Chapter 120: Attack at St Mungo
"You look sick, are you alright?" Janet asked Lily in concern. They were having their late lunch at the staff cafeteria in St Mungo.
"I guess I feel a little feverish." Lily touched her forehead. "I probably go home after this."
"Ya, you better. Otherwise you might get worse if you stay around here." Janet told her. Although with all the precautions, it was still possible getting some contagious diseases while working in a hospital.
"Weird. I was okay yesterday until after dinner I felt a little queasy." Lily tried to swallow some of the mashed potatoes she bought for lunch.
"Must be your dinner last night, ate too much, right?" Janet teased.
"I supposed so." Lily closed her eyes and taking deep breath.
"I think we better find Nor, get yourself some medicine and send you home now." Janet said, standing up and pulling Lily up.
X
"Stef, you alright?" Nadine called out from the cubicle across Stefanie.
"I'm having this splitting headache." Stefanie was using her hands to support her head.
"Oh Merlin! You looked pale!" Nadine said in shock when Stefanie looked up at her. "I think you better go to St Mungo."
"I'll be okay after a rest at home." Stefanie took a deep breath, trying to ease her aching head a little.
"I'll inform Boss for you." Nadine was bending down beside Stefanie right now. She wrote a note on a piece of parchment and cast a charm. The parchment folded into a plane magically and flew towards their Head Editor's office. "Let's go." She held Stefanie up to her feet and grabbed her handbag along.
"Need help?" Grace Skeeter, another colleague who sat nearby, offered.
"Yes, please." Nadine said with some difficulty. Both ladies helped Stefanie up and tried to walk out of the office.
X
"Is there something wrong with the air here, or is it just me?" James asked Edgar. He was in the office doing some research before heading out later in the afternoon with his direct supervisor. Sirius was outside with the Prewett twins, doing a follow-up on the attack at Horizon Alley while it was Remus off day.
"I don't think so." Edgar looked over at James at the opposite cubicle. "Dude, you look sick." He was quite shocked at how pale James looked suddenly despite his tanned complexion.
"I don't know. I'm having this bad headache, as if I haven't slept for ages." James took out his spectacles and closed his eyes while massaging his temples a little.
"I think you better get a check-up at St Mungo. Sometimes I get these bad headaches after working on tough cases too." Edgar told him. "I'll inform Moody for you. Better get some rest tomorrow. We need you here, healthy and fine." He said in a teasing tone but at the same time concern for his trainee auror.
"Thanks Ed. I'll be fine after a rest. It's just sudden." James took his wallet and wand from the desk and left the Auror Headquarters office, going to the lobby. Weird, I seldom have such a headache. Was it something I ate yesterday? He tried to remember what could have caused his headache. Had a dinner with the rest but they all seemed fine this morning. It must be the lack of breakfast. He walked out of the lift and towards the fireplaces. It was a better idea to floo to St Mungo than apparating there today.
X
Sirius shook his head, trying to ease the pain off his head but to no avail.
"You alright?" Gideon asked. The two of them were walking along Horizon Alley doing some follow-up checking of the area after the Deatheaters' attack two weeks ago. Most of the people seemed to have a fearful look on them, as if there might be an attack again any time.
"I don't know. It's just a sudden headache. I think I must be lacking of sleep lately." Sirius told his senior. He stopped midway and supported himself against a wall.
"Let me send you to St Mungo for a check up. I don't want you to be down with Wizard Flu or something. It's quite torturous if it's serious." Gideon placed his arm on Sirius' right shoulder.
"Thanks." Sirius gave a grateful thanks and Gideon apparated both of them to St Mungo.
X
What a day to have a headache! Remus slurped down a glass of lukewarm water by his bedside. He was resting at home on his off day, intending to meet Stefanie for dinner later on in the evening after her work. And the last thing he wanted was to fall sick. He laid down on his bed again, trying to get some sleep. Forget it. I might as well as go for a check up. I don't want to be sick and go through the stupid transformation tomorrow night.
X
"Master, they will all be in St Mungo within an hour from now."
"Perfect! Well done, Wormtail."
X
At least now I don't feel so bad. I think I really need a good sleep. Lily walked towards St Mungo lobby where she was about the floo home to the Black's Mansion when she caught sight of someone appearing from the fireplace at the opposite wall. "James?" She murmured to no one in particular. She excused herself off the exiting queue and walked towards the guy. "James."
"Lily? Aren't you supposed to be working now?" James looked up in surprised and saw his girlfriend.
"Yeah, but I wasn't feeling too well. So I got some medicine and was about to floo home. You look pale, what happened?" Lily asked in deep concern, touching his face and frowning at how ill James looked.
"Forgot my breakfast today and now suffering from it." James mumbled. Lily led James up to the second floor via the lift.
"Looks like I've to remind you to take breakfast in the future." Lily joked as both of them entered towards the consultation rooms.
"That would be nice." James mumbled as he sat down and Lily went to the counter to get a number for him.
X
Sirius and Gideon were walking along St Mungo main lobby when suddenly simultaneous popping sound was heard all around them.
"Deatheaters." Gideon said instantly, taking out his wand and alerted the people nearby. Within seconds, a large number of black-cloaked wizards appeared in the lobby, and started terrorizing the place.
"AAHHH!"
"Crucio!"
"HELPPP!" Frightened screams were heard amidst the Deatheaters' shouting out the Unforgivable Curses.
"Avada Kedavra!" A flash of green light appeared from the Deatheater's wand and hit a man in hospital attire. He fell backwards and laid totally still with his eyes opened in horror.
Sirius immediately cast a Disillusion Charm on himself while Gideon was defending both of them from Deatheaters.
"Stupefy. Expelliarmus!" Gideon shouted. It was too chaotic and there were too many people around, he could not use any spells that could harm the innocent in case it missed the Deatheaters.
"Crucio!"
"Expelliarmus!" A disillusioned Sirius shouted in all directions around him. He knew that in his condition, his incantations might not work as well as they should. And at this point of time, spells were flying all directions, both the Unforgivables and defensive ones.
X
"What's that noise?" Lily looked up. It sounded like there was a riot downstairs. Many patients and hospital staffs were both shocked and surprised at the noise level.
"Lily, be careful." James walked up to Lily's side. "I think might be Deatheaters." He looked grimly, eyeing the lift lobby suspiciously.
"This is a plot." Suddenly she seemed to have an idea what happened. "And that's why we're here." They looked at each other in the eye and had some sort of understanding.
"Wand?" James touched the wand in his back pocket. It appeared that some others had the similar thoughts and took out their wands defensively. "I'm casting the Disillusion Charm on you." He tapped his fingers on Lily's head and immediately she camouflaged into the background. "Don't worry about me."
"James, wait." Lily took out her medicine. "I got this painkiller for headache. Take a small sip, might relieve yours." James took a tiny sip from the bottle. Instantly the pain and dizziness was gone, but there was still some strange lingering sensation.
"I've got to go. Take care of the people here." James released Lily's hand.
"Don't. It's dangerous." Lily held onto James' wrist tightly, refusing to let him go.
"This is my job. Remember what we're here for." James whispered close to her although he could not see where her ears were. "We've to fulfill our mission. Take care. I love you." James gave Lily a kiss, which landed on her forehead.
"I love you too. You must come back to my side safely." Lily was teary, releasing her grip.
"I'll be back. Be careful." James said. Suddenly there were screams coming from the lift lobby and it was getting closer.
"Crucio." Both of them turned and saw the cloaked Deatheaters at the entrance. James let go of Lily and ran forward, with his palm in front. Wands could only cast a spell at any one time while he could perform simultaneous spells at the same time.
"Petrificus totalus." James aimed at one of the Deatheaters who cast the Cruciatus Curse on one of the healers. "Protego!" He shouted a strong Shielding Charm at the entrance to deflect the curses thrown by the Deatheaters. Some Unforgivable Curses reflected and hit the Deatheaters themselves. James quickly sent out a series of red sparks from his wand as a signal to alert the aurors about the attack.
X
"Protego!" Lily ran forward after James and started casting the Shielding Charm at the door to prevent the Deatheaters' curses from reaching any more victims. She had gotten a shock when she witnessed the Cruciatus Curse hitting one of her colleagues. To her relief, some of the Unforgivables actually reflected back to the casters and three of the Deatheaters were down. Oh no! What else? She tried to remember some of the defensive charms she learnt in school. "Avis!" A flock of small, twittering birds flew out from her wand and aimed straight at the Deatheaters' face, pulling down their hoods.
"Avada Kedavra!" A shot of green light was hitting at her direction and she quickly jumped behind the pillar, knowing well that it was the killing curse. Shit! They might have noticed me! Suddenly she saw a series of birds coming out from several wands around the roomful of patients and hospital staffs.
X
Birds? Only Lily is capable of conjuring something like this. James thought and smiled inwardly while hiding behind a counter. He has cast a Disillusion Charm on himself as well. Within minutes, there were a flock of birds flying towards the Deatheaters at the lift lobby from various directions in the room. Apparently he was not the only one casting the Shielding Charm at the door either.
He started transfiguring small objects on the floor into large rocks and hit the Deatheaters. As much as he had wanted to cast the Unforgivables at the Deatheaters, he knew that it was not a wise thing to do when there was such a large group of innocent people around.
X
"Woah!" Remus jumped when a spell hit on the wall of the fireplace. St Mungo main lobby was in mayhem. Instinctively, he cast a Disillusion Charm over himself and squatted behind inside the wall of the fireplace. Spells were flying at all directions and apparently the Deatheaters were winning. Most of the people were lying on the floor with barely any movement. Shit. An attack. He saw the Deatheaters walking into the hospital while a few of them remained guarding the grounds in case of any intruders. He levitated a few benches from the other side of the lobby and aimed straight at the Deatheaters. Just then he caught sight of someone lying unconscious on the floor. StefanieAs much as he wanted to go closer to her, his auror instincts told him to stay away until the coast is clear. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and aimed his wand straight at the standing Deatheaters. "Imperio!" He shouted out three times, aiming at the three Deatheaters. "Walk away from the entrance to the end of the lobby." The cloaked Deatheaters turned around and walked towards the other end of the lobby, as commanded by him. "Throw your wands as far away from you as possible and remove your cloak." The three Deatheaters, once again, followed his command. "Petrificus Totalus!" The exposed Deatheaters fell down on the floor into a full body bind. He sent out some magical ropes and tied the three Deatheaters together at the other side of the wall. Immediately he ran forward to Stefanie's side.
"Stef!" Remus turned the unconscious Stefanie around and started shaking her. "Wake up! Please wake up!" Stefanie's eyelids fluttered a little and opened her eyes.
"Remus." She said in a very weak voice. "I'm hurting." He looked at her neck and realized the orange gem on her heart-shaped pendant flickered.
"Don't worry. I'm around." Despite the fact that he was not feeling well himself, he carried her up.
"Where do you think you're going?"
X
Sirius opened his eyes and looked up. Where am I? He turned to his side and saw heaps of people who were lying on the floor unconscious. He wanted to sit upright but his body was aching for some unknown reason. Gideon. Sheesh. Where is he? He turned to look around trying to find his friend.
"Where do you think you're going?" A high-pitched and eerie voice rang through the silence of the lobby. He turned and saw a sight that he would never forget. Voldemort. And the worst thing that could happen was Remus carrying Stefanie in front of him. Remus is cornered. He closed his eyes and tried to gather his thoughts. Wand. Where is it? His wand was missing. Great. What can I do now? You're an auror, think. He was staring straight at his enemy when suddenly Voldemort seemed to be levitated.
"YOU!" Voldemort turned his attention and stared straight at his direction although he was still concealed with the Disillusioned Charm. He felt the charm being lifted off from him. Damn it.
"There's no escape for you three besides death." Voldemort's evil laughter rang through the silence of St Mungo. Just then another twenty Deatheaters appeared and surrounded the three of them.
X
James stood up to take a closer look at the Deatheaters who were now lying on the floor. His palms were still in front of him, ready to cast some defensive spells in case of anything. It seemed like all the Deatheaters were down but it was better to be on guard than not.
X
This is not the end yet. Lily looked around, with her wand on hand. She tiptoed briskly and silently towards his colleague who had suffered the Cruciatus Curse. She swept her right hand across his motionless body while her left hand was holding on her wand tightly. Ok, now where is James? She knew that it was not wise to remove the Disillusion Charm and she was currently standing in line of fire and quickly cast a Shield as she ran back to her previous hiding place.
"I am Lord Voldemort!" An evil laughter echoed through the entire area. "Potter and Evans, you can appear now." A dark figure appeared at the doorway where the Deatheaters stood previously.
From her hiding place, Lily could see who he was. Voldemort
"If you don't appear this instant, I'm going to kill these people one-by-one, right in front of you. Voldemort spoke as though he knew James and Lily were there. Using his wand, said a spell and suddenly, everyone who were invisible of under the disillusion charm appeared. Most of the people were huddling close together at the various corners, shivering in fear. "Looks like you two are not going to appear until I get started." He pointed his wand to the colleague that Lily healed earlier. "Avada Keda-"
"STOP!" James appeared from where he was hiding and stood fearlessly in front of Voldemort.
"Good. Where's Evans?" Voldemort smirked. A group of Deatheaters was gathering behind him now.
"Take me. Leave her alone." James glared straight at Voldemort, his fists were clenching tightly.
"Evans, don't say I didn't warn you. Avada Kedavra." Voldemort pointed his wand at her colleague who was lying unconsciously in front. Before the Killing Curse hit him, James sent him flying behind one of the counters.
"Take me if you want." James repeated acidly.
"Don't worry. I will. I just wanted to gather the whole group of you." Voldemort sneered. "The Blacks and Lupin are waiting for you back home." James gave his defiant stare but did not answer. "I'm sure they're anticipating your arrival." James clenched his fists even tighter and held out was about tempted to cast an Unforgivable at Voldemort. The Deatheaters behind him stood forward and pointed their wands menacingly at James.
"Evans. Don't say I didn't warn you. Potter's life is in your hands." Voldemort snickered evilly.
"Lily, don't come out." James shouted, knowing very well Lily would be able to hear him clearly.
"Isn't that sweet? Protecting your little Mudblood girlfriend." The Deatheaters gave a series of mocking laughter. "Crucio!" Voldemort shouted the curse at James.
X
NO! Lily wanted to get out when she remembered James' words for her. Although her Disillusion Charmed had been lifted, she was well hidden behind one of the walls.
"Crucio!" Voldemort had shouted the curse at James twice. To her amazement, James had disappeared from where he stood and appeared at the other side, escaping from the Unforgivable curse twice. "Teleportation. Very useful indeed." Voldemort laughed evilly.
X
How did I teleport? James thought inwardly. There was no way he could show that he was unaware of this power. He never removed his eye contact away from Voldemort.
"Anyone who disobeys me will die." Voldemort's patience was wearing off.
"I rather die than obey you." James' voice contained no trace of trepidation.
"Here's a chance. Work for me. And you'll be rewarded with fame and power beyond your imagination." Voldemort ordered.
"Over my dead body." James said defiantly. "Never ever."
"Very well. You asked for it." Voldemort smiled knowingly. With a wave of his wand, Lily was flunked out of her hiding place.
"Aaaahhh!" Lily screamed in shock when she flew out from her hiding place and landed on the floor a few meters away from Voldemort.
"NO!" James moved forward but was thrown back by Voldemort's dark magic.
"I've warned you." Voldemort looked at James and turned his attention back to Lily who was now wincing in pain.
X
Ouch! Lily closed her eyes and concentrated to get the pain off her body. Even after the pain had drained off her body, her pained expression never left her face.
"Mudblood." Voldemort gave Lily a hard kick and sent her flying a few meters away from him. She swallowed whatever pain so that not to give Voldemort the sense of satisfaction.
"Cruciatus curse." Voldemort commanded. Several wands pointed at Lily and a series of "Crucio" incantations was heard. James ran forward intending to shield Lily but was thrown back again.
AAAHHH! Lily cringed in pain. Why didn't the curses reflect away? She was squirming on the floor as she tried to push the pain out of her body. Think of something, Lily. There must be something. She tried to reach for her wand but it flew further away from her.
"Lily!" She could hear James calling her name. The pain was getting to her. Think of something. With more concentration, she closed her eyes and tried with all her might to push the pain out of her body.
"Looks like the Mudblood is trying to heal herself." Lily heard Voldemort's comment. He knows about my power. She tried to breathe in and out and concentrate. She knew there was a way to push the curse out of her body but at this point of time, she just couldn't remember.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" She screamed out her pain, emitting a strong yellow glow. A sense of relief and recovery flow through her as her pain shot out from her body and flew in all directions.
X
Oh no! She is driving the pain out and it'll hit us. James looked around and saw Voldemort, as well as his Deatheaters, looking straight at Lily, relishing her pain as their enjoyment. "Protego" He sent a Shielding Charm to protect the other victims as well as himself from Lily.
To his dismay, Voldemort had done the same thing, casting dark magic to protect himself and his Deatheaters from taking in Lily's pain.
"I'm amazed." Voldemort clapped his hands together. "Maybe this mudblood can be useful to us." Oh no! He knew Voldemort must have been concocting some scheming plan in his mind. The only way to protect Lily was to get his attention away from her. He sent a blast of green fire towards Voldemort's direction.
"You don't have to try so hard to get my attention." Voldemort turned back to James. With a wave of his wand, the green flames James conjured became a gust of green mist.
"Master. Don't waste your breath on them." A deatheater bowed low as he approached Voldemort.
"Let me kill them for you, Master." Another deatheater on his left came forward, head bowed in respect or fear, whichever it was.
"Take them away." Voldemort instructed. Deatheaters rushed forward and surrounded them. James immediately concentrated and teleported to Lily's side. Unfortunately for them, the Deatheaters had already grabbed them by their arms and held them down. "Take them back." Dragging both of them, they apparated away from St Mungo.
X
"This is bad." Moody said. Dumbledore had held an emergency meeting as soon as he got news that Voldemort had captured the six of them.
"How can we save them now?" Professor McGonagall asked worriedly. "There's no way the six of them can deal with Voldemort alone."
"I know where they are now." Professor Plains said suddenly.