Chapter Sixteen: The Rescue of His Excellency, Part Two
Athena, Filius, and her friends ran toward the third floor, knowing what would happen if they failed in the rescue. History would be altered forever if the General died, for he would not be able to lead their troops to victory. A lot of hopes were riding on them, and they knew it.
"...let me have the Girl-who-Lived, General, and you will go free. Refuse, and you shall burn."
Athena froze as the voice she recognized from her nightmares of a certain Halloween filled her mind, the memory only serving to strengthen her resolve. Filius put a hand on her shoulder, as if he knew what she was thinking, and she smiled at her Head of House, nodding at him in thanks.
"No." George responded firmly. "She is my daughter, and I am not about to let her go-"
The savior of the wizarding world chose that moment to wrench the door open with an unlocking charm, and storm into the chamber, her entourage following behind her.
"-and I don't think I want to leave him" she completed her father's sentence, and he smiled at her, before paling.
"Athena. You must leave. Let me hold my own!" George attempted to persuade his daughter to find safety, as he struggled against the bonds that Quirrellmort had placed upon him, trying to escape.
Quirrell laughed, a high, cold, cruel cackle that chilled Athena to the bone. I remember that laugh, she thought, and her eyes widened as she realized who Quirrell truly was.
"Aww, the little General of a worthless ragtag army wants to protect his little girl! So sweet!" the voice of You-Know-Who -Voldemort- said sarcastically, and Athena growled at the insult to her father's honor.
"Do. Not. Talk. About. My. Father. Like. That." she snarled, drawing her wand as her friends formed a protective half-circle around her, Filius and Flora sneaking away to remove George from his chains. Voldy, however, remained oblivious, and continued to stare down Athena.
"I know who you are, and it is not Quirinus Quirrell. You are Lord Voldemort, the dickhead bastard who killed my biological parents and countless other people more than a decade ago. And I do not plan on letting you touch anyone I love. I hope you burn in the fiery pits of hell someday for what you have done to me, and if you lay a finger on my father after today, you will pay." Athena poured power into her words, making Voldemort falter for a second. She smirked, and continued. "Not to mention, I can always tell the wizarding community in America what you have attempted to do to dad, and they will be out for your blood, for George is a very respected figure in their history. Just wanted to let you know, Voldeshit."
Voldy had a smirk of his own as he looked Athena right in the eye, not even giving any sign of response to her speech.
"CRUCIO!"
Flora literally had to hold both Draco and George, who had finally broken free, back as the curse hit her best friend, despite her own conflicting thoughts.
Filius grit his teeth, glancing around as he searched for George's wand, which he eventually found lying on the ground a few feet away from where the General had been chained just moments before. He and George locked eyes, and Flitwick tossed his wand to him and the father began to engage Voldemort in battle.
Athena broke free of the curse as she dazedly began to watch her father take on the greatest dark wizard in European history. Her eyes darted back and forth as they fired curses at each other, every one deadlier than the last. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Flitwick clutching his wand, itching to jump into the fray, and she shook her head at him. This was her father's battle.
The two duelling wizards continued to fight, but George grew weary, until he decided to speak the incantation that would end the fight, for now.
O, Pater caelestis, (Oh, Heavenly Father)
Petitionem meam (Heed my request)
Hic homo a peccato (This man has committed a sin)
Et ardebit in inferno anima eius (Let his soul burn in Hell,)
Ne dimittas eam rursus recipienda redierint. (And never let it return again.)
Dead silence filled the room as those knowledgeable enough in the field of chants realized just what George Washington had done. Athena resolved to assist him in putting enough power into the ritual so that it could be completed. Together, father and daughter chanted as one, their voices reverberating loud enough that the students still in the Great Hall could hear them below.
Benedic hoc loco magis (Bless this room once more)
Sanctus lux tua illud imple, (Fill it with your holy light)
et in aeternum hanc pugnam. (And forever end this fight.)
Finally, they managed to expel the evil spirit of the Dark Lord from the body of the professor. The spirit left Quirrell's body with an eerie scream, and Athena's scar flared with pain as she and George both collapsed to the ground due to the sheer strength the ritual they had just done required. Flora and Hermione rushed to catch them before they hit the ground, but Athena saw no more as the world around her went black.
~XXXXXX~
Author's note: Hey guys! Here is another chapter for you. Two more and we can finally move on to the sequel! WOOT WOOT! Hooray for badass battles, am I right?
