Disclaimer: Not mine.
The Uninvited
Chapter 29
Abigail took a step back, hearing the bricks open again, and was pushed aside as Tom took off running in the direction of the explosion. Abigail could only stand and look after him. She did not recognize the loud noise for what it was, anymore than most of the people out for a day of shopping. A large noise attracted attention, and most went to see what was happening, instead of running away.
Abigail looked around as the bricks slid shut. She only had one direction to go in, so she took it. Tugging her hood, to make sure it was secure, she hurried down the pavement. Soon taken up by a pulsing crowd, intent of discovering the source of the noise, she found herself pushed further into the Alley.
When the second explosion was followed by a third, the crowd stopped en masse. People began milling around, straining their necks forward to see the cause. The fourth explosion rocked the very ground, and screams of 'Death Eaters' and 'Attack' reached her ears.
Abigail had no place to run. She did what instinct told her, she ran for the only place in the Alley she knew, she ran to Flourish and Blotts. Trapped, unable to apparate, unable to use magic, she could only skirt around fallen bricks, and hide in the smoke issuing from burning buildings. She kept going further and further into the carnage without thinking, keeping the wall that sealed off her emotions firmly in place.
She was pushed by wizards hurrying to protect their families and knocked down by witches, clutching their children to them and running for safety. Her hood had fallen back but no-one noticed the stumbling witch. She tried to hide, to find somewhere to shelter herself. Looking around she saw a flash of red hair and ran to it.
Thinking that it was the arm of one of the Weasley twins, she grabbed hold. The face that turned to hers was not the one she sought, it was cold and harsh. The wizard sneered and pushed her down, then looked closely at her.
"You're Snape's whore!" He leaned down to spit in her face. "Are you here to gloat you bitch?"
He turned to the small crowd of people taking shelter in the doorway of a store, and drew their attention to her.
"Here's that Reyes bitch!" He turned his wand to her. "Ministry says she is worth 5,000 Galleons, and I plan on collecting."
Abigail started crawling backwards, trying to gain as much distance from them as she could. Behind her, in the open street, curses flew and Death Eaters were arriving in greater numbers, before her an angry mob was starting to form. She was sure a curse would hit her any second and steeled herself against the pain.
One of the wizards picked up a fallen brick from the ground and pelted it at her. She winced and sucked in her breath as it hit her back. Another caught her arm, forcing her down onto the pavement, still on her knees she lowered her head and wrapped her other arm around her head, trying to cradle the injured one under her, as a third sent a searing pain to her side.
A rustle of black cloth blacked out the light between her and the crowd. She felt the same movement of cloth behind her. The person behind her roughly pulled her to her feet, a wand pushed into her throat, and his chest pushed into her back. She tried to look around, but the only thing she could see was the dark mark on the arm that held the wand at her throat.
The wizard in front turned and leaned close to her. "He has been looking for you," the half-silver mask hissed.
"Lucius, take her to the clearing. The Dark Lord may have use of her later." Her head snapped up at the sound of his voice, even as an arm tightened around her throat.
Lucius Malfoy roughly spun her around to him. He looked over her shoulder to the other Death Eater, nodded once, and spun her away. Landing in the Forbidden Forest, in the same clearing Severus had first seen her, she looked around confused at why she should be brought here.
She frowned as he pulled at her arm roughly and fought to look at the clearing, not understanding what she was looking at. The clearing was enlarged. In the middle was a large stone set up like an altar. She turned cold and struggled against Lucius.
"No! Let me go or use that wand you fucking coward! I won't let him have me!"
"Shut up you fool," he hissed, and continued to pull her roughly until they stood in the shadows of the great trees.
"You fool," he hissed at her. "Why were you there? You almost blew his cover."
"It was a mistake." She tried to pull her arm from him, "I was looking for my children."
"You damned fool! Do you know what is going on?" He pushed her down to the ground and pointed his wand at her, "I have a good mind just to rid him of you myself."
"Fuck you Malfoy." She craned up her neck and spat at him. "I want my children. You know where they are and I demand them back."
"Not the little wilting witch he thinks I see," he said lowering the wand then lifting it quickly to clean off her spittle. "He has this foolish notion that you need to be protected."
"I don't want anything from him. I only need to know where they are." She stood up and faced him angrily.
Lucius looked at her, tossing his silver hair over his shoulder and stepping closer.
"If he is distracted by you his life will be over," he paused, "If you let that happen I will lose my family as well. In that, I will take my revenge on you. Are we clear?"
"If you lose them it's because you gave them away. I had mine taken." She stepped closer refusing to back down. "If my children are hurt I will hunt down and hurt yours. Are we clear?"
His left hand shot out and grabbed her arm as his right raised to strike her. Pausing, he stopped, released her and stepped back. Then pointing to the direction that Hogwarts stood in, he hissed at her.
"There, hide." He came close and grabbed her chin, "Hide and pray to whatever gods you believe in that he survives. By the grace of his life you live."
"Lucius, I do mean it. Even after all you have done for me, after all you mean to him, I will do it." She started to hurry away but stopped at the outer rim of the clearing. "Lucius, it would best for you to keep him safe. I mean what I say. I unlike you, have nothing else to lose."
Abigail walked to the castle with trepidation. She was afraid of the reception she would receive, and her mind raced to find other solutions. She turned suddenly and sprinted to the side of the castle, heading toward the entrance that would lead her directly to the dungeons. She slipped her sore arm inside her robes, using the space between the buttons as a sling to support it.
She found the door without much of a problem and was relieved when the wards still recognized and opened to her. She ran down the corridor toward Severus' chambers. She rounded the corners and sped faster as she got nearer, at a full run she flew down the last hallway falling into a heap by the door.
The door would not allow her in. She could not break his chamber wards without magic. She ran down to her old rooms, thinking she may be able to gain entry there. When she was again refused, she began trying each door in the hallway. She moved quickly, she had to hide. Then, hearing footfalls, she looked up to see Remus and Minerva, wands out, approaching her.
She looked at them and pressed herself against the wall, she was not sure of this, not sure at all. She turned to run as Remus reached out for her, but slipped on the damp stones and almost fell before his arms grabbed her.
"It's fine Abigail, calm down," he said in his calm voice then noticed her arm. "What's this?"
"Nothing, I fell," she muttered.
"We couldn't find you in the rubble, we thought the worse."
"Rubble?"
"Let's just say Severus owes you a new house," he grinned. "Be glad you weren't home."
"My dear, we heard the wards setting off and thought maybe a student had wandered down here." Minerva came over to her, "Why child, you are shaking, whatever is the matter."
.
"I was in Diagon Alley," Abigail started, "It is awful, the dead are… my house… it's not just going on in the Alley?"
"I know, I know my dear," Minerva came over and wrapped her arms around the girl. "The final battle has begun."
"Minerva," Remus said, "Now that we know it is only her I have to join the rest. The order left already, and … I need to find Tonks."
"Oh my Gods Remus, is she in the Alley?" Abigail cried, suddenly realizing that everyone she knew would be in danger.
"She is on duty today, I imagine she is there," he said softly. Clenching his jaw, he turned and walked away.
Minerva led the witch down the corridor and up through the hallways to the Great Hall. The castle was quiet, the students standing in small clusters talking softly, whispering the news delivered by owls. They walked up to the head table, Minerva's heels clicking on the stone floor, echoing though the vast empty room and sat as Minerva ordered tea.
"Minerva," Abigail started, "I was forced to come here. I never would have done this myself."
"Why ever not girl?" Minerva raised an eyebrow. "We consider you part of our family."
Abigail pressed her lips together and swallowed hard, trying not to cry at Minerva's statement.
"I just thought, after Albus," she could not finish her thoughts.
"I know it is hard child," Minerva said. "I too was having a hard time accepting what had happened. I once had an old student sent to Azkaban. We doubted him. Of course there were witnesses, and we foolishly did not question. We were horribly wrong. The poor boy was innocent and we all deserted him. Every last one of us. I won't desert him Abigail. Until I can look in his face and see for myself that he has turned against us again I will not desert him."
"You mean he didn't do it?" Abigail clutched Minerva's hand and looked at her hopefully.
"No, my dear. I mean I do not know," Minerva said sadly. "However, I refuse to say that Severus murdered him yet. There is more to it. Keep your faith in him my dear, keep your trust."
"Minerva, if this is the final battle, will it come here?" she said with as much bravado as she could muster.
"Yes, I am afraid it shall," Minerva said sipping her tea. "I am afraid that many of our loved ones will be lost tonight. We will end this here."
"Harry Potter is here? He has returned then?"
"Yes, he was searching for the last Horcrux, but is now with us." Minerva lifted her chin.
"Minerva, do you think Harry can really defeat the Dark Lord?" Abigail put the question out.
"Prophecies are often worded to confuse. That is until everything is over and we understand its meaning. Stuff and nonsense most of them." Minerva sipped her tea slowly. "I think only that Harry will be the tool. I believe those that love him will find the best in themselves tonight. And, the fact that a child leads them will give them courage they did not have before. However, we will lose many tonight."
"Minerva, where are my children?" Abigail guessed correctly that Minerva knew.
"They are safe, magicless and safe," she said with no expression. "They were given to a Muggle family to watch over. If this war ends as we hope you will get them back."
"And? Finish the answer Minerva." She stood hissing at the older witch. "If the war does not end as we wish, then what happens?"
"Then, I am afraid it will not matter." Minerva answered evenly.
"How dare you?" Abigail raged.
"How dare Severus my dear." Minerva looked down her nose. "Have you seen the Daily Prophet? Would you rather them safe and alive, or dead in your arms? As soon as that filthy rag hit the streets their life was over. Severus contacted me, he ordered that this be done or his help would be withdrawn. I am also ordered to give you this." Minerva reached into her pocket and withdrew a small vial of a black swirling liquid.
Looking at Abigail coldly she handed it to her.
"If you are taken, this will be your only escape. We are in agreement that the Dark Lord will not make the same mistake of allowing you to escape this time." Minerva turned and walked away. "Follow me."
Abigail looked at the tiny vial of poison in her hands, and then slipping it into her pocket followed Minerva.
"I am putting you in a room above the dungeons. I fear that if enough destruction takes place you may be trapped," she said as she walked briskly. "The hospital wing was placed in the centre of the towers because it is the safest structure at Hogwarts. Your room will be next to it."
She pushed open a door, and allowed Abigail to enter first. The two witches looked around at the sparse furnishings. The room held only a bed, a small table and one chair.
"You only need this for a few hours. I hope it meets your needs." Minerva looked around sadly.
"It is fine Minerva, more than I expected," Abigail said honestly.
"I will ask you to stay in here." Minerva raised her hand as Abigail started to protest. "I have students here that must be protected. I will not have anyone lost to protect you. Your lack of magic will put you and whoever tries to help you in danger nor will I send you through the tunnel. With no magic you would only get in the way in Hogsmeade."
"Perhaps, when it is over I can help Poppy?" she asked, "Minerva, I just need to do something."
"Perhaps Poppy could use some help getting ready," Minerva smiled weakly.
Abigail spent the rest of the afternoon helping Poppy to set up the main ward. She told Abigail to remove all mirrors, to reduce the amount of glass available to be hurled through the air. For the same reason she pushed the beds as far away from the window as she could. She helped Poppy put vials of pain potion and blood replenishers near to the beds for easier access. Without magic, it took her much longer than it took the other helpers, but she stayed with it. She wanted to help. She wanted this over.
When the preparations were complete she quietly asked Poppy to heal her arm, and to lessen the pain in her side. When her skin was exposed, Poppy sucked in her breath and looked up at her in shock.
"You should have said something sooner. The bruising is complete and will be sore for a while now."
"Sore is better than what it was," she smirked. "Not to mention my arm is much better. Thank you."
"How bad is Diagon?" Poppy couldn't look directly at her.
"Bad." Abigail stood up and walked away, unable to say more.
A quiet fell over the castle as Abigail was in her room. Poppy carried in a dinner tray explaining that the elves were busy with their own plans and would not be available to her for the rest of the evening. Abigail sat quietly looking down at the tray Poppy had left before pushing it away and standing to snuff out the rooms candles. She slid down the wall and closed her eyes, not even able to find her peace in the darkness as she called out to her mother, begging her to watch over the children.
She heard the running of feet and the shouts of children long before she heard the fighting. Great thundering roars filled the castle. At times, the very floor shook and she covered her ears and sobbed. Jumping to her feet, she paced in the dark. She wanted her magic. She was hungry for it. After an interminable length of time feeling kept there like a child, like a waif afraid of a fight, she stood and decided to take action.
She opened the door and stepped into the hallway. Peeking around the corner towards the hospital ward, she saw that the beds were still empty and she ran in and grabbed some of the potions, slipping as many as she could carry into her pockets, before running to where the sounds of the battle were coming from. At least she could help the wounded.
A Seventh Year lay against the outside wall moaning in pain. She ran over and grabbing him under the armpits, pulled him across the hallway into one of the many alcoves that lined the halls. There was no visible blood, but Abigail knew that from the way his hand hung that the wrist was broken.
She pulled off his robes, ripping along the sleeve to leave the injured arm unmoved. Tearing the fabric as best she could, she fashioned a sling and poured a vial of pain potion down him, tying the sling around his neck and gingerly putting his arm into it.
"Sorry, I can't do more," she apologized as she helped him up. "Wait in the hospital wing, Poppy can fix that it no time."
"Nah, it's my left arm," he grinned running back to the battle, holding his wand in his right hand.
She followed the way he had run, assisting where she could, but most of the injuries were far beyond her abilities. She could hear the yells and curses up ahead, getting as close as she could without coming out of the shadows.
Great chunks of the walls were missing. Death Eaters poured into the school, with mere students repelling them. Standing two abreast the Sixth and Seventh Years were hurling curses together. Each hit to a Death Eater carried the magic and power of two. She smiled at the sight of kids defeating the Dark Lords minions.
Turning, she ran further into the battle. Then without warning, she heard the very castle gasp and the battle seemed to still around her. She felt Severus' power simmer through the halls. She felt it, and called to him before falling against the wall and grabbing her head in pain. Blackness hovered around the edges of her mind and through the pain she saw Severus' face. Reaching up she tried hold it, before she was forced to surrender to the darkness that claimed her.
She woke to a silence so profound that the very castle seemed to be aware of it. She stood and walked through the halls and down to the lower levels before she heard the wails. Bodies seemed to be everywhere and the walls were lined with students waiting for a Healer, as she walked into the Great Hall.
She saw Molly, standing near one of her sons. His dead body lay on the table and the family circled around her, as if protecting her grief.
She saw a shock of pink hair and ran to the table which held both Remus, and his love. Looking at the kind and gentle wizard, she picked up his hand and brought his fingers to her lips. Then, she took Tonks' hand and laid the two back down together. She could not hear the sounds of the castle any longer. She could not think.
She walked amongst the dead looking for, but not wanting to find him. She knew he would not be here with the students, the brave order members, the fighters of light. But she could not make her feet turn to search the Death Eaters. She could not accept it.