1,740A/N: Coming back, it was heart-breaking to see how dead the fanfiction community is since I remember it in its heyday. Then again, reading as a hobby in itself has diminished. But if others are anything like I am, they'll cycle back every now and then to check their favourite fics.
Second, I'm fine. Better than fine. Last chapter authors note was more about saying I'm busy and a feeble attempt at humour. No need for anyone to feel too bad. As long as I'm breathing, I'm a happy fellow.
Finally, I've been asked throughout if I will abandon this fic or give it to someone else. Unfortunately, the answer to both is no. I had a dream with this fic and I will see it realized. Fair warning, we might all be grey in the head by the time that happens though. (Kidding, not kidding). I will be increasing the pacing of the story though, not too much, but enough to get it moving.
Chapter 21: Black Forest Part II
The Forbidden Forest
Even the remnants of shock and pain from the doxy attack didn't dampen the awe of seeing half-peak for the first time. Nestled in the valley between mountains was the biggest clearing in the forest completely devoid of trees and shrubbery. The centaurs used the large open fields to train their young and run unhindered when needed. Smack dab in the middle stood the smallest of mountains, feeble smoke rising from the top, its size a deceptive contrast to the danger it posed. For Half-peak, the training grounds of the centaurs, was an active volcano.
At the very forefront stood Chief Zatarra, scimitar at his side and a few of his generals right behind. But for a raised eyebrow, he showed no reaction to the number of humans trudging up to them. To be fair, the tired, doxy-bitten bunch of children and ministry officials hardly looked like a threat.
Even before the "ooohs" and "aaaahs" had ended, Percy Weasley, who was there representing Crouch and therefore, Department of International Magical Cooperation, strode forward Imperiously with an outstretched hand saying, "An honour to meet you Sir. The name of Chief Zatarra is known even amongst the interns of the Magical Creatures department."
The frowns that were in place amongst the centaurs deepened. The chief ignored the outstretched hand, ignored Percy and strode forward towards Zico, who was standing next to Harry.
"Doxies?"
"They weren't too much trouble, father."
"Whatever drove them out will be," muttered Harry.
The chief nodded. "I've sent a scouting party. We'll worry if need be." He stood up tall and proud before addressing the group, "So, which of you will be talking for the ministry?"
Amelia Bones, Lord Greengrass and Amos Diggory approached with caution, "That would be us. We came to discuss terms for entry and compensation for the allowances you're making."
"Compensation," snorted Chief Zatarra, "very well. Let's begin by understanding exactly how much of our land your workers are allowed to move around on..."
Now reasonably certain no one's head was getting lopped off, Harry stretched and made his way to the others who had broken into smaller groups and were squatting on everything from rocks to picnic blankets, complete with finger food and sandwiches. Soleil Greengrass in particular, seemed to have packed everything she could into her enlargement charm laced bag. She was pulling out camping gear, blankets, a small table and an entire tea set, watched wide-eyed by Rox and a few other centaurs.
"Come join us for tea Harry. They'll be at it for a while. Daphne dear, set up the tent so we have some shade. It's almost noon. Rox, you and your friends absolutely must join us. This a custom we would love to share with you."
Others like Su Li's mom, the Germans and even Skeeter seemed to have had similar ideas and were setting up tarps, tents, etc.,
Thanking her for her offer, Harry made his way towards the group he had been curious about all day. For the life of him, he couldn't understand why Dominic was suffering the company of bigots like the Malfoys and the Notts. Draco's and Theo's pining for his girls at least made it obvious why the two blood purists hadn't yet demeaned the veela. That, and the vast amount of political capital that came with being on Dominics good side.
They were seated on a round, luxurious, Arabian style majlis that someone seemed to have brought, complete with a tarp to keep out the rain and the sun. The sides however were completely open. The two veelas sat on either side of Dom, Draco had weaselled his way next to Jasmin and Harry saw a polite smile gracing Fleur's features as Theo spoke animatedly next to her. He quashed the twinge of jealousy in his stomach knowing a blast of allure from either of his girlfriends would have the two boys blubbering in no time.
Malfoy and Nott seniors sat opposite Dominic, engaged in what seemed to be a lively debate with two middle-aged women he did not recognize, Blaise Zabini and his mom. Prof. Stegen, who seemed to be having a hard time around the black widow and veelas, brightened up as he saw Harry approaching. "Ah, just the man I was hoping to talk to."
Dominic noticed Harry and immediately beckoned him over to sit with them. Bright smiles from his girlfriends and contemptuous glares from the boys next to them greeted him as he made his way to the majlis.
"We were just discussing how you met the girls and your heroics during the Klein incident this summer." Dom turned to the older Malfoy, "I don't suppose there's been any more progress in the investigation here in Britain?"
"None that I'm aware of," Lucius answered smoothly, while Nott Sr. shifted a little to make himself comfortable. "Whoever this Klein fellow is, it's unlikely you'll find any leads here. Have you considered any of your political rivals as suspects? After all, I hate to imagine what could have been if not for Dumbledore's favoured pupil."
"We got lucky," Harry said distractedly as Fleur, who sat daintily with her feet folded in front, caught his arm and pulled him down onto the cushion she was on, even though there were other empty ones.
"Not the way I heard it Mr. Potter," Aida Zabini said, her voice an eternal coquettish whisper, her figure infallible and the face a concoction of beauty potions and spells. She looked anywhere between twenty to fifty and was probably out here hunting husband number seven. "Your performance at the duels can certainly not be attributed to luck. I guess it's true Dumbledore has taken on an apprentice then."
"Another way of saying he's playing favourites," Nott Sr. sneered as Theo tried to nod, scowl, brag and fight the allure at the same time.
Unfortunately, that set the tone for the next half hour as Harry fielded questions about his seemingly advanced knowledge on everything from spell-work to creatures to future plans, each member choosing their question for their own agenda.
"Now see here, you're in no position to make such demands and we're in no position to grant them," Madam Bones said slamming her hand down. It irked her that Lucius didn't even have to be a part of this conversation for him to get his way but Fudge had been very clear about what concessions were to be given. And not.
Nearly an hour after negotiations began and they were almost done. The centaurs had agreed to let the humans use Half-Peak and its surrounding area for the rest of the school year, provide what protection they could for any workers that would be present as well as allowing the setting up of apparition and portkey points. In return, it was the ministry's duty to ensure no one intruded on the rest of their territory, provide the requested list of raw materials for their shamans and publicly acknowledge centaurs and their territory. It was a minor sub-clause of the last issue that was threatening to collapse the entire negotiation.
"Then that's all we have here. How can you expect to use our land, have my people risk their well-being and yet refuse to acknowledge us or our rights?" Chief Zatarra had been stubborn as a mule the entire time and he wasn't budging on this issue. "We will not be subject to the whims and mercies of your ministry under the term of "magical creatures"."
Amos Diggory, who was already having a bad day because of the doxy bites, tiredly blurted out, "Look, the current law is clear on what creatures with near-human intelligence-"
Outraged sounds from the centaur generals interrupted him. "Near human intelligence? Our intelligence far outstrips your own, puny-" Bane was cut short by Zatarra sticking out his hand. His narrowed eyes hadn't left Bones'. For her part, she was silently glad she had been able to ensure nobody else from the ministry would be present for the actual negotiation. She was sure the term "half-breed" would've been used liberally by now.
Thankfully, Lord Greengrass, who also seemed eager to end the meeting, stepped up. "There is a Bill in the works that intends to provide greater rights, freedom and autonomy for... those who are not entirely human. Werewolves, Veelas and so on. With the support of the neutrals, which I represent, the Bill can become law. I'll be sure to include your request in it. It's not a guarantee but it's the best we can do."
After a long pause, Chief Zatarra gave a curt nod, "Very well then. We have an accord."
Owing to the powerful natural wards that covered the forest, it would take the ministry workers three days to set up apparition and portkey points. Half a dozen of the aurors were chosen by Kingsley to stay behind and guard them along with the centaurs. What this meant for the rest of the group was that they had a gruelling hike back to the castle. Noon had come and gone and with it, the picnic-like atmosphere. And as with any trip, there was significantly less excitement and more complaints while returning.
Soleil and Tonks were the only two people who didn't seem to have had their fill of centaurs, the rest finding the forest-dwellers somewhat stand-offish. As they were waiting for Bozo to get a picture with ministry representatives shaking the hand of the centaurs, the group seemed to realise they were in need of their guide once again.
Lounging in the grass with Zico, Harry watched everyone pack up their belongings and get ready. Things had progressed much better than he'd hoped. But for some hiccups, the negotiation had been a success. Even more importantly, they were departing with plenty of light left in the day. The forest was at its most hostile after nightfall and he was sure they could return to the castle by then.
"Zico," he muttered. "You guys coming with us?"
"Father insisted we accompany you until the bogs. I've already got twenty braves waiting."
Harry was grateful for that. That would deter all but a full scale acromantula attack while they were in the denser part of the forest. And it was less than an hour from the bogs to the castle. That part of the forest was home to relatively harmless creatures like thestrals and hinkypunks.
A shadow fell over Harry and he looked up to see Daphne's form. She was biting her lower lip with a questioning look, "There's something you're not tell us, isn't there?"
"Just being extra cautious. It is the wild after all".
She looked unconvinced but didn't press the issue. More people began to form up next to her with Astoria and Rita in the lead. "Can we get going?" the latter asked, "I need to make the presses in time for tomorrow's front page".
As Harry roused himself, the aurors began to cover the civilians in their usual formation. Most of the centaurs took over as rear-guard while a handful along with Zico And Rox joined Harry at the front. And off they went.
It was a laborious, if uneventful, trip. With the sun up and the group already tired from the mornings exertions, their pace suffered. It didn't help that most wizards and witches gave little importance to physical fitness. The complaints and breaks began to become increasingly frequent but Harry just let the aurors deal with them. He and the centaurs were focused on a more pressing issue.
Something had felt off from the beginning but it was only after an hour in, Firenze noticed what it was, "Forest is way too quiet. I've never heard the silence so loud". While the groups chatter and complaints had given no reason to notice the silence, once it was mentioned, it was hard not to notice it.
For the next hour, even the occasional songbird or cricket felt like a welcome modicum of normality. The centaurs in particular had begun to get antsy. They stopped often now, straining their senses. Rox had already asked twice to take a group out and scout around only to be denied by Zico. "Pick up the pace and no more stops!" he said to an ensuing groan. Whether due to tiredness or because they sensed the tension of their guide and centaurs, the chatter reduced. Most people looked like they regretted coming and couldn't wait to reach the warmth and safety of the castle.
When they reached the bogs, Harry caught up to Zico and noticed his troubled expression mirrored in the centaur's face. "You've realized too, huh?" Zico kept his voice as low as possible.
"Yeah. We're being tracked."
"The acromantulas wouldn't venture into this part of the forest."
"Nor would they track us for so long," Harry observed. As if on cue, a deep, guttural growl echoed around them. A single sound that seemed to surround them. The reaction was immediate. Everyone had their wands drawn and looked around with uncertainty in their eyes. Harry was sure rule number two was not going to be followed if whatever growled showed up. "Don't stop. Keep moving. We'll see the humans through to the edge of the forest," Zico ordered.
"Is that normal?" The auror named Dawlish asked.
"What do you think?"
Theo couldn't keep the fear out of his voice, "Is it a werewolf?"
"It's the middle of the day idiot." Draco's retort would have been a lot more effective if his voice didn't quaver.
A few more steps and another growl rent the air, closer this time. Moody took over. "Form a circle, wands out everybody. Hagrid! Any idea what it is?"
Even the half-giant seemed lost. "Nuthin' tha' hunts by day growls like tha'". Astoria whimpered a little. The aurors has taken positions surrounding the civilans, wands at the ready, senses searching.
"By night then?" Moody barked.
Harry didn't hear Hagrid's reply due to a shout in his head by the Hat.
"Shield!" Without even thinking, he cast his strongest shield around as many people nearby as possible.
A growl was heard but this time mixed with the sound of a songbird. And things went to shit. Even Moody, with his constant vigilance couldn't react. Because the first attack came from within. A mad smile gracing his features, Prof. Stegen ran towards Moody and Kingsley, the two most proficient fighters, and... detonated. There were no other words to describe whatever runic array he activated. He had tried to hug the aurors just at the end, only for the unfortunate form of Su Li's mom to accidentally get in the way. Stegen and Su Li's mom splattered over those within range. Kingsley was blasted with enough force to fly away into the forest undergrowth, his body broken and fate unknown. Moody went down missing his entire left side, arm obliterated and wooden leg aflame.
Those nearby caught fragments of the blast and couldn't help but scream in pain or shock or both. But the aurors recovered in mere seconds to turn their wands against the civilians, just in case there was anybody else. And it was at that moment, the question of what was growling was answered. Emerging from the trees, massive snow white fur revealed a polar bear's head and body twice the size of a man, followed by the hind legs and tail of a wolf - a chimera. Two aurors fell before they realized spells were bouncing off of it. Two more went down for good before they realized it was due to the witch sitting on its back, shielding the already highly spell-resistant beast.
Tall, white-haired and attractive, she sat regally atop the rampaging beast letting it do the bulk of the damage while her staff defended and spread ice around, chilling everything to the bone.
Even though their lead aurors were down, the rest did their jobs admirably enough. Led by Tonks from the left and Hestia on the right, they fired powerful shield-breakers and transfigured the trees around to trap the chimera, it's spell resistance proving futile against physical attacks. The centaurs held nothing back as they charged. The numbers were on their side after all. The white witch seemed to sense the danger she was in and yelled, "Well Bane? Do you want your precious daughter or not?"
From the other side of the path they'd been on, came their second attacker, shortly followed by the third. Fred Klien, or Bane, charged into the mix, followed by an unknown witch, both firing powerful curses without mercy. The numbers they had- centaurs, aurors and civilians, suddenly turned on them as they tried to evade debilitating and even some lethal curses in small spaces.
It had been less than ten seconds from when the Hat had yelled and Harry had made sure his shield hadn't dropped. Along with those of a few other adults, they were all that kept the civilians from harm in the swirling mixture of chaos that had formed. But as he saw Klein and his choice of curses, Harry dropped his shield in preparation for a fight.
"No kid! Get your wenches and leave! This is not a fight you want to take".
"There's only three of them".
"Are you daft? It's a well-planned ambush. That's Jadis, the white witch. She was one of Voldermort's first followers at Hogwarts but abandoned him to achieve greatness on her own. The other two are Bane and Ravenna. It's the League. There will be more coming. You can't save everyone. Leave!"
It was hard to follow the Hat's words when he saw Klein and the witch, who was fighting with tendrils surrounding her, being engaged by Madam Bones, Tonks, Lord Greengrass and Lucius Malfoy. It seemed a common foe had created unlikely allies. On the other side, the centaurs were chipping away at the rampaging bear even as the aurors tried to bring down the witch on its back. Disregarding the Hats advice, Harry jumped into the fray.
Klein was clearly there for Jasmin and so, that's who he targeted first. Strong and fast, the masked man did as much damage with his fists as magic if he got close enough. Lord Greengrass had already been sent flying and Harry took his place, teaming up with Lucius Malfoy of all people. His first barrage of cutting curses and bludgeoner certainly seemed to be troublesome but Klein's superior agility meant that he was not as affected as teenaged duellists. "Is that the best you can do Potter?" Lucius snarled, powerful bone breakers and rotting curses flying from his wand. "I thought you were Dumbledore's little protégée".
The Hat was cursing Harry out for two reasons now. "Damn you! Didn't the fossil tell you to fight without holding back when your life was on the line?" Harry grit his teeth. Unleashing the darkness inside meant a lot of things, but backlash aside, he was going to need a few moments to get his occlumency shields or risk getting consumed himself. Unfortunately, a few moments were a luxury he couldn't afford right now.
Even worse, just as the Hat had predicted, two more wizards had shown up and attacked from the front where Harry had stood moments before. Dawlish was already clutching a bleeding neck, gasping for breath. They were now well and truly surrounded. Harry had no choice but to fall back into a defensive role. Spells were flying from every direction and it was all Harry could do to shield, deflect and dodge while making sure he kept as many people alive as possible.
What followed was a masterclass in spell-work by the League. Even though there were only five of them, each was clearly a master at their art and handily overpowered a much larger group and were now in the process of picking out individuals. Less than fifty seconds after the detonation, the battle looked lost and Harry was at a loss for what to do. Protecting the younger members that included his girlfriends came first, but there was no hope if a counterblow wasn't struck. Any offensive move he made risked someone he cared about dropping dead.
The two wizards in particular were particularly ruthless as they tossed around unforgivables with no regard for who they hit. The Hat identified them as Miraak and Kael'Thas, Harry detecting the undercurrent of fear. That set him on edge well and truly. If the Hat feared something, then it was not something he could hope to face and come out unharmed. From what he'd seen, any one of these attackers were more than he could handle at the moment. In his fourteen years of life, Harry had seen quite a bit, but this... was beyond him. And the only way he had to fight back would risk his life and sanity.
The final blow of the night however, would turn out to be the hardest one. Even as the aurors and centaurs bravely put up a last stand, the lone figure that floated in on the melee caught everyone's attention, with some even pausing the fight for their life to stare, not believing what stood in front of their eyes. Whatever resistance was left, crumbled.
He descended from above, like an angel of death, wielding the elements around him like only a true sorcerer could. The man who was considered the most wanted criminal in the world, the man who had escaped the most secure prison in the world and, as the survivors would learn later, now stood as the undisputed leader of the League - Gellert Grindelwald.
Desperation and panic clawed at Harry's insides like poison. Around him he saw faces that had either lost consciousness or accepted defeat. But there were those who continued to fight. Fleur stood tall and proud next to her father as she batted away curses, a skill she had only acquired recently. And that's when he saw it. Mere feet from his beloved silver-haired princess was Miraak's killing curse, headed straight for her. Time slowed and his instinct kicked in. There was no time to warn her and no time to block it. He did what he did without thinking.
He blinked. His modified switching charm dragged him to where the bracelet he'd gifted to Fleur had been and hugged her tight, hoping no part of her was exposed and had just enough milliseconds to regret dying so early and pointlessly.
Harry didn't even try to move them to the side. There was no point. He had seen exactly how close the curse was before switching. It was a miracle it hadn't hit already. The last thing he heard was a frenzied scream of "HARRY!" from Jasmin and Fleur screaming into his chest. For one heart-stopping moment, every battle and wand stilled in surprise at the unexpected turn of events.
Everyone looked expecting a body to fall. And fall it did, lifeless, but without so much as a noise. Jasmin watched with an open mouth as Harry turned around, eyes searching for the killing curse, disbelief written all over his face. In his arms, Fleur was clutching at him, her eyes wider than ever as the realization of everything that had happened set in.
On the ground lay the remains of the killing curse's victim. It was nothing more than a wet patch and a bandage. The rest of the hinkypunk had vaporized into the air.
A/N: I know the chapter is relatively short. But what can I say? I like my cliff-hangers.
Fanfiction authors don't get money or fame from their works. It's mostly done for the reviews. We write thousands of words for you. Is it too much to ask you to spare us a few? So pretty please, with a sugar cube on top, leave a fucking review.