The Order To The Rescue!
A./N.: This is a review I got in answer to my question of what you want to see in the rescue-chapter. Thanks so much, eternal vampire and read to find out where I put your ideas in.
I picture Narcissa and Arthur saving Molly. With your last lines I could picture them with their wands out not even giving Lucius a chance. Albus and Snape would go to Minerva, and I wouldn't give a snowballs chance in hell for Voldemort. I see Albus going after him and Snape helping Minerva, the blind hatred in Albus he'd have no other recourse but to kill him. That may not make him any better than Voldemort, and only a word from Minerva would stop him. Or if he wasn't stopped, no one would ever blame him. But being the man and wizard he is I think as time went on, he might. Great story take care.
by eternal vampire
And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, the long-awaited rescue of Molly and Minerva!! Dadadadaaaa! ;)
"I hope you have a plan … I don't", said Snape grimly.
"Yes, I have", replied Albus, "God knows I had time to come up with one", he added bitterly.
The assembled order looked at him expectantly. Albus Dumbledore's plans tended to involve a lot of magic of the complicated sort and, when he was in a rage like now, no guaranty that the enemy would still be alive after the battle. All the teachers felt for their headmaster. They knew that Albus and Minerva had been married for a long long time. They loved each other more than live itself. It was not fair that they had to go through traumatic events again.
"I think Voldemort will send his death-eaters to deal with disturbance at the main and back entrance, especially if the trouble is odd in any way. If it's serious, he'll probably go himself. Severus says Voldemort never thinks underlings can handle real trouble without him. That goes hand in hand with my own knowledge of Voldemort when he was my pupil. If both entrances are attacked at the same time, there's a good chance the mansion will be left unguarded. Thus enables a small group of us to enter the castle and free Minerva and Molly."
Albus had laid out his plan calmly even though Filius Flitwick, his friend from school, could see clearly the pain and hatred in his very being. But that was only understandable. His wife had been taken hostage by those deranged idiots with their pure-blood ideology. Filius could really understand Albus. He had known Minerva since she had come to school and felt admiration for his younger colleague. But Filius was also a Ravenclaw. He had immediately noticed that Albus had left out some details of his plan.
"We would split their number when we attack in two places at once. That is important so we don't have to fight them all at once. But we are also splitting our own forces, Albus. Don't forget that I fought in the war against Grindelwald and in the last war against You-Know-Who and I was a duel champion in my time. Your plan would work in our advantage if we outnumbered the death-eaters. But we don't. They will overrun us no matter if we oppose them in an open battle or if we split them up."
Albus had listened intently to what Filius had to say. He saw the doubt appear on one face after the other. He just wanted to open his mouth to respond to Filius when Alastor Moody got up and spoke.
"We have the moment of surprise on our side. If we attack them openly they will of course send for the other death-eaters all throughout the country and leave guards with the prisoners or transferring them to another place all together. I agree with you and Albus. It's gonna be a hard fight. We need to dwindle down their number."
Albus nodded to Alastor. His eyes held an almost maniac determination.
"I know that, Alastor. That's why Severus has brought Mrs. Malfoy and Mr. MacRae. Mrs. Malfoy you are familiar with all the hiding places in the mansion and the best places for attacks …"
"With all respect, Professor Dumbledore, but this is untrue. I am a woman and thus need not know this kind of information. But I am sure MacRae can help you with that."
Narcissa interrupted Albus with a shy voice and her eyes were cast to the ground. He was Minerva McGonagall's husband and he was angry, possibly at her too. Now she glanced sidelong at MacRae for confirmation that he would help the Order. MacRae nodded emphatically.
"Oh yes, there are some unprotected areas."
"We could also set traps," yelled Fred all of a sudden.
"Yeah, we have developed some decoys and other stuff," backed George his brother up.
They both grinned and said together.
"We'll give those bastards hell!"
Arthur was very proud of his sons even if he disapproved of their language. He saw determination in their eyes. The same determination was reflected in both of his youngest children. They would go with him and free their mother. No power on earth could stop them. Bill and Charlie smiled. They too had interpreted their siblings' expression correctly. They also pitied every death-eater stupid enough to come in the twins' way.
"Good then. The twins and Mr. MacRae work together on the weak points of the mansion and how to weaken it even more. I think it would be best if MacRae told you about the exact weakness or hiding place and you two design the traps. Mrs. Malfoy, do you think you could install them with Mr. MacRae? I would hate to endanger children."
"Of cou ...", but Narcissa was interrupted by the twins' angry reply.
"Professor Dumbledore, you are talking about rescuing our mother. We think we should be a part of it. And you can't hold us back. No one can install our traps but ourselves."
They looked cautiously over to their father. Arthur was not too happy to allow his children to participate. But perhaps he had a chance to keep the twins out of the actual fighting if they could install the traps and thus satisfy their hope for adventure. He nodded slowly.
"Under conditions, boys."
"What conditions?"
The twins regarded their father sceptically. When he usually said something along those lines it meant they were in seriously trouble.
"You'll stay near MacRae! Understand? You do whatever he tells you to and don't try to find your mother on your own! Don't snoop around! Don't attack any death-eaters!", then he turned to Albus worriedly, "How are they going to get in?"
Narcissa shyly raised a hand. She was still not comfortable around the Order and speaking in front of them.
"I could get them some black robes. And the twins could sneak in as death-eaters. And the rescuing team too. You just have to leave the hoods on or wear masks. Everything should be ok then."
"That is a very good idea, Narcissa. Thank you."
Albus nodded gratefully to Narcissa and made the younger woman blush crimson. She had always liked Albus Dumbledore and had great respect for the greatest wizard since Merlin.
"Now we team up into three groups. The first group is formed around Kingsley Shacklebolt. Our less experienced fighters will be with him and guard the back door. Everyone who wants to escape is to be brought down and taken into custody. Bill, Ron and the twins will be with you, Kingsley. Also Emmeline Vance, Sybill Trelawny, Diggle and Tonks. that is enough. Cause a lot of noise back there and distract the death-eaters. You have the twins in your team for exactly that reason. The second team is under my control. We will be the rescue team. Arthur, Narcissa, Harry, Hermione, Severus, you will be with me. The rest is under Alastor's command and attacks the main gate. Draw Voldemort out of the house. Ginny, you and Poppy have very important work to do. Prepare the Hospital Wing for Minerva and Molly."
"But I want to rescue mum too."
Ginny's voice was small and bleeding but her father lifted her chin so she met his eyes and said quietly:
"I know but I can't worry for you too. Ron has had some experience with Harry and the twins are needed because of their traps. But you, my darling, are needed in Hogwarts and help Poppy with the healing."
Sadly Ginny nodded and accepted their plan.
----
Harry was repulsed by the black robes he had to put on. He hated everything that had to do with Voldemort and his death-eaters. But to save the two women, who were as close to a mother for him as possible, he would do much worse. As soon as he was in the black robes, Dumbledore gave the sign to start their rescue mission.
"Harry, you are with me and Severus. Hermione, stick close to Arthur. Let's move."
----
The door in front of Arthur was black with a golden intricate lining all around the frame. Narcissa had told him that the cell had been cleared out this morning and the only place Molly would be in was this room. He had been amazed so far by how easily they had been able to mingle with the death-eaters without being spotted. Now he gathered all the remaining shreds of his control and waited for the signal that the battle outside started.
Suddenly Narcissa raised her head and listened intently. There it was. The ferocious roar of a lion. Dumbledore had given the signal to attack.
Arthur pointed his wand at the door and blasted it open. The frame was torn from the wall and dust and splintered wood was flying everywhere. When the air cleared again he saw Lucius straddling his wife and holding his wand in hands.
Lucius was dumbstruck. He heard the door exploding behind him and when he could see again he became aware of people. There in the huge hole that had once been a doorway stood Arthur Weasley, that mudblood and a black-robed woman. All three had their wands pointed at him.
"GET OFF MY WIFE; MALFOY!!!!!!!!"
Hermione was shocked. Never before had she heard a more terrifying sound as Mr. Weasley's roar.
Lucius wanted to hold his wand to Mrs. Weasley's throat but his wife was faster. She screeched.
"Expeliarmus!"
Malfoy's wand flew from his hands and was expertly caught by the mudblood. Arthur advanced on him.
"I said GET OFF MY WIFE! LEVI CORPUS!"
And suddenly Malfoy felt himself being lifted into the air and thrown away. He crushed into the heavy oak wardrobe. He was knocked silly but only momentarily. Seeing Arthur leaning over Molly and assuring himself that she was still alive, made him angrier than anything before.
"She is mine."
His voice came out in a husky whisper and he tried to disentangle himself from the wardrobe's broken wood and the various items of clothing. But he was brought short by the tip of a wand being pressed against his throat.
"D-Don't move or I-I'll c-curse you."
Hermione stood over him and looked determined but frightened. Her wand however did not tremble. Not even slightly. But Malfoy had a couple of tricks up his sleeve.
"Mesura Desperato"
And a burst of wandless magic hit Hermione squarely. She crumpled to the floor as if hit by a mallet. Jumping up and running for the door, he grabbed his wand and was gone in a flash. Narcissa ran to Hermione's side and knelt down.
"Enervate!", she cried out. Hermione's eyes opened and she looked up croggily.
"I'm ok but your husband took off."
"It doesn't matter we get him. He'll get what he deserves."
A desperate voice from the bed caught their attention.
"Molly? Molly, it's me!"
Arthur was begging his wife to respond to him. Slowly but desperately he moved his hands towards her in an attempt to hold her. Molly's eyes were big and fearful and she backed away from him until her back hit the headboard of the bed.
Suddenly she recognized him and great sobs shook her body. Arthur moved carefully closer and, when Molly didn't retreat further or turned away, wrapped his arms around her. Holding her close to his heart, he stroked her hair and murmured gentle words. Molly couldn't talk. All she was capable was to nuzzle her head into Arthur's neck and make soft whimpering noises. She budded him again and again while sobs racked her body. Arthur gathered her into his arms and carried her down to the meeting point.
----
"STUPEFY!"
Out of nowhere a jet of red met its mark at the back of a Death Eater. The caster of the spell hadn't even stopped running to look if she had been successful. Her robes billowed about her feet as she sped down the driveway towards the old mansion of the Riddle family and twisted around the corner of a hedge.
Tonks hesitated for the smallest of moments, taking in the scene in front of her. Her eyes narrowed as she raised her wand again.
"Impedimenta!" She didn't even bother to see if she'd hit anyone; she had already thrown herself into the heat of battle.
Minerva and Molly had to be found and this battle here was vital because it gave the recuers more time to get the two women to safety. She looked around for a new opponent and saw that Bill was backed into a corner of a wall near the entrance to the mansion, deep in combat with two hulking death-eaters, looking desperately for help. But before she got anywhere near him she saw Emmeline Vance coming down upon the two death-eaters like a storm cloud.
"Petrificus Totalus" she yelled. Instantly, one of the Death Eaters fell to the floor, stiff as a wooden board.
The other Death Eater turned toward the furious woman quickly, his fist curled around his wand so tight it was almost to the point of breaking. He cast a curse, which Emmeline barely dodged. It grazed her shoulder, but she couldn't spare the time it would take to wince. But Bill came up from behind and cast the death-eater. He crumbled to the floor as if hit by a rock.
Working together, she and Bill finally managed to knock the death-eaters all around them and the other Order members out.
"What now, Kingsley?" she demanded.
"I don't know!" cried Kingsley, "I don't even know where Albus is!"
"Should we go in and search for them?", asked Bill tentatively.
"No we should go around and help Alastor at the main entrance. He and his group have it harder. Bill, Ron, Emmeline, you three will stay here and guard the back door. If someone wants to flee, nail him!"
----
Harry followed Snape through the dark corridors of the Riddle Mansion. From outside he could hear the battle raging. It was a continuous sound of clashing, screams and shouted spells. Albus Dumbldore was very nervous and hastened through the house as if Satan himself was behind him.
"There is only one place I could think of, Albus. His private room."
"Lead the way then, Severus, and make it quick. The sooner we're gone the better."
Snape led Albus and Harry into the library. There he went to one of the many bookshelves and pulled a special one out. Immediately the shelf asked for a password and Severus supplied this too. The bookshelf moved to the side and revealed a winding staircase that led down into the house's basement. At the bottom of the stairs was a room. The walls and ceiling were painted black and candles floated in the air. In the middle of the room stood a white bed with white sheets, pillows and blankets. In the midst of the bed lay Minerva.
"Oh my God", Albus was relieved und shocked to see his love after her ordeal.
Minerva was not chained or bound in any way. Yet she did not move. Severus had done his best to describe her state but now Albus saw that he had none the less done a poor job. Minerva was covered with bruises and cuts. Her lovely features were almost unrecognisable. But worst of all was the blankness in her eyes.
"Minerva? Darling, please say something. It's me, Albus."
No pleading though could make Minerva respond. She was just lying there, starring into nowhere. Albus eyes flowed over. He wrapped his arms around Minerva's unresisting body and held her close. His head was buried in her Black hair and he sobbed uncontrollably.
"Albus, we have to move. They can't hold the death-eaters in check forever."
Harry had never heard Snape's voice sounding this gentle and understanding.
Albus picked his wife up and carried her carefully up the stairs.
----
Suddenly a dark, masked figure appeared right in front of Ron, slinging curses in all directions. Ron was shocked. Bill and Emmeline were both turning the other way. Ron pointed a trembling wand at the approaching death-eater.
"Stupefy!", he shouted but missed him completely. But Ron shot a second one right after the first and knocked the mask off the death-eater's face. It was Lucius Malfoy.
"You miserable, stinking bastards!", he roared out.
Surprised Emmeline and Bill whirled around and entered the fight before Ron could get hurt. Emmeline pointed her wand and shouted "STUPEFY!", as a jet of red shot out towards Lucius Malfoy. He merely uttered a counterspell and it bounced off harmlessly to his right.
Ron ran forward and pointed his wand at Lucius Malfoy's chest, right to the point where his heart should have been had this bastard ever possessed one.
"This is for my mother, you rapist! Go to hell! Avada Kedavra!"
But Ron had no experience in casting the killing course and he was not fully convinced that this was really what he wanted. The killing course seemed to kind to use on Malfoy. He deserved worse, much worse. The course hit Malfoy directly and dead on point. Ron had cast the spell with enough hatred in his heart to make it painful, if even not deadly. Malfoy was lifted off his feet and, writhing and screaming in pain and agony, was blown several feet. His flight was stopped by the wall of the mansion. Malfoy crashed into it with full force and there was the sound of bones breaking. Malfoy screamed out in agony and, when his head met the wall too, sank to the floor unconscious.
Bill and Emmeline starred at Ron. Emmeline grinned. She had heard Severus' rapport on her friends' physical injuries and in her eyes Malfoy deserved all the pain in the world for what he had done to Molly.
Bill had never seen his youngest brother this determined on hurting someone and it frightened him a little. What if this experience had altered him forever? To buy himself a bit more time before facing Ron, he walked over to the crumpled form of Malfoy and bent down. Examining him carefully, he talked over his shoulder:
"He is still alive but I think you broke his spine in one or two places, Ron. I'll put restraints on him and splinter his back to a wooden board until some healer can check him out."
Ron gasped and looked very worried. Perhaps death was to good for Malfoy but he had not intended to cause the man this much pain. Bill was back at Ron's side and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"Nice job though, little bro. He would was surprised Emmeline and me and probably killed us without hesitation. Thank you for watching out. And he deserves the pain. Don't worry. The killing course is hard to cast and the wizard must be fixed on killing his opponent. I would not consider you my brother if you had been able to kill Malfoy easily. It's ok now. I'm sorry you had to go through all this."
"It's ok, Bill. I just hope mum is all right."
----
Voldemort came rushing back into the great ball room of his father's old mansion. It was clear to him now that everything had only been a diversion. The old man Dumbledore tried to rescue his slut of a wife. He wouldn't get far. There in front of him Dumbledore gave the whore to that daft giant of his. Then he turned and saw Voldemort.
Albus was shocked to see Voldemort back so soon. He had rather hoped to be gone before Tom became even aware that Minerva was gone. Not because he feared a fight but because Minerva needed all of his attention and a healer as soon as humanly possible.
"Hagrid, get Minerva out of here and to Poppy."
Voldemort roared his anger and shot a jinx at Hagrid. Albus easily deflected it. Now he was really angry. Would that idiot never know when he had lost?
Albus advanced to meet his foe in black, sparkling fire gathered around his body and wand.
"Tom, I am very angry at you," he said amiably.
Voldemort pointed his wand at him. Yellow lightning crackled through the air between them, splintering on a shield conjured up by Albus.
There was an almighty explosion and part of the ceiling came down. Voldemort used ancient dark magic but Albus could keep him at bay and retaliated with equal vigour.
Suddenly Voldemort let out a howling screech and then yelled furiously at Albus.
"You can't beat me, Albus! You never had the guts for combat magic!"
Albus stood on a rock spire; except for that, the floor around him was a giant crater. A line of blood ran from his mouth and he was coated in dust, but he seemed well. Voldemort battled the tendrils of a clump of roses that twined around him. Albus wanted to capture him. It was Harry's destiny after all to kill the Dark Lord.
"Give up, Tom. You have lost. Most of your death-eaters are our captives and the rest have deserted you."
But instead of doing as Albus told him, Tom raised his wand again. Now Albus was clothed in a clear, jellylike substance that burned white-hot. His mouth moved inside the burning sheath. It melted away like thawing ice, flame shrinking as it sank into the ground. His cloths were singed. He raised his own wand and before Tom could as much as blink he was enveloped in a silk cocoon. Within a few seconds Tom was tearing away the strands of that giant cocoon.
"You are not taking me to that miserable little island! It wouldn't hold me for long anyway!" he cried.
The cocoon flamed and vanished, leaving him covered in powdery ash. He looked the worse for wear, swaying as he stood, his breath coming in gasps. Lifting his wand, he threw a storm of arrows at Albus, who shielded himself again.
"Tom, enough," the older wizard snapped. "If you rush me, I'll do something we'll regret. Your death would be a blessing for the magical world, to be sure."
Tom glared at him. Sweat made tracks in the ash on his face.
"You puling, gutless bookworm!" On the gravel at his feet, it had once been stone blocks, a spin of brambles, old cocoon and leaves caught flame. "You think you'll come away golden, don't you?" The fiery dust-devil roared high to become a tornado of flame. "You and your 'honour code', your sermons on what we owe the Muggles. You made me sick in Hogwarts and you still do. Well, you will NOT walk away unscorched! First I made your beautiful whore of a wife pay and now you are the next!"
He pointed at Albus Dumbledore and set the tornado free. It roared towards the great defender of the weak and helpless, the headmaster of the greatest school for witchcraft and the next casualty of the war.
Harry was shocked. No, that couldn't be. Albus Dumbledore couldn't die like that. He saw in horror how his headmaster was engulfed in the tornado and lifted into the air.
"You wouldn't be able to enjoy your wife anyway, old man. She is mine now. I broke her in and now you can't save her anymore. You old fool waited too long! I win! I always do!"
Suddenly Albus Dumbledore's famous anger broke free. His eyes were full of hatred. With all his powers he started to gather magic around him like a cloak and made it explode, tearing the tornado to shreds. He fell to the floor but midair he caught himself and, with a mumbled spell, floated gently down to earth.
"You never win, Tom. My wife is much stronger than a perverted, sadistic bastard like you could break her. But now you really angered me and we will duel to kill."
Harry saw fear appearing on Voldemort's face. He was no match for the great Albus Dumbledore and he knew it. Anger was slowly breaking all of Dumbledore's inhibitions against killing. Voldemort feared for his life for the first time. And he did not like how weak Dumbledore made him feel. To cover his weakness he attacked anew although his magic was running low and he was exhausted.
A great snake made of ash appeared from the tip of Voldemort's wand and wrapped itself around Dumbledore.
Harry couldn't stay out of the fight any longer. Albus was nearly as exhausted as Voldemort. He had to help Professor Dumbledore. He raised his wand and pointed it at Voldemort. Voldemort was unawares since his attention was fixed on his foe.
"EXPELIARMUS!" cried Harry and followed the flight of Voldemort's wand with his eyes.
Immediately the snake around Dumbledore dissolved into thin air. Albus didn't hesitate and pointed his wand at Voldemort.
"TORTURA! CANCELLARE MAGICA!" he yelled.
Voldemort broke down, obviously unconscious, and was seized by Kingsley and the other Aurors.
A./N.: I hope I didn't disappoint you guys. I rated against killing Voldemort. Death is to kind for him too. I'll explain the curses in the next chapter. Please review and tell me if I did myself credit. Thanks, guys!