Battle

April 10, 1993, 10:15 PM, Hogwarts West

Albus Dumbledore

Albus stood vigilant in the Entrance Hall, his piercing blue eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger as he guided students to safety. The chaos of the attack had left everyone on edge, and the venerable headmaster was determined to ensure the security of those under his care.

As he ushered another group of wide-eyed first-years through the massive oak doors, a commotion caught his attention. His gaze snapped to the source, and what he saw made his heart lurch. Sirius Black was racing towards the castle, and floating behind him, unconscious and limp, was the form of Harry Potter.

Dumbledore’s usually serene features creased with further worry. He strode forward, his long silver beard swaying with each purposeful step. As Sirius approached, Dumbledore raised a hand, his voice calm but laced with urgency.

“Sirius.” He called out, his eyes fixed on Harry’s motionless form. “What’s happened? Is Harry…?”

The Headmaster’s mind raced with possibilities, each more concerning than the last. He awaited Sirius’s response, ready to act swiftly if Harry’s condition was dire. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily upon him, as it always did when it came to the Boy Who Lived.

Is he destined to suffer until the end, no matter my efforts to ensure his safety?

Dumbledore turned his gaze to Sirius, and his eyes widened slightly as he took in Sirius’s battered appearance. The man looked as though he had been through a terrible ordeal, his face a canvas of cuts and bruises, his eyes wild with a mix of fear and determination.

“A Death Eater tried to kill him, but Harry won.” Sirius said, his voice hoarse. “I don’t know who it is, but I saw the man being carted off by the DMLE.”

This statement puzzled Dumbledore greatly. Death Eaters were not supposed to be part of this equation. However, he pushed his confusion aside, recognizing the urgency of the situation.

“Sirius, please stay with Harry.” Dumbledore instructed, his voice calm but firm. “I must address this invasion.”

Sirius’s face contorted, clearly wanting to object. His eyes darted around, anger and worry etched in every line of his face.

“Adam.” He began. “He’s still out there, unaccounted for.”

Dumbledore nodded solemnly. “I give you my word, I will find the lad as soon as I am able.”

This assurance did little to assuage Sirius’s concerns. “Which means you won’t until the dust has settled— unacceptable!”

“You need to stay with Harry, Sirius.” Dumbledore said slowly, trying not to agitate the man any further. “He’s all alone now.”

“So is Adam.”

“I’ll stay with Harry.” The voice of a young boy from his right said. Dumbledore and Sirius turned to see a worried looking Ronald Weasley.

“Ron.” Sirius said, nodding. “Good lad. How’s Hermione? Your family?”

“She’s got a broken leg. My brothers are fine— Percy took a nasty Curse for George. They’re all in the Infirmary.” Ron said, putting on a brave face. “Hermione’s with them; I’ll get Harry there too. I promise.”

A whirlwind of pride flew through Dumbledore at that moment. On this dark night, the young man had shown his brilliance. Sirius shared a look with Albus, and the older man noted that he was far calmer now.

“I’ve got him.” Ron said, his voice steady despite the fear in his eyes.

Sirius looked at the boy, a mix of gratitude and pride softening his haggard features

“You’ll get whatever you want for this, later.” He promised.

Then, turning back to Dumbledore, his expression hardened once more.

“Lead the way.” He said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Dumbledore, recognizing the futility of trying to dissuade Sirius, simply nodded. He gestured for a nearby Prefect from Hufflepuff to come over.

“Please escort Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley to the infirmary.”

“Y-yes, of course, Headmaster.” The young woman, doing her best to be brave, stuttered before taking her wand out and holding it over Harry’s form. It began to move, following her as she took the boy away, Ron walking by his side as he sent Sirius one last look.

“Take my hand, Sirius.” Albus instructed, extending his arm and taking Sirius’ attention.

As Sirius grasped Dumbledore’s hand, the Headmaster cast one last glance at Harry’s unconscious form. Then, with a silent prayer for his safety and that of everyone else, he Apparated.

Dumbledore and Sirius materialized at the Quidditch pitch, the familiar surroundings now marred by the aftermath of battle. The destroyed tower bleachers stood as stark reminders of the recent chaos, but both wizards paid them little heed as they made their way towards a large tent.

As they entered, Sirius took in the scene before him. The tent, once a bustling center for tournament coordinators, now served as an impromptu command center. Several officers stood at attention, their faces grim. Among them were two familiar figures: Aya Sasaki, the dignified Headmistress of Mahoutokoro, and Omar Hajjar, the stern Headmaster of Ayn Sehr.

At the heart of this gathering, surrounded by guards, stood Zhang Wei, Headmaster of Longling. His presence, along with the tense atmosphere, spoke volumes about the gravity of the situation.

Sirius, his mind still racing with worry, turned to Dumbledore.

“Does he know anything about Adam?” He asked, his voice low and urgent.

Dumbledore shook his head, his blue eyes filled with understanding but also determination.

“I’m afraid I can’t focus on finding the boy just yet, Sirius.” He said softly. “There are pressing matters I must attend to first.”

He gestured towards the gathered officers going about their business. “However, while I conduct the interrogation of our… guest, please feel free to ask around about Adam. If anyone here may have information, it’s the officers.”

Sirius nodded reluctantly, understanding the necessity but clearly upset at the turn of events. As Dumbledore moved towards the center of the tent, his robes swishing softly against the grass, Sirius began to approach the officers on the outskirts of the gathering. His eyes darted from face to face, hoping to find someone who might have seen the missing boy amidst the chaos of the attack.

Meanwhile, Dumbledore squared his shoulders, preparing himself for what promised to be a difficult and revealing interrogation. The future of the Wizarding World might well depend on what he learned in the next few minutes.

Dumbledore approached the captive Headmaster, his usual twinkling eyes now steely with determination. As he began his questioning, it quickly became apparent that Zhang Wei was not about to cooperate willingly.

Hissilence was resolute, his defiance palpable.

Omar Hajjar, his voice tinged with frustration, suggested. “Perhaps we need to take more… drastic measures.”

At this, Aya Sasaki drew her wand, a hungry gleam in her eyes that sent a ripple of unease through the tent.

“I can get him to talk.” She said, her voice low and dangerous. “Though I can’t promise he’ll be in one piece afterward— an old traditional spell our people developed specifically for them.”

The tension in the room ratcheted up several notches. Sirius, who had been circulating among the officers asking about Adam, paused to watch the scene unfold, his hand instinctively moving towards his own wand, just in case things got a little hairy.

The Headmaster, however, maintained his composure. His face remained impassive as he turned to Aya.

“Thank you for your suggestion, Headmistress Sasaki.” Dumbledore said calmly. “But I believe I have a much better idea.”

With a grace that belied his age, Dumbledore knelt down, bringing himself eye-level with the now-seated prisoner. His tall frame now loomed over Longling’s Headmaster, casting a shadow that seemed to dim the light in the tent. Slowly, deliberately, he drew his wand.

The other occupants of the tent watched with bated breath as Dumbledore placed the tip of his wand against Zhang Wei’s forehead. The man’s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of fear crossing his face for the first time.

In a voice barely above a whisper, Dumbledore uttered a single word: “Legilimens.”

The tent fell silent. All eyes were fixed on Dumbledore and Zhang Wei, locked in what appeared to be a silent battle of wills. Dumbledore delved into the depths of Zhang Wei’s mind, searching for the truth that had been so stubbornly withheld.

Sirius, along with everyone else present, waited anxiously to see what secrets would be revealed, and what consequences this invasion of mind might bring.

Dumbledore stood up slowly, his face grave. The Headmaster of Longling slumped in his chair, looking dazed and defeated.

Turning to the remaining officers, Dumbledore spoke with urgency.

“We have confirmation of a coordinated attack. In addition to the assault here and at Hogsmeade, there are ongoing attacks at Diagon Alley and Godric’s Hollow. There’s also a fifth location that remains unknown. I need you to verify these reports immediately and mobilize any available forces to these areas.”

The officers nodded, their faces set with determination as they quickly departed to carry out Dumbledore’s orders. The tent buzzed with renewed activity as messages were sent out and plans were hastily made.

As the last of the officers left, Sirius approached Dumbledore, his expression a mix of worry and relief.

“Albus.” He said. “I’ve spoken with several officers. They told me that a group of contestants— finalists— left with a squad led by Gilderoy Lockhart.”

Dumbledore’s eyebrows rose slightly at this unexpected information.

“Gilderoy Lockhart?” He mused, stroking his beard thoughtfully. “That is… surprising. Did they mention where this group was headed?”

“No.” Sirius replied, shaking his head. “But given what you’ve just learned, could they be heading to one of these attack sites? Hogsmeade.”

Dumbledore nodded slowly. “It is the most likely destination. Though I must admit, I’m curious about Lockhart’s involvement. His motivations have always been… questionable at best.”

“I’ve met him.” Sirius said, nodding in agreement before he sighed. “What about Adam?”

“I’m afraid, as you said, we don’t have any specific information about Adam’s whereabouts beyond the information on the finalists.” Dumbledore said gently. “But if he is indeed with the group led by Lockhart, he may at least be safer than we initially feared.”

As Sirius nodded in agreement, Dumbledore turned back to the captive head of school. “As for you, you’ll be coming with us. Your involvement in this plot requires further… discussion.”

With a wave of his wand, Dumbledore conjured magical restraints Zhang Wei. The gravity of the situation was palpable as they prepared to depart, each knowing that the fate of the wizarding world could hinge on their actions in the coming hours.

Dumbledore paused. “Sirius, I—”

“I’m going to Hogsmeade.” Sirius interrupted, his tone resolute. “Don’t try and stop me.”

But Dumbledore smiled. “I was going to say: I wish you good luck. Be careful, and alert us immediately if you find anything significant.”

He turned to Headmasters Hajjar and Sasaki. “Shall we?”

“Actually…” Aya Sasaki, her face set with a mixture of curiosity and resolve, stepped forward. “I will accompany Black to Hogsmeade.”

Dumbledore’s eyebrows rose slightly at this, but he didn’t object. The Headmistress of Mahoutokoro was a formidable witch, and her presence could prove invaluable.

Meanwhile, Omar Hajjar moved to stand beside Dumbledore, clearly indicating his intention to join the Hogwarts Headmaster in his own efforts. Dumbledore gave a small nod of acknowledgement to the Headmaster of Ayn Sehr.

“Very well.” Dumbledore said, his voice carrying the weight of the moment. He turned to Sirius and Aya. “Be vigilant, both of you. We don’t know what you might encounter in Hogsmeade.”

Sirius nodded grimly, his eyes reflecting a mix of worry and determination. Aya’s response was to give Dumbledore a smile of false serenity. He had been around her long enough to sense the bloodlust hiding just beneath the surface.

Dumbledore then addressed the group at large. “Good luck to you all. May we meet again under better circumstances.”

With that, Dumbledore extended his arm to Omar, who grasped it firmly. Simultaneously, Dumbledore placed his hands on the restrained Zhang Wei. With a sharp crack, they Disapparated, leaving Sirius and Aya alone in the tent.

Sirius turned to the Headmistress of Mahoutokoro, his face set with determination. “Ready?”

Aya nodded, her eyes glinting with a fierce resolve and excitement.

“Let us away.”

oooo

Same Time, Outskirts of Hogsmeade

Adam Clarke

I hit the ground hard, my breath knocked out of me as I skidded across the cobblestones. The acrid smell of smoke filled my nostrils, and my ears rang from the explosion. Bits of Honeydukes’ wall rained down around me, a cruel parody of the sweets that usually filled its shelves.

Gasping for air, I scrambled to my feet, my wand clutched tightly in my trembling hand. My Shield Charm had saved me from the worst of the blast, but my body ached all over, and I could feel a warm trickle of blood running down the side of my face.

I barely had time to regain my bearings before another spell whizzed past my ear, so close I could feel the heat of it. Adrenaline surged through me as I dove behind the remains of a nearby cart, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are.” A singsong voice called out, its mock playfulness chilling me to the bone.

I pressed my back against the cart, trying to calm my ragged breathing. My mind raced, searching for a way out of this nightmare. The cheerful façades of Hogsmeade’s shops now seemed to leer at me, hiding potential threats in every shadow.

I knew I couldn’t stay here. It was only a matter of time before they found me, and I doubted I could hold my own against them for long. I needed to move, to find help or at least a better hiding spot.

Gripping my wand tighter, I steeled myself for what I had to do next. I had to run, and I had to do it now. Taking a deep breath, I prepared to make a dash for the nearest alley, praying that my legs wouldn’t fail me and that luck would be on my side.

Just as I was about to sprint, I heard a familiar voice in the distance, calling my name. Was that…? Hope surged within me, but I didn’t dare call out. Not yet. Not until I was sure.

As I stood there, my heart pounding and my breath coming in short gasps, I realized the voice I’d heard was just a product of my desperate imagination. A surge of anger washed over me, directed at my own moment of weakness. I wouldn’t be saved— I had to save myself.

With newfound determination, I planted my feet firmly on the ground and raised my ebony wand. As my opponent rounded the corner, I bellowed. “Odgovor!”

The spell erupted from my wand with explosive force. Chains, glowing with magical energy, burst forth and collided with my attacker’s hastily cast shield. The impact shattered their defense, and the chains continued their relentless assault, slamming into the wizard with brutal efficiency.

The force of the spell sent my opponent flying backward, crashing face-first into the remaining brick wall. The structure groaned ominously before collapsing, burying my attacker beneath a pile of rubble.

For a moment, I stood there, panting heavily and staring at the destruction I’d caused.

“Good riddance.” I spat upon the ground.

I quickly scanned the area for Hien and Akio. I spotted them a short distance away, locked in combat with three adult wizards. Despite being outnumbered, my friends were holding their own, their faces set with grim determination.

Without hesitation, I rushed to join them. As I approached, I could see the strain on their faces, the sweat beading on their brows as they fended off the relentless attacks.

“Stupefy!” I shouted, drawing the attention of one of the attackers. As he turned, the Stunning Spell caught him in the chest, causing him to fall down comically. I would have laughed had I the energy for it.

My sudden appearance seemed to reinvigorate Hien and Akio. We fell into a rhythm, covering each other’s backs and pressing our advantage. Spells flew thick and fast, but we quickly gained the upper hand. Akio’s swift, vicious wandwork kept our opponents on the defensive, while Hien’s subtle conjurations nipped at their heels— quite literally, as he’d conjured rats. I darted between them, throwing in unexpected jinxes and hexes that disrupted our attackers’ concentration.

“Blasting Curse.” I said. “Together!”

“Confringo!” “Hakai!” “Hakai!” All three of us cried out, and a grand explosion crashed into our enemies’ combined shield, destroying and reducing the fools into burnt husks.

“Everyone okay?” I asked, my eyes darting between my allies, checking for injuries.

Hien nodded, a grim smile on his face.

“Thanks to you.” He said. “Nice timing.”

Akio lowered his wand, his usually calm demeanor slightly ruffled.

“We should move.” He said, glancing around warily. “There might be more of them.”

As we made our way through the chaotic streets of Hogsmeade, the reality of the situation became increasingly clear. The once-peaceful village had transformed into a battleground, with spells flying in every direction and the air thick with smoke and fear.

Just like back in the summer. I thought. What the Hell is Grindelwald doing?

We encountered several fleeing wizards and witches, their faces etched with terror. Without hesitation, we provided cover and assistance, helping them reach safer areas. Each grateful face we saved steeled our resolve to continue fighting.

Our wands were rarely lowered as we battled against the combined forces of Grindelwald and our supposed allies. The sight of wizards wearing Castelobruxo and Longling attire among our enemies sent a chill down my spine. Lockhart’s warnings had been true— the betrayal ran deep.

“I can’t believe it.” Hien muttered as we stunned another Castelobruxo wizard. “We competed alongside them just weeks ago.”

Akio’s face was grim.

“Betrayal often comes from where you least expect it.” He said, deflecting a curse with a flick of his wand and repaying its source tenfold.

As we approached the center of town, the intensity of the fighting increased. Through the haze of battle, I could make out Lockhart’s flamboyant figure, his wand moving with surprising skill. Beside him, Tonks’ hair was cycling through a rainbow of colors as she dueled fiercely.

We pushed forward, intent on joining the fray, but as we drew closer, Tonks caught sight of us. Her eyes narrowed, focusing on me with a mix of anger and concern.

“Adam!” She snarled, her voice carrying over the din of battle. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be fighting in the outskirts! Help those who need it there!”

“We did.” I said, sniping at a wizard hiding behind a destroyed table and causing him to expose himself to a wave of Stunning Spells. “Now, we’re here.”

We had been holding our own, hadn’t we? Tonks frowned at me but shook her head in exasperation.

“I don’t have the time for this.” Tonks said. “You want to help?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

“Then I’m coming with you.” She said, and quickly added when it looked like Akio was going to argue. “Look, I know I can’t convince you lot to back down. So I might as well babysit you to make sure you don’t muck up the whole operation.”

I exchanged glances with Hien and Akio, feeling a bit disgruntled at being treated like children who needed supervision. But before any of us could voice our objections, Tonks continued.

“I know the general movement of the enemy.” She said, her tone becoming more serious. “It would actually help the operation if we struck where I tell you to.”

I considered her words carefully. It was a compromise, but one that made sense. We’d get to be in the thick of the action, but with the guidance of a trained operative. Plus, as much as I hated to admit it, having Tonks with us significantly improved our chances of success— and survival.

“She’s right.” Hien said quietly. “Four combatants are better than three, especially with her experience.”

Akio nodded in agreement, the idea growing on him. “And we’ll be more effective if we’re hitting strategic targets instead of just charging in blindly.”

I looked at Tonks, seeing the determination in her eyes. She was giving us a chance to prove ourselves while still trying to keep us as safe as possible under the circumstances. I couldn’t fault her for that.

“Alright, fine.” I said, nodding to Tonks. “We’re in. Where do you need us?”

Tonks’ hair shifted to a calm blue as she nodded, clearly relieved to not have to argue with us.

“Right, gather ’round.” She said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Here’s what we know about the enemy movements…”

Moments later, Tonks stepped away and pointed her wand to the side. A moment later, a silvery-white jackrabbit burst forth, running a few circles around her before leaping into her open hand. It glowed with an inner light as she said a few words to it, its presence somehow comforting amidst the chaos around us.

And then it sped off into the town, phasing through the walls like a ghost.

“What was that?” Hien asked, unable to contain himself.

“A Patronus Charm, correct?” Akio said, very interested.

“Yes.” Tonks turned to us and began to explain. “Sent a message to Lockhart. Letting him know what we’re up to so he can plan accordingly. Can’t have us mucking up each other’s strategies, now can we?”

I nodded, impressed. I didn’t think she’d reached that level of skill, just yet, but I supposed with the looming threat, Moody must have worked her to the bone.

Tonks then directed our attention northeast. “Right, listen up. As I told you, we’re heading to the Hog’s Head Inn. The enemies have occupied it and they’ve got hostages.”

“What will we be doing?”

“Our job is to sneak in and rescue them while the majority will be fighting Lockhart and the rest of the forces outside.” Tonks continued, her voice low and intense. “This isn’t just about fighting— it’s about getting those people out safely. Think you can do that?”

We all nodded solemnly.

As we prepared to move out, a thought struck me.

Wait… I thought, frowning. Isn’t the Hog’s Head owned by Dumbledore’s brother? Aberforth, right? How did they manage to take it over?

Perhaps the old man had let himself go?

I pushed the doubt aside. We had a job to do, and people were counting on us.

“Right then.” I said, gripping my wand tightly. “How do we approach this? Stealth all the way, or do we have a plan B if things go sideways?”

“Plan B is violence.” Tonks said. “And a lot of it.”

“Just what I wished to hear.” Akio said.

We snuck around the area, and Tonks told us to leave any straggler combatants for now. We had a mission; we reached the back of the building, and looked for any ports of entry.

“Here’s one.” Hien pointed out. “We’ll need a ladder or something.”

“Very good.” Tonks said. “Now we wait.”

It didn’t take long. Soon, the sound of fighting reached our ears.

“Let’s go.”

After a few quick Charms to open the window and conjure a ladder, we entered through the window, quiet as mice.

As we crept through the decrepit room, my heart pounded in my chest. The dusty, abandoned space felt like a stark contrast to the chaos we knew was unfolding beyond its walls. Every creak of the floorboards under our feet seemed thunderous in the silence.

Tonks led the way, her wand at the ready and her hair a muted, camouflage-like brown. Hien, Akio, and I followed close behind, our senses on high alert. The musty smell of the long-unused room filled my nostrils, and I had to fight the urge to sneeze.

We approached the door cautiously, and Tonks held up a hand, signaling us to stop. We all froze, barely daring to breathe as we strained our ears for any sound from the other side.

For several tense moments, all was quiet. I exchanged glances with Hien and Akio, seeing my own mixture of fear and determination reflected in their eyes.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted from upstairs. The sound of muffled shouts and the thud of heavy footsteps broke the silence.

Tonks turned to us, her face serious.

“Alright.” She whispered. “Sounds like most of the action is upstairs. That’s likely where they’re keeping the hostages. We need to move quickly but quietly. Remember, our priority is freeing the hostages, not engaging the enemy unless absolutely necessary.”

I nodded, gripping my wand tighter.

“How do we want to play this?” I asked in a hushed tone. “Should we split up to cover more ground, or stick together?”

Hien looked nervous but determined.

“Splitting up could be risky.” He murmured. “We don’t know how many of them are up there.”

Akio nodded in agreement. “Together we stand a better chance if we encounter resistance.” He added softly.

Tonks considered for a moment, then made a decision.

“We’ll stay together for now.” She said. “But be prepared to adapt if the situation changes. Adam, you and Hien will focus on shielding and defense. Akio, you’re with me on offense if we need it. Everyone clear?”

We all nodded, our roles understood.

“Right then.” Tonks said, reaching for the door handle. “Let’s do this. Stay close, stay quiet, and be ready for anything.”

As Tonks slowly opened the door, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever we might find on the other side.

As we entered the main bar area, the sight that greeted us was shocking. Dozens of wizards lay unconscious or dead on the floor, testament to the fierce battle that had taken place here. But what caught our attention was the figure behind the bar.

An old man stood there, his clothes and skin splattered with blood. Despite his obvious injuries, he managed to keep himself upright, his wand pointed directly at us. His piercing blue eyes, so reminiscent of Dumbledore’s, were filled with a mix of pain and fierce determination.

“Take another step and I’ll kill you where you stand.” He growled, his voice rough but unwavering.

Instinctively, I raised my hands, motioning for the others to do the same.

“Wait!” I said quickly, keeping my voice low and calm. “We’re not with them. We’re here to help. I’m Adam, these are my friends, and this is Tonks— she’s an Auror.”

“Trainee.” Came the automatic reply.

“Not the time.”

The old man— Aberforth Dumbledore, I presumed— didn’t lower his wand, but I saw a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.

Tonks stepped forward slightly, her hands still raised. “Mr. Dumbledore, we’re here on a rescue mission. Are there any hostages in this building?”

Aberforth studied us for a moment longer before giving a curt nod.

“Aye.” He said gruffly. “The cowards took some of my customers. They’re holding them in a room on the second floor.”

We all exchanged glances, relieved to have confirmation of the hostages’ location but aware of the challenge ahead.

“We’ll get them out.” I promised, meeting Aberforth’s gaze.

The old bartender’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

“Listen closely.” He said, his voice dropping to a whisper. “The room they’re in— there’s an unused, adjacent chamber. If you go there, you can make a hole through the wall and take them by surprise.”

Tonks nodded, a plan already forming in her eyes. “That could work. We’d have the element of surprise, and it might minimize risk to the hostages.”

I turned to Hien and Akio, seeing determination mirrored in their faces. “What do you think?” I asked quietly.

Akio nodded. “It’s tactically sound. We can create a diversion and extract the hostages quickly.”

Hien gripped his wand tightly. “I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

I looked back at Aberforth. “Thank you. We’ll get the customers out safely. Do you need help?”

The old man finally lowered his wand. “Worry about yourself, boy. These aren’t your average wizards. They’re ruthless.”

Oh, I know.

Tonks gestured for us to follow her. “Alright team, let’s move. Remember the plan— stealth until we breach, then quick and decisive action. Priority is extracting the hostages.”

With a deep breath, we ascended the stairs, ready to face whatever awaited us in our mission to rescue the hostages.

As we entered the adjacent room, the sounds from the other side of the wall chilled my blood. The soft crying of a child, a mother’s gentle whispers of comfort, suddenly interrupted by a harsh male voice demanding silence. The cruelty in that voice steeled my resolve.

I turned to the others, keeping my voice low. “Tonks, Instead of me playing defensive, how about I be the one who starts the distraction?”

Tonks gave me a quizzical look, as did Hien and Akio. In response, I silently conjured a set of chains with a wave of my wand, then made them invisible with another.

Understanding dawned in their eyes. Tonks nodded, moving towards the wall.

“Clever.” She whispered.

I turned to Hien and Akio. “You two be ready to enter through the front door as soon as I give the signal.” I instructed quietly. They nodded, gripping their wands tightly.

Hien worked quickly and quietly, Vanishing small, inconspicuous circular holes in the wall. I peered through, assessing the situation. Four wizards, their attention focused on the hostages. Perfect.

Taking a deep breath, I concentrated hard, directing the invisible chains through the holes, slowly moving them into position.

I gave Hien the nod, who relayed the message to Tonks. She banged on the door, drawing the attention of our enemies.

Now! I thought and, with a swift motion, wrapped the chains around the wand arms of the unsuspecting wizards, squeezing tight.

The room erupted into chaos. The wizards cried out in shock and pain, their wands clattering to the floor as they struggled against their invisible bonds.

“I’ve got them!” I shouted.

Tonks and Akio burst through the front door, their wands raised.

“Stupefy!” Tonks yelled, his spell catching one of the distracted wizards square in the chest.

Akio moved swiftly to the hostages, his wand creating a shimmering shield around them.

“All will be well.” He said calmly to the terrified group. “We’re here to help.”

Tonks and I rushed in behind them. With practiced efficiency, Tonks stunned two more of the captors while Hien Disarmed the last one.

“Incarcerous.” I said, conjuring ropes to bind the stunned wizards securely.

As the dust settled, I looked around the room. The hostages— a young mother, her daughter, and two elderly wizards— stared at us with a mixture of fear and hope as Akio dropped his Shield Charm and moved to stand near the window.

“It’s alright.” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. “We’re with the good guys. You’re safe now.”

Tonks approached the group, her hair shifting to a soothing blue.

“Is anyone hurt?” She asked gently.

As Tonks tended to the hostages and Hien secured the room, I exchanged a look with Akio. We’d done it. Our plan had worked perfectly.

But there was no time to celebrate. We still needed to get these people to safety and rejoin the larger battle.

Never any rest for the wicked.