Deconstruction

Chapter Sixteen: Sanctuary

"Avada Kedavra!"

The flash of green managed to seep through Percy's closed eyes. He opened his eyes again because he didn't feel dead. He lifted himself up a bit when he saw the look on Alistair's face. It was of horror as his wand slipped out of his hand. His eyes were opened as he gasped. "Oh my God. What have I done?" he whispered as he stared at Percy. Not quite knowing if Percy was dead or alive despite the fact that he was looking straight at him.

Percy didn't get off the ground for a moment. A miracle had just happened. He was taking some deep calming breaths, grateful that he was still alive. And even more grateful that Alistair wasn't able to do it. The guilt would have probably done more damage to him. Percy sat up as he said, "It's okay. I'm okay, Ali." He was sore and bleeding from the cuts and bruises. "You broke the Imperius Curse when you tried to use the Killing Curse because you didn't mean it. You could only kill Penny because he was there and he directed you to do it. He had to be there."

Alistair shook his head. "I killed her. I was weak. It was me," he sobbed. "I don't even know what he's really planning on doing by sending me here. I don't know, Perce." He buried his face in his hands. However, he quickly sobered as he went on, "I can't remember most of what's happened. All I can remember is Penny, but there's someone else. She's in danger. I don't know who she is, but she's in danger. And he's got her. I couldn't help her. I tried to get her out, but he put the spell back on before I could do anything."

Percy's eyes widened in alarm. "Then, we've got to do something about that, Ali."

"I don't know if we can. He's a lot more powerful than either of us," whispered Alistair desperately.

A look came over Percy's features that scared Alistair. He didn't have to say anything in order to be understood. However, Percy could see behind Alistair and he opened his mouth to say something just as the two people entered the room. "ALI!" shouted Percy. "BEHIND YOU!" Alistair turned around and Percy dove for his wand and tried to thrust it into his hand. It happened so fast. Too fast.

"Avada Kedavra!"

Alistair had his arms stretched out and used his body to block the spell from hitting Percy. He was dead before he hit the floor. Once again, Percy caught him in his arms. "Ali," whispered Percy as he looked up at the person who had entered the room. The person who had caused all of the grief and nightmares. "Lestrange."

"I knew he'd weaken in the end," stated Lestrange. "He was born weak to begin with. Always crying for his mother. So, I take it you know who I am, Weasley."

Percy didn't answer how he knew. He had seen that face in his nightmares all the time. Percy knew that Alistair was a Lestrange. He never hid it from his closest friends. "He's your son," managed Percy in a gasp. He didn't even acknowledge the young woman who had arrived with Lestrange.

"He was my son," corrected Lestrange. "Such promise. Such a shame." He stepped forward; his footsteps seemed to echo throughout the room. "But you're different. You've got more power than either of them. I can see the ambition and the latent ruthlessness about you just as plainly as I see your face. You have what it takes to go after what you want."

Percy gripped Alistair's body, fearing that if he released it, Alistair was really be dead. "He was your son," breathed Percy as a surge of rage filled him. "How could you murder your own son?"

Lestrange replied with a callous manner and with some annoyance because he had already given his answer before, "He was weak. In order for an empire to thrive, one has to eliminate weakness in a line. I cannot give my empire to someone who was weak. However, I can see strength in you. Your will is the strongest I have ever seen. Otherwise, I would have already attempted one of the methods I have used previously to gain your compliance."

"If you know how strong my will is, then what the Hell makes you think that I would go along with you," demanded Percy through his teeth as he pulled his hands away from Alistair.

Lestrange smiled. It appeared very benign, but there was something evil behind it. "You and I aren't any different from each other, Weasley. We both are of pure lineage. You're different from the rest of your family as am I. We are even related by blood as well. Our family trees overlap each other at certain points. My agenda is not the same as the Dark Lord's. His plan is of madness. He wants to cleanse the world, while mine is simply to realign it."

"There's no difference!" roared Percy angrily as he got to his feet. "There's no difference. You want to destroy everything and subjugate everyone like you did with Alistair and her." He gestured to the young woman who bore a resemblance to Alistair. "I know what you were planning. It's pretty easy to figure it out. You were going to infiltrate the Ministry. Now that key members were exposed as Death Eaters, you were going to fill that void of power. You were going to take their minds!"

Lestrange started to clap his hands and laugh. "That is precisely what was planning on doing. Alistair would have never figured it out, neither could Clearwater. She only figured out Alistair's odd behavior. I didn't want to waste any of my energies on a Mudblood witch who's only real ability was healing. I know that each of you exhibit certain talents. Alistair's ability to astral project proved to be difficult to control under the Imperius Curse. Even though he managed to do it under those conditions that part of him I couldn't control came to you in the hospital. He was trying to give you a warning."

"He did in a way," admitted Percy. "But it was Dr. White's help that got me out of the hospital. What a mess it must have been for you to clear up."

"You were able to insure Dr. White's safety, but she's nothing. She's just a mere Muggle. There would have been no way for her to gain access to any resource in our world. No one would believe her in hers."

Percy gave a slight smirk. "I was counting on that." He had to keep Lestrange talking. There had to be some weakness he could probe but then he was able to feel enough of the magical energy in the room. The Killing Curse was a powerful one that discharged large amounts of excess magic in the room. He had to keep him talking and come up with a strategy. He had to get himself and the other person out of the room safely that was why he didn't look at her. He kept himself focused on Lestrange. "You assumed Dr. McCoy's identity almost as soon as I had arrived at the hospital. You probably sent Alistair out to go and look for me. Very few people would know that I knew how to operate in the Muggle world and that I would chose it as a sanctuary to recharge and come back whole."

"Yes," agreed Lestrange. "It is strange how we can find solace in places we least expect to find any in. I found mine in Azkaban. I was able to fight the Dementors by befriending them and allowing them to purify me. You see the more you resist, the more they take."

"I think that your time in Azkaban didn't really do you all that much good," argued Percy, taking a different affliction all together. "I don't think it made you stronger. It drove you mad. Insane. You know that I know about this sort of thing. After all, it was you who drove me there in the first place. Now, you seek to take over the world by being the puppet master behind all of the world powers who are gathering here. But you knew that I was coming, so you expected it. You wanted me to come. I'm between you and what you want. And you won't be able to rest until I'm either with you where you can control me or when I'm dead."

"You have a lot to lose, Weasley," reminded Lestrange. "If you are your father's son, you'll think of them before yourself."

"I am my parents' son," admitted Percy in a whisper. "That means that I can't be anyone else's."

That was Percy's answer to Lestrange's offer. "I am expecting to see something great from you, Weasley. I hope that I'm not going to be disappointed."

"You won't be," whispered Percy harshly. His arms were at his sides, his hand were rolled into fists and the look on his face was impassive. His eyes were ablaze with anger. He summoned everything in him to pull the magic in the air.

Crack!

Crack!

Crack!

It was the sound of the remaining part of the gallery breaking and the podium as well. The chairs also started to tap and shake as the whole room seemed to glow at the moment. Percy continued to walk forward as the walls began to rip apart.

Crush!

Something slammed down hard on the marble floor. The windows shattered as the walls gave way. It was a good thing that Percy had taken the time to put in the talismans. When the dust settled, the wreckage was more than anyone would have imagined.

"ACCIO!" shouted Percy with a flick of his wrist towards where Alistair's body was. Alistair's wand came flying to Percy's opened right hand. "This ends now!" He roared.

"Very impressive," complimented Lestrange. "I would have never suspected such power lay under such a veneer. But, you are forgetting one thing." He used his wand to pull unknown woman to him. It was then that Percy realized that she was in a body bind curse. Lestrange held his wand to her temple. "This is what makes you weak, Weasley. You think you can save everyone, but you can't!"

Percy stopped in mid-step, gripping the wand tightly with his hand. He felt physically tired from the torture and now from what he had just done. He couldn't stop. There was no way he could stop now. "I know you're going to save her. Even if you don't know who she is. Even if you don't know if she's good or evil!" shouted Lestrange.

It was the look of fear in the young woman's face that told Percy that she wasn't a threat to him. People spoke through their eyes and Percy knew how to read them. Not as well as Penny, but he had learned how from her. He communicated to the woman with his eyes.

"If your mission is to save people, Weasley," went on Lestrange," then you have already failed. You couldn't even save the other members of your cell. You won't be able to save her."

"What if I don't want to save her? What if I just want to stop you? That's been my objective all along. To stop you."

"Try it, then," challenged Lestrange.

Arthur's heart nearly stopped when he heard the ear piercing scream earlier. He immediately recognized it. It was Percy. When the screaming had stopped, Arthur was sure that his son was dead. He didn't even have time to say anything as Kingsley urged him to see if he could break down the barrier.

Suddenly, the walls were shaking as well as the ground. It seemed like something was being ripped from the foundation. "I guess they won't be able to meet here tomorrow," shouted Kingsley over the noise as the Aurors and Arthur braced themselves as pieces of wood and cement came flying and colliding with the barrier. When they opened their eyes, Arthur said, "Maybe this barrier isn't up just to keep us out, but to keep whatever's in there inside."

"We still have to get inside," said Kingsley. "What do you think it is?"

"I don't know," answered Arthur. He touched the barrier with his wand. The barrier jolted him back. The shaking had been going on for almost three minutes.

"We need to see what's going on in there," insisted Kingsley. "I'll send a team up to the roof and see if they can get inside through there."

"No," argued Arthur. "For the time being, we're safe. If anyone goes up there, they're not going to going to be able to get inside either way."

"So, what are we supposed to do? Just sit here and wait?"

Arthur could only nod. He looked at the barrier and saw it glimmering in the higher parts, closer to the lights. There was nothing anyone could do, but wait.

Percy closed his eyes and then opened them again. He flicked his wrist to show the wand in his hand. He stepped forward. "I am a member of the Game with gives me jurisdiction. I have the authority to arrest you for your crimes which include and are not limited to the following crimes: usage of the Unforgivable Curses, murder, torture, and kidnapping." His voice sounded oddly calm and serene, yet strong and capable.

"A servant of the Ministry?" scoffed Lestrange. "You truly are your father's son! I made you a good offer, Weasley. It's a pity you won't live long enough to regret it. Crucio"

Nothing happened. Percy kept stepping forward. Lestrange's face contorted as he spat, "That's impossible! You shouldn't be able to stand!"

"Your son died protecting me. Your magic won't work on me. This ends now. Release her."

Lestrange pulled back even further, gripping his captive tightly. "No. I won't let her go." Her body was between him and Percy.

"ACCIO!" roared Percy as he pointed the wand. The captive was hurled to him and he stopped her with his left arm to keep her from knocking him down. Percy gently set her on the ground behind him as Lestrange attempted to escape. "Impedimenta!"

"Protego!" Lestrange sneered and stood his ground. "Looks like me attempting an escape to move on to my backup plan isn't going to satisfy you, boy? You want a duel. I am one of the best duelist in England."

Percy stood in a battle stance that was standard for all magically duels. Of course he had trained in them, Alistair and Penelope were both his dueling partners in mock duels. He had been trained by an excellent teacher. He gestured with two fingers at Lestrange to proceed.

"Expelliarmus" shouted Lestrange.

Percy countered, "Stupfy"

"REDUCTO!"

They were too evenly matched. With Percy, his youth allowed him speed and agility, while Lestrange had experience on his side. The spells hit each other at the same time and seemed to bounce off each other. They also were deflected and flew into different directions. Neither man could hit the other. "One of us isn't going to live here alive, Weasley," threatened Lestrange.

"Then let's get on with it."

Lestrange smiled slightly as he flicked his wrist and his wand began to transform into a rapier. "Why don't we make this more interesting, then?" he asked. It was a spell that very few wizards knew how to cast because most of them were afraid that they couldn't transfigure their wands back to their original forms. It was a foolish thing to do if one was very inexperience. "I'm sure you learned how to do this spell."

Lucky for Percy, he had had practiced with it. He flicked his wrist and Alistair's wand transformed into a rapier. It wasn't the one that Percy always used before, but the one that Alistair would use.

Lestrange had rushed him and Percy had only managed to block it. They pulled apart again and Percy lunged forward with the sword and was blocked. It was fairly obvious that for someone who hated Muggles that Lestrange was fully trained in the art of swordplay. Percy didn't have as much experience.

The captive's eyes were opened watching them duel. She couldn't articulate anything. She knew something else that Percy didn't know. She wanted to shout for him to stay further away from Lestrange, but she couldn't. All she could do was watch.

Percy had managed to cut Lestrange's hand, while Lestrange's blade had come to his cheek. He was already cut and bleeding. It didn't make much of a difference. Their blades were locked again and Lestrange had pulled him close. He flicked his other wrist and stabbed Percy on the side. Pulling out the dagger, it was red with blood.

Percy pulled back his blade and stumbled back. He fell backwards as he fell he tossed his rapier upwards. Lestrange transfigured his wand back to its original form. "As much as I like the bloodiness of a good Muggle duel. I much more prefer the finesse of our way of doing things. Why don't you say something, Weasley? You're going to die this time. You should say something—" Something had stopped Lestrange mid sentence.

"Go to Hell," whispered Percy.

He had purposely threw the sword in the air and used what magic was left in the air to direct it at Lestrange's back as he was bent over Percy. He had barely time to move before Lestrange's body fell into a heap. Percy used his arms to get himself off the floor. He was bleeding, but it wasn't as deep as he first thought. He pried the wand from Lestrange's hand. He struggled over to the woman and saw that she was staring at him. He cast the spell to release her from the full body bind.

He checked her pulse to make sure there was nothing further was wrong. Percy was just about to leave her when she grabbed his wrist. He could feel the warmth from her hand and saw the relief in her eyes, but there was still a mark of fear in them. Gently, he placed his hand on top of hers and she loosened her grip. He looked away from her and towards where Alistair was laying. Immediately, she understood and gave a slight nod. Percy to his feet and pulled off the Auror uniform that he was wearing and draped it over her. After that, she closed her eyes and rested.

Outside the barrier, the Aurors held off the rest of the night's events and managed to keep everyone from knowing what was happening in the courtroom. When the barrier suddenly gave way, the Aurors were surprised. Kingsley gestured his fellow Aurors into position and they entered the hallway. Arthur didn't even wait for an all clear and proceeded after the last Auror. The door had been blasted from its hinges and they walked inside. Nothing could have prepared them for what they were about to see.

The entire courtroom had been destroyed. There were piles and bits of wood everywhere along with shards of broken glass. Cement from the ceiling along with the candleholders littered the floor. Kingsley immediately saw the Auror uniform and ran to it. He pulled it back and his eyes widened. "Tonks," he gasped. He looked up immediately and ordered, "Get a healer in here now! We've got an Auror down!"

"We've got a body here!" shouted another Auror. "Blimey, I think it's Rodolphus Lestrange." Arthur walked over and looked at the body. The Auror continued his observation, "It looks like someone stabbed him with a sword. It looks like it went straight through."

"Evil," murmured Tonks as Kingsley lifted her up in his arms. "He's evil."

"It's all right now. He can't hurt you or anyone else," whispered Kingsley soothingly. He didn't have to ask her what happened. He knew something had gone wrong. "It's over now."

One of the Aurors cast, "Priori Incantatem." The sword reverted into a wand. "It looks like someone cast the spell on the wand to change it into a sword. I've never seen that before." The Auror carefully extracted the wand from the body. It was coated in blood. He then said the incantation again, "Priori Incantatem. Merlin."

Arthur said, "Someone cast two of the Unforgivable Curses along with others." The bright green light was the indication of the Killing Curse. They looked around them. Kingsley was busy, bring Tonks to the stretcher that had arrived with the medical team. After laying her down gently and giving orders to the Healers, Kingsley turned his attention back to the others. Arthur continued, "That means that there could be more bodies laying around here."

"Go and start looking," ordered Kingsley. "I want this whole courtroom quartered off."

"I could have sworn that I heard Percy's voice earlier," whispered Arthur as he looked around. "What happened in here?"

Tonks murmured as the healers secured her, "He was here. He found me." Then, she passed out again.

Thus, the search through the rumble began. They only found Tonks and Lestrange as the only two victims in the courtroom. The wand was taken away as part of evidence in the investigation. The meetings were going to be moved to another section of the Ministry for the following day. However, despite hours of searching there was no sign of Percy.

In the end, Arthur and Kingsley returned 12 Grimmauld Place after seeing Tonks at St. Mungo's just after dawn. The Minister allowed Arthur to be excused from the proceedings. Dumbledore ordered an emergency meeting himself, as soon as he was able to get away from Hogwarts. It was not far off from Christmas and most of the members of the Order were surprised at the news. They had expected an attack launched by Voldemort, but nothing like this.

Kingsley, upon hearing from Tonks about Oliver Wood, went to go and find the Quidditch player. Thus, he missed the meeting. Oddly, one of the key members who was not in attendance for the meeting was Remus Lupin. The full moon was still a week away, but he had owled a message saying that he was ill. Yet Lupin was hardly missed in the meeting. Dumbledore himself preceded over the meeting. Arthur waited until other members left before discussing with Dumbledore and the rest of his family about the possibility of finding Percy.

It was one of those situations where there was nothing left to really do. Things happened quickly after that. Tonks was released from St. Mungo's and met with Oliver who wanted to know what had happened. Everyone wanted to know what had happened to Tonks, but she was reluctant to say anything about it. Somehow, it was kept out of the press, not even the Quibbler could break the story. Over the next few days, things settled down quietly.

Then word came a few days later, a formal death announcement was submitted to the Ministry for their official census count: Alistair Xavier. Other than that there was no more word. Things stood still for a week.

AN: I'm going on the theory that the Imperius Curse is only as strong as the wizard who casts it. And based on the level of what each of the Unforgivable Curses does, it would take a certain amount of power to break it or induce it. And since the Cruciatus Curse would be easier to cast if you force the person to do it under the Imperius Curse, but doing the Killing Curse under those circumstances wouldn't be the same.

I don't really like how this chapter ended, but that's pretty much it. The following chapter will be the last. Also, I just went to go see Star Wars Episode III three weeks after its opening, and I realized that the scene here resembles the duel between Yoda and the Emperor. It's all a coincidence that the fight took place in a court/assembly room. The beta reader can confirm it.

kirikarin. livejournal. com

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. This story belongs to me and cannot be posted anywhere else without my permission.