The battle begins. And this is the start of the end. Enjoy
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Bill and Lupin made their way down the stairs to the third floor, followed by the Order. So far, all they had encountered was a few Death Eaters and nothing more. The floor beneath the Order squeaked ever so slightly with each step they took. Lupin raised his right hand, signalling them to stop. Instantly, the Order members tensed up, wands ready and prepared to fight
Lupin took a step forward. He could see something around the corner, but he wasn't sure what exactly
"Be on your guard, everyone," whispered Bill
Lupin crept close to the wall, trying to peer around the corner. But as he got closer, whatever he could see was moving further away from his wand light. Bill and Charlie began to follow him, as Fred and George began searching for more enhanced candy. Lupin jumped around the corner, but it was gone. He turned to face Bill and Charlie, just as the Acromantula dropped down from the ceiling behind Lupin. Bill and Charlie raised their wands, as Lupin turned around. The Acromantula was on him in a flash
Bill and Charlie began firing hexes, as Lupin was thrown through the air and slammed against the wall. The rest of the Order saw the attack and rushed forward to help, as the Acromantula charged at Charlie
"Look out!" cried Bill
Charlie dived aside, as the Acromantula jumped off the wall and straight at Bill. A hex from Moody knocked it back, but that was about it, as the Acromantula hissed and prepared for another attack. Tonks was by Lupin's side, trying to revive him. The Order began firing hexes at the Acromantula, slowing its attacks, as Fred and George removed their chewed-up candy. Once they had thrown the candy at the giant spider's legs, it began to glue its feet to the ground, pinning it as a helpless, but vicious, creature
"Everyone, at the same time," said Moody
The Order all used a Stunning Spell, knocking the Acromantula out. It sank to the ground unconscious. The Order continued along the walkway, but was confronted by a group of Death Eaters. Tensing up, Bill saw that there were a few Dementors amongst the Death Eaters. Another group of Death Eaters appeared behind the Order
"Hello there, family," said a voice
The Weasley children frowned as Ron removed his mask and hood, grinning madly
"Oh, I'm so gonna castrate him now," whispered Fred
"Can I help?" offered George, pulling out a nasty looking knife
"Thinking up ideas on how to humiliate me, brothers?" asked Ron, "Forget it, soon, you will be the ones humiliated"
"Oh, strong words there, boy," growled Moody
"Shut up, fool, you were outnumbered," snarled Ron
"Outnumbered, but not outclassed," said Bill
"That's what you think"
Ron pointed up to the high ceiling. Several Acromantulas, about the size of a small car, were coming down towards the Order on their silk strings, their pincers clicking menacingly
"I thought you were afraid of spiders," said Charlie
"That was a good joke," whispered Fred, recalling the memory fondly
"Who says I have to be here?" said Ron
He stepped back amongst the Death Eaters, disappearing from sight. a growling noise made Tonks, Lupin, Ginny and Dean look over the balcony to the first floor. A small pack of werewolves were making their way up the stairs. Luckily, it wasn't a full moon, but Ginny could see Fenrir Greyback at the front of the pack
"Well, ladies and gentlemen," said Fred
"It was a pleasure knowing you all," said George
"Fun along the way"
"Thanks for the ride, the thrills"
"The laughs and humiliation we placed upon you"
"And now, this is where the ride, sorry to say, ends"
They threw two candy balls towards the Death Eaters in front. A cloud of dust appeared, as the flor was blasted out from beneath them. Only the Dementors stayed where they were, as the Death Eaters were sent crashing down to the second floor. The Order turned and began their assault
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Snape picked up his wand, as Harry got into a stance. Snape flicked his greasy hair back and raised his wand at Harry
"It was foolish of you to give me my wand back"
"Well, I want to fight you fairly, unlike what you did with Dumbledore"
"Ah I see. Still upset over the old fool's death? What about Sirius'?"
In retaliation, Harry fired a hex, but Snape coolly deflected it
"Haven't you learnt anything at all in the last year or so?"
"Yeah, I have. A lot more than you'll ever know"
A flicker of a smile flashed across Snape's cold face
"Then let's put it to the test, shall we?"
"Expelliarmus!"
Snape countered with a Shield Charm. Harry tried with a Stunning Spell, but was blocked and thrown back against the wall. Snape swung his arms around, loosening up his shoulders, before getting into a stance
"All that torturing has locked up my joints. Maybe killing you might help"
Harry got up, a look of hatred on his face and one that was returned to him. Raising his wand, Harry closed his eyes and went through all the spells he knew, as Snape waited patiently. For at least the next ten seconds
"Avada Kedavra!"
Harry dived aside, as the spell blasted through the wall behind him, letting in some of the moonlight. Rolling to his feet, Harry shot a jinx, which Snape easily deflected
"Surely you can do better than that? I thought you said you learnt something. Show me what you've learnt in the last year, Potter!"
Harry gritted his teeth and straightened. Snape fired a curse, but Harry cast it aside with a jinx, before firing the Leg-Locker Curse. Snape blocked with a Shield Charm, as Harry aimed at the torturing bed and used the Reducing Curse. Thousands of splinters shot at Snape, who had to use the Shield Charm to protect himself. Once the splinters had stopped raining, Snape shot the Killing Curse at Harry again, but he wasn't there
"Over here"
Snape whirled around to see Harry behind him. Quick as a flash, Harry used the Body-Bind Curse, throwing Snape back. He struck the wall and muttered the counter-curse, freeing him. Rising up, Snape dusted himself off, as Harry extended his wand arm
"Carpe Retractum!"
The spell struck Snape full-on in the chest, slamming him against the wall, cracking it. Harry yanked hard on his wand, pulling Snape across the room and smashing him through the wall behind him. Harry lifted the spell and watched as Snape picked himself up in the next room. Jumping through the hole, Harry waited until Snape straightened and turned around
"Play time's over now, Potter. Think you can handle the real deal?"
Harry smiled
"Bring it on"
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