Chapter 25: Calm Before the Storm
"Where are they?" Ginny asked worriedly. "Why didn't they return with you?"
The Order of the Phoenix had apparated out shortly after the elves had disappeared. They'd returned to Hogwarts, expecting to find the elves already there.
They were not.
"What happened?" James asked, as he entered the Great Hall, where the Order and a few others were gathered, Lily and Sirius close behind. They had wanted to go with the Order to Azkaban, but were still physically and magically weak, and Dumbledore had refused to allow them to come.
"They were outnumbered," Dumbledore said sadly. "Harry ordered a retreat. One of them...one of Harry's friends...didn't make it."
James' eyes closed briefly, and he breathed in a slow breath.
"Then they will not return before nightfall," He said certainly. "You must understand...it has been a very long time since one of our people were slain in battle. His death...will be sorely felt."
"But where did they go?" Ron asked.
"They went to mourn his death, and honour his life."
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Harry knelt on the soft soil, eyes filled with grief as he looked on the dead form of his friend, still and lifeless. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and knew it was Allia, and he sensed the others behind her.
"I failed him," he whispered, the words seeming unnaturally loud in the still, silent forest.
"You failed no one Emrys," Allia replied quietly, squeezing his shoulder reassuringly. "He was a warrior. He knew the risks, as do we all."
Harry knew it was true, but still couldn't accept it.
"Do not mourn for his death," Allia continued. "Simply celebrate his life, and live on in his name."
Harry closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, before nodding slowly, and rising to his feet.
"Let us prepare his funeral pyre," He said quietly.
The other elves nodded, and slowly dispersed. They were deep within the Forbidden Forest, and so spread out, collecting dead branches and wood from the ground. It took them a while to collect enough wood for a suitable pyre, but it was soon enough, and they laid Evan's still form atop the collection of branches, and put a thin layer of smaller branches over top of him.
One by one, each of the elves bid their own farewell to their fallen comrade, before finally, Harry lit the pyre, and the fire sprang to life.
The elves stood silently, watching the fires burning brightly. And as the sun began to set, and the forest grew dark, it was not long before the only remaining light was that of the stars and moon, and the softly glowing embers of the fire. It was then that Harry spoke once more.
"He is gone, but he shall not be forgotten. Let us always remember his life, and fight on in his honour. Let his death remind us why we fight. To protect the world from darkness," Harry said, speaking softly. "Farewell Evan, my friend. You shall never be forgotten."
The other elves echoed his words quietly. Then, one by one, they all slowly turned and walked away, until only Harry remained.
Harry was just about to turn and follow, when he heard a soft rustling in the trees, signaling something approaching. His hand briefly moved towards the hilt of his sword, before he relaxed.
"Greetings Elf Lord," He heard, as he saw a unicorn approach him.
"Hello again Moonstar." Harry said, greeting the leader of the local herd. "Are you well?"
The unicorn shook his head, his silvery mein shimmering in the moonlight. "For now, aye. But there is something you must know. We have been aware of a disturbing increase in the number of dark creatures within the forest. Day by day, their numbers grow. Already, they encroach on our territories, and their numbers are greater then ours already. We will not be able to contain them much longer."
Harry sighed. "Very well then. I recommend you relocate your herd to near our camp in the forest. It will be safer there, for your kind and others."
Moonstar tossed his head again. "Indeed. We have already begun to move. I felt you should be informed though. Lightfoot and Firefur also are leading their kin to the camp. We shall await your call there."
Harry nodded. "Thank you. It is good to know we have allies such as you."
"Indeed. But yes, there is a dark feeling in the air. The attack on your castle shall come, and it shall come soon."
Harry's eyes flared slightly, as anger surged within him. "Then we shall be ready."
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The night, the breeze blew strong, spreading the ashes from the pyre across the grove in which they had held the funeral pyre. The ashes settled onto the frozen earth, where come spring they would be absorbed into the ground.
And if come spring, the trees of that grove seemed a touch greener then the rest, seemed to reach stretch a little higher into the sky then their neighbours, and the ground became covered in a blanket of flowers and life, then it was surely just a coincidence...
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"Harry?" Ginny asked, settling into the couch next to him. "Are you okay?"
Harry was sitting in the Gryffindor common room. He'd returned to the school, and gone straight there, ignoring Dumbledore and his parents attempts to get him to talk.
"I'm fine Gin, I just...feel guilty." Harry replied.
"Harry, it's a war. People die. You've nothing to feel guilty about," Ginny said, snuggling close to him.
"I know Gin...I know." He said softly, hugging her close, and staring into the fire.
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"You have done well, my Death Eaters, my allies." Voldemort cried, to the assembled dark forces that now stood within the entrance hall of Azkaban. "Now go, celebrate this victory how you wish."
The Death Eaters and vampires cheered loudly, and began to move out of the chamber.
"Lucius, wait," the Dark Lord ordered, and the elder Malfoy obediently attended his master.
"As you know, taking Hogwarts is the our next goal." Voldemort said.
"My Lord, Hogwarts is well defended...it will be a tough battle." Lucius stated.
"Are you implying that I am not strong enough to break it Lucius?" The Dark Lord hissed.
"N-no my lord, I was just stating, it is heavily defended." Malfoy stammered.
"I know it is Lucius...but that is why I have a plan. Your son has proven quite...useful in the past. Now there is another chance for your family to prove their worth to me. I have a special task for your son I need you to relay to him..."
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"Voldemort's fortifying Azkaban. He's turning it into his Dark Fortress." Snape said.
Two weeks had passed since the fall of Azkaban. The Order of the Phoenix was having a meeting, with Allia and Harry attending representing the elves.
"How long before he turns his attention once more to attacking?" Dumbledore asked.
"I don't know. He's gathering his forces though. He just seems to be waiting for something before he attacks."
"Very well, we can merely wait then."
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Cedric Diggory felt awkward. He had graduated, well, technically, even though he hadn't attended his official graduation. But he had taken his Newts, and passed.
And yet...he was still here. He didn't mind being at Hogwarts, but he still felt somewhat...awkward, being there and not being a student.
And so he had thrown himself into the training offered by Harry, and was getting progressively better.
He had taken to training alone in the evenings, running and improving his fitness, and practicing the unarmed combat style that Harry had deemed him most suited for. Every night, he would go out, and practice for several hours, before returning exhausted to the castle, and falling asleep as soon as his head hit his pillow.
He was returning that night from his exercises, moving through the dark corridors of Hogwarts, making his way back to his dorm. He was tired, both physically and mentally, and so wasn't even the slightest bit prepared, or able to resist, as a dark figure stepped from the shadows of the hallway beside him, wand raised.
"Imperio."
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Time passed slowly, but peacefully. It seemed to all those within the castle that Voldemort was content with Azkaban. The school continued as normal, and those within were slowly lured into a false sense of security.
Except the elves, who were steadily getting more and more reports of Dark creatures amassing within the forest. But there had been no other sign of movement from the Dark Lord, so though they were alert, they knew they had to wait.
Harry was standing in a deserted hallway, staring out the window at the lake below, now thawed in the early spring air.
"Harry, we need to talk.," came the voice of his father.
Harry turned, and looked at James.
"What's up?" Harry asked.
"Harry, you know as well as I that your numbers are not enough to defeat the Dark Lord's forces, should they attack here." James said, worry evident in his voice. "So unless you're not sharing certain information with the rest of us..."
Harry couldn't help the slight grin that tugged his lips upward.
James sighed softly, relief evident on his face as he saw his son's expression.
"I should've known. I assume-" James began, but was cut off.
"Indeed. The Windrunners and the Light Creatures within the forest can get here within fifteen minutes of getting the call. They'll be able to fly here and reinforce us quickly."
James nodded, relieved. He understood what his son meant. He knew now the true force that would defend the Castle. He had wondered why the humans believed that the force within the castle was a full War Party. Now he had his answer.
"Yup, you're definitely my son." James laughed. "Now let's go get something to eat."
Harry smiled briefly at this, and walked with his father down the hallway, heading for the Great Hall.
Moments after they left, the person who had been hiding further up the hallway, well within ear-shot, removed the Invisibility Cloak that had concealed him. Looking around quickly, he hurried off to report to his master.
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"So," Voldemort said, as he crumpled up the letter he had just finished reading. "The fool Potter boy has hidden airborne allies within the forest has he? Well then...we'll just have to prepare a little...welcoming present for them."
Voldemort's evil laughter echoed through the halls of Azkaban.
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April passed swiftly, and May came, with a warm sun, and blooming flowers.
May 14th dawned like any other, the sun bright in the sky. The students had gathered in the Great Hall for lunch, and Harry was laughing with his friends, when suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his scar.
It was all the warning he got before he felt Anti-Apparition and Anti-Animagus wards slam down over the castle and grounds, and alarms began to ring out through the castle.
Voldemort had come.
