Ginny almost fell out of the floo in the Hospital wing. She saw Madame Pomfrey had fallen, and she quickly rushed over to her. "Are you okay?" Ginny helped her up.
"I'm fine," said Madame Pomfrey, shakily. She dusted herself off, then looked at Ginny. "What are you doing here?"
"We got word that something was happening at Hogwarts. The Order is on the way. Sirius, Emmy and Harry are already here."
"Thank Merlin,"said Madame Pomfrey.
"I need to know how many students from the other three Houses stayed behind for the holidays. I know the Slytherins," said Ginny.
"There wasn't many, let me think. From Gryffindor there was Mr Longbottom, the two Mr Creevy's and Miss Vane. From Ravenclaw there was Miss Lovegood, Mr Corner, Miss Brocklehurst and Miss Turpin. From Hufflepuff we have Miss Abbott, Miss Zeller, Miss Jones, Mr Macmillan and Mr Finch-Fletchley," she said, trying to picture them all from the Great Hall the night before.
"Okay, um, four from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, then five from Hufflepuff. With Daphne and Astoria, Draco, Crabbe and Goyle, that makes, um, eighteen students. Have you seen any of them?" Ginny asked.
Madame Pomfrey shook her head. "No, shall I-"
"No. No, you need to stay here and start preparing. As soon as I see Andromeda or my mum, I'll send them here to help you. When I'm gone, you lock the door and cast a shield. In our defense classes, we talked about this. If someone needs to get in, they'll use a password. The Order knows it, the students and teachers know it. Don't let anyone in unless they give you the password."
"What's the password?" asked Madame Pomfrey.
"Lightening Strikes," said Ginny. She opened the door and peered out.
"What are you going to do?" asked Madame Pomfrey.
"I'm going downstairs to see what students I can find. We need to get them out of the castle and away from any fighting," said Ginny. She could hear yells from upstairs.
"Good luck," she called, but Ginny was gone.
Minutes earlier, Sirius and Emmy had flooed in to the Ravenclaw common room. They arrived to find it deserted, although they both raced upstairs to the dormitories to check. "All clear,"sighed Sirius.
"Which means they're somewhere in the castle," said a worried Emmy.
"I'm going to go up and check out the Gryffindor common room. It sounds like most of the fighting is taking place up there. I'll see what I can find out. We can meet in the Room of Requirement," said Sirius.
"I'll go down and see what students I can find. I just hope they remember where we told them to go," said Emmy.
Sirius grabbed her arm. "Hey." She swung her head around to look at him. "Stay safe, okay?"
Emmy smiled and kissed him. "You too." Then she was gone.
Sirius left the common room, marking a pre-arranged symbol on the door to let others know it was empty. Then he headed up to the fighting.
Meanwhile, Harry had arrived in the Gryffindor common room. He found Dennis and Colin Creevy huddled together with Romilda in the common room.
"Harry!" they cried in relief. Romilda pounced on Harry.
"Where's Neville?" asked Harry, trying to budge Romilda's arms from around his neck.
"He went downstairs to find Luna and Hannah," said Colin. "I need to get Den and Milly out of here."
Harry nodded. "We'll go to the Room of Requirement. It's close, and you'll be safe there."
"I want to go home," cried Romilda, burying her head against Harry's chest. He patted her back, and tried to prise her off of him.
"I need to go and see if the area is clear. Wait here!" he ordered.
"No, don't leave us," cried Romilda.
Colin grabbed her, leaving Harry free to check the area outside. The portrait of the Fat Lady screamed when he opened the door. "There's Death Eaters in Hogwarts. Death Eaters!"
Harry pulled his head back, and indicated the coast was clear. Romilda hurried over to him, attaching herself to his side.
The four of them hurried along the corridor, after Harry had marked the Gryffindor common room and told the Fat Lady to find somewhere to hide. She squealed in relief and left her portrait. He hurried down, already thinking-'I need somewhere that we'll be safe. I need somewhere the Death Eaters can't find us.'
By the time he got to the Room of Requirement, the door had appeared. Harry opened it, hoping to see someone else in there. Everyone, teachers and students alike, knew what to ask the Room so, when the time came, they could all get in. He wondered where Ginny was. Knowing Ginny, she was off looking for other students.
Harry could tell that Voldemort wasn't here yet. He didn't know what the others were doing, so he hoped they had time to get the students out.
"Stay here. I'm going to see if I can find Neville and any other students," said Harry.
"No, don't leave me. I need you," shrieked Romilda.
"Milly, we'll look after you, I promise," said Colin. Dennis bravely nodded, despite looking scared.
"I'll be back as soon as I can, hopefully with others," said Harry. He nodded to Colin, then left.
He flung his Invisibility cloak over himself and hurried downstairs. He stopped in at the Hospital wing. "Lightening strikes," he said in a low voice. The shields dropped and he opened the door, removing his cloak. Madame Pomfrey and Andromeda Tonks were there, looking anxious.
"Have you seen anyone?" he asked them.
Madame Pomfrey nodded. "Ginny was here earlier. She was going downstairs to find other students."
"I came with Remus. He went to speak with Sirius and Emmy. I think they were going to find Minerva and Horace. Albus is out of the castle,"said Andromeda.
Harry nodded. "I'll go find them. Lock the door behind me and reactivate your shields."
"Good luck, Harry," they both said.
Harry raced out, throwing his cloak back on. Where was Dumbledore, where was Snape? Had his suspicions about Snape all along proved true. Had he been working for Voldemort all this time? Dumbledore told him time and time again that he trusted Snape. Well, Harry didn't fully trust Dumbledore, so where did that leave him?
He came across Sirius, Remus and Emmy with Mcgonagall, near the Entrance. They all looked worried. Harry took off his cloak. "Have you seen Ginny?" he asked.
Sirius worriedly shook his head. "We just saw Neville, he was heading to Ravenclaw Tower to check their common room."
"I've got the three others from Gryffindor in the Room of Requirement," said Harry. Emmy nodded in satisfaction.
Just then they heard the sound of someone coming in. Harry threw his Invisibility cloak over himself. Everyone turned, their wands out in front of them. They lowered them when they saw who it was. It was Snape.
"Where have you been?" asked Minerva, frostily.
"We don't have much time. Voldemort isn't here yet. As we stand here, Voldemort's top Death Eaters are entering the school," said Snape, looking at Harry.
"What are you talking about. You knew this was going to happen?" asked Minerva, aghast.
"I suspected it would happen soon, I warned Dumbledore," said Snape. "I must get to Dumbledore's office, he'll need me."
"Just what the hell game are you playing, Snape? Where is Dumbledore?" asked Sirius angrily.
Snape looked at him. "No game. This will end tonight. Just keep Potter away from the Astronomy Tower."
Harry felt angry. This will end tonight? How cavalier he was with Harry's life. He needed to get away from him.
"Why?" asked Sirius, suspiciously.
"Voldemort has sent his Death Eaters to kill Dumbledore. With him gone, Potter has no chance of winning."
"What the hell does that mean?" asked Remus.
"Do I need to spell it out? Shall I speak slower?" sneered Snape.
"Tell us what you know," said Sirius, harshly.
"Come on, you know the prophecy. Just take care of his Death Eaters, and leave Potter to face Voldemort. Alone," said Snape.
"Like hell," said Sirius and Remus, angrily.
"It's the way it has to be," said Snape, walking off, his cloak billowing as he left.
"Harry, you stay close to us," said Sirius, looking around. "Harry? Harry, where are you?"
But Harry had gone. Headed for the Astronomy Tower.
Meanwhile, Draco had done what was required. He had managed to fix the Vanishing Cabinet finally. All those hours in the Room of Hidden Things had been worth it. All he had to do now was let his father's friends in through the cabinet, then he would be able to go home. Home to see his mother.
He knew it was wrong. He wished there was another way, but his father had been adamant; desperate almost. "Do this for our family. The Dark Lord orders you," he wrote.
"Fuck the Dark Lord," Draco wanted to say. "Fuck you too, Father." He wanted to yell and scream. How had his family ever got so caught up in all this. For years he had thought his family better than others, had looked down upon them all. Sprouted all he had learned from his father, believed all the shit his father had told him. Lies, all lies. He had seen what the so-called 'better class' were like. Lying, raping, killing. It all meant nothing. His life meant nothing. Lies, all lies.
For a moment he remembered Ginny, reaching out to him. "Make the choice, go to Dumbledore. He'll find a way to get you and your mother to safety."
Why, why didn't he listen to her? What had his stupid pride done to him, to his mother. He hadn't heard from her in weeks, and even then, he couldn't be sure she had wrote the short note herself. He should have taken Ginny's offer of help. Should have taken his mother away, hidden them both. He may be branded a coward, but at least his mother would be alive. Too late. Until his father offered him a way out.
"Fix the cabinet. It connects to the one in Borgin and Burkes. When it's done, let me know. You'll need to open it, so we can come through. Do this, and the Dark Lord will reward you. I'll give you a Portkey, to get you and your mother away from all this. I know it's what you want, you snivelling excuse for a Pure-blood."
Oh yes, his father had known just what carrot to dangle in front of him. Knew that he was worried for his mother's health, knew that he hadn't wanted to return to Hogwarts, that given the chance, he would flee with his mother.
And now, it was time. He had done it. Fixed the damn cabinet. He'd been so close a week or so ago, until Potter put him in the Hospital wing for a few days.
He'd told Astoria to get to safety. The young girl had grown on him. It had been nice to have someone like her hanging around, although she often questioned him when he went missing for periods of time. In another life, another time, who knew? Maybe he could've ask his father to arrange a betrothal between them. Not now. He hoped she heeded his warning, and told others. Thankfully, there weren't many students here at the school, so the deaths should be minimal.
He took a breath and opened the cabinet doors. He could hear them, waiting at the other end. Macnair, Greyback, Dolohov, his own aunt and uncle, his father. She was mad, Aunt Bella. How she could be his mother's sister, he didn't know. She was totally brainwashed into the Dark Lord's way of thinking, and wouldn't hesitate to do anything he asked of her. His uncle, not so much. He was weaker than Aunt Bella, and she knew it, as did Voldemort.
He waited, but no-one came through. He had done his work. Now he needed to warn Dumbledore. Then, he would find his father, and get the damn Portkey off him. He hoped it was for some place sunny. His mother would like the sun, and it would help her recover.
Draco left the Room of Hidden Things. He found Crabbe and Goyle waiting for him. "Well?" they asked.
Draco nodded. "It's done. They should be here anytime. Seen anyone?"
"There are wizards spreading out around the castle. I heard one say Dumbledore was in the Astronomy Tower," said Crabbe.
"I'll go check it out. You wait here to greet our guests. I'll come back and confirm if the old fool is there. Tell my father to wait here," said Draco, hurrying off.
"Why does he get to boss us around? He's piss weak," sneered Goyle.
"Yeah, but his fathers tight with the Dark Lord. Best not to piss him off. Still, I'm done taking orders from Draco Malfoy. If we get the chance..."Crabbe twirled his wand, an ugly smirk on his face.
"If you get Malfoy, I want the Weasley girl. I've taken enough shit from her, and think what it will do to Potter," sneered Goyle.
They were pushed aside as the Death Eaters came through the cabinet and out of the Room of Hidden Things. "You, boy. You're one of Draco's underlings, aren't you?" ordered Lucius Malfoy.
Crabbe flushed with anger. "Yeah." He then cowered under Malfoy seniors icy look.
"Where is he?" demanded Lucius. Bellatrix, Rodolphus Lestrange, Fenrir Greyback, Antonin Dolohov and Macnair all came through too. A few others Crabbe didn't recognise stood behind, waiting impatiently.
"He's gone to the Astronomy Tower to see if that's where Dumbledore is. He told us to wait for you, to tell you to wait here for him," said Crabbe, nervously.
Greyback growled. Bella put her hand on his arm to steady him. Crabbe almost flinched. Lucius' eyes grew colder than steel.
"I don't take orders from mere boys, and that includes my son. Bella, Rodolphus, come, we'll make our own way to the Astronomy Tower. The rest of you, spread out. Find Harry Potter and anyone close to him. If he's not here yet, I'm sure he will be soon. Do not harm Potter, understand? Or the Weasley girl. Have your fun with the rest, but leave Potter for the Dark Lord," said Lucius.
Greyback and the rest hurried away. Crabbe and Goyle lingered, unsure. Lucius fixed his icy stare on them. "Well, what are you waiting for? Go. Find Potter, and if you find the Weasley girl, bring her to me. We can lure Potter out if we have her,"he said.
"Yes sir," said Crabbe, while Goyle nodded. They ran off, whooping.
Lucius turned back to Bellatrix and Rodolphus. "Let's go."
Draco ran as fast as he could. Sure enough, there was Dumbledore, standing at the top of the Astronomy Tower, looking out over the castle grounds. "Good evening, Mr Malfoy."
Draco huffed and wheezed. "Sir...Death Eaters...in the school...plan to attack..."
Dumbledore turned to face Draco. "Ah, so you finally succeeded in your mission."
Draco stopped breathing. "You knew?"
Dumbledore almost looked amused. "Yes, I knew of your efforts to repair the Vanishing cabinet. May I ask, how many Death Eaters is Hogwarts playing host to tonight?"
Draco looked at the old wizard with disgust. "If you knew, why did you let me do it?"
Dumbledore looked down at his arm. Draco shuddered to see his hand and forearm were black and shrivelled, as if the flesh were dead. He wondered how far up his arm the blackness went.
"Because certain things have to happen at certain times. I have had to plan this most carefully. No doubt many will be quite mad at me. Alas, I'll be gone, so they won't be able to vent their fury at me," sighed Dumbledore.
"Gone? You're leaving. What about the students, the staff?" cried Draco. "You're their best hope. He's coming here, you know. Voldemort."
"I know" said Dumbledore.
"There's no-one else that can face him. You're the strongest wizard there is," protested Draco. "You have to protect them. You have to kill him, put an end to his madness."
Dumbledore shook his head. " I'm just an old wizard, a tired old wizard. No, stopping Voldemort is a job for someone else."
"Bullshit," sneered Draco. "My father told me about you and Voldemort in the Ministry of Magic. You're the only one strong enough to face him. It has to be you."
"No, Draco, I cannot," said Dumbledore. He looked over Draco's shoulder at the sight of shadows on the wall. "Someone is coming. Stay down, say nothing." He pushed Draco against a wall, partly blocked by sight.
Dracos eyes widened as he saw his father, aunt and uncle enter the top of the tower. "Ah, a family visit. It's been too long. Bellatrix, Rodolphus, I haven't seen you since the Ministry of Magic, nearly two years ago," said Dumbledore, gravely
"Pity we missed the giant's funeral. Silly me, I should have sent flowers," cackled Bellatrix, laughing at her own brand of humour.
Dumbledore's lips tightened at the mention of Hagrid. "As much class as ever, Bellatrix. However do you put up with her, Rodolphus?
Rodolphus just sneered at Dumbledore. Lucius stared at him impassively. "Enough with the small talk. We're here for a reason." He drew out his wand, and Dumbledore did the same.
"Lucius, how is Narcissa? Her health has been of great worry to your son,"said Dumbledore.
For a moment, Lucius hesitated. Draco's eyes widened as he saw his father close his eyes as if in pain. "Do not mention my wife. Expelliarmus!" He caught Dumbledore's wand in his hand.
Dumbledore smiled in defeat. "Shall we talk about your son, then? The task you gave him. Took him long enough, didn't it? Of course, he's not the cleverest wizard in the school."
"Shut up, you old fool," yelled Lucius.
"Do it, kill him," said Bellatrix, with blood lust in her eyes.
"He's quite a Mummy's boy, isn't he? Have you told him? About Narcissa, I mean," asked Dumbledore.
"For God's sake, Lucius, do it. The Dark Lord will be here soon," said Rodolphus, looking nervous.
"You do NOT talk about my son like that," whispered Lucius harshly, staring at Dumbledore. "I will tell him at the appropriate time that his mother is dead."
Lucius held Dumbledore's wand up. "I'm going to kill you with your own wand, what do you think of that, old man?" he said viciously.
"Expelliarmus," shouted Draco, coming out of the shadows. Dumbledore's wand flew from his father's hand to his own.
"Draco, what are you doing?"asked Lucius.
"Tell me about my mother," demanded Draco, holding Dumbledore's wand out in front of him. "Is she-is she dead?" The look on Lucius' face was all the confirmation he needed.
"We don't have time for this," said Bellatrix, getting angsty. She leaned over to whisper loudly in Lucius' ear. "Do it."
Everything then happened in a blur. Harry ran into the Astronomy tower. He saw Draco with his wand out, and he called "Expelliarmus," just as Lucius pointed his own wand at Dumbledore and yelled "Aveda Kedavra."
Draco felt the unfamiliar wand leave his hand, just as the green light left his father's wand. He knew it was aimed for Dumbledore. Astoria's face came to his mind. Dumbledore was the only wizard strong enough to face Voldemort, to keep Astoria safe. He couldn't let him die.
"No!" he yelled, running to protect Dumbledore. He flung his body in front of the old wizard, seeing the look of surprise on his face. He felt himself falling. Then-nothing.
Lucius watched in horror as the green light hit his son. The momentum of Draco running to shield Dumbledore continued, and to Lucius' disbelief, after the spell hit, his son toppled out of the window.
"What have you done?" screeched Bellatrix, as Dumbledore quickly Apparated to Harry, then Apparated them both away.
Lucius raced to the window, seeing his son's body fall. "My son. My son," he whispered painfully.
"You let him get away, you blubbering fool," yelled Bellatrix, looking to where Dumbledore had just stood. Lucius wasn't even aware he was crying.
"Bella, he just killed his son," said Rodolphus, placating her.
"He deserved to die. He stood in front of Dumbledore. Weak, just like his mother," spat Bellatrx.
Lucius whipped around, tears still falling. "Shut the fuck up, you crazy bitch."
"Aveda Kedavra," yelled Bellatrix, pointing her wand at Lucius.
He saw the green light coming towards him. Welcomed it, even. As he extended his arms out, the green light hit him. He died with a look of relief on his face.
Bellatrix sighed impatiently. "Come on. We need to find Dumbledore. Potter should be here by now. We need both of them. Oh, and Rudy, if you find my cousin, bring him to me. I have something special planned for Sirius."
Rodolphus sighed and left the tower. Bellatrix wandered over to the window. She stepped over Lucius's body and looked out the window. Looking down, she saw Draco's twisted body lying on the castle grounds. Pity. He had such potential when he was younger.
She felt the Dark Mark on her arm burn. The Dark Lord wasn't happy. Bella knew he would be here soon. Things would be better then. The bumbling oafs she was forced to work with really had no idea of the strategies of war. They mostly just wanted to exert their power to rape and kill. Greyback liked to play with his food. Bella pitied whoever got in his way tonight.
No, with the Dark Lord here, their time would finally come. The do-gooders, the red-haired blood traitors, the Order of the Fucking Phoenix. Gone. Tonight, all gone. Wiped clean. It was time for the Dark Lord to take that final step, and she, Bella, his one loyal supporter, would be by his side.
The wizarding world would be completely different after tonight.
Bella kicked Lucius, then stepped over his body and left the Astronomy Tower. She needed to get things ready for the Dark Lord's imminent arrival. She needed to find Potter. He was the key to everything, although she hadn't been told how, exactly. Voldemort still didn't confide in her completely. She knew it had to do with the prophecy; that was all.
Bella smiled as she heard screams. Time to have some fun.