A/N: There are some references in this chapter to things that will happen in the future. Consider them seeds that have been planted for future growth. I am trying to create a new character pool whilst eliminating some older ones, although I am not sure who will stay or go right at this moment in time. Feel free to make any suggestions if you have them. I'll wait to see where the story takes me before making any decisions. It just another general idea in my head.

Musical inspiration for this story was Audiomachine's The New Earth.

Chapter 3

Hell's Warriors

She sat on the bed with her knees pulled up to her chin and her arms wrapped around her legs. Outside the sun had started to set behind the horizon and soon darkness would fall. The atmosphere inside the Castle had changed the moment shades of red and fiery gold were painted across the skies. The attack would be imminent and the excitement and adrenaline pulsated through the corridors like a heartbeat. She had seen the cloaked figures arrive, walking along the lane that led from the river bank to the Castle. They had gathered downstairs, drinking wine and mead from the crystal goblets as they shared stories of bravery, courage and glory.

All she could think about were her hands. How had she not felt that it was her? How had her heart, her soul, not whispered to her that the hands that touched her belonged to the one person she had not laid eyes upon for so long? Her eyes closed as she remembered their lips pressing warmly against her cheek and her fists slowly tightened and relaxed as she attempted to rid herself of the turmoil inside of her.

The door to her bedroom opened and Bellatrix appeared. She wore a simple yet elegant black dress that sat tight around her waist, accenting the strong curve of her breasts with a leather laced corset. Her thick, black curls cascaded down her back and her dark eyes fixed on the lone figure sitting on the bed. "It is time."

Hermione slipped off the bed and her leather boots made contact with the floor. She grasped her wand from the pillow and rolled it through her fingers as she followed Bellatrix down the marble staircase into the high ceilinged hall. When she looked over the bannister she observed the several groups of warriors standing together, all waiting for instructions. Narcissa stood by the front door, wand in hand. Her blonde hair had been pinned up and her ice blue eyes sought out Hermione as she slowly walked down.

"Tonight is the night, my dear friends," she spoke with a clear and loud voice. "We will take down the resistance. They had fought against us for too long but every battle knows its ends. Tonight is the night that the city will burn as a message to them. Their fight is useless. They cannot win!"

A loud roar rose up from the forces gathered and Hermione's eyes darted around. Most of these men, and the occasional woman, had fought alongside Lord Voldemort mere months ago. After having been freed from Azkaban they had joined their ranks. More and more warriors had arrived from across the country and beyond the borders. They had heard of the Core's immense strength and cruelty and desired to be a part of it. A smile spread across her lips as she looked at all these fighters willing to give their lives for their strength, their overruling power.

"Round up the families that live in East. Bring them together in the large Square!" Hermione suddenly said and Narcissa's eyes snapped in her direction in surprise. She felt the surge of adrenaline in her veins. The desire for war, for battle, awakened. "Question each and every single one of them if you cannot find the Weasleys. When you do…." Her voice trailed off and her hazel eyes darkened as the anger and frustration over what had happened hours earlier started to overwhelm her. "Bring them to me."

The cheering only grew louder and Hermione's head snapped around when she felt Bellatrix's hand on the small of her back. Dark eyes met hers and she recognised the desire. She smiled before making her way through the crowd towards the door. She held still beside Narcissa and searched for her hand. Bellatrix followed and took a stand on the other side of her, linking her hand with Hermione's. Their combined magic blew open the heavy wooden doors and invited in the cold evening fresh air.

"Leave no house unsearched!" Hermione called as the troops began making their way into the night. "And if you must, leave no one alive!"

~()~

"How did Ollivander end up in Italy?" Andromeda whispered as she studied the small piece of parchment Ginny had given her hours ago. It was a letter, no more than a couple of sentences long. Ginny, who had been leaning against the window sill, shrugged.

"I don't know but Tonks did one hell of a job at finding him."

Andromeda looked up. "Nymphadora found him?"

Ginny nodded. "Yep. Must be those Auror skills off hers because none of us managed to figure out where he was." She smiled at Andromeda's wide eyes. "She should be here soon." Her eyes drifted back to the window. "It's gone dark."

Andromeda pushed the piece of parchment into the pocket of her robes and stood up. "Not long now."

A knock on the door made both witches jump and Andromeda drew her wand before crossing the small living room. She opened the door and her eyes lit up when she found her daughter standing outside. Tonks was dressed in a ripped pair of jeans, a black hooded Muggle top and leather boots. Her hair was still a bright shade of pink and her green eyes searched for her mother's.

"They've just left the Castle. Dean and Seamus should be here anytime now."

She had barely finished the sentence or a faint popping sound down the alley betrayed the arrival of people. Hurried footsteps approached and Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas came into view. Andromeda quickly let them all inside and securely locked the door behind her. When she turned to look at the other people in the room with her, the first thing she sensed was the anticipation and fear. Adrenaline pumped its way around all their bodies and their hearts were pounding in their chests. They knew what lay ahead of them, what would be unleashed in just a few moments time.

"Where are the others?" she asked softly.

"Hannah and Marcus chose to stay at the old place. Poppy and Rolanda have taken position near the check point," Ginny said. "Fred and George decided not to go with mum and dad but Percy did. Bill went with them too." Her eyes changed and reflected the sadness over her brother's state of mind. Since Fleur's death he had barely spoken to anyone. "They are at the old Muggle school. Whoever sees the warriors first, will fire the warning signal."

Andromeda nodded. "Where are your parents?"

"We managed to get them out of the Quarter just before sunset," Ginny said softly. "Muriel has taken them in for now and by dawn they'll move to Hogsmeade." Her eyes found Andromeda. "I still think we should have done the same. Hogsmeade is safer than London could ever be." There was a hint of accusation in her voice.

"Leaving the Quarter would mean that the warriors will burn this place to the ground," Andromeda reminded Ginny. "We have to stay here, at least for tonight. We owe as much to the other people living here. They wouldn't stand a chance. We can't let them perish in the flames." Her eyes narrowed. "They said they wanted a Weasley. They just never said which one."

Ginny couldn't argue with the older witch's logic though she did not agree with Andromeda fully. "Rosmerta said she picked up several members who chose not to fight tonight. They are regrouping back in Hogsmeade and all we have to do is send word if we need their help."

"Why aren't they here now?" Andromeda asked, not hiding her irritation that some resistance members had chosen the safer option. "We need all the help we can get if we want to make it through the night."

"It's their prerogative," Ginny said. "They may be on our side and they may help us out in some ways, but I cannot force them to lay down their lives for us." Her eyes met Andromeda's. "Their bond with the Cores is not the same as ours. It is just another war to them, there are less emotions involved. You and I stand here because they took something from us."

Andromeda sighed. "Does everyone know what to do if things don't work out?"

"The wards will be down the second the warriors arrive," Tonks said and she rolled her wand through her fingers. She had large, half healed blisters across her hand, a reminder from a previous run in with one of the Scouts. No one had been able to heal the wounds fully but at least they didn't hurt anymore. "If people get hurt they will move straight to Hogsmeade."

The sky behind the glass lit up with an array of green and blue sparks and Ginny spun around, pressing her nose against the window. "That's the sign," she breathed. "It seems to be coming from the school."

Andromeda was already at the door. "They're here."

~()~

The night was cool and a soft wind played with her hair as she walked through the abandoned streets of East. All the houses were dark and for a moment she wondered if anyone lived here at all. That was until she observed the blue and green sparks illuminating the skies. She spun around, her eyes seeking out Bellatrix and Narcissa.

"They know we're here!" she cried. "They knew we were coming!"

"Begin!" Bellatrix shrieked and dark clad figures shot off in various directions. Doors were kicked down and windows were smashed. The sound of glass breaking was followed by haunted screams of women and children as they pleaded for their lives, begging not to be heard. Warriors dragged kicking and screaming families from their homes before forcing them down the streets towards the large square in the middle of the East Quarter.

The smell of smoke prickled her nose and Hermione turned just in time to watch one of the old Victorian townhouses being set alight. Flames erupted behind the windows and within mere minutes they had worked their way across three floors and they sprouted from the roofs, lighting up the night. She spun around on the tip of her toes and found Bellatrix and Narcissa darting off towards a battle that had erupted between two warriors and a small group of witches and wizards.

She drew her wand and the reaction was instant. It was drawn to Bellatrix and Narcissa and when she reached them they formed a line. The two warriors that had been fighting ducked out of the way and it was only then that Hermione recognised their opponents. Poppy Pomfrey and Rolanda Hooch, former Hogwarts teachers, looked a little rough around the edges, but their eyes reflected determination.

"Well, well, well, look what we have here," Hermione chuckled. "The outcasts."

"Who are you calling outcasts?" Poppy answered sharply. "What you did was despicable."

"I survived," Hermione hissed through clenched teeth. "I am alive."

"At what price?" Rolanda retorted. "You watched your friends die so you could have your moment of glory. You stood and watched as the life flooded away from them. How does it feel to stand over the body of a friend and see their eyes, empty and dead?"

Hermione squared her jaw. "You have no idea what is really going on. It is so much bigger than that. It has always been bigger than that. It goes beyond what any simple soul can comprehend." Her arm shot up and she felt the heat radiate from her wand. The magic flooded through her veins, into the tips of her fingers, before slowly reaching the wand's core, penetrating it with its power. Her eyes snapped wide open, full of fire. She almost seemed to glow and a strong gust of wind pulled at her hair, letting her curls dance in the wind. Beside her, Bellatrix and Narcissa responded too. The tips of their wands began to glow, softly at first, before igniting into a full golden beam. It was an explosion of light and power never seen before.

"We are one!" Hermione cried and realised there were cold tears sliding down her cheeks. Her eyes fixed on her former teachers. "We will not fall."

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

Bellatrix had merely whispered the spell but the golden beam changed to an intense green. It connected their wands for a split second before coming together into a large, floating orb. It hovered in the air, at eye level, before sprouting tentacles that reached around. Poppy and Rolanda screamed in a mixture of terror and shock and their wands attempted to create a Shield Charm strong enough to block the spell that would surely kill them.

"Do it!" Hermione hissed and the long, windy tentacles reached out, circling around and underneath the wands that tried to protect their victims. She gasped as she watched the first green rope wind itself about the Poppy Pomfrey's leg before slowly climbing up along her body until it reached her neck. There it constricted itself, slowly squeezing the air out of her. The spell didn't instantly kill her. Instead her death was slow and painful. A horrible gurgle rose up from the back of the medi-witch's throat as the spell continued to strangle her. Her eyes widened in fear and then the green rope exploded, turning back into an orb before crashing into her chest. Her heart stopped and her body fell lifeless to the ground.

"NO!" cried Rolanda but it was the last sound that left her throat. In a similar way the other green tentacle snaked its way up around her waist and along her arms, pinning them alongside her body. She went rigid, didn't try to fight what she knew would kill her. The green reflected in her eyes as it slowly moved further upwards towards her neck where it coiled itself around her throat. Her eyes began to bulge out of her head as her lips slowly started to turn blue. Her wand slipped from her fingers and landed on the cold streets seconds before her limp body did. Her eyes were wide open but void of life.

Hermione lowered her wand and turned to look at Bellatrix and Narcissa. The way the spell had presented itself was unlike anything they had ever seen before and their eyes reflected their surprise. Narcissa's lips had curled up into a little smile as she leant in to kiss Hermione's cheek. When she felt the blonde witch's lips against her flesh, Hermione felt herself come to live once again, as if someone had suddenly stirred a fire inside of her.

The sounds of battle slowly reached them and Hermione's head whopped around when across the street a window shattered. Her eyes darted around the street and found a lone figure darting away in an alley. She grabbed Bellatrix's arm, forcing her follow her. Narcissa sprinted after them and the three witches ran across the dark alley, wands drawn, and their footsteps echoing off the walls. They emerged on the other end, in a similar street lined with Victorian terraced houses. Hermione looked around and discovered a small group of people at the end of the road. One of them had fiery red hair.

"It's that Weasley bitch," she whispered when she recognised Ginny. The people flanking her were dressed in simple black robes, with hoods obscuring their faces. Ginny stood slightly in front of them with her wand drawn. As they came closer Hermione saw the unsightly scar across her cheek. It gave Ginny the appearance of a withered warrior.

"We meet again," she said when they were about ten feet away from the three figures. Ginny didn't move. "If you had just come out when we asked you to, this wouldn't have happened." She smiled deviously. "We wouldn't have had to kill two of your friends."

The mention of the death of two of their own made Ginny's eyes narrow. "War and death go hand in hand. It is a sacrifice we all have to make."

Before Hermione could respond, a group of four warriors appeared behind them, dragging along two unconscious figures. Ginny cried in terror when she recognised the two fallen young men as her brothers and attempted to run towards them, only to be held back by one of the two cloaked people at her side. Their hood fell back and Hermione felt her body tingle when she realised it was Andromeda. The older woman's arms closed around Ginny's waist as she thought to keep her with her.

Hermione laughed. "I guess your little plan didn't work."

Bellatrix squatted down to inspect Fred and George. They were covered in blood and their faces were beaten and bruised. She looked back up after placing her fingers in their neck, searching for a pulse. "They're alive." Her eyes found Ginny's. "For now."

"The choice is yours," Hermione smiled sweetly. She twirled her wand through her fingers and eventually pointed it at the Weasley twins. "Give yourself up or watch your brothers die."

"You can't do this!" Andromeda protested and her eyes sought to meet Hermione's.

"Can't I?" she asked, still smiling. "Watch me! CRUCIO!"

The red jet crashed into George's unconscious body and he started convulsing. Foam formed around his lips and the jerking of his limbs increased as Hermione kept her wand pointed at him. The sound of her laughter laced with Ginny's desperate cries. She eventually withdrew her wand and looked back at the red haired witch. "The next time he may not live."

"Hermione, please, don't do this," Andromeda whispered. "You can end this, right here, right now."

Hermione's gaze fixed on the brunette witch and she studied her face. Andromeda looked paler than the last time she'd seen her. She had not spent a lot of time in the daylight, preferring instead to surround herself with the shadows of the night. Her thick, brown curls fell down the sides of her face, framing it almost delicately. She still looked beautiful, even under this dark sky. Slowly she shook her head. "It will end tonight but not because you asked me to."

"It has to end somewhere," Andromeda said, repeating the words she had spoken to Hermione when she had pressed her with her face against the wall. "This can't go on."

The third person lowered their hood and Tonks looked at her mother. "We can't stay here, mum."

"Let them go," Ginny said sharply and unexpectedly freed herself from Andromeda's protective arms. "Let my brothers go and I will take their place." She attempted to straighten her spine and stand tall with pride but the fear was showing across her face. Her voice shook. "Set them free and I will be yours."

Narcissa chuckled softly. "She thinks we would actually let them go if she takes her place?"

Before anyone could blink, she had whipped her wand and strong, metal chains wrapped themselves around Ginny's waist. With one firm pull she dragged the young red haired witch towards her. Ginny tripped over her feet and landed on the tarmac at Narcissa's feet. The blonde grabbed a fistful of her hair and dragged her up. Tears had welled dup in Ginny's eyes as she tried to look back at Andromeda and Tonks.

"Ginny, NO!" Andromeda cried and ran towards her but Hermione stepped in her way, raising her wand and jamming it harshly into the brunette's neck. They were mere inches apart, their lips so close they could almost kiss each other. Their gazes locked.

"Don't," Hermione hissed. "Move and she dies."

Bellatrix had stepped forward and pointed her wand at Tonks. She scrutinized her niece's face, disgust flickering in her eyes. She reached for the Auror's wand and yanked it from her hand. Tonks gasped softly as Bellatrix snapped the stick in two and threw the two halves onto the ground. A low, throaty chuckle escaped her and she let her fingers dance across the pink haired woman's cheek.

"Don't you touch her!" Andromeda growled and her eyes snapped towards her sister. "Get your hands off her!"

"Now, that's no way to talk, now is it?" Hermione whispered as she pressed the tip of her wand a little firmer against Andromeda's neck. "You are in no position to make demands, Andy. Your daughter lost her wand and I could kill you in a second if I wanted to." She smiled. "We have three Weasleys and several of your friends are dead. You lost, my love."

Andromeda titled her head. "There is one thing I still have left to hold on to."

"What's that?"

"You."

"Get them back to the Castle," Hermione commanded the warriors. "Put them in the dungeons." The dark clad men lifted up the two unconscious Weasley boys and Dissaparated into the night. Ginny cried softly as they vanished but Narcissa tightened her grip on the chain wrapped around her waist and Ginny flinched in pain.

Tonks' hand unexpectedly shot out towards her mother's arm and Hermione realised too late what it was they were about to do. By the time she had whispered incantation to conjure up the chains, they were gone. All that remained was the cool evening wind that rustled the trees. Slowly she turned around and looked back at Narcissa, who was staring at Ginny as if she was a piece of meat.

"Where did they go?" Bellatrix asked. Anger was evident in her voice. "How the bloody hell did they get away?"

"The wards are down. They just Dissaparated," Hermione said. "I reckon they've gone to Hogsmeade. It is the only place where they can regroup." Her eyes found Bellatrix's and she moved closer until she could press her lips against the raven haired woman's ear. "We'll take the village tomorrow night."

"What about this one?" Narcissa asked and kicked Ginny in the stomach to put an end to the crying. A smile graced her lips as Ginny collapsed forward and curled up into a ball. The chains rattled every time she moved. "What are we going to do with her?"

Hermione grinned. "I have several things in mind for her." She looked up at the blonde witch. "Take her back to the Castle. Don't put her in the dungeon just yet. We're going to have a little chat first."

The three witches linked their hands and Narcissa grabbed an even tighter hold of the chain before they Dissaparated into the night, leaving a large part of the East Quarter to burn down to the ground.

~()~

"We should have stayed!" Andromeda argued as she pulled herself free from her daughter's grip. They appeared on the outskirts of Hogsmeade village. "We should have tried to help Ginny. Merlin only knows what those three are going to do to her!"

"We couldn't stay," Tonks whispered. "You know just as well as I do that there was nothing we could have done. Bellatrix took my wand. You couldn't have taken them on your own! Besides, we can regroup here. There a plenty of people in the village who can help. Half the resistance is here too!"

"I can't stay here," Andromeda said and turned away. "There is something else I need to do."

"Are you really going to try and find Ollivander? He's in Italy, mum! How are you even going to get there? He fled because he doesn't want anything to do with what's happening here. He's scared, and rightfully so. He made those blasted things!" Tonks argued. "Do you really think he is going to be able to tell you how to destroy them?"

"I have to try," Andromeda sighed. "I can't just watch as they take everything that ever mattered to me, to us."

Tonks sighed. "They already have."

"Go to Rosmerta, tell her what happened. See if you can find Seamus and Dean and wait till morning to try and find Poppy and Rolanda. I don't think Hermione was lying when she said they were dead. The best we can do is at least try and find their bodies and bring them home. They belong here," Andromeda said. "Listen to what Rosmerta has to say while I'm gone. You know her better than anyone else."

"You're really going, aren't you?" Tonks whispered and quickly closed the distance between herself and her mother before enveloping her in her arms. She fought against her tears but they fell anyway. Andromeda buried her face in her daughter's hair, taking in her familiar scent. She held her tightly, knowing deep down this could very well be the last time they ever saw each other. When they parted she brushed a strand of hair out her face and tried to smile.

"Do you want me to get you some stuff from the Three Broomsticks?" Tonks asked but Andromeda shook her head.

"I'll find a place along the way," she said. "Don't give up on Ginny."

"I won't," her daughter promised. "Be careful."

"I promise," Andromeda smiled. "I love you, Nymphadora."

"I love you too, mum."

She watched with tears in her eyes how her mother walked back towards the tree line and looked back over her shoulder one last time. A sad smile lingered on her lips as she turned on the spot. She vanished, leaving her daughter behind. Suppressing a sob, Tonks slowly turned away from the spot where her mother had disappeared from and started walking down into the village. This was it now. She was on her own and for her mother's sake she would have to do the best she could just to hold on.