The Wizard's Guide to Timelords and Other Demons Book 1: The Forgotten War

Fighting Fire

Professor Dumbledore and the Doctor returned to their battle headquarters, with its three small tables and magical map situated on a rise of dirt at the southwest end the field. There, they found the other members of the team already gathered, awaiting their arrival. The only ones not present were Elise and Professor Snape who, as far as they knew, were currently at work rounding up five rogue trolls that had been rampaging through the Hogwarts castle.

The half-moon was straight above them now, which meant they had spent nearly the entire night clashing with the Beast and its minions. Everyone was exhausted, but that did not mean anyone was ready to relax, especially after they had looked down at a line of giants that stood motionless at the edge of the forest, staring back at them in complete silence.

"That is really creepy," said Tonks. "How long have they been there?"

"Since just after the start of the conflict, I believe," McGonagall replied. "They seem to be waiting for something."

"There must be at least twenty of them out there," Sirius observed. "I really hope we won't be fighting them any time soon."

"Or at all, for that matter," Lupin added.

The Doctor chose not to chime in. He actually did have a theory regarding the giants' purpose but was not yet ready to reveal it to the others. Best not to give them too much to worry about right now. Nevertheless, the giants' presence remained an irrefutable reminder that this war was far from over, and each member of the team waited anxiously for the next axe to fall.

Thus far, no one had wanted to address the elephant in the room until McGonagall finally took it upon herself to call it out.

"Professor Dumbledore, perhaps you might share with us how you managed to convince Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters to leave so peacefully?

The headmaster gave a little smile, though it was not difficult to tell that it was only a façade to hide his concern. "Let's just say that I made the Dark Lord an offer he would never refuse and leave it at that."

The old wizard's answer made everyone feel uncomfortable, especially with the way he had closed the door on further discussion. However, Professor McGonagall was not yet finished.

"Would that non-refusable offer by any chance include his helping us fight the Beast?"

"As a matter of fact, it does, Professor," said Dumbledore. "Lord Voldemort has promised me that he and his Death Eaters would come to our aid when the time was right, as he put it."

"And do you really believe he'll keep that promise, Professor?" asked Sirius.

"Oh, absolutely," replied Dumbledore, which response made them even more uneasy as they pondered what it was Professor Dumbledore could possibly offer the evil wizard which would earn such a promise.

However, their attention was at once redirected as they heard the grunts and growls of what sounded like a small group of trolls approaching from behind them. Sure enough, as they turned about, they saw four huge mountain trolls fleeing the castle and heading towards them. And they seemed to be in quite a hurry.

"It would appear that Miss Winchester and Professor Snape have had some measure of success with their troll expulsion efforts," Dumbledore said happily, pleased with this piece of good news.

But the Doctor was not so sure about the retreating trolls. Something did not feel right.

All at once, two loud popping sounds announced the arrival of Elise and Professor Snape, and they looked very concerned as they turned around and immediately took notice of the fleeing trolls.