Chapter 9: Showdown
Paul grinned as he slowly walked towards Phoenix and Peck, who were slowly walking backwards.
"I've missed you two. So much, that I've decided to join the Dark Lord in his plan to siege Hogwarts, since I knew you were moved here."
Phoenix glared at him.
"Paul?"
"Yes?"
"Go to hell."
Paul put a hand to his heart.
"Oh, I'm hurt Phoenix. I really am. How could you say such a thing?"
"ATAQUE!"
Paul's confident expression quickly turned into one of confusion. Phoenix and Peck had learned several terms in Spanish so they could give each other commands without their opposition knowing.
Quick as a flash, Phoenix and Peck started firing upon Paul, who was doing his best just to barely avoid the red streaks. Unfortunately, the 50 round limit came before they were able to hit Paul.
"Dammit."
Paul smirked.
"Aww... is wittle bitty Peck sad dat his gun wasn't able to hit big bully Paul?"
"No... Really?"
Paul grinned.
"Well, wanna see if I can hit wittle bitty Peck?"
It was Peck's turn to grin.
"I'd like to see you try."
"Imperio!"
The curse, however, was aimed at Phoenix, who took it full in the chest. His eyes clouded over and he turned on Peck. Taking out his wand, he pointed it at his friend of 7 years.
"Uh... Phoenix? Are you alright?"
"CRUCIO!"
Crackling yellow streaks streamed out of Phoenix's wand and shot at Peck.
"HOLY CRAP!"
Peck dropped to the ground, feeling the hairs on his neck get singed. Rolling away, he got up again, wand out.
"Phoenix! No! I'm your FRIEND! Remember?"
Phoenix shook his head. He pointed his wand at Peck again, but the boy was ready. He charged at his friend and did a low spin kick, sweeping Phoenix's feet out from under him, causing him to fall down. He then took out his wand.
"REDUCTO!"
He knew it was an explosive charm, but he was sure Phoenix would be alright. The boy was knocked backwards and thrown against the wall with a sickening CRUNCH. Peck winced. Apparently, however, it shook off the curse. Unfortunately, it rendered the boy basically immobile. Peck glared at Paul.
"What the hell was that?"
Paul grinned.
"You like it? It's called the Imperious Curse, which allows me to control the victim. In this case, it was your friend. I had him perform another curse called the Cruciatus Curse. Unfortunately, you dodged it, but if you hadn't, you would have felt unbearable pain rip through you. It would've been so bad, you would have wished you were dead."
Peck raised his eyebrows. This was NOT good. He HAD to stall Paul so Phoenix had time to recover.
"How'd you figure out the password?"
Paul grinned again.
"It was thanks to the ingenuity of moi. You see, A Slytherin had tipped us off that the Fat Lady was afraid of people slashing her. So I had positioned a Death Eater in front of the portraits flanking hers. I then threatened to destroy her painting if she didn't open for us. Being the weakling she was, she did so, allowing us access into your pathetically guarded common room."
Peck glared.
"How DARE you insult the Fat Lady..."
However, he was confused somewhat.
'Didn't Phoenix tell her to visit some friends? Weird...'
Paul laughed.
"See? I rest my case. Even her NAME is stupid."
Peck's blood began to boil at that comment.
"Be thankful I know your wand is pointed at me, because if I didn't, you'd have the force of a raging rhino directed at you."
"Why does that matter? Either way, I'd still cut you down."
Peck's rage paused for a moment.
"Good point, BUT YOU'D STILL HAVE THE FORCE OF A RAGING RHINO COMING AT YOU!"
Paul snickered.
"Ya know, the one thing you'd actually be useful for is comic relief. Did you know that?"
"So I've been told by my friends."
Paul sighed.
"As much as I'm enjoying this little chat, I'm afraid I'm going to have to kill you now."
Peck's practically exploded.
"YOU!? Kill ME!? I don't THINK so!"
Out of the corner of his eye, he began to see Phoenix stirring.
'C'mon boy, C'MON!' He thought.
Paul, meanwhile raised his wand and pointed it at Peck.
"It's a shame really. The Dark Lord could use someone like you."
Peck's blood was beyond boiling... it was flaming.
"Do you HONESTLY think I would actually JOIN that BASTARD?"
Paul sighed.
"I rest my case. AVADA KEDAVRA!"
Peck glared daggers at the oncoming green streak, which hit him full in the chest. The boy went sailing backwards, skidding to a stop some 25 feet away. His eyes were still open. Paul smirked.
"Overly-arrogant dork."
It was then that he noticed that Peck blinked. His jaw dropped.
"What the hell?" He whispered.
Shaking his head, he started walking towards Peck, unaware of Phoenix crawling towards the two. Slowly of course, but still crawling. Paul sighed and looked down at Peck, who was still breathing.
"Peck, Peck, Peck... why don't you just give in? It hurts, I'm sure."
Peck nodded mutely.
"See? You should just go quietly, and it will all go away. You see, I'm better than you, I'm more powerful than you, and I'm smarter than you. The Dark Lord was able to trick that fool Dumbledore into going to Fudge's office. You see Peck, the truth is-"
"The truth is you can still BURN you piece of crap!"
Paul turned just in time to see flames rushing at him. Phoenix sighed when he saw that the flames were off a bit and were only able to hit Paul's hair, causing the boy to run around, screaming like a maniac to put it out, until he ran into a wall and fell unconcious. Phoenix then put out the fire and put Paul in a full, unbreakable body bind.
Phoenix crawled over to Peck and sat down next to him. He smirked.
"Like how I handled Paul?"
Peck grinned, then shook his head.
"Phoenix my friend, you've seen The Matrix WAAAAAAAAY too many times."
Phoenix smacked Peck on the shoulder.
"Hey! I thought it was a fitting line."
Peck laughed, then paused.
"Uh, Phoenix? I don't think I'll be able to keep fighting..."
Phoenix nodded.
"Do you want me to drag you all the way to the hospital wing, or should I leave you here?"
Peck shrugged.
"I don't think any new Death Eaters will be coming this way, go help Professor Mcgonagall."
Phoenix nodded, grabbed his WAR (along with Peck's) and ran up to the portrait... only to remember it was closed shut.
"Crap... PROFESSOR! OPEN UP SO I CAN COME IN!"
He waited a few seconds, then the portrait opened, showing a very tired and beaten Mcgonnagall. Phoenix widened his eyes. The professor sighed.
"Thank goodness you're here. The Death Eaters are wreaking havoc. Fortunately, they haven't killed any students yet."
Phoenix nodded and entered the common room, though he may as well have been entering hell judging by the state of the common room.