Chapter 8: Thrice Defied

"What's wrong?" Dad asked as he flew into the kitchen. It was all I could do to keep up with him.

Mum stood at the table clutching a crimson feather.

"Fawkes," I breathed.

"There's an emergency at headquarters," she said.

"What kind of emergency?"

"The Death Eater kind," replied Dad.

Ron rolled his eyes, "What else is new?"

"C'mon," I whispered, grabbing their hands. We all turned together and arrived in the forest. I shivered. It was a lot colder than before, nearly ten degrees.

Despite the cold, we made our legs move as fast as they could. Quietly, we worked our way towards the clearing. The ground crunched under our feet and our breath came in plumes. I could see the tree line just ahead.

"Haaaaaaaaaarrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyy!" Mum screamed.

I spun around wildly, whipping my wand out. The dense canopy kept the moonlight from filtering down and I couldn't see at all.

"Mum!" I cried.

Somehow, she managed to rush to my side, "What? What is it?"

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"You screamed."

She frowned, "No, I didn't."

Now I was as confused as hell, "But...I heard you. I know I did."

"Maybe you just imagined it."

I shrugged. Pleased to see that nothing was wrong, Mum turned away and followed Dad, who was leading. Maybe I did imagine it. But why did it seem so real then?

Hermione and Ron gave me questioning looks as they passed. I shook my head, indicating that it was nothing, and started walking again.

Suddenly, it felt like something had gripped my chest. Voices whispered in my head, threatening to drive me mad. I clapped my hands over my ears and fell to one knee.

"Harry!" cried Hermione as she and Ron dropped next to me.

"Dementors!" I spluttered. So many memories crowded my head; Voldemort returning, Ginny in the Chamber, the cave, mum screaming, Sirius falling, Dumbledore falling. There was no room in my head for any happy memories.

Vaguely, I registered Ron and Hermione pulling me forward, which strengthened the memories' hold. Why are they taking me towards the dementors?

"Expecto Patronum!"

A fox jumped out of Mum's wand and tackled the nearest dementor. My head became slightly clearer, but not enough.

"Expecto Patronum!"

Hermione's otter skittered after Mum's fox. Still not enough.

"C'mon Harry," Ron urged, "Happy thoughts."

"Expecto Patronum," I mumbled, although I knew it was no good.

"Harry, think of me and Hermione. That's worked for you before."

"Expecto Patronum."

The fox and otter were faltering as more and more dementors appeared. Dad was trying to make his own Patronus while trying to help Mum stay on her feet.

"Your parents. You finally met your parents. If that's not happy, I don't know what is."

"Expecto Patronum."

Hermione collapsed and her Patronus vanished. Mum's Patronus began to lose form. The dementors closed in.

"Ginny," Ron whispered.

"Ginny..." I saw her in my mind, her eyes blazing after we had won the Cup. I felt myself kiss her again.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

Light exploded from my wand, blasting away the dementors and rejuvenating everyone a bit. Only after the light faded and my eyes readjusted was I able to make out my stag Patronus. Prongs.

Dad slapped me on the back, "Now that's a Patronus."

"You're just saying that because it's you," I chuckled.

We turned to look at the headquarters. Literally hundreds of dementors swarmed around the battle. The Death Eaters, unaffected by the dementors, were easily prevailing. A few Patronuses were managing and one, obviously Dumbledore's, shone brightly. Nevertheless, the Order was floundering.

Prongs needed no urging. He rushed past me in a silver blur. As I pushed as much power behind him as I could, he raced around the clearing, emanating happiness.

When the last dementor floated away into the night, Prongs galloped back to stand at my side. I stood there with him, hoping to intimidate the Death Eaters. Stepping up beside me, Mum put her hand on my shoulder.

"Let's do this," I said.

Prongs vanished as I loosed a battle cry and ran headlong into the battle.

The next few minutes blurred together. I easily lost track of where anyone was and who I had fought. But one thing was certain; the Order had gained an edge.

While I was battling a particularly pathetic Death Eater, I gasped as a wave of pain hit me. The Death Eater was so surprised that he stepped into the path of a reflected Stunner. Stupid git. Another wave of pain hit me. I didn't get it. Because of Gryffindor's ring, I had felt every spell before it reached me, yet twice I was hit with inexplicable pain. How could I feel pain unless there was a spell and why couldn't I feel the spell?

As if in answer, the lion's eye flashed. My mind's eye flashed in answer and zeroed in on three people locked in battle. Mum, my unborn self, and Voldemort.

Instantly, I headed towards them, oblivious to anything around me. I managed to bring them into view just as Voldemort raised his wand.

Pathetic Mudblood. I will kill you and you filthy half-blood spawn. Now, bow before me!

NO!

Voldemort was flung backwards and landed hard on the ground. I didn't know how it happened, but knew I had done it. Mum looked at me, terror in her eyes. She knew what I was going to do.

I engaged Voldemort.

With nothing to do during the days of our Horcrux searching, Ron, Hermione, and I had quickly gotten bored. To pass the time, we studied random, obscure topics, such as applying sword play to dueling. That one was inspired by the time I saw Dumbledore fight Voldemort and I found myself to be surprisingly good at this skill.

Our wands flashed left and right. Out feet kicked up dust. We crossed blades, er..., wands in a dance of death, occasionally breaking the rhythm with a spell. On and on it went until, miraculously, Voldemort found himself at the end of my wand.

"You win, for now," he snarled and Disapparated. What few Death Eaters there were that remained uncaptured fled. The Order members surveyed the damage, startled by the sudden departure of the Death Eaters.

Dad had rushed to Mum's side and was now supporting her. She clutched at his arm, taking deep, gasping breaths. Coincidentally, I was doing the same. They gazed at me in awe, wonder, and even horror. I wonder how they'll react when I tell them I've already faced him four times.

"Born to those who have thrice defied him."