Although Albus couldn't understand what Scorpius -or Salazar- had just commanded the basilisk to do in Parseltongue, he knew it wasn't good. The deadly serpent hissed obediently and used its massive tail to propel itself up the wall all the way up to the ceiling, which showed just how long the monster was, where it proceeded to use its powerful jaws to break open a large pipe. It slid into the opening and eventually disappeared into the network of the intricate Hogwarts plumbing system. Scorpius's face twisted into an impish grin at his work in progress.
This is not good, Godric said warily.
What's happening? Albus asked, attempting to prop himself up on his elbows from his prone position on the floor. He was still sluggish and dazed from being thrown forcefully into the wall, as well as from being mind-controlled by Godric Gryffindor.
Salazar has just unleashed the basilisk unto the school, Godric explained. Now, it will stop at nothing to kill every last Muggleborn it comes across. And it is all because of that traitor! I cannot believe, after all the four of us Founders have worked towards, that he would choose to do this now. I knew we could not trust him!
Godric continued to ramble on about how much he despised Salazar at the moment , which Albus chose to ignore. A painful lump formed in his throat. That basilisk was on a Muggleborn killing spree right now, and he had no idea what to do about it. And he had a terrible feeling the remaining three Founders didn't know how to handle this either.
You and your friends must find a way out of here and warn the school, Godric advised.
How? Albus replied, glancing over at Rose and Holly, who were unconscious. And what about Scorpius? We can't just leave him here under the control of that psycho!
Godric sighed and hesitated before saying solemnly, I'm afraid there is nothing we can do for Scorpius right now.
Albus was about to protest, but realized Godric was right. What could they do? Salazar was too powerful for them. As much as Albus wanted to save his best friend, he knew he, Rose, and Holly had a much bigger problem to attend to.
Footsteps echoed in the Room of Requirement, snapping him out of his thoughts, and he watched as Scorpius slowly walked over towards him. Salazar controlled Scorpius's body beautifully, making his legs take long, almost regal-like strides. Scorpius's grey eyes danced with mischief as he loomed over Albus, who was still unable to get up off the floor.
"So this is the brave reincarnation you chose, Godric?" Salazar inquired, then scoffed. "Pathetic."
Albus was about to reply when he felt his conscious being shoved back, making him groan in annoyance. Could he at least ASK if he wants to control my body? he thought.
"Why are you doing this, Salazar?" Godric's voice slipped through Albus's lips.
"I already explained myself," Salazar sneered. "As much as I hate that you, Helga, and Rowena have to be apart of this, I am not afraid to defend what is right. Even if that means getting rid of the three of you."
Albus regained control of his body and his eyes widened as Scorpius's wand was suddenly inches from his nose. His own wand had fallen out of his pocket when he was thrown into the wall, and lay several feet away from him. He was defenseless against Salazar's wrath.
Now would be an excellent time to tell me what to do before I get killed! Albus told Godric desperately.
When I say 'now', grab your friends! Godric ordered.
Salazar gave Albus a mock-pity look. "So sorry for this. Enjoy the afterlife, Godric. Avada-"
Now! Godric shouted.
Before Salazar could finish the killing curse, Albus reached over at light speed and grasped Rose's arm and Holly's ankle. Instantly, he felt the familiar sensation of being sucked into a thin straw. Was he Apparating?
Albus's feet then collided onto hard stone, making his knees buckle, causing him to fall on the floor. He heard Rose and Holly groan as they hit the ground, and Albus sighed with relief that they were alright. Looking around, he realized they'd Apparated to the Astronomy Tower.
You are welcome, Godric muttered.
Albus was about to reply something sarcastic when Holly jumped into his arms, knocking the breath out of him.
"Are you alright, Albus?" Holly asked, showering his face with kisses.
"I'm fine!" Albus chuckled, grabbing her face to stop her from kissing him any more. His eyebrows furrowed when he felt a warm, sticky spot underneath his hand that he'd placed on her temple. He pulled his hand away, his eyes widening as he saw her blood on his palm. "The real question is, are you alright?"
Holly waved off his concern with her hand. "It's just a scratch from where my head hit the wall. It doesn't even hurt."
"Mhm," Albus mumbled, watching her bite her lip and wince every few seconds. He gently grabbed her face and tilted it to the side, pointing his wand to the deep scratch. "Vulnera Sanentur."
He traced his wand down the length of the scratch, immediately causing the wound to close up and fade, leaving nothing but a thin scar. It was quite visible against Holly's pale skin.
"Thank you," Holly said gratefully, pressing a chaste kiss to Albus's lips. The kiss lingered for a bit, until they were interrupted by a clearing of a throat.
"I'm still here, you know," Rose muttered, using her wand to tend to her own minor scrapes and bruises.
"Sorry," Albus and Holly both said sheepishly.
The sound of terrified screams and cries coming from outside the Astronomy Tower window made the three friend jump. They rushed to the window and peered down below, where many panicked students were running around the courtyard. Blurs of black smoke swooped above them, further terrorizing the students. Albus watched in horror as several Death Eaters shot spells at them, some able to block them while some were hit and collapsed to the ground.
"We still have Lucius to worry about," Albus said, gulping. "And there's a basilisk on the loose."
"Without Scorpius, how are we supposed to find the basilisk?" Holly inquired.
"With me," a voice said, footsteps approaching up the last few steps of the Astronomy Tower. When the familiar girl emerged into the light, Rose rushed towards her with her wand pointed straight towards her face, but Albus held her back.
"What are you doing here?" Rose snapped venomously at Natalia Zabini, who had her hands raised in surrender.
"Relax, Weasley, I didn't come to fight," Natalia replied, daring to take a few steps closer. "I've come to help you guys."
Rose laughed. "What makes you think we're going to believe that you're on our side? You've betrayed everyone at Hogwarts, Zabini!"
"I didn't have a choice!" Natalia shouted, her voice breaking. Then her face softened, desperation taking over her features, as she repeated softly. "I didn't have a choice..."
"What do you mean you didn't have a choice?" Albus asked her.
Natalia blinked away tears, sighing shakily. "My parents have been loyal Death Eaters for a long time, but a year ago, Lucius began to suspect that they weren't loyal to him anymore. They have to do as he says, no matter what, in order to not get killed. Then Lucius found out about my gift..."
"Your gift?" Holly inquired.
"I'm a Parselmouth," Natalia blurted out, making the three friends' eyes widen. "And that makes me valuable to Lucius. For a while, I've known about his plans to unleash a basilisk unto the school. I don't know how he managed to find a basilisk egg, but he did, and he made me hide it in the Chamber of Secrets. Although, he didn't know you guys would find it. If I refused to help him, he would kill me and my parents..."
Natalia broke into sobs, and Holly walked over to the poor girl and wrapped her arms around her comfortingly. Albus never thought he would ever feel sympathy for Natalia Zabini.
"So let's say you aren't lying," Rose said, earning disapproving looks from Albus and Holly. "Why would you help us now after being so afraid of Lucius for so long?"
Natalia sniffled, wiping away her stray tears. "I didn't know Lucius would go this far with his plan. He wants a full-out war, even after what he'd been through in the Second Wizarding War. I don't want to be an enemy anymore."
"Well, you're not," Albus told her, making Natalia stare at him in shock that he would forgive her so fast. "You said you could help us find the basilisk?" She nodded. "Brilliant. Where is it?"
Natalia craned her neck and looked up at the ceiling, closing her eyes. Albus could tell she was sensing the serpent. Finally, she opened her eyes and looked at him gravely. "It's inside the pipes in the second floor corridor, heading straight towards the Great Hall. It's...extremely hungry. I think it may sense Muggleborns nearby."
Albus glanced at Rose and Holly, who had both swallowed hard. They had to make a choice; either they go find the basilisk, or find Lucius. Whatever they didn't choose, either way, many people would die.
"How about we split up?" Albus suggested, which was the only option he could think of. "Me and Holly can go find Lucius, and Rose and Natalia-"
"No," Rose interrupted. "Albus, that's a bad idea. Natalia and I can't take on the basilisk alone, and you and Holly can't defeat Lucius alone."
"What else do you suggest, Rose?" Albus asked frustratedly. "If we leave one issue unattended to, more people will die!"
"He's got a point," Natalia agreed.
Rose stared at them before sighing in defeat. "Fine. We'll split up on the main stairwell. Albus, you and Holly need to stop by your room and grab the Marauder's Map. It'll be easier to find Lucius that way. And Natalia, you and I can head down to the second floor corridor, like you said." She paused before adding, "I swear to Merlin, Albus, if any of us die..."
"We won't," Albus said firmly. He didn't know where his confidence came from, or if this was just his burst of determination talking.
Together, the four rushed down the steps of the Astronomy Tower, making their way to the main stairwell. They could barely walk with the amount of alarmed students running up and down the stairs. Each student looked panic-stricken, an expression Albus never dreamed would appear on any Hogwarts student's face. Hogwarts was supposed to be a safe haven, not a war zone.
"Albus!" a voice exclaimed, bringing his attention to a familiar ginger-haired girl and a redheaded boy that looked exactly like Rose running up the stairs. Albus breathed out in relief as he pulled Lily into a hug. Thank Merlin she and Hugo were okay.
"Hugo, Lily, what are you two still doing out here?" Rose demanded the two 5th years. "You two need to get to the Gryffindor common room where it's safe!"
"We were looking for you guys!" Lily replied. "We can't let you do this alone!"
"No way, Lily," Albus told her. He couldn't imagine his little sister or cousin fighting against an army of Death Eaters. "This fight involves just us and no one else."
"But-" Lily and Hugo both tried to protest.
"No!" Albus roared, the veins in his neck popping out and his face contorting with emotion. "I'm not letting you get yourselves killed out there! You have no idea what you're getting into! Now GO!" He pointed sharply up the stairs in the direction of the Gryffindor common room.
Lily's bottom lip wobbled and her bright eyes began to glisten with tears. Albus couldn't recall the last time he'd seen his little sister cry, besides when she was a toddler.
"Please be careful," Lily whispered, running into Albus's arms once more. He tried his best not to cry in front of her.
"Rose, please..." Hugo pleaded.
Rose's face softened and she shook her head. "No, Hugo. You and Lily need to follow Albus and Holly up to the Gryffindor common room before..."
Suddenly, there was a loud crash from one of the lower floor levels, causing an uproar of shrieks. Then, the sound of glass breaking and the whoosh of a flying Death Eater coming from the window nearby made everyone on the stairs scream and duck. Albus knew they had to move now.
"Go," Rose told him, her face pale.
"I'll get your brother to safety," Albus assured her, grabbing both Lily and Hugo's arms. "Just be careful."
A flash of light flew across Albus's peripheral vision, followed by a pained cry. A spell had hit someone.
"GO!" Rose screamed at them.
Not glancing back, Albus pulled Lily and Hugo along up the stairs, dodging petrified students, with Holly right behind him. He prayed to Merlin that Rose and Natalia could handle the basilisk on their own, and that he and Holly could handle the wrath of Lucius Malfoy. They were powerful enough to fight this battle, weren't they?
Albus couldn't help but doubt himself as he heard the fearful screams of the students around him.
~ ~ ~
Uh, oh... :O
Alright, so I know a few chapters back I said that this story would be 75 chapters long, but it didn't really work out that way lol. I've bumped up my goal to 80 chapters. Who knows, that may change too... XD
The battle is just getting started! Find out what happens next on Thursday! Remember to vote, leave a comment, and possibly share! Thanks for reading, I love you guys so much! *infinite kissy faces*