Harry Potter and the Protectors of Hogwarts

vi. of songs and first week back

Killian deposited Remus and herself to the ground. Together they unwound the rope from the trees and slowly pulled the train backwards a little more. Remus knew that they stopped in a nick of time. Had they been unsuccessful many students would have lost their lives.

Painstakingly they pulled the train at least a quarter of a mile backwards. Not only did they pull the train, but also the weight of the students which made the train infinitely heavier.

Killian flew them back to the back of the train where Tonks and a few of the other students were waiting. Tonks looked like she wanted to cry but held back. Remus could still feel his muscles burning. They all made their way to the front, wading past students who threw questions at them from every angle.

The prefects were sent to patrol the corridors, and the professors made their way to the drivers' compartment.

"I don't think it's time to celebrate just yet," Moody growled in the way of greeting.

Tonks looked confused. "What's wrong now?"

Moody asked Killian to fly them to the bridge. The professors had left the Head Boy and girl in charge, and told them to spread the word that they'd obviously be late for the Feast.

Arriving at the bridge they saw the others waiting near the tracks.

Remus turned to see Killian frown as she looked down. He followed her gaze but couldn't figure what was wrong now.

"Do you see it?" asked Moody.

Killian nodded. "But it might be a problem for now. If we cast one of the temporary strengthening charms then that should suffice for now."

"What's the problem?" asked Tonks as they landed near the other four.

"The spells used on the tracks have been tampered with. I know you've fixed the bridge itself," added Moody as he saw Gallagher trying to interfere. "The whole bridge was tampered with. You've managed to fix the physical part, but the age old spells have been negated somewhat."

"So what do we do?" asked Remus.

Moody looked at Killian. "You said it wasn't going to be a problem. Explain."

Everyone turned to look at Killian who had gaze fixed squarely on the bridge.

"Who here can cast the Trengus Charm?" she asked instead.

Remus recognised the charm- it was of the strongest strengthening charms, meant to be cast for a short while as they required a lot of power.

Nicolas and Perenelle nodded, as did Kingsley and Moody. Remus also nodded though more hesitantly than the others.

"I can cast it, but it won't be particularly strong." Said Gallagher.

Tonks told them that she couldn't cast the charm at all.

"Will it work though?" asked Gallagher.

"As I said, it will only be temporary. But if you all combine it long enough for the train to pass that should be enough. There's nothing much else we could do. Frankly, we should be glad that the damage is only confined to the bridge and not the rest of the tracks to Hogwarts. The whole track will have to be re-warded from scratch, and the drivers' compartment will have to looked over as well."

Gallagher seemed pacified with this.

Moody instructed Tonks to apparate back to the train. She was to tell the driver to start the train full steam ahead.

"Ready?" asked Killian.

Remus found himself once again levitated into the air. It was a very different sensation from riding a broom, he decided. At least with a broom he knew he was in control, that he had something to hold onto. A reassurance of solidity.