All characters in the story are the property of J. K. Rowling and Bloomsbury Books, with the exception of Eleanora Sterling and a few supporting characters, who are my own creations. This story is created purely for the entertainment of myself and other like-minded readers and no copyright infringement is intended.
This is probably the hardest thing I have ever undertaken with no hope of monetary gain... so please don't sue me!
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Chapter 37: BattlegroundAll were keeping close watch around us for Death Eaters, Potter taking the lead and Remus and Weasley in the rear. Minerva and Sirius flanked us on the left with Dumbledore and Hagrid on the right. Poppy remained behind in the infirmary, awaiting casualties.
Ron gave a whoop of alarm as a dozen or so Death Eaters suddenly came towards us from the direction of the Forbidden Forest, flying through the air on broomsticks like a murder of crows. Remus directed us to get down and cover ourselves as the group of wizards directed their wands skywards. Severus, contrary to Dumbledore's instructions, was wielding his wand also, but he and Remus managed to get in a couple of good shots as two of the flying Death Eaters tumbled to the ground, riderless brooms flying off in opposite directions.
The Death Eaters were trying to give as good as they got and one of them managed to wing Hagrid, who gave a yelp of pain, clutching a smoking sleeve. Ron and Harry disabled two more of them. The rest of them were landing and attempting to engage members of our troop in one-on-one duels. I watched in horror as Severus rose to his feet in order to clash with one of them. With my limited powers, and no wand, I was unable to assist.
It had looked for a moment that with their casualties we had them at a disadvantage, but suddenly I found myself being wrenched to my feet and pulled away from the fray by one of their number. Face to face with the hooded stranger I let out a cry of terror. Severus immediately turned toward me, but I quickly warned him by thought that his opponent was about to strike. As he turned back to his adversary to ward off the blow, he silently told me to use my "force". I knew that, for his sake, I had to handle this on my own.
My fear turned to rage as I confronted my attacker. He hissed something at me about being repaid for my assistance, and my anger grew more sharply focussed. I found myself doing something I had never thought of doing before... using my powers to harm instead of to heal.
I looked deep into his chest until I could see the beating of his heart, the very vessels and muscles as they pumped his blood to all parts of his body. I willed that beating to cease. With my mind's eye I watched as the muscles slowed. I watched his face register surprise and then pain. I watched him crumple to the ground as his heart failed him. I felt no remorse.
It seemed I did have a way to assist in the battle after all.
Minerva had fallen and a Death Eater was advancing on her. Now in a murderous rage I pushed against him as hard as I could with my mind. Receiving the blow with surprise, he turned his attention to me. I looked inside his skull he was an older man and I found a weakness there. There was a blood vessel that looked like it was about to burst. I gave it a little prod. The resulting aneurysm caused him to fall immediately with a shriek, writhing in pain and clutching his head.
Something about the tone of the fallen man's agonized cry drew the attention of the other Death Eaters. Those that were still standing (and our people had succeeded in defeating nearly all of them at this point) were beginning to look at me with confusion and fear. Some of them began to retreat. Those who were left were soon beaten handily by our men. In moments we were victorious.
Severus and I hurried to the portkey while Harry and Ron carried Minerva back to the school while Sirius assisted Hagrid, whose arm was bleeding copiously. Dumbledore and Remus accompanied us the rest of the way, in case there were any other foes we didn't know about.
Our bags were waiting, undisturbed. The Portkey, this time in the form of a battered cardboard carton, waited for us. By my watch we had about two minutes to go. Anxiously, Dumbledore drew out his wand and motioned towards us. "Here... you both look a sight. Let me just tidy you up a bit. Drycleanium!" he incanted. Instantly our battle-scarred outfits looked better than new.
Counting down the seconds we picked up our baggage and held onto the Portkey. With that now familiar yanking sensation somewhere in the vicinity of my navel, we found ourselves being pulled through to Muggle London. But as we left, I caught sight of Remus Lupin, holding up his right hand in a V-sign of victory.
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A/N:
OK, OK, I know "Drycleanium" is a pretty lame name for a clothes cleaning spell. I stuck it in there thinking I'd come up with something better later, but it made me giggle every time I read it so I just left it in. So what if I'm the only one who laughs at it.
- Grey Lady
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NEXT: Londontown