Chapter 10
Harry moved to the center position before McNair did. He wanted as much room as possible to back away, if needed. McNair's execution ax was about five feet long from the bottom of the handle to the top edge of the dinner plate size head. Based on how McNair held it Harry estimated that McNair had about a 14 inch advantage in reach over his sword. Harry hoped to catch McNair after he'd swung and (hopefully) missed.
"Yer fancy pants won't help ya when I cut yer head off, Potter."
"Go for it McNair. Maybe you'll get the chance. Maybe your arms will be on the ground before the rest of you."
McNair swung from his right to left. Harry had an easier time dodging than he expected to. He nicked McNair's right cheek with the tip of his sword before the bigger man recovered his position.
"Ya little shite." He advanced on Harry and swung again. He connected with Harry, but with the flat side of the head to the ribs. Harry was knocked several feet, and momentarily went down. His side hurt like hell. He knew that he had two or three broken ribs. In an instant, Harry forced himself back on his feet again.
McNair swung again, this time a clean miss. Harry nicked his right trouser leg, cutting more of the cloth than anything else. McNair reached the center of the circle and began backing Harry up a few paces.
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Tonks and Ginny noticed the disillusioned Death Eaters approaching from the west side of the park. Susan and Katie noticed the disembodied tracks being made from the south. In both cases they stopped about 200 feet from Harry, most likely out of their range of accuracy.
The witches slowly hovered in the air, holding their position and elevation. Katie whispered to Susan, "We could probably stun them from here if we took careful aim."
Susan shook her head, and said, "Not yet."
Meanwhile Hermione had seen the first group that Tonks and Ginny had. She didn't have an easy shot yet and waited.
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McNair had swung at Harry nearly a dozen times now. After the disastrous hit that Harry had taken with his second swing, McNair hadn't really been very close. Harry moved a foot closer. He was easily within McNair's reach. Harry saw him choke down on the handle, looking to make the power swing. Harry allowed his attention to flicker to Moody for just a moment and McNair struck. As he started the right to left swing, Harry took a big step back. McNair cleanly missed and was badly out of position. Harry swung as hard as he could. With a downward diagonal chop, the Hizen sword maker's skill at their craft was proven. Harry's blow sliced nearly sixteen inches diagonally through the Death Eater beginning at the right clavicle nearly through the left lung.
Blood was everywhere. McNair's ax fell to the ground with a clang as it slipped from his still hand. As Harry bent over to pull his sword from the dead man, Katie yelled "Duck."
Tonks and Ginny fired at the same time, both hitting Pucey. Susan and Hermione hit Betchley as Katie hit Bole a second later.
Narcissa fired a shot as she apparated away.
Tonks dived to the still disillusioned Death Eater, and restunned him. Then she tapped him with her wand to make him reappear.
Moody ran to the other two as Susan and the others climbed out of the tree. Hermione and the others restunned the downed Death Eaters several times.
Harry screamed, "Dobby." The little elf was lying on the ground.
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Meanwhile at Grimmauld place things were tense. The waiting was nearly unbearable. Suddenly Susan came crashing through the door. "Madam Pomfrey, everybody, come quick."
They grabbed their things and were out of the house within fifteen seconds.
Pop, Pop, pop, POP. They arrived at the park. Tonks was by one prisoner, placing manacles on him. Hermione and Katie were by the others, holding their wands over them. Moody was checking on the body of McNair. Harry was covered in blood, holding his little friend.
By a lucky shot, Narcissa had hit Dobby in the left forearm with a Reducto blast. His little arm was nearly severed. Pomfrey thought that she'd come prepared, but this was outside the scope of anything that she had brought. Susan immediately went back to the house to get Winky.
As Poppy was trying to stop the bleeding and Harry was holding him, Winky popped back. She cast her hand over her mate several times and the bleeding stopped. She changed motions and the tissue began to regrow itself. Within five minutes the unconscious elf looked better!
Moody signed the witness paper and handed it to Harry. "Nice work Potter. Get back to your home and have Pomfrey take a look at you. I'll clean up here." Harry picked up his sword, staff and scabbard then apparated home.
He opened the door and winced at the pain. In reality, he could hardly stand.
Kingsley and Hestia took the three Death Eaters back to the holding cells. Moody came by the cells a few minutes later with the bled out remains of Walden McNair. Moody had given Susan and Katie Betchley and Bole's invisibility cloaks as spoils of battle. Tonks and Ginny took a last look around the area, and left after using several charms to vanish the pool of blood.
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Poppy shook her head at her favorite patient and said, "Harry, you and I are going to have a long, unpleasant talk when you get back to the castle next week. Let's go up in your room so you can have a bit of privacy, and I can take a proper look at you."
Knowing better than to argue with such a well-meaning woman, Harry simply replied, "Yes Ma'am."
"I suppose that you'll tell me what happened?"
"I was hit with an ax.
She shook her head. "Please tell me that I heard you wrong."
"No, you heard me right. How bad is it?"
"To answer your question, I think you should look at this. She showed him his vest with a four inch slice missing from along the side. "Harry, if that had been your skin, I'd be preparing your body for a memorial service right now. Why did you do this?"
"McNair had tried to kill Hermione and her parents. He did kill Ron and Luna, and he killed Katie Bell's parents. I had a fairly safe opportunity to remove his threat, weighed the odds, planned very carefully and executed the plan. As a result, with the loss of one 1,500 Galleon armor vest, I helped take four Death Eaters off of the street in one morning. Madam Pomfrey, I'm not asking that you agree with my actions. I know that they go against everything that you stand for, but I am profoundly grateful that you were there for me today."
She kissed his forehead and said, "Let me fix you up for now. Like I said, you are up for a very unpleasant evening next week. For now, I'm grateful for the things that you've done and delighted to be scolding you. Drink this, and hold that to your side for another five minutes before you get dressed. Who would you like me to call in to help you?"
"Anyone who is available. Thank you again. How is Dobby?"
"You're welcome. I will send you a bill later. Dobby is as good as new. It appears that as long as their limbs are not completely severed, and they don't bleed out, that one elf can largely heal another. I'll get one of your friends to help you get dressed."
A minute later, Ginny came in. Knowing that he was hurt, she elected not to give him the usual bone-crushing hug. Instead, she helped him into the shower, and handed him clean clothes when he got out. As he was getting dressed, Hermione came in, having changed back into her jumper and jeans from the night before and said, "Harry, we need to get going."
Harry nodded and told Ginny that he would see her in the morning. As he walked down stairs, Moody had returned, and told him that he'd take care of the details later that morning.
Harry thanked everyone, and ten minutes later they were gone. Harry looked in on Dobby and Winky, told them that he would be back later that morning, then he walked outside with Hermione to apparate back to her parents' house. Harry looked at his watch. It was 7:45.
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Opening the door to the house they found an angry looking Emma waiting at the kitchen table. "Harry, where were you and Hermione this morning? Your beds weren't slept in last night."
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