Chapter Nine...
Professor Dumbledore didn't say anything more than I thought he would. He pretty much informed us of what we already knew, skipping over the finer details. I glanced occasionally at Harry who remained very reserved, in control and cool. At least that's how he looked. My guess was that on the inside he was freaking out like everyone else. Except me of course. I was fine!
After Professor Dumbledore had finished his bit, hands immediately shot up into the air, all belonging to students wanting to ask questions.
"Not now, not now," he waved them away. I refrained from calling him something nasty and inappropriate but he smiled understandingly. "Students, I know you are upset, frightened and confused. I would like to tell you more but I am afraid that is impossible."
The look on his face was enough to tell everyone that he wasn't going to budge and reluctantly, the hands were lowered down.
"Please enjoy the snack that the house elves have prepared for us... and remember, do not leave the room unaccompanied by a teacher."
Suddenly, with the click of the fingers, a delicious looking banquet of sweets and savouries appeared on the long tables. In any other place and time, I would have died and gone to heaven just looking at the delicacies however being in the current situation, the food did not interest me in the slightest. I looked around at the other students and they seemed to be feeling the same as me. Most were picking a bit at the food, not really enjoying it though, and some were just staring at it as if it were going to go away.
I had many questions for Harry but I really wasn't sure whether I was supposed to ask him. I couldn't tell what he was thinking about the situation and I wasn't sure if it was my place to question him. I wasn't even sure if I should start up a conversation. Luckily, I didn't have to ponder on this much longer.
"Aren't you going to eat anything Wood?" asked Harry, reaching over for a cream puff.
"Uhh, not really hungry," I replied, sounding a bit surprised.
I think he could sense my discomfort because he smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry Wood, it's all going to be fine. Professor Dumbledore would never let us down."
I nodded, trying to be as strong as this fifth year child looking up at me.
"Now," he added, grinning with a mouthful of cream. "It's time to eat up, you need as much energy as possible." I wasn't sure whether that last bit was meant as comfort or not.
* * * * *
The night went on for what seemed forever. Of course the teachers wanted us to sleep and feel safe but it was impossible seeing as nothing had changed for about four hours. I was beginning to think that You-Know-Who suddenly bursting into the hall would have been better than waiting around for another four hours not knowing what was going on.
Everyone was growing sleepy but no one could sleep, including me. The teachers had mustered up some beds and activity areas with some of their fancy spells but nothing held interest for me.
Harry had long gone off with his friend Ron so I was left there lying on top of some cushions in the corner of the room, just thinking about life in general.
Just as I began thinking about Hermione, the person in question sat by my side.
"Hello Oliver," she smiled, exactly the same as she always did.
"Hello Hermione," I sighed, noticing her tired looking eyes.
"It doesn't seem real does it?" she asked, glancing quickly at my side.
"No, it doesn't," I replied. "I mean, this time tomorrow we might not even be alive."
"Yes, it makes you wonder about that old question. What would you do if you only had twenty four hours left to live?"
I wanted to tell her exactly what I'd say if I only had twenty four hours left to live but my inner conscience stopped me. Instead I just shook my head. "But we don't... we have the rest of our lives. Many, many wonderous years."
She looked me in the eye and I tried to smile. I knew words weren't enough at this moment so I reached out and put my arm around her shoulder, a move I never would have made if we were just at school like normal.
As she snuggled into my body I realised just how different Hermione was making me. Sure, I always knew she had changed me but this was mega-change. Like, with any other girl I'd been with previously, I'd kissed them the very first time we'd been left alone. With Hermione, I'd known her for years yet today was the very first time I'd ever even held her hand. Now, with my arm around her, I knew I had to tell her. Just incase...
"Hermione," I began to say.
"Hmmm?" she mumbled.
"There's something I need to tell you," I stated like in all those dodgy romance movies.
"Hmmm?"
"I think I've fallen in love with you. No wait, I know I have." There, it was out. I'd said it. Already, I could feel myself growing nervous.
Silence.
More silence.
"Uh Hermione?" I asked quietly.
Silence.
Without moving too much, I looked down at her and saw that she had fallen sound asleep.
Typical. Just like in the dodgy romance movies. I'd pretty much jinxed myself the second I had opened with a corny line like that. Destined to end in her falling asleep.
I sighed, trying to see the amusement in all this but couldn't. I had just confessed my love to her and she didn't even hear it. Pathetic.
I was tempted to wake her but with one more glance down at her beautiful soft face showed me that I couldn't. She looked too precious and too fragile.
"Students!" bellowed a cold, sharp hiss-like voice from the doors of the Great Hall suddenly. It woke Hermione instantly and we both sat up confused. "I'm afraid that I have some bad news!"
I stared in absolute horror and absolute shock.
"You're all going to die!"
The owner of the voice was You-Know-Who.
* * * * *
He wasn't what I'd expected. I had never really expected anything but how he looked was somewhere in the 'never would have thought' range. His eyes were yellow and cat like, his face disfigured and green, his stick like body looked as breakable as crystal at the same time as looking as threatening as the most poisonous creature.
Hermione cursed out loud and though it was also a surprise to hear her swear, I barely took notice.
The professors who had all looked as dozey as us were on the feet, their wands at the ready.
You-Know-Who took one look at them and laughed. "You think you stand a match for me?"
All as one, a beam of pink light shot from their wands, uniting as they all simultaneously hit You-Know-Who. Well, they almost hit You-Know-Who. As soon as the beam had been projected, a green slimey wall of protection surrounded him like a magical force field. The beams reflected off the wall and bounced back hitting all different areas of the Great Hall sending bricks and stone and furniture flying in tiny little splinters.
"ARRGHHHH!" students were screaming from all around, diving in various directions for protection. Hermione and I, on our hands and feet, crawled over to a nearby upturned table and tried to use it for cover.
I had never felt more fear in my body then I did then. To be face to face with the most feared wizard around was something I'd never experienced before. As I checked on how Hermione was, I had a new sense of admiration for her as she had faced him before. Suddenly, in my mind, Harry Potter was the most amazing boy I'd ever known.
My hands were trembling around Hermione's waist and my breathing was hard and heavy. It had always annoyed me in muggle movies that whenever someone is in danger that they always breathed so heavily and loudly and that their breathing always gave them away to whatever was chasing them. Now, I understood why they were so loud. It was totally out of my control.
Over the noise of everyone else though, my breathing was nothing. Students were all huddled together, too frightened to move a muscle.
I saw Percy standing with his fellow prefects and the teachers, a look of sheer determination on his face. He didn't even look scared. Today had brought along many other realisations too it seemed.
"Oliver," panted Hermione. "I'm scared..."
"Me too, me too..." I whispered in a hoarse voice.
I looked around trying to find where Harry might have gone but couldn't see him.
"Hogwarts," laughed You-Know-Who. "School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I bet they don't teach you how to do this!" he chuckled as he sent one of the long benchs crashing down on top of a group of students. I heard cracks and snaps of bones as it landed, which sent the most awful sensations through my body.
I fought back tears as what was happening really hit me.
We were under attack. We were all going to die.
A small but brave voice spoke then. "What have you done with Professor Dumbledore?" Harry Potter. "You could never win against him."
"Ahhh," You-Know-Who turned to face Harry, who in comparison to the menacing creature looked tiny and defenceless. "Harry Potter," he hissed. "Just the boy I was after."
Without even another breath, he pointed his wand and sparks went flying as Harry was elevated off the ground and into the air, being thrown around from side to side with every jerk of the wand.
"NOOOO!" Hermione shouted and before I even had a chance to grab her, she bolted to below where Harry was in the air.
"Hermione!" I yelped, racing out after her.
But it was too late and a spell was cast in her direction.
"Stupid girl!" yelled You-Know-Who as a beam of magic spat out of the end of his wand. As I heard the sharp shrill of her scream, I did the only thing I could possibly do.
I leapt out in front of her.