A matter of loaf and death

[Rosie Lupin]

At her friend's shout, Rosie dove out of the way, and the spell shot past her, hitting one of the two boy Death Eaters square in the face. He collapsed on the ground, grabbing his throat and sputtering wildly. She smirked and sent a collection of bright yellow sparks towards the other boy, shouting, "Furnunculus!" Immediately, boils grew on the boy's skin, and he cried out in pain as they began to explode and pus streamed out of them. With both of her attackers occupied, Rosie turned back to her two friends, a rare form of anger clouding her eyes as she saw Zane crumple to the ground.

However, it was Kianthra's Imperius Curse that really made Rosie mad. Though she rarely sent any spell that would do any bodily harm to her opponent, she supposed Kianthra was really asking for it now. With a rather sharp jab of her wand, she shouted, "Sectumsempra!" And watched as cuts formed across the girl's skin. Maybe, just maybe, it would weaken the girl's hold on Teddy, which would give him time to shake the spell off.

[/size]

[Kianthra Lestrange]

Kianthra smiled as her curse took hold of Teddy. "Now Teddy my puppet, go and say hello to your girlfriend. Use the cruciatus curse as your greeting. Keep going until I say you can stop," she gave Teddy a push in the right direction towards Rosie. She saw Zane crumple against the wall with a resounding crunch, "you seem to be a few ribs short dearest brother," she whispered. "How many I wonder, two, three?" She watched Zane sit up, slightly dazed. "Drip, drop, second by second," she whispered eyes still on her brother.

She turned her attention to Teddy to check on his progress. Half way to Rosie already. "You make a good puppet". She caught Rosie moved slightly in the corner of her eye, Kianthra turned to look at her and was hit by the curse. She focused her mind on keeping control of Teddy. "Shame you didn't put enough force behind your curse," she hissed. She saw Scorpius heading over to help her, "stay back Scorpius, I can cope..."

[Teddy Lupin]

As Kianthra was hit, the spell she had cast onto Teddy seemed to weaken for a moment. He looked at his wand and then to Rosie, and then to Kianthra, who was in pain. He must of been under the Imperious curse, but he still had to be, he was still walking towards Rosie. His eyes opened with shock and he tried to stop himself, but he still moved closer to his friend. This would not end well.

He tried everything he could to stop himself from doing what his body told him to do. Mind over matter, mind over matter. he kept trying to tell himself. Harry had told him what it was like, to be put under the spell, and how you could make yourself come to. Mind over matter. Mind over matter, mind over matter. he kept mutter to himself in his head. But he would not drop the wand. His body would not. A thought hit Teddy's head, and he began to concentrate hard on it, closing his eyes and thinking about what he wanted to do.

When he was a foot away from Rosie, his body stopped. The spell he was about to used filled his head, telling him what to do. "Cru..ci--" he tried to stop himself, but it wasn't working. On to his plan. Before he could finish the spell he made his body turn towards Kianthra. "Crucio!" he called, sending the spell Kianthra's way, the sparks heading right to her chest. It took a lot to control himself not to hurt this friend, and he found himself on his bottom, His eyes shut tight as the pain riveted in his head. Once it seized, he stood up slowly, opening his eyes and looking at Rosie, who was perfectly alright. Thank Merlin. he thought to himself, before looking to see what damage he had done.

[Rosie Lupin]

As Teddy neared her, Rosie found herself in a sort of daze. She knew he was coming to hurt her, which was something she'd never thought possible in her life. But, at the moment, that didn't really scare her. She knew that eventually, he would be too close for her to dodge out of the way. And any attempt at shielding herself from his Unforgivable would result in the possibility of him getting hurt. So, perhaps it would be best for her to stay still, and let him hurt her. After all, she'd already been through it twice tonight. She thought she could definitely handle it.

He was getting closer now, as she looked him up and down. His movements were jerky and seemed to be planned about ten seconds in advance. Definitely not the usual loping gate of the Teddy she knew. So, perhaps she could make this easier for herself by imagining that it wasn't him. That it was someone else. Staring into those great big black eyes made her realize how close to the truth that really was. Sure, it was Teddy, but he was out of his own control.

As he stopped abruptly, Rosie bit her lip, her hands forming fists as she prepared for the onslaught of his curse. Her eyes flicked between him and Kianthra, who seemed to be enjoying this just a little too much. Just as Teddy raised his wand, she whispered something under her breath, sending the little orange sparks of the Confundus Charm towards Kianthra. Confusing people worked wonders in some situations.

She winced slightly as she heard him call out the dreaded word of the Cruciatus Curse, however, though she prepared for it, she felt no pain. Confused, she looked again at Teddy, who'd turned his back on her, and sent the spell instead towards Kianthra. Still in a state of shock, she grinned widely, before pointing her wand at Teddy's shoulder and muttering, "Episkey."

[/size]

[Lily Potter]

Lily walked slowly down the staircase. Hearing a sort of disturbance, she stopped dead in her tracks. "What the hell is going on down there?" she asked herself out loud. She walked slowly down the reminder or the flight of stairs. Her eyes widened as she saw Zane against the wall, looking a bit hurt. Kianthra was next to him
"What the bloody hell is going on in here!" she asked. Her green eyes flaming as she listened to the evil witch take control of her friends. "Your not susposed to be using those curses here, Kianthra, you blood well know that!"
Lilly's attention went over to Teddy. "Oh dear God no!" she whispered under her breath as he walked toward Rose. Her ears prickled as she awaited Roes's scream. She didn't hear it thought. Her eyes darted over to Rose who stood fine where she was. Teddy was facing Kianthra. "That is what she deserves." she said.

[Kianthra Lestrange]

It was all going perfectly to plan, that was when she got hit by Teddy's unforgivable. Not bad for a NO member. She managed to stay upright whilst she fought the curse. "Not bad...just proves...you've got...it...in you...boy," she gasped until Scorpius managed to break Teddy's concentration with a well placed confundus charm. She paused and then was hit by Rosie's confundus charm. She stood still for a few seconds, with her eyes closed and she managed to shake off the curse and the confusion.

She nodded to Scorpius signalling that she was ok and turned her attention to the girl who had entered the room. "Oh look the cavalry has arrived, I was expecting someone taller," she laughed as she said this, back to her old self. "In case you hadn't noticed munchkin, one of your group just used an unforgivable, or didn't you see that?"

She glanced over at Zane and then back to the group.

[Teddy Lupin]

Teddy held his shoulder, smiling widely as Rosie fixed it for him. "Thanks." he whispered and smiled, turning back to the battle at hand. "Thanks Kianthra. I would of done better but I was concentrating not to attack my friend instead." he smiled raising his wand and pointing to Kianthra. "Obsucro!" Teddy shouted, hoping to blindfold his opponent. As much as he hated to run from this battle, he thought it would be for the best. All of them had already gotten hurt, one way or another. Maybe it was time to call it quits. And Scorpius would be too busy looking after his beloved Kianthra to worry about the NO running away.

He ran over at Zane and held him away from the wall. "You alright Zane? She gave you quiet a smack." Teddy chuckled, wiping Zane's blood away with his sleeve of his robes. For now, he ignored Lily's presences, not out of rudeness, but the fact that he had to see what Zane wanted before he could further any of his plans.

[Lily Potter]

Lily stared at Kianthra. Her green eyes blazing she stepped farther into the room. "Munchkin!?" she asked outrages. She stepped farther into the room. Her farther had taught her, along with her brothers, how to fight off and Unforgivable. She didn't worry about being cursed with one.

"Yes, I did see Teddy use an Unforgivable. You told him too. He just, well, is too smart for you." she said with a smirk. Lily stared at DE members. Her emerald green eyes were filled with hatred. "Why, exactly, are you here? I don't seem to remember us inviting you to attack us." she said.

Lily walked quickly over to Zane and Teddy. "Are you two okay?" she asked under her breath. Without waiting for a reply she looked back over to Kianthra. "Size means nothing when it comes to skill. Oh and, by the way, the name is Lily Potter. Get it right next time." she said smugly.

[Rosie Lupin]

"Not a problem, m'dear," Rosie laughed, her heart feeling lighter all of a sudden in the aftermath of her intense shock. She snorted a bit as a blindfold wrapped itself around the girl's head, and her hands scratched at it, attmempting to rid herself of such a barrier. However, arrival of Rosie's cousin, caused her maternal nature to come out. She hurried over to Zane by the wall, sopping up the blood with a quick mutter of "Tergeo." Zane looked completely drained and his face was pale. Perhaps it was the loss of blood that made him so.

To keep the Slytherin trio occupied longer, she sent a Conjunctivitus Curse in their direction, intent on hitting Scorpius in the eye and keeping him and Kianthra blubbering for counter-jinxes to their ailments. Then she turned back to her friends. "We've got to get out of here. Ted, your shoulder's still not completely healed. Zane, you've lost to much blood. I, personally, am shaking so bad, I can't even think straight, and Lily, how'd you find us anyways?" The last was a bit of a side-note. She was looking over at her cousin with a slight smile on her face. The spunky girl was mischevious alright. Not to mention at least an inch taller than Rosie. Which was a bit embarrassing, to tell the truth.

[/size]

[Lily Potter]

Lily looked at Rose. She loved her cousin. She also loved being taller than a seventh year. "Well, you know me. I have the ability to find trouble even though I just want a snack." she said with a smirk. She turned her attention to the boys. "Well, I think we, alos, need to get out of here. Your right Rose. Uh, do you think you can walk Zane?' she asked the crippled boy.

Kianthra and Scorpius looked to still be recovering from Rose's attack, so Lily sent a Bat Boogey hex at them. She sighed in delight. Her mother had helped her with that hex. "Take that." she said smugly. She looked back at the boys then to her cousin. "Rose, do you think you can help me if we have to carry them outa here?" she asked in a low voice.

[Zane Lestrange]

"I'm fine Teddy honestly, just a minor cut." He breathed in and then said,"and maybe a handful of broken ribs. I think I'll need a new shirt," he laughed at this and then stopped suddenly because it was too painful. "Hey I'm not being funny but there's three of you Teddy and would you stop moving around I'm trying to talk to you," Zane said unaware that Teddy was sat next to him. "Sure I'm fine, just let me get up," Zane struggled to his feet but as soon as he was upright, he collapsed and hit the floor with a thump. A few seconds later a laugh came from across the room. "Try not to ruin your robes Ted, Rosie might shout at you... where is Rosie anyway?" Zane said whilst he turned his head and saw Rosie coming into focus.

"I think I have to agree with Rosie on that one. Where's my sister gone? Is she still here?" Another laugh echoed down the corridor followed by the words, "Zane's wounds can't be healed, they're cursed wounds. Why don't you ask Miss Potter, after all her father nearly caused Scorpius' father to die using a smiliar spell. And I don't remember inviting you, so go before I put you in detention or worse..." Zane turned and said, "Lily's here? She shouldn't be here it's not safe, tell her to go back to the common room. That's an order Lily." Zane was definitely not his usual self, one he never ordered people about and two he had double vision.

"I already told you that I don't need carrying and neither does Teddy. We're made of steel," he laughed again followed by a bout of coughing. "Rosie, are you ok? I forgot my sister used that curse on you, I'm sorry. I've failed you as the leader of the NO. Why doesn't one of you take over? You'll do a much better job than me, and I'll just go back to being a crazy mad quidditch captain who likes to practice at two in the morning," he said quietly before adding with a smile, "and eat crumpets".

By this time, Kianthra and Scorpius had shaken off the curses and were muttering amongst themselves. Zane sat up against the wall and waved to his sister. There was definitely something wrong.

[Rosie Lupin]

"No, Zane, you're not fine," Rosie answered matter-of-factly, taking off her sweatshirt and using it to sop up the continual flow of blood seeping out of Zane's chest. She tried to feel his ribs, count them to make sure they were all there, and to see how many were broken, but every time she tried he winced and jerked away from her. Rosie tried her Episkey spell on Zane, with no effect. She exchanged a glance with Teddy. "I knew something like this would happen..." she muttered to herself, shaking her head before standing back up and crossing her arms. It was quite cold in the corridor with only her tank top on.

"Alright, we've gotta get him someplace away from here," she said to the others, thinking hard, "The Hospital Wing's probably off limits, seeing as Madam Pomfrey is much too suspicious. Hagrid would hardly question us, but his help is probably limited. I can think of only one place-" she lowered her voice so that only Lily and Teddy could hear her "-the Room of Requirement." She looked at the others for feedback, sending a few other jinxes over her head at the Death Eaters. These included the Leg-Locker Jinx, which hit Kianthra in the knees, and a few Confundus Charms, some of which Scorpius deflected, but others of which hit him.

[/size]

[Teddy Lupin]

Teddy watched as Rosie examined Zane body, he was still bewildered by what Kianthra said. And of course, the way Zane just waved merrily to his sister like that. Of course he wasn't fine, they'd have to find a way to fix him. Kianthra mention contacting his godfather, he would do that as soon as possible. First, it was the matter of getting them out of here. He was constant shooting simple curses at the trio, hoping that they would just back off now that they saw Zane in so much trouble. But again, he doubted that highly.

"Zane, you are much too weak from the wound, and much too broken to walk. I'm carrying you." he said, picking up his friend slightly, trying to cause the less pain as possible. "Rosie, make sure Lily get's out of here, and silence us so our footsteps can't be heard. Your suggestion is as good as place as any." Teddy said, nodding once before looking back at the Death Eaters. "We shouldn't have fought, we should of just ran away again." Teddy whispered, knowing this battle was a lost cause now.

[scorpius]

Panting, and eyes blazing, Scorpius looked...well, terrible. Boils on his skin, tired from the spell Rosie had cast to make him 'dance,' and a bunch of others that would make even the "Great" Dumbledore need a moment to sit down (not that that was saying much). He had been hit with a Bat Boogey hex, and a pretty good one at that, despite it being from that silly Potter girl. He loathed her; it was the continuation of the rivalry between Malfoy and Potters. Scorpius could care less about the three now, as they were in pretty bad shape. His main concern was Charlotte and Kianthra.

"A-are you girls alright?"

Scorpius asked, walking with a sort of wobble; he was in pain. Never let them see it, Scorpius. Be a man, not a sissy, Rang his head as he went over to aid them. He was...smiling.

"We've found their weakness; they have the strength to use Unforgivables as well. They aren't so high now, are they?"

[Kianthra Lestrange]

"Yes I'm fine," she said as she cast the counter-curse to the leg-locker, enabling her to stand up. "Watch out!" she said pulling him out of the path of the Conjunctivitus Curse and Confundus Charms that Rose had just sent. "Are you ok? You got hit with quite a few curses back there..." She glanced over at her brother, he was in quite a state, he must have been to wave at her from across the room.

"I knew that wolf had it in him. I think we could still get him to join us if we cast a stronger imperius curse on him, he wouldn't be able to fight off the combined power of two imperius curses. But I think I've had enough for today," she looked up into Scorpius's eyes and smiled again. A few seconds passed before she remembered Charlotte. She turned to see if the girl was alright and found her standing right behind her with a smile on her face.

"I think they're calling it a day," she said as she saw Teddy pick up Zane. He looked like a rag doll, the complete opposite of the brother she knew.