Myshawolf walks out. She smiles at the audience.

MW: I left off at a bit of cliffie, didn't I? To get into the mood for this chapter and the next few, please play Carol of the Bells by The Trans Siberian orchestra featuring Metallica. Also, be prepared for a few cliffies for the next few chapters. They'll be flying out now that I know how I want to end it. I hope you like it. Okay, I have a special guest for today's disclaimer, AngelBach.

AngelBach walks out. She smiles at the audience.

AB: Hello, everyone. MW asked me to remind everyone especially the MIBs that she does not own anything except the Guardians and The Le Fayes. Hey, Myshawolf.

Mysha looks up from her computer where she is writing the next chapter: Yeah, Angelbach?

AB: If you own the Guardians, doesn't that make you The Creator?

MW goes pale, looks up the sky and shouts: You didn't hear that! I'm in no mood to smyted, O Great Smyter!

AB: Okay, I sense a power struggle.

MW: Just move on with the chapter, everyone. * Looks up at the blackening sky and whimpers. *

Dancing With The Lady Death

Chapter 16

The Castle shook with great force as everyone scrambled to their positions. Hermione and a few other prefects herded the younger wizards to the Slytherin dungeon. Soul walked with the younger kids as she tried to soothe them with some stories. Nightmare and Thunder were shouting orders to their sections. Lust and his group were going to hold off the Deatheaters by firing arrows from all the high points of the castle. Nightmare's unit was going to hide in the stairwells and snipe any intruders. Thunder and Lightning stood ready to fight with magic while Storm and Rain were prepared with their swords drawn. Harry drew Excalibur out. He stared at the sword. Did his father ever raise this sword in battle?

Harry felt a hand on his shoulder. Essie smiled at him. Her eyes were worried and held a bit of sadness. Harry noticed it when she was looking for him. Essie knelt next to him. She held his hands as she spoke.

"We are all scared, my little one. You will triumph over him. I will make sure of it and keep my promise to you." Essie whispered.

Warmth surged through his body. Essie pulled away and left his side to prepare for the fight. Sirius walked up and stood next to Harry. Harry felt better with his godfather standing beside him. They all waited.

Essie and Nightmare held out their hands and began to chant softly. A light began to glow around their body. Everyone watched transfixed by the beauty of the scene. Present slid up to Harry and Sirius.

"They are summoning their armies. Death commands a band of skeleton warriors while Nightmare controls the Shadow Demons. They should increase our chances a bit." Present explained.

Harry nodded as he stared at the door. In his mind, he could almost see the fighting on the other side. Essie lowered her hand as she too stared at the door. This was it. Soon the sounds of fighting reached everyone's ears. Several students tensed up as the sounds drew closer. Harry drew his sword out while Sirius drew his wand. Faintly Harry could hear Nightmare shout out orders as several students drew back their bows. Again they waited.

Suddenly and in slow motion the front door busted open and a sea of black flowed in. Thunder and Lightning lead the charge and Harry felt himself get swept up in it. He lifted his sword as he raced forward. As he moved, his body went through the motions of training. He gracefully dodged spells that the enemy tried to hit him with. A few times Harry teamed up with his godfather as they battled. Sirius was flinging curses left and right as he tried to keep an eye on both Harry and Essie.

He stooped just in time to see Voldemort enter the castle. Voldemort looked around until he spotted Harry who was busy with other Death Eater. Voldemort smiled wickedly as he raised his wand. Sirius began to move as did Essie. Essie threw out hand as she shouted a spell. Sirius flicked his wand as well, casting his spell. Remus tackled Harry to the ground. Voldemort was hit with both spells. Essie smiled at Sirius until a Death eater grabbed her. Sirius tossed a body bind curse with excellent accuracy. Essie fell to the ground with the Death Eater. Sirius was about to run over when Voldemort hit him with a Crucio curse. Sirius howled in pain.

Harry watched in horror as Sirius was being tortured. Voldemort grinned sadistically as he tortured Harry's godfather. Remus's grip loosened in shock at his friend's predicament. Harry slipped away and hit Voldemort with a disarming spell. Voldemort whirled in Harry's direction. His eyes narrowed with hate.

"Come and get me, you git." Harry taunted, "I'm the one you want."

"With pleasure, boy." Voldemort grinned.

Harry raced down a darken hallway. Voldemort gladly gave chase. His goal was in sight. He knew the bloody woman would appear if her precious ward were in danger. She always did before.

Remus ran to Sirius's side. Sirius's eyes watered because of the great pain. Remus looked over where Essie had fallen to see her get up. Her eyes flashed with anger as she sent a curse flying over Remus's shoulder in to a Death Eater. Essie ran over. She knelt next to Remus.

"Is he?" Essie asked.

"I'm fine." Sirius hissed, "Where's Harry?"

"Voldemort is chasing him." Remus replied, "We need to help him."

Essie stood up, "You get Sirius to his feet. I'll go hold off Voldie." Essie remarked as she brushed the bracelet. Remus stared as she transformed. She turned to Remus and said, "Keep him safe, Remus."

Essie raced down the Hallway. She entered the encroaching darkness for what may be the last time. Sirius watched her disappear. A sense of urgency overtook him. He tried to stand up. Remus grabbed his arm.

"You need to take it easy." Remus warned him.

"She is going to get herself killed. Remus, She is going to die. I saw that look in her eyes before." Sirius growled to Remus. When she was going to the pyre. Remus gripped his arms and lifted Sirius to his feet. Rain cast a spell on Sirius, which gave him back some strength in his legs. Sirius waved as he and Remus took off down the hallway. Several Death eaters tried to follow but were cut off by Lightning.

"Now you boys weren't trying to interrupt their private party." Lightning roared as the bolts flicked off of her skin. She tossed a few at the Death Eaters who decided to turn tail and run.

Nightmare jumped down from her perch. Pulling an arrow from her quiver, she began to engage in some hand to hand combat. Her students watched from their hiding spots as their teacher dispatched a few more Death Eaters. Once her area was cleared she turned to her students and winked.

"A few more years of practice and you can do that too." Nightmare shouted to them. A whistle sounded through the Great Hall. Nightmare and the others watched in shock as the Death Eaters suddenly withdrew.

"What the hell was that?" Thunder raged, "That wasn't even a melee."

"Something isn't right." Storm stated, "Everyone, pull back. Something big must be coming."

A roar rumbled through the hall. Several students grew pale. Nightmare turned to Snape. Her eyes started to glow. Snape started to back away. Draco ran up.

"Get the kids out of here. We'll handle this." Nightmare barked.

"What is coming?" Draco asked.

"A huge Basilisk! We can handle it. You need to get everyone out of here."

Draco was about to protest when Snape grabbed his shoulder and pulled him away. Together, They sounded the retreat. The Younger Guard moved towards the door. Lust watched as the mortals retreated. He waited until they were gone before he spoke up.

"I hate to bear some bad news but we are mortal." Lust smirked.

"Give it up!" Dreams stated. Everyone but her sister stared at her blankly.

"You heard her, "Nightmare shouted, "We have to protect those children. We need to be immortal in order to destroy what is coming."

Together, the guardians whispered a prayer. The warmth of a mortal's life left their bodies. When they looked at each other again. They were healed and at full strength. Nightmare prepared her bow. Everyone followed her lead. Thunder smiled.

"Let's show them who is the boss!" Thunder boomed. Outside several death eaters fell to the ground. The others nodded as they raced outside to face the monster snake.

Draco stood in the Great Hall as the Guardians rushed out. He glanced down the hallway where Harry and the others disappeared. In his heart, he knew the Younger Guard would be okay. His feet moved him to look down that hallway. Harry may need his help. Soon, he was running down that hall way as well.

Lucius watched as his son ran down the hallway. He stepped out of his hiding spot and raised his wand to summon his son back. From what he had seen, his son had dishonored the name of Malfoy. Before he could cast the spell, he was flung across the room by another spell. Lucius got up and looked around for his attacker. Another spell hit him. Lucius decided to beat a hasty retreat. Snape pocketed his wand and smiled. Draco was free for a little longer.

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Harry ran as fast as his legs could carry him. Every so often he glanced over his shoulder to be sure that Voldemort was following. He kept running. The farther Voldie was from Sirius and Essie, the safer they were. Ahead of him, a door swung open. A voice on the wind whispered in his ear, "Head for the room."

Harry nodded and broke out in a full run for that door. He didn't understand why but he had to get to that room. He had a good lead on Voldie he dove into the room and gasped at the beauty of it.

Sirius and Remus struggled to keep up with Essie. Sirius fought through some of the left over pain. He felt his knees buckle from the pain. A pair of arms grabbed him and helped him up. Sirius turned to see the woman from Essie's memory smiling at him. Remus stared at her in shock.

"You must be careful, Black the Noble. She needs you in good health." The Woman advised him.

"Who are you?" Sirius asked.

"I'm called many things. You can call me Gaia the Earth Mother. She loves you and needs you. Hurry to her." Gaia informed them as she pushed him forward. Sirius stumbled but found his legs were a lot better.

"With every spell she casts, her life force grows weaker. That's the effects of becoming mortal. She is too vulnerable to survive a fight with Voldemort. She will die if he uses the dagger of tainted silver." Gaia told him as she melted into the shadows.

Sirius began to run at full speed. He passed Remus as he hurried after Essie. He prayed he reached her before it was too late. Remus chased after him as well.

The room was like the inside of a cathedral. Harry gaped at the stained glass window. He walked deeper into the room. He didn't noticed the amulet around his neck begin to glow with an eerie light. Gently it's light spread across Harry's chest forming a piece of armor.

A robust voice shouted out, "Dodge, little warrior."

Harry jumped to the right. A curse narrowly missed him. Harry turned to see Voldemort dominated the doorway. His eye glinted with an evil light. Voldemort began to advance on him.

"So now it ends. Once I kill you she will fall as well. Then I will be immortal to rule this world. The only thing my master wants is one woman." Voldemort grinned evilly as he raised his wand again. Harry ducked among the pillars as another curse went flying towards him. Quickly he raced to the door. As he neared the door he felt a leg lock curse hit him. Harry hit the cobblestone floor hard. He tried to get up but couldn't. Behind him, he could hear Voldemort starting. Harry closed his eyes. He knew what was coming and his mother or Essie wasn't here to protect. Soon Voldemort shouted out the two words that Harry was waiting for.

"Avada Kedavra!!" Voldemort roared.

"Mortis Deflectos!!" a female voice shouted .

There was a bright flash as the two spells met in the air. Harry opened his eyes. Was he still alive? He looked up at Voldemort who face was covered in fear, which gradually melted into hate.

"Damn you! You have interfered for the last time." Voldemort raged at the counter spell caster.

A husky laughter filled the room. Harry turned to see his savior. In the door stood a lady dressed in nothing but black. A half mask covered her face. The hood of his cloak was pulled down revealing her long black hair. In her hands was a wicked looking scythe. Essie smiled a nasty smile at Voldemort.

"Hello, Thomas Riddle. I see you remembered me." Essie replied sweetly.

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Myshawolf is hiding under an umbrella. The sky above her has darkened even more and has become violent. Dinybones walks out.

DB: Why are you hiding under there?

MW: I'm trying to avoid being smyted.

DB: Oh. You do know that the metal in your umbrella will attract lightning.

MW: AKKK! * Myshawolf tosses the umbrella away just as lightning strikes it*

DB: LMAO

MW: Help a girl out and hit the review button to get me out of this mess. * Lightning bolts start to hit closer and closer to her* Please!!!!!!!!