A/N: Not as much Draco and Hermione as I would have liked in this chapter, but it is a battle and there's a lot going on. I promise, you'll like it anyway :o)
Just to prepare you, this story will be over in two or three more chapters … probably three but we'll see!
And now, ladies and gents (mainly ladies), may I present to you … The war!
"Draco!"
Draco turned just in time to see Seth jump in front of him and block someone's hex. He moved Hermione so she was locked between him and a tree.
Seth turned towards them and grinned. "Congratulations, mate!"
Draco nodded. "I see you got my message."
"Of course I did. I've known you long enough now to realize that when you give an order, I better damn well listen."
"To be fair, though, we were already planning on attacking today," said Caroline, running by and shooting a hex at someone dueling Sophie.
Draco looked at Seth and raised his eyebrows.
Seth groaned. "Turns out, Zandicus actually came through. The purebloods got a message to their people on the outside, telling them to attack early so our side would be dwindled. He warned us."
"WHAT? Are you fucking serious?" shouted Phillip, storming over. He ducked when a hex flew at him and immediately shot one back in the direction it came from. "Where is that bastard?"
"Hiding," said Seth, rolling his eyes. "Chastity's trying to get him out."
"Draco, stop blocking me!" shouted Hermione from behind his back. "You cannot put me in the same category as that prick! I came here to fight!"
"With that stomach?" asked Seth, poking his head over Draco's shoulder to look at her.
"There was no talking her out of it," said Draco, stepping aside.
Just then, a Killing Curse flew at them. Seth and Phillip ducked while Draco pulled Hermione around the side of the tree.
"Not near the baby you fucking idiot!" shouted Rita.
Draco looked to see Quinn laughing, but he wasn't laughing for long. Lucius quickly stepped into his path and shot a Killing Curse right back at him. It just missed.
Hermione pushed Draco off of her again and took a good look around the battlefield. Katie Bell had just run into her line of vision and was frantically looking about. Hermione began scanning the area but Theo was nowhere to be found. She ran up to Katie, shooting a few hexes along the way.
"Katie!"
Katie turned. "Hermione, thank Merlin you're -"
"Yes, yes, I'm fine. But Theo's still pretending to fight on the other side. Until he can find his father."
Katie turned white. "Where did he go?"
"I don't know. He must have slipped away. But stay away for now, Katie. You'll risk both of your lives by looking for him before he's done what he needs to do."
Katie shook her head. "I can't stay away, Hermione. You don't know what that man is capable of. I have to find him!" She ran off, her eyes still frantically searching the battlefield.
XXX
Daphne rode on Ethan's back while he sped through the forest. It had only taken her a moment to return a lifetime of memories. Ethan had taken it better than she expected, wanting to get out to the battle even quicker than before. She had thrown a blanket over him and guided him until they got to the forest. Now, it was his turn to lead.
Just when Daphne could hear the sounds of the battle become as loud as thunder, Ethan stopped. His head darted in every which direction.
"Ethan, what is it?" she asked, hugging onto him tighter as a weird chill ran down her spine.
"Vampires," he said. "They're in the forest."
"Vampires? What vampires?"
"Your friends must have recruited them."
Ethan helped Daphne climb off of his back while he perked up his ears, trying to hear what they were saying.
"Stop salivating, Fane. It is not time yet."
"But I cannot help it. That blonde witch smells divine. Like flowers and … and something else."
"Sandalwood."
Ethan froze. That was exactly like …
"That's it! I have to have a taste!"
"Oh, fine. Go ahead and be done with it."
"Narcissa!"
Ethan took off at a speed unlike any he had ever experienced before.
"Ethan, wait!" shouted Daphne. "What about me? What the hell am I supposed to do?"
At this point, Ethan did not care. He had taken her far enough that she could get to the main battlefield within ten minutes of she wanted. She just had to follow the noise.
Ethan made it to the vampires just as the one, Fane, was lunging out of a tree and straight for an unsuspecting Narcissa Malfoy. Or Black, as he remembered her.
He grabbed the vampire by the arm, mid-flight, and hurled him against a tree. Narcissa whipped her head in their direction.
"Ethan, what -?"
The vampire lunged again with his teeth bared. This time, Ethan grabbed Narcissa and sped her to safety.
"This one's mine!" he shouted possessively at the other vampire.
Fane looked angry but nodded all the same. He disappeared back into the treetops.
"Ethan, how did you get here?" Narcissa asked, looking concerned. "You should not be risking your life by being -"
Narcissa was quickly silenced with a kiss. Her eyes went wide as this, essentially, sixteen-year-old boy massaged her lips with his own. Then there was tongue.
"What the hell do you think you are doing?" she shouted, pushing him off of her. "I am a married woman! Not to mention, three times your age!"
"No," he said, shaking his head. "We are the same age, Daffodil."
He tried to kiss her again but she continued to shove him. "Why are you calling me that?"
"That's what I always call you."
Narcissa stiffened. "What do you mean 'always'?"
"Well, okay. That's a bit of an exaggeration, but at least since fourth year. That's when we officially met, isn't it?"
Her mouth dropped. "How did you -?"
"Daphne used her father's wand to reverse the Memory-Erasing Charm he put on me. Honestly, I'm a little offended you didn't tell me when you first saw me."
"I … I was in shock," she said, her hands freezing as they still touched lightly onto his chest. "It has been a lot of years, Ethan. I had always believed you were dead."
"I am dead."
"Please, don't say it like that."
He heard someone casting a hex behind them and quickly moved her out of the way.
When they were alone, behind a tree, Ethan put a hand on her cheek and stroked it gently. She gazed into his green eyes, unsure of how she was supposed to feel in this moment. He looked back at her and smiled. If at all possible, his fangs only made his two very prominent dimples even cuter.
"This … really is not the time."
"I know," he whispered, "but all I can think about right now is kissing you."
"Darling, is there something I should know about?" a voice said from behind them.
Ethan let out an almost hiss as he turned around, teeth baring as he lunged towards Lucius.
"Ethan, no!" shouted Narcissa as the vampire slammed her husband against a tree and wrapped one hand around his neck. "What are you doing?"
"He's one of the ones who did this to me, Cissa! I always knew there was a reason I never liked him! What are you doing married to him? We used to make fun of all the girls who fell at his feet!"
"Yes, I know! I know all of it! He is not your enemy anymore, Ethan! We are all fighting on the same side!"
"You know? You know everything?" he shouted, whipping his head back in her direction but still holding firmly onto Lucius. "How can you be with him knowing what he did to me?"
"I think the better question is, how do you know?" asked Lucius, trying to wriggle free.
"I only just found out!" shouted Narcissa, ignoring her husband. "Lucius and I have been together for a long time. I cannot just up and leave him because of something stupid he did over thirty years ago!"
"Something stupid? He fucking killed me! What has happened to you? How could you have let him brainwash you like this?"
"He … he hasn't. I have just changed over the years."
Ethan glowered at her, veins popping out of his forehead as his grip tightened around Lucius's throat. "I've changed too. Maybe I should return the favor by bestowing your husband the same fate he bestowed upon me."
"NO!" screamed Narcissa as Ethan widened his mouth and moved his teeth towards Lucius's vulnerable throat.
Suddenly, a burst of light shot at Ethan and he was sent flying backwards.
"Ethan, what the hell are you doing?" shouted Hermione, aiming her wand at him.
"You too, Hermione?" he said, climbing to his feet. "Why are the both of you defending him? He's a murderer!"
"Not anymore!"
Hermione stepped in front of Lucius but he was quick to move her back behind him.
"I would prefer it if the witch carrying my grandchild would not step between me and a vampire."
"But he won't attack me, Lucius."
"Yes, I suppose I am the only one he has it out for." Lucius turned his eyes so they were aimed at Ethan. "I presume that your memory has returned?"
"Damn right it has you fucking -"
"Ethan, please! Honestly, your mouth is as foul as Draco's!"
"Someone called?" asked Draco, running towards them. "What are you all standing around for? You are aware we're in the middle of a war, right?"
Just then, a hex flew in their direction. Draco shielded himself and Hermione, Ethan grabbed Narcissa and moved her out of the way and Lucius ducked once he saw his wife was taken care of.
After stunning the person who shot it at them, Hermione turned back to the vampire and said, "Ethan, if you haven't noticed, we're all sort of in the middle of something here! Whatever issues you have with my father-in-law will simply have to wait! Got it?"
"Issues?" said Draco, crinkling his forehead. "Ah! The vampire isn't trying to woo my mother or something, is he? Gross!"
"I already wooed her. Long before he did!" shouted Ethan, motioning towards Lucius.
"Put. It. On. Hold," Hermione said sternly before taking Draco's hand and running back towards the battlefield. She kept glancing behind her to make sure the others were not still having it out.
Ethan glared openly at Lucius for a moment before eventually saying, "Several vampires are hiding in the forest, planning an attack. I count at least five of them. I suggest you have someone take care of it before they decide to come out and take care of all of you."
And, with that, Ethan sped out towards the battlefield, grabbing anyone who was not emitting a blue light and 'taking care' of them.
Right at that moment, Daphne ran out of the trees, her eyes scanning the monstrous battle in front of her. How was she ever going to find Blaise and stop him in the midst of all of this?
She began running through the chaos, no one paying her much mind as long as she made sure to keep her wand in her pocket. She saw Hermione and Draco dueling some wizard she recognized but did not know, and all of the Weasleys hanging close by. Astoria was with Ron, alive and well. Daphne sighed with relief. Unfortunately, Rita Skeeter seemed to be constantly aiming for her. Ginny and Harry were helping keep the witch off of her sister. For now, Astoria was safe. Now to find …
"What the fuck are you doing here?" shouted Blaise, coming up beside her and grabbing her arm. "I told you to stay in your room!"
"Get off of me!" she shouted, finally taking out her wand and aiming it at him. "Where's Gregory?"
"Fuck if I know! He and Parkinson ran off somewhere! Now, get out of here!"
"Not without him!"
Just then, she heard a squeal-like scream that could only belong to Pansy coming from behind her. She turned her head and caught sight of her just as Goyle grabbed her around the waist and moved her out of way of a Killing Curse thrown by Wiley Rosier.
Steam shot out of Daphne's ears. "No. No. No!" She swiveled on her foot and stomped forward, her wand now aimed straight for Pansy. "Crucio!"
Goyle, who still had his arm around her, tossed Pansy away so she was not in Daphne's curse's line of fire. Unfortunately, he did not have enough time to move away himself and was struck with it, immediately falling and convulsing on the ground.
"Goyle!" Pansy screamed.
Wiley pointed his wand at him. "Avada -"
"Expelliarmus!" shouted Daphne, sending Wiley and his wand flying. "Not my husband, you fucking bastard!"
Pansy crawled over to Goyle and pulled several phials out of her pocket. She scanned each one before finally settling on a green liquid.
"Give it here!" Daphne tore the Healing Potion out of her hands and fed it to Goyle.
"Daphne, what have you done?" shouted Pansy. "We don't have time to heal him properly from the fucking Cruciatus Curse! Wiley could have killed him!"
"I was aiming for you, not him you fucking slut!"
"So you would rather it was me he was aiming for?"
"YES! I wasn't aiming to kill but if it's between you or Gregory, I pick him!"
"Weren't aiming to kill?" Pansy's eyes narrowed. "We're in the middle of a fucking war! Someone goes down and there will be twenty people right there trying to kill them! The Cruciatus Curse is as good as death here!"
"That wasn't my -"
"Expelliarmus!" Pansy shouted.
Daphne turned around to see Blaise and his wand go flying back.
"Get out of here, Daphne! The more you dote on Goyle, the more Blaise is going to come for him!"
"I'm fine," said Goyle, climbing to his feet. He grabbed Pansy's hand and pulled her with him.
That was it! Daphne had had enough of this! She screamed out in fury as she lunged at Pansy, sending them both hurdling back towards the ground.
"Stop trying to steal my husband!"
"I'm not doing anything, you fucking slag! Stop it! Stop it!"
"You're the slag!"
"Daphne! You're going to get us all killed!" shouted Goyle, grabbing her arms and pulling her off of Pansy.
"Don't fucking touch her!" shouted Blaise, suddenly reappearing with his wand pointed at Goyle. "Avada Kedavra!"
Goyle dropped Daphne and jumped out of the way. The moment he did, his wife was right back on Pansy. After quickly composing himself, he aimed his wand at Blaise and the two of them began to duel, while the girls proceeded to roll around on the ground, smacking each other.
"You don't deserve her, you fucking bastard!" shouted Blaise before shooting another killing curse at Goyle.
Goyle dodged it. "If I don't deserve her then you definitely don't! Stupefy!" shouted Goyle.
Blaise blocked the spell.
"I may not want to be with Daphne anymore, but I sure as hell don't want her to be with you!"
Daphne, who had just successfully pinned Pansy beneath her, was so distracted by Goyle's words that she didn't notice someone come up beside her until they were yanking her off of Pansy by the hair. They dropped her a few feet away. When she looked up, the French witch, Sophie, was aiming her wand at her while helping Pansy to her feet.
"So, what? You spend two days with the other side and all of a sudden you're best friends with all of them?"
"Better me zan ze so-called best friend zat 'ad 'er tortured!"
"She tortured you!" shouted Daphne.
"I am aware of ze circumstances. But, unlike you, she never struck. Crucio!"
Daphne screamed as she fell back and began to writher around on the ground.
"How do you like eet, you stupeed beetch? Crucio!"
"NO! Stop it!" shouted Blaise, leaving his duel with Goyle to run over. "Crucio!"
Pansy pushed Sophie out of the way just in time.
"I 'ave been wanting to duel you for a long time. Crucio!" Sophie shouted back at him. It just missed. "Get your wife out of 'ere eef you do not want 'er to get 'urt further, Goyle! I can name a few other people who would just love to do what I did!"
Goyle nodded. He ran over to Daphne and pulled her to her feet, pulling her stumbling body off of the main battlefield. Pansy stayed behind to help Sophie with Blaise.
"I hope that hurt!" he said, throwing her down at the foot of a tree.
"It did," she cried. "Please stop being mad at me! Blaise wants to kill you so I came to help you!"
"You think I don't know that? But the more you try to help the worse you're fucking making it! Stay out of this! I don't want you to get killed!"
"If you care about my life so much then why are you leaving me?" Tears poured down her cheeks as she reached out for him.
"Because I despise you!" shouted Goyle, pushing her hands away. "I despise everything you've become! You're not the girl I fell in love with in school anymore, Daphne! You're different and I hate it!"
"But I can change! I can become that girl again! Please, Gregory, I beg of you! Just give me a chance!"
Goyle looked down at her and slowly began to shake his head. "I've given you enough chances, Daphne, but you keep constantly disappointing me. Even now, you came here because you were worried about me - about my life - but, the moment you got here, all you cared about was attacking Pansy and getting revenge on her. Yes, I cheated on you with her. We were both angry and we used each other to get back at you. But what you saw out there just now, me protecting her, that had nothing to do with that. I don't know if I have feelings for her or not. We're all just kinda stuck in a fucked up situation right now and I haven't had a moment to even think about that sort of thing. But I don't want her to die and you shouldn't either."
Daphne glared up at him and said, "She took you from me."
"No she fucking didn't, Daphne! You and I were ruined long before that happened!" he shouted. "I mean, what is this? All a fucking game to you?"
"No, I -"
"Yes, it is! It's a game to you, just like it's a game to Blaise! You didn't want me! You never wanted me until you realized you didn't have me completely anymore!"
"No!"
"Yes! That's exactly it! As soon as I started to push, you started to pull!"
"No!" shouted Daphne, scrambling to her feet. "No, it was before that! You already know that when I married you, I didn't love you and I didn't think I ever would! But, slowly, over time, I started to feel something! No one's ever cared for me the way you do, Gregory!"
"So? That proves nothing."
"I'm not finished!" She stomped her foot like a child. "I can pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with you! It was shortly after we moved into our house! We were sitting in the parlor and I was reading. I felt your eyes on me so I looked up. We stared at each other for a moment and then you spoke. I will never forget your words. You said, 'I'm a fool. I know I am but I can't help it. Even just sitting there, you look so beautiful and I find myself at your mercy'."
Daphne gulped, tears streaming down her cheeks as she fought hard to keep Goyle's gaze.
"'I love you, Daphne. Despite it all, I love you'," she went on. "'My only regret is that you will never feel the same'. Then you got up and you left, before I could even say anything in return. I knew right then that I loved you. I tried to break it off with Blaise the next day but he just kept pushing. It got to the point where I was scared to leave him. For you and for me. So I stayed. I stayed until it hurt so bad, I couldn't even breathe. And then I finally just did it. I ended it and things have been going to hell ever since. It's my fault, I know it is. I went to him that first time, not the other way around. It was a mistake and I regret it every day. I just love you so much, Gregory. I love you and I want to be with you. Only you. No games. Please, just give me a chance."
Daphne reached out and cupped Goyle's face, pulling it down to meet hers for a soft kiss. He closed his eyes and let himself sink into it for a moment, but opened them again when he felt someone watching them. He glanced sideways and saw Pansy on the battlefield, looking back at him, her lips slightly parted. She gulped and turned back to her duel quickly, making sure to move Blaise so he could not see them.
When Daphne's lips finally left his, she wrapped her arms around his waist and held him close. "Don't go back out there, Gregory. Please … just stay with me."
Goyle stroked her hair and sighed deeply. "I can't do that. I messed up by not helping Hermione sooner. I owe them." He pulled away from her and stared down into her eyes. "Go back to the house, Daphne. Go back and stay there. I will come and find you when it's over. But, until then, stay safe."
Goyle kissed her forehead before running back onto the battlefield. Daphne turned and stared after him. When he looked back at her, she moved like she was going to leave but only ended up crouching behind a tree. She couldn't just go back, because it wasn't her safety she cared about. She needed to keep an eye on her husband.
XXX
"Zandicus, get back here!" shouted Chastity as she chased the wizard through the trees. "If you want your company name so badly then you're going to have to earn it!"
"I did earn it!" he called over his shoulder at her. "There was nothing about fighting in a war in our deal!"
"It was a given! Immobulus!"
Chastity successfully hit Zandicus with her Freezing Charm. She let out a breath of relief and walked up to him. This chase had been going on for far too long. It was time to play hardball.
Just as she reached him, her phone began to ring. She jumped and stumbled with it in her pocket before finally answering. "Seth? Are you seriously calling me from the battlefield right now …? Yes, yes, I've got him … Oh my … Okay, I'll try to come out at the same place I went in at … Yes, I'll meet you there. I love you …" She grinned widely at the response and hung up the phone. "Hold your tongue," she said sharply before unfreezing Zandicus.
As soon as he could move again, he shook out his limbs and glowered at her. "Love? Seriously? With that git?"
"Did I not just tell you to hold your tongue?"
He continued to glower.
Chastity rolled her eyes. "Yes, love, Zandicus. When I went to all of them after your grandmother died, I quickly realized that it wasn't Phillip's good graces I wanted to be in. I wanted Seth back. If you had paid any attention to me at all during our relationship, you would remember that he was once my best friend."
"Yes, yes, I remember," he said, waving his arm at her, "but I don't remember love."
"Neither did I. But it was there and I've never been happier."
"Hasn't that Caroline bitch always had feelings for him?"
Chastity blushed slightly. "First off, don't call her that!"
"And second off?"
"She has a boyfriend!"
Zandicus smirked. "Ah, yes. Always has, if I recall. A very underwhelming fellow. But, then again, when you suffer from unrequited love, anyone will do. Like you with me?"
"Don't start with me, Zandicus. You know I loved you at the time. Of course, I still don't know what I was thinking. Now, let's go."
"I'm not going with you," he said, taking several steps back. "I've done my part. I'm out of here."
He turned to walk deeper into the forest.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you!"
"And why not?"
"Seth says there are vampires lurking around in the forest."
Zandicus froze.
"That's why he called. To hurry us back before they decide to strike. They're sending the giants in to flush them out any minute now so, if we don't hurry, we also risk getting crushed by their feet. I'm heading back. You, I suppose, are free to make your own decision."
Chastity pivoted on her foot and started marching back the way she came. She had only gone about thirty feet when she heard a faint whisper coming from the trees.
"You smell divine …"
"Zandicus … is that you?" she asked, turning in every which direction. He was nowhere in sight.
"Why are you all alone, pretty one …?"
"Zandicus!" she called, readying her wand.
Suddenly, someone leapt out of the trees and landed in front of her, baring their jagged, sharp teeth. A vampire. Then there was a flash, and another one appeared behind her.
"ZANDICUS!"
XXX
Narcissa stood close to Lucius as he helped Hagrid and McGonagall assemble several giants. Grawp was going to take the lead and sniff out the vampires with his excellent sense of smell. Since they were the only ones who would not be affected by their bites, this worked out well.
"And make sure to be careful of the girl in there!" shouted Seth, running over. "I've just confirmed that she's on her way out! Remember, Grawp. Call for Chassy!"
"Call and be careful of Chassy!" repeated Grawp before lifting his nose into the air. At first he looked at Ethan but then, when Hagrid shook his head, he moved on to the forest, making the whole ground shake as he and two other giants ran into it.
"MIND YOUR FEET!" Seth called after them.
Narcissa looked from the giants over to where Ethan was fighting, making sure to stay in the shade of the trees.
"You do not have to stay so close to me, Narcissa. He was never going to do it."
Her heart jumped a little before she turned back to her husband. "What do you mean?"
"Ethan. He was bluffing," said Lucius. "Maybe he was going to bite me but he definitely was not going to turn me. You cannot turn someone into a vampire from a simple bite. A ritual is involved."
Just then, Ethan looked over, his eyes focusing on something behind them. He rushed towards and passed them, pushing a wizard and their raised wand out of the way before breaking their neck.
"Brutal." Lucius smiled.
"AH!"
They both turned at the sound of the scream. Atticus Quartz was a mere ten feet away with the icy hand of a Dementor wrapped around his neck.
"Expecto Patronum!" shouted Narcissa, only a faint, fizzle of blue light emerged from her wand. "Dammit! I have never been good at these things!"
A flash of wind that must have been Ethan flew by her and, before she knew it, Atticus was free from the Dementor's clutches and standing beside her. Unfortunately, it now had its sights set on them. They all turned and ran.
"How do you get rid of those things?" asked Ethan, catching up to them once they hit some shade.
"Expecto Patronum!" shouted Luna Lovegood, suddenly appearing. A translucent, blue hare flew out of her wand and chased the Dementor off. She smiled. "Just think happy thoughts," she said to them.
They all looked at her blankly.
She shrugged and skipped off towards Rolf, who was dueling a wizard a little ways away.
"Happy thoughts? Like in Peter Pan?" asked Ethan.
Now everyone looked at him blankly. Especially Atticus.
He blinked several times before finally saying, "Ethan?"
Ethan stared at him for a second before eventually grinning. "Atty, my friend! Is that you? Merlin, you've aged terribly."
Atticus's eyes widened. "And you've aged remarkably. What …" He paused and stared into his mouth. "Are those fangs?"
Ethan reached up and touched one. "Oh, hey, would you look at that? They are!"
"Expecto Patronum!" shouted Narcissa, trying to make something happen with thoughts of Draco and her future grandson. A slightly larger puff of light emerged. She frowned.
"This is not the time to practice, darling," said Lucius, taking her hand. "Now that the giants are settled, let's head back and find our son and his wife."
She nodded and followed him back towards where they last saw Draco and Hermione.
"So how serious are they?" Ethan whispered to Atticus as soon as they were gone.
XXX
Seth was waiting at his and Chastity's meeting point for what he felt was far too long. He kept glancing into the forest and then towards the battlefield, keeping his back against a tree and his wand aimed forward. Caroline and Jack were hanging close by, just in case.
"Cover me!" he shouted before taking his phone back out. He dialed Chastity's number. It rang. And then it rang some more. Where was she?
Suddenly, the ground was shaking. He looked up to see Grawp running back towards him. That was strange. There was no way he could have gotten all of the vampires in the ten minute span he was gone.
"Seff! Seff! We got two! Chassy's here! Chassy's hurt!"
Seth's heart stopped. He was about to run into the trees when Zandicus ran out of them with Chastity bleeding in his arms. He collapsed to his knees.
"Chastity!" Seth cried as he dropped down and pulled her from Zandicus. "What's happened? What have you done to her?"
"I-it wasn't me," said Zandicus in a shaky voice. "The vampires, they … they bombarded her. I couldn't stop them, I …" He began to choke as he spoke, sobbing hard as he looked down at Chastity's pained face. She was still alive, but barely.
"Merlin, what has happened?" asked Caroline, running over.
"Get a Healer!" ordered Seth.
She nodded and ran off immediately. Jack remained there and covered them.
"Chastity, baby, please …" cried Seth, stroking her cheek.
Her hand lifted slightly and clutched his sleeve, which was the only part of him she could reach. "S-seth …" she said faintly. "Seth … d-don't leave me …"
"Never," he whispered, tears falling as he leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Chastity, hang on. You're going to make it through this. We're going to get married, remember?"
A tear slid out of the corner of her eye. "Mmhmm …" She clutched onto him tighter, and then her grip began to loosen.
"Chastity, no! No, you cannot leave me! I love you! I -"
"I l-love you too …"
Her hand fell flat.
"No."
Chastity's body became heavy and cold in Seth's arms.
"No!"
The earth shook as Grawp fell to his knees, reaching out his hand and trying to gently pat Seth on the back. Zandicus grabbed her other hand and tried to get it to hold back, but there was nothing there anymore.
"CHASTITY!"
XXX
Blaise was coming for Goyle again and, this time, Astoria was there too. Rita had finally moved on from her when Draco and Hermione joined their duel. They were now her primary focus.
Quinn and Wiley came into their small battle, Quinn shooting a spell that knocked Pansy back. Ron tried to help her while Goyle, Astoria and Sophie kept Blaise, Wiley and Quinn busy.
"Avada Kedavra!" shouted Blaise, aiming for Goyle. It just missed. "Avada Kedavra!" Now he went for Astoria. Another narrow miss. "Why won't you both bloody die already?"
"Avada Ke -" Quinn started to shout, aiming at Goyle, but, midway through, his wand flew out of his hands. He turned to see Gorden marching towards him with his wand raised.
"Not at my son, you prick!"
"He is not on our side," said Blaise, now unsure of where it was he should be pointing his wand.
Wiley took the lead and aimed his at Gorden. Blaise then kept his on the other three.
"Crucio!" shouted Sophie.
He blocked it.
"Crucio!" Now Astoria tried.
He blocked it.
"Locomotor Wibbly!" shouted Goyle.
That hit.
"The fuck, Goyle?" shouted Blaise, collapsing to the ground. "This isn't a bloody school duel -"
"Crucio!" Sophie shouted again while he was down. This one definitely hit.
While Blaise convulsed on the ground, Wiley and Gorden moved into their own duel.
"You're either with us or against us, Gorden!" said Wiley, blocking a Stunning Spell.
"I'm against anyone who tries to harm my son!"
"Is that right?"
"Yes."
"All right then. Avada Kedavra!"
Gorden wasn't prepared for his friend to cast this spell and had no time to duck. There was no blocking a Killing Curse. He fell back dead.
"Father!"
While Goyle was distracted, Quinn retrieved his wand and shouted, "Expelliarmus!" sending him and his wand flying back. Quinn then blocked Sophie and Astoria's Stunning Spells and pulled Blaise to his feet.
"You fucking bitch!" shouted Blaise. He aimed his wand at Sophie. "Avada Kedavra!"
She dodged it. Wiley then shot one at her. She began to run but he chased her. Quinn shot a Killing Curse at Astoria, which she narrowly escaped, while Blaise now aimed his wand at Goyle, who was still on the ground trying to get to his own wand. They locked eyes.
"Avada -"
Goyle moved faster towards his wand.
"Ke -"
"NO!" Daphne came running out of the trees.
"- davra!"
She leapt at Goyle and pushed him out of the way just as the curse flew out of Blaise's wand.
Her lifeless body plopped down on the ground, eyes open and aimed right for Blaise. He gazed back horrified.
"D-daph -"
"Daphne!" shouted Goyle, forgetting his wand and crawling over to her. "Daphne, no! What were you doing here? What …?"
Astoria threw her hands over her mouth and collapsed beside him, a stream of tears falling from her eyes.
"Astoria, I'm sorry but you can't do this now," said Ron, running over and pulling her to her feet. Pansy grabbed Goyle's wand off of the ground and did the same with him.
Ignoring all of them, Blaise stumbled over and took Daphne into his arms. "Wha … What have you done?" he whispered as he gazed down at her. Then his eyes shot up to Goyle. "What have you done!" he repeated much louder this time.
A horrible fiery vengeance entered his eyes as he glared at all of them. They all aimed their wands but Blaise was quicker.
"Avada Kedavra!" he shouted, aiming at no one in particular.
They all dispersed.
"You killed her!"
Blaise's body shook uncontrollably as he got to his feet, shooting the Killing Curse at anyone and everyone who got in his path.
"Daphne! YOU KILLED HER!"
Well, it was official. Blaise Zabini had snapped.
XXX
On the other side of the battlefield, Kingsley Shacklebolt had just crossed paths with Quincy Nott, and Stuart and Mila Parkinson. Shortly after their duel began, Neville and Hannah joined in to even things out.
They hadn't been at it for very long when a Cruciatus Curse flew by Kingsley's side and then Quincy's. They both looked to see Theo standing behind them.
"Ah, Son, there you are," said Quincy, clearly not understanding that the curse was meant for him. "Care to help me deal with this garbage?"
Theo stepped forward so he was standing beside Kingsley. Neville and Hannah started to aim their wands at him until they realized he was glowing in the blue light. Never mind.
Moving his eyes to Mila, Theo said, "Your daughter is alive. She is fighting on the other side of the battlefield." He returned his eyes to his father.
Mila gasped. She glanced sideways at her husband before quickly taking off for the other side of the battlefield. Stuart followed after her.
"Theo, what is the meaning of this?" asked Quincy, narrowing his eyes at his son.
"Are you sure, Theo?" asked Kingsley when he made no signs of answering his father.
"Positive," he said, eyes still fixed on his father. "I've got this."
"All right then. A deal is a deal." Kingsley moved to leave and motioned for Hannah and Neville to follow him. They did so reluctantly.
As soon as they were alone, Theo used his wand to scratch an itch behind his ear.
"What are you doing?" asked Quincy, unsure if he should be aiming his wand or not.
"What does it look like I'm doing, Father? I'm getting ready to kill you."
Quincy raised his eyebrows. "Are you now? And why is that?"
"Because I hate you," he said calmly. "You're a bloody bastard and the world will be better off without you."
"Theo, why -?"
"You killed Mother!" shouted Theo, his face clenching as he showed emotion for the first time since he got there.
"What?" said Quincy, taken aback. "I most certainly did not!"
"Don't deny it! I heard you talking about it to Lucius Malfoy years ago. I was barely born and she gave you an ultimatum. Her or the Dark Lord. Guess which one you chose?" Theo lifted his wand.
Quincy stared blankly at his son for a moment before finally giving him a crooked grin. "I do not have to guess, Theo. I was there," he said. "I acted impulsively. I admit it. But why do you care? It is not like you knew her."
"Because of you!" He pointed his wand more forcefully. "What kind of disgusting person kills his own wife? The mother of his child? You're a pathetic excuse for a human being!"
"Do not classify me with all humans, Theo. You know better than that. I am a wiz-ard. If you are going to insult me then make sure to do it right."
"Avada Kedavra!"
The Killing Curse narrowly missed Quincy. The time for small talk was over. Theo was going to finish this once and for all.
XXX
"Ow!" cried Hermione.
Draco had just pulled her to the ground, cradling himself on top of her with his arms wrapped protectively around her stomach. They had just narrowly missed one of Blaise's random Killing Curses.
"Draco, we can't keep doing this!" shouted Hermione from below him. "Someone needs to take him down!"
"They're trying!" he said, looking. "Both sides are trying!"
Someone fell down beside them. They both looked to see Ron on his back. "He's lost his fucking marbles!"
Someone fell down on their other side. They all turned. "How can anyone cast that many consecutive Killing Curses in a row?" asked Harry.
"Some of the most powerful wizards in history were mentally unstable," said Hermione factually.
"Hence the Dark Lord," added Draco. "Obviously insane."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Phillipe, be careful!"
Draco and Hermione looked at each other, eyes widening as they popped up from the ground and scanned the area for Phillip. He was just dodging behind a tree as Blaise shot a Killing Curse at him. Sophie then aimed one at Blaise but he moved out of its path with ease.
"Avada Kedavra!"
That one would have hit Sophie if Ethan hadn't suddenly appeared on the battlefield and moved her out of the way.
"Expelliarmus!"
Blaise turned just as Phillip cast his spell. There was so much anger and passion behind it that Blaise shot clear across the battlefield and into a tree, his wand going flying. Goyle chased it down and grabbed it.
As Blaise tried to stand up, Phillip stepped forward and waved his wand at him. He lashed backwards and hit the tree again.
"That's for my wife!" Another lash. "That's for my baby!" And another. "That's for every!" Lash! "Fucking!" Lash! "Person!" Lash! "You've!" Lash! "Ever!" Lash! "Hurt!"
Blaise fell into an unconscious heap on the ground. Phillip walked up to him and used his wand to bind his arms and legs.
"You deserve so much worse than death you fucking bastard."
A few witches watching immediately began to swoon. Sophie was quick to shove them out of the way.
"Phill-ipe." She smirked. "Zat was … wow."
Without another word between them, Phillip had Sophie in his arms and pressed up against a tree. The two of them began to snog mercilessly, her even lifting her legs so they were straddled around his waist.
"Umm … Phillip, Sophie, as happy as we are about this reconciliation …" Hermione said weakly from the sidelines as Draco pulled her to her feet.
"OI! There's a war going on here!" Draco said much louder.
Phillip and Sophie pulled apart with big grins on their faces. "Sorry!" they both sang together before linking hands and returning to the battlefield.
Hermione, Ron and Harry all stared strangely at Draco.
"What?" he asked.
"I just had the strangest sense of déjà vu," said Hermione, glancing sideways at Ron and blushing.
"Same here," said Ron, doing the same.
"What should we do with him?" asked Astoria, running up with Ginny and grabbing Ron's hand. She was pointing at Blaise.
"Leave him," said Draco. "He's not waking up anytime soon and, after that performance, I would say even his own side isn't going to attempt it."
Astoria glared down at him and spit. "Fucking bastard. I hope you rot in Azkaban."
"What a shame. He was one of my most loyal followers."
They all whipped around to see Rita Skeeter standing behind them.
"I really hate wars," she said, sounding almost bored. "All I want," she pointed at Hermione's stomach, "is the baby."
"You will never take my wife from me again," Draco drawled, stepping forward.
Rita smirked. "I didn't say anything about your wife, Mr. Malfoy. Just the baby." She lifted her wand. "Concitus Partus!"
"AH!" Hermione screamed out in pain as she collapsed to her knees. She wrapped both hands around her stomach.
"What have you done?" shouted Draco, falling beside her.
The others all raised their wands at Rita, but Wiley, Quinn and Stuart Parkinson - who had suddenly appeared - all came to her side. So Phillip, Sophie, Goyle and Pansy all went up behind them. Only, Mila had also appeared and she kept trying to pull Pansy away.
"Quit it, Mum! I'm doing this!"
"Mila, get over here!" shouted Stuart.
Mila looked skeptically at her daughter before joining her husband and raising her wand.
"What's happening?" cried Hermione as her stomach began to writhe in pain.
"It is a spell Quinn found for me," answered Rita. "I had intended to use it on you two days ago but, then, you escaped. It really slowed down my plan."
"But … what … AH!" Hermione fell to her hands. It was like no pain she had ever felt before.
"Oh, you want to know what it does?" Rita smiled wider. "It speeds up pregnancy. It is, of course, highly dangerous and only recommended in the most trivial of circumstances, which I would absolutely say this is!"
Everyone gaped down at Hermione and then up at Rita.
"Considering how far along you already were, I would say you are due to go into labor in about … oh, maybe ten minutes." She took out a pocket watch and looked at the time before showing it to Hermione and Draco. "Tick tock, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy."
Hermione shied away from the noise of the clock. Draco silenced it.
"So … you're going into labor?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and pulling her towards him.
"Not …Ah … yet!" she said through clenched teeth.
"Hermione …" Draco said.
"What?"
"I know this really isn't the time for this … but I totally called it."