Chapter V: The Masks of Death
(Harry P.O.V)
Harry dropped to his knees as he clutched his scar tightly. The pain in his head was overwhelming and the chaos swarming around him as people fled screaming away from the skull that had manifested in the sky certainly didn't help. Harry crawled into the tent with the help of Sirius and Remus as he saw the concerned look in Daphne's eyes before he closed his own, entering his own meditative state.
His mindscape was covered in a sickening green fog and Harry had focused his mind to the source, the same chest he'd locked away his conduit with Voldemort. With an internal groan, Harry shouted, "Get the hell out of my head!"
He clenched his fist as he watched the effects of Dumbledore's training begin to pay off as the miasma that once filled his mind receded at his command back into his locked chest. Maintaining his focus Harry pulled himself out of his mindscape and saw the terrified look in his girlfriend's eyes who was standing protectively over him, "Harry," She spoke with relief, "Are you-"
"I'm okay," Harry said as he took Michael's outstretched arm and pulled himself to his feet, he leaned on his two comrades as he worked on regaining his balance, slowly they emerged from the tent once more and Harry confirmed what he already knew, "Damn it, when they said they were going to attack on the 25th I didn't think they meant as soon as it started."
"It's not so much the danger they pose to us directly," Sirius spoke, "But there are too many young kids here, some don't even have a wand." Suddenly, a black plume of smoke appeared before them, and out of the darkness rose a figure that sent Harry's blood into a boil. The figure emerged from the smoke in a cloak almost as black as the night itself and across the person's face a mask embezzled with black lines and snake-like eyes slits, "Death Eaters," Sirius growled.
Harry stepped in front of Daphne, pushing her behind him as the Death Eater lifted his wand. Harry snarled as he lifted his own, but clearly, this Death Eater had expected his appearance alone to be enough to jolt them. What he hadn't expected was for Remus and Sirius to lift their wands in resistance to his fear. "Expelliarmus!" Remus snarled as Harry swore he saw panic rise in the masked man's face.
Before the Death Eater could even move though, Sirius blasted him away with a quick flick of his wand as he barked, "Reducto!" The man landed before him, a hole through his torso with blood pouring out like a river. As the man faded into the next world, the mask on his face evaporated into mist and Harry stood in shock as a man he'd never seen before; not Nott, not Avery, not Crabbe or Goyle, not even Malfoy lay dead before him.
Tonks gasped, "That's Alex Bailey," Harry turned to face her older sister in confusion, "He was an Auror in the academy with me, why would he be-"
"Damn," Emmeline spoke, "Bailey was always a little touched, but now we know they're already growing inside the ministry."
Sirius gritted his teeth before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. As he slowly opened them, he heard Sirius speak, "Alright Harry, Michael, and Neville. Remus, Augusta, Emmeline, and I all allowed you to be considered members of the new Order because you've shown tremendous growth over the summer. I need you to listen close, it's time for your first mission."
Harry felt the confused look of Daphne burning into the back of his head, but with a nod, he, Michael, and Neville nodded, "Right."
"Your job is to help evacuate the innocent, starting with children that don't have a wand to protect themselves with a working up. Take them out of the campsite and then have Kreacher apparate as many as he can to the safe house in Dublin," Sirius then turned to Daphne, "Miss Greengrass, I believe you have an elf as well, I know you don't owe us anything but-"
"I'll help," Daphne responded with a nod.
"Good," Sirius said with a nod, "Harry said you know basic healing magic after you bring back your first group of refugees, I want you to stay at the transfer point and make sure you tend to the wounded enough so that they won't bleed out during apparition."
"Tonks," Sirius said and Harry watched as Sirius' eyes shifted to the Pink-Haired Auror, "I don't think any of us were expecting Fudge to bail so quickly. Get to the Ministry and tell Bones to get every Auror she can over here. Remus, Emmeline, and I are the Vanguard. Everyone has their assignment, now let's move!"
Instantly, Harry turned to Neville and Michael, "We have our assignment, you get hurt, hurt em' back. And for the love of God, try not to die."
"Right back at you Potter," His two friends echoed, and Harry forced his fist forward, bumping it against the fists of his friend before they nodded and broke apart.
The last words Harry heard before departing came from Cedric who called out, "I'm helping too, I can't just watch people get hurt or die," before Harry had found himself barrelling through a cloud of smoke.
"I have so many questions right now, I don't even know where to start," Daphne said in an aggravated tone as together they weaved through the crowd.
"I promise you, I will answer all of them after we get through this," Harry said clutching his girlfriend's hand before he pulled his wand from his holster and placed it at his throat, " Sonorus!" With the loud screeching sound confirming the spell had activated Harry prepared to speak as he closed his eyes remembering what Sirius had told him during their first week of training.
* Flashback*
"Harry," Sirius spoke gently as Harry panted tiredly, the towel hanging around his neck that was almost as wet from his sweat as it would have been if he'd have just left a shower, "Do you know why it's important that you train harder than anyone else."
"Because I'm the one destined to kill Voldemort in the prophecy," Harry spoke in a rushed fashion feeling as if the answer to the question was quite obvious.
"That is partially true, your final stand with Voldemort is certainly important, but believe me when I say it isn't the most important reason for you to be strong." Harry looked up at his Godfather in confusion as he watched the man smile, "The reason it's important for you to be strong, is much like the reason Dumbledore had during the first war with Grindelwald or Voldemort. Your strength isn't just a stat to gauge your combat ability, you need to be strong because you embody hope. And while love is certainly a powerful weapon, as demonstrated by your mother and father's sacrifice to protect you, hope is just as powerful, as without hope fanning the flames of resistance, the fire will die out, and darkness will spread without containment.
*End of Flashback*
Hope, Harry thought to himself, The will to fight back, slowly Harry cleared his throat before he spoke, and allowed his charm to magnify his voice, "Please Listen!" He shouted well over the screaming of the terrified fleeing people, "My name is Harry Potter! As you all know, years ago I survived the killing curse and defeated the Dark Lord! I'm here now, speaking to all of you to tell you that the men that stand before you clouding their identities behind masks are nothing more than cowards! Hideous people with grotesque ideologies that seek to rule people through fear, but being afraid is nothing more than a choice! These Death Eaters aren't agents of fear and chaos, they're pathetic human beings who can't even face the backlash their out of date ideologies would lend them. I implore you, please, don't allow these cowards to frighten you, don't allow them to win!"
Harry watched as many who heard his message began to calm, the stampede around those who heard his voice began to cease, and though Harry hated attention more than anything, it was worth it if it contained the fear. Once more Harry continued, "Atop the hill, my House Elf is waiting to apparate all those too young to protect themselves to a safe house of the Order of the Phoenix!" Harry watched as the mention of the Order got positive responses throughout the crowd and with Harry's final testament he spoke, "I can't do this alone, so please, I'm requesting your help! Those of you who are of age and willing to stand and fight, protect the hill so those who can't protect themselves can flee! Right now the wizarding world needs heroes, not bystanders. This is your freedom to live without fear that they are attacking! It's your families they intend to subjugate! It's your magic that they want to strip from you! And it's your pride as a wizard they want to destroy simply because of the blood that runs in your veins! Those are cowards trampling on your homeland, show them they aren't welcome here!"
While some still continued to flee, Harry smiled brightly as he watched many full-grown witches and wizards stop in their tracks as looks of anger rose to their faces. He watched as wizard after wizard drew their wands and turned their faces back towards the commotion, many turned to their young children, pointing to the large hill Harry had indicated before standing tall, and with a deafening roar, a citizen army of witches and wizards barreled towards the chaos.
"You really have a way with words Flyboy," Daphne spoke in sincere admiration, "You managed to quench a lot of their fears, you gave them hope."
"That was the plan," Harry spoke, but concern laced his voice as he hoped none of the innocent people he had mobilized into action got hurt far beyond repair. However, knowing he had a mission at hand, he squeezed Daphne's hand tightly before turning his attention towards the hill, "Come on Princess, the night's not over just yet."
(Astoria P.O.V)
The hill, Astoria thought to herself as her body was sent flying into the air with the flick of a masked man's wand, Just gotta get the kid to the hill. Slowly Astoria pushed herself to her feet, as she wiped the blood that dripped down her forehead towards her eyes. "Just piss off already," Astoria growled at the man in the mask as she saw him lift his wand. Quickly, Astoria forced her body to move, adrenaline being the only thing to keep her fear at bay as she quickly grabbed the little boy, and dove out of the way of the masked man's curse.
Astoria felt her body tremble as she looked up at the tree he'd hit instead of her, and her eyes widened in fear as she saw the perfect hole that was blasted through the trunk, The bastard's actually trying to kill us. By the height, Astoria could tell it wasn't either of the Malfoys or her father, the figure was much taller, and while she wouldn't exactly call either her father or the Malfoy's sane, they weren't as openly maniacal as the man before her, whose laugh sent shivers down her spine, "Yes! Yes!" The man spoke becoming ecstatic over the battle, "Dance little girl! Dance! Reducto!"
Sadistic fuck, Astoria snarled in her mind as she rolled out of the way of the last man's blast. She'd never been in a battle before, but desperately she shouted, "Flipendo!" Instantly she cursed, her spell was off due to her trembling hand, despite her attempted resistance to her fear. She had wanted to call for Dobby, but she knew that letting her guard down for even a second meant her death or at least serious harm.
"What's wrong little girl?" The masked man spoke through sporadic laughter, "You aren't afraid, are you? What happened to all that spunk you had before?"
*Flashback*
"The Dark Mark," Astoria spoke to herself bitterly, "Why now?" Her eyes then shifted to the trembling boy at her side, and gently Astoria spoke, "It's alright, we're going to be just fine, okay? I won't let anything happen to you."
"Don't make promises you can't keep little girl," A chilling voice spoke from behind her, and quickly Astoria turned around as she watched the masked-figure emerge from the smoke, she hadn't even a moment to reach for her wand as a heavy fist fell across her cheek sending her flying.
Quickly Astoria lifted herself off the ground and watched in horror as the man lifted the little boy by the collar of his shirt. Without a thought, Astoria bolted towards the cloaked figure and not knowing what else to do, she quickly jumped, pointing her wand right at the masked man's face as she bellowed, "Lumos Maxima!"
Astoria watched as the man dropped the child covering his eyes from the blinding light before with the slash of his wand, Astoria was sent toppling to the ground. Her body ached, but adrenaline coursed through her veins like fire as she rose to her feet grabbing the boy's hand and running away. The scumbag had recovered quicker from his temporary blindness than Astoria had hoped for and moments later, she managed to just barely move, thanks to all the reflex training she had done with Harry on her broom, out of the way of the man's cutting curse which only scratched her arm.
"Why do you run?" The man spoke with a sinister laugh, "Why don't you stand and fight? Are you afraid little girl?"
"Bite me," Astoria growled, "As if I'd ever be afraid of an asshole like you."
"Interesting!" The man spoke like a feral beast, "So much confidence! Entertain me more! Dance for me girl! Dance for your life!"
*End of Flashback*
Astoria lifted her wand once more, as she spoke, "Petrificus Totalus!" But the man simply batted away her spell, like it was nothing more than an irritating fly. Astoria readied her wand for another attack, but instantly a strong gale blew from the tip of his wand emerged, and Astoria felt her body forced off the ground as her back slammed hard against a tree trunk. Blood spilled from Astoria's mouth on impact as the strike had taken the air out of her lungs before she fell to the ground face first.
"You weren't any fun at all," The man winded like an impudent child as Astoria struggled for air, "Honestly the least you could have done was make it interesting."
Astoria clutched the dirt in her hand cursing her own weakness as tears streamed down her face. The footsteps of the mad man approached closer and closer and she closed her eyes in acceptance of her fate, thinking somberly to herself, I'm sorry Daphne, I'm so sorry. Then as if lightning had struck her, she heard Harry's voice in her head "You're not giving up already, are you, Short-Stack?"
His words jolted life back into her, as Astoria forced her body to move, pushing herself off the ground, That's right, she thought to herself, Harry wouldn't simply lie down and die, he'd fight until his last breath. If he doesn't quit, then I have no business doing anything less. "Yes!" The man cried in perverted levels of gratification, "That's it! Stand up! I want to see the look on your face as I kill you!"
"Go fuck yourself," Astoria spoke as she forced her arm despite the pain to lift her wand, "You sick freak!"
"Wonderful!" The man moaned in happiness, "That resilience is just so wonderful! It makes me feel so… good. Now then, die little girl!"
Astoria closed her eyes, but just before she attempted her last spell, a loud pop echoed through the air, before an even louder crack erupted through her eardrums. Her eyes flung themselves open from shock as she heard a calming voice call out to her, "Good fight… Short Stack."
"Harry!" Astoria cried out in relief as she saw her big brother standing before her, blood dripping from his knuckles as the man that had been pursuing her laid flat on his back below him.
"Was he the one who hurt you?" Harry spoke in a chilling tone. Astoria had seen Harry angry before, but the coldness of his tone had left her speechless capable of only nodding her response. In a mixture of awestruck relief and fear, she watched as Harry lifted the man by his robes and hissed viciously, "You hurt my little sister," Harry said, the frost in his voice cold enough to freeze fire, "You're going to regret that."
Astoria watched as Harry ripped the mask from the face of the hooded figure and jammed his fist hard into the man's gut forcing blood to gush from maniac's mouth at his involuntary cough. Without giving the man even a moment to recover, Astoria watched as Harry placed a sticking charm on the man's back before he roared, "Depulso!"
The man quickly was sent flying, his back slamming against a tree, but unlike Astoria, he didn't fall, instead, he lingered there in mid suspension and laughed as if the pain was pleasurable to him. With the swipe of his wand, Harry spoke, "Incarcerous," and instantly, the man was tied up securely against the tree, his wand resting on the ground beneath him.
Astoria stumbled behind Harry as he marched towards the man and Astoria could see the irritation on Harry's face, clearly, Harry had been hoping for somebody else below the mask, somebody who he had hoped could give him some answers. Astoria watched as Harry placed his wand to the man's throat and snarled, "Talk! Now!"
"Hahahahahaha!" The man laughed in amusement, "I don't know anything you would want!"
"What are the Death Eater's planning? What is their motive? Where are they meeting?" Harry roared in anger.
"I don't know," The man said with a laugh, "And honestly, I don't care. I was just told that I'd be allowed to hurt people. How could I turn down such a delicious pleasure? Have you ever heard it Potter, the screams of people terrified for their own lives? The way parents will fall to their knees begging for the lives of their children? There's nothing that gets me off quite like the pain in a mother's eyes when you strip their child's life away from them. It just feels so, so, Good!"
Enraged Astoria watched as Harry punched the man so hard teeth fell out of his jaw. "You sick bastard," Harry growled, "The Aurors will find out exactly how much it is you know before I personally make sure you rot away in Azkaban."
"Oh, I don't doubt your intentions, but they can't exactly question someone who isn't there," The man said with a laugh, and just before either herself of Harry could ask what he meant, the man stuck out his tongue and inscribed upon it was a single runic character.
"Astoria!" Harry shouted tackling both herself and the small boy, "Get down!" Quickly she watched as Harry drew his wand and shouted, "Protego Maxima!" And then... BOOM!
"Are you alright Short-Stack?" Harry asked as the smoke began to clear.
"Yeah," Astoria spoke with a nod, "A bit cut up, but not as bad as it could have been. I heard your announcement, I was trying to make it to the hill, but then, that freak showed up. Are those guys really Death Eaters? I thought they were more, well, refined."
"No," Harry spoke, "They aren't Death Eaters, at least, not yet. You were right, this was an initiation test."
"So they really do believe that he's coming back," Astoria spoke as a chill coursed through her body.
"Don't worry about it okay?" Harry said with a smile, "Even if he does come back, I won't let him hurt you." Before Harry had even finished his sentence, Astoria had raced towards him, hugging him tightly as tears streamed down her face, "Astoria," Harry whispered comfortingly as he wrapped his arm around her head.
She had lied, she wasn't okay. She wanted to be brave, but things had felt so different now. It didn't matter that she was the one who had been attacked, she watched a man die, and she wasn't sure how to process that. Shamefully, Astoria croaked, "I was so afraid. I don't want to be scared but god I really thought I was going to die."
"Kreacher," Harry called out gently, being greeted by his tired House-Elf, "I have another kid for you, bring him to Daphne please."
"Of course master," Kreacher nodded before popping the kid away leaving just her and Harry.
"Why didn't we go with them?" Astoria spoke tears still flooding her eyes.
"Because I don't want you to leave here feeling like a coward," Harry spoke gently, "Being brave doesn't mean you're fearless, people who claim not to be afraid are idiotic, not courageous. True bravery is standing despite your fear, and from what I saw, you showed more bravery than any Gryffindor at our school, that much is for sure."
"Do you get afraid?" Astoria spoke gently looking up at Harry.
"All the time," Harry responded with a soft smile as he helped her to her feet, "I'm sorry I wasn't able to get here sooner, it was pretty chaotic on our end and Kreacher had a hard time finding you in the carnage, but I want you to know that I'm really proud of you Short-Stack. And I promise you, if you still want to learn, I'll help teach you some new defensive spells."
"Do you mean it?" Astoria spoke, her tears finally seeming to stop as she rubbed her eyes.
"Yeah, Short-Stack," Harry said with a smile, "I promise. Now, are you ready to head back so that Daphne can take a look at these cuts."
Astoria nodded before her eyes opened in realization, "Harry, before we go, I need to tell you one last thing." Astoria watched as Harry turned to her expectantly, "Narcissa Malfoy, she knew about the attack, Lucius told her and she had warned me to be out of here by midnight. I was going to tell you and Daphne but I got delayed. The point is, Narcissa knows, and from the time I've spent with her, I have a feeling she isn't too happy about what happened. She might be a useful resource to have in your corner."
"Astoria," Harry said as he placed his hand atop her head, "You are amazing, you know that?"
Astoria smiled brightly as she stared at Harry, "Well with you and Daphne as role models to look up to, what else do you expect?" Harry smiled as he squatted down, and feeling like a child, but knowing she felt too exhausted to walk, she climbed onto his back and rested her chin on his shoulder as Harry wrapped his arms under her legs.
"Alright Short-Stack," Harry spoke gently, "Let's get you home."
(Daphne P.O.V)
"I need more gauze over here!" Daphne shouted as she wrapped the last bit from the wizarding first-aid kit she had brought to her. Stopping the bleeding was one thing, she knew that spell, but covering the wound and disinfecting it was another issue entirely, especially when the salves and potions she had procured from all the kits were draining rapidly despite her sparing use of each material.
"We're out!" Called Tracey as she helped more wounded kids up the hillside.
"I'll go rip apart some of the fabric from the tents," Blaise called out, "It may not be comfy but it'll hold in the bleeding!"
"Perfect time for the healers to be missing," Daphne growled to herself as she tied the knot firmly around a small boy's arm who Kreacher had apparated to her side. The boy winced in pain as Daphne smiled apologetically, "Sorry, kiddo, had to stop the bleeding."
"I- I miss my mom," The boy spoke a tear streaming down his face.
"Hey," Daphne spoke reassuringly, "My friends are down there helping everyone they can. I'm sure your mom is going to be just fine. You'll see her again real soon, for now, let's get you somewhere safe."
"O-okay," The boy sniffled as Daphne walked the boy over to the two elves she had called who were panting in exhaustion. She had felt horrible, House Elves loved to work, it was in their magic, but even though Dobby was still smiling, thankful to be of use, his body was trembling from magical fatigue.
"Dobby," Daphne asked her elf softly, "How are you holding up?"
"Dobby is fine Miss Greeny," Dobby said smiling, "Dobby can keep going."
"Okay," Daphne spoke, "Here's another kid to take to the safehouse, we're almost done, okay?"
"Okay," Dobby nodded and just before the elf popped away, Daphne thanked him for his efforts with seemed to revitalize the tiny creature before he popped away. Daphne wiped the sweat from her brow as she saw Michael and Neville appear over the hit, another dozen kids behind each of them, Even for Death Eaters, Daphne thought to herself in disgust, How could someone be willing to harm so many innocent children.
"Are you doing alright?" Michael asked, "Harry would kill me if I let anything happen to you."
"I'm fine," Daphne said through panted breath, "How many zones do we have left?"
"When Cedric gets back," Neville spoke, "That makes sixteen zones, there's still over fifty left to clear."
"Son of a bitch," Daphne cursed as she struggled to catch her breath, her magic nearly depleted, "Where the hell are the healers from the ministry?"
"They're not coming," Michael spat, causing Daphne to tremble with anger, "Ministry regulations, healers aren't allowed to enter an active battle zone. Tonks says many of the healers are pissed about it, but she isn't sure how many healers want to lose their jobs by breaking rules."
Suddenly a flurry of cracks appeared behind them and from the array of arriving wizards, she heard a shrill voice speak, "That is true Mr. Corner, but right now, technically my friends and I aren't ministry employees."
Daphne turned around and a flood of relief washed over her body as behind her stood the Matron of Hogwarts Madam Pomfrey along with a mini militia of off-duty and retired healers from St. Mungos with bags stocked with potions and medical supplies, "It didn't take long from the time Tonks arrived at the ministry for Dumbledore to catch word of what was going on. He called upon me to gather any volunteers I could muster and make it down here. I must say, Quidditch always seems to be a course for injuries be it in itself or by proxy."
"If Dumbledore heard," Neville spoke in tired breaths, "Then where is he?"
"I suppose he should be entering the battle at any-," Before Madam Pomfrey could even finish her sentence Daphne watched in awe as in the place where the Dark Mark once shone menacingly in the sky, a large Phoenix emerged, bursting through the skull and replacing the miasmic green with a shimmering white.
"The old man really knows how to make an entrance," Michael spoke in a mix of frustration and amusement.
"Would it kill him to show up on time for once?" Neville said with a shake of his head.
Daphne watched in awe as at the phoenix's presence tens of black clouds evaporated as Death Eaters rapidly left the area. She scowled as she cursed to herself, When it comes to harming innocents they don't pay any mind, but as soon as someone appears to fight they flee like ants. Bloody cowards. Her eyes then shifted to the fires burning around the campsite, and her heart sank a bit as she whispered aloud, "Astoria, Harry, please be okay."
Guilt filled in the pit of her chest, she should have been out there with him, Astoria was her sister after all, and yet, she had allowed Harry to go alone. She knew she was needed atop the hill, but that didn't stop her from lamenting her self-prescribed uselessness as she recalled Harry's comforting smile.
* Flashback *
"Harry!" Daphne called out as he sent a stunner in the direction of a masked man, "Have you seen Astoria anywhere?" She had hoped that Harry had seen her amidst the madness but her boyfriend's silence had answered her question, "We need to find her, I don't care how strong you think she is, she's not safe here. Nobody is."
"Daphne," Harry spoke in a gentle tone, "Get to the hill, grab as many first-aid kits as you can, I think there's at least one in each tent, and get to work helping the injured. The medical wizards that were with the Quidditch Players left right after the match along with each team and I'm not sure how many people around here know healing magic, get to the hill, I'll find Astoria."
"I'm not letting you go out there alone Harry, I can't risk losing-" But Daphne was cut off as Harry shot an exploding charm over her head at the Death Eater that had apparated behind her. Before she could even finish her protest, she had felt Harry's lips placed against hers and as they broke apart, she saw that same fearless smile she had seen on the boy's face when they had faced down the 100 dementors.
"I'm going to be fine, Princess," Harry spoke his hand resting gently on her cheek, "We all have jobs we need to do as we wait for help, I need you to do yours."
Daphne focused her mind, allowing her Ice Queen persona to take over, helping her consciousness to deal with the stress as she clutched Harry's wrist tightly, "You find her, and you bring yourself and Astoria back alive, do you hear me Flyboy?"
"Loud and clear," Harry said with a gentle smile, "Kreacher!" He shouted summoning his elf, "Please, help me find Astoria."
"Of course, Master," The elf said bowing deeply before with a pop, Daphne watched her boyfriend vanish. She closed her eyes and with a forceful shake of her head to block out the negative thoughts, she clutched her wand tightly as she began raiding each tent on the way up to the hill.
*End of Flashback*
The screams of fear and the roars of battle echoed throughout the night sky, but from the corner of her eye, she felt as if her heart had just been shocked back into rhythm as she watched Harry emerge from over the hillside, Astoria resting gently on his back. Despite her exhaustion, the sight of two of the people that had meant so much to her had given her a second wind, and quickly, she raced off to meet them.
She watched as Harry smiled at her gently, her feet pounding against the ground in renewed vigor as she marched forward, before crashing into Harry and allowing her relief to flow through her hug. As she smiled up at her exhausted looking boyfriend, her eyes shifted to stare at her little sister, and with a trembling voice, she spoke, "What happened to her? Is she okay?"
"She's going to be fine, a few cuts but nothing serious," She watched as Harry turned to look at Astoria with a proud smile, "As for what happened, she proved she was even tougher than I gave her credit for."
Steam rose from the battlefield as with the Death Eaters now fleeing in droves, the Aurors went to work putting out the raging fires as Daphne fearfully reached for Harry's hand, his knuckles dripping with blood that mixed painfully with her tired sweat, "We won," Harry spoke tiredly, "This battle at least."
"My father," Daphne spoke, her heart shattering at her realization, "He was down there, he was one of them." She shivered as Harry pulled her closer into him, "Father," She whispered, "How far have you fallen?"