Chapter 9

Today is my birthday. It's so hard to believe that we've survived the first half of the school year with the evil Severus Snape and Voldemort's Deatheaters. Also even more shocking, I'm pregnant…around three months to be exact. The notion of being pregnant was still a shock and was slowly sinking in.

Honestly, it did explain a few things: my irregular periods, extra moodiness, nausea, and so on. But I was barely eighteen! And it was only one time! Well, I guess that is all it takes nowadays. Oh lord…how could I be so selfish and irresponsible? This is the worse time to be with child.

I held my stomach at the thought as we turned another corridor. A child? A life that Harry and I created was growing inside of me. I smiled at the thought and tried to be more positive despite the increasing despair outside of these castle walls. Then another thought popped into my head: if Tonks can do it, I can too.

"Around this corridor and we'll be at the Great Hall!" Ginny hissed. Snapping back to reality, Neville and I hurried behind Ginny. It was sometime after midnight and we had just finished up a newly reinstated D.A. meeting.

"Why are we at the Great Hall again?" I hissed back once we hit the big double doors.

"We've got to spread the word!" She hissed again, taking out her wand, and aiming. "Dumbledore's Army is returning and we need all the members we can get!"

"We've only had a couple meetings Ginny! They were only with a few Gryffindors and Luna," I grumbled.

"And that's just the start Emma," Neville replied, following Ginny's lead, and aiming his wand. They both muttered a spell and a bright light shone from their wands then hit the wall. "We need to be ready…it won't be long till the war hits Hogwarts."

I sighed and raised my arm as well, "no, the war is already here…"

Each of us took a part of the wall and graphitized various messages concerning the returning of Dumbledore's Army. The words glowed against the walls and I was able to use a special binding spell to make sure the messages remained permanent.

"Sorry walls, but your purpose is done," Ginny said simply, stepping back to observe her work as did Neville and myself.

"Is it though?" I wondered. Ginny rolled her eyes and sighed at me.

"Stop being such a pessimist; you'd think having a baby in your belly, you'd be a bit lighter and free spirited," Ginny grumbled.

Neville winced at her words, "Calm yourself Ginny." Neville warned then whispered, "we know where you anger stems from, just save it for V-vol-voldemort." She nodded and apologized to me, but I shrugged it off; she was just worried about Dean at the moment and it made me wish I did something to Umbridge when I had the chance.

"Let's just go; we have packing to do," she said suddenly and we agreed, turning to leave the Great Hall. But sadly, we didn't get very far. Shadows danced along the walls at the end of the corridor we were heading towards. We quickly ducked behind a tapestry and struggled to keep our breathing silent as the two figures moved in.

"…with Severus off doing his own duties, it would be nice if someone could be a figurehead to the school." One of the voices stated. "I've read of your work that you've done as High Inquisitor a few years ago and was hoping that it can be done again; we need that here in this school," the voice spat.

"Well, thank you for summoning me Mister Carrows; we at the Ministry feel that we need to be as involved as possible," the other voice piped out, "and I've learned a few new techniques since my prior dismissal that I'm quite eager to share with the students," she said happily.

"Ah, I look forward to it." The other said happily as they continued to walk past. Both Ginny and Neville struggled to stay quiet and still as they went by, growing angry at having Umbridge back in the castle. "I admire you instinct; you'd be a marvelous Deatheater."

"Oh no, your form of justice is-OH MY HEAVENS!" She screamed mid-sentence. Shit, she saw the wall.

"Run for it!" Ginny yelled as we rushed from our hiding spot and ran to the tower.

"Stop now or I will curse you!" Carrows bellowed as he followed us. By the time we reached the staircase, we were huffing and bent over to catch our breaths. I could hear them both coming and the panic inside me grew. Taking a deep breath, I turned to the corridor, waiting.

"Emma, c'mon!" Ginny screeched.

"Yeah, don't be a hero, not with your current state," Neville piped in. I rolled my eyes and raised my arms.

"Go before I blow you both into the staircase." I said coolly then glanced at them for a moment. "I got this...we'll be fine, I promise." Ginny shook her head and Neville had to grab her just to get her to move. I sighed as I faced the empty corridor. It was quiet…too quiet…he must be hiding.

*squeak*

"Cruicio!"

"Protego!" I screamed just as the curse reverberated off my shield and hit a nearby statue.

"Ah! Miss Prewitt, good evening, my favorite little troublemaker." Carrows sneered at me. "I see you have taken it upon yourself to decorate the Great Hall. Or did you have some help?" I smirked, not answering.

I raised my wand before speaking, "I need no help." I replied. He began to laugh, thinking that I was cowering at his feet like most of the students would.

"Oh, you stupid silly girl! Do you really think you are a match for me? I am a highly skilled Deatheater that has devoted his life to the dark craft! I am twice your age and have been in this game just as long, do you think you and that puny wand of yours can truly take me on?" He mocked.

My smirk widened as I mentally weighed in future consequences of the action about to take place. I sighed then glanced at my wand then back at him, shrugging a bit. Kissing my wand…my mother's wand, I dropped it then kicked it to the side.

"You're right…I don't think I'll need my wand to take you on; I have my own power and raw talent!" I yelled before waving my arms and blasting a heavy air towards him. His eyes grew wide as he slammed into the wall, not even attempting to defend himself.

"Argh!" He screamed from the ground.

"If you keep screaming like that, you'll wake the whole castle." I said as I moved towards him. "Well, if they aren't awake already."

"I don't care!" He growled, still having trouble getting up. "I know who you are! You are a Pendragon! The Dark Lord will be so pleased!" He stated happily. I was standing above him now, glowering in his presence. He thought he had me…he wasn't even fighting anymore.

"Tell that coward he can try to get me!" I said evenly. "I doubt he will since you will be forgetting this ever happened." I stated, lowering my arms so that they were pointing at his face. "OBLIVIATE!" I screamed then a jet of bright light shot from my hands hitting him directly. Carrows' eyes closed and his head slumped over.

Feeling a bit tired, I slid to my knees in front of him. I breathed heavily and took a moment to collect my bearings. I was in deep shit, no doubt about it. But it was well worth it. I was here to protect the school and its inhabitants; I had done just that by at least temporarily taking out a Deatheater.

I sighed and smiled to myself; despite the ruckus that just transpired, it didn't cause that big of a scene. Getting up, I stretched then rotated to head up to the Gryffindor Tower…but I didn't expect to see a wand pointed directly at me only a few feet away. Damnit. I had forgotten about Dolores Umbridge.

"Tut, tut missy! That was very unwise." She stated, moving forward a few feet towards me. "How are you going to explain attacking a Hogwarts' professor in front of a highly distinguished Ministry official?" I scoffed at this.

"Firstly, I could give a flying fuck about the Ministry right now. Secondly, in case you missed his monologue a few moments ago, I was defending myself against a Deatheater!" I shouted back.

"TUT! TUT!" She said again, her wand hand shaking in the process. "One mustn't tell lies!" She stated. I glared at her, thinking back to something Harry told me some time ago. Thinking hard, I focused on her body, and lifted her swiftly into the air. I forced her wand from her hand and brought it to my own before snapping it in half. She squealed at me then I proceeded to squeeze her squat round body.

"Ever since I learned what you did those years ago, I've hated you without even knowing who you are," I spat, applying more pressure. "Then when I saw your ugly face in the Daily Prophet concerning your distaste for half bloods and muggle borns, I thought you a waste of magic." I was growling now and with each word, I applied more pressure; she was turning purple now and her eyes were bugging out. "I'm not sure if you remember me but I was at the Ministry the past summer and what I saw there made my skin crawl. At that moment, I wanted you dead!"

Her body contorted in the air and her eyes rolled around in her head before closing completely. Just a bit more pressure and I can rid the world of one extra evil being. I heard rushed footsteps nearby then a gasp. I looked to see Professor McGonagall and a few other professors standing at the opposite corridor, staring at me horrorstruck. For whatever reason, I dropped Umbridge on the spot.

A few moments passed and not a person moved a muscle. Professor McGonagall whispered some orders to the other professors and they each moved to take Carrows and Umbridge away. Then it was just the two of us. I could feel her eyes on me as I looked down at the floor; I was too afraid to look at her.

"Well, Miss…Prewitt is it? I think a hundred points to Gryffindor will suffice." My head snapped up at her words and was shocked to see a smile on her face. I bowed and thanked her before rushing off to my dorm.

3rd Person POV

It was late and very dark. Voldemort was in his study, pacing back and forth with his snake Nagini. The Dark Lord had just received some shocking information from one of his subjects and needed to formulate a plan. He paused to gaze out the window. The moonlight danced on the lawns down below as he searched the grounds for any movement.

He gave a small grin as a dark figure apparated on the grounds and moved fast into the residence. Voldemort stood at the ready as his most loyal of servants made way to the room. The person in question kneeled before the Dark Lord then stood again.

"You wanted to see me my Lord," The voice drawled out, not meeting the Dark Lord's eye.

"Ah, Severus, I am pleased you made it here so swiftly." Voldemort said airily. "I had just received the most tantalizing of information from Amycus Carrows at Hogwarts."

Severus raised a brow at his words, but revealed nothing else, "Oh, is he here as well sir?" He asked while looking around the room only for his eyes to fall back on Voldemort who was chuckling evilly.

"No. He is still at Hogwarts, unconscious actually," he stated.

"Really? How do-" Severus began only to get interrupted.

"I have eyes at Hogwarts Severus, how quickly you forget." Voldemort said, scoffing at Severus' obviousness.

"My apologies sir," Severus said with a slight bow. Voldemort waved him off and began speaking again.

"No bother Severus, as long as you fulfill this request of mine, loyal servant,"

"Anything he wishes, oh powerful Dark Lord," Severus replied, bowing to his knees now in front of Voldemort.

"Emma Pendragon is at Hogwarts Severus," he stated causing Severus to raise his head and stand at the ready.

"Truly?" Severus asked; shock laced in his voice and cleared his throat to mask it. "Rumors have stated she is working with that Potter, his blood traitor, and personal mud-blood."

"It would seem her part in his journey is false Severus. I just watched through Amycus their duel until she performed a memory charm as a final ploy. Even though he was defeated and will be reprimanded for his actions in his duel, Amycus served a glorious purpose. Such power Severus! I must have it! I must have her! Can you imagine?"

"Yes my Lord and if I recall correctly, she was with Potter intimately…if we were to acquire her and Potter learns of her capture, he would come to her aid."

"Yes Severus! Exactly so!" Voldemort agreed as he moved to sit behind a desk and Nagini wrapped herself around his chair. "Marvelous Nagini, isn't it?" Voldemort asked his snake as he stroked her scaly skin.

"What would you have me do my Lord? Do you wish me to retrieve her myself?" Severus asked.

"No no Severus. She distrusts you and would suspect. Oh no Severus, we must plan this very carefully."

"Yes my Lord, you are very wise." He bowed once more. "What do you suggest?"

"I am aware that the holidays are near, is that correct?" Voldemort asked. He nodded in response, "which also means the end of term break, yes?" Severus nodded again. "It will be done then. Let the child enjoy her break and assume she is safe."

He laughed at this before continuing. "What I ask of you is to mix together the strongest binding potion known. This girl is powerful and must be noted if we are to apprehend her successfully. You will provide this to the Deatheaters sent to take her so it can be injected at once!" He exclaimed.

Severus nodded at once, "Will do, my Lord."

End of 3rd Person POV