章 428: The War of Magic

"Chris, they are coming," Ginny's voice sounded frantic and Chris realized she was already fighting.

"Fergus, we need to do something now," Chris said automatically running downstairs.

"No! Christina, we need to find the source of the founders' powers, the thing that the keys can unlock. We need to find it first," Fergus blocked Chris's way and stopped her.

"But Fergus --" Chris was restless as another scream tore through the air and a horrible panic gripped Chrs's heart. The Death Eaters and Malgino's Minions had broken through their first defense and if Voldemort himself joins the fight it will be extremely hard. People will die.

"Christina, this is what your test was about, you need to look at the bigger picture not just the current situation. I know it's hard but you have to choose the option which will help everyone in the long run, not just help them right now," Fergus said determined, even though he looked worried.

Chris was about to argue when a chill went down her spine and an unnatural cold settled seemed to sweep through her skin. The light was sucked from the environment right up to the stars and Chris realized what was happening. The coldness felt familiar yet strange at the same time as she slowly turned around and looked up. Her guess was correct.

Hundreds of cloaked figures were floating above surrounding the entire school. They blocked the stars and some parts of the moon, making it difficult to see.

Dementors.

For the first time in her life, Chris was scared by the appearance of Dementors because they were not her dementors but the ones that betrayed and killed Dames only to join Voldemort and Maligno. The memory of Chris receiving the news of Dames's death resurfaced and fury boiled her blood. Voldemort and Maligno had taken too much already and they were still trying to destroy everything good in the world. Chris's magic flared up and Fergus warned,

"Christina, you can't lose control right now. It's crucial that you stay focused."

"I am not losing control," Chris said firmly still staring at the rapidly darkening skies. And she was telling the truth, she had learned to control her magic, this time she was in complete control, not her magic. In fact, the magic cleared her mind, it centered her because her magic reminded her how powerful she was. Yes, Voldemort and Malgino were the two most powerful wizards but Fergus's ancient power was inside her. His power chose her for a reason. She was destined for this, she was smart and capable of handling this. People were counting on her. Hogwarts was depending on her.

Chris looked straight up to the sky above her and called, "RYAN!"

As expected in the blink of an eye, five Dementors were in front of her.

"My Queen," they all said in unison with low bows and Chris smiled feeling her confidence return.

"It's time," Chris said simply and without even any surprise or anything a Demetor came forward.

"We are ready, my Queen," said Ryan.

"Yes, we have the army you asked us to prepare," Fitz said determined.

"Good, then I hope you can handle the Dementor army of Riddle and Maligno but be careful not to affect our side too much," Chris ordered.

"We will do as you ordered my Queen or die trying," Elliot said with complete devotion.

"Yes, my Queen," all of them bowed again and Chris nodded.

"Still try not to die," Chris said before turning away and speaking through her talisman, "Ginny, Colin, Luna, I just asked my Dementors to handle some things. If you feel any Demetors near you, take my name, they will help."

"Got it."

"Good to know."

"I can use a bit more help though."

Colin, Luna, and Ginny said one by one.

"Yes, yes, I'm coming," Chris replied before turning to Fergus, who was looking at Chris with an odd expression. But Chris didn't pay much attention to it. Her Dementors were gone to do their job, so she started to walk down the stairs. "Now Fergus, we need a clue where that thing can be, because I was at Hogwarts for five years and broke plenty of rules and was out almost all nights roaming around but I never came across something that could be the founders' hidden door or box which we can unlock with the keys. Forget me, even Dumbledore didn't know."

"But it's here and only you can feel it. It will call out to you constantly," Fergus said quickly shaking off his surprise and catching up with Chris. "So you need to tell me, which part of Hogwarts calls to you."

On one hand, Fergus's word made sense but then again --

"Fergus, I feel connected to the entire school," Chris said crossing the corridor where the teachers were fighting and reinforcing their protection spells. "I feel connected to the Chamber, where Salazar Slytherin put the Basilisk, the Room of Requirement made by Rowena Ravenclaw, the Headmasters office by Godric Gryffindor, and even the kitchen created by my ancestor Helga Hufflepuff."

"You will not harm our students!" Chris heard Professor Sprout, who was chucking Mandrakes over the Death Eaters fighting below. She even enchanted some of the Mandrake pots, so they will be unbreakable and have a long-lasting effect.

"No, you will have to be more specific," said Fergus. "A place you feel connected from the beginning or after gaining all the keys, not just because of the founders."

"Great, then it will take hours to find that specific place," Chris said frustrated as they passed Fred and George.

"Charlie and Leyla are on the way, Chris," informed George. "Said they will bring a few Dragons for help."

"That's brilliant!" Chris said grinning as pieces quickly clicked in her head. The Giants can be fought with Dragons. "If you can, send them a message to hurry. We need the Dragons."

"You got it," Fred shouted as the castle quaked again.

The protection shields were breaking apart and the attacks were coming from every direction now. The walls and ceiling were shaking worse than ever; dust filled the air, and through the nearest window, Chris saw bursts of green and red light so close to the foot of the castle that she knew the Death Eaters must be very near to entering the place. Looking down, Chris saw Grawp meandering past, swinging what looked like a stone gargoyle torn from the roof and roaring his displeasure.

"Let's hope he steps on some of them!" said a displeased Danielle as Chris saw her and another Hufflepuff girl, their wands drawn at the next window, which was missing several panes. Even as she watched, Danielle sent a well-aimed jinx into a crowd of fighters below.

"Good one, Danielle," Chris said in passing and saw her proudly grin back at her.

Up until now, Chris was running, but as soon as she entered the next hallway, she halted. She had finally reached the second floor and it looked like everyone was locked in a close combat with Malgino's Minions.

"How did they get in?" Chris asked when she saw Neville and Cedric fighting two wizards. Chris knocked one of them out quickly and turned to the other.

"No clue, but I think they used one of the old passages they blocked at the start of the school year," replied Neville knocking the other one out before Chris, while Cedric moved on to another Minion coming towards them.

Chris looked around and sure enough, Malgino's people with some Death Eaters were swarming inside.

"Bloody Hell!" Chris cursed before jumping into the battle. "Sorry Fergus, but I think searching for that thing has to wait."

A witch sent a series of curses towards Chris and she dodged them smoothly, before attacking her with her icicle spell. Sharp icicles pierced through the witch's body and she screamed in pain. Chris attacked another wizard as the witch fell on the ground, unconscious.

"Unfortunately, it can't wait," Fergus was having a hard time keeping up with Chris. "But I can see what you mean."

Fergus ducked as a series of spells flew past him but Chris managed to create a protective shield in time and the spells bounced off to the wall. She rapidly sent three spells and knocked out two more Minions. That's when a killing curse almost hit Neville and Chris threw a killing curse back at the wizard attacking Neville.

"Damn it, people! I'm supposed at the south grounds," Chris shouted slashing another witch with Sectumsempra.

Neville and the other few around her were surprised but didn't say anything. There wasn't simply no more time as a new group of Death Eaters or Minions spilled in, Chris didn't stop to notice. She just cast spell after spell.

"Christina, I have an idea," Fergus, who was thinking in a corner up until now, came running.

"What is it?" Chris asked blasting off two wizards through the window.

"I can look for your behalf. If your magic reacts to it, which means --"

"Your magic will too since it's technically your magic," Chris finished dodging another Cruciatis curse.

"Yes," Fergus said excitedly "For that, you only need to give me enough magic so that I can roam around the castle without you."

"How do I do that?" Chris tried to keep up with Fergus's words but it was hard while fighting.

"You just need to imagine the amount of magic you want to let me borrow while saying 'Partim fere vivus'."

"Alright, wait a moment," Chris heavily injured and knocked out four wizards and witches, and creating a shield around her, she turned to Fergus. "What's the spell?"

"Partim fere vivus," Fergus repeated. "While imagining the amount of magic. 10 or 15 out of 100 would do."

"Ok," Chris closed her eyes and imagined 15% of her magic going to Fergus. "Partim fe--"

Someone tried to break her shield, which broke Chris's concentration.

"One moment!" She yelled reinforcing the shield. Again she tried to imagine 15% of her magic as she muttered, "Partim fere vivus."

She opened her eyes to see Fergus becoming more corporal and glowy.

"Why are you glowing?" Chris asked surprised. "I thought our magic was dark."

"I guess you made it brighter," Fergus said grinning with amazement.

And he took off without telling where he was going.

Chris was watching him go when another spell hit her shield. She groaned.

"If you are so eager to die then die!" Chris angrily whisper-yelled as she threw the slashing curse.

But with lightning-fast reflexes, her attacker summoned a Death Eater and let him take the curse. The Death Eater yelled and dropped dead, and only then Chris saw her real attacker.

"Stormy."

[To be continued]