the hallows - f. weasley

- c h a p t e r - t w e n t y-t h r e e -

 Gemma knew there was no reason to try and hide anymore, the Carrow sister staring at her like she was a ghost, but it quickly shifted to victory.

Meanwhile, the Lupin girl stood beside Harry–whose eyes had rolled back into his head the second the Dark witch pressed a finger to the Dark Mark on her forearm–holding him up when a loud bang made Gemma flinch.

Harry re-emerged from his vision as Luna said curiously, "I've never Stunned anyone except in our D.A. lessons. That was noisier than I thought it would be."

Gemma couldn't help but grin in her general direction (as Luna was still under the Cloak) but then gasped when the sound of students clamouring from their beds at the sounds of glass shattering made the ceiling creak.

"Luna, where are you? We need to get under the Cloak!" Harry cried–grabbing onto Gemma's arm.

Luna's shoes appeared, and the two slipped back under the Cloak just as Ravenclaws flooded the room–all dressed in their pyjamas and dressing robes.

They stared in shock at the unconscious Alecto–just laying there.

A brave little first-year crept up next to the witch–prodding him with his big toe before he shouted in delight, "I think she might be dead!"

"Oh, look," Luna whispered happily to the two Gryffindors. "They're pleased!"

"Yeah...great..." Harry drew out–his breathing shallow and full of pain.

She leaned over to ask him if he was okay when a knock came from the door, and everyone in the room froze–staring at it.

The musical voice of the door asked, "Where do Vanished objects go?"

"I dunno, do I? Shut it!" Amycus Carrow's familiar, foul voice snarled from the other side. "Alecto? Alecto? Are you there? Have you got him? Open the door!" The loud sounds of spells hitting the door made everyone jump and scurry back to their rooms, except for a few stragglers. "ALECTO! If he comes, and we haven't got Potter or even Lupin—d'you want to go the same way as the Malfoys? ANSWER ME!"

The door shook, and Gemma almost went out herself to stun the other sibling when another familiar voice questioned loudly, "May I ask what you are doing, Professor Carrow?"

Gemma's heart skipped a beat at the Scottswoman's voice, and she once more had the sudden urge to cry.

"Trying–to get—through this damned—door!" Amycus shouted rudely. "Go and get Flitwick! Get him to open it, now!"

"But isn't your sister in there?" Professor McGonagall pressed. "Didn't Professor Flitwick let her in earlier this evening, at your urgent request? Perhaps she could open the door for you? Then you needn't wake up half the castle."

"She ain't answering, you old besom! You open it! Garn! Do it, now!"

"Certainly, if you wish it," Professor McGonagall's tone was cold as she tapped gently with the door knocker.

The door once more asked, "Where do Vanished objects go?"

"Into nonbeing, which is to say, everything."

"Nicely phrased."

And with that, the door opened just as the last Ravenclaw sprinted back up to their dorms.

Amycus rushed in–his wand lifted–but when he saw Alecto on the ground, motionless, he let out a scream as he demanded, "What've they done, the little whelps? I'll Cruciate the lot of 'em till they tell me who did it—and what's the Dark Lord going to say?" He smacked himself in the face with his own fist–making Gemma stiffen. "We haven't got him, and they've gorn and killed her!"