The Third War by dumbledorefluertwins
Chapter Notes: You're all going to be so annoyed with me, especially with the big cliffe at the end of this chapter but I'm probably not going to update until AFTER new years! Sorry!
On another, completely diffeernt note, I would like to dedicate this chapter to the victims, and the families of the victims, of the Ipswich Ripper. I live very close to Ipswich and everyone I know has been greatly shocked and saddened by the news. All my hopes lie in the police.
The night was deathly silent and pitch black. Nothing stirred; even the owls could not see, because there was no moonlight to guide them. Not even the wind made a sound as it swept through Little Hangleton’s graveyard.
A small bead of light appeared, softly illuminating the face of a thin young man, cloaked in thick black material, waiting. He was nervous, yet excited at the prospect of finally becoming accepted into the group. He just had to do a small task first. They didn’t trust him, he knew that, but tonight he’d finally be able to get his mask.
He waited. The glowing tip of his wand the only source of comfort in the dark night. He allowed it to grow a little bigger and brighter so he could view his surroundings. Well, he was in a legendry place. The light fell upon a tree, which had once been tall and strong and green, but was now black, burnt, and dead.
That was where the Dark Lord fell. He’d be so pleased if he could hear of what we’re doing for him! The man thought, gloatingly. He smiled a sick, twisted smile. I wonder what’ll happen to Potter. It would be fun to watch him scream, I missed out last time. But I’d make sure that he was truly dead this time before leaving.
He heard footsteps behind him and he twisted around in fear “ what if it was an Auror? The light soon lit up a pair of dark eyes behind a mask and the man lowered his wand.
“You’re the new recruit they sent?” The man blinked, he’d been told that their leader would meet him there, but he hadn’t expected it to be a woman.
“And why not? Do you believe I’d be weak because of my gender?” she snapped. The man shivered with fear as he realised that she was skilled in Occlumency.
“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean-” She raised a hand to silence him, her long fingernails painted black.
“Tonight we shall be attacking Hogwarts “ we shall be looking for these children.” She handed him a slip of parchment with seven names written in dark blue ink. Two he didn’t know but he recognised a few names; Conlon, Lupin and-
“All three Potters?” He hissed in amazement, “They’ll be hard to get, even they don’t know how much protection their father has placed on them.” The woman nodded.
“The Potters are magnets for trouble. It’s just sad that three of the Seven come from one family,” she said with a small laugh. “Two of our members are dealing with the youngest; he’ll be taken in a few days but as for the older two… Just make sure that you don’t use an Unforgivable, jinx, hex or a stunning spell.”
“Then what should I use?”
“I recommend a freezing charm and then… just knock them out with a rock,” she shrugged. He nodded, his steely grey eyes calculating.
“How do we get into Hogwarts?” She smiled.
“The wards are being broken as we speak, however when they are broken a siren will go off, so we won’t have long. We, along with a few others will sneak into the castle while Snape leads a group of around fifty. They will draw the teachers and guardians out and keep them near the lake, so we can get to the children without any problems.” The man nodded. Bella grinned evilly and they both Disapparated.
***
“GET UP! GET UP NOW!” Jamie felt himself being shaken roughly awake and as he opened his dark brown eyes, he found himself looking into the grim face of his father, who looked unusually scared. No sooner than he registered who it was then Harry moved to the next bed and woke Matt up in the same way.
Jamie could hear a siren wailing loudly and he panicked as he realised what it meant; the wards had been broken. By now, Harry’s shouting combined with the siren had woken the dorm up.
“GO STRAIGHT DOWN TO THE GREAT HALL “ NO DETOURS OR SHORT CUTS! STICK TOGETHER!” The boys all raced down the stairs into the Common room where the last few girls were making their way out through the portrait. There was a small scram to get out, with everyone trying to climb through at the same time but before long Jamie was out and franticly looking for his sister.
“Jamie!” Lillian grabbed her brothers arm, her eyes wide with fear.
“Lily! What’s going on? Is it a drill?” She shrugged helplessly, shaking her head.
“I don’t know! Dad looked really scared and-”
“MOVE! GO! THERE’S NO TIME, GO!” They realised that the rest of their year were already making thier way down the stairs and began to run after them. Jamie looked back in time to see his father going back into the Gryffindor tower to wake the remaining students. But in doing so he’d slowed down and they’d lost their classmates.
“C’mon,” whimpered Lillian in a scared voice, tugging his arm and gesturing towards a tapestry which she knew hid a passageway. He shook his head and tried to tug back.
“It’s a shortcut “ we’ll get there quicker!”
“Dad said no shortcuts!” He could feel his heart beating loudly in his chest; he was shaking with adrenaline and fear.
“He also said stick together “ we’ll meet up with the rest of the year if we go this way!” Jamie reluctantly followed her through the tapestry.
***
The last of the seventh years ran out of the common room. Harry was pleased at how quickly he’d got them out, he only hoped none were tempted to leave the castle or take short cuts. He ran down to the Entrance Hall, where Ginny was standing, her wand at the ready.
“I’m guarding in case any Death Eaters come “ the battle’s going on down by the lake. There’s around thirty Aurors and all the teachers except Slughorn and Trelawney “ they’re looking after the kids.”
“Tonks, Kingsley, Krum?” Ginny shook her head.
“None have come down yet, but Tonks should be down soon; I saw some sixth years go into the Great Hall about a minute ago.”
“I’ll go with out her then.”
“Don’t get killed.” Harry smiled.
“I’ll try not to; it would be very annoying.” He kissed her and ran into the night.
***
Danny looked out the large floor-to-ceiling windows in the Great Hall, his gaze focused towards the Lake, where flashes of light could be seen.
“Danny! Danny!” He turned, trying to find the person calling his name. He soon saw her, in the shadows beside a suit of armour. She had long black hair and the hand that was waving at him had long fingernails painted black.
“Over here! Quick!” He recognised her from somewhere… still his curiosity got the better of him and he moved towards her, unnoticed by any of the surrounding students.