Aria Black and the Battle for Hogwarts

Death Eaters

The whole room erupts into chaos. Harry, Ron, and Hermione apparate away within seconds. I hope this isn't the last time I see them. Many other people apparate away too. Fred is by my side instantly.

I turn white. This is what happened at Harry's parents' wedding. I look around for Angelina and George. They stand by Katie Bell, who is surprisingly next to Oliver Wood.

Death Eaters are all around us. "Don't fight." Katie whispers to the five of us.

I ignore her and plunge into a duel next to Charlie. "Been a long time since you dueled?" I ask him, chucking a Stunning Spell at a tall Death Eater with a dark beard.

"For your information, dragons prove worthy opponents." He says, smirking, throwing a spell at his own dueling partner.

I roll my eyes. "Maybe for you."

"EXPELLIARMUS!" I yell, pointing my wand at the dark haired Death Eater. I'm too quick for him, and after I see his wand hit the man George is fighting in the eye, I stun him.

Tonks is nearby, struggling to fight Thorfinn Rowle.

"EXPELLIARMUS! STUPEFY!" I scream.

"Thanks." Tonks says weakly as my spells met their mark.

"DORA!!!" I hear Remus yell. "THINK OF THE BABY!"

Not even a moment after he says this, Rodolphus Lestrange takes the chance to stun him. Wait... stun him? They aren't trying to kill. They want to speak to us.

I grab Tonks's arm and apparate herto her parents' house. "YOU'RE PREGNANT?" I yell.

"Yes." She says. "Keep Remus safe."

I nod. "Okay."

I appeare back in the tent. Everyone struggle against the Death Eaters' hold.

Two tackle me instantly. I grunt, trying to get out from their bone-crushing, non-gentle embrace, but to no avail. One, who I recognize as Nott, yanks me up by my hair. The other one shoves me roughly toward the sitting room. "Where is Harry Potter?"

I frown up at Nott. "Crapping on a flower outside... duh."

The other Death Eater advances toward me, but Nott holds him back. "Jugson! She won't crack. Take her back, unharmed, and give her her wand. We still need her alive and well to teach at Hogwarts."

This confuses me. The Death Eaters can find a replacement in an instant. I'm sure they'll all love to get rid of me. And if they aren't going to kill me, why would a DEATH EATER say not to even hurt me even a little?

Something is definitely up, and I'm determined to find out what it is.

***

It has been two hours. The Death Eaters have questioned everyone and are having a meeting.

"Go fish." I tell Ginny tiredly.

Remus is not here. As soon as he gets his wand, he goes home to Tonks. The rest of us are forced to stay here. Remus must be the Death Eaters' pet.

"Damn." She mutters just as, if not more, distractedly as me.

I'm not even trying to play the game. Ginny isn't either, I'm sure. We're just saying Go Fish and handing over random cards.

Fleur cries into Bill's shoulder, as she's been doing for the past two hours. Her family is given permission to go back into the house and go about their business. The Death Eaters can't understand them.

"I quit." Ginny says.

I sigh, throwing my cards on the table, defeated.

The Death Eaters come back into the room and look around.

"Alright." Nott sneers. "You may go. But... the Ministry will not hesitate to arrest anyone that they deem... suspicious..."