Aiden and Draco jumped into one of the thestral drawn carriages, sitting
across from Hermione and Severus. It was the first Hogsmeade trip of the
year. Aiden was nervous, he did not agree with letting the students roam
freely, when Death Eater activity was so frequent. He sat in silence,
hardly listening to the other three' s conversation, and jumped out first
when the carriage stopped, and headed to the hogshead, without even waiting
for Draco.
Reaching the battered building, he tried to push open the door. It was locked. "Strange." he muttered. He peered into one of the filthy windows. It was totally empty. He furrowed his brow, thinking. He sighed, and turned to head to the main part of the town, when sweeping coldness washed over him. "No.." he muttered. "I knew it." he transformed into the Hawk, taking off and flying out past the village.
Draco, Hermione, and Severus were sitting in the Three Broomsticks, sipping at their drinks. The majority of the students were divided up between there, and Fred and George Weasley's joke shop. Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes had out stripped Zonko's by so much, they had sold out, so now the WWW had taken Zonko's place. Draco looked around. "I wonder where Aiden went?"
"I saw him walking towards the edge of town." Draco turned around.
"Ginny! Good to see you!"
Ginny smiled warmly. "And you. Afternoon, Hermione, Professor Snape,"
Draco beamed. "Why don't you join us?"
Ginny smiled. "All right. I'm here in Hogsmeade all day, Fred and George are here, checking up on the store, invited me along, as it is my day off."
Hermione grinned. "That's great! I've been meaning to get together with you sometime!"
"Yes, I confess I rather hoped I would run into you here, when I heard it was Hogwarts Hogsmeade weekend." She glanced at Draco.
"Well, we are certainly glad you did." Draco took a sip of his drink. "How's work?"
"Oh-it's busy.as usual."
Severus leaned back in his chair, letting the three younger people talk. His eyes rested on Hermione.his.what? He shook his head. He didn't know why he kept up this affair with her. The sex was good, all though truthfully, he preferred to fuck men before women. She was intellectually stimulating, he supposed that was why he kept her around. He reached for his mug of firewhisky, and froze. He saw Draco do the same. His veins were filled with fire.spreading up his arm. The Dark Lord was calling his Death Eaters to him. He set his jaw till the feeling subsided.
Aiden flew as fast as he could back to Hogsmeade. Dementors, at least 20 of them, and Death Eaters, were less than a quarter of a mile away. He transformed, and ran into the 3 Broomsticks.
Draco looked up when Aiden ran it. "Oh gods." He breathed. "They're coming?"
Aiden nodded. "Death Eaters and Dementors. They'll be here within 10 minutes. We have to evacuate the town."
Ginny jumped up. "Fred and George! I'll go to the store.bring everyone back here." She ran out the door, Aiden trailing behind her.
Severus didn't know what to do. There was no way everyone in Hogsmeade would be able to go to safety. There was no room on the carriages; they wouldn't be able to get to them in time anyway. He ran out the door, Hermione and Draco close behind.
Draco stopped and looked around. No way would they get everyone out of danger in time. "Sonoras" he whispered, then yelled "Attention! Will everybody please head into the 3 Broomsticks right away! Do not panic, please; just head there right away! Nobody is to stay outside!" Everybody rushed for the door of the restraunt. Everyone knew the reason they were being cleared from the streets; it could only be Voldemort.
Hermione, Severus, and Draco looked around. They could see the Death Eaters approaching. Fortunately, the streets appeared to be empty, the shops silent. They stood at the doorway to the 3 broomsticks. Hermione glanced at Draco. "There's a passageway." She whispered. "They can go down there till its safe!" Draco glanced at her. "You know where it is?" She nodded. "Lets go."
Hermione stood on one of the tables. "Attention! Will you all follow me to the cellar! There is an underground passageway heading towards Hogwarts! QUIETLY! Make noise, and we may be found. Now, follow me!" Slowly, the people made their way into the passageway behind Hermione. Ginny was the last person to go through. Severus grabbed her arm. "Where is Aiden?" he hissed. Her eyes widened. "He was right behind me!" Severus squeezed his eyes shut. Hermione popped her head back up, eyes wide and full of worry. "He isn't down here!" Severus whirled around, heading for the door. Hermione reached out, grabbing his robes. "No!" She cried. "You'll just get yourself killed too!" Severus pried her hand off. "I am not leaving him alone. Lead them to Hogwarts. Now." Tears filled her eyes. "I.." She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him, but he turned away, stalking towards the door.
Severus looked down the street.coldness sweeping over him, as the Dementors glided towards him. The Death Eaters were blasting storefronts, but he didn't see Aiden. He dashed up the street, in and out of all the stores. There was no sign of Aiden. He stared back down the street; the Death Eaters were outside the Weasley Wizarding Wheezes. The Dementors were no where in sight. He fell back against the wall. "Aiden." he muttered. Perhaps he had transformed and flown away. He could take care of himself after all. Slowly, Severus turned, and slipped along the wall heading back to the Three Broomsticks. He reached the doorway and was about to yank it open when he heard it. Cheering. He whirled, staring down the street. The Death Eaters were still outside the Joke Shop, and the Dementors were joining them, gliding out of the store. He frowned, what had happen? Then he saw. Two Dementors were dragging a person out of the store. It was Aiden. He watched as one of the Death Eaters stepped forward, signaling to the Dementors to drop him. Aiden stood, head held high, before the Death Eater, who took off his mask. It was Lucius Malfoy. He smirked at Aiden, a held his hand out to one of the Dementors, whose scaly, greenish hand reached out, handing Lucius Aiden's wand. Lucius pocketed it, and jabbed Aiden with his own wand. "Crucio!" he hissed.
Pain ripped through Aiden's body, but he wouldn't scream. He wouldn't fall. He gritted his teeth, and held his head high. He turned his head so he could see the door of the Joke Shop out of the corner of his eye. His eyes flew to the corner by the counter where four students cowered. He nodded stiffly, and turned back to Lucius. He couldn't start a duel here; the teens would undoubtedly be caught by the curses. Fast as lightning, he transformed into a hawk, flying over and behind the Death Eaters.
Severus watched as Aiden transformed. He flew over the Death Eaters, and stopped. Why wasn't he leaving? Severus clenched his fist. The hawk was soaring over them, screeching. All the Death Eaters were watching, curses flying. "Go.Leave!" He urged the young man silently. His eyes traveled over to the door of the shop, and he then saw why Aiden was still there. Four of the students were edging out the door, trying to make a run for it while the Death Eaters were distracted. The students caught sight of him, and ran. The two girls started crying, the boys were pale. Severus recognized two of them as his own 7th year Slytherins. "Mr. Sinclair!" He growled. "Why did you not go with the rest of the students when you were called?" The boy shakily answered him. "I.we didn't hear anything sir." One of the girls, a Gryffindor 7th year, spoke up. "They were dueling. Behind the joke shop. P-professor Applin came to find us, but the Death Eaters were already there. So we hid, and when the Dementors came.he let himself get captured so they wouldn't find us. It-it's all our fault." she dissolved into tears again. "There is a passageway inside.." The Gryffindor boy cut him off. "We know where it is. Come on." Severus watched, making sure they made it, before turning back to Aiden. He had seen them make it to safety, and turning in the air to fly away. Yells of anger went up from the Death Eaters, outraged that he was holding them alone. "AVADA KEDVARA!" Screamed Lucius. The green lightning sped towards the hawk, enveloping it. "NO!" Yelled Severus, running forwards. The Death Eaters whirled when they heard him, wands drawn. "Avada Kedvara!" Severus yelled, taking down one. "Stupefy!" the red light rushed at him, and he fell.
He woke up next to the motionless Aiden. He was in his human form again; lying spread-eagled on the ground. Severus crawled to his knees, kneeling by the young mans side, eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry" He whispered. He laid his hand on his forehead, the tears falling. He raised his eyes to Lucius. "Bastard" He hissed. "I'll kill you!"
Lucius laughed. "Ah-ah. I don't think so." He held up Snape's wand. "Dear, dear Severus. The Dark Lord will be ever so pleased with me, don't you think? I got both Harry Potter and the traitor! Now if I could just kill my 'son' and the old fool." Severus stood, lunging at Malfoy. "You'll pay for this!" He yelled. Lucius merely smiled. "No. You will pay my dear Severus. Not me. Avada Kedvara!" Severus winced as he watched the green light speed towards him. He squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the inevitable.
"Hello Lucius." A familiar voice spoke. Severus opened his eyes, figure of a man standing in front of him. The person laughed. "You are wrong. You will pay." He threw his arms wide, fire engulfing every Death Eater, every Dementor, leaving none but Lucius. "But, I will leave you for your son." He waved his hand, Lucius falling to the ground, bound by silver cords. The man turned back to Severus. "Are you ok?"
"Aiden?" Snape whispered. "How?" Aiden shrugged. "Not sure. I saw the curse come at me, I felt it hit me, then it went black. I heard you talking to me.then I woke up, you were talking to Malfoy.and he cursed you.I tried to move, but I couldn't. Then.I was just.there. I don't know how." He stood and pulled Severus to his feet. "Everybody else is safe?" Severus stood. "Yes. In the tunnel." Aiden nodded and headed to let them out.
Draco sat by the entrance of the trap door. Hermione had taken the students ahead to Hogwarts; he and Ginny were waiting here with all the others for word from Severus. He was worried about him, and Aiden. Where could he have gone.it had been such a long time now! Suddenly, light poured into the tunnel, revealing Aiden himself. "Aiden!" Draco cried, engulfing his friend in a hug. Severus came up behind him. "You git! We were so worried!" Draco smiled at the Potions Master. Severus looked at Aiden. "We need to see the Headmaster." He spoke quietly. Aiden nodded. "All right. Dray?" He looked at his friend. "Something for you outside." Draco raised his eyebrows. "Oh?" He slid out of the tunnel, making room for Severus to go talk to its other occupants, and followed Aiden outside. Aiden gestured towards the still form in the middle of the road. Draco's eyes widened. "Is that.?" Aiden nodded. "I couldn't.I wasn't sure if you would have wanted me to kill him." Draco nodded. "Lets take him back to Hogwarts. The Headmaster might have use for him." He said quietly, and levitated his father behind him, heading for the carriages, Severus and Ginny joining them on the way.
Reaching the battered building, he tried to push open the door. It was locked. "Strange." he muttered. He peered into one of the filthy windows. It was totally empty. He furrowed his brow, thinking. He sighed, and turned to head to the main part of the town, when sweeping coldness washed over him. "No.." he muttered. "I knew it." he transformed into the Hawk, taking off and flying out past the village.
Draco, Hermione, and Severus were sitting in the Three Broomsticks, sipping at their drinks. The majority of the students were divided up between there, and Fred and George Weasley's joke shop. Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes had out stripped Zonko's by so much, they had sold out, so now the WWW had taken Zonko's place. Draco looked around. "I wonder where Aiden went?"
"I saw him walking towards the edge of town." Draco turned around.
"Ginny! Good to see you!"
Ginny smiled warmly. "And you. Afternoon, Hermione, Professor Snape,"
Draco beamed. "Why don't you join us?"
Ginny smiled. "All right. I'm here in Hogsmeade all day, Fred and George are here, checking up on the store, invited me along, as it is my day off."
Hermione grinned. "That's great! I've been meaning to get together with you sometime!"
"Yes, I confess I rather hoped I would run into you here, when I heard it was Hogwarts Hogsmeade weekend." She glanced at Draco.
"Well, we are certainly glad you did." Draco took a sip of his drink. "How's work?"
"Oh-it's busy.as usual."
Severus leaned back in his chair, letting the three younger people talk. His eyes rested on Hermione.his.what? He shook his head. He didn't know why he kept up this affair with her. The sex was good, all though truthfully, he preferred to fuck men before women. She was intellectually stimulating, he supposed that was why he kept her around. He reached for his mug of firewhisky, and froze. He saw Draco do the same. His veins were filled with fire.spreading up his arm. The Dark Lord was calling his Death Eaters to him. He set his jaw till the feeling subsided.
Aiden flew as fast as he could back to Hogsmeade. Dementors, at least 20 of them, and Death Eaters, were less than a quarter of a mile away. He transformed, and ran into the 3 Broomsticks.
Draco looked up when Aiden ran it. "Oh gods." He breathed. "They're coming?"
Aiden nodded. "Death Eaters and Dementors. They'll be here within 10 minutes. We have to evacuate the town."
Ginny jumped up. "Fred and George! I'll go to the store.bring everyone back here." She ran out the door, Aiden trailing behind her.
Severus didn't know what to do. There was no way everyone in Hogsmeade would be able to go to safety. There was no room on the carriages; they wouldn't be able to get to them in time anyway. He ran out the door, Hermione and Draco close behind.
Draco stopped and looked around. No way would they get everyone out of danger in time. "Sonoras" he whispered, then yelled "Attention! Will everybody please head into the 3 Broomsticks right away! Do not panic, please; just head there right away! Nobody is to stay outside!" Everybody rushed for the door of the restraunt. Everyone knew the reason they were being cleared from the streets; it could only be Voldemort.
Hermione, Severus, and Draco looked around. They could see the Death Eaters approaching. Fortunately, the streets appeared to be empty, the shops silent. They stood at the doorway to the 3 broomsticks. Hermione glanced at Draco. "There's a passageway." She whispered. "They can go down there till its safe!" Draco glanced at her. "You know where it is?" She nodded. "Lets go."
Hermione stood on one of the tables. "Attention! Will you all follow me to the cellar! There is an underground passageway heading towards Hogwarts! QUIETLY! Make noise, and we may be found. Now, follow me!" Slowly, the people made their way into the passageway behind Hermione. Ginny was the last person to go through. Severus grabbed her arm. "Where is Aiden?" he hissed. Her eyes widened. "He was right behind me!" Severus squeezed his eyes shut. Hermione popped her head back up, eyes wide and full of worry. "He isn't down here!" Severus whirled around, heading for the door. Hermione reached out, grabbing his robes. "No!" She cried. "You'll just get yourself killed too!" Severus pried her hand off. "I am not leaving him alone. Lead them to Hogwarts. Now." Tears filled her eyes. "I.." She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him, but he turned away, stalking towards the door.
Severus looked down the street.coldness sweeping over him, as the Dementors glided towards him. The Death Eaters were blasting storefronts, but he didn't see Aiden. He dashed up the street, in and out of all the stores. There was no sign of Aiden. He stared back down the street; the Death Eaters were outside the Weasley Wizarding Wheezes. The Dementors were no where in sight. He fell back against the wall. "Aiden." he muttered. Perhaps he had transformed and flown away. He could take care of himself after all. Slowly, Severus turned, and slipped along the wall heading back to the Three Broomsticks. He reached the doorway and was about to yank it open when he heard it. Cheering. He whirled, staring down the street. The Death Eaters were still outside the Joke Shop, and the Dementors were joining them, gliding out of the store. He frowned, what had happen? Then he saw. Two Dementors were dragging a person out of the store. It was Aiden. He watched as one of the Death Eaters stepped forward, signaling to the Dementors to drop him. Aiden stood, head held high, before the Death Eater, who took off his mask. It was Lucius Malfoy. He smirked at Aiden, a held his hand out to one of the Dementors, whose scaly, greenish hand reached out, handing Lucius Aiden's wand. Lucius pocketed it, and jabbed Aiden with his own wand. "Crucio!" he hissed.
Pain ripped through Aiden's body, but he wouldn't scream. He wouldn't fall. He gritted his teeth, and held his head high. He turned his head so he could see the door of the Joke Shop out of the corner of his eye. His eyes flew to the corner by the counter where four students cowered. He nodded stiffly, and turned back to Lucius. He couldn't start a duel here; the teens would undoubtedly be caught by the curses. Fast as lightning, he transformed into a hawk, flying over and behind the Death Eaters.
Severus watched as Aiden transformed. He flew over the Death Eaters, and stopped. Why wasn't he leaving? Severus clenched his fist. The hawk was soaring over them, screeching. All the Death Eaters were watching, curses flying. "Go.Leave!" He urged the young man silently. His eyes traveled over to the door of the shop, and he then saw why Aiden was still there. Four of the students were edging out the door, trying to make a run for it while the Death Eaters were distracted. The students caught sight of him, and ran. The two girls started crying, the boys were pale. Severus recognized two of them as his own 7th year Slytherins. "Mr. Sinclair!" He growled. "Why did you not go with the rest of the students when you were called?" The boy shakily answered him. "I.we didn't hear anything sir." One of the girls, a Gryffindor 7th year, spoke up. "They were dueling. Behind the joke shop. P-professor Applin came to find us, but the Death Eaters were already there. So we hid, and when the Dementors came.he let himself get captured so they wouldn't find us. It-it's all our fault." she dissolved into tears again. "There is a passageway inside.." The Gryffindor boy cut him off. "We know where it is. Come on." Severus watched, making sure they made it, before turning back to Aiden. He had seen them make it to safety, and turning in the air to fly away. Yells of anger went up from the Death Eaters, outraged that he was holding them alone. "AVADA KEDVARA!" Screamed Lucius. The green lightning sped towards the hawk, enveloping it. "NO!" Yelled Severus, running forwards. The Death Eaters whirled when they heard him, wands drawn. "Avada Kedvara!" Severus yelled, taking down one. "Stupefy!" the red light rushed at him, and he fell.
He woke up next to the motionless Aiden. He was in his human form again; lying spread-eagled on the ground. Severus crawled to his knees, kneeling by the young mans side, eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry" He whispered. He laid his hand on his forehead, the tears falling. He raised his eyes to Lucius. "Bastard" He hissed. "I'll kill you!"
Lucius laughed. "Ah-ah. I don't think so." He held up Snape's wand. "Dear, dear Severus. The Dark Lord will be ever so pleased with me, don't you think? I got both Harry Potter and the traitor! Now if I could just kill my 'son' and the old fool." Severus stood, lunging at Malfoy. "You'll pay for this!" He yelled. Lucius merely smiled. "No. You will pay my dear Severus. Not me. Avada Kedvara!" Severus winced as he watched the green light speed towards him. He squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the inevitable.
"Hello Lucius." A familiar voice spoke. Severus opened his eyes, figure of a man standing in front of him. The person laughed. "You are wrong. You will pay." He threw his arms wide, fire engulfing every Death Eater, every Dementor, leaving none but Lucius. "But, I will leave you for your son." He waved his hand, Lucius falling to the ground, bound by silver cords. The man turned back to Severus. "Are you ok?"
"Aiden?" Snape whispered. "How?" Aiden shrugged. "Not sure. I saw the curse come at me, I felt it hit me, then it went black. I heard you talking to me.then I woke up, you were talking to Malfoy.and he cursed you.I tried to move, but I couldn't. Then.I was just.there. I don't know how." He stood and pulled Severus to his feet. "Everybody else is safe?" Severus stood. "Yes. In the tunnel." Aiden nodded and headed to let them out.
Draco sat by the entrance of the trap door. Hermione had taken the students ahead to Hogwarts; he and Ginny were waiting here with all the others for word from Severus. He was worried about him, and Aiden. Where could he have gone.it had been such a long time now! Suddenly, light poured into the tunnel, revealing Aiden himself. "Aiden!" Draco cried, engulfing his friend in a hug. Severus came up behind him. "You git! We were so worried!" Draco smiled at the Potions Master. Severus looked at Aiden. "We need to see the Headmaster." He spoke quietly. Aiden nodded. "All right. Dray?" He looked at his friend. "Something for you outside." Draco raised his eyebrows. "Oh?" He slid out of the tunnel, making room for Severus to go talk to its other occupants, and followed Aiden outside. Aiden gestured towards the still form in the middle of the road. Draco's eyes widened. "Is that.?" Aiden nodded. "I couldn't.I wasn't sure if you would have wanted me to kill him." Draco nodded. "Lets take him back to Hogwarts. The Headmaster might have use for him." He said quietly, and levitated his father behind him, heading for the carriages, Severus and Ginny joining them on the way.