Chapter 6
The Duel

Lucius was not deterred by the stunning. He advanced upon Arthur, eyes burning with icy fire. Sweat was beading on Arthur's forehead; he wanted so badly to beat Lucius Malfoy once and for all, and would not give in, whatever the cost.

"Don't come closer," Arthur warned, raising his wand higher. It just seemed to be the two of them now.

Snarling, Lucius laughed and approached with a swish of his black robes. "Prepare to meet your end, Weasel."

"Stupefy!" Arthur yelled, but Lucius was too fast for him; the spell flew over his blonde head and struck a Death Eater beyond.

Lucius muttered an unidentifiable incantation and a purple jet of light seared towards Arthur, who cried, "Protego!" The force of the spell burst through, however, and he crumbled to the ground.

"Arthur!" Molly screamed, warding off Bellatrix with a stunning spell. She rushed towards her husband, who was moaning; at least the shield charm had protected him a bit.

Another stream of light issued from Lucius' wand. Molly dodged it with surprising speed and yelled, "Impedimenta!" This time, it hit Lucius full-force.

"Molly--get...out..." Arthur gasped for breath, attempting to sit up. "I'll...take...care of...Malfoy."

Tears were now leaking out of Molly's eyes. "No, I will not." She shakily performed some healing spells on her husband; he seemed to strengthen, but was not up to any rough activity. "I'm going to keep fighting," Molly informed him, and rose.

Lucius had broken from the hex Molly had given him. "Think you can beat us, do you?" he jeered, flourishing his wand in his hand.

Screwing up her face in concentration, Molly shrieked, "Stupefy!" just at the same time as Arthur, and both spells hit Lucius, sending him flying backwards and into the gate.

Meanwhile, Molly could see Tonks fending off Bellatrix and Lupin running around, stunning Death Eaters who weren't occupied.

"Let me get Lucius," Arthur whispered to Molly. He made to approach Lucius, but Molly stopped him.

"He's already dead," she told him, looking at Lucius' still body. "The spells hit him where he would certainly die. Look for yourself."

Arthur's eyes roved the surface of Lucius' face. Indeed, the light was extinguished from his pale eyes and his face was as white as snow.

Smirking, Arthur said, "Serves him right."

Molly pulled her husband back. "Now, we fight. There are plenty of Death Eaters for the both of us." Giving Arthur a kiss on the cheek, she ran forwards toward the fray.

They couldn't imagine how long they fought, but just when their bodies were about to give in, the Death Eaters were conquered. Kingsley's life had been taken by Bellatrix, but the rest of the Order was all right.