DISCLAIMER : I OWN NOTHING BUT THE PLOT!
Hello readers... I really want to apologize for the extremely late chapter, but I had another severe case of writers block. I wasn't so much blocked from where I wanted to go, but rather how I wanted to write it. This is my second attempt at this chapter… and I must say, I like this MUCH better.
Again, sorry for the wait… thank you for still reading!
To my fellow reviewers.........
--- THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REVIEWS GUYS!!!
NOTE : THIS STORY WAS NOT BASED OFF OF THE CHALLENGE ON PORTKEY! I just wanted to clear that up that this story was written far before that challenge was written, back in March of 2005. I don't know about the similarities or the coincidences, but this story was not based off of the challenge. :P I just wanted to clear that up….
Now on with the story...
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Chapter Twenty-Three : The Battles Continue
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As he continued to creep within the shadows, he watched as sweat beaded along his brow, for his men were falling faster than he could believe. Aurors were filling in by the minute, as legions from Ravenclaw and factions from Hufflepuff entered the site.
What was he to do now? Surely, his men wouldn't be able to hold out against the Three Kingdom's best Aurors!
And then, he suddenly heard a series of popping noises coming from within the large scarlet tent mere feet before him. His eyes widened as he watched the King of Gryffindor emerge followed by Dumbledore, Queen Lily, and Remus. Hermione, Serenity, and the youngest Weasley named Ginny quickly hurried out of the tent as well as they followed the King soundly.
Draco knew, if he could get to King James or to Dumbledore even, then his home in Slytherin will remain secure, and his life safe.
But before he had a chance to take any sort of action, the ground beneath his feet began to shudder. The air then filled with a heavy, dense feeling of power, as every magical being in the area could sense the growing amount of power within the air.
This seemed to gather a lot of attention, and almost as if instinctual, everyone's heads turned to the direction of Slytherin's Castle as they somehow knew that that was the origin of the power increase.
'What in bloody hell….What is going on?'
XXX
The walls of the stone hall shook with violence and the stones began to crack under pressure. It confused Harry as he began to feel the growing thickness that now became the air. The air had grown so dense; Harry could literally feel the power that radiated off of Voldemort's re-created body, as well as his own. Like an aura, he could feel the strength and power radiate off of their flesh, coming from within and filling the room, drawing from the earth itself.
The golden thread that connected Voldemort to himself was still glowing, thrumming steadily as it strung the two wands together. Harry watched in amazement as the point in which the two curses flew, a small golden ball had begun to form.
Harry watched as it swirled and twirled, whizzing softly as the golden thread glowed magically.
Then, as Harry gripped his wand tighter, ignoring the violent shakes beneath his fingers, he began to notice as Voldemort began to coax the golden ball over towards Harry. Immediately, Harry stood his ground, putting forth all of the energy he could to counter the balls movements. He could feel his aura picking up as Voldemort's did, as it swirled around his body furiously. His hair picked up slightly in the movement of his body's energy, and his robes flailed as well, wrapping around his body and catching the nonexistent wind.
He had to keep that golden ball away from his wand! No matter what, that ball must not reach him!
xxx
A low pop echoed within the trees of the Forest of Shadows as a shaky cloaked man pulled his dark shroud around his shoulders. He scuttled quickly across the dense forest floor as he looked frantically to his sides, in search of someone. The sweat was beading along his brow, and his breath was coming out in short, frantic pants.
He continued to check behind his back, paranoid, as he made his way towards the small well known cliff hidden deep within the forest. The dark, misty woodlands helped to veil him well against its canvas of black and green, as the low-lying mist swirled around his ankles.
The dense forest floor crunched and cracked beneath him as he pushed his way through the many weeping vines and branches, determined to reach them. He could see the where the trees were becoming slightly less thick, and he knew he was almost there.
Sighing in relief, he continued to dash through the forest. He had to get to them. He had to correct this! This was his entire fault, and he was surely going to pay the ultimate price if he doesn't succeed in rectifying his mistake! But his only problem, he needed help.
As he finally reached his destination, he stepped out of the tree-filled forest, stepping up to the group of his fellow Death Eaters. They all stood there, overlooking the campsite below. From this altitude, mot much could be seen, except for the blasts of color lighting up the trees from behind. The campsite lay behind a thick group of trees, and the sounds of the men echoed off of the rocky and mountainous woodland area.
The man pushed his way up through the group, ignoring the looks of disgust and snide remarks, as he made his way to the Captain of the group. The Captain stood there, cloak pulled low over his face, as he watched the attack below. He seemed to be in search of something, or someone, as his icy blue eyes darted every which direction.
"Ca-Captain?" he stuttered. He received no answer, nor any indication that the man had even heard him. "Captain? There is s-something very … important I must speak … to... to you about-"
"Get on with it, Wormtail," the man spat. "You are wasting my time." Wormtail cringed as his shoulders sagged. Using his one hand to pull his cloak around him once more, Wormtail bowed his head before whispering to the Captain.
"So s-sorry, Captain, but this matter concerns the lo-locket, Sir. It has been taken!" Immediately, the Captain's head jerked to his right, as his ice-blue eyes bore into the cowering man before him. For a moment, Wormtail feared he might strike at him, but then suddenly, the Captain gripped his shoulder tightly and pulled him over to the tree-line once more.
"What?" he hissed quietly, before turning to look at his men, ready to catch anyone who may dare to eavesdrop. Wormtail looked up and beads of sweat began to roll down from his temples.
"The-the locket, Sir…it-"
"I heard you!" he snapped. "When did this happen?" As Wormtail continued to explain al that was happening back at the Castle, he could see the face of the Captain burning with fury. "How could you have let this happen? You were supposed to have taken it! You fool! I knew better than to trust you..."
"Sir,"
"Silence! You have done enough. Do you have any idea what the Dark Lord is going to-" then he paused. A plan was beginning to form deep within his mind, and he knew just what to do to redeem himself. An evil, crooked smile then graced his face as he turned his back upon the short, pathetic man. "Gentlemen, prepare yourselves. It is time to show Gryffindor our true power!"
The men nodded, their smirks dripping with evil as they prepared to depart. The Captain then turned to Wormtail.
"You are coming with me." Wormtail whimpered as he followed the Captain, suspicious and afraid.
It seemed, Lucius Malfoy knew exactly what to do to redeem himself before his Lord.
xxx
Smoke and mist mingled thickly across the lands of the campsite that held the Gryffindors. Shouts and incantations could be heard from every direction as Aurors battled against the Death Eaters. The mixture of gold, sapphire-blue and scarlet robes indicated that all three Kingdoms were now heavily involved as they tried to dispel of the evil in the North East.
The smell of sulfur and blood hit Hermione's nose as she and her extended family followed the small talking mirror that her father-in-law held carefully in his hand. She was beginning to feel slightly lightheaded as the magical pull pulled at her energy. Hermione shot Serenity a look, and was pleased to notice that she looked unaffected by the pull, but the look on her face proved to her that she was definitely perturbed as to what this was.
Amongst the screaming and cursing, Hermione could hear the familiar voice of a friend call out as they made their way across the site. Hermione looked up, curious and relieved as she watched the familiar red of Ron Weasley bound up toward them.
"Your Highness!" he called. "What are you doing here?" he asked as he ran up. He quickly looked to his sides, checking for any lurking enemies. Then he froze. "Ginny? What in bloody hell are you doing here?"
Hermione watched as Ginny visibly paled at her brother's look of outrage and worry. Ginny quickly recovered and stood her ground, ready to fight back, before King James put a hand on Ron's shoulder, urging his attention.
"Ron, it is ok. Ginny will be perfectly safe, but we have more important problems here. I have to see Sirius, where is he?" said the King. Ron looked to him and sighed, nodding reluctantly, before turning and leading them in the direction of their head Auror.
"Sire, just for safety's sake, have your wands at the ready. Things are crazy around here." As if on queue, a curse went whizzing past Ron's ear, but Dumbledore produced a quick protective shield before it was able to hurt anyone. Ron's face, which had turned a pale white, sported a look of uneasiness and fear as he regained his composure.
As they reached the edge of the forest, the vision of Sirius came into view. Racing in their direction, Sirius bounded up to them with jostled robes and a worried expression.
"James!"
Immediately, James and the group ran up to the man as fast as they could.
"Sirius, what is happening? Have you found Harry yet?" The look upon Sirius's face clearly told the group that he had not, but his grave expression did nothing but awaken a deeper fear within them. "What Sirius? What is going on?"
Sirius sighed and pulled them behind a nearby tent.
"James, I-" he started, but paused as he ran a hand through his hair, lost for words to explain the situation.
"What Sirius?"
"We've found it, one of the last Horcruxes, its here." Everyone gasped as they heard this, as James took a step forward. He grasped the shoulder of his best friend as he did so.
"Are you sure? How? Who had it?" the King asked.
"It was found with Chang, of Ravenclaw."
"What? How did she-"
"Please James; it isn't the time for that! We must hurry, the Horcrux must be destroyed and-" said Sirius as he began to lead them away, towards the edge of the forest.
"But what about Harry? Have you found him?" asked a distraught Lily. Sirius stopped and turned to the group. Hermione paled as the rest stared Sirius down, awaiting his answer. Sirius sighed.
"I am doing my best to try and get him back. I promise you, he will be alright."
"What do you mean, back?" countered Hermione. Tears were welling up in her eyes as she feared the worst. "Where is he?"
James and Lily were also just as adamant as Hermione, as they all awaited the answer.
"Harry is…" he paused. "He is there, in Slytherin Castle." Sirius said as he pointed to the Castle, similar to what Cho had done earlier. As expected, fear and worry spilled out of their eyes as Lily began to cry, while a brazen expression swept over that of Hermione. "But James, Dumbledore, we must first get this locket to a secure location. If we can destroy it, than we help Harry immensely. Please, I understand what you must be going through, James, and you know I want to go after Harry just as badly as you do, but we cannot just barge in there… and you know this, James."
James lowered his head, his bangs covering his face as his breathing remained rapid and ragged.
"Yes, Sirius. Take us to the Horcrux." James said in a hollow voice. Sirius nodded solemnly as he turned, leading them back to where the locket now lay in safety.
xxx
"Where is she?" came a cold voice from the shadows as it spoke to a cloaked figure beside him.
"I do not know, but I can find her," replied the second voice as pain clearly laced the voice.
"Yes, Bella, find her. You know what to do then." Bella nodded as she bowed her head slightly, as she ignored the searing pain that shot from her upper abdomen. Sirius and his friend were going to pay for this, but first there was a task to be taken care of.
"Yes, of course. Consider it done, Sir." And with that, the cloaked figure disappeared as Bellatrix Lestrange turned, heading for her destination amongst the tents.
xxx
As Hermione and Serenity followed closely behind the King and the others, Serenity suddenly stopped; her eyes wide as she stared to her right.
"What is it, Serenity?" asked Hermione as she turned to look at what it was that had caught Serenity's attention. "What is wrong?"
Serenity pointed before her, apparently at a group of emerald suited men.
"Those men, they… they are of the Elven defense forces. What are they doing here?" Hermione stopped and took in the sight of the dueling parties. The men she was referring to were tall, with long hair, either blonde or chestnut brown, and lean muscular bodies. None really modeled the built body of Li, but their presence gave off an aura of power and confidence.
She watched for a moment as the newcomers fought diligently against the cloaked evil. It astounded Hermione at how good they were, and their wandless magic was amazing as they sent blasts and other forms of attacks their way.
Hermione then turned to where the King and the others had run off to and then turned back to Serenity. She tugged on her sleeve as she tried to get her attention.
"Serenity, we have to go," she said hastily. "King James and the others have already gone." Serenity nodded and turned, apologizing softly as she and Hermione began to make their may back to where they had seen the others run of to.
Suddenly, as the two ran past one of the armory tents, a scream was heard as a jet of sparkling red shot before Hermione. Hermione's scream echoed softly amongst the tents and the nearby forest as she backed up into Serenity, stunned at the sudden attack.
Both she and Serenity turned to the now cackling figure before them, and Hermione gained her standing as she and Serenity quickly pulled out their wands. The hooded figure stood there, shorter than most, and slimmer. The sound of the cackle made both believe that it was a woman beneath the cloak.
She had her wand pointed straight at Hermione's chest as she reached up with another hand to pull her hood back a bit, revealing a shadowed face. Serenity immediately scowled as she stepped forward, shielding Hermione.
"Lestrange," she hissed. The woman's cackle grew louder as she turned her shining black eyes upon the Elven Princess.
"Serenity," she said in a similar hiss. Serenity only sneered at her as she gripped her wand. She was now extremely thankful for her wandless abilities, but for now she would use her wand… just for now.
"What is it you want, Lestrange?" Bellatrix Lestrange peered down at her from within the shadow of her hood. Her eyes shined malevolently as her eyes flicked from Serenity to Hermione and then back to Serenity once more.
"Step aside Elf. I have come for the Princess." Serenity's eyes widened, as well as Hermione's as they stared at the woman before them.
"What?" asked Hermione, more to herself than to anyone else. Bellatrix turned her eyes back onto the Princess as he nodded.
"That is right, Princess, so step aside Elf. This does not concern you." Bellatrix replied.
"Doesn't concern me?" questioned Serenity. "This most certainly does concern me, and I'm not letting you near Hermione!"
"Suit yourself, Halfbreed." And with that, Bellatrix shot a curse Serenity's way. Immediately, Serenity countered it, by forming an invisible shield around herself. She countered with a spell of her own as she dodged another attack from Lestrange.
Turning to Hermione quickly, she pulled her by her sleeve, yanking her towards the pathway the others had taken.
"Hermione, you have to get out of here!"
"No! I can fight!" she countered. Another attack went whizzing past them as Hermione blocked it, sending it flying towards one of the tents. Serenity then decided to ditch wand magic, as she dug it back into her dress folds hastily.
"Hermione, you have to get out of here. If you are what she wants, you must get yourself away!" Hermione didn't have a chance to answer as Serenity pushed her to the side, creating another shield of protection.
Serenity and Hermione continued to battle the female Death Eater as Serenity continued to reason with the stubborn Princess, but Hermione wouldn't give in.
"No! I'm staying here to help."
As the two continued their fight against Bellatrix, they didn't notice as they began to weave in and out of different tents, dodging blows and avoiding the large fire pits.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, Hermione watched as Bella aimed her wand at the ground before their feet. Before Hermione had time to react, Bellatrix sent her attack straight for their toes, blasting the ground from beneath them, causing both Princesses to fly backwards. Both landed on their backs as they skidded, Hermione scraped her arm and back up quite a bit while Serenity half turned, and landing on her left side. Hermione watched as Serenity winced, her shoulder clearly injured, but most likely not broken.
"Serenity? Serenity, are you ok?" she asked as she crawled over to her elven friend. Serenity winced and nodded as she used her right hand to push herself up. Serenity's face was contorted in pain as she moved her body gingerly, trying her best to minimize any movements.
"I'm alright," was her soft reply. Hermione made to help, when suddenly a dozen or so dark shadows fell upon them. Hermione looked up and gasped as she looked up into the hooded faces of a dozen Death Eaters. They had surrounded them, leaving no gaps or any means of an escape open to them. Each had their wands held out, all aiming at either herself or Serenity.
"Don't move." Bellatrix demanded, as she aimed her wand at Hermione. "Drop your wand, now!"
Hermione did as she was told as she noticed the 12 Death Eaters point their wands to Serenity. Serenity sneered as she held her shoulder tightly against her body. Her eyes were alight with hatred and disgust as she watched Bella slowly make her way towards the two.
Bellatrix scowl as she continued to point her wand at Hermione.
"Filthy Half-Blood," was all she said before gripping her wand tighter, as an evil smile spread across her face. "Crucio!"
Serenity's eyes widened as Hermione's screams filled the damp night air. Heart-wrenching were her screams, as her body writhed against the floor. Serenity tried to reach for her wand, due to her damaged arm, but the Death Eaters immediately growled.
"Don't even try it!" one sneered. "Or else we'll kill you both." Serenity scowled at them as she was forced to endure her friend's screams.
Finally, Bellatrix relinquished her attack upon the poor Princess as she dropped her wand slightly, allowing Hermione to finally catch a breath as waves of pain coursed through her body still.
Serenity crawled over to her and gingerly touched Hermione's arm as she made to turn her over. Hermione immediately cried out as her body felt bruised and pained all over. Serenity threw a deadly look back up to Bellatrix as her hatred for the woman before her engulfed her.
"I swear, Bellatrix, I am going to-" but before she could finish what she meant to say, Bella sent spell her way, smacking her upon the cheek and knocking her onto her side once again. Serenity bit her tongue to muffle a cry as she landed upon her already wounded shoulder.
Aiming her wand directly at Hermione's forehead, Bellatrix bent down and grabbed her upper arm tightly as she hoisted the Princess to her feet, ignoring the pained whimpers that Hermione was trying so badly to suppress. Spinning her around, Bella jabbed the tip of her wand into the crook of her neck.
"If you dare to move, Serenity, I won't hesitate to kill her, right here." Bella told the fallen Princess. "So don't try anything foolish."
Serenity didn't say anything as she glared at the hooded monster before her. Her heart was tearing at seeing the look upon Hermione's face.
As Bellatrix backed away from the Elven Princess upon the ground before her, whilst half pulling the weakened Hermione along, she jerked her head to the others and then to Serenity as she prepared to Apparate out.
"Kill her."
And with that, a low crack was heard, and both, Bella and Hermione, were gone.
"Hermione! Hermione!" Serenity cried.
The others smiled to each other as they prepared to torture her thoroughly before ending her life there. Serenity watched, with suppressed fear as she saw the raw pleasure upon their faces. Disgust and fear mingled together within her eyes as she tried to think quickly. 'What do I do now?'
Then, as if to answer her silent question, a blast was heard to her left, as a few Death Eaters flew to the ground. Turning to her left, Serenity's face brightened as a figure came running towards her. The features couldn't be made out, as the dust from the blast scattered through the air, but the silhouette was undeniable.
"Li!" she cried as she watched him bound up through the dust, his features finally noticeable. Seconds later, jets of blue, green, and every other color began to shoot in his direction as the remaining Death Eaters retaliated. Li immediately ran towards Serenity as he conjured a shield around the two temporarily. As he held his shield up, he turned to Serenity quickly.
"Are you alright?" he asked quickly as he knelt before her. They didn't have much time, and by the way the Death Eaters were attacking, the shield wouldn't last another five minutes.
"Yes… yea I am fine," winced Serenity. "It is just a scrape." Li quickly looked to her, before turning back to the attackers before him. He stood up, and expelled the shield, seconds before he sent out a blast, knocking three of them backwards. More continued to attack as Li battled them.
Turning to Serenity, he quickly conjured another protective shield, protecting her from attacks as he continued to fight.
Serenity watched from behind her shield as Li fought on. Her frustration was building as she hated having to stay behind protection while others fought her battles. She had enough of this back in her Kingdom, and she hated it. But what was worse, was that Li was out-numbered. No matter how well he fought, 9-to-one was ridiculous!
Serenity the stood up, as she held her left arm to her side, she ignored the pain as she clenched her right fist. As she gathered the energy from her body, she focused it all into her right hand and soon a small golden ball began to form within her palm. She smiled as she felt its power radiating as it grew slowly.
She knew that this was going to be painful upon her body, as any movement was excruciating, due to the impact of her fall, but Li needed her help.
As she stood firmly, she reached her arm out and sent the ball blasting towards the many Death Eaters attacking Li. Their screams echoed slightly as they flew backwards like the others had done before them. Li turned to look at her, and Serenity saw small traces of a grateful smile before he turned once more to continue his battle.
Now, the previously fallen Death Eaters were beginning to get up, as they headed to their newest target; Serenity. Sensing this, Serenity turned to the large fire pit beside her, and began to levitate the many large rocks placed around the pit. One by one, Serenity began pelting them towards oncoming attackers, as they advanced.
This went on for a while until finally only two out of the twelve Death Eaters were left standing. Li and Serenity stood there, panting and slightly bloody and bruised as they faced off the monsters before them. As one of them proceeded to raise his wand, he sneered as he muttered a curse towards the Princess. Serenity acted quickly as she shot an attack towards him, causing him to spiral backwards, and hitting one of the tents, knocking it downward. But before he had been hit, his curse left his wand and hit Serenity square on the chest. She too fell to the ground, and a loud cry was heard as she clutched at her stomach, as she lay on the ground. Li instantly knelt at her side, as he went to check on her when a shadow obscured his vision. Looking up, he noticed that the second Death Eater was now pointing his wand directly at Li.
"That is enough! You have caused us enough trouble. It is time rid us of you both, now," he boomed. "Avada Kedevra!!"
Just as the curse left the attackers wand, Li quickly extracted his sword, and held it up horizontally before his face. Pressing one palm against the flat blade, he quickly began to recite incantations mere seconds before the curse hit.
It all happened so fast, and tears had already formed within Serenity's eyes as she watched, as if in slow motion, as the jet of green light came in contact with the shining slivery-white blade of Li's elven sword. In a bright blaze, the killing curse surprisingly was deflected as it soared in an odd direction, hitting a tree in the distance. Li's incantation could still be heard as it left his lips in a soft whisper, his body still in the rigid stance as he held his sword up before him.
The sword had deflected the attack!
Serenity was stunned as she turned to the attacking Death Eater. Due to the intensity of the attack, he had been hurled back, knocking into an iron rod and other metal objects behind him. He was out cold.
Li then turned to Serenity. His face was slightly pale and his breathing ragged as he knelt directly before her. Without a word exchanged, the two met in a silent, but emotional embrace; Serenity lunging forward as she buried herself within his chest. Li clutched at her with an intensity as he feared she might disappear lest he hold on. Silent tears began to then fall from the Princesses eyes as she held onto him tighter.
After a few intense minutes, Li finally pulled her away, as he made to inspect her wounds. Touching her shoulder, he watched as she winced as he griped it slightly.
"You've knocked it out of socket." Li told her. Serenity knew what he was going to do next, and squeezed her eyes shut, preparing for the pain. Li then tightened his hold on her shoulder, and in one smooth motion, snapped it back into place. Serenity made a noise of pain as she dropped her head against Li's chest. Li rubbed her back for a few moments as she adjusted to the pain subsiding. Then he added as an after thought, "Just a scrape, huh?"
Serenity lifted her head and glared. She grabbed his wrist as she leaned back.
"Oh, and you are one to talk." She then took hold of his torn tunic sleeve, ignoring the throbbing pain in her shoulder, and ripped it off of his arm revealing many cuts that had been there for a long while. "What are these, Li?"
Li sighed. He touched her cheek tenderly as he brushed a few stray strands of hair from her face.
"That is a totally different situation, Serenity."
"Then explain it to me!" she demanded. Li shook his head again and sighed as he stood up. Leaning down, he took hold of Serenity's right hand, and wrapped his arm around her waist as he helped her up. She graciously accepted, and then leaned into his chest as he held her to him. "Why won't you just tell me, Li?"
Li pressed his cheek against her hair as he held her. How was he going to tell her?
"Come, I'll explain it all in due time, but right now we must get back to the King." Li told her. Serenity then gasped and her hand flew to her mouth as her eyes widened.
"Hermione!" she cried. "Oh my God, they took Hermione!" she exclaimed as she turned to where Bellatrix had stood before apparating with the wounded Hermione.
"Yes, that is why we have to go to the King. Now, hurry!"
xxx
James poured over the object known as the Horcrux when Serenity and Li came sprinting towards them. Lily seemed startled and James worried as he took in Serenity and Li's wounded appearances.
"What happened?" he asked as he passed the locket over to Dumbledore. James then went over to Serenity as Sirius did, worried and perplexed. "And where is Hermione?"
Serenity panted as she still clutched her wounded shoulder to her.
"Uncle… Uncle James, they… they took her! Bellatrix Lestrange took Hermione!" she said urgently through her pants. "Please, we have to hurry! She is in grave danger!"
"What? They took Hermione? What do you mean they took Hermione? Where did they take her?" Serenity shook her head as she realized she didn't know where they had gone; neither had she left behind any inclination as to where she was taking Hermione. "Ok, Serenity, I want you to tell me exactly what happened!"
Serenity nodded and she and Li proceeded to tell the King exactly what had happened. When they were done, they watched as King James prepared himself.
"Where are you going?" Sirius asked, though he had a very good guess as to where that was.
"To get my daughter-in-law back, and to find my son." James said, with a hint of frustration in his voice, combined with worry and determination. "Serenity; Li, prepare yourselves, you are to leave with me."
"Yes, Sire." Serenity said as she nodded. Li too nodded and turned to Serenity, as she began to try and heal the wounds she could.
"Albus, the Horcrux…" James started.
"I'm shall take care of it, James. You just go and aid your family." James smiled and nodded thanks before turning in a swish of his cloak.
xxx
A silver ring began to form from the tip of Voldemort's tip, as it crept slowly down the length of the golden beam, coating the beam in silver light. As Harry began to push his strength forward, a silver ring began to form from his tip as well. It traveled down the beam as Voldemort's did, the more the two traveled the more the wands shook and heated.
The pushing of power between the two finally reached a peak, and the two auras clashed violently as they banged together, swirling and repelling. At this, a gust of wind formed against the stone floor, spinning as it picked up the dust off of the floor, kicking it into the air as it fought against the clashing auras.
Harry could feel his muscles straining, tensing as they exerted their energy. His whole body ached, but he never relinquished his hold on his wand.
Don't break the connection, a voice told him.
As the two silver rings inched closer to the golden ball, Harry could sense the curiosity as well as fear coming off of Voldemort via his aura. A part of this humored Harry, but his own curiosity and fear overcame that, and he glued his eyes to the traveling silver rings.
The closer they got, the tighter the knot in his stomach became. He had no idea what was going to happen, and had no clue whether this would or wouldn't hurt him.
Then.. It happened.
Slowly, the two rings touched the whizzing golden ball in the center. For a fraction of a second, nothing happened. Total silence fell in that moment, as the wind and the aura's froze. Stillness.
And then, the golden ball began to shrink, as the silver rings made to touch one another. Then, just as the two rings touched, a golden sphere shot from the center, expanding in seconds, as it engulfed the two enemies in a golden sphere.
The intensity of the golden sphere caused the hall to quiver from its force. The power in which the golden sphere was extraordinary, and Harry could feel it pressing into his back and sides as he faced his enemy off still. The now silver string continued to connect the two, and Harry barely noticed as the stone snakes and other gargoyles began to crack and crumble under the intense pressure. Debris rained upon the two, but the golden sphere acted as a shield as it repelled the falling stone.
The hall continued to tremble, as Harry and Voldemort continued to push their magic into the beam, aiming for the other. The more they did this, the more the hall trembled. Harry and Voldemort's auras continued to clash, crashing against the other, twirling wildly, each trying to claim dominance.
Harry could feel his power welling within him, charging him and urging him to over power the evil that had resurrected this night.
He had refused to believe it earlier, not wanting to believe Serenity's claims as to Voldemort actually rising once more. He, of course, believed her, but denial also fought within him. And now, here was the truth, the real, Voldemort had risen. With the use of his blood, and the bond that had once protected him, Voldemort rose to his former strength. But Harry wouldn't allow this monster to regain all that he had once gained when his power was at its peak. He wouldn't allow him to destroy all that he had destroyed before.
Then immediately, an image of Hermione passed through him, and a cold sickly feeling of dread washed over him, and his heart dropped into his stomach.
He wouldn't allow Voldemort to get to her, to Hermione!
Just then, a low sinister chuckle echoed throughout the small sphere that encased him and his enemy. Harry narrowed his eyes at the snake-like man before him and sneered.
"Planning on protecting that beloved wife of yours, are you Harry?" he derided. For an instant, Harry didn't hide his shock as his eyes widened with surprise. Immediately after, Harry replaced his stunned look with his previous sneer.
"You will not touch her, Riddle." Harry said in a low, dangerous tone. His eyes were narrowed and burned with an intensity that made Voldemort raise an eyebrow.
"And how do you plan on stopping me? With your simple magic tricks?" Voldemort went on. "Ha! Harry, have you learned nothing of my power over the last two decades? You cannot stop me."
Just then, a horrible image of a beaten, bruised, Hermione passed through Harry's mind as he stood there. Raw fear and pain washed over the Prince's face as he pictured his wife, bloody and hurt, as Death Eaters continued to wound her. Chained to the wall, her head hung low, and her dress torn at the arms and midriff, showing off her cuts from attacks.
Harry had expected tears to form in his eyes as her saw this, but instead, pure fury and hatred swept his being as clutched at his wand with gaining strength. His heart thudded in his chest with pain and hatred, and his blood boiled as it coursed throughout his body. He would kill Voldemort now!
But before he had a chance to retaliate, a loud crack was heard, followed by a muffled cry. Harry turned to his right, and froze. He could feel his blood turning cold as he witnessed the sight before him.
"Hermione," he whispered.
Hermione stood there, bloody and beaten as Bellatrix held her roughly by her upper arm. Harry watched in horror as Bella tossed her onto the ground, before conjuring a stone similar to that in which Harry himself was bounded to. The only difference with this protruding stone was that chained shackles hung loosely from it, as opposed to the tight binds of the ropelike vines Harry was forced to endure.
The pain in which Harry felt at that moment was enormous as he watched, helplessly, as Bellatrix grabbed Hermione's arm once more, and tossed her against the stone slab. Then she magically made the shackles wrap around Hermione, binding her to the stone, forcing her to endure any torture in which Harry might endure, and vise versa.
"Don't like what you see, Potter?" came the mocking voice of the snake before him. Harry wished, if only looks could kill, then Voldemort would be dead in an instant. "You see, this is what happens when you oppose the Dark Lord. Nothing but pain and suffering will come of it."
A surge of angry power shot through Harry as the determination to destroy this evil shot through him. He would do it, he would kill him. Tonight.
Then, as Harry swore to himself through his hatred that he would kill this monster, another emotion passed through him. Love.
This shocked and stunned the Prince. In a moment where he thought he would only feel hatred, the feelings for which he felt for his wife coursed through him stronger than he could have ever imagined. And this new feeling washed over his entire being, filling his every vein with a newfound strength that he couldn't believe possible to muster! This feeling was the most familiar feeling in the world to him; it was simply … Hermione.
With this, the feeling of Hermione within him, he suddenly felt an amazing boost of power within him, and instantly felt his aura swell with strength as well. Shooting a look to Hermione once more, he caught her eyes and sent her a silent message before turning to his enemy once more.
This was it; Harry would destroy this evil, tonight.
XXX
Ok, here it is...
I am very sorry for the delay for this chapter… but again, writers block really had me… but I hope you enjoyed!!
Oh, also I was wondering, if perhaps someone would like to draw up some fanart for this chapter? I would post my own work, but other than not having the time to draw any, I also don't have a scanner… bummer! So I was just wondering if anyone would like to.
If so, then you can email me at Silver_Silhouette6@hotmail.com, and I will happily provide extra information needed….thanks.
Until next time…
SM131