A/N: Battle ahead, that means fighting, blood, death et al. Just warning you.

Chapter 37

You'd better run (Enemies by Shinedown)

Not even two weeks, Gin thought with a wry smile as they dressed for battle. This time though, they weren't wearing Tribe clothes and were hiding the tattoos. Everything had been explained to all the 'parents' when Fatin had her meeting with Lysander and Ianthe just before that Quibbler edition had been sent out. She was actually relieved, especially since none of them were too fussed about it. No, thanks to the genius of Narcissa and Kingsley's insistence that now was not the time to reveal just who had been responsible for all those raids, everyone allied with them would be going into battle in blue tops and black trousers and boots. Of course she, Aradia, Pansy, Daphne, Fatin, and Ruya would be wearing bright blue hattahs as well so that their allies could find them quickly on the battlefield. Morag too, though only if she wanted to- there hadn't been time to ask with all the preparations.

She strapped on one more knife sheath at her thigh, having always thought that one couldn't have too many, and picked up her rope with grappling hook, tucking it in her bag. They were going to have far too much fun.

"You ready?"

Gin turned to see Draco and Blaise grinning at her. Both had plaited their hair, tying the plaits off with blue bands the same colour as the hattahs. She rushed across the room and hugged them both tightly. "More than ready."

Blaise grinned, picking up his bow and quiver of arrows before taking her hand and they walked down together. Thanks to the twins scouting efforts and the refugees flowing onto the estates, they knew that Hogsmeade was empty of all innocents. Apparently, a good two dozen or so minions and sympathizers stayed in the village. It would be all too fun to take those idiots out. They were portkeying from three locations: Adl, MacDougal Hall, and Moon Hall. Oulton was set up for the portkeying in of injured allies that couldn't be quickly healed on the battlefield. The Mums were there along with two St Mungo's healers that had fled when it had been taken over late last week. Their appearance had been welcome news as Pansy and Daphne wanted to fight, but knew that they were needed to heal as well. Now, it simply was a non-issue. Lilis and Susan would set up a triage location at the train station in Hogsmeade and as the battle progressed, if all went as planned, Lilis and a handful of others would move forward with the troops and bring back to the triage area all that they couldn't heal on site.

She found herself swept up in Draco's arms and kissed soundly. Grinning, he tossed her to Blaise for the same treatment. Laughing as she was sat back on her feet, Gin took their hands again as they stepped out onto the grounds. When the numbers had come back, she'd been stunned for a moment. Of the enormous number of people they had in hiding, four hundred had stepped up to fight. From their sources, the madman had roughly three hundred, including dementors, wolves, and giants left.

The three of them would be leading the smaller group of fighters around the lake to the castle, which they hoped that the distraction of Henry being dumped at the gates and attack on Hogsmeade would hide. She was giddy at the thought of getting to climb; it had been far too long since she had been able to take the time to do so. They were met by Theo and Pansy and Theo was grinning widely.

"Sev went for Henry, in fact, he asked to be the one to drop his arse at the gates," Theo informed them.

Draco snickered. "Dear gods, to listen in on whatever Sev has to say to him would be priceless."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "We should get going. One of the Moon elves popped in a moment ago and told me that Remus, Kirley, and Ruya have Potter and Granger secured and are waiting for the signal to move them into Honeydukes cellar."

Gin snickered, knowing that Fred and George both had those lovely coins that Neville had told them about to use as signals. "Once this is over, I think we all should get together with a Pensieve."

"Yes, yes, we can watch Potter and Granger be humiliated," Blaise retorted dryly. "Henry too."

Fatin whistled shrilly, waving them all over to the portkeys. She would be with Liam, Ewan, Fred, Daphne, Aradia, and George clearing Hogsmeade. Gin knew that they were all looking forward to having a bit of fun with that potion of Theo's that had been so very…explosive. Every last one of them had taken Narcissa at her word when she had given them the okay to destroy things. The speed in which all four boys had taken Theo up on the offer to make them each a dozen or so vials had amused even Severus.

Moments later they were portkeying out.

-DGB—

Aradia scanned the village, motioning for Fatin, Liam, and Ewan to move off to the left while Fred and George went right. She and Daphne would head right down the middle. They were setting the potions in every building they could. It was their job to not just create a distraction, but make it very difficult for any minions to have cover. She had no doubts that the Mums would rebuild everything perfectly. Grinning, she darted past an open window and lobbed the potion vial inside before picking up speed, heading towards the Hogsmeade station. They didn't expect much resistance since another group had portkeyed directly to the station.

She saw Fred going left down the side street and turned to see George going right. Excellent, was all she could think as Madam Puddifoot's was hit with a vial. She kept going, tossing vials as she went until George all but tackled her as the explosions went off. Shaking her head, she couldn't help but laugh. Theo deserved some sort of prize. "Can we do that again?"

She heard Daphne's laughter from over to the left as all four of them got back to their feet, turning to see everything beyond Zonkos to the edge of the village was fiery rubble.

Fred and George shared a look of glee, advancing on the Zonkos building and tossing in two vials.

"Oh shite," Daphne muttered, tossing a vial across the street from Zonkos and racing towards Honeydukes.

Aradia lobbed two more on the opposite side of the street as she ran, not bothering with the post office. It could stay. She ducked down with Daphne and they were joined by the twins a moment later. Five more explosions joined the ones set off by Liam, Ewan, and Fatin. Those three joined them a few minutes later, all seven of them grinning maniacally. Aradia really understood the twins' joy at creating things that blew up now, it certainly was fun.

Fatin pointed down the intact part of the street at their allies battling a small number of minions. "I'm signalling Severus."

"Do it," Daphne said, already ducking and running. "I get to hit the Three Broomsticks!"

Laughing, Aradia raced after her. There were only a handful of main buildings left and she wasn't about to be left out of the fun.

-BGD—

Neville was unimpressed, sending out all the hexes they had been taught over the last few weeks; having come to the realisation that binding spells and stunners simply wouldn't work during wartime. He and his group had spread out between the Three Broomsticks and Hogsmeade Station. He was wishing he'd been trained as many other Purebloods had, with blades, as they were making far more progress than he was. Kicking out, he took a minion down. It was their job to keep the enemy distracted and he would do it to the best of his abilities. Since a good kick followed by a nasty hex seemed to work, he grinned fiercely and went with it.

He moved steadily forward after that, backing up against the station house as those that would heal not fight portkeyed in at his signal. He saw Lilis Moon in the group and grinned outright. He'd seen her practicing over the last few weeks and knew those who weren't aware of her skills were in for a rude awakening.

Liam and Ewan MacDougal joined him with a dark-haired woman who looked very dangerous especially with the tattoo on her face. "Good show," Liam said cheekily.

"Be ready for more!" One of the Weasley twins called, pointing towards the gates.

Neville's brows shot up. What was going on now?

-GBD—

Severus sneered as the coin in his pocket warmed. "Ahh, that is our cue, Henry."

He reached down and lifted Henry by his hair. "You know, I really have to give Theo credit. It really is too bad you were too insane to appreciate your former son's brilliance. Ah, enough talk. You have an appointment to keep."

Henry whimpered and Severus laughed. It had been ever so fun to tell Henry just what he thought of him, especially since Henry's missing tongue made it impossible for him to reply. Theo really did cover all possibilities.

He Apparated them to Hogsmeade, appearing just up the road from the station. He could see the gates ahead. With a feral smile, he dropped Henry only to levitate him. The bastard wasn't worth the effort to haul up the path. "I come bearing gifts," he called to the Death Eaters standing guard at the gate, who seemed to be watching the Hogsmeade battle rather than joining in.

"Snape?"

He nearly rolled his eyes. It wasn't as if he was difficult to recognize or anything. Confident that others were watching his back, ones very wary of his wife's ire, he strode forward, literally dropping Henry at Higgs' feet. "A gift for the Dark Lord."

Higgs looked down and grinned. "I'll see that he gets it."

Severus waited until the moron dropped the wards on the gate and motioned for the fighters behind him to surge forward. He had no doubts that Higgs would be a good little minion and get Henry where he needed to be. His former allies or at least they thought they had been, seemed confused. They stood there as if waiting for him to come right in. Not likely.

Stepping back, he allowed the very angry group engage the enemy. He'd have time enough to seek revenge soon enough. For now, he'd wait until all fighters were through the gates. Narcissa had made it clear that he was not to unnecessarily risk his neck. He might be stubborn, but he was far from stupid. There was no doubt she would track down a Necromancy spell just to bring him back and make him rue the day he'd died before killing him herself… or giving him to Theo, Draco, and Blaise.

With that nasty thought in mind, he nodded to the last seven fighters, the ones he knew had far too much fun blowing up the village, before making his way through the gates.

-DBG—

Remus waited until they were secure in Honeydukes basement before waking Harry and Hermione. "Rennervate!"

Harry groaned, holding his head as he sat up. His eyes widened. "Professor Lupin?"

Remus snickered. "Sorry about the stunner, but we needed to get you here quickly."

Hermione glared angrily. "You could have explained!"

Kirley stepped forward. "Yes, because you two would have listened to reason. I think not. Your precious horcrux is up in the castle and we," he motioned to himself, Ruya, and Remus, "and those we are allied with have given you a clear path."

Hermione's jaw dropped. "But…but… you're…"

"Mine," Ruya said pointedly.

Remus barely bit back the laughter. Shaking his head, he stepped forward. "When it is safe enough to move in that direction, we will be signalled. You two are to go after the horcrux and only when it is destroyed will you go into battle. Do you understand?"

Harry looked mutinous. "Just who are you allied with? Why would we listen to unknowns?"

"Because, you idiots, they have been planning this just so you can have a clear shot at that madman," Ruya growled, her hands fisted at her sides. "I now see why they loathe you."

Kirley laughed, kissing Ruya's brow. "There was also the incentive of killing things, don't forget. They never pass that up."

Hermione was on her feet, wand in hand, moments later. "Is this a trap? It is, isn't it!"

"Can I knock them out again?" Kirley asked idly.

Remus snorted. "No, you know the plan. We keep them here and escort them to the castle."

"We're not children!" Hermione exclaimed.

Kirley growled, literally. Then he stalked forward, allowing that menacing aura to flow freely. Remus shuddered. Harry and Hermione, however, seemed to see nothing more than a rock star; totally ignoring the fact that Kirley was clearly something more than human. "You are children. Good gods, you are handed your little destiny on a silver platter and have the stones to complain about it! We've been tracking you and keeping the enemy away for weeks now!"

"Settle, please," Remus said in a peace-making gesture, knowing damn good and well the two alphas in the room would disregard him if they felt like it. Thankfully, he felt the coin heat and pulled open the trapdoor. "We need to get moving."

Ruya hopped down first. Kirley shot Harry and Hermione one last angry glare before following her. Remus was beginning to think that staying back would have been a better option, but he was the last of James' friends left and he would protect Harry, no matter how much he wished he could knock sense into him.

-GBD—

Gin was actually surprised that there were no minions to challenge them until they were almost to the Whomping Willow. She drew her sword, having spotted two giants wandering around the tree. In fact, it looked as if they were toying with it.

"Really?" Blaise muttered. "We could stay here and wait for that damn tree to knock them out."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Split up, half of us distract while the others move in and take out their legs?"

Blaise was already pulling out his bow. "Can I please see what those lovely explosive vials do to a giant?"

Pansy leaned over her shoulder and whispered, "They're like kids in Honeydukes, aren't they."

"Indeed," Gin replied mirthfully. "We should let them have their fun though."

"Gin and I will take their legs out," Pansy said decisively. "Theo and Draco, you two provide distraction. Blaise can then blow their heads…or whatever body part he wishes, off. The rest of you, stay back for now. Plan?"

"Plan," Gin said, shifting closer to the shadows provided by the forest's edge. "We need to hurry though, or there will be nothing left for us to kill by the time we get there."

Draco and Theo went ahead, circling around to the other side of the giants. The five other Slytherins stayed back, clearly not willing to object.

"Hey!" Theo taunted, aiming spells at the giants legs.

Pansy just groaned and muttered something about 'silly men' and raced forward. Gin caught up with her quickly, both of them darting forward and slashing the back of a leg and then getting the other legs before the giants could register what had happened. Both giants toppled, and the girls backed up quickly, not wanting to be flattened. Blaise took out the first as it fell and Gin mentally applauded his skill. The explosion sent bits of giant into the lake, forest, and of course all over them. The group that was with them swarmed the second giant, only to be pushed back so that Blaise could take its head off.

Swiping her face with her sleeve, she took a moment to glance across the lake to where the major part of their force was fighting. They looked to be holding their own, at least for now. Shaking her head, she ran for the castle wall. If they met any resistance inside, they wouldn't be much help to their allies and family. There was no way she was going to allow that to happen.

-BGD-

"Fan out!" Hestia called, pointing to Adrian to lead his group. She glanced over to see Wren was scanning the crowd, but content to let her prove just how competent she was. Over to the left, Flora and Ares were directing the other half of the troops they had been tasked with leading.

Her eyes narrowed and she raced off, taking off an arm of a minion that thought coming at Flora's back was wise. Back to back, she and her twin took out five while Wren and Ares kept the rest back. Dripping with blood, they turned on their heels and quickly made their way over to where Miles, Anthony, and Helios were fighting. They didn't need to talk or even think, it was a 'twin thing' her mother had long ago explained. Whatever it was, she was thankful for it now.

It was slow going, pushing the minions back slowly enough to give their second group time to circle around without risking themselves too much. She heard a howl of outrage, her eyes widening when she spotted Lilis a ways down the path getting to her feet and running as if Hades hounds were at her heels.

"Oh gods," Wren muttered.

"What?" She stabbed a minion through the heart that had been trying to take advantage of their distraction and get Ares in the side.

"You are about to see just why none of us anger her." He pointed at where Anthony and Helios were circling around Miles' prone form. The minions who had been fighting so fiercely a moment before seemed to back away quickly as Lilis ripped through them as if she was doing nothing more strenuous than baking cookies.

Arms and legs flew in all directions. A head bounced over and fell into the lake. Hestia stared wide-eyed as the minions were simply annihilated. It took Lilis a good five minutes to get halfway to Miles' position, but about that time she was met by Morag and Talon. "Oh gods, this is going to get messy."

Wren laughed, running through the now clear area to where his baby sister was, quickly followed by Ares. She and Flora exchanged an amused look before racing after their men. They helped Lilis with Miles, who had been knocked out and sliced up a bit, getting him back to the triage station where Susan promised to get him to the Mums immediately. The three of them were soon back in the thick of the fighting, though this time many taunts were being issued.

"That one," Anthony pointed out a former Ravenclaw, "He destroyed your shoes fourth year, Sor!"

Morag's screech of outrage rivalled Lilis' earlier one as she hopped over three dead bodies and took out her anger on the hapless idiot. Hestia just shook her head and kept fighting, trying not to fall over laughing. Leave it to this group to make a game of it. She would have gone to help Morag, defence of shoes and all that, had Wren not laid a hand on her arm and shook his head.

"Ohh, Lilis," Anthony called out again. "This idiot writes in books!"

Lilis took down that fool, lecturing as she went. "You do not write in books! Writing is for parchment!"

"Good gods," Wren muttered, sidling up to her as they scanned the area to see where they should go next, the boys keeping almost constant shield charms up. Though with the way Lilis and Morag were going, none of them actually had to fight at the moment. "I may die of laughter."

"You bastard!" They turned to see Morag had taken on another minion, this one armed as they were, though he didn't seem to be as skilled with a blade. Morag's arm was bleeding and she looked past her point of reason. "I'll not let you get the best of me! I've not had my wedding gala yet!"

Hestia leaned on Wren, laughing until she cried as Morag proved her point quite nicely, leaving the minion in pieces. A moment later, a loud howl broke through the noise followed by at least ten more.

Ares', "Oh well, shite, where is Kirley when you need him?" was a question she agreed with wholeheartedly.

-GBD—

Remus shooed Harry and Hermione towards Ravenclaw tower, having been given explicit instructions to ask the Grey Lady where her mother's diadem was kept. Both were still grumbling about the situation, though they at least seemed to get that they should take the opportunity given.

"You got them?" Kirley called.

Remus waved him off. "Yes go."

He shouldn't have been amused when Kirley grinned, tossed Ruya over his shoulder, and said, quite cheerfully, "Later all, minions to kill and all that."

"That was Kirley Duke," Hermione muttered disbelievingly as she watched him run down the corridor.

Remus laughed. "Perhaps it was, perhaps it wasn't. We need to move. The madman will show up soon and you need to have the horcrux destroyed first. Please tell me all the others we know you took have been destroyed already."

Harry nodded, holding up Gryffindor's sword. "We did, just this morning- right before you attacked us."

"We secured you and brought you here, for your own safety. If I have learnt anything in the past few weeks it is that watching your words is the wisest course of action," he chided.

They huffed and stomped off. Good gods, one would think that being on the run for months would have made them grow up a bit. Apparently not.

-DBG—

Gin had just secured the rope when the sound of breaking trees and roaring giants sounded. Draco sighed, turning to see how many more they would have to face. Four? Oh just brilliant. "Blaise, we're going to need more of that potion if you have it."

Blaise turned and grinned wickedly. "Oh, I have more. Plenty more. If I could get up though, it would be far easier. I am not going to face our mothers' wrath for burning down the Forbidden Forest."

"Come on up," Gin called from where she and Theo took a high ground position. She whirled, tossing throwing knives a moment later. "The sooner, the better!"

Draco motioned for Blaise to go first. Pansy was halfway up. The other five with them would go next. He'd stay here and make sure they got up. He didn't like Gin being up there without him or Blaise, but she was more than competent…and Theo was there. His eyes widened. "Fucking brilliant! Spiders. Damn it all."

Blaise laughed as he quickly scaled the wall, calling down, "Don't you think you can take them on, love?"

"Ha!" Draco pulled his wand, knowing that spells were likely to get further than even his throwing knives. Not even thinking, he shifted in front of the rope, calling out not too terribly legal spells. If they were a bit on the dark side, oh well, what mattered was that they worked. When the first giant exploded, he turned and grabbed the rope, moving as quickly as he could, jumping onto the walkway a few minutes later. His brows shot up. Ten minions were on the ground writhing and screaming as Theo, Pansy, and Gin calmly pulled their knives out, wiping them on the minions' robes and re-sheathing them. "Apparently I wasn't needed after all," he teased.

Gin poked her tongue out at him, darting over to the doors that would lead them down to the entrance hall. They didn't care if a few minions remained in the building as they knew the real threat was out on the grounds. With that in mind, he turned, firing off more spells at the handful of remaining spiders as three more giants lost their heads.

-BDG—

Lilis glared, hard. Her mother had threatened to resurrect her and make her to go to parties every day for the rest of her life if she had the audacity to die. But, seeing Miles hurt had really got her anger up. There was no way she wasn't going to fight now. Her Miles was back with the Mums and they would not let him die on her.

"Lilis!"

She turned to see Adrian surrounded over to the left, outside the zone she and Morag had cleared. Oh damn if she was going to allow Miles' best friend to die. He'd be inconsolable. Narrowing her eyes, she ran, calling over her shoulder, "Madam, you're needed. Someone is about to make me even more unhappy."

Morag was at her side a moment later, blood dripping off of her. "Ohh, stupid fucking bastards."

But, before they could get to Adrian he was hit with a very, very dark spell that threw him to the ground, long slices forming on his face, chest, and arms. They moved the minions back quickly. Lilis was on her knees a moment later, trying to remember the proper spells. "You will not die, Ad. I'll not allow it!"

"Yes, ma'am," Adrian replied weakly.

"DAPHNE!" Morag positively roared. "Someone find her and get her here!"

Lilis began healing the biggest wounds, not even having to look to know that their brothers were rushing off to find Daphne, who was close, they had crossed paths with her not ten minutes ago. She only hoped that they hurried. Squeezing Adrian's hand lightly, she tried not to cry. "Stay with me, Ad. Daphne will be along soon and fix you right up."