"We've only got half an hour until midnight, so we need to act fast. A battle plan has been agreed between the teachers of Hogwarts and the Order of the Phoenix. Remus, Arthur and I, will take groups into the grounds."

Remus Lupin left his seat and stood. He closed his eyes briefly and inhaled deeply. He thought of his wifes face as she grinned back at him, face red and sweaty and absolutely beautiful. In her arms was his son. He sought out every inch of confidence and courage he had and let it consume him. He opened his eyes and walked with purpose through the crowded Great Hall to the end of the Gryffindor Table. He took a second to appreciate students from all three houses sitting there, side by side, united; he though Dumbledore would have been very proud. Remus was only sorry that the students from Slytherin weren't given a chance.

"Right! Listen to me now!" he bellowed as he stood at the head of the table. "Has everyone got their wands?"

There was an overall yes, with the occasional enthusiastic shouts of 'You bet ya, Professor!' or 'Lets kick some ass!'.

Remus nodded trying not to focus on their faces; they were so young. Even in the tense anticipation of the up-coming battle, he managed to hold in his mind some names of his old students.

"Okay, then I want everyone on the far side, yes, that's your side Tahlia…" he nodded to a 5th year Hufflepuff questioning his choice, as if she was surprised that he remembered her, "…from the end of the table until Seamus, and on this side from Amanda to Hannah?" He questioned and Hannah Abbott nodded, "Good… I want you to get up now and follow me. Everyone else, please wait, you will be told what to do soon." He turned to leave as the students began getting up, the chatting and panicking getting louder, but stopped suddenly and turned back to the now half empty table.

"Kids…." He started before catching himself, "Students…. you're fighting for yourself, your family and your friends…" Remus paused, unable to put in to words all the strength and support he wanted to give them… "so don't bloody well hold back!" A huge cheer erupted, and Remus guided his group of students out of the Great Hall.

He knew some of them were scared and some were ready for it. What mattered was they had stayed. They could have gone home, but here were children, teenagers, some affected terribly and unfairly by the war already, and some without a mark on their family, and here they stood side by side, waiting to 'kick some damn evil ass'. Remus couldn't help but be amazed, and his face showed it.

"We're ready for this Professor, no matter what", Natalie Richards stated, striding alongside him. He smiled across at her and tried so hard to believe, "I know."

The group pushed through the huge, heavy front doors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and stood side by side on the thick stone steps.
"No one fights alone!" Remus called sternly "If I see anyone fighting one on one, it's detention from now till the end of your life! Do you hear me?!" Laughing echoed in the vast stone foyer behind them.

"All the spells you've been taught. All the defence you've mastered. This would be the time to remember! I know you'll fight your best." Remus promised trying to force his courage to pour out into his words in the hope they would feel it. "Like I told the others, this isn't class anymore, or even little attention seeking schemes in your free time, and this isn't the time to hold back! Lets show them what you've got!"

The group moved through the grounds, walking together. Some were holding hands. They had no more time. They had to be ready.

"Werewolf!"

A chill ran down Remus's back at the cruel thick voice echoing through the courtyard. He turned swiftly to face the voice. A dark, dirty face tilted and eyes sparkled with insanity and the voice growled again, sneering, "How's the wife and kids?!"

Remus's wand shot up pointing straight at the Death Eater. "Fine, Dolohov." Remus spoke strongly, not letting himself think of his family. "And yours?" he spat.
"Having a mighty good time ridding this…educational establishment" he pushed through gritted teeth, "of filthy blood traitors and mudbloods; best to catch them while they're young," he sneered peering behind Remus at the young students.

"Now!"

Masses of power blasted from the students as more Death Easters spread amongst them from nowhere. Dolohov cursed students out of his way as headed for Remus.
"Heard the good news, werewolf" He laughed before firing a curse which missed as Remus threw up a shield before firing back. Remus's wand shot a blinding green spell at Dolohov, but he had been quick and cast back with electric blue energy that consumed Lupin's attack.

"Baby werewolf" Dolhovo scoffed, "Adriana would never let me get a pet" Dolohov yelled over the screaming of spells and cries of agony. Remus shut his mind against it. He couldn't bare it. He led them here, his students.

"Stupefy!" Remus yelled, his wand raised above his head, aimed at Dolohov, wanting to stop him for just a minute, he needed to check on the others. The spell shot towards Dolohov but collided violently with his wand instead. The spell ricocheted through the wand and up through Dolohov's arm, exploding as the magic absorbed into his chest. He flew back in the air and landed awkwardly on the grass, his head thrown back with the momentum. He didn't move, but Remus knew he wasn't dead.

Dolohov's wand raised and fired red sparks to the air in anger as he rose to his feet, his face snarling with rage and focus. Dolohov was just having fun before, Remus thought as he raised his wand and forced all of his energy through his wand and sent a wave of energy towards Dolohov, but that was over. Dolohov threw his arm up, his wand arching blocking the worst of Remus's spell and took his stance for the next bloodthirsty spell in his head;

"Avada Kedavra!"