AN: Hello! I was surprised to see that so many people jumped to the conclusion that all of Harrison's friends were dead. The war has just begun, I wasn't going to kill ALL of them at once. I know some of you will be unhappy with who died, and what happens in this chapter, but it's my story and I felt this was what was needed to finally kick the war off. I would LOVE some feedback from all of you. I also have a new poll up, I thought I had put it up with the last chapter, but it just now showed up on my profile. I would like to begin working on a new story this week, while of course still writing this story. I actually want to pick up my writing, and I hope to update this story and the new one as often as possible. Reviews really do encourage me to write, but I'd like to know what you guys like and don't like. As much as I like reviews that say "great chapter," they don't actually help me improve the story. I really appreciate all of you. Thanks (:
Fireworks exploded, bright colors painting the night sky. A red dragon soared through the air, sparks shooting from his mouth. It reminded Ginny of the first task, seeing Viktor dodging scorching hot flames as he tried to get an egg from a nesting mother. A shiver ran down her spine at the thought. The dragon exploded, dissolving into smaller fireworks which formed dozens of glittering flowers.
"They're beautiful," Ginny said in awe.
"Yes, you are," Viktor whispered in her ear.
Ginny blushed, but she couldn't hide the silly grin on her face. She leaned in closer to Viktor as a chill ran through her. She hadn't wanted to join the huge crowd near the lake, because she didn't want to be pushed and shoved. Now she was wishing she had chosen to slip into the crowd because at least she wouldn't be cold.
"Do you vant me to cast another warming charm?" Viktor asked.
"I'm ok," Ginny said with a grateful smile.
As more fireworks burst into the sky, illuminating the happy faces around her who had also chosen to stay away from the crowd, a loud scream pierced through the noise. Ginny had thought she was hearing things until she saw Viktor's wand drop into his hand, and his free hand wrapped around her wrist.
"Viktor what—" Ginny never got to ask her question, because a bench several feet away shattered into hundreds of pieces. The wood flew through the air like shrapnel. She flinched, but nothing hit her. She looked over and saw that Viktor had cast a protective shield.
Viktor looked at her, his expression furious.
"Someone put up anti-apparition vards, ve need to get out of here. Get your vand out," Viktor said sharply, his accent coming out thick, "and stay next to me."
Ginny shook as she pulled her wand from inside her coat. Viktor pulled her away from the direction of the lake, and she couldn't believe how fast Hogsmeade had descended into mayhem. She felt as if she had been transported into a war zone, as she stepped on blood soaked snow. She thought her head would explode from the high pitched screams and explosions coming from every direction. They ran past a woman whose face was contorted in a silent scream, as she rocked a bloody body, whose face was half gone, back and forth. Ginny felt bile rise in her throat, and tears fell from her eyes.
"Death Eaters!" Ginny gasped.
A wizard wearing a black cloak and a bone white mask was exchanging spells with two shop owners. Viktor's hand on her wrist tightened at her words, and he pulled her so hard she thought he might pull her arm out of its socket. She was about to pull back when Viktor stopped and she ran into him.
A Death Eater shot a curse at Viktor who threw up a shield before casting a curse of his own. Ginny knew she should keep going, but something held her still. She couldn't move her eyes away from the spells going back and forth at a dizzying rate. Suddenly, the Death Eater shot a barrage of spells, purple and yellow sickly lights coming at Viktor fast, and he appeared strained as he put up a powerful shield which flickered at each hit. Then the Death Eater sent a neon blue spell towards Ginny. She felt like she was seeing and moving in slow motion.
Ginny cast a protection shield, but it wasn't strong enough and she was blasted backwards. A pain she didn't think was possible shot from her head through her shoulder, and a scream so loud she thought her throat was going to explode ripped through the air. Her arm felt as if someone was simultaneously dipping it in hot lava and ice. She looked down and saw that her right arm looked as if it had been skinned from the tip of her middle finger to right under her shoulder. Her arm appeared to be convulsing, and another scream fled her.
Ginny felt her stomach drop and her back arched as her stomach emptied its contents. The pain was too intense and she couldn't force herself to sit up, so vomit cascaded down both sides of her face. She started choking, and she started to think that this was how she would die, when someone came behind her and pushed her up more roughly than she wanted and a whimper escaped her.
"Breathe," Viktor said. A trace of worry in his clipped tone.
Viktor pointed his wand at her throat, and she gulped in air. She began coughing, and every move felt like it would kill her causing more tears to flow down her face.
"Ve need to get you out of here," Viktor said.
"How?" Ginny croaked.
Viktor cursed in Bulgarian, as Ginny watched as two adults and a teenager dueled with a Death Eater. Her breathing began to speed up, as she realized that death and destruction was going to be the last thing she saw. With her good hand she clawed for Viktor's robes, and she dug her fist into the soft fabric. She felt herself going cold, and several times Viktor had to cast a shield charm to protect them from flying debris.
"Go," Ginny gasped out.
"No," Viktor said sharply. "I vill not leave you."
Ginny felt a flood of emotion for Viktor swell inside of her, and the pain she felt intensified. She let out a strangled whimper at the thought of him dying.
"You can't d—" Ginny's voice died in her throat when a loud crack popped through the air.
"The vards are down," Viktor said.
Ginny saw several people disappear, and dozens of aurors popped into existence. A relieved cry rang out from somewhere behind her.
Viktor wrapped his arm around Ginny's waist. "This vill hurt."
Ginny closed her eyes, a sharp pain coursed through her, and her vision went black as they left Hogsmeade behind.
Tom let out a furious growl as he slashed his wand through the air. A loud crack signaled that the anti-apparition wards had fallen. From the far side of the lake he could see buildings engulfed in flames, and see small figures running. He didn't know where Harrison was, and he wasn't going to waste time running around; so Tom pushed aside all thought and concentrated on his son. He disappeared without a sound and landed in the middle of mayhem, which he ignored as his eyes immediately landed on Harrison.
Tom's fury intensified as he saw that his son was struggling to stand up, and that blood was trickling down his face. He was going to murder everyone involved in this.
"Dad," Harrison's weak voice said. "You have to help them." Harrison hissed as his leg gave out sending him crashing to the ground.
Tom flicked his wand and Harrison's body went stiff as a board. He didn't want Harrison to move and aggravate his injuries. Tom ignored the screaming all around him as he moved quickly to his son. Harrison was having trouble keeping his eyes open. Tom absentmindedly ran his hand over Harrison's head to reassure himself, as he assessed his injuries. Harrison eyes were going in and out of focus, and Tom could tell he was struggling to remain conscious.
"Hermione," Harrison rasped. "Blaise. Dad, you—"
"You are my only priority," Tom said, his tone clipped.
"Please," Harrison said imploringly. His emerald eyes dimmed.
A surge of frustration at his son's stubbornness surged through him.
"Mipsy," Tom called.
Harrison's house elf appeared and her eyes widened upon seeing him lying stiff as a board and covered in blood. Her round eyes bulged out her her head.
"Master Harrison!" Mispy squeaked. "What has happened?"
"Mipsy," Tom said, his voice laced with venom. "Take Harrison to our healers, and inform them that if he isn't back to perfect health by the time I return, I will murder them along with their entire families and everyone they've ever met."
Mipsy nodded her head furiously. "Yes, Master."
Harrison's eyes fluttered closed, and Tom's right eye twitched as he controlled his magic that was begging to lash out. Harrison and Mipsy disappeared.
Tom looked around and his eyes narrowed when they landed on several Death Eaters fighting with the newly arrived aurors. His son was injured, and his own Death Eaters were responsible. He hadn't thought his own followers were behind the attack, as they know he would kill anyone who so much as touched Harrison. He reached out with his magic, using their dark marks to discern their identities. His fury turned to shock then back to fury when he learned the Carrow siblings were among those fighting the aurors. The many ways in which he would make them suffer before they died flashed through his mind when a voice broke through his thoughts.
"Harrison?" A weak voice slurred.
Tom turned around and his eyes immediately found a disoriented Blaise, and an unconscious Hermione. He cursed under his breath, as he walked swiftly towards his sons best friends. While doing so he used the mark to call Severus and Barty to him. Within a few seconds his two Death Eaters arrived. Tom didn't utter a word before Barty bent down and began casting diagnostic charms on Blaise and Hermione.
"Tom," Severus said. Tom knew Severus couldn't call him 'My Lord' in public. "We were alerted by Lucius as to the attack. I take it you weren't aware?" Tom gave Severus a look so cold he wouldn't have been surprised had he froze into a statue. Severus nodded then looked around at the destruction. "Were any of the Death Eaters captured?"
"I don't know," Tom said, his voice void of all emotion.
Once the anti-apparition wards had fallen, most of the people had fled, taking children with them. The only ones left were the aurors, as by now the Death Eaters had fled. Wails could still be heard as a few of the people who stayed behind mourned lost loved ones, or were too injured to apparate.
"I need to return to the Manor," Tom said. "Harrison was injured, and I need to see to his recovery."
"What?" Severus asked sharply. He had gone deathly pale.
"His injuries were numerous, but not life-threatening," Tom said. A tinge of relief in his tone. "But before I deal with the responsible parties I need to see him. You two need to find his friends, and have them sent to the infirmary wing at the Manor."
"Of course," Severus said.
Tom nodded swiftly before disapparating.
Cass jumped over an overturned chair as a loud explosion sounded behind her. She didn't look back, even when she heard blood curdling screams. Her heart was pounding, as she tried to search out for her brother. She rounded a corner and in the distance she could see Theo and Hermione. A wave of relief washed over her, but it was short lived, because the ground at her friends' feet erupted sending Hermione and Theo flying into the air and crashing back down. She ran towards her friends as shrapnel rained down on them.
Cass could see Hermione struggling to stand, but Theo didn't move. She pushed herself to move faster when a spell flew towards her from seemingly nowhere. She threw up a shield and spun in the direction she thought the spell had come from. A tall figure stalked towards her donning the Death Eater uniform. Shock jolted through her when the wizard cast a curse towards her. She deflected the curse, and was about to yell at the man that her mother was going to skin him alive, when she realized that with her mask the Death Eater didn't know who she was.
Another curse sailed towards her and she deflected it back, sending several cutting curses at the wizard in quick succession. He must not have expected a teenager to curse him back because the first two hit him and he staggered backwards. Cass used that moment to send a blasting curse at him, and the Death Eater went flying backwards, crashing through a window and sending glass cascading down onto the snow.
Cass spun back around, and her eyes searched frantically for her friends. She could no longer see Hermione, but her eyes landed on Theo who still hadn't moved. Cass' stomach jumped into her throat as she ran towards her friend. She pushed past screaming children, and dodged flying debris.
Cass tripped over a fallen bucket and landed a foot away from Theo. She looked up and froze. A killing curse could've sailed straight at her and she wouldn't have noticed. Her eyes were transfixed on Theo, not on his ashen face, but on the foot long piece of wood that was sticking out of his chest. His white shirt was stained with blood, and his chest wasn't moving.
A loud crack broke through the screams, and dozens of pops could be heard, breaking Cass out of her shock.
"Theo," Cass said urgently.
Cass grabbed Theo's arm, and his head lolled to the right. His eyes open, but void of any life.
"No, no, no," Cass pleaded.
She could see that the blood had stopped coming out of his chest, and she knew what that meant. With a shaking hand she cast a diagnostic spell and a sob tore through her body when her fear was realized. Not caring about anything, Cass pulled Theo tightly against her body, oblivious to his blood staining her dress. She rocked back and forth, her eyes glazed, and her hands entwined in Theo's shirt.
"Theo," Cass repeated over and over again.
Sobs racked Cass' body, and a pain so intense it threatened to obliterate all thought consumed her. She lost a brother she hadn't even got to know, and now one of her best and oldest friends was dead, at what appeared to be the hand of Death Eaters. Cass shook her head in denial, as a chill coated her like a second skin.
Cass thought an eternity had passed, but was in reality only five minutes when a pair of strong arms pulled her away from Theo. She didn't look to see who it was. Death himself could come for her, and she wouldn't care. Theo was dead. She didn't know where her brother was. Or Harrison. Or any of her other friends. What if they were dead too? What if they were lying all alone somewhere, their bodies twisted and mangled. What did living matter without the people she loved?
"Breathe," a deep voice said.
A hand stroked her hair, and Cass recognized the arms that were cradling her.
"Daddy?" Cass said in a small voice, the word coming out choked.
Cass hadn't called her dad by the childish name in years, but in that moment she felt as if she were two years old again. Sobs racked her body as she spun around in his arms, winding them around his neck. She was sure she was cutting off his circulation, but he didn't move away.
"He's d-d-dead!" Cass wailed. The word tasted foreign and wrong on her tongue.
Cass' body shook with a force she didn't think was possible, as Rodolphus picked her up.
"I know," Rodolphus said gently.
Cass opened her eyes at her father's words, and barely registered that she was no longer in Hogsmeade, until she saw a figure sitting with his head in his hands. Cass extricated herself from her father and ran at the figure. Strong arms wrapped around her, and hands dug into the fabric of her dress.
"I couldn't find you," Cass whimpered.
The hold Leo had on her tightened.
"I'm here now," Leo whispered so only she could hear.
Cass continued to cry into her brothers shoulder until the door slammed open, and Leo pulled away.
"Mum," Leo said.
Cass couldn't remember the last time she had heard so much relief in her brother's voice. Although, she had to admit, hearing her mum's voice made her feel for a fraction of a second, as if her world wasn't crumbling. Bellatrix marched in, a tiny cut on her right cheek. Her eyes were glowing with anger, and a worried looking healer trailed behind her.
Bellatrix engulfed the twins in a hug, and Cass could feel the relief pouring off of her. Cass knew her mum wasn't into showing worry, so Bellatrix had to have been extremely worried. Cass felt a fresh wave of tears roll down her cheeks. Bellatrix pulled away and her eyes narrowed on the blood covering Cass' dress.
"Examen my children immediately," Bellatrix snapped.
Cass didn't move, or even think, as the healer cast diagnostic spells over her and Leo. She barely heard the healer tell her parents that they were fine, only in shock, and to get plenty of rest. Cass didn't even notice when the healer left, or when her mum magicked the blood on her dress away, or opened her mouth and made her drink a calming draught.
Cass stared blankly into the roaring fireplace, as Leo wrapped his arm around her shoulders. After twenty minutes her tears slowed, until they stopped completely. Occasionally a dry sob would escape her throat, but other than that she made no noise. She didn't know how long she had been staring ahead, when suddenly images of sitting in the Slytherin common room with Theo and her friends flashed into her mind. Everything came back into focus and her head snapped up to her parents, her red rimmed eyes sharp and focused. She couldn't believe she hadn't asked. They had been all she could think about, yet she didn't know if they were ok.
"Where's Harrison?" Cass asked quickly. "Where is everyone else?"
"Harrison was injured," Rodolphus said, but quickly went on when Cass and Leo went deathly pale, "but the healers fixed him right up, although they did tell him to rest for a few days. The others had injuries as well, but nothing permanent."
Bellatrix looked sideways at Rodolphus and Cass swallowed thickly. She felt Leo's arm around her tighten.
"Who died?" Leo asked.
Cass was grateful that Leo asked, as she couldn't bring herself to do it.
"The Dark Lord called for a meeting in twenty minutes, we'll be informed of the final deaths then," Rodolphus said, "but there were two Slytherin deaths that we know of besides Theo."
Cass's breathing sped up, and she felt Leo stiffen.
"Miles Bletchley and Odette Warrington," Rodolphus said gently.
"No!" Leo said.
Cass didn't outwardly react, she was out of tears to cry. Instead her mind flashed to images of Miles flying around the quidditch pitch with Harrison, winning the Quidditch Cup for Slytherin, and of Odette running around the Slytherin common room, talking to everyone about anything. Their families were going to be devastated. Cameron Warrington doted on his twin sisters, and Odette had been inseparable from her twin Ophelia.
"Astoria and Carina are going to be crushed," Leo said quietly.
Cass closed her eyes, she had forgotten about Odette's younger sister, and Astoria and their cousin Carina's best friend, Melody. She adored her big sisters.
The pain Cass was feeling was eating her up inside. Miles had recently gotten a job at the Ministry of Magic, and now he would never reach his full potential. Odette would never fall in love and Theo…. Theo would never make her laugh again. She would never see his brown eyes dance with amusement when Blaise arrogantly boasted, or Draco knocked Ron and his friends down a peg or twelve.
"I can't do this," Cass said, as she bolted from her seat.
Cass ran from the room, and as she rushed down the hall she heard her dad say, "Leave her be."
"This way! This way!" Remus yelled.
Remus gestured wildly for people to run into the Three Broomsticks, where he was defending it from the Death Eaters along with Sirius, Arthur, Tonks, and Molly. He waved a young mother and her son into the restaurant, as a shimmering shield sprang to life in front of him. He nodded his thanks to Arthur before returning fire to the Death Eater who had sent a curse towards him.
The Death Eater flicked his wand, and fire spiraled towards the Three Broomsticks. Remus knew that if the restaurant caught fire everyone inside would burn to death. He concentrated on pulling his magic.
"Sirius, now!" Remus yelled.
Remus slashed his wand and a powerful shield flared to life, joining with a shield cast by Sirius. The fire crashed into the shield, spreading out and instantly adding ten degrees to the temperature, before the shield sucked the fire in and disappeared.
xxXXxxXXxxXXxxXx
Sirius watched as the fire disappeared. He twirled his wand, sending a curse at the Death Eater. The bone masked wizard dodged the spell, but was hit with a spell sent by Tonks. Sirius grinned, when a mane of black hair caught his attention. He turned and saw Bellatrix running in the opposition direction. His eyes narrowed, and he took off after her.
"Sirius, where are you going?" Remus shouted.
Sirius ignored his friend as he ran after his cousin. He was surprised that his cousin wasn't joining in on what he knew she considered fun. All he could see her doing was peering down alleys and blocking the occasional spell. He felt a surge of hatred for her and he pushed himself to run faster.
Sirius caught up with Bellatrix and he cast a silent spell. Bellatrix spun around and flicked her wand causing Sirius' spell to evaporate.
xxXXxxXXxxXXxxXx
A tornado of hatred tore through Bellatrix as she blocked her cousins spell. She wanted to cast the killing curse and end him for the child he stole from her. But they were surrounded by witnesses, she wasn't wearing a mask, and she had her two children to think about. She had tried locating her children via magic, but it wasn't working. Bellatrix knew one of the reasons why it wouldn't work is if they were weakened, and the thought of them lying scared and hurt made her feel terrified. A feeling she was anything but used to. She didn't have time to deal with Sirius. She needed to find her children then kill everyone responsible for putting them in harms way.
"Attacking a lady in public," Bellatrix sneered, "I would be careful if I were you, cousin. You know how the press can be."
Sirius' eyes flashed with anger and annoyance. "You and I both know you're no lady."
Bellatrix smiled, a cold smile that showed no warmth.
"Then go ahead and do your worst," Bellatrix said. "Give me a reason to kill you, or stay out of my way."
Bellatrix stared into Sirius' eyes and something flickered in their depths.
xxXXxxXXxxXXxxXx
Bellatrix looked at Sirius as if he were a disgusting spider she would love no more than to step on. Sirius knew that if he attacked her again she would attack him with all she had. The brash part of him wanted to do it, to send a spell soaring towards her, but she was right, someone would see that he attacked her and he'd be right back in Azkaban. And he'd never find Harry. As much as he wanted to see Bellatrix dead or in Azkaban, he wanted to be with Harry more.
Sirius mentally cursed himself for going after her in the first place, but he had a hard time controlling himself when Bellatrix was involved. Sirius stared back at her, and Bellatrix smirked before running off. Sirius watched her leave and a shiver ran down his spine.
The large marble room felt small and the air seemed thick. The meeting chamber was packed with Death Eaters. Anger and confusion was palpable as Alecto and Amycus Carrow, John Dawlish, Erik Anderson, and eight other Death Eaters were marched into the room, their hands magically bound.
Tom's eyes roamed over the room, and he could see that many of his followers were having difficulty hiding their anger. Bellatrix stood in the front and he could see the warring in her eyes, she wanted to kill them outright, but Tom had ordered his followers to do nothing, yet he could see her desire to end them. Tyler Bletchley stood off to the side, his face frozen. Samuel Knott, a member of his inner circle, and one the most stoic men Tom knew, was shaking slightly in anger and grief. Behind Samuel stood Craig Warrington, the usually sour man kept glancing to his right where his son normally stood. Tom knew Cameron Warrington before he had become a Death Eater, back when he played quidditch at Hogwarts with Harrison. Tom knew the young man would have a hard time controlling his emotions around the people responsible for his sister's death, and Tom didn't need his followers emotions getting in the way today.
The meeting hall was silent, not a breath could be heard as the twelve Death Eaters reached the dais and knelt before Tom. It was nearing three in the morning, and all of them bore marks from last nights battle. Tom didn't care if they were in any pain, and he knew some of them were. There was no reason for a dying man to be made comfortable.
Tom stood from his seat and Alecto flinched. He could feel the fear pouring off the twelve traitors. Erik glanced sideways at Amycus and Tom strode towards the eldest Carrow.
"Stand and move forward, Amycus," Tom ordered coldly.
Amycus stood, his countenance confident, but his posture betraying his fear. Amycus took a few steps forward. Tom walked around him once, not saying a word. He could see Amycus tense up further. Tom still didn't say anything as he walked back up the dais and sat on his intricately carved throne. Nagini slithered up the back of his throne, and her tongue flicked in and out near his face. Tom reached up and stroked her head. Amycus swallowed.
"Do not for one second think of using fancy words to trick and deceive," Tom said. "Tell me why you thought you could don the robes and mask of my loyal followers and lead an unauthorized attack that resulted in the death of children to followers loyal to me. It was your idea after all, Amycus, was it not?"
"Yes, my Lord," Amycus said. His voice faltering. Tom's eyes bore into his. "I did it for you, my Lord. We did it for you."
"For me?" Tom asked, his words coming out almost as a hiss.
"We wanted to please you," Amycus said hurriedly, sweat beading around his forehead. "You prize initiative, my Lord. We struck fear into the hearts of Britain, as you wanted!"
"As I wanted?" Tom said slowly, his voice quiet, but still everyone heard him. "If I want something I get it, I don't need the likes of you to do so for me." Amycus flinched, and Tom continued to stroke Nagini. "What you did wasn't initiative, it was betrayal."
"Never!" Erik yelled.
"Silence!" Tom ordered. "I wasn't speaking to you."
Tom didn't spare the young Death Eater a glance, and continued to look at Amycus.
"Your initiative," Tom sneered, "led to my son being injured."
Amycus swallowed hard. "I would never have intended—"
"But you did!" Tom roared, his eyes flashed red. "And you are responsible for the deaths of three of my followers children." Nagini hissed and Tom stroked her scales. "What you accomplished, Amycus, wasn't the striking of fear into Britain. It was the destruction of months of my planning. Attacking at such an event, not caring who you murdered, it does nothing but hinder my goals. Dozens of neutral witches and wizards are now dead. You and the fools who followed you didn't care who you struck down."
The kneeling Death Eaters grew more pale with every word Tom said.
"Instead of killing those who oppose me, you slaughtered those who wouldn't defy me," Tom said, "and those who stood by me. Nearly a hundred witches and wizards injured, and do you know how many light witches and wizards you murdered? Fifteen. Do you know how many neutral you murdered? Thirty. Children? Seven. Out of those seven, four were under the age of eleven. Three of those, children of wizards here. Murder muggle children, that is of no consequence to me, but magical children? That will do nothing but hinder people from supporting me."
"I'm—" Amycus began, but Tom held up a silencing hand.
"I will not hear your sniveling apologies," Tom sneered. "All of you betrayed me, but you most of all, Amycus." Tom gestured to Amycus and spoke in parseltongue, "A present, my dear."
Tom saw the moment Amycus realized what was going to happen. He scrambled backwards and tripped, his head smacking the marble floor with a thud that echoed around the room. Nagini opened her mouth, her fangs dripping with venom, and she sunk them into his torso. Amycus screamed, and the remaining traitors were frozen in shock and horror, with the exception of Alecto.
Alecto closed her eyes, and a single tear fell down her cheek, as she tried to block out what was happening to her brother. Tom watched in fascination as Nagini took another bite from Amycus as he attempted to get away from her. A few of the Death Eaters looked ill, but no one turned away.
After a minute, Amycus began to convulse, and his skin turned green from the poison. A whimper like sound escaped Amycus' throat, before Nagini unhinged her jaw and began to swallow him beginning from his head. Tom looked around the room and saw the satisfaction on Bellatrix' face. The room watched in horror and awe, as Nagini finished her meal, no one uttering a word. Several minutes later, Nagini let out a satisfied hiss and slithered up the dais.
Tom stroked Nagini when she slithered back up his throne. "Good girl". Nagini hissed in pleasure.
Tom looked towards the still kneeling Death Eaters and stood. He had never seen such fear, and the looks made him smile maliciously, which compounded their terror.
"I want everyone to see what happens to traitors," Tom said. "To those who think they know what it is I want. When you act without orders, that is the fate that will await you." His gaze landed on Alecto. "I must confess myself disappointed in you, Alecto. I thought you cared about your family more."
"Please," Alecto through herself forward. With her arms bound she fell awkwardly onto her arms. "Leave my children alone. They're children."
"You killed children," Tom said coldly, "why should I not take yours in return?"
"Please!" Alecto lost all composure and began to sob. "Not my children, not my children!"
"Enough!" Tom sneered. "Begging isn't becoming."
It took her a minute, but Alecto forced herself back up to her knees.
"None of you," Tom said, "thought of your families. Had you, none of you would've been foolish enough to partake in this little power hungry scheme. For that is what it was." His eyes scanned the eleven now extremely panicked looking Death Eaters. "But I am a merciful Lord." Tom wanted to laugh at their relief. "I will spare your families." He paused. "But the cost of your actions will be your lives."
"My Lord, I beg of you," John Dawlish said, his eyes wide.
"Spare us, Dawlish," Tom said contemptuously. "I am disappointed in you most of all. You are an auror. You know more than most how the average wizard would see the murders of wizarding children." He looked to Samuel, Craig and Tyler. "Your children were murdered at the hands of these traitors. I will allow you a chance for retribution." He waved his hand in a come forward gesture.
"No, please!" Dawlish begged. "I'll do anything."
"I will not tell you again," Tom said coldly before looking out at his Death Eaters. "Rabastan, you were instrumental in ensuring all of these traitors were brought before me to pay for what they've done. You may take Miss Carrow to the dungeons and do with her as you wish." Alecto whimpered as her shoulders slumped. "But ensure she's dead by evening's end."
Rabastan smiled with pleasure as he grabbed a shaking Alecto by the arm, and she began to shriek. Alecto knew what Rabastan was capable of, and she tried to fight him off. Rabastan laughed as he dragged her from the room.
Samuel, Craig and Tyler walked forward, their wands falling into their hands.
"Do as you wish," Tom said, with a careless wave of his hand.
"You didn't let us explain!" Erik shouted. "I'm loyal! Please!"
"Save your energy," Tom said callously. "You're going to need it."
Tom watched as curses flew from the three wizards wands. The ten traitors yelled in pain, and begged for their lives. Tom was pleased that the three wizards chose to play with them first instead of outright killing them. Tom smiled at Samuel's creativity when Dawlish's skin began to bubble and melt off. The screams echoed, making it sound as if a hundred men were shouting.
Tom continued to stroke Nagini, and the Death Eaters watched as the minutes turned into an hour. Finally, jets of green began to shoot from the three wizard's wands and ten badly mangled bodies laid lifeless on the marble floor.
Samuel stared at the bodies before walking up to the dais. He bowed low.
"If it pleases you, My Lord," Samuel said, "I need to see to my son's funeral arrangements."
"Of course," Tom said.
Samuel inclined his head respectfully before disapparating. Craig and Tyler did the same, leaving Tom with the rest of the Death Eaters he'd summoned.
"Let this be a reminder to all of you," Tom said, his eyes scanning his followers. "I will not tolerate betrayal. Next time I won't be so lenient." His eyes flashed red. "Tell those of my followers who are not here today what you witnessed. Their absence will not be an excuse for this sort of treachery." He waved his hand. "Go."
The Death Eaters disapparated with the exception of his inner circle. They walked forward, stepping over the dead bodies of their former allies, as if they were no more than muddy puddles they wished to avoid stepping in, until they were directly in front of the dais.
"What is it you need us to do, My Lord?" Severus asked.
Tom tapped his long fingers against the arm of his throne.
"Lucius," Tom said, his eyes focusing on the blonde, "I need you to meet with Rita Skeeter immediately. Ensure that this morning's Daily Prophet includes an anonymous tip about these followers acting against my orders."
Tom turned to Evan Rosier. "Take Dawlish's body to the Ministry morgue. Forge paperwork making it look as if he died protecting someone in Hogsmeade. It can never be known that he was a Death Eater."
"Severus," Tom continued, "go to Dumbledore and see what he knows. Report back to me as soon as you can get away."
Tom looked at Walden Macnair. "The Carrow's were known to experiment with magic. Take Alecto's body along with Erik's to Amycus' Manor, and make it look as if they had an accident. The bodies will be burnt beyond recognition, and magical testing will be impossible. The Ministry won't realize one of those bodies isn't Amycus'."
"You will," Tom continued to Thorfinn Rowle, "dispose of the rest of the bodies. Mix their corpses with those who died in Hogsmeade." Tom stood up. "The rest of you, keep your eyes and ears open. I want to know what people are saying about this event. Dismissed."
The rest of the Death Eaters disapparated, and Tom walked briskly from the room, Nagini slithering at his side.
Although still furious over the previous evenings events, Tom found himself wanting to laugh at the discomfort on Pierre's face. Fleur and Harrison had insisted on staying with each other, and after the death of one of his best friends, Tom couldn't bring himself to crush his son. Fleur's father felt that after her having to witness in his words, "uncalled for horror," that he should do anything to make her happy. So they found themselves having breakfast together a few hours after Tom had dealt with his traitorous followers, as the Delacour's would be staying in their Manor for a few more nights before returning to Paris.
Pierre was reading a French newspaper, but Tom could see the discomfort written all over him at having breakfast with the Dark Lord. Although, Tom was pleased that thanks to the bloodbath at Hogsmeade Pierre admitted that something drastic needed to be done. Pierre agreed that when Tom succeeded in taking over Britain, he would give his support, if only to prevent the mayhem that comes along with anarchy.
Much to Tom's amusement, Pierre had said with a sigh, "It will be better to align myself with the devil than attempt to fend of a dozen at once."
Normally Tom would enjoy torturing someone for such a remark, but he needed Pierre on board, and he found the French man's honesty amusing. Allies now or not, Pierre still appeared to be walking on eggshells around him.
A fluttering sounded, and Pierre looked up from his paper. Several issues of the Daily Prophet were dropped onto the table. Tom immediately snatched one up.
Bloodbath in Hogsmeade
by Rita Skeeter
My dearest readers, it is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the events that transpired last night, at Hogsmeade's New Year's Eve masquerade bash. Hundreds of witches and wizards had descended upon Hogsmeade Village to watch fireworks and celebrate the New Year with entertainment and good food. However, merriment was soon replaced with terror.
The number is not known for certain, but is estimated that between ten and fifteen Death Eaters attacked, but not before putting up anti-apparition wards from Hogsmeade Lake to the edge of the village. The revelers were caught unaware, and in the shock of not being able to disapparate, were slaughtered mercilessly. The murder count is estimated at sixty, while more than one hundred people were taken to St. Mungo's Hospital to be treated for injuries ranging from mild to the severe.
It is confirmed that the attackers were Death Eaters. However, I can confirm that a source within the Ministry of Magic has definitive proof that the Death Eaters in question weren't working under Voldemort's orders, and were in fact punished for the attack. As the investigation is still ongoing, no evidence can be given publicly.
Immediately following the attack, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones, had this to say. "Unfortunately, our aurors were stretched thin, and due to the anti-apparition wards, aurors could not immediately respond to the scene. Because of this, we were unable to capture or identify any of the Death Eaters responsible for this evening's atrocity. However, I am thankful to be able to say that the Department of Magical Law Enforcement has sent out a plethora of auror acceptance letters. These individuals will begin auror training on the 5th of January. In six months time, there will be a new batch of well trained aurors ready to defend the citizens of Britain."
I will keep my readers informed as this story develops.
Tom smiled, he could always count on Rita to twist stories in his favor.
Luna's breathing evened out, as Harrison stroked her hair. Harrison looked down into her strained face and felt a pang in his stomach. He hadn't slept at all last night. After everything that had happened in Hogsmeade he had been in shock. He had spent hours blowing things up and screaming. Even when Fleur dragged him onto his bed and they had sex, he felt miserable and empty. He had forgotten about Luna until she had walked into the room, a vacant expression on her face. In that moment he had felt guilty for forgetting that Luna was hurting, and that she blamed herself for Theo and the other's deaths.
Harrison spent hours telling her all the reasons why what happened wasn't her fault. He knew Luna, had she been able to prevent it she would've. Harrison was furious for Theo's death, but not at Luna. She had thought she had prevented the deaths she had seen. It turns out she had prevented all but one.
"We should go now," Fleur said quietly.
Harrison nodded absentmindedly as he leaned down and kissed Luna on the forehead. A few of the worry lines on her forehead disappeared, and Harrison stood up. He followed Fleur into the hall and gently closed the door behind him.
"You look exhausted, Harrison," Fleur said. "We should get some sleep."
"I can't," Harrison said, "not yet."
He didn't want to tell Fleur that he doubted he would be able to sleep even if he laid down. He didn't want to dream about Theo.
"You've seen all your friends," Fleur said gently. "They're ok."
"Not all of them," Harrison said coldly.
Fleur flinched, and Harrison sighed at her reaction. He pulled her into his arms.
"I'm sorry," Harrison said. "I just…."
"I know," Fleur whispered.
Harrison pulled away as guilt welled up inside of him. Images kept flashing through his mind — Theo talking animatedly, Odette giggling, Miles giving him a high five after they won a quidditch match. He kept wondering if he could've done something to prevent their deaths. He swallowed before looking at Fleur.
"Cass has been having a horrible time lately, and I'm worried about her," Harrison said.
"You need to worry about yourself, Harrison," Fleur said worriedly. "You need to sleep."
"I just need to make sure she's ok," Harrison said seriously.
"Ok," Fleur sighed, "but I'm coming too."
xxXXxxXXxxXXxxXx
"You didn't have to come by," Leo said, his face etched with exhaustion.
"I know," Harrison said.
Leo gave him a grateful smile as the three of them walked to Cass' room.
"I tried sleeping, not even a draught would work," Leo ran his hands through his hair. "I don't know what to do without…"
A heavy silence filled the hall.
"I know," Harrison said finally.
They reached a set of tall double doors. Leo knocked, and didn't wait for a response before pushing them open. For a moment Harrison wondered if he had been hit on his head harder than he thought last night and that he was hallucinating.
"What the hell!" Cass yelled, grabbing a silk blanket and covering her naked body.
"What the fuck!" Leo roared, as he stalked towards the four poster bed, stepping on a discarded robe.
"Leo—" Blaise was cut off when he had to dodge a jet of red light coming from Leo's wand.
Harrison watched as a naked Blaise began fumbling for his wand in a pair of wad up slacks. Fleur's gasp pulled him out of his shock and Harrison waved his wand, Leo and Blaise immediately froze like statues.
"Undo the spell, Harrison," Leo snapped. "I need to kill him!"
"Don't touch him," Cass snapped. Tears brimming her eyes. "What is wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with me?" Leo growled. "What's wrong with you? Sleeping with Blaise?" He glared at Blaise. "You're supposed to be one of my best friends, and you go and have sex with my sister."
"I can do what I want," a furious Cass yelled.
Cass stormed over to her brother, a silk blanket barely covering her body. She got in Leo's face.
"Don't you dare treat me like I'm a baby, Leo," Cass snapped. "I can make my own decisions."
"You–" Leo began.
"Enough!" Harrison shouted. "I'm going to take the spells off, and if any of you attack each other I am going to do worse than cast a freezing charm." He waited a few seconds before ending the charms.
Blaise immediately grabbed his green boxers and hurriedly put them on. Leo's hands were balled into fists as he glared between Cass and Blaise.
"Look at me," Harrison said. No one did. "Look at me!" Harrison yelled.
Everyone turned to look at him. Cass looking both mortified and hurt, Leo furious, and Blaise looked guilty.
"What has gotten into you three?" Harrison demanded. "Last night our friends died. Three people we cared about died." He looked at each one in turn. "Theo is dead, and he isn't coming back. The three of you are siting here yelling at each other, and threatening to kill one another. This is the time when we need to be there for each other more than ever. Leo, what would you do if Blaise actually did die?" Leo blanched. "Exactly. You know Blaise, he wouldn't intentionally hurt Cass, ever. If they want to have sex because they like each other or just want comfort, who are you to tell the they can't?" Leo looked away.
"I'm not a child," Cass said. "Not that I have to explain myself to any of you, but I needed comfort and Blaise…" She looked at Blaise. "I don't know what this is, ok? But I do know that it isn't your business Leo." Tears fell down her cheeks. "What I do know is that for five minutes I wasn't thinking about holding Theo's dead body. Seeing his lifeless eyes staring up at me, knowing that he wasn't seeing me at all."
Blaise walked over and put an arm around Cass. Harrison saw Leo stiffen, but the Lestrange heir didn't move. Blaise began to rub Cass' arm.
"I wouldn't hurt her," Blaise said. He looked at Leo, and Harrison could see the sincerity in his eyes.
Leo nodded stiffly, but he still looked angry.
"Are you ok, Cass?" Harrison asked.
"I will be," Cass said quietly.
"We should probably go," Fleur said, with a glance towards Cass.
"Leo," Harrison said. "Fleur's right. All of our emotions are high right now. We need to rest before we say or do things we'll regret."
Leo jolted to attention. "Right."
Leo looked awkwardly at Blaise and Cass before walking quickly from the room.
"He'll be fine," Harrison told a worried looking Cass.
Harrison grabbed Fleur's hand before following Leo from the room.
"Are you sure you don't want anymore pumpkin juice?" Molly fretted.
"I'm fine, mum," Ginny said exasperated.
Bill forced an amused smile on his face, as he watched his mother smother his little sister. It had been almost a week since the attack in Hogsmeade, and Molly was still treating Ginny as if she were a toddler. He knew Charlie, Percy, and the twins were sick of it too, but Molly wouldn't let the twins leave until Christmas break was over and they had to return to school, and she had been insistent on the older boys coming over for dinner every night. Bill wanted to say no, but he knew Voldemort wanted any information he could get, and as Percy worked most nights, and Charlie was currently out of the country for work, it meant Bill had to go alone. So here he was listening to the Molly complains and worries for an hour show.
"Leave her alone, mum," Ron complained. "She's fine."
Bill felt a twinge of disgust every time Ron spoke. Bill had learned of Theo's death when he had been at St. Mungo's with Ginny along with the rest of his family. He had felt as if someone had stabbed him in the stomach, and for the first time since they were children Fred and George had cried. He could still remember the look of disgust and confusion on Ron's face when he asked why they were crying over a Slytherin. Charlie and Percy had to hold the twins back. Although he could tell they wanted to let them attack Ron. Molly had yelled at Ron for almost an hour, but Ron still didn't get it. Ron truly didn't understand that a fourteen year old dying was sad no matter what their house. But in a true Ron fashion, he only felt sad over the deaths of those not in Slytherin.
"Ronald Weasley!" Molly barked. "Your sister was in excruciating pain for an entire day while the healers worked on fixing her arm, and it still isn't completely healed. She could've died!"
"Mum," Ginny said, "the healers said that I'll be back to one hundred percent in a month. I'm fine, honestly."
"Exactly, in a month," Molly said, "which means you still need to be taking it easy."
Ginny sighed, as she picked at her dessert.
"Molly, dear," Arthur said gently, "Ginny doesn't like to talk about that night, and she says she's fine. We should leave her alone, and if she needs something she'll tell us."
Molly glared at Arthur.
"Dad," Bill cut in, "Dumbledore didn't have much to say the other day, is there any more news?"
"Bill!" Molly chastised.
"Finally," Fred said.
"Something interesting," George finished.
"Oh, no you two don't," Molly said. "Kids go to your rooms."
"Mum," Ron whined, "we know what's going on, it's in the papers."
"The papers don't tell you everything, Ronald," Molly said, "now go to your rooms."
Molly shooed the kids away and Arthur put up silencing charms.
"Bill, you know better than to bring up Order business in front of—" Molly began, but was cut off by Arthur.
"Molly, he's just worried, can't you tell?" Arthur said.
Bill forced a sheepish look onto his face and he rubbed the back of his neck. Molly sighed, stood up, and began clearing off the table.
"Well, Bill," Arthur said, as he leaned back in his chair, "there isn't much new information to report I'm afraid. Dumbledore did find out something interesting, but he doesn't know what to make of it…"
"Oh?" Bill said.
"It wasn't reported in the papers," Arthur said, his brows furrowed, "like the Carrow's deaths were, but nearly a dozen suspected Death Eaters were found mixed in with the rest of the bodies from Hogsmeade."
"Really?" Bill asked. He had been wondering if Dumbledore had learned about the bodies Voldemort had mixed in with the rest.
"Yes," Arthur answered. "Dumbledore has a source at the Ministry morgue who told him that he didn't believe they were really killed in Hogsmeade. Apparently there were signs of prolonged torture. And you know that what happened in Hogsmeade was over in less than twenty minutes."
"That doesn't make any sense," Bill said.
"Exactly," Arthur said. "Something's up. We just can't figure out why Voldemort would kill a bunch of his Death Eaters then make it look like they themselves were murdered by Death Eaters. It doesn't make any sense."
So Dumbledore and the Order were clueless then? That was good to know.
"It sure doesn't," Bill agreed.
AN: PLEASE REVIEW! & Answer the NEW poll on my page! & a HUGE thank you to all of the lovely reviews and PMs that I received after the last chapter, I truly appreciate them more than you know! They're what made me want to get this chapter out ASAP! :)
& I know there will be at least one person who is going to ask...Yes, Theo's death is going to have meaning. They aren't going to cry about it every three seconds, but his death, and the two other Slytherins Harrison is friends with, will continue to have effects beyond what was shown in this chapter.