Title:Game Without Tears
Disclaimer: I do not own, wish I did, but I don't. I only own my plot line. Full disclaimer, first chapter.
Author: ShaeLynn Teelle
All other information: See first chapter.
Polite constructive criticism welcome. FLAMES WILL BE FED TO THE DRAGON IN MY BED.
Chapter 32: Army of a Thousand
The door to the Room of Requirement was already open. Snape stood beside it waiting, his expression forbidding. The five ignored the man as they followed Remus into the room. It was a large circular area, no dueling platform for which they were grateful. The walls were all a light gray and though there were no windows, the stones seemed to make the room glow as if the room was a giant window on its own.
There were eight other adults in the room beyond Snape and Remus. Professor McGonagall was there along with Hagrid and Madam Maxine, the Beauxbatons Headmistress. The five Slytherins recognized the Weasley patriarch and one of the two older boys they hadn't officially met. The remaining two were Alastor Moody and a large black man that was dressed in Auror robes whom stood beside Tonks.
None of the adults made a move to introduce themselves, though Tonks gave a small smile of encouragement to the group. The five decided to ignore the adults entirely and began to ready themselves. They chose a space at the wall to the other side of the door and Pansy and Daphne set up shields there. Spells could be cast out from the inside, but nothing could pass through from the outside.
Pansy and Daphne left their robes on, though both remained open. Daphne removed her socks and shoes, ignoring the surprised murmuring from the adults. Vincent took his robes off, allowing the adults in the room to see the long dagger strapped horizontally at his back for the first time. There was only one cry of outrage at that, but it was quickly hushed.
Then, Gregory took off his robes. He only wore a tight vest and trousers underneath, but he had bracers strapped to his forearms that reached from his wrists to his elbows. In the bracers were three throwing knives each, charmed to return to their sheaths minutes after throwing and unbreakable. He pulled one out, carefully flipping it once in the air before returning it to its leather sheath.
Draco was the last to remove his robes and reveal a rather unsettling sight to the adults. He wore a sleeveless shirt and a split robe that also had no sleeves. The Dark Mark stood out on his forearm, giving a number of the adults their first look at the image on human skin. His trousers were tight, but easily allowed movement and he wore short dragon-hide boots.
The five walked to the center of the room after leaving their things in the shielded area. They each had their wands out and split into two sides. Draco and Vincent took one side, facing the shielded area. Pansy, Daphne, and Gregory took the other side. Daphne reached one hand into a pocket and pulled out a handful of brightly painted stones which she tossed down to the ground between the two sides. As though the signal, Pansy followed the stones immediately with a pain curse in Draco's direction.
What followed for the next two and a half hours had the adults watching in shock. The only one that fought for the entire time was Draco and every moment his face was set with grim determination. He would dodge many of the spells, saving his shields for the stronger curses from Daphne. If he sent any curses stronger than mid power level, or any basic dark arts, he first threw a shielding charm at whomever he was sending the curse at.
The small stones that Daphne had thrown down didn't come into play until nearly an hour into the battle, almost as though they had been forgotten. Daphne was the first to use them by bringing one up and transfiguring it into a mirror to reflect a blinding curse back towards Draco. Then, between Draco, Daphne, and Pansy, the stones were slowly being destroyed as they were transfigured into bludgers that were blown apart or used to absorb curses that ended on impact. By the end Draco had easily cast twice as many spells as the others and only his hard breathing and sweatsoaked shirt gave evidence.
It had quickly become apparent after the first pain curse that Pansy's offensive spells were limited and the higher-level ones were not as strong as they should be. But her defensive abilities were well above average. She protected both herself and Gregory with her shields and other defensive blocks against the curses Draco sent at them. She was the first to break from the fight and remove herself to the shielded area to rest.
Daphne was the only one that truly gave Draco any challenge. She was proficient in both her defensive and offensive spells, though she chose which to use very carefully. She only rested after Pansy had returned to the fight and even there she would fire off the random hex or jinx at any of the others, all but a few bouncing off the personal shields the adults hadn't realized they were all using.
Painfully obvious was the fact that Gregory and Vincent were lacking in power with their spells. Their wands were used sparingly, though always in their hands, slowly building enough power and concentration before releasing a spell. The magic they used was well chosen and what they couldn't do with their wands, they made up for physically. Their personal shields were the only ones they used. When a spell aimed for them, they dodged.
None of the other adults in the room had any thought that their sizes allowed them to move with such speed, nor such practiced ease even when the spells were cast barely six feet away. When the first throwing knife was released by Gregory, Remus had to throw up his own shield to prevent those standing with him to interfere. They had watched as Draco, seemingly unaware of the object, suddenly spun completely around, flicking the edge of his strange robes up in the process before continuing his spell work as the blade fell harmlessly to the floor from within the folds of his robe.
Gregory's blades changed targets for a bit after that and the adults were treated to a sight that was a mere shadow to what the other Slytherins had been witness to multiple times. Vincent was able to dodge the knives or deflect them with his own blade even as the two continued to send their occasional spells.
Even the Order members that refused to accept the group had to admit that IF they were on their side, they were a proficient group to have against the Death Eaters. From within the shielded area Pansy quietly snorted when those words came out of Moody's mouth. There was a responding laugh from Tonks whom had come over to them and heard the girl's response.
"Don't mind Moody. You all were very good out there. I'm glad you're on our side. I know you'll protect Harry." Tonks gave them all an encouraging nod, "Remus and I will escort you lot back to your rooms. There's about an hour left before dinner will begin. Do you want to come hear the buzz of the Great Hall?"
"Sure, cousin," Draco answered as Daphne began to laugh at the woman's words.
They all picked up their discarded things and tiredly followed the werewolf and the metamorphmagus from the room. An hour later Tonks opened the portrait and the five ready Slytherins exited into the hallway. Waiting for them was Hagrid, surprising each of them.
"I just wanted you all to know that I stand by you. I don't care what the other Order members have to say, I believe that you are on our side and I'm proud of you," Hagrid said, his accent heavy through the short speech.
The five smiled at the giant, an act they had never done as one to any save Harry and Daphne's mother. Then, Pansy made a move that surprised even the other Slytherins. She went up to Hagrid and hugged the half-giant around his extended middle. Hagrid patted her back gently in his shock and the other five in the hallway began to clap quietly. Pansy pulled back and stared up at the man, sincerity in her eyes.
"I have always enjoyed your classes, Professor. I'm just sorry that I was never able to show you that."
Hagrid nodded to her, the others all able to see the tears that had gathered in his eyes. To save the half-giant from embarrassment, Tonks ushered the Slytherins down the hallway. Hagrid trailed after them, trying to discretely wipe his eyes until Daphne handed him a hanky, which was dwarfed within his large hand. They shared an understanding smile as they walked down the hallway.
They were all just a turn away from the Great Hall when they heard a slightly nervous voice call out to Harry. The group stayed around the corner in the hallway so as not to interrupt anything. They all heard the stammered apology from Ron and Harry's acceptance of it as his friend simply being himself. The voices grew distant as they moved to the Great Hall and it was only then that the group moved from their own hallway to trail into supper
\/\/\/\/\/
The next afternoon almost everyone from the Order had gathered in the Great Hall. The head table was covered with maps and written plans for the final battle. The Weasleys had yet to arrive and the Slytherins were still absent as well. They had officially been told the password for their suite just that morning and were allowed to move about the school freely, though no one had seen them since the password had been given.
Dumbledore knew that there were some in the Order that didn't believe the Slytherins were on their side or that they hadn't run as soon as they could, but there would be nothing he could do to persuade the disbelievers. He had his own misgivings, but believed that the five defectors would prove them wrong in their own time. The first major hurdle would be if they appeared for the final battle meeting they had been invited to.
Harry was already present as he had been there most of the day already working with Remus. Shortly before the time the meeting was to begin, the Great Hall doors silently opened without even Dumbledore being aware for the second before a voice spoke.
"Headmaster."
Everyone turned to see two newcomers at the Great Hall doors.
"Miss Davis, Mr. Zabini, what brings you here at this time?" Dumbledore asked.
"We've come to help for the final battle," Tracey said calmly.
"And how did you find out about what was happening?" Remus asked.
"Daph was not the only Slytherin in the DA, Professor Lupin. And we've brought reinforcements," Blaise added calmly.
The two stepped aside to reveal at least three dozen house elves all wearing complete sets of clothing seemingly hand-tailored for each with Dobby and Winky in the lead. The two stepped forward and bowed to Dumbledore, "The Free House-Elves of Britain are at your services, Headmaster."
Dumbledore bowed back to the two house elves, "Thank you all and welcome, your help will be most appreciated."
"They're not the only ones to come, Professor Dumbledore," Blaise said and from the direction of the main doors could be heard at least a dozen different footsteps.
Around the lines of house elves marched in a mix of Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, and Slytherins. It didn't take Harry or Ron long to realize that most of them were from the Quidditch teams from their first to fifth years. The entire Hufflepuff team that had been captained by Cedric Diggory was standing there along with several that looked to be family members to some, calmly waiting for acceptance beside half of the Ravenclaw team led by Cho Chang and Marietta Edgecomb and more that Harry didn't recognize.
On the other side of the house elves stood the Slytherins beside the Gryffindors, all looking ready to fight side-by-side, but for once not with each other. Marcus Flint stood calmly next to Oliver Wood. There were fewer Slytherins than Gryffindors, but among them were many that Harry knew he would have once considered to be Death Eaters as soon as they left Hogwarts. All the Slytherins had their left sleeves pulled up past their elbows, baring their unblemished forearms.
Next to them was the full Gryffindor Quidditch team that Harry had ever played with under Wood's leadership. Angelina Johnson, Fred and George Weasley in their now trademark dragon hide coats, Alicia Spinnet, Katie Bell, and one that looked to be Katie's older sister. Even Lee Jordan was there with a boy that could have been his twin if he wasn't almost six inches taller than the ex-announcer.
Behind Harry, the side door opened off the Great Hall and Draco Malfoy walked in, followed and flanked by the other four that made up his formidable group. Dumbledore could hear some of the comments that were muttered around him by certain members of the Order and sighed at the display the Slytherins made. All wore black to varying degrees with little color and they walked in unison, showing a strength that not many understood.
When Draco saw the newcomers standing in the entranceway to the Great Hall he crossed his bare arms over his sleeveless shirt, chosen specifically to allow his Dark Mark to show easily on the pale skin, and nodded once to them. "Nice to see you could all make it. Flint. Trace. Blaise. Wood. Chang. Dobby. Thank you."
"You called for these reinforcements, Mr. Malfoy?" Dumbledore asked quietly, his displeasure only shown by the missing twinkle in his eyes.
"No, Headmaster. I merely told those that wished to know what day the battle was likely to take place on. They all came of their own free will. I merely provided the information I thought they might find useful," Draco said calmly, a slight smirk on his face.
It was then Harry realized what the letters were that his lover had asked him to send out and he laughed in his mind. Harry knew that they were going to need all the help they could get, but the Headmaster had been unwilling to allow any there that weren't members of the Order or their known allies. Before Dumbledore could say anything he would later regret by sending away their help, Harry spoke.
"Thank you all for coming. We'll need all the help we can get. I'll need the leaders of each group to stay, but the rest of you may go to the common rooms to rest and eat for now. Everything will be explained fully later this evening. We are unsure when the battle will start so I suggest getting some rest while you can. The password to all the common rooms is 'evanescent'."
There was a brief hushed conversation from the group before most of them filed away, no house moving in any particular direction, rather small groups split from amongst them and turned towards the different common rooms. Many of the groups were mixes between all four houses and even the house-elves were mixed in with the young adults, most chatting amiably with one or another of those they knew.
Only a handful of people stayed. Cho Chang, Marcus Flint, Oliver Wood, Dobby, and Winky walked up to the table where Remus, Harry, and Dumbledore stood. Tracey and Blaise met Draco and the other Slytherins half-way as they walked over to the table as well. Draco placed a discreet hand on Harry's lower back when he reached his lover. Harry looked at him with a slight smile on his face before turning back to the table and the maps laid out there. From across the hall one of the side doors opened and Professor Snape entered with a mob of red hair behind him, one darker head and one lighter buried in the group.
The Weasleys split apart into smaller groups. Ron and Hermione came to stand at Harry's other side, Ron furthest away, while the twins went to greet their old captain. Bill, Fleur, and Charlie nodded to the newcomers, but concentrated their attention on speaking with Remus over the maps and notes the Order had. Shortly after that Dumbledore called their attention back to the matter at hand and all joviality left the room, not even Fred or George cracked a joke.
\/\/\/\/\/
The meal that evening was subdued, especially with all the extra people that were gathered. The entirety of the Order and their allies were present. The reinforcements that Draco had notified were also there, surrounding the Slytherins and the Weasleys as some of the Order's allies had created a disturbance when they saw the five.
That disturbance had nearly resulted in a riot when Harry had walked over to the five and stood next to Draco, speaking quietly with them. It was only Harry, in his anger that had halted the two sides from sending hexes. It had been the Weasleys, Tonks, Remus, and Hermione with the Slytherin's allies against the rest of the Order's allies. The other Order members had stayed out of the confrontation or joined their allies.
Harry had sent out a flash of light that morphed into the shape of a phoenix and swept right through the middle of where the two sides had faced off. It turned all their attention onto Harry whom was nearly vibrating with the magic that swirled around him in his anger.
He shouted out at everyone, though it was obvious most was directed at the Order's allies. He lectured them on unity and the fact that some people could change. Through it all only one group remained visually unaffected by what he said, though inside they were absorbing every word spoken with gratitude. Then, Harry pointed out that the only ones facing off that did not have their wands drawn were the very ones they were fighting against or to protect.
The five Slytherins had never drawn their wands, nor did they hide behind the ones that were ready to defend them. They had remained where they were in the middle of the potential battle, unarmed, and unafraid. Few others than those in the infirmary knew about what they had all gone through. The only damage the Order's allies could have done that most of them had yet to experience would have been to kill them.
It was at that time that the side wanting to protect the Slytherins put their wands away, realizing that there was no reason to fight amongst each other. The other side took nearly ten more minutes of Harry's lecturing before they lowered their stance and even then it took Dumbledore approaching Harry's side and quietly agreeing with the young man.
The atmosphere was tense for the remaining meal, but there were no other attempts to begin discord among themselves. The five retired to their rooms as soon as they could politely do so, not wanting to risk any other issues arising. Harry stood up and went after them quickly, placing a hand on Draco's shoulder just as they left the Great Hall, missing the uproar that familiarity caused as the doors closed.
As the false dawn began, the call for battle was sent out through the halls of the school and the fighters dressed silently. In the suite of rooms a phoenix song was softly heard as the occupants dressed and it gave them renewed strength and determination to see the fight to the end and come out victorious. The last action they took before the doors opened was a desperate and longing kiss between each couple, showing their love for each other in the only way they would be able to for that day and possibly, for the rest of their lifetimes.
\/\/\/\/\/
The battle was in full swing. The Order members and those that had joined them in the fight were scattered about the field and part-way into the forest. No one yet knew any information on who had been killed, whether they were winning or losing, or where Harry was. It was Draco's group that was sent to ensure that Harry reached Voldemort unharmed. They had volunteered for the placement as soon as it was brought up before any others could speak. There had been a lot of misgivings with the Order members, but between the Weasleys' nearly united defense of the Slytherins and Dumbledore's acceptance, the ones with the misgivings were silenced.
Now, the five Slytherins were faced off against their most dangerous foes. They had gotten Harry to Voldemort and drawn his protectors away from the Snake so Harry could concentrate on what he had to do. Draco stared into eyes that were mirror images of his own, though the once perfect face was now distorted from Voldemort's displeasure.
Vincent and Gregory found themselves back to back as their fathers circled about them, menacing sneers on their faces and glee in their eyes that they would be able to kill the traitors to their Lord. Daphne stood calmly in front of her father, the knowledge that her mother was awake and her father unable to ever reach her or Selena again gave her the courage to throw the first hex. Pansy was also faced off against her father. She thought it a fitting retribution for the damage he had caused her over the years and used her unborn baby's death to fuel her anger as she dodged her father's first Crucio.
At that same moment, on the other side of the battlefield Neville Longbottom had found his own opponent. Silently he apologized to Harry for not leaving the woman to him, but Neville knew that Harry needed to concentrate on Voldemort and Neville would not forego the chance to get some revenge for his parents' torture. Bellatrix laughed in Neville's face and the curses began to fly.
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