Disclaimer: I own no part of Harry Potter or its associated canon nor, any other already copyrighted material.

(A/N): I've been trying to get this posted since Wednesday but has been having..."issues." The upshot for you, my faithful readers, is that the next chapter will be up within 24 hours. Also: As asked, the battle from this point is 4-5 chapters including this one.

Chapter 33

Bloody Training

The first sign something was coming was a large flock of birds that sprang from the tree tops deep in the forest. Everyone jumped a little at the screech and the rush of wings. Harry's eyes traced their movements as they whirled over their recently vacated perches for a moment before banking west and disappearing into the sun. Turning back, they waited. Only a few moments later the treetops the birds had just left began to shake. At first only a slight vibration, whole groups began to shake wildly and a few disappeared, crashing to the ground with a dull thud.

Harry set his broom a few feet behind him and left the Firebolt to hover, awaiting its master. As he turned back he caught Hermione's eye and held it for a moment. He could see there the same anxiety that resonated dully in the back of his mind. Holding the look for a moment longer, he mouthed, 'you ready?' to her. She nodded slowly and he finished turning. Sarah and Matt now stood ahead of the a dozen feet and a little way down the hill, also surveying the field and talking to each other. Glancing over to Ron he could see his friend's eyes rapidly sweeping back and forth across the field and the tree line, his hands moving infinitesimally in response to the thoughts running through his mind. Harry dug into his pocket and pulled out two objects.

"Ron…here." He held out his hand and offered the silver feather and the bronze book Ron turned suddenly, broken from his train of thought and looked down at the objects. He glanced back up at Harry before accepting them. "You'll know best when to use them. Just tap them with your wand."

"Will do." Ron tucked them carefully in a pocket as Harry returned his gaze to the field. It felt oddly comfortable the way his left hand found its way to rest on the hilt of his sword. He could feel the now dingy white cord through the tips of his fingers and lightly traced the perfectly molded wrap with one. "Did you hear from Fred and George?" Harry nodded slowly.

"Yeah. Everyone's ready. You know the signal."

"Good." Hermione looked back and forth between them, not sure what they were talking about.

"Aren't the twins going to arrive with the Order?" Harry and Ron glanced at each other, both looking a little sheepish. Harry's cocked eyebrow was questioning Ron as Ron's shrug and cockeyed grin answered. "What's going on?" Harry turned back to her, trying to figure out how to explain.

"Uh…not exactly." At her concerned and questioning glance, he explained. "They've…been on a secret mission since they closed down shop. For me. I sent them out to find some help."

"What sort of 'help'?"

"Well…you'll just have to wait and see…" He half smiled as he trailed off. Before she could pry for more information, Ron's arm shot out, pointing toward the tree line.

"There." Following his finger, they found what he had seen. All along the edge of the Dark Forest, human figures were emerging. A moment later a few of the closest trees were knocked aside as the towering form of giants appeared among them. The Inferi moved at a jog, just keeping up with the long strides of their massive cohorts. Harry could feel the tension mounting in his body echoed in those standing near him. Unlike every other fight they had been in, which had all been rushed attacks when they were taken by surprise, this was slow and methodical…waiting.

His eyes could pick out, even at this distance, the empty gaze of the animated corpses as they loped jerkily toward the front line of Aurors. There were more than just the five hundred he had read about. Maybe as many as eight hundred came to a slow halt roughly two hundred meters in front of them. Unlike the Inferi, the giants had not arrived unarmed. Most carried clubs the size of small trees and one, whom Harry suspected was their leader Golgomath, had a massive axe resting on his shoulder. They had also adorned their bodies with bits of hide and hundreds of symbols he strongly suspected were drawn in blood, possibly their own. They too slowed to a halt and waited, their eyes panning over the meager force that had arisen to stop them.

For a moment Harry wondered why they had stopped. Now that they were clear of the forest, he thought they would charge with everything they had. He glanced to Ron who was also staring at the stopped mass with surprise. Looking back, his eyes panned up and found a third, much smaller group, emerging from the trees. He counted them quickly and came up with thirty four people, men and women, dressed in black robes and striding behind the mass. They were stretched out in a line as the Aurors were, walking slowly closer to the giants. A few of the beasts glanced back as they waited and looked to the new arrivals. Harry tried to make out their faces as they approached. He only recognized one and his eyes widened instantly as he did so.

"Fenrir." His head whipped to the side to find Remus Lupin just arrived and standing next to a surprised Hermione. The man slowly drew his wand as his eyes panned over to Harry. "They're all my brethren…and Greyback is leading them." His eyes moved back to the new arrivals. It took Harry a moment to break from his surprise.

"Remus! What are you doing here? The moon's going to rise soon!" The ex-professor nodded slowly.

"I know. So do they. I may not be able to use my wand for long…but I can't stand aside for even a second while I can. Besides…" he reached into his coat and pulled out a phial. It was full of a think substance Harry instantly recognized as Wolfsbane. "Hermione's potion has proved itself very well made." Popping the cap, he drained the tube and tossed it to the ground. "That will let me keep my mind so I can fight…in the moonlight." Harry nodded slowly, understanding just how far Remus was willing to go not to miss this battle. "It's beginning."

Harry turned back to the mass and found a bright flash go off over the giants. Taking this as their release, every one of the hulking warriors raised their weapons and let out a deafening roar that swept across the field in a maelstrom of ferocity and rage. In direct contrast, the Inferi were deathly silent as they loped forward for a few steps and then broke into a run, a silent murderous wave rolling toward them. The giants roared once again and also started toward them, moving at a slower jog to stay behind them. Even further behind, the werewolves walked, almost lazily, behind their charges.

"Ron…do it." Ron nodded sharply and drew his wand, pointing it to the sky. A moment later a massive animal built of embers roared forth and ran straight into the heavens. Fading as it went, the lion managed several hundred feet before fading out. Seeing this, Firenze raised his crossbow and launched the first bolt in a long arc. Tearing through the air, it let out a high whistle as it fell lazily and hit a giant square in the eye. Though the creature stumbled, he continued on with a renewed scream of rage. Hermione watched all of this as stunned as Remus.

"What was that!" Harry turned away and looked to the sky as he spoke.

"A call for help." A moment later the battle truly began as the first aid to the small defense force arrived from both sides.

His eyes trailed over the Black Lake and Hermione could suddenly see several large white objects skimming the surface. As they neared and rose from the water, she gasped in recognition. "Are those…?" He nodded silently in confirmation. From the water a dozen shapes took form, each a winged palomino and each massive in size. As they neared everyone could see they drew no carriage this time, instead bearing their passengers directly. On most two students, apparently both current and former, soared through the sky, wheeling around with perfect precision to charge at the giants. Madam Maxine rode alone on the lead horse and Harry's seeker eyes could just make out a red haired wizard on a broom stick leading the charge. Hermione stared at the wizard, stunned.

"Is that…Fred?"

"George actually," Ron provided, only meeting her eyes for a second.

"Fire!" Everyone's attention was again drawn the other way as Hagrid's voice boomed from the far tree line. In response a flight of crossbow bolts took to the sky, arcing toward the giants from dozens of centaurs that had decided they could not stand aside. It was by no means all of them, but some must have seen doom in the stars should they not fight. Hagrid had his pink umbrella pointed somewhat heroically toward the giants and a look of focus Harry had never before seen. This wasn't the usual Hagrid they were use to. This was a Hagrid ready to do whatever it took to protect his home. As the arrow flew, Witherwings burst from the trees and charged at the giants as well.

For a split second as Harry tightly gripped the sword and drew it from its scabbard, everything slowed to nearly a stop. The two flights of arrows almost froze in their movement, the first just arching down as the second rose from the forest. The centaurs were alternating their fire to keep up a steady stream of bolts. He could see every feather on the palomino's wings as they flapped and the first dove toward their targets, their dinner plate sized hooves, shod in steel, more deadly than a spear as they cut through the air. Madam Maxine mirrored Hagrid's focus and the power of his gaze. Ron and Hermione drew their wands as did Sarah and Matt, all holding ready their greatest weapons.

The Inferi continued to thunder forward, their steps vibrating the earth beneath his feet in a weak imitation of their oversized fellows. Despite the screaming faces of the giants, Harry could hear only the slick sound of steel on steel as he drew the blade, its back lightly touching the scabbard edge. As he raised the sword to point as the corpses, he could feel it pulsing, beating in counter time to his heart. His eyes took in all of the Aurors, students and staff awaiting the Inferi as they closed to a hundred meters. They were scared and a few had taken half a step back. Silently he willed them to hold, not to run, to fight for their school. He could feel the sword warming in his grasp and a moment, or whatever passed for a moment in this slowed down world, later, feet steadied, arms locked out straighter and eyes focused.

Tapping his throat with his free hand, he cast a silent sonorous charm to magnify his voice. Despite what must be a deafening din of noise, he could only hear himself as he issued commands to the few souls that stood between Hogwarts…the world really…and destruction. "Ready…" Wands raised and chose their spots, just as Ginny had instructed them. "Aim…" He could almost feel them readying their spells, all of their will being pushed into it. For a moment, the world did freeze and Harry took his final breath.

"FIRE!" Immediately the world came back up to speed…and all hell broke loose.

Palominos crashed into their targets, many deftly avoiding the clubs and other weapons swung too slowly by the giants at the sudden threat. A couple of them died on their feet and crumpled to the ground, crushing a few Inferi as well. Others were just injured and quickly rose to their feet, swinging wildly at the horses flying about them. A few had managed to dodge, but their charge was also halted as they ran into clouds of darkness powder George was launching from his broom.

On the other side Giants turned into pincushions as arrows rained down on them. Though individually little threat, the massed fire dropped two and stopped the advance of the others. Much of that flank had now turned and was looking to engage the centaurs instead of continuing to the students. Golgomath noticed and tried to get the closest of them to turn back. Unfortunately for him, he chose his axe as the tool of persuasion and took his follower's head clean off. This did force a couple others into following him, but several others had raised the scream of war and run off toward the centaurs. They were retreating back into the woods while firing, drawing the giants further from the school.

Directly in front of him, everyone had cut loose with the most powerful fire spell they could use at his command and the front of the Inferi mass had exploded in flames. Harry could just see the rest of them, through the licks of yellow and red, hesitating. As the flames died down though, they continued on, pushed by the will of their masters. "Fire!" A second volley tore into the front of the mass and again created a pile of destroyed bodies. The flashes of flame stood out sharply to the coming twilight. The wind reversed for a moment and they just caught a wisp of the burnt flesh. Harry was surprised so few looked like they would vomit. "Fire at will!"

Still the lifeless bodies marched on, driven by the will of their creators. At least eight giants were also crossing the first line of flames, still racing toward the students. A second later Grawp appeared from nowhere and crashed into one of them, also bearing a tree sized club. Swinging it around he leveled a second. His small stature let him dodge around the others as he fought with a power only hinted at in Hagrid's eyes. Golgomath now had no choice but to turn back as a true threat lay to his rear. For the moment, the giants were occupied. Harry could just see through the chaos that the werewolves, temporarily stunned by the counter assault, were now moving toward the group much faster. If they got within range before the Inferi had been dealt with…

"Fancy a suicide mission?" His eyes refocused closer to find Keystone standing just in front of him, sword drawn, also staring at the black cloaked humans. He silently returned his voice to normal as the professor continued. "You see it don't you? They have to be stopped, or at least delayed."

"Yeah…I do. But even the two of us…"

"Three." They both turned to Remus, who was glancing back to the Firebolt. "You think you can carry both of us Harry?"

"Yeah. We'll make it work." Ron and Hermione had both moved closer, clearly concerned about what he was planning. She raised her hand to object. "Don't. We have to do this. You two are in charge…follow Ron's lead. I'll be back." Sheathing his sword, he turned and jumped on the Firebolt, hovering over to Lupin and Keystone, both with hands extended.

"Harry…" He turned to find her staring at him, concern evident in her eyes. He knew she wanted to say something and waited, knowing that if it all went wrong; she'd never have another chance. "Come back."

"I will. You two be careful. Ron, summon my broom after I hop off. I won't need it out there." They both nodded as he rose a little and took one of the offered hands in each of his. The results of his training were evident as the broom rose and he held both of them aloft with little more effort than he had carried Keystone on Halloween. His Firebolt seemed able to bear the strain, if only just barely. Not wanting to push it longer than he had to, he steered with his knees and aimed for the far side of the mass of Inferi. The broom bucked a little as he adjusted to the load and began their flight.

Keystone and Lupin both hung on for dear life though both were relatively motionless as he shot over the cheering fighters and the silent Inferi. "Mr. Potter?" He glanced down to the Professor, stealing a quick look before turning back to weaving through the giants doing battle with Grawp. "Have you decided if you can kill to survive?" Harry was temporarily stunned by the question and a slash of Keystone's sword was required to keep a giant off them. "You'll regret it and you'll feel guilt. You're to good a person not to." Clearing the fighting he dropped them a few feet to the ground before jumping off himself and rolling to his feet. A second later the broom shot back over the Inferi, summoned just as he had asked Ron to do. "But in the end, you either accept the pain and kill a few of them…or don't and know everyone you care about will die horribly." Harry rose to his feet between the two as the line of Death Eater wolves closed on them, hoping Lupin would contradict this somehow. Instead, he was nodding in agreement. "That what being a hero really is. Bearing the pain of what you had to do so others can live without it. Fortunately you have friends that can help you deal with it. Either way…time to decide." He drew his sword in one hand and wand in the other. "Time's up."

Harry drew breath. Here it was, the decision he had put off far too long. He had thought he had killed Ginny's attackers when he rescued her, but had also felt relief on finding he hadn't. He had always been afraid of what he would be when he crossed that line. But for a moment he thought he had and he had still been the same…still loved Ginny, was still loved by her. Neville hadn't looked at him any differently… Despite setting out to kill Voldemort, he hadn't yet made the decision on his followers. It wasn't as personal with them and he didn't have the motive for personal revenge that he did with Tom. Keystone's words ran through his mind as did Lupin's nodded agreement. What would his parents think? What would…Ginny say? He wished he had Dumbledore there, if only for a moment, to advise him. He realized with a start that the dead professor already had, years ago. 'We will all have to choose between what is right…and what is easy.'

Letting go of the breath, he drew his wand and sword. Focus steeled itself in his eyes and began taking the rhythmic breaths that Keystone had taught him. A calm settled over him and he waited for the assault. He could just hear Keystone's words at his side, equal parts pride and relief. "Good choice. You've nothing more to learn from me. Fight with your heart and you will be more powerful than I could ever hope to be. Not even Voldemort will be able to stand against you. Until this is over…" Harry could hear his knuckles crack as he tightened his grips on his weapons. Lupin nodded slowly.

"You'll do fine Harry. Your parents will be proud."

"Thanks." There was no more time for talk as the Death Eaters reached dueling range. Just as they all lifted their wand to launch the first spells, every one of them froze. Lupin too stopped and swallowed hard. His eyes traced to the east and Harry instantly saw why. With the last bits of sun fading over the horizon, the full moon was rising. Taking advantage of the distraction, Keystone tapped Harry's shoulder with his wand and charged silently ahead. His first target only had time to blink before the sword fell, closing his eyes forever. Harry's sword followed a moment later, striking soundly and cutting down another surprised Eater. The blade never wavered, his decision had been made and there was no turning back. He dodged the spurt of blood that burst from the man's chest as the steel slashed through his ribs.

It took only a second for the rest to recover and soon the battle was on. Having closed the distance, Harry, Keystone and a moment later Lupin, dodged around the others, never allowing them a clear shot at any of them. It didn't stop many from trying though and some fell to badly aimed Killing Curses from their brethren. It was a panic and they moved around desperately while the trio moved methodically, practiced skills guiding their movements without thinking. Clearly they hadn't been planning on fighting in these close quarters. That short range which was so dangerous to them though, was about to become an asset.

Harry could see the sudden extension of the jaws and stiff hair starting to grow. A glance told him the moon had cleared the horizon and now shone clearly down on them. "Harry! Take this!" Lupin thrust his wand into Harry's hand, his fingers already beginning to elongate. Harry nodded in acceptance and sheathed his wand up his sleeve before tucking Lupin's in his robe. The man stepped back as he began to undergo the transformation. Following Keystone's silent lead, he jumped out of the thrashing beings and took several steps back. He noticed the professor also sheath his wand and grip his sword tightly with both hands.

Harry mimicked the move and both turned to present their sides to the pack and hold their swords at head level, pointing straight out along their vision at eye height. It only took moments for the moon to work its terrible magic and strip nearly all the humanity from the beings before them. When it had finished its job, the werewolves all turned to the pair of them, standing defiantly before their wrath. The giants still raged at their backs and more Inferi were being destroyed, but still they got closer to the students. Harry couldn't worry about that now though, Ron would have to deal with it. He had wolves to take on. Many had fallen, never to rise and a few were limping away, but the majority now circled them, naked ferocity plain in their growls.

As they charged, blades flashed. Some yipped, wounded, others fell. Lupin had apparently held onto his mind and was engaged in a furious battle with Fenrir outside their circle of wolves. Now back to back, they moved methodically. He could hear more screams than just the wolves they were desperately trying to cut down while avoiding their lunges. Giants roared and shook the ground as they fell, a low rumble of anguish and pain. The palominos whimpered and their riders screamed…not every giant club swing had missed. Somewhere over the din he could just make out Ron's voice, shouting orders. The sounds of battle met his ears from all sides, trying to disrupt the concentration he had to maintain in his fight. More than once they were forced to dodge by the thinnest of margins to avoid the cursed jaws of these fighters, but soon, the few survivors were struggling to crawl away.

Harry's robe was already torn in multiple places and he felt a slight twinge in his calf where a dying wolf had run into him. His left arm guard was slashed where a pair of claws had gotten past his defenses though only the small trickle of blood dripped from any wound. The guards had done a job they were never really designed for and done it well. His forearm would be bloody ribbons now otherwise. Finally able to look around, he found Lupin, a massive wound in his leg, standing over the still form of Fenrir. No more children would fall to his jaws to live the cursed existence he had. Harry only had a moment to breathe though before Keystone raised his hand and pointed back to the rest of the battle.

"The lines are breaking!" Harry's head whipped to follow the extended sword and he searched the lines of Aurors and students. The flanks still held firm but the center was beginning to retreat at the same steady step the Inferi were now advancing. If they broke…the flanks would be overrun. Keystone's blade moved back to trail from his hip. Harry's dropped to trail behind him and he took a few tentative steps forward. He knew what needed to be done. Through fate or luck they were in the perfect place to do it.

"Let's go!" He dashed off at a dead run, Keystone keeping pace to his right and Lupin's wounded form to his left. They closed the distance to the back of the marching mass in seconds, raising swords and fangs to attack. As they crossed the last few meters they had to step carefully to avoid the burned and twisted forms of Inferi that had already been brought down by the onslaught ahead. The stench of those bodies hit him fully now and he had to fight not to lose what was left of his lunch. A couple giants had reached the front as well and were scattering students and Aurors with every swing of their clubs, the witches and wizards desperately dodging and attacking to survive. A club shook the ground and Harry was sure he heard the momentary scream before at least one person failed to move in time.

Directly ahead he could see Ginny and her squad falling slowly back, her, Dean and Seamus launching an avalanche of fire spells as they did so. Seamus's penchant for blowing things up had finally come in useful as his spells were causing swaths of the mass to explode. Harry caught the glimpse of her red mane through the legs of Golgomath who was raising his axe strike again. Between them and the giant stood a dozen Inferi, still oblivious to their presence. "Ankles!" Harry said as loudly as he dared while pointing to the giant with his free hand. The professor nodded the slightest bit in agreement. To his side, Lupin began to break away and he could tell the wolf was headed for a head of bubble gum pink hair holding off undead right in front of her. The werewolf sprang from the ground, leaping from body to body and taking a chunk out of a giant before landing beside her to fight.

Taking the final running step, the swordsmen spun and cut down the first pale bodies. When Harry's blade struck home, no blood spurted out as there was no heart to drive it. Instead thick dark red ooze leached from the wound as the Inferi crumpled to the ground. When Keystone's blade struck the enchantments placed on it caused the flash of a broken spell and the suddenly uncursed being simply crumpled to the ground with barely a scratch.

No longer needing killing hits to destroy his enemies, the professor's blade moved twice as fast as Harry's, dropping one of the unholy creations with every swing. Harry still had to methodically work his way through them to reach his goal. Keystone wove back and forth so he arrived at the giant's legs at the same time as Harry. As one they struck at the back of the beast's legs, their blades slick with both dead and dying blood sliding easily through the tough skin and severing Golgomath's Achilles tendon. The giant let out a cry of surprise as his legs suddenly refused to support him. Falling back with a cry, his arms flailed as he crashed to the ground, causing a tremor as he landed flat on his back. A moment later his screams of outrage were silenced as his flailing arms buried the axe deeply in his own forehead.

The crashing giant tripped up several of the closer Inferi and they were able to dispatch them easily. Ginny stared at him for a moment in surprise as the Inferi around her fell to the ground. Sparing only a glance and a nod, she returned to launching spells at the remaining attackers. Harry turned and could tell the Professor turned the other way and both began cutting through the lines of the remaining assaulters. He continued his methodical dance of destruction through the few remaining Inferi, taking swipes at the giants that dared get too close. His arms were beginning to tire as he continued. And then…they were gone.

He stopped and looked around at the smoking carnage that had replaced the once idyllic pasture. The end of the assault had apparently taken everyone by surprise as several people were still searching for their next targets. All across the field burned bodies were strewn about at odd and disfigured angles. Amongst them Harry could count at least fifteen giants from where he stood, similarly motionless. He glanced down and nearly lost his lunch again. An Auror he only vaguely recognized had been literally torn apart. Quickly raising his eyes he searched for his friends and found Ron and Hermione still standing on the rise, searching the field with sweeping gazes.

Grabbing a piece of fabric that had somehow escaped the fire, he wiped the blood carefully from the sword and sheathed it before dashing toward the pair. Their eyes found him as he slid to a halt. Hermione brightened considerably as he reached them. "Harry! You're okay!"

"Yeah. You?"

"All right. For now." After a quick nod he turned to Ron. As he spoke, McGonagall reached them with her quick strides.

"What'd I miss?" Ron glanced over the field and began talking rapidly. Just over his shoulder, Harry could see the last five Palominos setting down near the castle. Maxine and her students hopped lightly from their backs and rushed toward the scarred field. She headed their way as the students went in search of their classmates.

"You saw some of the giants run off after Hagrid and the centaurs, so far none have returned and I don't think they will. Madam Maxine and her horses managed to take out just as many on the far flank and Grawp held off the rest in the center…for a little while at least. I sent Professor Montoya and Matt to help with the flanks and help finish off the giants. As far as I can tell, they've all been taken down, as have the Inferi. But not without cost…" Harry nodded slowly. If the Auror was any indication…the cost was high indeed.

"Thanks. Minerva, the gates." She turned rapidly to comply and the castle gates sprang open. Tapping his throat, he reactivated the sonorous charm and turned to the survivors. "Get the wounded inside the walls! Do what you can for them…quickly!" Deactivating the charm he quickly picked out Ginny leading the search effort among the DA. "I'll be right back. Help with the wounded." He missed the nods of the gathered witches and wizard as he raced off across the field to Ginny. She was quickly searching the ground with her squad at her side, Creevey helping who he could as they found wounded. They moved a little away as he slid to a halt next to her. "Ginny…"

She turned quickly with a tight smile on her face. "Nice work. Thanks for the save."

"You had it handled and I was in the area anyway. Listen…make this quick and reform the DA as soon as possible. This isn't over."

"Right."

"Love you."

"I love you too." She turned away and resumed her search while Harry strode quickly back to the rise on the hill. He found Hermione alone, focusing. A second later her wand shot to the sky and a bright ball of light appeared overhead. Suddenly the failing light was replaced by a nearly midday brightness that blanketed the field. She looked back down and found him there.

"I thought is would help."

"Good idea. Leave it there."

"Right." It only took a couple minutes for the wounded and a few of the dead to be moved within the walls and those who could still fight to gather again near the rise where Harry waited. Only a handful of Aurors could still fight and had gathered themselves into a group with Tonks and Lupin at the center. Only Sprout was missing as the teachers gathered into a similar group, Frienze quickly counting his remaining bolts. Harry's eyes flashed over the DA members and he counted only thirty still on the field, many of the squads composed of parts of the original organizations. He pushed the thought of whether the rest were wounded or dead from his mind for the moment. The Beuxbaton students and their mistress did what they could to bolster the ranks, despite only numbering nine more. Keystone had reunited with his friends and they were moving rapidly amongst the rest, fixing what injuries they could.

Ron reappeared at his side with his brother; the latter carrying a broom and looking rather beat up. He inclined his head in a greeting Harry returned. "How's Fred?"

"Ready and waiting."

"Good. We'll need them soon." He turned back to the others and set a hand on the shoulder of each. "Now it begins." They each nodded firmly in response. He opened his mouth to continue when…pop. His eyes widened momentarily. The sound came from the field behind him. Pop, pop. Two more. A second later a cacophony of pops and cracks erupted behind him. He let out a long breath as he looked over the faces of his closest friends.

The Death Eaters had arrived.

(A/N): If you feel it is warranted feel free to review. I welcome any and all opinions.