A/N) This is the longest chapter that I have ever written for this story. I could have split it into two but I felt it flowed better as one big complete chapter. I apologise for the cliff-hanger at the end of this chapter though... Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Thank you to Robin4 for giving her permission to allow me to use her spells.
Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Battle of Hogwarts
Saturday 1st November 1996
The Room of Requirement was a bustle of activity. Those students given permission to fight were busy with last minute lessons with Alastor Moody. His cries of 'Constant Vigilance' could be heard over the continuous yells as rockets of spells impacted against the defensive wall that the Room had provided for them. The younger students who had all participated in the defence group but whom were younger then Harry had already been escorted to the Hogs Head by the Weasley adults. The only youngster remaining was Ginny who had refused to leave, going so far as to promise her parents that she would remain in the Room at all times.
The rest of the school remained ignorant of the impending battle, they did not need to be worried until it became a certainty that Voldemort was on his way there. No one, save for those in the room, knew that Harry had returned to Hogwarts. Voldemort would have no reason to visit the school unfortunately his discovery of their actions against his Horcruxes ensured that he would be coming. They had already heard from McGonagall who had explained to them that Sirius had gone to sort out Severus Snape (Harry had not dared to correct her on that) and had already informed the other Professors that a battle would soon be commencing and to prepare the school for defence. The students were being confined to their house areas until a more general announcement could be released. It was, thankfully, relatively normal to impose such regulations on the students, especially since Severus Snape's tenure as Headmaster had begun.
It had been a way to help distil rebellion from the student body, not that it had prevented Neville and a few key others from continuing their heroic efforts.
A part of Harry had been tempted to suggest that they allow Voldemort to enter the castle. He would feel so secure in his belief that it remained in his grasp that he might even enter it alone, allowing the Order to surround him and fight against him; however that idea had quickly been beaten down by Harry's conscience. Voldemort would be even more deadly and more inclined to murder any and everyone. It was better for Harry to go and meet him while the school remained defended and secure. It would still be on his terms and would hopefully minimise the casualties that could reflect on the student body.
When he arrived at the gates of Hogwarts, Voldemort would find them closed to him. They had to count on Snape fighting with them or fleeing to Voldemort's side in order to protect his status as a spy. Harry could not bring himself to trust the man that had killed Dumbledore but he believed in Sirius and if his godfather was convinced that Snape was a true member of the Order, he would do the best thing that would ensure his continual survival. If Voldemort found that Snape had never been his, he was likely to kill him: in the end it would be better for Sirius to vouch for him.
"Ok, so Remus, you'll be leading the charge out into grounds. Fred, George, you'll be with the students," confirmed Harry, pointing to the various stations they had been assigned to throughout the school. Most of the Order members would be participating outside in the grounds, trying to hold back the inevitable Death Eaters. The wards around the school wouldn't hold but they could try their hardest to fight them back once they made it through. "I will be with Remus, as will Ron and Hermione. There is something we have to do that entails us being at the heart of the battle. Sirius has already agreed to this, though I might add, he is not eager for me to do so. I cannot say why we have to be there but in the event of failure, I will trust one other person with the task set down to me. If it is completed then anyone can hopefully fight and kill Voldemort." They had already decided it was no use in not saying his name, either way he would be coming to the school, and within the school, the charm didn't seem to work; there was no point in conforming to the rule that they could be tracked if they said it. The Room of Requirement seemed to be protecting them and possibly the school itself.
And that suited Harry just fine.
"How long do you think we have before he gets here?" asked Charlie Weasley.
"Not long."
Every time he opened his mind, his scar seared with pain. He supposed if he had never learnt Occlumency, the pain would have become the norm for him but he had been protected from it for so long that he was simply unused to it. He had to control himself to stop collapsing to the floor. He had just dropped them again and seen Voldemort sailing across a lake towards a little island in the middle. Though he had never been there, Harry recognised the cave from the description that Kreacher had given them. The anger he had felt coursing through his veins came from Voldemort. He knew the ring was missing, and he was confident that the locket remained safe; Harry didn't want to be linked to him when he found that gone as well.
But will he check to see if it is the real locket? Regulus replaced it as best he could, after all. He might just see it there and assume it's the real one.
He didn't even want to be connected to Voldemort's mind when he found Hogwarts barred to him. That is probably going to be painful because he will then know for certain that I am here.
He shook his head, clearing his thoughts and concentrated on the map, roaming his eyes over it as the others around the table discussed tactics. But then he saw the name 'SIRIUS BLACK' near to the Room of Requirement, but he was not alone, and the three name's that surrounded his godfather's name caught Harry's heart and it thumped harder in his chest as panic began to rise within him.
"Death Eaters," he whispered; his lips numb.
"Harry?" That was Tonks. "What is it?"
They hadn't noticed, they hadn't seen what he had. He swallowed the lump in his throat that had formed and then pointed his shaking finger towards Sirius' name on the map.
There was a sharp intake of breath. "Oh no," whispered Remus.
"They've found Sirius," stated Harry.
"Then they know you are here then," replied Hermione worriedly. This was not supposed to happen. This wasn't even in the plan!
Harry shook his head, thrusting his hand into his pocket and retrieving his wand. "Not if they haven't sent a message to Voldemort yet!" He started to sprint towards the door to the Room, ignoring the cries to 'come back' behind him. "We can still stop them!"
"You promised him you wouldn't go after him if something happened!" yelled Hermione desperately.
"I don't care!" returned Harry, already pulling open the door to the Room and running outside.
He's just as hot-headed as Lily was! screamed Remus, pursuing his best friend's son out of the Room with Arthur, Charlie, Tonks, Moody, Ron and Hermione following behind him.
Harry had already rounded the corner up ahead by the time they were half-way up the corridor. Remus put on a burst of speed that his werewolf enhanced abilities allowed him to have, bringing his wand up as he flung himself around the corner.
"Impedimenta!" he cast, the spell impacting against the wall over the heads of the three Death Eaters that stood there. Harry, a little way in front of them. Sirius' limp, unconscious form lay behind them, encased in ward shields, preventing anyone from getting past and pulling Sirius to safety.
Avril Leverg laughed. She was truly insane. "We knew if Black was here then Potter wouldn't be far behind!"
Rabastan Lestrange joined in. "And it looks like the entire Order of the Phoenix are here as well! Our Lord will be pleased with this development!"
"Oh really?" scoffed Harry.
"Harry!" hissed Remus and Arthur together, both stepping forward to stand beside the young man.
But Harry continued, his manner oozing confidence. "Will he be happy to find out that his loyal followers couldn't stop me from returning to Hogwarts? That they couldn't catch me in Hogsmeade when they had the chance? Yeah, I'm sure Voldemort will be very pleased at what you've achieved tonight!"
"He will reward us beyond our imaginations when we bring him you," snarled Alecto Carrow. She laughed, her dark eyes narrowing.
Harry frowned. "And why would I surrender to you? There are more of us here then you or are you unable to count?"
"HARRY!" shouted Remus. Baiting insane and murderous Death Eaters was not going to help the situation any bit.
"How dare you!" hissed Alecto angrily. Her wand turned to point towards Sirius and a spell was on her lips but Harry got there first, having clearly anticipated her curse.
"Extundo!"
The Hammer curse hit her in the chest and she flew over the wards holding Sirius in place, her back crashing into the wall further down the corridor; she slumped to the ground out-cold.
"Release him!" ordered Harry to the other two standing Death Eaters. He flicked his wand between the two remaining Death Eaters. "NOW!"
Both Rabastan and Avril reacted quickly and efficiently. From their lips came from the killing curse, two jets of green light shot out from their wands.
Harry leapt to the side, rolling to safety, thrusting his wand out as he did so. "Conteriaco!" The spell hit Rabastan and he flew upwards, his wand flying from his clenched grip. Hermione shot a stunner towards him, hitting him and Rabastan fell to the corridor floor, his body crunching together as he landed. Waking for him would be painful, no doubt.
Avril had moved out of the way of a bunch of curses that had flown towards her. She thrust out her wand over her shoulder. Blue light ejected hurtling towards Sirius, the ward barriers down, but seconds before the curse would hit him, Harry reacted fast, casting a shield charm to protect his godfather's prone body. The spell impacted against Harry's strong shield and flew back in the direction of its caster. Avril screeched in fury.
"You'll regret this, POTTER!" she snarled before fleeing around the corner.
Harry stood there, his lips pursed together, watching as Remus, Tonks, Moody and Charlie raced after her. He strolled slowly forward towards where Sirius lay and fell to his knees. He knew that Arthur and Ron and Hermione stood behind him. He raised his wand. "Rennervate!"
Sirius stirred, his body shuddering as conscious came back to him. He groaned audibly and his hand moved weakly to his head, pushing back the spattering of hair that had lain plastered on his forehead. "Uh, there is nothing worse than waking up after being stunned three times." He frowned at Harry as he saw him kneeling beside him. "I thought I told you not to rescue me if I got caught?"
"It's a bit difficult not to when you were caught right outside where we are hiding," replied Harry tersely. "What was I supposed to do? Let them take you?"
"You do have a good point," said Sirius. "I would have been more annoyed if you had come through the castle to get to me, but considering where I was caught, I can't fault you for that." He sat up, rubbing the back of his head. "Ow, slight headache building. I hit the ground rather hard." He cast a glance around at the two prone bodies in the corridor. "Hmm, my wand is not on me, I think Avril has it."
"And why not any of the others?" replied Harry, glancing towards Alecto and Rabastan's forms.
"They don't have pockets," was the answer.
Harry got to his feet and paced over to the two Death Eaters, seeing for himself that they weren't wearing ordinary robes. The clothing they wore was not usual wizard attire but he couldn't explain what they were wearing. It was as if they were ready for battle, wearing robes that would not get in their way. As Sirius had said, neither of them had pockets, save for a little nook up the sleeve of their wand arm where they stowed it. He returned to Sirius' side and helped him to his feet.
"Did you speak to Snape?"
"I did." Sirius glanced back towards Arthur, Ron and Hermione. "If you don't mind binding these two together we can store them safely away so that they won't run back to their master." He waited till the three had disappeared further down the hallway before grabbing Harry's arm and pulling him away. "I did see, Snape," he said quietly, "I still believe he is on our side but is remaining loyal to Voldemort to save his own skin. I cannot fault him for that." He reached into his pocket and pulled forth a flask filled with glowing liquid. "He told me to give you this. Everything you need to know is in there."
Harry recognised the unmistakable signs of someone's memories swirling around inside the flask. "They're Snape's memories?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Sirius shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. I think you should view them before you do anything rash and run off to face Voldemort."
Harry stared stonily at his godfather. "I don't have time to look at them now. Voldemort is on his way here! Who knows how long I could be inside the Pensieve for?"
"Just promise me that if Voldemort lays down an ultimatum, you'll make it your priority to view those memories! Snape wouldn't give them to me if he didn't have a reason for it."
"And why would he lay down an ultimatum?"
Sirius sighed. "To get you to surrender. Your noble tendencies would lead you to do it and we can't lose you. If there is something that Snape knows that is important to the final battle, you have to know about it. Promise me!"
"I promise," swallowed Harry. There was such passion and urgency in his godfather's eyes and voice that he knew he simply could not break this promise. "I guess you'd like me to give you my word that if you get into trouble again that I won't risk my life?"
Sirius raised his eyebrows. "I was just getting to that. Voldemort knows I'm the most important thing in your life. Even if it means my death, you must not, under any circumstances, surrender."
"You believe he will come after you to get at me," stated Harry sullenly.
"Unfortunately, that is a risk I am going to have to take."
Harry frowned. "I can't exactly get you to promise me you will stay out of danger, can I?"
Sirius chuckled. "No. I'm of age, you're not. The only reason you and others of your age are allowed to fight is because you have an important role to play. Voldemort isn't going to wait around until the traceable charm has been lifted. Thankfully, while we are in Hogwarts, since there is so much magic in the air, the trace is basically non-functioning. They simply can't tell which underage witch and wizard cast the spells."
"That's good then because I have been casting spells on and off since we got here," smiled Harry sadly.
"Sirius!"
Sirius moved past Harry and towards Remus who was running towards him. The expression on his face told them all they needed to know: Avril had escaped.
"Sorry, she got away, but I did manage to get a hold of this," said Remus, holding out Sirius' wand for him.
"How did you manage that?" questioned Sirius as his fingers found his wand and it fell into the familiar grip he used it with.
"I launched myself at her, reached my hands into her robe pockets and grabbed it. She then shot me off with a shield charm, but she was too fast and was already away again before I managed to sit up. The others raced after her ... it's possible they might still catch her, but her reflexes are good."
Sirius snorted. "She was an Auror, Moony, don't forget that. She's highly dangerous to us all."
"And you most of all," pointed out Remus.
"Thanks for reminding me," Sirius rolled his eyes. "Come on, we've got to get back to the Room. We probably haven't got long before Voldemort gets here."
"He already is," said Harry, rubbing his scar. "I lowered the barriers again. He's outside the gates, right now and Snape is with him. He's gone from the school."
Sirius and Remus shared shocked expressions. All three broke into a run. It was up to them now.
Chaos quickly descended upon the school. The news that Voldemort was trying to break down the wards to the school sent the students into panic. Peeves the Poltergeist hadn't helped when he had gone yelling at the top of his voice that the enemy was at the gates and that everyone was going to die. The Professors that were with Harry and Sirius had quickly gathered the students in the Great Hall, instructing them that anyone over sixteen would be allowed to participate in the coming battle, while all other years were to be evacuated.
There was a huge outcry at that but the combined efforts of the authority that oozed from Minerva McGonagall and the darkened look that Sirius wore convinced those rebelling that leaving quietly might just be the smartest thing they could do. Arthur and Molly volunteered to lead the students to safety through the Hogs Head where Aberforth was setting up unauthorised Portkeys to take the students far away. Highly illegal that was, especially in light of recent events, but the Ministry was fully focused on the Hogwarts defenders and too concentrated on securing the death of Harry Potter to worry about a small insignificant illegal activity that was Portkey making without authorisation.
Fortunately for the defenders of Hogwarts, a lot of Ministry personnel had started to arrive as the message (via various Patronus's) had spread and those that had been working for them were showing their true colours as those who had been hiding their true loyalties in order to protect their family. It came as no surprise to Harry that Cedric Diggory and his father arrived just as the first of the younger Hogwarts students entered the Room of Requirement to be escorted out.
More than half of the Ministry's employees had turned up to fight on their behalf, the rest were either on Voldemort's side or too scared to fight. All in all, they had a good fighting chance of beating back the Death Eaters.
War was descending on Hogwarts. The fight for the Wizarding World was only just beginning.
Cloud and cold, the chilly air permeated around them, causing them to shiver uncontrollably as they slipped out of the warmth of the castle and into the encroaching darkness.
Sirius pulled his robes tight around his body, stalling the cold air from affecting him. His wand was in his right hand, ready and poised for battle. In his pocket he now had his two-way mirror that Neville had returned to him just a few minutes before they had left the Room of Requirement. Out of anyone, he would need to remain in contact with Harry if they lost sight of one another.
Despite the plan calling for Harry to accompany Sirius into the grounds, his godson had decided to seek out Malfoy first. Not because he wished to get into possession of the Elder Wand, but because he wanted to save the boy's life. If Voldemort connected the Slytherin student to the Wand, Malfoy would be in terrible danger, his life threatened by something he did not understand or knew of. No matter what Draco Malfoy had done in the past, Harry did not desire his death.
Ministry representatives had explained that the Malfoy family had fallen out of favour with Voldemort: too many incidents had occurred in which they had been directly responsible for. Draco's failure to harm Dumbledore had been the last straw. It had been a miracle that the Malfoy family still lived.
Their lives were hanging by a thread.
Draco Malfoy was no longer the cock-sure brat that he had first been when Harry had met him over six years ago. Sullen and lost, life under the Dark Lord was not proving to be the happy and rewarding experience Draco had expected it to be. The little information that the Order had gleaned from contacts told them all they needed to know about the personal circumstances regarding one of the Wizarding Worlds richest families. Little more than slaves, ordered to do the Dark Lord's bidding, maiming and torturing innocent people, forced to allow house-room for Voldemort in their mansion; they had even been commanded to allow the Dark Lord possession of their wands.
It had been Lucius Malfoy's wand that Harry had broken when forced to dual Voldemort in October.
Everything pointed to the Malfoy family being less than satisfied with their current circumstances. Sirius had figured that is given the chance to make amends they would do so, but closely watched as they were by the Dark Lord, they had no chance. The parents wouldn't pay the price of defiance, their son would. So tight into the Dark Lord's circle they had been (and still were on a mere technicality) that the Order of the Phoenix had been unable to offer them any protection.
Out of the Slytherin students that had fled, Harry had found to his surprise that Malfoy still roamed the castle however he did not seem as if he was in control of the situation. Crabbe and Goyle, his loyal sidekicks seemed to be the ones more in charge of his movements now. It wouldn't have astounded Harry if he discovered that Crabbe and Goyle thought they could earn high honours for bringing down Harry Potter. They had never been big on brains or sense either way.
So Harry had sought out to save Malfoy's life, he did not intend on taking the Elder Wand as his own, but he hoped to return to Sirius' side before the wards fell so that he could seek out the final Horcrux.
Sirius jogged beside his best friend, a intense look of concentration on his face. Ahead of them they could see the shimmering light show that highlighted the Death Eaters attempts to bring down the wards that the Order and the Professor's had constructed.
It had come as no surprise to them that the wards keyed to Snape had already fallen.
To save his own life he has to pretend. Sirius didn't like it but he understood the necessity of doing so.
CRACK!
Another ward crumbled, the shield in front of him flickering, dimming.
Sirius ran even harder towards the gates, his mind completely set upon the first dozen spells he would cast as soon as the gates flew open. They would fall but the Order would be ready to fight for the freedom of their world.
Peering around the corner, Harry checked the Marauder's Map, stepped out into the corridor, closely followed by Ron and Hermione, who did not understand why, after all their planning; he wasn't outside in the grounds.
His only response had been 'you'll see' leaving his two friends feeling more than a little confused. They did not push him; they respected him far too much for that.
They ran down the third floor corridor, twisting out of the way as older students passed them, yelling instructions to one another. Barricades were being made beside the windows, powerful shield charms coming together to create a huge wall of defence. This was being down throughout every floor of the school, on the side where the Death Eaters would be coming in from.
Tiny Professor Flitwick stood a little away from them facing the giant, steel glassed windows, his wand flicking in all directions, sparks trailing from it. To the side, the array of Hogwarts amour soldiers that had guarded the halls for generations were coming to life, marching down the corridors and towards the grounds where they would become a distraction for the Death Eaters to fight. Anything and everything was being used as a form of defence.
And then a cold voice echoed all around them, projected from outside the grounds itself. Everything grounded to a halt and Hermione's cheeks paled as they listened to the calculating voice of Lord Voldemort, laying down his demands.
"I know that you are preparing to fight. Your efforts are futile. You cannot fight me. I do not want to kill you. I have great respect for the teachers of Hogwarts. I do not want to spill magical blood. I know Harry Potter is within the walls. Give me Harry Potter, and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter and you will be rewarded. You have fifteen minutes."
Ron snorted. "Most of the students didn't even know you were here. Only the ones intending to fight did."
"Besides," shrugged Harry, "those that would willingly give me up have probably been led to safety. That was the whole point of not letting anyone know I was here." He continued to run, racing down the corridor, ignoring the furtive glances coming his way from those that worked. At least he hoped no one would cave in, and attempt to hand him over.
"All those that remain are here to fight," replied Hermione quietly.
"Even Malfoy?" responded Ron condescendingly.
"Well, maybe not him."
Ron smirked. "Trying to save his own skin more like it."
Harry shook his head. He was already a way in front of them. "Hurry up! We haven't got long!"
It happened instantly: all the wards fell at once and the gates that protected Hogwarts flew from their hinges into their air, falling, shattering into pieces as they hit the ground. It hadn't been more than fifteen minutes since Voldemort's words had echoed around the grounds and school. At precisely midnight, the attack had come, shattering the wards in one gigantic force.
Figures in dark robes swarmed into the school, closely followed by the rattling breath of Dementors. Now they understood the reason behind the chilly air and the fringes of memory that had been pulling at their minds ever since they had closed in on the gates.
"Expecto Patronum!"
Nearly every defender upon the grounds cast a Patronus. Sirius moved back, his mind rattling with screams in his head; he could see James' dead body lying in the ruins of Godric's Hollow... He shook his head directing his Patronus into the closest Dementor. It shrunk back but the clocked figure seemed to brush it away.
There were too many on the grounds, the combination of hundreds of Dementors were crumbling their very resistance... Sirius felt his knees go weak and he nearly stumbled to the earth, but someone grabbed him by the arm and hauled him up, dragging him back.
The cloud lifted as the Dementors swarmed past. With horror stuck in his chest, Sirius understood where they were heading. "No!" He reached into his pocket, grasped the mirror, while casting a shield charm, and yelled 'James Potter' at the screen. Harry's face appeared immediately. Sirius didn't even give his godson a chance to ask, he just shouted 'Dementors! Coming to the Castle!' and then he cut the connection, bringing his wand around as three curses struck his shield, crumbling it to pieces.
Laugher echoed around him. He saw his opponents approaching him. It had to be his luck to get those four.
Rodolphus and Bellatrix Lestrange, Barty Crouch Junior, and Avril Leverg; laughing manically they converged upon him.
"Where is he?" Harry cast his eyes over the Map once more searching for Malfoy's name. They had spent more than fifteen minutes chasing him around the Castle only to find they had lost him again. He knew the wards had shattered, knew that Dementors were heading for the school... he could just give up the search...
"THERE'S POTTER!"
Harry whirled.
Crabbe and Goyle stood behind them, their faces split into goofy, but evil grins of malice. Shoulder to shoulder they stood, barring the way they had come, but through the gaps of their arms, Harry could see Draco Malfoy.
"Why aren't you with Voldemort then?" baited Harry. "Too scared to serve at his side?"
"We're gonna be rewarded..." said Crabbe, "when we give him to you. We 'ung back, you see, decided not to go, thought to bring you to 'im."
"Right," said Harry. He raised his eyebrows at Malfoy. "And what about you, Malfoy, are you in on this as well?"
"He's got no power now, Potter," Goyle sneered. "His father's lost it all. He's our minion now."
Certainly doesn't suit Malfoy at all...
It looked as if Malfoy was shaking on his feet, his wand held loosely in his grip.
Harry felt pity for him. He'd been raised with the wrong type of thinking and he was paying a heavy price as he came to the realisation that things were not what they seemed. He figured that Malfoy would always hold the prejudice against those of lesser blood but he wasn't prepared for life under the Dark Lord. Now that his father had lost the influence, he had no bright future under the new regime. Malfoy's only hope was for the Order to succeed, at least that way his family could rebuild its reputation. It may take years but in time people would forgive and forget; Voldemort would not, especially if he remained immortal.
"Crucio!" Goyle flung the curse towards Harry.
Harry dived to the side, his shoulder slamming into the role; Hermione and Ron lunged for the other wall.
"Everbero!" cast Harry.
"What was that?" shrieked Malfoy, as the curse flew over the top of his head. He was not even attempting to fight.
Crabbe laughed. "Don't be such a wimp, Draco! Nothing can defeat the Dark Arts!"
How naive of him... grinned Harry inwardly. "Ron! Hermione! On three!"
They had already discussed tactics; in any situation they had crafted out what action to take. When faced with idiots like Crabbe and Goyle who thought the Dark Arts could defeat them, they had decided on one very simple tactic.
Raising his wand, Harry aimed it towards the two Slytherin boys, believing that they had the power to stop him, not realising how much their opponent truly understood. With a hearty shout, Harry bellowed: "Stupefy!"
Combined with the powerful spells directed from Hermione and Ron, the stunning and the impedimenta, they converged together and zoomed straight into Crabbe and Goyle's hard chests. They flew back; one of Crabbe's arms flung out and hit Malfoy on the chin. All three fell back, the two stocky Slytherin boys flying further then Malfoy.
Crabbe and Goyle did not get up, both clearly having been knocked out by the combined curses.
Harry stepped forward as Malfoy scrambled to his feet, his wand arm shaking as he moved his wand in between the three of them.
"I'm not here to fight you, Malfoy," said Harry.
"Then why are you following me?" said Malfoy, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "I know you were!"
"I want to save you, Malfoy."
"Hah! As if, Potter!"
Harry sighed. "I know it seems unbelievable but if you don't get out of here, you will die! Voldemort isn't going to win! Where do you want to be when that end comes, on the winning side or on the losing side?"
Draco swallowed, stepping back. "Don't make me hurt you!"
"If you want to survive then you'll listen to me for once in your life!"
Malfoy snarled, bearing his teeth in anger. His wand whipped round and before Harry could react, a jet of blue light shot out, striking Harry on his cheek.
"Hey!" shouted Ron angrily, thrusting his wand out and red sparks shot from the end.
Malfoy was too fast, twisting round and casting a shield charm, Ron's stunning spell bouncing off it and sailing back towards Ron who lunged out of the way.
"Don't!" Harry ran forward. This was getting beyond ugly. If they couldn't speak sense to Malfoy then they had to disarm him. He was more dangerous with a wand then without. Running forward, sprinting as fast as possible, Harry reached Malfoy and grasped the wand that he held in his hand and pulled it from his grip.
"Give that back!" cursed Malfoy, spitting towards Harry as he tried to reach for Harry's own wand.
Harry ducked and moved aside like lightning and tucked Draco's wand into his pocket. "I suggest you run while you still can. I'm saying this with good intentions, Malfoy, Voldemort will kill you if he finds out the truth."
"What the hell are you talking about, Potter?" spat Malfoy vehemently.
Harry smiled awkwardly. "It is better that you do not know." He began to back slowly away. He didn't know sure if he had won the Elder Wand but at least he had done what he had set out to do: warn Malfoy and give him a chance to escape.
Before Malfoy could even do a small thing as take a step forward, Harry was already rushing away, pulling out the Marauder's Map from his clothes and running his eyes over it to gauge an idea as to what was going on in the castle since the wards had fallen.
"Incendio! Rumperis! Offenvox! Extundo!"
The first of the four spells that Sirius fired at his opponents shot close to Bellatrix's head, close enough that the sparks singed her hair. Her eyes flashed and she screeched in fury. Spells and curses headed towards him with speed, he barely had enough time to bring up a shield before they all impacted against it, shattering it completely, leaving him defenceless.
He stepped back, aware of the mounting memories that the Dementors were bringing to the fore: they had returned from the school. Sirius had seen from afar as he danced through the wave of spells, Patronuses driving them out of the main entrance, but they had been sent back towards this battle, which wasn't something the Order members needed.
Bloody and bruised, Sirius jerked around, sending a decapitation curse towards Barty Crouch Junior, who, unfortunately, side-stepped it and sent one back. Flinging himself out the way, Sirius retorted with a killing curse. This was war, an all-out one, and there weren't any niceties involved.
Everyone was aiming to kill though Sirius strongly suspected that the instructions pertaining to him differed.
Avril was certainly aiming to disable him, Bellatrix was trying her hardest not to lose her temper, her husband, on the other hand, was shooting off killing spells at every turn, making Sirius' job at avoiding them even more difficult, while Barty Crouch was doing a combination of both. Four deadly enemies against him: one Auror.
He gritted his teeth and flung himself forward, his shoulder barging right into his insane cousin. A throat cutting spell missed him by inches as he tumbled to the grass.
"Extundo!" hissed Bellatrix.
The curse struck, Sirius went flying and landed hard on his back. He thought he heard something snap. Please don't let that be my spine! Without even considering his next action, he flung out his wand, pointing it in the general direction of his attackers: "Roteventilo!"
For once it hit its intended target. Barty Crouch Junior flew into the air, tossing him higher and higher into the cold wind and then he spun. Sirius moved his wand over his head, causing the Death Eater to spin even faster and land with a heavy thump within a crowd of Dementors. Before anyone could react, a Dementor reached down and grasped Barty round his throat.
It simply didn't care that he wasn't the enemy.
Sirius shut himself off from the screams. One down, three to go...
But something hit him between his shoulder blades. Cracked. He flinched, bellowing in pain. His entire body went numb. Ropes wound around him, like snakes, circling his body until he was completely cocooned. Struggling valiantly despite the pain, Sirius spat and hollered at the top of his voice.
A giggle from beside him. He glared at his cousin as she knelt down beside him, her wand resting against his cheek. "Never let your guard down, cousin. Didn't the Aurors teach you that?" Her eyes seemed to dance in triumph. "Take him. He will make excellent bait to lure Potter to our Lord if he does not make an appearance."
Remus and Tonks fought side by side. They complemented one another, seeming to know what the other was about to do. They worked like they knew the fighting style of the other, though if truth was told, they had never really fought together before. Tonks was an Auror, barely a year out of her training, and Remus had spent the majority of his time in the Order working for Albus, while assisting Sirius in teaching Harry, Ron and Hermione the necessary survival skills.
"GET DOWN!"
Green light soured overhead.
"Stupefy!" Red light struck Avery. His body flopped to the earth.
"Suffocoum!" A choking sound erupted from Gibbon's throat as he struggled against the harsh grip Tonks had managed to focus on his throat. Remus cast a shield charm to protect them both against the sudden surge of curses. Gibbon's body fell limp and Tonks released him; he wasn't dead, just out-cold.
Two more opponents remained. Grinning slyly at one another, they dived left and right, coming up in duelling stances as Mulciber and Nott advanced. One on one.
Curses shot all around them; it was only through reflex alone that they were able to move in time. Out of the corner of his eye, Remus saw Sirius fall. He had known who he had been fighting but hadn't had the chance to go save his friend.
But the distraction proved costly for himself. He saw light flash whacking him in the chest; a scream of horror rent the air, and blackness descended, his wand falling from his fingers, spinning away into the darkness, as his body hit the grass.
He had left the sword of Gryffindor in a safe place that he thought no one would look for it, not because he didn't need it (he did), but because Harry needed to do some reconnaissance before seeking out Voldemort. He had lowered his mental barriers once again but Voldemort wasn't feeling particularly angry, more as if he was in a contemplative mood, so Harry couldn't read him. He did, however, get an idea as to where Voldemort was hiding.
He wasn't in the battle, choosing instead to sit it out in the Shrieking Shack. He must believe that he can win. But we planned our defence, we were ready for you. That had at least given them an advantage that his enemy had not foreseen.
Harry had only brought a few things with him on his journey: his trusty cloak, his wand, the mirror, the flask of memories and the small golden Snitch that had been bequeathed to him by Albus Dumbledore upon his death. Sirius had suggested that the second Deathly Hallow lay within, and though he felt that he did not need to rely on the power of these objects, something was urging Harry to take them with him. They were important but he couldn't figure out what significant role they played in any upcoming events. The sword of Gryffindor was too heavy to carry on a mission like this and so Harry had left it in Gryffindor Tower, encased within Neville's bedside trunk. He didn't know why they hadn't left it in the Room of Requirement. I don't want anyone to know I've got it. Gryffindor Tower is the last place anyone would expect to find the sword, despite it being his sword. No one would think to look in a student's trunk.
The other matter that played on his mind was the concept of the Deathly Hallows. He knew they were real, his cloak being one after all just helped to fuel their existence. Dumbledore must have known that I might need them. But if I needed these objects to help me defeat Voldemort, then why take the trouble of training me up? Surely if it all comes down to the Deathly Hallows, then was my training with Sirius really necessary? It was not a comforting thought but he was grateful that his godfather had trained him, helped him learn new skills. After all, though he hadn't had the chance to use them, he did feel Sirius' instructions had prepared him for life on the run.
Ron and Hermione was elsewhere, Harry having chosen to enter the field alone. He hoped they would remain safe, but he trusted them. They were both able and competent, powerful wizards in their own right.
The Invisibility Cloak was draped over him as he ran through the grounds of Hogwarts, towards the Whomping Willow. He had seen Tonks reviving an unconscious Remus, and then proceeding to take out the other two Death Eaters that had been attacking them. Proudfoot, an Auror, had been battling Jugson and Montague (who had graduated Hogwarts only a few months ago); Kingsley Shacklebolt and Dawlish had been chasing after a group of Death Eaters in the distance who had been heading towards the forest, carrying something between them, but Harry had been too far away to discern who it was. Harry had nearly stumbled over Alastor Moody's body in the grass; he was unsure whether he was dead, but a nasty gathering of blood surrounded him, while another Auror, Gawain Robards had been busy battling three Death Eaters, desperately trying to keep a ground.
Much as he would have liked to have helped, Harry knew that he couldn't stop to help. He had already cast several Patronus' to save his own skin when the Dementors had loomed in close, and in the midst of battle he had directed his stag to help others: that had been his only effort to aid the fighters.
The Whomping Willow emerged out of the darkness. It did not even know Harry was close to it, would not hear his footsteps over the bustling of shouts and screams from the battle, and he skidded to a halt beside the knot in the tree, pressed it and dived inside the secret passageway, tumbling downwards and landing on his chest.
He wheezed, coughing violently. Stupid Harry! Scrambling to his knees, he crawled along the slippery passage as quickly as he dared, making as little noise as possible. He was simply too big for this tunnel now. His wand was in his mouth and he felt his way along, not daring to use magic to help him see where he was going.
After what seemed like ages the tunnel began to slop upwards, and then he heard it, voices coming from near the tunnel entrance. Heart beating fast in his chest, Harry moved faster until he came close to the entrance, finding that it was mostly blocked off by a crate that had been shoved into the entrance. There was a tiny crack through it and Harry peered through, breathing low and slowly.
He could see the snake, Nagini, in the dimly lit room but his heart fell as he saw that she was held within an enchanted ball cage, protecting her from any attack. Voldemort knows that I will be coming after her. There was no way he could kill Nagini. The only way he will lower the enchantment will be if I die. He narrowed his gaze, his lips thinned. That won't happen! There has to be another way!
"Skilled wizard though you are, Severus, I do not think you will make much difference now. We are almost there...almost." Voldemort was speaking.
"Let me find the boy. Let me bring you Potter. I know I can find him, my Lord. Please." Severus Snape's dulcet tones assaulted Harry's hearing.
Voldemort moved into Harry's eyesight and he shrunk back slightly, aware that if the red eyes passed over where the crate lay, he could be discovered.
"I have a problem, Severus," hissed the Dark Lord softly.
"My Lord?" said Snape.
Voldemort raised the Elder Wand that he held in his pale fingertips. "Why doesn't it work for me, Severus?"
Harry's stomach dropped like lightening. He knows! But something wasn't right... He could feel it in his very bones.
"My-my Lord?" continued Snape. "I do not understand. You-you have performed extraordinary magic with that wand... You bought down the defences with just one sweep of power!"
Voldemort shook his white, snake-like face. "No, I have performed my usual magic. I am extraordinary, but this wand...no. It has not revealed the wonders it has promised. I feel no difference between this wand and the one I procured from Ollivander all those years ago." He was musing, calm but Harry could see controlled fury blazing out of his eyes. "No difference."
The Dark Lord began to pace around the room causing Harry to lose sight of him, but he still spoke in a measured tone. Snape's eyes were fixed upon the coiling snake in its enchanted cage.
"I have thought long and hard, Severus... do you know why I have called you back from battle?"
"No, my Lord, but I beg you will let me return. Let me find Potter."
A condescending smile rose on Voldemort's face as he circled back in front of Harry. "You sound like Lucius. Neither of you understands Potter as I do. He does not need finding. Potter will come to me, especially when he hears my next announcement... I know his weaknesses, his one great flaw. He will hate watching the others struck down around him, knowing that it is from him that it happens. He will want to stop it at any cost. He will come."
He's got that right, thought Harry, but I made a promise. I don't intend on breaking it!
It sounded as if Snape was begging for his life as he answered but Harry did not hear for his heart was thumping loud in his chest. He understood now why Snape was here, why Voldemort had mentioned the wand to him. He thinks Snape is the true Master of the wand! He knew what was going to happen; it was without a doubt that Snape was going to die.
"Why did both the wands I have used fail when directed at Harry Potter, Severus?" continued Voldemort.
"I-I cannot answer that, my Lord," replied Snape, trying to hold any concern he had inward.
"Can't you?" Voldemort's eyes narrowed. "My wand of yew did everything of which I asked it, Severus, except to kill Harry Potter. Twice it failed. I have learnt through torture of others that taking another's wand would defeat the twin cores that I share with Potter. I do so, but Lucius's wand shattered upon meeting Potter's."
Snape was pale, his lips white. "I-I have no explanation, my Lord." His black eyes were fixed upon the snake in its protective sphere.
"I sought a third wand, Severus, one from legend. The Elder Wand. I took it from its previous master. I took is from the grave of Albus Dumbledore."
Harry could see that Snape's face was like a death mask. He knows what is coming. He felt frustration well up inside him. He wanted to save him, but at the same time knew he couldn't.
One last desperate attempt to sway his master... "My Lord – let me go to the boy –"
"All this long night when I am on the brink of victory, I have sat here," explained Voldemort, his voice barely above a whisper, "wondering, wondering why the Elder Wand refuses to be what it ought to be, refuses to perform as legend says it must perform for its rightful owner ... and I think I have the answer."
Snape stood stock still. He knew it was the end, his expression said it all.
"Perhaps you already know it? You are a clever man, after all, Severus. You have been a good and faithful servant, and I regret what must happen." Voldemort's red eyes blazed. "The Elder Wand cannot serve me properly, Severus, because I am not its true master. The Elder Wand belongs to the wizard who killed its last owner. You killed Albus Dumbledore. While you live, Severus, the Elder Wand cannot truly be mine."
Harry swallowed. He's wrong. Snape is going to die because he doesn't know that Malfoy was the one that disarmed him! It's not fair! No matter how much he despised Snape, Harry did not believe that the Potion's Master deserved to die in that way.
"My Lord!" protested Snape, raising his wand.
"It cannot be any other way." There was no hint of regret within the Dark Lord's voice. "I must master the wand, Severus. Master the Wand, and I master Potter at last." With one flick of the Elder Wand, the snake's cage began rolling through the air, and before Snape could anything more than yell, it had encased him. The unmistakeable words in Parseltongue rattled through Harry's head. "Kill!"
One simple command.
A terrible scream and the snake's fangs pierced Snape's neck, poison pumping into his body. He knees gave way and he collapsed to the floor, his body shaking erratically.
"I regret it," said Voldemort coldly, motioning for the snake's cage to follow him as he swept from the room.
Footsteps faded and Harry silently moved the crate out of the way of the entrance with magic, scrambled up into the dirty room and pulled off the Invisibility Cloak, staring down at Snape, with a mixture of horror and fear.
Snape's eyes found his and they widened in horror. His lips tried to move, but Harry shook his head, already guessing what he was going to ask of him.
"I have it. Sirius gave them to me, your memories."
"You ... have ... to ... know!" whispered Snape heavily, blood gurgling from his lips.
Harry nodded curtly. "I will."
"Look ... at ... me!" rasped Snape. It was his last request.
Harry could see him dying before his eyes. He locked gazes with the man that had been Voldemort's right-hand man, not blinking, allowing him this privilege, before the glint in the dark eyes faded. His fingers found the flask in his inner pocket of his robes and he inspected them. I have to see them. I have to know what he wants me to see.
Silently, he pulled the Invisibility Cloak back around him and slipped back into the passageway.
Blood and bodies splattered across the grounds of Hogwarts as Harry ran back towards the castle. He could see that the Death Eaters were retreating, heading back towards the forest (ignoring the shattered gates) and into its depths. Ahead he saw Tonks helping Remus back towards the Great Hall, their four opponents injured or dead left in the field.
He pulled off the cloak, sure that he wouldn't be harmed, aware that Voldemort must have ordered a retreat. "But why?" He could not help feeling that he was missing something. His eyes ran over the Castle's walls. Windows were smashed and some of the statues were crumbling. One gigantic hole had been made in the wall of one of the towers.
Slipping and sliding into the Entrance Hall, he could hear the sound of chatter from the Great Hall and he rushed in, his eyes searching for Ron and Hermione. He found them beside the Weasley's, who were standing over a bloodied George, who had one ear missing. He was unconscious, but alive.
"Harry, where have you been?" asked Hermione, grabbing his shoulder with her right arm. Her cheek was cut and it looked like her left arm was broken, judging by the way it had been bandaged.
He became aware of silence falling in the Great Hall, as the students, Ministry officials and Order members that had fought turned to stare at him. They had known he was there of course, just probably hadn't expected him to suddenly turn up like that.
He didn't even bother with an explanation as to where he had been. "Snape is dead. I think Voldemort is retreating. Everyone is fleeing."
"We thought as much," said Remus Lupin, coming to stand beside Harry. "They started to run just after –"
"Wait!" said Harry, as something he had remembered seeing forced its way back into his memory. "Where's Sirius?" A rock dropped into his stomach. He didn't even need to be told what had happened to his godfather. The shape that he had seen being dragged into the forest... "No..." He knew what Voldemort was going to do, why he was retreating. Sirius had warned him about this. He felt all colour disappear from his cheeks.
"I couldn't get there in time. Kingsley and Dawlish chased after them, but they couldn't reach them. They took Sirius with them. I'm sorry."
Harry felt his whole world crashing around him. Everyone in the hall was looking at him and he felt sick to the core. This couldn't be happening!
"Harry?" began Hermione tentatively, but she was cut off as a cold voice echoed throughout the hall.
Students, Professors, Ministry workers and Order members alike paled as the words tumbled forth, Voldemort's ultimatum laid down before them, directed at only Harry Potter.
"You have fought valiantly. Lord Voldemort knows how to value bravery. Yet you have sustained heavy losses. If you continue to resist me, you will all die, one by one. I do not wish this to happen. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a loss and a waste. Lord Voldemort is merciful. I haved commanded my forces to retreat, immediately. You have one hour. Dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured."
"I speak now, Harry Potter, directly to you. I have here, in my possession, your godfather, Sirius Black. He stands here beside me, my prisoner. You have permitted others like him to fight for you rather than face me yourself. I shall wait for one hour in the Forbidden Forest. If, at the end of that hour, you have not come to me, have not given yourself up, then your godfather shall suffer the most painful death that I can contrive for him. I will make sure that you hear every scream that he makes until his dying breath. If you still have not given yourself up at the point of his death, then battle shall recommence. This time, I shall enter the fray myself, Harry Potter, and I shall find you, and I shall punish every last man, woman and child who has tried to conceal you from me. One hour."
To be continued...
Please let me know what you think!
I had intended, for a long while, for Sirius to be taken like this... He has got into a lot more trouble then I had originally planned, but sometimes inspiration hits and its the best thing to go for at the time.
Next chapter: The Road to Death - in which Harry learns the truth and Sirius, Voldemort and Wormtail have a conversation... yes, really. To be posted on Monday.
Until then,
the-writer1988