Chapter 45 The Siege of Hogwarts Part Two
Hagrid flung his rake around in a low circle, pushing back the ring of werewolves circling him. He caught one across the side of the face, lifting the beast and flinging it some distance away. The monster gave a small whimper, and then was still.
Hagrid panted for breath, sweat dripping down into his eyes and trickling down his neck. His bushy hair was matted to his head, and the muscles in his arms burned with exhaustion.
He could hear the roar of Voldemort's army from his hut. He narrowed his eyes and jabbed at what he thought was the leader of the werewolf pack. The beast jumped out of the way, snarling at him and exposing its sharp teeth in a dangerous challenge. For the first time, Hagrid was happy that Fang was not there – the loyal hound would have answered the beast's challenge, and Hagrid would have been helpless to stop the fight.
One of the monsters dove in on the half-giant's left. Hagrid's rake almost didn't make it in time. The iron tines of the tool dug deep into the fur, ripping long wounds across the werewolf's flank. The beast howled and sprang away.
The shadow moving across his face was all the warning he had. Hagrid turned in time to see the pack leader in midair, jaws extended for his throat. Hagrid knew he would not be able to get the rake up in time.
Three arrows sprouted from the werewolf's side. A clear, ringing horn sounded in the air. The ferocious sound of hooves crested the hill. Firenze, with Draco Malfoy on his back, reared and raised a horn to his lips.
Hagrid smiled, lifting his rake in a sketchy salute. As one, the werewolves surrounding him turned and sprang, tearing for the herd of centaurs. Hagrid threw his head back and let out his own battle roar and sprang after them.
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Harry gripped the smooth wood of the brooms handle and hung on for dear life. Snaking low against the ground, he zoomed left and then right, dodging the snapping jaws of the hellhounds behind him. When the second hound had joined the hunt, he didn't know. What he did know, however, was that they were close, and gaining on him.
Hooking around the middle goal post, Harry pulled skyward, jerking slightly as one of the hounds found purchase in his robe. The material ripped and tore as Harry forced the broom higher. There was a high-pitched yelp behind him, and then another rising howl of anger.
Staying close to the Forbidden Forest, Harry used the branches as a shield against the Cwn Annwn. Weaving through the trees slowed him down, but it also confused the beasts chasing him. A thin branch swiped across his face, blurring his vision. He raised his right hand to his cheek and winced as it came away bloody. He shook his head and wiped his hand on his robe. Bending closer to the handle of the broom, he added a burst of speed, often brushing against the bark of the trees.
He broke out into the open by the edge of the lake. The water was surging wildly, and every so often Harry could see the squid's tentacles break the surface, flail at the sky, and then drop back again. He skirted the edge of the lake, rolling neatly to avoid a strike in his direction, a fierce grin appearing on his face as one of the hounds yelped and fell away behind him.
One down for now, he risked a glance over his shoulder. Only one hound was at his heels now. It probably won't be down for long. Might as well take advantage of this while I can.
He followed the edge of the lake to the far side, away from the school. Passing over the small clearing he had sat in with Hedwig in his first year, he shot away from the grounds as fast as he could.
Full dark had fallen, and with the absence of the moon, it made seeing obstacles in his path difficult. Harry narrowed his eyes and swerved, neatly avoiding a protruding rock formation. He glanced over his shoulder and frowned when he saw no sign of his pursuit. He turned back and swore, but was too late to avoid the tree that had appeared out of the darkness.
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"Millie!" Pansy turned in frantic circles, making strands of her hair stick against the blood running down the side of her face. "Millicent Bulstrode, so help me Merlin if you don't answer me this minute…"
"Pansy!" The bulky girl appeared at her side and caught her arm. The blond squeaked and then threw her arms around the taller girl's neck.
"Where were you?"
"Down the hall." Millie patted the girl's back and looked around. "The side doors aren't being attacked. Just the main gate. I found a door that…"
"Millie!" Neville and Blaise emerged from the crowd. Both of them were bloody, but seemed mostly unharmed.
"Hello Neville." Millicent pulled away from Pansy's hug and gave her a smile. "We need a plan."
"We need to get the children to the dorms." Blaise frowned and glanced around. "Where are they?"
"Blaise!" Sasha's voice rang out over the din. The Slytherins turned in her direction in time to see her and Seamus, along with Sirius herding most of the younger years through the side door.
"Where were you?" Sasha pushed her hair from her eyes.
"We grabbed those we could and pulled them out with us. No one else was helping the younger years." Blaise nodded at the few huddled first years that stared up at them with wide, terrified eyes.
Sirius stepped forward and began to hustle them all towards the dorms. "Let's go." He looked over his shoulder at the Hall. "You'll be safer in the dorms." He looked back again.
Neville exchanged a look with Blaise and reached out to touch the animagus' arm. "Go back, Mr. Black. We can get them to the dorms from here."
The older wizard snapped his head around to look at the children. "Are you sure?" His lips were pressed tightly together. "I –"
"Sirius," Ginny stepped forward. "Father." Shocked blue eyes met her own. "Go. We understand. Be safe." She reached up and hugged him tight, and then pushed him away. "Tell Remus and Bill to be careful!"
Sirius touched her cheek with one hand and gave her a brittle smile. "Brave girl," he said. He blinked and stepped away. "Be safe, Ginny! And don't you dare leave the dorms!" He added, calling over his shoulder.
Pansy laid a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "He'll be fine, Ginny," she said.
Ginny's eyes gleamed. "I know." She swallowed hard. "I know."
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Getting the younger years to the dorms proved tougher than expected. The castle walls were shaking in a steady tempo, and more than one hallway was clogged with toppled statues and suits of armor.
Rounding the long hall to the main set of stairs, the older years stuttered to a stop when then came face to face with Molly Weasley.
"What do you think you are doing?" Molly Weasley's hair was sight to be seen. She had a streak of blood decorating her forehead, and her shirt was ripped at the shoulder. She had her arms full of bandages. She narrowed her eyes at the Slytherin students. "Where are you taking them?"
"To the Slytherin dorms." Blaise took a step forward and placed himself between the children and the Weasley matriarch. "It's the safest place for them if Voldemort's army breaks through the gates."
Molly's eyes narrowed. "The Headmaster and the rest of the Order will never allow that to happen. And the Slytherin dorms are a death trap for the children. You're just making sure none of them can escape."
Neville could see the muscles in Blaise's jaw work silently. "Look, Mrs. Weasley…"
"You will step away from those children this instant! I don't care what you do with the rest of your House, but I won't let you sacrifice ignorant children…"
"Petrifiy!" Neville's spell caught the older woman by surprise. Going stiff as a board, she fell hard against the ground. Her eyes were still open, and she was glaring hotly at the former Gryffindor.
Neville stepped forward, a burning flush spreading over his face. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Weasley, but you're really not helping matters." He ignored Blaise's open-mouthed shock and waved the woman's body into the air. "We'll put her into one of the study rooms and leave her in there. It's the best place for her, really."
Blaise blinked a few times before a grin spread over his face. He touched Neville's cheek with his fingers. "You never cease to surprise me." He dropped his hand and looked over his shoulder. "Alright, you lot. Let's get going."
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Voldemort surveyed his troops with a pleased smile. He narrowed his eyes as his giants worked away at the solid wooden door to the castle. The middle slats were beginning to buckle at the top. He raised his hand and signaled for his Death Eaters to stir their beasts of war into a greater frenzy.
He closed his eyes and tilted his head back. A soft breeze caressed his face. The roar of his army was nearly deafening. The coppery taste of blood was still sharp in his mouth – like a young apple, picked right before the harvest. A smile touched the corners of his lips, dying as swiftly as it arrived.
He opened his eyes and let his head drop back down. He frowned as he scanned his troop movements. The doors were still holding, which vexed him greatly. He turned to his right and reached out for the nearest Death Eater. The man fell to his knees in front of his lord, the dark eyes wide and glittering where they could be seen from behind the pale mask.
The knife slid through the darkening air, parting the skin of the man's throat like silk. Blood sprayed from the sliced artery, soaking Voldemort's robes. He raised the hand that held the knife and licked away the liquid coating the back of it. The body slumped and fell to one side, soaking the ground where the Dark Lord stood. He could feel the Dark Magic race up his spine; the tingling feeling spread through his legs and feet, lodging deep in his abdomen and stirring his lust. It crawled up his stomach and raced down his arms before finally, finally creeping into his mind and taking root.
Voldemort raised his arms, the caked, bone-hilted knife still clutched tight in his hand. Words of power rolled off his tongue, making the very air around him shudder and twist away. His eyes glowed, and his body was wreathed with a dark fog that grew steadily.
True dark had fallen.
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Gwyn ap Nudd knew he was losing. Air was rattling in his chest, and his muscles protested any and all movement. The Spider's anxious clacking had given away to a smug silence. The creature was playing with him now and Gwyn knew it.
He gritted his teeth and forced himself to his feet. He wavered, his vision blurring badly. His sword was held loose at his side – he no longer had the strength to hold it in a defensive position.
He turned his head and spat, wiping his mouth with the back of his free hand. He narrowed his eyes at the Spider and shifted his stance. The creature lowered the front of its body, shooting its hindquarters far into the air. The front two legs bent low while the others curled to pounce.
As the Spider soared through the air, Gwyn knew this was the end. His sword was not going to rise to meet the attack in time. He stumbled backwards, tripping over his own feet in his haste. He fell to the ground and his sword flew from his hand.
A blinding light stepped between him and the falling Spider. Pale, golden hair shone like an early spring sun in the Dark. The white vestments, leather tunic and pants made his eyes water. A rippling blue cloak swirled around the warrior's body.
Gwythr ap Greidawl did not look down to see his rival's body. Instead he swung his shining sword, connecting hard with the Spider's body and sent him flying. The creature rolled away, a piercing shriek coming from its throat. It stood, one leg folded under its rotund body, the end of the appendage hanging useless by a thin strip of skin.
The Summer King tilted his chin up and stared down the enemy. He waited until the creature scuttled back into the Dark, until only the barest glint of its eyes were showing. Then he turned to his rival.
"You still lay in the dirt, Gywn ap Nudd?"
The Winter King snarled at his rival, but the expression was half-hearted at best. "Why do you do this, Gwythr ap Greidawl, lord of the summer? Let me die and Creiddylad is your forever. Our rivalry will be ended, and you will have your Queen the whole year through."
Gwythr knelt down next to him. He reached out and rested a gloved hand on Gwyn's chest. "But Creiddylad does not wish for you to die." His eyes were the deepest blue of a midsummer sky. "She loves us both, brother-rival. And that is enough for me. I will not have her in mourning for the rest of our days."
The Lord of Annwn drew in a long breath. He searched the other god's eyes, but found no shadows lurking in their depths. He gave a short nod and took the hand that was extended. With his rival's help he got to his feet and found his sword.
He faced the shifting shadow of the Spider and raised his sword. "I am not finished with you yet," he said and charged.
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Harry groaned and rolled over onto his back. The broom lay in pieces at his side. Something warm was soaking his shirt at his side. What happened? He drew in a deep breath and immediately began coughing. He winced as his head began to pound; bringing a hand up to his temple, his fingers came away with fresh blood.
"Great," he muttered, pushing himself into a sitting position. "Just bloody great." He staggered to his feet and looked around.
He was on the far side of the lake. He could make out Hogwart's towers in the distance. He scowled at the broken broom at his feet and kicked at it. "This is not good." He shook his head and swallowed back the nausea that was trying to push its way up his throat.
The hair rising call of the Cwn Annwn made him jump. He looked over his shoulder and shivered – the moon was rising over the ridge, the fat body hanging low against the horizon. He turned in a slow circle, pushing away the threatening panic that was trying to crawl up his spine.
"I have to get back to Hogwarts." He pressed his lips together and frowned. "But how?"
The howl came again, making him jump. He cursed and bowed his head. "How…" He froze, his eyes going wide as a thought came to him. He raised his head and looked at the moon. "It might just work."
Concentrating, he held his palms out at his sides and took in a deep breath. Letting it out slowly, he tried to open a door into the Otherworld. The air around him shimmered, but that was all.
There was a crash and a deep snarl echoed across the small clearing. Harry's head snapped up and he looked to where the sound had originated. They were standing on a small rise to his left, their pale bodies trembling and their heads lowered to the ground. Their lips were pulled back and saliva was dripping from their muzzles.
"Oh Merlin," Harry licked his lips, but did not take his eyes off of the hounds. "Help me please." He brought his hands to chest level and held them out. Panic made the adrenalin surge through his body. As the hounds leapt, the air around Harry twisted, the magic distorting space, sucking the wizard through the portal and into the Otherworld.
The hounds landed in the spot Harry had been standing on. Raising their muzzles to the sky they howled – the prey had gotten away.
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The castle was in chaos. Fighting his way back to the Great Hall, he noted that the damage had only gotten worse. Voldemort's Dark creatures had started tearing the bricks from the wall around the windows, throwing them down onto the Order members below. Remus was barely hanging onto what was left of his control. Moody had fallen, and his body was slumped against a far wall, his chin resting on his chest. Sirius knelt next to the body, letting out a relieved sigh when he felt a pulse still beating strong in his neck.
"Sirius!" Severus appeared out of the chaos. His hair was disheveled and a bruise was forming on his cheek. "Where are the children?"
"To the dungeons. I let the older ones take them there. They've got good heads on their shoulders. They'll get to where it's safe." Sirius drew one of Moody's arms over his shoulder. "Help me move him!"
Severus hesitated, but ducked down next to the prone body and helped Sirius get the man on his feet. Together they moved the Auror through a side door and into a hall, where he was taken from them by several female Order members.
"Where's Lucius?" Sirius rubbed a hand across the back of his neck.
"I don't know." Severus started back towards the Hall.
Sirius grabbed his arm. "He hasn't gone…outside, has he?"
The Potions Master tore his arm from the animagus' grip. He sneered. "Would it matter to you what he did?"
"Damn it all, Severus!" Sirius tried to grab him again, but Snape was faster.
Taking the animagus by the shoulders, the Potions Master pushed him against the wall. "We have to hold the castle! Lucius knows what he is doing!" He let the other man go. "Now, help Albus!"
A tremendous crash made them all jump. The two men exchanged a glance, and then were running towards the Hall, not looking back.
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Ginny braced her cane against the floor and leaned her shoulders back against the wall. The ground rocked, nearly spilling them all to the floor. She exchanged a look with Pansy and grimaced. They were running out of time.
Leaving most of the fourth years and below in the dorms, what was left of the upper years of Slytherin secured the door behind them. Neville and Blaise led the way while Millie brought up the rear. Dust was raining down on them from the ceiling, and they saw that more than one side passage had caved in as they passed it.
"Where's all the damage coming from?" Ginny grunted as she stumbled.
"They've got giants." Seamus grabbed her arm, preventing her from falling.
"But how is the dungeon taking damage when…"
"Burrowers," Sasha snapped from the other side of the Gryffindor. "He's called all Dark creatures, and believe me, there're are more that live underground than above." She shook her head and pushed her hair out of her eyes. "The only reason the lower part of Hogwarts hasn't been demolished is because of the Wards that are here. They'll never be able to batter them down, but they'll be able to shake loose any part of the structure that's already weak."
"And we're leaving the children down there?" Ginny came to a sudden halt and glared at the others.
Blaise turned and looked at her. "The Slytherin dorms are nearly impossible to get into. They only way they would be compromised is if Voldemort's army got into the castle itself. Which is what we need to stop!"
Ginny blinked, but nodded and hurried to catch up. Hands reached out to help her along, and she smiled at the fair-haired boy from Slytherin's seventh year. She vaguely recalled a name, but it eluded her at the moment.
As they rounded a corner, the Slytherins ran into what was left of the other Houses. All the upper year students from Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff stood milling around in one of the smaller hallways that lead to the Great Hall. Blaise and Neville stopped short, nearly making the others careen into their backs. Their sudden appearance turned the other students' attention to them. From the back of the crowd, the twins pushed their way to the front. Their eyes went immediately to Ginny, who had wiggled her way next to Neville in an attempt to get a better look of what was going on. Fred and George stared back at her, the surprise leeching away to suspicion and hate.
"What are you doing here?" George tilted his chin up and stared down his nose at them.
Ginny narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to retort, but Neville beat her to it. "None of your damn business, George." The Gryffindors gaped at the Slytherin. "Now, get to your dorms, it's not safe to be out."
"Oh yeah? Then where are you going?" A nameless Ravenclaw shouted at them.
"To fight." Neville pushed past the twins and did not look back. Ginny smirked at her former brothers and hurried to catch up to him. The rest of the Houses watched in silence as the Slytherin students disappeared down the hall.
"To fight?" George glanced at Fred and frowned. "But how?"
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Harry's breath whooshed out of his body as he landed. The fine black sand of the Dark shifted under his fingers. He pushed himself into a sitting position and looked around.
The ever-present fog seemed thicker. The air was cool and then hot in uneven intervals, causing Harry to shiver. He got to his feet and dusted off his clothes, even as he eyed his surroundings.
All right Harry. You've got this far. Now we have to figure out how to move. He sucked in a breath through his teeth and nodded. He squinted at the Dark, and pushed his hands out. The fog receded. Harry's face lit up in a smile, but his elation was soon dashed by the fog's sudden surge back towards him. A thick tendril snapped toward him – the burst of magic hit him hard in the stomach, doubling him over and forcing him breathless.
Alright. That didn't work. He wheezed and small colored dots spread across his vision. Don't do that again. He stood with a wince and kept one hand pressed to his side. He eyed his surroundings and bit his lower lip. He took a deep breath and held it, willing the stray thoughts in his mind to quiet so he could focus.
I have to find a Path. He nodded and let out the breath. He turned in a slow circle, a fierce frown etched deep into the lines of his face. The hair on his arms stood at attention and he resisted the urge to glance over his shoulder. He knew what was there.
He almost missed the pull. The tug was weak, but steady. Harry stopped he turning and took a step forward. The pull grew stronger. He took another step, and then another, until he was limping along in a half-run, with the air in his lungs burning and a sharp pain echoing through his side. But he didn't dare stop. The chase was still on, and he had to get find his way out.
He broke through onto the Path, his arms pin wheeling as his feet lost their purchase. The ground drove the air from his lungs and he lay on his stomach, gasping for breath.
The Path was glowing. Brighter than he had ever seen it, the light made him squint and turn his eyes away. He looked down the road and in the distance he could see a rising arch of gold. He pushed himself to his knees and shaded his eyes with one hand. He could make out no other distinguishing features but the arch as it stood out against the Dark.
A shadow slid over him, making Harry flinch. He flung up an arm and ducked his head. A hand settled onto his shoulder, which drew a yelp from his throat. He looked up.
A tall, fair-haired man stood over him. Dark auburn hair fell across a broad forehead and there were faint laugh lines around his eyes and mouth. Dark brown eyes stared down at Harry.
"You are the boy that Morrigan has been talking about." His voice was deep and caused a shiver to work up Harry's spine. "What are you doing here, child?"
Harry swallowed hard and pushed himself to his feet. "I…I'm a wizard. I go to school at Hogwarts. An evil man is attacking the castle and I have to get back, but I don't know how." He chewed on his lower lip and pressed on. "This man, he has two of the Cwn Annwn. He's set them after me, but I think I gave them the slip. The castle is going to fall if something doesn't happen soon –"
The hand on Harry's shoulder tightened and the open expression on the god's face grew dark. "I see." He turned Harry towards the golden arch. "Through that portal you will find your world. But the hounds are another matter. While you might have lost them in the Dark, they will be able to find you once you step into your world. I have no power over them – only Gwyn ap Nudd can call them off the Hunt once they are set. But here," a strip of hide was pressed into Harry's hand. "Take this." A large hand swept over the boy's hair, ruffling it gently. "It might be useful in the future."
Harry looked up into the god's eyes and tried to moisten his dry mouth. "Thank you…?"
The god smiled. "Lugh." He touched the point between Harry's eyebrows. "Fly fast, child. Be quick." His eyes slid past Harry and his smile dimmed. "Time is growing short."
Harry nodded and tightened his hold on the sling. "Thank you." He stepped away from the god and bowed, then turned and began making his way towards the arch. He did not look back.
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Gwyn ap Nudd ducked as the Spider sent a blow his way. Spinning, he blocked one of the still-intact legs and sliced it in half with his sword. The creature screamed and reared back, giving the god the perfect opportunity. He lunged forward and slid his blade into the soft underbelly just as his brother-rival's sword flashed past his shoulder to imbed in the monster's throat.
Hot, scalding blood sprayed his face, causing him to lose his grip and stumble back. He swiped at his skin, trying to get the acidic blood from his eyes. Steady hands took his face and water was suddenly poured on him. He sputtered but let the hands wash the fluids from his eyes and only grumbled as a rough cloth was pushed across his face.
He blinked rapidly and cursed as his vision proved to be blurry. He rubbed the heels of his palms into his eyes and tried again. The result was a little better.
"Is it dead?" He coughed and turned his head, spitting out a bloody mouthful.
"Yes." The Lord of Summer approached the Spider carefully, prodding it with his dagger a few times to make sure it had no more fight left in it. Turning the stinking body with his foot, he found the neck and slid the dagger home, causing the lower body to shudder, and then go limp. "It is dead."
"Wonderful." Gwyn ap Nudd pulled his sword from its bloody sheath and wiped it with a ruined piece of shirt. He slid it back into its scabbard and then bent to withdraw Gwythr's blade. The pommel pulsed in his grip, but he held onto it with a grimace. Once free of the monster's body, he turned to his rival.
The Lord of Summer looked a little worse for wear. The clean lines of his clothes and hair were mussed and splattered with blood. The long time rivals eyed each other for a long moment, and then Gwyn held out the sword for Gwythr to take.
The brief smile that slid across the other god's face was almost too fast for Gwyn to see. The Summer King grasped his sword and flicked the worst of the gore off of it and wiped it clean on his cloak. He slid the blade home and then looked up at Gwyn.
"What now?" He asked.
Gwyn ap Nudd smiled, but the expression did not reach his eyes. "Would you care to go hunting, brother-rival? I fear two of my hounds have been stolen, and I would very much like to have them back."
Gwythr ap Nudd's eyes widened and he nodded, a slow smile of his own beginning to match the one on his brother's face. "That I would." Together they turned and faced the Dark. The mist shuddered and receded, pulling away until a patch of light began to illuminate the area. A gray arch shimmered into existence, and they stepped through.
End Chapter 45