I'm participating in The International Wizarding School Championship, which is cutting into most of my fanfiction writing, reading and editing time. Once the last chapter of More Than One Way to Skin a Cat goes up in a fortnight, don't expect much progress on my stories/sequels.
… …
The Battle of Hungerford Bridge
"I am concerned about the doings of the—you know—him," Hermione said, opening the third meeting of PotVan.
"Well he's a Dark Lord. Horrible stuff is all part of the program, isn't it?" Hudley replied.
"Yes, but what's he trying to accomplish? I'm this close," Hermione gestured, "to sending my parents off to Australia. All these attacks on the Muggles just don't make sense!"
Severus sighed. "I believe," he said, chewing the words as carefully, "that the Dark Lord is trying to expose the Magical world to the Muggles, in the hopes of…." Severus faltered—admittedly, his reasoning hadn't reached that far.
They both turned to look at Hudley, waiting for the boy's odd genius to strike.
Hudley obliged. "Well, he wants to rule the world, right? So if the Muggles learn about us themselves, and Dumbledore gets his way, there'll be a fragile peace. But if they learn about us in a Magical show of force, they'll be scared and know they could be crushed like insects. Ants to the schoolyard bully. But with us as the bully, and our parents as the ants."
Well, at least the beginning of that had been pretty good as far as rationale went.
"This can't go on," Hermione said firmly. "Either the—you know—oh, all right, Voldemort—will break the Statute, or someone will stop him first."
"Sounds 'bout right," Hudley said, nodding.
"Yes, but why aren't we doing anything?"
"Well, we're children. We don't even have our OWLs. Let the adults deal with the war, Hermione," Severus tried to soothe.
Severus was aware that he was shit at being soothing.
"But the prophecy—"
"Right," Severus interrupted. "How about this: next time there's an attack in Muggle London, we'll break underage magic laws and follow the competent adults, trying not to get ourselves caught in the crossfire. Best case scenario, the Dark Lord is distracted and we'll manage to transfigure him into something, vanquishing him. Worst case, the Order of the Phoenix is distracted and people end up getting seriously hurt trying to protect us."
Hudley grinned. "That's a brilliant plan. Let's do exactly that."
"What's the Order of the Phoenix?" Hermione asked.
Severus buried his face in his hands.
… …
Naturally, it all came to a head during Christmas break. Severus couldn't even accuse Hudley of going looking for trouble, because it had been Severus' own idea. They'd split up to go Christmas shopping—him and Tuney in Diagon, Hudley and Vernon on Charing Cross.
They agreed to meet by the Hungerford Bridge at five.
Fate had apparently been eavesdropping.
The first happenstance occurred when they ran into Hermione and her parents at quarter-to.
The second coincidence was the pervasive chill of despair, coupled with melodramatic rainclouds.
The enemy action began just as they reached the foot of the narrow pedestrian bridge.
Hundreds of Muggles doing their Christmas shopping.
Dozens of Dementors swooping in for a feast.
And then the Death Eaters came, pops of Apparition rattling like fireworks—or gunfire.
Bellatrix's mad cackling raised goosebumps across Severus' skin.
He shoved Hermione at their Muggle guardians and drew his wand. Their hind and otter Patronuses began patrolling the northern riverbank.
The Aurors arrived, and the Obliviators.
The Order came next, with Albus to lead them in an act of miraculous bridge-repair. In fact, the bridge likely hadn't been in such good shape when it had been built.
Lord Voldemort made his appearance then. "Harry Potter," he screeched, standing halfway across the Thames, "Come to die!"
Albus stepped up behind the Dark Lord, and giants duelled. An unbeatable wand and an undying Dark Lord. Light and Death. Fire and Ice.
It would have been poetic, if Severus hadn't caught sight of Hudley creeping towards the Dark Lord's back.
Heart in his throat, Severus disillusioned himself and ran.
…
The world seemed to stop.
…
… …
Sorry about the cliffhanger. I'm still having a very hard time cutting chapters in the right places (and I'm not ready for this story to end). Please review, etc.
If you like my writing, please go look at my submissions for The International Wizarding School Championship! Thank you.