"Avada Kedavra!" Cissy shouted, and for the first time in Voldemort's life someone had the audaciousness to send a Killing Curse his direction. The foolish woman certainly had nerve, and it was about to get her killed. He made to Apperate directly behind her, but he couldn't, instead repelled by the wards of the house. Voldemort landed on his arse in the street with a very ungraceful plop. To add insult to injury his own flowing robes started to attack him, a fact that shocked all his Death Eaters.

That in itself was not all that happened at that moment. For the exact same time Cissy's Killing Curse was shooting at Voldemort, Dobby popped between Dolovo's legs and with all his strength drove the dagger in his hand into the Death Eaters thigh. The member of Voldemort's Inner Circle almost didn't believe it when dark red blood started spurting out of him in tune with his heartbeat. He lost all concern for Adam as he hurried to stop the bleeding. Had his wand not been covered in his blood and slipped from his fingers, he just might have. With the chaos one thing was for certain; none of Voldemort's dark forces took notice to a small house elf disappearing with the boy.

Dobby and Adam appeared outside the gates of Hogwarts. Wasting no time Cissy's loyal house elf led Adam up the trail to the castle. Half way there Adam stopped dead in his tracks.

"Master Adam we must hurry," Dobby urged him, but Adam held fast.

"Where are we going?"

"Mistress told Dobby if trouble comes, then Dobby must take you to Lily Potter sir."

"What about Jade? Shouldn't we get Jade too?" Adam pleaded, she was his friend and he was worried about her.

"But Mistress—" Dobby didn't want to disobey Cissy's orders. She was very stern about him following this particular order, to the letter.

"Mum would want her safe too!" Adam argued on, he was bound and determined to help his new friend.

"But-"

"I order you to go get Jade, Dobby!" Adam demanded and hoped it would work.

"Yes, Master Adam, Dobby is a good house elf that always does what he's told. Stay right here, Dobby will be back soon."

Adam watched as Dobby popped away and felt bad that he had yelled at him. Emma was his first friend, but Jade understood him and never gave him that sad look when they thought he wasn't looking. He planned to stay right where he was, but his attention was drawn to a large willow tree all by itself on a hillside. He felt a strong urge to go talk to it, but before he could get very far Dobby was running at him with Jade in tow.

The house elf took both of them by the hand and led them with a very brisk pace to the castle. Several times Adam looked back at the lonely willow tree, with a deep need to go talk to it.


Daphne was taking the sixth and seventh year Marauders through a series of exercises to help them maintain their form with less drain on their magic. Suddenly the small hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. She focused her hearing and could detect something coming their way, fast. She had only managed to pull her wand when Fury came to a skidding halt. Hestia hopped off her back and Ginny transformed.

"How much time before you can return here with the Goblin Army?" Ginny asked Hesta while ignoring the shocked gasps of her fellow students.

"I'll be back with a platoon of Berserkers inside of ten minutes and the army under twenty,." Hesta answered as she pulled a red galleon pendant out of her cleavage.

"The council could be dead by then. It looks like it's up to us to hold the line until you do," Ginny stated with cold determination.

"Do leave a few for me to kill," Hesta requested before she portkeyed away.

"That happened?" Daphne asked as the other Marauders gathered around them. Ginny reached into her robe and pulled out a small wooden wardrobe. She set in down and enlarged it. She swung the doors open and the inside revealed several Crimson Battle Robes.

"The Council of Elders is surrounded by Dementors, Bootlickers and other dark nasties. Warm-up is over people, it's time to get into the game," Ginny said as she started to throw battle robes to her fellow Marauders. She then turned to address them as a whole, "You have three minutes to suit up. If the Council falls, the Forbidden Forest falls, then they're in striking range of Hogwarts. This is what we've been training for."

"What about Harry? He's our leader," Seamus asked.

"Harry trained us so we could still function effectively should our leader fall. Believe in yourself, as he believes in you,." Daphne told him. She then looked over at her sister,

"Were going to need all the help we can get. Astoria you can get to Hogwarts quickly without drawing too much attention. Tell Harry what's happening and get the professors to help."

"Why not just send a Patronus?" Astoria argued, if her sister was trying to get her out of the action, she was in for a very painful lesson to not underestimate her.

"Because dear sister, you can be persistent if they are resistant, now go!" Daphne demanded and pointed in the direction of the castle. Astoria glared slightly, she hated it when her sister was right, and managed to still get her way.

"I'll be back," Astoria warned her before transforming into a falcon and taking flight. Ginny and Daphne soon stood shoulder to shoulder before their fellow Marauders in full battle gear, taking a deep breath Ginny addressed them as a whole.

"I know you're scared; only a fool wouldn't be. We're going into the thick of it, and our enemy outnumbers us. They are not the merciful kind. I learned that the hard way, and I don't wish it on anyone. Put aside you morality, it has no place in battle and will only get you killed or worse. There are fates worse than death and they damn skillful at administering it. If you feel your resolve falter, remember what we are fighting for and what they are killing for," Ginny told them the truth, because they deserved to know what they were signing up for.

"Is this supposed to be a pep talk?" Seamus cracked wise to lighten the mood a bit. Daphne decided to take it from there.

"She's just being honest with you. Now, let me tell you what I see before me, my fellow students, friends, and the next generation of Marauders. Now is our time. To show not only those that have come before us, but those that will follow our path. Tonight we start our own legacy. It will be told how the students from the four houses of Hogwarts stood together united for the first time since our school opened. Outnumbered –yes, fearful –yes, outclassed –most defiantly not. I have seen the strength, fortitude and shimmering brilliance of your hearts. It is our enemy who are pale and in ugly shells. If I die tonight, it will be in the best company, with noblest of causes in my heart and without regret. Tonight we're writing a new page in the Legion of the Marauders. OUR LEGION…MARAUDERS!" Daphne roared the end with fist in the air.

"MARAUDERS!" They all yelled back as their fists joined Daphne's in the air.


Nevimort and Romilda decided to make an appearance at dinner, while Pansy returned the latest two volunteers in a broom closet, awaiting someone to find them. As such, the vile pairy got an excellent view of the show. Dumbledore gave him a slight motion to do nothing. The old fool still thought he was his pawn. Nevimort gave him a nod. He would play along for now. If anything, Dumbledore's guard would be dropped, and that was just how he wanted the old codger. For the most part, Nevimort was studying his enemies for possible weaknesses.

McGonagall as always was the voice of reason and had managed to get most of the other Professor's back in their seats. Potter and Black were having none of that. Even the first year Metamorphous refused to drop her wand regardless of the Head of her House demanding her to do so.

Shadow changed back into Harry just before he reached the Great Hall. What he saw when he entered was not what he was expecting. His dad had his wand under Snape's chin, his mum had hers pointed at Dumbledore, along with Emma. The professors at the table were all sitting but their wands were at the ready. Most of them looked as if they didn't know which way to go. Hagrid would back the old man; that much Harry knew. McGonagall he was relatively sure would back his mum and dad. The rest of the staff was anyone's guess. Harry noticed that all his Marauders had their wands out and ready. The rest of the students were either scared or amused. The tension in the air was that thick and volatile.

"If I had known it was Mexican Standoff Night, I would have made nachos," Harry shouted out and hopped a little levity would ease the tension in the room. A few students snickered but that was all. "Tough crowd," he added as he motioned with his hand for his group to ease back. He continued towards his parents as if nothing was out of the ordinary. He doubted that it would put anyone at ease, but it couldn't hurt. If curses started flying, then many students would get hurt in the crossfire. Harry guessed that was the reason he didn't walk into a battlefield.

"This greasy wanker threatened you Mother," James snarled threw clinched teeth.

"I was warning her, but you never were that fast on the up take, Potter," Snape snarled back at the Glamored James.

"He said his master has a message for you Harry,." Lily yelled over her shoulder without taking her eyes and wand off Dumbledore., "You were also supposed to bring back the others as well," she hissed the last part only loud enough for another Animagus to hear.

"Council of the Elder's Meeting tonight, it's too important not to attend," Harry whispered back as he gave his mum a peck on the cheek. He then said louder for show; "What's all the drama about?"

"Are you daft boy? I said the Dark Lord has a message just for you, Potter," Snape stated with an annoyed tone. As a result the greasy git's attitude, the tip of James's wand to dug deeper into his neck. Snake grunted slightly. Albus shifted ever so slightly, but it was enough for Lily position herself so there was no way he could throw a spell at her husband without going through her.

"Well, let's have it then, and someone, tell the house elves to switch the staff table to decaf," Harry tried another attempt to get everyone to relax a bit. It had the same result so he decided to just find out what Snape had to say. He saw the man cautiously reach into his robe and pull out something wrapped in a piece of cloth. Harry took it, and Snape looked over James's shoulder to meet Lily's eyes.

"I'm sorry Lily, I'm only the messenger," he told her with regret and a slight hint of remorse. Dread filled Lily's heart as her fearful eyes looked to her son. It was too late to warn him, the cloth already laid open in his hand. Something was tied in what looked like turquoise ribbon, and a small silver figurine of a coiled snake. Her mothering instincts kicked in and she moved to swat it out of Harry's hand. A breath before she did just that, the snake came to life and struck Harry in his forehead. Instead of a bite, the snake slithered its way into his head. Emma, Lily and James watched helplessly as Harry stumbled back and dropped to the floor.

"NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Harry yelled out, not from physical pain, but out of immense torment. Its level was at such an intense degree that everyone within the Great Hall felt it to their core; with one exception. Nevimort hid his grin with his hand and enjoyed Potter's anguish. The three Potters rushed to Harry.

"Hold him still!" Lily yelled at James as she put her wand to the spot where the snake entered his head, "What the hell was that?" She snapped back over her shoulder at Snape.

"Her memory of what they had done to her," Snape told her with remorse. Although he did not partake in the poor Succubus's torture, he did hear her screams. Emma had been holding Harry's hand and giving him comfort, something then alerted her to use her Succubus senses on the Potion's Professor. She let out a small gasp and started to franticly search for what Harry had dropped.

"A transfigure memory, quite ingenious I must say. One which can be animated and go directly into your mind instead of a Pensieve. Tom, despite him many faults, was always a gifted and brilliant wizard," Dumbledore said as he moved towards his fallen student. His intent was to help but James didn't see it that way, and aimed his wand at the Headmaster while still holding his son still.

"You, stay the hell away from him!" James snapped and Dumbledore lifted his hand up to show he meant no harm.

"Albus now is not the time to admiring magical creativity! Your first duty is to protect our students!" McGonagall snapped. Lily met Dumbledore's eyes and she realized what he meant. He gave her a slight nod. She always was a gifted and brilliant student as well. Lily performed the charm to remove a memory and after a few seconds the tail of the snake emerged from Harry's head. It was still struggling against its eviction, but Lily's resolve was much greater.

"Honestly Albus, you could have just told her!" Minerva scolded Dumbledore as she back handed his chest. The man could be quite insufferable at times.

"Then how would she have learned," Albus answered as if it was obvious. The man was to his core a teacher of magic. It was his style to give just enough information so his students could work it out for themselves. He knew that he should have been more direct considering the dire situation, but it was instinctive by now and just something he couldn't turn off.

Pouring all of her magic into the task, Lily pulled the memory from her son. James blasted it to nothingness before it could get a second chance to invade Harry. In full mother mode, Lily pulled Harry to her and started rocking him just as she had done when he was a baby.

"Whose bloody memory was that?" James demanded of Snape threw clenched teeth. It was taking all his self-control not to curse the man that has been his enemy since the moment they met on the Hogwarts Express all those years ago.

"Sasha's," Emma sobbed as she held a shrunken Succubus wing wrapped in a lock of turquoise hair.

"I heard that Greyback and his pack caught her in a graveyard in Godric's Hallow," Severus answered Lily's unspoken question.

"Where is she?" A raspy voice asked and Lily looked down to see her sons eyes open. His beast was awake and more deadly than she had ever seen before. He was trying to break free of her, but Lily held fast. She knew Harry would keep control if she was close to him. Unfortunately, Snape's silence was enraging him.

"NO!" Lily cried as she felt Harry shaking with rage. Sasha was his first and she held a special place in his heart, but it went deeper than that. He had sent her there, and Lily knew that and her fate would haunt him forever.

Lily wouldn't be surprised if he didn't change into his hybrid form. Instead, a crackling sound drew her attention to Harry's open hands. Magic started to glow in a yellow ball that reminded her of a full moon. Then, the balls of pure magic started to take form, as a low and deadly groan escaped his mouth. Lily gasped at the form they took. The next second a blur shot at Snape. Some student's screamed, others gasped, and in some cases, fainted. Professor Severus Snape, the scourge of most the students, his neck was scissored between two deadly looking Moonblades.

"WHERE IS SHE?" Harry roared with such raw power and rage that his Mum, along with everyone in the Great Hall, cringed. It sounded almost demonic. Lily knew her son and his inner beast were merging at a very dangerous level. It only took a little pressure on Snape's shoulder to make the man drop to his knees. Lily tried to get Harry to let Snape go, not for the professor's benefit, but for her son's. She got a warning growl as Harry's newly formed fangs nipped at her. Lily backed away realizing that all influence she had on him was about to end.

"Answer him Snape! In a few seconds even I won't be able to reason with him!" Lily warned. Even a knowledgeable and skilled wizard as Dumbledore was, he was left flabbergasted. Albus knew Potter was powerful, and he strongly suspected he was the Decory Clan's Champion. Still he had no idea Harry could summon the blades by pure magic and will alone. There was no longer any doubt in his mind that Potter was the one the prophecy spoke of.

Dumbledore emerged from his thoughts quickly. The situation had gotten dire and he needed to end this conflict quickly. With that train of thought he sent his most powerful stunner at the back Potter, only to have it deflected by his DADA Professor, who quickly stepped between them. His eyes daring the Headmaster to try it again.

"He said to follow the Moon's Serenade," Snape croaked out as a small stream of blood trickled from his neck. The cut was small and the blade had barely touched him. The weapons Potter was wielding were razor sharp and he could feel the magic radiating off of them. Even the sword of Gryffindor didn't do that.

"It's a trap!" Emma yelled in Succubus language at Harry. Given it was a full moon and it was werewolves that had her, the answer was rather obvious.

"Then we show them Succubi vengeance,." Harry growled out as he looked over his shoulder at Emma with the most grievous of intent. She nodded her head in understanding. Silently she started to make her way to the door.

Order members started to portkey into the Great Hall, thanks to Dumbledore's Medallions. Molly Weasley gasped at the sight on Snape on his knees with two swords ready to decapitate him. That her daughter's boyfriend was the one wielding the swords shocked her even more, but she repressed her urge to yell at him. The man was very important to her daughter and her quick judgments and quicker mouth had estranged three of her children from her. Plus, several times she had wanted to curse Snape herself. Fighting against her nature she forced herself to remain silent.

Moody who just popped in wasted no time in responding to the threat of Dumbledore's spy, and sent a powerful stunner at Potter. With lighting speed Harry brought one of the swords behind his back and deflected the spell back at Moody without looking. He then kicked Snape in the face with enough force to send the man flying back.

Harry turned to face the old Warbear. His moonblades started to glow with magic as he showed fang. Moody recognized a predator when he saw one launched a series of curses at Harry. He marched towards the ex-Auror deflecting them out of the way with his swords.

"Confundus, Levicorpus, Munnification!" Harry yelled as he twisted his body in a dance as the charm, spell and hex shot in rapid succession out of one sword and then the other., The effects were entertaining, to say the least. Moody first looked dazed, then he was flipped upside down by his leg. Some students laughed, while others gasped as Alastor's robes wrapped around him. Molly screamed when it looked like Harry was going to decapitate him. His sword came to rest just a hair from doing just that. Moody looked like a big floating piñata floating helplessly in the air.

"Marauders!" Harry yelled and students from all the houses stood up. He looked at Dumbledore with a look of complete contempt. It was a show of power by Headmaster and student. The numbers were on Potters side even if they were inexperienced. One lucky curse was all that was needed. "Get the students back to their dorms before one of the old man's killers unintentionally kill an innocent."

The Great Hall emptied quickly; many of the students had no qualms about leaving. Even the younger years knew the severity of the situation. Emma was able to slip out, unnoticed and quickly made her way to the Astronomy Tower.

"Mum." Harry started.

"Let me guess, come alone or they kill her?" Lily asked while rolling her eyes.

"Not very original, but yeah." Harry chuckled.

"You're not going alone," James stated and he, Lily and Harry formed a triangle to protect each other's backs.

"Emma's working on that. Can you hold the fort? I got a feeling there is more at play here than what we've seen," Harry told them. James and Lily could feel it too. Harry flicked his sword at the direction of Snape, who starting to stand up. A now struggling Moody went flying at him. They smashed together and were knocked out.

"Well, that takes care of Snape and Moody, but we're still outnumbered." James reminded him.

"Not quite my love," Lily whispered, "Arthur! I think it's time to remind Dumbledore that the path of manipulation has a vicious backlash!"

"About bloody time!" Arthur yelled back while pointing his wand at his wife.

"Arthur, what is she going on about?- don't point that thing at me!" Molly shrieked before her husband reversed the Compulsion Charm along with all the others Dumbledore put on her. For a few long seconds Molly looked like she was a million miles away; then her face morphed from being completely content, to confused, ashamed, angered and then full outrage. Her eyes narrowed to a thin dangerous slit.

"You son-of-a-bitch! How dare you do that to me, to my family!" Molly shrieked any sent a curse at Dumbledore, who easily deflected it.

"Now, Molly, you have to look at the bigger picture. What I did was for the-" Albus started.

"Again, with that greater good shite!" Lily interrupted him. Do you even believe that pile of dung anymore? There is no justification for what you have put Ginny and her family through!" she yelled as she sent a curse at Dumbledore tool. What followed next was a continuous duel rant coming at him from to very irate redheads, accompanied by the occasional curse to make their points. It was at this time that Harry sunk into his own shadow. Everyone was distracted Lily and Molly's verbal and magical assault on Dumbledore to take notice. Harry reemerged from a shadow outside the Great Hall, just as the sound of wolves howling at the moon could be heard.


The battle was pure chaos, even with Voldemort leading them. The Marauders were irritatingly unpredictable. Last night was not the exception, as he had hoped, but the norm. They charged right into the thick of the battle, instead of hiding behind the wards of the house.

Voldemort anticipated the full moon to be a tremendous advantage with Potter, but had forgotten that his enemy had a werewolf of their own. After Lupin transformed, he charged Voldemort's recruits. The beast was tearing through the Dark Lord's lesser forces with ease. The man had obviously taken his Wolfsbane Potion. He had never seen a werewolf so in control of his mind before. Given Lily Potter's aptitude for potions, he suspected she had improved on the original formula.

Dolovo lay dead in a large puddle of his own blood. One of his elite Inner Circle, killed by a house elf. Black created three Golems out of the street, who were going after the Dark Lord's more seasoned fighters. The Death Eaters would blast the things to rubble, only for it to reform and attack again. Controlling the creatures required intense concentration, and left Sirius vulnerable to attack. Not that they could take advantage of that weakness, since Greengrass was covering him with a large variety of lethal curses.

Narcissa being alive and a traitor was shocking, but the woman also had the audacity to try to best him with a Killing Curse. That insult would not go unpunished. She was fighting side by side with Charlie Weasley, and the two's fighting styles complemented each other. He would soon put an end to that. Voldemort created a huge Feindfyre in the form of a snake to attack the two.

"Expecto Patronum Elementia!" Charlie yelled and a huge ice dragon shot out of his wand and attacked the fiery snake. The two clashed and created a large cloud of steam. It covered the battlefield and a hot dense steamy fog. Visibility was so compromised that they couldn't tell if they were attacking friend or foe.

It was at this time that the Marauders did the most damage. They just seemed to know where Voldemort's Death Eaters were. The werewolf howled and more of his men screamed as he ripped his way through them. The three golems were dropping his more seasoned fighters. They were leveling the odds before his eyes.

Voldemort dispelled the fog with a mighty gale wind only to encounter a large Weasley fist about to smash into his head. It was the first time he had received a punch since his days in the orphanage, and hurt even more. It was followed by an uppercut to his stomach, knee to the head and jab to his kidney. With magic Voldemort was supreme, but Weasley was proving that physically the Dark Lord was lacking.

"Never fuck with my family, again!" Charlie yelled as he continued to hit Voldemort hard and fast. Six months ago he would never had believed he would be going toe to toe with Voldemort in an old fashion ear boxing match. Then, he met an amazing woman who changed his life. For her, Adam and his unborn child, he would dance with the devil, even if it meant his life.

Charlie was hit by a Blasting Curse from a Death Eater who was close by. Both he and Voldemort fell to the ground. It seemed the only thing keeping the Dark Lord on his feet was the constant onslaught of punches. The Death Eater was joined by others as both men tried to regain their feet. Several lethal green colored curses hurled at Charlie, before they met their mark Cissy apparated in and then out with her man in tow. They appeared at the front door of Sirius house. Thankfully only Marauders were keyed in to Apparate through the wards.

"You overly protective brave stubborn-GRYFFINDOR! You-" The rest of Cissy's scold was cut off when Charlie kissed her hard and passionately. It was unfortunately a quick kiss considering the situation, but it proved his point nicely.

"This argument isn't over, Weasley," Cissy said with her forehead on his and her arms around him.

"Floo to Hogwarts, I want you safely with Adam," Charlie insisted when their eyes met.

"I won't be driven from my home! I won't leave you!" Cissy argued, but all it took was for Charlie to place his hand tenderly on her tummy to shatter her defiance. "Damn you."

Voldemort was shaken by Charlie's attack, and with it, his illusion that he was all powerful. Remus could smell his fear, up close and personal. Voldemort was vulnerable. Even his most loyal followers saw with their own eyes that he was, underneath it all, just a man. This opportunity wasn't going to present itself again Remus concluded. With a howl his werewolf plowed through Death Eaters, to get into striking range. His blood covered claws was shining brightly in the reflected light of the moon With a huge leap through the air, he delivered a most fatal pounce.

In any battle there is a time when the tides turn, a moment when faith falters and the heart shatters, when one death leads to rash actions and more pointless losses. Gabriela Greengrass saw that moment when Voldemort fell on his back and a silver harpoon shot out of his wand. Werewolf blood rained down on him as Remus was impaled and thrown back just inches from hitting his mark. One could not help but watch as the mortally wounded werewolf flew through the air. Sirius witnessed the whole thing. To Gabriela's ears, the tortured cries of the man she loves rang in her ears, as one of his best friends is crucified to a tree.

Gabriela eyes scanned the battlefield rapidly. The sight of Remus' gruesome fate drew Bill's attention for the briefest of seconds, and it was then that a lavender colored curse raced for him. Fleur stepped into its path in a desperate attempt to save her fiancé's life. Her body was lifted into the air and started to spasm. Breaking bones were soon mixed with her screams of agony. Bill who was watching helplessly below her was struck by a Bombarda in the chest and was thrown back twenty feet before landing not far from Remus.

On the stairs of the house Charlie was caring Cissy in the house over his shoulder. He thankfully hadn't seen what happened to his brother. Gabriela couldn't dwell on that for long as she felt Sirius pull away fueled by rage and charge Voldemort while firing wild curses at him. This battle was over. She couldn't help the fallen, but she could save Sirius. She took a page out of Cissy's book and apparated to Sirius, grabbed on tightly to him and reappeared in front of the Floo inside the house.

"You swore to me that you would never leave me!" Gabriela yelled at him before he could protest her actions. It was emotional blackmail, but she was a Slytherin after all, and had to protect him from himself. If he wanted to hate her later for it she didn't care. At least he would be alive to do so.

"He's my best friend!" Sirius argued, even though he knew in his heart the battle was lost.

"And you are my mate! I want a future with you by my side, not weeping at your grave!" Gabriela argued on, with pleading eyes. She wasn't sure if it was what she said or the way she said it, but she saw and felt his resolve crack. "Who will protect and teach his child the kind of man Remus was?"

"Master must go and take Mistress to safety, Kreacher will stay and defend house. House knows how to deal with vermin. Master Orion's vengeance will be upheld, and Master's friend will be avenged," Kreacher said as he walked over and placed his hand on the Floo. The hidden runes within the bricks glowed. Gabriela gasped when the back of Floo shimmered like water.

"Looks like the pup got that working, and none too soon," Sirius told Gabriela then added at her confused expression, "It's a direct and instant link between the Marauders Lair and here. We thought it would be good to have one in case we had to evacuate a large number of students out of Hogwarts quickly and quietly. They would be safe here. I never thought we would be using it the other way."

"You don't need to tell me twice," Charlie said without dropping his stride as he carried a very indignant Cissy over his shoulder, into the room and out through the Floo.

"Where's Jade!" Gabriela yelled, hearing spell fire smashing against the houses wards.

"Dobby took her to Hogwarts before I could tell him about this way," Kreacher told her and gave a twinge when the wards were hit with another volley of curses. He looked as if he actually felt it. There was a reason they were called house elves. Their first duty was the safeguarding of the home and all that dwelled within. It was their duty, it was their honor, and they took that task very seriously. Kreacher was adding his magic to that of the houses wards. Sirius eyes met his and he knew there was no going back from this point.

"What you are trying to do requires the sacrifice of a life and magic, Kreacher, the most loyal and selfless of all the house elves of the House of Black," Sirius told him as he took a knee and placed his hand on Kreacher's shoulder. It was a show of respect that few Noble Lords afforded their house elves. Sirius was not a typical Noble Lord. This part of the job disgusted him, but he had a duty to protect all his family's secrets. The house of Black could not fall into the hands of their enemy's.

"That only a house elf can pay, Master. Kreacher will always do his duty to the House of Black." He answered with a bow. He then looked at Gabriela, "Mistress Gabriela, please look after Master for me, and give him an heir soon."

A tear ran down her flushed cheek as she bent down and gave him a kiss and whispered something in his large ear. Whatever was said made the small house elf to smile. She took Sirius's hand, but he was still resistant to leave. The house shook violently as the wards came crashing down. Kreacher staggered and dropped to one knee. He looked up at his master pleadingly.

"Please go now, Master!"

This time he let Gabriela lead him through the Floo. Once they were through Kreacher took his hand off the Floo and it collapsed. He stood up proud as the room started to fill with Death Eaters. They quickly started to search the house and demand him to tell them where his master and friends were. He met them with stony silence, even after they cursed him. They all stood still and silent when Voldemort entered the room and looked down on the lone house elf.

"What do we have here, an abandoned servant? Am I to believe that the mighty Marauders have fled like cowards? I find myself disappointed," Voldemort taunted and his followers all laughed without hesitation.

"Thieving inbreed wizards in Master's home; most foul indeed. The Most Ancient and Noble House of Black does not tolerate pilfering," Kreacher said looking around at the group before resting his eyes on their leader. "Kreacher remembers you. Has dark wizard come looking for Master Regulus's locket?" His eyes looked past Voldemort to the portrait behind him. The witch in it had hair that grew long black and stringy, her face turned skeletal and green-tinged. She took on the appearance of a Banshee, all the portraits took on the appearance of a Banshee. Kreacher smiled most viciously at Voldemort as the doors and windows of the house slammed shut. "You are too late Tommyboy, finders - keepers."

Out of every portrait in the house, banshees poked out their heads. Though it was well known that the Banshee cry kills, what is not well known is how it ages its victims, so they appear as an old person. Everything around them ages as well and the house was full of banshees. Voldemort saw them and his survival instincts kicked in. He uses all his power to Disapparate his way out of the cursed house and into the park outside.

From there he witnessed all the windows of the house light up, as a demonic sounding wail echoed within. Then the house showed signs of rapid rotting. Any secrets that the house held would soon be lost to decay. With bitter seething rage he watched at the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black crumbled until only ruin's remained he howled out at his costly victory.

"The Marauders get the last laugh again," Bill croaked out from somewhere behind him. Voldemort whirled around and found the man lying on the ground bleeding and holding a broken woman in his arms. He was about to use the Killing Curse on him for the insolence, but the clouds in the sky above formed two swords and pierced his Dark Mark. He watched as the snake collapsed dead and the park filled with DMLE members Apparating in. The first to arrive were an enraged Nymphadora Lupin, followed by Madame Bones and the elite of the Auror Corp.

Voldemort wasted no time Disapparating away. Madame Bones quickly called for healers when she spotted Bill and Fleur. It broke her heart to see the young man holding his lovers broken body. Tonks looked on at the remains of her cousin's home and prayed that they made it out alive. The park was full of the bodies of dead Death Eaters. Some were crushed while other looked to be mauled by a beast. Tonks was inspecting one of the bodies when she almost slipped in a blood trail. She followed it with her eyes to Bill. He must have crawled to Fleur. Her eyes then followed the other length of the path until it stopped next to a tree. Some poor man was dangling in it, but she couldn't make out his face. The least she could do was get him down. Nothing in all her years as an Auror, had prepared Amelia for the blood curling scream of a shattered heart that soon filled this unholy of nights.

"REMUS!"


A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update. Real life has a way of doing that. I hope you like this update, and let me know what you think.