Chapter 22: Castle Crashers
While the five of them walked down the secret passageway, they talked about stuff. "So how are things going on your end?" Neville asked. "Fine really, we managed to destroy a couple of You-Know-Who's Horcruxes along with finding two more of them, oh and we managed to go to Naruto's world as well," Harry said. Neville was surprised, but Naruto confirmed it along with showing him the Rinnegan. "Seems like you had quite an adventure, huh? Well at least you're all here now," Neville said. "How's Daphne doing?" Harry asked. "She's fine, but she really missed you so better take time to catch up with her," Neville stated, as the scar-headed boy nodded. From what they learned from Neville, it seems the school was once again a prison as the new teachers were Death Eaters and taught or rather punished them harshly whenever someone goes against the new policies.
As they walked, Naruto noticed that Hermione was rather quiet. "You ok?" he asked the brunette, as she turned to him and shook her head. "Sorry, I'm just thinking about what happened back at Hogsmeade, when I…took lives using that dagger," she said. Naruto sighed, "Right you, Ron, and Harry had your first kills. There's no shame in feeling sick about that act, it shows that you are human. Don't worry, you won't have to do this ever again, I promise," Naruto said, holding her hand. Hermione was surprised, but she nodded and gave her boyfriend a brave smile. Naruto smiled at her, as he had always admired his girlfriend's resilience. The four learned more about what had happened with the others and needless to say they were surprised by how Neville became a natural leader in this moment. They arrived at their destination and when the portrait door opened they were greeted by everyone as they all cheered for them and stuff. But for Harry, the biggest surprise was that his girlfriend was here as she stared in shock.
Nothing much had changed for her, except that she seemed to be sporting some cuts and bruises. "Harry…" she said, hoping it was him. "Daphne…" Harry said in return. Soon they ran and embraced each other as it was a tearful reunion for the couple. "You're here, you're really here," she said softly, as Harry nodded. "I missed you, I missed you so much," Harry said with a lot of love in his heart. Daphne tearfully smiled and the two kissed before letting go. "Welcome back, Harry," she said. Harry nodded, but before he could say anything he fell to the floor as he touched his forehead. The scar was burning in pain, as the boy saw visions of Voldemort as he was furious. "Harry! Harry! Are you alright, mate?!" Naruto asked, as he and his friends helped him up. Harry shook his head and began to explain what he saw, which was pretty disturbing to hear. "Let us help you, we're Dumbledore's Army and we don't leave anyone behind," Neville said.
Before Harry could argue, just then three more people arrived and it was Dean, Luna, and Gaara. "Hey guys," Luna said, as the others greeted her. Dean reunites with Seamus, while the others talk with Gaara. "Luna, what are you and the others doing here?" Harry asked. "I called for them, as they wanted to join in," Neville explained. Soon the Weasley twins, Ginny, Jordan, Cho, and Cedric arrived. "Sorry I'm late, I just had to take care of some business in Liverpool," Cedric stated. "Better late than never," Naruto said, as the two shook hands. As much as Harry wanted to deny the D.A's help for the task, eventually he relented with some convincing from Naruto. "Ok if you guys want to help, we're looking for something that can destroy You-Know-Who. It's in this castle, but we don't know where exactly and more importantly it's an object pertaining to Ravenclaw as it has an eagle on it," Harry explained. "The lost diadem, it's the diadem you are looking for," Luna stated. "Exactly, does anyone know where it is?" Harry asked, when the rest of the Ravenclaws shook their heads. "Well now would be a good time for a plan. Alright, Harry, you and Luna will be searching for the diadem, me and the others will head to the chamber to destroy the cup. But before we do that, I have a feeling Snape is going to know we are here, so why not give him what he wants," Naruto said as everyone nodded. "What's the plan?" Neville asked as the blond began to explain the plan, which was to liberate the castle before the final battle.
An Hour Later
Snape has called everyone to the Great Hall, as he had gotten news of Naruto and Harry returning to the castle. Harry blended in with the rest of the students whereas Naruto decided to sneak around to the Great Hall while also taking out some of the Death Eaters patrolling the school, as they had a plan regarding this situation. As everybody lined up in position, Snape walked down the hall before turning to everyone. "Many of you are surely wondering why I have summoned you at this hour," Snape stated. "It's come to my attention that earlier this evening, both Harry Potter and Naruto Uzumaki were sighted in Hogsmeade," Snape pointed out. Everybody murmured about this news before Snape got their attention again. "Now…should anyone, student or staff, attempt to aid the two…they will be punished in a manner consistent with the severity of their transgression. Furthermore, any person found to have knowledge of these events, who fails to come forward…will be treated as equally guilty," Snape said ominously.
"Now then, if anyone here has any knowledge of these two's movements this evening, I invite them to step forward," Snape demanded. Everybody kept quiet as the DA didn't want to single out their friends/mentors, whereas the rest don't know about the two's whereabouts. That was until Harry stepped out into the open as everybody was shocked. "It seems despite your exhaustive, defensive strategies, we still have a bit of a security problem headmaster," Harry said coldly as the Great Hall doors opened showing his friends and the Order coming in. Before the Carrow twins could react, Naruto comes to the fray and swiftly but brutally massacres the Carrow twins, before scoffing at their corpses. "The Dark Lord's finest, yet they fall so easily," Naruto mocked before turning to Snape with his wand at the ready. "I'm afraid it's quite extensive. How dare you stand where he stood? Tell them how it happened that night! Tell them how you looked him in the eye, a man who trusted you and killed him in cold blood! TELL THEM!" Harry shouted in anger. Snape was silent, before taking out his wand intending to attack Harry. Luckily both McGonagall and Naruto came to Harry's defense. "Go on coward, try to do so but the consequences will be…severe," Naruto said or provoked. Snape was hesitant, as McGonagall fired first. He of course blocked the attacks, but he couldn't protect his back as Naruto fired Sectumsempra on him. Snape grunted in pain before turning to Naruto in anger. "You…dare use my spells…against me?!" he screamed, as Naruto coldly smirked. "I should probably thank Harry for teaching me this spell, really useful you know for the future. It's a shame you won't live to see it through," Naruto said but before he could finish off Snape, the man escaped into the night crashing through the window. Soon McGonagall lit up the torches in the Great Hall as everyone cheered. "The liberation of Hogwarts has begun!" Naruto shouted, raising his wand in the air, as everyone does so in agreement, for its time to take back the school once and for all.