Death? Is That You?
Everyone in the RoR were split into typical cliques from school, it seems that even though they're going to war they're not fully united. This may cause problems later. Everyone needs to work together if they're going to survive. While Harry and Luna are tracking down the horcrux inside the castle, everyone else is preparing to fight. This is something the Winchesters are used to, the anticipation, the adrenaline of the inevitable, and the possibility of dying… Again.
Sam and Dean are sitting on crates used as makeshift chairs, looking over the room. "This is insane. They're just kids, and they're being made to fight a war. It isn't fair Sammy." Dean looks down at the sawed off shotgun he is currently loading. "I know Dean. At first, I did not want to get involved, but these kids need us. From what we were told about the megalomaniac, he sounds worse than Lucifer in a way." Sam huffs loudly, "I'm glad those two never met, or we would have no chance."
"Yeah, no kidding. Let's just do what we can to help these kids make it through. Even Crowley is on our side." Dean shakes his head thinking about how Crowley fell in love with Narcissa, "I never would've thought Crowley would fall in love. He actually cares about someone other than himself." Dean sets his shotgun down, clasps his hands in front of him, and continues to wait for word about Harry.
In the meantime, Harry has spoken with the Grey Lady, she told him where to look for the Ravenclaw Diadem. It is hidden in the room of lost things, also known as the Room of Requirement. He needs to get back to Hermione and Ron so they can search for it together. Harry thinks about Ron's behaviour lately, he worries that Ron may never again be the lovable, goofy guy that they grew up with. Ron seems so violent, and easily triggered. He attacked Malfoy because of his jealousy, hurting Hermione as well. This war is changing everyone, some for the better. For example, Malfoy is on their side, fighting alongside Hermione and the Winchesters. Harry never thought Malfoy would do the right thing. Others have changed in the worst ways, losing the battle with their depression and anger, like Ron. Running through the castle underneath the invisibility cloak back to the RoR, he cautiously opens the door.
The RoR was overwhelmed with the various bodies of students, past students, teachers and Order members when Harry stepped into the room. He carefully gazed over each and every face looking for Hermione or Ron. He found Ron sneering in the opposite direction. Following his sneer, Harry located Hermione sitting with Draco Malfoy, holding hands, and the Winchesters discussing their next plan of action. He waded through the crowd, reaching the small group to relay what he had discovered about the Horcrux located in the castle.
"The room of lost things? That room is huge. How are we going to locate the horcrux?" Draco asked. He knows how big that room is, it's where the vanishing cabinet is located. Hermione turns to face Draco, "Harry can find it once we're in the room. He can somehow sense them." Harry nods his head, "Once we get into the room, I'll be able to find it." "So what are we waiting for? Let's find it and destroy it." Dean stands up, nodding towards the door.
Just when everyone was gearing up to head out, the voice of Voldemort echoed throughout the grounds. "I know that you are preparing to fight. Your efforts are futile. You cannot fight me. I do not want to kill you. I have great respect for the teachers of Hogwarts. I do not want to spill magical blood. Give me Harry Potter, and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter, and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you will be rewarded. You have until midnight."
"What the Hell was that?" Dean says what everyone's thinking. Cas is standing next to Dean, "I think it was an ultimatum. I don't think he's telling the truth Dean." "No shit Cas. He's a psychopath hellbent on world domination."
Sam is shaking his head, "Magical Hitler indeed." Dean goes to say something about killing Hitler but Sam stops him, "No, Dean. Nobody wants to hear about how you killed Hitler." Sam chuckles at Dean's pouting lip. "Bitch." Sam cracks a half smile, "Jerk."
Dean looks around the room then over to Cas, "I think we might need reinforcements. We need more than this room on our side. Can you head upstairs and see if any angels can help?" Cas sighs, "I can try. They are still unhappy with me." Dean pats Cas on the shoulder, "Just tell them children are in danger of being slaughtered or turned into slaves by a megalomaniac. Even if they just come help the younger ones escape." Cas nods his head and disappears. "In the meantime, I'm going to call Crowley, he may want to be here."
Crowley clears his throat, "Squirrel, stuff your cheeks with your foot already?"
Dean rolls his eyes, turning to Crowley, "I thought you might want to join the fun. Cas is upstairs trying to convince some angels to help. If anything they can at least help evacuate the children. This war really is no place for them."
Crowley slides his hands into his pockets, "I agree. I had some of my minions possess a couple of wizards on the other side, and they have informed me of their plans. They are going to murder or torture everyone they come across, child or not. I may be the king of hell and a demon, but first and foremost I'm a businessman. Their intentions alone has earned these dark wizards a very special spot in hell. Isn't that right, Meg?"
Behind Crowley stood a newly resurrected Meg. Dean suppresses his shock, "Meg. How have you been? How's Death?" Meg smirks, "He's quite upset with you Dean. You ran him through with his own scythe. If you die, he will personally drag you to Hell. And I will stand by and laugh."
"Now, now pet. Play nice or you will be sent home." Crowley addresses Meg before things escalate. "Fine. I'll just drag a few darks to Hell and let the hounds have them for chew toys." Meg rolls her eyes, crosses her arms, "Where's Clarence?" "He's upstairs hopefully recruiting some of the angels." Dean informs her.
Cas flutters back into the room, standing next to Dean, "I was able to get a few allies, the rest refuse to get involved. The ones that are going to help will be here shortly." "Clarence, long time no see." Meg uncrosses her arms, putting her hands on her hips. Cas tries not to blush, "It's good to see you too Meg." Dean once again rolls his eyes, "Oh, get a room you two. We ready to track down the Horcrux or are we going to sit here and wait for them to attack?"
It's almost like Dean jinxed them when a very loud explosion reverberated throughout the castle. "That's our cue." The Winchesters', Harry, Hermione and Cas run out the door to find the Horcrux, leaving behind the others to secure the RoR.
The Winchesters never thought they would be running through an ancient castle dodging spells flying at them from every which way. The Death Eaters didn't take long to bring down the shield surrounding the school. It was a full on invasion, complete with creatures from the Forbidden Forest as well as the Death Eaters. They wasted no time blasting curses on whoever they came across.
Sam and Dean were hiding behind separate pillars to catch their breath, Dean would lean out and take a shot then Sam would fire his weapon. So far they each have taken out a handful of the enemies, but there was always more. They were overwhelmed and they knew it, but those are the odds that they like. It is what they're used to, it is what keeps them fighting, knowing they are making an impact. Dean stopped shooting for a moment to realize this is why they are here, this is where they need to be. Risking their lives to save people, a vague memory struck Dean when he first went and picked up Sam from Stanford to search for their dad. "Saving People, Hunting Things! The Family Business!"
That memory made even more sense now and everything clicked into place. With newfound strength and courage, Dean stepped out from behind the pillar, not listening to his brother call his name. Dean walked right into a few Death Eaters line of sight while continuing to fire his shotgun until he was out of shells. Sam realized what he was doing and followed after him, emptying the clip of his firearm. Miraculously, neither of them were hit with any of the spells, probably since bullets fly faster than the spells. The hallway they were in being cleared of the enemy they pushed forward to a different area to help with the fighting.
Running through the hallways Sam passes by a sight he never wanted to see. A girl was being torn apart by a man who looked more like a monster. Sam brought his gun up and aimed for his head, only to realize he is out of bullets. The monster looks towards Sam while he is fumbling to reload his gun, drops the remains of the girl and starts to charge.
Right before Sam is tackled the beast crumbles to the floor, green residual magic from the killing curse dissipating around him. Sam looks to his left and sees a breathless Hermione with her wand aimed at the beast. Her hands are shaking, she just killed a man. Hermione may have been fighting in this war to survive but she never wanted to kill anyone.
Sam walks over to her, "You had to. He was a monster and he was not going to stop. You did what you had to do." Sam didn't even bother asking if she was 'ok', there's no point. They're fighting to survive a war.
Sam grabbed Hermione by the hand and led her back towards the fight. He knew she needed to see this through if she wanted to be free to live her life. A life that involves a man she never thought she would be with, he too would not be free to live his life if Voldemort won. Draco has a price on his head now, he's nothing more than a blood traitor as well as his mother. Hermione and the Winchesters make their way to the Great Hall where the heart of this fight is bleeding out.
It was times like this Dean wished he knew what to do. So many were injured, some were screaming, others were barely conscious, unfortunately some were dead. As Dean walked the aisles, he looked at their faces, some he didn't know and some he did.
He stopped when he passed the huddle of red hair, sobbing over one of their own. One of the twins Ron talked so much about. Continuing down the way he stopped again, running his hand over his face then through his hair, looking down at the bodies of his friend Remus and his wife Tonks. "This isn't right, they shouldn't have to die." Dean thinks out loud.
"No they shouldn't. None of them should have to die."
Dean turns towards the familiar voice of someone he did not want to see. Death himself. "Death? How are you here?" Dean is not sure if he is hallucinating or not. "It's complicated. However, you are right. These people should not have died." Death points to a few of the bodies. "Can you bring them back?" Dean hopefully asked. "I can, but why should I? What's in it for me?" Death raises an eyebrow and cocks his head to the side.
Dean thinks for a moment, remembering Death is very fond of food he is struck with an idea. "You can join the Weasley family every Sunday for dinner. Molly is a very excellent cook. I'm surprised I'm not fat." Dean points towards the redheads.
Molly hears her name and looks to Dean. She sees him talking to a thin but intimidating looking man. Molly slowly gets up, wipes the tears from her red puffy eyes, and makes her way over to the two men, wanting to know what's going on.
Death is contemplating this idea, he sees Molly approach. "You must be Molly Weasley." She nods her head, "And you are ?" "That's not important." Death turns back to Dean, "If you win this war, I will consider your offer." Turning back to Molly, "I will see you Sunday for dinner." Then disappears without a trace.
Molly takes a deep breath, "Dean, what just happened? Who was that? Why should I be expecting him for dinner?" Molly is not sure she wants the answer. Dean rubs the back of his neck, like he does all the time when he is nervous, "That was the Angel of Death. He agreed to bring back the ones who should not have died in exchange for Sunday dinner at your house. Death loves food, although you can't tell by looking at him."
Molly looks back towards her family, her eyes start to well up with hot, salty tears, looks down at Fred then back to Dean, "We win this war, and he brings back Fred, he will be a welcomed member of our family. I will take it as a personal insult if he doesn't attend dinner Sunday nights." Dean gives Molly a half smile, "Let's win this war first."
During all the commotion in the Great Hall nobody notices Harry disappear into the forest. Harry was going to face Voldemort, he knew he was walking to his death. If his death meant Voldemort could finally die then so be it. The last remaining Horcrux was Voldemort's pet snake and himself, he had to die. So into the forest he went.
