Chapter Twenty-Nine

Then more hexes and spells flew rapidly as Light members suddenly rushed from the shadows, finally visible to the Death Eaters. Draco was partially glad his parents had already fallen but another part wanted to see them hurt. And he got his wish, but not exactly how he wanted.

A roar echoed loudly, piercing the deadly battle. Trapped in the small room, the Death Eaters were not stupid. To cast a Killing Curse could end up against themselves or the two consorts for their Lord, should they try the spell again later. But it was the roar that made them wish the battle was outside of the heavily layered wards, which did not allow apparation, flooing or port keying.

Weak and panting, Osiris was the only one watching a struggling Ron and Millicent, whose wounds spewed forth heavy streams of blood despite the Spirit Mages' help. As well as watched the others fight to defend the missing students.

The three females in charge of the kidnapping and spell suddenly started clawing and tearing at the skin of their throats, mouths gasping for air. Emerald eyes could only watch with satisfaction as they dropped to their knees, blood seeping from torn skin and latching under sharp fingernails. But the Gryffindor heart begged to help his fellow schoolmates and ex-crush, only his weak state and stubbornness kept him from doing so.

Neither girl could figure out why they suddenly couldn't breathe. Ripping at their throats did no good, frightening them with sights of torn pieces of skin and blood beneath their fingernails. Now fully worried, they tore away the heavy robes, hoping against hope that their Muggle clothing could gain air, but a strange warmth trailed its way up gasping throats and into their mouths to become red streams of dark blood being coughed onto the bare floor. Things worsen their emotions as a strange creature burst through the door, mouth foaming.

Osiris lightly whimpered in pain. The constant use of his magic and mind with barely enough rest strained his body and energy. That strain rushed through him in painful waves as he struggled to move, harshly biting his bottom lip to fight the pain and tasting salty blood instead. He needed to move, desired to move, especially with the sight of an arriving ancient creature.

Standing in the doorway, menacingly growling and foaming, an ancient Chimera gazed about with bloodthirsty eyes. Shaking back the dark golden brown strands of a bushy mane, the lion head snarled as the golden fur melted into dirty white of a mountain goat's body. And lashing in agitation from behind was a thick scaly green and black dragon's tail.

Isis grew still upon that sight. She knew that Chimera well, Osiris! He's the guardian! The Great Beast, offspring of Typhon and Echidna! He had eternal sleep guarding lost secrets determined to be lost! He'll kill everyone for every possible traitor until all are dead!

How do we stop him?

I don't know. She-Demon never spoke much of the guardian or Old Cassius except something about love, though I never could understand.

The Chimera immediately dove forward in great haste. He could smell warm blood spilling, taste the waves of fear, and hear the shocked silence as he rushed to the first victim, Blaise Zambini. Lashing out with his powerful tail, a bleeding gash poured diagonally across a bare chest as sharp teeth were bared, ready to strike.

Pushing through the barely gained energy, Osiris prepared to stop a rampaging killer, not caring if he knew how to stop it. Severus could only helplessly watch, at first confused on why no one was moving until he saw the creature. He even tried to call out to Osiris as the Mage dove across the room.

Osiris felt very tired and heavy as he pushed against the magic pouring off the Chimera. But he refused to stop his forward dive, landing atop a dazed Blaise. Covering the boy beneath him completely, Osiris almost screamed as the sharp teeth ripped and tore at his back. Uncaring to his life, Osiris refused to allow anyone he cared for die, willing to give up his life for those who deserved to live.

Turning swiftly, he fought back against he creature, who flayed against his body with teeth, tail, and hooves. As he struggled to fight back the Light members quickly shook off the dazed aura and stunned every Death Eater, binding them tightly.

The Chimera howled as a sharp object tore through its magically encased body, but allowed it to happen without retaliating when its victim's voice whispered, "We found them. She'll have them shortly."

Severus hurried to the fallen Mage's side, pushing the creature aside to free both the Mage and student, "Potter?" He had slipped back into his old ways of talking to Harry Potter, not caring the young man did not always go by that name.

Covered in blood and dripping more, Osiris tried to smile, "I'm fine. Just tired."

"Shh. We need to get you to a medi-witch."

"Not yet. Help me up." Finally standing, though with help, Osiris limped to the altars just as Ron opened his eyes and as the heavy wards suddenly fell. He knew the Chimera broke every ward before taking a last breath to allow the Mages to leave with the traitors.

Albus sent several Aurors back to Hogwarts and the Ministry. They were to arrive with Madame Pomfrey in hand, after checking for the whereabouts of the Mansion since the wards fell.

Lucas hurried to his mate when one of the remaining Aurors asked, "How do we know he's not one of them?"

"Why chain a consort? Blaise has been drugged or spell, you can tell by his eyes. My mate has been drugged as well but is fighting it and gagged with an invisible cloth." Lucas trailed his fingers over the soft cloth as Severus passed Osiris to Albus to check on his Godson and students.

He recognized the signs after peering closely to each student, "Altering imperious potion. Made to create identical clones. Only the clones must be controlled through the host, which is why there's a liquid imperious created."

The Aurors twitched to spell the ex-Death Eater as Lucas yanked the gag aside. Draco smiled inwardly with relief, "He's still fighting it."

"It shouldn't last long. There's an antidote in my private stores at Hogwarts."

Just then small groans returned the attention to the other four students, "Ron!" Arthur Weasley hurried to his son's side.

"Hurts."

Osiris nodded, head pounding as Severus came back to his side. "You have been fighting a spell created to raise the dead. As well as fighting an imperious potion." Osiris began to feel even weaker, suddenly realizing the Great Beast was a very truthful guardian of destruction. Its teeth and dragon scales were embedded withpoison to kill. As the blackness fell over him he called out one last suspicion, one he found while trying to gather strength to help during his helplessness during the fight, Isis, check the Minister. Something's different. It isn't him. With those words he slumped in Severus' arms.

"HARRY!"