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.

Teigra – AICH!  *hits self with a frying pan*  I completely forgot about that!  Agh.  Bloody hell.  *sigh*  Oh, well.  I'll think of some explanation for that.

DarkWolf – No, Saerry is not a Parselmouth.  I'll try to remember to put an explanation on why in here somewhere.  And as to the speaking Werewolf, a werewolf COULD speak it even if they are in human form.  It's like Parseltongue.  A human throat shouldn't be able to make snake sounds.  And so, Werewolf would be the same way.  See?  ^^

Everyone else – Thank you guys so much!  298 reviews!  WHEE!  *bear-hugs all the reviewers*

Chapter 74 **Preparing for Battle, Part II**

Dumbledore, Remus, Flitwick, Vector, Sprout, Sinistra, and Madam Pomfrey watched the Death Eaters attack the wards around the school grounds.  They had already taken Hogsmeade and had probably killed most of the people there.

Now the Death Eaters were trying to disable the second of the wards and it looked as thought they were succeeding.

Sprout asked, "Albus, why are the wards falling?"

Dumbledore sighed and replied, "Inward help, I suppose."

"What?"

"The students wouldn't!"

Remus frowned and said, "They would."

Flitwick piped, "Malfoy?"

Dumbledore shook his head.  "No.  Mr. Malfoy would not have had a part in this."

The other teachers looked at each other in wonder then turned around as they heard shouts coming from inside the school.

"Severus, if you don't let me go this instant I'll turn you into – into – a snake!"

"Ah, yes, but then I would simply find Harry and tell him what you had done.  I'm sure he would love to see his father as a snake.  Oh wait, I already am a snake.  Isn't that what you've always said, Minerva?"

There was a shriek and suddenly Severus and McGonagall appeared.  The Potions Master was dragging the Transfiguration professor and held a glittering sword in his other hand.  As they came to a halt beside the other professors, he released McGonagall and asked, "How far are they?"

Remus didn't even look at Severus as he replied, "They've gotten past the first wards and the second one's are going to fall soon."

"Inside help?"

"We think so."

"Dammit.  Albus, what about the students?"

Dumbledore replied, "In the Great Hall."

Severus asked, "Do you intend to get the older one's to help?"

"Fifth year and above."

"I see.  Perhaps you should send the rest somewhere else then."

Severus looked pointedly at Dumbledore, ignoring the others (with the exception of Remus) staring at him.  They had no idea what he was suggesting.

"To the Chamber?"

"Harry's idea.  Perhaps Voldemort would not think we would send them down there."

"Perhaps.  Where is Harry?"

"Getting a map.  I told him to head to the Chamber entrance after he had gotten it."

Dumbledore nodded and Remus asked, "What about Saerry?"

Severus looked at the werewolf and replied, "In the hall.  At least, I hope she is.  She went to get Hermione, Ron, and Draco out of the Hospital Wing."

Madam Pomfrey spat, "She took my patients?"

"Well, they can't exactly stay in the Hospital Wing during all this, now can they?" asked Severus silkily.

Madam Pomfrey sputtered and Severus smiled mockingly at her.

"I thought so."

"Humphf."  Madam Pomfrey turned away in a huff and watched the Death Eaters attacking the wards.  Severus chuckled then turned to Dumbledore.

"Well?"

Dumbledore nodded and said, "It is a better plan than the students staying in the Hall.  Minerva, would you go?"

McGonagall nodded and said, "Of course, Albus."  She turned and marched back up into the school as the others turned back to watch the Death Eaters prowling at the edge of the wards.

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

In the Great Hall, Saerry fingered her medallion and Hermione watched her.  The teen suddenly asked, "Is that silver?"

Saerry looked at her then down at the medallion.

"No, I'm afraid not.  It's not even the original medallion."

Hermione asked, "What happened to the original?"

Saerry frowned and said, "Well, this isn't a discussion to be having at a time like this, but . . ."  She sighed then continued, "After I was Changed, I had to abandon the real medallion.  The she-wolf who took me in had a duplicate medallion made when she saw how sad I was that I could no longer wear it."  Holding up the medallion, she added, "This one is actually not made of metal, but of a rock.  Graphite, I think is what they called it.  Which is why the emblem is so worn."

Hermione could only say, "Oh."

Saerry smiled at her then jumped to her feet as one of the double doors opened.  The students scrambled back from the door and Saerry lifted her wand.  She snarled, "Hold."

McGonagall peered around the door and said, "Saerry."

"Minerva?  Great Merlin, are you trying to get killed?"

McGonagall frowned at her.  "Apparently so.  Albus told me to come here."

Saerry blinked then asked, "Severus?"

"Outside."

"And Harry?"

"Supposedly waiting at the entrance to the Chamber."

"I see.  What are we to do?"

McGonagall replied, "Fifth year students and above are supposed to help in the fighting if it comes to that.  Fourth year and below are to go into the Chamber."  Her eyes flicked to Draco's prone form on the table and Ron's pained expression and added, "And those who are injured as well."

Saerry nodded and said, "Let's go then."

McGonagall nodded sharply then yelled, "Fourth years and below to the front!  Fifth years and above, be ready.  If the Death Eaters break through the wards, you may be of help in the battle.  If it comes to that do not try to be heroic.  Doing so may only get you killed.  Now, fourth years and below, follow me.  The rest of you, stay here!"  With that she turned on a heel and swept out of the hall, the fourth years and below following her in a confused horde.  Hermione and Ron joined the crowd and Saerry watched them go before moving to pick up Draco.  As she went she called, "Prefects!  Head Girl and Boy!  Keep everyone in here until Professor McGonagall and I return.  Is that understood?"  Her voice came out in a half-growl and it held the same dark tone her brother's often held when he was angry.

Several voices called out affirmatives and Saerry nodded sharply.  Picking up Draco, she cast a glare at a few Slytherins who were smirking at her, then left the Hall.

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

Inside Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, Harry shifted nervously from foot to foot.  He could hear the sounds of curses hitting the wards outside and was wondering how long it would take them to get through.

Suddenly there was a noise outside and he laid a hand on the hilt of Gryffindors sword, which was tucked through his belt.  But he quickly let it fall as McGonagall stepped through the door, followed by a gaggle of fourth and third years.  She nodded at him and he turned to the last sink in the bathroom.  Leaning down, he opened his mouth and said, "Open."

The word came out in a sharp hiss and several of the younger students looked at each other in fear.  As they did the sink slid aside, revealing the man-sized pipe behind it.  Harry stepped back and waved at them.

The students stayed stock-still until McGonagall snapped, "Down into it, you lot.  The Hall could possibly be safer but it would be one of the first places You-Know-Who would look if he got inside.  There, however, is a different story."

Harry nodded and said, "She's right.  C'mon now.  There's nothing down there to fear."

A third year said in a quavering voice, "Nothing?"

Harry nodded again.  "Nothing."

A voice hidden in the crowd called, "But what about the creature in the Chamber?"

Harry frowned and replied, "Gone."  He wondered how the student knew about the Chamber but shook his off by saying, "So c'mon.  There's not much time."

The students looked at each other once more then moved forward, each carefully sitting down the sliding down the pipe.  McGonagall moved over to Harry and said softly, "What is down there?"

Harry shrugged.  "I haven't been down there since second year.  More than likely nothing more than the Basilisk's skeleton.  And maybe some rats."

McGonagall frowned at him then watched as a shivering second year slid down the pipe.

"Harry!"

Harry blinked then saw a familiar red head poking out of the crowd.

"Ginny?"

Ginny shoved through the crowd towards him and stood by him.  She looked at the entrance to the Chamber and shivered, wrapping her arms around herself.

"Do we really have to go down there?"

Harry wrapped an arm about her shoulders, remembering that she had been down in the Chamber as well and it hadn't been pleasant.  He slowly nodded and said, "Its one of the safest places in the school, Gin.  And probably one of the last Voldemort will look."

Several nearby students, Ginny, and McGonagall all winced at the name.  Then Ginny sighed and said softly, "If you say so, Harry."

Harry squeezed her shoulders reassuringly and said, "Don't worry, Gin.  Ron'll be down there with you.  And the professors won't let anything happen to you guys.  And neither will I."

Ginny smiled up at him.  "Thanks, Harry."

Harry smiled back at her and said, "Anytime, Ginny."

McGonagall frowned at them then pushed a first year down the pipe.  She said, "That's almost all of them."

Harry looked at Ginny and said, "You should get down there."

"What about Ron?"

"He'll be coming soon enough.  Just wait near the entrance when you get in."

Ginny nodded then inched into line behind a second year.  She smiled at him then vanished down the pipe after the second year.

A moment later Hermione and Ron appeared, the gangly boy leaning on her.  Ron forced a pained smile when he saw Harry and the other boy winced, moving over to help his friend.  He asked, "Are you sure you can get down there, Ron?"

Ron nodded and replied, "Yea.  Where's Ginny?"

"Already down there.  I told her to wait for you at the entrance."

"Good show."  Ron smiled and said, "Good luck, Harry."

"You too, Ron."

Ron smiled again then pushed himself down the pipe.  Hermione turned to Harry and said, "You want me to go down there with him?"

Harry looked down at her and replied, "Only if you want to."

"Oh, so you think I like Ron?"

"No.  I actually thought you might like to give a hand with the defenses."

Hermione flushed and Harry whispered, "Though I'd actually prefer if you were down there.  I don't want you to get hurt."

Hermione whispered back, "And I don't want you to get hurt either."

Harry smiled.  "I'll try not to."

"Good.  'Cause if you did, I'd have to hurt you worse."

"And if I got killed?"

Hermione replied, "I'd bring you back from the dead and then hurt you."

"Ouch."

"Exactly."

Harry smiled and said, "Which is exactly why I don't intend to get hurt."

Hermione smiled back at him and said, "I hope not."  She glanced over at McGonagall, who was trying to coax a third year down the pipe, then turned back to Harry.  Reaching up, she jerked his head down to her level and kissed him.  It lasted for at least a minute and when they pulled away Harry smiled.

"'Mazing."

Hermione frowned at him then said, "Good luck, Harry."

Harry smiled and pecked her cheek.  "Thanks, Herm."

Hermione smiled then turned and slid down the pipe after the third year, who McGonagall had finally gotten to go down.  As soon as soon as she was gone, Saerry appeared, holding a limp Draco in her arms.  She said, "Last one."

Harry nodded and asked, "How will we get him down there?"

Saerry frowned then replied, "I could go down with him then come back up."  She glanced at the pipe and grimaced.

"Or perhaps not."

McGonagall said, "We'd need a rope."

Harry said, "Or something else."  He headed out into the hall and McGonagall and Saerry heard a series of sharp hisses ring out.  A moment later he returned and said, "That should work."

McGonagall frowned and asked, "Mr. Potter, what did just do?"

There was a hiss and suddenly Saeln appeared, fluttering above Harry's head.  The teen pointed at the Aeyr and replied, "I called for help.  If Saerry goes down with Draco, Saeln can pull her out."  He turned to the Aeyr and hissed something.  Saeln hissed back in return and then Harry said, "He says it'll work."

Saerry nodded and sat down at the top of the pipe.  Just as she was about to push herself and Draco down it, there was another sonic boom and the floor rattled.  McGonagall hissed, "The second wards."

Harry frowned and said, "We have to hurry."  He turned to Saerry but she was already gone.  Hissing to Saeln, he pointed at the pipe and the Aeyr vanished down it.

A moment or two later he reappeared, dragging Saerry up the pipe after him.  As soon as they were out the sink slid back into place and McGonagall said, "We have to get outside."  Saerry and Harry nodded and the three of them ran from the room, Saeln flitting after him.

A/N: There!  I solved the problem of Saerry's medallion.  And next – *drum roll* – the last of the wards go down and the battle begins!