "My friend Hermione – she has been the one to show me another world, a world full of hope for everybody. In her mind everybody, who is able to understand the concept of freedom and happiness, has a right to fight for them, deserves them." Again he waited for a moment to allow his words to sink in.
"In a way we promise the same as this man," he pointed towards Yaxley. "We promise freedom and equality. However, is it really the same? You will reach that destination much slower if you'll choose our side. We don't promise equality next year, perhaps not even within the next decade. So why should you choose our way and not his? It is because his way is the way of fear, blood and death. He wants to force others to accept you. Do you really think the wizards and witches of Britain will accept you if they tremble with fear, if they are in danger of getting bitten on a whim? No, they will hate you only even more. They will use every opportunity to kill you, to hunt your families, and to murder your children."
Harry looked around, his eyes resting on those persons that were farther away, standing near the tents and listening intently. "You have Muggles among your clans. There are pureblood, half-blood and Muggleborn among the Werewolves. In your eyes they're all the same: Werewolves, clan-members. In his eyes, they're worthless, undeserving magic. Naturally he'll promise you to protect your families, if you agree to follow him. However, what of the others? Are you willing to share in his insane ideas about the worth of blood? Are you willing to kill Hermione, a Muggleborn witch, someone who is willing to fight for your future, only because her parents aren't magical?"
Yaxley started to rise from his seat, but a short growl from Fabian stopped him. The clan leader gestured Harry to continue. Harry nodded shortly and pointed towards Lupin. "Remus is my friend. He has been a friend of my father, my mother and my godfather too. They knew about his furry secret for a long time. They shared a dorm with him in a time without Wolfsbane. They even learned the Animagus spell to be able to keep him company on the nights of full moon."
For a moment he had to stop as the audience started to mumble about that story. Fabian already knew about it from Brychan and had been impressed back then as well as he was now.
"We will need some time to expand this kind of trust. We will need the diligent work of many, from werewolves and wizards, to lessen the fear on both sides. I can't promise you a world of happiness, but believe me that I'll do everything in my might to work on a world with a future for your children."
"This is all good and well," Ol' Mary interrupted, the sole woman among the invited clan and pack leaders. "However, despite the fact that Voldemort is a despicable wanker," this earned her a few snickers and death-glares from Yaxley and his companions "he's a powerful wanker. He has dozens of wizards on his side; he has money and political influence. According to rumours the Giants are following his lead as well as Fenrir's pack. He's certainly in negotiations with the Vampire Covens of England and Scotland; and the Dementors already followed his command in the last war."
It was a staggering list, Fabian thought – staggering and fear-inducing.
"What do we have on the other side?" Ol' Mary continued. "A useless, brainless and spineless Ministry and… you."
She turned towards Hermione, while Harry struggled with a convincing response. "You told us about your ideas. I have to admit, they convinced me. I would like to see you implement them. However, how could you realistically believe to be able to pull that through? He," she gestured towards Yaxley. "I can feel his disgust towards you and me. He would like to kill us both, slowly and painfully. It is nothing compared to what I think about him. Far more than to shake hands with him, I would like to rip him apart and clubber him with the wet end of his own arm. However, he has steel behind his words, true might. What do you have?"
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Hermione
"I'm not alone in this," Hermione rose from her seat and started to respond with a surprisingly calm voice, only her eyes betraying her passion in the matter. "There are others willing to fight for you." She offered the letters of loyalty to Fabian and Jessica, allowing them to explain their content to the others. "Potter, Pinegrew, Black, Longbottom and Bones – each of these families has a seat in the Wizengamot, each of these families is old and respected. They are willing to support me in my fight. Others are willing to help too: Abbot, Diggory, Weasley, Lovegood and many more. The new Headmaster of Hogwarts is willing to invite your children and he has enough support among the governors to follow through with it."
"Even among us Augusta Longbottom is respected. In my childhood I was friends with her daughter-in-law." Jessica's statement was a welcome surprise for Hermione and Harry. "Amelia Bones, as the head of the DMLE, would be able to help us even more. These are worthy allies."
Some of the other clan leaders nodded. On a small sign of Hermione, Harry offered another letter to Fabian. "This is an offer of assistance, from the Goblin nation to the Werewolf Clans. Ironsides, chief accountant of Britain, offers jobs, loans for werewolves who want to start a business or buy a home, and promises to help those werewolf families who decided to live and work among Muggles to escape the prejudices in the magical world."
A smart move, Fabian thought impressed. This was real, tangible help, not some far-fetched promise. "I can't promise Wolfsbane for free," Harry continued. "However, the enterprise of my grandmother is willing to produce the potion for you at the lowest possible cost. We know that your living conditions, the lack of healing magic, potions and appropriate homes, are far more of a danger to your families than everything else. They shorten your life expectancy and harden your life far more than necessary. We'll work on that. While acceptance will be a long-termed struggle, a bearable life does not have to wait that long – and has not to be at the expense of others like Muggles and Muggleborn."
Fabian looked around. Homes – the idea reached the hearts of the other pack-leaders. Even Ralough had a family he wanted to protect, a wife he wanted to offer a home, children whose future he wanted to ascertain. It was hard to find a job, nearly impossible to find a flat or get a loan. These children offered a future.
"What about him?" Ralough pointed towards Yaxley. His next words showed that despite his vicious temper he wasn't too far away from Ol' Mary's opinion about the Death Eaters. "As soon as we turn our back to his master, they will start anew with harassing us. They aren't our friends, but only cautious allies in the best case. If we choose you, they will grant their support to that toad-woman. She will continue to enforce laws against our kind, force us to leave the magical world, perhaps even hunt us, kill us or force us into camps. I'm a warrior, but I'm a father too and not stupid. They have at least as much political cloud as you. After this war, they'll buy their freedom again like the last time. They will wriggle their way into the Ministry again. Malfoy and the other pureblood lords will be in power again."
"They won't."
Harry's simple statement stopped the vicious warrior werewolf instantly.
"This time we won't allow murderers to get free again. This time we'll fight fire with fire. The law is simple: A Death Eater that escapes Azkaban deserves death. In my opinion, the same applies to Malfoy, Yaxley and every other Death Eater who was able to buy his freedom after the last war, after he committed incredible crimes and caused many deaths. I'm not Albus Dumbledore. I believe in second chances, but not in third, fourth and fifth. Some people are beyond hopes, beyond redemption. They deserve death like a mad dog." He stared intensely into Ralough's eyes: "And leave Dolores Umbridge to me."
The cold fury Ralough saw in the boy's eyes caused him to smile. Yes, this fury he could understand and accept.
"Big words," Yaxley had enough of this: "Big words from small children - because that he is, in spite of all his words, ideas and gestures. He's only a boy," he pointed towards Hermione. "And she is only a mudblood girl. You can't really take them seriously."
"This boy," Hermione growled back "will rip your head from your shoulders and use it as a chamber pot. This girl will tear open your stomach with a blunt spoon and use your entrails as a necklace."
Fabian observed with a grin how much the other clan leaders were taken aback by this temper tantrum. A stubborn mind, a hot temper and a vicious streak – these were things Werewolves respected in others. Harry however watched them deep in thoughts. They had offered what was possible: Hermione's ideas, the loyalty of a dozen families, and the assistance of the Goblin nation. They spoke about homes, health and a future. Hell, he noticed that Ol' Mary and even Ralough were willing to choose their side, equally because of their offer as well as because of the open disgust Yaxley showed and Umbridge's reputation. However, still it all came down to a simple fact: Were they equal partners or simple children with silly ideas of grandness?
Harry addressed his audience. "You heard both sides, heard both offers. Your choice will be an important one. It will decide about how the wizards and witches of Britain will see you in the future. Do you want a fast solution, a short time of you being the oppressor and feared tool of a madman? Or do you want a real future for your families, a future with all races living side by side? He says that I'm only a child. I say that I'm a warrior. The time of words is up, now it's the time of blood."
Remus paled and wanted to jump up, wanted to stop this madness.
"Sit down," Hermione hissed.
He turned around: "You can't…"
"I can," Hermione stated calmly. "Harry is my friend, but he is also my war leader. It is his decision." She wasn't as calm as she tried to behave, but Hermione really believed her own words. Inwardly she was trembling with fear, thinking about a fight with these three death eaters. There wouldn't be a Narcissa, a Roxanne or Ana to come to the rescue. It would be a fight to the death and despite his words Yaxley would certainly show neither compassion nor clemency. Not to speak of that frightening Werewolf at his side. However, she knew that Harry was right. They had to proof their worthiness. This was too important. With a single fight they could decide about the choice of dozens of Werewolves in this war. They simply had to win.
Harry coldly stared into Yaxley's eyes: "We challenge you to a fight until the end. Prepare to eat death, scum."
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Deep in the forest – 28th of October – Saturday – Early Morning
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Ron
What an awful night it had been.
Ron looked around bleary-eyed, wearily chewing on a bit of bread. Two bottles of water, a loaf of stale bread and a pound of old cheese – that was all he had. A blanket, a bucket with a lid and the label 'nature's call' – already used and its smell filling the air since then – and a booklet completed his equipment. The rights and duties of a Hogwarts' Prefect – what rubbish! At some point in the night it had started to speak with the voice of Professor McGonagall, told him about the responsible use of power, how Prefects are expected to help other students, to stop quarrels and behave in an exemplary manner. Rubbish! He had thrown away the booklet, but still he heard her voice from time to time.
Ron looked around again. He still had no idea how he ended at this damned place. Certainly it was Potthead's fault. Longass was too stupid and too cowardly. They would pay for this. His friends would make sure of that. However, first he had to get away from here. An hour ago the spiders had departed. Apparently there was some kind of magical circle that prevented the largest spiders from getting near the car. Ron's teachers would have been impressed by the spell-work, but Ron didn't have the eye, patience or talent to realize and appreciate it. The smaller ones had been on the car all night – scratching on the sheet metal.
No spider in sight, Ron mused. Slowly he opened the door, and after some minutes of waiting for a reaction with bated breath, he left the car. Again he looked around, a last time before he crossed the invisible barrier. Just as he was two steps past the barrier, a small twig hit his head. Near a heart-attack he jumped and looked up, only to notice the spiders sleepily watching him from the trees. They were only the smallest ones, barely the size of dogs, but for Ron they were at least as big as Hagrid.
With a scream he jumped around and hurried back towards the car, the spiders fast behind. His head smashed against the door frame, he caught his foot in the door as he tried to close it. Screaming like mad he pushed the legs of the first spider away until he was able to close the door behind him.
"Aaargh!"
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In the branches above, the small figure watched the events closely. It heaved a sigh of relief as the redhead was able to reach the security of the car again. It nearly had been forced to intervene. It would have hated to spoil this little disciplinary measure. In its mind, the redhead more than deserved it. Its mind was still filled with the noises of crying children.
You will pay.
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Somewhere in Middle England
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Remus
"You stop your idiotic behaviour right now," Hermione yelled, certainly gaining Remus' attention as she threw her empty tin cup at his head. Since Harry's announcement he had been pouting, screaming and doubting – she had enough of this. Naturally Remus feared for the life of his cubs, but this only worsened the matter for Harry.
"Do you have an idea how he's feeling right now? Do you think Harry's eager to risk my life in this? Do you really think Harry's happy about the thought to tell Neville and my parents that I've been injured or killed in a fight? Do you?"
Slowly Remus shook his head. Naturally Harry was nothing of that. Neither was he. Why couldn't they understand why he wanted to stop this madness?
"Remus, we need them. We need to convince the werewolves, not only to get their help, but also to help them. We will win – not only this fight but also this war. In the end the Werewolves have to be on the winner's side, on our side. People have to see that they aren't creatures of darkness anymore, that they're willing to fight for the right cause. However, they are Werewolves, not Ministry officials or businessmen. We can't convince them with money and sweet words. They are warriors and we have to convince them that we are too. I want to see Jessica at my side in the future fights. I want Fabian to trust Harry. I want Ralough and Ol' Mary to believe that we are willing and able to defend them and their families."
Hermione breathed heavily. She kneeled down in front of Remus and grabbed his hands. She understood his feelings, but there was no time for this. Harry needed Remus' full support and he needed it now.
"I trust Harry and so should you. You could have been our leader, but like the rest of us you chose the easy way and waited for others to give the order. Like the rest of us you have to live with that decision now. Harry is willing to be that leader, willing to live with the doubts that come with duty. Today we will fight and we will win. I'm convinced that Harry is the strongest fighter among us six, and I'm determined to beat the shit out of my opponent, whoever it is. We expect you to do the same with your opponent.
"Remus, Harry needs you and your trust: Your trust that he knows what he's doing and your trust in his abilities. He'll concoct a tactic and we have to follow it. Every one of us has to play his part in this. Ours is to follow and fight, not to doubt his decisions and make it even harder for him. Can you do this – for him, for us and especially for yourself?"
Remus slowly nodded: "I can do this."
Harry, who had watching the exchange from the shadows like a few others, smiled softly. Hermione in full flight, he thought. If Neville had watched her fiery speech, he would have snogged her senseless now. She is brilliant and sexy in her fiery wrath, Neville had uttered once. He was right.
Harry sighed. He knew it was the right thing to do, but still…
Daphne, I need you right now.
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A sunny afternoon somewhere in Middle England
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Last words
"It's time."
Harry nodded and showed Jessica a small smile. He trusted in his abilities to win this fight, in his, Hermione's and Remus'. However, in a few minutes someone would die and despite these bastards deserving it, he felt no pleasure in killing them.
"Harry," Jessica stopped him before he left the tent where they had been waiting. "I wanted you to know Fabian decided that, should you lose, we'll leave Britain. However, I expect you to win, Harry. I want to see Hermione implement her ideas. I would love to see Alice again and would like to meet the rest of your quartet. Don't you dare lose."
"We won't." Harry felt far better now and followed his friends to the prepared battleground. It was a small clearing of around twenty yards. The spectators were waiting among the trees around the clearing and someone had erected wards. The three Death Eaters were already waiting for them, their broad grins showing how much they expected to win.
They won't try to kill us fast, Harry had explained his plan. They'll try to embarrass us first, to show the Werewolf Clans how much stronger they are. They'll concentrate on Remus first, acknowledging him as the greatest danger. Hermione, being a girl and all, they will underestimate heavily. From me they'll expect fast reflexes and being a difficult target, but not much diversity in spells and what's more not really powerful spells.
"Hi, honey," Ian Walsh greeted them, his lustful eyes on Hermione. "You should put your little wand away. If you stop pretending to be a boy, I'll let you live – for a while."
"Oh," Hermione reciprocated with a smirk. "Do you want to show me your own tiny wand?"
The Werewolves burst in laughter, while Ian fumed.
"I hope," Hermione continued in cold fury "you like to rape dead bodies, because that would be your only chance to touch me."
Ian wanted to rush forward, but Yaxley stopped him. From the gestures it became clear what target was meant for the Werewolf. I've been right, Harry mused.
Slowly they took their positions. Like expected Yaxley intended to play with Harry, Ian was ordered to go straight for Remus and Higgs was left for Hermione. Harry by contrast had other pairings in mind and a plan to force the matter. Restless they waited for the sign. Fabian stepped forward and after short nods from Harry and Yaxley, and without any further delay, started the fight with a booming spell.
Good luck, Harry.
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The Fight
Instantly Ian hurried towards Remus. Like expected he favoured a physical fight in addition to spells, something very unusual for wizards. Luckily the full moon had been at the sky two weeks ago, so there was no influence – neither good nor bad ones – from the moon.
Harry dodged Yaxley's first spell, trusted Hermione to shield him against the second, and softened the ground around Ian with a number of mud spells. His plan concentrated on him taking out Ian fast and hard, while Hermione and Remus stalled the others. I hope it works.
Yaxley, already angered by the fact that his first two spells hadn't hit its mark, growled angrily as the little girl dared to cast a spell at him, a mocking Densaugeo to add to the embarrassment. Hastily banishing the effect, he turned around, intend to kill her fast. He stopped for a moment, his face softening into a grin as he watched Higgs attack the girl. Instead of using normal attack spells, he showed his wicked sense of humour, intending to force the girl to attack her own friend, preferably forcing the golden boy to kill her.
"Imperio!" Attack Potter with a cutting curse.
Luckily Hermione had expected something like that. Her bracelet helped her to fight off the command as did her strong Occlumency shields. She still needed a while to fight the spell off and in the end was grateful that Remus battered Higgs with a Reducto. He sent the man flying and the pressure was instantly gone from Hermione's mind. Instantly she erected a shield, protecting her against the flurry of spells Yaxley started to throw at her. He had pulled of the gloves as was going for the kill apparently.
Ian Walsh growled. He wanted to kill that weak apology of a Werewolf, but he couldn't ignore the boy. He had to dogde a number of spells, whirling around on the ground, his clothes full of mud now. Despite his preference for physical fights, he wasn't a weak wizard by far. Erecting a strong Protego in front of him, Ian started to rush towards the boy as fast as the muddy ground allowed. Every few steps he hurled a spell at him, more to distract and occupy the boy than to really cause damage.
With nerves of steel Harry stood his ground, dodging only if really needed, instead forcing the Werewolf to strengthen his shield even more as hit after hit smashed into it. Ian's words and Hermione's answer were still in his mind. The pictures of this beast raping his friend were enough to let his blood boil. Instead of suppressing his anger, he bottled it and used it to fuel his spells. He would get his revenge.
The next spell didn't reach Ian. Instead it stopped two yards in front of him and exploded into a very bright light, causing him to flinch and close his eyes for a second. Harry instantly followed up with two well-aimed and powerful Lancea spells. Both pierced the shield, one glancing Walsh's right leg while the other drilled a hole into his left hip. The advance stopped and Walsh struggled not to fall down.
Remus and Higgs had started to exchange spells in the meantime, Higgs using a broad range of dark and semi-dark curses, while Remus mostly stayed with simple cutting curses. He wanted to lull the Death Eater into a false sense of security, all the while searching for a weak point in his defence. Higgs, who had always been more of a manipulator than a front line fighter, had problems to hold up his defences against the experienced ex-DADA teacher. Feeling his shield crumble, he dodged another cutting curse only to jump right into the first dark curse his opponent used. I hadn't thought he had it in him.
"Sectumsempra!"
I'll have to tell Severus about this, Remus mused, allowing himself to watch his opponent for a second who fruitlessly tried to stop the bleeding from his chest and neck.
Hermione knew that in a normal duel Yaxley would beat her in the end. He was a bit stronger than her, as vicious as Narcissa and only slightly slower. So far she only survived because she mostly concentrated on the defence and Yaxley was far too enraged to really make use of his advantages. Instead of curses and hexes, Hermione mostly used jinxes and even a few non-combat spell like showering Yaxley with lametta or colouring his robes canary yellow. This distracted and infuriated him even more, allowing Hermione not only to survive, but even lent Harry a part of her power through her mind link. Walsh doesn't stand a chance.
"Scutum!" Walsh, now unable to move as fast as before, sent a flurry of spells at Harry, who dodged most of them, deflected two with his own Protego and allowed Walsh's last cutting curse to hit the shield that Hermione erected to protect Harry's side. In retaliation Harry forced Walsh to evade a few spells and allowed Hermione a second of rest as he showered Yaxley with a triplet of Reductos. I have to take Walsh down, Harry thought as he noticed his chance. Without a split-second of hesitation he used it.
For a second Walsh afforded Harry a sure target as he started to cast a Crucio spell. It was the most difficult decision he had to make in this fight, but Harry knew he had to trust Hermione, both in capability as in determination.
Dolor! He sent her his thought.
Hermione instantly cast a Protego in front of her and jumped to the ground, knowing that in a second she wouldn't be able to concentrate on anything else than pain anymore.
"Crucio!" Walsh smirked in the certain knowledge that Harry wouldn't be able to dodge or deflect that spell. What an idiot, he thought as he saw that Harry tried neither, instead calmly aiming at him.
The Crucio spell rushed through Harry, battered at his defences, only partially weakened through his bracelet. The main energy however was deflected and crushed into the girl at his side. Pain, there was only pain. Hermione struggled to stay conscious. She felt her Protego weaken and crash under the onslaught of Yaxley's spells.
With deadly accuracy Harry put every ounce of his hate into a triplet of spells, the Reducto shattering the remains of Walsh's shield, while two extremely high powered Lanceas drilled fist-sized holes though his chest and neck. With barely a gurgling noise the Werewolf went down, hit the ground face first and didn't move anymore.
Without waiting to see the result of his spells, trusting his aim and worried about Hermione's condition, Harry whirled around and sent a flurry of spells against Yaxley, who just destroyed the girl's Protego and wanted to use her helplessness to finish her off. The first Bone-breaker hit Yaxley's right lower arm, the second his left knee, buckling the leg under him. Within seconds Harry finished the fight with an Expelliarmus and a full body bind spell.
It's over.
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Decision
Still a bit stunned by the sudden end of the fight, Harry looked around. His Lanceas had apparently instantly killed the Werewolf. Higgs had stopped to move. If he was still alive now, he would die within the next minutes, his blood flowing freely from the terrible wounds. Yaxley was out of the fight, but stable.
Hermione, in her usual stubbornness, forced Remus to help her up. She trembled from the after effects of the Crucio, her glare telling Harry "don't you dare to feel bad about this". He nodded curtly, a greeting from one warrior to the other.
The audience was completely silent still, waiting: No cheering, no other reaction, there was tense expectation only. Harry groaned inwardly. He had erred: It wasn't over, not as long as one opponent was still alive.
This time they won't escape justice, he had promised. He knew Yaxley from Narcissa's story. She had ascertained that the friends knew the names and faces of Voldemort's former inner circle.
Hermione reached him, put her hand on his shoulder. For a second he assumed that she wanted to stop him, but her eyes told another story. Assuredly she pressed his shoulder and he felt a tiny impulse of her magic flowing into his core. It was meant as a sign, a sign she agreed with his decision. Nodding solemnly he walked towards the Death Eater. This wasn't an accident as with Crouch. This wasn't an act of defence as with Walsh. This would be an execution, an execution necessary to gain the Werewolves trust and support, necessary because he couldn't trust the Ministry to incarcerate the Death Eater permanently.
With a stony face Harry raised his wand and aimed at Yaxley's head. "Lancea!"
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A/N
Next time we'll concentrate on Daphne's further fate.