WINDSWEPT - Chapter Four

Screams begun to echo around the rocky cliffs. There formed a ring of death eaters encircling the fifth years, the teachers had their wands out – Harry, Ron, Hermione and Arianna followed suit. Quills and parchment lay abandoned on the rocks. Umbridge looked pained – it was patently obvious she hadn't planned this. The figures stopped appearing. Harry glanced around: there was no escape.

"Death eaters." He whispered.

The others nodded. In the fearful silence, one death eater removed his mask.

"Lucius!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed in horror.

He merely smirked in his arrogance. Draco looked scared. Lucius Malfoy stepped forward.

"None of you will get hurt," Lucius said calmly as the atmosphere relaxed a touch, "if you give us Harry Potter."

Everyone turned to face Harry. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Snape looking fleetingly at him, before edging slowly sideways. Harry averted his gaze back to Lucius. I can't let these people get hurt because of me. He knew what he had to do, and took a deep breath before stepping forward.

"What do you want?"

Hermione, behind Harry, made eye contact with Arianna. A flash of understanding passed between them. They knew that Harry was far too noble, that he would give up his life to save them. But they couldn't let that happen. If Harry dies, we have nothing to fight for. It's over. Hermione nudged Ron, and out of the corner of her mouth murmured,"Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder."

Ron looked aghast, but he knew this was their only chance. Lucius was smirking.

"We want you Potter."

Harry was about to reply when a loud bang interrupted him, darkness spread across the cliffs – enshrouding them.

"STAY WHERE YOU ARE." Lucius commanded.

"Hermione – we can't see!" Ron whispered.

"I can see that Ronald! Let me think..." she retaliated.

"Run." The voice sounded like Harry's.

"What?""Run! This won't last forever, get into the caves – straight ahead! Go!" He whispered urgently. Harry grabbed the air next to him, eventually locating a hand, and tugging it forcefully, begun to sprint ahead.

"POTTER!" Malfoy's voice echoed amongst the rocks in the darkness.

"Should we curse him?" A female voice spoke this time.

"NO, NOBODY MOVE." Lucius sounded afraid. His son was out there, in the darkness. They were on a cliff, this was dangerous. They would have to wait until the darkness faded, they couldn't risk injuring one of their number.

Arianna kept running, pulled along the rocky cliff by a hand she thought might be Harry's. Her chest was killing her. She was stumbling across the loose stones like a drunk, and she didn't know how much longer she could last."Ha-harry! I can't – can't go on much longer!"

Harry's grip on her hand tightened.

"We're almost there, I know it! Stay with me, please, you have to keep going!" He whispered in earnest, afraid that someone would hear him. A little further. Keep going. He told himself. Where are the others? Where are Ron and Hermione? Harry's foot caught a rock and he tripped, his torso crumpling against the jagged rocks. But then he felt water, damp stone, smooth.

"Harry!" Arianna whispered, breathless. She reached out in the darkness, hands groping the air.

"I'm – I'm okay... it's a cave... I think..." he gasped.

Arianna took a tentative step forward, her foot feeling dampness on the stone. She knelt down, searching for Harry. Finally, her hands found him. She helped him to his feet, and they made their way into the darkness of the cave together.

"Wait..." Arianna muttered as she stopped dead. She had sensed a change in the darkness. "Lumos?"Her wand tip illuminated the darkness of the cave in front of her. She spun round to the cave opening. Nothing. Harry grinned and ignited his wand alongside her. Comforted by the light, the two found a comfortable nook in the wall and sat down.

"The darkness powder... how long will it last?" Arianna mused.

"Half an hour, max." Harry replied.

They had time.

"What should we do?" she muttered.

There was a pause, a thoughtful silence.

"We'll wait until they find us. And then we fight."

Arianna looked into the green of Harry's eyes and smiled.

But their happiness was short-lived, as a scream echoed in the distance.