The sun hid behind a thick layer of clouds today. Deep and dark those hung over the sky, like a blanket of grey wool. A distant rumbling hailed the coming of a storm. Below the grey sky was a Forrest. The old green tree's stretched up and leaned against each other. It was an old forest. Standing here for hundreds of years, with little interference of human, elf, dwarf or goblin. No one disturbed this place, neither wizard nor muggle.
The reason for that was simple. This plot of land was under a very special kind of spell. A spell that stopped anyone from remembering or even seeing the forest. Whenever someone came to close, their eyes would just glide over this piece of land, move on and not notice it in any way or form. Not even the most skilled master of the mind arts would notice the manipulation.
The reason for this manipulation was lying in the centre of the gathering of trees. In the centre way a single small hill, no more than double the size of a human. Burrowed into the side of the hill was a little tunnel, barely wide enough for a grown man to pass through, going down into the earth. An arch made from white stone marked the entrance of the tunnel and into the lintel was carved a single word.
Merlin
Underneath the hill, behind the arch, inside this unremarkable little forest in the south of Britain was lying the grave of the most remarkable wizard that had ever walked the surface of the earth. The place hadn't been set foot on for over a thousand years, protecting the memory and secrets of the founder of magical Britain in anonymity. The ministry had kept this secret inside of its workings ever since the it had been founded, taking over from the council of wizards.
For a thousand years, no one came to this place, disturbed the silence and the peace.
Until this day.
A pale naked foot stepped on fallen leaves, leaving a trail of footprints in the dirt. Long dark green robes brushed over the muddy ground. Almost marble white arms swung back and forth, between the fingers a wand that was almost dancing. Next to the person, a snake was slithering over the forest floor hissing lowly, while a few feet behind five man in black robes and white masks were following. Four of them were minor members of the Death Eaters, showing in their unadorned mask. At the centre was the only one who looked different. The mask had silver linings and muffled the man's voice slightly while he talked.
"This is it, Lord Voldemort?"
A faint smile formed on the pale face of his leader as he looked at the entrance.
"Yes, Augustus. This is Merlin's Tomb."
Susan and Harry stared up at the green symbol hanging under the clouds like a sick stamp. Even though it was distorted through the tinted window, it was unmistakable.
"Shit, shit shit. " Susan cursed, pulling her wand from her pocket in the same time as outside the screams started and new explosions were underlined by howling. Blinking, Harry quickly followed suit.
"That's Tom's people. We have to get everybody out of here." Harry hastily turned, already moving down the corridor. He jerked his wand upwards when a door flew open to the side, but it was only Susan's girlfriend stumbling outside.
"Aoi! What is going on?"
Susan, who looked completely focused, grimaced. "Someone is attacking the village. Anyone with a Black robe and white mask is the enemy."Her brown eyes were connected with the Asian girl and to Harry's surprise, Akiko didn't ask any questions but instead only pulled her wand nodding.
"All right, we have to get to Sirius, he will probably go crazy right now." Harry said hastily and was about to move into the main room of the three broomsticks when the window at the end of the corridor burst, sending shards of glass to the floor. Luckily they were far enough away so neither of the teenagers got hurt by the remainders of the window. Still, all three turned their wands at that point and not a moment too late as a tall person in black robes and a white mask rushed through the hole.
Directly into a bombardment of curses.
Neither Harry, nor either of the girls hesitated even one bit at the sight of the man's attire and started casting the best they could. The man and they knew he was a man as he cursed loudly when a dozen streams of light raced his way and he barely got a shield up, blinked behind his mask, holding up his shield and called over his shoulder. "I see Potter!"
The black-haired boy and his friends had to duck behind one of the pillars as a second person with a mask and black robes hurried through the hole in the wall and started flinging spells in their general direction. Red, grey and blue spells flew through the small corridor and send clouds of dust and plaster into the air. Fletching his teeth Harry turned to shielding as good as he could but he knew they wouldn't hold on for very long. They were three teenager and those were adult wizards. They had more stamina and knew way more magic than him and his friends. This wasn't good. But while he was thinking about what he did, vines started creeping along the walls quickly growing and growing. Both Death Eaters called out in surprise, firing more spells through gaps in the rapidly closing wall of leaves, thorns and vines.
Harry turned his head. Akiko had stuck her wand in one of the flower pods on the small decoration table at the edge of the corridor, which turned out to be the source of the plant. Before he could ask what she did a new explosion shook the wall of leaves. Akiko grabbed Susan's hand, starting to pull. "We have to go, that will not hold them for long."
Stumbling over their feet, the three quickly left the corridor and ran into the main room. It was utter chaos in here. Students were screaming, running and pushing each other in an attempt to get to the door. Tables had been flipped, glasses shattered and it looked like pure anarchy. Between all the bodies, Harry could see a young boy, probably first year, second at most, who looked lost and had been pushed to the floor. Without thinking the black-haired boy pushed aside a flipped table, holding out his hand to the young guy.
"Here, get up, we have to get out of here." He said to the probably Ravenclaw, given the scarf he was wearing. With a thankful smile, the boy took his hand, standing up, while Harry looked around. He couldn't see any of his friends or Sirius. But he knew he couldn't stay here. Akiko seemed to have come to the same conclusion. She pointed her wand at the wall.
"Bakuhatsu!" She cried out and the section exploded outwards, spraying rubble and splintered everywhere, leaving a big hole in the side of the Three Broomsticks. "Quick, let's get out of here." She called ducking through and out onto the main road. Outside there was even more devastation. Fires were burning, people were screaming and running around, while the loud howling of wolves filled the air. In the distance, Harry saw Death Eaters, setting houses on fire and sending curses into the crowd. And behind them, there were furred silhouettes, taller than a human, with large upper arms elongated muzzles and yellow eyes. The source of the blood-curdling howls. Werewolves.
The black haired boy turned to his friends. "Susan, Akiko, get out of here. Go back to the school. The wards should keep them out." He was about to turn when Susan caught his hand.
"Harry! You can't seriously think to go out there!" She pleaded, holding on to his hand. The boy shook his head.
"I have to. Sirius is out there, and Hermione, and Neville and Daphne. I have to help them."
Susan frowned, before nodding. "I will come with you then."
Now it was Harry's turn to frown. "Absolutely not. You go back, I will follow as soon as I-"
"Don't tell me what to do!" She almost yelled at him. The black-haired boy wanted to say something when a red spell hit Susan from behind knocking her out. Susan dropped like a bag of potatoes but was caught by the caster. Akiko grunted as she hoisted her girlfriend over her shoulder. "I know I can't convince you to come with us, I can see it in your eyes, but I will not lose Aio when she dumbly tries to follow you. I will take her back to Hogwarts."
A sharp smile appeared on his face as the boy nodded. "Thank you. Please take him with you." With a hand gesture, he pointed at the young Ravenclaw and then without wasting any more time, Harry dashed off in the direction where he has last seen Sirius. He ran as fast as he could, nudging Dawn. "Go find Padfoot!" He called out, pushing his feeling for the dogman and the need to be near him into the bond. Dawn chirped once and took to the sky. One eye on the street and the other on the sky, Harry eaved a couple carrying their newborn down the street, took a turn when he saw that a building had collapsed and blocked the street and skitted through an alleyway. He felt his suspicion about Sirius location confirmed as Dawn lead him away from the street deeper into the town.
But as it turned out, Dawn didn't lead him to Sirius. When he came around a corner, he skitted to a halt. In a small backyard, he found a group of people. Neville and Ulrich were side by side, their wands brandished, fighting off a group of four Death Eaters, while behind them it seemed like the blond German, Svenja was crouched over Hermione's unconscious form, waving her wand. Well more like Neville was fending off one Death Eater, while the young duelling champion from German fought three on one. What Harry could see from his position was that a sixth follower of Voldemort was slowly creeping up on them from behind.
"Watch out!" He called out, jumping into the fray. Ulrich turned, quicked than a human should move, slashing his wand in the direction Harry pointed. What every spell the young man had cast had nasty effects. The hooded man screamed as his chest erupted in an explosion of gore and bone, smearing all over Ulrich's face, Svenja and Hermione. The blond german flinched but didn't stop in her workings on the unconscious Gryffindor.
As they saw their comrade meet his ends in such a spectacular and gory way, the attacking men altered their attack.
This had been a mistake by them, as Harry and his friends went to town on them. Harry's most trusted spell hit right on the mark, disarming his opponent just moments before a red stunner dropped the Death Eater to the ground. The mask came loose showing that it was actually a woman, with pale features and watery blue eyes.
Neville didn't bother with his wand at that moment but instead pulled something from his pocket and threw it into the face of one of the dark-robed figures. It turned out to be some kind of plant, which landed with a wet smacking sound, before roots started dashing out, wrapping around the head of said wizard. Whatever the plant was, it seemed to have horrible effects as the person dropped to its knees, screamed and started clawing and tearing at the roots.
Slashing his wand through the air like a sword, Ulrich sends a fiery whip into his first opponent's side, who dropped instantly, like a marionette with its strings cut.
The last Death Eater, whose name was actually Bryan Danielson, felt the sweat run down the inside of his mask. When the dark lord had called for them to attack Hogsmead, he had been looking forward. Mr Danielson wasn't a nice person. He wasn't a strong wizard, not going to Hogwarts but instead to one of the smaller schools, the shoe all those years ago. To this day, he envied those who went to the famous Hogwarts. At every job interview, it was always one of those entitled bastards who snatched it away. Growing up without knowing just how lucky they were and how difficult life really was. When the opportunity had arisen for him to take revenge on these pampered princes he had taken it. In hindsight, it wasn't probably the smartest move to attack witches and wizards, who were at a school that took only the best, even though they were younger than you. Bryan turned his head to look at his fallen comrades, a mistake he realised the moment he did it.
It was duelling 101, no fighting 101, never look away from your opponent. When his eyes returned his eyes to his enemies, he just saw a violet curse flying in his direction. In a panic, Danielson raised his wand, trying to shield the incoming wave of magic. With horror he saw it connect with his wand tip, ripping it into flocks of ash, taking his wand, hand and arm in a wave of pain. So much, that the man's eyes rolled back into his head and he fell to the floor, send there by the signature spell of the Ashbringer.
Ulrich eyed the small alley in front of them while they all took a much-needed breath. For the moment they seemed to be alone.
"Clear." He said, turning his eyes to the others. Neville was already by the still twitching man with the plant around his face. rubbing over the single blossom on the top, he coaxed the plant into pulling back its roots and placed it back into his pocket.
"What the hell was that Neville?" The black-haired boy asked while Dawn landed on his shoulder, rubbing her head against his. "Thanks for bringing me here Dawn."
Neville stood back up, casting a body bind in a careful motion at the man on the floor. The face of the guy was covered with puncture wounds and he looked strangely pale. "Bloodsucking Lavender. We will learn about it in the sixth year."
His friend blinked in surprise. "A blood-sucking plant we don't learn about for two more years and you carry it in your pocket?"
Neville shrugged. "The warming charms on greenhouse six are failing at the moment and therefore body warmth."
Somehow, that, more than anything got Harry laughing. "Only you Nev, only you."
The other two guys chuckled too, as Ulrich clapped on Neville's shoulder. "You must be one of the brave ones to do that."
A blush appeared on the chubby boys face. "No, I'm not that this..." Then he paled. "Hermione!" He called out, sprinting over the small cobblestone yard ad kneeled down next to Ulrich's girlfriend. She was still casting on the bushy-haired girl who was very pale herself, her face contorted in pain, no matter that she was unconscious.
"How is she?" He asked in a hurried manner while Harry and Ulrich hurriedly followed him.
Without looking up, Svenja spoke in a pressing manner. "Not good. She got hit with a blood boiling curse. I can hold it at bay but we need more than I can do for her here. We need to get her to Hogwarts fast."
Ulrich nodded, looking around again. "It sounds like the fighting is that way. If we go down this street, we should be fine. Come on." Raising his wand, the german Student levitated Hermione up. But Harry wasn't moving on.
"Are you coming Peverell?" The Grimm german looked surprised when the black-haired boy shook his head.
"No, my godfather is out there. I have to find him."
With these words, he turned around and ran down the next street, leaving the others behind. Or so he thought but while he ran he heard footsteps following him. Turning his head, he saw Neville trying to keep up with him. Harry wasn't the fastest guy but he could outrun Neville easily if he wanted to. Instead, he slowed down.
"Neville? What are you doing? Go get back!"
"What about you?" The chubby boy asked.
"I will be fine, I have to find Sirius, make sure he is okay."
Neville snorted. "Harry, he is an adult and fought in a war. He can take care of himself."
That gave Harry pause. He stopped. "What about Daphne? Or Astoria?"
That on the other hand gave Neville pause, blinking worriedly. "I saw them in that direction, trying to circle around to the school." He pointed towards east, where now smoke billowed into the sky.
Harry nodded. "I will find them."
The chubby boy shook his head, gripping the wand in his hand tighter. "No way I let you go out there alone." Harry nodded in thanks and started running again. They would find Daphne and her sister.
Sadly, someone found them first.
With a pale foot, the Dark Lord turned over the charred corpse of one of his henchmen. It smoked and the face was half-melted, half-frozen in a visage of agony. While leaning down, Voldemort, raised his wand, swinging it around in a pretty complex matter. With the last slash he cut it down, pointing it between the eyes of the corpse. Eyes turned green and glowing and with a groan, the man stood up.
"join the others." The cold voice ordered the undead creature and without any outer sign that it had understood, the marionette of flesh followed the order. With a sigh, the Dark Lord rose to his feet again looking around.
They were three chambers in and he had already lost three of his followers. Not that he cared, but if he had known that those would die this quickly, he would have brought more.
Augustus turned up on his side, leaning closer. "I guess we have a perimeter ward, triggering a transfiguration. It turns the statue into the real thing for a moment." The long finger with a broken fingernail at the end pointed at a basalt dragon statue off to the side.
The Dark Lord nodded. "It seems to be that way. Well spotted Augustus."
Voldemort could almost feel the smile in Augustus' voice when he answered. "I live to serve you, my dear lord."
From every other, even in the inner circle, this comment would have been met with rage by the heir of Slytherin. But Augustus was special, even amongst those special. His mind worked like Tom's own. It moved in the same way his own did. Yes, Augustus Rookwood lacked the power that he himself had, but he knew so much. His knowledge and insight into magic were from the same angle as Voldemorts was. And therefore, he valued his opinion and let certain things slight. Not because he was so vain that he only accepted his own point of view. Well, okay yes he did but it wasn't the only reason he listened to Augustus. Not only did the dark-haired man think like the dark lord and therefore understood his ways of thinking, Augustus had trained in certain areas that the Dark Lord never got around to delve into. Together with the two of them probably knew more about magic than any other on the planet, certain goat-beared old fools included.
They were in a circular room, with one door on each side. In front of each door was a small platform and between those a hole that seemed to go down to the core of the earth. The walls were covered in statues of different magical beasts and animals, like the dragon mentioned before. The dark lord had sent one of his men over the chasm on a bridge but before he even got both feet off the ground, the dragon has spewed fire onto the man killing him in an instant. The dark lord let his gaze drift over the room thinking for a moment. Then he smiled widely after he had followed the lines of magic around the room. With a raised wand, he animated the basilisk that was between the animals and let it slide over to where the dragon was. Its strong coils wrapped around the dragon's mouth. With a nod, Voldemort rose into the air and flew graciously over the gap in the floor. He saw from the corner of the eye that the dragon tried to move, but in the end, it couldn't get free from the grasp of the enormous basalt snake. The pale naked feet of the dark lord touched the dark grey stone of the other side and he continued walking while Augustus took one of the brooms and ordered the remaining Death Eater to levitate the Inferii over the gap. The door he walked through led into what seemed like the final room. A large hall, lined with dark columns and enormous spider webs hanging between them. The room was lid by a beam of sunlight, that fell through a hole in the roof. It illuminated a small platform.
On top of it was why Lord Voldemort had come to this remote forest. A finely chiselled Marmor sarcophagus, with the depiction of a born man, carrying a large staff in his hands. Merlin.
A smile ghosted the Dark Lords lips as he moved down the hall. Behind him he heard his followers walk into the room, the low ranked man gaping at the dusty hall. If the moment wasn't too important, Voldemort would kill him for such a show of low-level emotions. But the follower left his mind when he again looked at the Marmor object. Carefully, he climbed the stairs, his wand weaving, checking for wards or hidden traps.
Yet nothing happened. There was no magic in the room. Maybe the builders had thought that their previous traps would be enough. And wisely would they think so. No one could predict a once in a millennia protege like the great Lord Voldemort. He took the last few steps to the coffin, his smile widening. This was what he had searched for. This would be his secret weapon, with which he would conquer the world.
He stretched out his hand and laid it on the cool Marmor surface, but realised his mistake the moment his flesh touched the stone. Pain, unbelievable cruel pain shot through his entire being racing through his bones, flesh and mind. Like being on fire, drowning, freezing to death, being flayed and countless other methods of torture combined. The Dark Lord couldn't feel or think anymore, while this absolute feeling of agony rushed through his entire being. His jaw acutally dislocated as he snapped his mouth too far open in an inhuman howl.
As sudden as the pain had come, it was gone again. The Dark Lord stared at his hand lying on the stone, panting. There was actual smoke coming from his flesh. Small whisps. Taking a shuddering breath, Tom looked around. Next to him stood Augustus, lowering his wand slowly, ready to cast something new should he need.
"T-That was unexpected." The Dark Lord hissed, shaking his swimming head.
Augustus in turn nodded. "A circuit ward I would think, activating when the circle is closed." The man said, eyeing the sarcophagus carefully. Nodding his pale master came back to his senses. His attention was drawn to the low-level Death Eater who was standing a few feet away obviously trying to act like he hadn't seen anything but kept returning his gaze to the Dark Lord. Augustus following his master's gaze.
"He has seen your moment of weakness my Lord." The former unspeakable said lowly.
A green flash and the last of the expendable Death Eaters dropped to the floor face first, dead before his knees it the ground. Voldemort turned back to the coffin.
"Open it, Augustus." The Dark Lord said, not caring one onze for the dead man behind him. The member of his inner circle nodded and waved his wand carefully. In a slow-motion, the sealing plate rose to the air, drifting to the side.
The Dark lord leaned forward, peering into the white marmor sarcophagus. Lying in it was a man, who looked like he had died minutes ago. Stasis spells had kept him in perfect condition. He looked like the many drawings in many many places in Britain.
A long flowing beard was lying on his chest. Blue robes draped around his frame and a yellow belt around his waist. His head was bald, with a long beak-like nose.
And on his chest was a staff, made from simple wood with a rough gem at the top.
"Yes" Tom whispered and his laughter filled the hall, while the Inferii behind him stared on, with not a care in the world for the enormous event that just took place right in front of their dead eyes.
"My, my, my, what do we have here? Little Potty and one of his little friends all alone?"
Harry froze as the female voice echoed through the garden he was in. On the grass were lying two figures. The Greengrass sisters were curled almost in fetus position, with Daphne protecting her little sister with her own body. Neither moved, yet Harry's seeker eyes caught the slight movement of breathing. Turning his head, his worst fear was found true. He had never seen her himself but he had seen pictures and knew that to a woman who strolled into the garden was none other than Bellatrix Lestrange. Sirius cousin. turning his body, so he could shield Neville, Harry raised his wand and Dawn chirped as threatening as she could while spreading her wings. Bellatrix stopped but the grin didn't leave her face.
"Uhhh a little fighter, aren't we? Are you a fighter? Huh, Potty are you?"
"Step away from Daphne and Astoria!" Raising his chin, the black-haired boy fired off a stunning curse, which was easily deflected. "I see a fighter indeed. But a stunning spell? Really? That is all you can do? To protect those two damsels in distress? How tame and boring."
A green bludgeoning curse followed the red stunner. Again it was just deflected. Bellatrix laughed. "Better, little boy. But come on, Sirius taught you something. Anything. I mean he is a Bl-" She tried to say something but it seemed like something stopped her. Now Harry grinned.
"What is wrong Bella? Cat caught your tongue. Or can't you say, Black?" Yes, good, distract her from the two girls.
The eye of the woman twitched a little. "Careful Potty, I don't like being taunted."
The black-haired boy grinned more, even though panic rushed through him. But if he couldn't hurt her with spells he would do so with words. At least some form of win. "Really? Not even from HEIR BLACK himself? Funny how I get into the family and you, well, let's just say everybody got was they deserved."
With a snarl, Bellatrix pointed her own wand. Hit into the chest with something like a cannonball, Harry sailed through the air for about 20 feet, tumbling to the floor.
"Harry!" Neville screamed running over, clutching his friend. He didn't react. Even Dawn didn't move.
"Oh relax you crybaby, he is just unconscious. My master said he wanted to kill the brat himself. And I follow my masters lead. Yes, I do."
Neville froze, hearing again this voice. He too knew who the woman was. The one who attacked his parents, who tortured them into insanity and basically made him an orphan in everything but name. Taking one last look at his friend, Neville rose to his feet. He turned, in pure anger at the woman who grinned at him widely.
"Ohhhh, someone is a little angry. Now come on little cry baby, show me what you got. I am so bored at the moment. Make it at least a little fun."
With a snarl, the boy raised his wand, shooting a body bind at her. It was flicked aside. A second boy-bind. And a third. And disarming jinx, a jelly leg curse, a dancing jinx. All flicked to the sides like pests. Bellatrix frowned.
"That is it? I'm not good with children age, but you aren't a first year. You should know better spells than that. Come on little cry baby, show me. This isn't the time to be holding back."
"I'm not!" Again he shot first-year spell, after first-year spell after second-year spells. Third-year wasn't an option for him. Bellatrix more bored than anything swatted them to the side with ease.
"thi is getting boring. Shall we end it here? Dont you worry cry baby, I will not torture you for too long. I must bring that boy to my master after all. So how about you tell me your name cry baby, so I can write it on your gravestone huh?"
Something, somewhere deep inside of Neville burst. He just screamed at you. "Screw you, you damn bitch. You are at fault for my parent's pain. You tortured them!"
Bella laughed, shaking her raven hair. "Crybaby, I tortured so many, you parents could be anybody."
Seething with anger, Neville shot curses at her again. "Stop calling me that. I am sick and tired of people laughing at me, poking fun at me, calling me names." The raven-haired beauty watched with amusement as the boy ranted, still throwing hexes. "My name isn't cry baby or the handicap. Stop calling me the squib, the idiot, the failure. My name is Neville Longbottom!"
And with that cry, he cast a disarming curse.
And it landed.
The wand flew out of Bellatrix unfeeling fingers, soaring through the air and landing in front of Nevilles's feet. The boy himself was so surprised he didn't even catch it. The dark witch in front of him just stared at him, with wide eyes and a half-open mouth.
"N-Neville?" She whispered, blinking at him. The boy frowned, staring back.
"M-My beloved Neville? Is it really you?" She took half a step closer, completely entranced by him. She took another step closer, while the boy stared at her with utter confusion.
"My Neville, it is me. Your Bella. I found you. Finally, I found you. They hid you away oh yes but now I found you!" She pressed on, stepping once closer. Neville raised his wand.
The former Black shook her head. "No, no, you don't need to be afraid. It's me! Your Bella, your mommy!"
With a deepening of the frown on his face, the boy answered. "you aren't my mother. Why would you..."
Bella grinned. "Oh yes, I am your mommy! I won you. Defeated your former mommy in combat! Now you are mine. Coe with me. I will raise you. You are a big baby but mommy will make it all good, just you see."
"S-Stay away from me you psycho." Neville shot of a jelly leg curse and Bella dropped to the floor, but her eyes never turned away. "oh that was a naughty little one. But I am a good mommy, a little temper tantrum doesn't push me away, don't you worry. I will get my wand and then-"
She cut herself off as Neville dashed forward and grabbed the wooden object before she could reach it. Bellatrix frowned.
"Neville hun, give your mommy her wand or she has to get a bit angry. Be my good boy."
Pale as a sheet, Neville raised her wand up. "I am not your boy!" And snapped the stick in half.
For a moment, the time stopped in the garden, then the woman started shaking, shivering. Her crazy eyes turned away for a moment only to then come back staring with utter madness at the scared boy.
"That was not nice, my dear Nev. I will have to punish you for that, oh yes. Parenting is hard and you will have to learn your lesson. Now young man you come here and-"
Whatever she wanted to say, it was stopped by a red stunner hitting her right in the forehead.
Breathing heavily, Daphne lowered his wand a little to the side. Her shaking arm dropped down a little as she stared at the crazy witch. Neville turned his head, blinking then running towards her.
"Greengrass! Are you all right?" He looked her over searching for obvious wounds. With a grunt she would later deny ever have uttered, Daphne nodded, sitting up. Shivers went through her body. Her eye twitched slightly.
"A-Are you sure you don't look okay." Was the nervous and worried answer. She nodded again. No way she would tell him what she felt like. The pain still rolling through her. She had been only under the torture curse for a few seconds but it was the worst by far that she had ever felt. But she had to protect her sister. And if no magic shield could be strong enough, she would be the shield instead.
Instead of answering, she reached for her pocket, pulling out a potion vial. With a swift motion, she gulped it down. It tasted like a foul egg but at least moments later the pain ebbed away, replaced with a feeling like she was wrapped in cotton.
"You carry pain relievers with you?" Neville frowned. The Ice Queen was actually surprised that he recognised the potion at all. But then again the boy was probably the one who got into the hospital wing more often than anyone else. Again she didn't tell him that as a woman in certain times of the month it was really good to have this kind of potion on hand. Instead, she picked up her wand and woke Astoria. The girl shot up with a jerk, her head dashing around, staring at the surrounding. Daphne gripped her sister by the cheeks, holding her head in place, staring into her eyes.
"Listen to me Tory. I need you to function now! Do you understand? We have to get out of here. So be strong for me now."
The two stared at each other for a moment, before Astoria nodded, her eyes filled with unshed tears. Nodding herself. Daphne got to her feet and almost crashed down again. Her sister and Longbottom caught her, before she hit the ground. Leaning onto her sister, the Slytherin looked around.
"What are you doing here Longbottom?" Daphne asked carefully weighing herself on her sister.
"We came looking for you two. I noticed you ran his direction and when we saw the smoke we followed. Thank Merlin we did that."
Astoria nodded. "You came at the right time."
Returning the nod, Neville sighed. "Do you know what happened to Sirius? Harry was searching for him."
Again Astoria answered, while Daphne swayed slightly. "We got separated. Last I saw him he led a bunch of firsties to the school grounds."
Daphne who had somewhat recollected herself, cut into the conversation.
"Stop chatting. We have to get out of here. Longbottom, can you carry Lord Peverell?"
Resolve formed on the Gryffindors face and he walked over, picking up the black-haired boy, throwing him over his shoulders. "Uffff. Thank god he isn't Ron." Neville muttered, staggering a little under the weight. They got Dawn up as well and the Greengrass sisters moved to the way out, while Neville hesitated.
"what about her?" He pointed at the unconscious Bellatrix. Daphne hissed, turning.
"We can't carry her. Unless you want to cut her throat while she is unconscious, we can only leave her behind. Hopefully, someone of ours finds her first."
Neville stood there, still staring at the woman who destroyed his life before it began, who had hurt his family so badly, who was responsible for so much pain. With a jerking motion, he turned around.
"You are right. I will not stoop to her level. Let's go."
Minerva waved her wand and the street lamp to her right came to life. It leaned down and wrapped itself around one of the screaming death eaters. With a flick of the tip of her wand, she locked the transfiguration, making it extremely difficult for anyone but a transfiguration master to get the man free again. With a grim smile, she turned to the side, looking down the street. There were still students running around, trying to dodge the fighting and getting away to the school. Her heart clenched painfully as she saw bodies in school robes lying on the ground, not moving. Damn those bastards. What were they thinking attacking helpless school children?
And more men with dark robe were up and about. She saw one raising his wand at two second years. With a snarl and a jump, she brought herself between the adult and its victim. Only barely did she get a shield up fast enough to block out the bone crusher that hurled her way. Followed by a blood boiling curse. It was powerful but it lacked focus and finess. Minerva was certain by now that they weren't dealing with Voldemorts best. This was the scum and the idiots in the dark lords army. They were no match for a fully educated witch, even more so Minerva McGonagall. Sadly they didn't attack fully grown withes and wizards. They were hunting children like it was a sport. Minerva had a hard time focusing on her opponent, waiting for an opening. One eyes was still on the studnets, waving them with her free hand to run away.
Luckily she didn't have to wait for too long for an opening. Her enemy paused, obviously not used to fighting a longer duel. With a lightning-quick flick and cut of her wand tip, she raised the floor and curved it around the criminal, imprisoning him under the street. Again she locked the transfiguration. Taking a much-needed breath, Minerva looked around.
All around her people were fighting. To the side there was Filius, fighting four opponents at once. The small professor wasn't a European duelling champion five times in a row for nothing. He almost danced around the spells of his enemies, with a wide smile and blinking eyes. Filius was in his element. Dodging, weaving and twisting he mowed down his enemies like corn on a field.
A little further down the street was Pomona. She guarded the exit out of the street. While yes she was the Herbology professor, she was a capable one on the wand, ending her fights with simple but effective spells. Closer to Minerva was Hagrid. He didn't use a wand. Instead, he had ripped out a supporting beam from one of the houses and used it as an enormous club. Yes, his face was bloodied and he limped slightly, which was no wonder given that he was for one the largest target and two couldn't shield. But what he missed in magical capabilities, he made up in strength and constitution. Which showed when once again a stunning spell hit him right in the face and good old Hagrid not so much as blinked. Instead, he growled at the man that had shot the spell and slammed him into a brick was, leaving a crumpled heap of the man behind.
But the most noticeable of the fighters in the street was Sirius. Lord Black had instantly picked up the fight the moment he had come onto the scene and now fought with vicious intent. His long dark hair was flowing freely and he smoothly jumped and twisted, dodging his opponent's spells. And returned the fire of course. Where Minerva captured her opponents, Sirius crippled. Borderline Dark curses left his wand tip left to right and centre and were those hit people crashed to the ground like struck by lightning. Minerva frowned a little at this kind of magic but then again they were attacking children, they didn't deserve any kind of mercy. Sirius also struck down his last opponent and turned towards her. He was about to say something when his eyes got wide and he screamed "MINNIE! BEHIND YOU!"
On instinct, Minerva dropped to the floor, which saved her life. A large claw closed where just now had been her head. The headmistress of Hogwarts twisted and looked up at a snarling muzzle, brown fur and yellow eyes. One of the Werewolves stood over her, stretching out his claw towards her. Sirius tried getting there to help her but was immediately cut off by two new foes.
Minerva hastily raised her wand and shot a flaming spell into the wolves chest. It tumbled back for a few feet only to get back up, snarling, leaping towards her. Minerva scampered backwards, trying to keep the creature at a distance. But werewolves are someone spell resistant, so the wolf shrugged off the fire, blinding and concussion curse like it was nothing. Minerva raised her wand once more, ready to do more damage and sell her life as expensive as she could when an errant curse clipped the tip of the wooden object. With a howl of pain and hurt, Minerva watched her trusty old wand burst into splinters, her companion of over forty-five years. It crumbled and clattered to the ground. Her eyes for a moment stared at this thing that meant more to her than anything else before she looked back at the werewolf. It had stopped, looking at the wand as well. Then it looked at her. It even got something like a smile out. which looked extremely disturbing given that it showed all its pointy sharp teeth. At a slow pace, the wolves walked closer. In panic Minerva crawled backwards, trying to distance herself from the beast. She started throwing rubble and debris at the monster hoping to ward it off, but it bounced off her chest. She was so panicked she couldn't transform into her cat form. She had never learned to do that without a wand.
With terror in her heart, she watched the Werewolf move closer. At a jumping distance, the beast stiffened and made ready to leap at her. Then it jumped off and Minerva closed her eyes, ready for the pain.
A pain that never came. Instead, she felt something sling by near her face.
"No ya don't." A deep rumbling voice said. Carefully opening her eyes, Minerva stared up. The werewolf was still there, thrashing and clawing. But it couldn't reach her. In fact, it was hanging about three feet off the ground, grabbed by the scruff of its neck by a large fist.
Hagrid held the beast like it was just a kitten, flailing around helplessly. The large man peered down at her with his beady eyes. "Everyt'ing all rig't wit' ya Ma'am?" The good-natured groundkeeper asked. The wolf in his hand twisted and tried biting his arms.
"Ey, stop it you." The half-giant growled and lifted the wolf higher. Grabbing one of its ankles, Hagrid started smashing the werewolf into the ground again and again with such force that a few of the cobblestones came loose. After a few seconds, the wolf hung limply in his hands. Tossing it aside like a broken toy, Hagrid turned back at her.
"'eadmistress. Ya mig't want to leave, wit' no wand and so on. Could turn ugly 'ere."
Minerva, still completely in shock, nodded, while trying to find her mind and voice. Nearby being killed by a werewolf wasn't something you shack of that easily. It shook her to her core and she sat up, closing her eyes for a moment and taking a calming breath.
Smelling burning tabaco. Someone smoked. Who in their right mind would smoke on a battlefield.
"Are you in need of assistance Madam?" A voice like grinding stone behind Minerva asked. She turned and looked up. But not as high up as she thought she needed to. As the speaker was short in stature.
Captain Grungnison stood in front of her, earing his armour and coat. Over his shoulder, he carried a fearsome battleaxe, with glowing runes and in his other hand, he had actually a mug full of beer. Behind the captain stood the dwarven crew of the Schmiedegeist. Each was covered in rune crusted armour plates, carrying axes, hammers and what looked like muggle rifles but thicker and shorter. All in all, there were about forty, who all stood there with the calm of someone walking their dog or drinking a cup of tea in the morning.
"Y-Yes." She stammered out still trying to get her bearing. Grungnison nodded, turning his head slightly.
"You hear that lads? Were on! Let's give these bastards a good hammering!"
And with that, the dwarves marched into battle, as Grundgnisons voice started echoing through the streets.
"We come, we come with roll of drum: ta-runda runda runda rom!"
A curse hit the captain, but the runes on his armour only glowed brighter and he marched on.
"We come, we come with horn and drum: ta-rūna rūna rūna rom!" A sound like cracking thunder filled the street as two of the dwarves raised their guns, shooting arches of lighting into the enemies, exploding portions of the street. Rubble fell from the sky like rain, and the dwarves marched on. Some were hit by curses but only one of the dwarves fell to his knees. Meanwhile more and more voices added to the voice of Grungnison.
"To Dormengard! Though Dormengard be ringed and barred with doors of stone;
Though Dormengard be strong and hard, as cold as stone and bare as bone,"
Captain Grungnison reached the first line of the Death Eaters and his axe slashed forwards, cutting of one of the man's legs from underneath him. The poor soul fell to the ground, screaming, only to be crushed by the iron-tipped boots of the hacking and marching dwarves. All the while they didn't miss one beat of their song.
"We go, we go, we go to war, to hew the stone and break the door;
For bole and bough are burning now, the furnace roars - we go to war!"
And with this, a new chapter is done. Sorry for the really long waiting time, it was a hard few weeks and serious writers block set in. I mean I wrote like 2000 words in 5-6 weeks and then 4000 in one day. So yeah, Corona sucks and the German politic sucks too.
I won't go into too much detail about the chapter. Mostly it was a lot of small scenes I wanted to do for a long time, something I could use here that were originally planned somewhere else. I know Harry running through the town trying to find someone is something weird but he is brash and tends to snap decisions so I think it is justified. And of course, Voldei getting what he wanted all along. He is now basically ready and we head for the big battle in large strides.
The song of the dwarves is once again Tolkin this time a little bit changed the Ent march from lord of the rings, as well as the sentence of Grungnison that is stolen from the Hobbit 3. Bad movies, good dwarven battleline scenes.
There is a little nod to one of my favorite stories, Dodging Prison and stealing witches in this chapter. Read the story its a good one. Hope someone spots it.
This might not be my best chapter as a whole but a lot of fun scenes in it. I hope the next update isn't this long either.