Author: C. Night
Rating: PG-13
Category: Action/Adventure & Mystery
Disclaimer: Anything that you, Harry Potter fan that you are, recognize does not belong to me nor do I claim credit for it. J.K. Rowling and a bunch of other lucky people claim credit for the H.P. universe. I do NOT. The title obviously does not fully belong to me and is a reference to in Star Wars Episode II which I don't take credit for either.
Note: If you still don't get the thinking talking thing you are beyond hope now. :-P On another note I'm sorry this one took much longer to shell out. This is mainly due to my schedule which as of right now is ridiculously full! After midterms week after next I'll be more focused on this little story of mine and will probably update more often. I probably should be studying for my Accounting Midterm right now, but I was really feeling a bout of inspiration today. Lucky for you! Enjoy!
Important Note: In Chapter 4 (2 lemon drops) Harry referred to his attackers as Death Eaters. Purely an assumption (or a reflexive way of thinking) on his part. Do remember that this is in his point of view so if he thinks they are death eaters- that is what I write. I will not confirm or deny anything.
Title: Getting Out or Dying Trying
Chapter 5: Attack of the Clones
I must tell you, it is quite the experience looking at two copies of your exact image. I honestly never though my hair looked quite as messy as it actually does. It sticks up... practically vertically in the back.
And when people say my eyes are green... they REALLY are. We're talking about emeralds here. They glisten and seem to darken and lighten periodically. They sort of shine... suck you in. You feel like you're...
Bloody hell! I almost got lost in my own eyes. Can we say Gilderoy Lockhart wanna be? Snap out of it! I focus.
Three attackers for them.
Three attackers for me.
Two wands on my side.
Three on their side.
I stood a chance. I must admit I was shocked. Then I remembered that the clones would need commands in order to be at all useful. I wondered how vague I could be and still have them fight properly. After all, I wasn't about to guide both of them through every dodge and each cast spell. Impossible!
Nope. I couldn't do that and keep my own arse in line. Not a chance.
Ok, my attackers were slowly getting over their shock at my little trick so I decide to figure out how to command them and soon. I could definitely feel something different in my... mind? Yes I suppose it was my brain.
It was as if the section of my brain which I use to formulate my own strategies had been suddenly divided in three. And yet oddly enough I wasn't uncomfortable with it. I aimed the thought 'Raise your wands' toward my two newest divisions and to my surprise (and immense happiness) the two Clone-Harrys raised their wands.
I decided to see how vague I could get with the commands, and while my three attackers seemed to be mesmerized simply by the fact that my clones could move I thought, 'Fire spells.'
Clone 1 decided to go with the tickling jinx while Clone 2 opted for the burning hex.
I was shocked. Very shocked. I had only used the burning hex once and it was under the careful guidance of Professor Flitwick. The hex was horrendous.
And as I had just been put under it minutes before I could feel some sympathy for the attacker who went down to the ground screaming in pain.
Her screams (as they did indeed sound vaguely feminine) seemed to startle her cohorts into action and the one who had not been hit by either spell tackled Clone 2 to the ground.
'Hum... why not just hit it with a spell?' I thought vaguely.
I didn't really get to contemplate that idea as much as I would have liked seeing as the attacker who had been hit with the tickling jinx had taken it off and was heading for me.
I tried to scream out a spell to test if the Silencing Charm previously put on me had expired yet only to find, to my dismay, that it was still perfectly effective.
So I dodged the spell my current attacker was sending at me and ran around the room. I dodged in between my battling clones each of which were fighting one of the remaining two assailants. And I swiftly directed one to give me its wand as fast as possible and take my place.
It was a very close call but I managed to switch positions with Clone 1 and now my attacker was chasing a copy of me.
'Git,' I thought as I saw Clone 1 dodging spells shot at him by the unknowing assailant.
I turned back to face the navy clad aggressor Clone 1 had been facing off with before I switched places and knew immediately that this goon knew that they were facing the real me.
Spells came at me in rapid succession and it was all I could do to keep dodging. My prolonged silence seemed to confirm the fact that I was the real Harry Potter in the mind of my attacker as he or she seemed to be trying to draw me into a corner and finish me off.
I was about to command one or both of my clones to give up their individual squabbles and come help me out when I both felt and heard something on my arm.
Estine! Of course! Somehow I had forgotten the presence of my trusty snake on my arm during the struggle.
And we had an idea...
I smirked slightly as I allowed my attacker to draw me into a corner of the room.
'This moron thinks they've got me beat,' I thought impishly as I saw the attacker's moves get a bit slower and a bit more haughty.
As he or she (although by this time I was under the distinct impression that this was a woman) brought their wand point to my neck I licked my lips.
Naughty, I know. But I couldn't help savoring the delightfully wicked lesson I was going to teach this over-confident witch about messing with Harry Potter.
Just as she was about to say something (Avada Kedavra no doubt) I whipped Estine out from behind me and the snake obediently sunk his fangs into the woman's navy robes and undoubtedly into the tender flesh of her collar bone area.
And then she (now I knew it was a she) screamed bloody murder... while I laughed.
Evil I know but I couldn't help it.
She thought she had me! Take that! Never underestimate me! Never! I felt like yelling it aloud... but I don't have a voice.
Wait! Was I not just laughing?
Aloud?
Ha! I'm back in the game and thanks to Clone number 1 lending me his wand I was ready to fight.
Now I am not really sure what kind of snake Estine is but I found myself hoping that he wasn't poisonous.
As I ran away from the girl who was clutching at her now bleeding neckline and seemingly struggling to stay conscious I thought, 'Well it was all in self defense!'
As Clones 1 & 2 battled it out with the last two attackers I made my way toward the little boy I had left in the corner.
Now that I am much closer to the boy and in a more coherent state than I was the last time I looked at him, I notice that he bears a remarkable resemblance to Adrianna.
Though he does not have the same sky blue eyes he still has the same exact shade of red hair and their complexion is just about the same.
In fact, I would say that they look just about as alike as me and my clones do. Er- besides being of opposite sexes and... well... you know what I mean...
Glancing quickly back at my two clones to make sure every thing is under control, I am amazed by their skill. They are hardly ever hit with a spell and when they are they are quick to over come it (which probably has something to do with the fact that they are magically created beings).
Even Clone number 1, whose wand I had taken, but had not yet used, was doing remarkable well pretending to be without a voice and dodging spells.
I decided then that I should leave.
I should take this boy and leave the clones to finish this.
Estine seemed to agree as he hissed frantically in agreement when I mentioned it. So I carefully picked up the still unconscious child and carried him to the door.
Using the borrowed wand which (obviously) was an exact replica of mine, I unlocked and opened the door.
Interestingly enough neither of the two remaining attackers noticed my exit. My clones were just so... skilled.
Closing the door behind myself Estine and the child snuggled in my robes I contemplated my options.
This child obviously could not stay with me.
But where exactly could he go? If only I knew where Adrianna was. They MUST be related. I could... I don't know... give him to her to look after.
I was walking down a long corridor. Doors were on the right and the left and I had no idea where I was going.
Plus I was getting tired of holding this kid. Who thinks it's time for an Enervate?
I DO!
Gently laying the boy on the floor I cast the charm on him and smiled slightly when his eyes opened.
How could I not smile when seeing those light brown eyes automatically brought Blaise to the forefront of my (slightly crazed) mind?
He groaned and I cast an overall healing charm on him. Though not permanent the nifty little spell would last him for now.
He smiled at me when the pain left him and I brushed his red hair away from his forehead to in an exact mimic of the motion Madam Pomfrey has done to me each time I visit her wing.
The boy leans into the touch and I am suddenly overcome with a feeling of brotherly affection.
How similar this kid was to me! Being hurt by those around him for no reason (or none that I could see). Obviously craving affection...
My heart went out to the little tyke.
"What's your name pal?" I asked him in an unruffled tone.
"Andrew," he answered back raising a hand to rub at his eyes as he did so
Andrew and Adrianna. Now those were names for a set of twins if I ever heard them.
"Say Andrew do you happen to know a little girl by the name of-"
My question was interrupted by a loud crash from down the corridor. I could hear voices shouting and two of them distinctly sounded like mine.
'Time to go!' I thought as I snatched Andrew up and ran further down the hall.
"POTTER!" I heard a voice yell and I almost stopped in my shock.
I didn't recognize the voice, it was yet another that obviously had a distortion charm on it, but I was still surprised. It sounded like a girl... I wondered distantly if this was the girl who now had two fang markings on her neck.
'But, since when do these people talk anyway?' I thought as I continued to run.
Andrew, I could tell, was beginning to get uncomfortable, but there wasn't much I could do for the kid. I knew he wouldn't be able to keep up with my pace so we just had to keep going.
For all I knew we were going in the opposite direction of the exit, but I didn't really care.
Suddenly, I had somewhat of an idea.
Feeling the two divisions of my brain which I used to command my clones, I 'told' the two to do whatever it took to keep the people wearing blue robes away from the end of the hall.
And instinctively feeling the need to do so I ducked into one of the many rooms in the hallway and slammed the door behind myself, the seemingly shocked- into- silence Estine, and Andrew.
Almost immediately I heard two thunderous explosions from the part of the hallway which I had just left.
And then there was silence.
I waited a while. Andrew seemed thankful for the pause and Estine continued to mutter, "Master runs from booms! Master runs from booms!" until I snapped at the snake to shut it.
It was probably around five minutes after Estine went silent that even started thinking about opening that door.
The room the three of us were in was fairly empty. Perhaps an old library there were empty book shelves lining the walls and a few worn chairs around.
It seemed that we were getting closer to the part of the castle in which people lived.
'That's good,' I thought as I looked Andrew over.
The young boy seemed to be fascinated by Estine and hadn't said a word since the first time he was him.
His brown eyes shone with something akin to wonder as he glanced between me and the snake.
"What is it?" I finally asked Andrew after another minute or so.
"I'm sorry for staring," the boy said startled out of his reverie, "but this snake is..."
"Is..?" I prompted when the boy seemed reluctant to answer.
"Is deadly," the boy finally answered.
My heart clenched in my rib cage and I could hardly breathe.
I mean yes I was defending myself... and yes she was trying to kill me, but that woman.
Who ever she was... who I had instructed Estine to bite was going to... die.
And there was no one to blame but myself.
Andrew it seemed had been still talking as I came to these sickening and very depressing conclusions.
"The cure to their venom is well known, but Papa always forbids me to even go near one. I was a bit shocked to see it sitting there on your arm... forgive me for starring... er.. Mister..."
"Potter," I answered unthinkingly. "It's Harry Potter."
"Are you really?" Andrew asked predictably. "My father talks about you all the-"
However I wasn't really listening to hear how much Andrew's father talks about me I was thinking about the snake bite. Whoever that girl was she could easily get the antidote to the venom at least according to Andrew and plus Estine was inside the house when I found him. Surely the owner of this house has a stock of the antidote somewhere... just in case.
'Everything,' I determined finally, 'would be fine.'
'And so what if it didn't turn out alright!' I suddenly thought angrily, 'she was about to kill me!'
Caught up in my anger I decided to damn to hell whatever was outside that door. I had a job to do. Andrew needed to get back where he belonged and I needed to get back to Hogwarts.
Still fueled by my anger I told Andrew and Estine in clipped tones to stay just inside the door while I checked out the hallway.
When I opened the door I was in for a surprise.
My clones, it seemed, had self destructed in order to prevent the attackers from catching me.
The hallway was a shambles.
The doors had scorch marks on them from the blow and the magical energy once contained in my clones seemed to be crackling in the air.
Looking around I couldn't see the remains of my clones, but I did see the navy blue clad bodies of my attackers.
My 'hero instinct' kicked in and I rushed over to check if they were alive. If my clones were truly anything like me at all, the two attackers had to be alive.
And they were. It seemed that they were simply knocked out. I was about to go grab Andrew and Estine and begin to question Andrew for all the possible exits to his house when I heard a noise behind me.
I turned quickly ducking my head to avoid a spell... that wasn't there.
There was no one there.
Apparently I was becoming as delusional as the papers said I was all last year.
I turned back to the bodies of the two attackers and was about to unmask them when I was hit from behind by something small and yet powerful.
Something that was screaming like a bloody banshee.
"HARRY!!"
I went down hard on the ground which was littered with splinters of wood and bits of broken glass. Most of which managed to lodge itself in my already bruised and shredded up face.
Cursing up a storm, I whipped my head around from the floor only to see that it was Andrew who had pushed me down. I was about to yell back at the screaming boy when I saw the final navy blue attacker running toward the two of us.
She (though her voice was still disguised I was beginning to be able to spot both the tone of her voice and certain body movements) shot a strong blinding spell at Andrew and I pushed him out of the way, foolishly taking the spell myself.
I was thinking of about 10 different ways to try to blindly take this girl out while at the same time protecting Andrew when something I never expected occurred.
The attacker snatched Andrew off of my back and from what I could hear took him and ran back down the hall.
I could hear him screaming my name and I yelled back, "ANDREW!"
As I desperately tried to follow the two down the hall, I suddenly remembered the wand which I had taken from my clone and searched for it desperately; hoping to use it to undo the blinding spell and chase after Andrew whose childish voice was growing fainter and fainter as he got farther away from me.
It took me about a minute of groping to realize that the wand which had been created with my Clone had most likely disappeared now that the clone had self destructed. It was hopeless.
Andrew was gone.
And I was alone, hurt, and nearly exhausted.
So I sat down on the floor littered with debris from the explosions...
And waited for my eyesight to return.
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Author (C. Night) Notes: Another one done. I liked this one. It was fun to write. I loved Andrew. Sniff, poor kid. ::tears begin to well up:: Alright... that's enough.
To everyone who's reading: thanks a bunch and to one and all please REVIEW!
Now to the wonderful people who did review the last chapter:
Chady : This story will continue until Harry gets out of wherever he is (that is assuming he makes it) and then I will have a nice chapter in which all the little hints I've been dropping are revealed. That should be the most fun chapter to write (and read). Thanks for reviewing!
Linky2: Thanks for reviewing!
NightSerpent (NS): I am glad you like the sarcasm, sometimes I worry if it's a bit OC, but I figure screw it. Harry's mine now and I shall do what I want with him... hehehe! Thanks for reviewing!
Wanderingwolf: Glad you liked it. All shall be revealed in due time... ::insert evil laugh:: Thanks for reviewing!
Elayne Sedai: My first evil cliffe. Glad you approve. And yes the summary will connect with how Harry got there but you've got a bit of a wait til then. And out of curiosity how exactly did you think of your name? Very unique. Thanks for reviewing!
Sea Turtles: I would have to say that I am Dumbledore-ish and that I do indeed like lemon drops, although interestingly enough I hate lemons. I can't just eat one. But everything lemon related I enjoy. Thanks for reviewing!
Skaped: Hope this chapter was exciting enough for you! lol I'll keep writing as long as you all keep reviewing. Thanks!
Until next time... review!
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