Chapter 9: Midnight Massacre
By the time Harry had made it to his post in the Entrance Hall, most of those assigned there had already arrived and had gathered facing the main doors, which had been locked shut. Some - like Jenna, Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Davis, and the majority of the elves - had clearly still been up and about as they were fully dressed, but a handful of the DA members had clearly been roused from sleep as they wore only pyjamas or nightdresses, with a dressing gown or jacket on top. Harry frowned - he'd have to watch out for them, as the cold would catch up with them pretty quick. Peeves the Poltergeist - who had agreed to help in order to escape a mind-wipe - was of course immune to such concerns.
"For those of you who aren't quite sure of plan, we will be covering the south and east sides of the castle," Harry told them. "The ground on those sides is pretty open so it's unlikely we'll see much in the way of giants, trolls or Revenants, it would be too difficult to hide the giants and trolls, and the Revenants dislike fighting on open ground. Our most likely opponents will be the Dementors and the Death Eaters themselves. Does everyone remember the plan for the Dementors?"
Everyone nodded. Several of the assembled militia – Peeves and a mixture of DA members and mages - produced their bags filled with silvery Patronus Globes, while others – all witches or wizards – shot up wisps of silvery mist from their wands.
"Okay, when I give the signal to move out... professors, DA Squad Black, and Master Keirnaae and Master Cheeney's covens will move forward. Sir Deklyn, Sir Finayn, Groups Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald of the Ladies, and Eagle Company's 2nd, 5th, 7th and 9th will provide tactical support. Master Flamebeard, Groups Diamond and Onyx, 3rd Platoon, Sir Hector, the Head Boy, Peeves and DA Squad Grey will hold position here and prevent break through. Hermione, you're in charge once I leave."
Several of the rear guard, including Roger Davies and the jade-cloaked and plate-armoured Sir Hector - a blond, slightly balding nobleman, looked a little in askance about this, but nodded agreement.
"Let's see how everyone else is doing," said Harry. "Courtyard team, status report?"
"We are in position, no activity."
"Thanks Barra. Aerial Detail?"
"Ready and waiting, your lordship!"
"Thank you, Chief. Protection details?"
"All Gryffindor and Ravenclaw non-combatants are accounted for. We are heading for the Chamber now."
"That's good, Geyra. Master Nathacheng?"
"We have the Hufflepuffs. The Slytherins are proving a little less co-operative but we'll be moving shortly."
"Get them out as soon as possible, and use the secret passages as discussed."
"We will."
"Master Gàdòrd, your status?"
"All teams are in position, and surveillance is up and running."
"Good. Keep me posted," Harry told him. "Infirmary?"
"Wolf Company's 5th Platoon is on station, and all my people are clear and standing by."
"Thank you, Njal."
"Milord!"
"What is it, Gàdòrd?"
"Sir Candeyse reports a small force has attacked their position."
"Composition?"
"Twenty Death Eaters and a dozen Revenants. The villagers are assisting and she anticipates containment with her available resources."
"Understood, keep your eyes peeled. That's just the first wave."
"Yes milord."
----
Everything was quiet for perhaps ten or fifteen minutes. Then an explosion rocked the castle. Harry was the first of the defenders gathered in the Entrance Hall to recover. "Master Gàdòrd, report!"
"Castle security has been breached on the third floor, there are no intruders visible on the Map. However, there is an interference pattern present consistent with the use of Disillusionment Charm."
"Understood," replied Harry. "Njal, we have a security breach near your position, probably the Honeydukes passage. Have everyone hold position but stay alert."
"Understood."
"Geyra, what's your position?"
"Second floor."
"Watch your back. We just had a breach on the third floor."
"I will."
"Milord!"
"Yes Gàdòrd?"
"I have hostiles on the Map, they are exiting the Forest. I count two hundred and ninety-four Revenants, forty-three trolls and eighty-three Death Eaters. No giants so far."
"Barra, Chief Feeaghskian, prepare to move out. Gàdòrd, standby perimeter defences. East Batteries lock and load."
"Ready."
"Say the word."
"Standing by."
"Wildfires locked."
"Catapults ready."
"The giants have arrived!"
"This is it then. Gàdòrd, close the door!"
"Perimeter defences activated. All Swamps deployed."
"East Batteries, fire at will!"
"Wildfires away!"
"Catapults released!"
"Chief Feeaghskian, get your first line in the air. Engage on my mark."
"Done."
For a moment or two, only the sound of explosions, burning and magic could be heard, then Gàdòrd spoke again. "Sixteen giants and twenty trolls have been caught in the Swamps. All but seven are dead."
"Revenants, Death Eaters?"
"Some casualties, but most are still moving."
"Let's fix that. Barra, have the courtyard teams move out! Use all necessary force!"
"Understood."
For a few minutes, all Harry could hear were the sounds of battle outside, then Shelgeyra spoke again. "There was a minor problem with some intruders, but it's all clear now."
"Thanks for the update."
"Milord! Death Eaters and Dementors are approaching the main gates!"
"South Batteries, can you get a lock?"
"Not at their current distance."
"Okay then, give me suppression fire once you have their range."
"As you wish."
"Chief Smeòrin, get your detail in the air. Attack the Death Eaters only when they pass onto Hogwarts grounds. Understood?"
"Yes milord."
He turned to the students, teachers and elves gathered behind him. "It's time. First wave to me. Professor Flitwick, Mr Filch, unlock the doors."
The Charms professor and the caretaker moved quickly to obey Harry's instruction, and seconds later the way was clear.
But before they could move out, the lake bubbled up and a large ship came up out of the water. Harry recognised it instantly. "The Durmstrang ship!"
"The Map indicates Death Eaters and Revenants on board. At least four hundred."
"Hermione, be ready to hold the line."
Hermione gulped, then nodded.
"Gàdòrd, activate the lake countermeasures! First wave, move out!"
Seconds later, thick clouds of choking gas erupted from barrels hidden on the lake shore and several dozen witches, wizards, mages and soldiers poured out of the main doors to meet the onrushing Dark Army.
----
By the time Harry and the others got within duelling range of the invaders at the shore, the invaders were fully trapped within the grips of the gas, unable to even think about attacking. "Archers! Fire at will!" Harry ordered.
Harry's Ealbhari archers opened fire immediately, dropping about a dozen of the wizards and a handful of Revenant. Jenna unshipped her autobow, and flicking the loader to automatic opened fire, slaying six Revenants and wounding three before her bow clicked empty.
"Archers reload! Mages, professors, DA... Attack!" Harry said, raising his own wand. "Reducto!"
The mages, witches and wizards were quick to follow Harry's example and vari-coloured beams of light burst from outstretched wands or hands and blasted the stricken Death Eaters from several different angles. One or two wizards managed to get up Shield Charms, but none of them could withstand the onslaught.
Harry drilled two Death Eaters with Stunning Charms, then ducked as a Killing Curse came whistling down from above. He squinted upwards, the wizard had ducked under the railing. He glanced around, over half of the first wave of invaders we either dead or disabled, while the defenders were in pretty good shape with only three or four down. However, the gas was starting to clear, soon the Death Eaters would be in position to attack. He had to stop that happening. "Sir Deklyn, Master Cheeney, Sergeants Leisdear and Shawkeyr, Lady Jemima, advance inside the ship and secure it!"
"Yes milord!" replied the four Ealbhari and gathered their squads to do so.
"Everyone else, cover them!" Harry ordered. "Master Keirnaae, try and pin as many of the enemy down as you can!"
The master plant-mage nodded and conjured more vines to wrap around his current foe, a brawny, grey-furred Revenant nearly seven feet in height. His seven-strong group of mages and apprentices followed his lead.
Harry was just beginning to think that they were getting on top of the situation, when there was a massive explosion, this time near the gates. "Gàdòrd report!"
"Death Eaters have breached the main gates. I estimate another five-hundred witches and wizards, and at least two-hundred Dementors."
"Chief, are you ready?"
"Can you spread them out a bit first? We can do more damage that way."
"I'll see what I can do," Harry promised. "South Batteries, do you have a lock?"
"Wildfires locked."
"Catapults aimed and ready."
"Fire in the centre of the lines! Break them apart!"
"Yes, milord."
A dozen Weasleys' Wildfire Whizzbangs and five or six catapult loads of Pyrus Globes flew from their mounts towards the Death Eater ranks. The results were devastating, the Death Eaters were taken completely unawares and over a hundred were incinerated or burned in the first volley. The second followed immediately after the first to almost as devastating effect. The third volley was slightly smaller than the first two and was expected, but still claimed quite a few victims.
"That good enough, Chief?" Harry asked, then turned and blasted a Death Eater with a powerful Disarming Charm. "Sir Finayn, Emeralds, DA Black Squad to me. Everyone else, hold the line here!"
Harry's chosen warriors took a moment to finish up the fights they were already engaged in, then followed him in his mad dash towards the gates. Jenna slotted a fresh load of bolts into her bow, then sped up so that she came alongside him.
As he reached the enemy, he noticed that the Dementors were unharmed, apparently unaffected by the white-hot fires generated by the Wildfires and Pyrus Globes. He offered a silent prayer that the mental shields generated by the Amulet blocked the Dementors' powers, in addition to Leglimency. "Ealbhari, Riodbhari, concentrate on the Death Eaters... DA, take the Dementors. Expecto Patronum!"
Prongs burst from Harry's wand, larger and more brilliant than he had ever been before. Harry commanded him to attack the Dementors and drive them into a clump. Within seconds this was done, and a well-aimed throw from another DA member, Chris Bradley, destroyed them in a wave of silvery energy. Prongs dissipated in the backwash.
Harry nodded congratulations, and then after pausing to hex a Death Eater that was taking rather more interest in him than he would have liked, he invoked the charm again. This time he removed one of the vials from inside own robes and tossed it. Though his accuracy wasn't as good as the Ravenclaw Chaser's the end result was much the same.
----
By midnight, the battle was still raging, and Harry was beginning to get a little tired. Prongs was beginning to lose strength as well, it was getting harder and harder to keep solid long enough to toss the Patronus Bomb.
He saw a flash of green light a short distance away, then a split second later, he realised that it was a Killing Curse, and that it was heading for him. But before he could do any more, Sir Finayn jumped in front of him and blocked the fatal curse with the reflective surface of his shield. "Be careful, milord. You may be resistant to that curse as a beayn, in your current form you are not."
"I'll bear that in mind," Harry promised, then pointed his wand at the offending dark witch over the top of the noble's shield. "Stupefy!"
He stood, and then helped Sir Finayn up. He looked around the battlefield, and his expression turned grim. The gates were hanging off, and a few small battles still raged near the open portal. The Durmstrang ship was heavily scorched and the deck and the shore around it were littered with bodies. Most were in wizard's robes, but there were a few in black, red or green mage robes of Ealbhari mages, or the green tunics or dresses of the Rangers and Ladies. Fighting in that quarter was over, and the Ealbhari and Hogwarts flags fluttered from the main mast.
"Looks like things are almost under control," Harry mused. Sir Finayn nodded.
There was a small 'pop' behind him, and Harry turned to see a house-elf dressed in the livery of a Ranger servant. "Lord Barra requests your presence in the War Room, Lord Haimric."
"Tell him I'll be right up." Harry told the elf, who nodded and disappeared with a 'crack'.
"Shall I escort you, milord?"
"Fine by me," Harry told him, then sighed and began to walk up the hill towards the main doors. By the time he reached them, Ginny, Luna and Jenna had joined him, all were sporting minor injuries, but were more or less whole. "Where's Neville?"
"Hannah got it by a Cutting Hex," Ginny replied. "Neville decided to go with her to the Infirmary."
"Let's go then."
----
"What's our status?" Harry asked as he entered the War-Room with Jenna and Sir Finayn. Professor Dumbledore, Lord Barra and Captain Artair were already present.
"We are still awaiting final casualty reports," Barra admitted. "However, we do know that we have lost at least seventy, and Njal currently has nearly that number again in his care. Mostly Ealbhari."
"We have two-hundred and twenty three Death and forty-seven Revenants in custody," Artair added. "Total casualties on the invaders side are currently estimated at over a thousand. At least two-hundred, mainly Death Eaters, fled once they realised that the tide was not in their favour."
"Predictable," Harry said. "What about student and faculty casualties?"
"We have been quite fortunate, Harry," Dumbledore replied. "Twenty-seven were injured, but there were only nine fatalities."
"Who died?" Harry asked.
"Sibyll was killed when one of the giants brought down her tower. We also lost Filius, Henry and Serena during the battle. Minerva was badly hurt, but Mistress Ròsbior believes that she will survive."
Harry nodded, Henry Jones taught Ancient Runes; Seraphina Sinistra had taught him Astronomy until his OWLs. "Students?"
"Regretfully, we lost several. Mr Chambers and Miss Turpin dying from the Kiss while assisting you at the gates. Mr Corner was killed by a stray Killing Curse, and Mr Davies and Miss Fawcett by Revenants that made it as far as the Entrance Hall."
"Damn."
Before Harry or anyone else could say any more, a bird flew on the windowsill and rapped on the pain. After a nod from Barra, Artair opened the window and retrieved the message. He scanned it, and then handed it to Harry. "It is for you, milord."
Harry tore open the message and then scanned it. All the colour drained out of his face. "Artair, get me Remus Lupin!"
"Milord?"
"Now!"
"Yes milord, right away."
"What is it, Harry?" asked Dumbledore.
"A message from Voldemort," Harry replied grimly. "He says he has Remus, and he'll kill him in one hour if I don't come to 'where it all began' by then."
"He may be lying, Harry."
"I know."
Artair turned back to the group. "There is no answer on The Den's Floo connection, and he does not answer his communicator. I have also talked with Mrs Weasley and Miss Tonks at Order Headquarters and he has not been there in three days."
"Something's wrong alright," Harry decided. "Professor, I'm going to need a portkey for Godric's Hollow." Dumbledore nodded. Harry found a quill and a scrap of parchment and scribbled a few words on it. "Jenna, ask Ginny and the others to come in, then get six people from this list and bring them too. I need Ron and Hermione, but the other four... do the best you can."
Jenna nodded and left the room.
Barra frowned. "I hope you are planning on taking an escort, Haimric." His tone indicated that he didn't feel this was a question.
"No, I'm not planning too," Harry admitted. "Listen, if I'm right, none of the Inner Circle were part of the attack."
"Two of the minor members - Carlos Crabbe and Wilhelm Travers – were," Barra pointed out. "However, most are still unaccounted for. Why is this important?"
"Because I think he committed a large bulk of the his battle-ready forces to that attack. I'm guessing that he doesn't have much more than the Inner Circle left. And even if he does, he's not likely to assign them to this job. He'll assume that if I come, it'll be similar to last time."
"That would appear to be consistent with his behaviour to date."
"I want this to be quick in, quick out."
"A sound strategy." Barra admitted. "Very well then, take whomever you wish. But my people will be ready to assist if necessary."
"As it should be," Harry agreed, then accepted the portkey from the Headmaster.
About a minute later, the 'rescue party' was assembled. "Ron, Hermione, can you to keep things together 'til we get back?"
"We'll try are best, Harry."
"I wish we were going with you."
"I know you do, Ron. But I need you more here."
Ron nodded his understanding, and then the eight travellers grabbed hold of the portkey and disappeared.
"Godspeed, Harry," murmured Dumbledore. "And good luck."
----
The Portkey dropped them off inside the burnt out shell of the Potter House in Godric's Hollow. Harry paused for a moment, and looked round. If things had been different, I might have grown up here, he thought to himself. I wonder what it would have been like?
It does not do to dwell on what might have been, amici, Haimric reminded him gently. And there are more important things to worry about.
"Agreed." Harry said aloud. Blaise, Susan and Cho – not being used to Harry's occasionally odd conversations with the Spirit of the Amulet – looked at him a little strangely. Harry moved towards the front of the house and walked outside through what was once the front door frame. "Everyone stay sharp. Only a fool would try the same trick twice but..."
Several dark-robed figures detached themselves from the shadows and surrounded the group. "A fool," observed Harry. "Hello again, Lucius. I wish I could say it was a pleasure. I take it you don't have Remus?"
Out of the corner of his eye he noticed that one of the Death Eaters had a very distinctive silver hand. He locked eyes with Cho for a moment, then jerked his head towards Wormtail. She nodded.
"Lord Voldemort wishes the pleasure of your company, Potter. Are you coming quietly, or do you intend to resist?"
Harry smiled, and then replied with uncharacteristic bravado. "Oh don't be so stupid, of course we intend to resist! Just give us a moment, alright?"
The platinum blonde Death Eater was a little taken aback by this, so Harry took the opportunity to gather his group into a huddle. "Eight of us, thirteen of them. Hardly seems fair."
Ginny grinned wolfishly, "Maybe we should give them a chance to surrender."
Harry raised an eyebrow, Ginny shrugged. "Everyone picked a target?"
They all nodded. Jenna unsheathed her sabre, and the others pulled out their wands. Then with one motion, they all turned back to the Death Eaters. "NOW, we are prepared to resist you!"
Lucius was the first to react. He cast a Disarming Charm at Harry. But Harry was too fast for him, "Protego Maxima!" The enhanced version of the Shield Charm created a wall of magical energy strong enough to block not only Lucius' Disarming Charm, but also the hexes from three more Death Eaters – who sounded suspiciously like Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange, and Marius Mulciber. "Cho, get Wormtail, if he tries to escape... hurt him!"
"Gladly," Cho confirmed. "Petrificus Anima!"
The Binding Charm hit Wormtail square in the chest. The Animagus paused, then fired back a Stunner of his own, which the petite Asian girl dodged easily.
Meanwhile, Jenna was engaged in a pitched battle with two Death Eaters, one – who was tried to curse her – was an unknown, but the second was marked as Walden MacNair by the large axe he was attempting to kill her with. Jenna ducked under one of MacNair sweeping axe strikes and then swept his feet from under him, he went down hard. With MacNair temporarily dealt with, Jenna turned her attention to the other one. She dodged a Disarming Charm sent her way and then ducked under his guard and brought her foot up between his legs. The Death Eater moaned and dropped his wand, then Jenna smashed the hand-guard of her sabre into his face. A few drops of blood went flying and he dropped to the ground. Jenna checked him - he was out cold.
Harry was unaware of this though, as he was engaged in a tricky two-on-one fight of his own against the two Black sisters. He reflected a Reductor Curse from Narcissa, then had to duck as Bellatrix sent a Cruciatus Curse of her own in his direction. He reached under his robes and pulled out the last of his potions vials. He frowned, he hadn't had a chance to test this one...
It will work, amici. Use it now!
Harry nodded, then casting a Banishing Charm in Narcissa's direction. She blocked it, but that meant she was too distracted to see the vial coming at her until it exploded in front of her in a brilliant flash of light. Blinded, she was unable to block Harry's Disarming Charm, which hit her so hard she was knocked back against the crumbling house wall and slid unconscious to the ground.
Now Harry turned his attention to Bellatrix. "Bellatrix!"
"Is little Harry upset?" she asked in her babyish singsong voice.
"Yes!" Harry barked. "Stupefy! Relashio!"
"Silly little Harry! Protego!"
Harry's two spells slammed against her Shield, which flared and then died. Bellatrix looked fearful for a split second, then raised her wand. "Crucio!"
Harry threw himself to one side, firing curses as he fell. None of them hit their mark, but Bellatrix's second Cruciatus Curse did.
Harry grit his teeth to try and hold back the pain. After a minute or two, his vision began to clear. He raised his wand, and shouted. "Expelliarmus!"
This time the Disarming Charm took her by surprise and disarmed her. Harry got to his feet and walked over to her. "I should kill you for what you've done, Bellatrix... to me, to Neville and to many others..."
Harry?
What is it, Haimric? I'm in the middle of something.
Weren't there thirteen Death Eaters?
Yes.
I can only sense twelve now. One is hiding.
"Incarcerous!"
The Ensnarement Charm hit Harry right in the back, trapped him in loops of thick rope. Harry rolled over and was just able to see under the hood of the offending Death Eater's robes. Harry grimaced.
The Death Eater was Harry's tormentor of the year before: former Hogwarts High Inquisitor and Headmistress, Dolorus Umbridge, ex-Senior Undersecretary to Cornelius Fudge.
"Umbridge! Wait till I get my hands on you!"
Umbridge laughed. "You never will, Potter! Portus! Stupefy!"
Just before Harry lost consciousness, he felt the tugging sensation in his navel. Here we go again.
If any of his friends had been watching closely at that moment, they would have been surprised to see that he was smiling.
A/N: Sorry about the cliff-hanger, but the next chapter should be up within the next week or so, and believe me, the Wizarding World will never be the same again! In the meantime, please review. On a side note, several lines in this chapter were inspired by the movie The Three Musketeers starring Chris O'Donnell and Keifer Sutherland.
