Screams echoed around Diagon Alley as wizards ran to escape the impending hoard of Death Eaters. Several men and women stayed to fight, but most fled or Disapparated if they were able. The cloaked figures wreaked havoc upon the crowded alley; sending out spouts of flame to burn shops, stupefying children and adults, and even going as far to use the cruciatus curse on those who stood up to them. It was when the first death occurred; a young man no older than his mid-twenties, which the real wreckage began. Without so much as a warning of their arrival, the once peaceful Diagon Alley was ill-prepared for such an attack.
Harry Potter was running as fast as he could, chasing one of the darkly-cloaked figures, who bore the name Caine Renwick. He cackled as the boy chased him behind several shops, and he only grinned wider as he saw that the boy's guardians got blocked by his followers. The boy was going to die today, of that Renwick had no doubt. Figuring that they had a good head start, Renwick turned around and ran at the stunned boy. While the Potter boy was surprised, he took that time to latch onto Potter's arm and Disapparate them to a small field outside the city. His followers would be telling Sirius Black and Remus Lupin where he'd gone to with Potter, and when they arrived, all they'd find would be young Mr. Potter's body. Renwick's spine chilled with anticipation.
Harry was knocked off balance as his feet were reacquainted with the earth. He had been totally shocked when Renwick had suddenly turned and grabbed onto his arm before they Disapparated. Looking around at his new surroundings, he saw that they were in a small grassy field, and the sun shone down on them. It seemed too peaceful of a day to be facing a Death Eater. Caine Renwick was several yards away from him, and was watching him intently.
"I must thank you Harry," Renwick said as he grinned; only marring his destroyed features further. "By separating yourself from Sirius and Remus, you've only made everything all the easier."
Harry bristled and held his wand at the ready. "You're not going to hurt them," he said defiantly. "They've both gone through too much to lose it because of you." A deep protective feeling settled within Harry. He couldn't help but wonder why he felt so protective of the two men he hardly knew.
Laughter filled the air. "Oh you stupid boy! They're going to lose all the happiness they ever had as soon as they find your body! But I am curious about one thing. Why is it that you would willingly come here, knowing that you didn't stand a chance against me, for two people you hardly know?"
A realization settled upon Harry at that moment, and it made him smile. I've been totally blind. I told myself that I didn't really feel emotionally attached to either of them, but I was lying to myself. Looking straight into Renwick' eyes, Harry said "It doesn't matter that I hardly know them, or the fact that they were friends of my father, or even that I cared for them as a baby. What is important is how I know them now! I love Sirius, and Remus. They're both the fatherly figures that I've so desperately needed, and you won't harm them! Stupefy!"
Renwick dropped the grin and a savage expression crossed his face as he jumped out of the way of the stunning-spell. "Sectumsempra!" Harry was barely able to dodge the oncoming spell. What spell was that? Something told him that he didn't really want to know, as it totally destroyed the section of ground it had hit.
"Petrificus Totalus!" shouted Harry as he sent the spell flying towards Renwick. Disappointment filled him as Renwick dispersed the spell with a simple flick of his wand.
"You foolish child!" Renwick said as he took a few steps towards Harry. "You think you can kill me with only three years of lessons in the Dark Arts? I'll rip you apart, and then Sirius, Remus, and all the Weasleys as well. All of their deaths will be on your head, as by knowing you, you've doomed them all. They'll all die slowly, painfully, and I will make sure they grovel for death before I give it to them. Oh, how I'll take pleasure in hearing them scream."
A deep loathing filled Harry as his vision went red. Anger seeped from every pore as he stood up straight. Not really comprehending what he was doing, Harry darted at Renwick and shouted "Crucio!"
A loud yell escaped Renwick as his body hit the ground. Pain filled his body, but then it slowly dispersed. With a cackle, he stood up once more, shocking Harry. What did I do wrong? Harry thought desperately, as he backed away a bit from the laughing figure. "That was a good shot Potter, but you have to mean it when you cast that curse! You have to really want to cause me pain. I'll show you how it's really done. Crucio!"
The familiar feeling of iron-hot knives stabbing him all at once was not a welcomed feeling. Clinging to his wand, Harry collapsed to the ground as the spell went on. Time was meaningless as the pain continued, never relenting and only getting worse. Somewhere in the background, Renwick was laughing manically as he watched Harry curl in on himself, shaking with pain. It was impossible to focus on anything, and he began to find himself wishing for death, to make the pain stop.
After several long torturous minutes, the pain stopped. Harry lay quivering on the ground and was vaguely aware of a shadow looming over him. Peering up, he saw that Renwick's wand was pointed straight at his heart. "Avada Ke-"
"Stupefy!" shouted a familiar voice. Renwick collapsed to the ground beside Harry and struck his head hard upon a rock, rendering him unconscious. "HARRY!" Before Harry could respond, he blacked out.