Defence, Pretence, Offence (Hecatemus Book #2)

Chapter 64 - Think of the Children

"I'll take a quick look," Harry said and smiled as if it was all perfectly normal.

Standing, he headed to the door and stepped into the hallway. The Auror was not in the corridor and there were heads poking out of other compartments. He nodded at those who looked at him.

[Don't go far,] Draco warned.

[I'm not,] Harry said, [just to the end of the carriage.]

They were in the end compartment, so it was only a couple of steps.

Pulling down the window on the door, he stuck his head out and looked around. They were on a curve in the track and the land on the inside of the curve fell away, giving him a good view of the front of the train. It looked as if there was some sort of blockage on the line, but Harry was pretty sure that kind of thing was supposed to be impossible thanks to the magic keeping it safe.

Lowering his shields a little he scanned what looked like a simple pile of rocks.

[Magic,] he told Draco as soon as knew what he was seeing, [lots of it. We're under attack.]

Almost as if someone could hear his conversation with Draco, explosions began to go off all down the length of the train. Sparks, flames, smoke, all in lurid green. The train shook and screams filled the air. Harry grabbed at the nearest handhold, bracing himself, and then it happened, the Dark Mark burst into the sky.

[Harry,] Draco called.

[I'm okay, what about the kids?] he shot back.

[Fine, just scared.]

"Everyone stay calm," Professor Flitwick's voice echoed through the train. "Remain seated until you receive further instructions."

Of course that was never going to work and pupils were already in the corridors. It was chaos, but Harry noticed one thing immediately.

[There's no damage,] he said, looking the length of the train.

He turned as someone came up close behind him. It was a frightened-looking Ravenclaw fifth year whose name escaped Harry in the confusion. They had their wand in their hand and they looked determined.

"What do we do?" was the very direct question.

The boy might have been frightened, but he was definitely determined as well. For a second Harry was taken aback, but then a second fifth year appeared behind the first, just as focused as the first. Harry adapted quickly.

"Check the compartments," he decided quickly. "There are a lot of younger years in this section, make sure they're not hurt. Then get everyone back to their seats if you can."

The boy and girl nodded.

[No damage, are you sure?] Draco asked as soon as Harry had dealt with the older pupils.

[I can see the whole train,] he replied and showed Draco what he was looking at as he turned back to the window.

The Dark Mark hung in the sky like a festering wound.

[A warning then,] Draco concluded and Harry could only agree. [His way of saying 'I can get to your children'.]

That made Harry seethe. Voldemort had no business making war on children. It was so wrong and all the tension Harry had been feeling since the journey started burst out of him. He reached his hand out towards the foul thing hanging above the train, he dropped his magical barriers and he connected to it.

The magic was foul, twisted and disgusting with its evil intent, but Harry did not shy away. With a yell he closed his fist and ripped it apart. The spell shattered under his anger, the sky losing its sickly green tinge and returning to blue.