DISCLAIMER : I OWN NOTHING BUT THE PLOT!
Hello readers… I hope you like this!!!
I was soo excited, since I had gone up 31 reviews for my last chapter!! Wahoo… hehe.. this is awesome! THANK YOU ALL………
Also, I have to give a huge thanks to Alayneni for helping me get over my HUGE writer's block!!!
To my fellow reviewers.........
--- THANKS YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REVIEWS GUYS!!!
Now on with the story...
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Chapter Twenty: A War Begins.....
XXX
"Let's go, son. It's time." Harry nodded, thought softly as he took one last look at his wife, and his family, before pulling the reigns of his horse, guiding it alongside the departing Aurors. He threw glances back at his wife and family as often as he could, before he was finally, out of sight.
Hermione stood there, quiet and breaking. She feared for his safety so much that it physically pained her. Tears broke the surface and now truly fell, now that the reality of him leaving to war was starting to settle in. He was gone.
Thunder clashed ahead, indicating that the rain was soon to fall. Hermione stood there, staring sullenly at the spot where Harry once stood, before he left. Then, it started to rain.
It was then that Hermione realized that she was tired. With all of the training, worry, and pain, her body suddenly felt drained and tired. Silent sobs wracked her body and all of a sudden, her knees gave out, dropping her to the now wet grave below her. She could vaguely hear the Queens, Serenity, Ginny and Mrs., Weasley call out to her as they saw her fall, but was glad when they decided to let her be.
Then, she cried. She brought her palms to her face, as she released all the stress that had built up within her. Strong, violent tremors shook her body as she prayed for her husband's safety through her tears.
'Please, Merlin, bring him back to me.'
XXX
Rain pounded the graveled path below as Hermione sobbed. Her shoulders shook violently as she poured her heart into her hands. She couldn't contain herself as she willed herself to, but it appeared her heart was fighting to release all the stress it had been gradually filling with since she first learned of her husband's duty.
Her thick hair hung heavily around her face as it filled with their drink, and her elaborate robes pulled her body down against the gravel. The raindrops fell thick from their clouds and pelted the ground below. The rain mimicked her tears that fell from her eyes, falling with a fury and speed, crashing bitterly against the grounds below.
After a few painful minutes, Queen Lily felt that Hermione had suffered her body enough. After summoning a thick cloak to her, she quickly braved the harsh weather as she made her way over to her daughter-in-law. At first, Lily expected to feel the cold, heavy drops of rain descend upon her, but was quickly surprised to find that she was still as dry as she had been inside. Turning, she smiled as she saw Serenity standing at the doors of the Castle, her arm outstretched as she cast a protective field atop the Queen. Lily then turned her attention to the crying princess.
"Hermione," she said softly, as she knelt, draping the dry cloak around the sobbing Princess's shoulders. Hermione sniffled as she raised her gaze to her mother-in-law. Queen Lily gasped. "Oh, Hermione."
Hermione choked back a sob as she hastily wiped away at the burning tears.
"I-I'm ok." she replied, her voice watery and hoarse. She sniffled and hiccupped repeatedly as Lily hugged her soaking shoulders, helping the girl to stand.
"Come, dear. Let us get you inside and dry." Hermione nodded despondently as she allowed the Queen to lead her back into the Castle.
Serenity still remained at the threshold of the Castle, with Ginny leaning sadly against her shoulder, as Lily brought Hermione into the Castle.
"Serenity," came the Queen's soft voice. Serenity looked up at the Queen in question. "Could you please see to it that a pot of hot tea is brought up to the Princess Hermione's chambers? That would be greatly appreciated." Serenity nodded quickly as she smiled sadly.
"Of course, Aunt Lily. I shall bring it up personally." Lily smiled softly as she pulled Hermione up the grand staircase to her chambers.
xxx
It had been a few hours since the departure of the Aurors and Harry, and the dark evening sky was thick with storm clouds still as the night progressed.
Hermione remained within her room, with Serenity and Ginny as her company, as she clutched Harry's pillow to her aching breast. She hadn't left her bed since she first sat upon it after changing her clothes earlier that afternoon. Lying upon Harry's side of the bed, Hermione refused to leave, as the others understood her reasoning.
She clutched his pillow tightly as she stared at her tea cup, now cold from its hours of still standing. Thoughts of Harry ran through her mind as she remembered their first meeting, on their wedding day. 'Oh how things have changed since that day.' she thought as a small smile tugged unconsciously at her lips. She remembered how angered she had been after Harry had kissed her, and then turned to Cho. She also remembered how great a dancer he was, before he professed his love for Cho once more to her.
She then laughed out loud as the memory of their first morning swam through her mind. Serenity and Ginny looked up in surprise at hearing the Princess laugh. Serenity raised an eyebrow as Ginny smiled softly.
"What is it?" Ginny asked. Hermione jumped slightly, as if she had forgotten there were others in the room. She looked up and smiled softly at Ginny.
"Oh, it... its nothing." she said softly, a small trace of a smile still upon her lips.
"Come on Hermione." whined Ginny playfully, as she enjoyed the lighter feel of the mood that now filled the room. Serenity was also smiling as she felt more at ease at Hermione's change in mood. "What is it?"
Hermione turned her attention back to the porcelain dish before her, as her eyes casted a far away look upon the cup. Her small smile never left her as she let out a small sigh.
"I was just remembering." she said softly. Ginny raised her eyebrows in question as Serenity stood from her seat and made her way to the bed. She sat upon Hermione's side of the bed as Hermione pressed the pillow tighter against her chest. "Remembering about the first morning Harry and I shared together."
Serenity and Ginny smiled as they watched their friend before them. After a few moments of silence, Hermione went on to explain just what had happened that morning. Ginny laughed prettily as Hermione finished, and Serenity had an adorable smirk on her face, laughing softly.
Hermione smiled at them, silently thanking them for helping her through her pain. Their presence really did help calm her, and having her friends close to talk to helped make the situation a bit easier to accept. She wasn't the only one who watched a loved one ride off this morning, she kept reminding herself.
xxx
When Hermione awoke the next morning, a new sense of sadness filled her as she saw Harry's side of the bed unoccupied.
She had dreamt that he had returned to her, and was lying next to her now, holding her. But alas, it was but a dream she was witnessing. The cruel sense of reality slapped her in the face as she reached a hand out to run it down the length of sheets that was Harry's. Her hand lingered there for a while, before she pulled herself across the bed to lay her body there.
Immediately, tears welled in her eyes as she could smell the soft traces of her husband upon the pillow and sheets. His masculine scent of musk and other smells filled her red nose as she dug said nose deep into his pillow, silently praying that it would muffle her soft sobs from her own ears.
After several minutes of lying there, Hermione decided that it was foolish to wallow in her despair, as there were more important things that she should be devoting her time to.
With that decided Hermione pulled her body slowly out of her warm bed and proceeded to ready herself for the day. It was going to be a long and hard day, she predicted, and she was not looking forward to it at all!
xxx
The Dining Hall that morning had an air of depression and loneliness to it. The tapestry-covered stone walls looked bleak and cold and the large windows offered nothing but a grey cloud-filled sky as view. It seemed the whole Kingdom of Gryffindor was suffering in the departure of their Prince.
As Hermione entered, she was pleased to see King James seated at the head of the table once more. Like Harry, his wound was taking a while to heal properly, but for the King, age was another factor that flew against him. Unlike his young son of 19 years, King James was now reaching into his mid-forties. At 44, his body was showing signs of slower recovery and quicker fatigue. But after a good three weeks of healing, Hermione was pleased to see her father-in-law in such good conditions.
"Good Morning, Hermione." came his kind voice. Hermione smiled at him, noting the loss of his usual uplifting optimism as she reached the long table. Queen Lily, she noticed, was eyeing her carefully as the Princess lowered herself into her chair. Hermione knew they were all very worried for her, and it made her feel slightly uplifted, but then again, it can get quite irritating at the same time.
As the family of Potters ate their food in silence, Hermione was secretly thankful when a loud, peeved Serenity entered the Hall a while later, her current Guardian following closely behind her.
"I understand that it is your duty to protect and watch over me, but that doesn't mean you have to do it mere inches behind me!" rang her irritated voice as she directed her anger to the man behind her. She continued her way into the Hall as her slippered feet pounded the marble flooring slightly harder than normal, indicating her annoyance further.
"I understand that also Your Highness, but in times like these I do not wish to take any chances in allowing any harm to come to you." he told her. Serenity huffed as she rounded the long table, making her way up to her usual seat. "I am simply following my ord-"
"Your orders... yes I know." she interjected. The guardian nodded as she sighed. "Yes, well.... just for today I am releasing you of your duties." she told him. He looked to her, confused, as he tried to understand her summoning.
"Your Highness, I'm afraid I do not understa-"
"That means that you are not to be following me around today." she interrupted once more. "I am ordering you to find something else to occupy your time with, for I have some unfinished business to attend to... privately." Her pointed glare stopped any forming objections in her Guardian's mind as he decided that the only thing he could do was obey his Princess. Though thoroughly annoyed, the Guardian nodded and bowed before exiting the Hall shortly after.
Serenity sighed and shook her head. 'Li I need you back here...' she thought as she took her seat up in the Hall, ignoring the pointed stares she was currently receiving from the other occupants of the room.
Later on, after everyone had eaten and was content, Serenity stood from her seat, asking Hermione for a word in private. Hermione quickly agreed and exited the Hall immediately behind Serenity.
"Yes? Serenity? What is it?" asked Hermione, slightly worried. Serenity smiled. "Is something the matter?"
"No," Serenity chuckled softly. "I was just wondering... if you were up to continuing your Healing Training today?" She said. "I think it will help take your mind off of Harry's departure, and it will be good to keep practicing."
Hermione smiled, nodding her head in yes.
"Yes! That would be great, Serenity. Thank you."
xxx
As the weeks passed, little words of comfort came back to the Castle of Gryffindor concerning the progress of the Aurors. Hermione was beginning to seriously worry about Harry, but knew that it was impossible for him to keep in regular touch. It appeared the war was farther advanced than she had anticipated.
From what news was sent back from either Harry or Sirius, the Potters and the families of the Castle had a pretty good idea of the intensity of this war.
But to all of their confusion, Slytherin had not since attacked a single point since the attack on Gryffindor that December.
But it wasn't until a dreary night in mid March did they hear of attacks. But the target of the attack was the most shocking of all.....Hogwarts.
xxx
"Sirius! Where's Sirius?" Harry called out as he ran the length of the Auror camp, weaving in and out of housing tents and training targets. The training Aurors shrugged and shook their heads, none of them having seen the Auror Leader. Harry sighed in annoyance as he continued to search out his Godfather.
When he finally reached his large tent, he pushed through with heavy force, and a grunt of frustration, startling the unsuspecting Ron.
"Hey! What's wrong with you?" called Ron as he fastened the last of the leather straps of his protective arm gear for training. Harry ran a hand through his hair as he dropped himself onto the small cot-like bet. Ron leaned up against Harry's writing desk as he studied the look upon Harry's face. "What is bothering you, mate? What happened?"
Harry sighed and turned his attention to Ron. He stood up, and pulled the flap of the tent back, so that he could get a good look at the Auror camp.
"Have you seen Sirius?" he asked his best friend. Ron shook his head.
"No. Last time I saw him was earlier this morning, after he received that letter. Why?" Harry shook his head. 'Where are you?'
"I've just learned some disturbing news." he told Ron as he turned to face him. Ron's face changed from a look of curiosity to fearful.
"What do you mean, disturbing news?" Harry took a breath to steady himself as he prepared to tell his friend of what he had just learned, when suddenly a cloaked figure came bursting into the tent. Harry whirled around and Ron froze as they heard the figure come in. Immediately the tall man before the two pulled his cloak off of his hooded body in haste. Harry let out a breath of relief as he recognized him to be the very man he was looking for.
"Sirius!" he said. "Where have you been? We need to talk now!" he told him as Sirius rushed over to the writing desk, spreading the tightly wrapped scroll he held in his hand atop the desk. "It appears that-"
"Not now Harry." Sirius interrupted him. Harry looked to him in shock. 'What do you mean 'Not Now'? This is urgent!' Sirius didn't give Harry a second glance as he pulled a small, thin golden case from his robes. "I am afraid we have a much serious problem on our hands."
Harry's face contorted in confusion.
"What?" he asked. He took a few steps forward and grasped his Godfather's shoulders, jerking him slightly so that he turned his attention to him. "What are you talking about? You don't even know what it was I was about to tell you."
"Harry, Hogwarts has been ambushed!" Sirius exclaimed. Harry froze.
"Wh-what?" he stuttered. "How? That's ... impossible, isn't it? Ambushed?" Sirius sighed as he turned now to Harry.
"No Harry, it isn't impossible." he said. "Do you remember when Slytherin attacked Hogwarts a few months back?" Harry nodded. "Well, that was done to obtain information so that they could have access into the Castle at another time of their choice." Harry looked confused, and Ron looked slightly green.
"But... "he paused. He was speechless.
"Now it seems that Hogwarts has just been under serious attack!"
"Was anybody hurt?" At this, Sirius turned his attention back onto the desk before him. He grasped the ledge of the desk, leaning his weight upon his hands. He hung his head low as he sighed a ragged breath. Then, solemnly, he nodded.
"Yes... I am afraid their have been some serious injuries as well." Harry stood stock still. Of course he knew the answer, but actually hearing it voiced affected him.
"Sirius, who was hurt?" Sirius gripped the ledge tighter then, his knuckles turning a deathly white.
"Many. They aren't sure if there were any deaths, but many students and teachers alike have been badly injured... "
Harry nodded slowly, still taking in the information, but he could sense that there was something Sirius wasn't telling him. He knew it must be bad, for Sirius to make a face as he was, and he immediately feared the worst.... Hermione!
"Sirius, who else was hurt? Was it Hermione? Serenity?" he asked in panic. 'But it couldn't have been Hermione or Serenity! They are both back at Gryffindor's Castle!' he thought. Then Sirius caught his attention. He shook his head as he let out another ragged sigh.
"No, they have not been hurt."
"Then who?"
"Bill."
xxx
Back at Gryffindor's Castle, mayhem ensued.
Aurors dashed the halls, as they struggled to keep everything under order and safety. The entire house of Gryffindor had been portkeyed over to Gryffindor Castle, while Hufflepuffs were sent to Hufflepuff, and the Ravenclaw House sent to Ravenclaw Palace. There the children were well watched over as Aurors and Mediwitches tended to them.
The Gryffindors of Hogwarts were now finally settled as Queen Lily and Lady Sapphire helped to calm them. Fear was written clearly across each and every one of their faces, as many of their class and house mates were currently being tended to by Mediwitches up in the Hospital Wing.
King James entered his Study Chambers in haste as he made the doors swing angrily upon their hinges. His face was contorted in worry and anxiety. Dumbledore entered beside him, as Remus and Tonks entered behind him.
"And where are the Slytherin students?" asked King James, concern and worry swimming through his words. Dumbledore strode in next to him, his face solemn and strained. His pale skin was almost ghostly and the wrinkles in his face seemed to deepen in his worry.
"They have been split between the two kingdoms of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. They are currently being heavily guarded and watched by Aurors as we speak. But Slytherin house has been quite empty for the past three months. All students worth suspecting have not shown up at Hogwarts since the Christmas break." said Dumbledore.
"And ... the death toll?" James asked. Dumbledore stopped for a moment, his gaze downcast as he willed himself to answer.
"A total... of 34 students." he said quietly. James could see the silver tears lining the man's wise blue eyes. 'Thirty-four students....' he thought. 'Thirty-four innocent children....' King James nodded sullenly and let out a sigh as he stood behind his writing desk.
"How could this have happened, Albus?" he asked, exhaustion spelled across his face. Dumbledore looked solemnly to the King before him and shook his head sadly.
"How is Bill Weasley doing?" Again James sighed. He looked up at the Headmaster as he tucked a small golden case into his robes. Once that was done, he reached his arm out and began guiding the Headmaster, Remus, and Tonks out of the study.
"Come; let us see how he is." And with that, they exited the room.
As they reached the Hospital Wing, James could hear the deep sobbing of a very dear friend. Molly Weasley. He inhaled deeply as he prepared himself for what was about to come.
He felt horrible, for he knew of the pain the Weasley's were suffering, for he suffered quite a similar pain 18 years ago....
James noticed Remus lagging behind slightly, and his heart went out to his best friend. He understood his weariness quite well as well.
But no matter how prepared James tried to make himself, he could never have expected to see what he saw as he entered. Deep gashes, slashes and bite marks marred his body. His cream skin was now a sickly purple in the areas he was lucky weren't attacked. The Mediwitches were bandaging his arms and legs at the moment in white cloth, as another dabbed at the scars that ran across his torn facial muscles.
James felt his emotions bubble within him, for the Weasley's were family to him, and their kids like sons. He had watched all seven of them grow from birth to adulthood. Seeing Bill in such conditions was no different than seeing his own son, Harry, like this.
Molly continued to sob as she grasped her son's swollen hand tightly. She whispered soft words into his ears as she cried on, Ginny sitting worriedly beside her. Molly rocked back and forth in her chair as Arthur squeezed her shoulders. For once, he was not trying to stop her tears; she had every right to them.... as he did.
Coursing tears silently ran down the Auror's slim face as he prayed over his son's battered body. 'We are lucky', he kept telling himself, 'Bill is still alive, with wounds that can be healed. We are lucky.'
An hour had passed, and Bill's bodily wounds had all been tended too, but his face was still exposed, as a Mediwitch tended to his slashed face. James and Dumbledore had left to check up on the Hogwarts students and the other two Kingdoms.
Hogwarts was now deserted at the moment, after being evacuated in haste, due to the ongoing attacks. Owls upon owls were flying in, carrying letters from worried parents demanding their children be sent home immediately. Dumbledore left to handle the raging parents, suggesting that it be safer to leave the students in the Castle for the time being.
Meanwhile, back in the Hospital Wing, Bill was beginning to come to. His groggy groans echoed off of the high arched ceilings of the Hospital Wing as he tried to avoid the potent, stinging ointment that the witch was currently applying all over his face. The woman 'tsked tsked' him as she battled to clean the rest of his wounds.
Then, suddenly, the doors of the Wing flung open as a glowing white figure strode hastily into the hospital. It wasn't until she had reached the third bed from Bill did Ginny recognize the female through her tears as none other than the Ravenclaw Courtier, Fleur Delacour.
Her blonde hair glistened in the candlelight as it flew behind her, and her silvery-blue gown swished and swayed around her slender form as she hurried her way up to her fiancé.
"Oh Billy!" she cried as she reached his bedside. Immediately she froze, as her breath caught at the sight of his mangled appearance. Ginny watched her closely, eyeing her through her slightly slanted eyes. To her great surprise, Fleur immediately flung herself atop the wounded Auror, as murmured soft words of endearment.
"Fleur," croaked Billy softly as he managed to raise his arm around her back. Fleur sniffed against his chest as she lifted her head to at him. Her fingers gingerly touching his cheek.
"Who...Who did zis?" she demanded softly at first. Then she rose to her full height as her anger flared. "Who did zis to Billy?"
"His name is Fenrir Greyback." came a voice from the doors of the Wing. Fleur's gaze shot in the direction of the voice, her eyes welling with tears as she focused on the figure beside the doors. King James.
"Grey...Greyback?" she asked, shocked. "No! It can't be!" she said as she turned her gaze back upon the man she loved. "But zat would mean..." her sentence ended with a gasp as her hands flew to her mouth. She shook her head softly as she mumbled words of disbelief behind her palms. She then, once again, flung her arms around his neck, mindful of his wounds, as she cried into him. Billy sighed and held her as close as he could with his wounds, as he tried to comfort her.
James stood there, as he watched the family. His heart tore at the sight of them, and he prayed inwardly that Harry was safe.
Then, as Fleur had just done, moments before, another pair of slippered feet echoed through the Wing, as the sound of pounding feet reached their ears. Suddenly, a wave of honey brown curved around the corner and barreled into James with an amazing force.
James looked down and raised his eyebrows at his daughter-in-law within his arms. He knew why she was here, and he knew that her tears of fear would soon turn to tears of worry as soon as she learned of the details.
"Please," she sobbed softly into his chest. "Please, tell me Harry's safe!" she begged. James couldn't help but smile sadly at her tearing emotions. He wrapped his arms gently around her form, with a hand resting upon her back, and upon the back of her head.
"Shh," he murmured. "Yes, my dear. Harry's safe." He could feel Hermione's tensed back muscles relax a bit as she gave in to her tears. Tears of relief.
She didn't know why, but she just had a really bad feeling that Harry's life was in serious danger at the moment, and she needed reassurance that all this was false!
James smiled at her as he pulled her to him, in a fatherly embrace. He looked up to see Serenity before them smiling, before she turned her attention to the wounded Auror and his fiancée'. James watched as her expression slowly changed from relief to melancholy despair. He only wished there was a way to help her...
Serenity continued to watch the two as she felt something pull at her heart. Seeing Fleur spill over her fiancé, as she addressed his wounds reminded her so much of herself and Li. Oh how she yearned for him now. She really did need him, and she wasn't sure how much longer she could take with him away....
James watched Serenity with concern as he coaxed Hermione to relax. But that was soon going to end as Dumbledore and Remus came bursting into the Wing once more.
"James!" panted Remus as he reached his best friend.
"What? What is it Moony?" Remus gave him another look, and James could feel his body tensing again...'What now?'
"It's Hufflepuff....it seems there has been a kidnap!"
xxx
Sirius sat at the writing desk within Harry's sleeping tent as he went over different maps and scrolls. He had a bad feeling now, but he wasn't sure how to address it. What was he to do? What were they going to do? Everything seemed so foggy and surreal at the moment.
Ron and Harry stood behind Sirius, as Ron prepared himself for leave. Harry had released him to return to the Castle to be with his brother, for it was only right.
Ron greatly appreciated it, and hastily stuffed the small leather pouch with few essential. As he stuffed his cloak into the pouch, Harry decided to go over a few last minute reminders...
"Now Ron, remember to tell my father about the-" but his sentence was suddenly interrupted as a shot of orange came zooming through the tent flaps "Watch OUT!"
Harry lunged forward as Ron whipped his wand out, reflexively, as Harry barreled into him, knocking him over the cot and onto the fur-covered floorings. Sirius immediately shot up from his seat, wand in hand, ready to go.
"Harry!" he called out. "Ron!"
"We're ok," came Ron's voice. The two men got up as Sirius ran to the tent flaps, pulling them back roughly as he took a look at the Auror camp. What met his eyes then... he couldn't believe.
Their camp was under attack!
"Harry! Ron! Get up!" he yelled as he pulled on his leather vest quickly. The two didn't need to be told twice, as they scrambled to their feet quickly, readying their wands and preparing to fight.
Harry quickly bolted out of the tent as Sirius followed him, but Ron stayed put for a moment...his face contorting into a look of queasy fear. Pausing for a moment, he gulped audibly before nodding, as he mustered up all his remaining Gryffindor courage, and bolting out of the tent after Harry and Sirius.
Death Eaters swarmed the campsite as Aurors fought back. The strength of the Aurors secretly surprised the Death Eaters, as they bent their will on one thing alone... to kill everyone!
Harry dodged blows as he rolled his body against the cool earth. The Death Eaters were everywhere, as he shot attacks at the cloaked monsters. Harry locked onto the mongrels of Voldemort, his attention never straying, that is until a certain voice called out his name.
"Harry!"
Immediately, Harry turned his gaze to where the voice was coming from. It seemed to have been coming from the woods, to the north-east. Without a second thought, Harry rounded his path and took off for the forest.
The deeper he got, the closer the screams of the woman seemed to get.
"Harry! Please, help!" it cried. "Let go of me!" Just then a 'swoosh' was heard, as if magic being casted, before a loud SMACK echoed throughout the trees.
The soft grunting of a hit woman filled the forest and Harry immediately took off in hopes of reaching her in time...
As he reached the small patch of moss the girl was now laying face down upon, Harry quickly ran over, grasping hold of her shoulders as he turned her body around. Then he immediately froze. 'Is it ... really?' he thought, but his thoughts were interrupted by another worried voice from behind.
"Cho!"
XXX
Ok, here it is...
Oh ho ho ho, what does this crazy author have in store NOW? Hmm.... hehe... lets just wait and see.. shall we?
I hope you liked this chapter!
Thanx again all!
SM131