Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling owns Harry Potter along with Scholastic and whoever else. I only own my characters so DON'T SUE!!!
Six Feet and Fallingby Saerry Snape
Chapter 31 :: June 20, 1996 :: Hogwarts Grounds – Lunch
"Last day here," said Draco, leaning back as he stretched his arms above his head.
"Must you remind us?" groaned Sheyne as she jabbed her fork at her plate.
Harry only nodded in agreement and said, "He must. He's a Slytherin."
"Oh, you're one to talk."
"Can't you three stop arguing for a few seconds?" asked Hermione in a pleading tone.
"No," replied the aforementioned three in unison.
"Don't tell me," said Neville as he sat down next to Hermione, seeing the three frowning at each other. "They're arguing again."
"Of course," sighed Hermione, giving the three an exasperated look. She then turned to the boy beside her and asked softly, "Do you think Voldemort will try the train?"
Neville shrugged and replied, "I don't know. Maybe. But we're all prepared for if it does happen, with those brilliant charms of yours."
Hermione flushed and muttered, "They're not brilliant."
"Sure they are!" cried Neville. "I mean, who'd guess that a little thing like a ring could be a charmed to block spells?"
"I don't see why someone hasn't thought of it before," grumbled Hermione. "I found this Muggle book recently by a fellow named Jim Butcher. The main character is a wizard and he has all sorts of enchanted items. Like a shield bracelet and a ring that keeps a little bit of energy in it from every time he moves his arm. That's where I got the idea for the rings."
"They're brilliant," repeated Neville, rubbing the heavy silver ring on his right ring finger with his thumb.
"Thanks."
"Longbottom, are you hitting on Snape's girlfriend?" quipped Draco suddenly, grinning wryly at the two. "You two seem to be getting awful cozy…"
Neville looked alarmed at that but Hermione just scowled and said, "Malfoy…get your head out of the gutter."
"Ooo, an insult. Snape, your girlfriend just insulted me."
"Good," said Harry, not looking up from his plate. Draco glared at him and Sheyne began to laugh.
"What did you expect, Malfoy? Him to be appalled at the notion?"
"Sod off, woman," grumbled Draco, slouching in his seat.
* * *
"Isss all ssset to attack, Luciusss?"
"Yes, My Lord. All are in place and ready to move at your command."
"Very good. Very good indeed. And our…sssecret weapon?"
"He is ready as well, My Lord."
"Excellent. Go to your place, Luciusss, and wait for my command."
"Yes, My Lord."
Lucius Malfoy bowed and began to leave Voldemort's presence. Just before he got completely away, Voldemort spoke again.
"Luciusss?"
"My Lord?"
"You have done well, Luciusss. Bring me my children and you ssshall be greatly rewarded."
"Yes, My Lord. It shall be done."
Voldemort smiled grimly as he watched the elder Malfoy leave.
"It had better be," he hissed, eyes burning like hot coals.
* * *
"And we're sure these things work?" said Draco as the horseless carriages carried them towards the Hogsmeade platform.
"We'll see soon enough," muttered Harry, looking out the window.
"You mean you don't know if they work! Snape, what sort of idiot are you!"
"Of course, they'll work," sneered Harry. "Mione made them, after all."
Hermione blushed at the compliment.
"Snape," growled Draco, "that does not reassure me."
"Oh, buck up, Malfoy!" snapped Sheyne, giving the blonde a shove. "If they don't work…well then that's it, isn't it? Voldemort has us and the wizarding world is done for."
Draco gave her an odd look and said, "You are an extremely weird person, you know that?"
Sheyne grinned and chirped, "Of course. Its what people love about me."
Harry gave a short snort of laughter then immediately sobered as the winged boars that adorned the top of the gate came into sight.
"We're almost there."
The carriage immediately became silent, all of them tense as they waited to pass the gate. Once they were out of it, they were off the Hogwarts grounds. And out of the protection of its wards.
The gate flashed by and then they were off the grounds. Harry clutched his head as he felt a flash of pain through his scar but beyond that…nothing. His mind was still his own.
He looked triumphantly at his half-sister and Neville, who were both beaming at Hermione. Even Draco was looking cheerier.
From the carriage behind them, came a whoop of joy and Harry grinned.
"There's Mika and his lot. Oh, Mione, you're a lifesaver!"
"I resent being called candy," mumbled Hermione. When Harry leaned over and kissed her, she blinked and stammered, "Nevermind. Call me a lifesaver all you want. I am candy."
Harry just laughed and Draco turned his gaze to the ceiling.
"Someone get me out of this madhouse."
Sheyne was the only one who heard this comment and she laughed at him, earning a glare.
* * *
"Well, that's over," sighed Draco, leaning back into his seat. "I'd say its time to relax but its not."
"Truer words have probably never been spoken," said Sheyne. She suddenly got thrown across the cab into the blonde's arms as the train came to a stop in a squeal of metal.
"What happened?" exclaimed Hermione, clutching at Harry. The dark-haired boy drew his wand, one arm wrapped around his girlfriend, and growled, "I'm betting its Voldemort. Or at least the Death Eaters."
"Of course they'd attack now," grumbled Sheyne, pushing herself up into a sitting position. Which made her sitting on Draco's lap, their faces inches apart. She flushed darkly and muttered, "How embarrassing."
"Cut it out, you two," growled Harry, glaring at them. "This is no time for antics."
"Aye, captain, sir," quipped Draco, untangling himself from Sheyne and drawing his own wand. Sheyne straightened her robes and drew her own wand, running a nervous hand back through her dark hair. Harry noticed this and reached out to squeeze her hand reassuringly. She smiled at him then took a deep breath to stave off her nerves.
"Someone's coming," whispered Hermione.
"Friend or foe?" asked Draco softly.
"Heads or tails?" chirped Sheyne.
"Ron," growled Harry.
"Was he one of our choices?"
"Idiot. It is Ron." Harry shook his head and slid the door open enough to snake his arm out. He jerked the ginger-haired boy into the cab then closed the door again, sliding the shade down over the window.
"POTTER…!" began Ron only to have Sheyne slap her hand over his mouth.
"Idiot!" she hissed. "There could be Death Eater's on the train."
"Smo?" mumbled Ron behind her hand.
"That means we're in deep shit, Weasley," sneered Draco. "And you too if you're found with us."
Ron made a rude sign with his hand and Harry turned to glare at them, letting the shade fall back down from where he was peeking out behind it.
"Will you lot cut it out? A DE just passed by." His expression turned grave as he added, "With Seamus."
Hermione paled and whispered, "Have they gotten any of the other DEC's yet?"
"Don't think so." He tapped his ring with his wand and said, "Mika. Mika, can you hear me?"
There was a crackle, like a radio getting static, and then Mika's voice whispered into the cab.
"I'm here, Harry. Bloody DE's are all over the place."
"Where are you?"
"Back of the train. I've got most everyone back here in the baggage car. We're missing the youngest 'un though. The Ravenclaw girl."
"Briana," said Harry. "They've got Seamus."
"Bollocks. What're we going to do? They're bound to check the cab you're in soon enough. And the baggage car won't be safe for long. We need a plan."
"I'm open to suggestions," sighed Harry.
Sheyne grinned and leaned forward, saying, "I have just the idea…"
* * *
"Where is she? Is she there yet?"
"You seem to be awful worried, Malfoy," spat Ron. "Developed a heart lately?"
"Piss off, Weasel. Eh, Snape?"
"Not now," grumbled Harry, peering through the crack between the door and the doorframe. He then lifted his ring to his lips and said, "You ready?"
"As ever," replied Mika. "What's that sister of yours planning?"
"She's a Snape," replied Harry cryptically.
"Thanks, Harry. You're a right old chap, y'know?"
"Welcome." Harry looked over his shoulder at the others and asked, "Ready?"
"Yes," replied Hermione and Draco.
"No," said Ron, sulking.
"Weasley, I dislike you as much as you like me, but if you want to live through this, you're going to have to work with us."
Ron scowled at Draco at his words, his expression darkening as Hermione whispered, "He's right, Ron. Will it kill you?"
"Yeah."
"Well would you rather die fighting or squealing like a stuck pig?" asked Harry, not looking over his shoulder at the ginger-haired boy.
"What's it matter?" asked Ron.
"A lot being as Sheyne's put her plan into action."
Draco and Hermione perked up at that. Outside the cab there was the roar of a panther and the surprised bellow of several men. Footsteps began to pound down the corridor towards their cab and Harry threw the door open as soon as they got close. He leapt out into the corridor, eyes flashing darkly.
"Stupefy!"
There was a succession of thumps and Harry motioned to the others before he took off down the corridor. Draco followed him, leaping over the three unconscious Death Eater's. Hermione gave Ron a glance before she followed.
The ginger-haired boy sat there for a moment before he got up and ran after them, tripping over one of the Death Eater's arms.
"Hey, wait up!"
* * *
"What'll we do if they get in?"
Mika looked at the second year Hufflepuff cowering next to him in the baggage car. She was a tiny sprite of a girl, her hair auburn and eyes cornflower blue. Her name – if he remembered correctly – was Amanda Paine.
She was one of the DEC's that had had no knowledge of both or one parent's association with Voldemort.
"Fight," replied Mika. "Just like we practiced down in the Chamber."
"But this is for real," mumbled Amanda, turning frightened eyes on him.
"Yeah. Yeah, it is for real." He reached out and touched the silver ring on her right hand. "But as long as you've got that on, you'll be alright."
"I'm scared."
Mika smiled tightly and wrapped an arm about her shoulder gingerly. He generally avoided contact with people. His parent's had not been the kindest of people and had shown him no love. His uncle had shown him even less but that was because he had always been gone.
"We all are," he whispered. "But we'll be fine. Don't you worry."
"Yeah," said a new voice from behind them. "Don't worry."
Mika turned his head to see Sheyne there, her amber eyes glowing slightly in the dim lighting of the baggage car.
"Where's Harry? And how'd you get in here?"
"Harry's on his way," replied Sheyne. "And that's my secret." She looked around at the others hiding out in the baggage car and frowned.
"Where's Ste?"
"Who?" asked Amanda as Mika paled.
"Cripes. I didn't even check to see where he was…"
Sheyne paled severely and cursed under her breath. Her form shimmered and a tawny lynx appeared in her place. It leaped over Mika and Amanda's heads and ran for a hole in the wall of the car.
As soon as it was gone, the door of the baggage car slid open and four Death Eater's leapt in.
"NOW!" bellowed Mika, leaping up and firing hexes at them. Amanda jumped right up beside him, casting a Shield Charm to defend them.
* * *
"Alacer Casus!" bellowed Harry, flicking his wand at a Death Eater. The black-robed figure went down with a roar of pain as their legs were forced to collapse by the hex. Hermione winced as she heard the sound of his bones breaking.
"Nice," muttered Draco as they passed the Death Eater by. "Come on, Weasley!"
"Sod off, Malfoy," snarled Ron, jumping back from the Death Eater as they groped for his leg. He kicked them in the head and hurried after the other three. "Where exactly are we going?"
"Baggage car," said Harry. "Mika has everyone in there." He frowned and added softly, "At least I hope he does."
Ron scowled at him.
"What does that mean?"
"It means that the Death Eater's might have already gotten them," replied Hermione softly but firmly.
"Let's hope not," muttered Draco. He then looked at Harry and asked, "Where to next, oh-mighty-general?"
"Baggage car," repeated Harry. "Let's hope Mika and the others are still there."
"Have I ever told you that I love your confidence?"
"Thank you, Malfoy. I appreciate that."
"Ever so welcome, Snape."
"Do you two have to banter right now?" demanded Hermione, glaring at the two of them.
Draco frowned at her and said, "Hey, I banter when I'm nervous."
"You banter whenever you can," quipped Harry.
"That's not the point."
"Caecus!" bellowed a Death Eater, appearing suddenly out of one of the cab's. Harry stumbled backwards in surprise, barely dodging the hex as he grabbed Hermione and pulled her to the floor. Draco threw up a fragile shield in response and Ron…well, Ron yelled out the first spell that came to his mind.
"Wingardium leviosa!"
The Death Eater flew into the air, hit the ceiling with the crunch of breaking bone, then fell back to the floor. They didn't move after that.
As Ron looked at the unmoving Death Eater in horror, Draco said, "Good job, Weasley. We'll make a fighter of you yet."
"Is-is he dead?"
Hermione rose gingerly to her feet, helping Harry up before she went over to check the Death Eater's pulse. "They're alive," she said. "I don't know what bones broke but they're alive."
"Who is it?" asked Draco, earning an odd look from the other three. "What? I'm just asking."
Harry frowned and leaned down, jerking off the white porcelain mask. Long white-blonde hair pooled on the floor and a sneer crossed Draco's lips.
"Well, well," he hissed. "My own father. If you were a girl, Weasley, I'd kiss you."
Ron pulled back from him and spat, "If you do it right now, I'll have to kill you."
"Like to see you try. Shall we continue?"
"S'all we can do," said Harry, frowning down at the elder Malfoy. "C'mon."
* * *
"We've got seventeen of them!"
"Seventeen!" snapped a Death Eater. They glared at the unconscious forms of the teenagers from the baggage car before turning that glare on the other Death Eater's. "There should be twenty-three! Where are the other six!"
"We don't know, sir."
"Well then find them! I want them found! NOW!"
"Yes, sir!"
As the Death Eater's turned to clamber onto the train, Amanda sagged limply against Mika. The white-haired young man looked at the fourth year hovering beside him then hugged the second year close. Only the three of them had gotten out of the baggage car before the Death Eater's had overrun them. Now they crouched underneath it, hoping not to be spotted.
Mika lifted his ring to his mouth and whispered, "Harry. Harry, are you there?"
There was a soft crackling sound and then Harry's hushed tones came out of the ring.
"Yeah. We're trying to get to the baggage car but the DE's are running in and out like rabbits. What's going on down there?"
Mika sighed and said, "Don't come to the baggage car. We got overrun."
"Shite," spat Harry. "Is it just you?"
"Me, the Paine girl, and Dorbins. You got a plan?"
"Working on it. Have you seen Shey?"
"That psycho of a sister of yours? Yeah. D'you know she's an illegal Animagus?"
Harry chuckled and said, "She's something of that sort. Hold on…"
There was a long pause in which Mika shifted uncomfortably and peered out at the Death Eater's stalking around the car above them.
"Okay," whispered Harry's voice after a few moments. "Bloody DE's. What was Shey doing?"
"Looking for that Muggle brother of hers."
"Ste? He's not with you?"
"No. I thought he was with you lot."
"No. Bloody bollocks." Harry sighed and said, "Look, Mika, get up to our car. We're about four up from the baggage car. Once we're together we can find Shey and Ste then get everyone else out."
"Gotcha, boss. Be right there." Mika lowered his hand then lifted it back up when he thought of something.
"Harry?"
"Eh?"
"What cab are you in? And on what side?"
There was a short paused before Harry replied, "Second from the back. Left side coming from the rear of the train."
"Right. Open up a window for us."
"I'll do better. Just hurry."
"I'll try."
Mika let his hand fall limply to his side and sighed, looking down at the twelve-year-old huddled beside him. He gave her a gentle shake then turned to the fourth year Slytherin who was watching him with a nervous expression.
"Let's go," he finally said and started forward.
* * *
"So they're coming," muttered Draco, slouching down against the wall.
"Yes," replied Harry, drawing the shade over the door closed and locking it with a whispered charm. He then pointed his wand at the floor and said, "Cavum." A large, circular hole formed in the floor and he poked his head down through it, looking one way then the other.
"Can you see them?" asked Hermione.
"No," came Harry's muffled reply. He pulled himself up and muttered, "I hope they didn't get caught."
"Let's hope that your sister hasn't gotten caught, either," said Draco.
"Aw, Malfoy, it sounds almost like you care," quipped Sheyne as she suddenly climbed up through the hole. She then turned a dark look on her half-brother and said, "The bastard's have Ste. Not to mention Parvati and the rest."
"What about Longbottom?" asked Draco.
Sheyne nodded slowly then blinked as Mika pushed Amanda up through the hole before hauling himself up. Samuel Dorbins followed him, his left arm bloody from a hex.
"What happened?" asked Hermione, touching the fourth year's sleeve.
"Cutting Hex," replied the fourteen-year-old. "It only scratched me. It's nothing."
"It had better be nothing," said a voice suddenly. "Lord Voldemort wouldn't want any of you damaged."
"Papa!" exclaimed Sheyne at the same time Harry yelped, "Dad!"
All of them just stared at the cloaked Death Eater's standing in the doorway of the cab. The door was gone, simply not there anymore. And the tall, dark-robed form of Severus Snape stood there, his face masked but his voice unrecognizable.
"Papa?" whispered Sheyne, staring up at her father in confusion. "Papa, what are you…"
"Take them," ordered Severus, turning in a swirl of dark robes. "Kill the Muggleborn and the Weasley boy."
"NO!" yelled Harry, launching himself to his feet and at the first Death Eater that tried to get in the door. The Death Eater grabbed his wrists and twisted him around so he was trapped, arms crossed over his chest. Harry snarled and stomped on the man's foot viciously.
Sheyne loosed a low snarl and leapt off of the floor. Her body flowed into the smooth lines of a black panther as she soared through the air and hit the Death Eater coming up behind the one that had Harry. The new Death Eater went down underneath her but two more leapt atop her as this happened.
"Get…off…of…her!" bellowed Draco, leaping to his feet and charging. Hermione and Mika followed him, the bushy-haired girl throwing her weight against the Death Eater who held Harry. He shoved her away violently. She hit the wall with a crunch and slid down to the floor beside Ron, who turned towards her with surprise and fear in his eyes.
"Mione!"
"Bastard!" yelled Harry. His eyes flashed silver and there was a small roar of thunder as what looked like a bolt of lightning bolted down between him and the Death Eater that held him. The Death Eater was thrown back and Harry turned on the Death Eater's that were trying to subdue his sister.
Draco and Mika were now unconscious. So were Amanda and Samuel.
Harry was alone.
"To Hell with this," he snarled, lifting a hand to point at one of the Death Eater's. Just as he was about the utter the words of a spell, something came down on the back of his neck, hard and fast. He crumpled like a sack of flour, landing heavily on the floor. Sheyne roared as she saw him go down before she herself was knocked unconscious.
Severus Snape looked coolly down at the unconscious forms of his two children and said, "Bring them. Leave the Muggleborn and the Weasley. We have what we wanted."
"Yes, sir," muttered the Death Eater's, beginning to bustle about.
And all Ron could do was watch as they took them.