~*~Chapter 4 - The 1st Battle (Part II)~*~
"Stupefy!" Hermione yelled, sent a Death Eater to the ground. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw a familiar face, one that she had hoped never to see again.
As she turned fully around she saw Remus and Peter Pettigrew face to face with only a few feet in between them. She watched the pair closely and let herself listen to the conversation between the former friends.
"Well, my dear Moony, here we are again." Peter sneered.
"So we are. Just remember you traitorous rat, Harry isn't here to stop me this time. You know as well as I do, if S-Sirius were here you'd already be dead. But you now have his blood on your hands as well as James's and Lily's."
"Yes, you're right, of course, Moony. It is quite unfortunate that old Padfoot decided to take an-um-untimely leave of absence."
Remus glared, "I still do not understand you, Peter. I don't see how you could betray us as you did."
"Don't you, Remus? Surely you of all people would know the Dark Lord's appeal, being...what...you are. Surely you've thought that it'd be easier to be excepted, rather than feared and despised."
"No, Peter. I'm not like you, not like you at all. You may not know, but I was offered the Dark Mark, being the "dark creature" that I am. I was offered the "acceptance". I, however, did not abandon reason for madness. I did what was right not what was easy. I knew I would have a long, difficult road to travel before I was accepted for who, rather than what, I am. But I also knew that when that time came, it would be well worth the wait. I love my life too much to throw it away by betraying those I care most for, by turning myself over two some maddened wizard who forgot the great power that is love."
"Oh? And what would you know about love, my friend?"
"Enough to know its strength. Enough to carry it in my heart, and more than enough to recognize those who lack such a wonderful thing."
"In other words, enough to make a complete fool of yourself. And here I thought you were there smartest, cleverest, of the Marauders. You're nothing but a pathetic fool, Remus. And you're "power", is nothing but a weakness."
"You really are something, Peter." Remus said shaking his head as he raised his wand.
Peter, however, was faster. "Expelliarmus!" he shouted, sending Remus to the ground, his wand 50 feet away. Peter advanced on Remus, wand at his chest. "I've gotten better at Dueling, Remus. The Dark Lord taught me so much than this bloody school ever did." he hissed.
"NO!" Hermione dashed forward and threw herself between Peter's wand and Remus, her wand raised toward Peter. "You will do him no more harm, Peter! You have been the cause of too many losses for Harry. I won't let you take Remus from him too. You have caused enough pain for one lifetime! You will not hurt Remus or Harry any more, Peter Pettigrew!"
"Expelliarmus!" Peter yelled as Hermione countered "Protego! Stupefy!" and Peter collapsed to the ground.
Hermione turned quickly and knelt next to Remus, who had yet to rise. "Remus? Are you alright?" she asked, gently lifting his head from the ground.
Remus opened his eyes and focused on her before speaking, "Hermione? Where's Peter? I've got to stop him!" He said trying to sit up.
"Shh...I took care of Peter, don't worry about him." She said holding him still.
Remus smiled weakly, "Odd isn't it? It's supposed to be my job to protect you and Harry, and yet...you put yourself between Peter and myself. You are an impressive young witch, Hermione." Hermione flushed slightly at the complement and returned the smile. She lowered herself the rest of the way to the ground until she was sitting.
She looked around to see where everyone else was. The dementors where retreating from the silver light that was chasing them, there were popping sounds that told her the remaining Death Eaters were doing the same. Bodies of aurors, Death Eaters, trolls, and giants littered the grounds. She glanced back down to see that Remus had let himself slip unconscious.
"Hermione?" a voice said shakily.
She turned to the voice and saw Harry standing over her, a look of terror on his face as he looked down at the man who lay unconscious in her lap. "Don't worry, Harry. He's going to be alright, he's just knocked out." Harry nodded and knelt next to her, as his eyes scanned the grounds. He let out a heavy sigh.
"How is everyone else?" she asked.
"Dumbledore's alright. Tonks, poor girl, got hit with three stunners at once, she's unconscious. Moody is missing his wooden leg, but is otherwise all right. Snape is limping rather badly. I've not seen McGonagall, Shacklebolt, or Hagrid yet," he said
Hermione nodded and glanced down again. "Come on, Harry, Help me get him up. He needs to see Madam Pomprey."
Harry helped her get to her feet, then held up Remus while Hermione pulled one of her former Professor's arms over her shoulders and put one arm around his waist. "Ok, Harry, I'll be fine. We need to get everyone else too though."
Harry stepped back and watched as she made her way back toward the castle. He thought he heard a whisper, but thought nothing of it. That is until he saw two purple lights, one hitting Hermione square in the back as she dragged Remus along, the other hitting Remus himself. The two collapsed to the ground, motionless.
"HERMIONE!" He yelled as he ran towards them. He stopped suddenly as a head, then body appeared out of nowhere. He gaped when he realized who had stepped from behind the Invisibility Cloak.
Draco Malfoy stood facing Harry, wand aimed at his chest. He seemed nervous and was shooting glances over his shoulder as he walked slowly towards Harry.
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