Thanatos entered the basement where Rabastan was held captive, Rabastan shivered as he saw him approaching.
"Please don't kill me," he begged. "Please let me go."
Every day Thanatos has been threatening and terrorizing Rabastan, giving him hallucinating potions which Lily has made that make a person see a horrifying version of the things he sees. So, even a rat seemed as dangerous as a dragon and an itsy bitsy spider as an Acromantula.
"Can you give me gold?" asked Thanatos. "Galleons lots of galleons?"
Rabastan nodded. "I come from a very rich family, I have lots of gold, jewellery and heirlooms. Please let me go and I will give you as many things as you want."
"Hmm, but why not take me to your vault, I chose what I want and then I will let you go?"
Rabastan thought for a moment and then nodded, "Okay, I will do that. Just please let me go."
"But you are not allowed to talk about it to anyone, not before and not after I free you, understand?"
"Yes, yes I understand," stammered Rabastan.
"Then it's a bargain, a deal," said Thanatos. "You take me to your vault, let me take what I want and then you are a free man. Do you promise to fulfil this?"
"Yes, just anything to get out of this horrifying place," he glance around the dark basement and shivered. Only, this morning he has seen a sphinx staring at him hungrily and then dozens of venomous snakes were covering his body.
They had decided that James, Lily, Adam, Rabastan and Sirius will go inside the vault, Sirius was an extra add but he was important for the plan as the Black's vault was adjacent to Lestrange's so if the alarm goes off then they could show that it was Black's vault that was stolen by Sirius Black himself, who is in need of money and not the Lestrange's vault.
"Normally, there's only place for five, four wizards and a goblin, in the cart at a time. So, either the girl gets off or someone else, only four men at a time," said Adam.
"We need Lily, she has the best experience dealing with the imperius curse, we need her to control Rabastan," James said pointing at Rabastan who was knocked out for the travel. "You need me for identifying the cup properly and we of course need you and the goblin."
"Don't worry I can squeeze in without counting as a human," winked Sirius.
"Okay. Now, remember we will have Rabastan under imperius curse and beneath the cloak as we enter Grungotts, so as to make sure no one sees him or he doesn't asks for help, and once inside we'll remove the cloak. But before getting into the cart we have to remove the curse and it'll be best if Rabastan takes us willingly there, this will make sure that the cart doesn't fall. As it's Rbastan's vault. Remember he gambles a lot and loses money, so that'll be our coverup story."
"The main problem will be that our real faces will be revealed inside there," said James. "So, we have to hope that Order causes enough distraction so we get out without many suspicions."
The Diagon Alley was decorated with pumpkins, there were candles placed waiting for the sun to go down so that they could be lit and many other beautiful things if they weren't here on a heist mission, they would have considered enjoying the evening here.
James was a blonde man with a big mole on his chin, Lily was having black eyes and hair, and a lot of freckles, and Sirius was a short bald man.
Once they reached in front of the entrance to the snowy white building, they saw a goblin standing beside the bronze gates. A glance around told James that the entire Order was already there, Marls who was inside a shop gave him an encouraging smile. He looked up and saw Seige there, he was there to alert Order members of any attack. Seige was the only owl who was trained to identify threats, James has taught her from books. He waved at him and the owl hooted happily.
"I have never been inside Gringotts before," whispered Lily. "Just outside to exchange money."
"Well here you are," James whispered back. "Try to be calm, and you're a halfblood here."
They entered the vast marble hall which was decorated too, it wasn't crowded at all just a few people in there. Moody was in there, and he gave them a nod as James removed the cloak from over Rabastan after making sure no one was watching. He was making his way to the front when Adam nudged him.
"Our goblin friend is over there in the corner, come follow me," said Adam and the other four followed him. "Gornuk! my friend. Happy Halloween"
"Adam," greeted the goblin. "Happy Halloween to you too." He then looked at others. "Ah! I see, so have you brought the things?" he whispered.
Adam nodded and moved closer, "Here's your gin, mead, and wine. You asked for a bottle of the finest one each, I have got you five bottles, each better than the other. This blue is from Italy, it tastes like heaven."
James noticed the hungry yet satisfied look on the Goblin's face, it has taken James a lot of effort to get hold of these things. The goblin put the package inside a drawer and then straightened it. "And the other thing?"
James moved forward and took out the mini statue of Godric Gryffindor, the goblin's eyes widened.
"It's goblin made, a very fine product," said the goblin. "A very precious goblin product, the best goblin magic is used in it, I can feel it even from here." He stretched his hands to take it but Adam interrupted.
"Nah, ah, ah, Gornuk, not yet," said Adam. "Remember you only taught me that in a deal give the other half after the completion of deal, so you help us and then you can have it."
"There's trust issues, Adam,"
"Exactly, we're putting our lives in danger too, so please, once our work is done, you can have it," said Adam. The goblin was still not convinced.
"Sir, you have to help us, it's essential for us that everything goes alright because then only we can defeat you know who, don't you want to help us defeat the person who slaughters goblins, who thinks that you all are not equal? Please understand and help us, we want to bring equality," James urged.
"Do it for Thanatos, Gornuk, you know I have a connection with him," whispered Adam. "It's his work that we are doing, we're helping him. He'd have come himself here but then the plan would have failed. You yourself said that Thanatos is the hope of the entire magical world after he has punished the killer of your friend goblin's family. Do it for your Goblin friend, for Thanatos."
"Okay," agreed Gornuk after a minute of thinking. "But you have to promise me that you will give me that statue."
"You have my words, I will give you the statue," said James.
"So, sir Lestrange is here?"
"Yes, I am here, and I would like to visit my vault," said Rabastan moving forward, and speaking clearly so that others could hear too. "You see, I was gambling and now I owe these lads a hundred galleons, so take me to my vault."
James noticed the goblin nearest to Gornuk looked at Rabastan and shook his head. So, this indeed was a usual thing for Rabastan.
"Can I see your wand for verification sir?" asked Gornuk and then he examined the wand. "Very well, follow me, sir."
James then took the wand from Rabastan and pocketed it safely.
As they entered in the narrow stone passageway lit with flaming torches, James hurriedly took out his Thanatos robe from the locket and wore it, and Lily wore her Andraste robe, while Sirius transformed into a dog.
Gornuk gasped, "Thanatos and Andraste?"
"Yes, Gornuk, they are, now call the cart, we are in a hurry you see," said Adam. "Remove the imperius curse and let him willingly give us the treasure."
Rabastan shivered as he came to his own senses.
"Listen here Rabastan," growled Thanatos. "You complete your deal, and then you're free to go, fail to do so then you're dead."
"Take as many galleons, gems and heirlooms as you want, just let me go," said Rabastan shaking.
"So, you're willingly going to give him what he wants as a part of your deal?" asked Gornuk to Rabastan as he sat on the cart in front.
"Yes, I am willingly giving him whatever he wants from my vault," Rabastan answered.
"The cart will not flip then," muttered Gornuk.
Adam sat in front with Gronuk, while James and Lily sat with Rabastan, James was in middle and has tied Rabastan to the cart with muggle ropes. Snuffles has settled himself on James' lap and was growling at Rabastan.
The cart moved off with a jerk, gathering speed. The cart began twisting and turning through the labyrinth passages, sloping downward all the time. James could not hear anything over the rattling of the cart on the teacks: His hair flew behind him as they swerved between stalactites, flying ever deeper into the earth. He felt Lily clutching his arm tightly as they went deeper and deeper. James has never penetrated this deep into Gringotts.
Then he saw a waterfall pounding over the track, they zoomed through it, water filling James' eyes and mouth, he could not see or breathe for a moment. Suddenly Sirius turned back to his original state, Lily was back to her original state.
With an extra wizard, the cart began wobbling.
"An extra wizard, hurry or we all will fall, we are not far from our destination," shouted Gornuk
"Sirius turn back to the dog," shouted James.
"He can't, the water is enchanted," shouted Gornuk. "It prevents anyone from being an imposter."
"Sirius, you jump down. I will protect you trust me," said Lily. "You can use other charms as well, jump now, trust me."
Sirius jumped, and Lily shouted two spells back to back, "Wingardium Leviosa." And then a cushioning charm."
Sirius landed slowly on the ground.
"Follow us, Sirius," shouted Adam.
"Why didn't the cart flipped, why no Thief's Downfall?" asked James.
"Because, we're not robbing here, sir Lestrange is willingly giving you his gold," answered Gornuk.
The cart stopped and they all exited. James freed Rabastan and pushed him forward, his wand pressed at his back.
Sirius came running towards them and panted, "Returning here after five years."
They began walking and turned a passageway, and saw a gigantic dragon, tethered to the ground in front of them, barring access to four or five of the deepest vaults in the place.
Lily gasped, looking wide-eyed at it's spiked wings. It roared with a noise that made the rock tremble, opened its mouth, and spat a jet of fire that sent them running back up to the passageway.
"It is partially blind," panted Gornuk. "But don't worry. It will expect pain when it hears the noise, here take the clankers," he handed them the small metal instrument, even to Rabastan. "You know what to do. Come, follow me."
They advanced around the corner again, shaking the clankers, and the nbiuse echoed iff the rocky walls, grossly magnified, so that the inside of their skulls seemed to vibrate with the din. THe dragon let out another harsh roar, then retreated.
"Should I open the vault, sir Lestrange?" asked the Goblin.
"Yes, open it," answered Rabastan.
Gornuk pressed his hand against the wodden door, and the door melted away to reveal a cavelike opening crammed from floor to ceiling with golden coins and goblets, silver armor, the skins of strange creaturs. . . some with long spines, others with dropping wings. . . potions in jeweled flasksm and a skull wearing a crown.
"Wow, it's amazing," Lily said impressively.
"Go and take as many things as you want," said Rabastan fearfully,
"You all know how how it looks, so let's hurry," said James as he began to walk inside.
"Wait," shouted Sirius. "In my vault if someone who isn't a family enters then the door closes and curses activates, let Lestrange go in first, and then we'll follow him."
"The door will remain open but the curse won't be lifted then also," informed Gornuk.
"We'll risk it. Move," James pushed Rabastan inside and then after a nod to others entered himself, the others followed him. "Search fast."
They all lit their wands to search properly and began examining piles of objects surrounding them.
"Galleons, over here," Rabastan bend and picked up a handful of it.
"I don't want gold," hissed James.
"Then the jewels are here, and that crown, it's ancient heirloom, very expensive," he said. "You can have it."
"I need the cup," said James. "Where it is?"
Rbastan's eyes widened. "I. . I don't know, it's not ours, take anything else, expect for it, please."
"Where is it?"
"Please, take all the thing you want but the cup," Rabastan was now sweating and shaking.
"Tell me," growled James, pressing his wand at Rabastan's throat, the skin there burned.
"I didn't see where Bella put it," he said hurriedly.
"James. . . Ah!" Sirius screamed in pain, James turned to see that Sirius was holding a goblet tumbling from her grip but as it fell, it split and became a shower of goblets. "It burned me."
"Careful," shouted Gornuk. "They have added Gemino and Flagrante curse. If anyone outside the family touches the object then the curse will be active."
"Okay, don't touch anything!" said Lily desperately but even as she said, Adam accidentally nudged on the fallen goblets with his foot, and twenty more goblets exploded, Adam hopped as his skin burned.
"Stand still, don't move!" said James. "Just look around! A small cup with the badger."
"Please, not the cup," begged Rabastan.
"Silent!" James said. "Or I will lock you here, forever."
James sent a great cascade of fake galleons onto the ground where they joined the goblets and there was scarcely any room to place their feet.
Rabastan retreated in a corner, while the goblin stood in the opposite corner near the door at a safe spot asking them to hurry.
"James, it's up there," shouted Lily pointing her wand on the shelves rising to the ceiling, James looked and amongst many helmets was the cup he recognised.
"Yes!" James said as all of them pointed their wands at it. "Accio Cup!"
"No magic, no use of magic on them," snarled the goblin moving out of the vault. "Hurry!"
"And how the hell are we going to get up there without touching anything?" asked Sirius.
James turned around to see Rabastan was stuck in a corner and if he come over here then he'll make this place suffocating for everyone.
"Jump and come over here," James said to him but Rabastan shook his head.
"Please leave the cup," he said.
"Fuck him," snarled Sirius.
"I have got the sword," said Lily. "Try and use it." She took out the sword, which grew to it's original size and tossed it to James.
"We have to hide the sword from the goblin or he'll get greedy," hissed Adam. "You all get the cup, I will hide you all from his view." And Adam moved to stand at the doorway carefully blocking the view.
"What if it multiplies?" asked James and touched the tip of the blade to a silver flagon nearby, which did not multiply. James tried to reach the cup but it was high, he gave it to Sirius who was tallest.
"It's still very high," said Sirius. "Even I can't reach it."
"Sirius, climb on by back," James said.
"But you'll get burn if your skin touches the metal," said Lily, as they all could feel their shoes heating up.
"Good," said James. "Then Sirius you've to hurry. We need the cup at all cost." He bend down, putting his palm and knees on the ground, it burned badly. "Hurry up, Pads!"
Sirius climbed on his back, and as he tried to get the cup, he hit a suit of armor with his hand and replicas bust out of it like white-hot bodies. James groaned loudly.
"Carful, Sirius," shrieked Lily.
Sirius attempted again and this time was successful to thrust the sword through the handle of Hufflepuff's cup, hooking it onto the blade. "YES!" said Sirius happily climbing down.
Then the worst scream made all three of them to look behind, Rabastan has ran towards Adam, who was so busy watching Sirius and calling instructions that he didn't watched the man approaching him. Rabastan knocked down Adam and snatched his wand.
Lily took hold of the sword and cup as James and Sirius raised their wands at Rabastan, who has now grabbed Adam and has pointed the wand at him, and was moving out. The three of them began to move across the hot piles of objects which continued multiplying.
"James put the cup in your locket or it might get lost in these," Lily gave him the cup as they struggled to get out. James immediately put the cup in the locket and Lily wore the sword as necklace.
As they moved out they saw that Rabastan was grabbing Adam by neck with his wand at Adam's head, and was moving towards the cart. Gornuk who was still there, closed the doors immediately toprevent things from coming out.
"Leave him, Rabastan, you are now free to go, leave Adam," shoited James advancing at him, James' arm and knees were all red and hurting from the burn but saving Adam was much important.
"Oh, I am free, I will run away from here, and bring others, you all will be doomed," he laughed.
"No, don't, listen leave him, okay?" said James advancing with others.
Rabastan sent a killing curse towards James which he avoided.
Sirius was about to hit Rabastan but Lily stopped him, "You'll hurt Adam."
"He's moving towards the dragon without these clankers," said Gornuk from behind Lily.
But before James could warn, Adam tried to get out of Rabastan's grip, both of them fell back, Rabastan slided back away from Adam, kicking him and trying to drag him, Adam wrestled to get back his wand, and then as James waited for a clear shot to stun Rabastan, he saw Rabastan's lips moving, he saw the wand was pointed at Adam's chest, the green light emmited and Adam was thrown back.
"NO!" screamed James as Adam's lifeless body hit the ground. Rabastan laughed, James was about to rush forward and kill Rabastan himself when Sirius took hold of him and pulled him back hard, there was a loud roar followed by a jet of fire, which James barely avoided, the last thing he saw was Rabastan vapourizing and then Adam's lifeless body vapourizing.
Gronuk came forward shaking the clankers, the dragon retreated back.
"Hurry, we need to go back," he hissed.
"Adam," cried James.
"James let's go, we can't do anything now," Sirius said as he took a clanker himself.
"Adam, he. . .he died, it was my fault."
"James," Lily said in a soft voice. "We have to go or his death will be worthless, please let's go, we have to defeat Voldemort, that's what our goal is."
Shaking clankers, they all sat on the cart, James was in tears.
The goblin was about to ask for the statue but moved the cart immediately as the dragon roared again.
"Will they find out that there was a robbery?" asked Sirius.
"No," replied the goblin. "As the owner of the vault has already confessed that he was willing to give anything from his vault so it'd not be consider as a robbery."
"But we forced him to say that," said Lily.
"It was a price he was willing to pay for his freedom, he was buying his freedom in exchange of gold, it was a buisness not a robbery," explained Gornuk. "If one was to rob then the cart would have destroyed itself and you'd never be able to get out. Many die locked in there, ans we find their skeleton ten years later."
"Merlin's beard!" gasped Sirius. "I didn't knew about ten years."
"You all should hope that they don't notice you or investigate about why dragon was roaring or you'll be caught," informed Gornuk.
There were loud noises from outside as the cart stopped. "Looks like something's wrong, you better give me the statue now."
James nodded and gave him the statue, the goblin eyed it satisfyingly and then pocketed it.
All of them began to move out when Gornuk spoke again.
"Adam was a good man, not like other wizards who try to outsmart us, lie and trick us. Have been watching him grow here in the Alley, was four years old when I first saw him. Had a clever mind but never used it for wrong reason that I know of," said Gornuk. "You better defeat the Dark Lord."
James nodded as they reached the door that led to the hall where the other goblins were sitting, loud noises and shoutings were coming from there.
"Thanks Gornuk," said James. "And sorry for this, Lily."
"Obliviate," Lily said pointing her wand at the Goblin whose eyes rolled. When the goblin came to his senses, he was sitting alone on floor in the narrow passageway and ther was a statue in his pocket, the last thing he remembered was standing in the Hall idly.
"Cover your faces," said James as they reached the hall, all the goblins were hiding behind their desks.
Few people were running around crying,"Inferi attack and Dementors." More noise was coming from outside.
They all ran outside to saw all the decorations destroyed, smoke rising, streets empty of local people but there were about fufty death eaters and thirty Order members and Aurors.
"We have to help them," said Sirius running to fight aid Emmeline Vance.
"What should we do? I have this," hissed James. But before they could decide anything, three death eaters appeared in front of them and they were engaged in a duel.
"It's Thanatos, call master, call master," shouted a death eater. "Andraste is here too. Call him."
"Fuck," hissed James as two more death eaters joined the duel.
James' hood was thrown back.
"I know him, he's that Potter, James Potter," shouted a death eater, Avery. "And that's the mudblood with him."
James' heart beat increased at those words, he and Lily exchanged a panicy look for a second.
Then they saw black smoke forming in the middle of the alley and Voldemort appeared. "They are mine, I will kill them."
"I love you, James," said Lily as she saw death coming.
"I love you too, Lily," James replied. If only they could get a moment to use the portkey but that would be very risky, it'd be like turning your back on a lion.
"Move aside, today as the sunsets, I will kill these two," said Voldemort, the death eaters parted to give him space.
James and Lily were now face to face with Voldemort. Both of their hearts' beating fast, both just wanting one thing to save the other. SAVE THE OTHER.
And then the duel moved to next step, from the first second itself they knew they have lost. It was the hardest duel of their life.
"You escaped that night, Thanatos but not today," hissed Voldemort.
"He's James Potter, my lord and that's his mudblood wife, they rejected your offer too," Avery said.
"I see," a malicious smile appearing on Voldemort's face. "No worry, I will kill the husband and wife together today."
"Only time will tell, Riddle," shouted James.
"YOU!" Voldemort sent a jet of spells at him, James' shield was destroyed and he has to duck them.
"I have made a knock-knock joke on you," said James bringing up his shield again. "Knock-knock." But he was thrown few steps backwards as a blasting spell hit his shield. "You ask who's there."
"Shut up, boy," shouted Voldemort. "You are going to die." Voldemort deflected Lily's back to back curses, and fired his own curse at her and then turned to James.
James was thrown several steps backwards as Voldemort's spell collided with his shield. Both he and Lily were mostly defnding and attacking only once or twice.'
Voldemort laughed as a cut appeared on Lily's shoulder and she shrieked in pain.
He sent a killing curse at James who jumped sideways to avoid it at last second.
They were kids in front of him, they will not be able to defeat him.
"Say goodbye to this world," laughed Voldemort flicking away the curse that James sent at him.
Voldemort moved very fast to the left, and raised his wand at Lily.
"LOOK OUT!" James shouted, he knew this move of Voldemort, but even as he shouted, one jet of green light had flown at Lily, James' hearbeat skipped, he jumped to get in between them, but even then he knew that he'd be late.
Then suddenly out of nowhere a large piece of wall fell from the Gringotts building and the green jet hit it instead and the pice of wall turned into smoke, as James fell in front of Lily.
Voldemort growled angrily and raised his wand to send another killing curse at them but this time James has heard the music, a soft music, a music that dulled all his pain and filled him with hope, he saw it.
Fawkes swooped down from the sky and attacked Voldemort's hand, as a result Voldemort wasn't able to say the spell.
"Dumbledore," James whispered standing up immediately and bringing Lily up too. Every death eater, every other duel has stopped as the song's volume increased.
"What?" Lily asked confused as she conjured a shield around them and got ready for Voldemort's attack. And then she saw a brigh red light and Dumbledore appeared in front of them, facing Voldemort.
"You shouldn't have come here, Tom," Dumbledore spoke calmly.
For a second James saw the fear in Voldemort's eyes, you would have missed it if you didn't knw Voldemort or would have blinked. He saw many death eaters fleeing the scene immeditately.
"Your false news won't keep me away action," hissed Voldemort. "You thought that I would only send my cronies here to kill the Order, and go after the minister but I will kill her later, killing these two little cockroaches behind you was important to me, and now as you have joined too. I will kill all three of you together, and crush the hopes of these false hopes of these foolish peoples."
He threw threw three spells at once, one for each but Dumbledore waved his wand in a swift motion and the three spells disappeared. He then flicked his own wand. The force that emanated from it was such that James felt the back of his hair stand on the end, Voldemort conjured ashining silver shield out of thin air to deflect it, a gonglike note reverberated from the collision, an oddly chilling sound. . .
"You do not seek to kill me, Dumbledore? called Voldemort, his scarlet eyes narriwed over the top of the shield. "Above such brutuality, are you?"
James took a step forward and with all his might sent a spell at him, at the exact time Lily did so too. There was an ear splitting sound as both the spells destroyed the shining armor.
"We both know there are other ways of destroying a man, Tom," Dumbledore said calmly as Bellatrix and Rodulphus Lestrange came charging at them. "Merely taking your life would not satisfy me, I admit. . . "
James and Lily nodded at each other and were engaged in the duel with them, soon Lucius, and Avery joined too. Soon White came to their aid.
"There is nothing worse then death, Dumbledore," snarled Voldemort.
"You are quite wrong," said Dumbledore conjuring thick chains out of air and sending it at Voldemort who turned them into smoke. "Indeed, your failure to understand that there are things worse than death has always been your greatest weakness. . . "
Another jet of green light flew from Voldemort's wand, a cauldron from a nearby shop came in between and shattered into pieces.
"He once used to understand, Dumbledore," shouted James from beside him as he dueled Rodulphus. "But he came to wrong conclusions, he has forgotten what's it like to be human."
"You think you know too much," snarled Voldemort as he send a killing curse towards James out of anger, instead it hit Avery's wand which was blasted and his hand was blasted off.
"Of course I do," shouted James. "Haven't you told your death eaters that the great Voldemort was once in love with a muggle?"
"I have grown past those foolishness and have seen that those who are pureblood are the ones who deserve to rule, this is what my noble ancestor, Salazar Slytherin wanted, and I will fulfill it," said Voldemort as a huge snake emerged from his wand and attacked Dumbledore, who bandished his wand in one, long, fluid movement. . .the snake, which had been instant from sinking its fang into him, flew high into the air and vanished in a wisp of smoke.
Then Dumbledore moved his wand in a big circle and thousands of books came zooming out of the shops and began revolving around Voldemort, the books solidified, burnt into flames and began sinking. Dumbledore pushed his wand forward and they heard a loud scream from inside as the sphere became smaller and smaller.
There was a loud roar and the sphere moved up in the air, turned into a burning arrow with two snakes entagnled around it and the arrow advanced towards Dumbledore with lightning speed, before Dumbledore could completely defend himself, it had injured his wand hand, one snake has detchached from the arrow before it was destroyed by Dumbledore and has bit him. Dumbledore flicked his wand and the snake disappeared.
James could feel Dumbledore weakening, he tried his best to get rid of Rodulphus and aid Dumbledore but it wasn't possible yet. He could tell that Voldemort has sensed it too as Voldemort has began attacking the old headmaster continuously.
Then he disappeared for a moment and appeared above in the air and sent a killing curse, at the last moment Dumbledore dived right and avoided it. He read a spell and Voldemort fell to the ground.
Rodulphus glanced fearfully as his master fell, James used that as an opportunity and defeated Rodulphus who fell ten feets behind and passed out bleeding. James rushed to stand beside Dumbledore and aid him.
"You don't want to fight me, Thanatos, you are too weak for me," growled Voldemort sending many jets of spells at James, who conjured a shield and jumped to his right as his shield exploded.
"An ant can defeat an elephant, Tom," said Dumbleodre. "And Thanatos here is pretty good talented then an ant."
Voldemort let out a harsh laugh, as he conjured dozens of dark bat like creatures from under the ground and sent them at the two. The creature's scream was horrible. James' shield began to weaken as the bats attacked it again and again.
Dumbledore then created a fire thestral eagle from his wand which burnt all the bats and then proceeded to attack Voldemort. Tom tried to cast a shield but the eagle spread and covered his shield.
"Listen, James," said Dumbledore hurriedly. "I will cause a big distraction and you have to flee from here at once. Listen, to me flee at once."
James found himself nodded against his will, therewas something that told him to follow the old man's order.
"Now, disarm me, quick," said Dumbledore.
"W. . What?" this didn't made sense.
"I don't have much time, do it," even as Dumbledore speaked, Voldemort has gotten rid of the flames. "White, now!" Dumbledore spoke loudly. But White was busy duelling two death eaters. James saw him raising his hand at Dumbledore, the words were, "Ava. ." but was prevented to completely say it as Bellatrix attacked him.
"I know what you intend, Dumbledore," Voldemort looked triumphant. "You want James Potter to have the Elder Wand but I will not let it happen." He sent back to back two killing curse at Dumbledore, who produced two iron shields from thin air, both of which blasted as the spell hit them.
Dumbledore then summoned big blocks of wall from the building around him, moved his wand, the blocks turned into a statue of a gaint man, then he summoned silver cauldrons and other items, and made a big sword and shield from it, the statue caught it. The sword began burning with red flames. The statue advanced at Voldemort, eacj time Voldemort sent a killing curse at the statue, he would block it with his shield and then would get another shield.
"Clever magic, old man but its nothing that I can't conquer," Voldemort said.
"Listen James, you have to kill me, you know I am already weak and dying, you have to kill me," said Dumbledore urgently as he held his wand up controlling the statue, he was sneaking glances at White and then at Moody, both of them busy in death duel.
"I. . .I can't professor," said James as he shoot spells at a death eater who was dueling Lily.
"Then disarm me atleast," cried Dumbledore.
James moved to face him, he raised his wand but his hands shook, "I can't."
As he said it, the statue burst into pieces, as a black shadowy dragon emerged from the centre. Dumbledore was forced several steps back, ot was too much for the old injured man to face.
The dark figure advanced at them. James knew how Voldemort has made it, he has seen him inventing it, it's source was same as Dementor but it was more physically harmful then harm to soul.
"Expecto Patromum!" the silver stag erupted and charged at the dragon. "Incendio" The fire made it's way to the dragon along with the stag, and the dragon disappeared.
"How?" Voldemort looked at James shocked.
"Oh! There are lots of things that you don't know, Tom," smirked James and then sent one of Voldemort's own spell, which in James' view was the least disgusting. Black liquid emerged fro, James' wand and scattered near Voldemort, then black smoke began rising from it and Voldemort began choking.
"You dare use my own spells against me?" He roared angrily.
"I made an advancement to it," said James. "Depositio Impetum Fingunt Captisa." The black smoke solidified then began attacking Voldemort, capturing him in the black mould.
Dumbledore came forward and sent a jet of yellow light at him, Voldemort deflected it but was thrown back, lost balance due to mould and fell to disappeared from there.
"Behind you," shrieked Lily, Dumbledore forced James aside and casted a shield, but the spell was so strong that Dumbledore was injured, but he disappeared too and appeared at other spot, sent a spell at Vodemort who deflected it but failed to ground.
James sent a kettle of Hawkes made of iron at Voldemort, who conjured a shield, converted the birds in a big net and send it towards James, who following Dumbledore disapparated and appeared twenty feets to his right, near where Sirius, Marls and Emmeline were fighting five death eaters.
He pointed his wand at them, "claude cerebrum agonia." The death eaters dropped to their knees, held their head tightly and began shouting.
"What was that?" asked Sirius. "Did you use a dark spell on them? Cruciatus?"
"Nah! Just something that shows their worst fear into mind, a boggart that's into your brain," James appeared by Dumblrdore's side, who was fighting Voldemort. "Sir, you are badly injured, your hand is bleeding."
"My time has come, James," he whispered, sending a jet of spells at Voldemort. "It's your fight now. I am going to cause a big distraction, all the order members will escape and so will you. Just go and complete what you have started. My time has come."
He moved his wand in a long swift motion over his head, and James was pushed away from him and so was everyone else, now in the middle only Voldemort and Dumbledore were there. All the Order members were at one side, behind Dumbledore and all the death eaters behind Voldemort.
This was an amazing piece of magic that even impressed several death eaters and Voldemort himself.
"Let's finish it today, Tom," Dumbledore's boice boomed and everyone froze at their spot.
"James," Lily made his way to him, taking his hand in hers, ready to use the portkey at any moment.
"Moody, you have to go to switch it now, he has put it there, you have to just activate it, go now," said White urgently, he was looking pale. Moody nodded and disapparated. White moved forward breaking from the crowd proceeding towards Dumbledore, his wands raised but Voldemort moved his wand swiftly and a thick layer invisible wall appeared, enclosing him and a weak, hunched, Dumbledore, whose hands were bleeding where the snake has bit him.
"Oh no," gasped Marls as White came back.
"I will be the one to finish you, you old fool," hissed Voldemort.
"No," breathed James. "Not Dumbledore too."
Voldemort raised both of his hands and blue fire erupted around Dumbledore, then he clapped his hands together pointing it at the old man. There was a loud screech as blue flames began attacking Dumbledore.
The old man flicked his wand, there was a loud thinder as black clouds appeared above them, and then there was heavy rain, the blue flames died out. Dumbledore raised his wand, pointing it at the clouds and then jerked it toward Voldemort. Lightning hit Voldemort, who has casted a shield at last moment, and then disappeared from there, appeared beside Dumbledore, hit him with a purple jet of light and disappeared again as the lightning died out, Dumbledore was on his knees, groaning.
"Avada Kedavara!" screeched Voldemort, Dumbledore disappeared from there, the spot destroyed, and appeared a few feets back on his shaky feets.
Dumbledore jerked his wand at Voldemort, who was lifted up in the air screaming and fell with a loud bang on the ground, a huge hole has appeared there.
"Yes!" said Sirius.
But Voldemort appeared out of the hole with a silver shield around him.
"You know good tricks, old man," he spatted.
"Ah! You know, I like tricks very much," said Dumbledore, and the exact moment Voldemort siad a spell and two sharp cones appeared from the ground beside Dumbledore and pierced his leg, the old man let out a cry of pain and bent backwards.
The Order and the Aurors gasped while the Death eaters cheered.
"Avada Kedavara!" the green light hit Dumbledore and he was thrown back on the grounds, the shield broke.
Voldemort laughed in victory, he was the happiest man. "Dumbledore is dead!" he announced happily. The death eaters all cheered. Bellatrix sent the dark marl up in the air.
"NO!" shouted James, sending a powerful curse at Voldemort who was pushed backwards.
"You're next," Voldemort proceeded forward. He sent a green jet at James who dived sideways. "You'll die just like the old man."
"I will kill you," snarled James, sending another curse but Voldemort deflected it and send a spell at James who was thrown back and hit the ground.
"Avada Kedavra!" Voldemort said, the green jet mpved towards James, he saw it closing but then suddenly something blue appeared when the curse was inches away from James, the thing was thrown back at James.
Someone grabbed James and pulled back. James saw as the dead figure of Seige lay on the ground, the owl has sacrificed himself to save James.
Then there was a bright blinding light that appeared preventing Voldemort and death eaters to see the Order members but the order members could see them.
"This is our clue to flee," said White. "All of you flee."
"Come, James, let's go," said Lily taking his hand.
"No, wait, I have to confirm the last one," hissed James. "See," he pointed at Dumbledore's body and then at Voldemort. A black substance has came out of Voldemort's body, he was holding two wands and looking at a way to get rid of bright light but neverthless wore a satisfied, triumphant smirk.
"Accio Dumbledore's body," shouted White and Dumbledore's body came to him, he looked at James and Lily. "You are only left, flee, am taking the body to headquarters." And then he was gone.
"You go, I have to see it and I have this," said James taking out the cloak.
"I will stay too," she said, coming inside the cloak, they both sat at the space under a shop, and watched the scene.
The white light disappeared.
"We'll get them later," said Voldemort. "Now's the time for celebration." He then muttered something and the snake Nagini appeared beside him. He placed his wand tip at the snake,who wriggled and hissed. "It's done."
James and Lily both could feel the dark negative energy around them.
"Yes, master, it's done, the old Dumb is dead," said Bellatrix gleefully, who hasn't understand what has happened.
"I will kill that bitch," hissed Lily.
"Let's go, we had said that we we'll meet with Ryan, Tracey and others in the forest before going to headquarters," James whispered taking his hand.
"But you are injured, look at yourself, your hand," James looked down at his hand, it was burned, and has several injuries and black spots. "Your face looks worst than it."
"I owe Ryan and Tracey," James said and he remembered what has happened an hour ago, it felt like decades ago they had entered Gringotts.
"Okay," sighed Lily.
"Bloody hell," said Ryan as they entered the house. "You both look horrible."
"Where's Adam? Sirius hasn't spoken much since he and the two girls have arrived," said Tracey.
"Is Dumbledore really dead?" asked Ryan quietly.
Lily nodded as tears fell down her cheeks.
"Adam?" asked Tracey.
"I am sorry," sobbed James. "I couldn't save him."
Tracey broke down.
"It's okay," Ryan said through teary eyes. "He wouldn't have want us to cry, he wanted that people celebrate and laugh in his memory. Come on Tracey, we've to be bold, these are hard times."
"How it happened?" she asked.
"In Gringotts, Lestrange took him as a captive and then killled him," said Sirius. "The dragon killed him later, burning both of them."
"He died like a hero," Ryan tried to smile. "My best friend died like a hero."
James has buried his face in his hands and was rubbing his forehead.
"Bloody hell, James," gasped Mary. "Your hand is burned, and you have the worst injuries, you need treatment."
"I want to die," cried James. "Kill me. Everything is my fault. Adam died, Amy died, Dumbledore died, and Seige died, all because of me. I don't deserve to live."
"The cup," Lily hit her head, and bend in front of James, opened his locket anad took out the cup.
James suddenly felt light.
"We have to think properly, James, it's on our shoulders now," said Lily. "Only Snake is left. Do you know where the others are? Where Dumbledore has put the others?"
James stood up, and paced the room.
"This is a safe location," said James. "Ryan and Tracey can stay hidden here. There are supplies in here for you both. We, Lily, we both have to go into hiding, and so does Sirius, Marls and Mary. Write to Remus and call him back quickly."
"Remus is already here," said Marls. "He was in Leaky Cauldron, you must have missed him. Moody has called him in the afternoon."
"Peter?" asked James.
"He was at headquarters with Reg and Narcissa," answered Mary. "To be hinest I think he has got deoression, has been distant lately. Both must be coming here any minute."
"Great then," said James. "We'll go to headquarters tonight, then we'll move to the final stage," said James.
Both Peter and Remus appeared in the room.
"Sorry, guys, it was hard to find Moony and escape," said Peter. James nodded.
"What are you thinking?" asked Sirius.
"Voldemort will hunt many people now freely, with no Dumbledore to stop him. The night is darkest before the dawn," said James. "Voldemort nust have interprted that I am the boy in prophecy."
"YOU ARE?!" gasped the others.
James nodded. "He's behind me already, as Thanatos, now he knows I am James, so I will just tell that I am the prophecy boy too. So, he'll hunt only me."
"Mate, then you're doomed," said Sirius. "We have to provide you the best security there is," said Sirius.
James nodded. "That's why Lily you can't be with me, it's all too dangerous."
Lily shook her head. "I am Andraste, remember? He'll come after me to catch you, we both are safer togehter. Two is best, three is crowd. I am not living your side at all."
"But how will you hide so that Voldemort can't find you?" asked Marls. "No one survives if Voldemort comes after them."
"The Headquarters," said Remus. "Moony has switched to secret keeper in the evening. So, that's the safest place."
James shook his head, "Too many order members, too dangerous, I have other place in mind."