Disclaimer: J K Rowling owns the rights and likenesses of all the characters in the Harry Potter series. This story is meant to add to the world she created. Any conflicts are accidental and they yield to her reality (canon).
13. Evil And Justice
January was mostly a blur at Hogwarts. Classes started piling on the work leaving most students working late into the evenings to keep up. Defense had also become more difficult. Harry had begun pairing students off, based on their abilities, to practice the spells and techniques they were learning. Samantha and Sirius were the best in their class so they were always a team. Potions was more of the same. Snape was surly and quick to fail assignments. Samantha was the only Gryffindor to avoid the worst of his abuse simply because she succeeded in class more often than not.
When Samantha wasn't in class or at quidditch practice, which happened three times a week, she was either tutoring her friends or being tutored. February was upon them as was the next quidditch match, Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw.
"Come on, Samantha," Sirius pleaded. "Just concentrate and transfigure your owl into a tea set."
Edrea had a scared look on her face even though it isn't easy to notice on an owl. Samantha had failed the last eight times to complete the spell properly. The ninth wasn't any better.
"Ah, I give up for the night," signed Samantha throwing her arms up. "I just can't concentrate on this right now. We have the match tomorrow and they are a scoring team. I can't take too long getting the snitch or we might give up too many points."
"I am not worried about them or their scoring abilities," said Sirius staring right at Samantha while returning Edrea to normal. "I am worried about you getting this spell down. We are going to build off of it for the next month in class so you have to know it."
"I know Sirius, I know," Samantha said. "Can we work on it after the match tomorrow?"
"I guess so, but you had better get to sleep soon or you won't be much good at that either."
The morning came after Samantha tossed and turned for many hours. She was far from rested as Alex dragged her down for breakfast. The food barely made it off the plate as Samantha continued her ritual of pushing it around until she had to go. The cold frigid air bit into the players as the whistle blew.
"Weasley with the quaffle. Passes to Willows, now Miller, now back to Willows. Shot blocked by Hermanson. Simms with the ball racing to the other end. Passes to Roberts, now to Wheeler. Weasley with a great bludger shot freeing the quaffle. Other Weasley with the ball. Willows, Miller, Willows score! Ten nothing Gryffindor."
Samantha kept flying around the pitch searching for the snitch, as did Warrick Miller of Ravenclaw. The game proceeded with Lily scoring for Gryffindor, but the coordinated Ravenclaw front had managed to sneak three goals past Stevenson with some excellent plays. The need to get the snitch was mounting. Samantha could feel the tension in the Gryffindor stands every time she flew past them. In practice, the team had worked on stopping the run they knew Ravenclaw was capable of building. Only after an unsuccessful attempt on goal did Samantha see a glint on the far side of the field.
She lowered herself to her broom and shot straight for it cutting off her own team in their latest push towards the goal. Miller took notice of her disruption and raced to the same area Samantha was targeting. The crowd took a collective gasp as she pulled up on the Firebolt a mere three feet above the ground. Miller had to tuck and roll to his left to avoid running into Samantha. The last thing she saw was her teammates running to join her before she was carried off the field to ecstatic chants of victory. The afternoon was spent in the common room warming up and celebrating a close victory against the strongest offensive team at Hogwarts.
Samantha spent the evening keeping her deal with Sirius. They worked on Transfiguration after dinner. She had noticed her father had been absent from the meal, and Dumbledore lacked his usual smile at meal times. Samantha had managed to perfect the spell with Sirius's help before they went to bed. A slight nagging in the back of her head was the only distraction Samantha had to falling asleep.
A rush of fear, anger, and despair entered the pleasant image of a grassy field Samantha was dreaming about. A dark cloaked figure hovered above the tall grass and floated down the hill and in its wake only blackness remained. Dread was the only emotion Samantha had in her mind when she awoke with a start. The sun had just begun to rise causing the darkness of night to give way to the warmth of morning. There was no chance of getting back to sleep now so Samantha got dressed and headed down to the common room to avoid waking anyone else.
In the faint light, Samantha could make out a small figure standing in the center of the room adjusting the pillows in a chair.
"Excuse me," Samantha spoke softly. "Can I help you?"
"It is I who should be excused, Miss," said the creature. "Would you be Miss Potter?"
Samantha quickly looked around searching for anyone else who could have heard the creature.
"I am sorry, ma'am, Miss Brooks is it? I am Dobby the house elf of the Great Harry Potter. Harry Potter sent me to find you and ask you to come to his office, Miss."
"Dobby?" Samantha asked stunned that she now had a face to put to the name. "Why couldn't he come for me himself?"
"Sir wished to be discrete and Dobby is more than willing to help Harry Potter in anyway he can. Dobby owes Harry Potter more than he could ever repay."
"I need to get someone to go with me, Dobby," Samantha explained remembering what her father had made her promise him. "I will only be a few minutes."
"Dobby can accompany you, Miss."
"Alright, Dobby. I accept your offer."
Upon hearing this the house elf's ears dropped a little and his face blushed slightly. Samantha walked to her father's office in the company of Dobby. Harry opened the door allowing both individuals to enter. Samantha took a seat in the front of the classroom.
"Thank you Dobby," said Harry. "You have been a great help."
"Thank you, Sir. If there is anything else you need, please ask." Dobby bowed low and disappeared with a snap of his fingers.
"Samantha, I have something to tell you that might scare you, but you can ask me anything you need answered." Samantha stared at her father not really wanting to know the news she was about to hear. "I am sure you felt my dream this morning." Samantha nodded. "I believe that Voldemort's remaining forces have reformed. This hasn't been confirmed, but I usually know more about this then anyone else. I have alerted certain people concerning my beliefs and they are doing everything they can to find out. Do you have any questions?"
Samantha sat in her chair thinking over what this could mean. A group concerned only with evil, which had tried to kill her father more times than one could count, might have organized again. "Are we going into hiding again?"
"No," Harry said surprised by the question. "I do not see how that will help us here and I will not put you through that again."
"Are you going to search for them yourself?"
"I will not seek them out on my own," Harry responded. "If they are found, I will help fight them, but I will not lead the search."
"What am I to do now?" Samantha asked trying to avoid thinking about the worst possible outcomes.
"Right now, do what you have been doing. Stay in groups, never alone. If they are back, we will decide on what to do then. If anything happens, you will be taken care of either way. The Weasleys will care for you if something happens to me."
Samantha broke down on those words. The thought of losing her father was too much for her to handle. She sobbed openly as Harry wrapped her in a protective hug. He let her cry until she couldn't cry anymore.
"I know this is too much right now, but we will take this one step at a time. Do not get ahead of yourself."
The family spent the next hour discussing all possibilities and their affects. Only when voices could be heard outside did Samantha excuse herself to breakfast. She snuck out of Harry's office waiting for the right moment. Harry maintained a safe distance keeping her in sight until she had joined her friends in the Great Hall.
"Where were you?" Alex asked.
"I had some things to take care of this morning," Samantha answered. "I will tell you later."
Her friends waited patiently until late in the night before they asked about her morning absence. The common room was empty except for the four of them and a low fire.
"What is it, Samantha?" Sirius asked.
"My father thinks that the Death Eaters have reformed," Samantha explained. Alex and Mira both flinched at the thought. Sirius could only attempt to hide his feelings about the prospect. "He isn't sure yet, but it seems like it is happening."
"What is happening to stop it?" Asked Alex.
"Does this mean we will have another war?" Cried Mira.
Samantha only shrugged at their questions not having an answer.
"Are you in danger, too?" Asked Sirius.
"Not right now, but there is a chance I could be," Samantha replied grateful that he was concerned her safety. "I don't know any more than that, but we need to be more careful than we have been."
The week leading up to Valentine's Day and the next Hogsmeade visit was stressful. Homework levels had increased again and Snape seemed to have made it his personal mission in life to ruin everyone's week.
"I can't believe he assigned another paper this week," Mira complained. "I still haven't finished the other two and when am I supposed to write this one?"
"I don't know, Mira," said Alex in disgust. "I am in the same boat as you. But I don't want to think about it right now. Has anyone asked you to Hogsmeade yet?"
"No," said Mira. "But that is fine by me. I would much rather go with you guys than deal with someone this week."
"Me too," agreed Alex. "How about you two?"
"Nope," said Sirius finishing his Potions essay.
"I don't have any plans either," Samantha concurred. "Just want to hang out that day then?"
"Sounds good," the three said in unison.
Valentine's Day came and the sky was overcast. The students filed out of the castle after breakfast heading down the hill into town. The older students were in pairs holding hands or stealing kisses on their way. Some shops had been decorated for the holiday, but others seemed to resist the coercion. The Weasleys' store was decidedly against the Valentine celebration. In their window every few minutes, a large red heart would be pummeled by a mountain troll. Many students found the humor in the display while a few sensitive ones didn't.
As noon came around, the group found themselves finishing their butterbeers in the Three Broomsticks. As they left the inn, they decide to head back since all the sappy students were beginning to sicken them. It was the sudden pop of apparating wizards that caught their attention. Only on the first scream did anyone take notice that ten robed figures had descended on the small village.
Since they had brunch, Harry and Hermione were sitting with Dumbledore in his office having early tea. They were discussing the events of the week. Harry and Dumbledore were laughing about how James had been caught getting revenge on Peeves for something he had done to another second year Gryffindor.
"I don't see the humor in him casting a whirlwind charm on one of the ghosts," Hermione complained. "What if one of the students happened to get sucked into it?"
"But Hermione," Harry said between chuckles. "They didn't and Peeves got…"
"Got what Harry?" Said Hermione tersely.
The look of fear and panic on Harry's face caused even Dumbledore some anxiety. The mood in the room changed from happiness to absolute terror. Even though the windows were closed, a bitter chill swept through the office.
"Harry, what is it?" Hermione asked scared of what the answer could be. She remembered what happened when Harry looked like this.
"Samantha. No, not Samantha!" Harry jumped out of his chair sending the teacup flying across the room shattering when it struck the floor. He turned to run for the door drawing his wand. Before he took more than half a dozen steps, he disappeared without a sound.
"Albus," cried Hermione. "What is going on?"
The old man's face was drawn into deep concentration. "The village!" Dumbledore turned to Fawkes perch while pointing Hermione to the fireplace. "Fawkes, go to Hogsmeade now and…" But Dumbledore never finished his sentence because Fawkes was no longer on his perch. "Floo powder to the Three Broomsticks, now!"
Harry appeared across the street from the Three Broomsticks. He saw a few people running past him and students cowering anywhere they could. A few fifth and sixth year Gryffindors were huddled behind a row of barrels and a clutch of Ravenclaws were tucked in a relief beside one of the buildings. Flames could be seen devouring the roof of the post office. Owls were pouring out into the grey sky. A group of four robed figures were advancing up the street towards Harry. Harry turned to face them, but another scene caught his eye stopping his actions instantly.
On the ground no more than a dozen feet in front of him, laid a crumpled body of a student. Behind the student crouched three others, Sirius, Mira, and Alex. Harry lost himself in the thoughts of his baby being injured or worse. Regaining control of his legs, Harry sprinted to his daughter' side. As he knelt beside her, the door of the Three Broomsticks opened and Albus and Hermione emerged.
"Samantha!" Harry screamed grabbing her shoulders turning her so he could see her face. A gash above her left eye was bleeding and she didn't make a sound when moved. "Samantha! Nooooo!" As Harry was grappling with the image of his baby's limp body lying on the ground, a small rumble could be heard. A light silver mist and a low cloud of dust rose from around Harry building in size. The robed figures hastened their advance on Harry, their numbers swelling to seven strong.
Hermione moved toward Harry, but Dumbledore held her back. Sirius was fighting against Alex and Mira trying to rush to Samantha's side and protect her. At this moment the cloud of dust and mist broke from its invisible confine. The silver mist expanded in all directions leaving dust in its wake. Sirius, Mira, and Alex were the first to be overtaken by it. They were knocked to their feet instantly. Dumbledore and Hermione were next and they met the same fate. Windows nearest the epicenter rattled in their sills.
Other students who had sought shelter nearer to the Three Broomsticks were knocked to their feet as well. When the group of Death Eaters was overtaken, the results were far more catastrophic then they were closer to Harry. The group of seven were scattered in all directions. One was sent into the wall of a building, cracking the exterior, and collapsing with only a sickening crunch. Three others were thrown back down the street like rag dolls. The lead member hit the ground with such force that the position he landed in looked similar to a bag of garbage dropped from a fast moving broom. The last two were further away and had time to prepare for the brunt of the spell, but they were still cast aside like small children. Two other Death Eaters lay unconscious a distance down the street. When the wave reached them, they merely tumbled further down the street.
As the wave traveled through the village, a door to a shed that had been left open was obliterated and shards of wood pelted the nearby buildings. Windows exploded sending glass and small debris in all directions away from the wave. Harry settled his baby lightly and rose to his feet. He made for the group of Death Eaters struggling to get to their feet. Hermione helped Dumbledore to his feet in time for them to see Harry hurry down the road. Harry's eyes raged with anger that Hermione hadn't seen for so many years. It seemed as if flames were burned in them.
Fawkes swooped down from overhead landing in front of Samantha as if protecting her from any more attacks. Harry flicked his wand over his head and a solid golden dome appeared over Samantha's lifeless form. The shield was so thick that Samantha and Fawkes looked like they were being viewed through the bottom of a thick glass. Another golden shield, though not as durable, surrounded Sirius, Alex, and Mira.
The first Death Eater to regain his footing was struck across the head by a deep blue spell sent from Harry's outstretched wand. The victim collapsed without a sound being muttered. Two others got to their feet in time to send a stunner and a burst of purple at Harry. With one wave of his wand, the spells were deflected and he returned with a yellow streamer striking both in the chest. One Death Eater seemed to try and disapparate, but only when he found he couldn't did he choose to attack. Harry heard the curse as it was cast. The killing curse shot towards him as Harry tucked into a roll and struck him with a light orange bolt of light dropping him to his knees in pain. The killing curse continued until it struck the golden shield surrounding Samantha. Fawkes spread his wings but did not move otherwise. The shield deflected the errant curse slightly as a deep sound was emitted. The largest bell in all of London couldn't have equaled the noise.
The last Death Eater was the slowest in getting to his feet. The figure turned, wand at the ready, sending the killing curse at Harry. He expected this attack and sidestepped the green flash drawing his wand even with the Death Eaters head. The disarming charm was cast and successfully removed the weapon from the last attacker. Harry flicked his wand again pushing the person up against the wall of another building missing its windows. Upon hitting the structure, the hood fell uncovering the face of Bellatrix Lestrange.
Harry was deluged by more anger and hate. The death of his godfather was first. Sirius's arched back as he flew through the veil in the Department of Mysteries. The lifeless body of his wife lying in a street. The broken image of Percy Weasley when he was found dead. The Longbottoms still in St. Mungo's not recognizing their own son. And the countless others she had killed in the name of evil.
"Bellatrix!" Harry growled.
"Yes, Potter," Bellatrix said hesitating as she fought the pain from Harry's attacks. "Been looking for me long, boy?"
"Nearly two decades, but I finally caught you. You will pay for what you have done."
"Ha," Bellatrix scoffed. "I have heard that before, Potter, but it never seems to happen."
"I assure you this time, you will be held accountable." Harry was barely able to control his anger as he struggled with the thought of killing her. "Getting the group back together I see. You wouldn't be trying to bring Tom back now would you?"
"My lord is dead, Potter," Bellatrix said with a smirk. "Surely you remember killing him don't you?"
"I do remember, but he was always the one who said he could never die."
"Maybe, you should cower in the school a little while longer then," said Bellatrix grasping for breath. "Let more people die while you hide from your past."
"I will not allow you to kill anyone else!" Harry said as if making up his mind.
While Harry was holding Bellatrix against a wall, Fred and George came out of their windowless store. They saw the bodies of Death Eaters strewn around the street. A few buildings had been damaged and the flames of the post office spewed dark smoke into the air. They saw Sirius encased in a golden orb along with his friends. Hermione was rushing to them with her cloak billowing behind her as she ran. Dumbledore was advancing on Harry wearing a very serious look.
Hermione asked the three friends is they were OK, but they were concerned about Samantha who was still not moving. She rushed over to the sphere protecting Samantha. Fawkes had not moved from his position between her and the attackers. Hermione kept a safe distance from the orb not knowing what would happen if she got too close.
As Fred and George looked at Harry, they saw someone they had sworn a painful death to years before. The twins hurried forward to join Harry their wands drawn. "Let us at her, Harry," yelled Fred. "She will die today!"
"We do not require any more revenges to be carried out, gentleman," said Dumbledore as he joined the group. "Do you remember the promise you made to me, Harry? You have succeeded in your quest and now she can be punished for what she has done. Do not continue down that path anymore. You know what lies there."
Harry stood there resisting the urge to kill this hateful woman. She had caused so much pain for so many people. "She needs to die. She has to die. So much suffering because of her. The blood of so many is still wet on her hands."
"I know this, Harry," Dumbledore sighed. "She will pay for her crimes, but you must let it go. Do not become her."
Numerous cracks could be heard around the village, as a force of aurors appeared ready to do battle. The reaction from the newcomers was the same as the students scattered about the village, total surprise. Half of the town bore marks from the battle. Death Eater bodies were everywhere. A moment's shock receded and they began the task of gathering the prisoners and putting out the raging fire. Arthur Weasley was part of the last group to appear. Among him were obviously members of the press.
Arthur could hear Dumbledore talking Harry down as Kingsley and Tonks waited to arrest Bellatrix. "Harry, please let Kingsley and Tonks handle this," Arthur pleaded.
As the number of people increased, Harry began to calm. His anger was still sharp, but it had subsided some. "Fine, I won't kill her, but you owe me," Harry said quickly releasing his bind on her, but shooting a light green jet into her chest causing her to drop to the ground and convulse slightly.
"What was that?" Asked Tonks as she and Kingsley took possession of the defeated witch.
"Think of it as a Dementor in a spell," Harry said as a smile escaped. "She is in her own private hell right now."