Chapter 34- The Invasion of Hogwarts
A/N: I apologize for the 3 week delay between chapters. Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! All the support is tremendous.
This chapter will have a lot of action and is a bit of a change from previous chapters. Hope you enjoy it!
"Natalie, wait!" cried a sharp, piercing voice behind her.
Recognizing the owner of that voice, Natalie turned around in surprise to see the flushed face of Ginny Weasley staring anxiously at her.
"What?" said Natalie, trying to maintain a neutral tone. Since Ginny's attempt to kiss Harry last week, Natalie had attempted to avoid the red haired girl as much as possible mainly because she did not want to lose her temper and say or do anything that she could not take back.
"Have you spoken to Harry?" said Ginny, rocking nervously on her feet.
"Not since supper," replied Natalie in confusion. "I was helping some of the second years with Charms homework in the library but I'm heading back to the common room. I'm assuming he's there."
"He's not," said Ginny quickly. "He's gone off with Dumbledore-
"What?" exclaimed Natalie.
Ginny shrugged. "Ron said it was some project about Voldemort they were working on. But I'm supposed to get you."
"For what?" asked Natalie. Dumbledore must have found the locket and Harry was accompanying him to destroy the Horcrux. A mixture of excitement and trepidation for Harry infusion her as she thought of him fighting a part of Voldemort. But she did not know why Ron would send Ginny to tell her solely this information.
"Ron and Hermione are outside the Room of Requirement along with a few of my brothers and some members of the Order. Harry believes that Malfoy's succeeded in whatever he was planning- when he walked past the room, he heard him being pretty happy about something."
"Oh," said Natalie in understanding. She immediately wanted to dismiss Harry's fears about Malfoy, but something did not seem right. She always believed that Dumbledore, knowing about Malfoy from Snape, would stop his plans yet then why would he seem so happy? There was also a more pressing question popping into her mind after she heard Ginny. "Why are members of the Order there?"
"On Dumbledore's orders," replied Ginny. "Shall we go to the common room to drop off your bag and then meet them?"
"Alright," said Natalie distractedly, a wave of panic suddenly rushing over her. Once they started walking, she realized with a sinking sensation that she was wrong about Malfoy. For Dumbledore to send members of the Order to guard the Room of Requirement, Malfoy's task was undoubtedly dangerous. And Dumbledore evidently did not have him under control.
Too immersed in her own worries, Natalie failed to notice Ginny watching her with a hesitant expression on her face. When she finally noticed Ginny staring at her, Natalie turned her head to return Ginny's stare.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Natalie said, narrowing her eyes.
"Oh, sorry," muttered Ginny. She looked away, her cheeks red.
Natalie raised her eyebrows. She never heard Ginny apologize to her. Moreover, the awkward, embarrassed behavior was completely atypical. "What's bothering you?"
Ginny gritted her teeth, taking a deep breath. She stopped walking, forcefully returning her gaze to Natalie who had also stopped.
Taking another deep breath, Ginny finally spoke. "I'm sorry for trying to er kiss Harry after the Quidditch match. I know you saw what happened and well it was very selfish and inconsiderate of me to even try such a thing."
Natalie gaped at her. The apology completely blindsided her. Of all the things she expected Ginny to tell her, this was by far the least likely.
"Well," spluttered Natalie, not knowing what to say. "Um I can't say it's alright because I'm still angry about it. And I know you have feelings for him-
"But he's your boyfriend," interjected Ginny, her tone slightly firmer. "And as much as I don't like it, you make him happy."
From the agitated way in which Ginny's face was contorted, the last phrase obviously caused Ginny great pain to utter.
"Thanks for the apology I suppose," said Natalie, her voice cracking. "I don't like what you did but it's in the past."
Ginny looked at her with an unreadable expression for a moment before nodding. "Let's keep going. Ron seemed pretty stressed about the whole Malfoy thing."
Natalie clicked her tongue. "No, wait." She gritted her teeth, determined to push the words out of her mouth if required. "About us- hopefully, we can be somewhat civil to one another. I really don't like the fighting and all the derogatory comments. I'm sorry for all the harsh things I've said to you. I think we should just put everything behind us."
Ginny looked at her in mild astonishment. After a few moments, she composed herself and stared at Natalie with that familiar blazing expression. "I don't enjoy the arguing either. I'm also sorry for all the nasty insults I've thrown your way. I'll admit I was wrong about you and I agree that we need to move forward but I don't see us being too friendly."
"Neither do I," said Natalie, finally finding her voice. "But we should be able to tolerate each other. Come on, we should get going."
As they resumed their walk to the common room, Natalie could not help but feel a surge of exhilaration. Her anger at Ginny for the other night still simmered under the surface, but she felt relieved of a burden. It seemed like Ginny was consciously trying to change her belligerent stance towards her.
Once they reached the half full common room, Natalie quickly dropped her bag in the dormitory, had a quick wash and returned to a waiting Ginny. She did not miss the many inquisitive glances and whisperings of many of the Gryffindor girls in the common room. Nodding at Ginny, the two of them exited the room, heading for the Room of Requirement.
After moving at an almost running pace to the seventh floor, Natalie spotted the group huddled around the portrait of Barnabas the Barmy. As they reached the group, Natalie saw Ron, Hermione, the twins, Bill, Arthur, Tonks, a tall, black man she did not recognize, Remus as well as Minerva, Neville and Luna.
Hermione and Ron walked over to meet them while the others greeted Natalie with small smiles and nods. Ginny moved past Ron and Hermione to join the rest of the group who were conversing in hushed voices and staring expectantly at the wall where a door usually appeared into the Room of Requirement.
"Big crowd we have here," Natalie said quietly. "This is quite serious then?"
"Yes," noted Hermione solemnly. "It looks like Harry was right about Malfoy."
"How was Harry?" said Natalie worriedly.
"Fine as usual," replied Ron. "Pretty excited to see the Horcrux but he wanted us to take the Felix in case anything happened with Malfoy." Ron showed her the almost empty flask of Felix potion, a meaningful expression on his face. "He wanted you to drink it."
"Oh, I suppose this could be the right time to use it," said Natalie slowly but seeing the slightly sheepish expression on Ron's face, she frowned at him. "Did you drink it?"
"She's going to know anyway, Ron," said Hermione in exasperation. "We thought Neville and Luna would need the potion more than us so we told them to drink it, but Harry was insistent about you."
"I'm not taking it," said Natalie defiantly. "I know Harry will be angry with me, but if you two didn't take the Felix, I'm not going to."
"Told you she would be like this," said Ron, rolling his eyes at Hermione in a perfect imitation of her. "Harry won't be happy."
"You can't force me," said Natalie crossly. "And don't think I find all the 'Harry will be angry' comments convincing."
"Fine," muttered Hermione. "Well then, who-
"Ginny," said Natalie simply. "She's younger than us and less experienced."
"Certainly a change of tone there," said Hermione, looking taken aback. "You're not going to drink it then?" Natalie glared at her. "Oh fine, you can explain to Harry later. Ron, go tell Ginny to finish the potion."
Ron shook his head at Natalie before walking to Ginny, showing her the flask. Natalie heard Ginny complain profusely to him as Ron seemed to be gesturing animatedly for her to drink the potion.
"Hopefully, we can stop Malfoy quickly," said Hermione nervously.
"I agree," Natalie assented. "What is he doing in there anyway?"
"I don't know- we heard quite a bit of commotion early on but it's quieted down significantly in the last few minutes. I suspect Malfoy heard us gathering outside and then cast a Silencing charm," Hermione replied.
"So there are other people with him?" Natalie asked, looking at the door.
"Yes," answered Hermione, her face darkening. "Ron checked the map and all the Slytherins except for him are in their common room but we definitely heard more than one voice earlier."
Natalie's stomach took a sharp lurch, the implications sinking in. "Then there are-
"Yes," said Hermione grimly. "Likely Death Eaters. You should have drunk the Felix."
"And then why not you or Ron?" retorted Natalie.
"Fine," said Hermione, running a hand through her hair. "Anyway, do you know how Malfoy would manage to sneak them in?"
Natalie considered the question. "There's a passage that connects the Hog's Head to the Room of Requirement but Dumbledore's brother owns the Hog's Head and he guards that passage. And there are Aurors stationed all around Hog's Head so I think it would be impossible for Death Eaters to enter the pub."
"That's how you've been meeting Kalissa in the Hog's Head," said Hermione in realization. "But I agree with you- there would have been some noticeable violence and fighting in Hogsmeade if Death Eaters apparated in at the middle of the night.
"Anyway, we have enough people it looks like to fight them," said Natalie, her insides churning in dread. She remembered the last and only two times Killing Curses had been fired at her from Death Eaters.
Natalie could not help but smile when Ginny, under forceful encouragement from her brothers and father, reluctantly gulped the potion.
Under the black man's orders, Natalie saw the rest of the group spread out along the corridor. The Weasley twins and Arthur positioned themselves along the wall on the right side of the spot from which the door to the Room usually materialized. Bill, Fleur, Neville, and Luna moved to the left side of the door. Remus, Tonks and Ginny were stationed opposite the Weasley twins and Arthur while the black man and Minerva stood at the back wall, directly facing the entrance.
The tall, black man stepped over to them along with Ron , reaching out to shake Natalie's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Natalie. I'm Kingsley Shacklebolt-one of the Aurors that works for the Order," said Kingsley in a low, calming voice.
"Nice to meet you," said Natalie with a warm smile. She looked at the wall. "When do you think they will come out?"
"Pretty soon," answered Kingsley. "If they're Death Eaters, everyone will have to be very careful. I know all of you have faced them before but I do not need to say that these people will have no problem killing an innocent Hogwarts student."
"Where should we go?" said Hermione, anxiously fidgeting with the sleeve of her jumper.
"You three can position yourselves on this back wall opposite Bill, Fleur and Ginny," said Kingsley. "Be careful- if you see a jet of green light, get out of the way."
The three of them nodded before moving over to a spot behind Bill, Fleur and Ginny.
"We should get more Aurors and more Professors," whispered Natalie.
"Kingsley sent Professor Flitwick to alert the Aurors in Hogsmeade," answered Ron, lowering himself onto the floor. "And one of the Creevey brothers is telling the Professors."
"Good," said Natalie, clasping and unclasping her hands nervously. She could feel the cold sweat trickling down her neck, knots twisting in her stomach. "Now we just wait."
After ten minutes of watching the wall in intense anticipation, they finally heard a clicking sound coming from the wall. Jerking her wand out of her pocket along with the others, Natalie noticed a door appear in the wall. As the door began to open, she pointed her wand, ready to cast 'Aeronaugio.'
But Natalie's spell never came for as soon as the door opened, the entire corridor was cast into pitch black darkness. She could not see or even discern the outlines of anyone or anything.
And then, as Natalie attempted 'Lumos', the corridor exploded in a myriad of bright, dazzling colours. Natalie dove to her right, avoiding jets of blue and yellow light that careened into the wall. They were definitely Death Eaters.
Natalie returned the favour, firing two Stunning spells at some of the figures she could now discern because of the flashes created by the spells. She heard the others also aiming spells at the barely perceptible figures in the centre of the corridor.
"Using our bloody products!" shouted one of the twins.
"The idiots can't make their own things," bellowed the other twin.
"Where are those filthy bloodtraitors?" hissed a low, menacing voice Natalie recognized to be Dolohov.
"Do not use the Killing Curse!" screamed a higher pitched unfamiliar voice. "We do not know if Potter is here."
And then suddenly, a hazy mist filled the corridor, replacing the darkness.
"What the hell is happening?" shouted a raspy voice.
"This is what happens when you idiots use the other side's weapons to benefit yourselves," answered a twin gleefully.
The mist quickly cleared and the darkness no longer existed. Natalie had a clear view of eighteen or so masked Death Eaters that entered the castle along with the very scared face of Draco Malfoy. Natalie gritted her teeth. She had been an idiot to not listen to Harry, but she would make sure Malfoy paid for placing them all in danger.
The Death Eaters split into two groups; the groups ran in opposite directions toward the staircases on either end of the corridor. As they ran, they continued to maintain a fierce onslaught spells at the disconnected and slightly confused Order members.
Natalie blocked five Reducto curses and one Stunning spell, motioning her head for Ron and Hermione to come with her to chase them down the ones moving towards the left staircase.
Seeing the confusion and hesitation among many of the Order members, Kingsley pointed to the twins, Arthur, Remus, Tonks, Neville, Luna and Ginny. "Chase the group on the right staircase and see if you can cut them off. We'll take the ones on the left. Also, can some of you please make sure the common rooms are safe and the professors and Aurors alerted- I don't know why Bilius and that Creevey boy are taking so long."
Natalie ran with Ron and Hermione to the left staircase, sidestepping and blocking spells while trying to aim her own spells at the running Death Eaters. Bill was just ahead of them while Kingsley, Minerva and Fleur brought up the rear.
Once the Death Eaters reached the staircase, Minerva banished a pile of rubble down the stairs. Natalie grinned in triumph when a few painful groans could be heard.
The Death Eaters were delayed as they tried to navigate their way around their fallen comrades and the rubble.
Realizing Minerva's plan, Natalie nudged Hermione, mumbling 'water'.
Both of them swept their wands in identical figure eight motions. Two large waves of water, one in front of the other, rolled down the stairs. Most of the Death Eaters shrieked in surprise as they were knocked backwards by the powerful pair of waves.
One of the Death Eaters ripped off the wet mask from his face, revealing a blonde haired man with a haggard, pointed face and a sordid smile. He stared hungrily at Hermione. "This must be the wonderful mudblood Antonin was talking about. My,my, she does look quite impeccable."
"Don't talk to her," Ron snarled, sending a Stunning spell that he deflected easily.
Many of the other Death Eaters were standing up, returning fire at them.
"Oh, the pretty mudblood has a boyfriend," the man cackled, in between spells. "And he is a blood traitor." He shot a Killing Curse at Ron and Hermione that they quickly sidestepped. Quicker than she thought he could, Ron reciprocated the relentless attack on the Death Eater, seeming hellbent on cursing the man. Hermione, along with Kingsley and Fleur, had started to engage a few of the other Death Eaters in frantic duels.
The animated figure of a large snake issued out of four of the Death Eater's wands, slithering towards them with a hungry expression on its face. Finally finding her aim, Natalie pointed her wand at one of those four Death Eaters, thinking "Impedimenta." She barely had time to enjoy the curse send him flying over the banister before she saw the snake approach her, its fangs visible.
"10 points to Gryffindor, Malkae!" sneered one of the Death Eaters. "Now let's see you take on the snake."
Minerva waved her wand in a complicated motion and the silver figure of a majestic lion poured forth from her wand. With a deep, resounding roar, the lion launched itself at the surprised snake. It throttled the snake, using its claws to rip the head of the snake and then swallowing the remainder of the body.
"How do you fellows like that for Gryffindor strength?" spat Minerva, a bullish look on her face.
"McGonagall, how many Muggles do we have to kill to get you off our case?" said a brown haired man with a malicious smirk on his face.
Minerva's face instantly reddened, her fury frightening. A myriad of spells flowed out of her wand, pushing the Death Eaters further down the staircase. Another Death Eater fell to the ground unconscious so Natalie counted ten still standing.
Natalie pushed Fleur out of the way a blue jet of light while barely blocking another blue light with her strongest shield. Along with the others including even Minerva and Kingsley, they were finding it impossible to aim a curse properly with the barrage of spells attacking them.
The pile of rubble suddenly came zooming back towards them at lightning speed. Natalie's stomach twisted horribly when she saw the very sharp edges attached each fragment. Being at the front of the group, Natalie quickly conjured a shield, modifying it to stretch horizontally across the staircase. She heard Bill on the other side, also at the front, do the same. To her relief, the pieces of rubble ricocheted off the shield in random directions. Many were sent hurtling back at the retreating Death Eaters, others carving themselves into the side walls and a few falling off the staircase onto the floors below.
Since the shield prevented any of their spells from reaching the Death Eaters except for the Killing Curse, all of the Death Eaters were taking advantage of the shield to sprint down the staircase.
"Don't let them get away!" bellowed Minerva. Kingsley swept his wand and their shield evaporated.
They ran down the staircase, Bill and Natalie at the front, firing as many curses as they could to slow the Death Eaters. Unfortunately, a few already reached the fourth floor and to Natalie's surprise, stayed on the landing by the staircase. It was a rather poor and surprising decision Natalie thought because the staircase they just came from was the only way out of the landing.
But before she could contemplate their decision further, a blinding red light filled the room. Natalie placed her hand over her eyes, rolling herself down the staircase, hoping that a curse did not strike her. These Death Eaters were much smarter than the ones she had encountered on Christmas and on Knockturn Alley.
Finally, the red light ceased and they had a full view once again of the Death Eaters who were now standing their ground in front of the door Malfoy went through. Clearly, they were guarding him but what could have been on top of the Astronomy Tower?
All of them started dueling with at least one or two Death Eaters so that the room was bursting into a myriad of flashing colours.
Natalie began rapidly exchanging curses with the nearest Death Eater who had ripped off his mask. To her horror, she recognized the man to be Rodolphus Lestrange.
"Why so scared?" hissed Rodolphus, a sinister expression on his face. "I know who you are, my dear."
Natalie swallowed, staggering backward. His 'Impedimenta' curse caught her unaware on the shoulder, sending her flying painfully into the wall. She quickly pushed herself upwards, massaging her hurt back, but Lestrange was even quicker. He moved over to her in one stride, pushing her against the wall.
"I saw you as a baby," spat Lestrange, his rotten breath washing over her face. "You were much prettier. It's too bad I never got a chance to meet your father. He and I would have got along just fine."
The mention of her father ignited Natalie's temper, arousing her out of her shocked state. She kicked Rodolphus in the groin, causing him to reel backwards, howling in pain. She retrieved her wand from the floor
"Don't talk to me, you piece of scum," said Natalie icily. All of the anger about her father's death consumed her. A pure hatred and disgust radiated off her for the man in front of her. He was one of the people responsible for her father's horrific murder. Before Lestrange could hold his wand to her, she fired a Blasting curse that struck him squarely on the chest, careening him into the nearby corner. She then conjured a whip from her wand that lashed viciously against his face, causing it to bleed quite badly. She struck him with the most painful combination of Stinging hexes she knew, ensuring that he was barely conscious.
And then for her last spell, Natalie raised her wand, her mind set on the Unforgivable that would fully avenge her father. But before she could think the pair of words making a killer, Natalie saw the fear in Rodolphus' eyes; the same fear her father must have had when her mother raised her wand at him. And with that thought, the scorching fury within Natalie abated. Instead of the Killing Curse, she hit Rodolphus first with a Stunning spell and then a Sleeping charm to ensure he remained unconscious.
Breathing heavily, Natalie knew she could not have killed him. She was not yet ready to have another person's life on her hands. Natalie turned around to help the others fend off the Death Eaters.
She joined Ron and Hermione who were fighting two burly Death Eaters that were giving the two teenagers all they could handle. She caught one of them by surprise with a well aimed stinging hex that struck his face. The man hissed in pain, blindly firing a Killing Curse that came nowhere near Natalie. Before he could orientate himself, Natalie sent an 'Aeronaugio' that thrust him against the wall with a cacophonous crash. Before he could regain his breath, Ron sent a powerful Stunning spell at him, knocking him unconscious.
"Rosier!" bellowed the other Death Eater who was locked in combat with Hermione.
Natalie immediately aimed a Blasting curse that he barely blocked as Hermione continued her attack of curses. Ron joined the duel, the three of them overwhelming the Death Eater with their barrage of spells. He started to stagger backward, choosing to deflect the spells and reciprocate the fire. When she saw his eyes dart to the sides to look for an escape, Natalie quickly shot a Tripping hex at his legs. He stumbled and his shield fell. Both Ron and Hermione struck him with spells that caused him to drop to the ground, unconscious.
Natalie looked around to see who else needed help. Behind them, she noticed that Kingsley and Minerva were quite successful. Three Death Eaters, including the blonde haired man who taunted Hermione, lay on the ground around them and the two they were fighting were looking very frantic and retreating quickly.
"Let's go help Bill and Fleur," said Hermione, jerking her head to the nearby couple who were dueling the other two remaining Death Eaters: a stocky, grey haired and a thin, blonde haired woman.
"You two go on," said Natalie. "I'm going to bind these two and the one I knocked out so that they don't get away too easily when they regain consciousness."
"I'll help you," Hermione suggested. "It will be quicker. Let's use ropes that will cut them if they try to resist."
Natalie nodded, recalling the spell Hermione had showed her a few months. Thinking of the incantation and imagining a rope with hidden, invisible blades that only sprouted with movement, Natalie waved her wand twice in a circular motion. She and Hermione successful bound the two burly Death Eaters. Natalie then focused her attention on Rodolphus, repeating the spell except instead of blades, she imagined a scorching fire emanating from the ropes.
Hermione looked at Rodolphus in surprise. "Is that-
"Yes," said Natalie, her gaze hardening. "We can talk later. Come on, let's finish them off."
The three of them ran over to Bill and Fleur, launching a mixture of Stinging hexes, Blasting curses and Stunning spells at the surprised Death Eaters.
"Thanks," muttered Bill as he deflected a 'Crucio' from the man.
"These are bloody schoolchildren!" screamed the man in anger.
"We need to give Draco time, Mulciber ," hissed the woman in the high pitched voice Natalie heard earlier.
"Time to do what?" said Natalie, trying to blind them with a flash of red light.
"That trick doesn't work my dear," sneered the man, quickly casting away the light.
Ron caught the man unaware with a Cutting curse that grazed his shoulder.
"Ahhhhh!" growled Mulciber. "Avada Kedavra! Avada Kedavra! Avada Kedavra!"
Ron, Natalie and Hermione easily dodged the wayward Killing Curses, returning fire on the man. Bill and Fleur were pushing the woman back onto the door Draco had fled through.
"Getting desperate, are we?" said Natalie as another Killing Curse missed her badly. "I thought you perfectly pure blooded Death Eaters were trained in the Dark Arts."
"Don't talk to me you little scumbag!" snarled Mulciber. "Crucio!"
Natalie swept her wand in a rectangular motion, envision the advanced version of the Aeronaugio spell. A stream of air came hurtling towards the man who abruptly conjured a shield. However, as Natalie envisioned, the air not only thrust itself at the shield but encased him, rendering his shield useless.
"What the bloody hell!" Mucliber gasped as the mass of air throttled him.
A couple of Stinging hexes by Ron and Hermione threw him against the door to the Astronomy Tower. And then a final Stunner from Natalie rendered him unconscious.
Seeing that Bill and Fleur had a definite upper hand against the woman, Natalie raised her wand to bind Mulciber with ropes. However, Hermione's head was turned away from them.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" said Natalie as she followed Hermione's gaze, gasping.
Another wave of about five Death Eaters were descending down the staircase, shooting spells across the room. Natalie barely pulled Ron out of the way of a blue light and dove to the floor along with Hermione, avoiding two Killing Curses. Her stomach sank as she saw a jet of yellow light swallow Fleur, causing the girl to collapse onto the ground.
"We should have stationed somebody at the room to prevent others from," said Hermione bitterly, shooting an array of spells at the oncoming Death Eaters.
Natalie cast three 'Aeronaugios' in succession but to her dismay, only one of them hit a Death Eater.
Taking all of them by surprise, Snape swept into the room from the same staircase the Death Eaters entered. He shot a disdainful look at the four Death Eaters firing spells in every direction at the Order members before sprinting past Minerva and Kingsley through the door that opened into the staircase leading to the Entrance Hall. Natalie stared confusedly as the door closed behind him. As a spy, she knew he could not fight the Death Eaters but then why show his face?
"NOOO!" screamed Ron in horror. Both Hermione and Natalie jerked their heads to the spot upon which Ron's gaze was fixed.
An extremely hairy man, more akin to an animal, had jumped upon Bill. His claws were ripping at Bill's clothes, gashing at his chest and to Natalie's immense disgust, his razor sharp teeth were sinking into Bill's face and neck.
"Greyback!" whispered Hermione in shock. Natalie felt like vomiting at seeing the savage way in which he thrashed at Bill's face.
Ron ran forward, shouting, "Stupefy!"Greyback jumped out of the way of the jet of red light before fixing his eyes hungrily on the approaching red haired boy.
As he leapt through the air at Ron, both Hermione and Kingsley fired Blasting curses at Greyback. Hermione's grazed the werewolf's shoulder, but Kingsley's connected with the chest, causing Greyback to fall onto the floor. With surprising agility, the werewolf stood up and began prowling between the three of them.
"We can take care of him," said Hermione, watching Greyback dodging Kingsley and Ron's spells. "Go help McGonagall." She ran to Bill's side, swishing her wand frantically over his body. Ron and Kingsley both positioned themselves directly in front of her as Greyback began launching himself at either one.
Natalie swiveled her head, noticing Minerva taking on the other four Death Eaters. She gave Hermione a wary glance before running over to help her friend.
"Oh look who's here," said one of the Death Eaters in a familiar drawl.
Natalie sent a Stunner at him that he deflected before they both rapidly started exchanging spells. The Death Eater, alongside him, smiled at her insidiously before he also moved his focus from Minerva to her.
"Just keep them busy Natalie," muttered Minerva out of the corner of her mouth as she sent a loud, booming spell at the two Death Eaters fighting her. "I'll finish them off for you."
Natalie nodded, sidestepping out of the way of a Killing curse. She banished piles of rubble at the two Death Eaters who set the rubble on fire. Using the smoke to block her, she summoned one of the suits of armor along the wall into the pair. With a satisfied grin, Natalie heard shrieks of pain from both men before she had to move out of the way of three yellow jets of light. The smoke quickly cleared as another Killing curse sailed over her head. She sent four Stunners in succession, managing to push the Death Eaters back.
Then, wanting to distract them, she conjured a rolling wave, causing one of the men to shriek in rage while the other cackled in laughter.
"Still using the same trick, are we Malkae?" hissed the familiar voice. Then, remembering her day at Knockturn Alley, Natalie instantly knew the identity of the man.
"Rabastan Lestrange," spat Natalie, throwing balls of fire at the pair. "The Azkhaban security must be atrocious."
One of the balls of fire seared the shoulder of Lestrange's compatriot. He howled in pain. Natalie fired a Cutting curse at him that Lestrange quickly blocked for his partner.
"She's a bloody girl, Macnair. Get your head together, you damn oaf," snapped Rabastan.
"I took nice care of your brother," Natalie said, winking at him. She blocked the barrage of Cruciatus curses sent her way by a suddenly angry Rabastan.
"I shouldn't really be calling you Malkae, should I?" said Rabastan loudly, a horrible smile on his face. "More like Black."
Natalie gritted her teeth, noticing Minerva stiffen for the slightest second next to her. She expected Rodolphus' brother to know her identity, but she was not going to let him cause her any shame.
"It shows how pathetic your brother was, doesn't it?" snarled Natalie, grinning in triumph as another set of Stinging hexes found Macnair's face. "That she had to turn a Muggle for a child."
"What the hell is she talking about?" hissed one of the Death Eaters dueling Minerva.
"None of your bloody business," screamed Rabastan, his face contorted in rage. "HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT!"
"Avada Kedavra! Avada Kedavra! Avada Kedavra! Avada Kedavra!" shouted Rabastan madly. None of the Killing Curses came even close to a smirking Natalie.
"I'm sure that's how your master views Rodolphus as well," said Natalie, thoroughly enjoying the taunting. She cast an Aeronaugio at the howling MacNair. He was thrust onto a suit of armor, crashing to the floor with a cacophonous thud. At the same time, she saw Minerva dispatch of one of her opponents; the other one looked to be bleeding badly.
Rabastan looked as if he was going to shoot another barrage of Killing Curses at her, but surprising Natalie, he collapsed to the floor. From the staircase behind Rabastan, Remus and Tonks emerged.
A jet of purple light from Tonks' wand slashed through the Death Eater Minerva was dueling. He dropped to the ground, unconscious.
Remus had already placed himself between Greyback, who was continuing to dodge the relentless onslaught of curses, and Ron and Kingsley.
"Ah, Lupin, I've been wondering about you," drawled Greyback in an extremely unpleasant, raspy voice. He leapt above one of the torches, barely missing Kingsley's Killing curse yet his sickly yellow eyes were focused firmly on the determined face of the other werewolf in the room.
"What did you do now?" said Remus in a dangerously low voice that sent shivers down Natalie's spine. Along with the others, she watched Greyback attentively, waiting for his attack.
"Been talking about me behind my back, have you?" cried Greyback maniacally, launching himself at the other wall. But with amazing agility, he somersaulted in mid air and landed directly in between Kingsley and Ron. He kicked Kingsley violently on the chest, sending the black haired man sprawling into a nearby cabinet and then seized Ron by the neck, ready to sink his teeth into another Weasley's neck.
"Ron!" shouted Hermione, moving with her wand to the
"No, Hermione, don't," cried Natalie, panic flooding her as she could see Greyback's eyes widen in pure, savage hunger at the approaching figure of the brown haired girl.
Hermione raised her wand, but Greyback seemed too quick. He threw Ron viciously to the side, and then leapt in front of Hermione, swiping the wand out of her hand. Natalie and Minerva immediately fired Stunners that he easily anticipated and swerved below; Natalie ran as fast she could to the pair to try to stop Greyback from killing her best friend.
However, before he could bite Hermione, Remus dove straight into Greyback. With brilliant strength, Remus threw Greyback against the wall adjacent to the door leading to the Astronomy Tower. Greyback, once again with uncanny speed, rebounded off the wall, jumping straight into Remus who wrapped his arms around Greyback's head, crashing them both into the wall with a resounding thud. Remus bashed Greyback's head against the wall, punching him in the back. But, Greyback lowered his back into Remus' chest, stifling the breath of the man. He punched Remus' face, sending Remus was falling.
Natalie, Minerva and Tonks rushed forward. Natalie was certain Greyback would try to severe Remus' neck. In frustration, all of their Blasting curses and Stunners once again missed the werewolf. He sneered at them before he ran into Remus who, despite looking badly beaten, was waiting for him with a small smile. Once they met, a silver light immediately enveloped them. Natalie heard both Remus and Greyback scream in pain for a very long, punctuated moment until Greyback pulled out of the embrace.
"I will be back for you Lupin," hissed Greyback, clutching his abdomen. He then jumped onto the wall and left the room through one of the windows on the high ceiling.
"Remus, what did you do?" cried Tonks, making her way to an exhausted Remus who was also grabbing his chest, looking to be in brutal pain.
"A curse for werewolves that only a werewolf can cast," stated Kingsley grimly. "It is said to cause unimaginable pain."
"I'm fine," croaked Remus though he appeared as if he was ready to collapse. "Minerva, we need to go help the others downstairs in the Entrance hall. There are more Death Eaters-a whole bunch are apparating into Hogsmeade. We managed to alert the Aurors but they're being delayed by all the Death Eaters in Hogsmeade."
"No one's entering from the Room of Requirement- we stunned the Death Eater letting them into Hogwarts. They were using a Vanishing cabinet that Remus and I sealed," added Tonks, holding Remus in her arms and rubbing his back.
"A Vanishing cabinet," mouthed Natalie in disbelief. "Where is it connected to?"
"Never mind about that, Natalie, said Minerva firmly. "Miss Granger, how are Bill and Fleur doing?"
"Fleur's alive," said Hermione hoarsely. "And Bill's not doing well though I've managed to stop the blood from leaking."
"Alright," said Minerva, taking control of the situation. "Kingsley and I will aid the other Order members in the Entrance Hall. Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger, I want you two to accompany Fleur, Bill and Remus to the Hospital Wing. I will not take no for an answer. Remus, you are going. There is no way you will survive in your current state against the likes of Dolohov. Natalie and Nymphadora, I want you to check the common rooms and tell all the students to stay where they are. If the Seventh years want to fight, then let them- they are of age."
"Minerva, I think Tonks should accompany Remus," said Natalie, looking warily at the couple.
"No, she will come with you," said Remus, a resolved expression on his face. "We have no idea which other Death Eaters entered the castle.
"I agree with Remus," stated Minerva authoritavely. "Now let's get going."
Tonks squeezed Remus' hand, letting Ron drape his arm around the man's shoulders and with one last significant look at him, she walked over to Natalie.
"Let's go to the Ravenclaw common room first," said Tonks.
Natalie nodded. "The closest one makes sense." She looked at Minerva and Kingsley. "Once we're done, we will come down to fight."
"As will we," stated Hermione who was levitating both Fleur and Bill's bodies.
Minerva glared at Natalie. "Very well. Now go," said Minerva.
Kinglsey shook his head at Natalie who was now looking anxiously at all the Death Eaters lying across the floor unconscious. "We will bind the Death Eaters. Please go now."
Noticing the frightening insistence on his face and the severe scowl Minerva wore, Natalie did not need anymore telling. She and Tonks sprinted through the same door Snape exited. They climbed one set of stairs to the fifth floor and then ran down the corridor, turning the corner and reaching the staircase leading to Ravenclaw tower. Both Natalie and Tonks caught their breath, giving one another small smiles before they cautiously moved up these stairs, looking for any sign of danger.
Once they were close to the top of the staircase, a horrible molten smell filled their nostrils. Natalie gulped, seeing Tonks stiffen beside her. She remember this smell all too well from Malfoy's body in the Hospital wing; the unmistakable scent of blood.
Tonks crouched forward ahead of Natalie, peeking her head through the slightly ajar door. The pink haired woman took a sharp intake of breath, but opened the door more fully. Natalie followed her into a landing, not unlike to the one in which they just fought the Death Eaters. A few suits of armor were located along the room, and the stone walls rose majestically to meet large window from which moonlight streamed through.
However, Natalie and Tonks' eyes were drawn to the many bodies that lay in front of the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room. The statue of the eagle, which usually guarded the entrance, looked to be destroyed, its pieces spread all over the landing. Stepping closer, Natalie recognized the three bodies; Professor Flitwick, the 7th year Cho Chang and Anthony Goldstein. All looked to be alive, but were bleeding badly and convulsing horribly. Each possessed a number of bruises and cuts on their faces and their arms and legs looked to be twisted and broken in inhuman ways. Chang and Goldstein's eyes were open, but Flitwick, the worst looking of the three, was unconscious. As Natalie and Tonks came closer, Chang and Goldstein's eyes darted in fear towards, but then instantly relaxed.
"Who did this?" breathed Natalie, bending over each body and doing her best to try to stop the flow of blood. "No one in the common room must have known what happened to them because the Eagle was destroyed."
"I do not know," said Tonks, looking equally as shocked. She mirrored Natalie's actions, placing her hand on the shoulders of Goldstein and Chang to try to calm their breathing.
"Listen we're here," whispered Tonks gently. "We are going to take you to the Hospital wing."
"No, go," said Chang, her eyes fluttering. Natalie cringed at the way a mere curving of her lips caused her brutal pain. "She's still here."
"Who?" asked Natalie, but Chang did not need to answer. A distinctly familiar, cackling laughter reverberated around the room.
"Oh no," Natalie gasped, jerking her body around. Pure fear and terror gripped Natalie. "Not here, please."
A/N: How did you guys like this chapter? There were more Death Eaters and in particular, more of the savage, sinister ones in this invasion than in the one depicted in canon, because I wanted to make it look like a really dangerous, fierce battle.