(Just realized how long this chapter's gonna be, so I chopped it into two
parts. I'll post the second half sooner or later)
How They Fought and How They Died: Part One
Hogwarts
"Bring all the children in. Send them to their rooms and get the household heads to watch them, I want no one running around." Dumbledore said.
McGonagall nodded once. "I understand.
"We'll do our best." Professor Flitwick said. The normally happy professor's face was drawn. "We'll make sure nothing comes this way."
"Repair the Anti-Apparating charm when I leave." Dumbledore said. He stood for a moment and then nodded to himself. "The rest of the Order must be roused and we must help Fudge. Be prepared for wounded."
He looked one last time at the two professors and smiled sadly. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
There was a pop and he was gone. McGonagall looked at Flitwick. "Get the charm back up and sound the Alarm. We need all the children back inside. I have to get the other professors and make sure everything's secure."
McGonagall left, leaving Flitwick standing in the hall.
"Hi, Professor Flitwick. I was hoping for a moment of your time." Janet Yew said. The fifth year Ravenclaw smiled down at the diminutive professor. "It's about our charms homework."
Flitwick blinked for a moment and then laughed. "Hold on would you Janet. I have to repair a charm and then we can discuss what you want."
"What charm?" Janet asked, eagerly. Her pale green eyes shining with interest.
"It's an anti apparating charm." Flitwick said, pulling out his wand and began concentrating.
"Can I watch?" She asked. Flitwick smiled and nodded. It was so good to have a student so hungry for knowledge, she almost reminded him of Hermione.
He didn't notice how Janet moved behind him and from her robes pulled out a small glowing ball. She released it to the floor, her thin voice ringing loudly. "For the Dark Lord and His glory." A wave of fire and death erupted, erasing all traces of the two who had been standing there.
Hogwarts rumbled. With his passing charms began collapsing, with his death they began unraveling. For the first time in a hundred years, Hogwarts lay naked and unprotected.
Ministry of Magic
Surprise and ferocity were on their side. The Aurors who had been rushing toward the explosion now were cut down from behind. The Dark Creatures snarling in animal hate and blood lust. Lucius Malfoy stood there in the center of the chaos and smiled to himself. The plan was working; the Great Lord's schemes were going on schedule. Soon Dumbledore would arrive and the real fun would begin.
'Hold, you blasted fools!" Moody roared at the fleeing witches and wizards. They were not Aurors, they were not fighters. They were clerks, accountants; paper pushers that kept the Ministry afloat. Now they were the only thing standing before the Dark Creatures.
"Get up and fight you coward." Moody grabbed a young woman who lay huddling under her desk and shoved her into the firing line. Tears sparkled in her eyes and she faced the on coming horde her shoulders shaking violently. Moody stood ready, his wand held loose in his hands. The surge of fear and excitement flooding his body.
They would not hold, but they would give them hell. Hold enough for Dumbledore to come and wipe them out. Moody grinned, a ghastly sight. They would stand and fight, they would die, but they would not die cowards.
There was a clatter and Moody saw a small glowing ball rolling upon the floor, beneath the feet of witches and wizards. What the hell was that? Then it exploded. There was pain and there was nothing.
"Nice of you to join us, Dumbledore." Malfoy said, a small smile on his face.
"What is this?" Dumbledore demanded. Behind him was arrayed the most of the Order and all the Aurors that he could get his hands upon in short notice. There was still brutal fighting going on in most of the Ministry, but here stood the heart of the destruction.
Dumbledore felt a surge of hate and anger. All this death, all this destruction. Why? For power? "Give up, Malfoy. You're little attack has failed. You gain nothing here, give up."
Lucius laughed. "No. No. This is just the warm up. The real show begins." He glanced at his watch. "Oh, it's already started. I have a gift for you, though." He kicked a chest that sat beside him; it popped open and inside was hundreds of small glowing spheres. "Have fun, Dumbledore." He laughed gripping a small metal disk at his waist.
There was a clap of thunder and a wall of fire. No time to think, no time to counter. Pain and then nothing.
Hogwarts
"Haven't seen hide nor hair of her in nearly three weeks." Ron was saying as he lay on the grass. He had a cap covering his face, blocking out the late afternoon sun. "Been locked up in the library all this time, barely even has time to say hi. Then it's off to classes or back in the library." He sighed.
Harry laughed, receiving a glare from Ron. "The NEWTs are only days away. What did you expect? She's been studying for these since the fifth year." He suddenly snatched out his hand and caught a glittering golden orb. It's delicate wings fluttered fiercely for a moment and as if resigned at its capture, lay still.
Ron noticed his catch. "Better not let Ginny see that. She's still raw about the last game."
"Don't change the subject." Harry said, opening his palm and setting the snitch free. He watched as it zoomed across the emerald lawns, though an animatedly talking group of girls and nipping the head of a fifth year Gryffindor student that Harry knew from the DA group.
Ron yawned, stretching and readjusting his cap. "Personally I don't see what's all the fuss is about. The daft girl knows everything already, so why continue studying?" He shrugged to himself. "Who'd choose to lock themselves up on a beautiful day like this?"
"Seven years. You've known her for seven years and you're still complaining about it? It's what she does. Study, read, and learn. You should be used to it by now. I for one think you should be following her example." Harry replied.
Ron raised an eye toward Harry. "Bugger me. Now you're sounding like her."
Harry laughed. "You know what, you lazy sod." He raised his wand-
An explosion roared across the lawn. Harry looked up, gaped mouth, as a ball of fire blossomed on one of the upper floors. Stone and debris flew in the air and people began shouting.
"What the hell!" Ron jumped up.
Harry suddenly doubled over, groaning in pain. The scar on his head flaring to life. He looked up to Ron's horrified face. "Voldemort's coming!"
There was a rumble. Draco Malfoy looked up from where he was sitting and smiled. So it begins. He looked at the two by his side, Crabbe and Goyle, they smiled in their brutish manner.
"Time to liven things up." Draco said, standing up. "But first, a little payback."
Crabbe and Goyle laughed and they followed Draco to the stairs.
'Go to my mother." Ginny said, giving Hedwig one last pat on the head. The owl hooted cheerfully and launched itself into the sky. She watched it flap its wings powerfully, riding the thermals rising off the lawns, and moving majestically through the sir.
Ginny go to her feet, brushing off a few stay grasses off her robe and headed back to the castle. She noticed Ron and Harry, Ron lying on the grass and Harry seemingly watching something. Ginny followed his gaze and spotted the small golden snitch zooming around the lawn.
She shook her head, feeling a little anger. Not at Harry, but at herself. She was the Gryffindor seeker and she should have noticed that there was a snitch flying around the lawn. She brushed aside a lock of red hair and squared her shoulders; she still wanted to thank Harry for using his owl.
There was a sudden sharp boom and Ginny looked about frantically, seeing a blossoming ball of fire. She stumbled back, falling among a group of girls who began screaming and shouting.
Quickly she got to her feet, looking toward Ron and Harry. She saw Harry doubled over on the grass and felt a chill run down her spine.
"Maybe I can write you over the summer." Collin Creevey said, smiling shyly.
Amanda June smiled back. 'That would be great, Collin. I'd really like that."
There was a very awkward silence as the two struggled to find more words to fill the gap. Collin glanced around the Hospital Wing, it was empty. The rows and rows of clean white beds were freshly made and there was a slight scent of flowers in the air.
"How do you like working here?" He asked.
Amanda smiled again. "It's great. Madam Pomfrey's been showing me a lot. She says I have real talent for healing. Maybe I'll change my sixth year courses to healing."
Collin smiled. "That would be great."
Silence descended again. The two looked at one another, both smiling hesitantly.
"I-" Collin began, but that's when his brother Dennis charged into the Hospital Wing, a wild look of fear on his face. Collin suddenly felt a wave of fear, Dennis wasn't one to be easily frightened.
"There was an explosion." He gasped, panting. "On the fourth floor, I think people are hurt."
"Where's Madam Pomfrey?" Collin asked jumping to his feet.
"She went to Hogsmeade. She said she was awaiting a delivery today.' Amanda said, panic suddenly filling her face.
"I hope you really do have a talent for healing." Collin said, grabbing her hand. "I think we're going to need it." The trio headed for the door and that's when they heard the first screaming. Collin opened the door to find students running away frantically and a huge roaring troll lumbering down the hall.
Hermione looked up. What was that? She thought, looking pass the stacks of books on the table before her. It sounded like an explosion. She shook her head; it was probably one of the students playing a prank. She turned back to her books, and re-inked her quill.
She sighed and rubbed her eyes, taking a moment to glimpse out the large windows lining the library. It was such a beautiful day; she wondered what Ron was doing. Probably enjoying himself. She sighed again and looked at the books on the table. She pulled out her wand and gave it a slight flick, muttering the words. The books rushed off, all heading to their original resting place. Her notes and stacks of parchments did the same, ordering themselves and slipping into her bag.
It was a beautiful day and she wanted to spend at least some time with Ron, she didn't think she'd see him again until the NEWT s were over. She was walking to the doors when she saw three figures enter the library. She stiffened for a moment, what were they doing here?
Draco Malfoy caught sight of her and a smiled formed on his lips. "Just the person I wanted to see." He said. Goyle and Crabbe chuckled menacingly.
Hermione glanced about, but saw that no one was near them. She glared at the three, her hand going for her wand.
"Accio." Draco called out, her wand flying from her hands.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Hermione hissed angrily.
Draco smiled again. "What we can't just talk like civilized people?"
"You know what? Accio!" Hermione threw her bag and reached out her hand. Draco jerked back in surprise as the bag fell short of him, his grip slacking on Hermione's wand. She felt the smooth the wood of the wand in her hand and she aimed it again at the three. "Stupefy!" Red light flared out and the three stumbled back, not unconscious, but reeling. "Next time never lose your element of surprise, Draco." She said, picking up her bag and heading for the door.
"I certainly agree, little girl." Another person entered the room. A tall elegant looking woman, her pale face pinched and long blonde hair cascading upon her shoulders. She looked familiar.
"Mother?" Draco gasped, getting to his feet.
"Stupe-" Hermione began.
"Crucio." Narcissa Malfoy said. Hermione dropped to the floor letting out a scream. Narcissa walked over to her and picked up the wand Hermione had dropped. "Such a beautiful wand." She said and then snapped it in half on a nearby desk. "A pity." She looked Hermione over, she let out a snort of disgust. "So, this is the Mudblood that's been giving you so much trouble." Narcissa stopped before her, staring into her eyes. "She reeks of Muggles." She looked at Draco. "Well, do what you were going to do."
Draco blinked, glancing at Hermione and his mother. "But she's defenseless." He said.
Narcissa sighed. "You foolish boys and your honor. Just do it and get it over with, we have a school to take care of."
"You coward. You'll never get away with this. You'll never get out of here." She hissed.
"My, my. Brave aren't we? Do it Draco. Kill her."
Hermione looked wide-eyed at Draco. He held his wand pointed at her, his eyes locked on hers. "I can't." He said. "Not like this."
"My son. The gentleman." Narcissa sneered. She pushed him aside and pointed her wand at Hermione. "Avada Kedavra!"
There was a rushing sound and Hermione saw death coming.
Voldemort looked up, he could almost hear the distant crack of the explosion, though it was impossible. He and his Deatheaters were dozens of miles from Hogwarts.
"Now." He said.
Bellatrix grinned and turned upon the gathered witches, wizards, and monsters. "You know where to go and you know what to do. Go now! Professors first and Harry Potter for the Dark Lord!"
There was a series of cracks and pops and the field cleared. Bellatrix and Voldemort were standing alone for a moment.
"Where to, my lord." She asked.
Voldemort stood up, a smile upon his face. "Gryffindor tower will burn first." He said and vanished.
How They Fought and How They Died: Part One
Hogwarts
"Bring all the children in. Send them to their rooms and get the household heads to watch them, I want no one running around." Dumbledore said.
McGonagall nodded once. "I understand.
"We'll do our best." Professor Flitwick said. The normally happy professor's face was drawn. "We'll make sure nothing comes this way."
"Repair the Anti-Apparating charm when I leave." Dumbledore said. He stood for a moment and then nodded to himself. "The rest of the Order must be roused and we must help Fudge. Be prepared for wounded."
He looked one last time at the two professors and smiled sadly. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
There was a pop and he was gone. McGonagall looked at Flitwick. "Get the charm back up and sound the Alarm. We need all the children back inside. I have to get the other professors and make sure everything's secure."
McGonagall left, leaving Flitwick standing in the hall.
"Hi, Professor Flitwick. I was hoping for a moment of your time." Janet Yew said. The fifth year Ravenclaw smiled down at the diminutive professor. "It's about our charms homework."
Flitwick blinked for a moment and then laughed. "Hold on would you Janet. I have to repair a charm and then we can discuss what you want."
"What charm?" Janet asked, eagerly. Her pale green eyes shining with interest.
"It's an anti apparating charm." Flitwick said, pulling out his wand and began concentrating.
"Can I watch?" She asked. Flitwick smiled and nodded. It was so good to have a student so hungry for knowledge, she almost reminded him of Hermione.
He didn't notice how Janet moved behind him and from her robes pulled out a small glowing ball. She released it to the floor, her thin voice ringing loudly. "For the Dark Lord and His glory." A wave of fire and death erupted, erasing all traces of the two who had been standing there.
Hogwarts rumbled. With his passing charms began collapsing, with his death they began unraveling. For the first time in a hundred years, Hogwarts lay naked and unprotected.
Ministry of Magic
Surprise and ferocity were on their side. The Aurors who had been rushing toward the explosion now were cut down from behind. The Dark Creatures snarling in animal hate and blood lust. Lucius Malfoy stood there in the center of the chaos and smiled to himself. The plan was working; the Great Lord's schemes were going on schedule. Soon Dumbledore would arrive and the real fun would begin.
'Hold, you blasted fools!" Moody roared at the fleeing witches and wizards. They were not Aurors, they were not fighters. They were clerks, accountants; paper pushers that kept the Ministry afloat. Now they were the only thing standing before the Dark Creatures.
"Get up and fight you coward." Moody grabbed a young woman who lay huddling under her desk and shoved her into the firing line. Tears sparkled in her eyes and she faced the on coming horde her shoulders shaking violently. Moody stood ready, his wand held loose in his hands. The surge of fear and excitement flooding his body.
They would not hold, but they would give them hell. Hold enough for Dumbledore to come and wipe them out. Moody grinned, a ghastly sight. They would stand and fight, they would die, but they would not die cowards.
There was a clatter and Moody saw a small glowing ball rolling upon the floor, beneath the feet of witches and wizards. What the hell was that? Then it exploded. There was pain and there was nothing.
"Nice of you to join us, Dumbledore." Malfoy said, a small smile on his face.
"What is this?" Dumbledore demanded. Behind him was arrayed the most of the Order and all the Aurors that he could get his hands upon in short notice. There was still brutal fighting going on in most of the Ministry, but here stood the heart of the destruction.
Dumbledore felt a surge of hate and anger. All this death, all this destruction. Why? For power? "Give up, Malfoy. You're little attack has failed. You gain nothing here, give up."
Lucius laughed. "No. No. This is just the warm up. The real show begins." He glanced at his watch. "Oh, it's already started. I have a gift for you, though." He kicked a chest that sat beside him; it popped open and inside was hundreds of small glowing spheres. "Have fun, Dumbledore." He laughed gripping a small metal disk at his waist.
There was a clap of thunder and a wall of fire. No time to think, no time to counter. Pain and then nothing.
Hogwarts
"Haven't seen hide nor hair of her in nearly three weeks." Ron was saying as he lay on the grass. He had a cap covering his face, blocking out the late afternoon sun. "Been locked up in the library all this time, barely even has time to say hi. Then it's off to classes or back in the library." He sighed.
Harry laughed, receiving a glare from Ron. "The NEWTs are only days away. What did you expect? She's been studying for these since the fifth year." He suddenly snatched out his hand and caught a glittering golden orb. It's delicate wings fluttered fiercely for a moment and as if resigned at its capture, lay still.
Ron noticed his catch. "Better not let Ginny see that. She's still raw about the last game."
"Don't change the subject." Harry said, opening his palm and setting the snitch free. He watched as it zoomed across the emerald lawns, though an animatedly talking group of girls and nipping the head of a fifth year Gryffindor student that Harry knew from the DA group.
Ron yawned, stretching and readjusting his cap. "Personally I don't see what's all the fuss is about. The daft girl knows everything already, so why continue studying?" He shrugged to himself. "Who'd choose to lock themselves up on a beautiful day like this?"
"Seven years. You've known her for seven years and you're still complaining about it? It's what she does. Study, read, and learn. You should be used to it by now. I for one think you should be following her example." Harry replied.
Ron raised an eye toward Harry. "Bugger me. Now you're sounding like her."
Harry laughed. "You know what, you lazy sod." He raised his wand-
An explosion roared across the lawn. Harry looked up, gaped mouth, as a ball of fire blossomed on one of the upper floors. Stone and debris flew in the air and people began shouting.
"What the hell!" Ron jumped up.
Harry suddenly doubled over, groaning in pain. The scar on his head flaring to life. He looked up to Ron's horrified face. "Voldemort's coming!"
There was a rumble. Draco Malfoy looked up from where he was sitting and smiled. So it begins. He looked at the two by his side, Crabbe and Goyle, they smiled in their brutish manner.
"Time to liven things up." Draco said, standing up. "But first, a little payback."
Crabbe and Goyle laughed and they followed Draco to the stairs.
'Go to my mother." Ginny said, giving Hedwig one last pat on the head. The owl hooted cheerfully and launched itself into the sky. She watched it flap its wings powerfully, riding the thermals rising off the lawns, and moving majestically through the sir.
Ginny go to her feet, brushing off a few stay grasses off her robe and headed back to the castle. She noticed Ron and Harry, Ron lying on the grass and Harry seemingly watching something. Ginny followed his gaze and spotted the small golden snitch zooming around the lawn.
She shook her head, feeling a little anger. Not at Harry, but at herself. She was the Gryffindor seeker and she should have noticed that there was a snitch flying around the lawn. She brushed aside a lock of red hair and squared her shoulders; she still wanted to thank Harry for using his owl.
There was a sudden sharp boom and Ginny looked about frantically, seeing a blossoming ball of fire. She stumbled back, falling among a group of girls who began screaming and shouting.
Quickly she got to her feet, looking toward Ron and Harry. She saw Harry doubled over on the grass and felt a chill run down her spine.
"Maybe I can write you over the summer." Collin Creevey said, smiling shyly.
Amanda June smiled back. 'That would be great, Collin. I'd really like that."
There was a very awkward silence as the two struggled to find more words to fill the gap. Collin glanced around the Hospital Wing, it was empty. The rows and rows of clean white beds were freshly made and there was a slight scent of flowers in the air.
"How do you like working here?" He asked.
Amanda smiled again. "It's great. Madam Pomfrey's been showing me a lot. She says I have real talent for healing. Maybe I'll change my sixth year courses to healing."
Collin smiled. "That would be great."
Silence descended again. The two looked at one another, both smiling hesitantly.
"I-" Collin began, but that's when his brother Dennis charged into the Hospital Wing, a wild look of fear on his face. Collin suddenly felt a wave of fear, Dennis wasn't one to be easily frightened.
"There was an explosion." He gasped, panting. "On the fourth floor, I think people are hurt."
"Where's Madam Pomfrey?" Collin asked jumping to his feet.
"She went to Hogsmeade. She said she was awaiting a delivery today.' Amanda said, panic suddenly filling her face.
"I hope you really do have a talent for healing." Collin said, grabbing her hand. "I think we're going to need it." The trio headed for the door and that's when they heard the first screaming. Collin opened the door to find students running away frantically and a huge roaring troll lumbering down the hall.
Hermione looked up. What was that? She thought, looking pass the stacks of books on the table before her. It sounded like an explosion. She shook her head; it was probably one of the students playing a prank. She turned back to her books, and re-inked her quill.
She sighed and rubbed her eyes, taking a moment to glimpse out the large windows lining the library. It was such a beautiful day; she wondered what Ron was doing. Probably enjoying himself. She sighed again and looked at the books on the table. She pulled out her wand and gave it a slight flick, muttering the words. The books rushed off, all heading to their original resting place. Her notes and stacks of parchments did the same, ordering themselves and slipping into her bag.
It was a beautiful day and she wanted to spend at least some time with Ron, she didn't think she'd see him again until the NEWT s were over. She was walking to the doors when she saw three figures enter the library. She stiffened for a moment, what were they doing here?
Draco Malfoy caught sight of her and a smiled formed on his lips. "Just the person I wanted to see." He said. Goyle and Crabbe chuckled menacingly.
Hermione glanced about, but saw that no one was near them. She glared at the three, her hand going for her wand.
"Accio." Draco called out, her wand flying from her hands.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Hermione hissed angrily.
Draco smiled again. "What we can't just talk like civilized people?"
"You know what? Accio!" Hermione threw her bag and reached out her hand. Draco jerked back in surprise as the bag fell short of him, his grip slacking on Hermione's wand. She felt the smooth the wood of the wand in her hand and she aimed it again at the three. "Stupefy!" Red light flared out and the three stumbled back, not unconscious, but reeling. "Next time never lose your element of surprise, Draco." She said, picking up her bag and heading for the door.
"I certainly agree, little girl." Another person entered the room. A tall elegant looking woman, her pale face pinched and long blonde hair cascading upon her shoulders. She looked familiar.
"Mother?" Draco gasped, getting to his feet.
"Stupe-" Hermione began.
"Crucio." Narcissa Malfoy said. Hermione dropped to the floor letting out a scream. Narcissa walked over to her and picked up the wand Hermione had dropped. "Such a beautiful wand." She said and then snapped it in half on a nearby desk. "A pity." She looked Hermione over, she let out a snort of disgust. "So, this is the Mudblood that's been giving you so much trouble." Narcissa stopped before her, staring into her eyes. "She reeks of Muggles." She looked at Draco. "Well, do what you were going to do."
Draco blinked, glancing at Hermione and his mother. "But she's defenseless." He said.
Narcissa sighed. "You foolish boys and your honor. Just do it and get it over with, we have a school to take care of."
"You coward. You'll never get away with this. You'll never get out of here." She hissed.
"My, my. Brave aren't we? Do it Draco. Kill her."
Hermione looked wide-eyed at Draco. He held his wand pointed at her, his eyes locked on hers. "I can't." He said. "Not like this."
"My son. The gentleman." Narcissa sneered. She pushed him aside and pointed her wand at Hermione. "Avada Kedavra!"
There was a rushing sound and Hermione saw death coming.
Voldemort looked up, he could almost hear the distant crack of the explosion, though it was impossible. He and his Deatheaters were dozens of miles from Hogwarts.
"Now." He said.
Bellatrix grinned and turned upon the gathered witches, wizards, and monsters. "You know where to go and you know what to do. Go now! Professors first and Harry Potter for the Dark Lord!"
There was a series of cracks and pops and the field cleared. Bellatrix and Voldemort were standing alone for a moment.
"Where to, my lord." She asked.
Voldemort stood up, a smile upon his face. "Gryffindor tower will burn first." He said and vanished.