Invisible
Chapter 50
Sadness and exhaustion
"Wizard's couldn't cause this amount of shaking, it feels like a bloody earthquake." said Master Damon. As yet more shrieking was done by people in the room. The Auror's were trying to take control, but with so many people panicking it was difficult to do. The more calm wizards, was actually behind the barrier Severus had created. A few of them were trying to open the doors, and failing spectacularly.
"What do you think it is?" asked Neville, his worry and fear evident. His parents were on duty, he didn't know where but they were Auror's. They were working a lot lately, since both he and Frankie were at Hogwarts. He prayed they hadn't taken night shift, and that they wouldn't be called in. It was a futile hope, since no doubt all Auror's will be getting called in.
"If I had to guess I'd say it was trolls or Giants." said Master Damon. There was only one way out, and it was currently shielded. Leaving them as sitting ducks, unless someone came and let them out.
"I agree," said Severus, "If they are attacking the building, there's a possibility we might get caved in." his mind was whirling with ideas, with no idea what was out there, were they best to remain here? Or risk being caved in? He wasn't used to sitting around especially when his life was in danger. His instinct was to fight for his life; no doubt it was the same for quite a few others in here.
"Luna what do we do?" asked Neville, whispering to his girlfriend, she would know. He didn't normally ask for information, but she had the ability to see, she would know what to do.
Luna spaced out, her eyes closed as she contemplated their options. A tear ran down her face as she saw. There was no avoiding it, no matter what they did, which means it was already happening. "I'm so sorry Neville," said Luna sadly, as her boyfriend stared at her in confusion, wiping away her tears.
"What's meant to happen will happen," said Neville, under the assumption something would happen to him. His heartbeat accelerated wildly, but remained calm, his face pained. If his life was to end, he was glad to have known Luna as long as he did. "What's out there? Can we get out? Will it make things worse?" his face turning to the others, but they weren't listening to the conversation. Cho was clutching Cedric closely, her face filled with terror. Severus was speaking quietly with one of the Potions Masters, and Harry was looking around a look of concentration on his face.
"Trolls," said Luna, "Death Eaters." answering his questions but she wasn't looking at Neville. Her eyes were searching the crowd of people, looking for one person in particular. Her head stopped moving when she caught sight of him. He was tapping the wall, as if looking for some sort of secret door.
Harry tapped the wall, it sounded a little more hallow than the others. This was the weakest point, not just in the wall but the magic was weakest here too. He stood there for a few minutes, his mind extremely conflicted. Did he do it? Or didn't he? What if he made everything worse? What if he didn't act and the Ministry was demolished.
"Oh my god!" shrieked one of the women, "The place is on fire! Get us out of here!" she screeched at the top of her lungs. Banging on the door again, but she was right, there was smoke billowing through the crack in the sealed doors. Her words caused even more havoc than before. One witch was banishing the smoke, but it was a useless act, such as shovelling snow while it was still snowing. More smoke just seemed to replace it.
"Harry," yelled Severus, looking around in panic when he couldn't see his apprentice.
"He's over there," said Luna, pointing Harry out to the worried Potions Master, a few seconds later it would have been useless as the smoke was almost clouding everything. Even their own view, the only reason nobody was coughing was because they'd cast bubble head charm on themselves. Either that or they were still getting rid of the smoke, wasting magic in the process.
Harry's eyes were stinging as the smoke surrounded them that was it; he was getting them out of there. Pointing his wand at the weak spot, turning his body around, so his back would take any damage. There would be debris flying everywhere, closing his eyes praying to Merlin he was doing the right thing.
Everyone heard the calm strong voice cast the spell, even over the shouting "Confringo!" shouted Harry, a large boom surrounded the room, as debris as predicted scattered everywhere. A few people cried out in agony, but it was drowned out by the yells of fear. Most of the bricks hit the tables they'd been using as barricades. More smoke scattered everywhere.
"Let's go," said Neville, grabbing Luna's hand and leading her over to Harry. Almost falling over, the food was still scattered everywhere, making the floor slippery. He could hear someone behind him banishing the spoiled food as they went. It sounded like Cedric, maybe Cho or he had fallen over.
"Bloody hell," said Harry staring around at the ruins completely horrified. His words and his voice gave way to the situation more than anything. Neville swallowed thickly, as he stepped out his heart sinking. Rubble, fire, dead bodies was all they could see.
Harry took off, levitating a huge statue from someone, having just heard them moan. His fingers checked for a pulse, as adrenaline flowed through him. He growled in disgust as the people who'd been in the room run away, trying to get out of the building. They disgusted him, they could have stayed and helped, people were seriously injured trying to protect them. It was an Auror; the torn robes gave way to that fact. Placing a bubble head charm on them, stopping them from inhaling any more of the smoke. Not wanting to move them, he conjured a stretcher and placed them on it. Levitating the wizard behind him as he searched for more bodies. The dead he regretfully left, there was nothing more to be done for them.
"Stay close," said Severus as he finally caught up with his lover. His black eyes were clouded with worry, it was too silent. Either this had been merely a diversion, and the real attack somewhere else, or it had been a statement.
Harry nodded silently, as his green eyes flittered all over the area. Searching for any sign of life. Running over he began levitating more rubble, Severus helping him. There was someone under there, a foot was sticking out, still twitching, and they could still be alive. With the two of them it didn't take any time at all, it was a familiar face, Kate Bennett. The woman who had been standing at the entrance when they first arrived. Harry felt for a pulse, it was weak but still there; he had to get them help as soon as possible.
Severus used two spells, and she was floating on a stretcher as well. Looking back, he saw the others had followed their examples. So few people saved, but it was better than none at all. "How do we get out of here? The lifts wont work." said Harry.
"The wards are down, how many of you can Apparate?" asked Severus, speaking mostly to the younger generation.
"I will Apparate them," said Albus his usual bright robes filled with dust, bloody and food. His face had aged considerably in what was probably just twenty minutes, but this night was turning into the longest night.
"I'll Apparate them to Hogwarts, you can get the injured to St. Mungo's," said Cedric taking charge. His dirty face streaked his long messy hair flat, he was tired but the day was far from over.
"I will help, I know where St. Mungo's is," said Master Damon, they could only Apparate at least two people at the same time. Especially when they were unconscious, it would be dangerous to take more than that at once. They could end up splinched; it would defeat the point of saving them. "Go." he said to Cedric Diggory nodding.
"I need to know my parents are okay," said Neville looking worried.
Luna looked away a lone tear working its way down her face; she wished she could have saved them. Unfortunately she couldn't, if she didn't see it before it happened, it meant there was nothing she could do - it was their fate. She shouldn't have said anything, Neville might blame her and she couldn't bear the thought.
"I'll do what I can, now go on." said Dumbledore soothingly, Frank and Alice were few of the best Auror's. They would be fine; they could hold their own against anyone. For now he had to get the injured to St. Mungo's and find out what was going on out there.
"Hold on guy's," said Cedric, not that he needed to say it to Cho; she's stuck like glue to him since the attack began. Luna and Neville held on and the four disappeared from view.
"What about the other floors? There may be injured people there?" asked Harry.
"St. Mungo's will send Healers out," said Dumbledore his customary twinkle gone as he regarded Harry with pride. He was exactly what a hero should be, thinking of others all the time. Doing anything he could to help, he and his brother couldn't be more different. Harry was exactly what he'd imagined Nick being at this age. Unfortunately James and Lily hadn't brought him up right, instead letting him off with murder and now look what happened. They'd all thought themselves above the law, Lily had used an unforgivable.
"Let's go," said Master Sorens, Jacob and his wife had Apparated away, he couldn't blame him really. Penelope was pregnant, and he would have done exactly the same thing. Holding onto two of the unconscious wizards, he Apparated them away. Everyone else did the exact same, appearing at the accident and emergency section of the hospital.
They looked around; it seemed as if others had been doing the same thing. A few looked as though they'd just Apparated there themselves. Sitting there being tended by the healers, crying or extremely hurt.
"Let me see them!" said a healer making her way over to the group, immediately scanning them, calling on a few others by their names. They were immediately taken away, while the others were left there. "I'm afraid we are overrun today, the most life threatening will be seen to immediately." she said in explanation.
"I am a potions Master, if there's a way you can show me to the potions cupboard I can help." said Master Sorens.
"I am too," said Master Damon.
"We will appreciate any help we can get," said Healer Walsh looking drained.
"Bring them through here," said Medi-witch Tantum gesturing to the room, "It's usually used as a visitors sitting room, but there's no more room for anyone the beds are all being used.
"I'll show you where the cupboards are," said Healer Walsh lifting her too long work robes and began running off in the direction.
"I'll help her," said Harry, immediately taking off after the witch. He could hear people Apparating in, even as he went after her.
"I wish I'd brought my Potions bag with me," said Severus as he floated the stretchers through to the room the Medi-Witch was telling them to. She held the door open, her white robes filled with blood, her face pale and drawn but she remained professional. They floated them down, against the wall, making as much room for as many as possible.
"I will go and get it Severus," said Eileen. Looking around at the devastation, she felt guilty that she was glad it hadn't been her or anyone she cared about.
"Ask one of the elves to bring it, go and get some rest." said Severus, there was nothing she could do here. He didn't want her to remain behind; she'd seen and been through enough tonight.
"Be careful Severus," said Eileen her black eyes filled with worry and fear.
"I will, I promise." said Severus hugging her close before letting her go. "Go on, I'll see you back home, soon."
"Okay," said Eileen, using the Floo to leave, after staring at her son for a few more seconds.
"What happened?" asked the Medi-witch as she placed pillows under their heads, making sure they were still breathing.
"The Ministry was attacked," said Master Sorens helping the witch with her quest. A table was filled with them and sheets, but there was no need for them yet. Not until they were healed anyway, many had broken bones and internal injuries.
"Perhaps we should open the Hospital wing to those in need." said Albus looking around the devastation, the war was truly starting. This was the first big attack Voldemort had ordered yet, and the body count already looked extremely big.
"There isn't enough Potions to help, Poppy is better of coming here." said Severus irritated.
"Then I shall go and get her," said Albus, feeling useless, not a feeling he was familiar with. Everyone else was helping, but his abilities didn't lie with healing potions or healing spells. Poppy would be within her element, and so he left the room, back to the main entrance. It was the only place one can Apparate into St. Mungo's. All other areas, especially wards were protected heavily, the best of the best ward casters employed to ensure it.
"Here's the potions." said Harry running into the room, sliding to a stop extremely out of breath. He was using a medical tray to bring them, enlargement charms cast on it, so they could fit more. He put it down on the table, going over to Kate Bennett, doing a diagnostic charm on her, grateful he'd learned it. Harry winced at the amount of injuries she had, she had been the worst injured, hidden among the pile of rubble.
The Healer came in five seconds later, another tray filled with all the potions they'd need. All of them were labelled, so they wouldn't have to worry about identifying them. Considering there was four Potions Masters, including a one to be (Harry) - they didn't need to worry. "The Potions Master's have been called in, they are brewing more, but I think we will run out before then."
"If you do, come find me, I have a supply of them." said Severus, from where he was crouched down helping one unconscious Auror swallow a potion, this would heal his internal injuries. Or rather he will anyway, just as soon as the house elf sent them his way.
"Yes sir," said Healer Walsh tending to another hurt wizard.
"That's the last of them," said Severus, who was crouched down placing a sheet over them. It might be a single sheet, but they were woven with heating or cooling charms. They would change to whatever the patient needed. Sighing warily, he rubbed his eyes tiredly; he'd been awake all night. When it had calmed down considerably, the other Potion Master's had left.
"Severus do you have any burn paste?" asked Poppy, from across the room. There were only three patients in here now. Those who could get better at home had left, giving more room to those seriously injured. They'd been transferred to proper wards once they were out of the 'critical danger' stage. A few hadn't, they'd been transferred to intensive care, where there were always at least three healers on duty at all times.
"Yes," said Severus stifling a yawn as he passed the tub over. Looking around, his lips twitched as his eyes fell on Harry. He was sleeping in the corner, completely exhausted the pepper up potion he'd taken had obviously long ago worn off. Then again he knew it had worn off, he'd taken one at the same time.
"Why don't you get of home Severus? We can take it from here," said Healer Welch smiling at him in gratefulness. His new medal, she noticed was caked with all sorts of stuff, just like the rest of him. "Thank you for all your help, your friends also, I dread to think how many would have died this night without it."
Severus nodded curtly in her direction, planning on doing exactly as she suggested.
"Has Neville been informed?" asked Poppy looking close to tears just remembering, it had been the most horrific sight in her life. There was nothing more to be done for them, she prayed they recovered but the medical side of her knew it wasn't possible. Nobody was quite sure why they'd been targeted. There was a large assumption that You-Know-Who had assumed they were the secret keeper for Azkaban. Because of that, Frankie and Neville had lost their parents. With magic and potions advancing as they did, they could be cured. As of right now, they were trapped in their own mind, tortured with the Cruciatus curse.
"Not yet, Lady Longbottom has, she's visiting them right now, I assume she will tell the children." said Healer Walsh.
"Poor woman," said Poppy, she was going to visit her, let her know she wasn't alone. Frank and Alice had been students at Hogwarts; she'd been the one to bring Frankie into the world. She was good friends with Alice and was devastated. Poor Harry had been the one to see her first; she'd never forget the look on his face. Harry was very good friends with Neville, she was just glad he'd gone back to Hogwarts when he did.
"Harry? Harry? Come on, up you get," said Severus shaking him awake.
Harry batted the hand away, but the shaking persisted, his exhausted green eyes opened. Yawning tiredly, he allowed himself to be hoisted to his feet. Merlin he was so tired, he could sleep for a year the way he felt. It wasn't just tiredness, he felt extremely depressed, Neville loved his parents and he felt bad for him. He couldn't imagine how he'd feel if anything like that happened to Eileen. He let himself be guided towards the emergency entrance, and Apparated away. He couldn't have been happier to be safely within the wards of Snape manor if he'd tried. Home, exactly where he wanted to be. "Neville," murmured Harry tiredly, his tortured green eyes meeting Severus'.
"I know Harry," said Severus just as quietly, "I know."
"Does he know?" asked Harry, stumbling slightly as he moved.
"No, not yet, his grandmother will tell him." said Severus soothing his distraught apprentice. He had acted very maturely tonight, with grace that made Severus proud. Never once loosing control of himself…apart from when he'd tried to tend to Alice Longbottom. It was understandable, yet he'd regained his composure and continued on. Like a warrior and Severus was in awe of him, he constantly forgot Harry was merely sixteen.
"Alright," said Harry, his eyes closing in their own violation.
"Come on, let's get you to bed," said Severus, sounding incredibly tired himself. "Actually, a shower might be in order first." for both of them, they were black, covered in soot and blood. He had to check that Harry hadn't been hurt; he'd been standing too near the blast. He hadn't thought to check, since he hadn't said anything. Knowing Harry he'd probably put everyone's need above his own, not used to people caring. Even after all the years of his mother taking care of him, Harry would learn at some point though.
"Thank goodness you are back!" said Eileen coming down the stairs, watching them in the landing.
"Yes mum, go back to sleep," said Severus giving her a wane half smile, she was clean and in her nightclothes, at least someone was warm and comfortable. Still guiding an exhausted Harry in the right direction, he looked ready to conk out again. He'd never been gladder he wasn't using the upper level of the manor. Otherwise they'd have had two sets of stairs to get up. Every step took forever, but eventually they made it. "Go on mum, we are going to bed."
"Alright son," said Eileen going back to her own room, relieved beyond belief that they were back and safe. She hadn't been able to sleep, too scared that they would be hurt. The Death Eaters had attacked the Ministry for Merlin's sake! If they'd done that nowhere was truly safe, least of all the hospital. It didn't even look like they'd been the target either.
Severus guided Harry to his room, he idly noticed the bedding had been changed; it was dark blue instead of black. The house elf's had obviously been busy when they were out. He was grateful for it, nothing like going into a freshly made bed; especially with his he was feeling. He was running on his reserve energy, and it wouldn't last long. Not wanting to use anymore magic, he undressed them both without it. Placing their wands on the sink, he guided Harry into the shower turning it on, the warm water immediately cascaded over them. Getting rid of the muck coating them both, it looked worse now that the skin that had been protected by their clothes was revealed.
Severus squeezed his shower gel onto the cloth, not sparing it they both really needed it. Harry stood against him, too tired to really appreciate the sight. They were washed, hair shampooed and dried in record time. They left the bathroom, Severus grabbing his wands; he always slept with his no matter where he was. If any wizard or witch didn't they were insane, their wand was a part of them, like a hand or foot. They should never be parted with it, although if they were stupid enough to break the law they deserved it. He'd once been without his, until Albus got him out, it had been the worst week of his life.
"Come on Harry, just a little further then you can sleep," said Severus, as he walked to his bed, flipping the duvet down. Sliding into the warm bed, his body almost bowing in relief he was so tired. Shifting slightly he pulled Harry down onto the bed. Harry instantly curled around him, already soundly asleep, and Severus followed him. There certainly hadn't been a need for dreamless sleeping potion tonight, as they fell into a dreamless sleep too exhausted.
Would you like to see what happened to the longbottoms or just Neville and Frankie being told? or both? how will Harry find out about the Horcruxes? and will Severus and Harry be able to get them all in time? after all the Ministry has just been burnt down...their world is in chaos and many have died! will he attack the hospital causing everyone to flee? living in woods and such just to survive? will they be caught by the snatchers? or will it never get to that stage? will the war be long and bloody before Harry defeates him knowing how grateful to be or before it truly starts? will they still know how grateful to be? will the dementors join Voldemort? R&R PLEASE! remember takes me all night to write these chapters for you - only takes a second to review ;) so please give me five seconds of your time and do so :)
