Chapter 34: Retaliation: Part One
Author's Note: I'm baaack! :))) And I plan to update at least monthly from now on until this story has reached it's climax- which is very, very soon. I have had a lot going on and apologize for the ridiculous (over a year! :o) delay. To be fair- I spent nine months of last year pregnant and gave birth to my first child three months ago! So I am a mommy now and couldn't be happier! Had some free time today and decided I needed to get my butt back into gear so I can finally close this up and write more stories! Thank you to everyone for your patience and kind words of encouragement. I hope you guys continue to stick with me until the end. One thing I can promise, is that I'm not done torturing poor Neville just yet! It only gets worse from here.
Also, please note I realize how much shorter this chapter appears compared to previous ones- which is because I have broken it down into two parts- so part deux should be up in a couple of weeks!
And on we go...
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Neville slowly opened his eyes.
Was he dreaming? Had he died and passed on to a new life?
His vision was clouded over with remnants of smoke, dust and slowly dissipated spells floating in the air, he sputtered and gasped for breath, like a fish out of water.
The battle had continued on without him, and having no sense of time he had no idea how long he had been unconscious but he knew he had to get up and continue fighting.
He figured those around him took him for dead, as no one had even thought to give him a second glance. He sat up but the searing pain of the open wounds on his flesh throbbed so terribly he could hardly stand it and he immediately fell back.
Tears quickly began to gather in his eyes and slid effortlessly down either cheek, he could taste the saltiness of them as they reached his lips.
Neville sucked in a deep breath and jumped up, throwing himself back into battle and was missed being hit by a jet of yellow light that whizzed just inches above his head.
"STUPEFY!" he shouted at an unidentified Death Eater.
The amount of smoke and dust that filled the air was becoming so thick that it would have been nearly impossible to see your own hand in front of your face.
Neville continued to throw every single jinx, spell and curse he had ever learned. He suddenly stopped when he spotted Ginny dueling with a woman in the distance.
He became so overwhelmed with feelings of frustration and worry that the severity of the throbbing pain he felt numbed to almost nothing more than the sting of a simple paper cut; and suddenly, overcome with adrenaline he shoved his way through the blackened sea of Death Eaters and ran to her.
The woman dueling Ginny was tall and thin with long, white blonde hair that fell past her waist. The woman swiftly began circling her and Neville got a good look at her face. She was very pale with piercing gray-blue eyes and she was smirking nastily.
Neville knew immediately who she was, Narcissa Malfoy- wife to Lucius and mother to Draco.
Narcissa hit Ginny with a spell and she immediately fell unconscious.
"CALAMENTRA!" shouted Neville, pointing his wand directly at Narcissa. A stream of white light shot out from the tip of his wand and hit her directly in the face. She screamed and flew back, hitting a collapsed wall.
"YOU DARE HARM MY DEAR SISTER, LONGBOTTOM?"
Neville recognized the voice instantly and a chill ran down his spine as he turned around to face her wrath.
"YOU SHALL PAY FOR YOUR OFFENSE! CRUCIO!"
And before Neville could even properly react he was on the ground.
The pain of the familiar curse had taken hold of him in a deathly grip once again, ripping into him and digging beneath his skin. It was tearing him open and pulling him apart limb by limb.
Bellatrix laughed wickedly as she tortured him. It was a disturbing, high-pitched giggle that was almost child-like. Her laughter echoed in his ears.
"I CAN SEE YOU BREAKING, BOY!"
Neville had been trying so hard to hold back any indications of his suffering because he didn't want to give her that pleasure as he had the first time she tortured him back in the Department of Mysteries in his fifth year. He bit through his lip but it wasn't enough. Neville could feel himself dying. The pain had become so severe that he couldn't hold it in any longer. Neville let out a blood-curdling scream that seemed to shake the entire room.
"YES! ANY MOMENT NOW! I CAN SEE YOU BREAKING BOY! JUST LIKE MUMMY AND DADDY! BE SURE TO SEND THEM MY LOVE!"
Bellatrix shrieked with delight as Neville's limbs crashed wildly against the ground and his body bent into positions that the human body was not made to withstand.
The louder he screamed the louder she laughed.
"HAS WIDDLE BABY LONGBOTTOM HAD ENOUGH?"
Suddenly Neville was broken from the curse and Bellatrix was shot straight up into the air- a look of sheer shock overtook her malevolent features as she glanced down at the battle below her.
"YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT AND ALL OF THE PAIN YOU HAVE CAUSED THIS FAMILY!"
Neville slowly lifted his head- which felt heavy as though it were made of lead- to see his father, wand aimed, suspending Bellatrix in mid-air.
"WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO SAY FOR YOURSELF? NOW THAT YOUR LORD ISN'T HERE TO PROTECT YOU?"
Bellatrix's mouth fell open and her eyes grew wide as she locked eyes on him.
"WHY YOU LOOK AS THOUGH YOU'VE SEEN A GHOST! THOUGHT YOU'D FINISHED US OFF FOR GOOD?" shouted Frank. "YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE LAST OF US!"
"LET ME DOWN THIS INSTANT SO WE CAN FINISH THIS OFF PROPERLY!" she roared.
"AS YOU WISH!"
Frank dropped his hold and Bellatrix plummeted to the ground- at least fifteen feet and landed with a heavy thud.
"CRUCIO!"
Frank leapt out of the way just in time.
"THINK YOU CAN DO ME IN AGAIN? NOT THIS TIME!"
"MY, FRANK- HOW YOU'VE AGED! HOW WAS LIFE IN THE LOONEY BIN?"
"FIERENDO!"
Flames shot out from Bellatrix's wand and caught the bottom of Frank's robes, which he quickly stomped out.
"TOBENDAS!"
As his father and Bellatrix continued to duel Neville mustered up what little strength he had left and began to crawl to Ginny, who had not yet awoken.
He cradled her limp body to his chest.
"Gin," he whispered into her ear. "C'mon love- wake up. I need you."
Bellatrix had finally hit Frank with a stunning charm but before she could celebrate her small victory, out of nowhere Alice fired a curse in defense of her husband.
"WHY ALICE, WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE! STOP BY TO WATCH ME TAKE YOUR PRECIOUS HUSBAND FROM YOU AGAIN?"
"I'M NOT HERE FOR REVENGE YOU BITCH! I'M HERE TO PROTECT MY FAMILY!" shouted Alice.
"HOW SWEET," mocked Bellatrix with disgust. "SHOW ME WHAT YOU'VE GOT YOU DESPICABLE CUNT! YOU STUPID-"
"INTRUSIO!"
Frank quickly rejoined his wife in battling Bellatrix.
Neville shook Ginny gently and slowly she began to move, her brown eyes opened and locked on his.
"NEVILLE- GINNY! ARE YOU ALRIGHT?"
Ron knelt down beside them, a lot worse off than Neville had saw him earlier- fresh blood and burn marks covered half of his face.
"GIN- GO WITH RON! I'VE GOT TO HELP MY FAMILY! I'LL FIND YOU I PROMISE!"
Neville quickly kissed her hand and ran to his family- wand aimed and ready.
"GOROPUS LIGAMUS!"
The curse hit and Bellatrix's right arm was grotesquely twisted right out of it's socket- the sound of the ligaments tearing rang sickeningly in their ears.
"THAT'S MY BOY!" shouted Frank with pride.
Bellatrix howled with pain but managed to grimace evilly through her suffering.
"CRUCIO!"
Once again Neville fell to the ground, overpowered by her forceful nature but before Frank or Alice could intervene another opponent stepped forward.
"BACK AWAY FROM MY GRANDSON THIS INSTANT!"
Suddenly Bellatrix dropped her wand and turned towards the voice.
"OH! HOW WONDERFUL! ANOTHER LONGBOTTOM TO FINISH OFF!"
Augusta strode forward, wand pointed readily and her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"STEP AWAY FROM MY GRANDSON THIS INSTANT OR I WILL KILL YOU!"
"THAT A THREAT, YOU OLD HAG?"
"MUM- STAY AWAY FROM HER!" shouted Frank. "LET ALICE AND I HANDLE THIS!"
Augusta shot her son an icy glare that immediately silenced him and turned her attention back to Bellatrix.
"TO KILL YOU IS A PROMISE! YOU WILL NEVER HARM ANOTHER MEMBER OF MY FAMILY EVER AGAIN!"
Bellatrix's mouth curled into a truly sickening grin.
She knelt down next to Neville who was barely conscious and pointed her wand directly above his heart, while still facing Augusta.
"Crucio…" she hissed in a venomous whisper.
Something inside of Augusta snapped. The sight of her grandson writhing helplessly on the ground, screaming at the top of his lungs was all it took.
And so the epic duel between Bellatrix LeStrange and Augusta Longbottom began.
"TORPEO!"
"BLASPHMORO!"
The two skilled witches put all of their might into each curse fired and bellowed with a hellish force of spite and vengeance. Surprisingly, for her age, Augusta moved swiftly and defensively, counteracting almost every attack summoned onto her.
Bellatrix and Augusta were locked in a heated battle- each holding out until the other fell dead, with Frank and Alice watching guardedly at their son's side, ready to intervene at any moment's notice; although deep down both knew that this was Augusta's own private battle.
"HAVE YOU LEARNED NOTHING, YOU MINDLESS OLD BITCH? YOU CAN NOT WIN! YOU HAVEN'T THE POWER NOR THE INTENT TO FINISH ME OFF!"
Augusta fired off another curse, which missed.
"YOU'RE PATHETIC! THE WHOLE LOT OF YOU DISGUSTING LONGBOTTOMS! ALL A BUNCH OF MUDBLOOD LOVING COWARDS!"
"STUPEFY!"
"YOU KNOW, AUGUSTA...WHAT I REGRET MORE THAN ANYTHING IS NOT KILLING YOUR GRANDSON WHEN I FIRST HAD THE CHANCE! SEEING THE LIFE SLOWLY FADE FROM HIS EYES WAS AS BLISSFUL AS THE NIGHT WE GAVE FRANK AND THAT STUPID CUNT WHORE HE CALLS A WIFE WHAT THEY HAD COMING TO THEM! AND NOW, I GET TO DO THE SAME TO YOU WHILE YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY WATCHES!"
A spark of fire and hatred so terrifying it would make any good blooded wizard surrender his wand suddenly reflected in Augusta's eyes as she thrust her wand toward Bellatrix with her final curse.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!"
The entire room was engulfed with a blast of green light which momentarily haulted the battle, and when the smoke cleared Bellatrix lay dead, her black eyes wide open and etched forever on her face was the last twisted sneer she would ever make.
Neville slowly felt his jaw close as he nodded timidly. His gran had just murdered Bellatrix LeStrange and that hadn't seemed to ruffle a single feather on her back.
His mother squeezed his hand and kissed his forehead. Frank stood up and went to his mother, who embraced him so tightly it looked as though she'd never let go.
"Are you alright?"
The sweet smell of Ginny's scent overtook his nostrils as she knelt down to examine him. He looked up at her and took a deep breath and felt comfort in the squeeze Ginny gave his free hand, he squeezed back and she pulled him upright. With one last longing glance into each other's eyes- neither knowing what to say, they were thrust back into the ongoing battle.
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"Severus...how nice of you to rejoin us. What news do you bring to us?"
"My lord...it is my unfortunate yet willing duty to inform you that Bellatrix LeStrange is dead, at the hand of Augusta Longbottom."
The sky was black and the air was still and heavy with dread, not even a slight breeze to signify any sign of life. Voldemort, Severus and around three hundred more Death Eaters emerged from the Forbidden Forest, ready and bound for a much awaited attack on Hogwarts.
All was silent, they watched the chaos erupt from afar, Hogwarts was no longer safe- smoke rose from the top of the castle as fire could be seen billowing through the windows, a few older students were fighting desperately to put it out while others ran, screaming- searching for places to hide.
Not a single trace of emotion crossed the dark lord's face. He simply looked on with a terrifying sneer, his jagged yellow teeth visible as his blood red eyes widened from their usual slits.
"I am saddened by this news," he replied, sounding not even remotely close to it. "Bellatrix was one of my most loyal followers...her demise brings me great displeasure. Her devotion to me could not be matched...other than by you, Severus."
Snape nodded.
"Her sick, overwhelming suit to follow and abide to my every wish was like that of one of those disgusting muggle creatures...what are they called?"
Voldemort awaited an answer as he slid his nasty, white fingers down Nagini's scaly body.
"I believe you are thinking of dogs, my lord."
"Yes, very good. Yes."
"Tonight will be the night to end the reign of Harry Potter! I will rise again and rule with utmost power. Soon enough, that key will be in my hands."
"And Althalos?" began Snape, eyebrow raised.
"What speaks of him?"
"Where has he gone and why has he not joined us?"
"Althalos has advised me of other plans he must partake in- he will arrive shortly."
Snape's lips drew tight.
He knew exactly what Althalos had gone to do- which explained Jessica's absence as well. As of right now, he held the fate of everyone's future in his hands and Voldemort had no clue he was being deceived by one of his own eager predecessors. And once he discovered this, many would have to pay the price.
And so Voldemort led his army onward, toward the open gates of Hogwarts.
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"HELP! HELP ME, PLEASE!"
Neville turned from the battle and followed the sound of the desperate cries which lead him to the empty Gryffindor corridor and saw Padma Patil struggling under the weight of Fenrir Greyback, who had his claws dug deep into her sides as he viciously mauled her.
Neville began to run over but stopped halfway and gasped when he saw the bloody, mutilated body of Michael Corner beside her. Neville watched, frozen in horror as Fenrir bit down into Padma's neck, ripping into her soft flesh with ease. Blood began to gush from the wound as she screamed.
"PUNCTURIO!"
Suddenly the wretched werewolf howled in pain as a huge slash appeared across his back, he stopped and turned to Neville, who had his wand ready and aimed to attack again before the werewolf could act first.
"PUNCTURIO!" He bellowed again with even more ferocity.
Another enormous gash inflicted itself upon the werewolf's boisterous chest.
"LIKE TO RIP INNOCENT PEOPLE TO SHREDS? LET'S SEE HOW YOU LIKE IT!"
The werewolf bared his sharp fangs and leaped across the room right onto Neville, knocking him to the ground- but before he could bite down into his neck, a thin spear immediately protruded through his chest, just missing Neville by mere inches.
Fenrir fell back wounded, and Neville looked up to see Ron pull it out of him.
"You okay, mate! Did he bite you?"
Neville shook his head and ran to Padma, Ron followed.
Her eyes were wide with fear and her body was a bloodied, mangled mess. Neville ripped off his sweater and applied pressure to her neck, which was still gushing blood.
"GO FIND REMUS!" shouted Neville.
Instead, Ron stood immobile, staring down at her in horror.
"Is he dead?" he asked quietly, suddenly turning to Michael Corner, who lay lifeless next to her.
Padma reached up and grabbed onto Neville's shirt and pulled him down close to her. Tears began to spill out of her eyes as she struggled to speak.
"RON- GO NOW!"
Ron hesitated for a moment and finally took off running.
Neville crawled over to Micheal Corner's body and placed his hand on his neck- he had no pulse, he was gone- maybe there would still be time to save Padma. Neville closed his eyelids and moved back over to her.
"It's going to be alright, Ron's getting help."
He leaned down close to her face and began trying to comfort her, he began stroking her bloody, tangled hair with his free hand.
"You're going to be fine. Just hang in there."
But he wasn't so sure. She was growing paler by the second and began to cough up blood.
"Neville..." she sputtered. "I-I don't want to die...I-I'm so scared...where's Parvati? I need to see her..."
Neville could feel the tears coming on but he had to be strong for her, he couldn't break down in front of her- his job was to make sure she felt safe and know that she wasn't alone.
He squeezed her hand tight.
"You're not going to die," he whispered. "I won't let you die..."
Her eyelids began to grow heavy and he could see her fading.
"PADMA!" he shouted. "DON'T GO TO SLEEP. PADMA, STAY WITH ME! RON'S GETTING HELP- YOU'RE GOING TO BE FINE!"
Suddenly her eyelids fluttered open and she looked up at him.
"Tell Parvati that I love her..."
And that was it, she took her last breath and was gone.
Neville couldn't hold it in any longer, he broke down into loud, breathless sobs. He couldn't save her, he told her he wouldn't let her die and she did.
He gave her one last glance and finally let go of her hand, he had to keep fighting- he couldn't stay and cry over her dead body any longer. He had to keep fighting and vowed not to let anyone else die under his watch. But yet his mind was still wracked with thoughts on how he could have saved her. If only he'd made it to her sooner? If only he'd killed Fenrir when he first had the chance...and Michael Corner, while he had never fancied the bloke, he couldn't help but feel guilty of ever being jealous of him. Had he died trying to protect Padma?
And he had dated Ginny; even after they had broken up they had remained close friends. Ginny would be devastated to learn of his death. He finally stood up and looked around only to notice that Michael and Padma hadn't been the only casualties. He saw more lifeless bodies strewn throughout the corridor, lying in pools of blood, having been ripped to shreds.
He was terrified to get any closer, to see another body of someone he knew and that's when his eyes were drawn to a body right near the common room entrance. Neville's heart dropped as he examined the body closer.
Seamus Finnegan.
Neville slowly walked over to the wounded werewolf, who lay whimpering and bleeding from his wounds. He pointed his wand and without a second thought.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!"
The familiar green glow that had taken Bellatrix LeStrange earlier engulfed the corridor as Fenrir now lay lifeless, never to kill again.
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Author's Note: Never fear- this story will NOT remain unfinished- it means too much to me! I've had so much going on in the past year- including the birth of my first child this past October! One of my New Year's resolutions is to keep up with my writing, and so here is my contribution! Thank you again to everyone who has read and followed me with this and again, much apologies for the delay! I will try to get into a regular routine with updating until this story has reached it's conclusion!
Please read and review!
Next up: the battle continues...and it only gets worse from here!