The Phoenix

by Phoenix Felor

A boy who's been transfered from California arrives at Hogwarts with his friend. Both are mischevious, and chaos is bound to ensue... (Better summary inside) Yeah, I know the idea of a transfer student is over-used, but 'tis my first story... be kind...

8. Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Sieged!

Every head in the Great Hall snapped to the large oak doors that had just recently been blasted open. There in the doorway was a large contingent of hooded figures.

Did I just say large? That must be the understatement of the century, for this contingency was ENORMOUS. It would be safe to bet that everyone under ol' Voldie's control was here to lay siege to the castle.

Of course, they had expected resistance (Do you honestly think it was a coincidence that Dumbledore was absent when they attacked?), so they had shielding charms. However, what they DIDN'T expect was nine semi-automatic assault rifles armed with enhanced stun spells.

"OPEN FIRE!"

Glowing neon red bolts streaked towards the unwanted guests, penetrating the shields and causing the first line to fall down. By that time the staff was on their feet, slinging various spells and curses at the Death Eaters. Flitwick, although small, was the charms teacher for a reason. The midget teacher was launching slowing charms, tripping charms, barrier charms, explosive charms... you name it, he cast it.

Team Matrix was on their feet, Thor's Shields in one hand and WARs in the other.

"LET'S MOVE! GCR!"

They started moving backwards, launching red streaks at the attackers. The attackers, on the other hand, were sending silver streaks at the students, which exploded on contact. Others still were sending dark red streaks, which burst into flames, causing students to run around on fire, screaming.

The Gryffindors were valiantly fighting back, even those who were in their first year, sending whatever curses they knew at the Death Eaters. For some "bizarre" reason, the Slytherins were doing nothing at all.

Eventually, Team Matrix made it to the marble stairs. Phoenix turned to his group.

"Alright, I want several of us down here to help the teachers. Who's gonna volunteer?"

Neville, Seamus, and Dean raised their hands.

"Okay, here are your objectives: 1) rendezvous with the teachers and ask for orders. 2) protect the students and give them cover fire to escape. 3) Kick some butth."

The three volunteers smirked at the last objective.

"The rest of you will go with me to the Gryffindor Common Room. I have several, ahem, surprises in my dormitory that can help us. Specifically, stun grenades. Peck, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Harry. I need you to create a Grenade Launcher ASAP, complete with a spell enhancer. Peck, that's your job. While you guys are working on that, I'm goin' to the roof."

Ginny looked surprised.

"What for?"

"Let's say that I have some 'rappelling' to do."

Peck smirked at that.

"Alright, what are we waiting for? LET'S MOVE!"

Neville, Seamus, and Dean raced back into the Great Hall, armed with their WARs. They had about 10 extra magazines each, which totaled up to 1500 enhanced stun spells. The rest of Team Matrix ran like madmen towards the Gryffindor Common Room. Upon reaching the portrait, they stopped.

"Alright, Miss. We have a problem: Hogwarts is under attack. Don't worry, the students and teachers are fighting back and we are going inside to get some equipment. I have a job for you. Under NO circumstances will you let anyone with a hooded black cloak enter. They are Death Eaters. That's a given though. Clear?"

"Why of course."

"If it helps, once we enter, leave the portrait and visit some of your friends. That way, there is no chance of those creeps to get in. Scourge of all cowardice."

The portrait swung open and Phoenix's friends ran in, immediately getting to work.

"Alright, I need a cylindrical tube about a yard and a half in length."

"You got it Peck."

Hermione transfigured a fire stoker into the requested item and handed it to Peck.

"Alright, Hermione will supply raw materials, Harry will work on welding the parts together with my help, Ginny will work on a targeting system, Ron will work on a feeding system, and I will work on the enhancer and general supervision."

Phoenix raced upstairs, grabbed his Stun Grenades and JLC4s, and raced back down.

"Alright, here are the grenades. Duplicate them: we'll probably need a lot more than I have. I brought down the JLC4s if any of you thought of a use for them, like a trap or something. Peck? Can I have your WAR?"

"You got it."

"I'll also need as many spare magazines as I can carry."

Once the second WAR was slung over his shoulder, he was bombarded with fully loaded cells. Securing as many as he could, he turned to Hermione.

"Hermione, could you get me a lot of really strong rope, grappling hooks, and a rappelling vest?"

"Ask and ye shall receive."

She flicked her wand and out of thin air came the requested items. Phoenix goggled at her.

"Isn't that 7th year work?"

She grinned.

"Yup."

Phoenix continued to stare at the items. Snapping out of it, he grabbed them, put on the vest, slung the rope over his shoulder (the grappling hooks were attached to it), grabbed several grenades for good measure, and ran out of the common room, pausing only to give some final words to the fat lady.

"Alright, remember: go visit some of your friends."

She nodded and hurried out of her portrait. Phoenix turned around and continued towards the stairs. Upon reaching them, he started to run upwards, making his way towards the highest tower. When he got there. He peered over the edge and goggled yet again. Practically the ENTIRE front grounds was filled with Death Eaters.

"Can we say crap? Crap. Well, at least I have these grenades..."

Taking a grenade from his belt, he pulled the pin and chucked it down at the swarming Death Eaters. Several seconds later, there was an explosion, knocking back about 15 of them. Grinning to himself, Phoenix took another grenade from his belt, pulled the pin, and chucked it down. Again, an explosion rocked the contingency, taking out about 15 more Death Eaters. Checking his belt, Phoenix saw he had two more.

'I'll save 'em for later.' He thought.

Gripping his pair of WARs, he leaned over the edge and brought hell upon the Death Eaters, leaning his weapons on the edge for stability.

"An eye for an eye." He muttered.

He continued to send red bolts at the cloaked figures. That is, until they realized they were being attacked from above. The Death Eaters near the back of the group raised their wands, pointed them at Phoenix, and fired silver bolts at him. He flipped away from the wall, only to see it explode with tremendous force.

"DIE YOU STINKIN' PIECES O' CRAP!"

Lying on his stomach, he peered over the edge and continued sending spells at the attacking Death Eaters, particularly the ones firing spells at him. Unfortunately for him, however, it appeared that for every Death Eater he took down, another one stepped into his place.

"Now I know how the Germans felt on D-day..." He muttered.

Another round of volatile spells forced him to fall back. Grabbing the grappling hooks and securing them around several pillars, he spoke to himself with an inward grin.

"Time for some of the rappelling I was talking about."

Securing the other end of the ropes to his vest via clips, he stepped onto the edge of the tower, jumped off, and started a free fall... upside down. Of course, he jumped at an angle so he wouldn't be jerked off the rope when it came to an end. What happened was he started swinging in an arc towards the castle walls. Once he had landed on the wall, he started running, firing all the while. Of course, this was more inaccurate than holding the WARs against the edge, as the Assault Rifles were quite heavy, but it was the best he could do. Spells zipped by him, blowing out chunks of the wall, but missing the rope and himself. He continued firing his weapons until he was out of ammo. Using his momentum to swing back onto the top of the wall, he ducked behind it to reload his guns.

While Phoenix was having a grand time with his gymnastics and rope-running, Peck and his group was working like crazy on the grenade launcher.

"Gin, how's the targeting system coming?"

"Good. It isn't very hard making a crosshair. The hard part is making it accurate."

"Great. Hermione, I'm gonna need a support handle for Harry to weld on."

"Done."

She tossed Harry the handle, who immediately started sealing it onto the tube.

Peck was doing great. His main focus was how to launch the grenade, but he pretty much had that down. All he and his team needed now was more time.

Seamus, Neville, and Dean were having problems in the Great Hall. The Death Eaters were reverting to nastier curses, the Cruciatus included. The first thing the three fighters did was make their way over to McGonagall, who told them to help evacuate the students. Starting with the Gryffindor first years, they did just that, providing covering fire while they made their way to the marble staircase and to their common room. Several times during the ordeal, students were injured by an explosion, and one of the three would carry him or her off to the infirmary. On Dean's first visit there, he gave Madam Pomfrey his Stun Pistol for protection.

Their next group of students who were to be evacuated was the Ravenclaws. Once again starting with the first years, they helped them make their way over to the marble staircase, shooting down any pursuing Death Eaters. However, a well-aimed shot hit in the midst of them, sending the poor first years flying, severely injured but not dead. Seamus and Dean picked up two students each, had Neville stand guard over the rest, and raced towards the infirmary. Upon reaching it, Madam Pomfrey came out to examine the damage.

"Oh dear."

"An explosive spell landed right in the midst of the retreating Ravenclaw first years. There are about five left."

"Well then, put these down on beds and bring in the rest! I'll probably need some makeshift beds for all of these students."

The two nodded and raced out of the infirmary, heading back towards the carnage.

Phoenix had finished reloading his WARs, checked strength of the ropes, and jumped off the ledge again, laying waste to the converging Death Eaters.

"DEATH TO YE EATERS O' DEATH!"

Phoenix was pissed. Oh yes, VERY pissed. He fired off his red bolts like there was no tomorrow, most of them hitting targets. There must have been at least two thousand Death Eaters out there.

'Who knew so many wizards and witched could become corrupt...'

Peck's group was almost done with the grenade launcher, just a few more minutes and-

"YES! WE ARE FINISHED! GRAB THE STUN GRENADES AND LET'S GET OUTTA HERE!"

Grabbing the Grenade Launcher, Peck ran outside, his grenade-totting and JLC4-totting friends in tow. Rushing towards the Great Hall, they saw Seamus, Dean, and Neville carrying several Ravenclaw first years towards the infirmary.

"The cavalry has arrived boys!"

"Yes! Go go go!"

"Here, take these! Here's the remote!"

Harry tossed several JLC4s and their remote to Neville, who was carrying only one student.

They continued racing towards the Great Hall. Upon reaching it, what they saw was utter carnage. Students and Death Eaters alike were lying on the ground, some moving and some not. That angered Peck. That REALLY angered Peck.

"Alright team, I need a grenade!"

"You got one."

Arming the launcher, Peck aimed into the midst of the Death Eaters and pulled the trigger. A bang was heard as the armed, enhanced grenade was hurtled towards the attacking Death Eaters. Several seconds later, an explosion rocked the hall as at least 25 cloaked figures were thrown to the ground.

"I need another grenade!"

"Coming right up!"

Peck continued firing the grenades at the Death Eaters, their counterstrikes egging him on.

When Seamus, Dean and Neville had seen Peck & Co. running by, they paused for a moment.

"Now that we have artillery, I think one of us should stay with Pomfrey to help her and defend the injured... if it comes to that."

Neville nodded.

"I'll do that. Now let's continue moving!"

Realizing they were carrying students that needed serious medical attention, they continued running towards the infirmary. Once they finished laying down the unconscious students, they turned to the nurse.

"That's the last of the Ravenclaw first years. We have an offer for you. Several of our friends are back in the field with a grenade launcher. We were thinking that if we had that kind of firepower, we could spare a person to hang around here to help you and defend the students if the Death Eaters get this far."

She nodded.

"That would be most appreciated. So who's going to help me?"

"I am."

"Very well Neville. I want you to assure several of these students that they will be okay and try to seal up any minor cuts and injuries."

He nodded and ran off towards the students.

Seamus and Dean bade farewell to Madam Pomfrey and ran back out to continue evacuating the students.

Soon enough, before Phoenix could pick off as many Death Eaters as he would like, all of the cloaked figures made it inside the castle. Running back up to the ledge, he repositioned his rope so it was hanging directly above the doors, and loaded his WARs with fresh magazines. Sliding down slowly on the rope, he paused when he was right above top of the doors. Looping one of his feet around the rope, he let his body hang down the rest of the way so he could see into the hall, upside down of course. When he was in position, he continued firing at the Death Eaters from behind. However, things weren't going as well as he had hoped. The Death Eaters were pushing the teachers and students back. His attention was drawn to a loud bang, then an explosion that sent several Death Eaters flying.

'Peck's back in the field then.' He thought to himself, smirking.

Sliding down a little more, he continued firing at the Death Eaters, trying to make every shot count.

Peck and his group was having trouble. They, the students, and the teachers were being forced to fall back due to the savage force of the Death Eaters.

"I NEED MORE GRENADES!"

"They're coming as fast as they can!"

BANG!

KABOOM!

"ANOTHER ONE!"

"It's in!"

BANG!

KABOOM!

"FALL BACK! FALL BACK!"

At that point, Seamus and Dean came leaping into the Great Hall.

"You two! You need to evacuate the students faster!"

"Need some help?"

Peck whipped his head around to find Hawk looking at him. Her face had several black smudges on it, she was sporting several cuts and bruises, and she was panting.

Peck nodded.

"Sure."

Tossing her his Stun Pistol and several spare magazines, he gave her some instructions and advice.

"Help Seamus and Dean evacuate the students. That pistol can fire 20 shots per magazine, so make sure your shots count. Seamus and Dean have more powerful guns than you, but that's all I have: I gave my WAR to Phoenix."

"WAR?"

"Wizarding Assault Rifle, now hurry!"

She nodded and ran over to Seamus and Dean.

"What can I do?"

"Give us some covering fire. Here, take a second Pistol."

"Alright."

She started firing off rounds at the Death Eaters while Seamus and Dean fired as well, making their way towards some students holed up behind an overturned table.

"Okay kids, let's go! Hawk! We need more covering fire!"

"Gotcha."

Once again, red streaks zipped at the Death Eaters. It was then that she noticed a figure hanging upside-down at the front doors. He was firing at the Death Eaters from behind. Once the students were evacuated from the hall, there were none left, save Slytherins, who were just watching as if it was a Quidditch match instead of a deadly battle. Peck, noticing this, fired a grenade at the table, then was forced to fall back with his comrades.

Phoenix, seeing the Death Eaters advancing forward, continued dropping down until he reached the ground. Righting himself, he hid behind one of the doors, popping out to fire several rounds at the Death Eaters. There was still about five hundred left. Only ¼ of how many they started with, but still a formidable force nonetheless.

Making a mad dash inside the hall, he ran over to a table and continued firing upon the Death Eaters, his hits became scarcer now that there were fewer Death Eaters. It appeared that the teachers and the fighting students had fallen back some more, for the Death Eaters continued to advance, seemingly unaware of Phoenix.

When he thought that enough students were comforted, Neville grabbed his JLC4s and ran outside, planting them in hidden positions around the entrance to the infirmary. When he had hidden all of his charges, he ran back inside and continued attempting to help Madam Pomfrey.

Peck & Co. were being forced to fall back to a different corridor, where they could have a wall for protection. Unfortunately, when he peeked around the corner, they Death Eaters were nowhere in sight.

"Where'd they go?"

"Oh dear. They must've scattered themselves throughout the castle in search of the dormitories, where they suspect the students have gone." Said Professor McGonagall. At that moment, Phoenix came running up to them. He had heard the Professor's remark.

"You got it. I saw several of the jerks running up the marble staircase. Do you think they know where the common rooms are?"

Mcgonagall shook her head.

"I'm assuming all of them came from Slytherin, which is most likely a correct assumption."

Phoenix nodded.

"Alright, it looks like we need to split up again. Peck and I will head towards the Gryffindor Common Room with Professor Mcgonnagall. Professor Sprout? Seamus, Dean, and Ginny will accompany you to the Hufflepuff Common Room, since I'm assuming that's where you will be going..."

"Of course."

"Alright, professor Vector (A/N: let's say that he's the head of Ravenclaw)? Ron, Harry, and Hermione will be going with you."

Phoenix heard someone clearing her voice. He turned around to see Hawk there.

"What about me?"

"Go with Professor Vector. You ARE a Ravenclaw after all..."

Hawk nodded, then walked over to her "group". Phoenix looked at everyone.

"As for the rest of the teachers, you go wherever you think they may have gone."

They nodded. Phoenix laughed a bit.

"I don't know why you are actually listening to me. I'm a student, so I'm supposed to be listening to you, right?"

Mcgonagall shrugged.

"You seem to know what you're doing, so we're going to trust your judgement."

Phoenix nodded.

"Alright, the more we stand around here, the more time we're giving the Death Eaters to wreak havoc. Let's go!"

They split up into their respective groups. Phoenix tossed his second WAR to Peck.

"You might want this back..."

"Yeah. That would be nice."

They ran with Mcgonagall towards the Gryffindor Common Room, being careful to look around each corner for groups of Death Eaters before they ran into view. They rounded the corner leading to the corridor containing the Fat Lady and saw a lone Death Eater standing in front of an open portrait, arms crossed. Phoenix and Peck cocked their guns.

"He's ours."

They unleashed a hailstorm of red bolts upon the Death Eater, who did several flips to easily avoid the barrage. The raised their eyebrows.

"Alright, he's gonna be tough. Professor? We'll give you covering fire to get into the common room. We'll handle him. COVERING FIRE!"

They continued to fire upon the Death Eater, causing him to move farther and farther away from the portrait. Soon enough, they were right in front of the portrait, allowing Mcgonagall to enter. After she did so, they shut the portrait. They then reloaded their WARs and cocked them. Pointing them at the Death Eater, Peck asked the question that was on both of their minds.

"Who are you?"

Phoenix could've sworn that if he saw the face, he would've seen a smirk.

"Oh, I'm shocked you don't know who I am."

Phoenix stepped back as if he'd been smacked in the face. It was him? No, it couldn't be. Not here!

"Paul?"

Phoenix practically felt the smirk radiating from the Death Eater. Lowering his hood, Phoenix saw the facial features of his arch nemesis at White's Academy.

"Long time no see." He drawled.