Chapter 12: The Dark Mark
A/N: Hullo, my name is Amanda, the namesake for the Amanda in the story, and I've been asked to write a chapter for some reason. I think it may be because the original chapter 12 was mostly a lecture from Molly Weasley about Amanda and Hermione getting knocked up. I'm still mad about that… I don't think they should be shagging at school. Our dear author had to put that in there because he's done that before. Anyway, on with the story, I hope you like it! Oh, and the prophecy from the last chapter was mine too. Ungrateful prat didn't give me any credit…
"She's not the only one, Harry. I'm pregnant too." Those words had both pleased Harry immensely and increased his fear exponentially. Finally, Harry would have a family of his own. The Weasleys were family, but he had always felt like an outsider. The Lupins were family, but they felt more like the aunt and uncle he wished the Dursleys would have been. And the Dursleys… they might have been his actual relatives but he would have been just as happy if he never saw them or heard from them again.
A lot had happened to Harry since he had first heard those words; one of his worst fears had been realized when Molly Weasley and Nymphadora Lupin had arrived at the school, making their way across the Great Hall at dinner time one evening, an event that was followed soon by a trip to the place Harry and Amanda had been taken when they received their phoenix powers and a ban from all Hogsmeade trips. Harry knew that the walls of Hogwarts had ears and if Molly had been allowed to speak her mind in the castle then everyone in Hogwarts and Hogsmeade would know about the pregnancies by the following morning, and the press would know by the same evening. Harry had stopped Mrs. Weasley and Dora, escorting them back out of the Great Hall and up to Gryffindor Tower, where Amanda, Ron, and Hermione soon joined them. Since everyone was eating in the Great Hall, Harry flame Apparated everyone back to the place where his body once lay as dead, covered in burns.
All in all, the lecture they received was mild. They were, after all, consenting adults. Molly worried mostly about the financial problems that Ron and Hermione would face once the baby was born and what would happen to Amanda if Harry died. Harry could tell that Molly had been thinking about the prophecy ever since she heard it when she mentioned his possible death. Dora seemed to be there simply to give Molly support, as she didn't speak unless she was responding to Molly. In the end, both women told the girls that if they needed anything, they only needed to send an owl.
Other than the Hogsmeade ban and the sermon Molly had delivered, there wasn't much to talk about. Ravenclaw had trounced Slytherin in Quidditch, Hufflepuff had beaten Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor had easily toppled Hufflepuff's lead in the Quidditch cup points standings when the lions humiliated the badgers 320 to 30. Classes were harder than ever with N.E.W.T.s little more than a month away, and no seventh year had any time alone to think, which strained many of the relationships between seventh years and younger students. For Harry, Amanda, Ron, and Hermione, however, the reverse was true. It was true that they had little time to spend as two separate couples, or even as four friends, but with each of them in the same boat it was understandable. On top of studying, Harry had offered to help younger students prepare for their Defense exams, thereby gaining a bit more practical study time, rather than simply reading and memorizing spells and wand movements. Amanda had seen the wisdom in this and offered the same for potions. Hermione and Ron soon joined, Ron taking Charms and Hermione covering Transfiguration. As the N.E.W.T.s were testing their cumulative magical knowledge, this helped greatly when they were asked for help on spells, or in Amanda's case potions, they hadn't used since second or third year.
With the exams fast approaching, the staff agreed that the students deserved one final Hogsmeade weekend as a distraction, especially the overworked fifth and seventh years. Harry and Ron hatched plans of their own for romantic outings with the women carrying their children whilst the rest of the school was in Hogsmeade. The first and second years surely wouldn't bother them where they were going to be.
The morning of the Hogsmeade trip dawned pleasantly cool and bright. Harry and Ron woke before the sun had fully appeared above the horizon, something that was extremely rare for either of them unless there was a Quidditch match, and only then if they were playing in the match.
As the sun rose higher and more students awoke no one noticed the pair of young men sneaking about under an invisibility cloak. It wasn't against the rules to be in the halls at dawn on the weekend, but it was highly suspicious, and the place they were going was off limits. As they reached their goal, Harry reached out and tickled the pear in the portrait of a bowl of fruit and stepped back as the said portrait opened to allow them inside.
The invisibility cloak was left on a chair as Harry and Ron sought help from the house elves. A high-pitched voice squealed Harry's name before he was knocked to the floor. Looking up, Harry saw Dobby sitting on his chest.
Amanda yawned as she woke, involuntarily stretching as she did so. Concentrating on Harry she learned that he was awake and slowly returning to Gryffindor Tower. Now where has he been this morning? She asked herself as she got out of bed and dressed. Amanda had discovered that if she concentrated hard enough she could get a mental picture of where Harry was and what he was doing. He, of course, was oblivious to her newfound ability.
Hermione was already awake, judging by the retching sounds coming from the bathroom connected to their dorm. At least my morning sickness has mostly stopped…She walked in to check on Hermione, taking a potion with her. Madam Pomfrey had given the girls a series of potions to lessen the obvious symptoms of pregnancy: mood swings, morning sickness, fatigue, and the like. There was even a series of potions to give them the extra nutrition they would need. Checking the label, Amanda waltzed in and patted Hermione's back. The elder girl had often done the same for her when she was bowing to the porcelain goddess; it was only fair to return the favor.
"Come on, 'Mione, take this potion, it'll make you feel better." Hermione straightened up and forced the potion down her throat.
Hermione moved to the sink to brush her teeth. "I'm going to kill him, Mandy. I swear it." Hermione said, shuddering as she dissolved into tears. Amanda handed her another potion. "What's this?"
"For mood swings, and trust me, you need it lady."
Amanda's cheerfulness was infuriating to Hermione. How dare that blonde bimbo act that way? She had no idea what… Hermione's tears doubled. First I'm plotting the murder of my baby's father, now I'm accusing a pregnant woman of not knowing how a pregnant woman feels? She took the potion and gulped it down. Only two months in and I already want this kid out of me!
The girls soon made their way downstairs after their roommates had began to stir. If there was one thing they didn't need it was the Gossip Queens of Gryffindor to hear them talking about morning sickness and mood swings.
Harry and Ron were playing a game of chess, trying to tune out the younger students who felt the need to make noise at that early hour. The ladies joined them to watch the end of the match. Harry, as always, seemed as though he had been thrown into the ocean wearing full body armor and petrified. Amanda sighed and decided the time was ripe to intervene; whispering instructions into Harry's ear the game was brought to an inconclusive stalemate.
"Bloody hell! Why didn't you tell me you could play?" Ron demanded, staring at her in awe.
"And ruin your track record? You've only lost to Dumbledore and your dad, right? I think that's what Harry told me. I'm afraid that you'd be humiliated if I played you."
Ron looked as though he had been slapped. "Would you care to test that theory? To make things interesting, how about a bet? Fifteen Galleons sound ok?"
Amanda smirked, "Money on the table, Weasley." She placed her wager on the chessboard. Ron followed suit.
"Right, I'll take that." Harry said, taking the money and placing it in a small bag he conjured. He placed the bag on the edge of the table and waited for Ron to make the first move.
Twenty minutes later, Ron was down to a knight, three pawns, and a rook. Amanda still had bishops, a knight, a rook, and four pawns. Ron was in shock. No one had ever done this well against him before, not even Dumbledore. Amanda had first had him in check after only eight moves and he had gone downhill from there.
Five more minutes proved to be Ron's downfall. Amanda had lost a bishop and two pawns, but reclaimed her queen while Ron had lost all but one pawn. Amanda had promised humiliation and delivered. Before checkmate could be called, Amanda had surrounded his king, when her final piece had been moved there was no escape at all.
Amanda sat back and laughed at his horror-struck face. "I'm afraid you owe that defeat to my dear friend Marie. She taught me how to play muggle chess. Her father is a regional tournament champion in the States."
Ron's mouth opened and closed, making nearly inaudible popping sounds, looking like a fish. Amanda laughed again and reached for the bag of Galleons. "Here," she said, tossing the bag to him, "the look on your face is enough payment." The bag of coins landed in his lap with a clink.
Around lunchtime, Harry and Ron disappeared, claiming they needed to get something from the kitchens. Before long, they returned, each holding a picnic basket. Ron summoned his broomstick and asked Hermione if she fancied a trip to the castle's roof. Harry simply asked for a walk around the lake, brandishing his picnic basket at her.
As they reached the lakeshore, Harry stopped and cast a spell on himself. Pointing his wand at his wife, he mumbled the same incantation he used on himself, linked his arm with hers, and walked directly toward the water. Amanda gasped, startled by the fact that she was walking across the water's surface instead of sinking into the lake's depths. Harry led her to a small area on the opposite shore where they could have their picnic.
After eating the food provided by the house elves, Harry stood and offered her his hand. "What's going on?" she asked as he pulled her to her feet. Harry smiled and led her out onto the lake.
"May I have this dance?" he asked, waving his wand, causing music to start playing.
The couple waltzed around the lake surface, drawing the attention of some younger students. For a little while they forgot about the war going on in the wizarding world and concentrated on themselves. For a little while, they were all that existed in the world.
When their D.A. Galleons began to burn, they quickly broke apart, however, and thus ruined their moment. The date on the Galleons was flashing, the time changing to mirror the current time. Ron and Hermione flew down to join them, hovering on Ron's broom over the lake. Their Galleons were doing the same thing, and each of them was as puzzled as the others about it. Since only the four of them, Neville, and Luna could change the date on the coins, they knew something must be happening in Hogsmeade.
Their fears and assumptions were proven correct when screaming students rushed onto the grounds. The problem with this was that Death Eaters were close behind them. Without thinking, Harry placed one hand over Ron and Hermione's clasped hands and his other on Amanda. The four of them, plus Ron's broom, disappeared in a flash of fire and reappeared in the corridor leading to the guest rooms. After giving the password to the room he and Amanda used, Harry begged the girls to stay there.
"And why should we?" Amanda demanded, wanting to fight just as much as Harry. Harry reached out and placed a hand on her abdomen.
"It would only take one spell for the two of you to lose the babies. The Death Eaters wouldn't mess around with jelly-legs jinxes and the like, they wouldn't think twice about killing you for the simple fact that you're out there."
Hermione and Amanda both placed their hands protectively on their bellies, as though the act would keep their babies safe no matter what. After Harry's speech, they willingly agreed to remain safe in the castle.
Harry placed his hand on Ron's shoulder and after a nod from the redhead they disappeared the same way they came in.
The Dark Mark could be seen hovering over Hogsmeade as they appeared outside the castle, the emerald snake twisting out of the skull as if it were a grotesque tongue. The ever-growing number of Death Eaters shot curses at the panicking students. Those who fought back, Harry noticed with a touch of pride, were mostly D.A. members, and they were holding their own against their masked enemies. Looking out across the battlefield, Harry saw familiar faces from the Order fighting alongside the students and teachers. Aurors portkeyed in a dozen at a time, leaving the large items they used for their travel laying on the grounds. Harry felt a twinge in his scar as he spotted a pair of glowing red eyes from the forbidden forest. Tom.
Harry and Ron started their march into the fray only to be stopped by Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle. Malfoy tossed about his usual insults and claimed the Dark Lord's rule would begin in mere hours before Harry twitched his wand. Ron burst into laughter despite the gravity of the situation as a blonde ferret scurried around on the grass at Crabbe's feet. The two brainless oafs tried to catch their "friend", accidentally knocking themselves unconscious as their heads collided with a sickening CRACK. Harry and Ron walked into the battle with huge grins on their faces.
Death Eaters volleyed curses with students, staff, Order members, and Aurors. Harry remained focused on one target and one target only. Voldemort went unnoticed by mostly everyone. After dispatching three Death Eaters, Harry looked back to the Dark Lord's position and saw Dumbledore dueling with him. During their lessons throughout the year, Harry had noticed that the headmaster's age was finally catching up with him. Seeing Dumbledore's slowed reactions and weakened spells filled Harry with the fear that the one person he always thought would be around, the seemingly invincible headmaster of Hogwarts, the man who most people held as the most powerful wizard of modern times, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore wouldn't be around much longer.
Another handful of Death Eaters fell before Harry as he continued his trek to the Dark Lord. The Flame on his chest began to radiate heat as he neared his goal. Walking past them, Harry saw the Lupins fighting back to back, trying their best to take out as many Death Eaters as they could. Harry waved his hand and a flaming orb appeared around them. Their spells penetrated their bubble of fire, but no spells could get to them. Dora waved at Harry as he continued on, deflecting curses as he walked.
Ron had run to Neville and Luna to help them and the other D.A. members. Harry had told him he was going after Voldemort and gave him express orders not to follow or he would be petrified and left on the battlefield. Ron and the D.A. were soon joined by the rest of the Weasley clan, minus Charlie, who was on his way with four dragons and his Dragon Keeper friends. They had been placed on an encampment nearby, waiting on the order to take action when Dumbledore called.
Ron glanced at Dumbledore and Voldemort's ferocious fight, a look of confusion crossing his face as Voldemort snapped his fingers. The confusion gave way to horror as Dementors appeared on the grounds. Dozens of Patroni erupted from wands all across the school grounds, their silvery glow shooting out in every direction. Ron noticed Harry's stag galloping around, goring Dementors left and right with its horns.
A rush of magical energy alongside the forest captured everyone's attention. The Death Eaters cheered triumphantly as Dumbledore's lifeless body hit the ground, as though they had already won the war with that death alone. Harry was the only one who continued moving, though his pace didn't increase. Ron could see sparks erupting around his best friend from Harry's obvious efforts to control his anger. The battle continued when Charlie and his friends swooped down on dragonback, hurling curses at the Death Eaters and Patronus charms at the Dementors from their perches. The fourth dragon to touch down landed by the castle and shot a long stream of fire at a group of Dementors that were moving towards a group of trapped second year students. The students ran as far away as they could, closely chased by the same group of Dementors. As soon as the children passed, the dragon whipped his tail around taking out part of the castle as it collided with the Dementors.
Harry finally stopped as he heard the castle wall begin to collapse. Turning around, he saw the base of the tower where the guest rooms were located falling to the ground. Harry's anger finally got the better of him as the dust settled. It wasn't possible it just wasn't possible… Amanda and Hermione… dead? Wormtail, Angelina, Katie, and Cho were all in their guest rooms. There was no way they could have survived the tower collapsing on them. Harry was blinded by rage as flames erupted all around him. A dozen phoenixes had joined him, responding to the call he didn't know he had made. As they all began singing, Harry collapsed to the ground. His vision, which had turned red a moment before the phoenixes arrived, turned black and he knew no more but the release of the darkness.