DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.
Chapter Twenty - Hell on Earth
It was dusk when Harry woke. Between one beat of his heart and the next, his orbs flew open and his nostrils pinched, his aura expanding and contracting in the blink of an eye. His senses worked to locate any immediate threats; searching for danger in a chamber filled with Hell's deadliest demons. He registered the stirring of his brethren, mentally marking their positions about the room before stretching his magic beyond the walls that encompassed them. It took only a single brush of his power to ascertain that Dumbledore had accepted his suggestion and corralled all of the students in the Great Hall; shielding the area with heavy wards and protective spells.
Slowly, his muscles loosened, his body relaxing completely as he became certain of his safety. With a silent yawn, he curled his toes against the cold stone beneath him and lowered the edge of one heavy wing. His eyes swept the pitch-black room, landing on each Retriever in turn. He frowned as his gaze landed on James, his lashes dipping to protect his eyes from the brilliant glow the older male exuded. With a curl of his lips, he snarled in disgust and rose fluidly to his feet. "Could you turn off the halo, Porter? You're making me nauseous," he sneered, lazily stretching his wings.
Lifting shimmering sapphires, James smiled sweetly. "Get used to it, Potter, because it's only a matter of time before Zeus wraps one around your neck." His grin grew as Harry's eyes widened, the fingers of one hand lifting to touch the gleaming circle of luminous light that seemed to hover above his dark locks. "You didn't actually think you'd make it back to Hell after this little stunt, did you? Going against the orders of your Lord to perform an act of complete selflessness . . . Oh, yeah, there's definitely a halo in Heaven with your name on it." He rose with a ruffle of silvery wings, the smile he wore growing at the horrified look on the Retriever's face.
"Prick," Harry sputtered, reaching for the comforting grip of his sword. Unfortunately, there was a slight tremor in his voice that belied the calm facade he was attempting to project. Gritting his teeth, he glared at Maylan, daring the snickering the Retriever to make a snide remark. When the red-haired demon lifted his hands innocently, Harry growled and swung to face the door. "I'm too bad to be good," he spat, stalking to the portal and nearly wrenching the door from its hinges in his haste to leave.
"Whatever helps you sleep, Saint Potter," James drawled, winking at Mortwyn before trailing the raven-haired Retriever from the room.
For a change, or rather for the moment, Harry took the moral high road and chose to ignore the angel. Instead, he focused on the task at hand. War. Just the thought was enough to increase the tempo of his heart and put a spring in his step. An eager smiled played across his features and he broke into a soft-footed lope, unconsciously aware of the eight Retrievers trailing him silently. His chin dipped dangerously, his lips parting as he inhaled deeply, testing the air. A rumble vibrated his chest at the familiar smell of sulphur and brimstone, the eerie sound echoed by the individuals following in his wake. In a counter second, the group took on the appearance and attitude of hunting Hell Hounds, their bodies quivering with barely restrained energy. They moved through the castle like a summer breeze, never slowing or changing course.
It was on the second floor of the castle that Harry stopped abruptly, his right wing snapping open unexpectedly and catching James in the center of the face. The crack of bone was loud, the angel's curse even louder, muffled though it was by his hand. Glancing innocently over his shoulder, the dark-haired Retriever shot a surprised look at the swearing angel, his brows lifting in apparent concern. "My apologies, Porter, I had no idea you were following so closely," he purred sweetly, his eyes darkening to jade as the coppery smell of blood reached his nostrils.
"Wingless bastard," James hissed, cupping his broken nose.
Waggling his sooty wings tauntingly, Harry turned his attention to his kin, lifting a single finger in their direction before turning his attention to the reason for his sudden halt. He moved quietly toward a windowed alcove, coming to a stop directly next to the individual standing before the icy panes. "Albus Percival Wulfric Brain Dumbledore," he greeted the old wizard politely, his glowing orbs sweeping the darkness beyond the glass.
His eyes never moving, Albus tipped his head stiffly and murmured, "Demon." The dark-haired male's amused chuckle tightened his jaw and curled his fingers into fists.
Nostrils flaring, Harry inhaled the ancient wizard's fury and smiled dangerously. "Your students?" He asked, his voice completely devoid of any emotion. A whisper of movement tilted his head, the grin leaving his lips when he realized the other Retrievers were creeping stealthily closer. Emeralds closing apprehensively, he reached for the hilt of his sword in warning, brushing his fingers lightly over the cold metal.
"Safe," Dumbledore snapped, his knuckles whitening. A soft murmur caused him to turn, his eyes widening fearfully as they landed on the group standing bathed in a brilliant white light. He took a nervous step backward, swallowing loudly and anxiously patting the voluminous folds of his robes in search of his wand. When he did locate the slender piece of wood, he withdrew it gracelessly, directing its point at the pack of demons.
"Be not afraid," James said soothingly, stepping forward and arching his gray wings. The light that surrounded him intensified, forcing the Retrievers to retreat into the shadows with disgruntled growls. Offering the wizard a gentle smile, the angel extended his arms and displayed his empty hands. "May the Light of Zeus shine upon you in your time of need." His brow furrowed when the wizard's eyes locked on his upturned palms and remained there. Lips firming, he lowered his gaze to his hands and glared at the blood smeared across his skin before slowly turning his narrowed eyes toward Harry.
"Batshit!" Cadyn coughed loudly.
"Cover your mouth," Braxton complained in disgust, roughly elbowing the smaller Retriever.
Emitting a rumbling snarl, Harry flashed glistening fangs at the tussling pair. "Enough," he barked, tugging on the hilt of his sword until several inches of gleaming iron became visible. With a weary shake of his head, he returned the blade to its sheath and turned his shining eyes back to Dumbledore, disregarding the wand that was leveled at his sternum. "It is in your best interest that all who dwell within this castle remain in the Great Hall until dawn. Should anyone leave the protection of that chamber, their safety cannot be guaranteed. I suggest you keep that in mind, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore." With a faint dip of his chin, he whirled around and slipped back into the shadows, brushing the other Retrievers aside as he went, knowing that they would follow without command.
His long strides chewed up the distance between them and their destination, his pace becoming almost frantic as the other Retrievers swarmed around him. Immediately, upon reaching a distance safely beyond the mortal's range of hearing, the fighting resumed. Exactly like he'd known it would. That thought alone was enough to clench both his jaw and his fists; his teeth beginning an audible grind.
"The Light of Zeus?" Maylan drawled, "That's quite the, ah, demotion, Porter."
"It's an honour!" James snapped back. He glowered in the demon's direction, his sapphire orbs shimmering brightly. As if in testimony of his statement, a soft hum filled the air, the noise accompanying the lightening of the halo encircling his head.
Scoffing, Braxton broke into a light jog, drawing even with Cadyn. "More like an insult," the Retriever muttered softly, his whisper eliciting a snarl of fury from the angel ahead of him.
Harry interrupted the brewing fight with a lifted fist. "We're here," he said, his announcement bringing the pack to a stop. A wicked little smile curved his lips as the Retrievers glanced around in bemusement, their expressions growing more confused with every passing second. The soft chuckle that vibrated his chest was decidedly devilish, as was the wolfish gleam in his orbs. Ignoring the wary eyes now locked on him, he stepped toward a small discreet door and pulled it open, allowing the cold winter wind to rush into the narrow passage. He slipped through the portal and glanced back over his shoulder, arching an eyebrow in silent inquiry before gliding out into the night.
An eerie silence had fallen with the setting of the sun; a silence that boded ill for anyone dumb enough to leave the sanctuary provided by Hogwarts. A sense of danger and doom filled the air and raised the hair at the nape of his neck. Tilting his head back, Harry crept further along the ancient gallery, observing the moonless sky with careful eyes. The place he'd chosen to launch their attack from was a spot he'd discovered on his earlier wanderings of the castle; a forgotten hall that stretched between two of Hogwarts' uppermost towers and overlooked the Forbidden Forest.
"I suppose it'll have to do," James grumbled, trailing along after the excited Retrievers.
Shooting the angel a glare, Harry shrugged his shoulders indifferently and leapt to balance neatly on the stone frame of one of the large windows, tucking his wings tightly against his back. "It's perfect," he purred, leaning forward and peering down at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Goose bumps raced along the exposed skin on his arms and legs, the icy wind stirring the kilt he wore. Attempting to ignore the cold seeping through his body, he reached up and grasped the hilt of his sword, inhaling deeply of the night air.
Sulphur and brimstone filled his nostrils, as did a myriad of other smells that all belonged to the demons hovering just inside the forest. He was dimly aware of the other Retrievers taking their places within the windows that lined the gallery, his senses honing in on the seething mass below. His nostrils flared as he sorted through the various smells carried upon the wind, weeding out the individual scents of several of the more dangerous and powerful demons.
"We should attack now," Mortwyn hissed, hopping up into his window and dropping into a crouch. He lowered a hand to the stone beneath his feet, splaying his fingers for better balance as he raised his chin and sniffed loudly.
"We should wait until they emerge from the trees," Braxton countered, climbing into the window he'd chosen and then sitting. He yawned widely as he dragged his sword from its sheath, laying the blade across the section of his kilt that spilled over his thighs.
"We should use those mortals as bait," Cadyn suggested.
Harry tensed at the other Retriever's seemingly innocent contribution. "Which mortals?" He asked, his mouth strangely dry.
"Why, the three cowering in the bushes over there," Cadyn replied easily. He shot a pleased look at Harry and sighed in disappointment at the expression on the raven-haired Retriever's face. "It was only a suggestion," he grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest sulkily.
Harry stared in open-mouthed disbelief at the students hiding in a small group of shrubs just outside the Forbidden Forest. He closed his mouth with a snap of teeth. "Hades' horns!" When he got his hands on those bloody Gryffindors he was going to tear them apart. He was so engrossed with thoughts of ripping the redhead limb from limb that he almost failed to notice the arrival of Remus and Sirius. In fact, he would have remained completely oblivious to their presence if it weren't for Sirius' jovial greeting. Emerald orbs still locked on the students, he addressed the pair hurriedly. "Remus, once we get those brainless morons out of the middle of our battlefield, I'll need you to take them to the Great Hall."
Arching a brow the Incubus peered around Harry's legs, his gaze going to where the trio huddled. "Of course, Harry," he said pleasantly, secretly happy to be safely away from the war zone. He ruffled his wings against the chilly air streaming around them, curling the heavy appendages forward about his lithe body.
"And take Sirius with you," Harry ordered absently, lifting a hand to forestall the minor demon's protests. He chanced a quick look over his shoulder, rolling his eyes at the expression on Sirius' face. "I'll need the pair of you to keep watch over the Great Hall. Make sure nothing happens there. And if something does go wrong, one of you will need to come and get me."
"Certainly, Harry," Remus replied, bumping Sirius lightly with the edge of one wing. If they did a good deed for the Retriever, their interference with the three mortals last night would be forgotten. Well, at least in his mind it put them all back on level ground.
"Excellent," Harry muttered, his eyes sweeping over the Retrievers quickly. After assessing his brethren carefully, he called out three names and gave a series of graceful hand gestures, directing the trio to retrieve the three mortals and return immediately. He hunkered down to wait as the three Retrievers leapt into the sky, their wings churning the snow that had settled along the window ledges. His eyes narrowed on the group huddled in the brush and he found himself holding his breath as he waited for the three Retrievers to act.
"There," Maylan breathed, "They've got them."
Harry sighed in relief, his emeralds tracking the flight of the three burdened demons. Gritting his teeth, he rose fluidly and stepped back into the gallery to await the group's arrival. He crossed his arms over his chest as the Retrievers landed lightly, unceremoniously depositing the three mortals at his feet. The fingers of his left hand began a rhythmic tap against his right bicep as he waited for them to gain their feet.
"Monster!" The bushy-haired witch shrilled, clambering to her feet. Her eyes widened in recognition as they landed on Harry. One slender finger rising to point at him unnecessarily. "You!" She screeched, the volume of the shouted word causing all nine Retrievers plus James to wince.
"Me," Harry growled, signaling Remus forward with a flick of his index finger. "You will follow him to the Great Hall. You will do it quietly. You will not attempt to run or attack him. If you do any of these, my friend Sirius will pluck the hearts from your chests. And then he will eat them." Staring at him in horror, the three mortals quickly bobbed their heads in agreement, deciding the innocent looking Remus was a much safer bet then any of the demons currently lining the passage.
Shaking his head, Remus whirled around and glided down the corridor, the three students and Sirius trotting along in his wake. He paused to open the door at the end of the hall, ushering the small group through while still watching Harry through calculating eyes. At the raven-haired Retriever's wave of farewell, he nodded his head and bowed shallowly, internally wishing the Retrievers luck, and hoping they wouldn't need it.
Turning back to face his kin, Harry smiled widely, revealing delicate fangs. "Shall we?" He purred, giving a broad wave of his hand in the direction of the Forbidden Forest. The others needed no further urging. With joyful whoops, they launched themselves out into the night, preparing to enforce the laws they were created to protect.
"Walk faster," Sirius grumbled, giving the redhead stumbling along before him a rough shove in the back. He ignored Remus' whispered warning and gave the wizard another poke, nearly causing him to fall. "Why do I always get stuck babysitting?" The minor demon whined, slowing his harried march to carefully re-angle several of the portraits they were passing.
"I constantly ask myself the same thing," Remus mumbled, nearly tripping over his own feet at a massive bang that echoed loudly in the seemingly abandoned castle. He lifted a hand to quiet Sirius, listening intently for any noise that could be considered out of place. A piercing scream drew a whimper from the witch standing between his wings. "Angel wings!" The Incubus cursed softly, glancing over his shoulder at the quartet.
"I'm not a genius or anything, Remus, but I think you should really consider going and getting Harry," Sirius hissed loudly.
Turning to glower at the minor demon, Remus shook his head in disgust. "Thanks for that brain numbing bit of advice, Sirius," he snarled in return. With another wag of his head, he pushed the three mortals toward the minor demon. "Find some place to hide them and then go to the Great Hall. Harry might need you there." That said, he took off in a rustle of wings, leaving Sirius and the trio staring at each other in mutual dislike
"So, uh, where do you guys suggest we hide?" Sirius asked finally.
"Are you going to eat our hearts?" Was the only response he got right before the redhead and the witch grabbed the chubby wizard and took off down the hall like the hounds of Hell were on their heels.
With a sigh, Sirius turned and plodded toward the Great Hall, internally pondering a change of career.
"Harry!" Remus shrieked, plummeting to the earth like a fallen angel. He spread his wings at the last second, halting his descent with a crash of dark feathers. Chest rising and falling rapidly, he ducked a swinging sword and scuttled around a bloody carcass, wincing as a chunk of flesh struck him in the chest. "Harry Potter!"
Tilting his head at the sound of his name, Harry dragged his blade from the gut of a screaming demon, laughing wildly at the other male's screech of pain. "A little busy, Remus!" He hollered loudly, beheading his foe with a careless wave of his sword. Before he could turn to face the panicked Incubus, another rogue slammed into him, a glistening dagger slashing toward his unprotected throat. Emerald orbs flashing, he twisted gracefully, avoiding the thrusting weapon with careless ease. His blade caught the attacking demon across the back, severing his spine and crippling him.
"Voldemort's here!" Remus shouted, weaving between bucking bodies and waving weapons. He grimaced in distaste as a head sailed past him, an arc of blood splattering his wings. Pausing to gingerly swipe at the warm liquid, he almost failed to notice the massive demon charging toward him, his only warning the roar the beast released seconds before collision was imminent.
Harry wheeled around at Remus' announcement, his eyes scanning the battlefield eagerly. "Where?" The dark-haired Retriever demanded, failing to notice the Incubus' dilemma. With narrowed orbs, he whirled to confront the other male, his emeralds widening at the sight of a very bloody and pissed off Incubus standing directly behind him holding the heart of the demon currently writhing upon the ground between them.
"The castle," Remus spat, dropping the heart with a curl of his lips. "He's in the castle."
Harry's eyes immediately went to Hogwarts, his body tensing as realization struck. A distraction. These minor demons were nothing more than a simple distraction. "Maylan!" He roared, unfurling his wings with a snap. "Voldemort's inside!" And so was Draco. Snarling like a feral Hell Hound, he rocketed into the sky, barely aware of the mindless massacre occurring on the ground beneath him.
It seemed like it took him forever to reach the castle and its maze of winding corridors, but it was only milliseconds. Heart pounding at the terrified screams ricocheting through the darkened corridors, he raced toward the Great Hall, his iron sword smoking within his grip. He was seconds away from rushing into the massive chamber when a hand latched onto his hair, the sharp tug dragging him to painful halt. Jerking around with bared teeth, he thrust his blade toward the individual's chest, only the other male's quick reflexes saving him from being spitted.
"Fool!" James hissed, brushing the blade aside with his own. "You'll get yourself killed. Or someone else." Shoving the raven-haired Retriever roughly away, the angel gave him a warning glare before sliding silently toward the open doors, his body pressed tightly against the wall.
Gritting his teeth, Harry quietly followed, his knuckles whitening around the hilt of the sword he clutched. He impatiently crept into the angel's sphere of light, resisting the urge to shove the male out of the way and enter the Great Hall swinging wildly. Fingers wriggling on the golden hilt of his iron blade, he glowered at the back of James' head, internally plotting the angel's demise. "Well?" He finally whispered, nudging the angel with a pointy elbow.
Drawing back, James glanced over his shoulder, shrugging at Harry's murmured query. "It's kind of hard to see." At the narrowing of the Retriever's glowing orbs, he continued," There are students everywhere. Guys in black capes with silver masks as well."
"What of Voldemort?" Harry growled softly, lifting his chin in hopes of detecting the High Court demon by smell. He froze, however, when a cheerful voice called out from within the chamber. The crooned words stilling his heart momentarily.
"I have something of yours, Harry Potter. Something I'll assume you'll be wanting back. Present yourself immediately and I'll even consider returning it in its current condition . . . alive and breathing."
"Let's think about this," James began hurriedly, a heartbeat before he was sent flying across the doorway.
Growling furiously, Harry stormed into the Great Hall, his eyes blazing as he swept the chamber for the High Court demon. A whimper of pain turned his head, his forward march halting abruptly at the sight of Draco dangling from one of Voldemort's skeletal hands. Swiveling on the balls of his feet, he faced the other demon, a hair raising snarl trickling past his lips. His arched wings quivered above his back, his chin dipping as he took a slinking step closer to the pair.
"No further, Retriever," Voldemort purred, lowering Draco so the toes of his boots brushed the floor. He grinned widely at the mortal's whimper of fear, his red orbs dancing at the angered rumble the sound pulled from Harry's chest. "I considered keeping it, I truly did, but I just don't have time for a pet. Ruling a plane is supposedly incredibly time consuming." His grin turned into a sneer and he transferred his grip from the back of Draco's robes to his throat, his fingers tightening slowly.
"Release him!" Harry barked, beginning a stalking glide forward. His senses honed in on the High Court demon, the chaos happening around them fading into the background. He transferred his gaze from Voldemort's hand to Draco's reddening face, his ire growing at the distressed gleam in the blond's pale eyes. "Killing him would be a mistake, Riddle. His death would mean centuries of suffering for you, and I do like making others suffer."
Shrugging aside the threat, Voldemort began to lift Draco higher, his sneer sliding into smug smirk as the mortal began to struggle within his grasp. "You haven't the strength, Potter," he said, carelessly brushing away the small hand scrabbling at his fingers. A crazed laugh left his mouth when Harry lunged forward. Tossing the blond mortal aside, he sprang to meet the raven-haired Retriever, drawing a sword that had been concealed within the folds of his dark robes. The pair slammed together in a clash of metal, straining against each other in the narrow space between two long tables.
"Surrender!" Harry bit out, sliding his steaming blade down the length of Voldemort's. He hissed as flecks of iron flew from the two blades, small bits of metal burning his arms and chest. A savage snarl vibrated his chest and he gave a powerful flap of his wings, the maneuver giving him the strength to shove Voldemort backwards, causing him to stumble and trip over the hem his long robes. Harry stalked him like a wolf scenting blood, a continuous growl flowing past his glistening fangs.
Managing to right himself as the Retriever launched another vicious attack, Voldemort hissed angrily, giving a wave of his empty hand in the dark-haired demon's direction. "Never," he snapped, watching his spell land with gleeful anticipation. No sooner had the magic collided with the Retriever then he sprang forward, raising his blade for a killing blow.
Yelping as Voldemort's show of minor magic burned a hole in his side, Harry hissed loudly and lifted his blade to knock the taller demon's sword aside, gladly accepting the opening the movement made in the High Court male's defenses. "Your death," Harry promised, plunging his blade toward Voldemort's heart.
"Or yours," Voldemort replied, swinging his sword downward suddenly. The movement was made not to prevent Harry's blow from landing, but to seriously injure the Retriever. A maniacal cackle erupted from him as the Retriever's sword sank into his chest, the blade sliding deep. He twisted at the last second, shifting his heart from the sword's path as his own blade connected with Retriever's right shoulder. Harry howled as pain raced through his body, the gash across the upper part of his arm burning alarmingly. He was forced to release his grip on his sword and stagger backwards, barely managing to avoid Voldemort's next wild swing. A quick peek at the injury had him paling, his shimmering emeralds meeting Voldemort's merry red orbs. "What did you do?" He hissed, lifting his hands to repel the High Court demon with magic.
"Liquid iron," Voldemort replied smugly, lifting his sword to admire the length of gleaming metal. His eyes shifted suddenly from the weapon to the doorway, narrowing as the rest of the Retrievers exploded into the Hall with roars of fury. He frowned at the sight, watching in dismay as his Death Eaters fled the scene with wails of terror. Transferring his gaze back to Harry, he arched his brows and said, "Something tells me you've been a very naughty Retriever. Unfortunately, they'll be unable to save you. Liquid iron taints the blood far worse than metal. It flows through your body, corrupting every organ it encounters. Why, even now it's streaming toward your heart."
Harry's eyes widened at Voldemort's statement. "Liar," he rumbled, straightening slowly. He drew a deep breath and rolled his shoulders, advancing toward the High Court demon with his hands extended before him. His aura expanded around him, stretching tendrils of power toward Voldemort.
Reaching down, Voldemort dragged Harry's sword free of his chest and threw it away, ignoring the gaping hole left in his chest. "Believe what you will, Retriever," he murmured, fluctuating his own aura in hopes of chasing Harry's away.
A sudden bellow of unadulterated rage shook the castle.
Harry froze at the sound, his eyes meeting Maylan's across the chamber. Unfortunately, that moment of distraction allowed Voldemort another chance at his heart. A chance that the High Court demon seized. The length of iron struck him high in the chest, missing his heart by mere millimeters.
A grimace of displeasure twisting his features, he lowered his eyes to the sword, watching impartially as smoke rose from the section of exposed blade. The metal was already poisoning his blood; leaching the strength from his body with every second it lingered within his flesh. With a soft hiss, he raised his hands and took the blade between his palms, easing the length of iron from his chest. He grit his teeth and closed his eyes, his chin tipping upward as he fought the yowl of pain that rose to his lips. Finally, with one last tug, the point came free, allowing a stream of blackened blood to slide slowly down his ribs. He gasped loudly, his glowing emeralds popping open just in time to allow him to witness Hades unexpected arrival.
The God of Hell appeared out of nothing. One second he wasn't there, the next, there he was in all his evil glory. Cloaked in black, he pivoted silently, observing the mass of gaping students through eyes of the palest blue. With a disgusted sniff, his glittering orbs narrowed, the reason for his presence upon the mortal plane remembered. "Harry James Potter, come forth," he demanded imperiously, his blue eyes snapping in the direction of a frightened squeak. The flames of the candles floating overhead guttered, shrinking down into their melted pools of wax as if seeking refuge from the angered God. Shadows suddenly writhed along the walls and in the rafters above, causing darkness to fall abruptly upon the Great Hall.
That darkness would have been complete if not for the golden light surrounding James.
"Turn him off! Turn him off," Sirius whispered loudly, only to find himself dragged from beneath the table he'd taken refuge under and towed toward the bemused God. When the magic that held him dissipated, he found himself sprawled at Hades feet, the tall male's pale orbs shimmering eerily down at him. "Ah, greetings, my most feared and revered Lord," the minor demon said respectfully. Unfortunately, he ended his perfectly phrased greeting with a high-pitched giggle, the noise causing Hades brow to furrow worryingly.
Lips pinched, the God glared down at the demon, his orbs darkening dangerously. "Sirius Black," he stated crisply, his gaze shifting from the male laying prostrate at this feet to the angel standing in a pool of heavenly light. "And James Mortimer Porter. What an intriguing combination. One can only wonder what brought the pair of you together . . . or should I say whom?"
Opening his mouth, and then quickly closing it, Sirius swallowed heavily. His gaze darted toward the closest shadows, his face whitening as Hades began to tap the toe of one black boot. "Ah, about that. Crazy story really. I'm sure you'll find it incredibly amus-" He snapped his mouth shut when that taping boot came to rest against the back of his neck, the pressure Hades exerting enough to wring a whimper of fear from his throat. "Voldemort's trying to take over the mortal plane, so Harry had to come stop him 'cause Dwayne can't pick his own nose without assistance, but Voldemort had an army of rebel demons and then Lily showed up and then James arrived and then Harry called for back-up because there was no way he could take on that many demons without help, and, well, here we all are. Are you going to kill me now?"
"Back-up?" Hades repeated angrily, his orbs flashing furiously. He removed his boot from the demon's throat and whirled around, his dark robes snapping with the speed of the movement. His eyes narrowed as he searched the darkness for any other members of his court. "Show yourselves," he barked, snarling angrily at the sobs of fear that escaped the students.
The darkness of the Hall was suddenly broken by a bellowed word. Before the yell had completely faded, the candle flames returned to their normal heights, their glow forcing the shadows to retreat. Revealed by that light was Albus Dumbledore. He stood proudly in front of the Head Table holding his wand before him, Severus Snape and Minerva McGonagall flanking him. Taking a deep breath, the wizard opened his mouth and said, "I command you to leave this place at once!"
Arching a single dark brow, Hades stared in disbelief at the mortal. "You dare command me," he rasped, stepping over Sirius and gliding gracefully toward the trio. His hands rose as he moved, his exposed palms seeming to fill with shadows. The temperature in the Hall rose with his anger, bringing sweat to the foreheads of the young witches and wizards clustered together in the corners of the chamber. An eerie wail filled the room and the entire castle trembled, dust and bits of stone raining down on the strange assembly.
Desperately clutching his wand, the Headmaster drew the tattered remains of his waning courage together and straightened his spine. "You have no authority on this plane, or within this castle, demon. Now, in the name of Zeus, I order you to depart!"
Hissing at the name of his greatest rival, Hades continued to prowl forward, a cloud of darkness settling about his shoulders. "I don't think I like you," the God of Death murmured, the air around him crackling with barely harnessed energy. Above the bravely flickering candles, the shadows twisted and surged, pressing against the barrier that contained them in the rafters. "Unfortunately, I have neither the time nor the inclination to deal with you." And then, instead of finding a solution to his problem, he simply stopped time. Like any God worth his temple and worshipers would have.
Silence washed over the chamber, the peace barely disturbed by the soft whisper of feet over stone. Hades' head whipped around at the sound, his eyes momentarily widening at the sight of eight Retrievers attempting to subtly slip deeper into the shadows behind them. "Halt." The word caused the group to freeze, their shoulders hunching noticeably. Slowly, he turned to face the group, the shadows within his palms slowly disappearing. "It truly amazes me, the tenacity of you Retrievers. It is as if you have no care for your own existence. You are forbidden this plane unless sent here on Hell's business. My business. And yet I find eight of my finest Retrievers breaking the laws I expect them to uphold. Preposterous."
Exchanging uneasy glances, the Retrievers formed a neat line and bowed, dropping to their knees and dipping their wings respectfully. Their eyes followed the path of Hades' boots as he stalked by them, their hearts racing as he halted in front of Mortwyn and rested a delicate hand on the iron sword jutting from between the Retriever's shoulder blades. The sweet hiss of the blade slipping free of its sheath was chilling. Tension mounted as the sword sang sweetly, swinging gently back and forth within Hades grasp. Not a single noise was made by any of the Retrievers, all of them remaining perfectly still like frightened mice before an overly large and hungry cat.
"Do tell me, Maylan, how you came to be here?" Hades asked quietly, lifting the sword to inspect the length of iron with critical eyes. In a swish of black silk, he lowered the blade and turned, pacing back down the line with the sword passing within inches of the Retrievers' noses.
Maylan was given no chance to reply. Instead, Harry's voice filled the silence, strained and weary though it was. The weak sound of his voice lifted the heads of all eight Retrievers, bringing their eyes to where he and Voldemort stood.
"I summoned them, my lord. They were given no choice but to answer," Harry ground out, leaning back against the wall behind him for support. Blood dribbled down his chest in wide rivulets and stars sparked behind his eyes. He lowered his emerald orbs but refused to bow, not trusting Voldemort to mind his manners while he was in such an assailable position. And also because he was suddenly feeling unsure of whether or not he'd be able to regain his feet without assistance.
"A Retriever always has choice," Hades said, taping the side of his leg with the iron blade. His gaze shifted from the quickly paling Retriever to the High Court demon standing just beyond him, an expression of extreme innocence plastered across his snake like features. Fingers tightening around the sword, the God of the Underworld prowled toward the pair. Each step he took echoed ominously within the cavernous chamber. "Killing one of my Retrievers carries a death sentence, Tom. As does treason."
Bowing elegantly from the waist, Tom Marvolo Riddle straightened slowly, his gaze sliding nervously away from Hades. "I have committed neither crime, my lord," he stated politely, shuffling back a step. "And I believe there is no evidence of my having broken either rule."
In a fit of anger Hades stormed forward, snatching Harry by the side of the neck as he swept by him and dragging him ruthlessly in his wake. Halting directly before the High Court demon, the God of Death thrust the dark-haired Retriever forward, giving him a rough shake for emphasis. "He dies," he snarled, "Of iron poisoning. From a wound you dealt him." His announcement was met with growls of outrage from the kneeling Retrievers and a loud gasp from James.
"He may yet live," Voldemort said sullenly, his red orbs darting anxiously in the direction of the suddenly standing Retrievers. His tongue flicked over his thin lips and he took a small step backwards, his body tensing as Hades emitted a soft hiss of warning.
Pale eyes dipping to the still bleeding hole in the Retriever's chest, Hades arched a brow before allowing his orbs to once again meet Voldemort's. "Doubtful," he said calmly, releasing Harry and watching as the dark-haired male collapsed reluctantly to his knees. His nose wrinkled when the young Retriever coughed blood over the stone floor, several droplets managing to find the toes of his boots. "Should he live, it will not change your fate. Your order of execution was signed long ago. However, the fact you had the audacity to attempt to slay one of my most favoured Retrievers does change the manner of your death. I had planned on watching you suffer within the deepest, darkest pits of Hell, but I no longer find that thought appealing. No, I have a far better idea now. And James Porter shall be the one to see it carried through."
"My lord, no!" Voldemort gasped loudly, sinking to his knees and clasping his hands together pleadingly. An expression of pure horror twisted his features, his red orbs swinging in the angel's direction. "I'm sorry, sire! It was a mistake! A terrible mistake." He scrabbled forward on his hands and knees, shoving Harry aside so he could wrap his arms around Hades' legs.
"I am no longer your lord," Hades snarled, sending Voldemort skittering backwards across the stone with a deft flick of his wrist. His eyes blazed as he gazed down at Harry's quivering form, his ears closed to the High Court demon's deafening cries for mercy. "Such a waste," he muttered regretfully.
Harry trembled upon the cold stone, his blood boiling within his veins. His fingers curled and straightened against his will, his wings fluttering like those of a broken butterfly. Blood trickled slowly from his nose and his back arched suddenly, the abrupt jerk flinging his head back until the tendons in his throat stood out. A gasp of pain slid over his lips, the sound harsh even to his ears. "My lord," he coughed, not knowing who else to address. His lashes dipped and when he managed to lift them, he found himself staring into a pair of familiar gray orbs.
Draco. The young mortal was frozen beneath a nearby table, his eyes impossibly wide and glistening with unshed tears. A few feet from the blond lay the sword that had undoubtedly killed Harry, his blood still smoking on its blade.
"Most favoured Retriever?" Voldemort screamed suddenly from where he was sprawled. He shakily stood, leveling a finger at the dying demon. "Your dearest pet has betrayed you far worse than I have. Look at the mark upon his forehead, Hades, and see how your treasured Retriever repays you!" A hand wrapped tightly around his throat and he was encompassed in a brilliant white light, the glow burning his eyes even as his ears rang with the holy sounds of a heavenly chorus. In a flash, both angel and demon vanished, Voldemort's terrified scream ringing through the Great Hall.
Whimpering as fiery fingers buried themselves within his gut, Harry writhed upon the stone, completely unaware of the fact that Hades had wrenched his head back. His nails dug at the floor beneath him, leaving deep furrows in the ancient rock. Death tore at him mercilessly, wringing gasps and grunts from his throat. "My lord," he managed to sputter again.
Teeth grit in anger, Hades tightened his grip on the dark locks twined about his fingers. "It would also seem that I'm no longer your Lord, Potter," he hissed, narrowed orbs locked on the lightning bolt scrawled across the Retriever's brow. A roar of fury flew from his lips and the candles guttered, the wind beyond Hogwarts' walls moaning mournfully. "Zeus!" He screeched, straightening to his full height and glaring at the ceiling. When his yell received no response, he rumbled angrily and swung to face the silent Retrievers, his face reddening with his growing anger.
"My lord," Maylan murmured, dropping liquidly to one knee. "What would you have of us?" His orbs shimmered brightly but his face was expressionless, his voice emotionless.
Sweeping their surroundings with a disdainful glare, Hades hissed loudly. "A dagger, Maylan, an iron dagger." His eyes dropped to the raven-haired Retriever dangling from his fingers, his lips curling at each gurgling breath the male fought for. Potter could, perhaps, be saved. But was the Retriever really worth the effort? He was ignorant and disobedient. He didn't make requests, only demands. His accomplishments were many, his failings few and far between. But one never truly recovered from iron poisoning. The fatal metal would always be within the Retriever's body, making him weak and slow. Better to kill him now, Hades acknowledged, rather than have him slain by a lesser demon later. Lifting his blue eyes, he stared at the Retrievers standing before him, sensing mutiny in the air and seeing it within their shimmering orbs. "Give me your blade, Maylan."
"You would kill one of your most loyal servants?"
Eyes closing, Hades drew a deep calming breath before turning to face the individual who had asked the impertinent question. "You and your lord have meddled quite enough in my business, Evans," he bit out, loosening his grip on Harry so the Retriever slumped back down onto the floor.
"Give him to me," Lily urged, striding effortlessly forward. Her emerald orbs shone eerily, her daisy white wings arching above her head. "Allow me to save him, Lord Hades." She swept closer to where the small group stood, moving within a sphere of golden light. Within the rafters, the shadows slowed and settled, the flames of the candles stretching slowly upward.
"You think he would appreciate that? Me giving him over to you to be turned into a harp wielding pigeon?" Hades shook his head and lifted a hand lazily, the gesture causing the eight milling Retrievers to vanish. A similar flick of his wrist had Sirius disappearing from where he had been sprawled. Lowering his gaze to the Retriever at his feet, he smiled slowly, his pale orbs glowing with a feral light. "I think I'll keep him just as he is. Forever suffering. Dying slowly from the iron pumping through his veins. He'll make a wonderful example to those who'd think to betray me as Tom Riddle did, don't you think?" Giving a small laugh, the God of Death disappeared, taking Harry with him.
As the normal flow of time resumed, Lily stood within the center of Hogwarts' Great Hall, her wings drooping sadly. She turned slowly, sweeping the frightened faces of the students with weary eyes. With a soft sigh, she lifted her hands and began weaving a small spell, erasing the past few minutes from the memories of the mortals. Well, from the memories of most of the mortals.
A/n: Yah, it's not quite what I expected either, but it'll have to do. For some reason, no matter how long I sat and stared at my computer, I couldn't figure out how to end this any other way. There is of course one final chapter, wherein we find out what exactly happens to Harry. Anyway, thanks to everyone who took the time to read and review. Apologies for any disappointments, but it's been an overly long and tiring trip and I'm ready for the end.