*Chapter Eight: The Deathly Hallows Part II*
Year: 1998, May 1st
Rayne laid in bed, wide awake. She heard the door open and shut quietly, listening to the low footsteps as they drifted off. She turned over to Bill, he was awake too and watching her.
"They leave already?" He asked.
Rayne nodded, snuggling closer to him. Harry, Hermione and Ron were on their way to who knew where with the goblin, Griphook. She didn't know where they were going, or why. All they could wrangle out of him was that it was to finish Dumbledore's mission.
"Do you think they will be alright?" Rayne asked, looking up to him. "I don't really trust that Griphook…goblins and wizards are known for their bad blood"
"As long as whatever deal they struck with him is fulfilled…" Bill sighed.
Rayne smiled slightly, sitting up.
"I'm going to start breakfast, Luna is bound to wake up soon too" Rayne leaned over and kissed his cheek before she stood.
She made her way down the stairs, the house was eerily quiet now without everyone. Bill had taken Ollivander to Aunt Muriel's to keep him hidden better so now there was only Luna, Rayne and Bill at the cottage. Rayne set about making breakfast and some tea. Soon Luna meandered into the kitchen, sitting at the table.
"Good morning, Rayne" She greeted.
"Morning Luna. Sleep well?"
"Oh yes, wonderfully. I love being able to fall asleep to the sound of the waves" Luna watched her as she walked around the kitchen.
Bill walked down the stairs, helping Rayne set breakfast on the table. They sat and ate together, Luna occasionally telling them more about the various Quibbler articles her father wrote.
In the evenings they would always tune into Potterwatch and listen to River and others recounting news. Today an important message came through Potterwatch.
"Lightning has struck, lightning has struck"
Rayne, Bill and Luna all looked back at the radio. Luna pulled out a galleon from her pocket.
"It got hot. Look" Luna held the galleon out to Rayne.
Rayne leaned forward, looking at the message on the coin.
"We need to get to the Hog's Head Inn" Rayne stood. "It's time"
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Rayne stood in the room of requirement, looking around at the cots and hammocks that many students had called home for months. She was greeted by many of her former students. With every face she saw, her hate for Snape grew. All the children looked disheveled, with cuts and marks to show their detentions. Soon, Dumbledore's Army and the Order of the Phoenix were gathered in the room.
"They've called all students to the Great Hall" Neville looked around at them. "Snape heard Harry was spotted in Hogsmeade"
"Let's get going, we need to act fast" Kingsley ushered them out, they marched towards the great hall.
"It seems that despite your exhaustive defensive strategies…you still have a bit of a security problem, headmaster" Harry's voice was heard in the great hall, the doors were thrown open by Kingsley as they all filed in.
Harry's voice now rang through the hall, echoing. "How dare you stand where he stood? Tell them how it happened that night. Tell them how you looked him in the eye, a man who trusted you, and killed him! Tell them!"
Snape pulled out his wand, McGonagall raced forward and pulled out her own. The students gasped, backing away. Rayne held her own wand up, gripping it as she watched. There was a moment where Snape lowered his wand. Steeling himself, he raised it again and waited. Rayne thought she saw a glimmer of regret on his face. McGonagall fired a spell, Snape dodged it and backed up. Why wasn't he firing back at her? Again and again McGonagall fired spells at him that he blocked, slowly backing up. One spell he blocked, sending it splitting in two that rebounded off the Carrows. They fell, unconscious. Black smoke started billowing around Snape as he smashed through the glass window and escaped off into the night.
"Coward!" McGonagall bellowed after him.
The students cheered, McGonagall lighting the hall. Rayne grimaced, a heaviness filling the air. She grabbed her head as ringing echoed through her ears. A few screams could be heard from students, a voice suddenly spoke in her head. A voice she heard many times in her dreams.
I know that many of you will want to fight. Some of you may even think that to fight is wise. But this is folly. Give me Harry Potter. Do this and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter and I shall leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me Harry Potter...and you will be rewarded. You have one hour.
Everyone was silent, taking in what had just occurred. Some students backed away from Harry, all watching him with wide eyes.
"Well? What are you waiting for?" Pansy pointed to Harry. "Someone grab him!"
Ginny was the first to move in front of Harry, the others following suit. The doors burst open, Filch running up the center of the hall carrying Mrs. Norris.
"Students out of bed!" He yelled. "Students in the corridor!"
Rayne rolled her eyes, McGonagall starred at him.
"They are supposed to be out of bed, you blithering idiot!" McGonagall sneered.
"Oh…Sorry, ma'am" Filch lowered his eyes.
"As it happens, Mr. Filch, your arrival is most opportune. If you would, I would like you please to lead Miss Parkinson and the rest of Slytherin House who will not fight with Hogwarts from the hall"
"Exactly where is it I'll be leading them to, ma'am?" Filch asked.
"The dungeons will do" McGonagall retorted.
There was cheering from the other houses as most of the Slytherin's were escorted from the hall, only a handful still stood there. They shifted awkwardly, not knowing if they belonged there or not among the other houses. There was a clatter of activity, students evacuating and getting into position. Rayne followed the other teachers out into the entrance courtyard, hurrying down the stairs.
"Longbottom, I need you and your people to go and blow up the wooden bridge" McGonagall hurried down the steps.
"Let me get this straight. You're giving permission to do this?" Neville asked.
"That is correct"
"To blow it up? Boom?"
"Boom!" McGonagall bellowed.
"Wicked" Neville paused. "But how on earth are we gonna so that?"
McGonagall looked to him. "Why don't you confer with Mr. Finnegan? As I recall, he has a particular proclivity for pyrotechnics"
"I can bring it down" Seamus nodded.
"That's the spirit. Now away you go" McGonagall shooed them off.
McGonagall turned to the entrance of the school, lifting her hands.
"Piertotum Locomotor!"
The statues began leaping from their niches, gathering in lines. They began marching past them.
"Man the boundaries. Protect us. Do your duty to our school!" McGonagall yelled after them.
She leaned over to Rayne. "I always wanted to use that spell" She whispered happily.
Rayne gave her a slightly glance. They lifted their wands, muttering their spells.
"Protego Manima. Fianto Duri. Protego Maxima" They chanted silently, bursts of light shooting from their wand.
Slowly shields began to form, reaching out and knitting together with the other shields. Soon all of Hogwarts was covered in the protective barrier. Rayne stepped back, racing back into the castle and through the hallways and stairs. She turned the corner, knocking into Tonks.
"T-Tonks?!" Rayne asked. "What the hell are you doing here? Teddy-"
"I can't stand not knowing, Rayne. I need to be here with him. Where's Remus?" She asked.
"Come on, I'll take you to him. I was headed there myself"
The two rushed off to the Quad. They climbed the stairs and walked across the catwalks. Remus looked back to them as Tonks threw her arms around him.
"Dora. What are you doing here? You should be with-" Remus started.
"It's you that needs me tonight" Tonks kissed him. "We do this together"
Remus nodded as she released him and walked out to one of the battlements. Remus looked back to Rayne.
"The shield is up. It won't hold them indefinitely, but it will give us time" Rayne looked back as Fred and George made their way to the battlement, Arthur and Bill behind them.
"Everyone's in place" Arthur nodded.
They all walked to the battlement, looking out into the darkness. Balls of white light shot out at them, connecting with the shield as they exploded. Booming echoed through the castle, the lights bursting like hundreds of fireworks in the night sky. Suddenly, a large blast of light shot at the barrier. It quaked, exploding as the light surrounded it. Slowly, the barrier singed away.
"The barrier's been breached! Get ready!" Kingsley shouted.
"Rayne!"
Rayne quickly looked back to Bill. He smiled slightly, holding his hand out.
"When this is over…marry me"
Rayne watched him, smiling slightly and grabbed his hand. She nodded as they embraced, kissing. The two pulled apart, readying their wands. Remus and Tonks reached out for one another at their battlements, locking hands for a moment.
Streaks of black smoke billowed towards the castle, giants came from the forest and smashed the stone soldiers. Fire erupted around the castle as it quaked with explosions. Death eaters began blasting through the castle.
Arthur blocked a spell from one as another broke through a window behind him, Kingsley sending him hurling back outside. Rayne fired stunning spells as more apparated around the catwalks. Rayne swiped her wand as a spell blasted a death eater against one of the stone walls. She backed up along the catwalk, blocking spells being hurled at her from all sides. When one death eater fell, three were there to take his place.
Rayne found herself in one of the corridors. She didn't even realize she had come here, all her concentration on blocking and sending spells. She dodged another spell, a spell shot past her and hit the death eater. He was thrown back and collapsed. She quickly looked back at Percy as she smiled. They nodded to each other, standing back to back as they fought off more of the death eaters. She saw Fred out of the corner of her eye as he raced to them, joining their circle as they fired spells. Harry, Ron and Hermione raced out of one of the adjacent halls. Rayne blocked a spell aimed at them. They looked back to the death eater, his hood slipped down.
"Hello, Minister!" Percy bellowed, sending a jinx at Thicknesse. "Did I mention I'm resigning?"
"You're joking, Perce!" Fred looked back to him as he and Rayne took down another death eater with a stunning spell. "You actually are joking, Perce…I don't think I've heard you joke since you were-"
An explosion rang out, knocking them through the air. Rayne grabbed onto the nearest person, lifting her wand to form a barrier. The rocks tumbled off the glimmering barrier, yells and screams echoing out. The barrier shattered, Rayne panting. Hands grabbed her shoulder, shaking her.
"Rayne? Rayne?!" Percy called.
She looked up to him, her vision bleary. She shook her head to clear it, slowly pushing herself up onto her hands and knees. She starred down at Fred, he watched her and grinned slightly.
"Thanks for saving my ass, literally…" Fred sat up, rubbing his head.
Rayne looked over as Ron, Hermione and Harry stood. They were banged up, but alive. Looking back, she saw the large gaping hole in the castle wall. Curses rained through the opening, hitting the walls behind them.
"Move!" Rayne yelled, grabbing Percy and Fred's shoulders and pushed them forward.
They ran, hiding behind the wall of rocks as the curses continued to rain down from outside.
"We need to get to the boathouse" Harry looked to Rayne, Percy and Fred.
They nodded.
"Go, we'll cover you" Rayne stood, holding up her wand as the shield lifted as the spells bounced off it.
The trio raced past them towards the grand staircase. Rayne looked to Percy and Fred.
"Let's go"
The two nodded as they raced down the hallway after the trio. They made their way to the entrance courtyard. There was still one giant, standing in the middle of the courtyard swinging one of the Quidditch goalposts around. A group of acromantulas scurried around. Death eaters fired curses from the court yard and above on brooms. The three of them split, Rayne losing track of them in the chaos of the battle as she helped clear a path for the trio to get to the boathouse staircase.
Finally they made it across the courtyard, Rayne coming up short as the hoard of Dementors swept towards them. Rayne held up her wand, recalling all her memories with the Weasley family. She sucked in a breath, swishing her wand.
"Expecto Patronum!" Rayne yelled, a silver mist flowing from the tip of her wand. The mist shifted and moved to form a large king cobra, the snake striking forward and casting the Dementors away. The light from the snake lit up the darkened sky, Rayne quickly looking to the trio.
"Go, hurry!"
They nodded, racing down the path to the boathouse. Rayne lowered her wand, her patronus evaporating. She turned back to the battle before her, firing off stunning spells once more.
They battled for what seemed like hours more. Soon, the whole air seemed to go quiet and still. Everyone seemed to stop fighting, listening as the same eerie voice filled their minds like before.
You have fought valiantly…but in vain. I do not wish this. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a terrible waste. I therefore command my forces to retreat.
At this, death eaters began dissapparating away. The acromantulas followed, all headed back into the Forbidden Forest.
In their absence, dispose of your dead with dignity.
Harry Potter, I now speak directly to you. On this night, you have allowed your friends to die for you…rather than face me yourself. There is no greater dishonor. Join me in the Forbidden Forest and confront your fate. If you do not do this…I shall kill every last man, woman, and child who tried to conceal you from me.
Everything was silent. People frozen in place, catching their breaths. McGonagall was the first to speak.
"Everyone, we'll gather in the Great Hall. Those that can, carry the bodies into the Hall" McGonagall turned, helping another student pick up a body and move it.
Soon, the bodies were cleared away from the courtyard. Everyone congregated into the Great Hall. Bodies laid on stretchers were lined neatly against one side. Students and professors alike mourning over them. Others were sitting along the long tables healing wounds. Madame Pomfrey hurried about, checking the survivors and handing out bottle of Dittany. Rayne silently walked down the rows of bodies, starring at the faces of her students. She recognized many of the peaceful faces, but one stopped her dead in her tracks.
"Colin…" She whispered, starring down at the body of Colin Creevey.
She choked back tears, continuing along the way. She noticed some of her fellow professors. She stopped again, this time tears fell freely from her eyes. There in front of her laid both Tonks and Remus. She walked to them, collapsing to her knees beside their bodies. She let out a sob, clutching her robes as she stared at them. She felt a hand on her shoulder, she didn't bother looking to see who it was. She knew it was Bill.
"…Who? Do you know who did this?" Rayne asked, keeping her eyes on the pair.
"The last we saw, Remus was dueling Dolohov. We suspect he is the one that lead to Remus's death…" Bill spoke gently.
"And Tonks?" Rayne didn't know why she asked, she knew who it was that killed her.
"…Bellatrix" Was all Bill said.
White hot rage filled Rayne, she sunk her nails into her arms. She shook with rage and sadness. Her mother was now to blame for two of her kins deaths. She was going to kill her herself. Bill hooked his arm around her, pulling her to her feet. She didn't fight him, but let him pull her up. They walked together farther into the Hall to where the rest of their family was gathered. Molly gave a sob, racing forward and embracing Rayne.
"Oh Rayne, thank goodness" She sobbed, clutching her.
Rayne hugged her back, looking around to see all of them alive and standing. She sighed in relief, smiling as Ginny embraced her too. They released her as she turned to the twins. They stood grinning at her, making her grin back.
"Heard you saved Freddie's life" George smiled.
The two embraced her, Rayne embracing them back. When they pulled apart, she turned her attention to Percy. He shifted awkwardly, looking to her.
"I wasn't able to apologize to you earlier. What with the battle and all…I'm sorry for being such a prat. I should of never abandoned the family" Percy looked to her, clearing his throat. "But, um, I heard that you and Bill finally got together…About time if you ask me…"
Rayne laughed slightly, embracing him as he jolted in surprise.
"It's nice to have you back, Perce" Rayne muttered.
Percy smiled at her, nodding. Rayne looked back to Ron as he raced into the Great Hall, looking around. His eyes fell on them as he made his way over, Molly embracing him.
"I-is everyone alright?" Ron asked, looking around.
"As good as we're going to get right now" Fred nodded.
Hermione quickly made her way to Ginny, the two sharing a hug. Rayne looked over to Harry staring at Tonks and Remus. He gave a hallowed look towards them then hurried from the hall. Rayne grimaced gently before turning her attention back to her family. After a few minutes, she noticed Ron and Hermione walked from the great hall, hand in hand.
Rayne sat leaned against Bill, the family gathered around to rest. She drank her butterbeer silently, watching the sky from the shattered windows. Light trickled over the grounds, dawn slowly approaching. Out in the distance, Rayne heard the sound of marching footsteps. Slowly, others turned their heads at the sound too. They stood, making their way out into the courtyard. Neville already stood there, watching the viaduct. Rayne gawked in horror, walking to them was the man she saw so often in her dreams; Voldemort. Behind him, she saw Hagrid carrying someone. And behind them was the army of death eaters. She walked alongside Neville, Ginny beside her.
"Who is that Hagrid's carrying?" Ginny asked. "Neville, who is it?"
Slowly the death eaters filled one end of the courtyard, the students and professors filling the other side.
"Harry potter…is dead!" Exclaimed Voldemort.
"No!" Ginny shrieked. "No!"
She started forward, Rayne just barely able to grab her back.
"Silence!" Voldemort bellowed.
Rayne dragged her back to the group, Arthur wrapping an arm around Ginny's shoulders.
"Stupid girl. Harry Potter is dead. From this day forth, you put your faith…in me" Voldemort turned to his followers. "Harry Potter is dead!"
Laughter and cheering echoed from the group, everyone stood silent to watch them. Rayne scanned the crowd, her eyes stopping for a moment to her aunt and uncle at the front. She looked over to Voldemort's left, Bellatrix balancing herself on some boulders. Voldemort turned back to them.
"And now is the time to declare yourself. Come forward and join us" He smiled. "Or die"
There was silence, no one made a move or said a word. Suddenly Lucius held his hand out slightly.
"Draco" He scolded gently. "Draco"
People started turning their heads, looking for Draco. Rayne turned, too, staring at her cousin. He looked around with an apprehensive look, it seemed for a moment he was going to stay on their side.
"Draco…come" Narcissa said gently, holding out her own arm.
Draco looked to his mother, slowly making his way down the stairs. He walked beside Rayne, giving her a pitiful look.
"Draco…" She whispered, shaking her head gently.
"Draco" Narcissa called again.
Reluctantly, Draco walked across the courtyard towards the other side. Rayne winced, closing her eyes then watched him. Voldemort opened his arms, hugging Draco awkwardly.
"Ah. Well done, Draco…Well done…" He smiled.
Draco silently made his way to his parents, avoiding his father's hand. He turned, watching his fellow students.
"There is at least one other that needs to step forward and come to her real family" Voldemort scanned the crowd.
Rayne's heart skipped a beat as Voldemort's eyes landed on her.
"Ah, Rayne. You have grown up beautifully" He smiled, a sinister twist of his face that churned Rayne's insides. "Come, stand with your real family"
He opened his arms again. Rayne shook her head.
"I am with my real family" Rayne gestured behind her.
"Ah, yes…the blood traitors" Voldemort gazed at the Weasleys. "They have lead you astray, my child. You must learn…"
Voldemort raised his wand, before anyone could react Rayne crumbled to her knees. Her palms slammed against the stone ground, screams escaping from her mouth as every nerve in her body shot with pain. She collapsed against the ground, wriggling across the rocks as her body convulsed. Suddenly, the pain stopped. Only a dull ache through her body remained. Bill was over her, gripping her and pulled her to her knees again. He held her against his chest, Rayne's eyes slowly focused back on Voldemort.
"Join your family, Lestrange!" Voldemort bellowed.
She could hear Bellatrix's laughter somewhere to the left of her. She pushed away from Bill, glaring to the man that stood before her.
"I'm already with my family!" She yelled.
Voldemort sneered, waving his wand. The nerves in her body shot to life again as she screamed, thrashing.
"You are the daughter of my best death eater! You were trained since the day you ever born to be a death eater! You will stop this defiance. In time, you will learn to follow me!" Voldemort waved his wand again.
The pain suddenly stopped. Rayne felt herself go into a trance like state. She had none of her former worries or anxieties. She couldn't understand the horrified faces around her. She slowly stood, looking around then forward to where Voldemort stood. This seemed familiar to her, so very familiar. Then, it hit her. He was using the Imperious Curse on her. Instantly she started fighting it, her movements becoming jerky.
"Show your loyalty to me, Rayne!" She heard Voldemort say. "Kill the Weasleys…"
Rayne's feet seemed to turn on their own, the hand on her wand tightened around it. She starred at the faces of the Weasleys. They stared back at her. Bill watched her, raising his hands.
"Rayne. Fight this" He whispered.
Rayne slowly lifted her wand, pointing it towards Bill. She was fighting, trying to break free.
"Bi…ll" She choked out, her arm seizing. "Kill…me…"
"I can't do that Rayne, fight it!" He yelled.
Rayne slowly shook her head, her arm began to tremble.
"Don't let me do this…don't let me live through killing one of you" Rayne felt tears streaking down her cheeks, she fought to lower her arm. "Kill me before I end up killing you!"
Rayne heaved in a breath, straining against the curse. Struggling to break its iron hold. Slowly, one finger at a time, she slackened her grasp enough to drop her wand. She turned away from them, glaring back to where Voldemort stood. She panted as he sneered at her.
"Pick up your wand, now!" He commanded.
Rayne dropped to her knees, her arm reaching out towards her wand. She grasped her wrist with her other hand, stopping herself.
"N-NO!" She screamed, glaring back to Voldemort.
Past him, she saw Draco. He stared at her with wide eyes, horror written on his face. She fought against the curse harder now, struggling against her invisible bonds. She heard a loud thud off to her right, followed by gasps of surprise. She looked over, watching with wide eyes as Harry stood. He was alive. Her curse broke. Time seemed to stand still, no one moved or said anything. They just gaped.
"Potter!"
Rayne heard Draco's voice. She looked over as Draco sprinted across the courtyard, throwing Harry his wand. Voldemort watched in astonishment, then looked back as some death eaters began dissapparating away. Draco caught Rayne by her shoulders, hoisting her to her feet. Bill scooped up her wand, looking back as Harry ran from Voldemort's attacks towards the castle.
"Everyone inside, hurry!" McGonagall cried.
"What are you waiting for?! Attack!" She heard Bellatrix bellow.
Draco hurried her into the castle, Bill close behind as he and Kingsley shot barriers. The death eaters charged forward, Voldemort leading the pack. He broke through the barriers, his and his snake dissapparating into the castle. Death eaters charged into the great hall, spells flying in every direction. Bill handed Rayne her wand back, Rayne blocking a spell aimed at them. She kept a hold onto Draco, shielding him as other curses flew at them.
"Draco, stay close to me" Rayne shoved him behind herself as she began dueling with two death eaters.
Arthur and George shot spells at the death eaters, blasting them back as they landed on the ground. Ginny shot at another as he fell to the ground. Fred and Bill took down another as Molly blocked an oncoming spell. Rayne turned in time to block a killing curse, her hair flew back. Her heart hammered in her chest, knowing she was only an inch away from death. She looked to Bellatrix as the woman grinned and giggled at her.
"Naughty blood traitors deserve punishment" She said in a sing-song voice.
As Rayne was about to raise her wand, a hand shoved her back into Draco. Molly stepped in front of her, raising her wand at Bellatrix.
"Not my daughter you bitch!" She yelled.
Bellatrix laughed. "Your daughter?" She asked.
Molly fired a spell at her, catching the witch off guard. Molly flattered, backing up as Bellatrix started firing spells at her. Molly blocked them, stumbling over herself. Bellatrix stopped to laugh at her, Molly taking the opportunity to compose herself. Molly started hurling spells back at the witch, Bellatrix now stumbling over trying to keep up. Molly fired a spell, striking her in the chest as she gasped and froze in midair. Molly reeled back, lobbing another spell as Bellatrix burst into black dust. Molly stood triumphant, looking back to her family. Rayne smiled, racing to her and embraced her.
"Thanks Mum" She whispered.
Molly kissed her forehead, patting her shoulder as they both got back to fighting. Hogwarts already weakened defenses seemed to be bowing to the death eaters. Rayne was afraid that the death eaters would claim victory over them.
She heard the distant rumbling of footsteps again, suddenly the doors burst open. Centaurs lead the group of reinforcements, behind them were the residents of Hogsmeade and many of the family and friends of the students. Even house-elves swarmed from the kitchens and started hacking at the legs of death eaters. Rayne saw Charlie and Yona make their way to them, shielding her from a spell.
"Hiya, Rae. Good to see you still standing" Yona smiled.
Charlie grinned at her, turning his attention back to the death eaters. With the reinforcements, it breathed new life into those already fighting. Soon, all their opponents fell. Many started restraining the living death eaters, binding them and throwing them in a smaller room to await their fate in Azkaban. Everyone's eyes lifted to the windows and holes in the great hall, the sun breaking free of the overcast and rays of light shining down on them. When Harry appeared in the doorway of the hall, they all knew that they had won. Voldemort was dead. Cheers rang out as the crowd surged around Harry. McGonagall shooed them off, yelling to give him his space.
They set about healing the wounded and comforting each other. Rayne looked over to Draco standing off to the side, she smiled and walked to him. She held her hand out to him.
"Come on, Draco" Rayne gestured him.
He looked to her, taking her hand and hesitated. He followed after her as she walked back over to the Weasley's. They looked over to him, there was silence. Molly stood, walking to him then threw her arms around him. He tensed, slowly relaxing until he returned her hug. She led him to a bench, sitting him down. Fred clapped him on the back, smiling slightly. Rayne watched them, smiling as Bill wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He looked back, nudging her as she turned her head. Narcissa and Lucius stood in the hall, looking around like they weren't sure if they belonged there. Rayne waved them over, Narcissa quickly crossing the hall. Lucius was slower, looking about the hall. Draco stood as Narcissa embraced him tightly. Rayne watched them, smiling and leaned her head against Bill's shoulder.