Harry Potter and the Siege

by Yoda

[Book V AU:] Voldemort holds the castle, Harry and Dumbledore are back with three new friends could hold the key to salvation, and the final battle has begun....WORK IN PROGRESS

5. Parts 13 - 15

Chapter 13: Sirius

The group was shell-shocked as they realised the enormity of what Harry had just revealed. On seeing the boys look Minerva immediately enfolded him in a hug that hid his tearful face, Snape who had been at the end of the hallway when the boys had exploded outwards had arrived in time to hear the word Harry had uttered. He visibly paled and in a second made up his mind, 'Fudge, tell Dumbledore I'll be back.' With a confused look on his face Fudge watched as Snape rolled up his sleeve to touch the Dark Mark symbol on his left arm. 'I'll be back…' with this he put his wand tip onto the mark and with a stifled cry of pain he disappeared.

With this McGonagall released Harry from her fierce embrace and pulled up the distraught boy, dusting off his robes. With Fudge's help Draco rose and dusted himself off, along the corridor were the families and residents from Hogsmeade, all looking extremely worried. 'Go and find the other teachers and Ministry wizards, tell them we're going to help Albus Dumbledore and the other Professors at the gates.' Professor McGonagall used her most officious voice to move the crowd along.

'We should go…' Draco left the statement unfinished as he watched Harry, the young wizard was trembling, but was it sadness or rage he wondered. Fudge simply nodded and walked on ahead with McGonagall leaving Harry and Draco in the deserted hall. 'Hey…Harry, you can't do anything if you stay here.' Moving forward cautiously, he saw what Harry could do with a punch, he placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a shake.

With a suddenness that caused Draco to flinch, Harry looked up and bright green eyes met ocean blue. 'Yeah, we should go…thankyou.' Harry took Draco's hand from his shoulder and grasped it in friendship as he would Ron's or Hermione's. 'We can do this.' Swiftly they left the deserted corridor where only rubble was testimony to the battle outside.

* * *

'Fall back, fall back!' Dumbledore shouted the orders to his staff and the battle weary Ministry wizards over the fight as he directed jinxes and hexes towards the Death Eater forces. 'Defend the path, use the walls as cover. Make sure the families and residents are safe then fall back.' A sudden explosion of earth caused Dumbledore to duck as both Death Eaters and the Hogwarts defenders were showered with mud and rubble.

Shaking off lose earth from his cloak, Dumbledore rose and saw that Honeydukes was gone, and a single Death Eater was retreating with a still form. Shaking with anger Dumbledore shot a stunning spell that knocked the Death Eater back ten yards. While he was directing the front he had seen his Professors and Harry retreat into the building with some of the families and Draco, more lives lost to the whim of a madman.

As sudden as the cease of fire began spells and jinxes flew through the air again, Dumbledore stood amidst it all calmly loosing off charms that cut into the Death Eater ranks with deadly force. This thought obviously occurred to the Death Eaters as several turned and rapidly loosed several beams of red energy at the elderly wizard. Dumbledore quietly stood, ready to meet a dignified death.

* * *

'Harry, what's going on?'

'Professor, was that Albus I saw?' shrugging off the questions that bombarded McGonagall, Fudge, Harry and Draco sped down corridors, pushing students and parents aside, ignoring the shouts of other teachers.

'Oi, Harry, what's going on?' ignoring the voice Harry continued running until the owner pulled up beside him. 'I said oi!' Dudley gave Harry a cheeky grin as he ran, but it soon faded when he saw the pain and anger in his eyes.

'Death Eaters in the village, attacked the Ministry in London, we got them out here but they were followed…' he wanted to go on but he couldn't mention Sirius. 'Get help, use the teachers and Ministry officials who are here.' With this he ran on and Dudley turned round to run into the nearest classroom.

* * *

With bonebreaking impact Dumbledore was borne to the floor by the tackle of Remus Lupin, 'Don't ever do that again Albus, I can't always have super reflexes.' He smiled grimly as the elderly wizards were pinned under a crossed pattern of red beams.

'Thank you Remus, now shall we do something about those rather annoying fellows?' Dumbledore returned the smile and with a familiar twinkle in his eyes he rose to return fire with a blue beam that picked off another Death Eater. But his beam was not the only one, and several Death Eaters were felled as Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge led a mad charge down towards the battle.

* * *

Sirius awoke with a start, he vaguely remembered being stunned after the Impedimenta Charm had hit him, where the hell was he now? With a small groan he raised himself enough to see that there was an unconscious Death Eater beside him. Slowly turning he searched the wizard's pockets and found his wand in the robes, then he swivelled his head as several loud bangs caught his attention.

Rising he saw Fudge's charge down the hill with members of staff previously uninvolved in Dumbledore's evacuation plan. He saw as Professor Sinistra, screaming wildly, jumped over a stooped Dumbledore to kick a Death Eater full on in the face. Minuscule Professor Flitwick appeared at the knees of two front row Death Eaters and used a binding charm to crack their heads together.

Sirius rose as a cheer sounded from the Hogwart's lines, the Death Eaters were running, many were apparating away from the battle. Raising his wand Sirius prepared to stun some of the fleeing Death Eaters when he was enveloped in a blue light of a Stunning Charm. The Death Eater Dumbledore had stunned before the fightback had begun lowered his wand as another Death Eater apparated in beside him.

'Help me with this one, he'll interest the master.' Behind his mask Severus Snape was seething with fury at being too late, he couldn't attack the other Death Eater without blowing his cover. Angry at the situation he had been put in, Snape lifted Sirius by one arm and with a swift glance towards sanctuary of Hogwarts, he cursed fortune and disapparated from the scene.

* * *

'SIRIUS!'

'SIRIUS BLACK!'

'PADFOOT!'

Throughout the ruins of Honeydukes, Lupin, Fudge, Dumbledore and other Ministry or staff members were searching for their fallen comrade. Dumbledore suddenly froze and asked another question that had been niggling at him; 'Has anyone seen Severus?'. There was a general shaking of heads until Cornelius Fudge spoke.

'I saw him after Harry got us out, when he heard Sirius was missing he disapparated in the castle…but he couldn't have?!'

'Did he say anything?' Dumbledore pressed on, he knew how Severus had got out.

'He said to tell you he would be back.' Fudge repeated the message with a confused look again. 'Back from where Dumbledore? Where did he go and how did he get there?'

'He left by use of a Summoning Charm invented by Voldemort, he's gone to be a spy again.' Dumbledore spoke the words loud enough for everyone to hear. A soft mewing attracted his attention and he turned to where a tabby cat had emerged from a tunnel in the rubble. 'What do you have Minerva?' when he arrived he was given a scrap of robe by McGonagall. 'No body?' a swift shake from McGonagall allowed most people to breathe a sigh of relief, Dumbledore swore vehemently, this was unknown for him. 'Voldemort has him…'

* * *

'Crucio'

Sirius awoke in more pain then he ever could have imagined, unbidden his mind returned to when he was caught by the aurors, and one of them had put him under the Cruciatus Curse. Then Bartemius Crouch had sentenced him without trial and for twelve years he had been in Azkaban. Amazing how you think of trivial things when under such pain his conscious nudged him, and Sirius's eyes snapped open.

'Ah good, the prisoner is awake.' Sirius looked up and saw the face from hell, then he wished he was asleep again. 'Sirius Black, Pettigrew's scapegoat, my greatest asset for a while!' this last comment was an insult to Sirius and a good joke for the assembled Death Eaters, except for one. 'I have a friend here for you Black.'

Get up Padfoot. The dreamy voice in Sirius's head was correct, he should get up and turn around while you're at it. Sirius turned and felt the dreamy state leave him as he faced the sniggering wizard who had been casting the Imperius Curse on him. A snarl formed on Sirius and he drew back a fist when Pettigrew's silver replacement slammed into the side of his head.

The Death Eaters cheered as Sirius went flying and landed in a foetal position. Pettigrew raised his hands triumphantly and strode over to where Sirius was on his hands and feet, then delivered a powerful kick to the gasping wizard. Sirius took the kick and rolled then managed to stand up and defiantly spat out blood that had formed on his lips.

Frowning Pettigrew drew his wand again but Voldemort's voice cut through. 'Accio wand, I think we'll make this a fair fight Wormtail.' Instead of the usual spurning feeling Pettigrew got from his nickname he simply advanced on Sirius with his fists raised. Another reeling smack from his silver arm sent Sirius flying into one of the walls that enclosed Voldemort and his assembled followers. Sirius slowly rose leaning on the wall for support as Pettigrew closed again, he could feel two broken ribs and something was spouting out blood internally. Another punch sent him flying.

* * *

'Harry, are you feeling better?' Ron knew the answer was no, but he needed his friend to talk. 'Sirius will be okay, Snape's gone after him.' Still a stony silence met him from the slumped figure in the armchair. After the battle for Hogsmeade the Ministry wizards and Hogwarts attendees had retreated to the castle so no Death Eaters could launch surprise attacks against them. Most of the teachers had retreated with Dumbledore and the high echelon Ministry officials for a council of war, Harry, Viktor and Draco had returned to their respective common rooms.

None of the pupils except for the three boys knew about the outside situation, all they knew was that Voldemort had tried to attack their parents, most were scared, but some were mad. Harry was in a state of shock with a deep rage beneath him, Voldemort had done it again, he'd taken away one of the only precious possessions Harry had…his godfather…his father. Clearing his throat Harry challenged Ron's statement. 'How do you know he's okay? How can we know anything?'

Ron couldn't answer and he knew Harry didn't want any excuse he could have put forward, instead he just stared into the blazing fire. The rest of Gryffindor house had questioned Harry and Viktor the second they had entered, but luckily Ron and Dudley had pulled Harry out to a chair where he had remained unmoved. After the initial bustle Viktor had bought Hermione over, explained the situation and that evening's events, then he had announced Sirius's disappearance to the friends. Now Harry just sat brooding as the rest of the common room was alive with rumours and whispers, eventually Ron left Harry alone to be with his thoughts.

* * *

Draco Malfoy was alone with his thoughts in the depleted common room as well, few knew of his role in the earlier battle. Most of the Slytherins were still in support of the restored Voldemort, only Draco and a select few were not, but they didn't show this. He knew that most of the Slytherins were in contact with the forces of darkness, or at least their parents were.

He knew that apart from himself, only Percy Bole, Terrence Higgs, and all but Derrick from the Slytherin Quidditch team were trustworthy. Only that close knit group had been easy enough for Draco to convince, which was why derrick no longer played for them. Draco gave a short laugh as he remembered 'accidentally' breaking the Beater's arm during the confusion on the train so that he wouldn't be near the group. He forced a laugh as Pansy Parkinson imitated a weeping Harry who had run past in the corridor, god he'd like to smack her one…

* * *

Sirius was thinking the exact same thing as he rose with one eye almost swollen shut from the last blow. Again he spat defiantly, then ducked as Wormtail's fist flew into the wall with the force of a small blast. Sirius ducked away but tripped over Wormtail's cloak as he tried to regain his feet. Looking up he saw a thin-lipped smile on Voldemort's face, heard his high pitched laugh.

As Wormtail was looking at his master, Sirius seized his opportunity and punched him in the one place that would give him a moments to breathe. Wormtail's head snapped back with blood flowing from the broken nose Sirius had given him. Taking his opportunity further, Sirius followed with a short kick to the stumbling wizard's knee, and was satisfied with Wormtail's high pitched scream and the crack that met his ears.

As the tables began to turn Voldemort's thin smile faded and a look of malicious glee appeared as he raised his wand. 'Expelliarmus' the sound rang out and Sirius was sent flying as the disarming spell threw him out of his shoes. 'Whoops, I guess his body was the weapon.' He laughed again and was joined by a chorus of Death Eaters as Wormtail bore down on Sirius once more. 'Now Wormtail, start winning, I can't be such an understanding official if my team loses.'

'Fair fight my arse.' Sirius mumbled as he unsteadily rose up against the wall he fell against. The back of his head was bleeding now, he could feel a trickle of blood down his neck. I need a wand, and that prat has mine. While the Death Eaters wore similar masks, Sirius had noticed a white patch on the robe of the Dark Wizard who had stunned him twice.

Formulating a plan he ducked under another wild swing from the silver hand, then apparently stumbled close to the throng of Death Eaters. He was two feet away when he managed to stop himself and turned to face Wormtail as the silver fist caught him full in the stomach. However he had been expecting it and jumped back with the fist, landing in the arms of the Death Eater behind him and letting Wormtail stumble forwards.

Once he was there Sirius moved into action, a swift elbow left the Death Eater who had caught him gasping for breath and a kick in the face sent Wormtail sprawling with more blood pumping from his face. Most of the Death Eaters were frozen except for those far away from the event, the Death Eater who had his wand and Snape. For a few seconds nothing happened…

Chapter 14: Traitors Within

Back in the common room Harry's scar shone green, eyes closed in sleep he missed it, but Neville, who had been lingering throughout the prior conversations gave a small gasp, as an image flashed through his mind. 'Harry, it's up again,' his pointing finger was all Harry needed to know something was wrong. Without a word to anyone he immediately went for the portrait hole but Neville followed and Ron rose when he saw them retreat rapidly.

Harry ignored both the following boys who shared looks of concern and confusion as he ran away from the Fat Lady. Within a few minutes he was at the familiar gargoyle and yelling 'Cockroach Cluster!' so that it leaped to one side, admitting not only him but also Neville and Ron who had managed to keep up. Without using the moving stairs Harry ran for the wooden door and began thumping as Neville and Ron arrived.

The door sprung open and they saw Lupin standing with a bemused look on his face, that swiftly faded when he saw the scar. He gazed into Harry's eyes and almost immediately knew what was wrong, 'Padfoot…', with a gesture he moved the secret passage open and with the boys in tow he ran to what was now the war room. Instead of knocking the wizard just burst through to find Dumbledore, Fudge, Mr. Weasley and Professor McGonagall gathered around the desk. Before any of them could speak Harry, with his increasingly bright scar, burst out:

'Something's gonna happen now.'

* * *

Snape wasn't sure who was more surprised, himself, the Death Eater in front of him or Sirius; with a sigh the stunned wizard collapsed as Snape lowered the wand in his hands. 'SEVERUS!' Voldemort's voice was a high pitched fury as he watched him calmly hand Sirius his wand, 'get him you bungling fools!'. Before the nearest Death Eaters could react Sirius and Severus were sending out multiple beams of blue light that were causing Death Eaters to drop around them in droves.

Wormtail had been lying winded when the shooting had begun and rose with his silver fist to deliver a punishing uppercut to the Death Eater that was pushed in his path. 'Reducto' cried Sirius and the blasting curse sent Pettigrew flying across the room, hitting the far wall with a crack that suggested some of his ribs had gone. There were far more Death Eaters in close now and curses flew from everywhere, 'Severus,' Sirius shouted over the din, 'We've got to disapparate.'

'We need to get out of the room, you can't disapparate in here, Stupefy!' Snape replied with a grunt of effort in kicking an approaching Dark Wizard in the face. 'Go for one of the walls, I'll clear us a path,' with this the duo turned and ran while holding temporary Shield Charms around them. On reaching the wall Snape dodged behind Sirius while he held up the charm, then as the Death Eaters approached rapidly Snape emerged from behind Sirius with his wand raised and hollered a single word.

'ERUPTO!' and then the ground in front of the duo shot upwards. The wall of earth hit the front row of Death Eaters with the force of a small bomb, and their bodies flew across the room, smacking limply into the wall. The tide continued onwards knocking more Dark Wizards left, right and centre, while all Voldemort could do was cast a Shield Charm over himself as the ceiling collapsed over his seat.

Running behind the tide of earth the two wizards ran and leapt over fallen Death Eaters while sending of charms and jinxes at anything else that moved. All Voldemort could do was watch through a hole in the dirt around him as Sirius and Severus ran out of the room and into a tunnel, from which an echoing pop sounded. Cursing and spitting with rage, Voldemort sent the Cruciatus Curse out of his wand at any Death Eater who showed their face above the earth.

* * *

As suddenly as it had appeared Harry's scar stop glowing a few seconds after he had blurted out the sentence. Everyone was in silence as Harry's eyes traced their looking for the slightest hint of what was happening before they came to rest on Dumbledore. Before the wizard could speak Neville burst out. 'Just what the hell is going on?' he flushed slightly at his outburst in front of the teachers but it was a fair question.

'What the hell indeed!' muttered Mr. Weasley, then avoided Ron's stare.

'Dad, what's wrong with Harry?' his son was too sharp not to notice the obvious glance away.

'Nothing is wrong with Harry, Mr. Weasley,' at last Dumbledore's voice cut into the conversation. 'His scar means that Voldemort and his forces are up to something, or were…Harry?'

'It was Sirius, they were doing something to Sirius,' Harry was speaking slowly, 'I-I…they…I think they killed him.' Tears were threatening to appear but as his throat burned he held them back and kept his gaze firmly rested on Dumbledore who as gazing back. A stifled sob was heard from Professor McGonagall, despite her usual strict appearance, always had feelings for people.

Harry too was close to letting his true emotions show when Dumbledore spoke again. 'I refuse to believe Sirius is dead, or I would have heard by now. As you know Severus Snape is spying for us again, he would have returned alone had Sirius been killed.'

'How do you know he just hasn't turned up yet, he could still be there with Voldemort and his scum.' Ron was surprised at his outburst but continued, 'Snape may not be able to leave, Sirius could be lying in front of him and he couldn't do anything about it.'

* * *

As it was, Severus Snape was lying in front of Sirius, the fact he himself was on the floor was a reason for concern though. 'I guess we rushed that too much,' came Sirius's voice that hinted at pain, 'where are we?' It was dark now, Severus estimated it had been about two hours since the attack. Achingly he rose and looked around before bending over to help a groaning Sirius to his feet. 'It sucks when all the adrenaline leaves, I can feel my feet again though.'

'We're near Diagon Alley,' Severus answered Sirius's first question in a hushed voice, 'to be precise we're outside Borgin and Burkes.' After uttering the sentence Severus withdrew his wand, Sirius followed suit with another question:

'Where is everyone?' up ahead they could see Diagon Alley but there was no sign of anyone in the usually bustling magical alley. Slowly the two wizards walked, and limped, forward until they had emerged from Knockturn Alley. The place was truly deserted, even all the animals in the Magical Menagerie were gone, then there was a sudden banging from the shop to their left, and in a flurry of robes a wizard flew out the front door, only to stop a yell when he ran into Snape.

'AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHH!'

'Calm down.' Amazingly the words did indeed do that for the wizard, and instead he stood there breathing heavily, watching Severus and Sirius. 'Now,' Sirius continued, 'where is everybody?'

'What happened to you, you look like hell.'

'Thank you, but what happened to everybody?'

'Gone.'

'Gone?' Snape interjected with raised eyebrows.

'Yeah, they all left, it's not safe, the Ministry blew up this afternoon.'

'We know, all the staff are at Hogwarts.'

'Wow, we assumed they'd all been killed, there haven't been owls home or anything.'

'That's because Voldemort's been killing them all.' Sirius replied calmly but the name put the wizard into a fit of panic.

'You said his name, are you absolutely bloody mad?' he was wildly looking at the two of them now. 'Is that why you're all beat up, they'll be after you, bugger this for a game of soldiers.' And with that remark he was gone, leaving Sirius and Severus in his dust.

'He's right you know, he's gonna be here soon.'

'Lets disapparate to Hogsmeade then, we'll get back to Hogwarts and Dumbledore, he's sure to have a plan.' With a swift incantation the two wizards disapparated leaving the deserted alley behind, a few seconds after they left a myriad of pops sounded and a group of Death Eaters emerged from Knockturn Alley.

'They're not here,' snarled the leader, 'they must have gone to Hogsmeade, we'll go there and help the others.'

* * *

'You're right of course Mr. Weasley, I don't know if Sirius is alive, but until I hear otherwise…' Dumbledore left the sentence unfinished. 'Now, if you boys wouldn't mind leaving me and Harry, if the rest of you could leave as well, this council is over, now we wait…' with Lupin in the lead the group left, Mr. Weasley steering out an anxious Ron by the shoulder, while Neville walked alongside Professor McGonagall.

'Your scar alerted you then…how long was it alit Harry?'

'Few minutes,' was the mumbled reply.

'Then Sirius is either unconscious somewhere or he is no longer with Voldemort.'

'You mean he's escaped.'

'No, he is simply somewhere away from Voldemort, he could be anywhere, including under lock and key in a cell somewhere.' Dumbledore was looking at Harry with his piercing gaze in place, 'I know you're worried, but you must remain focused on what's happening here Harry, I, we need you.'

'Why, what makes me so special?'

'You probably know more about Voldemort than anyone, including me, you've faced him several times and won, even against the most extreme odds. Harry you are a symbol of everything we stand for, and it's not well received when you mope around in front of a fire.'

'How did you–' then Harry saw the Marauder's Map over Dumbledore's shoulder.

'Comes in useful doesn't it.' Dumbledore gave Harry a grin, and his twinkling eyes shone. 'Now Harry, I want you to go back to Gryffindor common room, and stay there. Don't go anywhere else, I feel that all this conflict will be coming to a head soon.' On this he walked round the desk and led Harry to the door with a comforting arm around his shoulders.

Shutting the door Dumbledore sighed, Harry was in a state of shock even though he didn't know it. Sirius and Severus would be back, Dumbledore would stake Merlin's beard on it, and they're probably strolling up the main path…right…now. Dumbledore's jaw dropped as 'Sirius Black' and 'Severus Snape' came haring up the main path on the map. As they covered the first few inches of parchment several other dots ran on; 'Macnair – Avery – Nott – Crabbe – Goyle', Harry's list from the pervious year echoed in Dumbledore's head. Harry.

Dumbledore glanced at the map and saw the boy had just reached his office, where 'Remus Lupin' and 'Arthur Weasley' were still talking. Grabbing his wand from the desk Dumbledore took off at a surprising speed for a wizard no longer at his peak of physical prowess, he reached the secret door in one minute and burst through as Harry was preparing to leave. 'Main path, Sirius and Severus, NOW!' shouting orders he led the wizards and Harry out past the gargoyle and into the hallway.

* * *

'Run faster, I thought you were supposed to be in your prime!' Sirius shot Severus a withered glance as the two ran like hell up the path to the school. Explosions were miraculously close to them but none managed to hit the two, 'Can't you change, you'll get there faster!'

'And leave you to get killed, you'd never forgive me for that one!' Severus gave a laugh at the reference to his encounter with a changed Lupin after Sirius had sent him into the Shrieking Shack. They were two hundred yards away when a lucky Death Eater strike landed directly behind the fleeing duo, the resulting explosion sent the two wizards flying ahead fifty yards.

The two had unsteadily risen to see the group of Death Eaters only a hundred yards away, and were ready to go down blazing when an explosion of light behind them sent the group flying in every direction. 'INTO THE CASTLE!' Dumbledore roared the order before Harry could greet his godfather, and the five wizards swiftly retreated as the Dark Wizards rose and began to charge forwards. 'Arthur, get everyone alerted using the announcement charm, it's about to begin!'

* * *

Deep in the Slytherin dungeon, and throughout the school, the explosions were heard causing murmurs of excitement to bubble up. 'Now is the time my friends,' Clarence Bulstrode, seventh year brother of Millicent, had risen, 'our Lord Voldemort has come to free us from the oppression of Hogwarts and Dumbledore. Our orders are to attack from the main entrance, let in our Death Eater comrades and then kill or capture all opposition, if you see Potter, get him alive…lets go!'

As the Slytherins made for the exit there was a loud BANG and a cloud of smoke appeared containing six shadowy forms. As it cleared there was a silence as Draco, Terrence, Percy, Geoffrey Warrington, Adrian Pucey and Robert Montague appeared from within. Draco's blue eyes flashed menacingly; 'Going somewhere?'

Chapter 15:

'ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS, PROFESSORS AND MINISTRY OFFICIALS AND CURRENT RESIDENTS OF HOGWARTS.' Arthur Weasley's voice blared throughout the school. 'WILL ALL THOSE WITHOUT A PREVIOUS NOTICE PLEASE REPORT TO THE GREAT HALL, EVERYONE ELSE, TO YOUR POSITIONS PLEASE. I REPEAT…' The rest of the announcement was lost in the Slytherin common room as it exploded in a mix of hexes, charms, jinxes and curses.

Most of the Slytherins opposing Draco's small group didn't have their wands to hand, as such only a few could fire back when the six boys released their stunning charms. Unluckily the smoke was still hazy and only two sixth years went under, then the rest of the common room had their wands out and an intense firefight began. The Quidditch team dove for cover in the long room as soon as they had fired their first volley.

Above the noise Draco could hear Clarence's voice; 'You'll pay for this one Malfoy!' then it disappeared among a cacophony of spells. Draco sneaked a look over the chair he had flipped over to size up the situation, there were six in his force and about twenty in the enemy, not counting the ones that were down. Cursing his misfortune Draco fired off a Reductor Curse that threw a table onto the Bulstrode siblings as they tried to advance.

You better be handling this elsewhere Potter.

* * *

Fortunately for Harry there wasn't much he could do at the moment, only watch the front door for any more signs of Death Eater movement. Since Sirius and Severus had arrived back in the school the charging Dark Wizards had turned tail and fled back to the main gate. Dumbledore had muttered something about 'reinforcements' but Harry hadn't caught the rest of the conversation he held with Minister Fudge who'd come haring out of the hall when Mr. Weasley had used the announcement charm.

Most of the school had immediately responded, and without complaint students and parents were shepherded into the Great Hall. A few of the Professors still didn't know what was going on and so Dumbledore was now holding conference with Professors Sprout and Trelawney, who kept shooting anxious glances at Harry. As he looked out of the door Harry was aware that someone had joined him and turned to a familiar face.

'Dobby…what are you doing here?' Harry asked incredulously.

'I is wanting to see what is happening Harry Potter, how is you sir?' wide and adoring eyes turned on Harry.

'Well…fine considering the school's under attack, they nearly killed my godfather and my scar keeps turning green.'

'You is doing fine then sir?' all of Harry's humour was wasted on the house elf.

'Yes Dobby, I'm fine, how are you?'

'I is fine also, except someone is making an awful ruckus in the castle, they is sending spells and curses everywhere. I is having to work very hard to earn my wages from Dumbledore.'

'Yes, I suppose you would have to – wait there are spells and curses being sent in the castle – right now?'

'Yes indeed there is sir.'

'Where?' Harry was almost shouting now.

'In Mr. Snape's common room sir.'

'BLOODY HELL!' Harry's voice echoed through the hall and he coughed embarrassingly as Dumbledore turned with an eyebrow raised. 'Sir, there's a firefight in the Slytherin common room!' now his eyebrow was down as he took command of the situation.

'Harry, get Professor Flitwick, Viktor and a few Ministry officials, then come after me, Dobby watch the door please.' Harry ran to obey Dumbledore's instructions as the elderly wizard headed for the Slytherin common room. He ran inside the Great Hall and used the Sonorus Charm to get all the members Dumbledore had asked for and three Ministry wizards.

'We've got to go to the Slytherin common room,' he explained while they ran, 'there's a firefight going on.' Within a few minutes they had reached the bare patch of wall.

'We don't know the password though,' Professor Flitwick squeaked on arriving, 'How do we get in?'

'Salazar.' Harry said in a commanding voice and the stone wall parted, 'friends in low places,' he said with a wink to Viktor. The grin threatening to make an appearance on Viktor's face rapidly lost its momentum as a beam of red light lanced out of the gap that had opened, gouging out a bit of the wall behind him. 'Let's go!'

With this Harry led the small force threw the door and into a blaze of colours from spells that immediately converged on the small group. With a cry one of the Ministry wizards flew out the door as several golden beams hit him in the stomach. 'Flitwick,' Dumbledore's voice sounded over the noise, 'I need you to use every single charm you have to cut off their attack route.' As Harry looked around he saw Draco crouching behind a chair as spells ripped apart the cushion on the other side.

At least the odds are more even now thought the Slytherin boy, it was now about two Slytherins to every defender. As he watched for more incoming spells he saw Professor Flitwick, who had been standing in cover behind a chair, send a violet beam into the ceiling. Spells flew in from the Slytherin half of the common room and with a large thump Montague was sent flying as an armchair leapt into him.

Draco raced over to the boy as more spells ripped his armchair to pieces, then turned with his wand raised, ready to defend his fallen friend. He didn't have to. Flitwick's charm had metamorphosed the ceiling and it was slowly lowering to form a new wall between the defence force and the attackers. 'Wait,' he shouted, 'you'll kill them all, they won't be able to breathe in there.' They might not be his friends, but Draco had spent four years of his life with most of the people now shooting at him.

'It's okay Draco, they can make it out through the windows, we just have to stop them getting into the castle this way.' Dumbledore's voice was full of reassurance as the new wall landed with a thump. 'Right, Harry help him with Robert, we'll pick up Harris on the way out.' As they lifted Montague, Harry and Draco heard loud thumping noises from behind the wall, then were alarmed to see a glowing red spot appear in the centre.

'Oh…bugger.' Draco chose his words perfectly, for a second later melted brickwork sprung in every direction and the red face of Clarence Bulstrode put in an appearance. With a snarl he whipped out his wand and aimed it over Draco's heart, Harry could see him forming the words for the Killing Curse and threw himself away from Draco.

Instead with a mad yell he put his foot firmly in the face of Clarence, whose nose erupted in blood and eyes glazed over slowly. Puffing slightly from the leap he turned to face Draco; 'Now we're even,' he said with a small grin. Draco nodded a thanks and between them they hefted Montague as Clarence's head began rhythmically hitting the brickwork as the Slytherins behind the wall tried to pull him back in.

Ignoring the temptation to laugh Harry and Draco swiftly pulled their load out the entrance and into the passage where Viktor took the boy over his shoulders. 'They're breaking through the wall Professor,' Draco said as Dumbledore turned to leave.

'Are you sure?' the question was asked by Flitwick, and not a surprised looking Dumbledore. 'I put an enchantment on that, nothing should be able to get through it.' The Charms Professor looked almost shell-shocked to hear that his work had failed, 'what did it look like when they broke through?'

'It went molten, then exploded outwards,' Harry replied, 'it was like a flame-thrower had been set on it.'

'Right, I'll handle it from here, Flitwick would you go up to the hall and tell Minerva we have a possible breach.' Dumbledore rushed orders as Draco was about to ask Harry just what a flame-thrower was, instead the boys began to accompany Professor Flitwick, the students and Ministry wizards to the hall. 'Harry, could you stay here a second.' As the rest of the group left Harry returned to Professor Dumbledore's side where he asked him an odd question, 'what's the time?'

Harry looked at his watch, 'about nine-thirty, sir' he replied.

'Thank you Harry, you can go now.' With a puzzled look Harry left the elderly wizard to turn his wand on the secret entrance and unleash a ruby spell, while muttering under his breath the entire time. Harry remembered briefly a conversation with Percy from his first day…He's a genius! Best wizard in the world! But he is a bit mad, yes…it seemed to be catching up with the ex-headmaster.

Arriving a few minutes after the rest of the group Harry found the Great Hall was packed full to the brim, students, Ministry wizards, younger children, parents and professors dominated the floor. His sharp eyes picking them out, Harry saw that most of the Gryffindors were crowded round the house table, and that Ron, Dudley, Neville, Hermione and Viktor had gathered at one end.

'I von't tell you.' Viktor's sharp statement finished as Harry arrived.

'Tell them what?'

'What's going on!' Ron almost shouted, his face was shining from trying to find out. 'Sirius is gone, Death Eaters attacked Hogsmeade, my dad is blaring over the school about 'assigned positions', your scar keeps going green…' as he trailed off Harry noticed his friends angry look also hid one of concern.

'Well for a start Sirius and Snape are back, they just ran up the main path while being pursued by a mob of angry Death Eaters.' Harry's voice was so calm that he could have announced the end of the world, but the edges of his mouth were threatening to expose a grin at Ron's face. 'Why not tell them everything Viktor, they'd probably find out sooner or later.'

'But vot about vot Dumbledore told us?'

'It's not exactly a major secret anymore is it,' Harry responded while gesturing at the crowd within the hall, 'I bet half the parents have told the other half what happened at Hogsmeade, the Ministry wizards have told their families and all the students will just listen to the rumours.' He smiled as Viktor's became one of defeat, and with a nod he gave Harry the go ahead.

'Okay guys, here's how it goes; Voldemort's been launching attacks all over the world against the Ministry's everywhere, they've come under a siege according to Dumbledore. Our Ministry was attacked earlier and is probably in ruins now, but we got most of the officials out by having them all apparate to Hogsmeade, including Percy, so don't worry Ron. Anyway, loads of Death Eaters showed up and we had to fight our way out, but at Hogsmeade where I sent most people up the tunnel, a Death Eater tried to capture me but Sirius took the shot.'

Harry paused for breath now as the group took on different reactions, Viktor was just nodding, Ron was looking gobsmacked, Hermione was remaining as calm as she could manage, and Neville had to sit down. 'When I met Draco in the tunnel, he's on our side by the way, the Death Eater sent a curse that made it blow up and we came flying out of the hag's hump. Snape heard me say Sirius was gone and then he disapparated, using a special Summoning Charm Voldemort created Hermione,' he added as she was about to argue her oldest point, 'then about ten minutes ago Snape and Sirius appeared, we saved them. The Death Eaters are now waiting for reinforcements and all but six of the Slytherins are stuck in their dungeon because Draco and his team stopped them from getting into the school to attack us. Right now though, Dumbledore is guarding the entrance because they're breaking through Flitwick's charm and then he asked me the time and now I'm here.'

'But…wha…why…huh?' Ron's spluttering did Harry the world of good and he laughed out loud, and was surprised when Viktor also joined in. Hermione gave her boyfriend a disapproving look but then she returned to running the entire conversation over in her head, before attempting to ask another question. Sure enough it was only an attempt because Neville got in first:

'What is the time Harry?' he asked in a slightly stressed voice, 'exactly if you don't mind.'

'You too?' he pulled out his watch and read from the screen, 'nine thirty-five and twenty seven seconds precisely if you must know.'

'That's a diggytal watch isn't it?' Neville asked as he got a look at it.

'Digital, yes.'

'And it's still working in school.' Neville was now running through slowly and Hermione let out a small gasp.

'Yes again, why?'

'I have to find a teacher…' Neville left abruptly with Harry looking exasperated.

'I dunno, a Prefects badge over the summer and he's turned into a right little Action Man.' Hermione gave a little chuckle at this, while Ron turned to Dudley to ask just exactly what an 'Action Man' was.

Swallowing her laughter Hermione turned to speak with Harry. 'You know your watch shouldn't be working, that's why he's gone,' at Harry's bemused face she gave her sigh of tortured genius, 'remember last year when I explained Rita Skeeter couldn't have bugged you…?'

'Oh yeah, because all Muggle stuff goes mad around the school.' Realisation dawned on Harry's face, and he glanced at his watch at the same time Dudley looked down on his own.

'Mine's been working since we got here, are you sure that's right Hermione?' Dudley asked the question of her innocently

'Stop now,' Ron interjected, 'it's right enough, she's read the school's history book so many times that you'd be a fool to challenge her.' With absolute delight on her face, Hermione raised her nose in mock snootiness.

'I'm feeling brilliant, give me a hug Viktor.' With a small laugh he obliged while the boys fell about with laughter at her turn of phrase. 'There's one thing that bothers me about it though, if you've got electric things working, that means that the Muggle protection systems are failing, no wonder Neville left to tell someone.'

'Does that mean all Muggle devices will work?' Harry asked the question with a great deal of unease, that worsened when Hermione nodded back in reply. 'I was right…shit.' The use of the language was enough to make everyone turn to face Harry, 'I said that it looked like a flame-thrower was being used on the wall trapping the Slytherins, I could be right. Dumbledore's still down there by himself.'

'Ve go now.' Viktor was already up and moving for the exit from the Great Hall before the sentence was finished. Harry's mind was in a whirl as he, his friends and cousin followed Viktor out of the hall, Dumbledore was facing a flame-thrower, and Draco hadn't even known what one was! As Harry they left the hall Harry noticed Neville, Professors McGonagall and Lupin, Fudge and Mr. Weasley heading up the main stairs.

'Neville!' he shouted, 'where are you going?' but he didn't get a reply as the group was already out of sight. Moving down the corridor to the Slytherin common room, a roaring sound told him he had more to worry about.

* * *

Albus Dumbledore ducked as a lick of flame spurted out of the melting wall and charred the wall behind him with a roar of heat. He was glad his theory about the school's protective field breaking down was correct, nothing else would surprise him at least.

He was wrong.

A massive roar sounded again and instead of the ugly snout of a flame-thrower, thankfully he knew much more about the Muggle world than anyone gave him credit, he saw the ugly snout of something with very large teeth.

* * *

Neville was in a daze similar to Harry's at the sudden weight his opinions carried, after all he was only a Prefect, but then so was Harry. Following the professors down a corridor he almost collided with Lupin when they stopped in front of a portrait he warily recognised. 'Halt scurvy knaves!' came the voice of Sir Cadogan, the mad knight who had guarded the Gryffindor tower during year three.

'Enough of that,' McGonagall snapped, 'Open up Sir Knight!' and on this phrase the pompous knight's frame swung forwards revealing a passage Neville had never realised was there before. 'Come on everyone, you too Longbottom.' The passage was a short one, after about fifteen feet they had reached a door which was inscribed with Latin: armatura de castellum.

'What does that mean?' he blurted out loud, actually intending to ask the question in his head.

'It means that in this room,' Professor Lupin said soberly as he opened the door, 'is the castle armoury.' The door moved aside to reveal a long chamber that reminded Neville of a picture he'd seen in a Muggle studies book, there were angrybows, kattapults and swords, all in a row. 'The time has come to defend.'