Disclaimer: I am not Alan Dean Foster, George Lucas, J.K. Rowling, Michael Reaves, or Steve Perry.

Enter Hermione, Percy, Ollivander, Eberstadt, Norvel Twonk, and Arsenius Jigger, in the base control room.

Jigger. Standby alert. Dark Mark approaching. Estimated time to firing range, 15 minutes.

As Hermione worries, Ollivander places a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Ollivander. The red represents the progress of the Ministry battle station as it moves deeper into Hogwarts's system.

Twonk. Our brooms are away.

The Firebolts fly toward the Dark Mark.

Hooch. All wings report in.

McManus. Red Ten standing by.

Inglebee. Red Seven standing by.

Cedric. Red Three standing by.

Cadwallader. Red Six standing by.

Smackhammer. Red Nine.

Neville. Red Two standing by.

Harry. Red Five standing by.

Hedwig. [beeps and whistles]

Hooch. Lock S-foils in attack position.

The Firebolts' moved to form an "X".

We're passing through their magnetic field. Hold tight. Switch your Shield Charms on. Double front.

Harry and the other pilots switch on their Shield Charms.

They fly up at the enormous Dark Mark.

Neville. Look at the size of that thing.

Hooch. Cut the chatter, Red Two. Accelerate to attack speed.

The Firebolts speed up.

This is it, boys.

The Firebolts angle toward the trenches.

Fleet. Red Leader. This is Gold Leader.

Hooch. I copy, Gold Leader.

Fleet. We're starting for the target shaft now.

Hooch. We're in position. I'm going to cut across the axis and try and draw their fire.

As Hooch and three other Firebolts dive toward the Dark Mark's surface, the Ministry notices the impending attack.

Technician. Sir. We have picked up small rebel brooms leaving the island and heading our way.

Thicknesse smiles cruelly.

Shall we scramble our brooms to intercept?

Thicknesse. That won't be necessary. I believe our gunners can use the practice. [looks over at Snape] It will be like swatting flies.

As the guns of the station begin firing on the DA brooms, Hermione listens to the battle alongside her fellow DA leaders on Hogwarts. One of the screens flickers out.

Twonk. The high-band receiver has failed. It will take some time to fix.

Hermione. Do the best you can. Switch to audio only.

In seconds, sounds from the battle reach those on Hogwarts.

Neville. Heavy fire, boss. 23 degrees.

Hooch. I see it. Stay low.

Neville maneuvers toward the Dark Mark.

Harry. This is Red Five. I'm going in.

Harry races toward the Dark Mark, as guns fire on him. Unfortunately, he flies too fast.

Cedric. Harry. Pull out.

Harry manages to pull out.

Are you all right?

Harry. I got a little cooked, but I'm okay.

Hooch. Red Five. You'd better give yourself more lead time or you're going to destroy yourself as well as the Ministry construction.

Harry. Yes, sir. I've got the hang of it now. Like you said, it's not exactly like flying a Nimbus.

The Firebolts fly toward the Dark Mark.

Exit all.