On to Chapter….dang I lost count… :/
Love ya!
~Z
Chapter 25
Once More Into the Fray
Elena took form before a dark, dusk-shrouded Hogwarts castle. In the distance the moon glowed eerily on the surface of the great lake, its reflection rippling slightly on the light waves that graced the water.
In the distance she could sense a storm coming – the pressure of the atmosphere was off, the electrical charge in the air high and tense.
Elena strode forward purposefully and swung open the great oak doors into the castle; the entrance hall was thankfully devoid of students and Elena broke into a full-out sprint, her form becoming nothing more than a blur as she raced across the castle, desperately trying to find Draco or Professor Dumbledore.
"Please don't let me be too late" she silently prayed, when suddenly out of the corner of her eye she spotted a platinum blonde-topped head. She spun on her heel and came to a standstill in front of the person, only realizing then the blue color of the Ravenclaw's robes.
"Luna!" she cried, clutching the front of the girl's robes desperately, "The castle is about to be under attack – where is Draco?"
Luna froze, her grey eyes going wide with surprise at Elena's sudden appearance and at the news she brought. "He just passed on the way to the astronomy tower – I tried to speak with him but he ignored me" she stated in her whimsical voice.
Elena let out a gasp of relief "Thank you so much Luna! Inform Professor McGonagall immediately that we're all in danger – Voldemort's Death Eaters are on the way – get everyone ready!" and with that, she was a blur once more, the stunned Ravenclaw left gaping after her.
The vampire's long strides carried her quickly to the astronomy tower as the sky overhead began to darken from the evil magic rapidly approaching. She took the steps of the astronomy tower three at a time, her footsteps echoing loudly in the narrow stone passageway. At last she reached the top and froze for a heartbeat to absorb the scene before her – Dumbledore stood with his back to the wide balcony at the far side of the tower, his expression showing a grim resolve. Before him stood Draco, his wand drawn and pointing to the headmaster's heart, his mercury eyes blank and emotionless. "You must die…" she heard Draco softly whisper as he brought his wand up to cast the fatal spell.
"No Draco!" Elena screamed, throwing herself forward like a projectile. She heard a surprised grunt as she slammed into her charge and sent them sprawling on the wooden floor. Draco snarled and tried to throw Elena off of him, his wand still clutched tightly in his hand, his silver eyes flashing dangerously with the anger that Elena knew Voldemort held within him. Elena easily pinned the much weaker human, but as he struggled and growled profanities she was at a loss as to how to release Voldemort's hold on him; even then, while touching him, she could not feel their bond.
Dumbledore was suddenly kneeling at her side. "Elena" he wheezed out "remove his ring – it contains much dark magic".
Elena glanced down in surprise at the violet ring on Draco's left hand – yes, that was it – it seemed to glow with a dark aura. She grasped a still struggling Draco's wrist and pulled at the ring, gasping in pain when it seared her skin like acid. Gritting her teeth, she refused to let go and was finally able to wrench the ring from his finger. She shoved it quickly in her back pocket until a later time when she would be able to have it destroyed, her hand seared and dripping blood.
From beneath her, Draco's struggling suddenly ceased. His silver eyes had gone wide with incomprehension as he gazed around at his surroundings. "Elena…what's going on…?" he murmured softly, his voice sounding worn and weak.
"Draco" Elena sighed with relief, "You're alright – you were under Voldemort's control…I will explain everything later, but we're still in danger right now" She rubbed Draco's shoulder soothingly as she turned to face Dumbledore. "Headmaster, Voldemort's forces are on their way, but my people are as well. We will help you defeat this threat" She stated with calm knowledge.
A deep frown creased the headmaster's features, "I had dreaded as much" he whispered, his voice weak. Elena's brow furrowed in concern. "Headmaster, what's wrong?" she questioned. "He's been poisoned" a voice suddenly announced, and Elena turned her head sharply to see Harry standing behind them, his expression grim.
"Is there anything we can do?" she asked, but broke off her next sentence as echoing footsteps sounded from the nearby stairwell. Elena rose to her feet and moved to stand beside Harry, their wands drawn and at the ready.
"It is only me" the deep voice of Severus Snape drawled as he stepped into their line of sight, his black hair looking windblown. The teens relaxed slightly at the sight of another ally, and Elena turned to glance back at the headmaster. "Professor, there must be something we can do…" she whispered, turning wide mournful eyes to the potions master.
From many floors below they heard the sounds of explosions and shrieks as Voldemort's forces lay siege to the castle.
Snape sighed heavily through his nose, "Perhaps there is…give me a moment to think…"
The ancient vampire took form before the venerable castle, her expression determined and full of fire.
Behind her stood several dozen of her best warriors, males and females alike, their black eyes glittering with the promise of a worthy battle.
Her ranks fluidly stepped into motion as she strode forward, her predatory gait carrying her through the blown-open entrance to the castle. The howling wind ripped at their black cloaks and Claudia's waist-length mahogany locks; her cerulean eyes flared as she turned to sweep her gaze across her gathered Arcadians. "You know what to do" she murmured to them in a voice that seemed much-too soft for their current situation, "Protect the students – swiftly kill the ones who bear darkness. Go my people".
And with that simple command, the ranks of vampires exploded with motion – blurs of darkness shooting every direction into the castle to join the fray.
Claudia stood alone in the entrance hall, a dark, stoic figure amongst the chaos ensuing in the remainder of the castle, and reached out with her senses to locate her daughter. Instantly, she located her, and with a slight shimmer of illuminance, dematerialized to join her.
Now this was going to be fun Logan thought with a dark smile as he raced up the grand staircase of the castle, toward the loud screams of a mass of teenagers. To his left was his partner Trinity, her signature throwing daggers clutched in her balled fists as she kept pace with him.
After taking three flights of stairs they reached the source of the chaos – a group of students in blue and red robes were battling with at least half a dozen dark witches and wizards in a wide corridor, several of which were already unconscious on the floor.
Logan snarled fiercely – some of those students looked like mere children, and yet they fought without fear. He grabbed the nearest dark wizard, a tall man with a scraggly grey beard, and without a second's hesitation, griped the sides of his head and with a quick flick of the wrist, snapped his neck. He tossed the wizard aside and approached the next, unsheathing his own silver dagger to plunge through the woman's abdomen just as she was about to curse a small blue-robed child. She crumpled to the ground in a limp heap – the child gazed up at Logan with wide, shocked green eyes. "Get to safety – take as many of the injured with you as you can" he commanded. The small girl nodded and turned on her heel to grab the arm of her neighbor as Logan turned away to select a new target. Across the hall Trinity fought hand-to-hand with a particularly large man, but Logan did not worry about her – the young woman definitely knew what she was doing.
Within the span of another minute the seven dark wizards had been disposed of and Logan and Trinity stood facing the group of stunned students. "We're friends" Trinity murmured to them in her soothing voice, her green eyes glowing with sincerity, "Is there anywhere we can go where you can all gather for safety?"
At first it seemed as if none of the students would answer, but then a small boy with a red tie stepped forward to face the fierce warriors. "Yes, the Great Hall" he replied, his little voice strong. Trinity nodded in ascension, her long flame-red hair swinging with the motion. "Lead the way"
"Okay, Elena hold your wrist over the goblet" Snape instructed calmly to the young vampire. She stepped forward and drew her dagger, turning her wrist over at the same time in order to draw the blood.
A few feet beside them the headmaster sagged against the stone wall, his citrine Phoenix, Fawkes, sitting loyally by his master's side; already the Phoenix's blessed tears filled half of the goblet that Snape now held ready for Elena.
A small flash of luminance from the corner of her eye and Elena sensed the familiar presence of her mother.
"Mother!" Elena cried, overjoyed that their allies had arrived in time. "Darling" Claudia replied with a smile, "You were right to send for us – this situation is on the brink of catastrophe" her smile faded slightly as she took in the remaining inhabitants of the room. "Albus – what has happened?" she asked worriedly, bending over to examine Dumbledore's cursed hand. He coughed weakly, "Nothing to worry about my dear, Severus and Elena were just preparing a possible antidote".
Claudia turned to observe Snape, her light blue eyes shining with a sudden thought, "Use my blood Professor – I am older than Elena, my healing capabilities are more potent"
Snape's eyes widened in slight surprise. "How did you – " "Best not to question someone like Claudia here, Severus" Dumbledore chided lightly. A slight smile curved Claudia's red lips as she approached Snape; her daughter stepped back respectfully and went to kneel beside a still-dazed Draco. She couldn't help but smile fondly at the trusting expression on his handsome face as she ran her hand through his white-blonde locks.
I knew you would come for me…she heard his voice whisper, but when she looked down at him, his lips had not moved. I must have imagined it…she thought with a small shake of her head.
Claudia brought up her own ornate dagger and drew a thin line across the delicate skin of her wrist; deep crimson blood welled instantly on the surface and she held her arm over the goblet to allow the drops to fall in and mix with the tears.
The droplets swirled and fanned out in the otherwise clear mixture until, with a satisfied nod, Claudia removed her arm and allowed the wound to heal. Snape gazed down at the mixture and murmured a few words before approaching the man that he had loyally followed for over twenty years. He kneeled at Dumbledore's side and held the goblet to his lips as he drank, his breathing still shallow and strained.
They all watched as the goblet was emptied and Snape cast it aside, his face pale as his gaze remained glued to the headmaster's face, waiting.
With one last shuddering breath Dumbledore's blue eyes slid shut and the room fell heavy with silence.
Wow that chapter felt all over the place… (any of you see "Over the Hedge"? You know when the squirrel gets coffee? Yeah, like that.) So sorry if it was confusing or felt rushed!
Please review and let me know what you think! Lots of love!
~Z