A/N: Written for round one of the Fanfiction Tournament (March: Hogwarts Professors)

"The place where you made your stand never mattered. Only that you were there...and still on your feet."
-Stephen King, The Stand

Horace sighs as he looks upon the members of his House. Merlin, they're so young.

"The time has come for Slytherin House to decide upon its loyalties," Minerva had said.

Of course, it's so easy for her to say that. Her students will not face the same conflicts that his will.

Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw students will not have to fear facing their parents, their siblings, their friends in the heat of battle should they stay and fight. But the Slytherins, his precious students, will.

He clears his throat, suddenly uncomfortable to have everyone's undivided attention. "There is a battle brewing outside the castle," he explains grimly, his eyes passing over each student in turn, taking in their sleepy, confused faces. "Perhaps the war will end at last tonight. But Professor McGonagall has a message for you- for us, myself included. It is time that we decide where our loyalties lie."

At that, the common room comes alive with outraged voices and angry swears. Somewhere, near the fireplace, a girl cries.

"I know that this is a delicate matter for you," he continues. "Should you stay and fight, some of you will undoubtedly find your wands pointed at friends, at loved ones. The other Houses might not trust you. They might expect you to hex them the moment their backs are turned."

"Now, there's an idea," Theodore Nott mutters.

Horace ignores him. "Others might judge you if you choose to run," he says. "But know this. You will not be a coward, whatever others might think. They aren't faced with the same troubles that you are. You do not have to fight. But if you do, remember what you may see tonight."

..

Horace feels their eyes as he follows his students. He can hear their mutters.

"Always knew Sluggy was a coward."

"Running. Typical Slytherin."

He holds his head high. "This way," he instructs. "Careful, careful!"

..

"Professor?"

Horace turns his attention to Hestia. "Yes?"

"You're not running away, are you?" she asks, eyes nervously flickering toward the mass exodus of her Housemates.

With a bitter smile, Horace shakes his head. "No, dear girl. I'm not," he confirms. "I might be a damn fool, but I'm going to fight."

"Why?"

"You know what they say about our House, don't you? You know as well as anyone what reputation means."

Hestia nods but doesn't say anything.

"It's time that Slytherin has a better reputation," Horace says. "It's time that we make a stand."

"Can I- Can I fight?"

"You're seventeen, Miss Carrow. That choice is entirely yours."

..

"You can't go back!" Flora shrieks. "Mother will-"

"Mother will get over it," Hestia says sharply, pulling her arm away from her twin. "I'm fighting. And if you had a shred of self-respect, you would do the right thing and join me."

"Hestia, please!"

But Hestia leaves her sister, falling in at Horace's side, leading the small army of reinforcements. Only a few are Slytherins, but it's still much more than he had expected.

"Are we doing the right thing?" Hestia asks quietly, adjusting her robes before readying her wand.

"Do you think you are?" Horace counters.

The girl swallows dryly, glancing back at her sister's retreating figure, all but lost in the crowd. With a nod, she turns her attention back to Horace. "Yes," she says, her voice trembling in spite of her conviction.

"Then that's what matters," he says before starting forward.