DISCLAIMER: I only wish I owned this! Anything you may recognize belongs to JK Rowling, and I ain't makin' a dime off of this. Wish I was though, and then maybe I could move out of this spacious cardboard box, lol!
A/N: I'm sorry this chapter took a little longer, but I wanted to get the battle in it right so it took a bit longer than anticipated.
"Phoenixus"
'Mind speech'
"Atlantian"
Chapter 3: Battle of Hogsmeade
"How many people do you have that are willing to fight," Eliz asked as they sat around Albus' office a few weeks later.
"We have 100 Aurors, 300 official Phoenix agents, another 200 unofficial agents, and I would surmise roughly 200 students from fifth year up that would be willing to fight," Albus replied.
"Well, that's better odds than we had in the last war," Harry commented, "Have any of your fighters, other than the Aurors, had any combat training?"
"Unfortunately not," Albus remarked, "We haven't had anyone skilled enough, with enough time, to run a training program."
"We can do that," Eliz said immediately.
"Yeah, if we can train 300 non-battle hardened people to fight I'm sure we can train people who have been in battles and already have some experience," Harry concurred.
"What areas would you train them in," Albus asked.
"First we would teach them basic wandless magic," Eliz supplied, "Then we would move to battle magics, before identifying anyone with Elemental capabilities, if there are any, and train them separately."
"They would be required to go through fitness and endurance training also, because if they can physically last longer than the enemy then they have an advantage," Harry added.
"What type of battle magics would you train the troops in," Albus asked hoping they wouldn't say the Dark Arts.
"Dueling spells and Atlantian battle spells. Don't worry, we won't teach them the Dark Arts," Harry answered.
"It sounds like it could be promising, when do you think we would be able to begin this training," Albus asked with hope that he had not had in a long time that people would make it out of this war alive.
"We could probably start…" Harry began, but before he could finish the sound of an explosion and the rumble of the ground drew their attention towards the window where they saw black smoke rising from Hogsmeade.
"They're attacking Hogsmeade," Albus said unnecessarily.
"Let's go," was all Harry said before he and Eliz bolted from the office with Albus hot on their heels. The trio of warriors ran as fast as their legs would carry them surprising student, teacher, and Auror alike that were around the school. Soon enough the staff members and Aurors were hot on their tails hoping to learn what had happened. They had all heard the explosion, but as yet were unable to determine the location of it as it sounded too loud to come from off of the school grounds. Once all of the fighters cleared the entrance hall doors and saw the trio running towards Hogsmeade they realized exactly what was going on and doubled their efforts to catch up to their wayward leader. Once they all reached the town they were shocked to see what little remained of the Apothecary, it seemed that was the building targeted by the Death Eaters.
"So the mighty Albus Dumbledore has finally come to save the town," they heard Lucius Malfoy drawl. Only Harry and Eliz didn't know the voice out of everyone there.
"Mr. Malfoy, I am not the only one that is here to make sure you get your comeuppance," Albus stated motioning to the fighters behind him who were scouring the scene looking for the rest of the Death Eaters.
"It seems you've got a couple more lackeys that follow your every whim," Lucius sneered.
"I take it you're referring to Harry Potter and his wife," Albus asked smugly, which nearly made Malfoy faint at the sound of that dreaded brats name. Just like everyone else he had heard that the boy had died years ago, and felt the need to say as much.
"Don't be a fool Dumbledore, you know that he died," he yelled, unable to accept the truth.
"Mr. Malfoy is it? I'm not sure where you got that information but I have never been dead," Harry answered.
"It doesn't matter, I doubt you'll have been trained enough to even deflect this…STUPEFY," Lucius replied shooting the stunner straight at Harry before all hell broke loose. To Harry's credit he didn't even blink as the spell raced towards him and only erected a shield at the last moment. All around him duels were beginning, the Death Eaters having come out of their hiding places in hopes of ambushing the Light side.
"Taralae," Harry shouted sending back a long forgotten curse that caused the victim to be stunned for a full week. Only the ancient counter would work on it to awaken the person as well so Harry knew full well that whomever he brought down was staying down. Lucius dodged at the last moment not knowing what to think. Before Harry could fire off another curse Lucius Apparated away to inform his Master about this new development, although had he stuck around another minute he would have seen Harry conjure his Elemental staff. While this was happening Albus had run towards the Apothecary to deal with the few Death Eaters that remained near the remains of the structure so he could see if anyone survived quickly. Eliz on the other hand was at the same place she always was, Harry's side, making sure that nobody got a curse in on him while he dueled this Malfoy person.
"Let's get to it," Harry said once Lucius had disappeared.
"Be careful," she told him.
"You too," was his reply. Together with just their Elemental weapons, Eliz was using arrows and a bow made out of flames that wouldn't hurt her, they began to take on groups of Death Eaters. While Harry jumped straight into the groups, disarming and knocking those down he could prior to stunning them, Eliz was shooting arrows at the remainder of enemies in the groups ensuring that they were too preoccupied with being burned with a fire they couldn't put out by dousing with water. While the Death Eaters were dancing and rolling around trying to put out the flames Eliz stunned each one before dismissing the flames from them so they didn't burn to death.
"CRUCIO," was all she heard before she saw Harry falling to his knees in pain from the curse. The scene in front of her made her stand stock still as the love of her life was being tortured painfully.
"Well, well, another Potter, and here I thought you died seven years after I betrayed your parents to their death," Pettigrew sneered. He had long ago stopped being a sniveling coward after his Master had provided him with more power so he had a normal amount of power for a wizard. What he didn't count on was the effect those words would have, because instead of torturing Harry more it caused him to ignore the pain from the curse as his emerald green eyes snapped open looking at Peter with a fire burning in them so intense anyone who saw them would think he also had control over the Element of fire.
"Avada Kedavra," Peter yelled after he realized the Cruciatus curse wasn't working anymore.
"Servare Vita," Harry screamed sending a blinding white spell to intercept the killing curse thus negating it. Harry didn't wait for Peter to recover from his shock before opening the ground beneath him and closing it when only Peter's head was above ground.
"So you're the reason they died Wormtail," Harry snarled.
"H-h-how do you k-know that name," was all he could think to ask.
"Don't you remember me traitor," Harry asked before answering Peter's question, "You should, I was around in your fifth year, or don't you remember Harold and Eliz Samiz?" At this Peter paled considerably due to the fact he remembered how powerful the two were. He had caught sight of Eliz training Lily in wandless magic more than once and right now he was quite frightened by the enraged man in front of him.
"H-h-Harry, your p-parents wouldn't want you to k-k-k-kill me," Peter stammered.
"Oh, I'm not going to kill you Peter," Harry spat, "Just going to make sure justice is served. Taralae!"
"Harry, are you alright," Eliz asked after Harry had stunned Peter.
"I'll be fine," was his response. She knew better than to try and question him about it right now, but later she would make him talk through this.
"Let's help finish up," she told him, effectively snapping him out of his thoughts as he looked up to see only a few duels left, it seemed that the Order had won. The Death Eaters seemed to come to this same conclusion as they Apparated out of Hogsmeade just after Harry thought that. The only ones left were those stunned, killed, or unable to Apparate due to injuries.
"Bloody hell, It's Peter Pettigrew," a redhead yelled from a short distance away.
"Yes it is. What's the big deal about him? Other than the fact that he's the reason I don't have parents," Harry asked still somewhat angry.
"What are you talking about? He was supposedly killed by Sirius Black after Black betrayed the Potters to You-Know-Who," the redhead responded confused.
"Who on Earth would believe Sirius could ever betray my parents," Harry shot back.
"What are you talking about? And who the bloody hell are you," the redhead asked as his anger rose.
"Harry Potter, and I'm talking about that rat betraying my parents to Voldemort," Harry spat.
"Harry Potter's dead, you can't be him," the redhead answered looking as if he was seriously thinking of committing Harry to St. Mungo's.
"Actually Mr. Weasley," Albus called hearing the argument, "Mr. Potter never died."
"What in the name of Merlin are you on about Professor? I remember hearing about his death when I was a kid," Ron asked.
"All will be explained at tonight's Order meeting," Albus answered cryptically while Harry just shot a glare at Ron. "Now Harry, what's this about Peter Pettigrew betraying your parents?"
"I heard him tell Harry that myself Albus," Eliz responded, "Right after casting the Cruciatus curse on Harry he told him how it was he that betrayed his parents to their deaths. Although I can't say either of us really knows what happened back then," she added as an afterthought.
"I must say, this is quite the development, if this is true then we have an innocent man in Azkaban," Albus replied shocked, "We won't be able to get him out until we've formally questioned Mr. Pettigrew here, but that shouldn't take long."
"After this is cleaned up I would appreciate knowing how my parents died sir," Harry told the aged wizard. Now that his anger had left he was feeling numb, then the numbness turned to guilt, and finally into depression.
"We can discuss that later this afternoon, for now why don't the two of you return to the castle," Albus responded in a sympathetic tone. Harry and Eliz just nodded before they began walking towards the school. The surviving Order members and Aurors that were still there parted for the couple in awe that Harry Potter had returned to save them all.
(Break)
"Master, I bring news," Lucius said as he barged into Voldemort's main chambers.
"What is it Lucius, and it better be good or you will regret it," Voldemort hissed with wand in hand ready to curse Lucius no matter the news.
"Harry Potter is alive," these four words made Voldemort completely forget about cursing his servant as he had the face of disbelief on.
"Explain Lucius," Voldemort demanded.
"He arrived in Hogsmeade with the muggle-loving fool, Dumbledore, at least Dumbledore and the boy said he was Potter. I attempted to stun him but he blocked it, the worst part is I didn't see him use a wand to do it," Lucius rambled. He knew that he was better off telling the whole truth then risking a lie to his Master. "Then he sent back a spell I've never heard of from the palm of his hand."
"This news is greatly disturbing Lucius, why did you not remain and capture him," Voldemort asked dangerously while his wand hand twitched in anticipation of cursing him.
"I thought best to inform you of this," Lucius answered before falling to the ground in pain as he was placed under the Cruciatus curse.
"You thought? You aren't supposed to think Lucius," Voldemort hissed, not raising the spell, "Next time do not fail to bring me Potter or you will not like the consequences."
"Y-yes Master," Lucius panted after the curse was finally removed.
A/N: I know this is a really short chapter for such a long wait, but I wanted the battle to be as good as I could make it, unfortunately it still sucked. I'll keep trying to improve upon the battles though, and come back and rectify this and all the previous ones once the story is finished. I hope ya'll enjoyed the chapter, and I'm sure some of you are happy that I've finally brought another familiar face into the mix.
Review responses:
Raven-warrior05: I'm glad you liked that, I always enjoy seeing Dumbledore struck dumb, lol. I doubt you'll ever read the wedding ceremony as I can't write one to save my life. Hell, I couldn't even write a courthouse wedding, lmao! So don't expect to see the wedding ceremony anytime soon.
Mystec: I don't plan on stopping until the story is done, but figuring out the battle took longer than expected, sorry about that.
Gaul1: Thank you, you'll see those reactions in the next chapter, maybe. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
A-man: Thank you.
Triquetraperson: I hope you enjoyed the scene with Ron, there'll be more of that later, with some other Weasley members. Sorry it took so long!
Ice-Te-1983: Thanks, I'll try to slow it down more. In fact the next couple chapters will probably be slower to fill in more of the plot of the story.
Blackdragonofslytherin: Hope you enjoyed the chappie!
Jbfritz: I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, it was very fun to write, lol.
Kaaera: I have to say I laughed quite hard just writing the chapter. It was one of the more fun chapters I've done in a while. Answer: El-e-z. It is taken from Elizabeth, but I didn't like the pronunciation of E-liz so I just changed how I wanted it pronounced. Sorry about the confusion. Don't feel bad about the short review, I feel bad about this short chapter, lol. Hopefully the next one will be a lot longer to make up for it. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Uten: I'm glad that you enjoyed that scene, it was fun to come up with ways to constantly keep Albus shocked. Harry has accepted his role, it was one of the things Leos talked to him about in Atlantis so he would be ready for it. The wedding will be after Voldie is dead, but you won't be seeing it, nobody will, I can't write weddings at all. Those reactions and more in the next chapter, no worries, lol!
Night-Owl132: Glad you're enjoying it.
TuxedoMac: I have to say I quite agree that I'm doing better review wise on this story, I'd like to think that my writing has gotten better, but it's probably due to the amount of action this story promises to hold, like this chapter. I'm glad you enjoyed Albus' reactions, those were fun, lol. I just hope I got some of the facts about the Magistrate right, not sure though, oh well. Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Vash the unholy: Glad you're enjoying the stories!
Bobboky: I'll make her a little more sarcastic in the later scenes with her, but for now the reason she's like that is because she's just really enjoying her time off and being around mortals she considers as good as her descendants. Nyx is one of the nicest people, unless she's working, then watch out, lol. Hope you're enjoying the story, thanks for pointing out the fact I need to adjust her personality a little!
Makotochi: It was easier to just tell everything than to worry about hiding things, especially since Albus knew that they knew Atlantian already, there really wasn't a point to hiding it. Hope you're enjoying how things are going!