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Author: Shamrock Holmes Story: Harry Potter and the Lord of Storms Rating: Teens Setting: Pre-HBP Status: WIP Reviews: 3 Words: 27,502
The next six or seven weeks passed relatively smoothly and things were beginning to look up. There were only a few attacks outside the castle, and the Dementors had, for the moment, gone back into hiding again so the casualty figures had started to drop. At the same time, the reformed DA had doubled its membership; the new recruits were mainly senior Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, but a handful of younger students and three Slytherins had also been brought in. After making sure everyone had a basic grounding in defensive spells like Expelliarmus and Protego and could cast a half-decent Stunner, Harry moved on to the spell he felt it was most important for them to learn: The Patronus Charm. By the middle of October, virtually the entire class could cast some sort of Patronus, and about two-thirds of the class (mostly those who had practiced it during the previous year) had a semi-corporeal Patronus, and a dozen had fully corporeal Patronuses, a fact which Harry was very proud of. ---- Two days before Halloween, Ginny returned late from Quidditch practice, thanks to a brief visit to the Library. When she finally entered to Gryffindor Tower, she found the common room nearly empty. There were a handful of fifth and seventh year students still clustered around the armchairs, the study tables and the big fireplace, but other than them everyone had disappeared. Ginny cursed under her breath and glanced around the room. There was no sign of Harry, Ron, Hermione or Neville, but after a minute she spotted the two Creevey brothers and went over to them. Harry had been called away for a couple of hours due to an attack on their parents so she guessed they'd probably know if he was back. Harry would have wanted to give them any news personally. "Colin, have you seen Harry? Are your parents okay?" "Yeah, I have," Colin admitted. "He came back about an hour ago. He said to tell you that he's in the Head Boy's room if you need him. Mum and Dad are fine. Harry says they've been moved to a safe house as a precaution." "That's great, Colin. I'm glad they're safe. I'll see you later," Ginny turned and heading up the right-hand staircase. The two boys looked at each other as if to say 'should we mention that is the boys' staircase?' but said nothing. Ginny found her way up to the Head Boy's rooms without any trouble. When she reached the hidden stairway, she muttered the password ('I solemnly swear I am up to no good') and slipped inside. Glancing around the room she could see any sign of Harry. "Is anyone here?" "I'm in here, Ginny!" Harry told her. The voice had come from behind the small door to the left of the bathroom door. "Come on in!" Ginny obeyed and found herself in a small room she guessed was supposed to be a study or library. There wasn't a great deal of space: a large bookshelf and a long bench on which two cauldrons were bubbling merrily took up one wall; Harry himself sitting at a desk facing the wall opposite. He appeared to be working intently on something, but he paused when he heard her come in. "Hi Ginny, how was practice?" "Fine, I'm just glad my brother isn't the permanent captain, he's a little obsessed. Not as bad as Angelina, but almost." Harry nodded, "If you think Angelina was bad, thank your lucky stars you weren't on the team with Oliver; he was even worse." Ginny raised her eyebrows. Harry could tell she wasn't convinced. "Can I get that book you were going lend me, Harry? The essay's due in tomorrow morning." "Sure." Harry replied, then rose and went over to his bookshelf. "Could you add two small spoonfuls of powdered dragon claw to the dark-grey potion in the pewter cauldron, and stir it clockwise until the solution runs clear?" "No problem," said Ginny. She easily identified the right jar and added the desired amount. She moved to pick up one of the ladles. "Use the wooden ladle rather than the pewter one," Harry added, still rummaging through his books. Ginny put down the ladle she'd been about to pick up and chose the wooden one instead, and by the time Harry had found her book the potion was finished. "What is it?" Ginny asked, when Harry came over to have a look. Harry shook his head. "I can't say, Gin. It's a secret. You'll find out soon." "Does Jenna know?" Harry shook his head again, and picked up the wooden ladle and a small glass jar, which he started to fill with the potion. "I'm not telling anyone 'til it's ready. It might not work anyway." "Is there any word on Madam Hooch?" Ginny asked. The referee and flying instructor had been in the hospital wing with curse burns since before the term began. Dumbledore had postponed the Quidditch matches until she was better. Harry nodded. He replaced the lid on the jar and began to fill a second. "Madam Pomfrey says she'll be back on her feet sometime this week. Our match against Slytherin is back on for the second Saturday in November." "That's great!" exclaimed Ginny. "Are you coming down to Hogsmeade on Saturday?" "I'm going down to London with Neville, but we'll be back in the afternoon. Shall we meet in the Three Broomsticks at about three?" Harry placed both jars in a small satchel and hung it near the door. "Sure. I think Ron's going to ask Hermione on a date, so they'll want to be alone. Dean says he's too busy, but Katie is going to come down with Luna and me. We'll wait for you." Harry nodded and then returned to his desk. Ginny, taking this as a hint that he was finished with the conversation, picked up her book and left. ---- On Saturday, Harry met Neville in the Entrance Hall shortly after most of the students had left for the village. He was carrying the satchel of potions he had finished with Ginny's help and also had a Portkey he had keyed for the alley around the corner from the street entrance. "You said yesterday you think you might have a cure for my mum and dad?" Neville asked as they headed down to the main gates. Harry nodded. "Apolla Jupitus, one of our predecessors, was a Spell Damage Specialist for one of the American hospitals. She developed quite a few mental techniques for healing brain damage." "What are the chances it'll work?" Neville asked hopefully. "We think there's a sixty-three to seventy percent likelihood we can pull it off for one patient and a forty-eight to fifty-two percent chance we can do it twice. The strain on us is immense though and so there is only a thirty percent chance that it will work a third time. It's not a blanket cure, but I can help your parents. If you and your grandmother will let me." "I'm not sure what Grandmother will say, but I want you to try." "Okay Neville, let's get started," said Harry and held out the Portkey. Neville grabbed hold and they disappeared instantly. ---- It took while for Harry and Neville to persuade Mrs Longbottom and the St Mungo's Healers to let Harry try the Memory Restoration Ritual, but they managed it. Harry handed a jar of potion to each of the two nurses detailed to assist him and then transformed into Haimric. "Despite what you may see, it is imperative that you do not interrupt the Ritual," he told the assembled crowd. "To do so would imperil us both." The Healer and the two nurses nodded their agreement. Haimric moved to the head of Alice Longbottom's bed. "Her mind is less disrupted than his, so I will attempt to cure her first with your approval?" Everyone agreed. "Hang on to something," he ordered. Seconds later, the air currents began to ripple around them and the lightning began to flicker and crackle over his body. Haimric pressed his hands to the sides of Alice Longbottom's face and began to chant the second part of the ritual. "Mea pectus adverto tuus pectus... Tuus mentis adverto mea mentis..." After the second repetition of the chant, Haimric's hands glowed and he 'dived' into her mind. ---- When Haimric came out of his second trance, three hours later, he was tired and sweaty but satisfied. "We have been successful," he announced. Cheers filled the ward. "Both Mr and Mrs Longbottom will require several doses of Wit-Sharpening and Strengthening Potions in order to speed up the process, but they should regain consciousness within a day or two. Once they do, treat them as you would someone who has been Obliviated. Understood?" The Healer nodded, and then started giving instructions to the rest of the staff. Neville and his grandmother crossed over to Haimric's side. "I cannot thank you enough, Mr Potter," said Mrs Longbottom warmly. Before he could reply, Haimric's signal earring buzzed strongly,(full stop) after a moment he sensed where he was needed. "Thank you, ma'am. Unfortunately I must depart as there appears to be a situation in Hogsmeade that requires my attention." He concentrated for a moment, then swore. "Neville, I will need the Portkey. Stay here where it is safe for now." "Are you sure, Harry?" Neville asked, but handed over the Portkey nonetheless. Haimric nodded. "Your time will come again, Neville. But not today." With that final promise he triggered the Portkey and disappeared. ---- The Portkey dropped Haimric just outside the school gates. He looked down the hill towards Hogsmeade and saw that there was already fierce fighting going on, with a multitude of coloured flashes appeared and disappeared as he watched. They were mostly the red flashes of Stunners, the orange glow of mages' battlefire or the bright green flashes of the Killing Curse, but Harry also identified the occasional silvery-white Patronus and some blues and purple flashes mixed into a broad spectrum of different magical signatures. There were also a couple of fires burning and silvery-white Patronuses were also visible dotted around the village although from his position even his hawk-like eyesight could not identify any of them. Knowing that as many Rangers as could reasonably be spared were probably already on the scene, he took off at a run towards the houses, not bothering to stop to communicate with the War Room. It was a sign of his increasing fatigue that it took Haimric nearly three minutes to reach the edge of the village; at his peak and running full tilt, he could have crossed the distance in about twenty seconds. The first threat he saw a Death Eater, who was using the Cruciatus Curse on a young girl - from her size and robes a third-year Slytherin - and from the lecherous look on his face he clearly had more than torture on his mind. What a despicable creature, Haimric mused. I agree, added Harry. Fry him. I don't think we can waste the power for a full-strike, Haimric told him. However.... "Mysticus Fulguris Elidere!" he cried, and threw the resulting stun-bolt at the Death Eater. The Death Eater jerked, but he didn't fall; instead he turned round and fired another curse in Haimric's direction. That wasn't supposed to happen, observed Harry sardonically. He was supposed to fall down. Even tired and slow, Haimric was more than a match for the average Death Eater in speed and agility and he easily avoided the curse, and threw another stun-blast back. This hit the Death Eater in the chest and he was knocked unconscious. Our power reserves are much lower than I anticipated; in fact they are nearly tapped out for now. A protracted battle could be dangerous, Haimric noted as he strode over to the fallen student. Why not use the potions on your belt instead of your powers? suggested Harry. You should be able to Summon Ensisquietis and your battle gauntlets too. Excellent points, my friend. I shall do so momentarily, Haimric confirmed. By this point he had reached the girl. He squatted down so he was he at her level. "Do you know who I am?" he asked. The girl nodded. "You're Lord Haimric. You're with those elves that are helping to protect us, aren't you?" the girl replied. Harry nodded. "My name's Deirdre, Deirdre Greengrass." "Hello, Deirdre. Ummm... I know a Daphne Greengrass, are you related to her?" "Daffy's my big sister." "Well, let us see if we can sort you out, Deirdre. Can you stand...?" "I can stand," Deirdre told him. "Though it hurts." "Yes, I suspect it does," Haimric said. "We need to get you healed." He concentrated, and projected his mental 'voice' into his earring. Command, this is Haimric. I have a Cruciatus Curse victim in Area H-2. Medical assistance required. I'm afraid all our medi-mages are already committed, my lord, Artair told him after a brief pause. Can you bring her back yourself? I am afraid my activities at St Mungo's have left me temporarily drained. Send one of your house-elves down here to bring her to the Infirmary. An excellent idea, my lord. A house-elf will be with you in a moment. The captain was - almost - true to his word, a house-elf did arrive in less than a minute, but rather than one of the green-clad Ranger house elves, it was one of the Hogwarts elves. Specifically, Dobby. Haimric forestalled any of Dobby's usual chatter with a stern glance and the diminutive being disappeared with his passenger within a few seconds of his arrival. Haimric glanced around. The way looked clear for now, but just to be on the safe side he quickly Summoned his gauntlets, potions belt and Ensisquietis - the blade Salazar had given Harry during his visit to the Realm of Dreams about three months earlier. The belt and gauntlets appeared around his waist and wrists, the sword appeared in his hand. He slipped the straps of the scabbard around his shoulders and drew the blade. Its ghostly sheen reflected no light; in fact the light almost appeared to pass through it. However, Haimric knew all too well that a curse would not, and he also knew that there was a good chance he would need this quality in the near future. Harry threw his cloak back over his shoulders out of the way and crept towards the village. After he considered things for a second or two, he angled towards the fires, which appeared to be centred around the Three Broomsticks - although the pub itself appeared to be untouched for now. When he got closer he saw a mixed group of villagers, students and a couple of blue-and-silver robed Hit Wizards fighting a large group of Revenants backed up by a couple of Death Eaters. Just before Harry got within range, a Revenant dealt one of the Hit Wizards a brutal slash of his claws. The young woman screamed shrilly and fell to the ground. Haimric groaned, then drew two throwing stars from one of his gauntlets and threw them at the beast as it turned to attack one of the students, a third or fourth year Hufflepuff. The two razor-sharp weapons struck the beast hard in the back, and with a moan it fell to the ground too. The Hufflepuff boy turned tail and ran. Smart kid, Harry declared. Haimric said nothing and before his enemies could react, Haimric slid two more stars out of his gauntlet and threw them at the two of Death Eaters, aiming high. Caught by surprise, they were unable to block the attacks. Both were struck in the throat and died instantly. While Haimric was attending to his targets, the remaining Hit Wizard and the four villagers were occupied with three of the four remaining Revenants. They weren't having much luck and two villagers, both elderly warlocks, were already badly hurt. "Revenants are vulnerable to fire and electricity!" Haimric told them. "Burn them or shock them!" To demonstrate, he removed a small vial from his belt and threw it one of Revenants. When it broke, flames instantly surrounded the beast, consuming it within seconds. He was about to draw another vial to repeat the trick when one of the villagers cried out. Haimric spun around, just in time to see another Revenant bearing down on him. He tried to bring Ensisquietis around to strike at it, but in his weakened state he was too slow. He was knocked back by the charge, his sword clattered to the ground. He was pinned. The Revenant snarled. Its foul breath, unbearable even to the weak senses of normal humans, filled his nostrils, making him want to gag. It bent down, its jaws grazing his throat. Just when he thought it was all over, Haimric heard a gassy whistle, and the Revenant jerked as if hit, then turned to dust. Haimric looked up and saw half a platoon of Rangers striding towards him. In the lead was Jenna, carrying an odd, crossbow-like weapon in a rifleman's position. "Eyes front, my friend," Jenna told him as she bent down to help him up. "I can't watch your back all the time." Haimric snorted slightly. "What's our situation?" "Tenuous. Fifty Revenants, a dozen Death Eaters and an unknown - but large - continent of Dementors appeared in Hogsmeade a little over ten minutes ago," Jenna reported. "The villagers and the local garrison engaged them immediately, and members of the DA and teaching staff moved to assist with sixty seconds. Lord Barra, Captain Aoibhe and I arrived on the scene with six Ranger platoons and fifteen mages, including medi-mages arrived within three minutes. Current casualty figures are unknown, but are probably high, biased towards the Death Eaters and civilians." "Have you seen Ronald, Hermione or Ginevra?" "No sign of Ginny," Jenna admitted regretfully. "Ron and Hermione were last sighted over by Honeydukes. Which is currently surrounded by the largest concentration of Dementors." "Then that is where I will go." "How's your magic? You look pretty drained." "I am, but I have my weapons. I have a potion I want to try out on those abominations," Harry told her. "By the way, spread the word. I need a Revenant alive. Or at least a large quantity of its blood; at least a pint, ideally two." "I'll see to it." Haimric nodded then took off at a run for the sweetshop, pausing only to cut down a Death Eater or Revenant with his sword or to throw a star at a more distant enemy. When he reached Honeydukes he could that the Dementors were being held back by two corporeal Patronuses - an otter and a weasel - and by several more wispy Patronuses. There were probably twenty or thirty Dementors in the crowd and Haimric could feel their effects pressing on his weakened mental barriers. Deciding that he needed a better angle on the crowd, he ran for the opposite side of the street, throwing two more shuriken at a lean, female Revenant that was eyeing a medi-mage crouched over a fallen Ravenclaw student about a hundred yards away. Harry vaulted onto the roof and analysed the situation. Hermione, Ron, and a cluster of younger students - including DA members Dennis Creevey and William Stanwick and two girls from Ginny's dormitory - were trapped inside the store with the old couple who owned the shop. Harry frowned. The shop was dark, but he could just make out another figure at the back of the store. Suddenly it lunged forward into the light. It was another Revenant. Its first swipe cut down two girls from Ginny's class. The second caught Hermione in the shoulder, loosing a spray of blood. Hermione fell to the ground and her Patronus winked out, followed by Ron's seconds later. The Dementors closed in, stopping only a few steps from the door. Haimric swore, and glanced at his wrists. The gauntlets were empty. None of my potions will work; they are too destructive. I have only got one chance to save them... He crouched and then pulled back his sword arm and threw Ensisquietis towards the shop below. The sword cleaved the air, flying straight through the broken front window, and struck the Revenant through the back. The beast screamed and then disintegrated into a cloud of dust. "That's the Revenant," Haimric grinned. "Now for the Dementors." He removed two vials of silvery potion from his belt and then threw them into the crowd of Dementors. The vials broke as they hit the ground, releasing a wave of silvery-white energy that engulfed every Dementor within thirty feet, destroying them completely. "Not bad, the range needs improving though," decided Haimric, dropping to the ground. A mixed group of Revenants and Dementors drifted out of one of the other shops nearby. Haimric tossed another Pyrus Globe and two Patronus Bombs towards the group, slaying all but two of them. The Revenants charged. Haimric tensed, waiting until they got within arm's reach. He struck out, catching one of them in the snout at just the right angle, then reached back and Summoned Ensisquietis to his hand. The Revenant lunged. Haimric ducked, forcing the tip of the blade into the beast's chest. Satisfied the coast was clear for the moment, Haimric ducked inside the sweet shop. Once inside, he paused for a moment to examine the situation: The two fifth year girls were clearly dead and Hermione lay in a pool of blood. Ron was trying to stanch the flow of blood, but he wasn't having much luck. "Harry, help me!" Command, I have a DA member down at Honeydukes. Get a medi-mage over here! We still can't spare any, milord. I do not care, Captain. Hermione is critically wounded. Find someone, and get them over here... NOW!!! Understood. About a minute later, a mage appeared in a shower of light. Haimric groaned. It was Lady Páraici Anluainion, Barra's eldest sister and as a student mage, the most junior of the mages present. "Can you heal her?" Haimric asked, indicating Hermione. Páraici nodded and asked Ron to remove his hand. Ron glanced at Haimric for confirmation. By this point, Hermione was extremely pale and had lost consciousness. "Do it, Ronald. She doesn't have much time." Ron obeyed. Páraici held her hand over the wound. Her hand glowed and the wound closed up almost immediately. "She will survive. You need to get blood replenishment potions from one of the others; I don't have enough power left to replace what's missing." "Thank you for doing your best, Páraici." Seconds later, Barra and Jenna appeared outside. Both had several small wounds, as did their Rangers. "Hogsmeade is clear, Haimric." Barra reported. "Total losses stand at thirty-nine dead and over two hundred injured. Most of those are my people or the villagers." "All twelve Death Eaters - including Jugson and Rookwood of the Inner Circle - are dead," reported Jenna. "As are forty-two Revenants and nineteen Dementors. Mostly down to the bombs you set off. We've also captured three Revenants alive." "Excellent work," Haimric told her. "Get everyone back to the castle. I want Hermione seen to as a priority." "We'll take care of her, Harry," Barra assured him. "I think you should return to the castle yourself. You look exhausted. I can handle the clean- up." "All right, I will," Haimric decided. The Amulet glowed and Haimric shrunk down to Harry's leaner, shorter form. "I'll see you later." Harry levitated Hermione's unconscious body and headed for the secret passage at the back of shop, Ron following right behind him. It didn't take them very long to reach Hogwarts, and soon Hermione was being treated in the Hospital Wing. Ron immediately found himself a chair to sit in at her bedside but Harry excused himself, saying that he had to get some rest and that he needed to let Neville know everything was okay. Ron looked like he wanted to argue that point, but he said nothing and allowed Harry to leave. A/N: I apologise for the wait. Unfortunately real life issues delayed both myself and my beta on this chapter. Chapter 7 is already in the beta process and hopefully it will be ready fairly soon. In the meantime, please review.
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