A/N1: I'm back I'm sorry for the grand delay for this chapter but I have been working on my other fics.
In this chapter, the gang is going to learn more about the Founders and a clue for their quest. There will be also a battle with an unexpected end.
I hope you enjoy this chapter. It has become longer than expected so there will be a third part.
A/N2: The abbreviation 'DE' – stands for Death Eater(s)
A/N3: The words in italics represent thoughts or proverbs.
All comments, suggestions and flames are welcomed.
Disclaimer – JK Rowling and various publishers own the world of Harry Potter.
Chapter Twelve
The Necromancer's Legacy
Part two: Signs and battle
It was noon, the sun was shining high and its rays were petting every tree, plant, animal and stone. Ron was still sleeping next to Hermione whose condition had improved over the night. Ginny and Harry were also sleeping down the hall. Only Neville and subsequently Luna were awake. They were taking a walk at the inside garden of the castle.
"Luna." – Neville called.
"Yeah."
"Are you alright? You seem a bit more distracted than usual." – Neville asked concerned.
"Oh. I'm fine. Thanks!" – Luna lied not very convincingly.
"Are you sure?" – Neville asked raising an eyebrow. "Come on tell me."
"It's nothing. Just a dream I had last night." – Luna said.
"Something scary?"
"Something like that. Depends on the point of view."
"Oh ok. Lets go and wake the others if they are still not." – Neville proposed.
"Ok." – Luna replied happy that he has changed the subject.
They left the garden and headed back to the castle. They passed by the Hall where Luna noticed a staircase leading somewhere downstairs, maybe to the basement, which was attracting her for some reason. She exchanged some looks with Neville but they decided to take a peek later on.
Harry and Ginny not surprisingly were still sleeping so Neville and Luna decided to prank them while they still had the chance. So Luna took a bucket and filled it with cold and freezing water, and levitated it into the air right above them. Then Neville gently pulled out the blanket and placed a net around them (like a fish caught in a net, Neville thought) and sealed it to the ground so they won't be able to move much as they wake up. Then they both placed a motion charm to enable the bucket and slid outside of the room giggling as quietly as possible.
They went next to see how was Hermione. They found Ron has already awakened. They motioned him to come and showed him the little prank on Harry and Ginny. He smirked and retuned back to his room where they found Hermione opening her eyes.
"Thanks Merlin's Beard." – Ron exclaimed. "How are you feeling?"
"Hi. I feel fine. How long have I been out?" – Hermione replied silently.
"A couple of days. You scared the lot of us." – Ron said approaching her bed.
"Where are we?" – Hermione asked looking steadily around.
"In Monmouth Castle. Hopefully we found someone to help you." – Ron said taking her by the hand. "Don't do that again. I can't bear it again."
"I won't. I promise." – Hermione whispered.
"Good."
"Where are Harry and Ginny?"
"O, they're still sleeping but I wish not to be at their place when they wake up." – Ron answered mysteriously.
"Why?"
"Come and see." – Neville said.
"Oh. Sorry guys I just noticed you."
"It is all right." – Luna replied.
"What's all this about then?"
"You'll see." – Neville said jumping enthusiastically. "If you can get up of course."
"I think so. I hate being in bed for so long."
"Slowly, now." – Ron said.
Hermione slid out of the bed and dressed quickly (the boys exited the room to give her some privacy). She found them outside and Luna led the way. They arrived just in time. Harry had opened his eyes and quickly found the net. At first he thought he hadn't waken yet but as he examined the periphery he was sure he wasn't dreaming or so. In this moment Ginny woke up gently and seized the net as well. As she tried to move the motion charmed was engaged the bucket of water fell on them. The effect was absolute they both jumped high as the water was freezing to boot. Then they heard giggles and laughter outside.
"Hey Harry how's the water?" – Ron asked laughing, already on his knees.
"I'll get you for this, you prats." – Harry roared with anger but that only increased the laughter.
Harry noticed between all the laughter the voice of Hermione. He jumped briskly thus tearing the net and opened the door.
"Hey Hermione. You feel alright?" – He asked.
"Yes, I'm fine thank you." – Hermione replied still giggling. "Ginny, you look like a fish out of the net."
"Yeah, I do." – Ginny replied laughing. "But I'll get it back to you one of these days."
Hermione lifted her wand and cast a warming spell on both Harry and Ginny, which earned her thanks. Then they all headed back to Hermione's room where Lord Tenus was expecting them.
"Good morning to all. I see that young Ms. Granger is feeling fine."
"Good morning, sir. She is." – Harry replied.
"Then it is time for breakfast. If you would like to join me at the Hall?"
"Yes, of course."
Lord Tenus led the way. They passed again by the staircase and Luna found it hard to resist of going down and checking it out but followed the others. A big table was positioned in the middle of the Hall with silver and comfortable chairs. Lord Tenus served everyone before seating.
"I would advise you to stay at least a day in the castle." – Lord Tenus said. "Before leaving. Ms Granger needs her rest as Mr. Gravefoot had requested."
"That's fine." – Harry said.
"Mr. Who?" – Hermione asked.
"Mr. Gravefoot, the curse breaker. He was the one that saved undoubtedly your life, Ms Granger." – Lord Tenus replied.
"Curse breaker?" – Hermione asked her eyes widening.
"Yes, Hermione. You were cursed with something while you were disapparating." – Ron explained. "You scared us a lot. Then I led you into the castle and Healer Munti of Goodrich almost scared me to death when he said that he couldn't help you. Hopefully, Mr. Greenrich led us here and Lord Tenus was so understanding and helpful that now you're back to your feet."
"Thank you, sir." – Hermione said.
"It was my pleasure." – Lord Tenus answered simply.
"Is it just me or the entire castle has a ghostly look?" – Hermione asked.
"Yes, it has." – Ron confirmed. "We'll tell you the story afterwards."
"Do not be troubled by the look of the castle. Here there are no threats or anything that will harm you in any way." – Lord Tenus reassured.
"Anything?" – Luna repeated.
"Yes, anything." – Lord Tenus confirmed looking straight at Luna's eyes. "Here you'll be safe from anything."
"No, it is ok. I was just curious." – Hermione said.
Luna was not so sure. She still remembered those red eyes of the creature in her dream last night, which was not giving her a rest and the comfort of safety. Actually that was not the first she had such a disturbing dream. There was once after her mother died and every single time on the day of her death. At a time she thought she was imagining but as it kept going through the years it has gotten the whole of her. There were times she was afraid of her own shadow and there was no one to comfort her, not even her father. He had locked himself away trying to escape the pain so she had no one. But in this castle that feeling she escaped from youth was chasing her again and the feeling was growing stronger and was continuing to gain speed. And every time, Lord Tenus was looking at her she had the impression that those eyes will turn red and the creature will engulf her.
"I shall take my leave now." – Lord Tenus announced.
"So what are we going to do in the meantime?" – Hermione asked.
"We are going to stay in the castle. We can't risk going even outside. Who knows the Death Eaters might find us even here." – Harry replied.
"Yeah." – Ron agreed. "We could explore the castle."
"Sure. Why not? Any ideas where to start?"
"From the top to the bottom or vice versa?" – Hermione asked.
"In groups or all together?" – Ginny asked.
"Ok. By pairs." – Harry judged.
"Agreed." – Ron said.
Harry and Ginny went outside to the garden while Hermione and Ron went to the top; Luna and Neville decided to explore the middle of the castle.
Though the castle was not nearly as big as Hogwarts it was nevertheless mostly interesting. Its ghostly look was the main reason why it was so interesting but also it had many chambers, actually chambers going into chambers thus forming a labyrinth. Halls filled with ancient weapons, shields and hoods. Centuries were meeting in each corridor exploring their beauty and sorrow, happiness and ugliness. It seemed, as the castle was the place where the light was meeting the darkness, a perfect place of balance. And passing from room to room, from chamber to chamber, from hall to hall, from corridor to corridor was strangely relaxing. It was laying all fears and burdens away, as they never existed before.
The group spent the entire day exploring the castle, everything except the basement. They all met at some point exchanging what they saw then continued almost to suppertime. Neville and Luna were the last to arrive.
"How's the top?" – Ron asked.
"Very interesting." – Neville replied. "There was a room that was filled with books of herbology. I mean all kinds."
"Hmm. We might have missed that. Anything else in the library?" – Hermione asked.
"Everything you want."
"I'll check it tomorrow."
"Hermione, we are not at school. There is no need to explore every single library." – Ron teased her.
"Why not? It might have something interesting and useful, you never know." – Hermione replied.
"Bookworm."
"Oh you!" – Hermione exclaimed angrily pointing her finger at Ron.
"Hey you two." – Harry said teasingly.
"I'll get him for that." – Hermione said mischievously.
"Ok. Dinner time."
Lord Tenus joined them for dinner. He was also eager to learn how was their day and also to learn more about the day life in Hogwarts. But was surprised though to learn that Dumbledore has passed away. It seemed that he knew quite a bit about him, which was interesting for the gang as it was concerning his life outside school. Tenus also knew some interesting facts about Professors McGonaggle, Sinistra and Hooch. And the conversation went on and on. Harry was very careful not to reveal anything about their task ahead. But Lord Tenus was quiet smart and was approaching the subject in a very subtle way. After all who wouldn't wonder why Death Eaters were going after teenagers. That's why Hermione decided to ask as well.
"Lord Tenus do you happen to know anything about the founders of Hogwarts? Because the history of Hogwarts seemed somewhat incomplete."
"Well who doesn't?" – Lord Tenus replied. "I wouldn't though pretend to be an expert of the school's history but their deeds are well known in this region."
"Could you tell us about them?" – Ginny asked enthusiastically sensing the direction of Hermione's question.
"Ok. I'll tell you what I know." – Lord Tenus agreed. "Hogwarts School, as you know, was formed some thousand years ago by the most powerful wizard and witches of the time – Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin. Each of them brought their skills, knowledge and experience to a variety of subjects for the students to learn. But it should be mentioned that in the times the school was created were not happy times for the wizard community. The muggles were exterminating all wizards. They hated them, I guess, for their weird abilities as they were considered and condemned as a satanic art by the church. So to find a student and to teach him the old ways was actually quiet rare. But the founders were confident that they could create a place safe for all students so not to fear the muggles. Private teachers or wandering mages taught most students at that time. When the school was opened it had only a handful of students, as it was new and barely known. But this did not discourage the founders it actually encouraged them even more. Hogwarts was invisible to the muggles, although they were trying to find it and destroy it by all means necessary, so it provided shelter from the fanatic muggles."
"That could explain Slytherin's hate for mudbloods." – Ron inserted.
"And to a certain extent he was right to do so." – Lord Tenus agreed.
"But without the muggles the wizard kind would have disappeared." – Hermione objected.
"Yes that is also true as it is the first. Salazar Slytherin had a particular reason why he did not wanted the muggle born to learn magic. You see after a muggle born start his or her training he has to remain at school at all times in order to ensure his or her safety. Times were perilous. It was considered nuts to expose a muggle that his child is a wizard, as this child would probably end up dead and his family with it. What usually happened was that the muggle born child would use his abilities in the outside world thus exposing that he or she is a wizard and thus creating a bad name for all wizards. You see at the time there was no ministry of magic, no one to control the children after leaving school for the summer or permanently. The founders could not possibly control all students after they left school and it would have been unadvisable as the muggles were going to discover whom they were. So everyone had to be very careful when it came to using their abilities. I don't say that the wizards were scared to use magic but if they could avoid it they would."
"But we, wizards could take care of any muggle interference." – Ron objected.
"Mr. Weasley, you can't hope to take care of so much people. I mean in a battle how many could you take out? Ten, twenty, a hundred but then you'll be overrun. You see the numbers were in favor of the muggles as it is even now." – Lord Tenus explained.
"But magic is stronger."
"In some cases yes but the muggles have progressed since. Through the centuries the muggles have become more inventive. You should not be underestimating them. They have learned how to cope without magic but their ways have become somewhat corruptive. The need for a ministry of magic was growing and after some time it was created to control and protect the wizard community from the muggles. But lets go back to the founders."
"Why does Slytherin hate the muggle born?" – Harry asked. "Isn't it possible that he could be one of them?"
"No one knows actually whether he was or not. All that is known is that in some point a muggle born presented a clear danger to the school, as it was nearly exposed by the muggles, and which led to the death of someone that was said to be close to Salazar. At this point Salazar started hating them all. He did not want them to study magic but the founders did not agree given that the only way the wizards were going to survive was to marry muggles. They wanted to give a fair chance to everyone to study the ways of magic. And in a point in time, Salazar left the school. Where nobody knows as the others never saw him again. Some say that he went on a revenge quest but he never returned."
"What I still don't understand is why there is such competition between Gryffindor and Slytherin?" – Hermione asked. "It has remained even after they were passed away, in their respective houses."
"Has it? Oh!" – Lord Tenus exclaimed. "Well, it is known that Gryffindor and Slytherin were coming from noble families. And some believe that their families were rivals from the distant past, for what reason however I don't know. So this rivalry might have continued in the school as well. Godric Gryffindor was a well known noble and a knight while Salazar was also known as a noble but he was not fond of open fight not that he could not. Every noble man at time was trained well. But Salazar preferred the more shadow way. So that might constitute the distance and difference between them. And perhaps that Gryffindor was quiet the lady man while Salazar wasn't. But I don't think anyone actually knows the real reasons for their rivalry."
"What about Lady Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff?" – Neville asked.
"I'm getting there but first to point out some other known things for Gryffindor and Slytherin, as I am sure you've heard of them. One is the ring of Slytherin and the other the sword of Gryffindor. Those objects were strongly connected to their owners. You see each magic object, as all others for that matter, has its purpose. The magical ones are different though. As you know or may not know Gryffindor's sword is engraved with his name and with two rubies that describe a possibly aggressive nature of a person. Slytherin preferred emeralds, which entitled the cold colors. So the two objects reflected the nature of its owners and as you see it is right the opposite. Gryffindor with the red ruby and Slytherin with the green emerald, they represent opposite meanings – aggressiveness and passion against coldness and seemingly passiveness.
Now Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, these two are also part of the puzzle. What is known best is the cup of Hufflepuff, which is said, has interesting properties to the one who drinks from it. Some even compare it to the Holly Grail but those are rumors. Rowena Ravenclaw, well for her not much is known besides being best friend with Hufflepuff. In some stories it was rumored that she possessed a rare artifact, I believe it was a silver tiara or a bracelet of the same kind or both. I'm not sure. From what I've heard it might be indeed both – a shape shifter artifact. It was said it provided the bearer great knowledge, as you know well she was known for the knowledge and intelligence. Above this, I don't know more."
"Very interesting." – Ron exclaimed.
"Indeed." – Hermione agreed.
"Oh. Unholy cricket look at the time." – Lord Tenus exclaimed looking at his watch. "Bed time at least for me. I wish you all a good night. We'll meet tomorrow for breakfast before you leave."
"Good night, sir!" – The others wished.
"Well that was interesting." – Ginny observed.
"Indeed. Very interesting." – Hermione agreed. "But he was getting really close."
"Close?" – Luna asked.
"Yes, to the purpose of our journey." – Harry said.
"But then he backed off." – Ron said.
"He is smart, there is no doubt in that." – Hermione remarked.
"Yeah, and we learnt something interesting." – Harry observed.
"Such as?" – Ron asked.
"Ravenclaw's bracelet or tiara." – Hermione replied.
"Yeah, a silver bracelet." – Harry added. "Now we know what to look for."
"But Harry it is based on rumors." – Ginny objected.
"Harry is right." – Hermione said. "Rumors sometimes tend to be true and also if it was so based on rumors Lord Tenus wouldn't have mentioned it."
"In that case, there is a fifty-fifty percent chance." – Neville said.
"Aha."
"Well, bed time." – Harry said. "As soon as we wake up. We'll make it for Hogwarts."
Some time in the night, Luna was having again the scary dream. She was so agitated that Neville had to wake her.
"Are you alright?" – His voice concerned.
"What? Where?" – Luna asked before she realized she was in her bed. "Oh. I'm fine."
"Bad dream?"
"Yeah. It is gone now."
"You sure? Ok. Good night."
"Night."
But the dream was not gone. The sooner Luna closed her eyes the quicker it reappeared so she had to reopen them. She couldn't go to sleep again. She has to get out of this castle so in an instant she was all dressed up. She slipped pass Neville's bed and got outside where she bumped into Ginny.
"Hey, watch out." – Ginny said.
"Ginny? I'm sorry I didn't see you." – Luna apologized.
"What are you doing up so late?"
"I could ask you the same question."
"I couldn't sleep."
"Neither could I."
"Oh ok. A little snack at the Hall?"
"Great."
They descended and went straight to the Hall. The table still had the fruit basket, as Ginny had noticed before going to bed.
"Nice." – Ginny said and grabbed an avocado and few apples.
The girls spent in the hall almost half an hour before deciding to go back to bed but in passing by the very staircase Luna noticed some time before she couldn't resist anymore and took the stairs. Ginny looked at her questioningly but Luna just shrugged.
"What is it down there?" – Ginny asked aloud.
"I don't know but I'm curious to find out. It has been bugging me for some time." – Luna replied.
"Ok."
Neville suddenly woke up. He thought he had heard someone scream. He looked around but saw or heard nothing disturbing. He was just about to go back to sleep when he noticed that Luna was not in bed, actually she was in the room either. "Maybe she's gone to the bathroom," – Neville thought and went back to sleep. But he soon woke up again. Something definitely was bothering him so he slipped out of bed, dressed up and went to the bathroom to check if Luna was there.
When he arrived he gently knocked on the bathroom door but no answer came so he ventured the door. There was no one inside so he headed back. He thought that perhaps she went either to another bathroom, as there were at least two more on the floor, or to the Hall for a late snack, at least that's what he would do. So he relaxed and headed back to his room.
On the way back he almost bumped into someone as he realized it was Ron.
"Watch out!" – Neville exclaimed.
"Who is it?" – Ron asked surprised. "Oh, Neville it is you. Sorry mate didn't see you."
"No, it is ok."
"What are doing up so late? Couldn't sleep?"
"Well no. Actually I was looking for Luna. I noticed her bed is empty but perhaps she has gone to the bathroom or down to the hall for a snack. And you?"
"Well I thought I heard someone passing by the room some time ago and then had to go…well you know where."
"Right. Well good night, Ron." – Neville said.
"Good night, Neville."
And then just as they were separating a weird sound filled the air. It seems as though someone was screaming but the sound had lost its pitch by passing through the walls, which made the boys shiver.
"What was that?" – Ron said in a trembling voice looking scarily around.
Neville was looking no braver than him but saw nothing that could have produced the sound or the voice.
"I don't know." – He replied.
"What's going on?" – They heard someone say from a dark corner. It turned out to be Hermione.
"Hermione, is it you?" – Ron asked.
"Yes. What are you doing here?"
"Well, I was going to bathroom when I bumped into Neville that was looking for Luna and then we heard…"
"You heard what?" – Hermione looked at him raising an eyebrow.
"Well. Nothing." – Neville shot.
"Yeah. Nothing and …" – Ron did not finish his sentence as the sound reappeared in the air giving shivers down their spines.
"Oh no here it is again." – Ron said panicky and jumped behind Hermione's back.
"Oh. Come to your sense." – Hermione scolded him irritatingly.
"I think it is coming from somewhere beneath us." – Neville said timidly.
"Oh boys come back to your senses, you chickens. You are not expecting to see a ghoul pass through the floor and eat you." – Hermione said mockingly.
"It is not funny." – Ron snapped. "I heard someone scream. I'm not deaf."
"Yeah, I heard it too." – Neville agreed.
"You're pathetic. I'm going back to bed." – Hermione said and turned around where she collided with a very distressed Harry. "Harry!"
"Sorry, Hermione. Where are the girls?" – He asked Ron and Neville.
"We don't know." – Neville responded.
"We have to find them."
"Harry, what's wrong?" – Hermione couldn't resist asking.
"I distinctly heard Ginny scream. I recognize her voice anywhere and since she was not in bed. I imagine Luna is not in bed too, I thought I heard her voice too."
"Harry, you're making up things. I'm here right and I don't hear anything." – Hermione objected.
"Maybe you're the one sleeping but I agree with Harry. Lets go look for them." – Ron said.
Luna and Ginny had followed the stairs, which led them to a passage. They looked at each other than continued. The passage was not very long as it soon stopped before a wooden door, which they ventured.
They were outside the castle most probably in a side garden or grounds of the castle. The only light coming was from the stars and the moon, which was decreasing so they had to advance slowly before they realized that they have taken their wands.
"Lumos." – They said in unison.
They were following a path paved with stones and marbles. The path was meandering between small bumps of grass and leaves. The path led them to an open space with stones stuck in the ground some meters one from another.
"A cemetery." – Ginny exclaimed.
"Yeah." – Luna agreed with shivers. "And look over there a creepy crypt."
Ginny followed her finger and saw it. In the middle of the cemetery surrounded by few trees, the crypt was laying. It was a marble rectangular structure with no windows, as usually expected, and a small amber door. The front walls were covered with runes and letters of unknown language.
"Lets go back." – Ginny said.
Luna was close to agree but something was pulling her to go further. And interestingly it was not fear that she might find those creepy looking red eyes, it was curiosity and something else that she couldn't determine. It was one of those feelings that most would call sixth sense. So she followed this unknown to her call forward and Ginny willing or not followed her.
They reached the crypt, which stood like a cold statue of forgotten times before them. Then Luna turned around expecting to see the reddish eyes but nothing happened, maybe because Ginny was with her. Luna exploited every side of the crypt before deciding that it was time to return to the castle. The weird feeling in her has not gone though but unable to find its source led the conclusion that she will not find it today and maybe ever.
"Lets go back." – Luna sighed.
The girls turned around and back to the wooden door. They followed again the meandering path but on their way they saw hooded figures moving near the door. They managed to hide before any of them could see them.
"O-O!" – Ginny said.
"You don't think they are…?" – Luna looked at her with growing fear.
"Oh, I do hope not." – Ginny replied.
"How are we going to get inside with all of them circling around like vultures?"
"I don't know but we have to warn the others."
"How?"
"I honestly don't know but we have to find a way."
"And if we do they are going to find us and for the moment they have not seen us."
"Yes, but for the moment. We can't hide here forever."
"Forever? No, just as long as they are gone."
"But if they open the door they'll go inside and the others would not know what hit them. And also they might come this way and then we're screwed."
"Lets retreat to the crypt before they get the chance to find us here."
"Not yet. We have to find a way…"
"Ginny, we have to go. Maybe we could go around the castle and enter from elsewhere."
"Good idea. Lets go."
Unfortunately for them one who was passing near a tree some distance from north of them saw them. And started immediately to draw curses at them so the girls had to run for their lives dodging the curses and casually firing back. Some of the others near the door joined the chase with satanic pleasure.
Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville had just appeared in the Hall when they saw Lord Tenus running towards them holding up his wand. He was already dressed in his battle robe, which had a strange emblem on it – skeleton hands closely crossed on background of a crystal skull with shinning blue eyes.
"Oh. You're up." – Lord Tenus said as soon as he saw them.
"What's going on?" – Ron asked.
"Trespassers on the grounds of the castle." – Lord Tenus replied.
He wanted to say more but a weird sound has been heard. It was no different from the one Ron and Neville heard the first time.
"Holly Cricket." – Lord Tenus exclaimed. "The crypt."
The others looked at him not understanding what he was blabbing about although the word 'crypt' was creeping them out.
"Follow me!" – Lord Tenus shouted and swiftly turned around back from where he first appeared.
They passed through several chambers before Lord Tenus took a right turn and straight down the stairs there till they reached a door, which he opened with one swift move of his wand, and continued running. They entered a sub terrain passage that extended more than hundred yards. The crossing took them ten minutes before it arrived to another small metal door that opened and led to stairs climbing up and up for at least five minutes.
They appeared in a dark and gloomy hall with many stone like tables, as they seemed at first before realizing they were not tables but tombs. They've entered into the crypt itself. Lord Tenus navigated his way through the tombs and they arrived near a massive stone gate, which Tenus opened slightly and took a peek outside.
Flashes of red light were flying near the crypt and some were coming back from a set of stones. Harry quickly realized that Luna and Ginny must be behind them. He looked at the others who nodded silently and they moved outside the crypt besides Lord Tenus vivid objection.
They drew their wands and attacked the hooded men form behind whom as soon as the first spells hit them turned around to face their new opponents. And the battle at Monmouth Castle began.
Ginny and Luna were considerably relieved when they heard the voices of Harry and the others. But their happiness did not last for long as the other hooded men around the gate from which they emerged from the castle came to help out. Now they were locked into a battle of two fronts.
Ginny moved out of the stones behind which they've hiding with Luna and attacked the first hooded person insight.
"Stupefy!" – She shouted and the spell hit the unprepared man.
"Way to go, Ginny." – Luna said and fired a stunner.
"Gather around me!" – Harry shouted continuing to fire stunners in all directions.
"Catch them." – A particularly shrill voice echoed.
"Bellatrix!" – Neville exclaimed and turned his spells in her direction.
"O, little Longbottom." – Bellatrix spat mockingly and sent some green lights at his direction.
Neville dodged the spells and fired back but Bellatrix countered them so quickly and efficiently that Neville had to dodge his own spells. Hopefully Ron came to his rescue thus forcing Bellatrix to divide her attention.
"Petrificus Totales." – Ginny shouted at a Death Eater who did not had the time to escape since he was trying to hex Luna.
"Thanks!" – Luna said.
"Lets move near Harry and the others." – Ginny proposed.
"Ok."
But their way was cut off from a group of Death Eaters. They had to dodge jinxes and hexes.
"Impedimenta." – Ginny shouted.
The spell managed to hit two Death Eaters right in the chest but the others did not slow down for them. One of them managed to hit Luna with a cutting spell, which made Luna scream and fall but she was quickly back on her feet.
Neville heard Luna's scream and jumped in her direction. He passed by a fallen opponent and set his jinxes in the direction opposite to the two girls.
In this moment the crypt door opened and Lord Tenus came out joining the battle. He began throwing at the Death Eaters powerful curses, which made most of them in his proximity to scream in terror and pain. Bellatrix had to turn to him and leave Ron, which was a relief for him as he was having really hard time fighting her.
The Death Eaters were circling around Lord Tenus and throwing much more powerful spells than usual as their opponent was much more powerful than expected. Bellatrix was leading them. She was indeed very surprised to find out that some provincial lord possessed such knowledge in Dark Magic and was so skillful in its use.
"Sectumsempra."
Death Eaters shouted at him but Tenus blocked the spells quickly and shot at them something that made their legs and arms freeze along with an increasing feeling of fear, which paralyzed them for a time.
On the other side Luna and Ginny were locked in a battle with four DE that were giving them hard time. Luna had recovered from the cutting curse but was fighting less efficiently so basically Ginny was the one really fighting. And it would have gone bad if Hermione hadn't joined them. Neville was also moving in their direction.
The DE decided to attack more aggressively and this forced the girls to separate leaving each one of them to protect herself the best way possible. Thus a DE managed to get close to Luna and struck her down with a mild stunner than shot Cruccio. Luna twitched and screamed in pain.
The DE held the spell until her entire body started shaking uncontrollably before he was forced to release her, as Neville simply jumped on his back and started punching him everywhere. The DE managed to throw Neville down from his back. Neville got on his feet quickly and shot him with the jelly-legs curse. The DE rolled over to evade the spell and fired a green light at him, which missed Neville, as he had launched himself at the DE and kicked him in a very sensitive place. Then Neville caught him by the hair and kneed him in the face.
"That's what you get." – Neville said.
He then turned to Luna who was still lying on the ground and recovering from the curse.
"Are you alright?" – Neville asked.
Luna did not answer but her eyes widened as she saw a DE behind Neville. She gathered her strength and shot a spell at him. Neville quickly turned around and engaged another DE who was just coming. The DE evaded Neville's spells and shot back as many as he could. Neville dodged most of them but three of them were about to hit him if it wasn't for Luna that laid her body in front in him, which was an enormous effort for her as she was weakened considerably by the Cruccio curse. The spells struck her down hard, which made Neville's heart stop.
"No." – He shouted.
The DE cheered in his victory but only for a few seconds, as after that he had to dodge a storm of jinxes and hexes. The sudden sacrifice by Luna drove Neville to a state of uncontrollable and insane wrath. And for the first time, Neville had no problem in performing any kind of spells. His mind suddenly remembered all he was once taught by every single teacher, including Snape.
But the problem for that DE did not end there as another force joined the battle. And he was the first to face it. Out of nowhere a pair of red eyes slowly appeared like a mist till they shone like ruby stars on the face of the dark sky. Unparallel fear and terror struck the battlefield. Then slowly ghostly outlines of a figure started to shape till they formed translucent pair of wings joined at a skeleton corpse. The DE froze dead on his feet as he was facing one of the most rare but dangerous creatures in the Wizard world – the Ghost Dragon.
Time seemed to have stopped on the battlefield. Everyone was staring at the creature with widened in terror eyes. The dragon opened his mouth and produced an incredibly loud shriek, which made everyone's hair bristle up. The DE's flesh was torn from his body until all that it was left was his skeleton. The body then fell on the ground, which engulfed it.
The DE started gathering around Bellatrix who did not know what to do with the new threat. She did throw some spells at the dragon but with no effect and since she has never before encountered a ghost dragon she had no idea how to deal with it.
Lord Tenus used that pause of the DE to strike some of them down. But the hoop around him was tightening up. Harry with the help of Ron managed to cut it from one side so the lord had the time to escape the surrounding enemy. However the enemy storm of spells was at them with full force.
Ginny and Hermione had returned to protect Luna so that Neville could help them out, and the dragon stood near them. It seemed as though he had developed affection for them, if that is possible.
"Hi, guys!" – Neville said.
"Here to join the party?" – Harry asked dodging a cruse.
"Yeah. Missed you I guess."
"How is Luna?" – Ron asked.
"Not well. Actually I'm not sure she is going to make it."
Harry frowned. They stayed in this castle for too long. He almost lost Hermione and now he might lose Luna, if it not had already come to this and it was his fault. He could no longer stay with them and as soon as they reach Hogwarts he is going to go on alone. This way his friends will be safe from him and dangers that goes with him. But first they had to get rid of the DE and an idea struck him. It seemed the DE did not know how to deal with the dragon. So the closest they are to it the safer they would be.
"Guys, start moving towards the girls and the dragon. Seems that they don't know how to deal with it."
"Good idea, Harry."
"Go!"
Harry led them through the storm of explosions of spells around them. The DE followed them but more cautiously, as they did not want to provoke the dragon. Only Bellatrix and few others were bold enough. Lord Tenus was at rear of the group protecting the retreat when it became even for him too intense. Neville joined him and helped him but in the process was hit by at least two jinxes. They managed successfully to move near the dragon.
Bellatrix kept her distance from the dragon. Harry decided they should start moving Luna towards the castle and hopefully the dragon will follow them. Lord Tenus levitated her and the retreat towards the crypt began.
But the DE were smart enough to guess where they were going and quickly blocked the way. The shooting started again and one of the spells missed Luna by an inch and the shooter very quickly realized his mistake because this enraged the dragon. But it was not the dragon that dealt with the Death Eater it was Sentinel.
The smart snake had seen him even before he shot the spell. She picked up one of the nastier snake spells and cast it upon him. The poor man died in agony before the dumbfounded looks of his fellow Death Eaters who thought that the dragon had hit him with something they've never seen before. The dragon, on the other side, perceived the spell and surprisingly calmed down.
But Sentinel's attack did not end there. She cast some nasty bugs in the midst of the Death Eaters who started running around screaming, trying to get rid of them. Bellatrix understood quickly that they were not going to win this round and gathered the Death Eaters around her and then disapparated. Thus the battle at Monmouth Castle ended.
A/N4:
And don't forget to review. It only takes a couple of minutes. Thank you!
Lordheaven