A/N: It's been ages. I'm so sorry! I hope you enjoy this chapter anyway!
"And who is this?" Voldemort asked in a soft tone that made Regina shudder. "Who has volunteered to demonstrate what happens to those who continue to fight when the battle is lost?"
Bellatrix laughed manically. "It is Neville Longbottom, my Lord! The boy who has been giving the Carrows so much trouble! The son of the Aurors, remember?"
"Ah, yes, I remember. But you are a pureblood, aren't you, my brave boy?" Voldemort asked Neville curiously.
"So what if I am?" Neville snapped defiantly.
"You show spirit and bravery, and you come of noble stock. You will make a very valuable Death Eater. We need your kind, Neville Longbottom."
"I'll join you when hell freezes over! Dumbledore's Army!"
The Silencing Charm failed as a loud, confident cheer answered Neville's cry. The Death Eaters seemed a little taken aback and Emma laughed, squeezing her girlfriend's hand soothingly. Beside her, the brunette was gratified to see the smile drop slowly from her eldest sister's face.
"Very well," said Voldemort in a tone that chilled Regina to the bone. "If that is your choice, Longbottom, we revert to the original plan. On your head be it."
He waved his wand and everyone facing him held their breath, wondering what was about to happen. Split seconds passed before something flew through the air and dropped into Voldemort's outstretched hand. Fighting the urge to move forward so that she could get a better look at what the object might be, Regina kept a close grip on her son's shoulders as he, too, attempted to move closer. Voldemort held up the Sorting Hat by its point for all to see.
"There will be no more Sorting at Hogwarts School. There will be no more Houses. The emblem, shield and colours of my noble ancestor, Salazar Slytherin, will suffice everyone. Won't they, Neville Longbottom?"
With a flick of his wand he cast the Body-Bind Curse on Neville, rendering him unable to move, before stepping close and forcing the hat onto the teenager's head. He jammed it down over his ears and smiled dangerously. In response Regina, along with many others watching the interaction from the steps of the castle, made to intervene; to do something, anything, to help the boy who had so bravely and defiantly faced Voldemort. Instantly the Death Eaters raised their wands; aiming them towards the defenders of the castle threateningly. All movement stilled as they watched anxiously.
"Neville here is now going to demonstrate what happens to anyone foolish enough to continue to oppose me." Voldemort informed them in a light, breezy tone.
He flicked his wand once more and the Sorting Hat burst into flame. Terrible, agonised screams broke the silence and yet Neville remained motionless. As the fire raged around him, licking at his clothes and flesh, he was unable to do anything to protect himself.
Emma was coiled and ready for action but, just before she could do anything to help the teenage boy, a commotion from somewhere just out of sight reached their ears. They turned as one to watch Grawp bearing down on them from one side and a swarm of much bigger, more terrifying giants approaching from the other.
"HAGGER!"
As the giants came even closer to entering the fray, everyone scattered. The Death Eaters shouted in panic, rushing away from the newest danger in an attempt to protect themselves from being squashed by the giants when they reached the courtyard. Regina pushed Henry towards Emma as she spotted her sister darting away, determined to catch up with her before she got too far.
A hand closed around her wrist and Emma dragged her back, shaking her head as Regina shot her an irritated scowl. "No, you stay with Henry… keep him safe."
"Emma!"
But the blonde had darted away before her girlfriend could argue. Grabbing Henry by the hand, Regina started heading away, pulling him behind along her as she looked for somewhere safe for him to hide.
"HARRY!" Hagrid's booming voice was easily heard, even over the commotion. "HARRY… WHERE'S HARRY?"
Regina knew in that moment that there was nowhere safe. Her heart sank as she realised that the only way to protect Henry would be to keep him with her, to shield him from attack and to fight for their lives. Holding his hand tightly, she dragged him towards the castle doors. He stared around wide-eyed watching the thestrals and a hippogriff attacking the approaching giants from above while Grawp punched and kicked at them. The centaurs had entered the fight, trampling Death Eaters beneath their hooves as they charged across the stone ground.
Shooting curses and hexes at any Death Eater who looked as though they were about to attack, Regina made her way into the Great Hall, still pulling Henry with her. They were just in time to see the kitchen door blasted open and an army of house-elves flooding out to join the battle. They were armed with kitchen implements which, when combined with the malevolence on their faces, was a terrifying scene.
"Fight! Fight! Fight for my Master, defender of house-elves! Fight the Dark Lord, in the name of brave Regulus! Fight!" The one Regina thought she recognised as her cousins' former house-elf screeched, his voice carrying easily above the cacophony of noise.
"Regina!" She turned at the sound of her name, finding herself looking at the dishevelled-haired, slightly manic, petrified face of her sister. "Have you seen Draco? Please… Please, Gina. I need to find him."
She shook her head, Narcissa's infectious panic invaded her and she gripped her son's hand more tightly. "No. I haven't… but… Cissy. Ciss, Dora… I… Bella murdered Dora…"
Narcissa stopped, her face going even paler than usual and her nails digging painfully into Regina's arm. "What? No…"
"She murdered her. She murdered her own niece." Regina repeated, dragging Henry into her side and holding him tightly. "Dora's dead…"
"I…" Tears sprang to the blonde's eyes. She looked at Henry, lifting a hand to touch his cheek briefly, before pressing her hand to Regina's. "Be careful. Please, I… I can't lose… I've got to find Draco."
"We'll look out for him." The younger woman promised her. "You be careful, too."
Smiling softly, Narcissa whirled away to continue her search for her son. Needing to get Henry out of the Great Hall and to somewhere safer, Regina headed for the Entrance Hall once more. She dodged past George Weasley and Lee Jordan who had just managed to overpower Yaxley, stepped backwards to avoid being knocked over by Dolohov who had just been felled by Professor Trelawney and breathed a sigh of relief as Ron and Neville simultaneously shot stunning spells at Fenrir Greyback, who hit the ground with a loud thud.
Regina paused, watching Minerva, Slughorn and Kingsley Shaklebolt all attempting to take on Voldemort at the same time. She examined the cold hatred that covered his face as they fought. Even with their immense skill they were unable to take him down. She was filled with guilt as she watched, knowing that she should be helping instead of running for safety. Taking a deep breath, she turned to her son. Grasping Henry by the shoulders, she met his eyes and held his gaze steadily.
"Henry, go over there. Cast a shield charm and stay out of danger." She ordered him.
"But, Mom, I can help…"
She shook her head, touching his cheek as Narcissa had just done. "Please, Henry."
He sighed but then nodded and retreated to the quietest corner of the Great Hall to do as she had requested. Regina stepped forward, joining the battle. Minerva shot her a grateful smile as she joined them, which the younger witch returned briefly, before gritting her teeth and throwing herself into the fight.
Someone jostled into her and she glanced around, realising that it was Ginny Weasley, engaged in battle with several other people. Following her line of vision, Regina's heart contracted as she realised that Bellatrix was duelling Hermione, Ginny and Luna. Bellatrix was extremely skilled and Regina knew that the three teenage girls wouldn't last much longer against her eldest sister.
Making a split-second decision, she changed the direction of her spells. Bellatrix glanced over at her and Regina saw her eyes widen as she realised who it was that had just joined the fight. For a moment, the younger sister could have sworn that she saw hurt and betrayal on the older witch's face, but then it was gone and a cruel smirk twisted her lips instead. Regina's face and heart both hardened at Bellatrix's expression, her own hurt and regret at the situation evaporating immediately.
"Come on, then, baby sister." Bellatrix taunted her with a cold laugh. "Think you're finally a match for me? I'm not going to play nice for you this time."
"When have you ever played nice, Bella? Besides, I've always been a match for you." Regina snapped back.
"Aww… I think it's adorable… you trying to protect these little girlies. They will never trust you, Regina. They'll never thank you for this. You might die to protect them, but they'll never feel anything but suspicion for you." Bellatrix taunted her. Aiming off to Regina's left, the older woman smiled malevolently. "Avada Kedavra."
Regina was unable to do anything as the flash of green light shot past her. She held her breath, whirling round to see who Bellatrix had aimed her killing spell at. The curse narrowly missed Ginny, passing her less than an inch above her shoulder. The girl went as white as a ghost as she realised just how close she had been to death. Immediately, Regina raised her wand and shot a stream of curses towards her sister. Bellatrix laughed delightedly at the reaction she had managed to illicit from the younger woman, batting them away as though they were nothing more than an irritating stream of bats flapping around her.
"NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!" Molly screamed, alerted by the screams and realising what had just happened. She sprinted towards them, throwing off her cloak as she ran.
Bellatrix grinned again, laughing even more delightedly in response. "Well, well, well…"
"Bella!" Regina implored her, knowing that it would do no good. Her sister was long past saving, but she had to try. "Stupi–"
"OUT OF MY WAY!"
Regina was knocked sideways as Molly crashed into her. There was nothing she could do but watch as both women slashed with their wands and dodged and twisted to avoid being hit by the other's curses. Bellatrix's smile dropped from her face as she realised the battle was not going her way and her lips curled into a feral snarl. Regina recognised the expression well, knowing that nothing good ever came of her eldest sister being that furious. The tension skyrocketed as both witches aimed to kill the other.
"No!" Molly ordered as Regina attempted to join her. "Get back! Get back! She is mine!"
Regina didn't know what to do. Everyone in the Great Hall seemed to be in the same position as she was, simply standing and watching the two furious fights going on in the centre of the room; Voldemort duelling with Minerva, Slughorn and Kinglsey and Bellatrix and Molly battling at the other end of the Hall.
"What will happen to your children when I've killed you?" Bellatrix crooned with mock-concern. She laughed as one of Molly's curses narrowly missed her. "When Mummy's gone the same way as Freddie?"
"You… will… never… touch… our… children… again!"
In response, the brunette laughed even more manically. Regina shook her head, almost able to taste the tension in the air. She gripped her wand tightly, itching to do something, to do something to help. With a final slashing motion, Molly sent a curse towards Bellatrix, which managed to find its way beneath her arm and meet its mark. The jet of light struck her in the chest.
There was a long silence. Everything seemed to simply stop for a long time as Bellatrix froze. Her laughter died in her throat and her eyes searched the crowd, connecting with her younger sister's for the shortest of moments. Regina felt like she was about to vomit. A surge of emotion forced its way up her throat and she gasped desperately for air as she watched Bellatrix topple lifelessly to the flagstone floor.
"BELLA!" Regina heard herself screaming her sister's name, without even realising that it was her that had spoken.
A stuttered breath caught in her throat as she stared sightlessly ahead of her. A chill ran through her body and she shivered, wrapping her arms around herself as someone moved forward and laid a hand on her arm. Regina turned her head and met Emma's eyes, seeing nothing but sympathy and understanding reflected back at her. It was ridiculous, the brunette knew, that she was devastated by the death of her eldest sister but it was still there and she was unable to deny that.
As though he was similarly devastated by the loss, Voldemort shrieked furiously. Minerva, Kingsley and Slughorn were blasted backward, flying through the air and smashing into the far wall. Spinning round immediately, before his previous duelling partners had hit the ground, Voldemort aimed his wand menacingly at Molly Weasley.
"Protego!" Roared a voice.
A Shield Charm erupted across the centre of the Great Hall, protecting Molly from the attack. Voldemort, along with everyone else in the room, stared around for the caster of the charm, unable to work out where it had come from. There was a very audible gasp that ran around the room as Harry Potter suddenly appeared in their midst.
"HE'S ALIVE!"
