Harry Potter
The Fight for Survival
By xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related concepts do not belong to me! I am merely borrowing them for my own personal enjoyment. All OC's and anything you dont recognize is copyrighted by me: xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Rating: K
Pairing: Marcus/OC - Fred/OC - Harry/Ginny
Genre: Adventure/Friendship/Romance
Warnings: Please do not flame me for anything.
Summary: In order to deal with the future, one must understand the past. As the final battle approches the safety of Hogwarts is called into question. But as danger looms, the fight for magic...may come with a price.
Author's Note: Chapter dedicated too:DJScales, Razmend, BamaRose, Aileen Autarkeia, Matt-hardy-lover-101, NewFanFictionFan and Fan of Fics. You guys are utterly amazing.
Author's Note Two: I would also like to point out to you, that the end of this story has been sorted out. Everything has been written down and is just waiting to be typed up and posted. It is complete original...well, the plot is completely original. I hope its worthy.
Other than that. Here's the Christmas chapter.
Christmas Attacks
The Hogwarts Express ploughs through snow covered countryside, as those who were returning home for Christmas sat in the many compartments. Due to the paranoia from outside the Hogwarts castle many students had been requested to go home for the holidays, but not as many to make the castle seem empty like it was over the summer. Charlie sat in a compartment with Ron and Harry, discussing what Harry had over-heard between Snape and Malcolm the previous night when the Gryffindor had followed them out of Slughorn's party.
"So Snape was offering to help him?" Ron questioned, for what felt like the 100th time "He was definitel offering to help him?"
Charlie glared from her seat "Say that one more time, and I'm going to kick you off this train!" she pointed her finger at her red-headed friend
"You can't defend him now!" Ron responded "He's planning with Malcolm, the same person who has been after you since fourth year. How can you continue to defend Snape?"
"Professor Snape," Charlie corrected
Ron rolled his eyes, and gave her a pointed look
"And he's my Godfather," Charlie answered "I have to trust that he knows what he is doing"
Harry frowned "But Charlie..."
"No 'buts'," the Slytherin responded "Professor Snape, may have vowed to protect Malcolm this year, but I believe he only did it to give Carmen Malcolm piece of mind, she's lost her husband, she doesnt want to lose her son too"
Ron stared at her curiously "Are you feeling sympathetic for a Death Eater's wife?" he asked
"No!" Charlie reacted defensively "Im merely stating that Professor Snape isnt doing this for Malcolm. He was practically forced into it, Bellatrix kept calling him out on the fact that his words were empty, and that he wouldnt protect Alex like he said he would. You should know by now that us Slytherins never back down when we are challenged"
The two Gryffindors nodded; that was true.
"Oh, bloody hell" Ron mumured, glancing up at the door.
Charlie and Harry followed his gaze and found Lavender on the otherside of the glass, she breathed out onto the cold glass as her hot breath condensed it; before drawing with her finger the shape of a heart with an arrow throught it, and on the inside was an 'R' + 'L' and two kisses.
Charlie pretended to gag freely, while Harry smothered his snickers at the Slytherin.
Lavender, meanwhile, gazed lovingly at Ron who's expression had glazed over. The Gryffindor on the otherside of the class door, breathed on the heart some more before touched the glass and whispered "I miss you" before walking away.
"Lovely," Harry commented
"All she wants to do is snog me," Ron told his friends "My lips are getting chapped. Look..." he leaned forward so that he was meters away from Harry's face.
Harry pulled back into the corner of his seat "I'll take your word for it!" he pushed his friend away
Charlie snickered.
Ron looked up once more, as Hermione and Riley appear outside the door; the Gryffindor bookworm spotted the love heart and walked away. Riley on the other hand sighed, and wiped the love heart from the glass before pulling open the door and stepping inside "You have got to get rid of the leech!" she told Ron, dropping down beside him "I can't stand our group being split up"
The red head looked confused.
"So, what happens to you?" Harry asked, bring the conversation back to what they had been discussing before Lavender turned up "What happens if you break an Unbreakable Vow?"
"You die," Riley answered, she turned to Charlie "Did you tell them about Snape?"
Charlie nodded "Their convinced he is trying to help Malcolm,"
"That's ridiculous!" Riley cried "He's your godfather, why would he want to help Malcolm complete his task -whatever it is- and get your too marry him?"
The Slytherin smiled, and pointed at her best friend "Thank You!" she exclaimed
Harry and Ron sighed and shook their heads; the girls just didnt understand.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
Christmas at the Burrow wasnt something anyone, other than the Weasley's had experienced. Fred was delighted to have Riley back by his side, although Charlie was feeling a little lost without Marcus, but she figured this was how Riley felt during term time and the summer when she was away from Fred, and her best friend had Marcus around. The days leading up to Christmas were blissful, both Charlie and Riley enjoyed their annual snowball fight in the garden; they made snowmen, snow angels and even helped Mrs. Weasley bake Christmas cookies for Christmas Eve.
When Christmas Eve finally arrived, thats when things started to get complicated. There was alot more people staying at the Burrow than the two Muggleborns had thought when they agreed to stay for the holidays; and instead of having their own room like had when they arrived during the end of the summer, both Charlie and Riley were sharing a room with Ginny. Not that they minded. Fred and George were home for the holidays also, and were sharing a room with their oldest brother Bill -whom Charlie had already met- and that left Harry and Ron in Ron's attic bedroom.
At this particular moment in time, the Weasley children and their friends were sitting in the living room of the Burrow, which Ginny, Riley and Charlie had decorated so that it resembled something close to a paper-chain explosion of Red, Gold, Green and Silver. The angel on top of the tree, was in fact a stumpy looking garden gnome; stunned, painted gold, wings glued to its back and stuck up on the tree. It glowered at them from its vantage point.
"Its the ugliest angel I have ever seen," Harry whispered to the three girls, who glanced up at the gnome
Riley shrugged "Its better than nothing," she answered
Meanwhile, the adults were in the kitchen, preparing everything for the Christmas meal.
"Wait, the pudding's still here" Mrs. Weasley's voice echoed from the adjoining room.
Remus Lupin appeared in the doorway leading from the kitchen to the living room "Harry?" he spoke, in his soft voice "You wished to speak with me?"
Harry nodded and jumped to his feet, as Remus led him away.
Charlie watched them go, before turning to Fred and George started a game of Exploding Snap with Ron, Ginny and Riley "I'll be right back," the Slytherin told them, before jumping to her feet and following after Harry, Lupin and Mr. Weasley. "Wait for me!" she called, slipping out into the back garden after them
xXxHarryPotterxXx
"Voldemort has chosen Alex Malcolm for a mission?" Remus asked, after Harry had explained everything he had overheard on his last night in the castle.
Harry nodded "I know it sounds mad," he spoke
"Has it occurred to you, Harry, that Snape was simply pretending to offer Alex help?" Remus asked "So he could find out what he was up to?"
Charlie grinned smugly.
"That's not what it sounded like," Harry responded quickly
"Perhaps Harry's right, Remus?" Tonks jumped in, as she approached the four of them in the garden
Charlie shook her head "I know that Professor Snape, isnt helping Alex" she inputted "I told you Harry, Snape hates Malcolm as much as I do..."
"But why?" Harry asked
"Why?" Charlie frowned "Im the reason why, you idiot!" she retorted "Snape was forced into making an Unbreakable Vow; and now he must protect Alex from whatever...thus leaving me plainly open for attack. If Alex were to do anything stupid to me at Hogwarts, Professor Snape wouldnt be able to take drastic measures because he's bound to protecting Alex..."
Tonks touched the Slytherin's shoulder "But to make an Unbreakable Vow, it's -"
Remus cut her off "It comes down to whether or not your trust Dumbledore's judgement," he explained "Dumbledore trusts Snape, therefore I do"
"Me too," Charlie nodded
Harry glowered in her direction "Dumbldore can make mistakes," he pointed out "He said so himself"
"You're blinded by hatred!" Remus retaliated
"I'm not!" Harry responded
Charlie jumped in "Yes, you are!" she agreed "Harry, admit it! When have you ever trusted Professor Snape?"
Harry didnt answer. He couldnt answer.
"People are disappearing," Remus spoke again, pulling Charlie back into line between himself and Tonks "Daily. We can only place our trust in a handful of people," he continued "if we start fighting amongst ourselves, we're doomed"
Harry caught Tonk's eye, and the older woman motioned for him to remain quiet.
Charlie shivered "Im going back inside," she announced "Im cold!" and she turned toe, and returned to the Burrow.
"What about Charlie?" Harry asked
Remus sighed "I bring back the point I made earlier," he spoke "Have you thought about the fact that Snape is pretending to offer help, in order to protect Charlie? If he can find out what Alex is up too, then he may be able to put a stop to it; thus protecting his goddaughter from harm"
Harry sighed and glanced down at the snow beneath him, before up at the Burrow.
Why did things have to be so complicated?
xXxHarryPotterxXx
Later that evening, Charlie found Harry and pulled him out into the garden where they could talk without being overheard "Harry, I know you don't trust Professor Snape," the Slytherin starts "But please for me...just let this go"
"I can't Charlie," Harry responded "I know he's up to something"
"Alex, yes" the Slytherin agreed "But not Snape...he's only doing this because he believes it is the right thing to do"
Harry frowned, as his friend continued
"I know he comes off as a bully," Charlie went on "But Professor Snape, is anything but a bully," she pointed out "He's been nothing but nice to me...and Riley"
"Yeah, because he knew all along, who you were" Harry inputted "He knew you were Serenity Riddle from day one; and he probably knew from the moment you arrived at Spinner's End. Doesnt it strike you as odd, that he didnt tell you?"
Charlie shook her head "No, because he knew that it would be dangerous to tell me the truth, before I was ready" she explained "Its the same reason my mum didnt tell me I was adopted until I was of age, do you have any idea of what information like that can do to a child? Especially a child like me?"
"Good point," Harry teased
Charlie grinned "But seriously Harry, Lupin provides a good point"
Harry frowned "What do you mean?"
"That Professor Snape is only aiding Malcolm, so that he can protect me" Charlie answered
"How do you -"
The Slytherin grinned knowingly
"You're scary when you do that," Harry pointed out
Charlie nodded "Promise me, you'll forget this..." she pleaded "Please?"
Harry sighed, as he glanced her way and she provided him with her 'innocent-puppy-dog-pout' "Fine," he caved "But only because I know you can murder me, without a second thought, and...make it look like an accident"
"Im glad to see my reputation, preceeds me" Charlie chuckled, before hugging him "Thanks..."
"Yeah, yeah..." Harry brushed her off, but hugged her nonetheless. "Can we go inside now, I don't know about you; but I get the feeling we're being watched"
Charlie rolled her eyes "You're paranoid!" she accused, but turned and sprinted for the Burrow door "Race ya!" she called over her shoulder
"No fair!" Harry yelled, running after her "You cheated!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did..." Charlie stooped, and picked up some snow, rolled it into a ball and threw it at Harry "...not!" she finished, before shrieking and ducking into the kitchen of the Burrow.
Harry followed her.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
Night had fallen, and while the Weasley children and their friends prepared for bed, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley walked Tonks and Remus to the door. Mrs. Weasley still trying to convince them to stay
"It was delicious, Molly, really" Tonks smiled at the red-headed woman
Molly grasped Tonk's hands "Are you sure you won't stay?" she asked
"No, we should go" Tonks pointed at Remus "The first night of the cycle is always the worst, and besides you have a full house, what with Riley and Charlie being here too."
Remus, meanwhile, was staring out across the garden in silence.
"Remus?" Mr. Weasley questioned
Tonks stepped forward with a concerned expression, she touched his shoulder "Sweetheart?" she asked in a low voice, also sensing something was wrong. It was quiet...a little too quiet.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
Inside the house, Charlie and Riley crept to the top of the stairs; at the bottom of which stood Harry and Ginny.
"Has Ron gone to bed?" the youngest Weasley asked
Harry shook his head "No, not yet" he answered
"Shoelace," Ginny pointed out, kneeling down to fasten the lace his trainer.
Charlie bit her lower lip to keep from giggling, as she exchanged looks with Riley over her shoulder "How clueless can two people be?" she whispered
"Hermione and Ron..." Riley pointed out
"Four people then," Charlie answered
The Gryffindor grinned, turning her attention back to Ginny and Harry; who were now standing within inches of one another, their noses almost touching.
"Merry Christmas, Harry" Ginny mumured
Charlie bit down on her fist to keep from giggling, as Riley smothered her giggles with her hands.
"Merry Christmas," Harry responded
Harry and Ginny's faces inched closer; minor inches from their first kiss; the two were interrupted by a blazing colour of orange from outside the window. Forgetting about Harry and Ginny, Charlie pushed herself forward and onto the window sill as she gazed out through the class, the corn field surrounding the burrow was alight with flames, and in a swirl of black Bellatrix Lestrange appeared.
Beneath the two Muggleborn's, Harry turned and raced down the stairs.
"Harry!" Charlie yelled, jumping off the window sill and jumping the stairs at least four at a time. She brushed past Ginny and continued downstairs.
Riley panicked and reached for her wand "Charlie!" she yelled, giving chase.
Ginny followed too.
"Harry, no!" Mr. Weasley's voice yelled from the front door as Harry pushed past him and followed after Bellatrix.
Charlie appeared seconds later, evaded Tonk's grasp and followed after the Gryffindor.
"CHARLIE!" Riley yelled, as Tonks grabbed her before she could follow the Slytherin
Remus gave chase.
"Remus!" Tonks cried, the gap in the flames -the one Harry and Charlie escaped through- closed, preventing the former Professor from following the students.
Abandoning Riley, in hopes of helping Remus, Tonks tried to control the flames with her wand. The opening re-opens; and throwing caution to the wind Riley sprinted forward and through the gap. Unknown to the fact that Ginny was following her.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
"GINNY!"
Mrs. Weasley's voice echoed in the surrounding corn field, Charlie turned at the sound of her voice and panicked. What had she and Harry started? They should have known their friends would follow them if they gave chase to the Death Eaters that had appeared...now every there was four of them in the corn field, without adult protection.
Great Charlie thought now what?
Find Riley, Harry and Ginny. That seemed like the best bet...at least there was safety in numbers.
"I killed Sirius Black! I killed Sirius Black!" Bellatrix's voice chanted the same words, she had chanted back last year at the Ministry of Magic "You coming to get me?" she questioned
Charlie, clutching her wand, turned in the direction of her voice and gave chase; knowing full well that wherever Bellatrix was, that's where Harry was heading.
"Harry, can you get me?" Bellatrix taunted "You coming to get me?"
Harry chased Bellatrix through the field, unknown to the fact that his friends were in amongst the corn somewhere.
Grinding to a halt, as silence fell, Charlie gazed around; her breathing heavy from running and her wand clutched tightly in her hand. Hearing something, the young Slytherin turned in the direction of the sound and started off again.
Riley not that far behind; the Gryffindor genius ploughed through the undergrowth after her friends. Bursting out of the corn, the Muggleborn staggered as she run straight into the stream she had landed in at the beginning of the summer; she spun around as she heard movement.
Ginny appeared in front of her.
"Ginny..." Riley sighed, grasping the young girls hand and pulling her forward and into the middle of the stream, as movement caught their attention from the field.
"What is it?" Ginny whispered, fearfully
Riley shook her head "Charlie?" she questioned "Harry?"
But the noise didnt belong to Harry or Charlie, but to the figure that she could identify as the Death Eater, Nikki had told her about last Summer. Fernir Greyback. He stopped, leered at the two girls and smiled evily.
"Stupefy!" two different voices yelled, as Harry and Charlie thunder through the small stream, and out into the path of Greyback. Their wands raised.
Greyback deflected the spell, and disappeared into a wisp of Black smoke; more sounds appear in the corn field, but no matter where they looked the four friends, couldnt find Bellatrix or Greyback anywhere; although their senses told them that they were still there.
"Wands out," Charlie ordered "Be prepared for anything!"
Ginny nodded and followed the command, as she removed her wand from inside her dressing robes; whilst Harry directed her onto a small island of sand.
Amongst the corn, Bellatrix appears; her eyes fixed on the four underaged kids in the middle of the stream.
She smirked.
"HARRY!" Mr. Weasley's voice echoed loudly through the air
Spotting movement, Riley pushed Charlie down by the shoulders "DOWN!" she yelled, as a red light shot over head. Ginny and Harry duck just in time.
"Protego!" Charlie shouted, as a second spell soared at her and her friends. All around her, Harry, Riley and Ginny produce similar spells of protection.
"Ginny!" Mr. Weasley shouted as he raced forward
Remus and Tonks are with him
"Charlie!" Tonks yelled
"Riley!" Remus called
The students, meanwhile, have their hands full deflecting attacks to answer the calls of their names. Soon the three adults joined the students on the island, barracading them in a tight circle, as they each searched for Greyback and Bellatrix in the tall field.
Greyback glances at Bellatrix and they change form; disappearing into the night's air in spirals of black smoke.
"Look!" Riley pointed, as the smoke rose into the sky
Charlie frowned "Where are they going?" she asked
However, her question was answered by the sound of explosions behind them; it was coming from the direction of the Burrow.
"Molly!" Mr. Weasley gasped in fear, before he sprinted back through the corn field, towards his home.
Remus and Tonks herded the students back the way they had come.
They emerged out in front of Burrow; as it burns. The rest of the Weasleys are safe. Riley approached Fred and looped her arm through his as she glanced up, the look on her boyfreind's face was unreadable, and when he glanced at her she offered him a small smile.
As the Burrow was destroyed, Harry and Charlie exchanged looks...
...Why did this feel like it was all their fault?
A/N: I always felt sorry for the Weasleys at this point; but the soundtrack in this scene was utterly AMAZING!
Leave me your thoughts...
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~*Kara*~
All OCs and anything unrecognizable is copyrighted (c) and belongs to me xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Chapter updated 03 April 2011 at 04:41am