A/N: Was gonna wait a couple more days before I posted this, but then I reached the 100 reviews mark ands got all happy and thought what the hoo I'll post it now. I'm not happy about this chapter, I dunno what it is but I don't like it. It's a shame really, coz this is the last chapter I ever wrote of this fic :( Never mind, review and let me know what you think is wrong with it.


Argus Filch stood at the main doors of Hogwarts, breathing in the summer evening air with his oddly shaped nose. Mrs Norris prowled loyally around his legs. Now that the exams were over, Filch had taken to patrolling the corridors of Hogwarts more than usual, as those bothersome students had too much time to spare. Realising that he should be doing another round, Filch turned to leave when a faint shimmer of green light caught his attention far across the grounds, towards the gates. Filch's usual grimace deepened and he took a step closer, as if it would help him to see better in the evening's light. Was it a student? Filch guessed so, it was just like a student to creep around the grounds at night causing mischief. The man began to set off down the stone steps when a hand landed on his shoulder, causing him to startle.

"Ah, Professor Dumbledore…I've just seen…" but the man trailed off, seeing that Dumbledore had also spotted the green light. It was brighter now, perhaps nearer. The Headmaster's grey eyes never left the spot in the distance.

"Students is my guess," Filch snarled. Dumbledore shook his head, and then turned to his Caretaker.

"I do not think so, Argus," he said calmly, though Filch could see a flicker of regret and apprehension in the old man's pale grey eyes. "Round up the ghosts. Tell them to spread the word to the Heads of Houses. The school must assemble immediately in the Great Hall." Albus turned his eyes back to the grounds. Filch frowned.

"What is it, Professor?" he asked nervously. The elderly wizard gave a saddened sigh.

"Security has been breached."


The Gryffindor common room was bursting with lively activity. All the students were relieved that their exams were finally over, and that the summer holiday would arrive in a weeks time. Even Hermione had relaxed, now that the workload had gone. She sat in a squashy chair watching Ron and Ginny play a light-hearted game of Wizard's Chess. Harry was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's he got to?" Ginny asked as one of her knights became overly aggressive. Hermione shrugged.

"Last I heard he'd gone up to his dorm. Probably sleeping, it's been a tough week."

Ron looked up at his friend.

"Yeah, for you maybe. But Harry and me were wise enough to realise that these were only mock exams. Not worth getting stressed over!" He gave a grin as he made a move. "Check," he sang to his little sister. She huffed and rolled her eyes.

At that moment, Professor McGonagall stormed into the common room. Everyone fell silent in shock; this very rarely happened.

"Children, can I have your attention please. The school is under attack." The students erupted into numerous conversations. McGonagall raised her voice over them. "I need you to make your way sensibly and silently to the Great Hall. This is extremely important," her voice cracked and Hermione turned to Ron and Ginny, noticing that their Head of House was shaking slightly. "Do not panic, do not collect your things. Form an orderly line and follow me." She turned swiftly and the students rose from their seats immediately.

"Do not pass Go, do not collect $200," Seamus laughed. Hermione glared at him.

"This isn't funny, Seamus!" she chided disapprovingly.

"Ah come on, Hermione. It's just a drill. We've never had to do this before."

Ron crossed to the window, and peered out. In the faint light he could see a bright green flare shoot up into the sky from afar. He turned to his friends, his face pale and set.

"This is no drill."

The students made their way in single file down the many flights of moving stairs. They whispered nervously as they did so, causing each of them to grow more and more anxious by the second. They made it to the Great Hall and were ordered to take their seats around their House table. Dumbledore stood at the front of the hall. He called Fawkes the phoenix out from nowhere, prompting a "Cool!" from several of the children. Hermione rolled her eyes then turned to Ginny.

"He's summoning the Order," she whispered and Ginny nodded. The Heads of Houses accepted pieces of parchment from the Headmaster, and began to pace the hall, taking a roll call. Tonks made her way over to Hermione, Ron and Ginny, looking tired and fearful. She was breathing heavily as she reached them.

"Are you guys ok?" she asked and they all nodded silently.

"Tonks, what's going on?" Ron spoke up. Tonks was trembling. Her eyes fell on Hermione and an unspoken thought passed between them. Hermione nodded slightly; she knew.

"What?" Ron asked again, looking between them.

"Death Eaters," Hermione turned to him. The boy's eyes widened and Ginny gave a little yelp. Tonks ran her hands over her face and then removed them suddenly.

"Where's Harry?" she asked quickly and the three teenagers looked to one another.

"Um…we think he's still in the dormitory," Ron mumbled. Tonks' mouth dropped.

"What!" she screeched, causing many of her students to look across at them. Hermione pointed across to the door as Fawkes flew in gracefully, followed by Lupin, Moody and Kingsley. Tonks wasn't sure how they had managed to arrive so quickly, but she was glad that they had.

"The Auror will be here soon," she mumbled to no one in particular. Taking another deep breath, she faced the three teenagers.

"I have to go look for Harry," she told them quickly. "Stay here. Do exactly as Dumbledore tells you. Take care of yourselves." She ran off towards Lupin. Hermione saw them exchange anxious words. Tonks was clearly worried. Lupin was indicating for her to calm down. Hermione watched the man stroke the woman's cheek affectionately and the two ran off towards Gryffindor Tower. The girl then turned her attention to her Headmaster as he began to speak.

"My students," he began, "we have to work quickly. You are all in grave danger I regret to admit. Listen to me now, the tables at which you are sat at will become Portkeys. I request that you all place both of your hands over the table in front of you." The students shuffled around, obeying. Dumbledore gave a nod to his teachers.

"Portus!" they cried together, and the room glowed bright blue for an instant. All four large tables began to shake as if in an earthquake. A few of the girls, including Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil gave out a shriek. The tables settled back down, and dust rose up into the air, causing people to cough. Dumbledore took a deep breath.

"These Portkeys will take you to Gringotts in Diagon Alley. You will be safe there," he assured his pupils. Ron leant forwards to Hermione and whispered in her ear.

"Hagrid told Harry that Gringotts is probably the safest place in the world–"

"Except Hogwarts," Ginny pointed out dryly and her brother sat back in his seat, deflated.

"The Portus should be ready now," Dumbledore announced. "You may place your hands onto the table when I give the signal. Ah, and would the Weasleys and Miss Granger stay behind please." All eyes turned to land on them. Ron and Ginny went pink, but Hermione stood up importantly and dragged her two friends with them. They walked down the aisle in between two of the large tables, Malfoy sneering at them as they passed.

"As for the rest of you, you may place your hands on the table…now!" There was a whooshing noise, and the hall emptied of students, leaving an eerie silence in their wake. Dumbledore turned to the three remaining pupils.

"Your mother would like you at Headquarters where she can keep an eye on you." He passed them a golden goblet. "Take this." They obeyed instantly, feeling the familiar tug behind their navel, and transporting themto safety. Once the hall was empty of students, Dumbledore breathed heavily in relief. He turned to Moody and Kingsley, stood in the doorway.

"It is time," he said.