Purpose

~ Chapter 33: A Dark Samhain ~

Thursday, 25^th October. In the Great Hall...

Nearly a month had passed quickly, with the School growing stronger from within. Deep-set enmities that had been cultivated for decades between the Slytherins and the students from the other three Houses were weakening with each passing second. Though there was little to laugh about these days, the students find themselves laughing every so often with the new products by the Weasley twins.

A few things had happened during the one month, which included the silent engagement between the two Defence teachers. It was supposed to be a secret but either someone had managed to be at the wrong place at the right time, or Ginny had slowly passed the rumor through the students' ranks. That particular rumor slowly drifted up toward the staff level and McGonagall and Flitwick had cornered the Potions Master to interrogate him-- if you could say that he had been interrogated when he had cheerfully acknowledged that he had been a witness. Occasional darkness had also occurred during that time span.

Several attacks had been attempted on the Ministry of Magic but due to their good intelligence network, the Ministry had ample time to prepare themselves for the attack. As a result, several Death Eaters and some Muggles that were working for the notorious company had been apprehended, only to have the Death Eaters escape again with the help of Dementors. Madam Bones had personally told Dumbledore the Death Eaters were more trouble than what they worth. She had said angrily, "Every single time we capture them, the Muggles are always with them too! Why can't they also take the Muggles with them when they escape?" She had also said that the Ministry was actually considering exterminating the Death Eaters on the spot the next time they visit the Ministry. It seemed that the Ministry was getting tired with the constant attention the Dark Lord was giving them, since they were determined enough to lose their chance of interrogating a Death Eater for information about the Dark Lord's movement.

Hogwarts seemed to be so filled with energy and that made the house-elves feel more energized than ever and had demanded the Headmaster to give them something important to do too. Dumbledore relented and considering the words of the Fire Master and his overly cautious older brother, he had given the house-elves the responsibility of seeing to the necessary preparations, should a siege occur to the castle.

For the particular moment however, students and staff alike were undergoing a training session that was coordinated by Fenix, Moody, Aberforth and the Headmaster in the Hall. Unlike the past week, when the School was concentrating mainly on their defence, they were now practicing their movements as an army, primarily on their attacks. Fenix was solely acting as their enemy and was now flinging several dozen blunt projectiles toward the army. Her fiancé led the Defenders to build up a physical shield that caused the projectiles to blow up into tiny fragments and the Fire Master had to protect herself from the needle-like splinters. In the meantime, when Fenix had to halt her attacks, the Main was getting ready to destroy some of Fenix's 'troops' by setting the Bluebell flames on the wooden posts that had been set up earlier.

The Fire Master quickly whipped out her wand and hit one side of the Main with a Stunning Spell, capturing Parvati, Lavender, and the Creevey brothers. Sirius gave an indignant exclamation. Not a single one of them was expecting her to use her wand in that manner and he quickly formulated a silent plan with his comrade and Remus to rescue the Stupefied officers. Fenix was hacking away at the Main and that left McGonagall's people to temporarily halt off their advancement to shield themselves as the Assailants and Defenders split up for the rescue mission. Harry's group, which was left with the Main, quickly threw several hexes on her at once but impacted harmlessly on her shield. Fenix ducked behind a barricade just in time when Harry hit her shield with a spell that he had created with her help, and the shield disintegrated within seconds. Harry's Tickling Charm zinged past her.

Harry had experimented with the new spell for two weeks in a row, and had found out that the spell could also break the charms that sealed a room, purely by accident. So, he frequently practiced by opening Snape's, Sirius's, and Remus's office-- when they were around of course. That surprised Dumbledore, and he pulled the Fire Master to one side and advised her that it would not be a good idea if Harry was able to unlock his office. Fenix gave an airy laugh and reassured the Headmaster that no one had yet broken into her office and taught Dumbledore the new way of locking their offices. The shield-breaking idea had suddenly sprung up when she had encouraged Harry to build his own expanding shield, and did it admirably. She had told him of the shield the Death Eaters had built sometime when she was on her patrol with the Potions Master, and both decided that something must be done to find out ways to break the shield. It would practically be impossible if not for the help of the Elementals and the Dumbledore brothers.

Back to the current training session, Fenix quickly wove a layer upon layer of shields to protect her as she focused her attention to the rescue team. Draco penetrated her physical shield holding the 'hostages' easily-- Fenix had yet to find ways to block the boy from any kind of shields, and the rescue mission would have been a complete success if Fenix had not thought of surprises for the rescue team. Three Dementors lookalike suddenly appeared and paralyzed the Slytherin. Sirius quickly applied the new shield-breaking spell and called out his Patronus, which was a huge eagle. Its talons went for the face of the impostor and broke the eye contact with the Slytherin. Draco immediate recovered and ducked, rolling skillfully on the ground, calling his Patronus as he did so. A silver mane-less lion sprang up and charged toward the remaining 'Dementors'.

The Rearguard and Paramedics had already begun to move; quickly replacing the shields Fenix had broken and moved in to aid the Stupefied victims. Alamanda and Madam Pomfrey moved briskly between the Stupefied students and muttered "Ennervate." The army was back to its full strength and hammered at their enemy's defenses until the Fire Master had nothing left to defend. She shot a flash of white light to signal to them that she was yielding.

**********

Dinner at the Hall...

"Uh...guys..." Fenix looked at her company who was hungrily devouring their dinner at an alarmingly fast rate. Like Snape, Draco, Warrington and Montague had taken to having meals with Harry's group.

: Aren't you hungry? :

Sirius asked her curiously. The adults were no exception to their hunger.

: I am... but please munch down your food carefully... :

Fenix said laughingly, her face glowing in amusement. Conversation bloomed in the Hall half an hour later, with the students revitalized by their meal after the exhausting session. The topic of how they were to celebrate Hallowe'en came up toward the end of dinner. Without knowing why, they all turned to the Fire Master and asked her.

"Why me?" she asked in surprise then gave a sigh when Sirius just gave her a look to answer them immediately. "I don't know how you guys celebrate, but usually I and the elves that lived with me have dinner as usual, and we used to go into the Wood and contemplate," she answered them truthfully. "So, I plan to go on down to the lake, since going into the Forest to talk to the Trees can be quite dangerous."

Ron exchanged a look with Harry and Hermione and shrugged. "We might as well try something new."

"Are you sure you want to come along with me?" Fenix asked mischievously. "I'm bringing Remus, your Professor Lupin along, you know..." That earned her several baffled looks. "How unobservant of you... full moon will be on the thirty-first."

"Why not? Lupin has got it all under control, right?" Harry looked intently at the Defence teacher who just shook his head miserably. The table erupted with light laughter.

**********

Wednesday, 31^st October. On Hallowe'en night.

A selected group had already had their dinner in Sirius's office in the early evening. Fenix had chosen a very safe time span for the werewolf to have dinner together and Remus made use of Sirius's bedroom to change into his form when the moon finally rose. Draco looked at the bedroom door apprehensively and his heart jumped in his throat when he heard a soft howl.

"Are you sure he will be all right?" Draco unconsciously whispered to Harry, who had been sitting next to him all evening. Luckily for him, the Slytherin did not ask if they would be all right or Harry might just get violent.

"If you want to know, Lupin hasn't been taking the Wolfsbane Potion ever since he met Fenix for the first time at The Burrow. And he's behaving much like Silver though he considers the real male wolf to be the pack leader," he said helpfully then turned his attention to the door when he heard a scratch. Fenix had already changed into her wolf form and nodded to Sirius who had locked the door from the outside. The Black unlocked the bedroom door, and the werewolf padded out silently.

Remus looked more like a wolf now, his eyes displaying his intelligence. : So, shall we go and greet the new year? Celtic way of course, : the werewolf asked, bobbing his head in greeting to the genuine wolves. Nods went round the table and they trooped out silently, with Sirius and Harry leading the group while Snape and Draco took the rear, with the four wolves in the middle. The group was met by a couple of Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs who were hanging out at the Entrance Hall. They looked curiously at the four wolves and stepped back suddenly when they realized just who was among the wolves. Remus gave a silent sigh as they trooped out of the castle onto the grounds.

They made their way to the shore of the lake, the water rippling gently with the soft breeze. The moon was up over their heads and two silent figures swept down from the night sky and swooped over the heads of their owners. Draco lifted his face to the dark night sky, dimly making out the outline of his eagle owl, Bootes. His bird carefully landed on his arm and cautiously moved up to his owner's shoulder. Hedwig landed gracefully on Harry's shoulder and gave an almost indignant hoot when Pig came blundering in excitedly, slamming against Ron's chest.

"Hopeless..." Ron shook his head mournfully.

The four wolves walked nearer to the water's edge and Fenix suppressed the urge to howl, although Silver was aware of her desire to do so, for he gave her a wolfish grin. She raised her muzzle to the dark sky, looking at the moon steadily.

Sirius looked out at the lake, feeling the smooth breeze twirling about him and looked down at his oathsister. Her lupine silver eyes seemed distant and he could see melancholy swirling deeply in her eyes. Hallowe'en... All Souls night...Honoring the dead... Sirius felt the warmth from the boy standing beside him, whose eyes were also going distant and then misted as Harry thought about his parents, and then to those who had lost their lives in Voldemort's meaningless war. Sirius had noticed something during their training session last Thursday. It had seemed to him that ever since the students were all working together, their spellcasting had improved to a high degree. He gave a silent sigh and wondered when Voldemort will be making his move.

Harry was shaking inside. Although he had acted bravely during the training sessions and seemed confident at what he was doing, he was shaking. He never thought that it would all lead down to this. For the past years, he thought that Voldemort was just after him but it all changed ever since he came back during his fourth year. The certainty that other people were involving themselves in this senseless cause of Voldemort's, and would also lead to their deaths, was making him feel a little desperate. No... I can't let this consume me. At least not yet... maybe later, when it's all over. The images of his parents flashed through his mind suddenly. I have to see through the end of this. For their sake, I have to make sure that I will accomplish what my parents had failed to do. He took a deep breath and removed his glasses, brushing his tears away. The grief that had threatened to swallow him whole, lessened and he felt a warm weight against his leg and saw Fenix looking at him. Her eyes were smiling, though they were also sad.

: You won't be alone, you know. We're all right behind you. No matter what, :

she said gravely, her eyes growing mysterious under the moonlight. Harry nodded slightly, looking back at the reflection of the moon on the lake.

**********

Carved pumpkins were floating about the castle. The ghosts of Hogwarts were patrolling in and out of the corridors while Hagrid and Moody were out checking the grounds. The Dumbledore brothers were in the Headmaster's office, discussing on the latest details of Voldemort's plans. The students had long gone to bed since it was already an hour to midnight. Snape, Sirius and the four wolves were sound asleep on Sirius's bed after a tedious discussion about the meaning of Life.

Out in the cover of the black night, sleek darkness crept along the castle wall. Not even the Elementals were aware of what was happening. Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix, was feeling restless but was not able to explain why he was feeling that way to his owner and friend. Minutes passed by and Darkness had already covered every inch of the castle. It was slowly seeping through the cracks and through any point of entry. Yet the ghosts, or the house-elves, or the staff who was still awake, was unaware of the silent intrusion. Darkness was conquering the School, yet no one was aware of it. They had finally come for the School. They had finally arrived to make the lives of Hogwarts dead. Their first battle had just begun.

***********

"Harry..."

an urgent voice called in his sleep. It sounded terribly familiar.

"Harry...son...you've got to wake up!"

Harry was able to recognize the second voice immediately.

"Dad?" Harry mumbled in his sleep, tossing over to his right, not quite awake.

"Voldemort, Harry... he's sent his creatures over to the School! You've got to wake up!"

James Potter urged his son, his voice fading in and out.

"Can't be... I'm just dreaming..." Harry muttered softly. A small part of him was amused when he felt his parents' despair at his stubbornness. There was suddenly a bright flash in his mind and he sat up straight on his bed, feeling a kind of electric shock spreading out in his body. He wondered if he had really heard the voices of his parents or had he imagined them. Still, he needed to find out why the voices had urged him to wake up. He reached out for his glasses while his right hand grabbed his wand. Then he suddenly froze.

**********

Hermione felt several sharp claws digging into her back all of a sudden and stifled her scream when she realized that it was just her cat. "Crookshanks, what are you doing?" she whispered almost severely to her half-Kneazle. "Everyone's sleeping already..." she complained sleepily. Her cat paced from her bed and then jumped, prodding her wand with his nose. A faint rustling alerted her, and she felt energized by the need to investigate. Crookshanks began hissing dangerously. Something was bent over Ginny's sleeping form.

**********

Draco was dozing. For the past few weeks, he had not been able to get a proper sleep, although he should have been tired after the training sessions. Fenix had sensed that he was restless but he always denied it. Draco's sleep was often uneasy ever since he had a nightmare where his father and the Potions Master were the prominent figures. Since the Slytherin was not in a deep sleep, he was awakened quickly by a strange muffled noise over his right. Draco did not open his eyes and maintained his steady breathing, pretending that he was still asleep. His wand was tucked in at the left side of his pillow. Somehow, all the students had preferred to have their wands near them nowadays, even when they sleep.

He could not reach for his wand immediately. He was unaware that Warrington and Montague were also awake, though they were basically acting as he was currently doing. He felt a silken touch on his right cheek.

**********

The people in Sirius's bedroom were still sleeping. Several hooded figures began converging on them. Fenix felt herself rousing the instant she smelled the familiar scent of the Dementors and sprang up into action immediately, casting the room into brightness and changed into her Hunter form, deftly swinging her sword. The sudden light had caused the rest of the company to awaken, and the loud angry howls of the wolves, somehow magnified, penetrated through the walls of the entire castle. Seconds later, numerous explosions, jinxes, hexes, and Patronuses were heard from all over the ancient building.

It was not a good time for the Dementors in Sirius's bedroom. Although they outnumbered the humans by three to one ratio, they were decimated quickly enough by the living. They had taken for granted that Remus, being a werewolf that fateful night, would be unprotected, but to their immense displeasure, the Defence teacher was a force to reckon with. Though the latter was not able to function with his wand, he was still able to cast a shield that imitated the one the Death Eaters had used in the Forest a few months back, periodically stunning the Dementors for his partner to vanquish.

Snape let out an angry snarl as a bolt of green flash darted toward him. Sirius rushed toward the Death Eater and slammed him against his wardrobe, the wood splintering beneath the force of Sirius's push. Snape focused on a second Death Eater, one he recognized quite well, bearing the name of Avery. He ducked another time, landing a punch squarely on the Death Eater's stomach, causing the latter to double up in pain. Examining his opponent's head calmly, he registered a stunning blow, all done without the use of his wand. He straightened and calmly raked his fingers through his messy black hair.

"Stupefy!"

Sirius yelled. The first Death Eater went down and Harry's godfather calmly pried the wand out of his opponent's palm and placed magical bindings on both Death Eaters. They focused their attention to Fenix and three wolves but they were doing fine, since no Dementors were left to escape from the bedroom. Remus was panting heavily, his brown eyes displaying his anger but Fenix was calm as a stone. Her sword vanished and she turned a deathly gaze on the two unconscious Death Eaters.

**********

: Wake up but don't move, :

Harry commanded his friends silently. He felt them rousing and a distant part of him chuckled at the resentment that Ron was exuding unconsciously. : I'm sorry to intrude, but I think you better get your wands handy. I think there's one Dementor standing by the door, and another one at the foot of Ron's bed, : he informed his friends quickly and the room suddenly felt cold. In his mind, where Ron's presence was colored red, began flashing dangerously and Harry dimly heard his friend's thought, 'Brave fellows aren't they? Creeping in the dark...'

Quite suddenly, the four boys jumped out of their beds, whipping out their wands just as they heard the howls of wolves vibrating about the castle. A silver stag and a boar came charging at the Dementor standing by the door while Ron's hyena was joined by Seamus's unicorn as it trampled the Dementor by the bed. Their room suddenly brightened just as they heard Hermione's screams and several of the others from the Gryffindor Tower. Their Dementors disappeared, making Harry curse as they all hurriedly went out of their room. Harry knocked Ron out of the way as a Dementor came stumbling toward them. Several Patronuses charged at it mercilessly. More Dementors fled toward them as they were herded out of the boys' shared bedrooms.

"Is everyone all right?" Harry shouted, voice filled with concern and most of them answered "Yeah!" The boys of Gryffindor House quickly turned toward the direction of the girls' dormitories. They saw an angry Hermione accompanied by a pale faced Ginny, looking at the Dementors that suddenly vanished right before their eyes.

Crookshanks was hissing angrily as he twirled about Hermione's legs in agitation. The Gryffindor prefect stared at Harry almost belligerently and demanded, "Why are there Dementors here? And Harry, I swear I saw a Lethifold over Ginny just now! And the Dementors Disapparated! The magical protections about the place should have prevented them from doing so!"

There were murmurs of consternated voices all about Harry. He nodded solemnly, looking at his fellow students in mild surprise. All of them had been sleeping in normal clothes rather than their sleeping robes. They looked at him for instructions. "I think it's time we gather around at the Great Hall, and Rearguards, take the rear. Defenders, you take point." The students nodded gravely and prepared themselves for the planned evacuation. "Shields up!"

**********

Back on Draco's bed, the Slytherin was almost sweating but he dared not. There was something hovering above him; he could feel silky material on his exposed face, hands and feet. Finally, he could not stand the uncomfortable feeling any longer. I hope Montague or Warrington won't mind the bedroom being blackened...

He gave a sigh and felt the presence above him stiffened slightly. Draco casually raised his right hand, a palm curved as if he was holding something. A flash of green fire exploded above the Slytherin's face and the Lethifold was blasted off several feet from Draco's bed, crashing against Draco's study table. One side of his table was singed at he sighed when the emerald fire began eating away his novel. That gave the three Slytherins enough time for them to cast their Patronuses, not bothering to turn on the lights. Montague's silvery Great Owl pecked at the Dark Creature relentlessly, forcing it out of the room. I am glad that I was not truly asleep... or waited too long. He moved briskly for his table and muttered, "Éteindre." His book smoked and he shook his head helplessly.

Warrington was swearing creatively as the boys changed their clothing briskly. "What do we do now?" he asked the prefect as he hurriedly wore his shoes, while Draco pulled a black sweater over his face. They heard the eerie howls of the wolves and jumped briefly when they heard several loud detonations, which they recognized as the Weasleys' Explosive Hex.

"We gather ourselves first, then proceed to the Hall. I'm sure that the others have already begun to move out. Let's go," Draco said as he wore his arm guard.

***********

The Dumbledore brothers, equipped with their wands, carefully proceeded out of the office. Aberforth motioned to his younger brother that he would scout ahead. Several dark figures suddenly grappled the elder wizard as they turned into a corridor and struggled briefly with the surprisingly strong wizard. Aberforth slammed a Dementor against a gargoyle as Dumbledore's Patronus battered down the Dementors, to give Aberforth a breathing space. Aberforth's silver lion let out a roar and joined Dumbledore's Patronus in warding off the Dementors. Feeling that they were outrageously helpless against the two sorcerers, they Disapparated.

"Wulf, we have to go to the Hall. If this is an open attack..." Aberforth's voice trailed off as they heard the explosions coming from the lower levels accompanied with several angry and frightened screams. Dumbledore stood rigidly, not really hearing the voice of his brother or the sudden noises that had broken out in the castle. The magical protections... "Wulf!" Aberforth said sharply. The Headmaster took a deep breath and nodded gravely, suddenly feeling determined to get to the bottom of the situation.

**********

Several students had apparently gone berserk, much to the surprise of the invaders. Luna was laughing madly as she and her group of Ravenclaws strategically herded four of the Death Eaters toward the magical staircases. On the other side, the Hufflepuffs were mercilessly shooting off hexes on Augustus Rookwood and three other Death Eaters. The eight Death Eaters were trapped between the students of the two Houses and to their horror, Susan Bones and her Hufflepuffs immediately cast off the Disarming Charm on the Death Eaters. Meanwhile, Luna and her fellow Defenders created a physical shield about the Death Eaters to prevent them from Apparating. "I hope they're not dead by our combined efforts!" Luna Lovegood yelled, trying to control her laughter. She was wearing her sweater and black track pants, with a pair of golden ancient-looking earrings.

"Loony! Do you think it will be possible to move the shield downstairs?" Susan asked her, eyes glinting wickedly in the magical candlelight. Luna peered down the staircase and stared thoughtfully at the void. A staircase suddenly moved and they met the Gryffindors, looking very alert. Harry pushed himself forward and examined the immobilized Death Eaters impassively.

"Harry, is it possible that Fenix have taught you how to create a spherical shield?" Luna spoke up, eyeing down on the empty space beside the railing. Harry gave a crooked smile and nodded. A shield made of a myriad of colors were suddenly over the Death Eaters. Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs alike, nodded their heads in satisfaction. One by one, the students finally realized Luna's intention.

"I wonder why we're feeling a little sadistic," Aine Moonbeam of Ravenclaw said satirically.

"Must be a side effect at having interrupted of our beauty sleep," a Hufflepuff spoke up.

"On the count of three then," Hermione said lightly as the Gryffindors began to join in the ranks of the Hufflepuffs. "One... two... three! Wingardium leviosa!" Harry's spherical shield began levitating as the students directed it toward the freeway down. Once they felt that the sphere could go down and hopefully the staircases would not change as it made its passage, they released the spell and watched the sphere zoomed off downwards. They felt really sorry for damaging their precious ancient railings.

The group of students slowly walked down the staircase, the Defenders pausing every moment to check for movements and proceeded to the Great Hall. By the time they got downstairs, they found a very irritated, growling werewolf with two other wolves. Fenix, Sirius and Snape in the meantime were hoisting off two unconscious Death Eaters. Fenix exchanged a glance with Harry and he nodded. Two breaths later, the two Death Eaters joined with their fellows inside his colorful shield.

They were distracted for a brief moment when shouts, screams and curses erupted out from the narrow staircase leading to the dungeons. A swarm of blackness suddenly emerged out and the body of students waiting by the doors of the Great Hall faltered. Fenix, ignoring Remus's curses in her mind, moved toward the black wall of cloaks and the whole area was suddenly illuminated by a blinding blue light.

The Death Eaters who were watching the invasion via a crystal in the Forest stared stupidly at the ancient building when they saw brilliant blue light erupted from inside the castle and had to turn their faces away, both from the crystal and the castle, for the light managed to reach the outskirts of the Forest. Lucius Malfoy turned back and glared at the ancient castle when the blinding light died. "This is impossible!"

"Don't worry, Lucius. The Lethifolds will get them," Rabastan Lestrange said confidently. However, several other Death Eaters and Malfoy were not as sure as he was, since they only saw the group of students in the crystal, and no Dark Creatures.

"Lucius!" Macnair sprinted urgently toward him. "Hagrid and Moody have escaped!"

The pale-haired man did not bother cursing as a Dementor appeared before him. "We have failed in using the Lethifolds, Lucius," it said in a deep voice. "The one they call the Fire Master have vanquished them. She is dangerous, Lucius. I'm afraid... that our Master might have to change his plans a little. Not even my kind was able to instigate fear in the students."

Lucius stared at the fortress, his anger rapidly multiplying. "Come!" He twirled and went deeper into the Forest to establish communication with the Dark Lord.

**********

The light died and they turned to look at the Fire Master, still glowing ethereally with blue fire. She stared critically at a last Lethifold on the castle floor and watched it slowly disintegrating into minute molecules. She beckoned Montague toward her, who was sporting a deep gash on his upper right arm. He went to her uncertainly, his eyes looking at her fearfully. Draco however was looking at her curiously. Although the blue fire surrounding her had gone, it still had not left her silver eyes.

"Is everyone all right?" The Headmaster walked briskly toward them, looking for Harry instantly.

"I think everyone's more or less intact, except for Montague," Fenix spoke up. "Aelwyn, where's Mad-Eye? And Rubeus?" she conversed with her Sylph.

"They're on the way. Mad-Eye's injured," the Sylph answered just as the great doors of the castle opened and Hagrid came in, supporting a badly injured ex-Auror. Fang, Hagrid's boarhound trailed worriedly behind the two men. The other staff members had just arrived and Dumbledore opened the doors of the Hall and they trooped in behind him.

"Fenix, please cast a shield over the Hall if you please," Dumbledore instructed. Fenix gazed solemnly at him and finally nodded. Although personally, she would rather shield the whole castle but she needed to spend her powers wisely. No one spoke as they filled the Hall, empty of tables and benches. Sirius casually kicked the shield containing the Death Eaters into the Hall to present them to the Headmaster. Snape and the three wolves stayed with Fenix by the entrance, as she carefully built a shield that protected the Hall, a spherical shield that went all the way down to the foundations of the castle. At a nod, they went in, with Snape firmly shutting the doors, taking a moment to seal the room magically.

: Fenix, turn that fire off from your eyes, :

Remus commanded sternly, staring at her with his hazel brown eyes. She shook her head, scowling a little.

: I can't. My blood is up, :

she replied in compunction. Remus shook his head and trotted off to check the Death Eaters in the shield.

Most of the students had collapsed in a heap. Montague was lying down, his head supported by Warrington's thigh while Madam Pomfrey was busying herself with Moody. His magical eye stared at the Death Eaters in the shield as he took in the faces belonging to the fathers of Crabbe and Goyle, Jugson, and seven others he could not name.

Dumbledore was questioning Hagrid quietly and the students made themselves silent to hear their conversation. "We weren' careful enuff..." Hagrid was saying to the Headmaster gruffly. "We got caught, an' they bounded ourselves up with 'em magical chains. Moody's got hit by several sticks, set off by Lestrange. Fenix's Elementals' help us ter escape. 'Though Fenix didna' tell me 'em Salamanders could Metamorph."

Fenix who was checking Ginny-- the girl seemed to be in a state of shock-- looked sharply at the immense Hagrid. "What do you mean?" she questioned the big man briskly.

"I didna' understan' meself, but one of 'em spoke softly in the air, deep-voiced. Caught a faint shimmer of light, then one figure in 'em flames appeared all sudden-like, and broke 'em magical chains," Hagrid told her enthusiastically but he faltered a little when she answered him.

"I don't think he was an Elemental, Hagrid," she answered after a moment. Hagrid was about to demand who it was then, but she shook her head repressively. Sirius slumped down beside his godson who gave him a small smile, then turned back to stare at the Death Eaters through his colored shield.

Hermione raised a hand to gain the Headmaster's attention. "Yes, Miss Granger?"

"Just two questions Professor: Are the magical protections surrounding the castle still working or not? Or could we expect more of the kind of intrusions that we had experienced about half an hour ago?" she asked almost in an impudent manner. McGonagall looked at her favorite student in faint disapproval but kept mum. The Headmaster was silent, gazing at Hermione intently.

Someone gave a faint laugh and the students looked around for its source. Susan and Luna were peering intently inside Harry's shield. The laughter grew stronger. It was coming from one of the Death Eaters. "Voldemort's broken your so-called strong magical shields, old man!" He began laughing maniacally. The Dumbledore brothers narrowed their eyes dangerously and Hermione took a deep breath as she heard the answer to her question.

"Vincent!" someone commanded from inside the shield. "Get me out!"

Vincent Crabbe of Slytherin looked at the shield in mild surprise. He looked at Draco. "Is that my father they've got in there?" he asked somewhat numbly. "He's a Death Eater?"

"You will get me out of this damn stupid shield now!" an angry voice emerged.

"I don't think I could, dad," his son answered truthfully, turning his back to the shield.

"Never show your back against the enemy, boy!" Moody spoke up harshly and the Slytherin boy looked sheepishly at him.

"I forgot..."

"How about my... father?" Draco had a difficult time spitting that out, but Hagrid shook his head.

"Can't be... unless the one yer have here is nothin' other than an impostor. 'Cause I saw yer father back in 'em woods," the big man informed him.

"What do we do with them, Albus?" Fenix questioned, then looked shrewdly at the shield and raised her hand to stop Dumbledore from speaking. Harry's shield suddenly turned black. "Precautions. I could make the shield sound proof but I don't want any chances that at least one of them could read our lips," she explained.

"Do we kill them?" Susan stared intently at the black shield.

"Get a hold of yourself, Sue," one of her friends said sharply.

Fenix went over to sit beside Harry, Remus automatically going to her. They all looked expectantly at the Headmaster. He gave a rueful sigh. "I think not, Miss Bones. We should send them back to Voldemort." Several discontented murmurs echoed in the Great Hall. Dumbledore fell silent as he conjured a bench for the teachers to sit.

Fenix chose a moment to break the silence. "Did you happen to confiscate their wands, girls?" She looked at Susan expectantly. Several of the Assailants nodded and handed her four of the wands while Luna's girls gave the other four wands to her. The moment the eight wands gathered in her hand, she set her Fire to them and they were destroyed completely. This should have been impossible since wands by right have their own protective spells. Some of the students and at least half of the teachers including the Headmaster felt that she was going against the law of magic when she did that. She sighed and Snape patted her shoulder reassuringly while Dumbledore gave her an apologetic smile.

"Dumbledore, are we going to just sit on our behinds here or are we going to do something about the sneaky invasion?" Moody grated out.

They suddenly turned their heads as one as they heard something crash and felt the vibrations of something heavy falling. They could all hear the steady, and frightening growls coming from something big. "Giants," Charlie stood up, staring intently at the wall-- in the direction of the Quidditch Pitch.

"I think I've had enough," Dumbledore stood up silently and conjured a map of the castle. "Fenix, I want you to seal off from this area--" the Headmaster indicated with his finger at the point where the Great Hall was situated, as she stood up to examine the map, "--and all the way to this area," he instructed firmly, his finger now resting on the spot where the intersection between where the students' dormitories ended and where the buildings for where most of the classrooms lay.

Fenix nodded and she was about to make a Jump when Remus stopped her, his fangs baring angrily at her. She stared at him and shook her head stubbornly, then vanished without a word. Harry and his godfather stared at the spot where she had been standing in shocked surprise, then paled when Remus began to curse vehemently. He was feeling extremely irritated that all of these had happened when he had to turn a werewolf. He stopped pacing and thought about the moment of hatred that had passed through his bond with Fenix. I guess I'm being selfish. Here I am, cursing at my partner because she's doing something useful. I'm such a simple-minded man. Fenix has a right to be angry, I guess. I still can't believe that Voldemort would choose such a day to attack. He had already calmed down and sat beside Sirius, who was looking at him seriously.

The Headmaster was giving instructions to the Paramedics, the Reserves and half of the Main to remain in the Hall while the rest would set up a counterattack on Voldemort's people. Dumbledore firmly spoke to Moody that he ought to remain behind due to his injury. The ex-Auror began to sulk and earned himself a disdainful glare by the school nurse.

Hermione was whispering quietly to Harry and Ron, "I wonder how Fenix was able to get out of the shield she had created all about us."

"I think she made a part of the shield temporarily permeable to do that," her friend answered her. Fenix reappeared and nodded to the Headmaster. "Are we engaging then?" Harry pitched his voice so that the Headmaster could hear him. Dumbledore nodded and Snape removed the charm that had sealed the room. Wind offered to remain behind with Moody, to keep an eye on things in the Hall. There was another thundering crash and Dumbledore shook his ruefully.

"How dare they!"

Rowena Ravenclaw screamed.

"I am feeling not so happy! They absolutely ruined the classrooms!"

the voice of Helga Hufflepuff echoed eerily about the castle.

Two ghostly knights accompanied by the Bloody Baron and others trooped into the Hall. "Here to report that one clan of at least twelve giants are wrecking the tower closest to the Quidditch Pitch. The Whomping Willow is gone by the way." Salazar Slytherin removed his helm to reveal his striking handsome face with shoulder length black hair. "Begging pardon for the inconsistency but having the very School wrecked by my 'heir' is not one of my long-term plans." The Slytherin founder was gazing intently at Harry as he said that. "The Chamber of Secrets was meant to be opened by you, but thankfully you did not. I did not reckon Tom Riddle to have a basilisk habituating in there. And I absolutely hate it when I have to abort my plans because of that."

Most of them were staring at him in confusion, including Fenix, who had no idea what the Founder was talking about. Dumbledore regained his composure and captured their attention once more. "We'll disarm the giants. I have no intention of decimating them-- their numbers is getting smaller as the decades went by but if they remain in the School grounds we might have to..." he sighed.

"Could you please hurry up before they destroy

my Tower?" Rowena Ravenclaw pleaded.

"I'm afraid it's too late," Krill's deep voice answered her and the ghostly sorceress fell silent. The students and their related ensigns stood up to get ready to move. The recruits carefully wore their armbands-- Malfoy had already worn his golden-colored band. Wind's mindvoice reached their minds.

: Will the Gods all help you tonight. And you, :

she spoke specifically to all the students, : you better get your rumps back here in safe condition after the skirmish. :

**********

Voldemort and his followers strolled across the Quidditch Pitch in silence. The Dark Lord's eyes glowed as he watched the giants creating a total mess of a wing of the School. He was not satisfied however. His bloodlust was up; he needed to hear the screams of pain, particular the screams of young wizards.

"Master, are you sure you're safe with us?" Lucius spoke diffidently. Voldemort let out a shrill laugh that the army of students was able to hear although they were still walking through the castle slowly.

Remus and Silver loped ahead of them, followed by Fenix, Snape and Sirius and their batch of Assailants and Defenders behind them, running stealthily. They finally got out of the castle and stepped onto the soft patch of grass, protected only by their shields. The Main and the Rearguards had separated from them, with the Dumbledore brothers taking another path to confront the giants directly, while the other two divisions were left to attack the side.

Constant physical workouts that Fenix had mercilessly conducted on the students was really paying off, as they were able to cross the grounds in silence. Since most of them were wearing dark colored clothing, they blended in well with the dark surroundings with only their colored armbands flashing against the pale moonlight.

: We've locked on our targets, :

Aberforth's clear mindvoice penetrated through the minds of the army outside the castle. Fenix narrowed her eyes as Krill sent back a report and halted the ranks.

: Death Eaters seen. Along with Voldemort. Directly behind the company of giants, :

the Fire Master informed him. Aberforth did not answer immediately; he was conferring with the Headmaster, debating on the issue if they should divide their attention. Dumbledore gave instructions to the Assailants and the Defenders to get the Death Eaters out of the giants' reach. They began moving again and Harry felt anger radiating out of Draco as they finally caught sight of a group of black walking toward the castle from the pitch. It was easy to understand why his counterpart was feeling that way. Near the front of the group crossing the pitch lazily, was a man with pale hair, his wand out. : Draco, : Fenix sent a thought to the Slytherin, : don't let your anger consume you. Focus, : she advised.

The boy did as she suggested and took deep breaths as they sprinted across to meet the select group of Death Eaters. : I'm all right. : he sent a thought back to her. The Death Eaters blasted off a solid column of wall that separated the pitch from the rest of the castle grounds. The loud noises coming from the bellowing giants swinging down their heavy cudgels vibrated through the ground.

: Okay, :

Sirius communicated to the minds of their company. : Fenix, create a barrier that will separate the giants from the Death Eaters. The rest of you, Blasting Charms. Move the Death Eaters back toward the Forest. :

Nods of confirmation. Warrington and Dean attached themselves to Fenix to defend her as she worked. Silver and Remus led the rest of the Defenders and threw a shield up that covered the advancing students.

Exactly two minutes later, the Death Eaters changed their pace into a run to join the giants. Somehow, they were not aware of the mass of students coming for them. Maybe it was because the havoc the giants were creating muffled even the footfalls of twenty over students. Luna let out a hysterical laugh when the Death Eaters suddenly found themselves cut off from the giants by a solid invisible wall. Some of them actually got rebounded, stunned by their own momentum.

: The shield's holding. Move in, :

Fenix commanded. When the students crossed the invisible line, the shield suddenly became visible to their eye, barring off the rest of the castle.

**********

Lucius was striking at the shield with his fist and winced. "Master!" He looked urgently at the Dark Lord, but took a sharp breath when he saw Draco with twenty other people, all looking determined.

Voldemort looked incredulously at the group then snarled when he saw Snape, arm raised and in unison, the column blasted the Death Eaters, flinging them several feet away. What is this? An angry thought filled his mind and he struggled to get back to his feet. Several 'Avada Kedavra!' rang through the clearing, but impacted harmlessly on the group of students. His followers were scattered all over the grounds. "Regroup!" he shouted angrily. The sight of a grim faced Harry increased his anger and blood lust.

The Assailants and Defenders mercilessly pounded Voldemort's followers with several hexes, causing some of them to turn tail and fled back to the Forest. Harry's clear baritone rang out accompanied by several of his comrades. "Expelliarmus!" This time however, they did not concentrate on one, because Snape had critically announced to them via mindspeech that he was sick at having to move a Death Eater. Remus and Silver ran through the Death Eaters. Silver was grabbing the legs of the humans and sank his razor sharp teeth into their flesh, causing several lacerations. Remus in the meantime was contented to throw his full body weight at the Death Eaters. He was not about to subject them to his peculiarity, believing that Voldemort would use the sickness as another weapon. The two wolves steered well away from Lucius or Voldemort, paying attention to the other Death Eaters.

For the first time since his resurrection, Voldemort felt uncertainty and shouted at his followers to retreat back to the Forest. "But the giants!" one of them protested. Voldemort ignored them, running straight for the protection of the Dark Forest. Hermione, Fenix and some of the rest could not resist the temptation of setting the robes of the Death Eaters' on fire.

Voldemort cursed as Hermione's Bluebell flames caught onto his robe, spreading quickly upwards. He struggled to get rid of his cloak and made his followers retreat to their haven deep in the forest. How could they have gotten stronger in a short time?

**********