The Big Dipper

The Battle of Hogwarts: Part One

It was pandemonium at Malfoy Manor, as Voldemort's forces poured in, from his Death Eaters, who numbered under a hundred, to the collection of Snatchers, werewolves like Greyback, and criminals who had come to join the fight. Only the most trusted among his subordinates were allowed into the drawing room, where plans were arranged and tasks delegated. Four giants were already on their way to Hogwarts, and the Dementors were soon to be summoned.

"Ursula Black," said Voldemort, a wicked gleam in his eye as she entered the crowded drawing room, the battered leather briefcase in her hands. "I offer you this chance for your family's redemption. Lucius has already proven himself incapable and I dare not turn to Draco, for he too is weak. You are to bring dragons to Hogwarts for the fight. If, as I suspect, you cannot manage this task on your own, Rosier shall take charge."

"Yes, my Lord," said Ursula, the tremor in her voice faked. She didn't dare reveal herself before battle was upon them.

"My Lord," said Felix, bowing and following Ursula from the room.

They pushed their way through the dirty crowd, busy riling themselves up for a fight. Many jeered as Ursula passed, but they didn't dare touch her. Felix leaned close to whisper his qualms into her ear.

"What are we going to do?" he hissed. "We can't steal dragons from the sanctuary —"

"Leave it with me," muttered Ursula under her breath. "I have a plan."

"We have all missed you so much, so when the others see you, do you really think —"

"I told you, I have a plan! Just trust me," said Ursula. A hand closed on her upper arm and she whirled around, only to see Hadrian facing her, worry etched into his face. "Perfect. I was just looking for you."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" said Hadrian, his voice low. "I worry that you're not well enough to fight."

"I have to fight!" said Ursula; then, looking quickly both ways, she grabbed both him and Felix and dragged them into a small side room. "Don't you see, Hadrian?" Her grey eyes were fierce and unflinching as her gaze pierced him. "Now is the time to fight back. You must spread the word."

Hadrian nodded.

"I understand," he said. "If I don't make it through this —"

"We don't have time for talk like that," chided Ursula, for in truth she quaked at the mere thought of him or anyone else she loved dying. She popped open the second clasp on her great-grandfather's briefcase — for the first had already come loose — and pulled out the mess of white fabric that used to belong to her wedding dress. "Take this."

Hadrian frowned, his brow creased.

"Isn't that part of your wedding dress? Why — Ursula! What the hell are you doing?!" he exclaimed, scandalized, for Ursula had just torn the fabric in two with a satisfying RIP, stuffing the much smaller of the pieces back into her briefcase.

"I'm not getting married," she said fiercely, punctuating each word by tearing the skirt into further strips. "Take these. When the time comes for battle, tie one around your wrist. Pass them out to the others. Felix, you take one as well. I'll tell the Order not to attack Death Eaters wearing them."

"What if the Dark Lord realizes?" said Hadrian, begrudgingly taking the strips of fabric from her and tearing them into further pieces..

"It's up to you to make sure he doesn't!" said Ursula. "We must fight back together, at the precise moment when the battle begins, or we won't be able to pull it off. I can't spread the word, because in case you hadn't noticed, I'm supposed to be finding dragons!"