GETTING READY
Snape's eyes remained for a long time on the Daily Prophet's cover. Reports of multiple attacks and aggressions on Muggles and Muggle-borns these last few weeks. They were taking place with increasing frequency, and many families feared for their lives and their loved ones. The war had begun, he concluded as he looked up at last.
He was at Grimmauld Place for an Order of the Phoenix meeting. Not a meeting with the core members only, but a meeting with all - or most - of them. There were several dozens of witches and wizards assembled in the dining room when Dumbledore spoke up.
"Ladies, Gentlemen, these are difficult times," the old wizard declared. "You have all heard the news, like I have. Voldemort has already begun to strike. The attacks are random and can't be predicted. The best we can do for the moment is to recommend vigilance and caution to everyone." He paused. "However, we know for certain that an attack on Hogwarts is brewing. Kingsley?"
Shacklebolt stepped in front of the audience. "The Ministry has received various reports of abnormal activities of several magical creatures kinds from all over the British Isles. They have also managed to establish some kind of a pattern to the attacks on Muggles: while random, they're all heading towards Hogwarts."
Dumbledore spoke again. "We have estimated their arrival to two days. Three at most. That's the only time we have to ready ourselves. The Minister assured me of his full support. Aurors and other governmental forces will help protect Hogwarts, but I'm afraid this will be far from enough. Many dark creatures have joined Voldemort's side, and we will have to face much more than just Death Eaters. Which is why I will need all of you, all of your valuable help to stop them."
The members of the Order all nodded their agreement. However, Snape briefly wondered why the Dark Lord would decide to attack Hogwarts, and not the Ministry for example. But it was soon quite clear to him that there were two rather obvious reasons: Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter.
"During the last months," Dumbledore continued, "Remus has travelled across Europe to meet with witches and wizards from various countries to try to convince them to rally our cause. Those who agreed were contacted and will arrive at Hogwarts shortly. Alastor?"
It was Moody's turn to step in front of the audience. "We will set an Apparition point just outside the school. At all times it will be guarded by at least five witches or wizards to allow our allies a safe arrival."
Everyone nodded again.
"I expect all of you to be at Hogwarts by sundown today," Dumbledore said. "As I speak, House Elves are arranging facilities in order to accommodate everyone. Now if you will excuse me, I have to break the news to the school's staff, and, above all, to the students," the old wizard concluded.
A few minutes later, Snape, Lupin, Wilson, McGonagall and the Headmaster had apparated just outside Hogwarts together. Dumbledore turned to the four others.
"Could you please go fetch the students of your Houses and bring them all to the Great Hall, while I talk to the other teachers?" Snape, Wilson and McGonagall nodded. "Remus, could you please take care of the Hufflepuff students? I'm sure Professor Sprout will understand."
"Of course," Lupin agreed.
Soon they were all off, and met again half an hour later in the Great Hall with all the students. Most of the students were strangely quiet - they could feel something was wrong. There was only one noisy group, a quite large group mainly made up of Gryffindors, but with members of all the Houses - even Slytherin. Potter and his gang seemed to be leading the discussions. However, they all quietened as soon as the Headmaster entered with the other teachers.
While Dumbledore proceeded to explain everything to the students, Snape observed his colleagues. Some looked a bit pale - especially Trelawney - but mostly they seemed resolute. Snape then listened to Dumbledore explaining about what was coming, about the Dark Lord, Death Eaters and dark creatures, about allies coming to help protect the school. Once done, the Headmaster asked if there were any questions.
Instead of the expected uneasy silence, there was some sort of rumble among the group of students that had been noisy before Dumbledore's speech. Granger, Potter and Weasley moved to the front of the group.
"Sir?" Granger asked. "Could we add something?"
"Of course," Dumbledore said kindly.
"We want to help," Potter affirmed.
"Who do you mean exactly by 'we', Harry?" Dumbledore queried.
"Us," Weasley replied. "I mean, all of us," he added as he indicated the group behind him, and they all cheered.
Dumbledore shook his head lightly. "I am not sure you quite understand the risks."
"We've been training for three years, sir." It was Longbottom who had talked.
The Headmaster sighed heavily. "Well, since you are all of age," he began, and with a quick look Snape took note that they were all, indeed, sixth or seventh years, "I can hardly forbid you to make your own choices. But I have to warn you that this isn't a game. It is very serious, and by taking a part in this, it is your very lives you are endangering."
Well, it wasn't like Potter had never endangered his life and the lives of others uselessly and in a manner contrary to common sense, Snape thought. One more time couldn't really hurt. And if it could, Snape wouldn't be one to complain.
"We already discussed this among ourselves," Potter informed them. "We still want to help."
Dumbledore seemed to blanch somewhat. Snape knew the Headmaster always put the security of his students first, and this decision certainly thwarted him in his plans.
"Very well," Dumbledore finally said with the tone of one who had just been sentenced to death. "But I don't want any of you to take any unnecessary risks. As for the others, and especially those underage, you will all remain here safely, within the school."
A Slytherin raised his hand. "And if we're of age, but don't want to join or to remain here, sir?" the boy asked cockily.
Snape shivered at the implications. If he didn't want to join or to remain there, it meant he wanted to leave - and likely to join the other forces.
Before Dumbledore could reply, several students spontaneously joined the other, voicing similar concerns. Snape noticed there was at least a student or two from each House, even if Slytherin was the most strongly represented House. Dumbledore didn't have the time to answer them before an argument broke out between this group and the other.
"Quiet!" Dumbledore exclaimed. "QUIET!" The argument stopped at once: it was extremely rare for the Headmaster to raise his voice. "Everyone here is entitled to his opinion," the old wizard continued. "The underage students were placed under my care by their parents, and will all remain here. As for the older students, you are free to act as you wish."
There was a long uneasy silence. Snape wasn't sure what Dumbledore expected exactly with this kind of ultimatum: the departure of the troublemakers or their coming to their senses. The latter, probably. In any case, some students decided to leave, to the shock of most of the others. Snape gave a quick look towards Dumbledore: the Headmaster was standing very straight, a bit stiff even as he watched the few students walk away, seemingly imperturbable - though he had paled significantly.
Once the few students were gone, rumblings began to rise in the Great Hall. Dumbledore had to ask for silence again.
"Lessons will be cancelled for the upcoming days," he announced. Strangely, this news wasn't welcomed as cheerfully by the students as it could have. "I trust the older students, especially the prefects, to look after the younger ones."
The speech ended rather awkwardly, with the Headmaster telling the students that their Heads of House would be there to answer their more specific questions. Snape being blessed with the Slytherin House, all he had to do was glare menacingly at any student looking up at him questioningly - they knew better than to ask anyway - during the next few minutes to be off duty.
Dumbledore soon moved to his side. "Severus, we expect allies to begin arriving any minute now, and they need an extra wizard to secure the Apparition point. Seeing as your students don't seem to have any questions, would you care to go to the Apparition point to help?"
"Sure," Snape agreed.
Within minutes, he had reached the Apparition point just outside the school. Moody, Shacklebolt, Tonks and Arthur Weasley were already there, ready to welcome the allies of the Order.
"Snape," Moody greeted him. "Still on our side, I see."
"For the time being, yes," Snape replied coldly, slightly annoyed by the ex Auror's usual allusion to his allegiance.
"Good thing Dumbledore sent you here so I could keep an eye on you," Moody said as he moved away, his magical eye never leaving Snape.
Snape decided to ignore him, and took his position near the Apparition point. During the next hours, they welcomed dozens of witches and wizards, among which many former students. There were some noticeable individuals though: Madame Maxime and some of her older students, Viktor Krum and several countrymen, Filius Flitwick, Ollivander, recently wed Bill and Fleur Weasley…
Speaking of Weasleys, the entire family was soon reunited near Hogwarts grounds. The twins were the first to join their oldest brother. Molly Weasley arrived shortly after Percy, voicing her concerns over the presence of her sons for the upcoming battle. Charlie was the last to get there. He was accompanied by many co-workers, and, as all those that had not headed for the castle yet noticed while taking a few steps back, by several dragons.
The dragons were securely maintained under control by their keepers, but were yanking wildly on their leashes. Dragons. Snape couldn't believe his eyes. Well, at least they would be fighting fire with fire - quite literally.
After a few hours securing the Apparating point perimeter, a group of Order members came to relieve Snape and the others from their duty. All five of them then headed for the castle, and discovered a buzzing activity in the Great Hall: many students were talking with their family members, friends, and other acquaintances that had come to help.
The night that came was quite sleepless for Snape - as for many others he guessed. He spent most of his time lying awake in his bed, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling. He couldn't help but think about all the things that had led to this situation, his part in it - for both sides - the point his life had reached…
He got up at the break of dawn, unable to remain still any longer, and headed outside, hoping to relax in the brisk morning of June. However, it did nothing to appease him. As he set his eyes on the skyline, he spotted a flight of birds, fleeing away en masse from the area.
Disturbed by the sound of light footsteps growing nearer, Snape recognised Dumbledore from the corner of his eyes. The Headmaster stopped next to him.
"They're coming," Snape said softly.
"I know," the Headmaster replied on a concerned tone.
They remained there, standing silently next to each other, studying the skyline. McGonagall was the first of many to join them in their silent observation. Two hours later, all of the witches and wizards that had come were assembled outside the castle, along with the older students that had offered to help.
As a dark shadow expanded in the distance, an odd assemblage of creatures emerged from the Forbidden Forest, among which Centaurs - the younger ones, Snape noted - and giants… All were led by Hagrid and Firenze.
Most of the wizards instantly took their wands out and prepared to defend themselves, until Dumbledore's voice rose above the turmoil.
"Do not worry," the Headmaster began to explain. "These creatures have decided to join us for the battle to come. And they're not the only ones," he added, turning to welcome the crowd of Hogwarts House Elves that had just stepped out of the castle.
During the next minutes, they all readied themselves, wands in hands, as the dark shadow kept approaching until their opponents were within sight. The enemy had many creatures among its ranks, including some Centaurs and giants as well.
But everyone instantly forgot about the Death Eaters or any dark creature as soon as they spotted dreaded, dark, shapeless silhouettes floating in the distance. Several wizards began to whisper worriedly.
Dementors.
Coming Next: The Last Battle