~*~

The Book of Carmen

Chapter XXIII: On the Roof

~*~

Ignore everything he says, just get him on your side, Ron kept telling himself as he walked over to where the Slytherins were sleeping. He took a deep breath and shook Draco's leg.

"Weasley," Draco sneered, wrenching his leg away from Ron's grasp. Crabbe and Goyle awoke and looked as if they were ready to attack Ron for his intrusion. Fortunately, they were still in their sleeping bags and could not reach him.

"Draco, I have a proposition for you," Ron said, trying to keep his voice even.

"Unless it involves Crabbe and Goyle pounding you into the floor, I'm not interested."

Keep your cool, play to his ego. "I know that all the Slytherins respect you and that they will do pretty much anything you tell them." Keep sarcasm out of your voice. "And…well…I need your help," Ron said getting the words out quickly, not liking the bitter taste they left in his mouth.

Draco looked at a loss for words, but not in a good way. Still, Ron took advantage of the moment, "The other houses are planning on helping to fight the monster that attacked us earlier."

"Why would I want to help them? What's in it for me?"

Ron took a deep breath; this was painful, "Because if you help defeat the creature, then everyone will see you as a hero."

Draco pondered this for a moment and then shook his head, "No. Now leave or I will hex you."

That was it. Ron's temper peaked. "You spoiled rotten baby," Ron said before he could stop himself.

"What did you call me?"

"The whole school could fall down around your feet, and you wouldn't bat an eyelash."

"That's it. Crabbe, Goyle, pound him."

~*~

Sirius stepped forward and Selene embraced him, her lips connecting with his. Harry watched in horror, not understanding what was going on, but trusting Sirius enough not to interfere.

Immediately Sirius understood Remus' earlier words about the pull to surrender to her. He felt his limbs surge with energy and felt strong enough to battle a hundred Rocs. However, he also found that the kiss weakened his will to finish his task. His dream flashed before him again, and he saw all the faces of the people who would die if did not destroy this evil. He grabbed Selene close and pulled the sword from its scabbard, "Forgive me," he whispered into her ear. Then with all of his strength he struck Selene in the chest with the blade and pushed it through to the hilt.

Selene screamed. The scream's pitch deafened Sirius and he felt the castle tremble beneath them as the very earth responded to the cry. Selene staggered backwards, both angry and surprised at Sirius' actions. The blade glowed brilliantly and Sirius could see vein-like streaks of ice work their way up her body. The sight of Selene in this state tore at his heart, but he kept watching, determined to make sure the evil was destroyed.

Then Selene grasped the blade, and pulled it out slowly. As she did the icy veins disappeared, and her scream turned into laughter. She sighed as she pulled the blade free from her body and held it to the night sky, "This is a very old blade, but I am far older. It is still made of metal and I have long ago mastered the properties of metal. A noble effort, Sirius, but also a very foolish one, and also one for which you will pay dearly." Selene threw the sword and as it hit the ground, the mighty blade split in two.

~*~

At that same moment, a warm wind flooded the school, lifting and scattering paper as it touched every corner of the building. Eventually it found its way to Orballa, where Crabbe now held Ron with one hand, his other forming a fist. Ron was awaiting the blow when the wind blew through him, ruffling his hair and making him feel as if a fire had been ignited inside of him. He wasn't alone. Crabbe did not throw the punch and Ron looked around to see that the rest of the sleeping students were waking.

"Let him go," Draco said.

Crabbe complied and released Ron, even going as far as to straighten his robes. When Ron looked at Draco he was shocked. His face was no longer hard and pulled into a constant fury, instead it was relaxed. It made Draco appear almost friendly, almost.

"What's your plan Weasley?" Draco asked.

Ron explained it to him hurriedly, because the professors had begun to awake as well. He left Draco to gather the other Slytherins and returned to Hermione who was smiling. "Did you feel it, the wind?" she asked.

"Yes, what was it?"

"I don't know, but it was wonderful."

Draco, followed by the Slytherins, met the other three houses in the center of the room. McGonagall and a few other professors were making their way towards the group, no doubt curious to see what was going on. "Ready?" Ron asked the others, "Once we start, there's no going back."

Everyone nodded. "Okay, on three. One. Two. Three!" Ron yelled and than watched as a purple flame radiated from half a dozen wands and hit the sheet of cloth that was partitioning the makeshift hospital. The cloth grew to five times its size and wrapped itself around all of the professors. Yellow sparks came from another dozen wands and hit the great stone door, tearing it off its hinges. With Ron and Hermione in front the students ran from the room and into the tunnel.

"This better work Weasley," Draco said as they passed by the blue sheet with all their professors tangled up within the cloth.

Ron nodded, knowing that there were not enough detentions in the world to make up for what they had just done.

Minerva McGonagall had always considered herself a rational woman, who was always able to keep her temper in check. However, when she managed to work her way out of the cloth, she was furious. What was even more infuriating was that Dumbledore was standing in front of her smiling as if he had expected this all along. "Albus, can you believe it? Our own students! They mutinied, they actually mutinied!"

"It appears so," Dumbledore said, helping to untangle the other professors. He looked at the cloth and then back at the door, "It also appears that we've taught them very well."

"How can you remain so calm? They could be killed! We have to go after them." McGonagall marched towards the door, but was held back by an invisible force, keeping her from leaving the room. She reached out and touched the invisible barrier and her anger turned into confusion. She turned back to Dumbledore, "I don't understand. None of our students could have created a barrier like this."

"It is not the students who are keeping us in here, Minerva."

"Then who?"

Dumbledore pointed at one of the far walls. "Oh my," McGonagall said as the wall began to shift and mold itself like clay. McGonagall, along with Dumbledore and the rest of the professors, walked over to the wall where they saw the faint outlines of a new carving.

"The invisible wall did not come from the students, but from the very magic of this room. I suspect that Sirius has tried to use the sword and that somehow its true power has been released. You see Minerva, this task has been left to the students. It is they who must defend this school. Up until now we have guided them, now we will see what they will do with their knowledge."

~*~

Selene grabbed Sirius by his cloak and threw him against the wall of the turret. The force knocked the breath out him and he lay on the stone floor panting. Selene opened her mouth to an inhuman width and expelled hundreds of tiny insects towards Sirius. He put his arms up to block the tiny beasts, but Remus was quicker, and shielded his friend from the pests, stilling them midair. Selene turned her attention to Remus. She raised her arms and for the first time, her black cloak became a solid mass, rising behind her like two massive wings. It shot towards Remus, knocking his wand from his hands. The cloak wrapped around Remus' wrists and pulled him towards her. He struggled, but its magic was too strong.

"Remus," she hissed, her voice more snake-like than ever. Harry had his wand drawn and pointed at Selene, but he could not find an angle to strike her without hurting Remus. He glanced over at Will who seemed to be having the same problem. "Help Sirius," Will said to Harry who nodded and ran over to where his godfather was trying to stand.

"You betrayed me, Remus," Selene said, her eyes rabid with anger. Remus turned his head to keep from looking into her eyes, but she turned his head back towards her. "No, you will look at me, and I will be the last thing you'll ever see." She reached out her hand and one of the pieces of the broken sword flew to it, its jagged edge slicing Remus' sleeve. She twisted the hilt in her hand, "Let's see how human you really are."

She ripped open the front of Remus' robes and placed the blade to the cloth of his shirt, just bellow his collarbone. She moved the blade downwards, tearing the cloth and the skin, a thin trail of blood marking the blade's path. Remus struggled against his restraints, as the stain on his shirt grew larger. She pressed harder and Remus screamed as he felt the cold blade cut through the deeper layers of his skin. She stopped, just above his heart. "One last opportunity, join me."

Remus spit in her face.

"Very well," she raised the broken blade and swung, but Will appeared from nowhere and threw himself against Remus, knocking him free of her cloak, the blade missing his heart and merely nicking his right arm as he was pushed out of the way. The two tumbled to the ground and Remus suddenly found himself laying on his back and looking into the night sky.

"You!" Selene yelled, pointing a long claw-like finger at Will who was suddenly pulled away from Remus and brought before her. "You will pay for that!"

"We have to help him!" Harry screamed, pulling Sirius to his feet.

Sirius nodded and pulled out his wand, "Release him!"

Selene laughed, "As you wish." She thrust her hand forward, sending Will flying backwards.

"Harry, move!" Sirius yelled pushing Harry out of the way as Will flew towards them.

Harry hit the ground and heard a loud crack, followed by the sound of Will's body hitting the floor behind him.