Running through the castle with the youngest of the students that where at Hogwarts to the 7th floor was more nerve racking then Clairi thought it would be. She knew her boys would be on the east side of the castle, which she would join them when she was done here. As the group came to the door of the room of requirement she saw Charlie Weasley and a couple of his other tamer friends.
"Well Airi girl, don't you look amazingly ravished." Charlie chuckled as he pulled the younger women into a hug.
"This isn't the time Char, we need to get them all to safety." She said in a hurried tone.
"That's true lovely." He agreed as the doors opened.
"All right students, we are going to do this quickly and safely. I want you all in a line. No pushing or shoving anyone. You'll all be meeting another tamer on the other side of the passageway. He has a portkey. To those who never used a portkey, its similar to apperation. You'll feel a pull at your stomach and then appear where the portkey was designated to take you. Once on the reserve you'll have to listen to the Chief of the reserve. It is for your own safety." Charlie explained in a loud auritative voice.
The students all nodded in understanding, knowing this is for their own good.
"Fourth years look after anyone younger while you are there. We don't want any of you hurt by a dragon or by each other while you are there." Clairi spoke next.
She was worried about them even though she knew they would be safe there. But she was also worried for those who would be staying here to fight. They where out numbered 100 to 1. A lot of the student only knew spells with in there year, enough to stun and defend themselves. But with how many Death Eaters there where, they only have one shot at this battle. So she hoped to Merlin that what ever the bloody hell the golden trio have been up to works. If not it's going to be an up hill battle to win. Once the last student was through the porthole, Charlie and the few others that where staying lift her as she began to run towards the east side of the castle.
She knew that the shield wouldn't keep the death eaters out for long. Just as she passed the staircase that lead to Gryffindor tower. The memories flooded her mind. From the first time she nearly walked off the moving staircase. To the moment she realized that she was in love with Fred her 3rd year, to the night she said good by to the twins. She stopped infront of a window as the shield broke. She watched as burning pieces of the shield floated down to the ground below her.
She began to run up the stairs quicker hoping to get to them before anything where to happen to them. Just as she turned the corner down another corridor. A spell came flying passed her head. She dodged and threw a spell pack. She heard laughing coming from who she was dueling.
"Well Well, I caught the mouse of Gryffindor or should I saw the Foxy Minx of Gryffindor." A voice came from behind the Death Eater mask.
All around them she could hear yelling, screaming, explosions and windows breaking. Total chaos all around them and this Death Eater was laughing that he caught her alone.
"You haven't caught anyone." She sneered back.
"Oh I have, I caught a prize here. Once we win this silly fight, I'll have the Dark Lord grant me you as my reward Black." He spoke as his mask disappeared from his face.
There in front of her stood Avery, the one boy she would die before letting him touch her. Her stance changed as they stared each other down. He was wearing black robes that reminded her of Professor Snape, billowing behind him. He was a slimy git that though he could seduce her. He has spent the last year trying to woo her with the outradgeous gifts he sent her.
"Oh really, here I thought Flint was more favored over you?" She jabbed at him sending a stunner at him.
"Flint is favored more, but he wants you for a different reason then I." the duel began.
"Really? I thought you both wanted the Black fortune?"
"I want the Black power and position, He wanted to keep me from you."
Soon Clairi used a spell she learned in Cures Breaker training. It would stun him till she lifted the curse. It wasn't like normal stunning spells, one that Bill learned in Egypt. Hand little curse as she ran pass his stunned form. Before though she sent a curse of her own making at him. It cock blocked him anytime he thought of her, it would cause an instant inset of blue-balls at the mere thought of sexual thoughts of her. Rather painful for him. She ran dodging spells and sending more at others. She helped younger students out when multiple opponents . Soon she saw both of the twins and Zander running towards where she was dueling another Death Eater.
She saw a green light hit the Death Eater in question. She turned to see Draco standing there, wand raised at the fallen death eater. They all stood there for just a moment before Draco said anything.
"I didn't want it, you were right Cousin. " Draco said, he looked like he just walked through hell and back.
She walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder, sure every guy was taller then her. But she knew that the gesture was one they all understood.
"We need to split up, ok, you can stay with me Draco. We are going to win this." She spoke softly as she looked at Fred.
Before they all split up he pulled her to him, and fiercely placed a kiss on her lips. It was one that can either be taken as a good bye or see you soon. With how much of Fred's emotions where in the kiss she could tell that it was meant as a good bye. Once they parted they wouldn't see each other till the end of the battle. Clairi hoped to Merlin that she would see him at the end of this. Because she had something to tell the loud, sweet, moronic, prankster she loved. She ran beside Draco as they helped students fight. Spells hitting the walls, werewolves taking down students and teachers, walls exploding. In one moment Clairi was standing helping Draco and a another student, the next she felt an unbearable pain in her chest. Like she just lost the most important thing in her life.
'You have fought valiantly, but in vain. I do not wish this, every drop of magical blood spilt is a terrible waist. I there for command my forces to retreat. Dispose of your dead with dignity. Harry Potter, I now speak to you. On this night you have allowed your friends die rather then face me your self. There is no greater dishonor. Join me in the forbidden forest and confront your fate. If you do not do this, I shall kill every last man, women and child who try's to conceal you from me.' Voldimort's voice filled the castle loud enough that it caused everyone to stop what they are doing.
Clairi rose from the ground with the help of Draco. He hand pressed to her stomach. She could feel the pain still as they ran to the great hall. She found George stairing down at someone laying on the ground. As she drew closer, she saw both Remus and Dora laying there. The tears began to fall more, Jaspin grabbed her and tried to keep her from going any further. She pushed him away and moved quicker. Like a force was pulling her towards the pain. George saw her and pulled her into his arms.
"I'm so sorry Clairi. I'm so so sorry." George's voice reached her ears filled with pain and tears. She saw what he was speaking to her about.
Fred laid there, not moving. She was waiting for him to jump up and yell "gotcha". He didn't move, the pain grew in her chest as she felt the straight give in her legs.
"George he promised! He promised that he… he…" She couldn't speak anymore as the words caught in her throat. She never told him, she was planning to tell him after the Dark lord was gone.
"Clairi!" She heard Zander yell from down a bit from them.
She pulled away from George as Zander reached them. She latched her self to him in a hug. She watched as George grabbed Ron and Jaspin grabbed Hermione. No one noticed Harry leave them in the hall.
"I know Clairi, I know." Zander whispered to her to try and calm her down.
"I never told him Zander." She sobbed fisting his shirt in her hands.
"He loved you so much Clairi, he knew you felt the same." He whispered.
The pain was evident in both of their voices. But Zander wasn't getting what she was saying. She never told Fred that they would be expecting someone in late December. She thought if she would have told him he would keep her from the battle. Maybe if he knew he would still be there with them. She continued to cry as Zander held her. She cried for Dora her cousin and sister. Remus her brother-in-law of sorts. Knowing that Teddy or the child she carried would never know their father except through the stories they heard from the people around them. For her father who wouldn't see any of what he should have seen and experienced. This battle took many people from her, the war many more.
George joined their hug after morning Fred. They stood that way for a while before Clairi could speak more.
"I never told him that he was going to be a dad by the end of the year." She whispered to her two best friends she had left.
George tightened his hold at her confession, Zander tensed a bit then relaxed. She honestly didn't want to bring a child into a world where Voldimort was still alive. Soon she pulled away, and looked at them both. George had a glimmer of hope left in his eyes. Most likely because there was still a bit of Fred still in this world. Zander looked at her with worry in his eyes.
"We still have Moldymort to get rid of." She told them.
The old horrible nickname they gave the snake man made the three of them laugh. They noticed that everyone was making there way towards the front entrance court yard. Charlie came to stand next to her and the other two as Death Eaters filled the other end of the court yard. Hagrid looked to be caring someone.
"Who is that Hagrid is caring Neville?" Ginny asked.
"Harry Potter is dead!" Voldimort announced as death eaters laughed, Ginny denied it trying to run and check on the boy.
Clairi saw that Jaspin looked angry, she her self felt sick. Harry decided to meet the snake to spare the others more pain. He was always like that as she watched him grow up.
"Stupid girl, Harry Potter is Dead. From this day forth you put your faith in me." Voldimort sneered happily at Ginny. Turning to his follower's.
"Harry Potter is Dead!" Everyone continued laughing. Clairi heard Bellatrix's laughter louder them the rest.
"And now is the time to declare yourself, come forward and join us. Or die." He spoke to them sneering at those who have fought against him strongly.
As Regulus stepped up behind her, she could feel the full extent of his power radiating off him.
"You, your dead!" Voldimort spoke after sensing his former death eater.
"Sorry to disappoint Tom." Regulus sneered at his former lord.
"I'll deal with you and your traitorous family later." The snake man hissed.
"My Lord let me! I kill the rest of the Blacks! Like I did Sirius! They are all traitors!" Bellatrix guessed evilly eyeing Clair, Regulus and Hermione.
"Silence! Come forth those who wish to join!" Voldimort yelled.
Clairi could still see that Bellatrix wanted their blood. Regulus for leaving, Clairi's because she was Sirius's daughter, and Hermione because she was raised as a Mudblood.
"Draco." Louise's voice called to the person that has helped her this evening.
Draco stood where he was, not moving to his parents sides. Even when his mother called him. Draco was taking a side of his own choice Clairi suspected. Just as they tried to call Draco over again, Clairi saw Neville step forward with the old sorting hat grasped tightly in his hand.
"Well I must say, I hoped for better." Many laughed at His statement towards Neville.
"And who might you be young man?" Voldimort asked stepping closer to Neville.
"Neville Longbottum." Neville spoke.
"Well Neville, I'm sure we can find some place for you in our ranks." The snake said as the other laughed.
"I'd like to say something." Neville said, Clairi watched as the Snake's face grew together, as if he was squishing his nose if he had one at the statement Neville made. Almost as if he was angry that someone interrupted him, as if the man who cheated death was a child.
"Well Neville, I'm sure we would all be fascinated to hear what you have to say."
"It doesn't matter if Harry's gone." Neville started as Seamus said to stand down. "People die every day, friends, family. Yeah we lost Harry tonight, He's still with us in here." Neville spoke to everyone placing a hand to his heart. "So is Fred, Remus, Tonks, all of them. They didn't die in vain." He turned to the Death Eaters and Voldimort. "But you will! Because your wrong, Harry's heart did beat for us, for all of US!" Neville said as he pulled out the sward of Gryffindor. Then Harry rolled out of Hagrid's arms, landing on the ground, very much alive.
"Pertago!" Harry yelled and ran.
Many Death Eaters began to disapperate away. Harry joined them at the entrance.
"I'll lewer him into the castle, but we need to kill the snake." Harry explained.
Soon Death Eaters where back inside the castle, everyone was fighting.
"Aww what do I have here! A little Black traitor." Bellatrix said sending killing curse her way.
Clairi blocked it as she said, "Auntie Bella, the crazy one of the family."
Soon the two of them where dueling, Clair sent a killing curse at her, which surprised Bellatrix. Clairi started to through all the curses that she learned in the Black Library at Bellatrix. When Bella was incapacitated, she shot one more nasty spell at her. It was one created by the first Sirius Black in the family, draining the magic core of its victims then literarily erasing their magic signature from the family. Once Bellatrix was taken care of the battle seemed to fly passed her, like everything was if fast forward. Then there was a moment where it felt like time stopped, and very bit of Voldimort was gone. Harry was able to defeat the darkest wizard in the world. She came out to the court yard to see that Jaspin and Harry were standing next to each other. Both wands pointed in the same direction. She smiled and walked to them.
"He's gone thanks to you two." She said.
"He's gone because we all fought against him Clairi." Jaspin pulled her into a hug."
"Harry did all the work." She laughed.
"Not true, we helped do the work." They walked back into the destroyed School.
Clairi saw Theo and Hermione talking to Lavender and Ron. George and Zander talking about something, maybe a memory of one of their pranks. Molly and Arthur caught up in a hug. Clair had only told George and Zander about her secret. She needed to tell the rest of the Weasley's soon. The ring hung under her shirt that Fred had given her. When he had, he told her that there where some very impressive protection charms and runes on the ring. She smiled as Regulus came to her and hugged her. She still had at least one male family member of the Black family alive. Now it was time to relax and figure out how to move on.
********There we go! The end of the Battle for Hogwarts. I'm sorry that I killed off Fred. I decided that since I had already kept to Sirius's death I should keep to this one as well. But I hope you all enjoy the little twist I've hinted at. EnJoy*****