Catcher

A/N; Sorry about the long wait!

Chapter 24; The Danus II

Burning Wind

Matt stood beside Harry's bed in the Captains Quarters as and held his hand as Harry crushed it in his own. Harry's strength ebbing in front of Matt as he felt a strong flex of his hand and a pain in his pain as Harry's wild magic burned into his palm.

"There is nothing more to be done, Milord!" The healer spoke confidently as Harry's eyes flashed silver with power and Matt winced again refusing to let go of his friend's hand. "The physical damage is healed almost perfectly leaving only a scar," he was forced to paused and wait out another salvo of cannon fire from further along the ship, "but the Elven knife was tipped with 'Magic Quaker Poison.' If he was anybody else it would kill him but he will make it through but his magic is uncontrollable."

"How long till he regains control?" Matt asked knowing the possible problems that could arise.

"Not today that's for sure, he has a lot of power reserves to sort out and order." The healer look wary.

"Keep working to help centre him, I will be needed above. Good day." He nodded to try to take the spite out of his tone which was only directly at that Weasley git who had dared to try to kill his best friend. He headed towards the exit but was distracted by loud voices in the holding room where the students had been locked up.

Deciding to pay a visit briefly he walked up to the door which was slightly agar and knocked it open with his foot before walking in to a mild ruckus.

The six elves were trying to force back the majority of the students as they tried to get to the door. They were steadily making progress, their sheer numbers working successfully against the highly trained Elven Guards.

"What the hell is the problem?" He yelled over the noise and as the students were caught more surprised as the Elves the latter got the upper hand and shoved the students back rather ungraciously against the far wall from the door. "Report!"

"They refuse to be still Milord, they want to know what is happening!" Called back one of the Elves knowing to not bother looking at the Lord whilst in this situation and keeping his eyes on the students as they got up.

"Stand down men, I will deal with them." Matt ordered, the venom clear enough in his voice and when the Elves looked at him questionably they stared at the barely restrained fury in his eyes. They however were broken from the stare off as another salvo fired and went to stand against the wall either side of the door.

Faced by only one boy the student got back a bit of their arrogance, and an older seventh year got up the nerve to try to question Matt. "Who do you think you are to keep us locked up in here like animals?" He looked like he was about to carry on his tirade when he was interrupted.

"I am the only Lord capable of charge right now because of your idiotic actions." His voiced rose in anger as he spotted the bushy haired girl look up at him. When he spoke again his voice held so much venom that the students couldn't help but cower. "By both of our laws you have committed a crime in Weasley attack on our Lord and my friend Harry Potter and as such you will all pay the price and if you think you are being kept like animals then it is because that is what you are to us right now!"

The same seventh year yelled again. "How dare you talk to us like that?" He and most of the other seventh year students lunged forwards at their Defence Teacher. But before they could reach him or the Elves could react he had acted on instinct and reached for his staff.

He thrust it out horizontally at shoulder height and every student was thrust back so violently that they were left in a daze. It seemed that even with Harry's magic out of control he could still focus it through the staff. He filed that away however for later attention.

"As far as we are concerned we are now at war with anyone associated with Hogwarts and are only fighting this Danus to carry out Lord Catchers orders." He turned to leave but paused at the sound of someone addressing her.

"Please," it was the Granger girl at the front of the floored students, "Professor, we didn't do anything against you?"

He turned away from the girl and spoke loud enough for all present to hear but addressed the Guards. "If any try to escape kill them," As an after thought when he heard the Granger girl draw in breath to speak he added, "If the murderers girlfriend speaks to anyone including her fellow students put an arrow through her heart and she can die like her boyfriend did!"

With those harsh words he swept out of the room and made his way to the deck noticing the silence from the room behind him. On the deck he found the Captain.

"Captain, what's the situation over there?"

"Abysmal Lord Dragon. The Muggles are putting up a better fight against the Danus than the Wizards who actually don't seem to be doing anything whatsoever. The Muggle bird whilst it did a lot earlier can not fight now that the forces are so close together. It will need to end in a duel between the most powerful as your Lordships predicted but with Lord Catcher injured as he is…"

The Captain left the sentence unfinished and Matt understood. "What are you planning on at the moment?" He asked having a vague idea what was probably going through his head.

"The only option left is to put the troops ashore, we have had to stop firing or we would end up taking out our allies."

"They are no longer our allies as of the attempt of Harry, signal the Avrilon to withdraw to a safe distance and move the Burning Wind out of the battle. No Elves are to step foot on ground." He thought for a second as the Captain sent out orders to the communications and the coxswain then continued. "Hoist the alliance breaking pennant."

"What of the Danus Milord," the Captain asked diplomatically, "If we leave the fight then Hogwarts will be overrun, they are not strong enough to fight against something of Lord Catchers power."

Matt held up his hand to forestall the argument. "It will be fought, but with no offence to our own troops intended we can make little difference here. I will have to fight it myself, it has insulted the both of us when it stole Harry's powers and ruined his reputation." With that Matt moved to the stern railings and started to chant.

Hogwarts outer gate

"Albus the ships are doing something!" Minerva interrupted the headmaster as he was issuing orders to the Aurors.

Albus looked up and for the first time in the battle he looked outwardly worried allowing his emotions to get the better of his calm façade in this horrid battle that they were steadily losing.

"Oh my, that is bad." He moved to Minerva's side and studied the ships with a magnification spell. "They are withdrawing from the battle!" He said looking at the Avrilon then turning to the Burning Wind he looked at the signals recognising the pennant that was just being hoisted. "They have withdrawn from the alliance also. We can only hope that they don't decide to start war with us at this time." He added ignoring Minerva's and the surrounding Aurors gasps at the news.

"Is this because of their dipped Ensigns do you think?" Asked the head of the Aurors present at Hogwarts.

"Most likely, I can only imagine that one of our own as been the cause of the loss of one of their leaders." Albus said, his voice ever increasingly sounding older as he surveyed the ships turning and leaving the fight.

"The students?" Minerva came to the same conclusion that the Headmaster had arrived at only seconds before, "I can't believe that any of the students would do anything of the sort Albus!"

"I worry that Mr. Weasley may have lost his control over his emotions and done something against their Lords." He said quieter to just Minerva so as not to give away the fact that they knew about Harry being one of the Lords and he was rewarded by the shocked gasp of 'Harry?' as his headmistresses hands flew to her mouth.

They were interrupted as Albus yelled out a spell in old English and the world glowed a bright blue for a few seconds before all those that had been previously standing on the Gate house found themselves reappearing on the grass of the front lawn near the main entrance. Only two hundred metres in front of them was the remains of the Gate house.

Flames leapt up into the air casting the whole of Hogwarts front into orange and red light and the shadows of the remains of the wall danced across the lawn.

Minerva sent up a blue flair at Albus prompting to order a retreat as another section of the wall exploded into the air sending its Aurors and Army members high into the air already dead from the inferno of explosions that had thrown them into the air.

It was not long before Aurors and Muggle alike were making good the retreat across the lawn and towards the Castle Proper. They were lit by another explosion from the walls which this time caught the edge of the forest and sent tendrils of fire across the edge of the line of trees.

Albus looked out in despair as another and another section of the now unmanned walls was blown apart in front of him. He felt his age truly for the first time in so many years as he watched this one person who seemed so immortal starting to destroy his beloved castle. He could no longer think of anything that could help prevent it especially if Harry had been so injured that he had yet shown himself in this fight.

Then he saw it a small silhouette against the back drop of furious flames. Unbelievably small against its wake of destruction. He heard the orders start to ring out to both his sides and he himself pulled his wand from his robes and pointed it at the enemy ready to put his all into this last fight, even if he thought it was starting to seem fruitless no matter what they tried.

He heard two hollow sounds to his left and right and suddenly the fading light over the lawn was lightened by bright white light from two Muggle flares. With the ominous light of the burning wall dulled by this new light the figure was clearer only one hundred and fifty metres or so from him.

He shot his head up and he saw the lights flicker several times and could just about make out several large shapes flickering against the flares.

Burning Wind (five minutes previously)

With no exception every person on the Burning Wind was stunned into silence by the amount of Magic that they felt spiralling outwards from someone on the ship. The people below deck just paused as they felt the magic flowing around the air and up through the ceiling, the students who had begun to mutter between themselves stopped to look at the reactions of their Elven guards, the only one of them who might have had any idea knew better then to speak if she didn't want to get the same fate as her boyfriend.

On the deck the cleaning of the deck cannons after their use stopped as they all felt a breeze blowing their tamed hair across their eyes as the magic spiralled towards the back of the ship.

Matt seemed unfazed as he used Harry total control over magic to spiral Magic into him to supplement the core that Matt and Harry shared. He continued his chant as he called for every dragon he had under his command. He flung his staff and fist into the air and five lights flew into the air in a spiral to disappear into the sky.

Matt recovered from the shock of seeing a fifth summon when he had only had the training for the first four. He looked at the Captain, "Regroup and prepare for other orders. If I don't return moor at the Muggle Base until Harry is fit to give you your orders."

He was half way around when every gasped as the Gate house exploded into flames, he concentrated on identifying the fifth summon but heard the report from the look out who said that the Danus had got close enough to the Gate House in the fighting to blow up the Gate house but he could see a group escaping to the main entrance. He vaguely kept an eye on the burning walls and the evacuating people he slowly lost sight of through the gathering clouds of smoke.

He knew that his Dragons were circling above him just above the smoke waiting for his orders. He called to the new one knowing that the only reason he had never been able to summon the Grey Dragon or any of the higher ones was because he had to gain their allegiance rather then just having the power to summon them.

Even as he finished that thought a beautiful Grey coloured Dragon broke through the growing black cloud and flew gracefully towards him. It held out its twenty foot wing span and effortlessly kept itself aloft with only a few motions of its wings and spoke into Matt's mind.

"You have proven yourself to be worthy of my loyalty. By fighting to save those that have betrayed your bonded. I am Kalia, the first of the higher great Dragons. You may ride me into battle."

Matt didn't say anymore, he just used the railing as a boost and jumped onto the base of Kalia's left wing as she spun around and settled himself just above the wings so his legs could wrap around securely. With a few mighty sweeps of her wings she launched the both of them into the air and for a second Matt was surrounded in thick smoke before they broke through and met up with the other four Dragons. The lesser Great Dragons made up of the Blue, Green, Red and Brown turned towards the school building.

Matt saw the two flares burst into life and got a glimpse of the Danus strolling towards the defence lines of the remaining brave warriors.

"Master, the Muggle light impedes our vision; it is neither bright enough nor dark enough to see the Danus clearly." Kalia's voice entered Matt's head.

Matt concentrated whilst he ordered two of the dragons to deal with it just as he passed below one of the flares. His dragons were only circling at the moment until they could attack at their best. He found himself longing for Harry to be seated with him, he had only known him for less than a year and didn't think he could do this alone. He would in essence be facing Harry. This Harry had all of his memories excluding that of the time spent in the Elven Realm.

'Calm yourself mate, it is almost like me, you know my weaknesses, and you know what my Magic can do. And no matter what you might think in that head don't forget you can't get rid of me that easily. I still can't fight but I can see through your eyes. Say hello to Kalia for me and good luck.'

He came back and quietly relayed the message to Kalia and received a slight nod in reply. He inclined his head to see the Brown and Red Dragons swallow the two flares which spluttered out in their mouths. He vaguely heard the cries from below at the sudden darkness but ordered the five dragons to send their breath attacks at the Danus.

The precise blast of intense infernos shot from the four lesser Great Dragons hit the Danus when it was unsuspecting. Unknown to Matt that strike did more then every other strike that had been made so far.

Matt got a clear look at the Danus when the fire died down, he could see it crouched onto the ground in pain making obviously laboured breaths. "Hit it while it's down Kalia!" He said into Kalia's ear as she banked around to face the Danus. She collapsed her wings and folded them back against her sides and fell at the Danus. When she was just twenty metres from the ground she breathed out a cloud of ice sparkles that gripped the Danus in a thin coating of ice that held it in place.

Matt could just make out the steam that came off of it from where the creature had been burnt by the inferno but didn't have time to ponder it as Kalia used the opportunity of the Danus' trapped state to fan out her wings and grab at the creature with her six inch talons.

She left her talons in it as she flapped her wings to gain altitude and Matt noticed the Danus breaking out of its ice coating and build up its magic. He gripped his staff and pulled the magic to him and threw it downwards to counter the sheer amount of power thrown up at the belly of Kalia.

From below the clash of magic was a magnificent circle of light as it flashed out horizontally but everyone below covered their eyes to shield them from harm at the sudden light in the darkness.

Above Kalia had got to the height she intended none the worse off form the attack as her Master shielded her from the creatures magical attacks. She let her talons open but not enough to allow the creature to drop easily.

Matt could hear the flesh tearing as the talons took chunks off of the Danus' shoulders as it fell.

The Danus quickly used magic to slow its fall and Matt ordered the dragons to make physical attacks to kill it. The sheer power of the Dragons physical attacks should be enough to tear it apart. If not then it would be torn apart enough for Matt to go in and kill it hand to hand.

He watched as the four Dragons took goes at attacking the Danus. Both with their teeth and talons taking their opportunity to favour their stronger physical attacks to their breath strikes.

The Blue and Green Dragons both attacked with their talons ripping huge chunks out of the creature as they threw it around like a piece of meat. As they passed the Brown Dragon took a turn and grabbed at the Danus with its teeth and ripped another chunk from it. It was the red that took the last shot before it hit the ground and slammed the Danus into the ground as it took off one of its arms.

The creature just shrugged to stand in its bloody state. Matt almost smirked. "Take its head off Kalia!" The body of the Grey Dragon slammed into the ground before the Danus could stand and Matt clung to its neck as she waited for the creature to stand.

Just as the Danus got to its feet and met Kalia's raging eyes she darted her head forwards and struck, clamping her jaws around its head and ripped it off in a spray of blood. Angling her head upwards she incinerated the head in an inferno from her primary lung making sure that the enemy was completely dead and that there was no chance that something so evil could ever return to life.

Matt looked down at the body and then at the inferno, he could hear the siren wailing at the base across the lake in the quiet after the battle. He turned to see the approaching Aurors coming towards him and the Muggle moving off to help in the fire fighting. He was amused by the things that both sides worried about. Whilst the Muggle didn't feel that the fight was finished and moved to fight the fire not many of the Wizards decided to help with the effort, choosing instead to complain between themselves of the savagery of the Dragons and how they could be allowed near the children of the school.

This last comment made Matt furious after they had just tried to kill his best friend they now had the nerve to question the species that had saved their children.

"Mr. Solem!" Matt stopped form his checking of the health of his Dragons before turning to take in the Headmaster. He and Minerva were the only Wizards that would approach, knowing the truth about Matt and Harry, the other Wizards took to training their wands at the Dragons.

Matt decided to interrupt the headmaster before he could carry on. "Tell you men that if they fire at my Dragon they will attack the individual!" Albus didn't need to give the message as he knew that his Defence Teacher had spoken loud enough to make sure that everyone heard the warning.

"Mr. Solem," Albus glanced over Matt's shoulder and was forced to meet Kalia's eyes, she knew what had happened to Harry and was ready to defend her Master in case anyone tried the same thing. "Is there any chance of dismissing your Dragons."

"Our alliance is over Headmaster Dumbledore for the attempted murder of Harry James Potter. My Dragons will remain with me until I am off of Hogwarts grounds to insure my safety."

"What happened to Mr. Potter?" Minerva stepped closer and after Kalia flinch to move she gave her permission silently for the women to come closer and settled down on the ground. "Is he alright?"

Hearing the actual worry in the older ladies voice he took pity on her and sighed before answering. "Harry was stabbed by Ron Weasley when we rescued their group from the forest, the Elves followed their orders to protect or avenge their seniors or Lords. He was killed by the Mast Scouts arrows on the spot. As for Harry he is physically fine and conscious as he can talk to me through our bonds but his Magic was poisoned by the Elven blade that Weasley stole and stabbed him with, so his Magic is out of control and in chaos so he is still bed ridden."

"Would it be possible…"

Matt didn't let the man finish. "No Headmaster, Harry will not be coming up to the castle. You don't seem to understand what this means. By Elven Law you and Minerva should be brought to trial for allowing this to happen, we are willing to overlook the two of you but only time will tell if there is to be any future to our alliance. Now if you don't mind I will be going to join Harry."

"For what it is worth, Matthew we are truly sorry about the attack on Harry and I for one hope he is better soon, I would love to come out and talk to him again." Minerva looked near tears but held herself together.

"Harry says that you are welcome to at any time, just send him an owl. Now I must leave your troops are looking close to attempting to kill my Dragons for being 'Dangerous Animals.'" His tone told the two that he knew of the story of Buckbeak.

For effect he yelled the order rather than sent it through the bond he had with the Dragons. "We're leaving Guys!" As the four Lesser Great Dragons spanned out their wings, the Red and Green both sending an Auror across the ground as they caught them across the chests supposedly by accident, and lifted of in a downdraft that outdid the Apache that had long since left the war scene. Matt climbed back onto Kalia and they too kicked off and they five forms flew off over the fire and steam that was the remains of the outer wall.

Albus sighed in defeat, they'd managed to lose one enemy and almost gain another. He started to head back to the castle to get some food sorted out for a late night meal for the Aurors when he remembered the senior students and the fact that his defence teacher had them as prisoners and said nothing about their return.

A/N; I just wanted to thank… … … for putting in their input after last chapter; I just wanted to say that but also for anyone that noticed that also that whilst an Apache can 'paint' a target from infrared Dragon Anti-tank missiles are wire guided and therefore cannot be aided by signatures from the Apache and also the Elves wouldn't have the capable technology. Still I am grateful that someone put in some input.

Thanks for all the reviews…There isn't really anything to respond to but still Thanks!