HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE
I own nothing. Harry Potter and co. belongs to She-Who-Must-be-Worshipped, J. K. Rowling.
Warning: This chapter is a bit darker than the previous ones.
Chapter 4: The Battle at Diagon Alley"Death Eaters! Death Eaters on Diagon Alley!" he shouted at them, his eyes wide in fear.
"How many of them?" Remus calmly asked.
"Thirty! There were thirty of them!" the man answered. He was shaking wildly now and was on the verge of hysteria. When Remus let him go, he ran away screaming madly.
Pandemonium immediately broke out in the Leaky Cauldron. Panic quickly spread out like a wildfire in the forest. There was some shouting and cursing while others cry in fear. Some people hurried back to Diagon Alley, hoping that their friends or relatives there are still alive and well, the brave ones coming with them to help.
The only people not running around in panic were Harry and his friends. Of course they had been in worst situations before. But still, this was highly unexpected.
Lupin decided that they had dallied for too long and nodded at Tonks who merely nodded back and then disapparated without saying a word. Before Harry could ask where she went, Lupin told them that Tonks went to get help from the Order. He was about to lead them back to muggle London when he heard the screams coming from Diagon Alley. Lupin cursed. He really wanted to go there and teach those bastards a lesson but his main concern was to get Harry and Hermione to safety. He wasn't about to put their lives at risk.
Harry, sensing Lupin's hesitation, decided to say what he thinks needed to be done. "We have to help them Remus. We can't just wait for the Order to get here. People out there are dying right now!"
That and another scream coming from a girl outside made the decision for Lupin. "C'mon, follow me."
The Weasley Wizard Wheezes had just opened this summer. Fred and George, finally having found a spot in the Diagon Alley, didn't dallied in putting up their store and decided not to join their family in Romania so they could get started this summer. And to Mrs. Weasley's bewilderment, the store was a huge success! In their opening day, their products were almost completely sold out. Young and old alike had bought their products and came back for more. In the 1000 galleons they used in opening the store, which Harry had given them, they managed to recover half of it in just a week. Of course, they decided to make Harry a silent partner to repay him for his help. If it weren't for him, they wouldn't have the capital to start their business.
But certainly the twins decided that being the silent partner does not really mean being silent at all.
For them, Harry being silent wouldn't do.
Oh no, not at all.
For them, being silent partner means being the main and sole endorser of Weasleys Wizard Wheezes. Of course, Harry doesn't know yet. They were planning to tell him when he's finally drunk, tied to a chair, miles and miles away from civilization and his wand at least a continent away from him. Evidently, they still don't know how to manage all of these, but it wouldn't be a problem for them. After all, they were the Hogwarts' best (in their mind), and Harry was just a survivor of a killing curse, savior of the Philosopher's Stone, slayer of basilisks, bane of Dementors, Triwizard champion and Voldemort's main adversary...
And them?
They had flooded corridors, summoned fireworks, skipped classes and charmed toilet seats...
They'd say that's about even. And anyway, that's just details, and they decided to ignore that. It wouldn't be good for their health.
So here they were minding their own business, quite literally, when they heard the commotion outside. Fred, being the nearest at the door, took a peek outside and gasped when he saw at least thirty Death Eaters in the middle of the alley, shooting curses here and there. George sensing his twin's distress went to him and asked what was wrong.
"Death eaters," Fred whispered. George took a quick peek outside then closed the door and bolted it. He then turned towards the customers inside and addressed them.
"People! We have a situation outside and we would appreciate it if you go downstairs in our basement and stay there."
"Why? What's happening?" asked a small young girl beside the counter. She was clearly starting to panic and the other customers were starting to get afraid.
George looked at his twin for an idea in stopping the panic before it escalates. Fred, finally recovering from his initial shock, dug up his mind for an acceptable excuse.
"Well, the Ministry is at this time doing a surprise inspection of Diagon Alley," Fred started.
George caught on and spoke as well, "We really don't have the permit right now, so we would appreciate it if you guys hide for a moment."
"If they saw that we have customers and are now operating, they would close us down and ban us from Diagon Alley forever."
"So please, we would appreciate your cooperation," George finished.
The request had its desired effects. The shop was really famous now and nobody wants it to close down, so they agreed wholeheartedly and climbed down towards the basement quietly as if to avoid being heard outside.
Once George locked the basement door and cast a silencing and locking charm on it, they quietly head back to the door and watched the events at Diagon Alley.
"So what now?" asked Fred.
Neville Longbottom was having the best time of his life. After his gran learned his participation in the 'DoM Debacle', as the press had started calling it, he was treated to all sorts of things. First, they bought a new wand in Ollivander's as the one he had used before had been broken at the Department of Mysteries. Then they went to Flourish and Blotts to buy his books for next term and was treated to a newly published book of 'Erb, Herb and Herbs: A Guide to Modern Plants by Planta Herb'.
Now they were back at a line in Gringotts. The book was surprisingly expensive and they have to withdraw for more galleons to buy his new set of robes.
Neville was twirling his new wand in his hand happily when he heard the sudden commotion coming from outside of the bank. He immediately left her gran and went to see what was happening. He had to push and shove people as others also went to see what was happening. When he reached the large front doors, his blood went cold.
Just outside were at least thirty Death Eaters shooting curses at the people in Diagon Alley. He saw some people coming from Leaky Cauldron and faced the Death Eaters bravely but they never stood a chance. It was more like a massacre than a battle. As they were just passing through the bricks leading to the Diagon Alley, the Death Eaters bombarded them with curses not giving them a chance to retaliate. One by one they fall. When no one else showed up, the Death Eaters continued their march towards Gringotts, killing those in their way.
Neville was roughly pushed aside from the door as dozens of goblins went outside. They stopped just atop the stairs leading to the bank and raised their hands above, muttering in gobbledegook. A semi-transparent bubble shimmered in front of the bank and covered them just in time as the first line of curses head their way. The shield the goblins conjured was able to stop all the spells coming from the Death Eaters. One particular Death Eater seemed to had enough and charged head first towards the shield. He was sent flying backwards when he hit the shield and landed twenty feet away.
Neville would have sworn that he heard some of the goblins sniggered at that.
Tonks apparated just outside the door of the tavern Hog's Head in Hogsmeade. She hurriedly went inside and looked around. In the corner at the back, she saw a figure covered entirely in veil and approached carefully.
"Dark times, isn't it?" she asked the figure in veil casually as if asking for the time.
"Yeah, but a phoenix would light our way," the person in veil replied in a drunken slur.
Tonks could smell the alcohol in his breath and cursed. "Damn it Dung! You weren't supposed to be drinking while on duty!"
"Just a pint Tonks, just a pint. What news did you bring, oh weird one?"
"Death Eaters are attacking Diagon Alley right now. There are at least thirty of them. You must alert the Order members and sent them there. Lupin and Harry are in there!" whispered Tonks hurriedly.
Mundungus Fletcher, known as Dung by his friends, nodded his understanding and hurriedly went outside and disapparated.
Tonks then walked to the bar and faced the bulky man behind the counter.
"I need a fast broom."
Lupin glanced carefully to his side. He was standing behind the brick wall that divides Leaky Cauldron to Diagon Alley, Harry and Hermione were at his side waiting patiently for his order. He saw two Death Eaters ten feet away from them, their backs facing them. They would be easy. Three more were roaming around looking at the dead bodies littered around Diagon Alley. Bringing them down would take good timing and a whole lot of luck. Fifteen were concentrating on Gringotts, trying to break their shield charm. Lupin inwardly smiled. The spells that are being fired by the Death Eaters at the shield charm of the goblins would only increase its strength The only spell that could pass through the barrier is the killing curse. He guessed that nobody at the Death Eaters knew that small little detail. Then Lupin noticed that at least five Death Eaters were on top of the roofs, presumably as lookouts. Damn, Lupin cursed silently, they're getting smarter. It was now a whole new different ball game. Taking down the Death Eaters were now far harder than he thought previously. And then the man earlier said there were thirty enemies and Lupin could only see twenty-five of them, that leaves five unaccounted for. And any unseen enemy is always a bad sign.
Lupin is now debating with himself if he should just leave and take Harry and Hermione to safety. Taking down the Death Eaters would be far too risky and nearly impossible. But when he was about to tell Harry that they were heading back, he saw a flash of green light in his periphery vision and turned just in time to see the first goblin fall down.
"Shit!"
Neville was now feeling slightly secured. The shield the goblins put up seems to be working perfectly. Not one spell had passed through them. He could even see from where he's standing that the Death Eaters were beginning to fume. He was about to go back to his gran inside when a streak of green light passed through and hit one goblin that was already dead before he hit the floor.
Neville froze. Dear Merlin! He saw the other Death Eaters started using the killing curse as well. Three more goblins fell and was quickly replaced by others. But more and more goblins were falling now and the people inside were getting desperate and horrified.
What was he going to do now?
Harry was getting impatient now. They should be doing something right now and yet they were still standing here just outside of Diagon Alley. If it were up to him, he would have charged moments ago, cursing every Death Eater on his wake. But he had learned his lesson now, in a hard way to say the least. He was now only waiting for Remus' orders to act but hoped that it would be soon.
Harry then saw Remus paled and realized that the situation grew more drastic. He doesn't know what was really happening now and was eager to find out but if he peeked out, he might risk getting seen.
But as always, Harry's curiosity won over caution. Before Hermione could stop him, he stepped aside in full view of Diagon Alley for a few seconds. But those few seconds were enough for Harry to see what was going on.
And he realized only one thing. The situation was not good at all. Not good at all.
Neville was starting to lose hope and even his grip on his wand was starting to loosen. It looks like, to him, that all of them were going to die. The goblins wouldn't be able to last much longer from the onslaught of killing curses and when the last goblin fall, it was going to be hunting season for the Death Eaters. Neville glanced resignedly at Diagon Alley and saw that some of the buildings were on fire. Dead bodies were littered around like garbage and Neville almost puked at the horrible scene.
So this is the end, Neville thought morosely. But as he was about to step inside towards his gran to await his death, he saw someone stepped through the entrance of Diagon Alley and disappeared again.
But Neville saw enough. He couldn't forget those round spectacles and untamable hair even if he tried.
It was Harry Potter! Harry Potter is here!
Neville felt some sort of surge of power in his veins like he was reborn and now he was starting to hope again. Hope that was almost completely lost only moments ago was now pumping him energy and adrenaline. The thought of Harry out there, looking for a way to save them, calmed Neville greatly.
There was always something about Harry that gives people hope and inspiration. Neville knew that Harry could always turn the tides to his advantage. He knew that he would save them. He always does. No task was impossible for him; he was the great Harry Potter! But more than that, Neville knew that Harry was a courageous and loyal person. He wouldn't stop until he knew everyone was safe and out of harm's way.
Harry would get them out of here and the only thing Neville could do to help was hold on. He would make sure that Gringotts wouldn't fall on the control of the Death Eaters and everyone here would be alive until Harry gets here to save them. He looked from the dead bodies of the goblins in the floor to the masked faces of the Death Eaters then back to the dead bodies.
He shouted to the able wizards to come forward and they complied. They were desperate enough for anything in order to survive and this kid seems to have a plan to raise their chances.
"Follow my lead!" Neville ordered to the ten men beside him. As the spells could not also passed through the barrier from the inside, Neville decided to use another tactic. He pointed his wand to the nearest dead goblin and shouted, "Windgardium Leviosa!"
The ten wizards looked skeptically to Neville but immediately understood when he levitated the dead goblin to the front of a goblin targeted by a killing curse. They let out a whoop of joy when the chanting goblin was remained unharmed, now completely shielded by his fallen comrade. They immediately follow suit and levitated other dead goblins to the front of the living ones and hoped that help would arrive soon.
The tactic used was gruesome and cruel but Neville believed that staying alive was now the main priority. After all, pride would have been no use to you if you were dead.
Hurry up, Harry!
She was flying swiftly, as swiftly as a Nimbus 2000 could, towards the Hogwarts grounds. She was hoping that the Headmaster was here and that they weren't going to be too late in arriving at Diagon Alley and then cursed for the lack of devices one could use for communications. An owl would take too long and the floo network was liable to be watched so she had to go personally to Hogwarts and warn the Headmaster.
Tonks cursed again
She had hoped that Remus left after her and didn't do something stupid like fighting the Death Eaters by himself. She and the werewolf had gotten closer to one another by now as Dumbledore had always paired them up in field operations. She had found the calm, quiet, mild-mannered werewolf quite charming and she was unabashedly attracted to him. Of course, the werewolf hadn't shown any signs of any feelings towards her but Tonks surmised that it was because of his self-induced insecurity. However, Tonks was determined to get Remus out of his shell or die trying. That is if Remus was still alive.
Tonks once again cursed.
After what seems eternity to Tonks, she was now able to see the doors leading to the front hall of Hogwarts and prayed that Lupin was safe.
Again, Tonks cursed.
"Okay, here's the plan," Lupin begun to explain what they were going to do and point out the necessary precautions that they must observe. After a couple of minutes, a plan was laid out and they were now in their individual positions.
Remus prayed that everything works out fine then signaled the two teenagers to commence.
Harry was crouched on top of the roof just beside the brick wall. His features were blurred and his color was always the same as the one behind him. Lupin had performed earlier the same charm Moody had used on him when he first traveled to Grimmauld Place.
When he heard the signal from Remus, he slowly and quietly approached the first Death Eater. When he was in a firing range, he first cast the silencing charm around the death Eater then stunned him, the silencing charm cutting the noise of his fall to none. He first glanced at the other Death Eaters on the roof then lit a small spark from his wand when he was sure no one was looking. He then looked at the roofs on the other side of him and hoped that Hermione would be fine.
When Hermione saw the light spark at the other side, she quickly walked towards her intended target. She was wearing Harry's invisibility cloak as he was now bringing it with him always. She objected at first but he insisted that she used it instead of him saying it would be now too small for him to move freely. Hermione couldn't argue with that reasoning so she finally obliged.
When she reached within target, she took a deep breath. Hermione was scared shitless! She was never used to this kind of confrontations and the most action-pack she had ever done was last term in the Department of Mysteries. And even then she was cut short, having been unconscious before the final confrontation even begun.
So with an unsteady hand, she pointed her wand at her first target and took a deep breath once again. She couldn't screw up now. Harry and many others were depending on her.
She first cast a silencing charm as was planned then stunned the unsuspecting Death Eater at his back. When he finally dropped, she cast the signal and went to her final target.
When he saw Hermione's signal, he breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that Hermione was okay. He then forced all of his concentration on the remaining two Death Eaters on the roof and started walking.
They had done this consecutively as not to be noticed. The Death Eaters were positioned successively so that they could have wider range, but wouldn't be able to see what was happening to the person before them.
When they had finally stunned, bound, and gagged all the Death Eaters on the roof, Harry sent his signal to Lupin, who would be taking care of the Death Eaters roaming around.
Emil Goodman and Shawn Dent were newly inducted members of the Dark Lord's army. This was their first mission and they were watching apprehensively as their companions' tries to break the shield protecting Gringotts. It was taking too long and the Dark Lord had allotted a time for them to accomplish this mission. But no matter, it would be a great victory for them if Gringotts falls.
They were so absorbed in the battle at Gringotts that they never noticed a person came up behind them until it was too late.
Lupin slowly and quietly heads to the two Death Eaters nearest to him. They were so absorbed in the scene at the bank that he was able to creep up behind them unnoticed. The one on his right was a few paces ahead of the on his left so he opted to attack the one on his left first. When he came directly behind him, Lupin covered the mouth of the Death Eater with his left hand and quickly stunned him silently. He then aim his wand at the one in the right and fired a stunning spell then quickly caught the body as it was falling to the ground. He lowered the body noiselessly and then turned to the other three roaming around.
Nobody had seen him yet. He signaled to Harry and Hermione to take down the two Death Eaters in front of Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions as he dashed to the one in front of Flourish and Blotts. He saw Harry and Hermione complied with his order as the two Death Eaters fell unconscious when he dashed past them. The third Death Eater never knew what hit him. As soon as Lupin reached him, he grabbed the back of his robes and pulled him backwards. The Death Eater lost his balance and was about to fall down to the ground back first when he felt all the wind knock out of him as Lupin hit him just below his neck. He then stunned and bound him for safety precaution.
That was easy, he thought incredulously.
Fred and George had watched the whole incident with abated breath. It happened so fast that they hadn't had the time to process who was the person attacking the Death Eaters. But when the fifth one dropped, they were finally able to glanced who it was and was shocked to see that it was Professor Lupin. They were about to come outside to congratulate and help him when they saw another five Death Eaters coming out from the stores around him.
They looked at one another with alarm on their faces.
"Now what?"
"I'd say we fight, dear brother."
"I concur, oh brother dearest. Five to three seems to be fair."
"Indeed."
"Indeed."
They hurriedly went outside to help but immediately stopped at their tracks when they saw that the fifteen Death Eaters that were attacking Gringotts had noticed the battle and were now heading their way.
"Brother, does twenty to three seems fair to you?"
Lupin warily watched the five Death Eaters surrounded him. Even with the help of his werewolf-enhanced abilities, Lupin was no match for fighting five Death Eaters at the same time.
"Crap."
Harry watched horrifyingly as the five Death Eaters surrounded Remus. What now? Damn it! Harry looked around below him and saw Fred and George fifteen feet away from Remus.
What are they doing here? Harry thought, but then his heart stopped cold as he saw another fifteen Death Eaters heading towards Lupin.
Merlin!
Neville was having a hard time breathing now. Levitating feathers was one thing, levitating heavy bodies was another. Four of the wizards beside him were now dead, hit by stray killing curses but finally they get a breather, as the attacks seemed to stop for now. Neville looked towards the Death Eaters and saw that they were surrounding a lone man. Neville squinted his eyes and was shocked to discover that it was Professor Lupin. He hurriedly went to the goblin in the middle and asked him to lower the shields so they could come out and help.
"No," the goblin begun, "I'm sorry but I can't allow that. If we lower the shield now, it would be next to impossible to bring it back up. And with the Death Eaters still here, I cannot risk that."
Neville looked helplessly at Professor Lupin.
"But who would help him now?" he asked no one in particular.
Okay Harry calm down, there's no need to panic. Think! Harry was getting desperate. He couldn't think of anything to save Remus from his predicament and the Death Eaters were coming closer and closer to Remus.
And when he was just about to jump down and help Lupin fight, Hermione acted first.
He saw her remove the invisibility cloak and shouted at the top of the roof, catching everyone's attention.
Then all hell broke lose.
Lupin took advantage of the distraction and send a reducto curse at the ground where the fifteen Death Eaters were standing. They all flew in every direction due to the explosion and Lupin didn't even stop to see the outcome of his attack, he quickly stunned the two on his left and physically attacked the three nearest to him.
He kicked the first one on the leg, breaking the bones with a sickening sound. When the Death Eater bends down to hold his broken leg in reflex, Lupin took the opportunity and hand chopped him at the back of his neck, sending him to oblivion.
The other two were better prepared as they saw Lupin attacked their ally. As the first spell whiz past him, Lupin turned his attention to them. With a ferocious growl, not unlike that of a wolf, Lupin lunged at them. The one nearest to him was preparing to cast another spell but Lupin never gave him a chance. He grabbed the wand arm of the Death Eater and bent it backwards, completely breaking it. He then saw in his periphery vision the spell coming towards him and used the Death Eater his holding as a shield. As the Death Eater slumped down due to the unknown curse, Lupin let go of him and stunned the remaining one.
It was over in just a couple of seconds.
Lupin finally let out a sigh of relief that didn't last long as a disarming spell hit him, sending him flying backwards towards a wall. Lupin groggily stood up and saw that ten Death Eaters were standing in front of him, his wand in the hand of the one in the center. The fifteen Death Eaters that he had sent the reducto curse into were now obviously recovered with the ten in front of him and five dueling with the twins.
Merlin!
The time seemed to stop for Harry as he watched helplessly as the Death Eaters sends curse after painful curse to Remus, not stopping with the onslaught.
The twins were busy dueling with five other Death Eaters and Hermione was stunned moments ago. The people inside the wizarding bank, it seems, couldn't come out to help. There was no one else that could help.
Harry felt numb, as if he wasn't really in his body and was watching everything from afar. Suddenly, Harry felt his insides went cold and flashes of memories came to him.
His father, standing just inside the living room and then Voldemort came in and there was a flash of green light and he was dead.
He saw his mother standing in front him, completely blocking him from the Dark Lord. And then there was a flash of green light again and his mother fell down on the floor, dead too.
Sirius was happily dueling with his cousin Bellatrix, when she sends a curse to him sending him falling backwards through the veil and Remus telling him that there was nothing they can do, as Sirius was now dead.
Harry came out of his stupor and saw that Remus finally lost consciousness as the onslaught of curses continues on.
Am I going to lose him too? Harry asked himself, the feeling of dread and sorrow overcoming him. He felt the tears falling down on his cheek but didn't have the strength to wipe it out.
Am I going to lose everyone I loved?
"Help me Harry," the voice of Sirius popped into his head.
No! He wasn't going to lose anyone anymore. Nobody will take someone dear to him away from him! Harry's feeling of dread and sorrow were completely changed into anger and determination. He felt the energy overflowing within him and surrounding him.
"Be prepared."
With a soft 'swoosh', Harry disappeared from the roof.
Neville was watching the attack on Lupin with fear and trepidation. He wouldn't be able to survive with that kind of punishment, would he? Neville was feeling really sorry for Harry right now, as he knows that he and the Professor were close.
Neville was about to curse the goblins so they could lower the shield and get out to help, when he saw a figure appeared right between the Death Eaters and Professor. He could see and feel from here the aura that is surrounding the figure and he grew a little afraid. He knew that it wasn't natural for magical auras to be seen and felt like this. Who is this powerful person? He could even run Dumbledore down for his money!
But then he finally caught a glance on the face and he almost faint in surprise.
Harry?!
Harry appeared right in front of Remus and faced the Death Eaters. He could feel his magic pouring out of his skin and surrounding Remus and him. The Death Eaters look on with shock and fear as they watched Harry's aura overlapped him and the werewolf. One brave Death Eater summoned his courage and fired a killing curse towards him. When the curse was inches away from Harry, a brick suddenly rose from the ground and blocked it, completely destroying itself and the curse.
Harry summoned all the bricks he could find and levitated it around him and Remus. When he saw a curse coming, he would place a brick in its path to stop it. Then he will banish a brick towards the Death Eaters and hit them in full force.
It continued on and on like this for minutes and Harry was running out of energy and bricks. Only seven Death Eaters were standing but Harry was still overpowered. The twins were stunned a few moments ago and Harry was now left all alone, but he still kept on fighting.
When it seems that Harry could no longer fight, he was breathing heavily and was now on one knee, and the Death Eaters gaining their confidence back, a spell from nowhere hit one of the Death Eaters and he slumped on the ground. The other Death Eaters looked at their backs and instantly grew paled. Harry looked around them and saw a very angry looking Dumbledore besides a worried Tonks and a livid Pofessor McGonagall before darkness surrounded him.
AN: There another chapter finished. Hope you like this one. Thanks for the reviews! Keep them coming, I live for that stuff!
