Harry Potter and the New Marauders

Preparations

It had only been a day since the new rules had been set up at Hogwarts. The entire first, second, third, and fourth years had been sent home. Professor Dumbledore knew that the enemy's new targets were at Hogwarts. Not many witches and wizards in the magical community had come to Hogwarts to help with the battle, but there were a few who did. Most of the witches and wizards had to remain at home due to children, old age, or low fighting capabilities. Many of the old Hogwarts students from the past five years had returned, due to the fact that they hadn't really started a whole new life just yet. Even Percy had come back.

"I wonder, is this going to be the last battle, the one to determine the fate of our world, Professor Dumbledore?"

"No, Minerva. It is not, I afraid."

Many of the important people in the Ministry of Magic had been safely hidden away in the Muggle Realm, mainly Cornelius Fudge and his crew. Dumbledore decided that once everyone had arrived, there would be a meeting in the Great Hall. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Draco, Heather, and Kelly were all at the front door, waiting for the meeting to start. Just then, a few people came into the front hall, and they all knew them.

"Flint!"

"Angelina!"

"Wood!"

Angelina Johnson, Marcus Flint, and Oliver Wood, all came walking into the hall, and they were followed by the Weasley twins, Fred and George, who had recently opened their joke shop.

"I can't believe it, it's been three years since I have seen you last, Harry!"

"It's good to see you again, Wood."

Flint was greeted in the same manner by Draco, and Angelina and the twins were greeted by Kelly, Hermione, and Ron. Then as Harry was talking to Wood, Heather came up to him and said,

"It's been awhile, Wood."

"Hey, wait a second. How do you know Wood?" "Dumbledore allowed me to speak with him about watching over you during your Quidditch matches. Since then, we've been very good friends."

Harry smiled, and wondered something. Before he could say another word, however, there was a loud sound from the Great Hall that sounded like a bell.

They all walked into the Great Hall together, and they gasped to see all of the people who were fighting. Almost all of the old student body from the past five years, all of the members of the Advance guard, some people Harry didn't recognize, and, of, course, the teachers and students. As they sat down, Dumbledore arose from his seat and began to speak.

"My fellow students, colleagues, friends, you have been chosen to fight in the upcoming war. Before anything is to take place, I must tell you the absolute truth. This is going to be like the first war. There is a possibility that.you might die. I must make sure that everyone here is okay with that."

There were murmurs of "yes" and "okays" from all around the room, and everyone nodded in agreement; they weren't going anywhere. Dumbledore sighed, and began to carry on with his speech yet again.

"Anyways.I have decided to split you all up into different categories, depending on your fighting style. First, there is the Air Assemblage. You will be made up of all the past and present Quidditch players, and a few more people will be added to that category as well, for good measure. Next, there is the Brew Brigade. You will be made up of all the students who do well in their subjects, mostly Transfiguration and Potions. Finally, there is the Creature Contingent, made up of mostly older and previous students. The Brew Brigade is going to remain behind in the castle and act as the defenses around the walls. During battles, the Creature Contingent will attack from the land and the Air Assemblage from the air. Now, I want all of the Air Assemblage in the Gryffindor Tower, the Creature Contingent in the Hufflepuff Tower, and the Brew Brigade in the Slytherin Tower. All of the adults and teachers will rest in the Ravenclaw Tower. Now everyone, please eat."

With a wave of his hands, Dumbledore made the feast food appear, and everyone was quiet while eating. It was afterwards, and everyone was pretty stuffed. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, Ginny, Seamus, Luna, Draco, Kelly, and Heather saw they weren't altogether. Harry, Kelly, Ginny, Draco, and Heather were all in the Air Assemblage, Luna and Hermione were in the Brew Brigade, and Neville and Seamus were in the Creature Contingent. They went to bed, and everyone went to bed except Heather, who was awake.

"Sigh, I can't believe the war has really begun."

"Neither can I."

"Wood! I didn't know you were awake!"

Heather flushed a shade of pink, but he couldn't see it. He sat down beside her.

"Why are you still awake? Nervous about tomorrow?"

She didn't say anything, but he smiled.

"Don't worry, everyone is."

Wood reached into his pocket and pulled out a flashlight.

"Tonight is my shift for watch out in this area. Since you're awake, want to join me?"

"Uh.sure."

Wood turned it on, and he got up. They walked in silence until Wood broke the quiet.

"So, how have things been since I left?"

"You were SO lucky not to have Umbridge. She was a real bitch to everyone."

Wood laughed, and she smiled.

"It's been awhile since I've seen that smile.

Her face flushed even more, now it was a bright crimson, and this time, he could see it. He smiled, and then he stopped. A serious look fell on his face.

"What is it?"

"Ssh. I heard something."

Suddenly, their flashlight went out. Wood grabbed Heather and held her close to him. Heather felt as if her face was on fire. Suddenly, there was a hiss from behind them. They turned around to find Lord Voldemort's snake, Nagini!

"Run!"

She nodded, and they ran down the hallways, trying to outrun the snake. But it was right on their tail. Just then, the snake jumped, and lunged for Wood!

No.Wood! I can't let him get hurt!

She pushed Wood out of the way just as the snake shot its venom at him, therefore she got the blow instead of him!

"HEATHER! NO!"

"Wood.get out of here."

"NO! You snake! EXPELLIARMUS!"

He hit the snake and it ran back through a hole. Then he rushed to his fallen comrade.

"Heather, are you alright?"

The poison had begun to take its effects. The wound had been in her side, and he removed her robe and tried to slow the poisoning, but nothing was working.

"No.Heather..."

"Wood.just go."

"No, I'm not leaving you!"

She stared at him, and then she began to slip away. Her whole body fell limp in his arms, and her face turned pale.

"NO!"

Just then, Fawkes the phoenix flew in, and it used its healing tears to heal her wounds.

"Heather.you're okay!"

"Wood, I never knew you really cared."

"You really are slow. Ever since I first met you, I've always had feelings for you. My feelings haven't changed at all since I left. I don't care if I am four years older than you, I.I love you!"

Heather's face turned red again. He took his hand and placed it on her cheek.

"Please, just let me do what I've wanted to do for the longest time."

"Wh-what's that?"

Then, he lunged his whole body towards her, and with that, he kissed her. Then, with a great surprise, she kissed him back. She hugged him tight, and he held her in his arms for the rest of the night, silently keeping watch over her, unbeknownst to them that they were being watched by a pair of eyes in the dark.