Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Harry Potter or any characters or places in this story, they belong to JK Rowling. I am making no money from this story.
Chapter 4: The Change
Just as the darkness had rebounded across the sky the Dark Forces renewed their attack. The group of mingled wizards was once again on the receiving end of the endless malice. The two armies were now evenly matched in size, but the hatred seemed to give added strength to the enemies of Hogwarts. The defenders were hard put to it as the evil now took back the ground they had lost.
But several students had no thought of fighting back now. Their sole thought now lay some fifty yards away, quivering on the ground. Ginny was the first to break through the thin line that was forming between her and Harry, as several others followed closely behind her.
Every nerve of Harry's body was on fire. It felt as if thousands of knives were trapped inside him and were being thrust outward. Blood began to issue forth from his scar and eyes. The hate that poured into the spell held on him was limitless. Consciousness was slipping away from him as he struggled to get back to his feet. Even under the Cruciatus Curse Harry still held strength to try to regain his footing. It was a futile attempt but it was all he could do. Vaguely he could hear the cruel laughter that sounded from behind him. His will was failing, much to the delight of Lucius Malfoy. Harry collapsed back into the sludge and barely felt his legs curling up near his chest. All hope was gone from him. Relief swept through his body when the curse was lifted.
"Now then Potter, I believe it is time for you to die. Did you think that after we killed Dumbledore that you had any chance of defeating the Dark Lord? Foolish Boy!" Malfoy spat at Harry's shaking body. "Goodbye Potter."
As Malfoy began to raise his wand another voice broke through the echoing thunder. "I don't think so Father." came the drawling voice of Draco Malfoy. A shocked look crossed the face of Lucius at the insolence of his own son. "Did you think that after you murdered my Mother I would allow you to live the next time I saw you? You are the fool. Cowering at the hem of your masters robes like some slave. Where is your pride dear Father?" Draco's wand was already pointed at his father's heart. "Goodbye Father." Draco said sternly and he fired a curse at his own Father.
But Lucius was ready. Quickly he rolled out of the way and returned fire with a stunning curse. They dueled with all the underlying disdain of mortal enemies. A cutting curse struck Draco's arm, as a tripping jinx threw Lucius face down in the muck. He returned with an impediment jinx that knocked his son to the ground as well.
The distraction was all that Harry needed though. He had regained his feeling, and the familiar rage powered him to his feet. As Lucius raised his wand to finish off his son Harry took aim and hit him in the head with a stunner, effectively rendering the man unconscious.
Harry walked over to Draco and stretched out his hand to the Slytherin student who had long been his enemy. "Thank you Draco. You saved my life." Harry said unabashedly as he pulled Draco to his feet. Just then Ginny, Ron, Hermione, and Neville ran up to them, firing curses past the two boys at a few approaching Death Eaters.
"Thank God you're okay." spluttered the young red-headed woman.
"No," said Harry as she pulled him into an embrace, "Thank Draco." he finished, still shaking the hand of his former nemesis. Rain mingled with tears as it streamed down their faces. Thunder crashed through the air, drawing their attention back to the fighting that still seethed across the grounds.
A cold high pitched laugh echoed in their ears as the group turned to look in the face of Lord Voldemort. He was on his feet again and glared icily at the young defenders before him. "How touching Potter, that your friends are here with you at your end."
Chapter 4: The Change
Just as the darkness had rebounded across the sky the Dark Forces renewed their attack. The group of mingled wizards was once again on the receiving end of the endless malice. The two armies were now evenly matched in size, but the hatred seemed to give added strength to the enemies of Hogwarts. The defenders were hard put to it as the evil now took back the ground they had lost.
But several students had no thought of fighting back now. Their sole thought now lay some fifty yards away, quivering on the ground. Ginny was the first to break through the thin line that was forming between her and Harry, as several others followed closely behind her.
Every nerve of Harry's body was on fire. It felt as if thousands of knives were trapped inside him and were being thrust outward. Blood began to issue forth from his scar and eyes. The hate that poured into the spell held on him was limitless. Consciousness was slipping away from him as he struggled to get back to his feet. Even under the Cruciatus Curse Harry still held strength to try to regain his footing. It was a futile attempt but it was all he could do. Vaguely he could hear the cruel laughter that sounded from behind him. His will was failing, much to the delight of Lucius Malfoy. Harry collapsed back into the sludge and barely felt his legs curling up near his chest. All hope was gone from him. Relief swept through his body when the curse was lifted.
"Now then Potter, I believe it is time for you to die. Did you think that after we killed Dumbledore that you had any chance of defeating the Dark Lord? Foolish Boy!" Malfoy spat at Harry's shaking body. "Goodbye Potter."
As Malfoy began to raise his wand another voice broke through the echoing thunder. "I don't think so Father." came the drawling voice of Draco Malfoy. A shocked look crossed the face of Lucius at the insolence of his own son. "Did you think that after you murdered my Mother I would allow you to live the next time I saw you? You are the fool. Cowering at the hem of your masters robes like some slave. Where is your pride dear Father?" Draco's wand was already pointed at his father's heart. "Goodbye Father." Draco said sternly and he fired a curse at his own Father.
But Lucius was ready. Quickly he rolled out of the way and returned fire with a stunning curse. They dueled with all the underlying disdain of mortal enemies. A cutting curse struck Draco's arm, as a tripping jinx threw Lucius face down in the muck. He returned with an impediment jinx that knocked his son to the ground as well.
The distraction was all that Harry needed though. He had regained his feeling, and the familiar rage powered him to his feet. As Lucius raised his wand to finish off his son Harry took aim and hit him in the head with a stunner, effectively rendering the man unconscious.
Harry walked over to Draco and stretched out his hand to the Slytherin student who had long been his enemy. "Thank you Draco. You saved my life." Harry said unabashedly as he pulled Draco to his feet. Just then Ginny, Ron, Hermione, and Neville ran up to them, firing curses past the two boys at a few approaching Death Eaters.
"Thank God you're okay." spluttered the young red-headed woman.
"No," said Harry as she pulled him into an embrace, "Thank Draco." he finished, still shaking the hand of his former nemesis. Rain mingled with tears as it streamed down their faces. Thunder crashed through the air, drawing their attention back to the fighting that still seethed across the grounds.
A cold high pitched laugh echoed in their ears as the group turned to look in the face of Lord Voldemort. He was on his feet again and glared icily at the young defenders before him. "How touching Potter, that your friends are here with you at your end."