Beyond the Darkness

Poster: bd_minerva
Tags: sophia fawcett, severus snape, hermione granger, minerva mcgonagall, percy weasley, tiberius ogden, colin creevey, morag macdougal, ginny weasley, hestia jones, rabastan lestrange, ron weasley, bellatrix lestrange, dennis creevey, rodolphus lestrange, angelina johnson, george weasley, katie bell, harry potter, kevin entwhistle, charlie weasley, cormac mclaggen, march 2005, nymphadora tonks, kingsley shacklebolt, fred weasley, seamus finnigan
Subject: RP: Battle Royale - conflict!
Date: 03/18/2007 06:28:00

Date: 17 March 2005
Characters: NPCs: Minerva, Tiberus, DE's, Then everyone who wants to be in the battle
Location: Ottery St. Catchpole
Private/Public: Public
Rating: R-NC-17
Warnings: Blood, guts, death, Unforgiveables, etc.
Summary: A small scouting party (Williamson, Coote, Coates), on orders from their leaders, are in Ottery St. Catchpole to see what Greyback is up to. When they see how many DEs are there, they send for help and a battle begins.
Completion: Incomplete

Minerva stood to address the group, deferring from Williamson. "We all heard or saw what they did to Alastor Moody. He would have fought to the very end - we know that. He would be standing here now telling us to be Constantly Vigilant, and we must remember that."

"But the Death Eaters want us to feel unsettled - unsafe in our own homes. If we give in to that fear, then we have let them win. Our intelligence has led us to know they are massing here in Ottery St Catchpole for something."

"We have the element of surprise. Be vigilant, and be safe. Remember Moody, and remember our homes back in Hogsmeade."

She turned to Tiberius and gave him a look to suggest he should say something as well.

Tiberius cleared his throat. In times like these, there was only one thing to do.

He stepped up beside Minerva and began.

"Let you go with these immortal words written so long ago:
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Patrick's day."

It was silent when he was done, and Tiberius could only hope these young people had understood a word he said.

He looked at Williamson and Shacklebolt and nodded. They were ready.

Percy discretely rolled his eyes. The man might be in charge, but there was no reason to waste time. The office would not tend itself, and there were many matters that required their presences.

However, he listened politely, wand in hand, and when Ogden finally ended his speech, Percy made his way closer to him. He cleared his throat. "Well done, Sir, however, may I point out that most of the wizards in Britain, gentlemen or not, are now living in Scotland and not England." He started to walk away again, but turned. "Do be careful, Sir. We can't afford to lose another leader and leave everything in McGonagall's hands."

Tiberius bit back a smile at his two employees. He was sure they didn't be to be so amusing, but he found their bickering (when it wasn't annoying) to be charming.

"Thank you my dear," he said to Morag.

"And yes, you're right as to our location, son. Good attention to detail."

"I'm trusting each of you to watch out for the other. And don't worry about me," he said, smiling. "I still have quite a few tricks up my sleeve."

"Of course, Sir," Percy said respectfully, and waited for him to move away.

He turned to her. "Let's give him five minutes and then we follow him, yes?" He knew she thought him to be defenceless, but he'd been fighting right after Hogwarts, side by side with his brothers. He hadn't been sorted into Gryffindor without a reason. "I promise to watch out for you. After all, one must protect the weak." There that should annoy her enough.

If Kingsley wasn't blocking everything else out, he would have hexed the old man for his insane quotes at inapproprieate times. However, the crowd seemed to respond well. When Tiberius nodded towards Williamson and Kingsley, he immedeatley stepped forward. However, Williamson had been leading things until now and he glanced back to make sure it was alright. (The last thing they needed was a work rivalry exploding at a time like this.) The other man had fallen back and nodded to Kingsley in consent.

This wasn't the first time that Kingsley had needed to take control of a large group, but there had never been quite so many nor had they been quite so haunted. The loss of Moody shown on everyones face.

"Let me remind all of you that we need to stay organized to stay efficent. We will break off into teams of two. Perferably, work with people you have worked with before and trust. This isn't a classroom assignment, I expect you to group up quickly and with as little debate as possible.

On my word, we will surround the camp and move in. If your partner falls, send up red sparks and move on. Try to stay in groups as much as possible- and remember to use a clear head. Emotions aren't going to get you anywhere with the Death Eaters." Kingsley's gaze was steady and his voice deep and strong. The group seemed like they were ready to go and there was very little else he could say. He was encouraged that most of these people had been in battles before and knew the drill.

He nodded to them, watching the well assembled group, scatter slightly and quickly regroup in pairs. Kingsley and Charlie had worked together for the Order many times before and it was no surprise when the younger man approached him. As the group reassembled, their faces turned back towards himself.

"Alright" He gave each group a postition around the camp and nodded when he was finished. "Let's go."

Fred stood there with his brothers and glanced over at Ginny, counting his siblings. He breathed deep but stopped when he'd seen someone familiar approach Tiberius, probably to correct his pronunciation or some such.

Fred laughed softly in his throat. Alright then...his back too. Even if he is being a twat. Percy was still their brother and with that, his back was to be watched as well.

Readying himself, Fred was calm now, but anxious to get in and defend his home, his family and his friends. He scanned the aurors one last time to see if he could see Katie...and he did. She looked stern and professional. No need to worry. We'll pull out of this, I know we will. All of us.

At Kingsley's instructions he looked around. Fred and George had always worked together on these things. It was probably a good idea that they do the same but just in case, he'd wanted to check. "Oi Forge...you coming, or do I need to watch someone else's arse?" Trying to lighten the mood slightly, it was difficult but Fred always had it in him to quip a smartarse remark.

Fred heard the screech just as George did. He took a deep breath and followed just behind George, off the the side. "Right behind you mate."

Only seconds later Fred had run out so that he and George flanked a random death eater, constantly approaching what looked to be Bellatrix Lestrange. No doubt that sickening cry came from her.

Fred paid her little attention as he cast a stupefy just as George cast another, equally incapacitating spell on the Death Eater that approached them. He fell to the ground and Fred shot a look and nodded at George. "Keep going..."

Fred nodded towards his brother, having leapt over a body and continuing on. "That's what I'm here for."

They both ran, sometimes criss-crossing each other's paths, shooting hexes and immobilizing curses when they saw their comrades in trouble. If there had been an overhead view of them, it would've looked like two lines of flame running through grass in perfect synchronicity. No better teamwork than twins.

Even thought the battle was going just as he'd expected, he knew that much worse was still to come. Fred wasn't one for doing physical damage. He'd rather either disarm, or immobilize before he'd be driven to slashing and cutting hexes. He was capable of them...he knew it, he knew he was capable of much worse, he just didn't want to resort to those tactics unless it was absolutely necessary.

And it looked to be getting necessary. He'd kept an eye on the Lestrange Bitch when he could...and was now joined by her husband, and what looked to be another close member of their sick and twisted little family.

"Keep your eyes open George." Fred tried to take stock of his other siblings but really, in his mind, George's safety was the most important to him. He shot off a binding spell to a running Death Eater that seemed to be chasing his twin, and the git fell to the ground as if he'd been glued to the grass and mud.

"Aye," George called out, stepping right onto the fallen Death Eater's crotch as he began to stride towards his twin. "Close one that. Oi!" George pushed his twin out of the way, ducking as an errant hex came close to hitting Fred. "You ok?" he asked his brother, holding out his hand to pull Fred up.

George saw his twin nod back, his lips thin and serious. "We got to keep going," he told Fred as a few more Death Eaters approached.

Bellatrix had come even closer and George felt a large ball of fury rise up inside him. This was the woman who's followers killed his mother - almost destroyed his family. Who kept him away from his love - who caused them to live in a village that sometimes felt like a cage.

A low, unhuman growl escaped from George's chest and he broke rank with his brother, advancing on the black-hearted bitch who would destroy the world that George was desperately trying to hold onto.

"Lestrange!" he bellowed, racing up to her.

The battle was becoming more and more interesting as so many little bugs got squashed under the feet of her death eaters. Bellatrix licked her lips, her eyes flashing as she advanced onto the field.

She dodged a curse that came flying towards her, and threw a hex to the nearest of her enemies. The hex caught the wizard in the neck and he dropped like a rock, his hand clutched around his throat. Bellatrix gave him a dispassionate glance, then stepped over him as she covered more ground.

To the left and right of her, battle continued and not a single challenger. No one was willing to step up to the clearly insane Lestrange witch, and it began to frustrate her. Then a male voice bellowed out to her and she whipped her head around. "Ahhhh," she hissed, seeing a flash of red hair amongst the black of her death eater's robes.

Bellatrix posed, her wand out over her head as her opponent approached. "Come into my web, said the spyder to the fly," she murmured, her teeth bared.

"Murderess!" George cried, his wand out as he rushed forward. No thought, no emotion other than blind rage filled every step. Bellatrix had made her stance, her feet apart and her knees bent as if waiting to pounce. George stopped and did the same, his wand at the ready.

He was shite at dueling. He knew that. Deep inside, some part of him was screaming that he was just as fucking insane as the bitch in front of him, but George was deaf to that voice. All he could hear was the cries of his family as they watched the Burrow being attacked, and Molly never surfacing from the fire. "Fucking bitch - you disgusting excuse of a witch HOW DARE YOU COME BACK HERE!" George screamed. "Expelliarmus!"

Bellatrix only faintly heard the sounds of the battle behind her - she had travelled further than she realized from the center of camp. Most of her focus was now on the squealing pup in front of her, and it amused her greatly. Bellatrix chuckled as George spewed his venom, then reacted adder quick to his disarming spell.

Bellatrix deflected the charm with ease, and putting a hand over her mouth faked a yawn. "We are quite uninventive aren't we?" she almost sighed. "Let me show you how it's done Silencio" Bellatrix cried and instantly George lost the function of his voice.

"Tut, tut - I couldn't let you keep talking to me like that, you realize. Such nasty language in front of a lady," Bellatrix sniggered, balancing on the balls of her feet. The redheaded wizard was pink in the face with fury as he barreled at her, his mouth open in what should have been a battle cry. Bellatrix side stepped him and he fell to the ground.

"Did the widdle man fall down? How precious," she simpered, turning back around to face him as he picked himself up. "However, you bore me and I desire a greater challenge," Bellatrix said in a sinister voice, then unleashed a loud slashing hex which hit George in the stomach, cutting into his flesh with a significant squelching sound.

George screamed in anger but no sound came forth as his vocal chords were temporarily frozen. Practically useless with non-verbal hexes, George did the only thing he could think to do. Steeling himself, he ran towards the witch, hoping to bring her down physically. Her reflexes were far too fast for him.

He stumbled, almost dropping his wand in the process. George crouched and rolled, then sprang back onto his feet, rounding back on Bellatrix prepared to strike again. He grimaced as she raised her wand again, and George pushed with all that he had to throw whatever he could with his own. It wasn't nearly enough.

George only felt when the hex hit him and not when he was hurled back five yards from the sheer force. As he flew through the air, he could only look as his blood spurted from the wound in an arc, staining the brown, winter grass underneath him. Then, all went black.

Fred ran on and on and was distracted for only a moment by a sneaking Death Eater creeping up upon an unsuspecting auror. He was only two seconds, crying out 'petrificus totalis' and turning back just in time to be horrified.

"GEORGE!!!" His twin flew through the air, being blown away by a slashing hex from Bellatrix. Fred couldn't hear a thing, his heart deafeningly thudded in his ears. He didn't even hear himself scream as he rushed to George's side....sliding on the grass that was made slick from his blood. It was just as Fred feared, George was losing blood at an alarming rate, his abdomen hewn open and gushing. It seemed the shield charm on the jumper wasn't strong enough for this kind of evil. Fortunately for Fred, his brother was still alive; knocked out, but still alive.

"I"m getting you out of here." Fred's arms wound around his brother's shoulders, but was surprised by the Bitch walking towards them, a sickening smile curved on her evil face. She probably thought this was a lovely sight, she'd get two for the price of one. Fred was determined to disappoint her significantly. His hand shook with rage and determination and he couldn't think straight. The anger coursed through him and he knew she'd be expecting something large, but not this time.

Fred spied a moderately sized rock a good 20 feet away and decided simplicity may just be the best course. Bellatrix was advancing on them and just in time, Fred yelled 'Accio' aiming at the rock. It darted through the air, straight towards them, but just as he'd hoped, Bellatrix walked right in the line of fire. The rock clipped the back of her head, both stunning and infuriating her. Fred knew he wouldn't get far...but he tried to muster as much strength as he could and shielded his twin, beginning to apparate out of the field.

Seems the bitch had one last course in her as Fred felt a slash to his shoulder, ripping it wide open down to the bone. His scream was only half heard and it echoed through the battleground. But he and George...were gone. The apparition had worked.

Bellatrix's eyes went wide with glee as she saw the mirrored men in front of her. Something hit the back of her head, stunning her momentarily. Black spots appeared before her eyes, but only for a second. When she blinked, her vision refocused, but her rage increased. She bounded towards them, throwing another slash at the fallen one's doppleganger. It hit the wizard in the shoulder and she saw a gleam of bone. Then - the mirrored men were gone.

Stunned, Bellatrix just stood there looking at the blood where the injured wizards had laid. She sneered, then gave a small shrug and turned back to the battle, ready to unleash her anger as her head pounded with hatred.

Charlie almost let out a relieved breath when Kingsley stood up to take charge. He knew that Kingsley would stay levelheaded and lead them in a way that he trusted for all their sakes.

As people began to pair off he actually began to head towards Kingsley; they'd worked well before, and seeing as how Bill wasn't around he knew he could count on the man.

He saw Percy suddenly show up and wanted to go over and yell at him, tell him to go home; he already had enough younger siblings to worry about on the field the last thing he needed was for the idiot to get hurt. However, he turned and faced Kingsley instead, nodding...knowing he needed to focus on himself and his partner first.

Kingsley saw Charlie's expression change as his eyes scanned the crowd, but when the man turned towards him, he was ready. Kingsley appriceated being able to rely on Charlie and how well they worked together.

He nearly growled when he saw some idiot leave by himself, but was pleased that Ginny had followed easily. Kinglsey and Charlie set off into the words, the rest of the group breaking off silently.

He nodded to Charlie and motioned for him to go to a tree just across from him. It was typical for Kingsley to take the lead between the two of them and Charlie.

It wasn't long before he'd laid eyes on Belltrix and though he was itching to get at her, he knew there would be things to be done before hand. They moved closer, nearing the center of camp when Rabastan stepped out.

A wiked grin crossed Kingsley's face as he nodded to Charlie. They had their target. Staying behind the tree, Kingsley shot a quick disarming charm at the man, hoping to remove the ridiculous muggle weapon from him.

As soon as Rabastan left Kingsley veiw, he changed his position. This was such an old trick, apparating behind your opponent. And leave it to the man to taunt as well.

Kinglsey ducked low to the ground, facing Rabastan's new position. The one of the severing charms went over his head, the other heading towards Charlie.

Kingsley sent a non-verbal slashing hex towards the man, it wasn't as powerful as a verbal, but he was hoping to catch him off gaurd.

Charlie swore and ducked down as the hex came shooting towards him. It took him a moment to reaware himself and finally turned around, his face twisted with annoyance. Damn man thinking he could fuck them up that easily.

He watched as Kingsley sent a non-verbal towards him and moved back slighty to position himself on the other side of Rabastan. He sent a Confundus in his way; hoping to at least throw the man off balance.

Rabastan reacted quickly, sending a burning hex that hit the redhead in the shoulder. The scream of agony was invigorating as he watched the man fall. He watched the Auror go to the Weasley. He was tempted to finish him off, but he heard delicious screams of agony off in the distance. And besides... it was better to let them suffer.

"Tend to your lamb, Auror. It's what you're best at," he said before turning and running toward the sound of torture.

Fucking hell... He was at Charlie's side in a flash, making sure not to lose sight of Rabastan either. The burning hex had hit Charlie and he'd fallen in agony.

Kingsley sent a stunning spell at Rabastan, but the man was too far gone. There wasn't anything that could be done about it now.

Charlie had started to rise, to go after Rabastan. But Kingsley silently petrified him, it wasn't strong, Charlie could easily have broken it. However, Kingsley wasn't going to let Charlie's temper get ahold of him again. "No. You are going back Charlie."

He could see the pain grow over the mans face and released the petrify. He was certain Charlie wouldn't chase after Rabastan right now. He wanted to tell him off for letting his temper get in the way, but Kingsley just looked the man straight in the eye.

"Your siblings need you. You are going back. Do you understand me?" He did not speak demeaningly to him, but authoritatively.

Kingsley didn't trust Charlie to apparate to the med tent so he summoned a rock to him, allowing Charlie to use him to support his weight. "Portus"

"Take it Weasley. It will take you to the med tent." He could see the defiance in Charlie's eyes and hoped he wouldn't stay angry for too long. The man grudgingly took hold of the portkey and was gone.

Once he was gone, Kingsley set off to survey the damage.

Ritchie was vibrating with excitement. He'd never been in a real battle before, and was looking forward to kicking some Death Eater ass.

"They'd better watch out," he said to his partner cheerfully. "I'ma gonna whip them good!"

Without waiting for anyone else, he moved into a sprint, and soon had left everyone behind. He didn't need a stupid partner! He was quick, and smart and he could definitely handle the few Death Eaters they'd seen earlier.

They'd even had women there, he was obviously more powerful then girls.

He had his wand drawn and as soon as he reached the camp, started to say the first spell that came to mind.

It was her first ever guard, her first ever real action and the first time her mistress had let her out to play. The butterflies in her stomach was fluttering, but she's been training for this since Diagon fell. This was the revenge - the revenge at those who had killed her parents. She hoped she was ready, she hoped the training was enough. That's when she heard something in the trees behind her.

Turning around she gasped. They were not supposed to be there. On instinct, she waived her wand, the incantation for the Entrail-Expelling curse slipping from her lips without hesitation. The hex hit one of them and she saw him fall, his insides coming out of him even as he fell. There was no doubt he was dead even before he hit the ground.

She lit up in a smile. 'I did it!' she shouted. 'I really did it, I killed someone, look!'

She wanted to dance even as the alarm sounded.

"Fucking Coote," Ginny muttered, regretting agreeing to take him on as a partner. "Going to get himself killed that one."

She looked around for Cormac and saw he was paired with Seamus. She gave him a signal with her hands, letting him know she was going after Ritchie, and he nodded.

Content that he would have her back, she moved forward slowly, keeping as much as she could to the treeline, using them for cover.

Her wand was held firmly but relaxed in her hand, and she moved low to the ground.

She had a perfect view as the young blonde girl struck down Ritchie and she swore under her breath.

Idiot, she thought. She couldn't bring herself to mourn him, as he'd been an idiot.

And then the stupid girl started shouting and cheering, and Ginny knew she had to do something before the girl roused the whole Death Eater camp, if she already hadn't.

She struck quickly and silently, and the girl was dead before she even knew there was someone else there. She wasn't dead, but she wouldn't be waking up any time soon and when she did, she would be in severe pain from a left over headache. She'd very nearly used a fatal version of the curse, but at the last moment decided it wasn't worth it. She Disillusioned the girl and hoped it was out of the way enough the Death Eaters wouldn't see it.

Knowing she didn't have time to do more than that, she Disillusioned Ritchie's remains as well, and disappeared back in the forest.

Angelina was directing her own partner with a few hand motions and they nodded, and then completely ignored them. With a slight hint of panic she tried to find them again, but apparently things had started and it was a rush of people.

She turned back around and hoped to Merlin that the idiot didn't get themselves killed...although it seemed bloody unlikely. She caught a glimpse for redhair and then saw Ginny come back empty partnered as well...

Ah...she'd been with the idiot that'd apparently set things off...

Ginny weaved her way through the throng, throwing hexes left and right and trusting Angelina to have her back.

She saw Ron, Harry and Hermione fighting together, as always, and made her way closer to them. She just knew that somehow, the majority of action would find Harry, and they would need all the help they could get.

She motioned her head in that direction for Angelina, and threw a bat bogey hex at a Death Eater who tried to get in their way.

Tonks wasn't so far from being an Auror that it even occurred to her that she no longer was. She picked out one of the younger girls, one whom she was sure should probably not even be there from the looks of her, and said kindly, 'Why don't you stay with me?'

From the change in sounds, the battle had apparently begun, and she looked back to make sure the girl was with her. 'I'm Tonks,' she said, pointing out the direction she intended them to go.

Sophia looked around her whenever a woman approached her, not certain if she was talking to her at first. She nodded, gripping her wand tightly in her hand. She hoped that...Tonks, was it?...wouldn't treat her like she didn't know what she was doing.

She'd been in quite a few battles since coming out of Hogwarts, even if she had never really had what could be considered proper training.

"Sophia," she managed to get out before they started running in the direction of the battle.

Tonks had pointed out the path slightly to the side of where Ginny and her partner had gone in. She couldn't believe Ginny would have rushed into things like that and figured it must have been her partner. Damn fool was probably dead, now. She hoped hers had better sense.

But then, she would assume anyone going into a battle situation would.

The DE camp was stirring, and much of the focus seemed to be directed to where Ginny had been. Tonks herself surprised a young guard and had him unconscious and on the ground waiting removal before his mouth even opened. She listened carefully for the man's partner, hoping to take that one out before another alarm sounded.

Sophia had her wand out and ready as they moved into the camp. She kept her eyes open for anyone who might try to attack them. She saw a movement out of the corner of her eye as Tonks threw a spell at the young guard, and she turned, yelling out Petrificus Totalus at a man who could have only been the other man's partner.

She looked at Tonks, her wand pointed ahead of her in both hands, and tilted her head in the direction of the sound of screaming.

"Ready?"

Tonks nodded, impressed with Sophia's presence of mind. She wasn't the fragile flower she appeared, apparently. 'Let's go,' she said. 'But try to stay behind cover when you can. No need to be foolish about this,' she advised.

They began to make their way toward the screaming, taking turns picking off the Death Eaters that got in their way. Tonks barely missed being hit by a slashing hex thrown at her. It left a cut on her arm that refused to close completely, even after first aid charms, but it wasn't dangerous and she could still fight. She nodded her thanks to Sophia for the help.

Ferrari could feel the magic before he even heard the alarm sound over the camp. His breathing quickened and his fingers started to itch as he grabbed his wand tighter.

He wanted blood, and it seemed the toys had come to him rather than him having to search them out. Some of the others seemed surprised, scared even, that they'd found the camp, but he just smirked as he ran off, eager to find his victim. A young one, he hoped, someone he could catch off guard and play with before the kill.

Hestia had never met the younger man she was paired with and only hoped he knew what he was doing. She wasn't used to not working with an Order member, or someone who's history she didn't know...she only hoped he wouldn't do something stupid.

....Like charging into battle.

...And taunting the enemy.

Dammit all to hell.

With wand drawn she rushed up next to him just barely pulling Kevin out of range of the binding spell, her wand aimed at Ferrari shooting a stupefy at him.

She wanted to kick him in the balls, well both of them. The fallen Death Eater and Kevin, but figured she probably shouldn't kick her partner in the balls quite yet.

Instead she placed a binding spell on the fallen DE in case the stunner wore off and nodded at Kevin. "Lets." She replied a firm grip on her wand.

She wanted to stalk away from him, but instead stayed near his side eyes taking in the surrondings...when a death eater began to head their direction. Setting her jaw she glanced at Kevin.

Kevin rushed when Hestia was hit, using the knockback charm he had developed only a few weeks ago. It hit the Death Eater, knocking him a good ten feet back.

He immediately knelt to Hestia, whispering several charms. The bleeding subsided and he sighed with relief. He raised his wand, sending red sparks into the air.

"You were brilliant," he said, rising again and walking to the fallen Death Eater. He smiled when he saw he was out cold. He kicked the man in the head, then went in search of a new partner.

Cormac actually wasn't surprised that Seamus came to him, he was actually relieved.

"Might want to relax your grip on your wand a bit, Irish," Cormac said, gesturing at Seamus' hand. "And breathing is a good idea."

He moved easily over the land, following Ginny's lead and keeping to the trees. He saw Coote go off half cocked and sent Ginny an understanding nod.

"She'll be fine," he said out loud, and looked over at Seamus.

"You know what this Samuel bloke looks like?" he asked. "If he's there, tell me and I'll cover you." And he could lose his job for encouraging a vengeance kill, but he was sure it would come down to a 'him or me' situation.

Seamus tried to relax a little, but it wasn't really helping. He was full of adrenaline, and all he wanted to do was kill the bastard who had killed his parents. And then finally, everything could just be done. He'd have no more blood on his hands.

He swallowed and nodded in the direction of Ginny. "Yeah. I'm sure she will be."

He glanced at Cormac, nodding. "In his fifties. Short gray hair. Bit of a pureblood snob. He might look a bit ratty nowadays. Last I heard he tends to get himself drunk a lot."

Seamus followed Cormac, keeping behind him just in case someone darted out at them. He aimed a hex at a man that darted out in front of them, watching only for a moment to make sure he was hit properly.

He darted behind a tree, glancing back at Cormac to make sure he was doing the same. He looked out over the death eaters, searching for the face that was practically etched into his memory.

And then he saw it.

There was Samuel fucking Fulhom in the flesh. Seamus reached out and touched Cormac on the elbow to catch his attention and then pointed to a gray-haired wizard throwing a curse at an older man he hadn't ever seen before.

"That's him. That's fucking him," he said quietly, but angrily.

Cormac knocked out another Death Eater as Seamus threw a Hex, and they dived behind the trees for cover.

He breathed deeply as Seamus seemed to be looking for someone.

"That's him. That's fucking him," Seamus said quietly.

Cormac followed his gaze and saw the wizard Seamus meant. His attention was completely on the wizard in front of him, and Cormac knew Seamus would have one chance at this.

"I've got your back. If you go now, he'll be distracted enough, and you can get him." He still didn't know what the hell he was doing, but it was too late now.

"Go," he whispered.

Seamus looked quickly around him and then darted out from the trees, looking back to see Cormac following behind him. He had his wand pointed at the man in front of him and he yelled out a curse that slowly cut through a person, forcing them to bleed.

Fulhom blocked the curse and pointed his wand at the two of them. A beam of light shot out of his wand and Seamus ducked to the side, and then turned around seeing Cormac get hit with it.

Seamus shot red sparks into the air and then ran with fury at Fulhom.

Samuel was not in a good mood. This was not according to plans and it had nothing of the elegance of the previous wars.

He felt the hex before it even got close and blocked it easily. Turning a lot faster than should have been possible for a man his age, he cast the first hex that came to mind, a bit disappointed when he saw it miss the first wizard, but liking the results better as the curse hit the second one.

It was a simple curse - not even painful. But it required assistance and that would cost resources. He turned towards the other man, storming against him and fired of another curse.

Seamus dodged the curse and then cast a shielding spell over himself, thoroughly pissed off. He'd killed his parents, he'd attacked his quasi-friend, and now the fucker was throwing curses at him.

"Crucio!"

Seamus dodged another curse coming at him from someone else, most likely a miss on the person it was orginally directed at.

He picked himself up off the ground and glared at Fulhom, realising his curse must have either missed or got blocked.

Cormac could have cursed himself when he was hit with a simple Jelly Legs curse and dropped his wand. His shaking, jiggling legs made it nearly impossible to walk, and he finally dropped to his stomach adn used his arms to crawl over to his wand, his legs hindering him the entire time.

Finally he grabbed his wand and Finite'd the curse, and looked around for Seamus.

He cursed again as he saw his friend-he was friend now--writhing on the ground. He looked around for the Death Eater and saw that he was also on the ground, gasping for breath.

He didn't spare Fulhom a second thought and crawled over to Seamus, his legs still too weak to walk. He ended the spell that held Seamus in such pain and reached out to make sure he was still alive.

"Still with me Irish?" Cormac asked.

Seamus opened his eyes slowly as the pain left him, and he looked up to see Cormac's face hovering above his. He blinked, looking up at Cormac as he tried to control his breathing, shakily bringing his hand to Cormac's arm to grasp onto it.

He nodded and shifted a little. His body was sore--that was without a doubt--but overall, he seemed like he'd be okay. He would just need a lot of rest tonight.

His voice was hoarse and it cracked as he spoke.

"Is he dead?"

Cormac slowly crawled to his feet, gently pulling Seamus up with him.

He looked over at Fulhom, who twitched once more and was still.

"Yeah," Cormac said. "He's dead. You okay?" He hoped Seamus hadn't been under Cruico for too long.

"Come on, we have to get you to the Healers," he said, placing his shoulder under Seamus' arm to help him walk. Actually, it was a mutual need, he realized, as his legs still felt rubbery and he stumbled a bit. "And I suppose I need one too."

They both still had hold of their wands. It was lucky they used the opposite hand, so they could cast spells if needed even while stumbling back toward the edge of the field so they could Apparate to the temporary Healing tent.

Seamus held onto Cormac, his body shaking a bit more than he would like. They probably made quite a pair--two grown men not able to walk properly.

They managed to make it to the edge of the battlefield without being attacked at all and Seamus bore enough presence of mind to apparate them to the healer's tent.

They stumbled inside, both collapsing onto the ground in exhaustion as the healers looked down at them.

The three of them had been observing a map covered in moving figures inside a tent, when the alarm sounded. Bellatrix's head snapped up, her eyes wide. She bared her teeth in displeasure. "That had better be for a reason," she snarled, her robes swirling about her legs as she moved to the flap.

Outside at the edge of the camp she saw them approaching. She sneered, which turned into a grin as she turned to her husband. "Looks like they've come to the tea party my love. Let us hope they brought manners."

Exiting the tent she caught up with her Lieutenants. "Your men had better be ready," she said briefly then screeched. "Attack!"

Rabastan watched Bellatrix and his brother leave the tent, a cruel smile forming on his lips. He had anticipated this move from the enemy. And he was glad of it. It would give him plenty of opportunity to indulge in his favourite pastime.

He stood and pulled a rather nice sword from its stand. He checked it over, pleased to see that it was flawless. Soon, it would be covered with the blood of many of those fools, and he would lick it clean to savour the taste.

"And now... the real fun begins..." he said to himself as he left the tent in a run.

Dennis made sure to stay with Colin - it would be the only way they would both stay safe, and he couldn't see his brother ever agreeing to actually let him partner with anyone else.

He had already heard a scream and the flare of spells being fought, and he gripped his wand tighter. He felt an odd resonance from all the magic that was building up around him, and he started to walk faster.

"Come on!" he yelled at Colin.

Colin kept a sharp eye on his brother when the call for partners went out. He made sure they were together as they headed towards the battle. He gripped his wand tightly his eyes darting this way and that, keeping a look out for any death eaters in the area.

He stayed close to his brother as they began to run, he heard shouts and the sounds of spells being fired in the area around them, and he felt adrenalin pumping through his veins the nearer they got.

Colin almost cursed when Dennis pulled him behind a tree, he had gotten distracted worrying about Dennis and not noticed the man ahead of them. He was going to get himself killed if he wasn't more careful.

He followed the movements of the Death Eater as he paced in the clearing above. He looked like he hadn't noticed them for now. His back was to them and Colin watched him for a few moments behind the tree.

"Alright, I'm going to hit him with a binding spell so we won't have to worry about him and we can continue on alright?" He nodded to Dennis, "You stay down for now and I'll take care of this one."

He saw the frustrated look on his brother's face but right now he didn't care about that. He wanted to get rid of this Death Eater so they could move on. He carefully timed his opponents movements, before he stood taking a moment to breathe before he stepped out from behind the tree wand raised and aimed a binding charm in his direction.

Goyle was moving around in the trees to see if he could flush out anyone who was hiding. These damn Order scum were making his job more difficult. He was hungry for lunch, and he could hear his stomach growl. Trust Mrs Lestrange to yell Attack just when he was about to eat.

His wand was at the ready, and he saw something bright step out from behind a tree. Turning, he dodged something that was aimed in his direction, letting it pass harmlessly through his robes. Now he was pissed.

He snapped his wand in the direction of the wizard hiding behind the tree, tearing off a bone breaking curse. He hoped he got the fucker, because he just wanted this to be over.

Colin cursed when the Death Eater dodged his charm, he tried to duck the curse that he sent hurling in his direction but he misjudged the direction and cried out when he felt the curse slam into his chest.

Colin fell to his knees one hand wrapped around his torso the other on the ground, as he felt several of his ribs crack. His breaths came in slow shuddering gasps as he fought to regain composure, hoping he hadn't given the Death Eater the chance to fire off another curse. He pushed himself up on to his knees again, grimacing as he fought off the urge to get nauseous.

He glared at the Death Eater and sent off a Petrificus Totalus charm at him, hoping this time the charm hit it's mark.

Goyle heard the satisfying cry as he saw someone fall to the ground. But another spell was aimed his way and he managed to duck and roll just in time to avoid it. He might be large, but he could duck and roll his way out of most spells.

He tried to aim off an Avada Kedavra at the fallen wizard - at least then he wouldn't be getting back up and annoying him, when another curse came from behind the tree.

He barely got out the "Avada" when a slashing curse ripped open his arm. "Ahh, fuckit!" he yelled, aiming a blasting curse at the tree. Bark and leaves flew in every direction, and he went to hide behind his own three.

There were two of the buggers.

Dennis wanted to rush out when he heard Colin's cry and watch him fall. As Colin tried to get up on his knees, he dragged his brother back behind the tree. "Keep down," he whispered as he worried about the colour draining from his brother's face.

The Death Eater was still standing and Dennis whipped off the first curse he could think of - a slashing hex. Luckily he did, as he heard the bastard about to let off an unforgivable in Colin's direction.

He heard the Death Eater swear, and saw his run towards a different tree. A blasting curse came their way, and he ducked to avoid the shards of bark and twigs that blew up around them.

He tried to drag Colin behind a tree. "Where'd he get you?" he asked, worried as he saw the crumpled look as Colin tried to breath. "Stay down here and I'll try to keep him away until I can get help. Just breathe slowly."

Colin heard the beginnings of the killing curse just as Dennis pulled him back behind the tree. Bloody Hell, he really was going to get himself killed. He did his breath to breath slowly, but he was having difficulty breathing he could feel the broken bones with each breath.

"Bloody bastard hit me with a bone breaking curse." He struggled to sit up some, he couldn't just lie there until help came he needed to be doing something to help Dennis.

He groaned as he tried to adjust his position, feeling a searing pain shoot through his body as he did.

Dennis gave Colin a look when he saw him try to move. "Don't make me bust a petrificus on you," he said, trying to add a bit of levity to the situation.

"If you can barely breathe, then you aren't going to be much good." Dennis was torn. He wanted to stay and look after Colin, but he needed to get that Death Eater.

He saw another tree, not far away. "I won't be far, I promise. I'll get him." Dennis quickly ducked and raced to the other tree, where he could just get a glimpse of the Death Eater as he hid behind his own tree. The guy was huge - did he really think he could hide.

Dennis quickly pondered another curse, and was about to let off another slashing curse. If he could just aim it at the guy's wand arm, he would be rendered useless. He let the curse off, satisfied at the growl of pain and litany of curses at the other end.

He saw Colin was still safe, but didn't pay any heed to his own safety.

Sophia looked up after hexing another wizard and saw Dennis duck behind a tree. Her instincts took over and she made her way carefully over to him, closing in, relieved that he had still not seen her. She ducked behind a bush and pointed her wand at him carefully.

"Avada Kedavra." The green light shot from her wand, but it never made it to Dennis. It simply just stopped halfway between the two of them. She looked down at her wand, confused as to why it hadn't reached him. She had performed the curse before. She knew she could do it correctly.

So why wasn't Dennis dead?

She realised she was thinking about it for far too long, so she summoned up her courage and moved out from behind the bush so that she could get closer to him. She was concentrating so hard on keeping Dennis from seeing her, that she forgot to see if others had seen her, as well.

The spell she shot at him was wordless, and of his own creation.

Dennis heard a woman's voice yell out Avada Kedavra and a prickling feeling raced up the back of his neck. There was something about the voice... He turned towards a nearby bush, but saw nobody there.

With a shrug, he realised the unforgivable must have been aimed at someone else. He turned back, but the Death Eater behind the tree was gone, and he muttered a few choice words under his breath. He couldn't afford to be distracted.

But as he stood up to move back to Colin, he felt a searing pain strike him in the shoulder. He fell to the ground screaming out as he felt his arm suddenly feel as if it disconnected from his body. It felt as if someone was slowly ripping the bones from his skin, and he writhed on the ground as he clutched at the useless lump of skin that was once his arm.

Rolling on the ground in agony, he rolled onto his wand, snapping it in half. He saw white spots before his eyes as the pain was so excruciating, but just as he started to black out, he could have sworn he saw Sophia's face step out from behind the bush.

It was difficult for Colin to just lay there and watch as his brother ducked out to hide behind another tree and fight. He wanted to get up and help as well, but it hurt too much to even move he doubted he could do much in a state like this.

He told himself he was just watching out for Dennis now, watching his back for him as he took care of the Death Eater who had hit him with the curse earlier.

As he watched his brother he noticed a flash of green start flying towards him, but die before it reached him. He followed the line of the curse and only saw a large bunch of bushes, probably hiding a Death Eater.

Suddenly he heard Dennis screaming, and he turned back to his brother who was thrashing around on the ground, and he looked back at Sophia who now stepped out from behind the bushes she had been hiding behind.

Colin felt a new surge of anger and adrenaline flow through his body and he pushed himself up on his knees. She would not leave his brother for dead a second time, he would make sure of that. He raised his wand with a shaky arm and aimed it at Sophia.

He sent a blasting curse at Sophia, it shouldn't kill her but it might be enough to knock her out or at least stop the curse she had on Dennis.

Sophia didn't realise Colin was there until it was too late. The look in his eyes was one of pure loathing, and Sophia started putting a shielding spell over her body, but the curse came too fast.

The ground blasted upwards beneath her feet and Sophia went flying backwards into a tree that was next to the bushes. Her head and back hit the trunk of the the tree hard, and she fell to the ground, knocked completely unconscious, blood beginning to trickle out of the back of her head.

With this new surge of energy pumping through his veins Colin pushed himself up and hobbled over to where his brother lay unconscious, he seemed to be alright for the most part. While he was there he looked over to where Sophia lay unconscious.

He walked towards her slowly, just to be sure she really was unconscious, as she appeared to be. He grimaced when he saw the blood flowing from the wound he'd given her.

He moved her so that she was laying flat on the ground and used a simple healing charm to stop the bleeding, before he returned to his brother. He dropped to the ground where he brother lay, feeling the pain returning with each breath he took.

He raised his wand once more and shot up red sparks as Kingsley had instructed them to if their partner fell. He leaned back against a tree and did his best to breathe slowly, wincing with each breath waiting for someone to find the three of them.

Augustus Apparated to the edge of the battlefield once more, pushing the feeling of fatique away. There were people hurt out there, and he needed to get them to safety.

He ignored the dead bodies, they were beyond help, but he spotted red sparks shooting up from the tree line, and headed that way.

There were three of them, all unconscious, at least nearly. The dark haired boy seemed to be worst off, so Augustus started with him, casting a stablizing spell to keep the body motionless, and Side-Along'ed him back to the tent.

Stopping to downa quick replenishing potion, the only one he'd allow himself tonight, he went back twice more for the other two.

Percy looked around. Of course, the blasted Order was there, which meant almost every Gryffindor during his years in school. It also meant his entire family was there. He ignored the looks from the twins. Of course, they were probably making fun of him. They always did.

He made sure to find his younger brother and sister with his eyes. Even if Ron was still friends with that megalomaniac, he was his baby brother, and Ginny... well she was the only girl in generations. She shouldn't be here, not that anyone would listen to him.

He glared at Morag, knowing that he could always take it out on her. "We shall lose him if you don't stop playing with your make up." A total lie, but then she fiddled with the truth often enough when it came to insults.

Morag was almost speechless as she stared at Percy, her mouth moving but no words actually coming out. Finally, she shrieked at him and headed after Tiberius and Minerva.

An older Death Eater stepped into her path, and she took out her aggression on him, using a vicious boiling spell without thinking. The man screamed and went down, writhing only a minute before going silent.

Morag just wished Tibby wouldn't miss the Annoying One, but he'd be sure to want to inquire into Percy's disappearance.

Dammit!

"Fish," he murmured. There was something about the infernal woman that made him want to act like he was a child, not an evil one like the twins had been of course.

Percy walked after her, but before he could say anything, he watched her hex a man without thought. While efficient, it was too cold. He stepped up, catching up with her. "Killing people without a trial will make Mr. Ogden look bad. You might want to try incapacitating them for the Aurors to arrest."

Morag's mouth dropped open, and she stared at the man. What did he think was going on, anyway? Any one of those people would kill him as soon as look at him, including her just then!

'If Tiberius gets hurt because you won't use the proper force to keep him safe, I'll...I'll...' she sputtered, too angry to even finish.

'Go home, Percy!' she yelled at him. He had no business trying to fight when he wasn't willing to fight to win.

"I most certainly will not. I have in fact faced Death Eaters before, however that does not give us the right to kill indiscriminately. If we do, we are exactly like them."

Percy looked around, trying to see if there was anyone coming their way. Perhaps they should need better plans for the next battle, because it looked awfully chaotic.

"Proper force isn't necessarily deadly force, is it?" he reasoned aloud. "There are perfectly good and non deadly spells that one might use to protect oneself and Mr. Ogden."

The sounds of the battle weren't nearly as strong as the sound of the dark magic singing inside her. Moving almost soundlessly, she kept her eyes with her, hexed who ever came into her way - and as soon as she had time, she would send a good hex somewhere.

Only when she had time to stop and enjoy the pain however.

She smirked. The Auror she was running from wasn't nearly as fast as he should be. It would be easy getting him to into the snake pit and kill him there.

Or it should have been, had she not run into two people on the way. Fuck!

She could hear the Aurors behind her, didn't have time to stop. In a split second decision she sent a curse aimed at their legs before he turned and ran in another direction. At least they would not follow her.

The fact that she heard a distinct crack from at least one of their legs only made her smile as she ran on.

Percy had been looking at Morag, picturing the way his hands would look around her neck, when the pain hit him, flaring from his lower leg up his body, and he fell with a scream.

He bit his lip, trying to forestall the curse on the tip of his tongue. He would not curse in front of a lady, even if it was the infernal woman; his mother had raised him better than that, even if she hadn't done such a great job with the rest of them.

Percy tried to open his mouth to say anything, something, but the only thing that came out was another scream.

Morag saw a flash as someone ran into the clearing behind Percy and aimed a curse, and she tried to deflect the hex from both of them but was only partly successful. Her leg twisted painfully, her knee giving way, and she heard the crack of a broken bone.

Biting her lip, she ran her hands over her own leg after checking to see that there weren't any other Death Eaters nearby, but it hadn't been hers that had made the sound. Merlin knew it hurt bad enough to have broken, though, and she'd totally have deserved it if it had. Arguing with Percy in the middle of a battle???? What had she been thinking???

Of course, being around Percy made it hard to think...

She heard a second scream from Percy, and she crawled to him, dragging one leg behind and checking their surroundings again. 'Can you stand?' she whispered urgently. 'We can't stay here like this...' she told him. 'I'll get you to the healers, but I don't want to splinch you.' Or herself.

Percy took a few breaths, knowing that screaming would only attract more attention. Planning, he could do that. It would distract him from the excruciating pain he was feeling. He looked around, they were too close to the middle of the camp, and they would need to walk. He closed his eyes. He couldn't even lie down without feeling like dying.

He grabbed her hand, trying very hard to keep his voice steady. "Silencing charm...oh fu- then immobilise the leg." The rest would have to wait until she'd cast the silencing charm and no one could hear them.

Morag nodded, quickly casting the silencing charm around their immediate area. 'Just hold on,' she told him.

Gently, she tried to run her hands over his leg to figure out where the bone was broken. 'Stop that!' she snapped when he tried to swat her hands away. 'Does you no good if I immobilize the wrong part, and I'm soooooo not trying to molest you...!'

She found the break and looked up. 'It needs to be set,' she told him, wincing slightly. 'It would hurt less in the long run for you to use it if you let me do that first...'

He let out a deep breath (because it was not a scream) the moment she cast the silencing charm. He was in pain, and annoyed, because it was all her fault, and now she was manhandling him for now reason.

Percy almost told her to leave him be, to leave him in peace, to just leave, but he knew he needed her if he were to get out of this. He listened to her talk about the leg, knowing that she was right, and hating her even more, for being right and for what she was about to do.

"You're a sadistic witch. Couldn't possibly wait for me to get to the Healers' Tent so they can give me something for the pain." Percy glared at her. "I hope I break your eardrums," he snapped, using the words to numb the pain. Of course it wasn't working.

He took a deep breath. Time to find that Gryffindor courage. He nodded to her. "Do it."

Morag almost smiled. 'Yes, dear, I'm sadistic. I'm the devil incarnate, in fact, and I'm only doing this so I don't have to throw you over my shoulder and carry you out. And if you break my eardrums, I'll make Tibby have you interpret for me,' she threatened sweetly as her hands gripped the places she needed to do what had to be done, doing her best to get him distracted by his dislike for her just as she.....

CRACK!!!

Morag pressed down on his leg before he could jerk it in his pain. 'Sorry...' she muttered, grabbing her wand and casting the charm to keep the limb immobilized now that it was set.

She looked around again, making sure they were still isolated and unseen, and hoping that Tibby was still in one piece. She hadn't truly wanted Percy hurt.

Unless she did it herself, of course.

Her own knee hurt like the dickens, but it seemed to be mostly tendon damage and would heal. And she was more used to pain than Percy. She hoped he didn't get nauseous from the shock of it all. She'd heard of people doing that.

He knew what she was doing, she was so obvious, but it didn't mean that it didn't work for a few moments, long enough for Percy to think a reply , and then the pain exploded again, and this time, he didn't try to stay quiet, but let out a scream, uncaring what he'd do to her blasted eardrum.

Percy heard the gentle apology, but it was almost surreal, and he couldn't reply, still fighting to get oxygen in his lungs. When he could finally think again, she was turning to look around, and the movement made it obvious that she was favouring her left knee.

"Are you injured?" The question didn't shock him as much as the concern he heard in his own voice. This was absurd of course. He couldn't possibly care. It was the pain speaking.

Morag looked back at Percy, a frown on her face. That scream of pain must have done something to her ears, after all. That had almost sounded....concerned, or something.

'Me?' she repeated. 'Er, yeah, I got hit, too. I was trying to block the hex, but I'm not that used to shielding two people at once, and it didn't work so well. But it's not as bad as yours. Just twisted, mostly,' she told him.

'Do you think you can move, yet?' she asked, looking around again. 'This isn't the safest place...'

She had gotten hit. Trying to protect him. That wouldn't do, not at all, and he would need to talk to her about that, but it would have to wait until she was not in pain.

"I apologise for causing you any pain. It was not my intention, and it wouldn't have happened if you didn't-" Percy cut the rest of his sentence off. They could argue later.

Percy tried to roll on his left side, but regardless of how much care he took, the pain shot like lightening through him. "Bloody hell." He closed his eyes, but pushed himself to his knees. The apology for his language would have to wait until he could breathe again.

'Wait a minute, you git, before you hurt yourself!' Morag exclaimed, grabbing for her wand. 'Let me levitate you until you can stand, at least. You'll get to expend all the Gryffindor fortitude and bravery you want by just walking with that injury,' she told him.

He was going to blame her for this. After he started the whole argument and then got himself hurt, he was going to blame her.

Damn the silly man, anyway! He truly was insufferable!

And how dare he make her worry about him!

He didn't complain this time. He didn't get 12 OWLs by being stupid, and he knew how much it would hurt. "Thank you so much," he said through gritted teeth when he was finally standing.

Percy looked at her knee, and then up at her. "I am not able to help as much as I would like, but if you need, I offer my support." He extended a hand toward her, preparing for the pain an instant before taking the first step.

"Considering our speed, I shall cast concealment spells." It took effort to let each word out, but it helped his mind focusing on something other than the pain. "Shall we?"

She stared as Percy refused her help and got to his feet on his own. Of all the idiotic, insane, unnecessary...! Morag thought to herself.

She considered breaking his other leg a moment.

Then she sighed. 'Shut up, Perce!' she told him, taking his hand and ducking under his arm until it was draped across her shoulders.

'Don't you ever tell anyone I did this...' she hissed to him, winding her arm around his waist to help support him. She gritted her teeth as they limped away, knowing what she was feeling was nothing compared to the pain he felt.

She hadn't decided if that was a good or a bad thing.

Severus ducked as the alarm sounded and the first curses flew, crouching down to survey the oncoming forces. He couldn't help the silent crow of triumph. Bellatrix and Rodolphus' plans had failed! Instead of dividing the opposition forces further, their actions had united them. He could see all three of the main groups represented. He swore suddenly when he saw Minerva at the front of the Order's forces. Damn fool woman! What was she doing diving straight into a battle like this one was likely to be? They could not afford to lose her, especially with Moody dead.

He straightened again and wove through the fighting Death Eaters, dodging and ducking spells and occasionally throwing curses at the oncoming witches and wizards that somehow, strangely enough, just managed to miss their targets without looking too damn obvious about it. He couldn't do that forever but until he got his bearings in this fight it would have to do. Once he was ready, he could combine wandless and wordless magic with his wand to look like he was killing people without actually doing so. He'd spent enough time over the years perfecting that, he wasn't going to waste it now.

He abruptly ended up in a lull in the fighting, the Death Eaters nearest him having gone down, either stunned or dead. He didn't linger, not wanting to create a target but instead started to head back into the throng.

Snape was almost upon her before he saw her. He seemed to be moving into the throng of fighters, and she was in a good position to cut him off before he got there. She should have just incapacitated him quickly and been done with it, but she felt a cold anger at all that he'd done to hurt their cause while pretending to be on their side and sent a stinging hex in his direction instead, following it with a quick disarming spell.

The first that Severus knew was the sudden impact of the stinging hex on his side. He swore and immediately dropped to the ground, knowing that such a low level, relatively harmless hex would be inevitably be followed by something more potent. He was proven right when another spell whistled through the air where he had been standing.

He rolled behind a nearby tree and as he did so, he pointed his wand in the direction the spells had come from, casting a quick Stupefy before getting to his feet and glancing around the tree to see who was attacking him.

He scowled when he saw Tonks and knew he would have to handle this carefully. He had no intention of killing her nor did have any great wish to injure her badly. A pity that she did not feel the same... then again, she didn't know any better.

The man was too used to fighting, and her next spell missed him as he dropped to the ground. She took cover herself, ducking behind a tree before his spells blasted through the air where she'd been.

She knew he'd seen her...her hair had been quite unmistakable lately. She muttered a curse and used a disillusionment charm on her hair, that taking less energy than metamorphing. She used a charm to create and disturbance slightly behind Snape and then attempted to slip to a new spot of concealment so she had a clear shot at him.

Severus saw Tonks duck behind a tree as well and tensed. She was trained as an Auror so this was not going to be an easy battle, particularly considering the restrictions he'd placed on himself.

He felt something start to coalesce behind him and he threw up a hand with a silent Protego. He suspected this was a feint and it was confirmed when Tonks darted out from behind her tree. He took a couple of seconds to aim carefully with his wand then let fly with a powerful Reducto that, if she kept moving at the pace she was and didn't slow down, would impact with a tree just behind her.

He then took the opportunity to get rid of the disturbance behind him with a wave of his hand and wordless Finite before crouching down. He ducked completely behind his tree and decided to try some distraction methods.

"Tell me, Nymphadora, have you left your pet dog at home or will Fenrir be making his acquaintance again?" he called with an audible sneer over the distance that separated them.

Severus winced as the Reducto hit the front of his tree, causing a mass of splinters and wood chips to fly. He decided it was time to move and used the cover of Tonks' spell to shift to another tree, just in time to see the stunner fly towards when he had been.

So, she wasn't going to be distracted either by the use of her name or the reference to Lupin. Interesting. She might actually have grown up a bit. So maybe he could try something a little unorthodox. He was tempted to use his Patronus form but there were far too many Death Eaters around to risk that.

Instead he took a quick look to determine where she was then cast a wordless Aguamenti at her, hoping to surprise her with the sudden dousing, followed immediately afterwards by Incarcerous.

Tonks barely avoided a noise of shock as she was doused with water, immediately diving backwards for another tree as she cast a hex-deflection spell. Even so, she had to kick away the ropes that wound around her legs, scrambling for cover quickly.

She exploded another tree near where she'd seen him last. And then another, and another, trying to make him show himself. She saw a flash of black and sent an Incendio at the cloth as it disappeared.

Severus swore as the consecutive Incendios began to blast the trees close to him and then began to get closer. He ducked around the tree he was hiding behind to see where Tonks had gotten to then ducked back behind his tree. He didn't move fast enough though, Tonks' latest Incendio catching the edges of his robes. He felt the heat of the flames against the skin of his legs and swore again as the pain registered. He used the Aguamenti spell again, this time to douse himself.

He knew he wouldn't have much time now before Tonks mustered up another spell and he flung the Full Body Bind in Tonks' direction, giving it as much power as he could manage. Then he darted out from behind his tree, casting a second wordless spell, this one the Incarcerous again as he took shelter behind another tree. He was rapidly rethinking his decision not to hurt her if she kept this up.

Damn the slippery snake, he was slipping through everything she sent at him! She was forced to take cover yet again as he sent another set of binding spells her way. She was getting tired of this...

Concentrating, she sent a Mobiliarbus at the tree he was behind, intending to send another stunning spell right after. But she was distracted by another dueling pair crashing into their vicinity, and the familiar form caught her attention.

'Dad?' she murmured, frowning.

Severus ducked the spell that flew at him, knocking it aside with a quick Protego. He was expecting a quick follow up but nothing came. He looked around the tree and saw Tonks, staring at a nearby duelling pair, clearly distracted. He did not hesitate to take the opportunity that he just been presented with.

He stepped slightly away from the tree he was sheltering behind and aimed his wand right at Tonks then said firmly, "Petrificus Totalus."

Tonks felt the petrification spell hit her, and she fell like a ton of bricks to the ground, unable to move or even speak. Her mind went immediately to Remus and to all that they had planned that would now never happen, and her heart lurched into her throat at the grief her death would cause him when he'd lost so much before.

As Snape approached, she wondered who would help Remus now on the mornings after the full moon, and she tried to focus on his face, wanting it to be the last thing she thought of before she died...

The moment Tonks fell to the ground, Severus hurriedly limped over to her. He could see the despair in her eyes but he ignored it as he grabbed her immobilised body under the arms and dragged her into a clump of nearby undergrowth. A quick look around showed him that she would be well concealed here but he quickly Disillusioned her as well.

"Never allow yourself to be distracted during a battle, Tonks," he murmured before getting to his feet.

He then cast a time-delayed Finite on her that would get rid of the Body Bind in an hour and limped quickly back towards the main part of the battle.

Bellatrix had finished surveying briefly the loss of men when Severus limped into view. She had been observing his battle methods when she wasn't preoccupied, and she noticed a distinct lack of venom in his attacks. When faced with a challenge, his reluctance to meet it was suspicious and the times where an Unforgiveable would have been ideal - he cast only childish hexes.

Bellatrix was not impressed - nor was she in the glory she had hoped to be over her opposition.

With nostrils flared she marched towards the potions master, wand out. Before he could turn to defend himself, she struck.

"Crucio!"

The Cruciatus ended as quickly as it had started and anger flooded through him as he realised what had just happened. He had just levered himself back onto his knees when he heard Bellatrix's hissig voice.

This time when the Cruciatus curse hit, it was more intense and this time he wasn't able to keep his cry behind his teeth. He fell to the ground again and the pain washed through him. It felt like he was being slowly ripped apart and all he could do was wait for it to end as he jerked and twitched.

"Hmmm..mmm..hmmmm," Bellatrix began to laugh with closed lips and deep in her chest at Severus's screams. As his body began to jerk on the ground, her lips parted and a wickedly evil giggle emerged.

She felt the power surge through her, knowing she had the snarky bastard under her wand. Bellatrix didn't trust Severus - then she didn't trust anyone. However, the fact that he cowered in the corner of Upper Slaughter and played on the outskirts of their cause irritated her. Rodolphus may keep Severus around for a reason, but Bellatrix was loathed to see why.

As she broke the curse, she caught her husband's presence in the corner of her eye. Bellatrix knew that within a few steps he would be able to see what she was up to, and she didn't quite wish to explain that to him. "Remember next time you balk at your duties, Snape. We are watching."

Reluctantly, Bellatrix walked away in full confidence he wouldn't strike back.

Severus didn't notice Bellatrix leave except that the Cruciatus ended. He lay where he'd fallen, taking great gasping breaths as he tried to gather enough strength back to get up. He could feel the painful residue of the spell echoing through his body and all he wanted to do right now was get back to his home and his potions so that he could take care of it.

It was several minutes before he could push himself up onto his knees and it was only sheer stubbornness that got him to his feet. When he did, he felt the burn on his leg add to the residual pain from the Cruciatus and his knees nearly went out from underneath him again.

He gritted his teeth and kept himself upright, refusing to exhibit anymore weakness than he already had. Once he was certain he wasn't going to collapse, he started staggering towards the edges of the Death Eater camp. He felt the odd twitch as he passed the anti-apparition wards and he came to a halt. He concentrated hard to get past the pain enough to be able to apparate home without splinching himself then disapparated with loud crack.

Hermione had been standing there with Harry and Ron nearby, mentally and physically preparing herself for what was about to happen. They'd done this so many times it had become almost second nature, but each time was unnerving and she could never predict who would come out alive and unscathed.

As Hermione heard a shout not too far away, her head whipped around at the sound. It had started. She glanced once more at Harry and Ron as they all started moving out, keeping to the trees at first and scouring the area. Harry and Ron had stepped several feet away from her and Hermione looked around, flicking her wand and disarming a Death Eater racing towards an Order member who was unaware that they were approaching.

Stepping out from behind a tree long enough to get a better visual, she saw another Death Eater not too far from her. Steeling her nerves, she crouched a bit lower. "Locomotor Mortis," she cried at them, aiming her wand perfectly as the spell left it.

Hermione had been watching to make sure the wizard whose legs she had locked together actually fell before she turned around to check her bearings. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the Death Eater approach her and the spell left his lips before she could even get a defensive spell out of her mouth. Gasping slightly, she ducked, the spell barely missing her and hitting the tree behind her.

Narrowing her eyes at him, she cast the same spell she'd thrown at the previous Death Eater before moving to hide behind a tree quickly.

The tree she was standing behind broke in splinters and she ducked again, covering her head as the debris fell around her. Shaking her head and pushing her hair quickly out of her face, she moved around the tree quickly so that she was semi-facing him. Her eyes narrowed as she caught sight of who she was fighting.

Hesitating for a split second as his appearance and overall madness seemed to throw her off, Hermione finally shouted, "Stupefy!" at him.

She was too slow. Yes, indeed she was too slow for him. He could feel her magic before it even left her wand and it was too good to take on him. Definitely too good.

Turning he blocked her spell again, laughing as he did so. 'I'll get you little one,' he chanted, almost as a song as he danced back and forward waiting for her to rear her head.

'Sectumsempra' he yelled loudly the next time she tried to get away from the tree, laughing even harder. This chasing part was soft of fun...now if she would only die as well.

From her standpoint, Hermione admitted that the Death Eater she was fighting was good, but she kept her wits about her. As she fought him, she observed that he had a tendency to open his mouth to shout the spell a split second before the words actually came out. So long as she focused on that minute detail, she was able to dodge what he threw at her.

She was familiar with the spell he threw, knowing the wizard who had created it and the effects of it on an individual were it to hit them. Thinking, she threw up a protective shield, relieved when the spell he threw deflected off it. Once it dropped, she threw a Petrificus Totalus at him, groaning when it missed him.

'You have to be faster than that, little one,' he laughed as he dodged her attempts. She had blocked his curse though, which meant she knew it. Laughing harder at the thought that the little one might not know as little as he had first thought, he moved around, exposing himself for but a moment, yet before the witch could do anything he'd sent of a fire curse - the ball of fire aimed straight at her bushy hair.

Yes this one would burn. Burn like a bonfire and die in horrible agony.

They had nearly reached the trio when Ginny saw Hermione start to battle a Death Eater. She knew her friend could more than hold her own, but she picked up her pace, just in case.

She dodged a few spells headed her way, even as most of her attention was on Hermione. Hermione who had been injured under a month ago and still sometimes overexerted herself.

She was nearly there when she saw the fireball the Death Eater threw at her friend, and knew Hermione wouldn't have time to dodge it.

She began to run and threw herself into Hermione, knocking them both to the ground as the fireball grazed their back. Ginny rolled, ignoring the pain, and taking Hermione with her, dousing the flames, and hoping Angelina had taken the bastard down.

Hermione had tried to dodge the hex the Death Eater threw at her, the spell hanging in the air as she felt someone hit against her quite hard. Giving a shout at both that and the searing pain that flared in her back as a result of the fire ball, she hit the ground hard.

Knowing it was a fire hex he'd thrown, Hermione rolled with Ginny, feeling the heat against the skin of her back. She smelled something that reminded her of burnt feathers before she realised her hair had gotten hit and a small bit had been singed off.

Angelina could tell that Ginny was worried as they caught the eye of what Hermione was fighting (not who, what, that man had always freaked Angelina out). She saw the man send out the hex and Ginny rush to pull the girl out of the way.

Luckily the idiot seemed to be preoccupied with watching them and Angelina rose her own wand a small grin on her face, "Stupefy!" She yelled, and was surprised to hear in unison a deeper male voice scream out the same.

She looked up and found Ron looking down at the man, his face tight.

Ron watched Hermione carefully from his own position. He vowed not to get involved until it became absolutely necessary. No point taking hexes from her. The bastard was maniacal. That's what he hated about the Death Eaters. They made everything so fucking personal.

She was holding her own pretty well, and Ron didn't spring into action until the tree she was hiding behind exploded. He sent a quick confundus in the bastards direction, cursing when it failed to hit its mark, and springing out from behind the tree when he saw the ball of fire that he aimed at Hermione.

He was quick enough to reach her, but Ginny had pushed her out of the way before it could hit her full on. His heart was pounding in his chest as he ran closer, shouting a "Stupefy," at the bastard. Apparently he wasn't the only one who'd thought of it. He watched him hit the ground like a rock as Angelina's own spell hit him at the same time.

Ron looked down at the man. "Long time no see, Ang," he told her before running off toward Hermione and Ginny. If they were hurt he would turn right back around and make the bastard pay.

Natasha was laughing. Laughing so hard she could hardly do any more hexes. Things were easy, so utterly easy and she had already hurt so many of them.

But how could she resist a prize like that?

She watched the red head crouching behind a tree while his friend was getting hurt. Slowly she tiptoed close to him, watching as he finally moved. As they hit Peter with the curse, she sprung to action, casting the curse silently from behind her hidden position.

It took all the will power in the world for her not to laugh out loud with her success. He was doubled over, moaning with agony. That would pass soon of course, but then came starvation...she was only sad she wouldn't see him die from her curse.

Hermione had laid there for a moment longer, the air having been knocked out of her before she pushed herself up. Pushing her hair out of her face, she looked around. She saw Ginny next to her and put two and two together and realised that it was Ginny who had saved her from that fire ball.

Turning to look around, she Ron get hit by something and gasped. "Ron!" she shouted, pushing herself up, she half ran, half crawled to get to him.

Within a matter of seconds, she was at his side, turning him over onto his back and looking down at him. She scanned his body to see if she could quickly diagnose what was wrong with him, but there wasn't time to do it thoroughly. The battle was still raging on around them and, as she looked around to make sure there weren't any Death Eaters near, she sent up a red spark, hoping someone got there soon.

Her back felt like it was on fire, the skin scorched, but she held back the pain. She didn't want Hermione to worry, and Ron clearly needed help more than she did.

She looked around for the bitch who had thrown the curse at Ron, but she didn't see anyone.

She scrambled over to where Ron lay, her back protesting all the while, but she once more ignored the pain. Ron was what was important now.

"We can't wait for help," she said, placing shaking hands on Ron's shoulder. "I'm getting him to safety, you go help Harry," she gestured to where Harry was playing hero and fighting off three Death Eaters at once, keeping them away from his fallen friends.

She looked over at Angelina, and said, "Stay with Hermione, I'll be back as soon as I can."

Without waiting for a reply, she Apparated them both back to the Healer's tent.

Harry dodged another curse sent by a Death Eater before sending his own stunner at it. From the corner of his eye he saw Ron go down. Shortly after he saw Ginny reach his side and apparate them both away.

He saw another curse head his way and half fell onto the ground to dodge it. He wondered how many others were done but quickly pushed the thought out of his head. There would be time to worry about others after the hexes stopped flying.

He saw Hermione coming closer to him and couldn't help but call out, "Are Ron and Ginny alright?" Before turning and firing off another stunner.

Though her shoulder burned from the fire ball that grazed her back when Ginny took her down, Hermione grit her teeth and simply ignored it. There would be time later for when she could get it taken care of, for now, as she looked across the way at Harry, she needed to help her best friend. Putting all anxiety aside about Ron, she pushed herself up and moved quickly to Harry's side.

"They'll be okay!" she shouted back at him, turning her back to Harry and firing an Expelliarmus at an approaching Death Eater. It was a typical stance, one they'd done many times, only Ron was missing as the missing angle of their little triangle.

Minerva watched as their troops walked towards the Death Eater encampment. She stayed with those near the front, not planning on sitting back and resting on her laurels.

This was for Alastor. He would have wanted her to do this - and she had drummed up enough anger to go up against Bellatrix herself - if she were there. Of course, she wasn't as foolish as a young buck, and hoped this conflict wasn't going to be too harsh.

She could already hear the cries and see the sparks from spells. The magic was buzzing all around, and she carefully kept herself hidden amongst the trees.

Tiberius stayed close to Minerva, keeping his wand at the ready and ignoring the complaints of his old bones. The woman would get herself killed trying to avenge Moody, and Tiberius was going to make sure that didn't happen. Spells were already flying, and he could hear screams mingled with shouts echoing around them.

"How do you want to work this?" he whispered to her, as they made their way closer to the battle.

Minerva was a little frustrated that Tiberius was sticking so close to her. The man must have thought she needed protection. Had he forgotten just how deft she could be with a wand?

"We need to determine just if our numbers match, or if we're outnumbered. If we are, then I think it would be best to do as much damage as possible, then retreat.

"I'd like to not actually have to engage..." just then, a spell whizzed past her ear, and she dodged to the side, falling over as she lost her balance.

She didn't grumble as Tiberius helped her up, but she did try to get to the nearest cover of the bushes.

He growled as Minerva fell to the ground, sending a Stunning hex back toward the idiot who'd tried to hurt her.

He reached down and helped her to her feet.

"Don't think we have time for that, my dear," he said as he saw three Death Eaters coming for them. "We're just going to have to wing it."

He sent another Stunning hex toward the group, and grabbed her arm, moving them closer to the trees for cover.

"You get the one on the right, I'll take left, and then we'll both go down the middle," he whispered.

Minerva had her wand at the ready, merely nodding as Tiberius suggested she take the one on the right.

A stunning hex passed her lips and out her wand as she aimed at the death eater approaching from the right. She had to dodge more hexes, and finally felled one of the nasty buggers as they headed into true battle.

As they came out of the cover of the bushes, Minerva recognised old Alasdair Madley. The man had been casting Crucio at someone on the ground, and Minerva aimed a quick stunner at his direction.

Tiberius easily took out the younger of the three Death Eaters, Stunning and Binding him before turning his attention to the wizard in the middle.

Well, bloody hell, Tiberius thought, an evil smile growing over his face.

Alasdair Madley. One of Voldemort's first sycophants. It was fitting, he thought, that they should face this man in battle. They'd done it before, a long time ago.

Madley sent a spell at Minerva, who quickly blocked, and Tiberius sent a spell back to him--only to hit empty air.

"Clever bastard," he murmured to Minerva, as they turned together to see where he'd ended up.

Tiberius sent a Blasting curse in his direction, as Minerva set up a protection shield.

Alasdair was no more a fool than that woman was...and more importantly he knew her magic. It was a trick, to sense other people's magic.

Apparating to right in front of her, he cast a simple spell - too simple, to be held by the wards even. He laughed as he saw the surprised look on their faces, but was gone before they had a chance to react. From his hidden position, he could see Minerva McGonagall trying to spin around in search for him. More importantly he could se her standing less secure than before, could her reaching out as she nearly lost her balance.

He didn't keep watching. All of a sudden Minerva McGonagall was no longer interesting to watch.

Minerva was not as fast on her feet as she once was. Facing down an opponent, she could rattle off spells and hexes and hold her own, but in the face of a moving target, she wasn't so secure.

She sensed Tiberius had her back, and she gripped her wand firmly. Hearing a yell nearby, she looked up and saw Harry engaging a couple of Death Eaters, but she didn't have time to be concerned for him. Harry could hold his own, and she needed to watch out for her own safety.

Minerva waited for Madley to pop back and engage them, but his disappearance unnerved her. A stray spell shot out at the shield, and she spun back to counteract it.

Spinning on her heel, she now faced the same wall of bushes as Tiberius, who was fending off another flurry of spells coming from behind them.

She deflected a few spells, and managed to twirl out of the way of a killing curse.

In the adrenalin filled rush after that, she didn't feel the spell that slammed into her back. Letting out a frustated cry, she fell to the ground, the back of her head hitting the ground hard.

Tiberius was not one to swear, but when he saw Minerva go down, he lost it. He sent a fierce cutting charm toward the death eater, followed quickly by a piercing hex and impedimenta, hoping that the combination of spells would give him enough time to get Minerva to safety.

He dropped to his knees, ignoring the protest of his joints, and rifled in her robes. "Come on, I know it's here," he muttered, his hand closing around the emergency Portkey finally.

He wrapped her unresponsive hand around it, and carefully activated it with his wand, and sighed in relief as she was sucked through it to the Hogwarts Infirmary.

He climbed to his feet, his knees cracking, and noticed that Madley was no where to be seen, he kept his wand at the ready, as he scanned the battlefield.

Goyle was still cursing and swearing at the bastard who managed to get off a slashing curse on his arm. There was blood everywhere and he was completely naff at doing any healing charms.

Standing behind the bushes, he noticed a long haired git wandering around with a determined look on his face. He was no death eater, Goyle knew that much, and he smirked. He raised his wand and sent a slashing curse the way of the enemy, but the scumbag turned at the last minute, and all he managed was to chop a couple of inches off his hair.

He snorted, and came out from the bushes.

Goyle dodged the blast hex sent his way and rubbed the sweat out of his eyes with his hand. He forgot about the blood that was still streaming down his arm from the earlier curse.

He hated fighting on an empty stomach. It fuelled his anger, sure, but he also hurried a little too much, and became sloppy.

Never one to be terribly imaginative, Goyle recognised the spell that had been aimed at him, and aimed his own at the runt. He could probably take this guy on in a fist fight, and unlike some of his contemporaries, Goyle was not averse to busting heads the muggle way.

As Kevin recovered, he saw the man turn and forget him. He shook his head, his eyes coming into focus just in time to see the Death Eater raise his wand to curse someone.

Kevin's anger quickly rose as he raised his wand. This man was going to basically leave him to die, then continue his work. Time seemed to move slowly as he set himself, not even thinking when the two words came from his mouth.

"Avada Kedavra!!

He watched the flash of green light hit the man square. His body froze, and then fell to the ground with a sickening thud. Kevin's anger turned to disbelief as he fell to his knees.

Oh... my... gods...

He suddenly felt a sharp pain in his left arm. He put his hand on his bicep, yelping at the sharp pain. Damn... probably broken... Knowing he could go no further, he lifted his wand and sent red sparks into the air. He sat back, staring into the distance, the same thought going through his head over and over.

What have I done?

Ted moved around the battlefield quickly, hexing death eaters left and right as he made his way to Bellatrix, who was in the thick of the battle, throwing off curses left and right.

As he got closer, he pointed his wand at her and cried, "Expelliarmus!"

He watched in horror as the spell ricocheted off of her and hit someone completely different.

He swallowed, pulling himself into a dueling position as he turned around and saw him.

Bellatrix was in her element as cries of pain echoed in her ears - some caused by her and some caused by others.

She had just turned when she felt a spell hit her shield charms, then bounce away. Bellatrix cocked her head towards the wizard that was near and laughed gleefully when she recognized him. "Brother. You should know better than come to a tea party when you aren't invited," Bellatrix admonished.

Tongue to the corner of her mouth, she grinned as he made the stance against her. It was oh too good to be true - to take down the mudblood that her foolish sister had fallen in love with.

In an exaggerated motion, Bellatrix bowed, never taking her eyes off Ted Tonks, then crouched with her wand overhead. "Do your worst."

"I'm not your brother, Bellatrix. Your family disowned my wife, if you remember correctly." He tutted. "It's a shame you're already beginning to lose your memory."

He sneered at her exaggerated pose and brought his wand overhead, casting the first curse, bringing his arm down and watching as the jet of light sped out of his wand.

As he watched her, he wished he had spoken to daughter one last time before going into battle.

Holding the curse as long as she felt, she let the wizard fall panting and moaning onto the ground. "You're pathetic - you and the rest of those mudbloods who pollute our world. You disgust us," Bellatrix scowled, her face contorted in a grimace of distaste.

She spat into the face of the tortured Ted Tonks before giving him final release. "You die knowing that you won't be the last of your line to fall under my wand."

"Avada Kedavra!"

Katie had been busy, to say the least. There had been an odd number of people, so she'd quietly opted out of the partner thing. It was easier. She wouldn't have anyone else to worry about, and it was a much more efficient way for her to work. She'd fallen into the battle with a will. Katie was very, silently, scarily efficient when she had to be. The laid back, energetic and relaxed person she normally was, fell away.

What was left was a grim, serious, hard, and quiet Auror. She hadn't been doing it for seven years for nothing. Her body fell into familiar patterns, and Katie kept focused. She didn't let the sounds of people in pain, of injuries, of laughs, of curses distract her. She couldn't afford it. Fred wasn't allowed to be in the front of her mind. He was in the back, a constant feeling that kept her centered.

Her wand flicked and her voice calmly delivered hexes, her body carefully barricaded behind some rubble. A pair of Death Eater's were her target this time. Katie's blue eyes flicked over her cover and her hand moved quickly. "Impedimentia!"

The spell hit one of the Death Eaters, and Katie allowed herself a grim smile. Unfortunately, it also alerted the other to her position and she dropped down as a particularly nasty curse flew above head. Damn it. Well, at least she'd gotten one down first.

Williamson was in his element. Death Eaters were falling all around him, mostly stunned, some more serious than that, and his blood was pumping fast. He'd lost his partner awhile back, the younger man having taken a Blasting Hex to the back, and gone down.

Williamson had done what he could for the boy, but hadn't had time to Apparate the boy to the medical tent, and had sent up red sparks before hurrying after the Death Eater who'd attacked them.

He lost track of time, flinging spells left and right, paying attention to nothing but his wand and his targets.

He caught sight of a flash of dark hair, and saw Bell holding her own against a team of Death Eaters. He sent Impedimentia toward one of the Death Eaters, and fought his way over to her side.

They made quick work of the other three Death Eaters, and stood panting side by side.

"You okay?" he asked her, eyes searching for any obvious injury and seeing none. He looked up and froze.

Rodolphus Lestrange himself with his back almost completely turned toward them. He nodded in that direction to Katie, silently telling her that they would have one chance at this, and the opportunity couldn't pass them by.

He raised his wand and sent the most powerful silent Hex in his arsenal towards him, before grabbing Katie's arm and pulling her towards the tree line, wanting to draw Lestrange to a less populated area.

Rodolphus stalked across the battlefield unchallenged. He found it both delightful and frustrating. He scowled a bit, his unchallenged was not like his wife and his brother, who both simple faced lesser foes and therefore found not testing in it. It was instead as though he were invisible as wraith, unseen, unheard, and untested.

He knew they would win the battle, but he had also seen the cost. Those of his wife’s banner would fall never to rise again, at least not as living humans. Those they fought, would find pain and suffering, but most would survive to fight another day. I will have to talk to Rabastan about increasing the training, they still fight too alone, and are therefore beaten by the joined pairs our foes field.

He closed his eyes then, the images coming suddenly. A pair fo foes, one man one woman. Both skilled, but not a pair. The man raised his wand and.....

Rodolphus turned suddenly, meeting Williamson’s eyes. He grunted in the brief moment of pain as the piercing hex struck his side, no longer on target due to Rodolphus own movement.

“Finally.” He tightened his grip and followed, an evil smile filled his face.

Katie acknowledged Williamson with a nod and then focused on helping him dispatch the other three remaining Death Eaters around them. Once they had that dealt with, Katie brushed her hair out of her face and took a deep breath. She snorted and brushed his question aside. "I'm fine." His sudden freezing made her arch an eyebrow at him and glance in the direction he indicated. Her face went cold.

Rodolphus Lestrange. His back was to them. Her expression went icy. Bloody Bastard.

Muscles tense, she was ready when Williamson sent off a hex and then grabbed her arm. She understood his logic. Putting on a burst of speed, she headed straight for the tree line, shaking her arm loose from his grip as soon as she got going. It didn't take the Death Eater long to come after them. Moments in fact.

She turned as they neared the trees, and with grim snarl, sent off one of her more vicious hexes back at Lestrange. Bloody arsehole. Eyes darting to Williamson, she raised an eyebrow. She would let him take the lead on this.

Williamson noticed that his hex hadn't hit with the same force as usual, and wondered how the bastard had known it was coming. Some sort of alert spell most likely.

He used a tree for cover as Bell sent a nonverbal spell in Lestranges direction and smiled slightly. She had balls this one.

He looked around the tree and saw that Lestrange had gotten closer.

He cast Impedimentia, hoping it would slow him down, and immediately followed that with a volley of three Hexes, hoping that at least one would find their mark.

He didn't waste time with inane commentary, having never thought that battle was a good place for that.

Rodolphus batted the woman’s silenced hex away with a flick of his wand. He may not have had the offensive timing of his wife and brother, but Rodolphus could well enough defend himself. He once again thanked the his forethought at drinking the medicinal potion before arriving, it meant that his knee would give him little trouble.

He had never been one for many quick spells, hence his dislike for spell duels. Ye he had always been able to work numerous long and slow charms, so shielding spells of the basic variety were almost always on his person. More so when he had field work that needed done.

He sighed loudly as the 4th of the man’s spells, a slashing hex, struck him on the upper part of his face, laying open a glancing wound and flap of skin.. He had, up to that point, simply closed with them at a walk. His pace suddenly quickened as he seemed to almost throw himself over the last 10 meters.

“Enough games, time to meet pain.” The sword in his other hand came up then, the light catching in all the runes and symbols worked in etched-relief along the blade. Rodolphus hand flashed out then, his fist, cross-guard and all the weight from his movement headed right for Katie’s face.

The four spells Williamson sent at Lestrange right after hers didn't seem to do much at all. The last seemed to make some indentation, but not anything worth mentioning. Katie swore inwardly. Fuck. That was not good.

She whipped off a last Impedimentia at him as he almost flew the last 10 meters to where she and the other Auror were standing. It didn't exactly work, and Katie found herself right in front of the Death Eater.

His sword was up and she barely had time to even attempt a dodge before his fist was heading at her face. She was quick, and she mostly got out of the way of his punch. His fist landed a glancing blow, and her head turned to the side. She managed to snap a fist at his face before the sudden shock of something metal against her head made everything go dark.

Sight going black, she could feel her knees give and her body start to crumple before she passed out. The last thought in her mind was something along the lines of: You fucking idiot. You forgot the sword.

Williamson swore as Bell went down. He had to do something before Lestrange used that bloody big sword to finish her off.

Reaching for the closest thing to him, a large rock, he threw it with perfect aim toward the bastard's head, and used the few seconds before Lestrange turned toward him to Transfigure his own sword from a tree branch.

He'd never been one to keep on with a line of attack that wasn't working, and for some reason, Lestrange seemed to be immune to most of his offensive magic. Casting a strong sharpening spell, he stowed his wand in his robes, and lifted the sword into position.

He knew he would be outmatched, but hopefully he could keep the insane bastard occupied enough for Bell to be rescued.

Sword held easily in his hands, he waited, circling his opponent slowly.

This is no different from fencing, Xavier, he told himself. Just a little more dangerous.

Rodolphus grunted as the young witches fist found his cheek. Still he knew the flat of his blade had landed properly, from the way she seemed to suddenly slip to the ground like a rag doll. He ‘saw’ the stone fly at his head, and only just managed to not be there when it arrived.

Yes, he was older, and not as skilled in the art of spell slinging as either his brother or his wife. Yet he still smiled, for just that reason, and his gifts, he was able to counter most spells thrown at him. He chuckled lightly as the Auror created a sword.

“Ah you have come to see reason, though I must say the last bit you threw seemed a bit more solid..” He looked over his foe and noticed the man take up a fencing stance. “So you do have some training in the way we wizards once settled things. I give you this one chance to choose, to the blood or to the death?”

The man was clearly insane, Williamson thought. He was acting as if they were in some sort of gentleman's duel. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a Wizard in Healer's robes Apparate Katie away and he let relief wash over him.

He didn't know if he could worry about her and fight this psychotic bastard at the same time.

And he was not foolish enough to think that he could win this fight. Lestrange was clearly at home with a sword in his hand, and Williamson found it awkward and heavy.

So he did the only thing that would allow him to live and fight another day.

"To the blood." His voice was firm and strong, none of the apprehension he was feeling evident in his voice.

Rodolphus smiled as his foe met his eyes for even the briefest of moments. “Just because we are foes does not mean we cannot offer the other courteous combat. You will find that, unlike my wife, I do not need to kill all that cross my path.”

He then raised his blade in a small salute, bringing it back into an en guard stance. “Let us see if you stick is well enough to stand against my blood-quenched blade.”

Rodolphus face set then, as he sprang forward. His blade came toward the man at a high angle of attack. It had been so long since he had faced anyone but Rabastan.

Williamson resisted the urge to roll his eyes. What was with these people and their need to talk during battle. It was ridiculous.

Instead of replying, he raised his sword just in time to counter Lestrange's blow. The blades met with a clash, and they parried back and forth, before Williamson used his upper body strength to push Lestrange away from him.

Not waiting for the man to find his footing before swinging the sword up in a wide arch, hoping to get past the man's guard and disarm him.

Rodolphus sighed sadly. The man before him made many of the same mistakes Rabastan had when Rodolphus had first started sparing with him. He assumed that strength was what one needed to win.

As with Rabastan, he would find himself wrong, luckily for the Auror, this was a testing, not a fight to the death. No matter how the other man may have viewed him, this was a thing of honor.

Rodolphus allowed the man’s blade to slide along his own. As their cross-guards touched, he twisted, the other man’s weight shifted along the crossed blades. The Auror’s momentum carrying him further, past the Death Eater.

Rodolphus turned then, his tip flashed out, piercing the Auror’s thigh, even as the man tried to set his guard again.

Rodolphus raised his sword above his head, striking down at the Auror. The man raised his blade to defend himself, even as their blades touched Rodolphus spoke a single word.

“Finite.” His blade flared for a moment, when it finished, the Auror was left holding the stub of a split stick.

Rodolphus glared at the man. “Next time bring a real blade if you seek to stand against a Lestrange.” He turned then and stalked off to find his wife.

Seemed he'd made a mistake with brute force, Williamson realized just before he crashed to the ground. He wouldn't make that same mistake next time.

And as Rodolphus stalked away, leaving him with what was left of his dignity, a broken stick, and a gaping wound in his thigh.

But he was alive, and next time he'd be prepared.

He ignored the pain and retrieved his wand from its sheath, casting a simple healing charm to stop the bleeding and stumbled to his feet, just in time to see the Lestranges retreating, calling up the Inferi as cover.

"Well, fuck," Williamson exclaimed, watching as the Inferi attacked. He struggled to his feet and, without thought to his own safety, rushed back into battle.

Bellatrix swiftly met her husband on the field, circling him so that they were back to back, checking each direction for any new attackers. "It seems that our tea party has been sufficiently ruined, my love. How I do hate it when that happens."

The formidable witch surveyed the field, her nostrils flaring with the scent of blood and the ozone of cast spells. "Our losses are unfortunate, but permittable. However, our guests have incurred more injury than death. Disappointing. Shall we depart and live to see the dawn?"

Rodolphus glanced about seeing his brother approaching them. "Yes my pet, they were very rude and ill prepared for their party crashing," he chuckled.

"Of course we will live see to the dawn. None who have stood against us have faired well. Let them go and lick their wounds and we will reserve our strength for another day."

Rodolphus then thrust his sword into the earth, bringing up his wand and worked a spell. Suddenly the ground began to shift in the centre of the camp as three Inferi rose. The undead creatures shambled towards the nearest of the death eaters' foes.

"That should keep the fools busy while we return to the manor," Rodolphus said intensely. He withdrew his sword and with his wife walked to join his brother. In a blink of an eye, the three vanished. The remainder of the death eater forces soon followed using the Inferi as cover.

Tiberius moved swiftly through the battlefield, defending himself when necessary and hexing any Death Eaters in his path. He was angrier than he'd ever remembered being, worry for Minerva and his employees driving him forward.

There were so many injuries, too many to count, and he knew that if this continued, there would be no one left standing at the end.

He was about to send up the signal to retreat when he spotted the Lestranges standing in the center of the field. To his horror three Inferi, unnatural, dangerous creatures, rose from the earth, and the Lestranges disappeared.

He sent up the flare, the one thing that the Order, the Aurors and the independents had agreed upon, and hoped it would be soon enough.

Kingsley was just back from the med tent- and pushing the images from his mind. He and Williamson had agreed to both go in and take seperate sides of the feild to deal with the wounded and dead. Most of their auror's had taken serious injury- but there were no deaths, aside from Moody's.

He had already sent two wounded death eaters to the prison ward of the Shack via Port Key. Normally, he would have apparated them himself- but there was too much to be done. Kingsley felt a sneer cross his face as he came upon the body of Gregory Goyle Jr.- dead. He banished the body and moved on, glad to be rid of the fool.

As Kingsley walked past a bush, he heard a slight rustle and turned, wand already up. But he saw nothing. Quickly he cast a revealing charm and was shocked to see Tonks.

"Tonks, are you alright?" He was down on his knee in front of her, helping her to her feet. "Injuries?" His eyes scanned her body, professionally, there was an oozing wound on her upper arm, but other wise she seemed fine. He cast a cleansing charm on it, to survey the severity.

Though relieved at first to still be alive, Tonks grew increasingly more bitter at being left to lie there while the battle raged around her, unable to participate. She had no idea what was happening or who was winning. She didn't know where Remus was or if he was okay. And she had no idea how her father had ended up there or where he was now.

Dueling pairs fought by her from time to time, but she was too well hidden for anyone to come across her, and she was forced to lie there immobile until the full hour was up. Only then did the binding charm begin to dissipate. She had just begun to wriggle her way free when Kingsley, apparently checking for wounded, came across her.

'Yes, dammit!' she almost snarled, she was so disgusted with having been left like that. 'I'm fine. Just a few scratches. My pride is far worse off....' she told him.

She looked at her arm, having forgotten about it. 'Thanks,' she said. Good thing they had brought it down to an ooze or she would have died from blood loss in spite of Snape.

'I can't believe I let this happen!' she exploded, still completely disgusted with herself.

Kingsley had always taken matters about Tonks a little personally- she was one of the first he'd trained and he'd always felt very proud of her. However, he was a little bitter that she'd left the team and without (in his eyes) a good reason.

But this was not the time for opinions.

He was hardly surprised at her anger, he knew Tonks and knew she wouldn't have been content to be hidden under a bush. But, he could use her help and had always had little paitence for self-loathing in situations like these.

"Get ahold of yourself Tonks. Williamson and I are on clean up, the battle is over. Whatever happened, happened. Understand?" He knew she'd calm down soon, she hadn't been gone for long enough to completely ignore everything he'd taught her.

"Do you need to go to the med tent?"

Lee's firm tone and no nonsense words were just what Tonks needed to hear. She brushed herself off, answering, 'No, no, I'm fine. It'll wait...'

She looked around the surroundings, noting the diminished noise levels. The battle was obviously over, and the Aurors were now searching for survivors. 'What happened?' she asked quietly, after summoning her wand. She was lucky it wasn't broken, buried the way it had been under leaves and brush.

Kingsley nodded and started to continue his search with Tonks. "Well, the Lestrange's and Death Eaters retreated a little while ago. There have been a lot of injuries and a fair amount of casualties."

It was nice to be working with her again, even under such grim circumstances. He thought of when the two had been partners and his mind flashed to the image of Katie in the med tent. Kingsley was angry at himself for not making sure she was alright on the feild and pairing with Charlie instead. She is good, she knows her stuff. Charlie needed you more.

"We are working our way to the center, McLaggen, Johnson, and Williamson are out here as well.

What happened with you?"

They moved on in the direction Lee had been headed, checking any bodies they came across. 'Yeah, I imagine,' she said. 'Can we consider it a win? Or a draw...?' she asked.

She made a sound of exasperation. 'Snape,' she said shortly. 'I don't know what he thought he was doing. He sent several binding spells and stunning spells, but no killing curses or really anything much that would even wound...' She shook her head. She still didn't understand it. 'And then I got distracted, and he had me dead to rights. I should be dead, Lee, and I wouldn't have been able to do anything to stop it. But he just stuck me in the bushes and hid me. Even set the bindings to release after an hour.... I just don't understand what he thought he was accomplishing!'

He nodded grimly. "From the body count it looks like we may have come out ahead, but it's too early to tell."

He nodded when she mentioned Severus. Kingsley was very interested to hear of Snapes actions- but not at all surprised. He made a mental note to let Minerva know later.

Kingsley checked the two bodies in front of him, both dead. It seemed they had done eachother in. He banished them before moving on.

As they moved closer to the center of the camp, Kingsley spotted three figures in the distance. The inferi Tiberius had reported. He wasn't stupid enough to get close, but he needed to get to the bodies between them.

He nodded to Tonks, making sure she was aware of them before moving towards the next closest body. It appeared to be a male, middle-aged, dead. Kingsley's jaw clenched as his eyes fell upon the lifeless face. He knew this man.

'Fine thing when we're counting bodies to see who won...' Tonks remarked.

Lee didn't seem all that surprised to hear about Snape's odd behaviour. 'What do you know?' she asked softly, looking at him shrewdly. 'Or what do you suspect, at least, since it's more likely to be that. If you knew something and were hiding it, you'd have a better poker face.'

They moved ever nearer the center of camp, banishing bodies and calling for healers to take the injured to help. At this point, however, most of the injured had already been taken away. She nodded at the inferi, hoping they'd eventually shamble somewhere else so somone could get at the bodies they were currently hovering around.

She was scanning the area around them when Lee stopped at the next body, and she turned to look at him. 'What...?' she started to say. She knew from his clenched jaw that he knew this one. She looked down.

Tonks felt her heart hammer painfully in her chest, and it suddenly seemed as if all the air in the clearing had been taken away. She clutched at Lee's arm, her fingers curling into something that had to be painful as her mind struggled to make sense of the sight before her. 'Dad?' she choked out through a throat that suddenly seemed closed.

'We need a healer, Lee!' she said, her eyes stinging as she fell to her knees beside her father. 'Lee?' she repeated, looking up.

Tonks felt like something had her in a vise, like something was crushing her chest and keeping her from breathing. 'Dad?' she called as Lee grabbed her by the arms, pulling her up.

'No!' she insisted. 'No, he can't be! He's not even supposed to be here! What was he doing here? He was supposed to be home with my mum where it was safe!' She grabbed at Lee's robes, turning a stricken face up to his. 'What the hell was he doing here, Lee???' she wailed.

Her knees gave way, and she started to fall, sobs tearing at her throat.

Kingsley let her wail and take her shock out on him. She was strong, but he didn't mind. When her knees gave out he put an arm under her own and her knees, lifting her off the ground.

"Shh. Calm down girl. C'mon" He held her close, trying to be as supportive as possible- she had broken into shuddering sobs and he knew that this was no place for her right now. He sent a message to Williamson, explaining the situation and that he'd be back soon.

"I'm going to side-along you Nym, hold on, alright?" She didn't seem to take notice to his words so he made sure he had ahold of her and apparated into Hogsmeade. It was only a short walk from the apparation point to her home.

Kingsley took her to the couch and tried to calm her down, not wanting to leave her alone right now...

The wrenching feeling of apparition barely registered with Tonks, she was so caught up in the pain and grief that was welling up from deep inside. When she found herself sitting, she pulled her knees up to her chest and buried her face against her knees, her sobs tearing at her chest and stomach as she cried.

By the time she was done, her eyes were swollen and her nose was running, but she was able to think again. 'You can't stay, Lee,' she said. 'You have a job to do.' She sighed. 'And so do I....' She rubbed her head, forcing the tears back. 'Can you find me some parchment? I need to tell Remus what's happened and where I've gone....'

She pushed damp hair out of her face. 'I need to get to my mother before she hears from someone else...' Tonks frowned. It was the last job she'd ever expected to have to do, and her breath caught in her throat as the thought of the thing she'd hoped to share with her mum came to mind. That already seemed so long ago...

She scribbled a quick message to Remus to tell him about her father and that she was going to break the news to her mum and that she would probably be there for awhile.

'I'll post this on the way to the apparition point...' she said.