Random update yaaay!

Thanks for all the reviews on the last chapter- it's great to see you all enjoying the story :) And we're soooo nearly finished now *gross sobbing* seriously what will I do with my life now? Seriously, someone tell me.

Wherein statues make bad rhymes and the battle begins.

"Meg!"

Terry's voice was hoarse as he shouted my name over the noise, "Where are you going?"

He grabbed my arm, pulling me towards the hall, swept along with the crowd of people. Already, Malfoy seemed to slip away in the crowd even though I was pretty sure he hadn't moved.

"Terry!" I pushed against him, on tiptoes trying to see over the heads of the mulling people, "Terry, I see Malfoy."

"What did you say?" He called, trying to double back as we were pushed forwards,

"Malfoy!" I thought I had managed to raise my voice loud enough for him to hear; the shout breaking over the excited yelling and chattering. But even if he had heard, or had released me, I doubted I would be able to worm my way through the people to get to him. My heart was pounding in my chest at the sight of him; it had been him, I was sure of it. But why was he here, when he had been absent for the whole term? That feeling of foreboding was back, and the feeling I got stealing up through me was one that made it a little hard to breathe. I was afraid, and not really of the battle looming over us. I was afraid of what Malfoy was here to do, because something was telling me it wasn't to come and catch up on witticisms. I wanted to rush through all these exasperatingly excited people to talk to him, to look into the face I hadn't seen for weeks and to hear him speak, but at the same time I couldn't think of anything worse. Not if I went to him and saw that same, torn apart stare he had given me last year; that night everything had come falling down.

So I became a coward, and let Terry's grip on me and the crowd become excuses for why I couldn't go to Malfoy, and why I found myself staring at the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall; the clear night shining stars down on me; blinking in the sky.

The hall was already buzzing with people; students in pyjamas still, though not one person was yawning. Dotted across the students, ghosts emitted their pearly white sheen, looking grave as they directed their gaze on Professor McGonagall, who stood at the front of the hall. The Fat Friar caught my eye, and gave me a mildly annoyed look before tetchily shuffling so he was looking back at McGonagall. I supposed that was my fault for laughing at his exorcism story last year.

"We have reason to believe," McGonagall began, and the shouting instantly died down; a hush sweeping the hall as eyes shifted to her, fixed and alert, "that soon Lord Voldemort will be arriving at this school, and anyone who stands in his path will be in grave danger."

The hall was so still now I could hear Terry breathing next to me. The looks of excitement were no longer there. Fear glinted in people's eyes, and my fists were bunched up in the fabric of my jumper. Uncontrollable, my eyes flicked to the hall door. Malfoy wasn't there.

"Therefore we are ordering a mass evacuation of this school, Evacuation will be overseen by Mr Filch and Madam Pomfrey. Prefects, when I give you the word you will organise your house and take your charges, in an orderly fashion-" I snorted, "To the evacuation point."

"And what if we want to stay and fight?" Ernie Macmillan shouted, standing up to a fair bit of clapping and whooping.

"If you are of age," McGonagall said clearly, "You may stay."

"What about our things? Our trunks, our owls?" A young girl asked, and I flicked her a look. Did she really think Voldemort would step back so that Fluffy the owl could get out the school?

"We have no time to collect possessions," McGongall told the Ravenclaw, who I was heartily ashamed of having in my house at this moment in time, "The important thing is to get you out of here safely."

"Where's Professor Snape?" A girl shouted, and I straightened up. Neither he or the Carrows were here, and I was seriously crossing my fingers for an unfortunate mass tripping down the staircases.

"He has, to use the common phrase, done a bunk." McGonagall replied, as people began to cheer, later slightly distracted as Harry moved up the hall. I wondered if he knew how much affect he caused; how many eyes turned to him with hope and excitement. "We have already placed protection around the castle, but it is unlikely to hold for very long unless we reinforce it. I must ask you, therefore, to move quickly and calmly, and do as your prefects-"

Her lips kept moving, still speaking, but it was blotted out. A chill swept through the room, sending prickles over my skin as the candles flickered. Someone screamed.

"I know that you are preparing to fight." The voice seemed to come from the walls, icy and rasping through the air. "Your efforts are futile. You cannot fight me. I do not want to kill you. I have great respect for the teachers of Hogwarts. I do not want to spill magical blood."

His voice, because there was no one else's that it could belong to, was pounding against my eardrums; almost hurting my head as my fingers dug into my palms. Images filled my head, me unable to stop them as they flashed before my eyes of my friends dead, my family dead.

"Give me Harry Potter, give me Harry Potter none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter and you will be rewarded." I held my breath, knowing it wasn't over yet, just before one final sentence pierced the room, stabbing my ears. "You have until midnight."

Eyes turned to Harry as the voice went; leaving with it an empty silent that felt pressed and unnatural; heavy on my ears.

"But he's there!" Someone screamed, a voice I unfortunately knew quite well. Pansy had gotten to her feet, her face contorted as she gestured at Harry, "Potter's there! Someone grab him!"

Any doubt, uncertainty and fear in me vanished as I leapt to my feet, drawing my wand from my sleeve. Pansy paled instantly, but that was probably more because of the seventy or so other students who universally got up and marched to stand before Harry, as one giving her a stone cold glare.

"Thank you, Miss Parkinson," McGonagall said coldly, and I was mildly reminded of her sarcastically reprimanding someone in class, "You will leave the Hall first with Mr Filch. If the rest of your house could follow."

A few people sniggered as the Slytherins got to their feet. I caught Zabini's eye, and very maturely stuck my tongue out.

McGonagall called again, for the Ravenclaws who weren't fighting to leave. My brain barely registered what she said. Instead, my eyes found Terry, as people ran between us, frantically talking and reaching for each other. His eyes met mine, and he gave a small, almost indistinguishable nod, as if this would never have ended any other way.

The moment was somewhat interrupted by the girl who hurtled into him, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Antony appeared by my side, as we both let our mouths drop. The girl dashed off into the crowd, completely hysterical, leaving Terry looking exceptionally confused.

"Um." His face turned a magnificent shade of red, as he stood frozen in place, "What was that about?"

I closed my mouth long enough to form a humorous response.

"I assume it's the whole 'we're all going to die so I might as well kiss all the Ravenclaws' kind of thing." I said, heaving a fake sigh, "Or maybe she just always fancied you."

"Meg!" Seamus' voice broke through our slightly sidetracked group, "Everyone's going up to get instructions!"

We joined the jostling and shoving as people slowly made their way to the platform at the front of the hall, where a selection of witches and wizards were standing, giving orders to the students reaching them. Terry was still pink in the face.

"You three should head up to the sixth floor," A tall, dark wizard told me when I reached earshot, "They'll be a group of fighters already there. Good position to work spells."

"Aye sir!" I with mock severity, tapping my fingers against my forehead in a salute. The wizard stared. I think I may have taken him aback slightly.

"Where's Padma?" Terry asked as we began to jog back through the crowds, out into the Entrance Hall; heading up the marble staircase.

"She's fighting up at Ravenclaw tower," Antony said quickly, leaping up the stairs, "But I think that's the safest place. Well, as safe as this place can be right now."

My mind had stopped spinning now, the buzzing fear replaced by surprising clarity, marred only by two nagging edges of doubt. Malfoy and Jade.

"Did you see my sister?" I asked my two friends quietly, as we ran up the stairs to the first floor, heading towards one of my more well-known short cuts, "Did you see if she left?"

"No." Terry replied, "She didn't leave. I think she was going to the Astronomy Tower."

The fear was back. I wished to the heavens that Jade had gone, that she had put herself somewhere safe. But who was I to talk? We just had to make sure we both got out of here.

It was horrible, to jog up through the floors of my school, my precious school, to have crashing and shouts issuing through its walls. Only a few months ago my biggest worry had been running into a Carrow round these corners, but now, it had somehow managed to get worse.

But this was it, I realised, throwing back a tapestry and running out onto the fifth floor, this was the final night of uncertainty and hope. Things would end, in whatever way they ended. This time tomorrow, I might be free. Or dead. But that wasn't really the alternative I was rooting for.

I looked at my watch. Fifteen minutes.

We emerged out on the sixth floor to find it silent and empty. That alone sent a shiver along my spine, but as we quietly passed the empty portraits, I stopped at the window.

Pausing, I looked out through the rippling glass; my fingers touching the pane; illuminated a pale white as I looked out at the scene before me.

A thin, shimmering wall seeped through the air in front of me; delicate tendrils of white, transparent light shimmering through the air like veins. I watched as the lights converged on each other; closing together to form a barrier. It didn't feel safe though. I could almost imagine the dark shapes of men and Voldemort's alliances moving out there, watching the castle, our castle with hostile eyes.

"Meg," Terry's voice was soft, no doubt he had seen what I had, "We need to get moving. We've only got about ten more minutes."

I was moving, my feet dragging themselves forwards, about to pick up speed. But there was something, some indescribable feeling, the turned my head to look behind me, at the corridor spanning out towards the staircases.

And the figure I saw there made my heart leap.

"Draco!" The name burst from me before I could stop myself, a loud, shrill shout that sounded desperate even to my ears.

"Meg! Wait!"

I ignored Terry's shout, and ran, my feet blurring beneath me as I legged it down the corridor, tearing towards the staircases. Malfoy didn't hear my shout, not until I hurtled onto the stair just as it was leaving the floor; heading up towards the seventh.

"Malfoy."

He spun round as I called his name breathlessly, his face incredulous. For a ridiculous second, I thought he looked hopeful.

"Meg." Wow, I'd forgotten how nice it was to hear him say my name. I'd forgotten quite a few things actually, like how his eyes glittered grey and unreadable, or how his mouth moved as if he were about to genuinely smile, or just smirk. Now it was turned down, and the Malfoy from last year; the dejected, hopeless one was back. My heart sunk. "What are you still doing here?"

"You are kidding?" My gaze flickered away from him, to Crabbe and Goyle flanking his either side. I wondered how long it would take one of them to start firing hexes. "There's a battle going down in about five minutes. I'm not hiding."

"Of course you're not."

My eyes darted back to him. He almost sounded proud, or envious.

The stairs hit onto the seventh floor; the stone landing sliding onto the top step with a finalizing crunch. I stared at the three of them.

"Meg!" Terry's voice rose up from where he stood back on the sixth floor, looking up at us.

I had about three seconds to move out the way of the jinx Crabbe sent my way.

"No!" Malfoy exclaimed, shoving Crabbe sideways as the spell shot by the side of my head; white hot and making my ears crack.

My knees jarred as I fell to the bottom step, far too close to plummeting down to the first floor for my liking. I staggered upwards in time to see Crabbe and Goyle dashing off through the corridors. Malfoy stood there still, breathing heavily,

"Come on Draco!"

"Where are you going?" I asked, leaning on the banister, dragging myself fully upright, "What are you doing?"

"Meg-"

"No," I said sharply, not in the mood for a 'you don't understand' speech, "What are you doing, Draco?"

"It's not...I mean, it's not like last time-"

"Oh what does that even mean?" I snapped angrily, "You're not going to kill someone this time you mean? Well wow, that's just wonderful. Now I feel dead secure."

He stared at me a moment, taking in my furious expression. Then I saw, for a fleeting second the smile that grazed his lips, as if what I had said for some reason had made him happy.

"You want me to fight?" He finally asked, his voice quiet, his face solemn once more.

"Yes." I breathed, "I really do."

Neither of us had to mention which side I wanted him to fight for.

"Draco!"

The shout pierced the air, and despite myself I flinched. Crabbe was back, and I was pretty sure I had a few seconds before I became spell practice again. The look on Malfoy's face changed; he had been on the threshold of decision, and now his shoulders slumped. My heart slumped with them.

"Are you coming?" Crabbe's tone was harsh, unfriendly, and I wanted to scream at Malfoy, come on, how can he be siding with this? But he wasn't looking at me anymore; his eyes downcast and vacant, as if he physically didn't have any choice.

His lips moved and I quickly looked away. I couldn't hear him apologising again. Why was it suddenly so hard to breathe?

A hand closed round my shoulder and pulled me upwards, just as the walls of the castle began to shake.

"Meg," Terry's voice rang in my ears, and an explosion shattered the ceiling over head, dust trickling down. Far away, I distantly heard screaming. "Meg, we need to go,"

"No," I said sharply, "No, Malfoy-"

"You can't-"

I pushed away from him, stumbling up the stairs onto the seventh floor. Malfoy had gone, I didn't know how I'd let that time slip by, but I knew where he was going, not that I knew how.

Terry was calling my name, but my focus was returning, a strong and determined clarity as I began to sprint down the corridors, hurtling past the portraits and staggering to a halt before a tapestry of ballet dancing trolls.

My hands on my knees, my brain racing, I straightened up just as the ceilings began to shake again.

"What are you doing?" Terry had caught up, breathless and now looking a little angry, "Do you know how stupid this is? We need to get back to the others-"

"Terry, shut up, this is important."

"Oh really?" He seemed a little hysterical, I noted, "So it takes first place next to, I don't know, all the dark forces in the world trying to penetrate our castle?"

Coincidence decided to back up his point as the window nearest us exploded in a shower of iron windowpane and glass. We both ducked, our arms flying up to protect ourselves as shards of glass sprayed across us like confetti. Terry swore loudly.

"Look, we have to get in the room!" I shouted over the sudden chain of explosions swarming the castle, the ground vibrating worse than ever, "I just know it's important!"

"Meg, it's no use! We have no idea why they're in there! There could be any reason!"

"No! I know why, I've got to remember," I screwed my face up, my palms knocking against my forehead, thinking. "I know, I do," I looked up in time to see a flash of light rising towards us, "Protego!" The spell shot into the barrier I had made with my wand, crashing into it and rebounding away; its bright light dazzling me momentarily.

Suddenly, there was a grating noise, and an abrupt silence.

"What the-" I began. But then I was interrupted. A huge crash resounded through the walls; shaking the floor, walls, and making my head pound.

"I don't think our defences are holding out." Terry said quietly, his eyes darting between the wall of the Room of Requirement and me.

He could say that again.

A swarm of black smoke suddenly engulfed the nearest window; and a man apparated out of nowhere; his face obscured by a heavy mask. And judging from the black cloak, and the fact he was raising his wand, I very much doubted he was on our side.

"Stupefy!" Terry yelled, not missing a beat. The figure slammed backwards into the wall, crumpling slightly, but a second later was on his feet. A spell shot past me, missing me by centimetres.

"Run, Meg!" Terry shouted, beginning to back away.

"No-"

My eyes had gone to the wall just waiting for the wish I had to give it, not that I knew what that was, but I didn't get much else in the way of protesting as Terry seized my arm, and we sprinted away; just as the wall above us shattered; dust spraying down on us.

The Death Eater behind us was shouting, not that I could make out what, and we dashed down the corridor, tearing down the stairs.

We literally ran into Antony as we hit the sixth floor,

"Antony!"

"Where the hell did you two go?" He bellowed, seemingly angrier with us that at situation that was causing the castle to shake, "The Death Eaters are getting in! We need to go towards the doors!"

He turned and ran, Terry and I racing after him as he tore down the staircases; the noise and crashing rising in crescendo. Listening to it, hearing the noises reverberate, pounding in my ears, I began to feel truly scared.

We emerged into the top of the Entrance Hall in time to find ourselves in the midst of a full scale battle. It was complete chaos.

The ceiling was shaking more than ever; but on the ground it was even worse. Death Eaters, masked dark shadows, were pouring in through the entrance to the castle; standing out vividly between the falling dust and smoke from missed spells. Green, red and purple flashed everywhere, figures screaming and yelling in pain or anger.

My two friends, those two I had known since the first year in this school began to run down the staircases, towards the smoke and flashing spells. I don't think my hands were shaking from adrenaline.

The spell that hit me sent me shooting against the wall; my head crashing against the stone as I slid down in a crumpled heap to the floor. Dazed, my vision swum before me, tears springing to my eyes, as I tried to remember that although right now it felt the opposite, my head was probably still attached to my neck.

A figure loomed over me; a hulking figure that I decided I definitely didn't want anywhere near me.

"I remember you," A voice growled, one I recognised instantly, and it took every ounce of courage I had to avoid whimpering. Fenrir Greyback took an aggressive step closer to me, his teeth glinting as he leered, "I don't forget a scent easily."

"Well, you certainly slipped my mind," I replied in the firmest voice I could muster, staggering to my feet, ignoring my limbs screaming in protest. My head was still throbbing. "But judging by your hair, you aren't one of my neighbours?"

Greyback's lips drew back in a smile. Or a snarl. He raised his wand.

"Get away from her you wolfy bastard!"

The spell that hit Greyback was so powerful it shot him over the banisters; hurtling out of sight as he plummeted downwards. I gazed after him in shock, finally coming aware of how tightly my fingers had been digging into my palms. The ground was cold on my knees, and I couldn't remember having fallen down again.

Someone sunk down next to me, hands gentle as they took mine. The acrid smell of ash and smoke filled my nose.

"Come on, get up Forester."

That voice.

I looked up and met Malfoy's eyes, finding the time to be startled at his appearance as I did so. He was covered in soot, his hair looking singed; his robes burnt. The strong smell of cinder was coming from him. Looking at him, taking in his expression that seemed scared and physically terrified I realised just how much he didn't want to be here right now. Perhaps, if I tried, I understood why he had done everything he had.

But that didn't quite excuse the pain he had caused me.

So, in the middle of a battle, with people duelling all around us, I hit him.

"Meg," He groaned, his hand coming up to his nose, "You have to stop doing that."

"Yeah?" I exclaimed, recovering enough to be beside myself, "And you have to stop playing the I'm-so-misunderstood-but-please-forgive-me-cos-I-have-sad-eyes card! Wow, Malfoy, sometimes you are the biggest idiot I have ever met, and I'm me! Why don't you just take a few seconds to-"

He leant forwards and kissed me, so briefly that when he pulled away my lips hadn't had time to register what had happened. But it felt like I had just had a shot of Firewhiskey, my blood seeming to glow warm and my head becoming clear as I got to my feet, dragging him with me,

I got up just in time to send a hex towards a Death Eater heading our way. He stumbled backwards, and the curse Malfoy shot at him caused him to crumple back down the stairs.

"C'mon!" I said, grabbing his arm and beginning to head towards the staircases. Out of nowhere a hand grabbed me; jerking my head painfully backwards. I took a brief moment to contemplate how utterly useless I was being today.

"Stop!"

Malfoy had his wand drawn on the figure that was holding me, his hand moving frantically as he tried to find a safe place to aim which would result in me not being hit.

"Give me a reason, boy." The Death Eater snorted, his grip on me growing more painful.

"I'm Draco Malfoy, I'm Draco, I'm on your side!" Malfoy shouted, seeming to seize the first words that he could that might get me out of the mess I had thrown myself in. My bad.

Out of nowhere, a stunning spell shot into the Death Eater that was holding me, and he crumpled forwards, leaving me two seconds to dart out the way before he crushed me. I looked up in time to see some invisible force punch Malfoy in the face. He fell backwards; staggering, his mouth bleeding.

"That's the second time we've saved your life, you two-faced bastard!" An invisible voice yelled.

We were left breathing heavily, completely bemused.

"Well, that went well." I finally said happily, getting to my feet and dusting off my robes. "How about we go and help the others?"

"Yeah." Malfoy's voice was husky as he got to his feet, and before he could say anything else a massive crash shook the walls again. The doors to the castle banged open, and I froze in horror as hundreds of massive spiders began to scuttle into the Entrance Hall; their long legs twitching and pincers flashing in the random, flashing spell light.

"Urm," I said slowly, feeling sick at the sight of those longs, hairy legs, "Run!"

Malfoy grabbed my hand as we began to hurtle between the groups of fighting people.

It was complete pandemonium. Everywhere there were people; ducking and weaving, so it was physically exhausting to move just a few metres. People were carrying injured people out the way; Death Eaters duelling with teachers and other wizards I didn't recognise. Randomly, I shot a few spells at passing Death Eaters, running so fast they didn't have time to retaliate. Neville hurtled past me, his arms full of Venomous Tentacula plants. I hurried out of his way; my hand slipping out of Malfoy's. But I was sure he was still there.

I was just dodging a Death Eater that had crumpled to the floor; small tubers all over his face from the Snargaluff pod that had been thrown at him (having been there myself, I could sympathize) when a stone gargoyle cut across my path, making a 'wheeeeeee' noise.

"C'mon Greg!" It called to a gargoyle a few metres behind, "Let's destroy nasty people!"

"All nasty peoples should be thrown from church steeples!" The statue named Greg said. I looked after them, totally bewildered, and then realised I knew the first gargoyle from one evening in winter; the boar who couldn't move. Well, talk about overcoming adversity.

"Crucio!"

I ducked the spell, and rounded on the short, dumpy witch who had fired it. Last I had assumed, Alecto had been out the fighting, but there was no mistaking that figure, or the wheezy giggle that rang out a few seconds later.

"You're going to get it!" She sang, firing another curse at me. I dived out the way, my eyes searching for Malfoy. My heart lurched when I realised he was gone.

"Stupefy!" I screamed, brandishing my wand wildly at Alecto as I staggered sideways from another rush of curses, my brain panicking, unable to think clearly. I had to do something, I thought dully, but I couldn't think what. I lurched away from another multitude of curses.

"Stupefy!" I tried again, and she danced out the way, giggling,

"Try again, pretty!" She sang, "But soon! Before I kill you!"

"Expelliarmus! Stupefy! Stop moving!"

This time her spell hit me. I sank to the floor with a scream, my wand clattering out my hand. I sprung upwards, my vision blurring, ignoring the pain in my muscles,

"Hey!" I shouted, losing my head completely and lobbing the first thing I had in my pocket at the Death Eater. It so happened that was Sampson.

I'll never know how the owl had managed to get into my robes, and given the amount of stuff I kept in there I hadn't noticed the extra weight. But he hurtled at Alecto, screeching, and for a moment she looked quite shocked. Until she realised it was a fluffy owl that was attacking her. She began to laugh.

That was, until Sampson sank his tiny claws into her face.

"Get off me!" She screeched, raising her wand,

"Pertrificus Totatlus!" I didn't know why, probably because Alecto had been trying to attack my favourite owl in the whole world, but the spell I sent at her was so strong that when it hit her, it blasted her off her feet. She collided with the wall metres away, with a sickening crack; blood dripping out the side of her mouth as she stirred feebly. I stood there, panting, my wand raised without a target anymore.

"That's for this whole year, you nasty piece of work." I growled. Sampson gave a supportive squawk. I didn't know what this feeling was, but I got the sneaking suspicion it was called closure.

There was a space of five seconds, where I looked around me, torn between finding someone else to fight, and looking for Malfoy, Terry and Antony.

Then, a cold voice stirred the air, and I felt the hair on the back of my neck prickle, as if the speaker was right behind me. I spun round, to face empty air.

"You have fought valiantly." The voice whispered, cold and harsh. Silence swept over the battle; muting any sound. Wands came to rest by sides, people string around them, panting, legs tensed as if ready to run, "Lord Voldemort knows how to value bravery. Yet you have sustained heavy losses. If you continue to resist me, you will all die, one by one. I do not wish this to happen. Every drop of magical blood spilled is a loss and a waste. Lord Voldemort is merciful. I command my forces to retreat, immediately. You have one hour. Dispose of your dead with dignity. Treat your injured." I froze at that, trying not to think of what those might be, "I speak now, Harry Potter, directly to you. You have permitted your friends to die for you rather than face me yourself. I shall wait one hour in the Forbidden Forest. If, at the end of that hour, you have not come to me, have not given yourself up, then battle recommences. This time, I shall enter the fray myself, Harry Potter, and I shall find you, and I shall punish every man, woman and child who has tried to conceal you from me. One hour."

Complete silence fell. Goosebumps had erupted over my skin, and before anyone could move, the Death Eaters vanished; folding into black smoke and disappearing.

A hand closed around my arm, someone breathing a sigh of relief,

"Antony?" I asked blankly, looking across at him,

"We're going to the hall, Meg." He said, "They're bringing everyone there. It's over, for now."