Standing Against the Tides

Last time I looked at my driver’s license, it did not say J. K. Rowling. Yep, it’s just me, an unpaid and unknown aspiring writer. The characters of the Potterverse do not belong to me and I am making no money from this endeavor.

A/N: Spoilers through OotP. As I am still in denial, I refuse to acknowledge the events of HBP or DH at this point.

Unbeta’d as BabyGurl is busy with her own life.





Chapter 39 When Worlds Collide

Bellatrix smiled gleefully as she glided down the dank hallway that led to her master’s throne room. She had finally been freed from that horrid Ministry holding cell and now she was once again where she belonged – at her beloved lord’s side. A malicious gleam entered her eyes as she recalled the fumbling, half-hearted attempts at an apology from the imbecilic Head of the Aurors Division. Oh, Bella wasn’t so far gone that she didn’t recognize an insincere platitude when she heard one. But no matter, she laughed happily. Her master had made sure she had been released from custody and that was all the crazed witch needed.

Hearing the familiar cackling laughter echoing down the hall, Voldemort frowned in annoyance. If Bellatrix Lestrange wasn’t such a dedicated and devoted Death Eater, he was sure he would have disposed of the bothersome witch long ago. As it was, Bellatrix had proven time and again her willingness to follow the most perverse orders and to torture and kill even the most innocent of victims without question or remorse. The witch was actually quite inventive in her methods of extracting pain and anguish from her victims. All in all, her nasty habits of hanging on his person and attempting to seduce him were to be overlooked while she was still of use to him.

Voldemort sat up regally as the doors opened, revealing the haggard visage of the crazed woman as she entered. “Ssso, Bella,” the self-proclaimed Dark Lord hissed, “I sssee you have decided to grace me with your presssence. Hasss Luciusss told you of my plansss?”

Prostrating herself before her master, Bellatrix crawled forward and bent her head in obeisance. Kissing the hem of the flowing robes, the witch raised her head and gazed longingly up at the serpentine visage. “My lord,” she purred, “I am at your command and am ready to stand beside you in battle.”

“Excellent, my witch. We ssstrike tomorrow morn. Hogwartsss will be mine by the time the sssun next sssetsss.” Sensing the direction of the mad woman’s thoughts, Voldemort continued, “And, Bella, I mussst remind you. The traitorsss Potter and Sssnape are mine to deal with. I will be mossst dissspleasssed if any harm comesss to them. That honor belongsss to me alone. Do you underssstand, my witch?”

Heavy eyelids closed as she reluctantly relinquished thoughts of playing with the men her master most despised. “Yes, my lord,” she acquiesced.

“Excellent. Go now my faithful Death Eater and prepare yourssself for battle. Tomorrow we will be victoriousss.” A vicious grin split the reptilian face as he watched the woman retreat from his presence. Tomorrow promised to be a glorious day indeed, the being once known as Tom Riddle confidently decided.


Harry sighed as his dream lover stroked and licked his skin. Stretching out languidly, the raven-haired teen moaned as the ministrations continued even as his mind moved towards consciousness. Reaching a hand down to the head now lavishing attention on his very interested cock, Harry realized that this was no dream. “Sev,” the sleep-roughened voice purred.

Intense onyx eyes met his before his mate bent back to his self-appointed task. The Potions Master licked up the turgid shaft before drawing it into his mouth. Hearing the groan above him, Severus began humming around the throbbing flesh. Sensing the arousal through their bond, he reached down to pull his own erection out of his sleep pants. Severus alternated sucking and licking his treat while his hand stroked and pulled on his own cock. An impassioned cry above him was all the warning he received before hot liquid filled his mouth. Swallowing the creamy essence, Severus allowed his own orgasm to wash over him, his seed spilling on the sheets below him.

Harry collapsed back on his pillow, sated from his early morning wake-up call. Smiling down at his raven-haired lover, Harry felt the brush of wandless and silent magic cleaning away the evidence of their activities. He snuggled next to his bonded when the older wizard resumed his position next to him on the bed.

“That was brilliant, Sev,” he sleepily said, “even if you do have to do that so bloody early in the morning.”

Smirking against the unruly mop of hair that nestled under his chin, Severus responded, “Brat. You know I have to be up early to start my brewing before classes begin. Besides, I know that you like waking up like this.”

Harry’s reply was cut off by the flash of flame that heralded the arrival of Fawkes. Realizing that the phoenix would not have appeared in their bed chamber unless it was urgent, the Headmaster sat up and reached for his glasses. Severus waited silently for his lover to communicate with the blasted bird. Whatever had caused the glorified chicken to invade their sanctuary could not be good.

Harry’s eyes widened as Fawkes relayed his message. Hastily pulling out of his mate’s embrace, he got up and began giving directions to the phoenix even as the castle wards began chiming their alarms.

Fawkes disappeared in another burst of flame as Harry turned to Severus. “He’s here,” was all the Boy-Who-Lived said, and indeed it was all that needed to be said, as the Potions Master immediately understood the implications.

Severus closed his eyes and silently sent a prayer up to any god who might be inclined to listen. As he hurriedly dressed and gathered potions and supplies the former Death Eater could only hope that all the preparations and training were enough to defeat evil that day.


The men arrived in the Great Hall to find that Minerva had already directed that the younger children be sequestered in the previously fortified dungeon rooms with Professors Vector and Sinestra. The other professors and the older students who had chosen to fight were gathering in the Great Hall. Severus strode over to Minerva, who nodded before briskly walking out.

“She’s gone to help Kingsley and Lupin move their guest,” Severus quietly informed his soul mate.

His chest tightening as the reality of the situation began to sink in, Harry could only nod. Troubled green eyes sought assurance from the man who had become his anchor in the chaos that defined his life.

Severus could easily see the fear in the depths of those expressive eyes that he had come to love so much. The Potions Master could also feel the stubborn determination that was so very much a part of the young man. “I will be standing at your side, Harry,” he quietly said.

Eyes bright with unspoken emotion, Harry reached out to grasp his lover’s hand. “I know, Sev, I know,” the young wizard whispered.

Knowing that they needed to organized the staff, students and the Order members who were responding to Fawkes’ summons, Severus pulled Harry up to the center of the raised platform at the end of the Hall. The Headmaster swallowed hard before pulling his shoulders back. Casting Sonorus on himself, Harry began speaking. “You have all either heard the castle alarms sound or have answered the Call of the Phoenix. Voldemort and his forces are gathered outside the grounds of Hogwarts. Those of you who are willing to stand against this evil and fight this day have my gratitude. Any who wish to stay behind will be protected by the castle wards while they still hold. Madame Pomfrey will likely need help in the infirmary and the professors who are staying with the younger children in the dungeons will also welcome your assistance.”

Looking around at the grim and fearful faces before him, Harry forced himself to continue, “I cannot guarantee that all of us will survive, but know that your sacrifices will not be in vain and that your valor will be honored. I am determined to stop the monster who has terrorized our world for too long. I believe that we will be victorious this day.”

Cheers met the Chosen One’s words as the witches and wizards who accepted the call to battle acknowledged their duty. Harry was heartened to see that only a handful of frail, elderly witches and wizards stepped aside, signaling that they would be staying behind. Madame Pomfrey quickly rounded them up and began assigning tasks to the frightened people.

Severus stepped forward and efficiently divided the remainder into groups, each to be led by trusted professors or Order members. Minerva reappeared with Kingsley and Remus by her side. The Transfigurations Professor held up a brightly colored teacup, showing that she had Albus Dumbledore safely in hand.

Kingsley pulled Severus aside and urgently whispered, “I contacted Fudge, but he refused to believe that You-Know-Who is here, ready to attack. He then put the Ministry on lock-down, so we can’t communicate with anyone else there. I’m sorry Severus, but we can expect no help from the Ministry.”

Frowning at this news, Severus reflected that he really shouldn’t be surprised by this news. On the other hand, there would be that fewer fools to have to worry about as they faced his former master and comrades.

Harry looked over to see that Ron and Hermione were busily directing the former members of the DA into groups, based upon ability. He smiled in what he hoped was a reassuring manner when Hermione glanced his way. The young witch nodded before turning her attention back to her boyfriend.

The red-head reached over to tightly grasp her hand. “It’ll be okay, Mione, you’ll see,” Ron tried to calm the nervous girl despite his own fears, giving her hand one final squeeze. Looking away, he muttered under his breath, “It better be.”

“Molly Wobbles, we’ll be fine,” Arthur murmured to his flustered wife. The Weasley patriarch proudly looked around at the members of his family, including one honorary one, who were scattered about the Great Hall. silently thanking the deities that he had slept in this morning, thus avoiding the Ministry lock-down, Arthur wasn’t sure if he was happy or sad that Percy had likely gone in early as usual and was now trapped in the confines of the Ministry.

Molly nodded numbly as she once again fretted over the fact that her wonderful, brave children had insisted upon fighting here today. Even Charlie had Port-Keyed here after receiving the call to wands. Only Percy was missing, and the fiery woman desperately hoped that soon they would all be reunited. Grim determination caused her to square her shoulders as they awaited the signal. They would win and they would survive. They just had to.

Draco absently smoothed back his hair as he watched the quietly whispering people around him. His heart pounding, the blood rushing in his ears and the palms of his hands wet with perspiration, the young wizard nervously swallowed. Was it always this way, he wondered?

Minerva touched the arm of her favorite Gryffindor. She spoke in a low voice, “Harry, we are ready. I will by your side with Dumbledore so you and Severus can do the necessary spells when the time comes. I have the potion Severus developed and will pour that in the transfigured teacup, which should pull out the evil from Albus’ soul and combined with the spell, reach out to You-Know-Who.”

The pair was joined by Severus, Kingsley and Remus, who nodded towards the doors of the Great Hall. Warm amber eyes regarded the young man upon whom they had all pinned their hopes. Silently offering up a prayer that they would succeed today, the werewolf also promised his long-dead friends that he would do his all to protect their son. “It’s time, Harry,” Remus said simply.


Fudge frowned as he angrily paced his posh office overlooking the Ministry Atrium. His well deserved lay-in had been disturbed when Kingsley Shacklebolt had rudely fire-called him at home this morning. How dare that Auror try to tell him that Lord Thingy was attacking Hogwarts! Anyone with half a brain knew that the idea was simply preposterous. As it was, the wards around that blasted school were impressive and only a fool would attempt such tom-foolery. Briefly pausing his agitated pacing, Cornelius frowned at the idea that the news just might be true. After a moment’s mental anguish, he smirked. If the information were even remotely true, Potter could hang out to dry as far as he was concerned. He had tried to help the insolent whelp and had been publicly humiliated for his efforts. Yes, that’s right, the Minister smugly thought. Let the fools face He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named on their own. And then, when the smoke clears, the Ministry will come in to save the day. I will be lauded as a hero and applauded for being the great leader that I am, Cornelius happily reasoned to himself.

Percy Weasley had just raised his hand to knock at the Minister of Magic’s office door when he heard the crazed laughter rising from within. As chills ran down the young man’s spine, he wisely decided that his report on the standardization of quill lengths could wait. Hurriedly backing away from the maniacal sounds, Percy turned on his heel and fled with as much decorum as he could muster under the circumstances.


Bellatrix smiled gleefully as she proudly stood at her master’s side. Tossing her wild curls behind her, the witch gazed up at the venerable castle. Already, visions of all the naughty children she could play with filled her disturbed mind.

Lucius placed his gloved hands on the ornately carved head of his cane as he calmly surveyed the scene before him. Regally standing at the gates to Hogwarts, the pure-blooded aristocrat noted that there was something quite exhilarating about the moments before battle. It was only in these exquisite minutes that one truly realized that one was alive.

Red eyes swept imperiously over the assembled Death Eaters. The being who had long ago put aside his birth name of Tom Marvollo Riddle cruelly smiled. He could smell the fear and the excitement rolling off his faithful followers. It was time. They were ready. This day would be his.