Shock
"I'm not going to let you escape, Peter," Rose said. "Instead, I'm going to take every happy memory you've got. Every memory that gives you hope or comfort; I'm going to take them all. People I cared about are dead because of you. After everything you've done– everything you've caused– I should take it all away."
An Hour Earlier
Harry quickly climbed to his feet. He, Sally-Anne, and Ginny weren't far from the castle when the earth gave a sincere attempt at throwing him off into space. Harry had never been in an earthquake, so he didn't know what one was like, but he imagined it was an awful lot like that.
"Is everyone alright?" he asked.
"I'm fine," Sally-Anne said.
"Me too," Ginny added.
"Come on," Harry said. "We've got to keep running. We're almost there."
"We should go back," Sally-Anne said. "People could be hurt."
"They'll be fine," Harry said. "Rose and Professor Dumbledore will handle it."
"They could handle Sirius Black, too!" Sally-Anne said. "Please!"
"I hate to break up your little lover's spat," Ginny said, "but I think we've got bigger problems."
"What do you mean?" Harry snapped, glaring at the ginger.
When he turned to look at her, he found that she was staring at the sky. He knew what she was looking at before he looked, but he needed to know. To his horror, he'd been right.
The Dementors flew through the night like moths flocking to a flame. He didn't know how many of them there were, but he thought he counted at least 20. It didn't look like all of them, but a lot of them.
Harry raised his wand, and thought about his parents. They'd have been so proud of him if they knew he was going to help bring Sirius Black to justice.
Would they? Had he been too cruel? What if Sally-Anne was right all along? What if his parents hated him for it?
That's the Dementors talking, Harry told himself. They'd be proud!
"Expecto Patronum!" Harry shouted, raising his wand to the Dementors.
A shield sprang out of his wand, fending off the Dementors as they swooped down towards them. It didn't stop them for long; within seconds they were descending upon the students once again.
Behind Harry, Sally-Anne fell to her knees. She held her head in her hands and began to cry.
"No!" she cried. "Make them stop!"
It hit Harry that he'd made Sally-Anne cry not ten minutes ago. They were going to die out there, and the last thing he'd remember was making Sally-Anne cry and dismissing it as if it were nothing.
"It's alright," he said, edging closer to her. "We'll be fine."
"Expecto Patronum!" Ginny shouted.
A shimmering orb flew out of her wand, repelling the Dementors, but they kept swarming.
"I can't do it!" Ginny said. "I can't!"
"We've got to!" Harry shouted. "Expecto Patronum!"
This time, he shot a faint orb at them, but it had no effect on the Dementors. That was it. He was finished. Just like with the Philosopher's Stone, he'd put all his friends in danger, and they were all about to die. Sally-Anne was always nice to him, and he'd been mean to her again. She was just trying to help. Why did he never realize that?
"Expect…" Harry tried, but he couldn't concentrate with the voice in his head. It shouted his name, and everything began to go fuzzy. He collapsed to the ground as the Dementors blocked out the moon, turning his entire world dark.
"I'm sorry, Sally-Anne," he whispered. "I'm so sorry."
He'd let down Sally-Anne and Ginny. Ron would never forgive him for getting his sister killed, and Rose and Hermione would be angry at him forever about Sally-Anne. He'd failed. Rose was right; he wasn't ready for this. Not just that, but he deserved what was going to happen to him. People wouldn't mourn him; the whole world really was like his aunt and uncle.
"Expecto Patronum!"
The cloud of Dementors reflected a bright, blue-white light, the source of which Harry couldn't see. The light was warm, comforting, like someone had thrown a soft, wool blanket over him. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to get lost in its warmth. The screaming died down just enough for him to hear the footfalls behind him. When Harry opened his eyes, he found the source of the light.
Alex stood between them and the Dementors, her wand held at the ready. Her patronus, a grizzly bear, circled them, charging at any Dementor that dared to approach them.
"Leave them alone!" Alex shouted at the Dementors.
The Dementors circled them for a moment before deciding it wasn't worth it. The bear floated down to Alex's side as the Dementors flew off into the night.
"Sally-Anne, it's okay," Alex said, crouching down to see the girl.
"That was amazing!" Ginny exclaimed.
"Thanks," Alex said. She glanced behind them. "Boys! Keep up!"
Harry sensed two more people and saw Fred and George trotting towards them. The boys stopped to catch their breath. They wheezed as if they were both about to fall over dead.
"Don't… you get… tired?" one of them panted.
"Not when my cubs are in trouble," Alex replied. "You know what they say about a mother bear and her cubs, right?"
"She'll eat you if you hurt them," Sally-Anne said weakly.
"Yes I will. Nothing makes me happier than knowing you're safe, Sally-Anne." Alex glanced at Harry and Ginny. "Them too, I guess."
"Thanks," Harry said.
"Are you two alright?" Alex asked.
"Better now."
Everything was going to be alright. No one was angry at him. He just needed to learn to be more careful.
"I'll live," Ginny said. "Probably."
"What happened?" Harry asked.
"Good question," Alex replied.
"Miss Atrien!" Leyna exclaimed. "What's happening?!"
Leyna looked around the House-Elf Dorms. Chunks of the ceiling caved in, but it didn't look like anyone was badly injured. With most of the elves on break before the night shift, there were a lot of house-elves to help clean up the damage.
Leyna didn't see Dripty, but she was sure he was on assignment for Miss Rose. Otherwise, she thought all the elves were in the dorms.
"Atrien isn't knowing, Leyna, but she is being certain that Professor Dumbledore will be knowing." Atrien turned back to the other elves. "Is anyone being hurt?"
"We is having some bumps and scrapes, but nothing bad," one of the other elves said.
"The house-elves is being fortunate," Atrien said. "This could be being a lot worse."
Atrien turned to the largest of the cave-ins and levitated it back into place. With one hand managing the magic to hold it in place, Atrien traced around the rock with her other hand. As she did, the rock reformed and held in place. When the section of the ceiling was secure, Atrien dropped her arms, out of breath from the feat.
"Wow," Leyna said.
"Leyna should be helping with the repairs," Atrien said.
"Leyna is so sorry," Leyna said, curtsying apologetically. "Leyna will be starting right away!"
The young elf looked around frantically for something with which she could help. Being one of the youngest elves in Hogwarts, she didn't know how much help she could be. Still, she wanted to help as best she could.
Leyna was so distracted by her search that she didn't notice when a chunk of ceiling came loose above her head.
"Leyna!"
Leyna was knocked to the ground by the Head Elf just as the rock fell to the ground.
"Miss Atrien!" Leyna and many other elves shouted.
Several worked together to move the rubble from Atrien. Leyna rushed over to her ahead of everyone else.
"Miss Atrien?"
The Head Elf was covered in bruises and blood. Her eyes slowly opened and she groaned.
"Tell Professor Dumbledore… Atrien… is being sorry… for letting him down."
"Miss Atrien!" Leyna shouted as Atrien's eyes closed. "Miss Atrien!"
All over the castle, people asked the same question as Harry and Leyna. Students began to panic, prefects called for order, but one girl began to gather information.
Rose lept to her feet and surveyed the damage. The doors were sealed off, Pettigrew was gone, and her friends were injured. Rose could fix all of that, but like the rest of the school, she was more interested in what just happened.
Rose ran through the list of people with whom she had telepathic communication. Counting just one more group, she turned her attention to her friends outside.
Rose turned to Dripty and helped him to his feet.
"Dripty, I need you to check on the common rooms. Most students should be inside."
"Dripty will try."
Intelligencer nodded. Rose power surged Serendipity, then sent the homunculus on his way. Within a round, Intelligencer gave his report.
There was a pause.
Rose closed her eyes, then took a quick breath.
Focus, Rose, she ordered herself. Just like Mum and Dad. You can do this!
Rose waited for this to sink in.
"Did someone get the number of that bus?" Hermione asked wearily as she climbed to her feet.
"What's a bus?" Ron groaned as he stood up.
"Never mind," Hermione replied. "What happened?"
Rose turned around and dropped the condition conch in Hermione's open hand.
"I'm telling your parents next time you stop carrying that," Rose said.
Glad he doesn't realize there's no difference, Rose thought.
"Here's what's happening," Rose said. "At least three of the common rooms are sealed off, and the house-elf dorms are in ruins. Atrien is the only reported casualty so far."
"Atrien's dead?" Hermione asked.
"That's what I just said," Rose said.
Rose activated Serendipity, then contacted Fred and George.
"What?!" Hermione screeched.
"What's going on?" Professor Lupin asked.
"All four common rooms are sealed off," Hermione said. "The Dungeons are flooding."
"That means we won't be able to get those kids out if we wait too long," Professor Lupin said.
There was silence, and Rose rolled her eyes.
There was a hesitant chorus of "Ack" in her head.
"What about Hogsmeade?" Ron asked.
"What if the passages are sealed off?" Hermione asked.
"The teachers can clear the damage," Professor Lupin said.
"Agreed," Rose replied, then informed the other groups.
Rose relayed Neville's question to Sirius and Professor Lupin.
"There are seven secret passages that lead from Hogwarts straight to Hogsmeade," Sirius said. "Third floor, first floor, you name it."
"Rose, you're talking like you've done this before," Hermione said.
"Not the time, Brain," Rose said.
Rose took a moment to think, then realized that she didn't need to keep her thoughts to herself.
"Why?"
"Because Professor Hagrid's not good with magic and someone needs to banish that potion," Rose replied.
"What potion?"
"Brain, explain it to him."
Rose turned to her current group.
"I'm going to coordinate with Professor Dumbledore," Rose said, then expended another charge from Serendipity to transport herself to Professor Dumbledore's group.
"Rose!" Neville exclaimed.
"Summary: Sirius Black was framed by Peter Pettigrew, and Professor Lupin won't transform for another 11 hours."
"And our current predicament?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"Don't know, but Pettigrew escaped as a rat during the quake. I can find him no matter where he hides, so it doesn't matter right now. Keeping the students safe is all that matters."
"Then we need to get the students to Hogsmeade," Professor Dumbledore said. "Also, ten points to Gryffindor for establishing lines of communication so quickly."
"Thank you, Professor, but now's not the time. Princess, Moon, and Tutela can assist Professor Snape. I want Professor Lupin outside with Scarface and his group, and Intelligencer so I can maintain comms. Sounds like they're about to have a stampede on their hands. Padfoot can go with Brain and Cohort to secure Gryffindor Tower."
"He will be recognized as Sirius Black," Professor Dumbledore said.
"You knew he was–" Rose shouted, but caught herself. "Later. That's why I'm sending Brain and Cohort with him. They're the only ones that know the whole story, so they'll handle it. My Nimblewrights can back them up, and I can maintain comms through Brain. McGonagall is most likely to listen to them of all of my team."
"What about me?" Neville asked. "Where am I going?"
"Hufflepuff Den, along with the Twins. They've got a map of the castle, and can track where everyone is, and you can clear through the wreckage with brute force. Speaking of which…"
"To repeat: Toad, I need you clearing away wreckage with the Twins. I'm sending Int and Lupin out to maintain contact with that group. Alex can handle the groups as they arrive at Hogsmeade. Any questions?"
"What about Ravenclaw Tower?" Luna asked.
"Professor Dumbledore and I will head there," Rose replied. "I'll move students out as fast as I can, and you make sure the tower doesn't fall on us."
"I need to be in my office in order to begin emergency repairs," Professor Dumbledore said. "The castle will rebuild itself, but–"
"No time for specifics," Rose said. "No time for praise, or flirting, or jokes, or staring in awe of me. Like we've said, students are the priority. We've already had one casualty, and I'm not losing anyone else."
As Rose spoke this, she also said it over the network.
"We need someone powerful to hold the tower up. That's you, Professor. I will get you back here as soon as possible."
"That will be sufficient, Rose," Professor Dumbledore said. "Scatter the other professors as well. I want them all utilized to the best of their abilities. Keep communication open."
Rose waited for everyone to acknowledge her commands before continuing.
After she got confirmation from her group, Rose began to execute her plan. She pulled out her thought bottle and activated it. Then, she power surged Serendipity 20 times for good measure, and restored her XP when she was done. With 80 usable charges on Serendipity, Rose got to work.
"I wish Lupin and Intelligencer were with Alex."
"I wish Alex and Professors Trelawney and Sinistra, along with Madame Pomfrey and Mr. Filch, were in Hogsmeade."
"I wish Moon, Princess, Tutela, and Professor Babbling were with Professor Snape."
"I wish Toad, Fred, George, and Professor Burbage were in Hufflepuff Den."
"I wish Professor Vector, Brain and Cohort were outside Gryffindor Tower."
"I wish Professors Dumbledore and Flitwick and I were in Ravenclaw Tower."
Rose and Professor Dumbledore found themselves inside Ravenclaw Tower, along with Professor Flitwick.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Penelope Clearwater exclaimed. "Professor Flitwick! What's going on?"
"The castle is crippled," Professor Dumbledore said. "We're evacuating students to Hogsmeade. Filius, start a headcount. After every year is accounted for, Rose will send them to Hogsmeade."
Professor Flitwick nodded, then summoned his prefects.
"Each of you, count the students," Professor Flitwick ordered. "Triple check them; we don't want anyone left behind or forgotten. Work through them year by year, starting with the first-years. When you're finished, send them over to Ms. Peta-Lorrum."
"Yes, Professor Flitwick!"
While Professor Flitwick and the prefects counted the students, Professor Dumbledore began holding up the tower. He pushed his hands towards the ceiling, holding his wand in one hand. The ceiling stopped crumbling, but the Headmaster was forced to remain in one place.
"First-years!" Penelope shouted. "Everyone together! Don't worry about your belongings! Take only what you need to survive!"
"Class work doesn't count!" Professor Flitwick shouted. "These are extenuating circumstances! Extensions will be provided! All work can be recovered!"
Rose watched the students run about the common room, grabbing belongings as quickly as they could. Some students grabbed books, others stuffed animals. Many only carried pets with them.
"I can't find him!" one of the students wailed. "I can't find Cantaloupe!"
"Who's Cantaloupe?" Penelope asked.
"My cat!" the girl cried. "She's orange, like cantaloupe!"
"Gamp," Penelope said. Once she had Rebecca's attention, she nodded towards the girl.
"Where'd you last see him?" Rebecca asked the little girl.
Rose didn't pick up anything on her blindsight, so she checked with her next best resource. She stooped down and touched her fingers to the floor.
"Sal, where's this kid's cat?"
"Seventh-year Ravenclaw girls' room," came the reply.
"Thanks."
Rose turned to see the girl running off with Rebecca.
"Seventh-year girls' room!" Rose called after them.
"What was that, Peta-Lorrum?" the prefect snapped.
"Cantaloupe's in the seventh-year girls' room."
"How do you–"
"Never mind how," Penelope snapped. "Just check!"
Rebecca ran out of sight as the first-years were counted. The little girl stood still and cried.
"It's alright," Rose said softly. "We'll find her. You know who that is that just ran after her?"
"Rebecca Gamp."
"That's right. You've got the Rebecca Gamp on your side. She's one of the top students in her year. She'll think of something, and we'll find her."
"What if I have to go before you do?" the girl sobbed.
"Then I'll personally bring her to you," Rose said. "What's your name?"
"Melody," the girl replied.
"Melody, I'm called Rose. I'm gonna get you and Cantaloupe to Hogsmeade safely, okay?"
Melody nodded, wiping tears out of her eyes.
"I found an orange cat," Rebecca called. "Might need some help!"
"Ob! Fetch!" Rose commanded.
Obtenebar scampered off, startling half the students.
"What the–"
"What was that?!" Melody cried.
"That's Obtenebar," Rose replied calmly. "She's my friend. She helps me get things, like my friend's rat, or Cantaloupe." Rose smiled. "I like that name."
Melody didn't reply, but her tears stopped when she saw Rebecca returning with an orange cat in her arms.
"One cat, begrudgingly obtained," Rebecca said.
"Cantaloupe!" Melody exclaimed as Rebecca dumped the cat in her arms. "Thank you!"
Obtenebar scampered over to Rose, and took her place as Rose's fake shadow.
"Peta-Lorrum, how'd you do that?" Rebecca whispered.
"Not important right now," Rose said. "Professor Dumbledore can't hold up the tower forever. Focus on accounting for everyone."
"Are all first-years ready?" Professor Flitwick asked.
After a confirming shout of "Yes, Professor Flitwick", Rose pulled Serendipity.
"I wish they were with Alex."
Melody held tightly to Cantaloupe as they appeared in a town. People and house-elves were rushing about, but one girl commanded everyone.
"Ravenclaws, my name is Alex Nertlyn!" the girl called. "I'm one of the seventh-year Gryffindor Prefects. We've got a table for you at the Three Broomsticks. Professor Dumbledore has promised me that the castle will be repaired within an hour, and you can all go back to your rooms and sleep in your own beds tonight. Until then, you're going to stay here in Hogsmeade. Any questions?"
Everyone looked around, but no one raised their hand.
"Good."
Alex led them all into the Three Broomsticks, and approached Madam Rosmerta, the bartender.
"Like I said before," she said. "Get these kids something to drink. Milk, hot cocoa, tea if you can get some from Madam Puddifoot. Everything's on Hogwarts."
"Yes, Ma'am," Madam Rosmerta replied.
"Dripty!" Alex said, running out to catch the house-elf.
"Yes, Miss Alex?"
"Tell Rose that the Ravenclaws are set in the Three Broomsticks. Make sure the other Ravenclaws get there alright once Rose sends them if I'm not available. Madam Rosmerta will take care of them."
"Yes, Miss Alex!" Dripty replied.
"Also, I'm sorry about Atrien," Alex said. "I liked her."
"Dripty did too, Miss Alex," Dripty said glumly.
"Alexandra!"
Alex whirled around and saw Madame Pomfrey rushing towards her.
"Madame Pomfrey, excellent timing," Alex said. "I've got the first-year Ravenclaws inside the Three Broomsticks. They're only allowed to have milk or something, nothing too sugary. I've got Madam Rosmerta's word."
"Good, good," Madame Pomfrey said. "I'll make sure they're alright. What about the other houses?"
"They is on their way, Madame Pomfrey," Dripty said. "Miss Hermione and Mr. Ronald is bringing Gryffindors to Honeydukes. Mr. Neville is bringing the Hufflepuffs to Zonko's, and Miss Luna is bringing the Slytherins to Gladrags."
"Alright," Alex said. "Send the Gryffindors to Madam Puddifoot's, the Hufflepuffs to Hog's Head, then… Never mind, forget that. Send the first- through third-years to either the Three Broomsticks or Hog's Head. Keep each house together. Send sixth- and seventh-years to me. Fourth- and fifth-years can pick where they want to go, but only Three Broomsticks, Hog's Head, or Madam Puddifoot's. I want someone to talk with the other store owners so they know too."
"Yes, Miss Alex!"
Alex looked around for the other grownups, calling to them when she found them. Trelawney, Filch, and Sinistra ran over to her at her command.
"News from Rose Peta-Lorrum," she said. "The girl that's organizing the evacuation. Mr. Filch, meet the Hufflepuffs at Zonko's; Professor Trelawney, the Gryffindors at Honeydukes; Professor Sinistra, the Slytherins at Gladrags."
As Alex gave instructions, each of the staff members complied. They had already been informed by the house-elves that Alex was under direct orders from Professor Dumbledore.
Another group of Ravenclaws appeared. Alex counted them, and found one missing.
"Where's the last one?" she asked.
"That's Loony," one of them replied.
"Luna," Alex corrected. "Like I told the first-years, there's a table set aside for you in the Three Broomsticks. I've been assured that you'll be able to sleep in your own beds tonight."
"Sure," one of them muttered.
"Professor Dumbledore himself told me this."
Technically, Alex received her orders through Dripty, who received them from Rose, who was coordinating with Professor Dumbledore.
Alex admitted the irony of receiving orders from a house-elf was amusing, but not so amusing that she was going to laugh about it. Not only was this not the time, but Dripty had to be the most valiant elf she'd ever met. The woman that was effectively his mother had just died, and he was holding back his tears to focus on the students.
Nothing could earn Alex's respect faster.
"He's in Ravenclaw Tower right now, risking his life to keep all of you safe. So is Luna, for that matter. She's down in the Dungeons helping Slytherin escape before the Dungeons flood."
Looking out at the students, Alex could tell that none of them believed that, but they didn't need to believe it.
"Come on," Alex said, leading them to the Three Broomsticks.
Every few minutes, another group of Ravenclaws arrived. Alex did the same thing for each of them, getting less respect as the groups progressed in age. Still, she channeled her inner Professor McGonagall and convinced them to listen to her.
"Is that everyone?" Alex asked Penelope as she appeared.
"Yeah," Penelope replied after a quick headcount. "How's Peta-Lorrum doing this?"
"She just can," Alex replied. "Don't make a big deal out of it. Other students are arriving. I've got your sixth-years helping keep everyone in order. Ravenclaw first- through third-years are all in the Three Broomsticks. Prefects are with them."
"Peta-Lorrum said Lovegood's in the Dungeons," Penelope said as the final Ravenclaw prefect ran off to tend to his boys.
"Getting the Slytherins out safely with Professors Babbling and Snape," Alex explained. "Dripty informed me a few minutes ago that the first of them are coming through."
"Who?" Penelope asked.
"One of the house-elves, and my line of communication with the rest of the groups," Alex replied. "He's the one with the Hogwarts crest sewn to his tea towel and a blue seashell hanging around his neck."
"What's the plan?" Penelope asked.
"Castle will be up and running within the hour," Alex said. "Until I hear otherwise, we're keeping the students here. I've talked with Mr. Dumbledore at the Hog's Head, Madam Rosmerta at the Three Broomsticks, and Madam Puddifoot. They'll handle the students until everything's settled. They've been instructed to feed the students nothing, but give them something to drink if they ask for it. They're only allowed milk, water, hot cocoa, juice, or tea."
"Do they have any of that at the Hog's Head?"
"I made sure of it," Alex said. "Everyone's sharing tonight, and it's all on Hogwarts. Mr. Dumbledore promised he'd clean the place up, and the house-elves helped. It's spotless in there. The other shops are closed, unless students are going through. Even if they are, they're not to touch anything, and the staff are bringing them straight out to me."
"What do we do?" Penelope asked.
"Help me direct students," Alex said. "Check on them. Make sure everyone's alright. Comfort any first-years that are crying, and try to keep down any rumors about what's happening. We don't know what caused this, but we'll find out after everyone's alright."
Alex explained her student organizational system to Penelope and the other seventh-years. Penelope showed Alex respect, and the other students followed suit.
"This isn't the first long night we've had this year, but if we all pull together, it will be the last," Alex said.
As Alex directed the next group of students, she let her mind wander to the students helping evacuate the school.
I hope they're alright.