Title: Fallen Heros
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: SS, CoS, PoA, GoF, OotP
The rain was falling harder than ever making it near impossible for Tally and Laini to see the well-worn path to the Village. As soon as they passed the borders for the Shrieking Shack a long low howl reached their ears. Laini and Tally both paused turned to look at each other and then in synchronization they both turned to look up at the sky, at the bright full moon that was peering through the wave of rain and clouds.
"Remus..." Tally paused and turned back to Laini.
"No, was that him?" Laini asked quietly, almost inaudible through the rain, thunder and the second howl that pierced the sky.
"If it was we defiantly need to get help." Tally said and they both dashed off towards the small cottages and shops that were soaked. Rain fell like waterfalls off the roofs and drifted towards the overflowing gutters.
"The post office is this way..." Laini said, shielding her eyes and leading Tally past Zonko's Joke Shop and The Three Broomsticks. The two of them disappeared into the post office, once again out of the rain but not nearly out of the wind. The glass and door of the post office were gone and rain was filling it like a pool, yet none of the falling rain could reach them.
"I don't think there are any owls still hanging around here..." Tally noted, disappearing into the back room to look. She appeared about five minutes later, "None."
"Darn... PERSEUS!" Laini screamed, cupping her hands around her mouth and angling her head towards the sky.
"Whooo..." A small dusty owl magically flew into the post office; landing on Laini's outstretched arm and tilting his head. It was James' owl, Perseus, and he usually came when any of the Marauder's or Laini and Tally called.
"We need you to find Dumbledore... Tally quick, write a letter." Laini said as she stroked the wet owls' feathers. Tally disappeared into the back room once again and appeared with a letter already enveloped and signed for Dumbledore. Tally handed the letter to Laini who tied it to Perseus' left leg. "Now go, be careful!" Laini moved her arm and the owl swooped out of the room.
"Now, to get back to the others." Tally noted. Suddenly, both Tally and Laini paused; neither said a word, they just both listened. There was another low howl and then the entire room got icy cold.
"Is it freezing now or is it just me?" Laini asked as her teeth began to chatter.
"It's freezing..." Tally agreed and the two girls walked back out into the rain and wind. Again they paused and as it dawned on them what they were staring at, they screamed. About 80 Dementors were surrounding Hogsmeade, there may have been more but Tally and Laini couldn't see anything passed the village through the Dementor's cloaks to tell.
"We're going... to... die..." Laini muttered as the Dementor's starting gliding towards them. The iciness filled their lungs and slowly they both gave in to the painful memories and collapsed onto the mud-filled street in front of the post office.
Yelling, a glass thrown across the room, crying, pain, and more yelling. A silver haired boy pulled his sister away from the fighting and into their bedroom. The little girl continued to cry as her brother coached her through her tears. Staring at him though her tear-filled eyes she hugged him, tears now soaking through his shirt sleeve. Laini, seven years old, actually hugged her brother, Salem, eleven, who she'd never expected to turn to for help. Shocked at first, Salem returned her hug, holding her tightly.
"Is dad going to stay a Death Eater?" Laini whispered.
"I hope not... I hope not..." Salem murmured.
"You're a witch! How come you didn't tell me this!?" Mr. Riddle was screaming at his cowering wife. Three kids watched through a crack in the door. The smallest one, Tally of seven years, began crying and her brothers comforted her.
"We'll be okay... don't worry." Tim, the middle child, told his little sister. Tom, the oldest, slanted his dull red eyes, turned on his heal and left the room.
"Tommy..." Tally whispered, "Don't leave me too..."
"I must, my parents are pathetic fools, and my father is a MUGGLE! Of non-magic, he's worthless."
"No, daddy's not." Tally said, crying as her brother hugged her small figure.