Chapter 2: The Death Eaters

*****

The time had come. The foreseen event was finally upon them. Alinora picked up her hand drum, nodded at the others, and turned to return to the front of the stage. Ginny nodded in response and picked up her pipes, while Katie collected her fiddle.

Facing the audience, Ali began to slowly drum the beat. As she picked up the pace, she heard Ginny join in soon followed by Katie. As the music from the three joined together, Ali added in the vocal component and the spell began. She been experimenting with using music to cast spells since she was in school, and had had considerable success with it. This particular song they called The Lament. Loosely based on descriptions of gypsy songs they'd heard about, it had no set lyrics and changed every time they performed it. It was quite popular, which was good since it was also an excellent way to cast their defense spell.

The music wove its way throughout the room, touching everyone in the audience and connecting with all the waiting charms that had been set earlier. When the time came, with a single note, Ali could shut down everything. Now they just had to wait, and let the magic build.

The audience sat as if entranced, pulled in by the music and unaware of what was going on around them. Alinora felt bad that she'd had to include Neville and Snape in the spell as well, but power was limited and right now it would be too difficult to leave them out. A flicker of movement towards the back of the room caught her eye, and, as they were all entwined within the song, she turned the group's attention there. It was the Death Eaters they had been expecting.

The general population of the wizarding world was under the mistaken impression that, with the destruction of Voldemort four years previous, their time of fear was over. Unfortunately, Voldemort's defeat didn't lead to the capture of all his Death Eaters as well. Those that had remained free had continued to promote his cause and recruit new members. The Order and the Ministry's Aurors had been working for years now to clear out the remaining evil, but they kept finding new corruption to deal with. The group tonight was one of the larger the women had seen over the years. Instead of the normal two or three members, there were eight. Ali had sensed that they would be up to the challenge, though barely, and they could now see why.

'Go' Ali sensed from Ginny, right before the suspected Death Eater in the audience was struck with a mental blow which left him slumped over on the table. It wasn't noticed by his tablemates.

As she saw the man slump down, Alinora triggered her spell as well. The audience was instantly blanketed in a concealing fog. Beneath that layer, the audience had gone still as Ali struggled to hold the spell that appeared to stop time for them, as well as keep them safe from the attack.

Next, Katie triggered some of the charms Alinora had set up earlier to provide defense and confusion for the white robed figures that were loosely grouped at the back of the room. Everything had happened so quickly, they hadn't had a chance to react yet. They noticed though when a spell barrier sprung up between them and the stage, and when they were suddenly pelted with water balloons.

Ginny spared a moment to consider that perhaps George was having a bad effect on Ali, before she stepped up beside her and spread her hands wide. Working on the base already started by the two before, she sent waves of cold air at the eight in the back, who had started scattering, looking for cover. A few had their wands out and were casting hexes and curses towards the stage, but Katie was deflecting them back.

Slowed by the cold, and the fact that their robes were freezing due to the water they'd previously absorbed, the offence was greatly lacking. Ginny kept in mind that Ali had said only to hold the attackers until their backup arrived and started trying to corral them back into a central location. Katie, sensing what she was attempting to do, began triggering some of the other charms waiting. A wailing voice could be heard coming from the corners where some of the cloaked figures had retreated. The sound pierced through those standing closest, driving them out into the room, and away from the wailing mermaid's call. The sound decreased as they returned to the center of the room, allowing them to uncover their ears.

Alinora was only paying minimal attention to what her friends were doing. They all knew their parts and were quite capable of playing them. She smiled slightly when she heard the wailing. She was, luckily, the only one who actually knew what was being said over and over again in that charm. It was a rather obscene phrase she'd learned recently that she'd otherwise never have the opportunity to use in polite company. Her smiled turned to a grimace as she felt someone attempting to break through her spell to get to the audience. Ali's eyes narrowed as she focused on the culprit, and, doing a quick run down of what charms had not yet been used, triggered one of the hexes located near by.

Ginny and Katie were a bit startled when they saw one of the figures go floppy, as if their entire body was made of rubber. Staggering around on legs that bent at unnatural angles, the person managed to knock into enough of their cohorts that most wound up in a pile on the floor. That was all Ginny had been waiting for as she cast a mass petrifaction spell on the group as a whole and held it. They weren't going anywhere now.

Alinora was starting to shake from the effort of holding her spell together, and the humming she'd been using to focus was getting a little rough. Katie quickly stepped to her side, and took her hand to add her strength into the spell as well. She felt Ali squeeze her hand lightly as she straightened up. Now they only had to hold on and wait.

What seemed like an eternity later, though it was probably only five minutes, they heard the door to the theater open. Ginny raised a hand, preparing to cast a spell if necessary, but lowered it in relief as she recognized those coming into the room. Kira Langly and Seamus Finnegan, both Aurors, were in the lead and came to a halt as they saw the frozen, both literally and figuratively, group of Death Eaters in front of them. They were closely followed by Ginny's brothers, Charlie and George, who, after a quick glance ahead, was scanning the room anxiously until he saw that Ali was safe on stage. Then he joined his brother in laughing at the pathetic sight the Death Eaters made. The last person to enter the room, Brad MacDuggle, did so at a slow walk, keeping a close eye on his surroundings. Katie gave a sigh of relief as she saw him enter, and relaxed slightly.

"You were almost late." Alinora said softly, as she glanced towards the new arrivals.

"It's been a busy day and we got here as soon as we could." Kira responded, turning to observe the spell that Ginny was holding together, before turning to look curiously at the fog covering the audience. "I'm hoping that Neville and Snape are under there. Can they be released?"

Alinora considered the question for a moment, and then nodded. "I think so. There's also someone we think is with our attackers. Ginny clubbed him- you're probably going to want to grab him as well." Closing her eyes, Ali began reweaving the magic of her spell to release the three. As the fog cleared in patches, first Neville then Snape became visible, as was the path for them to leave the area. Looking a bit confused, both did so while Kira found the third opening and collected the unconscious man from his table. Once they were all clear, Ali brought the fog back to cover the entire area. She was shaking again and Katie had dropped her hand to put a supporting arm around her instead.

"We need to hurry this along. They can't hold this forever you know." George's voice was cheerful, but he was keeping a worried eye on Alinora.

"Right. Neville, you take this one and return to headquarters. Seamus and I will take control of this lot- can you help too… Professor?!?" They had all suddenly noticed what Snape was wearing. George tried to muffle his chuckles, but, with a disgusted snort, Snape dropped the disguise spell and resumed his normal appearance.

"Yes, I can help. Anything to get away from here and allow me to return home as soon as possible."

Ali laughed softly at his words. "And we love you too Professor." Her words were quiet, but Snape heard her from the back of the room. His expression softened slightly as he looked at her, but he didn't say anything in response. "Glad you came though." He nodded, and then turned back to the prisoners.

"Well then, Ginny, if you would release your spell we'll take it from here."

Ginny waited until Kira, Seamus and Snape were in position, wands at the ready, before dropping her hold. The group shifted slightly when they realized they were free again, before they were hit by another petrifaction charm and slowly removed from the room. The back of the room was now empty except for Charlie, George and Brad.

"Not to sound rude or anything, but Ali really needs to end this spell. So, why don't you lovely gentlemen step back over near where Neville had been sitting and prepare to take a seat there once the fog begins to disperse?" Katie was smiling mischievously, but keeping a close eye on Ali. "Ginny, she's going to need a boost if you expect her to finish the show- she's a bit faded."

"You know, I'm right here. You don't have to talk about me like I'm deaf as well as unable to take care of myself…" came Alinora's irritated response. Ginny smiled and walked over to join the two and placed a hand over Ali's left hand- still clutching the hand drum she'd been playing.

Silently they merged, the process going much smoother now after years of practice than it had when they'd first discovered that they had the ability to feed power to each other. The men in the back of the room watch in awe as Ali recovered before their eyes until she finally stepped away from her friends, cutting the contact. She was smiling now and her eyes were wide open and sparkling bright green.

"What a rush! Ready to get back to business?"

Katie studied her intently for a moment, then relaxed and nodded. "I'm ready." she replied as she turned to collect her instrument and resume her previous position. Ginny gave her a sketchy salute before doing the same.

Alinora once again began to beat the rhythm on her drum and was joined immediately by the other instruments. Slowly, she began to unweave the magic binding the audience. As the fog cleared, the three men moved into position and were seated by the time the audience regained awareness of their surroundings. The song continued for another couple minutes before being brought to a close to thunderous applause.

Alinora turned to replace her drum and picked up her water bottle before turning to address the audience with a grin. "So, are we all having fun yet?" There was more applause and a couple wolf whistles from the back corner, which she ignored, in reply. "I'm happy to hear it. As the evening is getting on and time is growing shorter- and I need a bit of a breather…" the audience laughed at Ali's wide grin, "I thought it would be a good time to see if there were any requests for favorite songs that we can try to work in over the last part of the show…" She trailed off, eyebrows raised in inquiry, as suggestions were called out. The ladies made note of the songs mentioned and when the suggestions began to slow, Ali raised a hand for silence. "I think that'll about cover it! I think we can fit in most of your requests, though I hope you'll forgive us if we have to leave one or two out. And on that note, I guess we should get back to the show!" Turning, she walked back to put down her water and have a quick consultation with the others on order of songs. Then they started up again.

*****

As things turned out, the group was able to squeeze in all the requests before it was time to draw things to a close. Finally, they were down to their final song of the evening.

"You all have been a wonderful audience- though what else could be expected based on the reasons we're all here! On behalf of The Sirens and St. Mungo's, I'd like to once again say thank you for your contributions that made tonight possible. I'm sure most of you are aware that after tonight the Ladies and I will be taking a very well deserved vacation to spend time with our family and friends. It has been our great honor to spend this first night back at home with all of you. And to that effect, I'd like to close things out this evening with a personal favorite of mine- no matter what time of year it is." From behind her, Alinora could hear Ginny start to giggle.

With a wave of her hand, Ali triggered one of the few non defensive spells she'd set up earlier that evening. The audience looked up, gawking in surprise as they watched snow falling from the ceiling of the room, though it disappeared before getting to head level. "I realize that it's only the beginning of September, but shouldn't we celebrate Christmas all year round?" Alinora was giving the audience a very innocent look, ignoring completely Ginny and Katie's snickers from behind her, while various members of the audience started to grin as well as they caught on to the song Alinora was referring to…

Spinning on her heal, Ali turned one last time to approach the other two members of her group. As she got close enough, Ginny whispered, "This should be amusing. Has George ever seen this one?"

Ali's grin was pure mischief. "Nope. That's why I'm doing it. Also, because I like the song…"

Katie rolled her eyes, but all three were quick to transfigure their clothes into the proper costumes for the number. As they turned to face the audience each was wearing an identical low cut, tight, strapless dress. Ali's was black, Ginny's green and Katie's a deep blue. Ginny and Katie began the chorus as Ali stalked to the front of the stage to begin the song.

Santa baby, just slip a sable under the tree
For me
Been an awful good girl
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

By this time, Ali was out among the tables that held their audience for the evening. As she sang, she was working her way around to each table, casting teasing glances at the men in the audience and grins at her fellow females.

Think of all the fun I've missed
Think of all the fellows that I haven't kissed
Next year I could be just as good
If you'll check off my Christmas list

The audience laughed as she stood up after perching on one stunned man's lap during the previous verse. Winking at him over her shoulder, Ali moved on to the next table, slowly moving towards the far back corner…

Santa baby, I want a yacht
And really that's not a lot
Been an angel all year
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

The was some laughter from the back at the angel comment and Ali's eyes narrowed slightly as she thought about the hole that red head in the back was digging for himself.

Come and trim my Christmas tree
With some decorations bought at Tiffany's
I really do believe in you
Let's see if you believe in me

She'd finally made it to the back table…

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing
A ring
I don't mean on the phone
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

The final verse Ali sang while draped over George's shoulder. She had her arms around his neck and was fingering the ring finger on her left hand. She watched in glee as his ears went bright red. She winked at those around them as she straightened up and began to make her way back up to the stage to end the song and the show.