Chapter Nineteen: Deatheaters and Werewolves
Alison and Ginny stationed themselves at the end of the corridor. They could see Ron and Neville down the other end.
“What do you think he’s doing?” Alison asked Ginny in a low whisper.
Ginny shrugged her shoulders, “Harry thinks he’s a Deatheater.” Ginny said softly. Alison recalled a lunch date she was trying hard to forget, ‘You’ll be given an honor like Draco.’ Alison shivered at the memory of his voice.
“I think he might be right.” Alison said to Ginny softly.
Half an hour later The Room of Requirement opened. Alison and Ginny began to run towards the door, as did Ron and Neville. Malfoy stepped out holding a shriveled up hand. Alison stopped in her tracks, as did the others.
Malfoy looked around him, almost as if he was making sure that no one was there. He caught sight of the four of them and dropped something on the floor. Almost instantly the corridor filled with thick black smoke. Alison coughed and reached her hands out in front of her trying to find her way out of the cloud. She could hear footsteps coming closer.
“Get to bed.” Malfoy hissed in her ear. Alison drew her wand but didn’t cast any spells. She was afraid to hit one of her friends. So instead she groped hopelessly until she made it out of the corridor. Ron, Neville, and Ginny were already there.
“What was that all about?” Neville asked catching his breath.
“He had others with him.” Alison said looking around for a sign of where they went.
“I think they went that way, towards the astronomy tower.” Ginny said and they started off running. Alison got a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach. The astronomy tower was where Dumbledore always died.
Not long into their pursuit of Malfoy they ran into Lupin. Alison actually knocked right into him. Lupin grabbed her arms and steadied her on her feet.
“What are you lot doing out of bed?” Lupin asked as Bill came around the corner followed by Tonks.
“We just saw Malfoy, coming out of the Room of Requirement. He blacked out the hallway, and ran, with others. They headed that way!” Ginny filled in quickly. Lupin didn’t take time to question them; he just turned on his heel and ran towards the tower. They caught up with the Deatheaters in a matter of minutes.
One of them broke away and ran up the stairs to the tower, but the rest of them began to fight. Alison ducked down low as a flash of green light flew by her head, missing her by inches.
Crouched on the floor Alison began shooting spells at the large cloaked Deatheaters. A few of her spells hit their marks, but they didn’t slow down the Deatheaters any. Professor McGonagall came running into the corridor, almost tripping over Alison.
“Miss Parker!” she said in surprise, “What are you doing here?” she asked stunned and then shook her head pulling Alison back to the ground as another killing spell shot past them and hit a Deatheater square in the chest. He collapsed at the bottom of the stairs but that didn’t stop Malfoy from climbing up them.
“Be careful!” McGonagall called as she rushed away from Alison and into the fight. Alison stood up, her wand at the ready and ran farther into the battle. Another curse flew over her head and Alison ducked to avoid it. She came up and shot a disarming spell at Fenrir Greyback. His wand went flying and he let out a roar. He began charging at Alison and she let out a scream cowering back against the stone wall.
Bill Weasley came up between her and Greyback stopping him from attacking Alison. Instead Greyback swiped furiously at Bill’s face, his hands claw like and flashing. Alison cringed as she heard the sound of ripping flesh.
Lupin shot a spell at Greyback and he flew off of Bill. Alison sunk to the floor beside him. His face was ripped to shreds and unrecognizable.
“Oh Bill,” Alison said afraid to touch him, “I’m so sorry.” Someone pulled her up by the arm and Alison screamed again.
“Calm down.” Lupin said calmly as he set her on her feet, “Worry about you, we’ll take care of Bill later.” He said before rushing off.
Alison put on a brave face and ran along the wall shooting spells at the Deatheaters. A few more of them raced up the stairwell. Neville took off after them, but when he reached the base of the staircase he was flown back. He hit the far wall with a sickening crunch and fell to the floor motionless.
Alison felt her mouth fall open as she stared at Neville. He was only a few feet from where she was standing. One of the remaining Deatheater let out a loud cackle and began to fire killing curses once more. Alison ducked as one came towards her.
Ginny let out a scream and Alison turned searching for her through the battle still going. Someone spun her around and Alison held bag a gag. The Deatheater that had a hold of her smelt nasty, his breath was rotten as he breathed into her face.
“Look at this pretty one.” He cooed with a sickening smile, “It’s almost a shame what I’m about to do!” he emphasized the last word with a stab. Alison let out a gasp as she felt metal against her own flesh. He dug the small dagger into her abdomen, scraping against a rib. He grinned wickedly and gave the dagger a sharp twist before pulling it out and letting Alison fall.
As Alison fell she saw Snape arrive on the scene, he bypassed everyone and ran up the steps to the tower. Lupin made to follow him, but he too was thrown back like Neville. Alison sunk farther down on the wall until she was sitting up against. She looked down at her stomach and cringed, her robes were bathed in sticky red. She placed a hand over the wound flinching as she applied pressure.
Alison looked up in time to see the large Deatheater fire off a spell. It collided with the ceiling and there was a loud roar as the ceiling came crumpling down around them. Alison closed her eyes against the dust. The corridor had become suddenly quiet. Alison opened her eyes to see dust settling and people rushing form the astronomy tower. She coughed and spit blood.
The battle resumed around her, filling the night with more bangs and screams. They must have woken they entire castle by now. A familiar shape came into view through the clouds of dust and Alison looked up at the man who was her father.
“Make a choice.” He hissed in a demanding voice. Alison grinned, feeling the blood spill out of her mouth as she spoke, “Over my dead body will I fight with them.” She hissed with the last of her breath. Snape turned on his heel, just like that and left her. Alison remained conscious long enough to see Harry streak after Snape down the corridor. Then the world went black.
***
“Snape killed Dumbledore.”
Alison’s eyes shot open, “What?!” she gasped out despite the stab of pain she felt.
She was suddenly swarmed by people.
“Ali.” Harry said in a breath, relief on his face. Madam Pomfrey pushed him out of her way leaning over Alison she began to speak, “You’ve got a nasty cut there, my dear.” She said softly, “I’ve done what I can, but the blade was tampered with. Dark Magic. You’ll heal with time.” She said.
Alison frowned not remembering what had happened at first, but it swam back into her view quickly and she shuddered. She pushed herself up so that she was sitting, even though Madam Pomfrey yelled at her not to. Alison wanted to be able to see what was going on.
Bill was laying in the bed next to her, his face still slashed. Alison bit back tears knowing she had caused his injuries. At the other end of the ward Neville lay asleep on his bed. Surrounding Bill and Alison were Ron, Luna, Hermione, Ginny, Lupin, Tonks, and Professor McGonagall.
“Snape…..but, he trusted him.” McGonagall said faintly.
“He had always insisted he had good reason too.” Lupin added.
“I’d like to know what it was.” Tonks said simply.
“He had always hinted he had an ironclad reason.” McGonagall said.
“I know what he had,” Harry said, his voice was rather dead. “He passed information to Voldemort about my parents, but he told him that he didn’t know what he was going to do at the time. That he was sorry they were dead.”
“Fat chance,” Lupin said anger flashing in his voice. “He hated James.”
“You’re not the only one he betrayed.” Alison muttered under her breath.
“What dear?” Professor McGonagall said looking over at her.
“He told Voldemort about me.” She said, “He’s one of them. I met Voldemort with him. I should have told someone!” she said covering her face in her hands.
“Alison.” Lupin said resting a hand on her shoulder, “You did the right thing, he most likely would have killed you.”
Alison sniffed and nodded her head.
“This is all my fault,” Professor McGonagall said suddenly, “I told Filius to fetch him. He probably didn’t know they were even coming.”
“It isn’t your fault Minerva,” Lupin said firmly, “We all wanted more help, he had us all convinced he was on our side.”
Alison didn’t want to hear the horrors of the battle be relived. She blocked out what they were saying around her and instead focused on the sad lament coming from Fawkes somewhere in the distant. Though his song was sad, it was healing in an odd sort of way. Dumbledore was dead. The thought sunk into Alison’s mind filling every part of her head. The man who stood between Alison and the Deatheaters, between everyone and Voldemort was gone. How would they survive without him?
The doors slammed open and Molly and Mr. Weasley came down the ward. Fleur trailed behind them, her face terrified.
“Molly—Arthur—“ McGonagall said standing up, “I’m so sorry—“
“Bill.” Mrs. Weasley said approaching her son, “He had such a handsome face, and he was going to be married.” She said dapping the ointment Madam Pomfrey had been using moments ago.
Alison turned her head away, blocking out the noise again. She didn’t want to feel. She almost wished that the dagger had killed her before they had gotten to her under the rubble. It had fallen on her legs. She closed in on Fawkes song once more, drinking in its comforting feeling.
“You see?!” Tonks yelled breaking Alison out of her own mind, “She doesn’t care!”
“It’s not the same.” Lupin said weakly, “He’s not fully contaminated.”
“I don’t care!” Tonks yelled grabbing a fist full of Lupin robes.
“You deserve some one young and whole.” Lupin said trying to pull away.
“But she wants you.” Mrs. Weasley said softly.
“Now isn’t the time.” Lupin said, “Dumbledore has just died—“
“He would have loved to know there was a little more love in the world.” McGonagall said curtly as Hagrid came into the ward. He was crying softly.
“I….I’ve done it.” He said trying to steady his voice, “I’ve m—moved him.”
McGonagall stood and nodded. She patted Hagrid’s arm, just above his elbow.
“Thank you Hagrid.” She said curtly
“Professor Sprouts got the kids back in bed. Professor Flitwick’s layin’ down, but he says he’ll be all righ’ in a jiffy, an’ Professor Slughorn says the Ministry’s bin informed.”
“Thank you Hagrid. I will have to see the Ministry when they get here. Hagrid, please tell the heads of house—Slughorn can represent Slytherin—I’d like to see them in my office, I’d like you to join us as well.” McGonagall turned to Harry, “I’d like a word with you as well.” She said and started off down the ward.
Madam Pomfrey straightened up, coming back to life, “I’m going to have to ask you four to return to your common room.” She said addressing Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Luna. “That is where they’ll be looking for you later.”
The four of them walked down the ward, Ginny throwing Alison one last glance. When the doors closed once more Molly approached Alison’s bed. She sat down on the edge of it and took Alison’s hand in her own. Alison didn’t want to look at her and see her tear stained face.
“Alison, dear.” She said softly and lifted her chin to look at her, “Are you alright?” she asked her. Alison shook her head. She took a vow right there to stop lying.
Alison felt the tears slide down her face, “Oh Molly!” she said between cries, “It’s my fault! I’m the reason Bill’s hurt!” she cried out. Molly tried to calm her down but Alison just shook her head, “No I disarmed him, and he got mad. He came charging at me. And Bill—H-he jumped between us.” She said wiping at her face.
“Oh Alison,” Molly said softly, “It is not your fault. He was simply doing his duty.” She said patting Alison’s hand, “I would never blame you.”
Alison just nodded her head. She turned away from the few people left in the ward feeling suddenly very alone. Alison listened for Fawkes once more, but the grounds were finally silent. The bird had left them, like his owner, forever.
Without warning the tears fell down Alison’s face once more. She wasn’t sure why she was crying. It was a combination of all the things she had been through. She cried out her pain and frustration, her betrayal and hurt. She cried for Dumbledore, and Bill, and Snape. She cried for herself, and what the Wizarding World was going to become. Nobody bothered her for the reminder of the night. Alison slid down into her blankets and closed her eyes trying to fall into some kind of sleep, in an attempt to escape her feelings if only for a few hours.
Alison woke the next morning to a quiet hall. The sun was shining through the high windows, though for the first time it’s warm rays didn’t cause her to smile. Madam Pomfrey came bustling over with a steaming potion.
“Good morning!” she said in a forced happy voice and handed the potion to Alison. Alison took it and drank it with a grimace.
“Now let’s take a look at your injuries.” Madam Pomfrey said and undid the bandages around Alison’s abdomen. Alison looked down to see gash in her stomach. Madame Pomfrey clucked her tongue and changed the bandages carefully.
“How long do I have to stay here?” Alison asked trying not to look at Bill in the bed beside her.
“Only a few more days.” Madam Pomfrey said as she walked away to her desk.
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Author's Note: Hello lovlies, I know it's been a long wait, but I truly think this chapter is worth it. It's my favorite so far I think. Tell me if you enjoyed it! I'll let you know I got goosebumps reading through it just now, but that might be because I'm quite emotional at the moment. Anyways, comment? vote? fan? xoxox