CHAPTER 8: DARK CONFRONTATIONS
Harry man-handled Daphne into a dark closet, shutting the door behind them. The space was cramped, and he deliberately pressed himself against her, their breaths mingling in the confined darkness. She was breathing heavily, more stunned than anything else. The adrenaline was coursing through Harry, his senses heightened, and he felt a surge of power and excitement as his magic thrummed within him.
He brought his arm around her waist, pulling her closer as he took a long, deep breath, his face buried in her soft hair. She felt so good against him, the proximity igniting his senses further.
"Potter?" she whispered, her voice a mix of confusion, fear, and something else.
"Shh," he murmured, pressing a finger to her lips. He was acutely aware of the danger outside, the footsteps of Death Eaters coming up the stairs. He needed to stay focused, to protect her.
Outside the closet, the Death Eaters laughed menacingly as they searched. "Come out to play, little whore. We know you're here somewhere."
Harry's mind raced. He needed a plan. They couldn't stay hidden forever, and he had to get Daphne to safety. He tightened his grip on his wand, ready to cast a spell at a moment's notice. The door creaked open slightly, and Harry held his breath, every muscle tensed for action.
"Stay quiet and trust me," he whispered to Daphne, his voice barely audible. He prepared himself, knowing that their chance to escape could come at any second.
"Potter?" Daphne's whisper hung in the air, a mixture of questions, fear, and arousal.
"Shh," Harry murmured, pressing against her so hard she whimpered, feeling his arousal against her. Footsteps approached up the stairs, and Harry struggled to stay focused.
"Come out to play, little whore. We know you're here somewhere," a Death Eater taunted, followed by cruel laughter.
Harry sighed, re-adjusting himself as he prepared for the confrontation. The rune circle he had drawn activated, and gravity within it reversed, sending the Death Eaters smashing into the ceiling. He stepped out of the cupboard with calculated precision, muttering an overpowered Sectumsempra. The spell cut through both Death Eaters, ending their lives swiftly. Limbs and blood rained down, staining Harry's hair.
He canceled the rune circle and turned back to Daphne, who stared at him with wide, terrified eyes.
"Where is your family?" Harry asked, his voice urgent but steady.
Daphne took a shaky breath. "Astoria is in her room. My parents... I don't know. We got separated."
Harry nodded, taking her hand. "We need to find Astoria and get out of here. Stay close."
They moved swiftly but cautiously through the manor. The distant sounds of battle grew fainter as they navigated the dark hallways. As they approached Astoria's room, they heard her soft sobs. Daphne rushed in, pulling her sister into a tight embrace.
"Astoria, it's going to be okay. Harry is here to help us," Daphne whispered, trying to soothe her sister's fears.
Astoria looked up at Harry with tear-filled eyes. "Thank you," she said, her voice trembling.
"Let's get you both out of here," Harry said firmly. He led them through the manor, using every bit of his training to avoid detection. They finally reached the back entrance, where the night air hit them like a refreshing wave.
Amelia and a group of Aurors were waiting, having secured the area. "Potter! Did you find them?" Amelia called out.
"Yes, they're safe," Harry replied, guiding the Greengrass sisters to the group.
Amelia nodded, her face set in determination. "We need to get them to a secure location. Let's move."
As they left the chaos behind, Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. They had saved lives tonight, and while the fight was far from over, this small victory was a beacon of hope in the dark times ahead.
Daphne looked at Harry and gulped, but he was impressed that she didn't look sick or overly frightened. "They'll be hiding in the master bedroom in the western wing," she said.
"Take me there," Harry ordered.
"My wand?" she asked, extending her hand.
Harry moved to give it to her but stopped just before placing it in her hand. "You don't cast spells, you don't make noises, you don't do anything but let me follow that tight ass of yours, understand?"
Daphne's eyes flashed with outrage, but she controlled herself. "Yes."
"Yes, what?" Harry pressed, enjoying the fire in her eyes.
"Yes, Lord Potter," she replied, her voice strained but obedient.
"Good girl." Harry knew he was playing a dangerous game, but she needed him.
Daphne surprised him by placing a hand on his arm. "My Lord, please save my sister. She's—" She took a deep breath. "She's my everything."
Harry nodded, his expression suddenly serious. "I will."
They moved through the eerily quiet manor, the tension between them palpable. The sounds of distant taunting reached their ears as they neared the western wing.
They paused outside the master bedroom, listening intently. "Come out, come out, wherever you are," a mocking voice called. "We know you're in there."
Harry gestured for Daphne to stay back. He edged closer to the door, peeking through a crack. Inside, he saw two Death Eaters searching the room, their wands raised menacingly.
Harry turned back to Daphne, whispering, "Stay here and stay quiet." She nodded, her face pale but determined.
"Aww, look at her cute little teddy bear panties," sneered one of the Death Eaters, his voice dripping with sadistic glee. Two of them held the elder Greengrasses captive with their wands, while another, with a twisted grin, cast the Levicorpus spell on young Astoria. She whimpered and flailed helplessly as she was spun upside down, tears streaming down her face. The fourth Death Eater stood back, his laughter echoing through the dimly lit room.
Harry's fists clenched, nails digging into his palms as a surge of pure rage coursed through him. Daphne, her eyes blazing with fury, started forward, but Harry swiftly yanked her back by her arm.
"But—" Daphne began, her voice tight with anger.
"Silence," Harry whispered urgently, his mind racing. He knew he had to approach this carefully. Despite his vast knowledge, many spells remained unpracticed, and his magical strength fell short of what he needed.
"Let's have some fun with the girl," taunted the Death Eater holding Astoria aloft, his voice mocking.
Harry's gaze flickered to Daphne, who trembled with restrained fury beside him. He knew she was itching to act, but they were outnumbered and outmatched.
"Drop her," commanded the Death Eater holding Astoria, his voice tinged with malice.
"No!" cried out Daphne, her voice breaking with anguish.
Harry's mind raced. He had to buy them time, find a way to turn the tide without exposing their vulnerabilities. He took a deep breath, focusing on the spells he had mastered, calculating his chances.
"We don't want trouble," Harry said evenly, stepping forward cautiously, his hand surreptitiously reaching for his wand. "Let the girl go. You've got what you came for."
The Death Eaters exchanged glances, their eyes narrowing with suspicion. Harry felt the weight of their scrutiny, every heartbeat echoing in the tense silence.
"You think you can stop us, boy?" sneered the Death Eater with Astoria. "You're nothing compared to the Dark Lord."
"Maybe not," Harry admitted, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. "But I can make this very unpleasant for you if you push me."
The Death Eaters hesitated, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. Harry sensed their wavering resolve, his grip tightening on his wand.
"Just let her go," Daphne pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation.
The Death Eaters glanced at each other again, assessing their options. Astoria dangled limply in the air, tears streaking her face as she whimpered softly.
"Fine," growled the Death Eater holding Astoria, lowering his wand reluctantly. With a flick of his wrist, he released the Levicorpus spell, and Astoria collapsed to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Get out of here," Harry said tersely, his eyes never leaving the Death Eaters. "Now."
The Death Eaters hesitated for a moment longer before Disapparating with a crack, leaving behind only echoes of their laughter.
Harry exhaled heavily, his shoulders slumping with relief as he rushed to Astoria's side. Daphne joined him, wrapping her arms around her sister who clung to her tightly, trembling with fear.
"We need to get out of here," Harry said quietly, his voice tinged with urgency.
Daphne nodded wordlessly, her eyes filled with gratitude as she glanced at Harry. Together, they supported Astoria, leading her away from the scene of terror and into the uncertain safety beyond.
Harry burst into the room, stunning the first Death Eater before he could react. The second one spun around, casting a Killing Curse, but Harry dodged it, countering with a powerful Expelliarmus. The Death Eater's wand flew from his hand, and Harry followed up with a Stupefy, knocking him out cold.
An ornate chandelier glinted above the Death Eater closest to them, and Harry's lips curled into a dark grin. With a flick of his wand, he cast a Severing Charm, slicing through the heavy crystal chains. The chandelier crashed down with a deafening roar, crushing the laughing Death Eater beneath its weight. The laughter abruptly silenced as the man's cries of pain filled the room.
But Harry knew he couldn't afford to revel in that victory. Astoria was still floating helplessly in the air, and the remaining Death Eaters were regrouping. Drawing on his newfound knowledge, Harry concentrated fiercely, overpowering the Switching Charm on Astoria. With a surge of magic, he redirected the spell to himself, launching into the air with surprising agility.
"Liberacorpus!" Harry shouted as he descended swiftly towards the nearest Death Eater. The spell reversed the Levicorpus charm on the Death Eater, slamming him forcefully onto the ground. Harry landed heavily on top of him, driving his knee into the man's skull with a decisive blow. The Death Eater slumped unconscious beneath him.
"Protego!" Daphne's voice rang out beside him, casting a shield just in time to deflect two curses aimed at them by the remaining Death Eaters holding her parents hostage. The shield shattered under the onslaught, but Harry was already on the move, using a nonverbal spell to flip a nearby bed into a barrier between them and their attackers.
"Potter!" snarled one of the Death Eaters, recognizing him. "You won't get away this time."
"Is that you, Mulciber?" Harry retorted, a grim edge to his voice. "I thought I could smell you."
The bed splintered as a curse tore through it, sending shards of wood flying. Harry knew he had to act fast; the Greengrass parents were vulnerable behind them, and any delay could be fatal.
"Serpensortia," Harry murmured quietly, conjuring a long black snake with multiple heads. It slithered menacingly in front of him, a testament to the dark arts he had delved into to prepare for this moment. Grindelwald's teachings had left their mark, even though Tom Riddle had ultimately failed to release the imprisoned wizard.
"The black-robed men," Harry warned Astoria and her parents, his eyes fixed on the remaining Death Eaters. Through the hole in the bed, he Banished the conjured serpent towards the two Death Eaters. A cry of pain told him that one of his enemies had fallen.
The remaining Death Eater turned to face Harry, his eyes filled with fury and determination. Harry braced himself, knowing this fight was far from over.
A spell from over his shoulder alerted Harry that Daphne had joined the fray, but her attack was deflected effortlessly by the more senior Death Eater, who redirected it back towards Harry. Caught off guard, Harry took a cutting curse to his shoulder, biting back a hiss of pain.
Enough was enough. With a swift gesture of his wand, Harry transfigured the shards of the shattered chandelier into a flock of birds and sent them hurtling towards the Death Eater. The Death Eater responded by conjuring a massive gout of flame, engulfing the oncoming birds. It was a bold move, but Harry grinned in triumph.
In Peru, Tom Riddle had taught him a valuable lesson during their duels—how to exploit the versatility of the Bird-Conjuring Charm. Among the spells they had studied were the Peruvian Smoke-Birds, which upon being destroyed, burst into a thick cloud of smoke akin to the Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder. Though Harry had lost that particular duel, the tactic had left a lasting impression.
As the birds burst into the dense cloud of smoke, obscuring vision and sound alike, Harry knew this was his chance. Drawing on Tom's teachings, Harry executed a swift series of spells. His wand traced a horizontal line, and with a dual-casting, he unleashed a Flame Charm and a Cutting Curse simultaneously. The Flame Charm ignited along the path drawn by his wand, while the Cutting Curse transformed into a fiery whip-like line of flame that shot into the billowing smoke.
The combined attack was a technique Tom often favored—a fire whip designed to penetrate shields and defenses. However, Harry had never been entirely comfortable using it in combat without more practice. The fiery line danced and twisted, burying itself within the cloud of smoke where the Death Eater had sought refuge behind a Shield Charm.
The flames hissed and crackled, licking hungrily at the shield. Each time the shield countered the Cutting Curse, the fire seared through, gradually weakening the magical protection until it threatened to collapse entirely unless extinguished.
The Death Eater's defiant snarl echoed through the dissipating smoke, his resolve tested by the relentless assault. Harry pressed on, his eyes narrowed with determination as he maintained the pressure, refusing to let up until the shield gave way.
With a final burst of effort, the shield shattered under the dual assault of fire and cutting magic. The Death Eater staggered back, his robes smoking and singed. He cast a desperate glance around, realizing he was cornered.
"Enough!" Harry's voice rang out, commanding and authoritative. "It's over."
The Death Eater hesitated, weighing his options, but the sight of his fallen comrades and the relentless determination in Harry's eyes left him with no choice. With a defeated snarl, he Disapparated, leaving behind only the lingering scent of smoke and the echoes of their fierce battle.
Breathing heavily, Harry lowered his wand, the adrenaline of the fight slowly receding. Daphne rushed to his side, concern etched on her face as she inspected the wound on his shoulder.
"You alright?" she asked quietly, her voice tinged with worry.
Harry nodded, managing a faint smile despite the pain. "I'll be fine."
Together, they turned to Astoria and her parents, who were huddled together, visibly shaken but thankfully unharmed. Relief washed over Harry as he surveyed the aftermath of their confrontation—a testament to their resilience and the bonds of solidarity forged in the heat of battle.
Harry had bought himself precious seconds, but he needed a decisive move to break through the Death Eater's defenses before he cleared the smoke with a gust of wind. Tom's memories of battles offered no immediate solution; the Dark Lord had favored agility and sudden Apparition to disorient opponents, a tactic now impossible with the wards in place. Harry delved deeper into Tom's vast knowledge of spells—thousands of them, yet Tom often defaulted to the Killing Curse in dire situations.
The irony almost made Harry laugh. The Killing Curse—unstoppable by any shield. That was why Tom had wielded it so ruthlessly. With the Greengrasses bound and kneeling in the corner, Harry knew he had to be precise, aiming at chest height to avoid hitting them. He summoned the well of hatred within him, fueled by memories of Astoria's trauma at the hands of Death Eaters, and the senseless loss of his own parents.
A primal growl escaped Harry's lips. "Avada Kedavra!"
His wand slashed through the air, unleashing a blinding emerald light that flooded every corner of the room. A heavy thud reverberated through the chamber, followed by eerie silence. With a swift motion, Harry dispersed the smoke, revealing the lifeless body of the Death Eater sprawled on the ground.
"Mother! Father!" Daphne cried out, her voice cracking with emotion as she rushed to their side. Harry swiftly moved to them, murmuring a quiet incantation to release them from their bindings. The elder Greengrasses staggered to their feet, trembling with relief and disbelief.
"Daphne," her mother whispered, pulling her into a tight embrace, tears streaming down her face. "We thought we'd lost you."
Harry stepped back, allowing them a moment of reunion before turning to Astoria, who stood nearby, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and gratitude. He approached her gently, kneeling to her level.
"You're safe now," Harry assured her softly, his voice a stark contrast to the fury that had fueled his actions moments ago. "It's over."
Astoria nodded slowly, her lower lip trembling as she fought to regain her composure. "Thank you," she managed to whisper, her voice barely audible.
As the adrenaline of battle slowly ebbed away, Harry felt a surge of conflicting emotions—relief, exhaustion, and a lingering ache from the wound on his shoulder. He glanced around the room, taking in the remnants of their struggle. The air was heavy with the scent of burnt wood and lingering magic.
"We should go," Harry said quietly, his gaze flickering to Daphne and her family. "There might be more of them nearby."
Daphne nodded, her expression grave but determined. She helped her parents steady themselves, casting a wary glance at the fallen Death Eater as they prepared to leave.
"Thank you, Harry," Daphne said earnestly, meeting his gaze with gratitude shining in her eyes.
Harry nodded in acknowledgment, a small, weary smile tugging at his lips. Despite the darkness they had faced, there was a glimmer of hope—the knowledge that they had prevailed, together, against the forces of darkness.
"Daphne! Astoria!" Harry called out, briefly turning away as the Greengrass family reunited. Taking a moment, he cast Sectumsempra on the fallen Death Eater. It was imperative that the Ministry not discover he had used the Killing Curse, despite Amelia's tacit approval of the Unforgivables. Maintaining his reputation was crucial.
Lord Greengrass approached, dropping to one knee before Harry. "Lord Potter, thank you for your bravery. House Greengrass is forever in your debt."
Daphne gasped softly, her expression a mix of gratitude and concern. Harry couldn't help but hide a smirk; her worry wasn't unfounded, though not for the reasons she might suspect.
"House Potter humbly acknowledges your gratitude," Harry replied formally. "But the danger is far from over. There are Death Eaters on the lawn. Can you fight?"
"I am able and willing," Lord Greengrass declared resolutely, reclaiming his wand with determination.
"Then let's go," Harry said, urgency coloring his voice.
"My love, stay here and protect the girls," Lady Greengrass instructed, holding Astoria close to her chest. "And Peter," she added, her tone hardening, "make them pay."
"I will," Lord Greengrass affirmed, his jaw set as he exchanged a solemn glance with his wife.
Harry and Peter swiftly made their way to the foyer, the grand oak double doors swinging open before them. Outside, chaos engulfed the lawn—spells of blue, red, and orange hues clashed in the air. The Death Eaters had fortified their position, transfiguring garden furniture into makeshift barricades. On the opposite end, Aurors employed textbook tactics, advancing slowly with shielded pairs—one protecting while the other fired.
"Steady," Harry murmured, assessing the battlefield as they joined the fray. "We need to break their line."
Peter nodded tersely, his grip tightening on his wand as they moved forward. The ground trembled with magical energy, the air thick with tension and the acrid scent of spells colliding.
A curse whizzed past Harry's ear, prompting him to raise a hastily conjured shield. Across the lawn, Death Eaters shouted commands and retaliated with renewed ferocity. Aurors pressed forward, their progress marked by bursts of protective charms and retaliatory hexes.
"Focus on their center," Harry instructed, his voice cutting through the din of battle. "We need to disrupt their formation."
Peter nodded grimly, his expression hardened with determination. Together, they advanced steadily, weaving through the chaotic battlefield, their wands blazing with counter-curses and defensive spells.
A Death Eater roared in defiance as they approached, hurling a curse that shattered Harry's shield. Reacting swiftly, he countered with a Stunning Spell, his aim true as the Death Eater crumpled to the ground.
"Keep moving," Harry urged, pushing forward as they gained ground inch by hard-fought inch. Around them, the conflict raged on, a symphony of magic and steel.
"Fall back!" one of the Death Eaters bellowed, sensing the shift in momentum. "Regroup!"
Harry seized the opportunity, pressing the attack with renewed vigor. Together with Peter and the advancing Aurors, they forced the Death Eaters into a retreat, breaking through their defenses.
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