Hello folks!

How have you all been? Is Winter treating you all nicely? Any plans for Christmas?


Here's another chapter!


The enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall was dark, embellished with stars, and below it the four long House tables were lined with disheveled students, some in traveling cloaks, others in dressing gowns. The pearly white figures of the school ghosts shone here and there. Every eye, living and dead was fixed upon Professor McGonagall, who was speaking from the raised platform at the top of the Hall. Behind her stood the remaining teaches, including the palomino centaur, Firenze, and the members of the Order of the Phoenix who had arrived to fight. I slipped into the Hall, looking curiously at Firenze.

His eyes caught mine across the hall, a hoof coming down serenely as he questioned my gaze calmly.

Were we going to be okay? What could he see in the stars?

He held my eyes for a second longer, reading my questions, surely, but he didn't deign to answer. Instead he chose to turn his attention back to McGonagall. I looked down in disappointment.

"...evacuation will be overseen by Mr. Filch and Madame Pomfrey. Prefects; when I give the word you will organize your House and take your charges in orderly fashion to the evacuation point.

Most of the students looked terrified. I strayed further into the Hall, eyes peeled for Harry, Ron and Hermione when Ernie Macmillan stood up at the Hufflepuff table and shouted; "And what if we want to stay and fight?"

There was a smattering of applause.

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

"Where's Professor Snape?" shouted a girl from the Slytherin table.

"He has, to use the common phrase, done a bunk." replied Professor McGonagall and a great cheer erupted from the Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw tables. "We have already placed protection around the castle," Professor McGonagall was saying, "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 -"

A high, cold hiss drowned out the rest of her instructions. I paused, midway when the voice spoke up, as if seeping from the walls itself. It sent shivers down my back, a chill unexplained and primal.

"I know that you are preparing to fight. 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."

"Yeah, right," I couldn't help mutter.

"Give me Harry Potter and they shall not be harmed. Give me Harry Potter and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter and you will be rewarded. You have until midnight."

I raised my eyes once the voice downed. There was a piercing silence as I felt heads turn around me, looking at one particular direction. My feet began to move. The silence was pierced when another figure stood up, this time at the Slytherin table. "He's there! Someone grab him! That's Potter." Pansy Parkinson screeched.


"Shut up, Parkinson. Sit down before I burn your hair out." I snapped. More heads swiveled as I reached Harry, taking his hand in mine. I angled my body between him and the glares that were trained on him. His eyes were hooded; contemplative that he didn't protest my spontaneous defense of him.

"You think Voldemort is going to leave you alone just because you hand him Harry?" I asked, raising my voice. "Do any of you really believe that? If you do, let me tell you all, we're going to be hunted and killed no matter what you do. So you can hand us over and live in the awful reality you'd cause, or you can help us end this once and for all." I declared.

Muttering rose when I was done. Gryffindor stood up, joining us, making a line in front of us as they faced off the Slytherin House. Then the Hufflepuff…and then the Ravenclaw…I noticed Pamela one of them and paled.

"Thank you, Miss Parkinson." said Professor McGonagall in a clipped voice. "You will leave the Hall first with Mr. Filch. If the rest of your House could follow,"

One by one, all the houses evacuated. McGonagall moved forward to usher Gryffindor on as Harry tugged me towards where the Weasleys sat.

"Where are Ron and Hermione?" He asked as well.

"Haven't you found -?" began Mr. Weasley, looking worried.

But he broke off as Kingsley had stepped forward on the raised platform to address those who had remained behind.

"We've only got half an hour until midnight, so we need to act fast. A battle plan has been agreed between the teachers of Hogwarts and the Order of the Phoenix. Professors Flitwick, Sprout and McGonagall are going to take groups of fighters up to the three highest towers - Ravenclaw, Astronomy, and Gryffindor - where they'll have good overview, excellent positions from which to work spells. Meanwhile Remus, Arthur and I will take groups into the grounds. We'll need somebody to organize defense of the entrances or the passageways into the school."

"Sounds like a job for us." called Fred, indicating himself and George, and Kingsley nodded his approval.

"All right, leaders up here and we'll divide up the troops!"

"Harry," I whispered. "Weren't you supposed to look for something?"

"What? Oh," said Harry, "oh yeah!"

"Then what are you waiting for? Go, I'll find Ron and Hermione and send them to you. Go," I pushed at his shoulders, shoving at him to get a move on.

"Right - yeah -"

He went off running, before skidding to a halt. I was turning to join the Order when he came back running again. "Hang on, Ro! I need help. Who do you think would know the most about Ravenclaw? Could I ask Pamela?"

I hesitated, looking around to my sister who stood next to George, nervously biting her nail, waiting for instructions. "Pam?" I asked.

"Well, you could talk to the Grey Lady." She mumbled.

I looked up in surprise. "Helena," I whispered.

"That's brilliant. Thanks Pamela," he said. "She's over there." I said, pointing to where I could see my friend floating, her regal cloak pulled tightly to her. She turned in my direction, her eyebrows raised.

"You'll need to say I sent you. We're friends." I said. "I'd go but," I turned to my little sister.

Harry ran after her.


I looked after him, lower lip tugged between my teeth. Helena watched Harry approach steadily and just as he roared for her attention, she turned away, whisking towards the walls. I swore again, hoping Harry would've time enough to tell her that he was from my behalf. I hoped she'd talk to him as well.

"Rose," The soft voice of my sister tugged my attention and I shook myself. My sister was here. I needed to take care of her first.

"Pamela," I said, turning to her and placing my hand on her shoulders. "You need to go. Go with your house; go to a friend's house. Try and find mum." I said.

"What, and leave you here? Of course not, I'm staying!" She said.

"Absolutely not; you're in fifth year!"

"I'm sixteen!"

"Doesn't matter," I snapped, looking over her head at Mrs. Weasley. It was then that I understood. Ginny was their only daughter. If something happened to Pam…

"No, you can't stay. If you don't want to leave, get to the Room of Requirement and stay there! Don't leave."

"But I can help,"

"I know that, but…I can't bear if anything happens to you. So just…go, please." I whispered.

There was a moment in which Pam's eyes, bigger and lighter than mine – our father's…gazed up at me in shock before she was throwing herself at me.

"Fine, I'll go and stay there. Call me if you need me." She was about to pull away before her expression became grim. "Please, don't die." She and I stared at each other with tense understanding before she was leaving, her own wand drawn out.


I turned finally to Kingsley. "So, what do I do?" I asked.

He looked over my head at the students who were flocking, awaiting instructions. His lips twitched when he looked back down at me. "Do what you were doing, Alton. Rally the students. They'll need a good commander." He winked.

I hesitated. "What about Fred and George, aren't they better suitable for this?" I asked.

"We're splitting up. I'm going to take a troop and head down to the grounds." George said.

"You and Fred take the other half. Patrol through the corridors, check the secret passages." Remus suggested. I looked at him again and yet again, met with only the strange encouraging smile he had for me.

"Right," I said, firming myself up. "I'll go do that then. Come on, Fred." I called.

"Wow, Alton, never knew you were so dominating!" Fred nudged my arm as we went over to the students, the teachers already dividing them up. "It's strangely attractive." George finished.

"You can flirt another day." I scolded as Professor McGonagall turned to us.

"Professor, we'll take a troop as well. George will take the grounds. Fred and I will take the Corridors." I told her.

Even through her grim countenance, I could see some relief shine through. "As you say, we need the man power." She nodded before we delved back into the student body to pick teams, if you will.

It wasn't long before Fred and I were leading our fellow students around the castle.

"Do you think we should split too? The castle is twice as big inside than on the outside." Fred suggested.

I waited, considering the proposal. "Fine, go ahead and take downstairs, you can help George that way. I know you want to be with him right now." I smiled.

Fred Weasley looked surprised. "I can't leave you alone though."

"I'm not," I indicated the small army I had with me. "I'll be fine. Your brother needs you." I said firmly.

"You darned softie," he whispered clapping my shoulders once before whistling for his own to rally after him.

"Come on then guys! We take the top!" I screeched to mine.

There was one particular place I needed to patrol anyway.


The floors sprawled, the passages winded as we spread out, wands up and at the ready for anyone that wanted to get in our way. I, relieved that nobody was there, made for the Room of Requirement, stopping to see Aberforth thundering down towards us.

His eyes, reminiscent of Dumbledore made me gulp. The only difference was that Dumbledore would've managed to win this. Aberforth, instead only made me feel uneasy. Again, the absence of the man who I'd looked up to and who had somehow left me out, prickled.

"Alton, Potter said you're evacuating." He boomed.

I looked back at the students. The ones who didn't know about Aberforth Dumbledore looked taken aback, most likely at the resemblance, a handful looked suspicious.

"We are," I sighed. "We'll fight."

"Instead of handing Potter over…yeah, I know. He's got a loud voice; the whole of Hogsmeade heard him." He paused before looking away, back at where he'd come from.

"I suggested a little blackmail myself but I got shot down." He grunted.

"Yeah well, we don't do that here." I shrugged.

Aberforth stopped, looking back at me with something brewing in his eyes. "Potter told me my brother wouldn't have done it, Ro." He said quietly.

"He's right." I said immediately.

Of course, Dumbledore would never hold children for ransom. That wasn't what he reached for, ever. Neither would Harry…

"That don't matter, girl. My brother's dead." He said.

I frowned up at the tall man, swaying slightly as he tightly clutched at his wand. "He may be, Aberforth. Yet, his ideals are alive." I said.

There was a silent stare-off; Brown to light blue eyes, flickering at the prospect of what had been said, before Aberforth shook his head.

"Maybe, child, but don't forget. Voldemort has no ideals. He will hold people for ransom. He has done so and will do it now. Just know, you have a lot to lose if he gets to anyone."

"What do you mean?" I asked, suddenly shaky.

"I mean," he gave me one pointed look as he passed by me. "Harry Potter will definitely go to him if he finds someone special enough. As I am told, Potter has plenty." I watched him sigh again before he took off again.


I watched the last trails of Aberforth's robes vanishing before turning to the students.

"Alright, people, spread out, sweep out all the passages and nooks and crannies you can find. If you think there is anywhere a damn Eater can get through, barricade them with defensive spells, whatever you can do. Go," I commanded.

The students sprawled out, groups of twos and threes vanished slowly, under my eyes before I turned my own eyes to the stretch of wall next to me.

I need the room of requirement. I need to see if everyone in there is safe. I thought, closing my eyes and squeezing the thought tight.

When I opened them, the double doors were there, ornate and ready to be flung open. I did just that.

The occupants of the room – stowed away from the impending battle – looked up at my arrival, mingle of confusion, worry and joy on their faces.

Ginny and Pamela were on one couch, looking as if they were in deep conversation. With Ginny's nerve and Pam's brains, I wouldn't be surprised if the conversation somehow revolved around them participating in the war.

The only change in the room was the addition of two other faces. Tonks stood up along with a woman wearing a moth eaten hat. "Mrs. Longbottom?" I asked, having only seen her handful of times, the last being in St. Mungo's.

"Yes, child. You must be Roselle Alton. You look a lot like your mother." She tilted her head at the last person to stand in the room who turned at the sound of my voice.

"Mum!" I gasped.

Lady Marion Alton beamed proudly as her eyes trained on me, arms opening to receive the huge hug I plastered on to her. I caught Pamela throwing a wicked grin at Ginny at my spontaneity but ignored it.

"Mum, I thought you were in Germany." I said, pulling away.

"Well, now, I couldn't just stay cooped up there while my children decided to set up the final defenses against Lord Voldemort, now, could I? I've been keeping up with the Watch, and Pamela here managed to put out a small burst for all the help we could muster. I immediately contacted Mrs. Longbottom, and we apparated at Hog's Head. Of course, nobody was there to intercept us, all the Death Eaters have rallied by now." She told us.

She took a deep breath before looking keenly at me. "Now, Rose, what has happened to you?" she asked.

I reached up to touch the tight bandage around my head. "Amycus Carrow cursed me but I'm fine." I insisted.

There was a momentary pause as Mum and Mrs. Longbottom exchanged looks. "Child, Death Eaters don't just curse people." She waved her wand for the bandage to fall away, making me wince as the women gathered gasped at the blackened skin around my temple.

"That's a dark curse." Tonks said grimly.

"I'm going to find the Carrows and make them pay for this." My mother snarled, surprising venom in her tone.

"Don't worry Mum; Ro already took care of it." Pamela chirped, clapping a hand on my shoulder.

"What do you mean?"

I was about to open my mouth, to tell her about the Ravenclaw incident when the doors were opened again. Harry stood at the top, Hermione and Ron at either shoulder.

"There you are! I've been looking all over for you." I shouted at the pair.

"Shush, Ro, you'll wake up the Castle." Ron grinned, walking over. I smacked at his shoulder immediately, his long arms wrapping around me in a brief hug before Hermione joined us, our hug much longer and tighter.

"Hey there, Genius, you keep the boys in line?" I asked.

"I tried to." She smiled for a second, pulling away before it faltered.

"Rose, you're cursed." She whispered in horror.

"Thank you," I replied drily, feeling another hand turning my chin. Harry and Ron examined my face, brewing dark expressions on their faces.

"The Carrows?" Ron asked.

I shrugged. "It'll be fine. After this is over, I'll go to St. Mungo's. We don't have time to worry about my stupid head right now. What's going on? Where were you and why do you have…" I looked in disgust at the long fangs in Hermione's hands. "Those."

"It's a long story. We needed something that could destroy Voldemort. This was the best we could think of." Ron said.

"Is everyone okay?" asked Ginny and Tonks together.

"'S far as we know," said Harry. "Are there still people in the passage to the Hog's Head?"

"We came in last." Mum said.

"I sealed it, I think it unwise to leave it open now Aberforth has left his pub. Have you seen my grandson?" Mrs. Longbottom agreed.

"He's fighting," said Harry and I together.

"Naturally," said the old lady proudly. "Excuse me, I must go and assist him." she trotted off toward the stone steps.

Harry looked at Tonks. "I thought you were supposed to be with Teddy at your mother's?"

"I couldn't stand not knowing –"Tonks looked anguished. "She'll look after him – have you seen Remus?"

"Mr. Weasley and he are leading groups of fighters into the grounds." I informed her, looking over at the door. Without another word, Tonks sped off.

"Mum, I should go too. I was leading a group through the top floors; they must be getting back now. I have to go now." I said.

For a small time, I saw her lips tighten with worry before she smiled. "Ah, of course, I hope you know, Roselle. I am very proud of you." she said before looking at Pamela. "Stay in here, Pamela. I will go assist your sister." She said.

"Wait, Lady Alton," Harry said suddenly. "Pamela and Ginny have to leave the Room of Requirement for a bit." He said.

"What?" I asked.

He nodded, looking over at me. "It is for what we were looking for. I talked to Helena. She told me the Diadem is here. It's a Horcrux." He said.

My mother let out a pained exhale. "Of course, that explains many things." She looked at Pamela and Ginny. "Come with me," she said. Pamela and Ginny looked all too happy to leave the Room.

"You will have to come back though!" Ron and I both yelled after them.

I looked at Harry. "What is a Horcrux?"

"A piece of Voldemort's soul is in them." Hermione, of course, replied, pulling something out of her pocket. It looked like a melted cup. "This was Hufflepuff's."

I stared at it. "How many?" I asked.

"Well, there is the Diadem…the snake." Harry ticked off.

I gulped. What kind of sick bastard rips out their soul for immortality?

"Alright, go ahead. I'm going to go." I passed them.

"Be careful," Hermione murmured.

Wasn't I always?


When I closed the door after them, it was quite clear that the situation of the castle had deteriorated quickly.

The loud booms and thuds shook the very walls of the castle, the floors quaking as I tried to get an even footing. My group was nowhere to be seen, all of them running downstairs. I glanced out the windows, flashes of spells flying to and fro, bursts of green and red making their way across the ground.

"Where were you?" A student cried, rushing past and I joined him, trying to make my own way back to my group and Fred. A knot of spells showered against the windows as we ran past. The boy screamed, ducking down and I pushed him on ahead before getting to my feet, my wand aiming through the now pane less window.

I shot a cascading jinx straight to the approaching hoard of black cloaks. The jinx landed straight in their midst, throwing the men back. I didn't stop, turning around the corner to step into the small opening.

"Locomotor Wibbily," I sent another jinx straight at the fighters, hitting one right in the chest.

"Good girl!" roared a figure running through the dust toward them. It was Aberforth again, his gray hair flying as he led a small group of students past. "They look like they might be breaching the north battlements; they've brought giants of their own."

I nodded as he passed, about to head off for Fred when an almighty quake sent me to my knees. I yelled out profanities, getting back up and dusting off my bruises, before the view sent a chill in my veins.

Death Eaters had penetrated Hogwarts.

I turned, hurrying to get back to the Room of Requirement. Hopefully, Harry had found it. We needed him.

It was as I turned the corner when a flash of light went over my head and one barely grazed me. I turned around in a blind panic, watching Percy and Fred turn the corner, already mid duel with masked and hooded men.

I raised my own wand. "Flipendo!" I yelled.

The knockback jinx flew straight at Percy's dueler; his hood slipped revealing a high forehead and streaked hair. There were shouts of 'stupefy' as the trio rounded our corner, each looking singed and blackened.

"Hello, Minister!" bellowed Percy, sending a neat jinx straight at Thicknesse, who dropped his wand and clawed at the front of his robes, apparently in awful discomfort. "Did I mention I'm resigning?"

"You're joking, Perce!" shouted Fred as the Death Eater he was battling collapsed under the weight of three separate Stunning Spells. Thicknesse had fallen to the ground with tiny spikes erupting all over him; he seemed to be turning into some form of sea urchin. Fred looked at Percy with glee.

"You actually are joking, Perce. I don't think I've heard you joke since you were,"

The air exploded. "Protego Maxima!" I screamed, a shield casting around us as the wall next to us caved in. My feet lifted off the ground, throwing me back into the hard walls. I grasped my wand tightly, my head cracking against the stones, the power of the spells easily smashing through the shield charm I'd cast. I slid down, feeling the side of my cursed temple throb with incessant pain. I screamed into the darkness, for Harry, for Fred, for anyone…

When the darkness settled, the pain didn't. I stayed huddled on to the floor, whimpering as something warm, liquid seeped around me

Blood…

Hands gripped for me, turning me about roughly.

"She's bleeding…Hermione…" I heard Harry call. He pressed his wand against the side of my head, the charred skin knitting back before rupturing again.

Hermione stumbled over. She hovered for a minute, before I felt the pain ebb. It lasted seconds at the tip of head before I felt bandages wrap around me again.

"I can't heal it." She haplessly whispered.

"Don't worry." I said, "Thank you," I hissed in pain, Harry's arms tugging me off the ground to stand. It wasn't until the three of us stumbled over the fallen stone when we saw it.

"No! Fred! No!"

Percy was shaking his brother, and Ron was kneeling beside them, and Fred's eyes stared without seeing, the ghost of his last laugh still etched upon his face.


And...yeah, I know I know...

Fred's death is difficult to read as much as it was difficult to write.

I'm sorry guys!