Chapter 28: The heirs on Hogwart's soil

The only reason anyone had slept the previous night was due to Snape's large supply of calming draught and Dreamless sleep potions. Though this allowed them a night full of the rest they needed, none felt quite right in the morning.

The day of the battle dawned early. For many of the people involved, this day had come to quickly. Outside the many windows of the Ravenclaw estate could be seen the camps of the centaurs and Vampires, who were actually not allergic to the sun, all waiting for the signal to leave. The sun had yet to rise but all were busy and almost ready to leave.

Back at Hogwarts castle everyone was still at rest. The Order of the Phoenix, having no links with the forest, had not been forewarned of the upcoming danger to staff and students alike. It was for this reason that the headmaster was still in bed and, as the sun rose over the Scottish mountains, did not notice his Phoenix disappear from his quarters.

In the central clearing of the Ravenclaw forest, birds rose from their roosts earlier than planned. Their dreams had been disturbed by the echoing sound of manic laughter. The clearing was ringed by a dense thicket of trees, they believed that none could see their meeting.

Voldermort's red eyes scanned his Death Eaters. Each of them stood in the now clear space. The tent had been packed away - as they knew they would not be returning.

"My loyal subjects," hissed the Dark Lord, "it is my greatest pleasure to announce that never again will we wake up in a forest, hiding like muggle children. Today we shall win a great victory, killing Albus Dumbledore and taking Hogwart's as our own!"

The circle surrounding him cheered in agreement.

Voldermort waited for them to become silent before continuing, "today many of you will become martyrs for our cause. However, it is my pleasure to say that if you take as many mudbloods and blood traitors with you as you can - well your memories will be honoured and your families supplied for. Now…let us leave…"

All the group disappeared with a loud POP.

The entire Potter company and supporters were hiding. All had managed to slip past the Hogwarts defenses - unseen by human eyes - and were now sitting in wait.

"Will they be here soon?" asked Kirsty impatiently - though her voice was shaking.

"Sshhh!" hissed Harry.

All the company jumped as Fawkes arrived in a burst of fire,

"They're here, entering by force through the main gate. The wards surrounding it will be down in a few minutes."

Harry nodded to his familiar in thanks before relaying this to the rest of the group.

Dumbledore was sitting peacefully in his office, watching the troubled sky though the window. The air seemed to be full of a tension he couldn't describe. It was something he hadn't felt for many years - since he defeated the last dark wizard of the age - Grindelward. However, he was certain that no battle could be about to wage on Hogwart's grounds under his watch- surely not.

Though, somehow, he was not completely surprised when he heard an explosion from the front gate and the instruments on his desk began to whiz and squeal loudly.

"ALBUS DUMBLEDORE!" shouted the voice of Lord Voldermort, "I AM HERE TODAY TO CLAIM WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE. AS THE HEIR OF SLYTHERIN IT IS MY DUTY TO TAKE THIS CASTLE FROM YOU AND PURIFY IT - AS IT WAS MEANT TO BE."

The entire school to seemed to have gone silent - even the gentle breeze seemed to have paused.

"Dumbledore!" cried the deputy headmistress - Minerva McGonagal, as she ran up the tower, "he's in the grounds!"

"Get the children out of here!" he ordered, "6th and 7th years may stay to fight if they wish but I insist everyone younger must be removed."

"Where to?"

"The safest place for them would be at your summer residence," he decided, "you said it was in France I believe?"

McGonagal looked shifty for a second before letting a false smile grace her features, "of course headmaster." decision

"DUMBLEDORE YOU HAVE A CHOICE: ONE - GIVE UP WITHOUT RESISTANCE AND I LET THE FILTHY MUDBLOODS AND BLOOD TRAITIORS GO WITHOUT HARM. TWO - WE WAGE BATTLE ON THIS GROUND AND THE MENTIONED WILL DIE A HORRIBLE AND PAINFUL DEATH. YOUR DECISION. YOU HAVE HALF AN HOUR."

"Minerva - get them out!" he ordered forcefully, "all of them!"

The deputy head scurried back down the stairs to the main school…

Hidden in a secret dugout created long ago beside the lake, the entire Potter army waited.

"What shall we do Lady Ravenclaw?" asked the emperor of the Vampire clan.

"We must fight a battle that protects the castle and its occupants. I shall not let the castle of my ancestors to fall into the likes of a Slytherin in my lifetime," Kirsty looked at the group apologetically, "if he takes Hogwarts then none of us shall ever see freedom again."

Minerva dashed to her office. What was she to do? If she was to agree to protecting her students then her families biggest secret would be revealed.

When she arrive at the cramped confines of her office, she was quick to grab the floo powder off her mantelpiece and chuck a handful into the grate. She stepped into the roaring green flames calling "Hufflepuff manor!"

When she arrived a small house elf rushed over to her,

"What is Mistress wanting?"

Minerva paused as she brushed the ash off her robes, "I need to speak with Helga."

"This way Miss."

The pair walked in silence through the large Hufflepuff manor. It was silent and the echo's of their footsteps filled their ears. This was Minerva's childhood home.

When they arrived at a large pair of double doors that lead into the lounge the house elf stopped, "in there Miss, would you like anything else?"

"No thank you," replied the Deputy politely.

The elf curtsied before disappearing. Minerva watched the spot for a few seconds after the elf had gone before pulling herself together. Slipping through the doors she was quick to great the life-size portrait that faced her.

"Good afternoon Helga."

"My grandchild, what is troubling you?" asked the portrait, concern tainting the words.

"I need to hide the students here, Voldermort has entered the grounds. But it will betray our secret."

"Yes but the students are our top priority - no harm must come to them while they are under our care. Minerva, promise me you will not let Albus enter these walls. He is part of the expelled family."

"He is a relative of Slytherin?" asked the women, confused.

"Distant cousin, twice removed on his mother's side."

Minerva nodded, her feeling of surprise to strong to remain hidden from her face, "I promise."

Then she span on her heel and headed back the way she had come. She had an important task to accomplish.