Eclipse of Time by lilausty

by CNG25

Dumbledore is dead, Voldemort is strong, and Harry is in an abusive household. Could things get much worse? Despair grips Harry as he realises that he now has to complete his task without a guide. What magic could he possibly invoke during a full solar eclipse that could turn the tide of the war? Watch as Harry completes his final year and prepares for the war that he was born for.

36. Chapter 36 - Attack

Disclaimer: All charcters and world concepts are property of J.K. Rowling

Disclaimer: This is not the work of CNG25 but that of Lilausty, originally published on harrypotterfanfiction-dot-com.

Chapter 36: Attack

Despite Harry's plea that everyone try and maintain a poker face throughout classes, the majority of the DA had lapses where their expressions would turn to ones of apprehension and fear, obviously imagining the possibilities for the night's activities.

However, it seemed that none of the teachers paid attention to the expressions of their students, being more interested in what they were doing. The day crawled by, but Harry knew when the time came to leave the school, it would feel like time flew.

The younger members of the DA, it had been decided, would remain hidden on the ground until the attack began, as their flying abilities were not as good as the older students, and they would be more vulnerable. Some, like those on the Quidditch team, were not exactly pleased to be 'protected', but when Godric pointed out that they would probably be the first to face the Death Eaters head on, they acquiesced.

Godric and Salazar once again cast the illusions to lie in the beds of the members so that no one would get suspicious. Seamus pointed out that all of the seventh year Gryffindor was in the DA so they didn't really need illusions to fool anyone. Godric had smirked, replying that if one of the younger students had a nightmare and wanted to cuddle up to an older student, then what?

Finally, 10pm came around and all of the DA were assembled in the Room of Requirement, fully arrayed in their battle gear. They had taken to heart the suggestion that they should personalise the black robes. Most had been content with dark colours that would blend well, but a few stood out like beacons like the Creevey brothers.

Harry grinned at them, "Are you trying to paint a giant target on yourself? Or did you just want someone to notice you?"

Colin laughed, "Well we were both trying to outdo ourselves and this was the results. Kinda cool though don't you think?"

Eyeing the bright blue and green creation that the older brother was wearing Harry smirked, "If you say so. All you need to do is shine a light on that and you'll blind the Death Eaters. Who needs wands?"

The others laughed, though the sound was lacking the usual joyful sound. Harry scanned his gaze over the members and sighed, "I know most don't want to hear me say this, but honestly, if anyone wants to pull out now, do so. No one will think any less of you, in fact, I would think you are more intelligent for not walking straight into danger open eyed."

No one moved.

He nodded once, "Alright then." Pointing to a large rug to the side of them he continued, "Everyone please grab all of your gear and go and stand on the rug. It is a portkey that will activate at 10:10pm to take us outside St Mungo's, once there, no talking unless it is absolutely necessary. Mount your brooms and start a scan of the area, particularly concentrating on the direction where the Death Eaters should be coming from."

He looked at the younger students, "As soon as we arrive you must all hide in the bushes near the hospital. Remember, do not try and face the Death Eaters until you hear the sounds of battle created by the rest of us when we attack. Understood?"

Satisfied by the solemn nods he received he smiled encouragingly at them before joining Ginny on the rug-portkey. She clasped his hand and gave a small smile, "Ready love?"

He shrugged, "If I wasn't would it make much difference?"

"No not really, but it is the thought that counts." She replied batting her eyes.

"Harry are you sure that all of the DA should be involved with this?" Hermione asked, re-joining them.

He sighed in exasperation, "Hermione, we have been over this! They have just as much reason to fight, and we are going to be out numbered as it is. If we lessen our numbers by even a few the chances of a death or serious injury on our side gets that much higher!" Looking at his watch he grinned, "Besides, it is too late now!"

With that, the rug activated itself and the Hogwarts' Room of Requirement disappeared, quickly replaced by a dark, cool alley in the middle of London. Instantly, the DA members went from nervous children to soldiers with the older students taking to the skies whilst the others hid in surrounding bushes.

The four founders also stayed on the ground as support for the younger students. Seeing the nod from Salazar which meant that everything was clear for the moment, Harry and Ginny mounted their brooms and joined the rest of the DA.

Beginning their circling motion around St Mungo's Harry kept his eyes peeled for any sign of movement, especially since he couldn't use any form of magic for fear that it would be detected by either the enemy or the hospital's sensors.

For the next hour and a half, the deserted streets were silent, not even a mouse peeked its nose into the stillness. Yet no matter how boring or cold it was, none of the DA members let their guard down, their attentiveness upon their surroundings warmed Harry's heart.

Finally, when the clock struck midnight, Harry felt his communicator coin warm, the signal from one of the founders that motion had been detected. Flying cautiously over to the area where they were patrolling Harry spied the enemy.

Snape certainly hadn't overestimated their numbers for the black cloaks quickly filled the street, pouring from a warded house. Oblivious to their danger, they marched towards St Mungo's, their wands already out and ready to attack.

Harry grinned mirthlessly, "Good morning gentlemen, this is your wakeup call!" he whispered, twirling his wand in an intricate pattern and hurling an enormous ball of air into their midst.

Slamming into them, five or six of the Death Eaters were flung through the air and roughly hurled into various building walls. Audible crunches from their bones meeting stone mixed with the exclamations of pain and surprise from the other Death Eaters signalled for the rest of the DA to attack.

Flying in low and hard, twenty of the oldest students hurled a variety of curses into the enemy's midst, throwing them into complete confusion. For a moment, Harry almost believed that the battle would be over as quickly as it had started.

However, at a shout from one of the Death Eaters the black cloaked enemies scattered, ducking for cover and starting to return fire at the aloft DA members.

Seeing Neville's broom tail catch alight with flames, Harry quickly doused it with water before shouting, "That's it! Aerial attack is done! Get to ground! NOW!"

Instantly, the DA members dove towards the ground and in a single fluid motion landed and rolled behind various bushes for cover. As soon as Harry felt his feet touch ground he looked around for the nearest enemy. Spotting a group of four attacking the Patil sisters he crept up on them.

Spying Ginny imitating him on the other side of them he grinned and nodded once at her. Understanding him, she raised her wand and together they cried "Stupefy!" Two slumped to the ground as the other two twirled around to face the new threat.

Suddenly four more cries of "Stupefy!" Rang out and the two Death Eaters were hurled backwards and collapsed to the ground. As Ginny bound the unconscious Death Eaters, Harry looked up and grinned at the younger students who had arrived and were tearing through the startled enemy.

Obviously not expecting to be fighting children in the middle of London, the Death Eaters' numbers had been nearly halved. However, Harry could see that they were starting to re-group and work together. He started to scan the enemy for any sign of Malfoy, knowing that if he could take out the leader, the rest would fall quite quickly.

However, the black cloaks of the Death Eaters sufficiently covered any sign of the tell-tale blond hair, and Harry once again threw himself into fighting. While concentrating intensely on taking out quickly as many Death Eaters as possible, Harry was still aware enough of his surroundings to know that the DA were now outnumbering the enemy nearly 2 to 1.

Suddenly he heard a cry and felt his entire body jerk at the sound. His eyes automatically sought the source of the sound and he felt his heart freeze as his gaze fixed itself upon Hermione. She was lying on the ground, bleeding profusely from the mouth and her eyes were dazed.

As if in slow motion, Harry saw the wand of the Death Eater attacking her rise, to finish the job and he saw red. He had never used the techniques taught him by Helga before, but without thinking, he moved, slowing time down and moving at an intense speed.

The dark cloaked enemy that had been about to kill Hermione never saw him coming. The first he knew about his danger was when he felt a sword pierce his heart from behind. He was dead before he hit the ground, but Harry didn't even pay him a second glance.

He knelt quickly down by Hermione, his eyes frantically searching for any fatal injuries that hadn't become apparent, "Hermione?! Hermione, answer me!"

Vaguely aware of the Creevey brothers watching his back while he tended her, he frantically waved his wand over her to seal any wounds. He winced as he realised her diaphragm had been pulled away from its place, causing internal bleeding.

"Harry!" Salazar exclaimed, reaching him and kneeling next to him, "Leave her! Fight! I will take care of her, don't worry!"

Harry looked into the snake founder's eyes, desperation and worry written in his own. However, giving one last anguished look at her face he nodded once and stood up to the battle once more. He turned around and saw the Creevey brothers duelling with a tall Death Eater who was obviously very talented.

So talented in fact, that the brothers were hard put to simply defend themselves. Harry's eyes narrowed with hatred and he stalked forward, eager for someone's blood, "Why don't you pick on someone your own size?" He interposed himself between the enemy and the brothers, who quickly scampered off to help Laura Madley and Emma Dobbs who were duelling two Death Eaters.

There was an audible sneer from the black cloaked figure, and he pulled of his mask, revealing a cascade of blond hair and a pale pointed face. Harry gave a feral grin, "Ah, Lucius, pleasant evening isn't it?"

Malfoy's face was twisted with anger and malice, "I must confess to finding myself surprised at your little gang's manoeuvre here tonight. Quite bold, very brave, and ultimately very foolish."

Harry nodded, his wand twirling almost too fast to see to block the spells being cast by the older man, "Yes, foolish for you though. Or haven't you noticed that your forces have already been halved and mine haven't? You are going to lose Malfoy, do you want to surrender and save yourself the humiliation of having me rub your face in the dirt?"

Snarling in fury Malfoy shot of three killing curses in reply.

Harry gave a feral grin, "So be it you scum! I prefer it this way! Succendo!" the ground under Malfoy burst into flame but he managed to leap into the air and out of the way, narrowly avoiding the deadly blue flames.

The pale man's eyes narrowed, "I had heard that you had no qualms about using dark magic Potter, but I couldn't believe that Gryffindor's Golden boy would resort to such techniques. Perhaps you would have made a good Death Eater."

Harry didn't even bother to respond, merely firing off a liquefying curse which Malfoy blocked hastily. Harry sneered, "Malfoy, as much as I want to kill you, I have more use for you alive, surrender and you may stay that way for longer than tonight. If you don't put your wand down now though, you will not see sunrise!"

The hard glitter in Harry's eyes sparked a shiver of fear in the older Malfoy, one he had not felt except when in the presence of the Dark Lord. He saw the truth of Harry's statement but hardened his resolve, raising his wand and sneering, "If I die Potter, I die on my Lord's side, not like some snivelling coward like your precious leader Dumbledore!"

And the mention of his mentor's name, Harry's face sharpened and a look of pure fury crossed the dark haired teen's face. He snarled, "So be it Malfoy. Know that normally I take no pleasure in killing, but for you I will make an exception!"

With that he exploded into action, driving Malfoy back step by step, his movements too fast to track, his spells deadly and accurate. Malfoy knew he was outmatched and the fear in his eyes became more pronounced. In his desperation he tried to disapparate, even knowing there were wards set up to prevent his escape.

There was a snap and then a high pitched scream which came from behind Harry. He whirled around, his eyes looking for his enemy. His gaze fell upon a bloody heap not two metres from him, which was moving feebly. He walked over and kicked the man over, making sure to hold his stomach at bay.

Lucius's eyes were rolled back in agony and his mouth was open, panting. Harry looked across the man and sighed, kneeling down and whispering, "You knew there were wards to prevent your escape and yet you tried?" The man's legs were bent at impossible angles in multiple places, his left arm was missing and his right was shrivelled and burnt. His worse injuries were his internal organs though, for Harry knew that the wards brought a curse that was a mixture between the liquefying curse and the fire curse. The man was drowning and burning at the same time, a most horrific death.

There came a gurgle from the man's throat and Harry leaned in, wondering if the man could speak. A rasp came from Lucius's mouth, "The Dark Lord will win." His head went back and his body started to convulse, moans of agony wafting through the air.

Harry stood up, his eyes showing only pity, "I truly do feel sorry for you Malfoy, your lust for power and your hatred have done this to you. But one gift I will give you, though why you deserve it I do not know. Caedo summussively!"

A spell no less deadly than the killing curse, but blockable, designed to put animals down with the least amount of discomfort, Harry knew that Malfoy was dead before his convulsions had even stopped. Harry looked around and was surprised to see that the majority of the fighting was already over.

He felt a small hand rest itself on his shoulder and he turn to stare into sympathetic blue eyes. Helga smiled sadly, "Well done Harry, we won, and with very few injuries." She stared down with distaste at Malfoy before looking back up at the black haired teen and smiling again, "You ended his suffering? Though he deserved a painful and terrible death?"

Harry nodded, "There was nothing to be gained by letting him suffer through a last few minutes. There was no way he could survive, but no person, not even Lucius deserves to die like that. I think I would feel more guilty if I had have let him die of the curse than I do for ending his life directly."

"You shouldn't feel guilty at all. We all heard you, you gave him the opportunity to surrender and to preserve his life Harry, the man was evil to the last. He got his just reward, no more, no less." Neville said, coming up to them, his hand pressed over a bleeding cut on his shoulder.

Others who were slowly making their way over to them were also nodding. Scanning the battlefield Harry saw that the alive and bound Death Eaters were already on the portkey rug, ready for transport and Salazar was busy levitating those few that were injured.

Looking at those that were standing around him Harry smiled, "You have done well everyone, but now it is best if we all return to Hogwarts quickly. I do not know why the Ministry has not responded yet, but chances are they will soon. If we can avoid them for the moment we should."

Receiving nods of agreement, he and the rest of the DA walked over to Salazar and the Death Eaters and as soon as everyone stood on the rug they felt the familiar tug behind the navel.

Instead of taking them to the Room of Requirement, the founders had charmed it to take them directly to the dungeon that they had prepared for the Death Eaters. When they arrived Harry set the fourth and fifth years that were still standing to putting the bound enemies in their respective cells. Each cell had additional wards on it, particularly to mask the presence from the school's conscious so that McGonagall wouldn't sense them.

He then turned back to the injured, where Ginny was already tending the less severe. Squeezing her shoulder slightly on the way past, he quickly knelt by Salazar who was once again tending Hermione. Ron was by her, clutching her hand tightly, his face pale and worried.

He looked up at Harry, his eyes wide, "Tell me she'll be alright Harry, please tell me!"

Harry glanced at Salazar who gave a nearly imperceptible nod and smiled, "Yes Ron, she'll be fine. No lasting damage has been done to her, but she probably will be a little weak for a couple of days."

Breathing a sigh of relief Ron nodded his head in thanks. Harry turned back to Salazar, "Who do you need me to see?"

Pursing his lips as he paused mid-spell, "Mmm, probably see to Orla's broken ankle and then Grant's dislocated shoulder. Everything else I have already looked at, or Ginny has healed."

Nodding in understanding Harry quickly proceeded to heal the two injured DA members, both who were conscious and chatting eagerly with each other about the battle. Harry shook his head in amusement, realising that their adrenaline was still running high.

Stretching up, he went and leaned against one of the walls, looking at the scene before him. The captured Death Eaters were all silenced, but the looks of hatred and fear that they were casting the DA was almost enough to make him laugh. How the mighty had fallen, frightened of school children who had decided that enough was enough.

"Harry, come have a look at this for a sec!" Rowena called from another wall where she was examining something.

Sauntering over he replied, "Yes Rowena? What's up?"

"Is this a snake? My eyes can't really make it out."

His eyebrows rose, "You are asking me? My eyesight is worse than yours! Ask Salazar, he would recognise a snake anywhere."

"Oi!" an insulted exclamation came from just behind him causing him to jump and look sheepishly at the Snake Founder.

"What? You can't deny it." Harry said to him, grinning.

Salazar rolled his eyes before leaning in and looking at the tiny engraving on the wall. He was silent for a moment before nodding, "Yes I do believe it is. Though why an engraving of a snake would be down here I do not know. I certainly didn't put it there a thousand years ago."

Harry started to look interested, "Are there any enchantments on the wall at all?"

Rowena shook her head, "Haven't checked at all. Why?"

"Just a hunch. Could you all step back for a sec, I want to try something." He replied, gesturing for them to move aside.

Looking curious they did so but Harry didn't elaborate, merely gazing intensely and whispering, "Hesshhhasssssa."

Salazar gave a slight gasp which was covered by the sound of rumbling stone. Three of the stone bricks moved outwards, revealing a small hole in the wall. Inside was a beautiful tiara, decorated with many precious stones.

Harry opened his mouth but before he could say anything there was a hiss from behind him. Turning around, startled, he looked at Rowena. Her face was one of growing fury and she growled, "My diadem!"

She strode forwards and snatched it out of the hollow in the wall, her eyes sharply examining the metal work. Harry said, "Like I said, it was a hunch. I remembered Dumbledore saying something about Hogwarts being Voldemort's true home, so it would make sense that he would hide something of great value here. And since Salazar didn't put it there, Voldemort seemed to be the logical choice."

Rowena sighed and put her crown down, "Well, there is nothing for it. It has to be destroyed. Why did he have to choose my most precious possession? Next time I see him I am not just going to give him a little scratch!"

Helga put a hand on her comrade's shoulder, "Well, now you know how Salazar and I felt. Only Godric is lucky enough not to have had one of his belongings defiled." He nodded emphatically in agreement and she turned back to Rowena, "Do you want some help at all?"

She shrugged, "Well, if this Horcrux is like the others, I won't be able to do it by myself."

Harry stood forward, "I'll do it with you."

Godric also nodded, "Me too, three of us should be able to handle it. Helga, if you could do the dispersal?"

She agreed as the other three all pulled out their swords. Rowena took a deep breath before sighing again, "Alright, on the count of three. One. Two. THREE!"

The blinding flash and bang was becoming quite familiar, as was the black soul that poured from the broken tiara. Helga dispersed it before it had even finished escaping from the container. With a final scream, the soul disappeared.

Silence.

"What the bloody hell was that?" A voice demanded from behind them.

Harry froze, "Ah crap!"

Turning back to the watching, and stunned DA that he had forgotten were present he winced, "Um, sorry you lot, you weren't meant to see any of that, it is kinda secret. But let's just say we are now one more step closer to killing Voldemort."

Seamus rolled his eyes, "What is it with you and your secrets? Do you just never come at anyone straight up or something?"

Helga gave a wry smile but defended him nonetheless, "Actually, in this he didn't have much choice. Dumbledore made him promise not to tell anyone else. It is extremely important, and if Voldemort ever got wind of what we have been doing over the past few months, it would mean instant death."

Luna's dreamy voice drifted over the top, "Well that is alright. Dumbledore always had secrets, it must be something that goes with being the head of the Order of the Phoenix."

Harry smiled gratefully at her, "Yes Luna, that is exactly what it is like."

"So what are we going to do with them?" Ron asked, gesturing to the captured Death Eaters.

Godric spoke up, "Leave them here for tonight. Salazar and I will interrogate them over the next few days to see what they know."

Several of the Death Eaters whitened while others looked confused at Salazar's name. Harry sighed, "Right, well, those of you who are still injured can stay in the Room of Requirement tonight, we'll stay with you. The rest, head on back to your dorms, try not to wake your roommates. And be prepared for one hell of a lecture tomorrow. The ministry will no doubt also try and get in on the action, but I think I can keep them off our backs."

"How?" Hannah asked.

He smirked, "I have something that everyone knows about, yet don't realise what it can do for me regarding the law. If the Ministry pushes, I can push back!"

Hermione, who had regained consciousness giggled, already having caught onto what he meant. Most still looked confused so he continued, "Don't worry about it, you'll understand later."

Recognising the dismissal, the other members of the DA quietly left the dungeons, Harry and the leaders helping those that were injured back to the Room of Requirement where they would sleep for the rest of the night.