CHAPTER EIGHT--NEW ALLIES
Knock. Knock. "Come in!" Several school professors walked into the headmaster's office to find Albus grinning at them, causing them to warily look back. "Welcome. Glad you could make it."
"Albus, what is this all about?"
"In time, Minerva. In time. Take a seat." Transfiguring some items into comfortable chairs, Albus waited for his staff to sit. From a drawer he pulled out two pieces of parchment. "I received these missives early this morning. Fawkes found the parchments laying on my desk before I woke. After checking them both and deeming them safe, I was quite surprised to read the contents. The first missive states we will have new additions to our staff here at Hogwarts, whom shall arrive sometime tomorrow."
"We already have the werewolf and his mangy mutt. We have no need for more incompetence, Albus." At those words, a large black dog, lying curled in a corner, growled at the Potion Master.
"That's true, Severus. But I seemingly have no choice."
"Let me guess. The incompetent Ministry of Magic has finally taken an unknown interest in Hogwarts." The werewolf, Remus Lupin of Defense Against the Dark Arts, barely contained his flinch at the bitter words. He knew the ministry didn't like having him in the teaching field, but no one else would fillhis position.
"Actually, no. This missive was from a group called The Council." Holding the paper in front of him, Albus quickly re-scanned the contents, "It is this council that has demanded we allow this group to be here among us. They were kind enough to say that two of the members were under the orders of Queen."
Minerva gasped at the name, "Queen!"
Some of her fellow colleagues frowned in confusion, "Yes, Minerva." Turning to the others, "This woman called Queen is said to be a myth. A legend of ultimate power. But I have already decided to allow these new members to join our ranks. I cannot be truly sure of their true alliance. We will be watching them closely." Not allowing any of his staff to make any comments or complaints, Albus quickly hurried onto the other missive, the one that truly worried him, "The second missive I received has hinted that there will be an attack at Hogsmeade tomorrow while half the students are present."
"Are you sure, Albus? Can't we just cancel the trip tonight?" Minerva feared for those who would be in Hogsmeade. The others were shocked at the boldness of the letter.
"I don't know if it is true. I won't cancel the trip because, Minerva, you and Severus will accompany the students as chaperones. Now Severus, you're going because you will know what to look for, should this be true. I will call a few Aurors, tonight, to aide us, should this happen. Remus and his dog, Snuffles," blue eyes twinkled madly at the dog, "will watch the grounds with Hagrid." Ignoring the sudden shivers from most, he continued the plan, "The other professors will keep a close eye on all the students inside the castle. Fawkes will remain here and alert those not near the castle if help is needed."
Reluctantly, every professor nodded their agreement despite their opinions of this so-called plan of attack. Even with the first Hogsmeade trip being tomorrow, Severus was suspicious of this new information and spy, considering his near fatal beating as a spy, the Dark Lord had begun weaning out less trustworthy allies to his cause and killing those who got away. As far as he knew, Severus was the last spy yet to die.
Unknown to the professors, a small team was planning their own form of attack for Hogsmeade. "Voldemort has had enough time trying to take over the world and gloating his suppose victory. It's time to set him back a few steps. By the end of this trap we're setting, I want to see the despicable rat and his right hand follower captured. Have fun with the others who are not part of the inner circle for now." Osiris knew how valuable the supposed rat was to the side of the Light,who were hunting the very samecreature down. He hadn't come back unprepared about any of his enemies.
One of his friends snickered, "Can they be dead?" Five eyes gleamed with hope, bouncing on the ends of their toes.
Mockingly sighing Osiris prepared to ruin their fun, "Preferably yes but I believe the first two captured must be alive. A few will be overjoyed at seeing the rat again. And Voldemort will decidedly be unhappy at the loss of his most powerful supporter."
"There goes that fun!" They all pouted.
"Funny, guys. But listen. Raja and Maya, I want you to stay settled in the forest. When they first attack I need you to keep the dead at your side. I know they love to cause great entrances and they'll love it more with a village full of people they're trying to eradicate. Lucas and Thor, once they all arrive, weave a quick shield over the village. I don't want the enemy leaving too early. Isis, I want you to ask the guides about raising the dead. We'll need something to prove that we are not evil. Well, not on Voldemort's side at least. I'll pull the shadows closer to the enemy and we shall meet there for our attack."
And by morning, a grim Severus Snape and Minerva McGonogall could only watch the excited students dance about the village. While in the shadows six figures waited when several 7th year students dragged another by their hiding place. "Come on, Hermione! I promised Fred and George we would visit their shop!"
"Ronald Weasley! I have better things to do then search a joke shop!"
Hermione Granger struggled to free her boyfriend's grip on her arm as their friends snickered. The red head in question shivered at the use of his full name. "But, Hermione, we've already promised to do that study group thingy from last year! And you promised to visit the shop this year!"
"Yeah, Hermione. Even as Head Girl, I'm sure you need to relax sometime!" Hermione sighed in defeat, "Fine. You win!" She knew they meant well. For the past two years, she had been gaining plenty of detentions, and loss points, with their most hated professor or Filch. She was also spending more time in the library and book shops, as well as tormenting their headmaster and professors for the truth. But she couldn't let things go about her best friend, Harry Potter, and probably never will, not matter the trouble she caused.
Gleefully, and steadily ignoring the irate female, the Gryffindor group dragged an unresisting Hermione into the newest joke shop, one of many by the Weasley twins. In their wake, the shadows slowly breathed, almost sure they would have been seen by the overactive teenagers, if they weren't distracted.
By then Osiris happened glanced about when his eyes fell on a very familiar face, "Whoa!" He couldn't believe how healthy and filled out his old professor appeared, nor did his overactive imagination.
"Osiris?"
He pointed out a darkly robed male. "Stopping his spying status has really paid off." Green eyes stared openly at the glowering Severus Snape. He raked his gaze over the black robed figure in complete rapture and appreciation.
"Stop drooling. He'll still be here later. I'm sure you'll guarantee it."
"Uh, right." Snapping out of his daze, Osiris quickly regained leadership but unable to stop stealing glances. "Everyone, lets get into position. They should be here in moments." As they hurried to their posts, Osiris took one last lingering look at his old professor.
Severus turned quickly at the feeling of being watched, finding no one. Onyx eyes narrowed as he tuned his instincts to his surroundings. He was positive someone had been watching him, watching him intently. That feeling was never wrong nor did he have any reason to distrust it. But his distraction was suddenly interrupted at a fierce explosion.
Osiris waited, tensely, for the attack. He knew it was coming but it was still a surprised when one of the buildings exploded in giant flames. Emerald eyes widened at the sight of one crumbled building as several others threatened to fall. His mind quickly remembered seeing his old friends and housemates entering that very same crumbled building just moments ago. Anger simmered as loud cracks rang through the air.
People began screaming and running at the sight of masked Death Eaters. Wands held out, hexes and curses flew with precision at the running victims. Within the safety of his followers, the feared Dark Lord Voldemort waited for his victory.
But several more loud cracks sounded throughout the village as aurors began to fight back. Albus Dumbledore, flanked by his potion master and transfiguration professor, stood ready to stop his old student, as well as protecting their students. "Tom!"
Red eyes narrowed at the name as a silky hissing tone floated from beneath the hooded robe. "Albus."
"You will cease fighting, Tom. You cannot win."
Confident in his victory, Voldemort refused to stand down. "I shall win, Albus. Your pathetic saviour, Harry Potter, does not care for you. He's no longer here to stand for you. Hasn't for over two years!"
In the shadows, six figures began placing themselves around the enemy. The guides have granted us permission.
We have built the barrier!
Find the rat and right hand! Take them out! Then push them back!
A voice called out from nowhere, distracting the small battle and one Dark Lord, "Tom Marvolo Riddle!"
"Who dares to call that name!"
Black shadowy tendrils swarmed around every Death Eater, alerting the hidden group of each follower's identity. We have found the rat and right hand just behind the snake. Thor wants them. Without speaking Osiris gave a mental nod to the speaker as he concentrated on the shadows. Two sudden streaks of light streaked from the sky, slamming into two bodies. The tendrils swiftly grabbed them, yanking them into the fold of darkness. Then weaved together into a large wall before falling.
Surrounding the Dark Lord and his followers stood six figures, covered from head-to-toe. Everyone could only stare in shock, slightly wondering how they had gotten that close, as one of them spoke. "We dare to speak your name."
Wand raised, Voldemort readied a curse, "Who are you?"
Albus watched the six, wondering the same. "We are Death's Messengers. We have come for Tom Marvolo Riddle. We have come for you."
Red eyes widened. A steady hand gripped the slender wood as he spoke a single curse, "Avada Kedavra!"
Smugly, the enemy watched as the killing curse flew freely. Albus and his team tensed at the sight of a brilliant green light slamming into one of the figures. But to their relief, and dismay of others, a voice giggled, calling out, "That actually tickled. Do it again!" The curse faded to reveal a very alive, breathing, and snickering figure.
Stunned, Voldemort could only stare. No one had ever survived the killing curse other than Harry Potter and himself. Take who you wish now! While they're distracted!
Each of the six swiftly raised a single hand, without a word shimmering beams of colour suddenly exploded forward, slamming into various Death Eaters. Voldemort jerked himself from the stunned trance in time to raise his wand. Osiris!
Green eyes flared with energy as he called out a single curse, "Avi Condoleo!" Drop the barrier! He'll leave with sporadic pain. I've made the link to She-Demon for the moment. She'll end it when she's done playing. Mental snickers and nods were projected, knowing it would be a cold day in hell before the demonic queen tired of her new toy. With a smile Osiris watched, and felt the faint tugging, as Voldemort suddenly fell to the ground in severe pain, screaming and convulsing.
The still standing Death Eaters rushed to their leader's side at the first hint of screaming. Osiris believed he would allow their retreat for now, "Leave, Tom. We are granting you a first chance to leave alive but you might never be free of the curse."
Voldemort jerked harder against the pain spasms as the spell slightly died down. He knew the Cruciatus curse was painful but had never felt this kind of white-hot torment.
Grasping onto one follower, he disappeared, followed by those still standing. But in their wake, they leave at least seven fallen members. "Who do we have?"
Osiris watched with a calm gaze as his team unmasked the few. "We've got a rat!"
Albus jerked in surprise at the word. He could only hope about the one being called a rat. Blue eyes glanced aside to see tensed allies as five voices continued to call out, "I've got a right hand here!"
"We've got two disgusting things. We guess they're people but they could stand a few lost pounds." Severus instinctively knew they were talking about three fathers of his students.
Snickering, the last of the five had yanked three masks aside, "I don't know who but one looks like she's not too happy. The other two are downright mad, also. But this lady sure takes the cake with those eyes, lucky she can't kill with sight only!" Several of the aurors, and Severus, realized one of Voldemort's true followers, The Lestranges, had been captured again.
"I'll hand them over!" Turning to the fallen buildings, "We still have a job to finish." With a flick of his hand, Osiris threw the magically bound Death Eaters at the feet of the aurors before standing with his team.
The distrusting group watched the new enemies of the Dark Lord stand side by side before the wreckage. Swirling, black, shadowy tendrils sprouted freely in intricate dances. The black vines, strengthened with magic, flew forward, wrapping themselves around ruined buildings. Bit by bit, fallen debris floated into place. Before the eyes of the viewers, the small village began to rebuild itself.
Stepping aside, Osiris concentrated of drawing the shadows back into their places, as he left the women to finish. Beneath their friend's watchful eyes, the three women connected hands and began directing a growing beam of light into the newly fixed buildings. With each strange word they muttered, the light began to grow.
"What are they doing?"
Osiris slowly backed his way to Albus and team, green eyes trying to keep from staring at the glaring Potion Master. "I would advise you all to shield your eyes now," he covered his own first.
Reluctantly, Albus followed the soft order, causing others to do the same. Just in time eyes were shielded from a blinding flash, though the ears suffered a thunderous clap. Wincing, the headmaster drew up his height, "What have you done?"
Minerva gasped loudly, "Albus!" All eyes were pinned on the streaming activity of the fallen victims flowing from the renewed buildings. When the explosion had sounded, both Severus and Minerva felt guilty at not being able to save most of the students. But now, they watched in joy and relief as their fallen charges sprang forward with shocked faces, living again.
Osiris turned his attention to the shocked team and bowed, "We shall meet again, Headmaster Dumbledore." He knew they wouldn't trust them nor would they want this new group to suddenly disappear.
How right he was when wands were raised in their direction. But before a single command or spell could be said, Osiris flourished a blinding wall of pure blackness to spring forward. Now blinded, the aurors and professors could hear but not pinpoint the flurry of feet as the small group fled the village.
Albus swished his wand with an aura of power, "FINITE!" But the blinding spell remained nor would 'LUMOS' work either.
Once in safety, Osiris spoke a single word to end their suffering, "Desino."