The only things on this wall which weren't strictly photographs were a series of framed newspapers – collector's editions of the Daily Prophet, to be exact. Each had a rather glamorous and almost certainly fabricated image of one of the members of the Order behind the emblazoned words: Victory at Hogwarts.

Harry skipped over his own likeness, and that of his wife saucily peering over her shoulder, a pose he'd never seen her strike in real life (amidst an apparent gale that was causing her hair to blow all over the place). Hermione's was stunning, she had her wand at her side, her hair loose (and too blowing in a mysterious gust of wind) and she, even strictly platonic Harry had to admit, gorgeous, if terrifying. Remus' picture was the most obviously fake of all, as there was no trace of his usual humility, just fire in his eyes.

Hogwarts – June 2000

There was an almighty roar as masonry crumbled from the side of Hogwarts, where it had stood been for nearly a thousand years. There were bellows from below, as the defenders scrabbled from beneath the debris. One of the animated knights was not quick enough in moving away and was crushed to bits – indistinguishable from the rocks that had flattened him.

There was a stampede into the castle, and Hermione felt someone seize her hand as they charged into the fray. The Death Eaters had almost broken through McGonagall's defences and soon it would be down to every man and woman to defend the castle by their wands. She wasn't quite sure where she was being led, but saw a flash of red hair and reached her free hand to bring him through. It was no huge shock when they popped out on the main staircase and she found herself holding hands with both Harry and Ron. They always seemed to find one another.

Harry led them up the stairs, Hermione thought they were probably headed for the Ravenclaw tower, where he hoped to find the Grey Lady – Helena Ravenclaw. Hermione could see other members of the Order everywhere, running in all sorts of directions, almost aimless. Please God, thought Hermione for the umpteenth time, protect those I love.

Hermione suddenly found herself falling, as though the very steps beneath her feet would give way – Hogwarts' unpredictable yet surprisingly stable moving staircases were coming to a halt. Harry's hand on her shoulder kept pulling her upwards, aginst the momentum, fighting against the throngs of students headed the opposite way, beng led by the junior members of Dumbledore's Army, which had been kept alive in their absence, who were taking them to the secret passage to the Hog's Head. No one under age was allowed to stay, officially, although Neville had given up trying to convince the fifth years and over.

The staircase lurched again and this time they were all falling forwards. Hermione found herself in a heap with Harry, Ron and Luna. Members of the Order were all flooding onto the landing. How did they all know to catch them here, Hermione couldn't help but wonder. Kingsley was the first to speak; he'd grown into the space that Dumbledore had vacated better than anyone could have wished for.

"What do you need us to do now, Potter?" he asked, more abruptly than he might have under didn't circumstances.

"I need time. As much of it as you can give me – we need to find the Diadem."

Kingsley looked sceptical but told him he would do his best – the Order would.

"We should go check out the Chamber of Secrets-"

"It won't be there, Ron."

"Not for that! I thought some of those great big Basilisk teeth might come in handy for Hufflepuff's Cup and in case you find the Diadem."

"Right. Good plan. You go and do that, I'll go to Ravenclaw's common room."

"Twins! Go help Minerva secure the grounds," And they were off, sprinting down one of the lesser damaged staircases, Kingsley kept shouting orders and the group dwindled. Ginny was assigned, with any members of staff who she could find along the way, to evacuate students from the castle, any way she could think of. Hermione felt a sudden reluctance to leave this group, this place. She felt Remus somewhere behind her. What if this was the last time they were all together?

Flitwick had just started to scamper off to the clock tower, when there was a tremendous explosion from below. Everyone rushed to the edge of the landing. Peering over the banister, they could see the smoke settling, round about where the statue of the hump-backed witch had once been. Now there poured out Death Eaters, at least a dozen. The Order members froze. They hadn't anticipated them getting in so fast. Hermione heard herself speaking before she even realised she was.

"We need to plug the hole. We can't let any more get in!"

"I'll go." She knew he would volunteer. She turned towards him and saw the smallest glance he threw her way. He wasn't getting rid of her that easily.

"I'm coming with you." Ron and Harry seemed startled. Ron and Remus were both protesting, though Harry looked resigned. She heard him say, quietly, "One of the old guard, one of the new." Kingsley nodded in assent.

"Hermione, you mustn't. It isn't safe," Remus started, stepping towards her.

"It isn't anywhere – I'll be safest with you. Besides," she said brusquely as she pulled out her wand, "This is not a discussion."

As she moved to lead Remus away, down the steps, she took in the sight of Harry and Ron looking distraught. She couldn't help but throw her arms around them, planting kisses on both of their cheeks.

"Please, be safe! I love you both. Don't worry about me." Hermione fought to stop herself from crying and turned away, towards Remus. She took his hand in both of hers, not caring what the others thought, not now. He look flustered for just a moment before he wove his fingers through hers and led the way.

"Let's go."

The going was quicker now, now that they were headed with the tide. There were screams now, that made Hermione's stomach curdle, mixed in with general noise of panic. Someone was trying to lug their trunk down the stairs and Hermione's battle was nearly over before it had begun when she was cut up by it. It was only Remus' strong grip and lupine reflexes that saved her. Neither batted an eye.

As they neared the bottom of the stairs, Remus overtook Hermione, dragging her on. She could see that the masked figures were splintering off. She didn't know whether or not to be pleased – she was sure they couldn't cope with all of them, but she was afraid what they would get up to out of sight. She couldn't dwell on that, she heard a particularly vicious scream cut through all the others and could see the intense red glow ahead: cruciatus. Remus let go of her hand and was charging in to the rescue, Hermione close behind.

Hermione didn't catch the spell Remus used to blast the Death Eater off his feet, was too distracted by another who was hanging a Hufflepuff in mid air with his wand. Hermione felt the petrificus totalus spell leave her lips effortlessly, but found herself scrabbling to levitate the boy safely to the ground. His feet had just touched the ground when she heard "diffindo!" from behind her, and felt a slice open in her shoulder. Stupid, she reprimanded herself, she wasn't focusing. She whipped round and stunned him, thankfully before he could deflect. Ouch, Hermione thought to herself, she wished she had some dittany to hand.

Hermione crashed into someone and was relieved to find it was Remus. It looked like it was pretty much just the two of them now, plus eight or so Death Eaters. The Hufflepuff boy and a few others were picking themselves up and running – the trunk had been abandoned now. Remus took her hand again. The Death Eaters were approaching slowly from the ruins of the statue, trying to menace them, she thought. Remus looked up and Hermione dared a quick glance at what had caught his attention: there was a large wooden beam across the ceiling here, the only place there was such fortification. Remus glanced at her and wordlessly she understood what was about to happen. She tightened her grip on her wand and thought of safe places, shield charm on the tip of her tongue and Remus lifted his wand above their heads.

"Reducto!"

AN: R&R please! If you'll lucky there'll be a chapter up tomorrow night (if there are enough reviews!), otherwise probably Monday. Hope you're enjoying it all!