Albus' eyes widened. Voldemort was working on the wards.they were falling
fast. He looked around at the students, all wide eyed, staring up at him,
waiting for instructions. Minerva grabbed his arm. "We have to get the
students out of here." Albus nodded. "Mr.Applin!"
Aiden jogged over to the headmaster. "I want you, Draco, Ginny, Hermione, Fred and George to take the students out the teachers corridor to the Room of Requirement. That will be the safest place for them."
"No! I want to stay here and fight! I'm the only one who can defeat him, I can't run away while everyone else sacrifices themselves!"
The Headmaster grabbed his shoulders. "You are not ready. I told you once the only thing Voldemort could not understand was love, and you are not prepared to perform the required spell. You have to protect the students. Once you reach the room, I want you to floo them to safety."
Aiden took a deep breath. "Yes sir." He turned and rushed over to Draco and the Weasley's. "Gather the students. We are going to the Room of Requirement to floo them to safety." The four of them whirled, gathering the children and ushering them to the teachers exit. Aiden turned to Severus. "I." He stood on his toes, pressing his lips to Severus'. The Potions Master put his hand behind Aiden's head, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss. After they broke apart, Aiden stared at him for a moment, before whirling on his heel and gathering the rest of the students.
Once his group reached the Room of Requirement, the others had begun Flooing the students to their homes. They started to the first years, and worked upwards. When they had gotten about Halfway through the 7th years, Sean Sinclair stepped forward. "I am not going." He spoke quietly. "I am going to stay here and fight." The rest of the 7th years fell silent; Jamison Peters finally stepping forward. "I will be honored to fight alongside you." He announced, extending his hand. Sean smiled and squeezed it briefly. "And I you." The students glanced at one another, then slowly drew their wands. Jamison and Sean turned to their shocked Professors. "We all stay."
"No!" Hermione cried. "This isn't just like dueling class! Voldemort's army will be using the Unforgivables, not Jinxes!"
Sean looked at her steadily. "I have used the Unforgivables as well. And I will use them now." The other Slytherins nodded in agreement. "Our parents are Death Eaters. If we run, we will most likely be caught and tortured for not fighting. So we will fight, just not on the side expected of us."
Hermione shook her head, looking at the rest of the group. "What about them?" She waved her arm. "They have no experience!"
"We are not leaving." Jamison said stubbornly. "We will all have to fight sometime. If not today, we will tomorrow. If we lose today, we will be just as unprepared when the time comes, because Hogwarts will fall, as well as the Ministry, and it will be chaos. We all have heard what it was like all those years ago."
Aiden shook his head. He knew the young man was right. "All right. But I want you to partner up, ok? Watch each other's back. Work as a team."
Draco turned to him. "Should we go back?"
"Not yet. We need help.I have an idea." Aiden turned to Hermione. "Do you remember where the centaurs are?"
She nodded. "Yes, but they won't help us."
Aiden shook his head. "They will. Their home is threatened as well."
"Well, how can I get there?"
"Apparate."
"Aiden. You can't apparate on-"
"The wards are down, remember?"
Hermione's eyes widened. "Oh!" and with a pop, she disappeared.
Aiden turned to Draco. "I'll be right back." He exited with a pop, reappearing in the Headmaster's Office. "Fawkes!" the phoenix was agitatedly flying around the room. "Call the Order, now! Room of Requirement!"
He popped out, and appeared in the Kitchens. He knew House Elves had powerful magic, even if they could only use it to protect their Masters. "Dobby!" He yelled. The house elf appeared instantly, and started jabbering. "DOBBY! SHUTUP! Hogwarts is under attack, I want you all in the Room of Requirement NOW!" Dobby's eyes widened. "Yes Sir!" He squeaked, and disappeared.
Aiden materialized back in the Room of Requirement, Order members already pouring in, more than he had ever seen at any of the meetings. The house elves popped up, the Room expanding for the masses. Hermione appeared, breathless. "They agreed!" She cried. "They are gathering the creatures of the forest!"
Aiden nodded. "Excellent. Now, we wait."
The teachers exited the Great Hall, lining up at the front stones of the castle. Severus clenched his jaw. His Dark Mark was shooting fire up his arm. The alarms were ringing loudly, bells tolling. Then, they stopped for a second, and turned into a shrill whistle. "The wards have fallen." Albus said softly. The teachers drew their wands, bracing themselves for the attack. The Dark Lord appeared, hundreds of Dementors, at least 100 Death Eaters, about 50 trolls, 20 or so giants, scores of vampires, and other creatures, it was overwhelming. They stood about 50 yards away. "So this is your army, Dumbledore? A few teachers, to protect your beloved school, against my ranks? Ah, it is almost funny. I give you one chance. Surrender to me, and give me Harry Potter, and I will kill you quickly."
Albus was radiating power; it was plain to see why he was respected as one of the greatest wizards in the world. "Never Tom." He voice was calm.
"Very well." Voldemort raised his wand, green light jetting at Dumbledore, who disappeared, appearing a few feet away. Then, the Death Eaters attacked.
Severus was throwing out killing curses left and right. He knew he was going to die today. There was no way they could win this time. There had been no time, no warning, they hadn't even alerted the Order. And still, it was only the Death Eaters that were attacking, and even then, only half. Voldemort was holding back, and he knew why. He wanted to beat them with as little effort as possible, to show just how much more powerful than Dumbledore he really was. He saw Sirius and Remus, fighting back to back, their own killing curses flying at anyone who came in range, but still, the Death Eaters gained ground.
Aiden sat thoughtfully. It was time, he decided. He spoke aloud. "I require exits, to the edge of the Dark Forest, Quidditch Pitch, and edge of the lake. Three doors appeared.
"All right. Hermione, can you go to the Forest, lead the centaurs. Fred, George, she'll need backup. Wait for my signal to attack." They nodded, and disappeared through one of the doors.
"House elves, go by the lake, do not let yourselves be seen till I give you the signal, ok?" The elves disappeared, following his orders.
He turned to the rest of the people in the room, his students, and the Order. "You are going to the Quidditch Pitch. Again, wait for my signal."
Draco frowned. "And where will you be?"
"I am going to fly over them, and look for an opening. Then, I am going to have to fight Voldemort."
Draco nodded. "All right." He pulled his friend into a hug. "Good luck."
Aiden smiled. "I always have been lucky before."
Aiden watched as the Order disappeared. He disapperated, appearing again in the Astronomy Tower. He peered out over the front of the school. The teachers were not doing well at all. And he could see Voldemort was only playing with them. He transformed, soaring over the chaos.
They had lost. The Death Eaters had them surrounded. Even Albus had been disarmed. Riddle laughed, twirling the Headmasters wand in his long fingers.
"Now. I believe I shall kill the traitor first. He aimed his wand, jerking Severus forward. Your little black sheep, isn't he, old man?" He laughed. He rolled up Severus' sleeve, and laid a finger on the Dark Mark. In that moment, Severus knew he was dying. It was like a thousand Crucio's, he had never been in so much pain. He screamed, tears falling. But still the Dark Lord made him suffer.
Aiden appeared in the middle of the circle.
Voldemort dropped Severus. "Ah, Potter." He spoke. "Come to see the traitor killed? See how pathetic they are, they have been defeated with not even a quarter of my forces!"
"You will not kill him." He hissed, and pulled Severus to his feet.
"Oh, but I will, and you as well." Aiden waved his wands, the teacher's wands returning to him. He clasped Severus shaking hand in his own, willing him to heal. Slowly, the man steadied.
"How nice, Harry Potter and the Traitor! I will have to arrange a little show for you, Mr. Potter.
"No thanks Tom. I would rather kill you and end it."
"You really think you can defeat my army? You are a bigger fool than I ever though." He waved his arm, and the Dementors glided forward. Aiden glanced toward the Quidditch Pitch, where he knew the Order was waiting. He raised his wand, sending up red sparks. All at once, Patronus were flying towards the Dementors. The Order ran forward, and the real battle began. Voldemort let loose the rest of his army, the giants and trolls lumbering towards the castle, battering it with stones and poles, ripping it slowly apart. Severus was jerked from his hand; he turned to see a Vampire about to latch onto his neck. Voldemort took this chance to attack Aiden, who brought up a shield just in time. He glanced back at Severus; he had thrown off the vampire, and was now dueling a Death Eater. Aiden sent up blue sparks, and centaur's and other creatures charged out of the forest, lead by Hermione and the twins, slowly but surely taking down the Dark Forces. He sent up yellow sparks, and the hundreds of House elves appeared everywhere, using their magic to rebuilt the castle as fast as it was crumbling.
The Dark Lord shrieked. He had been counting on them to be unprepared and disorganized. He slashed his wand angrily, sending a jet of purple light speeding towards Aiden, who brought up his shield, but stumbled back, dropping his wand. Voldemort summoned it, and laughed. "Dear dear Mr. Potter. Seems I have won." He aimed his own wand at Aiden, a transparent silvery black snake twisting around him, restricting his movement. He walked towards him, and laid one finger on Aiden's forehead. "Hid it, have you? No matter." He waved his wand. Aiden felt as if he was splitting in two. He could feel himself changing; the charms were coming undone. Riddle smiled, and laid his hand over the lightning bolt scar. Aiden screamed, he would die, he wanted to, and it was too much. He burned, he counldn't keep going. His parents were screaming in his head, every person Voldemort had ever killed tortured him, yelling. "No no no" He chanted, and jerked his eyes open. He looked out over the battlefield, at those who he was about to let down. He saw Remus, standing over Sirius body, firing killing curses at everyone coming within 10 feet of him, howling. Sean and Jamison, fighting back to back, Draco furiously killing everything he saw, Ginny lying unconscience behind him. Severus, surrounded by Death Eaters. Severus. He couldn't let him down. Never. He couldn't leave him; he would get rid of the mark that tainted the man he loved.
"NO!" He yelled, throwing Voldemort back. Riddle's eyes went wide at the use of Wandless Magic. He ripped out his daggers, hurling them, both ripping into both of the Dark Lords arms. Love.the only thing he didn't understand.the one thing that could defeat him. He saw Severus throw down a vial, which exploded, throwing the Death Eater's into the air. His eyes met Aidens. "I. Love. You." Aiden cried, and blinding white light shot from his hands, enveloping the Dark Lord, and covering the battlefield, spreading past Hogwarts, covering the whole grounds, everyone was temporarily blinded. When the light faded, he stared. Voldemort was gone, as well as his armies. Only his wand, lying on the ground in front of Aiden, was there as testimony of his presence. All those who had been wounded stood shakily, healed. Not a body was to be seen. Everyone was silent, till Severus ripped off his battered coat, staring at his left forearm, and laughed. His laughter rang throughout the grounds, sound of pure happiness. The Dark Mark was gone; not even a scar remained. He ran to Aiden, pulling him into his arms, smashing his lips against those of the Man-Who-Had-Defeated- Voldemort. Cheers echoed, they had finally won. The Dark Lord was gone for good.
Aiden jogged over to the headmaster. "I want you, Draco, Ginny, Hermione, Fred and George to take the students out the teachers corridor to the Room of Requirement. That will be the safest place for them."
"No! I want to stay here and fight! I'm the only one who can defeat him, I can't run away while everyone else sacrifices themselves!"
The Headmaster grabbed his shoulders. "You are not ready. I told you once the only thing Voldemort could not understand was love, and you are not prepared to perform the required spell. You have to protect the students. Once you reach the room, I want you to floo them to safety."
Aiden took a deep breath. "Yes sir." He turned and rushed over to Draco and the Weasley's. "Gather the students. We are going to the Room of Requirement to floo them to safety." The four of them whirled, gathering the children and ushering them to the teachers exit. Aiden turned to Severus. "I." He stood on his toes, pressing his lips to Severus'. The Potions Master put his hand behind Aiden's head, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss. After they broke apart, Aiden stared at him for a moment, before whirling on his heel and gathering the rest of the students.
Once his group reached the Room of Requirement, the others had begun Flooing the students to their homes. They started to the first years, and worked upwards. When they had gotten about Halfway through the 7th years, Sean Sinclair stepped forward. "I am not going." He spoke quietly. "I am going to stay here and fight." The rest of the 7th years fell silent; Jamison Peters finally stepping forward. "I will be honored to fight alongside you." He announced, extending his hand. Sean smiled and squeezed it briefly. "And I you." The students glanced at one another, then slowly drew their wands. Jamison and Sean turned to their shocked Professors. "We all stay."
"No!" Hermione cried. "This isn't just like dueling class! Voldemort's army will be using the Unforgivables, not Jinxes!"
Sean looked at her steadily. "I have used the Unforgivables as well. And I will use them now." The other Slytherins nodded in agreement. "Our parents are Death Eaters. If we run, we will most likely be caught and tortured for not fighting. So we will fight, just not on the side expected of us."
Hermione shook her head, looking at the rest of the group. "What about them?" She waved her arm. "They have no experience!"
"We are not leaving." Jamison said stubbornly. "We will all have to fight sometime. If not today, we will tomorrow. If we lose today, we will be just as unprepared when the time comes, because Hogwarts will fall, as well as the Ministry, and it will be chaos. We all have heard what it was like all those years ago."
Aiden shook his head. He knew the young man was right. "All right. But I want you to partner up, ok? Watch each other's back. Work as a team."
Draco turned to him. "Should we go back?"
"Not yet. We need help.I have an idea." Aiden turned to Hermione. "Do you remember where the centaurs are?"
She nodded. "Yes, but they won't help us."
Aiden shook his head. "They will. Their home is threatened as well."
"Well, how can I get there?"
"Apparate."
"Aiden. You can't apparate on-"
"The wards are down, remember?"
Hermione's eyes widened. "Oh!" and with a pop, she disappeared.
Aiden turned to Draco. "I'll be right back." He exited with a pop, reappearing in the Headmaster's Office. "Fawkes!" the phoenix was agitatedly flying around the room. "Call the Order, now! Room of Requirement!"
He popped out, and appeared in the Kitchens. He knew House Elves had powerful magic, even if they could only use it to protect their Masters. "Dobby!" He yelled. The house elf appeared instantly, and started jabbering. "DOBBY! SHUTUP! Hogwarts is under attack, I want you all in the Room of Requirement NOW!" Dobby's eyes widened. "Yes Sir!" He squeaked, and disappeared.
Aiden materialized back in the Room of Requirement, Order members already pouring in, more than he had ever seen at any of the meetings. The house elves popped up, the Room expanding for the masses. Hermione appeared, breathless. "They agreed!" She cried. "They are gathering the creatures of the forest!"
Aiden nodded. "Excellent. Now, we wait."
The teachers exited the Great Hall, lining up at the front stones of the castle. Severus clenched his jaw. His Dark Mark was shooting fire up his arm. The alarms were ringing loudly, bells tolling. Then, they stopped for a second, and turned into a shrill whistle. "The wards have fallen." Albus said softly. The teachers drew their wands, bracing themselves for the attack. The Dark Lord appeared, hundreds of Dementors, at least 100 Death Eaters, about 50 trolls, 20 or so giants, scores of vampires, and other creatures, it was overwhelming. They stood about 50 yards away. "So this is your army, Dumbledore? A few teachers, to protect your beloved school, against my ranks? Ah, it is almost funny. I give you one chance. Surrender to me, and give me Harry Potter, and I will kill you quickly."
Albus was radiating power; it was plain to see why he was respected as one of the greatest wizards in the world. "Never Tom." He voice was calm.
"Very well." Voldemort raised his wand, green light jetting at Dumbledore, who disappeared, appearing a few feet away. Then, the Death Eaters attacked.
Severus was throwing out killing curses left and right. He knew he was going to die today. There was no way they could win this time. There had been no time, no warning, they hadn't even alerted the Order. And still, it was only the Death Eaters that were attacking, and even then, only half. Voldemort was holding back, and he knew why. He wanted to beat them with as little effort as possible, to show just how much more powerful than Dumbledore he really was. He saw Sirius and Remus, fighting back to back, their own killing curses flying at anyone who came in range, but still, the Death Eaters gained ground.
Aiden sat thoughtfully. It was time, he decided. He spoke aloud. "I require exits, to the edge of the Dark Forest, Quidditch Pitch, and edge of the lake. Three doors appeared.
"All right. Hermione, can you go to the Forest, lead the centaurs. Fred, George, she'll need backup. Wait for my signal to attack." They nodded, and disappeared through one of the doors.
"House elves, go by the lake, do not let yourselves be seen till I give you the signal, ok?" The elves disappeared, following his orders.
He turned to the rest of the people in the room, his students, and the Order. "You are going to the Quidditch Pitch. Again, wait for my signal."
Draco frowned. "And where will you be?"
"I am going to fly over them, and look for an opening. Then, I am going to have to fight Voldemort."
Draco nodded. "All right." He pulled his friend into a hug. "Good luck."
Aiden smiled. "I always have been lucky before."
Aiden watched as the Order disappeared. He disapperated, appearing again in the Astronomy Tower. He peered out over the front of the school. The teachers were not doing well at all. And he could see Voldemort was only playing with them. He transformed, soaring over the chaos.
They had lost. The Death Eaters had them surrounded. Even Albus had been disarmed. Riddle laughed, twirling the Headmasters wand in his long fingers.
"Now. I believe I shall kill the traitor first. He aimed his wand, jerking Severus forward. Your little black sheep, isn't he, old man?" He laughed. He rolled up Severus' sleeve, and laid a finger on the Dark Mark. In that moment, Severus knew he was dying. It was like a thousand Crucio's, he had never been in so much pain. He screamed, tears falling. But still the Dark Lord made him suffer.
Aiden appeared in the middle of the circle.
Voldemort dropped Severus. "Ah, Potter." He spoke. "Come to see the traitor killed? See how pathetic they are, they have been defeated with not even a quarter of my forces!"
"You will not kill him." He hissed, and pulled Severus to his feet.
"Oh, but I will, and you as well." Aiden waved his wands, the teacher's wands returning to him. He clasped Severus shaking hand in his own, willing him to heal. Slowly, the man steadied.
"How nice, Harry Potter and the Traitor! I will have to arrange a little show for you, Mr. Potter.
"No thanks Tom. I would rather kill you and end it."
"You really think you can defeat my army? You are a bigger fool than I ever though." He waved his arm, and the Dementors glided forward. Aiden glanced toward the Quidditch Pitch, where he knew the Order was waiting. He raised his wand, sending up red sparks. All at once, Patronus were flying towards the Dementors. The Order ran forward, and the real battle began. Voldemort let loose the rest of his army, the giants and trolls lumbering towards the castle, battering it with stones and poles, ripping it slowly apart. Severus was jerked from his hand; he turned to see a Vampire about to latch onto his neck. Voldemort took this chance to attack Aiden, who brought up a shield just in time. He glanced back at Severus; he had thrown off the vampire, and was now dueling a Death Eater. Aiden sent up blue sparks, and centaur's and other creatures charged out of the forest, lead by Hermione and the twins, slowly but surely taking down the Dark Forces. He sent up yellow sparks, and the hundreds of House elves appeared everywhere, using their magic to rebuilt the castle as fast as it was crumbling.
The Dark Lord shrieked. He had been counting on them to be unprepared and disorganized. He slashed his wand angrily, sending a jet of purple light speeding towards Aiden, who brought up his shield, but stumbled back, dropping his wand. Voldemort summoned it, and laughed. "Dear dear Mr. Potter. Seems I have won." He aimed his own wand at Aiden, a transparent silvery black snake twisting around him, restricting his movement. He walked towards him, and laid one finger on Aiden's forehead. "Hid it, have you? No matter." He waved his wand. Aiden felt as if he was splitting in two. He could feel himself changing; the charms were coming undone. Riddle smiled, and laid his hand over the lightning bolt scar. Aiden screamed, he would die, he wanted to, and it was too much. He burned, he counldn't keep going. His parents were screaming in his head, every person Voldemort had ever killed tortured him, yelling. "No no no" He chanted, and jerked his eyes open. He looked out over the battlefield, at those who he was about to let down. He saw Remus, standing over Sirius body, firing killing curses at everyone coming within 10 feet of him, howling. Sean and Jamison, fighting back to back, Draco furiously killing everything he saw, Ginny lying unconscience behind him. Severus, surrounded by Death Eaters. Severus. He couldn't let him down. Never. He couldn't leave him; he would get rid of the mark that tainted the man he loved.
"NO!" He yelled, throwing Voldemort back. Riddle's eyes went wide at the use of Wandless Magic. He ripped out his daggers, hurling them, both ripping into both of the Dark Lords arms. Love.the only thing he didn't understand.the one thing that could defeat him. He saw Severus throw down a vial, which exploded, throwing the Death Eater's into the air. His eyes met Aidens. "I. Love. You." Aiden cried, and blinding white light shot from his hands, enveloping the Dark Lord, and covering the battlefield, spreading past Hogwarts, covering the whole grounds, everyone was temporarily blinded. When the light faded, he stared. Voldemort was gone, as well as his armies. Only his wand, lying on the ground in front of Aiden, was there as testimony of his presence. All those who had been wounded stood shakily, healed. Not a body was to be seen. Everyone was silent, till Severus ripped off his battered coat, staring at his left forearm, and laughed. His laughter rang throughout the grounds, sound of pure happiness. The Dark Mark was gone; not even a scar remained. He ran to Aiden, pulling him into his arms, smashing his lips against those of the Man-Who-Had-Defeated- Voldemort. Cheers echoed, they had finally won. The Dark Lord was gone for good.