Chapter 17- The Safest Place
The school had been buzzing about the duels for the next few weeks. Most students understood why Harry didn't face Dumbledore, but a few, mostly Slytherins, had a laugh at Harry's expense. Ron, however, was happy to remind them of Draco's and Snape's performance every chance he got. After a night in the infirmary, Snape had fully recovered from Neville's spell. He had to take his aggression out on the few Gryffindors that were in his N.E.W.Ts since Neville didn't take Potions. Harry, Hermione, and Ron bared it the best they could, it was worth getting the extra attention from Snape to have seen him run from Neville.
Neville had become the toast of Gryffindor, and enjoyed retelling the story of the duel to anyone who asked. The Longbottom's had been particularly happy for Neville, Frank and Alice were beaming at their lesson after the duel.
"Showed that slimy git, didn't he." Frank said proudly of Neville.
Two weeks before the end of the year, Gryffindor was to play Ravenclaw again, for the Quidditch cup; the late date was due to the game being delayed twice due to extreme fog. Usually, they would play Quidditch in almost any condition, but if there was zero visibility, the game was rescheduled; this was more for the spectators than the players, Harry believed.
Ron had improved for their game against Huffelpuff a few weeks before. A Gryffindor 5th year forced Ron to use his Comet 260 during the game. It wasn't as fast as Ron's Cleansweep 11, but it was just as maneuverable. With a decisive win of 190-0, Gryffindor secured its place in game for the Cup. Ron was told to use the Comet 260 for the final as well. Most students felt, with Ron back in form, and Harry as the seeker, this would be another Cup and House win for Gryffindor.
Harry and the rest of the team hovered over the pitch as Madam Hooch announced the rules to the crowds. Harry had noticed most of the professors were at attendance, even Lupin and the Longbottoms. Lupin had missed most of Harry's matches this year, but didn't want to miss the final and Longbottoms had been cheering Neville on since they learned he was on the team. Even Gwarp was watching from the bottom of Gryffindor's stand. Hagrid had been teaching him the ins and outs of Quidditch and had him attending games this spring. The only person missing was Snape, but Snape had been noticeably absent at public events and meals since the duel. Harry thought being defeated by Neville was getting the better of him.
"You guys ready?" Ron said addressing the team. "Chasers stay together, the last game, they split you guys apart too much, I think they will try that again."
Harry was watching his teammates got into place, he noticed Cho eyeing him from across the pitch. After a minute of watching her acting like she wasn't watching him, he noticed Madam Hooch flying towards the faculty stand. The other professors were paying close attention to her as she began to talk frantically to Professor Dumbledore. Harry couldn't understand what she was saying, but it was causing the other professors to grow concerned. A moment later Dumbledore stood up and began to speak into his wand, his voice echoed throughout the stands.
"I apologize but this match must be cancelled. I have been just informed that there are four giants are headed this way from the Forbidden Forrest."
With this, Harry and several other Quidditch players flew high enough to see the above and beyond the castle toward the Forbidden Forrest. He could make out four heads bobbing up and down through the treetops, heading toward the castle. He then understood the worry in Dumbledore's voice. Hogwarts was being attacked.
"All students will follow me to the castle, into the Great Hall, do not go into your separate houses. Professors and faculty will regroup at the edge of the Forbidden Forrest. Be prepared, I don't think these will be the normal giants we have seen in the past. Students please head toward the castle, now."
Harry watched from high above, as a stream of students leaving the Quidditch pitch, heading toward castle. The professors, with worried looks on their faces, headed toward the edge of the Forbidden Forrest as instructed. He noticed Ron had found Hermione and her on the back of the broom. As they reached the castle, he watched Dumbledore, patiently, wait for every student to enter before sealing the castle door. Harry saw that he also cast a spell on the door for extra protection.
Once inside the Great Hall, he noticed all the students attempted to get a view of the Forbidden Forrest from the stain glass windows. Dumbledore enchanted the windows so they would be clear and the curious students would not have to crowd.
"Please, listen. You must all stay here, within the Great Hall. This place is protected with many spells and you will be the safe here. I will have Sir Nicholas in charge while I go to assist the other professors. Giants can be very deadly, so for what ever reason, do not leave."
Harry had watched as his Headmaster exited the Great Hall and race toward the edge of the Forrest. A moment later the Hogwarts ghosts appeared through the walls the Great Hall, all began to watch through enchanted windows.
Soon, four giants, twice the size of Gwarp, emerged from the dark forest. Several professors launched a barrage of spells toward the lead giant, to no effect. He brandished a sword that blazed with fire; the other three wielded similar swords.
"Dear Merlin!" Sir Nicholas gasped.
"What! What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"Fire swords! They can set the whole castle ablaze if they reach here." Sir Nicholas said with fear. Harry examined closer to see that each giant were covered in chest and leg armor, obviously enlarged by magic, and each carried a large pouch around its waist.
"Can't the professor's stop them?" Hermione asked, growing more worried for the professors' safety.
"It's going to be difficult. A fire sword is a strong magical weapon, and giants, unarmed, are hard to take down." Sir Nicholas said as if watching a loosing battle
"We need to help them." Harry stated, watching a giant shot a fireball at Professor Flitwick. He was able to duck most of the flame but was burned on his arm.
"No, you students need to stay here, Hogwarts has its own defenses."
"Not if the professors are taken out." Harry argued, pointing to the battle across Hogwart's grounds.
"Ok, but you students stay here. We have a plan for such an occasion. Bloody Baron you lead the ghosts, I will gather the house elves." Sir Nicholas ordered.
With that, the house ghosts flew threw the wall facing the forest, and then appeared along side the professors. Moments later house elves emerged as well. Together, Hogwart's professors, ghosts, and house elves stood together to defend the castle. Harry saw several professors were able to stun the smallest giant after ten minutes of continuous stunners. Minutes later, Hagrid and Gwarp were able to wrestle a fire sword away from another; however both limped away with burns on their legs and arms. Madam Pomprefy was trying to apply ointment to Gwarp while Hagrid tried to hold him back from returning to the fight. Meanwhile, the house elves levitated trees toward the giants, unfortunately, the giants were able to slice through most of them. After some time, a few elves found that rocks were a lot more effective; one giant fell as Winky and others dropped a boulder on its head.
The ghosts were mainly helping by going on the defensive; they would push professors out of the way as the giants cast fireballs toward them. Professor Moody and the Bloody Barron were an extremely efficient team; Moody would cast several spells in rapid succession, while the Bloody Barron pushed the auror out of the way at the when needed. Together, Dumbledore, Moody, Sir Nicholas, and the Bloody Barron were able to down one giant by levitating him and dropping him on his head. After seeing this was effective, the other professors were able to manage the same with the remaining two giants. The Great Hall erupted with cheers as the last giant fell.
Madam Pompfrey was attending to the professors and elves that had been burned during the battle; Professor Sinistra and Flitch looked to have needed a nights stay in the infirmary, while the rest only had minor burns. Dumbledore spoke to a group of uninjured professors while the house elves levitated four giants onto the middle of Hogwarts ground. The professors and elves were taking a closer look at the giants when a pink fog erupted from large pouches tied to their mountainous waists.
"What's that?" Ron yelled as the pink fog surrounded the professors, ghosts, and house elves. The students, growing more fearful, couldn't see the professors through the dense pink cloud.
"I don't know." Harry said growing more worried by the moment. "Can you see anything?"
"No, just that pink stuff." Ron said, placing his hands around his eyes on the window, to focus better.
A few moments later, the pink fog began to disperse, mysteriously as it arrived. Harry and the others were shocked to see that all the professors and house elves were laying on the floor. Once all of the fog was gone, Harry noticed that the house ghosts were also laying on the ground.
"What happened?" Dennis Creevy asked trying to understand what he was all looking at.
"They are all dead!" Padma yelled.
"No they are not." Hermione yelled back, "You're freaking everyone out!"
"Then what's in Hades is going on?" Parvarti said.
"I don't know." Hermione conceded.
"Look!" Neville yelled, "Dementors!"
Harry watched as dozens of ghostly Dementors emerged from the forest and began circle the professors. At first, Harry began to fear that the Dementors were going to attack, but then he noticed they stayed their distance from the wizards and witches on the ground. Harry then knew that they were following orders, not to drain the enemy yet. The giants were a distraction, the pink cloud was the real attack, and the Dementors were to secure the fallen. Harry knew what was going to happen next.
His scar erupted with pain.
"Is that him?"
"Those are Death Eaters!"
"We're going to die!"
"That's him!"
"We need to get out of here now!"
"SHUT UP!" Harry yelled, turning away from the frightened students, trying to fight through the pain. As the pain subdued, he began to peer deeper into the battle field.
Thirteen figures in black robes appeared, the one in the middle removed his hood to reveal his snake like eyes and his distorted face. Harry had feared this once the giants attacked. It was Voldemort, and he was smiling.
He surveyed the fallen giants and had his Death Eaters group the comatose professors in front of him. He laughed as a few Death Eaters tossed the house elves into a pile.
Harry couldn't believe what he was seeing. Voldemort's army had taken out the strongest wizards he knew; nothing but bricks and grass stood between them, now. He could hear the cries of the younger students as they also began to realize how dire a situation had become.
"Harry Potter." A voice echoed through the walls. Harry gazed out to see Voldemort speaking into his wand just like Dumbledore had done earlier. One Death Eater, shot the Dark Mark high about Hogwarts as he did so; even the daylight one could see its eerie green glow.
"Harry, you do know who this is, don't you?" Voldemort said in a mocking tone.
"Shut up, everyone!" Draco shouted smugly, "He's talking to you, Potter, pay attention."
Harry gritted his teeth, he would have pounded Draco right then, however he knew there were more pressing issues at hand.
"I know you know you are in there." Voldemort said peering at the windows of the Great Hall. "Do you now see how powerful I truly am? Look, the greatest wizard lies at my feet, the world-renowned Hogwarts professors lay besides him. What else does the world need to see to know I am a greater wizard than Dumbledore, the greatest wizard you have ever seen. Those who doubted my strength will now see, today I take Hogwarts, tomorrow, my legions will grow, it is only a matter of time that all will choose to follow me, or perish."
Harry could feel the joy Voldemort had for his victory. Victory, Harry thought, not if I can help it. Harry, growing with rage, waited for Voldemort to continue.
"Yes, I feel you Harry." Voldemort said, "just as you feel me. You know, this connection we have has interested me greatly. I am going to make you an offer. Join me, and you will survive unlike your professors. Come out now, and join me and you will see how Lord Voldemort rewards his followers."
"Don't go Harry!" Hermione shouted.
"You know he kill you the moment he gets." Ginny said, with tears rolling down her face.
"He's bluffing, Harry. He's waiting out there not because he wants to, but because he has to." Ron said as he surveyed Voldemort's face. "Look, he is getting angry too quickly."
"I guess you know better." Voldemort's voice echoed with increasing anger. "I can feel the defiance in you growing. You are not as stupid as I thought. You know with all the protections your beloved Dumbledore has placed on Hogwarts, we cannot enter his fortress, however, what I seek can come to me and that is what you will do."
"Never." Harry said to himself.
Voldemort began to walk around the professor's bodies, turning over the ones with their faces to the ground, "Ah, I have found my example. Harry, I will only give you one minute, to come before me. With every minute you delay one of your beloved professors will be fed to one of my Dementors. Yes, this one has been a pain in my side for many years. Many of my Death Eaters would love to get their hands on him, but I will use him to show you how serious I am."
Voldemort pointed to one Dementors then pointed to the body at his feet. "Feed, on this one. Watch and learn what happens to those who oppose Lord Voldemort. Say goodbye to Mad-Eye Moody."
