Ron paced nervously in front of the fireplace in Dumbledore's office. He kept glancing at the portkey sitting on the table, waiting for it to light up. Hermione was going over every spell she had ever read about or learned. Harry was sitting quietly, thinking about what he was about to witness. It had been almost fifteen minutes and still there was no sign of the portkey changing.
"Make sure everyone stays calm. If you need something, call me by the fire, alright?" Poppy asked Neville.
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey."
"Good." With that, she shut the doors to the Great Hall and locked the student body of Hogwarts in. Neville turned around and was face to face with Draco Malfoy.
"What is the meaning of this, Longbottom? Why are we all in here with no teachers?" he asked, his evil glare staring Neville down.
Neville backed up against the doors as Draco advanced. "Just...just sit down, Malfoy. They'll be here to explain soon."
"Why are you in charge? You couldn't harm anyone!"
"He's been put in charge by Professor Dumbledore and I suggest you sit down, Malfoy," Dean said, coming up behind the pair. His wand was out and pointed at Draco. As Malfoy went to reach for his wand, Dean cried, "Accio wand!"
Draco's wand came flying out from under his robes and into Dean's hand. "Now go sit down!" he exclaimed again.
"Give me back my wand."
"Not until Professor Dumbledore gets here. I'm not afraid to put you in a body bind ya know."
Draco was about to respond but instead, he did as Dean said and went to sit with Crabbe and Goyle. Dean turned to Neville.
"You ok?"
"Yea, thanks. Maybe I shouldn't have been put in charge."
"Yes you should've Neville. Professor Dumbledore knows just what he is doing."
"Stupefy!"
"Crucio!"
Curses were hurled back and forth between both sides. A short, plump, hooded figure moved in front of Molly Weasley after she had successfully put a young Death Eater into a body bind.
"You think you're so powerful, Mrs. Weasley? Funny, I didn't know. I thought you always hid behind your husband and took care of those six little brats!" the woman spat.
Molly Weasley did not grow angry easily, but her voice was stronger than ever as she threw a spell at the woman. Successfully putting up a shield, the woman deflected the curse. She started laughing, a laugh that no one would be able to miss.
"You know, I was quite upset that I did not get to give your sons what they deserved after they made my life so horrible last year."
"It was just what you deserved, Dolores!" Molly shouted and threw another curse.
The two women battled for what seemed like an eternity until Dolores caught Molly off guard. Molly screamed and fell to the ground, Dolores laughing high and loud. Arthur heard Molly's screams and quickly ducked out of the way to come to her side. He looked up and saw Dolores laughing, anger filling his every body.
"Stupefy!"
Dolores looked "stunned" as she fell to the ground. Arthur looked over Molly and then over to Alastor.
"Moody! It's Molly!"
Alastor's eye looked over and quickly threw the portkey to Arthur before hurling another curse at Lucius Malfoy. Arthur caught the portkey and taking Molly in his arms, the two were transported back to Hogwarts. As he rushed his wife up to the infirmary, the portkey in Dumbledore's office began to glow.
"Hhh...Harry! Look!" Ron said, running over to the table. Harry and Hermione both stood and all three looked around at each other.
"Alright...let's go," Harry said.
All three put their hands on the portkey and were immediately transported to the battle site. No one noticed them appear so they quickly moved behind a few broken tree stumps. They watched carefully as their professors and the Order members battled with the Death Eaters. Harry took a keen interest in what Dumbledore and Voldemort were doing.
A few moments later, he noticed Voldemort looking over at Professor McGonagall inbetween throwing curses at Dumbledore. She was battling Bellatrix. He saw Voldemort point his wand to throw his next curse but quickly turned it on Professor McGonagall's back and threw it at her. A long rope flew from the end of his wand, wrapped around her and pulled her to him. Taken completely by surprise, Dumbledore lowered his wand as Voldemort put his wand to Minerva's throat.
Harry poked Hermione and pointed. She gasped and put a hand to her mouth. Ron looked over as well and looked positively green.
"I suggest you put that down, Tom," Albus said calmly.
"I told you that is not my name!" Voldemort exclaimed.
"You do not want to hurt her. You want to kill me. Do not put her in the middle."
"And why? She is mine! She will never be yours again!"
"Maybe so, but that is to be decided by the outcome of this battle. You are not playing fair."
"Have I ever?" Voldemort asked, laughing at himself. "No, no, no Professor Dumbledore. I have never played fair. I know how to get what I want," he said, looking Minerva over.
At that precise moment, Severus appeared next to Voldemort and Minerva.
"My Lord, I apologize for coming so late, but I could not find Potter anywhere," he said hastily.
"What?" Voldemort screamed, turning to look at Severus. "Where is he?"
"I do not know, my Lord. I have searched the entire castle. Neither he nor Miss Granger or the young Mr. Weasley could be found."
"They are around here somewhere," Voldemort said. "They must have started traveling this way."
While he was surmising where the students were, Albus and Minerva were developing a plan of their own. Albus caught Minerva's eye and she nodded at him. Knowing that Voldemort's hold was not as strong, he had only been waiting for her signal.
"Accio!" he cried as Minerva flew into his arms. Voldemort turned quickly as Albus threw another curse at him, Minerva moving back over to fight Bellatrix. Snape disappeared into the woods. Harry watched him move off quickly and figured he was pretending to find the three of them. Suddenly, there was a cry from the battlefield as Remus fell.
"No!" Harry cried but no one heard him. Professor Sinistra tried to move Remus' body out of harm's way, making two holes where Death Eaters had ganged up on Albus. Harry turned to look at Ron and Hermione, both having their wands at the ready.
"Ready?" Hermione asked.
Harry nodded and looked to Ron. Ron gulped and nodded to.
"Let's go," Harry said as he ran from behnd the tree. The three students fought hard against the Death Eaters, showing the talent they had learned from being in "Dumbledore's Army." Voldemort, having been preoccupied with Albus, had not noticed Harry until Lucius Malfoy fell. Voldemort quickly turned his wand upon Harry, but looking around, saw that almost all of his Death Eaters had fallen or were in danger of being defeated. Being a Slytherin, he always saved his own neck. He turned back to Albus.
"I will be back and I will have many more followers. You know this Dumbledore. And I will take what I want...after I kill both you and Potter. Be warned," he said icily. And with that, he, along with the Death Eaters still fighting, disappeared.
Dumbledore looked around, his wand still out. Quickly, he pointed his wand at all the fallen Death Eaters and tied them together.
"Kingsley, would you please transport these to the Ministry of Magic where they are to be tried later this morning," Albus said.
"Of course," Kingsley answered as he levitated the group of Death Eaters. They were all soon gone.
Albus quickly hurried over to Lupin and checked his vital signs. "He is still alive. Alastor..."
"I'm on it, Dumbledore," Mad-Eye said. He took a portkey from Albus and he and Remus were transported to the hospital wing.
Albus turned to the rest of the group. Almost all were breathing heavily, exhausted from what they had just been through. All had cuts and bruises on their faces, arms, and legs. Their robes were tattered, hair out of place, and grim expressions on their faces.
"We will all return to the castle. The students will be wondering why they have been locked in the Great Hall for so long. We will have a celebratory dinner later this evening where we will explain what has happened to the students. I would like to speak with all of you after the students have returned to the dormitories. And then you will all receive the rest that you deserve. Thank you...all of you...for what you have accomplished tonight," he finished softly.
They all nodded and looked around at each other. They all looked like they had just been through a tornado...dirty and mangled. But, at Dumbledore's motion, they formed a line and started back towards Hogwarts. Minerva gently took Albus' arm, knowing how much pain he must be in. He, knowing the injuries she had sustained, made sure to keep a strong hold on her as they walked back up the hill. As the group reached the top of the hill, so did the sun. It was the sign of hope they needed that they had won a very important battle.
Ginny moved along the tables, looking over all of the students. A few were sleeping but most were talking quietly, wondering where their teachers were. She reached the end of Gryffindor's Table and walked up to Neville.
"Do you think everything's alright? They've been gone all night," she said quietly.
"I'm sure Fawkes would have warned us if we were in danger," Neville said, unusually confident.
Ginny nodded. "Yes, you're probably right."
At that moment, the doors of the Great Hall burst open. Immediately, everyone became silent. Neville, with his wand out, gently pushed Ginny behind him. His wand dropped, however, when he saw Albus and Minerva walking slowly through the door. His mouth dropped slightly at their appearance, Ginny gasping behind him.
The Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress led those who had been in battle up the row between the tables. The silence ended as all of those who had fought Voldemort came into view. A single person began clapping and then another...and another...until suddenly, the entire Hall had erupted in applause, cheering, and shouting. The only people not cheering were a select few at the Slytherin table, Malfoy included, who had scowls on their faces.
After everyone had been seated at the Head Table, Albus turned around slowly and held up his bloody hands. The Hall quieted as the students sat down.
"Thank you for your kind welcome. I would like to thank all of you for your patience this evening. I know it is difficult not knowing what is going on around you...but it was for your safety. Tonight, Lord Voldemort returned to the Dark Forest along with a group of his Death Eaters. Your Professors, select members of the wizarding community, and three of your fellow students," he said, motioning to those sitting at the Head Table, "fought bravely against Voldemort and his followers. I am pleased to announce that many of his Death Eaters have been taken into Ministry custiody and will be placed on trial later today. Voldemort had disappeared once again, but he is very weak and without many of his most loyal supporters. Tonight...was a victory for our side," Albus said, pride in his voice.
The Hall broke out into applause again, Neville clapping wildly until Ginny tugged on his sleeve.
"Do you see my Mum and Dad?" she asked.
Neville looked around the Head Table and was shocked to not see Molly and Arthur amongst its members.
"I'm sure they're fine," he said quickly. But nothing he said could help the sinking feeling Ginny had in the pit of her stomach. After the applause had died down, Albus spoke once again.
"It it time for all of you to get some rest. Prefects, please lead all students back to the dormitories. Mr. Longbottom, please lead the Gryffindors back as Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger will need to remain here. There will be a celebratory dinner this evening and...all classes are cancelled for today," he finished, a small smile on his face.
The students, beaming and applauding, filed out of the Great Hall. Albus turned to look at all of the people sitting at the Head Table.
"Again, my thanks to all of you for your help tonight. You will find rooms along the North corridor ready and waiting for you. However, I must insist that all go to Madam Pomfrey's to be checked thoroughly for any injuries. Mr. Weasley..."
Ron looked up quickly and grew nervous at Albus' sympathetic expression.
"I am afraid that the reason yourself, Miss Granger, and Mr. Potter were summoned was because your mother fell in battle. Your father rushed her to the hospital wing right away. I suggest that you get your sister and go immediatley to the hospital wing where Madam Pomfrey can update you on her condition."
Ron gulped and stumbled as he stood. His face was white with fear as he made to go out of the Great Hall. Hermione stood quickly.
"Professor...may I..."she began, but Albus already knew what she wanted to do. Albus nodded and Hermione ran to Ron, taking his arm and rushing him towards Gryffindor Tower.
Harry looked at the Headmaster and noted how tired and old he seemed. "Excuse me, Professor."
Albus looked over at Harry. "You may go see to Remus, Harry."
"Thank you, sir," Harry said, rushing out after his friends. Albus turned back to the others and motioned for them to go to the hospital wing. He reached out a hand to Minerva. She took it gratefully and stood next to him, letting the others go first.
She looked up at him and brushed away a trickle of blood that was coming from a cut on his cheek. "Albus..."
"Yes?" he asked, leading her out of the Great Hall.
"Are you alright?"
He squeezed her hand gently. "Knowing that you are safe is all that I am worried about. I am fine, Minerva."
She smiled slightly and remained silent until they reached the hospital wing.