Chapter 19: The Siege Begins

Arriving in the hospital wing Harry was almost relieved to see that Madam Pomfrey was currently dealing with Weaver, the Ministry wizard who had warned them of the attack in Hogsmeade. Then his eyes were blinded by a bright green light, his headache doubled in its intensity and a loud screaming entered his ears. Collapsing Harry was grabbed by Lupin as most of the windows in the hospital wing blew inwards, cursing Lupin pushed Justin back into the hall, why hadn't they put anyone on guard in the hospital wing, it was the perfect place to attack.

Jerking upright Percy Weasley pulled his sheets up as glass flew towards him, he'd been in a restful sleep and a large purple bruise on his face showed the only result of his encounter with Wormtail a couple of days before. Lowering the blankets he grabbed his wand from the table and was at a blown out window before knew what was happening, outside he saw a large crater with Death Eaters charging over the rim. A grim looking Lupin joined him and both pointed their wands at the attacking force.

* * *

'That was a howitzer!' Vernon Dursley said as the entire castle echoed the loud boom. He and Petunia had left their room after Dumbledore's announcement and had found Arthur and Molly Weasley also trying to enter the Gryffindor common room. Now they were sat around the hearth with Dudley and Ginny; Mr. Weasley and his sons had gone up to their rooms to look at the situation below them. 'No bloody wonder Dumbledore is giving out some weapons to the defenders.'

Running down the stairs and dodging around several students Ron and Mr. Weasley arrived at the armchairs where the Dursleys and Ginny were perched. 'Voldemort's attacking in force,' Arthur said, surprised at using the name, 'I've got to go, Vernon will you come as well?'

Glancing at his wife Vernon Dursley made a decision, not for himself, but for everyone else. 'Let's show you how we Muggles fight then.' Grabbing his jacket Vernon kissed his wife and left the room with Mr. Weasley.

'Dudley,' Ron broke into the boys thoughts, 'I'm going to find Harry…' and with a nod from his mother Dudley left with Ron leaving the two mothers and a daughter by the fire.

* * *

Wandering around the middle floors with Viktor, Hermione heard the large explosion, 'Oh damn,' Hermione muttered as she felt the castle shudder, then cloaks trailing in the air behind them, she and Viktor ran for the Great Hall.

* * *

'Get up Harry!' Justin said and Harry opened his eyes to find the light had gone, 'we've got to get these people out.' Harry saw the gesture was directed at the few wizards who were still stuck in their beds as the rest joined Percy and Lupin at the windows, a bandaged bunch of defenders.

* * *

Neville heard the massed screaming and saw the flash of some Muggle weapon while he was walking around the top floors of the castle. Running to a window he saw the explosion outside the hospital wing and the small Death Eater force that followed it. Realising the same tactical error as Lupin, he cursed under his breath and ran for Dumbledore's office.

* * *

'And make sure you bring back more people afterwards!' Lupin shouted as Harry wheeled out Weaver on the last hospital bed. Harry nodded then ran out the door as a fizzing red spell impacted into the wall beside it. 'And get us some bloody weapons!' was Remus's last comment.

* * *

Professor McGonagall ran along the hall with a levitating trolley stacked with Muggle weapons trailing along behind her. Stopping at all the posts she was surprised how many of the 'angrybows' remained, and then there was an explosion in front of her. 'Sorry Professor McGonagall,' squeaked a small house elf, 'but I is needing to take your trolley to the hospital wing.' McGonagall, who had been on the verge of checking for missing limbs, just nodded and with another explosion the elf disappeared with the trolley.

* * *

With a loud yell Percy released a curse that threw back two Death Eaters from the lip of the crater, in answer the fifty or so Dark Wizards outside released answering curses that chipped at the paintwork. 'Thank God poppy isn't hear,' he heard Lupin muttered, 'she'd kill the lot of them for destroying her hospital. Percy laughed as he heard this, but it soon faded when a strange whistling pierced the air around them. 'TAKE COVER' Lupin cried, but when the howitzer shell impacted seconds later two wizards were still sent flying across the room, landing in a mess of bloody robes.

As Percy scuttled over to check on them Remus cursed, then another explosion occurred next to him, but in its place a house elf appeared. 'You is wanting some weapons sir?' it asked and Remus found himself laughing at its innocence.

'Yes, I'll take some weapons, we all will,' he replied to the sincere elf, then above the sounds of spells he heard a mad ranting and turned back to the window. From beyond the lip of the crater the angry mob of Death Eaters charged, 'ARM YOURSELVES' Lupin shouted and within a few seconds the wizards at the windows had crossbows aimed over their targets. 'Try to just stop them,' he ordered, 'fire at will!' and along the line of hospital windows there was a repetitive vibration of taunt lines followed by a number of thin screams outside, the battle had been joined.

* * *

Breathing deeply Neville burst into Dumbledore's second office that he'd followed Harry to the day before to find the elderly wizard gazing at the map of Hogwarts that was now an island in a sea of raging black dots. 'Hello Neville, I guess the time has come?'

'Sir, they're launching a massive attack against the hospital wing, we've no one guarding there.'

'Yes, a severe error on my part that is being remedied as I speak, observe if you will…' and he pointed at the map. Walking around the desk Neville stood and watched as the number of dots inside the hospital wing suddenly tripled.

'House elves,' he breathed.

'Correct,' Dumbledore replied, 'and they're very mad at Voldemort for trying to hurt us.'

* * *

In the hospital wing Lupin suddenly found two house elves on either side of him chanting in their language with both hands raised. 'Excuse me sir,' he heard a squeaky voice and turned to see Winky, 'but we is handling it from here I thinks. Please can you take the wounded sirs and ma'ams away?' Before he could reply Winky gently pushed Remus aside and released a spell through the window the ended with an almighty CRACK! Gazing over her head he saw five Death Eaters flying backward over the crater, Winky's spell had blown them back fifty feet. 'You is taking them away now sir,' she said over more blasts.

* * *

In the Great Hall Harry had just left Weaver to Madam Pomfrey when Hermione and Viktor burst through the door, closely followed by Ron and Dudley. 'Before you ask I'm fine, in fact Justin is slightly worse off, so much for patrolling the dungeons Herm.' he winked and gestured to the boy who grinned while holding an ice compress against his forehead. 'The even better news though is that the house elves fought off Lucius Malfoy.'

'Honestly Harry,' Hermione replied, 'here we are worried to death while you stand there and act all smug!' but it was in such a sarcastic tone that even Hermione laughed by the end of her little tirade.

'Vot's been going on then Harry?' Viktor asked after everyone had finished laughing at Hermione's joke. 'Ve heard and felt a very large 'bang' ven ve vere upstairs.'

'Yeah, it's the Death Eaters, they've got a howitzer, it's like a small cannon.' Harry hoped everyone knew what a cannon was at least and from their faces he was right. 'They haven't hit anything but they aimed for the hospital wing, Lupin is there now defending it, he needs help though.'

'Time for a recruitment drive then,' Ron said with a thoughtful glimmer, 'I'm in.' Viktor raised his eyebrows at this then turned to Harry and searched into his eyes.

'Very vell, let's give them something to think about.'

* * *

Lupin and Percy held one of their injured comrades between them as they cleared out of the hospital wing, it was now alight with flame and cracking sounds thickened the air. A whining sound pierced everything again as a new shell began to fall towards the wing, Lupin realised to late that he hadn't told Winky what they were, 'WINKY! GET YOUR ELVES DOWN!' he yelled over the noise. About half of the elves threw themselves into cover but the rest stood standing as the shell near its impact point.

'SHIELD CHARMS!' yelled Harry as he burst through the door with Justin, Ron and Viktor. As one they raised their wands and shot out an electric blue bubble that encompassed the wall the shell would hit. 'Hermione, help Dudley!' and from the corner of his eye Harry saw the young witch put up a Shield Charm to protect Dudley who stepped into her protective bubble. 'Hold on everyone!' Harry said as the shell hit the floor.

BOOM!

The impact hit knocked Ron off his feet but he managed to keep up his charm while most of the elves were shaken rather then ripped apart by the lethal explosive. 'We is very grateful Harry Potter!' Winky shouted as she returned fire with another elven spell.

'No probs Winky, just watch out for any more shells, we have to go now!' Harry replied as the curses that had temporarily ceased flew thick and fast through the air again. Lifting up another one of the hobbling Ministry wizards with Ron, Harry and his friends retreated from the tattered hospital wing and made for the Great Hall again.

After placing down their burden on one of the table-cum-beds in the new 'hospital' Harry went over to find Viktor talking to Dudley. 'I am very sorry I cannot give you your Quidditch lessons, ve vill try again next year?' biting back a laugh Harry sat down beside them when Neville burst into the hall, he was armed to the teeth with crossbows.

'Harry,' he said with an excited and flushed face, 'it's time for those Advanced Muggle Studies classes…'

* * *

Albus Dumbledore remained in his office where he could see all of the people involved in the siege. So far everything was going according to someone's plan, the trouble was he didn't know if it was his or Voldemort's. With a small sigh he returned his attention to the battle going on by the hospital wing, he was actually surprised at the lack of activity elsewhere, Voldemort was counting on surprise to win the day so far. The castle's forces had had a marvellous acquittal of themselves up to the moment, as far as he knew no one had been killed, but then again the map would show even a dead body…

'We shall see…we shall see.'

* * *

With a crack of wood seven crossbow quarrels shot into an overturned table, 'I guess we're ready,' Harry said to his friends and cousin.

'Bring it on!' said Ron with a cheesy grin and wink at Harry.

'Harry, can I have a word,' it was Dudley, walking aside he stopped at an unused table as more quarrels smashed into the table behind them. 'I know you've watched some television with us,' he began, 'and we both know that these,' he waved his crossbow, 'can't beat a howitzer, or any gun if they have some.'

'Yeah,' Harry replied, 'but the advantage we have is that they pride themselves on not having to use them, they are anti-Muggle to the extreme Dudley.' Harry paused as another line of quarrels embedded in the table, 'we can count on them still trying to use magic to deflect a bolt instead of using one themselves, it'll be fine, they just can't actually adapt to it.' With a smile he pushed Dudley ahead of him and continued under his breath, 'I hope…'

* * *

'Time to open up the second front Wormtail,' Voldemort said to the huddled figure beside him, 'you will lead this attack.' His cruel eyes turned and bored deep into Pettigrew's fearful pinpoints, 'don't fail me Wormtail, you know what will happen…'

* * *

Dumbledore sat bolt upright in his chair as a new wave of black dots swept towards the school, at the head of the charge he saw 'Peter Pettigrew', again he turned the announcement charm on himself.

* * *

'THIS IS ALBUS DUMBLEDORE, WILL ALL AVAILABLE DEFENDERS REPORT TO THE WALL OVERLOOKING THE QUIDDITCH PITCH, ANOTHER ATTACK IS IMMINENT, I REPEAT ANOTHER ATTACK IS IMMINENT…'

'Bloody hell,' Harry whispered as he scanned the Marauder's Map, the entire edge by the Quidditch field had gone black with dots and scripts. He turned and showed Viktor, 'we're going – right?' and was given a sharp nod in reply. Loading up his crossbow, Harry turned to face his friends again, 'ready to save the day again?'

* * *

Peter Pettigrew ran at the head of a column consisting of about one hundred mad and screaming Death Eaters. He was scared and didn't mind admitting it, that was why he had joined Voldemort, because he feared him, that was why he had given him Lily and James, because he was a coward and a fool. Now was the time to free himself, even if it did cost the Dark Lord something, Peter didn't care anymore, he just didn't want to be Wormtail for the rest of his life.

* * *

When Harry and his group of defenders reached the wall they found Draco and the rest of the loyal Slytherins were already there. 'Glad you could join us,' said the boy, his blue eyes shining in anticipation, 'looks like they want another crack at us!'

'Have you lot got weapons?' Harry asked as Viktor lined up the Gryffindors and Hufflepuff along the wall, their crossbows facing outwards. Draco smiled in answer and drew his wand and a slingshot from his robes, behind him the Slytherins also removed their wands and an assortment of ballistic weapons.

'Lets show them how we do things at Hogwarts…'

Chapter 20: Battles and Backstabbing

At the head of the charge Peter knew the only way he could escape was to die or be captured, of course if he was captured by most people it would mean death, especially now Sirius had been acquitted. Sirius. What would he do if he caught Pettigrew? Kill him? Most likely.

* * *

On top of the ramparts Harry unfolded the map as the charging mass got nearer and nearer, the dots were more thinly spread now as the faster runners outpaced their slower counterparts. Scanning carefully he saw one name that was almost to the wall and getting closer every second, it was Pettigrew. 'Everyone,' he shouted, 'hold your fire until the main mass gets here, otherwise we won't hit much, Hermione, come here a second.'

'What's up Harry?' asked Hermione as she arrived beside him while still looking over the wall.

'Look at the map Herm,' he replied, 'do you see a familiar face?' he pointed at Pettigrew's dot that was now dancing around near the wall while the nearest Death Eater was still five hundred yards behind him. 'Can you get him up here?'

'But Harry, I can't see him down there.' Hermione argued, and Harry joined her in looking over the wall, it was true, Pettigrew's dot placed him at the base moving backwards and forwards, but he wasn't there.

'The map doesn't lie,' Harry said, then a small glint attracted his attention. 'There!' he said, pointing at the motion, 'he's turned into the rat he is, snag him Hermione.'

'Sure?'

'Do it,' Harry turned away as Hermione began to cast her spell, 'everyone, get ready for a surprise guest…'

* * *

Dobby was in the kitchen with Beasel, his friend lay on his lap and was covered in burns where the Firewave Jinx had hit him, 'I is dying Dobby,' he said faintly.

'No Beasel, you is just tired,' Dobby said with a sniff as his ears began to tremble.

'I is being brave though, and I is helping to protect Harry Potter, you is being proud?'

'We is all being proud of you Beasel,' Dobby replied as his friend began to convulse.

'I is liking being a part of Hogwarts…goodbye.' Dobby shut his friends saucer wide eyes and used his ears to wipe off flowing tears.

'You is taking him,' he said to some house elves nearby, 'and we…' he said to the rest of the elves nearby, 'we is continuing to do our jobs for Dumbledore.'

* * *

Peter ran back and forth about the wall, he knew there was a gap here, that was how he had snuck out to join James, Sirius and Remus on their adventures. Squeaking frantically as the next fastest Death Eater drew closer to the wall Peter's small body was suddenly snapped upwards as if on an invisible noose. So much for an inconspicuous entrance he thought to himself as he saw the face of the Granger girl leaning over the parapet above him.

With a small thump he landed under the tip of a wand and looked up into familiar green eyes, 'Stop the rat act Wormtail.' And under Harry's careful and steady arm the rat grew upwards and outwards into Peter Pettigrew, 'fancy seeing you here.'

'Take me to Dumbledore please Harry,' Peter muttered as most of the wall turned towards him, 'I need to give him information.'

'Well Wormtail, I'm very sorry but we're being attacked at the moment,' Harry answered in a sarcastic tone that was edged with venom, 'can I make you an appointment.'

'I can wait,' Pettigrew replied with a snap as a small thump hit the wall, 'down here,' he added and dove for cover as a number of spells flew over the parapets. With a cry Adrian Pucey was knocked off as a Reductor Curse blew away the parapet he knelt behind.

'OPEN FIRE!' Draco shouted and with the remaining Slytherins he let loose a sling loaded with lead pellets, down on the field several Death Eaters fell with bloody legs, unable to walk further. Seizing their opportunity the Gryffindors leapt up with Justin on the end and sent a volley of crossbow quarrels flying, the spells launched in retaliation melting some of the stonework.

'Boy,' Dudley muttered as he reloaded beside Harry, 'this sure beats regular classes.'

* * *

Deep within the Hogwarts Igor Karkaroff started to shake uncontrollably to the amazement and fear of his two guards. 'What's going on?' asked one and got an aimless shrug in response.

* * *

'DUCK!' Harry shouted as Draco and the other Slytherins rose again to launch a salvo at the onrushing Death Eaters. As they rose a series of red beams shot over and with a gurgle Percy Bole fell as the Stunning Curses washed over him. 'Oh god we can't handle this,' Harry muttered as another parapet stone fell off. To his left the rest of the Gryffindors and Justin held their crossbows ready while on his right Draco attended to the stunned boy.

'Harry, ve need help,' Viktor was beside him nursing a small scratch in his arm where a flying stone chip had struck him.

'Tell me something I don't know,' Harry retorted, 'but Dumbledore has a map, he must see what's happening.'

'He has seen what's happened,' came the elderly wizard's voice as he walked up the stairs leading a large group of Ministry wizards as well as parents. 'Take your friends down now Harry, as well as Peter, Draco if you'll take Percy and Adrian to Madam Pomfrey in the hall.' Breathing a sigh of relief Harry and the others ran down the wall as the new defenders took up positions. 'Harry!' Dumbledore called after him, 'take Peter to where Karkaroff is on the map, I'll talk to him later.'

Keeping his wand close to Peter, Harry led the others back into the hall opening the doors for Draco and the two stretchers that followed him. 'Harry,' he turned to see Viktor again, 'I vill take Pettigrew down to Karkaroff, I haff some questions for him.'

'Fine, but I've got some questions for Wormtail,' Harry replied, 'we'll both go.'

* * *

'That is freaking me out now.'

'Too true.'

Karkaroff was now writhing about on the floor while his entire body was racked with convulsions, his eyes were rolled up into his head. Harry and Viktor had walked around the corner to the room's entrance with Pettigrew when he let out a blood curdling scream that set them running towards the room.

'Vot happened?' Viktor asked one of the shaking guards.

'No idea,' said the ashen-faced wizard, 'he just started shaking a few minutes ago.'

'Bloody hell…' Harry whispered as Karkaroff's body twisted in every direction, 'it looks like he's under the Cruciatus Curse.' A sudden memory shot into Harry's mind and in his eyes he saw Cedric writhing on the ground under Viktor's wand, as if the bushes were invisible he saw Moody muttering the curse on the other side.

'Harry!' his eyes shot open as Peter grabbed his shoulder, 'it's Voldemort, he's cursing Igor from outside.' Harry turned to face Pettigrew and looked for the lie that he hid but could find none, 'I'm telling you, this is his work.'

'Fine,' Harry snapped, 'but what can we do about it?'

'Running would be a good idea,' came a high pitched voice that silenced all the wizards, 'I mean it you know.' Harry turned and saw it was Karkaroff who was speaking through gritted teeth while holding his arms and legs in against the spasms.

'Vot do you mean?'

'I mean RUN!' shouted Karkaroff.

* * *

Dumbledore pushed aside Hannah Abbot's father as a new wave of spells shot over the ramparts sending two Ministry wizards flying down onto the lawn behind the wall. 'Ready weapons,' he said along the line of defenders, 'FIRE!' and with the snapping of several crossbow lines a hail of quarrels flew into the Death Eater ranks. 'Reload and keep your heads down!' and while they did so Albus sat among the fire and brimstone that was raining down, thinking. Something was wrong, he couldn't put his finger on it, but something…something about the way Voldemort was attacking.

* * *

'RUN!' Karkaroff screamed again at the group of wizards who were dumbstruck by the apparent demands of a madman. Opening his mouth again Karkaroff could only admit a small groan, then his legs and arms began flailing wildly again.

'Just what the hell is going on?' Harry asked no one in particular.

* * *

'MOVE IT WEASLEY!' shouted Vernon as a blue wave swept towards the upright wizard, then with a heavy thud Harry's bulky uncle had tackled him as the spell shot overhead. 'What would your wife say if I came back without you?' he asked as Mr. Weasley coughed from the impact.

Dumbledore watched this from the sidelines, he had turned command of the battle over to Professor Flitwick who was running about under the parapets' protection while giving commands to the defenders. Why doesn't this feel right? He asked himself the question for the fifth time in a minute, Voldemort works by cunning, so why would he risk such an open attack? He already tried to get Lucius in here. I know Pettigrew's in here, but Harry has a good hold on him, he's gone straight down to…Karkaroff.

* * *

'RUN!' Harry shouted as another wild spell shot out of the room that Karkaroff was being held in, ducking the reflecting green spell Harry and the other wizards took off down the corridor with Pettigrew in hot pursuit. 'Now can you tell me what's going on?' he asked the small man as he put on a miraculous burst of speed to draw level with the boy.

'Voldemort's…put…Karkaroff…under…some…sort…of…possession…He's…lost…control…of…his…actions…and…that…wand…grew…out…of…him…' Peter was now fast running out of breath as more spells shot down the corridor. Turning a corner he drew in some breath before continuing, '…or he really is a Muggle hating fanatic, and this was a plan.'

'Good plan!' Harry replied as a fizzing red beam shot down the corridor.

* * *

'Fire them off Karkaroff,' muttered Voldemort, his eyes shut in concentration and slit nostrils flaring as he drew deep breaths, 'it's time to open the final front.' On saying this his eyes snapped open and he focused on the figure of Lucius Malfoy, he was now calm and stationary, maybe I should put him back in that trance again when he attacks, Voldemort thought before continuing, no, he needs to be able to think this time. 'Lucius, get ready to lead in the main assault force, go straight for the Great Hall, capture the families that are there, the rest will soon follow.' Shutting his eyes Voldemort began to work on his puppet inside the school again, nothing would stop him now.

* * *

Harry jerked his head back as another rogue spell shot past him, this one was a whirling yellow spiral that set portraits and doors on fire when it touched them. 'What is that?'

'Firespin Spell,' muttered one of the Ministry wizards who was also looking around the corner, 'Christ! I though he was just a…a…a…well a bloody raving loony.'

'He is a bloody raving loony,' muttered Viktor.

'That's the idea,' said Peter although no one was listening to him, 'Voldemort never was one for a direct assault.'

'DOBBY!' Harry suddenly shouted causing the other Ministry wizard to jump with fright, he jumped higher when the house elf appeared with a small BANG beside him. As Harry opened his mouth a small table shot past the junction where they hid from Karkaroff, 'Dobby, we have a problem.' Shaking his head like a weary mother Dobby stuck it around the corner and drew back as another Firespin Spell shot past, leaving one of his ears smoking.

'This is indeed a problem sir, I is going to get some help and I is thinking that you should be leaving.'

'Why?' Harry asked with a dubious look on his face.

'It is going to be getting very noisy around here soon sir.'

'Run?' Harry said looking around at everyone else.

'Run' said everyone else.

* * *

Dumbledore left the battlements with Flitwick still running around, dodging the stretchers that floated the wounded inside Dumbledore ran for the room where Karkaroff was being held. Turning a corner he ran slap bang into Harry who stumbled backwards as the Ministry wizards ran past with Peter, 'Stay with them now or there'll be trouble!' Harry shouted after him.

'There's gonna be trouble anyway!' Peter replied glibly as Viktor and Dumbledore picked the boy up.

'It's Karkaroff isn't it?' Dumbledore asked Viktor as Harry retrieved his wand from the floor.

'Yes, his vand grew out of his arm and before ve knew it he is letting off Firespin Spells and chasing us all over the castle.'

'Dobby's called in reinforcements now though,' Harry said wiping dust off his robes, 'if they are anything like the ones who handled Malfoy there shouldn't be a problem.' As Harry said this, the corridor that they had earlier emerged from suddenly lit up with electric blue lightning and several House Elves came running out. As it died out Dobby came pelting round the corner and practically climbed up Harry in his panic.

'We is leaving now sir, he is a madman with all the spells in the world!' the house elf was panicking in a way that Harry had never seen before. 'I is thinking you should be leaving as well, sorry Mister Dumbledore sir, but we is not able to handle this one.' Suddenly a large red fireball imploded the wall opposite the corridor and with group awareness the two boys and wizard ran while Dobby rode atop Harry's shoulders.

Nearing the end of another corridor they found Peter and the two Ministry wizards who had decide to wait for orders from Dumbledore. Throwing themselves around the corner Harry, Viktor and Dumbledore looked around as the shaking form of Karkaroff emerged. Studying him closely Harry saw that the wizard's eyes were now jet black as if his entire soul had been taken and sure enough his wand was sticking out of the palm of his hand as if attached to the bone beneath it.

'Any ideas?' he whispered to Dumbledore.

'I must admit I'm stumped,' replied the elder, 'I never expected an attack like this.'

'Vell, vot shall ve do, ve can't let him haff the castle to himself.'

'That is correct Viktor, but at this point who's going to be the one to tell him that?' Dumbledore asked it with a familiar twinkle in his eyes that gave Harry little, but some reassurance.

'I have an idea,' muttered Peter but again everyone ignored him, he was after all still a prisoner.

'I think for now we should move,' one of the Ministry wizards said, 'cos he's coming this way again.' As one the group took off with Dobby hanging on to Harry as they sped along to the next intersection.

'Did you know about this Peter?' Dumbledore asked when they got there.

'No, and I don't think Voldemort wanted me along much longer anyway, he tried to kill me by making me lead the charge against Harry's wall.' Peter then turned to Harry after saying this, 'thanks for saving my life by the way, and I think I can return the favour…I just need a wand.'

'Yeah bloody right!' said one of the Ministry wizards as a Firespin Spell shot past, 'say why not just open the front doors for Voldemort?'

'Done,' Dumbledore said, and with his own wand he conjured up a doppelganger for Peter, 'go on…save our lives.'

* * *

'And now my master plan is complete,' Voldemort said under his breath.

Chapter 21: Inner Turmoil

'Are you mad?' asked the Ministry wizard as Peter took the wand from Dumbledore, 'he's one of them! He is one reason we've had so much trouble in our lives.'

'And he will be the reason that some of the trouble disappears,' Dumbledore replied smoothly, 'go to him Peter.'

'I think you should all move back a bit,' Peter muttered, 'unless you want to keep a closer eye on me?' then after crossing himself he levelled the wand and began taking in deep breaths. 'See you…' then with a mad yell he charged around the corner as a Firespin shot past scorching a nearby drape.

'Sir,' Harry attracted Dumbledore's attention, 'can't we help him?'

'Yes, by doing nothing, this will be a powerful confrontation…' as if in response the corridor suddenly emitted a loud BANG as the two wizards met, '…and we should all follow Peter's advice and leave.' Taking Harry by the shoulder Dumbledore led a steady retreat back to the next intersection where he turned and waited. 'You may all go now, I will make sure events stay in some control, Harry, I want you and Viktor to return to the hall, wait there with your friends.' Harry held Dumbledore's gaze for a second before leaving, he could never tell when the old wizard was concealing information but this time there was something wrong. As the boy set off he felt Dobby leap off his shoulders and from the corner of his eye saw the elf move aside a wall stone and enter a passage behind, probably the safest place to be, Harry mused, in between the walls.

* * *

Up on the battlements Professor Flitwick's defence group were steadily driving back the Death Eaters, with the help of a house elf reinforcement group he had succeeded in clearing a large space if front of the wall. Raising his wand Flitwick began to conjure a complex spell as the Death Eaters looked to try and charge again, pointing his wand at the space he uttered the word that would bring his spell about. A light yellow beam shot into the ground as he shouted over the noise of battle; 'Quagiro!', and as the first ranks of Dark Wizards passed into the space they found themselves falling into a deep bog. With a cheer the defenders began to release Stunning Jinxes that quickly decimated the remaining Death Eaters, another assault had failed.

* * *

Conjuring a cushion out of thin air Peter felt the stones through it as another one of Karkaroff's blasts sent him flying. 'Stupefy!' he cried again as the madman charged down but again the spell just seemed to slow him temporarily. Throwing himself out of another blazing red spell Peter resorted to another form of defence, and when the rampaging figure came close enough he lashed out with a solid silver uppercut that connected solidly with bone. Shaking his fist Peter retreated as Karkaroff moved dazedly, 'I hate doing this the old fashion way,' he muttered, in truth he was surprised that the hand Voldemort had created actually allowed him to feel pain.

Behind him he heard a screaming coming up to a crescendo, and turning around he saw Karkaroff rise up again, blood was pouring from his mouth and his eyes had now gone a bone white colour. 'Oh bloody hell,' Peter said in a voice that was almost whiny as he took off around the corner and found it deserted as he had hoped for. However at the end of the next corridor Dumbledore was watching as Peter turned back down the hallway, then came diving back around with hands over his head. The wall behind him was suddenly impacted by about five spells that turned some stones red hot, others ice cold, all of which could have instantly killed him.

Breathing heavily Peter leant up against a wall as the rantings coming from Karkaroff increased, 'I know you're still there Dumbledore,' he shouted, 'I think you should move back a corridor again!'. He was rewarded with a glitter of robe as Dumbledore left, then he shot another spell round the corner, 'round two!' he muttered as five came flying back.

* * *

Back in the Great Hall Harry found Ron and Dudley sitting at a table while Viktor spotted Hermione over by the windows trying to look outside. As he walked over Harry saw what had attracted her, as bright colours splashed up against the windows from spells. Sitting down by Dudley and Ron, Harry leant out full stretch on the bench and closed his eyes gratefully, so far it had been a long day.

'What took you so long?' Dudley asked and nudged Harry with his foot.

'Karkaroff's gone mad and escaped,' he replied, 'we've put Peter up against him and Dumbledore's keeping an eye on it.'

'How did he get out?' Ron asked, 'I thought he was being watched.'

'Voldemort did some sort of Transfiguring spell on him, his wand grew out of his arm and all hell broke loose, even Dobby couldn't stop him.'

'Damn…he can't, you know get anyone else with a spell can he?' asked Ron, unsuccessfully hiding a small quiver in his voice.

'No…I think it has to be a voluntary gesture by his target.'

'Volunteer to have my wand grow out of my arm,' Ron began, 'um – let me think – No!'

'Ah go on now,' said Dudley picking up a splinter and waving it around, 'it won't hurt a bit!' Smiling into the ceiling Harry watched the sky as Dudley proceeded to chase Ron around the table, waving the splinter and shouting out 'Turkey' repeatedly.

* * *

Diving under a table Peter counted his blessings as the Firespin Spell burnt off the top and not him, this was getting too close. Crawling out he looked back and saw Karkaroff readying another batch of spells, there were two options, run or be burnt, Peter opted for run. At the end of the next corridor Albus watched as once again Peter dove round the corner just ahead of some spells, this wasn't working well, they were getting closer to the hall, what he needed was: 'Binky!' and with a bang he arrived.

'What is you wanting sir?' asked the elf, very wary of the spells following another wizard down the hall to his right.

'I want you to put a seal on the Great Hall doors, knowing our luck the battle is heading that way.' No sooner had he finished then the elf was away with another bang as an even larger one resulted in Peter sliding into the wall across from Dumbledore.

'Okay…' Peter said, 'now I need your help.'

* * *

'You is all going inside please!' Binky was shouting as he herded people into the hall, 'Mister Dumbledore is requesting it himself.'

'Wonder what's happening,' Ron remarked, and then with a bang that sent him flying off the table Dobby appeared next to Harry.

'I is sorry Harry's Wheezey,' Dobby said, pulling him up with an elf charm, 'I is wanting to get in quickly, that battle is heading this way.'

'Which one?' Harry asked Dobby, 'not Karkaroff and Peter?'

'Yes indeed, I is not happy about it. Dumbledore wishes to try and get the mad one outside.'

'Makes sense.'

'It will be difficult though,' Dobby said fretfully, 'I is not liking what Dumbledore is doing, he may be getting his self hurt.'

* * *

'Come on Peter,' Dumbledore said jogging off calmly as Pettigrew picked himself off the floor then ducked another wild spell, 'this is no time to mess about. We're going to take Igor outside now.'

'How, he'll get into the main hall or something,' Peter replied as he began running alongside his old mentor.

'Except the House Elves have sealed all of the entrances, only the most powerful Dark Magic could get in there, Voldemort can't give it to Karkaroff.'

'So, if I can recap, the plan is…' another explosion lit the hall behind him, '…RUN!' and with a turn of speed both wizards ran for the Entrance Hall.

* * *

'This is going far better than I imagined,' Voldemort crooned as he stared through Karkaroff's eyes, 'Get your people ready to go now Lucius, the time is coming nearer.' In the background Malfoy exited the cavern and a small pop indicated he had apparated back to Hogwarts.

* * *

'Stay back,' shouted a Ministry wizard who was near the doors to the Great Hall as Binky and several other elves raised their arms and aimed for the doors. Chanting in unison the gaps around the doors turned red and a fusing sound filled the hall as the doors and walls merged as one.

* * *

Skidding around the corner into the Entrance Hall Dumbledore and Peter ran and slid behind two pillars as a clutch of spells shot out of the corridor. 'Think he'll come this way?' Peter whispered in the suddenly quiet room.

'Think he won't?' Dumbledore replied quietly with a small smile. As it was Karkaroff arrived shortly later and began shuffling around the hall, then started towards the doors to the Great Hall when they merged into the brickwork entirely. Screaming with rage Karkaroff turned around as Dumbledore and Peter stepped out from behind their pillars, wands raised and aimed over Karkaroff's heart. 'I think you should stop now Igor,' Dumbledore said calmly as Karkaroff waved his wand wildly while not releasing any spells.

'K-k…' from gritted teeth Karkaroff tried to form words while tears flowed from the whited out eyes that had replaced his own, '…k-k-k-ki-kill m-m-m-m-me…p-plea-please…Albus m-m-my fri-friend-d-d…' then another uncontrollable scream rose out of his throat. His mouth suddenly snapped shut and his wand focused on the main doors as Peter and Dumbledore steadied their wand arms on the raving man again.

'Peter, Stunning Jinxes on three,' Dumbledore said evenly, staring directly into Karkaroff's sightless eyes.

'But he said to…to…' Peter stuttered as Karkaroff became rooted to the spot.

'I know what he said,' Dumbledore replied calmly, 'I also know that we can reverse what Voldemort has done and that Igor won't bend entirely to his will. On three Peter, stand firm.'

* * *

Deep in the cavern Voldemort was all alone when he felt Karkaroff fighting back from releasing the final spell at Dumbledore and Peter. 'Oh, so you're back you Muggle loving idiot,' he muttered injecting his thoughts into Karkaroff's head, 'well, you've fulfilled your purpose and I have no need of you, goodbye Igor…Avada Kedavra.' On speaking the words he felt the spell's power building up inside him as it moved through his mind and into Karkaroff's, killing what little humanity had remained there. 'Now the fun begins.'

* * *

'What was that?' Peter asked as Karkaroff suddenly glowed green in front of them.

'I don't know,' Dumbledore replied as Karkaroff's body suddenly became limp, his eyes returned to normal, and his jaw sagged open, 'but I don't like it.' As he spoke the words, Karkaroff's head began to swivel around as if looking at the school for the first time, then the eyes fixed on Dumbledore and Peter. Studying them closely the two wizards saw that the pupils had now turned a fiery red, it only took a seconds for Dumbledore to realise what had happened. 'He's under full possession Peter,' he said quickly steadying his wand again, 'we have to kill him.'

'But you said that–'

'We can't reverse it, Igor is already dead,' he spoke the words with little emotion, but in his heart he felt the pain of losing an old friend. 'That's Voldemort incarnate if you will.'

'I do will,' said the figure that had been Karkaroff in Voldemort's sibilant tones, 'and now I feel this siege is coming to an end…my end.' and as his voice increased in shrillness his wand slowly levelled up to the main doors. Slowly Karkaroff's body began to glow red with raw magical energy as Voldemort built up power for the spell that would end the battle.

'Use the Killing Curse,' Dumbledore said urgently to Peter, 'I think this is a situation in which we can be sure an auror would.' Both wizards raised their wands as Voldemort began to chant through the limply hanging body and shot the green spells that failed to change anything, even the dead eyes remained without fading to a sightless grey. Grimly continuing to fire shots into the lifeless body Dumbledore watched as the energy built up to a fiery corona that surrounded the body entirely, then the wand in Karkaroff's hand snapped down swiftly. 'MOVE PETER!'

With a harsh cackle Voldemort released all the energy into the main doors of the castle causing the whole building to shake as they began to glow red. 'Time to die Hogwarts,' Voldemort screamed, 'and for me to have a final rebirth into glory.' Running away from the doors the last thing that Dumbledore could remember was hearing and feeling an enormous explosion erupt around him…then everything around him faded into darkness.