A/N: Thank you to every one who is reading, and double thanks to every one who has reviewed. Enjoy.
Chapter 8
Poppy healed Albus rather quickly, but he was still weak. They were going to sneak further into the forest, when they heard a pop from behind and a voice stopped them. "Now where do you think you're going with my prisoner?" It was a silky, velvety voice, but the four women stiffened and turned. Dumbledore turned as well, but he seemed rather unaffected.
"Hello Satarius." Dumbledore greeted the dark wizard.
Grindelwald was a handsome man, Minerva was surprised to note as she tuned out the barrage of insults Grindelwald and Dumbledore traded. She had still been operating under the misapprehension that monsters looked like monsters. But the man in front of her certainly didn't look evil. He had long chocolate brown hair he kept tied back with a black ribbon. He couldn't possibly be more than fifty. His eyes were storm grey. He was tall and broad. Minerva knew if she'd met him anywhere else, she probably would have found him very attractive. But as it was, she didn't.
So lost in her daze, she didn't notice when Grindelwald cried, "Accio Minerva." It was a rather rude jolt back to the matter at hand when his arm wrapped around her shoulders pinning her in front of him as a shield. Across from her Dumbledore had his wand raised, but his hand faltered and he lowered it when he realized he couldn't hit Grindelwald without hitting her.
He was out of ideas. His blue eyes apologized to Minerva. He didn't know how to save her. But Dumbledore didn't know all the ancient magic in the world and the four girls had come across a spell, he hadn't known about. In the darkness of a new moon, four fifth years had made a circle pact. They pledged their lives to one another, and made a blood oath. They had become sisters, in blood, but more importantly also in magic.
It was Poppy who decided that this was the only shot they had left. The notes accompanying the spell had said that if the pact was kept, renewing it in times of crisis could have a great affect. The actual affect varied from situation to situation, but it was worth a try. Her voice was like a comforting whisper in the darkness. "From the corner of the square I come to the circle, my knowledge and my learning, all the gifts of Rowena Ravenclaw herself, I bring to put at your disposal. I am the Raven, in times of need, find shelter under my wings. I Poppy Evangeline Pomfrey pledge my body, my soul, my heart and my talents to you."
"From the corner of the square I come to the circle, my willingness to do and my loyalty, all the gifts of Helena Hufflepuff herself, I bring to put at your disposal. I am the Badger, in times of cold, find warmth within my coat. I Helena Australita Hooch pledge my body, my soul, my heart, and my talents to you."
"From the corner of the square I come to the circle, my cunning and my ability to succeed, all the gifts of Salazar Slytherin himself, I bring to put at your disposal. I am the Serpent, in times of trouble, find protection behind me, for I will strike down your enemies. I Serena Ophelia Sinistra pledge my body, my soul, my heart, and my talents to you."
Grindelwald had never studied ancient magic, nor did he understand the nature of the spell being cast, and so he did nothing to stop Minerva from completing the spell. "From the corner of the square I come to the circle, my bravery and my leadership, all the gifts of Godric Gryffindor himself, I bring to put at your disposal. I am the Lion, in times of great peril, find allies in my call, for I command the animals and their aid do I guarantee. I Minerva Anne McGonagall pledge my body, my soul, my heart and my talents to you." Thunder cackled over head, and Minerva's courage waned. "Help me." She whispered to the heavens.
Her skin grew warm. Minerva heard a faint sizzling and Grindelwald roared, pushing her away. He gripped his hand. Dazed from her fall, Minerva looked up at him. His skin was red and swollen, she'd burned him. Her skin, her skin had burned him. Her three friends dove over to her and Dumbledore began dueling with the Dark Lord.
They threw curses and shields back and forth, and both of them were being to feel the strain. Dumbledore threw one last curse, and the Grindelwald fell. He was dying, the storm clouds were clearing. Grindelwald knew he was dying, and he wanted the other wizard to suffer. With his last breath, Grindelwald pointed his wand at Minerva. Dumbledore ran to her, reaching her just as the the dying man through all of what was left of his life behind two words. "Avada Kedavra."
No one was able to see if the curse hit either of them, he crashed into her and rolled her out of the way. Both of them were unconscious, or dead when the green light faded.