Optimus Prime stared into the wreckage that was formerly known as Hogwarts. The wind blew through the war torn school. It had just a millennium ago that he had tasked four people with the mission of their lives, and he had been so proud of what they had accomplished. Yet he was also ashamed. They had fallen so easily into corruption, swayed by the Decepticons. Perhaps Optimus had given them too much credit, they were humans after all. True Energon brought his own race to near extinction, why should the human race be any different? It was his fault for bringing this here, and now the Autobots would have to clean up the mess that he and the people of his planet had created.
An engine revved behind him, trying to pull his attention. When he didn't bother looking back, the engine revved even louder. The sound finally pulling him from the scene in front of him, Optimus turned to see what was so important. Before him was a black pickup truck, waiting for its leaders acknowledgment. Sighing, Optimus resigned himself to hear the news that the Autobot had brought him.
"Yes, Ironhide? What do you have to report?"
Groaning and creaking emitted from the truck, parts disassembling and reassembling in the blink of an eye. A bulky robot in humanoid form now stood at attention in front of Optimus, silver reflecting the sun's glare.
"We have some Autobots searching the school right now, but it looks like the Decepticons beat us here. Although what's the most disturbing is the remains of the Energon users..." Ironhide trailed off, cool blue eyes shifting to the grim scenery behind Optimus.
"What did you find?" Optimus tensed, fearing what Ironhide would say next.
"The bodies look as if they had been drained of all life itself. There were no hints of the Energon they should have possessed."
Optimus's gears tightened further, a loud screeching noise grating out as he shifted restlessly. First the destruction of Hogwarts, shortly followed by numerous wizarding cities, now this! Optimus stomped the ground in frustration, causing a nearby column to fully crumble from the vibrations. Ironhide took a step back, warily assessing his commander. Optimus was supposed to be calm and collected, the very definition of a leader. Yet Ironhide was witnessing something he had never seen before: Optimus Prime distressed. Fear and apprehension started to fill him. Where they doomed to fail?
"Easy now Optimus!" Ironhide tried to calm his leader. "The day isn't over yet. We have managed to beat the Decepticons every-"
"I'm aware of our victories over the Decepticons, Ironhide!" Optimus's voice shook the ground. "I fear that this time is different. With the genocide Megatron is doing to the Energon users, this battle is going to be much worse."
"That's the reason why we need you now more than ever. Maybe we did make a mistake giving the human's Energon, but worrying about the past and not the fight ahead is going to be our downfall. Come on Prime! Get it together!"
Optimus looked at his old friend and knew that he was right. Even if the Energon users were reckless, they were the ones who gave the Energon to the humans. The Autobots were responsible. Optimus would gladly give his life to ensure the survival of the human race. Finally getting his head back on straight, he looked at Ironhide and gave him a nod.
"As I was saying," Ironhide said with a smile, "Ratchet is looking over the bodies now and he can't find any traces of the Energon. He suspects that Megatron is using some kind of harvester to drain the Energon from the wizards and is mass collecting it."
"Harvester?"
"Yes. Ratchet found that every body had been pierced, leaving a hole around two inches in diameter. Prime..." Ironhide stared intently at Optimus. "It looks like it's definitely Cybertonian. Megatron is collecting the True Energon, but I think he is planning on using it for more than just conquest."
"Whatever Megatron is planning I have a feeling it doesn't bode well for the rest of the planet." Optimus's eyes danced back and forth, trying to think of their next plan of attack. "Ironhide, we must stop Megatron at all cost."
"What are your orders commander?"
" We need to recon first. Send a few select Autobots out to some of the wizarding cities to see if we can locate any other surviving Energon users. If we can find any alive, they will be a powerful ally."
"What about the rest of us?"
"Megatron knows we are involved now. Eventually he will make his next move. When he does that's when we will engage him. For now, lets find as many of the survivors as we can."
Ironhide saluted Prime before heading back to the Autobots under his command. He made quick work of assigning new jobs, before glancing back at Optimus Prime. Optimus had stayed in the same spot, but his eyes had returned to the rubble of the school.
The sun shone over what was left of Diagon Alley. A lone Autobot drove through the narrow streets, his sleek silver paint in his car form reflecting the morning's rays. Jazz had been the first one to volunteer for the reconnaissance mission, but so far he hadn't had any luck finding any survivors. The shops that lined the street were barren, window fronts shattered and whole sections reduced to debris. The shops were still fascinating, even after being abandoned like they were. It was amazing what the human mind could think up, their imagination astounding. Broomsticks, cauldrons, and Whiz-Bangs. Incredible!
Jazz had already searched all of Diagon Alley, but he feared that he would find no one on this trip. Determined to be certain before returning with bad news, he decided to do one final sweep of the area. Glass crunched under his tires as he made a U-turn.
Flac-flac-flac
The sound came from overhead. Jazz instinctively transformed and dove into the shop closest to him. Thankfully the glass had already been shattered, but he still took out a whole section of wall in his rush.
Flac-flac-flac
It was closer now. He could tell it was a helicopter, but it definitely couldn't be any regular one. Even though most of the wizards were dead, their magical protection had remained intact. The only ones that could get through the barrier besides the human Energon users were Autobots and Decepticons. Peaking out from his hiding place, Jazz did a quick scan of his surroundings. He was correct, it was the Decepticon called Vortex. Megatron must be doing the same thing Optimus was doing, scouring the cities looking for survivors. Luckily it seemed like most of the survivors had already fled. Jazz knew he was no match for the Decepticon, so he decided that he would just sit idly until Vortex did his pass through.
Listening intently, Jazz heard Vortex transform. There was a thud as Vortex landed what could only be three hundred yards away. Surely he wasn't caught. Making a quick assessment of the building that he was in, he noted that the roof was still completely intact. There shouldn't be any way for Vortex to know he was nearby. Maybe the Decepticon had found something. He peaked just in time to hear some shouts and a battle beginning.
Jazz darted out and looked down the alley to see Vortex going head to head with two wizards. Surprised, he saw that the Wizards were holding their own, shooting raw Energon at the shocked Decepticon. Vortex responded by firing bullets from his hand machine gun. The young female wizard used a levitating spell to pick up a piece of rubble to shield her and the boy. Vortex finally stopped his firing. Before he could do anything else, the girl wizard launched the rubble at his face causing the Decepticon to fall backwards on the remnant of a building.
Jazz knew he was still no match for the rampaging Vortex. It was only a matter of time before the wizards got overwhelmed. At this rate, they were as good as dead. There was no point for him to get involved. Jazz turned back into car form and started to drive off but then stopped. What would Optimus do if he was here? Even outmatched, Optimus would try and save them at least. Jazz let out a grumble and turned back towards the battle. At least he had the element of surprise.
Hitting the nitrous, he raced forward at full speed. Within a few yards of the fight, he transformed, descending on the unsuspecting Decepticon. Jazz punched Vortex on the left side of his face, gears and metal pieces were sent flying. Vortex crashed into the same building as before. Jazz was on his feet instantly and kicked Vortex in the face leaving him temporarily blinded.
"Autobot scum!" Vortex screeched while stumbling to his feet. A barrage of bullets and missiles were sent hurtling towards Jazz. They crashed into the building behind him, causing the structure to completely collapse. Jazz quickly grabbed the two shocked wizards, throwing them into his cab as he transformed. Jazz hit the nitrous again before racing away.
Mere seconds later, he heard Vortex transform back into a helicopter and chase after them. The Decepticon opened up another barrage of gunfire and missiles from above, further destroying what was left of Diagon Alley. Jazz knew it was only a matter of time before Vortex used his tornado. Jazz raced as hard as he could, but knew it was going to futile. He was lifted off the ground, being spun in a clockwise fashion. The metallic grating sound caught Jazz's attention as Vortex transformed back to his robot form. He hovered next to them with his arms outstretched. Jazz started to think quickly. If he didn't do something, he and the wizards would be killed.
"Die Autobot!" Vortex's laugh of triumph ricocheted in Jazz's mind. This was it. It was over, he had failed saving the wizards. Would Optimus be disappointed? Even if he failed, the Autobots should still win in the long run. Right?
"Bombarda!" As Jazz had resigned himself to his fate, an explosion hit Vortex on the side of his face. The boy wizard's wand remained aimed at the Decepticon from within Jazz while Vortex hands flew to clutch his injured head. Jazz felt himself start to free-fall as Vortex stopped his tornado in his distraction.
"Aresto Momentum!" The female wizard's brown curly hair whipped around her in a frenzy. Their descent slowed, causing them to land with a gentle thud. Jazz wasted no time in speeding away. He could hear the Decepticon still behind him cursing, struggling to regain his composure. Jazz was out of Diagon alley before Vortex could continue to pursue them.
The sun was beginning to set before Jazz broke the silence between himself and the wizards. Oddly enough, they had barely spoken for the hours that he had been driving. They seemed to have either accepted that he was a friend, no questions asked, or they were just too tired from running that they simply didn't care.
"What's crackin', lil wizards?" The two wizards jumped. "Those were some smooth moves you had back there. I believe you gave ol' Vortex a run for his money."
"Vortex?" The boy sat up, confusion etched across his face. "You can talk? Who are you?"
"Jazz is the name. Kicking Decepticon ass is my game, and I'm humbly at your service." He couldn't keep from chuckling, he had forgotten that the wizards hadn't been in contact with his kind yet.
"Decepticons? Well if that's what that was back there, I would hardly say you kicked it's ass." The boy ran his fingers through his black unruly hair in agitation.
"Ah come on now, cuz! We worked as a team." Jazz tried to placate the younger wizard as the boy adjusted his glasses. "If ol' Vortex got his hand on you, you would be grass now. Understand?"
"He has a point. Sorry, Jazz?" The girl's businesslike tone seemed to calm the boy. "That's your name isn't it?"
"The one and only." Jazz kept his inner amusement hidden as the girl tapped on the dash.
"He is a little upset right now, but he did ask a really good question." The girl continued to investigate his interior, while the boy stared out the window. "Who, or rather, what are you?"
"Forgive me, lil chick. I'm an officer with the Autobots." He tried his best to match her straight forward tone.
"And what is an Autobot?" The brunette had reached over the boy and was rummaging through his glove box.
"Don't worry. All will be revealed in time, just note that we are the good guys. I'm taking you to our leader, Optimus Prime, right now."
"Aren't you the same as that thing back there?" The boy snapped.
"Almost, but not quite. I'm an Autobot, he is a Decepticon." Jazz tried his best to explain. "Our race is at a war. The Decepticons are all about conquest and enslaving, blah, blah, blah. The Autobots are there to stop them. Listen, all will be revealed when we meet Optimus. That cat can explain better than I can."
"Like hell we will!" The boy shot out his wand, aiming it at the radio. Before the boy had a chance to react, the girl gingerly took the wand from him, as if expecting her companion to react this way.
"Listen! We are out of options and we can't run anymore. At least we can listen to this Optimus Prime and see what he has to say." The girl's voice had raised before moving into a pleading tone.
"And what if he is hunting us too?"
"It would be no different than being hunted down by these Decepticons our new friend keeps talking about." The girl reached over and slammed the glove box shut. "I feel that if they wanted to hurt us, they would have already."
The rest of the ride had descended into silence. Jazz continued on his way back to the ruins of Hogwarts, cutting across fields and through forests. Eventually the Autobot's base camp came into view on the outskirts of Hogwarts. Large robots carefully stepped around injured wizards and witches, tending to their wounds. As soon as Jazz had rolled to a stop, the girl had burst from the cab, racing towards the closest wizard to them.
"Neville! You're alive!" The girl engulfed the boy in a hug, catching the wizard by surprise. The boy quickly embraced her back, relief flooding his features.
"Hey there, Hermione. Glad to see your not worse for wear." The boy patted her back before he looked around, trying to see who she had arrived with.
"Neville! I'm so glad to see you! How many others have made it?" Hermione seemed elated to see her friend, but still carried dread in her voice.
"Not many, Voldemort did quite a number on us. Most of the teachers were killed while holding off the Death Eaters when we were making our escape." Neville's voice had turned somber. "But I saw Luna around here not too long ago- Harry!"
The boy had finally stepped out of the car, catching Neville's attention as well as almost every wizard and witch's in the vacinity.
"It's good to see you, Neville." Harry strode over to his friend, ignoring the stares that he was receiving. "You said other have survived. Who else? Ron? Ginny?"
"Ginny made it. She is around here somewhere as well. Ron I'm not so sure about. He was hit with a curse before he could apparate. That was the last I saw of him. These Autobot creatures buried the dead, but made holographic images of each of them for identification. I have been too afraid to look. If you ask Ratchet, he will be happy to show you." Hermione darted off towards the Autobot that Neville had pointed at.
"Neville? What do you know of these creatures?" Harry asked after he saw that she was already speaking with Ratchet a couple of yards away.
"Not much Harry." Neville rubbed the back of his neck, trying to realize the seemingly constant pressure from the day. "They seem to know a lot about us and they're trying to stop these Decepticons. So far they have been friendly and seem willing to help. They said that once everyone is back, they're leader will talk to us." Pausing, he locked eyes with his long time friend. "Harry there is something else you should know..."
"What is it Neville?"
"Before I apparated out of there, I saw Malfoy standing by cackling. I have a feeling he is somehow connected to all of this."
"Malfoy!" Harry's green eyes narrowed. Of course the ferret would be involved.
"Harry!" The scream made everyone jump. Hermione ran back towards them, tears already pouring from her eyes. She latched onto his side, sobs racking her body. "Ron is dead."
Grief and anger began to well inside of Harry. He held Hermione tightly as a large foot stepped in front of him. A giant Autobot peered down at him, red and blue flames adorning his chest, arms, and legs like tattoos. He knelt down next to the grieving pair, a solemn eyes regarding them with sincerity.
"I will give you a chance at Justice for your fellow comrades." Optimus Prime stood up, addressing all the wizards as well. "I have a lot to tell you, and not much time. In the end, it will be your choice whether or not you help us."