Disclaimer: Harry Potter and everything related is the property of J.K. Rowling and anyone else who has claim to a piece of Harry's fame

Disclaimer 2: I own the plot, Saerry Snape, Aeyr's, and the Snapes being Slytherin's Heirs.  Nothing more, nothing less.

Chapter 73 **Preparing for Battle, Part I**

Hermione sat in her chair in the Hospital Wing, her eyes staring blankly at the wall opposite her.  A hand suddenly touched her shoulder and she jumped out her seat, jerking away from the hand and spinning around, her wand instantly in her own hand.

Ron frowned at the end of her wand and said, "Jumpy aren't we?"

Hermione glared at him and growled, "Give me a heart attack why don't you."

"Certainly.  But it seems you've already had one.  Why so jumpy?"

"Death Eaters.  Apparently Draco's dad was a decoy or something."

"That's not good.  Where's Harry?"

Hermione nodded at the door and said, "Took off."

"Bloody hell."

"Yea."

The door suddenly flew open and Saerry entered, wand gripped tightly in her hand.  She looked over at them and said, "Thank Merlin, you're awake.  Can you walk?"

Ron nodded and replied, "I think so."

"Good, good.  Hermione, help him.  I'll get Draco."

As Hermione helped Ron up, she asked, "Where are we going?"

Saerry grunted as she picked Draco up effortlessly then replied, "Great Hall.  Harry said something about a Chamber of Secrets but as I don't know where this is, we're going to the hall."  She frowned at them and added, "And even if I did know we wouldn't be able to open it."

Ron blinked at her and asked, "Why's that?"

"I'm not a Parselmouth."

"Oh."

Saerry frowned at him and snapped, "Well, c'mon!  We haven't got all day!  Those Death Eaters are pounding at the wards right now."  With that she stalked out of the Hospital Wing.

Ron and Hermione looked at each other then went after her, Ron leaning slightly on Hermione for balance.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Severus and Harry ran through the halls, looking frantically for Dumbledore.  Just as they rounded a corner there was a sound like a sonic boom and then the alarm that had gone off when Harry had been kidnapped began to sound.

Harry staggered as the floor shook under their feet from the sonic boom and yelled over the alarm, "What the hell was that?"

"DON'T CURSE!"

Harry scowled at his father.

"This is not the time to go over my use of profanity, dad."

Severus returned the scowl and growled, "Well, we're going to have a talk about that."

"Yea, yea.  Now what was that?"

"One of the wards."

"Went down?"

Severus nodded gravely and Harry said, "We have to find Professor Dumbledore."

"You think I don't know that?"

"Wait!  The map!"

Severus blinked.

"Pardon?"

"The Marauder's Map!  It tells where anyone is in Hogwarts!"

"Well, where is it?"

"In my trunk."

"Well, go get it!"

Harry blinked.  "What about you?"

Severus snarled, "I'm going outside."

"Dad, don't get killed."

"I don't intend to.  Besides, Albus is more than likely outside."

"Okay.  I get map, then find you?"

Severus shook his head.

"No, go open the Chamber.  I'll tell Albus what we planned and then go get the younger students out of the hall."

"Why the younger?"

"The older can fight and we need all the help we can get."

Harry nodded then said, "Good luck, dad."

"You too, Harry."

With that the two ran off their separate ways, not truly knowing if they were going to see each other again.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As Saerry, Ron, and Hermione entered the Great Hall they found themselves bombarded with questions.

"Ms. Snape!"

"Ron, Hermione, what's going on?"

"What's happening?"

"Where's Harry?"

"What happened to Malfoy?"

Saerry scowled for a moment then roared, "QUIET!"

The hall instantly fell silent and she said, "That's better.  Now, all of you must stay calm."

"Ms. Snape, what's going on?"

Saerry looked towards the area where the voice had come from and replied, "Voldemort and his Death Eaters are attacking us.  Please, stay calm and don't leave the hall.  The Headmaster and the teachers are doing all they can."

Most of the students began to talk in excited voices that slowly rose until Saerry snapped out something in a harsh language that made them all shiver.  She glared coldly at them and said, "Stay calm, students."  With that she turned and lay Draco down on top of the Gryffindor table.  The teen whimpered and several people stared until Saerry scowled at them.  Hermione and Ron followed her and stood close by.

After a moment Hermione asked, "What language was that?"

Saerry frowned then replied, "Werewolf."

"You have your own language?  I've never read that anywhere."

"That's because most are too afraid of werewolves to actually be friendly to them.  We know a lot more than some think."

Saerry frowned to herself then reached up to her throat.  She pulled a worn silver medallion out of her robes and clutched it tight.  Only Hermione and Ron heard her whisper, "Merlin, please let them be alright."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Severus!"

Severus came to a halt in the middle of the hall and stared at McGonagall, who was coming towards him.

"Minerva?  Where's Albus?"

"Outside."

"Just what I thought.  Come with me."

"He . . ."

Severus ignored her words and grabbed her arm, dragging her after him.  McGonagall yelled, " Severus Snape, you let go of me this instant!"

"Minerva, please note that I am no longer a student and that that never did work on me in school."

McGonagall scowled then noticed the sword.

"Severus."

"What now?"

"Who's sword?"

"Ah, Slytherins."

"Pardon?"

Severus frowned and turned a corner.  He said, "It'll be explained later."

McGonagall said, "If there is a later."

"Being negative is my job, Minerva."

"And I'm supposed to be positive?"

"Something like that."

"You're mad.  You do know that, right?"

"Of course."

McGonagall groaned and Severus rolled his eyes, dragging her on down the halls.

A/N: *images Severus dragging McGonagall down the hall*  Oh, that's funny.  Perhaps I should draw that.  *chuckle*  Anyway, battle is coming – in about two more chapters.