Harry and Tonks: a love story chapter 36

Well, that wasn't really the response I was hoping for, but thanks anyway to those who reviewed, and the new story alerts etc – they mean a lot. Sorry for the very long update, I have recently rediscovered Sims 3 & have got a lot of homework so…. Enjoy!

Someone said why Harry didn't help Dumbledore against Voldemort but he was transfixed watching the fight; also, he could have done more help than good!

The Tower slowly creaks forward, the back two legs lifting up into the air, higher and higher until the tower falls to the earth with a huge bang. Thankfully, due to the evacuations there are no people about, but rows of buildings are tumbling; the original impact taking a while to settle in. Now, the roofs are falling in, the walls collapsing – it's chaos over there, and all Voldemort can do is laugh. It's absolutely disgusting: just over the way, where the destroyed buildings are malformed, humans are running over, camera crews filming, people gasping in horror.

"My Death Eaters, we are finished here," Voldemort begins, deflecting the curse Dumbledore sends at him – I cannot react, I am too in shock – but not bothering to retaliate, "Leave your duels and let the lesser beasts think they have won. Let us leave now!"

But Dumbledore reacts violently; he thrusts his wand forwards, and a jet of thick green light wraps around the nearest Death Eater, who writhes and yells in pain. Dumbledore turns to face us all, and yells:

"ATTACK!"

And that's exactly what the Order (and other adults) does, sending identical waves to ensnare the Death Eaters: the DA runs over to me; expecting me to know what to do. I finally move, and wave my wand to produce a shield charm to cover our entire group – Oliver and Katie also do the same, to enhance the protection, until soon the entire group has. That's good because I don't think my charm was strong enough with the state of shock I am still in – before we all watch Death Eaters fighting to get out of the charm before succumbing to it. The Inner Circle Death Eaters seem to be combating the charm, waving their wand elaborately to control it – not winning, but not losing either.

Voldemort is staring in complete shock at this – in fact the entire DA is as well – because I doubt he realised that the Order could have pulled this obviously advanced (in fact, I think Dumbledore created the spell himself, as he has many spells) spell, charm whatever you want to call it.

I wonder how the Muggles aren't seeing this fight, because if they did… well I doubt that we'd still be alone, with no cameras upon us. I frown, wondering and Oliver says:

"What is it Harry? Do you know something?"

"No, it's nothing like that… I was just wondering why the Muggles haven't noticed us. What's your opinion on what we do now because, to be honest, I have no idea. I don't know why I do this, fighting, when people get hurt," I reply, breaking down by the end, placing my head in my hands, fighting back the tears that threaten to consume me. What about Dora? How is she? I have no idea, because I chased after Bellatrix pointlessly and now, now I have no idea if she is ok. What about Remus, Sirius, and the rest?

"Harry, it's not your fault that Hermione got hurt – I saw, you couldn't do anything. And even if you weren't here, everybody here would still be fighting – they just wouldn't have us or any plans or intelligence because you wouldn't be here," Katie soothes me, grabbing me by the shoulders to make me look at her – I blink back the tears.

"And I performed a blocking charm that basically means every Muggle is unable to see a single person in the entire area where we have been fighting, or the reserves," Oliver grins, looking quite proud.

"Oliver Wood, if you didn't get an Outstanding in charms I am demanding a remark!" Professor McGonagall calls from just to our left – well through the throngs of the DA – where she has obviously just heard Oliver. "I tried to do the same, but somebody – obviously you – had already cast one. Very well done. Now children, we are almost done here, we're just waiting for Kingsley who left about 5 minutes ago to return with the Minister to believe Voldemort has returned, then we are free to return to school. Once Dolores has been removed, of course!" she continues, explaining then plan that I couldn't come up with. "So if you wouldn't mind just sitting there, and Harry could you please gather your reserves and bring them here please so we don't have to make another stop in this dangerous area."

After the last request, she cries out as the Death Eater she is 'wrapping up' almost escapes it but is then recaptured: he's only a low level, he isn't important. So far, I still see all the Inner Circle here roaming around, but that could change at any time. Subsequently, I want to fight them, to hunt them down, but I know Ron (the coward) and the rest have to be gathered so I pull out my wand and begin murmuring:

"Everybody, as you may have noticed the Eiffel Tower has fallen. We are almost ready to return to Hogwarts so come over to us – you can follow the spell cloud I know must be above us. Muggles are everywhere, but due to excellent charm work by Oliver Wood (he smiles, embarrassed now) they cannot see us, and if they come over to us, they can literally walk through us. But I doubt they will – Health and Safety etc – so run over, but stay away from the edges of the park, incase they are unprotected. Be here in 10 minutes please. Harry."

Then (in my head) I say the charm which makes my Patronus appear, before gathering the 'packet' of information in my wand and galloping off.

BANG!

Suddenly dozens of witches and wizards are appearing in front of me, Cornelius Fudge at the head (wearing a rather fetching pink suit – I think Umbridge is rubbing off on him) with his wand out, Kingsley Shacklebolt by his side before he disappears off into the fighting to rejoin the attack. Fudge is just standing there, like a fudge, looking completely shocked by the existence of the person (well people, if you count the Death Eaters because he said that they didn't exist anymore) he has been proclaiming is dead for the past few months. Unfortunately, with Fudge being Fudge, he doesn't react and then Voldemort spies him. Voldemort then shouts:

"Leave the spell, leave NOW!" before Disapparating off – which is just when Fudge finally decides to move – opening his mouth.

All around us, Death Eaters who can are leaving – those entwined completely in the spell are unable to, simply lying and moaning on the ground – fun!

Kingsley, McGonagall and Dumbledore are gathering up these Death Eaters – unfortunately none of them Inner Circle – whilst the Ministry officials are looking at us all, noting the presence of all the DA, the French Ministry and various foreigners; some of the Ministry seem to be recognising them – probably Foreign Office. They seem completely out of their depth.

Fudge walks over to Dumbledore and looks extremely sheepish, however he finds another point of attack against him, rather than admitting he was wrong – stupid, stupid man!

"What are all these students doing out of school? And these who are finished school, mixing with them? Dumbledore, you are very stupid to have brought these students here, into the danger… where You-Know-Who is!" he attempts to yell furiously, endeavouring to sound caring for us and 'preachy'.

"Cornelius, are you crazy?" McGonagall shouts, breaking the sudden silence created when they (herself, Dumbledore and Kingsley) were moving the bodies. "You arrive to see Voldemort here, and yet still will not admit it. Dumbledore let these students attend, partially through Harry Potter and the fact that if he is here, his friends should be also, if that is what they wish but also because they are a damn sight better than your own Ministry! The only truly good section seems to be the Aurors, who are already here! So if you continue to accuse Albus and Potter here – the people who have been proclaiming his return for many months – of being liars… you are not only a hypocrite, but I will hex you into oblivion!"

Wow. I never knew McGonagall could go on so much – and that is going through her lectures; normally Hermione would interject something here and there. Hermione. How is she? I need to find out, but what about Dora? I've completely forgotten about her! I look throughout the crowds, not able to scan because I'm not sure what she looks like today (problem of dating a Metamorphagus, you don't know who you're looking for!) before finally noticing her, supported by Sirius. She has a bleeding head wound – perhaps other things that I cannot see – but it appears superficial. At least I hope.

"What are you going to do now Dumbledore?" Cornelius asks, and I look up confused – I must have missed something in this conversation, probably the bit I most wanted to see: his apology.

"Well firstly Cornelius, I am going to escort my students back to Hogwarts, where I shall be immediately throwing out Dolores Umbridge. I shall then speak to Harry Potter before I shall return to the Ministry and explain everything prior to making a number of demands on your behalf," Dumbledore replies icily, yet forcefully, and I shiver – I'm glad he isn't speaking to me.

Fudge nods sheepishly, before beckoning his Ministry officials to disapparate with him back to the Ministry just as the first of the Muggles begin to make it into the area – total chaos on their behalf. If only it had happened in the middle of the night – we could have fixed it.

Just then, Ron and the reserves run over to us, and I realise our shields are still up – I take mine down and the rest of the DA do the same. The reserves look out of breath and I realise that they have ran all the way over here – has this been 10 minutes already?

"Children, we shall be returning to Hogwarts shortly," Dumbledore begins, before continuing, "There have been numerous casualties with various fatalities but I cannot disclose who as of yet – the wounded take priority in this case. The Order and every other adult – Oliver you may return to Hogwarts with us – are heading back to the French base to deal with them and to get them to the local wizarding hospital as well as St Mungos and various specialised hospitals around the globe. (with this, every adult besides Remus, Dora, Sirius, Madam Bones and Professors Flitwick, McGonagall, Sprout, Trelawney, and every other professor at the school… besides Snape and Umbridge. I heard Snape was undercover somewhere from snippets I heard last week – is he pretending to be a Death Eater – or pretending to be on our side?) Will you please get into groups of 10 to make it easier to get you home? All besides Harry Potter, who I would like with me please," he says, making everybody look at me.

Ron looks over, and looks really worried when he cannot see Hermione – I can't explain what happened… it's all my fault. Still, I head slowly over to Dumbledore, who grasps my upper arm, twirls and takes me to the outside of Hogwarts. Seeing the looming castle, with the beautiful lake, rolling hills of green, and the serene locality, makes me stumble and shake with pain, with guilt and hurt. Dumbledore moves his hand from my arm to around my shoulders and gives me support when I stumble.

"It's alright Harry… you're home."

Well, what do you think of this – I'm not entirely sure how it came about – maybe I ought to make a plan for this story because I have no idea where it's going for the next chapter! Unless someone suggests something…

Go on, review… press the button and make me happy (and hopefully, write better and faster :D)

Vicky xx