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 Saviour of the Wizarding World has a surprise for them, and mostly for a certain blond.

Pairs: Harry/Lucius, Ron/Hermione, Neville/Ginny, Remus/Tonks

$Parseltongue$

Beta's Bit: there has been a bit of a rewrite to cater for various people being in the wrong place.

Chapter 15: Aftermath of the weekend

Not far from him Nariel was experiencing his first fight against a wizard. Spells the Elf had not known or heard were aimed at him and the blond did his best to not let the ill feeling spells connect with him. With a grace he had honed after years of training he danced around the wizard, weighing him up, trying to decide on a course of action. Nariel knew a few spells that could level the street they stood on, his adversary too, but the damage he could cause that way would be greater than if he managed to use his sword to down his opponent. Nariel knew he just had to get close enough; and he did get his chance for one clean hit. His opponent fell to the ground, blood pooling at the blond Elf's feet.

Bellatrix saw when her subordinate fell and she let out a scream of frustration. Harry's triumphant smirk did not help any. The dark haired teen decided to stop holding back. Tapping into his new magical repertoire Harry started hurling curses back. The look of pure shock on Lestrange's face was well worth it and Harry was now the one with the upper hand in the duel as progressively he managed to back the insane witch into a corner.

Finally Harry got his lucky break. One of his fire spells hit their target and Bellatrix Lestrange. Her screams made the Elves cringe. Harry felt some short of satisfaction at seeing her in pain.

Bellatrix started cursing Harry with more vigour but then she suddenly stopped and pulled back. A look of pure hatred crossed her face.

"We'll do this again," she told Harry before Apparating away.

Nariel quickly approached Harry while Enelya rushed to the injured man.

"Still breathing," the she-Elf said urgently. "But he needs help. There's nerve damage and internal bleeding. We cannot move him."

The two males cursed.

"Stay with her," Harry told Nariel.

"Harry…"

"I can get us help faster," Harry stated.

"You need to hurry," Enelya told him.

The Dark Elf nodded and took off.

Nariel sighed. Then he turned and eyed the two downed Death Eaters. He knew he had killed one but the other was merely unconscious. Expertly he made a rope from his cloak and started tying the guy up.

Dumbledore's wand tip never stopped smoking as spell after hex after curse left it. His sole aim was to incapacitate as many of the Death Eaters as he could. It was not very easy as the majority of them started Apparating away from sight suddenly. Some were taking their injured ones along. The Aurors had been too surprised to act fast; no one had thought to even place anti-Apparation wards to keep something like this from happening.

Albus cursed inwardly as he made sure that at least some Death Eaters were captured. The old wizard was moving faster than anyone would have thought him able at his age. His blue eyes were everywhere, searching for any of his kids that had not made it back. He nodded at Alastor when he crossed paths with the retired Auror.

"They're gone," Mad Eye told him.

Dumbledore nodded. "I saw them pull back. The Aurors…"

Mad Eye scoffed. "They sent the cadets and their leader had no training whatsoever. I want to see how they're going to sweep this one under the rug. Thank Merlin Kingsley arrived. Last I saw him he was ripping them a new one. Has them counting bodies now."

The Headmaster sighed with regret.

"Albus!" McGonagall crossed the demolished main street. Her robes looked charred and her hair a mess.

"The students?" Dumbledore asked.

"We opened the cellar from Honeydukes and Remus found some in the Shrieking Shack. All missing students are accounted for except three."

"Who?" Dumbledore asked.

"Professors!"

The three turned around to see Harry Potter running towards them.

"Mister Potter!" his Head of House yelled.

"Harry?" Dumbledore asked. "Is that blood?"

"Oh, not mine. Listen, there's an injured man behind the bakery and two Death Eaters. Nariel and Enelya are with them."

"Show the way lad," Mad Eyed said in his usual gruff voice.

Harry nodded.

"Harry?" Dumbledore spoke.

"Yes professor?"

"After this return to the castle. You do not want to encounter any reporters."

"Yes, sir," Harry replied, throwing the older wizard a grateful smile.

Lucius was met with Dumbledore half way towards the castle. The blond wizard was escorting about thirty kids up to the castle, his son among them. The old man had merely smiled at his DADA professor and informed him that there would be a staff meeting. Lucius' nerves were still frayed so he just nodded and nudged the kids on.

"Father?" Draco's voice made Lucius stop.

"What is it Draco?" the wizard asked.

"The village," Blaise answered instead of his friend.

Lucius looked up. He heard the kids around him gasp in shock and horror. From the small hill they stood on the village of Hogsmeade was visible, or what was left of it. The houses were still smoking, a black smoke cloud gathering above the place. The screaming had stopped. It was eerily quiet now, even the forest.

"Let's go," Lucius ordered them. "It's not wise to linger." He turned his back to the sight. It was something familiar to him. As a Death Eater he had seen and done worse.

Hospital Wing...

Poppy Pomfrey was dead on her feet. She had been up for more than twenty four hours. Albus had called for extra help from St. Mungo's for those who could not be transferred that far plus the parents and older students that volunteered to help. She had all fifty beds full and an equal number of conjured cots for people that were not seriously hurt.

"Poppy!" an old co-worker of hers from her days at St. Mungo's came running to her.

"Yes, Claire," the matron rubbed her sore eyes.

The other Healer, Claire, gave her a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "We need more sleeping draughts and fever repressing potions. And you're pot of Calming draughts. I've asked for more potions to be brought from the hospital."

"Thank you. I think Severus still has a few extra batches of them in his rooms," Poppy thought to herself. "I'll send one of his Slytherin's to get them. But just to be certain bring your stock over. Speaking of Severus, have you seen him yet?"

Claire shook her head.

Poppy sighed and moved on. She spotted Ginny Weasley in a bed. She was awake now and wincing in pain.

"Don't move dear," Madame Pomfrey told the girl gently. "You were hit with a rather nasty curse and your face and neck were burned quite seriously."

Ginny whimpered.

"Now, now," Poppy smiled. "I have put a paste on them and the worst burnings have disappeared. The skin is red and tender and will remain so for a week, but it won't scar permanently. Now, don't try to talk. I'll give you a Sleeping draught take it before you go to bed. You used too much of your magic in that duel and in recovering from your wounds. It's best that you get a good nights sleep now go get some food in the great hall."

Poppy shook her head. These kids were just too much. She doubted she could ever understand them entirely, especially their figure head, Harry Potter. She was glad that at least this once that boy had not ended up in her beds, glad and relieved. She was still chilled by the fact that a battle had taken place not too far from the castle. It was beginning to get as bad as it was sixteen years ago, during the first era of the Dark Lord's reign and she did not like it.

Great Hall, Defence Association...

That evening the students were subdued. There was a large chunk of students missing as they occupied the wards of the hospital wing.

Most of the school was there, even the first years; those were gathered together in a corner, a few sniffling still.

Hermione winced as she was helped to a seat. Her ribs still ached from the curses that hit her. It was not as bad as when she had been injured at the Ministry of Magic. Ron's left hand was broken from the elbow down. He had taken the Skele-Gro potion Madam Pomfrey gave him, but opted not to stay in bed. His hand was in a sling and he was careful with his movements.

Neville was just bruised, not only on his face but all over his body and he walked carefully. Ginny came and sat with Neville, she had been hit even though it was not directly, with a burning curse. Her fiancé was subdued as he was sitting with Ron and Hermione.

The sixth year Gryffindor's were pretty beat up, as well as the older years. They had lost two seventh years when Bellatrix had set 'Madam Puddifoot's' on fire. Only the Hufflepuff's were in worse shape; they had actually lost a seventh year student and two more were in St. Mungo's in critical condition. The Ravenclaw's were not that bad, but Padma and Parvati had lost their father when the wizard had rushed to the school to help his daughters. The two of them were with their mother for a few days, to help her cope.

When Harry walked in the Hall all eyes were on him. The faces the green eyed wizard met were gaunt, tired. Some people were still crying. Others, a large number, looked in pain. Torn robes, bruised cheeks, it was a common sight. Harry knew that there were about twenty kids in the infirmary and several had their parents in St. Mungo's.

"Harry!" It was Astoria Greengrass that yelled his name. The younger girl was a Slytherin that had been coming to his last two lessons and as cute and cuddly as Luna only with more bite.

Ginny stood after the little Slytherin girl and Harry saw Hermione also craning her neck and her eyes widening at the sight of him.

"You're bleeding!" the Weasley girl told him.

Harry's eyes went wide. "Oh? This? It's not mine!"

Several people sagged in relief.

Harry shook his robes off, letting the blood stained fabric fall to the floor. He saw Ginny set it on fire. The Gryffindor moved on, reaching Hermione's side.

"You okay?" he asked his friend.

She nodded. "Do you know anything about Ron?"

"Yes, I did stop by the hospital wing," Harry told her. "Nasty break that. Madame Pomfrey was done with him up when I stopped by and he was dozing; he will be with us by dinner."

"What happened to you?" Ginny slid on Harry's other side.

"Where were you?" Hermione added.

The Dark Elf sighed. He also knew that most of the Hall was looking and listening at him. He cleared his throat and spoke in a louder voice. The rest of the kids also deserved to hear this especially after all they had been through. "I was with friends when they came. We managed to organize ourselves," he spoke. "Did anyone see Malfoy?"

"Draco returned," Zabini said from the doorstep. "He's talking to his mother and he will join us soon. Most of us are finished notifying our families."

Harry nodded. "Anyway, long story short, I came up against Lestrange."

Several people gasped. Neville had gotten alarmingly pale.

"Oh, Harry," Hermione sighed. "You and your luck…"

"Hey! Leave my luck out of this! I was quite lucky. She had two others with her. We took them down, me and Nariel but she got away, not scot free mind you but that mad witch still got away." Harry turned to his fellow Gryffindor. "Sorry Neville."

"Harry, don't you dare," Neville glared at the Dark Elf. "That woman… She will pay; one way or another. I'm just glad you managed to survive her."

The green eyed teen sighed and nodded.

The Hall was subdued again.

Harry could practically see the dark cloud of sadness and misery over them and the fear was starting to seep into his very bones. The Dark Elf stood from the bench and chose to sit on the actual table. "So, what did you guys do? I heard you all did quite well actually, and from Aurors no less."

Most of the students perked up.

"We first helped kids leave," Hermione told him.

"Third years and Fourth years went first," Neville added.

"Slytherin's too," Zabini continued. "I think some of the Death Eaters that came after 'Honeydukes' recognized his kids were inside."

Harry fought a grimace. He knew Voldemort was a mean bastard but that wizard's cruelty often managed to surprise him.

"We were lucky," a kid from Hufflepuff said. It was quiet in the Great Hall so he was heard. Several others were soon murmuring their agreement.

"Yes," the Dark Elf agreed. "You all were. See Mione? My luck does rub off!"

The witch groaned at the bad attempt for a joke. "Harry, not when I'm aching."

"Why not? I know it's the only way I won't get smacked. See, my luck at work again. Seriously now," Harry sobered up. "We are survivors, all of us. Each one of you did amazingly well today."

"I did not fight," Hannah Abbot spoke up. "I was told to run and I did."

"That's called self preservation," Draco commented, entering the room. "It's about time you Hufflepuff's learned it.

"Draco!" several of the Slytherin's called out and the blond greeted them with obvious relief.

The Malfoy Heir looked weary and the way he sat spoke of relief. Harry was tempted to ask Draco what had happened and whether Lucius was there with the Death Eaters or if the man was at least okay. Harry's Elf side felt antsy and the teen was practicing every bit of his self control by not hunting the man down and jumping him, because that would be bad, very bad. And Ailill would get very, very angry with Harry.

"Welcome back Draco," the Dark Elf greeted. "And guys, that Slytherin is correct. Running away when the enemy is stronger is not cowardly. Running away when faced with a foe you know you have no chance beating is the best and smartest tactic."

"But you came up against Lestrange," Colin Creevey piped up.

"Yes, well, Potter is not the smartest of the bunch is he?" Draco drawled. "All the common sense went to the other two thirds of the Golden Trio."

"Funny," Harry deadpanned. "But there really was no way out. She was about to kill someone and she and her lackeys saw Nariel, Enelya and I. We had to stay and fight. Common sense is not something Bellatrix is known for. What you all did today was basically follow orders. It's why we did not have any more victims. I'm proud to know each and every one of you and I know our teachers are as well."

There was more muttering but the students were relaxing and even smiling. Harry, glad that he had gotten through to them, hopped down from the table and reclaimed his earlier seat. The noise in the Hall picked up and soon people were talking to their friends. They were still pale and tired but at least they were looking hopeful now.

"So, girls, I have to say that I'm feeling a bit hungry," Harry announced suddenly. "I'd kill for a pizza right now."

Hermione snorted. "I doubt the house elves know how to actually make pizza."

"What is that?" Neville asked.

"Comfort food," Harry said.

"Junk food," Hermione replied at the same time.

"It's tasty," they both said together.

"Ah! Muggle food then," Ginny mused.

"I'd settle for pie, any pie," Harry said then. "And treacle tart."

"Seeing you so ravenous is odd," Hermione commented.

Harry shrugged. "Tell me about it."

"Where is Enelya?" Neville asked then.

Hermione blinked. "And Nariel is not with the Slytherin's."

"They're with Ailill right now," Harry replied. "It would not do for the Aurors to question them."

"You were questioned?" Ginny inquired.

"Yup. But Dumbledore and Kingsley were there and it did not take much time," Harry informed them.

Ginny whistled lowly. "That's tough."

The doors to the Great Hall opened again and McGonagall entered with Sinistra. The two women looked winded and the Head of Gryffindor House had obviously seen better days. The small noise that had started after Harry's impromptu speech hushed again.

"I bring news from St. Mungo's," McGonagall announced without preamble.

Several people stood straighter.

"Lisa Turpin escaped danger but has to remain in the Healer's care. She's had to re-grow her liver and the bones of her left leg."

The Ravenclaw's sighed with relief.

"Anthony Goldstein," here McGonagall's voice caught. "His funeral will be held in two days."

Harry felt his stomach drop. He saw how Anthony's friends started tearing up at the news. McGonagall, head held high, continued with her task. Two students from Hufflepuff each lost a parent, as they had turned up in Hogsmeade to help and a boy from Slytherin lost his cousin, she had been working at 'Madame Puddifoot's and did not manage to get out of the place when it went up in flames. Then, Harry's Head of House went on mentioning more names. It caught the Dark Elf's attention that some of the names belonged to death Eaters and that the Order had perhaps managed to take out some of them. As of today Gregory Goyle was orphaned on his father's side. Pansy Parkinson's Uncle's name was mentioned. Marcus Flint lost his father and older brother. More names followed, some Harry had not even heard of and soon McGonagall's morbid list ended.

"My condolences to each of you," Minerva said to each of the students. "I had hoped that none of you would live through something like this in your lifetime."

"It is a sad day today," Sinistra added.

"For what is worth, you all were great today," McGonagall told them. "The house elves will start serving dinner but are willing to take orders from students too. After that it would be better if you returned to your dorms early. Also, Professor Snape asked me to inform you that if you want them, Calming Draughts and Dreamless Sleep will be provided should you need them, at least for tonight. Prefects, you are to watch over the younger students, as are our Head Boy and Head Girl," McGonagall eyed the pair of them as she said that last bit. "Should you need anything you know how to contact us."

After that she swept out of the room with Sinistra, leaving weary students in her wake.

Room of Requirement...

Harry was moping. That summed up his mood since he spoke to the gathered students at the Great Hall. The losses struck him hard. The fact that kids had lived the horror of a Death Eater attack made the Dark Elf feel even worse, like lead in his stomach.

"Hey," Enelya called out. "Snap out of it."

"If I knew how…" Harry sighed.

"It was a battle," Nariel told him. "We were strong enough, we survived."

"Don't forget Lady Luck," Ailill added.

"To a degree yes," Nariel admitted grudgingly.

"I know. Ignore me. I'm just in a funk right now," Harry told them. "It will pass, eventually."

"Survivor's guilt," Ailill knowingly commented. "You should act like you preach, you know.

Harry tapped his hand on his knee. "I know but…"

Enelya groaned. "You are worse than a bloody seer! Just say it! I hate it when we have to pry anything from you."

"I agree with the brat," Nariel drawled.

Harry shot a glare at each of them. "You don't understand!"

"Then make us," Nariel held Harry's gaze till the latter sighed and gave in.

"It is my fault that Voldemort's attacking so close to Hogwarts."

"The school is a strategic location," Ailill pointed out. "Control the flow of knowledge, the young generation, that gives power."

Harry's face was as morose as possible. "Yes, but Voldemort is after me, not just the school."

"Why would he target you specifically?" Enelya asked.

"Well, last year I learned why he came after me when I was a child."

"I thought he was after your parents," Ailill mused.

"I did too, but it turns out there's a prophecy…"

"Prophecy?" Ailill drew himself up.

Enelya stood at attention.

"What prophecy?" Nariel demanded cutting Harry off.

Harry's head dropped. "Can you keep a secret?"

"Of course!" Enelya exclaimed.

The Dark Elf settled as best as he could and started telling of Trelawney's prophesy to the other Elves with as much detail he could muster. "There was a prophecy made even before I was born about Voldemort and I and it went like this…"

Hospital Wing...

The Great Hall had emptied an hour ago but Hermione and Ginny instead of returning to Gryffindor Tower and getting some rest went to Madam Pomfrey for the red haired girl's burns and her last dose of potion. The matron was happy to see both of them.

"This is the last one Miss Weasley," Poppy said with a smile as she applied the paste for the last time and then gave her a potion.

Ginny grimaced at the potion's taste but said nothing of it.

"It's over," Hermione told Ginny happily.

"Yeah."

"Let me check you one more time and then you can go," Madam Pomfrey.

"Fine," Ginny accepted.

Hermione watched with interest the process and continued the discussion she held with Ginny before they came to the infirmary.

"I really don't think Professor Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall would go for it, not after what happened with Lockhart," Hermione told the younger girl. "We only saw Professor McGonagall for a bit tonight before she had to leave again. It would be bad to add to their stress. Things are strained enough."

"I still think we need it," Ginny replied. "Especially now. Harry is busy organizing the dates for the 'Duelling Club' and keeping up with those guys from France. The smell of burned wood is still in the air and we are no longer allowed into Hogsmeade. Most won't want to return even after the village is rebuilt. We need to vent, we need to be kids."

"What are you two on about?" Madam Pomfrey asked as she could not help but overhear their talk.

"Ginny wanted to do something for Valentine's Day that is approaching," Hermione told the older witch.

The Medi witch considered this for a while before coming to a decision. "As long as you don't make dwarves dress in pink no one can protest," the matron of the Hospital wing said.

The girls nodded.

Lucius' Quarters...

The Head of the Malfoy family felt weary to the marrow of his bones. The day had started out promising but had turned into a nightmare fast. Lucius was still reeling. He almost lost his son that day, he almost lost Draco. The realization of this hit him hard and the man almost felt sick to his stomach. Then the anger came and swept nausea away. The Dark Lord, that insane wizard, had ordered an attack on kids. He had not cared that children of his followers, pureblood children, would be there.

"Bloody psychopath," Lucius angrily muttered as he tore off his robes. They smelled like burned wood and charred flesh and he wanted them off him and burned to oblivion.

After he had seen his son to safety he had been asked to return to the now smoking ruins of Hogsmeade. The main street had been totalled and some of the buildings that stood when he had left had fallen during his second visit. Dumbledore, formidable as the man was, looked stricken at the disaster and also angry, angrier than Lucius had ever seen the Headmaster being. Lucius and Moody had been the chosen two to follow the Headmaster to the 'Hog's Head'. There, a man looking strikingly similar to Dumbledore was being carted off to St. Mungo's. Then Moody had made a comment that Albus could follow them and that he had other people to look after the school. Dumbledore's next comment had shocked the blond.

"I do not think Aberforth would want me there. There's bad blood between my brother and I."

In the end Moody had convinced the old wizard to go with his brother for a while and a still reeling Lucius was sent to get Severus Snape and Minerva McGonagall.

Returning to the castle, much later, Draco had been waiting for him and had told him that he had informed Narcissa about the attack and told the panicking witch that both father and son were alright and completely unharmed. Then his son informed him of casualties.

"… and Potter has not been seen yet. The mud… Granger is worried over him. I'm going to the Great Hall next to see what is happening. Blaise has already headed there."

Lucius tried to breathe. He now did not recall what he had told his son, and maybe it did not matter. What bothered him was his thoughts of how one Gryffindor could make his world spin. Lucius was worried about Harry. He had long ago stopped referring to the teen as Potter; that was one battle long lost. While the blond wanted to search after the teen, ask around, he knew it would look suspicious at best so he tried to stay put lest he did something stupid.

As life would have it, luck was on his side. He had just finished taking a scalding hot bath when his peace was disturbed. Lucius merely threw a night robe over his still damp body and went to answer the door. There on the doorstep stood the object of his thoughts and troubles.

"Harry."

The teen blinked. He scanned Lucius from head to toe and the blond saw those emerald orbs widen a bit at the sight of him before Harry pushed him inside the room and shut the door behind him.

"Thank Merlin!" the youth whispered before pulling Lucius' head down for a desperate kiss.

Lucius went willingly, pulling the slightly slimmer male into his arms as they kissed and embraced. All of Lucius' stress seemed to melt away and he could feel Harry trembling in his arms. They kissed heavily for a while; breathing only when they had to and devouring each other as best as they could. Finally, ten minutes later, Harry seemed to get his bearings and pulled back a bit. The older man was gratified to see the thoroughly kissed look on Harry's face and those glazed green eyes.

"You silly boy," Lucius muttered before burying his head on the Dark Elf's shoulder. "You have no idea how worried I was. When I started thinking straight that is. This whole day…"

"Yes, I know, things were pretty crazy," Harry sighed into the soft blond hair. He took in his mate's scent and felt his stomach fluttering. "I was worried about you."

"I was not the one rushing into battle," Lucius commented, his hands tightening around Harry's sides. "Wait, does your mentor know you are here? Won't you get in trouble?"

"I got permission," Harry admitted but not elaborating on that. "But I have to go to my dorms soon. All students have to. There will be a lock down, the Head boy and girl told us."

Lucius pulled up a bit and kissed the teen again. "How long till curfew?"

"Half an hour but its ten minutes till my dorms so…"

"Hush," Lucius muttered and kissed Harry again.

End of chapter

A/N: The rest of the Hogsmeade Battle, the aftermath of the attack and a bit of Harry/Lucius in the end.