DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.
Chapter 18 - Battle in Hogsmeade
Hogsmeade was bathed in moonlight, long shadows cast by the small shops and signs painting the town in shadowed stripes. The night air was strangely silent, as if everything had taken a deep breath and refused to release it. Lamps hung from signs above tavern doors, the low wind pushing them into an unsteady dance. While many of the people who dwelled within the sleepy town had gone to bed, the streets were not completely abandoned. The late night revelers traipsed down the dirt roads, their strides uneven and their voices overly loud. Yet they remained oblivious to the confrontation occurring beneath their noses.
Tipping his head slightly, Odin spared the dark shadows behind him a quick look. His bright eyes seeking any sign of his small herd. Heaving a sigh of relief that the tiger remained concealed in the brush, he stomped a hoof and snorted. His ears swivelled as his nose twitched, bright eyes locked on the snake like face of Lord Voldemort. Arching his neck, he eyed the cloaked figures gathering behind the dark wizard.
"Would you like me to kill it, my lord?" One of the Death Eater's purred softly, his fingers flashing as he twirled his wand in an intricate pattern. The mask he wore covered his face, pale orbs seeming incredibly bright next to the pale fabric.
The Dark Lord waved a hand and dismissed the offer, his eyes never moving from the fidgeting beast before him. "No, Lucius. If anyone is going to have the pleasure of killing this beast it will be me. Though I must say my curiosity is getting the better of me." He murmured, a small smile creeping over his face.
"My lord?" Lucius asked quietly, his head angled slightly as he peered at the black stag standing so proudly in front of Voldemort. It's coat gleamed blue in several places while the light from their wands caused the one ivory antler to glow. As if feeling his gaze, the animal shifted calculating emerald eyes to his face.
Chuckling, Voldemort began to pace back and forth. His fluid movements had the animagus dancing anxiously, hooves pattering against the earth in quiet threat. "Why, to know whom is within this beast of course. A stag is the king of the forest. His antlers a forever growing crown he must bear throughout his life. Not many individuals deserve to share the body of such an illustrious animal. Whoever he is, he is strong."
Somewhere behind the stag, wolves began a low chorus. Their voices twining and fading as quickly as they had rose. Jerking his head up, Odin bellowed a loud response. His cry had the wizards before him wincing and looking nervously about. Drawing wands and doing their best to slink deeper into the thin shadows, the Death Eaters watched their leader in silent fascination.
You need to run back to Hogwarts. Odin whispered, ears flat against his head. His pointed nose quivered at the scent of death wafting off the group. The sweet coppery scent of blood soaked into cloth and left to dry. Shaking his antlers in warning, he dipped his head and peered around him.
I'm not leaving you here alone. How dare you even suggest such a thing? Beau replied, the anger in his voice caused by his inability to do anything helpful at the moment. The white tiger was seething in the shadows. Tail lashing in anger as he stalked along the edge of the forest just out of view. Paws continuously flexing as his claws slid from their sheathes and scored the ground.
It's not safe. Odin argued, one hoof slamming into the ground without warning. His movement had a frightened squeal slipping through the lips of a figure cloaked in black. Ducking his dark head, he gave a staggish snicker.
We will not leave. Ember bit out, not even glancing at the white wolf standing next to him. His large ears were tipping forward and back, nose shivering at the smells the wind carried so thoughtfully to him.
The white wolf bobbed his head in agreement. It's not done. You do not leave a pack member behind because they are injured or trapped. His voice held pride and promise, he would not be running anywhere with his tail tucked between his legs.
We can't do this alone. Ginger whispered from somewhere within the darkness of the forest. Her fear was obvious, the slight tremor in the vixens voice forcing all the males to admit they'd rather not have the females anywhere near the soon to be battlefield.
Go for help. Go back to the castle. Odin issued the order sternly, his gaze still fixed on the wizard stalking slowly before him. Swinging his antlers angrily, he grunted at the dark wizards gathering in the small shadowed street.
We go. The vixen murmured, her voice eager and already growing distant.
The males all sighed in relief; with both Gem and Ginger on their way to fetch reinforcements they could begin trying to distract Voldemort. Snarling, growling, and grunting, they slowly glided into motion.
Brush and bracken gave way before her. The small plants crushed and mauled beneath her furious pace. Panting in desperation, the brown vixen raced towards the castle sitting dark in the night. It was their only hope, she thought. Ears pressed tightly to her skull as she leapt over a small creek. Behind her, the small mink darted around and through the leaves and branches like a swift wind. Liquid hops and flying paws carrying the pair onward through the night.
Stumbling free of the Forbidden Forest, the paused to catch their breath. Unconsciously crouching close together as if expecting to be attacked any moment. Pink tongue flicking over her nose, the vixen loped towards the castle. Wide eyes searching for any signs of life as she slipped through an archway.
Where is everyone? She asked quietly, coat puffing up as she shook dirt and clinging leaves from her thick fur. Her gaze dropped to the weasel sitting on its hind legs next to her, small nose in the air.
Do you think Dumbledore knows there's something wrong? Gem demanded, pink paws bright against her light coloured coat. At Ginger's nod, she gave a sharp chirp and took off down the hall. Minutes later they drew to a halt before the entrance into the Great Hall. The massive wooden doors were closed tightly, a streak of gold light peeping out from beneath the heavy wood. Glancing at each other, they took a deep breath and surrendered themselves to the change.
XxXxX
Brushing her hair away from her face, Hermione raised a fisted hand and banged on the door. Her robes were tattered, stained with mud and grime from the fast paced forest run. Beside her, Pansy was no better. Their hair stuck up and was tangled horrifically, faces extremely pale as they knocked desperately on the door.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Hermione screeched, rattling the doorknob with one hand while the other kept a steady beat against the door. The Slytherin witch quickly joined her voice to the Gryffindors, both screaming bloody murder for all they were worth while pounding on the doors
. With a thunderous crack and a deep thud, the locks holding the door closed began to open. An intricate series of bars pulling back and withdrawing, the sound causing a low rumble in the hall. Shivering, the pair clung to each other as the doors opened. Stumbling forward before the doors had opened completely, they collapsed at the feet of Albus Dumbledore and Professor Snape.
"Misses Granger and Parkinson." Dumbledore said as he peered down at them, one hand rising to straighten his spectacles. Blinking, he offered the witches his hands and helped them to their feet.
"Voldemort!" Hermione shrilled, eyes wide as she rose to her feet. Brushing at her robes absently, she didn't notice th quiver in he voice. Her hands shook as she grabbed Pansy's robes and attempted to steady the blonde with fumbling fingers. "Hogsmeade!"
"We are already aware of the Dark Lord's presence in Hogsmeade." Dumbledore informed her, patting her shoulder kindly. His twinkling gaze was caught by the dark thoughtful eyes of the Potions Master. "Severus?"
"Miss Granger, how do you know about the dark lord?" Severus Snape asked quietly. His beady eyes were steady as he glared at the two witches. The recent inter house unity had done little to prepare him for the sight of one of his Slytherin's clinging desperately to a Gryffindor. Both steadying and comforting the other as they anxiously looked around.
"We were in Hogsmeade." Pansy whispered, fingers locking in the cloth of Hermione's sleeve. Her face was white, eyes wide and unblinking. "Harry and Draco had a date."
"We didn't know!" Hermione gasped, eyes shining with tears as she fought back the sobs of fear. "No one saw him until Odin was already in the open." Her words caused a stir, confusion and fear beginning to rise among the eavesdropping students.
"Who, might I ask, is Odin?" Snape sneered, hands folded tightly before him as he looked between the wtiches.
"Harry. Harry's animagus form is called Odin. Blaise is Frost and Weasley is Ember." Pansy choked out, tears beginning to slide down her face. The thought of the small pack still awaiting rescue at the edge of the forest had both witches breaking down, sobs and tears finally bringing their facade crashing down. Sinking to the ground, both witches curled up. Sobbing and clutching at each other, they ignored the professors standing above them. Their cries rang through the hall, fear and desperation ringing in the ears of their fellow students.
Dumbledore turned and looked at his professors, eyes dipping back down to peer at the shuddering students shaking on the stone floor. "Severus, Minerva, I believe we should proceed with haste." The old wizard said quietly, turning around and leading the way through the doors. Snape swished his robes aside to avoid touching the crying witches, nose in the air as he trailed after the older wizard.
Glancing between the sobbing witches and the two wizards on their way to retrieve the four wizards. She shook her head and gathered her long robes, quickly trotting to catch up with the headmaster. Silence settled upon the Great Hall, the tense feeling only broken by the sobs wrenched from the throats of Pansy and Hermione.
Beau slid gracefully from the dark shadows, tail flicking rhythmically as he stalked forward. His appearance had the Death Eaters gasping and drawing their wands, the tips wavering as they danced between the pale feline and the black stag. Snarling, he curled his lips and slipped beneath Odin's belly, hissing in warning as the stag snorted.
"How curious." Voldemort murmured, his snake like head turning as he stared at the pair. He watched in interest as the black stag dipped his head to bump noses with the angry tiger. "A tiger and a stag. The Predator and the prey."
Odin threw his head back and bellowed, one of his back hooves scuffing the ground in warning. His emerald eyes rolled, flashing white as he bounced nimbly. His body twitched at the slight brush of whiskers on his forelegs, the powerful caress of the tiger.
"Such opposites, one should be fleeing for his life yet look how proudly he stands." Voldemort stated, a smirk covering his face as he peered over his shoulder at the Death Eaters standing casually behind him. "How close they lean. Enemies into friends, this is not how animals act."
Beau slid forward slowly, claws sinking into the loose dirt as he growled. His lithe form vibrated with the sound, his hackles rising as his cupped ears flattened against his skull. Long whiskers arched forward as blue eyes were half hidden beneath lids, the tiger arched his back fluidly. His coughing cry almost hiding the shrill squeal of fear emitted from one of the black swathed figures.
"My lord!" A Death Eater cried, leveling a shaking finger at two forms slinking closer. Prowling leisurely into the village square, the wolves split apart and circled in opposite directions. The red wolf grinned and snapped fangs in warning, his tail waving slowly back and forth. Death Eaters scurried away from the frothing animal, wands jumping between the pair anxiously. Tongue hanging from his mouth, the leggy white wolf rumbled. In the perfect synchrony of wolves, they cut their prey from the herd; separating the Dark Lord from his minions.
"What are you doing?" Voldemort demanded, incredulous of the incompetency his Death Eaters had just shown. "Attack them already!" He screeched, the hand holding his wand moving to indicate the stalking wolves.
Seeing the preoccupation of the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters, both tiger and stag decided it was time to take action. Muscles tensed and stretched as the pair slid quietly forward. Baring fangs, Beau moved forward like liquid. His striped coat flashing through the shadows as he darted towards Voldemort. Odin was close behind, sharp rack lowered as he charged.
Still trying to aim his wand at the wolves slipping around and through the desperately whirling Death Eaters, Voldemort failed to see the animals rush. Massive jaws closed over his arm, bones crunching deliciously in the tigers mouth. Screeching, he raised his other hand and brought his closed fist down on the cats sensitive nose. Hissing around his mouth full, the tiger didn't notice the wand being pointed as his twisting spine.
Before the Lucius Malfoy had a chance to whisper the Unforgivable, he was struck by the stag. Antlers slipped through black silk, ripping and tearing as the animal swung its head seeking flesh. Huffing and snorting in rage, Odin rubbed Lucius Malfoy into the ground. Beyond him, Frost and Ember darted back and forth among the Death Eaters. Their teeth snapping and closing around fabric and skin, tearing mercilessly in a solid effort of keeping the Death Eaters focused on them rather then their leader. Lights flickered on in the windows of several small houses, faces pressed against glass.
Punching the cat again, Voldemort got his release. The white tiger's jaws unlocking as he dropped to the ground. Smiling devilishly, the tiger flashed fangs and swung a heavily clawed paw at the dark wizards legs. Fumbling his wand into place, Voldemort smiled down into blue eyes, his lips already forming the words of the smell. Before he could finish, he found himself thrust forward over the tiger. Rolling to his feet, he glared at the stag standing defensively over the rumbling tiger.
The pair exchanged some unknown sigh before gliding forward in a threatening way. Their strides were perfectly in sink, claws and antlers gleaming in the moonlight as they prowled forward. In the background, the continuous shrieks and hissed spells of the Death Eaters resounded. Jerking his wand up, he screamed the spell into the fanged mouth as the tiger reached him, the stag practically on top of him. In a writhing squealing pile, the three collapsed.
Professor Snape slid quietly forward as he walked slightly behind Dumbledore. Minerva followed close behind the wizards, her wand glowing as she swung it back and forth. They had needed no directions to find their misplaced students. A flash of light and screams moments later drawing them towards the small area.
Death Eaters whirled and sprang about, their black robes and cloaks swinging out behind them in a strange dance as they tried to escape the ruthless wolves darting between them. Flashes of dagger fangs and bristling fur the only warning they received before the wolves struck. Soft growls and snarls from the shadows circling constantly.
"Ah, Messrs. Weasley and Zabini." Dumbledore called loudly, his approach bringing a halt to the deadly game the group was playing. The wolves tipped their ears but made no other movement to live their play. Minds focused completely on the Death Eaters whimpering and bleeding before them.
"Frost, Ember, come." Minerva called, one hand patting her thigh much like one would when summoning a dog to their side. The wolves stared at her for a moment, panting and glancing around before trotting happily towards here, tails waving gently.
The Death Eaters took one look at Professor Dumbledore before apparating away. Several remained lying on the hard ground, the pain from broken legs and arms clouding their minds to heavily for them to use. Pops and snaps heralded the arrival of several Aurors, all dressed in uniforms wielding wands as they rushed towards the downed shadows.
Searching the surrounding area, a cry went up. Wand tips brightened the small area and revealed the pile of bodies lying twisted in the grass. Moving forward slowly, Albus, Minerva, and Severus all stared in fascination at the sight before their eyes.
"Oh my." Minerva muttered, one hand rising to cover her mouth. In whispers and stern voices, the bodies were carefully lifted and floated back to Hogwarts for examination. The only sign of life was the steady rise and fall of chests.
A/N: Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and review! I never realized how close I was to finishing this fic. Everything I wanted to have happen happened, strange really, how quickly it all flew by.
NinjaoftheDarkness - lol, what type of luck is better: bad luck or dumb luck?
Chocolate Lover - Always a good way to spend a night, chococlate and fanfiction.
sum random reader - Thank you very much for the compliment
MAnny2003 - Aren't all teachers? Sometimes I think they've seen it all and already know the outcome so why should they bother. Besides, they can make us go to school but they can't make us learn.