Disclaimer: Harry Potter and related characters and settings belong to J. K. Rowling. The Lord of the Rings and related mythology belong to the heirs of J. R. R. Tolkien.
A/N This chapter title is a combination of Black Speech and Sindarin. "Nazgul" everybody should know is Black Speech for "Ring Wraith". "Hul" is Sindarin for "War Cry". So the chapter of this title is "Ring Wraith War Cry". But I personally prefer "Cry of the Ring Wraiths".
Chapter 15: Nazgul Hul
Remus Lupin groaned as another spasm rocked his body. He tried to move from his resting place only to grunt in pain as the beast within him struggled to come forth.
"Hey, you OK?" asked Nymphadora Tonks from the bed next to him. She herself was still badly shaken from her experience during the battle as partially evidenced by the fact her hair was for once her natural red color (at least Remus thought it was her natural color).
"The wolf, he just won't settle," said Remus. "He's not as strong as he was back in France but he's usually only active like this on the day of the full moon. And I know for a fact that tonight is not a full moon." He groaned as one more spasm rocked his body.
"Oh dear, we can't have you suffering like this now can we?" said Madame Pomfrey as she bustled over toward them. She waved her wand over Remus like a muggle security mettle detector used in airports. "Well, there's no danger of the wolf being unleashed. At least not at this time," she said, "but we must find a way to get those spasms under control."
"Leave that to me," said a voice from the entrance of the Hospital Wing. Lupin looked up and was mildly surprised to see Severus Snape enter the room carrying a flask of bubbling potion. He placed the flask Lupin's bedside table and said, "Wolfsbane potion. Drink up."
Despite the pain he was in, Remus managed to smirk. "Well now Severus, what strange world is this that I have wandered into where you'll actually do me a favor?"
"It's not a favor to you," replied Snape with a sneer, "I merely would hate to see one of our combatants taken out by the beast within him rather than the beast that's fighting him."
"Nice to know that you care about my well being so much, Snape," said Lupin as he struggled to sit up. Once in a seated position, he took the flask and drank the whole potion. As he had suspected, the potion tasted especially horrible, and no wonder given whom had brewed it, but it worked wonders. Though he could still sense the wolf attempting to come forth, Lupin no longer felt a ripping sensation of pain from his lycanthropic transformation. "Thank you," Lupin said.
Snape stuck his nose up and said, "If you're feeling better perhaps you could tell me where Potter and Granger have scurried off to."
"It's Saturday," said Tonks. "Where they go on Saturday is no one's business."
"It is when all the students are supposed to be on the Hogwarts grounds," snapped Snape. "Apparently, no one has seen any sign of them since this morning. McGonagall is having the entire faculty keep an eye and an ear out for them. Those brats, wasting the faculty's resources like this!"
"Harry and Hermione are missing?" exclaimed Lupin and Tonks.
"You heard me the first time," snapped Snape. "First Weasley runs off yesterday with Lovegood and now Potter and Granger have run off. The track record of Hogwarts's ability to keep its student population's hormones in check is an embarrassment!"
* * *
"Explain to me why we're here again?" asked Hermione.
"Because there's a possibility that someone out here might've seen Ron and Luna," said Harry. The two were currently walking down the main street of Hogsmeade village. Much of the village was still alive with much activity though that atmosphere was rather subdued. The news of the attacks had definitely caused quite a stir among the villagers but as there hadn't been any major attacks on the British Isles yet, life still had a semblance of normalcy for most people.
"I know that. But Harry, we're not supposed to leave the Hogwarts grounds," said Hermione. "I'm worried about Ron and Luna as well, but there's really nothing we can do. And with Rauthoron with them, I don't think they should be in too much danger."
Harry felt the side of his bag, making sure that his Invisibility Cloak was still there. "I know, I know," he said, "But I can't just stand still and not do anything! I hate not having any information, and if there's any available here in the village, I want to hear no matter how insignificant."
"Harry, I know you're frustrated," said Hermione as he she took Harry's hand. "But sometimes there's really nothing more you can do other than sit back and wait patiently for whatever happens next."
"I know, you're right," said Harry with a sigh. "Just a few questions to some villagers, then we'll go back," he looked a Hermione and grinned a little, "and maybe a drink at the Three Broomsticks wouldn't be a bad idea."
Hermione smiled back and said, "No it wouldn't. I'd like to have something at the Three Broomsticks."
"What's this? Hermione Jane Granger, Head Girl is actually suggesting we break the rules?"
"Oh shut it you!" Harry and Hermione laughed as they continued to make their way down the street, their hands still held together.
Unfortunately, the villagers hadn't seen any other Hogwarts students let alone a griffn so Harry and Hermione, feeling disappointed, decided to grab a drink before heading back to the castle. At the Three Broomsticks, Madame Rosmerta didn't ask any questions about what two Hogwarts students were doing out of the school: she merely served them their butterbeers. As Harry and Hermione sipped at their drinks, they were for a brief moment able to live in the illusion that all was perfect with the world, that there was no immediate threat of war hanging over their heads. Harry turned to Hermione and smiled. "Don't you just wish we can have a peaceful moment like this, every day?" he asked.
Hermione looked toward Harry, her eyes hopeful. "Someday Harry," she said, "someday there will be a time when we can sit back with a butterbeer and the only thing that will worry us will be whether we're working at the right jobs or where our love lives are going."
"Not bloody likely," said Harry looking back toward his drink. "Even if the threat of Voldemort gone, I'm never going to get a moments peace; this bloody scar is a symbol of that."
"Harry," said Hermione, making him place her focus back on her. "Someday, you will have the simple life you deserve so much. Even if the Wizarding World denies it to you, I will make sure myself that that's what you will have. Whether it's in the White Tower of Minas Tirith or in some desolate cottage in the woods I will make sure that you can finally relax."
As Harry stared into Hermione's eyes, he suddenly had the overwhelming desire to kiss her. Hermione certainly seemed to be ready to receive one as se tilted her head upward. Harry started leaning toward her, their eyes closing as ther lips just brushed each others...
"Good Lord! Harry! Hermione! What are you two doing here?" Harry and Hermione sprang apart blushing furiously as the boisterous voice of Fred Weasley greeted them. "Hello, what's this; Harry Potter and Hermione Granger actually sneaking out of school for an illicit meeting?"
"Well, well, we must've been more of an influence on dear, proper Hermione than we've realized," said George Weasley from behind his twin.
"That's not what we were doing!" exclaimed a red faced Hermione. "We were asking villagers if they had seen any sign of Ron!"
"What are you two still doing here?" asked Harry.
"Business has been a little slow in Diagon Alley with the war and all," said Fred. "But we've still made enough to expand Weasley Wizard Wheezes."
"We were actually just purchasing a new store location," said George. "That was our original intent at coming here in the first place: we only just found out about Ron running off when we had arrived here."
"Aren't you even remotely worried about your Ron?" asked Hermione.
Fred's face turned uncharacteristically serious. "Of course we are," he said. "And believe it or not we're worried about Percy as well. Have you heard that You-know-who's forces have taken over Azkaban?"
Harry raised his eyebrows. "That's the first I heard of that."
"It's all the talk in London, even though the Daily Prophet's a little hush-hush about it," said George. "Rumor is that that's where the Death Eaters are taking all their prisoners now. Kind of ironic how the fortress's former inmates are now its jailers."
Hermione apparently appeared to have some kind of a thought as her eyebrows furrowed. "It is rather interesting," she said, her face suddenly taking on a calculating look. "Azkaban, Azkaban... do they say how many people are being kept prisoner there?"
George looked perplexed by this question but never the less answered, "Well the rumors place it around 100 but I personally think there's a lot more. Why ask?"
"Just thinking of something," said Hermione. Harry's face crinkled in worry: Hermione was now wearing an expression similar to one when she was concocting a wild plan, similar to SPEW.
Harry was about to ask what she was thinking up when there was suddenly a scream from outside. "What?" he and the Weasley's exclaimed, standing up. They burst out of the pub to see the streets of Hogsmeade in utter chaos: woman and children screaming in pure terror, men cowering in fear, and animals running for their dear lives. The sky even seemed to have darkened considerably as if it were late evening despite the fact that it was still before noon. "What is going on?" exclaimed Fred.
Then, Harry heard it: a high pitched screech that pierced the sky. So loud and hurtful to the ears, the very sound of the screech set a pulse of terror through the very fiber of the wizards' souls. Though it was the first time Harry had ever heard the sound, he instantly recognized it with a feeling which he likened to a knife being pierced into the heart.
"NAZGUL!" he yelled.
Indeed, four monstrous forms fell upon Hogsmeade from the sky: great fell beasts with breaths of poison and wings of sinister nature. And upon the backs of those fell beasts rode four black robed figures emitting the screeches that so terrified the citizens of Hogsmeade: Ring-Wraiths. Within seconds, the fell beasts were on the ground attacking the people and the buildings of the village. The Ring-Wraiths dismounted their airborne 'steeds' and started wandering around the village as if searching for something. One of the Ring-Wraiths approached a young crying girl, around four years old, whom had apparently been separated from her parents in the confusion. The Wraith drew his sword and lifted over its head, ready to strike the girl...
Without hesitation, Harry rocketed forward shouting "Racina!" His wand suddenly sprang out and transfigured into the gleaming armor that had saved Harry back during the Quidditch match, completely encasing Harry in its protection. A second later, Anduril flashed forth, summoned along with the armor as Harry tackled the Wraith.
The Ring-Wraith actually appeared to be surprised as it stumbled back. Harry turned to the girl and shouted, "Run!" The girl, whom had stopped crying, nodded quickly before running away toward where the Hogsmeade citizens had run off. The Weasley twins had meanwhile starting assisting the villagers in their escape. They glanced back at Harry, concerned about him but Harry told them with a mere look that he could handle the situation.
The Ring-Wraith quickly regained its balance, its attention now focused on Harry. With a screech, the Wraith slashed at Harry. Harry successfully managed to parry the blow. He dodged another slash before spinning around and slashing at the Wraith. The Wraith simply dodged the slash and blocked another one of Harry's slashes. Undaunted, Harry continued to close in, the Ring-Wraith barely managing to parry every one of Harry's blows.
Harry had managed to back the Wraith he was fighting into a corner near the post office when two more of the Ring Wraith suddenly attacked from behind him. Harry barely had enough time to whirl around and block the sword slash of one of the Ring-Wraiths. Before the other one could take advantage of the situation, Harry yelled, "Incendio!" The Wraith burst into flames and started fleeing, screeching. Harry turned the spell onto the other Wraith as well whom promptly fled as well.
That just left the original Wraith Harry was fighting. The Wraith slashed at Harry once more but Harry successfully parried the blow. With a powerful strike, Harry thrust Anduril into the Wraith. For a moment, Harry thought he had actually managed to strike one of the Nazgul down until he realized that the Wraith had actually managed to catch Anduril's blade in its hand: the Ring-Wraith actually appeared to be smug.
Harry however merely smirked and shouted, "Incendio!" The Wraith burst into flames and ran away screeching.
Harry only realized then that he was now surrounded by the cheering crowds of the village. He looked toward, trying to catch his breath and smiled shyly when he suddenly realized something: "Where's the fourth Nazgul?" He looked around and his expression suddenly turned into a look of worry and perhaps terror. "For that matter, where's Hermione?" he asked. He scanned the crowds but couldn't see any sign of her anywhere.
Starting to panic, Harry looked around desperately, hoping to catch a sign of Hermione. It was only when he heard the fading cry of the Ring-Wraiths when Harry looked up into the sky to see the four Ring-Wraiths flying away from the village. What absolutely terrified him beyond all reason was that one of the Ring-Wraiths appeared to have captured a hostage: an apparently brown haired girl wearing Hogwarts Robes. Harry's face contorted into a silent scream of terror but all his dry throat managed was a raspy "NO!"
* * *
Far away in Barad-dur, the Dark Lord Voldemort-Sauron stirred. "Strange," said the two voices. "There is one who has actually managed to fight off the Nazgul we sent to search for the Heir. Who is it that defies us so?" The Dark Lord became silent, sitting on his throne as if he were mediating when he suddenly shuddered. "Anduril? The sword reforged?" exclaimed the voice of Sauron. Then, as if filled with maniacal glee, the two voices started laughing, the sinister echoes of the laugh ringing throughout the fortress tower. "Harry Potter, Heir of Elessar!" the Dark Lord proclaimed.
To be continued...
A/N I'm sorry I took my time on this chapter. I meant to have out earlier but ended up getting caught up in other stuff. I apologize for that. Anyway, on Thursday the ship is shipping out and we're going to be underway all the way until the end of March. I have no idea how often I'll be able to update during that time as I will have my laptop with me, I will be able to write more chapters. So hang on tight.