Harry Potter: The Unchained Flower
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the items and such that is not and will never be used by J.K.R.
A/N: If it would be possible, could the readers leave responses to my writing? So I would know if I am doing everything right or not. No worries if you guys don't want to though, I don't live by Reviews but I do want to know if I am doing thing right. Thanks!
Chapter Four: Showdown
-French Court
"AN EMINENT DOOM WILL FALL UPON US IF WE TRY TO HELP THE ENGLISH! THEY ARE LOSING THE WAR AGAINST THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARIES!" Shouted Lord Malfoy as he stood in the midst of the other Lords and Ladies.
King Louis sighed before speaking up, "We must not be rash with this situation. For all we know, the British might just turn things around once more!"
The entire Court burst into murmurs as they contemplated about the opinions of both dignitaries. Malfoy had a point, if the British were to lose, they would be given a small chance at taking back some of their territories in the Fur Trade lands. But, nonetheless, the King had also made a valuable statement. If the Britons were to turn the tides, they would lose the supplies that were being discussed to be sent to the Revolutionaries.
"Besides, I have been talking for a peace treaty with King George the Third of the British Empire." Continued Louis as he relaxed in his seat.
Comte de Grasse snarled at this statement and responded viciously, "WE KNOW OF YOUR DEALINGS! YOU INTEND TO SHIP THE GEM OF OUR EMPIRE! THE LADY DELACOUR!"
Outburst started at that statement as the guards burst in and started restraining the Lords that were raging. Louis sighed at the crowd of politicians in his Court before raising his staff and slamming it down with a resounding crack that stopped every movement.
"EVERYBODY SIT DOWN!"
Reluctantly, everybody started sitting down and composing themselves, letting the King continue.
"I am not giving away the Lady Delacour to just any man. She is to be wed to the most esteemed Duke of Clarence, Lord Harrison Potter, the nephew of King George and third in-line for the throne."
Malfoy stifled a laugh before saying, "You intend to give off the most beautiful woman in France to a foreign Duke? Would it be better, My Lords and Ladies, that the Heiress be married to a prominent French family?"
Louis stood up at this jab, "MY FAMILY'S BUSINESS IS OF OUR OWN! THE DUCHY OF BRITANNY IS OF NO IMPORTANCE TO THIS COURT!"
"Oh, but is of great importance, My Lord. Remember that the British could use its harbors to launch an attack if they decide to turn their backs of us!" replied a very old Lord in the Court.
Malfoy stood up once more and said in a slimy tone, "Maybe we should have the Lord Potter captured when he visits next time. We could have him ransomed for our lost lands in Quebec and Mont Real!"
"ABSOLUTELY NOT! WE MUST NOT ENDANGER OUR STANCE IN THIS WAR! CONCENTRATING ON OUR POSITION IS THE TOPIC OF THIS MEETING, NOT MY NEICE'S MARRIAGE!"
Louis the Sixteenth seethed as he tried to dissuade the Court from helping the British but in the end, all he was able to do is to have another deliberation next week. Hopefully, the distraction would prove useful for Lord Potter and his invasion to succeed and persuade the Court that a political marriage is of the best option with the British right now.
-Long Island
Harry stared at the horizon as he tried to block out the smell of death all around him.
It had been two days after their decisive victory at this very fort and yet, he was still wary. Wary of what? He could never pinpoint the exact cause but it is there, eating his mind day and night as he watched his men burn the dead of both sides.
They had, of course, lost men. But the men they lost were so small in amount that he was able to count them with his finger…and toes. They had lost only eighteen men due to little resistance while the Americans had lost almost two thousand men and still counting.
And yet, those lives that he had lost were still lives. Unlike any other General who would celebrate for such an easy victory, he was mourning. Mourning for the eighteen men that would never get to see their families back in Britain. Mourning for the lives of the Americans who died because of a blunder made by their Commander-In-Chief.
"My Lord, the men are waiting for you." Said one of his vanguard, Sir Weasley.
Harry nodded, "Thank you, Sir Weasley. I will be there shortly."
Weasley nodded back as he marched of towards his post beside the stage that was set up for the General. He had only the highest regard for Lord Potter and he would absolutely protect his General and Duke's life.
Standing up from his position, he started his trek towards the stand. Today, he would have to tell of his next move. They had all the advantages at this moment and it would be ludicrous to not to take it.
As he stood on the stage, he could see the expanse of soldiers waiting for him. In front, he could see his own commanders in line and saluting to him. The soldiers, themselves, were standing in attention and saluting with pride as the General that led them to the greatest military success in this Revolution was smiling sadly at all of them.
"TODAY, WE HAVE SECURED A GREAT VICTORY FOR OUR KING! WE HAVE SHOWN THESE AMERICAN REBELS HOW WE BRITISH FIGHT!"
Shouts of agreement rang throughout the ranks. And yet, the crowd fell back to silence as Harry held up his hand.
"A VICTORY IN A SINGLE BATTLE COULD NOT WIN THE WAR ENTIRELY. WE HAVE MANY BATTLES AHEAD OF US. WE HAVE LANDED IN THIS FOREIGN SOIL TO TEACH THESE PEOPLE A LESSON AND IT HAS JUST STARTED! ARE YOU ALL PREPARED TO FACE THEM ONCE MORE IN BATTLE?"
Once more, everyone cheered in agreement at the statement of their Duke and Lord. The morale, itself, was at all time high with the great success on this battle. And yet, Harry could still feel the uneasiness that had started to plague him after the battle.
Before Harry could reply, a messenger ran forward and whispered information into his ear. Harry's expression turned from shock to joy as he dismissed the messenger and turned towards his men and said, "FORTUNE FAVORS US TODAY! THE AMERICANS ARE NOW HOLED UP AT THE FORTIFICATIONS IN BROOKLYN HEIGHTS AND RECUPERATING! MY FELLOW COUNTRYMEN, WE MUST SEIZE THIS CHANCE ONCE MORE AND ATTACK THEM WHILE THEY ARE WEEK! PREPARE TO MARCH TOMORROW!
Harry didn't wait for the shouts of agreement to resound. He quickly ran towards his tent and grabbed his copy of the map on this foreign land. It would be take a better strategy for them to take Brooklyn Heights since the Americans would be much more ready for an assault. Nevertheless, they must try.
"Lord Potter, what do you intend for our strategy?" Asked on of his commanders.
Harry looked up from his map and moved around pieces on the map, "Do you see this? We must lay siege on the fortifications that General Washington would have already set up. What do you suggest?"
General Lord Cornwallis strode up to the map and made a circle shaped formation with the British figurines, "We must encompass them. Trenches would do well in this situation. Once we cut off supplies, they would drop like flies and we would have an easy victory."
Everybody nodded with the strategy and some even patted Cornwallis on the back. Harry, himself, nodded at the plan before saying, "We move out tomorrow. I want Lord Cornwallis' men to prepare to dig the trenches while everyone else would be on guard duty. No one will fire a gun if we are not under fire first. I want them to dread at inevitable."
-Brooklyn Heights
George Washington was pacing back and forth outside the medical tent that was put up when they arrived at this fort.
It had been three days since the massacre at Brooklyn Heights and the sound of his men being shot down was still ringing in his ears. It was his blunder and he knew it and now, one of his commanders was severely wounded while covering their retreat.
"He is fine now General." Said the Doctor as he wiped his hands on a piece of bloody cloth.
Washington looked up before smiling sadly, "Was it bad, Doc?"
"It was not something I could not fix. He will be back in action after a few weeks of rest."
"That's good to hear!" replied Washington as he went in to see his courageous friend and commander.
Lee watched as Washington walked in and headed towards his bed. He could still not forgive him for trusting a junior officer of the Army in regards to their strategy on Long Island.
"Washington, you should be out there making preparations of attack against the enemy. They would surely come for us now that we are at our weakest!" Exclaimed the wounded General as he tried to get up, only to be held down by Washington himself.
George sighed before sitting beside the bed of his commander, "Do not be weary, Lee. I have already set up the perimeter around the camp and we should be fully ready to combat any attack by the British."
Lee nodded before looking towards the other beds that were occupied by the few of his men that survived, "We should have been ready, damn it! We lost so many men that day. Young and old were slaughtered by those British dogs and they didn't even listen to their pleas of mercy!"
Washington could only nod sadly while clutching his sword and wand hardly. He knew where this was going and he already knew at heart that it was his fault.
Just before he could utter any word, shouts rang outside which alerted both Washington and Lee that the British had finally come for them.
"GO! GO! Do not lose this time, Washington. There will be hell to pay if you do." Lee exclaimed loudly while pushing his General to respond to the shouts.
Washington could only nod and rush outside. He would be caught dead before he lost another battle against these oppressors.
-Three Weeks Later
Skirmishes were fought with both sides losing men. While those were happening, the trenches were being dug and today, they were finally fully operational.
Cornwallis looked from his vantage point and gestured for his men to start occupying the trenches and open fire at the enemy positions.
His men, getting the signal, started firing. This alerted both sides and Harry, seeing that one of his Generals decided to be hasty, ordered every footmen to occupy the trenches, open fire and help General Cornwallis.
Harry, himself, looked towards the towers and saw men left and right. It was a sickening sight to see people falling from the fortification walls and land with a splatter. Sometime, their heads would land first and burst into a bloody mess.
"Lord Potter! We are on the verge of being able to breach their defenses!"
Harry looked towards the smiling face of Lord Cornwallis and couldn't help but smile himself. It would be over in a few days at most and then he would be back with his Fleur.
Before he could reply, however; a white flag suddenly was put up by the enemy. Looking at the gates, he saw the enemy General, George Washington himself, walk out with the flag.
Harry gestured for his men to stop firing and proceeded to walk towards the form of the enemy commander. He stopped twenty feet from him before asking loudly, "ARE YOU READY TO SURRENDER, TRAITOR?"
George Washington was quite surprised to see such a young General to have beaten him two times now. But, whatever his doubts about this mans power when he first saw him, was squashed down due to the amount of Magic pouring out of him.
But he knew what he had to do. Stall these British army while his men could make and escape through the East River. It was a great risk but with great risks, come great rewards as well. It was worth a shot; after all, if they didn't make it, they were all doomed anyways.
"I demand a duel to the death with the British Commander-In-Chief of this army!"
Harry laughed out loud before replying with gusto, "You are staring at him General Washington! Lord Potter, Duke of Clarence, at your service!"
Washington was shocked for a moment before replying, "Duke of Clarence? Last I heard that he was killed in the Seven Years War!"
"Fool! I am his son! Now, draw your sword and wand! We shall see who will survive today's battle!"
Washington did not even have time to retort before a sickly green curse was sent his way. Dodging right, he pulled out his wand and shot a bluish curse that would immobilize his opponent.
Harry, for his part, did not even flinch at the sight of the curse. He swatted it away before pulling out his sword and charging towards the older fellow. He was given the chance to finish the whole war right now, and he would have to give his all in this fight.
Washington, seeing Harry charging with his sword, pulled his own out of its scabbard and started charging as well. Both clashed with a resounding clang of steel before starting a deadly dance of swordsmanship.
Harry tried parrying a blow but was caught off guard by the sun shining onto the sword of his enemy, which blinded him temporarily. Washington, seeing this, went into a downward slash overhead, which would have effectively killed Harry if it weren't for him dodging to the right out of instinct.
"Do you know you had just divulged that magic existed when you pulled out your wand and fired a curse at me?" Washington asked wearily.
Harry just shrugged and assumed another stance before replying, "My warders had been putting up wards around every battle that erases the memory of every muggle if they see us casting spells."
Washington nodded before replying, "Am I right to presume that this spell did not originate from your British spellmakers?"
"Indeed, it was discovered by my father that such a spell existed in Asia and his men were able to replicate it for us to use in this campaign."
Washington was about to continue further but was halted by a sudden gunshot. He looked around and saw his horse galloping towards him at a very high speed.
Harry, hearing the shot, looked around and had to jump away as a horse barreled his way. Realizing what had happened, he threw curse towards Washington, who was riding at full speed into the fort and onto the East River behind the encampment.
Frustrated, Harry shouted at the top of his lungs, "THEY ARE ESCAPING! TREACHERY! EVERYONE, CHARGE!"
And indeed, everyone charged but they were unable to pursue further. The Americans had duped them but it didn't matter to Harry. He was going home after all.