Chapter 33
The scene that they landed on was chaotic. Harry didn’t know where to look first. He squeezed Blaise’s hand as he tried to process everything. He heard screaming, and an explosion. There was smoke and fire and flashing lights.
The aurors had beaten him there this time. Again, there were Death Eaters in the sky on brooms, throwing down what looked to be explosives in addition to shooting off spells at the people below. The aurors were fighting back, but they were outnumbered, and surrounded.
There was the added disadvantage of having civilians everywhere. It must have been a Hogwarts Hogsmeade weekend, because many of the people running around looked to be children or young adults.
“Where do we start?” Blaise asked as they both surveyed the fight anxiously.
Harry shook his head. He wasn’t sure. Contrary to most people’s beliefs, he hadn’t been in a lot of actual battles. He had trained with Nick yes, but those had all been simulated fights. He didn’t have battlefield experience. He didn’t want to jump in and hurt someone or confuse the aurors.
His path forward became clear when he saw a Death Eater flying above a young girl, apparently attempting to hit her with the torture curse. Harry jumped into action. He shot a wave of magic at the man, and he was blasted off of his broom into the wall. Harry ran to the girl. He needed to figure out a way to get the students to safety.
“Hi,” he said when he reached her, “We need to get you somewhere safe.”
There were some other students near, who saw him, and ran to him.
“You’re Harry Potter,” one boy said.
“Will you help us?” another asked. Harry was overwhelmed but he did his best to stay calm. They were beginning to attract attention.
“Can any of you do a shield spell?” he asked. Some of the older students nodded. “Good, do it, and hold it over this group. Let in any students. Make your way to the treeline if you can, stay out of the way. Get to the shrieking shack. There’s a tunnel to the Whomping Willow.”
With that, he was forced to do another blasting hex as a Death Eater came at them again. He sent the children off.
Then he turned back to the fight. He gathered his magic into his hands and ran further into Hogsmeade where the battle was thicker. He spotted Ron dueling two Death Eaters at once. He felt Blaise behind him, which reassured him. Harry hurled a ball of magic at a Death Eater’s head, and it missed, but it still skimmed him enough to knock him off balance and onto the ground.
“Nice of you to show up,” Ron called, “Lovely weather isn’t it?”
“Yes, nice day for this,” Harry joked back as he sent another ball at Ron’s other opponent who had turned and ran in fear.
“Thanks mate,” Ron said as the Death Eater slammed into the ground.
“Anytime,” Harry grinned as Ron gave him a high five, “How’ve you been?”
“Maybe save the catching up for another time,” Blaise suggested. There was another explosion from down the street.
“Suppose he’s right,” Ron muttered and took off running. Harry followed him, hoping Blaise stayed close.
Zonko’s was on fire. There were more children here.
“Ron, tell them to go to the shrieking shack, if you can,” Harry suggested.
“Good idea,” Ron said, and passed the message discreetly to some other aurors. Harry whipped one Death Eater out of the sky, but most of them had taken to the ground now that they had seen Harry blasting their friends.
Harry spotted five Death Eaters running after some older Hogwarts students into a shop. Harry ran after them. With all of the explosions, he didn’t want the students getting trapped somewhere that was dangerous. He entered the store to see that it was some sort of reptile or fish shop. There were glass tanks of lizards, fish, frogs, and to Harry’s delight snakes. Several of the glass cages had been broken and they were slithering around on the floor.
The students were fighting back, but they were cornered against the back wall. Harry whispered in parseltongue to the snakes:
Then men in black are bad, they need to be ssstopped.
The snakes replied:
We underssstand young ssspeaker
“Merlin Harry, I forgot about that,” Blaise said as all of the snakes turned and made way for the Death Eaters. Harry smirked slightly and then tried to determine what to do. The snakes distracted three of the Death Eaters, but the other two were more apt at magic and simply put a shield up. They had three young girls cornered and Harry was worried about the tight space and what his magic might accidentally do to them if he tried to stop the Death Eaters.
The distraction had allowed the other students to run to the side of the shop, where Blaise helped usher them back outside.
Harry was then able to pin the other Death Eaters to the wall, who were all crying out in pain as the snakes bit at their ankles and crawled up their bodies.
Harry heard a door swing open. One of the students had managed to get a door to some back room open and had darted inside with her friends. The remaining Death Eaters had followed them.
“Shit, Blaise,” Harry called, making his way to the door. Harry found a staircase to the lower level and took them two at a time.
“We’ve got you now pretty girls,” he heard taunting.
“Won’t be so pretty when we’re done with them,” the other said. One of the girls was crying. Harry finally made it to the bottom of the stairs. The basement was dark and lit only by the blue light of a floor to ceiling aquarium. The room had to be magically expanded or there would be no way that it would have fit. Harry swallowed his fear of the water just behind the glass. There were more important issues at hand.
The girls were cowering in a corner, with nowhere to go. They looked to be around third or fourth years.
“You’re not going to do anything to them,” Harry announced his presence and the Death Eaters whipped around.
“That’s Harry Potter,” he heard one of the girls whisper. Harry heard Blaise descend the stairs behind him.
“You can’t hurt us without hurting them,” snarled one of the men, grabbing a girl roughly. He held her out in front of him.
“Coward,” Harry spat. He put a shield in front of the other two before the other Death Eater could get the same idea. Harry pinned him up against the wall opposite of the aquarium with a wave of his hand.
“Drop the girl, or your friend is dead,” Harry threatened. Harry wasn’t going to kill him, but they didn’t need to know that.
“You think I care? Let me out!” the Death Eater demanded. His friend made a sound of protest at the betrayal.
“Drop the girl, let them go first, and then we can talk,” Harry said calmly. Blaise shifted behind him. Harry reinforced the protective shield around him and the girls, more to reassure himself.
“In your dreams,” the Death Eater put a wand to the girls temple. Harry had no choice but to stun both the girl and the Death Eater, praying that he hadn’t hurt her. It was weak and it would only keep them down for less than a minute.
“Come here,” he said urgently to the other two. Harry quickly approached the Death Eater on the ground, took his wand, and took the girl out of his grip. He woke her up with a gentle wave of energy. Once she was back on her feet he said, “Go upstairs, go to the shrieking shack, there will be others there.”
The girls nodded and ran. Harry quickly approached the Death Eater on the ground, took his wand, and then took the wand of the other.
“Do we have any of those portkeys?” he asked Blaise. He heard the Death Eater behind him stirring.
“I don’t,” Blaise shook his head. His eyes widened suddenly and Harry spun around to see the Death Eater behind him taking something out of his pocket. Blaise grabbed the back of his shirt quickly to pull him back before Harry could even process anything.
BOOM!
Harry’s world exploded just as he realized that the man was holding a hand-made explosive that he had seen some of the other Death Eaters holding.
Harry flew back with the force of the explosion. He hit something solid. He tried to find his bearings and almost lost consciousness a few times. He might have, he wasn’t sure. He was having a hard time finding air.
Where was Blaise? Was he okay? Harry didn’t even know if he himself was okay. His ears were ringing as he tried to find his feet. He felt something cold brushing against his legs, and then his waist and back and arms. He finally found ground and pushed himself up, suddenly finding the air.
He shook his head and finally gained his sight as the world stopped spinning. He felt terror well up in him like nothing else when he realized what was going on.
Water.
There was water everywhere. It was all around him, up to the base of Blaise’s neck. That’s why it had been so hard to find his feet. The glass had shattered in the explosion. Blaise’s protective spell from Harry had simply pushed him back against the wall and deflected all of the debris that had flown at him.
Blaise had watched as the Death Eater had committed suicide, killing both him and his friend instantly. The aquarium had broke and now there were fish and glass and the dead bodies floating in the water. The ceiling was caving in, and the walls were falling. He needed to find Harry.
Harry hadn’t had the protective spell that he’d had. He’d gone flying during the blast. He didn’t even know if Harry was conscious. He could be drowning, and not even awake to know. And if he was awake… he would be absolutely terrified. Blaise cast the strongest lumos he could.
At first he couldn’t see Harry. The water was still making waves around the room. Then, he saw Harry’s head break the surface suddenly with a gasp of air. He was coughing, and looking around. Blaise noted a large cut on the side of his forehead with a concerning amount of blood. Blaise watched the exact moment that Harry realized where he was and what he was surrounded by. Harry screamed in terror. It wasn’t a sound that Blaise ever wanted to hear again.
“Harry!” Blaise yelled over his screaming, “I’m right here, we need to get out of here!”
Harry didn’t seem to hear him. Blaise swam through the water, hoping he wouldn’t hit anything or that the magical creatures that had been kept in this tanks weren’t dangerous.
Harry was flailing around trying to get out of the water, but clearly disoriented and unable to process what was going on. The exit was the door that was now hovering above their reach because the staircase had been destroyed in the blast.
Blaise finally reached him after some amount of struggle. He took Harry’s shoulders.
“Harry, look at me,” he said loudly. Harry was absolutely hyperventilating.
“Harry!” Blaise yelled. Harry stopped struggling against him and looked at him, wide-eyed.
“Blaise-” he choked.
“You’re alright I promise,” Blaise said more kindly, but firmly. Harry could freak out later but right now they needed to get out of here before the ceiling completely fell in.
Harry shook his head, “I’m- dying-”
“No you aren’t. It’s just water, I’ve got you,” Blaise said, “You need to apparate us out of here, past the wards. I know you can do it, but you need to calm down first.”
“I can’t-” Harry gasped in terror, looking down at the water below him. He slipped, and his head almost went under, but Blaise held him up and held him close.
“You can, you have to,” Blaise said, “I want to live a long life with you and I will not die down here. Apparate us out.”
After seeing that Harry was still not calmed down he said, “Don’t look at the water, look at me.” Blaise was trying not to pay attention to how the ceiling was shaking and beginning to crumble above them.
Harry listened this time, thankfully. He looked at Blaise, “Okay now deep breath Harry. No fear.”
Harry took a shaky, but deep breath, and his eyes calmed and then hardened just enough.
“Good, now apparate us out of here,” Blaise commanded. Harry took another breath, and then there was a crack and they were gone.
They landed back where they had apparated to the first time. Harry fell to the ground gasping and coughing.
The battle had moved inwards, so they weren’t in any imminent danger at the moment.
“That was horrible,” Harry said and then gagged. He coughed up some more water. Then he sat back, shaking, but more aware. Blaise knelt down to look at his head.
“Are you okay?” Harry asked, oblivious to his own injuries and panic attack.
“Yes, you kept me quite safe,” Blaise assured him, “You on the other hand.”
Harry was all cut up from the glass and debris of the explosion. The worst seemed to be the one on his head. Blaise did a quick healing spell that wouldn’t heal it all of the way, but would stop the bleeding until they could get professional help.
“Yeah, I think I might have a concussion,” Harry said.
“We need to get you to a healer,” Blaise said.
Harry shook his head, “I need to help.”
“You did already,” Blaise argued. Harry shook his head again and stood, still shaking.
“No, I want to finish this today,” he said, swaying slightly.
“You can’t, you’re hurt, scared, you need to heal and rest,” Blaise pressed.
“Bloody terrified,” Harry muttered, “But I’m going to do this. I can get help after.”
With that he turned, still sopping wet and ran to the battle. Blaise ran after him, proud, but concerned.
He watched Harry rejoin the battle with passion. Blaise hadn’t made any agreement himself to help with the battle so he stuck to watching Harry’s back. Harry was incredible, but he was human. If he made a mistake or if he became outnumbered, Blaise would be there.
Harry didn’t need much help though. Within minutes, he had three Death Eaters locked up in a duel that they were having a hard time winning. Harry wasn’t using spells at all. He was flinging debris at them, large boulders making it hard for them to concentrate. The aurors were giving Harry a wide space. Anytime Harry downed one Death Eater, another took his place, and the aurors would portkey the old one to the Ministry.
Blaise noticed the wind picking up aggressively and saw that Harry was making somewhat of a tornado around himself and his opponents. He directed at the Death Eaters, and they were swept up, one by one, and deposited, unconscious, in a pile in front of Ron Weasley and Kingsley Shacklebolt.
Harry wasn’t done. Down the road, the Hogwarts professors were locked in battle as well. Blaise ran after him.
“Professor, may I help you?” Harry asked Professor McGongall.
“Mr. Potter! Don’t ask! Jump in!” she commanded, but Blaise could tell she was thrilled to see him.
Harry did jump in, effectively taking her opponent from her, allowing her a second to breathe. She turned and helped Professor Sprout and the two of them downed three Death Eaters at once.
“FIENDFYRE!”
Blaise turned when he heard the shout from behind him. There was a roaring wall of fire barrelling towards Harry and everyone in its way. Blaise swallowed. He didn’t know how to stop it in this amount. He didn’t even know that it could grow this large. He needn't have worried though, Harry saw it, and was unfazed.
Harry tossed his opponent to the side like he was a toy he was done playing with. Harry made a wide gesture with his arms and a glimmering blue wall went up, stopping the line of fire. The fire surged upwards, angry that it had been stopped.
Harry bellowed the counter spell. It surrounded the stopped fire, and extinguished it quickly. Blaise watched him take a deep breath, placing his hands on his knees for just a second, and his earlier concern came back tenfold. Blaise noticed several more spots where blood seemed to be soaking through his clothing, though all of them were small. His face was pale, though Blaise wasn’t sure that anyone would even notice.
Harry straightened up quickly, looking for his next opponent. There were only a few left, which he took care of with a flick of hand. Blaise made his way over to Harry, carefully walking through the rubble. Kingsley made it there first.
“That was incredible Mr. Potter,” he said as Blaise joined them.
“Harry, you’re amazing, thank you so much,” Ron said earnestly.
“You’ve done us a great service, once again,” Kingsley added. Harry nodded with a humble smile. He turned when he saw Blaise.
“Nice job love,” Blaise murmured. Harry appeared to be too tired to speak. He swayed minutely and Blaise placed a hand on his back subtly. He felt the way that Harry was trembling. There was a red spot growing on his side that concerned Blaise. No one else seemed to notice, not even Harry.
“Ah yes, my boy, you’ve done splendidly,” Blaise heard, and the hairs on his neck rose. He turned as Harry stiffened immediately next to him.
“Albus, you shouldn’t be here,” Kingsley warned, “You are in an active investigation.”
“In which they will find nothing,” Dumbledore said, hands raised in what was meant to be a placating gesture.
“You should leave,” Harry said, voice harder and more dangerous than Blaise had ever heard it. He noticed that Dumbledore had a wand in his hand.
“Harry-”
“Don’t.” Harry warned, vibrating with tension, “Leave.”
“Auror Shacklebolt,” Dumbledore said, with a slightly unhinged gleam in his eye that made Blaise incredibly nervous, “The man in front of you should be taken into custody at once.”
Kingsley barked out a shocked laugh.
“Albus, come on now,” he said, “Leave.”
Dumbledore raised his wand to Harry, “If you will not protect the citizens of this nation, I will. Unfortunately, Mr. Potter still holds a piece of Lord Voldemort in him, and as long as he lives, he poses a threat to all of us.”
“You’re insane,” Harry hissed, “For the last time, it’s gone!”
“One can never be too sure, I’m sorry it has to be this way,” Dumbledore said sadly, as if Harry was a pet dog he had to put down.
“Try it, I dare you,” Harry seethed. He stepped away from Blaise. The wind picked up again, fueled by Harry’s obvious rage. Dark clouds rolled across the sky and lightening cracked.
“Do you see how dangerous he is?” Dumbledore cried, “This is dark magic!”
“Dumbledore, stand down!” Kingsley boomed, “You are under arrest!”
Dumbeldore looked insane. His icy blue eyes were wild like a rabid animal who was cornered. He cast a violent spell at Harry, who ducked, and sent one back of his own.
Blaise knew that Harry had felt that he could take on Dumbledore and win, but Harry was exhausted and injured already. And Dumbledore clearly was determined to take him down. Blaise’s heart was in his throat as he watched.
Thunder boomed as the two most powerful wizards clashed. They were evenly matched. If Harry had been in top shape, he probably would have easily pulled out ahead. Blaise gasped when Dumbledore sent Harry flying backwards into a pile of rubble, but Harry stood immediately, green eyes glowing with rage and power.
Lightning flashed across the sky, brighter and closer than before. Dumbledore took a step back as Harry approached. Wind cracked around them, and rain started to pour. Dumbledore shot another spell, which Harry swiftly avoided.
“Enough,” Harry spat. He sent his arms out in a quick motion and Dumbledore went flying, even though he tried to block it. Dumbledore crashed into the stone wall of the Three Broomsticks, and did not get up.
Kingsley ran over to him to check his pulse.
“He’s alive,” he called out. He took the wand, and put Dumbledore in handcuffs. The rain lessened, and then stopped. The dark clouds faded away and the wind died down.
Harry looked on, satisfied. The people around him swarmed and congratulated him. Everyone seemed joyous with the defeat of the Death Eaters and the fact that Harry had bested Dumbledore.
Blaise was the only one who wasn’t celebrating. He was watching Harry. Harry was almost stumbling as he made his way through the crowd of aurors, teachers, and students. He was pale, and his eyes were glazed.
Blaise pushed through everyone to get to him.
Hands were grabbing at Harry, everyone wanting a hug from the savior. Blaise finally reached him, and Harry looked up at him.
“Harry, you need to sit down,” Blaise said over the cheers from the people around them. Harry didn’t hear him.
“Harry, we should go to the Ministry,” one auror said.
“You’ll get another Order of Merlin for this,” another chimed in. Harry nodded tiredly and smiled. Blaise and Harry were pushed apart slightly.
“Alright everyone, back off a bit,” Kingsley yelled, returning from dealing with Dumbledore. He met Blaise’s eyes, and Blaise could tell that he also saw that Harry needed a healer immediately. Harry was given space. Harry swayed dangerously, and Blaise rushed to catch him.
Harry’s head was spinning. He suddenly became aware of his side aching fiercely. Something in his back was on fire. His leg too, it felt like there was something stabbing him just above the knee. His ears were ringing, or roaring perhaps.
There were people on all sides of him. He smiled politely, as he knew it was expected of him. He couldn’t tell what anyone was saying.
Dumbledore was down right? And the Death Eaters, had he got them all? He hoped so. He blinked fiercely trying to keep the blurriness from coming back to his vision. There was darkness around the corners that was threatening to overtake his vision as well.
He looked around hoping for a familiar face that he could ask what was going on. He needed to be sure everyone was safe.
Ouch.
Everyone was touching him and it hurt. Someone set alight an injury in his shoulder.
There. He saw Blaise. Blaise was trying to get to him. Harry pushed in that direction. Blaise was there now and he was speaking to him. It was too loud. He couldn’t hear.
Blaise was gone now. Harry panicked a bit. He just wanted to go home and lay down. The blackness around his vision was closing in. Suddenly, everyone stepped away from him. The world tilted dangerously. He felt strong arms surround him as he fell. There was a hand on the back of his head.
“Open your eyes darling,” he heard. Oh, were his eyes closed? He opened them and saw the blurry face of Blaise above him.
“Stay with me okay?” Blaise coaxed, voice echoing around Harry’s head like they were in a tunnel and he was standing far away. Harry reached out and grabbed Blaise’s shirt.
“I’m okay,” He tried to say. He wasn’t dying. He was just tired. Blaise didn’t need to look so scared.
“There’s a lot of blood.”
Oh no. Someone was bleeding. Harry should help them. He could heal them.
He was too tired. He was just going to take a little nap. He felt horrible.
“No baby, stay awake okay?” Blaise said.
“Don’t feel good,” he tried to explain, but the words were sticking in his mouth.
“I know, I’m sorry, but you have to stay awake,” Blaise said. He sounded so sweet. Harry tried to stay awake for him. He really did. But the world faded to black and Harry couldn’t stop it.