Chapter 26- Separated

Death Eaters came out of the forest from all sides and quickly surrounded the stunned group of professors and aurors. The professors and aurors stopped going for their wands. There were too many Death Eaters for them to stop and before they could start a spell fifty Death Eaters could kill them. John pushed Harry and Anaka behind him as an evil laugh filled the air. The Death Eaters in front of him parted and John's eyes widened as Voldemort strolled towards him. He continued to laugh and threw his arms in the air.
"To simple," he cried, "to simple indeed. Already you are beaten. How long did it take? 1? 2 minutes?"
John narrowed his eyes and stared defiantly at Voldemort.
"We are not beaten yet," he spat. Voldemort narrowed his eyes and smiled evilly at John.
"Ah. The Miffugan boy. Or should I say it? What are you exactly? I bet you could put your powers to more use if you were with me."
"I would use them to kill you," John said quietly.
"Try," Voldemort hissed.
As John took a deep breath and started to reach for his wand Voldemort took his wand out in one quick movement and the auror next to him dropped to the ground, dead.
John stopped moving and Voldemort's smile widened.
"Perhaps we can come up with a compromise?"
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Leslie's fingers were starting to go numb on her left hand. Pain shot up her arm and it was twisted and bent in an odd angle. Leslie knew at once that it was broken.
"This is not a good day for the left side of my body," Leslie mumbled.
The creature twisted her arm even more and Leslie gasped.
"Why will you not look at my face? Are you afraid?" the creature hissed.
"No, why should I be?" Leslie said through clenched teeth, "would you mind if I made a suggestion?"
"What?"
"Can you do whatever you are going to do to me soon? I would like to get it over with."
The creature laughed and let go of Leslie. She sat on her heels and cradled her broken arm.
"Voldemort would be pleased if I brought him you," the creature mused, "It might even make my real targets come to me."
"Who are your real targets?" Leslie asked, still staring at the ground.
"You will learn soon enough," the creature replied.
Leslie let out a defeated sigh.
"I guess I do not have a choice huh? I have to go with you."
The creature forced Leslie to look up and soon she was frozen by its stare.
"You have no choice," it said with an evil smile.
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"What compromise?" Dumbledore demanded. He walked in front of John. Professors McGonagoll, Snape, and Lupin stood next to him. 4 aurors stood behind them, eyeing the nearby Death Eaters.
John smiled slightly as Dumbledore and Voldemort stared at each other. It was visible that Voldemort was uneasy around Dumbledore.
"You give me what I want and you keep your pathetic lives for now," Voldemort replied.
"What is it you want?" Remus asked.
Voldemort surveyed the group of professors and aurors. John looked around for his parents and was surprised when he noticed two quick flashes of color behind the Death Eaters.
"I would like for you to give me…" Voldemort started when suddenly the Death Eaters nearby started to cry out in pain.
Others seemed to be frozen in place and some collapsed. The Death Eaters still standing were looking around frantically for the attackers and the group of captives took advantage of it. They ran past the Death Eaters into the forest. They dodged spells and sent back some of their own. They came out on a small hill over looking a clearing.
They ran down the hill and stopped. They set up a watch on the hill and prepared for an attack. John was gasping for breath when two blurs came out of the forest towards them. They stopped in front of him and he laughed. His parents were smiling in their Zekan forms.
"How was that?" his father asked.
"That was great dad!" John replied. He quickly changed himself and soon everyone was staring at them.
"At least we have a fair chance now," Alania said proudly.
Dumbledore smiled and shook his head.
"I do not know how you did it but I know we owe you."
"Nonsense," Rich cried, "you would have did something if we had not."
They talked for a few minutes and then decided on what to do. They set up a watch on the hill and waited. There was no way for them to get supplies and there was little food to eat. For the rest of the day everyone stayed on alert, waiting for Voldemort to make his move. The moon was high in the star filled sky before any sign of Voldemort and the Death Eaters was seen. Remus and Anaka transformed in the nearby forest. Sirius stayed with them in his dog form and they all trotted back to the make shift camp. Remus ignored the uneasy stares they received and walked up the hill. It was time for Anaka and Remus to take the watch and they paced from one side of the hill to the other. It was quite unsettling for the professors and aurors to look up at the hill and see two wolves prowling above them, looking from side to side.
Anaka was just noticing a change in the way the wind smelled when her father started to growl. The hair on his back was raised and he was baring his teeth in a snarl. Anaka realized what it was and howled. Her father joined her and soon everyone in the camp was awake and running about.
"What is it Remus?" Dumbledore asked, running up the hill.
Sirius sat next to Remus and sniffed the air. As he started to growl it became evident what had bothered them. Death Eaters were walking slowly out of the forest. There was no sign of Voldemort as they walked up the hill, faces hidden by their robes. John started to walk down to meet them when Dumbledore stopped him.
"We wait for them to come to us," he said quietly, "we fight fair."
John nodded reluctantly and they walked down towards the camp. The professors and aurors watched as the Death Eaters lined up on the hill. Their hearts pounded in their chests as they searched for Voldemort, wondering if he would come out and kill them all any minute. With a roar the Death Eaters ran down the hill. Everyone gripped their wands as the real battle begun.
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Leslie struggled against the monsters stare but could not move. She would have fell to the floor if she could have but she was frozen in her strange position. The creature moved away from her.
"Stand," it hissed.
Leslie was surprised when her legs suddenly started to move. She was standing before she knew it and her heart sank. This is not good, she thought, if this monster could take control of someone's entire body and make them do whatever it wanted then she was in big trouble. If Voldemort had this power then a lot of people were in danger.
The creature moved back two steps and to Leslie's horror she moved forward two steps. It smiled evilly and started to walk down the hall. Leslie's body jerked and she started to walk after the creature. She could not help but start to panic. Leslie tried to take a deep breath and was surprised to find that she could. Leslie was not looking in the creature's eyes, yet it seemed to control most of her. What other surprises did this creature have?
Leslie's right hand was numb and had that strange tingling feeling. She tried to move her fingers and her index finger twitched slightly. Her spirit grew from the small triumph as they walked out of Hogwarts and towards the Forbidden Forest.
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Remus and Anaka, bloody and bruised, walked along the look out point on the hill. They searched for a target in the jumble of fighting bodies. The moon was high in the sky and it was no surprise for Remus to see the dead and wounded scattered around the field. They trotted down the hill and headed for a group of Aurors who were surrounded by Death Eaters. They dodged spells and bit at the Death Eaters heels. The Aurors slipped away, countering the spells the Death Eaters sent at them. Remus and Anaka howled as the Death Eaters separated and started to get lost in the mass crowd in the center of the field. Dumbledore, Severus and most of the main battle was going on there. Remus and Anaka were supposed to watch the outskirts and help those that had been separated from the group. There was still no sign of Voldemort and that did not help matters. Everyone was nervously eyeing the forest as they fought.
Anaka sniffed the air. It was not the usual fresh, crisp night air. It was filled with blood, burning flesh, death, and fear. Remus growled softly to his daughter and they continued to make their rounds around the clearing.
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Leslie watched the creature walking in front of her. It had not looked at her since they left Hogwarts and she was now able to control all of her hand. She flexed it and started to work out the numbness in her wrist. Her left arm was hanging at her side, uselessly, broken at an odd angle.
They came to a small opening in the forest and Leslie heard the small trickling of a stream. She looked around and her heart stopped. A familiar figure was sitting on a rock smiling at her. He stood up and stroked her check as she glared at him.
"So this is the valiant little spy," he hissed.
"Voldemort," Leslie spat. It came out as a sputter and Voldemort laughed. Leslie blushed, she had not really concentrated on working out her mouth.
"Yes," he said softly, "and just you wait till you see what I have planned for you."
Leslie's eyes widened as the creature knocked her unconscious.
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Remus and Anaka were guarding their small make shift hospital when there was a loud scream. There had been so many screams since the beginning of the battle that Remus ignored it. By now the moon was getting lower and Remus knew they would be in their human selves soon. Madame Pomfry looked at them as she bandaged an injured wizard.
"You better see what that's about. It did not sound like someone in pain," she said. They barked in reply and trotted to where Dumbledore was planning a strategy with some aurors. Remus did not know what Madame Pomfry was expecting but Dumbledore would be sure to know about it. He looked up as they approached.
"What is it Remus?" he asked. Remus whined softly.
"We have no time for his nonsense," Severus snapped. Dumbledore looked at him in surprise. Severus was walking briskly towards them.
"Voldemort's arrived and he's brought some friends," Severus replied.
One of the Aurors gasped and Dumbledore looked at the ground.
"Continue planning," he answered, "I will go deal with this," he looked at Remus, "perhaps you should come Remus. Anaka, go look for Harry."
Anaka barked and ran to find Harry. Severus led the way, followed by Dumbledore and Remus. Remus glanced at the moon. It seemed to be getting lower every minute. As they came to the front of the crowd Remus realized the fighting had stopped. All the Death Eaters were retreating to stand behind Voldemort and all the professors and aurors were standing quietly in a bunch behind Dumbledore.
Dumbledore's eyes widened at the sight before him.
"Do not look in its eyes," Severus whispered. Dumbledore obeyed cautiously. It certainly explained why some of the professors and aurors were standing like stone behind him. This large thing in front of them was the cause of what had troubled Hogwarts. Dumbledore could not tell what it was by looking at it.
His eyes fell on the women he was holding in his arms. He knew Remus saw it too for he whined and started to growl furiously. Leslie was beaten and bruised and blood was soaking the ground under her. Her left arm seemed to be broken and Dumbledore knew she needed medical assistance immediately. Her head hung limply over the creature's arm.
Voldemort was smiling evilly beside them.
"What do you want Voldemort?" Dumbledore asked softly, "What reason do you have for holding this girl?"
"You will know soon enough," Voldemort replied. He glanced at the moon and his smile widened. He looked at Remus.
"As soon as the moon goes down," he said quietly, "Till then," he shrugged. He turned quickly and headed for the forest. The Death Eaters surged, confused, around him. They followed him into the forest and soon all was quiet.
"Get the wounded to the hospital," Dumbledore cried, giving out orders, "collect the dead and then everyone meet with me!"
Remus struggled with his feelings as he watched Dumbledore and Severus leave. He caught Severus eye as he passed and found almost the same feelings there. Severus wanted to go after Leslie as much as Remus did. Anaka sat beside him and whined. Harry stood next to them. Sirius stood next to Harry, his hood hiding his face. He had a long cut on his check and Harry was looking tired and worn out.
"Keep yourself together," Sirius growled. Remus snarled at him.
"Do not give me that," Sirius snapped.
Harry smiled slightly. It was a strange scene after all.
"She will be fine," Harry said softly. Anaka whined and howled sadly at the lowering moon.
The next few hours dragged by and were filled with getting cleaned up and helping those that were wounded. The dead were put in a tent and Dumbledore started to explain their new strategy. Soon the moon was gone and the sun was starting to rise. Remus and Anaka hurried into the forest with Sirius and transformed where no one could see them. They stood and stretched their legs.
"It's been a long night," Remus yawned.
"You're telling me," Anaka sighed.
"It will be a hard day too," Sirius replied.
Remus scanned the forest around them. Where was Leslie?
"She will be ok dad," Anaka said gripping his hand. Remus smiled at his daughter.
"I bet you are right," he sighed.
"Come on," Sirius growled. They walked towards the camp in silence. As they walked Remus thought about their encounter with Voldemort. He had looked at Remus and mentioned the moon. Was it possible that he thought Remus would go after Leslie when he was back to his human self? Did he know about his relationship with Leslie?
Remus shook his head slightly. What relationship? It was true that they both had feelings for each other but they had never been a couple. It seemed like Leslie was resisting it and using her spy rules as something to hide behind. Why would she want to hide from a relationship with the person she loved? Or was that it. What if she did not love him?
Remus's thoughts were interrupted as they entered the camp. Anaka ignored the usual stares and walked towards Harry and John.
"Did Dumbledore decide anything yet?" she asked.
"Only if they attack us," John replied, "Nothing about attacking them or trying to rescue Leslie."
Anaka shook her head in disbelief. They could not leave Leslie to die. She did too much for them.
"Voldemort did send a messenger to us though," Harry added.
"What did he say?" Anaka asked, surprised.
"He said if we want to see Leslie alive he wants to meet with certain people," Harry said quietly.
"Who?"
John hesitated.
"I have a right to know," Anaka growled. John sighed.
"He wants to meet with Sirius, your dad, and you."
Anaka stayed quiet. This did not sound good. Anaka looked for her father and found him talking to Dumbledore.
"I guess we will go then," Anaka replied. John sighed and hugged Anaka close. Anaka felt so safe in his arms that she wished she could never leave them.
"Be careful," John whispered, kissing her check.
"I will," Anaka whispered back. Harry and Anaka hugged and then walked towards Sirius and Remus.
"I guess you heard," Remus said softly.
"When do we leave?" Anaka asked sternly.
"Now," Sirius replied. Anaka nodded. Sirius and Harry said a quick good bye and then they walked into the forest.
"What do you think he wants to talk about?" Anaka asked.
"I do not think he wants to talk," Sirius replied.
Anaka shivered.
"Just keep your eyes open," Remus muttered.
They continued to walk in the now light forest. They came to a small patch of grass in the forest. The trees blocked the sun and the area was dark and gloomy. They walked slowly into it and were not surprised to find people already there. Seven Death Eaters accompanied Voldemort and the creature. Leslie was tied to a tree, apparently still unconscious.
"So you have come," Voldmeort said with an evil look, "Good. I would have hated killing such a lovely creature. Then again I have done it before."
Remus and Sirius glared at Voldemort. Anaka stood silently beside them.
"What did you want to talk about?" Remus asked coldly.
"About what you will do to save this girl," Voldemort hissed, "and if you do not agree then I will kill her."
He snapped and a Death Eater holding a familiar looking dagger pressed it against Leslie's throat. Remus's eyes widened as he realized it was Leslie's dagger. The Death Eater pressed the dagger against her throat and a small cut formed. Blood dripped onto the dagger.
"What do we have to do?" Remus cried. Leslie's eyes fluttered as she woke up. She gasped as she realized where she was and what was happening.
"Become my prisoners that's all. You for her," Voldemort hissed. Leslie looked at Remus with horror. He would never do that.
"Leave Anaka and Sirius out of this and I will go," Remus said softly.
"I go if you go," Sirius snapped.
Voldemort shrugged.
"Fine."
The Death Eater dropped the dagger on the ground and stepped away. The creature smiled and slashed at the ropes holding Leslie. Leslie drew a sharp breath and put a hand to her stomach. There were new gashes there and blood. Blood. Leslie knew she was losing too much blood. She stumbled to her feet and picked up the dagger. She swayed as she put it on her belt. Anaka ran into the forest with three Death Eaters following her. Two Death Eaters each grabbed at Remus and Sirius. They struggled slightly but let them tie their hands.
"No!" Leslie screamed. She stumbled towards Remus, a look of disbelief on her face. When she reached him she stroked his cheek.
"Don't do this!" she urged. Remus looked into her pained face and smiled slightly.
"I'd rather die then have them hurt you," he said softly.
Leslie threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. Then she gave him a firm, loving kiss. Remus knew then that he was stupid for thinking she did not love him. She loved him as much as he loved her. A Death Eater grabbed Leslie forcing them apart. Remus watched helplessly as the Death Eater brought her before Voldemort.
"I would advise you not to come back," he said quietly, a smile spreading across his face as he looked at Leslie's defiant face, "but I have a feeling I will see you again soon."
The Death Eater pushed her forward so that Voldemort's mouth was close to her ear.
"Next time I promise to kill you," he said just loud enough for everyone to hear.
The creature grabbed Leslie and walked away with her into the forest.
"I hope we did the right thing," Sirius grumbled.
"Me too," Remus whispered staring after Leslie, "me too."