Heroes of Magic and Might
Chapter 38 – After midnight

Hogwarts, late evening… very late evening.

It was time, time to go, time to flee, time to escape.

She scurried through the halls, a paranoid rat abandoning a sinking ship. It was time, she knew it was time. There wasn't much that could really recommend Dolores Jane Umbridge. She was middling at magic, not especially charismatic, absolutely appalling on a personal level, cowardly, cruel, and completely without scruples.

When you got right down to it, the only thing that made Dolores Umbridge in any way useful was her organizational skills, which were only just higher than average and certainly did not make up for the other deficiencies in her personality. What did make up for them was her instinct, the survival instinct to be precise.

Dolores knew a lost cause when she saw it. She knew when she had pushed her luck too far. When she'd had the full force of the Ministry of Magic behind her, there was no limit, no push too far nor depth too deep. All were at her mercy and she reveled in such power, the kind of power she could never alone hope to accumulate.

That power was gone now, all of it, and her one attempt to recapture the next closest thing had led to her current situation. It was time to run, she knew it was. That survival instinct, the one that determined fight or flight, was screaming with a bullhorn, FLIGHT!

It wasn't that she couldn't fight, she certainly could. It was just winning she couldn't manage. Middling was probably generous. The most taxing thing she'd done, magically, in recent years revolved around shuffling papers. That was not going to save her from a trained and practicing transfiguration master with a vindictive streak and a bone to pick.

She'd found the old Scot's detestation rather amusing at first, when she was in control. Now it was far less entertaining, when the woman was preparing to do things to her she'd rather not think about.

She had to get out, run, as fast as she could. She didn't have a plan for what came after that, but so long as she was alive, there would be plenty of time to plan later.

The exit was near. Three more halls and she'd be at the door.

She scurried from cover and crept down the hall. Her entire body freezing as a chill ran up her spine when a presence made itself known.

"Good evening, Dolores."

… Black and shadow

"Good evening, wizard."

Harry nodded to the soppy witch Marigold as he slowly walked out of the tower and onto the wall. Gabby followed close behind, frowning. She hadn't wanted him to come up, but after a rest and three bowls of soup, she hadn't been strong enough to stop him.

"We're all still here. I assume we weren't overrun," said Harry, looking across the wall, returning nods from both goblins and kobolds.

"There were a few small tries," she said. "Mostly they were trying to knock down those burning ladders. Granny threw a few fireballs at them. Other than that, they've haven't moved far from their encampment."

"Odd," and worrisome.

"They're doing something," she said. "It's hard to see from here, but I think its some sort of ritual."

"What will that do," rituals were not a branch of magic taught at Hogwarts, at least not to him.

"I'm not sure, but it's probably something dark. It's a double full moon tonight. The shadows are at their longest."

Whatever that meant. Probably something important.

"Their reaching across the planes, through the darkness," a familiar caustic voice said.

He turned, expecting the old witch, and saw something else which almost made him go for his sword. The face that was his own smirked, having no need to sense his distress with it written clear across his face.

A hand was raised, a ring removed, and his doppelganger disappeared, replaced by the proper owner of the voice. "Good evening, wizard."

"Granny," he scowled. "What a convenient bit of magic."

"It has its uses," she agreed, momentarily pleasant as she preened over her little victory. "It seemed a good idea after that display of yours to have your face remain at the front line where all could see it. Let them believe you are more powerful than you really are. The invincible wizard they took you for."

"That's what ya call headology," said Nanny, waddling up to join them.

The minotaur and naga followed close behind. The gate was closed for the night and it seemed everyone had decided to congregate around Harry who had become far more interested in the strange sounds from the enemy encampment and strange flashes of, what he could only call darkness darker than darkness.

"Ritual, reaching across planes, but to what end?" he said.

"It's a calling," said Nanny. "They're calling something."

"What? A demon?"

"Possibly. Lot of things on other planes. Lot of other things between them planes that's just as terrible, maybe more."

"Darkness," said Granny. "Endless darkness full of hungry shadows."

Hungry shadows? Why did that sound familiar?

"It's big! It's big!"

the frantic owl cried fitfully as she swooped in. Bumping his face, she latched onto his shoulder followed close behind by a very distraught fairy.

"What's big Heddy?"

"Circle! Big circle! Big thing in the circle!" she said, hopping erratically from on foot to the other.

"Heddy, you're not making any sense. Slow down. Easy."

Gently he stroked her feathers, trying to calm her as she squeezed in close to his head as possible. Cherry, in similar straights, had nuzzled into the crook of his neck, the four wisps that normally orbited her body clung tight to the tiny girl.

"Tell me what you saw. You said a circle. What about the circle. What are they doing?"

"Standing. Chanting. Lots of them. And… and, something, something in the circle. Something big."

"What does it look like?"

"Looks like water, churning, but not water. Black and thick."

"Shadow," said Granny. "They're summoning shadows."

"Shadows? Plural? How many?" said Harry.

"Hard to say," said Nanny. "They're not terrible strong, the little ones, but they are hard to kill. Course, might not be more than one, and if that's the case…"

"What? If that's the case what!" he demanded.

"We are in a lot of trouble," said Marigold.

"Small shadows are just hungry beasts," Nanny explained, "But the big ones; hunger equivalent to its size, all in a single creature."

"What do they eat?"

"Light," said Marigold. "The light that exists in all living things. Especially things like her."

The fairy tensed at the accusing finger, weeping in her small tinkling way against Harry's neck as the epiphany struck. "Those things I saved you from when we first met. That's what's out there. That's what their summoning, isn't it?"

The tiny girl pulled her face away from him, turning up eyes, dripping tears. She nodded, straining to do so. A pitiful sound passing her lips, she pressed back in and began crying in earnest.

… Goodbye, and good riddance

"Minerva!"

"Dolores."

The stoic Scot stared at the quivering toad with a cold even gaze, the sort she usually reserved for naughty children. Given the woman's mental state it had a similar effect.

"WHAT ARE… hem, hem. What are you doing, Minerva?"

"I could ask you the same question," she replied.

"I asked you first, "she retorted a little too quickly.

"Yes, you did. What of it?"

The toad scowled, her bluff called. They both knew what she was doing and knew they both knew they both knew… they both knew?

Everyone knew what was going on and any questions or accusations were merely stalling. Pride alone stayed them from action. Pride, and the audience they'd somehow acquired without them realizing it.

"Well, well, fancy meeting you girls here."

The blue man strode with the confidence of one who was in complete control. The small retinue that followed in his wake may have had something to do with that.

"Master Co," Umbridge squealed, backing away in fear, jumping when she nearly backed into McGonagall. "What brings you out so late?"

"Nothing much," the blue man said. "Seemed like a nice night for a walk. But what about you Dolores. Getting antsy are we?"

His teasing, if that's what it was, made the unctuous woman shake.

"No, no, nothing like that," she tried weakly.

"Now, don't be modest Dolores," McGonagall cut in. "No reason to hide your eagerness."

There damn well was, the stout woman thought, and it was circling her like a cat with a mouse.

"Spose I shouldn't be surprised," said Co. "Expecting you to wait so long. Thoughtless of me. Absolutely thoughtless."

"No, no, it's really not…" she continued to try.

"No! I see how it is. Nothing for it really. We'll just have the duel now."

"WHAT!"

"Yes, right now, that's the ticket. Filius!"

The diminutive man stepped from behind the blue one, "You called?"

"Yes, I believe we discussed having you officiate this little match. If you would be so kind."

"Of course, my lord."

None watching missed the hint of vindictive glee with which the small man went about his task. The hall made for an easily assembled dueling ring. Shields quickly placed at both ends and the two combatants were asked to face each other.

Trapped like a rat, she had no choice, facing the old Scot who stared back, unreadable.

"On the count of three, you may cast," said Flitwick. "One, two…"

"Bombarda!"

The concussive spell, one of the few genuine attack spells she knew, flew past her opponent who did not so much as flinch at the pitiful misfire but raised a single eyebrow.

"Really?" The incredulity cut deep. "Maybe you'd care to try again."

Terrified beyond reason, she pushed a face of anger at the perceived arrogance, letting terror bolster it with her next spell, "Bombarda Maxim!"

This one flew true, 'forcing' McGonagall to react. A quick motion of her wand swatted the spell away with contemptuous ease.

"Again?"

Now beyond able to think, she began flinging spells with wild abandon, anything that came to mind was muttered and hurled. McGonagall dodged around the hastily flung spells, swatting aside those that got too close as she worked her way closer, forcing the panicked Umbridge back, step by step.

"Don't give up Dolores," Co cheered helpfully.

She didn't even register his words as mutters became screams and the trail of spells got darker and darker. "CRUCIO!"

The torture curse was poorly aimed and easily dodged but it marked a shift in the fight and McGonagall found she'd played enough; it was time to start teaching.

A slight gesture moved one of the armors that thrust outs its arm, smacking Umbridge in the back of the head. Falling forward, she stumbled then toppled, crashing to the floor which she found to be oddly soft.

Under McGonagall's work it was, soft, squishy, and pliant. Into the floor her wand was shoved, but when she tried to pull it out, the floor solidified, trapping her magical tool in the floor.

"NO! No, no, no!" she cried, pulling and yanking but to no avail.

"How does it feel, Dolores?" said McGonagall.

"No! Come on! Let go damn you!" she shrieked, ignoring the woman stalking toward her.

"How does it feel, Dolores?" she asked again. Receiving no answer, she flung the woman away from her wand to get her attention. "How does it feel, Dolores? How does it feel, to be helpless?"

"You," the stout woman whined, rolling painfully off her back. "You can't do this."

"Why not? If you were in my position, you'd do far worse. How does it feel to be on the other end for a change? How does it feel to be at the mercy of someone who hates you?"

The venom in her tone struck something primal in the toad like woman, "Please," she begged, simpering pitifully, "Please. I'm sorry."

"Yes, sorry you lost," said McGonagall, not for a second fooled. "Sorry you lost your power, your position, your privilege. Sorry you spent all your time making enemies instead of friends."

"Please… please, I'm sorry," she begged.

McGonagall stopped, the click of her heels echoing the hall, "I'm sorry too," she said, causing Umbridge to look up in shock. "I'm sorry I was too much a coward to deal with you as I ought to have when you first arrived. I'm sorry I let you pollute my home with your presence for so long. And I'm sorry, so sorry, I let you hurt my children for your petty little games. And I am especially sorry, that I can only kill you once."

Fear filled her eyes, but McGonagall's wand was faster than her brain. She felt something in her face, her nose she thought, shift in some subtle way. It itched when she inhaled, then the itching stopped, and her entire head exploded into bony shrapnel and gooey chunks.

"Oh, my!" Co exclaimed. "Well done Minerva."

"What was that?" asked Flitwick. "I saw it, but I couldn't make out what you did to her."

"Nothing much," said McGonagall, wiping off bits of brain matter. "I just turned the inside of her nose to white phosphorous and let nature takes it course."

Behind the shield, and thus safe from the gore, the blue man chuckled. "Congratulations Minerva. You have secured your position for the foreseeable future."

The stoic old woman gave a slight bow to her new master, "I hope that I shall be found worthy."

"Of that I have little doubt," the blue man said with a knowing look, "Little doubt indeed."

… Shine a light

The wall was getting crowded as everyone from both sides huddle together on the right. Out on the field, a massive oozing thing was taking shape. A darkness so dark it seemed to make a hole in the world, not merely dark but entirely devoid of light.

There was a sense, deeper than reason or human knowing, of being watched. It was primal, instinct, it ran deep, past the primordial ooze and back to before life as is understood came to be.

The little ones hadn't felt like that.

"We're dead," said Marigold. "We don't have anything that can fight that."

The kobolds whimpered, fear and hopelessness gripping them as their only anchor declared it was no use.

"It's been a good run," said Boren without a hint of regret.

"Meh, coulda been better," said Charlie.

"You give up so easily," Kali said.

"They said we've got nothing that can fight that," Boren argued.

"They said 'they' had nothing that could fight that," she corrected. "What about him?"

'Him' was staring at the liquid mass taking form and feeling strangely calm. The terror meter had been pushed so far around it had broken through and gone back to zero. It reminded him of the second time he'd fought a dragon. Now if only this were so easy to deal with.

His Patronus, big bad buck that it was, was dwarfed by the creature summoned which was beginning to look vaguely canine. There weren't enough happy thoughts in his head to produce a Patronus powerful enough to win a fight against such a thing, though that wouldn't stop him from trying. It was better than just giving up, but it wasn't enough. He needed something better than just better than giving up.

Power was really the problem. There was a huge circle of mages down there powering the spell to summon that thing. He was just one Harry, and he wasn't even a fully rested Harry. Sure, he could get away with a lot on little sleep, but miracles were not among them.

"What would it take to fight it?" Gabby asked when the silence became too heavy.

"A powerful avatar of light," said Granny. "Concentrated positive energy is the only thing that can really hurt a shadow. They are composed of every kind of darkness."

"Is there no other way we can hurt it?" the half-goblin asked.

"Think happy thoughts," Nanny offered, causing Granny to scoff.

"Oh really, don't be ridiculous."

"Actually," said Harry, "that's not a bad idea."

"Hah!"

The old witch glowered at her crowing counterpart, but Harry ignored both of them. An idea was forming and, like most of his best ideas, there was a good chance it wouldn't work, but he wasn't about to let that stop him.

"Cherry, I need your help."

Gently he pealed the tiny girl from his neck, causing her to cling and wail like a frightened infant.

"Now, no more of that. I know you're scared, so am I. But we can't let that stop us, and I need your help."

The glowing girl continued to whimper. He could never know the depths of her fears, even were she able to speak words he could decipher.

"Come on now. You know I would never put you in danger. I need your help, or we're all done for. Come on, where's my big brave girl."

With the gentlest touch he wiped the tears from her cheeks, earning a small wet smile and a kiss on the pinky.

"There she is. I knew I'd find her."

Whispering his instructions, she floated from his hands and up over their heads.

"Everyone! Gather round!" he shouted.

Most already were but those that weren't quickly bunched in as close as they could.

"Listen carefully. Out there, a darkness approaches. It is a hungry darkness, it will devour all of us if we let it. We could try to run, we could try to hide, but I tell you this. There are no legs fast enough nor hole deep enough to escape this darkness. We must stand and fight."

"Well that's a lovely sentiment, but how exactly are we supposed to do that?" the old witch sniped.

"I'm glad you asked that," said Harry, cheered by stony scowl. "Everyone, close your eyes. Don't be scared, just close your eyes."

With the hungry dark so close there was understandable fear but slowly they all did so.

"Now, I want you all to think back. Think of a time when you were happy, and not just happy, but the happiest you've ever been in your life."

"Oh honestly," Granny griped.

"Shh!" Marigold hushed.

"Find that time, that memory, that feeling. It doesn't even have to be real, just find that memory that fills you with the greatest joy, the happiest feeling."

A heavy feral sound suddenly shook the wall, but Harry pressed on despite the whimpers and cries.

"Ignore the outside world. There is no here and now. Focus! Focus on the joy. Feel that happiness, the warmth and comfort. Find that feeling and let it fill you. Let it swell inside you."

Overhead, Cherry flew one long continuous circle over all of them. Her glowing drew a trail as she flew faster and faster making a shimmering ring that encompassed all of them.

Something palpable seemed to coalesce as Harry continued to encourage them, raising his wand which glowed at the tip, a warm gentle spark, "now."

The incantation, those two familiar words were drown out by the loudest light ever conjured. It exploded like a brand-new sun, taking form and striding proudly into the world, its noble gait such as to be the envy of any king.

Its long face was elegant and handsome. To count its prongs, one would have found a single point for every soul standing on the wall. Eyes opened and reveled at the sight, its handsome face, impressive rack, its regal hindquarters.

"By the gods!"

"Holy heifer!"

"Good grief!"

There he is, Harry thought, Prongs. It felt wrong to think of his conjuring as a mere Patronus. His first casting in this world had shown a number of differences he hadn't been able to quantify at the time but here, and now, when the shimmering deer turned its head, and looked at him, he began to understand.

The kobolds didn't understand but they howled anyway, leaping and yipping in joy.

The shadow thing roared again, shaking the world and Prongs replied with a high shrieking call, normally the sort to be offensive to the ears but taken from those lips it filled them with elation, their rejoicing doubled.

"It's… it's amazing," said Gabby, wholly awestruck.

Even Granny looked impressed, though if asked later she would absolutely deny it.

But it was true, it was amazing and more. He glowed like a star come down to earth. A light to fill the corners and chase the shadows back where they came from.

"Now what?" asked Nanny, as the opposing avatars squared up.

Harry smiled, "Now, we let them fight."