Post by Trevor Williams on May 19, 2012 20:35:47 GMT -8
Bob = Robert Lawson, Harold & Helena Masters, Jack Halden
Kit = Kathaleen Whisper
December 19, 2008
Setting down her drink on the table Kathaleen slowly stood up. She felt those thick slimy fingers of dread crawling up her spin and wrapping around her torso. Shivering slightly she grabbed her shawl and wrapped it firmly around her shoulders to ward off a cold not from the weather. "This is nonsence." she whispered blowing a strand of hair ouot of her eye. Suddenly the Ball Room, the Great Hall, grew too small. Though only moments before she was noticing how many people there were clumped together, and how lovely Rika looked, and even Jen from slytherin. Moments ago she'd been fine. She'd waved at her proffessors on the dance floor, and now? Now it felt like the walls were getting closer to her, like every one was breathing her air.
Gasping she clutched at her chest, heart beating against her ribcage, and turned. The nearest exit, where was it? She'd spoted, counted and planned escapes the moment she got in here. Something Proffessor Lawson had taught her, and something she normally did for a spot of fun. Now, however, it aided her in getting out as fast as possible. Insted of choosing a chair close to the punch table, she'd picked the one closest to the garden doors.
Picking up the ends of her dress, she moved as fast as possible to freedom. She could feel the wind tug her gently, as if drawing her outside. Tears sprung to her eyes. Everytime she brushed against some one by accident she thought she'd have to claw her own flesh off. Finally the sea of people broke enough to get outside. She broke out into a run the moment her shoe's hit the pavement and headed for one of the benches by a great white rose bush, no doubt kept alive by the wonderful skills of the staff. She plopped herself down on the bench, and reached down and untied her shoes, slipped off her stalkings (descreetly of course) and dug her bare feet into the ground, which was cold and hard. But she felt better. Though tears still pricked the back of her eyes, and for the life of her she couldn't figure out why. (However Kathaleen was often very good at ignoring herself, and there for, 'not knowing why' was not entirely true. She knew why, but had blocked why from her memorie, there-for she did not know.)
"Oh yes, Please.. Please if you could excuse me.. Thankyou." Professor Lawson nodded, attempting to escape the clutches of a most utterly dull ball guest while being quite polite. The evening had been a bit dull, atleast after the lovely dance with Professor Winslow. Yes.. That'd been a rather charming moment, but it was in the past now and somehow the Ball-room was feeling a bit stuffy now. This event sure wasn't as fun as it was when he was a student here oh so many years ago. But that was to be expected, this was a kids even filled with silliness, young drama and no real sophistication and the task of the Professors was more so to keep everyone under control. Quickly Lawson snatched his coat from a nearby chair and slipped out of the ballroom, hopefully avoiding the prying eyes of anyone else who'd want to pester him.
For the moment fresh air sounded better then anything else he could imagine, along with a drink from his flask of course. Within a few moments he'd managed to slip out into the gardens and into the cool night air. The snow crunched under his feet as he made his way deeper into the garden, the sound of the party behind him gradually dying into the background "Much better." he whispered to himself, his hand reaching into his pocket for his flask, totally unaware that he wasn't actually alone. Instead his gaze was transfixed on the stars high above him, A small smile creased his lips as he unscrewed the cap from his flask. The memories star gazing brought back were all too pleasant and made him yearn for those days that seem liked a million years ago now. He took a quick swig from his flask, the liquid burned at his throat as it went down but it was at that moment he heard some movement to his right and quickly he capped his flask and tucked it back into his pocket, turning to see who his 'friend' was. Stepping closer he realized it was one of his students, Kathaleen Whisper and despite her best efforts? Yes, she seemed a little distressed. "Miss Whisper?" he asked softly, cocking his head to one side.
Kathaleen hadn't noticed when her proffessor had stepped into her small haven with her. She was taking deep breaths trying to slow the feeling of tears and her heart. Her eyes were opened wide and she blinked very slow. That's when he spoke to her. She jumped slightly, turning to face him completly, trying to wipe any almost tears from her eyes. She smiled brightly at him. Clearing her throat.
"Hello Proffessor!" She stated cheerfully, the smile feeling as plastic as it must look. "I'm sorry I didn't know any one else was out here." she felt like a fool. And knew she must look like one as well. Breaking eye contact with Mr. Lawson she looked down at herself, dress caught on the edge of the bench she'd been sitting on, feet bare and digging into the cold earth. She shook her head, she must look so stupid.
"I'll" her voice wavered slightly she cleared her throat again. "I'll leave you to it then. Have a good night."
"I didn't know either" he said with a curt smile. It was obvious something was wrong, had her date snubbed her? Who knew with kids these days, but he quickly shook his head. "No no.. you're alright, sit back down. I just came out for a little fresh air.." he told her truthfully, as he wrapped his arms around himself to guard against the cold. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be inside having youthful fun and all of those fun fun things?" His words were laced with sarcasm of course, he knew the kind of drama she could be subject to as he'd seen it many times when he was her age.
Giving a some what brittle laugh she shook her head, and sat back down as he'd suggested. The bench was cold and soaked through her dress. She tilted her head and looked up at the stars. "Not much in there for me. she murmmered lowly, to low, she thought, for him to hear, "It's a beautiful night, isn't it?" she said, avoiding his question. Her feet, still bare and clinging to the soil, curled off to one side giving her a very lady posture and position. She tugged at the end of her dress. Something dark was still playing at the edges of her vision and thought. Those fingers that had chased her outo into the night, were groping all around her now, and toying with her sight. For a moment, she thought she saw something dark and large, and ...sluggish in movement, in the shadows, in the garden with them.
"Professor? Have you ever....felt like something terrible was going to happen?" she asked, in what she hoped was an off hand manner.
The Professor stifled a short chuckle, "Me neither." he replied faintly, and it was the truth.. But he tried his best to cheer her up. "Come on, how can that be so? A smart and pretty young girl like yourself? You should be the center of attetion!" Did he sound genuine enough? He wasn't sure, but it was worth a shot.. There was no reason they both had to be gloomy fuddy duddies. Lawson shook his head before looking to the stars again. "Yes.. Yes They are.. brings back many memories I promise.." he trailed off.
Something terrible? That caught his attetion, hie gaze darted to her. "Gut instinct? Yes.. I get that sometimes.."[/color] he said, looking again to the sky. Something had felt a little funny this evening, but he'd brushed it aside as nervousness about this whole ball and he doubted it was anymore then that. "We're probably going to have another spiking fiasco.." he said with a sarcastic grumble.
Turning her head from the stars back to her Professor, she gave him a level look. "Thank you, for trying to cheer me up Mr. Lawson, but you don't have to try with flattery." She shook her head and offered him a small smile. "I'm low on the human food chain in school right now. But you get an A for the effort." For a moment, after he'd trailed off, neither said anything. Then he'd said something about spiking the punch. She laughed.
"And I'm sure you have no idea who spiked the punch in your year." Finally, a real smile brushed her lips. Shaking her head "I don't know. It just...felt bigger then that. But I'm sure it's nothing. Standing up she reached down and grabbed her shoes and stalkings. " "I should probably go in and head to bed. I'll leave you to your thoughts." She smiled and reached out and patted his arm as she headed back to the Ball room.
"How about that.." he commented with a grin. "MY student is grading me!" he chuckled a bit as the conversation moved on to the whole spiking business. "Now now.. I only spiked the punch when I was around your age, I'm a reformed hoodlum now.." He said, pausing and then adding. "I even have the papers to prove it!" he remarked jokingly. As she patted his arm and moved past him he turned with her. "Well if you must, Your company is always intriguing." he admitted rather truthfully but before he could elaborate any further he heard a high pitched scream from inside, and then a man yelling two words he knew all to well.
"Avada Kedavra!"
A nearby window exploded in a shower of glass shards, instinctively he grabbed and pulled Kathaleen to the ground as more screams and raised voices erupted from all around, Lawsons jaw hung open as the events all took a moment to register but what finally snapped him out of it was what was rising above them.
Some where else on the Grounds Of Hogwarts, another spell had been cast and now The stars above had now been mostly replaced by an immense glowing skull, with a snake slithering out from its jaw.. "A Dark Mark.." he whispered, keeping Kathaleen down and close to him.. It could mean only one thing, The Death Eaters had returned finally..
As the proffessor had been talking, Kathaleen felt a punch in her stomach and a wave of dizziness swept over her. She might have fallen if not at the same time a scream slipt the air and she was thrown onto the ground, Mr. Lawson covering her. "Shit! she shouted, hands over her head, she wriggled a little under him, grabbing her wand from it's hidden place in her gown and cluched it in her hand until her knuckles were white.
"Well, they planned a good night to attack, everyone is consentrated in one place." she muttered. A feeling of calm, now that most of the dread had passed, swept her over. Body kicking in to take the lessons learned with her teacher into action. Glancing around she stiffened. "Mr Lawson we're not in very much cover on the path, we need to get into the shadow or rush into fight. One or the other, but laying here we're kinda sitting ducks." she remarked quietly. Breath comming a bit quicker.
"You're right!" Lawson snapped back as he quickly pulled her up to her feet and away from the doorway, taking her to better cover. Lawson had no intention of staying out of the fight, but first they needed a quick plan, even if it was one he was making up as they went along. Crouching down with her again he quickly checked her over for injuries, before withdrawing his 6 1/2 inch Black walnut wand from his coat pocket. "Good," he murmured as he caught a glimpse of her wand, she had listened to his advice to always keep it on her person. Grabbing her shoulder to get her attetion, he gazed into her eyes."Kathaleen, You're going to have to listen to me exactly, whatever happens you MUST do everything I say.. Your life depends on it.." Though he'd been teaching her some more advanced forms of defense, he wanted her no where near the battle. There were visiting Aurors and the other teaching staff were more then capable of protecting the school which meant the students needed to get to safety and wait out the attack.
More screams continued emanating from inside the castle, none of which distracted him. "I'm going to get you back to your dorm, you'll be safe there with the other students... Remember everything I taught you, and do it better by three times!" he commanded, talking quickly as he knew they had little time. "Keep close behind me, take cover often and don't get hit by any curses! got that?!"
“I’m fine!” She muttered as he looked for any signs of harm. She nodded ”I’m listening professor trust me.” At each scream and shouted curse her blood coursed a little faster through her veins. She shivered, eyes darting around, she nodded with everything he said. He finished talking and stood up she followed his movements. “Lead and I’ll follow don’t get hit by curses, got it. We should move, something’s headed our way.” she didn’t bother explaining how she knew. She’d ignored her feelings tonight, she wouldn’t do it again, not yet anyway.
He nodded quickly before taking her hand and standing up. "Keep low." he told her before moving towards the door they'd came through earlier. Slowly Lawson crept forward with his wand in hand as he watched and listened for any activity nearby. In the distance he could hear mroe screams, and a jumble of different spells being cast back and forth, right now it seemed most of the action was concentrated near the ball-room and slightly away from them. If they were lucky, they'd be able to get to her dorm with no problems. That was his plan ,get her back, get into the fight and or find out what was going on and deal with this situation. Within a few moments he was peering around the edge of the door, the coast seemed clear.
"Stay back." He whispered before creeping back into the corridor, checking both directions as he moved slowly before waving her to come on.
Taking his offered hand she let him lead her along. Her other hand held her wand, which she swept from left to right with her eyes, a spell of stupify on the tip of her tounge. They got to the entrance where he ordered her to wait. She did so, crouched low and hidden. Kathaleen had wanted to argue with him about going back to the dorm. She wasn't sure she could sit, and wait for news. But, for right now, she'd do as she was told. Licking her lips she saw him wave at her. Keeping low she moved quickly, and with a grace she'd never had before, to his side. A spell shot passed her, she imagened she felt the air part as it whizzed by her head. For one odd moment she saw the spell as words, spelled out, and colored, she stiffled a laugh. Now was not the time to go crazy. She got to the spot he indiacted, keeping undercover and low.
Lawson dashed a bit further down the corridor before stoping near a stairwelll, he took a moment to listen, hearing foot steps echoing off the stone floor and walls he knew by the sounds of it this was a major incident. But now he was desperately trying to remember the exact path to the Gryffindor! He was Ravenclaw, why the hell did he care about them silly people up in Gryffindor Tower? "Shhh." he told her, hesitating for a moment he turned to Kathaleen, whispering softly. "The level above us sounds quiet, we should be able to get to Gryffindor Tower somewhat easily." he told her before creeping up the stairwell. If only that were the case..
She'd done every thing he asked. When he 'shhh'd her she glared at him. Her eyes clearly stating that she was being the very image of quiet. Not even her shoes, which...hey now that she thought about it were still outside. Damnit. Oh well. Turning her attention back to him she nodded again. Looking at the stairwell, if they could get to the second level, she could let him go fight and find the tower on her own. Maybe. She paused again and followed him, staying a few feet back and sticking to the shadows. Ears straining to identify the sounds echoing off the walls of the stairwell. They reached the top in what seemed like the quickest eternity of her life. Something flittered in her vision. It was like....a layer on top of reality, but it went to quick for her to see. Moments later..."Professor!" She whispered, but they'd stepped onto the last step.
Just as they cleared the staircase Kathaleen caught a glimpse of something that Lawson missed, but within a split second of her whisper.. A voice echoed through the corridor and through Lawsons mind. "Robert, Dearest of all my friends.." Lawson froze in place recognizing that voice instantly, reaching back to keep Kathaleen safely behind him. The man hadn't shown himself yet, but he didn't need to as Lawson knew damn well who it was. "Vladimir Lem.." he spoke aloud, clutching his wand in his grasp as a six foot five figure stepped out from a doorway and into view, his own wand leveled already pointed at Lawson. "Surprised to see me?" he asked with a faint chuckle, cocking his head to try and get a glimpse of who he was hiding. "Finally find you a new girlfriend did we?" he asked mockingly, his voice was deep with a thick Russian accent while he wore a neat, dull white suit. The Professor remained unflinching, his eyes remaining sharply focused on his target ahead. "I should've killed you years ago Vlad." he remarked, ignoring Lems remarks about Kathaleen.
"Well, It seems we finally have a chance to settle all of our old scores friend." He remarked confidently as he stepped towards Lawson, ready to cast the killing curse at the drop of a hat. "However.. I'm sure my Master wouldn't appreciate a duel at such a critical moment, In fact.. I'm sure he wants you dead no matter what it takes." he said with a pause, a wide grin creasing his features. Lawsons gaze narrowed, he knew the game Vlad played and certain words he used were bouncing around in Lawsons head triggering red flags, communicating the impossible to him but outwardly he didn't react. "So, I'm afraid I'll have to cheat a bit.. I'm sorry old friend.."
Kathaleen watched as her proffessor stepped out. She blinked and shook her head, the veil of the future had lifted, and it had only been faint. She heard the comment about being the 'new' girlfriend and something about the way the guy said it, with history echoing it made her shiver and look at her teacher. Realizing that she knew almost nothing about him. She shifted her foot making sure she was pressed into the wall and still well behind her professor. Her eyes scanned the hall for other dangers. No way was this guy here at this moment to find him. He'd have friends or something else planned. She gripped her wand tighter and licked her lips. Her other hand dropping down to pick her dress up a little so her bare feet were visible. Easier to run like that.
"Somethings never change do they Vlad? But I hate to tell you.." He responded matter of factly "We're not friends, and You're not going to kill me today or ever." With that remark, Lawson took another step forward his eyes fixated on Vlad across the room, he knew where this was heading and it was all going to explode very soon. Vlad laughed at Lawson, smirking at the man though still very curious about the girl. "Yes, Some of us are as arrogant as ever.. But I have to ask the little girl a question.. Do you truly know who this man is? Is he just a Professor to you?" He asked while stretching his arm out further, getting ready to deliver a killing stroke. Lawson swallowed back a lump in his throat, before speaking softly to Kathaleen. "When its time, Get off this floor and get to your dorm.. I'll be alright. he assured her, knowing this place was going to turn into a setting of carnage. But before she could respond, Vlad spoke again. "I think you need a proper introduction little girl!" he bellowed. "Ladies and Gentlemen! Allow me to present Robert Lawson, Hogwarts finest, with the biggest Death Eater body count ever! Dear friend and student.. Prepare to die!"[/b]
With a swift flick and swish of the wrist, Vlad cried out. "Avada Kedavra!" and cast a magical green bolt towards Lawson, but his reflexes were too quick as with his free hand he shoved Kathaleen back towards the stairwell as he dived to his left to avoid the killing shot, missing it by mere inches. As much as he hated the fact, given what Vlad had said.. Lawson knew he needed the bastard alive and in return he flicked his wand towards Vlad, calling out. "Expelliarmus!" shooting a jet of red light from the end of his wand that just narrowly missed Vlad who ducked back into cover. "Run Kathaleen!" Lawson yelled as he quickly got to his feet and ducked back up against the archway for better cover.. He was going to have to finish this..
Glaring at the large man she spit at his feet. Right before things went really bad. It might be the truth, it might be a lie, to her, it didn't matter. The man she knew and learned from was Professor Lawson, odd, quorky and a bit dodgy but he looked out for her. She admired his skill and cunning. Things exploded in moments. He'd shouted for her to run, she hesitated only a moment but knew, that she'd only be in the way here. Lifting up her dress she started to run down the hall. Feet pounding, head tucked down arms tight to her sides. She ran tords the nearest hall, but something happened, a niche in the floor, a small wet spot, something and she slipped, skidding on her dress a few feet, ankle beating and acheing already. She cursed, then quieted herself. After a moment to catch her breath, she got up again. Stumbled, and started to run again the pain in her ankle making her see white. "The tower, where is the tower from here?" She whispered to herself looking left and right. Then she knew, two more lefts and then another staircase would be there, castle willing.
Now that Lawson knew Kathaleen was safely away he knew he could get down to the business at hand. Keeping behind the archway column he carefully stood up, avoiding exposing himself to Vlad or any of his other cronies while he reached into his deep coat pocket, extracting his primary 15 Inch Gaboon Ebony Wand, the wand he'd used for many years as an Auror and during his time on the run. Taking a deep breath, he slipped one arm out of his coat and then the other, allowing his coat to fall to the floor. Lawson knew all to well the coat would only drag him down, limit his movement and possibly get him killed. He knew how Vlad played, and knew he wasn't alone by any means and that this battle was going to take every bit of skill and energey he had left inside of him. Vlad was a hell of a duelist, who'd slain his fair share of wizards over the years and he certainly had the skill to challange Lawson.
"How noble of you Robert!" Vlad called out to his enemy, himself still behind cover. "Kevin! Get your arse over here now!" he barked angrily, his backup was a apparently a little flighty. Lawson meanwhile perked a brow. "Kevin? Kevin the Death Eater? Well now.. You are all screwed, arent you?" he remarked, chuckling a bit as he readied the two wands in hand. He knew what came next, taking a deep breath he flicked both wrists before charging out to take the fight to the enemy and as he raised his wands....
Practically falling into the nearest onclove that she could find, kathaleen closed her eyes and touched her ankle. It was sprained but not broken she thought. How she'd managed to slip and fall was beond her. Didn't that stuff only happen in bad horror movies? She sighed and cast a few quick healing spells on it. She was far enough away from the battle that she let herself do this, but close enough she could still hear things being shouted. Closing her eyes she prayed to any god listening that her teacher be alright. Standing she tested her ankle, not perfect but a damned site better. Picking up her dress again she started running again. But the castle was busy trying to help the teachers, and there was no stair case where one used to be. "Don't panic. Think woman, think!" she repeated to her self looking around. Okay, no stairs...but there was a class room...with a window. That might work. She took off again heading for the classroom.
By now the entire castle had resolved into utter chaos with Students and staff fleeing up and down various halls. All of the houses were united in the defense of Hogwarts except for Slytherin of course where loyalties seemed to run both ways even after so many years. Though first year students were hardly capable of partaking in any combat, it didnt stop some of the more idealistic youths from trying their best anyway. A twelve year old Steven Stackman came running down the hall screaming at the top of his lungs as he ran past Kathaleen he spotted her out of the corner of his eye, he had no idea what her name was but knew she was from Gryffindor and thus.. she was the enemy. "AHHH!" he screamed at her before lunging at her with every intent to beat on her with his fists, since he'd lost his wand already.
She blinked for a moment watching the child tear by. Then turn and lundge at her. He actually got a couple of kicks in before Kathaleen postioned her wand and shouted stupify. She sighed. She couldn't jsut leave him here then. "Wingardium Leviosa" She whispered and started walking, she realized quickly it took to much consentration. Rolling her eyes, she let him drop down and picked him up and tossed him over her shoulder. She snuck along the walls and headed the long way back to the great hall. There'd A: be teachers there, B: Have an area for children. Then halfway through that thought she realized that there would be no time for this. "DAMNIT." She gruffed, then ran back to the onclove, and transfigured the braclet she'd had ealier into strong rope. Not the best, but a damn site better then a 12year olds. Tying up him with good knots. She nodded. "Enverate." She whispered watching him come awake.
She knelt down. "Look kid, your safe, out of the way here. You shouldn't get killed by the Death Eaters. If you think they care that your slytherin, and I'm guessing you are, not that many people have hate for gryffs like you guys, they'd still kill you. Sooo your safe, out of the way and alive. Be greatful." She patted his head, and turned and started to set off.
Even though Kathaleen had been quite kind to the misguided boy, his reaction to her restraining him was quite livid as he mouthed off a couple of not so kind words that rhymed with duck and witch. Coming from the opposite direction that Kathaleen was now heading were two familiar foes that she'd encountered before.. One was the tall and lanky Alexander Masters, and the other was his shorter and younger sister Helena. They'd both been enjoying the party when all out chaos had broken out and of course they'd joined in on the mayhem to maintain their fathers name. They saw this as the perfect opertunity to get even with a few enemies, and perhaps even Professor Lawson who'd killed their father Harold Masters so many years ago! "Where do you think he is?" Helena asked, not taking care to speak quietly. "Probably hiding under his desk with that filthy animal of his." Alex responded.
They thought the stories about Lawson were propaganda, believing that he was actually a coward who'd killed people by stabbing them in the back, instead of facing them like a proper upstanding wizard. Together they quickly moved down the corridor, unaware that they were about to run into the teachers pet.
Moving quickly she turned a corner and almost litterally ran right into the two people she really didn't want to see right now. She'd heard them but hadn't been able to stop her movements to stop herself. She sighed, stiffened her shoulders and lifted her skirt for better movement.
"If it isn't dumb and dumber." She smirked, then kicked herself mentally, now was so not the time to throw verbal insults. She tried for the peacefull aproch. "Okay look war going on, best not fight now. Deal?" She asked trying out a smile. She doubted it would work but she really just wanted to get back to the tower. No luck,she could tell, from their faces. Fine. She'd start it.
"No? Well...alright." She cast a quick stupify at Helena and then threw up a sheild when she saw the boy, what was his name?, mouth a curse.
The Masters siblings were just as surprised as Kathaleen were and both were sent scrambling for their wands, which they had holstered quite shamefully. "This war will be the end of you half breed!" Alexander cursed while fumbling for his wand, his sister was only a slight quicker but neither were as quick as Kathaleen who already had a drop with her stunning spell that knocked Helena back a few feet, out cold. With Kathaleens attetion focused on Helena, Alexander reacted not with a counter attack but to protect himself. "Protego!" Casting the shield charm in the event that Kathaleen followed up with anything against him, but despite her doing the same he kept his wand leveled at her as he looked down his nose at her. "Why do you bother? You're going to die Whisper, if we don't kill you.." he chuckled. "The New Order will.. Why not give up now? Maybe you'll be spared?"
Kathleen watched as Helena's body slid back and hit the wall with a sicking 'thud' she shivered involentarily. Then turned her attention back to the Masters boy. She didn't lower her gaurd or her shield.
"I bother because I like to live. And I've got a better chance to get out of the school right now, alive, if I don't fight you, and stay low." She grinned at him. "Look Masters, I am sorry I teased you about your father." She paused, and took three steps back to the hallway. Prepairing to make a run for it. "I don't want to kill you, you don't really want to kill me right now. And, hogwarts is going to be over run with Aurrora's in a minute. You might wanna high tail it outta here. We'll see who win's this war. Might make sure your on the right side." She was talking out of her ass, barily thinking about what she was saying. If Helena got up soon she'd be screwed. Her eyes scanned the walls and doors quickly, Where's the help? Where's the cavalry? she thought desprately. There was no way she could keep the toad talking. And if she had to fight him she didn't know if she could best him.
Masters laughed manically at Kathaleen. "You don't have what it takes to kill anyone little girl!" he taunted her though he believed that fully. This was Hogwarts, they didn't teach such deadly spells openly and this girl? She was spineless! With every inch that she moved backwards, Alex moved forward. "Piss off," He cursed her, not wanting her apologies "Its not just about our father you little bitch. You disgust me, You half breed muggle loving piece of trash! Your kind makes me sick to my very stomach, you stand against what my family, our cause is all about.. If you can't see the light, then you don't deserve to live.. Its that simple." He said plainly, knowing well she was looking for a way out. "Your kind is weak, Your beloved Professor is weak.. And thats why if this is an all out war? You'll lose, No stupid Harry Potter will save the wizarding world this time.. Oh no, he'll die too.. All in the name of proper progress.. You should really think about it, you could be a Death Eater, Command Power.. Bring order to this chaotic world we live in.. How is that so bad? tell me.."
She sneered back at him, spitting at his feet. She was done talking. She had a plan in mind. It might not work. But it was better then nothing. He still had his sheild up but that was fine. As she'd moved backwords and him forwords, he was standing right next to a large suit of armor.
"CONFRINGO!" She shouted and aimed at the armor. It exploded peices flying every where. Right next to Alexander. She took off at a sprit back tords the hall she came from back tords Mr. Lawson and the idiot first year. It wouldn't hold Alexander back for long, but maybe long enough she could find some where else to fight, some where...that wasn't so....exposed.
She sneered back at him, spitting at his feet. She was done talking. She had a plan in mind. It might not work. But it was better then nothing. He still had his sheild up but that was fine. As she'd moved backwords and him forwords, he was standing right next to a large suit of armor.
"CONFRINGO!" She shouted and aimed at the armor. It exploded peices flying every where. Right next to Alexander. She took off at a sprit back tords the hall she came from back tords Mr. Lawson and the idiot first year. It wouldn't hold Alexander back for long, but maybe long enough she could find some where else to fight, some where...that wasn't so....exposed.
She'd almost rounded the first corner by the time he made his attack. Marbles rained down on her, she slipped slamming hard into the ground. More fell on her, hard and unyeilding. She was brused and battered, one hit her square in the eye. She cursed, and blinked the tears that came away.
"Shit!" She shouted, and tried to regain her footing, but running was now out of the possiblity, since the floor was littered with little round death traps. She turned around "Protego" she shouted, bringing her sheild back up. shitshitshitshitshit she thought, over and over in her head, trying to think. Her ankle started throbbing again, almost in time with her heart. Sweat dripped into her eyes, she quickly pulled her hair back from her face, locking it in place with her hair tie, waist length hair was a trouble-some thing in battle. She wished for a moment, she'd gone with an updo.
"FINE!" She screamed at them, a thin vein showing on her forehead, fear caking her mouth. "Lets do this your way."
"damnit." she whispered, going over and over the spells in her head. "conjunctiva!!" she shouted, wand aimed at Alex, and then at Helena she shouted "loco motionem mortis" a simple Leg-locking curse. Marbles were still raining down on her, she felt something sticky and thick running into her eye, so she couldn't be sure if she hit either of her targets.
This time Helena was actually on guard and managed to cast the shield charm to block Kathaleens attack while following it up with a barrage of stun spells against Kathaleen, she wanted to catch that little snot and beat the living hell out of her before anything else! Her brother wasn't so lucky, as Kathaleens spell hit its mark and totally blinded him he yelped and grumbled before tripping over his own feet and falling flat on his face. Masters scrambled for what he hoped was the near by cover of the wall while trying to remember a counter to the conjunctiva spell, but what he did mostly was curse the girl under his breath.
Trying to wipe the sweat and blood from her eyes, kathaleen managed to block the first three stun spells that went her way, the last, caught her on her right arm, her wand arm. She watched in horror as it went limp, hanging useslessly at her side. Her wand falling from her finger tips in slow motion to hit against the floor. At least one of the Masters' was down. She ducked down, missing another stun spell, and picked up her wand with the left hand casting a sheild charm. She couldn't fight very well yet with her left hand, she'd been practicing in private, but still it wasn't as good as Helena now. She stumbled backwords, loosing her precious footing on t he marbles. Thinking fast, she relaxed a little, let herself cower on the floor, she needed the girl to come closer, or her plan of moving the battle of wands to the battle of fists, wouldn't work. One good kick to the girls knee and she'd go down, giveing Kathaleen maybe, enough time to run back....why was it always running, kathaleen wondered idly, then answered herself, because fighting generally means death.
Helena crept forward slowly with her hand outstretched with her wand clutched tightly within her grasp. Though she didn't know all the Unforgivable curses, especially to be able to kill.. However there was one that she knew and so desperately wanted to use on Kathaleen. It seemed that the girl was down, "Why did you even try you little wretch? You're trash, you'll never be as good as us." she told her in no uncertain terms, her wand leveled at Kathaleen while keeping just outside of her physical striking distance. "But maybe.. If you're nice and say pretty please and give in to us.. we'll spare you some pain.. what do you say?"
Kathaleen noticed that Helena was skirting her range. She swore silently, and quickly while the other girl was talking picked up as many marbles as she could fit in her hand and still hold her wand with out dropping it. The girl was still talking.
"Sure, when pigs fly. Piss off!" She shouted again, flinging the marbles at the other girl and rushing her, enough to knock the larger girl off her feet and onto the floor. With out waiting to see what she'd do, Kathaleen took off, and up the set of stairs that, were deffiantly not there before, thank you castle! she thought dashing up them two at a time ignoring her pains. She stopped running, sliding off to the side. The stair well led to a room with no exit but a balcany. Swearing again, she ran to the doors and shoved them open. They made loud noises of protest but moved. She stepped out on to it, breathing in the night air, and watching the spliting of the sky by odd colors of spells, the battle was still waging on thick.
Helena let out a shrill scream as Kathaleen showered her in the marbles her brother had originally used to slow her down, then she was knocked down to the ground between Kathaleens assault and slipping on lose marbles. "Damnit bitch!" she screamed madly before scrambling to her feet and up the stairs, she was going to kill her, no doubt about it now. She soon found herself in a strange room, one she'd not been in before and it unnerved her a bit as it was dark save for the light shining in through the Balcony.. Had she jumped? She didn't know, but Helena approached the open balcony with caution, ready to stun her opponent.
Kathaleen was pressed into the side of the wall in a half kneeling postion, strangely hidden in the shadows, even given her long dress. She didn't move a mussle and not even the wind blew to make her dress move. She was deathly silent. Though to her, her blood pouned in her ears almost making it hard to hear. She'd unstuned her arm when she got here. She could have jumped and landed but didn't trust her ankle or herself right now. It was time she stopped running. She waited until Helena stepped out on the balcany before moving between the other girl and the only escape that wasn't a story off the ground. Moving so she was fully visible she held her wand at the ready,
"Look Helena, I don't want to hurt you. Give me your wand, and we'll be fine. You've got no where to go now." She spoke calmly for all the panic in her mind.
As Helena crept forward the situation around her was deathly quiet and still, enough to make her even more uneasy then she already was. If was by pure luck that she caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of her eye, not reacting to Kathaleens words Helena instead spun and ducked aside while flicking her wrist and screaming "Expelliarmus!" almost casting the spell right up into Kathaleens face while she herself dropped to her knees to avoid any attack made by her foe, but her sudden appearance scared the living hell out of her regardless.
Kathleen was not prepaired as she thought she was. She felt the sheild falter, and the spell hit her. It pushed her back, she hit the banner of the balcany and dropped down. She lay on her side for amoment, before sitting up leaning against it, breathing hard. She couldn't catch her breath and there were white stars playing in her vision. She coughed, and coughed again. Hand going up but no spell came to mind. She stared, a bit dumb-founded, at Helena. So...that didn't go as she had planned. She tried to get up but when she got halfway there the world spun and she ended up on her butt again, back against the banister she leaned into it for a minute. Trying to gather her wits.
For a split moment Helena's jaw dropped as she was genuinely surprised that it had even worked! She began giggling before breaking into all out laughter while getting up. She'd won her first real duel! It was a wonderful feeling actually and she knew daddy would've been so proud of her. "You loser! HA!" She heckled, using her foot to roll Kathaleens wand away from her. "I'm so going to put the hurt on you now!" she cackled before casting Sectumsempra on Kathaleens shoulder, this spell she'd learned from her mother but it was cast quite poorly and though it might scar her victim, it'd not sever her arm from her body.
Kathaleen barely managed to bite back a scream as the poorly cast spell cut through her bared shoulder, it had not severed her arm, but there were four deep gashes across her chest on the left side of her body, going from her collar bone over to the shoulder and dripping lower. She was loosing blood quickly. She gasped, tears streaming down her cheeks as she leaned forword pressing her right hand into the shoulder. The blood was thick, and quickly covered the side of her beautiful dress. She shivered and tried to gage how deep the cuts were. They were bleeding bad, but after a moment she realized they were deep and bad but not acutlaly life threating. Not yet anyway. Helena's laughter chilled her to the bone. It was edged with insanity. She coughed again, and winced.
"I hope you end up six feet under, just like your pathetic father. Is he the one who taught you how to cast spells? Useless!" She screamed at the girl standing before her. The only really good thing about this cut was...it had cleared her mind enough to think again. She started trying to think of a plan.
"Oh.. That was wonderful." She chirped with total glee and a wide grin plastered across her face. There was noone to save this pathetic girl now, Not her Professor, not another student, noone. The worst mistake Kathaleen could've made was mention her father, and she made that mistake. Helena glared at her. "That bastard teacher of yours killed him before he could!" she screamed before casting Crucio on the young woman before her and behind it she put all of her hatred for Kathaleen, Lawson and everyone else that was 'wrong' in her world, it was her intent to inflict the worst possible pain possible on this wretch because she was going to have a bit of fun before letting her die.
Pain. Kathaleen thought that she knew what the word ment. She was proven wrong in this moment. It was like nothing she'd ever felt, and she didn't know if she'd ever feel anything again. It felt like being fallayed alive, like ten thousand little knives peircing her. She did scream now, unable to keep it inside, she screamed and jerked and clawed at herself, at the ground but there was no end in sight. She screamed until her throat was raw, she shuddered and cried. But she did. not. beg. She'd bite off her own tounge before she begged. Any plans, any thoughts, swept out of her mind when she was hit with the curse. She could barely remember her name. And then she clawed at the cut in her shoulder. It hurt...but it was a different hurt from the curse. She pressed her hand into the wound. Feeling some...sanity leek back into herself, but not enough....oh gods the pain. There were no words, even with her own control of a tiny part, where she could think, weren't enough to throw off the pain that was lasing through her right now. Like tiny fire ants under the skin.
With every moment that passed, every scream that Kathaleen made, Helena enjoyed it with sickly glee and if only the little worm would beg for mercy would her enjoyment be complete. The girl cackled and choked as Kathaleen cringed and cried form the pain she'd just endured. "Whats the matter teachers pet? Does it hurt?" she mocker her, laughing again at her. "Maybe if you beg for forgiveness, and ask nicely I'll spare you anymore pain.. How about it? You don't want to hurt anymore do you?" she asked as she pointed her wand at her again, getting ready to cast once more.
Blinded by the pain and ache's she took a small moment to breath and then with out really thinking, and going soley on the need to survive she lundged. Unsure of what her plan was, she used all her body momentum to knock into Helena again, they went tumbling hitting the edge of the Balcany.
"I'll always be more of Witch then you..." she whispered as she used the momentom of the shove to push helena off balance and hopefully over the edge. Kathaleen didn't really think about what she was doing, that, Helena might end up dead, all she could think about was getting out of this and making the pain stop. To do that, the object causing the pain must be stopped, to stop her, she must be incompasitated. So moving like a robot she stood and then slumped to the floor tears still spilling from her eyes.
Kathaleen screamed again, this time, not from pain, but from rage-frustration, and desperation. She sobbed and let herself have a moment to loose it. Then, breathing deep she picked up her wand, and Helena's fallen one and slipped Helena's into her holster, keeping hers armed and at the ready. She turned back into the room ready to head back down....to gods knew where. She stumbled. Her body ached and protested to moving. She pushed on. Down the steps. Stopping to lean against the wall. The floor kept trying to jump up and meet her, and there were black spots dancing in her vision. What she wouldn't give for a quick pick me up potion.
Helena yelped and dropped her wand as Kathaleen plowed into her quite unexpectedly, the older girl had a size and weight advantage over her and crashed her into the balcony behind them, it was here that she tumbled backwards over the edge and plummeted with a terror filled scream to her death. The life of Helena Masters was over, not done in during a magical duel but by brute force. Though the coast was clear for the moment, Alexander Masters was still very much alive and had heard the unmistakable cries of his sister. He'd finally cast a counter spell and had regained his sight as Kathaleen returned to the scene of the original crime. This time Alex took his time, waiting for the right moment to jump in on this bitch and finish her once and for all and once she passed his hiding place he sprung forth and pointed his wand at her. "Turn around and I WILL kill you! What have you done to my sister?! Where is she?! TELL ME!" he screamed at her, anger and fear underlying in his voice.
This time someone had gotten the drop on Kathaleen and her options were far and quite few..
Kathaleen almost breathed a sigh of relife, if she were dead at least she wouldn't be hurting. But then her brain kicked her and she remembered why she wanted to be alive. Her sister, her mother, her father, right family and even Professor Lawson, she watned to be alive. She held very still, taking a deep breath.
"You could run out to the garden and check for yourself....I'm sure you heard her scream...." Her voice broke slightly, raw from the earlier screaming. Her wand was still clenched tightly into her hand. But she couldn't think of how to get out of this spot. Blood dripping onto her dress, getting in her hair, she looked like hell and knew it, she prolly looked better then she felt. She held her arms up, high in the 'don't shoot' stance from muggle T.V.
"What are you going to do Masters? Man enough to kill? Your sister thought so too...I think I heard her skull crack when she landed...but who know's she might still be alive, bleeding to death waiting for you....alone, in that garden." Why the Heck did she keep talking!? She was only going to piss the boy off and make it all the worse. Kathaleen swore at herself, she had better learn how to keep her stupid fat mouth shut if she wanted to live longer then tonight.
Kathaleens words sent shockwaves of rage and anger throughout Masters body, it was as if his veins were flowing with fire as his eyes lit up with the most awful glint.. If looks could kill the girl would be quite dead. "You wretched bitch! he screamed so loudly, his voice chirped and cracked. There was no logic, no reason left, he just wanted this horrid creature dead for hurting his beloved sister! There was one spell that he knew would end it all, but he'd never preformed it, never practiced it but knew the incantation all to well. With all of his might and rage he flicked his wand and spoke.. "Avada Ked...Ahh!" Masters cried out before hiting the floor cold. Standing behind him with his broom in one hand and his wand in the other was none other then the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain Jack Halden! He flashed Kathaleen a big grin. "Did ya miss me?"
Masters was out cold, the victim of a stunning spell of course but he was done for this battle as Jack bent down and collected his wand from the fallen student. "Never did like you Alex." he remarked as he rose up and walked over to Kathaleen, making sure she was in one piece atleast. "You okay?"
"Miss you?" Kathaleen blinked and then oh...thoughts...right....Jack....Halden. Right. "Yes...couldn't have showed up a bit ealier of though could you?" She quipped, feeling a horrid thing grip her, she lundged herself at Jack before she could stop herself. It was just so damned good to see a friendly face. One that you know, wasn't trying to kill her. However, she almost imdeiatly regreted it, and pulled back, feeling her knees go weak.
"No...no I'm not okay. I've been cut up, I've been cursed, I've been showered in freaking bloody stupid marbles, I've been attacked by a first year, and I think death eaters are trying to kill every one...wait scratch that last one, I *know* they are." She glared at the young man. Then smiled a little.
"But you, I am glad to see you." Shaking her head she looked around, and then she must have moved to fast because the black spots were back and her vision was narrowing. Her vision blanked out and she started to fall.
Jack laughed a little, shrugging. "I was just coming back from Gryffindor Tower, had to make sure all the little kids were okay before jumping back into the fight." he explained to her as he then listened to her explaining her side of the situaton. "Yup, Its an all out attack, Damn Death Eaters everywhere and not to many Aurors in sight.. The Staff and some of the students are beating them back but its crazy out there... Let me get you somewhere safe alright? See if I can treat you." he knew his knoweldge of medical magic was limited but taking her to the nurse was simply too dangerous right now but always the fast acting gentlemen he managed to catch the young girl in his arms and keep her falling. "Aw, they always just fall into my arms." he quipped before carrying her down the corridor.
[hr
Kathaleen took a moment to realize what was going on. Other then the fact that her bed was moving and kinda hard and lumpy. Then images flashed before her. She groaned. "Uh...put me down Jack..." She said patting his arm "So, do you always sweep a girl off her feet so litterally?" kathaleen joked lightly. Must make light of situations when people were dying, it's how you stayed sane. She sighed. "Thanks for...." she looked around. "Well I'm not sure yet. Where are you taking me?" She asked trying to make her thoughts stop running around in her head. She was so woozy. "Put me down." She said again. "And then I'm going to make you heal these little scratches. Don't worry I know your rubbish at charms, but I'll tell you the words and wand movements, even if you mess up, it'll slow the bleeding enough that maybe I can do it on my own. Wouldn't happen to have a pepper up potion on you would you?" She asked, and realized that she was rabling slightly.
"Pretty much!" Jack replied quite confidently as he turned a corner with her. "The Nerve of the Death Eaters ruining our good time.. Damn them!" he hissed while she asked him where they were going exactly. "Somewhere out of the way." he told her, spying a door that lead to a small storage room off the corridor. "Here, this one is usually pretty private.." It wasn't until a split second later that he realized that between his reputation and his now apparently knowledge of 'private places' could give her the wrong idea! "Don't worry, I'm not taking you in for a snog.. Not tonight anyway." carefully he opened the door and laid her down against the wall. "I want to get you fixed up before getting back into the thick of things, or you can stay here.. its your call." he told her as he closed the door, then moving over he knealt down beside her. "Nope, I wasn't able to raid the potion stash before finding you Im afraid.. Its healing charms or bust tonight I'm afraid."
Kathaleen laughed when he'd responded pretty much. Then lauhged more with his comment about death eaters. Almost immideatly her body protested to the movement. "Oh gods, don't make me laugh Jack, we may be in a war but I will hex you...." Groaning as he set her down she sighed. "Not in your dreams Jack" she responded to his comment about snogging. "S'ides I'm not the type of girl you go for, I afterall have a brain." She smirked again
"Alright, well healing spell it is then." and thne got down to the buisness of telling him the easiest healing spell. The wound was still bleeding but not nearly as thick as before. In fact it had slowed alot. "I just need a quick one and..." she transfigured an old mop into bandages, "gross....and unsantitary. But better then nothing, I'll need you to help me wrap this around my arm" She directed him on that too. "And hells yes I will be going back to the battle, I'd go crazy waiting here in a closet." She shook her head. A badly formed joke about 'comming out of the closet' lept to her mind but she shoved it away.
"Hey now, I've went for some very intelligent young ladies.. dont sell me short." Though another random thought caused him to snicker a bit, oh if she only knew.. "I'll try not to blow your arm off." Jack assured her as he cast a a healing spell upon her with somewhat decent results. He watched as she did her Transfiguration act. "Guess those tips from the Professor have come in handy for you eh?" if anything he was a little jealous as he helped wrap the bandage around her arm. "Where IS the Professor anyway? I haven't seen him since before the attack began. BUt you're right, we're going to have to come out of the closest sooner or later..."
She laughed again, and the cursed gripping her sides and breathing a little heavy. "Well...I always figured you for a pillow bitter. Now me? I thought every one already knew!" She teased then leaned back. "Yes the Professor has helped me. Alot. And ...oh my god. I hope he's not dead" she said, rather blandly, "He told me to run to Gryfindor tower, but I couldn't make it all the way up there between the suicidal first year and then the Masters...."She frowned. "He was figting some Death Eaters," she started to recall the names, realized it wouldn't matter and contiued. "He was out numbered I think. I don't really remember he made me run away. I would have only gotten in the way." She shook her head, that seemed like hours and days ago, it could only have been one hour at the most. She shook her head.
"I better stop being so charming, I'm going to kill you." Jack remarked without a hint of humor, though it was suppose to be a dry joke. He just shook his head at her. "Well, We can try to find him or see if the others need help.. Given what i've heard of him.. He's probably pretty capable of holding off a Death Eater or two on his own."
She nodded. "Yeah I know he'll be fine." She smiled and patted Jack's hand. "It's too bad I never bothered to look up and see my class mates, I wonder if I would have hung out with you..." She pondered idly then shook her head. "Well if we survive we'll have to make a point of getting to know eachother, I figure since you saved my life, I at least owe you dinner." Standing up she licked her lips and took a step, she felt better already. Not great....but better.
"Come on, can't sit and hide in a closet all day. The death eaters will tease us with out mercy if we do." She started to open the door but heard a noise. She stopped, and slowly pulled it open peaking outside.
Jack chuckled softly, smiling shyly at her. "That's awfully nice of you.." he admited while helping her up. "Let's try and find him, after my bad grades I gotta suck up somehow right?" he half joked before taking the elad to the door. "And Hey.. It wouldn't be the first time I hid in a closest all day.. You can find so many fun things to do!" he laughed, allowing her to go first before Jack and Kathaleen came out of the closest together. "Which way?"
Kathaleen closed her eyes then turned. "This way, I think." They would have to move at a sorta slow pace. She couldn't quiet run yet and so it was a half running walk thing. They walked slowly, wands at the ready. It took only took about fifteen minutes to get back to where she'd left Mr. Lawson, she rounded the last cornor slowly, half afraid of what she was going to see. She tugged on Jack's arm, making him kneel next to her.
The area was silent but there was blood smears on the floor and signs of damage abroad. "Looks like someone had a party." Jack quipped, his own wand at the ready though his gut feeling told him the coast was clear here. "It doesn't make sense, It was like.. one minute everything was perfect, then? There were Death Eaters everywhere! I can't figure out how they got in, in such numbers its... I dont know." he whispered, going over the events in his head when suddenly the sound of heavy footsteps came echoing down the corridor at them. "Company!"
Kathaleen's gut also told her the coast was clear. She walked out into the carnage and knelt, touching the blood with her fingers, it was still damp and sticky. She shuddered, and wiped it on her dress, moving back next Jack. " I know. We've been betrayed, I think. There's no way these Death Eaters could have gotten in this quickly, against Hogwarts defences, if they didn't have help." She whispered looking around. God, it must have been some battle. The place was in ruins. Crossing her arms slightly, wand still at the ready, she pressed her lips together in a thin line. Hoping that her professor was alright and had shown them 'what for'. There were no bodies, so...that was a good sign they were still battling. Then Jack spoke up, company. Great. Grabbing his arm she pulled him back against the wall and thumped him on the head with a dissallousinment ((...sp?)) spell. Then did the same to herself, the feeling of raw eggs spilling over her almost made her gag, but after a moment, she could see right through where her hands were suppose to be.
"Now, we wait."she whispered.
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