Chapter 10: We're Taking Back The School, One House At A Time
Phoenix entered the common room and his eyebrows shot into his hair.
"My god..."
The common room looked like it had been used as a battlefield for World War II, with couches and chairs overturned, small craters in the floor, and burn marks on the walls. It appeared that Mcgonnagall had herded all of the students behind a makeshift barricade consisting of several couches and chairs. The students turned to the two when they heard their footsteps coming from the portrait hole. Phoenix grinned.
"The Calvary has arrived kids."
There was a small cheer from the students, which was quickly silenced by a look from the professor. She turned to Phoenix.
"Alright, they've turned the boy's 6th year dormitories their home base-"
"You've got to be kidding."
"No I am not." She gave Phoenix a hard look.
"Damn. I'm just praying to the heavens that they don't know how to use muggle weaponry. Oh, take this WAR. Ya might need it"
He saluted the students and started to walk towards the stairwell. Knowing a frontal assault would be futile, he decided it would be wiser to try to clear out the dormitory with his two remaining grenades. Hugging the wall, he slowly made his way up, WAR at the ready. When he was about five feet away from the entrance to the dormitory, he paused. Thankfully, the door was open and thankfully, no Death Eaters were guarding the door. Quietly lowering his gun and grabbing a Stun Grenade, he pulled the pin, waited for a second, then chucked the grenade into the dormitory. Quickly grabbing his WAR again, he waited for a second, then heard a loud BOOM! Several seconds later, a lone Death Eater came out, holding Phoenix's Uzi. Phoenix narrowed his eyes.
"Now it gets personal..."
He aimed his WAR at the Death Eater and fired off several rounds, causing the corrupted wizard to fall to the ground. Walking up to him, he fired several more rounds at his chest. He then put down his WAR and picked up the Uzi. Popping out the magazine, he saw that it was fully loaded.
"Hmm... must've been part-muggle."
He quickly peeked into the dormitory, and then quickly withdrew it to avoid the fire of several Death Eaters who survived the blast of the grenade. He smirked.
"Time to clear the room."
He quickly burst in, gun blazing, and just fired off the round, sweeping across the room in an attempt to hit the Death Eaters. Once the magazine was out, he dove and rolled into the bathroom. Fortunately, there were no Death Eaters in there. Putting down the Uzi and picking up his WAR again, he dropped his ¼ full cell and replaced it with a new one. Grinning, he yelled out.
"Ho there! It must suck to know that a 16 year old boy was able to infiltrate your hideout without so much as a scratch!"
He heard some coughing from the other room and some groaning. Phoenix raised an eyebrow.
"What? Is no one able to talk?"
'I'd better not take any chances though...' he thought.
Grabbing his second grenade, he pulled the pin, waited a few seconds, then chucked it into the room. Quickly picking up his WAR, he waited until the explosion caused some mayhem, then ran into the room and started firing off his WAR in random directions. Once he was out, he ducked under bed and peeked out to check the carnage. There were no Death Eaters still standing.
"Yipee!"
Scrambling out from under the bed, he quickly ran over to his own bed and started to take down his guns from the wall. Once he had them all, he dug into his ammo bag for spare magazines for his various guns. He then made a quick side trip to the bathroom where his Uzi was still laying. Arms loaded, he walked back down into the common room.
"They are all stunned."
There was a cheer from the students, even Mcgonagall was clapping. Phoenix dropped his guns onto the floor and wiped his brow.
"However, even though they're stunned, I suggest you tie 'em up or something, Professor."
The teacher nodded and quickly made her way up the stairs towards the 6th year boy dormitories. Phoenix turned to the other students.
"Alright, here's the deal: Several Death Eaters are still at large, running around the school. So I want you all to stay here while I go out to help the other teachers bring down the remaining Death Eaters. I'm not sure if Mcgonagall is staying or going-"
"Oh, I'm staying with the students."
Phoenix nodded, then handed the Professor one of his colts.
"Now, you may have seen me with one of these, but the ones I use fire spells. This one fires actual bullets. I'm giving you several spare magazines in case you have to fire upon any more Death Eaters."
The Professor blinked at the gun in her hand.
"Err, Phoenix? I don't know how to use this."
One of the students, a 5th year, raised his hand.
"I know how to use a handgun Professor!"
Phoenix raised an eyebrow.
"You do? Come over here."
The boy nodded and walked over to Phoenix and Mcgonagall.
"Alright, I'm giving you the gun and the spare magazines? Are you any good with a Colt .45?"
The boy grinned.
"I use it all the time when I go to the shooting range."
Phoenix nodded.
"Excellent. Alright, then you should know how to unload an empty magazine and replace it with a fresh one?"
The boy nodded.
"Good. I will be going now. So long boys and girls!"
Phoenix walked out of the portrait hole and back into the halls of the castle in search of more Death Eaters.
Seamus, Dean, and Ginny were running with Professor Sprout as fast as they could. Of course, the three Gryffindors didn't have the faintest idea of where the Hufflepuff Common Room was, so they were following the Professor. At one point, they ran into a squad of Death Eaters, but before they were seen, they ran back behind the wall. Seamus, Dean, and Ginny looked at Professor Sprout and grinned.
"This is our job. Enjoy the entertainment. Alright guys, we're gonna clear 'em out. OPEN FIRE!"
They ran out from behind the wall and started firing like mad upon the Death Eaters, who were all stunned within 10 seconds. Ginny grinned.
"All clear Professor."
Sprout nodded and ran out from behind the wall, taking the lead again. They continued on their way to the common room, then the Professor stopped. She turned to the three Gryffindors.
"Alright, this next hall contains the entrance to the Hufflepuff Common Room. After today, your memory will be wiped so its whereabouts remain a secret to those who aren't in Hufflepuff."
The three nodded and they and Professor Sprout rounded the corner, only to find several Death Eaters guarding the entrance to the common room, which was a section of the wall covered in vines. Seamus, Dean, and Ginny, acting quickly, took out their WARs again and quickly fired a hail of red bolts upon the Death Eaters. Dean raised an eyebrow.
"This is too easy..."
Shrugging off the feeling, he and his comrades ran into the common room to find a war in itself going on. On one side, Death Eaters were firing spells at the students, who were on the other side of the room, hiding behind a barricade of couches and chairs. The Death Eaters saw the newcomers and started firing silver bolts at them.
"CRAAAAAAP!"
The four ducked and dodged while running towards the student's side. Once they were safely behind the barricade, Sprout immediately ran to her students and started to make sure they were all okay. Seamus, Dean, and Ginny started to make plans for their attack.
"Alright, I noticed several couches that were still in the center of the room."
"Right. Maybe one of us can run to one of the couches and hide behind it, forcing the Death Eaters to divide their attack between two different targets."
Ginny raised her hand.
"I'll go."
"Alright, we'll give you covering fire on the left side of the barricade while you run out from the right side."
The three nodded, then split up. Dean gave Ginny a thumbs up, then he and Seamus started to fire a barrage of stun spells upon the Death Eaters. Using this diversion, Ginny ran out from behind the barricade and made a break for a couch that was away from the clump of couches that the Hufflepuffs were hiding behind. The Death Eaters noticed this too late, for Ginny was ducked under the couch before they were able to fire at her. Deciding that they wanted to see some fireworks, they all simultaneously fired explosive spells at the couch, which exploded into little pieces. Ginny, caught by surprise, quickly made a break for the next nearest couch, firing all the while at the Death Eaters. She was able to hit one or two. Of course, with the Death Eaters focusing on Ginny, Seamus and Dean were able to take potshots at the Death Eaters. Soon enough, when the remaining Death Eaters realized that their numbers were strangely dwindling, they turned to see Seamus and Dean firing at them. They then directed all of their manpower at Dean and Seamus, thus allowing Ginny to then fire upon the Death Eaters with impunity. This "Seesaw Approach" was working quite well. So well, in fact, that the three Gryffindors were able to cut down all of the Death Eaters in less than 10 minutes, even though quite a few couches were destroyed.
Once Ginny was behind the barricade with all the students, she told the Hufflepuffs the news.
"They're all stunned."
She had hardly finished saying those words when the Hufflepuffs erupted in cheers. Ginny, Seamus, and Dean all took a bow.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you very much. We're here until Tuesday..."
Hufflepuff was clear.
Phoenix, meanwhile, was continuing on his way around the school, in search of more Death Eaters, picking off a few here and there that were scattered about, and he thought things were going good. That is, until he heard a laugh behind him. Turning around, he jumped back when he saw a cloaked figure with red slits for eyes, which reminded him of snake eyes.
"Whoever you are, get back: I have a loaded Uzi and I'm NOT afraid to use it. I'm a 6th year on the edge!"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione (and Hawk, who was hanging back somewhat) were walking at a brisk pace along side Professor Vector. Harry grinned as he though of something.
"Just like the old times isn't it? Us three as the saviors."
Hermione nodded.
"However, this time we have six other 'saviors' helping us with the rest of the school."
"And me... I guess." Hawk of course.
Harry looked thoughtful.
"True. But still, doesn't it bring back nostalgic memories of the old days?"
Ron nodded.
"Aye, that it does."
Professor Vector paused and turned to the four students accompanying him.
"Alright, we are nearing the corridor containing the passageway to the Ravenclaw Common Room. Once this ordeal is over, I'll have to perform a memory charm on all of you, excluding Hawk, so you'll forget where it lies and it's entrance continues to remain a secret."
The three Gryffindors nodded.
"Alright then, shall we go ahead first to make sure the coast is clear?"
"If you wish."
Ron raised his hand.
"I'll do it."
Grabbing his WAR and making sure the magazine was fully loaded, he peeked around the corner... only to find the next corridor empty. Turning back to the other three, he told them the news.
"It's empty."
Professor Vector sighed in relief.
"Thank goodness. I sincerely do NOT want to deal with Death Eaters attacking my house."
They continued down the corridor, stopping at a statue of a rather smart-looking scholar with several books in his hands. Professor Vector muttered the password ("Intuition.") and the statue jumped to the side, allowing the five to enter the common room. Unfortunately, someone cast a spell on the statue to keep it open, and the new arrivals didn't notice as several Death Eaters prepared to slink in.
Arriving in the common room, Professor Vector raised his hands to get the students' attention.
"Alright! Now, I want all of you to go to your dormitories, just in case Death Eaters somehow manage to-"
BANG!
An explosive spell barely missed Vector's head. All heads turned to the entrance to see a contingent of seven Death Eaters with their wands pointed at the occupants of the room.
"Shit. GIVE THEM HELL BOYS!"
"... and girl." Hawk muttered.
The four defenders started unleashing red bolts at the Death Eaters, but the dark minions were ready, dodging the streaks as they flew past. They ducked for cover behind a couch, Vector and Hawk (who decided she would act as a sort of body guard for the teacher) behind a second couch. Harry turned to his team.
"We'll be an easy target if we are all behind one couch. We have to spread out so the Death Eaters can't focus all of their firepower at one area."
Ron nodded in agreement.
"Alright. I'll go to the left and Hermione'll go to the right."
"Gotcha. Go."
The two leaped into action, diving for the nearest couch on their side, going so quickly that the Death Eaters didn't have time to react. Meanwhile, Professor Vector put his advanced magic to work and cast reflecting spells on all four couches, preventing them from being destroyed by any volatile curses sent their way.
The three Gryffindors looked at each other, nodded, and simultaneously got up so just their heads and guns were revealed, and started firing at the Death Eaters, Hawk pitching in as well. This caught them by surprise, but not for long. They only managed to get three down before the others ducked for cover.
Soon, it was a battle of attrition, each side hoping they could pick off the other before they were the ones that got picked off. The battle didn't look too favorable when the Death Eaters started using ricochet spells against the students.
Neville was starting to get bored. Most of the students in the hospital ward were out of critical condition and only needed time to work its own magic. Therefore, he had nothing to do but wait and fiddle with his WAR.
That is, until he heard footsteps coming quickly towards the ward.
'Death Eaters!' was the first thought that popped into Neville's mind.
Grabbing the detonator for the JLC4s he was given, he waited until the footsteps got a bit louder, before he turned to the students.
"Brace yourselves."
Click. BOOM!
A small shockwave rocked the hospital ward, disorienting several students in the process. Neville, ignoring them for the moment, ran outside, gun blazing, and cut down all five of the attacking Death Eaters with ease, since they were still shocked and wobbly from the explosives.
Walking back into the hospital ward, Neville was met with an angry Madam Pomfrey.
"What was that for, Longbottom? You may have caused even MORE injuries to the already injured students."
Neville, unphased by Madam Pomfrey, spoke coolly and with confidence.
"It was either that or risking the lives of these injured students when the Death Eaters came barging in."
Pomfrey blinked.
"Oh. Well, would you mind helping me get these students comfortable again?"
"Not a problem. Who needs some help!"
"I fell out of my bed, could you help me get back up?"
Neville turned to the source of the voice to find that it was none other than the girl he asked to the dance, Elizabeth Barrington. Nodding, he walked over to her and discovered she'd been knocked to the floor, flat on her back.
"Is there any limb or body part I should be careful not to touch?"
Beth shrugged.
"Well, my legs were a bit wobbly, but thanks to Madam Pomfrey, they're doing a great job of healing. However, I still can't get up on my own."
Neville held out his hand and she took it. Placing his foot in front of hers so she wouldn't slide, he pulled her up and helped her back into her bed.
"All good?"
Beth smiled.
"All good."
"Good. Anyone else need help?"
No one responded.
"Alright..."
"Neville, could you come here for a second?" It was Beth.
Neville, raising an eyebrow, walked back over to the girl.
"What?"
She looked down for a moment, then looked back up at Neville.
"I'm sorry for turning you down for the Halloween Dance..." She laughed.
"Funny how I remember that after all this time. Anyway, I'm also sorry that I've been cold towards you and your friends and shunning you guys. After all they've done for the school today, I'm ashamed of myself for not realizing that whether Phoenix and Peck are Americans or not, they are still great people. Will you accept my apology?"
Neville smiled.
"Of course."
Beth smiled back.
"Thanks."
Leaning up, she kissed him softly on the cheek. Neville grinned. Maybe things WOULDN'T be so bad after all...
Whoever was under that cloak was obviously not afraid of an Uzi-totting boy who was on the edge, for the... thing was cackling like a maniac at Phoenix's threat.
"You DARE to threaten me? You honestly think that your muggle JUNK can defeat ME?"
Phoenix shrugged.
"It's worth a shot, ain't it?"The man/thing laughed further.
"My dear boy, run while you still can before I get bothered enough to kill you."
Phoenix raised an eyebrow.
"Dude, have you ever heard of an Uzi?"
The laughing stopped and the eyes narrowed.
"Did you just call me DUDE?"
"Damn straight, now answer the question: have you ever heard of an Uzi?"
"Did you just give me an ORDER?!"
Phoenix shrugged.
"If you want to take it that way. Personally, I consider it a request. Now would you mind answering the question?"
The eyes narrowed further, if that was possible.
"No, I HAVEN'T heard of an Uzi, whatever that is, and I can't believe the nerve of you, daring to give me orders and calling me something other than The Dark Lord or Master."
Phoenix pressed the trigger on his Uzi and filled the cloaked figure with lead, who stumbled back from the surprise and firepower. Once the magazine was out, Phoenix grinned.
"That, my friend, is what an Uzi does."
Phoenix, however, nearly dropped the gun when he saw the man shake his head and stand back up to his full height, although Phoenix could see holes in his body.
"Again, did you honestly think that your muggle junk could kill me? I think not."
"Dear mother of crap..."
The war effort wasn't going too well in the Ravenclaw Common Room ("we're pinned down!" "No duh!"), until the three Gryffindors realized an obvious thing.
"Why the hell did we lug this grenade launcher around if we aren't gonna use it? Gimme a grenade!"
"Harry, you're a genious..."
"No, you're all dumb."
Ron sighed.
"Grenade in."
BANG! KABOOM!
The Death Eaters were thrown from their defensive position and laying askew in plain view. Grabbing their WARs, Harry, Ron, and Hermione let the Death Eaters have it until they were all stunned. They then turned to Professor Vector.
"Sir, would you mind putting a binding charm on all of them? Thanks."
The professor went about binding the Death Eaters as the three turned to the rest of the students.
"Alright, it's safe now."
Again, more cheering. Ron looked at his comrades.
"Shall we continue hunting throughout the castle?"
Hermione nodded.
"Yeah, that would be best. Professor? You will stay with the students, won't you?"
"Of course."
"As will I." Hawk of course
Harry nodded.
"Alright, we will take our leave then. So long Hawk, Professor." He said, nodding to both people.
The three left the common room and set out in search of more Death Eaters.
Things weren't going well for Phoenix. He suddenly realized that his weaponry was useless, the actual guns anyway. The man laughed some more.
"You are as good as toast, my friend."
"Who are you?"
"Well, if you really must know, I'll humor you. My name is Lord Voldemort."
"Well, Voldie, how do you plan going about turning me into toast?"
Voldemort was seething.
"How DARE you call me that..." He said, no words fitting enough to describe what Phoenix had called him.
"What? Don't like being called Voldie? I feel a rap song comin' on. HEY VOLDIE! YO VOLDIE! 'SUP VOLDIE! YOU ARE SUCH A DORK VOLDIE! I'D HATE TO BE YOU VOLDIE! TOO BAD YOU HAVE AN IQ OF –15 VOLDIE!"
He bowed.
"Now, I know that's not really rap, but it's the best I can d-"
"OKAY, YOU DIE NOW!"
Phoenix narrowed his eyes.
"Really now?"
"YES!"
"Overly-cocky git."
"WHAT!?"
"Self-centered dumbass."
"YOU WILL STOP CALLING ME NAMES!"
"Lord Dorkinator."
"ARGH!"
"Piece of crap that got stuck to someone's shoe."
"I WILL KILL YOUR FRIENDS SLOWLY AND PAINFULLY!"
Phoenix stopped his name-calling and glared at Voldemort.
"You will do no such thing."
Voldemort, obviously pleased he hit a weak spot, grinned an evil grin.
"Watch me."
"I said you will do no such thing."
"And I'll make you watch me, helpless and powerless to do anything."
"YOU WILL DO NO SUCH THING!"
"I WILL DO WHATEVER I PLEASE!"
"YOU WILL NOT HARM ANY OF MY FRIENDS AS LONG AS I CAN HELP IT!"
"Well then, maybe you won't be able to help it."
Phoenix charged at Voldemort and side-kicked him in the face. Flipping back immediately, he continued to glare daggers at the man in front of him.
"With every second I have, every breathe I can use, EVERY bit of strength I possess, I will NOT let you harm my friends."
If looks could kill, Voldemort would be six feet under with a gravestone and with some nice, pretty flowers on top.
"Ah, well then, I shall kill you first."
Phoenix laughed.
"I DARE you to kill me. Go on! Do it!"
Inside, Phoenix had no fear whatsoever, only rage at the man in front of him for even THINKING of trying to kill his friends.
"Alright. Avada Kedavra."
A green bolt shot at Phoenix, who glared at it.
"SEE YOU IN HELL YOU GODDAMNED B-"
But he couldn't finish his sentence as he was hit with the curse and sent flying backwards, unmoving.
Laughter emitted from Voldemort. Laughter that rang out through all the halls. Laughter that shook the portraits and caused their occupants to run in fear. Laughter that every teacher and student could hear. Laughter that chilled any kind soul to its very bone. Laughter that could only mean one thing: Voldemort had come.