Disclaimer: Just checked and Nope! Harry Potter is still not mine.
A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed last chapter, I hope this one keeps you on the edge of your seats. Ok so I have a special request or Challenge. I have looked far and wide for a pic, image, and/or drawing of a Harry and Bella image that portrays them in a romantic light to place on my homepage. If you know of or are talented enough to create such an image I would love to be sent one and I will give you all the credit and post it on my homepage. Okay, well I hope you enjoy Chapter 26.
A/N2: A second Challenge: I would like to give each chapter its own title, but I'm horrible at coming up with something clever enough. If you have any suggestion or ideas please let me know. I will also give credit to you for each chapter heading I use. Thanks again!
Chapter 26
He was getting closer, he could hear him. The rustling of a cloak sent his heart beating wildly in his chest. He wanted to strike to get a kill. 'Calm yourself' he thought. 'Wait for the signal… wait for the signal'. The anticipation was building sweat dripped into his eyes stinging them. His fist clenched and unclenched around the wand in his hands.
'He is so close now; he'll be able to see me soon!' His breath was heavy he felt panic begin to stir deep within him. 'WHERE IS THAT DAMN SIGNAL!' He shifted his feet nervously…"SNAP!" a twig beneath his feet cracked. He froze… his heart was beating so loudly out of his chest he was sure the other man could hear it.
He strained his ears to hear anything; to hear his opponent breathing or his feet falling with each stride…but nothing. Was he discovered? He didn't know. The other man could be circling around him at this very moment. 'WHERE IS HE DAMN IT!' He swore under his breath.
He needed to move, a primal urge to run coursed through his veins. But that would surely give his position away and he could not expose himself he could not fail in his assignment. 'But where was he!'
The suspense was too much he had to look… he had to see where is foe had gone. HE HAD TO KNOW! 'Damn it! There's nothing for it!' He came out of his hiding place behind a fallen tree, eyes sweeping left then right. Brown eyes met blue as wands were raised… in a guttural yell heavy laden with fear, anxiety and desperation. He screamed…"AVADA KEDAVRA!"
The sickly green curse shot forth in a rush toward the red robed auror who had seen him emerge from the woods. It was all the time he needed to move out of the path of the oncoming spell as he fired his own bone breaker curse. The bone breaker cast in haste clipped the side of the Death Eaters knee shattering it. The black robe man hit the ground screaming.
The auror quickly raised his wand in the air and shot a red flare high into the air alerting the other aurors of an attack. The flare hovered in air illuminating a large area in pale red light. Within seconds seven more flares lit up the night sky all around Rowan Hill.
For a brief moment everything was eerily silent then as if on cue a dozen speeding lights of red, green, yellow, and purple electrified the night. Flashes were seen from all corners of the property. The screams of men and women echoed through the air as spells, curses, and shields were called out in a frenzy of battle.
Pansy Parkinson was seething, someone gave their position away before they were completely set. They had not finished setting up the anti-apparition wards and the floo would not be blocked for at least five more minutes. If Bones escaped the Dark Lord would not be happy with her and her team. With the element of surprise gone it would be near impossible if not impractical to try and set up the wards. They needed every available body to attack the manor.
Although they had silently collapsed the defensive wards surrounding the manor there were still eight aurors that were patrolling the grounds not to mention that Amelia Bones was a powerful witch in her own right. They had a numerical advantage but they needed something else that would give them an edge over the new minister.
A maniacal grin came over Pansy's face as she recognized two people running toward the manner. Oh it was just too good of an opportunity to pass up. She cackled madly as she took aim at the two fleeing teenagers.
"BOMBARDA!" Pansy screamed as the bright red curse flew from her wand and rush toward her classmates.
Neville Longbottom and recently betrothed fiancé Susan Bones had been startled out of the reverie of their new relationship by the night sky illuminating with colorful flashes of light. Both seem to realize at the same time that they were in danger and needed to get to the safety of the manor. They had over a hundred yards of open ground before they reached the ancient house.
Hand in hand they made a dash to safety. They had barely made thirty yards when the ground beneath them exploded in a shower of rock and dirt. The force of the impact sent both teens flying through the air in opposite directions. A heavy cloud of dust was hanging in the air as the heir to house Bones tried to shake the disorientation from her head.
Her ears were ringing from the blast and trickles of blood fell in her eyes from several small lacerations she received around her head and face from the flying rubble. She desperately tried to focus on her surroundings and get her bearings. She needed to find Neville and then find safety. She reached for her wand that she kept in her cloak but it was not there. Panic began to seep in; she took several deep calming breaths to calm herself. Amelia Bones had trained her niece for years how to act in emergency situations and those lessons began to take hold.
Susan was taking in her surroundings again and then she spotted a form about fifteen feet to her left. It was a body. A large knot formed in Susan's chest as she recognized the unmoving form of her fiancé.
"NEVILLE!" Susan screamed. Crab crawling over to him as fast as she could she silently prayed that he was still alive.
"Don't be dead Neville…please don't be dead." She cried. She reached him and saw that he was in fact still breathing but unconscious. His head and face were covered in bright red blood and his left arm seemed to be bent at an awkward angle, definitely broken.
"Isn't this delicious!" A female voice cackled from behind her. Susan slowly turned to see a black robed figure with a white bone mask approaching her.
"Is the fat squib dead?" The Death Eater asked in a mocking baby voice. "Was he your boyfriend Bones. I would think that you could have done better than that loser." Pansy sneered.
"FUCK YOU…you bitch!" Susan hissed at Pansy. "Tsk tsk Bones…What would your dear auntie say if she heard such language." Pansy cackled
"Pakinson?" Susan asked recognizing the nasally voice of Pansy Parkinson.
"Very good Bones." Pansy stated removing her mask." Now, get up! You and I are going to find and have a little chat with your auntie. The Dark Lord has asked me to… deliver a message to her." She said slowly but the malice was apparent in her eyes.
"Not bloody likely you slag. I won't take you anywhere." Susan stated defiantly.
Pansy gritted her teeth in anger. "You will lead me to her or you will join your dear old auntie and boyfriend in hell." Pansy said in a deadly voice pointing her wand between Susan's eyes.
"Message huh; you are here to kill her! Why would I help you, I'm sure you'll just kill me to as soon as you find her."
"It could be worse Bonsey, I could keep you alive and let some of my friends have their way with you… over and over again until you beg for death. Your choice really, but your auntie will die tonight." Pansy sneered maliciously. "I'm sure those large breast of yours will be a big hit with the Dark Lord's male members. Just think of all those old men grabbing and fondling you, ripping away at your innocence." Susan paled at the horrible image that formed in her mind. She needed to do something she needed to escape.
Out of the corner of her eye Susan saw Neville's wand lying a mere six inches from where she currently sat. She needed something to distract Pansy and give here the half a second she needed to grab the wand.
"I'm sure you have let them at your skanky body already Parkinson. Are you the new plaything for all the Deaths Eaters? I always knew you were a slut but being passed around to all those old perverted men. I had thought that you had a little bit more self respect than that." Susan smirked trying to antagonize the girl.
"No one touches me you cow!" Pansy screeched stepping closer to Susan who scooted back toward Neville's wand feigning fear and attempting to distance herself from the angry girl. Surreptitiously she grabbed the wand and hid it behind her back.
"I am the Dark Lords favorite! No one dares come near me or they feel the wrath of my wand!" Pansy continued to scream. An explosion behind them caught their attention Pansy quickly turned to see what was happening. Susan seeing an opportunity jumped to her feet and raised her wand a curse on her lips. However Pansy was faster as she saw Susan move out of the corner of her eye.
"Impedimenta!" The spell hit Susan squarely in the chest knocking her back about five feet the wand falling from her hand back to the ground.
"You dare attack your betters Bones! Its time you feel a little of my power bitch." Pansy screeched. "CRUCIO!"
Susan screamed in agony as every nerve ending in her body was set on fire. She convulsed on the ground her body curling into a fetal position. Pansy smirked evilly as she inflicted the torture curse on the redheaded girl. Pansy released the curse ten seconds later but what felt like an eternity to the still convulsing Susan.
"Did you enjoy that Bonsey? It's what a blood traitor like you and your aunt deserve. I've learned many many …intriguing curses under the Dark Lords tutelage. Would you like to see another?" Pansy asked in a sweet but mocking voice. Susan gathered what strength she had and spat in Pansy's face who had come close enough to the young girls face to mock her.
Pansy backhanded Susan splitting her lip. Susan tasted the coppery tasting blood as it flowed into her mouth. "For that Bitch I think a nice severing charm is in order." Pansy spat. "How about your arm, or maybe a leg? Maybe your breasts, I hate to deny my comrades a chance at them but I'm just a bitch that way." Pansy stood sneering at the shivering girl.
Pansy raised her wand and pointed at the chest of Susan Bones. Her Dark eyes stared maliciously at the prone girl and a sadistic grin spread across her face.
"EXPELLIARMUS! IMPEDIMENTA!" Pansy's wand flew from her hand and a split second later she was blasted off her feet. A wounded but conscious Neville Longbottom stood defiantly with his wand pointed at the young Death Eater. His left arm dangled useless at his side, his robes were covered in blood from several puncture wounds and lacerations. However his eyes were like orbs of steel as he glared dangerously at the girl who had been torturing his love.
"Get away from my girlfriend you BITCH!" Neville spat at the girl who was trying to recover from the blast she took. Neville rushed to Susan's side while keeping his wand pointed at Pansy.
"Are you okay love?" Neville asked tenderly. Susan could only nod; her body was still having spasms from the cruciatus curse.
"Love!" Pansy cackled. "Does wittle Wongbottom wuv Bonsey?"
"Shut it slag!" Neville ordered.
"Or what squib? You don't have the guts or the ability to do anything to me." She laughed mockingly.
"On your feet Parkinson! Now!' Neville spat.
"Oooh demanding aren't we. Did the squib grow a backbone, or is it just bravado for the girlfriend?" Pansy smirked.
Neville sent a minor cutting curse that sliced Pansy's left cheek from her chin to her hairline. "The next cutter I send will take your head Parkinson. Get. On. Your. Feet. Now!" Neville said authoritatively as a spell glowed at the tip of his wand ready to be cast.
"You'll pay for that Longbottom!" Pansy screamed but still got to her feet.
Neville helped Susan to her feet and handed her wand back to her that he had found underneath him as he came to. It was Susan's screams that roused him from unconsciousness. The anger that flowed through him as he witnessed his fiancé tortured was enough to get his adrenaline flowing providing him enough strength to rise and attack Pansy.
Neville motioned for Pansy to walk in front of them toward the manor. Pansy noticed that the sounds of battle had died down. She wondered if her team had been successful as she was being marched toward the back entrance of Bones manor. But that hope was quickly dashed as she saw a group of people including aurors and Harry Bloody Potter himself coming toward them.
She needed to grab and activate the portkey around her neck and get out of there before the others got to her. Her chance came almost immediately as a weak Susan collapsed from the after effects of the cruciatus curse. Neville turned to catch her as she began to fall taking his eyes off of Pansy. In one swift motion Pansy drew a slim silver dagger from her waist; the special cursed dagger that had been a gift from her master and plunged it into a turned Neville's back sinking it in to the hilt.
Cackling madly she pulled the portkey from around her neck. "Bye bye Bonsey, I guess you're gonna need a new boyfriend." And in a flash she was gone.
Neville fell to the ground screaming. Harry and the others sprinted the rest of the way to his friends. Susan near hysterics stared at the blood pooling on the ground around the man she loved. "Harry! Help him Harry please help him." Susan pleaded through a veil of tears.
Harry looked at his fallen friend his mind frozen with shock. He did not know what to do to save his friend. Blood continued to flow from the impaled youth as the light in the lovable boy's eyes began to dim.
oooOOOooo
The four witches gasped as the small house announced that the manor was under attack. A red glow was seen from the large window in the study that looked out toward the front of the home. Amelia dashed to the window and saw multiple flares illuminate the night sky and then a frightening display of colors as spells and curse were coming out of the tree line.
"My Gods! The children are out there! We need to get to them." The fearless Augusta Longbottom stated.
"We need to get back-up before we launch ourselves out the front door." Amelia stated her auror training and leadership kicking in.
The aurors stationed at the manor began to engage several small groups of black robed Death Eaters. These were her top men and knew how to fight an enemy of superior numbers. They were taking up defensive positions forcing the Death Eaters to come to them. However these Death Eaters also had some training and began to flank the aurors while others kept them occupied in a head on fight.
"Minerva, check to see if the floo network is still working. If it is, contact Auror headquarters; give them the codeword 'Fox in the Hen House' that will dispatch a squad of aurors here." Amelia ordered.
Minerva ran to the floo finding it operational she contacted the Auror office and gave the codeword. The auror on the other side jumped and issued an attack on the Minister alert. Ten aurors geared up and ran to the apparition point in the Ministry.
In the meantime Amelia had removed the medallion around her neck that Harry had given her. It was one of the Galleons that Hermione had made for the D.A. She sent a quick message off to Harry, 'Home under Attack!'
A large blast shook the front of the manor shattering many of the exterior windows. Amelia looked out to see three aurors lying motionless on the ground as a fourth was desperately trying to shield against multiple spells coming toward him. Five Death Eaters were mercilessly throwing dark curses at the lone auror.
"Right! We need to get out there and find our children." Amelia stated. "Poppy, stay here and barricade yourself in, I fear we will need your services tonight." Amelia stated tightly.
Poppy Pomfrey grimaced but nodded in acquiescence. Amelia, Augusta, and Minerva headed for the front door which was barely hanging on by one hinge. They saw the lone auror from earlier still fighting but was obviously seriously wounded. The three witches filed out of the door spreading out a few feet apart from each other. They took aim at the five advancing Death Eaters.
"I have the one on the far left." Amelia stated.
"The one on the far right for me." Augusta picked her man.
"That leaves the three in the middle for me." Minerva stated matter-of-factly in her thick Scottish brogue.
"On three then." Amelia stated. "One…two…three!"
"Sagittae ignis…" A volley of flaming arrows shot from the wand and with tremendous force slammed into the Death Eater on the left.
"Syrtis…" The Death Eater on the right disappeared straight down into a pit of conjured quicksand.
"Faenum de Cultris…" The blades of grass below the other three Death Eaters literally turned into razor sharp blades. They pierced the thin soles of their leather boots impaling their feet with their razor sharp edges. They screamed out in pain and then were silenced as three stunners hit them knocking them unconscious.
"Well that was easy." Lady Longbottom smiled in satisfaction.
"We were lucky, that was all. They were too focused on killing my auror that they didn't notice us." Amelia stated.
Minerva checked on the auror who had multiple injuries and spell damage but he was still able to walk. "Get yourself inside lad, Healer Pomfrey is in the library. Announce yourself as you enter, you don't want to be on the wrong side of her wand." Minerva cautioned.
The auror looked to the Minister who nodded giving him permission to leave the field of battle. The three powerful witches then headed around to the side of the house where they could see more spell fire. They turned the corner to see ten death eaters raining down spell after spell on top of six aurors who were pinned down and looking worse for wear.
They also saw several red robed bodies lying motionless on the ground. It seemed the reinforcements from the Ministry had apparated right into the middle of the fight and were quickly cut down in the brutal crossfire of spells.
They were about to leap into action to help the others when they saw a quick flash of light and then several voices directly behind them. They turned quickly with raised wands, but sighed in relief at the new and welcomed visitors.
oooOOOooo
On the training grounds of Black Manor, Bella was explaining the finer points of movement during a duel.
"Never remain in one place during a firefight, cast your spell then move, your opponent will generally send a spell at the same position where your spell was last cast from. Best defense is not to be there when it comes. Keep your opponent guessing as to where you are; never strike more than once from any one position.
This accomplishes two things. First it confuses your enemy; with spells coming from various positions he may think he is up against more than one person and as such will feel more nervous and uneasy. This can result in your enemy panicking and making mistakes that you can capitalize on.
The second, a moving target is much harder to hit. As you move your enemy has to reacquire you in his sights this costs him time, time that you can use to either get to cover or as I have been instructing you…casting while on the move. Most Witches and Wizards will stop and plant their feet before they cast, thus providing you with a stationary target." Any questions Bella asked.
Harry, Hermione, Luna and Ginny shook their heads in response. Nymphadora Tonks then spoke to the group. "Confusion on the battlefield is also an important ally. Smoke, debris, loud blaring noises, etc. use these to your advantage. If your enemy can't see you he can't hurt you. If his sense of hearing is overwhelmed he will find it hard to function properly. Injuring an enemy's eardrum will leave him disoriented and thus vulnerable." Tonks instructed.
"Charlie, the twins, and I have used this technique with great success." Bill interrupted. "We flood their senses with an overload of sound and imagery that coupled with a good dose of projected fear will more often than not cause their bodies to just shut down and refuse to work. It allows us to…dispatch them at our pleasure." Bill stated with a wry smile on his face.
"So in other words you're telling us that the key to winning is not necessarily who is the strongest but who is the cleverest." Hermione offered looking at Bill who was too caught up in Hermione's smoky brown eyes to reply immediately.
"Oh uhm, yes." Bill quickly cleared his throat realizing his gaffe. "It's better to… uhm… fight smart than go in wands a blazing." Bill said a hint of pink in his cheeks. Harry and Bella smirked knowingly at the eldest Weasley boy. Bill had tried to spend as much time as he could around Hermione without calling attention to the fact that he was crushing on the beautiful brunette.
Hermione for her part would also clandestinely steal looks at the roguish redhead when she thought no one was looking, but it was obvious to all the other occupants of the house that the two fancied each other. But in was an unspoken agreement between all to let the relationship develop on its own.
Bella and Harry hoped that Hermione's new interest in Bill would be enough to shake her out of the funk she was in. She had become utterly focused on offensive spell casting and learning dangerously close to dark curses. Bella had tried to get Hermione to talk to her about the anger and desire for revenge that was festering in the heart of the young brunette. But Hermione dismissed her concerns and would not open up.
A sudden warmth and vibrating sensation quickly got Harry's attention. He pulled a gold Galleon from his trousers and looked closely at the writing on the coin.
"Shit!" Harry yelled garnering everyone's attention. "Aunt Amelia is being attacked at her home! We need to go." Harry informed the assembled group. Within a few minutes the group which included Harry, Bella, Hermione, Luna, Narcissa, Tonks, Bill, Charlie and the twins were gathered around an old horse shoe each wearing protective cloaks and assorted 'specialized' weapons courtesy of the Weasley twins.
"Activate" Harry stated clearly. Each feeling the distinctive pull behind their navels they were whisked away in a swirl of color.
The group reappeared just in front of the manor with a light thud. Harry was amazed that he hadn't tumbled to the ground but had landed without a problem. As the group quickly took in their surroundings they noticed several unmoving bodies strewn across the lawn. The sounds of spellfire and yelling grabbed their attention towards the side of the manor. Coming around the corner they were surprised by three witches pointing their wands at them. Recognition was quick as both parties sighed in relief.
"Aunt Amelia! Are you alright and where's Susan?" Harry asked worriedly looking around for his 'god-sister'.
Amelia grimaced. "We don't know Harry. She was on the grounds with Neville when the attack came." She replied emotion thick in her throat.
"We haven't been able to do a proper search yet Harry." McGonagal began. "We've been engaged with the Death Eaters since we came out to the grounds." Minerva's Scottish accent was thick as it was every time she was angry or stressed.
"I hate to point this out but those aurors out there aren't going to last much longer we need to help them. Perhaps we should split up and send some to look for Neville and Susan and the rest of us help those poor men out there." Augusta Longbottom stated the stress and worry evident in her voice and the tightness in her facial features.
"Right, Bill, take Hermione, Ginny and Charlie and sweep around to the other side of the manor see if you can spot Susan and Neville. Shoot up a green flare if you find them and a red flare if you need help." Harry ordered without realizing he was taking on the mantel of leadership.
"Right." Bill replied. "Hermione, Ginny, Charlie let's go." With wands drawn the four headed the way they had just come from to sweep around the grounds and manor. With a quick tap each to their cloaks they disillusioned themselves. A handy product of the twin's that mimic the effect of an invisibility cloak although they were limited to about an hour of use.
"Okay Minerva, Lady Longbottom, Fred, George, you try to get to their right flank. Aunt Amelia, you, Cissy and Luna make your way to where the Aurors are. Luna you and Cissy try and use those obscuring spells you learned from the Potter Grimoire to hinder the Death Eaters visibility Tonks stay with them and provide cover for them. Bella and I will take the left flank. With a three sided attack those bastards won't know what hit them." Harry gave his orders and the three groups moved out.
Narcissa and Luna knelt on the ground and held each other's hands. The two blondes then began to slowly chant in ancient Gaelic their bodies swaying back and forth in rhythm and synchronicity. An invisible wind seemed to gently blow around them their hair moved gently like floating and swaying in water. What they were attempting would drain their energy quickly only giving the defenders about five minutes of cover.
There was a physical change in the air that lay between the attacking Death Eaters and Defenders. Everyone felt it; the spells began to slow as something was beginning to happen. At first it seemed like a light mist was rising up from the ground barely inches above the grass and seeping out of the hedge rolls and forest floor spilling out onto the grounds.
The mist slowly rose and began to thicken and roll out creating a wall of swirling fog. In the heart of the fog was what appeared to be bursts of arcing light that looked like lightning. The death eaters could no longer see the defenders and ceased firing no longer sure of their position. The reprieve in fighting and the obscuring fog gave all teams enough time to get in position.
Reaching the end of their strength Luna and Narcissa collapsed unconscious to the ground. Tonks transfigured a lawn ornament into a large granite slab and pulled Luna and Narcissa behind it and then took up a protective position over the two blondes until they regained consciousness.
oooOOOooo
Harry and Bella had managed to get behind and to the right of the entrenched Death Eaters. Minerva and her team had managed to get to the left flank of the black robed bastards. A moment later the fog began to disappear and just as suddenly curses began to fly electrifying the night the smell of ozone thick in the air.
Three Death Eaters were immediately cut down. The other DE's tried to take cover behind trees, boulders and shrubs. They were getting hit by spellfire from three sides; the curses from the pinned down Death Eaters became more desperate and ferocious. A lucky spell hit Minerva in her left shoulder blasting flesh and bone into a bloody pulp. She screamed out in pain at the intensity of the spell. Augusta quickly pulled the Scotswoman down and began to cast cauterizing spells to stop the bleeding followed up by a numbing spell. Poppy would have to tend to the more extensive damage to Minerva's shoulder.
Two Death Eaters were able to slip out unnoticed while Minerva's team was looking after her. That momentary lapse of vigilance was all that was needed for them to escape and they took it. The Five remaining DE's began to feel like this was not going to end well for them. As they debated their next move a ribbon cutter decapitated two of their remaining numbers. Without further hesitation the last three activated their emergency portkeys.
oooOOOooo
Bill and Hermione where searching the gardens while Charlie and Ginny searched near the forest edge for their missing friends. They hadn't seen any sign of them yet and were worried about their other friends who were engaging Death Eaters near the Manor. The gardens were beautiful with large sculpted hedges and groomed walking trails, ornate bird baths and large trellis archways covered with flowers. It would be a very romantic setting if they weren't in the middle of a rescue mission Hermione mused.
"STUPIFY!" A male voice shouted as the red curse came from around the corner of the hedge in front of Bill and Hermione. The curse grazed Bill's shoulder spinning him around, the redhead lost his balance and fell over backwards striking his head on a stone that was lining the pathway.
Hermione raised her wand as two blacked robed figures came around the corner both pointing their wands at her chest. "Oi,wada we `ave `ere." One of the masked men said salaciously. "Allo poppet, looks like your all alone." The other man said looking Hermione up and down. "You're a pretty thing aren't you? I think we'll just take you as a consolation prize as it were."
Hermione slowly backed away from the two Death Eaters her mind racing. 'Keep moving never stay in one place, cast on the run, cast to kill…cast to kill…cast to kill.' The Death Eaters taking her actions as being terrified took courage and aggressively moved toward her.
Hermione let out a blood curdling scream, not one of fear or terror but of deadly resolve, with lightning speed she cast an exploding hex at the head of the Death Eater on the left. It exploded in a shower of bone, gore and gray matter. The body collapsed where it had stood. Hermione darted back the way she came creating distance between her and the other Death Eater.
She had almost made it around the corner when she was hit with a tripping jinx and fell face down on the dirt path. Bella's training kicked in and she rolled to her back quickly and in a show of abdominal strength pushed her legs over her head planting her palms flat on the ground at the sides of her head launched her body off the ground and into a standing defensive position.
She cast a slicing spell as the man emerged but he quickly raised a shield and returned a spell of his own; however Hermione had moved and cast a bone breaker at the man's chest hoping to collapse his lungs. He dived out of the way and rolled into a low fighting stance. Apparently this one had some dueling experience.
Hermione paused her attack stunned by the man's quick response. That momentary lack of focus was all the man needed to send a cutting curse of his own at Hermione's neck. Hermione realized her mistake a little too slowly but had moved just enough that the curse missed her neck but hit just above the shoulder causing a deep and painful cut.
All of a sudden Hermione's mind went back to the night her parents were killed. She could see the vacant look in her mother's eyes as her body was sprawled out on the floor below the stairs. She was kneeling at her father's side; she stared helplessly as his life blood flowed from the deep cut to his neck. There was so much blood…so much blood. The smirking visage of that Death Eater bastard Severus Snape sneering down at her.
Hermione screamed out in rage again, all the hate, all the despair, all of the anger rose up and focused in her chest. A purple cursed flew toward her, she flicked it away like an annoying bug. Her eyes glowed with unadulterated fury as she focused on the Death Eater in front of her. She was merciless, ruthless, and out of control.
Every dark curse she had read about came to her lips with practiced ease as she released her fury on the hapless target in front of her. It was a scene right out of the worst muggle slasher film. A barrage of piercing and cutting curses, bludgeoning hexes and bone breakers, organ liquefying spells crashed into the man. His shields failed with the first curse that slammed into them.
Blood was gushing out from sliced arteries, strips of skin were torn from his body, gaping holes in his chest and stomach oozed blood and gore, both his eyes had been summoned out of his skull. Shattered shards of bone were sticking out of his arms and legs, his bowels were rent and spilled out their contents.
Bill shakily stood on his feet he knew he had a concussion but seemed to be in one piece. He heard and felt the magic that was being used just around a large hedge. Fearing for Hermione he moved as fast as his spinning head would allow. As he made the corner the sight before him almost made him vomit.
Hermione was in hysterics as she rained spell after spell at an unmoving pile of charred and gooey flesh.
"Hermione!" He yelled stopping the girl in midcast. She turned her head to him, her eyes were red and swollen tears streaks made their way through the splattered blood on her face. Her breathing was fast and shallow. At first her eyes seemed glazed over but recognition soon set in. Hermione let out a wail and slumped to the ground. Bill ran to her and gathered her up in his arms, the slim brunette began to sob uncontrollably, and she buried her face into his shoulders her body shuddering in anguish.
Bill let her cry while he held her tight to him. He rubbed her back is small tender circles while telling her that everything would be okay. He held no judgment, he did not know what had happened and didn't care, his sole worry was over how to help Hermione.
Charlie and Ginny came upon the scene moments later. Ginny did vomit; she had never seen anything so horrific as the mutilated body that lay in a heap just feet away.
"Bill, what happened?" Charlie asked in a low voice.
"Not now Charlie. I need to get Hermione somewhere where she feels safe." Charlie nodded and went to help Ginny who was on her hands and knees still retching from the sights and smells of the DE's body.
Bill helped Hermione stand but she refused to let him go. Her arms had wrapped around his neck in a vice like grip. He picked her up bridal style and then led his brother and sister cautiously back toward the manor.
oooOOOooo
Augusta and the Twins carried Minerva back to the manor and into the library where Popy was fussing over an injured auror. She leapt to her feet when she saw the state Minerva was in and immediately began to inspect her injury. Tonks then entered with an exhausted Narcissa and Luna hanging from each of her arms. Fred and George picked up the two blondes and carried them to a large couch and placed them gently onto it.
"Where are Harry and Bella?" Tonks asked. "And have we found Susan and Neville yet?" Her questioned was answered as a patronus in the shape of a falcon flew into the room and in a ghostly voice that sounded like Harry's it spoke. "Found Susan and Neville, both injured severely, need immediate help, near pavilion in back garden."
Amelia, Popy, and Tonks sprinted out to the back garden while August stayed with Minerva. She prayed her grandson and his fiancé would be okay.
The three witches arrived and with dread took in the scene before them. Susan was covered in blood and was having spasm fits, Neville was not moving his breathing was labored and shallow and the noticeable knife that was sticking out of his back reeked of dark magic.
Poppy the professional that she was immediately took action and cast a stasis charm on Neville it did not solve anything but merely frozen him in his current state till she could formulate a plan of action. She then turned to Susan and cast a quick diagnostic spell.
"She is suffering from the after effects of the cruciatus curse Amelia." Poppy told her longtime friend. "I'll give her something for it but it will take a while for her to completely recover." Amelia nodded, knowing better than most the after effects of that particular curse. Susan would make a complete recovering but it would take weeks before the side effects were completely gone.
"We need to get Neville to St. Mungos." Poppy stated. "There is nothing I can do for him here, and they have experts at St. Mungos who deal with this kind of dark magic." She sighed heavily.
"Will he make it?" Harry asked fearfully.
Poppy stared at the young man she had grown so fond of over the years he had been under her care. "I don't know Mr. Potter…with the combination of the severity of the wound and the dark magic imbued in the dagger…" Poppy sighed heavily. "His chances are slim at best." The healer stated sadly.
oooOOOooo
Another team of aurors had arrived at Bones manor. They began to gather the injured and dead from around the grounds. Laid out in front of the main entrance of the manor was a row of twelve bodies covered in white sheets. Harry looked upon the site with an ache in his chest and a lump in his throat. 'Twelve good honorable men and women cut down in the prime of their lives.' He thought morosely to himself.
A warm soft hand interlaced its fingers with his, looking up he saw the loving eyes of Bella. She did not speak, there were no words needed. She felt his anguish, his sorrow; he was part of her and she of him. They had become two sides of the same coin forever linked never to be separated. Harry received gratefully the love that Bella was feeding him through their bond. It fortified him and gave him strength enough to not lose hope or faith in the world he dreamed of. He dreamed of a world that was absent of bigotry and prejudice, a world where every witch, wizard and magical creature could live in equality and peace. But more than this he wanted to be able to live in love and peace with his family.
He was not naïve enough not to realize that such a dream would require sacrifice. He was just worried…no terrified at the price that sacrifice would demand. He was determined to bring this war to a swift end. The family had a battle plan and as soon as they were prepared enough they would begin to bring the war in earnest to those who in their lust for power and dominion would destroy their world.
oooOOOooo
A/N: And Chapter 26 is done. I was reminded a bit ago not to forget the romance between Harry and Bella and I want to thanks those who have gently reminded me of that. The next chapter or two will be centered on Harry and Bella and their developing relationship, but there will still be a mix of drama there as well.
As always your reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Reviews are like catnip to us wanna be writers so PLEASE feed our additicon!