Author: enchanted nightingale
Beta Reader: pussycatadamah
Disclaimer:The characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I merely use them in my plot for fun. But other characters like Ailill Frideswide and those Elves that will appear in this chapter are mine, created for this story.
Timeline: The summer before and during Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts
Summary: Voldemort and a few of his Death Eaters arrive at Harry's house a bit after his birthday. As they are about to attack, the Savior of the Wizarding World has a surprise for them, and mostly for a certain blond.
Pairs:Harry/Lucius, Ron/Hermione, Neville/Ginny, Remus/Tonks
$Parseltongue$
Chapter 14
Platform 9&¾ was louder than usual. The crowd was thicker as not only students about to return to Hogwarts bustled about before boarding the Hogwarts Express, but also their families and about a hundred Aurors that watched the exits and various points of the station. The tension was making everybody nervous. Hermione had come to the station accompanied with the majority of the adult Weasley family plus a French witch. Her boyfriend was being scolded by his mother yet again but she had tuned them out already as she was busy looking around the station, searching for another red head.
"Seen Ginny yet?" Ron asked when he escaped his mother and found the Gryffindor prefect again.
"Hm, not yet," Hermione admitted. "You're taller, how about you look."
Ron tried, but even he could not see his sister through the thick crowd.
"Ron! Hermione!" reached their ears and the couple searched for the source of the noise.
"There!" the bright witch pointed.
They saw Neville before seeing Ginny; he was taller than her and rivaling Ron's height.
The reunion was emotional as Ron had not seen his little sister for the Yule break. Then Hermione whisked her away as the two started whispering over the finer details.
"Girls," Ron told Neville who only smiled politely.
"Let's go find a compartment," Neville offered.
"Sure, come on," Ron motioned for him to get on. "Let's go to the back."
The girls followed them, discussing in hushed tones still.
Several sixth years greeted them on the way to the wagons and then when they boarded the train.
They were searching for a familiar face, wishing to see their friend when Harry beat them to it. He poked his head out of the compartment he had found. He had arrived earlier than any other time and shoved the two bickering Elves he had with him inside. It had been tedious waiting for so long but Ailill had told them not to wait on the Platform as it was safer inside the train. Harry had wanted to meet his friends, he had missed them, but lately reason won over his compulsions. It could be that the glare Nariel gave him curbed any rebellious tendency in him. Enelya had been getting impatient already and it was making Nariel's mood worsen.
"Hey guys!" Harry's voice came from a compartment near the end. He was relieved they were here and felt happy after seeing them again. The longest he had been without them had been during summer holidays but never in the middle of the year like this and without much contact.
"Harry!" Ron and Hermione exclaimed. The two dropped everything they held and pounced on the slender teen. The group hug caused many smiles and several other students peeked out of their compartments to look at the scene.
"Guys! I need to breathe!" Harry told them.
Ron released him first but Hermione lingered. Harry noticed the bracelet and especially the ring she wore proudly and smiled at his first female friend. "About time, mate," he turned to Ron. "Had you waited any longer I would have hexed you."
Ron blushed to the roots of his ears; Hermione snorted but looked rather pleased, while the rest of them laughed.
They turned to enter the compartment only to see to other people there.
Hermione faltered. "Harry?"
There was a strawberry blond girl, with an unusual hue of sky blue eyes much too old to suit her appearance, looking like a second year, but the magic around her was fresh and young. Hermione knew then she was under glamour. Next to her was an older teen. He had long blonde hair with silvery white streaks. The oddest thing about him were his eyes, the left was blue and the right amber. He gave her a small chill with his glare. She turned to Harry who smiled and ushered his friends into the compartment first.
"Well, meet Nariel Anwarünya and Enelya Lúinwë, my friends from France." His introduction raised a few eyebrows but nobody commented on it; it was not safe yet. Harry continued, "These are my British friends, Hermione Granger and her boyfriend Ron Weasley, his sister Ginny and her boyfriend Neville Longbottom."
Enelya beamed at them and stood, greeting everyone. On the other hand, Nariel stayed where he was, observing the wizards quietly.
"Don't mind Nariel, he's shy bordering on antisocial with a touch of insanity," the young girl said with a smile. She had hugged every girl and shook hands with the boys.
Nariel glared at her and she yelped in pain, rubbing her arm. She pouted and took her seat again, already planning to get back at him.
"Play nice, Nariel," Harry told the other teen.
Harry's friends stored their luggage away and took their seats. Harry, not taking any chances opted to sit next to Nariel.
Hermione watched everything about the Elves with care. She knew there was a story behind the two coming with Harry back to England but the compartment was not exactly the best place for the conversation. She hated the fact that during the break things she knew nothing of had happened. Feeling the tense atmosphere she decided to be the first to speak. The new girl seemed amiable enough. "Nice glamour," she spoke up but focused on Enelya. Her comment was appreciated.
"Thanks! Elves see right through them though," Enelya beamed. "Though it seems weird to wear wizard clothes. The material is so rough! And talk about dull colors. And the magical levels… don't get me started!"
"Yes, don't," Nariel drawled.
Enelya narrowed her eyes.
Harry rolled his eyes. "They always do that," he told his friends. "Much like Ron and Hermione did before they started snogging."
"She's as charming as a bug," Nariel deadpanned, leaving no misconceptions about his opinion on the female Elf or the unlikely possibility about anything romantic existing between them.
Harry ignored them like he was trained to do so and turned to his friends. "So, what happened over the holidays with you guys?" he asked with a wide smile.
Draco had just about enough of the talking and the not so hushed and subtle whispering and the pity stares. He was in a foul mood by the time he got to the compartment and shut the door on the faces of his friends. Pansy, Theodore, Crabbe and Goyle all came after, the two first scowling at the blonde.
"I know you are angry but don't you dare take it out on me Draconis or I'll have your hide!" Pansy growled in a way that cowered even the Malfoy heir and lessened his anger.
"We are your friends you know," Theodore Nott stated.
Daphne Greengrass opened the compartment door. She and Blaise entered fast, looking winded.
"Hey guys," the blonde girl greeted her friends while Zabini offered nods.
"How are you holding?" Blaise asked Draco as he took his seat.
"He is not," Pansy replied and the teen in question shot her a glare.
"Divorces are never easy," Blaise said knowingly.
"Well, my parents are playing Switzerland!" Draco shot at him.
His friends were surprised to say the least.
"I thought you father would be at least… I don't know," Pansy searched for the right word.
Daphne offered it for her. "Objective?"
"Well, it is his reputation on the line," the other witch said.
"He gave Meinrad his blessing," Draco informed them. "We are one big dysfunctional family."
"Mine is dysfunctional," Blaise drawled. "Yours is just liberal."
"Nice of you to sugar coat it," Draco huffed. "I had to hear Bellatrix scream at mother for hours. And father had many unpleasant meeting with Him. Then I had to leave the restaurant in Midas Alley in the middle of the meal because strangers wanted to know about my parents. Not to mention the Howlers that father was sent. To dine with Meinrad mother had to leave for Germany early. Even the Gryffindor's offered sympathies, not to mention the sniffling badgers."
The teens winced.
"Point to you," Zabini told him. "You know, you never told us anything. Not even me."
"I was going to but I backed down every time," Draco told the dark skinned teen.
"Chicken," Pansy told him.
"Shove it," the blonde scowled.
"I got a letter over Yule," Daphne spoke up. "Another five of us are joining Potter's little club."
"Five more away from him," Blaise surmised.
"Who?" Draco demanded.
"Carlotta Greyson, Jeffry Walter, Milon Adams, Marcellin York, and Cadie, Flint's sister," Daphne told him.
"The Greysons were neutral so far," Blaise mused. "Walter is only six generation's purebloods; they married into the Bones family. They are mainly Ravenclaw's though and neutral to boot. Jonas Adams was a suspected Death Eater, but since he tried to molest his niece he was cast out of the family and taken in by Yaxley's. Milon is that girl's brother. Hm, York Now they are known sympathizers, but Marcellin grew up in Sweden without the propaganda. He only came back for Hogwarts. And Cadie, well, she's smart alright. She knows how it is for Death Eaters. Her uncle was Kissed after the trials that followed the first war."
Draco nodded absently. "I'll tell Potter when we meet."
The way onto the castle was an odd one. Harry did not ride with the wizard and witches that had been his friends for years. Instead he chose to ride on another carriage with Enelya and Nariel,
"It is truly magnificent," Enelya was impressed when the carriages were close enough to show the castle of Hogwarts in all its glory. Her eyes were alight with wonder.
"The forest is old," Nariel observed. His expression was less easy to read. "Older than the creatures living there."
"It is," Harry confirmed.
"Can we visit?" Enelya asked excitedly.
"It's off limits to students," Harry replied automatically.
"So?" Nariel asked pointedly.
Harry sagged. "We go after nightfall."
The other two smiled smugly.
"Just don't tell Hermione," Harry pleaded.
A while later the female Elf spoke up again.
"Is that a lake?" Enelya asked.
"You should have let me gag her," Nariel told Harry.
The emerald eyed Elf groaned. It was going to be hard and taxing on him to keep the other Elf from throttling anyone and especially Enelya. He could just imagine how dreadful this semester was going to be.
Homecoming Feast:
Harry, Hermione and Ron were seated at Gryffindor table. Unlike other times, the feast had yet to begin. A few Gryffindor's were complaining but Ron held his tongue.
Harry was not focusing on his friends or even worrying over Nariel and Enelya. His gaze darted to the Head Table and focused on Lucius Malfoy. The man looked even better after the break. He was conversing in low tones with Severus Snape, ignoring the rest of the professors. His grey eyes caught Harry's gaze and he offered a smirk to the teen before turning back to his conversation with Snape. Then his gaze was intercepted by Ailill, who was still seated next to the Headmaster. He gave a warning look to Harry and the teen sighed and focused again on his friends.
Dumbledore stood then and called for quiet. His whole face was smiling at the gathered students.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts again. I hope that during the winter break you were rested enough to last till Easter. Now, before the Feast begins, we are to welcome to our school two new students from abroad. They come from Beauxbatons to be sorted into second and sixth year respectively. Now let us welcome Enelya Lúinwë and Nariel Anwarünya."
At his words everyone turned to the entrance doors. Minerva McGonagall came in, carrying the stool and the Sorting Hat, followed by a girl and a boy.
There were few people among the teaching staff that realized that the duo were wearing glamour. Flitwick was one of them, but he was discreet; he figured Dumbledore must have known about it and returned to his conversation with professor Sinistra. Severus Snape was another and Lucius Malfoy felt the similarities they had with Harry. Then there was McGonagall herself. She felt uneasy walking in front of two people she did not know the true appearance of, but she trusted Dumbledore enough to keep doing so.
She readied the stool and the Hat.
The students of Hogwarts were all focused on the new kids.
"Anwarünya, Nariel," McGonagall called out.
The unusually blond teen stepped forward. He glared at the Hat with distaste and Harry swore, fearing that the Elf would indeed set it aflame with his eyes.
The Hat yelled 'SLYTHERIN!' as soon as it descended, barely touching the teen's head.
"I knew it," Ron muttered from Harry's side.
The Dark Elf shook his head.
The Slytherin's clapped politely and Draco Malfoy made room for Nariel to sit at his side. The blonde Elf eyed Harry, who nodded, before taking his seat.
"Lúinwë, Enelya," McGonagall called out.
She forced herself not to skip and instead act dignified. She too was nervous about wearing the Hat. Harry had warned her about it. With a sigh she sat on the stool.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Enelya stepped off the stool and walked over to Harry, who was clapping along with the rest of the Gryffindor's.
"Welcome to the House," Hermione told her.
Enelya smiled. "Thank you!" She then turned to Harry and hugged him. "Well, you won't get rid of me so easily."
"I don't mind." The teen hugged back, ignoring the whispers that the hug initiated. "Will you sit with us or with your year mates?"
"With you guys," she told him.
In the mean time McGonagall gathered the stool and the hat and left the Great Hall. Anticipation grew with the hungry students.
Dumbledore stood again. "Welcome to Hogwarts Miss Lúinwë, Mr. Anwarünya. Now let the feast begin!"
Enelya's eyes bugged at the amount of food that appeared.
"Finally!" Ron exclaimed. He eyed his friends. "You did not bet on me again, did you?"
His friends laughed.
At the Slytherin table, Draco Malfoy observed the new boy.
"I'm Draco Malfoy, sixth year. So, your last name is Anwarünya? That is an unusual name and none I am familiar with. Are you sure you are French?"
Nariel withheld a glare. He did not feel comfortable with so many wizards around him. He remembered very well that he was supposed to be amiable and converse politely, but he felt unable to do so.
Across the hall, Harry felt a rise in power. Enelya stiffened as well. Both looked at the Slytherin table.
"Oh-oh," Enelya whispered. She nudged Harry in the ribs, which prompted him into action.
Harry stood abruptly from the Gryffindor table and walked towards the Slytherin's. Passing by the Head Table he saw Ailill nod at him.
The Dark Elf approached Nariel and placed a hand on his shoulder.
The Wood Elf stilled momentarily but then relaxed.
"Are you okay there Nariel?" Harry asked. He smiled at Draco and a few other Slytherin's he personally knew from his defense club. "Mind if I join you for dinner?"
Malfoy frowned. That was odd. Potter had not done that before. Sure, he spoke to Slytherin's but eat at their table? It was unheard of. Something was up. And the blond had a sharp mind.
"Sure, Potter, why not?" the Malfoy heir replied. He would try to find what was up. Since his realization of Potter's change in species he wondered if there were more things he was in the dark with.
Harry sat on Nariel's other side, keeping the Elf between him and Malfoy. Nariel seemed to prefer it that way.
"So, you and Potter know each other?" Draco asked.
"We met when he visited the community," Nariel offered. He picked some fruit and vegetables to eat.
"He and Enelya are childhood friends, we met through her," Harry elaborated.
"You were in France during break?" Zabini asked.
Most Slytherin's were listening in with interest.
"We thought you had stayed with the Weasley's over the break," Draco told him.
"Not this year," Harry replied. He copied Nariel and chose to eat green food as well.
"Why are you sitting here Potter?" Pansy asked.
Nariel stabbed a carrot.
"I needed a change of scenery," Harry replied.
The Slytherin's continued eating.
Only Draco had anything to say. "Sure, Harry."
The Dark Elf blinked. "Did you just call me by my name?"
"You can call me Draco," the blonde wizard said magnanimously.
Harry rolled his eyes. The Slytherin was doing it on purpose. But he accepted the peace offering. He was trying to get on Draco's good side anyway. With the way things between him and Lucius were it would be a long while before Ailill allowed him to do anything more than snogging and groping with the wizard. And when he was going to mate him it would be nice if he did not have to fight Lucius' son all the time. What he needed was good strategy and a lot of luck.
January 10th:
Gryffindor Common Room:
Enelya chewed on her lower lip.
Hermione watched her struggle and shook her head. She let her boyfriend snore where he sat and went to sit with the young Elf.
"Need any help?" she offered.
Enelya looked hopefully at the human girl. "Can you really?"
"Of course," Hermione told her. "Tell me what you need help with."
"The theory actually. It is so different than what I've learned so far. Wizards make everything complicated with their wands and their spells."
Hermione blinked. "How so?"
Enelya lifted a finger and her inkbottle started dancing on the wooden surface.
"I forgot about that particular gift of yours," the witch admitted. "Harry does that too, but he is not comfortable showing how different he truly is."
Enelya stopped playing with her magic and the inkbottle settled on the wooden surface. "I know. Everyone noticed back home how timid he was and how little he liked drawing attention on himself."
Hermione could understand very well. Harry was a kind soul. She knew how he strived for affection, how he wished for a family, somewhere to belong to.
"Is he truly the last one?" Hermione asked her. It would be really sad. Her friend had been hoping for someone to relate to. Sure, his mentor was close with Harry, but since Sirius had been killed he had grown more cautious and almost afraid to bond with people. It was as if he expected them to disappear on him.
"Elder Frideswide seems to think so," Enelya replied. "No one has seen them in centuries. Only Harry's father was one and even he was half Elf half wizard." She focused back on her texts and grimaced.
"Okay. So what confused you?" Hermione asked.
"The theory about how a bird can be turned into a statue," the Wood Elf told her.
"Okay it goes like this," Hermione started explaining.
January 13th
Great Hall, Breakfast:
Gryffindor table was loud and the occupants boisterous as usual. Ginny sat with the new girl from France, enjoying watching on as Enelya hummed while she chewed.
"You act as if you've never had pancakes before," the red haired witch teased her.
"I haven't," Enelya replied and took another bite. "Wiz iz gowd."
"Chew or you'll choke," Ginny told her. "Merlin, you're worse than my brother Ron. And you're a girl!"
Enelya swallowed and beamed. "Thank you! Now please see carefully if Nariel is fuming yet or not. I've still got room for another pancake."
Ginny laughed. "You're horrible!"
"Who's horrible?" Hermione sat left of Ginny, her boyfriend at her side.
"Oh, pudding!" Ron exclaimed.
The two witches rolled their eyes while Enelya just eyed the dish thoughtfully.
"You better leave some room," Hermione advised the Wood Elf. "We are visiting 'Honeydukes' later and 'The Three Broomsticks' after that."
Enelya nodded. She then noticed Harry coming in the Great Hall. He waved at them but walked over to Slytherin table instead.
Draco Malfoy noticed him first and made some room for the Gryffindor. The rest of the Slytherin's did not bat an eye over this. It was a common occurrence lately.
Once Harry was seated he snatched an apple and bit into it.
"Manners Harry," Draco drawled.
"Leave off. I'm starving," the Gryffindor told him. He turned to his reserved new friend that sat silently fuming on his other side. "How's breakfast Nariel?"
"Fattening," the Elf told him. He too was favouring fruits over the grease and fat filled dishes. Harry understood that. After tasting the foods at Eilinel, regular wizard foods were just not as fulfilling. Still, if Nariel kept this up he was going to draw suspicions. And Slytherin's were a curious and cunning bunch, not a good combination.
"You finally got him to talk," Zabini told Harry. "He hasn't spoken since the last time you spoke to him."
The Dark Elf turned to Nariel. "You could be a bit more sociable."
Nariel glared.
Harry knew that the white-blonde teen was just itching to say something scathing about wizards.
"Never mind," Harry sighed. "You are joining us later in Hogsmeade, aren't you?"
"Someone has to keep that menace under control. It's obvious you're lacking."
"She's not that bad," Harry told him.
"She is being undignified," Nariel told him.
"She's young," the dark haired Elf told him.
Nariel arched an eyebrow. It said everything he wanted to say about Enelya, like how Harry was a child compared to the two Wood Elves and the rest of the rant Harry had heard before and remembered that it lasted about an hour. The other Elves had told him they had timed Nariel. The Dark Elf thought that Nariel would probably not appreciate it.
Harry sighed. "Never mind me."
The Slytherin's had observed quietly thus far. The fact that the new boy did not like the new girl was glaringly obvious from day one. Still both of them got along with Harry Potter, even the antisocial Nariel.
They would observe, it was what they did best after all. Then they would find the opportunities they needed and discover anything and everything that might exist between the newcomer and Potter. So Draco skillfully started on a new subject about Hogsmeade. Harry joined in while Nariel soaked up the information.
Ailill's Room:
Dumbledore could not be any happier when Ailill told him of Harry's progress. He was relieved to know the boy would not be helpless anymore.
The Wood Elf had informed him of what happened during Harry's visit to Eilinel. It was good to know everything went well. Actually, more than well if Harry's two new friends meant anything. The girl was a lively one and likely to bring this castle many joyous moments. The quiet boy would need Harry as the Gryffindor would bring some life to him and much needed excitement. It also meant that Harry would have someone long after his mortal friends were gone. It was not confirmed whether he had inherited the longevity of his kind. Wizards tended to reach three digits and many achieved their bicentennial but Elves lived for much longer and Harry was bound to be around for five hundred years at least.
"Even your beard is smiling," Ailill informed the Headmaster.
Albus smiled. "I hope so my friend. I dearly hope so."
January 17th:
Hogsmeade:
Harry and his friends were one of the merry groups that walked the scenic route that led to Hogsmeade. The Dark Elf had taken Nariel aside and tried to convince him to at least be civil with any wizards or witches he met that day. They split up upon entering the village.
Hermione, with Ginny's help, took Ron with her to get new clothes. Harry and the rest of the boys were happy to wave them off, ignoring Ron's curses.
"I'm glad I'm not in his place," Neville observed.
"Meet you at Rosmerta's!" Harry yelled.
Hermione waved him off.
"I thought we would buy sweets," Enelya spoke up.
"Well, we can on the way there," Harry replied.
"I don't like large crowds," Nariel warned.
"You better stay outside then," the Dark Elf advised him.
Malfoy and Zabini were already at 'Honeydukes', waiting outside. They nodded at Harry and continued to wait while Nariel joined them.
"Not a fan of sweets?" Draco asked the other blonde.
"Can't say I am," Nariel replied. The Wood Elf watched through the window as Harry was dragged around by Enelya. "I pity him."
Draco knew what the teen meant. "She seems…energetic."
Nariel grunted.
"You're not very social," Blaise commented.
"I don't like you," Nariel told them.
"Why?" the two Slytherin's asked together.
"Because you are wizards," Nariel replied.
"That's hypocritical mate. Aren't you one too?" Blaise asked.
Nariel was silent.
Draco suddenly remembered the long haired version of Potter. His mother's words came to mind. If Potter was an Elf then that meant that… The Malfoy heir glanced at Nariel and his eyes widened. Everything clicked in Draco's mind, or rather smashed together, warning bells and songs and everything. It was not random that Draco was the top Slytherin of his year, ranked second best student in the school.
'Two Elves in Hogwarts? No, that would be three because that other girl, Enelya, was with them.' The wizard realized. Something was up, something big. 'Three Royal Elves in Hogwarts at the same time? What in Salazar's name is going on?' the blonde wondered. He was tempted to ask Nariel but he knew it would get him nowhere. Draco wished that Potter would hurry up already. The curiosity was killing him and if anyone was able to give him any information that would be the green eyed Gryffindor.
Meanwhile inside the sweet shop Harry was being tortured by his newest friend as Enelya was taking forever to decide.
"It's just candy," the Dark Elf was exasperated.
She gasped. "I'll set Ronald on you." The threat cowered Harry but not much.
"This just isn't fun," Harry complained.
"It is for me," Enelya looked wistful. "You know, had it not been for you I would not have been able to leave Eilinel till I reached four digits."
"I found Eilinel nice," Harry told her.
"It is, but one can like a cage so far till it kills them," she murmured.
Her eyes then betrayed her age and life so far and Harry could not really answer her.
"Oh! Blood flavored lollipops!" she chirped.
Harry let her be as excited as she wanted. Neville joined Harry with an armful of chocolate frogs.
They had reached the register when the screaming started.
Gladrag's Wizardwear:
Hermione shook her head when the sales girl brought a green shirt for Ron to wear. She had shot the idea down immediately.
"You look like a tree on fire," she told him.
Ron snorted.
"The cut is nice," Ginny contemplated.
"Another colour then," Hermione mused. "Black?"
"Better make it blue but he will try black as well," Ginny decided.
"Hey," Ron cut in.
"Yes Ron?" his girlfriend asked absently as she and his sister compared prices.
"Why are there people running out on the street?" the wizard asked.
The girls looked up in alarm.
"This is not good," Ginny whispered.
Three Broomsticks:
Luna ignored her Ravenclaw year mates. She knew she was being humoured by the girls because she was close to Harry, and she was not interested in those boys as another had already caught her eye. So she twirled her blonde locks absently and stared at the other clients. The 'Three Broomsticks' was buzzing as it was every time Hogwarts students visited the village. Rosmerta was very busy and Luna noticed that a couple of seventh year Hogwarts students were serving as temporary help for the day.
She felt the magic changing in the air and frowned. Something had changed.
Then a local man she knew owned the flower booth near Madame Puddifoot's.
"Death Eaters!" he yelled and his knees weakened as he yelled again.
Luna was on her feet immediately. She approached a stunned Rosmerta and poked her. "Alert Hogwarts," she told the witch.
Rosmerta nodded and went to do just that.
"All above fifth year that wish to fight stay here. If not, wait till the younger ones leave through the Floo," Luna called out.
No one said anything against it. A few of the Slytherin's approached her.
"I cannot be seen here," a seventh year girl told Luna.
"Wait till the younger ones leave and then follow to Hogwarts and stay in the library or something. Tell the rest of your friends the same," Luna told her.
"Thank you," the girl said and went to find her group.
Luna watched her go, twirling her necklace of corks in her fingers. She pulled the wand from behind her ear and gave it a twirl.
Honeydukes:
The people in the sweet shop were frozen in fear. Harry drew his wand and shot red sparks, making the panicking group settle. The old pair that had the shop also glanced at him.
"I want all of you to keep calm and quiet," Harry called out. He turned to the owners. "Can you guide the kids to the cellar?"
"We can," the man said.
"Good. It is below earth, the roof is stone so even if the store is blown up you will be safe from the fire. A bubble for the fumes would suffice, can you do that?" Harry asked the two adults.
"We can," the woman, usually sweet and cheerful, was now composed and serious.
"Good," Harry said.
A few of the older students, seven fifth years and ten fourth years, stepped up.
"We can help," a Ravenclaw girl said. "We are allowed by law to use our wands in the village and we have been training hard these months."
Harry sighed and nodded. "Fine. You are Rogers, aren't you?"
"Yes, but call me Marta."
"Marta, I want all of you to go to the Shrieking Shack." At their incredulous looks Harry elaborated. "I need you to get inside, go to the basement and guard a passage that is there. It leads to Hogwarts' grounds."
Eyes rounded. Even the owners were surprised.
"Can you do that?" Harry asked. "It is dangerous, I won't lie to you. There is a chance the Death Eaters will try to use it. I need you to alert Dumbledore or Snape and if you cannot find those two then another teacher. There is also a house elf Dobby that will help if things get rough, but only then. Do you understand?"
"We do," one of them said.
Harry nodded sharply. He turned and left, Neville and Enelya staying close behind him.
Outside the store the Slytherin's and Nariel sat there, wands at the ready. They had gathered a number of third years around them. Harry winced at the sight of a boy with his hand covered in robes. Blood was dripping on the stone road. Pansy Parkinson was trying to calm the boy while Zabini muttered charms that seemed to dull the pain.
"How many are there?" he asked.
"Death Eaters or casualties?" Draco asked.
"Both," Harry demanded.
"About fifty Death eaters. Here we have twelve kids," Draco replied.
"Two of you help them back to the castle. The injured kids will go inside Honeydukes and down the cellar. They will know what to do," Harry told them. It was decided that Crabbe and Goyle would lead the kids back. Harry saw Nariel itching to join the battle. "Enelya, stay close to Neville. Fight to incapacitate or to help others. If you see Bellatrix do not linger." He stared hard at Neville when he said that. "There are still too many young kids in the village. If you get hit with anything and you know it is serious stay down and-"
"- play dead," Ron told the Hufflepuff's that he and the girls had met outside the clothing store. "We need to hold them back until we can escape. Do not try to put out any fires. If some of you can Apparate, legally or not, then do that but with your homes in mind. If you can take younger students with you, do so." He stopped for a moment before adding in a whisper. "Don't try to help someone after they are hit with a killing curse."
The teens nodded grievously and set off.
Hermione and Ginny stayed with him and they headed towards a large, bulky Death Eater that had cornered a group of children.
"Stupefy!" Ron yelled. The red jets hit their mark and the bulky wizard fell.
Ginny took one look at the kids and recognized them as the third year Gryffindor's.
"I'll get them back to the castle," she told her brother.
Ron hesitated leaving her alone with a bunch of kids.
"I taught them," his sister glared hard. "If we find anyone else I'll ask for help. With you or Hermione with me I'll be a bigger target."
A brown light barely missed Hermione, making the wall over them explode.
"Run!" Ginny yelled.
Ron and Hermione complied, shooting spells as they went.
Lucius tore through the remains of the battle at a frantic pace. Madam Rosmerta had Flooed Hogwarts in a frantic state and told them of the attack at Hogwarts. Almost immediately children started arriving at the school through the fireplaces. First came the third years of all houses, then fourth years and then Slytherin's of fifth year and above. Lucius felt his heart constrict when he saw that his son was not among them.
The teachers immediately stood. The best duelers, like McGonagall, Flitwick, Dumbledore himself and Vector, headed straight towards Hogsmeade. Severus had the task of alerting the Order, Mad-Eye and the Ministry about the attack. Then Madam Pomfrey and Snape readied the infirmary. Pomona sprout headed for the grounds with Hagrid, with the half giant returning shortly from the Whomping Willow carrying an injured kid, with many others following behind, looking shaken.
"We were sent here by the older years," one of the Hufflepuff girls had informed the frantic teachers.
"How did you get in the grounds?" Sprout had asked.
"A s-secret passage," the girl had replied. "Some Ravenclaw's stayed behind…"
"She's going into shock!" Pomona yelled.
"Send them to the infirmary for calming draughts, better yet the Great Hall," the Muggle studies professor said.
"Stay at the grounds," Lucius had told the Herbology professor. "More might be coming." After that the blond aristocrat had left the grounds of Hogwarts, Flooing to the 'Three Broomsticks'.
"Lucius," Dumbledore's voice carried to him. "Try to keep out of the battle. You never know who might be watching."
The man nodded and followed after them, intending to find his son.
Luna fired spell after spell at the Death Eater that had cornered her when she exited the three broomsticks. She had left the pub the moment she realized that someone had to stall the Death Eaters from setting fire to the place while it was still crowded with kids. A couple of Seventh years from Ravenclaw and Gryffindor followed her outside and started casting spells to protect the windows from breaking and catching fire easily, but the blonde pixy like girl faced the huge, black clad figure on her own.
"Arcus!"
"Avis! Opugno!" The blonde conjured a flock of birds to take the brunt of the arrow creating spell and then to distract her opponent she set them attacking him. "Caeco!"
"Avada Kedavra!"
"Reducto!"
"Avada Kedavra!"
Luna expertly danced around the male, dodging the Killing curse and the rest of the nasty curses that followed until she managed to hit him with a disarming spell and followed it with a stunning spell. She had no time to cheer as another spell came her way and before she knew it she was tackled to the ground.
"Professor Lupin," she blinked.
"Miss Lovegood," the werewolf smiled at her. "You did very well. I can take it from here. Have my back?"
"Of course," Luna replied.
And then Remus started fighting the Death Eater who had attacked her.
Neville was following a few paces behind Harry. His task was getting the lingering kids and some of the petrified from fear 'adults' out of the war zone that had become the once quiet village. He had to constantly dodge spells. He grimaced when he came across the disfigured body of one of the shop owners in the village. The Gryffindor knelt down, trying to see if the man was injured or not. When he found out that there was nothing he could do he swallowed the anger and terror he felt and moved on.
He tried to avoid confrontation but it was decided for him when he came across a death eater using a 'Bombarda' on one of the houses. There were noises of terror from inside. Neville paled when he realized that the owners were still inside. One of the walls had collapsed and the family was trapped with nowhere to run. The teen felt even worse when he saw that three of the four inside were little kids. Harnessing his anger the usually meek Gryffindor started shooting off spells towards the Death Eater, effectively getting his attention.
"Well, well, well. Longbottom."
Neville stilled. He was not one for banter, mainly because he was not used to talking much or saying witty things.
"Bombarda!"
"Expelliarmus!" Neville cried.
"Avada Kedavra!"
"Stupefy!"
"Sectumsempra!"
Neville sidestepped that curse and responded with a stunning spell which the Death Eater side stepped. Jets of colorful magic filled the space between them. In the beginning Neville felt a bit unsure of himself but as the duel wore on he found his confidence building. Last year he would not have been able to stand his ground for so long. Trying to focus more on his opponent he forgot that it was a battle ground and not a proper duel. When a second Death Eater snuck up on him Neville did not manage to escape the cutting hex that was aimed at his back. Neville felt a searing pain and burning before he staggered to his knees.
"Affligo! Expelliarmus!"
"Stupefy!"
The two Death Eaters fell before they had time to react.
"Longbottom?" McGonagall hurried to her student's side while Tonks made sure the Death Eater would not rise soon. "He needs a healer! He's rapidly losing blood!"
"I've got a Port-key to St. Mungo's," Tonks yelled.
"Take him and go," McGonagall told her as she brandished her wand and went to the family that had been watching on with shock.
"Serpensortia Multi!" Harry cast and immediately a dozen cobras erupted from his wand tip. The snakes curled around his feet.
Find the men dressed in black cloaks and white skull masks. Then try and bite them. Work as fast as you can.$ Harry hissed the order at them. He watched them slither away.
"Finished?" Nariel asked.
"Yes, they have their orders," Harry responded. "We move in to fight. Incapacitate mostly and don't kill."
Nariel and Enelya both frowned at him.
"That's not a good strategy," the she-Elf complained.
"I know," Harry told her in an equally disapproving voice. "But there are Aurors here. If they see us acting illegally they will arrest us with those bastards."
"Wizards are ridiculous," Nariel spat. Harry did not refute that.
The three Elves moved stealthily through the battlefield, targeting to a man 'Death Eaters' as they could till the last of the strugglers could get away.
"I hate this," said Enelya as they moved carefully towards the noise.
Harry gave a short nod. The Dark Elf could feel the ominous Aura that had covered everything else the moment the attack started. It was not difficult to see the black color that shadowed everything, mixing with a sickly muddy green. Death and pain was all over Hogsmeade.
Draco had taken refuge in the sweet shop but he and the other Slytherin's had refused to hide in the basement where the owners with the younger kids were. The Malfoy heir and his friends were all dressed in Slytherin colours. It would not be enough protection, the blond had seen even Slytherin's attacked, but at least the colours would make the Death Eaters pause a bit. That would hopefully be enough to recognize him as the son of Lucius Malfoy. The majority of the Death Eaters feared his father and would think twice about attacking him if they did at all. Then Draco's group could also talk the attacking wizards into leaving the place alone, providing cover for the people in the basement. And if push came to shove their group would defend themselves fairly well.
His grey eyes were busy searching the streets in case the Death Eaters decided to target the sweet shop. So far the fighting had moved away from them and apart from a few fire spells that had grazed the shop's sign, 'Honey Dukes' was left alone. Draco was pondering why Potter had been so adamant that the door to the cellar was barricaded when Blaise's elbow caught the blonde's sides.
"What?" Draco hissed angrily at his friend while rubbing the sore spot.
"Isn't that your father?" the teen pointed at a man that was storming down the road.
Draco bit his lower lip. His father was not dressed as a Death Eater; even his robes were dark grey, not black. Carefully the Malfoy heir unlocked the door of the store.
"Father!" he called out.
The wizard visibly exhaled in relief when he saw his son. Lucius reached him with fast strides.
"Draco," Lucius pulled his son to him, in a rare show of emotion, and hugged him.
"Father?" Draco blinked.
Lucius released him. "Are you unharmed?"
"Yes. We all are. They did not come near 'Honeydukes'," Draco told his father. The man was now looking composed and his eyes less worried.
"Who else is with you?" Lucius asked.
"My dorm mates. And there are more people in the cellar. Potter told us to stay put."
"Yes, that boy can think when he wants to. Let's go inside. The fight is not over yet."
"Where are they?"
"Outside Rosmerta's and near the end, towards Hogwart's gates."
Draco shivered. They were trying to get into the school?
"Draco!" Lucius raised his voice. "Come on!" he pulled his son back in the shop just in time for a rather large explosion to shake the ground.
"What was that?" Blaise asked when father and son joined them.
No one knew how to answer.
Harry had not expected it but he and the other two Elves stumbled upon two Death Eaters. Only one of them wore a hood. The other Harry recognized immediately.
"Bellatrix Lestrange," Harry muttered.
The witch looked up from her latest victim, her eyes glowing with insanity.
"Baby Potter," she cooed. "You joined the party."
"Harry?" Enelya asked with uncertainty. The witch was making her nervous.
Harry's eyes narrowed. "She's mine," he stated. His wand almost hummed with magic. He started cursing the witch almost immediately.
Enelya and Nariel jumped away from his fight. Nariel focused on the still masked Death Eater. Jets of spells were exchanged between Harry and the cackling woman. Enelya stayed clear of them, her gaze darting to the injured people on the floor. One of them was a villager, though she did not know that, and the other was an Auror. The villager was no longer breathing and the Auror was in a very bad condition. The Elf wanted to help, she knew she was capable of first aid spells, but it was one of the first lessons she had been given from her mentor; never cross a battlefield.
"Crucio!"
"Affligo! Expelliarmus!"
"Avada Kedavra!"
"Reducto!"
"Crucio!"
Harry dodged and shot a stream of curses back at Lestrange. He had eyes only for the witch who continued taunting and cursing him with every breath she took. Bellatrix had a wide variety of spells as she hurled curse after curse at him. Harry put all the training he had gotten from Ailill to good use while he managed to keep up with her. Harry mostly dodged her spells but he managed to surprise her with a few curses of his own. All the while Harry tried not to let her out of his sight. He would not back down and he would not let her get away with all she did.
End of chapter
A/N: More information about Harry, his friends and the tally of the attack in the next chapter.
List of some Spells from this chapter:
Affligo: Strikes a person, as if a blow were made
Arcus: Shoots an arrow, or arrows, from the caster's wand.
Caeco: Gums up the victim's eyes
Oppugno: Causes conjured objects to attack.
Reducto: Enables the caster to explode solid objects