Hermione sat in the teacher's lounge, which had become a point of congregation for all the walking and talking. She was listening to everyone tell their stories from their individual perspective and she was putting the bits and pieces together of June 17th. It was now June21st.
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There were rumblings that an attack was coming, Professor McGonagall had gotten an anonymous tip, which Hermione figured now had been from Snape.
The Order had prepared for the battle in several ways. The DA had stayed at the school after graduation, all of the students passing their NEWTS in spite of the distractions.
Remus, Bill Weasley, and Mad Eye Moody pounded many combat techniques into all who would fight, pushing each person to his or her physical and mental limit. This included not only the DA, but also the entire Order and faculty
Madam Pomfrey had also given everyone first aid training, and had come up with a casualty system. There were six pairs assigned to focus on the wounded. A few of the teams were the Weasley twins, Neville and Luna, Ginny and Professor Flitwick, and the Patil sisters. Each pair would have several sets of three coins that were gold, red, and black.
The coins were all portkeys. The plan was to have each team take turns covering their partner while the other would assess and transfer the wounded via the portkey. A gold coin indicated a non-life- threatening status and the person went to the great hall, where Madam Pomfrey would be supervising. The red coin sent the severely wounded to the Hospital Wing where off duty Medi- witches and healers from St. Mungo's waited. Finally, the dead were assigned the black coins and would be transported to a makeshift morgue in the dungeons, manned by Filch and Mrs. Norris. Fighters, who were not rescuers, also had a small number of these coins.
The morning of the 17th, the Hogwart's Team, which included everyone, had all gathered in the great hall for breakfast, as was their custom. Harry had approached Ron and Hermione asking them to meet with him after breakfast. As they walked, Harry guided the group toward the girl's bathroom.
"I want to go back to the Chamber of Secrets, and look around. I just have been getting these feelings that (he touched his scar) there is something going on and it involves the chamber."
"Why are we going alone, nothing ever good happens when we're alone," Ron said slowing his stride.
"Everyone else is busy, they don't need distractions, so let's keep this scouting mission small, and then if there is something significant, we'll bring them down." Harry replied.
The boys looked to Hermione.
She sighed, "I have nothing to say, I just work here, and frankly I feel like I might burst if I don't do something soon. The waiting is really getting to me … let's go."
"What?" The two gob-smacked boys said in near unison coming to a complete stop and staring at her. She stopped a little ahead of them when she realized they weren't with her and turned, staring back.
"Nothing?" said the boys. Hermione shrugged her shoulders, turned and walked on. The boys caught up with her and continued toward their destination.
They went down to the chamber, in an investigative mode, which quickly turned into defensive posturing when they found themselves faced with Voldemort the basilisk.
Apparently, about the time, the trio was entering the girl's bathroom; Mrs. Norris came racing into the great hall making an unbelievable racket and turning towards the door. Filch, Mad Eye and Bill were the first to move quick enough to get to the outer doors, only to see Death Eater after Death Eater apparating outside the gates. Bill recognized the form and style of one of the group as a former colleague from Gringotts. Bill knew he would make it through the layers of Hogwarts defense in no time.
They sounded the alarm and everyone moved to their places, also alerting the St. Mungo's staff. The Death Eaters did get through the wards in spite of the Order's incoming fire. The battle had begun in earnest.
The Hogwart's Team was not out classed by the Death Easters and matched them blow for blow. Even Madam Sprout was holding "her own." The rescue teams were doing well keeping the field free of the wounded. They were a fun lot and bantered between and amongst themselves. The team system worked well, and if conditions were misjudged, the staff would find the appropriate location once inside. Even Filch had to send a few up to the Hospital Wing that he found breathing.
The battle heated up; the Weasley twins were stealth making quick time around to the wounded. Charlie Weasley took a slicing hex to the ribs and fell. George and Fred were there as fast as they could. George was circling on the defensive and Fred was over Charlie.
"You know this is your own fault, you got fat sitting around taking care of those dragons. You might as well be wearing a target." Fred said teasingly to Charlie,
Charlie winced, "Don't make me laugh you bugger."
The Lestranges appeared; George could tell who it was because they were calling each other by name. Two other Death Eaters also intermittently engaged him as well.
"Fred your protego is fading cast another and hurry up man, you're not a healer"
"Shut your mouth George, I may not be a healer, but I am an artisan", he said winking at Charlie.
Neville and Luna had seen George's dilemma across the field and began firing, but the distance was a little too great to be effective. George had taken a Death Eater out with a Rictusempra (tickling hex); the man was now in a fit of painful laughter. Neville had called out Bellatrix who had taken off her mask, while the another Death Eater was trying to work both angles.
Then Fred called seriously, "George, ready for transfer. I'll take the protego off. On my count 1,2,3".
At that moment, a curse blindsided George and he fell leaving Fred wide open. Charlie's red coin took him out of the fray. Rodolphus Lestrange saw the opening and rang out an Avada Kedavra hitting Fred right in the chest.
Crawling towards his brother, sliced shallowly in the side, George quickly cast a protego. "Fred," the boy said pulling his brother towards him. "Fred come on, no time for jokes. Come on Fred, we still have to pull the bit on Malfoy. Damn it man you can't do this. George's words were beginning to muffle in Fred's chest. "… Always been with me… always." Seeing his protego failing, George's only thought was to take care of Fred and keep him safe. He fumbled with the red and the black coins, even though he knew which one to use. " I'll take care of you, no ones going to get to you now." He pressed the black coin to Fred's heart "Finite Incantatem," the Protego dropped … "Portus."
George had no protection he was kneeling on the ground and he didn't care; he wished silently 'just kill me'. Suddenly Bill was pulling him to his feet. "Come on George"
"Fred 's …"
"Come now, we all still need you, come on he'd want you to!" Bill said coaxing trying hard not to think of his fallen brother; George's legs began to move.
As the two Weasleys were making their way across the field, they heard a strange sound, as did several nearer the castle and the forest. On top of a small hill near the forest looking over onto the battlefield was a huge spider making a strange sound and then in a second, hundreds and hundreds of acromantula came out of the forest toward the battlefield.
Bill cast a sonorus and called out to the Team "Protegos up! Move to the wall!" All the fighters stopped what they were doing and obeyed their trainer on command, moved towards the castle wall.
Some had seen the spiders and moved quickly, others were so preoccupied with their opponents that they just moved on command not knowing why. Thanks to the rescue teams keeping up with the wounded, the field was clear, except for the Death Eater's.
The Weasleys had grouped close together. George looked over the field and saw his father crouched over writhing. "Dad" George ran; he was not going to loose anyone else today. The spiders were near; Bill, who had been watching their approach, turned in time to see George pressing the Whomping Willow, which had been charmed by Flitwick not to move, and swiftly, with the strength of three men, pulled and shoved his father inside following him. The spiders passed just as the tree was sealed.
"Dad" are you ok" Arthur was shaking and trying to communicate.
" Dad, don't. I'm going to send you to the Hospital Wing"
George took out the red coin he had held near Fred and placed it over his Dad's heart.
He whispered a portus and Arthur Weasley was gone; George was alone.
Outside things were quite different, the spiders had moved like stampeding cattle through the battlefield catching many Death Eaters unaware. Some of the wizard's went on the offensive, but there were too many creatures. Some cast protegos but the fear and adrenaline sucked the wizard's energy flailing them into the throng.
The creatures were like machines and seemed to focus solely on the wizards in Death Eater garb. Several of the order watched the Lestranges escape, but were unwilling to let down their shield to fire.
Bellatrix had discerned the garments were a hazard and disposed of them. The Lestranges quickly climbed up the different ledges to the back of the castle as if they were going towards something.
Many spiders web wrapped the Death Eaters that were still alive, carrying them off for later.
When the acromantula finished with what could only be termed 'their mission'; they turned and rounded in a U and headed back to the forest. As the Hogwart's Team watched, the creatures re-enter their domain, some caught site of a larger spider heading behind the castle.
The remaining Hogwart's team looked at the field, it smelled of death; it was empty.
Remembering George and Arthur, Bill, Mrs. Weasley, and Ginny ran to the tree. Bill got there first and the passage opened. He called, and called again as he entered the tunnel. A moment later, he emerged with a distant looking George leaning on his body. The small remnant of their family drew in close and gathered into each other.
Remus watched and gave them time; he needed to follow the spider and the Lestranges. Finally he called," Bill, we need to go."
" If you go, we go" George said coming out of his stupor. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny chimed in agreement.
"We can't all go," said Bill, "someone needs to go to Dad and Charlie"
Mrs. Weasley turned to her youngest and touched her face gently, "I would feel so much better knowing you were with them, and that you were safe."
Ginny looked into her mother's eyes and knew she had to give her this peace and someone did need to be with her Dad and brother. Anyway, she was feeling overwhelmingly protective of them right now. "Yes Mum, I'll go" Ginny held her Mom's hand to her face as her mother kissed her. George and Bill simultaneously grabbed their little sister almost squashing her, but none of them cared at that moment, there was no such thing as too close.
"Bill" Remus's voice was urgent.
Ginny separated from her family hesitantly, then out of the crowd Neville stepped forward and retrieved her. If he could have only seen the trust and gratitude that graced the Weasleys' faces at his gentle but firm arm around Ginny.
With that, the group was off toward the back of the castle.
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Hermione mentally recorded all the stories. Some were from the people themselves and some were from those that heard and saw them. For instance, Neville had heard what had transpired between George and Fred, and had told her at a quiet moment.
She had asked Harry what had happened while she was "out" in the chamber. They had both been curious at the ending of Rodolphus. Ron was tight lipped, but when they were alone with the other Weasleys they asked him again. He hesitated as he looked at George.
Very quietly, he began, "I was firing Expelliarmus but not hitting him. Then he started to yell at me, stupid stuff like being a blood traitor and all. Then he started on about how he had killed Fred. Well he didn't say Fred, he said, ' One of those twins, they look so alike it doesn't matter.'" Ron paused looking at the tears in his mother's eyes. Those eyes said 'I know the difference between my babies, I know.'
Ron went on," It took me a moment to register everything he was saying, but when I did, I went wild, I lost control, I caught a glimpse of Lestrange and with all the hate in my heart I hit him with an Avada Kedavra. He fell in the water. There was no time; Voldamort was on my tale and I began to run. I could see Harry levitating Hermione. So I ran toward her as fast as I could, and well you know the rest." He ended even softer than he began.
Everyone was silent, and no one moved. Then George slowly walked towards Ron, put his hands on Ron's shoulders, looked him in the eye and said, " Thank you… for both of us, thank you" The Weasley's all gathered around. Harry and Hermione held back until invited to join in.
The funerals were many, and sometimes there were a couple in one day. The survivors were beyond exhausted as they slowly came out of shock. They tried to sleep in their own rooms but for two nights, larger groups ended up together sleeping close. The third night they didn't fight it, but accommodated themselves with cots in one room. They were each other's touchstones to the reality they experienced together and each other's safety.
For weeks and weeks it was like this, but slowly each one knew it couldn't continue, they would go back to their families, make plans for University and/or jobs, but then, by no formal understanding, would show up on Friday night for the weekend; even this part of the recovery diminished after a while.
Harry and Hermione had gone to London, Hermione to check out the Wizard University at Oxford, and Harry to look into the auror program at the Ministry. Hermione had decided to double major in charms and potions, and was looking forward to pouring herself into something. Although there was nothing but friendship between them, the two found a flat that suited them both. They needed their touchstones.
Ron wanted to work close to home for a while, as did all the Weasleys. George needed help with the joke shop so Ron went to work there. All the Weasleys would pop in and out, helping George, and remembering Fred, on a regular basis.
Hogwarts opened as normal. Headmistress McGonagall had given Ginny access to the Burrow and joke shop via floo. The girl was aloud to come and go at will as long as her studies and responsibilities as Head Girl did not fall by the wayside.
And so, very slowly, life began once more.
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A pop sounded in the living room of a small cottage in Vilassar, Catalonia. A man with greasy black hair plopped down on his couch and exhaling said, "My debt is paid."
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Credit goes to Marbel Meadows for the last quote.
Credit goes to amr's Lioness Prophesies for the base idea of coin port keys. This story can be found through Dark Sarcasm.
Catalonia- is today one of the 17 autonomous communities that constitute the Kingdom of Spain.