Chapter 19
Years of running from Dudley and his gang had made Harry exceptionally fast, and he soon outdistanced Ron and Neville.
He could see Draco and Snape nearing the gate; soon they'd be beyond the wards, and he took a desperate chance. "Sectumsempra!"
The curse impacted Draco's torso and he'd have fallen if Snape had not maintained his grip. The potions professor all but carried Draco beyond the wards; as they were about to apparate Harry yelled "Expelliarmus!
He'd aimed at Snape but missed and hit Draco. In another second they were gone, with only a hawthorn wand left behind to show for all his efforts.
Neville caught up. "Harry?"
"They got away. What of the other Death Eaters?"
"McGonagall rallied the staff. We'd better see if we can help."
They headed back into the castle, only to see Ron standing over the body of a lovely girl whose long blonde hair masked her features.
"No!" Harry breathed. "Tell me it isn't Daphne?"
He knelt beside the body, gathering her into his arms. He brushed back her hair, moved to close her eyes, and froze. Those eyes were hazel!
Tonks scurried down the corridor, unable to believe her luck at catching the Greengrass girl on her own. Part one of the plan: complete!
She whisked around the corner and almost stumbled over Bill Weasley. His face was drenched in blood, scored by deep claw marks. For a moment she thought he was dead, then saw his chest rise and fall with every shallow breath.
Tonks hesitated. If he got to the infirmary immediately, he'd probably survive, but she needed to get away to clear her wand of the killing curse that had finished off the Greengrass girl.
She decided to leave him.
As she turned to go, she heard a low growl, and found herself face to face with Fenrir Greyback.
Her blood turned to ice.
The gathering in the Headmaster's office was somber.
Fawkes trilled a mournful note, then flew to Harry's side and settled on his shoulder.
Head Auror Gawain Robards cleared his throat. "Right then: Gibbon is dead, although most of the Death Eaters escaped. Bill Weasley sustained serious injuries, but is expected to survive. Do we know how the Death Eaters obtained entrance to the school?"
"Through a vanishing cabinet," Harry muttered. "We found it in…one of the castle rooms. It has been destroyed."
Robards nodded, his expression grim. "We've lost Dumbledore, along with one auror, Tonks. She was evidently torn to pieces by Greyback. And one student, Astoria Greengrass, fell to the killing curse."
Harry stirred uneasily. "I need to get back to my wife. Madam Pomfrey gave her a sleeping draught, but she's been upset over the death of her sister. If she wakes, I should be there."
Harry left the office, accompanied by Fawkes. He had a feeling that the phoenix would stay with him from now on.
Both Daphne and Hermione were sleeping soundly, thanks to the potions. Harry found Millicent Bulstrode sitting beside his wife.
He almost drew his wand, but the Slytherin girl simply regarded him calmly.
"I'm not a threat, Potter. I tried to help Astoria, but… she was very devoted to Draco, and I failed to keep her out of harm's way. I'm sorry."
"Not your fault. I promised to protect her, but…"
Millie shook her head. "Let's just blame whoever killed her."
"Who?" The old man hissed at his daughter.
"Possibly Thorfin Rowle. That fool loves to throw around the Unforgivables. My husband says he took down Gibbon with the killing curse."
Titus Greengrass scowled. "How did Death Eaters get into the castle?"
"Draco Malfoy. It was his task from the dark lord. He succeeded, but Pythias says he was badly injured while escaping. The rest all got away," Dahlia informed him. "Pansy has written that the castle is overrun with aurors."
"Tell your daughter to keep her ears open and her head down," ordered Titus Greengrass. "I want to know everything that happens at Hogwarts. Along with whatever you learn from your husband."
Dahlia nodded fervently. She knew better than to reveal her jubilation, but it was difficult to mask her feelings. She couldn't help thinking that with Daphne disowned and Astoria dead, Pansy was now the sole viable heiress to the House of Greengrass.
Of course, that would mean negotiations with the Malfoys would discontinue; her father would never countenance such a marriage under the circumstances. Nevertheless, all other matches were now possible.
Dahlia left Greengrass Manor with a head full of schemes.
Harry was surprised to find how well the hawthorn wand worked for him. Two wands were better than one, he decided. If he were to be disarmed, he would still have a back-up.
"We are being sent home early," Ron informed them.
"What about exams?" Neville worried.
"We're to take them at the ministry next month," Harry said. "Since Death Eaters already got in, the professors think the castle isn't safe."
"What about a funeral for Dumbledore?" Hermione asked.
"There'll be a memorial when school resumes in September." Harry told her. "Until then, guess we're on our own."