"Severus… please…"

Snape raised his wand and pointed it directly at Dumbledore…

…And was promptly squished by an enormous hand. An enormous blue hand, attached to an enormous red arm, attached to a hulking figure who had just appeared at the rim of the Tower.

"I made it just in time, I see. Is everyone alright?"

Harry looked wildly from the new arrival, to the flabbergasted Death Eaters, to the large wet stain that had once been Severus Snape, to Dumbledore still slumped against the battlements. Oddly enough, Dumbledore didn't seem at all surprised to see his rescuer; in fact, he looked downright relieved.

"Optimus, darling! While I daresay Severus has seen better days, yes, we are all alright. Although there does seem to be some commotion within the castle. Am I correct in guessing that the rest of your Autobots are here as well?"

The newcomer's glowing blue "eyes" shone a bit brighter, showing – could it be fondness? "Affirmative. As soon as Teletraan-I alerted us that the Dark Mark had appeared over the school, we rolled here."

"Splendid! Oh, but where are my manners." Gesturing with his wand, Dumbledore ended the Body-Bind he'd placed on Harry, and placed the same curse upon each of the Death Eaters gathered by the door. Judging by the looks on their faces, they hadn't even noticed. "Optimus my love, I would like you to meet Harry Potter. Harry, I present to you Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots."

Harry stepped forward and removed his cloak as Optimus hoisted himself onto the top of the Tower and squatted to be more on a level with the human. "Er, pleased to meet you, Optimus sir."

"Likewise, Harry. And just Optimus will do." Suddenly, a shrill beeping cut through the night. "Ah, that'll be Cliffjumper. Report!"

At the command, a gruff voice issued from Prime's forearm. "Prime, almost all of the Death Eaters are either fleeing or in our custody. Professor McGonagall questioned one of them under Veritaserum for a list of those involved in the attack; only four Death Eaters, as well as Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape, are unaccounted for."

"Excellent work, Cliffjumper! Severus Snape has been neutralized, and Mr. Malfoy is incapacitated on the Astronomy Tower roof along with four Death Eaters. Dumbledore is here too, but injured. I'm going to take him to the Hospital Wing personally. Prime out."

"Ah yes, the Hospital Wing. Lovely idea, Optimus," said Dumbledore as he stepped up onto Prime's proffered hand and the robot straightened up to leave. "Would you care for a lift, Harry?"

"Er, no thank you Professor. I'll walk."

"Suit yourself!" the old man called as Prime jumped off the Tower and glided towards the infirmary windows. Watching them go, Harry shook his head to clear it. What in Merlin's name is happening? Realizing he wasn't going to find any answers alone at the top of the tallest tower, he cast Mobilicorpus on the frozen Death Eaters and sent them down the stairs. When he looked into Malfoy's frozen eyes, however, his nose gave a painful twinge as it remembered Malfoy's foot at the year's onset. With an evil grin, Harry simply pushed Malfoy's frozen form down the stairs.

Madam Pomfrey would be able to fix any damage done; and besides, being the Chosen One had to have SOME perks.