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It was Dolohov. His lifeless body was covered in the blood of another person. Mrs Scrivenshaft hoped dearly that it wasn't the blood of her husband.
"A fight broke out here" Abeforth announced, even though it was clear that everyone had already worked this out. "It is possible that the prisoners gained the upper hand, and we must allow this into our plan. If they are above us in Hogwarts then they could have captured exactly what we want. I'm sure that Fortesque knows of it".
A firework rose in her heart at the thought that her husband may be well, and this gave her new courage.
"After me, I think" said Abeforth, as he began to climb the stone slide into the darkness above.
Harry and the rest of the order were becoming desperate. The Dementors were pushing hard against their Patronus wall, and many of the DA had already collapsed from exhaustion and fright.
As he sent another Dementor gliding across the lawn back towards the forest, he heard a howl from within the castle. He knew that it was Lupin, turning into a tame wolf thanks to the Wolfsbane potion. Harry wondered vaguely if he could be any help to them in the fighting, but didn't have time to think for long as he was knocked to the floor and someone landed on top of him with a thump.
"Neville?" he asked the boy on top of him.
"Sorry, Harry!" replied Neville as he got to his feet. "One of the trolls hit my shield and it knocked me backwards".
They both looked around. Only a few Dementors remained, and those that did were gliding around aimlessly, as though confused about who to attack next. The trolls were on top of them now! Moody and Kingsley Shacklebolt were running toward them, their wands connected by a rope of burning light. They ran at either side of the biggest Troll and used the rope to bring it down. Around them, less experienced Wizards were using stunning spells and various curses to fight back.
The morale of the Order began to grow as one by one the trolls were brought to the ground. Harry heard another howl, but it was coming from over the lawn. He looked over to the Whomping Willow, and saw with horror that hundreds of Werewolves were climbing out from under its roots.
He was thinking desperately what he should do next when he heard a shout.
"Harry, help me!"
Snape was in a difficult position. He had recognised immediately that Wormtail was under the influence of the enemy, and he knew that if Voldemort so much as looked at him, he would figure it out too. It was only a lack of concentration on Voldemort's part and the immediate departure of Wormtail from his direct company that stopped him from realising this before. Snape had so far not revealed this to anybody, and his skills as an Occlumens kept it that way.
He knew that it was time to return to the right side of the fight. It had always been Dumbledore's wish for this to happen, and Snape intended on fulfilling the wish. He just needed the right distraction.
Abeforth, Hagrid, Rosmerta and Mrs Scrivenshaft made their way through the Castle, heading for the Head's Office. So far they had seen no sign of any Death Eaters or the Prisoners except for another smear of blood down the statue where the tunnel ended, where someone had climbed down.
Rosmerta was last in line as they walked down a secret stairway and through a tapestry at the bottom. She heard a noise behind her. She swung around and saw with a flash of anger that Draco Malfoy and his mother were rushing past the top of the stairs. She had a score to settle with the boy, but she couldn't risk ruining the mission.
She looked at her friends. They hadn't realised that she had stopped. She waited until they had all gone through the hidden door and then turned and ran quietly back up the stairs.
Narsissa was still in mild shock. It was frightening how quick those three old men had got the better of her. Olivander had slipped and cut a deep gash in his arm. When Dolohov had stooped to pull him up he had been attacked by Olivander and a fight had broken out, during which both got covered with blood from the deep wound on his arm. Olivander had gained the wand and had killed Dolohov without a second thought. Scrivenshaft and Fortesque had then taken her wand off her and assumed command. She hated to think what would have happened if Draco had not appeared and saved her as they were making their way through the castle. The three men had abandoned their prisoner and carried on towards their goal without her when the threat of a fight had appeared.
And so here she was, joining her son on his mission for the Dark Lord, the one that would mean either success or failure for their cause.
"Expeliarmus!" She heard a shout behind her and turned around as a jet of light flashed past and hit Draco. He flew back and his wand soared away from him. The attacker caught it.
It was Madam Rosmerta. She had a smug smirk on her face and she gave a light laugh as Draco got up and she saw that he had a bloody nose from contact with the floor.
"Right" she said to them both. "Before we begin, I want to make sure that you don't get a chance to get the best of me again." She was looking at Draco. "Stupefy" she said, almost a whisper, and he collapsed to the floor. She then turned to Narsissa.
"Tell me what you are doing here and why you are doing it!"
The others didn't notice that Rosmerta was missing until they reached the stone Gargoyle that covered up the door to the Head's Office.
"It sounds harsh, but we have to press on without her" Abeforth told Hagrid when they noticed. "I'm sure that she's fine. It is vital that we get this done as soon as possible!"
They made their way up to the Office and through the Oak door.
"There it is!" cried Abeforth, pointing at a small silver object on a spindle-legged table.
Harry had forgotten about the fighting and the death. He was running without thinking of anything but what would happen if he didn't get there in time, what would happen to Ginny if he wasn't quick enough.
She and Luna were lying on the floor with their hands over their heads, ready for the attack from Greyback.
He knew that he wouldn't get there in time, but he kept running, his chest burning and his legs turning to jelly as he pounded the ground and raced on.
He wasn't going to make it! Greyback and the other Werewolves were on top of them, raising their claws to strike…
Harry took out his wand, but before he could do anything, every Werewolf by the Lake-side dropped dead, some carried feet ahead by their momentum before falling to the ground.
As he finally arrived, he saw that each one had a thin, sharp spear sticking out of them; some had one all the way through their body. They were made of wet (yet somehow not rotten) wood with sharp flint tied to the end with dirty rope. Harry recognised the weapons and looked out over the water.
Hundreds of Mer-folk broke the surface and made their way to the shore. They were prepped for battle, each one holding a spear.
Other creatures were appearing too. The remains of Aaragog's family were appearing from out of the Forest and were making their way over to the trolls that were still alive.
Unicorns cantered out beside them and charged at the Werewolves. Hagrid's Hippogriffs took to the sky and clawed at the few Dementors that remained. Harry smiled as he helped Ginny and Luna to their feet. The odds were now much more even.
"Albus had a unique connection with Hogwarts" Abeforth told Mrs Scrivenshaft and Hagrid as they watched these events through the high window. "Every single magical creature that lives on its lands has undying respect for him, even those that would kill anyone else, like the Acromantula that live in the deepest part of the forest. Every one of them would answer a call for help from a Dumbledore, even if it was sure to result in death. That instrument -" he pointed at the silver object on the table "- can be used to call them to his aid should he ever need it. It has never been used until today, but then I suppose that Hogwarts has never been in such danger."
There was a silence for two minutes, and then Mrs Scrivenshaft spoke up.
"So is our part over? Are we finished?"
"Oh no, not yet" Abeforth replied. "We still have work to do".
Down in the grounds, Snape was watching in amazement at what was happening. This could be the diversion that he needed. He was about to act when he heard a scream from up at the top of the lawns.
"Oh no! Please no! Harry, he's dead!"
He looked at Voldemort, who looked pleased with himself, as though it was he that had killed the person. He raised his wand and cast a spell.
"Morsmordre!"
A green spark shot from the tip of his wand and into the night sky. A colossal skull appeared. The Dark Mark.
As he cast it though, Snape noticed someone moving forward through the crowd behind them. It was Wormtail, who had circled behind the group and was now coming behind Voldemort.
Wormtail didn't know what he was doing, but he knew that he had to stop his Master from achieving his goal. Where this thought came from, he couldn't think, but as he moved towards Voldemort, he saw Snape looking at him. Snape nodded once, discrete yet definite. He ground the balls of his feet into the dirt and pounced.
"Well" Snape thought to himself as he hurried away before he got involved. "This is my chance.
Thank you. The next chapter will be the last, so please read and PLEASE REVIEW. PLEASE.