Hold Back the Darkness
The Dementia had come out of nowhere. A streak of crimson thrown hard but without a particular target, at least so it seemed in the chaos of battle. Antonin had a half second to respond. His hastily cast Protago was comparatively week and the remnants of the curse hit him in the chest, knocking him halfway off his broom. Tony fought the darkness that began to envelope him from the edges of his vision. He dived, hoping to win time by getting momentarily lost in the night mist, trying to regain composure and purge the dark magic from his system.
Take a Stand
"Pull back, we have to regroup!" shouted Andre, making retreating signals. The Death Eaters pulled back, casting disillusionment charms and counting on their black cloaks to blend with the dark sky.
"Where's Dolohov?" Rodolphus questioned tersely.
"I saw him get hit by something," Lucius reported, looking concerned.
Augustus and Bella exchanged looks. "We'll do a scan," Rookwood offered.
"Don't break ranks!" Rodolphus hissed, glaring at his wife. "We have a job to do around here."
"Roddy, we're outnumbered," Lucius started. "Somehow they knew…"
Bella's eyes began to glow dangerously. "Then we'll just have to fight twice as hard! Forward, purebloods!"
When You're Lost
Angelus found Ashley in one of the sidelong corridors of the base. Mulciber sat with his knees pulled up, cradling a bottle of firewhiskey. The last raid had discombobulated Ashley. Angelus understood part of his friend's discomfort. Compared to other fresh recruits they seemed to lack enthusiasm and thik skin. Ashley also had his older brother's expectations to live up to.
"Sulking, Ash?"
"Go away, Wilkes. I'm thinking."
"About?"
He sighed. "I don't belong here, Angel. I don't feel like I belong."
"You don't believe in the Cause?"
"I do, though, see? But I hate killing. Even if its mudbloods."
No Solid Ground
Rookwood knew better than anyone that without making over the Ministry the Organization was constantly on precarious ground. Often, after some unsuccessful operation or political maneuvering, Lucius, Rodolphus, Augustus, and Antonin would gather in the parlor of Malfoy Manor and talk tactics over red wine and Swiss cheese. In such company, the conversation often turned to the political side of the war that began to seriously suffer since the mid-70s in favor of terror-inclined warfare. The general consensus during these informal meetings was that they needed to take control of the Ministry if they ever wanted to stabilize their progress.
There's Only Us
They met in a small forested area at sundown. It wasn't an accident but not a certainty until they were standing face-to-face, hand-in-hand.
"Who's left?" Antonin asked bluntly.
Bella shook her head. "My husband and his brother. That's all I know of."
"Lucius?"
"You know Malfoy."
Antonin nodded. Lucius was bound to weasel his way out. He didn't count. "Igor's with me."
"Evan Rosier?"
"Dead."
"There's only us five then." The rays of the dying sun hit her face through the trees and for a moment, Antonin felt seventeen again.
Then dusk came and with it – reality. "There's only us."