Storm clouds darkened the sky the morning of the proclaimed battle, giving the sense of impending doom to all of us. The castle was a silent, somber place. The reality of what was happening finally seemed to sink in, wiping away any bit of cheer or humor that had existed the day before.
Harry and I kept each other close by, not wanted to be without each other more than necessary. Just about everyone seemed to be in the same mind set. The halls were full of groups of friends, families, couples—no one was seen on their own.
Groups were stationed on the battlements throughout the day. As the evening rolled around, Harry and I took our turn with Ginny and the others. Remus was waiting for us when we reached the top of the stairs.
It had finally started to rain. The thunder crashed around us as we scanned the horizon for signs of Voldemort's army. At eight-thirty, just before we switched with the next group, Ginny gave a cry from around the corner. We rushed to her, Remus in the lead.
"What is it, Ginny?" he asked.
"There!" she said, pointing out across the grounds towards the forest. There in the center of the trees shone a bright green light. A bright flash filled the sky—and above the trees glowed the Dark Mark.
Harry gave a cry as he dropped to his knees, a hand pressed over his scar. A circle formed around us as I kneeled next to him. Remus pushed his way to the center.
"It's him," Harry gasped, eyes shut tight against the pain of his scar. I knew what he was feeling—my arm felt as though it were on fire. "His army is marching on us now." Harry's eyes opened, and he stared hard at Remus, his eyes a sharp piercing green. "There are thousands of them, Remus. We're out numbered."
Remus seemed frozen in shock for only a moment, and then he was back, calling out orders to us all.
"Alright, the lot of you—back inside. Ron, I want you to tell McGonagall everything, and have her gather everyone in the entrance hall," he said. Ron nodded and hurried off, casting a worried glance at Hermione as he started down the stairs.
I helped Harry up as the others headed for the stairs. "Are you alright, love?" I asked, brushing the hair back from his eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied. "You'd think I'd be used to it burning by now."
"Burning is the one thing you'll never get used to. My arm feels as though it'll burst into flames any second."
Harry's eyes moved to my arm as he pulled up my sleeve. We both gasped at what we saw. The mark was dark as night, the skin around it red and raw. Harry looked up at me, his eyes full of sympathy.
"Don't worry," I said. "I'll be fine." I took his hand and led him down the stairs.
The entrance hall was filled with people by the time we arrived downstairs. Harry and I pushed our way through the crowd to stand beside Hermione and Ginny.
McGonagall stepped forward, trying to calm the crowd and instill a bit of hope and courage in them. Her efforts were lost as shouts from outside the closed and bared doors rose above her voice. All eyes rose to the doors, listening with rapt attention to the approaching army. Small explosions like distant thunder shook the doors as the Death Eaters tried to break through. The protective charms McGonagall and Flitwick had cast the day before held strong, protecting everyone inside.
I glanced around me, taking in the terrified faces of our army. Half of them were still under age, many barely 15. It was a stark contrast to the army gathering just outside the doors. I closed my eyes to the young faces around me, knowing that soon most, if not all, of them would be cold, lifeless. Death was waiting for them just beyond those doors.
Another explosion, this time much stronger, shook the whole room. The doors groaned in protest. They weren't going to hold much longer.
"Wands at the ready!" Remus shouted. The atmosphere in the room tensed incredibly as everyone drew out their wands. Harry's hand tightened in mine.
"Whatever happens," he whispered, "know that I'll love you forever."
"And I you," I replied.
A last explosion shattered the doors, giving entry to Voldemort's army. The battle for Hogwarts had begun.
Screams rose around the room as the Death Eaters attacked. People began to scatter. Chaos claimed the room. Harry's hand left mine as we rushed into battle.
I threw out every spell I could remember, ducking, dodging, and blocking curses left and right. There were already a great number of bodies on the floor. I fought the urge to look down, knowing I would recognize half of them. Spells rebounded off the walls, one of them brining down half of the staircase. I threw myself out of the way, cringing at the pained shrieks of the unlucky Death Eater caught in the falling stones.
Another approached him, raising his wand. I reached for mine, only to find it had fallen three feet to my left—far out of reach. The Death Eaters lips began to form an incantation. In a blinding flash of red, he fell. I turned to find Ron Weasley behind me, wand still raised. He extended a hand to me, helping me up from the floor. My amazement must have shown on my face, because he grinned as he handed me my wand.
"Harry seems pretty fond of you," he said. "I figured it'd be in my best interest to keep you alive—at least until he gets bored with you." He winked, and I clapped him on the back. Together we returned to the battle raging around us.
