Hermione and Luna worked on engraving runes in the vanishing cabinet while Harry and Neville stood guard to make sure that Malfoy didn't surprise them. The familiars explored the room looking for anything interesting in the stacks of broken items.
Between the group, they decided to go with more subtle runes. Luna had pointed out that if they used runes to take away limbs, then there was a good chance that they would realize that something was wrong and turn around. Instead, the group decided on using runes that would slowly dim the senses. When the Death Eaters passed through, they would lose all of their senses within ten minutes, little by little. They also decided to add a power cutoff rune to prevent the cabinet from working five minutes after it sensed that no one else had passed through.
"How's it going?" Neville asked from further way.
Hermione wiped the sweat off of her brow and put more of her power into the runes that she was working on. "We're almost done. Creating these runes alone isn't easy, but add the layers of concealment charms and it takes more time."
Kex poked his head out of an old trunk that he was currently inspecting. "Take your time. There's a lot of cool stuff here."
Fay glided over the stacks of forgotten items. "I have never seen such a mess," she said distastefully. "I wouldn't be surprised if this is where students have come since the Founder's time to discard of their unwanted possessions."
Just when Hermione and Luna were almost finished, Sage suddenly let out a yelp of pain.
"Sage?" Neville called out in alarm.
With wands drawn, the Heirs ran through the stacks of junk until they found Sage sitting next to the same mannequin that Hermione had noticed the day before. The hideous hat was on the floor and Sage was snarling at it while holding a severely burned paw to his chest.
"What happened?" Neville demanded when he inspected Sage's paw.
Sage panted in pain and glared at the hat. "That thing has some real bad magic," he explained. "I thought that I smelled something strange. When I touched the hat, something dark tried to curse me. But it didn't take."
Hermione knelt down next to Neville and hissed sympathetically at Sage's burn. "I think that's because certain curses can't affect true familiars. You guys are the physical bodies of powerful magic, and most spells can't overcome it."
Luna nodded in agreement. "That makes sense. Whatever cursed that hat must be pretty strong to hurt Sage like that though. I wonder what it was supposed to do."
While Hermione and Luna went to finish their job, Harry and Neville used every protective spell that they knew to contain the hat and used their wands to move it into a spelled trunk. After the runes were done and the hat safely contained for travel, they all went back to Potter Manor where Hermione and Neville worked on treating Sage. The burn didn't heal completely with Hermione's magic so Neville ended up applying some strengthened burn solutions that he had brewed. By the time they were done, Sage was limping around the dining room, grumbling.
While Hermione and Neville treated Sage, Harry and Luna took the hat to a secure room in the basement. When the safety runes were activated, Harry levitated the hat out of the trunk and put it on the floor. He and Luna stared trying every spell that they could think of to figure out what curses were on the hat, but they only found the remains of a compulsion charm which they figured wore off once Sage had touched the hat.
In the corner of the room, Kex and Fay were pressed against the wall in an effort to distance themselves as much as they could from the hat.
"What's wrong?" Luna asked in concern.
Fay fluffed her feathers and shook her head. "Sage was right. There is some real dark magic on that hat or diadem as I think the proper name is. The compulsion charm must have been just strong enough to spike Sage's already strong curiosity. He was just lucky that whatever curse was on that thing didn't affect him completely."
Harry nodded grimly and absently stroked his scar.
Of course, the ever-observant Luna noticed Harry's action immediately. "Is your scar burning?" she demanded.
Harry nodded grimly. "I don't understand why though. Even though I'm not as good as Hermione, my Occlumency is strong enough to prevent it from hurting."
Luna frowned and looked at the diadem. "Something about this diadem is making your scar act up," she observed. "I think that we should get a goblin to look at this thing, they have better diagnostic spells for dark artifacts."
Harry nodded in agreement. "I'll go talk to Ragnok right away."
They met up with Hermione and Neville in the dining room and after a quick kiss for Hermione, Harry apparated directly outside of Ragnok's office.
Doing the polite thing, he knocked on the door.
"Enter," Ragnok's commanding voice sounded from the other side.
Suppressing a sigh, Harry entered the room and walked up to Ragnok's desk.
"Harry," Ragnok said in surprise. "What can I do for you?"
Harry sat down and sighed wearily. "I'm sorry, Ragnok, but I have to ask something more of you."
Ragnok chuckled. "My, my, Harry, you certainly are high-maintenance."
The two friends shared a quick laugh before Harry's serious expression was back. "We found a very dark artifact in Hogwarts, one that makes my scar burn in reaction."
Immediately, Ragnok's eyes narrowed. "That would imply that your scar shares a connection with the artifact."
"That's what we figured," Harry said. "But, we can't figure out what it is. None of us have ever seen anything like it."
"And you thought that goblin detection would be better suited," Ragnok finished for him.
Harry nodded. "If you are willing, I would like to have a goblin check it out."
Ragnok nodded thoughtfully before he stood up and walked around the desk. "I would like to see this artifact for myself."
"Are you sure?" Harry asked in surprise.
"Of course I am," Ragnok said harshly. "I hardly ever offer to do something that I am not sure of. Now, let's go."
When they arrived back in the Manor, Harry led Ragnok to the room where the diadem was held where they found the other Heirs and the familiars standing a few feet away from the cursed object.
As soon as he saw the object, Ragnok's eyes flashed in awe. "That is the diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw," he gasped.
At the mention of Rowena, Luna's eyes widened. "T-this is the diadem? But it was lost centuries ago!"
Ragnok nodded. "It was." He stepped closer and cast a diagnostic spell before he stopped abruptly, his teeth bared in fury. "May whoever did this to such a precious item always lift dull blades and may they die without honor," he cursed.
"What is it, Ragnok?" Harry asked as he rubbed his scar.
Ragnok spun around and looked scared for a brief second. "You were right to seek goblin help, Harry," he said coolly. "Someone turned the diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw into a horcrux."
Hermione gasped in horror and grabbed Harry's hand tightly. "No," Hermione whispered in dismay.
"Love," Harry said worriedly. "Fill me in here."
Hermione's eyes began filling with tears. "Oh, Harry," she cried. "If the diadem is a horcrux, that means that a piece of someone's soul is inside it. And because your scar reacted to it that means that it must be Voldemort's soul."
"Okay," Harry said. "But what does that mean?"
"A horcrux is a tether to life," Ragnok explained angrily. "If the body dies, the soul fragment will live on and the person can come back."
"So that's why Voldemort lived stuck between worlds," Neville sighed. "But if we destroy this and then kill Voldemort then there will be no more problem, right?"
Ragnok looked doubtful. "If Voldemort made one horcrux, there's no evidence to say that he didn't make more."
Luna cried out in frustration. "How are we supposed to know how many there are?"
Ragnok shrugged. "I honestly cannot say Miss Lovegood. But, seeing as the goblins have formed an alliance with the Potter-Black houses, you will have our full support."
Hermione, who had been silently wiping away her tears, eyed the diadem and Harry's scar. "Ragnok, can you sense a piece of Voldemort in Harry?" she asked quietly.
Silence filled the room and Harry felt his knees weaken. He did recall his second year when Dumbledore had told him that Voldemort had left a piece in Harry after their fateful encounter. It did make sense. But that didn't make him feel any better.
Ragnok had seemed to come to the same conclusion as well. He nodded sadly and waved his hand to cast the spell once more. Right away, Harry's scar started burning and he would have collapsed to the floor had it not been for Hermione who immediately steadied him. When his vision cleared, he saw Ragnok shaking his head sorrowfully.
"I'm sorry, Harry," he said quietly. "But, my spell detects a piece of a soul that is not your own residing in your scar."
Hermione let out a choked sob and buried her face in Harry's shoulder. "You must have a way to extract a soul fragment without harming its host," she pleaded.
Ragnok nodded grimly. "It has never been done on a human before though," he said sadly.
"Do it," Harry said firmly. "I can't live knowing that I have a piece of that freak's soul living in me."
The head goblin of Gringotts hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I can do it to both you and the diadem right now. All I require is a goblin-made blade."
"I've got my blade from Master Zux," Harry offered.
Ragnok considered it for a moment before shaking his head. "A warrior's sword might be too overpowering and with your safety on the line I will not chance it."
He quickly apparated back to Gringotts and was back within a minute holding a beautiful dagger. Harry whistled in awe and he felt a flash of envy flow from Hermione which confused him.
Not paying attention to Harry's or Hermione's actions, Ragnok began speaking softly in goblin-tongue and drew the knife across his palm once he was done. The blade absorbed the blood and glowed a soft blue. When the blue glow faded, Ragnok drove it into the diadem on the floor, earning a squeak of horror from Luna.
"Wait for it," Ragnok ordered.
The blue that had covered the dagger a moment ago covered the diadem. There was a harsh scream from the diadem, but it ended as soon as it had begun. When the glow faded, they were all stunned to see that the diadem was perfectly intact, there wasn't even a scratch where the dagger had entered.
Tentatively, Luna stepped forward and, at Ragnok's reassuring nod, picked up the diadem. With a look of complete awe on her face, she examined the diadem delicately.
"The Ravenclaw legend is that when Rowena Ravenclaw wore this," Luna began. "That her wisdom increased and that she guided Godric as his most trusted advisor during their time."
"You can try it out later, Love," Neville said adoringly. "But let's take care of Harry's snaky problem first."
Ragnok had already performed the spell once more on the dagger and was beckoning Harry to lie on the ground.
"Are you going to have to stab him?" Hermione asked in worry.
"Unfortunately, yes," Ragnok said sadly. "This will hurt, Harry. But the spell is meant to enable the dagger to destroy the soul, not the container. You might feel as if you were stabbed, but you should be fine."
Hermione was biting her lip in worry and she had her healing wand out and ready, just to be safe.
When Harry gave the affirmative nod, Ragnok thrust the dagger into Harry's stomach. Harry gasped in pain and clenched his teeth to keep from screaming. His body was soon covered in the blue glow and the haunting scream that wasn't Harry's own, came from his mouth.
His scar began to bleed and Harry began thrashing. Ragnok quickly knelt by his side and pressed down on one shoulder while Neville pressed down on the other.
"What's happening?" Hermione cried in horror.
"The soul is trying to possess him!" Ragnok snarled.
Hermione ran over to her fiancé and knelt by his head. She cradled Harry's head in her hands and whispered soothingly to the man that she loved.
"You're going to be alright," Hermione whispered. "You've beaten him before, and you're going to beat him now just like you will beat him for good in the future."
"Hurts," he gasped.
"I know it does," Hermione whispered as she graced Harry's lips with a kiss. "But, you Mister Potter, are not allowed to quit. I hardly want to marry that psychopath that's trying to possess you."
Despite the pain that he was in, Harry managed a chuckle. Slowly, the scar on his forehead stopped bleeding and his body stopped convulsing. After they were sure that Harry was alright, Ragnok and Neville let go and Hermione pulled Harry's head into her lap. His emerald eyes were drooping with exhaustion, but other than that he appeared fine. There was no entry wound from the dagger.
"You're amazing Love," Hermione said softly as she kissed Harry softly. "But don't you scare me like that again."
Harry wiped a tear away from Hermione's cheek with his thumb. "I'll try," he promised.
Ragnok wiped the dagger and tucked it in his belt. "Do not fret over the other horcruxes. I will put a team of my best goblins on the search, starting with every vault in Gringotts."
"Thank you, Ragnok," Harry whispered tiredly. He vaguely remembered Ragnok's reply before Hermione apparated him to their bedroom and his eyes closed in a deep sleep.
chapter 30
Harry woke up feeling stiffer than he had in a long time. He felt worse than when Zux would drill him for hours at a time.
Suppressing a groan, he got out of bed and made his way to his bathroom. A hot shower helped to ease the tension out of his body, and he was soon walking down the hall, searching for his friends.
He found them in the library. Hermione and Ivy were hidden behind a large pile of books and Neville and Luna were discussing something a few feet away.
"What are you searching for?" Harry asked.
Hermione's head snapped up so fast that Harry was afraid that her neck would snap. She closed the book she was reading and raced over to engulf him in a big hug.
"Harry!" she exclaimed. "You should be in bed!"
Harry smiled warmly and kissed her hair. "Sorry that I worried you so much, Love. How long have I been asleep?"
Kex jumped off a near bookshelf and agilely climbed up Harry's pants-leg until he was sitting comfortably on his shoulder. "You've been asleep for over a day. It's Saturday now."
Harry blinked in surprise. "I can't believe that I slept for that long."
"It's perfectly normal," Hermione said as she took a step back. "Your body was accustomed to hosting a piece of Voldemort for so long that it needed to take time to recuperate. I actually noticed something interesting, Harry."
"What's that, Love?"
Hermione dragged Harry over to the nearest table and forced him to sit down. Only when he was seated comfortably did Hermione continue.
"It seems that Voldemort's soul fragment was actually inhibiting your own magic," she said. "Luna and I have both checked, and we both noticed that your magical power has been steadily growing as you slept."
"Wait," Harry said in astonishment. "So you're saying that I actually have more power than I currently do? I don't understand how Voldy's soul could stop my own magic from growing."
Luna sat down across from him. "Our theory is that Voldemort's soul fragment stopped your magic from growing when it entered your body. When two souls fight over one body, something takes damage and in this case, your magic did. We think that your level of magic before Ragnok got rid of the soul fragment is the same that it was when you were a baby and became a horcrux."
It was a good thing that Harry was already sitting; otherwise his legs would've given way at this surprising development. "I don't…how…why?"
Hermione giggled and smoothed Harry's hair back away from the scar. "It seems that Voldemort really is a parasite. We think that his soul was feeding off of your growing magic to survive because it couldn't overpower your own soul. I'd imagine that your body will be a little weak for a few days as it regenerates its lost magic. You'll need to be careful whenever you do magic from now on until you're used to your new level."
Harry nodded and took out his holly wand. "Lumos," he said.
Everyone had to cover their eyes as a blinding light came from his wand. It filled the library completely with light.
"Nox," Harry gasped and the light went out. He stared at his wand, then at Hermione. "Wow," he gasped.
"Wow indeed," Hermione said as she rubbed her eyes. "Please don't do that again until you have more control though."
"Agreed," Neville said as he blinked open his watering eyes.
Harry chuckled sheepishly and leaned forward to kiss Hermione. "Will do. So, what are you all researching?"
Immediately, Hermione went into study-mode. "We've been trying to find clues as to how many horcruxes Voldemort could have made. While you were sleeping, Ragnok came back and told us that they found another horcrux in Bellatrix's vault. He took care of the soul fragment and sent us the host in exchange for forfeiting our discovery fee. The goblins completely shut down the Lestrange vault and are working on shutting down every known Death Eater vault."
"Whoa," Harry whistled. "So, what was the host?"
Hermione gestured to a goblet that was sitting on the table in front of them. "That's Helga Hufflepuff's cup. Ragnok already took care of the soul so it's perfectly safe now. I think that Voldemort is going for Founders' items. We've already taken care of the diadem and now we have the cup. I've also been thinking about it and I think that the diary from second year was a horcrux as well."
Harry frowned. "But, if he was going for Founders' items, then why use a plain old diary?"
"I couldn't give you a guaranteed correct answer," Hermione sighed. "So, Luna and I have been looking into other Founders' objects and the only other ones beside Gryffindor's sword that we have found is Slytherin's locket. But, those are the Founders' exclusive items. There could be other items that are associated with the Founders' but that have slipped through the cracks in the history books."
"So far," Luna interrupted. "We know of four Horcruxes; you, the diadem, the cup, and the diary. I've been thinking, Voldemort is all about increasing his own power, so I've been doing research into what numbers are considered most magical. Every text says that the number seven is the most magical, we see seven all the time in potions because with a lot of magic, seven provides the most potential without completely overwhelming the intention. But, another thing is that I don't think that Voldemort intended to turn you into a horcrux, Harry."
"Then why am I counted as one of the seven?" Harry asked in confusion.
Luna sat down and absent-mindedly began stroking Fay's feathers as she continued to explain. "Unfortunately, Hermione and I can only offer you theories right now. We went back to the night that Voldemort attacked your family. For him to personally attack your house says that he had another purpose besides just killing you and your parents. We think that he was going to make his seventh horcrux with your death, and he did, just not in the way that he intended."
Harry continued to nod, though he was barely keeping up with what Luna was telling him.
Being able to pick up on when he was no longer following, Hermione came to his rescue. "Simply put, Luna and I are fairly sure that there are only three left. But, we have no idea what they could be. We sent Hedwig with a note to Ragnok informing him of what we've found and he responded that he would put Zux on the case because Zux is the expert in tracing dark magic."
"Will we see Master Zux soon?" Harry asked hopefully.
Hermione shrugged sadly. "I'm sorry, Harry," she said sincerely. "But you know that Zux doesn't stay in one place too long. I hope that you'll be able to see him soon, but Ragnok said that Zux doesn't like to leave a mission unfinished."
"No, he doesn't," Harry admitted.
Suppressing a groan as his still stiff muscles contracted, Harry stood up and stretched. "I'll be right back to help you guys with research, but if it's alright I would like to talk to my parents' portrait for a little while."
Hermione nodded knowingly. "Take all the time you need. I'll be here."
Before they knew it, the time had finally come right before the end of term. The forest informed Neville of another meeting and Neville picked up on the information that the forest didn't understand.
"Tomorrow," Neville sighed warily. "They're going to attack tomorrow."
Harry frowned. "Why on a Saturday? Is there something special about tomorrow?"
Neville shook his head. "Malfoy didn't talk about it. It's pretty ballsy though. They're going to attack when Dumbledore and all the professors are here."
"Unless they plan to overrun them," Luna, the strategist, put in. "It's most likely that there are Death Eaters among the students so it would be simple for them to slip by the professors in the panic and take out the target."
"Which could very likely be me," Harry said dryly. "Alright then, let's go through the castle one last time to check our rat traps."
They all nodded in agreement and separated to check on different parts of the castle. After they put the power-draining runes on the cabinet, they had set subtle traps all throughout the castle. Most of their traps were meant to minimize the students' exposure to the actual fight while some of them were actually a bit more complicated.
Hermione and Harry visited very specific traps through the castle to make sure that they were fully functional. It was Harry's idea to ask Ragnok for the goblins' assistance in the fight and after he had gotten the okay from King Zesd, they started putting goblin traps that most wizards knew nothing about.
They were inspecting a goblin version of a portkey when Harry pulled Hermione into a hidden corner. Taking their cue, Kex and Ivy stepped away to give their partners a moment of privacy.
With the same intensity that he used whenever he worried for Hermione, Harry pressed his lips against hers in a desperate kiss. They kissed in the privacy of the corner for almost a minute when the air was gone from their lungs and they had to resurface. Instead, Harry pulled Hermione into an embrace and pressed his face in his hair while Hermione rested her head in the crook of his neck.
"It's really happening," Hermione whispered. "This isn't going to be small like the Hogsmeade attack. We don't even know if Voldemort himself is coming."
Harry tightened his grip on Hermione. "Whatever happens tomorrow Hermione, just know that I love you so much and I will give my life before I let any of them hurt you."
Hermione chuckled sadly. "Harry, after all this time, don't you realize that I would do the exact same thing for you? You say that you can't live without me, but Harry, I cannot live without you either. So, the sensible solution is that neither of us gets hurt."
"I love you, Hermione," Harry whispered.
"I love you too, Harry."
They held each other for another moment before they gathered their familiars and continued to check the traps. When the goblin-made traps were checked, they went down to the kitchens so that Hermione could talk to the house-elves.
After Hermione had recovered from her kidnapping, she had gone to the kitchens to talk to the elves. Because she was their 'champion' they served her to a degree so long as it didn't conflict with Dumbledore's orders.
The elves greeted her happily and Hermione knelt down to hug some of them. They talked animatedly for a minute until Hermione stood back up and smiled down at them.
"Do you all remember what we told you about an attack?" she asked them.
"Yes, Miss Hermione," the elves chorused back.
"Well, that attack is happening tomorrow," Hermione said gravely. "So, when you receive the signal you need to follow through with your part of the plan that Luna explained to you."
The elves nodded determinedly. After the goblins had been involved, Luna had suggested involving the house elves as well. Non-surprisingly, the elves had eagerly agreed to defend their home and with their ability to apparate within Hogwarts would be invaluable.
The oldest house elf in Hogwarts, Lefty, stepped forward and bowed to Hermione. "Miss Hermione," he croaked. "We will all be prepared for tomorrow. Our eldest and youngest shall remain in our housing, but the rest of us will fight with you."
The elves cheered and Hermione hastily wiped away a tear. "Just please," she begged, "be safe."
After everything was checked over and deemed in working condition for the next day, they all met at Goldengaze's office. The griffin with a human mask had sighed warily when he saw their grave faces, knowing that it meant only one thing.
"I will fight as well," he said solemnly. "Although griffins do not usually fight in human affairs, I have been given the duty of protecting you and so I shall."
"Will you fight in your true form?" Neville asked in interest.
Goldengaze thought for a moment before shaking his head. "I hope to return next term as your DADA teacher in order to keep an eye on you. This cannot be done if my true form is revealed."
Luna looked at Goldengaze worriedly. "But, aren't your powers restricted in this form?"
Their professor stretched his human limbs. "I got this position regardless of whether or not my powers are limited in this disguise. Do not fear for me, dear Luna, I will be fine."
That night, none of them wanted to be apart from each other. They slept in the living room together. Harry held Hermione while Neville held Luna. The familiars were all cuddled together against Sage's larger frame. Even Dobby and Winky joined them, having been with the group since the beginning. Winky sniffed quietly at the thought of her beloved masters and mistresses being harmed and Dobby would lovingly comfort her.
They didn't get too much sleep that night. When the sun finally rose, they all got in their dragonhide armor which they glamoured to look like regular school robes. They grabbed their weapons and disillusioned them so that they wouldn't be noticed. Their more powerful wands were kept in their wand holsters which were kept on their wrists where they would be hidden. Everything was prepared, but they couldn't help but wonder if they were ready themselves.
Hermione was irritated that the attack was scheduled on the last day of exams, but she knew that she had no control over when it was going to happen.
After their exams were finished, they went to wait by the lake for the first swarm of Death Eaters to arrive.
"Shame that they would attack today," Hermione mused as she laid her head in Harry's lap. "So many students will be celebrating the end of term."
Harry nodded and continued to stroke Hermione's hair. "But, it's also when the teachers are most distracted. They're spread out and won't be able to take on the attack head on."
Luna, from her spot leaning against Neville, sharpened her Chinese sword-breaker. "It's a better strategy than attacking at night. The teachers' quarters are close to the room of requirement and they would be able to respond quickly to an assault."
"I wonder if the Slytherins are gleefully waiting in their dorm," Neville said sourly. "Slytherins are cowards."
"Hey," Hermione protested.
That earned a dry laugh from the group. "You're the only Slytherin that I like, Hermione," Neville laughed.
Their moment was ruined when Winky apparated in front of them with a worried expression on her face.
"The cabinet alarm runes have activated," she said anxiously. "They are coming."
Immediately, they were all on their feet with their illegal wands in their hands. "Winky, go inform the kitchen elves and then go the Black prison to tell the elves that it's time," Harry ordered.
Winky bowed and looked at them all tearfully. "Please be safe," she begged and then she apparated away.
The Spiritual Heirs of Hogwarts turned towards the castle and stood there for a moment. This was the biggest thing that any of them had ever faced, and they only prayed that they would all walk away from this fight.
"Let's do this," Harry said coldly.
And then they all apparated to the castle, where someone they held dear would never leave again…alive.
chapter 31
Things were set in motion the second that they apparated in Hogwarts. Sparing only a moment to hug each other, they separated to different areas of the castle.
Harry went to join the goblins in the main corridor where Luna predicted that the Death Eaters would first strike. Neville went with him as they were the more powerful two of the four.
Hermione went to do student control. The runes that she had placed to minimize student involvement were useless with the students roaming the halls, but luckily Luna had planned for that. The house elves were currently apparating any students that they found to their dorms while Hermione locked down the dorm rooms to prevent anyone from leaving or entering.
While this was all going on, Luna body merged with Fay and they flew up to Dumbledore's office. When they determined that the coast was clear, they separated and Luna locked down Dumbledore's office as was her right as Ravenclaw's Spiritual Heir. The office was the safest place for Luna because she was the one giving out the commands. Armed with the Marauder's Map and Hermione's new adaptation on the charmed galleons, she was prepared to plan and give orders.
Harry paced back and forth in the main corridor with Kex on his shoulder. He was anxious for the battle to start and he feared deeply for the losses that they would inevitably face.
"Harry, don't torture yourself," Kex said wisely. "This is what we've been training for."
"But we're bound to be outnumbered," Harry whispered back. "It's just our group, three squads of goblin warriors, and the fittest house elves."
"Would you feel better if Master Zux was here?" Kex asked.
Harry hesitated a moment before nodding. "He's the experienced warrior who should be in charge," he said softly.
"You're the Heir of Godric Gryffindor," Kex pointed out. "You were meant to lead us to victory."
"Luna is really the one leading us."
Kex dug his claws into Harry's shoulder. "Enough with the pity party," he snapped. "Luna is the strategist, but you are the leader. A leader is the first to charge and the last to leave the battlefield. You are our leader Harry, now act like it."
The words, though harsh, were exactly what Harry needed to hear. He scratched Kex's chin gratefully and turned to face the goblins whom he was leading.
"Hello," Harry said in a strong voice. "I am Harry Potter, also known as Lord Potter-Black and Spiritual Heir of Godric Gryffindor. My goblin name is Lightscar and I have been trained by Zux Greatkiller. If you will grant me your strength and courage, then I will lead us to victory. May our blades pierce our enemies' hearts and our hearts overflow with honor!"
The goblins took up the cheer and raised their blades with a shout. Their moment was ruined when the last person that Harry wanted to hear interrupted them.
"Harry, what is the meaning of this!" an angry Dumbledore said from behind them.
Suppressing a sigh, Harry turned around and glared at Dumbledore. "Death Eaters are invading the castle; I don't have time for your crap."
Dumbledore's blue eyes narrowed in anger, but it was quickly gone. "My boy I assure you, Hogwarts is not under attack. Now, I must insist that you have your goblins leave."
Behind him, the goblins bristled in fury. "They are not my goblins," Harry corrected icily. "They are magical beings themselves who have hearts and minds of their own that cannot be owned. They are however, my comrades in arms and I will not allow you to insult them!"
"They are lower life forms who are in my castle!" Dumbledore shouted back, momentarily losing composure.
It took all of Harry's restraint to shout that it wasn't his castle, but he wasn't ready to let his identity as Godric's Heir out just yet.
Luckily, Harry didn't need to defend the fact that they were under attack and waste time any longer. Before Dumbledore could make another demand, a silver patronus in the shape of a tabby cat glided through the walls and stopped in front of Dumbledore.
"Albus," the cat spoke with McGonagall's voice. "The alarm wards have activated, the castle is under attack. But, I do not know where the Death Eaters are coming from. What are your orders?"
Dumbledore gaped at the patronus which vanished in thin air. Then he whirred back to Harry, his eyes sparkling in anger.
"How did you know that the castle was under attack?" he demanded.
"I have my sources," Harry said vaguely. "Now, if you want to go elsewhere, we have this corridor covered."
Behind him, Neville snickered at the sight of Harry basically telling the Headmaster of Hogwarts to beat it. Harry looked over his shoulder and grinned at his best friend before turning back to Dumbledore.
"I must insist that you return to your dorm and let the Order handle this," Dumbledore said sternly. "You are too precious to lose."
"And why is that? Because of your prophecy? I know that the prophecy that you shared with me is bull, and I won't allow you to order me around," Harry spat. "Now, do something useful and go defend the students whom you are responsible for!"
For a moment, Harry and Dumbledore stared each other down until Dumbledore finally had to relent and turned around to start making his way to another part of the castle. As soon as Dumbledore was gone, Harry felt a weight lift and it made the upcoming battle seem that much easier.
The gallon around his neck grew hot and snapped Harry out of his momentary daze. He pressed it and turned to Neville who had activated his.
"We hear you Luna," Harry said out loud.
In his ear, where a small ear com that Hermione had made to co-exist with the galleons, was stuck, he heard Luna's voice as clearly as if she were right in front of him.
"The Death Eaters are leaving the seventh corridor and are splitting off into three segments," Luna said. "The largest segment is heading straight for your party, Harry. The other two are heading towards the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw towers respectively."
"They want to terrorize the students," Hermione said distastefully in the coms.
"Huh," Luna said in confusion.
Neville was instantly on alert. "What's wrong Love?" he asked.
Luna clicked her tongue in thought. "Dumbledore has gone towards the Astronomy Tower instead of meeting with the other professors and the Order. What's really weird though is that Snape and Malfoy are heading right towards him."
"Are there any more Death Eaters emerging from the room?" Harry asked.
"I haven't seen any more in a couple of minutes," Luna responded. "But, I want to wait another couple before we activate the first wave of traps."
"Are the students out of the way?" Neville asked.
There was a moment of silence from both Hermione and Luna. "I don't see any more students," Luna finally said. "Hermione, activate the security on the houses."
"What about Death Eater students?" Harry asked.
"They won't be able to get out of the dorms," Hermione answered.
"You got all except Malfoy," Luna continued. "But, I want to know why he is going after Dumbledore with Snape. Hermione, you go the Astronomy Tower and eavesdrop."
"On my way," Hermione answered.
"Be careful," Harry said.
"I will," and Hermione's com went dead.
Harry sighed and stretched his arms. "Luna, what's the ETA on the large group?"
"At the rate they're moving, less than two minutes," Luna answered. "I'll keep you posted on any changes."
"I love you," Neville said right before they turned off their coms.
"I love you too," Luna said warmly. "Be safe."
They all turned off their coms and Harry and Neville looked at each other.
"I love Hermione, but mate, you're the one who I would want by my side in battle," Harry said.
Neville nodded. "Same here."
They gave each other a brief hug before breaking apart. "Kex and Sage, I want you two to keep low and take out the stragglers," Harry instructed. "Leave the heavy hitters to us."
Kex and Sage nodded and went to the sides of the hall where they stayed out of sight.
Harry and Neville held out their illegal wands and got into battle stances with the goblin squads prepared behind them.
The first curse came at them from the oncoming wave of Death Eaters. The battle had begun.
Hermione silently climbed the stairs of the Astronomy tower in Ivy's body. They both knew the importance of knowing what Dumbledore was up to, but they were both irritated that Luna's strategy involved taking them away from the battle.
When Ivy reached the top of the tower, she silently moved to the corner and crouched down low.
"They should be here shortly," Ivy said through their bond.
"We can maintain the merge for fifteen minutes without it draining our power too much," Hermione reminded her. "Let's find out what they're doing and then leave immediately to inform Luna."
They didn't have to wait for long. Dumbledore reached the top of the tower and walked to the center. Then, he waited. Shortly after, Snape came walking briskly up the stairs with his cloak gliding behind him.
"How could you not know of this attack?" Dumbledore demanded. "I have swarms of Death Eaters in my castle and I have a large number of children whose safety I am responsible for!"
Snape did not cower before Dumbledore's rage. "It seems that the Dark Lord did not trust me with this information. But, I can tell you that there is a target for this attack."
"And who would that be?" Dumbledore sneered.
"Expelliarmus!" a shout came from the stairwell.
Hermione/Ivy rolled their eyes at the weak hex that was sent towards the powerful headmaster. Dumbledore deflected the hex effortlessly and he smiled towards the direction of his attacker.
"Mister Malfoy," he said with a twinkle in his eye. "You will need to try harder than that to kill me. Your attempts this past year have been poor indeed."
"Malfoy has been trying to kill Dumbledore?" Hermione wondered. "It must have been kept quiet. I can't believe that we didn't notice."
Malfoy walked up from the stairs, with his wand trembling in front of him. "I have to k-kill you," he stuttered. "If I don't, then the Dark Lord will kill me."
Dumbledore chuckled. "Mister Malfoy, you cannot honestly believe that you have any chance of beating me. Your magical abilities are so poor that I almost thought that you were a squib."
Malfoy's pale skin reddened in anger. "Avada Kedavra!" he shouted.
Dumbledore laughed out loud and summoned a piece of stone from the tower to intercept it. "Yet another poor attempt," he taunted.
While Malfoy continued to cast the killing curse at Dumbledore, Snape watched on with an indifferent look on his face.
"Headmaster," he said after Malfoy's fourth failed attempt. "I do have an Unbreakable Vow with his mother to protect him at the best of my ability."
Dumbledore sighed in annoyance and quickly sent a stunner towards Malfoy. The Slytherin didn't even have the chance to dodge it as it collided with his chest and sent him crumpling to the floor.
"Alright then Severus," Dumbledore said in an irritated tone. "Fight me to protect him to the best of your ability. Then, I shall dispose of the annoyance and return to the fight to save the castle."
Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing. She knew that Dumbledore was not as good as he appeared to the outside world, but she still couldn't believe that he would just condemn Malfoy to death just like that.
"I can't just sit by and let Dumbledore murder someone, even if it's Malfoy," Hermione said to Ivy.
"Would you risk our skins for Malfoy?" Ivy asked curiously.
Hermione groaned. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but yes. But, he will have to go to the Black Prison. He has already cast the killing curse four times in the past two minutes. There's no saying if he'll cast it again."
While Hermione and Ivy conversed for a moment, Dumbledore and Snape started their 'duel'.
Snape started by making a slashing motion with his wand while shouting, "Sectumsempra!"
Dumbledore quickly raised his wand. "Protego," he said calmly.
The curse couldn't penetrate Dumbledore's shield. The two powerful wizards continued dueling for five minutes, with Dumbledore foiling Snape at every turn. Hermione could tell that Snape was trying his hardest while Dumbledore appeared bored.
"Dumbledore is way out of my league," Hermione said to Ivy. "I won't be able to defeat him to save Malfoy."
Ivy stayed silent for a moment. "Let's get Malfoy out of the way now then while Dumbledore is distracted. I'll cast a disillusion charm on myself."
"Alright," Hermione agreed.
The fox familiar closed her eyes in concentration and let the charm flow over her body, making her blend in with her surroundings. When she was confident that Dumbledore and Snape wouldn't be able to see her, she quietly crept over towards the stairs where Malfoy laid unconscious.
Hermione scoffed in disgust when they reached Malfoy only to discover that he had literally peed his pants when facing Dumbledore.
"I always knew that he talked a bigger game," she said to Ivy.
"Let's get him out of here," Ivy said back. "My nose is starting to burn."
Ivy put her paw on Malfoy's forehead and cast a weak feather-light charm. With the unconscious Slytherin lighter, she grabbed the scruff of his robes in her strong jaws and started dragging him as quietly as she could. She dragged him further down the stairs with relatively little difficulty as she wasn't trying to minimize Malfoy's injuries on the stairs. Upstairs, Dumbledore and Snape continued their duel.
When they were out of sight, Hermione canceled the body-merge and grabbed put one of the Black Prison portkeys around his neck. When the portkey was around his neck, it glowed red and cut off all of Malfoy's magic before it took him away to the prison. With Malfoy gone, Hermione body-merged with Ivy again and they went back to watch Dumbledore and Snape duel.
Dumbledore had disarmed Snape and had placed a leg-locking curse on him. But, Snape was smiling in his cruel way.
"I dueled my hardest," he laughed coldly. "Now I cannot be killed by the Unbreakable Vow. I shall tell the Dark Lord that you killed poor, young Draco. The other Death Eaters will try and take Potter from the castle so that the Dark Lord may finally kill him."
"And I shall come in at the last second to save Mister Potter," Dumbledore said with a nod. "Then he shall finally realize that I have his best interests in mind and he shall obey me."
Snape sneered. "Potter is not worth the effort," he spat. "But, the castle is under attack and I wouldn't be surprised if the Dark Lord sent his best Death Eaters here to do as much damage as possible."
"Then I shall get rid of Mister Malfoy so that I may save the castle," Dumbledore said just as coolly. He turned back to where he had stunned Malfoy and he scowled when he saw that the pale nuisance was no longer there. "Where is he?" he demanded. "He needs to be killed for the greater good."
Snape looked around and his eyes narrowed when he too saw that Malfoy was gone. "He was stunned, he couldn't have gone anywhere without help."
Dumbledore raised his wand and waved it in a horizontal arc. "Homenum Revelio," he said.
Hermione/Ivy held their breath as the spell was cast. They waited a moment and released their breath when the spell came up with nothing.
"There are no humans here," he informed Snape. "But, that doesn't mean that there is no one here at all." He summoned Snape towards him before waving his wand above his head like a lasso. Hermione/Ivy stood in horror as flames were conjured from the wand and began filling the small room with fire.
"Run Ivy!" Hermione screamed.
Ivy didn't need to be told twice. She turned to run, but the flames were too quick. Ivy barked out in pain when her pelt caught fire, giving away their location.
"Sectumsempra!" Dumbledore shouted, pointing his wand in their direction.
At the last second, Ivy dodged, but the spell still cut into her back leg. Unable to walk, she collapsed on the floor.
"Use the portkey!" Hermione shouted in pain.
Ivy panted and activated her portkey. When the uncomfortable pulling sensation was over, they found themselves on the floor in Potter Manor. At the hard contact with the stone floor, Hermione lost her hold on the body-merge and separated from Ivy.
"Mistress Hermione!" Winky's terrified voice came from the other side of the room.
"I'm fine," Hermione said immediately as she rubbed her sore leg. "Tend to Ivy, she's hurt. I have to go back."
Ivy whimpered as she struggled to sit up. "Be careful," she panted.
Hermione gave Ivy a quick kiss on the head before apparating back to Hogwarts. As soon as she landed on the grounds right outside, she felt her galleon around her neck get hot.
"I'm fine," she said as soon as she turned it on. "They're going to try and take Harry and Dumbledore plans on coming in to save him at the last second. Dumbledore tried to kill Malfoy, but I sent Malfoy to the prison before he had the chance. Ivy got burned and cut by Dumbledore and we went to Potter Manor to get to safety," she finished in a rush.
"You've been busy," Luna commented with dry humor. "Harry and Neville are still fighting the largest swarm of Death Eaters, Bellatrix is among them. But, what really has me worried is that there is a small party of Death Eaters who weren't caught in the goblin traps are heading towards Harry's and Neville's backs."
Hermione immediately began running towards the other side of the main corridor where Harry and Neville were fighting. "How many?" she asked.
"Three," Luna answered. "But their magic should be pretty weak by now."
"Are the numbers dwindling?" Hermione asked.
It took Luna only a moment to assess. "At least a third of the force has either been sent to the prison or killed," Luna informed her. "Most of the remaining forces are currently fighting Harry and Neville, and the remaining Death Eaters are either caught in our traps or they're being taken out by the staff and the few Order members who are here."
Hermione ran up the stairs, not willing to stop until she took down the threats. "Keep an eye out for Dumbledore," she told Luna. "I wouldn't put it past him to attack one of us when our backs are turned."
"Will do, be safe," and then Luna was gone.
It took Hermione less than two minutes to make it to the corridor where she would be able to intercept the party that was planning on attacking their main party from behind. She took her bow off of her back and pulled an arrow from the quiver.
She heard them before she saw them. They were complaining about the house elves striking out at them and about how the goblin traps incapacitated a large portion of their numbers. As soon as the first Death Eater stepped around the corner, she let her arrow fly.
The arrow flew true and struck the Death Eater in the eye, killing him before he even hit the ground. Immediately, there were spells cast in her direction, but Hermione gracefully dodged them. She dodged the killing curse and put another arrow to her bow when she saw who her attackers were.
Staring at her in pure fury were the two last Death Eaters that Hermione wanted to face. Lucius Malfoy and Antonin Dolohov.
A/N- Ahh, Dumbledore is really not a good guy. I'm taking my time with these last few chapters to make sure that I'm perfectly happy with them. The death is yet to come! Review! -Phoenix
chapter 32
"Bugger," Hermione groaned as she saw the two Death Eaters whom she was facing.
At the end of the hall, Lucius and Dolohov sneered at her.
"Little mudblood," Lucius said coldly. "Are you here to die at our superior hands?"
When they started making their way forward, Hermione noted with grim satisfaction that they were squinting slightly.
The senses dimming wards are working, just slower than we expected, she thought. Their magic should also be dimming by now thanks to some of our traps.
"There will be deaths today," Hermione said just as coldly. "But I won't be one of them. I never got the chance to repay you, Dolohov, for cursing me at the Department of Mysteries. And I owe you, Malfoy, for leading the attack that killed my family."
The Death Eaters laughed at her and began firing more killing curses at her. One curse came too close for comfort, within one foot, causing Hermione to decide to go on the offensive.
After doing a dodge roll to avoid another curse, she loosed another arrow from her bow. This one lodged itself in Dolohov's leg, causing him to curse in pain and drop to the floor.
While Dolohov was temporarily out of commission, Hermione put her bow back on its strap on her back and drew her illegal wand.
"Aqua Eructo!" she called as she pointed her wand at Malfoy Sr.
Out of her wand came a jet of clear water and blasted at powerful speeds towards Malfoy. Malfoy raised his wand and shouted, "Protego!" but Hermione moved her wand, making the jet of water go around the shield and blast him from behind.
The blonde cursed as the strong jet of water pushed him to the floor. When he raised his head, blood was pouring from his nose. He put his hand to it to wipe it away, glaring daggers at Hermione.
"You mudblood filth," he spat. "You will pay for spilling blood as pure as ours. Crucio!"
Hermione ducked the curse and pointed her wand at the floor in front of Lucius. "Confringo!"
The blasting hex caused the stones to explode and the area to erupt in flames. Lucius yelled when his robes caught fire.
"Aguamenti!" he shouted as he used his wand to douse the flames.
While Hermione was focusing on Lucius, Dolohov struggled to his feet and pointed his wand at Hermione. "Defodio!"
Hermione didn't see the gouging spell until too late. At the last second, she moved to the side, but the spell still grazed her side, making a small gouge in her skin.
"Bloody hell," Hermione hissed in pain as she staggered to the banister and used it to support her weight.
"Avada Ke-!" Dolohov started casting.
"Flippendo!" Hermione shouted quicker than Dolohov. The spell sent Dolohov flying backwards. Then Hermione pointed her wand towards Lucius and shouted, "Furnunculus!"
Lucius shouted in agony as his body began covering in painful looking boils. The pain caused him to drop his wand and begin ripping off some of his robes to avoid having the boils get any more painful.
While the two Death Eaters were busy, Hermione pointed her wand to her injured side and muttered, "Vulnera Sanenfur." Her wand, ever so eager to do healing magic, quickly stopped the bleeding and healed the worst of the damage.
The power and senses draining aren't working fast enough, Hermione thought as she grabbed her bow back off her back. I can't afford to try to incapacitate these two. I'll have to kill them.
Even though Hermione despised the thought of killing, and had done it only once so far, she knew that killing was necessary in war. But that didn't make it any easier for her.
If I survive this war, I'm going to become a Healer, she promised herself as she put another arrow to her bow.
Lucius glared at Hermione and picked his wand back up. "Incarcerous!" he shouted.
Ropes were conjured from his wand. They tied up Hermione's legs, but not before she loosed her arrow. Grim satisfaction filled her when the arrow went right through Antonin Dolohov's throat. The Death Eater whose curse had been the cause of many of her nightmares for so long would never curse anyone else ever again.
"You bitch," Lucius snarled as Dolohov fell. "Defodio! Crucio!"
The first curse gouged right through Hermione's bow, rendering it useless. The second one hit her full on. Hermione cried out as she was hit with the torture curse. Her body convulsed, making the ropes around her legs tighten even more.
"Expelliarmus!" Lucius shouted, causing her wand to go flying from her hand. As soon as her wand was clear, he began torturing her once again.
"How does it feel mudblood?" he taunted. "How does it feel to lie at a pureblood's feet where you belong? I hope that Potter had his fun with you, because you will never see him again."
Hermione continued to cry out in pain, only able to hear half of what Lucius was saying. She tried to reach for her other wand, but it was in her leg holster and she couldn't reach it due to the ropes. Her bow was now useless, and by extension her arrows.
I can't die here, she thought as her body continued to spasm. The prophecy must be fulfilled!
"Use your true magic my dear," a soft voice said out of nowhere.
Somehow, the presence of the voice took away the edge of pain from the torture curse. Even though her body still convulsed, Hermione's mind was clear from the pain.
"Who are you?" Hermione whispered.
The voice laughed, and Hermione then deducted that Lucius couldn't hear it. "I am a woman who is trying to help a child in pain," she answered. "You are not ready to die yet my dear, for we have yet to formally meet."
Lucius continued to cast the spell as he laughed gleefully.
"What is my true magic?" Hermione asked.
"You know what your true magic is, Spiritual Heir of Salazar Slytherin."
Hermione's eyes widened. "Elf magic," she gasped. "You can't be talking about Hogwarts's magic, because I haven't finished my elf training."
"I have heard that you were a smart one," the voice laughed. "You must defeat your enemy and win this battle. When you have won and your wounds have healed, we will come for you to study with us."
"You're a true elf."
The true elf's voice was full of laughter. "That I am. Win your battle young one, and I will come for you. But, don't forget that while incomplete, you still have knowledge of elf magic." And then the voice was gone.
With the elf's presence gone, Hermione was fully susceptible to the curse once again. The shock of the pain coming back caused Hermione to bite through her lip, and the spasms opened her side wound back up.
"You aren't going to kill me," she panted. She held her hand out and grinned at the head of the Malfoy house, "This is for Dobby and every house elf that you ever hurt."
Lucius didn't even have time to patronize her. Hermione snapped her fingers and Lucius was sent flying, over the banister where there was nothing but air and a hundred foot drop to the stone floor below. The cries of the head of the House of Malfoy lasted briefly, and were silenced after a loud 'thud'.
Grimacing, Hermione used elf apparition to get out of the ropes and picked up both her wands. Only then did she look over the banister. She grimaced when she saw the mess of blood and robes and quickly turned away so she could empty the contents of her stomach. When she was no longer heaving, she pressed her charmed galleon.
"Are you alright?" Luna immediately demanded. "I saw that you were fighting Malfoy and Dolohov, I'm so sorry that I didn't realize who I was sending you to until it was too late."
Hermione coughed in pain and slid down against the wall. "I'll live," she panted. "We overestimated our traps, they still had most their senses and their power was still strong. I took out all three."
"What are your injuries?" Luna demanded.
"Side wound and exposure to the cruciatus. But, I'll be alright," Hermione said as she healed her side once again. "Where do you want me now?"
Luna hesitated for a moment. "Harry and Neville are holding their ground," she said at last. "They don't need your help. But it looks like the Order is struggling. They're being overrun by Death Eaters."
"Where?" Hermione asked as she picked up her bow and repaired it as best she could. It was goblin made and the magical repair would last three shots at best.
"The Great Hall has the most," Luna answered. "Can you do an overhead support?"
Hermione looked at her barely functioning bow with tears in her eyes. "No, my bow got broken. I have three shots at best. Do you want me to provide support as Beauty?"
"No," Luna said immediately. "This obviously isn't the final battle because you, Neville, and I have yet to finish our training. Save your form for then. Go and act as a silent aid."
"On my way. Merlin, I hope that this battle ends soon."
Harry continued to pant heavily as he cut down yet another Death Eater with a spell. He didn't know how so many people could follow Voldemort, but this swarm felt almost endless.
While he and Neville worked as the long-range fighters, the goblins took out their fair share of the enemy. They would gain up five to one wizard and quickly overpower them before moving onto the next one. There were bodies, both goblin and wizard, littering the large corridor, but there was no time to mourn the loss of comrades. Not in the middle of battle.
"Depulso!" Harry shouted as he pointed his wand at the Death Eater whom he was dueling.
The Death Eater shouted in surprise as he was banished back into the stone wall where he was speared by a goblin before he even slid back down to the floor.
"Potter!" Bellatrix's furious voice screeched across the battlefield. Harry ducked her killing curse out of instinct and retaliated with a severing jinx of his own which was blocked.
The Death Eaters cleared the way as Bellatrix made her way forward. Some of the goblin warriors moved forward to take her on, but Harry waved them back.
"Leave her to Neville and me," he told them. The goblins nodded and sprinted forward to take on the remaining Death Eaters.
Neville walked over to join Harry, a look of cold determination on his face. This was the time that he had been waiting for, the opportunity to take down his parents' torturer.
"Harry, let me take her," he said calmly. "This is my fight. I'll get revenge for Sirius and my parents."
Harry hesitated a moment before clapping Neville on the back. "Be careful mate," he cautioned. "Your magic is more powerful than hers, but she's like a wildfire that takes down everything in its path."
Neville nodded in understanding. "You help the rest of the goblin squad. But, if something happens to me, take care of Luna."
The two best friends then separated, Harry to rejoin the goblins and Neville to face the woman who had taken his parents away from him as a baby.
"Well, if it isn't baby Longbottom," Bellatrix taunted in her shrill voice. "Are you here to join your mummy and daddy in insanity?"
Despite his brief time with the centaurs, their teachings on how to handle anger were what stopped Neville from dashing out right away to dig his sword into Bellatrix's stomach.
"You won't hurt anyone anymore, Bellatrix," Neville said calmly. "I will make sure of that. Protago Totallum," he finished, creating a barrier that separated him and Bellatrix from the rest of the battle.
Bellatrix looked at Neville with her half-crazed gaze. "Are you capable of casting the killing curse little boy?"
Neville shook his head. "I cannot master enough hatred to cast that curse. But, I will end your life as mercifully as I possibly can."
"There is no mercy in death!" Bellatrix laughed.
"Then you really are far gone," Neville said coolly. "You are as evil as Voldemort and you cannot be allowed to live."
Bellatrix's dark eyes narrowed in anger. "You dare say the Dark Lord's name! I will kill you for your insolence, blood-traitor!"
Neville raised his wand. "Expelliarmus! Stupefy! Deprimo!" he shouted in succession.
"Protego!" Bellatrix shouted as she raised her wand.
The first two spells were absorbed by the shield, but the third had enough power to burst through. Bellatrix shrieked when the spell put a great deal of pressure on her and forced her to her knees.
"Duro!" Neville shouted.
Bellatrix pointed her wand at the closest life form, a fellow Death Eater, and shouted, "Mobilicorpus!"
The unsuspecting Death Eater cried out in shock as he was levitated from his battle with a goblin and was thrown in front of Neville's curse. He screamed in horror as the curse hit him and he was turned to stone. Bellatrix looked at her stone comrade with disdain and threw him against the hall where the statue broke into hundreds of pieces.
Neville stared at her in shock. "He was your comrade!" he shouted at his nemesis. "How could you throw away his life like that!"
Bellatrix shrugged. "He was only a lower-level Death Eater, expendable."
The Spiritual Heir of Helga Hufflepuff glared at his opponent. "The world will be rid of you tonight," he swore.
They then went into the most intense duel of Neville's life. Every time he shot a spell, it was countered, every time she shot a spell he dodged it. After five minutes of intense dueling, the smirk vanished from Bellatrix's face. She was a ruthless killer, but she never smirked in the face of a true opponent.
"Avada Kedavra!" Bellatrix shrieked.
Neville summoned a slab of stone to intercept the curse. When the rubble cleared, Neville waved his wand in an arc and cast an arrow-shooting spell.
"Protego!" Bellatrix screamed. Some of the arrows got caught in her shield while the others got absorbed by Neville's shield.
"Crucio!" Bellatrix shrieked when the arrows had faded.
Neville bit back a cry as the curse his him head on. It was only by a great act of will that he managed to stay upright.
I won't let this monster kill me, he vowed. She won't take me away from Luna or my friends.
With shaking hands, he unsheathed his sword and brought it up between the curse and himself. Because it was goblin-forged, it did not break under the force of Bellatrix's curse and prevented it from touching him.
"Reducto!" he shouted, pointing his wand right over Bellatrix's head.
The ceiling above Bellatrix's head crumbled and fell on top of the deranged witch. One rock collided right with her head, sending her to the ground.
"Expelliarmus," Neville said calmly, catching the wand that took so many lives in his hand.
Underneath the rubble, Bellatrix struggled to climb out to get to Neville.
"My Lord!" she screamed. "I will not shame your mark! Give me the strength to destroy this whelp where he stands!"
Neville watched her in disgust as she struggled in vain to get out from underneath the wreckage, screaming insults as she tried.
Deciding to finally end it, he walked up to her with his sword in one hand and his wand in his other. He stopped in front of her with cold eyes. When she looked back up he saw crazed fear in her eyes, like a rabid animal who knew that they were about to be put down.
In a mercy stroke, he took his sword and cut her throat and watched her quickly die on the cold floor. In one quick minute, the monster that was Bellatrix Lestrange was no more and Voldemort lost his most loyal servant.
"That's it," Neville said softly. The galleon around his neck warmed up and he quickly pressed it. "I'm alright Love," he said lovingly.
"Neville," Luna's panicked voice came from the other end.
"What's wrong?" Neville asked instantly.
Even though he wasn't an empath like Harry, he could still feel his beloved's fear.
"Dumbledore is heading for his office," Luna said fearfully. "Hogwarts will eventually admit him."
Neville used a quick spell to clean Bellatrix's blood off of his sword before sheathing it. "Can you find a different spot to use as command central?" he asked, trying to keep calm for Luna's sake.
"Nowhere else is as protected," Luna answered.
"Then move somewhere out of the castle where you will still be safe and have room to work," Neville ordered. "It will be okay, Luna, but you have to move now."
"Alright," Luna answered. "I love you."
"If you need me, summon me and I will be there," Neville promised. "But right now you need to leave there now."
"Okay," Luna said in a calmer voice. "I love you."
"I love you too," Neville said tenderly. Then the coms turned off. With a heavy sigh, Neville turned back towards the battle and smiled when he saw Sage restrain a Death Eater long enough for a goblin to kill him. He then canceled his shield and ran back into the fray, praying that his fiancé would be able to avoid Dumbledore safely.
In a rush, Luna packed up her supplies in the feather-light bag that she had brought with her. The Marauder's Map went in along with the charmed galleons that she had been using to stay in contact with her friends.
"Fay, let's go," she ordered.
"Wait," Fay's voice answered. She was inspecting an open book on the bookshelf and had found something of interest. Using her talons, she closed it and threw it towards Luna. "Pack that, it's a book on Horcruxes and there's notes in it. Apparently Dumbledore has known about them for some time and hasn't shared that information."
Luna immediately put the book in the bag. "Let's go."
They body-merged and were about to fly out the window with the bag in their talons when the door opened. Fay's sharp eyes widened in fear when they saw Albus Dumbledore entering his office with Fawkes on his shoulder.
Dumbledore's blue eyes sparked in anger when they recognized the falcon that was about to fly out of the window. "You're Lovegood's familiar!"
Before he could cast a spell, Fay leapt out of the window and started flying away as fast as her wings would take her. They didn't get far when a flash of red appeared right in front of them.
"Fawkes," Luna/Fay said out loud. "What are you doing?"
Fawkes looked at them regrettably. "I am sorry," he said in his musical voice. "But I must follow the orders of Albus Dumbledore, and he has ordered that I kill you."
Fear sent a shiver down their spine. "You can't be serious," Luna/Fay exclaimed. "You know that Dumbledore is mad!"
The phoenix hung his head sadly. "I know that," he admitted. "But that doesn't change the fact that I must stay loyal to him and that includes following his commands. Please forgive me."
He lashed out with his talons and it was only Fay's quick reflexes that saved them from being sliced in half. With a screech, Fay raced away with Fawkes right behind.
While a phoenix is a truly majestic creature, they weren't built for flying at fast speeds like falcons are. Fay dove, swerved and climbed, at a faster speed than Fawkes, but whenever she got too far ahead, Fawkes would simply vanish and reappear in a burst of flame right in their path.
"We can't dodge him forever," Luna told Fay. "Use your portkey to get us back to Potter Manor and then we'll come back without a phoenix trying to cut us into shreds."
Before Fay could activate her portkey, Fawkes appeared right in front of her path and brought his talons across her chest. Fay screeched in agony as the talons cut deep and lost her control on flight. Unable to glide, and in too much pain to activate her portkey, Fay started falling from a terrible height, to the unmerciful cliffs below.