Scattered Pieces (Drarry Fanfic)

Chapter Ten: Breathe In

What part of no don't you understand?
I've told you before
to just get off my case.
This isn't happening.
Stop this now.
And I, where was I?
I have to be somewhere...

— Breathe In by Frou Frou

~oOo~

"PROTEGO MAXIMA!" Dean Thomas howls over the chaotic din. The abandoned warehouse shakes with force of Magic as various Spells hurtle back and forth between two Aurors and roughly a dozen Neo-Death Eaters.

A massive, shimmering shield flickers to life above Dean's head as his Auror partner, Seamus Finnigan, dives behind him. Brightly colored curses slam endlessly against Dean's Shield Charm, causing it to dim and shudder as both Aurors slowly back their way towards the door.

"Fuck!" Seamus growls, flinging a volley of Curses of his own. "Harry's gonna have our bloody hides for this!" One look at the group of dark wizards before them, Seamus instantly knows none were part of the core group that had once directly served Voldemort. These men are mere pawns; bait used by the main players to distract the Aurors. 

This game of cat and mouse between the remnants of Voldemort's forces and the DMLE has been going on since the War ended. Both sides have been closely watching the other and trying to one up the opponent. This time, Seamus knows that he and Dean had walked right into a trap—the tip that Thorfinn Rowle had been spotted hiding out in the warehouse had turned out to be completely false.

A vicious grin stretches across Seamus' bloodied face when one of his blindly thrown Hexes connects with its intended target. The sudden crack of Apparition momentarily jolts the two Aurors from their heated duels. Dean grits his teeth, relief washing over him. A minute longer and his Shield Charm would've failed. "Took you wankers long enough!"

"What the bloody fuck happened to waiting for backup if shit goes tits up?!" Ron Weasley retorts sharply, taking down one of the cloaked wizards with a well-aimed Stunner as he huddles beside Dean and Seamus.

"They knew we were coming." Dean grunts, reinforcing his Shield Charm. "But genius over here thought we could handle it until half a dozen more of these tossers Apparated in."

Seamus gives Ron a sheepish look, squinting through the blood that has covered half his face.

Ron shakes his head, casting another Stupefy that knocks a Death Eater into his companion, sending both dark wizards toppling to the floor. A quick Incarcerous binds the two men tightly together.

"Where's the boss at?" Seamus asks, swiping at the blood over his eyes, wincing as his fingers graze the wound near his temple. A quick Episkey had staunched the bleeding, but he's still reeling from the blow he'd suffered. He most likely has a concussion.

The words have barely left Finnigan's mouth when the wall behind the Neo-Death Eaters suddenly explodes. The entire warehouse quakes; it's very foundations shuddering. Ron is sure he felt the ground shift underneath his feet. The panicked cries of the NDE's are nearly drowned out by the sounds of falling rubble and crumbling wall.

"There's your answer." Ron coughs, making a wry face as he squints through the swirl of dust and catches sight of Harry—flanked by Terry Boot and Parvati Patil—firing a string of Spells at an overwhelming speed.

Seeing Harry in action on the field always leaves his team speechless; no matter how many times they've witnessed it. Harry is still busy shouting out instructions all while casting Nonverbal Spells. He smoothly combines a Wandless Protego with a Nonverbal Expulso, blasting a couple of Death Eaters into the far wall. Witnessing Harry duel is akin to watching an effortless, graceful dance.