AN: Sorry for the slow update. I've had some changes in my life recently and have been feeling much happier. Funnily that's what's been messing with my ability to continue the very bleak tone of this story. I've also got a lot of things in my life that need doing, so expect slower updates. To any readers of my other story, it might be a while before I touch that one again. It was really only meant to be a one shot and I don't really have a direction for it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing of value.
Gornuk rammed the carving knife into the guts of the first Death Eater that rounded the corner, watching as the man's eyes bugged out behind his mask before he was cut down by a blade of flame thrown at neck height. Leonard grabbed the goblin by the scruff of the neck and pulled him back into cover. "Damn it Gornuk! Stop trying to get yourself killed and focus on dropping the bloody wards!"
The cafe was in ruins around them and Gornuk couldn't hear any screaming . That was incredibly bad. The Death Eaters must have found away to disable a room full of trained wizards, which probably meant that they'd manned up after their last setback. Add to that the fact that they were still having trouble getting past the wards and Gornuk was beginning to wonder whether they'd survive.
Leonard's steady stream of fire spells seemed to be holding the attackers back for the moment, so Gornuk took a moment to examine his surroundings. They were in the enchanted No Smoking Section, which was probably why everyone around them was still concious. Unfortunately all they had at their side was a pair of children huddled beside their bleeding mother, a scared waitress in the corner and an old man who seemed to be having some sort of heart problem. Thrice damned useless bloody humans.
Leonard sent a wave of fire flowing across the floor and Gornuk heard the cries of several men. It was impossible to focus in a fire-fight and he wasn't even certain his magic would the wards, since the first thing he'd lost was his wand. So, they had no way to drop the wards and absolutely no way out the front or back doors. That left the fireplace, if they could make it. Unfortunately, that was in the Smoking Section and Gornuk wasn't certain they'd make it there without falling over from the green fumes hanging in their, even if they weren't shot full of holes. They'd have to stay low, maybe if they had a distraction...
"Torch it!" yelled Gornuk.
Leonard glanced at him in between throwing spells blindly. "What?"
"Burn the place to the ground!"snapped Gornuk angrily.
"But-"
"Who cares about the customers!" snarled Gornuk, cutting the human off. "They're probably dead anyway. We need cover to head for the fireplace and the spells you're putting out aren't really cutting it."
Leonard shook his head, shifting his grip on his wand. "I've got a better idea." The patterns the man began weaving in the air looked complicated and Gornuk knew this was going to be special."Grab the others. We can't leave them to die."
The goblin sighed before kicking the waitress in the side. "Get up and grab the kids. We're making a run for it, so stay low, and hold your breath if you want to live."
The girl nodded weakly. "What about their mother and grandfather?" she asked, her voice shaking. Gornuk didn't deign to answer the question. It was clear to him that neither of them would make it. They'd be lucky if they did, for heaven's sake.
Leonard finished his preparations and unleashed a shimmering ceiling of blue flame high into the air that rushed across the space before falling like rain onto their enemies. Gornuk didn't wait to see if the waitress had listened to his instructions. The moment he'd seen Leonard's beckoning gesture he was running, his had already in his pocket, reaching for the vial of pre-addressed floo powder. He felt the pain of flames licking at his legs, but he was already at the fireplace, throwing the vial and diving in. Gornuk thought he'd heard Leonard behind him, but couldn't be sure. He'd just have to hope he'd made it out because Gornuk had to focus on himself. He was having trouble thinking clearly. The pain in his legs was getting worse and his head was beginning to spin.
Gornuk didn't even make it to the exit grate before he fell unconscious, slamming against the sides and bursting into their hideout with a thud. If he'd been awake he might have noticed Leonard and the waitress appearing behind him. Then again, he probably wouldn't have. He was in a lot of pain.
HPHPHP
Quirrell sneered down at the Death Eater who was rolling on the floor in imagined pain. The fool didn't even recognise Fool's Fire when he saw it. Waving his wand to dispel the blue flames that covered every surface, he jabbed the only survivor in the side. "Get up."
The man, his skull mask smudged grey with soot, scrambled to his feet. "Oh thank you my-"
"Shut up. Where did they go?" The man stared at him blankly and Quirrell snapped, grabbing him by the throat. "The goblin and Lockhart! Where did they go?"
The man swallowed weakly. "F-fireplace. T-they went into the fireplace m-my lord."
Quirrell glanced over at the ruined fireplace, the bricks around it blackened and warped. There was no way they could follow them through that. "God damn it! Maybe-no, no that would never work." Quirrell let the man sink back down to the floor. "Merlin's hair balls!" he yelled, blasting a chair out of his path.
"Burn everything before the aurors get here!" Quirrell yelled over his shoulder as he strode out the door. He'd have to change his plans since they'd have gone to ground by now. He'd get them, he swore it. It was only a matter of time. Quirrell paused for a moment. He'd have to watch it. There was just too much going on his head. He had to stay focused on what really mattered. He needed the stone. Vengeance was always secondary. If he got his hands on the stone then everything would be fine. Wouldn't it?
HPHPHP
Unfortunately Harry hadn't heard from Gornuk before it was time to head back to school, but then again, he hadn't really expected to. He'd just been hoping for a hint that the old goblin was okay, maybe a postcard, deliberately sent from the wrong city or something, but he supposed it must have been too great a risk.
At least he was catching up with the rest of his friends again. Harry had spent a few more days over at the Grangers and he'd been shocked about how much Hermione hid from them. She'd even listed the things not to mention. Don't mention the troll, don't tell them too much about the war, don't tell them how some people view muggleborns, the list went on and on. He'd never thought about how her parents would feel if they knew everything before. Harry doubted they'd let her stay at Hogwarts and wondered what it would have been like having a family that cared for him like that.
He was dropped off at the station by Ted, Andy and Sirius, since Remus wasn't officially meant to be around Harry, although Dumbledore had said he was working on that. Sirius had taken a great deal of pleasure from Harry's embarrassment when Andy had kissed him on the cheek, but had managed to hold his tongue. He'd been saved from any further embarrassment by the arrival of Ron and Neville who had dragged him on-board the express before Sirius could change his mind.
Ron was out ahead of the others and wasn't looking where he was going, so it was no surprise when he ran into the big man standing in the first carriage they came to. Harry and the others looked up. The man was tall, African and impeccably well dressed. He was also missing a hand. "You alright there son?" the man asked in a deep voice as he readjusted the cap which covered his bald head.
"Yeah," said Ron, who'd staggered from running into such an immovable object. "Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going."
"I can see that," said the man smiling, revealing very white teeth. "You're one of Arthur's boys, aren't you?"
Ron nodded awkwardly. "I'm Ron. This is Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom," he said, gesturing over his shoulder.
"Very nice to meet you all," he said smiling. "I'm Kingsley Shacklebolt, your Defence Teacher for the time being."
Ron frowned, looking confused. "Aren't you an auror?"
The man smiled ruefully, raising his stump. "I'm on leave. Hopefully not for long, however. Now, it was nice meeting you boys, but I've got to check the rest of the train. New policies, you know."
"Goodbye Professor," Neville said, awkwardly shifting out of the way. There wasn't much room in the corridors of the train and Professor Shacklebolt was massive. They watched the man leave the carriage and started heading for a compartment. "Well that was interesting."
Harry smiled. "Yeah. An auror would be a nice change from the usual nutters. We might even learn something now."
"What's that?"
Harry glanced over his shoulder. "Oh, hey Goyle. We just met the new Defence Teacher."
"Oh?"
"He's an auror named Kingsley Shacklebolt," piped up Ron. "My dad knows him from work."
"We've met," said Goyle quietly.
Harry frowned. "When?"
"He investigated my dad's death. He's a good person."
"Oh." The conversation withered away, just like that, and they made their way into the compartment to wait for the others in silence. Even when Hermione and Luna arrived they found it difficult to talk and Luna seemed to notice Goyle's discomfort and edged closer to him, putting her hand on his. As the train pulled away from the station Harry wished he hadn't asked the question. The answer should have been obvious, but he hadn't thought before opening his mouth.
HPHPHP
Harry sat silently for most of the rest of the trip to Hogwarts, lost in his thoughts. He barely even noticed getting off the train and heading for the carriages. What hit him when they neared the entrance to the Hogwart's grounds was sudden and horrifying. A wave of cold and despair washed over him, almost drowning him. He could see figures in dark cloaks at the windows, peering in hungrily. Then they were inside the grounds and the figures fell back.
"What the bloody hell was that?" said Ron shakily. He looked pale and sickly under his freckles.
"Dementor," replied Harry, forcing himself to remain calm. "Guards." He'd have to learn that charm if those things were going to be around the school. What little occlumency he knew wasn't going to cut it.
He could tell his friends were worried about him, but he couldn't bring himself to speak much. He sat quietly at dinner, barely listening to the introduction of Delores Umbridge as the Ministry Official charged with the safety of all the students and staff of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After barely eating, he made his way to bed with the others. Harry felt lost. He doubted he'd sleep at all tonight.
