Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling does.

Harry Potter and the Fight Against The Dark Lord Defence Needed

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"We have got to get Professor McGonagall now. She can get the members of the Order of the Phoenix as back up," Hermione proclaimed hurriedly at 4 a.m., eyeing her two best friends gravely.

They spared a second for sharp nods of concurrence and dashed off to the Headmistress's office.

They screeched to a halt at the stone gargoyle, leaning against the stone walls to catch their breaths. Harry turned to gaze at them and asked, "Either of you know the password? Professor McGonagall must've changed it, she isn't as fond of sweets as Professor Dumbledore is… was." He swallowed after his slip-up and sighed deeply.

Ron blinked and rolled his eyes at him, retrieved his wand and said simply, "Desperate times call for desperate measures, mate." He advanced upon the gargoyle with so menacing a grin that it was not hard to believe that he was related to renowned pranksters Fred and George Weasley.

The stone gargoyle peered at him suspiciously through narrowed eyes. "What might that be, boy?"

Ron snarled at it dangerously, "If you don't move aside, I will blast a hole through the wall behind, through YOU," he declared, directing his wand directly between the gargoyle's stone eyes.

The gargoyle chuckled gratingly. "You've got spunk, but no brain, boy." Hermione blew air out through her mouth, arms akimbo, as she glared exasperatedly at Ron. She was both rule abiding and knowledgeable about Hogwarts and Hogwarts inhabitants, having read Hogwarts: A History multiple times.

"Ron," she cried, and proceeded to explain that the gargoyle that guarded the office was designed to be unfazed by such threats ("and what a stupid one, too, Ron!") and would not bend to any means of intimidation.

"Well, if you could do better, by all means, go ahead, you – you snooty, uptight little…" Ron bawled loudly, fed up with Hermione's constant scoffing.

Just then, a stern visage appeared from behind the gargoyle. Professor McGonagall had heard the commotion and come down to investigate. She was quite vexed, and demanded severely, "Potter, Weasley, Granger! What's the meaning of this? It's past four a.m.!"

Hermione, red-faced at being caught arguing with Ron, began hastily, "Professor, we came because Harry had a dream, or a vision, like the one he had of Mr. Weasley being attacked. Voldemort is going to attack Hogwarts today!"

Professor McGonagall stared at them incredulously for a moment before laughing lightly. "Ms. Granger, there is no way that anybody, even Voldemort, will be able to get past the Hogwarts barriers."

Hermione considered her words carefully for a moment before arguing, "But didn't the barriers strongly rely on Professor Dumbledore's magic? Now that he's… g-gone, they will still exist but will be easily broken through!" her eyes betrayed her trepidation.

Professor McGonagall gaped at her and agreed, after regaining her bearings, "You truly are one of the brightest of your generation, Ms. Granger. You are quite right. Hurry up, we must alert the students as quickly as possible. After you have led them to a safe place, hide there as well. We will find a way to find all of you when it is safe. There is an emergency password that will open all entrances. It is 'Unity'."

Harry spoke up this time, "No, Professor – I will help fight Voldemort."

Hermione and Ron exchanged glances and shifted their stances subtly, pronouncing in unison, "We will, too."

Professor McGonagall replied briskly, "I have no time to argue with the three of you. If you will come, then come. If others want to… Merlin knows we will need the help. No students under fourth year are allowed to come, though, they have not experienced enough," so saying, she ascended up her staircase to alert the members of the Order.

Ron turned sharply to his friends, "Let's go, we have no time to waste. Hermione, inform Ravenclaw. Harry, Gryffindor. I will go to Hufflepuff."

There was an awkward pause while they decided who should forewarn Slytherin. Swiftly, they decided that they would meet outside the Slytherin portrait.

They split up and raced to the different Houses. After the passing of thirty minutes, they were all in front of the Slytherin House entrance, grinning weakly at each other for reassurance.

"Right," they chorused, "Unity."

The portrait swung open and they stepped inside. They decided to handle the whole House all at once to save precious time. As the boys scratched their heads trying to figure out a way to do this, Hermione rolled her eyes and pulled her wand out of her robes, pointing it to her throat and whispering, "Sonorus."

She then announced loudly, her voice magnified by the spell, "Students of Slytherin House, there is an emergency. Please remain calm and follow us to safety." She repeated the announcement several times. Bleary students of all levels began staggering out of their dormitories, accumulating in the landings of the stairways and yawning curiously down at the Gryffindor Prefect.

"Slytherins, please wake up and snap to attention!" Ron cried, his voice loud enough even without the aid of a charm. "There's been an emergency, and you have to listen up and stay sharp. It's a life or death situation." The Slytherins looked more awake now, and started to pour down the stairs. Harry dashed into every room (even the girls dormitories with the help of a handy levitation spell) to check that everyone was out.

Draco Malfoy stormed down the stairs, looking irate. "How on earth did you get into our House, Gryffindorks? What do you think you're doing?" all traces of sleepiness, if there had even been any, had fled from his pale face.

Hermione walked over to him and stood next to his ear as he stared in disgust at having a muggle-born so close to him.

Her voice was still magnified so she leant up and stated calmly in his ear, "OUT, NOW!" it was translated to a shout.

He cringed but admitted defeat and walked out, following Ron, who was lanky and easily identifiable by his height and mop of bright red hair.

When they had managed to get all the students together, they went to the Room of Requirement and paced past it three times, thinking we need a room to hide Hogwarts students.

After they had done so, a door appeared and they filed the drowsy students into the room.

"Voldemort," Hermione started, causing many to flinch, "will attack Hogwarts today." She pointedly ignored gasps and shrieks of alarm. "Any fourth year and above may follow to help defend Hogwarts if they wish to, but none younger. If you are above third year and wish to help, please come forward now."

Two stepped forward slightly hesitantly first, but their act of courage emboldened others to step forward and after that there were approximately fifteen students assembled at the front of the room, dressed in various pyjamas, shuffling around nervously but no longer sleepy.

"The rest of you, please remain here in… relative safety until we come back for you," Hermione said, before muttering, "Quietus."

"Older students," Harry added, without bothering to magnify his voice, "please take care of and give comfort to the younger ones, and in case of breaching of our last safe sanctuary, defend them as students of Hogwarts united under one banner."

They left on that note, the braver students trailing behind, until they finally managed to find Professor McGonagall on the Hogwarts Grounds where she gave a briefing.

"I expect all of you to be careful, if you are hurt, try your best to return to the castle, where Madam Pomfrey will help to take care of you. Obviously, avoid curses, especially the Unforgivables, for they are very dangerous. Use all the knowledge you have been taught in the past years. We are up against Voldemort and his Death Eaters, if anyone wishes to withdraw from the battle, please go back now."

No one stepped out for ten seconds, so Professor McGonagall continued, "Back up will be here shortly." She paused, and clenched her fists. "For what it's worth, students, I am very proud of you. Professor Dumbledore, if he were alive today, would be exceedingly proud of you all, too." She turned around stiffly and did not see the students straightening their spines, blossoming under the unexpected praise.

After five minutes, at 6 a.m., dozens of cracks were heard as members of the Order apparated to the grounds of Hogwarts. It was painfully clear how weak the barriers were.

At exactly 6.15 a.m., sounds like a thousand pieces of wood being broken at the same time were heard and fear was written all over their faces.

The barriers had been lifted.

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